alison the wilca

I'm a simple man and a design nerd. Google setting the "helvetica" search results to comic sans was enough April Fool's for me.

oh my gosh- how horrifying!

sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0WxgSXdEE

I love This American Life and Planet Money. Planet Money is really interesting if you are curious about how money works in the world.

Oh- and Car Talk!

Our local Borders is closing so we went to see if they had any good closing sales. The initial sale is only 20% off- a quick check of Amazon.com showed that most stuff was still cheaper there after the 20% was knocked off. Crazy. I love real bookstores but I have a very real budget- when books are priced grossly higher than another option, I have to go with the other option (or just not buy at all, which is what i normally do).

there was an interesting segment on This American Life a few weeks back (episode 424- Kid Politics) with a teenage girl who was a passionate climate change skeptic having a discussion with an earth science teacher association lady. it was very revealing as to how people often can't change their beliefs, despite convincing arguments.

I hate that blue tape- it never works and is never totally straight- use it only where totally necessary. just go really slow with a steady hand and it'll turn out way better.

Purdy brushes are great. I've only ever used Benjanmin Moore paint and it is usually lovely but i think my last batch wasn't mixed right- it was all bubbly

my biggest thing is that, if you haven't painted the trim/baseboards lately, I would do that, too. It will make the difference and everything will look way better and fresher.

I've slowly been painting my all white house and have never used primer, but the white paint on the walls was matte. If yours has any gloss in it, I would highly suggest lightly sanding your walls. They have large wall sander stick things that you can use for that. then use tacky cloth to remove the dust. since this will be a bold wall, you want it to look the best possible. give the paint a good base- make sure it is clean and dry, and you'll be good.

Also, don't stand on a step-stool barefoot. The last time I did that my foot was numb for days.

Thank you so much for answering my questions~~

 

I haven't been watching news for a long time. And I'm not a big fan of him anyway. I'm going to Chicago on Jan. 17th, Monday, and going back in the next afternoon 3pm. Hopefully I can finish my passport thing really quick. The bus will arrive at 630 W. Harrison (downtown area) at 4:45 am on Monday. The Chinese consulate is not far. I also want to visit the art institute of Chicago (that's museum, right?) As for swing dance, I'm just curious about what dance in big cities are like and want to find somewhere for social dance.

 

My host family told me to find some hostel to stay overnight but I don't know if that's possible since I dont have my passport. I guess I just want to make sure that I don't get lost... Well, maybe a ride from Chinese consulate to the art institue of Chicago?

 

I searched "swing dance" and "Ballroom" on Google map but I don't know where to find normal social dance. Will people dance with strangers? I went to a Ballroom in Nebraska and they all came with their friends so I did not dance much actually.

The Art Institute isn't very far from the Chinese consulate- Google says 1.3 miles. You should be able to take a quick cab ride (or walk, if you can go that far in the cold). Link to directions here. However- your bus is arriving very early- maybe get breakfast somewhere? I don't know the first thing about hostels or dancing, though.

I got that Larry Sanders set for my husband

My favorite present was a new pair of running shoes..

I also got compression tights to run in. Now my knee just needs to get better so I can get back on the track

That sounds like the most terrifying gift ever to me! But I'm sure your dad will love it.

I would be terrified, as well, but my dad loves old planes and such. I grew up near a small airport where the biplane flights would leave from and I always remember him being wistful when he saw them in the sky.

To show that this is the only good thing I could come up with- I got my mom a crock pot

Amazon is giving away a Christmas song each day... the Chris Issak Auld Lang Syne is pretty good. You can go back to previous days and get the songs from that day.

I'm getting my dad a ride in a real restored biplane. they even let you "fly the plane" once it is up in the air.

i heard "You and I" in a Kohl's the other day. It made me feel sad.

My 7yr old daughter has discovered American Girl dolls. I'm a total sucker for my sweet angel so she'll get one for Xmas. I know there's a huge store in Chicago, anybody been there?

i haven't been but i believe they have a theater and restaurant in the store. I've seen the little girls bringing their dolls in. I'm sure the girls absolutely love the experience but it seems as though it is designed to suck as much money from the parents as possible. I bet I would have loved it when I was little

personally, i prefer Krampus Day- Dec 5th, the day before St Nicholas' Day. I reeeeally want to go to Krampustag in Germany- has anyone ever been?

i already did some christmas shopping and started my christmas cards but i love fall so much that i leave my fall decs up until thanksgiving. my tree is always up the day after the turkey, though!

i do love getting it all taken care of early, though. then you can just sit back and relax!

i'm feeling nostalgic.

i love Terriers- it is fun to watch and has a good sense of humor. Plus I'm a San Diego native and appreciate the setting.

If anyone is coming to Chicago soon, the Museum of Science and Industry is having a Jim Henson exhibit. This museum is so awesome- certainly worth coming to. Also, during the holiday season there is a German Christmas market called the Chriskindlmarket in Daley Plaza in the Loop. There are lots of German and other worldwide vendors, glass ornaments, glogg in a glass boot, pretzels, etc. It isn't far from the shops on State street for additional holiday vibes. My sister is visiting for Christmas and we'll be doing both of these things!

i tried to cancel my myspace account about a dozen times and it will never send me the confirmation email. then i tried uploading an offensive photo, and it wouldn't let me. then i appealed to friends and family to "report" me to get me kicked off and no one could find the capability. in the end, i just deleted every tidbit of info and change my username to a symbol. i mean, what the heck?!

I think they mean Three Oaks, MI.

Agreed- that would be really nutty if they played in Three Rivers.

Not only are those meters more convenient but, somehow (i guess since everyone hates them), there are way more parking spots! Where once it was impossible to find a spot near damen/milwaukee/north- there are now tons!

i kind of love the new meters!

in any case, i always thought he was a great lover of the city.

how did big rock candy mountain sound?. similar to harry's version?

it sounded awesome- yes, like Harry's. except I don't recall whistling but i could be wrong.

i had a lot of highlights- it would be hard to list them all!

John Irving didn't approve of the movie and withdrew his blessings, hence the name change.

i was wondering about that! i still love that movie but is totally different in the sheer magnitude of the depth of this story.