Spramp Shots: Somewhere in Montana

Somewhere in Montana, jcb, 2008 (Source)

I'm finally settled into my life in the Midwest, and getting around to blogging real posts again. Getting here was interesting, especially the two-day train ride across the northern portion of the country. The shot above was taken, as the title suggests, "somewhere in Montana," a state that I continue to fall hardcore over every time I pass through. The state is beautiful! And after yesterday's primary in Montana, I have the utmost confidence and appreciation for the people of the state. It's certainly on my short-list of places in which I'd eventually might want to settle.

I highly recommend train travel, btw. Book yourself a room on Amtrak!

But alas, I'm not there anymore. I've returned back to the Michigan for the summer, to finish up with a project that has taken over six years to finish - and I still dare not speak its name (it's *that* scary*). Also, my partner-in-crime is here, and we need this summer to plan accordingly. It's not that bad, being back. Though with the rain coming down these past two days, I feel like I never left Seattle. I really hope that I get a lot done while I'm here. Crossing my fingers!

Otherwise, I have a backlog of e-mail that I need to get through and a lot of things I want to blog about, so stay tuned.

xoxo jan

Spramp Shots: Squirr vs. the Blanket

(Source)

Squirr loves his blanket.

Spramp Shots: Blurry Chicago

Blurry Chicago (Source)

I'm pooped. My trip to the Midwest was a success. I spent a few days in Chicago for a conference where I met up with my man-toy, Mark (he's going to hate me for calling him that). We stayed at The Conrad - and we concluded that the hotel is a "hot tranny mess" (we really liked it!). Chicago is cool, though, at times it felt way too busy and touristy. Unfortch, I was way too preoccupied with the conference to really explore the city as I wanted. I did my mandatory shopping and Mark and I ate a some really yummy restaurants (Red Light was pretty good). I will not eat at another all-you-can-eat Brazilian place, no matter what Mark says. I'm through with skewered meat. After Chicago, we took a pit-stop in Columbus (don't ask). There's a restaurant there called Rigsby's Cuisine Volatile that I really wanted to return to for their fennel sardine dish that I had a few years ago. I still dream of that dish. I can't believe it wasn't on the menu anymore! I know the dish itself sounds pretty weird, but it was fantastic! Bring it back! The restaurant is fantastic, go and check it out. After Columbus, we finally made it to Ann Arbor, my old stomping ground. I do miss A2, though I'm really happy that I don't live there anymore.

Check it:
The Conrad
Red Light
Rigsby's Cuisine Volatile

Spramp Shots: Monorail

Monorail, 2008 (Source)

This week has been killer! I can't believe Friday is here since it feels like all the days have bled into each other. Yup, my plate hasn't gotten any lighter, and it looks only to get more crazy in the upcoming days. I head out to Chicago for a conference next week and haven't really gotten my crap together for it. Though I do get to spend a few days with Mark, which will be nice. I'll be in good ole Ann Arbor for a few days after that to tie up some loose strands then back to Seattle to what I hope will be nice, warm Spring weather. My students are getting antsy now that the semester is drawing to a close. Their pained faces staring out the window while I lecture always bring a smile to my face. I can empathize - we are to reach close to 70 degrees on Saturday! I need to be outdoors for that.

I snapped the shot above using my camera phone. I pass along the monorail on my way to the office. I realized the other day as the actual monorail train passed by that the train itself is pretty old and crappy-looking. No wonder it keeps breaking down. Time for an upgrade!

Spramp Shots: Sometimes I Do Things

Sometimes I Do Things (2007) (Source)

My sickness has returned, and I'm sitting coughing up a lung and feeling all clogged (in all the wrong places ... are there ever right places to be clogged?). Ugh. I can't think right. I think I've caught whatever has been going around in Seattle - a bunch of people were coughing last night at the talk. So what to do, what to do?

Help me!

Spramp Shots: Earth Hour

"Earth Hour," March 29, 2008 (Source)

I managed to make it through an hour of darkness for Earth Hour, with only a candle. In the back of this picture, you'll see very few lights in Ballard. There were actually more lights visible, but I'd like to think that people in Ballard shut their lights.

Check it:
Earth Hour

Spramp Shots: Untitled Topographies

Untitled Topographies, jcb (2008)

Doesn't that look like some planetary surface? To think that I was actually going to toss this into the scrap metal pile. Luckily my welding partner had enough foresight to proclaim that she was going to put it into a shadow box. Man, duh - I had inhaled too much acetylene gas! I'm so glad that I didn't toss it. I actually like the different topographies that I created. I think it might be interesting with some rust action. More to come! (The bottom right is a bit blurry because the heat warped the metal.)

Spramp Shots: In Bed

"In Bed" (Source)

I awoke somewhat earlier than normal today - grrr, to my job! I noticed whilst making my morning coffee that I had a cough. My student Hannah sounded like she was coughing up a lung last Wednesday. I'm afraid that I might have caught her illness (I told her she shouldn't sit in front of me!). Apparently there's a nationwide flu thing going around. I've been fairly lucky over the years; in fact, I don't even remember the last time I got it (knock on wood). I'll take a nasty cough over being bedridden.

Maybe a hot shower will help. Ugh.

Spramp Shots: S.L.U.T.

S.L.U.T. (Source)

It stands for "South Lake Union Trolley." Shame, shame for thinking anything else. The image of the S.L.U.T. was taken on my way to work with my camera phone. Notice the sun? My colleague calls what we're experiencing in Seattle "Indian Spring," which was surprising to hear because it's not very P.C. - I feel like Seattle-ites are really conscious of their P.C.-ness - and also because I really do think she made that term up. I, for one, call what we're getting - um - global warming. But then again, I'm no scientist. I have yet to ride the S.L.U.T. nor mount it nor whatever god-awful double entendre or pun you wish to use to convey its use - but hopefully soon. There's a pretty purple one that makes me chuckle every time it goes by; and I'm fairly sure that I laugh at its sight for the obvious metaphor that it seems to inspire.

At the height of dusk tonight I was still able to see the snow covering Mt. Rainier from my work desk perfectly. It's really starting to trip me out how clear and sunny the days are up here. I'm really missing the rain.

Spramp Shots: A Dick Away

"A Dick Away" (Source)

I decided to hit my old library carrel at UW today after many months of ignoring the place. I used to go there daily to work, when I didn't have an office; I remember being really productive back then. Now that deadlines are looming large on my plate, I thought perhaps I should try my luck back on campus. And strangely, I actually got stuff done today - go figure? When I looked up from desk, I found this defaced information card in front of me. It was a nice moment of comic relief; and I thought the message was sorta apropos for some reason.

Spramp Shots: Magnolia Sky

"Magnolia Sky" (Source)

Spramp Shots: Fortune

"Fortune" (Source)

Spramp Shots: Alaskan Way Viaduct

"Alaskan Way Viaduct" (Source)

Spramp Shots: Neck and Necklace

"Neck and Necklace" (Source)

Spramp Shots: Top Pot (Interior)

"Top Pot (Interior)" (Source)

Check it:
Top Pot Doughnuts

Spramp Shots: Virginia and Fairview

"Virginia and Fairview" (2008) (Source)