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 Tweets 26

I am obsessed with Twitter! Here is my day in tweets, just for you:

• 15:55 Made it to Michigan...the adventure continues...will be heading out to dinner soon ... more to come. #
• 20:07 Lots to do in the morning Waiting for laundry to finish, then sleep. It's odd being back in Ann Arbor. #

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Spramp Tweets 24

I am obsessed with Twitter! Here is my day in tweets, just for you:

• 05:30 In Minneapolis . . . yawn. Why are people awake? #
• 09:15 Wisconsin's a bit more scenic. Almost there. Having my own room was worth the ride. #
• 12:16 I see Lake Michigan! #
• 13:38 Just pulled into Chicago. Nice and sunny. #
• 18:14 Mark and I made it Madison (WI) after he picked me up in Chicago. It was a tense drive - blame the Chicago traffic. We're ready to eat! #
• 20:11 Highly recommend Harvest restaurant in Madison. Just wonderful. #

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Spramp Tweets 23

I am obsessed with Twitter! Here is my day in tweets, just for you:

• 01:03 We're here in Spokane. Spotty wi-fi. I'm having email withdrawal. Grr. #
• 06:33 Somewhere in Montana. Need more sleep. Old people wake too early. Grr. #
• 10:33 free wi-fi in no where Montana. just lovely. the world is connected. lol. #
• 17:24 In the middle of nowhere North Dakota. The state feels deserted.Very pretty tho. #
• 17:48 Just ordered room service. I'm having the steak again. It's actually pretty good. #
• 18:16 It must suck to be here in the winter. Prolly why it's so empty. I'm in the heart of flatness. #
• 20:45 The swaying of the train is quite soothing . . . #

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Hello Summer!

Hello Summer!

Finally ... I can just about say with confidence that all of the nonsense that I've been dealing with has come to an end. I've been very bad with postings due, in large part, to my move into the lovely neighborhood of Ballard (in Seattle). My old apartment had been recently bought out by a new property management company, who blind-sided most of the tenants with a $500 increase in rent. According to my informant, the company did this to drive the tenants out ... no joke. And of course, no one who got the rent increase stayed. I would ultimately love to flame the property management out, but I will hold off here, since the person who actually managed the day-to-day activities of the building still works there, and he was the only one who showed any empathy and care for the tenants. He told me today that my apartment, after renovations, is expected to rent for $1700! One word: Suckers! Who in their right mind would move to the Magnolia neighborhood and spend that much money on a 1-bedroom apartment, nearly twice the average rental rate in that area. I wish the company a rude slap in the face.

Anyway - I'm rambling. So I moved, and I love my new apartment and living in Ballard.

Tomorrow I will be leaving for the summer, spending the bulk of the summer months in the Midwest with my partner-in-crime, Mark. I'm excited by my summer break, but equally excited to have my life back and time to blog, travel, listen to music, and work. So more to come on Sprampblog.

Seattle or Bust!

NWsource - Find your own Seattle (Source)

I've been waiting for these short commercials to hit YouTube. They are cute little reminders why folks here (in Seattle) really love being here.

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

Double Lives Bollywood Style

Tracey Ullman - State of the Union, Indian Viagra (Source)

My sincerest apologies for my lack of recent posts. Like most of you, I lead a double life of sorts. This life has taken me away from Seattle to Chicago for the past few days. The change of scenery was much needed, but like most trips that take me outside of Seattle, I find myself pitting my new environs against the Emerald City - I ultimately fall homesick. You get my point. Chicago really didn't do much for me. It's too busy, too touristy, too much honking of car horns, too many cars, too many building (though I do love the skyline, which is perhaps the best part of the city) - there's just too many "too many-s". I actually don't get back to Seattle for a few more days; currently I'm waiting for my melatonin to kick in before I call it a night. I'm with my partner-in-crime, Mark, in Ann Arbor (weirdness to be back), and all is oddly the same as when I left a few years ago. Change is slow in the Midwest.

I caught the funny show Tracy Ullman's State of the Union tonight - I don't get cable back at home, so I'm like a moth to a flame right now and have been plopped in front of Mark's TV for most of the evening. I absolutely fell in love with Tracy's skit in which she plays Padma Perkish, the Indian pharmacist/Bollywood star! I've embedded two of Padma's acts in this post. Funny, funny - and brilliant!

Even though I'm in the heart of flatness, I'll be attempting to be productive tomorrow and onward. So hopefully the lags will stop.

Here's to double-lives! xoxo. jan


Padma Perkish (Source)

Check it:
Tracy Ullman's State of the Union [Showtime]

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!

Island Day-Dreaming

San Marco Island (Source)

I have a fondness for islands - it's in my blood. I had never heard of the Venetian Islands in Florida until I read an article about them in the New York Times. I'm not fond of Florida as a whole, which is probably why I've remained unaware. But it would be nice, wouldn't it, to live on an island, man-made or not. I think I might be in the wrong profession.

Read it:
Islands of Calm, New York Times (March 21, 2008)

Run

I'm Loving Candle Glow

I'm taking a rare break from the madness that has been my life these past few weeks. My students return from their Spring Breaks tomorrow, and so will I (but I'll return begrudgingly). I had planned on going to Vancouver, BC, this week, and a couple of things happened. One: I didn't get enough done with a project that I've been working on; and Two: gas prices hit $3.60 in Seattle. The work is still piling on, and it seems that fitting in a break to recover is all but impossible at the moment.

I've been shopping for a Vespa on Craigslist, thinking that getting one might save me on gas. If anyone has one that they'd like to sell to me for a bargain, please let me know.

I did have a small window the other day to shop at Home Depot for some supplies for the Welding class that I'm taking at Pratt here in Seattle. Can one really be a fashionable welder? I suppose, I'll find out this Tuesday. I'm really excited. This might prove to be a good outlet for my stress. While at Home Depot, I picked out some paint swatches (above). I'm going to paint two walls in my living room. Right now "Candle Glow" (middle column, second from the bottom) is growing on me. I need something that'll emit some brightness without being too yellow. I'm giving myself a few more days to decide.

My gay bunny ears got hard last night when I discovered that the British phenom Leona Lewis did a remake of one of my fave songs by Snow Patrol on BBC Radio 1. She covered the song "Run," and it's quite good. Fierce, even. Yup, funny sometimes I forget about my inner-gay. She's due to appear on Oprah to make her U.S. debut tomorrow. I do love Leona Lewis.

Ok. Back to work.

Check it:
Leona Lewis

I Don't Know

Two Kitties 69'ing

I don't know if I've turned into the type of person who swoons over pictures of their pets, but this one that Mark sent to me today is sorta adorable - I stopped short of letting out an "aww." It does make you want to, doesn't it? Those are Mark's kitties, Ceci on the left (who I named - in fact, it was my laptop's name before it was hers) and Bandit on the right. They're totally 69'ing, which is probably why I like the picture so much. Animal carnality intrigues me to no end.

The possibility of going back to Michigan this summer - Ann Arbor to be precise - is pretty good. I tend to follow the money, and something just popped up in A2 that looks promising. It's so hard to be a starving intellectual. I am, however, waiting to hear from a few other places, so a guarantee that I'm back in my old stomping grounds, it is not. We shall see.

Today I received my new passport to replace the one I lost last summer somewhere between Dublin and Chicago. It only took 2 weeks to get at the cheapest application price, about $100. I was pleasantly surprised at how fast it came, but also felt liberated! I don't know how people can go their whole life not wanting to travel outside of the U.S - it's quite shocking to me, really. Immediately, I started devising my next romp around the world. In fact, my first stop will actually come in about 2 weeks to Vancouver, BC, to see my friend Jim; after that - gosh, I don't know - the world is my playground. Sidenote: I'm really excited that my picture looks so good in the little blue book.

It's the small things that I notice that really brightens my day.

Fly the Friendly Virgin Skies to Seattle

(Source)

Finally! I've been waiting for Virgin America to start flying to and from Seattle since its inception, and now they are! Well not "now" "now" - first flights start in March. Flights are limited to two routes: Seattle to San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle to Los Angeles (LAX), with introductory one-way rates starting at $79 and $99, respectively. Flights to SFO begin on March 18, 2008, and to LAX on April 8, 2008. With all the neat-o amenities Virgin provides, these prices are fairly respectable. I'd love to see a route from Seattle to the East Coast ... hopefully soon. I can't wait to try the airline out!

Check it:
Virgin America

Spramp Hodgepodge 5

"Under" (Source: jcb, 2007)

Once I stopped playing Moola.com this afternoon, I had won $40. Woot woot! And then I was off to dinner with Dr. Paul at the oddly-located upscale-chain restaurant, Palomino. We had a swell time - happy early B-day Doc! I am now officially full but hankering for some decaf coffee. I'm wiped, and yet I have a stack of essays to grade staring at me in the face. What to do? What to do? I think I shall do decaf before I do anything that requires me to think. Enjoy the hodgepodge!

• India Surgery on Many-Limbed Girl, BBC News (November 6, 2007)
• Malaysian Police Raid Gay Sex Party at Gym, Arrest 37 Men, Towleroad (November 6, 2007)
• Get More From Credit Card Rewards [Credit Cards], Lifehacker (November 6, 2007)
• Top 10 Least On-Time Airports, The Consumerist (November 5, 2007)
• Apple Tablet Is Real, On Its Way, CrunchGear (November 6, 2007)
• PayPal is Rude in the Lunch Line, New York Times (November 6, 2007)
• Architect Gehry Sued by MIT, AP (November 6, 2007)
• Anderson Cooper And Jeff Corwin Insanely Homoerotic In HD—But Not In New York [Eco-porn], Gawker (November 5, 2007)
• Rebel, Disgraced, Tries to Pull Off Rebound, New York Times (November 7, 2006)
• NBC Universal's Green Week on TV, Treehugger (November 6, 2007)
  

Spramp Hodgepodge 3

Originally uploaded by Burn-A-Bee

I am puckered out. Teaching days wipe me out, even worse now that the sun disappears a third of the way into my class. My students were great today - I think they like me a lot (not that I should care ... should I?). Ugh, why am I talking about work. On a brighter note: My partner-in-crime just bought his tickets to come and visit over the Turkey break. Woot, woot! He bakes a killer turkey. Chooker-roos!

• In Portland, Cultivating a Culture of Two Wheels, New York Times (November 5, 2007)
• Donors Bid Millions NOT to Rename School, AP (November 4, 2007)
• Yahoo Launches Kickstart, A New Social Network Around College Students And Alumni, TechCrunch (November 4, 2007)
• Ugly Shoes: A Brief History, New York Magazine (November 4, 2007)
• Ten Ways to Defeat Brain Drain [Mind Hacks], Lifehacker (November 4, 2007)
• Twitter Is For Twits, Gawker (November 5, 2007)
• Gadgets That Changed the World, CrunchGear (November 5, 2007)
• Now (Almost) Open: CB2 Gets Signage On Broadway, Racked (November 5, 2007)
• Gisele Bundchen Dumps the Dollar, Demands Payment in Euros, BloggingStocks (November 5, 2007)
• New Face On Speedo Sundays, Made In Brazil (November 4, 2007) [Semi-NSFW ... Nummy!]

We're A Lot Like You

(Source: werealotlikeyou.com)

Recently I posted two of my favorite commercials by PEMCO Insurance (BTW: I am "the obsessive-compulsive recycler"). Today I discovered the Web site werealotlikeyou.com, on which many of the Northwest types are featured. In the screenshot above, I've highlighted the "White-Bearded Bainbridge Architect," just because I like bearded guys. I absolutely love the ad campaign, and I'm almost tempted to switch my insurance! I'm hardly ever swayed by advertisements (or at least not consciously). Since moving to Seattle, I can honestly say that the types featured are dead-on! And there are always others popping up in the most unexpected places. You can even order trading cards and t-shirts on the Web site.

Hey PEMCO, what about the Passive-Aggressive Date Canceler? Or the Reducing My Carbon Footprint Power Bicyclists? Or the My Beard Makes Me Mighty Masculine Men?

As soon as more commercials pop up, I'll be sure to post them. All this Northwest pride, makes me want to lead a parade.

Check it:
We're A Lot Like You (www.werealotlikeyou.com)
Northwest Types T-Shirts
I Heart My Northwest Peeps!

Spramp Hodgepodge 1

Originally uploaded by Burn-A-Bee

In no particular order, 10 news- and blog-worthy things that caught my attention today. It's a little bit geeky, somewhat artsy, and big gay and fun. Enjoy the hodgepodge...

• What's So Special About Left-Handers?, Seattle Times (November 3, 2007)
• Las Vegas Goes All Out to Attract Gay Travelers, Wall Street Journal (November 2, 2007)
• Imperium: Google's March Towards Becoming America's Biggest Company, TechCrunch (November 1, 2007)
• Consolidate Your Phones with GrandCentral [Screenshot Tour], Lifehacker (November 1, 2007)
• Ireland to Introduce Civil Partnership Legislation, Towleroad (November 1, 2007)
• 25 Best Web Sites, Kiplinger (November 2007)
• Pilots Fell Asleep on Overnight Flight, Rick Seaney (November 2, 2007)
• Invention of the Year: iPhone, Ars Technica (November 1, 2007)
• Sotheby's Surprising Sizzle, Business Week (November 12, 2007)
• An Explosion of Color, in Black and White, New York Magazine (November 1, 2007)
  

Image is courtesy of Burn-a-Bee - check out his photo set "Macros of a Dying Plant," from which I chose the image.

I Heart My Northwest Peeps!

I absolutely love these PEMCO commercials! Every time they come on, I crack myself up. Ever since I moved to Seattle last year, I've become an "obsessive-compulsive" recycler - my kitchen just last week looked like a recycling station. When I caught the "obsessive-compulsive" recycler commercial, I saw myself in it. It's so hard not to be "green" over hear - the place is so effin' beautiful; it's enough to make your gums itch! Check it:


Obsessive Compulsive Recycler (Source)

While I have yet to bust out in public with my socks and sandals, I'll admit I do own a pair of Birks. There's something utterly endearing about this commercial though. I think I secretly pine for a socks and sandals guy! *hint, hint* (The guy in the commercial has hot calves!) Check it:


Sandals & Socks Guy (Source)

Eat There: Morimoto Restaurant

The Space Ship Interior

The Hardwood Ceiling

Lights Under the Table
I spent the past 4 days in Philly, officially for a conference but unofficially to see friends and to see my partner-in-crime (we live in different states!), Mark. We decided last Friday night to splurge a bit (er, I really mean "a lot") and decided to have dinner at Morimoto Restaurant - the restaurant by the famous Iron Chef Morimoto. The first thing you notice as you enter is how cavernous the space is. The space is uber-modern, with hardwood ceilings and lights under the tables that change colors - it feels as though you are in a spaceship that made a design stop in Tokyo! We were seated at 10pm, a bit later than our 9:30pm reservation. You'd expect a full-house on a Friday night - it was packed! We got seated in a lovely space booth. The prices are astronomical! Main entrees are all $25 or more. Sushi and sushi rolls are moderately priced, but still more expensive than most non-Iron Chef Japanese restaurants. I was originally going to just buy sushi and rolls, but was deterred by my friend Denise and Mark. As they said: "This is Morimoto's! You can get sushi anywhere!" They had a point. We did buy a sushi combination for an appetizer ($30 - the cheapest selection - 9 random sushi pieces and one tuna roll.) I've had sushi many places, and for the record the sushi at Morimoto was by far the best raw fish I've tasted. The tuna melted in my mouth - like butter! My main dish was a seafood stew (Seafood 'Toban Yaki"- king crab, shrimp, scallops, New Zealand mussels, baby bok choy, and yuzu butter - $37) that was incredibly rich and just delicious; the yuzu butter base was a delightful surprise! As cavernous as the space is, the sound never got too loud. The modern design of the space is quite telling of the food prepared. Both are innovative, creative, and at times quite surprising. I will make it a point to go back every time I'm in Philly! I highly recommend, but be prepared to sell your kidneys to pay for the meal - it's quite steep, but worth every cent!

Check it enthusiastically!
Morimoto Restaurant
723 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
215-413-9070

Reservations are highly recommended!

Woot Woot! New Urban Drinking in Seattle

New Urban Drinks, Seattle (Source)
The NWsource has announced a new bar event in Seattle called "New Urban Drinks." Buy 2 small plates and 1 drink for a fantastic price of $15 at some very new and select bars in Seattle. I've been to handful of the places featured and have been very pleased. As some of you might know, drinks alone sometimes cost half that price. This is a bargain-hunters deal! Here's the official word:

We've uncovered some of Seattle's most creative drinks and delicious bites at the city's up-and-coming bars and lounges. Here's your chance to enjoy them – at a very appetizing price – while toasting the newest nightspots in town.

During the month of September, our New Urban Drinks offer is valid Sunday through Thursday nights (excluding Labor Day, September 3) and comes with your choice of one drink and two small plates. (Source)

The bars and lounges participating include:
Downtown
barolo ristorante
Boka Kitchen + Bar
Lola
Qube
Red Fin
Belltown
Umi Sake House
Queen Anne/Seattle Center
Moxie
Veil
Capitol Hill
Licorous
South Lake Union
Marazul
Bellevue
0/8 Seafood Grill & Twisted Cork Wine Bar