Look Ma, I'm #7

So I'm not #1, but I'm ok with that.

Who knew taking a picture of an Ikea lamp would put me at #7 on Flickr Explore?

And while you're looking, that one guy's "happy SINKO DE MAYO" is pure genius.

My Onion Article

Chili tastes even better with bacon. More on page 4C.

Post Secret

Have a secret? Want the world to know?

Then write it on a postcard and send it to Frank Warren. Who?...And why?...Do you ask?

Check out his blog Post Script. And then go buy his book. I did.

Snow!

I can't believe it's finally snowing!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (and Light Rail and Bus)!

This past weekend Anders and I traveled to Chicago for a mutual friend's wedding. In honor of our Swansea days, we decided to switch it up and go old school.

What's old school do you ask? Traveling without an iPod??

No, my friend, we went by rail. I loved the days when I criss-crossed Europe by train, and I figured it was about time I did so state-side.

I'm happy to report the ride on Amtrak was smooth, comfortable, relaxing, and showed me a beautiful part of the Midwest that I had never seen before. In other words, it was everything an airplane can never be.

The wedding was great, dancing with the old Wales crew was incredibly fun, and reminiscing with everyone was both happy and sad. We flew back home, and to keep our public-transportation kick going, caught the light rail and a bus back to the Amtrak station where we had parked just a few days prior.

Has anyone else out there traveled by Amtrak? What's up with Americans being so against trains and public transportation in general?

Gunga Galunga

A little cheesy, yes, but good stuff...


Instruction for Life by the Dali Lama:

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s:Respect for self, Respect for others, and Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
6. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
7. Spend some time alone every day.
8. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
9. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
10. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

1987 Never Felt so Cool

I don't know much about 1987.

I was more concerned about making the perfect fort and finding Chewbaca's missing arm than the terrible fashion trends plaguing our nation. Music was a mystery to me, minus my beloved Duran Duran tape (I rule!).

Now when I think of 80's music, the first thoughts to cross my mind are synthesizers, tight pants, and more cowbell.

So, as you can imagine, I was shocked when I recently realized that 1987 put out one of the greatest albums of all time -- U2's The Joshua Tree. What's that you say? But it's still relevant today? I know -- that what makes it so amazing. Not only does it rock your face off (Bullet the Blue Sky), but it also makes you think (I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For).

To commemorate this monumental album (AND to make more money for their new skyscraper), U2 just released a special 2 CD + 1 DVD "Limited Edition Super Deluxe" version of The Joshua Tree.

Bono for President.

Turn on the Magic of Colored Light

Do you know what rocks? Lite Brite. So what would any techno-nerd with a penchant for this wonderful toy do? Make a digital version, naturally. If it's good in real life, it must be better on the dot com, right?

Apparently, my sensitive green side came out when I created this. I'll have to work on a more appropriate manly scene...

1-800-GOOG-411

Ever wonder when IKEA closes? Ever land at the airport and really wish you had Thanh Do's number so you could place a take-out order on your way home? Or perhaps you've just finished canoeing down the Mississippi River and get the craving for Jerabek's New Bohemian Coffeehouse and Bakery but don't know how to find it?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then 1-800-GOOG-411 is for you...(if you answered yes to all three of the above, then we need to talk, because we have a lot in common).

Here's how it works:

You dial.
You say your city and state.
You say the business you are interested in.
They connect you free-of-charge. (and/or text you information including phone #, address, and link to a Google Map.)

So what are you waiting for?