The Dark Side

I put my George W. incentive check to good use (we all must do our part) by ordering a new laptop. However, the funds were not sufficient to cover the cost of an Apple (much to Laura's horror), so I got this festive Dell instead. I like that I could get it in yellow, to match Ducky (my Mini). I have dubbed this new addition Ducky2. I think I'll like it better when I get Ubuntu loaded, cuz I'm not that thrilled with Vista. Thanks again to my coworker, Jesse, who served as counselor and cheerleader in this transaction. Monday he'll likely find me pacing in his cube (not easy considering the size of our puppy pens) with all kinds of questions and help requests. Xena was very pleased with Ducky2, because it meant a new box to sit in. The Amazon box is so last week.



In other news, Lenore and I got haircuts at a local salon that was selling $5 haircuts at a fundraiser. I like my new haircut, and was kind of amused by my stylist's comment that it was a good style for me because "you're so little, so this makes your tiny little head look bigger." Hmmm...thanks I think. I guess you were right, Merri.


More faces have been added to the face blog!

We Really Can all Get Along

Lenore and I participated in the Memorial Day Parade, with Lenore driving her "wind-up" Mini and me walking (to save on gas) for the Dundee Township Visitor's Center. Bill and I carried the sign (which almost carried us away, because it was quite windy), proving, as Kim noted, that Republicans and Democrats really can work together! Lenore took a picture to document this fact. She also documented my cool (stolen from her) shades, which I think look quite fetching.

The parade route is only slightly longer than the St. Patrick's Day parade route -- i.e., if there are many more entries, the parade won't have enough room to actually move.


We also bought several wagonloads of plants and flowers at the farmer's market and a sweet plant stand, which will house the herbs on my back porch. It took several trips to transport the haul. Could we have driven, yes, but I think we can get more into the wagon than the Mini. Plus the pie shop is on the way when we walk, so there's tasty inspiration to make the extra trip.

Inspiration is Everywhere

Behold the newest pie design from The Measuring Cup, which was inspired by the face blog (have you checked lately for new additions?!). This is a wild blueberry pie, which I HIGHLY recommend. Lenore is torn between the pecan and the chocolate mousse (sp?), so we must often buy all three. Of course, the triple berry is also lovely... I'm going to need more elastic.

Being Groupies (again)

Lenore and I went to Chicago to see the taping of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, the NPR News Quiz, on Thursday night. As with the past two times we've done this, we leave with sore sides from laughing, so it's truly an enjoyable evening. Also, on the way in, there were not one but two guys on the train dressed like Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, so that was kind of entertaining too. I'm not sure if they knew each other, but I kind of hope so, because otherwise, that would just be weird. Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo, so you'll have to take my word for it.

In addition to shots from the show, I have a lot of pictures of this woman's giant head.


We were able to get everyone's autographs and some pictures too. I didn't get a photo with Peter Sagal this time, but Peter's dad was in the audience, so I did get Peter's dad's autograph, so that was fun. I think his dad was pleased to be included in the celebritydom of the evening. Unfortunately, Paula Poundstone wasn't on the panel this week, but Tom Bodett was, and I really wanted to see him. Up until last night, I only knew him by voice. My unabashed assessment is: damn, he is HOT! I wonder if he can cook. Anyway, he can leave the light on for me ANYTIME.



I just started Adam's book -- he was very funny on the show, though I've never heard him on the show when he's not. When he was signing my program, I asked him for a picture and he was all, "sure," and I said, "great, can you take a picture of me and Lenore here?" which he seemed to think was pretty funny (or maybe he was just being polite). He said, "you'd be surprised at how often that happens to me."


I don't know too much about Kyrie O'Connor, but she definitely adds levity to the show. Plus, she had this on her web site, which I am TOTALLY going to try!


Last but not least, we got to chat a moment with Carl Kasell. Having his voice on my answering machine (the much-coveted prize from the show) would be so cool. You can hear some of the recordings he's done here.



Next time we go, it'd be neat to see Mo Rocca.

Plotting

After being postponed once, the Lion's Club finally had their semi annual pancake breakfast, and Lenore got to have her biscuits and gravy. We brought mine home for her dinner, and Hoops was mighty interested. While Hoops is often able to score a smackerel when Lenore's not looking, she left the table hungry, because Lenore was not sharing.


In gardening news, the miracle of springtime won me over once again with blossoms that were, after all, worth waiting for. Grape hyacinths are just my all time favorite. Though the sour cherry tree was in full splendor too.



Then there's this situation. Perhaps this explains why the neighbors have been glowering at me. I hate using chemicals, but I might have to apply something this year. Or maybe go into the dandelion wine business.


There's new faces on the face blog! Check them out and enter the face of the week contest whydoncha.

Oh, and to those of you who've asked, yes we did make more bagels.

Hot Shot

Odie said he spent about 4 hours polishing his motorcycle and wanted some ooos and ahhs. I thought maybe a blog posting would be even better. Also, it reminded me that whenever dad called him "hot shot," Odie knew he was in trouble. Haha.

Speaking of Faces...or was it Aliens?

When I was a mere child, my friend, Laura, and I created all sorts of fantastic works of art in this tiny little alcove in my parents' house, a space we creatively dubbed "the workshop." I think the prior owner used it as a workspace for his engraving business. Anyway, one little project was this family of aliens created out of paper scraps, glue, and my mom's (illegally pilfered) pinking sheers. The aliens had been unceremoniously tacked to the wall and subsequently abandoned for about 34 years until my mom decided to frame them and give them to me for my birthday. Aren't these hilarious? They're now hanging in my bedroom, and I giggle every time I look at them. Click the photo to see the highly coordinated names.

So Many Faces

I've collected so many faces (though this one is an imposter, but still cute), I had to start a new blog! Check out They're Watching You for more pictures, and keep those photos coming. Please try and send them sized for blogging (640x480, 72 dpi if possible) to plauer at mchenry dot edu.

I See Stupid People

Not really. Well, sometimes.

But I do see faces in unlikely places, a phenomenon I feared at one time was indicative of...oh, I dunno, mental illness maybe. But judging from all the Virgin Mary sightings in grilled cheese sandwiches and the like on ebay, apparently it's not all that uncommon. Apparently, it even has a name: pareidolia, which to me, sounds more like a venereal disease, but, whatever. Check out this interesting article on the subject from the NY Times.

Lenore's own house has a bit of face to it -- complete with soul patch.


And her antique radio is kind of cute too.


This was on her countertop.


I noticed this garage one day, only when I saw it, there was a big wreath leaning up against it, which gave it a round-mouthed surprised expression. I tried to recreate this expression in photoshop, but not with much luck.



It could have been the fruity tropical drink inside that made me think this pineapple was talking to me.


This poor sap saw a face in his shower curtain. Creepy!


Here's a fun gallery of faces.

This faces in places blog is great too. Click on the monthly archives to see even more -- some of them are really nice.


Here are some house faces Lenore and I have noticed around the 'hood:








OK, I think I've made my point. (!) Now for the challenge.
(dramatic pause)
Send me any "faces in places" pics you discover and you could win a potholder! I know -- it's almost too exciting, isn't it?! Once I get enough, I'll post them here for all to enjoy. The only rule is they have to be your sightings and your pictures. Now, go forth and find faces! If possible, please reduce your pics to 640x480, 72 or 180 dpi. Send to plauer at mchenry dot edu.