A ritual we used to have at work (before the massive layoffs, when there were six of us commuting via train) is the Friday Beer Train. For some reason, Metra allows its passengers to bring alcohol on board. Suckers! There is a liquor store about 100 yards from the trainstop in Barrington. Today, it was…
This morning, riding the Metra, I was looking out the window at the line that ran alongside the train. From my angle, the sunlight reflected off the tops of the tracks. Not a singular glint, but two bright reflections that actually seemed to be traveling down the tracks. I was struck by a comforting thought:…
Cripes. I ended up staying at work late, doing stupid "trademark" searches for potential brand names. Glad I could help out, but it was grunt work – any warm body could have complied the same data. I should know better than to ask "Is there anything I can help out with?" AT 5:29 PM! I’ve…
Second day, second letter. Who would have thunk it? a3dmofo send me an awesome letter in the mail. Here I was yacking away about how nice hand made mail is, and I have this gorgeousness waiting by my door. My crappy picture taking doesn’t do this letter justice. I’m still mucking around with settings, trying…
About two weeks back, I noticed a strange little fact. Let me fill you in on where I work. I commute from Chicago to Barrington, M-F. My company has gone through several changes, since the market went south some twelve months ago. We’ve moved several times, and our current digs are in a "converted" house….
Ack. Been trying to log off of the computer for a while now. But it’s hard to just shut down when you’re talking to multiple people and chatting. I don’t want to be rude and simply disconnect. I’ve got to say "Hey – I’m taking off. Going to head to bed" and chitchat for a…
Stayed up late to play a few rounds of iSketch last night with the WH crew. What an evil, addictive game that is. Mr. Grumpy took some screenshots, and that reminded me I should do the same. I actually won a round! My score was 666, but let’s look past that freaky little fact. The…
Got a letter from rypunked in the mail today! Last week, when my cousin was in town, I read a post by her that she wasn’t feeling well. When Carolyn and I went out to eat, we killed some time in a nearby comic/book/store, called Quimby’s. Found some cool stickers tucked away by the front…
Talked to an ex-girlfriend of mine, Jacki, from Columbus. I found out from our mutual friend Juliet that Jacki’s mother is having open heart surgery on Thursday (I’m sending good thoughts towards Columbus). We chatted for a long while, and got caught up on recent events. Well… recent is stretching it. I haven’t made an…
I haven’t told my mom about this site. And I doubt she’d ever find it. I’m a bit of a nerd and a bit of a loser, but come on. Give me SOME credit. :D
Derrickito and StinkFist are still at it. If you haven’t seen their site already, check out Homelessweek.com. I’m still uncertain about my views on this. While I don’t feel they’re really experiencing homelessness… they never really claimed to set out to do that. The point of the experiment was to experience life from someone else’s…
I don’t think you can spot any mold in this picture, but this is how far into it I got: At first, I just thought it was a crappy ass donut. Tasted like hell, and I figured it was the preservatives, chemicals, whatever. A bit later, my coworker Mike tells me that the donuts had…
My friend Kevin and Camelia were visiting Chicago last night. Chalk more points up for the newer, more social Portnoy! We all were at my friend Justin’s house (I’d provide a link, but he doesn’t have a portfolio up yet, the bastage) and ordered Thai food. I met Kevin through mutual friends, back in Bloomington,…
I don’t really know anything about baseball. But driving home over the weekend, I heard on NPR that Ted Williams died. It was pretty incredible to hear his accomplishments, both on and off the field. His era was truly a very different time from now. Prior to this weekend, what I knew about Ted Williams…
Matt: I’ve decided not to talk to you until you send me a poem. I figure that kind of threat would get the words pouring out. ;) Portnoy: Doesn’t this message automatically negate your threat? Portnoy: Matt: I’m still not talking to you. Portnoy: Got a favor to ask Matt: Hit me, bitch. Portnoy: Can…