How do I know life is going well? I’m throwing a party, which means:
Or, in short:
“Yay!! cocktails, cocktail dresses, heels & martini glasses!!!”
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
For those seeking art and beauty, Chicago is full of richness in sights, textures, and sounds. The Art Institute of Chicago and a boat or walking tour of downtown to experience the epoc of early twentieth century architecture are highly recommended. And or course, there is good blues music almost everywhere.
And once you’ve taken that in…well, there’s the Old Town Ale House, where Bruce Elliot intends to hang the second portrait in his Nude Governor Series, “The Cavity Search” (featuring Rod Blogojavich) as soon as he finishes it. He’s already completed a full length Sarah Palin, complete with red heels and an automatic rifle as attributes. In the article by the Chicago Trib, he compares himself to some of the artists featured now in the AIC: “I guess I fit right in with van Gogh and those guys…who were not appreciated in their lifetime. I can live with that. I never sell pictures.” Elliot is supported by his wife, who owns the bar where his artwork hangs, and they do sell poster prints of some of his paintings. You can see the photos included in the Chicago Tribune articles below, or click on the links for the complete stories with video interview.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-sarah-palin-nude-0930,0,273867.story
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/arts/chi-talk-ale-artdec19,
0,5136319.story
For other things to do while you’re in Chicago, see THIS LIST. It’s a pretty good starting point if you don’t have any ideas of your own.
1) “I was so afraid to get out of the trunk because I thought I was going to get caught!’”–SH (overheard. context unknown.)
2) “I’m really looking forward to your birthday. Not just, you know, because of, you, but because of hope.”–CS (my birthday is November 4)
3) “You want to go to Freebird’s for your birthday? You’re worth more than that, K-dunc.”–SW Aw, thanks SW, but I like Freebird’s.
4) “Everytime he turns around and looks at you in class–I just want a slingshot so I can snap him.”–SH This was better with accompanying gestures.
5) “I can’t wait until election day. I had a nightmare last night that McCain won! It was awful.”–DC
6) “How was last night?”
“Awesome! Well, I woke up in a strange bed, but I was alone and all my clothes were on, so I figure that’s alright.”
“Man, wish I could say the same thing.” –Ouch. Initials withheld to protect the innocent.
7) “I’ve been so excited all day! I was grinning at the gynecologist during my appointment. I thought about telling him why to make it less weird, but I was afraid he’d be a Republican and he’d poke me.”–MR
“You can get Herpes Simplex 2 blisters on the mouth though, right?”–CP
“That’s not her mouth.”–RM, in reference to an image illustrating the OTHER pair of lips where HSV2 blisters tend to appear.
9) Grabbing my shoulder–“Are you an epidemiologist?”-my teacher, after I spoke up in class about the pros/cons of the Gardasil cervical cancer vaccine.
“Yes, yes I am.”-KD
“I always wanted to be an epidemiologist!”–imagine prof saying this in a dreamy, fan-girl tone of voice. I was flattered, and a little stunned.
Birthday/Election Week Edition; updates will appear as stories develop.
==Final==
It was a good week.
If you’re curious, read more about the anti-psychotic risperidone HERE.
It’s an *atypical* anti-psychotic, one of a newer generation of drugs that has fewer Parkinson’s Syndrome-like side effects. These side effects were a huge problem of traditional neuroleptics, and were irreverently referred to as the “Thorazine Shuffle.” One of my favorite novelty songs out there is named after this phenomenon, originally recorded by a group called Bongos, Bass & Bob. Click HERE to get some trivia and the “Thorazine Shuffle” audio track.
Got a better caption? Add it in the comments section!
You heard me right, you can vote for the NASCAR candidate this election. Well, only if you’re voting for Tennessee District 4. Incumbent “NASCAR party” Sen. Micheal Williams (and no, I didn’t misspell his name, that’s MichEal) will be on the ballot as an Independent, facing Republican challenger Mike Faulk.
If he wins, he could become THE swing vote in the Tennesee Senate, as the state is expected to otherwise split evenly between Republicans and Democrats. Unsurprisingly, Williams votes with Republicans most of the time, but apparently, that’s not good enough–the state Republican party has invested 7x as much in campaign funds as Williams into a Republican challenger. That’s ~$170,000, to upset a seat that for all practical purposes, is already Republican. I’m guessing Tennessee is in the “Let’s elect McCain and then hope he dies so the real Republican on the ticket can take over” camp. Palin ‘08. (Go you Huskies!)
Details from TennViews:
Williams bailed from the Republican party in March of last year, citing concerns about “overwhelming partisanship” and divisiveness. Sen. Paul Stanley said “He has given us a hunting license to go into his district.”
Republicans drafted Hawkins County attorney Mike Faulk, who has a strong resume, the full backing of the Tennessee Republican party, and an endorsement from Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey.
First quarter financial disclosures show Williams with $21,000 on hand, $3100 in expenditures, and no contributions listed on that filing. Faulk had $104,846 on hand, $18,740 in contributions, $50,000 in self loans, and spent $8300.
Bonus!!– Roll over the “NASCAR party” link above to see Williams in “uniform.”
If you experience 5 or more of the following symptoms for more than a 2 week period, you may be clinically depressed in graduate school:
1.) Depressed mood most days
2.) Diminished pleasure experienced from activities you once enjoyed. (Sorry, I have to study.)
3.) Unplanned weight loss/weight gain; appetite increase/decrease.
4.) Insomnia/hypersomnia
5.) Psychomotor agitation/retardation
6.) Fatigue or loss of energy
7.) Feelings of worthlessness or excessive/inappropriate guilt (I should really be in the library right now…)
8.) Diminished ability to concentrate/indecisiveness
9.) Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. (Prof. Boring again? Shoot me now.)
