This is what I see out of my east facing window every morning.

I’m back in the desert again, and have been since the end of last week. Everyone always asks me if it’s hot here. Well I don’t think the earth’s axial tilt has changed at all, so yes, it is still hot here and will be all summer. One of the more exciting things about coming out this time is that my cell phone now works out past Alma School Rd. Thank you AT&T…another reason to get an iPhone.

Here are some pictures to tide you over.

Edit: Sorry about the size of the pictures. I have a slow connection out here!

I Stumbled Upon this website a few days back and found it fascinating. Before I read the Overview, I didn’t realize that these photographs were actually from the 1940s. I thought they were just some conceptual art project (e.g. “What if we always had color photography?”). The photos are so clear and vibrant, it’s almost hard to imagine such great prints coming from 70-year-old technology. Seeing these scenes in color makes them more real (to me) and allows us to see what everyone else saw in the time after the Depression and during the Second World War.

From the page:
“Bound for Glory: America in Color is the first major exhibition of the little known color images taken by photographers of the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information (FSA/OWI). Comprised of seventy digital prints made from color transparencies taken between 1939 and 1943, this exhibition reveals a surprisingly vibrant world that has typically been viewed only through black-and-white images.”

2 children playing with model airplane/Robstown, Texas, January 1942

South Water St. depot of the Illinois Central RR/Chicago, Illinois, May 1943

A reality TV show about tanning?? Now if they would only turn it into a reality tv show/competition…

I just arrived in Philadelphia, and I’m pretty underwhelmed. So far, all I’ve seen are the dirty parking lots and industrial areas visible from the highway. Hopefully Philly will redeem itself tomorrow with its wealth of American history. Until I have some nice touristy pictures to post, I direct your attention to the menace that is the WiFi Router.

Wifi Routers: Silent, Blinking Death?

(Don’t you just love the little angry face on the router?)

5min.com Life Videopedia has a lot of great videos for learning how to do just about anything. From skateboarding tips to how to change a diaper and burp a baby, you can find it all. I love the Food section because there are a lot of good basic kitchen tips and recipes.

This video for a Low-Fat Fettuccini Alfredo recipe has Giada-wannabe written all over it. From the awkwardly traditional Italian pronunciations to the low cut top and exuberant smile, Sandy Gold has really done her Food Network homework. It even looks like she has the same makeup artist.

Edit: Turns out the fact she wears a lot of makeup is no coincidence. Ms. Gold is a professional makeup artist. Here is her blog.

Gotta love this story:

“Alleged robber’s order is refused
By The News-Gazette
Saturday April 28, 2007

CHAMPAIGN – An apparent robbery attempt at a Champaign sandwich store was reported Thursday night.

An employee told police that a man came into the Subway shop at 1814 Glenn Park about 10 p.m. Thursday, according to Champaign police spokeswoman Rene Dunn.

The man asked for money, but the employee thought he was joking, Dunn said. The man asked for money again, but the employee refused.

The man then started crying and walked out of the store without any money, Dunn said.”

Also from this report of local burglaries:

“…A black Sony iPod was stolen from the locker of a 13-year-old Champaign girl at Edison Middle School…”

Well of course it was stolen. It was the only Sony branded iPod in existence! Seriously though, is the name iPod being used as a general term for all MP3 players or DAPs? C’mon copy editors!

From the same report:

“…A home was broken into in the 1800 block of Winchester Street in Champaign on Thursday afternoon. The burglar took an AK-47 rifle, a Smith and Wesson .357 handgun, a 30-round magazine for the AK-47 and some marijuana…”

I would loved to have seen the looks on the cops faces when the victim reported his pot was stolen.

I apologize for the lack of posting lately. Finals are coming up and I don’t have as much time to sit around on my computer and look at DumbStuff let alone blog about it. Also this weekend was beautiful, so I spent a lot of my time out of doors and away from the Internet.

Eddie and I grilled some burgers and enjoyed the warm weather even if most everyone was out of town and couldn’t join us. It seems the only time that Eddie ever gets excited about cooking is when it’s done over his Weber, so maybe I’ll use this to my advantage and have him grill things other than burgers (even though he does an excellent job with burgers). Hmmm…this will call for a recipe search…maybe some grilled peaches or pork chops. Maybe I’ll wait for the Market at the Square to inspire me. Can’t wait for May 12th!

P.S. Spring! (hopefully for good!)

As of today, I am officially granted the authority to purchase and consume alcohol. What changed since yesterday? Nothing, other than I turned another year older and that arbitrary year somehow makes you responsible enough to handle alcohol. So I went to the DMV, payed my $10, and got my picture taken for my shiny new 21+ license. I thought I would have to wait in line for awhile, but I was in and out in under 10 minutes. The only thing I had to wait for was the printing of my new card.

I ran around the rest of the day trying to get things in order for a party with a few people of quality, but the most important person of quality (read: my boyfriend) became terribly sick. So I brought over to him some chicken soup and ginger tea, but I could see he was in no shape to be at a party. So I canceled the celebration and took care of The Boy instead. He kept apologizing for being sick on my birthday, and I guess I didn’t have to cancel everything. However, there was no way I would be able to have a good time while The Boy was feeling so miserable. I too was feeling a bit run down, but I think it was mostly due to lack of sleep and feeling stressed about having everything ready in time for the party. After a nap and some Vicks, The Boy was feeling a little better and so I drove him over to my place across town along with the birthday cake he labored over the night before. He sang “Happy Birthday”, I blew out the candles and that’s the story of my 21st birthday.