Chicago MMXII

That's right! Also, drat! Let's go to HB before they close.

OK, I'll keep you posted, J.

well now we're eating in our neighborhood so nevermind all that help you guys just provided. thanks anyways.

I'll remember this the next time you ask for help with anything.

Who's ready for the weekend?!?!?

i am. though i feel like it could be kind of crazy. it's evie's birthday weekend.

Hey did you all know that you can now return a Kindle book to the library before the check out time expires? I love it when people fix irritating stuff about a thing that I otherwise like.

you had been able to before, but it wasn't really clear how to do it or that it worked - you just had to "remove this book" after reading it. is there a clearer way to return them now?

Oh, happy bday, Evie!

Yeah you go to "manage my Kindle" and select "return this book" from the dropdown box on the right. It's a yellow button and I think it's labeled special actions or additional actions.

xp I totally said that as though she were following the thread.

...she is...

Do you all ever get that thing where you're walking from one room or part of the house, usually dark, to another and you get this urge to GET OUT NOW JUST RUN? Like some kind of lizard brain drudge siren goes off for no obvious reason and while you'e logically thinking, "Don't be silly!" you're also hightailing it to where the lights are? I used to get that a lot when I was walking from the utility room at the back of my parents' house into the house proper. Anyway I swear I got that feeling sitting at my desk today except instead of "Run to the light!" it was "GET OUT OF THE BUILDING AND LEAVE THE LOOP." So I did.

That has ... never happened to me. But I think you made the right decision!

I think I did, too!

It's never happened to Jeff, either. I had a therapist once tell me I have a "high startle reflex" (like, Jeff almost has to wear a bell to keep from scaring the shit out of me on the regular) so maybe that's part of it.

Actually today was just generalized stress/anxiety but I've always wondered what the whole urge to run out of the room was all about.

I've noticed you are a skittish automobile passenger too ;)

Today has been magnificent -- I biked downtown, ate key lime + pink lemonade sorbet w passionfruit bobas and raspberries (w dan at forever yogurt or whatever that amazing place is called) and bought some makeup and a swatch watch. Later I will rendezvous with my demon lover. Good day!

Sounds like when cats and dogs go from moseying to OMG TEARING THE PLANKS OFF THE FLOOR HAULING ASS GET OUTTA THE WAY.

also i have felt that feeling too carl

it's because we're psychic

I have felt that feeling, I think. For me it's not fear, just a sudden urge to GO.

Something similar used to happen a lot when I would hop into bed - still does sometimes - I would just feel like going EEEEEEEEEE!!!! BED!!!!! and sometimes I would JUMP in and make make those noises. Again, not fear, but just a surge of feeling of almost pleasant urgency.

Both really felt like I think pets must feel when they go from zero to CRAZY.

Tomorrow Courtney, K8E and I are riding in the Tour de Fat. I'm going to have to ride my bike to Logan Square, which will be sort of a test of my nerves. I am going to take side streets b/c I just can't get myself to load the bike on the front of the bus to go that short a distance. I was talking to the girl at the coffee shop where I get lunch about maybe riding my bike to the beach and she didn't ride anymore b/c as she got older she realized she wasn't invincible (she was about 28-30). I told her that riding on Diversey felt like walking in the middle of the freeway and she said "Yes, exactly!"

I am hoping that ChiLX is safe space for for speaking openly about biking w/out summoning the biker inquisition for violating the orthodoxy.

My bike's model is called Kalamar, for which a Google relates to a fantasy game and the Turkish word for squid. Neither seems very evocative of the nexus of the comfort of a cruiser and the performance of a street bike.

Urban Union yall. Go there.

Jesse, the trick to riding Diversey is to be assertive. Take the whole lane at intersections.

Dan, what did you have?

Happy Saturday, here is a baby moose.

http://www.zooborns.com/.a/6a010535647bf3970b0167688eff6f970b-500wi

Sweet.

Biking went well except that I had a critical sugar crash, x-ass-urbated by the sun. Fortunately there was a bike shop on Fullerton where I could buy a lock and leave my bike while I went to Dunkin Donuts to ride this out. I was making plans for somewhere to safely pass out. Fuck man. Probably need to start carrying around candles for this shit.

Oh, I hit a car with my bike tire this morning. NBD except that slunt turned right right in front of me in a real dick move. There was absolutely no excuse for her doing that.

Part of cycling safety is having your ancillaries in order: bag, lock, shades/headgear, and snacks!!

I went a conversation club at Instituto Cervantes and it's surprise next week! Oops. One hour browsing around downtown has strengthened my resolve to never go retail shopping for clothing any more than I absolutely need to, which is never.

I did get some awesome studded white booties though!

And a fancy new garlic press b/c mine fell apart.

watch out for momma moose

Dan, what did you have?

When I made that post I was feeling very full, a little drunk, contented and happy with our dinner. We had a lot of things but what stood out most was a salmon dish with black pepper aioli, a nice arugula salad, grilled octopus, and fried squash blossoms stuffed with cheese and pesto. Drinks were very good too.

Dudes, we should do this:
http://www.facebook.com/events/164804030320354/

Yes you really should.

A, is the Instituto Cervantes like the Goethe Institut? Do they offer language classes?

Yeah - it's an official wing of the Spanish government, iirc. They have institutos all over the world and offer tons of classes for all levels and every language skill you can think of. Super professional.

Co-worker of mine took classes there before going to Spain, sounded good.

I would consider doing the music quiz.

Can you apply gov't financial aid there or does it not apply as it's a foreign institution?

It's def a business, just one funded by govt, afaik?

Sarah and I are going to bad apple right now if anyone wants to hang.

that quiz sounds like fun but i don't know if i am good enough! also it's way down there.

*down there*

I'm pointing at my vulva when I say that.

Carl has been drinking a lot of bourbon county stout today.

Jeff just cleaned himself by licking his hand and rubbing it on his face like a cat.

Baby pudu omggggggggg

http://www.zooborns.com/.a/6a010535647bf3970b016768a57f5a970b-500wi

http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2012/07/much-ado-over-baby-pudu.html

Is anyone else interested in the music trivia thing besides n/a and LL?

(I know that neither of you actually committed.)

My music trivia knowledge topped out c. 1993 so I will pass.

I feel like a trivia failure because I bought a Gong record over the weekend and was all excited about listening to it but it was the wrong Gong, the fusiony jazz one :(