I guess today is my day of getting the most out of what I'm already paying for.
I've been discovering of late the glories of Free Movies on Demand which is part of my overpriced cable package from good ol' Time Warner.
This winter I was pretty into watching classics on the TCM portion, but recently I've been catching up on Sundance films. Maybe it's because the film festival is rumored to be through, I need an injection of gritty indie.
A couple of weeks ago I watched The Bubble which to my understanding was a lighthearted take on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict via twentysomethings exploring their sexuality. Well, it was that, up until the last half an hour when it got so tragic that I was a blubbering sob pile on my futon. It's a great film! Go watch it!
Tonight I was pleased to discover that Kurt Cobain: About A Son had be added to the list. They tried to trick me and just call it Kurt Cobain, but I figured it out. It was a pretty highly touted documentary last year and it's totally worth the watch. You don't even have to be into Nirvana. The visuals of it are extremely cool, especially if you like photography. It's a really simple documentary -- just images, an occasional animation and narrated by recorded interviews with Kurt from the height of the band's popularity.
Monday, June 16, 2008
rock your wednesday lunch with mcts and wmse
Why I love my job:
With the summer music season in full swing, the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) is pleased to announce that passengers can now hear their favorite local bands on the daily commute through an original program never done before on a major public transit system.MCTS has partnered with WMSE (91.7 FM), Transit TV and Civilian Edit to bring MCTS passengers a sampling of local music. Nine two-minute spots highlighting Milwaukee-area musicians will be featured on the Transit TV network on MCTS buses. The first spot will debut this Wednesday, June 18 with a lunchtime launch party from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Cudahy Pub in the Pabst Theater. To kick things off, Paul Cebar will be playing an acoustic set on the MCTS My Ride for the Generations Bus. A limited supply of free soda and pizza will be provided.
Live band footage for the spots was filmed at the WMSE studios, where artists performed on-air as part of the Local/Live program airing Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. Civilian Edit formatted the results and added a music-video style intro to create the final product.
The premiere segment features the tune "Her New Church" by Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound. Passengers will be able to view all the videos in rotation over the next couple of months.
Musicians featured in the series include Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, Desert Sound Ensemble, El Gordo, Rusty P's, The Barrettes, Lisa Gatewood, The Trusty Knife, Robert Allen Jr. Trio, and Mike Mangione.
Transit TV has graciously donated the space for this project which will run on 340 MCTS buses. The spots will also air on Transit TV on buses in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Orlando.
Milwaukee County Transit System operates every day of the week, providing more than 42 million rides each year. Established in 1981, WMSE is a listener-supported, non-commercial music station which is owned and operated by the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Hope to see you Wednesday!
random run-ins: i expect two more by the end of the week
You know how things come in threes? Deaths? Bad luck? Randomly running into people from your past? Indiana Jones movies (until this year, thus offsetting the entire functionability of the universe)?
Well I'm bracing for more blasts from the past. I'm pretty prone to them and today set off the string (or what I'm expecting to be a string).
With Facebook and MySpace, you can pretty much keep up on anyone you actually care about to some degree (and/or randoms who add you and you feel guilty declining them). So the only people left to run into who you don't know what's going on with are: acquaintances from long ago or people you freaking loathe with every last ounce of your soul.
Fortunately today I ran into an acquaintance from college. The twist? Most everyone I knew him through fall into the other category. He gave me his card to catch up (I was on my bike headed through the light when we spotted each other), but I'm definitely wary about emailing to get in touch. Mainly because I don't want to dance around the subject of why I have no idea what anyone is up to. It sucks to have to snub a perfectly nice person because of other people's drama.
Well I'm bracing for more blasts from the past. I'm pretty prone to them and today set off the string (or what I'm expecting to be a string).
With Facebook and MySpace, you can pretty much keep up on anyone you actually care about to some degree (and/or randoms who add you and you feel guilty declining them). So the only people left to run into who you don't know what's going on with are: acquaintances from long ago or people you freaking loathe with every last ounce of your soul.
Fortunately today I ran into an acquaintance from college. The twist? Most everyone I knew him through fall into the other category. He gave me his card to catch up (I was on my bike headed through the light when we spotted each other), but I'm definitely wary about emailing to get in touch. Mainly because I don't want to dance around the subject of why I have no idea what anyone is up to. It sucks to have to snub a perfectly nice person because of other people's drama.
pilates - is there something i'm not getting?
I resolved, after eating my leftover pizza for lunch, that perhaps it was time for a return to the gym. The Miller Ride is over, so I don't need to bike as hard, and I'll be darned if that $65 still isn't coming out of my account every month. Why just waste money?
Since I pulled ever muscle in my neck and arms this weekend lugging my treasures back from the Linens N' Things that is going out of business, I decided not to do a full-on work out, but to do something I'd *heard* stretches you out -- pilates.
I biked home threw together a gym bag and made my triumphant return to the Wisconsin Athletic Club. I arrived just before the 5:30 pm class started and followed the lead of the girl in front of me of a) where to walk once I got to the 10th floor (where the pilates studio is, the gym is on the 6th floor and I'm really glad this chick was on the 'vator with me, because I didn't see any signs) and b) what to grab when I got into the studio (mat & ball). They keep the lights off in there (I was glad of this fact once into the workout), so I fumbled through the dark to set up between two lithe blondes. I should've known my fat ass would be no match for the flexibility I was about to witness.
Basically, let's just say, my fucking hips and knees were on the ground most of the time. I was not able to locate the "anti-gravity" machine. And I was glad the lights were off because no one could see me crying and mouth "fuck this, I'm so outta here." Except I was in the back corner and there WAS NO WAY FOR ME TO DISCREETLY SNEAK OUT.
I began to miss spinning, my usual torturous instructed workout. As I was awkwardly trying to bend one leg over my head while circling the other ankle under my wrist, I really wished I was doing a 15-minute hill climb.
No, I'm not dumb, I knew what pilates was all about when I decided to jump into this. I just really wish that there was some sort of Intro class at the WAC. I know I felt the same way with spinning and after awhile found a good instructor and just "got it," but in this class it's a bit difficult to watch the instructor when your eyes are supposed to focus on your belly button which is parallel with your right shoulder while twisted under your tailbone.
Two of the girls in the elevator down agreed with me. So I didn't feel too stupid asking at the front desk if there was an intro class. Apparently not. But the girl was very interested in my feedback and took down my name and number. I tried to make it explicitly clear that this wasn't a complaint. As I put it, I'm sure people that have doing this forever totally love the instructor and everyone seemed to know what they were doing. But with something as complex as this, I just wish there were more introductory classes. I seriously would go to the gym more if I knew what the acceptable alternative was to doing a one legged pushup while balancing on your right index finger.
Since I pulled ever muscle in my neck and arms this weekend lugging my treasures back from the Linens N' Things that is going out of business, I decided not to do a full-on work out, but to do something I'd *heard* stretches you out -- pilates.
I biked home threw together a gym bag and made my triumphant return to the Wisconsin Athletic Club. I arrived just before the 5:30 pm class started and followed the lead of the girl in front of me of a) where to walk once I got to the 10th floor (where the pilates studio is, the gym is on the 6th floor and I'm really glad this chick was on the 'vator with me, because I didn't see any signs) and b) what to grab when I got into the studio (mat & ball). They keep the lights off in there (I was glad of this fact once into the workout), so I fumbled through the dark to set up between two lithe blondes. I should've known my fat ass would be no match for the flexibility I was about to witness.
Basically, let's just say, my fucking hips and knees were on the ground most of the time. I was not able to locate the "anti-gravity" machine. And I was glad the lights were off because no one could see me crying and mouth "fuck this, I'm so outta here." Except I was in the back corner and there WAS NO WAY FOR ME TO DISCREETLY SNEAK OUT.
I began to miss spinning, my usual torturous instructed workout. As I was awkwardly trying to bend one leg over my head while circling the other ankle under my wrist, I really wished I was doing a 15-minute hill climb.
No, I'm not dumb, I knew what pilates was all about when I decided to jump into this. I just really wish that there was some sort of Intro class at the WAC. I know I felt the same way with spinning and after awhile found a good instructor and just "got it," but in this class it's a bit difficult to watch the instructor when your eyes are supposed to focus on your belly button which is parallel with your right shoulder while twisted under your tailbone.
Two of the girls in the elevator down agreed with me. So I didn't feel too stupid asking at the front desk if there was an intro class. Apparently not. But the girl was very interested in my feedback and took down my name and number. I tried to make it explicitly clear that this wasn't a complaint. As I put it, I'm sure people that have doing this forever totally love the instructor and everyone seemed to know what they were doing. But with something as complex as this, I just wish there were more introductory classes. I seriously would go to the gym more if I knew what the acceptable alternative was to doing a one legged pushup while balancing on your right index finger.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
where is my discipline?
Once upon a time I was an extremely disciplined person. I ate a spartan lunch of a Tina burrito and a yogurt. Not the healthiest option, but it helped me lose 60 lbs and save on my weekly expenses. I also was much more motivated to save money during that time. I set goals like "save $500 for your trip to England" and would put money in an envelope every week until I had saved far beyond the initial amount and didn't even spend it all in the UK.
The past three years have been challenging, though the last year I've been back on the upswing. Still I can't get my discipline back. I've transferred some of that energy to biking and the gym (although the latter has been waning as of late), but I need to reapply it to food and finances.
I just watched this video detailing the "envelope system" of saving and I hope to replicate starting with my next paycheck. It's good advice, if you can get past the yokel accent.
Does anyone else out there have any tips? Especially for getting back on track?
The past three years have been challenging, though the last year I've been back on the upswing. Still I can't get my discipline back. I've transferred some of that energy to biking and the gym (although the latter has been waning as of late), but I need to reapply it to food and finances.
I just watched this video detailing the "envelope system" of saving and I hope to replicate starting with my next paycheck. It's good advice, if you can get past the yokel accent.
Does anyone else out there have any tips? Especially for getting back on track?
Saturday, May 31, 2008
$40 for 50 miles for the Arts
So I don't know if anyone reads this thing, but this is a final plea. I am just $40 for meeting my Miller Lite Ride fund raising goal. The big ride is tomorrow and pledges are due by noon. If you can help, please visit http://www.firstgiving.com/mcarnold.
Thanks for your support!
Thanks for your support!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
sometimes you agree with the most random people
Like Lindsay Lohan's lawyer, who responded to an irresponsible liquor lobby ad with: "USA Today is idiotic to run such an irresponsible advertisement suggesting that drinking and driving is some kind of American 'tradition' we should protect. Not identifying that this ad was paid for by the liquor and restaurant industries is profoundly reckless."
You can see the ridiculous ad here (and below) in all its misleading glory.
Seriously liquor lobbyists, I like to drink as much as anyone, but that's entirely different than ADVOCATING DRUNK DRIVING.
As the article notes, the liquor lobbyist claims: "We needed to create the distinction for the public what someone with multiple DUIs looked like versus a low blood-alcohol-level first-time offender."
Except for it only takes one ill-fated time behind the wheel to kill a family! Sarah Longwell, I hope Satan enjoys your soul.
I don't know what decade you're living in where that's okay, but that's been a huge embarrassment to my beloved Wisconsin recently, when we were named the state with the highest admitted rate of drunk driving.
Drunk driving isn't global warming* - you can't debate whether or not it has a serious impact.
As someone who, by mere inches and the miracle of a higher power, avoided losing her life (or at least livelihood) to a drunk driver (in Connecticut, not Wisconsin), I don't think you can really err on the side of caution when preventing unnecessary loss of life.
Of course I also do my part by not having a2,000 pound weapon car in the first place, walking to the neighborhood bar, or taking a cab or the bus. Admittedly I am not an angel, I have RIDDEN with drunk drivers, however I myself have definitely never driven drunk.
On another note, please take a good look at the ad. Is it just me or does it also suggest that drinking and driving is okay for white people only? I guess interlock devices are okay for Lindsay Lohan AND minorities. Thanks for clearing that up.
*Please note tongue in cheek remark
You can see the ridiculous ad here (and below) in all its misleading glory.
Seriously liquor lobbyists, I like to drink as much as anyone, but that's entirely different than ADVOCATING DRUNK DRIVING.
As the article notes, the liquor lobbyist claims: "We needed to create the distinction for the public what someone with multiple DUIs looked like versus a low blood-alcohol-level first-time offender."
Except for it only takes one ill-fated time behind the wheel to kill a family! Sarah Longwell, I hope Satan enjoys your soul.
I don't know what decade you're living in where that's okay, but that's been a huge embarrassment to my beloved Wisconsin recently, when we were named the state with the highest admitted rate of drunk driving.
Drunk driving isn't global warming* - you can't debate whether or not it has a serious impact.
As someone who, by mere inches and the miracle of a higher power, avoided losing her life (or at least livelihood) to a drunk driver (in Connecticut, not Wisconsin), I don't think you can really err on the side of caution when preventing unnecessary loss of life.
Of course I also do my part by not having a
On another note, please take a good look at the ad. Is it just me or does it also suggest that drinking and driving is okay for white people only? I guess interlock devices are okay for Lindsay Lohan AND minorities. Thanks for clearing that up.
*Please note tongue in cheek remark
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)