NEW BLOG ALERT!

I am finally becoming a tumblrite. For all future meg blog bits, please head over to happy pancake.

Patricia Piccinini. The Young Family, 2003.

In 1982, the year I was born, an actor named Vic Morrow was decapitated by a helicopter blade during the filming of a Twilight Zone episode. This fun fact brought to you by The Death Report.

"I am so lucky to live where I do. All day long I can watch a variety of birds at the feeder. Come watch with me when you are able, honey bun."

My Grandma Scheminske, in a letter I received today.

I'll be in San Francisco this afternoon through Saturday. If you know of any neat art/music shows (or anything else) I should see while I'm there, please shoot me an e-mail.

One year ago yesterday:

"Wake in bed of sand, wrapped in blanket. Chai. So so sandy. Toast for breakfast, head out on camels. Tired. Jeep meets us, back to fort. Shower on rooftop."



(That was my last journal entry from India)

Today: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOOSH!

I am going to try to sell my (MINI!) SUV, like everyone else in America.



It is a 2005 Hyundai Tucson. 4WD, Automatic Transmission, CD/MP3 stereo with six speakers, 49,500 miles, well maintained and runs perfectly. Shoot me an e-mail if interested.

The parking lot at Johnston Ridge Observatory, Mount St. Helens.

Mattie-Lynn has conquered over half of the appalachian trail this summer and is still trucking along (with her boyfriend, Mike). I get periodic e-mail updates from her, sent from trail-side towns. In a recent e-mail, Matt described her best day so far on the trail:

The day started out getting up in a campsite that was visited by very tame deer and coyotes that were in love with the moon the night before. We hiked a couple of hours in the wee hours of morning until we got to a lodge where we had a full yummy breakfast (mine was a spinach and cheese omelet). Then we walked down to the showers and laundry and cleaned up. After that, we hiked a few more miles to a grotto near a gushing spring where we ate lunch and lounged around in the cool shade talking to some new friends. After lunch we spotted a very rare bobcat sauntering off the trail into the woods. After our afternoon snack of cold beer at a wayside pub and pbj sandwiches, we also walked behind a very large black bear lazily showing us his bountiful bear butt. Dinner was at a roaring fire some other hikers made including s'mores some picnickers donated to the occasion. As night approached we hiked another mile to a lookout over the valley below - a red and orange sunset with the approaching thunderstorm sweeping purple across the plains. The thunder storm was the night's entertainment and then off to dreams. Perfect.

I am living vicariously through her while soaring gas prices (and an inexcusable lack of proper planning) keep me in the city.

"I am a musician simply because music is what makes me most happy in life… Nothing else measures up. Not a steady paycheck, not social status."

NYT: In a Year at a Brooklyn School, a Professional French Hornist Encounters Music at Its Most Basic (22 June 2008)

Quote from a musician who is part of a program to place highly-trained and talented musicians in public schools as music educators.

-Alex

Ooh! Here's someone I want to meet: Kate Bingaman-Burt, of Obsessive Consumption. Check out her hand drawn credit card statements and these awesome dresses shown at Jen Beckman back in September.

I share a fascination with my day to day purchases, and have often day dreamed about turning my obsessiveness into some sort of project. I don't think the obsession has anything to do with budgeting or frugality; I just have an urge to keep track of every dime that leaves my wallet/bank account. Because it seems like fun. Sigh. I like all the little numbers. Most of the time I tell myself this is a stupid obsession and I don't actually let myself indulge in it, but this year I am breaking down every credit card bill I get, so at the end of the year I will have documented every single purchase I make EXCEPT cash purchases, like coffee, a rented movie, or the occasional dinner out when I don't use my credit card (maybe I'll write those down next year).