Thanks to everyone who came out for the ol' birthday, especially Amelia-all the way from Baltimore. It was a much-needed night out.
I'm on vacation from blogging for a bit. Work, summer classes, San Francisco...lots going on. Happy Memorial Day!



Love,
Kim

A Reality or a Bipartisan Dream?

Whether or not we agree on the benefits or even the validity of this "new Washington reality" is irrelevant, though it is hard to ignore clips like this:

Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi, the Republican whip, said, “I would argue that the White House is coming to terms with the reality of the situation in Washington, and they don’t have any choice. We can all get into our partisan crouches and get nothing, or we can go through a process of responsible negotiations.”

It seems unlikely that the shift in power will result in much more than a change of side dish. What will become of this bipartisan "deal" on immigration? Can these tie-breakers make it to the main dish (Iraq)?

Let's not forget that Cheney is still clinging to his "immune" status, so where does that leave the rest of the administration?

Sheryl Gay Stolberg asks similar questions in Sunday's NYT's.

Orgasm* in a Bottle

BibiCaffè, a sparkling espresso drink with hints of vanilla and caramel, has been a symbol of quality and promise of good taste for Italians since 1941. This enduring European brand, imported from Calabria, Italy, is based on a century old recipe that has been handed down from one generation to the next within the De Sarro and Torchia families. The BibiCaffè brand, with its distinctive glass bottle, striking red label and exceptional espresso flavor signifies fine Italian craftsmanship and is a sophisticated alternative for coffee connoisseurs.



* Said sparkling beverage may not produce sexual orgasm. Individual results vary.

Happy Friday!

Silly wabbit, baseball's not for women!
Play Ball with Babe Ruth - "Fancy Curves" (I couldn't make that title up if I tried. Okay, maybe I could.)

Low on cash this weekend? Head out to some of the Chicago Spaces and Places tours. This Saturday and Sunday, all day, City of Chicago and Starbucks will be hosting a myriad of architectural and locational tours throughout the Chicago area. I'm looking forward to the river tour and Bronzeville, if I can get tickets (which are free and available at 224 S. Michigan Ave. at 7:30 each morning). See you out there!



If you're interested, photos of my Memphis trip can be viewed here.
I had an amazing time, but wished it to be longer, as always. You'll see a few shots of Caruthersville, MO - my dad's hometown, Beale St., GRACELAND (yes, my first trip), the Memphis Botanic Gardens, and road hair! Thanks to everyone for their gracious southern hospitality. I'll see you all in July for Elaine's bridal shower.

"Pam, why don't you work with Phallus on a sketch?"

"Phallus?"
"Sorry, Phyllis. I've got penis on the brain."
-The Office

The Chicago City Council approved plans today for the controversial Chicago Spire skyscraper.
Great, just what the Chicago skyline needs: a reminder of my first vibrator, minus the purple gel and sparkles.

I really think the first draft was much more interesting, more architecturally advanced, but Mayor Daley favors model #4.



More info re: location, height, etc. here, if you care.

Roger Clemens Returns to New York

Clemens is back. Somewhere Bill Simmons' head is exploding.

(Squeeeeeeaaaaaaaal!)

The Cure for Cancer: HIV?

What a pleasant idea.

I still agree with Chris Rock:

You think they're gonna cure AlDS? No, they can't even cure athlete's foot.
They ain't curing AlDS. Shit, they ain't never curing AlDS. Don't even think about that shit.

They ain't curing it,'cause there ain't no money in the cure. The money's in the medicine. That's how you get paid, on the comeback. That's how a drug dealer makes his money, on the comeback.

That's all the government is: a bunch of motherfucking drug dealers, on the comeback.

They ain't curing no AlDS. That's all it is.
You think they're gonna cure AlDS? They're still mad at all the money they lost on polio!

Curing AlDS? Shit, that's like Cadillac
making a car that lasts for years. And you know they can do it...but they ain't gonna do nothing that fucking dumb.

Happy Friday!

It's Friday. Lazy post. I'm looking forward to this weekend: farmers market, sidewalk shopping, and drinking at the beach. See you out there!

Warning: fake violence, guns, shooting, blood.
I apologize to those of you this is lost on.
This one's for Nate.

Lil' 24, lil' torture, lil' Jack.

I don't even know if this is real. My God, how hilarious.



Okay, what? No. No way, Fox. No freakin' way.

In the pilot episode, the young Jack and Chloe communicate with each other using two cans and a long string. Chloe informs him that her intelligence shows that several other Arabs are planning to put Xlarieastchaline (itching powder) into the Scouts’ sleeping bags. A teenaged David Palmer, who was the President of the United States in the primetime series, turns up in the series as the leader of the Boy Scouts, a higher level in the scouts order.

According to sources, Palmer’s character will survive as assassination attempt at the hands of an evil little Charles “Charlie” Logan, who also was the U.S. President in the nightime series. The attempted murder involves putting peanut butter in a sandwich that David Palmer eats when Charlie knows full well he’s allergic to peanuts.

“Any proud American parent will be thrilled to have their child watch this show,” said Surnow.

Sure, if Ann Coulter's your mommy.

Vegan.Drool.Cupcakes.

Holy God, this web site makes me want to bake. (It's 3am, and I can't sleep. I might just do it.) It also makes me want to renounce my dairy sins and return to a vegan lifestyle. Let the hippy-bashing begin...


(Cupcake dress? via Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World) I'll take one in a size 4, please!


(Vegan jelly donut cupcakes, mmm!)

Take It Outside

Geesh, I remember thinking California was crazy for the statewide smoking ban. Now we're up to nearly 19 states, including Illinois. (6 months earlier than we thought!)

He said, "What the fuck have you been smoking, eh? Certainly you haven't been smoking in a bar in California, that's for certain!" ‘Cause you can't! No, no smoking in bars now, and soon, no drinking and no talking! Be careful, California! You're supposed to be the crazy state, the out there, the wild ones, you know? In the future, everyone's going to say, "Come down to the library, we'll have a wild time, shall we? “ ( mimes dragging on a joint ) “Don't know where that fucking book is, mate, it could be anywhere! There's a lot of 'em about!"

-Eddie Izzard, Dressed to Kill (1999)

My city view is disappearing, and so am I. I'm always wondering if I'll be in one place long enough to have memories. Real memories: the kind that feel more like history. Remembering what blouse I wore last Friday night v. remembering your child's first recital dress. I look around State St. and absorb the history, but besides the Forever 21 addition and a horde of Starbucks, I've really seen no change. (Okay, Marshall Fields and Carson's ARE gone.)

*More and more, I'm realizing how much I want a family some day. Not that I can't appreciate my own personal growth, but who wants to discover it all alone?

Click here for some of the physical changes this city has seen.




*My fever just topped 101 degrees. I am a sick, sick woman. Anything stated in this post may not be used against me at a later date when I am well and fully aware I lack maternal skills.