Trivia night fundraiser up in Oxford.
Our table’s theme was “Forever Lazy” because it involved the least amount of effort.
We donned pajamas, slankets, and the aforementioned As-Seen-On-TV polyester get-ups.

We also won, but even losing would’ve been a blast I’m most sure.

Thank you Zan, for letting me steal the following photo of our group from your camera:

So the groundhog saw his shadow and we’re going to have more winter.
If it continues with these 60° days, I’m not sure what that means other than
we can have bonfires in this climate.

And that’s what went down last night.

A good fire brings out the best conversation.

My contribution included a glowing review of Gummi Fiber supplements.

This image was too big in share, but here’s a tiny animated slice of the clouds in the sky last night.

Saw this on The AV Club:
Terrifying horse mask has the greatest customer image gallery on Amazon

I have no shame in seeing something and wanting to get on the train if it means
fun will come of it. Haven’t figured out what type of setting would really add to the
mix of the Amazon gallery, but the gears are turning and I have the prop ready.

(Thanks Tom, for snapping the photo)

Link:

• Horse Head Mask on Amazon (be sure to click “view and share related images” to see the gallery)

A friend’s mother passed away this week and she was laid to rest today.
The unseasonable weather made for a fine backdrop to honor her life.

I don’t spend much time lamenting the Lego of yore. You know, where you had a box of fairly basic
geometric shapes that when put together formed a thing.

They’ve not been replaced, these basic kits are still around. But alongside these sets are more complex endeavors
with injection-molded bits that curve to fit the needs of the thing. There are entire lines licensed to movie tie-ins.
And there is now a new category to lure young girls into the fray as pictured above. (That’s Emma, she comes with
a clothing design workshop.) Lego also makes some mistakes.

The saving grace is watching my friends’ kids actually play with the plastic building blocks.
They pull pieces together from all these different sets and make their own things to act out their own stories.
It’s heartening.

Somewhat related links:

• David Cole’s Unofficial Taxidermy Deer Lego Kit
• I wouldn’t mind if Lego re-released Set #497 – The Galaxy Explorer
• As soon as I finish Zelda I’m building this VW Bus

It is commonly documented. This chicken restaurant supports groups that are anti-gay.
Under the premise of faith, many organziations draw lines as to what is acceptable
and how society should be governed.

I get it. I don’t agree. I have my own lines.

I’m encouraged to boycott this establishment to send my message.
But these chicken nuggets on yeast rolls with a hint of honey butter are So Damn Good.

I just wished they didn’t make me so gassy and feel so bad about stuff.

I don’t consider myself a gamer, but denial goes out the window if a new Mario or Zelda game is released.
I’m currently an embarrassing number of hours into Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.

Not a fan of motion controls usually, but they work very well here. If things get out of alignment,
there’s an easy way to recalibrate and reset.

As for the quest itself, it is your typical Zelda fare: Go find this thing that’s broken up into pieces spread out
over several worlds and one of them is probably going to be a desert. Traversing between areas is the least
annoying in years thanks to flight, but it can still be a little grating.

My biggest peeve is absurd language and animation that repeats and cannot be skipped.
(When collecting an item or buying something from the store.)

Graphics are not high resolution, but they’ve a painterly quality and never detract from the gameplay.

Overall, it’s been a great game to while away the hours, avoid cleaning my closet, doing real exercise
and politics on Facebook.

Sidenote: The level above looks remarkably like Skeletor’s Snake Mountain from He-Man.

Picked up this old sheet music at Duck Creek Antiques for the lettering.
Every stroke is excellent. See for yourself: Zoom out to see all the details.

A continued tradition: brunch with ma and bro at Take the Cake.

Twice now I’ve seen Andrew Neyer’s work outside of YES.
Always a pleasure.
There’s a playfulness there, but also? I think he’s using my favorite font ever: Univers.

Another fine thing spotted down at MiCA: this flask.

Went with my mom to see the art opening for her friend Mark Sullivan down at Park+Vine (Details)

I stocked up on goods for the pantry in case we ever get snow, and eyed the garden and bike supplies.

Main St. by Andrew Neyer

Strolled around Main Street in Over the Rhine for a while. Visited a few new places we’d never been:
First up was Smartfish Studio & Sustainable Supply. Part design and art supply store, and also makers of shoes.
Really great vibe, and I was smitten with the tools for borrow.

Architecture for Humanity Cincinnati had a setup in the window where folks could denote aspirations for the community.
Each pencil represented an opportunity or a thing to celebrate.

A map outside on the window gave folks a way to add some context.

Next up was Losantiville Design Collective, a shared space and storefront for creative folk.

Capped off the evening at Abigail St., a new joint with wine on tap and a simple menu of plates for sharing.
Mom and I highly recommend the beet salad and carrot salad. I particularly enjoyed the gnocchi, but everything
was quite tasty.

A fine evening for sure.

Links from this post:

• Park+Vine
• Losantiville Design Collective
• Andrew Neyer
• Smartfish Studio
• Abigail St.
• Architecture for Humanity Cincinnati

The precipitation hanging in the air of late is lending a eerie softness to the landscapes. (Millville)

It’s like traveling to another place with these shifts in weather. (Northside)

And it all comes back to home as I sit there at my desk in the studio and this face extends up over the balcony.
It’s a two story loft sort of thing, and Tom has fashioned a long pole from cardboard tubes in the recycling bin
and added a face. (Oxford)

I’ll close out these not flowing images with a shot from Kentucky in the wee hours. (Bellevue)

We’re having a string of gray, wet days here in Ohio.
Here’s the same view from Devou Park in sunnier, blue sky-ier days if you’d like some contrast.

Speaking of contrast, Tom made these salmon salads for lunch from leftovers and they were delicious.
I can’t recall the last time (if ever) I’d had dandelion greens. Chunks of apple made it extra awesome.

Hadn’t been to the cigar tasting at the Beer Sellar for a long, long time.
Finally got back and now my coat smells like a humidor.

I could find out when I was here last if I fill in those blank six months of 2011′s album.
This gap of posting has been on my mind, but I’m relieved to just be picking back up where I left off.

My friend Kyle said, just start posting again. Don’t say anything about it. Just do.

So I did, but I feel I should mention now as I’ve caught my breath: Those six months were
jam packed with goodness. So much in fact, just sorting through the day’s photos would’ve taken
a good chunk of time, and work was busy to boot.

There it is. Nothing salacious to report.

In the past I’d complain about what I call “Logorot” — when companies update their identity with displeasing results.
Under Consideration came about with their Brand New blog which did a much better job at presenting new ID’s with
some meat, context, words, and consistency.

Flashback: I was in Michaels right before Christmas a month ago, getting some art framed. (Finally.)

I noticed the credit card machine had a “new” logo treatment that was different than the tilted Bookman of the existing identity.

Yup. Turns out a new logo has been rolling out for some time, we’re just late to the party.
I figured I’d snap a photo as I picked up the framed work tonight. (Finally.)

I like it much better. Goodness knows this sign below could use replaced:

The weather can’t decide to be freezing or warm, so I’m layering.

Reports warned of freezing rain.
They were right.

One way to combat this weather is with a bloody mary, and bacon.

A single photo from the phone while standing in the checkout lane at the market.

S’weird hearing Paula Deen say Novo Nordisk with her Southern lilt, bless her heart.
I’ve come to accept our future of celebrity endorsements for drugs.
Yes there was Bob Dole for Viagra, but didn’t seem quite the watershed.
There’s a new creepy element, and here I am, propagating.

Tom and I caught The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo at the Esquire.

I’ve heard the books are better as well as the 2009 Swedish film, but those weren’t playing at the time,
and I wasn’t going to see The Artist again. (I saw it in Los Angeles and would have loved it… without any hype.)

I liked it, even with the cringe inducing scenes.

Now I want to read the books and see the Swedish films.

I’ve posted this Be Optimistic patch on Instagram a while back, but I was taking it home to find
something to sew it on and the light warranted a shot from the “big” camera.

I do dig it so.

It was posting this or the only other photo I took today:  Me sitting on the couch wearing a Forever Lazy.
I must thank Tom & Wendy for this birthday gift that I finally opened up, somewhat begrudgingly.

Turns out the Forever Lazy is fricking awesome. Zippers in all the places you’d need ‘em, handy pockets and dang cozy.

The only drawback is that when wearing it, I look like a Teletubby.
Maybe should sew the Be Optimistic badge on it…