:: Ray's Periodic Rantings ::

:: Friday, June 25, 2004 ::

My new favorite web page

Electoral Vote Predictor 2004. Because we don't have one big presidential election, but rather fifty-one small ones.
:: Ray 2:48 PM [+] ::
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Using up a few minutes of my 15.

A couple of weeks ago, I walked over to the Chicago Public Radio studios at 848 E. Grand Ave to tape an interview with Steve Edwards of the program Eight Forty Eight. We had a really nice discussion about Chicago's burlesque scene, something that I know a thing or two about.

The interview is schedule to air Thursday, 6/24/04 (subject to change), between 10 and 11am central time, along with an interview of Michelle Baldwin, author of the new book "Burlesque - And the New Bump and Grind."

Tune to 91.5FM in the Chicago area, or listen via internet. If you are unable to listen at airtime, the story will be archived online beginning Friday.
:: Ray 8:31 PM [+] ::
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You want me to sign WHAT?

Today on the El, some politics went bad. I was riding to work, almost to Clark and Lake, when I noticed a man approach a woman, who was sitting, with a clipboard. I couldn't hear all of what was said, but I gathered that he was collecting signatures to get Ralph Nader on the ballot here in Illinois. My blood boiled as soon as I realized this, for two reasons. First, the country can't afford the ego-fantastical antics of a crank like Nader if costs us another four years of an administration that is driving the country into the ground by just about every measure. Second, solicitation is not permitted on the CTA, period. I am a captive audience when I am on CTA property, and I don't appreciate it when someone abuses this.

Note to the Nader campaign: please instruct your people in the field to continue being angry and yelling at potential voters. Really get in their faces and be emotional and defensive about how great Ralph is and how he has every right to be on the ballot and how he won't take votes from Kerry, honest! Teach them to bellow and bluster, in order to let everyone else know just how vehemently you all feel. It's a great way to convert people over to your cause...really!

Shrinking away from the guy, the woman got up and walked around him to stand by the door. Instead of moving on and approaching someone else, he turned and continued to rant at her. At that point I got up, walked over, and distracted him by saying that soliciting is not allowed on CTA property, and he shouldn't be collecting signatures like that. He jumped in at me saying that he had a right to be there, and he named an amendment to the Constitution (though I confess I don't recall which one). I said, "On the street, yes. On CTA, no," but he didn't let it go, and kept jabbering at me. Fortunately, the train pulled into Clark and Lake just then, and the woman and I exited. I reported him to a supervisor on the platform, who said he would call it in, though it didn't look like he was really going to do anything.

Walking to work from the train station, I was still a bit hot, and I fantasized about how I should have signed the petition, using something like Fred Flinstone instead of my own name, with "signatures on this page are not valid" instead of my address. I don't know if I could actually do something mean-spirited like that, but fantasizing about petty revenge usually makes me feel better.
:: Ray 12:17 AM [+] ::
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Stormy weather.

I had just finished dinner with friends at a Colombian restaurant on Lincoln, North of Foster. As we left at a few minutes before midnight, an intense thunderstorm rolled through. As I psyched myself up to get soaked running to my car, a lightning bolt hit very close...the clap was loud and instantaneous. About a minute later, another hit nearby, except that this time, it took out the electricity in the restaurant I had just left and everything on that side of the street for three blocks, including the streetlights. Close hit. I was a little nervous as I finally ran to the car.

Interestingly, the electricity on those three blocks didn't go out completely, but instead browned out most of the way. Incandescent and neon lights were still very faintly lit. It was a bit eerie.

The rain let up as I drove home, and as I sit here now, dry and cozy, it has stopped completely, though I can still hear the occasional rumble of thunder off in the distance.
:: Ray 12:25 AM [+] ::
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Misc catch-up

Heat has arrived in Chicago. I'm sweating, but I am enjoying it. Still, we've been screwed out of some pleasant Spring days in the 70s, as usual.

I planted tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, and more on Saturday, with big help from Mary, my new girlfriend. I am trying a different spot in the yard, as most of the veggies have not done well in the bed I was using before, right behind the garage. I don't know if the soil was too sandy, or what. I'll post how they di in the new location, at the back of the yard, by the fence.

I just posted a review of the Girlie-Q Variety Hour to the Guide.
:: Ray 12:59 AM [+] ::
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A brief observation

Living in the suburbs can be OK. I like that I can park in my driveway instead of trolling for a spot two blocks away, and it's nice that I don't have to worry about somebody messing with Betty, the Airstream. It's a bit quiet for me, though...a bit too sedate, perhaps even saccharin. I realized today as I got off the el at Clark and Lake that if I didn't get into the city daily for work, being out there full time would slowly, surely drive me mad.

PS Flooding crested at 8.5 feet on that Thursday, well below the potential high of 11 feet that had been feared. No problem.
:: Ray 5:20 PM [+] ::
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