d u d e r n e t

And we’re back.

So I'm bringing the blog out of hibernation, at least until the new year. Offline for about four months, you didn't miss a whole lot.

We left off moving into my new place in Fort Lauderdale (still in it; still paying too much for it). There've been a couple trips to New York City, and the big SND Vegas shindig, and, well, that's about that.

The holidays are coming up, and after four more workdays, I'm jetting back to California for the first time in too long. Then I'm spending Dec. 25 - Jan. 5 (so, Christmas, my - gasp - 29th birthday, New Year's) in the UK, in and around London.  I'm longing for cold weather; can you tell? I have such nice sweaters and jackets!

One year ago today, I was boarding a flight out of Bangkok, leaving that life behind, bound first for London and then for home.

As if I didn't already ...

... feel like a complete failure in life:

Photographer Chronicles 20 Years of His Life, Until Day He Dies

Catching up

So, this picture-a-day thing is not working out so well. (Seems I'm not the only one.) I have other things to worry about; I'll try to keep posting them, but as you've already figured out, despite my early promises, they won't be daily.

I moved in this weekend, gratefully leaving behind a house that was not kind.

I have so far enjoyed my hot tub and my grill and have so far not unpacked most of my things. None of these developments should surprise you.

In other news:

Kevin shared his recipe for his World Famous Taters, which you see pictured above, and which have graced nearly every epic party in San Jose for the last eight years. If you have the choice, take his. But my version turned out pretty damn good.

In related Kevin news, he's joined the steady stream of people leaving the Mercury News and is moving to Alabama to be a fancy executive editor. Congrats, buddy! Alabama's a lot closer to Florida than California is!

In UK news, you can't legally drink on the Tube any more. If the last night of legal drinking was any indication of how the ban will go... uh... next time I'm in London I'll be sure to bring my own paper bag.

Back to work here in a matter of hours. And only a week and a half or so 'til I descend upon Brooklyn and Mary's new digs for a (long) weekend of musics and foods and drinks.

365 | 21 May 2008

Of the many (many) things I won't miss once I move in a couple weeks, chief among them is the drive. It takes about 15 minutes to get home from work; add another five or ten if I'm coming from somewhere fun (and, thus, slightly impaired). I look longingly at the street (near things both friendly and fun) where I will turn starting Sunday, June 1, every time I'm on my way to the freeway pictured above.

365 | 19 May 2008

"Had one of those days When you wanna try heroin, Drunk driving, Some form of soft suicide."
-- The Weakerthans, "Leash."

Odds, ends

New Beck track is pretty sweet.

Isn't Pete Doherty's son, Astile, adorable? Let's hope mom doesn't let dad around too often...

None of these 10 toys made me gay. But the group of kids saying "I love you, Michael Jackson!" is more than a little disturbing.

Had a pretty blah couple of days off (through no one's fault but my own), and officially fell off the photo-a-day wagon. Trying to steer the ship back in the right direction, with higher hopes for the upcoming three-day weekend.

365 | 16 May 2008

I want this lady's job. Seriously.

Three of the four days I was in the office this week, this woman sat, just like this, outside. See, we have a little cafe on the first floor, with a few outdoor seats. Only this woman brings her lunch. And a drink from a gas station. And reads a book. For hours on end. The tables do not belong to the paper, or the building. They are the cafe's. They are for customers, and they're often full. Crazy reading bag lady, they are not for you.

365 | 12 May 2008

A cruel joke at my neighborhood petrol station, where the hand-drawn "3" doesn't exactly outshine the original "1" at night.

365 | 11 May 2008

Diving meet over, and I had a blast. Skipped Saturday, instead got ultra-burned at the beach; then went back out to the pool today, where the 98-degree weather and "Extreme" UV forecast really did a number on my face. (Perhaps that should be today's Photo of the Day.)

Again, more photos here. Will probably upload the last (non-Finchum/Boudia) photos sometime Monday.

365 | 9 May 2008

Awesome day at the pool. Going back out Sunday for sure; tomorrow, maybe, too. Lots more photos here.