Pretty Pictures Version 10.26.11

So, I was chatting away with Nyckelpiga Julius earlier today about how we're kindred spirits when it comes to tastes in music (which includes, apparently, boogieing down to some "Macho Duck" from Mickey Mouse Disco).  We turn to the Black Keys' new track and leap onto the adoration train hardcore.  Not even 30 minutes after our conversation, Triple J has Dan Auerbach on air to talk about the track and the new album!  Talk about cultural zeitgeist!  I love it when shizz like that happens.  So, to officially mark the song as the tune of the day and keep NJ's chair dancing going, I post these pretty pictures for all my bonitos to enjoy:  The Black Keys with "Lonely Boy."

I Need a Hero!

Me likey the chin. And me lovey the red! Come on, T-Mobile. Make it happen.

Update!: It appears that my Hero's gonna shack up with AT&T for a little while. Still won't make me switch. But T-Mobile will still be Magic(al).

Update to the update!: Everything's more Magic(al) in merlot.

Yeah, That Sounds About Right

Old bank buildings used for other purposes. The transformation from the 1st to 2nd slide sums up Newark, NJ to a tee. It almost made me spit up my coffee, onetime, it was so spot on. It brought back memories of going to Youngworld in the blown-up 'hood that was downtown Newark in the '80s avoiding eye and skin contact with the stinky bums and crack 'hos with my mom and dad buying 3-piece polyester suits for me and girly girl dresses for my sister. Ooph...Good times.

And it looks like there's apparently a Youngworld in Jamaica, Queens. Maybe I should go there sometime for olde timey's sake? Ooph ooph...

Eye See, You See...

Picture it: 1420 Clifton St., NW. 6:30ayem. Woke up just fine to turn off the alarm. Ten minutes turned into fifty when the Jayhawk nudged me. And then the mad dash starts. Pick outfit (cute yet sensible for the big chill outside), iron, shower, listen to report on the radio about the Sri Lankan cricketers getting shot in Pakistan, shave, brush teeth, confirm weather report, get dressed, do hair, stuff bag, what the hellz is this about Obama speaking differently to blacks v. whites (?!...effin' Politico), throw on scarf/coat/bag over my shoulder, where's my Metrocard (?), grab keys, turn on iPod, adios sleeping Jamie, out the door, avoid getting hit by traffic while walking on the street to the bus stop because the sidewalk's iced over, get on the bus, really wanting a bowl of Cream of Wheat. All in less than an hour. It's happened twice in just as many days. I really need an alarm clock that will keep trying to wake me without annoying the Jayhawk. Maybe one with disturbing googly eyes that keep staring at me impatiently will work. If only he were for sale...

In Like a Lion

Brrrr, mis bonitos! Dayum, has it been cold these past 2 days! Not comfortable for a Rican, but it was quite funny for a Kansan (I'm sure) listening to the sound effects I kept making while slipping and sliding and tripping on the snow this morning on our way to the bus stop. And I had my combat boots on! Maybe if these guys had a DC page I could have better braced myself for what was waiting for me outside. I don't know that it would have helped, though. Ricans just aren't built for walking on frozen water.

A Stamp Is Forever

I use stamps only once a month to go along with the one check a month the Jayhawk and I write for rent. And even then the mailing of actual rent checks is mainly due to our incredible laziness in setting up an account our landlord can draw from. But maybe if I buy some of these stamps, I'll use the snailmails more because my letters will look that much cooler (?). Obviously not, but I'm definitely getting a sheet when they're released on the 13th.

(Photo courtesy of the Royal Mail)

Gimme Gimme #16

It's so gross and rainy that I'm in the mood for asking for some things that will keep me nice and dry: nice umbrellas. Unlike the free Red Cross umbrella I found in my office that almost poked Candy's eye out this morning while we waited for the bus.

This umbrella (in the green) is kinda cool and not too girly. But I'm looking for something a touch more masculine, and this one does the trick. And then there's this one, which I've always liked because it makes me think that it'll keep you sunny-day smiley on nasty rainy days. This one will definitely make people do a double take. But this one will get me the techie green kudos that are so in vogue now. Too bad it's just a concept because it is pretty effing cool.

And now I've got Rihanna burned in my brain. Great...

Lego My...

Lego men! A photographic chronicle of the history of Lego figurines. 4 billion Lego people in the world today! Fascinating.

Actually, there should be a recount of that census to reduce that number by 2 (for now) given that Lego men have been washing up on the shores of Britannia. So sad.

We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident

That all men are created equal. Including skinny black men.

I think the drawing says it the best, though, don't you?

(Sketch by Patrick Moberg)

Memories...

Light the corners of my mind...

Here's a trip down memory lane for the ages. This.F*cking.Election.

(Photo courtesy of The Daily Mail)