Tankboy

A glimpse out of my new window.

2012-01-27T20:08:00.005-06:00

Wondering if I should do a time-lapse shoot when Lolla sets up in a few months...

Life is good.

2012-01-26T21:55:00.000-06:00

I have big, big things going on and can't wait to share the full extent of what's going on but let's just say everything in my world seems to be firing in the same positive direction at the exact same time and I am taking NONE OF IT for granted!

This is not the reason behind my brief posts.

2012-01-25T17:28:00.004-06:00

Though you'd be forgiven for thinking it's because Sasha the Cat is stealing my Interwebz with her butt!

Yes, yes, yes ... I'm aware!

2012-01-24T08:36:00.002-06:00

My posting has been limited. I'm not talking as much. Lotsa photos and not lotsa words. This will change somewhat soon but for now I am SO BUSY.

Loves you.

Killing time.

2012-01-23T17:48:00.000-06:00

What's your view?

I find this pretty amusing.

2012-01-20T20:30:00.000-06:00

Don't worry, Chicago can take it!

It's hard...

2012-01-19T21:52:00.002-06:00

...to accurately convey just how exciting life is right now. Which makes me realize that maybe we don't write about the moment, we write about the effect of the moment and the moments that precede and follow that moment.

SOPA / PIPA is not the answer.

2012-01-18T07:31:00.005-06:00

So, say something about it.

OM nom nom burgers!

2012-01-17T21:12:00.003-06:00

The burgers here were delicious!

The number of burger joint Foursquare thinks I visited REALLY seems like it should be much higher though...

Watcha doing? Oh, just hangin' around.

2012-01-16T22:17:00.010-06:00

It's been a lazy kind of day.

Fiiiiight!

2012-01-13T08:44:00.008-06:00

Last night, through a simple challenge issued by Do312 to Chicagoist and Red Eye, this happened.

You have to love it when over 200 people show up for an impromptu snowball fight and the local news (and other news stations (?!)) stations deem it worthy of coverage to the point that a few actually led with us! And, thank god, #Snowbrawl2012 and #WickerPark's local trending on Twitter finally pushed #JustinBieber out of the top trends in Chicago.

Thank YOU to everyone who came out!

Big news!

2012-01-12T18:46:00.000-06:00

This happened.

In a really good place.

2012-01-11T22:40:00.003-06:00

Ten years ago I was unemployed, a victim of the post-9/11 recession and a dip in the entertainment industry. I wish current me could've talked to ten-years-ago me and let him now just how awesome his future was going to be.

POPCORN!

2012-01-10T09:51:00.000-06:00

I had a really hard time getting going this morning, to the point that I'm going to the gym AFTER work instead of before (something I absolutely hate doing), but this has added the necessary kick to my day to launch my good mood-o-meter.

Resolutions...

2012-01-09T23:34:00.001-06:00

...I have none. I mean, I'll keep up the daily gym routine and keep stretching creatively in my personal and professional lives but those are ongoing projects do don't really qualify as "resolutions."

Over the past few months I've made a concerted effort to fight my weaknesses and support my strengths so since I view that as an ongoing concern I feel no need for some sort of reset with the change of calendar years.

THAT SAID, if you are one of the folks that decided to take advantage of January 1, or thereabouts, to make a positive change in your life then I certainly applaud you. I will always support the notion of someone looking to improve themselves (or just make themselves happier through accomplishment) no matter when they decide to do so.

Whether your resolution took place January 1, or months ago, or years ago, or will take place next week or after that there is one thing I'm certain of. You can do it. You can succeed. And you will succeed.

GO!

On the road again...

2012-01-06T18:54:00.004-06:00

Starin' out the window, gettin' some thinkin' done...

In a time long ago...

2012-01-05T22:25:00.012-06:00

I'm watching the pilot for Moonlighting and these guys are jogging and all I can think about is a) sweatpants were both really tight and acceptable to wear outside of the house and b) holy crap remember when personal listening devices (you know, like a Walkman tape player) were both too cumbersome and expensive to wear while doing something so capable of causing those devices harm, e.g., running?

RELATED: The title sequences for '80s shows always strike me as shockingly primitive yet strongly comforting. Als, while I know their eventual union is what ruined the show, while they're NOT together ain't Dave and Maddie just SO adorable when they spar?

SEMI-RELATED: Bruce Willis with hair!!! His own hair!!!!

End days? I think not.

2012-01-04T19:37:00.000-06:00

It's only January 5 and already 2012 is totally kicking ass. I hope the year is treating you just as well so far!

Age versus edge.

2012-01-03T14:26:00.000-06:00

I lived in Humboldt for many, many years. Honestly, I liked it. Until I started dating GalPal. The last place I lived was right across from the park, on North, and while the scenery was terrific, that particular corner and slice of neighborhood was not. I actually would get nervous walking from the bus stop to my house sometimes, and that was a total of 500 feet, tops. I realized that while I could deal with that sort of thing I really didn't want to force my girlfriend to, so we moved and I finally settled down in the relatively safe confines of Bucktown. This was a move a younger Tankboy would have punched me in the face for and then make fun of me for being a yuppie sellout. Whatever, we feel safer. And I'm pretty sure that despite where I live I'm still more rock and/or roll than yuppie. At least I hope so.

But man, I do still really miss living right across from Humboldt Park sometimes.

Get with it!

2012-01-02T16:41:00.000-06:00

Did you check out my list of favorite albums and songs yet? No? Do so now! Then soundtrack the beginning of your new year with the now sounds of yesteryear.

Pickle the Kitten commands you to have a safe and happy New Year's Eve!

2011-12-31T09:44:00.000-06:00

So shall it be done.

Looking into the FUTURE ... FUture ... future...

2011-12-30T20:37:00.001-06:00

Photo by NASA

2012 is going to be alright.And not just because the world will keep on spinning with us all (mostly) safely upon her. It's going to be alright because things are looking up in general.

Personally I had a really good 2011. There were a few bumps and few moments of extreme stress but it all lead to good places and results for me personally. But I'm aware many, many people had a lousy 2011 and I was just one of the luckier ones. Our world is going through a rough moment in time. But it has the ability to be a moment of transformation for our civilization as a whole. the dark times in general are not behind us, and I predict a few more waves of great cultural turbulence, but I can't help but feel optimistic about our future as a whole. Humanity's been through some rough times and in the end we always (eventually) end up in a better place.

So here's to you, and you, and you, and me, and you and you and you all coming together to do what we can to improve things and make 2012 a year that more people look back on as a positive moment in their own timeline.

Because I know it can be done.

This is the music I liked the most in 2011.

2011-12-29T13:16:00.001-06:00

My list of of 20+ albums and 75 songs released in 2011 that continue to give me pleasure on a consistent basis is finally up. Peruse. Fill any gaps in your collection I have identified with these albums. Then tell me what turned you on aurally in 2011.

Continuing the trend.

2011-12-28T10:31:00.000-06:00

While Betty the Beagle hates having her picture taken, Pickle the Kitten seems to really enjoy it. I'm going to attribute it to her ego and her thorough belief that she is the most awesome cat on the planet.

Yes, I do believe I will have some pie.

This photo pretty much made my month.

2011-12-27T14:50:00.001-06:00

My only regret is that Pickle the Kitten doesn't have pie in front of her as well.