I guess we're late to Wicker Park

Coasters made from old street signs

Great review of Umbrellas in Slate

via Kottke

Inconceivable

How is it that Chicago, a city both overcrowded by automobiles and totally reliant on public transportation, can endanger the very usefulness of the CTA because they want to send a message to the Illinois state assembly?

From Crane's Chicago Business:

Pointing a political gun at the Illinois General Assembly, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) board on Wednesday voted to slash service 36% and raise some fares unless lawmakers ride to the rescue by mid-July with a $55 million cash bailout.

The cuts are structured in such a way that they would particularly wallop rush-hour commuters, who would face what officials described as "severe crowding" and waits in many cases of twice as long as today.

Ridiculous. Maybe I am moving to the wrong city.

Tests are silly

Upon receiving grades for my most recent Human Sexuality exam, I was shocked to learn that whether I study for two days or four hours, I'll get the same score.

Why do we bother with this nonsense?

New music

Thanks to Taylor, Michelle and Will, I've been listening to some new music lately:

• Hot Fuss, by the Killers -- The Killers are almost too hip for their own good. Fortunately, they rock pretty hard and have a great lead singer. I only wish there was more variety between songs on this album.


• The Luxury of Time, by David Mead -- Taylor's positive influence continues, this time by way of David Mead. Beautiful singing, well-crafted compositions, and a nice mix of songs make The Luxury of Time a great listen. Can't wait to get to the other albums Taylor gave me :-)


• Guero, by Beck -- To be honest, I haven't given this album the time it deserves yet. But it sounds awesome. Will says it's "characteristic old-school Beck, but more serious," and he's right. This will be a good listen for the car this weekend.

We found an apartment!

If you can believe it.

More bad news from CTA *sigh*

Now that's old money

Now that's old money
Originally uploaded by jazer.

"This certifies that there is on deposit in the Treasury of the United States of America one dollar in silver payable to the bearer on demand."

Or so says the dollar bill I received somewhere in Chicago this weekend. I bet it's not true. And I bet if you check your wallet, you'll find that your money promises nothing of the sort.

That's because this money is from 1957.