I miss Halloween

I haven't done anything real Halloween-like this year. It kind of makes me sad. I haven't even gotten to use my liter at fake blood. Remember the good times...

I was creepy wasn't I? I can trace this photo back to... oh, sophomore year of college, I think. You know you're not supposed to get that shit near your eyes. It burns a little.

Dead bodies on display

(Yeah, you know that would excite me right?)

If you pay $18 to get into the STL Science Center's new Body Worlds exhibit -- opening tomorrow -- you can see 20 of them, posed in different positions that mock living activities. Some of their parts, I'm told, have been cut open and spliced out so people can see their insides, and their skin has been removed.

And they're REAL. Donated to science. They've gone through a process called "plastination" during which the parts have been soaked in a silicone liquid several times, stopping decomposition and preserving them for "laypersons" from all over to see. I don't understand the process in detail because I haven't read enough about it, but check out the official site linked below to learn more.

See dead guy playing chess.

Obviously, there is a gross out factor for many, as was obvious when our Telegraph photographer came back from shooting the media sneak preview there. It sparked my curiosity. 

The P-D did a story titled, "Science or Sideshow." I'll be the first to admit, I'd want to see it because of the gross out factor, but there's a part of me that knows this is the chance of a lifetime for a girl who already graduated from college and has no aspirations to go back for a profession in the medical or science field. Or for anyone else who has just under $20 and a stomach that can handle it. You can see what the muscles and parts of our bodies do in certain positions and during or after certain activities. 

I hear there's also a smoker's lung -- a real one, not just the model -- and visitors have been impacted so that they left their cigarettes behind when leaving the museum.

Learn more:

Body Worlds Official Site

St. Louis Science Center - See the exhibit through March

Post-Dispatch coverage

Alton Telegraph video (coming soon)

Check out this artist

Travis Lawrence

I want to post some of my fave images of his, but I'm afraid of copyright infringment, and so you should just check out his site on your own. 

His bio doesn't say much, but I'm gathering that most of his work is really dark, and that he is from rural Illinois. He does paintings, poems, other writings, drawings and photography, and seems to be pretty good at all of those mediums. 

The darkness in his work draws me... I can't really explain myself without sitting here to think about it more, but I do encourage you to check him out, as well as the other artists on:

http://www.meagainsttheworld.net/

The site just launched on Oct. 1, and there are some interesting things to see. My favorite so far just happens to be Lawrence. 

Josh Rowan is also amazing. 

Me, Myself and I

Ever wonder what kind of joy bloggers like me derive from writing about nothing from day to day? Why, oh why, do we do it?

Is it because we love ourselves? 

Does that picture look like an answer to that question to you?

Kidding. I don't really know why I do it to tell you the truth, and I guess I can't speak for other people. 

What I do know is this: I'm always itching to read updates about my friends and the people I know, so I guess somewhere in my mind I'm hoping other people care to read mindless updates about me. Take my boyfriend, for example. I hound him weekly about posting a blog. He's done it once.

For one, I have a lot of free time at work, and I sometimes like to read stuff that takes me away from the newsroom, if not only for a second. 

Second, since leaving a lot of friends in different areas, it seems like it would be a good way to keep in touch -- if only a few more people chose to do it (thank God for MySpace and Facebook eh?) Also, way to go Stephen, on giving me not only a text blog to read, but also a photoblog to stare at every so often.

Just some random thoughts. Off to volleyball!

The magic touch

I got a new fave television show!
ABC's "Pushing Daisies."


It's about a guy, Ned, played by actor Lee Pace, who can bring dead people back to life simply by touching them. Big surprise that I like it, eh??

Ned can't just touch anyone or anything and bring them back all "willy-nilly." There are rules:

Once he touches them, the dead become alive again. Not zombies. Actually alive. But they can only stay alive for one minute -- or someone or something else has to die in their place. That being said, once he's brought a dead person/animal/etc. back to life, he can never touch them again. First touch alive, second touch -- dead, again, forever.

So Ned and a private investigator who learns his secret, Emerson Cod (some of you may know him as "Bishop" in "Waiting"), go around touching dead people, asking them how they died/who killed them, touching them again and then collecting the reward.

One day, things get a little more complicated when one of the dead people Ned is asked to bring back is his childhood sweetheart, Charlotte "Chuck" Charles. He touches her but can't bear to kill her again, so he lets her stay -- the price being the life of the funeral director, who was notorious for stealing heirlooms off dead people anyway (so what's the harm?).

Anyway, there's only been three episodes, all of which can be viewed online at ABC.com, and all of which have been amazing so far.

What I can tell from those first episodes is this:

*Each episode opens with a little story about Ned when he was young, when he was just finding out all the specifics about his "gift." Now a piemaker who runs a little shop called the Pie Hole and chooses to keep many of his secrets to himself, this is the best way we have to learn a little more about our lead character (pretty sexy lead character) each week.

*Each episode involves a murder, or a dead person whose case the piemaker, investigator and dead girl are out to solve, each for different reasons (Emerson to get the reward and Chuck to make the world a better place).

*The piemaker and the dead girl are falling in love with each other, which becomes increasingly more adorable with each episode, and also more interesting because he cannot touch her skin to skin, or she'll be dead again, forever. Some news and entertainment stories I've read about the show say this scenario is, in a way, making a statement about abstinence or at least the dangers of intimacy. I think that's an interesting concept. What I do know about it is this: You know how abstinence pushers and those with "high moral standards" are always saying -- that sexy is mysterious and not slutty, that revealing too much is the wrong idea of sexy? They're right. Something about the electricity between the two characters (shown above) is sexy -- even though they can't so much as kiss on the show. See for yourself if you don't believe me.

Overall, the colors and scenes in the show are so bright, they remind me very much of Tim Burton's creative style, or even Dr. Seuss sometimes (i.e. Chuck's aunts are performers who do water ballet and call themselves "the Darling Mermaid Darlings," and one has an eyepatch).

Every detail has a reason. There is a REASON the writers only gave Chuck's aunt one eye, which you will notice if you watch the pilot episode. 

The characters speak a lot like the Gilmore Girls, only far less annoying, in that they are quick witted and everything they say is perfect like they've rehearsed it a million times (not at all like reality, in that they never really stumble over anything they say). However, it works well in this show, unlike on "Gilmore Girls," because the topic of the show and the bright themes are so overpowering and daydream-like, it just fits in. It may sound like it, but it's not over the top, trust me.

One extra plus, if you like singing, is that one of the characters, a Pie Hole employee named Olive Snook (played by one Kristin Chenoweth) sometimes likes to break out in a musical number. This may not sound wierd to those of you who know Chenoweth from "Wicked," the musical.

That's all I have to say about it for now, but I'd strongly encourage everyone to watch the first three episodes and get caught up before next week!! It airs on ABC at 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Welcome, Brianne

So, it turns out Kevin was not only the first to marry, but also the first to have a baby.

He and his lovely wife Abby welcomed their first child on Oct. 13, 2007, which is cool because one day her birthday will end up on a Friday the 13th in October. 

Her name is Brianne Bagwill, and, as you can tell by the pictures, she is a very pretty baby. (You did well guys...)

Daddy Kevin with baby Brianne

Brianne, 2 days old, at Alton Memorial Hospital on Oct. 15

It's the cutest thing -- she has lots of black hair in the back, but none in the front (just like her daddy, Kevin joked).

I went to see her during my lunch break today. 

I held her for a minute, but she wasn't the happiest about it. Kevin says she was hungry... but I know better. Kidding. I'm not worried -- they really start liking me when they're old enough to follow me around and make me play with them. I'm a sucker for playtime.

Alright, back to work.

(Sorry the pics are a little blurry guys, I didn't want to use the flash. You can see one other pic--I didn't take all that many-- at My Photobucket)

A picture I drew

I bought a sketchbook recently because of an interest in drawing more than I do. I'm not really good, but I enjoy doing it. 

I Googled "flowers" and came up with this painting, which I thought I'd make my own.

Here is the original:

Unfortunately, I didn't properly edit my version of the drawing (below) too well. It's originally on white paper, but the colors aren't completely accurate. But here it is nevertheless. 

The woman's skin and the lines of the dress on the bottom right are too faint to come out well. Forgive me! 

I miss...

...driving around with a liter of Mountain Dew and a stick of raw sugar cookie dough while stealing golf flags.

...watching midnight lova and obsessing over the Tatler.

...attending any and every Alton High home hockey game.

...seances in Emily's old room. 

...Twister.

...Spongebob Squarecar the Nova. 

...getting excited over someone wearing a yellow shirt. 

...writing notes in class.

...the Urban Sombrero.

...stalking favorite math teachers. 

...sand volleyball at Cougar Village.

...shaving cream fights in Woodland.

...Spades with Thomas/Beth and usually Cory. 

...HAGMO.

..."Dancing in the Moonlight," in 520-1A

...ping pong/bowling at SIUE's U.C.

...hanging at the mall (taking it waaay back).

...Emily's New Year's Theme Parties.

...fighting Megan's treadmill, and the treadmill winning.

...Hit n' Run and Captain Morgan.

...Find your way to the nipple boob mazes. 

...the porn store. 

..."I'm not a virgin in my butt."

...BINGO.

...Late nights in the DEN.

...ICPA.

...JBanquet. 

..."What? You gonna EAT IT?"

..."as you're going through there."

...drunk dancing at the PP.

...late night trips to Wal-Mart and the claw machine (still got my L & B).

...champagne nights on 12th Street.

...Spaghetti wrestling.

...Laura & Emily's "super juice."

...Black Tie Christmas.

...the Team Campus chastity belt.

..." I know why he did it! He did it for the money!"

Ok that's all for now, although there are MANY more. Probably safe to say you can expect at least a few more of these posts... Just feeling a little nostalgic. Can't sleep... Thanks for the memories guys. 

The shit on Last.fm

I inivited all you people to join me on this music/social networking Web site that can easily be described as a MySpace for music. 

'But MySpace already HAS music! And so does Facebook!'

SHUT your mouth, you don't know what you're talking about. 

Last.fm is for people interested in finding others who have similar interests in sound, or for those who want to broaden their horizons a little. 

Some of the features I enjoy:

My profile. This area says a little about me, but it says more about what I like in music. It lists all the recent tracks I've listened to, artists I've been listening to the most lately, and it even has cute little album artwork. Lately, I've been listening to Radiohead more than most, to try and soak in "In Rainbows." The cool thing is, the program you download lets you sync with iTunes and Windows Media Player so it adds music that you listen to in those programs as well as the ones you hear on the site. I've also been listening to the Flaming Lips, but the site doesn't track my iPod so it doesn't know that. 

Journal. Yeah, right, like I NEED another blog. I might use it to casually keep track of new artists I've found tho. We'll see, as I futher explore.

Friends. Not like your average friends on social networking Web sites... I'm looking at David's profile now. I can stalk him (music wise) and find out what he's been listening to and when. It also rates your compatibility with friends-- whose tastes are similar to yours. David and I are a good match it turns out. Probably all the Radiohead.

Recommendations. I don't really know if I like this part yet. The truth is, I haven't listened to enough tracks to get any recommendations. But the idea is a great one. Like Netflix, the movie rental Web site that takes ratings I have given movies and suggests others I'd like, Last.fm takes songs I've "loved" and listened to and tries to turn me on to new music. 

I'm excited to see what I can get from this site. Back to video uploading now. 

(As you can see, Brightcove software, which is what The Telegraph uses, is quite slow on the uptake. Literally.)

Could I BE any more bored?

I'm hoping by writing this blog about being bored that the gods will realize that I need something to do and decide to give it to me. I have three pages to design, nothing to put on them. 

I hate that I don't have anything to do right now, because in about an hour I will be heading to a long lunch in order to play volleyball, and when I get back I'll be busy as hell. I hate working late on Thursdays. But then again, I hate working early any day. Then again, I really dislike working altogether. Yet I hate idle time. 

Go fig. 

So, I've come to a conclusion over the past few days, and I don't know how it came about but what I DO know is this: One of these days I am going to possibly have to live in Chicago (yes, I said it) in order to expand my job horizons. I don't know what I want to do, but I know I'm not meant to write government stories and crime news for the rest of my life. I just can't, and I won't.

While I love St. Louis, it's just not here for me right now. Maybe it's in Chicago, maybe it's not. All I know is I've expanded my job search horizons a lot. Don't worry St. Louis-- if I leave, I'll definitely be back. And sooner rather than later. 

Anybody got any ideas?

Last.fm is addicting

A great way to turn yourself on (no, not sexually...) to new music, Last.fm deserves a chance. 

If you like finding new bands to listen to, you like opening yourself to new experiences, I don't think you will be sorry.

More later...

Radiohead's new album is out

And it's available, for free or for however much the consumer chooses to pay for it, via download from the band's Web site, www.radiohead.com. 

It's called "In Rainbows," and I heard it last night shortly after it came out, because they happen to be David's favorite band. Now, I have my own copy and am listening to it as I type to determine exactly what I think about it. He thinks its the greatest thing to happen since... well, I don't know what. I agree it's good, but we'll get into specifics later. 

The catch, apparently, is that the sound quality isn't the best. I, myself, can't tell a difference really.

According to Billboard.com:

"Modern rock radio network Xfm will premiere "In Rainbows" (THIS AFTERNOON). The station will play all 10 tracks uninterrupted from the 42-and-a-half-minute long album."

Stay tuned for a review at some point, and/or go check it out for yourself if you like the band.

Voxtrot - "Voxtrot" (2007)

It's been a long time coming, but I've finally decided to review a few CDs I have been turned on to by the boyfriend. Expect them to be posted slowly, few and probably far between.

Voxtrot - "Voxtrot" 

(May 2007)

********** (7.5 of 10)

I was originally drawn to download the CD after hearing the song "Rise Up In the Dirt," which David put on a compilation of music he was trying to get me to listen to. The upbeat song, featured on the band's five-track EP released in April 2006 called "Mothers, Sisters, Daughters & Wives," was instantly a favorite of mine, with a little bit of a 60s pop sound. 

I expected the same from this self-titled album, but unfortunately didn't hear anything that popped out at me the way "Rise Up In the Dirt" did. That being said, the album isn't bad, just not one of the best I've ever heard. I would recommend a listen, and am rating it at about a 7.5 of 10. 

Most of the songs seem to be more mellow than I expected from my first glimpse of the band's stuff. 

The first single that was released off the album, "Blood Red Blood" warranted a 4 out of 5 on my rating scale. It's a song I'd probably like a bit more if I gave it a closer listen, but again, nothing really pops just yet about it. 

Other songs of note on the album include "Future Part 1," "Ghost," "Every Day" and "Real Life Version."

"Ghost" has a slow melody, and is a soothing listen, as is "Future Part 1," which starts out with a melody that surprisingly reminds me of the basic melody to "Dancing in the Moonlight." 

"Every Day" is a charming love song, and the only one on the album to warrant my 5 out of 5 rating, with "Real Life Version" following close behind. Speaking of, if you enjoyed the song "In the Deep" (by Bird York) from the Crash Soundtrack (2004), you'll notice that the chorus "a real life version of yoooouuu" sounds a lot like "in the deeeeeeeeeep."

Many of the tunes are saturated in piano, which I love, and I somewhat agree with spin.com's observation that some of the beats seem very Strokes-ish. However, I don't think I like the two groups for the same reason, so while I can see the comparison, I don't think put or encourage anyone else to put too much stock in it.

Check out the indie pop rock band, straight out of Austin, TX, on www.voxtrot.net

I got a blog!

"The newspaper for which I work is now in the blogosphere. I don't get a blog. I have too many other responsibilities I guess. Although, maybe I ought to ask for one. I could be the entertainment/travel lady. I like writing about places to eat and things to do in the area. Maybe I'll ask..."

That was me several days ago. 

Soon, I should have one. 

I will link it when it's up, but it's mainly a travel and local entertainment blog called "Here and There."

Bye Bye Walt Jocketty

per St. Louis Post-Dispatch...

"The Cardinals and general manager Walt Jocketty have "parted ways," according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation. The Cardinals have scheduled a 4 p.m. news conference to discuss Jocketty'€™s departure after 13 seasons as GM.

Assistant general manager John Mozeliak has been named interim GM by Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. and is a candidate to succeed Jocketty on a full-time basis.

Jocketty's contract runs through 2008 and he apparently reached terms on a financial settlement with DeWitt in a meeting Wednesday morning. In the meeting, DeWitt informed Jocketty that the franchise was moving forward without him and thanked Jocketty for his service."

Does that mean TLR is gone too??

"How Jocketty'€™s departure will impact La Russa'€™s decision on whether to return as manager for 2008 is uncertain. La Russa'€™s contract expired after Sunday'€™s regular-season finale at Pittsburgh, and though DeWitt has asked La Russa to return, the manager returned home to Northern California to mull the decision."

Stay tuned to www.stltoday.com for more...

The Telegraph is blogging

Hey everyone who cares...

The newspaper for which I work is now in the blogosphere. The women's rights blog (maybe because I am a woman even though I've never been all gung ho about my gender's rights) and the Accent editor's blog are pretty interesting to read. 

I don't get a blog. I have too many other responsibilities I guess. Although, maybe I ought to ask for one. I could be the entertainment/travel lady. I like writing about places to eat and things to do in the area. 

Maybe I'll ask...

Anyway, they want to get the word out that they're there, so I'm going my part. 

www.thetelegraph.com, click on blogs