August’s 13

Web article, “Transmigrated Duck Heart“: It’s hopefully no knock on anyone ever affiliated with the 52nd City project, but the story featured on our current, web-only issue, “Food,” might be the one that I enjoy reading more than any other. The inimitable Thom Fletcher gives a recipe for duck that makes me smile with each line. It’s a piece that I wished I’d written. Funny, smart… oh, I have to stop laying on the compliments, but I do love it so.

Magazine, “Mass Appeal“: Another month, another magazine nod. I don’t think I’m in the exact demo of the Mass Appeal ad director’s dreams. I don’t own possess much hip-hop in the record collection and my range of athletic shoes is minimal. I’m not living on the coasts and I’ve never gone on a bombing run with my multi-ethnic graffiti crew. And, yet, I find something very much to like about Mass Appeal, which is a sharply-designed, wink-and-nod look at street culture, with enough good writing to augment the hot designs. Me like, no matter what that does to the ad man’s ideal charts.

Corner bar, Frank’s First Alarm: On a recent weekend evening, I walked into Frank’s First Alarm, after a night of wholesome fun playing Scrabble. At Frank’s… there was no Scrabble. But there were three women in pirate costumes, dancing on the bar. That is all I have to write about Frank’s First Alarm, other than “see you there, soon.”

Songs, Part I: Three great tracks, but current, relevant artists, or those with possible hiatus-statuses. Sunny Day Real Estate, “Television,” from “The Rising Tide.” The New Pornographers, “These are the Fables,” from “Twin Cinema.” And The Long Winters, “The Commander Thinks Aloud,” from the “Ultimatum (ep).” Totally addicted to each, and have been for the majority of summer.

Quotes, Chief Wiggum: Worth a quick laugh.

Cafe, Local Harvest: Finally made it into the spot, the new branch of the expanding Local Harvest empire. Breakfast/lunch was quite tasty, especially as someone else was paying for it.

MMA fighter, Wanderlei Silva: There’s something inherently interesting about the tragedy of a aging fighter, hanging around the game for too long, suffering brutal victories along the way, while registering just enough wins to stay active as a trial horse. Used to be boxing provided these storylines, but now it’s MMA and Wanderlei Silva, with his flattened nose, widened ears, tattooed skull and general sense of pathos embodies the weary warrior. Cable would be missed for his fights alone. (Must kill cable, must kill cable…)

Artist, Terrance Hughes: This STL expat is showing at Mad Art tonight and will be on Topic A, on Monday, August 4. His work is quite interesting, indeed. Enjoy.

Film, “Urban Explorers: Into the Darkness“: May’ve noted this film previously, but the Melody Gilbert documentary on urban exploring will get a St. Louis on-screen debut, at the Webster University Film Series, on Thursday, September 11. May seem a random date, but the events of 9/11 actually impacted the UE movement in the years following it, so it seemed a good date to play this fun, interesting look at the subculture. Mark yo’ calendars.

Comic, “The Daily Jerome“: STL-centric, but not STL-only. Been reading this on-and-off for awhile and I enjoy catching up in bulk, reading multiple entries at once. You may like the daily dose. There’s no right answer to how to read online. And remember to buy the Colony t-shirt.

Bicycle, unknown: Does anyone have an opinion on a good, solid ride? Cheap would be okay, too, though it’s not essential. As someone’s borrowed by bicycle for what’s assumed to be an indefinite period of time – they didn’t leave a note in my garage indicating a return date – I need to secure a new two-wheeler. Any thought on the Raleigh One-Way? Hearing good things about it, but open to other suggestions.

Site, Oddee: Someone was kind enough to pass along the site Oddee, specifically when it featured a list of the world’s greatest abandoned towns. Wow. The whole site, though, dedicated to curiosities around the globe is perfect for those looking for an site dedicated to oddball lists. Sweet.

Browser, Flock: I wasn’t aware that there was a blogger-friendly browser until last night, when I was introduced to Flock, which has software and applications that are expressly built in for blogging ease. That’s certainly true for those who are blogging, themselves, though it’s also got some easy bits for those wishing to social network around to clock, or those wanting to spy on their favorites. Good stuff, if slightly daunting to learn all the new tricks. Next month, this nonsense will probably be generated from Flock.