After time apart, I have reconciled with cable. Got a good deal, what can I say?

I am currently watching “The Addams Family.” Which I don’t even like.

Please don’t write, don’t call, don’t invite me, don’t bother. It’s all over.

Long story short, I’m standing on the parking lot of my local parochial school, waiting for some autographs.

Spotting a few of my soccer players, I assign them a simple task: signing some extra soccer balls, which’ll be forwarded to kids in an Iraqi village.

While waiting, more than a bit impatiently, one of them begins to move in a way that I’ve never quite seen before.

“Brian, what are you doing?”

“I’m crumping.”

“You’re crumping?”

“Yeah.”

“Can I get a shot of that?”

“Aw, me? No way!”

“C’mon. One snap.”

“Okay!”

Snap.

Come out to SLIFF. Say “hello.” Buy a ticket. Watch a movie.

Tonight: Webster University for Aaron Mathews’ “The Paper,” plus a panel discussion.

Friday: TBD.

Saturday: Webster University for “Tuya’s Wedding,” then off to Plaza Frontenac for two screens of SLIFF action.

Sunday: COCA for “On Each Side,” “Another Man’s Garden” and “Fine Dead Girls.”

At one point, I worked in a true cubicle farm. But it’s been some time since I’ve known the joys of three-sided walls and flo lighting.

If someone out there has access to a McCorporation office space and can get me access for about 60-75 minutes of photography, it’d be hugely appreciated. Since I’m asking for things, the closer to the city limits, the better, for transportation’s sake.

Rap at me here: thomas @ 52ndcity.com.

Thanks.

Happy Nov. 9th!

Two suggested options for today, people.

1. As noted in past entries, I’m in the temporary employ of Cinema St. Louis, working as the volunteer coordinator of the 16th annual SLIFF. It began with a really enjoyable showing of “Honeydripper” last night, followed by a Q/A with director John Sayles and producer Maggie Renzi. Today, though, the fest starts in earnest. Today, I’ll be positioned at one of my favorite local shopping destinations, Plaza Frontenac, home to a fine art house theater. The run today: 2:30, Global Lens Shorts; 4:30, The Collector; 7:00, Getting Home; 9:30, The Melon Route. If by, say “hello.”

2. Plotting how I can make a quick jaunt to Hoffman LaChance Contemporary in Maplewood, where the Poetry Scores CD “Go South for Animal Index” will be released. The CD is centered on a long-form of the same name, written by my 52nd City cohort, STL Magazine editor and neighbor Stefene Russell. She’ll be on-hand, as will the musicians that set her words to music. Rounding out the night is an art invitational, with proceeds from the work going to support the mission of Poetry Scores.

After a good, long run co-hosting the KDHX talk show “The Wire,” Amanda Doyle and I have decided to change the program’s direction. Even the name.

Tonight, the show “Topic A” will be debut, featuring the same two co-hosts/producers, but a somewhat new approach to our, well, topics. Instead of a hyper-local guest schedule, with emphases on both civics and culture, we’re moving to a themed, monthly format. For November, that theme will be “new media.” And while the show will have a new, more nationalized format, tonight’s guest will be local: Elie Gardner, the multi-media guru at STLtoday.com/multimedia, who’ll discuss both her paper’s move towards new media and the best practitioners in the industry.

Booking this new experiment has been interesting; instead of calling across town for someone to join us that evening, or the next week, we’re now looking at guests for several months down the road. So far? Some intriguing guests are booked. (One name for December, our “columnists” month? No less than Howard Zinn, famed author and historian and monthly contributor to The Progressive.) We hope to keep listeners informed of those additions to the lineup with a new blog, coming shortly. Plus some new features will be rolled alongside the recurring “Barroom Bob”; that one we’d never change.

In the meantime, we hope you give the new show a listen: live tonight, at 7:30 p.m. CST, or streaming at KDHX.org.

Here.

She is also guesting as a first-time DJ at the Royale tomorrow evening, which I especially note because it will allow me a chance to kick my feet up at the fire during my otherwise marathon set of e-z listening: 6-10, Friday, November 2, Roayle, 3132 So. Kingshighway.

A conversation at school, held minutes ago, in which I, while conversing, am wearing a suit. Which you would’ve probably intuited, sure, from the text below. Still, it’s a key, this suit, and should be noted, expressly.

Me (in suit): Minding my own damned business at the copier.

School boss: “Why are you wearing a suit?”

Me (in suit): “Because it’s Halloween.”

School boss: “What are you supposed to be?”

Me (in suit): “A media professor.”

School boss: Blank stare. Moment’s pause. Then: “Oh.”

There’s new content at www.52ndcity.com. Several pieces. You’ll want to read all of them.

And the mag’s on news-stands. Most of them. The rest of our locations will be stocked later this week. Please buy one and it read it from cover-to-cover. The theme this quarter is “Stupid.” The results are not. Unless you’re flipping that phrase the way young folks do. In that case, this issue is “stupid,” thanks very much.

For now, though, please check our web issue. You’re already at the computer.

Please buy the November, 2007, issue of St. Louis Magazine. And buy one for a friend.

I have features on Peanuts and The Fan Show and add a few bar reviews to the Best Bars roundup.

Versatility is life.