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Reasons Chicago is awesome, so far:

• The airline did not crash or lose my bag.
• The public transit is totally charming and the map makes sense.
• The Payless here had the plimsolls I like.
• The “pizza” is almost, but not entirely, unlike pizza, yet it is insanely great.
• There’s an epically awesome sushi place, the kind they write songs about.
• The drag queen supply store had a concertina on the shelf.
• And of course, there’s an awesome woman here with whom I’m madly in love.

She’s off being all day-jobby, I’m off to explore the city by myself for a bit. Excelsior!

Flying away first thing in the morning, to start a much-needed nine-day vacation in the mysterious land of Chicago with my special lady friend.

I smile. Lots.

The last time we were here, in the 1970s, the politicians did as politicians do: They tried to cut the things that no one would notice, not at first, anyway. Subway maintenance. Police, fire and sanitation headcounts. Teacher training. Building inspectors.

A few quiet years of this, and the city was hollow at its core.

— Ellis Henican, “Too Many Signs of a Scarier New York“

One of the main reasons I love studying the 1970s and 1980s in New York City’s history is because in the end, so much of the crap we had to deal with was overcome. The decay and depression that was rampant back then has been one hell of a thing to be able to point at and say “look what we were able to climb out of.” It’s worrisome to think that after all this time, we’re heading right back into it.

This city is one of my oldest friends, and she’s not feeling well.

Here’s a random blog post Murd0c wrote five years ago.

Here’s my dramatic reading of said post, done in Scary Rob mode.

Hey, America! Some decent, clean-cut folks need your help.

This past Sunday my old pals at 70-30 Productions, who brought you such gems as Sealab 2021 and Frisky Dingo, stealthily premiered their awesome new show The Xtacles on Adult Swim. Unfortunately it was a bit too stealthy, as the premiere failed to garner the ratings they need for the show to stay afloat. Thay’ve got a lot riding on this show, and it’s make-or-break time for its repeat showing tonight.

So, I need you to do me and them a huge favor. Tonight at midnight, switch over to Cartoon Network and check out the show. Or, be a 21st Century digital person, and set your DVR to record it. If you happen to know one of those Nielsen families, break into their house and switch their TV over. And, tell your friends.

You can check out some clips and artwork on the blogs of 70-30′s own Clunky and Neal. They’re nice. Watch their cartoon.

Nicky totally caught me off-guard when she called into the show last night not only to contribute to our discussion about dot.gov websites, but to call me her favorite panelist and wish me a happy birthday on the air. I suspect bias.

I thought I recognized her voice at first and should have expected something of the sort, but I couldn’t be too sure about my ability to differentiate how people sound when strained through the electronic colanders that are WBAI’s phone and audio systems, and I couldn’t just ask “hey caller, are you my girlfriend?” without being very sure.

In less exciting news, I’ve updated my blogroll a bit. It now contains not only the standard friends list, but other blogs of interest and webcomics I dig.

Hey look, a bastard pop tribute to Rick Astley! Now you can be a bit more creative in your Rickrolling.

OMG, get a load of these Tron 2 spoilers!!!

I’m 31 today. The only thing that worries me is the fact that I had my midlife crisis at 16.

But seriously folks, all is well. I have been on a bit of an introspective kick lately; one example is my article in last month’s issue of my old beloved United Phone Losers hacker zine. When I began writing it, my idea was to do a simple compare-and-contrast piece about hackers of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. When I was finished typing I was a bit surprised to learn that I had turned out a rambling mini-autobiography with something almost like a point to it.

On a personal level, this past year has brought some of the biggest changes my life has undergone in a good long while. I’m grateful for most of them, and even more grateful that I’ve got such wonderful people in my life with which to share it all. If you’re reading this, that probably includes you, so thanks!

Stay cool.

To all who have served: thank you.

To all who are serving: thank you, and keep safe.

Woke up this morning with a huge migraine. Spent most of today sleeping it off, and the rest of it watching Drop Dead Fred. Last time I saw that film was in the cinema, and I’d forgotten how much I loved it back then.

Everyone on the Internet has posted this video of Keith Olbermann talking about gay marriage and Proposition 8. Now, I have as well.

If you are in the USA, you as pissed about Prop 8 as I, and you wish to shout at strangers about it, there are protests all over the place this Saturday.

I’m spending Thanksgiving week with Teh Girlfriend, who lives in Chicago. I’m excited not only because of the promise of quality Teh Girlfriend times, but also because I’ve never been to Chicago before. I get to be a n00b tourist!

If you know of any cool Chicagoey stuff in particular I should check out in my spare Chicago time beyond the obvious necessary pilgrimages, please let me know.

Even better, if you live or will be in that area around then, please get in touch so we can grab a cup of tea or something and say OMG HI!