Skip Loves Calvin & Hobbes

I know it's completely juvenile, but I just adore Calvin & Hobbes. Not only is it entirely funny, but read between the lines and you see the truisms of life reverberating throughout each strip. It really does speak to something deeper...er, I think...

News in a New Way

Thanks to my friends at DailyCandy, I have been turned on to the Newsmap news service and its novel and quirky visual representation of news dissemination and reporting across the globe. Not only does it look cubist and cool, but read this description from its creators;

Newsmap is an application that visually reflects the constantly changing landscape of the Google news aggregator. A treemap visualization algorithm helps display the enormous amount of information gathered by the aggregator. Treemaps are traditionally space-constrained visualizations of information. Newsmap's objective takes that goal a step further and provides a tool to divide information into quickly recognizable bands which, when presented together, reveal underlying patterns in news reporting across cultures and within news segments in constant change around the globe.

Um, algorithms? So cool! I love the news.

Skip Loves Rooftops

There is something about the silhouette and shadowy relief, the suggestion of strangers leading mysterious lives within the lighted rooms and the lofty bridge rising above it all...What is it about rooftops that is so romantic?

Skip Prays for Ben

Seriously, folks. It was one of the most traumatizing days in my existence when I was informed that my beloved Ben (hi, Ben) had been in a motorcycle accident this morning. I cannot even recount the drop my heart took when I heard the news. I feel ill just thinking about it now.

So far, it looks like he'll survive with some minimal injuries (in the long term) but I'm going to wear my jersey to bed just in case he needs some extra lovin' prayers.

Let the Christmas List Begin

For some inexplicable reason, my sense of self has become more clear in recent weeks (if I do say so myself). I truly feel that I am finally beginning to come into my own with renewed confidence, poise and focus...and most importantly, clear style direction. I keep happening upon these items in my everyday online browsing that simply scream Skip. What's a girl to do other than blog about it? Some may say it's a product placement initiative, but I say this blog is the world's best gifting reference.

Either way, my new fascination has befallen Page Sargisson jewelry, specifically her Amalia collection. I don't know what it is about the medallions, the etchings and the precious stones...I just feel they would be at home with me.

Just for Decoration

This video is such a classic. It is about time it be resurrected for your viewing pleasure.

The Whistles Go Wooo Wooo.

The Perfect Clutch

I am literally obsessed with this clutch. To me it is the perfect manifestation of the organic-boho-classy-timelessness of style I attempt to personify. Er, or something.

At Begeren.

A Home for L'il Lou

For those of you who know me, it will not come as a surprise that my obsession with everything having its place is tantamount only to accessorizing. Naturally, I need a GPS watch for my half-marathon training. Naturally, I must have a magenta snake skin case for my camera. Of course I must have Hunter Wellingtons in case I'm stranded in flood waters or working at a dairy farm in Cornwall. And, naturally, my Nano (named L'il Lou) needs its own home.

I've discovered that the market for Nano cases, skins, etc. is just as vast as that for iPods (recall my Invisishield infatuation). And there are some fairly amazing choices out there. Take for example the Nano armour or Nano Capsule, each makes a different statement about the owner and hints at the varying contents of the pod.

After an arduous search, I have located the perfect poetic statement of a case to protect my pod. The incredible, the artistic, the witty, the Gelaskin.

Skip Wants a Puppy

Please, Mummy, can I please have a puppy?

Watch Dilly.

Skip Goes to Sonoma

My Memorial Day weekend was spent, appropriately, with members of the military; my lovely and bestest friend Kristin and the General. As seems standard when the four of us are together, we decided a trip to Wine Country was in order. It started at the delicious Barndiva for a quickie brunch and then we embarked on a vineyard marathon, 6 wineries in 4 hours. (For those of you seeking wine recommendations from my incredibly sophisticated palate, I suggest Chateau Souvereign and Christopher Creek.)

Thankfully for all our wits, Monday was spent at a more leisurely pace. We hit up St. Francis and Blackstone and capped it off at the inimitable Chateau St. Jean. It was most divine!

All in all, not a bad way to spend a weekend.

Congrats to the Grad

Congratulations to my Penny!

Skip is Obsessed with the Gecko

Much of this past weekend with my family was spent reenacting the Geico Gecko commercials; like pre-pubescent children repetitively singing inane Take That songs (or wait, maybe that was just me), my Dad, sister and I incessantly imitated the Gecko complete with his newly found Cockney accent. And, guess what? It never got old! 'Cup of tea? How's your Mum? Cheers.' It was awesome! Each iteration was more funny than the last.

I think my mom may have developed a twitch, but...'pie and chips. I mean, who doesn't like pie and chips?' Ha ha ha.

You can watch them all at Geico.

Edgar

Even when I have no idea what is being said, videos of people falling never get old. Ever.

Watch Edgar here.

Skip Loves Another Mat(t)

Awhile back I attended the Matt Nathanson concert at the Swedish American Music Hall (resembling a Nordic moose lodge/high school gym). I have since slacked so completely on posting my laudation of his music and comic quips that I've decided to simply and sheepishly post the set list from the evening.

Car Crash * Bare * Solace and Pain * Bent into Such Great Heights* Princess into Pretty In Pink * Peace, Love, and Understanding * Don't Stop Believing * Lost Myself In Search Of You * Detroit Waves * Curve of the Earth * Pretty The World * Angel * I Saw * Answering Machine * Bullet Proof Weeks * Suspended (encore)

PS- My laziness is most certainly not a reflection of my impressions of the show. I have vowed, in fact, to attend any concert he plays in San Francisco. I was most entertained and anyone who covers The Psychedelic Furs is cool.

PPS- I am well aware of the inconsistencies in my photographic talents. There is no need to point it out...again.

Skip's Bridge Portfolio

I'm getting so good at this. I'm going to start offering my services at weddings and Bat Mitzvahs.

Skip Gets Cooked

Those of you readers who know me (and let's be realistic as to how we define 'readers;' Mom, I would hope that you know me) are well aware that my skin tone resembles that of bleached rice. This naturally presents a problem when exposed to heat or light in any form, be it sun, heat lamps or some 75-watt bulbs held at close range. In less time than it takes for me to fall in love with a pair of shoes, my skin has turned red and blotchy and developed adorable freckles, warning me that I am essentially slow-roasting and will soon be in extreme, burning pain. Unfortunately, these symptoms are most easily viewed in relative darkness (i.e. after coming inside from sitting in the sun).

Now, thanks to some fellow, skin-cancer conscious Brits, who understand my Ivory Tower immurement so to speak, I can have my very own 'done-o-meter' and truly cook to perfection like a Thanksgiving Turkey. The UV Meter monitors your exposure to sun and UV rays and beeps to indicate when you've baked long enough (about 3 minutes...I'm a medium-rare girl after all).

Genius. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

Skip's Little Pal

She is literally the most precious baby ever.

Skip is a Shoe Addict

Surprise, surprise. I am seriously considering selling one of my cats to buy these shoes. They are so 1940's-preppy-chic-rocker-girl shoes. I love them!


At Shopbop.com.

Skip Can't Keep a Straight Face

Honestly, this just gets better and better.

A Skill Skip Seeks

In everyday life there are many under-appreciated skills that, when lacking, result in disproportionate frustration and the uncouth use of expletives: the ability to use one's indicator (turn signal, whatever), command of queuing rules, parking proficiency in all its aberrations, adherence to noise ordinances (that's right, 2am Motorcycle Freak, I hear you every night), numchuck skills, etc., all come to mind.

I am going to add to this list of oft-overlooked talents Grocery Bagging Aptitude.

It is infuriating when Baggers breezily toss your V8 on top of your Avocados and equally so when they stuff every single heavy item into one bag (albeit double-bagged). Then, they have the audacity to ask if you would like help outside. One day I will say 'yes' and they can see for themselves just how far a 1/2mm-thick piece of plastic will transport 3 wine bottles, a half-gallon of milk, orange juice and two magazines. Not far, my friend! Not far!

There is hope though for Baggers (and shoppers) across they nation. They can look to the incomparable Jason Zitko of Missouri who recently won the 2006 National Best Baggers Contest. He was graded on bag building, weight distribution, style, attitude and appearance in both Plastic and Paper heats. I love this unerring focus championed by the NGA (National Grocers Association)! Indeed, Grocers around the country (specifically the Safeway on Church Street in San Francisco, please) can hold their own Bagging Contests to teach their Baggers just the skills that Jason possesses.

Well done, Jason! You're an inspiration to us all!

For Your Education; Part I

Just thought I'd offer some quotation nuggets for your reading pleasure...

'We're all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.' Oscar Wilde

'The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.' Robert Frost

'As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.' Johann Goethe

'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most.' Marianne Williamson

More quotes at QuotationsPage.com.

Monterey

This past weekend was spent lazily lolling about Monterey (this statement does not include the General who completed a marathon in the morning) with my bestest friend Kristin. We had brunch, visited some incredibly impressive vineyards with even more breathtaking views, ate a delish dinner and had a midnight dance party.

Other than my 2nd-degree burns, it was perfect.

More pics at Ofoto.

Skip's Bridge Pic

In no way do I think this picture is any reflection on my talents as a (amateur) photographer, but rather it demonstrates the enduring, extraordinary beauty of this city. It would have been impossible for me to have taken a bad photo with this evening's view.

Happy Birthday, Mike!

Happy Birthday to my lovely (and newly engaged) friend Mike 'Collars Up' Crittenden!

Everyone out there should buy Cordarounds Summerounds in Blue in his honor.

Skip Loves the Squares

I have this thing for Ohio. Everyone I meet from Ohio is so nice and so friendly and so normal it's creepy. What's more, if they don't already live there, they all want to move back. Is there something in the water? What am I missing?

I'm going to get this t-shirt to pronounce my support for the Squares and secret desire to be a part of their club.

At Cotton Factory.

Skip's On the List

It's no secret that I love the British and all their futile attempts at food preparation, road repair, dental health and morning talk shows. But, all sarcasm aside, there is one thing that my people get right and that is aristocratic condescension in all its iterations. (Is it any wonder I'm such a snob?)

The latest demonstration of this exclusivity seems to be the Paper Club bar-lounge-restaurant-bedroom in W1, where supposedly any Londoner can lounge lazily on a bed while sipping G&T's, smoking cigars and reading 'The Financial Times.' Thanks to a friend who is working their PR, I've been informed that the member wait-list for 'civilians' is 1-year long. Open to the public? I'm so sure...not at a place where the News Headlines track celeb sightings.

The tucked-away truth is that 'only those who appear to fit in to the overall look and feel of the new exclusive club will be invited to join with complimentary memberships.' Oh! Those ever-hopeful low-class masses! A place with an 'Untouchable People Lounge' and secret passage under Regent Street is probably not likely to let you in regardless of the lies...er, hype.

I've no doubt I'll make an appearance when I'm next in London.

The Best Way to Spend a Sunday Evening

For various lengthy and peculiar reasons my parents have a webcam and I have a webcam. This evening was the inaugural world wide webcast complete with scratchy sound and staccato, wandering images.

Never in my life have I been so amused...and confused as to how two people as intelligent as my parents can't center a camera.

Tune in next week for more scenes from Skip's Singular Streaming Parental Tete-a-Tetes.

Skip's a Beta Tester

I'm positive that my steadfast support of all things Yahoo! resulted in my being a beta-tester for their new mail portal. I mean, not really, but I did download the new beta version of Yahoo! Mail and I am obsessed with it!

Check out all the nifty icons (I especially like the Spam folder with a flame shooting out of it), search function, direct access to RSS feeds and easy layering of open email with convienent tabs.

It's awesome! All you gmail losers should be very jealous.

Easter Excellence

Just last weekend I got to fly home to spend time with my lovably bizarre family and friends (and have some respite from the deluge on San Francisco...it was warm and sunny in Chicago). Included on the trip; a Cubs game, review of my 11 year old coin collection, lunch at 'The Restaurant,' lighthearted chats about the financial viability of the United States in 50 years, dinner with friends at Sola downtown and one very embarassing coughing attack during church.




I very much so want to go back.

More Distractions Needed

Being at home sick and bored, infested by the evil Mono virus, has got me craving mindless things to do. I've almost completed all my Sudoko books (which is not only sad, but very sad), and daytime television is simply not what it used to be. As I am too exhausted most of the time to stay focused on any one activity, I think I need several options.

The only all-in-one conclusion I can come to is to get a Sony PSP. I mean, it would serve so many purposes! I could surf the web, play numerous distracting video games (Madden Football), snooze listening to some tunes uploaded onto the device, watch movies (in the UMD format, thank you Sony for another annoying, proprietary technology) and dork-out at the local coffee shop (in my pyjamas). It would also come in handy for my flight to Chicago on Wednesday and my future trips to New York.

Santa?