Skip Goes to Canada

This past weekend, RTT and I spent a cloudy three days (love it, no, really, I love depressing weather) in Vancouver, BC. I have a few observations and then I will let my Annie Leibovitz photography speak for itself;

(1) Canadians are extremely friendly and bizarrely fascinated by San Franciscans, as demonstrated by our movie-star treatment at Parkside.

(2) Vancouver is brand new, completely dominated by high-rise glass condominiums, though the city is built on a fault-line. Apparently this does not concern the people of Vancouver as they are building even more!

(3) West is the best restaurant in Canada. No doubt about it.

(4) Sometimes, it is better to ask other people to take a picture for you. This is difficult in Vancouver though because the city appears mostly empty.

(5) RTT and I are moving there because it's beautiful and cloudy, practically devoid of other people, and all the new buildings certainly have big kitchens.

More pictures at Ofoto.

Skip's Eureka!

I knew I read tawdry, gossip rags for a reason! In the latest 'US Weekly' I noticed a compelling advertisement for 80's t-shirts which, accompanied by pictures of Jem, Zelda and Jake Ryan, was far too fabulous to overlook.

Dear readers, I have been rewarded with discovering the greatest site on the internet (despite the random and unneccesary costume section). I am so not exaggerating! You will not be disappointed.

Check it out. 80stees.com.

Narcoleptic Cat

At YouTube. Obviously.

Skip is Magic

Three years of dedicated support for the Steelers (hi, Ben) resulted in a Super Bowl win for them in 2005. It was an almost divine moment. But, like Mary Poppins, my work was complete and I felt moved to support a new team. Ok, so not really a new team, my home team, but still. Whatever. It was time for another semi-struggling organization to feel the warmth of my encouragement, the sound of my screams at Direct Ticket every Sunday, the apparently magic Skip touch.

Since my decision to promote Bears' victories, they have gone 6-0 this season. And, last night was the ultimate proof of my witchcraft. For those of you who missed it, it should have been an easy Monday Night win for the Bears against the Arizona Cardinals. But (in retrospect, because I was tivo-ing the game and not watching it live), Rex struggled to complete a pass and had only thrown for 140-yards by the middle of the 4th quarter, there were almost 4 interceptions, and not one offensive touchdown. The score was 23-10 Cardinals (um, Edgerrin James is kind of good).

This was the point I caught up to the live feed.

And, what do you know? Charles Tillman scores on a fumble, Devin Hester returns for a 83-yards with 2:53 left and then super-kicker (not) Neil Rackers misses the field goal that would have given Arizona the win.

Seriously. I'm scared of my powers.

Skip Loves Bags; Part I

As if a girl really needs an excuse to want another bag. I'm not even going to bother trying to justify this one...I just love it and it's my birthday soon so I'm allowed.

Rebecca Minkoff 'Morning After' bag.

Skip Killed the Radio Star?

I don't listen to the radio. I have an iPod and a life so there really is no need to ever tune to the tuner. However, on a recent white-knuckled cab ride, I had the pleasure of listening to Star 101.3 and John Tesh's somewhat sanctimonious radio show telling my cabby and I about going for 30 minutes walks once a day to reduce our risk of heart disease in the middle of the Top 40 Hits. Um, what? Back-up. John Tesh?

Clearly, I've missed something. It's like I fell asleep for 20 years and have woken up and the world has gone mad.

Skip Loves Soundflavor

The advent of the world wide web (and Zach Braff's shameless need to promote his own musical taste through soundtracks) has created exponential growth in available information around otherwise unknown, obscure musical band talents as well as access to existing uber-bands via downloads, websites, tours, email newletters, etc. With this industry explosion has come the creation of various web-based musican/song/album customized search and listening services; think Yahoo!Launchcast and Pandora.

The newest iteration of this trend aims to introduce you back to your own collection of music (which, if you're anything like me, has probably exploded with tantamount zeal) rather than bombard you with more unfulfilling, consumption-driven musical suggestions that you will never, never, stay on top of. Instead, Soundflavor, downloads onto your desktop and creates a vertiable personalized DJ using your own iTunes assortment. Though this tool is still in its infancy and is likely to change several times during its development, Soundflavor is nonetheless a very cool invention and well worth a look.

My Mummy is a Star

What does $50 really buy you these days? Honestly? If you're me, it buys you the heel of a Loeffler Randall boot, lunch at Neiman's Rotunda restaurant, and a happy visit to the iTunes Music Store. If you're my miraculous Mummy, it buys her voice.

That's right, folks, you heard me correctly. American Express UK paid my talented Momma $50 to record the voice directions on their customer service hotline...you know, the 'press 9 for technical assitance' voice. Apparently my rantings about locating a human voice within corporate 800-number hell no longer hold water since my very own mother is clearly human and clearly speaking to you when you ring American Express customer support.

So exciting! Call now! 011 44 1273 576 576.

Mini Dancing Machine

Um, what? I don't, uh...I can't explain...I'm confused. I don't get it, I don't...I can't...what? What is this? Where is this from and WHO is this?!?!

At YouTube, naturally.

Oh. My. Awesome.

As a Shoe Buyer, I participate in many a 'wear-test' program which, though intended to direct fit and quality, basically involves me just getting free shoes (and the occasional fabulous handbag). It's probably the best part about my job. So, when asked by a co-worker almost 6-months ago to be a part of his friend's mobile phone website testing program I eagerly signed up (I'm a gadget freak, after all), while still carefully managing my expectations since I am clearly way down on the priority list as a friend of a friend of the brother's uncle or whatever. Imagine my surprise when I was informed that the influx of new 'consumer available' mobile phones in Q3 2006 meant that my number was up! Oh, happy day!

But wait, it gets better. I was concerned that my phone was going to be a beast of a machine with intricacies I could never discover and functionalities I would never use. But, today I received my free test phone, the Samsung i320N (which I must comment on and then return in 3 weeks or purchase at 50%-off the wholesale price), and I'm about to faint. No, really. I love Samsung phones, first of all, and second of all, it's incredible! Despite a QWERTY keypad, this mobile is slim and I know how to use it because I already have a Samsung phone and it has an incredible camera and nifty lights and a radio and an organizer and...I think I'm pretty much speechless...

I may have to leave work to play with my new friend.

Aaron Karo

I can't help but respect a fellow blogger, even if he is overgrown New York frat boy, Aaron Karo, who puts out weekly ramblings on nothing and anything in particular, from drinking to weddings (my personal favorite) to single-hood. Though I might not always like to admit that there is some truth to his churlish, whiny, Marina-esque musings ('writing what you're thinking since 1997' is his tagline), he is certainly a talented, humorous and consistent writer, which is more than I can say for myself or for the Aaron Karo Rumination's rat, my pal Lauren.

Potentially annoying and amusing, you don't have to sign up for the weekly emailing, but it's certainly worth a look on a slow work day.

Only in San Francisco; Part III

I'm not kidding. A bus load of people in abhorrent costumes just got off a bus and started posing and dancing to extremely loud music in the park outside my apartment.

Skip Likes Tiny Things

What is it exactly about electronic gadgets and size? Perhaps that is an inbecilic question, but think about it. Why is it the smaller things become the cooler they are?

Regardless, I've fallen into the size trap. Although I am ever-loyal to my iPod Nano, I couldn't help but gasp at the new iPod Shuffle. It's so tiny! Granted it has no screen, but who cares when it's the size of a half dollar and for less than $100?!?! Clearly it couldn't be my plane pod, but I'm definitely considering it for the B-team, bus pod position.

Skip Loves the Bears

Naturally, I supported my boys, The Steelers, on Thursday night when they crushed Miami without Ben (hi Ben), but I'm also determined to become a more loyal and dedicated Bears fan this season. (I was about 73% last season.) And, judging from Sunday's performance against the Packers, I picked a great season to further my fandom.

The first quarter hinted at what an uninjured Rex Grossman could do for the team especially with the help of Muhsin, Desmond and Bernard. The game got a little sloppy in later quarters but the Bears held their own against an admittedly subpar performance by the Packers and Brett Favre.

Next week, Detroit. We'll see if my screaming reinforcements at the television can drive another team to the Superbowl.

Skip Loves People

My ever-insightful brother, during his most recent visit, lauded a website, Gethuman, that provides a database of phone numbers for massive corporations and service companies that will take you directly to a real, live person. Um, amazing!

No longer do you have to get stuck in an endless digital loop of 'press 1, press 7, press 3, press 5 and then *, goodbye.' Gone are the days when you speak articulately to the United man about a flight arrival from London only to have him respond 'I think you said you're flying to Juneau, Alaska, is this correct?' NO!

Freedom friends, in the form of a live voice.

Of course, this doesn't guarantee you will then be speaking to competent people, but at least you can be condescending to a person and not a computer...which is much more satisfying.

Still Skipping from the Weekend

Never was a more enjoyable weekend so meticulously planned. I miss everyone already!

More photos at Ofoto and here.

Labor Day Weekend

Bring it on.

The Eyestorm

How fitting given the state of my ocular area last week (staph infection, monstrous swelling, amused family members) that I have become enthralled with the art website, Eyestorm (British in origin, of course). The web outpost of a boutique-like gallery in London, this site features unique, modern pieces which register a little bit of the tongue-in-cheek attitude and macabre mood that I quite relish.

My favorites are the amusing, bemusing bird renderings by Vic Reeves...They remind me a bit of a colorful Edward Gorey. They are all certainly worth a browse if you're looking to spend some extraneous income.

Skip is a Clutz

Again, I'm a bit behind in my website submission emails from unsuspecting friends (thank you marvelous Mary), but I simply had to post this incredible music video from the band Ok Go (at Lollapalooza, I might add) whether it made me appear behind the times or not. Because, for someone who can barely walk a half-mile without tripping, falling down, or bumping into some animate/inanimate object, I can't tell you the admiration I have for these 4 band geeks who manage to perform an odd dance routine on treadmills...and in one take! They are my coordination idols.

At YouTube.com of course.

Skip's a Band Aid

About two weeks ago I was introduced to this brilliant website, Track 50, that allows the user to create a customized concert list just for bands that you have specified in your account. It's masterful! How did someone not think to create this sooner?!?! Forget signing up for a million mailing lists for an Indie favorite (hi, Josh Radin, please stop sending tour updates because you are never really on tour you are simply reminding me that your song was on 'Scrubs' about 3 years ago) or endlessly scrolling through the pages of Pollstar, now you simply log in to Track 50, fill in all the bands you can possibly think of and check out your My Shows section to tell you when and where your bands are playing. It even offers links to the venue websites to buy tickets. It's perfect for music junkies like myself.

I cannot tell you how fervently I wish I had invented this tool.

Skip Motivates You

My wonderously web-savvy friend Lauren, referred me to a make-your-own-motivational-poster website where you can create your own Successories (please recall that cheesy kiosk in the mall when you were 14).

For me, this was clearly an opportunity to author my very own uplifting nugget that would also highlight an AFV classic and truly inspirational scene from the now famous 'Tiny Dancer.'

Seriously, this is the paramout poster for personal provocation. Copies are available in limited release from moi.

The Bronze Medal

In the Olympic battle that wages for the best concert on earth, a clear third place finisher has emerged (I actually may even be convinced to offer him a tie-for-second positioning). I don’t know what you were doing last night, but anyone not at the Brett Dennen concert missed out on one of the best shows I have ever seen (after Teitur and Mat Kearney).

Brett is a semi-androgynous, chubby, child-like looking guy with a Beatles’ mop and knock-knees. However, in a world of sameness; acoustic, emo-guitar singer-songwriters, Brett Dennen truly differentiates himself through construction and form, voice and words. The sound that emits from his mouth is lucid, immaculate and mesmerizing; his range is unimaginable. And, I love that the music has a slightly reggae slant with some clear jazz influences as well which just makes his presence and performance fun.

If you have any chance at all, you must run to see this boy before he’s signed and disappears into a sea of adolescent musical lust.

A Candle for Skip

My, how the time flies! And I'm not just speaking of my disgraceful lack of blog posts over the past few weeks, rather I'm referencing the one-year birthday of Skips About Town!

I have decided that instead of recapping the humorous, witty, insightful and directive posts over the past 12 months (which would be glorious, I understand) I would offer up some Skips About Town fun-facts.

(1) My blog is a Leo. Leo's are extravagant and stubborn. Perfect for my blog. Though apparently, my blog and I also make a cosmic hot-burner of a pairing (I'm a Scorpio, clearly) and I can't decide if that is good or bad. Other famous Leo's are Jennifer Lopez, Iman, Martha Steward, Mick Jagger and Bill Clinton. What pleasant company for my blog!

(2) There have been 203 posts to-date not including this birthday pressie post for my fair readers. I'm slightly impressed and very much so frightened at how much time and energy I must have expended on this thing. Hmmm...

(3) My blog prefers to stay high-level and out of the realm of celebrity gossip. I don't want to touch on the pandora's box that is celeb fodder for blogs but rather I'd like to focus on superficial things like product placement (thank you, Dan, a.k.a. Splinter) and my Wish Lists with the occasional funny-ha-ha and funny-weird website thrown in for kicks. I'm not about to make my blog a diary of personal problems either because frankly readers, it's none of your business. You can look to the Young Mammy if you want to empathize with a whiny blogger.

(4) Reader requests are not allowed. If you ask to be mentioned on Skips About Town, you are on the blacklist. Get your own blog if you truly want to express yourself through the written word (and hyperlinks to stuff).

Otherwise, here's to another year of Skip! Happy Birthday to me!

Skip Loved Lolla

Three days just evaporated before our eyes in the blistering heat and humidity of Grant Park in Chicago, but Lollapalooza was well worth the trip. I could bore you with the details on the band talent (and The Frames' lack thereof) or crowd control, the Midnight Mummy van and glo-sticks, food orgies and dirty feet, but rather I will let the pictures speak 10,000 words. I'm too tired anyway. I've got to finally get some sleep.

Photos at Ofoto. More to come...including Suckapalooza and Collegepalooza details.

To Ponder...

This poem makes me wonder.

The Hollow Men by T.S. Eliot

I
We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!
Our dried voices, when
We whisper together
Are quiet and meaningless
As wind in dry grass
Or rats' feet over broken glass
In our dry cellar

Shape without form, shade without colour,
Paralysed force, gesture without motion;

Those who have crossed
With direct eyes, to death's other Kingdom
Remember us -- if at all -- not as lost
Violent souls, but only
As the hollow men
The stuffed men.

II
Eyes I dare not meet in dreams
In death's dream kingdom
These do not appear:
There, the eyes are
Sunlight on a broken column
There, is a tree swinging
And voices are
In the wind's singing
More distant and more solemn
Than a fading star.

Let me be no nearer
In death's dream kingdom
Let me also wear
Such deliberate disguises
Rat's coat, crowskin, crossed staves
In a field
Behaving as the wind behaves
No nearer --
Not that final meeting
In the twilight kingdom

III
This is the dead land
This is cactus land
Here the stone images
Are raised, here they receive
The supplication of a dead man's hand
Under the twinkle of a fading star.

Is it like this
In death's other kingdom
Waking alone
At the hour when we are
Trembling with tenderness
Lips that would kiss
Form prayers to broken stone.

IV
The eyes are not here
There are no eyes here
In this valley of dying stars
In this hollow valley
This broken jaw of our lost kingdoms

In this last of meeting places
We grope together
And avoid speech
Gathered on this beach of the tumid river

Sightless, unless
The eyes reappear
As the perpetual star
Multifoliate rose
Of death's twilight kingdom
The hope only
Of empty men.

V
Here we go round the prickly pear
Prickly pear prickly pear
Here we go round the prickly pear
At five o'clock in the morning.

Between the idea
And the reality
Between the motion
And the act
Falls the Shadow

For Thine is the Kingdom

Between the conception
And the creation
Between the emotion
And the response
Falls the Shadow

Life is very long

Between the desire
And the spasm
Between the potency
And the existence
Between the essence
And the descent
Falls the Shadow

For Thine is the Kingdom

For Thine is
Life is
For Thine is the...

This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.

G. Love

Of course it helps that G. Love has the most enigmatic eyes and fantastic Chris Isaak-ish coiffure, but it's still so easy to adore him when he releases an album that flaunts his true talent. 'Lemonade' is a mesmerizing and mellow musical tribute to summer in all its glory. 'Beautiful' and 'Breakin' Up' are simple, sonorous songs that play happily as a soundtrack to everyday life and occasionally draw you in far enough to remind you of G. Love's sense of humor and unintentional poignancy. The indie-rocker collaborations with Jack Johnson, Marc Broussard and Tristan Prettyman only augment my love for G.

Released August 1st and available at Amazon.com. Obviously.

Skip Breaks with Tradition

I'm not certain breaking the habit of an annual New Year's cocktail party that has only happened twice can be truly considered a break from tradition, but I am still going to do it.

This coming New Year's (December 31, 2006, for those of you who can't think that far ahead) I will be celebrating the first blush of 2007 in my most very favorite of cities, London. The tickets have been purchased and I have already begun my pursuit of parties abroad for that twinkling eve...though frankly, worse comes to worst, my fellow travellers and I will simply have to recreate New Year's SF in London. This will not be all that difficult since the last two New Year's in San Francisco have been blustery and rainy. London will feel exactly like home...and not just because I have a flat there.

I'm providing some propaganda links below in an effort to recruit additional party-goers.

This is London
DailyCandy London
Visit London
London Town
TimeOut London

Further event-specific details and schedules to come.

Skip Preps for Concert Heaven

This coming Wednesday evening I leave for Chicago and the most fabulous of concert jubilees, Lollapalooza, for 3 days of unmatched musical merriment. Included on my custom-made agenda; a BBQ with SF friends, college friends and high school friends at my house in the 'burbs and multiple trips downtown to see, among others; Nada Surf, Death Cab for Cutie, Stars, The Editors, My Morning Jacket, Manu Chao, The Raconteurs, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lady Sovereign, Calexico, The Frames, Matt Costa and Manishevitz, etc., etc., etc., etc.

Stay tuned for envy-inducing photos and tremendous tales from concert central.

Ask a Ninja

Really. If you have not already heard of these Ask a Ninja web-video sketches, you are missing out on something incredible. Slightly sad in a too-much-time-on-his-hands way, but insanely entertaining. No. Really.

Skip is so Proud

This weekend my bestest friend Kristin (and The General) finished the San Francisco Half-Marathon...on her way to the Chicago Marathon in October.

Congrats Bunny! I'm so proud.