Tunes

Dudes. I finally gave in and purchased Bright Eye's "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning."

PEOPLE! This album is AMAZING! I know that most of you know this already, but I thought I'd reiterate.

Also, I'm on Vicodin due to a tooth extraction yesterday. So most things seem amazing right now.

Gay Men and Sheep

Brokeback Mountain. Saw it. Gay men. Sheep. Love. Amazing scenery. Fantastic movie. Should be seen by all. Oscars? Methinks yes.

The vote is unanimous

I will be taking the 2nd interview. 1pm Monday. Wish me luck.

If you were not part of the Madison-SF conference call, this may confuse you. My apologies.

Worky

Well all, it's time for my annual job hunt. The grant I'm funded by being terminated at the end of January, which means I (and my paychecks) must go.

But don't worry, loyal readers. I'm pretty pumped to find something new. So far, I already have 2 jobs I've applied for. I'm interviewing for the first next week and there's word that I'm going to be contacted about the second. (see below for job types*)

So I need to start thinking about priorities, since I hope to land a job that I'll be in for more than 9 months (I'm in my 30's. That's what we do).

I've made a list of must-haves and can't-stands. Some of you out there will find these categories amusing for reasons beyond my analness. Here's what I have so far:

MUST-HAVES:
- a reaction of excitement when talking about the work
- a boss that understands work/life balance
- reasonable compensation and benefits
and if I must move....
- location such that I can maintain my enrollment at my ballet studio
- proximity (living or working) to my doctors' offices - I'm so tired of switching
- friends within reasonable travel distances

CAN'T STANDS:
- bosses who qualify as "crazymakers"
- excessive amount of redundant tasks
- a work place where I cannot listen to music
- being underutilized and under-challenged

The list will be developing over time.

What would go on your list?

* current jobs of interest: 1. data manager/analyst for a pediatric AIDS research group
2. epidemiologist with a psychiatric/substance abuse healthcare project

J.Po, as assembled by Manfriend (Jiggity)

In honor of this year's Holloween costume, here's what my gentleman caller cooked up!

Citrus

It's Clementime season. YAR! I bought a whole box at Whole Foods on my way into work. I've already eaten 5. No. Lie. I've had 2. But I'm on my way to 5.

In other news, I took a lunch break at the local Ross Dress for Less. While scanning the clearance dress rack, I discovered a clump of DKNY highly-pleated silk black drop-waiste dresses. Original tag price: $249. My price: $29.99. Not bad. And now I have a little black dress, as all women should.

J.Po, Spicing out!!

You all should really have other people make you South Park style. Here's Spice's rendition of me. She captures all of the crazy silliness I exude when she and I are together! ...and the fact that I now use a handbag. Also note, she put me in a stripey shirt. She's of the opinion that I wear stripes all the time. Untrue. I like that I'm exposing my midrif in this shot and that I'm wearing teeny tiny shorts.

My Manfriend

Here's the dude I'm datin'. Ain't his hair bushy?

J.Po South Park Style, made by Sophist

YAY! Sophist made me! I've been feeling edgy ever since learning about this make-yourselt-SP-style thing and realizing I can't do it on my work computer. THANKS SOPHIST! And Spice???

It seems I've missed some serious South Park character-makin fun. I just tried to catch up to speed, but I can't use the site because my computer at work has no ammenities (flash, whatever) for security reasons. So I must wait until post-work hours. Sad. Spice always has the option to e-mail me her version of J.Po, South Park Style.

You all are darn cute in cartoon form!

Rock Out

There were two music shows of interest last night in San Francisco. I attended one of them. Guess which.

Jason Mraz at the Warfield
Liz Phair at the Fillmore

Hint: I didn't get a poster after the show.

What Would JC Do?

I feel as though an explanation is in order re: Jimmy Carter. I had no idea my "I heart" comment would stimulate such concern and sadness. Not intented in the least! The reason for my hearting was an interview with him on Fresh Air yesterday where he discussed such things as "why religion doesn't belong in a science classroon" and "why preemptive war is just wrong wrong wrong". He just wrote a book. I might read it.

I still heart the very alive Jimmy Carter. (And no offense meant by the title, given that Jimmy Carter is quite the Christian man.)

I heart Jimmy Carter.

Hey now. Help me out here. What's this about a closed door session in the senate? Where does the right to a closed door session come from and what is it used for (besides stirring up news)? Are the dems quite suddenly growing a backbone?

Spooky!!!

Princess Leia came off without a hitch. Here she is (or was) on Saturday night.

Tunes'a'poppin

Yesterday marked my 4th attendance (I think...I've started to lose count) at a Bridge School Benefit Concert. For those not in the know, Neil Young assembles a (sometimes bizarre) collection of artists to play 8 hour concerts, proceeds of which go to support a school for children with severe speech and physical impairments (NY's son was a student there until recently). Although nothing will top the concert of 2001 (Pearl Jam, REM, Tracy Chapmann, Ben Harper, Neil Young, and BILLY IDOL!), this year was pretty good. Here's the line-up, with a few highlights"

Neil Young: Always opens the show with a few beloved tunes. This year, Cinnamon Girl and Candy Mountain (or Sugar Mountain...I can never remember, but I know the song).

Los Lobos: You know, LaBamba! And did the crowd ever dance! Well, not really. With 6 + hours ahead of them, most people enjoyed the fine tunes of LL while resting on the lawn.

Good Charlotte: I think this act was thrown in for the teenage crowd. But I must say, I sortof enjoyed them. Without their punk band behind them (Bridge School is an accoustic concert), they sounded quite tuneful and reminded me a bit of Nelson (those guys with long blonde hair from the 90's).

Bright Eyes: Some of you out there (J.Bro) will be envious of the fact that the Bright Eyes were in presence. I reallly really enjoyed them and I'll probably find some way to obtain their music now. As expected, the lead singer looked as though he hasn't washed or cut his hair in months. But that's part of the indie aesthetic, I suppose.

Emmylou Harris: I was really pumped to see her and so was every act on stage (she provided backup for over half the artists). I have to say, though, her music sortof lulled me to sleep.

Jerry Lee Lewis: You read it right! Mr. Great Balls of Fire was in attendance. And boy-oh-boy did he get the crowd moving. He played all the biggies (Whole lotta Shakin included) and managed to incorporate his own name into virtually every song (in a cheezy vegas sort of way). As part of his finale, he decided to "play" his piano with his bum. True. I witnessed JLL ass-tickling the ivories!

Norah Jones: Okay, I don't care what you say about her. She has an AMAZING voice and is really really beautiful. And her band is quite talented. I enjoyed her thoroughly.

Dave Matthews: I have to note here that I enjoy Dave Matthews but I DO NOT enjoy his obsessive fans. He and his talented guitar friend put on a very very good show. I'm sortof considering buying more of his stuff, since I seemed to have stopped around 1996.

Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young: DE-Lightful. Crosby's hair seemed whiter and bushier than usual, but his fantastic sense of humor remains. Nash jesticulated a lot when he sang and wore a t-shirt of Abe Lincoln (??). Stills appeared to be drunk or stoned or both. Young played his guitar with the characteristic slouch and sway. I enjoyed them. Their best tune of the night was a cover of Buffalo Springfield's For What It's Worth. They got political. No surprises there.

YIPPY!!

Scoot on, Scooter!! Indicted on 5 counts. 2 pergury, 2 false statements, and 1 obstruction of justice.

See formal document here: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/osc/documents/libby_indictment_28102005.pdf

I am virtually boiling over with excitement about tomorrow's potential indictments in the Bush admin. I may just set my alarm for 5AM so that I don't miss any news from the east coast.

I've been reading liberal political blogs like mad and I learned, among other things, that Fitzgerald was spotted in D.C. getting his shoes shined. If that's not a lead-up to indictments, I don't know what is.

I can't wait for tomorrow.

downfall??

The bush admin can't seem to do anything right these days. In fact, they seem to be doing everything wrong - and much of it is playing out on the public stage. I'm DE-LIGHTED by these recent developments. The truth is beginning to emerge. Ahhhh....

Update: Scissors

Hey now. You'll never guess what my roomie (now known as "The Best") found in the couch this morning. MY SEWING SCISSORS!! It wasn't the black hole after all, unless you consider the deep crevice between the arm and first cusion of my couch to be the black hole. Maybe it should be called that, since my roomie found my 2nd of 4 California state IDs obtained between July 2004 and November 2004.

Sew on!!