the smedley log - suburban scrawl

Thanks…

to all the folks who supported me in this past Sunday’s JDRF walk. I walked in Tyler State Park, starting at 10 on Sunday morning, and was finished about 45 minutes later. There was quite a crowd of participants there for the event, and while I apparently didn’t hit my goal, I did better than I expected to when I set out on my little mission.

One price I may have paid for my swift pace up and down many of the park’s scenic hills is a persistent pain in my right foot. I thought it was just sore at first, but I’m starting to wonder why it isn’t feeling any better yet. Hopefully it’s nothing serious, but I should know more when I talk to the doctor tomorrow morning.

Making light of electric bills

Posted by mobile phone:
A month ago I opened my first electric bill for the new place. It was a 20 day cycle, costing 29 dollars and change (six dollars of that was for transferring the account, so only 23 dollars were for actual usage).

My second bill just arrived today. It was a 29 day cycle this time, and usage was just 25 dollars. That’s 9 more days for only two more bucks!

My usage hasn’t changed. The only change I can think of is that about a month ago I changed out all regular light bulbs in the apartment for compact fluorescent bulbs.

According to my informal calculations, that means they’ll save me an average of eight dollars a month, covering their purchase price in less than three months. Color me pleasantly surprised by the difference those funny little bulbs can make.

harsh serum

bought a cabernet;
good for the heart, so they say,
but, oh, so bitter!

Friday random ten
(wounds to heal and cracks to fix)

But give me love over this…

Set Me Free (Rosa Lee) – Los Lobos
Outfit – Drive-by Truckers
Politik – Coldplay
Three Sunrises – U2
My Old Man – Tonic
Jerusalem – Steve Earle
One Last “Woohoo!” for the Pullman – Sufjan Stevens
You – Switchfoot
If a Song Could Be President – Over the Rhine
Hold Your Hand – Stargazer Lily

It’s Bob’s fault I downloaded this, but it is pretty good: “Outfit” (those Drive-by Truckers ain’t half bad)
In the subjective and the objective: Steve Earle sings one song, and he’s named in another.
By far the shortest song on the list: the one with the longest title (at a whopping 6 seconds)

It’s not me; it’s you:
Cziltang
Fred
Lauren

Darwin’s economist

sympathy foregone;
slipping between cracks just proves
you never belonged.

A few days to go…

until I walk to cure juvenile diabetes. I wanted to thank all the generous folks who’ve either donated their hard-earned cash, helped spread the word about the effort, decided to walk for the same cause, or simply didn’t think me a shill for soliciting their cash online

It’s all appreciated. This post is just a reminder to those who haven’t contributed but have been meaning to do so. This isn’t to make anyone feel guilty; it’s just to remind a few folks who intended to donate but haven’t gotten around to it yet.

I have a feeling once it’s all said and done and they tally the offline contributions, I may actually hit my goal.

Related links:
JDRF.org
My walk page

A triumph of Goodwill

Yesterday afternoon, after hearing one of my favorite, under-the-radar bands at Starbucks, I went thrift store browsing for a few items I keep hoping to stumble across.

One such item is a good, sturdy, wooden chair to go with the ancient roll-top desk my parents gave me. The desk has been in the family since its creation several generations ago. I was pretty happy to get the desk, and it has become one of my favorite places to sit and write. There must be something about my creative urges that feed off of the character of antique furniture.

As I wandered through the Goodwill store on a Sunday afternoon, finding none of the other items I sought, I saw an old wooden teacher’s chair with a three dollar price tag on it. upon closer inspection, I noticed a small, round, brass plate on the back of the chair signifying its origin as not only American made, but also as being from Philly. Feeling incredibly lucky to have found it, I grabbed it and went straight to the checkout and then home.

So now I have a Philly made chair to couple with my Trenton made desk. A little cleaning and detailing and maybe someday I’ll be able to pass them both on to someone else.

Entertaining thoughts

Posted by mobile phone:
This morning I made my first visit to the Starbucks closest to my new abode. I had a half hour to kill and a pen and paper, so I stopped in to get a tea and write a Modern Letter Project response.

As I scribbled my latest note, I heard a familiar sound on the muzak that stuck out not only for its familiarity, but also for the distinctive voice wafting over the sound system. The inimitable tones I was hearing were from Over the Rhine’s latest release.

It was just nice to hear something trendworthy catching the trendy ears of the programmers at Starbucks.

Friday random ten
(’til I took the pill that made you real)

“I’ve been good because I know you don’t want me to”

Easy Plateau – Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
Cassidy – Suzanne Vega
Love Is the Movement – Switchfoot
Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) – Adam Again
If You Wear that Velvet Dress – U2
Blossom and Blood – Midnight Oil
Episode One – Ellipsis
The Demon of White Sadness – Marah
Goes without Saying – Vigilantes of Love
Sparks – Coldplay

All people with dreams:
Bob
Cziltang
Fred

masseuse

Magic Hands Denise,
manipulates tense muscles
to fake nature sounds.

for sale

old empty farmhouse,
awaiting a buyer’s gaze
or renovation.

Friday random ten
(something in the way she eases my mind)

55% of the way to my JDRF fund-raising goal with a little over 2 weeks to go…

Anger – Marvin Gaye
Bad (Live) – U2
Snake – 77s
Another Spin – Barenaked Ladies
When Will You Come Back Home – Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
Love Sweet Love – Lynn Miles
After All You’ve Done for Me – Bill Mallonee
Goes without Saying (Live) – Vigilantes of Love
Train Song – Stargazer Lily
Kerosene Hat – Cracker

Shadows dancing up in the window:
Fred, Bob (incidentally, both of the preceding lists feature the vocal skills of a particular guy named Steve)