Banksy

I'm sure we're all hip we're all hip enough to know about Banksy. Here's a nice recap either way.

Sorry for the lack of "original" content on Stiles' Wolfmobile lately. I told you it wouldn't be a very exciting week. Hey, all you folks who claim to working on a guest blog... Get your ass in gear. Either way, this weekend promises some Wolfmobile downtime to get some posts in order.

Also, all you car drivers out there, the single simplest and most important thing you can do to make life easier on cyclists (and I'm sure that's your ultimate goal in this world) is to USE YOUR BLINKER. All of our wacky bike moves are based on driver's blinkers or lack of. Hey, other car drivers might even appreciate it too.

Good day! (Critical Mass tonight... Hope it doesn't rain)

I Want To Be This Guy When I Grow Up

From The Onion...

Where The Fuck Is Diane With My Fair-Trade Coffee?

Let's See Some Comments People

Hi friends.

Let's all be a little freer with the feedback. This blog exists for my friends and family so please share your opinions and suggestions.

It doesn't have to be only witty inside jokes either. Whatever you feel like mentioning is welcome. I just like to know that people are enjoying this.

That's my comment.

In other Stiles related business, Google Reader rules. I've slowly but surely become a guy who regularly checks on a big old list of websites every day. Most websites these days have an RSS or ATOM feed, which means you can "subscribe" to them using a reader. Google Reader seems to do everything one could ask for. Basically it's just a way to keep track of all your favorite sites without being overwhelmed by letting you know which sites have new posts. This page explains it all and it's easy to set up. Joe turned me on to this and now I breeze through a couple hundred new posts a day. I'd always known about it, but figured my old system of tabs on my browser was fine and I was wrong. This way is much better. If you do get on the Google Reader bandwagon, make sure to add the old Wolfmobile to your subscriptions.

Expectations

It's best to keep them low and that way you'll be pleasantly surprised, I've often said. Stevie, can I get an AMEN? This isn't actually how I live life though. Instead of low expectations, I have NO expectations. So I'm not a pessimist, I'm a cautious optimist.


Example: I heard the movie Iron Man was "really good" from a few people. Hugh Hefner even decided upon seeing it that he wanted Robert Downey Jr to play him in the forthcoming biopic. I thought Batman Begins was a "really good" action movie so I expected as much from Iron Man. Turns out Iron Man can't touch Batman Begins. It wasn't awful, but it was a run of the mill comic book action flick with a great cast and a horrible score, something that really bothers me. Also, the evil Afghan terrorist didn't look Afghan at all and you could tell from a mile away that (shitty movie spoiler alert!) Jeff Bridges' character would turn on Tony Stark.



A week later I went to see Sex In The City (Yes, yes, I'm a big gay homo fag pussy etc). I'd heard mixed reviews, one of them scathing from my roommate Kate, but I was still curious to find out where the story went since I'd watched the series on HBO. Also, I'd heard a few positive reviews and it was only $5 and I hadn't seen the folks I went with in ages. So I went in with no expectations, thinking it could be decent or awful. I ended up really enjoying it. It was basically just a long, well done episode of the show. A little too long and slightly depressing, but for me it was 2 hours well spent. The fashion was extravagant, there was a little nudity, I laughed out loud a few times and Jennifer Hudson brought shame to Chicago with her atrocious performance. All in all, nothing life changing, but I really enjoyed the movie.


So anyway, don't expect anything in life, good or bad. When the good comes, recognize it and be happy with it. As for the bad, it's life and happiness isn't a right, it's a privilege. But if you have no exceptions then happiness is easier to find, and that's something to be optimistic about.

And that's my rant.

The Dyson Airblade Hand Dryer

Last night Hannah and I ended up at The Motel Bar by the river off Chicago ave because I knew they had outdoor seating. Turns out they show two movies on their projector on the patio every Monday. They also have $2 High Life's and $5 gin cocktails. The movies start at sundown and here's a schedule.

That's great and all, but the best part for me was, seriously, the hand dryers in the bathroom.

I timed it out and I got a full dry in 8 seconds. It was so cool. This informative graphic explains it.

I think Dyson has an office in this building so maybe Motel Bar is their testing ground or something. I hope we get these at Schubas some day.

Magical Underpants

So, I just went to the bathroom (perhaps more info than is necessary, but I think it's relevant) and was looking at my underwear. The pair I wore today has my initials written in marker on them. Why, at 27 years old, do I have a pair of boxers with my initials on them? The reason is that I wrote "T J S" on the waistband of this pair just before embarking on my Outward Bound trip so I wouldn't loose them, I suppose. This trip was in August of 1998 just before my senior year of high school. 10 YEARS AGO! I have underwear on that's 10 years old! Not only that, they're in perfect condition. I bought three pairs of these Patagonia Capilene-silk boxers for the trip (we were only allowed to bring 3 pairs for a 3 week trip). I still have all three and only one of the pairs has some fraying on the elastic. I have to say, that's amazing. Ten year old underwear that still holds up? I've always had love for Patagonia and this is why. Expensive as hell, but extremely durable and good to the planet.