today through my google reader i came across this photo:

david bowie, damien hirst, and julian schnabel, via new york magazine.

it just so happens i went to the museum of fine arts on sunday to catch their modern art exhibit that featured six pieces by hirst. i say 'pieces' not because i'm an art snob but because i don't know what else to call something that from a short distance looks like a black shag rug but is actually a giant canvas completely covered in dead flies. i also saw the big spin-art painting they're standing in front of there.

what makes this really appropriate though is that starman by david bowie just came on, from my special tuesday morning lab mix.

go away ike, tina ain't here

my (former) daily route.

up the street from dave.

no grilling in the house.

my backyard.

probably why i had no power.

GRE by candlelight.

it's over

ohhh but it's not. things turned out better than i ever expected, but it's going to be a while before life is back to normal. friday night my plan to drink enough wine to sleep through the storm next to a floor-to-ceiling window worked perfectly, and i only woke up when a tree fell down somewhere. in the morning dave's house was fine, my car was fine, and through some miracle we were the only ones in practically the whole city who had power. it then became a refugee camp for anyone who could find a way around the fallen trees and the flooding.

on sunday when i couldn't take being inside any longer, i made my way back to my apartment. thankfully there was no damage aside from a soggy kitchen, but i have no electricity. it's not coming back til next week. welcome to the club.

it's still really strange. without stoplights every intersection is a four-way stop. cars are lined up for blocks just to get in to a gas station. until yesterday, shepherd and memorial was a huge lake. the entire city has a curfew. a few restaurants are open; we had dinner at goode company and sat in the dark for a bit when the generator went out. people in line for ice threaten each other with tasers. and all that's nothing compared to galveston...

pictures to come eventually.

third time's the charm

yesterday morning i stopped at the grocery store to get something for our lab lunch. on the way in, i passed a guy who smiled at me and said 'good luck!' i had no idea what he was talking about. when i went to check out i waited for half an hour, surrounded by people with cases of bottled water and batteries, and i was the asshole with strawberry shortcake.

yesterday was more of an annoyance; today it's getting surreal. almost every gas station is empty, buildings are boarded up, and there's tape on all the windows. i'm camped out at dave's house, watching cnn, and trying not to get caught up in the hype. whatever happens, we'll be fine. it's not like we have anywhere else to go. and judging from the pantry, we have enough snacks to last us through nuclear winter. and also, entertainment.

so bring it, ike. i'm ready.

yes mom, i survived

the biker bar down the street from my house, where i 'weathered' the 'storm'.

a last remnant from my trip home

woodstar cafe, northampton