While reading blogs this morning, I came across this story by Kristin on her life in France. (If you like interesting stories or France, I highly recommend this site.) Her story about the roofing guy who did his work in a Speedo made me wish that there were more characters in my neighborhood to right about. It has been extremely quiet this summer. Not even teenagers walking down the middle of the street or doing the things they normally do when school is in session.

My neighbors were making quite a bit of noise this weekend next to our fence. It was making the dog crazy for about 20 minutes each morning. For some reason they are digging up the rocks and plants next to the fence. Perhaps they are going to put concrete next to the fence–extend their sidewalk that is already there. I didn’t get a chance to ask.

Is it possible to create characters in a neighborhood? In spite of the heat here, the contractors don’t work in Speedos. In fact, hardly anyone wears them in public (the traditional bikini) except Europeans. Speedo makes large swim shorts for men as well. I’m also reminded of porn stars, but I don’t know where that association with Speedos comes from.

I’m off to the hair salon today. It’s a Monday, so it won’t be busy. There could be a few characters there though.

Mr. Fab made a comment on my PG rating, calling me a goody-goody. This, of course, reminded me of the Adam Ant song that my fellow students in junior high used to sing at me. Oh, the torture of junior high! If that is the case, then so be it.
I’m not sure that most people I know in real life would call me that now. However, I do try to keep this blog fairly clean (nothing graphic, hardly any swearing)–although the rating is a bit misleading. I prefer to be more creative in my word choice rather than use the common swear word.

Thanks go out to Jackson over at SFGate for linking to me. I noticed an increase in traffic. Hopefully some who read here will return. As the Bay Area livens up expect some commentary.

I missed the craziness over the iPhone. I had seen one (Apple employee) long before they were available. It can’t be anywhere near the craziness that still surrounds obtaining a Nintendo Wii. I scored one several months ago, but stores are still out. If you hang out at any electronics store or department, you will overhear at least two people asking about them within about five minutes.

I had seen blog ratings a couple of times today while reading through blogs. Mine was rated PG. It completely misses photographs and video. It looks at how many times certain words appear in the posts. So the rating can be misleading. A couple of photos aren’t PG and the Lenny Bruce video certainly isn’t. If you want to get your blog rating, go here.

This question has been popping up around the internet. So far, most people are defending Google. “Google is no Microsoft.” These people haven’t dealt with Google’s adsense. There are many bloggers who know how evil Google really is. Yesterday news came that they just bought Feedburner. They own most of the blogosphere. I had to get away from Blogger because their revamping caused too many headaches. So I’ve gone to this lovely open source software to publish my blog on my domain. Take that Google! Please don’t ever sell out WordPress. I’m begging.

The internet and news is all a twitter with the Google street views. I think mostly in the larger cities, but they’ve covered Silicon Valley fairly well. I’m hoping to spot a Google van one day. For those who wonder what all the ruckus is about, check out these photos. Truly many of the photos are very close up and invade privacy.
Girl getting out of truck with her thong showing

Perhaps you should watch what you wear on the streets of SF

Tourist trappings (I might have to get a photo myself)

Cats in window, but at a different time, who knows?

Palace of Fine Arts

I must be losing my writing muscle because lately I haven’t been able to think of much to write about. Nothing new here. Well, nothing I’d post on this blog. Life is going along.

Frustration over my project is just beginning. Funny how people don’t remember what is said in meetings. I took detailed notes, so I do know.

I’m looking forward to my son’s summer vacation. I can’t wait for him to get here.

Back in journalism school, I had a class in typography (study of fonts). I loved this class. I knew all the fonts–it was part of your grade. This was even a question on a test once: “What typeface would you be and why?”.

Helvetica, a ubiquitous typeface, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Most of this information I got from Slate. Helvetica was designed by the Haas Type Foundry in Swizterland. Since then, the typeface can be seen everywhere from Target, American Airlines to New York City’s subway system. The typeface you see here as body text is Arial. Bummer.

Here’s something I didn’t know. I had learned to distinguish Arial from Helvetica back in typography class. Arial is Microsoft’s cheaper alternative. Helvetica was licensed by Apple. Microsoft chose a different route.

Helvetica is the subject of a small exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. There is also a book Helvetica: Homage to a Typeface. A new feature-length documentary, Helvetica (2007) has been playing at film festivals and art schools since March.

I get asked that a lot. Lately I haven’t known what to say. I know there is a lot that is new, but how interesting do others find it? I’m still working on my project, although it has been a slow week coming up to the holiday. I had a seminar end this week, and the other didn’t meet. So I’m off to live in my now quiet head.

I have my costume for Tahitian competition. Well, all but the flower. I have to decide on a flower, and it has to be real. So that means it has to last all day (from 7 am to about 6 pm).

Last weekend I was busy meeting up with friends–even after a long day at the garage sale. It seems that most people are out of town this weekend or have other plans, but perhaps something will come up spur of the moment. A friend is supposed to have a party either Friday or Saturday, but I haven’t heard anything further.

Oh, I finally got a Nintendo Wii, which is supposed to be for my son. I have been playing. It’s a lot of fun. I ended up with a sore arm from playing tennis.

Work? Well, it’s still the same, although it seems that some new interest could provide more immediate funding. Just have to see.

The cats are pretty much the same. So is the dog. I have one cat with an immune disorder, and he’s not looking so good right now. Not much I can do about it other than keep him comfortable. It’s kind of icky to watch him waste away.

Last week I tagged Mr. Fab. He finally got around to posting the meme along with this little gem:  “The always fabulous Liz has affixed her strap-on and mounted and memed me.” I’m not sure if I should be flattered or angry. Although this post should bring me some interesting searches.

Out of the three I tagged, Mr. Fab is the first. You boys should get on it.

Thanks to Kelly for this little diversion. Very telling, actually.

That silly meme has gotten several hits by Google. I would have never guessed that using my name and the key words would bring people to this site. I see a few hits from the search engine each day. What in the world is someone else doing searching “liz eats” and “liz needs”? How many Liz bloggers are out there doing the same meme? There’s some weird stuff going on out there.