I’m sitting shirtless (fan yourself) on my patio, laptop out, working (sort of), dodging bumble bees and listening to NPR’s Mountain Stage concerts.  Right now I’m listening to Neko Case’s concert, and NPR’s interview with her.

“You’re the one that I still miss.”  -Neko Case

Other great Mountain Stage concerts I’ve listened to:  Martin Sexton and Crooked Fingers.

These are short (about 5 songs), intimate concerts … I’m LOVING them.  Enjoy.

Last Saturday night my roommate Randy and I experienced Bob Schneider in concert at the Double Door in Chicago’s artsy, hipster-filled Wicker Park neighborhood.

Bob kicked off the show with a hilarious, evocative song about the Hulk — and the party rolled on from there!

Bob is from Austin, Texas, and is legendary in those parts.  He should be legendary in all parts … the man is mega talented and INCREDIBLE live.  (Kathy and Greg, have you guys seen him yet?)

Here’s a brief photo journey of our night.  (I took these photos with my cell phone camera.)

Oh, but first, here’s some of Bob’s music … so you can listen as you view photos.

Heading to the show, Chicago’s skyline in the background.  Should I be taking photos while I drive?!

A mural promoting Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

The Wicker Park neighborhood is also known as the bicycle neighborhood.  It’s hip to pedal.

The Double Door is across the street from the Damen Blue Line stop.

And whatta ya know, here’s the Blue Line train roarin’ through.

Now this is the Blue Line I wanna ride, the Blue Line pub.

Public art in Wicker Park … it’s fun.  Here’s Rod Blagojevich running for his life.

Randy and his warm-fuzzy musician friends.

Here’s perhaps the most exciting sign I saw all night.

Wait, how’d my bedroom get mixed up in these photos?!?!

We finally made it to the Double Door.

Aren’t marquees beautiful?

Once inside the Double Door, Randy began strutting his stuff.

Randy can’t wait for Bob to come on … but the disco ball is keeping him happy.

Ahhhh … BOB.

Last Monday The New York Times published an article entitled, “Online, ‘a Reason to Keep Going,’” which highlights MyWay Village, the start-up company I’m working for.

The article is about senior citizens using the Internet to connect with others, which often improves their well being.

As a side note, The Times publishes a great blog about and for the elderly called The New Old Age.

Magical Blue Night, Bitches

If Summer Looked Like a Circle

Two Saturdays ago was Planting Day 2009 at the bachelor pad.

My roommate Randy (”Captain Green Thumb Express”) comes from a gardening lineage, and almost every spring he plants lots of flowers — and usually some vegetables.

I was happy to learn from a master.

Here are some photos from our big day in the dirt.

Randy’s one happy gardener — and he was indefatigable!

The birth of a backyard sanctuary.

Perhaps you can tell by the look of my right hand that playing in the dirt was the fun part for me.

The vegetable garden — “where the beer flows like wine … where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano.”

Can you see the bulge from the wad of Red Man tobacco packed in my left cheek?  I’m about to spit tobacco juice all over the newly planted flowers.  That’s a gardening secret I taught Randy (a-ha).   I learned it last year from my friend Carolyn Freeman.

Link TV’s new program Global Spirit bills itself as the first “internal travel” series.  The program focuses on spirituality and features a wide range of perspectives.

Online you can watch program segments and full episodes.  Here are some past episodes:  “Forgiveness and Healing,” “In Search of Ecstasy,” and “Earth Wisdom:  For a World in Crisis.”

I watched the first episode, “The Spiritual Quest,” and enjoyed it.  Guests Karen Armstrong (author of A History of God and other books) and Robert Thurman (professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University) shared pieces of their spiritual journeys and some thoughts about spirituality and religion.

I look forward to more episodes (here’s a list of upcoming episodes).

(Side note:  I’m a fan of Karen Armstrong.  Here’s a great interview with her from Salon Magazine.)

According to its website, Ode Magazine and online community is for intelligent optimists.  The magazine and online community features inspiring stories of people making a difference in the world.

You can experience the current issue of the magazine online.  I say experience because some articles include compelling videos, such as the video below which features Krishnammal Jagannathan speaking about India’s complex caste system, and what it’s like to be labeled an “untouchable.”

Lastly, as you may know, I’m drawn toward anything involving pie.  So, naturally, I was drawn toward an article in the current issue entitled, “Mission Pie teaches city youth about food.”

Karen Heisler, co-founder of Pie Ranch (yes, Pie Ranch!) and Mission Pie, said something I’ve been saying for years:  “Pie is a great vehicle to work with.”

(Thank you, “Downtown” Scotty Brown, for introducing me to Ode.)

This seems like a Saturday Night Live spoof commercial — but it’s REAL!  Congrats to the goofy bastards who invented Snuggie and are probably making millions.

Note: I removed the video because it played automatically (and that might get annoying).  But definitely check out the video on the Snuggie website — it’s a hoot.

I love nudity in general, but especially nudity gags.  I tip my hat drop my trousers to the folks at Nike.  Enjoy!  (And thanks, Beefer, for introducing me to this video.)

Yep, you can listen to all the songs on Ben’s iLike page.  Enjoy!  “Selfless, Cold and Composed” and “Magic” are simply amazing.