The End of an Era

It is my sad duty to inform you that The Fifteen Minute Ghetto, the hood which was the source of this blog's name, entered immortality on May 3, 2011.

The ghetto, she is gone. Bingo is no longer. Screaming people in the alley... No longer. This blog... Shortly, will be no longer. I fully intend to pop up elsewhere online, at a different URL, to continue sharing my occasional incoherent ramblings. Never fear. I'll let you know where and when. Until, I bid you adieu from what's left of the Fifteen Minute Ghetto!

Edited to add this P.S. - You can now find me at www.indiesummer.wordpress.com

Hello again!

Obviously that little 30 day experiment didn't work. Perhaps it has something to do with the feeling that I'm putting my words into space with no one listening. Perhaps it has more to do with my attention to world events. Or maybe it's just that I'm not very good at following through with projects when there isn't a reward at the end. (Did I lose any weight this week? Will I get a bonus? My X is here showing, eh?) Hm... Regardless, the 30 day project has been abandoned and I'm okay with it.

Day 3: My First Love

My first love was... Reading. :)
Yes, true. My first romantic love was not reading. It was playing guitar and interning at a paper mill in a small Southern Indiana town. That is, unless you count the members of several metal bands and a handful of professional tennis players. Ask me in person and I'll tell you a story or two. Not worth going into here. Sorry, peeps.

Day 2: Meaning Behind Blog Name

My neighborhood is an up and coming gentrified neighborhood filled with young professionals and established working couples. It's very unusual to spot children in my neighborhood. In fact, it's very unusual to spot many people at all in my neighborhood. Most stay to themselves or quietly participate in neighborhood gatherings. We're not a frisbee throwing bunch in Indy's Old Northside.

This all changes on Wednesday and Saturday evenings when bingo lets out. Yep. For 15 minutes every Wednesday and Saturday, expect pandemonium. Honking horns, yelling spouses, loud music and the occasional police siren. It usually happens between 10:30 and 10:45pm and is over until the next bingo session lets out.

This, my friends, is the meaning behind my blog name. I am a resident of the Fifteen Minute Ghetto.

Day 1: Introduction, Recent Picture, and 15 Interesting Facts

This is day 1 of my 30 day writing challenge. I'm going to follow these prompts for the next 30 days as a way to help me get back in the habit of writing again. It may seem unusual for me to begin this project on the 7th day of the month. However, I'm just back from a trip, so I'm feeling like this is a good beginning.

15 Interesting Facts
1. I have been telling people that I'm a year older than I actually am for the past several months. I believed it.
2. I've come to realize lately that my memory isn't as good as it once was.
3. The quantity of my professional work is much greater than the quality of my work.
4. I enjoy long baths. (Is that interesting?)
5. I tend to talk way too much when I've been drinking.
6. I eat eggs, but gag a little if they're undercooked. I fear cracking open an egg and seeing blood or a foot or something.
7. My eyes are blueish-greenish-silver.
8. I screen films and read magazines as volunteer work.
9. I have a soft spot for the hear/see/speak no evil monkeys.
10. I have a black and white photo of my grandparents next to my desk at work.
11. I have no idea what prompted my coworker to text me asking if we could lighten the mood of the conversation Saturday at 2:15am. I think it may have had something to do with that photo of my grandparents.
12. German visitors to my office knew more about my heritage than I did.
13. I need to get back in the habit of drinking more water than I want.
14. I love to color. (That's not a metaphor.)
15. I also love to quietly sit and color with friends. (Still not a metaphor.)

Cheers to my friend Matt for the inspiration and format.

30 Day Challenge

Inspired by my friend Matt, I'm looking forward to a little something every day for the next 30 days. Do come along! :)

Day 1: Introduction, Recent Picture, and 15 Interesting Facts
Day 2: Meaning Behind Blog Name
Day 3: My First Love
Day 4: My Parents
Day 5: A Song to Match My Mood
Day 6: A Picture of Something That Makes Me Happy
Day 7: Favorite Movies
Day 8: Something I’m Afraid Of
Day 9: Favorite TV Shows
Day 10: Something I Don’t Leave the House Without
Day 11: Bible Verse
Day 12: Dream House
Day 13: Something I’m Looking Forward To
Day 14: Favorite Place to Eat
Day 15: Something I Miss
Day 16: Nicknames
Day 17: Favorite Picture of Myself & Why?
Day 18: Something I’ve Learned
Day 19: Put My iPod on Shuffle, First 10 Songs
Day 20: My Dream Wedding
Day 21: Something That Stresses Me Out
Day 22: Three Wishes
Day 23: Five Good Things That Happened Since I Started the Challenge
Day 24: My Favorite Song
Day 25: My Favorite Book
Day 26: My Favorite Quote
Day 27: A Photo That Makes Me Angry/Sad
Day 28: A Song That Makes You Cry (or Nearly)
Day 29: An Art Piece
Day 30: A Talent of Mine

lather, rinse, repeat

Hm!

It's starting to come together a bit... The Nerd Handbook

It Ain't Me, Babe

Today's earworm is courtesy of the man in black.
... Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'll only let you down...