Elizabeth N. Riley » Random

Taking In Geniuses

Elizabeth Riley — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:22:16 +0000

With all the crap and garbage there is on the Internet (this blog?), there is also a tremendous amount of creative content. I often find myself spending hours watching Vimeo videos, pondering on the minds that sprung forth such beautiful and imaginative content. I like to think of myself as a creative and pensive soul, but it’s always a sobering experience when I realize that while I may be creative I’m not a creative genius. There are some inspiring souls out there who will never cease to amaze me. My thoughts wander to far off places regularly, but those places never end up manifesting themselves into anything more than a day dream. A real genius can make a day dream reality.

I thought about this idea as I watched this very strange video on Vimeo. I’m not necessarily in love with this video, but it once again made me wish that I was better at transforming my thoughts into a visually tangible product.

BT’n'J – Na Posedu from McSanchez on Vimeo.

Why Yogurt Reminds Me of Dustin Hoffman

Elizabeth Riley — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 21:03:53 +0000

It’s amazing what our brains choose to remember and what they choose to forget. Our minds, unbeknownst to us, attach random acts to random memories. And each time those acts are carried out we think of those associated memories. These memories are intertwined in everything we do.

Who knows why, but I think about Dustin Hoffman every time I indulge in a cup of yogurt. Perhaps you’ve seen the movie Stranger Than Fiction, a delightful flick featuring Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson, and of course, Dustin Hoffman. When I eat yogurt my mind immediately wanders to the scene where Hoffman eats a runny cup of yogurt during a therapy session with Ferrell’s character Harold. I’m not sure if it’s the way Hoffman eats while he’s talking to Ferrell, or the fact that runny yogurt just grosses me out, but I can’t stop thinking about that specific moment anytime a drop of yogurt hits my mouth.

It’s weird. I know. But what fascinates me the most isn’t really the yogurt, it’s the way our minds work. Why do we remember these seemingly insignificant parts of our lives, yet inadvertently forget far more important moments? What daily acts trigger strange memories in you? I’d love to know.

Yogurt Scene starts at 6:16 of this clip:

Chicago Festivals Abound

Elizabeth Riley — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:25:48 +0000

Long story why I made this map. It’s one of the many things I’m involved with as newbie journalist, and I wanted to share. Below I mapped out all of Chicago’s June 2009 festivals. Click on a blue dot and it will tell you the date, locale and Web information of said festival. Interestingly enough, I can overlay this map with a registered sex offender map I did in grad school. But that might dampen the mood, yes?

View Chicago Festivals – June 2009 in a larger map

Coming Thune

Elizabeth Riley — Sat, 30 May 2009 23:57:16 +0000

Nick Thune…

Clearly I’ve Been Trolling Vimeo, But…

Elizabeth Riley — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:06:46 +0000

I have to share one more animation that I thought was too awesome to keep to myself.

Firekites – AUTUMN STORY – chalk animation from Lucinda Schreiber on Vimeo.

A Lull “Skinny Fingers”

Elizabeth Riley — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:47:33 +0000

A Lull “Skinny Fingers” from A Lull on Vimeo.

I Need A Spoon, Not A Stick

Elizabeth Riley — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:35:12 +0000

Stir sticks and coffee stirrers are inadequate utensils. Each time I grab a cup of Joe from my local coffee shop, I always ask myself the same question: Why am I not allowed to pour sugar into my coffee and stir it with a regular spoon? Ok, sure, spoons cost more. I get it. But I’m 100 percent willing to use a pre-used spoon just so I can adequately mix my morning beverage. What coffee shops don’t realize is that people like me take 10 sticks (which still doesn’t work) thus refuting the it-costs-more-theory. Starbucks must have been clued into this little problem and created a wooden stir stick that is slightly thicker and wider. While I commend their efforts, I’m still unsatisfied. It’s the scoop that makes the spoon so user-friendly. You can work with liquids or solids. The spoon doesn’t discriminate. I looked up the phrase “stir stick” on the Web and I found the following stir stick distributors:

Stir Sticks & Picks, International

Coffee Wholesalers USA

I suppose it’s a good thing both of these companies deal in other avenues. Picks are going places. Sticks—not so much. If I had my way, stir sticks would be abolished from all coffee shops. Long live the spoon.

Stir sticks are number two on my list “Things the world should be rid of.” Number one is Cilantro.

Japanese Bird Cooking Spaghetti

Elizabeth Riley — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:45:40 +0000

Thanks to my good friend Jenn, I’ve now been informed of the following Web site: www.japanesebirdcookingspaghetti.com

Since I’m a lover of all things random, I decided this photo had to be posted immediately.

The Evolution of Art, Animated and Creepy

Elizabeth Riley — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:11:47 +0000

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Smelly Good Musicians

Elizabeth Riley — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 06:06:39 +0000

Musicians tend to sweat. True story. And I can’t blame them. I would sweat too if I were: a) performing in front of a large crowd, b) trying to sing/entertain all at once, c) surrounded by some fiery electrical equipment, and d) performing in front of a large crowd (I think that one bares repeating). Profuse sweating doesn’t bother me. I look at it as a package deal. If I’m going to a concert, I should expect some sweaty musicians. Yet amid all the sweat, booze and who knows what else, I’ve never expected them to smell good….

Last night Chris, Kevin and I went to see Phosphorescent (aka Matthew Houck) play at The Empty Bottle. I’ve been listening to his albums non-stop for the past two months (thanks Genius). His music is a good mix of folk, rock with just enough country to remind me of my Southern roots. He recently released the album To Willie–a tribute to Willie Nelson. You gotta love a guy who loves Willie.

Throughout the night, Chris and I kept commenting on Houck’s exceptional stage presence–an added bonus to the great music. He has this finger-pointing thing he does mixed with a slight swagger. Not many could pull it off. Most would probably just look like a really rude drunk who thinks its okay to point at people. About halfway through the show I ditched the boys and got closer to the stage where the finger pointing was phenomenal.

After some encouragement from Chris and Kevin, I decided to be “that” girl and went up to Houck after the show to introduce myself. We exchanged some friendly banter, discussed the best city in the world (Austin) and chitchatted about his music. I gave him my card upon leaving. I’m not expecting a call, but I recently got the cards and I’ve always wanted to say the phrase “Let me give you my card.”

On the way home I mentioned to Chris and Kevin how impressed I was with Houck’s charisma and, um, pleasant smell. Feel free to think I’m crazy right about now. I can’t help it if I have cat-like senses. I found this somewhat surprising since I don’t usually equate sweat and booze to a bed of roses, so kudos, Phosphorescent, for the amazing show… and for smelling so damn nice.