Cave Cuniculum...

Latin. Means "beware the rabbit."

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

UPDATE to "Crossing Lines"

They got it.

Details are here. The Wife™ is in some of the photos on the GEO website. Who she is, I'm not going to say. Think of it as a twist on "Where's Waldo."

UofM re-entered negotiations with GEO yesterday evening in an effort to prevent a second day of walkouts. Apparently they really didn't want to worry about a second day, because they gave the GEO what they were asking for.

This new contract will make hundreds of people very happy. I'm sure the university isn't thrilled, but in the larger scheme of things that really doesn't matter. UofM is lucky to have a large pool of incredibly talented and dedicated Graduate Student Instructors to teach, grade papers, assist with projects and mentor students. Re-entering negotiations and agreeing to the GEO's requests was a giant step in the right direction.

Hopefully it's something they remember the next time the contract comes up for renewal.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Crossing Lines

Right now The Wife™ is standing outside the Art and Design building at the University of Michigan, holding a picket sign. It's not a performance piece; nor is it an art piece. It's simply what it appears to be - a group of Graduate Student Instructors protesting for better treatment by the University.

There's quite a few details, but the gist of it is that they want the University to recognize the lower fraction GSIs and understand that - like their higher fraction counterparts - they do an unfathomable amount of work (teaching, grading, etc.) in addition to their regular classload. What they're asking for is quite reasonable: full tuition coverage and paid health care.

Their union (GEO) has garnered incredible support, including several faculty members. Support also comes from the construction workers working on campus buildings. From what I understand, since they're part of a union as well they're not willing to cross a picket line.

I'm not going to argue semantics (it'd be pointless since I don't have all the facts), but I sincerely hope that she and the other GSIs get what they're asking for. Why? a)They've earned it, and b)They deserve it.

If you're in Ann Arbor near UofM, head over to and show 'em some love - especially if you have a child that attends the University. After all, one of the GSIs on the picket is the one that's educating your child.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

And now we play the waiting gameā€¦

This morning I did something both devastatingly scary and damned exciting at the same time: I submitted an offer on a home.

For several months now, The Wife™ and I have been looking at homes. It started as an attempt to get out of a bad situation (landlords & neighbors) and turned into an exercise in frustration. Either the house was too expensive or needed insane amounts of repair, or it was in an incredibly bad neighborhood (i.e. backed up to a crack neighborhood). Finally we found a home we liked, in a decent neighborhood and priced where we could afford it. Then the issues with the taxes came up. That has been dealt with, and the offer has been submitted.

Now, we wait. We wait for the bank to tell us "WAI!" or "NO WAI."

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go shotgun a bottle of antacids.

Friday, March 07, 2008

In the company of royalty

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Chip Kidd, and was fortunate enough (thanks to the persistence of The Wife™) to go to dinner with him. Who is Chip Kidd, you ask?

Briefly, Chip Kidd is recognized as the master of contemporary book cover design. He's designed covers for notable authors such as John Updike, Michael Crichton, and David Sedaris, and some authors have clauses in their contracts stating that only Kidd can design their covers. He currently designs about 70 covers a year.

On a professional level, he's raised the bar for designers. By creatively combining type and imagery he's able to create distinctive book covers that are incredibly well designed and thought out. On a personal level, he's personable, funny, and genuinely cares about creating good design; someone you want to sit down over a beer or two.

So, you may be asking, what? It's just a book cover. Yes, and no. Think about it: you walk into your nearest Barnes & Noble or Borders or what-have-you, and you're surrounded by thousands of choices, all vying for your attention. "Pick me!" they scream. "I'm the one you want!" Now, unless you have a specific book in mind, you're browsing. What's going to grab your attention? More often than not, it's something eye-catching; full of bright colours and dynamic graphics. Something that's legible and readable from a stack or two away. This is where Kidd's covers shine - dynamic imagery and legible, well-positioned typography make his covers stand out from most everything else. Is this going to be the deciding factor that you base your purchase on? Probably not, but it did get your attention. You did pick the book up.

More often than not, you'll buy it, too.

Thursday, March 06, 2008

What fresh hell is this?!?

Dear Mother Nature:
I'd like to apologize on behalf of Southeast Michigan. Whatever we did over here must've really pissed you off.UPDATE:Winter storm warning has been cancelled!

If you could stop trying to create a new ice age here in the Ann Arbor area, I'd really appreciate it.

So, how about giving us a break?
Please?
I'll make cookies...

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Critters. Critters burn good.

I've just added some pictures to my Flickr account.

I have quite a few photos in iPhoto on my Mac, which will eventually be uploaded.

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Bits and Bobs

It's been a while since I've posted, so this will be a hodge-podge post of sorts; covering a little bit of everything that's been going on. If it seems random, it probably is.

WE CAN HAZ HAUS?
As I've mentioned before, The Wife™ and I have been searching for a home. We may have found one, but we're having a slight issue with money; namely, the amount the city wants to charge us for taxes. Even as a primary residence and homesteaded, the taxes will still run us over four thousand dollars a year. No, that's not a typo. Amazingly enough, other homes on the same street are only being charged half that. We're trying to work with the city assessor, but so far we're getting the "we can't do anything" answer. It doesn't put the house out of reach, but it does make affording it that much harder.

Spring, O Spring; Where the %$&#@ are you?!?
(in which I bemoan the everlasting winter)
I've lived in Michigan since 1989, and this is the worst winter I can remember. It's not so much the snow; more the bone-chilling cold that lingers for days and the constant greyness outside. Couple this with an insane amount of snow, agitate, and let simmer for six months. Cabin fever starts to set in; muscles ache from constantly shoveling snow; winter blues become inescapable. Too much more of this and I may go completely insane.

Flickr-ing
I've finally joined the digital age, and registered for a Flickr account. Not much up yet, but I'm working on it. You can find my photos here.