in the beginning...

A Dagger to the CIA: Politics: GQ

via www.gq.com

Ouch - strong criticisms of the CIA, but they seem to make sense...

Republican Party Survey - Future of Republican Party - Esquire

via www.esquire.com

We'll leave it at... ...interesting...

Good Night Mr. Phelps.

PACIFIC PALISADES -- Actor Peter Graves collapsed at died Sunday afternoon at his home in Pacific Palisades. He was 83 years old. Graves, who starred in "Mission: Impossible," "Airplane!" and Billy Wilder's "Stalag 17"-- apparently suffered a heart attack just a few days short of his 84th birthday, according to his publicist Sandy Brokaw. Brokaw said Graves had just returned from brunch with his wife and kids Sunday, and collapsed before he made it into the house. According to the publicist, one of Graves' daughters administered CPR but was unable to revive him. The family doctor reportedly visited the house and said he believed Graves had suffered a heart attack. The coroner was not investigating the death, and that there was no indication of foul play, according to Los Angeles Police Department officer Karen Rayner. Graves has appeared in more than seventy films, TV series and TV movies. He started his career humbly in exploitation films like "It Conquered the World," in which he battled a carrot-shaped monster from Venus, and "Beginning of the World," in which he fought a giant grasshopper. Graves later took on the role of agent Jim Phelps in "Mission: Impossible," with every episode beginning with him listening to a tape of instructions outlining his team's latest mission before the tape self-destructed. The show ran on CBS from 1967 to 1973 and was revived on ABC from 1988 to 1990 with Graves returning as the only original cast member. He won a Golden Globe Award in 1971 for his in "Mission: Impossible." He also received nominations for Emmy Awards and Golden Globe awards in other seasons of that show. In his later years, Graves made a move to television hosting, bringing his trustworthy and authoritative air to PBS' "Discover: The World of Science" and A&E's "Biography" series. Graves told the Los Angeles Times last year that he initially turned down the role for "Airplane!" because he thought it was in poor taste-- until actors Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges and Leslie Nielsen signed on to the cast. "They say you are supposed to stretch as an actor, so let's go stretch it," he told The Times' Susan King. Friend and co-star Martin Landau released the following statement: "Peter was one of the nicest people on the planet. Working with him for those years on "Mission Impossible" is among the fondest memories of my life. He was not only extremely talented, but also completely unselfish and always prepared. Peter possessed a great sense of humor, but what impressed me most about him was that I never heard him say a bad word about anyone he encountered. I'd like Joan and the family and to know my deepest love, thoughts and feelings are with them in this hour of bereavement." Graves was born Peter Aurness in Minneapolis. He adopted his grandfather's last name to avoid confusion with his older brother, actor James Arness, who was well known as Marshall Matt Dillon on TV's "Gunsmoke." He was a champion hurdler in high school, as well as a clarinet player in dance bands and a radio announcer. After two years in the Air Force, Graves enrolled at the University of Minnesota as a drama major before deciding to follow his brother to Hollywood. When he became successful, he sent for his college sweetheart, Joan Endress, to join him in Hollywood. Peter and Joan were married in 1950 and had three daughters -- Kelly Jean, Claudia King and Amanda Lee -- and six grandchildren.

via www.chicagotribune.com

So very sad! "Joey, have you ever been in a... in a Turkish prison?"

The original 'Grease' from Chicago - Who knew? And now, coming back.

via leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com

I had no idea 'Grease' was originally set in Chicago! Go Windy City!

What's the sound of a Frat boy Crying

Those of you familiar with my refrigerator's click, will be happy to know it's gone, not however before the refrigerator stopped working.  As a result when I got home from the week in NJ last Thursday night I was greeted to a fridge that was room temp. Which meant nearly everything had to go.

Fortunately since I travel all the time everything consisted of 2 shelves of condiments and spreads, and that's probably OK, I think I've had that ketchup since I moved to Chicago.

The part that was most depressing was the wast of alcohol.  Through various parties I had a decent stash of beer.  To be fair it's not like it was a artisanal collection that I'd spent hundreds on, and in fact I was never going to drink it, but it was good to know it was there when others came over and wanted a brewski.  So thanks to all the party goers late last year who stocked up.  But know the next time I'll really be starting from nothing.

I took a photo before dumping everything.

Inventory:

• 7 - Heineken
• 3 - Sam Adams
• 3 - Hacker-Pschorr
• 2 - Goose Island 312
• 1 - Magic Hat - Winter Seasonal
• 1 - Sam Adams Light
• 1 - Coors Light
• 1 - Miller Lite
• 2 - Bud Light cans (yea they embarrassed me too, that's why I hid them in the back)

To be fair to GE I went online last Friday, scheduled an appointment for this morning between 8AM and noon, the guy was here by 8:15, and gone by 8:30, he spent most of his time pulling the fridge out and pushing it back.  The board went bad, he replaced it under warranty.  So I do appreciate the efficiency of the repair, however, I still think it's ridiculous that the board went bad in less than 5 years.

So kudos to GE for efficiently repairing and not charging, boo to the fact that their product went bad in such a short time, it's just as much companies, as it is consumers fault we live in such a disposable society.

Chicago Tribune - 10 ways O’Hare could be better - chicagotribune.com

I don't disagree, the food sucks, but seating gets a lot better, especially if you have a Red Carpet Club membership - and if you can to stay to one of the two B gate clubs, they're newly remodeled!

Mary Schmich: 10 ways O’Hare could be better - chicagotribune.com.

Mary Schmich: 10 ways O’Hare could be better - chicagotribune.com

How to disappear for 30 days with out really trying

Writer Evan Ratliff Tried to Vanish: Here’s What Happened

• By Evan Ratliff
• November 20, 2009  | 
• 8:45 pm  | 
• Categories: Wired Issue 17.12

Photo: Joe Pugliese

via www.wired.com

Crazy story, love it!

My people!

Frequent Flyer from Gabriel Leigh on Vimeo.

AB & me!

From Recently Updated

Getting AB's signature at the Borders on Michigan Ave!

Vote for my Photo!

I entered a photography contest for photos of art on Iowa State's campus.

University Museums is looking for great unique photos of the Art on Campus Collection for the second annual I Y Campus Art contest.  During the month of September we accepted amateur photographer’s images of any of the over 600 major public works of art on the Iowa State University Campus. 

Submitted photographs are placed below to be voted on by the community.  Votes will be collected during the entire month of October and the photograph receiving the largest number of votes will be printed as a poster and sold at the Brunnier Art Museum Store.  The winning photographer will also receive a framed poster.Voting concludes October 31. Winner will be announced early November on the website and through a press release. 

To vote for your favorite photograph, please email your choice of photograph with Title and Name of Photographer to Nancy Gebhart at nancyg@iastate.edu. 

"Study Break" is my favorite.

Photos are online and voting is open until the end of October.

So, Vote for me!  And then tell a friend!

http://www.museums.iastate.edu/CampusPhotoContest.htm

Also - I have an album online of the photos I took around campus that day, from which I selected these 4 entries.  Enjoy!