Thanks to the musical gods at KEXP, I have been introduced to the music that is Gnarls Barkley.

Thank you, KEXP!

You may have heard that musician Conor Oberst recently purchased a new home — to the tune of $600,000 — in an upscale neighborhood in midtown Omaha.

The story “broke” in the Omaha World-Herald a few weeks ago, and the city has since been abuzz as to the address of Conor’s new home.

My mom works for a woman who lives in this wealthy neighborhood and pointed out Conor’s new pad, just a few houses down the block.

My mom called me this evening to inform me that she drove by Conor’s house today. It’s under construction (“He’s probably doing a remodeling project to make it look more mod,” she said) with tall hedges in the front (“Because he probably wants some privacy,” she said).

My mom has now one-uped me in the world of indie music. Ironic, indeed.

One of my neighbors just stopped by to see if I’ll participate in this year’s Husker football pool. (An aside: About 10 families along our street draw numbers each week based on the pending Husker football game. The winner gets $30. At the end of the season, we gather at the Millard Roadhouse for dinner.)

After a bit of chitchat, my neighbor asked if my air conditioner was on. She probably noticed my windows open and thought I was crazy for running the a/c with my windows open.

I told her that no, my a/c wasn’t on. And she couldn’t believe. She actually yelled and said, “How can you stand it?”

How can I stand it, when it’s in the 90s every day? I don’t mind the heat. It’s the cold I can’t stand.

This quote from “When Harry Met Sally” sums it up best: “I love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out.”

I do. I am cold more than I am hot. My doctor said it’s because I’m too thin. But I still eat like a horse and don’t gain much weight. (Hate me, I know, but it’s the honest truth.)

Anyone seen my electric blanket?

I purchased this sweater this evening at my neighborhood Gap.

Not only did I score an adorable sweater for just $14.99, but I scored an adorable sweater for $14.99 that’s made with cashmere. It’s my first ever cashmere purchase, and I am loving it.

Here’s the story behind the “crazy ones” who’ve inspired the geniuses at Apple Computer.

While in town for my grandma’s funeral, my sister, Katie, courted Lady Luck with a few plays at a slot machine at Harrah’s Council Bluffs in Iowa. {I mean, what better way to mourn the passing and celebrate the life of a loved one than in a city known for its strip clubs and adult book stores?}

Katie never lived in Omaha after turning 21, so she didn’t experience the casinos across the river in Iowa. Friday night was a first for her.

My late grandma was a lover of all things casino and gambling. She was a Preferred Member to several — if not all — of the area casinos and loved having family and friends make the trip with her to win big; or lose big and have free drinks with a buffet meal.

After only a few plays on a slot machine Friday night, Katie hit the jackpot, winning $450.

We all know Maw made it happen. Maw was in the casino, cheering Katie on as she collected her winnings and knowing full well to quit while she was ahead.

From the Omaha On-Line Project Web site:

Omaha On-line is not a name for a community web site, but for clothing – theme fabric artworks hanging from a wire line, like the laundry put out to dry. Each hanging painted “Clothing” honors a Culture or Occupation in Omaha.

Like artworks by Christo, a world famous artist know for wrapping building or hanging hug fabric installations in major cities, Omaha On-line project, will be displayed for a short time.

The Story
The House and Senate are deciding if public broadcasting will survive, and they need to hear from viewers like you.

Last year, over 1 million of us signed the petition, and Congress listened. We can do it again.

This would be the most severe cut in the history of public broadcasting. The Boston Globe reports the cuts “could force the elimination of some popular PBS and NPR programs.” NPR’s president expects rural public radio stations may be forced to shut down.

The lawmakers who proposed the cuts aren’t just trying to save money in the budget — they’re trying to decimate any news outlets willing to ask tough questions of those in power. Americans trust public broadcasting more than any corporate news media. This is an ideological attack on our free press.

President Bush’s budget proposed cuts to NPR and PBS, but Congress is going even further: slashing 23% of this year’s public broadcasting budget — $115 million — and denying NPR and PBS any funding in two years. The cuts immediately terminate support for commercial-free children’s shows like “Sesame Street,” “Clifford” and “Maya and Miguel.”

The House and Senate are deciding if public broadcasting will survive, and they need to hear from viewers like you.

Sign The Petition
http://civic.moveon.org/publicbroadcasting

I’m a sucker for witty folks, which is why I love Chris Machian’s “about me” phrase on his My Space page.

My name is Chris, I am photographer. I once shot a man in reno just to watch him die. It wasn’t in focus.

My Maw, Dorothy Townley.

TOWNLEY-Dorothy, age 82, of Omaha. Preceded in death by husband, William. Survived by daughter and son-in-law, Diann and Merv Vannier, of Omaha; son, Dave, of Omaha; daughters-in-law, Robin A. Townley, of Denver and Mary Townley, of Omaha; 4 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; brother, Ronald Klusaw and wife Karen of Beaver Lake; sister-in-law, Cherry Kluza, Co. Bluffs, IA. WAKE SERVICE Wed 7pm, Vinton St/ Chapel. FUNERAL Thurs 9:30am at the mortuary to Our Lady of Lourdes at 10am. Interment St. John Cemetery. Memorials to Our Lady of Lourdes Church. VISITATION begins Wed 3pm. HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK-CUTLER
VINTON ST. CHAPEL 2466 S. 16th St. 346-1144