It’s early. Matthew just left for work. I can’t sleep. Too much on the brain this morning.

We made it to Ash Wednesday Mass last night, even though the church was PACKED. So much so that we had to sit in one of the last rows in an adjacent “Fellowship Hall,” which I believe is just a fancy name for a cry room.

Even so, Lent has begun. I haven’t selected anything to abstain from/give up this season. Perhaps I’ll do more of something (rather than less) this year.

[gracefully stolen from veggieramen]

You’re the Indie Guru!
Take What sort of Hipster are you? today!
Created with Rum and Monkey‘s Personality Test Generator.

I (slightly) redesigned my homepage. Your thoughts?

http://www.shaggy-money.flywheelsites.com

It’s snowing again. It has been snowing since 2 this afternoon. It’s pretty from indoors, but when I hit the streets later, I won’t be nearly as enamored with the white stuff. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Every snow flake is one closer to spring. And spring in Nebraska is a beautiful thing; almost as beautiful as fall here.

Had an article interview over lunch today, followed by a few hours at this ad agency I’m working for contractually. It’s not much writing, but I’m learning lots about the collective worlds of advertising, marketing and public relations. All’s I need now is a full-time job.

Just heard the Killers are coming to Omaha in May. Tickets are $20. Maybe I’ll go; maybe I won’t. Haven’t decided yet.

What else? Matthew and I are looking to join the local YMCA. It’s time to get in shape! I enjoyed jogging outdoors last fall, but when winter hit, being outdoors in the dark and cold at 7 a.m. didn’t appear all that appealing.

Is it just me, or does SomaFM love, love, love Death Cab for Cutie? Not that this vexes me. I love Death Cab.

They also love Saddle Creek bands, as well, which makes me happy.

One of the best LJ posts on being a free-lancer I’ve read as of late, thanks to the brilliance of hipstomp:

Saturday evening is the midpoint of my “vacation,” and I’m still buried under the German project. Outside the hotel room window, the Canadian sun has gone from rising to setting. My laptop has grown so warm it’s practically sweating.

Problem with that is, as a freelancer your next step could be your last. Meaning I’ll just have to suck it up and work on Sunday.

Could Montreal be the next Omaha?

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/06/arts/music/06carr.html?oref=login

As Matthew and I walked into the Qwest Center Friday night, we saw Andrew Dan-Jumbo of TLC’s “While You Were Out” walking out of one of the bathrooms. We followed him inside the convention hall and listened to his little presentation, which lasted about 40 minutes. He talked about the cast of the show, as well as what the cameras don’t always show. Andrew had a fantastic rapport with the audience. He was very friendly and thanked us for watching the show, and, as a result, making it so popular. He seems like a genuinely nice guy.

I would’ve loved a photo of him one-on-one, but he was running to catch a flight. He did, however, give us signed photos of him. Pretty snazzy.

This is the best of what I shot Friday night.

Check ’em out…

Perhaps they’re called free-lance projects because they’re accomplished in one’s free time.

For me, free-lance projects yield extra cash and opportunities to become a better writer. I love them. But even I occasionally have a tough time finding motivation on the weekend. True, here I sit at my weekend job (Saturdays from 10-5; Sundays from noon-5) with my PowerBook within arm’s reach. But I love reading news online, blogging, catching up on e-mail. These are tasks that don’t require much — if any — creativity.

No project worthwhile was ever easy, now was it?

I’m reminded of the YYY concert last year in Omaha. Karen O had a safety pin attached to her costume that night. The safety pin opened and poked her in the thigh.

Her response? “Fuck! Safety pins aren’t safe!”

Ah, Karen. You little minx, you.