Things on My Mind

Dynamic Duos-Hair Color

2014-08-19T11:49:00.000-05:00

Dynamic Duos and their hair color secret!
Optimal recipe: Blonde and Brunette
The Dynamic: The Leader and The Follower

I've long been fascinated by this dynamic in film and television. I don't see it in real life as often as it is used on screen. For the viewer it helps to quickly differentiate the characters. This saves the film creators valuable screen time. Examples in the pictures below:

Bill & Ted
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

Image Credit

Jay & Silent Bob

Kevin Smith Movies

Credit

Wayne & Garth

Wayne's World

Credit

Cagney & Lacy

Credit

Ross & Rachel

FRIENDS

Credit

George & Susan
Seinfeld

Credit

Lavern & Shirley

Credit

Bud & Kelly

Married with Children

Image Credit

The Duke Boys
Dukes of Hazard

Image Credit

Dharma & Greg

Image Credit

Henry & Kip
Bosom Buddies

Image Credit

Beavis and Butthead

Image Credit

Leslie and Ann

Parks and Recreation

Image Credit

Emily (Amanda) and Jack

Revenge

Image Credit

Max & Caroline

2 Broke Girls

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Harry & Lloyd

Dumb and Dumber

Image Credit

Fred & Barney

Flintstones

Image Credit

What other blonde/brunette duos can you think of?

Red Bruno Support Ribbons

2014-08-17T20:44:00.002-05:00

Hundreds of red 'Bruno' ribbons decorate Downtown to show support for Anthony Bruno.

UPDATE:

Red ribbons removed, but the memory will remain...

Pitch Article

Savoy Decay

2014-07-21T15:38:00.000-05:00

A decaying building has a strong future...BUT WHEN?

I had read all the stories saying the funding was coming, but there's been no visable action. I had to know what, if anything was going on. I contacted Bob Long, from the EDC. He confirmed that the TIF was approved and that the Savoy is still in the planning stages. My curiosity is satisfied...for now.

The TIF will restore and renovate the structure; parking updates and add 200 hotel rooms.

Images of the the exterior decay:

West side of Savoy.

WINDOWS

Deteriorating Window

Window close up

Warn window w/Air Conditioner Unit

NW Corner

GUTTER and FACADE

Upper West Gutter falling off

Upper West Gutter

Resident Pigeon

Warn stone exterior

East Fire Escapes

West side damage

The Savoy Grill and Hotel located at 219 W 9th St, Kansas City, MO 64105 since 1888/1903.

Other Savoy links:
TIF request.
Biz Journal article
Hotel Management.net Article
Ficker Images

More Kansas City Unemployment

2014-07-02T16:38:00.000-05:00

A local printing plant, Lifetouch, is closing soon. This seems similar to the announcement of the Folgers Plant closure in 2010. A company ran the numbers and figure out it would be less expensive to operate in another facility.

The biggest difference for me...I work at Lifetouch (for now). At least I have this blog and my faithful followers.

Lifetouch was not the first printing facility to announce a closure in this June: Barton Nelson closed recently with very little notice.

The details are available in this weeks edition of Platte County Landmark.

Digital article

Creepy Window Displays

2014-06-27T15:14:00.002-05:00

Creepy enough to get attention.

Jimmy John's Drive-Thru Construction

2014-06-03T14:07:00.003-05:00

Construction begins on the controversial Jimmy John's drive-thru.

923 Broadway, KCMO

Before

During

Reflection Reversed

2014-06-02T09:36:00.002-05:00

(Reversed)

Commerce Bank reflected on a stained glass window of the Savoy Grill.

Snow Day 2014

2014-02-05T15:36:00.001-06:00

Images from February 2014 Snow Storm-River Market

I found FREE ART!

2014-01-21T13:37:00.000-06:00

I got FREE ART on Friday!

I've learned to trust my dog's instincts on where to turn next on dog walks, and I've been well rewarded. I find the coolest stuff when I do this. My biggest finds were $100 bill (part of which I donated to needy animals) and now this piece of free art. I snagged this so fast, I'd hoped I didn't damage it. The last time I left a piece of art behind (leaning next to a dumpster and was too heavy to carry), I came back shortly for it and it was gone. I later found the neighbor who was able to snag it. Never again I told myself would I leave art behind. This was my chance to fulfill that promise to myself. Look at how beautiful this piece is! I really love this painting. The colors and movement are so energising.

The group that does this is called Free Art Friday. Ours is of course the Kansas City sub group. Here's a news article about the movement. The artist of this pieces is local Lee's Summit Art Teacher Linda Welling. I went to www.facebook.com/groups/freeartfridaykc/ and found her post showing the art she had dropped. She'd even seen me pick it up. Small world!

I have a lot of art I've created and have appreciated, so I think it's time to turn it loose on Free Art Fridays. If you've ever needed a motivation to get out on a Friday, look no more. Free Art Friday's is where it's at.

Lake WTF RETURNS

2014-01-11T22:58:00.000-06:00

After 2.5 years of drought, Lake WTF returns in it's urban location. If you follow me, you may remember the first appearance of Lake WTF. There were a few update posts, but by late 2011, the lake had dried up.

Fans, the lake is back just in time for Polar Bear Club season!

River Market Antiques January 2014 Windows

2014-01-09T17:54:00.000-06:00

Each new month brings a new concept to the windows of River Market Antique Mall. Concepts are wide and extremely varied. Months with holidays are tailored for each special holiday, but the months in between the displays each unique. What every window has in common is that they all display items for sale throughout the mall.

January 2014 begins with questioning the age old question "What is Art?" The left window holds a treasure trove of traditional style art. While the right side houses abstract art. Art that may not seem as art to the broader public.

Which side do you favor, neither, both?

If you don't like either, come back next month and it'll all be new!

Visit River Market Antique Mall to get more information about the Mall.

Empty Window for 2014

2014-01-01T17:43:00.001-06:00

River Market Antiques has fresh empty windows to start 2014.

Happy New Year!

Loopy Vodka Recipes

2013-11-14T10:12:00.001-06:00

Three-Olive Loopy Vodka

So much Loopy, so little time!

Thanks to Party Rehab for some recipes. http://partyrehab.net/post/46437603858/three-olives-loopy-vodka-recipes-3-cups

Play it Safe

1 part Loopy Vodka

1 part Sprite

Fruity Loop

3 cups Lemonade

1 cup Loopy Vodka

2 cups Blackberries

Mint Leaves

Muddle the blackberries in the bottom of a juice pitcher. Fill the pitcher halfway with ice and add the mint leaves. Pour the lemonade and Three Olives Loopy Vodka over the ice and muddled blackberries. Stir the Blackberry Mint Loopy Lemonade and add more ice if necessary before serving. Garnish with mint sprigs if you so desire!

Pinkies Up

1 part Loopy Vodka

1 part Champagne

2 parts Ginger Ale

Caribou Loop

1 part Loopy Vodka

1 part Pineapple Juice

1/2 part Lime Juice

The California Loop

1 part Loopy Vodka

2 parts Lemonade

Splash of Grenadine

Thanksgiving

1 part Loopy Vodka

1 part Cranberry Juice

1 part Ginger Ale

Hawaiian Loopy

2 parts Loopy Vodka

1 part Peach Schnapps

1 part Orange Juice

1 part Pineapple Juice

The Backporch on a Summer Afternoon

1.5 oz. Loopy Vodka

5 Blackberries

3 oz. Lemonade

Muddle 4 blackberries in the bottom of a tumbler. Add ice, vodka and lemonade. Garnish with a blackberry, and add whipped cream if desired!

Loopy Punch

2 oz. Loopy Vodka

2 oz. Cranberry Juice

2 oz. Pineapple Juice

Loopy Daiquiri

2 cups Mango Juice Blend

1/4 cup Loopy Vodka

1/2 cup Rum

1 cup Vanilla Ice Cream

2 Tbsp Honey

Combine mango juice, ice cream, Three Olives Loopy Vodka, rum and honey in the blender. Makes 4 to 6 servings. Pour into tall chilled glasses and enjoy!

Sour Gauntlet

1 1/2 oz. Loopy Vodka

1/2 oz. Triple Sec

1 tsp. Sugar

3/4 oz. Lemon Juice

Loop-a-Colada

2 parts Loopy Vodka

1 part Rum

Pina Colada Mix

Splash of Grenadine

Moonrise Shake

3 scoops Mango Ice Cream

1 oz. Loopy Vodka

1/2 cup Milk

Whipped Topping

Thinker’s Autumn

1 part Loopy Vodka

1 part Cranberry Juice

Splash of Lime Juice

Morning Sunrise

2 oz. Loopy Vodka

2 oz. Orange Juice

2 oz. Champagne

Orange Draught

1 1/2 oz. Loopy Vodka

1/2 oz. Peach Schnapps

4 oz. Orange Juice

Splash of Cranberry Juice

Splash of Sprite

Special Plan

1 part Loopy Vodka

1 part Ginger Ale

1 part Apple Juice

Teenie Bopper Shot

1 part Loopy Vodka

1 part Bubble Gum Vodka

Splash of Lime Juice

Low Creation

1 part Loopy Vodka

1 part Club Soda

Splash of Grenadine

The Three Olive Explosion

1 part Loopy Vodka

1 part Cake Vodka

2 parts Club Soda

Lucas Place Lofts-Night Time Pics

2013-08-19T22:49:00.000-05:00

Lucas Place has been transforming from a decaying old building into lofts for months now. Here are some late night shots of the site.

August 2013

8-19-13

June 2013

6-7-13

About the project: KC Business Journal

More project pictures to come.

McCormick 360 Vodka Releases Pouches

2013-08-06T15:31:00.000-05:00

No need to return the cap!

City Pictures...Playing Catch Up

2013-06-25T21:33:00.001-05:00

I've been working too much, so it's time to catch up. Now for changes and other little bits of downtown Kansas City.

I took this first picture a few months ago because the area was looking so depressing. I intended to write a post about how badly they were letting this area go, but to my surprise they fixed it up.

Before- West 7th Street Lofts-Dog Area

After-West 7th Street Lofts-Dog Area

You know it's Summer when State Street turns on it's multi story fountain. If I worked there I'd take my break there most every day. Lucky employees!

State Street Fountain

State Street Fountain (at the bottom)

State Street Fountain wall

State Street Fountain

Look at the wash off from a local park. A well loved tennis ball and an empty bottle of liquor. Fitting!

Wash-off from a Downtown park. Tennis ball and liquor bottle.

Keys in an open truck. Driver was hundreds of feet away. Hoping it was a unique incident.

Free truck...

So, we don't have deer rubbing their antlers on trees downtown? It's the Parks and Rec Dept is trying to save all the other Ash trees by baiting the beetles to certain trees. Get those beetles!

Notice about why there's bark missing on trees.

Missing bark and notice.

Broken street after the downpour a few weeks ago. This block buckles at the mere sight of water. This is at least the 4th time it's broken in the years I've lived down here. Luckily this time it's not in the way of traffic.

@KCMO311 For The Win...

2013-04-26T13:43:00.001-05:00

I owe some mad props to @KCMO311 for getting this grate fixed. All these years I've just been bitching on my blog about things that were broken. Recently I've seen @KCMO311 fix things for other Twitter residents, so I tried it. Not only did @KCMO311 respond within an hour of my tweet, but it was fixed 2 days later. I am very excited that they were able to work to get this repaired. It's just one grate in a city FULL of grates, but they listened and got it fixed.

I was taking the after pic while KCP&L was still on site and they personally asked me what I though of the repair job. They did a great job!

I endorse @KCMO311!

BEFORE

AFTER-view from the other side

Where to Spend Bitcoins in Kansas City

2013-04-23T21:52:00.002-05:00

Eager to spend your Bitcoins, but want to keep the money in Kansas City?
It's going to be tough as only 2 area business are excepting Bitcoins in exchange for goods and services.

Peeper Ranch Lenexa, KS; offers: boarding services, training, lessons, horses, and weddings
Overland Park Jeep Dodge Ram Chrysler Overland Park, KS

Butterfly Labs, Leawood, is creating and selling Bitcoin mining equipment.

What is Bitcoin? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin

-Further reading:

Reddit-Peeper Ranch

Reddit-OP Jeep

*Will update if more businesses start accepting this currency.

My Stay in the Occupy Atriums Unit

2013-03-20T20:31:00.000-05:00

You may remember my post from a year ago about the squatters in a foreclosed condo 'Occupy Atriums'. In early 2012, a group of people took up residence in a unit of Atriums at Soho. Since their departure, the unit has been resold and the new owner has made a concerned effort to get the place in shape.

Well, I stayed in that unit recently. No, I wasn't squatting. My own unit was scheduled to have some repair work done that would leave me without a place to stay, so I looked around and found this unit still unoccupied. I contacted the owner and arranged to stay there for a week while repairs were completed.

I had so many preconceived notions of what the state of the unit would be despite knowing about the repairs and upgrades made over the summer. What kind of bad juju had the squatters left behind? Had they left behind any treasures, any paraphernalia or even smells?

To my surprise, the unit was immaculate, fresh and attractive. Sure there was a small stain on the carpet, but what apartment doesn't have that? I shouldn't have been surprised that after 390 days that nothing from that incident has been left.

My stay was very pleasant. It's always fun staying somewhere that isn't your own home from time to time. Plus, this is one kick-ass unit. The unit has high end finishes and plenty of storage. The big window in the bedroom is STUNNING!

It's going to be available to rent shortly. You too can stay in the Occupy Atriums unit! I don't think that can be said about any other condo unit in Kansas City.

I still wish there was a spot somewhere that the squatters had written: "Occupy Atriums was here!" or maybe they had and it's been painted over.

Enough of my blabbing, here are some pics of the unit:

Living Room + bar seating

Bathroom and coat closet

Kitchen

Living Room with view of Bar seating and kitchen

Bedroom with STUNNING original windows

Thanks again for letting me stay!

2013 Winter Storm Q Pictures

2013-02-25T11:35:00.000-06:00

WINTER STORM Q

February 21, 2013

7:15 am

7:29 am

7:35 am

7:59 am

8:12 am

9:10 am

You know how good coffee would have smelt on this day?!!!....sigh

I-35 exit ramp to Hwy 169

Woops!

I-35 & I-70 E

I-35 & I-70 W

The Farmhouse front door

Pacific House

Just a ferret out in the snow

#LoveKC & Me

2013-02-23T20:30:00.000-06:00

I only had to venture out a couple blocks to help around a dozen people out on Thursday (2/21/2013) get unstuck. Here are pics of some of the drivers I helped.

Brought shovel to these guys who needed to move their Camero

Monte Carlo who just wanted to get gas.

2 Fords trying to go the same way.

1 Semi, 4 Cars, 4 Public buses and 1 Plow stuck.

I went down to help turn the drivers who were behind the above image. Luckily the Parks Department took notice and came to help.

KU fan in a Mercedes stuck. Made sure he didn't go down the hill from which I just came turning the drivers around.

The Great Downtown Pumpkin

2013-01-16T19:31:00.001-06:00

Brrr, or Booo?

Arctic Blaze is the color of his face,
To face the bitterly cold pace.

Apple Pie Moonshine-Short Cut Cocktail Recipes

2013-01-07T15:13:00.000-06:00

Apple Pie-The Short Cut Cocktail

Want a quick way to make the southern favorite, Apple Pie?

The creators of Apple Pie Moonshine have given us a head start. The moonshine is for sale in 48 states, at a decent price for 80 proof ($19.99 on sale when I bought it.) I found this version is logistically Apple Pie, but lacked that homemade (sweet) flavor Apple Pie drinkers are use to.

Needed:
1 jar of Apple Pie Moonshine (750ml)
1 half gallon of Louisburg Apple Cider or Cinnamon Apple Cider

Add 2 jiggers of Moonshine, fill the rest of the glass with Cider.
-Serve over ice in a low ball glass.
-If you want it warm, bring the Apple Cider to a slow boil before adding it do the glass.

Want more oomph in your drink...yeah ya do!

Mix in one jigger of your choice from the following alcohol:
Listed in order of alcohol content
-Everclear
-151
-Vanilla Vodka

Fire Hydrant Finally Fixed

2012-11-13T00:50:00.000-06:00

It's been a long time coming...Fire Hydrants are being replaced!

I wrote about the one on my block over a year ago and this weekend the crew were out to replace the hydrant.

The crew started mid-Saturday removing the old busted hydrant. These guys spent all day removing the old pipes. Sunday they came back to replace the pipes and hydrant with new parts. Do you remember how rainy it was Sunday? Downtown KC received 1.45" of rain. Hundreds of gallons of water poured into the hole the guys had dug the day before making their work that much harder. The crew persevered and got the new parts in place. You'll see in the photos (sorry about the blur...dropped the phone too many times) that the road crews haven't been by yet, but I'm happy to have a working hydrant.

It looks like they are going with a nice retro style on the new hydrants. I like it!

September 20, 2011

November 10, 2012

November 12, 2012

What a good looking hydrant!

Repetition is the Key to Learning

2012-10-18T20:40:00.000-05:00

Repetition is the key to learning.

Repetition is the key to learning.

Repetition is the key to learning....

You'll never forget it in your deepest darkest dreams!

~Mr. Durrill

my middle school history teacher