gordon withers’ Neighbors

it's a date

nobody@vox.com(Sevencolors) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:21:23 -0400

today is my grandmother's birthday as well as (supposedly) our nation's. my parents and youngest sister are visiting her and my grandfather, who is doing well but has parkinson's disease. i talked to him on the phone and he sounded all right, but far away. i'm sure that's his voice, which is quiet, and the phone connection, which was scratchy, but i couldn't help feeling it, all the same. i can tell that something is wrong because my mom has only seemed so stressed out once before, and that was when she had hurt her back. i'm hoping that my sister R can shed some light on this all when she comes to visit. it's exciting in and of itself because she will be visiting our nation's (supposed) birthplace this weekend! she's never seen our apartment or the town where we live, and hasn't been to the city for a long time. it should be great. she also hopes to see a college friend over some cereal with crazy toppings.

my grandmother claims that something exciting happens every time my parents visit. this time, the news is that we might have a date! don't get too excited, because we don't have a contract yet, but we are crossing our fingers for june 19th, 2009. this will NOT turn into a wedding blog! but i wanted to say it, because it's pretty exciting. i'm usually so nervous about making goals that i just don't, but M. and i had hoped to have something concrete by the end of this week, and as long as the postal service actually works, we should in a few days. in other news, we had a good visit to the west coast, where i got to spend a lot of time reading ("pride and prejudice" - definitely not as good as i was hoping) and spending relaxed time with M.'s family. i'm grateful that they put up with me.

well, i must be off, but i wanted to pop up and say hello. may you have good fireworks and a summery, all-american weekend. by the way, i don't mean to seem flippant about my grandfather's declining health; in fact, i take it very seriously and may try to plan a visit there soon... i was just reminding myself that this is going to be really hard on my mom. i hope you can spend time with your loved ones this weekend.

Grounds 3

Send to a friend

Take Your Dog to Work Day

nobody@vox.com(Team Vox) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:25:07 -0400

Although almost every day at Six Apart is Take Your Dog to Work Day, Friday was extra special because it was the official Take Your Dog to Work Day! Plus, as lovers of blogs and animals, we think it's great that active blogger and Human Society's President and CEO, Wayne Pacelle, thinks having dogs around the office is a good reminder of "who we're working for."

We realize some people have it ruff and aren't lucky enough to be able to bring their dog to work, but hopefully these pictures taken at Six Apart last Friday will get your tails wagging... And let me tell you, it's harder than it looks to get all the doggies and their fetching owners in one picture.

(L to R) Ben and Maddy, Staci and Jax, Sergeja and Sushi, Steve and Rudy:

6adogs

And Penelope Trott took Rudy for a quick spin in her wagon while Mom and Dad were hard at work

Penelope and Rudy

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

What's Your Theme for Summer?

nobody@vox.com(Team Vox) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:30:40 -0400

For those of us in the northern hemisphere, today is the summer solstice. For ancient civilizations, this day was akin to our modern day New Year's Eve and was viewed as a time to reflect and renew. So why not kick off your summer celebration with a new theme?

See all of our themes in the Design Area.

Or choose from one of these brand-new themes. (Available under "New.")

Vox Themes June 08

L to R: Blooming Garden, by Teresa Jones; Ocean Beach, by Jesse Gardner; Sweet Dreams, by Susan Smuk Jorgensen.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Introducing Blog It for iPhone

nobody@vox.com(Team Vox) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:45:33 -0400

Blog It

A couple of months ago, we told you about Blog It powered by TypePad, the first cross-platform blogging application for Facebook the enables you to post to your Vox blog - and ALL your blogs - with a single click.

Within a week, Blog It had nearly 4,000 active users posting tweets and creating blog posts, as well as updating their status messages with the title and link to the published post. Today, Blog It's Facebook application has nearly 10,000 users. But here's the thing: You're not always sitting in front of the computer when the inspiration to blog strikes. And at Six Apart, it is our goal to provide you the tools you need need to blog where you want, and when you want.

Blog It for iPhone

Which is why this week we introduced Blog It for iPhone, a free web application just like the one we introduced for Facebook - only now - on your iPhone. Built specifically for iPhone's Safari browser, Blog It for iPhone enables you to post blog entries or status updates from wherever you are to more than a dozen different online services. And just like the original Facebook version, you can choose to share your posts with the people you know across various social networks.

To start blogging with Blog It for iPhone, go to http://blogit.typepad.com with your iPhone's Safari browser and install the Blog It icon onto your mobile desktop. Then, all you have to do is click the Blog It icon and start creating posts!

Whether you're riding the bus to work, cheering on your team courtside, or enjoying a picnic by the lake, now it's easier than ever to Blog It.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

birthday poem

nobody@vox.com(Sevencolors) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:21:20 -0400

Blessings

At the surprise party, we all sat clapping dumbly
when you came in unsurprised.

I fumbled in a cabinet, your voice
in the other room saying
I know we are of the same nature.

Three birds with clipped wings
try to glide up the dizzy staircase.
Claws rattle the banister.

Downstairs, a blackbird
rips the basement insulation.

I didn't know that was you
rustling in the upstairs window.
You didn't know I was listening—

dissembler, aberration, wellspring,
laughing with me in the luminous room,
where I'll say your name and you'll find me unsurprised.

Matthew Schwartz

Send to a friend

Vox Maintenance Tonight: 11:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. PDT

nobody@vox.com(Team Vox) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:47:22 -0400

We will be performing scheduled maintenance on Vox tonight (Friday, June 6, 2008) from 11:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. PDT. Although we don't anticipate this maintenance to be highly disruptive, we always like to give you advance notification when there is a slight chance of some downtime.

As always, thank you for your patience - and have a great weekend!

Update: There WILL be downtime between 11:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. PDT. so please plan accordingly.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

translations

nobody@vox.com(Sevencolors) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:55:00 -0400

One of my summer projects is to work on some poetry and translations, which I have decided to keep here. Hopefully the knowledge that there may be an occasional reader will keep me on task. Thanks!

Send to a friend

San Franciso: Get Ready for a Shopping Experience Like No Other & Donate Clothing for a Good Cause

nobody@vox.com(Team Vox) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:03:10 -0400

Gen Art Shop SF

Get your closets ready because the 2nd Annual SHOP SF Event is less than two weeks away, and Gen Art is offering Voxers an exclusive 25% discount on VIP and General Admission to this one-of-a-kind shopping fête.

The event will showcase over 40 local designers specializing in stylish clothing, jewelry and accessories for both men and women. These local designers were culled from the Gen Art alumni, local art schools, as well as the Bay Area's hottest emerging designer boutiques. With so many amazing looks to choose from, you'll be sure to find head-turning styles perfectly tailored to your individual taste. After all, that's what we think being a Bay Area resident is all about, don't you?

When: Saturday, June 14th

VIP Preview Hour: 12:00 - 1:00 P.M. (Includes access to the VIP lounge, Shu Uemura Lash Bar, complimentary coat check and a gift bag.)
General Public: 1:00 - 6:00 P.M.

Where: 511 Harrison Street (at 1st Street0
San Francisco, CA 94105

RSVP for the event at Gen Art and enter offer code VoxShopSF to save 25% off VIP or General Admission.

Wondering how you can say "Thank You" to Gen Art for their generous offer? Raid the closet of your boyfriend, husband, father, or best male bud, and bring a paper bag full of menswear (in good condition) to donate to The Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Donations will go to help more than a thousand people trying to overcome poverty, homelessness, substance abuse and domestic violence in the Bay Area. Plus, for your kind offering, you'll receive a Goorin Bros. hat or accessory.

Let us know in the comments if you'll be attending this exciting event. We can't wait to see you there!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

welcome to the jungle

nobody@vox.com(Sevencolors) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:38:36 -0400

well, just as m. predicted, the weather jumped from 50 degrees and rainy to 85+ and humid. nuts. time to get out my pith helmet.

but the jungle i'm referring to is the summer, that land of unstructured time and too many tasks. i usually make unrealistic lists of things to read, but this summer's unrealistic list includes "study for prelims" (whatever that means), "plan wedding," "write poems," "visit [about 10 people]", and various other things. totally unrealistic! yet somehow, these things need to happen. where is the fairy godmother?

in other non-complaining news, i am now a Master of Arts. (i know, what the heck? who let that happen, right?) graduation had bagpipes. my family met my advisor. it was a nice, though very rainy, milestone. i still have suspicions that i don't really deserve the degree - i think this 'not good enough' feeling is ubiquitous in academia.

also! we got to meet the new niece, who is the world's cutest baby, and m. met my brothers in law, which was a really good time. everyone got along so well, it all felt very natural. best of all, i discovered that the baby liked it when i put her over my shoulder and danced around. apparently babies like their necks to be jiggled a little (after they can hold their heads up, that is). it was so funny and touching at the same time, the babydance.

then, we got to tour some potential wedding sites, which was not as scary as i'd thought. as a reward, six of our grad school friends came to visit the farm! my parents got a real kick out of that, as did i, seeing worlds collide... and a lot of croquet balls collide, too. it was a lawn sports weekend. really, really fun. in a couple weeks we'll be on the west coast to visit family there, and then we'll have visits from each of our youngest (or only, in m.'s case) sisters. should be great. summer is definitely a time for visits.

que sean benditos,
s.

Send to a friend

TAL Vox Assignment: The Ten Commandments

nobody@vox.com(thisamericanlife) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:32:41 -0400

This week's assignment:

Tell us your stories about coveting, idolatry, honoring your parents, bearing false witness, you know the list.

Audio: Ira Presents The Ten Commandments

This American Life

This American Life, Episode #332: The Ten Commandments

Sure, you know the big ones: don't murder, steal...something about graven images? We help you with the others through stories and interviews, each dealing with a different commandment. Military chaplains discuss "Thou Shalt Not Kill." Middle school students explain what they've been coveting. Plus, adultery, lying, and more. Broadcasting June 6-8 on This American Life.

(Image courtesy of The Brick Testament.)

Read and post comments | Send to a friend