Mmmmm

Just ate my first Kohlrabi of the season. With sea salt. Mmmmm.

May have another. Mmmmmm.

I adore summer.

The absolute definition of

sexy shoe- these Christian Louboutins. The red sole, the stiletto, the chiffon...

Very Bardot

Ms. Moss channeling Ms. Brigitte...

Random ten

1. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic- The Police
2. Unstookie Titled- Babyshambles
3. She's On It- Beastie Boys
4. You're All I Need To Get By- Mark Ronson
5. Folding Stars- Biffy Clyro
6. When Love Comes To Town- U2 & B.B. King
7. Baby, I Love You- Aretha Franklin
8. What A Waster- Adam Green
9. Loose Fit- Happy Mondays
10. Scenes From An Italian Resturant- Billy Joel

Bonus-
11. Chick Lit- We Are Scientists
12. That's Not My Name- The Ting Tings

Today in "not shocking"

Ronnie Wood called time on one of the most high-profile benders in rock history last night when he checked in to an alcoholism clinic. Despite his advancing years, the Rolling Stones guitarist found himself back in the spotlight after it emerged that he was holed up in his Irish mansion, drinking two bottles of vodka a day with a Russian cocktail waitress 41 years his junior.

Wood, 61, was apparently persuaded to leave his Co Kildare mansion, where he has built his own pub, by his son Jesse. The pair flew back to Britain by private jet on Tuesday night, prompting speculation that he was trying to salvage his 23-year marriage to Jo.

Colori della Puglia

Colori della Puglia, originally uploaded by brenno64.

Glorious

Alexander McQueen's 'Blow' handbag...



Croc, brassy hardware... lovely, darlings, just lovely.

Hee hee

Going to gift show for the shop this weekend. Two and a half solid days of gluttony, booze, shopping and me dragging the others around downtown Chicago looking for obscure Brit import Cd's. And music mags. And books.

You get the picture.

And the samples, DEAR LORD, the samples.

In order to entice the buyers, most vendors provide samples. And/or free drinkies. The best offer both. We at Iowa's Coolest Flower Shop are partial to Archipelago Botanicals and Thymes Unlimited samples. Why?

1. They are posh
2. They are easily stolen obtained from their large containers in the showrooms

In other words, I'll be calling QB and Kaz all weekend, bragging about the prime samples/booze/muso/food frenzy J and I have embarked upon. And they'll just be dying of envy.

Wait, those beeotches are going to see Russell Brand's stand-up gig this weekend.

Heifers.

Never mind.

Ah....

So that's why Pete was in Newcastle...

Pete Doherty has played at the wake of a 16-year-old fan who died from cancer. The Babyshambles singer and ex-boyfriend of Kate Moss formed a special bond with Daniel Squires after meeting him last year. Daniel died in his mother Becky's arms on July 4 after losing his battle with bone cancer.

Doherty, 28, attended the wake at the Golden Lion pub in Jarrow, South Tyneside, and spent an hour with the family. He took to the stage with his guitar, teaming up with one of Daniel's friends for an emotional tribute
following the funeral at South Shields Crematorium.

The boy may be constantly conducting chemistry experiments upon himself, but he has a good heart.

Perfect

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

Don't look surprised, it's Dior...

Banksy's posh?

No kidding...

While many have claimed to know who he is, the only reliable facts are that he hails from Bristol and his first name is Robin. Now the mystery surrounding the identity of Banksy may have been solved by a newspaper which has published a picture of a man whose antecedence is more public school than street artist.

The Mail On Sunday says it traced the artist using a photograph purporting to show Banksy at work with spray cans in Jamaica in 2004. Former friends and acquaintances identify the man in the picture as Robin Gunningham, a former pupil of the £9,420-a-year Bristol Cathedral School.

Since his emergence as a leading street artist, Banksy's work attracts six-figure price tags. In January a piece of his edgy graffiti in Portobello Road, west London – which shows a painter finishing off the word "Banksy" – received a bid of £208,100 in an online auction.

Obvious, but iconic

'I knew the youthfulness of the Sixties,' said Saint Laurent, in 1984, almost two decades afterwards, 'Talitha and Paul Getty lying on a starlit terrace in Marrakech, beautiful and damned, and a whole generation assembled as if for eternity where the curtain of the past seemed to lift before an extraordinary future…'

...

'She's a little bit like Jackie O, in that she's an obvious reference to use,' admitted Phoebe Philo in an interview with W magazine at the end of 2001, having been inspired by Talitha for her Chloé collection. 'I guess you could say I got carried away with Talitha's character. Not that all of what I imagined about her was even true. I used her more as a fantasy to dream about.'

Bless

It *is* "a pop song." And the Manics cover version is so good...

The trio then shortly followed with limited edition single 'The Masses Against The Classes' before Bradfield introduced a cover of Rhianna's 'Umbrella' saying, "This is a pop song. It's Mr Nicky Wires favourite tune of 2007."

Montmarte: Steps

Montmarte: Steps, originally uploaded by edlimphoto.

No kidding

Perusing the Trib's travel section, I spotted a familiar name- Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery, the wine that we feature at the shop.

The Tabor Home wines have been well-received outside Iowa, winning prizes, and the cathedral-ceiling tasting room overlooks production facilities.

Visitors frequently see winemaking taking place.The setting is strictly pastoral. For city slickers, this is an opportunity to get an up close and personal look at a working farm just across the road.

The Catawba Rose is to die for. Tart and sweet and sparkly. Our best seller.

Mmmmm

Caperlicious.

Today in "embarassing"

Slow day at the shop today, and everyone else had gone home, leaving me to close up. Upon hearing a prime bit of gossip from a customer, I called my mom to tell her said bit of gossip.

My cell phone did one of those things where it doesn't ring, but the other person picks up, thus startling you when you hear a voice on the other end...

Did that make sense? Whatever.

When I'm by myself at the shop, I tend to listen to music that I'd not put on if there were other people around. Things that, shall we say, are in-tune-challenged.

Unfortunately for me in this case, Mom was treated to my vocal stylings on 'Horrorshow' by The Libs.

Specifically, the "I'm following your mind's instructions, on how to slowly, sharply screw myself to death" part.

She may actually still be giggling about this.

Is it just me,

or does this Prada coat from the spring/summer '09 men's RTW collection resemble something not generally associated with fashion?

Say, a dog's rawhide chew toy?

Oh, Ronnie.

I think it's a poor idea for any 61-year old man to run around with a teenage girl, let alone one who allegedly DRINKS TWO!!! BOTTLES OF VODKA A DAY!

Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood's family fear for his health after he went on a drunken binge with a 19-year-old Russian girl.

Wood has been at his home in Ireland for the past week with the girl, Ekaterina Ivanova, who he is said to have met in a London club. According to family friends, the alcoholic guitarist is close to "rock bottom". He is drinking two bottles of vodka a day and they fear for his life.

Random ten

*shakes iPod*

1. Lights- Scissor Sisters
2. Bitpartearly- Helsinki
3. Suedehead- Morrissey
4. Mermaids- Paul Weller
5. La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh)- Manic Street Preachers
6. Mr. Brightside- The Killers
7. Prelude To A Kiss- Alicia Keys
8. I Wanna Be Sedated- The Ramones
9. Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is- Jet
10. Rocky Raccoon- Didz Hammond

Bonus-
11. Crocodile Tears- Girls Aloud
12. Breakfast In Bed- Shelby Lynne

How did I not know this?

Paul Smith has a blog on Vogue UK's website. PAUL SMITH.

Rock posters

The NME has a slideshow up of famous/iconic rock posters.

My favs include-

Paul Weller- 'Stanley Road.' Georgie and Aretha and Mods, OH MY!

Sex Pistols- from 'The Great Rock and Roll Swindle' (which incidentally, is on my Netflix queue)

Summer means one thing.

PASTA SALAD TIME!

Here is my highly precise recipe for an awesome pasta salad.

Measurements/ingredients are approximate.

-whatever frozen veggies you have in the freezer

-some pasta, cooked al dente

-a vinaigrette of some sort

-whatever dried herbs or seasoning mixes you have in your cupboard.

Mix all of above together. Chill thoroughly. Top with shredded Parmesan cheese before serving.

Obviously, fresh veggies are superior, but if you're lazy as hell/pressed for time like myself, the frozen ones work a treat. (mix them with the hot pasta for instant de-thawing action)

In a pinch, bottled dressings will do, but make your own for vastly improved taste.

In a canning jar, mix-

1 part vinegar of some sort (red, white, champagne or balsamic)

3 parts extra-virgin olive oil

dash of prepared mustard

salt and ground pepper to taste

Put lid on jar, and shake it like a Polaroid picture. Deliciousness will ensue.

Eat pasta salad with a medium rare steak, fresh off the grill.

Mmmm.... summerlicious.

This is

case in point why I don't read 'Rolling Stone' on a regular basis anymore.

(the online version)

Toby Keith’s New Film: “It’s Not All Wagon Wheels and Bales of Hay”

Oh Claire Forlani, how you've fallen...


and

Rush Never Sleeps, Plus the Complete Album Guide

God, I'm getting all twitchy (and not in a good way) thinking about 'Tom Sawyer.' Or 'Freewill.' Yergh. Too many associated memories with overly earnest, Ayn Randian college boyfriends.

TO THE INDIE!

Oh, this is good

New 'Shambles tune- 'Maybelline.' Very Roses.

And oh God, the Mohawk is growing on me.

Chezza. Honey.

I don't care if he bought you a 70K watch for your birthday. He's a lying, cheating, whining sack of crap.

Kick. Cashley. To. The. Curb.

This week in "completely unsettling"

Last weekend, nearly my entire family gathered together to celebrate my niece's birthday. Sitting on the deck at my sister's house, my dad regaled my brother and brother-in-law with stories from the flood.

About an hour before the levee broke, my uncle (who was somewhat in charge of prevention efforts), pulled Dad off the end loader he was running, telling him they had to "go check something out up at the river."

Dad called Mom quickly to tell her what was going on, and that he loved her.

Together with my other uncle and my cousin, they hopped on ATVs and drove the half-mile to the levee, where as feared, "dirty boils" were popping up all over. (weak spots where water and dirt were flowing through).

They knew it was over when they spotted them.

At that point, they signaled for the entire sandbagging operation to get the hell out of dodge. Fifteen minutes later, the levee broke.

Why did Dad call my mom before getting on the four-wheeler?

They didn't have enough time to grab life jackets.

If the levee would have broken when they were by it... well, let's just say that I could have lost four family members.

Oh, LILY

Leopard print capris? HONEY. NO.

(your hair remains adorable, though)

God Bless Judy Blume

The voice-of-authority-during-my-formative-years (and now) on men-

I love men, apart from one: George Bush. I'm hoping that with the next presidential election that we will find ourselves in a better era, where sex is not a dirty subject, where puberty is a healthy subject, where we won't have so much book banning in America. I'm hoping, politically, that America is going to prove to the world that we're not all bad.

I realize

that this is from The Scum, but let this be true, let this be true, let this be true.

Rod and Ronnie went for a long lunch on Thursday at Mayfair restaurant Cipriani’s to discuss their plans. And the upshot of their
afternoon on the sauce was an agreement to get back on the road soon.

A source said: “Ron and Rod had a great time reminiscing. They were having a laugh and a joke but there is still a serious hunger to get back in the studio. “There are plans for the band to start recording in the autumn with a tour in the pipeline for this winter.”

A-dorable

Love them, love the album. Cutie pie Northern boys.

Are you similar people? "Yeah," says Miles. "Our families like each other too. They met for the first time when we were on Later With Jools Holland and got on like a house on fire."

"My Mum and his mum have the same kitchen table," says Alex. "When I went back to stay at his I realised his mum had loads of the same stuff. Did my head in, that."

Perfect.

Absolutely chic.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy on an official visit to Israel.

Summer hedgerows, Cumbria, England

Summer hedgerows, Cumbria, England, originally uploaded by McF_photo.

Porth Dinllaen

Porth Dinllaen, originally uploaded by carl.jones.

Absolutely gorgeous

Amazing shot

IMG_9061, originally uploaded by Kennyb83.

Bouquet

from a wedding we did in March '07.

Hydrangea, Ranuncula, Sweet Pea and Stock with a hand-sewn organza collar.

Random ten

1. Our Lips Are Sealed- The Go-Go's
2. Midnight Confessions- The Grass Roots
3. Nightrain- Guns N' Roses
4. Family Tradition- Hank Williams, Jr.
5. Centerfold- J.Geils Band
6. Living In America- James Brown
7. Some Kind Of Wonderful- Joss Stone
8. Man In the Cornershop- The Jam
9. A Girl Like You- Edwyn Collins
10. Black and Gold- Sam Sparro

Bonus-
11. Teenage Kicks- Undertones
12. California Soul- Marlena Shaw

Awwwww

Two of my favorite junior codgers, Mani and Bobby G.

"I'll be shitting me keks."

Cannae wait for the new album.

I want to be

half as cool as Lou Doillon someday.

'Albion'- Peter Doherty (live at Glasto)

I occasionally forget how good of guitarist Petey is. Clips like this remind me.

I love her

Lily Allen, 23-year-old Britpop starlet and Paste 4 to Watch alumna, has reportedly finished recording the tracks for her second album. The project, tentatively titled Stuck On The Naughty Step according to a recent issue of Rolling Stone, is Allen’s follow-up to her 2006 debut, Alright, Still.

via

Today in

"no shit"-

Steven Tyler has admitted that he entered rehab last month to recover from drug addiction.

Several observations

about this clip of 'Saturday Superhouse' from Glasto '08-

1. Simon's whipping his hair around like he's working the pole at a gentleman's club
2. My God, James has a lot of ink
3. Benny is a damn good drummer
4. Kaz. Is. Just. Going. To. Crap.
5. Put a top on, James. Please, sweetie.
6. The crowd seems to be mad fer it/singing backup/insane and somewhat scary.

I'm ignoring the fact that

Lily's dress appears to be denim, and instead am concentrating on how much fun she and Marky seem to be having.

(the pink hair is growing on me)

'Warwick Avenue'- Duffy (live at Glasto)

Girlfriend holds the note at the end of the bridge for nearly 20 seconds. Pitch-freakin'-perfect.

I'm kind of in love with Hova right now

The crowds booed as a big picture of George Bush appeared on the big screens, as Jay-Z then freestyled about the US government's slow response to Hurricane Katrina's impact New Orleans and its effect on the poorer black communities. He ended his rap with a definitive "fuck Bush".

He then added: "Let's change it up" as a picture of Democratic hopeful Barack Obama appeared, and Jay-Z dived into a version 'Public Service Announcement'.

Ooooo

This is HILARIOUS.

Nicely done, Mr. Carter.

Before the show started, a montage of clips played, concluding with the recent interview Gallagher gave where he said the Pyramid Stage performance was "not right" for the festival.

Before a huge crowd, the superstar rapper then mimed along to Oasis' huge 1995 hit 'Wonderwall', to huge cheers.

Oh for God's Sake, Amy

Honey. This is NOT GOOD.

The troubled singer's set ended in controversy when she appeared to assault a member of the audience.

And are those cocktail umbrellas in your hair?

They are.

Oh dear.























Update-

She allegedly punched an audience member and got hauled off by security. DURING 'REHAB.' Amy, Amy, Amy...

Nice!

Shot from stage during Petey's solo set at Glasto last night.

Behind the scenes on 'The Graduate'

Katherine Ross and Buck Henry

Adorable

Huts-for-hire at Glasto.

Random ten

1. Brianstorm- Arctic Monkeys
2. I'm Scared- Duffy
3. Going Nowhere- Oasis
4. Bang Bang You're Dead- Dirty Pretty Things
5. Albion- Babyshambles
6. Glitter and Trauma- Biffy Clyro
7. No Distance Left To Run- Blur
8. LDN- Lily Allen
9. When The Sun Goes Down- Arctic Monkeys
10. Koko- Goldfrapp

Bonus-
11. Elephant Stone- The Stone Roses
12. Tumbling Dice- Linda Ronstadt

WANT.

This McQueen scarf. Divine.

I'm so happy

So very happy.

Oasis will release their next studio album, 'Dig Out Your Soul', on October 6 on their Big Brother label. The album will be preceded by a single, 'The Shock Of The Lightning', on September 29.

I see the long line of rubbish song titles continues...

And J- Gem is looking FIT. And frankly, so is Andy. This disturbs me. Our Kid looks good- love the jacket. My Beloved Noel just looks, er, shorter than everyone else. His hair wasn't floofed enough in this picture.

Cool

There's always been something about train journeys that has fascinated me...

For the first day and a half, the Rossiya made rapid progress, speeding past thin ranks of birch trees that hung like silver curtains in front of barely undulating, featureless green fields. Trackside clumps of pale yellow primroses and newly raked vegetable patches next to congregations of wooden houses testified that spring had arrived west of the Ural mountain range.

Abilities to speak or breathe...

I seem to have lost them.

Wee Kyle covering 'Don't Look Back In Anger.' With adorable somewhat-bad-dancing accompaniment.

I've listened to this song, oh THOUSANDS of times, and I have to say, the B-3 is a very nice touch.

As is the darling Scots imp singing it.

Gorgeous

shot of La Moss by Mario Testino

Now THAT'S a hat!

At Royal Ascot

So cool

The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess, cult author Irvine Welsh, comedian Steve Coogan and members of New Order were amongst the figures who today (June 22) completed a 24-hour "conversation" in memory of the late Manchester impresario, Tony Wilson.

Broadcasters Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie - the former NME writer - were amongst the 24 key speakers over the 24 hours shared their creative expertise and experience with the hand-picked audience.

I really want this hat

Ah, if I only had an extra 2 grand lying around...

Krka River Waterfall - Croatia

Krka River Waterfall - Croatia, originally uploaded by PaulBoyd01.

Flooded areas near big ditch

Flooded areas near big ditch, originally uploaded by jmurphpix.

Random ten

1. Canned Heat- Jamiroquoi
2. There She Goes- Babyshambles
3. Shameless- The Fratellis
4. In The Middle- Sugababes
5. Looking For A New Love- Jody Watley
6. High Fidelity- Elvis Costello
7. Always On My Mind- Ryan Adam and The Cardinals
8. Cool For Cats- Squeeze
9. Memories Of Us- Keith Urban
10. Heartache Tonight- The Eagles

Bonus-
11. Pumping On Your Stereo- Supergrass
12. Oh! Bondage, Up Yours!- X-Ray Spex

Exact quote

from our friend, a state patrolman, regarding Sen. John McCain's visit to neighboring Columbus Junction, devastated by the recent flood:

"I don't know what that fucker thought he'd accomplish by showing up here."

Seems our friend wasn't the only one who felt that way...

CAN'T. HANDLE. THIS.

TOO. MANY. OF. MY. FAVORITE. THINGS. IN. ONE. PLACE.

PIPEDOWN. WEE KYLE. OASIS. JANIE JONES. THE MAN WHO CAME TO STAY.

BRAIN. MELTING.

The View's Kyle Falconer played a surprise acoustic show in support of Babyshambles at the Brixton Mass venue last night (June 18).

...

Taking the stage at 10:30pm (BST), after being introduced by Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell, Falconer played an eight-song acoustic set which included an Oasis cover, a new song and hits 'Same Jeans' and 'Superstar Tradesman'.Falconer also played 'Wasted Little DJs', 'Skag Trendy' and a cover of Oasis' 'Don’t Look Back In Anger'.

...

The band kept banter to a minimum and covered 'Janie Jones' by The Clash later in the set, then played 'Sedative' before heading off for a cigarette break.After the break Babyshambles played an amped-up closing set including 'Delivery', 'Pipedown' and 'Fuck Forever', which they closed the show with.

Although, may I point out that noting that Petey was wearing a suit and necklace, is similar to saying incredulously that the Pope is Catholic, bears shit in the woods, et al...

Please, Jesus,

Let my friends have the excellent taste to choose, and myself the financial ability to afford, bridesmaid dresses like these. Ahhhhhh, Vivienne.

Gorgeous

le pont d'Avignon

le pont d'Avignon, originally uploaded by Navas.

Nice to see a river behaving itself...

Mandatory evacuation

for the Mississippi River bottoms today.

At Two Rivers Levee and Drainage District today

This is so typical

The command center of the southern Louisa/northern Des Moines County flood efforts has been at the Apostolic Christian Church about 3 miles south of Oakville. I say "has been" because I'm not sure if they'll be there tomorrow- the waters are rising steadily.

But let me tell you, the Apostolic women are a force to be reckoned with. They're used to preparing food for large groups of people, and I swear, they could teach courses on organization.

Well, they are of mostly German descent. And we all know the Krauts (of whom I am one), can organize. Okay, sorry. Bad joke.

They have a book than contains the land line and cell phone numbers, the email and home addresses of every church member, cross-referenced with what each person is willing and able to do.

They have a phone bank of sorts set up in the church dining room/kitchen. At any given time, there are at least 5 women, very conservatively dressed, hair pulled up in buns, on their cell phones, making sure that everyone has enough food/water/medical supplies out on the levees.

And these women can flat out COOK. The maid-rites I had yesterday? Divine. God smiled upon their makers.

Absolutely broke my heart today. The local Catholics provided the lunch for the 400+ rescue workers today. As we delivered it to the AC church, I made a random comment to one of the women, "Beautiful day we're having, huh?"

She replied, "Oh yes. God has blessed us."

She and her husband lost their house in the flood.

Utterly selfless.

So, that being said, this doesn't surprise me in the least.

This southeastern Iowa town was under water on Monday, but its people didn't give up their flood fight. Dozens of people filled sandbags in the parking lot of Oakville Apostolic Christian Church, with the aid headed south to towns that still face a flooding threat. A long line of trucks dumped sand for the workers, many of them women.

Bethany Frank, 28, said that the water at her farmhouse was up to the roof. "My house is past help, so we're trying to save everybody else's," she said.

"We're helping relatives and family," said Mary Lanz, 42. "We're all related." Oakville didn't flood in 1993, but a levee break north of town turned it into a four-mile wide lake this time.

Big Ditch Bridge looking NW

Big Ditch Bridge looking NW, originally uploaded by HideHunter.

Mississippi River bottoms. Hope the Big Ditch holds.

Story time

One of my favorite stories from the now-under water section of the river bottoms involves a man nicknamed "Coon Dog." No, that is not his given name, and no, I have no idea what his given name actually is.

A tradition at the local tavern, Murray's White Elephant, was that every year, Coon Dog would ride his mule through the bar. I shit you not.

He'd often stop, from the mule, mind, and ask an attractive young lady- "How'd you like to run off with an old man, a bag full of money and a spotted mule?" Strangely enough, he never had any goers.

Aftermath

of the Oakville levee failure

Cedar Rapids today

This

is what is heading downstream towards us.

The spillway at Coralville Reservoir.

I'd like to write

something profound and touching about spending 6 hours sandbagging in Oakville today, only to get home and find out that the levee had been breached.

I'd like to, but my hands and wrists hurt so damned badly, I can't.

Tomorrow, then...

A levee along the Iowa River has broken, flooding the small town of Oakville in southeast Iowa.State emergency operations spokeswoman Tamie Krausman says the levee broke about 4:10 p.m. Thursday. The town of about 400 people was being evacuated. Krausman said no injuries were reported.


Authorities have ordered residents who live on the river side of Highway 99 from their homes in both Louisa and Des Moinescounties. National Guard troops have been summoned for security.

****The river stage at 5 p.m. in Columbus Junction was 31.9 feet. A crest just over 35 feet is expected Monday. In Wapello, the river was at 32.5 feet. A crest of 36.1 feet is expected Monday.Heavy rain was falling this afternoon, though, upriver over Cedar Rapids and Waterloo.

bali_36

bali_36, originally uploaded by pretonero.

Exactly

I drove three hours to help move some of my family’s stuff, because it’s gone if the levee breaks. We can pretend everything is going to be OK, but we look at the river stage forecasts and become more certain each day something ugly is about to happen.

I remember a fellow in this river town once saying, “The water goes where it wants to go, and there’s not a hell of a lot you can do to stop it.” But people, many of whom live on high ground, pitch in, bless them. They show up with shovels to fill and lug sand-bags, working for hours knowing it might not do a bit of good.

I mean, how do you control a river that wipes out a bridge lined with 20 railroad cars, all of them loaded with rocks? The idea was for the weight to give added strength and stability to the bridge. The train and the bridge in Cedar Rapids never had a chance. The whole works went into the Cedar River.

By noon Thursday, 100 city blocks of Cedar Rapids were under water, along with thousands of people’s homes.

...

The Coralville dam is releasing 20,000 cubic feet of water per second into the Iowa River. It’s heading through the heart of Iowa City and points south. The Cedar Rapids Gazette quoted an expert of some sort who said that at that rate, the water would fill an enclosed Kinnick Stadium in 16 minutes and 42 seconds. Ponder that when you think about the fact that around 40,000 cubic feet of water a second is coming down the Des Moines River from the Saylorville dam into Des Moines.

That presumably would fill the Hawkeye stadium in 8 minutes and 21 seconds.Another expert — there are a lot of experts around these days — said the comparatively small Cedar River is now flowing at a volume equal to the Mississippi River when the Mississippi is at flood stage. Gives some perspective, doesn’t it?

...

At this point, there’s nothing left to do but wait.

At any point

this week, next week, whatever... I would be thrilled to look up at the sky and not have my initial reaction be

"fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck."

Seriously. At any point.

Luskentyre Beach, Seilebost , Isle of Harris

Luskentyre Beach, Seilebost , Isle of Harris, originally uploaded by rockartwolf.

Feeling a bit nostalgic, really...

Libertines & Doherty, Pete & Barat, Carl, originally uploaded by burgermoo.

Carlito and Petey

This is more awesome than I can handle

Awww

Poor kitties. Poor man.

pic by HARRY BAUMERT/THE REGISTER

Random ten

on the new Nano. *pets it*

1. Posh Boys- The View
2. The Time Has Come Again- Last Shadow Puppets
3. Balaclava- Arctic Monkeys
4. Life Got Cold- Girls Aloud
5. You Like Me Too Much- The Beatles
6. Run For Your Life- The Beatles
7. Ovary Stripe- Kasabian
8. Delayed Devotion- Duffy
9. She Will Be Loved- Maroon 5
10. Folding Stars- Biffy Clyro

Bonus-
11. You Love Us- Manic Street Preachers
12. Sedative- Babyshambles

Stormy weather

So, yeah. Been a bit exciting here, weather-wise in the last 24 hours.

My dad's been down sandbagging for the past three days at Oakville. He's now saying that it's not "if" but "when" the levee is breached. And this is before we got about an inch of rain this evening.

We've been watching a steady stream of grain trucks emerge from the road to the river bottoms. Can't let the grain get flooded out. With the current price of corn? Fuggedaboutit.

Also, the amount of semis bearing livestock is simply amazing. Most animals can swim, but not in flood water. Poor things.

Annnnnd, we had tornado warnings tonight. I was home alone, and managed to scare poor QB (out for cocktails with the girls) to death with texts like-

I'm in the basement with Holden. Funnel cloud just went overhead.

The main problem is, as I've stated before, we live where the Iowa River drains into the Mississippi (which really isn't that bad). However, the Iowa has several rivers that drain into it, and they've all experienced massive amounts of rain. Hence, the problem.

I have no words,

only incoherent sounds. Damn, I have to go lie down now.

(items giving me heart failure are in red)

The lineup for the Guardian's intimate Lounge tent at this year's Glastonbury festival has been confirmed today, with Kasabian, Estelle and Los Campesinos! all set to make an appearance.

The lounge, which will this year have an intimate "old mansion" theme, is set to host DJ sets from Hercules and the Love Affair and Guilty Pleasures. There will also be performances from Glastonbury stalwart Billy Bragg, Swedish pop star Annie, and Helsinki, the new side project from Babyshambles' bassist Drew McConnell.

Okay, so it's not re-inventing the wheel

but somebody needs to make dumb, perfect pop songs to shake your ass to.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fratellis...

At times like these,

I think, "Gee, wouldn't it be nice if the majority of the Iowa National Guard was in, you know, IOWA, instead of fucking Iraq?

Washburn, near Waterloo, evacuated after levee breaks

Columbus Junction residents wait, and worry

Flooding Cedar River damages hundreds of homes Charles City

Officials: Flood of 2008 to be worse than Flood of '93

Also, we've just gotten the news that Highway 61 will be closed north of Wapello as of tomorrow night. River is too high- can't guarantee the bridge will hold.


Annnnd, I just got off the phone with my dad. They're evacuating the Iowa/Mississippi river bottoms. He and my uncles are helping some elderly friends move to higher ground.


This is the problem they're dealing with- between Hwy. 99 and the Iowa River in Louisa County, and Hwy. 99 and the Mississippi River in Des Moines county- the land between is all reclaimed from the river some 100 years ago (the rivers join up at New Boston).


Yes, how Dutch of my forefathers. The farming ground is incredibly fertile, but really, really, really farcking vulnerable to flooding.

Again, when it flooded so badly in 1993, the National Guard was down on the bottoms, sandbagging. But not now. We're on our own.


Isn't this a lovely little war?

My Preeeeeeeeecious

As a reward to myself for getting my lazy arse moving, I ordered this today.

Come to mama, sweet little Nano.

HOLY CRAP!!!!

Foo Zeppelin!

Ahhh, I love it when my rock boys get all fanboy...

But the whole night was set up for the encore. After leaving the stage following 'Monkey Wrench', a clearly emotional Grohl returned to declare, "playing Wembley Stadium is an honour, and if we didn’t take advantage of this opportunity, the greatest fucking night in our band’s lives… for all 86,000 of you motherfuckers, it isn’t gonna be any other show."

The rock legends then joined the Foos for the historic encore. At the end of their stint, Jimmy Page visibly clung on to his guitar after a member of the road crew ran onstage to relieve him of it. The members of the makeshift band then posed arm to arm.

As Page and Jones left the stage before a final encore of 'Best Of You', an ecstatic Grohl shouted "welcome to the greatest fucking day of my life!" The night ended with an extravagant firework display.