A couple of days ago I posted about the occupation by workers of the Republic Windows & Doors factory in Chicago. I’ve been really excited about it all week, reading everything can find, posting fliers, and talking about it to everyone. Seriously, I’m sure Ben and Bill are tired of hearing about it… Well too bad! Because on Wednesday night (sorry for the delayed post… old news is good news, right?) the union, Republic management and Bank of America finally cut a deal that is an undeniably massive win for the Republic workers, so there is officially no hope that I will ever shut up about this. Basically, the bank is going to pay for the workers’ severance and unused vacation pay AND extend their health benefits for a month or two. Huge.

Some of you have probably already heard about this, but for those that haven’t, on Friday members of United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Local 1110 occupied the Republic Windows & Doors factory in Chicago. The decision to take over the factory was made after managers announced that the factory would be closed on three days notice and that workers would not be receiving severance or vacation pay as mandated by law. UE workers are calling on Bank of America, Republic’s creditors, to stop sitting on the $25 billion it received in the recent government bail-out plan and support a viable company or at least allow Republic to fulfill its obligations to workers.

As the occupation begins its fourth day, our support is needed to make sure that workers can keep up the fight until their needs are met. Messages of support are great and, I can say from experience, help morale more than you might expect, but what these workers really need is financial support. I know that none of us are rolling in dough, but any amount will help out. If you really can’t spare the extra cash, at least send them a note letting them know that you support them. And now, by the power of html (which Joel will probably have to fix) (joel: got it!) a Link! All the stuff you need is in the right sidebar.

I’ve got two things…

The first is this series of photos I found on reddit that is so goddamn cool that I want you all to see it. click on this.

The second thing is an iReport from our Los Angeles Bureau Chief, Bill! Rude.

Still plenty to do, but for now…

So, one of my favorite parts of getting to work with Jenny Tondera every Friday morning she reads amazing blogs and like to share them with me. I love blogs and always want to find more and more of them, so it’s nice to have an expert in the room.

Today, J-Ton was showing me “Dad blogs”. Dad blogs are blogs for dads and by dads and about the kids of dads. The blogs are cute and funny and whatever, but in the process of exploring the daddy-blogoshpere we discovered the greatest blog ever. It’s called YES WE CAN (HOLD BABIES) and it is a photoblog of Barack Obama, yes, holding babies. and it’s ADORABLE.

WOAH. So I just found this band via Alex Bowes and YouTube called Hurra Torpedo. The band is comprised of one guitar and a bunch of appliances. I think they’re Norwegian. Here they are playing Total Eclipse of The Heart. Balls, that’s good!

(more…)

So, duh, it’s totally gorgeous today. Emma and Alli and I are spending the afternoon on the lawn at MCAD soaking it alllllllll up. The SES 2 weekend is way better than the SES 1 weekend. …Well, maybe not better, because shooting a music video is fun and exciting, but it’s definitely way more laid back and relaxing.

We also went to the vintage shop on 27th and Nic. which is owned by a former Spyhouse barista and JEREMY MESSERSMITH’S WIFE. (wtf.) So, they basically have everything going for them if “cool” is the goal. The stuff in the shop is pretty affordable. I bought a shirt, Emma bought a dress, and Alli bought a dress AND a belt. We’re all wearing our purchases now, and I must say, we’re defining hip for about a 15′ radius.

Tonight: Communist Daughter at the Turf Club for everyone but Emma, because she has to work. (Her boss is a total asshole!) Then, hopefully, another beautiful day of lounging around the SES geography.

I know, “Come on, Chance. Another Apartment Therapy post?” But there’s so much neat stuff on there!

This little gem is power strip storage and concealment device. (So, in other words, a “box”.) You stick your messy rat’s nest of a power strip into the “box” and… poof! Messy no more! Now, anyone will tell you (Bill, Ben and Joel, specifically) that I’m a disgusting slob, but I totally dig this kind of thing. I won’t spend the time fastening all the cables together and nailing them down to make them look clean. I want something that is easy to set up and then never has to be dealt with again. And if I need to move it all I have to do is pick up the box! Sweet. ….PICTURE! …aaaand link.

Some of you may have seen this featured on ApartmentTherapy.com, but it’s really worth checking out. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you…. GREATBIGSTUFF.COM

Seriously, it’s just a website where you can buy great big stuff. Like great big scissors for your next ribbon cutting (gold handles for $10 extra!), great big aspirin for that great big headache, or great big iPod earbuds!