Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The New Look

Tomorrow brings something I never thought would happen when I started this blog. Press.
Welcome, to anyone coming here for the first time after reading the article in the Suburban Journal by Shawn Clubb. I know the past month has been a bit lacking post-wise but I haven't eaten, visited, or generally been out of the house for over a month now. Ok, that was a lie. I have been doing all those things. Being your first time here this feels a little awkward now. How's this? I'll promise to never lie to you again if you promise to... I don't know - something. Just pay it forward like Haley Joel Osment (or HJO as I call him. My plan is to turn him into the next Neil Patrick Harris).
Original Arch Observer Header
Anyway, to celebrate this big day in the short life of ArchObserver.com, I've updated the look of the site. Now you'll see my giant unkempt head every time you come here. And yes, that's what I look like when I'm "observing." It still needs some tweaking but that's going to be the look for the foreseeable future. Let me know what you thinkies.
I seriously do have a large backlog of posts I need to write so don't think you're getting away from here without the promise of more of what makes St Louis, St Louis. You have an awesome, unique city, folks, and I'm going to continue to write what's awesome about it (even if I don't like it - I'm looking in your direction St Louis-style pizza).
It's crazy how this blog has gotten to this point. It all began as a way for my friends and family back home to see what I was up to and it quickly become something else entirely. What that is, I really don't know at this point. I think I'm just going to let this bad boy do it's thing. Unless it's thing is nuclear missile war like in War Games. I have no patience for such things unless it's starring Matthew Broderick.
And lastly, while this isn't a formal AO post, I'd like to take a moment to applaud the city on the All-Star festivities. I had never seen the City so alive in my short 7 months here. I just hope we can keep it up. Visit the City everyone! It's safe and awesome. Promise. For real this time.
More to come... Soon.

Most Popular Posts Of All Time! (Yes, only 6 months):
*** Update ***
Leave it to my Mom to let me know the article is already out. Suburban Journal it up.

14 comments:

Teresa said...

Nice! I am very anxious to read the article.

Cathy Taylor said...

What a small world! I myself moved from Chicago to St Louis 22 years ago. Also from Homewood. It is so neat to read about your adventures here. We also had a lot of the same comments about moving here, even being told that St Louis was the armpit of the country. We love it here and would never think about moving back. Hope you love it as much...welcome to St Louis!

saan1911 said...

Good stuff man. While I had a not so stellar view of the Lou because of a prior stay, after reading your blog it makes me want to check it out again. Maybe.

quirken said...

big head. this made me chuckle and smirk.

Anonymous said...

Hey! Congrats on the Journal article. I love your blog, not sure about the new background color, something about it makes me a little...ill.

Jim Barnthouse said...

It's considerably yellow. I've gotten numerous complaints about my picture but none of the background color. Thanks for the input!

bridget said...

Just found your blog by way of the Journal article...welcome to St. Louis. I'll be checking in on you and hope you continue to enjoy this city. Have you checked out South Grand yet? Dunaway Books is a great place to lose several hours. CBGB's is lots of fun if you enjoy music. Tower Grove Park will host the Big Muddy Records BarBQ on Aug 9 (free) and the Festival of Nations Aug 29-30 (free). There are lots of great places to eat on South Grand too. Check it out!

Anonymous said...

I moved to St Louis 5 years ago and I still love it. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Hey Jim,
I met you one time and thoudht you were a good looking guy. Why would you sell yourself short with that terrible pic.

Jim Barnthouse said...

Oh come on the terrible pic is perfect! It may be the worst picture ever taken and I am more than happy to share it with the world. However, you and just about everyone else who's seen it has asked the same thing. So, while I think it's funny to put such a bad pic of myself up, it's been more of a distraction than anything. I'll probably be changing it. To what? I don't know.

Meg G. said...

So...like most I disagree with the new look...come on JIm...you can make it memorable but still better!!! SO I have thought of a fab idea!!! You take the pic I have of you on the stripper pole in your apartment (for the sake of your publicity I call it a stripper pole, true friends know otherwise). So you take the pic, cut out just yourself and superimpose yourself doing your pole moves on the arch!!!!!! what a great idea huh???? I will let you have it for free!!!!

Anonymous said...

Are you sure that's not a mug shot taken after one of your escapades?

Jim Barnthouse said...

Hrmmm... Good point. Ha!

Brooke said...

i'd like to be the only person (apparently) who likes the stunned big head and the new look.
yes, of course you're good looking, but, if you were to post a great looking picture of yourself and i didn't already know you, i'd just think you were a pretentious prick. just telling it like it is.

your awesome stunned big head highlights your awesome personality. SO THERE.

oh...and... i read the article. that is awesome jim. you're famous, and while your head is huge at least it's not pretentious. five stars.