Tonight, tonight.

CONCEPT

from the 18th annual Hunt:

1. I'm note inspired.

2. Here's the ceremonial giving away of an item I've written, because it was undeservedly cut:

Bring it. We wanted you to lead your team in a Womackian cheer, but feared risking the intensity of the pain accompanying serious physical injury, such as organ failure, impairment of bodily function, or even death. Instead, let's lead lawyers in a Dunstian cheer. (up to 18 points as determined by the number of lawyers and their Dunstastic moves.)

3. In its original incarnation, that item was actually a "Womackian cheer." But then we realized the results would be both tasteless and unpleasant. But I would've liked to have seen cheer leading lawyers.

4. There's been such little hatin' on the captains listhost this year (and little time for you to rectify the situation, captains!). I attribute this to the lack of activity by the newly-reticent Judge Clinton. He always knew how to get the crowd whipped into a frenzy. Who, I wonder, will be the most despisèd judge this year?

5. Don't read too much into "clues" today. For example: at the meet-the-captains party, we played a game of kickball with teams divided by who was "hot" and who was "not." I was "not," as were almost all of the judges. This doesn't *necessarily* mean we expect you to give us peonies tonight and ask us to go to the Junior Prom, but then you leave suddenly after dinner (we pay the bill of course, losers), and next thing you know we're drafted by Mr. Mikolowski to sit in some back hallway of the Great Lakes Tech Center, talking about movies and comic books with Levi Caverly and handing out bags of potato chips to graduating seniors. It doesn't necessarily mean that.

6. This list contains several structural surprises. Take that as you will.

7. I've never really bought any clothes at Structure, or any other mall retailer for that matter. In high school, I had bad enough taste that I couldn't have picked anything out, and since then, they've priced me out.

8. Who wants to battle rap?

9. Bring it.

10. Colin will be the first to die.

11. I miss Flint.

12. I'm starting to miss Chicago. I'm almost into my last quarter-year here.

13. Part of the above manifests as a growing obsession with the Blues. I've always considered myself a Blues fan; 75% of the time, if I'm out to hear live music, that's what it is. But knowing the Blues. There's entirely too much to know. I'm still just getting started in this enterprise. But I will see the Blues next week near the end. I'm still getting the hang of that late 50s John Lee Hooker.

14. I'm looking forward to New School University. It's increasingly seeming like the ideal program. I'm excited about New York, but not quite as excited as I would be New Orleans. But no complaints. NYC's the fourth largest city in the world, if judged by its metro population.

15. Once Scavhunt's done, the Occlusion must be stirred back into life. Ditto Gothic Funk. Gothic Funk was jammin'!

16.

A complex personality, you appeal only to two kinds of people - those who accept everything at face value and, most importantly, those who deeply understand the greater things you believe in. Skeptics are hard to win over, but those who like you will respect you forever. What Kind Of Anime/Manga Are You?

17. Credo quia absurdum est. (Nocturnal hanging on.)

18. Returning to scavhunt. I will not be a judge next year, and I've already promised not to contribute items to the next list. Which in no way prevents me from returning to Chicago in May to captain a team of aging ex-scavvies called "The Jerry @ Ricks". Send an email to connor at afterdusk dot org if you're interested.

19. Moreover, I've not given up on the Flint Scavenger Hunt. When I'm back in that city for good, I will apply for a grant from the Ruth Mott Foundation to cover expenses and will churn up the next big thing on the long and broken road to a real Scavenger Culture.

20. You skim now, but Scavenger Culture will be pivotal to our prosperity in the next century. How else do you think we're going to manage after the apocalypse?

21. Connor's Celebrity Crushes:
1988-89: Stacy Ferguson
1994-97: Claire Danes
1997-02: Kirsten Dunst
2002-03: Tina Fey
2003-Present: Miki Berenyi and Emma Anderson

22. The nucular apocalypse.

23. The photo above depicts the 2003 list release. These children had it easy. This year, you'll have to work for your lists...

24. What is Beastman spreading around today?

25. I am learning, slowly, but surely, how to cook.