Still struggling with my hard work to fun ratio. I was semi-productive over the weekend, but took time out for Cupcake Saturday, the Modern Radio 9th Anniversary Gallery Opening, to finally see Persepolis, and to host a Memorial Day BBQ. Last night I did some more post-party cleanup and then built myself another fire. Tonight I’m getting back to the gym. Tomorrow night is a potential getting-things-done night, but then there’s the weekend.

• Friday: Mirah at the Triple Rock, with The Chambermaids, Danforths and Jim and the French Vanilla
• Saturday: West Side neighborhood cleanup instead of cupcakes
• Saturday night: All your favorites, back from the dead - an evening of local Modern Radio band one-night-only reunions
• Sunday: Skipping Grand Old Day in favor of Red Hot Art at Stevens Square Park, with Ghostface Cow and then a Dark Dark Dark in-store at Treehouse

Note: I’ve been hating on Dreamhost, hard, ever since I moved the site to them. Yesterday it was down more than it was up and I wound up receiving an email apology from some dude named Ralph (Wiggum?) about “dataglobs” and their “Blingy” cluster being bad. Boo.

Bonus: Wake Up! It’s They Might Be Giants
Plus: The Sigur Ros video for Gobblidegook. Features a bunch of naked folks frolicking through the woods and on the beach.
And: Watched some new trailers yesterday. The City of Ember looks interesting. And speaking of movies, the Vali-Hi Drive In currently has a triple bill of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Iron Man and Drillbit Taylor. Tempting.

There’s something so appealing to me about the imperfect superhero (is there a term for this genre?) so I’ll admit, I’m excited about the upcoming Will Smith movie, Hancock - the superhero everybody loves to hate. And a co-worker has been reading the Noble Causes comics, the “superhero soap opera” series. Now I need those. Also just grabbed a copy of Monster, 1959 at my local library. The book is like a 50s B-movie gone bad - or good, as the case may be. Totally stoked to start reading that. But there’s much to be done before I can get to it. Starting with the Modern Radio Gallery Opening tomorrow night. I wasn’t sure if I’d have my shit together for it as I’d ordered my frames online - at the last minute - and they arrived just in the nick of time yesterday morning (artwork was hung last night). Phew. So here are the deets:

Saturday, May 24 at First Amendment Arts (1101 Stinson Ave. Entrance on Broadway side. At northeast corner of Broadway and Stinson in Northeast Minneapolis)

The Carrots (Austin, TX. Chris from Gene Defcon on bass)
Togetherness (Bro v. Wade)
Plus DJs/dance party including Bird Peterson, Mike the 2600 King and others.

Gallery and show are All Ages. Show begins 8pm. Gallery is free from 6-8pm. The posters, flyers, photos and the like will be hanging for this month.

Bonus: I was alerted to this ridiculousness before it made it to boing boing. But yeah, the Feds have nothing better to do than infiltrating vegan potlucks? Oh dip, I’m hosting one on Monday. I’m pretty sure it will be FBI-free though.
Plus: Unsettling. Photos of a wedding party before, during and after China’s recent earthquake.
And: This blanket octopus is freaky and beautiful. I could watch that clip over and over again.

Along with my crazed Spring cleaning, I’ve had a serious Spring fever infection. The antidote? Five good things to do out and about:

• Mini-golf returns to the Walker Art Center this Saturday.
• It’s been at least 25 years since I’ve been to Spring Lake Amusement Park, but I’d like to go back. Especially to see the octopus on the mini-golf course.
• Also on my list, I’m serious about finally getting to the Crystal Cave in Wisconsin this summer, and seeing the wacky carousel in Wabasha, MN at Lark Toys.
• The little man has been begging to go back to Duluth, to see our vegan pals and their pets. Hopefully we can pull that off soon.
• Last night I wasn’t gonna, but couldn’t help myself. It was Pizza Farm, Part Deux. The trek was well worth it. Hoping to hit up the Cottage View Drive-In on the way back next time.

Before I give in to more goofing off, I’ve still got some work to do. Been making steady progress. Sold another big ticket item on craigslist yesterday. And the amount of clutter in the house is slowly dwindling, but I really need to tackle the boy’s room. That ought to be a hoot.

Bonus: This bums me out so much: West Side stairs to be razed after rock-fall damage. Drove by yesterday and saw the historic staircase being dismantled. The little man asked me how we’d walk down to Harriet Island without those big green stairs. Good question. There are other routes, but none as awesome or direct. Boo to that.

Been trying to keep it all under control lately. Finally took my car in for repairs. Signed a contract to have my boiler replaced. Called a plumber about coming to check out the leaky bathtub faucet tomorrow. Made significant headway in clearing the clutter out of my house (with the help of friends, again, one of whom mowed the lawn too). Made a trip to Goodwill, ditching a carload of unwanted stuff. Continued to wrestle with the idea of a condo vs. a smaller house - this article didn’t help. Allowed myself too many distractions, in the form of the Flight of the Conchords show, an after hours gathering at work, and a sneak preview of the new Narnia movie. Forced myself to skip both Heliotrope and Art A Whirl - and a road trip to South Dakota - over the weekend. Skipping Pizza Farm tomorrow night in favor of keeping the forward momentum going. Hoping to have some sort of fun in the very near future.

Happy Mother’s Day to me! This morning I had to coax the little man…to turn over the top secret project he’d made for me at school. Turns out he was embarrassed by it (though it was adorable) and implored me not to read what he’d written, to just look at the pictures. That was sad. But he’s much prouder of his new mohawk. Which was totally his idea, and executed by our friend Emily last night.

But the best Mother’s Day gift ever came from people I did not give birth to. Yesterday Mary and Chris came to the house, bearing cupcakes and other goodies, and then worked their butts off helping me fill my dumpster. Ridiculous, these people. So nice. When I first moved into this house the previous owners left behind so much STUFF. It’s taken me nine years to get rid of it all (well, there are still some paint cans to be hauled out). The decrepit dining room set finally met its demise yesterday. Chris and Mary took hammers to it, reducing it to a giant pile of Buffy-worthy stakes and splinters. And then Chris found Jesus! In my basement. Hidden behind some drywall remnants. There was The Last Supper, rendered in ceramic. Weeeeeird.

All of this work was done in the rain, so it was only fitting that Mary and I decided to form a “band” called Angry Butterfly…comprised of just the two of us wearing pink butterfly rain boots while stomping around on stage.

I’m just going to have to keep those visuals in the back of my mind this next week. It’s going to be full steam ahead with The Flight of the Conchords show, an advanced screening of the new Narnia movie, getting a plumber to come to the house to fix the bathtub faucet, taking the lad to see his psychologist and getting my car in to the shop at some point. All while forging ahead with the Great Spring Purge of 2008. Or maybe I’ll just go back to bed and sleep for a week.

Bonus: Couldn’t help myself. I did splurge just a tidge, and ordered myself a Flip Ultra Video Camera. It’s so cute! Can’t wait to play with it this week. And finally make use of the new Flickr video upload option.
Plus: Too bad I ordered that online instead of buying it somewhere. Today we’re going to a Saint Paul Saints game, and I would love to shoot video of the little man enjoying himself. He got so excited at the last game we attended. The boy loves baseball (which is baffling to me, really).
And: Hillary is mom jeans.

Nineteen years ago today. He has now been dead longer than he was alive. But I will never forget my brother.

I am sad, as I am any time I think about him (which is often) but my life goes on. And how! So much to do but I’m trying not to let myself get overwhelmed by it. Today I’m taking out another small loan from my credit union, so I can move forward with replacing the boiler. And the great Spring purge of 2008 has already begun. But this time around I’m not giving everything away. Today I’m selling both of the items I just listed on craigslist. And I need to get my lazy butt in gear and post a few items to ebay. More than anything I just need to get excess stuff OUT. But I’m working on it. Oh what an exciting weekend I have ahead of me.

At least I woke up to find my Bush money had been deposited in my checking account. And I promptly blew it, getting caught up on my energy and phone bills. Wheeeeee!

Bonus: I am too busy to be going to the movies, but I’m curious about Speed Racer. And much more interested in Son of Rambow. Also? The Band’s Visit will be at The Riverview Theater this weekend. I might just have to make time for that one.
Plus: Rachel has posted an interview with my good pal Sheela about one of my favorite topics - cupcakes! Though Sheela’s cookies are kickass too.
And: It’s the return of the Red Stag Supperclub’s Block Party. The difference? Last year they weren’t even open yet when the party happened.

The one good thing about getting sick last weekend? It’s allowed me to cut back on my caffeine intake. The monkey on my back was getting out of control. But now I’m down to one cup of coffee in the morning, and that’s it. It’s already helped with the whole sleeping thing. I like sleeping. It’s nice.

Other monkeys on my back, so to speak…well, like many Americans, I accumulate too much crap. I am a packrat. Totally a first world problem, I know, but I’m trying to take it on. Again. I’ve rented another dumpster to get rid of useless clutter. The rest I’m trying to organize, and sort out into “stuff to donate” and “stuff I can sell”. First up on the latter list is the cutesy Paul Frank Julius monkey bike I bought a couple of years ago, and barely ever rode. If you know anyone in the Twin Cities area who might be a Paul Frank fan, or a fan of cruisers (or both) I’d appreciate it if you sent them the link. Thanks!

And yes, this is all preparation for putting my house on the market. For real this time.

Bonus: I’m totally claustrophobic, so I find this body-laptop interface extremely alarming.
Plus: Our intern pointed something out to me, not sure how I missed it before. The original - Noah takes a photo of himself every day for 6 years. And the brilliant Simpsons parody of it, featuring Homer.
And: Robo-Squirrel? Fur-jobs. Just one step away from Cylons.

My body rebels and I’m left with no options. Other than to stop. And wait. Waiting it out is hard, especially when it means missing so much. My plans for the weekend had to be scrapped. No Free Comic Book Day. No Cinco de Mayo. No cupcakes. And, worst of all, bailing on a photography gig I’d been looking forward to. But I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t have wanted me puking at their party.

Instead I’ve been laying around, listening to Fuck Buttons and Santogold. And distracting myself by re-watching Stardust, reading the latest Jim Butcher book, watching the most recent episode of BSG (courtesy of J) and guzzling ginger ale (courtesy of Sheela). And torn between wanting to venture out today - and knowing I shouldn’t push my luck.

Bonus: The MMAA’s Patio Nights line-up has been announced for the season. So many good shows! Hopefully I can make it to a few.
Plus: Found out about this too late…This American Life, live, in movie theaters. At least some friends were able to go.
And: Missed a screening of Beautiful Losers at the Walker the other night. Hoping to watch it on the small screen sometime soon.

Earlier, when I was on the phone with J, he let out a hearty giggle. A very specific sort that sounds much like an “I-told-you-so” laugh. He said it wasn’t and clarified, claiming it was more of a “you-brought-this-on-yourself” laugh. It was regarding my Saturday morning cartoon dilemma. In the last year I’ve allowed the little man to start watching them. But now he doesn’t want to leave the house until they are over, at noon. Not even for the Cinco de Mayo Parade. Sure, it might be sprinkling and crappy out Saturday morning anyhow, but that’s not the point. I feel like I’m being held hostage by the Kids WB. The lad is awfully distraught over the network’s rebranding. It seems the CW will be putting an end to Kids WB. I’ll be sad to see The Batman go, but maybe I’ll get my Saturday mornings back.

Bonus: I highly recommend making some time for the “365 fucked up stories” blog.
Plus: I have so many fond memories of the Oak Street Cinema, and I know others in town do too. Many of us are saddened by its demise. And have some questions before the wrecking ball has at it.
And: I want someone to make this recipe for me. In that spirit, I made a late night impulse purchase…I bought an Octodog, so that I can use it on tofu dogs, and maybe make vegan-friendly bento boxes (inspiration here). Also? This butchering tofu video made me want to do some cooking. Thankfully there are a couple of BBQ and potluck events coming up this weekend.