weapons of massdistraction

Been keeping busy, trying to back burner the pity party. The gloomy weather isn’t helping but interesting times are. Last night a friend and I headed down to The Fitzgerald Theater, to see Sarah Vowell. She’s promoting her latest book, Unfamiliar Fishes, about the collision of cultures when missionaries and whalers descended upon Hawaii at the same time. She is a remarkable and writer and woman. I enjoyed listening to her talk - not just because of her unique voice - but because her background, motivations and compulsions are fascinating. I know the American History classes I slept through in high school would have done a lot more to capture my attention had she been at the helm. Thankfully my son is already interested in dead presidents. We’re going to “Discover the Real George Washington” with a friend next week. But maybe I can maintain his interest in history by helping him discover the real stories behind many key players.

So what do Bill Callahan, Neil Gaiman and Thor’s Chris Hemsworth have in common? Well, I wouldn’t kick any of them out of bed. But they also feature prominently in our Five Good Things for This Friday the 13th:

• A Doctor Who Confidential preview with Neil Gaiman, Matt Smith & Steven Moffat from BBC Three. And the Neil Gaiman / Matt Dean dust up continues with the prominent author donating his speaking fee - from another publicly funded event - to charity. Hoping I can make it to that evening of Wits…
• ‘Thor’ Blends Myth And Science. Also, an odd aside. Chris Hemsworth’s little brother Liam will be playing Peeta in the Hunger Games adaptation. Hmmm.
• Money is tight but I still made sure to buy a ticket to see Bill Callahan at The Cedar in July. Here’s an interview with the man, and a video that just premiered.
• Suddenly I find myself interested in Game Theory. I’m afraid my mind is far too untidy a place to fully grasp it but I have enjoyed probing at the edges.
• Our friends at Reviler have put out their second podcast, with Thunderbolt Pagoda. Just one of the many amazing bands that will be performing at Heliotrope 8 at the end of the month.

Tonight I’m dragging the kid is to a new bar/restaurant’s preview party. Tomorrow we’re getting a tour of the MPR studios and may also hit up the Science Museum’s “Make Day” - sponsored by Ax Man Surplus - before I go kid-free for 24 hours. The lad has a sleepover which will allow me some much needed grown up time. As usual I will attempt to cram too much into this small window. An R-rated movie perhaps? A friend’s birthday gathering. A yard sale/show. Eating at one of the many restaurants my picky kid doesn’t care for. Catching shows at The Turf and/or The Hex. And maybe more. Who knows.

Oh yeah, somebody should BUY MY HOUSE. It’s been on the market long enough that I’ve already dropped the price. It’s cheap and cheerful! It should be yours, and not mine!