Sunday, February 25, 2007
We’ve been doing a lot of sitting around at home lately. Especially this weekend. Friday night I rushed the little man after his swimming lesson, worried that we’d get stuck in a snowstorm on the drive back. That certainly didn’t happen. Saturday morning we woke to just a light dusting. For a time it seemed like the overhyped storm of the season (it was all they talked about on MPR) but it was just slowly making its way here. More of it materialized last night. A friend got his car plowed in in front of Big V’s. And I spent nearly an hour shoveling this morning. This is what I remember winter looking like when I was a kid.
Speaking of home, I’m hoping the little man and I will have a different one some time this year. I’m just getting started, getting this old house ready to put on the market by Spring. There is so much to do. Honestly, it’s overwhelming. But I am determined. I just need to break the To Do list into more manageable chunks and chip away at task after task until they are all taken care of. The end goal is a cute little bungalow house in South Minneapolis. J, on the other hand, is thinking even smaller. His dream house is the ultimate anti-McMansion. He just needs to find an available lot in the city to put one on. Or he could live in my new backyard. That’d be a little awkward to explain to potential dates though. Hmmm.
Bonus: I want to get my hands on The Cute Book. I was particularly intrigued by a reviewer’s comments on Amazon: “The reason I ended up buying it, however, was for the strange humor mixed throughout. Along with a fish, a cute puppy, and a monkey is a felt pattern for, of all things, a kidnapper!” Huh.
Plus: My Andrew Bird obsession continues. What I’ve heard of the upcoming album is amazing. And he’ll be performing at First Avenue on May 11th. Oddly enough, that’s where I saw him for the first time, back in 2000, when he was opening for Kristin Hersh. I don’t think he’s played there since.
And: I didn’t catch Arcade Fire on SNL last night but I did score tickets to one of their Chicago shows. Totally stoked, even though I despise Ticketmaster. And my hatred burned a little more brightly yesterday. Initially I’d snared an amazingly awesome spot, but their site hiccupped during the checkout process and I had to start over. It was a crushing blow. But I quickly tried again and wound up in the center balcony. Phew.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Today’s failures were minor…but many.
- The little man looked so bummed out when he got off the bus this afternoon. Apparently it had been “stuffed animal day” at school and he was one of the few kids who didn’t have a toy to show off. I didn’t see it on the calendar. But I did send him off all set for “inside out clothes day” yesterday. It only sounds like I’m making that up.
- Instead of going to the gym tonight I opted to go in for an emergency haircut. My mop was in dire need of a chop, but I seem to have fallen off the workout wagon. Again.
- Before heading to the salon I swung by Shuang Hur Market, to stock up on canned mock duck. But they were closed. For Chinese New Year. Danged DingHai.
- Something exploded in the little man’s backpack (a fruit cup of unknown origin). I was upset with him for not telling me about it (he’d been aware of it, but didn’t let me know). Then he was upset with me for being upset with him. And I was upset with myself for being so upset with him. There were hugs, but only after I turned the backpack inside out and thoroughly scrubbed the stickiness away.
- Just as I was about to put a batch of BBQ Tofu in the oven I realized I didn’t have any BBQ sauce. I called J. We joked about alternate condiments. I suggested using Crumpy Nut. Crumpy Nut Tofu! It’s the Crumpiestâ„¢!
- To go along with the (non)BBQ Tofu, I baked a batch of mini-cornbread muffins. But the new package of cornmeal I opened was extra extra coarse, so when I bit into one of the muffins it was like chewing gravel. Not that that’ll stop me from eating them. I thought I’d improve the situation by smearing some of my favorite pomegranate jelly on one of them. But the whole gob of jelly slid right off the muffin and fell to the floor. Delightful.
Bonus: Saturday morning Arcade Fire tickets go on sale for the Chicago shows. There are three shows but they’ll still sell out quickly. I’m going to try to get my mitts on some. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Plus: The internet movie database has been redesigned. I am so not loving it. But at least I was able to confirm that yes, that was Elijah Wood I spotted in Back to the Future Part II.
And: My god I love George Takei.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
My mid-winter hermitude has really kicked in. Over the long weekend I mostly stuck close to home again, letting the big big ideas weigh me down. But I got out long enough to see Children of Men with little Dave. And to eat some of J’s snickerdoodles, fresh from his oven. And to take the little man to an indoor playground to burn off some excess energy. And today I left work early so I could let the lovely Zophia probe my teeth (not just for kinks, but because she’s nearly finished with dental hygiene school). See, if I break it all down into smaller bits I feel better. But the big picture continues to overwhelm me. I really need to get a handle on that.
Bonus: Next Monday’s edition of This I Believe will feature none other than Wayne Coyne. I can’t wait to hear that man’s essay.
Plus: The other day Mimi Smartypants mentioned The Octopus Project, and the very next day I heard them on Radio K. I’d like them even without the cephalopodic name, but that sure doesn’t hurt.
And: We’ve been on a Back to the Future kick around here, so I was tickled to come across Biff’s Question Song…though the little man was perplexed by it.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Five good things:
- Playing hooky with the little man. Three day weekend, aww yeah.
- Pomegranate jelly. Especially on a toasted whole wheat English muffin, with just a bit of Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheeseâ„¢. Mmmm.
- I pre-ordered the upcoming Ted Leo and Arcade Fire releases from Insound.
- ‘Large squid lights up for attack‘ - the video made me flinch. In a good way.
- Yesterday I found out from two different sources, within about a twenty minute period, that Naked Raygun is coming to town. They’ll be playing an all ages show and an ID show at the Triple Rock. I haven’t seen them since 1988 or 1989, but I’ve heard that they still kick ass live. I can’t wait.
Bonus: Maxwell Loren Holyoke has a great name and makes some cool art.
Plus: How badly do I want this shirt? And this one? And this one too? Alas, I am in penny pinching mode.
And: Penny pinching mode be damned, I might just splurge on a brief sojourn to Chicago in May. To see the Arcade Fire. And my friend Anton. And to meet up with Em. Hmmm.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Sometimes I am a sentimental sap, but Valentine’s Day has never been my thing. In high school I dated plenty, possibly too much, but never had a beau on the big day. My first husband did make an effort every year…but he tried too hard, which put way too much pressure on the whole thing. Then there was the boyfriend who dumped me on Valentine’s Day. Could have permanently soured me on the holiday, but for the year we were together that was just a wash rinse repeat cycle for us. Seriously, we must have called it quits a dozen times. It’s a miracle the little man ever sprang forth from that disunion. Then there’s J, who can still be called the husband…for now. He is averse to all obligatory holidays (with the exception of his vegan anniversary) which, he feels, gives him an exemption from Valentine’s Day. Though he did bake me a cake last year.
This year? Well, I’d planned to hit the gym after work but I failed to bring my workout gear. Plan B involves taking the little man to Pizza Luce, and then to the local library. See? There it is again. Finding solace in food and books. Could be worse.
Bonus: Also from Valentine’s Days of yore, Amanda’s sweet kraken valentine.
Plus: I missed the Women’s Prison Book Project Pancakes Not Prisons breakfast. I remembered too late that, every year, they put it on the weekend before Valentine’s Day. Doh.
And: There is so much going on this coming weekend. Including, but not limited to, a showing of Academy Award Nominated Documentary Shorts - at the Riverview Theater.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
I’ve been especially lethargic lately. Friday we did make it to the little man’s swimming lesson, but Saturday we skipped the trip out to Medicine Lake. I lounged in my pajamas until late afternoon and just barely made it out, to the co-op and the library. It’s all food and books with me, honestly. Sunday was a little more interesting. We had lunch with one friend, coffee with another, and then saw a play at The Children’s Theatre (featuring the lovely Leigha Horton). The little man is now back to thinking he should be an actor when he grows up. Perhaps. That could be better than his other goal, of becoming a pool shark.
Five good things:
- Last night we retrieved J from the airport, and drove him straight to Evergreen for dinner.
- Our local library has a relatively new librarian, by the name of Ginger. We seem to have similar tastes when it comes to pop culture, in general, from the works of Joss Whedon to Miyazaki and Diana Wynne Jones. Ginger has recommended Hopeless Savages. I’ll have to check that out.
- Another recommendation by a librarian, the Punk Love exhibit. James, maybe I’ll meet you in D.C.?
- Portastic played here Saturday night. I didn’t go (I’ve been having difficulty staying awake past 10pm lately) but heard they put on a good show.
- Yesterday I finally downloaded the Camino browser for OS X. It’s not perfect, but it is oh so much faster Firefox.
It was a near-perfect evening. After school I took the little man to the Minneapolis Central Library. The children’s area is so amazing. We loaded up on some great-looking books, then headed over to Evergreen to fill our bellies. We nearly had the place to ourselves, and the everfood was delicious as always. Next up was the Electric Fetus, for that Kristin Hersh in-store performance. We got there in time to land a prime spot, front and center. I hadn’t seen her in a few years, but she sounded great. But then, about two songs in, the little man clamped his hands over his ears and started gently rocking back and forth. It seems the sound was just too much for him. I led him farther away, hoping that would do the trick, but he took this as his cue to head for the door. I tried compromising, but he wasn’t having any of it. We had been away from home for nearly eleven hours at this point, so I grudgingly gave in.
Speaking of ears, lately I’ve had trouble keeping track of ear-related items. I lost my 6 gauge earrings in Duluth. Wednesday I lost their replacements…at the gym. It may have happened on the track. Or on the treadmill. Or, who knows, maybe upon arrival when I took my scarf off and hung up my coat. I love my green scarf, but it loves to yank earrings right out of my lobes. Wherever it happened, I only had those suckers a matter of days before I lost them. Looks like I may need to go back to captive beads. Then when I got to work yesterday morning I pulled my powerbook out of my backpack and reached for the headphones too. I discovered the fuzzy foam cover for the left side is missing. Hopefully still at home. Somewhere. Sigh.
Bonus: Even though it’s still colder than a [insert your favorite euphemism here], I may finally get us out to the Art Shanty project tomorrow. For two important reasons. First: tomorrow there wil be live music all day long. And, most importantly: Art Cars on Ice! I’m a sucker for an art car parade.
Plus: Over the years I’ve cracked lord knows how many French press carafes. The latest casualty occurred last week. So I’ve finally given up and I ordered a pricier yet indestructible Bodum, made of stainless steel. No glass or other vulnerable bits to be broken.
And: Not in English, but if the words are as amazing as the pictures, wow. I give you Therapeutic Pictionary.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
I’ve moved so far away from the teenaged version of me…these days I do all I can to avoid talking on the phone. Every time the phone does ring, which isn’t all that often really, I have a deer-in-the-headlights moment before shaking it off, checking the caller ID, and debating whether or not to answer the call. And that’s only if I hear it. Half the time my cell phone is so buried in my backpack I entirely miss the sound of it ringing. I wonder though, if I’d had email in the 80s if that wouldn’t have been my preferred means of communication then as it is now. Though I still love some good old-fashioned snail mail. People I intend to send mail to soon: Amanda, Cathy, Chelsea, Maria, Monica and James.
Bonus: Tonight Kristin Hersh is doing an in-store performance at the Electric Fetus. I took the little man to see her at one of these back in, oh, 2000 or 2001. I’d like to take him tonight, but with the extreme cold…well, we’ve both been wanting nothing more than to hunker down at home as much as possible.
Plus: I’m a huge fan of scary-funny movies (Shaun of the Dead, for instance) and was thrilled when I saw the trailer for The Host. It’ll be released stateside next month and is definitely the kind of thing I want to see on the big screen, with an audience. Way more fun with the collective gasping and screaming.
And: I love Tom Lenk. Especially Tom Lenk as Trudy. Yowza.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Over the weekend I think I overdid it. The little man and I were out and about Friday, Saturday and Sunday, having our lungs flash frozen by science fiction style wind chills. Monday morning we both woke up sick so I thought it wise to stay indoors and keep our runny noses to ourselves. And it was for the best. Especially as I discovered my kitchen pipes had frozen solid (yesterday the actual air temp was 20 below zero) and spent part of the day down the basement with a space heater. Big fun. Foolishly I thought the worst of it had passed. This morning we left the house early but not early enough. A light snowstorm snarled up traffic such that it took an hour and a half to get the lad to school, and another half hour to get myself to the office. I averaged about 8 mph. I was all set to be bitter about J flying off to the Bay Area today, for a week of business and pleasure, but the storm delayed his flight by over an hour. That’s something. I guess.
Hey, howsabout five good things?
- Ted Leo’s Living with the Living comes out in March. His tour in support of the release includes a stop in Minneapolis, at First Ave, on April 25th.
- I’ve only just heard about a vegan cheese from Scotland called Sheese. No, I am not making this up. It’s supposed to be amazing. And not just according to purveyors of said product, but various vegan bloggers love the stuff. And I would love to try it but at $9.75 per package, USD, I’ll have to hold off a little longer.
- Runaways Vol. 1 was all I hoped for and more. Am I starting to revere Brian K. Vaughan even more than Joss Whedon? I do believe so.
- Joe makes a very good point.
- How did I not know about Etta Candy before now? And where the heck did I find out about her? Hmmm.
Bonus: Misery loves company.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
The little man is so excited. Tomorrow night we’re having our first sleepover at J’s new apartment. Complete with sleeping bags and a play tent and Pizza Luce delivery and everything. This transition has been a tough one for the lad. He’s been talking about how, when he’s a grown up, he’ll get an apartment in J’s building. And his apartment will have a full size pool table. The point is, he wishes J still lived with us. And a tiny part of me wishes that too…more for the little man’s sake than mine. But J and I are getting along so much better this way. Last night I half-joked that we should buy a duplex together. We may not work well as roommates, but we’d be great neighbors! Today J suggested apartments in the same building instead, as a duplex would be too much work (he says). But we’ve compromised. The plan will be to buy condominiums in the same building. Preferably a 4-plex. Near a playground. With Pizza Luce delivery. Hey, it could work.
Bonus: Yesterday was National Gorilla Suit Day. I only know this because Neil Gaiman pointed me in the right direction, to Penn Jillette’s radio show.
