Thursday, February 10, 2005
Today I joined two bus loads of special education students on a very special field trip. It was barely organized chaos. The teachers, aides, other parents (and the students themselves), well, we all did the best we could…in the commandeering of nine lanes of a bowling alley. I’m guessing every last one of us left the building simultaneously overstimulated and exhausted. It’s been seven hours since we returned home and I haven’t quite recovered yet. Still, I plan to take the little man back some time soon.
Note: I snapped off that first photo in the classroom, before we departed, but after I stumbled (literally) across this swarthy little Playmobil man. Probably from the nearby pirate set. Check out that chest hair and killer ’stache. Chuck wonders: does this guy sell crystal meth behind the Playmobil Gay Bar? Heh.
Filed in Uncategorized
|
Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Part the first.
It’s well established that ours is a household of oddballs, residents whose brains seem to be wired differently than those of your average folks. For instance, when the husband tries to relay a story, he chooses such random details, and steers clear of any, well, pertinent sort of information. This morning he was trying to ask me if I’d seen a particular movie. But he couldn’t recall the film’s title. Or what era it was released in (forget about a specific year). Or who may have starred in it. He only remembered the vaguest sort of plotline, and one specific scene. As one might expect little comes of these exchanges, usually, save for mutual frustration. But a miracle must have occurred. A prodigious turn of events which caused some random neural firings in my dear husband’s brain which led him to 1989’s Millennium. Here’s the overview that makes sense of his cryptic details:
An investigator seeking the cause of an airline disaster discovers the involvement of an organisation of time travellers from a future Earth irreparably polluted who seek to rejuvenate the human race from those about to die in the past.
And the answer was no, I haven’t seen this movie. But I was so overjoyed to know its name (and plot, and cast, which included Kris Kristofferson, Cheryl Ladd, and Daniel J. Travanti) that now I actually do want to see it.
Part the second.
I have never been a regular patron of Best Buy. I don’t actively avoid their stores, but it never occurs to me to seek one out either. Anything they might sell (that I would want) can be found online or elsewhere, and for a better price. But for xmas someone gave me one of their gift cards (it’s the thought that counts, or something). As it turns out, these cannot be redeemed online. It’s like they’re still stuck in the 90s (says the girl who still hand codes her site). So today I brought my sorry self to the nearest Best Buy location. Only to find they really don’t carry anything I want. In-store, anyhow. I was looking for the Blonde Redhead release, Melody Of Certain Damaged Lemons, which their online store sells, as well as The Chemical Brothers’ Singles ‘93-’03. But if I didn’t see it in-house apparently I’m out of luck, as they don’t do special orders. Grrr. Looks like I’ll have to go back…when The Incredibles comes out on DVD next month. I’m guessing they’ll have that in-store, at least.
Bonus: The Extra Action Marching Band. Opening for David Byrne this month. And they do weddings.
Plus: Dork Dork Goose. Too bad our teevee doesn’t work. But I’m sure I’ll be able to watch Heather’s clip online somewhere sometime soon (I hope).
And: I duly apologize for today’s overuse of commas, parens and italics (but at least I avoided ellipses abuse).
Filed in Uncategorized
|
Tuesday, February 8, 2005
The husband is taking a week off from work. From both jobs. This is huge. The poor guy needs a break. Seriously. And he’s going to attempt to alter his sleeping schedule somewhat, while on vacation, so that he’ll end up seeing more of the little man and I when we’re awake. To this end he decided to ask for an extra night off at one of the jobs. To do so he was required to fill out a form, which he did, and turned it in. His supervisor looked it over then returned it to him…saying “you need a reason” while indicating the “reason” field had been left blank. The husband took it, scrawled in “because I hate this place” and handed it back. It’s a good thing he’s a union employee.
Bonus: The magnificient Margaret Cho is making a new movie called Bam Bam and Celeste, and will be posting to a movie blog during principal photography.
Filed in Uncategorized
|
We don’t watch television in our little household, and not just because the box we’ve got doesn’t work (though we get plenty of screen time from the ‘puters). So I didn’t realize that today was Superbowl Sunday…until we visited my folks. They weren’t watching it, but it came up in coversation. One of my nieces (12 going on 25) was over at the time. The girl is perpetually stunned by my cluelessness, when it comes to mainstream pop culture. It amuses me to no end.
This weekend the little man and I had some fun with ArtPad, as pointed out by RobotJohnny (his is my favorite). Another great timewaster, indeed.
The new Mamaphonic book is out now. This brings two thoughts to mind:
1) I need to buy a copy;
2) I need to get my ass in gear, with the following-through business (writing and editing and submitting my work to various publications).
When I woke up this morning I was so tired I ached from head to toe. My entire body felt like a giant bruise. I’m not sure why. But I feel better now. Just in time to go back to bed.
Bonus: Hiroshima Carps or How to scare Japanese with big faces is freaking hilarious. Seriously.
Plus: Flickr isn’t the only photo sharing site I peruse. I could easily get hooked on Fotologue out of Japan. See what I mean.
And: Seeing “Low’s all time high” made me smile, and reminded me I still need to seek out a little man sitter for next Saturday’s show. Crap.
Filed in Uncategorized
|
Saturday, February 5, 2005
This past week I did more reading than working. As my stress levels rise, my need for escapism increases proportionately. So I’ve devoured four books in under a week. I keep finding their stories seeping into my conscious thought, though their worlds are getting sorta jumbled up in my head. Each book was a treat and a treasure in its own way (four books and four different genres)…with three out of the four jumping to the top of my all time favorites list. But I’m going to need to snap out of it. And force myself to be more present in my world. We’ve reached a milestone with the little man. Thursday morning brought an answer I’d been seeking for a long time, but now that we’ve got it, it marks a new beginning more than anything else. The results of his neuropsych assessment gave me more questions (for the long-term) than answers. The diagnosis wasn’t surprising, but it is a mouthful: Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). I wasn’t looking for a label for my son as much as trying to find a starting point. Now that we have a better idea what’s going on with him we can play to his strengths, and address his weaknesses with specific “interventions” - like one-on-one occupational and speech therapy. In a perfect world, anyhow. In the real world, no one wants to cough up the money to cover these services, even with a diagnosis, and the law, on our side. This means more battles to come with the insurance company, and more standoffs with the school district. If it turns out to be more than I can bear, I might have to turn to Pacer (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) for help. Only time will tell.
Bonus: I’ve been meaning to post this for months. Paper Faces, Paper Cities, an interview with the street artist known as Swoon (includes a gallery of her work).
Plus: In the nearly six years I’ve lived in my house I’ve often daydreamed about renovating the kitchen, and erasing the last vestiges of the last renovation, in all its mauveness. But I could never quite figure out what sort of flooring I’d want. At long last, I’ve found it. The linoleum of my dreams. Now I just need to actually, you know, find it.
Filed in Uncategorized
|
Thursday, February 3, 2005
Cocteau Twins reunion at Coachella? Must be part of the cosmic conspiracy to further torment me. It’s bad enough that year after year I miss out on SXSW and CMJ (not to mention loads of local shows), but when these long-time all-time favorite bands of mine decide to do reunion shows with the whole ONE NIGHT ONLY limited time offer thing, well it’s just maddening. Plus I fell for it with Bauhaus back in ‘98 and bought tickets to the Palladium show and airfare to L.A. only to find out later that they were really just testing the waters and wound up touring and coming here anyway. Where I didn’t even see them (because I saw them twice more in Chicago). The Cocteau Twins’ official site proclaims that, no, we’re not kidding around here, this is really it. Maybe. So how trustworthy is that? I just don’t know. But obviously I’m not going to drag the little man around some music fest all weekend, and I can’t leave him home either, as the husband is a creature of the night and all, so I’m screwed. Yeah. Need more coffee…or some soymilk to cry in.
Filed in Uncategorized
|
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
Enough with the drug raids (I swear, I will not allow myself to spend my twilight years tuned into a police scanner, surrounded by a houseful of cats). I declare it is now time for some random happy happy joy joy.
- Starfire’s How to Build an Igloo video made my day.
- I’m sure everyone’s seen this by now, but I find it to be such a bizarre, and fascinating, hoax (and no human or non-human animals were injured, though that doll has probably had better days).
- Definitely planning on going down to the Vulcan Victory Torchlight Parade on Saturday, especially as the temps are supposed to be in the 40s. And I’d like to see the bouncing team in action again.
In other news, yesterday the little man and I stepped out for the evening. We took in The Incredibles for the third time (repeat viewings allow one the opportunity to properly take in the details, like how amazing the water looks). As we were nearby we popped by Extreme Noise to pick up some birthday presents for the husband. Whose birthday isn’t until the end of the month. But I celebrated my thirtieth birthday for at least thirty days, so I figure he should do the same. Naturally I wrapped up his CDs as soon as I got home and then presented him with the package (pictured below) upon waking him up for work. He gave me a groggy “what the hell?” sort of look, and waited until this morning to open it. He’s a hard man to buy for, and I had an inkling he would go out and buy these very same CDs if I didn’t give them to him first. And so it begins, this month of celebrations. The little man wants to know where the cake is.
Plus: My folks called to ask me what color I’d like my Prince Aha Stool to be. My wha-huh? Apparently they’re buying my step-sister one, which means everyone gets one. I chose the light blue (pea green was tempting, but it wouldn’t go with anything in the house).
And: When I stopped by the library on Monday I picked up The Time Traveler’s Wife. I put it down this morning. And now I’m sad that I gobbled it up too quickly. Hopefully Audrey Niffenegger will give life to another riveting tale at some future date. And I will try to savor the next one. Honest.
Filed in Uncategorized
|
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
Stranger than fiction and stranger still. After Monday’s friendly neighborhood drug raid (just up the block) it took me a while to calm down. Until the last of the undercover cop cars pulled away, to be precise. At that point I decided it was safe to venture out with the little man. I didn’t have anything too complicated in mind. Just visits to the local coffee shop and library, respectively. We could have walked, but I decided to drive. And thankfully so. As we neared the generally quiet corner I shook my head. It was surrounded by at least seven squad cars, with just one lanky-looking teenager in cuffs…conveniently blocking the coffee shop’s door. I inadvertently made eye contact with the arresting officer, but kept driving. To the library. I related these newsflashes to our favorite librarians, while the little man played games on the computer in the kiddie corner. After a sufficient amount of time passed I decided to make another attempt. My supply had dwindled down to one lousy little scoop of French Roast at home, after all. Thankfully it was all clear. I parked, and paused to talk to one woman who was just ending her shift. Apparently there had been a movie style foot chase, with the suspect (suspected of what, we don’t know) cutting through yards and alleys, until he decided to make a break for it by running into the coffee shop…via the back door. A beat cop was right on his heels. They dashed through the kitchen and into the front sitting room, startling patrons (this is a favorite hangout of the neighborhood’s retirees). And somehow the chaser and the chased managed to avoid breaking anything (there are shelves and shelves of coffee cups and teapots and French press carafes and ceramic salt and pepper shakers for sale). What a weird day for the sleepy West Side of St. Paul. And yesterday morning we woke up to headlines like “Today’s air ‘unhealthy for all’ in Twin Cities, officials say“. Man, do I ever need a vacation. But today I woke up and found myself alone in bed, at least. It was the first time in well over a week that the little man had slept through the night, and stayed in his own bed. It’s the little things in life…
Bonus: A few years back I picked up the book Thumbsucker. It made me cringe and squirm and laugh. Overall a good read. Apparently the film adaptation is finished and was just screened at Sundance. I adore Tilda Swinton and Vincent D’Onofrio and Vince Vaughn, and the initial response has been positive. But Keanu was cast in a main role. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Plus: Making Fiends, episode 15, is now available, in all its fiendtastical glory.
And: Yesterday I was watching the little man as he was snacking. I was disconcerted tp discover something. He dips his potato chips into applesauce. And then eats the combo. Ugh, chocolate and peanut butter it is not. (I think he prefers to use pita bread for the dipping, but we’re all out.)
Filed in Uncategorized
|
Now I have something a little too exciting to report. A little bit ago I was waiting for the little man’s school bus to return, sitting on the front porch as I often do. Our street is a fairly quiet one. So I thought it highly unusual when a caravan of five vehicles turned up
on my block, slowing down to park one right after the other in front of my house. It was not unlike the partygoers in Swingers (a bunch of guys who follow each other, going from party to party in L.A., but refuse to carpool). But unlike Vince Vaughn and friends, these guys didn’t look money. They looked scary…emerging from their vehicles fully armed, wielding some very big guns. And instead of swank suits, baby, they were outfitted with bulletproof vests. I stared at them, my jaw hanging open, as they shouted commands at one another and slunk their way up the street, with a canine unit in tow. Not two minutes later the school bus pulled up, plowing through this pocket of surreality. I went into fierce mama bear mode, stormed the bus, informed the driver of the situation (thankfully there weren’t any other kids aboard, ours is the last stop), and quickly ushered my cub into the house. But not before casting a wary glance up the block just in time to catch sight of a big white guy with his hands behind his head (I know all of our immediate neighbors, as in those whose properties surround ours, but that one is just too far over). Once safely inside I called Zophia, relating this info and including a tidbit about a fire up the block over the weekend, in that same general area. She’s helpfully suggested that we might have a meth lab in our midst. And just when my adrenaline rush was subsiding. Gee, thanks.
Filed in Uncategorized
|
Nothing too exciting to report about the weekend. No highest highs or lowest lows, just a few mildly disappointing disappointment(s):
- I didn’t get to see The Thermals on Saturday. Sure, it was an early evening all ages show. But I don’t think the little man is ready for that just yet. I can’t imagine him leaving ear plugs in his ears, let alone letting me put said ear plugs in.
- As I wasn’t able to go to the show, I gave myself a consolation prize. The lad and I went to IKEA instead. It was only my second visit there (since their opening last summer) and the first with the little man. He did surprisingly well, walking through the store at my side, looking at the brightly colored bits and baubles. After I made my purchases he was patient as we left to stow them in the car…before heading back inside to play in the kids’ area for a bit (the whole thing made me somewhat nervous, even though they have a pretty good system - you sign your kid in, you each get a stamp with the same number on it, and the parent/guardian who signed the kid in must be the one to sign them out). Unlike the other parents who ditched and dashed, I hovered nearby, watching him play the entire time through a plate glass window. Overall, a good trip for us both. But when I got home I realized I’d bought two flat bedsheets, and no fitted ones. Because I am S-M-R-T smart. I guess I’ll have to go back, but maybe a weekday morning, while the lad is at school. Don’t want to push my luck.
- Every time I allow myself to entertain the thought “hey, I might be pregnant this time” mother nature intervenes instantly, unleashing her wrath with the imminent arrival of Aunt Flo. And thus it was yesterday morning. So I whined to the husband, “ugh, we’re going to have to try again.” His reaction? “Oh, darn”.
Should be a moderately interesting week. Today my wide angle lens is due to arrive at long last. Tomorrow we may go see The Incredibles again, at the dollar theater. And Thursday morning we’re due back at the hospital, to go over the results of the little man’s neuropsych assessment. I suspect I’ll have trouble sleeping Wednesday night. Well, more so than usual.
Bonus: Receptionista is making me want to get new ear baubles in a bad way. And I’ve realized that I haven’t had my lobes stretched since well before the little man was born. Nor have my current baubles been out in that time.
Filed in Uncategorized
|
