weapons of massdistraction

Oh how I heart NYC. I realized that today marks exactly one year since I returned from my last visit there (reviewing my account of that trip has a. got me all wistful; b. caused me to correct a few typos; and c. made me realize I didn’t take nearly enough photos). Unfortunately I don’t know when I’ll have the chance to go back. But there are always many compelling reasons to do so. Like all the awesome veg-friendly restaurants. Or Sunday afternoons lazing about in Central Park. And interesting events, like the benefit show, held earlier this month, for the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company featuring They Might Be Giants and hosted by Sarah Vowell. Or another upcoming event there, with music by David Byrne and readings by Robert Coover, Susan Choi, Dave Eggers, Elissa Schappell, Rick Moody and host Jonathan Ames. Or 50s-style bingo at the 6th & B Community Gardens. Or the Siren Music Festival at Coney Island. That’s not to say the Minneapolis/St. Paul area is without merit. There is much of interest going on here as well, albeit on a smaller scale. Tonight sees the continuation of the Stevens Square Park summer music and movies series with Beat Street (Beat Street Breakdown— RUAHHH!!!), and there’s more where that came from (I’m especially looking forward to seeing The Owls in Loring Park). Also, hoping to take the little man to his first Drive-In sometime soon, while we still have a few of those around. And next month They Might Be Giants will be performing here, for free, at the kid-friendly Day of Music at Orchestra Hall. I’ve already registered for this year’s Mama Gathering, the first time it will be held in my own backyard (unfortunately it’s the same weekend as Duluth’s Green Man Festival). So I’ve got plenty of ways to keep busy in my hometown…but that won’t necessarily keep my wanderlust in check.

Mistress of the obvious here with a non-news flash…the weekend flew by way too fast. Faster than usual, all right? We experienced an extraordinary congruence of favorable conditions. The skies were clear, no one in the household was ill, the husband actually mowed the lawn, and we weren’t overscheduled. In fact, we’d made no plans at all…and I kinda liked it. The combination of decent weather, free time, a comfy new (outdoor) lounge chair, cool neighbors, and an excellent book can go a long long long way. Who knew?

At the bus stop yesterday a middle-aged man made an uncommon request. He approached me to ask if he could touch my hair. After talking with him for a while I consented. He’d produced his business card…from a local, reputable salon. I’ll admit…I succumb easily to flattery, as long as it seems sincere and isn’t, ya know, creepy. This guy was totally working it. It came off as half hitting on me / half attempting to drum up business. He tried cajoling me into making an appointment, to come in for a pedicure some time…but I don’t know that I want to pay for the privilege of fulfilling someone’s foot fetish. But still. I walked away from the encounter smiling.

Chuck beat me to the punch. Congratulations to our neighbors to the north on their new bundle of joy, and I look forward to their other impending arrival…the soon-to-be released box set. Peanut Butter Toast and American Bandstand is among my all-time favorite Low songs (the husband obtained a number of these rarities some time ago, but I look forward to the legit version…with all the extras).

A lot is happening around town, as usual. Tonight the Triple Rock Social Club hosts the 2nd annual U.S. Air Guitar Championships, tomorrow night is the sold-out Franz Ferdinand show at the Fine Line, Saturday sees DKT/MC5 at First Avenue, and Sunday is The Soviettes record release show, also in the main room. I will be attending none of these events, thank you very much. I just report the news, I’m not allowed to participate.

In incredibly localized news, like, within the confines of my own home…well, lemme tell ya. My first husband was a fitness freak. My second one? A compulsive creator of baked goods. Last night I walked into the kitchen to find cookie sheets left on the counter, and other signs of recent baking activity. Grabbed the stepladder to snoop atop the fridge and found what I knew would be there. Snickerdoodley goodness…to futher tempt me. I’ve never had phenomonal impulse control, but at least my high metabolism made up for it when I was younger. These days those empty calories find their way straight to my ass. What’s worse, if I eat just one cookie during an entire day I’ll gain mass. The husband eats one cookie (or more) EVERY SINGLE TIME he walks into the kitchen, and he’s been losing weight. But no one ever said life was fair.

Still haven’t recovered from the weekend of non-stop action. In the middle of the night an over-tired little man came screaming and stumbling into my room, letting one of the cats in with him. The room is supposed to be a cat-free zone, because of the husband’s allergies. But I had a dilemma. I would have had to turn the light on to find the cat (who I could hear skulking about in one of the closets) and risk waking the little man back up. After about an hour of laying, exhausted yet aware of the cat, I was able to forcibly eject her from the room…but was too tired to do the same with the boy. When he woke up at his usual time, around 6am this morning, my eyes nearly welled with tears of frustration. I had to have a second cup of coffee before life seemed worth living. But I should be able to recount our adventures now, before the computer room becomes too hot to handle.
Saturday: A lovely blogger breakfast with Tina, Lane, Maxwell and Betsy at the Seward Cafe. For those who overslept, you will have a second chance. The Canada-bound crew will be swinging back through on the 15th.

After breakfast we met up with our neighbor-friends at the Walker Art Center’s family day. The little man was in rare form…his attention span was shorter than my temper. He flitted about, opting to go through the mini golf course in random, rather than numerical, order. I guess I should be pleased I’ve got a little non-conformist on my hands, but it was frustrating as all get out. Our group wound up being too tired and hungry to stick around for the main attractions (yo-yo and taiko drumming perfomances) and headed to Jasmine Deli for a tasty, and cheap, lunch instead.

Afterwards we headed home for a brief rest, then regrouped for a (kindergarten) graduation party at another neighbor’s house. Perhaps we should have stuck around for the pinata, but instead we headed to Chuck and Lori’s BBQ. It was a good time, and always lovely to meet more bloggers in the meatworld. Alas, the little man was the only kneebiter to show up so I spent less time socializing and more time preventing him from a) torturing kitties b) damaging property and c) running into hot bbq grills. So by the time my favorite Duluthians arrived and the party was getting into gear I was already winding down.

Sunday: A little less hectic. We had a visit with the little man’s paternal Auntie D (I wish she was my sister), great-grandmother and great-aunt, all of whom were in town for a just few days. The lot of us lunched at a surprisingly good Vietnamese restaurant in the ‘burbs (creatively called “Vietnam Restaurant“).

Before our next engagement we had enough time to pick up some new sandals for the little man. The poor kid is floundering in his first pair of flip-flops, but refuses to wear anything else. He wore them to yet another graduation party we attended, stumbling around, trying to keep up with his older cousin/friend. When we finally returned home, and were able to stay put, he crashed out around 7pm…and I followed him to lalaland shortly afterwards.