Some Sunday morning news…first off, one of the lovely ladies is moving from Uptown to Northeast Minneapolis in the near future. She likens it to a move from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Fair enough. So I’ve been keeping an eye out for what’s new in Nordeast. Not long ago the area saw its first co-op open. But more recently…Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge, “a just-right neighborhood tiki bar”, hit the scene. I don’t drink, or eat any of the foods described (such as Red Rockets - deep-fried beer-battered mini-hot dogs), but I am curious about the decor and overall ambiance of the place. Also discovered some good news via absolutely vile. The Psychedelic Furs are coming to Minneapolis this summer. They’ll be playing the Pride Festival - on my birthday. This reminded me of another festival I looked forward to as a kid. Our small town’s Manitou Days also coincided with my birthday each year. There were parades, dances, races and whatnot, but my favorite event was a little something called “Moonlight Madness”. Citizens would head downtown on a designated evening…to businesses that would give a discount to anyone dressed in their PJs. My favorite was the Ben Franklin five and dime. I recall their candy selection being superior to the snooty store across the street. Sadly the latter is the only one that remains.
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Saturday, January 24, 2004
We had a slightly stressful Sunday. Nothing earth-shattering happened, just a string of stupid stuff. Not irreversible, just annoying. The little man has been playing musical beds in the middle of the night, causing me to get even less sleep than my insomnia generally allows. I received email from the library letting me know that a couple of items are overdue. The items that I can’t, unfortunately, seem to locate…or renew again. Then, as we were getting ready to meet up with the lovely ladies for morning coffee, I realized the driveway needed to be re-shovelled as the plows had pushed a nearly impenetrable wall of frozen dirty snow bricks up into it. That took a while to clear, so we were a half hour late. I hate being late. Once in the car, and on the freeway, the car started to vibrate in a thoroughly unwholesome manner. I put it from my mind while we enjoyed the company of friends, but when we returned to the car afterwards, and to the freeway, it was far more pronounced. The car started shaking violently if I pushed it past fifty miles per hour. It seemed as though it might vibrate apart. Fun. Needless to say, I pulled off the freeway pretty damned fast. I decided to skip most of my errands, much to the little man’s dismay (he really wanted veggie nuggets and “earth balls“), though we did make one stop, to stock up at United Noodles. The stress levels were reduced after we arrived home safely, and the husband and I discussed a plan of action in regards to the car. He was scheduled to work both the overnight jobs, and couldn’t not do it, so he was going to drive very slowly, then take the car into the shop afterwards. The only thing…the shaking had stopped. He never experienced any of it, at all. I suppose this could be construed as a good thing. But it makes me anxious because a) the husband might think I’m completely crazy and b) it could happen again. Most likely while I’m driving. So we’ve gone ahead and booked an apppointment to have it looked at anyhow. Besides, the maintenance light has been on for the last 28,000 miles.
Bonus: I’ve been living vicariously through Chuck…his NYC trip and vloggercon experiences. Man, I could go for a change of scenery. And the husband is turning thirty next month. Hmmm.
Plus: We have a new radio station in town, that went on air (with their big format change) this morning. I’ve tuned in a bit, but it feels weird. Like I’m cheating on the K.
And: Wondering what to do about cross-posting my photos, here and at flickr. I don’t want to bore the small group of folks who might actually look at both, but each outlet has its pros and cons. And I have been posting “bonus” pics there that don’t make it up here. Hmmm. Still considering the situation.
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Saturday, January 24, 2004
Oh, the drama of…online social networking technology. One of my oldest and geekiest friends has long mocked my friendster usage. Maybe it’s because I never sent him an invite. I was certain he’d be disinclined to take me up on the offer, but now I’m not so sure. In a strange turn of events he is now a member of Google’s new and oddly-named Orkut (apparently it’s the programmer’s name)…and felt the need to gloat about it.
I’ve been invited to join orkut, the new friendster-type social network from Google. And it was only just launched. Howzabout that?! Huh, hipster girl, huh? Bet you’re not invited yet. Hoohoo! Haha! Heehee!
When I confirmed that no, I had not yet been invited he responded with:
LOSER! You are so lame. Sure, you’re on friendster, along with the rest of the fucking plebes. But not orkut. I laugh at you!
Uh, I’m pretty sure he was only joking like. After all, he did send me an invitation afterwards (which I’ve accepted).
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Saturday, January 24, 2004
Some Saturday morning fluff.
Last night the husband and I watched the trailer for Starsky & Hutch. Generally I am one to groan about Hollywood’s lack of original ideas, but this is one remake I may have to see.
Maggie always unearths the most interesting stuff.
Subpop Records mocks Pitchfork with some satirevertising action.
Sign up for excellent extra-curricular activities at Learning to Love You More. I’m determined to complete Assignment #30.
Check out the shots behind the shots at crewpix.
And, finally, the best Dean photo ever. I didn’t realize the man was nailed to the X. Straightedge, in your face!
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Apparently I wasn’t supposed to wash my hair yesterday…as it may have washed away all the good luck, from it being Chinese New Year’s and all. But dude, my hair was sooooooooo dirrrrrty. Still, I could have kept the grunge look for another day if it meant improving my chances on the “perfect part-time job” front. Been revamping my resume (with the stellar assistance of the lovely ladies) and have sent off a copy to a potential employer. One down, three more to go. Unless yawl hear of anything else that might be up my alley. Chuck’s already on top of it:
I’ll keep my eyes peeled for those “fingerpaint at home” jobs.
Those are the BEST.
And I’ll be keeping my paint covered fingers crossed for that. Until then, kids, scope out whatever you can for Mama Mass Distraction…as long as it’s not creepy sounding, like some of today’s new listings. I’m pretty sure I don’t want to try my hand at “Fugitive Emissions Monitoring Technician” nor do I think I’m qualified to be a “Maturity Clerk”. Heh.
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Thursday, January 22, 2004
Naughty Muppets. The husband forwarded a typo-riddled page to me, the content of which alleges the pilot was entitled The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence. I guess they were trying to gear it more towards adults, but it still strikes me as strange. Speaking of which…I had taken a break from television for several months. Now that new episodes of Angel are being aired I am compelled to turn on the tube…and once again endure commercials (and become quite jealous of Tivo-owners during that hour). Thus my introduction to The Surreal Life. I’m sure you’ve all known about it for ages. Just call me clueless. Apparently it’s faring well, with a cast of “pop-cultural non sequiturs” including Erik Estrada, Tammy Faye Messner, and Ron Jeremy…among others. I haven’t watched it, nor do I plan to (I could potentially get sucked in) but I feel a truly surreal reality show would have to include involvement by John Waters and/or Matt Barney. Those guys really know how to get their freak on. In other news of the weird…enjoy these random “Remarks by the President to the Press Pool“. And in other Bush-related news, a Jeb-appointed judge, who is a member of a powerful judicial screening committee, has landed himself in some rightfully hot water.
Dozier went on to blame the ‘homosexual community’ for the dust-up and called homosexuality an ‘abomination.’ But he said an applicant’s sexual orientation would not influence his vote on the judicial nominating commission.
‘Let the world know,’ he said, ‘The Rev. O’Neal Dozier loves the homosexuals the same way he loves the fornicators, the adulterers, the thieves and the liars.’
He sounds like a real peach. And yeah, I know, I know. Today I have obviously been spending too much time goofing around online (I even revamped the site’s front door). And playing Scrabble, which I had to engage in as the husband so rarely agrees to a game. And not enough time doing the things that really need doing. All right already. Quit nagging. I’m on it. Except I think the Dream Police are on their way. Doh.
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Thursday, January 22, 2004
When the mail arrived Thursday it included a welcome bonus, a mix CD from James. It’s chock full of indie rock gems and classics, whimsical, yet tinged with sorrow. Just the way I like it. Many tracks are from artists who have been languishing on my “to hear” list (or “to purchase”). But one of my favorite inclusions is Pure Imagination, from Willy Wonka. Today my response was to create one heck of an oddball mix (more details after it’s been mailed off). I played it back through a couple of times, to ensure I was pleased with it. This had the unexpected side effect of inspiring the little man to dance giddily around the kitchen for at least a half hour. So at least it meets with his approval. Though to be honest, he was equally excited about the sammiches I was making for dinner. Tofu au jus on French “flutes” with baby portabella mushrooms (recipe called for porcini, but I didn’t have any on hand) and vegan mozzarella. Mmmm.
Various newsflashes from three good friends. Going, going and gone:
- Miss Delia Jane came home from the Peace Corps last summer, then quickly moved to Chicago to teach at a charter school. Sadly they’ve just found out they won’t have funding for next schoolyear, so the director has decided to shut the school down. Like right now. Meaning everyone on staff is suddenly jobless, and the students school-less. Which sucks. But Deedee is taking it all in stride, and considering going back to Africa. Again.
- David is going to London next month. To see Parts I & II of His Dark Materials, at the National Theatre. While I’m extremely jealous, I’m excited for him. Especially as this will be his first trip out of the country, and he is in dire need of a vacation. I’ve suggested the hotel I called home while in London, back in 1999. At £46/night, Time Out calls it “Cheap” - cheaper still would be a youth hostel, but not by too much really. And it’s very easy to get from High Street Kensington (hotel) to Covent Garden (theatre).
- Lastly, my dear April…who has been living in Beijing the last two years. Just received an after-the-fact email, outlining her adventures over the holidays, flying from China to Jordan, to be with her family (who had flown there from the states). And she and her brother took a little side trip to Lebanon, home of my ancestors, to go skiing. Again with the jealousy…but at least I have such lovely friends to live vicariously through.
It’s turned out to be a much quieter weekend than anticipated, due to copious amounts of snow appearing all of a sudden. But we’re all shovelled out (tag-teaming efforts and all), and the plows have been through. So I’ve foregone two events, in nearby locations, well, out of sheer laziness I guess. One was a Vietnamese Tet New Year Festival, the other some South American thingie, both downtown St. Paul. I guess it’s all or nothing with me. Globetrotting or living the life of a shut-in. Sadly more of the latter than the former these days.
Bonus: Tim Burton’s new film, Corpse Bride, looks fabulous. In a similar vein, so to speak, the Wallace & Gromit full length, Curse of the Wererabbit, is due out around the same time.
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Thursday, January 22, 2004
I’ve been peering out the window for the last twenty minutes or so, watching little happen…save for a lone helicopter lazily circling the sky. After a bit of that I decided it was time for more drastic measures. I finally caved in and created a user account with the Star Tribune online. Shouldn’t have to jump through that hoop just to see what’s going on in my backyard, but the Minneapolis paper had the story when St. Paul’s Pioneer Press, sadly, did not. So here it is:
“Fireworks scheduled for tonight at the Winter Carnival Ice Palace have been canceled, but not because of the bone-chilling cold. Officials said they decided it wouldn’t be prudent to go ahead with the display because they expect so much pedestrian and auto traffic around the palace site, at Kellogg Boulevard and W. 7th Street.”
So sad. I had been looking forward to finally having a fireworks display that would go off before the little man’s bedtime. He’s slept right through the last several. Oh well. He did get something of a substitute. Other kids play Power Rangers…my boy prefers to play Trogdor with his toys all day long. So after some begging we played a little Strong Bad for him, and his creation Trogdor the Burninator. No wonder the poor boy is in need of special education…we’ve already thoroughly warped him.
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Thursday, January 22, 2004
My nerves are shot. Within the span of ten minutes today I found out about a) a potential part-time job, and b) potential problems with my child. A couple of weeks ago I took the little man in to be screened for speech therapy, at the St. Paul Public Schools district office. It was determined that his case warranted a certain amount of follow-up. Last week not one but two behavioral psychologists showed up at our ECFE class, to observe the boy in action. I was a little self-conscious, belting out twinkle twinkle little star in front of them…but it wasn’t about me. Unfortunately the professionals (who the husband and I have dubbed “The A-Team“) pulled a hit and run…leaving before I could have a word with them. One of them finally called today, but she didn’t have time to go in depth. She made vague statements about a mixed profile, sensory integration issues, and language processing problems…making it sound like we were discussing a piece of hardware, or a software bug, instead of my darling son. Apparently a search has already begun, looking for a special education classroom with an opening. I find this all a little alarming. Allegedly I will receive more information early next week. Until then I’m just going to have to think happy thoughts, get some extra hugs from the little man, and listen to some old Sesame Street songs. Oh, and apply for that job that I may have a slight chance of getting…an interview for. What, me worry? Never.
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Thursday, January 22, 2004
What a great way to kick off the 118th St. Paul Winter Carnival…with a windchill advisory! The little man and I were slated to meet our classmates for a field trip this morning, not far from the Ice Palace…but with an actual temperature of -10 I think we’re going to play hooky. Hopefully the much hardier little man will forgive me. I will take him to see it soon, but until it warms up a bit we’ll settle for viewing this gallery and time elapse video, from the comfort of our cozy computer room. And there’s a good chance we’ll have a decent view of tonight’s fireworks from our upstairs windows. Keeping my fingers crossed for that because it’s not bloody likely I’ll go outside to check it out.
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