Valentine’s Day looms. The pressure is off a bit this year. It’s our second time through as a couple and we’ve been living together for nearly a year. But we will be enjoying dinner out, at a restaurant we’ve been meaning to try. And afterward hanging out with friends at an art/music show that will feature a display of my photos. Along with work by sixteen other artists. But I know how awkward this manufactured holiday can feel when not paired off. So I appreciate what the Swedish Institute’s restaurant, FIKA, is doing. They’re hosting a dinner for singles where “The only love you need in February is the love of awesome and adventurous food.” Right on.
Five good things for this chilly Friday:
- I’ve been hoping to get up to Duluth for at least one of Low’s Seven Thursdays at Fitger’s in Duluth. Local (self-described) music fiend Kyle Matteson has been keeping track of the set lists and I’m sad at what I’ve already missed. But at least I get to see Low at the Drone Fest at The Cedar tonight. Also at The Cedar Fred Armisen will be hosting a Portlandia screening there Tuesday, March 18th. Neat.
- I LOVED The Lonely Doll books when I was a kid. A Lonely Doll ~ The Dare Wright Story https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/349559654/a-lonely-doll-the-dare-wright-story
- What a crazy job this would be. Restaurant Editor: “We’re seeking a passionate, restaurant-savvy editor to travel the United States for us year-round to uncover the best of what America’s restaurants have to offer. The role requires a sense of adventure, a love of travel, a strong palate (and stomach), impressive critical faculties, and an aptitude in photography.” I could see that being fun, for a little while. Until the burnout and homesickness kick in.
- Next week we have not one but two free movie screenings to attend. First, an advanced screening of the Robocop reboot. It’ll probably be unintentionally terrible, unlike Paul Verhoeven’s classic original. Which I just watched with the boyfriend last night. Somehow he’d never seen it. It was released the year he was born (I have weird feelings about that). The other free screening we can attend is for Walker Art Center members. A showing of the Coen brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis. I’m excited about that one.
- So happy to see Pussy Riot in the US, and on the Colbert Report! They speak out against Putin, of course. And speaking of - Canada Fires Back At Russia’s Ban On Gay Propaganda With Hilarious Homoerotic Commercial. So well done. HRC also highlights Russia’s Anti-LGBT laws with a banner at their HQ. And the company I work for, Clockwork, has put together something with our great client at the Family Equality Council to show support for LGBT athletes.
It’s the dead of winter - and the beginning of the Winter Olympics - yet I’m already having to sort out my son’s summer plans. He is officially too old for the summer camp program he’s attended the last several years. Thankfully those fine folks have other options for him. He rejected the first outright. He does not want to become a Counselor-in-Training (and eventually a Counselor). He fears the responsibility. And all of the interactions with the young’uns. He’s a kid who would much rather go off and do his own thing. I get that. But I just learned about another option. It’s still on-site at the same camp, but it’s a program for special needs young adults. The little man has made huge strides over the years. But it’s clear that he has autism and may always need a little extra help to make sense of others around him and situations he will find himself in. I’m hoping this life skills camp will be just the thing. Though I’m pretty sure he hoped I’d let him sit home alone all summer, playing video games. Nuh-uh. Do as I say, not as I did.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
There are ways to get through rough winters. Sadly we can’t afford the “flying off to warmer climes on a whim” option. Last weekend we embraced the winter instead, with a visit to the Art Shanty Project. It happened to be Intergalactic Tutu Day and our timing was such that we witnessed a marriage proposal on the ice! This year my favorite shanty is the one my son’s Dad and friends built - the Elevator Shanty. Very clever. And once again BoingBoing covers the whole shebang. Get out there one of these weekends before February 23rd.
Another way to cope with this weather? Basking in the humidity of a greenhouse. I plan to visit the Como Conservatory soon. But they are only open until 4pm daily during the winter. I may need to swing by on one of my work-from-home days. A little farther from home, I heard this piece on MPR about a ‘Deep winter’ greenhouse grows veggies year-round at Paradox Farm in southern Otter Tail County. I would love that sort of set up! But I’ve only just started growing my own sprouts from seeds. Baby steps. And much farther from home, London’s Newest Farm is an Abandoned Bomb Shelter Deep Beneath the City. Super cool. As the planet’s population swells we need to find more innovative ways to grow food.
Five good things and one sketchy one:
- The abandoned metro stations of Paris could totally be turned into farms, like the one in London. But there are other plans in the works. Swimming pools, theaters, restaurants, art galleries and nightclubs. The possibilities are endless!
- Speaking of abandoned areas…Derelict Factories Get The David Lynch Treatment In These Creepy Photos. That’s one coffee table book I’d like to have.
- In nerdy anime news, Ghibli’s Miyazaki hints at possible Nausicaa sequel - cool. And also this weirdness: Live-action Princess Mononoke fan film “Wolf Girl†goes live on Kickstarter. That I’m less sure about. Hmm.
- This makes me happy. Jeopardy’s Controversial New Champion Is Using Game Theory To Win Big and Jeopardy ‘Mad Genius’ Arthur Chu speaks out: ‘I have nothing to apologize for’. No, no he does not.
- It boggles my mind that there are people out there who believe in Creationism. Thankfully we have scientists like Bill Nye in the world. I haven’t yet watched all of the debate that was live-streamed last night between him and creepy Christian author Ken Ham but I trust he made well-reasoned, passionate arguments in the name of science.
- We’re flying next month, for my son’s Spring break. This essay makes me cringe. A lot. “Dear America, I saw you naked. And yes, we were laughing.” Confessions of an ex-TSA agent.
Last Saturday we were moving so slowly. Eventually we got the entire household to the Y (just the humans, not the cats), for a much-needed workout in the afternoon. Which we then ruined by eating treats from the Russian Tea House, just across the street from the gym. Oops. In the evening the boyfriend and I headed down to the 7th Street Entry for a sold out show. Saturday night dance party with the amazing JD Samson & MEN, and our friends Kitten Forever. Sunday we were supposed to do a great many things. But after bundling up and stumbling around on a frozen lake I just wanted to stay bundled up on the couch at home. We skipped our friends’ super bowl party, Irregular Readings at the Triple Rock and a show at the Seward. But polar artic vortices be damned! I need to force myself out in the world more often. So this coming weekend I’ll be spending a good chunk of time out there, at The Cedar Cultural Center, for the 28-hour dronefest put on by my friend Luke. Drone Not Drones is a benefit for Doctors Without Borders. And will feature musicians ranging from my all-time favorite band Low to…my boyfriend. I just need to stay awake for his 1:45 - 2:15am time slot.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Collectively we’ve had quite enough of this winter already. One can make only so many Game of Thrones “Winter is Coming” jokes. The reality is too harsh with these crazy cold snaps, school closings, record snow fall and snow emergencies. Too much all at once. But at least we live in an area equipped for winter, unlike Atlanta. And I am thankful we have a warm, safe home. And a landlord who pays for the heat and for a snow removal service. More than one friend has recently posted about the price of propane skyrocketing, or failing furnaces or struggling with shoveling sidewalks and digging out driveways. Homeownership was not for me. Nor was working for inflexible employers. Life is so much easier now. More often than not I work from home. But I haven’t been having any cabin fever. Yet. Instead I never want to leave. While home I’ve been cooking (even more) and I just ordered more board games to play with the kid. Last night we rediscovered The Tick: Hip Deep in Evil and that sure was fun. Tonight we could and should walk across the street to watch a Laurel and Hardy movie with the Freemasons. But the boy wants to stay put for the night. I don’t blame him.
Five good things:
Last Sunday was our annual Cat Show Brunch with friends followed by the Saintly City Cat Show itself. Fun, as always, but it seemed like the event was smaller this year. I do think it’s odd that the event is held in conjunction with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. In that it means hauling all these felines around in severly cold weather. I need to take my two cats in for a vet check up but I’m putting it off until warmer days. This coming weekend will see the opening of the 2014 Art Shanty Projects (this time in my hometown of White Bear Lake). And I am so excited about another Saturday night in the 7th Street Entry - this time to see JD Samson & MEN, with my friends Kitten Forever opening.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
My weekend plans unraveled, partly due to the weather and partly due to illness. A lingering cold took up residency in my lungs the other night and I haven’t managed to evict it yet. Last night was meant to be spent at dinner with friends followed by a group outing to an art show. Instead my boyfriend worked late, to avoid a messy rush hour commute, while I huddled on the couch watching a newer movie. Yet another Hollywood offering starring conventionally beautiful stick-thin actresses. I am perpetually frustrated by the narrowly defined beauty standards in the dominant culture. Life would be so dull if we all really did look the same. I don’t know how parents of daughters do it, trying to raise secure young women. When there are tidal waves of negative messages trying to knock them down, clearly judging and devaluing them based on appearance alone. Of course these calls for conformity and unattainable airbrushed beauty are received equally by our young men - which has to affect how they view and relate to their peers and how they feel about themselves. And I can only imagine how young trans people feel. It’s all so discouraging! But wait. There are glimmers of hope here and there. Below are five good things.
- Simply wonderful. “This woman with muscular dystrophy never thought she could be a model, so she applied for the job as a joke. Now she’s the newest Diesel fashion model.” I think Jillian Mercado is one beautiful and badass woman.
- Another story I love. “Perhaps the Most Outrageous Celebrity on Japanese Television” about Natsuki Okamoto. Who was, apparently, a pin-up model for years but is now a commentator on a news program who regularly wears outlandish outfits. “She must be the most outrageous fashion plate on Japanese television. If you’ve ever watched television in Japan, I’m sure you can agree: That’s saying something.” I like that she knows she is seen as a beautiful woman and instead of coloring inside the lines she is doing her own thing.
- Nice write-up with local Lizzo on party rap stereotypes, feminism, and her favorite GRRRLs
- One particular joy the internet has provided me over the years? Stumbling on random photo sets. I don’t even remember what led me to this British Military Royal Tournament. Sometimes I think the UK isn’t so different from the United States. But then I remember they still have a monarch. And they were a global imperial power that, at one point, conquered nearly every nation on the globe. The history is equally fascinating and off-putting. Tangentially related…photos of young men in drag from the 1880s - 1890s.
- Living with other humans is hard, for me. Especially in a smallish space. Maintaining the romance while friction arises over day-to-day nuisances is rough. That said, we are certainly comfortable with one another and these are pretty spot on (for us): 7 Actual Differences Between Being Single and Being in a Relationship
This afternoon I wasn’t up to standing outside in the frigid cold for the annual Art Sled Rally. I’m bummed about it but my sad lungs are thanking me. Instead I’ve been resting so I have the energy to stand around tonight, when we check out Cate Le Bon in the 7th Street Entry. She is an incredibly talented Welsh musician. But our own local college radio station, Radio K, has been running a promo on air that devalues her talent by focusing on her eye candy appeal. It pissed me off but reminded me of this great satire bit The Stranger ran on “Men Who Rock”
It’s that time of year again—time to pay attention to the men who rock, FOR A CHANGE! Everyone knows that there is nothing sexier (or more rare) than a man who knows how to rock. Being a gorgeous man in music is one thing, but add talent to the mix? That’s taking it to a whole ‘nother level. With male-fronted bands, male solo acts, and even all-male bands becoming more and more commonplace, 2012 has definitely been the year of fierce men in music. They’re starting to rock all the genres, too: provocative punks, steamy rock ‘n’ rollers, dashing cowboy sweethearts, hiphop hunks—men are even making it in the complicated world of electronic music! Guys everywhere are stepping to the front and demanding to be heard—and we’re ready to listen. And look! To show our appreciation for the strong males who provide us with satisfying doses of ear candy and eye candy, we handpicked six of Seattle’s hottest male musicians to showcase their ability… to turn us on!
Hats off to music writer/musicians Emily Nokes and Bree McKenna (of Tacocat) for making me laugh.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Here we go again. Wind chill advisory. Dangerously cold. Cold enough to shut down schools in the metro area again. Yes, Winter 2014, we read you loud and clear. You hate us. When I was a kid we had the occasional snow day but it was usually pretty fun. It meant going outside to build snow people and snow forts while plows lumbered down the street. Then warming up inside with hot chocolate. There is no going outside today. Unless properly bundled and even then it’s still a game of beat the clock before frostbite or hypothermia set in. And the South is even getting in on the action, with their own sci-fi sounding Winter Storm Kronos that will turn rush hour into “some sort of nightmare.” Sucky. But I’ve gotten to remain warm and safe at home with my son today (while my poor boyfriend had to slog it way out to a third ring suburb). I am trying my best to remember the natural beauty of the region, even in winter. Like this: Lake Superior Sea Caves Open For First Time In 5 Years. But for the most part I’m ready to give it all up and move to Hawaii. Or the South of France.
How about five amazingly good things to warm you up on this bitterly cold day?
This weekend I would love to be in Los Angeles - to escape the winter - and to see this amazing looking Cat-Inspired Art Show. It features over 70 artists, including Shepard Fairey. Seems unlikely to happen but at least this Sunday is our annual cat show brunch plus Saintly City Cat Show event. Not to be missed.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
My poor little Mazda. Right now it’s getting its third replacement grill in three years. Two in the last two months. My son picked out our rental car - a bright blue Toyota Yaris hatchback - and, like him, I’d rather keep it. Not that we had the chance to drive it much. The turnaround time at this auto body shop has been like lightning. Last time it was a week and a half. This go around it’s been a day and a half. I’m off to make the exchange soon.
Five good or at least interesting items:
- I hadn’t heard about Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee until Jerry Seinfeld picked up Patton Oswalt for a ridealong and they broke down in DeLorean, but went for coffee anyway. I like it.
- When I was excessively pregnant with my son, like eight months along, I saw Cibo Matto play at First Avenue. I was crabby because it was hot and it seemed like everyone was blowing smoke in my face (this was in 1999, way before the smoking ban). And it was crowded so my pregnant belly was being bumped into with annoying frequency. I nearly snapped at one guy who slammed into me but he turned around and gave me a brilliant smile and I was momentarily stunned when I realized it was Sean Lennon so I didn’t say anything at all. Anyhow, the dynamic duo known as Cibo Matto have reunited, released a new album and are returning to the Twin Cities. I’m excited to see them at the Turf Club March 4th.
- I love tales of rediscovered photographs. In this case, by Norwegian suffragist Marie Høeg
“In the 1980s a box of glass negatives was found in a barn in Eastern Norway. The person behind these rediscovered images proved to be Marie Høeg, a Norwegian suffragist and commercial photographer. While Høeg was known during the late 19th and early 20th century for her conventional photography, typically landscapes and seated portraits, these rediscovered negatives showed Høeg and her partner Bolette Berg challenging normative notions of gender through private performative gestures. Produced at the turn of the 20th century, a period when women did not yet have the right to vote in Norway, the images are arresting in their anticipation of contemporary discourse around gender roles and performative identities.”
More photos on flickr.
- This is not a good thing but a good conversation. Plus size? We’ve really gotten out of control with body image bullshit. Something of interest written by this alleged plus size model on thigh gap. And related to gender and raising our young women, this LEGO Ad From 1981 Should Be Required Reading For Everyone Who Makes, Buys Or Sells Toys. And this ties in with Jezebel’s continuing crusade to unearth un-retouched photos of celebrities from the fashion magazines that try to make us all feel like crap for not looking conventionally flawless.
- Another bittersweet piece. Goodbye cameras? Noooooo! But I do acknowledge we have become a broader culture of networked lenses much more so than actual photographers.
I’ve been even more of a hermit this winter than most years. But I blame this it on this “winter on steroids” with blizzard warnings and polar vortex, part two. No thank you. Instead of venturing out into the cold I’ve been curling up with the cats and reading more than usual. Though we did make it over to our friends’ Twin Peaks A Thon last weekend. We must have been there for nine hours’ worth of episodes. And I didn’t even have any strange dreams afterward!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
My early Monday morning was a frustrating big bang of clusterfucks. Involving sprained or broken pinky toes (mine), a missed school bus (my son’s), a subsequent missed personal trainer appointments(mine), spilled coffee, cat puke and more. But I turned things around. By going for an angry stompy walk to Whole Foods for a small bag of healthy groceries helped. The walk home was a much mellower one. Doesn’t hurt that it was fifty degrees warmer yesterday than it was the previous Monday, when schools were closed statewide. Other items have improved my mood as well. See below.
Five good things:
Somehow I often end up in Duluth in the winter, though it’s much easier to get around in in the summer, obviously. Winter up North does hold a stark sort of beauty. As does the music of my all-time favorite band, Low. And they’ve just announced they will attempt to play their entire 10-album catalog in random order over the next seven Thursday nights at Fitger’s Brewhouse.
During my recent cold weather confinement at home I got a whole lot of cooking done. Even more than usual. I played around with phyllo dough. Made an amazing shaved Brussels sprouts / squash / caramelized onion tart. And two kinds of baklava. And more baked pears with brown rice / almond milk pudding. And cabbage rolls. And paleo breakfast bars. And more. A few friends think I should start a proper food blog. I attempted that here once, in my forlorn recipes section, but I might just do that. I have sharynshoots.com for my photography portfolio. I might just grab sharyncooks.com but that doesn’t sound terribly clever.
Five good-ish things for this fine Friday:
- Even we lifelong Minnesotans were shocked by our recent cold snap. But it could have been so much worse. I can’t imagine living like this: Russians Adapt to a Freezing, Dark, and Polluted Place
- “Fred Armisen imitating Ira Glass on an un-aired Saturday Night Live Weekend Update segment from 2011. It was filmed during dress rehearsal, but cut from the broadcast.” So good. Speaking of Fred, we really need to watch more Portlandia episodes before our upcoming trip.
- And speaking of Portland, after discussing with friends who live there and poking around the internet - we’ve decided to stay in the Division Street area.
- We’re looking forward to this trip for so many reasons. Seeing family and friends. Eating great food. Seeing nature. Seeing nerds in their environment (at the Emerald City Comic Con). And hitting my Fitbit step goals every day of the trip, which brings me to this interesting article on The Anthropology Of Walking and how we, as humans, move across the landscape.
- So many good shows and things tomorrow night! One I’d like to stop by? The Hex, where friends are playing in their Siouxsie & the Banshees cover band called, wait for it, Fauxie and the Manshees. For the holidaze the boyfriend got me some lovely gifts. Including Nocturne, the live album from 1983, both the DVD and vinyl. Sadly the vinyl version reeks like moth balls.
Yesterday I broke my homebound streak. Ordered up an Uber car (first time users, grab my Uber code and we’ll both get a $20 credit) to retrieve my car from Worku, my mechanic. Had a nice chat with him and learned that he is also raising a vegan teenager. He even gave me pro tips on how he prepares tofu, Ethiopian style for her. Neat. Then I relished the feeling of freedom as I drove my car to the bank, TJ Maxx and Target. And later went out to Sakana Sushi for dinner with the boyfriend. Being out in the world wasn’t so bad! Later this morning I’ll even work from my company’s headquarters for the first time in a couple of weeks. Thankfully a wonderful friend there has been watering my sad desk plants.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
January 1st my son and I woke up at a lovely hotel. Next we visited with friends on New Year’s Day, as is our annual tradition. But then we came home. AND I HAVE NOT LEFT SINCE. This is absurd. Sharyn is a shut-in! Discovering the online grocery delivery service from my co-op was probably detrimental. And this must be a record for me, especially since I haven’t been ill or anything. I do blame the one-two punch of continued car craziness + extreme, dangerous cold (my son’s school was closed for two days). So my year really ended with a bang. When, sometime in the night or early hours of December 30th, a stranger smashed into my PARKED car. In the same spot that had been repaired less than a week before. But he left a note on my windshield with contact info and did, in fact, have insurance that will cover the repairs. Then mechanical problems arose that need to be repaired before I can return the car to an auto body shop. So the poor beast was towed to my mechanic. The first collision was December 7th. The second December 30th. My car is scheduled to be repaired the week of January 20th. By the end of this saga it will have been two solid months of this bullshit. Attempting to keep my spirits up about it. At least both drivers had insurance. And the company I work for is awesome so I am able to work from home. And the polar arctic vortex is on its way out. But enough already.
It’s been a while so more than five things. And a particularly random collection this time.
There are loads of happenings to look forward to. Most of which will require me to leave the house. This weekend I will be seeing friends. And live music. There are so many good shows coming up. William Tyler at the Cedar Cultural Center. Cate Le Bon in the 7th Street Entry. My friends’ band Kitten Forever opening for JD Samson & MEN. A live 28-hour drone session / benefit for Doctors Without Borders. And the Art Sled Rally. And the annual Saintly City Cat Show with friend brunch beforehand! And the art shanties. Though this year they’ve moved from Medicine Lake in Plymouth to my home town of White Bear Lake and that feels downright weird but I will go to there. For the pursuit of art on ice. These are the things that help Minnesotans get through the long, cold winter. And it’s just two months until Daylight Saving Time.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Today we celebrated my ex-husband’s daughter’s first birthday (it’s less complicated than you’d think, really). She is adorable. And her party was probably the only thing that could have drawn me out of my hidey hole. And into this science fiction-like wind chill advisory weather. -2° that feels like -22°? No thank you. My self-preservation instincts are strong and I just want to bundle up indoors and bake and roast foods. But out we went, if only for a little while. Yesterday was so balmy the boyfriend wore shorts as we ran errands. At least a 40° difference today, and in the wrong direction. Oh the extremes of Minnesota.
Five good things as we approach the end of the year:
- We’re almost through to the other side of the holidaze so I’d better post this before we experience that collective holiday hangover. “U-M grad kicks up his heels in downtown Detroit to spread Christmas spirit” - very fun video.
- Also time sensitive: “A Reddit sleuth posted this list of movies and TV shows that will be purged from Netflix in January 2014. If you have time off from work between now and Jan. 1, it might not be a bad use of your time to binge-watch some blockbusters (Braveheart, Top Gun, Platoon), art-house flicks (Being John Malkovich) and the entire series run of The Kids in the Hall.”
- Thanks to instagram I was reminded that I want to get to Multnomah Falls during our upcoming stay in Portland. But I also discovered the Starved Rock Falls, outside of Chicago. And the cute cabins for rent there. A summertime birthday trip, perhaps.
- Last night we were treated to a lovely black metal show at The Hexagon, with a couple of bands from Milwaukee. This morning I saw another round up of photos of “The Heavy Metal Subculture of Botswana, Africa.” Love it.
- Can I just say that Catbath is my new favorite local band? Or maybe just new favorite band, period. Such perfect songs. And we saw them play on a three band bill the other night, with Grant Hart and Frankie Teardrop. Good times.
We are almost to New Year’s Eve. I’m keeping our annual tradition alive. I’ve booked us a hotel room. This time I confirmed the hotel has a pool, unlike last year’s debacle. But we’re also at…the Mall of America. Oh Hotwire hotel roulette. But it’s a nice looking new hotel. And we have dinner reservations at Masu. And we’ll get some time on the rides at Nickelodeon Universe before the ball drops. But that’s a few days away yet. Before then we will continue watching the Star Wars movie, but in Machete Order. I am trying my damndest to block Jar Jar Binks from my memory banks.
