Ahh, yet another week that got away from me. And while much of it left me feeling a little frayed around the edges there were some comforting highlights. Like reading Tana French’s In the Woods cover to cover and starting in on her follow-up, The Likeness. And just barely beating some of my Words With Friends opponents. And seeing Retribution Gospel Choir, Peter Wolf Crier and many many friends last night, at The Cedar Cultural Center. Tonight’s A Plans have fallen through, due to the lack of a kid-sitter, but our Plan B is looking pretty good. And tomorrow? WE SLEEP IN. Then maybe sled.
Five good things for Friday:
The bulk of this weekend will be spent focused on getting things done. Gathering my tax documents. Printing photos for the upcoming art show. Working on a web site for my new plumber friend. Working on homework with the boy. But it would be nice to take a break for the MIA’s Bella Naughty event. Lord knows I have enough masks! Oh well. Maybe next year.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Last week I limped along, forcing myself to power through while feeling worn out and achey. Like I’d been shoveling for a week straight while an 800-pound gorilla had been punching me in the shoulders repeatedly. No idea why. And I recall having some freaky nightmares, in which I was the bad guy in the middle of a heist (some sort of armed robbery?) so maybe I had to make a dangerous getaway and got into a scuffle. Anyhow, considering we’d been a bit under the weather I made an executive decision. I’d been on the fence about Cat Show vs. Art Sled Rally for Sunday. Rather than tromping around in the cold we hosted the annual brunch at our house and headed to the Cat Show, en masse, more for the people watching than anything, really. But there were some damned cute cats present as well. And we cat napped all afternoon afterward. Getting some rest over the long, pleasant weekend, along with some swimming and sauna time, has me feeling fresh and shiny and new.
But it wasn’t just my body (and house) giving into entropy. My poor old car has been in quite the state. The check engine light has been on for about a year. That I can deal with. But now the brake light won’t go off. And there’s a rattling from the undercarriage, like something crucial is loose. And the suspension is so bad we bounce along on the smoothest of roads. It’s like I have a 1920s bumpkin style jalopy and it’s embarrassing. And probably not so safe either. But it is currently in the shop near my office. And hey, the car loan will be paid off this month! So the piece of crap will be mine, all MINE, while I run it into the ground. As long as I can keep it running. For a little while, at least.
Five good and/or interesting things:
Eep, our art opening is next month already! Thankfully the four shoots I’ve had so far have all yielded excellent results and been ridiculously fun. I may try to squeeze in a couple more. Here are the details: Guttural Visions: Extreme Metal, A Visual Interpretation
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
No, I didn’t watch Obama’s SoTU address last night. And not *just* because I was feeling ill and in bed by 8:30. I’d just rather catch the highlights after the fact rather than have to sit through the whole dog and pony show, and the spin afterward with follow-up responses from idiots like Michele Bachmann (oh, Minnesota, sometimes you embarrass me so).
Five things more interesting than the same-old/same-old of politics:
- Killer Storks Eat Human Babies (Perhaps)
- ATP NY is no more. Looks like All Tomorrows Parties is leaving the Catskills behind and headed to the Jersey shore. ATP America presents I’ll Be Your Mirror in Asbury Park. Curated by Portishead & ATP with very special guest Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel) September 30th-October 2nd, 2011
- Six Word Story Every Day is a pretty neat thing.
- I’ve known about Art-O-Mat vending machines for a while now (”kerplunking culture since 1997″) but didn’t know until now that we have one of their machines in the Twin Cities. Yet another reason I should get myself to the Chambers Hotel some day. Almost shameful that I’ve never been.
- Gizmodo posted about the world’s most expensive apartments, just completed in the heart of London ($9.5 million per square meter) and speculated one might as well buy an island instead. But not in Dubai. Because those islands are already sinking into the sea. Now those really are rich people problems.
On the plus side? Either tonight or tomorrow night I’ll be paying a visit to Twin Cities Magic & Costume to procure more props for my Saturday and Monday photo shoots. And this afternoon I am meeting with the curator of the show (that the photo shoots are for). Things are really coming together nicely.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Perhaps I was a bit too upbeat yesterday. That post was made just after unloading groceries, but long before I realized I’d left my car unlocked. We had a quiet night in. I kept meaning to run back outside to get one more thing out of the trunk (cat litter) but I was already in my pajamas and it was oh-so-cold out, so I figured it could wait. When we did venture out this morning it was to discover the passenger door ajar, an interior light on and my CDs in more-than-usual disarray. In our own danged driveway! A garage would be nice. Anyhow, so far I can only confirm that the unwelcome interloper(s) swiped two things. All my loose change, and my good ice scraper. Oh, and maybe my good sledding mittens from REI. Dammit. Only in Minnesota. I’m really hoping these jerks weren’t of the more clever variety. Keeping my fingers crossed that there were no papers in the car with any sort of bank accounts or other information on them. Identity theft would definitely be adding insult to injury.
Five good things:
- How about some Hot Dudes On Bikes? Hello!
- I’m missing tonight’s Books and Bars event at the very lovely Aster Cafe. But I do have the books by Tana French on my bedside, in the To Read pile. Should be able to get to those soon. Just finished reading Yahtzee Croshaw’s highly entertaining Mogworld last night.
- Love this. ‘In May 2010, a tattered and brittle map was discovered in storage at the Brooklyn Historical Society. Experts identified it as a rare item, a Bernard Ratzer “Plan of the City of New York†map in its 1770 state. Until then, only three copies were thought to exist. After a painstaking restoration to remove layers of shellac and grime and repair dozens of breaks, the map is now behind plexiglass and ready to be displayed to the public.’
- Another sorta old-ish treasure? The anatomical features of Gamera and his foes are detailed in a set of illustrations found in one volume of the Kaijū-Kaijin Daizenshū movie monster book series published by Keibunsha in 1972.
- That most dreaded of “holidays” - Valentine’s Day - is right around the corner. And every year when it rolls around my love life seems to be either a) non-existent or b) overly complicated (I think we all know which state it is currently in). Despite that, I do think these cards are ridiculously cute. The boy and I could probably construct something just as if not more awesome but I’m not sure how that would go over with the 5th graders at his new school. Maybe we’ll just make them for people we really ♥ ⤠â¥.
On top of the car debacle I am feeling stupidly weak and feverish. Kittenish, even. I had a flu shot last Fall and thought I’d filled my quota already for various winter illnesses, but I’m not so sure now. I’d say it’s about time to cancel the plans I’d had for the balance of the day and immediately faceplant into my bed. With, hopefully, better luck tomorrow.
Yes, my plate is full. But it is manageable. As busy as I am I am reeeeeally loving my weird life right now. And it’s a great feeling.
Five more good things:
Over the weekend I had a second photo shoot for my upcoming project. Despite the cold temps it was ridiculously fun. Ordering my willing and dexterous model to climb a tree - who wouldn’t love that? And there’s much more to come along those lines in the next few weeks. Naturally that will include plenty of outtakes and random shots along the way. Just the way I like it.
This week has seen much more social activity than last, but I’ve still been getting to bed early. Which explains why I’ve been wide awake between 4-5am most mornings. Eventually I’ve managed to drift off again but the movie projector in my brain has been working overtime, firing up vivid technicolor dreams. In one I was playing producer to Anthony Bourdain on No Reservations. I clearly remember looking up at him, way way up, as I would have to do in real life, except even more so. He seemed to be nine feet tall. But hey, he has that sort of personality.
Five good things for Friday:
- Today I sold our Xbox plus accoutrements to a co-worker. Guess we’re just Wii-eople. My son is definitely a Nintendo brand boy and he didn’t seem to care at all for the Xbox, Kinect or not. This doesn’t mean I’ll be rushing to buy him a new Nintendo 3DS but it is tempting, knowing that Aardman Animation is making Shaun the Sheep shorts, specifically for it.
- I missed the Third Thursday/opening party at the MIA last night, but one of my self-portraits is part of a new exhibit there. Facing the Lens: Portraits of Photographers. Officially opens today, Friday, January 21, 2011 and runs through August 28, 2011.
- Our new Rome hasn’t fallen yet, but sometimes it seems close. “Few American cities have suffered as acutely as Rockford, Ill., where unemployment reached nearly 16 percent last summer. A photographic tour (with audio interviews) through its stores, factories and offices.” Alec Soth Portraits From a Job-Starved City.
- Similarly, there are “dead” suburban malls dotting America’s landscapes. But this is an encouraging trend: New Lives for ‘Dead’ Suburban Malls
- Local photographer, Emma Freeman, took some absolutely stunning photos of Nadine Dubois and her burlesque troupe. More photos on Emma’s site.
Last night I had the first photo session of my series for the upcoming Guttural Visions: Extreme Metal, A Visual Interpretation show. The opening reception will be Friday, March 4th, at the Black Dog in St. Paul’s Lowertown. Though it’s nearly February I am not yet panicking. Merely feeling very very motivated. Thankfully I have friends who are happy to loan me capes and cloaks and props and a roster of enthusiastic models who are willing to work with my schedule. If last night was any indication, this is going to be a whole lot of fun.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Yesterday my son lost his very last baby tooth. A major milestone. I may have gotten a little misty-eyed. But this doesn’t mean he’s growing up *too* fast. Well, he may be remarkably tall, especially given the smaller stature of his parents. And he has made a huge amount of progress academically and socially in the last couple of years. But he’ll always be different from his peers, and, unfortunately, more vulnerable. He is far too trusting. The kid doesn’t have a shred of wariness about him (quite the opposite of me. Even at a young age I was anxious and always plotting escape routes wherever I was). Particularly alarming when awful things happen way too close to home. A recent headline from a nearby part of our city gave me pause: Autistic teen befriended, betrayed and beaten. “The St. Paul 16-year-old was allegedly lured into an bloody attack. As the case proceeds against three adults and two teens, officials ask why.” The executive director and CEO of the Autism Society of Minnesota was quoted as saying “the vulnerability is that they don’t sense any immediate risk or danger, and this young man thought he had a new friend.” My heart goes out to that boy and his family. And I recall another horrifying attack a few years ago, also in St. Paul, involving an even younger boy with autism and a sexual predator.
All of it makes me want to keep my boy nearby at all times, in a bubble. Not the most realistic of plans. Instead this latest incident prompted me to check in with our special ed teacher today. She reassured me that the speech therapist and social worker at school periodically provide lessons with a focus on strangers and safety. I’ve asked for copies of the worksheets that contain scenarios of both safe and unsafe stranger interactions, so I can reinforce those messages at home. Hopefully I can get through to my sweet son and keep him safe.
We spent much of the long holiday weekend at home or close to it, and that was a-ok. We stepped out for a showing of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (not worthy, but now we know), sampling the new breakfast menu at Cake Eater, and sledding in an amazing nearby ravine. The kiddo and I also lounged with the cats, did some yoga together as well as some cleaning, re-shoveled the sidewalks, and baked a delicious apple pie. And I have a stack of new books to keep me company.
Five other good things for this Tuesday that feels like a Monday:
It isn’t all sunshine and apple pie though. The plans with the potential roommate are no longer happening, which is a bummer. And not just financially. But I don’t know how well my cats would handle a dog in the house anyhow. And this does give me more time with the Lady Cave, which is my favorite retreat in the winter months. But I refuse to give in to the mid-winter hermitude! We’ve scheduled a playdate - with actual children, rather than my child-like adult friends - for next weekend. And my new plumber friend just fixed our kitchen sink (which had been on the outs for nearly two years). And I am full steam ahead on scheduling shoots with my models, for a group art show in March. Hopefully it will warm up just a tidge so they won’t freeze their tails off out in the woods.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Last night I skipped out on happenings around town to catch up on sleep, which seemed like a solid plan, except that I then woke up at 5:30am this morning. Just as some friends were going to bed. And now the bulk of the day has been spent multi-tasking to the point of distraction, with only a few accomplishments under my belt. But I am ok with it. I adore Saturdays.
We could make up for lost time later, and head out to other events. There’s a new magazine in town called Crooked Teeth, and they’re having a launch party today. Today is also the grand opening of radical and progressive bookstore Boneshaker Books and they’re hosting a party tonight. And they are the new home of the Women’s Prison Book Project (whose annual pancake breakfast / booksale is coming up Saturday, February 12th).
In other news, Cake Eater Bakery’s new expanded menu was unveiled today, but only on location (not on their site or FB). I didn’t make it over there but did hear their weekend breakfast options now include awesome sounding omelets and biscuits & gravy. I plan to investigate tomorrow. I’ve also been hearing rave reviews about On’s Thai Kitchen and would like to give it a try sometime soon. But this lady isn’t made out of money. Speaking of which…Parker has been pestering me to take him to a hockey game. Particularly because we live so close to the Xcel Center and for years have driven through crowds clad in Minnesota Wild jerseys. But dang, even the cheap seats are spendy! It’s not at all like going to a St. Paul Saints game.
Instead of going anywhere later I may just stay home, again, and watch the pilot episode of Portlandia.
PORTLANDIA’s inhabitants include but are not limited to: the owners of a feminist book store; a militant bike messenger; an artsy couple who attach cut-outs of birds to everything (”put a bird on it!”); an organic farmer who turns out to be a cult leader; an adult hide and seek league; and a punk rock couple negotiating a “safe word” to help govern their love life. The first episode depicts Armisen and Brownstein meeting with the Mayor of Portland (Kyle MacLachlan) who solicits the duo to write a new theme song for the city. This segment features a cameo from the real mayor of Portland (Sam Adams) playing the assistant to MacLachlan’s “mayor.” Much of the series’ original music is written and performed by Armisen and Brownstein.
I remember seeing a bit of the original web shorts a few years back, a collaboration by SNL’s Fred Armisen and Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein. Now they’re back with IFC’s backing, for six episodes. Hopefully all will be available on Hulu.
I’m bouncing back after recent battles with the sewer main and other big life stuff. But it’s been such a head-spinning-ly busy week with more deadlines looming on the horizon. My dance card has been full and then some.
Oddly enough it’s turning out that 2011 may be the year of unexpected succor in many areas of my life. But you’ve got to give a little to get a little. I’ve met a master plumber who needs help setting up a web site for her business, and I need plumbing work. Yay for the barter system! Bigger financial matters have been somewhat sorted out - with help from various parties - but I still have this lingering post-Catholic guilt. Heck, I feel like I splurged because I bought the kid new socks (to replace his hole-y ones) and new sponges for cleaning and light bulbs and cat litter and windshield wiper fluid and some groceries. OH HOW DECADENT. I’ll get over it.
Let’s roll with Friday’s five good things:
- Well, you learn something new every day. Recently I tweeted that I was drinking Mexican Coke at work (a rarity) and desperately felt the need to brush my teeth. The twitterverse responded with this tidbit. You should wait at least 30 minutes after drinking soda before brushing your teeth, to save your tooth enamel.
- A collection of early zines.
- My Netflix Instant habit has me jonesing for more episodes of Psych. I’d never even heard of this show until the holidays but now I’m nearly done with season 3. Just can’t stop myself.
- Some day I hope to spend more time Cooking With My Kid. For someone who claims his career goal is to become a vegan chocolatier he sure doesn’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen. But he has been regularly packing his lunch on his own!
- How to Date an Incarcerated Pirate Farmer Who Loves Cats - and I thought my love life was complicated!
And now we’re rolling into a three day weekend that I have tried not to overbook too much. But we do have tentative plans to see the most recent Chronicles of Narnia movie, possibly go bounce around at the newly opened SkyZone (over 13,000 square feet of trampolines!), visit with an out of town friend, attend a double header birthday party and get cracking on my photo shoots for our upcoming “Gutteral Visions: Extreme Metal, A Visual Interpretation” show. Phew.
