Catching up on my blog post reading I noticed Mimi Smartypants had hit the nail on the head - about spring fever vs. spring malaise. Our kids seem to be ratcheting up the crazy, while we parents are on the other end of the spectrum, knocked on our asses by extreme exhaustion. Minnesota’s never-ending winter isn’t helping matters for me. Lately I’ve been so tired I wondered if I might have contracted mono, but then realized that’s the kissing disease. There goes that theory.
Much of this weekend has been spent laying around, prolly because I overdid it on Friday. The lad was overnight with his grandparents so I crammed in a haircut, dinner and a movie and then headed over to the Turf Club for the Vampire Hands release show. Their new one is amazing, and the evening was chock full of awesome.
That helped make up for some of the suck earlier in the week. The last few Wednesdays have each been chock full of awfulness. This time around it was a mix-up with Qwest. The land line had been disconnected. I might not have noticed, I so rarely use it, but the DSL? Oh yeah. That I noticed straightaway.
Gearing up for another crazyass week before we’re off to Oregon. Spring Break ‘08! WHOOOOO!
Bonus: This Friday season four of Battlestar Galactica begins. It’s been so long you might wonder, what the Frak is going on? Also…it looks like Caprica is being made.
Plus: My co-workers embraced Sweater Day, in honor of what would’ve been Mr. Rogers’ 80th birthday.
And: I wanted to like Be Kind, Rewind more than I did. But I am far more enthusiastic about the “Sweded” movies that came out of it. Like a fan-made version of Terminator 2. Hot.
I’d like to see Bedlam’s Iron Mermaiden, “an Iron-Man talent competition set in a genetically modified future- where mermaids, created as highly prized works of art, are pitted against each other to win the ultimate prize- the opportunity to be immortalized” - the show ends on Sunday.
Tomorrow night Leslie and the Lys are back in the 7th Street Entry. Wonder if I can scare up a gem sweater, and a babysitter, before then.
Friday night some friends’ bands are playing at the Turf Club. The lineup is: Vampire Hands, MC/VL, Private Dancer, Finger Pressure, and Gospel Gossip.
Five good things:
Some day I’d like to take the little man to The Echo Park Time Travel Mart (the L.A. chapter of the 826 National mission). The kid is still on a big time travel kick, mostly due to his love of the Back to the Future movies. But it’s bittersweet. He often talks about wanting to go back in time, not for any purely selfish purposes, but so that he could meet my brother. And maybe bring him to the future, so he wouldn’t have to die. If only.
I should be taking care of a bunch of boring-ass grown up stuff and preparing for our upcoming trip to Portland. Instead I goofed off all weekend.
Bonus: I’d like to head down to Austin in May for Chaos in Tejas 2008, mostly because Los Crudos is playing.
Plus: I’m in love with these 19th century Japanese toy designs.
And: Watch this awareness test. I am not very aware.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
DST still has me in a haze. I’m not so good with the waking up in the dark. Still, it’s been a decent week, with more fun to come. We kicked things off on Monday by seeing Be Kind Rewind. That marked the first time I took the little man to see a non-children’s movie and it went well.
Tonight we’re hitting up the gym, and then Tanpopo for dinner. I’d like to get back to E Noodle Cafe soon too but I need to quit eating out so much, and begin to seriously search for a roommate. And set up my HSA. Ok, that’s veering off the party path. Back on track? I’m starting up a book club at my hizzouse. There’s already one going on at the Turf Club, which I’d gladly participate in, but I’m trying to minimize the need for a babysitter. Plus I have an idea of what books I want to read/discuss, and know a few likeminded ladies. Sounds like we’ll kick things off with Michael Chabon’s The Final Solution.
The Boredoms are at First Ave on the 25th, but that week’s gonna be hectic. I get my next tattoo. And some friends’ bands are playing a benefit show. And we leave for Portland. But speaking of The Boredoms, their 77 person drum circle would’ve been something to behold.
Bonus: I’ve never actually watched the show, but I’m curious about the game. Iron Chef America for Wii and DS:
Plus: Didn’t realize The Black Apple blew up! I’ve been a longtime Emily Martin fan (have purchased a few prints from her etsy shop), but apparently Martha Stewart is too. Weird.
And: Scroobius Pip is playing in Chicago tonight, at the Empty Bottle (and then on to SXSW). I wish he were coming to Minneapolis.
No Cupcake Saturday this week. Poor Sheela had the flu. But because of that we were able to stay home all day yesterday (even curled up with the little man to watch the hour long Lost Heroes episode of The Batman), a nice break from our usually hectic schedules. Speaking of…it was another busy week.
Highlights
Lowlights
- A three hour commute Wednesday morning, due to sloppy weather combined with a semi truck rollover on 94W.
- Learning about Health Savings Accounts at work. Sounds like it will be a good thing in the long run, but stressful to set up initially. And that $2500 deductible is going to hurt.
Such stress sends me in search of any kind of escapism for relief. I re-read a fave book, Robin McKinley’s Sunshine. And continued the vampire kick with two new guilty pleasures, Twilight (apparently a film adaptation is already being made) and its sequel, New Moon. Now I need to pick up Eclipse.
Trying to get motivated today, but the little man has rediscovered Invader Zim. And daylight savings is throwing me off my game, as always, but I need to get myself to the gym. If I do so at least eight times a month, my new health insurance plan will pay a portion of my membership fee. That’s a decent incentive. For me. The kid couldn’t care less.
Apparently my fidget ain’t quite right (seen below), but I never would’ve noticed. My neighbor to the South needs to not fret about it, but I will mail it back. Soon. I promise. And then she can tweak the toggles all she likes.
So. I am exhausted. Anxiety is causing me to sleep even more erratically than usual. For now, five funny things to focus your attention on.
I have not been able to complete a thought lately. The half-finished posts are piling up around these parts. It may be the hint of Spring that is distracting me, and thoughts of our upcoming vacation, but lately I’ve been reading quite a bit more too. And when my nose hasn’t been stuck in a book I’ve been out and about. Busy, as usual.
On Friday I took the day off from work to have my taxes done, then join the little man’s school group on a field trip to the bowling alley (alas, I was unable to take photos as I’d brought my camera but left my CF card at home). Then it was on to lunch and a movie with the ex. We both quite liked In Bruges. Went home and hastily prepped the house for the arrival of my houseguests, from Chicago.
Saturday the little man and I took them to brunch at Seward Community Cafe. We digested while strolling through the Walker’s Sculpture Gardens, but then topped it off with Cupcake Saturday. This week we hit it up right at noon, before Sheela’s goodness could sell out. Afterwards it was over to the Como Conservatory to enjoy the lush greenery and…frogs! Our guests went on to a meal at Mickey’s Diner, before catching a live performance of A Prairie Home Companion at the Fitzgerald Theater. Didn’t have the babysitter lined up, so I could only direct them to Nye’s Polonaise. They enjoyed the World’s Most Dangerous Polka Band.
Sunday we got off to a slow start. Lazed about in the morning, reading and watching some YouTube clips (like Sir Heffington and the Fingered Dancers and
dolphins blowing bubble rings) then popped by Pizza Luce for lunch. After our guests departed there was more lazing about, this time at my ex’s place.
All weekend long I was cheering on co-workers/friends as they participated in the F1 Overnight Website Challenge. Looked like a lot of fun, but quite the endurance test. Still, that’s more my kind of marathon then something like running would be.
Bonus: An excellent article appeared in Wired last week - The Truth About Autism: Scientists Reconsider What They Think They Know.
Plus: More on the Scrabulous drama - Online Scrabble Craze Leaves Game Sellers at Loss for Words.
And: Happened upon the Arise! Atlas, built by Amanda Luker, to “document anything free, underground, hidden, radical or otherwise interesting in the Twin Cities.”
Monday, February 25, 2008
Life can take such unexpected turns. I’d never intended to marry, and BAM, now I’m a double divorcée. On Friday J and I found out that our divorce had been finalized. Turns out the judge signed off on it on the 14th, Valentine’s Day. I’d only filed on the 8th so I’m chalking that up to a twisted sense of humor. It is good to have closure (we even had “closure cupcakes“) though there was an unfortunate side effect. The immediate cancellation of my health insurance, and the little man’s. I rushed over to the courthouse this morning to get a certified copy of the divorce decree - to send along with the enrollment forms for our new health insurance. That’s all been faxed over and will hopefully be sorted soon. I hate being in panic mode. So how about five good things instead?
- Picked up the boxed set of The Spiderwick Chronicles which I’ve begun reading to the little man, one chapter at a time, at bedtime.
- We made it out to the last day of the Art Shanties 2008 and it was amazing! We both loved the shanties and the collaborative art vibe and the weather was perfect. Definitely returning next year.
- Anna’s Heart Tune-Up Benefit Show had a decent turnout, and hanging out with friends was fabulous. Especially the bit where two of them sang The Greatest American Hero (Believe it Or Not) theme song together, and then decided they should form a band called The Prom Memories. Though their first name choice - Bionic Lady Parts - was even better.
- A new, totally nerdy hobby, just in time for Spring…letterboxing.
- Speaking of Spring, the poor kid is missing warm weather in such a bad way I’ve been letting him blow bubbles in the kitchen. Sad.
Bonus: Star Wars Episode IV according to a 3 year-old.
Plus: R2D2 beanie!
And: Non-Star Wars related, but squid-related…today Animals of the Ocean, in Particular the Giant Squid arrived, from the good folks at BuyOlympia.com.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The little man attends a charter school. This one has worked well for us. Because of its emphasis on inclusion of students with special needs, the small class sizes and the year-round schedule it’s been worth the extra commuting time. Today, though, I found a letter in the little man’s backpack. Informing me that the school’s lease is not being renewed, as I’d feared, and the search is on for a new site. Four areas are being considered - two of which would work really well for us and two that would not. At all. And there was no indication when this will all be settled. I find this feeling of transiency disturbing. Especially with my background. I grew up in the very same house my Dad was raised in and had the same bedroom for the first eighteen years of my life. I attended the same schools my Dad did and even shared some teachers (who all remembered him fondly). I walked to school until the eleventh grade, at which point I was finally offered bus service, but by then I mostly drove or caught a ride with a friend. My son has no classmates in our neighborhood. Heck, there are only a few in our city. And if the school is moved even further away? I’m not sure what we’ll do. But I’m going to have to put together a backup plan, stat.
Bonus: That note on my hand? I stopped by the library this afternoon to pick up Lanark: A Life in Four Books. Got the idea from my pal hoveringdog. Planning to curl up with it after I put the powerbook away.
Strong: Santogold was interviewed yesterday on BBC radio.
And: Meant to post this last week…a behind the scenes video made by Bre at etsy labs, a How-To for Gocco printing. I’d always wondered what magic was behind that. Neat.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A PSA for today. A lovely lady named Anna needs to have heart surgery, due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and has organized a benefit show to help cover her out of pocket expenses. Good times for a good cause!
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 23RD @ The Turf Club 9 pm
To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie
Les Ourses
Skoal Kodiak
Building Better Bombs
There are a million shows going on that night, and a lot of other happenings happening this weekend, but this is the one I’m most excited about.
Bonus: I’ve only just discovered Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, thanks to The Fabulist. So so good. Thou Shalt Always Kill may be old news for some but it’s made my day.
Plus: Cupcake Saturday…now on Fridays too! At a different location, St. Paul’s Golden Fig on Grand.
And: I am unintentionally eating from Evergreen twice today. I’d already had plans to meet friends there for dinner, but an impromptu lunch order coalesced, and I couldn’t turn down a little veggie wonton soup. For $2? Can’t go wrong.
