No longer...

am I the only mom on the pool deck w/out ink. (if there is even gonna be a pool this summer.) Yesterday I dragged my bestest friend to Lucky Monkey Tattoo Parlour and he let me use him a as a prop so I could hold a new yoga asana (awkward pigeon pose) for about 30-40 minutes.

Chad Hunt was the artist that I secretly hoped to get, now granted had it been Cory working I still would have gotten my tatt, but I was happy to get Chad. For you see dear reader, they are both very skilled. I know--cuz I have been cyber stalking them for about two years. So we get there and lo and behold the piercing babe (ironically enough she is named Wendy) is getting interviewed about "radical body Mods" (Cassie babe you shoulda been there) so there was plenty of interesting discussions going down.

So I tell Chad what I want (bi parti fleur de lis) & he pulls a sample off the 'net. We confer, he likes heraldry too!! He sketches--the result is BRILLIANT. He makes a little stencil; and we test placement. Roughly 30 minutes and $60 later. I have INK! It did not hurt. Tho I can understand the entire concept of "avoid areas w/out a lot of flesh" when he even micromoved closer to my shinbone I could feel it. If I had to pick a word to describe it I would be at a loss... (yes me!) it is an thing...the closest descriptor I can get to is the intense pleasure pain of scratching. I kinda got into it.

As I was telling my darling Garth, this one was a "test run" to actually experience the "pain" and see if I can take the more detailed & sure to be more intense commitment of a "Sunne in His Splendor" that I want next. and a Griffin...and really cool Japanese Pisces fishies...and a Lancastrian lion.... Maybe this summer....

picky old lady

Well now that the Koffee Klatsche (you know who you are) have established that my brain really is more female than male. I have decided to pronounce/embrace other things that other people keeping telling me, that made me identify w/16 year old boys.

1. I am a gamer. Okay I'll own.. that but w/ a disclaimer. OLD SCHOOL D&D (c.1982) lvl 37 elf thief, Video/computer games...I tend to get kinda obsessive: All the Tomb Raiders, MYST, King's Bounty (this maybe out of print...) I played it for about a year. DIABLO!! Gods I LOVED that game, (WoW scares me. I'm afraid to start) Black & White, I really like Harvest Moon and currently I am jones-ing for Katamari.

check this out!! How damn cute can you get?

St. Practice Day Weekend

I stole this from Linda's webpage and I am pretty sure she won't care as it will only promote the best damn pub in Ypsi. I'll bet that Petey and I are there for at least a couple of hours! at some point...hopefully by the fireplace
"So, we all know how great St. Patrick's Day can be, so why not begin the party early? From March 14 to March 16 The Sidetrack will be hosting a St. Practice Day weekend, so we can all get warmed up for the real festivities on March 17th!

Stop on down to The Track and 'enHance your Guiness Here'- a Roger Clemens inspired 'Guinness on Steroids' special. For $1.00 you can add a shot of your favorite liquor to a glass of Guinness. Some of our favorites include Jamison's, Bushmills, Baileys, Butterscotch Schnapps and Raspberry Schnapps!"


mmmm Guinness!

oh

I wish you could smell it. I opened the produce box and this wave of spring smacked me right in the face.

Land

Zoli is on his own planet. It is that preteen clueless that we have already survived with his older brother. Yesterday when we were walking it became very clear to me how ensconced in his own head he really is. For once I played back. The giant spruce tree (tagged 1553) became a "docking station 1553" and I was a scout. He was the Warlord to whom I reported my "scouting". The imaginative powers of imaginative power. He is the emperor, the war general, the fighter pilot, the mad explorer. Anything with a stick in his hand (to be used as a prop for even more fantasy play) and now he has four acres of his own private snow. Plus the park (another 47 acres of trees, rocks and doggy heaven). The weather is finally perfect for outside play. Cold enough to snow but warm enough to breathe and best of all--warm enough to PACK the snow. I can't wait to see what he comes up with today. I happily remember building forts and digging tunnels (esp. the winter of '78 and its legendary ice storm). You need space to play big. I wouldn't trade this property, this freedom for them to ride bikes safely--to climb trees-- for anything. I like glancing out the window & seeing my boy and his dog, busy creating an igloo,... or whatever it is.

Beerfest

First of all just let me say it one time (because Pete and Andy were getting a little boring expressing their disdain) THE VENUE (The baseball stadium for the "White Caps") SUCKED!

Here is the only pic I took. Matt is hogging up the other ones. We need to wait for him to share. It was cold (of course) and only one tasty NEW beer. It was tiramisu beer from Grand Rapids Brewing. Everything else I had already tasted or if I had not tried it yet; the name sounded kinda weird, like Blueberry Fizz or Pioneer Maple Porter. ewww.
~insert Matt's shot of whole arena here!~
Often the line was horrendously long. There was one weird named beer we all really wanted to try. It was from My 2nd fave brewer--DragonMead. They had new brew they named Willy Wonka's oompa loompa stout. They were gonna tap it at 3. The brewers do that they list a new yummy beer but don't tap the keg(s) till a certain time...*fake cough* "marketing ploy".

ANYwho by the time we trudged/skidded and slid our way back around..all three kegs were gone!! It was like a travel advisory for walking. "If you NEED to travel please plan extra time to get to your destination." I am glad we took Matt. He had a great time and it good to see it thru his eyes because I guess I'm getting old and jaded. Even the ice sculpture guy looked bored. There was the mandatory parade of fuzzy hats again that long time readers will remember from last year. I need me one of them there Flaps Waxed Hats.

bike bike bike

I thought Geogirl & Andrew were the craziest bike people I knew. But ya know what? the folks in the vid at the bottom are so damn cool. I suspect that single person college student size households are easier to consider. As much I as I love MY bike, in all it's cruiser glory-- (no gears, big butt seat) Just considering our move of five people, two dogs, two cats, six guitars and over 60 boxes of books...is just too fresh in my mind--I shudder at the mere thought of trying to do our move on bikes. *ah...NO!*
This seven minute video however is inspirational.

fidgety

The good news is I am all ready for class. Today's topic is "Merlin". YAY!

The bad news is I am trying unsuccessfully to get comfortable as I sit here, in my green metal office for two BORING OFFICE HOURS (I'm required to make myself available to the students.They never come. I'm soooo lonely...just me and the hollow file cabinets) enh-- resourceful girl that I am; I cleverly brought my book. It is a delish sci fi mystery Rollo lent me called PASSAGE by Connie Willis. But right now if I had a wish it would be to be at home on my smooshy leather couch, with a crackly fire in the fireplace, a cup of hot sweet tea (oooh NOTE TO SELF SECOND INTERESTING TOPIC), stoopid dawg asleep on my feet and Jarvis (the original dawg) on guard staring out the window. Maybe he is counting snowflakes?? Right now I miss my cozy house. I adore teaching. I'm way cool with the prep work (little research nerd that I am) but man-- between parking (or the lack thereof) and office hours---argh.

SECOND TOPIC--YOGA JOURNAL

I have subscribed to Yoga Journal magazine for about four years now. I love it. It hasn't "jumped the shark" yet (in magazine talk that is when the "mag" goes to "rag" by having more ads then stories. First VOGUE (which I was totally addicted to in my frumpiest phase) then Bon Appetite. I love them... and then they turn on me. If I am subscribing to a cooking mag I DO NOT WANT CAR ADS!! argh. I am paying for this right? sheesh.

So YOGA JOURNAL definitely sells stuff but it is all yoga-y, eco green hippy dippy granola stuff. For example, the most recent issue came with a LETTER and SAMPLES!! two full size tea bags and TWO COUPONS for 2 boxes of free tea!! well hot damn. SO I try the tea, first one opened was Pomegranate Green tea. Both teabags are from a company called Tulsi (which is also an Indian herb) one w/caffeine and one not. The Pomegrante was not, and as it was already nearly four I opted for it's warmth without the wakey uppy effect. Have you ever had Tulsi?? It seemed...well ...a new flavor for sure. Kinda like salty licorice. I didn't put in any milk or sweetener.I wanted to get it's "pure" flavor. Not bad. Hey it was free!! I wish I was at home so I could make the other packet. I want my couch.

Last night's drama

Several of you heard last night--as I started to make potato soup for dinner the water just..sort...of...stop...ped. Apparently we killed the old water pump. We got a new one this morning. I had to cancel class but we can flush the toilets again!!! YAY!!

the king of zen

On NPR this morning--"Today marks the 40th anniversary of the first nationwide broadcast of the PBS classic, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Fred Rogers died in 2003 but the show continues to air."

NPR then played a message Rogers had recorded to "us", those of us who grew up watching him change his sweater and shoes. Those of us secretly terrified by those horrible puppets. His speech included a line that I am paraphrasing, he said something like,

It sucks being a grown up. It is hard to find hope (something I am having a small moment with) but..and here is the part that made me tear up...I am going to tell you something I told you everyday when you were little..."I like you just the way you are."

dude..Mr. Rogers was the shit.

well--they ain't no HOT CLUB

But they were fun.

Voller & Jeannie

Some of you may have met at Punkin Day. If you did-- you may have talked foodie stuff--if not read this post it is wonderful--& I agree completely It is similar to our story and so nicely written!

frozen flags

C&R have a flag at their "new" house. It is a SCA Viking household (Dirk's I think? It might be a personal device) banner. It makes me happy when I pull into their drive to see it. (The half a rabbit that was in their yard was equally as cool but it seems to have left. Seriously--this bisected bunny was quite a mystery for about a week. We finally decided it had either been attacked by a dog with VERY large sharp teeth or it had gotten run over by the snow plow. Very odd.) There are couple of themes running thru my brain--vikings (with or without flags) and their modern descendents--watched this crazy little flick last night. Don't worry Sondheim it has NOTHING on yer Sweeny Todd.

We too have a flag pole at our "new" house --we did not have a flag pole at Wallace. We have the Red Wings flag and a classic Jolly Roger. They are frozen with sleety rain at the moment. Rather than gallantly billowing in a gentle breeze they hang like massive wet skins of some flayed animal. Black and red all twisted together. and cold.
yep.
frozen wasteland.
poetic in a grey dismal way--

Good day to stay inside and paint. Which is what we did yesterday. Pete stopped coughing long enough to really help. It is good to be tall when one is painting ceilings. The downstairs bathroom is nearly finished after the frozen pipe adventure. The ceiling is robin's egg blue and the first two layers (grass green and blue glaze) of faux finishing are done. I have decided to not put the Sunflower rip off back in there. It is much more Monet now.Have you ever noticed how sometimes my blogposts just end? No conclusion--no punch line. I wonder if maybe I should re-assess the format? Tie everything back in? find some deeper meaning? --enh fuck it. If you want solid structure read a novel. (just not Finnegan's Wake)

Cow & Boy

soon my pet--soon

ah beerfest--my happy place.

ewww

I got this email this morning from the Center for Food Safety. This topic is attention grabbing not only because of what I feed da chilldwen but I am particularly interested because my home town has a very agricultural economy and one of the BIG crops is sugar beets. I wonder what David/Trex has to say??

...Sadly, biotech companies want to take the sweets we know and love away from us.

Sugar in our Valentine’s candy (and our cereal, granola bars, crackers, bread – anything that contains sugar) comes from several sources, including sugar beets. In fact, about half of the sugar used in the U.S. is beet sugar (the other half is cane sugar). In the next few weeks, sugar beet seed farmers throughout the U.S. will be considering what type of sugar beets to plant, and food companies will have to decide what types of sugar they will accept.

A new option available this year is Monsanto’s Roundup Ready sugar beet, genetically engineered to survive direct application of the weed killer, Roundup. Unlike traditional breeding, genetic engineering creates new life forms that would never occur in nature, creating new and unpredictable health and environmental risks. To create GE crops, genes from bacteria, viruses, plants, animals, and even humans, have already been inserted into our common food crops, like corn, soy, and canola. Now the biotech industry has taken aim at our sugar.

At the request of Monsanto, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency increased the allowable amount of glyphosate residues on sugar beetroots by a whopping 5000%. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, sugar is extracted from the beet’s root. The inevitable result is more glyphosate pesticide in our sugar. This is not good news for those who want to enjoy their sweet treats without the threat of ingesting toxic weed killer.

In 2001, Hershey’s, M&M Mars, and American Crystal Sugar told consumers they would not use genetically engineered sugar. But now that sugar beets are close to being planted commercially, they have made no such assurances.

Generally I try not to double dip

But this book is effing fantastic I know a few of my freaky darlings occasionally check out myspace & this pile of pablum I call a blog--but just in case you don't check Shelfari (my third online "presence"-- I just posted this review there--
The book is titled All Shall Be Well; And All Shall Be Well; And All Manner of Things Shall Be Well: A Novel it is written by Tod Wodicka
This book caught my eye in the NY Times Book Review last weekend-- because the main character participates (nay claims to have invented) a thinly veiled version of SCA. The thing is that this book is so damn good. It is certainly no "Murder at the War", which is really just a masturbatory report of a random event. No--ASBW&ASBW&AMOTSBW is a brilliant piece of literature. The alienation of the main character is reminiscent of the "dead father" --esp. Don DeLillo's White Noise--it is so poignant and true. So vivid and heart wrenching. This book just crept into my top 10 ever.

Reverse Order

Okay-- maybe I'll just jump around the weekend in sporadic soundbites. You see dear one-- I am still kinda fuzzy from the constant flow of decongestant in *my* brain.

I think the two most vital facts in regards to my highly unusual & kinda crazy weekend is that I got to hang out gobs with Lusche -- fun for me---and Pete is trying his damnedest to drown in his own snot. ):--Not so fun. Petey had felt well enough on Friday that all plans were go.

He fetched Lusche in from the airport. I had guilt but I hate the airport parking ramp and he insisted he was fine. Plus I had promised Brooke I would hit the Pampered Chef gig. And that was fun--but then Lusche actually got bumped to a non-stop flight and was in Deeetroit at 9:45!! Cool beans! Well, Petey by the end of the day, had declined quickly from his Friday afternoon near jaunty-ness to Saturday morning--"Uh dude maybe you should go into Urgent Care?" He compromised with having his beer buddy (oops I mean medical partner) Mark make a house call Saturday morning. Mark agreed that big drafty barns were not a good choice and told Pete and his infected spit gland to sit his ass down and watch TV all day. So, Lusche and I split for Kazoo.

The event was very cool. It seems redundant to say I heart Val Day. But I do. Plus--Anytime I get to cheer Northshield guys makes me happy and surprise!! Hrdoir was there! and both Andronicus & Warwick (Tinn's squires). Saw Philippe & Simone!! The prettiest couple in the middle! Lusche kinda hogged Garth up when he wasn't on the field so I was a little bummed I didn't get to chill with him so much and Kassia was busy playing nice with the Queen, so I had to branch out a bit. Lusche introduce me to the legendary Palymar. HRM is as cool as everybody sez. He followed Tarrach's lead and commanded Sasha to "saunter" for me (Sasha's girl is gonna kick my ass!) I am just admiring his cote!!! Really (wicked boy!) I like kings who have a sense of humor.

I bonded big time with Eoa (girl--I still have no idea how to spell your SCA name) and poked Tom's "flesh eating bacteria" leg. I kept an eye on him and made sure he didn't go bonzai on the field--he is 'sposed to be in "healing mode" which for him means only fighting sword and shield instead of his beloved pole. And in his defense he was actually pretty mellow; his gift giving hand wasn't injured tho and he continued his tradition of plush roses and on top of that he sent Isabel home a heart shaped box of chocolates. It was bigger than her head!

Met another Yeti--Beth. I think I like them! I introduced Beth to Melisant and they chatted costumes and internships. Siri did a very good impersonation of Joan of Arc. I wish I woulda had the camera. While I was sitting at the heavy list table (that seems to be my new favorite hangout at events) Saw one lady fighter get a concussion one pupil was definitely bigger than the other. That was kinda cool.

Court was fun despite some random insane woman venting at us. Court was special 'cuz Jasper (the most perfect boy) got inducted in the Red Company. Alina got her dancing Laurel and Three Hills raked in the awards. I was proud of my friends. Mischief was managed (Lusche Faillen and I + Griffin d'Oro= getting shushed)--the funniest bit was when Faillen got called up to recieve her purple fret and we were screwing around so much we didn't even hear her name get called! So all the western/side peeps hissed in this uniform stage whisper "Faillen!" and we were like "WHAT???" --oops. Vickie got her cookie, I tried to hide under the table.

THEN--after court we Lusche and I started the Arctic drive home. Normally we can get to Kazoo in about 1:45. It took us damn close three hours to get home. The road seemed to have disappeared under the drifting blowing blizzard. Happily Lusche has the mad ninja driving skills only a native Minnesota-babe can have and we made it home unscathed. Coated in ice but safe as two peas in a Ford hybrid.

Sunday we slept in and had french toast with cherries & whip cream, read the papers went out for lunch. Took her to Grizzly Peak and Borders and then she and the kids had a tickle fest and then all the sudden it was time for the return trip to Detroit Metro. Bummer.

Pete is off to the lab to see if he has pneumonia. Update later.

yay! the writer's strike is settled

Massive questions still exist even after enjoying the second episode a second time. Especially RE: the new Freighties...
. Who was Charlotte working for in Tunisia--and how did a dharma bear get there?
& Why was Charlotte wearing a bullet-proof vest?
. Why and when?? is Dan crying about Flight 815?
. from whom did Miles get the photo of Ben that he showed to Jack and Juliet? scary bald guy??
. Where did Naomi get a copy of the photo of Desmond and Penelope?
. What is the nature of Miles spiritual abilities?
. Why was Miles selected for the freighter recon team? Did the y expect Ben to be dead?
Can he really disperse with a ghost by merely telling it to go?
. Who is he referring to when Matthew (the scary bald guy) asks Hurley "Are they still alive?"
and finally--- Why did Frank memorize Flight 815's 324-passenger manifest?

just git yer shit together for Lost Season 4:epi 9!

Okay before Conan and Stewart actually punch Colbert out----here is a little soundbite

WGA Bosses Continue to Urge Caution
By John Scott Lewinski February 05, 2008 | 3:19:57 AMCategories: WGA Strike
Though so many in Hollywood are desperately hoping the Writers Guild of America strike will end soon, the mood throughout the industry can at best be called cautiously optimistic -- with the emphasis on "cautiously" growing every day.
The queen of strike coverage, Nikki Finke, did her typical yeoman's (yeowoman's?) job of assembling the facts and the players. It's obvious that there's wrangling between the guild negotiators and its governing board.
Now, I received this from my WGA contacts. It's the latest official update sent from the WGA's top dogs to the guild's membership:
While we have made important progress since the companies re-engaged us in serious talks, negotiations continue. Regardless of what you hear or read, there are many significant points that have yet to be worked out.

In order to keep members abreast of the latest developments, informational meetings are being planned by both Guilds for this weekend – details to be announced. Neither the Negotiating Committee, nor the West Board or the East Council, will take action on the contract until after the membership meetings.

As the talks proceed, never forget that during this period it is critical for us to remain on the picket lines united and strong. We are all in this together.

fuzz brain

Petey has brought germs into the house. A bronchial virus thingy. He has been VERY ill. It latched onto me yesterday. Now when I breathe my lungs just sorta collapse on themselves. It takes a good minute to refill. I am 'sposed to explain the field of Literary Criticism in 45 minutes. I have laryngitis. Normally-- I could give this lecture and convert half of the science heads to change their majors. Today--I will give them a handout. No enthusiastic babbling about Derrida or Kristeva today...nope just a wimpy handout with some terms that might be on the final. LAME.

I need a nap.


Lost tonight. I hope I don't fall asleep. Thank the goddess for DVR.

Happy B-day Mr. Joyce!

James Joyce, the beloved Irish novelist who was noted for his experimental use of language in such works as Ulysses and Finnegans Wake. Joyce's brilliant innovations in the art of the novel writing include the extensive use of interior monologue. A narrative in which he used a convoluted net of symbolic parallels drawn from the mythology, history, and literature. Joyce created a unique language of invented words, puns, and allusions that speak directly to my soul.

James Joyce was born in Dublin, on February 2, 1882.