fashion fashion fashion blah blah blah

I have spent my down time on desk filling my google reader with fashion blogs. Greeeat idea, right? I blame it all on my sleep deprived brain realizing this morning I was wearing vintage clothing spanning about 40 years. This, of course, means I'm including 80's clothing as being vintage which makes me uncomfortable too but that's what the kids are calling 501's from the 80's these days. Anyway, it was suggested I should take a picture but as I'm the single most un-photogenic person I know I refused. I have, however, joined a group on flickr called wardrobe_remix and if I can convince someone to take the pictures I may start submitting.

All this new found inspiration means I've got it in my head I should spend tomorrow scouring the second hand shops about town. And get my dress form back from the Boys and Girls Club. And buy an actual kitchen table with actual chairs so I can take the existing table and chair downstairs for a cutting table/sewing machine table. And I'm thinking once I pay back mi madre and mi padre for my last plane ticket I might buy a new machine. I'll definitely still use my old machine as nothing stitches better than an all metal 1970s Singer, but I need attachments. I need a zipper foot and a button-holer. As I'm clearly not sleeping these days I've found myself lying in bed trying to fall asleep and having visions of summer sleeveless dressy-ish shirts made of this really funky fabric my sister gave me that used to belong to her husband's grandmother. Soooo 70's. I've also had visions of simple wrap skirts with fabric from my stash. And short a-line smock dresses.

When inspiration strikes, I should probably listen.

in the words of ani difranco: i'm not angry anymore

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I used to be an Ani fan. But then she went off and got into men and had a kid and wasn't angry anymore so I lost interest.

Where was I going with that?

Last night we played chess. It was bloody. And I lost. What's nice is that neither of us are that good so we're fairly evenly matched. My Dad taught me how to play chess on the plane to England when I was...10? 11? Something like that. I like simultaneously having to play offensively and defensively. And, as Peter so wisely put it last night, if you lose you know it's your own fault. This ain't no idiot card game where luck and chance play a role. It's just you and the pieces and hopefully someone who sucks as much as you do across the board.

It's Thursday which means it's safe to start thinking about the weekend. This is gonna be a good one:

Friday night gallery opening for Reckless. I'm excited to see her new work. Post-arting I kind of want to go to Fennville to Rye, but Peter isn't sure he wants to go to Fennville as it'll be just like going to Fennville which makes sense to anyone who has ever been to Fennville.

Saturday is cleaning day. And Nature's Market day. Saturday night, in theory, Sir Raleigh is going to grace us with his presence. I remain skeptically optimistic (this is why I'm crazy). Depending upon what time he actually arrives there might be a trip to the Sandbar though some of us kind of sort of want to be back in time to see that cute as a button Ellen Page host SNL. Oh,yeah and Wilco's playing. Which I need to see.

Sunday is Meijer day. And recovering from Sir Raleigh's Jameson-soaked visit should that actually happen day. I suspect Chinese food will be involved.

Monday (hell, yes I'm including Monday in my weekend!) we go to GR for Josh Ritter with Joel. And I'm bound and determined to remember the growlers and go to Founders and fill them up. All of them, maybe.

Tuesday we finally end this silly game and crown Barak Obama the Democratic Primary winner. Okay, okay, I don't know if he can actually WIN WIN, but if he takes Texas and Ohio Hillary's gonna be in biiiig trouble. I'd like for her to be in biiiiig trouble.

Like how I added 2 days to my weekend? It's my new I'm not angry anymore plan. Sure I have to work Monday and Tuesday, but you know what? It's just a job. And the rest of my life is waaay more important than a job.

like topping from the bottom

You know what? There's no point in trying to boost my spirits today. Or really anytime in the immediate future. I'm angry and every time I think I should just let it go I get angry all over again. No matter how optimistically I begin my days inevitably I end up pissed off. Either I need to learn how to deal with my anger or I'm going to end up in a psych ward by the end of March.

You heard it here first.

Last night I had one of the tastiest beers I done ever tried before. I wish I knew more about beer so I could accurate describe how it tasted. We were at New Holland Brewery for growler night (we currently have a gallon of beer in our fridge for a total cost of $10) and after having a Mad Hatter we decided to try out 2 of their speciality beers: Golden Mean and Wicked Girls. I'm not going to waste your time trying to convey the dishwater mouthfeel I had after the Wicked Girls. Vile stuff. But Golden Mean? Delicious. It was a pilsner with this...amazing...burnt sugar taste right off. And then it managed to sweetly mellow without being cloying. Art in fermented form indeed.

Skiles was next to pick up a pizza and just as we were about ready to head home and watch The Darjeeling Limited, Joel and Joan arrived. We couldn't just leave. That would have been rude. Sounds like we're going to have some companions for the Califone show and tickets were bought today for Josh Ritter on Monday night in celebration of Joel's "birthweek." I think we made the right choice in going to that show. Fifteen dollars? For Josh Ritter?! In Grand Rapids?!?!

It should come as no surprise I feel asleep halfway through The Darjeeling Limited. I loved the first half, but my sleep deprived eyes and tummy full of beer and pizza were too strong for even Wes Anderson. I think we're going to try again tonight when I get home.

Mulligan's is safe, by the way, and back and open for business as of 3:15pm this afternoon.

i ate fish. it was good.

Well that weekend was entirely too short.

We spent the first hour of Oscar night watching this kick ass Nature episode on raptors. There was discussion of getting into falconry. They spoke of a bird 18 pounds--that's Grace size, people--and that freaked the beejesus out of me.

I did Oscar. Not like the Oscar days of yore, but I watched. A brief and probably not very exciting overview of my thoughts:

Who knew Javier Bardem was so freaking hot without that haircut?

Tilda Swindon, one hell of a talented actress, looked more like death than I have ever seen her. I blame the body bag dress.

Miley Cyrus is terrifying. Like a robots threatening to take over the world terrifying. There is something very off about that young lady.

The whole let's-bring-musical-theatre-to-the-Oscars thing? Don't.ever.do.it.again. The Enchanted number with Kristen Chenoweth was almost more terrifying than Miley Cyrus. Almost.

Marion Cotillard is just lovely and for originality alone gets one of my favorite dresses of the night awards.

While those two from Once were singing I could sense the thousands of late 30-early 40 somethings downloading the entire soundtrack from iTunes.

I hear there's a trick for looking at Renee Zelwegger. I was incapable of focusing on anything other than her eyes completely disappearing into little slits.

Cameron Diaz? Presenting Best Cinematography? Huh?!

Diablo Cody winning for Juno made me happy. I liked that little movie and I like that ex-stripper.

Daniel Day-Lewis has been out of the spotlight for a good many years so I forgive his convoluted speech about his Oscar springing from Paul Thomas Anderson's head.

The Coen Brothers done grown up. It was one of the first things I thought after having seen No Country For Old Men and tonight they proved it. Plus, because they won so much, I had the extreme pleasure of seeing Cormac McCarthy sitting in the audience a lot. They deserve everything they won and I cannot wait for The Yiddish Policemen's Union.

Not only did I watch the whole Oscar thing, I started a new book I could not put down: The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao. That's a link to the Wikipeida entry which contains lots of nice clean Spanish and Dominican phrases. Dang this book is fun. Unfortunately it also kept me up until well past 1am. And I'm on night 2 in a row of nightmares which wake me out of a dead sleep around 3:30am. Needless to say today I am a delight to be around.

I sense some insomnia on the horizon.

thank you, panda bear, for being the perfect friday afternoon pick me up

I am a mere 2 hours away from freedom. Two whole glorious forcasted as sunny days away from work. I have no plans. This makes me happy.

Wednesday post-work we got the chance to sneak in a visit with those crazy kids from Chicago during which I got a sympathetic ear from Christina regarding my work woes and a bonding over disliking Hillary for no good reason. We had a grammar-off and talked about food and cable and the Wilco show and how much Kevin adores the movie Once. Good times. There is actual talk of finally visiting that great city on the lake.

My hair smells of curry thanks to lunch at Taj. I might be developing an addiction to their naan.

Though I said I had no plans I definitely have ideas of plans for the first weekend without a snowstorm in over a month:

• Founders. I'm ashamed I have yet to see the new place. And we have growlers that need filling.
• There Will Be Blood. Oscar weekend used to be a big deal in my life. There were fancypants foods and themed costumes. These days I'm lucky to make it to the end (though Jon Stewart as host gives me hope), but this year I'm curious to see if the Coen brothers can pull this off and as There Will Be Blood is the main competition it's only fair I see it.
• Schuler Books just because.
• Frontier House. We just finished watching Colonial House and both have fond memories of this one. Geeky? Yes, but still fun reality tv.
• Running. The weather is perfect and the sidewalks aren't icy.
• Small time grocery shopping at Nature's Market. In theory their new cafe should be opening and they have expanded. Plus we're out of the best tasting eggs I have ever had and they're the only place in town that sells them.

day 5 of 7 in a row at work

Oh my oh my the sun came out today and I realized just how much of an effect the grey and snowy winter has had on me. It's odd to be able to recognize how depressed and miserable I've become and yet not be able to pull myself out until the sun appears. It may have been the accidental hour and a half nap I took last night combined with the more than plentiful 8 hours of sleep, but I managed to wake up on my own to a sun-filled bedroom and I was happy.

Though hearing Obama beat the snot out of Hillary in Wisconsin unexpectedly didn't hurt either.

Nor did talking to my parents whilst roasting eggplant, sautéing kale and mixing up some sort of delicious whole wheat pasta salad concoction to bring to work today.

Last night I watched the first of what will prove to be a long list of documentaries to consider for this fall: Anytown, USA. Good little documentary that I thought lacked a provocative quality I'm looking for. I don't want these films to be TOO provocative, but I do want them to lead to conversation. I did enjoy what a filthy dirty mouth the incumbent Republican candidate had combined with a downright mean-spirited attitude and a complete lack of caring he was constantly being filmed. He reveled in the filming, in fact. And his filthy dirty mouth. And his mean-spiritedness. I have compiled a list of films I'll be checking out and it includes everything from marketing in US culture to storefront churches in Washington D.C. to genetically engineered foods to the working poor to the future of farming. I think I've decided to focus topically though quite honestly I don't know. I have a lot of time and a lot of films to watch. I'm hoping it's all just going to come together.

You know, I've been saying for awhile that though I personally cannot vote for John McCain (his unapologetic support of the war makes it virtually impossible) I am glad he's the nominee. And though I don't know if Barack Obama will make a better president or not I'd rather see a campaign between the two of them than between McCain and Clinton. I've also said we should consider throwing the election to the Republicans anyway--focus locally, get a wider margin in the House and Senate (not that the Democrats have proven to me much but completely ineffective since taking control, but I'm being optimistic here!), and let the Republican Party be the face of the war. I kind of forgot about one really big issue.

The Supreme Court. I was reminded this morning by my very wise father it is possible in the next 5 years we'll have 3 more Justices retiring. Do we really want a Republican nominating more justices? I kind of felt like I'd been punched in the stomach as it made me think I could very possibly still be persuaded to vote for Hillary if it comes to that.

Makes me sick just writing it.

stupid spellcheck. stupid blogger.

Day 3 at work. No sign of day off in sight.


It's also day 1 of a 2 day snowstorm. Yippee. Sunday it was 50 and raining. By the end of the day it's looking like 0 and the potential for 9 inches of snow. I'm contemplating options: Get a credit card and buy a ticket to someplace warm and sunny and cheap OR crawl into bed and come out in 6 weeks Brian Wilson-style.

I am 25 pages from the end of Anna. I need this to be finished. It's funny to think back to when I started reading it and how my perceptions of characters have changed dramatically. I'm really glad I ended up reading it and I look forward to my next foray into the Russians (this one's next--maybe this summer) but first I'm going to read me some short stories and maybe a modern novel.

I just found out Josh Ritter's playing Calvin on the 3rd of March for a mere $15.00 which is practically criminal given how freaking good he is live. I was originally a-lookin' to see if the Califone show was on sale yet (okay, okay it's the Iron and Wine show, but I'm more interested in Califone) which it is but those tickets are $25.00 and we've been spoiled these past few years paying virtually nothing thanks to cheap shows at the Majestic. We also just found out this crazy music festival is going to be happening right here in the Western Michigan area. Check out that list! John Mayer and Snoop Dogg. Modest Mouse and Keller Williams. It's a mishmash of musical stylings!

After work I'm braving the Acres of Thrift. In theory it shouldn't be busy. It also should be severely lacking in the produce department, but I'll deal. Our refrigerator is pathetically empty except for some Sierra Nevada and a couple of Bell's. I somehow managed to come up with enough food to eat for my lunch today and I could probably go another day or so, but I much prefer options. The hardest part is going to be not getting takeout yet again as I won't want to go home after having worked all day and gone grocery shopping to cook.

How I wish the Acres of Thrift had a sushi bar!

there will be spelling errors as blogger ain't working right and i'm too lazy to go back and proofread

Yesterday I was so productive I can't even believe it.

It took about 3 hours, but I cleaned the apartment. About half way through I started looking longingly at my knitting. I was strong. I stayed focused. I feel about a million times better going into a long week like this knowing everything is put away and cleaned. I rewarded myself with an afternoon of Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice (I love that movie, I love that book, I love that time period, I love Colin Firth) and knitting. I also roasted up beets and kale to make a couscous salad for lunch today. I had grand plans of hitting up the Acres of Thrift when Peter got home, but the lure of the 5 o'clock martini proved too much.

As did the lure of not having to cook dinner if I had a fridge full of food.

Takeout won.

The weather appears as if it's going to cooperate for a night out. It is much needed. As is some social interaction with actual people as opposed to Ms. Furpants who last night managed to once again jump up on the top shelf above where we store our dishes. One of these days she's gonna get her little kitty head chopped off by the fan. Nothing has actually been decided, of course, as that would require a plan which we probably would decide once time to execute we weren't in the mood to do so we're just gonna see.

Last night if you missed Shields and Brooks on News Hour you missed a hoot of a "debate." The first question asked was what it means if Obama is officially the front runner to which Shields responded "The beer is always colder, the girls are always prettier, and the money is always there when you're ahead." He then dissolved into a what-is-Hillary-experiencing which included people coming up with excuses like having to go to the taxidermist in order to get out being seen with her. Once again David Brooks proved to be my most favorite Republican ever by stating the obvious which is if Hillary goes after the Michigan and Florida delegates it will be a slap in the face to the voters. Plus he agreed with my opinion of the superdelegate situation: Wheeling and dealing behind the scenes in order to secure the nomination would be a disservice as well. I know, I know. The whole point of superdelegates was to give the career politicians more power and thereby "strengthen" the party ticket. You know what? It's not 1980 anymore. Back room politics weaken the democratic system. If you're interested in a basic overview of superdelegates wikipedia rules as usual.

no but seriously we're just not that into vd

Roxy Rolles is pretty good. Hoppy and maybe a little...syrup-y, but I liked it. Quite honestly, I'm just excited to get some Magic Hat other than #9 and Circus Boy. Here's what they have to say about it:

A wintry amber ode to the open road. Our wintry amber ramble of sweet carmelized malt and spicy hops is for those who make their own roads. Dry hopped with simcoe hops.

And as a bonus someone won a t-shirt last night. It's still up for discussion who gets it as Kari technically bought the beer (though I did pay her back tonight), I technically opened the beer and noticed the bottle cap, and Peter technically called the 802 number. I think Peter will end up with it (which is more than a shame, it's practically criminal given he's not even that big of a fan of my beloved Hat) as he went so far as to hide the cap which is needed to collected the prize. He doesn't play fair.

I'm off tomorrow as Saturday begins the oh-so-fun 7 days of work in a row game. It's fine. I find myself for the most part enjoying going to work these days. I suspect it has something to do with the amount of work and the type of work I'm doing. I have stocked up on a variety of girly movies and have a few knitting projects going that could use some attention. I also have a quilt, a skirt, and a new batch of poetry to deal with.

And I'm a mere 100 pages from the end of Anna.

Tomorrow it is finished.

according to cnn, he's pulled within 11 delegates!

In case you haven't heard the first issue of Barn Owl Review is out and ready for purchase. I actually don't know a single person published in this glorious little baby, but I have been waiting anxiously after having seen the contributors' list online months ago. I am only on page 24, but this is straight up Erin's kind of poetry: Well-crafted, thoughtful, and work that makes me take a sharp breath. It's amazing and if you happen to have $12 to spare I strongly recommend buying it.

I'm scheduled to run a documentary film program this fall at the library. This has been delayed and delayed so many times I'm just happy it is officially on the calander and in my hands. If it fails this time it ain't no one's fault but my own. Soooooo, aside from The Devil and Daniel Johnston anyone got any suggestions? Keep in mind my location. This is Fair and Balanced country, people, so I do have to be mindful of that when making my selections. I'm not not (check out that horrific not not usage!) willing to push the envelope here, but no Jesus Camp and no Michael Moore.

I think I'm going to roast brussels sprouts tonight. And maybe make some mashed potatoes. And fake-a-licious quorn cutlets with bbq sauce. Or I'll roast beets. And make whole wheat couscous. And quick saute some spinach. And toss it all together with some goat cheese, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

But it will all start with a martini, of course.

27 delegates, yo! we're coming after you, hillary!

How is it possible I end up with someone who instead of wanting to eat caramelized shallots with sauteed spinach, toasted walnuts, golden raisins, cream, and pecorino romano drives to pick up a cheeseburger in the middle of a snowstorm?


And he wanted soup yesterday for lunch and I just happened to be making homemade soup with fresh kale, cannellini beans and tomatoes but he really was looking for something out of a can.

It's like some sort of bizarre joke.

Now, in his defense, he had just spent 2 straight days watching season 7 of the Gilmore Girls and mayhaps a manly meal of ground meat was in order.

It was quite a weekend:

Lorelai: "Because my brain is a wild jungle full of scary gibberish. "I'm writing a letter. I can't write a letter. Why can't I write a letter? I'm wearing a green dress. I wish I was wearing my blue dress. My blue dress is at the cleaners'. 'The Germans wore gray, you wore blue.' Casablanca. Casablanca's such a good movie. Casablanca. The White House. Bush. Why don't I drive a hybrid car? I should really drive a hybrid car. I should really take my bicycle to work. Bicycle, unicycle, unitard, hockey puck, rattlesnake monkey monkey underpants."

I had been waiting for this last season of the Gilmore Girls forEVER. I have been a fickle lover of the witty banter and pop culture references for a year or so (all on DVD of course thanks to my cable-free life). Sometimes I really wanted to kill Lorelei and I always had a hard time with Rory's dead eyes, but I kept it up through the wretched Jessie seasons and the lackluster Christopher love affair. I joked about poor little Rory and how ever would she decide to go to Harvard or Yale. I made fun of Lorelei's selfishness, lack of creativity, and inability to learn from any of her mistakes. I mocked, sure, but I faithfully watched. Season 7 started out the worst season and yet by the end I fully admit to tears. They mentioned the Magic Stick and Barak Obama plays heavily into the finale. Go ahead. Make fun of me. But Peter not only willingly watched the entire season with me, he wouldn't let me watch episodes without him. Crucify him as well.

Speaking of that boy done got himself published in 2 places at the same time! Here and here.

It's totally gonna be his year.

so uninspiring

Last night I was sent home due to weather. That would be the second Wednesday in 2 weeks. Honestly this whole working-40-hours-a-week thing isn't so bad when you don't actually have to work 40 hours a week.

The inclimate weather meant we had an unexpected house guest in Fatty which was super swell. Beer was drunk, conversation was had, poems were read. Good times. I might have celebrated my snownight a little too much as I managed to sleep through him leaving this morning.

Word on the job front is that we're looking at a month before the position is filled. That means for the next month I'll be doing the job they're trying to fill. I don't like to think about it too much. Despite how tedious it is I genuinely enjoy registrations. It appeals to my meticulous nature. I like picky little details and this job is all about picky little details.

So Huckabee's in, Romney's out, and McCain is still the frontrunner. Huckabee scares the shit out of me. He's so freaking likeable it's downright terrifying. I don't think he's going to manage to take it all the way, but we could be looking at our next VP. And I'm standing by my anti-Hillary plan. She'd be a nightmare.

I'm feeling blah. I blame February.

erin makes an attempt at optimism

Good things that have happened today:

Fatty came to the library to say hi after getting back from India a week ago! He looks too skinny as he lost about 18 pounds last month mostly due to illness (that bastard!), but serene and happy and full of stories. He also brought me a sweet journal with paper made from Water Hyacinth. He rightly chastised me for not having been to the "new" Founders. I hung my head in shame.

Molly called this morning! And emailed me from her new job. Yay! She sounds tired and stressed but genuinely happy. I cannot wait for Sunday when she and I go shopping and out for Japanese food.

Huh. Well, that just about sums it up. I won't bore you with the details as to why this is a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. It might look start looking up but I'm not going to hold my breath. I absolutely must go grocery shopping after work which I really hate doing after a day like today. As of right now I highly doubt my tradition of watching returns at the Sandbar is going to be able to continue for a myriad of reasons. And I'm already dreading tomorrow as it begins at 9am with a doctor's appointment and doesn't end until 9pm after work.

And yet every time I start feeling sorry for myself I remember I'm fortunate enough to have a job with health insurance that pays me enough to go grocery shopping.

I have nothing to complain about

it's not as if hillary got the nomination or anything

Big deal. So the Patriots lost. So I, for the first time in my natural life, wasn't rooting for the underdog and the underdog won. And Peter just happened to all of a sudden get interested in football last night and was rooting for the Giants. Yeah. It was a fun Superbowl.

I don't have time to dwell anyway as Tuesday is Super Tuesday. Or Tsunami Tuesday. Anyway, it's gonna be big. Huge. And as of this writing Obama is in a dead heat with that terrifying She-beast. Tuesday night I'm going to be a wreck. Actually the chances of this being decided Tuesday night are fairly slim unless she manages to lie, cheat, and steal her way into some delegates which she would completely do.

"All women, simply as women, were frightening and repulsive to him."

Here's hoping voters in states voting Tuesday feel as strongly about women as Alexi Alexandrovich does.

It's raining. I have seen lightning.

It is February.

a laptop will never replace my manual typewriter

Tax forms are on the first and second top shelves in Reference. Yes, we have Michigan tax forms. The children's deparment is up the stairs. Restrooms are directly behind you to the right or left depending upon your genitalia. You need a Michigan driver's license or picture ID with your current local address to get a card and they can assist you with that over at Circulation. I'd be happy to renew that for you. I'd be happy to transfer you to the Reference desk. I'd be happy to transfer you to A/V (We so need another name for the Audio/Visual Department. How 1970s can we possible get? None of our patrons have a clue what we're talking about when we say A/V and most of them just want "the place where the movies are."). I'm certain you believe you returned those items on time but it appears as if this particular fine is from last summer. May I help you? May I help you? May I help you? May I help you?

Little taste of my day. Only these questions and situations have been repeated about 50 times.


Kevdek got cable. I'm in shock. Next thing you know he'll be buying a cheap flat screen tv made in China from Walmart and eating at McDonalds. We'll know we need to intervene if he starts shopping at Old Navy.

I'm feeling Pho-ish tonight so Thai it is. I've only been to Rice and Spice once, but their catch phrase is "Thai us and you won't wanna Thai another!" which is, well, perfect.

Speaking of food my most favorite restaurant in the area, Journeyman, has a new adjoining space called Rye: A Public House. Every Friday night they have live music this month ending with Delilah Dewilde. Sweeeeet. This is one of those things I need to not just talk about going to but actually make the effort to go. Their menu looks awesome (I can personally attest to the deliciousness of their pizza. What they make is not crust. It is otherworldly.) and fairly affordable. Plus now that I am off the No Meat Wagon I might not be able to stop myself from ordering the mussels. I love mussels.

Post-Pho? I don't know.

Beers in the barn?

Saugatuck?