Nothing like a GWB press conference to start your day off right. It really was quite funny. Everything is the fault of the Democrats, we'd solve the recession we're not calling a recession if Congress would just make the tax cuts permanent, and we should all think locally and sustainably by allowing drilling in Alaska. He laughed, he joked, he said "uhhhh" alot. It hasn't been confirmed by official transcripts, but Peter's pretty sure he ended the whole thing by saying to the press "enjoy." Enjoy, what, exactly? The mockery you've made of this country in eight years? The bed we made by electing you?
No really. It was funny.
Almost as funny as Reverend Wright saying he's hoping for a VP spot thereby terrifying every American. It was a joke, by the way. Wright saying he'd be up for VP. A joke. Unfortunately unless Obama gets on the press about this we're looking at a potentially fatal situation.
Which is kind of funny too.
Oh how much do I want to go to Tres Lobos tonight for a supper of frozen margaritas and anything smothered in mole sauce? I'm hoping one of us gets some poems accepted today thereby allowing us the perfect excuse for a celebration.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
zoinks!
A new addition to the wildlife 'round the barn:
flying squirrel
There have been 2 encounters so far both nearly involving Peter's large head. I thought it was a bat which for some reason made me feel better. Something to do with bats and sonar and the chances of them hitting you being slim was comforting to me. Alas, I think we're looking at either a knocked up flying squirrel or a single mom flying squirrel who lives in the dead tree right outside our door. Our only defensive option seems to be football helmets and spelunking lights which would probably push us out of the harmless-but-eccentric section of society straight into certifiably whacked out. We're just going to duck for now.
For those of you in the Greater Holland Area who've been asking me when the big Farmers' Market starts (May 14! May 14! May 14!) I just found out Washington Square is hosting a Farmers' Market May 3rd and 10th. I suspect it will be small but I think at least Visser Farms will be there. I'm not sure what time it starts, but I'd get there fairly early--9am or so if you want your pick of produce.
Tonight: wine, big salads and ravioli, submission madness, and maybe some classic Scooby-Doo because nothing says Saturday night like some Shaggy.
flying squirrel
There have been 2 encounters so far both nearly involving Peter's large head. I thought it was a bat which for some reason made me feel better. Something to do with bats and sonar and the chances of them hitting you being slim was comforting to me. Alas, I think we're looking at either a knocked up flying squirrel or a single mom flying squirrel who lives in the dead tree right outside our door. Our only defensive option seems to be football helmets and spelunking lights which would probably push us out of the harmless-but-eccentric section of society straight into certifiably whacked out. We're just going to duck for now.
For those of you in the Greater Holland Area who've been asking me when the big Farmers' Market starts (May 14! May 14! May 14!) I just found out Washington Square is hosting a Farmers' Market May 3rd and 10th. I suspect it will be small but I think at least Visser Farms will be there. I'm not sure what time it starts, but I'd get there fairly early--9am or so if you want your pick of produce.
Tonight: wine, big salads and ravioli, submission madness, and maybe some classic Scooby-Doo because nothing says Saturday night like some Shaggy.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
"why do i have to keep eating these gooey waffles and answering these gotcha questions and debating this gonzo woman"
My idea of a nearly perfect post-work evening: sitting out back by the fire pit with whiskey and lemonade listening to Peter read the introduction of a book on prose poems followed by a few selections of his choosing followed by editing and reading our own stuff followed by supper consisting of leftover chinese food and macaroni and cheese--we traded halfway--watching LOST followed by Charlie Rose on a primary night. Unfortunately, for some reason, I was unable to fall asleep until 3am which sucked, but the rest of the night was practically perfect.
Except, of course, Hillary Clinton winning by somewhere in the vicinity of 8-10 points. What's infuriating is that it was pretty expected and yet she comes out looking like a survivor with a chance which she doesn't have. Either I'm living in an alternate reality or people who think she's going to get the nomination without some shady dealings are completely delusional. Who ARE these Clinton fans? Who honestly believes she's a better option for the Democratic Party? Who believes she has any chance in hell of beating John McCain and what drugs are they taking because if she gets the nomination I'm going to need them in order to vote for her. And if one more Clinton talking head comes out and includes Michigan in the "important swing states" she "won" I'm going to scream. What a stupid campaign tactic: Hillary won all the big states so she's obviously better equipped to beat McCain in those states. No no no no no no no. This is the primary, people, not the general election. You put her up against McCain in those states and you will lose the youth vote. You'll lose the independents. And you'll lose a hell of a lot of diehard Obama fans, myself and many others I know included. I honestly truly blame the media for at least part of this. You know how many more delegates she got than him with her BIG WIN?
Eleven.
She got eleven more delegates. Stop talking about the percentage spread of the popular vote and start talking delegates. That's all that matters.
And if the party doesn't stand up and get her out of there soon? We're finished. Why should the country vote for our candidate if we're incapable of selecting a candidate?!? We know neither of them will have enough delegates to clinch the nomination. We know, barring a miracle of epic proportions, Barack Obama will end up in June with more delegates and the winner of the popular vote. It's over. He wins. All that's happening is the party is running around wringing their hands and moaning "what should we do? what should we do?" What YOU should do, Howard Dean, is get some balls and get her out of there. Enough. She's finished. She's only hurting our chances to win in a year that should have been a shoo-in for us.
The blog title, by the way, is from Maureen Dowd's column in the Times today. Between that quote and referring to Bill as having a "honey-crusted-nut-bar meltdown" it's worth a read. Tomorrow we get my mythological Republican boyfriend David Brooks' take on this mess. I can't wait.
Except, of course, Hillary Clinton winning by somewhere in the vicinity of 8-10 points. What's infuriating is that it was pretty expected and yet she comes out looking like a survivor with a chance which she doesn't have. Either I'm living in an alternate reality or people who think she's going to get the nomination without some shady dealings are completely delusional. Who ARE these Clinton fans? Who honestly believes she's a better option for the Democratic Party? Who believes she has any chance in hell of beating John McCain and what drugs are they taking because if she gets the nomination I'm going to need them in order to vote for her. And if one more Clinton talking head comes out and includes Michigan in the "important swing states" she "won" I'm going to scream. What a stupid campaign tactic: Hillary won all the big states so she's obviously better equipped to beat McCain in those states. No no no no no no no. This is the primary, people, not the general election. You put her up against McCain in those states and you will lose the youth vote. You'll lose the independents. And you'll lose a hell of a lot of diehard Obama fans, myself and many others I know included. I honestly truly blame the media for at least part of this. You know how many more delegates she got than him with her BIG WIN?
Eleven.
She got eleven more delegates. Stop talking about the percentage spread of the popular vote and start talking delegates. That's all that matters.
And if the party doesn't stand up and get her out of there soon? We're finished. Why should the country vote for our candidate if we're incapable of selecting a candidate?!? We know neither of them will have enough delegates to clinch the nomination. We know, barring a miracle of epic proportions, Barack Obama will end up in June with more delegates and the winner of the popular vote. It's over. He wins. All that's happening is the party is running around wringing their hands and moaning "what should we do? what should we do?" What YOU should do, Howard Dean, is get some balls and get her out of there. Enough. She's finished. She's only hurting our chances to win in a year that should have been a shoo-in for us.
The blog title, by the way, is from Maureen Dowd's column in the Times today. Between that quote and referring to Bill as having a "honey-crusted-nut-bar meltdown" it's worth a read. Tomorrow we get my mythological Republican boyfriend David Brooks' take on this mess. I can't wait.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
califonecalifonecalifonecalifone
Oh dear. Where to start?
La Cantina was delicious. Mahi mahi tacos and margaritas.
Califone? Amazing. Truly outstanding. They played for about 45 minutes. They played Orchids. They screwed up. They perfectly deconstructed songs and then built them back up beautifully. There was energy and life and it was pure art in song. I cannot say enough how much I recommend seeing them live.
Iron and Wine, however, was a different story. Now, I've never been a fan. But when I heard Califone was opening for them/him I thought what the hell! I'll give 'em another shot. We bought Shepard's Dog which I found myself enjoying. At least the first half until I'd get bored. I knew I was in trouble from the first song. It was very very pretty and very very long and very very harmonized and very very boring. I perked up a little when the whole band came out and he said something like "now we're going to make some noise." My eyes quickly glazed over. Even with 2 percussionists, a pianist/keyboard player, a bass player/electric cellist, a female singer/violinist, a slide guitarist, and an accordion/guitarist/xylophonist I was bored. They lacked any.energy. I don't know if it was that Califone just stole their thunder or if they've been playing together longer or what. They just lacked that something that makes live music so good. The other problem? Iron and Wine played for TWO HOURS. Normally when I pay decent money for a show, 2 hours would be welcomed. I kept looking at the set list on the soundboard trying to keep track of how far along they were and not believing we were only half way through the set. Everything sounded the same. Everything was harmonized. Everything was very pretty. And everything was dull.
This was the first time I have ever felt this way about a show. I could not wait for it to be over. And that was the consensus amongst the 4 of us. It was just lacking.
I, uh, unexpectedly had to work today. When I say "unexpectedly" I mean I forgot. Thankfully I called a coworker just to check and so here I am.
Woo.hoo.
La Cantina was delicious. Mahi mahi tacos and margaritas.
Califone? Amazing. Truly outstanding. They played for about 45 minutes. They played Orchids. They screwed up. They perfectly deconstructed songs and then built them back up beautifully. There was energy and life and it was pure art in song. I cannot say enough how much I recommend seeing them live.
Iron and Wine, however, was a different story. Now, I've never been a fan. But when I heard Califone was opening for them/him I thought what the hell! I'll give 'em another shot. We bought Shepard's Dog which I found myself enjoying. At least the first half until I'd get bored. I knew I was in trouble from the first song. It was very very pretty and very very long and very very harmonized and very very boring. I perked up a little when the whole band came out and he said something like "now we're going to make some noise." My eyes quickly glazed over. Even with 2 percussionists, a pianist/keyboard player, a bass player/electric cellist, a female singer/violinist, a slide guitarist, and an accordion/guitarist/xylophonist I was bored. They lacked any.energy. I don't know if it was that Califone just stole their thunder or if they've been playing together longer or what. They just lacked that something that makes live music so good. The other problem? Iron and Wine played for TWO HOURS. Normally when I pay decent money for a show, 2 hours would be welcomed. I kept looking at the set list on the soundboard trying to keep track of how far along they were and not believing we were only half way through the set. Everything sounded the same. Everything was harmonized. Everything was very pretty. And everything was dull.
This was the first time I have ever felt this way about a show. I could not wait for it to be over. And that was the consensus amongst the 4 of us. It was just lacking.
I, uh, unexpectedly had to work today. When I say "unexpectedly" I mean I forgot. Thankfully I called a coworker just to check and so here I am.
Woo.hoo.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
i was just informed peter lost an epic battle with the sink sprayer. i hope he puts the picture up on flickr.
Yesterday was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. For no reason in particular. Sometimes the universe unfolds that way, I guess. It was a shame as the day started off with an excellent breakfast of asparagus omelets and some yukon gold 'taters. Oh well.
Today has been significantly better. Breakfast at the Windmill with Molly followed by some warm weather driving around rocking out to the new Raconteurs and a fourth cup of coffee at home in the sunshine before work (That wasn't a complete sentence and I don't care). I also spent about half of my supper break in the park editing a stack of poems that have been a burden since they were written about a year ago. Spring has sprung which means I'm no longer fighting for my sanity and my mind turns to writing. We'll see what happens.
This weekend is shaping up to be quite something. Saturday after a birthday party we're heading to GR with Joel and Joan for supper at La Cantina followed by the Califone/Iron and Wine concert at Calvin. Last time we hung out with those crazy kids Joel and Peter came up with the brilliant idea of opening a bar in South Shore Village. For those of you unfamiliar with Holland or even if you've lived there all your life you're probably unaware that the delightful area surrounding our apartment consisting of a boat dealership, the Heinz pickle factory, Margaritas, a coffee shop, Family Video, a barbershop, Jackie's Place and the infamous Kings Cove is now referred to as South Shore Village which we, of course, find hiLARious. Anyway, the idea is great. I would love to have ANY bar in Holland I actually enjoy going to let alone one within walking distance of the barn. Unfortunately the business end of the opening a bar aspect will probably prevent their dream from becoming a reality. Then again, put those two together and sometimes you come up with a kick ass song so who knows.
Sunday late afternoon/early evening everyone should come to the Sandbar and play Scrabble with Becky and Peter and I. And drink beer. And watch Becky and I have a Tim Gunn-off.
Things are gonna get crazy.
Today has been significantly better. Breakfast at the Windmill with Molly followed by some warm weather driving around rocking out to the new Raconteurs and a fourth cup of coffee at home in the sunshine before work (That wasn't a complete sentence and I don't care). I also spent about half of my supper break in the park editing a stack of poems that have been a burden since they were written about a year ago. Spring has sprung which means I'm no longer fighting for my sanity and my mind turns to writing. We'll see what happens.
This weekend is shaping up to be quite something. Saturday after a birthday party we're heading to GR with Joel and Joan for supper at La Cantina followed by the Califone/Iron and Wine concert at Calvin. Last time we hung out with those crazy kids Joel and Peter came up with the brilliant idea of opening a bar in South Shore Village. For those of you unfamiliar with Holland or even if you've lived there all your life you're probably unaware that the delightful area surrounding our apartment consisting of a boat dealership, the Heinz pickle factory, Margaritas, a coffee shop, Family Video, a barbershop, Jackie's Place and the infamous Kings Cove is now referred to as South Shore Village which we, of course, find hiLARious. Anyway, the idea is great. I would love to have ANY bar in Holland I actually enjoy going to let alone one within walking distance of the barn. Unfortunately the business end of the opening a bar aspect will probably prevent their dream from becoming a reality. Then again, put those two together and sometimes you come up with a kick ass song so who knows.
Sunday late afternoon/early evening everyone should come to the Sandbar and play Scrabble with Becky and Peter and I. And drink beer. And watch Becky and I have a Tim Gunn-off.
Things are gonna get crazy.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
i wanna be the barack obama of your libido
First of all, bourbon or whiskey with lemonade is a delicious drink. Makes me think of swampy nights in summer on a screen porch listening to Tom Waits.
That drink may have had something to do with our choice last night to start raking our lawn at 8pm. We both agreed there was something slightly insane about what we did. Peter got up to get the lamb off the table in the other yard to reclaim it for our patio. For some reason this prompted me to follow him and grab a rake. One hour and 3 wheelbarrows of leaves later the immediate area around our apartment was done. We stopped only because it was getting dark. I started wondering which one of us pulled The Judy: the fine art of starting a project no one really wants to start, getting everyone invested in said project, and somehow managing to get said project completed all while having fun. It's amazing how much better the yard looks. And how much worse the areas that aren't done look. There was talk of borrowing the leaf blower. There was talk of tossing those cheap wildflower seeds down on all the bare patches of "lawn." What I'm most impressed with is that we did it at all.
Here's to not having a plan.
That drink may have had something to do with our choice last night to start raking our lawn at 8pm. We both agreed there was something slightly insane about what we did. Peter got up to get the lamb off the table in the other yard to reclaim it for our patio. For some reason this prompted me to follow him and grab a rake. One hour and 3 wheelbarrows of leaves later the immediate area around our apartment was done. We stopped only because it was getting dark. I started wondering which one of us pulled The Judy: the fine art of starting a project no one really wants to start, getting everyone invested in said project, and somehow managing to get said project completed all while having fun. It's amazing how much better the yard looks. And how much worse the areas that aren't done look. There was talk of borrowing the leaf blower. There was talk of tossing those cheap wildflower seeds down on all the bare patches of "lawn." What I'm most impressed with is that we did it at all.
Here's to not having a plan.
Monday, April 14, 2008
turkeys and woodchucks and more birds than you can shake a stick at
I done did my own taxes this year and I'm right proud of myself.
I also feel extremely stupid to have been paying someone to do them for me since I started having to pay taxes years ago. When you don't own anything, have no dependents, don't have any investments or savings, and are single it's a pretty easy deal. My one student loan interest deduction prevented me from using the 1040EZ, but even the 1040 was easypeasy. Peter had a momentary freak out when he thought he owed the State of Michigan $3,000. I pointed out that was impossible given how much he made last year and indeed a simple matter of a decimal point corrected the situation.
This was a slooooooow weekend. Friday night we went to Full Circle where I very impulsively bought the new Nick Cave album. We tried the brewery but it was too crowded and they are no longer are making Golden Mean (sob!) so we went to Butch's instead in our Tuckerhair covered sweatshirts. We may or may not have gotten the fisheye from the bartender. Went home and listened to the Nick Cave LOUDLY and stumbled to bed at some point. Saturday morning we hit up Margaritas for breakfast/lunch and then ran around gathering up bagels and the new Gnarls Barkley and a gift card for Panera and then home again where one of us napped and one of us watched Gilmore Girls episodes we'd already seen. I'll let you guess who did what. Saturday night we started Season 3 of Lost and watched most of SNL because the musical guest was coincidentally Gnarls Barkley. Sunday was Tax Day and talkonthephonewithfamily day and it was supposed to be grocery shopping day, but instead one of us couldn't stop watching the Gilmore Girls so instead it was $5.00 Subway dinner followed by more Lost which is probably not a good idea when you're going to be short on sleep as it was nightmare inducing.
I love Lost.
I have this afternoon off. I will be:
going to the Post Office to proudly mail my tax forms
going grocery shopping
watching Lost
watching Grace chatter and attack the picture windows whilst going mad from all the birds
That last one?
Super fun.
I also feel extremely stupid to have been paying someone to do them for me since I started having to pay taxes years ago. When you don't own anything, have no dependents, don't have any investments or savings, and are single it's a pretty easy deal. My one student loan interest deduction prevented me from using the 1040EZ, but even the 1040 was easypeasy. Peter had a momentary freak out when he thought he owed the State of Michigan $3,000. I pointed out that was impossible given how much he made last year and indeed a simple matter of a decimal point corrected the situation.
This was a slooooooow weekend. Friday night we went to Full Circle where I very impulsively bought the new Nick Cave album. We tried the brewery but it was too crowded and they are no longer are making Golden Mean (sob!) so we went to Butch's instead in our Tuckerhair covered sweatshirts. We may or may not have gotten the fisheye from the bartender. Went home and listened to the Nick Cave LOUDLY and stumbled to bed at some point. Saturday morning we hit up Margaritas for breakfast/lunch and then ran around gathering up bagels and the new Gnarls Barkley and a gift card for Panera and then home again where one of us napped and one of us watched Gilmore Girls episodes we'd already seen. I'll let you guess who did what. Saturday night we started Season 3 of Lost and watched most of SNL because the musical guest was coincidentally Gnarls Barkley. Sunday was Tax Day and talkonthephonewithfamily day and it was supposed to be grocery shopping day, but instead one of us couldn't stop watching the Gilmore Girls so instead it was $5.00 Subway dinner followed by more Lost which is probably not a good idea when you're going to be short on sleep as it was nightmare inducing.
I love Lost.
I have this afternoon off. I will be:
going to the Post Office to proudly mail my tax forms
going grocery shopping
watching Lost
watching Grace chatter and attack the picture windows whilst going mad from all the birds
That last one?
Super fun.
Friday, April 11, 2008
my beatles pint glass has mysterious healing powers
I am wearing a white t-shirt with a white cardigan today. This can only mean one thing. I will spill something on it before the day is finished.
I've read way too many books this week. I've got characters all jumbled up in my head interacting with lines of poetry. And yet I remain fairly unsatisfied. Everything I've read has been okay. Completely readable and all, but just not mindblowingly good. I'm looking for mindblowingly good. Usually this is a great week of reading for me as the Pulitzers were announced, but alas Oscar Wao won (making me feel really smartlike given how many people I've convinced to read it and who loved it) and the shortlist was really short. I've picked up Shakespeare's Kitchen which I'm halfway through and feeling a bit meh about. The other was Tree of Smoke. I'm going to have to read it someday but I'm rarely in the mood for a good Vietnam-based book of fiction.
Once I've untangled myself from this Shakespeare's Kitchen business I'm going to read What is the What. I just put it on hold (for some reason the main library doesn't own it...ahem), but as I have to walk downtown for lunch today I may pop into Readers World and buy it if the price is right. I have wanted to read it as Peter recommended it to me and given it's not the kind of book he'd even normally read I have a feeling I'll get into it, but now I want to read it MORE as Peter's lobbying to have it be the read-along-the-lakeshore book for next year. Which would be sweet. Because we would finally out-cool the Grandest of Rapids by getting Dave Eggers in Holland.
Dave Eggers.
In Holland.
HA!
You know where I'm glad not to be living right now?
Pennsylvania.
That must just blow. I'm sick to death of the national coverage of that completely pointless primary. I can only imagine the ridiculousness of the local ads. And when I say "completely pointless primary" I truly mean it. There is no way Hillary is going to manage to do anything but prolong the inevitable. Which means she's just going to continue to harm the party thereby ensuring the Republicans win again. Oh well. We tried. Just like how we tried in 2000 when we were up against an inexperienced moron and we lost. And when we tried again in 2004 as the inexperienced moron had us engaged in an illegal and costly war and we lost. And now it's 2008 and our domestic economy is in a freefall and we're still engaged in this illegal and costly war with no end in sight and our energy needs continue to climb without signs of change and our planet is getting trashed and Russia is looking scary and our international reputation is essentially irrevocably damaged and we're going to lose.
I'm trying to prepare myself for yet another disappointing loss thanks to a party that can't seem to ever get its act together.
I've read way too many books this week. I've got characters all jumbled up in my head interacting with lines of poetry. And yet I remain fairly unsatisfied. Everything I've read has been okay. Completely readable and all, but just not mindblowingly good. I'm looking for mindblowingly good. Usually this is a great week of reading for me as the Pulitzers were announced, but alas Oscar Wao won (making me feel really smartlike given how many people I've convinced to read it and who loved it) and the shortlist was really short. I've picked up Shakespeare's Kitchen which I'm halfway through and feeling a bit meh about. The other was Tree of Smoke. I'm going to have to read it someday but I'm rarely in the mood for a good Vietnam-based book of fiction.
Once I've untangled myself from this Shakespeare's Kitchen business I'm going to read What is the What. I just put it on hold (for some reason the main library doesn't own it...ahem), but as I have to walk downtown for lunch today I may pop into Readers World and buy it if the price is right. I have wanted to read it as Peter recommended it to me and given it's not the kind of book he'd even normally read I have a feeling I'll get into it, but now I want to read it MORE as Peter's lobbying to have it be the read-along-the-lakeshore book for next year. Which would be sweet. Because we would finally out-cool the Grandest of Rapids by getting Dave Eggers in Holland.
Dave Eggers.
In Holland.
HA!
You know where I'm glad not to be living right now?
Pennsylvania.
That must just blow. I'm sick to death of the national coverage of that completely pointless primary. I can only imagine the ridiculousness of the local ads. And when I say "completely pointless primary" I truly mean it. There is no way Hillary is going to manage to do anything but prolong the inevitable. Which means she's just going to continue to harm the party thereby ensuring the Republicans win again. Oh well. We tried. Just like how we tried in 2000 when we were up against an inexperienced moron and we lost. And when we tried again in 2004 as the inexperienced moron had us engaged in an illegal and costly war and we lost. And now it's 2008 and our domestic economy is in a freefall and we're still engaged in this illegal and costly war with no end in sight and our energy needs continue to climb without signs of change and our planet is getting trashed and Russia is looking scary and our international reputation is essentially irrevocably damaged and we're going to lose.
I'm trying to prepare myself for yet another disappointing loss thanks to a party that can't seem to ever get its act together.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
888-258-9866
I think I'm going to start wearing a tiara all the time.
Monday afternoon was decadent. I read a book and listened to the new Raconteurs cd combined with the pecking of the typewriter. I also made a concoction involving pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, pecorino, and jarred sauce. Jarred sauce? Sucks. I had to add a whole mess of stuff to make it edible. I'm seriously not buying anymore of it. Give me canned tomatoes any day.
It's pledge week on Michigan radio which means I start off not minding the constant interruptions and the lack of weather coverage and then I move on to feeling guilty for not pledging a dollar a day (I mean, honestly, if I had to put a dollar into my radio in order to listen to NPR every day I would totally do it, but no, I am not going to call and pledge $365) and now I'm to the point I start saying mean things in response to the anchors. I have two more days and yet I suspect I won't get out of it without saying something foul about Christina Schockley. I won't mean it. I just feel guilty. I love it when they start comparing it to cable thereby allowing me to smugly say "I don't haaaave cable, so there!" only to realize that because I don't have cable I'm probably listening to public radio more and also because I'm lacking a cable bill I should, in theory, have a little extra cash on hand to pledge to Michigan radio. They should compare it to expensive beer. Or bottles of vodka. Maybe that would get through to me.
I am going to make duck this weekend. I've been eating some amazing pears lately and I love figs so this recipe jumped out at me. Plus, ahem. Duck is delicious. I'm going to make my own fig balsamic and pearl onions shouldn't be a big deal. My big stumbling block is, well, the duck. I have a lead on some frozen breasts, but I'd much prefer fresh. I'm going to keep looking. Actually I have a larger psychological stumbling block which is my perfectly seasoned vegetarian friendly cast iron skillet being tainted with duck fat.
Mmmmmm....duck fat......
I'm sure I'll get over it.
Monday afternoon was decadent. I read a book and listened to the new Raconteurs cd combined with the pecking of the typewriter. I also made a concoction involving pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, pecorino, and jarred sauce. Jarred sauce? Sucks. I had to add a whole mess of stuff to make it edible. I'm seriously not buying anymore of it. Give me canned tomatoes any day.
It's pledge week on Michigan radio which means I start off not minding the constant interruptions and the lack of weather coverage and then I move on to feeling guilty for not pledging a dollar a day (I mean, honestly, if I had to put a dollar into my radio in order to listen to NPR every day I would totally do it, but no, I am not going to call and pledge $365) and now I'm to the point I start saying mean things in response to the anchors. I have two more days and yet I suspect I won't get out of it without saying something foul about Christina Schockley. I won't mean it. I just feel guilty. I love it when they start comparing it to cable thereby allowing me to smugly say "I don't haaaave cable, so there!" only to realize that because I don't have cable I'm probably listening to public radio more and also because I'm lacking a cable bill I should, in theory, have a little extra cash on hand to pledge to Michigan radio. They should compare it to expensive beer. Or bottles of vodka. Maybe that would get through to me.
I am going to make duck this weekend. I've been eating some amazing pears lately and I love figs so this recipe jumped out at me. Plus, ahem. Duck is delicious. I'm going to make my own fig balsamic and pearl onions shouldn't be a big deal. My big stumbling block is, well, the duck. I have a lead on some frozen breasts, but I'd much prefer fresh. I'm going to keep looking. Actually I have a larger psychological stumbling block which is my perfectly seasoned vegetarian friendly cast iron skillet being tainted with duck fat.
Mmmmmm....duck fat......
I'm sure I'll get over it.
Monday, April 7, 2008
it's all about suppression
Which is applicable for everything from herpes to dysfunctional relationships to oversalting food to trying to keep the spiders at bay.
Thanks, Raleigh for that little gem.
Oooooh it was a good weekend. Su Casa was good, but their mole sauce is far inferior to Tres Lobos. As are their frozen margaritas. I did end up in bed and asleep by about 11:15pm. Saturday I cleaned the house before Michael came over for our afternoon of decadence at Journeyman. I ate pate. And prosciutto. And this amazing blue cheese. And these delicious little buckwheat perogies in a mushroom broth. We hit up Saugatuck for some Swell Times (I bought a Jesus keychain to light my way. And a sweet pink Beatles pint glass) and some tea at Uncommon. When I got home I got talked into watching a 20 minute documentary on The Traveling Wilburys which turned out to be really good. And then Raleigh showed up with a fifth of Wild Turkey and a new cd. We went to the Sandbar, but ended up at home where he took pictures of our apartment. And us. Sitting outside. Looking rather stoic. Or rather Raleigh and I look stoic. Sunday we continued with our tradition of going to Tres Lobos (I needed to remember how much I loved mole sauce. And frozen margaritas) before he went home. We also went to Best Buy for the new Raconteurs album which sounded really really really good. Then we spent our evening finishing off season 2 of Lost. Which was mildly disappointing.
Today is my first afternoon of freedom in months. I need to do my taxes. And go grocery shopping. But I'd really like to spend some time outside reading or raking the yard or getting my bike in ready-to-ride shape or hiking in the Dunes or writing or driving around listening to the Raconteurs or running or cleaning out my little herb garden or just lying around in the hammock off the croquet lawn.
This is going to be a good week.
Thanks, Raleigh for that little gem.
Oooooh it was a good weekend. Su Casa was good, but their mole sauce is far inferior to Tres Lobos. As are their frozen margaritas. I did end up in bed and asleep by about 11:15pm. Saturday I cleaned the house before Michael came over for our afternoon of decadence at Journeyman. I ate pate. And prosciutto. And this amazing blue cheese. And these delicious little buckwheat perogies in a mushroom broth. We hit up Saugatuck for some Swell Times (I bought a Jesus keychain to light my way. And a sweet pink Beatles pint glass) and some tea at Uncommon. When I got home I got talked into watching a 20 minute documentary on The Traveling Wilburys which turned out to be really good. And then Raleigh showed up with a fifth of Wild Turkey and a new cd. We went to the Sandbar, but ended up at home where he took pictures of our apartment. And us. Sitting outside. Looking rather stoic. Or rather Raleigh and I look stoic. Sunday we continued with our tradition of going to Tres Lobos (I needed to remember how much I loved mole sauce. And frozen margaritas) before he went home. We also went to Best Buy for the new Raconteurs album which sounded really really really good. Then we spent our evening finishing off season 2 of Lost. Which was mildly disappointing.
Today is my first afternoon of freedom in months. I need to do my taxes. And go grocery shopping. But I'd really like to spend some time outside reading or raking the yard or getting my bike in ready-to-ride shape or hiking in the Dunes or writing or driving around listening to the Raconteurs or running or cleaning out my little herb garden or just lying around in the hammock off the croquet lawn.
This is going to be a good week.
Friday, April 4, 2008
well played
When I came to work this morning I was all optimistic and looking forward to my potentially insanely social weekend and despite having made the choice to stay up until 1am editing poetry I felt fairly good about where my day was headed.
I am not any longer.
Thankfully I just have to endure one hour of hell followed by a few hours surrounded by people I'm not so thrilled to be surrounded by but during which I get to wantonly consume as much tequila and good Mexican food as I can possibly handle.
I have no idea what time I'll actually be making my way back home but I suspect I might find Peter in a tequila soaked state himself as last I heard his plan involved trying to be in the "same state" I will be in. Stumby wumbly and ready to go to sleep is what I'm aiming for.
Tomorrow I run 2 miles, go out for lunch with my gayboyfriendMichael at Journeyman, and then maybe Raleigh and/or Kevdek may be in town which sounds pretty fantabulous to me.
One hour of hell and few hours of tequila.
It could be worse.
I am not any longer.
Thankfully I just have to endure one hour of hell followed by a few hours surrounded by people I'm not so thrilled to be surrounded by but during which I get to wantonly consume as much tequila and good Mexican food as I can possibly handle.
I have no idea what time I'll actually be making my way back home but I suspect I might find Peter in a tequila soaked state himself as last I heard his plan involved trying to be in the "same state" I will be in. Stumby wumbly and ready to go to sleep is what I'm aiming for.
Tomorrow I run 2 miles, go out for lunch with my gayboyfriendMichael at Journeyman, and then maybe Raleigh and/or Kevdek may be in town which sounds pretty fantabulous to me.
One hour of hell and few hours of tequila.
It could be worse.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
i'm just being irrational
This has been a glorious day.
A nice run in the sunshine, a nice walk to work in the sunshine, and right now I'm sitting at the NymphoDesk which is bathed in sunshine. I've been told I'm glowing.
I love sunshine.
I finished the Chabon. It was amazing. I was going to start on my Summer Reading List, but Berghoef has already started reading off my list and therefore I'm less interested. It defies logic as to why it makes me angry he's decided to read Cloud Atlas. Maybe it's because it's a book I've been considering since it came out and have been working up to and he reads a little Wikipedia entry about it and decides to just dive right in. See? Completely illogical on my part. I don't care. Instead I'm going to read Drown. And Roads: Driving America's Great Highways. And the translation of Metamorphoses I've been waiting for came in for me. I also just flooded my GoodReads account with new books to read. Coming off something as good as I did is always tough. I feel full and lost and empty all at the same time. I'm hoping to sort of read some transitional things before the next big thing comes along.
Wow. I'm tired. Tomorrow I have a longer (for me) run planned. And it's not supposed to rain until the afternoon so I'm thinking of walking to work again. All of which makes me even more tired just thinking about it. Thankfully tomorrow is Thursday. And then it's going to be Friday.
A nice run in the sunshine, a nice walk to work in the sunshine, and right now I'm sitting at the NymphoDesk which is bathed in sunshine. I've been told I'm glowing.
I love sunshine.
I finished the Chabon. It was amazing. I was going to start on my Summer Reading List, but Berghoef has already started reading off my list and therefore I'm less interested. It defies logic as to why it makes me angry he's decided to read Cloud Atlas. Maybe it's because it's a book I've been considering since it came out and have been working up to and he reads a little Wikipedia entry about it and decides to just dive right in. See? Completely illogical on my part. I don't care. Instead I'm going to read Drown. And Roads: Driving America's Great Highways. And the translation of Metamorphoses I've been waiting for came in for me. I also just flooded my GoodReads account with new books to read. Coming off something as good as I did is always tough. I feel full and lost and empty all at the same time. I'm hoping to sort of read some transitional things before the next big thing comes along.
Wow. I'm tired. Tomorrow I have a longer (for me) run planned. And it's not supposed to rain until the afternoon so I'm thinking of walking to work again. All of which makes me even more tired just thinking about it. Thankfully tomorrow is Thursday. And then it's going to be Friday.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
erin is indeed a fool today
I think I need to talk about Bell's HopSlam.
Wow. I mean, WOW. We paid $15.00 for a six pack and I gotta say it was spectacular. It's gorgeous in the glass. It's wonderfully citrusy. It fills your mouth perfectly. And it's dangerously drinkable. And when I say dangerously drinkable I mean this beer loving woman did not need that second one. Find it. Drink it. You will not be sorry.
Now that it's officially April 1 my mind turns to a summer reading plan. Here's what I'm thinking thus far:
Wow. I mean, WOW. We paid $15.00 for a six pack and I gotta say it was spectacular. It's gorgeous in the glass. It's wonderfully citrusy. It fills your mouth perfectly. And it's dangerously drinkable. And when I say dangerously drinkable I mean this beer loving woman did not need that second one. Find it. Drink it. You will not be sorry.
Now that it's officially April 1 my mind turns to a summer reading plan. Here's what I'm thinking thus far:
I'm not going to read every one of these, but I'm thinking 3 total including the Eggers which despite its size I think I'll enjoy and get through fairly quickly. I'm thinking of starting on this as soon as I'm finished with the Chabon. Suggestions are more than welcome.
It's Tuesday but it feels like Monday which will make Friday seem a lot sooner which is good as I suspect I'm looking at a challenging week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)