Really, TRULY, not much to report..

Which I said that yesterday, and turned it into a rant against Steely Dan. (which.. Steely Dan.. they are fine musicians. They just give me the cringeys.)

(I tried to find an image which I love, which is of the comic book character Bone, covered in snow. It's awesome. However, the internet gave me this instead. I approve!)

- There was snow! Which fell amazingly fast. My commute was about two hours, BUT - I was warm. For the most part, I was safe. I had gas. I was lucky enough to hobble my way home.

- There was decompression! I made bread and veggie soup. I ate wayyyy too much bread and veggie soup. Nom nom nom.

- There was.. laundry. (you see where this is going)

- There was watching "Dollhouse" on hulu.com (which was, through a mix of conflicting expectations, pretty okay!)

- There was staying in, and I kept myself moderately busy. Doing... stuff that wasn't that important.

>- I am finding more music by watcing the videos online first. Neat! I feel all Friday Night Videos again.

- Oh! I bought a cheapie melodica off of the interwebs. I hope it's cool. A melodica is a piano that you blow through. It's a ridiculous looking instrument. But one that is stupidly fun to play. It's like panpipes for.. umm.. stupid people. Me. If Liberache had a video filled with spritely underclad male nymphs, they wouldn't be playing pan pipes - they'd be playing melodicas. I'm going to purchase myself a keyboard tie to wear whist I play this thing.

- If there's anyway that Bret and Jemaine are going to realize that they need a female bass & melodica player... this could be my ticket in.


For, for a Thursday night, given the fact that going anywhere sounded and looked heinous, it was a pretty nice(melodica-anticpatory) night.

Will there be joy in Mudville tonight? What adventures will be had? (um, exercise, and then maybe go see some friends do a funny show.) Time to shovel the driveway and play with snakes. (no guns, this time)

Onward.

It's Opinionated Blog Day!!

Did you know that there's a Too Much Coffee Man opera!? Nope, neither did I..

Anywhoo's... I have nothing very exciting to blog about, but will anyway as my friend Christopher G. has found me! Yea!! Hi! :)

- The goat cheese slice and pint at the Mill may have been a poor idea. Sign #45 of aging.

- I sat between two pairs of ladies at the bar, who spent the entire night kvetching. And I realized, that this is EXACTLY how I sound when I'm with my lady friends one on one. We kvetch. Good lord. We ladies complain a lot. However, it was also kind of awesome. There is support given in the mutual kvetch. There is loving s#!t given in the mutual kvetch. Kvetch away, ladies!

- Les Claypool* is playing the Myth (this I believe). Devotchka, writers of one of the most romantic songs in existence, is opening?! And Saul Williams too (his Reparations song rocks my socks)?! Crap!! Weird!!! This show should be awesome. And.. weird!!!

It's almost spring. Can you feel it? Despite the pounding we're going to get today, it's getting closer. That stupid springy fresh air heroine rush that makes us justify the deadliest of winters over and over. Curses!

Quiet Thursday of work, teaching and wondering if I'm brave enough to infiltrate 7th Street to check out The Battle Royale tonight.

I bought my first Timbaland mp3 last night. It's the song that everyone knows. It's really good. I am that 7th grade teacher, tryin' to be cool. About a year and a half too late.

Onward.

*As a bass player, I should lovelovelove Les Claypool. Just as a comic book reader, I should love.. Batman (or the Hulk). I can't deny the innate awesome of either. But I never got into either. Ehhh.. I know he's a musical genius (which he is). But, what I've heard of Claypool has always left me cold. His stuff is very boy-centric weird-boy masculine, just as Batman (or the Hulk) is boy-centric weird-boy masculine. *grin* In this weird-boy incredibly-talented fast-note-playing way, I equate Claypool with Rush. No matter the time signature.

** Watch, if I actually make it to the show, I'll be gaga for Claypool and will deny up and down that I wrote this.

*** As a person of my GenX specific generation, both Rush and Steely Dan should cease to exist. Except for maybe some small sections of "Tom Sawyer". This may make me a horrible person. Sorry.

Forcing teens out of the comfort zone...

... with screamy-screamy techniques.

Dear Middle Schoolers of a certain well-to-do suburb,

You both rock my socks, and depress me.

We may have too much in common. Your class looks about exactly what my class looked like (except that it was 1987. And we didn't have a Gap. We had a Half-Price Store.) You can be so awesome, and yet so knowledgeable about how life can suck. Giving off super love, or super worried about looking cool, and generally, super done with the crazed, fuzzy-haired improv teacher. And then you're super dumb. Or, then you super dig me and the workshop.

I do like that I can use giving them hugs as a threat. Especially if you're being hyper emo.

Love,
Jen

It may not be a correct or wise thing to try and cajole young teens out of their comfort zone, but that's what I'm supposed to do. At 8:30 a.m. in the morning. (Blarghh! Feel my caffeiney wrath!!) Again, we may have too much in common.

Last night was Operation Spoon Burger. (Operation Loose Meat admittedly sounds a bit squishy.) 'Had my first rehearsal at my house, followed by a lovely smorgasborg of tastiness. I made loosemeat sandwiches (technically, sloppy joes or spoon burgers, honestly). Team members brought delicious treats. We swapped stories, drank carrot juice and beer, my dog loved the attention.

Afterwards, after the couch had been moved back and decided to have a smoke on the porch, I felt at peace. And that's a freaky and kind of silly thing to say. But, I did. Or, the most at peace in the moment as I've been in a long time. And this was a little freaky to me. I didn't feel like having a bit of wine before going to bed, which I usually do. I just felt like going to bed, and sleeping the sleep of the sleepy. And this was.. sorta new.

I think I've lived kinda nervously, or in a state of continual judgement for a long time. We all do, but for the first time, I felt really aware the worry not being there. I couldn't have wanted anything more from the night. My roommie was super awesome for letting us do this. It was so nice to have the tv room fill with laughter. It was so nice to.. not worry.

I think things are changing and moving. I hope for the better. w00t. Back at you too.

Tomorrow, I sleep in! YESH. Today, I try and attempt to jog around a lake, before the multiple feets of snow descend upon the metro area. And we'll try some more stuff too.

I'll have a much whinier blog tomorrow, promise. ;) ... maybe.

Onward.

I'm just on that edge of really really tired..

.. It's been really really lovely though..

Ka-Baam!! rehearsal and hangin' out and Venture Bros. (my god, the show will never grow tired for me) thus begins the week of early teaching. I can start to feel it when I've woken up one too many times before 8 a.m.. It's totally wimpy of me, but I'm in slow decline. Must make it to Thursday!! Coffee, bakery items, and eating unhealthily sound really good right now.

I also need a bang trim.

Things that may be dumb, but are also awesome:

- Calling a sheet of jazz music a chart. But, that's what we call it. Makes me feel all lingo-fied and possibly legitimate - - and, it's just damned fun to say.

- Cat stories. Cat stories are generally awesome by themselves. But hearing them from Tom and Hilde takes them wayyyy over to the awesome side. (Plus, Hilde made Pear Ginger pie! Very lucky.. :) )

- Herkimer's Zola Mac. Actually, there may be nothing dumb about this excepting it's lack of nutrition and abundance of awesome. Met dear friend Harry at Herkimer's, and gorgonzola, noodles, ham, conversation and beer were devoured. Awesome.

- More Venture Bros. and hanging out. Actually, this was all awesome too.

- Sunshine-driven happy mood. Sorry, perhaps it's time to fully admit that I am often solar powered. Man, it helps.

- Attempting to inject middle schools students from Edina with energy before 9 a.m.. This may fall more to the dumb side. Bed was hard to leave. Teenagers were all cross armed. Woof.

- Having Six Ring rehearsal at my house tonight.. I don't actually know where will fall yet, but hopefully it will land square in the middle, and just be fun.

I'm happy. I'm just so.. tired. Poor me.

Onward.

Eggs, toasts, and one teaspoon of headache smashing awesomeness

My sister stands stubbornly by the notion that Sambal Oelek (who knew that it was actually called that) kicks the pants off of Sriracha (or cock sauce). This morning, I tip my hat to sambal oelek. My nose is running, endorphins are battling dehydration, and toxins fear me. As should everyone else. Chili sauce power battle go!!

The snow looked so pretty yesterday. And I'm a hater. I shoveled my driveway and felt super proud. It's perfect snowman snow!

I worked the 'late night' shift at the Science Museum yesterday, which was unexpectedly great.

a) Two 10 year old girls became my friends: Julia and Briana. Best audience members in the world, and their dad let them stay a hour later just to see my last show. It was wonderful.

b) Grown ups asking questions! Oh my goodness! Honest, thought provoking questions! Holy hannah!

b.2) What happens if you drink Liquid Nitrogen? I can't say this in front of kids, but chemistry majors/lab dudes have told me stories. Nitrogen becomes a liquid at -320 degrees Fahrenheit. That's cold enough to cause instant frostbite: however, you are about 400 degrees warmer than that Nitrogen. So, if you were dunked into a vat supervillian vat of N, that would suck. But, if a little of it comes into contact with you, it just boils away.

SO - - I've been told if you drink just a little of it (say, half a dixie cup) - - the water vapor and water in your mouth begin to instantly condense as it comes into contact with the boiling, evaporating, super cold Nitrogen. Freaky looking clouds begin to pour out of your mouth and nose. If enough of the N makes it to your tummy and boils away there, you're stuck burping for about a half hour. The more you know..

And, it may be all lies. This is only what I've been told. I should have just youtube'd it: there's gotta be clips of bored chemistry majors.

Onward to the Red Dragon.. ohhh, damn you Red Dragon. But! It was wonderful!!! Reconnected with the best of friends, three of which I haven't seen since 2008. YES YES YES! Aces. Awesome. Hugs galore. Trouble. :)

Onward to karaoke at the VFW. I've never been to karaoke at the VFW in Uptown...
a) It was packed! We knew that going in.

b) We were worried about the douchebag quotient. It, and they, were fine.

c) The two gentlemen who performed the duet of "Electric Avenue" need to be held up in the highest of highest regard. IT WAS HILARIOUS. I cannot express the awesome power of these two gentlemen's fuckin'-around-ness. Whoever you lovely boys are... Thank you.

d) The karaoke maven, a grandma in her 70s probably, let me sing "Proud to be an American" with her, unexpectedly. W00t! I grew up in Iowa in the eighties, I know the words. And then, her husband shocked us all with his absolutely beautiful voice. I thanked her, and mentioned that voice - - and that's how they met. His voice! She heard him doing karaoke, they got together, and have been married for nine years.

Sad part: they're getting divorced. :( But they'll still do the karaoke business together (that's $35,000 worth of equipment, people.. or at least that's what she told me, twice.)

Crashed at Partner In Crime's to a submarine movie on Turner Classic Movies. EVERYTHING IS TENSE ON A SUBMARINE!!!! Dinner! Coffee! TENSE!!

I would have slept more this morning if it wasn't for the 30 collective pounds of whiny scratchy vocal neediness. Now, of course, they're angels. But from 10 a.m. until about 12:18 p.m., they were horrible. arrrrrrgh. My hat tips to all the parents in the world, who's 30 pounds of neediness are another human being. I can put the cat on the front porch - - an infant, I'm assuming, it'd be harder to do that.

Workin' today, but get to have dinner and Ka-Baam!! rehearsal! That's right! Ka-Baam!!'s coming back to the BLB! YEAAA!!! Let's see if we remember how to do this.

Onward.

The world went poof! (but i got to see some music)

yesh. Met up with dear friends Sue and Josh to visit the Kitty Cat Klub (where all the decorations from the original Loring went to roost) to watch some music. Lovely!

- The Painted Saints (pictured): Morphine + Andrew Bird + Spaghetti Western String Company ='s Painted Saints. Awesome.

- Abbey Wolf: Whales having sex. Somehow, whales sound like a thin 20something brunette when they have sex. It nearly put Sue and Josh to sleep, but for some reason, she has quite a following (i.e. thin 20something brunette making musical sex sounds). We sneaked away...

So much snow..! I feel I, and the rest of the Twin Cities, will have to shovel tomorrow.

Onward.

The older I get, the more I love Morrissey...

If I was a prepostnewwavepunkrock crooner, this is how I would sing (like an unapologetic diva). And what I would want for my videos (bored musician boys and puppy dogs). Wonderfuls.

Did I expect to grow up and become a Morrissey-loving fool? No. The better question may be why did it take so long.

It's been a lovely couple days of beers with friends. Yea, beers with friends!

a) Namaste Cafe's food is brilliant. However, if you order bread/roti, you don't get much. Word to the wise.

b) Friend Jen says many many many smart things about many many many different subjects. I am lucky to have friend Jen.

c) Went out last night, and had a wonderful time. 'Had a very 'Minneapolis' evening, as dinner was at the Red Dragon and movie was at St. Anthony Main. Happy. :)

c.2) St. Anthony Main is probably my favorite movie theater, as it still feels like a movie theater to me. There are no cupholders, the seats do not recline, the screen is small, and we were 2 of 3 people in the room. No one farted popcorn farts on me. It's quiet, and I love it.

d) Shrimp toast, actually very tasty, not very shrimpy.

e) Grand Torino!! oh goodness. I can see where people could pick this movie apart (the supporting actors are either working American character actors - - yea! - - or complete unknowns - - also yea! And, with the exception of one guy I couldn't quite get into, they're fine, good, yes.), but - - Eastwood is so damned terribly smart. It's a very simple story in some ways, but a terribly complicated one to make actually work, I think. And he did. He made this the way he wanted to make this, and he plays his character the way he wants to play it. Not always that subtly. And it's actually great. Plus, one of his character choices is a growl. I love it.

f) It makes you ache, pine, wish, whatever that this movie was made in St. Paul. We know this story, we know these characters - - arrghhh!

g) I spent the last eighth of the movie tearing up. This made me look very tired. I am not a pretty, one tear down the face crier. I am a red eyed, snotty nosed, watery-eyed mess, generally.

h) There is nothing better than someone plugging your meter.. in a non-euphemistic way.

Really wonderful happy evening, after a semi-stressful up-in-the-air sort of day.

Yesterday, I also performed for the first time using the live snakes. The snakes were incredibly chill, and stole the show.

I love the little corn snake called Bubba. (Secretly wondering if Bubba may need a home after the Goosebumps exhibit is done. I don't need another animal, I'd have to find a way to place the cage in un-kitty-cat-able regions, and it would mean microwaving little dead baby mice for him biweekly, but.. he's the bees knees, as far as legless reptiles go.)

Onward.

Another reason why the Muff Monday girls rock...

I've been telling everyone about the sketch/gameshow of "Guess What My Ex-Boyfriend's Penis Size Is" (which consisted of semi-naked picture of boyfriend, HORRIBLE story of what said ex did, then giving choices of his penis size - - my favorite being "Acockalypse Now".. because if his penis touched you, it'd be the end of the world.

They snuck a thrift store saucer into my bag (I had no clue), along with these directions:

"Mosaics Therapy"
1. Say fuck it and smash the plate.

2. Pick up the pieces.

3. Make something beautiful with whats left over.

Muff Mondays

Onward.

What I learned..

- Phoenix is bizarro Minneapolis. They come out in the winter, we come out in the summer. We dress in a lot of clothes, they are more comfortable dressing in none..ish.

- Improv ='s funny. Storytelling/standup ='s funny. An unprepared half way in between attempt ='s not so funny. Glad I tried, but feel bad that I sucked. So so generous of the Muffs!!

Alys picked me up, after hapy hour with my sister and three art openings on campus! (one of the openings was a Ball Pit!! A grown up size, 4 feet of plastic balls, ball pit. This was f-ing delightful. Period. Yea, Art!!! Photos to follow...)

- Yeaaaaaa, Alys!!! The beautiful Alys picked me up and drove me around and chatted and hugged and oh, for happy!!!! :)

- Yeaaaaa, Jose!!! Got to see and hugs and chat with Jose!!!! Jose gives off love like the sun gives off rainbows. Yeaaaa!!!!

- Met amazing lovely new ladies, including the lovely funny ladies of Muff Mondays at the Ruby Room. Smart & funny & dirty & cute -- Jose bought me a $4 muffdiver, and I laughed and laughed.

- Well-done burlesque still makes me do happy dances.

- Back to Tempe, for disturbed sleep on my sister loveseat. A friend of my sister's drove me to the airport. Again, very generous.

Back to Minneapolis...I have no idea how I feel about this except that it's fine. Mom was right: it's the hangin' out that's fun. Whether with old friends, new friends, friend friends or family - it's an important part of life, and should be done often. (so.. Um... looking forward to happy hour tonight.)

Happy Hour accomplished. It was an amazing group of people. Bittersweet and strange and wonderful. Josh said it felt like an Irish funeral, and having only pretended to be at one before, it was better than pretend. It felt right. Thank you all for a lovely night. :)

Onward.

Welcome to Scottsdale... (and Tempe, thank god)

- Hi Scottsdale. Gucci bags! Prada bags! I'm starting to loathe the sight of a designer bag. A PINK outfit with a sparkly earth and silkscreened 'recycling' symbology on it, worn with a Chanel something, done hair, and painted toes. Boobs. So much boobs. So many 50 somethings in Beemers, so many penis-related cars. Conspicuous consumption... Really really shiny & coiffed conspicuous consumption.

- As far as I'm concerned, the AllStar game can kiss my a$$. From people waking up my mom after AllStar partying, from AllStar drama at the airport, I hold the NBA in the same regard as.. I dunno. As a super rich strip club owner. One that is mean to his employees and has a greasy belly. Smokes a cigar. Looks like Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Possibly Jabba the Hutt. Relishes in other's misfortune. Sweats when he thinks. Ewwww.

- Welcome to Tempe! Tempe is full of urban hipsters and skateboards, tattews and 80s sunglasses. Tempe felt like a breath of fresh air. It's still conspicuous consumption, but it's stuff I can relate to. And I don't think hipster eat babies, or dress said babies in scratchy diamonds.

- Watched a hummingbird! Saw a tortoise! Plus a hipster on a trampoline, pulling up her skinny jeans and holding onto her hipster hat.

- Now on a light rail train, to visit a building dedicated to science. It is the future (which looks like it was built by jawas.)

- Who will tell Nick & Clarence that I did not spend the $11 to see the Star Trek exhibit?

Onward.

What I think what happened..

I think a Party Promoter/Producer rented out a block of rooms at this hotel, and filled them with Party People, to make sure the NBA Players were not bored by Phoenix's possible lack of hoochie. Or loud dudes.

We've seen all variation of necklines and vagina-skimming skirts.

I've tried to remember everytime I was the shitty yelling hotel guest.

I've tried to remember everytime I was chatting from 1 a.m. - 6 a.m..

I know I've been that. But I also know that I haven't.

Scottsdale Hilton: awesome beds, no pop machine, no continental breakfast for mom. And one weekend this year, full of loud hoochies.

Onward.

Welcome to AZ, where sales go to die...

Welcome to AZ!

- Kay and I spend Friday wandering about her campus, getting coffee (after a lovely Frenchified breakfast), and watching her work work work. She's busy.

- Welcome to AZ, Mom! We got a priceline deal on a Hilton (wha?) in Scottsdale. It appears that we are sharing the hotel with entourages -- possibly of basketball players, possibly of their girlfriends. They shop at Louis Vitton and get fussy when the concierge won't switch their rooms to poolside. They also wear really really really tight pants.. perhaps leggings... pants. Fancy, and Hoochie!

- We eat pizza, and then dessert at the Sugar Bowl! Holy crap, the Sugar Bowl!! The Sugar Bowl is owned by relations of the guy who drew Family Circle. Delicious ice cream, plus you can order "Jello, Potato Chips & Tea Sandwiches" as an entree (alas, we just had ice cream) Pictures to follow!

- To an outdoor mall, complete with fires, couches, and cover bands.

- Saturday involved Frenchified breakfast, wandering around campus, and taking a packed light rail to the Phoenix Art Museum. Mom did great. The Museum was friendly, open, inviting and Quality! Just loved their collections, neat-o.

- Packed Light Rail, it's the NBA All Star Game in downtown Phoenix. These are some of the happiest, most pleasant public transit riders ever. Gracious.

- Frank & Lupe's for dinner (awesome texmex), drop mom off at hotel, go get beers with sister. Very happy Valentine's day, honestly.

- Harlowe's Diner for breakfast, Kay to campus for work, and Mom and I explore. We drive by Taliesin West, we drive by a mountain, we get In-N-Out burger!!! Mom-approved!

- We go looking at antique stores, which was overwhelming. Phoenix means Sun City, Sun City means senior citizens, senior citizens mean that sometimes they pass away and their families don't know what to do with their stuff. Sad, a little macabre, but also astonishing. So..much..stuff. We buy $5 worth of stuff.

- We drive by an indoor outlet store, where the majority of the population of the Phoenix area seems to be hiding.

It's been lovely. Today's the first grey day, but still warm. Tempe is filled with midwesterners. Phoenix is filled with toddlers (A LOT of young families). We've eaten super well. AZ is like southern California, but without that pesky (beautiful) ocean.

Mom goes back tomorrow (argh). Kay and I have had only one blow out (what my mom refers to as a pissing match.. We're dumb.) I get one more day, but my last night here in a super comfy bed. Tha's okay... just very lucky to be here.

Onward.

Welcome to AZ...

I'm sitting in my sister's studio (or, at least, the place she works on campus), typing on her computer while grad student buzzy like bees and discuss things that seem REALLY IMPORTANT TO THEM! Alas, I'm blogging right now about THINGS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME. (Or, at least, important enough to blather on a blog about.) Glass houses..

A print professor just let me peruse a bunch of expensive pop up books! I just had a coffee! This is idyllic!

Welcome to Tempe!

- Tempe has not only palm trees and olive trees and pomegranate trees, but many many citrus trees which drop many many oranges. It looks like everyone's grocery bags keep coming undone.

- If you put an orange tree to close to another citrus tree, it will have little mixed citrus babies. Fascinating!

- It's sunny and 70. I'm spoiled silly right now, I realize. This is ridiculous.

- While AZ fills you with sun-issued Vitamin D, it secretly takes all the water from you. sllluuurrrrp! Because of this, my sister's bathroom is filled with moisturizer.

- I spent the day cleaning her kitchen. If I'm related to you, and you leave the house, chances are that I'll clean your kitchen. (I have kitchen issues. Every thing must be contained! Every surface must be wiped! Arrrghhh! It may stem from a fear of finding little bugs in grains, but mostly, it just probably me exerting control through sanitizing spray.)

- Restaurants are bistro sized here. We went out for thai (at Thai Basil, although I hear there's a Thai Elephant, which sounds ever more exciting..) :)

- AZ is the land of the one beer drunk. I was three quarters through my beer, and my sister goes "Can you feel it?". And yes! AZ leaves you dehydrated, and makes you a very cheap date.

- I go to pick my mom up at the airport pretty soon.

We have no real plans.. just hanging around, looking at stuff, and fussing in general. Wish us luck! :)

Onward.

Ohhh.. it one of THOSE mornings..

Man, as much as I like mornings, I forget to like mornings. And so, I wake up tired and, for whatever reason, disgruntled and angry. Is there any rational explanation for this? No. Mornings are lovely. Time to start reminding oneself of that. Instead of thinking thoughts like "mrmrmmmmmrmm" or "I have no nostalgia".

I am growing into a crank. Plain and simple.

Tuesday involved Six Ringing, and D'amico's with Beth. yeaa!! Hello, sanity - - it's nice to see you. It also involved a trip to the Happy Gnome with Josh and Sue and Mary! YEAAA! Josh wanted coffee & beer, so we sampled our way through every stout which mentioned coffee on the menu. (nom nom nom)

Wednesday involved some serious Science Museum-ing, followed by packing and class. Wonderful class. Thank you, class! And then to the Mill with Nels, to do some brain picking and chat. All wonderful stuff, and no reason to become Lady Angry.

Lesson 1: Chill the f out.

Lesson 16: Don't try to live in your head. It's messy. Try living outside of your head. Remind yourself this whenever you set up shop in your brain.

Today, involves bussing! Which is always a little stressful. It doesn't have to be, but sometimes, that's just what my brain says. Part of that bussing is taking it from the Museum and hopping upon a plane. Sister visit away! It's funny that the whole reason for a visit (family) can also be one of the reasons for feeling apprehensive (family). Ah well.

Onward.

Take it...

Yesterday was a grand day for stuff, as it was warm enough to be wet outside. (It felt vaguely Portland-esque, except for a lot less green)

- Home Depot. I did it! I bought some flooring. Mr. NiceGuyTouchyPants helped me. I have never been manhandled more at a Home Depot. He was a close-stander, touch ya on the shoulder, grab your arm to stop you from loading stuff. He also wasn't from Minnesota. I think he was well meaning and unaware that I jumped at least twice, or that these un-Midwestern actions could be conceived of as possibly creepy. Human contact, especially from a 60 year old in an orange apron, and a southern accent.. I think he was harmless, but I was still jumpy and watching my a$$.

- I unloaded said flooring onto porch. Shit. It was heavy. Thanks for loading, touchytouchyLeonard!

- I put drywall up! Home Depot sells cute 2x2 sections of drywall!! Workable by me! Yeaa!!

- I hope I did not put a drywall screw through an electrical wire. This remains to be seen.

- Yoga took my already shaky self, and twisted and turned me. Awesome. ARRR!!

- Went to replace released toxins with bread and cheese from Trader Joe's. Got carded by younger guy who said "I always check when I know someone's younger than me." It was probably the wavy gravy yoga vibe or perhaps I need to dress more grown-upper, but.. oh. You made my day, cute Trader Joe's boy.

- Got to play music with jazz buddies. Our drummer is in the hospital, and it makes everyone slow down a little (and rightfully worry..). But two guitars and a bass was wonderful. As was the company and generosity after.

- 12 year old scotch, floor pillows, funny stories, and a fire. I am in wonderment of these folks. Generosity is nothing to them - - they share as easily as they breathe. Smart and funny and I've got 12 years to become like them. :)

- Dreamt about people I'm learning to live without. Dammit. Ah well.

Today equals work, dinner with Beth, and Six Ring workshop. :)
Wednesday equals work and teaching.
Thursday equals work and Arizona!! And sister! And mom! And sister's cats! And palmetto bugs. um. And.. stuff to blather about.

Onward.

Destroyed by beef.

Otherwise known as, You're killin' me, Smalls...

A fairly lax Sunday. Yea for fun!

- Walked on Lake of the Isles, just like everyone else in Kenwood. (I don't live in Kenwood, but I can pretend)

- Youth rehearsal! W00t!

- Extra Six Ring rehearsal! W00t again!

- Three members of my team wanted to go to Matt's (they'd never been! excitement!). And so, four jucy lucy's and three premiums were ordered. We watched the Grammy's and made smarta$$ comments. It was absolutely lovely.

My tummy is still trying to figure out what to do with this large mound of beef, dairy and starch I have stuffed into it. Combine that with watching a Bonnie Tyler video on the youtube and starting Fables: my dreams were dark last night.

Lesson 329: Be careful what you mix.

Onward.

P.S. God, the 80s were weird. I listened to an interview with James Bobin of Flight of the Conchords, and he mentioned how he and the boys were watching terrible wonderful videos. Hence the Bonnie Tyler research. What else...

"Tarzan Boy" by Baltimora - One of my favorite songs of the decade. And the video is this. I had no idea.

"Head Over Heels", the Go Gos - Dear lord, they were adorable. I love the drummers outfit. (This explains a great deal of how I am dressed for certain school pictures.)

What next? Tears for Fears? Men Without Hats? What completely unnecessary things might be posted? I need some sort of 2009 chaser.

Dear Matt and Kim, thank you for being adorable.



Truly onward.

A reminder of what to do..

What to do:
- When part of your Game Show set falls onto two small children. You lunge towards it, and then call security. Thank god, these children have an awesome mom who took it all much better than I did. Thank god, the six year old was like "eh" and the four year old was like "I'm hungry". My hand has the tiniest, owiest bit of Wheel of Nano burn (but looks kind of bad ass).

- When you don't think and just do. You can end up running around a lake between Saturday works. W00t!

- When you get to see someone you haven't for the longest time. Get up, smile and hug like crazy. And compare notes. Yea!

- When friends offer to meet you for drinks. No matter how beat you are, do it.

- When guys at the next table start playing with you. If they're funny and nice, play back. They were!

- When you wonder if you should have hung around, after your friends left, to play some more. Count on future serendipity and grudgingly acknowledge the wiseness of home and bed. Thank you for a lovely night!

It's beautiful out! I'm trying to figure out what to do before heading to Sunday work..

I'm working on my big trashed room upstairs. (I could go to Home Depot and purchase the flooring I've been eying. The price is awesome. It's just.. wuf. Work and money. :( But necessary. And good!) What I hope this big room will have when finished:

- Lots of light.

- Lots of plants (which somehow, magically, I will keep alive)
















- Floors.

















- A work station for my never-used sewing machine and over-used laptop...

- A place for guests to sleep, complete with my futon couch. My first piece of furniture, purchased for $200 almost 10 years ago. You go with your bad self, futon couch.

Moving the futon couch upstairs will enable me to purchase a beautiful midcentury couch for downstairs. (Which will magically waiting for me, and be affordable. right?)




















Perhaps I will get all of this done before TCIF. That way more improvisers from around the nation can experience Minneapolis' north side. Hrm.

And I will paint the kitchen green.














And cover it's tiny walls in vintage-y plates.
















There. All of this will magically happen. And my refrigerator will be stainless steel, and my gutters will be fixed, and my exterior trim will be repainted and my multiple landscaped yet scrappy gardens will be weeded constantly. I will know exactly what seeds to plant for Zone 4. And I will add that cement patio. And my garage will be repainted. My dog will be well behaved and my cat's poo will smell like lavender. ALL THE TIME. RIGHT? Right.

It'll be okay. Time for some sunshine.

But you know what's awesome? These. (I need to finish and paint my stairs too)


















(psst.. I will also have red hair cut into a cute boy cut, all the while graying gracefully. I will draw often and hang out with skater boys, and wear just enough make up when I feel like it, and will own an awesome bike, and graduate to Yoga 2. And I will also know how to change a tire too.)

Onward.

Sloppy makes me mad..

I have two of the neediest animals in existence. I think they plan ahead, deciding which should be the needy one that morning. Sneaky.

Last night, 'was lucky enough to hang out with five amazing ladies I've never, really hung out with before. It sounds dumb, but it was akin to a revelation (and truly, the only reason it sounds dumb is because it shouldn't be a revelation. It should be obvious that five urban, professional, unwed, killer-smart ladies in their 30s might share similar experiences. But.. every once in a while, I'd slip from the conversation, and my insides would do a happy dance.)

Themes of the night:
- Men. (the original plan was to go to "He's Just Not That Into You".. heh. But we were sidetracked by chatting and pizza) Menmenbreakupsengagementsonlinedatingmen..

- Baby want. (it's not only okay to want babies, but.. um. It's definitely okay to want babies. Cool. There's always a caveat or a joke in my mind about the subject, like I'm not grown up enough or it's immature or maybe uterus jokes are just too much damn fun to make.)

- Death.

- STUPID IGNORANT A$$HOLES.. (a couple of the ladies teach for local colleges)

- Families. Dads. Moms.

Looking at a friend's wedding pictures via one of their iPhones. The friend is getting married in Algeria (most of these ladies' are either from, or still have family back in, far away places. Where weddings look very very different. But there's still comparisons of the groom, admiring how beautiful the bride looks, which traditions were followed...) In other words, Girl's Night!

Which, in looking back, is half-support group, half-advice swap, and 3/4s mutual admiration society. Good stuff. :)

Then, 'was late to Mixed Tape. And was not happy with how I performed. Should have warmed myself up more. Should have gotten head into the game. I was sloppy and dumb. And that makes me mad (at self. The boys were awesome.). I love this stuff, I love who I'm playing with - - there is no reason to get slop-stink all over this. Errgh.

I know it's only transitory. That one improv set is a tiny little drop in a big improv set bucket. But... still. I want to do my best.

I think one gets used to feeling bad. (It happens after life changes, like break ups or job crap. It happened after my dad died.) That we get used to feeling a way, a certain baseline. And if that baseline is sad, we get used to it, and will fill in the bad-blank with whatever we can. Sometimes creating unnecessary drama, just to make sure that bad-blank has something to suck on. And I definitely come from a long line of worriers. It's genetic.

Goal 342: Figure out when that is happening.

Goal 321: Do what you said you would do (i.e. stop creating unnecessary drama to worry about.)

What's today? Museum, Mystery Cafe, hopefully seeing good people, hopefully more sleep.

Onward.

A nervous tic motion...

I have a Tiger Beat crush on Andrew Bird. *sigh* Whistle...whistle...

Yesterday was chock full of nuts. Looking back, it's funny to me that some of my favorite memories are make 'em ups, and, in some ways, didn't exist at all.

- Teaching! Teaching! It was nice to have Tuesday off, as Mon/Wed/Thurs have been spent telling people to do stuff.

- Museum ... We now all crave snake time. We want to hang out and pick up with Bubba and Sweetie. They are smooth and calming, and, when handling them, you have to take on some snake-induced chill.

- Sweetie got pissed after so much handling yesterday. Fussy large corn snake.

- Ka-Baam!! was so much fun... Aghhh!! Thank you all who came!!

- I may not have a smart maltipoo, but he is a wise maltipoo. The look he gave me at 7 am this morning spoke what we both knew to be true. That waking up before 8 am is b+!!s#!t.

- 2 outreach shows, followed by 3 museum shows today? Arrrgh? (yea! It's actually just two museum shows today. Cool! That's plenty.)

- But tonight!!! Fun with Girls (which is not the name of a show, but should be.. make that, will be.), followed by Mixed Tape at ComedySportz!! 10:30 pm!! Come and watch!!

- Tomorrow, I'm gonna try to sleep in. And maybe eat an egg. This sounds awesome. Tomorrow also involves more museum and more show stuff, so this "sleeping in" possibility holds great appeal. Hoping it's possible.

Onward.

Something stinky, state of Denmark...

Well.. that's ridiculous. And.. ADORABLE. (I love the end so much)

And this is inspirational

Anything I post here, I've probably already posted to Facebook or whatnot, as my life is small and boring. And driven by certain social networking sites.

Had a beautiful time last night with dear friend, who listened to my current situation, and thought about it, and said how it sounded to him, in honest and clear ways that felt right. *sigh* Thank you, dear friend!!! Granted, everything's still the same, but very very lucky for good friends who'll put up with my whining.

Something's amiss. Something's stinky. Something's not right.. It's probably just me just trying to assign the world with my own kerfuffle.

Things I'm looking into:
- Flooring. Isn't that exciting?
- Teach for America. Let's have the government assign me a purpose!
- Hey, did you know that you can get to Ireland and back for under $500 in March via Aer Lingus. Do I have $500? No. Does this make me want to continue to charge crap on my card? Of course. $500 for twice across the Atlantic is staggering. Dangit.

Things I'm looking forward to:
- Ka-Baam!!! TOMORROW!! 10 p.m., BLB!
- Mixed Tape!!! Friday!! 10:30 p.m., ComedySportz!
- Weathermen sexily whispering temperatures in.. the 30s!
- Meeting my mom in AZ to go see my sister in AZ.

Time to go do um... a puppet show about infectuous diseases. Yep.

Onward.

The scratchiest dog in existence...

Welcome to boring blog #345: It's Monday and sunny.

How to dope a puppy dog's ears:
a) Don't call him to you before you do it, if you ever want your dog to come to you again! Dog's remember that s#!t. Keep the sound of your voice happily calling their name equated to happy thoughts.

b) Make sure he's under 12 pounds, so you can pick him up when he realizes what's going on. If he over 12 pounds, you may have to take to simply laying on him when attempting to dope his ears. Poor doggie.

c) Give him a delicious treat afterwards.

d) Give the cat a kitty treat, just for being chill.

Sunday was lovely. I feel much much better, thank you.
a) Attempted a walk/run around Lake of the Isles. Watched all of the Loppet-ers, loppet-ing.

b) Made my way to BNI youth, and found that my natural emotional pH had suddenly skyrocketed. Whoa! Thank you exercise, thank you massive intake of Vitamin D & sunshine.

c) I watched the Superbowl. I don't usually do this.

c.1) HALF TIME WAS AWESOME!! Bruce Springsteen was goofy and awesome (as was his crotch.. de-friggin'-lightful.) As the Boss told me, I stepped back from the guacamole dip, and I put those chicken fingers down. *sigh* The whole thing was terribly satisfactory.

c.2) Puppybowl was also satisfactory. (Please see above beagle) Despite the ref. And the tired-sounding color commentary. Did not the directors nor the actors realize how much fun they could be having? Alas..

c.3) It was a crazy end to the game. (err... Superbowl. Not Puppybowl) I have no emotional ties to either of the teams, but was kind of rooting for the Cardinals. (I agree with Jill - - didn't they used to be a baseball team??) If only 'cuz the Steelers started doing .. um.. mean things.. like punch another player. Seriously, Harrison. I don't care how amazing of a play you made. Your other behavior was gross. Should have been booted from the game. J-a$$.

c.4) And THAT is how a girl (with limited football watching experience) watches the Superbowl. (mean equals bad!)

c.3) Any Star Trek trailer without Simon Pegg (Scottie!), Karl Urban (McCoy!), or John Cho (Sulu!) may be of no worth to me.

Today, I run some errands, buy some milk, and start working on the big room. That's my plan for February. Work on the big room.

Onward.

Little dog, big scratchies...

The newly groomed animal is sitting on me, scratching his newly groomed ears. *sigh*

Yesterday was a bust. A damned stupid bust. I was sick as a dog for the whole stupid day for pretty stupid reasons. Dammit. However, four shows at the Science Museum and a (really good) Mystery Cafe were completed.

And around 10 p.m., I ate a piece of toast and some oatmeal. Yea!!!

However, pre-suffering, I got to sit and chat with a speaker originally from the Moline/Davenport area. 30-something, fit, young, travels like mad, gets paid good money to travel like mad and talk. Talk talk talk.

a) Where'd you go to School? East Moline Community College. Did speech in high school, and continued doing it in college because he was good at it, and knew he could get a good grade.

b) Say that again? I own a tug boat. Dude owns a tug boat! Loves the river. Had an artist paint said tug boat. Goes from Canada to NOLA in the summer, docks it somewhere in Kentucky where the river doesn't freeze. Cool!

c) You know where's "hip as shit"? Louisville, KY. "They've got shit figured out" He says Louisville, I go look into Louisville. The weather is temperate (cold is in the 30s, really warm is 87), there's mountains and bike trails, it's the "confluence of Southern and Midwestern attitudes and cultures", and instead of "real" sports, they race things like steamboats and hot air balloons. What?! Delightful!! (oh.. I guess they really like college basketball too. Cool.)

Hrm. It sounds like another Austin or Minneapolis, where the rest of the state is nothing like this sweet spot of a city. Go, Louisville!!! :)

Very well. I have looked into another fine place. It is Sunday and it's sunny and almost vaguely temperate! yeaa!! I might try and run today, which might end up being a bit of a bust. Happy superbowl, I guess.

Onward.