Spent the weekend downstate visiting bluvelvet and roguelibrarian. It may still be Illinois, but it's like a whole other country out there. Gorgeous, yes; full of state parks and natural landmarks and long open stretches of road; home to Bon Appetit's "Best Ribs In America" and what seems like eighteen billion tiny wineries (and I forgot to buy a bottle of the Traminette that...
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I desperately want these boots. Yes, they're $400. Yes, I would buy them if I could even remotely justify the expense right now. ::sigh:: So gorgeous.
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ojaeflo:
I've been to Monterey before (like 15 years ago), and we were in the vicinity of the factory but didn't actually go to it.
I'm just psyched for a change in scenery!
I'm just psyched for a change in scenery!
apexxx:
yep we had fun! im confident enough to say it was one her best birthdays she ever had!
Over the weekend, watched a screening copy of No Country For Old Men that someone had given us. Gut reaction - WHAT?! HATE. I remember having a similar feeling about Barton Fink the first time I saw it, though to my mind that had a lot more redeeming features. Especially John Mahoney, Faulkner-and-Fitzgeralding it up. (Sidebar: I met him once; sadly, it was before I'd...
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kinto:
That was pretty "advanced" for a 6 year old! Surely beats wanting to be the little mermaid or something.
Haven't seen "No country" yet. Will probably watch it sometime though. All the Coen brothers' films I've seen I did enjoy except for "O Brother" which I thought was neither funny nor particularly clever. It got rave reviews everywhere though. Oh well...
Haven't seen "No country" yet. Will probably watch it sometime though. All the Coen brothers' films I've seen I did enjoy except for "O Brother" which I thought was neither funny nor particularly clever. It got rave reviews everywhere though. Oh well...
apexxx:
we got the Devils Backbone from NetFlix today. i do beleive it was you who recommended it. looking forward to seeing it! if it sucks i will blame you
I left work early today...
...but I'm going in tomorrow.
Only a half-day...not really looking forward to it, but it'll be a relief come Monday when all that stuff is already finished. I don't usually go into the office on weekends - it'll be blissfully quiet, at least.
My brain is on the verge of shorting out. Have a lovely weekend!
...but I'm going in tomorrow.
Only a half-day...not really looking forward to it, but it'll be a relief come Monday when all that stuff is already finished. I don't usually go into the office on weekends - it'll be blissfully quiet, at least.
My brain is on the verge of shorting out. Have a lovely weekend!
kinto:
eew... working on a Saturday
Here's hoping you have a great weekend nonetheless
Here's hoping you have a great weekend nonetheless
Authors I can't believe I haven't read prior to the last few months...I have the same friend to thank for Jonathan Lethem as I do for James Baldwin. They're pretty much opposite ends of the spectrum, but equally (if very differently) brilliant. Currently reading Lethem's Motherless Brooklyn, and I honestly don't think I've laughed out loud this much since my first reading of Good Omens....
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trocc:
Motherless Brooklyn is great stuff - i've since read quite a bit of Lethem's work - essays, articles, novels. my personal favorite is Fortress of Solitude.
if you're obsessive about reading, you might enjoy LibraryThing. it's been feeding my somewhat OCD need to somehow document the things i read and listen to lately... i'm here.
if you're obsessive about reading, you might enjoy LibraryThing. it's been feeding my somewhat OCD need to somehow document the things i read and listen to lately... i'm here.
trocc:
oh, i like that song too. i'm going to hold off on a return 80's video right now, though, since Loverboy's "Working For The Weekend" has been on my mind too much lately. it will cloud my judgment.
well, given what i just posted in my journal, maybe it already has.
well, given what i just posted in my journal, maybe it already has.
Lazy after a long day at work...cut-and-pasting something that I wrote a few weeks ago (when, yes, it was warm enough to have the windows open!)
Just playing with words, here, but I had a good time doing so.
When I went outside for a cigarette, it was so quiet that I could hear a plastic bag caught and fluttering in the chain-link fence across...
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Just playing with words, here, but I had a good time doing so.
When I went outside for a cigarette, it was so quiet that I could hear a plastic bag caught and fluttering in the chain-link fence across...
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jtemperance:
*looks like a great blog, just not reading it fully now*
Thanks for your wishes. Hopefully, I'm getting over-worried and things are actually okay.
Thanks for your wishes. Hopefully, I'm getting over-worried and things are actually okay.
Is there anything better than a long weekend? Especially a long weekend filled with interesting art, good friends, and a bit of drinking - with some much-needed solitude, reading time, and a fantastic massage thrown in for good measure. Oh, and spending time with my sister, brother-in-law and nephew! It would've been nearly perfect but for the cold, which froze a pipe in the basement,...
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jtemperance:
Kids are amazing. The reality that escapes me as an adult.
trocc:
it's really quite gripping and well done, i'd recommend it - i am only about half way through it, but still...
i can't believe i haven't listened to the mix you guys made yet!
i'm always so excited when i get all that new music, but then it does sometimes take a while to check them all out. i'm super excited about yours, though - i need to get on that.
i can't believe i haven't listened to the mix you guys made yet!
i'm always so excited when i get all that new music, but then it does sometimes take a while to check them all out. i'm super excited about yours, though - i need to get on that.
For the first time, I think I understand why people take vacations and do nothing but lie on the beach and drink for a week straight. Tropical paradises have never really appealed to me, but it's currently fifteen degrees here...lying in a hammock in the shade with a book and a cocktail, broken up by the occasional dip in bathtub-warm water, sounds perfectly amazing right...
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apexxx:
ive been thinking about a road trip sometime this spring. but ive never really had a vacation before. my trip to Tampa last spring doesnt count sine it was business related
trocc:
i made it out last night, even with the weather how it is. had a good time, many beers and live music, but it was so so cold, though.
i'm staying in with my hangover today.
i'm staying in with my hangover today.
Lovely celebration tonight - a bunch of people at the house, and we're making chicken enchiladas, and banana enchiladas (everyone seems a bit horrified by these until they've tried them) with homemade mole sauce and the cheese production of a small country. Also lots of wine (red, only red) and champagne.
Dinner's not ready yet; the amount of typos I've had to correct in these...
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Dinner's not ready yet; the amount of typos I've had to correct in these...
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jtemperance:
That sounds like great fun! Can't have too much wine and cheese.
apexxx:
i would be among thos horrified by banana enchiladas, but i would be curious enough to try one.
I was looking up something to do with sestinas the other day (why? I honestly don't remember) and found one on McSweeney's which charmed me utterly. I loved A Wrinkle In Time the first time I read it, aged nine or so; I've continued to read L'Engle's books ever since.
Not really a spoiler, just cut because it's pretty long:
Not really a spoiler, just cut because it's pretty long:
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
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trocc:
well bump that first trilogy up your list a bit - it's worth it.
can't speak for the movie, though - i heard it kind of blows.
can't speak for the movie, though - i heard it kind of blows.
jtemperance:
^^^
I ditto what he says; the Pullman books are fantastic.
I ditto what he says; the Pullman books are fantastic.
Finally got around to watching The Devil's Backbone...wow.
Last night, I did nothing but lie around with B. and watch Arrested Development. I can't remember the last time I watched multiple hours of TV at once, but I think it was just what I needed - very relaxing.
This week looks like it's going to be very, very long.
Last night, I did nothing but lie around with B. and watch Arrested Development. I can't remember the last time I watched multiple hours of TV at once, but I think it was just what I needed - very relaxing.
This week looks like it's going to be very, very long.
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apexxx:
well i dug Pan's Labyrinth, so ill have to put this one on my NetFlix list
neovictorian:
There's no way to reply directly to any one comment, is there? Not used to this yet. Anyway - yes, highly recommend The Devil's Backbone. I've been meaning to watch Pan's Labyrinth for quite some time now.
I love The Wire - new season's begun and I have no cable! Damn.
I love The Wire - new season's begun and I have no cable! Damn.
Ah-ha...just figuring it all out.
Ended up at the SG Chicago CD exchange on Friday, and met some fantastic people. So, I decided to give this a trial run.
Hello!
Ended up at the SG Chicago CD exchange on Friday, and met some fantastic people. So, I decided to give this a trial run.
Hello!
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neovictorian:
Thanks all - this seems like it'll be a great time!
lancelac:
Welcome. It was great to meet you guys, thanks for coming. Hope to see you folks again really soon. Also, I checked out your hubby's website and his pics are AMAZING! The site itself looks and operates great also.