Road Rage of a Different Color

Sometimes the most random things make me crabby... is that what determines the label of "pet peeve"? Yesterday I noticed the car ahead of me in traffic had one of those Calvin and Hobbes cartoon characters peeing with a devilish look. For some reason that stupid image raises my blood pressure. I actually HATE it and all the other "peeing Calvin" decals out there. I think they are the epitome of tackiness. If I was asked on a date by a guy and I discovered that he proudly displayed one of these on his car I am pretty sure I would grimace and quickly head the other way.

My disdain for this sort of thing isn't limited to bratty cartoon boys, however... I really don't like any kind of car decal or decoration or proclamation. I dislike personalized license plates and I hate those yellow ribbons that demand we should support our troops. I am annoyed by the Christian fish and almost more so by the "Darwin fish with legs eating the Christian fish." Ugh. I am sure there have been times when a bumper sticker has managed to trick a smile out of me, but the instance is less frequent than one would imagine. I don't care if your child is an honor student. I don't need to know that "you brake for babes." Unless you LIVE in your car I see no reason to decorate it up like the bedroom of a teenager. Perhaps if the image or logo on the back of the car is a definitive statement that somehow manages to capture the whole of you in a concise or symbolic way it should be less offensive to me, but most of the time I feel these things are something people slap on their cars without any real thought or reflection. Here's a car magnet you might want to "think over" before you buy it in bulk of say 100 for only $2.50 each for you and your friends. Perhaps I am overreacting. I realize that may be the case. But it's my blog and I'll rant if I want to!

Knitting for Penguins

Today on my Stitch 'n Bitch calendar, I read an interesting "Knit Bit" ......

"Oil spills threaten the lives of many sea creatures, among them the "fairy penguins" that live near Melbourne, Australia. Experts have found that wrapping the penguins in wool sweaters helps keep them alive! It prevents them from preening themselves and possibly ingesting the harmful chemicals contained in the petroleum-based oil, while also keeping them warm until their bodies can regenerate natural oils. After a spill in 2000, knitters all over the world donated their time and extra yarn to aid the Australian penguins in need. The penguins received thousands of sweaters, which not only kept them healthy but also served as a welcome wardrobe change from the been-there, done-that tuxedo."

Read more about penguin sweaters here.

This link has another article about it explaining why the sweaters are necessary prior to cleaning the birds and returning them to their habitat... AND if you click on the "Penguin Jumpers Needed" link in the Additional information section you can get a pattern!

Wow. Now I'm really ready to watch Happy Feet.

Stumble Upon

One other thing I gained on my recent trip to the cities may prove to be my downfall. My friend Katie introduced me to "Stumble Upon." This is a feature you can download to your toolbar and it's an "Internet surfing tool" and it's pretty addictive so watch out.

If Something's "Knotty," Apparently I'm your girl!

Today, for the third time I was called upon to use one of my lesser known superpowers--my knot unraveling and detangling skills. When knitting, one is occasionally faced with knotted and tangled yarn. And not for the first time, I remembered that one of Maniac Magee's claims to fame was he untangled a legendary knot in the book by Jerry Spinelli. Like all superheroes, from time to time, my life is can be more challenging and because of my abilities I am forced to sacrifice my time and energy to the greater good. I only hope this new power doesn't overwhelm me. I offer a special thanks to Marci and Marcia for helping me discover my "gift."

A Song Collection to Warm Your Heart... to Feather Your Nest

I am in love with my new CD. My latest acquisition is designed for children but that didn't stop me. When I read a review not long ago on Daily Candy, I was first attracted by the title of the album, You Are My Little Bird and later by the cover art. What made me buy it was the sound. My latest Barnes and Noble stop included a couple hours of music sampling (sadly, we don't have a music section at the store in my town). At first I thought it could be a good baby gift for a new mother... a cd they could play with their kids that wouldn't make them want to cut their ears off... think "Barney" or any other ridiculous kid friendly sing-song crap. Then I discovered I really enjoyed the cd to much to give it up. Some words to describe the overall feel of the songs: gentle, happy, lovely.

I don't know much about Elizabeth Mitchell, but I do know on this album she sings with her young daughter and her husband and many of the songs are covers of songs by music legends--among them, Neil Young, Bob Marley, Woody Guthrie, and even the Velvet Underground. Many other special guests join them in the performances and nearly all the songs have a little bird reference. I like that. My current favorite song on the disc is the Bob Marley one, "Three Little Birds."

Accompanying the CD is a 28 page booklet which provides liner notes by the performer and additional info on the "type" of music showcased on the disc--folk. What happened as I explored this CD is my own house of memories came alive and I began to recall the songs I sang as a child. I suddenly longed for the songbook we used in elementary school. Then I remembered my friends' daughter and I dancing in their living room years ago and Hope telling me, as we listened to music that her favorite Beatles song is "I Want to Hold Your Hand." I love that a young child actually HAS a favorite Beatles song and that it clearly meant something special to her. Just as I believe children should be flooded with books and reading opportunities from birth, I believe they also thrive when drenched with rich and wonderful music.

The Return of the Dance

Dancing with the Stars started its fourth season last night. I am curious to see who emerges as the top competitors. I'm sure I should wait before I start my ranking, heck even THEY aren't going to knock off any couples this week... but who can resist. Here's my "first impression" for what it's worth.

I liked...
Laila Ali
Joey Fatone
Apolo Anton Ohno
Ian Ziering


I didn't mind...
Clyde Drexler
Shandi Finnessey
Paulina Porizkova
John Ratzenberger

I didn't like...
Billy Ray Cyrus
Leeza Gibbons
Heather Mills

Yearning for Yarns

On Saturday, I made some wandering pilgrimages to various shops that branch off of France Ave. in Edina and north.... By this point, Ashley was buried in a book and couldn't be bothered to explore the Storables store or Crate and Barrel or any of the yarn stores I wanted to check out. We did have a yummy lunch at Maggiano's Little Italy in the Southdale mall, and believe it or not I managed to find another occasion for Jamba Juice and Half-Price Books...


The yarn store that bowled me over with their amazing selection is on South Drew Ave. and it's called Needlework Unlimited. I found some yarn for a project I've been planning and I found some wool I simply had to have. None of this was "cheap," mind you... so I guess I should be GLAD there isn't a store like this in my area.

The Exact Opposite of Hockey

While I was in Minneapolis for my spring break holiday, our local university's hockey team was competing in some tournament... Regionals? Nationals? World Domination? I have no idea. I just know that everyone kept asking me... "Oh, are you going to The Cities to watch the Sioux play?" Uh? No. Unfortunately, I cannot muster much enthusiasm for that. Instead, on Friday night my friend Rebecca and I did what I termed "the exact opposite of hockey." We went to the Landmark theatre in Edina to watch The Lives of Others, the German film which won the Academy Award this year for best foreign picture. The theatre was packed and it was impressive to see folks flooding in as the previews started. It was funny in parts and touching in others. Overall, I enjoyed the film. I don't feel I know much about East Germany and so this film was also intriguing to me in that respect. I would highly recommend it.

On a Stroll through the Walker

On Friday, Ashley and I started our day with another dose of Half Price Books... this time in Apple Valley. I had a list but didn't find much on it... instead I kept finding other gems... Among other things, I bought five books for my classroom bookshelf (all for a $1.00 each) and I splurged on a copy of The Great Movies by Roger Ebert.

Next we considered going to the Mall of America because, unlike me, Ashley still holds a fascination with malls. Just as we were heading north, my friend Rebecca called to confirm our dinner & movie plans and asked us to wait to go there since she had MOA needs. Instead, we headed downtown to the Walker so Ashley could make a slightly chilly, slushy, muddy trek through the sculpture garden and then we explored (at top speed) the exhibits including one by Kara Walker. The STYLE of art is one of my favorites... the subject matter was a bit much. Let's just say it's "rated R" and I think Ashley wasn't overwhelmingly impressed. However I'm glad we went and I only wish we had time to go to the Weisman Art Museum to see their displays.

We Had a "Grand" Old Time...

On Thursday, after our IKEA breakfast and exploration of the store [I bought a lamp and napkins] Katie, our hostess, and my sister Ashley and I cruised over to St. Paul to check out a few gift stores. I love Bibelot with all its unique gifts and odds and ends. A feast for the eyes... a browser's delight. I was about to escape without spending a dime when I stumbled across a little Wonder Woman credit card case... superheroes are my kryptonite. I was powerless to resist.

For lunch Katie and I tried some of the celebrated food of Cafe Latte and I had to feed Pee Wee some LeeAnn Chin's later because the unfamiliar fare of the cafe was too much for the poor thing! We just got lucky and discovered one of the yarn stores on my list was right next door and I was nearly swooning over the delicious colors and textures of The Yarnery. In two different areas women were knitting and visiting in this store. It was tiny but filled with floor to ceiling shelving full of beautiful... and expensive... yarns. I didn't buy anything but it did make me long for such a place a little nearer to home.

A short stretch up Snelling from the Grand Ave. district is a handful of stores called the Retro Loop. We explored three of these shops and Ashley and I had some laughs trying on some crazy dresses. Of course, the last laugh was on me when she decided she just "had to have" one of the dresses--a green and white gingham square dance number. It fit her like a glove and was perfect for the St. Pat's day holiday. I'm a pushover, I guess. And as promised, before the afternoon was done we also managed to indulge in some Jamba Juice and hit the St. Paul Half-Price books.

And We're Off......

Jamba Juice

IKEA

Half-Price Books





After nearly 20 months... I am finally making my way back to the Twin Cities. This time with my sis in tow. I have WAY too much stuff planned--more restaurants than meals... more shops than money... but I have a few pleasures that simply won't be denied.

Stay tuned for blog worthy events.

"A little Madness in the Spring is Wholesome even for the King." -- Emily Dickinson

My March madness may include my recent obsession with movie watching. I went through a near-fast a few months back and in an effort to consume some Oscar nominated films I've managed to take in many of those and more. In fact, I've watched a movie a day so far in March. Among those are two favorites: Stranger than Fiction and Oscar nominated foreign film, Water.

Then yesterday, in a fit of cleaning frenzy, I managed to tidy my apartment at least to the point of making it livable again. Lately I just can't seem to keep up with the basics like washing dishes or sweeping, watering the plants or picking up the laundry from the floor. Yet, one might be able to measure the vehemence with which I attacked my cleaning by how many appliances I managed to break or maim in the process. After shredding credit card offers for about 30 minutes I managed to jam the shredder and later when vacuuming I somehow melted/broke part of the vacuum. Sheesh.

Snow in the Name of Art

Oh my goodness... I LOVE these.

Walter Martin & Paloma Muñoz have these amazing snowglobes.

You can read about their work in the article,
"The Weather Inside is Frightful," here.

"All we are saying is give peace a chance." -John Lennon

Okay, some are going to think I am obsessed with documentaries lately. It's a little unusual I've managed to watch three in a week, but it is just by chance. My latest was The U.S. vs. John Lennon . In addition to listening to truly great music, I found it surprising the extent the U.S. government was interested in the activities of John Lennon. Of course, we are talking about Nixon, so I'm not sure I should be surprised. You can look at the official website here.

Here are a couple quotes I liked:

"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." -- Gore Vidal

"Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it." - John Lennon


The film inspired me to listen to all the John Lennon/Beatles music I have, but it also spurred me on to examining this song a wee bit more: "The Ballad of John and Yoko." Of course, my love and appreciation for "Revolution," "Give Peace a Chance," "Imagine," "Instant Karma," "Come Together," "Nobody Told Me," and "God" is nothing new.

Ahhh..... Poetry

No school today due to weather conditions.

It's a "snow day." Woo Hoo!!!

Reading, Watching, Listening..... January & February in Review

What I Was Reading in January & February
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler

I haven't been reading much lately.... I read The Lovely Bones for a student book club in early January and then read Assassination Vacation for February's book club. I am still in the process of finishing the book. I started Farewell, My Lovely (a book I got for Christmas from my brother) but I had to put it down in order to read my book club choice. My hope is to finish both soon. I am enjoying them immensely.


What I was watching in January & February
On TV
Grey's Anatomy
Two and a Half Men
Studio 60
Brothers and Sisters
Desperate Housewives
Lost
The Office
Reruns of Will and Grace
The Oscars

On DVR
The Karate Kid
Saved!
Raising Helen
13 Going on 30

My TV watching remains static. I regularly watch a variety of TV shows and am thrilled that Lost is back on the air. Occasionally I get sucked into some TV movies and watch bits and pieces or in the case of the listed DVR films I saw, I watched the entire thing. The Karate Kid is a classic and it's hard not to love Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita in this one. In 13 Going on 30, I loved the Thriller dance sequence. The Oscars were fairly predictable and I have to admit I didn't find any of the best picture options to be exceptional.


On DVD
Neil Young Heart of Gold
Shut Up and Sing!
Jesus Camp
Marie Antoinette
The Departed
Babel
Half Nelson
Flags of Our Fathers
Flightplan
Take the Lead
The White Countess
Running with Scissors
Girl in the Cafe
Factotum
Ushpizin
Band of Outsiders

Well, I've already responded to the documentaries I watched in February in this post, but I could say a few words about the Neil Young one. It was fun to see this concert movie, to listen to his music from his Heart of Gold CD and to see the behind the scenes bits of preparing to peform. I loved the devotion his band members and friends have toward him; it was a touching concert.

Marie Antoinette and Girl in the Cafe were my two favorite films in January and February. I loved the beautiful costumes and the portrayal of Marie Antoinette by Kirsten Dunst. I thought it was great fun and it made me want to read more about her and her place in history. Girl in the Cafe starred two wonderful actors: Bill Nighy and Kelly MacDonald (she has a kick-butt accent!) Her demure attitude and seemingly shy, meek and mild approach to life was wonderfully overturned at the G8 Summit she attends with Nighy in this film.

I watched Flags of our Fathers, Half Nelson, Babel, and The Departed because they were Academy Award nominated films (as were Jesus Camp and Marie Antoinette). I thought Babel blew. I liked Half Nelson well enough. Flags of our Fathers was actually pretty good for a war movie (don't typically like those much at all). The Departed, which won for "Best Picture" was okay. I wasn't thrilled with the ending and overall thought the film was FAR too bloody. Jack Nicholson was terrific and I sort of liked the shrink but I didn't think Marky Mark's performance was best supporting actor quality (I guess the Academy agreed).

Flightplan was pretty decent as far as "thrillers" go. I enjoyed Take the Lead; of course, it is a dancing movie. I didn't realize it was based on the life of the man who started those dance competitions in New York Public Schools... I already watched a documentary on that one: Mad Hot Ballroom. The White Countess was okay. Running With Scissors was better than the book but I still didn't enjoy it. Factotum is a film in which Matt Dillon plays the title role. He does a great job of capturing the main character in this adaptation of a Charles Bukowski novel. It was depressing, though.

I watched two foreign films at home in February. One was Ushpizin, an Israeli film set in modern day Israel depicting the lives an two ultra-orthodox couple during the Succoth holiday. It was fascinating. The other was a French New Wave film by Jean Luc Godard, Bande à Part (1964). I liked Breathless better but this one was pretty good too. I LOVED the little dance number in the film when they do "The Madison."

At the Theatre
Pan's Labyrinth
The Queen
Night at the Museum
Music and Lyrics

I watched Night at the Museum when I was babysitting and I thought it was a great film for kids. Very entertaining. Music and Lyrics is sweet in typical Hugh Grant form. He is funny... with his understated remarks. Is it just me or does Drew Barrymore always look like she's dressed badly in her movies? I've noticed this before.

I did enjoy The Queen and Pan's Labyrinth but I didn't love either of them. Helen Mirren did a great job as the Queen and it was interesting to get a glimpse into their world. Pan's Labyrinth, a foreign film nominated for an Oscar in a number of categories was enchanting but very bloody and a little creepy too. This film had the best score of the nomiated choices at the Oscars. Also Ivana Baquero, the actress from Pan's Labyrinth, was perfect for the role.

What I was listening to in January & February:
Lucinda Williams West
The Midwestern Podcast
Dixie Chicks Taking the Long Way
And my Midwestern Position Volume 2 (a lovely gift from Sara)

• Al Green-Take Me To the River
• John Mayer-I Don't Trust Myself (with Loving You)
• The Blazers-Cumbia del Sol
• Shakira-Hips Don't Lie
• Sarah McLachlan-Fallen
• Shawn Colvin-Fill Me Up
• Spoon-I Turn My Camera On
• Aretha Franklin-Rock Steady
• David Gray-Babylon
• Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong-They Can't Take That Away From me
• Elvis Costello-Veronica
• Eric Clapton-Bell Bottom Blues
• Hem-Half Acre
• Goldfrapp-Ooh La La
• Jamie Cullum-Get Your Way
• Jose Gonzalez-Hand On Your Heart
• Madonna-Burning Up
• Matisyahu-King Without a Crown
• Peter Gabriel-Book of Love
• The Push Stars-Minnesota

Here are my MP3 shuffles:

Jan 01

Son of a Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield
Good Intentions by Toad the Wet Sprocket
The Heart of the Matter by Don Henley
O2 by Sleater-Kinney
Center of the Universe by Built to Spill
Jan 28

Color of Her Eyes by The Gear Daddies
Imagine by John Lennon
Tell Mama by Etta James
Authority Song by John Mellencamp
Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line by Waylon Jennings

Jan 31

Totally Nude by The Talking Heads
Song for the Lonely by Cher
Rocket Queen by Guns and Roses
Don't Trust Myself by John Mayer
Dirty Knife by Neko Case

Feb. 17

Everybody's Talking by Harry Nilsson
Power of Love by Huey Lewis & the News
Hey Jude by The Beatles
Ohlala by Goldfrapp
Give Peace a Chance by John Lennon

Feb. 23

Indian Reservation by Paul Revere & The Raiders
Oh Very Young by Cat Stevens
Ride a White Swan by T.Rex
Next Episode by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre
Catch the Wind by Donovan