Hallelujah, my cable has been restored! Let us all bow our heads in a prayer of thanks...
Well, I read over the last few entries from before the aptly-named "drought" and I'm not going to even bother with filler from the last month, seeing as I talk to most of you at least once a week. So that leaves us with the present day.
Listening to: Enya ($1 at a garage sale!! Some of you may think that's all it's worth, but hey. To each their own).
Reading: _The Easy Way to Stop Smoking_, by Allen Carr. Going to B&N today to buy _1984_ because.... well, because of that Bush guy. And Michael Moore.
Watching: Fahrenheit/911. Go see it. Even if you're a Bush supporter. Open yourself to another viewpoint and do your part to end political ignorance! And sure, okay, fine.... I'll see if I can find some Republican psychobabble or some anti-Clinton material while I'm at B&N. But first I have to finish _Flux: Women on Sex, Work, Love, Kids, and Life in a Half-Changed World_, by Peggy Orenstein, 'cause this is the second time I've started, and I'm finishing it this time, dammit.
Volunteering: for the AIDS Walk! Milwaukee's is on September 26th, so cough it up, people! Gimme yer hard earned dough, or click here to sign up! If you'd like to come with me to the glorious event, give me a call and we'll make arrangements.
Coming up: Irish Fest! If anyone in the fam wants to come, please do but be advised that the Clare is booked solid and you will have to settle for my hide-a-bed, newly installed by the sexiest (and sneakiest) delivery guy ever. Call for details (the event, or the delivery guy, either would be fabulous).
Maddie's new trick: Asking me what words she is *not* to say, just so she can say them and I can't yell at her for it: "Mommy, I can't say 'shit,' huh. I can't say 'fuck,' either. Or 'dammit.'" Also, she has become a bit more forward in expressing her curiosity about the anatomy of the opposite gender, i.e., she asked Greg - while he was working at the bar and in front of customers - if she could see his penis. Actually, it was more like, "Greg, you have a penis. Show it to me." I don't think I need to mention he declined.
New toy: Greg bought a van! Everyone knows this by now, as I have blabbing about it for the last two weeks. Took a road trip to Harrington Beach yesterday, which was relaxation beyond words. It's been at least 15 years since I've ridden in a van at all, let alone on the highway and while happily lapping at an ice cream cone. Cannot wait until we can go camping. Will buy tent this week. I AM GOING CAMPING THIS YEAR IF IT KILLS ME.
Shows: Saw Braid for their final American show on Sunday. Great music, really enjoyed Murder By Death as well. The best part about these kinds of shows (meaning, shows I see on Greg's recommendation) is, for me, not only that I get to see something I would have missed otherwise, but that I get to know him better. I wasn't a part of his life then, I wan't even listening to that whole genre of music. He gets to be nostalgic, and I get to watch all googly-eyed as he's whisked away to yesteryear, punching fists in the air, dancing and singing along to old favorites (minus the drunkenness and actual rage). And I get to rock out, too! Everyone wins! Yay! (The scales of nostalgia will be tipped when, in November, he is magically whisked away to Steph and Trace in High School, Revisited, otherwise known as the Pixies show(s). Let's all hope for my sake that I don't, in the throes of excitement, smack him in the eye when Frank hits the stage and that, when the lights come up, he still finds me remotely attractive.)
Family news: Town reunion in Paw Paw was fun. Spent an hour talking to Grandpa about his military experiences and memories. I really enjoyed it, but he insists it was torture to listen to and suggested Zen Buddhism as the topic for our next discussion. Duly noted, will bring it up at the Jones reunion on the 15th.
That's it for now - lunch is calling. Good to be back, blogging, surfing, replacing my desktop with pictures from Ireland. Ahhhh....
Thanks to Tracey for not dumping me for this inexcusable delay in blogging, responding to email, reading email, etc., and for posting those FREAKING AWESOME!!! pictures of Maddie and Juli. Love them!