I am not sure the amount of fun I had on Saturday is legal. It's totally immoral, that's for sure.
On Saturday night, after some so-so soup at a fundraiser for the Vermillion Area Arts Council, me and about 75 of my closest friends headed to The Eagles to dance, dance, dance all night, night, night.
First, I love the Eagles Club. These are so my people--old drunks, smoking ladies with peroxide hair, beer served in plastic cups. The Eagles Club always makes me ache for home.
Anywho, Poison Stream! was playing! Yeah, yeah. These English profs seriously rock. It is so fun to watch them and dance to them and break out some air guitar and scream along to The Cure lyrics. The floor was filled with gorgeous chicks shakin' and twirling and rockin' out. Loved it. Bridge was an exceptionally Good Sport for someone who doesn't really like to dance Every. Single. Song. (Like I do.)
I wore a sweater and muk-luks.
Was I hot?
Yes.
But ...
I was Hot.
I love this goddamn town.
This morning, we decided to be Good Catholics and hit up Mass. And, you know how we Catholics do: up/down, kneel/stand, rinse/repeat. This was not good news for my aching knees and sore feet. And, for some reason, my right shoulder hurts like a mother. Eh, what are you gonna do?
Now, though, the driveway is shoveled (and if you've talked to me at all in the past 112 hours, you have probably heard about the infamous snowblower, who did NOT show up today and ruin my shoveling plans), my application for an instructor position in Sioux Falls is complete, and my classes are ready to go for the week.
Tonight, the L Word at my friend Laura's house. I really do not think I could ask for anything more.
Rock on, baby.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Reasons I Love My Life
1. The Coffee Shop Gallery and all the hot, funny ladies who sat with me today.
2. The second day of the "American Idol" season premiere where I get to watch 2 solid hours of bug-eyed people butchering Stevie Wonder and The Righteous Brothers.
3. The KELO Land 10:00 news teaser: "Is there anything Japanese cell phones can't do? Find out at 10!" Um, can you have sex with a Japanese cell phone? Will a Japanese cell phone cook you a grilled cheese sandwich? Do laundry?
4. Two years ago today, this cute little Catholic girl asked me over for dinner. Tonight, I had spring rolls, rice, and cashew chicken presented to me on plates she bought at a student art show. We are almost on the second bottle of wine. She likes me drunk on wine. I can't imagine why.
2. The second day of the "American Idol" season premiere where I get to watch 2 solid hours of bug-eyed people butchering Stevie Wonder and The Righteous Brothers.
3. The KELO Land 10:00 news teaser: "Is there anything Japanese cell phones can't do? Find out at 10!" Um, can you have sex with a Japanese cell phone? Will a Japanese cell phone cook you a grilled cheese sandwich? Do laundry?
4. Two years ago today, this cute little Catholic girl asked me over for dinner. Tonight, I had spring rolls, rice, and cashew chicken presented to me on plates she bought at a student art show. We are almost on the second bottle of wine. She likes me drunk on wine. I can't imagine why.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Savvy
My friends Vani and Matt were over a few nights ago, and since they both work in the Center for Teaching and Learning on USD's campus, I drilled them for info on how to do "basic html."
Now, I can do cool things on a Mac like bold and even italics. Huh? Yeah. And, ok, I know that there are the shortcut thingies, but stuff's different on a Mac. It's hard, man. (Note, again, the seamless use of italics.)
Also, I can post pictures now! Like this one:
This is me and my best friend. Tucker is 7 and my little cousin and is getting his tonsils out this week! Apparently, the kid's got huge tonsils--that's my boy. Over the holidays, Tuck swiped my brother's camera and took this picture of us, as well as many pictures of covers of various "National Enquirers" my Grandma subscribes to. I really don't see the family resemblance--do you? Um, apparently, I had a child when I was 18 and gave him to my aunt to raise. Thank God, because he is hell on wheels--literally. When he was five, all he sang was AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," but Tuck really couldn't say his l's very well. Just sing it in your head without the l's. You'll see.
I'm having a hard time containing all my savviness.
Now, I can do cool things on a Mac like bold and even italics. Huh? Yeah. And, ok, I know that there are the shortcut thingies, but stuff's different on a Mac. It's hard, man. (Note, again, the seamless use of italics.)
Also, I can post pictures now! Like this one:
This is me and my best friend. Tucker is 7 and my little cousin and is getting his tonsils out this week! Apparently, the kid's got huge tonsils--that's my boy. Over the holidays, Tuck swiped my brother's camera and took this picture of us, as well as many pictures of covers of various "National Enquirers" my Grandma subscribes to. I really don't see the family resemblance--do you? Um, apparently, I had a child when I was 18 and gave him to my aunt to raise. Thank God, because he is hell on wheels--literally. When he was five, all he sang was AC/DC's "Highway to Hell," but Tuck really couldn't say his l's very well. Just sing it in your head without the l's. You'll see.
I'm having a hard time containing all my savviness.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Just my Imagination ...
... runnin' away with me.
Snow this morning. Unexpected (I don't so much watch the news), but nice. I tried shoveling for a few minutes, but gave up soon after I realized the strips of driveway I scraped clean were dusted again with new snow every time I turned my back.
Sneaky snow.
I've been curled with a down throw all afternoon, watching "Arrested Development" and now, "The Simpsons." I can't decide between the couch, the carpet, the couch. One disturbing realization: Homer Simpson and I share many of the same qualities.
I took a shower in the dark today and it made everything more.
I like the snow. Very much I like it. The squirrels running around like they don't know what the hell is happening, seeing sudden bursts of breath from dogwalkers passing my window, the fogged, purpled sky. My brother, sister, and I used to jump out of the barn into big piles of snowdrift--we'd get a running start and then land so hard we'd get stuck, up to our chests, in snow. My brother would usually wiggle out first and then come save Randy and me. Over and over, all day, this pounding over warped floorboards and then for two seconds, flying. On good snow days, we'd call the neighbors and meet them at Suicide Hill (really, we had a suicide hill) for sledding. My Dad would pump up a huge, old inner tube and we'd all climb in and slide down this hill at a gazillion miles an hour and crash at the bottom, covered in snow and cockleburrs. Pure fun.
Tomorrow may be a good day for sledding. Where do people sled in Vermillion? Down by the bluff? There's no water tower hills here--what do you do?
I start teaching on Tuesday. I've never been on the campus, have no idea where my office will be, don't know how to get a fleet vehicle, am not sure if my syllabi have been copied, can't pronounce some of the names on my class rosters, have no idea how to fill three, consecutive class hours, haven't received my desk copy for my 201 class yet, and Monday is a holiday.
In other words, I am much more prepared for this semester than I was for the Fall.
Happy New Year! (Again!)
Snow this morning. Unexpected (I don't so much watch the news), but nice. I tried shoveling for a few minutes, but gave up soon after I realized the strips of driveway I scraped clean were dusted again with new snow every time I turned my back.
Sneaky snow.
I've been curled with a down throw all afternoon, watching "Arrested Development" and now, "The Simpsons." I can't decide between the couch, the carpet, the couch. One disturbing realization: Homer Simpson and I share many of the same qualities.
I took a shower in the dark today and it made everything more.
I like the snow. Very much I like it. The squirrels running around like they don't know what the hell is happening, seeing sudden bursts of breath from dogwalkers passing my window, the fogged, purpled sky. My brother, sister, and I used to jump out of the barn into big piles of snowdrift--we'd get a running start and then land so hard we'd get stuck, up to our chests, in snow. My brother would usually wiggle out first and then come save Randy and me. Over and over, all day, this pounding over warped floorboards and then for two seconds, flying. On good snow days, we'd call the neighbors and meet them at Suicide Hill (really, we had a suicide hill) for sledding. My Dad would pump up a huge, old inner tube and we'd all climb in and slide down this hill at a gazillion miles an hour and crash at the bottom, covered in snow and cockleburrs. Pure fun.
Tomorrow may be a good day for sledding. Where do people sled in Vermillion? Down by the bluff? There's no water tower hills here--what do you do?
I start teaching on Tuesday. I've never been on the campus, have no idea where my office will be, don't know how to get a fleet vehicle, am not sure if my syllabi have been copied, can't pronounce some of the names on my class rosters, have no idea how to fill three, consecutive class hours, haven't received my desk copy for my 201 class yet, and Monday is a holiday.
In other words, I am much more prepared for this semester than I was for the Fall.
Happy New Year! (Again!)
Friday, January 12, 2007
Ooh, Ah, Just a Little Bit ...
I'm a little gangsta.
You probably can't tell by looking at me. I am clearly from Eastern-European peasant stock and my North Dakotan accent is pretty thick at times. Also, my fave TV show is "The Golden Girls" and I really like flavored waters. I do not think this makes me appear very street.
Still, I am pretty hardcore. My friend Al Fish told me recently I looked like a "street-tough Belinda Carlisle" and I'm not sure if that's a compliment, but I'll take what I can get. I've had "Circle in the Sand" in my head ever since (and round and round).
Back to me being gangsta. Last night, at karaoke, my badass self emerged and I found myself on the stage flexin' my flow to the sounds of "Nasty Girl" by Nitty. I had originally written down "The Gambler" to sing, but Bridge told me that she was worried people didn't know how gangsta I actually was, and therefore, I should rock the mic. I have to admit--I nailed it. Well, as much a farm kid could nail a song as nuanced and political as "Nasty Girl."
Here are a few choice rhymes from my fave song:
"Must be coffee by the way you shakin' that percolater."
"Last time we sexed, I had her crawlin' like a alligator."
"You talkin' dirty, wanna serve me in the elevator."
"Honey, I gotta lotta money. Would you be my Nasty Girl, and let me do that dirty dance with you."
Note the subtle rhyme scheme, the bold word choice, the "elegantly rendered" (shout out to FAR) description of the dance of love between a woman and a man. Nitty, you speak to my soul.
So, would you? Would you be my Nasty Girl?
Really, have you gotten a better offer?
You probably can't tell by looking at me. I am clearly from Eastern-European peasant stock and my North Dakotan accent is pretty thick at times. Also, my fave TV show is "The Golden Girls" and I really like flavored waters. I do not think this makes me appear very street.
Still, I am pretty hardcore. My friend Al Fish told me recently I looked like a "street-tough Belinda Carlisle" and I'm not sure if that's a compliment, but I'll take what I can get. I've had "Circle in the Sand" in my head ever since (and round and round).
Back to me being gangsta. Last night, at karaoke, my badass self emerged and I found myself on the stage flexin' my flow to the sounds of "Nasty Girl" by Nitty. I had originally written down "The Gambler" to sing, but Bridge told me that she was worried people didn't know how gangsta I actually was, and therefore, I should rock the mic. I have to admit--I nailed it. Well, as much a farm kid could nail a song as nuanced and political as "Nasty Girl."
Here are a few choice rhymes from my fave song:
"Must be coffee by the way you shakin' that percolater."
"Last time we sexed, I had her crawlin' like a alligator."
"You talkin' dirty, wanna serve me in the elevator."
"Honey, I gotta lotta money. Would you be my Nasty Girl, and let me do that dirty dance with you."
Note the subtle rhyme scheme, the bold word choice, the "elegantly rendered" (shout out to FAR) description of the dance of love between a woman and a man. Nitty, you speak to my soul.
So, would you? Would you be my Nasty Girl?
Really, have you gotten a better offer?
Sunday, January 07, 2007
You Don't Have To Be a Star (Baby) To Be in My Show
I just finished this really deep examination of some feelings that have tripped me up all day, and I was going to post it, but you know what? I just thought, fuck it. I'm OK, you're OK.
God bless the child that got his own, right?
I had an awesome day today. I got to hang out at the coffee shop (and 90% of the reason I go there is to visit with the other regulars, but really 99% of the reason I go there is to just get that coffee shop smell infused into my hair and hooded sweatshirt). I also walked around town for awhile, thinking about this great girl I have who knows all my tricks--namely, angling the alarm so she doesn't see how late it is when I slip in next to her, skin cold.
Like she doesn't know, right?
Then Bridge, Katie and I played about 417 rounds of "Catchphrase" with their folks. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time--well, since the last time I played it with my G-ma and Great Aunt Bernie.
Now it's late and I have hit the jackpot. Time Life Music is promoting the new, "digitally remastered, cinema quality DVD" hits from "The Midnight Special." I am currently rocking out to "Let's Stay Together," "Surrender," "Roll with the Changes" and "You're No Good." Although I will not buy this collection (probably), I will sit here and watch this infomercial for hours.
I'm now going to stick around for more legendary performances, where maybe Bill Withers will tell me that sometimes in our lives, we all need friends. And he will let me lean on him when I am not strong. And Debbie Harry one way or another, she's gonna git me, she's gonna git me git me git me git me. And no, Elton, I don't mind.
Yahtzee, baby.
God bless the child that got his own, right?
I had an awesome day today. I got to hang out at the coffee shop (and 90% of the reason I go there is to visit with the other regulars, but really 99% of the reason I go there is to just get that coffee shop smell infused into my hair and hooded sweatshirt). I also walked around town for awhile, thinking about this great girl I have who knows all my tricks--namely, angling the alarm so she doesn't see how late it is when I slip in next to her, skin cold.
Like she doesn't know, right?
Then Bridge, Katie and I played about 417 rounds of "Catchphrase" with their folks. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time--well, since the last time I played it with my G-ma and Great Aunt Bernie.
Now it's late and I have hit the jackpot. Time Life Music is promoting the new, "digitally remastered, cinema quality DVD" hits from "The Midnight Special." I am currently rocking out to "Let's Stay Together," "Surrender," "Roll with the Changes" and "You're No Good." Although I will not buy this collection (probably), I will sit here and watch this infomercial for hours.
I'm now going to stick around for more legendary performances, where maybe Bill Withers will tell me that sometimes in our lives, we all need friends. And he will let me lean on him when I am not strong. And Debbie Harry one way or another, she's gonna git me, she's gonna git me git me git me git me. And no, Elton, I don't mind.
Yahtzee, baby.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Men in Trees
Men in cherry pickers were sawing off overhanging branches all up and down my street today. There is now wood carnage all over north Prentis, but that's OK, I guess.
The house two down from us has been inexplicably toilet-papered very recently. And I mean big-time. The culprits must have used a few packs of Charmin double rolls. It's funny to me, but probably not to the people who live there.
My Tibetan prayer flags (!) came yesterday. I strung them up ASAP. We are the only house on our block with Tibetan prayer flags--can you believe it? In fact, we may be the only house in all of Vermtown with these, but that also may be an unfair generalization.
My friend E. is coming to stay for the night and she just called me to report that she has in her possession Clamato juice and Kahlua. I've got the Miller Lite and mixing straws. I love my life.
I'm not sure about Suave's "Radiant Brunette" line of hair care.
I dusted and swept and scrubbed the whole house today! It looks shiny, happy.
My check from the SD Arts Council came in the mail today. I'm going to the bank! (shout out to Royce). This marks my first paying gig as a writer for the poetry reading I gave in November in town. I think I will start telling my friends that I don't appear anywhere anymore for free. I may get lonely.
Today was garbage day in my part of town. I always feel renewed after the men come and pick up all my extra baggage. Like I get to start over every Thursday morning.
I am up for a rousing game of "Catchphrase" tonight.
Anyone?
The house two down from us has been inexplicably toilet-papered very recently. And I mean big-time. The culprits must have used a few packs of Charmin double rolls. It's funny to me, but probably not to the people who live there.
My Tibetan prayer flags (!) came yesterday. I strung them up ASAP. We are the only house on our block with Tibetan prayer flags--can you believe it? In fact, we may be the only house in all of Vermtown with these, but that also may be an unfair generalization.
My friend E. is coming to stay for the night and she just called me to report that she has in her possession Clamato juice and Kahlua. I've got the Miller Lite and mixing straws. I love my life.
I'm not sure about Suave's "Radiant Brunette" line of hair care.
I dusted and swept and scrubbed the whole house today! It looks shiny, happy.
My check from the SD Arts Council came in the mail today. I'm going to the bank! (shout out to Royce). This marks my first paying gig as a writer for the poetry reading I gave in November in town. I think I will start telling my friends that I don't appear anywhere anymore for free. I may get lonely.
Today was garbage day in my part of town. I always feel renewed after the men come and pick up all my extra baggage. Like I get to start over every Thursday morning.
I am up for a rousing game of "Catchphrase" tonight.
Anyone?
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