Life imitating something

I bought tickets today to see They Might Be Giants in Santa Cruz in October. Plain Jane, general admission, regular old tickets.

But I'll be going with a VIP!

and that's all I have to say about that

I splurged for Max's birthday last week and got us a pair of VIP tickets to see PUSA at The Independent in SF. It was a great show, high energy and a real blast from the past. They played the whole first album and I find album shows to be a real treat. It ties in with my love of theme-based entertainment and gives me a sense of commeradere with the band without feeling like a crazed uber-fan. This last point is rather important to me. 

When Gigantic came out, I was thrilled and excited to see a full length film about my all time favorite non-Beatles band. They Might Be Giants were among the first bands to really utilize the web to spread their music and form an online community. As a junior high school student, wise beyond my years, I started a chat forum on Prodigy in 1989 so that I could discuss the genius and poetry of TMBG with other fans online. Gigantic, released in 2002, showed an image of obsessive, needy and highly unsocialized folks who felt that John Linnell & John Flansbugh were the Only People That Really Understood Them--and as much as I could relate to the elation that TMBG's music could bring, I felt horrified to think that I could ever be like one of those groupie-type fans. Not me. No way.

I've been wary of VIP events or any sort of meet-and-greet ever since. I think the PUSA event worked for me because I only actually know a couple of their albums. I don't have to hide my uber-fandom because I'm not an uber-fan, neither is Max. Its was exactly what a live music show in the city should be: a fun night out without the kid and plenty of strong drinks at weird Ethiopian bar.

Excuses excuses

I've had a little too much to drink tonight. Ok, I've had a little too much to drink most nights this past week. My blogging plans are paved with the best of intentions, but my follow through muscle is so atrophied that it might as well be a six pack of sugar-free jell-o.

Nothing seriously noteworthy has happened. Suffice it to say that I have a kind and respectful family, and, at times, an empathetic and well-behaved child. Our friends are worth keeping, our dreams are, erm, dream-able, and things seem to be moving in the right direction. Ish.

Delicious torture

I'm watching Heathers, and I'm simultaneously smiling and choking back vomit. It's hilarious and painful, and I'm ashamed that I've let 20 years go by without watching this movie. So many amazing quotes, a thousand memories--both wonderful and not so wonderful. Blogging is going to have to wait tonight. Its time to watch my youth in HD.

Guess who learned how to pump this weekend?

Next up, swimming, bike-riding, cursive, and then college!

Everyone's snuggling tonight

Especially this pile of cats.

We let the kiddo stay up late watch the Sharks game tonight, and he was sawing logs by the end of regulation. Such a sweet kid, he didn't have it in him to wait through a 15 minute intermission just watch the Sharks foul it up. Lucky for us, they came through--all it took was a two-man advantage. Hmmm.

A baby by any other name will still chew on her own fist

Tonight we celebrated our good friends and their new daughter (well, new-ish, she's already seven months old) with a baby-naming ceremony. She officially got her Hebrew name, and we got to hold her and bless her and wish for good things for her. It was lovely, and if I had any real guts I'd have stolen that delicious baby and taken her home. Honestly, she's one of those chunky babies with a big, gummy smile, and she giggles and clutches on to your thumb and makes you feel that all is right with the world.

And when she's around, it is.

Questionable decisions throughout history

Top 5 Reasons Someone Should Have Slapped Me During My First Year Of College

1. White-girl dreadlocks.
2. Boyfriend's dog was named Irie.
3. Cougar Hot Springs
4. Trampoline class.
5. Bought a used mattress.

Some pics from Israel

There's not much to say about our trip to Israel, other than the sea is amazing, the people are amazing, the food is amazing, and we had an amazing time. And here is some of the photographic evidence!

The 6 am flight from SFO to EWR. Lots of markers and two barf bags.

Ladybug season delighted the kiddo, especially at the beach. There were many rescue missions for ladybugs found in the water.

A fabulous restaurant in Tel Aviv aptly named Just Meat.

Getting our ancient on in Jerusalem.

It really was an astounding trip. After so many visits to Israel in the winter, it was fun to get a new experience in a new season. Hot but dry, Lag b'Omer (a holiday involving bonfires!), gorgeous flowers and birds and, well, just right.

Super Kid

Behold, the power of the five year old.

"Mommy, I really like your yarn. It's so pretty. I bet you could make a hat with it. You could make the nicest hat ever with your pretty yarn and your yarn sticks. Mommy, I bet you could make a hat for me."

And for the first time in more than 4 years, I'm knitting.

The sun!

It's been so beautiful since we got back last week, it's just a joy to be outside. We spent a good part of the week doing fun outside stuff, we even fit a trip to Coyote Point in on the kiddo's half-day. There are two river otters that live there, and I swear I could watch them swim, play and eat all day long. I've never been a zoo person--as much I love animals and seeing them up close is such a treat, the whole captivity thing is hard to swallow. But just try and stop me from watching river otters...I promise, you will not succeed.

There was lots of driving to and fro over the weekend, and it was definitely one of the times when I love Max's convertible. We were a picture of a happy family: little league, picnics and festivals with friends, a wonderful handmade Mother's Day gift and breakfast, and we even found time to clean the house. Just stick us on the cover of Perfection magazine.

Whoops

I think somebody laced my bed with some sort of ultra-powerful gravity field. It calls to me earlier than usual and sings me sweet siren songs. "Just lie down for a minute. You won't fall asleep. Just rest for a second, and then you can blog. Or do dishes, or laundry, or pay bills, or whatever silly chore you think is more important than me."

It's a half day at school today, so the kiddo and I are going to have a picnic and go visit the river otters at Coyote Point. The thick fog that surrounded our house this morning already seems to be burning off, so I'm looking forward to a sunny afternoon with the boy--maybe we'll even hit up the fro-yo shop on the way home...

Back to reality

We made it back with no major issues or anything. The only thing that's prevented me from posting since our return has been the wave of affection from the dogs & cats. That and the massive jet lag. If I make it through work, grocery shopping, and puttering, I'll upload a real post. Probably about the Sharks sweeping the Canucks.

The journey home

Now it begins. A 12 hour flight, a short break, then a six hour flight. Then we replace our flesh with dog saliva and our knuckles with cat purrs and head butts. Our eyes, red from air travel, will become pink and stingy from hours of cartoons and TV. We'll fall asleep before sunset and wake while the raccoons waddle home from their nightly trash can inspections. Half-awake, we will go to work and school and recount our amazing adventure with arms flailing, madly flipping through photos on smart phones.

Short and sweet

There are times when things are awesome, even if you are the
only one who knows it.

Right now? Its one of those times.

Souvenir

Today we took a trip to the mall to find a fancy hat for the wedding tomorrow, which has a--you guessed it--fancy hat theme. The kiddo decided to cash in on his souvenir, and we have now adopted a small, realistic, Siamese kitten, creatively named "Simey", that "breathes" non-stop and does nothing else. It's approximately the size of a 12 week old kitten, cuddled up in a small cat bed, eyes closed and "breathing" as 2 D batteries power some kind of pump which simulates a methodical, deep kitten sleep. That's it. That's what this toy does.

To my surprise, I found myself gently stroking the super soft toy all afternoon. It was soothing to me, and brought such a smile to the kiddo's face. I knew I missed my own kittens back home, but this ridiculously expensive you nearly brought me to tears.

I can't wait to get home and force the girls to cuddle with me.

A very curious wedding

Well then. As soon as I, er, sober up, I'll be able to regale you with humorously quaint stories of Yossi & Orit's wedding today. From sword fights to a koi pond who's entire population is named Amelia, the wedding was fanciful and fun. A genuinely good time for kids of all ages. Thank you for including us!

A night out in Tel Aviv

Giant thanks to my amazing sister-in-law for taking me out for a night of ceviche and fancy drinks in her adorable and hip neighborhood! Fun was has, and weather agreed by bringing the temperature down 10 degrees or so. Before I fall asleep on her living room floor, I want to proclaim my love for all of the street cats of Tel Aviv.