In The Doghouse
This dang pup is killing me.
What I Wrote While I Was Trying to Pretend I Wasn’t On an Airplane
I’m writing this from high above the Midwest, on my way to Minneapolis to talk about Antonio Gramsci for two days while missing the U.S.’s second round World Cup game. Sorry, professor. I will either be streaming or keeping ESPN open during the match. It’s the people’s game, man!
Speaking of the World Cup, check out my Draft Day Suit post on why you should be watching the World Cup. It’s been one hell of a tournament for the Yanks, and none of us fans mind if y’all hop on the bandwagon for the game against Ghana. Then check out today’s MamaPop post, where you can watch Woody Harrelson’s soccer skills in the Soccer Aid game. Also this week, I wrote about the Real World heading back to New Orleans, and you should read that, too.
The heat broke yesterday and only yesterday, and I was able to get out in our garden and do work I’ve been meaning to do alongside Chris, for whom the heat is not a deterrent. We’ve had a relative bumper crop of high-quality chamomile that while tedious to harvest, smells heavenly; thanks to Justin for the very prolific plant that will provide us with calming tea to go along with our mint. Tomatoes and tomatillos are on the vine, and we’ve been steadily eating lettuce, swiss chard, collards, and tatsoi for weeks. The garlic will be harvested Sunday or Monday. Our blackberries are slowly ripening and we’ve started to enjoy the first plump, juicy specimens.
We’ve got potatoes, onion, carrots, and beans all coming along splendidly, and even a few corn plans. The beans are starting to ripen a bit on the vine, and I can’t wait to photograph the different varieties. Peppers are slow; they’re my achilles heel as a gardener and I never have much success. We’re going to plant winter squash in the spaces opening up by the departing greens and a few other experiments, as well.
I’d carry on towards something more profound, but I have but a few hours to finish my class readings and grab something to eat before class. Don’t forget, support the U.S. tomorrow against Ghana.
Adding To Our Family
So we agreed to dog sit for our friends Christine and Joe. They have two chill, agreeable dogs named Sunny and Sid, and even though we have a tiny house, we thought three dogs and a cat for one week is not a big deal in the scheme of favors to do for your friends. Asher would enjoy the company of his pals.
On Friday night, after having Sid and Sunny for about not even one day, Chris said, “You know, it’s not so bad with three dogs in here. We should get another dog” to which I said, “True. No.” → continue reading
For My Next Trick…
When I started blogging, I did it with the intention of all my wildest dreams coming true.
And now it’s happened. Fame, fortune, and power are MINE! <muahhahaha>
Well, not really. But the folks over at MamaPop, a pop culture blog with a feminist slant that I’ve loved since it’s inception, for some reason want me to join their crew. Which, OMG, is totally like your big sister letting you smoke with her and her friends. Well, if I had a big sister, which I don’t, but it’s too late for me to harbor resentment about that. → continue reading
Four Things That Suck About the World Cup
I really, really love the World Cup. Of course, I love soccer. Duh. I love that it gets showcased on a global level, I love the excitement and fervor surrounding it. I love picking teams to cheer for. I love the spectacle. I love the fans and, critics be damned, I even love the vuvuzelas. I love being in a bar surrounded by people cheering for the United States. I love going to bars in the middle of the day. Wait, I mean, I love going to bars in the middle of the day when lots of people are doing the same. Most of all, I love soccer on the television for eight hours a day a for a few weeks. It’s like March Madness for the rest of the world.
But, damn it, every four years, the World Cup’s emergence onto the American cultural radar means I get annoyed by the following things: → continue reading
On the Road Again
I’ve been off the grid, taking a much-needed road trip down South. Chris’s sister moved to Florida, so we drove the U-Haul down to Orlando, then rented a car and spent some time on the coast. It was wonderful and I’m still mentally recovering and trying to catch up in St Louis. Check out a few cool things we saw during our trip.
Life After Lost
I can’t think of a show I’ve looked forward to each week more than Lost. I remember scouring message boards after the end of Season One for any tidbit of information about where Season Two would go. After Season Two, I decided I wanted to stay spoiler-free because I loved the suspense that much. No show (except maybe The Office) spurs more water-cooler talk or drunken speculation than Lost. It’s a show that encourages thinking and speculation and sleuthing. It’s got so much allusion and allegory, it’s a former high school English teacher’s dream. It’s been more than a show; it’s been an experience. → continue reading
An Open Letter to Southwest Airlines
Dear Southwest Airlines–
I needed to drop you a note to tell you about my latest trip. I’ve been happily flying Southwest since you added service between St Louis and Minneapolis, a route I take monthly. Until this past weekend, I’ve enjoyed low fares, on-time flights, and generally competent, friendly service from your company. However, on Friday I experienced a situation so egregious that it may force me to refrain from patronizing your business ever again.
Just Ain’t What She Used To Be
Guys, I think we have a problem.
I really like drinking beer. I like drinking beer and socializing with my friends. I’ve been doing it for years. I’ve happily bellied up to many dive bars over the years and downed countless pints. I enjoy clinking mugs to celebrate happy occasions and to forget bad days. Almost anything is more fun with a beer, particularly a delicious craft beer like a Bells Two Hearted Ale.
Wait. That sounds like I’m alcoholic, which I’m not. No, seriously guys, I’m not an alcoholic. SERIOUSLY. Look at my liver. It’ll tell you. This is totally about something else (but I do like Two Hearted). → continue reading
Get Off My Lawn, Youngsters
I made a return to Kirksville for our annual Truman Soccer alumni weekend. During this weekend, former players and hanger-ons get together, scrimmage the current varsity team, drink beer, and make fun of how old we are. It is always a good time.
This year we had a record turnout of almost 50 women alums. We also had SIX All-Americans back in town. These two things combine to mean two important things: one, the old ladies won the game for the first time since ’05; two, there were so many damn young ‘uns and all-out ballers that I felt no need to even step foot on the field. I deemed myself Chief Shit Talker and Unflattering Photographer and parked my expanded-since-’01 ass on the bench with my old teammates, some of which I hadn’t seen in years and years. Apparently the cool thing to do is to continue to work out and play soccer after you graduate, even nine years after the end of your career. I vow as soon as I turn 30 and can be in masters’ leagues, I will embark on a second career the likes of which has never been seen in former Iowan/Div II players who insist on only playing half-field. But seriously, some ladies had babies and were looking fierce on the pitch. I will say, however, that my shit-talking hasn’t really lost its game. Sorry, current squad, but you just lost to people with 401ks and visible panty lines. Better step up the off-season training. → continue reading
-
-
I’m the High Priestess of
-
-
Flickr Photos
More Photos What I’m Reading
I Did This
"/>