Saturday Afternoon Blogtime

The weekend if off to a great start. It's cool outside, the birds are singing, and I am in a very good mood. Last night we ushered in the fall with some nice hearty homemade beef stew with roasted garlic and crusty bread. Mmm-mmm. This morning, we had some delicious baked oatmeal with bananas on top. Ahh. Well, delicious to me anyway. Kev likes regular oatmeal better, but I can't eat it. The texture freaks me out. I was so happy when I discovered baked oatmeal, because I always really wanted to like oatmeal. It smells so good. Anyway, breakfast was good. Then we went to the matinee of the new Wallace and Gromit movie which is genius, I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 Penguins (according to the LRHS Penguin Rating System (TM)).

This morning we were talking about all that jazz with the inflatables, and here's the deal. I think the reason I hate them so much is that they represent, in a very in-your-face way, the commercial-ness of the holidays, which is what I really don't like. Target already has Christmas stuff out. World Market had ornaments out in SEPTEMBER! It just makes me mad, because by the time Christmas gets here, everyone is sick of it.

My cousin Brad said we should make giant inflatable politians at election-time, or giant inflatable Brads which would be really funny. Or LarryFeathers in every yard. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Kev wants to revolutionize holidays. He reckons we should get rid of lame holidays like St. Patrick's Day and Valentine's Day and invent some new ones. I said, "Like what?" He suggested Dog Day and Cheese Day. I am in favor of both. (Think of the giant inflatable potential there!)

Tomorrow is the day I've been waiting for since last October: The day we go to the State Fair of Texas. Woo-hoo! So get ready for tales of mild adventure with birds and ferris wheels and corn-dogs coming soon to the LRHS.

Friday Shout Out

Happy Birthday Cheryl, wherever you are!

Chilly in the Crib

Just woke up and it's cold in my house. And it smells like fall/winter. I am almost giddy. With last night's Holiday Inflatable rant out of my system, all residual heat-induced anger is gone and I can now let the groove begin. I shall start with coffee at Central Market whilst wearing a sweater and shopping for soup-making materials...

Fall

For the first time in a LONG time, there is no temperature above 78 degrees in the nbc5i.com 5-day forecast. It was so nice today (high 67) that I took my walk in the AFTERNOON! It was fun. I went around to all the little neighborhood shops that I like, and I ran into Javier, our ex-lawn-man, and talked to him for a while. Everyone was in a happy mood now that the worst is finally behind us.

However, not everything that goes along with fall is great. (Snobbery alert) There are a few things I don't like, and one of those is the sudden appearance of the giant holiday inflatable yard-art. First comes the inflatable ghost/pumpkin combo. Not scary ghosts and pumpkins, but smiley cutesy ones. Yuck. I hate them. I want to deflate them all, and I must not be the only one, because inevitably, that's how they end up: a giant pile of shrivelled white and orange nylon lying helpless on the lawn. But that's OK, because by then it will be time for the giant inflatable lawn turkey, and then to complete the trifecta, giant inflatable Santa. These things are bad. You mostly see them in the suburbs, but they do appear in my neighborhood. Interestingly, they are generally at the newly constructed McMansions. Hmmm...

Anyway, sorry. I guess I shouldn't try to tell other people how to get themselves into the holiday spirit, but personally I prefer the old school holiday decorations of my youth. If you happen to actually LIKE holiday inflatables, well then inflate your heart out. I will stick to real jack-o-lanterns, turkeys made by tracing my hand on some brown construction paper, and those little plastic hollow porch-Santas with the light inside. Ah, yes.

So welcome to fall, it seems to finally be here.

This Dog's Life

Well, my mom just called and told me that Albert went out and got himself skunked again last night. Dangit. Will he never learn? Then she lectured me about using curse words in a public forum. So I lectured her back about talking on her phone in the car. But that's another blog. Anyway, I am on my way over there to do some work, but if it seems like there's any chance I'm gonna catch the skunk smell, I'm getting outta there. Poor Albert.
I wonder why there are so many skunks in suburban Garland.

Calm Blue Ocean Calm Blue Ocean

After playing a nice game of Don't Wake Daddy with a couple of eight-year-olds, I have calmed down from the heightened state of rage apparent in the previous rant blog. Plus, I already got in trouble for the cussing via email from my mom. So, I am now going to take a more pro-active approach and look into what needs to be done to get a no-phones-in-the-car law passed and do all I can to help make it happen. Serenity now!

MUST RANT

WARNING: There will be swear words.

So I'm driving to work going north in the right lane on Central, when this JACK-ASS in a giant black SUV not only cuts me off, but then slams on his breaks so he can make the exit because he almost missed the exit since he was DIALING his damn CELL PHONE. I could see him dialing, holding the thing up in front of his face. I swear to God, I have had it with these people. I had nowhere to escape in either direction, so I had to slam on my breaks too and hope for the best. I got lucky this time. But because this asshole is so damn important that his call can't wait, he almost caused what could have been a pretty bad accident. Nothing pisses me off more than stupidity behind the wheel.

That is all. I am going to go do some deep breathing in my happy place before my 4:00 kid gets here.

October is Popcorn Month!

http://www.popcorn.org/index.cfm

If you like popcorn (and who doesn't?), click the link above. There are recipes and fun facts and pictures you can print and color and more!
By the way, I know some people that even have a popcorn dance which I really hope to see someday.

New Song Alert

So if you want to hear Kev's cool jazz song that I've been blogging about, now you can. Go over to the PPHPHB on Nowhere Radio link on the right, and click it, then discography, then Volume III, then "The Lake Catherine Affair." This one's all Kev...sadly there was no need for my cowbell or maraca skills on this particular piece. Also, it isn't quite finished. We're hoping this dude we sorta know will add some trumpet. Anyway, I really like it. It's groovy. Kev is a good composer. So have fun if you listen to the Lake Catherine Affair. (And let me know if you think it needs a little cowbell.)

October at Last

October is off to a warm and muggy start, but there is hope as it is back into the low 70s on Thursday. At least it's been cool enough in the mornings to go for a walk. So, get this: Kev woke up earlier than me on Sunday and took a walk by himself and I'll be damned if he didn't tell me, "I think I saw an owl." My heart sank. It just must not be in the cards for me I guess.

All has been quiet across the way for the past few days. Maybe Rush Knucklehead has gone on tour with his band, Bad Fake Rush. Or maybe his downstairs neighbors went up there and did him in.

I now have received 5 or 6 soup recipes. If I can get to 10, it's book city.

We went to see A History of Violence on Sunday night. It was disturbing and violent and gorey, and had one of those "ha-ha we're not giving you closure" endings, but it was nice to get out of the house and I always enjoy the BBQ chicken wraps at the Studio Movie Grill. They come with DEE-licious sweet potato fries.

Tara Fun Fact: Here is something you may not know about me. I used to watch the WWF. I even went to a live event once with my brother. It was really funny. My favorite guys were Mankind/Mick Foley and The Rock. I don't watch it anymore. Is it still on? And I haven't seen any of the Rock's movies, but I bet he's actually a pretty decent actor. So there you go. Fake wrestling. One of my many short-lived phases.

Hoping to go to the Fair on Sunday, maybe it will be cool out. My cousin asked what is so great about the SFofT, and I will blog about that after I visit it this year so I can include some photos.

Kev is in the other room putting the finishing touches on the un-named jazz song. Nothing is on TV. I think I'll go read a book...almost finished with the Kinky Friedman. Pretty funny stuff. I think he'll make a good governer.

Late Shout Out (with Apologies)

Happy Birthday to Aunt Barbara and to the Official Minor League Baseball player of the LRHS, Tim Rall!

Friday Shout Out

Happy Birthday to Evelyn H!

Maybe she will get to choose the movie this weekend...no robots or aliens.

Why Today is Good

A: It is the last day of stupid September.

2. It is the first day of the great State Fair of Texas.

Fear of the Day

I fear mold. Especially toxic mold. Kev reminded me about how the great FDR said we have nothing to fear but fear itself, but I think that if there was toxic mold growing in the Roosevelt home - which I have seen by the way (the home, not mold), it's lovely - then FDR would have packed up and moved in with the Vanderbilts down the road. He probably wouldn't have been too awfully excited about bird flu either. Anyway, just to be safe, I think I'll go get some new shower curtains this weekend.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

It finally rained last night and it is 62 degrees right now! The high today is predicted to be only 78 degrees! (Yesterday it was 101). Do you think it's time for cobbler? Mmmmm...I think I'll wait a couple more weeks just to make sure. It's supposed to be 91 again by Monday. Dangit.

Also, I have received word of two more incoming soups (Thanks Whitney and John!). So that makes four. Just a few more will necessitate a LRHS all-star soup book. It can be yours for the low low price of one soup recipe. But wait! There's more! As an added bonus, I may include a special section with recipes from Kev's Sandwhich Revolution. So hurry and send your recipe today!

I think this is gonna be the best day I've had for quite a while.

PS. I don't really like Ren and Stimpy...too much booger-humor.

Rush Knucklehead and Soup Update

Well, it is nigh upon 10pm and all is dark across the way. Our neighborhood may be spared the beating that is poorly-played art rock tonight. But I am prepared with the camera if anything happens in the next few minutes.

So far, I have only received 2 soup recipes (thanks to Darlene and Julie!), which would make for a sort of pitiful soup book, so the project is on hold unless I get a few more recipes. I though for sure that sa_eric and john_clarke, both people who enjoy cooking more than me, would have a soup they'd like to share. I know, I know...you are all very busy with your "jobs" and your "lives."

Why is it that people who are strict about certain things are given the name "______ nazi"? Like the Soup Nazi. Why not the Soup Facist? Kev says I am the Dishwasher Nazi because I like an orderly loading of the dishwasher, rather than just putting things in there all helter-skelter. You can fit so much more in there when you are orderly about it, and this saves water and energy because you don't have to run it as often, and I would think Kev would be all for that.

Today I was at Target, and I almost got myself a Vote for Pedro T-shirt, but then I remembered I am supposed to be a grown-up, and I thought about what Stacy and Clinton would say, so I put it back, and instead I got Kev some sock monkey boxers.

I don't care what anyone says, The Office (America) is hilarious.

Well, it's 10:15 now, and it doesn't appear that there will be any live entertainment this evening. Time for a peaceful night's sleep.

Rush Song of the Day

I am not sure what time the blogger thingy says it is, but in real life, I am posting this at 10:30 on Monday evening. I just came in from the porch, where I sat for a while listening to our neighbor across the way playing "Xanadu." And before you get your roller skates out, I'm not talking about the Xanadu theme from the Olivia Newton John movie, but the one from the Rush album, A Farewell to Kings. I wish I had a tape recorder and could somehow play it for you on this blog. I could hear the CD he plays along with in the background, and I could see the silhouette of our mystical neighbor in the window. I am so tempted to go back out and snap a photo as nonchalantly as possible, but I am too chicken. Maybe tomorrow, as I'm sure when the clock strikes 10, he'll be at it again. I can't believe no one has called the cops. I think I'll put an anonymous request in his mailbox sometime: Please, will you play "Workin' Man" tonight, and I'd like to dedicate it to my husband "Guillaume," because he works so hard every day. I'll be listening. Thanks! Love, Neighbor X.

At least it's a different song every night.

Soup is the Word!

I am excited to hear about all the exciting soups in the comments of the soup blog below...please email any good recipes you know to me when you have time. If I get enough good recipes, I will make a little soup book and send it to everyone who contributed at least one soup idea. ("Open a can of Campbell's" doesn't count, Robert M.)

Living in the Limelight

I think I have blogged a blog already about our neighbor who likes to play his electric guitar really loud at night. He lives in the top of a duplex that is across the street and one over, so kinda diagonally across from us. I have seen him a couple times, a non-descript dude about 30 maybe, I can never tell how old people are. Anyway, last night he was at it again. It was after 10pm on a Sunday night, so he thought that would be the perfect time to favor the neighborhood with a little Red Barchetta. The dude, who we call "Alex" for obvious reasons*, only seems to know Rush songs. After Red Barchetta, he decided to work on the solo from Limelight. Over and over again. If you know Rush guitar solos, you know there is a lot of annoying arpeggiated beedooloo beedooloo beedooloo followed by some WEEEEEEer WEEEEEEer. Most of the time, it was just loud enough to be annoying (I need pretty much complete silence to go to sleep), but every now and then, he'd crank it up so that by the time it reached my bedroom, it was about the volume normal people turn their TVs to. This went on until at least 11:00.

Now, I liked Rush when I was 15, but you sort of have to wonder about a grown-up man who lives alone and plays only Rush songs very loudly every night. Don't you? I have these mental images of the guy hanging around up there wearing a purple hooded cape, arranging and re-arranging his little pewter mystical creature action figures, or sorting his Magic - The Gathering cards, or trying to summon something or other using spells from a book on the dark arts that he got down at Half Price. I guess it is possible that he is in a Rush cover band and needs to practice. But I don't think so. I hope he isn't a seriel killer.

Oh well, maybe if we get lucky, tonight he'll work on The Trees. There is unrest in the forest, indeed.

*Alex Lifeson is the guitar guy from Rush, for those of you who were never dorks.

Birthday Shout Out for Monday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!