I'm still here!
Jul. 24th, 2002 04:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
weaselmomIt's been a while since I updated, so I had better stick my oar in. The reason I've procrastinated is my nails were too long to type, but now they're OK.
It's not like there hasn't been a million things going on. We're trying to spend as much time as possible with K & C before they go. K and I (and C, de vez en cuando) had the world's hottest moving sale on Saturday. No, really, it must have been a hundred degrees on our little sunny patch of sidewalk. We learned some things (the importance of advertising, don't price too highly, put sunblock on ALL your exposed skin, rig a sunshade) but too late. It was still an interesting experience, and they made some moving money and got rid of a lot of stuff that doesn't have to be humped across the country. I had forgotten how truly gratifying it feels to be able to help friends when they need it.
The next day we went to our favorite gallery down at the Market. I know the gallery folks will miss K when she leaves. I will have to send her random molas and milagros in the mail, as Kansas is not likely to be a hotbed of Oaxacan handicrafts. By the time we got back, it was too hot to not just keep hanging out together. I did my small part to try to cool everybody off by renting the movie "Cold Fever" by Icelandic director Fridrik Thor Fridriksson. If you haven't seen it, try to find a copy. It's very refreshing to watch the young Japanese businessman schlep across Iceland in his wingtips.
Another way to beat the heat is to read books about cold places. I recommend Antarctica. My favorite book on the subject is called Water, Ice and Stone by geochemist Bill Green, an account of his research of lakes in the Dry Valleys. There is some science but it's extremely accessible and interesting. The best parts, of course, are his own observations and anecdotes. I always feel cooler while reading it!
Right now we're dashing off to dinner and a movie with the PMBs and K & C. When we come home, I'll watch tonight's "American Idol" update to see who gets eliminated this round. It's a tough decision, because Ryan Starr was simply awful (she butchered "You Really Got Me" with an ax) but AJ was pretty mediocre too. These two performances may have bought Nikki a reprieve for now. RJ did well, singing "Under the Boardwalk" in his very sweet and pure voice. Tamyra is still well in the lead with another sensational performance. My only concern is that she might have to tackle a theme that is all wrong for her performance style, like punk or new wave or hard rock. Justin performed well but not at his best, and he really peeved off Simon. Justin grows more manipulative and grating each week, but I respect his voice. Cristina is a solid performer and a lovely girl, but she's not quite up to Tamyra's level. We'll see!
It's not like there hasn't been a million things going on. We're trying to spend as much time as possible with K & C before they go. K and I (and C, de vez en cuando) had the world's hottest moving sale on Saturday. No, really, it must have been a hundred degrees on our little sunny patch of sidewalk. We learned some things (the importance of advertising, don't price too highly, put sunblock on ALL your exposed skin, rig a sunshade) but too late. It was still an interesting experience, and they made some moving money and got rid of a lot of stuff that doesn't have to be humped across the country. I had forgotten how truly gratifying it feels to be able to help friends when they need it.
The next day we went to our favorite gallery down at the Market. I know the gallery folks will miss K when she leaves. I will have to send her random molas and milagros in the mail, as Kansas is not likely to be a hotbed of Oaxacan handicrafts. By the time we got back, it was too hot to not just keep hanging out together. I did my small part to try to cool everybody off by renting the movie "Cold Fever" by Icelandic director Fridrik Thor Fridriksson. If you haven't seen it, try to find a copy. It's very refreshing to watch the young Japanese businessman schlep across Iceland in his wingtips.
Another way to beat the heat is to read books about cold places. I recommend Antarctica. My favorite book on the subject is called Water, Ice and Stone by geochemist Bill Green, an account of his research of lakes in the Dry Valleys. There is some science but it's extremely accessible and interesting. The best parts, of course, are his own observations and anecdotes. I always feel cooler while reading it!
Right now we're dashing off to dinner and a movie with the PMBs and K & C. When we come home, I'll watch tonight's "American Idol" update to see who gets eliminated this round. It's a tough decision, because Ryan Starr was simply awful (she butchered "You Really Got Me" with an ax) but AJ was pretty mediocre too. These two performances may have bought Nikki a reprieve for now. RJ did well, singing "Under the Boardwalk" in his very sweet and pure voice. Tamyra is still well in the lead with another sensational performance. My only concern is that she might have to tackle a theme that is all wrong for her performance style, like punk or new wave or hard rock. Justin performed well but not at his best, and he really peeved off Simon. Justin grows more manipulative and grating each week, but I respect his voice. Cristina is a solid performer and a lovely girl, but she's not quite up to Tamyra's level. We'll see!
