Full of guests! Have done a lot of entertaining, which rather saps me. Guests will be here a few more days.

I got to go to the pool, which is my favorite thing to do, pretty much. I neglected to fully sunscreen my back and am paying for it today, though.

Sweaty! A bustling birthday party in a friend's upper-story apartment, filled with warm bodies dancing, few windows, and fewer fans; the sweat was sheeting off everyone in the room. Yesterday, a long walk in misty warm on-again off-again rain. My apartment feels so cool and quiet when I get home; it's like a little oasis.

Very solitary. I don't think I spoke to a single human being except the cash register guy at the grocery store. I did get a lot of reading done though: The Working Poor by David Shipler and Lady Anna by Anthony Trollope.

Busy! I got a lot of reading in; finished up both The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms and The Fuller Memorandum and reread The Atrocity Archives. I also watched the World Cup games, saw Despicable Me, and drove Mrs. Brevity to the airport for her trip to the conference in San Diego.

Reasonably chill. Saturday morning was me+kid time, and Saturday afternoon we all went to Central Park zoo (Maddie, upon seeing the black and white ruffed lemurs proudly announced "COW!")
Saturday evening we had friends around.
Sunday was soccer day and just hanging out.
All weekend the kid was in one of those delightful moods that remind you why they are awesome. So that was nice, too.

Busy and a little stressful. The kids were in pure destructo/chaos mode and I was trying to get the house together and us packed so we can leave. Got their clothes packed, got their toys packed, got their swim stuff packed, got my little projects packed, then had to rescue/repair the toys they broke in the meantime. Thank dog for sugru.

Tiring. Still sleeping like crap and stressing over schoolwork makes me very crankypants.

Pretty good! On Saturday I went to art fair off the square, bought another piece from my favorite artist there (Andy van Schyndle), and a nifty puzzle dragon, got some ice cream to cool off from the heat and then came home and did some painting and hanging out with Mr. Mirror, who's been sick with a head cold. Yesterday we played a lot of video games and I brainstormed some tricky "what happens next" bits in a book I'm working on, had a tasty chicken dinner and called it an early night.

Busy at first, then cool, then a bummer!

Friday night ended with the sun coming up again. Lots of fun out with friends...then Saturday I took a drive out to Manitoulin Island with a friend to find this sort of hidden, private beach. Somehow, on the walk in, I managed to irritate the hell out of the tendons on the top of my left foot, still not really sure how. The hour-long walk back to the car seemed to REALLY do it in. By the time we got to Little Current for a bite to eat and a drink or two, it was swollen and SUPER sore.

So, Sunday was spent watching movies I've been meaning to watch, while icing my foot and dozing. Then, watched the FIFA final. Drank a couple pisco sours and headed home.

So, all in all? A REAL MIXED BAG DAMMIT.

Up and down. The good decision was to stay away from the Country Fair, which was crowded and dusty and hot, according to reports.

Very warm, compared to what we are used to. No a/c in the house.

Vegging on Friday night, watching vids. Then a nice long hike on Saturday morning, followed by down time Saturday after noon, then the Portland Cello Project Saturday night, which was really fun. See the Portland Cello Project. 6 cellos, made to do unnatural things. It was the 3rd time I have seen them and each time is different and so much fun.

Sunday, working out, shopping, gardening and general griping at one another. I probably got heat exhaustion and had to take a long nap after which I did not feel any better. Sunday night, dinner out in the shade in the yard, then catching up on the Daily Show out there on the deck then a few episodes of True Blood when it got dark and the house started to cool.

A little schizoid in character. Went out for a walk, drinks, and a quesadilla on Friday. Saturday morning, headed to the beach, but the greenhead flies chased us away. Then it started to rain anyway. We used the excuse to get the car inspected, then went to THE MALL, a rare expedition, and then to IKEA, not as rare but always an experience. We picked out a couch that we'll buy eventually and had the usual IKEA brand of quasi-fun. Speculated about inventing "IKEA Bingo," where you get points for seeing certain classic IKEA sights.

Sunday, slow start but got to the farmer's market and the beach. Settled in on the beach and the skies immediately opened up. Raced for the car and had a debate about whether it was going to clear up. Started driving away, it cleared up and we went to another beach for some great rays. Got hungry and went to buy food at snack bar, discovered I had lost my ATM card. Had an aborted mission to Skip's Hamburgers - got there before we realized they only take cash, of which we had none. Went home and ate some peanuts and tabbouleh. Cleaned house for a while, watered garden, collected first cucumber and broccoli, then made an awesome veggie panini for supper.

So, nothing really amazing, but got a lot done, with a small amount of CF rolled in.

Weekend started Thursday, with an afternoon spent in Wilmington (NC, not DE), then off to Calabash. Friday was an awesome relaxed day filled with plenty of beach time and hot Krispy Kreme donuts. Saturday was spent running enjoyable errands with the father-in-law, topped off by a Five Guys burger before the World Cup consolation match. Sunday was more of the same, beach, good food and the World Cup Final. Before heading back home, it was back to Wilmington for a nice riverside stroll and ice cream.
All in all, a terrific weekend, thanks for asking!

How was Despicable, Brevity? I generally hate movies in theaters but that one looks tempting.

I did some reading, too. I finished One Day, by David Nicholls. Pretty much loved it.

Shopped on Sunday, pretty much didn't love it.

The humidity broke so the weather was lovely. We did shopping for the insurance replacements, saw two free movies and a free concert. A good weekend.

Went to a Metafilter meetup yesterday, here in Pittsburgh, and had a really nice time. Not very shockingly, almost everyone was either an educator, a programmer or a librarian. Also two of the people work within two blocks of my house and another lives about three blocks away and two others go to my church. Sometimes Pittsburgh seems like a very small town.

Started with Fry (the bitey cat) escaping outside for the night, losing his collar, but coming back super copacetic and relaxed. I think I'm going to be able to accept letting him out, but I don't know what to do about the collar problem (this was actually the first collar he'd ever had that he didn't lose IN the house). He has a microchip, and the stray situation around here is so dire that nobody's likely to complain, but I still get nervous about just opening the door to him.

My mom went to see my dad on Sunday and his condition made her weep. He can't walk without assistance anymore, but they can't keep him from getting up on his own, so the facility is making noises about his level of care and other things.

Friday night I went to a local art gallery. One of my friends had an opening. I bought two pieces, and original and a print.

Saturday I stayed home. I read book reviews (one of my favorite things to do to waste time), cleaned, hung out with the kids, watched the original Karate Kid, and listened to music.

Saturday night I made a medley of food that didn't go together: Chili Mac, French string beans with onions and peppers, and a salad of spring mix, feta, tomatoes, red onion, and a lime vinaigrette. I needed to use produce before it went bad. It was delish and we ate all of it.

Sunday I went to the beach with my kids, parents, sister and nephew. It was gorgeous as usual. We saw lots of fish and had a airplane show. Two ski planes landed near us.

I had a date on Saturday night that went very well. Additional interaction is imminent. This one snuck up on me and I'm not sure what to think.

we saw the Joan Rivers doc, which is hilarious.

Someone snuck up on you and took you on a date? You have the most interesting times, mullacc.

Yesterday, I did something normal people do on Sunday - brunch, pool, friends, good times, even if the beer was wierd. It was great. The A/C froze up Saturday, but we got a service call Sunday morning, so that worked out well enough. Also, I bought a hula hoop, which I can totally make go!

I had a haircut on Saturday, at long last. It looks much tidier now.

Sunday was solitary - it was too hot to do anything other than stay indoors watching the World Cup final (terrible game) with the fan on. The cats LOVE the fan and at night they jump on the bed and lie next to me to take advantage of it, as I have it set up to oscillate across me as I sleep. This works for them rather well. For me, not so much - imagine adding a 30lb fur eiderdown to the bed.

Jesus, it was full. On Saturday, we had to go to TWO weddings in my partner's hometown (which was abominably hot and humid, in that special Midwestern way). I think it's fair to say that I have never partied so hard in my life. (Note: it only involved six beers over two days, so I'm still pretty much a wuss.)

SO:
Thursday highlights: three bands, a short and mild roast of one groom, a twang-punk version of "Nothing Compares 2 U," a post-bartime burrito, several PBRS and my first cigarette in a good three years. Bedtime: 3 AM.

Friday: took loose stones from partner's late mother's jewelry box in to local shop, where they determined that they were free-giveaway rhinestones suitable for gluing on dolls and not, as hoped, the keys to our financial future. Hung around with Grandma Edna.

Saturday: OH GOD SO MUCH. We made a pinata for the outdoor wedding, and it was filled with oh so many fine and non-melty things, but we missed it because we went to the other wedding. The second wedding was very traditional and the ceremony itself was quite lovely, but we liked the potluck at the first one much more.

Then... back to the first one for Boys Vs. Girls kickball, or (more accurately) Dudes With Masculinity Issues Against Barefoot Chicks In Strapless Dresses And Small Children.

Then... karaoke at the Sip 'n' Stir, where a hipster showdown very nearly erupted. I really can't do justice to the many levels of irony.

Item 1: if you insist that you love hanging out here because you've gotten to be real pals with the "locals" and the staff (read: slummin' it at the dive bar), it is probably not best expressed by throwing their pitchers on the roof.

Item 2: we totally had them beat on the hipster front, because half of our group involved locals visiting from their adopted hometown of Portland. OH SNAP!

Item 3:
Me: "Nice tats. What do they say over the Xs?"
Girl: "'Integrity' and 'Conviction'."
Me: "Ah, okay. Straightedge?"
Girl: [nervous giggle] "Yeah, not so much anymore."

Sunday: In the commotion of the weekend (and a new bottle not located with the rest of my stuff), I had neglected to take a certain medication for two days. Between that, the second 3 AM bedtime, my dying feet and the humidity, despite only two or three beers and a distinct lack of buzz, I was hung-fucking-over.

Good. Saturday I went to visit my mom. She took a fall about a week ago; she was sick with a very sore throat and had trouble swallowing and got dehydrated and ultimately fainted. Gratefully, she's doing much, much better. Throat's good and she's out of the hospital and spending a few days on the rehabilitation wing of a nursing home. She'll likely go home sometime this week, my brother, who's a doctor, thinks.

I was so happy to go see my mom. At almost 95, any mishap is alarming. She had quite the shiner on the side of her head/eye. Luckily, she didn't break anything, though. It was really good to see her; I brought her all kinds of tempting goodies that I know she likes, like Dots and Goldfish crackers, since she's not always the greatest eater in hospitals. My brothers are nearby, too, so they see her everyday.

Getting home was a bear, though. It usually takes about two and half hours and it took over four. Both Metro North and subway trains were delayed. Still worth it, though.

Sunday Jon and I went grocery shopping and stuffed the fridge and just relaxed the rest of the time (my favorite thing to do -- nothing). I did catch the first Twilight movie on cable, which Jon made infinite fun of me for (I am a bit older than the target demographic), but it was fun. Nothing like losing oneself in vampires and romance to kill an afternoon.

Productive and pleasant. Lots of sleep Friday and Saturday nights. On Saturday, once awake, had a pain relieving acupuncture/massage session, got the errands (wash car, pick up dry cleaning etc.) done, cleaned the bedroom carpet, then got spiffed and went to see an incredible play -- Ruined -- with my beloved on Saturday night.

Sunday, polished off the paper and NYT puzzle, organized and cleared up my backlog of magazines, taught my dog a couple of new tricks, did my long run (4.5 miles), did some yoga, paid the bills, made a really tasty chicken/carrot/mushroom/scallion/turkey bacon/thyme stir fry over whole wheat couscous, hung with my husband watching the World Cup final, and caught the penultimate episode of Season I of the Wire.

I feel pretty energized for the week!

I had a smoothie.

What flavor?

I had a smoothie.

Is that what they're calling it these days? :)

Friday I went to Carlsbad Caverns. I'd scheduled a tour of the King's Palace area, but had to cut it short because I had to pee. Did manage to see all of the Big Room, so all was not lost. Drove to Las Vegas, NM, spent the night. On Saturday had oil changed in rental, went to tiny museum at Philmont Boy Scout ranch, drove to Denver. Sunday movie glut :Joan Rivers, Prop 8 doc and Winter's Bone. Came back to NY today and already want to flee.

toastedbeagle: Despicable Me was really good, such that (even though I'm not a rewatcher of movies in general) I'll be glad to go see it again with Mrs. Brevity when she's back in town.

Saturday was the baseball meetup, which was cool, but I didn't realize it was a night game and thought I'd be home by the evening to pack at a leisurely pace. Instead I got home around 12, and packed until 4 am. Then I slept for about 2 hours and had another packed 2 hours or so before the movers showed up where I was frantically shoving everything in garbage bags.

One of my movers apparently lives on my block, which is kinda cool and a weird coincidence, but working on 2 hours of sleep at 9 am, I wasn't sure how to turn said new neighbor into possible new friend so I probably dropped the ball on that social interaction.

Then I was probably terrible company to gaspode and the whelk since I was half asleep during the World Cup meet up (though is it still a meet up if only 3 people showed up?).

And up until yesterday afternoon my life was all about unpacking the crap I was just throwing into garbage bags a few hours prior.

Saturday was the baseball meetup, which was cool, but I didn't realize it was a night game and thought I'd be home by the evening to pack at a leisurely pace. Instead I got home around 12, and packed until 4 am. Then I slept for about 2 hours and had another packed 2 hours or so before the movers showed up where I was frantically shoving everything in garbage bags.

One of my movers apparently lives on my block, which is kinda cool and a weird coincidence, but working on 2 hours of sleep at 9 am, I wasn't sure how to turn said new neighbor into possible new friend so I probably dropped the ball on that social interaction.

Then I was probably terrible company to gaspode and the whelk since I was half asleep during the World Cup meet up (though is it still a meet up if only 3 people showed up?).

And up until yesterday afternoon my life was all about unpacking the crap I was just throwing into garbage bags a few hours prior.