that would be too painful, even for me.

I stole this one from sister-in-law, the rest are coming soon….I promise.

There’s already talk of what we’re doing next year for Thanksgiving. We had been together no longer than 10 hours before we were talking (again) about communing on a farm. I feel very blessed that these are people that I really could (and would) live with for a long extended period of time.
The meal was great but didn’t compare to the nights that became mornings as we watched tv, played board games, and quoted movie lines on the front porch.
Pictures coming soon.

Went to bed at 7 last night. Our friend D* called around 10 to see what he should bring for Thanksgiving Dinner. First thing that came out of his mouth: Are you feeling any better? The internet told me that you weren’t feeling so good.
Today is a better day. My throat is still sore, but the aches and pains are nearly gone. Which is good, considering all we have to do before our first guests arrive tonight.

Woke up this morning with a sore throat. My sore throat has calmed, but the aches and pains shooting through my body have increased. The crew starts arriving on late Tuesday night for Thanksgiving Festivities and I refuse to be sick while they are here.
Do you hear me, Ache? Are you shaking in your boots, Pain?
I will fight you…both.

Left work around 2 to drive north for a show. We, of course, get stuck in traffic and a three hour trip turned into a nearly 4 and 1/2 hour slow chug.
But it was totally worth it. The show was sold out so it was a bit crowded. It was standing room only, which sort of distressed me because I’ve never (yeah, NEVER) listened to Sufjan while standing up. I made my way to the outer edge and sat against the wall and watched N*’s, K*’s and B*’s legs sway to the beautiful music.
The Michigan Militia backed him on nearly every song which was a first for me. I knew J* was going to be in town (He’s playing this weekend in Chicago) and I had emailed him to see if he was playing with Sufjan, but had not received a reply. At the end of the show, I leaned over to B* and P* and said (something to the effect of), “I think that is my friend J*, but I’m not sure because he is bearded”. I tried to talk the two of them into yelling “Half Handed Cloud Rocks” as we watched to see if he turned around. They refused. But I was brave and approached him. Turns out it was him and it sure was nice seeing him.
Tonight we go see Joseph here in town. Tomorrow I leave for home for Christmas Candy Weekend 2004.
Man, life is good.

Question One: Is it possible to have a hangover from a sniffing glue fest?

Question Two: And, if it is. Does it feel like a small anxiety attack? You know the feeling, someone singing inside your head but you can’t really hear it, you can just feel it….

Revelation: Target might be smart, afterall, for asking for my ID when they sold me the contact cement last night.

Woo Woo.

I’ve been reading these daily for a while now, but I’m finally letting you in on it.
Aren’t you glad?
Dayree of Pritcher Littlebarn
They will know us by our T-shirts
Say Anything

Please tell me that I’m not the only one that loves looking at photo albums filled with people I do not know.

Got together last night with a few girls who, along with me, had expressed an interest in creating most of their Christmas gifts this year. Because I am a true american, I feel a bit apprehensive about handing out these gifts that I have crafted instead of gifts that I have picked out at the local department store. I’m trying to get over it though.
Get to go home this weekend for Christmas Candy Weekend 2004. Before that I get to see Sufjan and Joseph.
Can life get any better?
Oh wait, next week, it will.

London pics can be found here.

And some photos of a band who doesn’t even have a cd out but are still some of my favorite people can be found here.

I don’t know who he is, but he hand rolls his own smokes and he drinks hot chocolate early in the morning.

Is it a common thing for a second term president’s cabinet to leave?

Sitting here in an internet cafe and reading some of my daily reads. I find it fascinating that many of those writing on their blogs are complaining of the long week.
Has it been a long week? It’s been just about a perfect pace for me. I’m ready to come home (which is good since I’m leaving tomorrow), and I think I’ve seen all I wanted to see.
Still haven’t found a teapot (requested by mother-in-law). Doesn’t seem like it would be difficult given my current location, but I’m trying to find a good one, not too kitschy, not too expensive. Hopefully a trip to Marks and Spencer will satisfy my need.
Here goes.
See (at some of you) tomorrow.

iron and wine was sold out.
sigh.
Went to the Victoria and Albert Museum this afternoon. Lots of old stuff.
Tomorrow, we’re going to the Tate Modern. Lots of modern stuff. Sounds more exciting to me.
Now I’m off to find a bar so I can spend the cash I got out to pay for the show.
again. sigh.

Arrived today at Heathrow at about 7:30 am London time. Which was about 2 or so in the morning at home. We couldn’t check in until 3 pm (was supposed to be 2, but the ladies, no matter how sorry they were for me, couldn’t get the cleaning lady to clean my room).
So, R* and I walked around until around 1:30 and then just napped in the lobby until we were able to get into our room. Our hotel is literally a hop and a skip (not even with the jump) from Hyde Park, so that was my first stop. I think I’ll be going there a few more times before departure.
Already got the hang of the Tube and we’re heading to Oxfam (Britain’s take on Goodwill) in the morning.
OH, I think I’m going to see Iron and Wine tomorrow night.
London is the f’ing bomb.

Leave for London today. Will be back by the end of next week. Had to work late last night because I got slammed mid-week. How is it that you become so f-ing busy right before you leave for holiday?
Yep. already working it.

I leave for London on Saturday. I don’t think we’ll hear Kerry’s concession speech before then. How do I feel about leaving the country without being able to recognize the next president? Perfectly fine, thank you.
CPH asked me this morning if I was disappointed that Bush will be president again. He has this theory – When given a choice between two things, flip a coin. Then, choose according to your disappointment or lack thereof of the choice given to you.
I stood there trying to gauge my true feelings – and – Nope, no disappointment.

Good thing I didn’t vote.

Attention everyone, voter turnout has increased this year…by one.
This was my first time voting and I have to say it went fairly smoothly. I was, admittedly, a bit disappointed that I did not get a sticker. I asked for one and the lady laughed and said, (something to the effect of) “we don’t get those here”.
When I get home, I am going to take a nap, so that I can stay awake to witness the results firsthand and not tire when explaining to those around me that even though I have no interest in which guy wins, I am totally interested in the process itself.
Democracy is a great thing, but having to choose between the lesser of two evils gives me a funny taste in my mouth.

I woke up fairly early yesterday morning and headed about an hour and a half south to meet my family to watch my niece as she represented my home city in the Pre-Teen America State Finals.

My Mom and L* seemed pretty excited for S* and I was a bit taken aback. Afterall, my moms aren’t really the type of people that would support pre-teen girls getting all gussied up for a competition that was sure to support American and, frankly, conservative ideals. After assuring me that this event was based solely on academic achievement and community activism, they invited me down to watch the festivities. And because I jump at nearly every chance to spend time with my family, I accepted the invitation.
I got there minutes before the doors were opened for the final event. Before we went in, I was able to catch a look at their hotel room. Turns out that the hotel had given their room up just minutes before they arrived, but because they had a confirmed reservation, they were given an amazing little apartment (Extended-Stay Suite) with an amazing little view of the river.
I found the ceremony to be a bit trite and the speeches given by the pre-teens were beautiful(ly written by their parents).
I was saddened, a bit, by the complete disdain that some of my family members felt toward a certain woman that they had dubbed as the christian. One of the things that I have found great interest, as of late, in my family conversations is this: Christians should shut their mouths because they have no right to push their ideas on anyone else but patriotic people should sing from the rooftops because we should be proud to be americans.
Does this seem strange to anyone else?