Monk's Kettle

A Friday night spent with good pals Dr. & Mrs. Virus -- enjoying delicious beer and giant pretzels to celebrate the end of a long week. If you come and visit us we will take you here.

Radiohead @ Outside Lands

When you go to a summer music festival in California, there is foo foo-fancy pants concert food available. Fresh fruit? yes! organic ice cream? yes! Cowgirl Creamery cheese? Oh yes. We didn't eat any of it however, as we rushed to claim our close-to-the-front territory with towels and wide leg stance. It's all about the land grab. OK, it was in the VIP section. Don't hate me.

It was a great show, but ranking at #3 personal best Radiohead experience. Lower on the list because of the uber fans standing next to me singing every single song with hand gestures. I don't like that. I want to hear Thom Yorke sing the songs. Is that so crazy? Sing along to the CDs alone in your room why don't you!? When did live music concerts become participatory and not just about LISTENING? Those people sang their hearts out for two hours, but they were not Radiohead. I would not pay to come over to their house and listen to them sing "Karma Police". Would you? Still, it was Radiohead, the sound went out twice, but who cares.

Team Dinner

In NYC we had a "team dinner" in the kitchen -- but no one was cooking there, it was just the secret location setting behind a big door to make us feel special. I thought that was funny. I can't remember the name of the restaurant but hoo boy, it was TRENDY. All I know that it was half a block from the Indian restaurant, Spice Market, and that I wished I was eating there (@ Spice Market), alone. At work dinners there is so much small talk that who can actually taste the food? It was Italian, or something. I like food too much to not taste it.

Live @ Lincoln Center

It was a rare treat that last week my post-vacation biz travel had me in NYC with a free evening spent not as a loser in a hotel room on my lap top answering e-mail until midnight but watching my favorite anarchists from Holland, The Ex -- performing a FREE CONCERT in the park next to Lincoln Center. I spotted the listing, gasped, and called Blaine to see if he could meet me there. According to him, things like this happen in New York City ALL THE TIME. Even better, it was a line-up that incorporated musicial superstars from Africa -- The Ex performed with (renowned Ethiopian saxophone legend, Gétatchèw Mèkurya (plus an amazing dancer w/ a big knife below!) wow!
Also in the line-up -- afro-jazz from NYC's Either/Orchestra with vocalists Mahmoud Ahmed and Alèmayèhu Eshèté. The talents of these African legends are collected on a CD series called "Ethiopiques" (I have a few of them, but now I have it on my list to pick up the whole lot (because there are always more CDs to purchase, right?)

Did I mention that these fellows are superstars in Africa? Thus, when Alèmayèhu Eshèté hit the stage, the audience, including lots of Ethiopians living in NYC, screamed like watching Tom Jones in Vegas. In fact, Alèmayèhu performed a little like Tom Jones in Vegas, which made it even better. You can see what a suave entertainer he is from the photo above. In the New York Times review they compare him to James Brown, but I insist -- Tom Jones!

Because I only had a free bag of apple chips for dinner, Blaine & Ingrid took me right around the corner to Rosa Mexicana because in NYC, there is also a good restaurant on every block. I was exhausted and missed the Chef, but still I thought...I could live in this town.

Treasure Nest

My father always keeps a collection of interesting treasures on his dresser. At Camp Laf-A-Lot it's a nest with a special acorn, a seashell, a cocktail umbrella, an abandoned egg from the Eastern Phoebe who lived outside the door and a perfectly preserved dragon fly. That's my dad.

Laf-A-Lot Party

Back from the big family celebration -- but of course, there were matching T-shirts. To protect their identities, this is but just a small selection of campers who submitted to the glowing gold.

Among many highlights: The nightly 5pm Cocktail Cruise around the lake! Comes with cold drink in hand, cheese and crackers, plus a boat-by check in on the local loons and baby eagles. This is #1 on the list of "best cocktail hours" in the world. drink! food! wildlife nature tour!

Canoe ride through the lily pads and past beaver dams. I come from a family of experienced paddlers. Lots of time at summer camp spent standing knee deep in the lake and practicing the J-stroke technique.

Artsy camp photo series -- minnow cluster #23 and grill fire magic #6.

My dad says that Usinger's make the best sausages and hot dogs in all the land, but "I'm sure others are okay too." We did not disagree and stuffed ourselves with bratwurst. Check out "Milwaukee's Favorites" from their gift offerings.

This champagne cork came from a bottle that had been saved for 50 years. A romantic notion, but only the brave dared to drink the bubbly. Note to self -- drink leftover wedding champagne soon. Tomorrow?

All weekend -- full moon view over the lake at the end of the dock.

50 Years

50th anniversary celebration -- this weekend at Camp Laf-A-Lot!

Squash Blossoms and Cukes

As a surly Midwestern teenager determined to avoid canned beets and iceburg lettuce, who knew that squash blossoms would turn out to be one of my favorite seasonal, um, flower vegetables? Just add pasta. Yet I always loved pickles -- so it's bliss to make batches of quick Japanese cucumber pickles on my own (and combine them with rye bread and blue cheese). Add a sip of Rodenbach Grand Cru! There are not many better taste combinations. No sir. Except maybe salt & caramel.

Tiny Kites

I forgot my camera, but there were two tiny kites flown on Limantour Beach in Point Reyes. Sunday was the first 3 o'clock field trip since the beginning of the 1996 out-of-station gatherings with attendees Rodeo Queen (recovered!), PVC and Super CPA. Holy pelicans! Don't tell Simon about the pelicans or the treats at the Bovine Bakery.

Funny Ladies

Highly recommended, the tribute show "Getting in on the Ground Floor and Staying There" featuring the comedic talents of Beth Lisick and Tara Jepsen as Carole and Mitzi. I was little worried that it was being held at the Center for Sex & Culture, but all nudity fell under the category of extreme silliness. Not only were the stories hysterical, but at one point they both came out dressed in the outfits their mothers had given them. Genius, right?

I am thrilled to add Beth & Tara to my short list of favorite girl-comedy duos -- think "French & Saunders" or Laura Kightlinger and Nicholle Tom from "The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman" -- perhaps the "Heads Gone Astray" radio program? Does the tradition go back to Lucy & Ethel? Mary & Rhoda?

Please discuss, and include your own favorites of silly lady buddies out there.

Succotash

Because there was a lot of okra at the farmer's market and we were tasked with bringing a vegetarian offering to the birthday party of Dr. Virus, we picked SUCCOTASH. (with bacon on the side). Note that when we got to the party, we forgot to get the bacon out of its tupperware travel container, but miraculously, the bacon eaters sensed it was there and snarfed it down. Amazing bacon radar.

Paw Cluster + Tail Tip

Tales Report

My Mixologist

...makes me proud as Swedish punsch.

Bernal Heights made, and shipped to New Orleans.

Cafe Au Lait

Ordered frozen (it comes with a big straw), and plop me right in the French Quarter near the guy playing trombone and singing like Louis Armstrong.

It's a Librarian Birthday

The Librarian bonds with tiny fuzzy creatures, just because she's like that. Happy Birthday and huzzahs all the way to St. Paul, MN -- loud enough that she can hear the out-of-tune singing!

Half Moon Bay

Cowell Beach View

"Haul Out Area"?

Happy to wait for the haul out.

Sea anemones have an adhesive foot.

We are so totally coming back here, one of our new favorite places.

Heavenly Deviled

(perfectly deviled thanks to Mrs. Virus)

Inspired by Kim Bitter, 'cept with fish sauce and tarragon.

Bar Jules

Coffee Table

That's right, the next time you come over you will not have to rest your drinks on the floor and fend off Clementine, the beer bottle licking cat. We finally found the perfect coffee table. Thank you Denmark and the Modern Past shop in Glen Park.