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May 30, 2007

Hey Ya!

Here's what you get when you give a bunch of Kiwis some ukuleles. Presenting the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra!

May 23, 2007

Awkward Conversation

fuzzycopicI was in Chicago visiting my friends Fuzzy (who took the picture) and Erica last Saturday and we went out to see Maria Bamford do her stand up show. It was a great evening and she's an amazing performer. She also happens to be from Duluth.

I was thinking to myself, "Gosh, I should go introduce myself after the show and let her know I'm from Duluth."

But then another neuron fired and said, "To what end? Why would she care? Clearly she's happy to be out of there."

"Yeah," said my more obsequious, starstruck self back, "but she might like me if I tell her I'm from her hometown and we'd strike up a fabulous friendship and that would be so cool."

And the more experienced, jaded self said, "Suuuuuure."

And then my little puppy dog self said, "Okay, never mind. It was just an idea."

After the show I was standing out in the lobby waiting for Fuzzy to finish using the little boy's room and all of a sudden Maria Bamford was standing next to me. There she was. And people weren't crowding her and actually the people there were talking to the opener. So then I opened my mouth.

"Err... Hi, I liked your set."

"Oh, thanks."

"Um, I'm visiting, actually, from Duluth."

"Oh, really? What part?"

"Oh, erm, actually I recently moved up to Two Harbors."

"Oh... go Agates!"

"Yeah..."

Thank God Fuzzy came out at that point.

So, the interesting thing on reflection is that she was at least as awkward with the conversation as I was. Oh well... live and learn... sorta.

Coincidentally found this video on flyhighduluth.com.

May 19, 2007

Simon in Disney World

2005-05-24-12-21-42.jpgMy kids, Simon and Emma, are at Disney World right now with their mom. Simon wrote up a little bit about his visit thus far on his blog. My favorite excerpt is his description of the "It's a Small World" ride.

Never. EVER. EVER! Go on this ride if you are eight or older. Unless your an adult who likes stuff that's really cute. It is torture. A bunch of little puppets that sing "It's a small world" OVER and OVER and OVER again. No really. That's all it is. Toddlers may enjoy this, but I loathed it with all my heart, mind and soul. The only reason I went on was that was "Because it's an iconic Disney experience"- My mom. You have been warned.

That's my boy.

May 18, 2007

Phantom Ring

wood1.jpgPhantom Limb is a well-known and documented phenomenon. For those not familiar with it, amputees often feel sensations in their missing limb. I have something similar to that. I have "Phantom Ring." It's been well over five years since I took off my wedding ring but I can still feel the sensation of it around my left ring finger. My thumb still crosses my palm to fiddle with it, like a tongue drawn to a cavity in a tooth. Its absence still is befuddling for me.

Today would have been my 16th anniversary but, less you get the wrong idea, let me assure you that this isn't some poetic allegory about regret or remorse. I suppose part of me wants this Phantom Ring to mean something, though I couldn't say what it was. Perhaps it is just the sensation of something that was that has passed.

I'm sure some of you are reading this and thinking, "Isn't that sweet?" or "Isn't that pathetic? He still longs after his ex-wife." Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm glad Charlotte and I divorced. In fact, the more I think about it the better I feel about it. Our divorce opened up a whole new way of being for me that wouldn't have been realized in our marriage. I've taken responsibility for my own life, my own choices, my own environment, and, not inconsequentially, my own finances.

Yet, the Phantom Ring persists. I can't say what it means, if it means anything. I just report the fact that I have a Phantom Ring.

May 15, 2007

Sculptures in Time

sculpturesintime.jpgI found this Danish artist who creates impossible sculptures by being very clever. The effect is beautiful, challenging, and a little unnerving.

May 6, 2007

Actually, it's pretty easy being green...

dhgreen.gifI've been hearing a lot about going carbon neutral. The concept is pretty simple and thousands of years old. For every sin one must pay penance. And while we don't think about it much websites do contribute to global warming by using energy. While using energy is unavoidable even with conservation, one can offset the negatives by using your resources (typically money) to do things that will decrease the impact in other areas. Well, my host server has gone carbon neutral and, ipso facto, so has my website. I take no credit for this, but I'm pretty happy they take it seriously.

May 4, 2007

And Also With You