Checking In

Wow, can't believe how long it's been since I last posted. Sorry. I've been super-busy and super tired which is not the greatest of combinations. Now let's catch up.



So yesterday was the 4th of July. We played "Stranglehold" til the stereo couldn't take no more of that rock and roll so we put on a little George Jones and just sang along. Shooter Jennings reference. Sounded cool though, didn't it?

Actually I had a really relaxed Fourth. After church the babies went to sleep and Valerie got to go run some errands by herself, which is a luxury these days. I stayed in the basement all afternoon watching the new documentary DVD on awesome Canadian band Rush, and finishing up another difficult to take movie by Brazilian director Mojica Martens. I mentioned his movies in the last post and while I still can't recommend them, I am strangely drawn to them, though fairly repulsed as well. Anyway, after all that, I decided to actually do something fairly patriotic (and St. Louis specific) and grilled us up some pork steaks. Mmm-mmm. That's good eatin'. Then we watched some fireworks from the window at our back porch (we can see like three different displays from there), and called it an early night.

Last Wednesday Valerie and I took Tessa for her first trip to the zoo. Overall, we had a really good time. There were a few temper moments, but she's two so that's forgivable. Tessa loved the children's zoo (natch), where she got to brush the baby goats...and a really big one, too. She had fun on the carousel, watching the penguins, seeing the elephants and hippos, and of course, riding the zooline railroad. There were a few moments that bothered her, mostly walking into dark exhibits. I had to carry her into the penguin house ("I scared, Daddy.), but once she saw those goofy little guys splash in the water she couldn't get enough. Tessa also clung tight to Daddy in the tunnels during our train ride, but she enjoyed it. Unfortunately we weren't able to see all of the animals-we had to leave about 1:00 for nap time. So the giraffes, monkeys and crocodiles will have to wait until next time.

So, what else? Let's see, my brother and I have begun dipping our toes into the waters of being a band again. We've only had one rehearsal going over the Blue Tattoo stuff, but it sounded pretty good. We're still a little ways from figuring out where to take things next, but a few more rehearsals/meetings should help things along. Things could get exciting again soon. Watch this space.

I guess the only other major thing that happened was Father's Day. I got my cake, as well as some books. One was "The Barbecue Bible" by Steven Raichlen is basically a giant recipe book with some good ideas from across the globe. A little too involved for my tastes-I like simplicity on the grill, but still interesting and with some good information that should keep me inspired and grilling for some time.

I also got the first two volumes of "The Complete Bloom County" by Berke Breathed. "Bloom County" was my favorite comic strip during its run. I've really missed it since it went away. Not for its political stance-that stuff gets dated. In fact, there are notes in the side columns of the books to explain who some of the people referenced in the strip are. Contrary to popular belief Bloom county wasn't really a liberal strip-it was satire and during the 80's conservatives were in power so that's what got spoofed. But the strip also poked fun at the media and culture of the time. Every fad and social trend worth its weight, from Heavy Metal bands to T.V. Evangelists to yuppies and plastic surgery was sent up in Bloom County. Sure, the dialogue was biting and the tone sometimes dark. Yet there was also an essential sweetness to the strip, an innocence and optimism found in characters like Opus and Binkley that seemed to ground the strip and make the reader feel that, anxiety closets filled or not, somehow we'll all get through this mess all right. Many of these qualities really came through in the later years, but it's fun reading the early stuff just the same. Sorry to ramble about a friggin' cartoon but reading this stuff is kind of like getting a letter from an old friend. That's what good art can do for you. Even if it's about a talking penguin and a cat who barfs a lot.

Alright, gotta go. Need to get some sleep. See ya real soon.