thoughts on attending the theater, and moments that change your life

Another weekend passed... and now, another catatonic Monday morning has slipped into a to-do list that got longer as the day went on (no matter how productive I attempted to be) and a circadian low as I digest a stellar homemade chicken pot-pie (I would have taken a photo, they were so beautiful... but alas, the steam vents weren't suitable for public viewing. Sheesh.)

Friday night: Klosterman, Tapes n' Tapes. I love the idea of the Current's Fakebook, and there were jeweled moments in the Friday night (in spite of a migraine). But I agree with Jana's review... I wanted more smooth links between music and pop culture and local DJ goddess, and just didn't get it. Meh, well. The infused vodka at Fhimas made up for it afterward.

Saturday: Learning at St. Thomas. My capstone class is amazing. It was the first time in 10 years of post-secondary education where I didn't watch the clock. Amazing. I'm so pleased with how this degree is wrapping itself up. Kudos to St. Thomas for developing an excellent program.
Oh yah, and it snowed.
and then snowed some more.
So we crawled Lyndale in honor of Maren and her impending departure to Madison, trampling in my Rocketdogs and flake-crusted stocking cap.
I had a moment on Lyndale Saturday night, waiting for Joel and Dave to catch up so we could all find the warmth of the next pub together, where I was able to pause.
Lyndale was quiet for a Saturday night -- or anytime, really -- with the blanket of heavy snow and reduced traffic. It wasn't cold, but definitely winter, and intensely beautiful. It was heavenly to take in the city street lights, the dark fronts of galleries and apartments and local businesses. Heavy snow has this slowing, calming, muting effect, and I realized, standing there, coated in late-winter-precipitation: I am infinitely proud of being the Minnesotan girl who pub-crawls Lyndale during a blizzard, and doesn't really think twice about it. Nothing about my city scares me; it only presents interesting challenges and new adventures. And I really wouldn't want to be anywhere else, right now. La.
We ended the night with a Chicago dog and a gorgeous Belgian brew at the Bulldog.

Sunday: Brunch at Hell's Kitchen is totally worth the wait. Their Bloody Mary alone is worth heading downtown for... when else do you have an excuse to eat a delightfully seasoned shrimp, pepperocini, grape tomato, and olive for breakfast? The entire meal was amazing... baguette french toast, their porridge (I'd eat it every morning, if I could), the lacquered bacon (uh, bacon covered in cinnamon? YES!), the huevos rancheros. Awesome. It was one of those perfect moments when everything comes together.
Amazing find at Crate and Barrel... ceramic "to go" containers. Oven, microwave, dishwasher safe. One came with me for lunch today, carrying aforementioned potpie goodness. Best investment of the weekend.

We also made chocolate chip cookies, so much turkey spaetzle soup, I'm going to be feeding it to everyone I know until I retire, and a semi-failed attempt at fudge cupcakes. They turned out more like muffins. Meh. Oh -- and I reorganized the pantry, which always feels wonderful.


I was exhausted when I got up this morning. I'm more tired now that I have written it all down.
Here's to being a robust Minnesotan, and not letting a little snow slow down a stellar weekend.

I tried to remember, but I said what's a flower?

...and then the snow came
we were always out shoveling
and we dropped to sleep exhausted
and we'd wake up
and it's snowing...

(Dar Williams, February, from Mortal City)

The whole city seems braced today. It's gray and windy, and depending on who you listen to, there are 8-18 inches of snow on the way. We are Minnesotans and should be able to handle this; however, we have been spoiled with little snowfall and mild temperatures and have lost our semi-arctic robustness. St. Thomas is all prepared to call off my class tomorrow; people are raiding grocery stores (we live in a large city with expensive plows and a backstock of road salt, people. this too shall pass), canceling parties, going home early, catching planes to California. OK, maybe that was just one coworker, and maybe it was a vacation he's had planned for a while.

Meanwhile, I embrace the thought of snow, in my silly Minnesotan way, the way I embrace the thought of a challenging assignment or an uphill climb on the Schwinn (though I won't be doing any uphill climbs on said Schwinn in 18 inches of white stuff). It's a good excuse to bundle in, make use of Netflix and the TV Torrents I haven't watched. It's a great reason to explore my spaetzle-making skill, for turkey-spaetzle soup. A spectacular excuse to bake bread, cookies, possibly brownies. And snuggle under big blankets. And sleep in. And drink warm cider laced with Jameson.

Bring it, old man Winter.