Guys! Sometimes it’s hard to write about things without fear of being reported for superlative-abuse, or excess-clamation. And yet I persevere.
Last Thursday, I took gato numero uno (aka Chloe or Optimus Prime) to the vet. She’d become rather limpy and not-so-plump-looking again, so I was concerned about the effectiveness of her thyroid medication. I always feel terrible subjecting her to the doctor’s office, because she meows loudly the whole way there, tucks her head into the crook of my elbow to hide while she’s on the table, then gives me the silent treatment all the way home. Thankfully, they told me she’s actually put on a couple pounds, which means her medication is working, and she’s probably just limpy from arthritis. All of this for the low, low price of $230! Matt and I went over to the Independent to lay claim to a table; it was super-crowded for Dining Out for Life, and was also conveniently happy hour. Wendy and then Cindi joined us, we had dinner, and the server deserved mad props for tolerating our ruckus for three hours. Afterward, Matt and I went up to Suzi’s for Pete’s birthday. Unlike previous recent visits, we had a good time, and great service. Perhaps there’s hope? Friday, it was torturously awesome outside, made even worse by the fact I had turned on my weekend-brain halfway through Thursday. I walked across downtown to meet Cindi for lunch at Brit’s, where we sat on the patio and drank cider. Post-work, I rushed as quickly as possible over to Matt’s, and we walked over to Kowalski’s for dinner supplies and to pick up copies of May’s Metro, which features his cocktail article on the front. SO EXCITING! We sat on the patio in chairs with ottomans, grill between us, as the sun went down and bats flapped around overhead, and it was again the best day ever. Even if there was a dude yelling from his window about calling the cops, but that was more directed toward the group of really funny drunk girls out there with us. Saturday morning, we had brunch and played Super Mario at Chatterbox in St Paul with Cindi and Wendy, then went over to the fairgrounds for the Craftstravaganza. We got a bunch of stuff, including matching rock-hands buttons for the four of us (we’re nerds, we can’t help it), fantastic old-diner-style Union Gospel Mission mugs, prints for Matt’s apartment, nonfuzzy little dice for Miguel’s rearview mirror, and pink panties with a tractor on the ass for me. So, yeah. Absolutely worth the trip, and a lot of knitting inspiration as well. I rushed to my house to bake lemon-coconut bars, then we headed over to Kris’ (aka Lunchbox) surprise birthday party in St Paul. We weren’t great at the surprise part, because we were all just sitting around drinking in the backyard when they pulled up, but it was great regardless. We ended the night gathered around the campfire with a bunch of extremely awesome folks, and even managed to get home at a not-ridiculous hour at night. Wendy and I decided earlier in the week that we should spend Sunday at the lake, laying around on blankets, grilling, playing catch, and flying kites. Therefore, we did just that. We were there from 2pm til 9, and we accomplished all of those items plus badminton, bocce, and frisbee. Klein showed up with his industrial boombox and played us some classic rock while we grilled ham-, pizza-, and gardenburgers; Willis cracked open a textbook at one point, but I’m not sure he actually looked at it. We even saw a bald eagle swooping down over the lake (totally ignoring the fact he was trying to catch coots, dammit); at one point he flew directly over our heads. I’ve never seen that in the city at all. In short, this weekend was glorious, and it is making today extra-painful, what with the work and impending rain. However, we have swing-dance class tonight, and I hear there may be happy hour as well. And tomorrow, as you must all have remembered by now, is Boobylicious Trivia II. If you can’t make it, you can buy raffle tickets using the link on that page! Time for me to run and try to beat the rain. Back soon, dudes and ladies! See you at trivia tomorrow. Jenni