the black keys

UGH! it's bon iver all over again!

how have i NOT jumped on this train?!?

how did this great band slip through the cracks?!?

excuse me while i rock out all memorial day weekend.

must put this video on repeat!

rummage-a-rama

helping my brother clean out his basement has its perks.

it was like my own personal free rummage sale.

the bargaining went something like this:

me: can i have this?

erik: yes.

snagged some pretty sweet pieces.

i tried not to get too ahead of myself before i got to work.

so here's a pic right after i took the drawers out

almond

with oregano drawers

and a new tv brought to you by my federal refund check

(not my bro's basement)

the old tv fell on me... but that's a story for another day

here comes the sun

"raarrrrmeowraarrrrrrr"

aka

"it's about f-ing time we have temps in the 70's"

happy spring milwaukee! after the entire month of april being caught in a limbo of frost advisories and sunny skies, it's finally here! this weekend was beautiful! i spent yesterday volunteering at GROWING POWER and today was the first day of 2011 that it got above 75 degrees! i spent the day running errands to our coop and home depot with the windows down, enjoying the sunshine and most importantly... making happy birthday phone calls to a (newly relocated!) very good friend. also, my dad got a chance to set up the rain barrel we got my mom for her birthday last august. i snagged the barrel from lakefront brewery for $5! it used to house brown rice maltose and will now house rain water to be used for the backyard gardens... raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, tomatoes, rhubarb, and lots and lots of pretty flowers!

hurray for rain barrel installation!

and hurray for multi colored tomato cages!

today was also a good day to bring my worms up from the basement. i added some table scraps from a fruit salad i made, stirred 'em up and added some more friends. and yes, that is a frozen strawberry lemonade on the table ...from mcdonalds. don't judge... it's delicious.

texts from last night

some of you may know the popular website www.textsfromlastnight.com - remember that text you shouldn't have sent last night? ... we do. it's a site "founded by two friends for reason that may or may not include: the tendency to press send more easily as the night turns into morning and/or the common disgust for all the negativity surrounding the 'sexting' phenomenon" -via

well it's not from last night, but i had to share some texting that went on this afternoon. there's nothing like a sassy sense of humor from an old friend to spice up a dull wednesday at the office... it also helps when i learn about a much needed reunion.

b: i miss you and your violent mood swings and your narcissistic attitude

e: i miss you stinking up the apartment with abercrombie's fierce

b: we should try downhill skiing again, hopefully this time you won't sit on the hill for 4 hours throwing a tantrum

e: i know better this time, i'll just stay in the chalet and drink

issues

these boys know what's really important these days

they're turning kids into slaves just to make cheaper sneakers

but what's the real cost cause the sneakers don't seem that much cheaper

why are we still paying so much for sneakers when you got little kid slaves making them

what are your overheads?

oh yea, think about it.

fire marshal

4th week on the new job and i'm already the 3rd in line. well... to make sure the doors are shut and everyone is out safe during a fire alarm. it's the small things that make me feel like i'm not just a switchboard operator or someone to yell at when things go wrong. on a more interesting note - while driving downtown yesterday i was so distracted by our quick glimpse of spring that i almost ran over this guy...

don't worry, i couldn't think of his name off the top of my head either

i said, "oh hey, there's that guy who was on american idol once"

he's in town with his new musical

rock of ages

i can't decide if i like him or not

he's talented, but he looks like

a cross between

jesus christ superstar

and kenny g

homecoming king

most likely @ caff's

circa 2006?

we're probably pumped cause the outfield's 'your love' just came on or caff's was offering free pizza with our pitchers. but this is how i feel right now... that man standing next to me with the goofy grin is coming home this week. after 4 years of rotc training and 4 years of active duty, he is donzo. and his friends and family who have supported and encouraged him all these years could not be more proud (and relieved). congratulations capitan mark, we're so glad you're back on midwest soil.