Stuff to blog about

The more I have to blog about, the more difficult it is for me to sit down and write it.

While I am wimpy about big crawly bugs, I am vicious when it comes to fruit flies.

We maybe have bedbugs. I have itchy bites but haven't gotten new ones since we washed and vacuumed and sprayed and sealed everything as best we could. Next year when Pitchfork rolls around, Hotel Greenview may be CLOSED.

I rode 150 miles on my bike in two days, from Milwaukee to Madison, and raised almost $1000 for MS research. Jana, I can't wait to ride alongside you next year.

Doobie Brothers at Ravinia (with Tuesday night crew) : Decemberists at Millennium Park (with Meara and Alan) :: Strauss at Ravinia (with Mom and ladies from Tosa Pres) : Poulenc and Ravel at Millennium Park (to see Hugh sing with the Grant Park Orchestra). All concerts were way fun.

I love long, slow building songs. California One/Youth and Beauty by the Decemberists, The Bleeding Heart Show by New Pornographers, Dialogue Pts 1&2 by Chicago, Midnight Radio from the Hedwig soundtrack. Ravel's Bolero left me grinning for a day.

I don't do nearly enough karaoke. After Margaret & Evelyn's birthday party and being a semi-celebrity on the bike tour after singing at the karaoke they had at a rest stop (one guy who missed me singing this year singled me out on the second day to ask what I had sung; he remembered my performance of Something To Talk About from 2 years ago!!), I am full of karaoke love. So much so that in a dream I had a vision of proposing a class called "How To Rock at Karaoke" or something similar, where I could help people learn to pick songs they can do well and master the skills needed to blow everybody away. I am constantly trying to evaluate my skills and think of classes that I could teach at the school, and I think this class, silly as it may be, could be a huge hit if I can get it together. My other plan is a youth choir, as we don't have many options for 8-12 year old singers.

Don't be a bad friend. It's not that hard to return phone calls or show up for plans. Being a good friend is more fun.

The new director of the school where I work is awesome. Every interaction I've had with him has been great; you can tell he's going out of his way to connect with staff, teachers and students and to really learn what the organization is about so he can become a part of it. He came to the school on a Tuesday night to check out the great community that has developed, and came out to the bar with all of us to play and sing. He even brought songs to share. He definitely is a good fit and it's very exciting.

Some people aren't into kids and babies. Some people are. Like me. They bring me joy and energy with no more than their presence.

I get into ruts. Even when the ruts involve fun things, it's not that fun to be in a rut. New stuff is exciting and stimulating. I'm looking forward to Door County next week with the fam and a two week break from classes, which bring travel, visitors, and new experiences.

Here concludes your semi-monthly update.