weapons of massdistraction

Sleeping in my own bed after a week away was pretty spectacular, but the house didn’t seem very home-y without my son in it. Tonight we’ll be all back to normal. Except better. The time apart will definitely have helped us appreciate one another even more. Anywho, I took notes along the way and below are some highlights from my trip, beginning with last Monday. Enjoy!

Monday: Becky and I left St. Paul in her freshly serviced truck with bonus new tires. Driving through Iowa we encountered signs for a CSA farm/restaurant. Sounds great, right? Wrong! We rolled up a dirt road to investigate and instantly got the heebie jeebies. The place gave off strong Texas Chainsaw massacre vibes, with animal skins adorning the farm buildings and general creepiness hanging thick. Even though we each had flashing rape whistles, courtesy of her mom, we bugged the heck outta there and made a straight shot to our stopping point for the evening in Lincoln, NE. We stayed at a Super 8 on Cornhusker Highway (just past the Git’n'Split) and enjoyed an unexpectedly fine meal at a little cafe called Bread & Cup.

Tuesday: Nebraska is mind-numbingly flat and seems to go on forever. Becky saved the day by blasting all sorts of soul music, including the title track to Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine, along with Helen Shapiro and some Indonesian twee pop. Eventually we made it into Colorado, where the landscape gradually grew more interesting, and stayed at a posh Sheraton thanks to hotwire. Dinner that night was at the divine WaterCourse Foods. If only I could get them to FedEx some of their fine fine foods…

Wednesday: We pulled off the long haul through Colorado, New Mexico and into Arizona in about twelve hours. Listening to podcasts like Gay Pimpin’ with Jonny McGovern certainly helped, paired with the stunning Southwest scenery. Along with the scenery we also spotted unidentifiable road kill (I swear that was a chupacabra dead in a ditch). That night we settled into a Radisson in Flagstaff. While we were unloading in the parking lot I belched loudly and Becky’s head popped up, chirping “is that a man?” Well, I guess I am pretty dude-like but it was just me, you know, burping. Nearly had one of my trademark laughing fit episodes but managed to keep it together.

Thursday: We rolled out of the Radisson to get a quick looksee at the Grand Canyon, via the South Rim. Words and photos really don’t do it justice. It was so very peaceful and quiet, except for the construction work going on at the nearby visitor’s center. Alas, we needed to haul ass to make it to Palm Springs at a decent hour. And it was worth it, to have an amazing dinner at an award-winning Japanese restaurant and to kick back in style at a great boutique hotel called The Movie Colony. That night we had the hot tub and a heated swimming pool to ourselves.

Friday: In the morning we enjoyed a lovely breakfast at the hotel and a quick swim before going out on a mini mid-century modern architectural tour around Palm Springs. After lunch we tackled the final leg of the journey, to Los Angeles. Slightly dazed and confused after our cross-country journey through multiple time zones we still managed to make it up to Griffith Observatory, which is gorgeous at night. And to grab dinner at Z Pizza before collapsing. Though I did nod off sitting upright and still wearing my boots.

Saturday: Two very cheerful, friendly fellows whipped up our breakfast burritos at the Pasadena Whole Foods. Love that place. After fueling up we hit Hollywood Boulevard so I could do the touristy thing and see some Walk of Fame stars. I tweeted about seeing Rodney Dangerfield’s star and a friend replied that I should really see his grave (thanks for the suggestion E!) so we headed to Westwood Village which proved to be the final resting place of many celebrities from Don Knotts to Marilyn Monroe. It’s a surprisingly small, peaceful place hidden by towering highrises. After that it was on to Santa Monica to see the ocean and to stumble across the most adorable mid-century modern library ever. And dinner was had at the very vegan-friendly and tasty Mao’s Kitchen. The evening was capped off early with drinks at Highland Park’s Little Cave aka The Best Bar Ever, then bed bed bed. Or in my case couch couch couch but a comfy one at that.

Sunday: Woke up in LA reading “A Day in the Life: Who is Minnesota? Look online at some blogs to find out.” (I was among the bloggers listed in the Pioneer Press puff piece). Then it was off to Eagle Rock for coffee and my first mani/pedi at Mademoiselle Nails. My toenails are plum! And my heels are smooth as a baby’s butt! It’ll never last but I have to admit, it is most pleasant. The afternoon was spent in quaint and cute South Pasadena before it was time to jet to the airport and head back to the Twin Cities.

I’m already back in the saddle at work today, getting into the groove, and feeling oddly refreshed despite my lack of sleep. Definitely buoyed by the prospect of reuniting with the kiddo soon. It will feel so good to give him a great big hug.

Bonus: What I already knew: Comic books are good for children’s learning Parents should not “look down” on comics as they are just as good for children as reading books, a new study claims.
Plus: This not very charming fan: Morrissey storms off stage after bottle thrown by concert-goer hits him in the eye. Sad!
And: Loved this adorable short film, Pigeon Impossible, pointed out by Roger Ebert.