weapons of massdistraction

So much has been so very awesome in my life lately. I am one happy happy girl (see some of the fun, in a collection of photos from our Memorial Day, in three acts). Which is why I’m determined to remain annoyingly upbeat, even in the face of minor setbacks and nuisances that have been trying to rain on my parade. Like some tentatively planned trips that have been unraveling. But we’re trying to make the best of it. We’re still traveling to Des Moines in a few weeks, even though Interpol canceled their tour. We’d already booked a hotel room for the night so we’re finding other activities to occupy ourselves with. I recall being pleasantly surprised on my 2008 trip there. I plan to return to the most excellent Gateway Market. And to check out West End Architectural Salvage (looks awesome!), the Des Moines Art Center (where they have a “Kill Them Before They Multiply” exhibit?) the Raygun clothing store and maybe even a little bridges of Madison County jaunt.

Yesterday my MacBook wouldn’t boot up. After a morning of troubleshooting I brought it to the fine folks at The Foundation in the Warehouse District of Minneapolis. They confirmed that it was indeed ganked and in need of service. Thankfully the AppleCare warranty is still in effect and it sounds like I may have it back today (*fingers crossed*). In the mean time I have an old Windows desktop to use at work. I feel crippled but have been getting reacquainted with my sparse music collection on this machine. Which includes the likes of Bauhaus, Stiff Little Fingers, Yo La Tengo and the “Since U Been Gone” cover by Ted Leo. Memories of another era.

And lastly…my car has been producing ominous rattling sounds, mostly when I shift into neutral. And then stepping on my nearly worn away brakes only adds to the cacophony. I’ll be taking the car in though I’m broke (after shelling out for the kid’s summer camp) and the first appointment I could get is for Tuesday morning which means I’ll be missing the end-of-the-school-year field trip to the Science Museum. Doh.

How about five good things?

• Tomorrow night Caribou is returning to Minneapolis, with Toro Y Moi, in the 7th Street Entry.
• This next Free First Saturday at the Walker sounds particularly appealing for my son and I. There’s a drawing club thingie where he can sketch with local artists (pieces will be added to a pool of collectively created artworks on flickr) and for me there will be the “Bird’s-eye View” with a tiny camera attached to a balloon (I love the aerial photography).
• Sunday I will, yet again, opt to skip the crazy, sweaty drunken-ness of St. Paul’s Grand Old Day. But some people seem to really enjoy the gathering.
• Some amazing Mardi Gras designs.
• Interesting article, if you ignore the food safety issues: Their Future, Made by Hand

On Tuesday one of my son’s baby teeth came out (only two more to go!) but I was too exhausted to fulfill my role as tooth fairy after he went to bed. Thankfully he was too tired to notice it yesterday morning. So after school I was able to sneak into his room to make the exchange. After which I casually asked to see the new tooth that’s coming in, which prompted him to race upstairs to retrieve his dollar. He was all smiles. Phew. This kid who is growing up. FAST. Yesterday marked the first time he applied (and really needed) deodorant. And he used to be completely creeped out by Coraline but will now ask to watch the movie and was reading the book last night. And his first ever summer camp experience will begin in just a couple of weeks. Leaps and bounds, leaps and bounds.