My Favorite Things pt 2

I think that a few people thought an earlier spiel about my cell phone was a paid post, part of some obscure Internet marketing plan. No, sorry. I just love the phone. You'll see a few more posts of my 'favorite things' in the future. For today, I'm going to chose something low-tech, just to finish dispelling that notion.

This is a canvas book cover available at Barnes and Noble. Large enough to accomodate a Robert Jordan tome, but able to adapt to any convential size hardcover, this is truly one of my Favorite Things. I have one to accomodate mass market paperbacks, but it's this one that I adore.



It has a durable, textured canvas cover that resists stains, and a zipper that locks up the book safe and sound.



When I read a hardcover I remove the dust jacket for safe keeping and slide the book into the case. It includes an attached ribbon bookmark, if you like that sort of thing. Myself, I think bookmarks are a sign of mental weakness. ;)



The outside of the case features a zippered pocket. It's deceptively roomy. I keep my datebook, book light, coins, and misc junk in it.



And of course, it also has a handle along the spine.



I got the book cover from my Mom for my birthday in '09, and it certainly ranks as not only one of my Favorite Things, but one of the best gifts ever. I love it.

~ Dan

Junie the Artiste

("going to be an artist for sure" says Grandma Jeanne)

Sixkill by the late great Robert B Parker

"I know what I like and what I don't like, and what I'm willing to do and what I'm not, and I try to be guided by that"



Sixkill is the 39th and final Spenser novel by the late great Robert B Parker.

As some of you may know I named my only son after RBP. This book marked the proverbial 'end of an era', and caused tears to well up in my eyes when I held it in my hands on the day of its release.

Still, I wasn't expecting a lot from the novel. While Parker had had a recent return to form, many of his latter Spenser novels were cookie-cutter, mailed in efforts. The odds didn't favor a masterpiece in the making.

I was wrong. Sixkill ranks as my second favorite Spenser novel of all time, behind only Early Autumn.

Like Early Autumn, this book is about a young male in search of a path in life, a way of overcoming his past, discovering what it takes to be a man, and getting on with the business of living. In both books Spenser is the mentor, the 'fixed point in space' on which they may rely, but unlike Paul in EA, in Sixkill the titular character morphs into an heir apparent.

That's important. The Spenser novels have never been about plot or mystery, both of which are in constant short supply with RBP. No, they were therapy sessions for the author to hash out his own demons through the life of Spenser. The convoluted relationship with his significant other Susan, the homosexuality of characters (both RBP's sons are gay), the constant search for meaning and truth - THAT'S a Spenser novel.

If the series had to end unexpectedly, how better to end it than with a novel that allows us see even more of what makes Spenser tick by giving him a clone to tutor?

Best of all, the trademark Parker/Spenser wit, the ability to toss out just a dash of sparse prose and make it zing - it's all there. I laughed out loud a couple times, and even read a passage out loud to my wife.

It is a fitting coda to the Spenser series and I loved it.

RIP Robert B Parker. You will be missed.

Questionable Dining

An afternoon of compromise. W/ Lis & GC gone shopping, Netflix failed so I found a college gymnastics tourney for Lu to watch. We're starving, so I set out to make tuna casserole, but in the end found no soup, so we're eating noodles, peas, and tuna dry. Thankfully, Lu seems to love both. She's entranced by the gymnastics for sure.

The silent movie "Saved From the Titanic" starring survivor Dorothy Gibson was released on this day in 1912. In the film she wore the same dress she work during the sinking. Sadly, the film was destroyed in a fire and no copy seems to remain.

Lu's Trip to the Fireside pt 2

The next morning we woke up and had breakfast. Well, Lisa and Lu did. They just brought some stuff back to the room for Sleepy Dad. While I got ready for the day Lisa took Lu swimming again, and then I packed up while the ladies freshened up.

Soon we were off to the Fireside.







The Fireside is justifiably well known for its extensive gift shops, and with cash left to burn LuLu spent quite some time browsing.







Here are two items I loved (but didn't buy). A birdhouse:



and a fancy music box that played LP sized discs



Soon it was time for lunch.



This is the adult menu for the show:


Signature Aloha Salad
Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Kiwi, Strawberries, Blueberries, Mandarin Oranges and Oriental Vegetables over Fresh Garden Greens, sprinkled with Sesame Croutons and glazed with our famous Papaya Chutney Dressing.

Freshly Baked Breads from The Fireside Ovens

Chicken Kona Kai
Skinless Breast of Chicken dipped in a special Egg Batter, rolled in Coconut Panko Bread Crumbs, sautéed to a golden brown and glazed with Brandied Apricot Sauce.

Served with Baked Yukon Gold Potatoes, Edamame Soybeans and Sweet Corn and a Plum Tomato stuffed with Creamed Spinach.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Garnished with ribbons of Caramel and presented on a Graham Cracker Crust.
Coffee, Tea and Milk

Lu's consisted of premium chicken tenders, mac 'n cheese, and corn. I also sprang for a big Shirley Temple for my girl







By the end of lunch LuLu was pooped, and with an hour before the show we retired to the van so she could rest. In the blink of an eye it was time to venture back in for the production of Annie.





The walls inside the theater were decorated in comic strip-esque panels





We took our aisle seats, which had an excellent view, and eagerly waited for the show to begin.







With a little time for horseing around.





Obviously, they don't allow photography during the show. I can tell you it was excellent, and the actress who played Annie was on the top of her game and did very well. I will say, however that our school's performance of "Hard Knock Life" had better choreography and energy. I kid you not.

Oh, and FDR's expansion of the federal government didn't end the Depression, nor was it an economic miracle as hinted at in the play. I just wanted to get that out there ;)

After a quick trip to Justice (a kids clothing shop at the mall) we were home, safe and sound.



And Lu's verdict on the trip?

"EXTREME fun!!!!"

Mission accomplished.

An apology, and a short explanation

In six and a half years of writing Slapinions I have only one regret: that in the heat of a contentious American Idol season, this Bo Bice fan called Carrie Underwood a "no talent hack". I was wrong, and I apologize unequivocally.

Back to our regular programming . . .

Or not.

You may have noticed that Blogger, a Google company, went haywire over the last few days. In the end they temporarily wiped all blog entries posted after a certain date/time, to 'reset' the system and restore sanity. As promised, they brought the exorcised posts back, although in the case of this blog, not in the correct order. You'll notice a repeat of at least one post in the next few days. Sorry about that, it isn't my doing.

Which again begs the question of permanence. During Slapinions time on AOL I publicly argued for a print or save option; a year later AOL Journals went belly-up. Blogger has been much more dependable than AOL ever was, but if a Google company can glitch - yikes.

Fred, I'm putting this on you: if something (God forbid) was to ever happen to me, I'd ask that you get a printed/bound copy of this journal into Lisa's hands.

Master Yourself

It's nearly summer - why not revist the 'Super Blow' Blizzard of Early February?

Feb 1st 09:30 snow drifts up to the middle of my calves in the alley this morning. Could be worse. Probably will be. 14:13 mps [Milwaukee Public Schools] has announced they will close tomorrow. Let the Super Blow blizzard commence. 21:45 Feb 2nd 00:24 When u can no longer distinguish the sidewalk from the street and lawn, & the wind sounds like a Hollywood sound effects team has set up shop outside ur window . . . Well, then it looks like this blizzard will live up to the hype after all 09:37 6 ft drifts down the length of my alley, 6-8 foot deep hills the length of the side street to my south, and quite literally the largest snow drift I've ever seen on the side of my house. I doubt we'll get the van out on the road until Friday at the earliest. I know I'm near the lake, but it still boggles my mind how deep the snow drifts get on this block. It's nuts. Six inches = up to my car windows if the wind is right. 15:58 Taking a break from my 2nd round of shoveling in the alley. Noting the wonderful grammar of local anchors who in the course of a few minutes said "props to the city" and "don't go nowhere". 16:12 if anyone digs out and is on the road this evening, I would welcome a quick lift to either Walgreens or the grocery store. Thanks! Over the next few hours I attacked the alley, and inspired the rest of the neighborhood to do the same. Early on many ventured out to tell me I should quit, that it was 'too much' - but once I kept slugging away the shame got to them, and one by one people came out to shovel their section. Even our neighbor, who we've had many issues with, helped out and at one point helped me push our van.

23:01 We finally got out of the alley at a little after nine, after spending hours clawing a path to freedom. That . . . was a lot of snow to shovel. The worst part? My phone, which was in my coat pocket for one of the many soaking-wet rounds of shoveling, was damaged. It still works as a phone, but all the perks that made my life happier - FB, txt, aps, email - are a no-go.[it was a lost cause] Feb 3rd, the day the music died: 13:01 Hey city plow drivers - thanks for burying the entrance to the alley under three feet of snow for the *8th* time. The only reason I'd ever own a dog would be so I could have it take a dump on your lawn. 16:47 Just dug out the alley entrance again. The side street to our north is damn impassable, but this yahoo insists on making pass after pass on the driveable street to our south. 17:30 While we were out in the alley LuLu konked me on the side of the head with a steel snow shovel. Full force, on a ridiculously comic backswing. Ouch.

 

YaYa - The Talent Show

Wistful Junie

Congrats to Prince Fielder for hitting his 200th home run.

Our tulips are blooming - Mothers Day 2011

My Happy Little Junie

 

Junie's Eye Test

Junie passed her in-school eye test today, scoring a 20/50 in each eye. That's normal for a three year old. By 4-5 years old it should be 20/40, then 20/32 by age six.

ok, about to exit the car and walk into an interview at a Ramada downtown. Wish me luck

update: Interview went well (I think) lasting for 45 minutes and eventually involving the owner himself. Nice to wear a shirt and tie again, if only for a morning.