Silly Guilty Pleasures - Things That Make The World Seem Delightful

It's no secret that I love this time of year. Autumn makes me smile. The crisp air, the yummy smells, the rich tastes, all the activities. It brings a smile to my face to look at my sweaters and know that I'll be able to relish everything I love over the next three months.

It made me also think to all the other things that make the world seem alright in a time of uncertainty. Here's just a few of those silly, guilty little pleasures:

Rick Astley

Now, is it just me, or does he look so much younger than I remember. I mean, the man looks twelve. It just proves that I'm aging. But look at the innocence in the dance moves. The frivolty that it presences. Oh, the eighties were a time of pure sweetness. If you want to see what he's up to check this out: http://www.rickastley.co.uk/

Starbuck's Pumpkin Loaf. This year they upped the ante and it is now topped with delicious pumpkin seeds. However, I just discovered there are over 400 calories in one slice ... so I may have enjoyed my last piece -- ever.

http://pumpkinpassion.com/ Yes, I love pumpkin everything. It's one of the things that makes this time of year so divine. If I had perhaps giving my blog a simple direction, instead of the random musings that it has ... perhaps I could have taken it this way. This blogger may be my new hero.

Playing outside with my toddler. Really, playing inside, too. His smile melts any ice that may have settled on my heart over the course of my first thirty years.

Staying in bed all day. I don't get to do this one too often. But there are a few days when I have had emotional lows ... and had to call in sick because I couldn't drag myself out of bed ... those days I stayed in bed all day.

Cheesy movies. Sorry, I love those horrible teen/tween girl flicks. There's something about watching a movie that you know is probably attacking a few brain cells that makes it okay.

Protesters ... Protesters ... Protesters

This last week the RNC was held in St. Paul, Minn. It meant a lot of things to me ... delayed traffic ... certain restaurants unavailable for lunch ... extra long commute ... extra security measures at work ... buses having to take detours ... protest updates in the news every day ... and did I mention that it totally made going to and from work a big pain in the arse.

Alas, what I found most surprising were the pictures I'd see of the supposed anarchist protesters. Many organized groups tried to hold peaceful protests, marching and trying to get their messages across. Then, this "anarchist" groups would try to create riots, showing they held no regard for authority. What angered me about these messy protesters was that they hid their faces. The peaceful protesters did no such thing. They didn't care if everyone knew what they stood for - BECAUSE THEY WERE PROUD TO STAND UP FOR THEIR BELIEFS. But it was as though these anarchists were almost ashamed, because they hid their faces with scarves. I know they are motivated by the political protesters of the past -- but guess what kiddos -- they weren't ashamed to show her were they are, because they truly believed in what they were protesting. It wasn't a show to put on so they could go back at the end of the night, get drunk, and laugh at their stories, acting self-righteous.

Perhaps some of the anarchists were hiding their faces for security reasons. Fearing for their lives, jobs, families, if they we're found out ... but alas ... then my recommendation would be to stay home or model the peaceful protesters.

Politics are in the Air

The Republican National Convention is taking place here in Minnesota this coming week (Sept. 1 - 4). The Twin Cities metro area has already begun to buzz with activity. This morning, I took K to Civic Fest at the Minneapolis Convention Center. I want my son to get as many experiences as he can. Of course, will the 2-year-old bundle of energy remember any of it. Of course not, but a few years down the road when we look at the photo of him sitting in the replica oval office, or waving in front of Air Force One, he'll laugh and enjoy it. As I was driving to the convention center ... I couldn't believe all the police cars that lined the streets of Minneapolis. It forebode of the coming week's doom and gloom of being the center of attention. But ... the RNC is actually in St. Paul ... yet all the parties and entertainment will be happening in Minneapolis. Poor St. Paul ... even when the main event is in your domain, Minneapolis gets all the glamor and attention.

Now, I'm not usually one to reprint something ... but I just had to share this hilarious article that was in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune today to help all of the national visitors acclimate to Minnesota. Enjoy! (My editorial comments will be in italics.)

Dear conventioneers: As you make your way through this strange, foreign territory known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, here are some pointers to help you get your feet wet.
Compiled by Kristin Tillotson, Star Tribune

Driving and taxis
• "Uptown Minneapolis" is south of downtown. And a pain in the arse to drive in. I know ... I did it today.
• Most traffic lights are on the corner curbs, not overhead in the middle of the street. And some are placed in such a way that you don't know what color they are until you're practically on top of them!
• Don't take the directional indications of "35W" and "35E" too seriously. And pay attention to the next note of importance:
• Minnesotans are notorious for not knowing how to merge onto freeways, finally heaving the car into your lane at the last minute while going 25 miles an hour. We brake for on-ramps -- if not for pedestrians. This one is SO true, it's ridiculous. It's so hard not to curse when people are merging into your lanes ... but I must remember I have a toddler in the car.
• No honking! Around here, laying on your horn is the equivalent to deliberately rear-ending someone. And I always thought I didn't honk because I have slow reflexes ... guess it's more than that.
• "The Crosstown" means Hwy. 62, which goes east-west on the southern border of Minneapolis and is a common airport route.
• Taxi tips: You can't hail a cab from the street. You have to go to a designated taxi stand. During the convention, some of those stands may be closed or moved. Some cabs have glowing lights hard-wired on top. This does not mean they are available. This is really annoying ... when I was pregnant and thought my water broke and had to take a cab to the hospital ... yeah ... not fun trying to figure out where I had to go to just pick up the damn cab.

Notorious landmarks not worth the effort
• Mary Tyler Moore house. It's a private residence and has changed too much. Never been.
• Larry Craig bathroom stall at the airport. Really, what do you expect to see? Never been either ... oh that's right ... it's in the men's restroom.

The rivalry between the Twin Cities
• Never, ever refer to St. Paul as Minneapolis. Duh. The reverse never happens, so no worries there.
• St. Paulites say: Minneapolis is where we play, but St. Paul is where we live. Minneapolitans say: Minneapolis is where we live and play. St. Paul is ... someplace in Wisconsin? St. Paul is a lovely city -- the Science Museum, the Children's Museum, the Caves ... and some of the cutest neighborhoods around ... and fanciest ... just drive down Summit Ave.
• People from Minneapolis find navigating St Paul to be difficult. People from St Paul just don't believe in navigating Minneapolis. Ah, I hate driving in both!

Eating and drinking
• Soda is "pop." This one's not true in my house. We call it soda.
• Seltzer is "soda water." Again, it's seltzer for us.
• Casserole is "hot dish." And both are pretty darn gross.
• Bars are places to drink, also 50 percent of desserts made in Minnesota are bars (lemon bars, pumpkin bars, etc.). MMM... pumpkin bars!
• Do try: Wild rice, walleye and lefse (thin Scandinavian potato pancakes rolled with sugar and butter).
• Try at your own risk: lutefisk, smelly whitefish cured in lye.

Minnesota expressions
• Yep. You bet.
• "Oh, fer," as in "Oh, fer nice!" or "Oh, fer gosh sakes!"
• "Ish" = "ick" or "gross."
• "Not too bad" = Amazingly great! not to be confused with ... So TRUE!
• "It's not that bad,'' the stock answer to any question about living here.
• DFL stands for the Democratic Farmer Labor party.
• You want to come with?
• A "hockey haircut" is a mullet. Even our governor used to have one. And every guy in my 8th grade to senior year had one... Ish!
• Can you borrow me five bucks?
• Schmoozing: In Minnesota, this means brown-nosing, not just chatting (we're suspicious of extroverts).
• "We'll be up at the lake" or "the cabin." Like there's only one. And it's always "the cabin," even when it's a house.
• "Up North" is anywhere north of the Twin Cities, but "the North Shore" is along Lake Superior between Duluth and the Canadian border.
• "The Cities" is the Twin Cities metropolitan area to anyone who lives outside of it. And is so anoying to those who live in the metro area ...

Safe conversation starters
• Whatcha driving these days?
• Crop art (artwork made from nothing but seeds and other plant parts -- now showing at the Minnesota State Fair).
• The weather. (No, it won't snow while you're here. Uh, well, at least it shouldn't.)
• Hating the Packers.
• When you're going to close down the cabin, up at the lake (or at least take in the dock).
• The eighth wonder of the world, skyways (those elevated downtown sidewalks).

Risky conversation starters
• Anything money-related.
• Bridge safety.
• Loving the Vikings.
• Northwest Airlines becoming Delta.
• Ethanol.
• Garrison Keillor's latest column.
• Prince vs. Dylan.
• Outdoor vs. indoor baseball stadiums.

Pronunciation guide
Edina: Ee-DINE-ah
Wayzata: Why-ZET-ta
Shakopee: SHOCK-a-pee
Nicollet Av.: NICK-o-lett
Roof: Vowel sound as in "look"

Social customs
• Start saying goodbye at least 15 minutes before you really have to leave. Again so true and so annoying.
• Replying to an RSVP request is considered an optional courtesy. This is one of my biggest pet peeves... it's not option and it's just plain rude!
• When in doubt, be indirect.
• Be prepared to face passive aggression around every corner. If a Minnesotan tells you something is "interesting" or "different," you can be sure you've been insulted.

The End of Summer

It is often said in Minnesota that the end of summer is signaled by one event. It's an event where tens of thousands come from near and far. Where it's acceptable to have greasy hair, stained clothing, and animal poo on your shoe. (Well ... acceptable may not be the right word, but all three are frequent sightings.) I enjoy the fair for a number of reasons: the people watching ... the one time of year I eat honey ice ... the crazy vendors every where ... and did I mention the people watching.

Now, my darling husband does not like crowds (or throngs of idiot people -- as he'd tell). But he humors me by going once a year to this festivity. Or goal is to get their early so that we can try to avoid at least some of the crowds. But this year -- I don't know what happened. We go there at 9:30 and the crowds were already there!! (It doesn't really open until 9, so we thought we'd have at least a little time!)

Our first plan of action was to get the animal barns out of the way. K enjoys goats and horses, but we're not much fond of the stink that the buildings take on. So we figured that by going early, we might be better off. We we're half right. They barns were full of stench, but a little less crowded than they would be by later in the day.

Next on our mission was to try to get K a few rides (food tally at this point: yogurt for K; breakfast burrito and coffee for D; milk for me). On our way to the rides, we encountered the Grandstand and again thought it best to tour this building before it got too late (and hot) in the day. (food update: mini-donuts for all) Then it was on to the carousel. At first K was all ready to go. But the carousel jerked after the first rotation and he immediately turned and gripped on to me for dear life. The rest of the ride was a great ab workout for me, because I had to go up and down with the horse. The crazy thing was that afterwards, he asked to do it again. We then saw the giant slide. After practically getting vertigo climbing up the stairs. K and I went down the slide. Now, of course, because he was in my lap, I felt his pulse quicken and his body tense. D says from an outsiders perspective he looked like he enjoyed it. I knew it was not the case. (Oh, if you're wondering why I got to do all the rides ... it's because D has a weak stomach when it comes to rides ... apparently, so does my son.)

After the rides, we toured some of the buildings and K eventually fell asleep in his stroller. (food update: one gigantic corn dog and lemonade for K and D -- I had some of the lemonade) While K slept we went into the Horticulture building and I went to the Minnesota Wine exhibit. I tried a flight of three different ones. First -- they gave you way to much ... I just wanted a tasting ... an ounce would have done just fine ... Second -- I hate to say it, but Minnesota wine has not won me over ... I think we still have some perfecting to do. The one which was a Sogn Blanc was pretty good. Daniel liked the Zeitgeist... but then I had a plum one ... it was pure disgusting. Oh, well.

K woke up and we went to the honey exhibit and got our must-have treat of honey ice cream. It was splendid. And a good way to end the day. We watched the daily parade and then slowly made our way back to the bus stop.

Of course D and I got sunburned, didn't eat as much as we thought we did, but it was an enjoyable day and a nice way to end summer. Now ... on to my favorite season. YAY AUTUMN!!

The Joy in Manners

There is this amazing sense of accomplishment when your child says, "excuse me," "please," and "thank you" unprompted. K is only two, but always says these things so appropriately. He even will remember to say "welcome" after you say "thank you." It's small joys like these that make you feel like your at least doing something right as a parent. Bringing up a polite child in a rude world is no easy feat. Of course, by modeling this behavior, D and I have probably become a little more polite in our worlds, too.

One other joyous accolade, he loves brushing his teeth. Now, of course, there is a very important reason why he has asked three times today already if he can brush his teeth (when he first woke up, after breakfast, and after lunch.) He has a new toothbrush, but not just any toothbrush. It's one of those that plays music for the duration of how long you should be brushing your teeth. It is the greatest invention EVER! Because, he now loves brushing his teeth. He used to hate it and you had to help him brush and make him do a good job. Now he stands there for two whole minutes, brushing all of his teeth. You still have to spot check to make sure there's nothing left behind ... but thank you toothbrush manufacturer!