Police Report Courtesy of Self-proclaimed Fashion Policewoman

The Fashion Police must have been off duty this morning, so I took it upon myself to make some citizen arrests and rid the world of fashion mishaps. The first violator I saw was this woman who was wearing a knee-length skirt. All was fine in general with the skirt, but she must have lost some weight and the skirt twisted or something because the pocket had moved a perfect 90 degrees and was facing dead-on straight forward. I know this can happen, but the pocket was really noticeable (often skirts don’t have pockets). It was really funny because at first all I saw at first was this pocket walking toward me, which is a weird for your brain to process (shouldn’t she be walking the other way if I see the pocket?). She was on her cell; otherwise I would have stopped to tell her. Violation #2: was this very clean cut guy wearing a polo shirt and pressed khakis. He had his man bag and product in the hair. He was also wearing sleek tan leather shoes, but as he walked in front of me I saw that one shoe had a very visible hole about an inch long in the heel. It didn’t fit with his otherwise perfectly maniquered look. Violation #3: okay the other two were unfortunate; this one was just wrong. This woman was wearing a nice light blue summer suit. Underneath she had on the worst possibly top—it looked like something Madonna wore from the eighties only worse. It was a white lace stretch tank top; but not the kind that are overall sheer with certain parts darker. This was lace and skin; wherever there was not lace, there was skin. It was beyond see-through; you could see her entire bra, not the outline of the bra. I wrote her a ticket on the spot.

Extra Action Marching Band

Okay, we went to the most random/cool/weird/fantastic event last night. It was called the extra action marching band--they are from San Francisco. Cynthia had heard of them from her friend Justin, who I have only heard about, but believe to be cool. Ed was excited because there was a marching band involved. For those of you don't know, Ed was the president of the Boston College Marching Band—yes, he was the head geek.

Anyhoo, Kevin, Cynthia, Brad, Ed and Susan really weren't sure what we are we getting ourselves into when we entered what appeared to be a coffee shop. We bought our $10 ticket in and took our seats. I felt a little conformist/normal. As a whole, I was under tatooed and pierced for the crowd. There were some "unalternatives" people there too--actually quite a mix. One man was dressed as a cheerleader. He was weird.

So the pre warm-up act was this guy who strips while riding a pogo stick. Come again you say? No, I really can not make this stuff up!! He did! It was phenom. He would appear later in the show and take a liking to Cynthia.

Then was the warm up act. DC's only side show (some may argue that is debatable). We had a fire-breather, a girl who swallows balloons, a dude who puts a nail up his nose...the us' Oh the balloon swallower also contorts herself through hangers and tennis rackets. I made the mistake of telling people in the car ride home that I too could have contorted myself through a hanger. I am not sure it that is really true.

Anyway, the main act got underway after 9:30---late for a school night, I know! These guys/gals came in full on with the drill team, marching up a storm. The drill team soon stripped down to scantily-clad-outfits for the next and remaining numbers (hence the "extra action" portion of the title). It was great--they played ska-ish/reggae/afro beats/pep band music. After about the 3rd number they went into the audience and made everyone go on stage. After that they just intermingled and played wherever while people danced their hearts out. The drill team did some choreographed dances, but in the absence of that, they would just dance up to people. It was MAD chaos, but so much fun! Of course it became like 1000 degrees in there too. If they ever do come your way, be sure to take advantage. It was totally fun and was a true experience--not that you always felt 100% comfortable--but it is something I will not forget...ever!

A very nice weekend at Point Lookout

I find myself in a constant struggle on the weekends between trying to do fun/relaxing/social things and also trying to “get stuff done”, which is basically the not-as-fun stuff: cleaning, groceries, laundry etc. It is hard; time is limited on the weekends and there is simply a lot to do in both of these categories.

This weekend was a prime example of getting the balance to be right. Friday night, we cleaned and our friend Kevin stopped over for a chat. (This was one of those great kill-two birds with one stone. I felt like I was in a kid and my mom made me clean my room but I wanted to go play so I invite my friend over to “watch me” clean my room. ) Anyway, I got some laundry moved and some cleaning started.

Saturday a.m. we packed the car and headed out to go camping with Brad and Cynthia. We headed to Point Lookout on the Western Shore of Maryland—it’s about an hour and a half away. After stopping to get some food, ice, etc. we were on our way. We really didn’t know much about the place, but were excited to get the h out of town. We got in, unpacked, pitched the tent and fixed some lunch. It was getting warm, so we drove over to the swimming hole and came back for some reading and napping.

As we entered the grounds, we saw signs for kayaking guided tours, and had decided to do the sunset one at 6 p.m. It was only $10 per person. Our guide, Joe was awesome. This is basically his summer business, where he takes people—scouting groups, campers etc on his kayaks. During the week he goes to camps etc. but on the weekends (some—not all), he works out of the park. Anyway, we went on 2-hour tour in double-kayaks all over the lake there. It was so peaceful and beautiful. (PS these are not like whitewater kayaks where you are attached etc.—they are river kayaks). It was really a fabulous time and such an unexpected perk of the trip. After kayaking, we went back and started the fire, cooked some grub and s’mores and went to bed. It was really great waking up in the morning looking up at the trees.

I bought a great tent—thanks to Mandy—which is almost all screen so you feel like you are outside. We got ready and hung out a while. It was like being on vacation—but just for a day. We got back early afternoon and still felt like we had a weekend—stopped by a yard sale, got groceries, finished laundry and cleaning, and I even ironed my clothes.

We are excited to get back to Point Lookout. They do a big Halloween thing with the lighthouse there and Joe is going to be back with his Kayaks!!!!

Religious Right Leader has it all Wrong

I love the quote from the Kerry staffer about reading the Bible cover to cover

Santorum resolute on Boston rebukeInsists liberalism set stage for abuse
By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff July 13, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania,the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, refusedyesterday to back off on his earlier statementsconnecting Boston's ''liberalism" with the Roman Catholic Church pedophile scandal, saying that thecity's ''sexual license" and ''sexual freedom"nurtured an environment where sexual abuse wouldoccur.''The basic liberal attitude in that area . . . has animpact on people's behavior," Santorum said in aninterview yesterday at the Capitol.''If you have a world view that I'm describing [aboutBoston] . . . that affirms alternative views ofsexuality, that can lead to a lot of people taking itthe wrong way," Santorum said.Santorum, a leader among Christian conservatives, wasresponding to questions about remarks he made threeyears ago on a website called Catholic Online. Inthose comments, Santorum said, ''It is no surprisethat Boston, a seat of academic, political, andcultural liberalism in America, lies at the center ofthe storm" of the clergy sexual abuse scandal.The junior senator is chairman of the SenateRepublican Conference and is considered a possiblecandidate for his party's presidential nomination in2008, if he wins reelection to a third Senate termnext year.''I was just saying that there's an attitude that isvery open to sexual freedom that is more predominant"in Boston, Santorum said yesterday. Reminded that thesexual abuse occurred across the country, Santorumsaid that ''at the time [in 2002], there was anindication that there was more of a problem there" inBoston.The senator's words sparked instant reaction fromMassachusetts political leaders, who ridiculedSantorum's suggestion that priests were driven toabuse children by the city's liberal culture.US Representative Barney Frank, a Newton Democrat,called Santorum ''a jerk" and pointed out that thesenator tried to use the levers of the federalgovernment to block the removal of Terri Schiavo'sfeeding tube, an act that Santorum likened to''execution." An autopsy found that Schiavo's brainwas half the normal size and that she could not seeanything.''This is one of those people who claims to have hadeye contact with a blind woman," Frank said.Representative Martin T. Meehan, Democrat of Lowell,said, ''There's not much you can say about someone whoclaims to have read the Bible cover to cover and cameaway from it thinking it encourages hatred for fellowhuman beings."David Wade, spokesman for Senator John F. Kerry, said,''Sometimes you wonder whether Rick Santorum canpossibly believe the radically wrong words that escapehis mouth."Santorum has startled Washington in the past. In a2003 interview with the Associated Press, he linked''man on child" and ''man on dog" sex withhomosexuality, describing them as deviant behaviorsthat threatened traditional marriage. Earlier thisyear, he apologized for comparing the Democratsblocking President Bush's judicial nominees to theNazi leader, Adolf Hitler.The senator faces an unexpectedly tough race forreelection next year. Pennsylvania state treasurerRobert P. Casey Jr., the expected Democraticcandidate, has been ahead or even with Santorum inrecent polls, although Casey hasn't begun activelycampaigning.Casey, like Santorum, is antiabortion, and Democratscontend that the Pennsylvania contest offers one oftheir best chances to pick up a Senate seat next year.Santorum, now 47, came to Washington as a House memberin 1991 and joined a group of young, assertiveconservatives bent on shaking up the institution.Elected to the Senate in 1994, he quickly moved up theRepublican ranks. With his vocal stances againstabortion, stem cell research, and the right-to-diemovement, he has become a favorite of evangelicals,said Jon Delano, who is a political analyst atCarnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.''He speaks exactly as he feels," Delano said. ''Youeither accept it or reject it. There's nothingdisingenuous about Rick Santorum."The Pennsylvania senator recently penned a book, ''ItTakes a Family," that blasts two-income families,divorce, cohabitation before marriage, and othersocial trends he considers liberal ills.The book, set to be released later this month, blames''radical feminism" for encouraging women to workoutside the home. ''In far too many families withyoung children, both parents are working, when, ifthey really took an honest look at the budget, theymight confess that both of them don't really need toor at least may not need to work as much as they do,"Santorum wrote.Jay Reiff, Casey's campaign manager, predicted thatSantorum's outspokenness might get him into troublewith Pennsylvania voters.''It's sort of being out of touch," Reiff said. ''Forhundreds of thousands of families, the option ofhaving a stay-at-home mother is not there from aneconomic standpoint. ''It's not because they are badbudgeters or are selfish."But Santorum's comments about Boston, like some of hisother stances, may play well with culturalconservatives in Pennsylvania, who appreciateSantorum's opposition to gay marriage and abortion,political observers said.''I think he probably has written off Massachusetts,"said Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican who isalso a potential 2008 contender.

The Tragic Loss of the Little Navy Zip-up

I can’t believe it has almost been a week since I blogged. Time flies! The end of the trip in Minot was as good as the beginning and we got home safe and sound, albeit at little tired, on Sunday.

I am in mourning. I left my navy blue zip up track jacket on the plane. I loved that little coat. It was perfect for the summer when you need a little something to cover your arms—nothing more, nothing less. It was fun and sporty. I loved it for it who it was and the service it gave me—it was not name brand or this year’s hottest. From a Target clearance rack it was born, and I adopted it from my mother (some may say stole, but I chose to believe that I gave it a better home). It served me well and now I must let it go. Damn I miss that coat.

In other news, our new fridge is spanky! I love having only this week’s freshest groceries in there. It is a great feeling.

Last night I decided to cook and made quesadillas with fresh mashed avocados, brown jalepenos and onions, cheese, and chicken. They were delicious. I do enjoy cooking when I have a fun recipe to try and all the ingredients ready etc., but I am not a neat cook. The kitchen was a disaster!

Does anyone else have any really yummy dinner recipes they have tried lately?

Let's Go Minot!

After a delayed flight, traffic coming out of the Cities, 8 hours + of driving on a good day, having to stop for the dog, we finally pulled into Minot about 9 p.m. on Saturday. Ed and I were exhausted after getting up at 4:30 a.m. EST. UGH! We rallyed to catch Karissa, who was heading out the next day, at the Blue Rider, which has a suprisingly impressive beer selection for Minot. It was nice to see her!

Sunday we met up with Dave and Mindy and then stopped by Bieri's where my parents are staying. At about noon, we headed up to Pinkerton's cabin. The weather looked iffy at first, but we managed to squeeze out some water skiing and jet skiing. Ed is not to be trusted on the jet ski. Danger. Passengers be wear. Ed did a fantastic job attempting to ski for the first time, by the last try, he was up--even if it was just for a second.

On the 4th, we drove around Minot to see my houses and my mom's houses growing up. We then went to the zoo and the Festival of the Parks, the quintessential all-american celebration. Ed and I decided that the zoo in Minot is better than the National Zoo, which frankly never has any animals out--free or not, zoos should have animals. Ed really was impressed how nice the zoo was for the size of Minot. Jean enhanced the experience as one heck of tour guide. That nice the Van de Streeks had us over for dinner and Lorna told me about a new shop in Minot that does glass working and paint-your-plate.

Oh I almost forgot the meanest thing ever! Abby was tied up outside my grandma's and some punks turned the corner and threw a fire cracker at her. My grandma was the only one home with her and a neighbor came over to tell her she had seen it (otherwise we probably would have never known). I guess Abby was shaking and just completely spooked over the whole thing. It took her an hour just for her heart to stop racing and even today she has been acting weird. I was so angry!! Who does that? I seriously want to beat them up.

Lorna Mom and I went this afternoon to the paint your place thing and really had a great time! It was so relaxing. I did a dinner plate and it was only $7. My mom did a square plate that was bigger and it was $26? I think they still need to work out their pricing a little.

(PS for all the Minotian readers--it is called Margie's Glass Shop and it is on N. Main in downtown, do check it out it is a great outing for mothers/daughters/sisters/friends. I want to support it so it stays around because I had such a good time! I am already planning a Christmas girlfriends reunion there! They are opening a party room and a coffee shop. Lorna had a sample of the coffee, and she said it was fantastic.)

Bye Mr. Refridgerator. Nice knowing you!

So the fridge went out sometime yesterday. Ed got home and went to get some ice cream, and it was liquid. We ran a bag of stuff up that was salvageable up to my landlord’s freezer, but she didn’t have a lot of room. We itemized everything we threw, in the hopes that our renter’s insurance will pay for it, but it was really unfortunate. I hate to “waste” food like that. The land lord is going to call the repair guy today. I am guessing it can’t be salvaged. So much for a quiet evening!

Off to ND early tomorrow morning for the week! YEAH MINOT!