A Prairie Home Companion
Once again, I revisited A Prairie Home Companion, and once again, I came away with a profound respect for Altman, Keillor, and the cast. I don’t know why this movies gets me the way it does, but it always succeeds. It’s got music, comedy, fart jokes, Lindsey Lohan, fictional characters, Minnesotans, angels, and is still somehow a beautiful meditation on death. I’m always touched when I see it. If I were ever to write a critical analysis of a film, I think I’d probably choose this one. … either this or Death Proof (no foolin’, I think Death Proof, for Read more…
Roosevelt on the River of Doubt
I just finished "The River of Doubt," a history of Theodore Roosevelt's exploration of the unknown River of Doubt (since renamed Roosevelt River). A really great history! After reading McCullough's Mornings on Horseback, I now have an interesting sense of Roosevelt. I've read his biography up until he was 27 or so and started to come onto the national stage, and then a biography of him after he failed to be re-elected in 1912. Judged by everything but his Presidency in the middle, he's a magnetic character. Incredibly likable, he has traits I sincerely admire, most notably what McCullough calls Read more…
Erik Opines
I've really enjoyed blogging on Posterous. But the system has encouraged more "what Erik's doing" blogging as opposed to "what Erik thinks about" blogging. Of course, in addition to the new system, I now have a new job as the Executive Director of a non-profit, and that makes me a little more reticent to spout off. If I express that I am glad the City Council passed the Mixed Use Center update (as I am) am I jeopardizing having a potential City Club member join because they disagree with me? Most EDs of non-profits stay out of this issue by simply Read more…
We’re going to “Beat the Heat” at the @hotel_murano tonight.
The tweet from the Murano offered rooms for $101, since that’s the expected high today. That’s when the light went on. “Holy cow! We got a gift certifcate for the Murano for our wedding. What a great time to use it!” Turns out, our outdoor bedroom wasn’t a super success. It was still pretty hot, and an aerobed isn’t super comfortable in the heat. Mary eventually went inside and slept with the fans directly on her. I slept outside till 7am when the light woke me. So the Murano deal sounded pretty dang good. Especially since we have a gift Read more…
How To Move Your Bedroom Outside
If you’ve got no AC (like us) and your house is hard to cool down (like us), let me recommend moving your bedroom outside. Step 1: Find an Aerobed. Handy if you have company later. But great for sleeping outside for a night. Camping mats or hard foam mats can also work well. Step 2: Inflate the bed. Look for a place that won’t get direct sunlight at 5:30 in the morning. Step 3: Hang a sheet. This is so the neighbors can’t see you in your skivvies. (if you can, a deck umbrella helps with this as well) Step Read more…
“HeartLand” Indeed
via strangemaps.wordpress.com “The heartland portrayed here is a very literal one, composed by cleverly arranging all 50 US states to have their oblique sides help form the outline of a giant heart. Texas’ pointy southern extremity represents the bottom part of the iconic heart-shape, while the slightly wedge-shaped top of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is very aptly chosen as the place where the tops of both heart halves merge. All in all, this picture is a very nice fit – considering that all states are drawn to the same scale.” — Strange Maps I think it’s pretty cool.
At my aunt’s in Plain, WA. This is the view looking up the Wenatchee River from their deck.
We’re here for the night. We’ll leave tomorrow and spend Monday and Tuesday in Chelan. We’re escaping the Tacoma heatwave by going some place even hotter! (Upper 90s in Leavenworth today) I like the Eastern Washington heat a little better, though. If I’m going to roast, I’d rather do it here. 🙂
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