Prof. Hotpants's Blog

Real Life: July 18th - 20th

I can't really believe it's another weekend already. In my world, this past week has flown by in quite a hurry. Without too much fanfare, the weekend made a gentle entrance and a soft "hmm-hmm" clearing of the throat to announce its arrival. Then it yelled, "Holla at your boy!" and I was floored. How's your weekend shaping up?

Tonight: Oh that's right, it's Tropicana time. Guacamole. Margaritas. Probably a Mariachi band. Delicious.

Saturday: Putting in the new upstairs AC unit (take two). Buying new air filters. Wondering if I should buy stock in Home Depot. I'll probably be up for food that evening, so let me know if you're hungry, too.

Sunday: Puttering around the house. Doing stuff.

Also, in case you haven't heard, next Saturday, July 26th, Shirt.Woot is having their first birthday party at the Royale. You should totally come. It's going to be rad. You can find out all the details here.
 

Real Life: July 11th - 13th

Hey everybody, it's free Slurpee day! At least I think so. Do they still do that? Anyway, it's also John's birthday! Whoo-hoo! What else is going on this weekend?

Tonight: Birthday Happy Hour. Going to see the Screwed In show at the RAC. Happy Life (Bug suggests we try Thai Pizza Company in the Loop). Then I'm off to the Royale to spin records, starting at 10pm.

Tomorrow: Sleeping in. Cleaning gutters. Repositioning rain spouts. Repairing a ping-pong ball sized hole that turned our basement into a sinking ship during that crazy storm on Tuesday. I have never seen so much water come into a room, so fast. This included filling up the bathtub. It was crazy. Remember those Leakfrogs we gave to our homeowning friends for Christmas? Use them. I don't know what sort of disaster it would have been otherwise.

Sunday: Hopefully sleeping in again. Probably still doing home repairs. Maybe napping some more. Trying not to think of home repairs.

 So what's your plan for the weekend?
 

Real Life: June 27th - 29th

Here's the scoop. I'm going to Florida tomorrow morning at like, dawn, or something ridiculous. I don't know. I don't get up that early usually, so I don't even know what goes on then. I figure the sun must rise at some point, and that's probably pretty early on a summer morning.

Due to said early rising and resulting travel, I have to go to bed early tonight. So I'll probably have to skip out on Happy Life. Oh yeah, I'm thinking EARLY. Anyway, there's only the remotest, very slightest chance that any moment of my night won't be filled with last-minute packing, frantic iPod filling and debating how many tiny bottles of hair product I can cram into a quart sized plastic bag... so I don't think it's fair to suggest where you guys should all eat.

I'll be on the beach the rest of the weekend. Or hiding from the billions of thunderstorms that are supposed to happen while I'm there. The kitty-watching and house-sitting details have been taken care of, so don't all rush to volunteer.

What are you up to this weekend?
 

Real Life: June 20th - 22nd

First of all, the Geeklife numbers have increased by one. Baby Porkchop Jr. III comes home today (I believe), so give the proud 'rents a shout out, will you?

Second, was anyone else awoken in the middle of the night (say 1:30am or so) by a tremendous clap of thunder? I seriously thought I'd wake up this morning to the street over turned into a crater by some natural disaster bomb. The windows rattled. I have never been particularly scared of the weather (unless its going to mess up my hair or new shoes), but this freaked me right out. I do no approve, weather!

Third, we need food.  I have no idea what to suggest since I have no idea who's interested in attending. If everybody wants to come, that's a very different restaurant requirement that if only a few people want to come. I'd love to go to Katie's Pizza, but if there's more than 4-6 people that would be just about impossible on a Friday night. Joel suggested Square One Brewery in Lafayette Square, which might accommodate more people, and maybe that will be easier on the parking. So please post and/or call me and let me know if you're planning on joining us for dinner, by say, 6pm. Then I can call whichever place we want to try, and try to make a reservation.

Here's the plans for the rest of the weekend: Saturday - Bug & I have a cousin's 1st birthday party to attend. We'll probably be up for hanging out in the evening, especially if it involves Indian food.  The fates have been aligning to prevent this, but I shall continue in my quest till I get some Saag Paneer, darn it. Sunday - hopefully finishing the office, which again, the fates have dragged out to an unreasonable length. Stupid dumb fates.

What's your fate for this fine weekend? 

Real Life: June 6th - 8th

Why is every Friday night thunderstorm night? Can't a girl eat outside on a patio? Seriously, that's all I really want. So I was hoping to suggest La Tropicana, but the evening is predicted to be a wash out *again* so that might not be a good idea. They have a big tent thing covering the patio, but it still might not be wise if there's lightning or lots of wind or hail like last weekend. There are about a billion things going on on Cherokee Street tonight, including Mark Early's performance with Shed Shot at Fort Gondo, so maybe we should eat over there.

There's a new Thai place called Basil Spice at 3183 South Grand Boulevard, it's good food, it's a big space and the people seem nice. What say we sup there this fine evening?

Saturday: Finishing up the office, assembling the last bits of furniture, filing the paperwork, plugging in the electronics, and pitching a bunch of garbage that has been moved multiple times for no good reason. Then I want to eat Indian food, which I've been craving for a week or so.

Sunday: Going to a family graduation/birthday party for some cousins. Then probably working in the garden.

What are you up to?
 

Real Life: May 30th - June 1st

Ahhh... the first of June. Don't you just love the sound of it? Doesn't it promise picnics and barbeques and lazy days doing nothing at all? Truth is, though, it's going to be a weekend of labor for me and Bug: removing a bit of wallpaper, repainting the walls, and putting together furniture for the home office. In a short while, I'll have a place to put my important paperwork! Hooray!

Well, here's the plan for the weekend as far as I know it...

Tonight: Dinner. We're thinking that new place in the (gasp) strip mall that's at the northeast corner of Kingshighway and Chippewa, I think it's called Joe Bush's Pizza and Pub. We had it for lunch earlier in the week, and it's good pizza. It's in the actual strip mall, on the end closest to Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery. It's not on the end with PetSmart. It's also not Little Ceaser's, which has crappy pizza. It's also got close and easily accessible parking, which will be a big plus in this crazy rain/hail storm that's supposed to hit this evening.

Saturday: Working on the home office, going to Home Depot, maybe working in the yard, probably going to Home Depot at least one more time. At 10pm, Mark Early, our friend Cory and myself will play records at the Royale. You should come have some drinks and listen to some jams.

Sunday: More working on more stuff. Those walls ain't gonna paint themselves.

So what are your plans for the weekend?
 

Real Life: May 9th - 11th

How's your weekend shaping up? Here's the plan for me.

Tonight: Dinner. Since it's still too cold to eat outside, Dave suggested EBL, though I don't know if it's been long enough. Three weeks? Last time everyone showed up, so if you're planning at all on going, please post and let us know! Later tonight I'll be playing records at the Royale. You could come by, listen to music, enjoy a smoke free environment or hang out by the fire on the patio, and drink a tasty cocktail. (Have you tried the Boz yet? It's delicious.)

Saturday: Cleaning out the home office in preparation for wallpaper removal, repainting, and new furniture. Fun! The evening will be spent drinking beers with my family.

Sunday: Mom's Day. Hanging out with moms.

Pic-i-nic in the Park

Next Saturday, May 17th, you are cordially invited to a picnic in the Park. Forest Park to be exact. The South side of Art Hill to be even more exact. The top of the South side of Art Hill to be as exact as I possibly can. Hey, there's a picture attached! Meet me at that red X. (Not at the green arrow or red teardrop... that would mean picnicing in the middle of a street, and that makes no kind of sense at all.)

The festivities begin at 4pm, and will continue till we disperse for other obligtions, a more formal dinner or nightfall. This isn't a potluck, and there aren't grills nearby, so bring your own food for your own self. If you're feeling generous, make a little extra of your dessert or side dishes. We can share!

This is full on traditional picnic style, without tables or benches, so you'll probably want to bring a blanket or two to spread out upon. Also, if you're the type who enjoys a game, feel free to bring along a portable version. Frisbees, those plastic scoopy things with the wiffle ball, any sort of non-strenuous leisure sport would be appropriate. I think we've got some portable washer pits in the garage, so I'll try to bring those.

See you there!

Hey, what's your plan for a picnic menu? I'm thinking pasta salad, carrots with hummus, tomato with basil and mozzarella, and some tiny chocolate cupcakes. All things that can be made in advance and stuck in the fridge. That's just how I do.

Real Life: May 2nd - 4th

My goodness, there is so much going on this weekend that I don't even have the time to type this. Here's what I know...

Tonight: Eating food, maybe Lemongrass? I don't know where you guys ate last week, so if that's a repeat, I'm open to suggestions. After that, I am planning on resting. It will be my only chance to relax all weekend.

Saturday: Teaching kiddos at teh Art Hut in the morning, then a Kentucky Derby party, then a Cinco De Birthday Por Deerie party. Then maybe another birthday party, depending entirely on my level of exhaustion.

Sunday: I hear there's a coed shower. Where babies are gonna get made. Oh, wait, the baby is already mostly made? And we're giving him presents? Oh. Well, that's something entirely different. Anyway, after that I'm going to watch the Cards trounce the Cubs. And I'm spent.

What are you up do these days?

My kingdom for an octopus

I recently visited the Shedd Aquarium, and while there was interest in sharks, dolphins, and the new baby Beluga whale, I was mostly going for the octopus. When I was four years old, my mom took me to that same aquarium and I distinctly remember looking up at this huge octopus, all tentactle-y and undulating and weird and scary and cool all at once. So really, I was in it for the octopus.

After watching some sharks swim frighteningly close to the glass, seeing stingrays hover around underfoot, laughing at adorable sea otters, and marveling at the weirdness of the dolphin show from under the tank, I was ready for my octopus encounter. After asking a few employees, I was pointed in the right direction only to discover the octopus wasn't on display. I was so sad. After some Dippin' Dots and a trip to see the pirhanas, I felt only a little better.

Here's where you can help. Do you know of an aquarium with an octopus on display? Is there one in St. Louis? Or nearby?

Baby Pool

Not the swimming, or uh, wading kind of baby pool, but a new rad pop out day kind of baby pool. Teh doctors claim that Coral & Porkchop Jr's little boy will first breathe breaths and blink and cry and do other sorts of adorable newborn baby things on July 1st. I think you think you know better than some college-educated "professional" and here's your chance to prove it!

When do you think Mr. Porkchop Jr the 3rd will first enter the world? Date and time, please. Closest to actual birth date/time is the winner! Winner gets a nickel! Or a prize worth a nickel!

My guess? July 4th, 6pm. Independence Day for reals!

Real Life: April 18th - 20th

All right, honestly, what did you first think that earthquake was when you woke up in the middle of the night? I was pretty sure the shaking was an earthquake (or a mean trick from my bedmate) but I couldn't figure out the accompanying sound. Wind? Earth rumbling? Some sort of warning system doing a terrible job? I was too sleepy to figure it out. Dave has the kicker, though. He thought the earthquake was bed theives.

What's the haps this weekend? Here's what I know...

Tonight: Our crack team of restaurantologists have determined that indeed, it has been long enough since last we went to EBL to warrant another delightful visit. See you there at 7:30pm. I'll be the one with the margarita. *Please* feel free to suggest more places for us to try in this convenient thread.
Also tonight: 3rd annual show of art by St. Louis area kids with autism (put on by our dear friend Bevin). This year it's at the Sheldon Children's Art Gallery (3648 Washington), and it opens tonight (4/18) from 5:00pm - 7:00pm.

Tomorrow: Gardening, perhaps in the rain. But that's good for plants, right? Also, selling records and shoes at various establishments that will take such stuff.

Sunday: Planning future travels. Cleaning out the office. Knitting. Laundry. You know, same ol', same ol'.

Real Life: April 11th - 13th

Mo' weekend, mo' problems. What's going on with you this fine weekend?

Us folks what works for Woot have some team-building going on this evening, so we will unfortunately not be able to attend Happy Life. You folks what do not works for Woot ought to check out Blind Eyes, Alice Rose, and Wooden Kites at Lemmons. You could even get dinner there! Pizza party!

The rest of the weekend I am planning on relaxing, watching baseball on the tiny tv, knitting, and unpacking. Nothing's quite so much fun as unpacking months after the move, huh?

Happy Life restaurant suggestions

Ever sit around wondering why the Geeklife folks don't ever pick your favorite eatery for Happy Life? Do you know of a great place to eat that can hold 8 - 12 people on reasonably short notice on a Friday night? Does it have ample parking? Is it vegetarian friendly enough to offer more than mozzarella sticks? Then, let's hear about it. Please post your favorite spots so we can potentially visit on a future Happy Life outing.

Moustache Mugshots

Thanks to all who participated in the 2008 March Moustache Madness. I hope you found the moustache experience rewarding, perhaps liberating, perhaps a whole big mess o' fun. 'Stache Basche 2008 photos can be found here. Maybe you can find some inspiration for next year?