Babies and Shopping and Detroit

Cindy's baby shower was on Sunday in Detroit. They got a slew of gifts, including several frog pods (whatever those might be). If it was a family venture, we definitely would have chosen a nicer locale. And food. And I definitely would want drinks at my shower!! Only the best for my little nephew :) He is going to be one big baby. Leigh Ann got him this super cute CMU onesie.

Mom also bought a dress, a black & white suit, to wear to the wedding. Very exciting for her. Not terribly flashy, but she looks really nice in it, very MOTB. Four months this week!

Steve got one job offer and he's stalling to figure out what else might be out there. I am keeping my fingers crossed things work out OK for him. He's in CA all this week.

I've had this headache that won't go away, though it's better now then it was earlier. Perhaps it was the screaming kiddos at the shower yesterday?

Music to check out

Jaymay
Basia Bulat

Presidential Daughters, Detroit, and DC

Fun piece in today's Post on Meghan McCain and her McCainBlogette.com blog. She sounds like a fun girl. There have been the inevitable comparisons between her and Chelsea, her and the Bush twins. Just leave it alone. Chelsea's been in the news because someone asked her a question on how her mom handled the Lewinsky story, and she expressed astonishment that someone would even ask that. Please. Juan Williams and Michael Reagan defended her answer on Fox News this morning. I think it's about time she actually speaks, and I'd rather have her give that answer then stand mute like the Clintons usually force her to do.

So in Detroit, Kwame is in so much trouble that even the Free Press is calling for him to resign.
Detroit deserves better. And it's sad that this could over shadow the awesome season the Detroit Tigers are about to have. Even Sports Illustrated is picking them! I may have to get myself something other than those yummy butter pretzels in Detroit this weekend (and other than a baby shower gift!).

It is a beautiful day, 69 degrees according to my computer. And cherry blossom festival time! And the perfect weather to get a good run outside tonight.

Easter, Friends, Detroit, etc.

We had a very nice Easter at Nate & Meg's place, with Katie and Brandon, the newlyweds. I think it was my first ham dinner/real Easter dinner in about a decade. And definitely one of my favorites. Though we drank a little too much wine, and definitely ate a few too many snacks. But still good. I did have to go for an outdoor run afterwards.

I am feeling a bit burned out. Lots of wedding planning to do, and I need help! Stephen is worried about the job search, and that is his absolute priority. But arggh...Four months plus to go!

Kwame Kilpatrick got indicted for his sex text message scandal. What an idiot.

The Stuff White People Like Blog

Pretty funny. Heh.

DC Gun Ban Case

Good summary by Jan Crawford Greenburg. I am thinking Bob Levy and Alan Gura will prevail, though I have to say that Breyer made a point that legislatures/councils should decide the intricacy of such laws. However, DC just takes away that constitutional right to own a handgun. Trigger locks or waiting periods or whatever--that is what DC should be deciding.

U2 on the Big Screen

Well, U2 at in the Imax was quite cool. Very cool, in fact! They performed tons of great songs--Vertigo, Beautiful Day, New Year's Day, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Miss Sarajevo, Where the Streets Have No Name, With or Without You, One, Pride, Bullet the Blue Sky, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love or Peace Or Else, and my favorite the Fly. Only sad they didn't perform Mysterious Ways and Walk On and City of Blinding Lights. The 3D was amazing, and there were times that Bono seemed to be looking right at me!! The stadium crowd was amazing. Bono of course had his political peace messages (Christian/Jew/Muslim), but such is Bono. I really enjoyed it. They really are THE best live band.

Cincinnati, Weekend, and The Week

I was in Cincinnati yesterday, for work and to visit P&M. They have a great new place in Mt. Adams that is almost completed. I'm very excited for their wedding! And baby Veronica is so cute. She looks just like her parents.

We are seeing U2-3D tomorrow night. Very excited to see Bono so close up! It will be a good start to the weekend.

All Songs considered is fabulously webcasting many of the concerts from South by Southwest. Awesome. I'm currently listening to REM, but many more to come: Vampire Weekend, Shout Out Louds, the Whigs, Jens Lekman...

I also bought the new Missy Higgins. Love "Where I Stood."

Back to Michigan

Finally home after a long weekend in Michigan (Ann Arbor/"home") for our conference. Lunch at Gratzi on Saturday. The conference went well, despite some fireworks from the BAMN supporters during the Ward Connerly panel.

So my little nephew will be named Joseph Edward! What a perfect name, and I am so so so excited. I need to do some shopping!

I also got a couple of birthday gifts: a blue windbreaker from Land's End/Sears and a book of Laura Ingalls Wilder columns. Nice!

Thirty-Two

So I got some nice emails this morning (and yesterday) from Michelle, Donna, and Leigh Ann. And Kevin, too. Paul just called, though we had a lousy connection. Here, Dave wished me happy birthday. I guess we're only part-way through the day, so perhaps someone else will remember. It's horrible that you remember who did not acknowledge it, like it is something you are seeking, rather than think happily about everyone who does remember. Just being honest.

We are having a quiet night at home, watching Super Tuesday II returns, and having a nice sea bass dinner. Yum. I went and got Corner Bakery ravioli for lunch. Probably an overrated lunch, but I don't let myself have that very often.

So will Hillary pull it off tonight, or will Obama triumph and knock her out? I don't think she will go too easy, and I would like to see her fight til the bitter end :)

Til later...

Getting Older

We celebrated SJE's birthday this weekend. 34. I turn 32 tomorrow. We kept it low key, drinks at Stetsons, several games of Scrabble, dinner last night at Urbana. It gets harder and harder to rally friends to come out. We, sadly, are getting older.

Hanging out with the young 'uns on Friday night reminded me we've done the DC happy hour/going out and partying scene for over a decade now, or almost a decade. Our friends are married, have kids, live in the 'burbs. I think SJE was a little sad to think of the crazy parties they'd have for birthdays and what not ten years ago, or even five years ago. But at the same time, it's nice not to have to be playing that scene. Hanging out in a crowded bar is not my idea of a good time, particularly when you can easily get cheaper drinks sitting at home and having a good conversation.

So tomorrow I celebrate--yes, celebrate--turning 32. It will be a good year, with lots of things to look forward to (like a wedding! a nephew! a new sister-in-law! fun travel! seeing old friends!). I can't wait.