JULY SUNSHINE

I quit my shitty office job last week. I guess I never really acknowledged taking the job in the first place...back in December I became an "importer/exporter" blah, blah, blah...after 6 months I came to grips with the conclusion that I am absolutely NOT cut out to SIT in a still, flourescent, life-sucking office for 45 hours a week.
...and so I was told it was very "angie of me" to quit one job before I had another secured. I know it will all work out. I want to own my own restaurant someday, not be cemented into a office chair- my feet soon to grow roots. So I started my new job yesterday; Assistant Manager to a Frenchmen who's successfully started 3 restaurants from scratch 5 years ago. Though it pays me dirt, I'll gain from it. I'll go and get my 2nd job today- aka- the money-maker, aka- serving tables.
If all goes according to my mini-master plan, I will enjoy being super busy, finally move into Minneapolis- yet to be determined Uptown/Downtown, I'll be able to bike to work, use public transportation and people will walk in the streets.
hOORaY!!!!
Abby came home from the hospital yesterday, she's living in a fairytale right now, as we all thought she'd have to stay in the hospital until she gets a new/used heart. Since she's doing so well, she was able to come home and she's loving every minute of it! As long as we can keep her away from masses of people and sickness, she will stay strong and healthy- still waiting for a heart.
I have a new nephew or niece about to arrive any second--the week is looking fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!

are you a DONOR?

This is my niece, Abby. She currently lives in Children's Hospital, Minneapolis while she waits for a heart.

she likes the Wizard of Oz, especially the lion

She has hypoplastic left heart syndrome. On February 12, 2007- the same day her baby sister, Eva, was born- she was air-lifted to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis and has been there ever since. At first they thought she had Rotovirus, but no one knew for sure. Her kidneys stopped functioning, her lungs didn't want to work, her heart became enlarged....she was put on a ventilator to keep air going to her lungs and a dialysis machine to excreet waste that her kidneys were not able to process themselves. It became a domino effect. Her heart grew VERY weak, she was on many drugs sedating her most of the time. Her big eyes got very droopy. At one point she was given a tracheotomy to enable her to breathe on her own. Finally, weeks ago, the trach came out and BAM! she's able to speak again. This really lifted her spirits which in turn gave us all many more smiles each day- even just knowing that she was a bit happier. The University of Minnesota has done some tests on her candidacy for a heart transplant- the first time they had lost the blood sample somehow and the last time the worst feared news we could've received came to us; she's not a good candidate for a transplant. With Abby's high antibody count (70% ...should be zero) it would be close to impossible to find a heart that her body wouldn't reject. How do we lower the antibody count?, I ask... ...you can't.
In any case, with all the ups and downs- NOW, she IS a good candidate. She goes on the list tomorrow for a used heart. We're all very anxious about this. Please keep my niece in your thoughts and prayers as they're searching for a heart that can live on in Abby.

Abby Leigh Ostlie

ask your mom if we can play catch in your front yard

It's sweeter than sweet. my newly declared favorite time of year, this will very soon change as summer roles around but the anticipation is sweet...I can be outside all the time now and recently have become 'green woman' -walking to Target and the grocery store with a burlap sack. its quite a nice feeling.
whoa! LILACS...mmmm...lilacs..I caught their bold smell for the first time in 11 months while whizzing past their air on a bike, then newly cut grass- there's nothin like newly cut grass. The cherry blossoms; I'd like to see D.C. sometime during the cherry blossom season.
I enjoy so much the smells of the seasons change. soon I will be on a volleyball league-and gardening back at the farm. there is a lake to frequent this summer and ultimately, undetermined destinations
my dog wants to play and I have a bake sale to create! the fresh herbs will be dressing my dishes, grillside.
oh, how I love to plan but not plan at all
may- do with me what you will!

stay green

tonight's the night.
I've been REVVVVED up for a good 21 hours now…maybe I'm pumping myself up for an ultimate disappointment
NO.
couldn't be. Tonite I take a walk down memory lane. I see good GREAT friends, play pool, mingle and DANCE. Tonite I go to St. Cloud.
ahhhh…yes, Cloud. I think the last time I partied in St. Cloud- I mean really partied was about 4 years ago. Of course it won’t be as it was back then- familiar bouncers/bartenders/patrons. There will be an entirely fresh pack of newly legal, loud and rowdy college drunks, the room smoke filled, and I will likely have an unfortunate encounter with fresh vomit in a bathroom stall or sink. Tomorrow I will surely wake up without a voice from the smoky lounges.
Worth it? Maybe, maybe not. Time will tell. Granted, I’m stoked to get in the groove. One of the bands that we often danced the night away to will be playing at the Red Carpet too! A very pleasant surprise for a rockin’ nite ahead on this, Dody’s birthday.
WUUUUU-HUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVERYONE

11 day turn around

I’ve officially recovered from my New York trip, if you can call it that...
It’s been cold here, which is of course to be expected during the month of January in Minnesota. This past Saturday it got up to about 16F/8C. It felt SO good after the marathon of below zeroes that I found myself outside frolicking with my dog up and down the driveway in jeans and a sweatshirt. I hand washed my car- full well knowing that water freezes at 32F, but it posed no issue as I could simply pull it in to the garage once clean. My car’s been a pain in my rear lately- everything from not wanting to start (I wouldn’t want to start either if my insides were frrrozen!) to letting off foul burning smells, uncontrollably vibrating, and breaking down in the bitter cold… I thought maybe if I cleaned it up a bit it would be nicer to me. Last night it was the pedal that was too heavy, getting me into some serious trouble. I got a DWI. This completed the longest day ever. I woke up at 5 a.m. enabling me to leave work early. Somehow a crick made its way into my neck and wouldn’t let me move, an emergency trip to the chiropractor was my lunchtime. I got a call that my 3 year old niece, Abby was airlifted to Children’s Medical Center while in a different hospital visiting her newest sister, baby Eva- born the previous night. Abby has a terrible heart condition (hypoplastic left heart syndrome) and acquired rotovirus in the last days, bringing her into a convulsions, seizures, and a cold, blue, sugarless, speechless, dehydrated state. Mom and new baby at one hospital, Dad and Abby at another.
I convinced myself that everyone would be fine and continued on to the John Mayer concert.
Now, if I would live in NYC, as its been running around in my head for weeks now, Jameson on the rocks would have been of no worry to me. Instead, I refused a ride from my online date after he offered to let me “stay at his place and he’d bring me to my car in the morning.” I wasn’t having it- we dispersed. I wasn’t about to stay at some yahoo’s place just because he suggested it. About a mile from my exit I got the cherries, pigs and sobriety tests. I’m sure I passed each of the silly little tests, but was told the opposite, cuffed and put in the back of the slippery seats until we reached the station which much reminded me of being held captive in the army warehouse back in the day. My scarf was taken so that I couldn’t hang myself in the cell with 30 ft. ceilings where they let me pee. I smiled in my mugshot and learned about the different kinds of fingerprints. Loops, arches and swirls….I brought a new one to the pack- ying yang, left thumb babySo, as I was saying, this wouldn’t happen to me in New York- or Buenos Aires- or Caracas-Prague-Odessa-anywhere with public transportation. My car is absolutely nothing but trouble. I’m going to have to throw it away. I think I have to move to NYC. The only thing glueing me here is my family. As crappy as I am feeling today about what happened- they make me feel better. I only hope that Abby can feel better too. My problems are nil when in comparison to her. yes, I am recovered

moon set, sun rise

My dad laughed at me when I brought both him and my mom outside (in the –10F temps) “oh On-ja, you really think your ole ma and pa here are pretty stupid, don-cha?”
It was the first time I’d ever seen anything like it, apparently not the first time for him, and he didn’t seem to think it was as amazing as I surely did! A ring around the moon- an enormous perfect circle with the moon centered, I loved it! My mom thought it was pretty cool too, as she reflected on the first time she had seen it…. So I asked my smarty-pants Dad why it was…
He knew.
Ice crystals in the air, which basically translates that we live in REALLY cold weather. I knew long ago about sun dogs and without a doubt I LOVE the rainbows they put in my extremely cold day, but the moon ring, now that’s something special :) I wish my ceiling to be transparent on these nights.
This morning, since I had my hour commute two hours early, I saw that same moon set- another first. A pitch black sky with a bright moon exiting and on the other side of the world, or sky rather, the sun peeking above the horizon showing off every color imaginable. Even though it takes quite a few yawns to get going that early, its well worth it to see the rise.. ...and to get to work on timeah-haa… and now it’s Friday for me, I’m outta here only to get into some heavy snow-related traffic before checking out of Minnesota for the weekend!

-9F/-23C outside

ahhh..ha.. yesss
today is humpday, tomorrow is friday!
where I'm going it will be almost 50 degrees warmer, that's a balmy 42F/6C!!!!
...now where did I put that spring jacket? :)

within reach-just around the corner

I was just leaving, she was just coming…she looked exactly the same- metallic blue eye shadow, hair up in a 50s do- only now with a bit of silver in the mix, same style, same wondering eye that always confused me, because it was actually both of her eyes and I’m confident she chose to do it to avoid constant eye contact…instead she gazes at the top of your head… we looked at each other briefly before hugging. I couldn’t believe she remembered me!!! It was my favorite H.S. English teacher, Twilla Kirkeby… what a perfectly glorious name for this lady. We were at my uncle’s 70 surprise birthday party. My niece, Emma stayed the weekend with me on the farm. We went to meet the newest member of our family, my cousin’s first baby, Sydney. Blue Monday? Not so much, I’m thinking about a weekend of things I wouldn’t have dreamed of being able to do a year ago, or 2 or even 5… heck! I’ve never been so accessible!!!! (I’ve gotta keep a handle on this)

online dating blunder #1:
I was SO excited to go out with this guy who looked a lot like my friend in Chicago..turned out he was just really photogenic. I don’t know what I was expecting…. much, MUCH more I suppose… I envisioned a well-spoken, laid back, intelligent, world-reknown, hairless, ultra smooth cat- I totally expected Philippe. I never thought him as someone I wished to be compatible with (not that I was willing to admit anyway) and maybe it was my idea that the “Philippe of Minneapolis” would exceed all of my expectations… BA-BAA-BAAAAAM….
lesson learned: don’t date someone on the basis that they remind you of someone you would like them to be equal to

any given thursday

now I can say that I’ve seen the wrath. I’ve always had a fondness for Thursdays and today was no exception- for me. The rest of this crew that I work with though…. whewww, watchout! I consider myself lucky for not knowing the just of what is going on here yet and find comfort in having nothing to do with anything that is going wrong. ha! My weekend is fast approaching, which is why Thursdays are so great. I anticipate the weekend so much (I’m a weekendie now) that I think it may be more fun looking forward to it then actually spending it. On a sad note, this will be my last weekend with the freedom of living solo. Oh, how I love it so… each time I talk with the rents they assure me that they will be home early next week. I assure them, there is absolutely no hurry. Can’t blame them for wanting to sleep in their own bed. They haven’t seen temps below zero yet this winter, so I feel responsible to welcome them back to the chilly conditions with a big, bubbling pot of chili. They no doubt have missed my cooking ;)

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My initial reaction to pretty boy David Beckham coming to the U.S. to play soccer was completely disgusted, but after I actually let it sink in… I’m so excited!!!! This may bring some games to my t.v. set, …oh, how I would love to sit and watch some Saturday…my favorite Czech player, Milan Baros, all the lovely Brasilians, crazy Brits and Turks--- oh, this may just bring the world together… What a dream to have it here! Not that we’ll be any good right away, but I’m sure that with enough money to key players, hype and rising stars we’ll try to take it over soon enough. Meanwhile, I’ll be completely entertained with what the handsome player has to show off. yesss! finally a sport that I can follow and be something other than a bandwagon fan, thank you Victoria

thanks Dody

and so it is..my tech angel has done me good and I'm up and running again.
This past month has definately been a whirlwind of change for me. From piercing my ears for the first time at 27 to landing my first "real" job. oh... the things in between, what do I tell?
well, there's the dairy farmer I finally cut loose and the online dating service I decided to give a shot, the last minute solo vacation I took to Puerto Vallarta and the gay man who pushed his girly lips to mine trying to fool himself. There was a long-awaited Christmas with the fam and New Years Eve in a hot bath with a glass of wine and John Mayer, I got laryngitis for the first time lasting me into my first day at work and I have to mention Aerosmith...I am amazed that one truly ugly monkeyman can be so incredibly sexy. Could life be any stranger?
oh me, oh my... 2007, what DO you hold?

return of the minneSOooootan

I thought I should start blogging again since my birthday is next week and I want lots of birthday wishes :) Fact of the matter is I haven't internet access but 1 limited hour a day and I've been using that to search for "real" jobs. I quit the Biscay Liquor gig because of extreme smoke inhalation and lack of surrounding myself with any respectable people- and really, 6 months in any bar is plenty. I've been focusing on getting into a routine that will allow me a place of my own nearer Minneapolis with internet access, and easier access to smoke-free bars.. not that that's a driving factor, the bars.... but it would be nice to meet people who are younger than 40 and out of the college binging stage. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Until then, December 6th is the day to remember me. It's a Wednesday, hump day.... I'll be a very young 27!

fall treasure trails

I have been feeling pretty good about myself lately. Not that that is out of the ordinary- me feeling good about myself...but lately its as though the falls golden colors are my money bin to swim in. It's lovely. Last week I had 3 dates lined up with different guys! and I was able to spend some quality time with the guy I'm actually interested in. Today was my 3rd day off in a row and what a day it was. I went bike shopping with my sis. I'm debating whether I can weather biking throughout the winter in Minnesota. Some hard-core enthusiasts shown me a confident glow when talking about how great it is to bike in the winter. Well, you couldn't beat it with a stick today. It was 84 and perfect on this, the second day of October. (can you say 'global warming'?) We wound around many lakes and trails with the leaf blowers showering us with the treasures from the tree tops. Soon it will be time to gather up all the leaves and jump. I know, I'm 26 and excited to jump in a pile of leaves. Simple things give me great joy, as they give me great worry sometimes too. I had my date pick me up on Saturday night to attend a birthday party. I have NEVER had a guy pick me up at my (parents) house. I never dated in high school. (my Dad told me not to date until I was 30) So when it was time to make the decision of pick me up or not, I decided to give it a go- and gave my parents instructions to stay seated in the living room- not to make a big deal out of it. I hurried so that when he got there 6 minutes later I was ready for a quick getaway, with no hassle of greetings, red faces and introductions. My date wasn't having it- he wanted to meet Ma and Pa. We got away cleanly and set off to the Biscay Liq- yes my place of employment and location of the birthday bash. I was proud to be ready so quick. I should have been a little more thorough as I forgot my deodorant that night. It could have been a tragedy, but I still felt pretty good about myself... getting picked up in a big, fancy, shiny, black pick-up truck. Life is good.

maybe I'll start a leaf collection

Full fledged farm season is upon us, the tractors run all night. Changing colors are waving all around me in the cool air. I really want to go biking up north, but that chilly breeze might be too much for my already frozen fingers and nose. A couple weeks ago it was July and next week it will be snowing. Autumn lasts 1-2 weeks in Minnesota. It makes me want to cook more. More than when my garden was in full, ripe splendor. It was sunny with a warm breeze then, now inside things will encompass my time, Christmas shopping, bowling, baking, cooking- pretty soon I'll be knitting ...looks like its time to find a job... I guess before all that happens, a bikeride is definately in order. I don't mind shopping so much- in Prague, or Caracas- they have live mannequins there. It was more entertaining to watch the models change position and stiffen up than to actually look for those perfect jeans. I don't know that that job exists here...

music city

I ran across these two cruising Broadway in Nashville last night. There were stretch limos and country music stars too, but this wouldn't be anything without the picture :)

..... so...

so. so what? SO WHAT????
...we don't have any bread and I should go to the store. ... so...
...the kids woke up at 530am. ...so... ... so, what? you're tired? .. duh
...I couldn't make it to your party. I worked late. ...so...
...I wasn't able to talk to my friend. ...so... ....so, are you feeling bad about it- or what?
...The McLeod County fair starts tomorrow, but I have to work all day. ... so... ...so, I guess you can't go tomorrow- can ya?
JEEEEEZ people! you're driving me nuts!!!! finish your thought. Sure it is implied what you mean, but you sure sound dumber ending on a "so"
...so (dragged out to "soooooooo" by every Minnesooooootan) think about what you're saying before you babble mindlessly and need to fill space that doesn't need filling

3 months home

Pola-Czesky Days turns a town pop. 758 into a major gala in the parking lot of the town's auditorium. I used to live for each year's Pola-Czesky Days each first weekend of August each year. I lost my interest in it long ago, but this year I figured since I had really nothing better to do- and took work off for the occasion- I would go... for a little while. Silver Lake is still Silver Lake, there would be the same drunken souls from years before, and new ones. There would be people I didn't care to see, but then again there were some that I did. my sister and I closed it down. It was fun... again.
Recently started biking my 6 miles to work during my increasing number of day shifts as my boss is layed up. It's a nice ride complete with a choir of crickets on each side of the road. I usually meet only a few cars on the journey, a plane or two, lots of gardeners and waving lawn-mowerists, farmers, their cows, and a few barking dogs. It's lovely... and then I enter the 11am haze of cigarette smoke that fills the Biscay LIQ... for hours of listening to mindless jabber that echos through that thick haze. Kind of a good mix.
Its been cloudy all day and we're due a full moon
with any luck my Dad will take us fishing tomorrow. My neice and nephew are with us for about 10 days.... lucky little chaps!

lets go to the races!

I pickled one small jar of jalapeno peppers last night, just to add to the heat. Painting the house for the last few days and the next few as well. It has been and continues to be around 98F each and every day. I saw in fact the back of a newspaper and we are the hottest in the nation. That's hot. I'm loving it and for some reason couldn't care less about not having an AC option in my car-- guess that comes with the job. I got a new job too, besides the Biscay bartending gig. I am the newest installer of gas station advertising- on the tops of where you pump the stuff. It's good fun. I drive around pretty much all day in an air conditioned car, which I have to admit, is nice when you have to go inside and present yourself... listen and sing REALLY loud to all my music, put the ad up, take a few pics, and I'm off to see the wizard. Can't even get lost, I require a GPS. It was what brought me to Detroit a couple weeks back. Detroit was alright this time around, still dirty- but fun exploring in a rental. I still have plenty of time in the sun, perhaps a bit too much. We eat all fresh produce as of recently... zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes- we have 50 tomato plants- jalapenos, green peppers, fish-protein, I know, peas, green beans, cantelope, beets. I never have liked beets... or was it radishes? liver.....ish.

hoping for a west coast hike

Madison, Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Alexandria, no not Egypt- up nort, Lake Ida her name. I'm on a streak--- tour of the north country in summer. hot hot hot.
One of my favorites was waking up at 830am, far before any of the nooners, and walking around the hispanic neighborhood. Cafe con leche Cuban style, on the corner. Puerto Rican diner 2 doors down. Families grouped outside their homes just chillin out. Ice cream vendors walking the sidewalks, ringing their bells. Bells rang as I walked out of the panaderia, I saw the ginormous fruteria! It was as though a mix of all latino cultures had been dropped onto this Chicago neighborhood. Only thing was they were living in cute, little, houses with yards and green grass. and most of them knew some English :)

Now onto Biscay tomorrow night for more townie action I'm psyched!!!!

June pics

Since I've been such a slacker about my entire month of June, I decided to put up some pics to tell the story for me.

typical amusement park action, when the bear you win is larger than you are
June was Dairy month- we went to the neighbors and while some were inside the barn "cow-judging" Abby decided the ice cream was the real treat
here's one of my best friends- she throws one heck of a baby shower!
no babies were infused with alcohol during this shot

I've been able to see a couple of my nephews baseball games this summer
however, more time is spent celebrating with my family for birthdays and get-togethers.. usually by a pool :)
I have missed these moments.. not anymore - its sheer enjoyment and relaxation
my youngest niece, Clare. With so many kids around I learned that this stance is unacceptable if they are not wearing a diaper.
another birthday... my sister's- just days before Bretts. now that she's 39, she seems to think that the picture on the "take me away Calgon" box is inappropriate for her children
nuzzling baby raccoons... ahhh - yes, I see lots of wildlife everyday. Dad just blocked off the culvert at the end of our driveway with the family of skunks, there's pheasants everywhere, yesterday a baby deer walked through our backyard, family of fox at the corner, and rabbits- there will always be too many rabbits.

but I can sure handle the fish!!!! its a multi-purpose activity, really. Catching loads of fish, fun in the sun and water, chatting with the rents, and a fabulous meal after the day is over :) Not always, but sometimes my horns come out.

4th of July water parade complete with Wally Pikal
After painting most of the house yesterday, Delaney and I went for a ride through our old slu - not sure what it was but I was covered with yellow dust when we got out - good times :) here's what happens when William gets put in the mix at baseball games... the players get sidetracked. Will the star player!
here's my brother Mark with oldest daughter, Abby. She's not having any fun at all.

building castles in the sky

... or log homes in the mountains... its almost the same if you think about it. My parents and I returned home from a week just on the outskirts of Rocky Mountain National Park, where we were deemed free slave labor for my brother, Mike. On our decent through Estes Park, I asked my mom with all the hope in the world; "do you think its possible to go white water rafting?" She had a clear "no" expression on her face, so I asked "what about a hike up in the mountains?" Well... maybe, she said longingly. Then to Dad; "Think we can go trout fishing?" (he would never turn down fishing) ...well, I don't know if Mike has any equipment for that... and, that was that- we were there to work and work hard. So I put myself into that mindset and we were ready. For 5 1/2 days solid (with the exception of a Sunday morning break for church) we were on a mission. A mission set forth by my brother and his wife, a mission we would take on. Early to bed, early to rise. It was loads of fun. I mean it. There were loads of rock for their future fireplace, loads of sanding boards, loads of cutting, loads of fitting, cleaning, brushing, staining, wiping, and bickering. Loads of loading, loads of unloading, and reloading. Loads to the dump, loads to place just right, loads of wildlife, loads of pictures taken and new things learned- mostly about my oldest brother. Thank you brother for showing me the things that are most important in this world and in my life. No, its not the taxes I pay nor the powerful people of whom I play a slave puppet-- But the things I am able to accomplish and overcome, the smallest changes I can create to make this world a better place for generations to come, the things I can learn and the people I can learn from. I learn so much from my very wonderful family. Thanks for opening my eyes to the little things... and enormous ones too, I love you brother!
Going home (these are in reverse order- oops) in Estes Park
My parents took time out to do a little dance to my music they deemed "polka-like". This in fact was Jarabe de Palo from Spain. I knew if I played enough they'd get into it.... and sure enough, even Mike was singing along on day 4. Sure it was something like "pasta barilla, alfajore grande, hola.... but he was singing :)
I believe this is Lake Granby.... and Sleepin' Lincoln is above in the mountains if you look close enough.
A couple nights we "took off" early to play some dominos. I won.

Here is their house... and in only one week, who would've thought!
A little rest and relaxation with brandy in the tub. Mom hid hers for the picture, obviously she had had a few.
These elk were eager to pose for me near Mike and Jackie's house. and with the evening hours came the moose... walking right through their yard!
Here I am hard at work sanding.
and before we ever arrived, this is my favorite spot in the National Park- freezing cold, but breathtaking

not for the weak

Some of you may know that I grew up on a farm. On that farm everyone pitched in to do their part- whatever it may have consisted of in that day and age. Being the youngest of 5, yes 5 children, I lived alone with my parents the last 6 or 7 years of school. I was pretty spoiled, I'll be the first to admit that... however I still helped- I helped grind feed for the cows, bail hay, mow the '6 hour' lawn, pull weeds in the garden, fill & take loads of shelled corn to town, wash cars, paint the house, cook, butcher cows & chickens, do chores twice a day, pick rocks, put up the corn crib, drive the tractor around in the field... you know, all the farmy stuff that farm kids do. Obviously the most fun was butchering. Strange this may seem, but I just looooved getting to poke around inside that cow and check out all the organs first hand. The heart, cheeks, tongue, liver- all edible, I gently cleaned and put aside in a 5 gallon pail. The lungs cut into chunks and fed to the dog and cats, that was their favorite- warm, light, airy lungs... mmmm. (if some of you are grossed out, you may want to stop reading now) I skinned it, skinned and skinned.... this was great because after it was all off, I was able to bundle it up at the end and I got the money for it at the place that buys leather down the road-- $20. I was rich. Some faint at the sight of blood, I just hosed it off my boots along with the poop, and took a long shower. The poop got on me me from shoveling out the inside of the heavy stomach. Ick. Some places (Colombia) they eat that stomach lining. I couldn't bring myself to eat it, although I did try it, after seeing all the crap that imbeds itself into those crevases....ooooo and its so rubbery!Anyway, back to butchering.... earlier this week I was able to get back into the action. It was no cow, that's for sure- but my parents and I drove all of 8 minutes to arrive at a neighbors farm that raises chickens. We took care of 30 0f those cluckers in less than 2 hours. My sister wasn't their so someone else took care of cutting off the heads. I was the plucker. I'm a pretty good plucker I would have to say. It takes me all of 47 seconds to get every last one of the feathers off of her chicken skin. After a long day of making rhubarb-blueberry & rhubarb-strawberry jelly with my cousins, it just seemed right to come home with 25 fresh bird-fluless chickens. All fresh, all the time. Country life is good.

what's a Saturday night without a fight?

...apparently not a Saturday night in McLeod County, Minnesota. I had worked 2 separated parties on Saturday and around 10 p.m. I was told I could stop working and join the surprise party for my law graduate friend. Although I wasn't thrilled by the idea of mingling with some of the party-goers at first, I decided it was in my best interest to hang out for a little while. Free keg beer, private party, my best friend from high school, others that had truly grown up... I found myself, still with my Biscay Liquor t-shirt on and a sense of duty, during the last song of the night trying to hold back a group of girls in a bacholorette party (outside the private party) from swinging at my friend who had put on the party for her husband. She of course was being held back by others on opposite side of the dance floor. Somehow the sister and father got in the mix and all hell broke loose. Noses were bloodied, curses were bellered, people were thrown out, cops came. Welcome back someone said to me in the crowd. Thanks. Hopefully this coming weekend I will remain behind the bar for the fights and puke, there will be about 5X as many people.

Here I am with Delaney, my nephew, on his birthday 2 Saturday's before. This was a real party. People that enjoyed themselves the entire day, no fights... what a concept. It was my first day home, his 11th birthday. What a cool shirt he has! oh my gosh.. and necklace too!!!!
My Dad is in the backround in the orange, watching ever so closely so that I don't wander off again

kill the bunnies

Was I really ever gone? Things seem to be picking up right where I left them. As I drive up to my parents house on Ideal Ave, a gravel road- I slow my car down to avoid hitting cows crossing the road, pheasants, geese & goslings, skunks, cats and I have to swirve around that HUge tractor. A skunk lives at the end of our driveway and makes its way up into our yard sometimes. I put a rabbit decoy out just yesterday in our garden to try and keep the rabbits out, but luckily the neighbor tomcat that comes to empregnate our "mama kitties" is currently hunting them. My mom and I could hear them (the bunnies) talking amongst themselves this morning in our grove of trees- obviously warning each other of the predator. (if you haven't had the pleasure of hearing rabbit talk, its sort of like a high whistle/scream) Never thought rabbits would be my problem, but when I can walk out 50 feet from the house to pick lilacs and see 3 of them scurrying away... I think how I could make them for dinner. I mean, not trying to be cruel here.. but if they will start eating on my basil and rosemary, it won't be pretty for them.
As for my newest job, the Biscay Liq- its going quite well. Besides running into people everyday that I know, or should know, or that know me... it pays. And right now, thats what I'm after. I can usually avoid head-on collisions with old classmates in the grocery store or church, but at the Biscay Liq, theres just no avoiding them. However, I can be busy and move on rather quickly. 6 miles, 8 1/2 minutes and 2 or 3 songs and I can make it home- this time frame really saves me cash for filling my tank. I am looking forward to when the bands come in to play at the bar, where I will be overwhelmed with drunken, tipping customers. Not exactly looking forward to the puking part of it... that was one of the first things my boss let me know about- where the stuff was to clean up the puke. It took me by surprise, because of course when going out for the last 2 years in South America and Eastern Europe- you just don't witness that sort of thing. People don't drink to get drunk, and certainly they end long before vomiting takes over their body. McLeod County, Minnesota is quite different. I even am required to serve pregnant women alcohol, its considered discrimination if I refuse. So thats the skinnny, I will be cleaning up vomit, chatting with idiots who don't know where South America is, and giving unborn babies the chance to deform themselves while still in the womb. What a life, where have my morals gone... they must be lost in my bills.

home again

I managed to make it out of South America without being raped, killed, beaten, held at knife-point, kidnapped, or any threats to my life or to my family. Getting robbed and sick however... now thats a different story, but its all over now and I made it back to the north country.
My parents, sister, and aunt somehow made it through security at the Minneapolis airport to see me come off my plane... a bit surprising, but OH so nice. Especially after being in Venezuela for 3 days. I really thought I would enjoy my time back in Caracas... and I did enjoy seeing my friends, but my eyes were opened to how entirely corrupt that country is after seeing so many of the other well-functioning countries that lie below VZ. They sucked all my money out of me before I left the airport for the final time and I was very happy to leave. Things changed immediately as I entered the aircraft. The staff was from Atlanta. They were amazing. The service from the states is hands down the best that I've ever seen. From eating at the airport "Chile's" in Atlanta to the gas station attendants, people are out to please and I love it... fake smiles and all.
My first week back has been... well, its been fabulous. I am re-introducing myself to my youngest nephews and nieces, I mowed my parents lawn today, went to happy hour with some girls from high school, got my hair cut, and starting working to pay for gasoline. You can fill up a big truck in Caracas for $0.50 and here its about $120. Thats crap. So I started right away cleaning my neighbors house. She said she would pay me of course, but so far I've gotten paid with a painted rock. Thats also crap.
Tomorrow I start bartending at a local liquor store. The "Biscay Liq" is the most well known place in my county to drink. It's in a town, if you can call it that, of 114 people. (there were more than 114 people in my building in Buenos Aires) I'll go tomorrow to get trained, but something tells me that rum and cokes and pouring beer won't take too much. Yes, I'm back in townieville. and for as much as I defended Americans for not being as fat as everyone says..... I'm wrong. We're pigs.
Over and out from the Glencoe Library, where its free to use the internet, but you can only use it for 30 minutes. chao.