Still Ill

So, I've been infirm for the past...six nights now? I went to the doctor yesterday and learnt that I have a sinus infection.  I got a steroid shot in me bum (and some antibiotics) and have felt HUNKY DORY since, but am hoping that by the time it wears off, I've healed.  I am, of course, tired of being sick.  I get the blues and my mind wanders to dark, wintry places.  No mas.

Last Thursday, the evening I became ill, I learned that an old friend of mine had perished.  Mason was one that I was once close to, but we'd been reduced to "Hi, Mason" "Hi, AiLien" when we saw each other at parties or shows.  That night, I dreamt of him.  He was fine and weird as usual.  It is, in my opinion, the best and most comforting kind of dream to have of someone who has passed on to the other side.  Later days, Mason.

I'll be going to Colorado sooner than later to visit my aunt who is...well, she's dying.  I need to see her and tell her what a positive influence she's been on me, that I adore her, and will do my best to be good family to those she will be leaving behind.  I'll admit that I'm a bit scared.  As of right now, I don't know when I'll be going, but am prepared to leave at a moment's notice.

I finished Louise Erdrich's The Round House in three days.  The only way you'll know how good great it is is if you read it.  I'm going through an Erdrich revival of sorts.  She's a good storyteller.  When we were in Memphis last, I had the good fortune of finding a couple of her books in the dollar bin. 

Can you believe it is still January?

Class of '51:

These cats were hella vying for attention from ATM:

Guy & gals, let's talk.

Let's pretend that I clipped an article from page 13 of the current issue of the Arkansas Times for you to look at.  It's a piece on some bills that have been proposed by members of this 89th General Assembly.  I know you're real busy, but will you peep this?  It's pretty awful, so brace yourself, but you need to know.

Open publication - Free publishing - More culture

Frankly, I don't know what we should do.  Sadly, these people were elected in by voters.  We have never needed bold, progressive leaders and innovators so bad!  Art, too!  I think people just like to be safe in their opinions and jobs.  I get that.  But, we are being ushered back into gross times and are pretty much allowing it.  Sometimes, signing a petition and voting (and then Insta-ing the I VOTED sticker) isn't enough.  Is civil disobedience something that we will need to work towards? 

I recently read that the Sierra Club is reconsidering it's ban on civil disobedience regarding the B.C. pipelines.

“Governments on both sides of the border should take note … that the oldest and largest environmental organization in North America has become so concerned about the lack of action on climate change that it’s setting aside a long-held commitment to act only within the law,” declared a statement Wednesday by Sierra Club Canada. 

“Science, logic and huge public support for action have all been thwarted by the fossil fuel industry and governments that do their bidding. People of conscience have been left with nowhere else to turn.”

NPR's Melissa Block talks with Sierra Club's executive director about this issue.

The Sierra Club's position is one I relate to.

We live in a backwards copycat state that tries to introduce shit legislation that other state's shit legislators have already proposed (and most have been struck down) because they are so afeared of I-don't-even-know-what and it wastes so much time and money, it's embarrassing and hella frustrating.  Our need for innovation, art (and I don't mean no mustache print, UGH), and action is dire.  We shouldn't rely so heavily on the judicial system.

genus: schlumbergera

Photos by ATM

Look at where we are.

This week has been a real snooze.  'Tis the season where I transform into a hibernator and have the insatiable desire to eat rich foods and curl up under a pile of blankets and dream away.  It's a struggle to stay busy, but I've managed to do little things like bake bread, practice yoga at home, read, and get out of the house and do a little socializin'.  Even so. Yawn/stretch.  So sleepy.

Last Friday, I made ciabatta for the first time.  It's quite the process, but absolutely worth it.  Not exactly gorgeous, but wonderfully tasty.  I feel like I'm becoming a legit bread maker; I'll be making more ciabatta this eve for a fundraiser and for the house.  Best served directly out of oven with Irish butter + jam:

Went to LP's 3rd (!!!) birthday party Saturday last.  I adore this little gal.  Good party, too.  Pizza and ice cream cake!

Got my lamp in working order:

Destruction by Hurricanes AiLien + Brittany:

Proof of physical contact:

Bosc:

19 days later:

This is going to happen with some frequency at the Old Statehouse Museum.  Looking forward to the next one because it's a really good way to undo what the week has done to you:

DREAM GIRLS

Depeche Mode

This week has been bonkers, but I've been Depeche Moding all the while and that keeps me in a really good way.  I just can't get enough.  We've renewed our vows, Depeche Mode and me.  I'm going to show them a little love.

I'm a little embarrassed how twee this video makes me.  They're just boys!  Singing against avarice and corporate greed!  A band after my heart!  Grabbing hands, grab all they can...

It is no exaggeration that videos like this and certain movies (Desperately Seeking Susan, for one) influenced my idea of how romance would go.  Black + white, kissing in public, a lot of brooding, and suffering well (this bit ended up being true).   

I really think, and KMHD disagrees, that this M83 remix of 'Suffer Well' is better than the original, although I cannae vouch for this video.

Depeche Mode - Suffer Well ( M83 Remix) from Pedro Carvalho on Vimeo.

Last night, ATM + I were discussing how they're going on tour this year and that if they are anywhere within a 5-state radius, we're going.  And now Everett + I are havin' a text convo and he brought it up, too.  PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN BECAUSE IT HAS TO HAPPEN.  Heather needs to get in on this as well.

Let's go.

My goal was to not make plans for a couple of weeks into the new year so I could repair and rejuvenate, but my calendar is already filling up.  Let's go.

1. This weekend, I'm working on a box filled with goodies that will be put up for auction to benefit Trevor Ware.  As of right now, the only thing I can think to fill it with is a loaf of my challah with homemade butter, homemade soap, and ... what else?  Need ideas, guys & gals.  I want to do a proper job and raise some good money, honey!  If you can't be at this fundraiser, you can give online.  

2.  Another thing that I would like to work on, but will need loads of help with, is having some workshops on how to do practical, useful, and interesting things.  Like how to sharpen knives and blades, basic auto maintenance (fix a flat, jump a battery, change oil), how to have a small, successful garden, learn a new language, etc.  Ideally, it'd cost little to nothing.  If enough people got on board, we could probably pool whatever resources we have lying around our homes to make it work.  I'm gonna need some experts and know-it-alls to instruct.  We'll meet and suss out details if you are innerested.  My email is: amdraheim@gmail.com  

3.  Things I love a lot right now:  

a. DISAPPEARS (again!)

b.  Friendship - the ones I've been fortifying and forging are crazy good.

c.  Bread making

d.  I find myself being down with winter.  It's our weirdest season.  

e.  Working on a little bit of self-improvement.  Spend less/save more, so I can use the money to do the things I really want (travel, house projects).  

f.  Missing all of the places I've ever been.  Missing the places I've never been.

g.  A good story.

h. Chicago in March?

KMHD + Dad:

South Vietnamese people protesting the Vietnamese Ambassador:

size 9

It's only

I've been waiting for months for this song to be released.  Pure sugar.

I put my fingers in his mouth

This kills me.

Later that holiday...

On Friday, 28 Dec, I had to report back to work for the first time in over a week.  I accidentally got drunk at a retiring judge's party and had to go home and sleep it off because later that eve, we were going to the silly Rev Room to go see bands play and side hug everybody from out of town.  (A few got full frontal, though.)

I'd say that my favorite thing about the holiday is, of course, seeing friends, but we also made new friends with Petros & Lydia.  It was a situaish where we all knew about each other and wanted to meet, we just...hadn't.  KMHD was a key player in making it all happen.  Pete is such a joy to be around because he is so. fucking. hilarious and he's got great stories.  Lydia is excellent, too.  We all just hit it off and I'm stoked to have them as pals.  I'm sorry that they live in Ohio and I already miss them.

The rest of the weekend was a bit of a warm, fuzzy blur.  Enchiladas at Everett's.  Burgers and kickin' it with Pete, Lydia, Thomas, Seth, Meggie & Michael.  And then there was New Year's Eve.  For the first time in years, we did not go to the cabin in Ferndale.  I was a little sad about that, but it was a long, rough week and we wanted to be home.  It also left us without a real plan.  We invited Jonathan and his lady (Halide from Cyprus -- really cool and easy going) to have dinner with us, which turned into a sleepover.  I cooked all damn day on the last day of the year.  Challah with Irish butter & preserves, posole, Sheperd's pie -- two kinds -- one was vegetarian and the other with lamb.  Oh, and we got oysters!  Jonathan also brought two homemade pies.

My new knife is ace.  You can read through these radish slices:

I feel that this loaf turned out larger than usual.  Longer dough rising time?




Premature ejaculation:




Shucking is easier than I thought it'd be:


Like kissing the sea on the lips:




Jonathan looking like a North Korean leader:


ATM & I popped into the Victory St. space for a bit to ring in the new year with Blair, Matt, Sara, and Zach:









Blair scored some fireworks for us to jam with:

Well past midnight, ATM and I went home, got in bed, and left 2012 behind.  

The next morning, Jonathan and I made some challah French toast w/ maple syrup, fresh juice, coffee, and tea.  Begin each new year properly, I say:

We ate, watched telly, and hardcore kicked it casual.  My mind kept wandering to the fact that I had to work the next day, which I knew would be hurty and annoying.  After Jonathan and Hilade departed,  I drank a beer that Pete gave me and watched some Twilight Zone.  

After that, I took a long, hot soak in the bath.  After that, I went back to bed.  Blair and I went for pho, but the restaurant was closed, so we got Chinese instead.  Went home directly after that and fell asleep to Twilight Zone.

So glad to have all of it behind me.  Here's to a crazy fun new year!

xx

The longest holiday.

Christmas time hooliganism began on Friday, 21 Dec. at Victory St. where we met with our friends for a toast and a cheers before we started our trip to Ft. Smith to visit my dad and my Viet family.  

As we are wont to do, everyone started taking a swig of something or other (Ancient Age) with a (pickle) back.  Despite my expression below, it is not bad, but, it's not advisable to mix with wine.  

Photo by Blair

Photo by Blair

Sorry, Rett.

The next morning, a little worse for wear, KHMD, ATM + I started toward Ft. Smith.  We arrived at Dad's around lunch time.  

Me + KMHD:

Forever a toxic bachelor:

For Dad's Xmas gift, ATM + I prepared him a feast of spiral cut, honeybaked ham, mashed potatoes, dressing, peas, yeast rolls, and buttermilk pie.  There was Chex Mix for snacking and homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, too.  (It was a lot of work, so I'm laying it all out here.)  After lunch, we went to his friend's pawn shop, so he could deliver them some coffee and we could meet two sweet goldens and a little pig.  I've always wanted a pet pig!  But, I've changed my mind, because it turns out that they are some snappy little jerks.  None of them would sit still for a decent photo.  From here, we went to this really great antique shop where I scored the best present to myself.  

Pristine condition and with a key:

We went back to Dad's, snacked, watched an endless piece of garbage movie, and then headed over to my Aunt's where she made us a heaping, delicious pile of noodles + vegetables.   We hung out with our cousins and eventually went to bed.  ATM + I slept in a young gent's room:

The next morning, we went back to Dad's for brunch.  



Dad smokes in his house and it's just awful.  It will make you physically ill if you sit inside too long.  Directly after brunch, we excused ourselves and drove into Oklahoma and around town.  We eventually ended up at the Riverfront Park to soak in some rays and enjoy the fresh air.  Oklahoma never looked so pretty.  We wanted to stay, but had to get back to visitin'.



The last time we wandered down here, the police were dragging the river for a body. 






At one point, this fella wandered down to river's edge, hopped on this thing, and paddled off, NBD:


It was so lovely outside that once back at dad's, we did a whole lot of back stoop loitering.  My Dad happened to have four frisbees in the garage, so we made a makeshift disc golf course which was so. much. fun.  We three marveled that we had 'a good time' at dad's for once.

Hole 1, Par 3:


Hole 2, Par 3 (clothesline raises difficulty):

The house that Dad lives in is the one that KMHD + I grew up in.  He's modified it so much that it hardly resembles the same place and my attachment is minimal.  The only place that remains untouched is the garage.  Even has the same smell.  So many adventures started there.

Right before we took off:

We said our au revoirs to Dad and went to my aunt's to have a meal of bahn xeo before we rushed home to (N) Little Rock before the inclement weather arrived.

I'm envious of my aunt's outdoor cooking set up.  She's so badass:

Christmas Day. We get back to North Little Rock and settle in for some winter weather.  Honestly, we thought it'd be a little snow.  We had plans to meet up with KMHD + Everett for supper.  NOPE.  The ice came first and then the 6-7" of snow.  



 We made homemade Xmas pizza, still thinking all is well and good:




Shortly thereafter, the lights go out.  In a race against sundown, I run around the house getting ready for a night w/o heat or electricity.  I got out all of the candles -- all of them -- and set them up evenly throughout the house.  Went to the car and charged my phone a bit.  I got a hot shower in.  The warmth of the house faded and we started piling on layers of clothes.  We got out the transistor radio and the Trivial Pursuit.  No worries.

  

But, things got out of hand pretty quickly.  You could hear limbs snapping left and right and transformers blowing up.  At one point, I was sitting on the couch, with Andrew on my right on the chair.  We heard a very loud cracking directly overhead.  We both, with a quickness, bolted away from that area of the house right as we heard a crash and something striking the earth with a deep thud just outside the window.  We grabbed a flashlight and ran outside.  A very large limb grazed the house, but nothing was damaged.  The worst part was that my car was blocked in, but we were very lucky.  I attribute our luck to our having had our Negligent Neighbor's trees cut back in May.  My terror turned to fury when Negligent Neighbor came outside and asked "Is that my tree or yours?"  I had to go inside and let ATM deal with her.

Because we were safe and  there was no apparent damage to the house or car, I put this mess in the back of my mind.  There was nothing we could do about it.  As the evening progressed, I knew this would be a more than one night ordeal.  So, we just got as comfortable as we could and listened to the radio.  This DJ was taking calls from any yokel that was out driving, giving the conditions of the road.  But then this one lady, with a shaky voice, was all "I'm actually calling because of the emotional toll of this day..." and proceeded to have a meltdown on air. It was a situation where you couldn't help but wonder if she would hurt herself or others.  The DJ didn't handle the situation very well.  He seemed...cold.  I had to turn it off.  So, we sat and listened to limbs falling and more transformers blowing out.  I eventually went to the bedroom to start making a nest when I heard ATM say, "I'm going outside to go talk to this firefighter."

The NLR fire department was going door to door, hand-delivering a photocopied note from the mayor.  I believe they were making rounds, too, to see if there were any elderly people or young ones in need of assistance.





It wasn't long before we crawled into our sleeping bags and tried to get some sleep.

Morning:




In the car, charging my phone:


I don't know if the camellias will make it:






ATM walked the neighborhood to survey the damage and talk to neighbors while I made snow day gyoza:


Thanks to social media, I was able to secure a fella with a chainsaw to cut away at the limb and clear our driveway.  If we'd left it up to Negligent Neighbor, there's no telling when it'd be cleared away.




I had to grind coffee beans by mortar & pestle:


We had to go one more night without proper heat and electricity.  We sealed off half the house and huddled on the 'warm' side.  But, hey, with just the little gas heater in the bathroom and the candles, we managed to get the temperature to around 60 degrees on a 19 degree night.  



Hanging out in the bathroom.  At this point, we were both a little sick and tired of the situaish.


The next morning, 27 December, I heard the hum of electricity and it jolted me out of slumber.  Luckily, I didn't have to report to work.  Desperate to get out of the house, I called Blair to meet me for lunch.  After that, we stopped by her place.  I got a flat along the way.  Even though we handled it, it made me very very tired.  



I had high hopes that the next several days would be much better.