IN AND OUT OF SIGHT

I just read that the Horrors may've cancelled a lot of their US tour, including Chicago. Waiting for official word, but it's looking that way. Was so looking forward to it.

4th/New Orleans

Two Thursdays ago, we drove to New Orleans, stopping a bit more than halfway in Vicksburg, MS for some zzz's.  To ensure that we'd be sidled up to a bar in NOLA to watch the GER v FRA World Cup match, we left Vicksburg just after sunrise. 

The Mississippi River from the banks of Vicksburg, MS:

When we rolled into town, our first stop was the Croissant D'Or to get properly caffeinated.  I love the interior of this cafe.  You can tell that it was once the home of Angelo Brocato's:

From D'or, we needlessly hurried over to Fritzel's on Bourbon St. for some World Cup viewing. We pretty much had the joint to ourselves for 95% of the match, which was lovely. Geaux Die Adler!

Photo by ATM

When the match was over, the sports-adverse Lorenza, Collin & Jonathan magically appeared and whisked us off to Tan Dinh, this wonderful Vietnamese restaurant in the Westbank. We were all so hungry that we ordered loads of things, all of it first-rate.  I opted for the vermicelli bowl instead of my usual pho; I'm so glad I did, I haven't had it in ages and it revived my love for the dish. I've had it thrice since we've been back.  Anyway, we thoroughly stuffed ourselves, which brought on some drowsiness.  We - sans Lorenza - made our way to Collin's place in the Freret neighborhood and took some hot, uncomfortable naps. There were two A/C window units set to 80 degrees, struggling to cool the 1000 sq. feet. in a shotgun layout.  It didn't help that Collin's roommate, who went back home to Maine and whose room we were using for the duration, had her ceiling fan rotating in the wrong direction.  In case you didn't know, fellow southerners, it needs to be counter-clockwise during the summer months.  Be sure to clean the blades before you change directions or you will send dust chunks flying everywhere.  I laid there, tossing and turning, tryna get comfortable, wondering if I'd be able to sleep the next couple of nights. Eventually, I got up whilst everyone else was still snoozing, found a broomstick, turned off the ceiling fan, reversed it's rotation, and turned it on top speed.  Sent dust everywhere, BUT, it was notably cooler.  I closed the kitchen/bathroom area off, which helped the A/C make some progress.  We brought our own box fan and it wasn't long before we had a nice, cool wind tunnel going.

View from Collin's porch. I saw wild parrots three times!

It being the 4th of July, we all agreed that we didn't want to hang with the masses for the celebrations, so we got some beers and relaxed in the grass by Bayou St. John. Because New Orleans is so flat, we could see the massive fireworks being shot off the barges on the river.  Somehow, it was a cool, lovely evening.  It was a very happy moment for me.  It would've been a perfect night for a super long bike ride.

I woke up early the next morn with Jonathan + Collin to have breakfast because the former was leaving town to go back home to Little Rock and the latter had to go to work.  At Cake Cafe , they have endless coffee refills (A+++) and unforgettable doughnuts, so it's been added to our list of go-tos.

ATM + I had the day to ourselves, so we visited our usual haunts and had lunch at our super-favorite Parkway Bakery & Tavern.  After that, we decided to explore and hang out in the Freret neighborhood and catch more of the World Cup (NED v CRC) at Publiq House, down the street + around the corner from Collin's. Tico tico! Pura vida! That match was a bit of a heart breaker, wasn't it?

Day-drinking leaves one super tired and hungry. Having felines around is such a comfort. This one is named Louise:

Such a beautiful face:

Waiting on Collin for supper. Since we had a long drive the next day, we made it an easy evening of dinner at Sake Cafe (sublime sushi, tuna tataki + rolls, but way too much Chihuly glass adornment), dessert at Angelo Brocato's, checking out Collin's workshop, then bed. The day-drinking definitely took the wind from our sails.

I love neon signs forever and ever, amen:

First time having spumoni:

Collin's workshop:

Collin was already at work when we arose early the next morning.  We decided to get breakfast in the Quarter at Clover Grill (Clever girl!) on our way out of town.  I love places like this.

Not haunted:

Fast forward: we came home to this!

THE LETTER

RAP QUOTES

TO TURN YOU ON

GAME LOVE

THE NEW LURK

Zach and I are sealing a photo of ourselves into the kitchen wall.

HOME IS WHERE

I didn't expect to be so hands-on + involved with the current kitchen project which includes demolition (fun), discovery (exciting), clean-up (not fun),  and drywall + electrical work (TBD - we're doing that today). I'm very happy to be at this particular point in the timeline. Even when I'm standing shin-deep in a pile of drywall, dust everywhere, dehydrated, dreaming of a cold beer + shower, I've got a big (gritty) grin plastered across my face.  This is good.

We've put up with a kitchen that is not only unsightly, but we probably shouldn't have prepared food in there. Alright, it's not that bad, but when you've got exposed pipes, exposed sub-flooring, no counter space or storage, non-functioning lights or light switches, and wallpaper that vibrates when you gaze upon it, well, yeah, hand me that hammer.

The pleasant surprises lurking behind the drywall include beautiful brick, a door that leads nowhere, old maths + charming wallpaper:

After this stage is complete, we will be building shelves in the pantry + closet. What a relief it'll be to get all of this kitchen stuff dispersed throughout the house stored away properly.  From there, we start saving money for the new tile floor. Sometimes, I get a little overwhelmed by home ownership. I become filled with doubt + dread. These days, I'm giving ATM and myself credit for seeing the bigger picture. This house is awesome.

Happy Birthday, VWW.

EVERY1'S A WINNER

smells like records

I won the new Fresh & Onlys LP in an online social media contest!  Pretty spiffy, eh?  I adore the first two songs a lot. Melancholy with dreamy, pretty guitar, great for summer.  Still taking in the rest of the album.  Considering going up to St. Louis to catch them on tour. 

I wish bands that I love would come closer.  Closer still.  In my face.  Even closer.  Closer yet.  :::woof:::

BLACK AND WHITE

Trick-fil-A

Hej, dudes + dudettes! Didn't get out and about this past weekend, but it was still a pretty good one.  Last weekend, after breaking our shovel trying to dig out a root ball, I had a mini-meltdown in the front yard.  It was glorious!  I used a lot of salty language.  Immediately thereafter, ATM + I hopped into the car and went over to the hardware store and bought tools, tools designed to excavate root balls.  Instead of one removal per session, we did FIVE.  Our property is jungle-dense with the worst shrubs, vines, and irresponsibly cared-for trees, poor things.  Our goal is to remove it all, let it chill + settle for some time, and then carefully + thoughtfully put in new things.  All this rain has been keeping the ground soft, so maybe we'll see big progress again next weekend.

One of my favorite things about our house are the metal awnings, especially during a perfect rain in the morning when you're allowed to sleep in. Here, you can see the unruly plants trying to get inside the bedroom window to strangle me in my sleep.  I'll show them.

Sun rays chasing the tail end of a storm:

And the subsequent mammatus cloud formations.  A lot of these in Arkansas lately:

Furthering my attempts to demystify veganism for omnis, ATM + I "went there" and made Trick-fil-A sandwiches for supper last night, a double F U to the animal farming machine + to Chik-fil-A themselves.  That's a two-finger bird, you guys.  Isn't that FUN?!

The sandwiches were absurdly DELICIOUS with their "buttered" and toasted buns and their crispy pickles.  They're totally legit.  Try it!

Trick-Fil-A sandwich:

4 vegan chicken cutlets (try Gardein Chick’n Scallopini)
3/4 cup plain, unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup pickle juice
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
Peanut, canola, or vegetable oil, for frying
Earth Balance spread
4 vegan buns
16 dill pickle chips

• Defrost or thaw the chicken cutlets if frozen.
• Combine the almond milk and the pickle juice in a bowl and mix well. Set aside.
• Combine the flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, dry mustard, and powdered sugar in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Set aside.
• Warm the oil in a small frying pan over medium heat.
• Dip a “chicken” cutlet into the wet mixture, coating evenly on all sides. Toss into the flour mixture and coat generously. Repeat the dipping process twice per cutlet -- permission granted to double dip -- and set aside.
• Place one cutlet in the frying pan using a pair of tongs. Flip occasionally to ensure even cooking. Allow to cook for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until the outside is crisp and golden brown. Allow to drain on a paper towel. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
• Lightly 'butter' the buns with the Earth Balance spread and place in a frying pan over low heat until slightly toasted.
• Place 4 pickle chips on the bottom half of each bun, then top with the fried “chicken.” Serve immediately.

 This is your face, Chik-fil-A!

PARQUET COURTS

Yesterday eve, ATM + I shuffled over to Memphis to catch Parquet Courts on tour.  So glad we did that.  They sound great live + seeing them live means we're married now.  I am married to Parquet Courts.  They've got a new album out right now + are on tour, so go get married, if you can!  Their last lp is essential, too, btw.

Before we left Memphis, ATM + I popped over to Imagine Vegan Cafe for lunch.  Honestly, wtf.  There's no sweatin' it because you can order anything off the menu and it's vegan.  Granted, this isn't the raw veg & grain-heavy healthy stuff here; it's vegan junk/comfort food heaven.  But, dang it if it's not just a relief to walk into a restaurant and eat whatever w/o having to be all concerned about  animal ingredients, sub-ingredients, and science-ingredients. It's delicious, too.  We tried the app sampler, Philly cheese-steak sandwich with fries, red beans + rice, and two kinds of cake.  I am so gonna be craving that mess soon.  Goooooo!  BTW, this is such an invaluable resource right here for vegan dining in Memphis, TN.

Looking back on Arkansas from Bluff City:

GENESIS/OBLIVION

STILL FALLS THE RAIN

Ever since I heard Roxy Music in Ft. Smith the other day, I cannot stop listening to them.  I'm officially going through a third Roxy Music phase and it's the deepest one yet.  

Is it all over my face?

On Saturday, we took a hurried trip to Fort Smith-->Dallas-->Fort Smith to take my lil cousin to IKEA to pick out some things for her dorm, a treat for high school graduation.  We did not do any loafing around in the "Big D", as it is yuckily referred to by the old-timers around here, but we did get a meal in at Cosmic Cafe.  I'm certain there are loads of awesome restaurants in Dallas that would make me very happy, but we only go to CC. Their Okra Remedy and I Hate Eggplant sandwiches are total enlightenment.  We made it back to my aunt's home in Ft. Smith late Saturday night.  I slept on a twin-sized mattress in a teenage girl's room.  I received very little sleep despite my exhaustion.

Late the next morning, my aunt loaded us down with a lot of homemade Vietnamese food and we went back to North Little Rock.  On our way out of town, we stopped at a convenience store to gas up the car and get foode/drinke for the road.  Roxy Music's 'Love Is The Drug' was playing on speakers.  It was unexpected and it made me happy.

Yesterday, ATM & I headed over to Everett's for a BBQ about 4 p.  About 15 minutes into hanging out, I FELL.  I missed the last step of the back stoop and I WENT DOWN.  It took me a minute to get up and be helped over to some steps to sit because I was experiencing pain all over my body, primarily my left ankle.  I could feel that it had turned in a way that it shouldn't have.  I sat for a few minutes before, per ATM, I lost all color in my lips + face and I told him that I thought I was going to faint.  I suppose the fall put me into shock?  I could see psychedelia!  It was pretty + frightening!  HELP ME!  It took all effort to be led inside to lay out on the couch. I remember the French Open being on the telly, Djokovic acting goofy during a rain delay, which made the experience weird.  My foot was elevated and I was sipping an ice cold Topo Chico.  After 10 mins or so, I felt much much better.  The color came back to my face and I could rotate my ankle, but it still hurt like hell.  Minor swelling, no bruising.  Ibuprofen cocktail and early to bed!  Today, it still hurts + I've got a funny walk.  I'm stiff all over.  I'm hoping for full recovery by week's end.

Anyway.

Amateur photo of Saturn - your favorite planet - by Thomas Davison.


Eyeball examination:


New specs:


Say your good-byes:


Be easy.


Our new couch cover makes the couch look like it's wearing a suit, getting ready for a job interview:

NOWHERE FAST

MATHEMATICS

BAM BAM

KING TUBBY'S BADNESS DUB