Bad night

Bad night
Originally uploaded by riblet.

I hate to keep blogging about bad nights, but man was last night bad! Ira didn't go to sleep until 9:30 PM and then he woke up promptly at 5:20 AM. My life hates me. Moving on.

So, sometimes I feel like I'm the unofficial expert on Alhambra Blvd. I swear I'm walking up and down it once a day. Most times I'm all about it. It's got almost every type of business, a bunch of housing and even a park. So functional. There are some rough spots though and quite a lot of new developments. Because you care, here is this week's Alhambra Blvd. news.

5. What? Another Peet's? Check out Alhambra and Folsom. This business is spreading across downtown like a rash. Oh, well. At least it's not another Rite Aid.

4. Total Crimp in my Route Award goes to Cal Trans. They're doing some work on the building at S street and the sidewalk is closed. Don't you people know that's how I get to the Post Office? Seriously, the other side of the street is so not stroller friendly.

3. Trammell-Crow development at S street. Looks like they're making great progress pushing around a huge mound of dirt. Thank goodness all that standing water is gone now.


2. Don't forget about CAWZLOS "demo release" show (with art by Natalie) next Thursday at the Distillery! How could I forget, the ubiquitous fliers are so...compelling. I love art by Natalie. Almost as much as I love Thursday night demo release parties. While I'm on fliers, please, please don't forget about the lost mini pincher, Ray-Ray. He's still lost, and he's still somebody's baby. And sorry ladies, he can't have babies because he's still "fix."

1. I can't believe I finally saw the guy who's putting the Eyesore signs on the old gas station at T street! It's an old guy just like I thought. I want to catch this guy to tell him to cool it. They're moving the gas station, ok? Just not right this second. I can't wait to see what kind of signs he's going to post on the huge 4-story condo building that replaces the gas station.


I fully accept that this list will be funny to Leon and maybe Guphy.

SPRING BREAK 2008!

SPRING BREAK 2008!
Originally uploaded by riblet.

It's been downright hot, but we all know that it's still spring. Aside from the killer allergies (I keep getting hives!), I love, love, love this time of year. Here are 5 very spring things I saw over the past few days:

1. Fava beans at the farmer's market. Always buy way more than you think you need. A pound of pods only yields about 1/2 cup of beans.
2. Ducks....doing it. Ahem.
3. And as a result: ducklings. So cute.
4. If you thought it couldn't get cuter than ducklings, then you should have seen the baby squirrels at Southside Park today. Cutest ever!
5. All those orange trees in bloom. Have you stood under one of these? They smell incredible!

100% better

100% better
Originally uploaded by riblet.

Check out this dog. She's completely recovered from the tail amputation! In fact, it was only like a few days before she was running around the back yard, begging us for a game of fetch or tug. She's so much happier without that stupid tail anyway. And she smells a lot better, which we love. She's also getting her figure back since we cut down on her food a couple of months ago. Before you know it, this Boston is going to be in tip-top shape! I just hope her hair around the surgical site grows back before winter or she's going to really freeze her butt off. Today, I entered her into a photo contest. Let's see if this pretty mug can win her a couple hundred bully sticks. Wish us luck!

Rough road

Two eggs
Originally uploaded by riblet.

We've had a really trying week with Ira. He's been throwing tantrum after tantrum. I have half a mind to ship him off to boarding school already. Lucky, for his sake, he's so cute. We can't stay mad at that face for too long.

I've been putting off blogging because it seems like too much work. So I'm going to catch you up, cheater style. With a list!

Reading:
They F*** You Up: How to Survive Family Life by Oliver James

Listening to:
Podcasts, like This American Life and that mix CD that Leon left in the kitchen.

Watching:
Beauty and the Geek (go poet dude!), America's Next Top Model (go Claire!), Top Chef (go curly-haired girl!), Lost (can't wait until 4/24!) and Curb Your Enthusiasm season 6. I'm actually watching that last one while peeking through one hand.

Frequenting:
The Co-Op, the post office and Southside Park.

Hobbying:
Scouring the thrift stores for awesome kid's books and designer baby clothes.
Getting started on some spring planting. Hello, basil! Would you like some mint to keep you company?

Learning:
Still figuring out my camera.
Trying to keep my cool when Ira head butts me in the face.

Eating:
Quinoa, polenta, pesto, mushrooms. But not together.

Drinking:
I had a bottle of Bogle reserve red zin and it was super!
Also consumed were at least three fancy margaritas from Centros. Delish!

And to tie it up...
This week's mantra: Check yourself before you wreck yourself.