I just stepped in a big pile of sassy!

Yesterday, I hopped over to the other side of the river and went for a walk in Battle Creek Park.
The weather was perfect!
Some of the path was a bit muddied over and other parts were still covered with snow.
The 65 degree temperature and sun are no match for the pine and birch shade, I guess!

I walked and walked - for about 90 minutes.
Here are two photos that I took during the walk.
1) during a rare moment of clouds blocking the sun
2) swamp-tastic

I’m headed outside again today.
I’m determined.
It’s DARK and raining like crazy. I have stuff to do at home, but damn - a girl’s gotta move.

In random news - my VCR/DVD clock jumped ahead one hour.
Now I’m questioning what time I went to bed last night - perhaps I got one more hour of sleep than I thought?
Perhaps. That would be nice.

Lately I’ve been interested in a lot of music that makes me feel like a teenager.
I suppose I do act like one from time to time.
It’s a job hazard.

I have also been annoyed with many typical “teen” things. One text speak that bugs the dickens out of me is “idk” (for “I don’t know”). I see it at work way too often, was text’d it today, and my bff just used it in an IM. Actually, it’s fine in text or IM but in formal writing? No way!

Anyway, I have felt quite silly in my musical taste/tendencies as of late.
Here are two examples:

1) I love the “Touch My Body” video (link here).
It cracks me up.
Something about the nerdy guy fantasy - I didn’t pay enough attention to the video the first time I watched it and I kept wondering why she was into laser tag, playing with remote control cars, and frolicking in costume with horses.
OF COURSE. It’s the nerd’s fantasy. Rock on.
I think all of this stems from the fact that I had a few really hot friends growing up. I can totally relate to the “compu nerd” in the video.

2) I’ve been enjoying “With You” by Chris Brown.
It took me a while to find out who the singer was. I thought the lyric was “saving hearts all over the world tonight” (which I, apparently, was relating to), but I was incorrect. I still like the song, though the video doesn’t do as much for me as Mariah’s. Click here to watch it.
I also thought he said “I need to move” at the beginning of the song. He actually says “I need you boo.” Hmm. See, now, what if I mishear stuff all the time and run around liking multiple songs for all the wrong reasons? That’s trouble, I tell ya.

Enjoy!

Two hours later - two more. :)
1) Sexy Can I by Ray J (ooh dirty)
2) Take a Bow (no video yet) by Rihanna (a quality bitter break-up song)

Late last night/early this morning, I purchased a copy of Spin magazine at the Las Vegas airport.
R.E.M. was on the cover and I couldn’t help myself.
I, like many of their fans, have not been too fond of their last few albums. That’s not to say that i didn’t enjoy a song here or there - I love “Daysleeper,” “Bad Day,” “Imitation of Life,” and “At My Most Beautiful.”
None of their last few albums were as palatable through and through as their earlier stuff, that I would attest to.
Regardless, I love R.E.M. and am excited for their new album (click on “Accelerate” to hear sample tracks). It’s garnering great reviews, and some controversy. Michael Stipe, as he has done for many years now, mentions his boyfriend in the interview. Apparently people didn’t know that he was queer? If you’ve read articles about R.E.M. for the past 10+ years, I would say that it’s pretty obvious that Michael is not hiding his sexuality. Go figure.

In response, he released this adorable tongue-in-cheek video. Check it out.

If you’re an old R.E.M. geek like me, I’d suggest picking up a copy of the latest issue of Spin magazine. The article was very well-written and included some nice photos. Is it April 1st yet?

Added (3/23) - hear R.E.M. live at SXSW (click this link) - Thanks, Stacia!

*I began writing this post on March 1st or 2nd. Whoa. I really need to pick up the pace here!

I’m so glad it’s March.
In honor of this fabulous month and the springtime that is coming closer each day, I am going to write all about me.
ME!

What’s new in my world… well…

I received my first new $5.00 bill in Las Vegas yesterday.

Today, I spent part of it at McDonald’s (mmm… McFlurry…).

Cashier: Ooooh! OMG* - It’s purple!
Me: Yup. It’s new.
Cashier: (soft cheer of elation)
Me: I got it in Las Vegas - they’re so new they don’t even work in the slot machines.
Cashier: You rock. You are so awesome just for bringing this in. I’m going to go show everyone.

Nice.

*Note: he did say, “oh em gee” - text/Internet speak is taking over!

Honestly. Sally Kern frightens me. She makes me concerned for the state of the U.S. and its people.
I wonder what she has to say about other minority groups.
Disgusting. Here’s a link - hear for yourself.
Don’t worry - she’s not anti-gay and she’s not gay bashing.
Really?

I got home late and someone beat me to the punch by posting this in the livejournal twin_cities community, but it deserves to be posted here as well.

I can definitely say that I saw it coming.
Slumping sales.
Selling off their video/dvd rental collection, and so on.

I’ll miss you, Amazon.
I’d buy ya if I could afford ya.
Oldest feminist bookstore.
Super freakin’ awesome.
I’ve been going there since I was in my mid-teens and have seen the store through three different locations.

I received the following e-mail today:
Dear Amazon friends,

I want to let you all know that I have decided to leave the bookstore. I have worked at Amazon for over twenty years and have come to know many of you and cherish the connections I have made here. But it is time for a change in my life, and I want to move in different directions. I had hoped that the younger staff currently working at the store would be able to carry it on, but because of the financial condition of the store, that is not a possibility.

So we have decided to sell Amazon Bookstore. We are hoping to find a buyer/buyers within the next few months.

Amazon Bookstore has been a vital part of the Twin Cities feminist and GLBT community for over 37 years. In recent years, Amazon has also functioned as a neighborhood bookstore, providing a focal point for literary and progressive books and events. We are hoping that there will be an individual or a group of individuals that want to carry on the vision of the store or recreate it into a vision of their own.

Please email me at the store, barb@amazonbookstorecoop.com for a copy of our sale proposal and with any questions you might have.

It has been a great privilege to have worked at Amazon Bookstore for so long, and I feel very grateful to all of you for the support you have shown the store over the years. I hope in the upcoming months that I get to see many of you to express my gratitude personally.

Barb Wieser
General Manager
Amazon Bookstore Cooperative