Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

Well, I haven't posted in awhile, because I didn't really have anything out of the ordinary to post about. But I guess I could take the American Beauty approach and talk about all the beautiful plastic bags I see floating around in the Minnesota breeze. That's not really true, but lots of other ordinary things have happened. Now, how do I make them sound incredible? How about I just summarize and leave the makeovers to your imaginations? Great.

1) I've learned how to pickle cucumbers recently. Very exciting. Actually I do wish I had a picture of the process, because anything green, is usually pretty, except for envy. And sweet Jesus, I love the smell of dill. Don't buy me flowers; just give me a bouqet of dill, and I'll simply love you forever. Or love you simply forever. Your pick.

2) Relaxing in the hammock has taken up a bit of my time. Luckily, it's productive relaxation and I finally finished Machine Dreams by Jayne Anne Phillips, who I met at a short story conference last year. I've also read Black Tickets, but it's a compilation of short stories, so it wasn't as easy to get into. And it seemed overly artistic in that abstract way. Not as grounded as I found Machine Dreams. Takes awhile to get into also, but by the end of it I was hooked by the relationships between the characters. Talk about some pyscological realism.

3) I've managed to do some more painting on the exterior of the house and will continue to do so. It's a slow process. Wouldn't want to rush it.

4) The Walker Art Museum and Sculpture garden kept me busy on Tuesday. I usually love museums, but I found myself being annoyed by art in general on this particular museum trip. I could go on in more length, but I don't want to bore the uninterested. Zap me an email if you want to hear more about my new philosophy on art.

5) I've been eating so much good food. Carsten really knows how to cook things up right. I'm taking notes, so look forward to tasting some of my new dishes. No longer will I only be famous for cheese triangles and baklava.

6) Some time ago, I hung out with Franz, Chad, and Rachel--all Heifer alumni. Chad's mom concocted some Margaritas for us to go with the Braut (sp? that sausagey meat thing) Chad grilled. Bon apetite!

Then, Chad, Rachel and I saw the Wallflowers play in downtown Minneapolis on a gorgeously still evening barely lit by a fingernail moon. The concert was sponsored by Miller Light to raise money for the Catholic Church. Funny, I know. The Wallflowers aren't the most exciting band to watch, although the keyboard player provided a few laughs. I think he thought he was a drummer. Too bad Dylan is so monotonous. Result: The sleepiness makes it easy to miss some of the thoughtful lyrics. I know I'm making fun, but I went and had a good time, so I think that means I'm not being snobby about this reflection.

Speaking of music: 89.3/4/5 The Current depending on reception is a great radio station in St. Paul/Minneapolis. If you're able to check it out via the internet or some other device, it wouldn't be a bad choice.

Another musical note: The Oxford American music issue comes out soon. I'm wondering which songs made it. Some of you might like purchasing it. Even if you don't like music, you might like the writing. Or if you don't like reading writing, you might like the music.

7) I tried to give some lady directions in Spanish. It was a hoot. Neither of us knew what I was saying. So much for a college education.

8) Some boy of about 12 or 13 came by wanting to mow the lawn. He also said he sold massages. I just mowed the lawn that day, so that was out of the question. And somehow I thought purchasing a massage from a young lass could get me in trouble with the law. Where was that kid's mother?

9) We've got hooked on this show called Brat Camp. Where was that show when my brothers were wild adolescents? It might have helped. Luckily, they're all a little more sane these days. Not completely, but sane enough that I'll admit the relation. I wonder if Joel's ever thought about being a counselor at some outdoors camp? I could see him being good at it. He's a therapeutic kind of guy.

I also had no idea that watching Million Dollar Baby would make me weep. I also saw Team America, which I found vulgarly amusing. My friends were appalled by the movie and I think by me, since I couldn't help but laughing during parts where they were smirking in disgust. So what if I've been watching too much television?

10) And I've just been thinking a lot, you know, about my life and where I want it to go. I could go on, but it would get really messy for you to listen to. I'll most likely be working on Josh's farm (another Heifer alum) in Wisconsin starting in the beginning of August and lasting through the end of October. I'm pretty excited about it, as I think any new work experience can help clarify my messy thoughts.

I'm sure I'm leaving all kinds of things out (I have to say this to make it seem that way), but hopefully you feel more in tune with me.

I know my mother doesn't. Last night on the phone, she was like, "So what have you been doing?" I'm like, "You know the usual, just hanging out and stuff." I have a habit of being frustratingly vague...at least she thinks so, but in this case, I thought it was a rather explicit description of my life lately. Her response: "Ellen, nothing ventured, is nothing gained." I think she was saying I'm boring. Thanks, mom.

But let me put it more into context for you. This was after she was trying to convince me to locate all the Greek churches in St. Paul/Minn. and visit each one of them. Not to find God, but to find a Greek man. Afterall, that's what she always did to meet boys. If it was for God, I could kind of understand. Besides, she's 50% more Greek than me, so it made sense for her to do that kind of thing. Maybe I am unadventurous. I just don't feel like looking, especially on a Sunday. Do you blame me?