First "I'm back" post"

Hey, all!

Miss me?

I didn't think so.

Got back from South Carolina early Saturday morning, then headed up to Albany early Saturday afternoon. Took alethea_eastrid to see the Arrogant Worms. It was great. More later.

Drove home on a wet, nasty, cold (I miss South Carolina) day, but at least I was able to listen to the Red Sox win.

Took a nice, long bath.

Trying to get my life (and room) back into order.

Just listening to "Live Bait," and, now, "Toast," both purchased last night at the show.

Oh, and I am finally edging farther into digital age (We didn't have a cell phone until we moved to Peabody). I received an MP3 player from the aforementioned alethea_eastrid.

I don't know that anyone else will understand, but the National Federation, which sets the rules for high school football has banned the "fumblerooski play," and the world is a little less fun.

Been to a bunch of concerts lately, and the last one on the current schedule is "Great Big Sea" April 30 in Somerville.

More stuff and, plus invitations . . .

Housekeeping: I love new friends! Seven folks have piled into this handbasket in the last two weeks. Please welcome c1, lisagw, nacht_musik, theamazingjb, firebreathnchkn, make_your_move and tinocherubini.

Invitation: Jimmy the Chef has a new menu up at The Publick House, 1648 Beacon St., Brookline. The menu is at that link. I am thinking a field trip for 5 p.m., this Saturday, April 29. Some of us will get there a little early and stake out the big table. RSVP if you'd like. Yes, evilnicola, he left the fish and chips and the macaroni and cheese on the menu.

Semi-horror story: The trip was all good, until I landed at Manchester/Boston (yes, they are calling it that) International Airport. First of all, it was *cold* and I was wearing shorts. Second, I forgot where I parked my truck. No clue. I left the ticket in it so I would not lose it. It took an hour, most of it riding alone with the bus driver, until I remembered the license plate (on the second try). I turned the wrong way when I left the airport, then the temperature gauge spiked (remember, it's like 1:30 a.m., and I am just over an hour from home). It went back down, almost spiked a couple more times, then went back to normal. When I got home, I reached into the suitcase for my medicine and sliced a half-inch circle of skin off my left index finger. Blood, ick.

Another invitation: I don't think I have a lot of North Shore folks here, but our National Honor Society chapter is putting the fourth annual "Empty Bowls" dinner from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, April 27 in the cafeteria at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School. For $10, you get to pick out a hand-made bowl and get to eat soup (chicken and something vegeterian), along with bread and butter, drinks and desserts. Proceeds go to the local soup kitchen and homeless shelter.

Concert review?: I will post about Saturday's Arrogant Worms concert later. How was Thursday's?

Just a little more . . .

1. For those of you who understand, Aethelmearc is fighting for the East at Pennsic.

2. People like This fanatic scare me more than just a little.

3. I think I am becoming even more of a Diehard than I was before. I got off the Mass Pike today, listening to the Sox, and after I asked the toll taker "How you doin'?," she asked me the same thing, and I said, "I will be better in half an inning. Thursday night, at dinner in South Carolina, one fo the other chaperones asked one of the employees at Riby Tuesday's to put ESPN2 on because I wanted to watch the game.

4. Weather like today's makes me want to go back to South Carolina. ;)

5. One of my favorite sets of lyrics from last night, from the Worms' "New Car Smell."

Our love is like a new car smell
Sooner or later it all goes to hell
Somebody farts or spills some taco bell
Our love is like a new car smell

6. Going to school oughta be interesting, perhaps in the Oh God, oh God, we're all going to die sort of way. Well, maybe not quite that bad.

Bed time!