Greg Lake Has Nothing to Do with Me

Work finally ended yesterday and I went to the B&B to wait for Em' and her sister to come back from shopping. I sat on the porch and talked about cars with her father and we came very close to being witnesses to an accident. A car went to pass a stopped car and nearly got creamed by another as it was going through the intersection.

Went out with the Scottish Sisters for sushi. Got told a great story of how one of them met an old boyfriend. Drunk at college, liked the wavy colours of his jumper. Walked up to him. Poked the jumper. Walked away.

The Grand Slam was epic. Started with an open mic that had at least one major uncomfortable silence. One Truth gave a loose and entertaining feature then the slam. I'm not sure if it was just me, but the room was tense. We'd been waiting all night for it to start and we were all off on an adventure. Judging was brutal, but consistent in the first round. I read Another Divorce Poem, did it well and placed fifth out of eight. Vernell, Patrick and Wali were battling for the top three spots.

In round two I read After Birth, blew a couple of lines but presented it well so I moved up to fourth. Gina and I swapped places and Rachel was right behind me.

Had no clue what to do in round three. I did not want to play it safe, nor play for points so I went with my original game plan and did The Children of Dunblane as Teenagers.

Gina then read Obama's Desk, knocked it out of the room and finished in fourth and Rachel nailed her's and we tied for fifth.

It was a great night. All the poets put themselves out there, left it on the mic and it all finished as it should have in the end. The poets on the team all earned their spots. For me, it was a successful slam season. Earned my way into the slam with points and not by backing into it. Got into the third round and remained in the hunt for a place on the team until the end. No regrets.

Been flying all over the place today. Did you know Scottish girls like seeing chipmunks in the wild? Fact. Took them out to Blacklick and we had a fine time. Then had lunch and dessert at Jeni's. Approval all around.



Back to the airport to pick up one of Em's friends from Bristol. Tonight we went to the Franklin Park Conservatory where our friend Joanna organized a hen party for her. It was not awkward being the only Y chromosome in the group. I ended up wandering a bit, taking in the beautiful Palm House. A single guy should be able to do well on Thursday nights, when they have cocktails at the conservatory. Women are everywhere. Took lots of pictures, which I will eventually download.

Anyway, just wanted to say I was driving around three hot foreign chicks and their accents are hot.

I'm a lucky man.

So it's a table and tie hunt on Friday, back to the airport - then my parents get here.

Is something happening this weekend I should know about?

There was no blood

His teeth are starting to fall out. We've been monitoring it for a couple of weeks now. This morning he was even tugging at it himself. Finally, this morning, his mother yanked it out. He really did not react.



Not sure what the tooth fairy is going to bring him? More Tootsie Pops?

He also had his first dental appointment today. I was told he was very brave even though his mother wanted to cry when she saw how scared he looked. He really does not like having his mouth touched. But he did well during the cleaning, did not like the sound of the water/suction and really did not like getting the flouride cleaning. He did great though.

Still working on wows. Getting things together though. Weather is looking good.

Her father and sister are here and having fun. Her dad has never been to the U.S. and is very curious about traffic patterns, lane assignments and such. Have not taken them through any American roundabouts yet. Her sister is a bit more used to warmer climates, he's having a tough time adjusting.

Tomorrow night it's the Grand Slam. Eight poets are competing for four slots on the team that will represent Writer's Block at the National Poetry Slam. Yes, I'm in it. Yes you should be there.

Eight O'Clock at Kafe Kerouac.

At least I'm sick now and not a week from now.

Could not get to sleep last night. Bad cold, but I'm feeling a bit better in the warmth of today.

Got some more planning done. Ran into someone I've never met but is one of my Facebook friends. That's always a cool thing.

Here's a library visitor from earlier in the month.



I wonder if it was one of those angry geese on the roof from a few weeks back?

Conversation from this morning.

She: I want to try some American breakfast cereals.

Me: Such as?

Her: Count Chocula.

So while shopping she perused the cereal aisle like a kid in a candy store and got some chocolate/peanut butter version of Cocoa Puffs. I wish her luck with that one.

In the meantime I've been climbed on by my son and bashed by a six year old wielding a Tootsie Pop.



Swimming went great. He circled the pool again, and when they were in the deep end (12 1/2 feet) he wandered off. No fear.

Her Father and Sister arrive tomorrow. The week escalates!

I took a little risk

I've only relocated a couple of times in my life. One was to college and the other was to Columbus. Once by choice, the other by necessity.

To move to another country completely is really hard, and she's very brave for doing this, especially moving in with the likes of me.

When she was in London, I asked her to find me the object on the right.



Went to Nancy's yesterday morning. Still not sure if they're staying open. I asked and was told they're closer than they were three weeks ago, They're trying, but I fear it's a tough battle.

Took her to get a library card in the afternoon. It was one of the things she was asking about when she was here last. Yay, now we can get five more movies!

Saw part of the Crew game but we had an appointment with our Officiant so we missed the Schelotto goal and the tying goal in extra time. Crew can't seem to hold a lead this year.

Touched base with the Officiant and got some good ideas, so that's on track. My biggest worries are tables and chairs, how to entertain her father and how to get RSVP's out of people who have not responded yet. Let's go people!

Back to work after a whirlwind weekend. It's all a whirlwind from here on out.

Pre-Bacon Quest

She is here, and arrived on time and with no problems at customs.

Not going back this time, any time soon at least.

She had to carry around an x-ray with her. I'm going to post a picture of her chest, or put it on a t-shirt in Nigel Tufnel style.

I think she brought every girl group cd compilation ever made with her.

Off to find some breakfast food soon. Then other stuff. The Crew and a meeting with our Officiant.

That's less than two weeks away. Her Father and Sister get here next week.

In other news my Mother is now on Facebook.