Day: September 4, 2005

Shangri-La

“All day long the sky is blue
and everyone says ‘how do you do’
in Shangri-La
Every day’s a perfect day
and you can go your own sweet way
in Shangri-La”

Yesterday, it was a Chumbawamba song stuck in my head. Today, the Rutles. (Hey, at least I get music that I like stuck in my head…)

We got up this morning and FINALLY gave elsaf her birthday presents. judiang put me in charge of getting the gifts, so it didn’t go as swimmingly as I’d hoped, but we got her some nice things nonetheless. A KMart gift card for her Martha Stewart tendencies. A garden hopper (being shipped from Amazon.com) for her green thumb. And an indoor/outdoor wireless thermometer, also yet to come from Amazon. (Therein likes the not-swimmingly bit – postpone and things don’t arrive in time.)

Then the three of us headed off to Shangri-La. Betcha didn’t know it was in a suburb of Detroit, didja? Heh. It’s a great place that serves a Dim Sum brunch on Sundays. We met Elsa’s family there and her parents bought us all lunch. Wonderful! And best of all, the Dim Sum was wonderful! Some of the best BBQ pork pastries I’ve ever had. And wonderful tarts. And just all wonderful tidbits.

We waddled back to the car and then looked for firewood. I still chuckle at city folks having to go to the grocery or whatnot to BUY their firewood. We rural folks just pick up the branches that fall & burn them. Home Depot was a strikeout, but Judi got yet another bit of birthday gift for Elsa while we were there. Lowes had some, but we had to ask the right questions to discover its location. Quick stop at Circuit City for a cable splitter for Judi, and then back to veg at Elsa’s.

We pondered going to a movie, but none of us wanted to go unless we all went. So we stayed and we’re all glad we did. We had a relaxing afternoon, followed by Italian dinner making by me & Judi. We tried to recreate the things we did in our cooking class. Elsa, it turns out, is a natural at rolling pici!

The dinner was a success – check out Elsa’s glowing review! Heh. It was nice to do that for Elsa, because she’s always coming up with wonderful meals to cook us.

Now we’re outside & writing in our LJs or (if you’re Judi) downloading pictures from our camera (from the July Italy Trip!!!!) It was a pleasant day – quite the Shangri-La, if you ask me!

The Wizard of Menlo Park

“Old Thomas Edison mixing up the medicine
Messing up time from Accrington to Amazon”

OK, this Chumbawamba song followed me all around Greenfield Village today. elsaf and I picked up judiang from the airport this morning and we drove straight to The Henry Ford Experience. We spent the first part of the day at Greenfield Village and the Menlo Park recreation. I saw this when I was a kid, and Edison’s labs still amazed me today. I understood the science a lot better, too. 🙂 (And yes, Judi, I will explain the difference between AC and DC to you whenever you’re ready.)

After a display of the first phonograph (tin foil recording!) we then moved on to the Henry Ford Museum. Lots of neat stuff there, too. And I bought far too much stuff in the gift store. Including a great book of science poetry.

We stopped at Elsa’s brother’s place afterwards to pick up the doggies and see the new place. Neat house! And Ardath’s bedroom is painted phenomenally. 🙂

When we got back, it was a little late, but Elsa got in the kitchen and slaved away to make us a wonderful supper of Thai duck soup (with actual duck!) and grilled chicken salad with mango and other yummy things. I got the fire started in Elsa’s chiminea and so we had a lovely glow & warmth while we ate outside.

Now we’re inside reading LJ and getting angry about the state of things in NOLA and surround areas. Those poor people. Such incompetence in government. And now we find that Renquist is dead. Bleh. Sad times ahead for our country.

But for now, I’m with my two bestest friends in the whole wide world and having a great time. When shitty things happen, you just appreciate your friends and the good things that go on in your life.