Google analytics is like reverse stalking.

Dear 27,

BIG holiday weekend planned with many an item from the list on the agenda.
Probably will have THIS much fun.

(Check out La Photo Cabine to take your own photobooth pics.)
Don't worry-- I'll keep you posted on what's accomplished.
And-- Hello Montana and Alabama. With Google Analytics I can see where people log in to read my blog. Yes. Reverse stalking.
Wishing you a super holiday weekend.
xo-LP

A killer rhythm section indeed.

Dear 27,
Big night for the blog. Not only did Sara offer many new and exciting suggestions (including an idea we hatched where you 8 readers can submit "dear LP" challenges to add to the big list. I like it. Submit away) but I hosted dinner for 3.

We documented the chicken + grapes + shallots + thyme + my super cool waist apron (thanks Mom) and the first time I've ever used the baster in my kitchen drawer. Dinner was as delightful as the company.
And then...

Blues on Grand. (After a brief stop at Carls. Where there was a surprise run-in. And beer out of a can.) 

I can't believe a place like this is closing. Although the crowd was sparse the Bob Pace Band rocked our little crowd of 6 impressing us with guitar playing skills like I'd never seen. Seriously. At one point there was guitar playing with a pint glass-o-beer. And the same guitar-skilled man was on a table plucking the strings. (I don't know much music jargon. Forgive me.) It is the one night I didn't pack a sharpie in my bag...of course. So I'll have to head back to BoG to tag the bathroom wall before they close for good.

*Disclaimer: The next featured photo includes offensive language, ill-fitting tank tops, and no, I did not get to take it home.*

The night ended after pitchers, lots of laughing and even more impressive guitar playing. But not before I was challenged to wear the shirt featured below. Which was being worn by 58 year old Chris. (She got it at a tattoo shop. It's an iron on. She knows it doesn't exactly fit her, but it has sentimental value. She decided to pair it with a long denim skirt and attitude. Lethal combo. She also offered to "kick the ass" of anyone who made fun of me. And wore my shirt. That had a bow on it. Which she both hated and enjoyed.) Yes. I wore that. For about 15 minutes. Long enough for Derek, Mark (somehow not pictured. sorry about that Mark) and Josh to laugh, take pictures and stare on in disbelief. 

I'd say it was a pretty weird and wonderful Tuesday.
Thanks S, A, T, J and D for a night even Chip Eagle would say was his favorite.
xo-LP

Negatives.

Dear 27,
So much to report today that this post may explode. Either that or my 6 faithful readers (yep. the number has increased) will get bored mid-post because they are on LP+blogger overload.
So here's a list:

1- At family dinner Sunday I completed list item #2 with the camera. So I didn't exactly load the film right, and I annoyed the dinner guests with my snapping, but it was fun and the results are strange and awesome. And I have negatives. Which is a positive. (I need to finally hook up the scanner...better pics of the pics to come.)

2- Added another new spot in Des Moines to my list yesterday. Thanks for to the reformed cheerleader Laura (+ 3 other names) for meeting me for a long overdue lunch at the delicious Bagni di Lucca.

3- Drew up another Macguyver recipe. Prepare to be underwhelmed. (and to not see it until I finish it.)

4- So much travel in the next two weeks my head is spinning. Here's some music for the road.


5- Another DSM adventure tonight. Should make for a fun recap tomorrow.

Any of you have suggestions for a new playlist tool?
xo-LP

I don't dance like you guys.

Dear 27,
What a weekend. My first dinner at Proof that proofed (ha) to be even better, if you can imagine, than their luncheon fare. A visit from half the family.

Another Jane original quote that had us all laughing. Fauxgria courtesy of these guys. Dancing to Faculty Lounge at Ingersoll Live.

Dinner at the incredible Baru 66 for the close of restaurant week.
A living room remodel. The start of #2 on the big list.

Whew.
xo-LP

It's the Freakin' Weekend Baby.

Dear 27,
I simply cannot believe it's August 27th.
Summer went by in the blink of an eye and suddenly it's Fall. The weather, the smell, the late rise of the sun in the morning (I've actually been up to the know this is true nearly everyday this week).
It feels like football, and Iowa City, and porch card games.
Looking forward to what's to come in September. I've hatched many an adventure for the 30 day month... stay tuned. I would fully expect my excitement to match this face from Christmas, 1987.

Thank you R.Kelly for your rap brilliance (I, too, don't see nothin' wrong), and Poladroid for causing sleep deprivation because your "make-your-pics-into-polaroids" tool is so much damn fun.
xo-LP

Over the Moon.

Dear 27,
In an effort to knock out #4 I've been doing a little research.

Ugo Rondinone (Swiss mixed media artist) and his 3 works first greet you at the entrance to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park. While Ugo tried his hand at many ways of art creation, here in Des Moines we admire 3 of his sculptural works right off Grand Avenue. The two goofy heads are part of a series of twelve called "Moonrise" created by Ugo honoring/mimicking/channeling/representing fully the 12 phases/faces of the moon/months of the year.

Ugo crafted these moon faces (about 9-10 feet tall I'd say. Taller than 1.5 of me. That's for sure) first out of clay, then cast them in aluminum. You can see from this photo the smooshy (yes. technical art term) hand marks left from the sculpted clay. In an effort to follow the rules set forth by Jeff Fleming, I resisted the urge to touch the finger marks on the big moon faces.
From what I read, Ugo was pretty into the moon (as well as themes of fantasy and desire.) The two sculptures featured here in Des Moines are called: "MOONRISE.east.january" and "MOONRISE.east.august."

The other Ugo Rondinone (I'm still working on pronouncing his name. I've got the Ugo down, but the surname needs some practice) stands next to the moon faces, stark white against the neighboring green trees. "air gets into everything even nothing" is another sculpture of aluminum, cast from a 2,000 year old olive tree near Naples, Italy, which I learned in the hometown of Ugo's parents. It's truly lovely, but a little be eerie. The idea that a 2,000 year old tree, with such deep rooted (pun intended) history elsewhere is now placed as an enamel coated rootless, leafless object among the trees here in Des Moines is troubling and profound.

(Art critics say things like "profound" when describing art. I'd also say it's a juxtaposition between the tree's beginning and aged life in Italy and it's cold, ashen existence among the living in Iowa. Or something like that. Where's Sinclair when you need him, right Jen?)

Looks like I'm well on my way to giving a pretty serious tour.
Thank you Art major. I knew you'd come in handy (that and google skills.)

Still hoping to see a few new spots in Des Moines before August ends...any gems I'm missing out on?
xo-LP

Back to School.

Dear 27,
It's the first day of classes here on campus.
The air is clouded with anticipation, there's the appropriate amount of dew on the grass, the rush of a new year and the smell of new pencils and books and papers. (I love that part.) And this year, most of the bitty freshman were born after 1992. Weird.
After a weekend of wild and crazy bacheloretteness (Thanks Annie!), as well as the outfit shown below that was praised by a man wearing a sequin/beaded vest much like what a modern day Aladdin would wear, I'm beat.

 

Playlist.com and I have officially broken up. I'm looking for a new musical boyfriend, but until then, a list:
1- "We Rule the School" Belle and Sebastian
2- "Boy From School" Grizzly Bear (a Hot Chip cover)
3- "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard" Simon and Garfunkel
4- "Back to School" Of Montreal (Royal Trux cover)
5- "New Kid in School" The Donnas
6- "San Dimas High School Football Rules" The Ataris

Happy Monday friends.
xo-LP

Caprese, Baby.

Dear 27,
For MacGuyver Volume 2 I give you what should be a lunch.

Yes. I am totally proud of that picture. And the fact that my counter looks clean. (I may or may not have channeled a Top Chef scene to remind me to wipe the plate so it looks lovely.)

Might have a couple BONUS meals to add this week. 

And check out the list for updates on what I'm crossin' off. Looking to watch my next "classic" movie this week. I will be accepting recommendations. Go.

xo-LP

You've been waiting for a cool year since the 4th grade.

Dear 27,

On a whim my pal Jenni and I hopped in the Focus (with my first McDonald's cheeseburger in nearly 5 years) and headed east to Iowa City for a night of "divorce rock" and adventure.

The Mill is one awesome venue. Can't believe after four years of milling about (ha) Iowa City I never managed to catch a live show there. (In fact I believe the only time I was at the Mill was for a Telefund pre-bar-crawl pizza party and Kath snuck beers in her back-pack purse.) 

We arrived just in time to hear Rosi Golan finish up her set. My dear friend was right-- "she was amazing." (Thanks for letting me borrow some of your words.) Her voice was fluid...as Jenni said, every word she sang was "soul soaked." She looked so calm on stage and her voice flowed with the same grace and ease.

And then she came back out for a song with William Fitzsimmons (during his set) that is equally amazing. I caught a bit of that on film:

(If you want to listen to the whole track-- buy Rosi's album or check it out here.)

Then William Fitzsimmons came out.  Just he, a few guitars, and another guitar player (Joe. He tried to get Joe dates several times in his set. After witnessing Joe’s guitar skills I’m sure it worked.)  He has shaved off all his hair but kept his beard, so he looked like a total freak show.  

He opened his set and spoke to the crowd “How’s everyone doing tonight?” The question was met with cheers and he quipped “Well your night’s about to get a lot worse,” referencing his album “The Sparrow and The Crow.”
It was an intimate set of painful songs about Mr. Fitzsimmon's divorce and his guitar sang along with him (I was not expecting that to be so impressive.) He spoke in a low deep voice which stood in such strong contrast to his music—which sounded like he was simply breathing the lyrics. A definite highlight of the night was hearing Mr. Fitzsimmons cover Iron and Wine. (And yes. I agree with him. His beard is f-in cooler.) Just a really, really cool guy.

After the show and snacks, we explored the ped mall, ran into 2 people I knew and sat at the bar at Bo James while Jenni enjoyed a Big Beer on "Country Night" and responsible-Laura enjoyed the scenery. (Seriously. Cute boys are sprouting up like polo-shirted weeds in Iowa City. I bet Kate has about 23 boyfriends already.)

Thanks for joining me on-a-whim-Wednesday Jenni! You're the best.
And Shane-- I told you I would.
xo-LP

My girl Monday.

Dear 27,
All girly jams sung about boys.

**Well Playlist.com and I are having some relationship issues. I tried 4-18 times to get this playlist to show up in time for Monday...but it didn't work. So I drew it. Google the songs to experience audial delight.  (ps- I googled audial. Real word.) Happy belated Musical Monday.***



(One to get you started. Plus the video is neat.)

Here's to a week of focus. Or something like that.

**and another update. This week has been far from focused.***
xo-LP