Umm, read me?

[apple_pathways]

I had a minor twinge of agoraphobia in Dick's Sporting Goods today. I went there because I need a new combination lock, and I thought they might have a larger selection than the local hardware store. And I had time to kill.

WHY IS THAT PLACE SO FUCKING HUGE? It's just...wow. Yeah, I think it was a combination of the sheer size of the place, the cheerful tenacity of the fleet of employees who ambushed me at the door, the ubiquity of creepy, looming mannequins, and the unshakeable feeling that I DO NOT BELONG that set me off. As I was riding up the escalator (why does a sporting goods store need an escalator???), I got that strange feeling of unreality that always precedes a panic attack. Fortunately, I was snapped out of a full-blown attack when I was cheerfully greeted by the phrase 'WATER SPORTS' displayed prominently in giant yellow letters right above my head. (Having a mental age of ~13 years old really helps out in a pinch.) I had a hearty chuckle while fingering the goggles, then turned right around and took the down escalator the hell outta there. (And bought a really snazzy new combo lock from the hardware store.)


I have a new student. He is 6 and in the first grade. He can't read, he can barely count, and he lacks even the simple ability to stay in his chair for three minutes while I speak to another student. (He gets up and hides under the table.)

The real problem is not that I had to remind him to sit in his chair about three times over the course of the hour: that I don't mind so much. The real problem is the other students, who think it's so OUTRAGEOUSLY FUNNY every time he does it. It was mildly irritating today, when there was only three other students on hand. Tomorrow there will be EIGHT. FML.

(Before anyone thinks I'm a heartless bitch, he really is a sweet kid, and I know I'll be able to help him. It just takes weeks to train the little ones to a level of self-sufficiency where they can work independently for five minutes at a stretch without shouting across the room, raising their hand after each and every answer, and getting up and wandering off in the middle of their session. Seriously, what kind of hippie schools are these kids going to? Are they just kept in large, foam-padded, free-range pens where they're allowed to wander at will? Why is it such a surprise that I want them to choose a chair and SIT IN IT? THIS IS WHAT THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL SYSTEM HATH WROUGHT!)

I need a drink.

Anyway.

Students Who Crack Me Up:

Henry: "I've got a present for you! ...it's my study guide." [dramatic pause] "SPOILER ALERT!"

Max: [makes loud grunting, snuffling noises through his nose] [looks up at me] "I hate it when people do that!" [I try not to laugh, because he's been talking during his whole session, and I want him to settle down and start his homework. I fail and start giggling uncontrollably] "See, I knew you wanted to laugh! Ya gotta let it out: it's good for you!"

Going to Chicago this weekend! I'll be visiting my friend Kelly and her new family, my friend Cassie, her husband, and their 6 month old baby Ella, and Miss evilhippo, my lovely Queen of All Things Meta and Surreal. (We'll work on the title.) The plan is to do the museums and just catch up with friends, but if there's anything super fun or super special I should check out while I'm there, do let me know.

Now, four songs I've had on constant repeat lately:

"Skinny Love", by Birdy. A cover of the Bon Iver song. It's just...well, gorgeous. And I've read the singer is only 14. WHAT?

"Little Talks", by Of Monsters and Men. According to all 'the blogs', this group from Iceland is going to be the Next Big Thing. I don't know about that. But this song is really catchy, and supremely happy-making. I was singing it all day at work today. "Hey!"

"A Million Years", by Alex Ebert. The frontman of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes (and others) gone solo. I first heard this song a couple months ago, but just got around to buying the album. I haven't listened to the rest of the album enough to give a real opinion, but this song is sweet and fun. Like candy! (Damn, why don't people pay me to review music?!)

"Pumped-Up Kicks", by Foster The People. This group, likewise, is all over. They have a couple other songs floating around the blogosphere, but this is my favorite. Gets stuck in my head like nobody's business!

Comments

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

Fortunately, I don't get full-on panic attacks much at all anymore! BUT, this is the closest I've come in recent memory. ;)

Dinner would be awesome! I'm spending Saturday downtown visiting museums with the married friends--the ones with the baby who goes to bed at 6:30! So, I imagine I'll be done with them well before dinnertime. As long as it's not too expensive (more than $30.00/person) I am down with whatever! We can try someplace new you've wanted to visit, or go to an old favorite. I'm a total foodie, and will pretty much eat anything.

Gonna check out that link now!

[evilhippo.livejournal.com]

Only $30? I wanted to go to Alinea! (-; But really... $30 is totally doable. I've been meaning to go to the Publican (they serve sweetbreads!), though that'd butt up against the upper limit, especially if we got drinks (definitely one of the "foodie" choices, though).

The main way I've learned my way around most Chicago restaurants is to pick an ethnicity, go to that neighborhood, and pick the place that looks best. That tends to be hit and miss, though, and to be honest what I'm probably going to do is poke around the LTH Forums, which is where all the Chicago food snobs hang out and debate restaurants/grocery stores/where to find the best pickled shark fin/etc. (basically, my favorite Chicago forum ever). (-;

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

My estimate of $30 does not include tip, tax, or beverages, so don't let it be too much of a restriction! (I am always willing to shell out for drinks. Always. :P)

The Publican looks yummy, actually! There's a lentil and escargot dish I'd like to try. (It has a French name. You can pronounce it for me, so I don't feel like an idiot. :P) And they "showcase" produce grown by inmates in a program that helps them get their Master Gardener certification. (I totally eat that shit up, being a social worker and all. :P)

Anyway, that place looks good to me, but let me know if you turn up anything exciting on that forum!

[evilhippo.livejournal.com]

It completely depends on what you're up for. Downtown tends to be classier and foodier, whereas the neighborhoods trend into the more "authentic" stuff (I'm currently looking at the menu for a well-reviewed Thai place that serves "Fried Worms (Bamboo Caterpillars) $5.50" and "Yum Jelly Fish $5.95 Jelly fish, onion, cilantro mixed with Thai spicy sauce"). LTH is great for the latter. If we're going to do the downtown thing, I think the Publican is our best bet, since it comes highly recommended but is still new to me. I'd just need to remember to make reservations, because it tends to be busy on Saturday nights. (-:

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

I feel up for a foodie adventure! Let's go for the Publican, if that works out for you.

[evilhippo.livejournal.com]

Publican it is! That was easy. (-;