Fiddle-Dee-Dee, Said Scarlett

So, epic update is epic!

I've been really, really busy lately.

Friday I went with 4 dollars of quarters in my pocket and turned it into almost 30 dollars. And not by gambling! I bought cheap library books and sold them back to Hasting's for a profit. I intend to keep doing this for extra cash. Then it was up to Goldwater Lake again for feeding the ducks. We saw our familiar friends - Angry Goose, Happy Goose, Roland Duck, Eddie Duck...who is an absolute dick about bread, we discovered. (And yes, we were careful about what bread we fed them.)

Saturday my niece came over and we headed to Tsunami on the Square. Tsunami is a giant performance arts festival. Acts included world renowned groups such as Clan Tinker, Instruments of the Now, and others. We stayed until around 9 o'clock, and had the time of our lives.

We caught the parade, we grabbed a late breakfast of crepes and coffee, and got seats just in time for the traditional Native American dance. Then it was Irish Step Dancing, where I lamented that I've forgotten everything I ever learned when I was seven. ;) N and A were there and we said hi and chatted a bit, then they were off to try and secure talent for the festival they help run.

We got lunch, I bought a stuffed Jerry Garcia doll that reeks of cannabis - which means I slept with the original Captain Trips last night ;) - and we perused the vendors. Next it was a very creative musician who combined bizarre items, traditional instruments and technology for his songs.

We spent a great deal of time and the hula hoop and poi stand. D and I played with hula hoops - it turns out I'm actually pretty good, thank you giant hips! - and Nija discovered poi! Which she's damn good at. She bought a pair, had a lesson from the really cool woman who makes them, and is impressive already! I'm considering buying a hula hoop the next time they're here. :D

And I danced in the middle of the square, shoes off and hair down in the afternoon heat, not caring. I danced with a little girl and a group of teenagers in tie-dye, we sang along, we danced in rounds and circles...

I was exhausted by the end. Then came Clan Tinker, who were one of my favorite acts of the night. They're a family who perform in a traditional Victorian manner, with all the old standards. Sword swallowing, fire throwing, juggling, tight-rope walking, tumbling... All in full costume. They got quite a round of applause!

Following that we had a gorgeous capoeira demonstration from a group that ranged from four year olds to a 55 year old domo. They were incredible. We sang Portuguese call back songs and clapped.

And then, as Instruments of the Now, the fire dance troupe was setting up, someone taps me on the shoulder and asks if he can sit next to me. We're cramped on the courthouse steps, no room at the inn whatsoever. I look up....and it's one of the Clan Tinker boys. Still in full costume. We get to talking, and he's giving me the inside information on fire dancing and the troup - how long they've been doing it, their message, who was in the original troupe and who's new, what equipment was borrowed throughout the acts...

Somehow we ended up goofing off and cuddling and discussing the Grateful Dead. He liked my Jerry plushie. ;)

By then my back was killing me and it was starting to get cold. Having no medication and no jackets, we decided to head home. There we wound down with pizza and Venture Bros, and then crashed. Heavily.

Now I'm recovering. And I've decided I want to learn fire dancing. And possibly the harp.

So...I went up to Hastings figuring I'd snag a copy of The Drawing of Three. To make sure I didn't blow all my money there - as is a possibility, because I love books and video games and the other shinies they carry - I only brought 20 bucks. For the book and for smokes.

I ended up not only getting The Drawing of Three and a pack of smokes, but a hardcover copy of The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon and the first trade of the Dark Tower graphic novel - The Gunslinger Born.

I am a happy, happy camper.

I also covered the living room walls with all kinds of stuff, and the Battle of Helm's Deep is going on on the living room windowsill. Just...with not as many orcs. And Boromir gets to be there.

Gandalf is guarding the toaster.

(I finally finished unpacking. Sort of. I found a ton of crap I'd been looking for, too, including my little journals. I have three Harry Potter journals and one gorgeous little leather-bound journal that is a replica of Bilbo's - with the initials and inscription and everything.)

My geek flag flies proud. :D

So first off, thank you so much, nekokoban and zinjadu. The package came today! Well, yesterday, actually, but the stupid Fed Ex guy left it in front of the garage. We saw it this morning when we opened the garage before errands. THANK YOU! Seriously. *hugs* I have delicious Japanese snacks and... The Dresden Files books! Huzzah!

Got my shuttle tickets for the airport next week! This time next week, I will be in Salt LakCity with chocomimi! Huzzah!

I went to Safeway with my folks, and was in search of Starbucks' seasonal peppermint dark chocolate mochas. But they didn't have any. Frustrated and wanting my caffeine indulgence - one a month is okay, I've found - I actually went to the starbucks. I came away with a giant peppermint raspberry mocha...thing covered in whipped cream and four different kinds of sauces. I don't know, they guy just put whatever I wanted in it. And I got it for the price of a small. Plus, uh, Starbucks guy's number. Yay boobs!

Last night I was craving savory meat pies. We had a ton of left over chicken, so I mentioned to my folks what I was feeling like. They thought chicken pie sounded delicious. So I made some from scratch, and they each had two and are still raving about the recipe this morning. Since it was such a big hit, I thought I'd share the dough recipe with you all!

( Quick And Easy Savory Pie Crust )

So yeah, I'm in an awesome mood.