The Lusty Mutts and other poorly chose band names

So the other day, I was driving to Homer Glen with my boss. We passed a nasty cavern bar deal and saw an advertisement for "THE LUSTY MUTTS". Horrible name for a band regardless of genre. However, it did trigger a great memory of a youth ministry blooper....

I was driving some teens back home after having seen The Pirates of the Caribbean with them. One girl was sitting in the front and 2 guys were sitting in the back. I asked the girl, whom we shall call - the girl, what her weekend plans were. She boldly answered... "I am going to a Drunk Whore show". I, being the savvy and cool youth group leader was not to be taken aback by such a horrible sounding show replied nonchalantly..."oh is that a punk or garage band that you like?" (In my defense, she did lean towards punk). "No" she said... "Its a Drunk Whore show". "I heard you", I replied... "but what kind of music does Drunk Whore play?" I realized now, that she realized that I was not nearly cool enough to know any songs by this band or have heard of them. The girl said..."not Drunk Whore.... Its Drunk Whore". So I was super confused and asked "Where is Drunk Whore playing?" Now she was kind of laughing and so were the boys in the backseat... so the girl proceeded to spell the bands name... D - R- U - M C - O - R - E... A highschool band drumming competition. I felt a bit foolish - but laughed. It is a great memory.

Peace and percussion

Kerma

Milwaukee sucks and Elk are elusive at best.

Last summer my mom sent me some great earrings. They were great. That was redundant and repetitive. They were pewter Elk... dangly style. They would have been the perfect addition to my crazeeee holiday getup. However, I have misplaced them. Wierd, not really, not on its own. But, sadly I seem to have misplaced 3 pairs of earrings... the only ones that I wear. I have no idea what is wrong with me... in addition to the elk, I have lost my emerald earrings that I got for Christmas last year and my silver hoops which I suspect my sister has unbeknownst to her. Ok, the back fell off of one of the emerald ones and I lost it... I have one of them, but I am not a man of the 80s, so one earring does me no good. Sis, if you are reading, I think in the pocket of my duffle that you are holding for paint ransom is some jewelry... could you verify that for me. That would be great - thanks.

On a way sadder note of losing things... my good friend is being transferred to Milwaukee. Sure, I know, it looks great on Laverne and Shirley. Oh, to work in a brewery. Sadly that is not her job. Even if it were, Milwaukee is not here. This is a way bigger loss than those great Elk
danglies. So to the city that steals my friend... I say- JERK! To the elusive abyss that has taken my elk and hoops and emerald... I say - I SHAKE MY FIST AT YOU!

May you find all that you seek.
Peace and Elk.

Kerma

Ego emai sto spiti

Translation: I am in the house... That's right, I cooked a stellar Greek meal this evening. It was most fabulous. I made spanokopita, Greek Salad, fried zucchini, kutopulo sluvaki, melanzana salata and there was tsaziki. Authentic, perhaps not. But it was splendid, and I am full (of myself, evidently).

Here's the story though... I had to go to Springbrook in search fro the tsaziki ( I did not make this part). I love that store, very international. I looked high and low and eventually found it in the deli under the name "cucumber sauce"... that is not very fun, or nearly as fun as saying "tsaziki". However, just as I was turned looking at the Feta, I looked up into the smile of a very cute latino. I had seen him before at this store... he definitely works there. I, of course, smiled back and went on my way. As I checked out, I believe I was being "checked out", which I rarely think, but it made my day as I walked out and he waved goodbye. Then, only to make the day much much better, Vanilla Ice "Ice, Ice Baby" was on the radio. So it was a good ego day. Funny how the Greek word for "I" is spelled "ego" in our alphabet.

My friend Christy had a fun "cute boy" story today as well. Check out her blog... ccp1979.blogspot.com. She was honked at... will the romance never end? So wierd boys are (said with Yoda accent).

s'agapo (greek for...)

KER...

Just Plain Bad

describes the hot chocolate to a "T" (what does that expression mean anyway?). How can a coffee shop that makes such incredible coffee fail so miserably in making something as simple as cocoa. I can open a packet and poor hot water and have better cocoa than that and it would not cost me $3.50. Sorry, I was just a little disappointed.

However, I saw the move Glory Road. It was good. IF you like the sports inspirational based on a true story, cinderella story type movie. You know the type... good coach meets mixed up kids, works them hard, seems mean but really loves them, the team is the underdog and ends up winning the NCAA or something. Yep... the recipe for a great sports movie, right there.

Also, today was a great day. I worked with Sherri. I have not for a while and I had missed it. I helped her finish an old style map on the ceiling of a den. I just painted the edges and made them look old. She worked on the direction star thing and the longitude and latitude lines. I used to remember which was longitude and which was latitude because latitude was fatitude, thereby wider, so horizontal. I also used to picture Tarzan in my head though when carrying the "1" in addition, so whatever - I am visual. (He was on a vine with a giant "1" in his arms, sailing through the air to the next number - very wierd). After sharing this secret about my adolescent mind, I am feeling a bit vulnerable, so I must go to bed.

good hot chocolate and vine swinging for all.

Kerma

Rather Large Growl

It happens you know. A quiet place. You hope that you are alone when it happens though. Not today. I was in staff meeting... which I love and am very fortunate to be a part of. One member was discussing fairly serious issues... actually, it was just a sombering day the whole day and my stomach seemed to be amplified as if on microphone. GROWWWLLLLLL.... the long kind that tickles. It was great.

My roomate and I played "the game" tonight. For any HoneyRockers out there, you know what I am talking about. She claimed to beat me, but when we ended it was a tie, so my champion title has remained in tact... except for the unfortunate "Matt" game. I lost to him, it doesn't count. It is a great game. All you need is a table and a condiment. As you face your opponent from the opposite side of the table you slide the condiment from your side to the opponents side (hands off of course) and if the condiment ends with a bit of the container coming off of the table but is still on the table, your opponent has to eat the condiment. I recommend the use of tobasco, horseradish, pepper, dijon mustard and the like. I am reigning champion. I guess it is like cafeteria style carpet ball :-)

may your tables be protected from scratches caused by "the game"

the reigning champ

shower schmower

Ok. No - I do not hate showers. I just went to one this evening... to celebrate the soon to be baby of some friends. I just think they are a little wierd. Although I must admit the games are much better than they used to be. No more smelling the melted candy bar in a diaper to guess what kind of candy bar. (SO GROSS). Tonight we played bingo and I won nothing.

to bed.

k

Scandalous Air - a shirt tucker in the making

Did I mention that I seem to get pegged at the security places in airport terminals. I think it is my name. It is a bit ambiguous in terms of nationality. Anyway, there were about 10 lanes for metal detector-ing. I was asked if I was traveling alone. Affirmative, I was sent to the last line that had some kind of other special machine in addition to the metal detector. It resembles a metal detector but it is bigger and has doors on the exit side. So I walk in it, with my shoes on but having to remove my hoodie. Then random puffs of air start nailing me. This air lifted my shirt from its intended position - nearly to my armpits. I grabbed it, pulled it down and looked behind me to the TSA lady who not so nicely said: STAND STILL. Meanwhile, there was much laughing by the people who witnessed the ordeal. Crazy. Well then the air molecules are analyzed by the machine to make sure the passenger is not carrying any dangerous chemicals. I suppose I am thankful for the add'l security, but they should have warned me to tuck my shirt in.

While in FL, my nephew seemed a bit confused at all the candles at the Sunday Christmas service. He asked if we were at Hannukuh. So great. Then my niece, who calls me Tohma... I asked her if she wanted to sit on my lap - NO. So I asked if I could sit on her lap - NO, Tohma's butt's big. HA. I love these kids.

I took my oldest neice to see the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. It was great. We ate candy and popcorn and drank much pop. Do things get better. Well, actually it could have been better if this theatre had Milk Duds and it did not. That is the favorite candy of both me and my niece. MMMmmmm Milk Duds.

May chocolate and carmelly goodness fill your day.

K

GONE FISHIN'

So I went to "The Sunshine State" for Christmas this year... yes, FLORIDA. It was warm, but not quite as warm as I anticipated it would be. I went fishing with my dad. I wore waders for the first time in my life. The last time I recall fishing with my dad, I was far to small for the waders being only 8ish years old. I wore a life jacket that time with a string that tied from me to my dad as he went a little deeper than I could reach. I remember bobbing in the life jacket trying to hold a fishing pole. It was easier this time. I was not connected to my dad with a string. The waders get really tight against your legs though as you go into the water and all of the air is pushed out of them. It is a really odd feeling.

My whole family was at the residence of my parental units. It was fun. It was crazy. It was a little loud. There was good food. I enjoyed being with them all. I had a litte space to call my own while I was there that allowed for a bit of retreat when I needed it. But the kids were great - and very cute - which covers a multitude of sins - or wait, thats Love.

It is 2006. WOW. I cant believe it. I moved here 7 New Year's Eves ago. I guess this is sort of home. I dont think I have lived in any other cities for this long. Yeah, I have never lived in any town this long before...

I am heading to Honey Rock in the morning. Very excited. Cross Country skiing - WOOHOO.

Oh yeah, I caught 3 fish.

May 2006 bring Donald Miller to your door.

Peace and Pescado (fish)

K