Hola de España!

Hello from Spain! I've had a whirlwind first few days. We're currently staying in a parador at the Alhambra. Tour tomorrow! Here's the view from the garden here:

Trip time

On Saturday/Sunday I will be flying here:


and then here:


and then here:


Those top two photos should really be of airports, but nevertheless. I am beyond ready for a break; I could use a relaxing spa getaway, frankly. Though this trip will be the polar opposite of that, I can finally see past the next day at work and I'm starting to get excited.

Ladies' Home Journal, October 1931

I never knew how much bizarre information was contained in vintage women's magazines. Here's some wisdom from a 1931 issue of Ladies' Home Journal:

• Pepsodent had 50 uses, including "under-arm body odor," "canker sores," "halitosis," "Athlete's foot" and "mosquito bites." I wish they'd listed all 50. Hair gel? Sunscreen? Contraceptive?
  
  
• Kotex: soft, disposable, and "can be worn on either side with equal comfort. No embarrassment." Either side of ... what?
  
  
• X-Rays prove fresh yeast best way to correct constipation. Why not try eating Fleischmann's yeast today? Three cakes every day, regularly. (Really. They wanted people to eat three plain cakes of yeast every day. And they were some big cakes.)
  
  
• Marjorie Rambeau doesn't mind admitting it - she's 37 years old! Wow, ancient. She owed her youthful complexion to Lux Toilet Soap. Willing to bet that would be marketed under a different name today.
  
  
• A Bell System ad promoted the use of some new-fangled thing called the telephone. "Boys and girls go to distant schools, but they're always near by telephone. Voice-visit with them often." I wonder if that ever caught on.
  
  
• You know what they recommended for feminine hygiene? LYSOL. No shit. "Properly diluted." And Lord help you if you didn't properly dilute it, I'm sure.
  

Iowa City Adieu

Back from a short business trip to Iowa. Working nights meant that I had a couple of afternoons to explore. I walked around the University of Iowa campus area Thursday afternoon, visiting Prairie Lights book store (remembered fondly from Laura's tour of Iowa City in 2007) and a Java House. There was also a Java House in the hospital, but I sensed it wouldn't be the same.

My hotel in Coralville surprised me by having a deck and river outside the back doors. It also contained the Iowa Writer's Library. Guests can fill out library cards from the books' front pockets and check them out for the duration of their stay. I loved that, and wished I'd had time to read.

Before hitting the road today, I went to the Iowa Antique Car Museum/Johnson County Historical Society Museum. The Historical Society Museum was pretty bad. The exhibits were set up haphazardly in a huge room, with little thematic connection or continuity. And while I appreciated the schoolchildren's cardboard/construction paper models of historical Iowa buildings, it seemed like they shouldn't really be a prominent part of the Historical Museum's collection. I assume they're not operating with a huge budget, so I hope they get a chance to do more. I love Historical Society museums in general, and I wish it well.

The antique car museum (a room next door) was all I'd hoped for, however. A giant room full of old cars, and plenty of room to walk around and view them up close. Antique cars have some crazy hood ornaments. My favorite was a policeman with spinny arms. I also liked the tires with "non skid" treads, and the fancy front lamps on many cars from the 1910's.

Following a short stop at the world's largest truck stop, I'm back in Wisconsin. I like road trips, even solo. Even for work.

Brew Crew #2

Game number two of the season for me, that is. Thanks to the generosity of a family friend with season tickets, Paul, Rob, Tamala and I had third row seats behind the Brewers dugout. It was a great game, even if Bernie Brewer never got to slide down his slide to celebrate a home run. Go Crew!

Controlled burn

I think they did a burn at Badger Prairie. After work this evening I stopped there for a walk, and was startled by how different everything looked. Since last time I was there a couple of weeks ago, the remnants of the tall grasses are all gone. Now there's only black earth with bright green paths cutting through it. Plus the occasional pond.

I felt oddly exposed walking through; I'm used to the plants and grasses hiding everything past the last turn. It was excellent, though, for scouting paths. I already know my way around quite well, but this was an unparalleled opportunity to figure out where the paths connect and diverge on a grand scale. I'll be using this knowledge once the grass is back. (I already see green things sprouting everywhere. I can't wait to chart the prairie's progress throughout the spring and summer.)

The prairie walk was a nice way to relax. After last week's fun, I've been thrust back into deadline city at work. Until next Thursday, things will not be pretty. However, I've been trying to pace myself and not get too stressed or overwhelmed. It helps that I have plenty of things coming up outside work, though even there I must tread lightly in thought. Flight of the Conchords, house guest, Brewers game, Robbie Fulks, friend's wedding, business trip (wait, that's work), EUROPE. Steady, one thing at a time. Too bad my brain always wants to tackle ten.

Milwaukee week

Between Easter Sunday and five minutes ago when I sat down to type, all of my time at home has been spent asleep, getting ready for work, or getting ready for bed. The rest of the time? Work, and Milwaukee.

Here's a photo of my dining room table at the moment - after four days of serving as a place to toss random crap as I'm coming or going. (There would be a Brewers mini helmet there too, but due to nacho cheese sauce remnants I was actually forced to wash it. Therefore, it's in the sink.)


Monday: Work, then Brewers game with Rob, Tamala, and their adorable and energetic girls. First (third) pitch by Jeff Tweedy, sausage races, an interminable top of the 3rd inning, two Brewers home runs despite the loss (see third inning). A mini-helmet full of cheese fries. Seats 8 rows behind home plate. Leave after seventh inning stretch due to long week ahead (and possible lameness.) Drive home. Night one of very little sleep.


Tuesday: Work, then back to Milwaukee for Wilco's first of two shows at the Pabst. Party at Nate and Noel's sweet apartment. A Hawk and a Hacksaw. Slew of friends in from Chicago. Wilco. Two new songs, Wisconsin-centric banter. Great performance of Theologians. Friendly show neighbors. PBR tall boys. Way too late of a night afterward. Drive home. Fill up gas tank. Night two of very little sleep.

Wednesday: Work, then back to Milwaukee for Wilco's second of two shows at the Pabst. Witness part of photo shoot for possible album art featuring fans in line, fans in Nudie suits, and a mysterious birthday cake. Dinner at Safe House. Tamala finds a 6th row ticket on the street and turns it in. Lobby socializing. Wilco. Awesome version of Shouldn't Be Ashamed. General Nels Cline appreciation night. Glenn tries something different in lieu of the Todd Trainor tribute, holding up some huge unidentifiable prop instead. Jeff's Brewers hat is back for the encores. Rocking finale. More lobby socializing. Drive home. Night three of very little sleep.


Thursday: Work. Actually go home, as opposed to Milwaukee. Contemplate how lovely it is outside, but today's ten-minute outdoor walk after lunch at work will have to suffice, because no longer able to move.

All in all? Fantastic. Can we do it again next week?