(image above, Henry Darger drawing)

Last night we went and saw The Queen, came home in a blinding swirl thanks to a sudden snow squall that had us recalling this act of supreme stupidity this very weekend last year. Tara is here, so we settled in around the kitchen island, woodstove stoked, wine glasses filled with Fleur (she has decided this is "my" signature wine and who am I to oppose such blinding wisdom?) and prawns from Alaska that tasted like lobster.

Tara and T got into a rousing political conversation as I (oh so drunkenly) whipped up some steaks grilled in fresh ground ginger, garlic, red pepper and god knows what else as I improvised with a high degree of unwarranted brio, ending with a bright green layer of broccoli spread throughout.

And, that was dinner. As I was clearly not in a thoughtful menu planning state of mind and somehow missed the inclusion of, oh I don't know RICE? Potato? Bread? Anything-- a salad?

Fortunately, my dining partners were also enjoying the effects of our chosen red and didn't seem to notice anything was missing.

My contribution to the conversation? A rousing defense of John Mayer's unfortunate dalliance with the empty-headed bimbo Jessica Simpson. I will share with no small modesty that I WON TARA OVER! HA. Take that former NPR senior producer and debating champion.

My argument? That our darling John, though a musical savant and gifted so supremely in his mastery of the guitar is, as many brilliant types are, retarded in other areas: specifically, he is (my estimate) emotionally around 14 years old. Therefore, Jessica Simpson fulfills his 14-year old self who was not popular or going out with "the girls' when he was in junior high school and still needs to fulfill that fantasy.

I give him six months to come to his senses, ten tops. After that, I recant.

After dinner, we watched The Magdalene Sisters. WHY? Oh Why?!! Because Tara had never seen it. T excused himself a quarter of the way in, he gets too upset. I soldiered through so as not to leave Tara alone with this most disturbing film. As a result, I slept not so much last night.

Many, too many, thoughts swirling in my head.

This morning, the sun is pouring in-- we gathered around the island for coffee, blood orange juice, bagels, alaskan smoked salmon, cream cheese, tomatoes-- you know the drill. And, prezzies! Yes, another birthday has rolled up to the shore.

I also ended up opening a book I bought myself in New York that I had every intention of enjoying long ago-- but that was before I started working 11 hour days and both weekend days (god, someone STOP me-- I am not a "busy" type-- HAaaaaate busy-- but sometimes, the busy goddess, she must have her way with me). So, I opened my book and got completely carried away and now I need to do a whole post about my passion for Henry Darger.

I have never shared with you my passion for Henry Darger. I must. Whether you want to hear it or not. But in this moment I've got people yelling for me to get off the computer and come outside for a big hike in the sparkling snow, yada yada yada.

So-- Darger-- next blog post.

Til then-- let's have a big shout out for YEAR OF THE PIG!

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