Been working the whole Cub Scout thing to death the last few days, and it’s going to be an “All Cub Scouts, All The Time” sort of week.

We have a meeting on Thursday, for which I actually have to prepare this time. It involves making a demonstration model of a crafty thing we’ve been working on. This week I need to have a finished product to show them and then show them how to finish it. So expect me to be knee deep in wire and paint and origami paper.

Then on Saturday we have the Big Awards Dinner, which, mercifully I am not in charge of, but I am assisting here and there. So I have a thing or two (or three …or 57) to do for that too.

None of this is especially taxing, but it’s there and - hoo boy - am I ever aware of it.

Meanwhile, what I really want to do is curl up in a ball and finish Kavalier & Clay, now that I’ve found it again. I am a terrible person. I can’t seem to keep track of a book long enough to finish it. I was ready to put this one on the back burner because I didn’t remember where I’d put it but then I found it again over the weekend and now I don’t want to do anything else except read it. Which is good because I have managed to misplace Lolita, but bad because I promised KBL I’d read her book next. So not only am I terrible in terms of my carelessness with The People’s Books, but I am a terrible friend too.

But she already knew that.

But –

In other exciting news, before the aforementioned Big Dinner, I am spending the day Saturday with my sister and our dad’s significant other. She insisted that we not give her anything for Christmas (yeah, right) so my sister and I conspired to give her a day of manicures, girly frou frou lunch and antiquing. She can’t resist any of these things, and yet you can’t put it in a box – so we got away with giving her a Christmas present after all, because we are so sneaky.

So I will be getting a manicure for the first time ever. Since I’ve never had one and I rarely, if ever, pay attention to my nail/cuticle area, I expect that they will have to call in the experts to work on me, and even then it may take all day. I am both looking forward to the experience and filled with dread at the prospect. I imagine it will be fun sitting there bitching and gossiping and getting pampered like they do in the movies, but it’s probably going to hurt and they are probably going to laugh at me.

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Last night I actually watched the Grammys for the first time in – well, maybe for the first time ever.

Here is my review:

Seeing my boyfriend Sting rocking out with his old pals = pretty nifty.

That they played “Roxanne” = predictable.

Seeing Mary J. Blige, one of the more over-rated singers on the planet, win every conceivable award and be treated like royalty = annoying.

Tribute to James Brown = moving.

That guitar-playing chick from the Dixie Chicks = scary eyes.

Watching Justin Timberlake try to prove that he is a real musician by playing both the piano and guitar during the show (which really should have been called “The Justin Timberlake Show”) = intriguing.

Seeing two high school kids get an opportunity to play violin and piano on national television as a demonstration of why we should support the arts in schools = really cool.

Missing OK GO win the Grammy for best video because it wasn’t considered important enough to air = giant bummer.

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Alrighty. I’ve been typing this off and on all day and now it’s time for me to close up shop. I have some Valentine’s Day shopping to do and then I’m off to orchestra rehearsal. I’m not buying anything spectacular, mind you, but I do want to pick up a little something for each of the kids. I guess I will give my husband a gift too.

I’ve already told him that I don’t expect an extravaganza. I would rather he surprise me with something romantic when he feels moved to do so, instead of doing it this Wednesday because it’s Valentine’s Day. Frankly, it’s too much pressure for the poor man.

But, that said, I don’t think we should ignore the day either. Maybe we can use it as an excuse to be lovey (like we need one), but not necessarily a demand to be.

Besides, he knows what I want, and baby let me tell you – it ain’t difficult.



Reading:
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay - Michale Chabon

Hearing:
James Edwards - Canarios
(classical guitar from magnatune.com - check it out)

Playing:
With two Cleveland Orchestra members tonight.

Needing:
To leave work and go shopping.

In My Car CD Player:
The mix CD of standards that we played as guests arrived at our wedding. The last song I was listening to was "At Last", by Etta James. It was our first dance. I love to sing it when I am alone in the car and pretend that I can do the song justice. But deep down I know there is only one Etta James. And I am not her.