9, Noon, 3 Dressing

Springtime often leads to confusion for me as to what I should wear to work. Today, for instance, I decided on a sleeveless dress with a heavier cardigan sweater, tights and knee high boots. I was freezing in the morning, am at a reasonable temperature now after lunch, but guarantee I will be sweating hot by the time I leave. I try to dress in layers, but work clothes don't often leave us a lot of room for layering.

I usually struggle until mid-May with the solution. I know that I will be cold in the morning and will need a jacket. I also know that the heat is turned down and there will be no sun in the office windows until 11:00. So, I need a jacket and a sweater and probably tights. But, once the sun starts blazing through the windows and I start moving around a lot, the sweater is maybe too much. So are the tights, but that's a whole other ball game. However, when I take the sweater off, I'm too cold. So, I put it back on. Oh, wait, now I'm sweating into my silk/cashmere blend. Okay, off it goes. Now I'm shivering. It's a vicious cycle.

I just want it to be consistently warmer so I can just bust out my summer work clothes and go from there.

Finding Nemo: The Musical

Here, at the Theater In The Wild, is a charming staged rendition of Finding Nemo. There's singing and dancing and awesome fish puppets. It's basically a Broadway play, except at the Animal Kingdom.

The theater show follows the movie almost exactly. The story is so adorable and they don't leave anything out. Nemo goes to school and gets lost. Then he is in a dentist office fish tank, but he makes a daring bust out back to the ocean. He meets sharks, turtles and seagulls before finally finding his dad. So heartwarming.

The visuals are also pretty amazing. The show is filled with elaborate puppets and costumes. It's almost as if you believe that the fish are swimming around you...and talking and singing.

Here's the downside. This shit is L-O-N-G. It's forty-five minutes to be exact, which is a really long time to hold the attention of young toddlers and middle-aged fathers. The other bad part is the theater only has stadium seating. So, you are sitting for forty-five minutes with no back support. They definitely don't advertise that either. I'm a young buck and it's a long time for my back to go without any support.

Long story short, Finding Nemo is a cute show, but be prepared to sit for awhile. And warn your husbands about it. Many of them may want to go take a bench nap instead of sitting in the theater.

I'm giving this one 3/5 stars. Maybe 7/10. It would be higher if not for the length.

Oh, Wisconsin and another RAD

I have a general dislike for Wisconsin. Perhaps it's that whole Minnesota-Wisconsin rivalry. Or perhaps it's the fact that I sometimes drive in Woodbury and the complete disregard for all driving norms goes out the window with Wisconsin drivers. I mean, honestly, either learn to drive or stay off of our roads.

Okay, that rant is over. But, now I will rant about the situation that is happening for them politically.

Here's the skinny, I am, technically, a worker of the government. But, I am not in a government union. Therefore, I think I can see the situation from both sides of the coin. You guys, local governments are financially drying up. You can blame this on whoever you want to politically (I blame dems, but that's because I'm a fiscal conservative), but it's not going to solve the problem that we don't have enough money to continue paying government workers the way that we are paying them. This isn't just the case in Wisconsin, but I'd be willing to guess it's the case all over the country.

I don't think this is just because of the economic downturn, but I also think that baby boomer problem that people have been warning us about for years is starting to rear it's ugly little baby booming head. The working world is top heavy. People are retiring at a later age, working less days of the year, producing less work at a later age in life and yet being paid more for it. That's a problem in both the government and the private sector.

The thing with the government is that a lot of government employees are unionized, which allows them to hold onto their salary raises and yearly inflation increases even though their employer can't really afford it.

All I am saying is that government employees, much like employees in the private sector, may need to make some sacrifices in order to help get our economy back on track.

So, let's get back to Wisconsin. What appalled me in Wisconsin was those elected officials who chose to hide like little babies instead of fighting for their constituents. Even if you feel like you are on the losing side, the least you could do is stick around so that your voice is heard. That's what we elect you for. And I know a lot of people who have applauded their civil disobedience, but come on that's not really civil disobedience. Civil disobedience is when Washington DC decided to chop down a bunch of cherry trees in order to build the Jefferson Memorial and ladies chained themselves to the trees in protest. They were arrested and the trees were still chopped down, but their voice was heard. Now, that is civil disobedience.

Civil disobedience is not hiding with your tail between your legs because you don't like what the government is going to do. Thoreau would laugh in their faces.

And I would RAD them on my blog. So, there you go, my second RAD of the month is to the elected Wisconsin officials in hiding for their total Random Acts of Douchebaggery.

The Monster of Florence

I was reading this book at work one day and a coworker said to me "My, that's a titillating cover." Comments like that make me really glad for my kindle.

Here's what I will say after reading this book, don't even think about crime if you are in Italy. And, should you find yourself even near a crime whilst in Italy, you should probably get the hell out of dodge. The Italian court system is not what we are used to here in the good old U.S. of A.

Let's get to brass tacks. The book is interesting. It involves a series of murders that takes place in and around Florence from the late 60's to the 80's. It was apparently big news in Italy and everyone was freaked out about this Monster of Florence. There were also multiple people arrested for the crimes and eventually there were charges and convictions. However, the book casts some serious doubt on the people who were actually convicted. Like, serious doubt...as in, the Monster could still be out there.

Where the plot thickens is when an American author (Douglas Preston) moves his family to Florence to write a book. He becomes involved with Mario Spezi, who was a journalist involved in the Monster of Florence case, and the two begin writing articles about the case. The articles were critical of the Italian justice system and eventually caused the two to be under investigation for being accomplices to the murders. No joke, either. What happens to the two of them provides really great insight into a different country's justice system. Let me just tell you guys that the rules are a wee bit different in other countries.

I loved this book, but had new found love for it when I read the Afterward. Normally I ignore both Prefaces and Afterwards, but in this case I didn't. The Afterward talks about another situation in which an American has recently been charged with brutal crimes in Italy, I'm talking about Amanda Knox. The author gives some interesting details and similarities between his situation and experiences in Italy and what happened to her. Many of the same people are involved and he suggests that perhaps there is more to look into there. I can't wait for a similar book to come out on her...and no, I'm not talking about the Lifetime movie. That'll be the shits.

So, 4/5 or 8/10 stars for this one. If you're into this type of thing you will love it.

Fashion Smashion

Crocs with bows are not fashion. Just because you make them girlier does not make them acceptable. I really don't understand Crocs.

Anyhow, I am bored with fashion. Anyone else feeling this way? Usually at this time of year I am seriously craving a shopping spree. I am so bored and tired of all of my wintery clothes and just want to rejuvenate my wardrobe. I was starting to move some stuff around in my closet so that some of my more wintery things would be outta sight, outta mind, but the weather isn't good enough even to begin wearing some of my spring things.

Even though I'm jonesing to spend money, I just perused the websites of some of my favorite fashion retailers and I am underwhelmed. Boring colors, too many ruffles and far too few dresses and skirts. I guess I'm just not into this floraly, safari romper style that people are selling. I guess it's good on my pocketbook, but definitely doesn't cure my boredom.

I wish I could say I was above being entertained by buying a new shirt or skirt or something, but one of the few joys of the working world is going into work wearing something new. It kind of gives you a new outlook to a cubicle filled existence. I'm hoping the warmer temperatures will bring us some cuter options in clothing.

Random Acts of Douchebaggery

This car assaults my senses. There are flames and tigers, which I don't think actually go together because as powerful as a tiger is, flames would kill him the same as you and me. Let's get another look-see.
That is still pretty offensive. I mean, what did the car do to deserve this kind of treatment?

I really do believe this is an act of douchebaggery to all on the roads. Not only do we have to look at this atrocity, but it will also distract people which could cause huge accidents. Thanks asshole.

This animal sanctuary tiger is also offended. Grrrrr.

March, You Are Wrong

This dog is coming for you March. And he is pissed. March, you have sucked hard and we are only on day four. March is supposed to bring the promise or spring. It's supposed to bring a small glimpse of April and May. I don't need to see February and January. I just saw them. And I spit on them.

There is not one day in the ten-day forecast that gives us temperatures of greater than 39 degrees. NOT ONE DAY! Horrible.

So, I am a cranky bitch and it's all because of the weather. I'm actually not asking for much. Just a couple of sunny days with temperatures of 42 degrees, maybe 45. But, I don't want to be greedy.

In other news...I achieved my February resolution and read two whole books. I celebrated March's Eve with the David Gray concert and it was just as awesome as you would think it was. I have also made a March resolution to clean my car.