Yes, it's late. Bear with me. Teen 1 had yet another birthday this week, and his birthday present was a trip to Myth Nightclub to see a bunch of bands including Lamb of God and Children of Bodom. Guess who picked that present.
See, here's the thing. If you live in/near the Twin Cities, let me just say that I live in Eden Prairie, and the Myth is in Maplewood, which is sort of like leaving L.A. for a concert in NYC. To make things even more fun, a couple members of Lamb of God staged a meet-and-greet at Capitol Guitars in St. Paul. That's sort of like stopping in Atlanta on the way to NYC.
Sure, I exaggerate. Would you expect anything less?
Anyway. There were, like, five bands. The show started at six and got done shortly before midnight, leaving a long trek back to the Prairie. I'm not the kind of person who can just crash as soon as I arrive home--I have to sit up and read for a while or watch TV. So, yeah. Short on sleep today.
In case you're wondering how I spent my time while The Teen and his friend went to the concert, I spent most of it at a Caribou Coffee, knitting merrily away (finished a whole gusset!) and eavesdropping a very entertaining group of hunters who went from discussing entrails to a spirited discussion of who's the bigger diva, Stevie Nicks or Christine McVie. This discussion was prompted when one of the hunters flipped open his camera phone and started showing off pictures of big bass he's caught and found some photos of Stevie Nicks in concert.
Word to the wise? If you're in a public coffee shop? Talking loudly? And there's a quiet middle-aged lady hunched nearby, knitting furiously, not looking at you, and she stops every now and then, grabs her cell phone, types a quick text, and goes back to her knitting? Chances are really good that she's Twittering about you.
I'm just sayin'.
Anyway, again. Recently I finished a fine biography of Flannery O'Connor, the great Southern writer whose work I love. I learned many interesting things about her. Especially about her favorite drink.
Coke and coffee. Say! Doesn't that sound exactly like something a sleep-deprived person needs? I'm fully aware that Coke made its own version of this some time ago (Coke Blak, anyone?), but that was gross. Just like lemon-flavored colas are gross, whereas a cola with fresh lemon is delightful and refreshing. Therefore, I felt this deserved an opportunity to shine away from the Coca-Cola factory.
So I brewed some coffee, poured it over ice to halfway up the glass, poured in some regular Coke, and stirred it.
Umm. Didn't feel the love.
So I tried the Diet Coke.
Yeah. No. Not so much. The regular Coke was better, a little sweeter, not surprisingly. But overall? Flannery, my dear, you can have it.
I'll still love your stories.
If I'd known that they were going to be done by midnight I would've let Gameboy go....guess which teen is really not happy with me.
Posted by: cursingmama | May 04, 2009 at 11:10 AM
6?? in the afternoon????
Done by midnight? You are lucky. I remember playing golf with friends in Andorra who did the same for their teens - except it was midnight... to start and 6 am to finish!
Posted by: katie | May 02, 2009 at 01:20 PM
I was wondering where the Twitter about Stevie Nicks came from - I love eavesdropping in cafes, too.
Posted by: melanie | May 02, 2009 at 12:20 PM
I'm on a Hemingway kick right now, but I'll be switching over to Somerset Maugham soon. Flannery O'Connor is on my list, too.
Posted by: Heather | May 02, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Well, Flannery DID have some weird and unsavory quirks.
Posted by: Miss T | May 02, 2009 at 07:47 AM
I'll pass on the coke and coffee too, but I admire your willingness to give it a shot.
Posted by: rudee | May 02, 2009 at 07:27 AM
OK. Coke and coffee would make my heart explode.
Posted by: Guinifer | May 01, 2009 at 10:35 PM
I love food/drink experiences, but I'm thinking that I'll just trust you that it wasn't so great. I can't stand to adulterate my coffee...unless it's with raw sugar, half and half, or maybe cream if I'm feeling particularly undisciplined.
Posted by: Caroline | May 01, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Shoot! I thought you were going to tell me it was wonderful, especially the Diet! I guess I'll have to stick to creamer.
Posted by: Maria | May 01, 2009 at 07:53 PM
See that's what I thought when I read A Good Man Is Hard To Find. I didn't care for her at all.
Posted by: bezzie | May 01, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Coke and coffee? Coffee yes. I don't even like milk in it.
That's my Friday recipe? I finally realize that it's actually Friday and this is what I get? [sobs]. Just because I've been scarce for eons and you've been traipsing the length and breadth of the country.....
Posted by: Carrie K | May 01, 2009 at 06:42 PM
Can't drink coffee anymore (sad sad thing) and really don't like Coke, or most any north american pop (way too fizzy and sweet). So, um, you're braver than me for even trying it!
Posted by: kate | May 01, 2009 at 06:01 PM
*shudders at the thought of Coke'n'Coffee*
Posted by: Chris | May 01, 2009 at 05:46 PM
Life is just so much more rich knowing there is someone like you who will try out these things for us. Thank you ;-)
I drove Older Son and three friends to a Tool concert in St. Paul a few years back before he had his license. 60+ miles each way. We moms will do anything for our boys.
Posted by: kmkat | May 01, 2009 at 05:31 PM
I'm impressed that you tried it!!
Posted by: beverly | May 01, 2009 at 04:57 PM
OK, love Coke. Like Coffee a lot. Glad you tried Flannery's drink, not me! I guess I'll pass.
Posted by: Starling | May 01, 2009 at 04:40 PM