Raw

THIS happened at work last night:














It was an event put on by Raw Austin, "natural born artists is an independent arts organization that hand selects and spotlights independent creatives in visual art, film, fashion, music, hair & makeup artistry, models, photography, and performing art".

Anyway, it was chaos, and raw is coincidentally how I felt all day. There were dudes shirtless and painted blue with 4 foot peacock headdresses, women covered in fake gore for the movie make-up category, topless girls wearing nothing but paint or an 'x' of black tape, rock bands and Lord knows what else, I was neck deep in nonstop bartending from 8pm to 1am. Bed at 4:30am and howling babies at 8am. Deep breath.

Evan went to Dallas today with My Jerusalem to play a show, and they even took Wolfie as their 2 day tour manager. They played next door at the Mohawk last night (necessitating two babysitters) and recorded a short set and interviews at Frank restaurant for Transistor 6. More photos later. Mommy is too tired to upload.

The monsters and I took a family nap and wandered around Target looking for shower inspiration for Dara's baby party, I made them peanut butter sandwiches and popcorn for dinner while watching Chitty Chitty Bang-Bang and I fully intend to eat chips and queso for my midnight dinner while watching Braveheart.
Goodnight.

"Girls love queso." -Matt Bricker

Kiss my Koffee

Sometimes, you're just really hard up for a baby sitter.

Okay, it's just Jeff, dressed as Gene Simmons, pretending to be me. Back in the baby Ruby days when we still had enough spare time to execute cockamamie photo schemes like this one.

I feel like I used to be funnier, weirder, but now I'm just tired all the time. Did all my life force go into my children? Are they using it to destroy my house? No. But sometimes it feels that way. Boundless energy encapsulated in cute, swaddled in diapers*, wrapped in a tortilla, popped into my mouth. Delicious naughty birds.

Anyway, "Unkie" Jeff Klein heads one of Evan's bands My Jerusalem that I've mentioned before and has a new blog and some free microphone and album giveaway. Thought I'd kill two birds with one stone and post these awesome old pictures and give you the link to win win win. Make sure you check out their new video featuring my mister playing every instrument.
Happy Tuesday!

*Ruby is finally potty trained!!!

Sparklers instead of Rice

We spent most of the day cleaning and organizing, re-potting plants and dusting. Hilariously exciting. Well, I cleaned and Ruby went around behind me making new messes. Jesse just Be'd cute and ate peaches. Evan was in Utrecht, the mini, better Amsterdam today, playing the Paradiso*. They take an early morning ferry back to ye olde Londontowne for their last show, thank the Lord.

I have a rare Thursday night free since I pawned my shift off on Heidi and now that I've gotten the sugarmonsters to sleep, what the heck do I do? Hulu and malbec with my lovely neighbor? Very yes. (and Jesse, turns out)

I found some mystery picture disks** today so I will treat you to some never before seen
snapshots of our sparklers-instead-of-rice wedding party. Hard to believe we're coming up on our 4th anniversary next month. Hooray, love!





*photo of Paradiso show courtesy of Jeff Klein
**wedding snaps courtesy of John Nordstrom

It's a Mod Mod Ruby

Well, the band* made it to the airport without incident yesterday and I assume they are in London by now, but no word yet. Probably standing in a queue for the loo to wash the blood pudding off of their jumpers and Bob's your uncle. Or something.

I wasn't going to mention this because it sounds like we may live in squalor, (we don't, I swear) but I can't stop thinking about it! I was bathing Jesse in the kitchen sink and Flashdance chased a MOUSE around and around my ankles and I screamed my bloody head off like a bad sitcom. Now she's on a stake-out and hasn't averted her gaze from the crack under the stove in over 2 hours. I'm afraid of finding gore in the morn but kinda proud that she's doing her kitty job so faithfully.

Yesterday was really rough because besides saying goodbye to Evan for two weeks I was fighting off sickness and recovering from a huge night at work where I swear I made over 1000 drinks. My feet and head ache, my back aches, and thank God I wore tights under my miniskirt because the amount of squatting I did would impress a pioneer. The bands were so gentlemanly and talented to boot! Brownout** is one of the funkiest bands in Texas and their friends The Funk Ark, touring from D.C brought the shakes to all hips in the house. Thanks guys. Then I slept for 3 hours and awoke to my customary Ruby flavored live giggling blanket.

Speaking of Ruby, please enjoy her Sunday mod style.



*Evan looks really cute in this video. What? I can say that!

**this video is not from this weekend, but it is from club deville- too bad they played inside that night, it is much more epic outdoors in front of the limestone cliff

Stuff on my Flashdance

We are doing ten loads of laundry, stocking up on g.o.r.p.* and tiny toiletries, overdosing on french pressed coffee beans and the band is squeezing in one last rehearsal before the long plane ride tomorrow. As 'sweet chariot' shakes the rafters and endears us to our neighbors I will introduce you to Flashdance, with whom Ruby is constantly vying for the title of "The Queen of the House".

Don't be fooled by her doe eyed fluffy innocence, Flashdance is an adept and ruthless killer, depositing headless doves and damp rodents on our ungrateful welcome mat. Though a bit on the pudgy side she defends our property valiantly from neighboring usurpers (with help from step sister Lola) and can climb a tree like a grey streak. Blessed with an undiscerning palate, I have caught her eating abandoned goldfish crackers, licking peanut butter, and even disposing of Lola's upchuck. Disgusting, but helpful.

Spending most of her time silently lounging on the deck and protecting Wolfie and Kathleen's next door chickens, she blesses us with her glorious presence when hungry or in rainy weather, treating us to a full view of curly belly hair and sandpaper kisses. I love you Flashdance, you naughty minx.


*good old raisins and peanuts

My Jerusalem

Evan plays for too many rock bands, jazz quartets and even a salsa merengue band that I shall not attempt to mention them by name. However, next to his own brain child Tacks, My Jerusalem is the most serious one, and also the most currently active. Being the piano virtuoso that he is, of course he plays guitar in this one. (and sings!) The front man is our own "Unkie" Jeff Klein, whom I have been having adventures with for about as long as I have lived in Austin. Stay tuned for a cooking segment featuring him and some gruff italian magic, though he's actually a big ole Jew. Ruby and Jesse adore him and we are his fake family here in town. I barely even mind when he steals Evan away on tour for weeks at a time...Sort of.

They are leaving for Berlin in two days to spread some Texas rock on the ears of Austria, Switzerland, Amsterdam and London. If you know where my house is, you are invited to come over at any time in the next two weeks to alleviate my frustration with only baby style conversation. "Need apple juice Mommy!"

Most people think a European rock tour is like this:

In reality, it's a whole lotta this:

Rock their socks off boys(and Ashley), come home safe, and bring me a present.