Dawn

A lot of changes going on, brothers and sisters.

I think I already explained that I was moving to the day shift at work and as of Monday have done so - to a dramatic and welcome change.

I have been getting up around 7 or 8 all week, working long hours that speed busily by, and been blessed with the product of the culinary skill of my lady wife (see Emily is an amazing cook, she just hates to do it. And seeing as she made me more than a few meals since switching shifts, I am exponentialy lucky this week). I like being busy and though am tired and somewhat irritable at the end of the day (sorry, Em), feel as if something has actually happened. And the river of time slows to a babbling brook in dappled light.

This is in addition to the approaching semester (one class this Fall, two in the Spring) and the coming of Autumn. I was driving across the Washington Ave. bridge and smelled the scent of sweetgrass on the river flats loosened and lifted by the rising fogs from the weeks rain.

AND...

Two of my most recommendable musical... groups(?) are releasing albums on Tuesday - Ray Lamontagne (a very secretive man, it seems) and The Roots (both linked above) - and from what I have heard of each, they are going to be purchases instead of something borrowed. That is, to some degree, a rarety these days. Unfortunately, neither is coming to town any time soon.

But if they were, they should get their wine and Belgian beer at Haskell's (also a link) in Saint Paul (good segue, huh?). I went there last night once again and stood befuddled as to what to try next. They have a massive selection and may even rival Surdyk's... Yeah, I said it... for quality of selection. They even have a bunch of the more popular ones in a cooler. This is in addition to their huge variety of liqours and wines, an in-store cheese shop, and a variety of odd crackers and imported food-y thingies - for lack of anything better to call them. They let you make a six pack of a variety of micro- and import brews and there people help you select wines instead of relying on wine magazine ratings. And if you are Beastie Boys fans, then they have the biggest selection of Chateauneuf du Papes I have seen in the city.

And for those who wonder why in hell I am hyping a place of business like an advertisement... I like to see places I appreciate do well...

Which reminds me... have I told you about Tea Source?

Maybe next time...

P.S. A late entry made it in as the video this week. It is a car-bike thing that I desperately want. You'll just have to ignore the eccentricities of the shows hosts.