The Biscuit Brothers

When I told my sister I was taking the kids to see The Biscuit Brothers play a concert on the steps of the Capitol on Monday afternoon, she said, "uhhh... so... is James off work?" Ha ha!

Let's just say I don't normally strike out on such adventures on my own. The parking always intimidates me, it was scheduled during naptime, and... I don't know, I guess I just feel nervous taking two kids on my own. But, Zack has been asking to see the Biscuit Brothers in person for a long time. We went to a parade they were in, but they rolled by and we only heard a piece of one song. Since they film their PBS show here in Austin, I know we really ought to take advantage of the opportunities to see them. So I got James to drive me by the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage on Sunday so that I would know where to go (it's a short, stroller-friendly walk to the Capitol grounds and the first two hours are free, bonus!). I figured the garage would be full but we got there early (really, you say, you got somewhere early?) and there were spaces available.

We had a very easy time doing this and Zack loooved the Biscuit Brothers. The crowd was not too big and we were very near the front. We ran into a friend with her two little ones and Zack sat with them, even closer than I could get with the stroller. The Brothers (and sister) were very personable and fun. The weather was gorgeous, though it did get a bit hot! Sammy was fussy by the end, but really he did better than I could have expected.

Afterwards, the kids went up to Buttermilk, Buford, and then Dusty. They mostly just looked at them in person and stared instead of talking. One of the little friends we met there hugged Buttermilk. And Zack had some version of this conversation with Dusty:

Zack: Is your name Buford?
Dusty: No, I'm Dusty.
Zack: Why isn't your name Buford?
Dusty: Because my name is Dusty.
(Zack silent)
Dusty: What's your name?
Zack: Zachary.
Dusty: Well, see, your name's not Buford either.

I need to remember how well this worked the next time I'm tempted to wimp out of a fun outing (which is always)!

Goodbye, Fair Veronica

It's over. We've watched all the Veronica Mars there is to watch. Commence weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The show only had three seasons, unfortunately, and was canceled so the ends were not tied up neatly. Maybe that's just as well, because in my head I have an elaborate subsequent season. Not the existing promo for the fourth season, but my own final season that takes place at Hearst College, where our favorite characters spent the third season. I've spent a couple of sleepless nights turning it all over in my head and I have it figured out - a new major mystery that carries us through, how to get rid of the characters I don't like and what to do with the characters I do like. Some little details that were never answered in previous seasons are resolved. The boring and the villains are vanquished, a semi-villain is redeemed and all the heroes end up in the proper relationships.

And, if I figure out what to do with Weevil, I bet I'll be able to sleep at night...

Time keeps slippin' away...

And on what am I spending my free time? Could it be preparing wholesome homemade yogurt for my children? (Ok, really, it would be cheating to say the yogurt was spending time. It sits unattended so it's not exactly a time sink.) Could it be finishing all those books I'm supposedly reading? Recreating that rockin' Lordsburg salsa?

Nope.

It's time to confess - I'm hooked on Veronica Mars. This is a really entertaining little detective show with a young flair. It's fun and highly addictive. Each night my husband and I have been watching a DVD (that's FOUR episodes of an hour-long show). Even without the commercials, we've been staying up way too late. But I've got these characters in my head and they aren't leaving until they tell me what happens!