...And the Crowd Went Wild!

A Christmas-in-March visit with the Winkelmann's netted us food, presents and, in my case, carpal tunnel from playing GUITAR HERO with Laura and Brian for two hours. But it was so totally worth it! I had never tried it before, and I have to say, IT'S REALLY FUN! The only disappointment is there is no Freebird on the playlist. Also, I can't get "Iiii wanna rock and roll...all niiiiight...and party ev-ery day!" out of my head.

Here's me and some adoring fans...


And one adoring plan begging me to stop?


We also tried Tennis.

This is my Wii character that Laura created so she could kick my ass. Thank you. Though she did point out "I was trying to lose!" Nice.


But that's OK. I got even in the boxing ring. Let me just say here the thrill of knocking out a cartoon character can go straight to your head if you're not careful. Until the next day, when you realize your muscles are sore (!!) from playing, yes, a video game. Egads.



Here's a little video -- I checked on YouTube, and pretty much everybody who's posted a video of themselves boxing looks like an idiot, so, ya know, this is how it's SUPPOSED to look.


In other news, I got my hair highlighted (which you may be able to see in these photos), and it was much less traumatic than the last time. It only took a couple of hours instead of an entire weekend, and I'm happy with the results (vs. last time, you may recall, when I ended up with a shade you tend to only see on Muppets). Except now if I want to go back, I have to go undercover as my mom, because I gave her name for my appointment so I could use a 20% off coupon. (Hey, it was like $15 in savings!)

Something Useful

It's been a slow news week, but a co worker did send me this handy little video. You'll never need a chip clip again. You're welcome.



Of course, now all the chips are broken. Me, I just find it easier to eat the whole bag, but it's good to have options.

Sweet Victory

For me that is. I would have posted results sooner, but I was busy enjoying my bribe this morning. Mmmmm. Our cafeteria has the BEST scones.

OK, on with the show. As with all photos here (as opposed to over there, to the right), you can click on a picture to see it larger.

The Uncanny Resemblance award goes to Lynda for an entry that looks *strikingly* like the eggs entered by Ingrid. Amazing! But double snaps to Lynda for being a loyal PP reader and contestant, even whilst recovering from chemo treatments. Also she sent this bribe of spring flowers. Hold down your mouse key and drag or click on the screen from this link. For future reference, I do take gift cards.



Here is Ingrid's Most Ecological award-winning entry, for eggs dyed with onion skins and decorated with random bits of nature. You too can probably see the resemblance to Lynda's eggs. Like mother like daughter I guess.


Team Capps (Wayne and chilluns) came through again this year with a plethora of entries -- these are just a few -- all named and categorized. They win the Enthusiasm Award of Eggcellence...plus see below for more on Team Capps.

Gangsta Egg


Crimevictimandperp


Eggtoplasmic-reticulum


Rasta Egg


Sailing Egg


Graeme outdid himself with his usual creative flair...and a touch of the macabre with a cemetery diorama that I'll let him explain. Though do note the dog is carrying one of its owner's arms.

Well, the brown egg is a egg-dog who went deranged and bit its egg-man owner (loosely based on Grandpa) on a casual walk through a cemetery at night (my black velvet Christmas contest entry).

Attention to detail: the man has a hefty bite taken out of him, he is standing on legs (hard to do), the dog has spots, feet, ears, a tail, and the owner's arm, and both master and pet were designed with pencil.
-Graeme

Nothing says Happy Easter like a cemetery mauling I always say! He'll take home the award for Best Facial Expressions.



Tom sent this photo of his homemade hot crossed buns (I know, the wise crack possibilities are endless...but let's move on), which, though technically are a different species than your standard Easter egg, look delish and probably do have eggs in them, right? He wins the What's Lacking in Shell Makes Up for in Charm award.


Team Capps had one entry in particular that struck my...er, I mean, the judges' fancy. How cool is this potholder egg?! They've been awarded the Best Sucking Up to the Judges award and an honorable mention for this splendid use of color, pattern and potholder. A potholder prize will be forthcoming!


Last but definitely not least is the winning entry from my co worker, Donna, who not only put this together on her day off, but also thoughtfully provided the aforementioned delicious (burp) bribe. Snaps to Donna for her Better Than Martha grand prize entry.


What the... OK, just seeing if you were paying attention. It's not an egg, it's my adorable new pencil sharpener! What shall I call her? Send me your suggestions and you could win a potholder!


The much-coveted prizes (plus bragging rights):


Thanks to all for entering, it was fun!

Eggcellent Entries

Egg contest entries are still coming in, so I'll post all the pictures soon. The competition is tough, but it's not too late to send your entry. Send to plauer at mchenry dot edu. Did I mention that we here at PP headquarters encourage bribing?

Points for Promptness

Lynda's most eggcellent entry came on the eve of Easter. The coloring technique harkens back to the olden days (and by that I mean the days before Paas), when folks used things like coffee, spinach, and beets to make dyes. These eggs are colored with onion skins. The egg artist used leaves and what not to make the patterns. The judges seem to recall that this technique is usually Ingrid's forte and are wondering to themselves, albeit silently, if Lynda is as good at stealing eggs as she is at stealing Christman competition entries. Just a thought. The presentation and lighting are lovely.

A Most Eggcellent Time of Year!

That's right, time for the 2nd annual Easter Egg Decorating Contest! Time is short, people, so get those dyes bubbling and send me a picture of your colorful, artfully arranged Easter eggs! Winners will receive a designer original East potholder PLUS bragging rights, which is, of course, priceless. Entries will be judged on artistic merit and other subjective elements that may or my not be influenced by alcohol. Shown here is an example of how not to do it. Lenore and I had to dye our eggs a little early this year since Lenore was going out of town. Many of these have become egg salad by now. Hoops was kind of intrigued by the process, though she did NOT like the smell of the vinegar. Contest deadline is Monday (!!) 3/24/08. Yikes! Send them to me at plauer at mchenry dot edu.



"Hey, I wonder if these would make good hockey pucks!"


Also, on a completely unrelated note, I posted some additional parade pictures on the Dundee Township Visitor's Center site. Thanks to Dave for sending them! Here's a fun one taken after the parade was over -- something you don't see very often on the bicycle trail!

Exciting Potholder Developments

In potholder news, I spent my gift certificate from Lenore at Fishbed Knitting Sunday and got some delicious new yarn-like materials with which to weave potholders and doilies. Updates coming soon. Note, my mom is pictured on the Fishbed page holding a red hat she made for me.

Happy Friggin' St. Patrick's Day

Hoops has not taken to her hat. I don't think she's Irish. She doesn't understand that today, everybody's Irish! I'd rather just have the day off myself.

Here are some shots from the St. Patrick's day parade we were in Saturday. It's pretty much the longest short parade ever. Or is that shortest long parade? Anyway, there were 50 entries this year, which, given the .5 mile route (which goes from one bar to another), makes for a slow-moving procession. If they get any more entrants, we'll all just shift up three feet and it'll be over.




Lenore with our friends Kathy and Bill, who are on the depot board with me.

Embrace Your Inner Demon

I had to share this testament to the global appeal of potholderness. Cathy in Florida sent me this little account. My response, of course, was to embrace that inner potholder demon! Viva la Potholder!

Demonically possessed is the only explanation I have come up with...

Last night Dawn and I went to Macaroni Grill. They give you crayons to draw on the paper tablecloth while you wait. We had seen an art exhibit by a ceramic artist on Friday night that was just lines on ceramics and I told Dawn, "Hey, check this out, I should have my stuff displayed from the tablecloth, it's just a bunch of lines". Then I drew little circles around the perimeter of the lines and it wasn't until I was completely done doing that mindlessly that I said, "Holy crap! It is a potholder!!"

So if you know of a good exorcist?!

Ein anderes Jahr älter!

Hard to believe this little boy is practically over the hill. OK, not really, cuz that would mean I am too. 40-something is the new 30-something, right? Anyway, is this not just the cutest photo? It looks more like Andreas to me though... Calling all Lauers to confirm which adorable boy this is!
(Later that same week...it is indeed Andreas, but I'm leaving it up since it's so cute!)

I'm rather fond of these too (thanks to Juergen for sharing!):

The Pine Car Derby winner!!


German style birthday party in Elk Grove.


This one doesn't have much to do with birthdays, but it's a fun photo of some German cousins. Ute, versuchst du, sich Fliegen zu fangen?


Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, mein lieber Roland!

If I Wore Dresses...

I'd wear this kind. And probably wax poetic about them too.

Erin is a lexicographer by trade, and her other site, The Dictionary Evangalist, is now listed over there, in the enlightening links section. Fun *and* educational! Three cheers for the semicolon appreciation society!

Bringing Sexy Back

I think I've mentioned before that Justin Timberlake can have sexy. Been there, done that. I'm bringing lazy back. However, Lenore alertly noticed this sexy fashion trend in the making during one of our walks. Truthfully, I don't even know I'm doing it.


Speaking of Sexy...
As a library board member, Lenore thought it her duty to document this during a recent foray through the airport.


Apparently these people have never visited the Dundee Library! We've got a corner on sexy there, and we're not ashamed to flaunt it.

And as a former library worker myself, I find this blatant stereotyping downright shallow. Why I aughta...


Find more fun library stuff at The Curmudgeony Librarian SuperStore

The library is to sexy what Clark Kent is to Superman. OK, that sounded better in my head. But let's not forget:


Also, have these people never been to Wyoming?


Why, there's even a Deluxe Librarian Action Figure with Amazing Push-button Shushing Action - Comes with Book Cart, Books, Reference Desk, and Computer.


I think I've made my point.
The Defense rests.
Except for this. Tattoos even a mother would love.


OH, that reminds me, if you're looking for a good series to read, check out David Rosenfelt. His books are kind of a cross between John Grisham (the lawyer stuff) and Robert B. Parker (sarcastic humor). Good stuff!

If They Weren't Antique Then...

They are now! It only took me three months to get around to hanging the vintage looms I got off of e-bay. I'm keeping one metal one in action, because it works really well for weaving yarn. In retrospect, that was a lot of e-bay effort for not a lot of results. I was surprised at how competitive the market is for old potholder looms! It's downright cutthroat! Why aren't these people more forthcoming with their potholder productivity? What are they doing with these vintage looms? Where are their blogs? Sheesh. Anyway, these photos don't really do the subjects justice.