That being said, there are a few bright stars.
I am sure you know that my "sexy-ugly" guy Jack White has a new album. He does a cover of "I'm Shakin'" by the Blasters which I have loved since my dear friend Al from Old St. Pat's made me a mixed tape based on my enneagram results. Not only has music played a huge role in my life but it was a BIG part of my Chicago life. I saw the last Grateful Dead show ever, which I had to stand in line several days before to get my bracelet, which I had to wear to work for like 3 days. #partyfoul I saw Sarah McLachlan with my sister, DMB so many times I can't remember, Pearl Jam at Alpine with Emily Potter and others, Phish and the crazy camping night (my only camping experience so I'm done now) and a thousand other shows with friends like Ellen (EDBJ) and my brother Kevin, and sisters. Not the least of which were the World's Largest Block Party. Yes I worked for a church and helped to book rock bands. Cool.
Grand Rapids celebrated Pulaski Days this past weekend. I can't remember how many I have been to and probably just as many I've been away. In younger days, it was canned beer, polka dancing and kielbasa. I think the beer got a little better, everything else stayed the same. My mom posted pics on her FB this week of her and my Aunt Pat in their Polish costumes. Beautiful colored outfits with ribbons and headpieces. My cousin Julie was Pulaski Queen and I am proud that we break Opatki each Christmas with the Krzeminski side. My grandmother Helen passed this year and she was a lovely, spunky Polish lady that gave us a little extra step ball-change in our step.
Football! It was a banner week for the home team and one of my Alma Mater's the University of South Carolina. 85k+ people at Williams-Brice Stadium to watch USC take on Georgia...and we not just won this SEC battle, we trounced them. Can you say Sandstorm? Michigan also won, thank God because it has been a rough year in the Big Ten, especially after I went to Dallas to watch the Cowboy Classic when we played Alabama. My friends are amazing, the experience was memorable but the game...well heartbreaking. Still #goblue.
I am knee deep in the second Hunger Games book. I'm trying to draw it out so I don't whip through them. The movie for the "Perks of Being a Wallflower" came out recently. I got to see a preview this summer in CA at ALA. Amazing! Go see it but PLEASE read the book. Especially because it's
BANNED BOOKS WEEK!
The Holy Grail for Librarians! Start with Perks, look at Annie on my Mind, everything by JK Rowling, Chris Crutcher and Judy Blume, And Tango Makes Three (picture book), Catcher in The Rye, The Great Gatsby, The Color Purple, Bridge to Terebithia and really anything from this site: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek.
That's all for now. Will check in later, post wedding Polka!
