Things we did this weekend while not getting engaged.

We started a Sunday night soccer team composed mostly of ultimate players. It's been a lot of fun even though we haven't found the back of the net yet. The important thing is that it is a fun group of people out enjoying themselves and each other.

+++++++++++++++++++

Apartment hunting is not fun. Not because we aren't finding things we like, although we ain't, but because it is exhausting and dumb. We have developed a set of criteria for a new place to meet so at least now we can focus.

+++++++++++++++++++

We went to Ed's birthday party at Buddy Guy's on Friday night and came to the conclusion that we both hate blues clubs. Blues music as a whole is something I would consider only ok and the venues are all dingy, excessively hot caves. We had a good time even though we didn't stay late partially because we ended up standing in puddles from the sweat pouring down my back.

+++++++++++++++++++

How I did it:
Cass was napping so I removed a shoelace from one of her running shoes by the front door. I put that in my pocket with the ring. Cass awoke but was very sleepy and in a daze. I felt I had already tricked her enough to get her to date me so the least I could do was wait until she was cognizant to ask her.

We put a pizza in the oven and while it cooked Cass woke up a bit. After we pulled it out Cass was in the kitchen getting things ready. I got Charlie in the living room and tied the ring around him using the shoelace. Then I got him to run into the kitchen by tossing a toy in that direction (for the uninitiated: Charlie is fairly simple).

Cass didn't notice him until I asked her what Charlie had on him. At first she thought I was just playing a trick on him. I asked her if she could tell what was on him. She didn't really answer as she was trying to figure it out and get the thing untied. She began to understand but was asking unfinished questions like "Is it...Is it for my...Did you..." She turned around and sat on the ground. At this point I was already on one knee. She ended up lower than me so I had to kind of sink down into a seated with one knee up position.

I asked the question and she said yes, although she was kind of sleepy still and in a bit of a state of shock. We had Cass wine and dinner while she started coming out of it and everything started becoming clear for her. She was red and adorable.

+++++++++++++++++++

And now for texts we got back from people after our announcement. Not all will be posted as we got so many. Thank you to all of you. Your support and joy mean so much.

Keep in mind that the text I sent out read "Cass just got a ring."

OMG! does this mean what i think it means!?
-Becky (Although we got some variation of this from several Damitz was the first to reply at all.) (I thought it was funny that people were confused and asked things like "so are you engaged" as if I would just randomly text them to let them know that Cass got a present.)

WHAT
-Susan

Oh jesus! did the beard give it 2 her?
-Rollins

From you?
-both Andre and Denny (who, it should be noted, have never met)

What????????!!!!!! You asked? She said yes?
-Sonal (punctuation preserved)

Congrats! If its an onion don't eat it
-Gelsthorpe (I am changing your ringtone to a rimshot Tom)

Does this mean you're BOTH off the market?
-Marincic

A wedding ring?? You guys are the most adorable couple ever, seriously. congratulations :)
-Vicky

color me not surprised. congratulations, mang!
-Chuck

Congrats and I call dibs on the "drunk guy" slot at the wedding
-Hagerman

Congrats! So exciting! How'd you do it? I want to hear about it!
-Kristen Turner

Billy Bob Thornton, self-described music historian, considers himself to be equal with Tom Petty.

The above is an interview conducted on CBC by Jian Ghomeshi with Billy Bob Thornton and his band. I'm not listing the band name here. In it Billy Bob acts completely distant and glib before becoming prickish and confrontational with the host. The reason for this is that Ghomeshi's introduction included mentions of Thornton's Hollywood career and Thornton wanted no mention of that. Apparently Thornton believes that his musical career should speak for itself.

What did BBT expect the host to do? Introduce him like any member of the band and have his audience wondering if it was that Billy Bob Thornton?

During the beginning of the interview BBT is just distant and nonresponsive. Instead of immediately bringing up a minor issue he avoids questions and talks about a monster magazine he read when he was a kid. It is important to note that all of the interviewer's questions were about music and the band and never focused on Billy Bob's other career.

It's when BBT actually decides to confront the issue that he genuinely looks like a d-bag. Some choice quotes from BBT follow (with commentary!!)

Would you say that to Tom Petty?
BBT just likened himself to Tom Petty. A few things: first, BBT is nowhere near as talented as Tom Petty in any capacity. Second, Tom Petty should be pissed right now. And third, if Tom Petty started acting it would be appropriate to say he has always been passionate about film (if that were true). The reason it's relavent would be because he is a great musician who is being interviewed in the context of his acting career. Like how BBT is a crappy actor being interviewed about his band.

Ghomeshi then points out that in the introduction he was just giving context for who BBT is and the band's trajectory.

Well there's plenty of context for that.
I can't imagine what that would be since Ghomeshi also mentioned the band's activity in the last year (three albums) and their current tour. Ghomeshi then rightfully brings up the fact that this is a relatively new band (two years) that is getting to tour with/open for Willie Nelson and that the reason the band is getting that opportunity is because BBT is famous. BBT never addresses this completly valid point, because it is accurate and contrary to his delusional beliefs about his own talent, except to say:

We aren't a new band. I've made 8 albums.
I checked and BBT is counting the ones he made with the band. BBT's five solo albums date all the way back to 2001. His film career took off in 1996 after the release of Sling Blade yet he doesn't realize that the opportunity to make these albums probably had something to do with his acting career.

You were also instructed to not mention anything about how this is my "first love." You wouldn't say that to Tom Petty. My first love was a chick named Lisa Cone.
This is idiotic. I'm sure no one thought Ghomeshi was implying that BBT ever wanted to screw music. They then call a truce and Ghomeshi asks about musical influences on the band's record. BBT manages to answer like a prick who doesn't know the definition of the word truce.

It's a mixture of the British Invasion and Hillbilly music, something that I know more about than a band that's say 20 years old. But you wouldn't say that to uh...I grew up as pretty much a music historian so...
This is a classic coward dodge: referring to a phantom expertise with no ability to legitimize it. He wanted to say Tom Petty again too. I don't know if he realized how ridiculous it was or just got lost in a different train of thought. Ghomeshi then asks if there are any bands that are doing what they are doing.

Not lately. Not in the last 30 years.
I haven't heard the record, but I am sure that this isn't true. Every band sounds different but the idea that there are no similar bands in the last 30 years would seem doubtful at any point, but the rest of the interview almost ensures that this statement is purely ego driven. BBT then takes a shot at Canadians saying that audiences in Canada are reserved and calls them:

...mashed potatoes with no gravy.
BBT has obviously never been to a hockey game. Canadian music fans, regardless of how they react in concert, are supporting the bands they see including BBT's. He chooses to lash out at them instead of being grateful.

I never like BBT as an actor/director/writer. He always seemed like a jerk and I'm glad to be proven right. He completely derailed this interview and it became about him instead of the band anyway. The band members were silent during the confrontation and I'm sure felt awkward for most of it. BBT's prickishness however means I am not supporting his career at all which is why I am not even mentioning the band's name here.

Big ups on Ghomeshi for his professionalism and also his demeanor in refusing to back down when BBT confronted him. Big ups on the Canadian fans who reportedly booed the hell out of BBT at the show. Too bad they didn't get the chance to keep doing it since the band pulled out of the remaining shows in Canada because of the flu.

No physical confrontation content

Two tournaments with Buick have come and went without me mentioning them and that is a shame. This is a team that I love playing with for all the right reasons: fun, competitive teammates. Every guy on the team is enjoying themselves and playing hard and I couldn't wish for anything more on an ultimate field. I've been working hard to keep up with them seeing as I'm the grandpa on the team. I feel good and have been trying my hardest to be the smartest player and make the best decisions. I think this is what my position on the field should always be.

++++++++++++++++++++

"Buick came here to [curse word] [different curse word] up!"

++++++++++++++++++++

Cass and I visited Keith in Madison last weekend and had a great time. New Glarus is still sold there and thank the heavens for that because it made ordering everywhere easy. We did Madison things like had brats and walked down State St. In general though we spent our time hanging with Keith and Jules and it was well worth the trip. Keith is done with school this May. Cass is fuh-reaking out.

++++++++++++++++++++

"If you want the real Madison experience you have to go in here and try a veggie burger."

++++++++++++++++++++

Cass and I were deadly ill last week. Dave has been sick for some time. Cass doesn't believe that we have the same illness as Dave. None of this matters since unless Armaggedon is here Susan should still be sick and none of us have the right to complain.

++++++++++++++++++++

"What were you doing when you were supposed to be getting an immune system?"

++++++++++++++++++++

Our collective illness peaked on Tuesday night, unfortunate since that has been our trivia night for some time. We venture up to Cans in Wicker to meet with Callie, Dave, Jen and Jenny as well as waitress Melissa and triviamaster Dan. It's a blast and we are generally competitive. We have yet to finish first while I have been there although we came in second the past two times I was there. I also came to find out that trivia Dan runs the trivia at the Logan Grill as well. Small world Krislin (that is totally not going to get over).

++++++++++++++++++++

"How about "The Triviamaster is an [curse word]" as a teamname?"

++++++++++++++++++++

J moved to town and I haven't seen him yet. My beard is anxious to nuzzle him.