The boys’ school closed today due to cold. I was kind of surprised, honestly, to hear the news this morning. The worst of the weather passed last night but the temperatures were low and the winds strong enough (-40F wind chill) to warrant (in the eyes of the local districts, anyway) the closing. Last night I sitting in the rocker (where I am now) and I swear the goddamn house was moving in the gale force weather. I looked out the window and thought there was no way in hell anyone could drive through a blizzard like the one whirling down my street. I couldn’t see the houses on the other side of the road.

So, anyway, last night and today I finished E’s “Things The Grandchildren Should Know.” I ordered the book about a week back from Amazon UK but thought the order hadn’t passed through the system. The box on the kitchen table surprised me. Late at night, when I couldn’t sleep, I read the first half, and I finished the second half this morning. It’s not a tough read, but I enjoyed the book immensely. I’m not sure a non-fan would get much out of the text, but eels message board nerds like myself will deconstruct it for years. I appreciate E’s pure drive, honesty, and desire to hide in his room.

This morning the boys and I hung out on the couch for a while before they dispersed to play on the computer, with legos, whatever. I read on the couch or in the Wii room (at least the sun was out, by the way) then picked up books and films at the library and the ingredients for sweet potato burritos at the supermarket. Usually Wednesdays are “work at home” days but I wasn’t going to get much work done with the kids around and I wasn’t too pressed for productivity as it stood. I finished the E book, read the first 50 pages of “Little Children.” The latter is good so far. I liked the movie a lot, too, and not just the naked Kate Winslet shots (although those certainly did not hurt). While some neighbor kids visited I watched “The King of Kong.” Wow, that movie was weird. In case you don’t know it’s about a rivalry between two guys aiming for the world record on the video game “Donkey Kong.” One rival seems like a pretty nice guy but the other is stunningly oblivious of anything outside his self-image and off his rocker with self-importance. Wow. Seriously. Here’s a link. You might think it’s a comedy, but I didn’t laugh much. Somewhat worthwhile.

http://www.amazon.com/King-Kong-Fistful-Quarters/dp/B000XQ4HR8/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1201737734&sr=8-1

After twenty minutes on the elliptical and some sit-ups I showered and started dinner. The boys were watching game shows (don’t ask) so I strapped my mp3 player onto my arm, donned the headphones, and listened to NPR while working in the kitchen. I haven’t listened to NPR at home much since the kitchen radio’s antenna snapped. The mp3/headphones strategy worked well.

I’m tired tonight. Once I’m done with my root beer here I think I’m going to take some melatonin and hit the books. Good night.