Fargo and Other Stuff

First, I will never again underestimate the importance of margaritas with friends. I know I'm taking a risk of sounding like a booze-hound here, but I went out for a drink after work today with Mary, one of the nursing directors. She's another one of those soulmates; we just 'get' each other.

So after a couple hours and a couple large margaritas, we bonded. And I drove home (sobered up, thank you) so grateful for coworkers like that. I felt better about work because I knew she was in similar drama as me. Misery loves company...and apparently, margaritas, too!

*****************

Second, I arrived home tonight to a 59-degree house. Seriously? In May? So I dug out a heavy sweatshirt and sunk my tequila'd brain down for some quality television. Jack went out with friends since I did and I enjoyed the tv to myself for a while. Checking the DVR, I found our usual staples of "The Borgias," "Deadliest Catch," reruns of "Whose Line Is It Anyway," and..."Fraggle Rock?"

Fraggle Rock?

So I passed on the Borgias and checked out Fraggle Rock. Why not?!

******************

When I talk about watching "The Borgias," I get the same reaction as when I let it slip that I watch "Boardwalk Empire." I can't help it...murderous scandal in Renassiance, Pre-Reformation Rome? What's not to love? While I know my beloved Church has advanced from this corrupt state, I have studied theology long enough to know (and accept) that it's mostly true. Sad, but true.

Epistemological Doorknob (one of my fellow undergraduate theology scholars) and I debate this show. She has good ideas about how some of the inner-Vatican scenes would be more authentic if they were scripted in Latin. Good point, ED, good point.

******************

So a few words about my trip to Fargo...I've noticed that Fargo is one of those "one word" cities about which everyone has preconceived notions, like "Miami," "Vegas," or "Hollywood." Except that Fargo is the anti-thesis of those cities!

I'll be nice. It was so outside my realm of usual activity that I truly did forget about work for a while.

I went to visit my friend Bewley, her husband, and their new baby, D. D is three months and quite a character already. He entertains himself quite well, as evidenced in this hickey he gave himself:



He's teething already...Since Bewley is a Ph.D., we figure he's in "AP Teething" or maybe "Teething Honors."

Because of their hectic life as new parents, neither had gotten a decent meal in weeks. So Bewley's husband broke out his home-brewed beer:



It was good...but had a *lot* of bubbles. It was a foiled batch that didn't quite ferment. So the alcohol content was low and the bubble content, well, high.

In other news, I mixed up an herb rub for Bewley's husband and I, as we dined on t-bone steaks one night. The guilt I felt was palpable; this occurred in a staunch vegetarian's kitchen who barely tolerated the steaks hitting her counter tops!



Nonetheless, the herb rub worked its magic. And it was good.

We didn't just eat, we did some minor sight-seeing along the way, too. There are two sights in town, the town theatre and the Viking ship that is housed on the Minnesota side of the border. Here's the ship (which was, admittedly, pretty cool):





We also stopped by the theatre. Bewley and I watched a French film called Potiche, which, ironically, features a woman who progressed from housewife to successful CEO to successful politician. The CEO part was great; when her husband's umbrella factory revolted, she stepped in and with her grace and womanly leadership, created a harmonious work environment.

The trip itself was an interesting study in women's leadership. Bewley studies feminist philosophy and I witnessed how a feminist philosopher views and experiences motherhood. And, like in the movie, women can assume CEO roles gracefully.

I struggled with this diverse concept throughout the trip. Motherhood versus careerhood. Can the two co-exist? It generated a lot of conversation between Bewley and me. Baby D tried to join in, but he was busy gnawing on his arm! He was a cutie and I surprised myself by grabbing him up into my lap several times a day.

******************

I have a few more tidbits about Fargo...but they involve a new pair of shoes!