Josiah goes to a puppet show

I know, one does not think highly of puppet shows - but I now do! The Open Eye Theatre does some AMAZING work here in Minneapolis!

Josiah was able to see the The Adventures of Katie Tomatie at the Fair Oaks Park ( near our old place) with Anne and Matt. I unfortunately, had to go to work at that time to catch my bus to work. But Josiah really loved the show, and so did Anne and Matt. So I am glad that he was able to go, and that the theatre group has many sponsors ensuring their work meets the public.

They will also perform two of their shows ( including this one) at the Powderhorn Art Fair the first weekend in August.

The story line according to their website:

Little Katie is looking forward to a ‘do-nothing’ first day of summer vacation. Her plans take a 180 when she accidentally digs up Mr. Boo Boo, a wacky skeleton ready for adventure. Their hijinks turn Katie’s ‘do-nothing’ day into the best summer day ever.

Credits:

Written, Directed and Designed by Michael Sommers
Composer - Michael Koerner
Tour Manager - Kyle Loven
Puppeteers - Joanne Jongsma, Kyle Loven, Michael Sommers and Nancy Seward McLean
Accordion - Susan Haas

From train hopping to Co-chair

Well, today was a fun day.

I haven't done a good job keeping up with my life since late May. ( twill eventually )

But today I was busy. Siah and I hopped on a train to deliver a letter to my dentist. The Nicollet Station Dental Clinic forgot to fill out forms to the VA. Once they do, I get aroudn $2300 in dental work!!

Then we dropped some more things off at Savers that we no longer need. Then off to Cub Foods, more to pick up paper bags than groceries. It seems that recycling in Minneapolis requires these things. ( previously recycled through private trash co ) Weird how I use canvas bags to carry my groceries!

Anywho, at 7 I metup with the 5th Congressional District Green Party Steering Committee, which I am a member, at the Riverview Cafe. The meeting went very well, and I have some minor work to do individually - but we all do! Interestingly I have become Co-Chair for the steering committee - but am not worried about such a title. But being new to an organization and finding oneself in such a situation makes one wonder. We will all find out how capable I truly am in fulfilling my obligations - I have had much more demanding positions in the past! ( just in Iraq I had to fill leadership vacuums! )

I got home, put Josiah to sleep and found Brandy nearly so herself. I wanted to watch a movie with her the previous night - but she returned home at 2 A.M. Tonight she was too tired. But I am paying the Minneapolis Library $1 a day in overdue fees. I wasn't going to wait another day.

So, I did what I wanted - instead of waiting or just returning the movie unwatched which is all too typical. I went to SA and picked up a Pepsi One. I then made popcorn and tossed in the DVD for Nobody Knows.

It is both a beautiful and dark movie following the lives of 4 abandoned children. The eldest of 12 years old, tending to the younger. The children start out with their less than stellar mother, who stays out late and comes home drunk. Then she disappears for a week. She returns for a bit, then leaves again for a month. She's back for a day, then disappears never to return. The children start out okay for a while, then start to fall apart once they realize Mother isn't returning. Their water, power, and gas is shut off. They are very near starvation several times, but manage through incidences. I cannot reveil the ending, but their plight is sadly true.

In 1988, the Japanese media ran stories about the "Affair of the Four Abandoned Children of Nishi-Sugamo." And it seems their lives were far more gruesome than this wonderfully cinematic movie could portray. But nonetheless the movie is amazing and is more than worth looking for.

I am finishing my day by writing this blog. Mayhaps I will update more often ;)