Thanks, I needed that

Monday night, Deke Dickerson played Knuckleheads bar in KC and it was probably one of the best shows I've seen Deke play. The Rhythm Busters and Little Rachel opened the show (both are phenomenal, but together, they absolutely kick ass) and Deke's new scaled-down lineup is spot-on. It was a killer show. On first spin, I have to say I'm a little disappointed with his new CD ("The Melody"), but the show was excellent. Little Rachel's CD, however, which I finally got around to buying, was, well, pretty much flawless. Damn.

I took Tuesday off since I needed the sleep, and I enjoyed a wonderfully lazy morning, followed up by a stroll downtown in the afternoon. The weather was so perfect, and it was vacation time well spent. Good call, me. I stopped by Lovegarden to make up for the disappointment in Deke CD goodness and dropped money on three CDs, one recommended by gmskarka, a Propellerheads CD. I love it. I also love this gem that I found completely at random in the Electronica section. The first track alone is worth the money. gmskarka, if you don't have this yet, you really should. Used copies are going cheap on amazon.com.

I did not love SCOTS "Mojo Box", alas. At first listen, it's overproduced, the lyrics have gone from sly-wink to bored-shrug, and the instrumentation is overpowered by the addition of the Hammond organ. Me No Likey. I'll give it a couple more listens before I sell it back. Or if anyone on my f-list wants to trade it for something on my amazon wish list, let me know.

bestill joined me in my jaunt around Mass St., and it was wonderful hanging out with her for a bit. I enjoyed watching her take pics with her new cameras. It makes me want to take up photography again. Perhaps, perhaps. Because you all know I need another hobby.

Unfortunately, I had bounts of irritation and (I admit) depression hanging over me for large parts of the day and I finished up the evening feeling quite bereft and pitiable. Bleh. I don't often swing so quickly and radically into a mindset of "I can't deal with this" but yesterday--whoa. I wonder if my body could sense the wretched change of weather. I tossed and turned all night and was awakened at least three times by obnoxious Fetish behavior. I finally locked her in the bathroom at 5:00 a.m., but the damage was done. Tired and snappish today.

Tonight, though, rorschachsix is in KC and I am going to do my best to find a way to get to KC tonight to join him and friends for dinner. I hope the ice storm misses us. It didn't. I won't be going to KC this evening. Bummer.

Tomato Garbanzo Soup

I often experiment with what I call Cooking With Cans--digging through the pantry for possible combinations instead of going to the grocery store for Real Food. Sometimes it comes out well, sometimes I wind up walking to Burrito King. I made this for dinner when I got home Sunday and I'm eating the leftovers here at work. I was pretty pleased with the way it came out, so I thought I'd share.

Note: all spice measurements are estimates. I usually err on the other side of caution when it comes to spices, so people who don't like quite so much oomph in their foods might tone it down a bit.

( Recipe behind the cut )