Feist Concert

On Friday night, after a dismal meal at the Mad City Crab House, Karen and I went to see the sold-out Feist concert at the Orpheum Theater on State Street. Although I probably say this after many shows, it was one of the best I've ever seen. Seriously. And considering how pissed I was after waiting an hour-and-a-half for her to come on stage (after an unbelievably long and annoying opening set, followed by a very looong wait), she really wowed me to the point of completely forgetting how pissed I was when she started.

Apparently she (Leslie Feist) had broken her ankle in Omaha the night before, so she sat on a stool for most of the show, and hobbled around with a cane when she needed to walk. Which was just fine, because most of her music is pretty chill and mellow, and doesn't require much movement. And really, unlike many musicians who would have simply cancelled the show following that sort of injury, she came to Madison and hobbled around with a smile. And she was hilarious. Her wit and timing were just so completely on. By the end of the show, the entire audience had fallen in love with her.

I also hadn't realized what an accomplished musician Leslie is (look at me, talking as if we're on a first name basis or something). During the show, she obviously sang, but also played the guitar, piano, and drums. She's got it all covered. And her voice. My god, there is nobody on this planet who has the range that she does. Her voice is just phenomenal. And it sounded even better in person than it does on her CD's, which is no easy feat. And can I also just say that I sat 15th row, center. And that's general admission. That is why I love small venues. So much more intimate.

Great show. Love Feist. Even more now than I did before the show. Despite the wait. What wait?

K&K Chili Cookoff

I love a great theme party. Next Tuesday everning (11/27), Karen and I are hosting our first annual K&K Chili Cookoff at our house for 15-20 colleagues from Admissions and other offices across campus. Below is the invite that Karen sent out a few weeks ago. Over the weekend, in full party prep mode, we went to a party store to start shopping for decorations. Above is a picture of Karen, who appears very excited upon finding chili necklaces. We, of course, had to have these. Along with a blow up chili pepper. And a fiesta mix CD. We are still searching for the perfect strand of chili lights, but remain hopeful that we will find them over the holiday weekend. I have also spent the last few weeks searching for the perfect chili recipe. I have finally decided on a Texas chili recipe--because I like my chili meaty and sans beans. Until then, I'll be perfecting my big bowl 'o red.

Hi All.

Please consider joining Kristin and me for the inaugural K&K's Chili Cookoff on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 6pm, our house.

Here's the program:

Attendees are encouraged to enter the Chili Cookoff by rustling up their favorite chili recipe and pitting it against Kristin's chili con carne (that means no beans) and Karen's secret family recipe. However, in that I myself hate cooking and tend to avoid events that require me to contribute food, you do not need to enter the cookoff in order to attend!

Non-chili cookoff participants may enter the co-rec cornbread division and/or serve as celebrity judges.

Prizes will be awarded for the best-tasting chili, the best cook's costume, and the best-named chili (e.g., Ruzicka's Mouth-of-Hell Chili, Margo's Mountain Heat Chili, Stilp's Spitfire Chili, or Bobbie Jean's Bitchin' Chili).

Please note: Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI) rules will not be observed at the K&K Chili Cookoff. It'll be a big free-for-all.

Please let me know if you're game, and if so, if you are: 1) a Chili Cookoff entrant, 2) a co-rec cornbread division entrant, 3) a celebrity judge, or 4) just in it for the fun, beer, and a free bowl of chili.

As always, thanks for humoring me and my random get-togethers.

Karen

Mad City Crab House: An Utter Dissapointment

On Friday night, Karen and I went to dinner at the Mad City Crab House before the Feist concert at the nearby Orpheum Theater. Although we had heard mixed reviews on the restaurant, which recently opened off State Street, it does tout itself as “Madison’s Premier Choice for Fresh Seafood.” And I do love seafood. We ordered the Mad City Fondue ($7.95), which was described on the menu as “cheesey cheddar and crab in a freshly baked bread bowl.” For an entree, we chose the Pan Seared Crab Cake sandwich ($8.95), which was Dungeness crab cake, romaine, carrots, tomato, onions, and homemade sundried tomato sauce on a freshly baked roll with a side of sweet potato fries.

The food was just awful. I don’t think I’ve been to a worse restaurant since trying Za’s, a cafeteria-style Italian “bistro” on State Street. The fondue was essentially Velveeta cheese with bits of crab sprinkled on top. The cheese quickly hardened, making it quite challenging to dip bread. Disgusting. The crab cake sandwich was nothing special, and the sweet potato fries tasted as if they had been frozen and reheated in an oven. The service was also horrible. After ordering waters and a beer, it took our waitress quite a while to actually deliver this seemingly simple drink order and take our food order. The atmosphere was fun—cheap nautical-ish—but everything else was appalling. Perhaps in the future I should listen to the restaurant reviewers instead of feeling like I have to try a place myself. The Mad City Crab House will not garner a single repeat customer, thus its days are obviously numbered.

Lucky Finds

So you're probably now wondering what I actually purchased in Princeton this past weekend. Above are pictures of my two "lucky" finds. Very lucky, indeed. A soft and beautiful scarf from Henry's ($15) and a necklace (with beads made from rolled up, recycled magazine pages) from Daiseye ($24). I also bought a dress from Twister that was unfortunately not captured as well by camera, and thus I have left it out for now. Maybe I can model this weekend. I do have to find something fun to wear to Feist tonight!

Princeton Botique Shopping

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had much luck boutique shopping in Princeton, Wisconsin last weekend. Just recently, Madison Magazine published an article about this hidden gem, titled "Princeton is Priceless." Following is an expert from the first paragraph:

PRINCETON, Wisconsin, is one of those little towns that you leave knowing you'll come back again. And even if you don't, you'll mean to. Set in a deceptively remote spot just west of Green Lake, its location on the Fox River and near the Mecan River is destination enough for day trip canoers and kayakers. But its proximity to Green Lake gives its two blocks of downtown retail shops, restaurants and galleries an urban edge making for the unexpected. A quick glance down Water Street reveals cutting-edge boutiques that might easily be side-by-side retailers in one of Chicago's hippest spots.

The shops in Princeton are incredibly unique and sophisticated. I love shopping there because I always find items that I would never find anywhere else--art, jewelry, clothing, antiques, and other knick knacks. Last weekend, I took pictures of my favorite storefronts. It's amazing how the small town has built up over the last decade or so. What was once just a lonely Wisconsin street with empty storefronts is now a bustling, trendy town square with hip boutiques and eateries that cater to day-trippers and those who are fortunate enough to own property on nearby Green Lake. But at the same time, Princeton still very much looks and feels like a small Wisconsin community. And even though the shops have a high-end feel, they really are quite affordable.

A Storytelling Adventure

This afternoon, I attended a University Roundtable Lunch (apparently a university tradition since 1948) featuring my all-time favorite professor, Harold Scheub, the Evjue-Bascom Professor of Humanities in the Department of African Languages and Literature. This is the first roundtable event that I've attended. The events take place a few times per semester and are open to all members of the university community and their guests. It's essentially a buffet lunch with a guest speaker for $9. Not bad.

There was a huge turnout today for Professor Scheub, as he is very well known and respected on campus. There were over two hundred pre-registered attendees. I am so glad that Karen suggested that we attend. I've always wanted her to see and experience Professor Scheub in action. He's a little old man with an incredible amount of energy and passion (and fabulous hair!). And he's a world-renowned teacher and scholar. He is definitely the forefront scholar on African oral traditions. Over the course of his lifetime, he's walked over 6,000 miles in South Africa collecting oral traditions. In fact, he still walks everywhere. Doesn't even own a car.

Amazingly, I snagged a spot at the "reserved" head (round) table, which was very sweet. I had the opportunity to introduce myself to Professor Scheub and tell him that I was in his class a few years ago. The lunch buffet was a traditional African stew with cornbread. Professor Scheub spoke for about 40 minutes on the theme of "A Storytelling Adventure," in which he interwove stories of his life with those he's collected during his career. It was fascinating material. I wish that every student here could experience his class, the African Storyteller 210, by the time they graduate. It's definitely one of those life-changing classes that makes you want to work so hard to really "get it." Not many professors have what it takes to make students truly passionate about their studies. Professor Scheub is a master at this. He makes an impact on many young peoples' lives. Professor Scheub is obviously a huge asset to the university community, and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to listen to him today and as a student.

New Orleans Pics, Final Installment

And here is the moment you've been waiting for, the final installment of pictures from my recent trip to New Orleans! The wedding was beautiful and done in traditional New Orleans fashion. It was a great experience.

The wedding ceremony was held at the beautiful St. Patrick's church in the heart of the French Quarter.

Royce and me outside our hotel (where the reception was held).

Busting a move.

The last dance: A traditional New Orleans "Second Line Dance." Everyone danced around waving handkerchiefs and umbrellas, wishing the new couple farewell.

More marching.

On the dance floor.

The happy couple heads out on a carriage ride of the French Quarter.

One final picture (notice we're now sporting the appropriate beads).