Nanny Diaries

On Tuesday night, my friends Kim, Karen, and I all enjoyed Taco Tuesday, followed by Nanny Diaries at the discount theater, which we affectionately refer to as the "cheaps." Evening shows are amazingly only $3, although they only show movies that are on their way out and on to DVD. For that price, I have no problem waiting a few months to check out a new movie, especially one like Nanny Diaries.

I read the book Nanny Diaries, co-written by NYU grads and occasional nannies Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, approximately two years ago. The book was great summer reading, very similar to Devil Wears Prada. I found both books mildly entertaining, but remember being annoyed by the authors who seem to scoff at the lives of Manhattan socialites, but at the same time so obviously crave a similar lifestyle for themselves.

The movie, however, was in fact worse than the book. Scarlett Johansson was so wrong for the part of Annie. When I read the book, I pictured a character so completely different than the one Johansson portrayed. I envisioned a serious, studious, dark-haired, native New Yorker. Laura Linney, however, was much more believeable as Mrs. X. But, Alicia Keyes? Please, what was that? And Harvard Hottie was such a jerk in the movie. Definitely don't remember that in the book. Overall, I felt less drawn into the plot and my emotions were never piqued. But I must admit that I was somewhat entertained. I always enjoy a decent movie, a dark theater, and time to sit back and completely zone out. The Nanny Diaries gave me plenty of time to do just that.

Warning: Do Not Read

I recently finished what was quite possibly the worst book I have ever read—You Shall Know Our Velocity, by Dave Eggers. If I didn’t have such a complex about not finishing books I’ve started, I surely would have put it down at page fifty. After reading Eggers’ first book and memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius (2000), I was intrigued and excited to read more of his work.

You Shall Know Our Velocity, his debut novel, however, left me confused and annoyed. The plot follows Will and Hand, two childhood friends from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, who set out on a week-long, around-the-world odyssey, to give away a large sum of money. I might add that Will earned this large sum of money ($80,000 in cash) by screwing in a light bulb. Will is extremely uncomfortable with the money and is thus driven to get rid of the money as quickly as possible by blowing it on travel and gifts to random people they encounter along the way.

The whole book and plot is absurd. I know that some people appreciate this type of random and senseless humor (Snarg), and I certainly was caught laughing out loud at times. But overwhelmingly, I was annoyed throughout. The book was not a page turner, nor a book I even remotely looked forward to sitting down with. In fact, it took me three solid months to finish, and I’m just thankful it’s over. Because, really, I don’t give a damn about their velocity.

RIP, Original Culver's

I forgot to mention that I also visited the site of the very first Culver's Restaurant in Sauk City over the weekend. Although the original restaurant was replaced by a brand new one in 2000, a big rock and commemorative plaque mark the spot so that all may remember the very beginning. Let's marinate on that for a moment. Frozen custard and butter burgers forever. Obviously, this is a very important tourist destination that should be incorporated into any trip through Wisconsin.

Weekend Funny Pics

I had a spooky encounter with this "pumpkin house" on Monroe St. over the weekend

The sign above pointed to the house below (student housing, notice beer bong at left of door)

More Pics from the Bluffs

Pictures from Karen's camera of the weekend's Devil's Lake adventure

Bring on the Deep Freeeze

Karen and I also took a little roadtrip to Devil's Lake this past weekend, for what was probably one of the last great fall weekends of the year. Tear. The peak of the colors has passed, but as you'll see in the pictures above, there were still some brilliant shades intermixed. We hiked in the bluffs and around the entire lake. It was chilly, but the hiking and sun kept us warm.

Before our big hike, we stopped at Ski-Hi apple orchard, located right outside the park, to load up on apple cider and apple pie. I also purchased some cider donuts as a parting gift. I love that place. It's a great pre-park stop that my good friend Abby introduced me to last year.

Why must fall come to an end so quickly and suddenly! (Introduction to Kristin's internal debate) The pessimistic side of me wonders what I could possibly have to look forward to over the next five months. Because certainly a deep freeze will hold its clutches on our land and drive the masses into a great hibernation for an undetermined amount of time. But the optimistic side of me argues that we are so lucky to have four distinct seasons and there are truly so many wonderful things to look forward to come winter. There's skiing, sledding, ice skating, snow shoeing, board games, warm sweaters, chili, hot chocolate, Saint Nick's Day, Christmas music, knitting, reading, and vacations. So I suppose, with a great sigh, life will go on. And I am ready. Bring on the deep freeze.

Recreating the Famed Beignet

On Sunday morning, Karen and I went on a long run followed by a fantastic homemade breakfast of scrambled eggs, hot beignets, and chicory coffee. The beignet mix was straight from Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. The mix simply required a little water, rolling, shaping, frying, and powdered sugar dusting. Amazingly, the homemade variety is very similar to what you'd find at the cafe. Thank goodness recreating puffy square French donuts isn't rocket science. And luckily, you don't have go all the way to New Orleans to purchase the mix, either. The famed beinget mix and chicory coffee are conveniently sold at World Market stores and also available at Cafe Du Monde's online store.

During breakfast, Karen and I also enjoyed a nice fire in our recently renovated fireplace. It was such a nice morning. After all of the moving-in projects, home renovations, and general craziness of life, it was great to take a few hours to soak it all in and enjoy home.