Ohh, such a good weekend!

Today is the last bit of my first vacation in well over a year and, I'm almost certain, the first paid vacation I've had in as long as I can remember. Nothing like some time off to just relax and hang out with friends.

Friday night I went to see one of my favorite bands, The Swell Season. Oh, how I adore this duo. I think there's little I wouldn't do for either Glen Hansard or Market Irglova if they'd sing even a few bars of their music. *sighs* And, of course, they put on a fabulous show, covering all my favorites and singing the hell out of their new cd. Hansard, as usual, shared great stories from the road between songs making all those susceptible to his charm fall even deeper into lust for him. I ended up not getting home and to sleep until after 12 but it was soooo worth it.
Watch! Or, watch this!


Saturday, I got up early and took off for Fort Knox, KY to see my friend Christina and her husband for a few days. The drive through Illinois and Indiana was great-such beautiful scenery. I do love road trips (and, surprisingly, even a four hour one undertaken by myself was quite enjoyable). Made it down there a little after 11 and got to the visitor's gate only to realize I forgot to put my registration in the glovebox and, therefore, couldn't drive on base. Luckily, Stina was able to pick me up and we found a safe place for me to leave the Civic. After that, she took me all over the base. I was amazed at the amount of amenities they had on there! Everything from a golf course to a water park and movie theater and I doubt there's much you couldn't find, shop-wise, in one of their stores. (Side note: Stina-go back and get that Ken Doll sign!) After dinner, we just relaxed and watched some movies and had some German spiced holiday wine. I'm sure it has a real name but I'm damned if I can remember it. Good stuff, though, and I'm on the lookout for it up here somewhere. I went to bed with the chickens since I was so wiped from getting up at five and slept like a baby.

On Sunday, Stina and I met up with her friend and classmate, Carly and we went to the Speed Museum in Louisville. It's on the campus of the university and they had a remarkable collection of Flemish and French tapestries from the 15th century as well as two Picassos and a beautiful Chagall painting. I was so impressed at the extensive collection being housed in a college gallery and totally recommend anyone in the area pay them a visit. It's not often you see small galleries with so many diverse artworks that also offer free admission. After that, Stina and I went out for sushi and girl talk. Ah, girl talk... Can't have too much of that, imo.

So, by the time I headed home yesterday, I felt like all the stress of the last few months had been wiped out. It's an awesome feeling but it does make me less than eager to head in tomorrow morning. Also, it was so great to see one of my favorite people so happy. Lots of married couples claim that they're each other's best friend but it's rarely as clearly true as it is for Stina and Tor. Lucky bastards... :) Hopefully, they'll visit sometime soon so I can repay their hospitality.

Oh yeah, I also managed to finish a prettylicious hat for one of the few holiday gifts I'm making. Now I can just focus on Parker's blanket. It probably won't be done for xmas but, then, it was a very ambitious goal anyway. I am, however, going to cast on for Emma's Red Riding Hood-I've been looking at the yarn longingly for too long now.