Edgy Mama

I’ve been a bit surprised by the outpouring of anger and venom at Charla Muller, who had the nerve to write a book about a rather unorthodox year of her marriage. Of course, the book’s selling well and getting lots of publicity. I read somewhere that 90 percent of Americans want to write a book some day. The only reason I can imagine that folks would be so negative about Muller is because they’re jealous.

In my article about Muller and 365 Nights, I didn’t express my personal opinion of the book. I did, however, talk to folks who’d read it (including two psychologists who engage in couples therapy). But, interesting, I’m getting attacked for writing the article (for the record, it wasn’t my idea, but I did agree to write it), and Mountain Xpress is being jumped on for spending ink on the book.

Personally, I think the subject of dealing with long-term intimacy is a fascinating one–and the subject clearly is of interest to lots of people (both those who read my article and the book). And dudes, this is one woman’s experience, in her words. She’s not giving out advice. She’s telling a story. And yes, she’s an inexperienced writer. But, damn, she’s got a hot-selling book. Something that 90 percent of us crave. Good for her.

While I don’t have moderation power at the Mountain Xpress website (though I have some influence), I do have complete moderation power at this blog. And while I value well-argued debate, here’s what will get your comment deleted here: Schedenfreude, attempts to shame or denigrate me or others, unneccessarily rude language, and links to porn sites.

I appreciate dialogue. Think, before you comment, if I saw EM at a dinner party, would I walk up to her and say “blah, blah, blah”? If not, please don’t say it here. Thanks!

Just want you to know. It’s my blog. You don’t have to read it if you don’t like it.

…with your spouse.  I wrote this cover story for Mountain Xpress on Asheville native, Charla Muller, and her new book, 365 Nights. Fun, but controversial.

Or did I read that someone is trying to regulate blogging while drunk? Maybe that was an April Fool’s joke, but I swear I read somewhere in the past few days that someone’s petitioning to stop BWD.

In my experience, other people blogging while drunk, provided they are able to spell correctly, is fun and hilarious and NOT dangerous. Unlike operating a motor vehicle or a chainsaw or a nail clipper while drunk (don’t ask). So, I say let’s start a group to promote BWD, not control it. And did I mention that I’m drinking a lovely microbrew while writing this? It’s my favorite–APBC’s Roland’s Red. I made a video about this beer that’s somewhere on YouTube, if you’re interested. And is a slightly embarrassing example of YouTubing while drunk. Which has become an international pastime. And should not be regulated. Unless it’s really disgusting. Even then, just paste red warning flags on it. Thank you.

In other news, what’s up with the weather? It was like 50 degrees this morning, which is supposed to be the coldest part of the day and now at 7 p.m., it’s like 38. So while I stood outside before dawn in my jammies watching the Dorkie Poo do his business on my raspberry bushes, by the time I got to my first interview, I had to put on a sweat shirt over my dress because I was shivering. Maybe as a journalist, I can get away with fleece over tights and short dresses, because everyone knows that journalists are slobs, and even when they try to dress up, they fail, because they’ve always got ink on their sleeves or their shirts are untucked because they’re focusing too hard on words to give a shit about fashion or neatness or cleanliness, in most cases. I always have ink on my left pinkie finger, because, like many creative people, I’m left-handed, which means that that finger smears whatever I’ve written. Luckily, I’m used to reading smeary shorthand.

So, the point of this is don’t trust people against blogging while drunk. Don’t trust the weather. And most of all, don’t trust clean, well-dressed journalists.

Here’s my weekly column for Mountain Xpress: What kind of Asheville mom are you?

Notice that they’re now referring to me as “Mountain Xpress’ parenting columnist”! Hurrah!

Also, not to dis my biz profiles, here’s today’s on this cool woman trucker who transports sustainable goods for small farmers.

Now you know why I haven’t been blogging much.

Happy Monday!

I know all you parents want to read more about the toy craze that’s making your kids whiny. Here’s my article on those crazy Webkinz.

1. Until last night, it was spring. Spring equals gardening. Spring equals softball. Spring equals playing outside.

2. I’ve been drowning in window treatments. Not for my home, no. I’m writing a series of THREE articles on window treatments with many, many corresponding photos. Can you say time-consuming? Can you say boring?

3. Three weeks ago, my girl, playing tag at recess, ran smack into a metal pole. With one of her adult front teeth. After four dental/endodontist appointments, the news is that my eight-year-old is going to have a fricking root canal on her front tooth. I’m trying to stay positive for her, but I’m freaked out. Any good root canal stories or advice would be appreciated.

4. A deadline for a business profile. Today. Guess I’d better get to it.

MILLS RIVER — You’d be surprised how many people have an old English car rusting away in their driveway or backyard, according to Jennie Kipling, co-owner of Old English Cars, a business that restores and repairs these vehicles.

“When people finally have the money to fix up their cars, they come in here with a big, long list, and the list just gets longer and longer,” said Tony Kipling, co-owner.

The Kiplings, both 36, started their business last July in a warehouse off N.C. 280.

The spacious garage is filled with the partially restored and stripped-down bodies of about 10 old British cars, including a Morris Minor, a couple of Austin Healeys and a Land Rover.

In addition to towing rusted cars out of fields and garages around the Southeast, the Kiplings import, restore and resell British cars that are 25 years old or older. After restoration, the couple typically sell them on eBay. Car enthusiasts from Seattle, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Florida have purchased their cars.

“They’ve bought from all corners of the U.S.,” Tony Kipling said.

The Kiplings met 15 years ago when they both worked for a Land Rover dealership in England. The couple moved here in 2000 when Tony took a position as a technician for the Asheville Land Rover dealership. The Kiplings are now permanent residents of the United States.

“I think our British accents help,” Jennie Kipling said. “People know we’re the real thing.”

Kipling notes that it’s difficult for him to estimate how much restoring a particular car will cost until he’s stripped it down and examined it closely. He doesn’t ask for money up front, but communicates about costs with clients throughout the restoration process.

“We find that we spend so much time with our customers that they tend to become friends,” Jennie Kipling said.

The Kiplings are now restoring two cars owned by Derek Cook of Fairview: a 1959 Austin Healey “bug-eyed” Sprite and a 1971 MGBGT.

Cook picked up the Sprite at a junkyard 10 years ago, and “it’s been a work in process ever since,” he said. He spends every Friday working on the car with Kipling at the business.

“Now I have the money to buy the cars I wanted when I was young,” Cook said. “I’m just happy Tony’s doing this. He knows what he’s doing. I’ve learned a lot from him.”

The two met at a get-together of The British Car Club of Western North Carolina, a nonprofit devoted to celebrating these sports cars.

Tony Kipling also works as a driving instructor at the Biltmore’s Land Rover Experience Driving School.

He owns and races a 1964 Austin Healey Sprite and placed fifth in the 2006 South Atlantic Road Racing Championship.

For your reading pleasure: an article I wrote about a cool new recording studio here in Ashvegas. The studio is located in a renovated church, is home to a large furry beastie named Angus (the owner’s dog), AND is the site where my beloved Avett Brothers recorded their soon-to-be-released CD.

Here’s a photo I took of the church that houses Echo Mountain Recording. This photo ran in the newspaper, but not in the on-line version of the article. I could have written three or four articles about these dudes. Okay, one would have been just about the renovation. Lots of great stuff going on in this sanctuary!

Here’s the scare article I wrote recently about radon gas. The story was my first published story on the front-front page of a newspaper since college. Woo-hoo!

Actually, radon IS scary. The story I wrote is three times as long as what was published, with lots more stats. This article was linked, interestingly, by a Yahoo discussion group called Know Nukes.

If you have any questions about radon, ask away. I’m feeling like quite the expert now.