I Will Not Cry

I've vowed to myself that even though I feel like letting the sea of tears issue forth, I won't.

Last year, I made a huge fool of myself. It's something I'm really good at. If you could have a doctorate in being a fool I'd have a PH.D.

I let myself go on with the foolishness for a year now, simply because I've always had a problem drawing away from things.

Today I learned how "not nice" the person in question was. Things that I was trying to convince myself about them that couldn't possibly be true, were.

Its defeating because this seems to be a pattern with me. I want people that either want me to be something different from what I am, or people that don't want me at all. (Or are otherwise unavailable)

Maybe I'm scared of being with someone that would have to know me and my family. Maybe I'm just not worthy of notice.

Right now I feel really small and I don't know what would pull me out of the funk, but I know one thing, I refuse to shed anymore tears over this person. They don't deserve them.

Random 10 - Week - 149

From Music Memoirs


10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)

Gordon Lightfoot - Race Among The Ruins
(I've been falling asleep a lot to this song lately)

Andy Bell/KD Lang - No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)
(Getting my exercise on to this one)

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Distorted Angel
(This is quite possibly my favorite song from All This Useless Beauty)

Elvis Costello - Last Boat Leaving
(I listened to Spike last night before bed)

Pat Benatar - We Belong
(Woke up to this...will have it stuck in my head for ages as a result)

Steve Winwood - Back In The Highlife
(Heard him at Mad Mex yesterday not sure if that was the song, but it was the one that moved into my head afterwards)

Duran Duran - Skin Trade
(A song from the mp3 player)

Over The Rhine - If Nothing Else
(My favorite song right now)

Hem - Red Shoes
(Best Costello cover I've ever heard...well besides Nick Lowe's version of Indoor Fireworks)

Dolly Parton - Better Git To Livin
(Another favorite of mine right now)

And the picture? The cutest widdle car I ever did see

Keeping It Bottled Up

It's that time of year again. The time when the doctors conspire to take my one little week of vacation and make sure I don't get it for myself.

Both parents went to the cardiologist last Friday. Mum is good. Dad is good. Both of them need an electrocardiogram in the next month or so. My dad's is scheduled for April 25th. The reason for his, is that a section of his heart is much weaker than it should be and they are considering a defibrillator for him.

ARGH!

I just went through that last year with mum. It's an easy surgery, but one they only perform at Shadyside.

Which means it will be in my best interests to stay at the Marriot if that happens, meaning I can't even begin to think of a real vacation this year until after April 25th, just in case. My guess is that everything I need to do will have to be done on the weekends again. I hate that.

Atlantic City?

Nope not until the car. No matter how many dreams I have of seagulls and the ocean.

I haven't mentioned this here or on my LJ, because deep down I wish it would go away. I'm being spoiled and selfish about everything. But still, I wish that just once I'd be able to have my vacation time for me.

It Was A Long Day

Surprisingly I did get most of my to do list done. I even made a batch of brownies. I know how very domestic of me. I made them in the toaster oven too. Those things are marvelous, especially since the oven in our house is older than dirt.

The only thing I didn't get around to was fiddling with the mp3 player. I can't imagine why. Well, actually I can. It drives me bonkers, trying to go through files. I have loads of music on my computer and in my CD collection and what I listen to can change on a daily basis depending on my mood.

I discover a new artist and for a few weeks that's all I can listen to, then I find something else and that other artist fades into the background. Sometimes I even find them annoying and I start to wonder why I even liked them so much.

Sure there are staples that I can listen to at any given time, The Moodies, Elvis Costello, Gordon Lightfoot, etc.

So any time I decide to fiddle with the mp3 player's music library it becomes a trial. It's not so bad when I'm adding tv shows or video, just music. I feel guilty when I take stuff off and I hate not having my current obsessions on the damn thing. I think that's why I still have the little flash mp3 player for single playlists. It's not as complicated. I almost consider that my mix cd mp3 player. The other two are hard drive players at 4 GB and 30 GB. I really need an 80, but there are other more pressing needs in my life, like a new car.

So my guess is that I should stop whining and just start fiddling with the mp3 player.

Saturday To Do List

These are things I must do today, or else. I hate to do lists, by the way, because half the time I can't complete a damn thing on them.

1. Gym (I'm going in an hour)
2. Grocery shopping (The bane of my existence)
3. Find ear wipes or something for Mutchka's ear. I think he may have the beginnings of an infection and there's no way I can get him to the vet until next week. And truthfully I would prefer to not have to take him to the vet. The vet always gives me bad news.
4. Watch Who and Torchwood.
5. Charge camera batteries, and replace camera batteries in both Easyshares.

I think that's enough for one day.

Oh and fiddle with some of the tracks on my mp3 player. I've got duplicates and it's annoying.t

TV Ramblings

I watch Torchwood. I admit it. I'm slowly becoming a total Whovian. I finally watched Adrift and I have to say, I cried through the last 20 minutes of it. I hate when tv shows do that to me.

There's enough for me to cry about without me crying because of some stupid show, but dammit this episode was good. It was really really good.

A few weeks ago I caved and started hunting down the episodes that aired in the UK, because BBC America is about 3 maybe 4 weeks behind and I belong to several communities on Livejournal for the show, and frankly I hate hearing everyone talk about the episodes they've watched.

I have no patience. None.

I don't know that I'll be watching Doctor Who on Sci-Fi, because we'll be a month behind the UK on that one too.

I can't handle it. I need my favorite shows NOW! I don't care when or where they originate. I think it's grossly unfair that movies get different releases for different countries. (Same goes for music, but I won't go there) And with so much going on the internet, being a week or behind is damn painful!!!

But back to Adrift. Best. Episode. Ever. I can't believe I'm saying that considering that I don't care for Gwen Cooper and that was the character that the show focused on. But whoa! Go Gwen.

And seriously if you don't cry in the last 20 minutes at all, you have no heart. No heart whatsoever. Now I have to watch Fragments!!!!!!

Top 5 On Friday - Week 168

This week at Music Memoirs, we want to know:

Top 5 songs that you've loved the longest

1. The Beatles - I'll Follow The Sun
This was the first Beatles song I remember adoring. I used to watch The Beatles cartoons and that was the song that really got me started. I stole my brother's copy of Beatles '65 as a result.

2. The Monkees - Daydream Believer
Davy was my first musical crush. I was going to marry him when I was 5. He's single these days...I wonder if he would like a wife that's younger than most of his children?

3. George Harrison - Got My Mind Set On You
George was another of my youthful crushes. Oh the hell I put the guys at Camelot Music @ Century 3 Mall through when this album came out. Such a fun song too. (Even though George didn't write it)

4. The Moody Blues - Your Wildest Dreams
This is the song that started it all for me. If it weren't for this song there would have been no Atlantic City...there wouldn't have been a bizarre night in Cincinnati...no cold street corners in Youngstown. Damn this song to hell!!

5. Elvis Costello - Veronica
In 1989 I played my original Spike CD until it couldn't be played anymore. I loved that album. However I didn't rediscover the man until 2002 or 2003.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things that are keeping me sane until next week.

1. Torchwood episodes to watch on my mp3 player.

2. Knowing that I will have some money on Friday. Yay for payday!

3. Going to Phipps Conservatory to the Spring Flower Show!

4. That Hoops and Yoyo Easter Card that Moody Mistress sent me.

5. My computer, even though my internet has been wonky at home and at work in the last few days.

6. My adopted online mom from Chicago finally getting back to work. No more vacations for awhile mom! At least not at the same time as Fishy!

7. A few good books, including Alison Lurie's Only Children, which I'm enjoying right now.

8. New music by Swing Out Sister.



I can't wait to listen to this one.

9. Another Doctor Who episode I haven't seen on Saturday night!

10. John Barrowman covering Air Supply!! Clicky here to hear it.

11. And if that doesn't work; John Barrowman covering Carly Simon!!!

Clicky!!!!

12. Knowing I might be able to get tickets for NICK LOWE IN PITTSBURGH NEXT MONTH!

13. Revise number 12. I am going!!!!

Strawberry Milkshake Oreos!

As if my waistline needs anything else to help it expand! I went to Walmart on Monday to get a few things for my Gram, as she managed to get the cold I had last week, and passing through the food section I came across the new limited edition Oreos.

ARGH!

I don't usually like changes on perfection, and Oreos are one of nature's most perfect cookies (along with Samoas by the Little Brownie Bakery), but the strawberry creme is yummerific! (Take that Rachael Ray)

I hope they are around a for awhile, because I hate falling in love with something only to have it disappear a few weeks later.

Hmmm. That sounds like every relationship I've had in my life. Ah well, at least I can't be too traumatized by the loss of a cookie now can I?

So if you are a fan of Oreos and strawberry flavor well let me tell you, you're going to have a happy glass of milk if you find these cookies!

Hump Day! Thank God!

This horrid awful boring week is half over! Can I get a yippee skippy for that? I've had next to nothing to do at work. My two favorite people in the universe managed to get together and take time off at the same time. (I know they weren't conspiring together, but dang it feels that way)

I've come to truly despise (in the nicest way possible) anyone that has 3 weeks of vacation a year, while I'm stuck with one week that I have to break up so as to not have chaos reigning at the office.

~Big Sigh~

OK, now that I'm done feeling sorry for myself. It is hump day. And the only thing that can make me happy right now are a couple hunks all of which I miss terribly right now.



It wouldn't hurt for these guys to play somewhere near Pittsburgh, because I can't afford Atlantic City this year. (That alone is enough to make this girl cry)



Fishy's vacation needs to be over. How am I supposed to survive my mornings without him sounding like a goober for those first 2 hours of work? Huh? Come back, Fishy! 99.3 The Pickle sucks without you!

Tuesday Tunes - Week 26

From Music Memoirs


What is the most unusal band/artist's name that you can think of?
There are so many unusual ones really...I happen to think The Traveling Wilburys is really unusual especially as they didn't tour and they randomly picked the name Wilbury from I don't know where!


Can you name any songs that have an actual person's name in the title?
Weezer - Buddy Holly
Falco - Rock Me Amadeus
The Beatles - Roll Over Beethoven

A lot of artists have stage names, can you name at least one artist's real name? (You can do as many as you like)
Adam Ant - Stuart Goddard
Elvis Costello - Declan Patrick MacManus
Elton John - Reginald Dwight
Sting - Gordon Sumner

Costello's New Album

Russ posted about Elvis Costello's new album that will be out sometime in April-May of this year, called Momofuku.

Most of the world is wondering if it's a nod toward a trendy, can't get near the place, noodle bar in NYC. I'm just wondering where I'll be able to purchase it. He claims it will be a "VINYL" only release with a special code for a digital download included.

Well la-di-fucking-da, Mr. Costello. In the US of A most people do not own turntables anymore, let alone buy CDs. Surely the RIAA has appraised you of that fact. How in the hell do you expect people to buy vinyl for god sake!

I'm one of the few that does own a turntable, though. So there will be no bitching, at least too much, from me.

I did read that there is going to be a CD release in May, most likely to coincide with him going on the road with The Police, but still it would be nice to know where I can purchase the vinyl.

I've been to amazon and there's nothing. If the release date really is April 22 for that version, it's not going to be sold through the biggest online music seller. It's also not going to be sold on his website, because that's being reconstructed due to some argument he's apparently got with Universal Music. (Who doesn't have an argument with them?)

Ah well, I hope I'll be able to order this blasted album somewhere soon.

Random 10 - Week 148

From Music Memoirs


10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)

Gordon Lightfoot - Race Among The Ruins
Cut Copy - So Haunted
Seth Lakeman - John Lomas
Seth Lakeman - Farewell My Love
Dolly Parton - Better Git To Livin'
The Monkees - Look Down
Hem - The Pills Stopped Working
Murray Gold - Doctor Who Theme
Over The Rhine - If Nothing Else
The Monkees - Love To Love

And my picture? My Easter cake!

Another Monday

As I pull my tired butt out of bed to deal with a long and ridiculous spam email from Satan and a continuing argument with someone about why I won't vote for Barack Obama in the PA primary, or in fact ever. I have to say, I wish Easter were a holiday that we consider "real" in this country. You know, a day off, besides Sunday. I could really use a day off. I haven't had one since New Year's Day.

Worse still, two of the things that keep me sane during my work day are on vacation this week. My online mom is off until Thursday and the idiot DJ that keeps me sane from 8 - 10 a.m. is on vacation this week.

BLERGH!

Which means my week is going to be pure hell. I learned in the past year that I don't like radio. I just like Fishy. He amuses me. I'm probably going to sit in silence for the next 5 days or listen to WJPA, which isn't nearly amusing to me and is way too much news for me to handle at the top of every hour.

The only thing that's keeping me going this week is the temperatures that are slowly climbing into the 50s again. Yay! I might be able to put my sweaters away someday.

I hope I can dig up a lot of work to do today or life is going to be truly miserable.

Happy Easter!

A blessed and peaceful holiday to all of my blogging friends old and new.

I Caved

In an act of sheer lack of willpower, I went to the Over The Rhine website and pre-ordered the Live From Nowhere Vol 3. CD. It was $18, and that was $18 I really don't have, but I didn't want to risk not being able to get a copy.

I love Over The Rhine.

What I don't love is paying for a CD that I will get sometime in April.

PAH!

But after the day I had yesterday I felt I deserved something for my pain. And what would be better than a new CD. OK, I can think of loads of other things. That new dress, a trip to Atlantic City or Cincinnati to mention a few, but the CD will do just nicely, so I bought it.

Now I can't wait for it to arrive. I hope it's out at the beginning of April as opposed to the end of the month.

So for any other Over The Rhine people, go here and order your copy. I'm sure it will be great!

Nothing Good About This Friday

I realize that the suffering I endured throughout this day doesn't hold a candle to the sufferings of Christ, but let me tell you, I felt like they did, even though everything that happened was minor, it was just a lot of minor nuisances that made the day a major pain.

It started with the monthly visitor showing up 5 minutes before leaving for work. ARGH! 3 days early too. GAH!

I had a nice chat with Fishy for that 1.5 minutes that I can talk to him while requesting a song, unfortunately at no time during that minute and a half did he mention that he was going on vacation next week.

ARGH! I had an Easter present that I was taking to the station for him when I was picking up my DVD from Instant Winner Thursday. I left it with a receptionist...so hopefully he gets it when he gets back. If not, I hope the other guys and girls at the station like the chocolate egg and cadbury egg I left for him along with the two cds I burned for him.

Bubble burst.

I worked like mad to have something to give him today, only to be foiled by his vacation. I love to share the musical love with him, even though I know it makes me look like an ass, and it probably annoys the fuck out of him.

After that fiasco I went to exercise...almost lost my water there...GAH and just wasn't into it. Then did the grocery shopping. That was all well and good. Got everything on the list and a couple of other things I knew we'd need before I could get back to that particular store, get the total and it ends up that I have about $2 left to eat dinner on.

Head desk.

I knew I wasn't going to be home to eat with the family tonight, I planned on Quiznos and a Honey Latte from Starbucks.

Got the money situation sorted and went to Quiznos in Rostraver only to find a sign on the door saying they were closed until further notice due to electrical issues. I decided then and there not to attempt Starbucks because I might end up with hot coffee in my lap or something.

I went to Subway and got a veggie delight on flat bread and I don't think I'm leaving the house for 24 hours.

Top 5 On Friday - Week 167

From Music Memoirs:

Top 5 Cover Songs or Covers Albums

OK, let's see what I can come up with here...

Dolly Parton - Drives Me Crazy
This is the song done by The Fine Young Cannibals in the 80s. When I first heard her version I didn't recognize it. I was truly amused by it, because I never cared for the song at all, now I'm amused by it. Dolly also did a lovely version of Tracks of My Tears and Crimson & Clover which she performed with Tommy James. I can upload either if you like.

Diana Krall - Almost Blue
Absolutely gorgeous cover of her hubby's song.

Fountains Of Wayne - Baby One More Time
How do you make a song Britney sings good? Let someone else cover it. Fun Fun Fun.

Elvis Costello - Please Stay
This is a gorgeous cover of the Bacharach and David song. It's proof that Elvis can and will sing anything. Another favorite of mine is his cover of The Beatles You've Got To Hide Your Love Away.

Over The Rhine - Ruby Tuesday
I love this version. Actually I love most all songs by this band.

edit: My favorite 5 covers albums

Erasure - Other People's Songs
From Peter Gabriel to the Cockney Rebels and everything in between, however the best cover on this album is Everyday originally by Buddy Holly.


Elvis Costello - Kojak Variety
Elvis covers The Kinks, Bacharach and David and Dylan among others! This is one album, especially the Rhino remaster, that's not to be missed.


Dolly Parton - Those Were The Days
Dolly does her versions of some of the greatest songs of the 60's and 70's and makes them her own. A very unique version of Imagine appears on this album.


The Smithereens - Meet The Smithereens
A cover of every song on Meet The Beatles in the exact order and done superbly. Everyone should own this.


I'm sad to admit this but:

Barry Manillow - The Greatest Songs Of The Seventies
These are the songs of his decade, and yes, he redid Mandy for this album, but you only have to hear him do It Never Rains In Southern California, to know that he may be goofy, scary and a bit of everything in between, but he is a damn good voice in the world of adult contemporary schlep. And he's a damn site more tolerable than Clay Aiken!!!

To Make You Think

The economy and the election are the only things you hear about in the news. And its funny how the one thing that's doing the most to adversely affect the economy is seldom mentioned; Gas Prices. I don't see any candidate saying that they are going to help get the rising gas prices under control.

Rashbre said in the UK the prices are roughly $1.17 a liter. Think of that 2 liter bottle of Coke or Pepsi that we guzzle costing $9 instead of $1. And then think how fast we guzzle it. It's sobering. We use our cars that way. (Edited because I can't read my comments correctly)

This country has lost sight of mass transit. People don't commute via train. We go buy car or plane, both which use great quantities of fuel and we don't even think about it. And yes, trains use fuel too, but we have the rails in place and we're wasting them in so many areas.

Again I say a lot of this is our own fault. I'm part of the working poor. I make less than $20,000 a year. But before you tell me to go to the city or find a better job, I'm going to tell you that the median income for my home town is only $24,000 and for the City of Pittsburgh it's $28,000 with more than 20% living under the poverty level. So, before you say anything, there's not much better where I am. M'kay? Then do the math on a job commute versus having an additional $1 to my hourly rate or even $2. It doesn't make good sense. I'd kill a car. Pay more for fuel and end up making less.

Long commutes just take our disposable income down.

But in this country that doesn't seem to matter. Again we buy big vehicles. Every child must have a car at 16. (I was an odd ball, I didn't learn how to drive until I was 18) Every child has a cell phone attached to their bodies as soon as they can walk out the door. Oye! (Another reason not to have children in my book)

And we bitch when the price of other goods and services go up too. Well it seems to me if it costs more to ship it...the companies are going to pass that expense on to us. And they do. Even the post office. The price of a stamp will be going up again in a few short months.

And we still want everything. We want our vacations to Disney or the shore.

As I sit on my ass staring at the computer, because it's the only thing I can afford to do, right now, I ask all three candidates, how they are going to help with the cost of gasoline. Because Mr. McCain, Mrs. Clinton or Ms. Clinton, and Mr. (Anti-Christ) erm.. Mr. Obama. It's the cost of fuel that's causing the economy to slow down. DO SOMETHING! Oh and Mr. President, though I'm happy to accept that $300 you will be sending me but is it really going fix things?

Happiness Is A Good Book

I just finished reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. I can only say one thing. Go out and buy this novel. It is worth every penny. I usually don't enjoy my friend's book club selections, but this one was incredible.



Snow Flower is the laotong (old same) of Lilly a poor Chinese girl in the 19th century. The tale is spun by an 81 year old Lilly now Lady Lu, looking back on her life and her regrets.

In reading this, you catch a glimpse into a strange culture. You read of the girl's foot binding, which results in the death of one sister. You truly see how poorly women were treated, "useless branches" is how they are described over and over. You will also learn about the secret writing of nu shu that women used to communicate with away from the influence of men.

As you see the two girls grow into women you also see the two women switch statures. Lily marries well, but because Snow Flower's father had taken to the pipe, she marries as low as any Chinese girl could marry, a butcher. It is because of this life changing event that their long friendship begins to disintegrate and it almost dies altogether.

You will love both of the characters and share their joys and sorrows. I truly believe that you'll understand what motivates Lily towards the end of the novel when her relationship with Snow Flower is shaken. You will love with these two women. You will cry with them and you will give your forgiveness when the story is done.

Happy Hump Day

Dear God, I almost feel alive today. Just a bit scratchy in the throat area, so perhaps one more day of meds and I'll be at 100% and be able to do my usual day to day things.

I've been trying to visit everyone on my daily list, but my concentration isn't as it should be. I have been getting some good sleep though. That's definitely a plus. I've also been able to read a bit. I'll post a review of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan tonight or tomorrow.

For now I think I'm going to grab my anti-hack-up-a-lung medication and stare at the Hump Day Hunks.

Tuesday Tunes - Week 25

From Music Memoirs

Remember; post the first song/album/band/artist that comes to mind when you see the following 10 words:


God: Superstar
Bunny: Here Comes Peter Cottontail (And he's hoppin' down the bunny trail)
Flower: Babs and Neil Diamond - You Don't Bring Me Flowers
Grass: The Grass Roots
Musical: Jesus Christ Superstar

Gospel: The Gospel Truth by Susan Werner

New: Duran Duran - New Religion
Color: Chicago - Colour My World
Dress: Depeche Mode - Blue Dress
Sunday: Morrissey - Every Day Is Like Sunday

Still Sick

How many Nyquils and Dayquils do I have to take in order to feel human again? Apparently more than I have, which is not a good thing.

I don't trust myself to go exercise because I know that usually makes things worse. And I can't have a cold that makes me lose my hunger. No. That would bring me joy. Its just a horrible cycle I'm in right now.

I don't have sick days that I can use or I would still be curled up in bed. Granted I could take a day off, but I'd not get paid for it and at this point money is much more important than my stupid cold.

Just getting through normal daily activities is a trial. I feel that crappy! Way to make Andrea more whiny than usual.

So if someone would pass me my blanket, some sinus meds and let me crawl back under the covers I would be most appreciative. If not I think I'm just going to go face down on my desk at work. (Most likely that's where you'll find me) I need the weekend to get here fast, so I can sleep some more.

The Book Guinea Pig Reads Again

My friend Karen has once again foisted off one of her book club selections on me. This time the choice is one I think I can recommend to at least some of my readers. The book is Snow Flower & The Secret Fan by Lisa See.



I've only just started reading but I can already tell its a book that I'll enjoy. It tells the tale of a 19th century Chinese girl and her pairing with a laotong, or "old same," as well as the language of ne shu, which was created by Chinese women to communicate away from the influence of men.

It's an easy read so far and I'm learning a lot about the culture of China. It's not that often that I find a book from my friend's reading group that is enjoyable. Most of the time I tease her, telling her that she never reads anything enjoyable. Actually she doesn't, I do. However I get movies and dinners/lunches out of the deal so it's worth it. This time, I think I'd gladly just read the book.

Random 10 - Week 147

Too sick to coherently blog...so I'll do the Random 10 from Music Memoirs. Pass the kleenex please and the dayquil!


10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)

The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin
The Moody Blues - All That Is Real Is You

Justin Hayward - On The Road
Justin Hayward - The Lights Are Low

Murray Gold - The Doctor Who Theme

R.E.M. Accelerate
(from the new and pretty decent album of the same name)

The Smithereens - Blood and Roses

Gordon Lightfoot - High & Dry
Gordon Lightfoot - Cotton Jenny
Gordon Lightfoot - Love & Maple Syrup
Gordon Lightfoot - Carefree Highway

And the photo? Mutchka! Who has now learned the warming powers of sitting on the monitor or the computer tower.

Blerghity Blergh Blergh

My sinuses are acting up.

I'm miserable.

I'm not in the mood for anything and I have a hundred million things to do, much like any given weekend.

Have I done any of the things I needed to do so far? Hell no!

Mostly I've discovered that sugar free Dove chocolate is really good. Palm Sunday mass is great when the choir isn't singing. And I need to see next week's Doctor Who NOW! I hate it when shows have that To Be Continued tacked to the end. Grrrr!

All I can hope to accomplish now is to finish reading Barabra Michaels' The Prince Of Darkness by tomorrow morning, so that I can read something else this week. I love a good gothic novel, but this one is taking me too long to read. I think it's because I have the attention span of a fruit fly right now. I can't believe I'm even able to watch the telly!

Spring! Where are you? Come quickly! Before I lose my mind!

The Rant Of The Day

Gas prices are skyrocketing and I can only say one thing, it's our own damn fault. I may have been a wee bitty babe in the late 70's but I remember odd and even gas rationing. I also remember what was the result of that rationing (though it wasn't true rationing); Economy cars.

Do any of you even know what an economy car is?

It's a small car, not a big gas horfing SUV. Smaller vehicles use less gas. Go to any of the automakers websites and see which cars get the best mpg. I can guarantee you that they aren't the big ones.

The cars prior to the 70's were boats and guess what? They've returned to boats again. Because really we're greedy pigs in this country. I admit to being a greedy pig at times. I accept that. However as a single person, I know I don't need a vehicle that gets 10 miles to the gallon.

It appalls me that people are still buying these things. I can see the need for a family car if you have kids. I can see the need for a mini van too, but there is no need for some of the SUV's out there, especially the HUMMER! Uh come on people! It just contributes to the problem.

Around 10 years ago, I was paying 89 cents a gallon for gas. Yes, you read that right, 89 cents. What have we done in 10 years? Bought more SUVs, elected a moron with financial stake in the oil market whose mommy gets a big fat dividend check from the big oil companies. Oye! And I feel for the Europeans who have been feeling these prices for years and send us no sympathy either. And let me tell you, I don't think there are many people across the pond driving Hummers!

GRRRRR.

I'm sick of sitting home because I can't afford gas, dammit!

Top 5 On Friday - Week 166

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 songs from the 60s

1. The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby
This isn't my favorite Beatles song, but its certainly one that is one of their finest in that transition period from pop to psychedelic. Some don't like it. I love it. It's probably one of Paul's best songs.

2. The Moody Blues - The Actor
This is one of my favorite Justin songs from the Core 7. This is just a stunning song.

3. Manfred Mann - Mighty Quinn
These guys did justice to Dylan's song and then some.

4. The Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday
I deleted my copy of 40 Licks because it was m4a and I hate those files, so I don't have this one anymore. I need to get that CD, because when it comes to the Stones I don't like enough of their music to justify buying too many CDs.

5. The Buckinghams - Kind Of A Drag
Catchy damn song! I could put their Mercy Mercy Mercy on this list too. That's a great song. The guys have a new album out in 2 weeks! It's been available on their website for a year and it sounds great! Pick it up!! I don't think you'll be disappointed!

I made this meme too hard, because there's so much great music from that decade. The top 5 could be all Beatles songs or all Moodies songs, but I wanted to touch on different bands and these are songs that I enjoy every time I hear them.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen goals I have for myself this year.

1. Pay off my Best Buy Credit Card. And pay down the last 2 that have large balances.

2. Save enough for a down payment on a new car.

3. Keep Bernie the Beretta alive until the new year.

4. Enjoy the Gordon Lightfoot concert in June.

5. Take a small vacation either to my brothers or Longwood Gardens this summer. (Or perhaps make sure I have a vacation anywhere)

6. Get to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aviary again.

7. Lose these stubborn 10 lbs that showed up in the last 2 years.

8. Buy that damn Nick Lowe reissue CD and those two special Over The Rhine discs.

9. Get new curtains for the 2 bedrooms that desperately need them and an area rug for the computer room.

10. Keep the last shred of sanity that I have.

11. Get to the eye doctor because my glasses are crap. I can see out of them, but the coating on the lenses is shot. PAH!

12. Go to the movies more often.

13. Remember to recite the Christmas Retail mantra when the going gets tough..."It's not polite to kill people."

Hump Day!

Thank god it's midweek. I'm getting nowhere fast. I spent yesterday reading the South Beach Diet and I give anyone credit who can last the first 2 weeks on that program. No bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, caffeine or fruit? If I did that, I can assure you I'd be in prison at some point of time afterwards. I'd do someone bodily harm (besides myself)

Still the point of the diet makes good sense and so does the Phase 2, which I think most people could live with. Phase 1, never.

Exercising after work has no affect on me. At least not so far, except there are less people at the gym at 4 o'clock, so I feel less skinny blonde wench rage. That's a good thing, so I may keep it up. Although I think I still need sleep more than exercise. So yeah, I'm still having sleeping issues, which aren't helping with my crankiness.

What I need right now is a good dose of prettiness and to get that I'm going to bring the hunks out.





They make me feel so much better.

Daylight Saving Time = Hell

Since we took that one hour leap, I haven't been able to get to sleep at a normal time, thus I am so tired that I can barely keep my eyes open.

Last night I didn't get to bed until 11, which is late for me. I'm usually in bed shortly after 10. Damn, I'm getting old. I remember when I used to be able to stay awake until well past 1 a.m.

On top of it all, I'm going to try something different this week. I'm going to go to the gym directly after work, rather than coming home for a bit, which means I've got to lug clothes to the gym. Yuck! But then again it might be better than what I have been doing and maybe I'll see the pounds start slipping away again. Or maybe I'll just be dead on my feet by 5:30 every day. Who knows?

All I know is that every year when we are subjecting to the springing forward of the clocks I take longer and longer to adjust to it. This year seems worse then ever. Maybe it's because I have more stuff to do after work. Maybe its because there's so much I want to do with my time and I just don't have the time to do it.

It's making me terribly cranky too. And a cranky me, isn't exactly the most fun person to be around, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Hopefully Friday night I can sleep for a blissful 9 - 10 hours and get all this springing forward out of my system, because Sunday is Palm Sunday and I will have to be in church and that means being awake, or partially so at an early hour.

If not, I can't begin to fathom what a miserable excuse for a human I'll be. Then again, maybe I can. Just take me now and multiply it by 2000.

ARGH!

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today is this lovely lady's 101 st birthday. It's hard to believe. She's still hale and hearty too.

There aren't many like her. She has a sharp mind and still reads her smutty novels and newspaper and watches Jeopardy every night.

I hope if I live as long I have the quality of life she has. She's truly amazing!

Happy Birthday Grandma! I love ya!

Random 10 - Week 146

From Music Memoirs


10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)


The Grass Roots - Don't Pull Your Love Out On Me (Live)
Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
The Byrds - I'd Feel A Whole Lot Better
Vanity Fare - Hitchin' A Ride
Hem - Radiation Vibe
Elvis Costello - The Only Flame In Town
Elvis Costello - The Last Boat Leaving
Midnattsol - Haunted
Justin Hayward - On The Road
Grey Eye Glances - Snow

Weird tunes, this weekend, I know, but I can't help it. It was very random and very boring in my neck of the woods.

As for the picture? Guess what was on the telly yesterday?



Doctor Who!

The Gulls

For some strange reason there were hundreds of seagulls in the Walmart parking lot today. I took my dad to Denny's for dinner and when we were leaving a waitress coming in mentioned them. Needless to say, I had to run to look.

Hundreds of beautiful big white gulls, swooping and diving and nabbing stray bits of food everywhere. There were people buying bread just to feed them, it seemed.

I don't think I've ever seen that many gulls when I was on the Jersey shore.

I was crying I was so happy. I didn't think I'd get to see my birds this year, what with finances and gas prices the way they are.

I know its pretty sad to be moved by the sight of birds that most people don't even like, but I can't help it, those big scavengers are my favorite birds.

Itchy

In January the vet told us that my little Itchy kitty had breast cancer and he wanted to operate. Considering the bad health my darling girl has had over the years, I decided to opt not to do the surgery and let her live out her healthy days without the trauma of a major surgery that could kill her.

Last week, the tumor broke. I was traumatized all Monday, expecting to lose her. I've read about these tumors and I feared that this would happen.

Well it's Saturday and she's still with us, with no change in her sunny playful disposition. The tumor has shrunk and it looks nasty, but she's still alive and well. I'm sure that by all intents and purposes she should be dead.

I can only thank whatever higher power/God that is giving me and the family the extra time with her that we didn't get with Misty.

Top 5 On Friday - Week 165

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 "Dreaming" songs...(song with dream in the title...about dreaming...make you dream etc)


Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over
This is probably one of the most beautiful songs ever written, it's been beautifully covered by Sixpence None The Richer and Paul Young.

There is freedom within, there is freedom without
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost
But you'll never see the end of the road
While you're traveling with me

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won't win

Over The Rhine - If Nothing Else
No, dreaming isn't in the title, but its in the lyrics and this song is now one of my many theme songs.

i try to go back
I try to remember
the light appearing
without warning
tying up my hands
like I'm good for nothing

if nothing else I can dream
I can dream
I'll never tell never tell
all iIve seen
right in front of me
like the ghost of every thing that I could be

Justin Hayward/John Lodge - I Dreamed Last Night
One of Justin's loveliest tunes...

Well I dreamed last night you were calling
Calling my name
You were locked inside of you secrets
Calling my name
And you told me lost was the key
And you told me how you long to be free
That you don't know how
Oh let me show you now

Hem - I'll Dream Of You Tonight
This is the song that made me fall in love with this band.

I lay my head in a stranger's town
All on a summer's day
A tangled web when the lights went down
And the sun came up far away

And so over the great blue oceans
And then over the cities filled with light
I know we'll be together tomorrow
Oh but i'll dream of you tonight

The Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream
I adore this song, and oddly I don't have a copy of it anywhere.

Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream
When I want you in my arms
When I want you and all your charms
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream

When I feel blue in the night
And I need you to hold me tight
Whenever I want you, all I have to do is
Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam

I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine
Anytime night or day
Only trouble is, gee whiz

Old Favorite

There's a candy bar at Aldi Markets that brings back great memories. It's Milk Chocolate with raisins and hazelnuts.

Yum.

It's very reminiscent of the Chunky Bar.

Do any of you remember those?

They were a big block of chocolate maybe 2 inches wide and long filled with raisins and peanuts. Oh were they good. I don't think I've seen one in a store for years.

~sigh~

Apparently they still make them, but finding them is another thing, and I'm certainly not going to spend $20 for a box of them, when I can get the lovely bar version from Aldi for $1.50, when they have them. Sadly today they didn't have the raisin nut bar, and that made me sad, because I've been in a chocolate devouring mood lately.

I need my chocolate fix!!!

A Whole Lotta Nothing Going On

Eat Sleep Work Exercise. That is my day. Add play on the computer and that's most of my night too.

How totally flipping boring is that?

Very boring I'd say.

Toss grocery shopping in the mix and that's my life right now.

It's downright depressing.

On a less depressing note, I have almost finished The Memory Keeper's Daughter, and I have to say, it's a good book, only its so annoying, because I can't believe that the mother accepted never seeing her baby when her husband said the second twin died. She accepted his words too easily. She's a wuss and hard to like, as is the husband. But I'll review the book later, suffice to say, it's not one I'd really recommend to you unless you like to be filled with rage.

So I guess I can add reading to the mix of the daily grind.

Remind me that this is truly a normal existence, even though its a very boring one right now.

Hump Day!

Where is the week going? I can't believe it's already Wednesday. That's a plus though, because I'm so tired that I need a sleep in weekend. Please let me get one this week, or at least one day!

On a happy note, Hillary won 3 states, keeping her in the race for the White House. As much as I hate this presidential election with a passion that cannot be described, she's my choice, cos well, I'm just no fan of the other democrat in the running. I don't really care how much the rest of this nation likes him, I don't. In fact, if he gets the nod this summer, I may find it hard to cast a vote for president this year.

But lets get back to happy, shall we? In 2 months I'll be more financially free, which puts me a few steps closer to the Ford Focus of my dreams. I may even be able save money for vacations etc! Praise be!

And while I'm still happy how about my hump day hunk? And no its not the man from yesterday's picture. He's a dork, but David Tennant is adorkable! (I like that new word)

Tuesday Tunes - Week 23

From Music Memoirs

What songs cheer you up when you're feeling down?

The Beatles - All Together Now
There's a childlike simplicity to this song that always makes me grin. 1, 2, 3, 4. Can I have a little more?

Grey Eye Glances - Big Red Boat
Most of GEG's songs border on melancholy, but not this one. It's bouncy. It's happy. Jennifer Nobel's voice is fantastic. Suddenly I want to build a big red boat.."But on the plains of Nebraska, I swear I smell the ocean."

Dolly Parton - Better Get To Livin'
Trust Dolly to record one of the perkiest songs that gives you a kick in the butt if you are feeling low. Dolly pretty much says life's too short to dwell on the negative. Get it together and LIVE!

Elvis Costello - Monkey To Man
I dare you not to feel happy after listening to this one once.

The Monkees - Your Auntie Grizelda
If this song can't make you happy, I don't know what will. Peter always got the silly songs.

The Monkees - Laugh
I think the title speaks for itself! Laugh, ho ha ha ha, when the music is funny.

Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
Cheesy oldies always make me happy.

Gordon Lightfoot - High and Dry
It's the folk rock pirate anthem! Gordon needs to get together with Captain Jack Sparrow!

What song comes to mind when you think of the word : Happy?
Oingo Boingo - Happy
What other song would I pick? Danny's happy that his brain still lives inside his head and so am I!


If you needed to cheer up a friend, what music would you play?
The Avenue Q soundtrack! Anything but Morrissey! Weird Al!

Someone Is A Dork

And for once it isn't me. I went to my grandmother's last night and she told me that Fishy's picture was in the paper. I opened the paper and there it was.



Yup, see the really dorky looking guy in the back in the green Pickle T-shirt. That would be Fishy!

Oye!

It's a nice write up on 99.3 The Pickle though. It's good to see the station getting some good publicity. (Not sure it deserves it, but it's good to see)

However I think the photographer for the Valley is really awful, because the angle of that shot is awful and everyone looks bad.

But hey, at least it's provided me with something to laugh at for several hours, and that's always a good thing.

Sweeney Todd: About Damn Time

Yesterday I went to see Sweeney Todd after 2.5 months of trying. I'm probably the only one that has seen it that just went, meh! after watching it.

Yup, I really didn't feel any great love for Sweeney Todd. I'm not sure why. I think if I had seen it at Christmas before the winter depression hit, I might have liked it a bit better, but right now I can't take stuff that's depressing, and that movie had the market cornered on depressing.

The acting was great though. I was really surprised at how well Johnny Depp could sing, and so could Helena Bonham Carter, who I don't particularly care for. I almost liked her in this movie.

The use of red paint as blood truly amused me too. It certainly took some of the gore factor out and added humor, and I have to say some of the horror of this movie/musical did make me laugh because of the pure ridiculousness of it.

I don't know what it was, but this was the first Burton movie that I can't say I really liked. It's probably a good thing that I only paid 99 cents to see it. Another thing to add to my list of why I should have just stayed home yesterday.

~sigh~

I wonder if I would have liked Enchanted or August Rush, both of which were playing there, that were on my list of must see movies before Christmas? Nah! I'm not going to chance things. I'll just rent the DVD or catch them on Pay Per View or something.

This Is Why I Don't Leave The House

I'm going to be a hermit until I get a rental car or until I buy a new one that I can't afford to drive.

~ Went to Taco Bell to get a tiny munchy before the movie. Why did I do that? I know that the Taco Bell behind Century III mall is the devil. Still I wanted some tasty almost Mexican food. The calamity this time, you ask? The register died. I waited 10 minutes then went through the damn drive thru window for my munchies!

~ Sweeney Todd: Oye where to start. Rednecks seated in front of me. That should be enough. Rednecks that had no idea that the movie was a musical, oh the joy!

~ The Orange Light O'Doom kept coming on in Bernie. I have now vowed that my car will only go to local places for the rest of its life or mine, whichever comes first.

~ The parking lot at Century III Mall is one ginormous pot hole. Not only is the ramp to the upper level and to the main road closed, but part of the regular parking lot is closed. Oh and some of the potholes look like they were made by alien life forms.

~ My car CD player refuses to play the Gordon Lightfoot songs on my mix CD.

~ I call home on my way back from Hell/The Movies to find my father fell in the cellar and landed in a bucket. ~ head desk ~

Seriously. Why. Do. I. Even. Bother?

Dare I Tempt Fate?

I want to see Sweeney Todd. It's the only movie I've really wanted to see in ages. The weather is good. I'm not totally broke, then why do I hesitate?

Because there are other things that need to be done.

~sigh~

Guilt is keeping me in the house. I haven't really left the house in months to go anywhere. I went to see Late Night Catechism in January and that was the last time I was out and about.

How depressing is that.

My cameras want to run away from home.

I want to run away from home, but I doubt Bernie the Beretta would get me very far.

Oh and my father lost a blade on his (insert colorful expletive here) razor this morning and I just spent the last 45 minutes on the floor looking for it to no avail, getting myself dirty after I just got dressed, hoping to leave the damn house.

Why do I bother? In fact, I'm pondering why I even get out of bed anymore.

GAH!

This winter needs to be over and I need to have the money for the new car soon!!!!

Lots To Do, Lots To Do

Not much time to fiddle with the computer this weekend. Too much to do. I have shopping to do. TV shows to watch. Cleaning to get done. All of which I need to cram in 48 hours.

ARGH!

I did get to the gym today, which surprised me, as I didn't think I would. I didn't get there yesterday as planned, so today was a make up day. Yay! I made it to the gym 3 times this week! Woot!

Tomorrow I have to figure out if I'm going to leave the house for fun things. I want to see Sweeney Todd at the Maxi Saver and maybe hit Target. I haven't been to Target since right before Christmas. That might bring me some joy, especially as the only joy I've had in my life in last few weeks are the Sci-Fi Saturdays on BBC America. Oh how I love my Doctor Who and Torchwood.

Oh and I have to say, the Honey Latte at Starbucks is downright divine. That put a smile on my face. Yes, I know that Starbucks is entirely too expensive but its so darn good, that when I have a chance to get a Tall (erm small) I take it. Sometimes its the little things in life that bring joy.

Now if only I can find a way to budget a rental car in this month so I can go to Wheeling for a weekend to the Centre Market and the Russell Stover candy outlet. Mmmm. I wouldn't mind going to Oglebay soon too. I want to go to the Good Zoo. I miss the animals.

Really, I just miss being out and about, and both my cameras have threatened to run away from home if I don't use them but I just can't bring myself to take anymore snow pictures this year.

~sigh~

I've got to get busy now, or I won't be able to get anything done.