3 More Episodes To Go

Everyone knows I'm a huge Doctor Who fan. I've been watching the show religiously for the last few months. I'm trying to catch up with the UK, since its their show and they seem to think its nice to work in a month delay between its airing in the US.

GRRRRR.

The season finale is on this coming Saturday and I can't wait. Just about every companion that's still floating around the Whoverse will be in it. That certainly proves that it will be one helluva pretty episode. I just hope it lives up to the expectations. I wasn't keen on the ending of Martha's series with the doctor. Yes, it was exciting but it was just bleh, however there was the Master and John Simm sure made those episodes worth watching. He definitely had that evil sexy thing going on.

That's one thing this season's finale will certainly lack. The evil character is far from sexy. PAH!

Still, I'm very excited for the next episode. I'll be waiting patiently at my computer Saturday for the download links to start appearing and I will watch and hopefully be enthralled with Russell T. Davies' swan song for the series, and then I'll start praying that Tennant decides to stay with the show a little longer.

Now if you don't mind I have to watch Turn Left and The Stolen Earth so I can be ready for The Journey's End on Saturday.

Stuff got done!

Taking the entertainment center apart was not fun. Moving my CDs around was equally not fun, but not as fun as when one of the huge units that I have to hold them started to collapse. I still have CDs all over the floor because I have no space for all my music. However, there is much much more room in this room then there was yesterday.

Now I have to decide what to do with my VHS tapes, an issue that I deal with every time I start cleaning in here, and not a fun one. I don't watch them ever! All the DVDs I have? I don't watch them. At least not anymore. For awhile I was close to wearing out 2 of my Moody Blues concert DVDs, but I haven't watched them in ages, or any of my other DVDs for that matter.

My next project here is probably hunting down a nice area rug. I have no desire to go through the whole business of wall to wall carpeting, because that would mean moving the furniture again and I don't want those CDs to loose their home again! I couldn't take it! I also couldn't afford it.

But back to the good. I got rid of a lot of stuff and my room is slowly starting to look less cluttered. My actual bedroom however is another story. That room is a total mess and its making me crazy.

Oh and I have 5 bags of romance novels that I've already read or grandma had read and I don't know what to do with, because libraries don't want that kind of thing and there are no used book shops around and none of the churches are having flea markets etc. So ARGH!

But can I get a woot for the progress I've made? Pretty please?

This is the kind of day I like: Busy

Today I have an eye doctor's appointment. I need to do some grocery shopping. I have stuff at home that needs to be cleaned and whatnot and this weekend it can't be put off.

So I'm going to be a very busy girl.

Let's hope that I get it all done, because if I don't I'll be really aggravated. At least the eye doctor's appointment is a given. I'll be leaving for that in a few minutes. The rest is up in the air.

Oh and I have to meet with a lady from the cemetery again tomorrow, because we've decided to pay the opening/closing costs for my mom, who has very little life insurance.

Way to be depressing.

I think I'll get my day rolling now. Fingers and toes crossed that I get everything done.

Top 5 On Friday - Week 181

From Music Memoirs


Top 5 "You" songs ie. songs with "you" in the title.

George Harrison - You
(This is the most obvious one)

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - You Got Lucky


Roxette - How Do You Do!
(This song is so flipping fun to listen to)

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - You Belong To Me


Herman's Hermit's - You Won't Be Leaving
(This is one of the more provocative tunes recorded by the band. Yes, I said provocative. Give it a listen and you might understand)

3 Mixes That I've Made

I made these for a music community I'm in and I thought I'd share. Remember to say thank you if you snag them!



Artist: Various Artists
Album: This Time Its Personal (88 MB)
Genre: Mix
Similar Artists: Diana Krall, The Monkees, Elvis Costello
Tracklisting:
Elvis Costello - Mouth Almighty
The Beatles - Nowhere Man
Ann Margaret - I Ain't Gonna Be Your Fool
Keri Noble - Imperfect
John Barrowman - Being Alive
Michael Ball - Let The River Run
Grey Eye Glances - Faces
Tommy James - Ordinary Girl
Oingo Boingo - On The Outside J
ill Sobule - Bitter
Hem - The Pills Stopped Working
Nick Lowe - Where's My Everything
Over The Rhine - How Does It Feel (To Be On My Mind)
Carlene Carter - Unbreakable Heart
Diana Krall - Narrow Daylight
Alison Moyet - Another Living Day
Cher - All Or Nothing
Roxette - Vulnerable
Billie Myers - Am I Here Yet (Return To Sender)
The Monkees - Someday Man
John Lennon - Nobody Told Me
Comments: If you want to know me a bit better, just listen to these songs. They pretty much sum my personality up. Several of them I wish I had written if I were a songwriter.


Artist:Various Artists
Album: We Wish We Were Fab (45 MB)
Genre: Cover Songs, Mix
Similar Artists: Jim Sturgess, Justin Hayward, The Wallflowers
Tracklisting:
Justin Hayward - Blackbird
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Dear Prudence
The Real People - Hey Jude
Elvis Costello - You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
Sonia Evans - She Loves You
Oingo Boingo - I Am The Walrus
Ringo Starr - Love Me Do
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap - Lady Madonna
The Wallflowers - I'm Looking Through You
The Smithereens - Little Child
Jim Sturgess - I've Just Seen A Face
Eddie Izzard - Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite
Smash - Day Tripper
Thea Gilmore - I Want To Tell You
Michael Weston King - For No One

Comments: These are in my opinion some of the best covers of Beatles songs, and I generally hate/despise/loathe all covers of Beatles tunes.




Artist: Various Artists
Album: Going Undercover (71 MB)
Genre: Mix, Cover Songs
Similar Artists: Hem, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe
Tracklisting:
Nick Lowe - Indoor Fireworks (Elvis Costello)
Elvis Costello - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (The Animals
Tremblers - Green Shirt (Elvis Costello)
Anna Nalick - Band Of Gold (Freda Payne)
The Proclaimers - Get Ready (Temptations)
Hem - Radiation Vibe (Fountains Of Wayne)
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap - The Mighty Quinn (Bob Dylan)
Erasure - Baby Love (The Supremes)
Tom Jones - Mama Told Me Not To Come (Three Dog Night)
Belinda Carlisle - I Feel Free (Cream)
Diana Krall - Temptation (Tom Waits)
Martina McBride - I Never Promised You A Rose Garden (Lynn Anderson)
Colbie Caillat - Kiss The Girl (Samuel E. Wright)
David Bowie - Try Some, Buy Some (George Harrison)
Midge Ure - The Man Who Sold The world (David Bowie)
Duran Duran - Femme Fatale (Velvet Underground)
Bonnie Tyler - Have You Ever Seen The Rain (CCR)
Joan Osborne - These Arms Of Mine (Otis Redding)
The Dream Academy - Love (John Lennon)
Jamie Cullum - Everlasting Love (Stevie Wonder)
Sarah Brightman - Dust In The Wind (Kansas)

Comments: These are a current batch of my favorite cover songs ever.

I Meant To Look For Flip Flops

So I was at KMart last night, aka the place of doom. I hate anything affiliated with Sears, so it kills me to give these wankers my money, but I've been doing a lot of that lately.

I heard they had cheap flip flops there and I went in with good intentions of picking up a few pair.

Did I buy any?

Nope.

What did I buy?

I mean its obvious something was purchased, right?

First I fell in love with a day lily, because my blasted gerber daisy died. Then I went to the clothes. Damn. I totally forgot about the shoes. I ended up buying a cute top and a dress, along with the plant. No flip flops.

I guess its true what they said about the best laid plans, but then again those plans said nothing about mice and women!

Tuesday Tunes: Week 160

From Music Memoirs

What if:

What if a friend took your favorite CD and never returned it. First what CD would it be, and how huge of a row/fight would you have with your friend as a result?
It would probably be one of my Erasure Fanclub CDs. The friendship would be over. This is why I never ever lend out my CDs or anything like that. I like to keep my friends and if a friend lost or misplaced one of mine, it would be certain doom for the friendship, which is why I'd offer to make a copy of a CD before I'd let anyone walk out of the house with one of mine.

What if you found a mix CD laying on the ground? Would you pick it up and try to play it? Yes, and I have. I know that curiosity sometimes kills the cat but I always like to see what other people are listening to.

What if you somehow ended up having dinner with your favorite recording artist, what would the dinner conversation be like?
Mmmm, dinner with who though? Elvis Costello? Gordon Lightfoot? Keri Noble? That's a tough one. I think I'd have dinner with Gordon, because he would have so much more to talk about. I'd like to think to conversation would center around his experiences in the industry and songwriting. OK, and maybe I'd try to draw out some naughty bits of things that have happened over the years. I bet he'd have some wonderful things to talk about. I just wonder now what we'd be eating. Hmmmmm.

Gone To The Garbage

My little Aiwa stereo system went out to the trash. I'm going to miss it in some ways. It was one of my favorite stereos. It had a cute 3 disc CD changer, cassette deck and a nice radio. I listened to Fishy many mornings in the last few years from that stereo, but lately the only thing that worked reliably on it was the radio.

~sigh~

In the last few years most of my music just came to my hard drive anyway, so it could be played on the computer or eventually on one of my mp3 players, so it's not going to be missed too terribly. I have a mini system in my bedroom for CDs and my turntable. (Yes, you read that right, turntable)

The next thing to go to the garbage is the entertainment center that it once stood on. I bought a new one Sunday and I'm anxious to get it assembled, but its going to take time, a whole lot of precious time, to quote a song George Harrison made very popular in the 80s.

After I get rid of that monstrosity, I'm going to get rid of my corner desk, even if it means piling all my books etc to the ceiling, because I hate that desk with a passion and its not needed. If I buy the Dell of my dreams, I won't be keeping the old HP, as its too old.

What I really need to do is get rid of some of these VHS tapes that I never watch. Those really need to go to the trash, but I feel so guilty. I spent good money on them or countless hours taping the stuff on them, but who uses VCRs anymore, eh? Heck my small collection of DVDs doesn't get played much anymore.

I'm pathetic when it comes to watching tv or movies at home. I think a lot of the VHS tapes will make it to the trash tonight, except for the Beatle movies and such that I can't part with. At least the garbage men will have something to cart away this week other than the usual stuff. Woot! Stuff is being pitched!

In My Life....I Love You More

The week after grandma passed away, I requested In My Life to be played on the Pickle in her honor. I hadn't completely paid attention to the lyrics when I did, except so many of them suited the situation. It wasn't until I scrolled through my friends list over on livejournal and saw a photo post that said in my life...I love you more that it really hit me, that was the perfect song for grandma.

Why?

Because any time you told grandma that you loved her, she fired back, "I love you more."

She signed her greeting cards that way too.

That was grandma's catch phrase. I can't hear those words without thinking of her.

Reading those words this morning brought a tear to my eye, as I thought, someone else said that besides gram. Then I realized it was John Lennon.

Random 10 - Week 160

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)

I listened to some new to me albums this weekend and rediscovered some old favorites all the while, compiling a newsletter for a music community I'm in on Livejournal, shopping, getting stuff done though not much of it and trying to keep up with my blogging friends, which I'm failing miserably at, oh and I finished reading a book!

Roxette - Church Of Your Heart
Roxette - June Afternoon
Carlene Carter - I Fell In Love
Carlene Carter - Love You Cause I Want To
Carlene Carter - Unbreakable Heart
Carlene Carter - Long Heart Fall
Stereophonics - Nothing Compares 2 U (weird ass Prince/Sinead O'Connor cover)
Herman's Hermits - You Won't Be Leaving
Herman's Hermits - Can't You Hear My Heartbeat
ELO - Mr. Blue Sky (Damn that Jet Blue commercial)

As for the picture, it seems only fitting to have Ms Carter.



As always if you'd like to hear any of these tracks just let me know and I'll send them along, as long as you provide an email addy.

Country Music?

Malcolm mentioned that he didn't know I liked country music. Actually it's kinda new to me as well. I don't like all country, in fact the country artists I like are more country ladies.

I love Carlene Carter, Dolly Parton, Martina McBride and Terri Clark. I can't think of many male country singers that I could listen to a whole album of, well besides Jimmy Buffett and he's not totally country, he's a little bit everything from reggae to rock to country. Does Nick Lowe count? Because his countrified albums are wonderful and so are Elvis Costello's. But I'm sorry those Brits doing country don't quite get it. It barely works for those Canadians, but they manage. Lightfoot actually does it better than most.

I don't like country when it gets too twangy or goes too much down the bluegrass path, unless its Dolly walking down that path. The Moody Bluegrass covers album was the worst thing I ever heard in my life. It make me want to run to the bathroom to toss my cookies and anything else I could toss.

I'm also not too into that crossover pop that Faith Hill did, though she is a lovely singer and I enjoy some of her stuff and as for Shania Twain? ACK! She's too much of a Diva and too little of a real artist for me.

My musical recommendation for the day, for any of you that want to try something a little bit country and a perhaps a little bit rock n' roll



Carlene Carter's I Fell In Love or if you want something new try Stronger, you won't regret it.

Velma?

Yesterday we were talking about people that we look like. My co-worker looks like her father. I look like my gram, almost a dead ringer actually if you pardon my poor choice of words.

One of the worker's wives was there too and piped in that I looked like "that chick from Scooby Doo"



WTF? I don't think so.



OK, maybe her. Now I feel really geeky.



Do I really look like Velma?

That can't be a good thing you know.

Top 5 On Friday - Week 180

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 albums that you can't stop playing lately, and tell us why you love them!

Jewel - Goodbye Alice In Wonderland


I just recently discovered this CD and I love it, especially the title track. It's in that country/alt-country genre that I'm loving a bit too much lately, but it's Jewel and therefore it's lovely no matter what the critics say.

Nick Lowe - At My Age


You'd never have guessed this one right? LOL! This is probably my favorite Nick Lowe disc and I love them all. Since the concert in April, I haven't been able to stop listening to this one. Great tunes. I don't think its as loungey as The Convincer either. Pure pop goodness from one of England's best songwriters.

The Wallflowers - Rebel Sweetheart


In the summer I love to listen to Jakob Dylan when I drive somewhere. This is the most recent album by the band, unless you count Jakob's solo album Seeing Things, which I don't. Jakob proves that sometimes you can be awesome and have an equally awesome parent.

Martina McBride - Timeless


A beautiful album of covers, I especially love her version of I Never Promised You A Rose Garden

Gordon Lightfoot - Gord's Gold 2

Almost all of my favorites from the early part of his career are here. Great compilation that everyone should have!

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things I'd Like To Buy Right Now

1. A vista blue Ford Focus with four doors a lovely CD player and a place to hook up the mp3 player from hell.

2. A pair of Fit Flops. These shoes are supposed to be great for toning your legs and butt when you walk. The problem is they cost $50 and up. I bought a pair of crocs flipflops instead.

3. A new tv stand for my entertainment room, a much smaller one, so I could get rid of the bulky one I have now.

4. An area rug for the entertainment room and new remnants for the living room and dining room.

5. My own elliptical so I don't have to go to the gym after the middle of March when my membership expires.

6. A new computer, preferably a Dell with a flat panel monitor.

7. A pair of jeans that actually fit properly. Let me tell you that it sucks to be short when it comes to buying jeans or any other kind of pants. BAH!

8. New makeup, lots of it. Stress and what not are taking their toll on me right now. I need stuff to make me feel pretty.

9. New undies. I'm also in the need of feeling sexy. I've lost my groove. OK, I never had a groove, but I'd like to get one.

10. Nick Lowe's Jesus Of Cool CD, which I still haven't bought yet, even though its been available since February!!

11. Ink for my printers. Why is it that the ink costs more than the printer? Ink is almost as bad as gas, no wait, its actually worse, only I don't need it as often. Grrr.

12. Prints from Snapfish. I upload all these pictures there and I never remember to buy any of them and I'd really love to have some to fill the house with.

13. A life! Sure they sell them somewhere, right? RIGHT?

Why Is It So Hard

For people to let things go to the trash? We had an old Mac down at grandma's and I wanted to put it out for the garbage. It's over 10 years old and there's nothing much that that computer could do.

My oldest nephew intercepts it saying his dad may take it and sell it. Who wants it? is what I want to know? It's 10 years old!! Probably older than that actually!

Crikey!

So instead of sitting at grandma's house, it's sitting at mine now, in the basement. Jeebees Creebees! The point was to get rid of the damn thing. No one in this family seems to be able to do that. Everything must be held on to and crikey the chance of someone buying it is slim to nil. Why couldn't it just get tossed?

The boy's father better come and get it out of our house this week or I'm going to go apeshit on them. I want stuff gotten rid of! I won't even mention that I was a fool when my brother said he had a new printer that needed ink but he didn't want to buy any so he just bought a new printer, and yep, I have the older/new one now. I'm insane too.

Head desk!

Tuesday Tunes - Week 39

From Music Memoirs

It's all about the Fab Four!



Who is your favorite Beatle?
No, question, its the lovely George Harrison.


What is one of your favorite Beatle songs?
Think For Yourself

Best/Worst cover of a Beatles song
Best: Elvis Costello - You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
Worst: Diana Krall - And I Love Her(Him)
No I lie, that's the worst cover I can share with you, Tina Turner's slaughter of Help is the worst and was criminal and she should be locked up for what she did to that song. Horrific!

Best song by a Beatle after the breakup
Going Beatle by Beatle
Paul McCartney - Jet
John Lennon - Nobody Told Me (I hate Lennon solo)
George Harrison - Fish On The Sand and Lay His Head
Ringo Starr - I Don't Believe You (Actually all of the Time Takes Time album is awesome)

Getting Nowhere Fast

Anymore I just can't get anything done. Its not without good intentions, but something always seems to attract my attention and then I end up doing absolutely nothing or something stupid as opposed to what I should be doing.

I'm spinning wheels again.

Last night's frustration was brought to me by the Disclaimer of Interest that needs to be signed to turn grandma's house over to me so I can sell it. As its written I can't have it notarized properly because my brother is in OH and though he was home it was on the weekend and there's only one spot for a notary to put a seal.

ARGH!

Instead of getting rid of clutter from my life, its just getting worse. I don't want to do anything, when my mind gets this way. I stare blindly at the computer. Not doing much of anything, though I did get the CD of photos burned for one of the people I met at the concert last week, so I guess that counts for something.

I need a firecracker lit under my bum so I can get things going and I need to stop having things mess up my plans.

ARGH!

If you need me I'll be in bed, because this Pearls Before Swine toon that I've seen at Mike's and Friday's is oh so true

Damn Peace Lily

One of our relatives sent us a Peace Lily plant when grandma passed away. This plant is the bane of my existence. It's determined to die.

Why?

Because our house is not exactly the best place to have a peace lily. We don't have a lot of places where there's indirect light, plus we're not climate controlled. (No AC here.) The plant is suffering. I've got yellowing leaves which might be a result of the chemicals in our tap water.

Uh, this plant wants Evian water, damn and blast it.

It didn't help matters that when it was in our living room the cats thought it was a tasty treat.

I think the poor thing needs some fertilizer or something. What it really needs is a home somewhere else. But it is such a beauty. I want to save it, I'm just not sure how. I've been careful not to water it too often, but I'm afraid I might not be watering it enough.

ARGH!

I don't need anymore complications in my life. This plant is making me crazy!

Random 10 - Week 159

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)

There was a lot of Gordon Lightfoot getting played this weekend, though I did manage to listen to other things too.

Lets start out with Gordon, shall we?

Gordon Lightfoot - The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
Gordon Lightfoot - I Used To Be A Country Singer
Gordon Lightfoot - The Mountains & Maryann
Gordon Lightfoot - Baby It's Alright
Gordon Lightfoot - Your Song
(He covered this Elton song in concert in the 70s. My copy is shoddy but still worth listening to)

Carlene Carter - Break My Little Heart In Two
Priscilla Ahn - A Good Day (Morning Song)
Kathleen Edwards - Oil Man's War
Andy Bell - Crazy
Nick Lowe - Saint Beneath The Paint

And though I've taken a few pictures since Wednesday, I can't help but share another shot of Gordon Lightfoot!



Also if you'd like to hear any of the songs in my list just let me know and I'll share them with you.

Something That Annoys Me

I went to see Gordon Lightfoot on Wednesday and I took a lot of pictures as some of you may have noticed. What I can't stand is when people ask for the pictures but don't send a thank you or a reply to my email when I've sent them.

I've edited as many as I could and I still have more to upload but no one has sent a note of thanks, and I don't care whats done with them. If you like my photos I don't care if you post them somewhere else online. What you do with them is up to you. All I ask is that you say thank you or something. Acknowledge that you got the email for crying out loud.

Its not too much to ask is it? I don't really think so. I'm generous with the things I have.

I met a lovely couple at the Nick Lowe show and they sent me an mp3 version of the whole concert in exchange for their photos. That was nice, especially as I don't ask for anything in return.

I guess not everyone is polite.

BAH!

All I'd like to know is that they received the email. Not to much to ask is it, especially as I'm relying on email addies that were quickly scrawled on any piece of paper that could be found after the show.

Grr.

Weekends and I Don't Get Along Anymore

I can't seem to function at home anymore. I need to have more movement in my life or something. There was a time when I was up walking or doing something all the time. This is gone. I'm getting lazy and I really can't afford to be. There's so much to do, but the heat drags me down as do all the things I have on my mind right now.

Wednesday was the first day I didn't cry. I talked a lot about grandma, but I didn't cry. I think that's a step in the right direction. If only I could stay in her house for the time it takes to get some garbage ready to be put out without being reduced to tears.

This is part of my life that I'm cleaning out, too. My mum says she has no reason to want to keep the house because she only lived there until she was 18. I don't either but I was in that house so often. I remember so much, even when I wasn't as an attentive a granddaughter as I should have been.

That house has my laundry room, even though I'm getting used to using a regular washing machine. That house has the beautiful mirror in the dining room that I've always loved. It has the games I used to play with her when I was small, Candy Land, Chinese Checkers, all the puzzles and whatnot.

All of this awfulness started one Saturday morning, turning my life topsy turvy and I wish I could get past this, because I'm starting to hate Saturdays, especially around 1:30, which was when I found her. I know I've got to press on and get past this, but its proving a challenge, especially when there aren't other things to keep me occupied.

Top 5 On Friday - Week 179

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 postal songs
(props if you don't use that obvious song done by a girl group in the 60s and that the Beatles covered as well as the Carpenters in your list)

This would mean no Please Mr. Postman...M'kay?


1. The Moody Blues - Nights In White Satin

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end. Letters I've written, never meaning to send.

2. Paul McCartney - Write Away

You need love, write a letter, you need love write away
Get it down, you'll feel better, send it now, write away

3. Madeliene Peyroux - I'm Going to Sit Right Down & Write Myself a Letter
(I don't think this one needs any lyrics to explain)

4. Elvis Presley - Return To Sender
(Another obvious one)

5. Simon & Garfunkel - Why Don't You Write Me

Dang this was a hard one and I don't have half the songs on my hard drive.

Gordon Lightfoot @ The Harv

I was rather worried about last night's show at the Harv. The venue had huge signs all over saying no cameras, but that wasn't the case. Within minutes of Mr. Lightfoot taking stage, flashes were everywhere, but taking pictures has little to do with the wonderfulness of the evening.

Gord opened with Cotton Jenny and went on to play so many wonderful songs incluging the obvious hits Sundown, Carefree Highway, The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald and Beautiful. He also plucked out lesser known beauties like Ribbon Of Darkness, Triangle and my personal favorite, Hangdog Hotel Room.

Gordon has been through many health ordeals in the last 6 years so I expected a less than stellar vocal performance, but I didn't receive one. For a man that spent 6 weeks in a coma and survived a mini-stroke, his voice is still more than good. Sure the deep rich voice of the 70s is not the same, but its still lovely and very enjoyable.

He as a ornery grin and tells his share of really bad jokes, which make the evening even more enjoyable. A more animated performer, I've yet to see and I've seen many artists of every age. I would put him on the top of my favorite concerts list, the only way the show could've been better would have been by the inclusion of Race Among The Ruins, which is my favorite Lightfoot song.

Like most performers he made a blunder on a lyric and the face he made was so amusing, proof that the legend is also very human.

God Bless Gord for the wonderful gift of music that he can still share with the masses. He's on performer that I'd see again.

Squee!

Four words:

I met Gordon Lightfoot!!!!!


THUD!



And here's a photo from the end of the show, I've only got 20 pictures out of my 100 + on flickr right now because there's been no time to post them. The ones I have there still need tweaking but I can fix them on the site.



Go here to see them. I'll review the concert later, when I'm more awake. We didn't get back from the show until about 1 a.m.

Yikes!

So I'm a sleepy girl this morning, albeit a very happy girl.

Lightfoot Day!

Just a few more hours and I'll be on my way to see Mr. Gordon Meredith Lightfoot in concert at the Mountaineer, from 9 rows dead center.

Can I get a woot please?

I figure today will be full of good food, gambling and great music.

What more can a girl ask for?

Not much really? I mean I could ask for a good looking man to be next to me, but all the ones I dig, are married/attached/gay, so I might as well return to the don't care at all about having someone philosophy.

So if you don't mind, I'll be focusing my attention today on some fun and the good music of a guy that's only a few years younger than my mom.

Eep.

And yes, I'll be taking the Carefree Highway to the Mountaineer!

Imagine Whirled Peace

Can I just say, "OMG this is some good ice cream? It really is. Carmel and sweet cream ice cream with chocolate peace signs and toffee bits. It really doesn't get much better than this.

I don't usually scream for ice cream. I definitely don't scream for it when a pint costs $3.50. I only scream for stuff from Cold Stone Creamery, but Ben & Jerry's has really done it again with this one.

Yummo! as Rachael Ray would obnoxiously say. It's delish!

I think if everyone had a few cartons of this in their freezers there might actually be hope for world peace, because we'd all be too busy having ice cream-gasms to argue with one another.

Tomorrow!

Tomorrow at 7:30 I'll be at the Mountaineer listening to the lovely voice of Gordon Lightfoot! Squee!

I can't wait.

I really can't wait because I took a vacation day tomorrow so I could enjoy the whole day. (And so I could get an extra hour or two of sleep!)

This is probably going to be my only piece of excitement this year, other than a weekend jaunt to my brother's house in August. There's simply no money. None. At least not the kind needed to make trips 200 + miles from home.

~big sigh~

So when I seem jealous because other people are going places, it will simply be because I am. I haven't had a vacation since 2006 and I'm heartily sick of the Mon Valley.

So I guess I'll take tomorrow for what its worth a day out and good concert and probably the only away from home outing I'll get all year.

I'm still trying to figure out if buying a new car will be worth the debt next year.

But really must focus on Gordon Lightfoot, he's the bright spot in the grey dismal clouded summer I'm going to have. So for him and his concert, I say, SQUEE!

Random 10 - Week 158

From Music Memoirs, because I seldom remember to play this meme from my site.


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 music comes from a variety of sources this weekend, mix cds, restaurant radio etc, so be prepared for some weirdness.

1. Oasis - Wonderwall
2. Elvis Costello - Everyday I Write The Book
3. Alanis Morrissette - Underneath
(Funny story about this one: I commented on how I thought this song was awful when she sang it on Graham Norton this weekend and my mother said she thought she sounded like a cat before it threw up!)
4. Erasure - I Love Saturday
5. Nick Lowe - Let's Stay In And Make Love
6. Gordon Lightfoot - Race Among The Ruins
7. The Beatles - Love Me Do
8. Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse Of The Heart
9. Olivia Newton-John - Xanadu
10. I Nine - Seven Days Of Lonely

And now for the picture: A posing peacock!

To The Preppy Rebel On The Girlie Motorcycle

Dear Clueless Motorcycle Dude,

You looked really cool in your baggy jeans and striped preppy shirt with your candy striped boxer shorts pulled halfway up your chest, Steve Urkle style! Way cool dude!

The undershirt you had on looked super too. I mean this was definite badass biker dude attire. I'm sure all the guys riding real motorcycles (Harleys) would have been jealous.

I have to say I'm amused that you noticed us giggling at you. However its a shame you thought we were giggling like school girls because you were oh so cool. No we were laughing at how ridiculous you looked. Popping wheelies on the highway didn't make you look any better, in fact, it made you look like a total idiot, plus you could have killed yourself.

Moron!

Next time, dress like a biker and drive responsibly.

Sincerely,

The Mistress Of The Dark

I Haven't Decided

Which season I hate more, summer or winter. I'm a spring/fall girl really, even though we don't seem to get much of either of those anymore. It's either really cold or really hot.

Reasons Why I Hate Summer
1. Gas prices that don't allow me to go anywhere, because I have other bills to pay.
2. The heat when I don't have central air or any air conditioning other than a fan.
3. Shorts, don't look good in them. I don't like to bare flesh at all.
4. Bathing suits...ARGH!
5. Vacations: I don't think I'm getting one again this year for the reason listed in number 1. I miss Atlantic City so badly and I'm hating/being jealous of everyone that's gone away or will be going somewhere this year.
6. The car that has no working air.

Reasons Why I Hate Winter
1. Snow and driving in it.
2. Temperatures that sometimes sink below zero. Brrrr.
3. Not having running water at work. Yeah, guess whose office has a port-o-potty.
4. Unpredictable weather, so I seldom make plans to do much after the second week of December.
5. Shoveling coal (yes, we still have a coal furnace)

I Feel Like I'm Throwing Her Away

I was going through some of papers and things at grandma's yesterday. This is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, and I don't like it one bit. I don't know what to keep or what to throw away and I feel like I'm throwing my grandma away. However odd some of the things I'm finding are, they meant something to her, they were part of her life. I hate having to decide what parts should be kept and what should be tossed.

I wish I didn't have to do this, but I know there's no one else that will and no one else that is able to help me with the task at hand.

Ultimately every trip down to her house across the street ends in tears, some that I let other people see, others that only me and the empty house know about.

I'm learning so much more about my grandmother now that she's gone and that just makes it harder. I'm learning even more about my grandfather, and that makes it really sad, since he died 7 years before I was born. I'm becoming jealous of my other two siblings because they know both of my mom's parents and my brother knew both of my dad's.

All my life, my only grandparent was my mom's mom. I went through periods where I didn't go to see her much even though she was across the street, but I never stopped loving her. I've been told that was part of the growing process and I am normal, but I still feel like there's so much time I wasted.

In the last three years, we've become closer, because I took over laundry duties and I always stopped down to check on her to make sure she was ok, or if she needed anything from the store.

I guess my hormones and emotions are all in a tizzy, but right now I'm full of tears because I miss her more than I can even express. I know I acted annoyed sometimes when I had to go down to her house each day or when I had to drag laundry and nom noms for grandma, but I was never annoyed with her, it was just the task. I loved her so much and I feel like I'm throwing her away right now. I want my grandma. I want to hold my little Kewpie doll grandma again.

Top 5 On Friday - Week 178

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 songs that make the day go by a lot easier.

Oingo Boingo - Ain't This The Life
This song is just so great and typical of early Boingo. It makes life more fun when I hear it which isn't often anymore as I haven't been on a Boingo listening spree in ages.

Elvis Costello - Everyday I Write The Book
I love the fun EC songs. This one always makes the day go easier when I hear it. It brightens my day when I hear it out somewhere. I once heard it at Chi-chi's when I was having a period of not listening to Elvis.


Erasure - Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me
I have some pretty weird things associated with this song, but its still one of my favorites to make any day easier. Its bouncy and happy and it can almost make me forget how shitty a day has been.

Murray Gold - Doctor Who Theme
There's a reason this one is here, if I'm hearing this song, I'm about to have a blissful one hour (or more) of watching David Tennant on the telly. Yay! My guess is tonight I'll be hearing this tune at about 9 o'clock!

The Wallflowers - Feels Like Summer Again
I love Jakob Dylan. He has a solo album coming out soon too, if not already. This song is one of my favorites, along with Sleepwalker.

I probably should put these 5 tracks on a loop so I hear them everyday, but most of the time its by chance that I do. (Well except the Doctor Who Theme)

I'm Fearing A Setback

In the fund for a new car at the beginning of the year. Besides what I'm probably going to have to deal with as far as grandma's house, I think my computer may be hitting its last legs.

I'm so not happy about this. I don't have that kind of extra money lying around. I wanted to get glasses last month, as its been 2 years since I've been to the eye doctor. That had to be put off because of other bills and whatnot that I've had to pay and other things I've needed to purchase since April 26th, the worst day of my life so far.

I don't know how we're going to get through this, with attorney fees, what its going to cost to put the house for sale, the cost in taxes for inheritance and afterwards oh and not to mention the taxes that are still due on the property this year.

ARGH!

I'm in a total panic right now and I'm really really cranky. OK, not cranky, ANGRY, at the world. I've been biting people's heads off and arguing with them for no real reason, except that I'm spoiling for a fight.

I can only hope these feelings go away soon, and I can only hope that the computer doesn't decide to freak out on me or I will go totally batshit insane and right now it probably wouldn't take much to push me over the edge.

Franken Mix!

I made another one of these for a music community I'm in. The link to download will be in the comments

Artist: Various Artists
Album: Hello Frankie Baby! (87 MB)
Genre: Pop, Country, Classic Rock
Similar Artists: Erasure, Dolly Parton, Keri Noble
Tracklisting:
1. from the last CD you purchased - Terri Clark - Emotional Girl
2. labeled blues or "the blues" - Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Sour Milk Cow Blues
3. that gets you going in the morning - Erasure - I Love Saturday
4. that's romantic - Nick Lowe - Lets Stay In And Make Love
5. that's one of the first you remember hearing - The Beatles - I'll Follow The Sun
6. you discovered from a film - Olivia Newton-John - Xanadu
7. from your favorite band or artist - The Moody Blues - Your Wildest Dreams
8. from a band or artist that you don't really like except for this song - The Libertines - What Katie Did
9. that's a lullabye - Keri Noble - Lullabye
10. that makes you laugh - Danny Elfman - It Only Makes Me Laugh
11. that's a really good cover version - Over The Rhine - Ruby TUesday
12. that reminds you of school days - Roxette - Joyride
13. from an artist that you are embarrassed to admit you like - Boyzone - Daydream Believer
14. that's FUNKY! - Billie Myers - It All Comes Down To You
15. for those quiet rainy nights - Cast In Bronze - Serendipity
16. that no matter when you hear it, it makes you feel good - Tommy James - Hold The Fire
17. with the word "Look" in the title - The Monkees - Look OUt (Here Comes Tomorrow)
18. from a member of the Dead Rocker's Society - George Harrison - Teardrops
19. that is your favorite from Elvis - Elvis Presley - Kentucky Rain
20. randomly, that you feel fits - Gary Puckett & The Union Gap - Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife
21. by or about Johnny Cash/that gives you that old country feeling - Dolly Parton - Better Git To Livin'

I'm Disappointed

There was a time when I thought there was hope for our country, after last night I have lost it. No I am not nor will I ever be an Obama supporter. I'm sick of being told I'm a racist when I state that I do not like the man.

I supported Hillary. I don't support the DNC one iota and will never again say I'll vote a straight party just for the good of the democrats. I believe the people in charge of the party are a bunch of sexist pigs that fear having a Clinton in the White House again. It's funny, the Clinton's seem to know what they were doing with gov't when they were in office for 8 years....well besides a sex scandal or two.

Either way, I'm not keen on either candidate that will sit on the ticket in November, so much so that I may just sit at home, because I doubt my vote matters. It sure as hell didn't in 2000 or 2004.

Maybe I'm just a bitter, jaded person, clinging to my guns and religion now, but I do know this, neither contender seems qualified for the job they are seeking and sadly do we need 4 with an option of 8 years of someone that's inexperienced, and that goes for both candidates.

Tuesday Tunes - Week 35

From Music Memoirs:

Pick an album that you consider a favorite but isn't by your favorite band. (I'll know if some of you cheat!)
I can't cheat, I made up the meme. So you know there will be no Costello or Moody Blues or Hayward etc posted here.

Over The Rhine - The Trumpet Child


Tell us why you like the album.
Over The Rhine cross so many genres in one album, I think that's what I like the most about them. You get that alt-country vibe, like Hem as well as a bit of a jazzy fell and sometimes pop. The lyrics are wonderful too. It's good relaxing music

What is your favorite track from the album and your least favorite track.

Favorite Track: If A Song Could Be President
Oh man if it were the case, I wouldn't have the issue I have with election. Suffice to say I'm voting for the party I said I'd never vote for again this year, I'm sure, since the media has decided on the nominee for the party that's ripped to shreds, because we'd rather have a plastic, phony idiot as the nom than someone that has a clue. Oops, did I spew political nonsense again? Sorry

Least Favorite Track: I Don't Wanna Waste Your Time
I guess everyone is entitled to a potboiler of a song. It's not a bad song, but there's so much better on this album. It's worth a listen though, I seldom skip over it.

What caused you to buy this album or download?
I bought it because I fell in love with the band's Christmas album Snow Angels. The Trumpet Child was their most recent recording. A friend had sent me a download of this one when I told them how much I loved the Christmas record, so I it wasn't a disappointment when I paid my $14.00 for it.

Do you own any other albums by this artist or is this just a one off?

I own several but no all of the Over The Rhine catalog, that will be rectified over the year I hope.

These are the albums I own on CD:

Snow Angels


Drunkard's Prayer


Discount Fireworks


Now you should all check out something by Over The Rhine.

What Kind Of Flower Is This?

The Sweet Williams have taken over most of our yard, but then there's this strange flower that cropped up between the Williams and the rose bush.



The first one I spied was pulled because it looked like a week, but for some reason I left another to grow and now its blooming!

I wish I knew what it was, because I know I didn't plant it and I've never seen anything like it before.

When Will This Nightmare End

April 26th started a nightmare that I never wanted to deal with. I have so much to worry about now. There were always little things. Now I'm worried about will the house sell. How will I be able to pay the taxes on it. What's it going to do to my taxes next year. How much is the attorney going to cost us for the work on the estate because the change in the will did nothing to make the process easier.

My little head can't comprehend this. It's making me crazy.

We still have to get stuff out of the house but there's no one to help. It's all on me and that's becoming very frustrating and depressing because inevitably I end up crying because she's not there. Everyone thinks I should have stopped crying by now, but I can't. She may have been 101 but I wasn't expecting her to go. She was vibrant and so full of life until the very end. How can I have expected anything to happen? She was supposed to live forever. Damn it, that's what we all wanted. Grandma was eternal. She was the rock this family was built on.

I'm losing it, whatever "it" is and I don't know if I'll ever get it back. Not to worry though, it's not my sanity that's going, I never had that to begin with.