Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 bands you wish you'd discovered sooner


You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.

1. Grey Eye Glances: By the time I discovered this band they were on a hiatus and now they are only playing the occasional live show in Philly. Seeing as I haven't a good car and I freaking hate Philly, the chances of me seeing them in concert are pretty slim. Plus I also lost out on any "new album" excitement, because my guess is, there won't be any of those any time soon either.

2. Gordon Lightfoot: I would have loved to have known his music before his health problems set in, so I could have completely experienced that wonderful voice I hear on my CDs.

3. Erasure: If I would have fallen in love with them a year or two earlier I might have had a chance to see them in concert. As it is now, there's no chance of me ever getting to see them. Boo!

4. Keri Noble: For much the same reason. I discovered her about 3 months after she played a show in Pittsburgh and she hasn't been back since. Grrr.

5. Mika: I discovered him last year. I remember when his first album came out and I wanted to listen to it but never got around to it. I'm so glad I found him last year though. He makes such fun pop music and he's so damn cute.

Suckery

I hate being the child that gets to cart family members off to the doctor's. My dad and mom can still go together, but when he has to go to an appointment alone, someone has to be there with him, because he doesn't hear well.

I hate being the child that has to be there for all that.

Right now I hate it a lot, because a few week's ago he had a bladdar infection. TMI, I know, but I got my fair share of it at the hospital ER, m'kay, so this is nothing.

He's taken two weeks worth of antibiotics and now the GP wants him to see a urologist.

Why me?

I get nervous enough going to the doctor and I'm only 35. Taking an eighty-four year old man to the doctor is hell on the nerves. I fear the word that starts with a "C". Actually I fear all health problems.

The man had several inches of his colon removed last year. I worry. A LOT! I was really hoping I could get through one year without health issue mayhem.

It looks like that is not the case.

And taking your father to the urologist has to be one of the biggest bits of suckery out there.

Where Did Music Go In My Life

I love music, but somehow in the last few months it has disappeared from my life. I don't have it on a constant loop.

I used to always have something playing in the background while I sat at my computer. Now it's just silence.

I really don't know what's happening, other than new music is so bleh to me and so many of my favorite artists aren't recording new music.

I finally got around to buying the new Lady Antebellum CD this weekend, and that album has been out for quite awhile! Heck, Need You Now has even won awards.

That's not to say that I don't have albums that I want to buy, I just can't seem to get around to listening to them right now. The only albums I listen to are those of bands I'm supposed to review. Needless to say, that doesn't really thrill me much.

I have discovered some great Independent artists through my job, but some of the more recent artists...well, not so much, and I know I've said it before, but I think its sapped my love for music. Its taken away the love I had for music that I enjoy! I hate that!

I actually prefer watching TV when I go to the gym, over the music on my mp3 player.

You guys have no idea how sad that makes me.

Car Withdrawals

The red Chevy Cobalt went back to Enterprise yesterday and I'm now $128.50 poorer than I was the day before.


~sigh~

I loved that car, but there is no way in hell I could ever own that car. It was so new it still had its sticker price from Chevy in the glove box.

$19,400.00 and that was before taxes and whatnot.

~bigger sigh~

If I wanted to buy that I'd be paying for it until I was dead and the car was long since dead, and that's assuming that I could get a loan on a shiny new vehicle, which I likely can't.

~huge sigh~

Plus between the weather and things that need done around the house I haven't been able to save anything extra, in oh...about 2 years.

At least I haven't had to withdraw from my savings, but still...I had been doing so well before then. I doubt I'll ever own a car that I would feel comfortable with taking on a long drive.

~head desk~

I'm going to slink off and feel sorry for myself some more if you don't mind.

Missing Mondays

Today is April 26. It just hit me right now. Its pouring down rain and I think its supposed to do that all day, so I will no likely be able to go to the cemetery.

Today marks 2 years since Grandma has been gone. It doesn't feel like that long. Two years since I walked down to her house to check on her shortly after 1 p.m. on a Saturday.

I still can't go in the upstairs without crying. I still can't remember anything I said to her the night before, except that I was busy doing something not very important at all and I have never really felt like I said what needed to be said. Plus I will always feel like I should have been there, even though I know that there was likely nothing I could have done to help. I would have just panicked and screamed just as I did 4 hours later.

So yeah, today is April 26 and I miss my grandma.

The Weekend Is Winding Down

It has been a crazy awesome weekend. Craig Ferguson was incredible last night in Greensburg. There was so much funny that I don't even know where to start, but I will try to post a review over at Wenches tomorrow. Until then, you can check out some of my photos over here. Let me know which ones you like, so I can use them in my review post.

Today I took dad out to eat at Rock Bottom Brewery @ The Waterfront. I don't think I've ever spent $40.00 on dinner for 2 people before and that was a salad for me, a pot pie for him and two beers! Yikes!

I spent scads of money @ The Waterfront, mostly on books and stuff that smells good. Yes, that means, Bath and Body Works had a sale and I had a coupon. Not a good combination financially especially as the car is costing me a mint this weekend. But you know, sometimes you just have to say Fuck it! Plus I didn't buy anything at the show last night, so I deserved a little treat.

The only problem is, I really can't afford to do much of anything now for the next few weeks.

Tonight Is Craig Ferguson Night!

Woo hoo! I get to spend several hours listening to my favorite late night talk show host!

I'm super excited about getting to see him. He's been through the area before, as for some odd reason, he's adopted Greensburg, PA for some reason.

What can I say, he's a crazy man.

I just hope he's $170.00 worth of funny.

Why so much?

Because the that's how much the weekend car rental is combined with the ticket price of $51.00.

Yeah.

Car rentals are a bitch, but they are better than having your 1990 Beretta giving you a heart attack while driving on a dark interstate after midnight.

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 music videos you can watch over and over.


You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.

1. The Moody Blues - Your Wildest Dreams: I have always loved this video. I could watch it over and over, and Justin really looks so lovely. Plus I love the song more than I should.



2. Elvis Costello - ...This Town: OK, how can you not love Devil Elvis!!



3. Erasure - Take A Chance On Me: Just watch it an you'll understand!!



4. George Harrison - Got My Mind Set On You: Only the chair video please. This video is beyond cute. God I miss George.




5. Roxette - Joyride. I just loved how cheap and cheesy this video was and the song was just damn fun. They don't make em like this anymore.

Sick Of Big Ben

So our asshat, drunken scumbag QB has got a 6 game suspension for his wrongdoings in Georgia. Oh and I don't care if he didn't get charged with anything, the dufus did something that he shouldn't have been doing, the least of it being providing alcohol to someone under the age of 21.

Asshat!

I really think that the guy has lots of problems. Problems that require him getting his drinking in check, so that he doesn't do something that will land him in jail. And while he's getting himself cleaned up and sober, maybe he should learn some respect for women.

Just because you have millions doesn't mean that you can just whoop it out to any drunk girl and tell her "Do whatever you want with it."

Because he might end up with a sadistic sort someday that might just take him up on that and leave the QB singing soprano.

Lordy, its nice to know that alcohol and money make some people think they have the right to do anything.

I hope the Pittsburgh Steelers trade that asshat down the river. I think I've said, I'd rather the team have a losing season then have them in the tabloids over something an idiot has done.

Random Stuff

~ I've read 50 books this year so far. Yes, they've been romance novels but hey! they are books too!

~ Sick of hearing about our stupid quarterback. I wish the Steelers would trade that nasty sack of poop, or send him to a clinic to dry out cos, Big Ben is a raging alcoholic who needs help. Actually he needs a knee to the groin or to meet up with someone like Loreena Bobbit.

~ I'm also sick of hearing about sugar and salt. I hate to tell the world this, but the stuff that's killing us is all the perservatives that go into foods now. My gran lived to be 101 and for most of her life she used stuff like LARD! And guess what? That stuff didn't kill her.

~ Its Turn Off week, for those of you that don't know. I wish I could turn off the computer, but I just can't drag my butt away from it. I can stay away from the TV though, cos everything I watch is in reruns right now. Boo!

~ I've also determined that if the world likes it, I won't. I hate American Idol, I hate Glee, I hate Green Day. I think the only semi-popular thing that I like is Mika.

~ I'm still hating on the politician who's platform is "I believe in god, abortions are wrong, guns are right." Seriously people, how in the fuck can you vote for someone like that. Its wrong to kill an unborn child, but its fine to have a gun, which will do what? Kill or maim? Uh...ASSHAT!

~ Watched the first episode of the new season of Ashes To Ashes yesterday and all I can say is OMG! It was great and Phillip Glenister is so sexy.

Dealing With It

I've really got to spend more time around home for the next few months, aside from the stuff I've got planned. I'm close to getting some bills paid off, which is great however, every time that happens something bad happens to dig me just a bit deeper into the hole I've almost crawled out of.

Why is that?

I hate sitting around "The Roi." There's not much to do here and you can only read so much before the mind craves activity, and this is coming from a person who reads several books a week.

There has to be some things in this area that are fun but don't cost scads of money? I just wish I could find them.

It costs about $12 to go to Critter Country Animal Park. Round Hill Park is free, but it only takes about a half hour to walk through the farm.

~ sigh ~

Its just no fun being frugal.

Its also no fun being broke.

But do you know what? I will deal with it, one way or another.

Missing Mondays

I miss weekends being relaxing. Somehow even when I have 2 days to do whatever I chose, I don't feel like I've de-stressed. Something always happens to work my nerves up so I just can't feel calm and ready to start another week.

Take this weekend for example: I had a great time on Saturday in Wheeling. I enjoyed all the book stores and all the food. Wheeling has some great restaurants, chain and locally owned.

Yesterday was another story.

I was on my way to La Fiesta for dinner, or rather, we were about to go there, when I noticed something hanging from my father's car. Oye! Not what I wanted to see, so we took my piece of tin, which suddenly felt a lot more reliable. I don't take it far because it likes to play games with my head.

The last time I took it further than say 15 miles it decided to show me the engine light. Nothing was wrong, the car just wanted to tell me, that it went further than its comfort zone and it wanted to make sure I was shaking the whole way home.

Yeah, that's the kind of car I drive. I'm taking donations for a Ford Focus...feel free to leave tips! Yeah right.

So besides the health issues both my parents have that keep me up at night with worry, I had the car to add to it. Glad that turned out to be nothing as well, but I'm sick of being scared about stuff.

I miss having peace of mind, or rather a piece of my mind left!

Matt Smith Rocks My World

This cutie pie, ok, this geek, is the new Doctor Who, for those of you aren't already aware of that.

In the last 3 weeks this guy has more than proven he's good enough to be called "THE DOCTOR".

I don't think I ever expected to like him as much as I do, but every week he seems to get better and better. I'm also really pleased with the stories so far. Of course, I've found with all the previous series, the fist few episodes are really strong and make you want to watch the next week.

It will be interesting to see how the next few weeks will turn out like, but even if some of the episodes are crappy, I think I'll be happy with the new doctor.

At least I have something to look forward to watching now. Even if I have to download it so that I don't have to deal with an episode that's been cut to ribbons so that BBC America can air more commercials.

A Day In Wheeling

I love Wheeling, WV. I can't believe that I'm saying that but there's just so much wonderful stuff there, from great food to great shopping.

It almost always turns out to be a day of book shopping and eating and today was no different. I found several books at my favorite used shop in Downtown Wheeling, Paradox Books. We had crepes at Later Alligators. Oh and I got some gorgeous jewelry at a little shop in the market. Then we headed towards Triadelphia and Books-A-Million, where I hit the sale tables and had a crazy awesome frappe!

All in all it was a great day. Lots of books to read. Lots of good food consumed. Who could ask for a better day? I know I can't

Now I have to take an hour out of my reading schedule so I can watch the new episode of Doctor Who.

Life is good, my friends. Life is good!

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 songs you love to hear live


You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.

1. The Moody Blues - Question: This song is just 100 times better when you can watch Justin and his big acoustic guitar. You get bonus points if he snaps a string.

2. Elvis Costello - I Want You: OMG this song is awesome live. Its probably the best song Mr. Costello does live. If its not included in a concert, its a sad sad day indeed.

3. Herman's Hermits - I'm Into Something Good: This song is just so fun when you get to hear it live. Actually any song Peter Noone does live is fun!

4. Gordon Lightfoot - The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald: I get to hear this one live in a few months!!!

5. Def Leppard - Two Steps Behind: I love this song. That's all I have to say. The last time I saw them they didn't play it, and it pissed me off royally!

More Dilemmas

I have issues!

Yesterday, we found out that my sister can't go with me to see Craig Ferguson next weekend. I'll be taking her oldest son instead. That doesn't bother me one bit, except I'm not sure if I'm going to get paid for that ticket. Grrrr. I also have to rent a car for that night because I don't trust mine to go 30 miles on an evening where no one could come and rescue me if the car decided to break down. Oye! There goes another $100.00

I'm still looking for a car for about $7000.00. I really want a Ford Focus, but for a smaller car, they are a bit pricey. I also hate the idea of having a loan on a car that may be dead before I pay it off. I don't know what to do.

Oh and I have a gadget issue too.

I want an ereader. I'm not sure why, but I do. I'm in love with Barnes and Noble's Nook. I blogged about it over at Wenches the other day. Any of you guys have an ereader? Opinions? I haven't bought a gadget in a long while. I'm do a new toy.

Feeling Girly

I admit it. I'm a girly girl. I like pretty things and sweet smelling things. That's why I'm ususally broke. I like to buy those things! So when I get my emails from Bath & Body Works, unless its holiday time or near my birthday, I tend to send the temptation straight to the Trash. (The coupons they send me in the mail, I keep, just in case)

Well my daily email comes but it has a special deal on the fragrances that they only sell in the stores a few times out of the year. Its an online only deal. And they have Flowering Herbs and Juniper Breeze. Those are two of the three Bath and Body fragrances that I have adored since the first time I set foot in their stores.

Its one of the first emails I haven't deleted, because my bottle of Flowering Herbs is almost empty. It doesn't matter that I have about 20 other fragrances that can replace this one, its just a matter of principle! I don't want to go without the one I like best!

If only they would have kept Freesia Fields in the line up of Classics. That's my number one scent, which I hate to use, because when its gone, its gone and the thought of that makes me terribly sad.

I have a funny feeling I'll be making a purchase sometime soon.

To Loan Or Not To Loan

I fell in love with a car on Saturday. A 2004 Ford Focus in French Blue. Sadly that little beauty costs $9,000. Which is about $2,000 more than I would be willing to go.

~Big Sigh~

I've spent a lot of time getting out of debt. I've worked hard at it.

I'm almost there.

Everything I have right now, credit card wise is more than manageable. I'm not sure if I want to dive head first into a big loan.

I'm not sure my job is that stable.

I just don't know what to do. I'm still looking, but why did this car have to be exactly what I wanted?

Missing Mondays

I always seem to be missing something food related and today is no different. When I was in college there was a little restaurant in downtown, Charleroi On Mon, called Monty's Place. My parents used to go there for breakfast a lot after morning mass during the week and so did I.

Don't laugh! I went to morning mass fairly regularly throughout college. I was kinda religious.

But back to Monty's, talking about the Catholic church right now just makes me angry.

This place made the best omelets in the whole of SW PA. Plus they had a waitress that could remember everyone's favorites. It was always fun to throw her off and order something different every now and then.

This was a great family restaurant during the day. It became too much of a bar at night and that's probably why its not still around. It attracted some not so nice types later in the day.

But oh how I miss those omelettes! They were so good. The only place I've had a super great omelette like that since was in Atlantic City....Mmmm...now I'm missing Jersey and the Deli Omelette. Damn!

Decisions Decisions

Suddenly there is a wealth of concerts coming through the area. Gordon Lightfoot in June and now Weird Al in July.

I'm trying to decide if I want to catch the Weird One. His shows are supposedly really good, and I've always been amused by the parodies he's done.

Plus if I bought cheap seats it would only be about $35.

Not bad for a concert.

I have until tomorrow morning to decide.

ARGH!

Also, its not as if The Moody Blues or Elvis Costello were playing shows nearby, so I should enjoy the shows that I can catch.

Speaking of which, less then 2 weeks until Craig Ferguson!!

Dreams

I had a freaky dream last night, and I wasn't even under the influence of Nyquil. It was one of those dreams where I'm trying to get away from something, but I don't know what it is.

At some point I was in our garage and it was totally dark. I walked back to the house, bumping into the rose bushes. I even got a branch stuck in my bracelet or watch.

When I got back into the house I suddenly toppled over. I tried to scream but I had no voice. That's when I woke up.

I hate these kinds of dreams.

I used to have the "wanting to scream" dreams quite often when I was younger, but I haven't had one in a long while.

I wonder what brought this dream about.

Tim Burns Will Not Get My Vote

This idiot is running for Congress and one of his commercials goes a little something like this:

"I believe in God."

"I believe abortions are wrong."

"I believe guns are right."

WTF!

Dude, your priorities are whack! Believing in God is no reason for me to vote for you. I want to know what the hell you plan to do if I would.

Abortions are wrong? That my dear fucktard is a moral issue. I don't like the idea of abortions any more than most, but I really think if we're going to claim to be a nation that has freedom of religion and of course freedom to not have religion, issues such as abortion should be tossed out of ballpark. Not an issue dude, but since you are obviously a fucktard republican that seems to think that women wake up every day wanting to get knocked up so that we can have an abortion, I'll try to forget this.

But "Guns are right?"

Uh. Let me see if I get this straight. Abortion is wrong, because that's killing an unborn child. But everyone can own a gun, because they can be used in so many ways to..."KILL PEOPLE!" or at least cause them great harm.

WTF is wrong with you!!!!!

Pardon me while I go look for a candidate that has more than one half a brain cell.

Oh wait, there aren't any.

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 albums that didn't live up to the hype


You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.


1. Madonna - Hard Candy: OMG this album was shite! OK, most of Madonna's stuff in the last 6 years has been shite, but this one really took the cake. Justin Timberlake should never ever collaborate with other artists. EVER!

2. U2 - No Line On The Horizon: I held out great hopes for this album, but after hearing the first single and then the rest, I found it to be just a step above, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

3. Paul McCartney - Chaos & Creation In The Backyard: There are a few ok songs on this one, but there was so much hype about how fantastic this album was, that when I listened I expected more. It was a bit too depressing for me. Maybe Paulie should have waited awhile after the divorce to record an album?

4. Duran Duran - Red Carpet Massacre: OK, not a lot of hype on the music industry end, but on the fan end there was, and for what? This is the biggest sack of poop the guys have ever foisted on their fans. BLECH! And again, Timberlake and Timberland stick their noses in where they don't belong.

5. Elvis Costello - North: All the bigwigs thought this was the next best thing. Elvis singing love songs and breakup songs, a'la jazzy ones. NO NO NO! He's done jazz better and he's done love songs better too. However the album cover and inserts are gorgeous...and if you keep listening to the album it gets better, but it doesn't deserve all the attention it got from the critics.

Why Must Everything Be Spoiled

I get Hungry Girl emails every day. I like some of her healthy eating tips. I've also discovered some great lo cal snacks from her website, but I hate when she spoils eating out.

Today she decided to tell us about Olive Garden.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that very little at this restaurant is waistline friendly. I mean look at all that cheese.

She then had to suggest cutting out the salad dressing and croutons from the all you can eat salad.

Uh, sorry Hungry Girl. I love you, but if you mess with the best salad in the world, I have only two words for you; FUCK YOU!

I also appreciate her reminding us that the bread sticks are 150 calories a piece.

Really? Did anyone think they they weren't about that? I mean a slice of bread is usually around 90?

I don't know about you, but the salad and bread sticks are my favorite part of the meal at Olive Garden. I really would like to bitch slap Hungry Girl for ruining it for me.

Too Much Excitement Last Night

I spent 3 hours in the ER with my father. Sadly this was from 10 pm til a little after 1 am.

I have to wonder, do the hospitals not get paid if the patients aren't in the ER for at least 3 hours, if not 4?

Thankfully, it was only a bladder infection. He was given antibiotics and was sent home with us after about 3 hours.

The only problem is, I only got about 4 hours of sleep last night and I have to go to work in less than an hour.

I don't know how I'm going to keep my eyes open for 8 hours, I really don't. If only I could call off.

Someone please pass the super strength coffee!

Another Sunny Day

Sadly just like all the rest, the majority of it is being spent inside. On a plus I can get out to get the mail later and take a short walk, but other than that, its inside I'll stay, staring at the four walls of my office until 4 o'clock.

Boo hiss!

Sometimes I really wish that offices could be in the out of doors, especially when th sun is shining and its supposed to be near 80 degrees out.

No one in their right mind would want to be indoors on a such a gorgeous day.

Heck, I'm not even in my right mind and I don't want to be inside today.

Missing Mondays

If I were brutally honest I'd have to say that today I miss having the day after Easter off. The only time that occurred was when I was in high school though, and I really don't miss high school at all.

Another thing I'm missing today is Chunky Bars. Anyone remember these strange square candy bars filled with peanuts and raisins?

We used to have them in the house all the time when I was a kid.

I think they still make them, they just don't sell them anywhere where I can buy them. That's probably a good thing too, because I'd be the size of a barn with Chunky bars around.

Yes, they were that good!

I want a Chunky NOW!

Happy Easter!!!

I'm hoping that some of you have heard this Easter song because this song was my childhood. It's Eggbert The Easter Egg and its sung by Rosemary Clooney.




Happy Easter everyone!

Lots To Do

I have 2 reviews to write this weekend. I have much laundry to do. Oh and mass tonight is the super long Easter Vigil service, and that's the mass I'm probably going to attend. I'm a bit batshit insane like that.

I'm just not sure where they time is going to come from.

Did I mention I've also got to help with the cooking for Easter?

Yeah, that too.

Why is it that holidays only mean more work? At least the really big holidays?

I think I like Memorial Day, Fourth Of July and Labor Day better. All they require is me sitting on my butt and eating burgers and hot dogs, that Dad makes on the grill.

Life is good during the summer holidays. All the other ones are just a hassle!

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 musical things that you are excited for this spring/summer


You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.

1. The Gordon Lightfoot concert in June.

2. The new Andy Bell CD that I think is due out in May

3. Hairspray @ The Benedum in July (assuming I can afford it)

4. The Phantom Of The Opera in Aug/Sept I'm not sure which one of these shows I'm going to, but I'm excited for both this and Hairspray. I'm thinking when it comes down to money, The Phantom will win.

5. Free outdoor concerts: I'm hoping there are a few coming up at Oglebay this summer.

Yesterday Was Super Awesome

It was a rough day starting out. I was battling the spreadsheets from hell at work. I went to the gym, did shopping at KMart to get cards for Dad for his b-day tomorrow and dessert for dinner.

I didn't even turn my computer on until shortly after 6 p.m. yesterday evening and I was greeted by an email from The Palace Theater saying that Gordon Lightfoot would be playing in Greensburg June 16.

I squeed and noticed they were doing presales already!

Guess what?

I'm going and my seats are Orchestra, row C!

I'm so excited and I didn't even know about this until the email came! I'm so thrilled. I love Gordon Lightfoot! This made my day, and will be the first "real" concert I've been to in 2 years! Last years shows were all freebies.