Happy Easter!

For now I just want to say Happy Easter to those of you that celebrate the holiday.

Again, it's more than just a day to eat brightly colored eggs and extremely fattening chocolate eggs that are filled with even more fattening stuff inside.




But bunnies are cute...especially with baskets.

and chocolate ones are really tasty.



And it's fun to color eggs



But try to remember that there is something more to it....

Weekend Music

Sometime you have to have some fun music to keep you going.
(That would be when I put The Moody Blues away for awhile, because, well, they aren't fun...unless it's Don't Need A Reindeer or Send Me No Wine)

So for the weekend....I'm going to bring you a few fun songs to keep you going through the holiday weekend

Jimmy Buffett - Another Saturday Night

Barenaked Ladies - Another Postcard

Kirsty MacColl - In These Shoes

These three songs will stay up for a few days. Enjoy!

The Perils of Walmart Shopping

Walmart is hell. I used to think that my hamlet of Charleroi on Mon was hell, but I was wrong. Walmart, all of them, hell!

Do you want to to know why Walmart turns a profit? It has nothing to do with loads of shoppers coming in and buying all the stuff with prices rolled back and stupid smiley faces everywhere.

No!

Why Walmart turns a profit lies in something more nefarious. More annoying. More time consuming than anything else.

They refuse to let employees work!

Why would you have 30 + registers and only have 10 of them open on a Friday night? A Friday night before a holiday, no less!



To make matters worse, I had ice cream on my shopping list.



All the lines were at least 5 or 6 deep, and there wasn't a buggy that wasn't filled to the brim in any of those lines.



And that's just the check out.

Moving through the aisles was just as bad, because the people who were working, were putting up stock.

What business stocks shelves during the busiest time on the weekend!



So while shopping you trip over other customers, employees and merchandise and then when you are ready to check out...you wait in the line from hell!

After one trip to Walmart, I'm ready for Bedlam!

Top Five On Friday

Ok, here's my 2nd musical meme of the week, brought to you by Music Memoirs.

Top 5 "Live" Songs. (This could be songs from live albums or songs that are better performed live)

1. Elvis Costello - I Want You
This song is passionate in its studio version, but when EC does it in concert it's almost, no, it is orgasmic. (I'll hunt down a live version for you later. I don't have one on my hard drive right now)

2. The Moody Blues - The Story In Your Eyes
Justin Hayward's guitar work on this song is always incredible. I have to agree with Moody Mistress on that one. The version I'm posting here is from The Night At The Red Rocks CD.

3. Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf
Yes, this song is cheesy 80's music at its best, but I hate to tell all of you scoffers out there this, but Duran Duran are a credible live band. I've seen them twice and both times I went thinking that the show would be terrible. Both times I was wrong. This uber long version is from the Tower Records show from May of 93. This version was released on the Too Much Information single and the whole concert was bootlegged at one point. (I know, cos I have it)

4. The Moody Blues - Talking Out Of Turn
I can't ignore Lodgey, this song and Steppin in a Slide Zone are two of his best songs done live This mp3 came from the Wantagh New York show on June 13, 1997. I wanted to post the Atlantic City mp3..but damn if I couldn't find that this morning.

5. Cheap Trick - I Want You To Want Me
All you have to do is listen to their CD At Budakon or any of the other live CDs that are out there, to know that this song is fabulous live. I was lucky enough to see them once back in the mid-90's. They are a fabulous band and Robin Zander is hot! (Had to get the lust out on this one)

I need to treat myself to something

I'm not sure what yet, but I want to treat myself. Most of the time when I treat myself to something special, it's clothes, but I don't want to spend money on clothes that I likely won't be wearing for long.

5 lbs down...25 to go...til I hit the 125 that I want to be at.

But after a week of hellish work, I think I deserve a cd or something.

Right?

OK, maybe I'm looking for an excuse to spend money, when I shouldn't. But I can't help it!

I want stuff!

I love stuff!

Stuff is what makes the world go around.

I need some musical stuff.

Do you need some musical stuff?

I think you do.

So while I'm contemplating spending money on some new tunes, you can have one.

Erasure - Don't Say You Love Me

It's from the new album Nightbird that anyone and everyone should own.

To Blog or Not To Blog

I've never done the proverbial "Why Do I Blog" post. So I thought today would be as good a time as any to explain some of my reasons.

~ Venting is a damn good thing, and every so often we all have to do that. I'm pretty sure most of my family prefers that I vent quietly online than at them.

~ I can share what's going on in my life with friends that are harder to keep in touch with. Mind you sometimes it would be nice if those friends would leave a comment when they stopped by. It's not as though I don't know they've been here. (IP addies tell all, you know)

~ It's a great way to share my obsessions with the world.

Muhahahahaha! You knew I had to have a nefarious purpose, right?

I want to spread the love of Elvis Costello, The Moody Blues and Duran Duran to the world!

Actually I want to share my love of music with the world.

Some people think The Moody Blues are a crap band. They are allowed. I don't agree with them, but they are allowed. Just as I think Nirvana was a crap band. I hated them always.

Just because you see the Moody Blues on this blog, doesn't mean that they are the only band I listen to. I have ecclectic taste, and I listen to most anything.

Elena asked me to post a photo of my CD Collection. Miss Tay had asked to see it awhile back.


Part of my CD collection 


More CDs..Look there's my Justin Hayward collection! 

Now I dare anyone to question my screen name of Music Whore.

Oh and that's not all of the CDs either, but I think it's enough for now.

~ I want to share the photos I've taken. Share meaning, if you like them. Right click away. Enjoy! I usually have all my photos uploaded through hello so if you click on them, (like the cd collection shots) they grow to their normal size.

So all in all, blogging is like sharing a piece, albeit a small piece, of my life with strangers.

The parts I share maybe personal, silly or general in nature. But blogging is a little way of sharing a bit of who I am with you.

Random Stuff

First the meme that I promised Misty I'd do.

You're stuck inside Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be?
There's only been one book that I ever hated so much that I wanted to burn it: Stephen King's The Dreamcatcher.

Yuck!

And I'm not the type that will stop reading a book, when I don't like it. I usually carry on in hopes that it will get better. This one did not.

Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
No, I can't say I have. Though if there were any, Lestat from the Vampire Chronicles probably would have been it. Now if we were talking TV....well that would be a whole other story.

The last book you bought is:

The Music Of The Spheres by Elizabeth Redfern (It's out of print and I bought it at the dollar store)



The last book you read:
It was some old harlequinn. I read so many I can't really tell you.

What are you currently reading?
Love, Dad by Evan Hunter

Five books you would take to a deserted island.

Les Miserables - Victor Hugo (The Unabridged Version)



The Phantom Of The Opera - Gaston Leroux (I've always loved the story. It's better than the musical)



Interview with a Vampire - Anne Rice



The Vampire Lestat - Anne Rice



The Queen Of The Damned - Anne Rice



Who are you going to pass this stick to (3 persons) and why?

Elena because she's always passing along memes for me to do.

Lady Starlight because she's my sister and I said so.

Brandie, because she's another book whore!

~ Still sick of the morning shift! Not sick of the money...just the shift. I wish the morning girl would get over the flu ASAP!

~ I need need need to be able to get some new CDs soon. I'm waiting until I've paid off a few bills before I buy any. Plus I need to know when tickets are going on sale for a few shows that I WILL attend this summer.

No one needs to ask what band right?

~ The diet is progressing. Who knows, maybe I'll be down 10 lbs in another week. Oh how I wish that were the case. I wonder if there's a chance I could lose 20 lbs or so by July?

Try not to laugh too hard.

~ When will the icky weather stop? Snow that didn't happen until late in the season..rain forever it seems. Where's the darn sun?!?!?!?! I knew I should have gone into hibernation this year!

One word --- ARGH!

I seriously have had enough of the morning girl at work calling off. Not that I mind the extra cash. I love that. I love that to pieces. Maybe I'll be able to get those 2 Grey Eye Glances CDs I want. (Plus help with the vacation costs this year)

Still, I have worked about 8 days for the morning girl.

8 days.

We've both only been working for about 2 months..give or take a week on her part.

It snowed...she called off. Now she has the flu.

ARGH!

Plus I can't say no, when I know the poor girl is sick. But crikey! Take some vitamins!

And now to soothe the savage beast that I've become, some screen caps from one of the newer clips at Yvonne's kick boot-tay Moody Blues site.







I feel a bit more calm now, but I still don't want to go to work at 7 a.m. tomorrow.

Take Me Back Tuesday

It's time for one of the Music Memoirs memes!

1. What one artist would you like to travel back in time to see in their "hey day?" And Why?
There are so many and they all are from the 1960's.
I'm going to give the two obvious answers for me. The Moody Blues and The Beatles, both for the same reasons.

Reason 1. Would love to see both bands when they were fresh and young.
Reason 2. The magic of those years can't be captured now.

2. If you could go back in time to buy one musical related item that you wanted, but didn't purchase at the time, what would it be?
I would have purchased The Moody Blues - The Other Side Of Life in the 80's when the album first came out, rather than waiting almost twenty years to acquire it. My love for the band probably would have started much sooner.

You have no idea how many times I held a copy of that album in my hands and put it back, because I only knew 2 songs from it. (Your Wildest Dreams & The Other Side Of Life)

3. If you could travel back in time and give any artist/band a piece of advice, who would it be and what would your advice be?

Can I give a few artists some advice?

1. John Lennon: Don't sign any autographs in Dec of 1980. (I might also add, don't marry Yoko Ono)

2. Justin Hayward: Don't date women your drummer introduces you to. Don't buy that pink shirt. Wear more leather.

3. John Lodge: RECORD MORE THAN ONE SOLO ALBUM!!!!!!

4. Paul McCartney: Don't try to be friends with Michael Jackson!!!

Beatles Films

There's nothing more entertaining then one of the Beatles films. I love everyone I've seen. (Let It Be, being the only one I haven't watched.)

Help! is my absolute favorite, but since I still have yet to acquire the DVD version of that one, I'm settling for Yellow Submarine. It's been awhile since I've seen this one, and the copy I have now, thanks to my friend, Jennifer, is the remastered edition, which I've never watched.

I think tomorrow night will be A Hard Days Night and then Wednesday Magical Mystery Tour. I'm scared to play my copy of Help! because the tape is stretching and I don't want it to die yet. At least not until I have another copy.

There's something timeless about the films and the music. I think that's why I love Yellow Submarine so much. So many wonderful songs filled that movie.

And Help! was just hysterical. When I first got my VHS copy that I paid 70 dollars for back in the 80's (an insane amount for a video, I know), I played it so many times that I knew the entire script. I could recite it word for word.

I'm insane, I know, but such was my love for the Beatles. If I had a good copy of that movie, I'd probably still be able to do it.



Tell me you don't want to sing "Ticket To Ride" right now?

OK, just me...

Which is just further proof that I'm insane and insanely in love with the Beatles.

Now do any of you have a favorite Beatles film?

Sunday's my funday

I thought I'd share a few of the photos I took on the grey gloomy day I spent at Wheeling Island. For awhile I almost thought I was in Atlantic City. Then I realized there was no ocean outside, just the Ohio River and there was definitely no Boardwalk.


Wheeling Island 

The inside of the gaming center/casino is decorated with an island feel. There's a huge waterfall fountain inside.


Another shot of the waterfall fountain. 

Now here's a picture of the artwork on the windows above the main entrance.


The windows above the main doors to the gaming center. 

But now for what you really want pictures of: THE CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN!

OK...chocolate fountains!

There was a white chocolate and a milk chocolate fountain. And I took pictures of both, cos I'm loony!


Both fountains. 


The chocolate fountain. Don't you just want to dive in? 


The white chocolate fountain, for those of you that prefer white chocolate. 


My dessert.  

OK, I ate more than those 2 strawberries and marshmallow, but I'm not going to show you that! Oh and the buffet was pretty reasonable, $12.49 on Sundays. Not bad and the food was yummy.

I bet Justin Hayward and John Lodge would taste good covered in chocolate....

Ooops thinking out loud again.

Oh and here are a few more shots outside.


A final shot of the hotel. 


The entrace to the racing center, I believe. 

I probably should have posted these on my photoblog, but I figured I'd share them with everyone.

I'm off to lose some money ....

And play in a chocolate fountain.

No, really. I am. I'm going to play in a chocolate fountain!

Or at least partake in a chocolate fountain.

Anyone in the PA area that hears of a group of women diving into a small chocolate fountain...well, that will be my sister, my friend, Jennifer and me.

Who knows, maybe I'll even win a few dollars. (Gas money for the trip home, maybe? Money for a new outfit from Kaufmann's?)

And then I wake up!

Anyway, look for another update later, with a report on my winnings or losings and any pictures I've taken of the mischief we've gotten into today!

Busy Busy Busy

Finally a weekend where I can really go out and about! Yipee!

Tonight I'm off to buy my dress for Easter and have some dinner at The Waffle House in Washington, PA. Nummy!

Tomorrow, it's Wheeling Island for a little bit of tossing money away and some yummy buffet. Do I care about my diet these two days?

Hell no!

Well, maybe just a little, but I think I deserve to enjoy myself too and this weekend I'm going to enjoy a little! I have all of next week to work anything extra off. Plus, I read today, sometimes it tricks your metabolism if you eat at the bare mininum of calories and save some for later in the week. I'm all about that, and I don't intend to be too bad.

Here's hoping I find a pretty dress for next Sunday! (And bigger hopes that I don't get lost driving to Wheeling tomorrow!)

I got my CD!

Finally, after 10 days of waiting I received Painted Pictures by Grey Eye Glances in the mail! Woot!



And hopefully this week I can order another disc or two. Once I sort out the finances and all.

I have a huge list of CDs I want. I only wish you could have a wish list at CD Baby!

Another on my must have list.

Daughter Darling



The lead singer, Natalie Walker has been compared to Sarah McLachlan, and for me that's a good thing. Especially since it all sounds like Sarah and Delerium. Check out the band's website and check out the CD! It's gorgeous! Really Gorgeous! And Natalie is from Philly! So give some kudo's to a PA girl with talent! Even if she's from the other side of the state!

Top Five On Friday

Here's my meme from Music Memoirs. So come on! Play along.

Top 5 songs/albums you listen to when you are stressed.

I'm going to do albums and then post 5 songs that destress me afterwards.

1. Grey Eye Glances - Eventide.



Can I just say..BUY THIS CD! You won't regret it, honestly.

2. The Moody Blues - Seventh Sojourn



Ok, any Moody Blues album will do..except maybe The Other Side Of Life. (And before you say anything, it's more that The Other Side Of Life is very 80's pop-like so I could never destress to it..I'd be too busy dancing)

3. Elvis Costello - North



This album is guaranteed to put me to sleep. It can also ruin a 5 mile walk, because you can't get a spring into your step listening to this. And no...it's not as bad as I originally thought it was, it's just an acquired taste. (One that is growing on me)

4. Annie Haslam - Blessing In Disguise



I've recommended her before maybe even this album. She's got such a beautiful voice and she's such a beautiful person. My favorite song from this one is After The Oceans Have Gone.

5. Diana Krall - When I Look In Your Eyes



Diana is very relaxing. The Girl In The Other Room is my favorite recording of hers, but this one is probably the most relaxing, along with Love Scenes.

Now it's time for the songs.

1. The Moody Blues - Land of Make Believe

2. Elvis Costello - Still

3. Grey Eye Glances - Snow

4. Annie Haslam - Further From Fantasy

5. Diana Krall - Dreamsville

Some of these songs aren't from the albums I mentioned, but that's ok. I'll keep the links to the songs up for 5 days, then I'll take them down.

That Photo Meme Thing

I thought it would be fun to play that photo meme again.

The rules:

You tell me what you want me to take a picture of.
When I have enough requests, I'll post the pictures.

And just to let you know, I'm going to Wheeling Island this weekend.

So go ahead....tell me what my digital camera should snap shots of!

Happy St Patrick's Day

Ok, who's bringing the green beer?

No, I don't want any. I've never understood the fascination. I try to avoid drinking green things, unless it's Hawaiian Punch or Kool-aid, same goes for yellow. Those are just two colors I don't like my drinky-poos.

But let's not discuss drinky-poos anymore.

Let's discuss Irish Drinking Songs!

I've only heard one and it's hysterical, so I thought I'd share it with you.

The Irish Rovers - Beer, Beer, Beer.

It's an absolutely hysterical song! One of those things that you listen to when you need to have a giggle.

I'm a fan of good Celtic sounding music. Clanaad comes to mind. This was the band that Enya was in before she struck out on her own. Personally I've always liked Clanaad better, and I prefer the vocals of her sister Maire.

But there are more artists out there that keep that dark dreamy sound to their music.

Caroline Lavelle is one. You might want to check out this part of her official site.

There's a free download of the song Bushes and Briars and if you scroll down there is also the video for the song Moorlough Shore, which is a personal favorite of mine. That song is gorgeous. Go check it out now!

To talk about Caroline without mentioning Loreena McKennitt would be like talking about Bernie Barlow without mentioning the Moody Blues. Check out Loreena's site. Surely most of you remember the gorgeous song, The Mummer's Dance that actually got airplay on Mtv in the 90's. She's definitley worth checking out.

Enjoy the music! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Another Day Another Pound

Forgive me for going all girlie girl on you guys today, but I can't contain my glee! I dropped another pound!

Can I get a Woot for that?

~waits patiently for the Woot!~

I like a zillion other women have found more than a few extra pounds gracing my butt. Sadly they were trying to take up permenant residence. Well, I wouldn't let them. It's taken about 5 months, but I've forced a few of them to find new homes.

I offer up apologies to anyone who happens to have my homeless pounds but you know what they say, "Finders Keepers!" I don't want them back. I've worked too hard to get rid of them! (And I'm really only talking 5 right now...I hope they went to someone like Renee Zellweger, who needs them more than I do)

When they say losing weight is all about diet and exercise they aren't kidding. I've given up potato chips (my favorite snack) and I'm cutting down on soda (my favorite drink) and I'm finally seeing results!

My motivation for weight loss?

Well no, it's not a wedding or a bathing suit. (The Music Whore doesn't bare flesh and for this, you should be glad)


The boardwalk in Atlantic City! 

Would you have guessed this? I would think so. Mind you I wouldn't mind being super skinny for the next concert I attend, but who's really going to see me? No one important, unless I run into the band before or after...and I doubt lightning strikes twice.

But shall we celebrate the eviction of another pound? Yes, I think we should.

Brake out the skim milk and lets shake our groove thangs to something peppy!