Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen pictures of my pets!

Why My Health Insurance Is Evil

Note that I said evil and not bad. I have no qualms with my insurance other than the "This is my first year of coverage so we must send out loads of documents to have doctors fill out because every reason you go to a doctors must be pre-existing."

Uh yeah, wrong.

I get a form to take to my doctors to fill out for the lab work on my colpolscopy. Note to my insurance company. I do not subject my body to diagnostic testing unless its necessary. That's a very republican viewpoint guys. Kinda like, because abortions are legal, every woman is going wake up in the morning and decide to get one. Shakes head. As many of you know, I personally don't believe in abortions as birth control, but I do believe its the woman's right to choose, but that's as far as I'll go there. And as for the colp, I don't think I'd ever wake up in the morning and decide that it was a procedure I just had to have done.

I wouldn't mind getting the paperwork done for the insurance company either if not for 2 things. They give me a rather unrealistic date to have it sent back. April 26 and it costs $10 to have it filled out.

WTF!

In a month when my finances are tight as it is, and when I know that the procedure isn't covered by my insurance yet, because my deductible is $1200, I don't need another bill, even a small one.

ARGH!!!!!!

This is the kinda stuff that pisses me off big time.

Right now I'm so angry I can spit. Glad that they will likely be paying 90% of the testing when this form is filled out but still freaking angry.

Elfslut Says

My weekly column is posted up at Mossip here. This week's subject is the sorry state of the music industry and the possible demise of the compact disc. Go read and leave comments on LJ. Its allowed you know!

If any of you are on Livejournal and would like to be a member of the community let me know. We're doing referrals for membership there and I have two more people I can invite to the group.

My TV Rant

For those of you that follow my Livejournal, you'll know I've been on a TV rant for the last 24 hours. Well I've still got it going on.

Why?

As a person that didn't watch much TV for a long time, I now have several shows that I've grown attached to. Shows that aren't on BBC America too!

So why am I ranting?

Most of them are heading for the chopping block.

I'm sick of TV being mostly reality shows. I want to vote them off my TV. I don't want to see who we pick as the best dancer, idol, food network star, survivor etc. I want to be entertained. I want to laugh. I want to see cuteness on my screen. Like this guy.



Nathan Fillion makes my Monday nights very happy indeed. I may not be a twentysomething, but I still like to look at pretty men. Keep this guy on tv! What show is he on? Castle!!!

If that show gets canned I swear I will never turn on ABC ever again. And I won't even begin to discuss my feelings on the possible end of Chuck. Grrrr. Leave my geek shows alone people!!!

Tuesday Tunes: Week 78

From Music Memoirs

Its the Soundtrack Edition

More and more TV shows are getting soundtracks these days. Do you own any or have any on your wish lists?
I have the soundtracks for Bones and House on my hard drive. On my wish list are the soundtracks for Ashes To Ashes, Life On Mars and Blackpool. Damn those UK soundtracks for being so damn expensive. Just like the DVDs of the shows!!!

Have you ever discovered a song or artist because it was on a tv show?
Yes! Chuck and Castle have had some great tunes and I discovered Emiliana Torrini, The Astroids Galaxy Tour and Crooked Fingers from those shows. Great music from all three artists too. If you want to find out what songs are in a certain show go to TuneFind. Its a very useful tool!

What TV do you wish had a soundtrack but doesn't just yet.
Hands down, Life On Mars US version. There are so many songs that are so hard to find and it would be great to have them on a soundtrack!

The Book That Went Plop

Let me tell you about this cheesy harlequin intrigue I was reading. Its not that its a great book or anything. This tale is about why I won't finish reading the thing.

As many of you know, I'm a bathroom reader and yes, I've had bathroom reading mishaps with paperbacks, because ever so often I sit the book in a precarious place and it falls into the bath, but usually that's after the water is mostly out of the tub.

I've never destroyed a book yet. And even now I didn't. That was my nephew's misadventure.

See we have one of those metal cabinets over the potty and I always leave a book there, because, like I said, I read in the bathroom. Its the only place where people won't bother you much.

So I left my cheesy novel sitting there and somehow, we know not how, but the nephew knocked the book into the toilet.

Yup.

Into the toilet.

Before flushing.

Yup.

Ruined.

Ain't touching that.

I was halfway through the damn thing and its an older book, so if I want to finish the damn thing I've got to go to Amazon or Half.com and spend more than I did originally on the book.

I think the nephew is about to get slugged.

Random 10 - Week 201

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)

Blake Shelton - The Gambler
Lonestar - The City Of New Orleans
The Wreckers - Strawberry Wine
Deana Carter & Heart – Go Rest High on That Mountain
Dolly Parton - Somebody's Everything
Grey Eye Glances - Big Red Boat
Erasure - Don't Say Your Love Is Killing Me
David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes
Comic Relief - Islands In The Stream
Keri Noble - Hey Lover


The picture is my church

I'm Making A List

Of things we need for the house. The problem with living in a house that's 100 years old is that there is no closet or cabinet space anywhere and the cost for remodeling is well, not something any of us can afford.

Things we need to buy this year if money ever shows up. (Giggle now, you know you want to)

1. Remnant carpet for the dining room and possibly the living room. A decent area rug for my bedroom
2. Pantry cabinet for the kitchen where we have NONE! Our kitchen is an evil mess.
3. Book shelves for the upstairs hallway.
4. Another recliner for the living room
5. New bedroom furniture for me, but only if I can find a buyer for gram's bedroom suite that would be too awkward to come into our house.
6. Kitty condo

Weekend Car Hunt

Off to the used car dealers to find a piece of poop car. Its looking like I'm going to need one and a new one or a used one that requires a loan is not in my future.

Bye bye savings account.

But you gotta do what you gotta do right?

I just hope I can find a decent looking piece of poop car. I'm sick of driving around in an embarrassment, and seriously my Beretta was and still is an embarrassment.

I really want a Ford again. I never had any huge issues with the Escorts we owned. I long for a Focus but I know that's nowhere in my future now.

Must find something that runs and isn't going to spontaneously combust or rust away anytime in the near future.

GAH!

Its times like this I wished I lived in the city where you don't have to drive.

The Good The Bad and The Frustrated

The good: I'll be back to working my normal hours next week. Yay for full paychecks. I also had my test results back from the doctors and they are just going to monitor me with more pap tests. So yay!

The bad: I'm working til 4 today, but because I didn't think I was, I didn't bring lunch and now I'm starving and cranky and I'm stuck here for another hour and a half.

The frustrating: I won tickets for the movies on the radio today but my car is now very near death and my folks are being cranky about letting me use their car for one miserable day so that I can run to California to pick them up.

Top 5 On Friday: Week 219

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 songs that make you want to party.

Elvis Costello - Party Party
Its a song the man hates, but I love and I wouldn't mind partying to that one. Its got the happy Elvis cheesy 80s vibe which makes it especially awesome.

The Moody Blues - Here Comes The Weekend
If the moodies had a party song, this would be it...Not the best of Lodgey's songs but do we care? No, its fun!

Sarah Brightman - I Lost My Heart To A Starship Trooper
Ah, don't tease Sarah for her Hot Gossip song! Its a great tune that really makes you want to dance or laugh a lot.

Jimmy Buffet - Why Don't We Get Drunk
Isn't that the point of parting? Tee hee!

Erasure - Sunday Girl
My second favorite Erasure song. No one has figured out the first and I'm ashamed of a few of you because you haven't. Tsk Tsk.

Duran Duran - Electric Barbarella
This song is so infectious, it makes you want to get up and move and drink fancy drinks and look posh while trying to hunt down some poor unsuspecting soul to take home.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things that help cure my boredom

1. Play with apps on Myspace. Will someone please pull me away from Green Spot and Dog World before all my brain cells evaporate?

2. Go through the upcoming releases at Amazon in the music section. You know like my CD wish list need to get any longer than it already is.

3. Watch the many shows that I or my nephew has DVR-d during the week that I've missed.

4. Pick up a book and read. I'm still trying to figure out why I always end up reading at least 2 books at a time. Its a mystery I'll never fully understand.

5. Read my friends list on Livejournal and all my daily reads on Blogger.

6. Blog, probably about how bored I am!

7. Visit the PR company that I write for and see if there's any new music to review.

8. Clean the house. It takes a special level of boredom for me to do this.

9. Play with the kitties. This usually does not thrill the kitties.

10. Make icons for my Livejournal.

11. Go for a walk, assuming that its not freezing or raining or snowing out. This is something I'd like to do soon, but those 3 weather conditions seem to be stopping me quite a bit.

12. Plan trips that I'm probably never going to take.

13. Go to the gym. Which I should be doing a bit more now that the weather is better.

This Week's Elfslut Says

I finally finished working on Elfslut Says for this week. Its posted at Mossip here. As always, I invite you to go there and read and leave comments. Cos comments make me a happy camper. Plus I like to get to know my readers, both here and on Livejournal.

Hump Day Randomosity

~ I can't believe none of my friends could guess any of my favorite songs from this post. I thought a few of them were pretty obvious.

~ Finished reading Anne Rice's Christ The Lord: The Road To Cana and it was just as wonderful as the first book. I recommend these two books to everyone.

~ Eharlequin has been seducing me with their sales lately. I just spent another $14 on books. Weeeee. Just what I need to buy when I'm broke!

~ My doctor's office is full of idiots. I was there with my dad a month ago and asked for my balance so I could pay my bill. They gave me one amount and then yesterday I get a bill for $103. Seriously, this is absolutely whack. How did they not know I owed them $155? WTF.

~ While I'm WTF-ing. Why will my health insurace cover the pap smear but not the doctor visit to do the pap? This is fucking insane. Mr. Obama, please fix this. I don't mind that stuff is covered and other stuff is part of my deductible but the grey area is whack and some of it makes no sense.

~ Anyone watching the Unusuals? I fell asleep mid-way through the show last week and I'm not sure if I like it enough to watch it again this week. I need convincing.

~ I've got an interesting idea for Elfslut Says this week. I'm going to be blogging about Music and Friendships. It will be up later today at Mossip.

It Was One Of Those Nights

We should never let my father sit in front of the telly at night. He never keeps his glasses on and always puts them in a precarious place.

Do you see where this is going?

I bet you do!

He gets up to leave the room when Big Bang Theory comes on, only to drop the glasses on the floor.

Three of us (Mom, Raymond and I) yell for him not to move.

CRUNCH!

Yup!

He stepped on them.

This wouldn't be a huge issue if he didn't have cataracts that he doesn't want to get taken care of, but I suppose at 83 you have the right to decide what surgeries you want to have and which ones you don't.

But ARGH!

That's all I can say, is ARGH!

How Well Do You Know Me Musically?

Found this meme on a Livejournal community and posted it there, but so far only 3 songs have been guessed, so I'm going to post it here.

Rules:
01. Post the names of 20 of your favorite musicians.
02. See who can guess which is your favorite song by each.
03. Once someone guesses right, bold that row and include the song.

~ Note when everyone guesses correctly I'll post the full mix rather than updating with the songs.

A few hints for a few of these. The Moody Blues song is sung by John Lodge and the Monkees track is sung by Davy Jones and its not Daydream Believer.

1. Elvis Costello - Crimes Of Paris
2. The Moody Blues
3. Erasure
4. Duran Duran
5. The Beatles - Nowhere Man
6. The Monkees
7. Herman's Hermits
8. Grey Eye Glances
9. Gordon Lightfoot(2 songs here can qualify)
10.Over The Rhine
11.Keri Noble
12.Justin Hayward - Sometimes Less Is More
13.Nick Lowe
14.Diana Krall (there are 2 songs that you could pick here)
15.Oingo Boingo
16.Cliff Richard
17.David Bowie
18.Cheap Trick
19.The Grass Roots - Temptation Eyes
20.Sarah Brightman

Random 10 - Week 200

I hardly ever play this meme anymore and its one of mine.

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)

1. Doctor Who Theme
I won't mention that I thought Planet Of The Dead sucked though. Oops, I did.

2. Red Dwarf End Credits
Its cold outside there's no kind of atmosphere. We're all alone, more or less!!

3. Murray Head - Superstar
Hey, it was Easter, you have to listen to this one on Easter.

4. Gordon Lightfoot - Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald

5. The Moody Blues - Tuesday Afternoon
Do you know how many times I've heard that commercial this weekend? And who wants to go to the zoo and aquarium with me!!

6. Fern - Egbert The Easter Egg
Its stuck in my head!!! I wish I knew who did the 50s version I used to have on vinyl. This song is so cute!!

7. Elvis Costello - Man Out Of Time
Love this song :)

8. Billy Ray Cyrus - Back To Tennessee
I really like Billy Ray's album of the same name.

9. Gordon Lightfoot - Alberta Bound
Another favorite of mine. I was having a Gordon day yesterday.

10. Hannah Montana - Best Of Both Worlds
No, I didn't go to the movie, but I do recall watching the show more than once this weekend. That's very sad, I know, but the show is cute.

Happy Easter

Book Review: Anne Rice - Christ The Lord: Out Of Egypt

Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt: A Novel by Anne Rice

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Out of Egypt is a portrait of Jesus as a young boy, and a wonderful tale Anne Rice weaves.

Many fans are disappointed that she's gone away from Vampires and Mummies to The Holy Ghost, so to speak, but I found the book beautifully written and an enlightening read.

Why?

Because these are the years of Jesus' life that no one really knows about.

Anne doesn't create a superhero or supernatural being here, she creates a boy that's different, a boy that will someday change the world. She makes Jesus a human child and in doing so I came to love him just a little more. What is even more wonderful is how she brings to life Mary and Joseph.

Be you a believer or not, this tale of Jesus' early life is one not to be missed. Its one to be savored and enjoyed and perhaps even read again.

View all my reviews.

Top 5 On Friday: Week 218

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 reasons you need music in your life

1. It keeps me sane during work hours, and let me tell you, any little thing that can keep me sane then is appreciated.

2. It keeps me from being bored. If I'm not listening to it, I'm looking for something new to listen to. Yup I spend a lot of time on Amazon and CD Baby just looking for something new and amusing to listen to.

3. It helps me to sleep at night. When I have a particularly awful day, I need some Enya or other New Age music to ease me into sleep. If that doesn't work, where's the Tylenol PM!!!

4. It provides me with excitement when I get to see my favorite artist in concert. Sadly it doesn't look like I'll be having any excitement this year.

5. It provides me with laughter, because songs like Yummy Yummy Yummy and Laugh to name but a few can't help but bring giggles..or John Barrowman singing Uptown Girl, which is a horror unto itself, but a funny horror.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I seldom, if ever do

1. Polish my nails. I just don't have the patience for it and they always smudge or chip and then I get frustrated. I'm not a mani-pedi kind of girl.

2. Watch soap operas. For a brief period I watched General Hospital and Passions but it wasn't very long. The whole concept is just too ridiculous to me. Even my cheesy romances make more sense.

3. Eat sushi. I tried it once and it made my stomach turn.

4. Buy music in places like FYE or Borders and Barnes and Noble. FYE is way too high in their prices and its much the same at the other two, though Barnes and Noble has a kick ass selection some times. Borders is very lacking anymore and that saddens me, because I used to find great stuff there at great prices.

5. Blog on my Myspace. I don't like Myspace and I refuse to have a Facebook page, but I keep active on Myspace because of the reviews that I write for mossip and review you. I like to friend my indie artists and I've made some good contacts that way too. I am however addicted to those stupid garden/pet apps there.

6. Watch Mtv or Vh-1 or their other channels: I used to be addicted to Vh-1 Classic but it got so blech, that I don't even turn that on anymore.

7. Go to the library: I buy all my books either from Harlequin or BOMC2. Plus our library's hours are whacky so I just can't get there even if I wanted to.

8. Watch reality shows or American Idol/Dancing With The Stars type shows. I hate them all and wish they would get off my telly.

9. Read horror novels. I'm not a big fan of Stephen King and the like. Even my vampire novels that I adore aren't the totally frightening kind. I read girlie books and I'm not ashamed to admit it, but then again, I am a girl.

10. Go to concerts in big venues: I hate arena shows. I prefer more intimate venues and anymore I prefer music from artists that aren't on the charts. Indepentent artists all the way. Thank you very much.

11. Go to the theater, which is something I'd like to change, but it seems all the broadway touring companies like to come through Pittsburgh at the worst times (The winter)

12. Stay up later than midnight. I miss being a night owl, but I guess I'm just getting old.

13. Miss a day of blogging. The only times I don't blog are when I'm away from home or there's been some horrible thing going on in my life.

Weird Dreams Strike Again

Let me tell you I had to be tired last night. I was dreaming about great big holes in my back yard and David Tennant in a grocery store.

Yup, that is one weird dream.

I think it even goes beyond weird.

I haven't had a dream I remembered so vividly in such a long time. The David Tennant part was nice but its the whole in the yard part that really made me go OMG weird when I woke up.

See this hole seemed to lead into a strange room that was part of my gram's house, only it wasn't. There was a chair there and loads of books and stuff piled up and nothing was really my gram's.

How strange is that?

The worst part was I was trying to keep the cats away from the whole. Even stranger as MY CATS DON'T LEAVE THE HOUSE!

~shakes head~

This is what I get for staying up late the past few nights. Last night I was so tired my poor little brain took over, and its pretty obvious my brain is very confused!!!

This Week's Elfslut Says

I have my weekly music related article posted over on livejournal. I always appreciate feedback from my friends and visitors. So if you want to read my thoughts on remastered recordings, brought on by the Beatles catalog news, just click here.

The comments are screened for non-members but that doesn't mean you can't leave a comment over on LJ!

I'll be doing some more reviews of indie artists this week: Kelly Richey's Speechless, Puppetbox and Jeannine Hebb.

Check all that out over at Mossip

This Annoys Me

I lost the bill for my recent blood work once. I had them send me out another copy so I could pay it, only it came in before payday, so I waited. It was due yesterday.

I tore the house apart looking for this bill again.

Its gone.

At least today when I call them, feeling like a huge idiot, I know the amount, just not the invoice number.

ARGH!

Why do things like this disappear?

Why the hell can't you just find your invoice online if you've set up an account?

Nope, you can't.

You can pay a bill online but you need to know the lab number and the invoice number.

Oye!

I'm glad once I have this paid I won't have any doctors bills for a few more months.

Tuesday Randomosity

~ Is anyone else watching Castle? I swear this is one of my favorite new shows. I hope it does well, though I think it is, so Squee. Its one of the few cop/detective dramas I can stomach. Have I mentioned I'm so sick of most dramas either revolving around crime or the medical field? The only other show like this that I love is Chuck. I love Zachery Levi. He is all kinds of awesome.

~ Tonight is Coney Dog Tuesday at A & W. 99cent chili dogs! Not exactly diet food, but still very nommy!

~ I still freak out every time I hear the Visa commercial with Tuesday Afternoon. I also now want to go to The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium!! I wouldn't mind going to the Akron Zoo either...or any zoo with some neat jellyfish!

~ I'm addicted to some apps over on Myspace. Its sad, I know, but I love the Green Spot gardening app. It brings me great joy and it helps me destress, except when I can't find all 24 easter eggs in the damn Treasure Chests!!

~ Two albums I must buy ASAP the new Billy Ray Cyrus and the new Keith Urban. Its so weird that I'm liking country music right now.

~ Has anyone seen Monsters Vs Aliens yet? I have such a love for stuff like this and I want to know if its worth the money to go see it. Its time for another movie. I need some over priced popcorn and a darkened theater.

~ Anne Rice's Christ The Lord: Out Of Egypt is quite a good read. I'm trying to finish the two books before Easter as a little project of mine.

Tuesday Tunes: Week 76

From Music Memoirs

Have you ever made a mix CD for someone or had one given to you?
Yes, to both. I also absolutely love making mixes for people, its such fun to torture people with my very bizarre taste in music. Muhahahaha!!!


What way do you share music with friends? Mix CDs, Tapes or other means?
No tapes anymore, I usually just make a mix CD on the computer for friends or use some other means to share the tunage like mediafire or sendspace etc.

Why do you usually make a mix CD?
I make them for various reasons, the chief one being I feel like it. I have been part of some mixing groups so a few times its because there was a weekly theme etc. I don't usually need a reason. I love making mixes. At Christmas I make one for friends and family filled with new and exciting Christmas tunes.

If you could make one person a mix, who would it be and why?
You know I'm not sure there's anyone that I'd like to make a mix for anymore, that hasn't already had one made for by me. That's kinda sad, I know, but truthfully there's no crushes going on or anything like that, so nope. No one.

Weekends Hate Me

I had plans this weekend. Not great plans, but I had some.

My dad's b-day was Thursday and I had hoped to take him to Uniontown to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner yesterday and then go to the mall and Target.

Nope didn't happen.

Why?

Because my father left the four ways on Saturday and he killed the battery, and we took that as an omen to stick around the area this weekend.

I swear I never get to leave the valley anymore and when I do, well its not exactly a girls night out thing.

Nope its never that.

I never get to go out for drinks at Barleys and Hops or somewhere like that. Nope. Never any adult conversation for me. This is wrong on so many different levels.

There's no hope for next weekend either, since its Easter and I will be spending most of the weekend in church.

Ah well, maybe by May I'll get out of the house and go somewhere.

Anyone want to take bets on the chance of it happening?

A Little Musical Something For You

Full Mix: Dreamtime (70 MB) Single Tracks:Cast In Bronze - Smooth Satin Chris Blake - Lullaby Emm Gryner - Divine Like You Fauxliage - Someday The Wind Fermata - You Are Not Who You Once Were Grey Eye Glances - Feathers In The Air Jane Monheit - So Many Stars Jillian Goldin - Shadows Justin Hayward - Celtic Heart Loreena McKennitt - Never-Ending Road Moya Brennan - Show Me (Jakatta Mix) Oingo Boingo - Is This Over The Rhine - Snow Angel Terami Hirsch - Little Light (Halo Mix) Two Loons For Tea - Sunset Room Comments: Here are 15 songs that to me fill the bill of fairytale sounding or dreamlike sounding songs. I tried to bring in equal parts of the request as well as finding songs by both male and female singers, which was quite hard for me. Some of the artists I featured are from my reviews, like Jillian Goldin and I hope you all enjoy the mix!

~ comment if downloading
~ files are uploaded to mediafire and are all mp3 and the full download is zipped.

How Much Is My Money Worth

I'm disgusted.

The banking industry wants us to have faith in them. They want us to put our money in their safekeeping.

But why?

I have a small savings account with one of the banks PNC gobbled. Not a lot but right now its a good nest egg. For much of last month it was about $2000. Its my car fund and my if my job goes awry fund.

Mid month I put my tax return in that account raising it to close to $3000, until I pay off the furniture this month which will take it back to where it was.

I thought the extra grand would give me a little bit of interest.

Well I was right, I got a little bit of interest.

Want to guess how much that money made in the bank?

42 fucking cents!!!!!

That's insane!

If I owed the bank that much, they would charge me a helluva lot more than that, and yet I'm letting them use my money while I have it deposited in their institution.

I must need institutionalized!

But if I didn't have the money in the bank, I'd spent it in record time.

Oh the frustration!

Top 5 On Friday: Week 217

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 songs you wish you had never heard (and tell us why you wish you hadn't heard them)

1 The Ohio Express - Yummy Yummy Yummy

Why? Because I spent hours trying to figure out how you get love in your tummy and when I did figure it out I went Eewwwwww! Plus the song is a damn ear worm.

2. Britney Spears - If You Seak Amy.

The whole scandal over this song which prompted my most recent Elfslut Says forced me to try to figure out what the fuss is about. Sadly even with the video clip that plays the whole thing spelling out how the title is a play on Fuck Me, I STILL REALLY CAN'T HEAR IT!!!

3. Miley Cyrus - Hoedown Throwdown

Let's just say this song is evil and I tend to sing it for hours after hearing it? If that's

4. Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart

I'd like to Achy Breaky Billy for this song. Its obnoxious and was such a huge hit too. Yikes and Yucks! It might be easier to explain why I really love his Back To Tennessee album if he hadn't recorded this piece of crap song.

5. Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl

Why did people like this? Controversy? Yikes! Jill Sobule's I Kissed A Girl (Same name, different song) was 100 times better and even that song was freaking obnoxious.

Life On Mars Finale

The end of the show truly proved that as American's we must have our happy endings and for this show I'm not sure it was a ending that suited the story. Granted it gave the show closure, more so than the original, but then again the British were working on Ashes To Ashes, which won't happen here.

I'm going to miss Jason O'Mara. As Sam Tyler he was pretty damn good. In fact, I'd say he was just as good as my beloved John Simm in the role.

I'm really sad the show is over. Hopefully it will come out on DVD soon, so I can rewatch the episode I slept through over the past few weeks.

The one thing that I wish would have come out of this show was a soundtrack. There were some awesome songs used of the course of the last 17 weeks. Its a shame I'm going to have to go on a special song search to find some of the lesser known ones.

ARGH!

Here's hoping the Unusuals is a fitting show to fill its spot, but some how I doubt it.

April Fool's Day

Yup its the first of April! Woo hoo and its the day for fool's like me to celebrate our foolishness!

Party on peoples!

Make fools of yourself and others, because today is the only day that you can do it and get away with it.

OK, that's a fib, but take it and run with it and have fun!

Tuesday Tunes: Week 75

From Music Memoirs

10 words, you give the song/artist/album etc that come to mind.

Egg Egbert The Easter Egg (Was a pretty little Easter egg...cutest thing you ever saw. In the window of the big department store)

Spring Spring Awakening


Friday Gavin Friday
Rain Bette Midler - Come Rain, Come Shine
Stormy Martha Wainwright - Stormy Weather
Flower Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond - You Don't Bring Me Flowers
Awake Pat Benatar - Wide Awake In Dreamland
Ride Martina McBride - Ride
Shine Martina McBride - Shine


Orchestra Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark

Short Days

Well my hours were cut yesterday for the time being. I'm down to 30 hours a week which makes both me and my bank account very sad. However I can get some stuff done at home now. Its amazing what two hours can do to help.

I'm starting to get some more stuff cleaned which is a plus.

I might get more accomplished right now which is good in a way. I'd prefer to have the money but I also know where I am, times are tough.

I'd rather work 30 hours then none at all.

I don't know if I can get partial unemployment for 30 hours or not. Might just try to eek by at this point, if its only for a few weeks.

I'll just remind myself that coming home at 2 is a good thing, right?

Where'd The Weekend Go?

I didn't get to sleep in any day this weekend and that leaves me cranky, especially when I went to bed late every night.

I'm feeling rather anxious about this week, since I have to go to the gynecologist (sorry guys) for a colposcopy on Friday at 1:45. So this week can creep by for all I care. I do not want April 3 to get here.

I think I am falling apart. 34 was not a good year in my life. Maybe when I hit 35 in July things will get better?

Frankly I'm a little scared of finding that out too.

Right now I really want to turn back the clock to last Friday and start the weekend over again.

Plus it gives me a chance to do some more cleaning. I did get rid of 3 bags of clothes yesterday. (After I bought $135 more at Peebles) I need to clean some more in the kitchen, but I guess I can get that done during the week.

Still, this isn't a time that I'm looking forward to right now and I wish I could go back in time, so that things weren't getting closer.

Things That Annoy

I have a long list of these things, here are some of my current not so favorite things that make me crazier than a bed bug

1. Fox News (Can anyone watch this and not blow a gasket? My guess is only if you're Republican)

2. Good Morning America: Its a news show, its a gossip show, ITS FUCKING ANNOYING!

3. Twitter: This is what people who are too lazy to blog do.

4. Writer's block: I have it big time right now. I'm still trying to work on a story.

5. American Idol: When is America going to realize that this is shit tv?

6. The lack of family programing on regular networks: If you want a comedy to watch with everyone present in the family, you have to watch Disney or Nickelodeon.

7. All TV dramas are either police related or hospital related in some way. And you wonder why I watch BBC America. (Heck even those shows are the same....but at least they have a twist)

8. Jeans: I am the only person that does not look good in them at all

9. My health insurance: It pays weird amounts of stuff and nothing for stuff one would think it would pay for. ARGH!

10. Sunday nights: They always transition into Mondays, damn it!!!

Trying To Be Productive

Why do I try on weekends? Its inevitable that the lazy bug will bite me. I'm terribly bad at fighting the lazy bug when he comes. He's a big nasty ugly bug with sharp teeth that paralyzes me with fear every time so he takes a big chunk out of me and forces me to do nothing.

Yup! That's the lazy bug for you.

He bit me this morning.

That means I did accomplish a few things last night. (Like well into the wee hours of the morning)

I did two more reviews, these for Ariel over on Mossip.

Who did I review?

Movin' Melvin Brown who is old school R & B of the finest caliber. Check out the review here.

And then there was Spy For Hire, a bit of an 80s sounding band from GA. I really dig them as well, check out my review here.

Again, I can't stress the importance of giving support to local artists trying to make it or those indie bands you hear on Myspace and the like. There is good music out there. Loads of it. Most of these artists I've been discovering are so much better than what's in the mainstream.

I think I have one more review to do, and I hope to get it done this weekend, because I'd like to do a random review or two in the coming days. I'd also like to start working on some short stories again. Its been a long time. Nearly 2 years, since I tried my hand at creating a character or letting someone from real life try to become fictional. Well this week I asked my LJ friends to give me a song or two that I could turn into a story.

I had two suggestions:

Peter Noone's Absent Minded Heart

and

Elvis Costello's Just About Glad.

I'm going to do both over a period of time. If there's interest at some point I may share my scribblings with the world. That's the only productivity I hope to accomplish today.

Meet Silky Dave

Silky Dave - Building A Life



All The Way Down


Silky Dave is one of the artists I've reviewed for Reviewyou.com. I have the review posted here. If you are fan of classic rock, circa the 70s I think you'll really like him.

He's an Independent Artist and we all know I like to give these artists as much exposure as I can. After all, how can we rid the world of the crap music if not by letting everyone in on some of the better stuff that's out there.

Check out my review and let me know what you think and maybe even visit Silky Dave's website and let him know how you found him!

Top 5 On Friday: Week 216

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 artists whose antics never cease to amaze you.

Yes, I admit, I love gossip. I don't live for it, but I love it and it does amuse me, when life is just too mundane.

That said here's my list.

1. Britney Spears: I love it when she does wacky stuff. At times I feel sorry for her, but then I think, why? Its more fun to giggle when she does something stupid. Like this. Listen for what she says about 48 seconds in. WTF!

2. Paul McCartney: He's a Beatle I've got to know what he's up to, even if he's making a fool of himself over a woman or marrying a total loser. *cough* Heather Mills. At least the time prior to the divorce papers getting signed was amusing. Good job Paulie!

3. Amy Winehouse: This woman is scary but oh the stupid stuff she gets up to. Of course how can you not get up to stupid stuff when you are all drugged out? Heck sometimes she doesn't even have to do stuff, you just have to look at her to laugh!!

4. Miley Cyrus: If dad doesn't watch out for his youngun' she's going to eventually go the way of Lindsey Lohan and her career will be washed up. Of course, this is to be expected since she was sold to the Disney channel by dad so he could try to revive his not so hot career.

5. John Mayer: His on again off again relationship with Jen Aniston makes my day. One of these two is really in love or really stupid because they keep going back to each other. Oh and WTF is up with his Twitter obsession? I hate twitter....its damn annoying. Its for people too lazy to really blog.

I Feel Jealous

This is quite horrible of me, but I'm jealous of my 17 year old nephew right now who is going to be getting on a bus to go to Disney today.

Disney isn't even high on my list of places to go, but its just a matter of he's getting to go somewhere for almost a week and no matter what I do, finances won't allow me to do anywhere close to that.

This year I'll be lucky if I can go to my brother's in OH for a weekend and that is really pushing it.

~big sigh~

At this point I don't trust my car to drive across the damn river to Walmart let alone a half hour to Target and car rentals are out of the question right now.

At least I have comfort knowing that a good portion of the American public is in the same boat as I am.

Misery loves company after all.

I wonder if anyone would care to share a beer?

Elfslut Says:

Ok, all of you in the UK know about Red Nose Day and Comic Relief. Lucky you, that's some pretty awesome telethon telly!

But for those of us in the US that might not know about it, I want to direct you to this post I made at mossip over on livejournal.

I think anyone that has a fondness for British comedy will enjoy it and the clips I found.

Go check out the post, please and share you thoughts with my group, if you have any! I always appreciate comments and whatnot over there!

ARGH

Remind me never to watch Good Morning America. Inevitably, I will always find something that annoys me when that show is on.

Yesterday they were talking about song lyrics.

I nearly exploded.

It has also given me fodder for next week's Elfslut Says column. I haven't ranted in a long long while. Look for that in the coming days over there.

Words cannot explain how much I hate parents that can't be parents and what not. But wait for my rant it will be coming. And it will be a good one.

I'm still twitching from that 10 minute segment.

I really must avoid morning news shows at all costs. If it isn't political bullshit its stuff like this that leaves me wondering how the human race has lasted this long, considering how stupid we all are.

Tuesday Tunes: Week 74

From Music Memoirs

What was the most recent:

concert: Rockapella in Greensburg last November. Sadly I don't think I'm going to be going to many concerts this year, just not enough money and everyone I like is coming during the week and I'm getting way too old to be staying up til all hours after a show.
song you listened to: The Moody Blues - I Dreamed Last Night
album you bought: Rachael Sage - Chandelier

I just bought this yesterday, but haven't had a chance to listen. I love Rachael's music. (And she's one of those weeknight concerts too. Pardon me while I sniffle over that)
artist you discovered: Jo Gabriel care of a friend on Livejournal. She's an indie artist, so I don't expect many of you to know her, but go to her Myspace and give her a listen.
song you downloaded: Jewel - Over The Rainbow and it was awful! Truly truly awful.

This Sucks

The flower show at Phipps opened yesterday and no one has a car that runs well enough to make the drive into the city. Mine was leaking anti-freeze a few weeks ago and we are fearing a head gasket is about to blow and lord knows what's wrong with my sister's car.

Either way, I don't leave the valley much, except with a friend and I so want to see the show.

~sniffle~

The only thing my camera has photographed lately are the crocus in our yard and my cats.

~wail~

Its just not fair. I have enough for a down payment on something new, but I know I've got some medical things coming up and though I have insurance its a high deductible plan...so yeah. Lets say, I'm screwed this year. Really screwed, and not in the pleasant kinda way.

~PAH~

I Have A Cat Or Two Like This

Gumdrop squawks until her food dish is filled. Bootsie squawks and glares at us. I'm pretty sure Bootsie would kill us in our sleep if we didn't fill her bowl in a timely matter. She's not a mean cat by any means, but when it comes to her food, she's very demanding!

How Interesting

Pop music fans all over have bought American Idol Kelly Clarkson's album All I Ever Wanted, but how many of them know who wrote the closing song on the album?

Not many I bet.

The song that ends Kelly's number one album is called If No One Will Listen.

I'm sure one or two people know that song from Keri Noble's album Fearless.

I'm so happy that she chose one of Keri's songs for her album. Maybe some people will hunt down Fearless now and her new self-titled album on Telarc, which is stunning.

How did Kelly do covering the song?

Really well, and we all know that I have very little good to say about most contestants and winners on that show.

OH The Scandal

I stayed up til almost one in the morning last night because I wanted to see President Obama on Leno. He was wonderful. He spoke to the American people sounding like a man, a regular joe much like you and I. I was impressed with his interview and I find I like him more and more each day.

So he made a gafe when talking about his bowling.

Big fucking deal. I'm so sick of political correctness. You know what? I admire a man that can say what he feels. Just because he says that his bowling is like the Special Olympics or however the hell he phrased is, is not a fucking jab at handicapped people.

Get a fucking grip!

He's human just like each and every one of us, and for crying out loud, if that's the worst thing he can say? Well then I ask you all to examine yourselves, because I guarantee that just about everyone of us as at one time done just the same thing.

Heck I don't think that's half as bad as the idiotic things that spewed out of the last Commander in Chief's mouth. But don't get me started on W. Cos he's a special olympics all to his own. I'll stop there...because if I go on about him, my political correctness will definitely leave the building...

But I guess I know why we're upset about that little gafe of Obama's. We're a nation of "full retards" to use a phrase from a certain popular film starring Clint Eastwood.

How do I know this?

We elected W twice. Ooops...once..cos I still don't believe we actually elected him the first time round.

Top 5 On Friday: Week 215

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 greatest hits albums

The Moody Blues - Greatest Hits

For the longest time this was the only Moodies album I had. Its not a very comprehensive best of, but at the time it was all I needed and I still love it, even though I've played it to death now.


Duran Duran - Greatest

If you have a choice between this one and Decade, pick this one. You get more for your money and it almost has all the great singles. Neither compilation is perfect but this one is close to it.

Erasure - Total Pop! 40 Hits

This set does have everything and if you get the boxset you get more, much much more!

Elvis Costello - The Very Best Of Elvis Costello

You can never make a perfect collection of Costello songs, but this one is good. Its 2 discs worth of music, so it kind of has to be.

Over The Rhine - Discount Fireworks

Not sure if this is really a Greatest Hits album but its a good compilation of OTR songs that everyone should have.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen TV shows that I love to watch.

1. The Big Bang Theory: Part of my Monday night line up. This comedy brings me such joy! I do my best not to miss it.

2. Chuck: Part drama, part comedy and really fun. Geeks and crime sure do make for a great series!

3. Life On Mars: I'm going to miss this one when its finished in 2 more weeks. At least I can go back and rewatch the UK version which was brilliant too.

4. Ashes To Ashes: The UK sequel to Life On Mars and just as good. Apparently the creators really liked David Bowie.

5. Ghostwhisperer: I really just got into it this year. I'm not so fond of Jennifer Love Hewitt but I do love the Pittsburgher that plays Jim Clancy.

6. Are You Being Served: This britcom always makes me smile and say...I'm Free!

7. Hannah Montana: Yeah...Miley can't sing for crap in my book, but I really think the show is funny...and well Billy Ray....he's pretty to look at.

8. The Suite Life Of Zach and Cody: Yup, I love these Disney kids. So glad only Ashley Tisdale tried her hand at music.

9. The Colbert Report: I try to catch this one when I can stay up. Love his take on politics....as well as Jon Stewart's.

10. Doctor Who: I love my Who!! I'm going to miss Tennant's doctor though. He is such a great doctor.

11. Torchwood: I don't like this one as much as who, but its still a favorite.

12. Sarah Jane Adventures: These need to make it to the US again. This is a good show everyone can watch.

13. Red Dwarf: Another favorite british sci-fi comedy. I had a huge crush on Chris Barrie when I was in high school.

Thursday Randomosity

~ This week's Elfslut Says is posted here. Its about TV soundtracks this week. Feel free to join in the discussion!

~ Better of Ted was funny. Not as good as Big Bang Theory or The Office, but funnier than Gary Unmarried in my book. If it was on against The New Adventures Of Old Christine it would be great, I hate that show.

~ The new Pet Shop Boys CD, Yes, is really quite awesome. So glad to see the guys back in form again.

~ I truly believe I won't be seeing any concerts this year. Every artist I want to see is either playing on a weeknight or the ticket prices are just way too high to even consider. That makes me very sad.

~ Read today that VH-1 is bringing back Behind The Music. Now that's something! Those shows were interesting if not whiny and a pity party look at music. Always good fun to watch.

~ Madonna is going to be recording a few new songs for a Greatest Hits package due out in Sept. Why can't she just take a break? Or just go away and raise her store bought babies for awhile?


~ Why does Thursday tv suck so badly?

~ Its so sad about Natasha Richardson. I don't know much about her, but she's a mum and damn 45 is way too young to die.

New Telly Tonight

Its so odd, but I'm getting excited over new shows right now. I've been waiting weeks now for Better Off Ted. I guess its because I'm sorta liking The Office now. I'm not really loving that, but anyone that works in an office knows that its pretty spot on about work.

Which is why I can't love it.

Better Off Ted is more a regular comedy, rather than a documedy which is how The Office is set up, but hey I'm sure you've all watched it. I'm holding high hopes for it, because Gary Unmarried is really getting on my nerves, even though I love Jay Mohr. I actually preferred him on Ghost Whisperer.

~sigh~

Now if only BBC could give me something new and amusing to watch...you know like Being Human, which I've heard is going to make it across the pond to the US sometime this year!! I can't wait. It would also be nice if they'd air the Doctor Who specials as they air...since the next full season will be with that that that..NEW Doctor, who I'm tiring very hard to like.

Tuesday Tunes: Week 73

From Music Memoirs

Tell us your favorite Irish:

Band/Album/Song and why you like them.

Band: Clannad which features the vocals of the beautiful Maire (Moya) Brennan. Their music is calming and just beautiful to listen to. If you have never heard them, I suggest you go seek out some of their tunes.

Album: U2 - The Joshua Tree


This is the U2 album to end all U2 albums. If you only own one, this should be it..well and possibly All That You Can't Leave Behind, but anyway, any true lover of music knows that this is the band at their very best!

Song: Danny Boy
I don't know how anyone cannot love this song. Go here and listen to a beautiful version of this song

Happy St Patrick's Day

Now if someone could pass the green beer to go with the corned beef and cabbage and taters that I'll be having for dinner tonight I'll be very pleased.



Here's hoping everyone has a safe and fun holiday! Don't get too drunk!

Its TV Night

I live for Monday Night TV. Two of my favorite shows are on Mondays, sadly they are both on at the same time, but hey, that's what the DVR is for, right?

Firstly is my favorite comedy, Big Bang Theory. I can't begin to express my love for these geeky guys. When this show isn't on, I'm truly a sad little girl. Its one of the few shows I can watch over and over. Yes, I own Season 1 on DVD! (So I have watched it over and over.

The next show is Chuck! Its part drama but most comedy. Its a hard one to explain, but Chuck has some government program in his brain and from there the hee haw hilarity ensues.

And finally there's a new 10 o'clock show that I actually like. Its brand new and called Castle. It's about an author who is working with the NYPD as research for his books.

Of course there's How I Met Your Mother and Rules Of Engagement too. I enjoy those, but they don't make my eventing. These shows are a recipe for a relaxing evening, which is why no intelligent person will bother me after 8 on Mondays.

Its A Hot Chocolate Kinda Morning

There's nothing I enjoy more than McDonald's Hot Chocolate on a morning like this. Its grey and dreary and I need a jump start because I've got loads of stuff to do and quite frankly, I don't want to do any of it. I think it started out badly when my vampire kitty, Cocolocowheets sunk her tiny yet very sharp teeth into my toes this morning.

I got side tracked yesterday doing a music review for Nancy Newlis, a Russian singer who has a new EP coming out next month. I was so impressed with what I heard, I had to do the review right away, even though I have 4 more that I need to write. AGH!

Give her a listen here and let me know what you think on that site. Most of the artists that I review come and check out the reviews..so if they see positive feedback it makes them happy.

Now I really should do something...like go to Walmart, pay some bills, clean the house...do some laundry...

ARGH!

I think I'll sip some hot chocolate. That's good for a start, right?

Save Our Bridge

See this bridge? As of Feb 19, it has been closed to all traffic. Its the bridge that links Charleroi to Monessen, via 88 and 906 and is well traveled. The bridge is 103 years old, but not it has a deteriorating pin and they want to rip it down to build a new one.

Yes, we are lucky that one mile down the road is the I-70 bridge and several miles the opposite way is the Donora/Monessen bridge, but that's not the point. The bridge is historical and it should be preserved. Fix the damn thing and limit the weights on it. Until the mid 80s large trucks were never allowed on the bridge. It should have stayed that way!

People in the county seem to think we might not need a bridge there, well I say go fug yourself on that one. The Mon Valley is full of seniors and this bridge gives them the opportunity to avoid driving on the interstate to get to neighboring communities.

The Charleroi Monessen Bridge aka the C. Vance Deicas Memorial Bridge was traveled by 9000 cars a day, most of those cars are valley residents that aren't going to follow the detour to Donora, but rather use the 70 bridge nearby. PennDot, please don't think we're stupid. Granted residents closer to Carrol Twp will take the detour, but most of us are going for the interstate. More traffic on that bridge which is nearly 60 years old will cause its deterioration.

Oh and about that new bridge. Why should we trust something new. The bridges on the new tollroad aren't very good and they've only been around 5 years! So to our wonderful (note the sarcasam) politicians, consider that before you decide to tear down this bridge.

Top 5 On Friday: Week 214

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 artists that should never have tried acting.

Madonna: Uh lady, the only films you were reasonably good in were ones where you played a trampy character, meaning you weren't acting. Granted you were good in Evita, Who's The Girl and A League Of Their Own but for the most part, you suck at acting and should be stopped.

Ringo Starr: He was at least wise enough to stop. The world prefers him as the quirky fun-loving Beatle, not a B-actor. I mean as much as I loved Caveman, that wasn't really something anyone would want to be remembered for.

Taylor Swift: Make her stop before she takes over the world!!!!

Queen Latifah: Though I make an exception for her. She can act when she's given good roles like those she played in Secret Lives Of Bees, Chicago and Hairspray. Anything else, no way. Which means...maybe she shouldn't be on this list at all. Yay!

Elvis Costello - Man can't act and he can't host his own talk show. Stop him before his head swells anymore, PUHLEEESE!

Oh and since I'm striking Queen Latifah from the list. I'll forgive her the bad comedies...I'll add Cher to mine. Her movies are awful. Variety shows she can do...but movies....ICK!

Oh and a PS to the people that complained about the topic. Do the math. The Top 5 has been running for 214 weeks, by me. I come up with the topics for this..and the Tuesday Tunes. If you don't like the topic on any given week, I'm not twisting your arm to play. Its pretty damn nasty to insult the meme mistress and she's not in the least bit happy.

I Miss My Mtv

Its time for another week's Elfslut Says which you can read and comment on here and speaking of stuff on my LJ community, I did a review of the new U2 CD as well, you can find that here.

Oh how I miss old Mtv and old U2. Back in the day when music was still fun and Bono wasn't trying to save the world every ten seconds. Not that I don't think he's doing a brilliant job. He's probably one of the few celebrities whose opinion is listened to because he has a few brain cells to rub together, but seriously...its time to decide which you really want to do, play music or save the world. But that's another rant altogether.

So I invite you to read my column and review and feel free to share your opinions. You can comment on LJ too anonymously if you don't have an account. I like to feel the love!

Wednesday Already

We're to the halfway point in the week and I can't be happier. I've been having a lousy time sleeping and the closer I get to the weekend means the better chance I have to catch up on the sleep I missed. Mostly because, Yay, weekend, I have nothing to do, except watch TV.

That's always a plus.

Its hard to keep a positive outlook when you are worried about pap smear results that were off, especially when it was the first one you had in your life.

I just want the next month to be over quickly, because I'm sick of worrying about my health. I'm sick of worrying about everything.

I'm just not in a happy mood right now, and I can't see that changing anytime soon, and I wish it would.

That said, I have nothing more to say today, except I'm worried and depressed.

Happy Birthday Grandma

Grandma, today you would have been 102. You said last year that you weren't going to make it to 102 and you must have known something that you weren't sharing. But oh grandma, these are all the people that love you and you've left behind and miss you something awful.

It hasn't been a year yet since you've gone, but I still cry because I'm a selfish little girl that loves her grandma and wishes she still had her shoulder to cry on, her laundry room to share silly stories with her at and so many other things.

I've felt so negligent since last April, but I guess most people that lose a loved one feel the same way, but I was a fool. I felt that you lived 101 years and because of that, you would be with us forever.

I know you'll be in my heart forever.

Wherever you are grandma, I love you so much and I wish you a happy birthday.

I Wonder How Much

The Moody Blues made on those Visa commercials that are using Tuesday Afternoon in the background?

I never thought I'd see the band's music in an ad.

I guess even they are strapped for cash, or someone else owns the publishing rights to the songs.

It still came as a bit of shock to hear Justin's voice in a commercial. Its kind of sad, but then again it might get the band some exposure. I know that Daydream Believer's use in those Ebay ads a few years ago gave a nice jolt to the sales of The Monkees music.

You do what you have to get your cash these days.

~sigh~

Its kind of depressing, but the world is a depressing place these days

My Car Is Dead

As if I don't need more to go wrong in my life. Bernie the Beretta is trying to breathe her last. She started leaking anti-freeze Friday night, which is not a good thing. A head gasket is hardly worth the cost of the repair on this 18 year old clunker.

That said, I do not have the money for a down payment on a new car and 2000 is going to get much of a car.

I'm really sick of everything going wrong.

I've got a followup mammogram to schedule in the next few weeks along with more female problems.

I'm scared to death and the one person I felt I could talk to is on vacation for the week.

Seriously I don't need anymore bad shit in my life.

Bye Bye Winter!

It's going to be 70 degrees today!

70 degrees.

70 wonderful warm degrees.

I don't have to wear a sweater! Or gloves! or a fuzzy hat!

70 degrees!

Woo hoo!

Party on!

Its about damn time we had some unseasonably warm weather.

Top 5 On Friday: Week 213

From Music Memoirs:

Top 5 Songs about pets or animals that you keep as pets

Nick Lowe - Lucky Dog
(Mr. Lowe could be my lucky dog any day of the week and this song is flipping catchy)

Tom Jones - What's New Pussycat?


The Beatles - Martha My Dear
You all know that Martha was Paul's big ole sheep dog was Martha...though the song is about that dumb ole Jane Asher that dumped him...



BTW..did you know that the sheep dog on Paul Is Live is one of Martha's lineage?

Paul McCartney & Wings - Jet
Yup, Jet was a Labrador Retriever pup!



Patti Page - How Much Is That Doggie In The Window


My mum used to sing this one to me when I was little. So cute!

Pooh To ABC

One of my favorite dramas has been canceled. After 17 episodes Life On Mars, the show based on the UK hit (with John Simm) was tossed away.

Damn and blast.

I really loved that show.

At least they will let it finish its run and won't leave Sam Tyler hanging in 1973, which is better than what one network did to Dark Shadows back in the 90s when Ben Cross was playing Barnabas Collins. They left the whole thing hanging in mid-air.

Asswipes!

At least Sam Tyler will get closure and he'll actually have run a few more episodes here in the States than the show did in the UK.

I still can't believe this show gets canned but all that reality bullshit stays on the air. It makes me sick to my stomach.

Check It Out

I write a column as well as do some reviews for a livejournal community and today I wanted to share one of my columns with you.

Its called Elfslut Says: and you can find it here.

So go on over and read it and leave me some comments so I can feel the love. Feel free to check out my reviews and other Elfslut Says columns too.

BTW if you wonder why my LJ id is Elfslut, just remember one of my favorite musical artists is Danny Elfman.

Nommy Food

Every so often I get to go to the mall or at least Target, both of which are a decent distance away. Last Saturday I took the oldest nephew out, because Sunday was his b-day and I took him to TGIFridays.

Fridays is one of my favorite chain restaurants, mostly because the food is really good. We both had Sizzlin' chicken and shrimp.

Nom Nom Nom.

But there is one other thing that's really good at Fridays.

Do you know what that is?

Can you guess?

I'll give you three tries


Did you guess, alcohol? If you did you win the prize, which should be one of these fantastic Vanilla Lemon Ice concoctions.

Mmmm vanilla vodka, smirnoff, sprite and maybe one or two other things.

Its good to get your warm fuzzies on.

Yup this drinky-poo took me to my happy place on Saturday.

It was nice to bee in my happy place. I don't get to go there often.

Tuesday Tunes: Week 71

From Music Memoirs

New Releases

Do you preorder new music or do you wait and buy it at a store on its release day. It depends on how badly I want the release or if there's something special going on with the purchase. Sometimes I will just wait until its out, but if its a favorite band, its preordered. Most of the time now I won't run out on its release day to buy it, unless I know it will be at Walmart, because I'm just not up for drives to the mall etc on Tuesdays anymore.

What's your most anticipated release this year?
Right now, its Depeche Mode - Sounds Of The Universe




Have you ever been so excited about a new release only to have it disappoint you? If so what was it?
Hell yes, and it was Duran Duran's Medazzaland. The album only had about 3 good songs on it and those two were singles that I had prior to the albums release. It wasn't hardly worth it buying it. BTW..don't buy Red Carpet Massacre either. It sucked to high heaven. I bought it knowing this, but I'm a die hard fan that must have everything, much to my chagrin.




Have you ever expected the worst of a new release and then were pleasantly surprised when the album was better than expected?
Yes, The Moody Blues - December was one that made me quake in my boots when I heard about it. I wasn't a fan of Christmas/Holiday music until that album. Its the best one of its kind. Everyone should own it!

WTF Is Up With This

What the hell is up with these shoes? They look like normal Mary Jane shoes, but they are supposedly really good for your feet and legs. They are billed as the Anti-Shoe. They are supposed to increase muscle activity, reduce pressure on joints, and stimulate your metabolism to burn extra calories.

Sound nice right?

Wait til you see the price. Endless.com has them and they were in my morning email from them. $250!! And sandals for the same price!

I don't think I've ever paid more than $100 for shoes, and I don't do that very often, because I'm pretty hard on shoes because of where I work. $250 is just insane. There's no shoe out there worth that much money. Nope. There isn't. Of course, if I made more money maybe I wouldn't say that. Hell, even if I did, I don't think I'd pay that much for shoes! And they better take off the pounds for that price! Holy Hell! I better have legs like a swimsuit model if I'm paying that kind of money for shoes!

Dreaming Of New Jersey

Not all of Jersey, mind you, just Atlantic City, that gambling mecca that I love so much. You know that place I haven't been too in about 2.5 years.

~sniffle~

I was dreaming that I was trying to go there just for the day, last night. I think it came from talking to my friend Mary, who is working in Trenton right now.

~sigh~

Not that I want to be in New Jersey with the snow storm that's coming up the coast. Nosirree, I don't. I've had my fill of the stupid white stuff and everyone else can have this storm. I pass on this one.

At least I have my dreams though, because with the economy the way it is, I fear my vacation time may be used to go places close to home that cost little to no money other than gas or possibly a rental car.

Ah well, any vacation is better than no vacation, right? And when its about 15 degrees outside, its always nice to dream of what you may do in the summer.

Meet Some Of My Favorite Indie Artists

As you know, I do reviews for a music blog

Here are a few of the artists you've never heard of, because they aren't on major labels, but you should.

Elena Zoubareva has an album out called Allure. She sings beautiful songs that are operatic with a touch of world music and a sprinkle of broadway. Her voice is truly angelic.

You can listen to sound clips and purchase her CD at CD Baby or you can check her out on her Official Site.

The next artist you must hear is Fermata. This band has a very unique sound that mixes modern folk with chamber music. Their album Only Ghosts Remain is also available at CD Baby. If you are a fan of artists like Loreena McKennit or Rasputina, you want to give this band a try. They are fabulous!

I discovered their music on another Livejournal site and asked them if they'd like a review and thankfully they said yes. Their album is one of my favorite little known releases of the year.

The next artist you need to check out is Phil Putnam. He's another artist I can't help but gush over. He's got a wonderful songwriting style and a voice that just melts me into a puddle. Listen to his music on his Myspace and buy it on his Official Site. Oh and while you are at Phil's official site, sign up for his fan forum and you'll get a free download of his (What Became Of) The Choirboy. Definitely worth it to sign up!!

There you have it. Three artists you wouldn't have heard of if you hadn't checked in here today. Give them a shot and remember to support Independent Artists!!!