Mansion in May....

Bit of a tradition with me and my M-O-M…..we attend the Mansion in May. The fundraiser does not happen every year, so it is quite the event for us to get gussied up and go….complete with lunch al fresco at the café after we tour the mansion….

I did not bring my camera (big ol’ DUH on my part) so I have a few shots from my cell. They do not allow photography inside the mansion, BUT outside is fair game. I will have to go back – there is a nifty colony of turtles playing croquet…and a creative cornucopia branch sculpture made from the “invasive” growth that they cleared.

Interesting thing about these mansions – they always have at least 4 full bars and 3 mini bar/closets throughout the house…wherever you go, you can grab a drink…getting dressed, in the study, in the kitchen, etc.. (so if you are rich, it’s ok to be drunk ALL the time? How many martinis does one REALLY need in a day??) The mansion this year had 6 bars and 4 mini bar/closets!! (that was inside the house – there were 2 more outside!)

Repurposing styrofoam as a swanky lamp!

Since they have top notch landscapers compete for these outdoor rooms, you get some gardening inspiration! (purple rocks that you would put at the bottom of a vase)
Forget the purple African Daisies…I want to plant these!!

Karma...

I have said it again and again and again......

KARMA...a bigger bitch than I ever could be......

Thank you Karma for proving true yet again and evening the score.....

I knew you would....

Seriously, Universe??

I hate that bad past experiences skew my view in certain areas....

I'm aware that I do it...

Painfully aware...so much that it eats a hole in me....

I recognize it and the vicious circle that it creates.....

For the most part I can stop it before I say something out loud....

But by not saying it am I not telling the entire truth?

Even though I know full well what the reaction will be…..

Hello vicious circle….

I am trying SO hard to avoid you.

Bird, Bird, Bird...

It is stuck in my head again thanks to this....



So I have to post it....

Emphasis on the Dizzy….

A few years ago, I went through a patch of visits that involved me breaking a glass every time I was at my mom's house....EVERY time, without fail....

It seemed to be back for a bit....

In the past few months, the following items around me have been destroyed….

Vacuum Cleaner
TGP’s car (indirectly)
Shower Wall
Car Mirror
Bed Frame

I have my own “gravitational issues”, but it seemed that my clumsiness was spreading!

Luckily it has stopped…..for now!!

Heh, Heh, Heh...

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Awkward Overuse??

I reigned in the word that kept popping in a previous blog entry….awkward, awkward, awkward….and oh yeah…awkward….

It had nothing to do with me personally, just the other stuff that was going on....

It was reflected in some fun texts and tweets about what one could do in such an awkward situation…..of all things to remember from a certain Puerto Rican Jew, I had an idea pop into my head that would have been brilliant….but I behaved....and also did not blog about it....

It would have been so easy just to write....Hey, you almost got XXX in your XXXX......How do you feel about that XXXXXXXX??

Gah....awkward.....

Cha Cha Cha...

After discovering that a sombrero is OSHA compliant (think Raptor Jesus logic), I felt compelled to find a perfect image for Cinco De Mayo...

What else but an obscene looking cactus....not only wearing a sombrero but playing the maracas?!?!?!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!!

Aaaannnnd Drink!

Keep Talking....

It seems like a simple thing.....but we all forget sometimes.....keep talking people.....always clears up confusion whether it be big, small or supernova-esque....


"Keep Talking" - Pink Floyd

For millions of years mankind lived just like the animals
Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination
We learned to talk

There's a silence surrounding me
I can't seem to think straight
I'll sit in the corner
No one can bother me
I think I should speak now
I can't seem to speak now
My words won't come out right
I feel like I'm drowning
I'm feeling weak now
But I can't show my weakness
I sometimes wonder
Where do we go from here

It doesn't have to be like this
All we need to do is make sure we keep talking

Mosaic Pony...

Just in case there were any concerns....Pony is doing well!

Jambalaya...

My friends are reflections of me and anyone that is in my life now, I pretty much expect them to be there for quite some time….

So I truly enjoy it when the various parts of my life mesh - Latvian friends click with the American friends, CT friends click with the NJ friends, Band geeks click with the Ren Fair geeks, etc. A jambaylaya of my flavors, if you will….

The girls have melded together well and I had the opportunity to see if the boys would play nicely as well…(There are some that will NEVER meet….that whole “I peed on you” thing clouds judgment)

Anyway, I was glad that everyone got along - not like I had any doubts about that!!

Some of the more amusing quotes from the past two days since I had a French-Canadian vistor…..

Upon seeing a Canadian geese family - “Hey, aren’t those your people??”

I also found that you can't say “Bienvenue!!” to everyone wearing Canadian stuff.…they will not respond in kind….

And in the span of a minute, I had two bird adventures. Saw a crow attack two turkey vultures – full on dive bomb mode and while walking past the Canadian Geese family that was having issues with a Swan, we got hissed at. So I launched into a round of “Be cool man, be cool - we don't want any trouble! Just everyone be cool!!”

Presents!!

I got a present the other night....

I still really can't put into words as to how touched I am...


I know that there was alot of thought put into this....

It is something that people would not expect me to get excited about...



Yes, it makes me feel like a "real" adventurer....

It will provide extra layer of security when I am in the woods...besides being a useful tool....

Now I just have to get comfortable with opening and closing it...and using it....there is definitely a learning curve...luckily I know exactly who to turn to help with that process....

Flowers and Weiners....

Spent yesterday with a whole bunch of scientists and 3 weenie dogs.....

Absolutely amazing experience to tromp through the woods with people that will give you the name, latin name and unique characteristics of every plant that they come across or that you ask about.....

At one point everyone was focused on the rare flower and I was photographing the dogs....this should not come as a surprise....

And when we were looking at the yellow Arctic Spring Beauty (this is the only spot on the entire planet that it grows genetically pure), you could see the pure excitement in the scientists' eyes.

Spring Beauty

Definitely changes my perspective (even more than before) when I walk around in the world...

Gaywing

Axis Of Awesome....

Four Chords...that's all you need....

Cruise!

One day I will go on that cruise....it killed me to say no.....I just can't do it now.....it would have been an absolute blast with the original group of people that had planned on going....


The whole idea had taken on a life of it's own....

We could do the Titanic bow shot with Pony and sing "My Heart Will Go On"!

March up the gang plank flying the Pirate flag!

Make other travelers walk the plank!

Use the balcony for misdeeds and shenanigans!

Singing any song from "Anything Goes" and start rumors that there are gangsters on board!

And the potential for NUMEROUS swizzle jokes!!!

Feelin' Alright?!?!

I know that some of you are waiting with baited breath to see what I write (Hello Avon, CT!)....

I took a mini road trip Friday and as always, it generated a mass of laughs in a very short time period. The joke timetable may have been accelerated due to the fact that I was given coffee AND cotton candy after I arrived…BTW, you can use the cotton candy holder as a unicorn horn…

After a yummy dinner of scallop scampi (thanks Stellen!), we headed to the Instrument show. They played well – the other band just had many more (and way louder) fans….it was good to see them perform even though the music has changed…..could not resist bouncing a bit to “I Still Love You” despite an injured foot…

There are a few things about the evening that I will leave un-blogged (Avon, CT – all the good stuff is written down in my journals).

One tidbit for aspiring musicians…..having the entire band wear black clothing against a black stage backing is not really the best wardrobe choice...especially the drummer since he is the closest to the backdrop…..they all blend right in…...

The next day was a planned hike – unfortunately a combo of excitement and loggers with chainsaws set us off on the wrong trail. After consulting the trusty GPS, we had a “Oh look a trail blaze!” moment…..turned out to be a very well marked property. Bushwacking for an hour will aggravate any foot injury, so we packed it in and I headed home.

Funny enough, I still got a prize for taking the trip - A new-to-me mountain bike!! (Thank you!!) There will be an expansion of the nature adventures…I will be able to ride past snakes and not have to worry about them getting too close!

The good vibe continued for the rest of the weekend – nice dinner on Saturday and Sunday was just a rainy snuggly day (even included Pony while we watched a few movies)….a girl could not ask for more….

Pen To Paper, People....

I know people who know people....actually I know people that ARE people.....so for any and all of you that write short stories.....

The new owner / editor of the Abbey Hill Literary website asked that we remind you that they sponsor a short story writing contest every quarter.

And besides bragging rights that you won something, you also get money - go check it out!!!

http://www.ahliterary.com

Day of A Patriot…

Could not call on office in MA due to “the holiday”….

Stop…think….”What holiday??”……..

Google didn’t have a unique design……

There was nothing on the calendar….

And then I realized…..it’s Patriot’s Day! (also known as Marathon Monday)

The holiday that is celebrated only in Massachusetts....

I forgot about because I no longer live in that state.….

Whoops….will have to wait until tomorrow to make that call...

Girl Power!!

Women are Angels.

And when someone breaks our wings....

We simply continue to fly ......... on a broomstick...

We are nothing if not flexible...


Goes along with the phrase "Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders & says... 'Oh shit....she's awake!!'"

Carry In, Carry Out....

Yesterday had such a great vibe, I did want it to end. (even though that involved me bailing on a regular Wednesday night event)

Went with a friend and we hiked to the highest point in NJ! We followed a loop called "Monument Trail" and it gave us some spectacular views of the area.

Nature was everywhere - within the first 5 mins we encountered a SNAKE! & tick...only to bump into a BIGGER SNAKE!! about 20 mins after that.....we had blue butterflies leading the way along the trail....yes, I was quoting Harry Potter several times.....and we found some interesting leaves that led us to the logical conclusion of "if babies come from cabbage patches, then we have found where elven babies come from!!"......(and man, those elves have been busy!)........eventually the animal sightings even out and we got to have a cute moment with some baby turtles.....

And thanks to my navigator's keen eye, I was able to see another NJ landmark before it is demolished!! I didn't realize that it was near this area and I was SO excited that I could not share all the Gingerbread Castle's details fast enough!

Muzak...

I had a fun chat with one of TGP's buddies about how music reminds us of people and moments in our lives....bringing it back to what some know to be true - "Music charms the soul."

It’s always there to share our joy & pain and comfort us when we need it….

One of my favorite Goo Goo Dolls lyrics is “Scars are souvenirs you never lose...the past is never far...” (unless you work at it)


So on this bright and sunny day, I stumbled upon “Hey Girl” by O.A.R.

It was like re-connecting with an old friend - music that I forgot that I had...

And in a roundabout way, it ties into what I have been up to in the past few months…trying new things without too much of the knee jerk reaction to be scared, over-think and worry....

I took this girl out last night and we left around 12,
We walked along lonely streets and got to know ourselves,
I like to read - she likes to write,
She likes to sleep - and I like to stay up all night,
My friends say I'm crazy and I agree,
But that's okay cause that the way she likes to be

Hey girl come with me and let yourself go
Hey girl come with me and let yourself go

Well we went out late that night and we danced through the night
I was holding on to her and she be gripping it tight, she was
But she didn't care, I didn't mind
I was unaware that she liked to act so kind,
My friends say I'm crazy and I agree,
But thats okay cause thats the way I like to be

I say
Hey girl, come with me and let yourself go,
Hey girl come with me and let yourself go, go, go-oh,
Just let yourself go

Hush little baby, don’t say a word
I would like to give you everything that you deserve
I’ll give you my heart. I’ll give you all my soul
You can have all my money, If you like you can control
In my mind, I miss you every night that you’re not here
Oh I just want to sit around your life and breath your air
And if I can not have you, I just don’t want to live
Oh I got so much, I would like to give

Hey girl, come with me and let yourself go,
Hey girl come with me and let yourself go, go, go-oh,
Just let yourself go, go, go-oh,
Just let yourself go, go, go-oh...
Let yourself go

Hey girl, but baby it all here just let yourself go
Hey girl, but baby, but darling let your self go
Hey girl, but baby but darling I need to know
Hey girl, but my sweetie, but my lovely, I’d love to let you go
Hey girl, but I’m coming back for you and I’m looking to you girl

I Hears Dem....

"i hears dem....da birdiez...there in da outsidez...."

Sticky...

Finally got this on my car.....

Loose End....

I need to find another special event for it.....

It needs to be done....

Smooth....

Very appropriate for summer....

Intuition Razors

On sale at Target for $6.99 each
Buy 2 razors and get a $5 gift card to Target

Use two $4 off coupons

OOP = $6.61

Pay with $5 Target GC from another deal purchase

OOP = $1.61 (actually $1.56 since I got the credit for bringing my own bag)

Rinse and repeat (if you have more of the $4 off coupons)!

Not bad for razors that normally retail for $8.29 each!!

In the Outsidez...

I have been an indoor girl for the past decade – with the exception of some winter sports…..but I have been having a blast being outside lately (“In the Outsidez” as I like to say)

I went kayaking for the first time – ever – last Friday….very nervous but I trusted my guide and he coached me through it. When I started to freak out , I had his voice in my head chanting “Don’t panic, Don’t panic, Don’t panic”

We even had a full breakfast – complete with kick ass (and creative) omelets and mutant strawberries!!

I did fall in the water (brr!) but it did not involve rolling the boat – I was trying to step from one rock to another…..sheesh…..

And because waking up super early to be on the lake as the sun rose was not enough, we met up with two of my friends and went for a hike too!

Lots of sunshine, lots of fun and a whole lot of laughs – it was a great day!!

Happy Easter!!

How You Like Me Now?

The song from the KIA Super Bowl commercial has been stuck in my head.....Besides being fantastic exposure for an unknown band, it's great driving music!!

Swoon, Sigh & Then Some....

Swoon, sigh and then some….hold onto your bodices....he’s back…..

I'm Henry the eighth I am
Henry the eighth I am, I am
I got married to the widow next door
She's been married seven times before
And every one was an Henry (Henry)
She wouldn't have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I'm her eighth old man, I'm Henry
Henry the eighth I am

Second verse same as the first....

22 & It's Cousins....

I am officially plated, registered and licensed to be back in NJ.....

During this process, I realized that the number 22 follows me….It was the house number of where I lived before I moved up to MA.....It was my unit (*snicker*) number in MA.....

And it is the only number that has been in my license plates in NJ....

(it’s also my b-day minus 2 and the date of TGP’s b-day if you want to add that to the mix….)

I currently live in another house that has a repeating number…my storage unit (*snicker*) has a repeating number......

I brought this up in a conversation last night and thanks to some help, my license plate was converted to a set of lottery numbers….I think that they would be worth playing!!

Snip, Snip, Stick....

This past weekend involved a quest for a car mirror after the garage doorway reminded me who is in charge, three adorable weenie dogs and a bunch of fresh air. When greeted with a monsoon on Monday, I decided to hunker down and be a bit creative....

Instrument and Pony got their own pages.....I also scrapped the big events of the first part of 2009 - VT ski trip, TGHH, East Side Restaurant, Virginia....and even Delavegas ......it was done very...umm...tastefully....

Brick By Brick.…

We all hate feeling emotionally vulnerable…

So we build a fortress to protect ourselves.......

Then someone comes along and you decide that it would be worth it to knock down a small part of the wall and peek out….

Most times you put the wall right back up and re-secure the fortress......



But sometimes, you take down a few more bricks…..

You see what happens…

Then you find yourself knocking down some more....



Removing the bricks scares me…

But right now, putting them back up is not even being considered.....

Summer Wine....

Oh the purr of his voice....I had to pull this out of the vaults...

Yeah, this has everything to do with the fact that Ville Valo will be on the same soil as me....and that there is a bunch of stuff to look forward to this summer.....

Ruh-Roh....

How to end up in trouble really quickly......






Paws off the New Moon DVD!! Especially Edward's face!!!

Batmaaaannnn.....(Part 2)...

It’s no secret that I miss my friends and vice versa – getting to see them for a whole bunch of silly fun made for a fantastic weekend!! Even though we were down a friend (and her cardboard cut out), we still had a blast.

Wii Party - I got the bonus of seeing one herd of CT friends on Friday night. Somehow I ended up with the master controller during Super Mario Bros. and got everyone killed (several times)!!

“Poker Face” was played a bunch of times in the many, many ways that is available on Youtube…..except the original…..

Fun Texts – because even when you are away, a silly text makes it not seem as far…..

Second Weekend Bonus – stopping at a friend’s wine shop and chatting about life, plugs and wine…..

Driving Topless – prompting a FB comment of “false advertising”. The Jeep Wrangler is such a bad-ass vehicle – you sit higher than the majority of the other cars on the road and realize that you could run over them at any time….we sang our lungs out on the drive up to NH and enjoyed the stares that we got…..yup, car load of kick ass girls – get out of our way!!

My friend’s husband was a great sport during New Moon and did not groan too much at being subjected to “REWIND THAT!! Play it in SLOW motion!!!” as we watched the jailbait yumminess that is Jacob….(he had the remote)

Not having to yell “Sparkle, damnit!” at the cupcakes because they already looked like disco balls….

Staying true to every other time that I have seen New Moon, I squealed “PUPPY!!” when the first wolf was revealed….

Presents!! Even though it was not my b-day, I still got some! An “All Crazy” CD, candy cane pens that I am using now even though it’s March….and a shirt that says “I love Midget Porn”….I wore that for about five minutes before choking/snarfing wine all over it….luckily Tide was available and the stains came out!

And when others are trying to fall asleep, there is not much else to do but start in with “Batmaann….”, “Candy Gram”, “What’s that light? There’s an alien in the room!!”, “I need a drink of water!!”, etc. only to find out that they all have TV’s on and no one can hear you and your roomate….but we laughed anyway….

Leaving was sad – but not the same all consuming pain that I have when I leave Florida since I know that I will see them all again soon!

Overall I know that I am where I need to be right now and that they are all just a quick road trip away….and that is a good thing.....

Batmaaaannnn.....

For your entertainment (and mine)…..Three videos that tie back to this weekend....while I figure out how to write the blog entry to sum up this weekend….

Stickers....

He has been relocated, but there was a porcupine wandering around Telluride, CO!!

Fed by people at the ski area, Stickers (fantastic name!!) ended up having no fear of people....

Happy St Patty's Day!!

Nom, Sparkle, Nom....

"I longed to be released from it. I wanted to lose it all... my wealth, my estate, my sanity. Most of all, I longed for death. I know that now. I invited it. A release from the pain of living. My invitation was open to anyone. To the whore at my side. To the pimp that followed. But it was a vampire that accepted it." Louis - Interview With The Vampire

For some reason this quote has been floating through my head. I have this thing with wearing my hair up.....I see it as an invite to any vampire.....or wannabe vampire...


It's the extra loop of hair that does it....I don't feel the same with only a pony tail....it has to be a fully pulled up in a clip......

Sombrero Wearing Mole Rat...

The weekend started with going to see “Alice in Wonderland” – the movie was incredible!!! I ended up playing “Find the Hidden Hearts in the Red Queen’s Castle” for most of the movie – the level of detail is insane.

It was great until the very end of the movie when fire alarm went off and we had to pile outside in the wind and rain…where stupid people made stupid choices in the parking lot…..seriously, what is it with people and having to leave “RIGHT NOW THIS VERY SECOND – GET OUTTA MY WAY”!! Can’t you wait 10 minutes in the car?

And then Saturday I braved the elements to drive to Pennsyl-tucky. (actually I can’t mock this area of Pennsylvania, it’s very civilized and everyone has all their teeth….)

Staying true to a new motto of “There should always be a sombrero involved”, I made a new friend…..

One of our hosts braved the weather to grill dinner….it was more like he was playing “Deadliest Catch” between the wind and rain that was coming in sideways….but he was out there grilling and singing the show's theme song!

Karaoke time consisted of a whole bunch of laughs and some boozy harmony from me….all that singing in the car actually payed off!

And this part should ALWAYS be shouted....


By the end of the night, the guitar and folk songs made an appearance….staying true to our culture, we can not resist a sing-a-long!!!

After sleeping on the comfiest couch on the planet with a pillow fill of “aija zu zu”, I got to enjoy some cheesesteak goodness before heading home.

Due to the flooding, I had to take the long way to drive home, but it took me past the spot where the Mary Murray ferry used to be…so weird to not see it there anymore….

And oh yeah……Shenanigans…..just because it needs to be said…..

Disclaimers....

Spend any amount of time with me and you will experience one of my disclaimers.....

I just have to add them on to everything....it's automatic...

I was considering writing a full blog entry about what bugged me but honestly, I was more mad at myself for letting it affect me in the first place.....

There are a million better uses for my energy....and other people that deserve my attention.....

And this is not a disclaimer about yesterday......ok well it is....but not really.....

Hugs...

Somedays you just need a hug….

It may not fix things in any way shape or form….but it helps….

There are the times that you need one and may not know it….

Or you may need one and not ask for one…..

Whatever the case, a hug goes a long way.....

I know that I am not alone in this thought stream….

And yes...today was a "I just need a hug" day......

*Poof*

WHY, WHY, WHY do people come out of the woodwork when you least expect them to????

You're happy doing your own thing and BAM!!! they reappear.....

GAH!!!

Go away, go away, go away....Just go away already!!!

Siblings...

All plans change...this morning it changed when my brother called...

No drama or anything, just a “I was going to do this, but instead I am perfectly content to chat with you for the next hour and a half”…..

I know that I am lucky - we would drop everything and help each other...

And he has been one of my loudest cheerleaders and strongest supports through the crap that I had been wading through…..

I can't understand how some people can be nasty towards their siblings....I am very glad (and thankful) that I don't have that situation!

"Our Heaven Is Worth The Waiting"....

Waiting for them to tour again is the hardest part.....Haul out the Heartagrams - H.I.M. is coming to my side of the US this spring!!!

One benefit to the band not being that popular.....smaller venues....

Downside is that those venues do not always sell tickets online....

The Ginger Pirate....

Here is Sunday's outdoor adventure from a different perspective......

Say "Hello" to The Ginger Pirate!

http://snowshoeabletruth.blogspot.com/

Firsts.....Definitely Not Lasts....

The entire weekend was a series of firsts....and I don't think that they will be lasts.....

I snowshoed across a frozen lake.....

Hiked almost 6 miles....at one point I entertained the idea of wussing out on the home stretch...very glad that I had a nudge not to....

Made dinner with the assistance of child who has become quite a character....and I was dubbed fun enough to be asked to play after dinner went int othe oven! (I got to be a vet!!)

My sing-songy "Good Night, XXXX" received the same sing-songy reply of "Good Night...You!!" (his approach of "well, I don't remember her name so I'll just say "You"" is still cracking me up)

Found out that there are children's books about hoes...the garden tool....but who can read that with a straight face??

And it's not a first but I do enjoy the oportunity to turn the camera on the photographer...

It was a fun weekend....the whole sequence of events continues to fuel the positive energy that I have regained.....it truly amazes me at how much has happened in the short time that I have been back in the area...

Ink & Paper...

I have mentioned it before...I have a journal entry (paper and ink) for every day since I was thirteen....(oh, the angst.....oh, the heartbreak....oh, the giddiness...oh, the WTF was I thinking!!)

In the past two years, I have had journal writer's block....partially to protect myself but also because there was SO much to write about and it was tough to corral it all in one siting....

With time the emotions have changed and everything is more manageable....I have a bunch of notes that I could expand on if I wanted to but why dredge up the pain just so that it can be chronicled?

Is it silly to keep the goal of having an entry every day?

Should I scale back to just writing about big events?

Or when the mood strikes me?

Think...think...think...

Inspiration....

A while ago, in a previous job title, I met a very cool graphic designer and we reconnected through the Facebook about a year ago....

In the years since we originally met, we have had the ususal life changes - some good, some bad.....but he has also transformed into an inspirational athlete who does all the running and biking that I will never do!! (as I have joked before, I need to be chased by a man with a chainsaw in order to run....)

He's currently training for the MS150 so he has been posting fun videos. (and there's a bonus for those of you that like techno!) Check out his blog - http://www.erichenao.com/

If you would like to donate, here's the direct quote from him "Remember folks, I ride because people with MS can’t. The money you donate to my page, goes to developing research to finding a cure to beat MS. Give what you can, and I’ll keep riding!" http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/eric.henao "

Yak, Yak, Yak, Yak, Yak....

So...what did I do Sunday? Snow kayaking!!!

But what to call it....Snowaking? Snyaking?

Well, as long as there is no real yacking, I am ok with whatever it is called...


We actually had more fun than the kids sledding next to us...proving that adults are big kids, just with bigger and better toys....

And I had the easiest set of directions to follow during set-up. I asked how I could help...."Just stand there and look pretty." w00t! I'm a shoe-in for the "Best Helper Ever" award!

Feelin' Allright.....

Since I’m not driving all over the place, I am in a bit of a musical drought…..so, I turned the house into a dance party his morning…..actually not so much a dance party but a rock concert….

Went completely A.D.D. with Youtube…..started with Joe Cocker’s “Feelin’ Allright” - it's just a perfect jam song....it makes me dance in my seat....and to quote Chele, it's a tail wagging happy song ...no joke, I'm sitting here bouncing as I type...

And then I followed the suggestions on the side…..Cocker, Clapton, Wyman & Wood playing “Feeling Allright”!! The Black Crows version was ok, but I had to pass on the Jackson 5 version…..




And Joe Cocker covers "Every Kind of People"…….so of course I have to hunt down the Robert Palmer version....which then led to the mash up of "I Want You" and “Mercy, Mercy Me”…..love the combination of these songs….I think that it has to do with the bassline....or the harmonies….or the dramatic key change…..or the horns…..or something….or all of the above….





And of course this led me try to hunt down Mighty Mighty Bosstones in 1998.....Live from the Middle East...where they flawlessly transitioned "The Impression That I Get" to "Someday I Suppose".....no video but I found some other MMB concert footage....

Live Instrument....

Just when I was in withdrawl....I get to see Instrument! (now if only I could go back in time and hear then jam with Black Mountain Symphony last weekend....Feelin' All Right....)




Hey Destruction!!! (Yeah, it wasn't funny for anyone else in Dela-vegas, but it still cracks me up....)

Two Perspectives...

Watching Cat TV...

Being on Cat TV....

Deal-icious.....

I know that I haven’t shared any deals lately…the drugstores have been “eh” so there has not been much to talk about….

But this week’s Shoprite deal on Coffemate was “deal-icious”!! (it’s a word….seriously…)

On sale this week – Cofeemate = $1.24 each

I bought two bottles

Coupon - $1 off each (2)

Canvas Bag Refund - $0.05

Total Cost = $0.43 for 2 bottles of Cofeemate

Bonus – got a Catalina for $0.75 off my next purchase of 3 Coffeemate bottles…it will double to $1.50 and if I use it this week, then I can get 3 bottles for $2.22 ($0.74 each).

I’m ignoring the fact that their expiration dates are through May….don’t want to think about what preservatives are in there…I just want my coffee to be sweet and creamy….

High Excitement….

I use the phrase “Ooo – high excitement!” alot….last night it was of the bad variety.

You ever have a fun night and as you calmly drive home calamity strikes? Yeah…that was last night. But it happened to the car behind me – which was driven by a friend.

The pessimistic side of me would say “WTF Universe”?

The optimistic side of me (which prevails most of the time) was chanting – “Thank God you’re ok….cars can be replaced, people can not!”

And as I stared at the mangled front of the car, I really started chanting “You’re ok, you’re ok, you’re ok….”

There are certain situations that you never want to experience nor have your friends experience….this is one of them…

Thank you Universe for protecting my friend…..

Rowr....

God help me...

I know that it goes with the whole Goth/Vampire thing that I have....

But Wow...

His face when he sings "Once I'm in, I own your heart...." the first time...

Drool......

Perhaps it's the seductive smile and the eyebrow lifting.....

Gah....

Or just the black hair and blue eyes....

Yeah....

Or the underworld cane leather thing...

Umm.....Entertain me until I scream....

He just trumped Ville Valo singing "Heartache Every Moment"....

Yes, I am talking about Adam Lambert.....

Random Peek....

Here are the rules for the award:

Thank the person who nominated you and link to their blog.

Copy the award and paste it to your blog.

Tell us 7 interesting facts about yourself.

Nominate 7 bloggers that you love and link to their blog.


I was trying to be good and come up with other random things about me....different from this entry that I did almost a year ago!

Pixie Dusties nominated me - Thank you!!!

My 7 Facts

1. I get reminders every single day that I have made the right decision to move back home…these reminders have also helped me motivate myself more than I ever thought possible….

2. Fastest way to get me to snicker is to mention “unit” in a sentence…..ah, the “Band Rag” mentality is alive and well…and I am spreading it to others….

3. Right now, my favorite candle scent is Cinnamon…..it changes with the seasons ….

4. I have an irrational fear of midgets…I no longer watch TLC due to this……(seriously, they have 4 midget shows!!!)

5. I miss my Instrument…even though things are not the way that they used to be…..

6. I will probably never be able to listen to any Journey song without experiencing some level of pain…..but to quote Lady Antebellum “I’d rather hurt than feel nothing at all.”

7. I used to be a lover of sweets….now I tend to swing towards savory….

My nominations (not sure if they will play along, but I will tag them nonetheless….)

1. Amber & Ari 2 Day

2. It’s Such a Fine Line

3. My World At Home

4. On The Tip of My Fingers

5. Random Thoughts

6. Traces of a Girl

7. What Was That, Now?

Shoes & Snow....

I was going to post this yesterday since I had such a fun time showshoe-ing, but the exploitation of the elderly took precedence....

So, snowshoe-ing...did not know what to expect.....I had some concerns.....but turns out there was no reason to be worried!

I ended up feeling like a little kid at one point – I needed some help for the shoes and straps. (not in the Cinderella way, but the "I'm stuck!!" way). Umm, I invoked the “Daddy! I want a Power Ranger!!" whine when having trouble getting the snowshoes off…..

I also channeled Godzilla....imagine me walking around muttering (and getting progressively louder)….“Rawr…RAwr…RAWr…..RAWR… RAWR… RAWR… RAWR!!!!!” as I tromped on snow…so much fun!

Again I was the loudest thing in the woods, but I see it as a good thing - what bear would want to come out of hibernation to find out what the ruckus is? And the bear probably would not have appreciated my jokes either…

DISGUSTED....

DISGUSTED - all caps...actually, I'm beyond disgusted...

Sick to think that fellow Latvians wiped out her life savings (and so quickly)!!

Latvian elder abuse by latvians

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG_jg8WM9zY

Wavy....

This is an icicle....it was pretty massive and solid despite the fact that it was attached to the rock by some wavy (and flexible!) ice....

Hearty Food....

Ah, Valentine’s Day…..the one day that makes everyone freak out regardless of their relationship status.

I have constant Valentines – my family. We make a point of exchanging cards and sometimes a little gift….it's nice to know that you are loved regardless if you have a significant other or not!

Since I have some spare time and was feeling creative, I made a “hearty” brunch….

And once I had uncorked the creativity, dinner was as well…the two sheets of parchment paper for the veggies formed a heart.....

And check out the carrots....

Olympics....

Of course I’m watching the Olympics…..

I don’t grow tired of hearing the theme or watching each nation glow with pride as their athlete gets a medal.

What I do grow tired of is the commercial break during the Parade of Nations that happens when Latvia is coming into the stadium…..happens every time…ok, well maybe except for Salt Lake City’s game…..but there was a Latvian exec at that station so we actually got some coverage…..

Known terrorist nations get complete coverage for the Olympics…..for Latvia, it was 1 out of 58 athletes…..the one carrying the flag…..the flag that wasn’t even shown on tv…..

Let It Snow...

For most of us, it's still that happy phase of winter - where the snow is welcomed instead of cursed.


Give it another month and all you'll hear is how everyone is done with snow and ready for spring. (for some this happened about a week ago)


But for me, I like looking outside to see a snowglobe.....

Venom....

I have always joked that "boys are stupid" - we do not have venom in our veins until the first guy breaks our hearts...

Then the venom just builds and we take it out on every guy after that comes into our lives...

Yet we still find a minute to have an inappropriate question session via email or a bet that involves who can scare who first and we realize that there is potential in the world....

And the best reminder of all - the text session where teen angst is in full effect.....

Realizing that the teen is in for many more years of sending me "Here's the drama" texts....it will only get more and more complex as she gets older but I can't tell her that...

Nice to have the ability to live along with her in the beginning stages....and enjoy the "easy" drama as I work on getting rid of mine....

Haunting Tune....

I don't care if it really is "Eye in the Sky" by the Allan Parsons Project...

I love this song and it has been haunting me since the Grammys....Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now”




Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor
Reachin for the phone cause I can't fight it anymore
And I wonder if I ever crossed your mind
For me it happens all the time

It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without
I just need you now

Another shot of whiskey can't stop looking at the door
Wishing you'd come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time

It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without
I just need you now

Guess I'd rather hurt than feel nothin at all

It's a quarter after one I'm all alone and I need you now

And I said I wouldn't call but I'm a little drunk and I need you now

And I don't know how I can do without

I just need you now

I just need you now

Ooo, baby, I need you now

Huff, Puff, Nature...

Going from shutting the door on a section of my life to restoring order....not an easy process......

I can already tell that there is progress - it will take a while, but order will be restored to the areas of my world that have been out of whack....

And for a change of scenery, I made plans to do something outdoors Sunday - I needed to look at something besdes boxes, plus I had great company so how can one go wrong? Heh, by being so out of shape that a "hike" becomes a "walk in the woods otherwise I will have to be carried to the car on a stretcher that you make from those trees" is how it can go wrong. (I was mostly honest about being a wuss so this was not too big of a surprise.)

So I had my moment in nature - even fed a bird some of my granola bar - it landed on my hand! Toughest part was staying quiet to not scare it away - the whole time the voice in my head was shouting "LOOK!!! It's nature!!".

Moving...

I do enjoy moving – the thrill of packing things up and then opening the box like a present. As well as the new adventure in getting to know the area. (even if you used to live there, things change!!)

But the bad part of moving….you realize that you have just way too much stuff and do you really need all this stuff and why on earth are you saving this?!??! Flash to the night before moving and I was just throwing stuff into boxes to get it done…..and then realizing that some of those boxes could end up in the middle of a storage unit….

Moving this time also included a 14’ van that almost did not make it up the hill out of the rental place. Yup – I went sliding backwards towards the building and my own car….the insurance company would have loved that one. At one point I was channeling a street racer and smoking the tires!

After Tetris-ing all my worldy possessions, there was a five and a half hour long drive……the truck was so overloaded that it barely went 55 mph and would slow to 40 as you went up a hill. But I got to feel all cool when I found out that I was rated as a “truck”. (it did increase the tolls but I was a TRUCK!!!)

I found some fun people to chat with as I drove – “Please talk to me!” I did have to weed out some drunk ones though…..”I have been drinking tequila for 3 hours!!” “Umm, I’ll call you later….”

The unpacking turned silly early on……imagine Jenga, singing helpers, mockery of Mr. Elevator and a series of messages that were relayed like a game of telephone from the moving van to the storage unit.

I am EXTREMELY grateful for the people that helped me move. There is nothing that I can do to repay them….hmm, I wonder if any of them need a kidney…...

Happy 101...

Yay! I got an award!!

Pixie Dusties handed it to me – check her out here - http://pixiedusties.blogspot.com/

It’s very cool to read her blog and see what is going on in other parts of the world!

The rules:
List 10 things that make you happy.
Pass it on to 10 bloggers that make your day a better one!

1. My Family

2. My Friends

3. My Friend’s Kids (who remind me every day that there is simple joy to be found in everything)

4. Music

5. Puppies

6. Chocolate or Cool Ranch Doritos (depends on if I am looking for sweet or savory)

7. Hugs (not the plain variety, but the “Squeeeeeeeeze but not too tight” kind)

8. Clean Laundry

9. Random things that make me belly laugh

10. Sparkly objects (come on, you knew that that was going to be in there!)

And I am tagging these blogs that I follow – go peek at their lives! (I am hoping that for some it will jump start their blogging for the new year!)

Ari & Amber 2-Day

It's Such a Fine Line

My World At Home

On The Tip of my Fingers

Random Thoughts

Stripey Cat Production

Traces of A Girl

What Was That, Now?

(And before there are comments that I can't count.....I have some other people that I would tag but I don't think that they would participate....)

Give My Regards...To Boston....

It was a nice calm way to say goodbye to Boston - Lunch, bowling, hanging out and watching TV.

No drinking my face off or getting sh&*bag wasted. (where were these terms when I was in college??!?! They are perfect descriptions!!)

I ran the gamut of emotions as I drove back to my place - relief that things will get better, anger that this could have all worked out differently, sadness at leaving new friends........

I was meant to be here for a while and now I'm ready for what lies ahead.....

Change....

Holy cow - change, change and change in Massachusetts.....definitely says something about the mindset of the country at the moment....

Even though it was the "Ted Kennedy" seat, Scott Brown commenting that it belongs to the people (and not a political party or family dynasty) was brilliant campaigning - you can't reply to that without sounding like a jerk.

Is it me or did the "Change We Can Believe In" campaign backfire against it's political party?

Somebody had quite the field day writing this....
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34923900/ns/politics-capitol_hill/?gt1=43001

BOSTON - In an epic upset in liberal Massachusetts, Republican Scott Brown rode a wave of voter anger to win the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Edward M. Kennedy for nearly half a century, leaving President Barack Obama's health care overhaul in doubt and marring the end of his first year in office.

The loss by the once-favored Democrat Martha Coakley in the Democratic stronghold was a stunning embarrassment for the White House after Obama rushed to Boston on Sunday to try to save the foundering candidate. Her defeat signaled big political problems for the president's party this fall when House, Senate and gubernatorial candidates are on the ballot nationwide.

"I have no interest in sugarcoating what happened in Massachusetts," said Sen. Robert Menendez, the head of the Senate Democrats' campaign committee. "There is a lot of anxiety in the country right now. Americans are understandably impatient."

Raptors!!

I went to the Eddie Izzard show Saturday night - surprisingly he only commented about lipgloss…he did not appear to be wearing any…..

It was a fun adventure - playing on the subway poles, admiring the guy begging for money who asked in both English and Spanish and realizing that Madison Square Garden was built for really, really short people...

Between Aesus, Besus, Raptors, Jazz Chicken, Squid that keep diaries on the Ark, The Medi-good Period, the Amoeba Named Pip and giraffes that do charades, I was laughing so much. But here are two of my favorite bits....”Miss, I'm sitting next to a raptor!!! Aren't there rules??”……..*cough* *cough* Tiger! *cough* *cough*





I also took a side trip and looked at my grandma's house. Very sad to see her rose garden paved over to make the driveway wider. But it is change – it is inevitable….

Everywhere, I Tell You!!

Motorcycles are Everywhere!!!

Just had to remind you all....

They are in the shower, in the toaster, in the hallway.....

Topsy Turvey....

You said - oh girl, it's a cold world
When you keep it all to yourself
I said you can't hide on the inside
All the pain you've ever felt
Ransom my heart, but baby don't look back
Cause we got nobody else

We're running with the Shadows of the Night
So baby take my hand, you'll be all right
Surrender all your dreams to me tonight
They'll come true in the end

It could have been an absolutely horrible weekend if I had been left to my own devices…

Very glad that events happened to change that….

Appropriate song to have stuck in my head.....

It will be all right in the end.....for all of us....

Vieglas Smiltis....

In the past month, we have lost 3 power houses from my childhood...

The people that I would grumble about at the time.....coming to realize years later that they were making sure that we preserved our culture....

They were ensuring that we would carry on the traditions and faith of our ancestors.....

I have a ton of memories of these people....

And I have this vision that they are all reuniting....

Vieglas Smiltis....

Yar...

see more Lol Celebs

Switchover...

I ended the last year and started the new one with just what I needed:

Good friends

Lots of laughs

And a reminder that there are good things coming.....

Just a few things that need to be mentioned about the party....

Standing next to one of the poppers when it goes off will result in a "I just won American Idol" moment as the confetti rains down. It will also result in champagne full of confetti. This will affect your champagne consumption.

Anyone who can hold their own in my circle of friends is welcome to stay.

I was convinced that I would win the best….I’m not that upset about losing it….the extra dollar that was handed over was a bonus for the winner…..

Bubble tea forever!!!

Japi Nu Yir!!

see funny english mistakes