I am not really Wonder Woman, but I try to be. Nor am I Mrs. Simon LeBon, but at one time, I was going to be. Nonetheless, I am a wondering (wandering?) woman whose been handed quite a life. I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. I might not like it always, but I trust the process....
I have been making these as Christmas gifts for office mates for a couple years. It's a fun gift idea, so I thought I would share it with you at no cost. Yes, friend, today is your lucky day - FREE POST!
My sister-in-law first introduced this to me when she gave me one.
It can get expensive, so tailor it to your budget.
Contents:
Blank note cards
Chapstick/lip balm
Tums
Pepto To-Go
Tide To-Go pen
Photo holder
Gum
Breath mints
Lint roller
Floss
Sewing kit
First aid kit
Chocolate
Tissue
Hand sanitizer
Back scratcher
Put these in a decorative photo storage box & distribute!
Merry Christmas!
"But they were teenagers and older kids, right Mama?" she asked, eyes fixed on mine, not sure what to hope for as the answer.
"No." I somberly answered.
I didn't want to tell her the victims were first graders.
I didn't want her realize she's the same age as the victims.
"Were they in first grade or something?" was her follow up question, eyes unsure, filled with more fear.
I put my hand on her back so she knew that love surrounds her and I nodded my head up and down, whispering, "yes".
The tension in the kitchen thickened. I kept my cautious eyes on her, watching her process the information, studying her face in an attempt to anticipate what might be next.
"Did he use guns and shoot them all up?"
Those are words I never thought I'd have to hear from my six year old daughter, not at the age of six anyway.
I soften my worried expression and in another whisper, "yes".
She quieted.
I kept rubbing her back, stroking her hair occasionally.
"You okay?" I finally asked.
She looked up at me and said, "well, let's hope those kids who lived heal".
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Dear Newtown, Connecticut,
Please know that the lost lives of your community as a result of the mass shooting serves a greater good. I pray you find peace knowing that all bad things sprout bountiful good things. It's my hope you can see how your story, your life, your struggle has touched my family all the way here in Dallas, Texas. Your story helps me teach compassion. I'm able to teach that death is a part of life. She now has heard a more extreme story of good and evil. Her final statement is affirmation to me AND YOU that good wins. "Hope".
While waiting patiently in a quiet setting, MLO decided she needed to work on her birthday party goings-on which, mind you, isn't until March. And, according to these rules, a pool will be required. I don't have one of those. Hmmm....
Translations:
RULES
fees out all out uv the pool
inclood all
(Peace out)
OK's
is OK to fite
is OK to hav fun
is OK to have cake and ice c
NOT OK's
not OK to be mean
not OK to hav cake and ias creem
It's easier for me to go into self-protection mode and rock myself eat for comfort.
Back when I used to go to OA meetings, my mantra was, as the 12 Steps encourage, to feel the feelings. Fucking A I don't want to!
I'd rather be dulled, because otherwise those around me are left with this even more out-of-control Jackie. That's not pretty. Those of you who actually know me, intimately, know I'm already kinda wheels-off.
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I consider myself a fairly strong communicator, but admittedly, I don't do well when I need to most. I'm either withdrawn, avoiding the issue, isolating, or I'm horribly tactless and downright vicious. Why do there have to be extremes?
To find that middle ground is the work.
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I've been trying for the last few weeks to do some weight work. My blood pressure is borderline high, I'm slowly backing down from the highest weight I've ever been, blahblahblah.
I talk out of both sides of my mouth, all while I stuff down feelings for self-protection.
Irrational to those with logical minds. Completely rational to those who are like me.
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Today I'm pouting about doing the work. Today I'm pissed that I'm not who I want to be. Today, I'm struggling with too many emotions and they're all just pouring out of my eyes, my hands. My busybrain wants to panic. Yet, somewhere, nested in the cobwebs is reason and hope.
Congratulations to President Obama who was re-elected last night.
Americans: No matter who you are, what you believe, respect the Office of the Presidency. He is Our President.
Americans: No matter who you are, what you believe, respect the life of the man named Barak Obama. He is a PERSON who happens to be President. Rise above racial slurs, petty thoughts, demoralizing behavior.
As an American, it's not only my privilege and duty to vote, but I'm also called upon to task you to get out and vote. Be nice to the kids if you're voting at a school.
I voted last week - first time in a while. Not sure what motivated me to vote, but I did. The thing is, I live in Texas which is hands-down a Republican state, so, no matter how ANY Texan votes, the electoral votes are going to Romney.
HOWEVER, not ONLY a presidential election is occurring today. Even if you disagree with national politics and want to abstain, at least familiarize yourself with the local and state politics. There are Propositions and all kinds of random political jobs that are being decided today -- jobs neither of us have heard of until we sought information.
My blog reflects my brain and, truthfully, my life. It's a series of half written, in-draft posts. The ones you see are short, slapped up on the WW Blog in a hurry, as if you are missing me, as if I need to remind you I'm still alive and fine, as if I have that many readers (who care....).
*laughing*
There's certainly an element of truth in the above paragraph, though. My A.D.D. brain loves quickies of all types: magazine articles, shows in segments, tweets. Pictures. Yes, PICTURES! I'm like a guy -- visually minded -- and I like to interpret them, quickly, my own way.
I miss reading long essays, research findings, and opinion pieces. I even miss writing things that are more than 100 words. Even studying photos or visual pieces of art, considering another person's filter other than my own, seems paradoxically taxing AND fulfilling. I have a friend to whom I still WRITE letters. She and I exchange them (she's way more prolific than I am). I miss letter writing and pen-pals and such.....
My brain hungers for information, yet, my brain tires easily. I wonder if parenting and working contributes to the energy-drain that exists so often for me (refrain from comments about diet, nutrition, exercise, please and thank you).
Ultimately, I'm always writing -- in my head or with my hands. And because of that, I'll not finish something until my life is punctuated by my death.
It makes me uneasy and comfortable at the same time.
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I'm experiencing a good amount of grief these days: in my marriage, friendships, work place, spiritually, and in my parenting. Today's ruminations are particularly focused on the futures of My Girls. Actually, it's not just today, it's been weeks and months now.
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Why am I feeling uneasy?
It's odd to me of how keenly and consciously hyperaware I am of raising my children.
When I'm with them, I wonder, "will they look back at this moment in 20-30 years and think, 'my mom was a GOOD woman'". When I'm not with them, I wonder, "will My Girls look back at their lives and wish they had more time with me? Will they blame me for not finding a way to stay home with them more? Will they be better, stronger women because of my choices, or will they find failure in themselves and me?"
Why would it make me comfortable?
I'm comfortable with it because I am affirmed that this is LIFE. I'm ALIVE. I'm feeling feelings, doing important work, thinking about someone besides myself. It's a process, this child-rearing thing. It makes me uneasy because the challenges I face with them are ones that allow My Girls AND *me* a chance at personal growth.
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I'm not unlike you, am I? Do you think about your legacy like this? Do dads do this, too?
Firstly, the word "labyrinth" is a favorite word of mine. It's an odd combination of letters, which is befitting for what it actually is.
1. an intricate combination of paths or passages in which it is difficult to find one's way or to reach the exit.
2. a maze of paths bordered by high hedges, as in a park or garden, for the amusement of those who search for a way out.
Secondly, I want to go to France to see the Chartres Cathedral. My church has a labyrinth encircled by a columbarium, which is modeled after the Chartres labyrinth. It's a serene meditative tool, one of my favorite places to exist, to be, so surrender myself, to feel love inflowing and outflowing.
Third and lastly, what exquisite, complicated, yet fluid and inviting pieces of art!
To see other elaborate, breathtaking and thought provoking labyrinths, click here.
In The Pleasure Groove ~ Love, Death and Duran Duran, is a book newly released by John Taylor (@thisistherealjt), bassist of none other than my most favorite band, Duran Duran (@DuranDuran). He's recorded it, so it's available on audiobook soon! Needless to say, I'm superexcited about this! I recently purchased Andy Taylor's book on iTunes. I really want to learn more about the life behind the life of the man.
I've talked with many friends who play music, some more accomplished than others. I hear in different media, too, about the genius of John's bass playing. I can't really relate to that level of appreciation because I don't play any instruments, nor have I studied music, but I know this: I feel good when I hear the music to which he's contributed. His bass lines serve a vital purpose in each song. I appreciate his love of music, his love of humanity and his sharing this with the world. He delivers *me* Into The Pleasure Groove. Yeah, baby.
Here's a YouTube video of him reading a snippet of his book. Enjoy!
"If you've got time to gripe about that, you've got too much time on your hands." "Geez, Jack! Seriously? THAT is one of your pet peeves??" "Of all the things to be annoyed about....*eyeroll*"
Yeah, I hear you.
::: Begin rant :::
DEATH BE TO THESE:
Non-Skid Paper Clips
You and your irritating ridges are like nails on a chalkboard to me! It will be my life's mission to throw away as many of you that come across my desk as possible!
::: End rant :::
And in case you're interested in the History of Paper Clips, enjoy reading this.
I'm no exception to the hordes of parents adding photos to the web commemorating the inevitable "first day of school". Yes, I'm guilty of posting it to Facebook. Luckily, I have a blog too! Double the action -- for FREE!
This is the last year My Girls will be at the same school ever. I'm a little sad about that, because My Little One won't have her Big Sister to look after her (not that she does now....haha). In my fantasy world, they actually like each other. I'm sure MLO will be just fine without her Big Sister, but still....IDK....I'm just sad that they're not going to be together after this year.
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Boa is embarking on sixth grade where (already) she'll be in Peer Mediation, Honor Choir and BAND, playing the EUPHONIUM! Also, in this school district, sixth grade is still at the elementary school level, so she's at the top of the food chain. She vowed not to be like the "mean" sixth graders she has struggled with the past two years. I'm proud of her for having that level of insight and compassion.
She is also a devoted Directioner. In lay terms, she's a fangirling, die-hard, swooning, daydreaming, borderlineobsessive fan of the British (and Irish [she'd kill me for leaving that part out!]) X-Factor and Simon Cowell-backed band known as One Direction. Resultingly, she's fallen *English accent* absolutely in love *return to American accent* with all things Britain; thus, the London shirt. This is one of several British/Directioner accoutrements she's acquired via the Back To School Shopping Excursions. We aren't done, either (hint: she has a birthday coming up in October. 1D is coming in concert in July, 2013.....). Lastly, she sported her new TOMS, which she One Directionally refers to as her "Tomlinsons" (the last name of one of the group members).
Then there's MLO.....
She's so independent already, confidence resides in her. Look at the sass she's wearing today: half hair pony tail (I guess that's the best way to describe it?), and hot pink armsleeveglovethingies. If she wore that to sixth grade, would she be coming home with deflated confidence and some cuts and bruises? They aren't pictured, but she's wearing black hightops that have hot pink and silvery glittery accents. She left the house announcing she's "gonna ROCK this school year OUT!".
She needed NO help from Mommy, to find her classroom. She requested no lunch to be packed and is reportedly an expert on what first graders carry in backpacks, though she isn't equipped with one today. There's a story behind that that I'll save for later. There WILL be a backpack forthcoming, though.
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Here's to My Girls, all students, educators, administrators, volunteers and parents, wishing you a fruitful school year.
Thanks to London, and the Thirtieth Olympiad, a musiccal generation has been bridged between me and my eleven year old daughter, Boa.
As if you didn't already know, I'm a life-long Duranie. Boa is a life-long Directioner (though not sure "lifetime" is really the appropriate word here....).
2 D
Duran Duran kicked off the Olympics as a band performing in Hyde Park before the Opening Ceremonies. One Direction will be a part of the Closing Ceremonies.
Today we ripped off a blogger named Metalmom from the blog I Don't Want to Hear It. We will do the fifty questions in two parts. She explains that she got it from Robin from the blog Libra Girl. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing! Sunday Stealing: The Too Tired to Think Meme, Part 2
26. What type of errands do you like running?
I'm not much of an errand runner. I actually hate it.
27. Have you ever eaten snow?
Of course.
28. What color are your bedsheets?
I have a few different sets: gray, cream with blue ivory print and chocolate brown. The chocolate brown set is my favorite.
29. What’s your favorite flower?
These:
30. Do you do ballet?
No, but I can dance like nobody's business!
31. Do you listen to classical music?
Absolutely. Don't live life without it. My favorite piece is Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata".
32. What is the first TV Theme song that pops in your head?
33. Do you watch Sponge Bob?
NO!
34. What temperature is it outside right now?
101F
35. Do people consider you smart?
Yes, and not meeting my potential.
36. How many piercing do you have?
Four, two in each ear.
37. Are you signed on [to] AIM?
Not anymore. Been a while since I used an AOL product.
38. Have you ever tried gluing your fingers together?
I've super-glued them together by accident. Also I *do* remember making glue finger nails. I'd squirt circles of glue on my desk at school for overnight hardening, come to school the next day and cut them into shape and stick them on my fingernails.
39. How do you feel about your family?
I love my family of origin and the one I've been given the grace to create. They challenge me to heal me, and allow me to heal them. I miss my brother & his family; I wished they lived closer.
40. Do you have an iPod?
Yes, but I need to get the battery fixed. It won't stay charged; only works while plugged into a power source.
41. What time do you go to bed?
Don't talk to me about sleep.....bitter subject.
42. What CD is currently in your CD player?
43. What movie do you know every line to?
I don't have the brain power for this. I don't think I ever have.
44. What is your favorite salad dressing?
I'm from Texas. It's Ranch, y'all! I also like Balsamic vinegarette.
45. What do you want for Christmas this year?
46. What family member/friend lives the farthest from you? Where?
My brother lives on the East Coast.
47. Do you like hugs?
Of course I do! Gimme!
48. Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
This morning. :)
49. What’s the way people most often mispronounce any part of your name?
Often a letter is mistaken for another one and it comes out an entirely different name - OR - it's pronounced with the long version of one vowel instead of another correct vowel.
I had the good fortune of watching "Copying Beethoven" which is a fictional movie about the timeless composer, Ludwig von Beethoven. I highly recommend this movie. Ed Harris does NOT look like Ed Harris.
I'm not sure how much he truly looks like Beethoven, either, but I
didn't recognize him. I guess that's a sign of transcendence, huh?
I'm fascinated by the fact that he had no children. There's a certain tragedy about that.
Below is a particularly lovely, emotional scene whereby the deaf Beethoven is conducting his Ninth Symphony with the assistance of his young copyist who kept time for him during the performance. So elegant, dramatic, delicate and moving....
The final scene was particularly fascinating. Earlier in the movie, Beethoven was certain there is no God. The copyist, the niece of a Catholic Mother Superior at the Viennese convent where the movie takes place, talks of God throughout the movie. Beethoven experienced a near-death experience just before this:
I went on an internet adventure to find some "Wonder" and some "Whoosh". The "Whoosh" turned out to be pretty easy. The "Wonder", however, notsoeasy. I found:
Wonder Wheel
Stevie Wonder
Wonder Bread
Wonder Woman (duh!)
Wonder Pets
And the more obscure, lesser-known "Wonders", such as:
Wonder Ballroom
Wonder Girls (huh?)
Wonder Boy (Wait, what?!)
Wonder Showzin (weird)
Wonder Project
Ginger Wonder (Trickin' it up!)
Wonder Sauna Hot Pants (Yeah. It's a real thing. Google it!)
I think it's fair to say I am an original. :)
~Whoosh!
P.S. Any of you graphics web designer folks wanna donate a WonderWhoosh blog header, LMK!
If you watched the show last night, you probably heard Xtina say she thought it was a good song, but it's derogatory toward women (because of "bitch"). Thank you to ADAM who enlightened all of us with an alternate interpretation: bitch is a metaphor for anything that gets in your way, whatever brings you down or causes you problems. What better way to break a stereotype than outsidetheboxthinking? Thank you, Adam!
I'm completely in love with this show. Funny thing is, I started watching it so that it could be a "family activity", especially one that didn't really cost any money, and we could do at home. My Husband and Girls watched American Idol together, and I think last season's The Voice, too. I was either studying, typing on the computer or smartphone, or doing some other sort of I-can't-sit-still-that-long busy-ness. I've tried harder over the last year to sit on the sofa per request of My Husband. He says quality time, partly, is sharing TV time together. And because My Family has very little time to spend together due to busy lives, I figured I'd give this a try. As it turns out, I'm pretty much the only one watching it now. My Husband goes off to work on other things sometimes, and My Girls read, paint fingernails, shower, do homework, play or a litany of other things. They'll occasionally dance or sing along, but mostly it's background noise to them anymore. They don't seem as excited as me about it, which is totally fine, but I do find it a bit ironic. I sometimes pull the Mom Guilt Card and make them watch it with me. Now that Stanley Cup playoff hockey is on, and we have only one television in our house, we do a lot of channel switching during commercials. It's quite a merry-go-round that I just have to laugh at.
So, the Final Four:
Chris Mann , the opera singer on Team Xtina (who is quite a badass I might add!), sang a velvety, moving "Ave Maria".
Jermaine Paul who has been a back-up singer for Alicia Keys (and is quite sexy!) representing Team Blake. He sang "Open Arms", but I didn't get to see this performance because I was applying vinegar to the back and shoulders of a verysosunburned Boa. I think he over-sings some, but he IS very good!
Juliet Sims representing Team CeeLo is reminscient of Janice Joplin. There's a je ne sais quoi about her that I dislike, but I think she's going to win it all. The chick rocks like Steven Tyler and that genre/generation. So good.
Last but not least, Tony Lucca representing Team Adam (he's a former Mouseketeer with Xtina and Britney, BTW). Yep, I'm riding that LUCCAmotive, baby! His cover of Brittney Spears' "Baby One More Time" was awesomesauce! And the "How You Like Me Now" was superfun to watch!
In a previous post, I mentioned Matthai. She was let go but I do think she has a promising career. I think her song choices were poor toward the end. I haven't asked my co-worker how Matthai is doing since leaving the show, but I'll bring it up soon.
And finally, a commentary about Dia Frampton, who won last year's competition returned to sing. Again, I didn't see the last season, so I have no idea what level of talent she was competing against, but I have to say she didn't impress me AT ALL! HOW did she ever win??
Thanks, Ceelo "Smooth Operator" Green. Thanks for representing all men in a very universal way. (He speaks these words at the end of the "Satisfaction" video below.)
This is the second season of The Voice, yet I had it in my mind it was a first-year show, especially considering all the publicity it was pushing and getting prior to debut. I was BEAT! DOWN! by all the commercials for this show, especially during my favorite time of year: Super Bowl.
I particularly thought Ceelo was being over-marketed, and, while I love Xtina's voice (and oy! That cleavage!), I think she's a little trashy. I didn't know Blake's music (I do now! Sidebar: I learned he's the singer of "Ol' Red", a *great* song!), but I knew enough to know he's made a name for himself in the Country (*and* Western) music genre. Then there's Adam.
*swoon*
Oh Adam.
MydeliciousnextgenerationSimonLeBonlickablesoverymetrosexuallydesirableAdam. Come unto me.
Adam is the initial reason I decided to watch the show. That, and my kids wanted me to watch with them. They win. I win. Win-win.
Now, the SHOW is the reason I watch the show!!
I! LOVE! THIS! SHOW!
If you're a music fan and don't watch or otherwise know about this show, watch THIS weirdness. In the paraphrased words of the overmarketedCeelo: It's wonderfully strange, bizarre, genius.....
Aside from the Adam Factor, the talent competition being judged purely on the sound of the voice (initially, the judges have their backs to the singer, therefore are at the mercy of only a voice), and not the look, is refreshing. For a society that lives and breathes vanity, it's uplifting to see "regular", "everyday" people get a shot in an industry that's geared toward "the beautiful people" as defined by some giant machine in Hollywood. Yep. I like this format. I like this a lotlot.
Also I like the idea of the battle rounds. For an older-ish (shh) person like me, and a particularly non-competitive soul, I fancy getting rid of one person per battle instead of the American Idol format. It's less tense. I'm impatient, too. This format satiates me instantly. I might not always agree with the choices, but at least the kill was fast, and we can all just move on accordingly.
I think the judges panel feedback at the end of the battle song is a little cheesy, and this is where I think Adam is weaker than the rest (unless you count Blake's penchant for scantily clad women). Adam's participating in the process but he seems uneasy or uncertain about what he should say so he speaks with an awkward affect. How many times can a person say "that was weird"? Adam offers at least four, without ever offering another word besides "weird". Note to Adam: take a page from Ceelo's book, study it and apply generously.
As for the contestant watch, I like the roller coaster ride: the rejection and the adulation, played
out all in one segment. Additionally, like any good show, the human
element is at play - the story behind the voice. All body shapes are
represented. Various walks of of life are showcased: older, younger,
skinny, fat, sultry, plain, grieving, in-recovery, and various
socio-economic cross-sections of our society. It makes one realize how
exceptionally talented people are, and these people are all around us.
Hell, these people ARE us!
Too, endearing are the contestants who are so modest, humble, unsure. It will be interesting to see an evolution.
Related tangent: Remember how I just said the reason I watch the show is the show, and that I decided to give it a whirl during the Super Bowl Beat Down? Well, an unexpected alternate reason befell me: Mathai.
I was first introduced to Mathai's music
via a co-worker who is very close to Mathai; in fact, she refers to her
as her "little sister". I viewed a couple videos of the two of them
singing together at their church -- so lovely! So, naturally, when I was
told Mathai was going to be on The Voice, my interest grew more.
I would consider Mathai atypical, based purely on her race, as the Middle Eastern culture is not exactly represented in American Pop music. Watching her, it's clear she's "Americanized", and breaking the traditions of her family and culture to a certain degree. She is the daughter of professional parents who are in the medical field; they expected her to pursue medicine. Instead, she's pursuing The Dream. Her voice *is* unique, and I'm certain she'll be making a name for herself past this show (as confirmed by Blake's sugary, Southern-accented claim at 1:38 in the video.)
There ya have it -- my two cents about The Voice.
My only lingering question is: When is the reality show about SMARTS going to be created and aired? We need something that would feature a different set of values along the lines of the next great brain, scientist, and the like. It's about time The Culture Machine starts "glamorizing" some OTHER kinds of creative talent.
My Mother and I have been, on a fairly regular basis, going out to breakfast together on Saturday mornings.
We've found a folksy, quaint local place that's turned into a favorite of hers (I kinda crush on it too. And by "local", I mean notanationalchainrestaurant.).
Today, she ordered corned beef and hash -- a food I've never tried, nor have I been interested in trying. She excitedly handed the menu to the waitress and said to me, "I haven't had that since I was a KID!"
After taking a couple bites, she offers me a bite, too, leaving a small clump of it on my plate (that was perfectly dressed in Migas, btw).
Two or three years ago, I decided I'd be more open to trying foods to broaden my palate (and apparently it's broadening my hips, too! Fail.). So, I poke my fork in this dog-food-look-alike. As it approaches my mouth, I smell it and guess what? It smells like dog food! I take a breath and resolve to remain open-minded.
First impression: this must be what dog food tastes like! GROSS!
Briny. Grainy. Strong.
Not a fan.
And neither was Mom.
More power to you if you like this stuff. Feel free to have my share.
My friend, Naughty, inspires me. Her nickname I use for her here suggests something different that what I'm about to type. You see, she's the fiercest lover I know. And by lover, I mean, a person who strives to love in a multitude of ways. She's keenly aware of her shortcomings and failures and works to overcome them, not let them limit her, not let them jade her love for people (and animals).
A few years ago, on My Space, she picked *me* as her Valentine and wrote some sweet words about me. I was blown away and deeply, infinitely humbled. Her blog post revealed to me that Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about love in the traditional sense of boyfriend-girlfriend, husband-wife. Valentine's Day is yet another opportunity to tell someone -- anyone -- you love him/her. Her blog post inspired me to do the same. Bottom line: Valentine's Day isn't just about romance. It's about L~O~V~E!
Naughty posted these words of love wisdom and I am compelled to share them here (orginal credit to Robert Ciantar):
Listen without interrupting
Speak without accusing
Give without sparing
Pray without ceasing
Answer without arguing
Share without pretending
Enjoy without complaint
Trust without wavering
Forgive without punishing
Promise without forgetting
I have a LOT of growth left, and a lot of work to do!
All fresh and recovered from Mardi Gras? Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation yesterday? Did you remember to fast and abstain from meat? (Me neither!)
On to proper business: my birthday post~game wrap~up. (Pardon the frilly ~; the dash/underscore key doesn't work on this laptop's keyboard anymore. I'm mourning the loss, but please treat me no differently than you would any other day....)
I turned 41.
My birthday was celebrated over the span of two weeks. I was treated to lunches and happy hours prior to the actual day. Thank you to all of you! I'm spoiled. And humbled. And grateful!
My *actual* birthday was on a Friday this year. I took the day off work and hung out with a friend most of the day. Prior to that, though, I was awakened by My Lovely Family serving me breakfast in bed. On the "You Are Special Today" red plate:
After a terrible battle with traffic on the way home, I feasted on sushi with My Mom, My Girls and My Husband. I was surprised My Mom joined us, and quite pleased about it! She even tried the sushi, and enjoyed her non-sushi meal. I was buzzing from the plum wine - a new favorite!
Sushi Parade
Later, we took our full bellies to the FroYo place and made ourselves utterly miserable! Birthday FroYo might have to become a new tradition. Avocado tart is the way to go, yo!
Thank you to all of you who celebrate me on my birthday (and all the days of my life).
On 1310 AM The Ticket today, The Hardline (evenings 3-7) was reviewing Corby's list of songs that were number one on the U.S. music charts from his birthday through age 21. Danny reviewed his last week (I missed it), and next up is The Old Gray Wolf himself, Mike.
Inspired by the segment, I decided to post *my* list of songs that were number one on the U.S. music charts from January 27, 1971 until my 21st birthday in 1992.
Being born in the 70's will make some interesting findings, I'm sure. The decade was hippie-laden and disco funky. I came of age in the 80's. Though I'm not much of a traditional 80's music fan, I'm sure to get a giggle or seven from the list. I turned 21 in the early 90's and was sort of out of the music scene by then, too wrapped up in a new nephew, my boyfriend, college and other silly stuff.
71: Knock Three Times ~ Tony Orlando & Dawn
72: American Pie ~ Don McLean
73: Superstition ~ Stevie Wonder
74: The Way We Were ~ Barbara Streisand
75: Laughter In The Rain ~ Neil Diamond
76: Love Rollercoaster ~ Ohio Players
77: Car Wash ~ Rose Royce
78: Baby Come Back ~ Player
79: Le Freak ~ Chic
80: Rock With You ~ Michael Jackson
81: The Tide Is High ~ Blondie
82: I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) ~ Hall & Oates
83: Down Under ~ Men At Work
84: Owner Of A Lonely Heart ~ Yes
85: I Want To Know What Love Is ~ Foreigner
86: That's What Friends Are For ~ Dionne & Friends
87: At This Moment ~ Billy Barrett & The Beaters
88: Need You Tonight ~ INXS
89: Two Hearts ~ Phil Collins (*year I graduated high school. My class song was "Forever Young by Rod Stewart. #jackietrivia)
90: How Am I Supposed To Live Without You ~ Michael Bolton
91: The First Time ~ Surface
92: Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me ~ Elton John & George Michael
Well, well, well....all in all, I'd say January 27th folks fared very well in music! Throw out the hoaky song of 1990, overall, the list is decent.
Accounting for inflation and depreciation, amortized over 35 years, anyone else see the giggle in the fact that a group called "Player" sang a song called "Baby Come Back"? (1978)
The songs I'd never heard (of) until compiling this list:
* Laughter In The Rain: Now that I've listened to the song, I realize I HAVE heard the song! I love the interwebs!
* Love Rollercoaster (had to post it for Wolfman Jack greatness!). Now that I've listened to the song, I realize I HAVE heard the song (redux)! I can tell you with 1000% certainty I didn't know until *this blog post* that the superhighpitched part, those dudes are saying "rollahcoastah". Wow. I feel very, very whitegirl, yet so enlightened (no pun intended).
* The First Time: Now that I've listened to the song, I realize I HAVE heard the song (redoux)! What a way to end my list! NOT a fan of this song. No wonder I checked out of music in the early 90's.....
Sadly, no Duran Duran. My favorite band, a band Of The Eighties, not on my list. I'm rather sad about this..... Not even one!#seewhatididthere
I'm going to go look up my family's as well as mine for the UK Charts. I'm interested in comparing the U.S. to the U.K. list & I'll be sure to share it with you.
The one sort of "friend" I've made at my new job got fired today.
Happy Friday the 13th to her, right? *party*
When embarking on my new job opportunity, I consciously decided I wouldn't make friends. I would be nice, cordial, friendly, but not open to bonding. I don't particularly want a lunch buddy, nor do I want to be involved in matters of your life. I don't want to share my own life with co-workers. It's enough for me to say "I'm sick and can't come in", and exchange niceties. I don't want you knowing what my kids wore for Halloween, what I'm doing for Christmas, and so forth. Moreover, I don't want to be a part of the gossip pool that exists in offices. I'm here to learn, to do, to leave.
Yet, it started happening. I guess it can't not.
There's one lady that worked in our file room that I found particularly interesting. She was on contract-hire status. She's from Mexico City. She moved from Mexico on her own to the United States - Houston, Texas - as a teenager so she could advance her education. She knew no one.
She eventually got married, had a child. That child now attends Southern Methodist University, studying science/pre-med, something or other. The two of them moved to Dallas and live together; her husband remains in Houston. She doesn't allow her daughter to work so that she can concentrate on studies.
Given my background of living along the border, I found it easy to talk with her at certain company gatherings and the two of us tended to gravitate toward each other. During an outing, she mentioned she's learning Hebrew. Then she later shared she's Jewish -- NOT a convert, either!
I found this to be QUITE fascinating for, in all my years of being in El Paso, never had I heard of Mexican Jews! Given my interest in both culture and religion, I was naturally curious to learn more. Conversation struck up from time to time.
I've not been at my current job for very long. I've noticed how some of my co-workers condescendingly talk to her, treat her. I've admired how my "friend" worked through the mistreatment. After hearing a little about her plight, I understood better why she does.
The bottom line is that I feel like she's being wrongly fired. Like I said at the beginning of the blog, I've tried to steer clear from gossip and bonding. Yet, I still feel like there were times that she was on the black list.
Today, of all days (if you're the superstitious type), is the day my "friend" was Black Listed.
She is leaving with dignity and I praise her for working all day, completing as much as she could, even though she knew it was her last day.
I wish her luck. I wish her joy. I wish her peace. I wish her a good job where people treat her with dignity and respect.
(How's that for a "fun" blog?! *goes back to the drawing board*)
This blog isn't fun anymore is it? It's become rather heavy and serious. C'mon, you can be honest.
It's b(L)ogged down by psychology psycho-babbleble, my life blah-ness, church stuff. (You should see the naughty I have in draft form! #storyofmylife)
It isn't fun with words, great sports thoughts (ahem), light and silly pop-culture hoop-lah. No more fantasizing with "Trust Fund Baby", or even sexy things.
What's happened to me?
I know what's happened.... *keeps them secret*
But it's time to break out! It's time to shed the heavy and be light. It's time to step out of the dark and into the light.
I spend A LOT of time on The Twittah (see side panel of thurr somewhurr~~>).
You see, on The Twittah, it's fast and easy. For the A.D.D. individual, it's perfect. If you're not A.D.D. before being on The Twittah, you'll be come A.D.D. by being there.
Also on The Twittah, there are communities of people with vast talents and passions. One can find *everything* there from church-related content, recipe sharing, political advocacy, word games, business promotion, sports scores, community events, naughtiness (and I don't mean merely flirting), etc. It can be quite chatroom-ish. Live tweeting during sporting events is fun. It's better than live blogging -- I would imagine. I remember Dan from [Redacted] would try to live blog The Bachelor and I never got that concept until I joined The Twittah.
Me? I've found a group of people who enjoy sports and The Ticket. I've found a handful of poets, writers and photographers that put up great stuff. Maybe sometime I'll blog about my favorite creative The Twittah accounts.....
In my The Twittah activities, I've really tapped into the poetic and photographic parts, and those parts have, in turn, inspired growth in my own poetry and photography. I use tumblr to feature some of my photographs, but others go straight to TwitPic or yfrog.
There's this whole underbelly of The Twittah that I don't fully understand but I fully intend to someday (right when it becomes archaic...?). I don't know if it's a bot or what, but when I tweet a haiku and hashtag it (#haiku), some force of space copies my haiku from The Twittah and posts it here.
The website is called Poeet. I can only imagine that it's a combination of poet + tweet. *waits for the Nobel Peace Prize in Brilliance*
I have mixed feelings about this phenomenon, but the majority of me thinks it's pretty cool. So...enjoy my haikus however you are able to see them. If it's the CIA, though, I'm creeped out.
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