The Mind Wobbles

Hello again...

2012-01-26T11:01:00.003-05:00

ish. For today at least...

So Happy New Year! YAY! New year, new commitment to Blogging every day! Yeah...no. What can I say? My muse is apparently taking an extended vacation with relatives.

So...a quick update.

I'm alive. I'm alive despite having a cold from hell that tried to kill me over the holidays. I celebrated Noche Buena and New Year's Eve with a fever. But did that keep me from going to parties? Hell no!

Currently I'm mildly obsessed with and wildly amused by the Republican primaries. Seriously - they're a riot.

As some of you may know, I am most definitely not a Republican, but I am a political geek. I've watched *all* the Republican debates - alternately fulminating (Scrabble word!) and cracking up.

I was awake until 3:30 a.m. watching the Iowa Caucus until Carolyn and Edith saved democracy. That's great TV folks!

And then there were four...

You'd think the departure of Perry, Bachmann and Cain (huntsman - not so much) would diminish the hilarity - but no! The fab four are a ton of fun!

Watching Rick Santorum trying to reign in the crazy while still spouting stuff like how women pregnant as a result of rape should make the best of a bad situation is exciting; watching The Strange Case of Doctor Gingrich and Mister Newt is riveting; watching the Mittster pretending hes not rich rich is laugh out loud funny; and watching Ron Paul, god love him, making sense until he doesn't is always entertaining.

I can't wait for tonight's debate on CNN. Will Newt yell at John King again? Will Mitt become a quivering mess if his father's exemplary campaign practices are pitted against his own? Will Santorum finally get that stick out of his butt? Will Ron Paul be allowed to speak?

The excitement!

Maybe I'll come back tomorrow and give you my impressions of tonight's debate. Or not...who knows?

No More Drawing

2011-12-15T01:36:00.000-05:00

So yeah...I quit the drawing thing because it was too hard...I'll be back!

30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 5 - My Best Friend

2011-12-09T00:21:00.001-05:00

Oh dear...I have to draw my best friend. Cris, I'm sorry! Hahahahaha!

Tomorrow I get a day off from drawing...and you get a day off from looking at it!

30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 4 - Favorite Place

2011-12-07T02:21:00.001-05:00

Well...my favorite place is Miami! And no it's not just because it's relatively easy to draw! It's home :)

Wow, that's bad! Clearly, not so easy to draw after all!

Hahahahahaha...

30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 3 - Favorite Food

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Food? They want me to draw food? It's hard enough to figure out what my favorite food is, let alone draw it. Today, I'll say Sushi.

Mmmm...sushi....

30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 2 - Favorite Animal

2011-12-05T08:33:00.001-05:00

So how did Day 1 work for you? Staggering genius - I know! Well today's is my favorite animal, haha. Any of you who have played Pictionary with me know that in my art work all animals look exactly alike, except for an occasional hump if it's a camel.

Day 2 - "Favorite Animal"

See? Told you!

30 Day Drawing Challenge - Day 1 - Myself

2011-12-04T21:55:00.001-05:00

OK...let's see how this goes...I so can't draw! And I'm doing this using MS Paint.

Nothing good can come of this...

Day One - "Myself"

The End...of NaBloPoMo

2011-11-30T20:06:00.000-05:00

Well...I did it! Some days better than others, but I completed NaBloPoMo - 30 days of Blogging. It had been a long time since I Blogged for 30 consecutive days. It was hard. I didn't resort to memes, but I did use a writer's prompt once.

I'm glad I did it, if nothing else to prove to myself that I could. I want to get back into writing more, but I guess I'm distracted. There are days when there's just nothing in my head that I feel merits writing.

I want to try and write more frequently here, but I won't make promises. I don't want this to be a chore, that would defeat the purpose of outside work writing.

If anyone is reading this, thank you...and if you've actually stuck with me the whole month a bigger thank you!

Hugs!

Is it wrong to want to live at Trader Joe's?

2011-11-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

Have you ever been to Trader Joe's? OHMYGOD! It's magical. *EVERYTHING* is good. And inexpensive. And...good. Sadly we don't have one in Miami, but there are several near the in-laws' house.

Two of the most popular items are seasonal and sell out quickly - but I got them! Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe-Joes and the Dark Chocolate Coated Peppermint Cookie - amazing! Look at them!

and

And I also got the Peppermint Joe-Joe Ice Cream!

We got a bunch of other non-Joe-Joe related stuff...cheese, wines, soups, bread, sausage...YUMMY!

If you have one near you run don't walk!

Sightseeing

2011-11-28T20:23:00.000-05:00

We went driving around sightseeing today. Look at all the cool stuff we saw all within an hour's drive from inlaws' house!

The picture above is just a pretty road. In this area you can drive for 15 minutes turn off a main road for about a mile and you get ruraler and ruraler as you go.

More prettiness...

Downtown New Hope, Pennsylvania...

While driving around New Hope I saw this sign

And of course I made David pull over...and bought one of each of the beef and game jerky! I haven't tried them yet...

Here's the Delaware River...

The Bridge over the river from New Hope into Lambertville, New Jersey

Lambertville prettiness...

We had a great time and a nice easy day...I love just driving around going up and down random streets. You never know what you'll find!

Sunday Tomato Pie

2011-11-27T21:00:00.003-05:00

We had a good, relaxing day today. We went to the "new/old-fangled" mass. Today was the first day of the revised English mass. Ridiculous waste of time, money and effort as far as I'm concerned. Basically they changed words around to what is supposed to be a closer translation from Latin. So pretty much it's a translation of the prayers I learned in Spanish. Whatever.

We had lunch at a neighborhood Mexican restaurant and then came home and hung out. Some friends came over for the Eagles game - they lost - and we ordered a Tomato Pie which was AWESOME!

Later we started talking about old TV shows and wound up watching old episodes on YouTube of stuff like the Six Million Dollar Man, Bionic Woman, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (ohmygod), Wonder Woman, Shazam!, The Secrets of Isis (Oh might Isis, Isis, Isis!) and even Battle of the Network Stars. We laughed till we cried!

Do you remember any of those?

Vacation Styles

2011-11-26T22:46:00.006-05:00

Some of you may know that Hubby and I met online back in 1995 before it was a "thing", we met in an AOL chat room. He lived in PA and I lived in Miami, so our entire "courtship" occurred by telephone back when there were way fewer cell phones and no free long distance plans - so you can imagine the cost!

Despite the soaring phone bills really all we had was talking, so for over 2 years we talked at least once, often twice a day. So, we had a lot of time to talk about all the stuff you *should* talk about before getting married - such as politics, views on child rearing, views on family, how we'd handle finances, etc. So much so that when we took our pre-wedding retreat (a Catholic thing) we had already talked about literally *every issue* they told us we should discuss before we got married.

You know one that the retreat people didn't mention and we didn't discuss? Vacation Styles. Do you view out of town vacations as an opportunity to relax, if visiting family just hanging out with them at home watching TV, sleeping in late every day, etc.? Or, do you view them as opportunities to go out with or without an agenda) and explore places you don't know or return to favorite places, do some sightseeing, just walk around and soak in the place?

Someone should have suggested that we discuss it. So I am hereby advising any and all people who are planning to get married to discuss it. It doesn't have to be a deal breaker if you have differing styles, but at least everyone will know how to set expectations. We've been married 14 years and I'm still struggling with it.

In case you haven't guessed, I'm the second style described above. David...not so much. So what usually happens is as follows:

I want to go somewhere - anywhere really - and I tell him. He tells me he doesn't want to go. I try to convince him to go. He still doesn't want to go. I get all passive-aggressive. He gets pissed and says something like "FINE! We'll go, let's just go!", clearly not wanting to go. I get pissed and tell him to forget it, I don't want to go if he doesn't want to go because then it wouldn't be any fun.

WOO HOO Vacation fun!

Everything had been fine until now because with the holiday hoo-ha and his brother and family in from Texas it was reasonable to want to stay in. They flew back home today. So, we went through this exercise earlier tonight. We wound up going to dinner nearby *but* to a restaurant to which we'd never been...a compromise of sorts.

Tomorrow we're mostly staying in so he can watch football with hometown friends and I'm perfectly fine with that. It'll be fun.

Then there's Monday...(sigh)

What's your vacation style? Is it compatible with your SO's?

Pandora Pandemonium - Black Friday Edition

2011-11-25T19:57:00.006-05:00

Look at what a pretty day we had today! Sunny and low 60s - perfect day to not be in the mall going crazy. Instead SIL and I went to a nice shopping village called Peddler's Village, had a lovely lunch and walked around. It was great!

So...let's see what Pandora gives us as we recover from Thanksgiving overindulgence. It should have been a Lola Shuffle this week, but I think I left Lola in Miami!

Waterloo - ABBA - Woooo...love them! And this is a great song as are the outfits in the video! C'mon, you want that blue gaucho outfit and white boots...don't lie.
The Delivery Man - Elvis Costello - I'd never heard this song, but I love this guy's voice, he just oozes cool.
You and I - Michael Bublé - Meh. I have Bublé issues. He obviously has a great voice, that not it. And I love his original songs, in other words not covers of other people's hits. I find he nakes the covers boring when compared to originals. Here's Stevie Wonder's original of this song - no comparison IMO.
You've Lost That Loving Feeling - The Righteous Brothers - What needs to be said? A great classic song, and they sound great.
Don't Tell Me - Avril Lavigne - I like this girl and this song has a necessary and surprising message, and is quite empowering for teen girls. YAY Avril!
On the Floor - Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull - JLoooooo and Pitbulllllllllllllll! Wooooo! My home boyyyyy! I love this song...straight up dance music that's it and that's enough.
Pride (In the Name of Love) - U2 - Another classic - vintage U2, all righteous and "anthemic" and awesome...
Aurora Lucis, Hymn for Easter - Gregorian Chant - Wrong holiday but very very pretty.
Going to the Fair - The Chieftains - I love Irish music, both traditional, like this one as well as classic rock and current stuff. These guys have been around frever and still manage to stay relevant and current. (I couldn't find a YouTube entry for this song.)
Have You Ever Seen the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival - Another classic! How great is this song and how great are CCR?

Good job Pandora! I hope you all have a great weekend and finish those leftovers!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T21:34:00.004-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving for those who celebrate the holiday, and for those who don't, I hope you have many things for which to be thankful.

Thinking about that for which I'm thankful is a yearly exercise and an important one. It seems that the last few years have been the same, I'm thankful for the same things, and honestly, that's a good thing. That means my life is consistently blessed!

For what am I thankful? First and foremost, of course, my husband David. He's my heart, he believes in me, he inspires me, he props me up, he challenges me, he makes me laugh - all of equal importance - in short he loves me beautifully.

Then there are my friends. As I've said before I have several groups of friends corresponding to different aspects of my life - all are important, all are integral to my happiness. As an only child of a relatively small family, friends have always been important - but now they're more important than ever and I'm lucky to have a phenomenal group of people in my life.

My family. Now that both my parents are gone, most of my family are my in-laws. There's loads of them - and I just had Thanksgiving dinner with all of them! And there's also my aunt - my father's sister - and her husband and two kids who in turn are married and have two children each. Coincidentally, because life is like that, they live in New Jersey, about an hour away from my in-laws', so whenever we come for the holidays I see them. In fact we're having dinner with them on Monday.

My job. Yes, it's a painish and I complain, but I know I'm lucky to have a job and even more lucky that I enjoy it. It's a good company with great benefits. I'm definitely thankful for that. lease remind me about this in a week and a half when I have to go back to the office after being on vacation for two weeks.

My health. It's not perfect, there's a lot that can be better, but big picture - I'm so lucky!

Those are the big ones, but I'm also thankful for countless moments of joy and blessings.

What about you? For what are you thankful?

Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

There's Pie!

2011-11-23T16:26:00.004-05:00

Look at what my sister-in-law Cristi made! The bottom left is Pear/Cranberry/Apple Crumble; the bottom right is Pumpkin Pecan; and the top two are Dixie Pie which consist of Walnuts, Chocolate Chips, Bourbon and Brown Sugar! She also made a pumpkin roll and is going to make a sweet potato pie per my request!

This is the sister-in-law that lives in Texas. She' David's brother's wife. In addition to wonderful pies, she's an all-around great cook. She was the "head chef" for the famous Christmas Goose dinner a couple of years ago.

We're going pretty standard traditional this year - regular roast turkey cooked with turnips and butternut squash, several stuffings/dressings, mashed potatoes, sweet potato mash with bacon (!), green bean casserole, creamed onions, Brussels sprouts (yay!) and the pies. You know me though, I could easily do with just the side dishes. The turkey can be the centerpiece, Ha!

Rainy Days and Tuesdays...

2011-11-22T14:15:00.005-05:00

Bah...it's rainy and chilly and gloomy. Even though it rains a lot in Miami, it's usually a quick intense downpour, but before and after might not be super sunny all the time, but it's rarely dark and gloomy the whole day - that only happens a few times a year.

But the morning took a decided upturn when we went out for breakfast and I got my scrapple!

Scrapple is one of my favorite breakfast meats! You can have it savory, as is, or you can have it sweet which I did this morning by pouring syrup over it...yummy!

Tonight we're celebrating my niece's 6th birthday by going to a neighborhood Italian restaurant...and then we come back for cake - actually per the birthday girl's request, not cake, she wants cherry pie - and presents. And maybe later some board game playing.

For tomorrow, I'm lobbying for a visit to Wilmington and Dover, Delaware. David is less than enthusiastic but I've never been and wanna go! Wish me luck, I'll let you know how it goes.

iPhone Blogging

2011-11-21T11:24:00.004-05:00

See that title...it's a lie. You, or maybe just me, can't Blog on the iPhone. I can type in the title...but then there's no way to get to the text body area. I tried to be good and Blog on the road during the last leg of the road trip. Epic Fail.

Anyway, we're here! We arrived to fog and rain but it's not too cold. It's supposed to rain a lot tomorrow but be dry and "allegedly" not too cold by Thanksgiving. We'll see.

When we got to my in-laws' house all four nieces were here and the nephew arrived shortly thereafter. YAY! All the Christmas gifts I ordered are here and ready to be wrapped. YAY! I already had my first Philly Cheese steak YAY!

And...I won $50 on a North Carolina scratch-off lotto ticket! WOO HOO!

Lets see what adventures await tomorrow!

Roanoke Rapids - Here We Come!

2011-11-20T09:16:00.002-05:00

Saturday was a great driving day! We even got to Kingsland a but ahead of schedule.

The weather was great and there was no traffic. And the drive went quickly because David and I spent a lot of the time chatting about all sorts of things. You know how when you live together you find yourself more often than not talking about "logistics" and quotidian stuff? Well, yesterday we told stories about our teenage years, we talked about our proms, etc. It was really really nice!

Hopefully today's drive will be as nice or better!

Aaaaaand...we're off!

2011-11-19T10:22:00.002-05:00

OK, today we start the two day drive to Pennsylvania. Tonight we'll be stopping in Kingsland, Georgia.

Oh the road wonders that await...Waffle House coffee...Sonic Chocolate Coke..."road food"!

The Blogging may be sketchy, but I'll try my best!

Pandora Pandemonium - The I'm About to Go on Vacation Edition

2011-11-18T08:00:00.005-05:00

Coat of Many Colors - Eva Cassidy - I had never heard this song, it's written by Dolly Parton and is lovely. Cassidy's voice is so amazing!
Ten Years Gone - Led Zeppelin - Meh. Some of you may know I'm not a Led Zeppelin. I don't know this song, and don't particularly like it. YAY for Pandora's fast forward...
After the Thrill is Gone - The Eagles - Fabulous! I love the Eagles and this song while not as popular as many of thier other songs is, imo, one of their best. The lyrics are staggering..."What can you do when your dreams come true and it's not quite like you planned? What have you done to be losing the one you held it so tight in your hand?..."
This Land Is Your Land - Peter, Paul and Mary - I think this song should be the national anthem of the United States. It's more relevant and is easier to sing. And it's all kinds of awesome. Speaking of awesome - Peter, Paul and Mary - love them!
The Edge of Glory - Lady Gaga - This is probably my favorite Lady Gaga song, and I like most of her songs. It's definitely a "dance alone in the living room" song...it's invigorating and happy! And the Clarence Clemons solo in the video - one of his last performances - way to stay current Clarence...such a loss. Good for Gaga to feature him in her video!
Chasing Pavements - Adele - This girl is amazing! Her songs are so evocative...coupled with her voice they are raw emotion. This is one of those...you feel her confusion and pain. And she's so young, I can't wait to see what she does next.
Mucho Corazón - Beny Moré - Moré is my favorite Cuban singer hands down. This is just one of his many phenomenal boleros. And the orchestra...listen to those horns. This makes me want to dance.
See You Soon - Coldplay - I don't know this song, but like all the Coldplay songs I've heard, I like it. I don't really know a lot of their stuff other than the "hits" - maybe I'll set up a Pandora Coldplay station. Plus I think Chris Martin's a cutie.
Many the Miles - Sara Bareilles - Another song I don't know, Pandora's shuffling up lots of new music for me today. I like it, and I really like her voice. This song is kinda bluesy with gospel sounding back up vocals.
Coyote - Joni Mitchell - Wow, I hadn't heard this song in years! It's supposed to be autobiographical where she tells about an affair she had with Sam Shepard. It's an odd song rhythmically and not especially sing-alongable, but with that voice this woman can do anything and it sounds fantastic. And how cool is this video from the movie "The Last Waltz"?

So there you have it boys and girls. Next Friday I will be in the Philadelphia 'burbs in a post-Thanksgiving stupor. Who knows what will happen!

Have a great weekend and try to start a little pandemonium of your own.

I Hit the Wall #1

2011-11-17T08:00:00.002-05:00

So...here it is Day 17 of NaBloPoMo and I have hit the proverbial wall...I got nuthin'. But I knew this was going to happen and I prepared for it. A hundred years ago when I wanted to "improve my craft" (stop laughing at me!) I bought something called A Tool Kit for Writers. I am using it today. Here we go...

The the "innovative card designed to help me break through writer's block" (according to the back of the box) that I chose says "Write a Letter".

(blinks) I don't need to write a letter.

OK fine...this has been on my mind since Tuesday. I've Facebooked it (yes I made it a verb), I kvetched about it at work, I Plurked about it, so here we go.

Dear Domino's Pizza,

Let me start by commending you on your vastly improved pizza. The changes you've advertised are, in fact, awesome. Yay you!

Now to the point of this letter (other than the NaBloPoMo thing). I am going to explain to you why you shouldn't cut your thin crust pizza into teeny-tiny squares.

Basically, it's stupid. If I wanted hors d' ouevres I'd buy Totino's Pizza Rolls and shove a toothpick in 'em. I don't want cocktail food - I want dinner!

We ordered a thin crust Pacific Vegetable, which is delicious. But, the pieces were so damned tiny they couldn't even hold a black olive! I can't get yummy pizza goodness in a 1" x 1" square. I need a triangular slice the way God intended pizza to be eaten! That way the plethora of veggies can get all up in there.

Now, I'll happily eat a slice of Sicilian pizza cut into squares. Or the fantastic tomato pie we get in the Philly suburbs which is also cut in squares. *They're* cut in big pieces - at least 3" on each side - I can actually taste the pizza! But those ridiculous little tid-bits you inflict on us are useless. And messy. And just...no!

If you must continue being wrong and cutting it into miniscule bites, then at least gives us the opportunity to tell you to cut them *correctly* when we order online. There's nowhere to write "special instructions". So here I sat sadly eating miniature pizza molecules.

Everything else is fabulous...now strive for perfection and do the right thing.

Hugs and Kisses,
Me.

There...I made it through Day 17.

Bah! I have a cold!

2011-11-16T08:00:00.002-05:00

Really? Seriously? Four days before I take off on a road trip to Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving I get a cold? A road trip when you're feeling like crap sucks - and I love road trips!

Having a cold and staying home sick was so much better when we were kids! Of course at the time I felt awful but looking back now it was great!

I would get to sleep in and watch TV all day. Depending on the time frame there were the game shows - $25,000/$100,00 Pyramid, Let's Make a Deal, Match Game, Joker's Wild, Concentration, The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game, Hollywood Squares and so many more.

Then there were the soaps - never mind most of the time I was too young to understand what was really going on. Again, depending on the year there was Love of Life (raise your hand if you remember that one!), Ryan's Hope, Dark Shadows, All My Children and General Hospital - this was before VCRs, so it was the only way to catch up on your "story" until Christmas and Summer vacations. Oh and remember the talk shows? The Merv Griffin Show and The Mike Douglas Show were my favorites!

My grandmother would make me comfort food...of course, depending on what was wrong with me the food varied. If it was my stomach she'd make chicken soup with angel hair pasta, potatoes, malanga, etc. It was very close to this recipe in fact.

But if it was a cold, well then she had to feed me so I could get my strength back to fight the cold - which meant - lots of food! There was still the chicken soup, or sometimes she would make "potaje" which is kind of a soupy stew made with vegetables and meat run through a blender. I might even get my ultimate comfort food fried eggs and white rice!

And later when they got home from work, my parents might bring me a comic book or some other inexpensive trinket to distract me. Sleep, TV, good food and a toy! Such a deal!

But guess what! I stayed home sick yesterday. I slept in, watched TV and Hubby warmed up some left over take out Wonton soup and made me fried eggs and white rice for lunch! I didn't get an Archies comic book, but that's OK!

Coffee Night

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

image source

Last night was "Coffee Night". Once a month I get together with my "core friends" - these are women with whom I've been friends between 10 and 30 years. I've known most of them for at least half my life. I'm blessed to have several groups of wonderful friends from different areas of my life, but these "girls" are my foundation.

For the last 11 years we've been meeting once a month at a centrally located Starbucks to spend 3 hours or so talking and laughing - there's lots of laughing. When we started "coffee night" my friends all had kids in grade school - I'm the only one in the group that doesn't have children - now most are in college, in fact a couple are Seniors in college! We've endured cancer diagnoses and treatments, illness, the death of parents and grandparents, vacation adventures, turning 40!, husbands turning 50, marriages on the brink and back, near nervous breakdowns and everything in between.

Basically we've experienced life - and we experienced it together. We know as we get older we'll have new experiences, some harder than others, but by now we know we'll do it together - and that will make it easier, more fun, and hopefully will bring us lots more laughter.

Book Review - "Just Kids" by Patti Smith

2011-11-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

I loved Patti Smith's Just Kids. I love the story she tells, the way she tells it, the people she talks about and the places where she takes us.

The book is Smith's keeping a promise she made to her friend, lover, and muse - artist Robert Mapplethorpe - as he was dying of AIDS in 1989. It's the story of their 22 year friendship, love story and collaboration - a coming of age story set in New York's art and music world. New York City is as much a main character as are Patti and Robert. It's not a pretty New York City - lots of drugs and hustling - but a vibrant art and music scene. And my elusive Shengri-La, the Chelsea Hotel is also a star in the book. They lived there for several years and it was crucial to their development as artists.

I was actually more familiar with Mapplethorpe's work than with Smith's until recently. I've always admired Mapplethorpe's work even as it disturbed me. Reading about how his art evolved as a mirror of his life was fantastic. The name-dropping in the book is fabulous - Smith and Mapplethorpe were in the thick of the Warhol and Chelsea Hotel scene. That's how Smith came to be in the same room as Kris Kristofferson singing "Me and Bobby McGee" to Janis Joplin for the first time - can you imagine!

Smith's writing is beautiful, her love for Mapplethorpe is felt on every page. What started as an accidental meeting, led to a friendship, a love affair and a symbiotic artistic relationship - they fed off each other's creativity. It's really amazing how they each helped the other develop their talent.

While I loved it, I recognize it's not for everyone, the sotry is hardly universal and if you aren't familiar with or curious about this time period, you won't get the same out of it that I did, you might be bored.

Click this link to see Smith's amazing impromptu, a capella performance of "Because the Night" at the 2010 Miami Book Fair.

Miami Book Fair International

2011-11-13T16:52:00.004-05:00

It's Miami Book Fair time! It's my favorite event of the year...but I can't go this year. I always go to the weekend fair which is next weekend, but next Saturday we start our drive to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving.

In the 28 years the fair has been taking place, I've missed less than five of them. For the first 10-15 years I would take Friday off work to go all three days, usually doing all my book buying then, when there were less people. Saturday and Sunday are reserved for "author events". I've seen so many wonderful authors at the Book Fair, and I've also discovered genres and authors I wouldn't have known of had I not wandered into a random presentation.

I get the Fairgoers guide a few days before the fair and set up my schedule. There are always conflicts, where there are two or sometimes three events I want to attend taking place at the same time. Using a complex color coding system I identify priorities with "Must-sees" and backups highlighted in case one of the must-sees is cancelled. It's all very thought out, complicated and colorful!

It is definitely one of the shining stars in Miami's event-filled winters and one I won't miss unless I absolutely have to. So this year I'll be on the road while thousands enjoy the fair, but next year - I am so there!

I'm Practically Done!

2011-11-12T20:23:00.000-05:00

Just a few days ago I was mildly freaking out about Christmas shopping. I'm better now. Why? Because I'm almost done! YAY! Between Amazon.com and ornamentshop.com I have about 95% of my Christmas shopping done.

I do feel a bit guilty about buying from big companies rather than smaller, independent stores - but since I have lots of gifts to buy and I have to send everything out of town, the free shipping and the lower prices were impossible to pass up.

I'm really happy with the presents I got, I think the kids will like them. (sigh) I have finally accepted that for the older girls...it's time to buy them gift cards. I know that's what they want - all pre-teens and teens want gift cards, but it seems so impersonal. I realize that as they start to get older that'll be the way to go. But I'm still getting them books and ornaments so they'll have something to unwrap!

Hopefully everything will be in PA by the time we get there next week, then I'll wrap the PA stuff and leave it there, and bring the Texas stuff back to send from here. When we get home I'll only have the gift exchange gift to buy - YAY!

The Return of The Lola Shuffle

2011-11-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

Finally the weekend is here and Lola is ready to shuffle! Let's see in what kind of mood she is...

Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles -Not a favorite. I mean it's the Beatles and it's nice enough but...meh.
Apologize - Timbaland ft. One Republic - Ooooh I really like this song...it's got an ethereal vibe about it - not Enya-ethereal, but more trippy ethereal. Great lyrics too!
I Drove All Night - Cyndi Lauper - I LOVE this song! This version though - NOT Celine Dion's! Lauper's voice is fantastic in this song...
Blessed - Martina McBride - This is a sweet song - puts things in perspective by reminding us how lucky we really are. I like all her songs, they're accessible, a slice of real life. She has a great voice and is so pretty!
Wherever You Will Go - The Calling - I had forgotten about this song, when I saw it come up on the shuffle I had no idea what it was. But I remember now, it's great - one of those Snow Patrol/Owl City/Maroon 5/Train type songs - they're all fabulous songs but the bands are completely interchangeable.
La Gloria Eres Tu - Olga Guillot - Guillot was one of the great Cuban torch singers - all her songs were so dramatic and so passionate and so so...much. She had a hell of a voice and could rock a ballad like nobody's business, this is one of her best songs.
Get Up Stand Up - Bob Marley and The Wailers - What a great song for this year - the year of the Arab Spring and the Occupy Movement! "Get up stand up, stand up for your rights. Get up stand up, don't give up the fight". As relevant to day as it was in 1973.
Burbujas de Amor - Juan Luis Guerra - This song is so impossibly romantic - the lyrics are sensual and the music is all about getting close to your partner and swaying. "
Living on a Prayer - Bon Jovi - JOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! This song is awesome - it instantly transports me to some of the best times of my life - I was 23 when this came out - good lord, this song is 25 years old this year!
Weekend in New England - Barry Manilow - Awwwwww....this is another smile-inducer. It is so sappy romantic. It's also one of the songs Manilow bashers kinda sorta maybe likeish.

Lola did a great job! A little bit of everything...

Have a wonderful weekend...find a song that makes you smile and then sing it really really loud!

The Purse

2011-11-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Five years ago (how is that even possible?) I Blogged about a red purse I had bought and how out of character it was for me and how it was just sitting there...taunting me. I wondered if I would ever use it.

Five years later...I haven't. Don't judge me people!!! Maybe when I turn 50 and I can wear it with a red hat.

In the mean time, I have a new purse. See it up there? It's a Dooney and Bourke...the one with the duck logo. The one that costs $387 at Macy's. It isn't tacky for me to say it because I didn't pay for it. I would have to die and be reborn for me to spend that amount of money on a purse. Even if I had that kind of disposable income, there are about 7, 329 things on which I would spend that amount of money before a purse.

Don't get me wrong, the purse is *fabulous*, it's prettier "in person"...soft leather, a bunch of regular pockets and zippy pockets, a thingy to hold my keys so they don't disappear into the abyss that is this enormous purse. It's huge!

The reason I have this purse is because this year is my 15th work anniversary - YAY! For each milestone anniversary (5, 10, 15, etc.) we get a choice of gifts which increase in value as we get older. This time the selection was really good...there were flat screen TVs, jewelry, and even the really cool KitchenAid Stand Mixer.

I called Hubby to verify we didn't need the TV, but we came awfully close to getting the mixer. But I really needed a new "daily" or work purse. As I wrote in the red purse post, I really abuse my work purse but this bag has great reviews and you can tell it's well made and sturdy. I'm optimistic it will survive me for a couple of years at least!

Random Happy Makers

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

What makes you happy? I don't mean the big important stuff, I mean little, random stuff.

These are some of the things that make me randomly, maybe even only momentarily, happy...but enough to make me at least smile:

Ladybugs
Thunder and lightning storms when I'm safe at home and don't have to go anywhere
A cold glass bottle of Coca Cola
Seeing Hubby smile when he doesn't know I'm looking - he may be watching something on TV, or looking at something on the computer, whatever...
Santa Claus at the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
A run-away balloon floating along...extra happy if it's red
The sound of an ice cream truck
Pop Rocks
Dragonflies
Watching a little kid spinning around for no reason
Colored sprinkles
Spiderwebs
Rainbows (cliché I know)
Watching old Cuban men playing dominoes at Domino Park
My friend Cris' laugh
Fair/Carnival Food (corn dog, cotton candy, etc.)
Lying in a hammock
Batido de Trigo (wheat shake)
Craig Ferguson
Red doors
Sunflowers

How about you?

Abi

2011-11-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Did I ever tell you about my maternal grandmother? She lived with us and pretty much raised me while my parents worked. She was born in Spain and moved to Cuba in her 20s when she married my grandfather. Her name was Sofia, I called her "Abi" short for "Abuela".

The Jean Nate scent wafted in the air around her. As she walked into the room, taking her time, the first thing you’d notice was how tiny she was. Under 5 feet tall, she was uniformly petite, her face hands, and limbs were small and thin. Yet, her body was plump and round. Her thin, lined skin was alabaster hued with shades of pink on her cheeks, her bright honey-colored eyes belied her age - alert, aware and inquisitive. Her face was framed by her beautiful silver hair which she kept trimmed in a blunt, round style. Her voice was surprisingly strong and resonant. Everyone else remembers a definite Galician accent but I didn’t hear it I guess my ears were used to it.

She never had a formal job, but when she came from Cuba with my parents, she worked for a while. The first "job", before I was born, was hand-sewing hems for wedding dresses for a shop near their apartment in New York. Later, and I don't know the details of how she pulled this off, she went door to door in the apartment building in which they lived - for some reason there were several other Cuban families living there, and she sold guava bars and other tropical "treats". It was her way of helping the family get through those early exile years.

Abi offered me the most "uncomplicated" love I ever experienced. While I know, like her, my parents loved me unconditionally - her love for me wasn't fraught with the drama that comes with parental love. We never argued even though she was "old school" and she was strict - never letting me get away with spoiled or disrespectful behavior. But then she spoiled me in her way making me the center of her world, or at least making me feel as if I was.

I know no one will ever love me the way she did...I was blessed to have had her in my life until I was in my 20s. As important as my parents were to me, Abi was my foundation, my first teacher and instrumental in the person I became.

These many years later, I often miss her. Today is one of those days...

Ivan

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Looking at old pictures and going through old papers can bring back all kinds of memories long dormant. People, places and feelings of which you hadn't thought in years suddenly they’re right there, front and center. The other day I came across a museum program from the late 80s…a lifetime, no at least two lifetimes ago.

Misty water colored memories indeed...

He made his entrance into the museum with his usual flashy style. Ivan wouldn’t just walk into a room, he exploded into it. His long, dark hair, streaked with gray, flowed behind him, as if blown by a wind machine. The white outfit hung on is long, lean body, making him appear taller and thinner and brighter.

As he walked further into the room, his long arms would reach out to everyone, hugging, caressing, shaking hands. Everyone knew he had arrived, especially me. My eyes snapped to him the moment he appeared and I couldn’t stop looking at him after that. But, I didn’t move from my spot by the beautiful gray and taupe colored painting, I waited for him to come to me. And, of course, he did.

Our flirtation had begun in his studio a few weeks prior when I discovered the Bakery Center Art Complex. The Bakery Center housed new artists, providing them with inexpensive studio and display space. I visited every studio, reveling in so much beauty. I walked into Ivan’s studio and instantly fell in love…not with Ivan, but with his work. When I entered the small, cluttered area, it stood empty, except for the canvases. One in particular entranced me as I walked in. It was huge, taking up the entire wall it leaned against, with broad strokes of bright tropical colors depicting a woman overlooking the beach. I stood there, transfixed, gaping at the painting, when I heard a deep, resounding laugh. When I turned I saw a magnificent man, his bare chest tan, sinewy, covered with dark, curly hair and paint. “I love how you look at my work” he said, smilingly widely.

After talking about his work for a while we went to lunch at a nearby Haitian restaurant and talked for a long time, nothing too intense, just introductory banter. Although we exchanged numbers, I wrote it off as another one of those wonderful chance encounters you can enjoy when you’re single, but of little importance. So, his invitation that evening to an opening at a funky little gallery on the Beach caught me by surprise…but thrilled me nonetheless.

That night turned out to be the first of several gallery jaunts and avant-garde adventures, where Ivan exposed me to a side of Miami I didn’t know, but loved. Each time we got together I felt a buzz of excitement and attraction, and he seemed prone to touching me, holding my hand, leaning in to me. Yet, something kept nagging at me about him and that something kept me from taking the physical aspect of our relationship a step further. It was something indefinable, yet there. Maybe it was a cadence in his voice, or his approach to art and aesthetics in general. Or the fact that that he looked at many of the good looking men that crossed our path the same way he looked me.

Now, back at the Museum, as he walked towards me I felt that same attraction, and when he touched my back, the goose bumps erupted instantly. We spent the entire evening together surrounded by friends, admiring the beautiful art, and enjoying the opening party. Our bodies were touching, in some fashion, the entire time. Afterwards, as I got into his old, rusty little car he leaned over and kissed my neck, and I let him. During dinner we barely spoke, but it felt comfortable and intimate nonetheless. His deep, chocolate-brown eyes looking at me made me breathless, and it appeared that same look made our handsome, blond waiter nervous. Afterwards when I returned from the restroom, I saw Ivan gently brush the waiter’s pale face with his strong, dark hand as he smiled at him tenderly, tucking a folded piece of paper into his pocket as I approached. I surprised myself at not being surprised.

After dinner, rather than driving me home, Ivan drove towards the airport. As we drove along Perimeter Road I knew what he had in mind, and I wondered how I should handle it. It had been a while since I had made-out in a car parked on the road running alongside the Miami Airport runway, and I smiled in the darkness as he maneuvered the car so that it would face the runway.

I definitely couldn’t let things get too carried away with a man I suspected of being bisexual - it was dangerous both physically and emotionally. He turned off the motor and got out of the car, quickly coming around to my side and opening the door. I stepped out, still wondering how to handle this. I stepped into the back seat and leaned back closing my eyes as he slid into the seat next to me. I felt his arm pull me close to him as my breath got shallow, my heart beating quickly. I opened my eyes and looked into his beautiful smiling face, “Ivan”, I asked, “are you bisexual?”

He caressed my face and laughed a wonderful, throaty laugh, his eyes sparkling as he looked at me. Just then I made my decision, as I pulled his face towards mine. I really wanted to kiss him, that’s all…just kiss him. And that’s exactly what I did, as a plane roared into the darkness, causing the earth to shake…at least…I think it was the plane.

We saw each other for a while and then drifted away as so often happens. I don't know where he is, but I hope wherever he is, he's happy and being his fabulous self. And I hope if he remembers me, that the memory makes him smile that dazzling smile.

Fall(ish) 2011 New TV Shows

2011-11-06T08:00:00.001-05:00

So...what are you watching? What new TV shows have caught your fancy?

As usual, I went through the new offerings for Fall 2011 and programmed the DVR to record the first episodes of those that had potential.

My original list of new shows (I've crossed out those I dumped or got canceled) - ~~Terra Nova~~, Pan Am, ~~The Playboy Club~~ - what? I like period pieces! OK, you're right (hangs head in shame), ~~Charlie's Angels~~, American Horror Story, Grimm, Once Upon a Time, Revenge, ~~Person of Interest~~, Homeland and ~~Boss~~.

Of all the keepers, which is my favorite? I gotta go with "American Horror Story". It is creepy and freaky and kinky and all kinds of awesome! "Revenge" is really good too and "Grimm" shows potential.

Of the ones on which I gave up, the biggest surprise was "Person of Interest" - the premise is great, but I found *no* chemistry between the leads and frankly I was bored.

Cable and premium channels have certainly made a difference in the quality and content of TV - as the regular broadcast channels have fallen into the pit of hell that is reality TV. But that's perhaps fodder for another post.

Final thought...DVR - Best.Thing.Ever.

I've Gone to the Darkside

2011-11-05T08:00:00.002-04:00

Yes...it's true, while I wasn't Blogging I became a (GASP!) Doctor Who geek! I KNOW!

OK, well technically I became a Torchwood geek, to be specific a Torchwood: Miracle Day geekm which in turn led me to Doctor Who.

What can I say? It was a perfect storm of geekarification - a bunch of Second Life (about which I may or may not some day Blog) friends were really into Doctor Who, and were forever rambling on about something called a TARDIS, and Daleks, and arguing about who the best Doctor was. Then the Starz cable network aired "Torchwood: Miracle Day" which is the first "Americanish" Torchwood but the fourth in the series - the first three shown on BBC. Torchwood (TW), in turn is a spin-off of Doctor Who.

Still with me?

OK, so I started watching TW Miracle Day, starring John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness - a character that originated on Doctor Who - and I was hooked! So then I went to Netflix looking for Doctor Who, and after much back and forth was ill-advised, albeit with good intentions, to watch the four episodes called The Ark in Space - from the 1975 season and featuring the Fourth Doctor.

OH.MY.GOD. It was awful. Seriously awful. I mean OK, it's science fiction and it was 1975, but the original Star Trek aired in the mid 60s and their effects were infinitely better. Now stop and think about how cheesy the effects on the original "Star Trek" were. Right?! And these were so much WORSE!

I was flummoxed. How was it possible that something so awful begat something so awesome? Well it turns out that the episodes I saw were from the "old" Doctor Who series which aired between 1963 and 1989 in the UK on BBC and in the US on PBS and later BBC America. Then in 2005 the series was relaunched and is the one that is running now. Torchwood spun off from the "new" Doctor Who series.

Soooo, when the Starz series ended, I went back and, again via streaming Netflix, watched the five-episode third season of TW - Torchwood: Children of Earth - which was absolutely fantastic! And then watched TW seasons one and two which I really enjoyed.

That brings us to last monthish, when I started watching the 2005 season featuring the ninth Doctor played by the dashing, snarky, quirky Christopher Eccleston. I'm about half way through that season. Hopefully by the time the next season starts I'll have caught up and be able to watch it real time.

Wow. This has been rambling. If you're still reading...sorry! It's difficult to explain Doctor Who in a succinct coherent fashion. Just watch if you're curious. But don't watch the ones prior to 2005 - I will not vouch for those! You can get all the info you need from the Wikipedia links I gave you.

Or ask around - you'd be surprised at who might turn out to be a Doctor fan.

In the meantime, if you need me I might be whisking about in the TARDIS...

It's baaaaaack....Pandora Pandemonium! The Return Edition

2011-11-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

I plan to devote Friday Blogs to either Pandora Pandemonium - where I'll run a Quick Mix and see what comes up from all my stations, or I'll crank Lola up and do The Lola Shuffle. If there's a song hyperlink you can see a YouTube video and hear the song!

You Fair and Pretty Ladies - Anonymous 4 - unfortunately I couldn't find this on You Tube.
Party Girl - Elvis Costello - he's the coolness
What Goes Around...Comes Around - Justin Timberlake - who woulda thunk he'd turn out so good! Great voice, fantastic sense of humor, good actor, and seems like a decent guy.
Goodbye to Love - The Carpenters - one of my favorites of theirs
Don't Stop Believin' - Glee Cast - Yes the Glee cast...don't judge me!
All This Time Still Falling Out of Love - Erasure - I came late to the Erasure party and it is one hell of a party!
Someone Saved My Life Tonight - Elton John - a classic!
It's Now or Never - Elvis Presley - his voice is so beautiful on this...
Wild World - Cat Stevens - his music always makes me smile
Canción con Todos - Mercedes Sosa - she's called "the voice of the voiceless ones" - and what a voice it was...is!

Have a great weekend and try to listen to some good music!

For you 52...

2011-11-03T08:00:00.002-04:00

...for me it's even less than that! David and I are going up to PA for Thanksgiving this year, so the plan is to order the gifts for the PA contingent and have them delivered to MIL's house before then, so I can wrap them and leave them there.

We do a gift exchange between the four sibling and the spouses, so rather than get everyone a gift we pick a name and give one nice gift. Then everyone gets gifts for my MIL and FIL and all five children - this time next year there'll be six! (While I wasn't Blogging, David's sister went and got pregnant with her second. )

So if my plan works I'll only have to buy the gift exchangees' gifts and mail the Texas contingents' gifts later.

My in-laws are relatively easyish - but the kids! They're always a project. Granted that's pretty much my fault because I want to give each of them books, a toy or other "fun" thing, and a personalized ornament commemorating something that occurred to them during the year.

Here's the breakdown: In Pennsylvania I have two nieces from one of David's brothers - they're 11 and 9, and David's sister's son who's 1, almost 2 (he's the one that's getting a brother). Then in Texas, David's other brother also has two girls that are 6 and 1½. Look how cute they all are!

Now since I don't live near any of them it's difficult to keep up with what they're into so trying to figure out what to get them and what the ornament should be is stress inducing to say the least. So I am in the throes of figuring out and deciding and picking...GAH!

Have you started your shopping yet?

NaBloPoMo 2011

2011-11-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

OK...so here's the plan I'm going to try NaBloPoMo again. I know, I know...I've been more than a little flaky about Blogging. I'm hoping if I can stick to this for a month I'll get back into the habit. The thing is I really enjoyed maintaining a regular Blog,the opportunity to sort of mind dump, share whatever I was thinking, rant and rave or just be silly. There's no reason I stopped, I just did.

So for this NaBloPoMo, we'll see how it goes. For days when I don't have anything to write about I'll be using some writing tools and prompt sources.

I plan to be writing...I hope you'll be reading :)

14 Years Ago Today...

2011-11-01T00:59:00.005-04:00

David and I got married!

We're still here and going strong.

Later on we'll do our anniversary ritual. Our song, Beautiful in My Eyes gets more true with each passing year...

David...I love you Baby!

What songs would make your Top Ten Worst Songs list?

2011-08-17T13:30:00.005-04:00

***Disclaimer: I have absolutely no musical talent and therefore have no business criticizing anyone who does. I do not claim nor believe these are *THE* ten worst songs ever – these are merely the ten worst songs for me. Having said that…prepare yourselves for my totally unsolicited opinion.

Hilda’s Ten Worst Songs List (#1 being the worst of the worst)

10 – Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus – really people? I mean come on!

9 – I Just Called To Say I Love You – Stevie Wonder – I know, I know, Stevie Wonder! He’s a genius! Yes I KNOW, and I loves me my Stevie, but this song bugs me

8 – Seasons in the Sun – Terry Jacks – Oy! Just kill me now. “Goodbye Papa (pronounced PAH PAH) please pray for me I was the black sheep of the family”. I’m a fan of the tragic teenage death songs but this one…just no.

7 – Muskrat Love – Captain and Tennille – It’s about RATS! Or close enough. I so don’t need to know about Muskrat Suzy and Muskrat Sam jitterbugging in Muskrat Land. (shudder)

6 – Escape (The Piña Colada Song) – Rupert Holmes – This is NOT a romantic song people! It’s about a couple who were going out with the specific intention of cheating on each other! That’s horrible.

5 – We Are Family – Sister Sledge – I hate songs that repeat stuff over and over. This song irks me.

4 – Having My Baby – Paul Anka – Just ewwww. Creepiest.Song.Ever. Let’s look at some of the words, shall we?

“Having my baby,
What a lovely way of saying how much you love me, (What, she couldn’t get him a card?)
Having my baby,
What a lovely way of saying what you're thinking of me” (A phone call maybe? Just sayin’)

and

“Oh the seed inside you,
Baby do you feel it growing” (Do you really want to be thinking about Paul Anka’s “seed”?)

3 – My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion – “Celine Dion” and “Titanic”. ‘Nuff said.

2 – Barbie Girl – Aqua – Worst.Earworm.Ever. Pretty much everything about this song is bad. The lyrics, the voices, the music, the video, the bald guy. All of it.

And the Number 1 Worst Song Ever according to Hilda:

1 - Don’t Worry Be Happy – Bobby McFerrin – OH MY GOD! This song makes me clench. If I never ever ever heard this song again it would be too soon.

***Honorable Mention – And DO NOT JUDGE ME! – Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin.

OK stop.

I KNOW Led Zeppelin is considered by many as the ohmygod best band in the history of everything. Fine. I fully acknowledge their impact and importance and transcendence and influence and the fact they survived the use of unquantifiable amounts of drugs. And I love love love the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss collaboration Raising Sand. But Stairway… is just sooooooo long and pompous and that interminable guitar solo from hell.

I just don’t get it. So sue me.

The Judgement Day/Rapture/End of the World Musical Score!

2011-05-20T08:53:00.009-04:00

Well, I didn't get "raptured" on Saturday May 21 , did you? If you did and you answer, that'll resolve the "is there Internet in Heaven?" question. I guess it's still possible that the end game has begun and the whole things blows on October 21, 2011.

I had started drafting this playlist post before the ending that never came, so since it can still happen, I'll go ahead and post it.

Rapture - Blondie - Well, duh! This is obvious - maybe the video will make sense now. Yeah, no.

It's the End of the World As We Know It - R.E.M. - a classic! Have some coffee before you try to sing this one...

End of the World - The Cure - I love them! I know - soooo not me, but still.

The End of the World - The Carpenters - yes it was originally done by Skeeter Davis, but this is my Apocalyptic playlist, and I like this version better, so there!

Dance Me To The End Of Love - Leonard Cohen - What? The end of love is the end of the world, right? So let's dance! Plus, it's Leonard Cohen - again this is *my* end-of-days soundtrack.

Until the End of the World - U2 - Of course Bono would have to have at least one end of the world song. He seems so serious, but I've seen him in interviews and stuff and he has a great self-deprecating (I know! Surprise!) sense of humor. Anyway - this is a great song. Edge totally rocks it.

Apocalypse Please - Muse - Yes I know they lost all credibility when they sold out for the Twilight soundtrack, but theyr'e really not half-bad.

There you have it...what do you think?

Bye Erica...the end of an era

2011-04-14T21:44:00.007-04:00

After several weeks of speculation it was confirmed today that long-running ABC soaps "All My Children" and "One Life To Live" are being canceled. All My Children will end its 41 year run in September, and One Life to Live will end its 43 year run in January 2012.

Although I've watched "One Life to Live" in sprints, I've been watching "All My Children" regularlyish since day one. I actually saw the very first episode in January 1970!

It was during my Christmas vacation in second grade. I remember Susan Lucci's Erica Kane was a high school senior, along with her rival Tara Martin. Of course I had no idea what was going on, but I was entertained. After that I would watch whenever I was sick at home or on school breaks.

Once VCRs came into the picture I'd tape it and watch with my mother after school and work. We did this until I got married and left my parents' house. Mami watched it every day until the day she died. Of course she'd forget what she saw the minute it was over and she wasn't able to follow the storyline, but she did recognize the old characters. Right now I'm going through a phase of not recording and watching it, but I keep up with the general story line by participating in a Usenet forum and watching it if I'm home.

I think the writing has deteriorated significantly in the last few years, but at its best it tackled social issues long before prime time did. They dealt with the Vietnam War, abortion, drunk driving, drug use, interracial marriage, homosexuality, AIDS, hate crimes, mental health and transgender issues along with the traditional soap opera story lines.

They had the first legal abortion on television just months after Roe v. Wade was decided. They incorporated an actress' face lift into the plot and for the first time cosmetic surgery and its physical and psychological issues were discussed. They presented daytime television's first lesbian kiss and wedding and there were many other firsts. I learned a lot about the "real world" watching it and "General Hospital" - which will now remain ABC's only soap opera.

"All My Children" is part of our culture and part of my life...even if I wasn't watching I'm saddened by this news. I'll miss knowing it's there.

Top 9 - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

2011-04-06T19:54:00.020-04:00

So today they pick from the always controversial Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...good field from which to mine.

Look how pretty Jennifer looks! And Steven was coherentish during the intro. Randy shut up.

Jacob Lusk – Man in the Mirror (Michael Jackson) - Fabulous song; keep it under control Jacob; nice, he's singing it really well, a little screaming is fine; he looked good no weird faces; it was fine but a little boring... Score - 6.

Haley Reinhart - Piece of My Heart - Before the break Ryan said she's doing Janis! OH NO SHE IS NOT! No! Just no!; GAH! She's doing Janis!; she looks good; sounds bad; you don't have to growl every word!; I don't like it; how do you make Janis boring? I love that song and she killed it. Score - 4.

Casey Abrams – Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (Creedence Clearwater Revival) - fabulous song!; I'm digging the bass; I like it; he's a little weird still, but it works here; it was good; OK so I'm starting to get Casey. Score - 8

Lauren Alaina – Natural Woman (Aretha Franklin) - really Alaina? You're doing Aretha?; a phenomenal song! not loving the look; actually it's not bad; ok...she only yelled a little; it was really quite good; but she's still boring. Score - 7.

James Durbin – While My Guitar Gently Weeps (George Harrison) – beautiful song; wow his voice is beautiful; he can do soft!; and then he yelled! and it was good! loved it!... Score - 9.

Scotty McCreery – That's Alright Mama (Elvis Presley) – Love this song!; he's changing it up; oh no...he tried to be sexy and that was bad; "all hat and no cattle" Steven?; I don't know the performance was weird, I didn't hate it, but I'm confused; his voice was excellent as always, but I don't think I can deal with a sexy Alfred E. Newman; the girls rushing the stage - staged or really bad security?. Score - 9.

Pia Toscano – River Deep Mountain High (Tina Turner) – one of my favorite songs ever!; she's gorgeous!; she was fantastic; classy as hell; WOW! Loved it! She nailed it! Score - 10.

Stefano Langone – When A Man Loves A Woman (Percy Sledge) – another favorite songs; a difficult song; he's really cute; he has such a pretty voice ooh a little edge!; then it got sweet; it was less boring but still needs a little ooomph. Score - 8.

Paul McDonald – Folsom Prison Blues (Johnny Cash) – amazing songl the train is comin' 'round the bend and headed for a train wreck; awful; he's smiling too much, treating it like a party song - it's about PRISON! Paul; he needs to go NOW; he has no voice. Score – 2

Who I Think *Should* Go: Paul McDonald

Who I Think *Will* Go: Paul McDonald

I think it was Pia's night. What did you think?

Cafe con Leche - Sorta

2011-04-03T17:07:00.003-04:00

When I was about 4 or 5 years old - as I refer to them, "my parents' early Cuban refugee" years, they would scrimp and save to buy espresso coffee. We were in New York at the time so it was expensive and only available at Italian markets. Naturally they would only use it to drink as "cafecito" - not "waste" it for cafe con leche. Instead we would use Nescafe Instant for the cafe con leche. There was no Cuban bread at the time, so they'd buy baguettes.

Flash forward to this morning as I dipped some baguette into Nescafe con Leche. And smiled.

American Idol - Still Top 11! - Elton John

2011-03-31T07:03:00.001-04:00

Elton John! YAAAAAAY!!!

Have they done Elton John before? There's certainly a lot to choose from...

So let's talk about last week's results and "the save". I absolutely, positively agree with the save. It's not time for Casey to leave yet. So tonight we lose two - and I know *exactly* who they should be!

Scotty McCreery – Country Comfort – haha! I never heard this before - but he found the *one* country Elton John song! He looked great, comfortable, almost too easy...whether I agree with the format or not, this show expects the participants to try different genres - it's time for him to do it; it was perfect but safe. Score - 9.

Naima Adedapo – I'm Still Standing – uh oh...great song, but she's doing it reggae style; omg it's not bad!; she looks great and her voice is excellent today; I really liked it; and it was gutsy! Because she took the risk and I think it worked, I'm giving her a perfect score. Score – 10.

Paul McDonald – Rocket Man – great song! Come on I wanna like you Paul; omg the outfit - Duuuude - no!; and he needs to shave his neck; OK...I'm sorry I'm done with him; he has no voice; there's no *there* there; this is just painful; time to go. Score – 3

Pia Toscano – Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me – a beautiful song; again - gorgeous!; she's doing another ballad, but a great one; don't do it...don't over sing it; ok...she kept it under control; this was very good. Score - 8.

Stefano Langone – Tiny Dancer – one of my favorite songs; so cute!; he has such a pretty voice but it's a difficult song; it was good, but not great; he's not going to win this; it was a little boring. Score - 6.

Lauren Alaina – Candle in the Wind - song...meh; she looks nice; she's singing it well, but this seems like an easy song; it wasn't bad but I just didn't care; ok she's pulling a Pickler and I really don't like Pickler. Score - 7.

James Durbin – Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting – woooo! Fun song! He looks great; sounds better; excellent stage presence! He rocked it! He may be the one... Score - 10.

Thia Megia – Daniel – amazing song; don't love the outfit; she has a beautiful voice; OK...she did well; it was pretty. Score – 7.

Casey Abrams – Your Song - beautiful song!; YAY! Loving the haircut and beard trim!; oooh I like this; restrained, pretty; really good; a little yelly, but he can't help himself; didn't love the high note; but that was a great performance; he's far from my favorite, but he definitely deserves to be in the show for a while; I absolutely agree with the Save he may be top 3 material - maybe. Score - 8

Jacob Lusk – Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - not my favorite song; ugh awful start; he singing too high or something; he looks pissed which is the wrong emotion for this song; and there's the yelling; gah! No; what was that face?; this ladies and gentlemen is over singing; Hated it! Score - 3.

Haley Reinhart - Benny and the Jets - I love this song; Hello legs thanks for coming because thank god she has her looks; the singing? Awful; she has the stage presence of a turnip; she needs to sing "These Boots Were Made for Walking" in a mini skirt as she walks the hell out; Score - 1.

Who I Think *Should* Go: Haley Reinhart and Paul McDonald

Who I Think *Will* Go: Paul McDonald and Stefano Langone

How fabulous did JLo look? Steven once again - no clue what he's talking about, but I like the guy! Oh and there's Randy.

Tonight, there were some very good performances, some train wrecks, not much that was great. What did you think?

Songs from Lolaish - The Earth Hour Edition

2011-03-25T07:50:00.000-04:00

So...Saturday March 26th at your 8:30 p.m. - turn off the lights. The link explains the whys and wherefores and important information - I'm here to offer suggestions as to what you can do with that dark hour...

Well, there's the obvious...ñaca ñaca - woo hoo!
Light all the candles in your house - the ones that are too pretty to use in an emergency situation (hurricanes, power outages, late on your electric bill, etc.) because in an emergency situation you won't appreciate the pretty. We all have them, beautiful candles given to us as gifts that sit there looking pretty but never get lit...now is the time. Put them all around the room and just sit back and enjoy them.
Play shadow puppets.
Wear anything you have that's "glow-in-the-dark".
You can go over an hour if you want, so you can watch a really creepy, scary movie - LOOK OUT HE'S IN THE HOUSE! AIIIIIIEEEEEE!
Depending on whether or not you're alone, play either swaying romantic belly-rubbin' music, or up-beat fun "dance like nobody's watching" music and then do some (wait for it - you know it's coming) dancing in the dark! Hahaha (well it amused me).

Maybe this week's "it's all about the dark" song list can be your soundtrack...

Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen - What? Like I wasn't going to include this? It's THE BOSS! Bruuuuuuuuuuuce!
Dark Road - Annie Lennox - Her voice is sooo cool and haunting. This is a great song...sad.
Darkest Hour - Arlo Guthrie - Appropriate and Arlo! Woooo! His voice makes me smile.
Dark Lady - Cher - Remember this one? It's all about a duplicitous fortune teller - Oy, the drama!
Piano in the Dark - Brenda Russell - mmmmm...slinky and sexy...this is a good one for the belly-rubbin' dancing
By the River's Dark - Leonard Cohen - Cohen is so the man! All his songs - amazing poetry. If you don't know this one, check it out.
Darkness Darkness - Robert Plant - This song was covered by many people but Plant's version is quite beautiful and haunting. At one point, during the Vietnam war, it was considered by some almost an anthem for the soldiers describing what it felt like in the jungle..."Darkness, darkness, long and lonesome, Is the day that brings me here I have felt the edge of sadness, I have known the depths of fear..."
Dark End of the Street - Eva Cassidy - Another song that has been covered by everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Courtney Love to Aretha Franklin to The Flying Burrito Brothers - but as with everything she sings, Eva Cassidy's version highlights the power of this song.
I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Death Cab for Cutie - Yeah, not the happiest song in the lot. It's really...well...dark.
Coming Out of the Dark - Gloria Estefan- I still get goose bumps when I hear this song!This is the first song she both performed and recorded after her near fatal accident, when she was able to come out of that darkness. Yay Gloria!

So there you have it...some music to listen to during that dark hour...just remember to come out of the dark eventually.

Have a wonderful weekend!

American Idol - Top 11 - Motown!

2011-03-23T22:09:00.019-04:00

Wooooo Motown!

This can be very good or horribly bad...I love Motown but I've seen it mangled on AI. Let's see what happens. Oy, I'm guessing Jennifer was going for the retro thing with the eyeshadow!

Casey Abrams – I Heard It Through The Grapevine - fantastic song!; NO! Screaming! OK, it got less bad but I don't like it. He's too affected...too too! I think I officially don't like this guy. Score - 5

Thia Megia – Heat Wave – Excellent song!; agai she looks beautiful; sounds good, the lows are a little wonky but I'm liking it; lost it a bit towards the end; she has a pretty voice; it was good, not great. Score – 7.

Jacob Lusk – You're All I Need To Get By - interesting choice, not an obvious hit, but good song; See? They said he was overdoing it before; ok I like this he has a great voice; much much better!; if he can maintain the control throughout the competition this may work; awww nana!; god Ryan is an idiot! Score - 9.

Lauren Alaina – You Keep Me Hanging On - great song; she looks great; oh wait...this is working; omg I like it!; OK wow! that was really good. Score - 8.

Stefano Langone – Hello – meh, the song, I don't love it; he's cute; not bad; he just has a really good voice; see, the high parts worked; I like this kid; . Score - 8.

Haley Reinhart - You Really Got A Hold On Me - fantastic song!; she looks beautiful; good thing she's working the legs because the singing, not so much; ok really awful; the ending made my ears bleed omg; once again I have a total disconnect with the judges. Score - 4.

Scotty McCreery – For Once In My Life – amazing song, not easy to do it justice - he looks good; he's actually pulling this off sorta- a countrifiedish version; that voice!!! ok Scottie no dancing, don't do that again; he's gonna be a country singer, but he did really well, this could have been a train wreck. Score - 8.

Pia Toscano – All In Love Is Fair – I don't know this song; she's gorgeous!; she's started off great...don't start with the yelling! (sigh) she's yelling; well the yelling wasn't awful and the last note was really good; I liked it. Score - 7.

Paul McDonald – Tracks Of My Tears – fantastic song; he looks good but the hair?; this guy makes me nervous; well I didn't hate it; he can't dance with the guitar - that's a good thing; does he still have a cold? I don't know, I'm just not getting him . Score – 6

Naima Adedapo – Dancing In The Street – I love this song! she looks great!; she sounds great; yes! Loving the dancing!!! She's my girl! Score – 10.

James Durbin – Living for the City – my absolute favorite Stevie Wonder song; looks good; started off weakish (for him - great for anyone else) but he worked it out; even with screeching he controls the screech; it wasn't his best, bit his not best is still really really good. Score - 9.

Who I Think *Should* Go: Haley Reinhart

Who I Think *Will* Go: Haley Reinhart

I'm really impressed with Jennifer's judging - she actually has relevant stuff to say. Steven cracks me up. And then there's Randy.

I thought all in all this was a great show. What did you think?

World Poetry Day 2011

2011-03-21T07:06:00.001-04:00

image source

It's World Poetry Day - and boy, if ever we've needed a "poetry break" it's now!

My poetry pick for today is Federico Garcia Llorca's "Little Viennese Waltz". Here it is in the original Spanish - Pequeño Vals Vienés.

But my favorite version is Leonard Cohen's translation and adaptation for his song Take This Waltz...

Post a link to your favorite poem for today :)

American Idol - Top 12 - Songs From The Year They Were Born

2011-03-15T23:50:00.001-04:00

Week 2 - Here we go...

How much did I love Steven's outfit and Jennifer's mega hair? Lots! Randy? Meh. It's nice that they’ll be donating proceeds to help Japan…American Idol cares!

Naina Adedapo – What's Love Got To Do With It? – fantastic song; ambitious; I like this girl; outfit is weird but it works for her; bad arrangement; she doesn't have the voice for this; this was bad …Score – 4

Paul McDonald – I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues – Another great song! Oh...he sounds bad; he looks good, I should like this guy, but no; and really no dancing Paul! Just no! I'm n it sure what "pitchy" is but I think he's that. Score - 4.

Thia Megia – Colors of The Wind – Beautiful song; she looks fantastic!; her voice is still uneven for me; I like her but I'm underwhelmed by her voice; this isn't a particularly challenging song she should have done better. Score – 6.

James Durbin – I'll Be There for You – JOVEEEEE!; good song; he's cute but I'm already over the hair; good performer; good outfit; the scream was good but not too much; I liked it, didn't love it . Score – 8.

Haley Reinhart - I'm Your Baby Tonight - Whitney song, meh; she looks OK; she doesn't have the voice for this song; it's a hard song; it wasn't good; Randy is an idiot he gives her a hard time because she's singing different genres but he gave Thia a hard time because she always sings ballad - shut up Randy!; it wasn't good but it wasn't awful and it was ambitious, good for her, I hope it doesn't cost her. Score - 6.

Stefano Langone – If You Don't Know Me By Now – great song; he looks great; looks comfortable on stage; I like it, the song suits his voice; lost control at the end, to much hollering. Score - 7.

Pia Toscano – Where Do Broken Hearts Go – don't love the song; she looks beautiful; shrieking! Noooo; I didn't like it. Score - 5.

Scotty McCreery – Can I Trust You With My Heart? – I don't know the song, but I don't care - I love this kid's voice!; again, will he be able to do something other country?; it was beautiful, loved it! Nothing wrong with it, perfect for me! Score - 10.

Karen Rodriguez – Love Will Lead You Back - good song; Miami girl!!!; she looks gorgeous, great dress, rocking the hair and earrings; I like that she didn't do a Hispanic singer today but still slipped in a little Spanish - very cool; very good. Score – 9.

Casey Abrams – Smells Like Teen Spirit - good song; playing bass; I don't like the affectation with his voice; sounds like Jack Black in "School of Rock"; it didn't work for me at all; too much; he took a risk and it didn't pay off; still hate the beard and the hair. Score – 6.

Lauren Alaina – I'm the Only One - fantastic song; she's too boring for this song; her voice wasn't bad but she has no stage presence; hair's too big lipstick's too red; I found myself wanting it to just be over. Score – 5.

Jacob Lusk – Alone - great song; interesting choice; horrible outfit!; started off ok when it was soft, and then he started with the yelling! good voice but the yelling ruined it for me. Score – 6.

Who I Think *Should* Go: Lauren Alaina

Who I Think *Will* Go: Haley Reinhart

Do you think Randy is a fool? Is Steven taking Paula's place for random chattering? Are you liking Jennifer Lopez more than you used to?

American Idol - Top 13 - Their Musical Idols

2011-03-10T07:26:00.081-05:00

OK, I didn't watch American Idol in any significant way last season, therefore I didn't Blog about it. I swore I wouldn't watch it this season, but I caught part of one of the audition shows - which I never watch and on which I have never commented - and I was impressed with Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez as well as with the talent. So...I'm gonna give it a whirl.

First my usual disclaimer: (I am copying this with minimal amendment from the last Top 13 post I Blogged in 2009).

If you haven't read my recaps before here's the deal - these are my wholly subjective, thoroughly meaningless, untrained musings on the "I don't want to watch but somehow I watch" TV phenomenon that is American Idol. I have absolutely no business judging any of these people because I have no musical training or talent *whatsoever* - not that this lack of knowledge or ability stops me from singing often and loudly - but hey! they put themselves up there, so I judge them and mock them. It amuses me.

Because it's the first recap first of the season I'll give you my opinion of them based on first impression and then after the double-dash " - - " and song title, I'll comment specifically on Wednesday night's performances and give them a "grade" on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the worst. In the upcoming weeks I'll only comment on and grade the performances. Here we go...

Lauren Alaina – GAH Outfit! She seems too fluffy - - Any Man of Mine – Great song that she made boring; her voice is fine but she had zero sex appeal, which this song calls for; Meh…Score – 3

Casey Abrams – Needs a haircut and beard trim right now! He might be handsome, but we can’t tell through the “Grizzly Adamness” - - With a Little Help From My Friends – Good song but has been overdone; great voice!; good outfit; good performance but too manic – I think he was channeling Joe Cocker and it wasn’t pretty. Score - 8.

Ashthon Jones – Beautiful girl, fabulous dress - - When You Tell Me That You Love Me – I don’t know this song; her voice was uneven but seems like it could be good; too shriek; I think the song was too difficult; not a good performance. Score – 3.

Paul McDonald – cute, quirky, I want to like this guy - - Come Pick Me Up - I don’t know the song; where was his voice?; husky is fine but this was none existent; oh no he’s “dancing”? Well, he was twitching around on stage and it wasn’t good – he needs to never dancing again; that was pretty much awful. Score – 4.

Pia Toscano – she’s gorgeous! - - All By Myself – great song but she went with Celine Dion shriekeramic arrangement! I mean come on! Just do it like Eric Carmen wrote it and dial the volume down by like a million; great dress except for the Superman cape; between shrieks I heard a good voice, I could probably like her singing; good stage presence. Score – 7.

James Durbin – cute guy; I read he suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome and is Autistic – good for him that’s he’s doing this - - Maybe I'm Amazed – great song and he totally nailed it! Wow! Loved the voice, loved the performance; great high notes with no yelling – imagine that! I found nothing wrong with it, so he gets a perfect score! Score 10.

Haley Reinhart – she said “a lot more better” – HA! I like her - - Blue – this was a hard song and she did well; looks good; great dress; she got better as the song went on. Score – 8.

Jacob Lusk – Meh, he’s OK seems nice enough - - I Believe I Can Fly – I hate this song! Oy with the yelling; does he always do this Revival Preacher thing. Score - 4.

Thia Megia – beautiful girl, seems sweet - - Smile – I don’t love the song; great dress; great voice; she did the best she could with a boring song, not a good choice. Score - 7.

Stefano Langone – cute guy, a nice Italian boy - - Lately – I don’t know the song; good voice but he was uneven; he got better towards the end, but I’m not sure what he was trying to do with it. Score - 6.

Karen Rodriguez – How cute is she? Pretty girl, I like her - - I Could Fall in Love – Great song; she looks gorgeous, great dress; she’s clearly working the Hispanic angle, that could get old real quick, we’ll see; she did well with the song. Score – 7.

Scotty McCreery – What me worry? Hello Alfred E. Newman! - - The River – Great song, I love that he kept the original arrangement; umm Wow! Where did that voice come from? It totally doesn’t match his looks but I love it; I liked his look, he looked comfortable on stage; I wonder how he’ll do with non-country music; again nothing I didn’t like, so perfect score! Score – 10.

Naina Adedapo – So this is this season’s “quirky chick”; she’s beautiful but might be flakey - - Umbrella – Great song! Loved loved loved the reggae/rap thing; look! She can dance!; her voice was a bit uneven, maybe because of the dancing but I loved this performance. Score – 9.

Who I Think *Should* Go: Lauren Alaina

Who I Think *Will* Go: Ashthon Jones

So, what do you think? Who do you like? What aboout the judges - good, bad, indifferent.

International Women's Day Centennial

2011-03-08T13:34:00.009-05:00

YAY Us!

Happy Birthday IWD! 100! You don't look a day over 25.

I was going to Blog some disheartening news about women in the US, but I'll wait for another time - today we celebrate.

In honor of International Women's Day we have a very special Lola's Lady Shuffle...let's see what we get!

La Vie en Rose -Edith Piaf (France) - Great start Lola! A perennial classic. It doesn't get better.

Emabhaceni - Miriam Makeba (South Africa) Mama Africa...wasn't she awesome?

The Lucky One - Alison Krauss (USA) & Union Station - I love her voice, so powerful yet soft.

Heaven's What I Feel - Gloria Estefan (Cuba) My home girl - Cubanita made good. I'm so proud of her - succesful career, seemingly happy family, no scandals, no rehab, and remarkable recovery from a horrible accident. She's da' bomb.

Travelin' Soldier - Dixie Chicks (USA) -Love them, love this song!

Chasing Pavements - Adele (England) - I love this young singer, her voice is so emotive...

Shut Up and Drive - Rihanna (Barbados) - How far she's come in a relatively short time, and so pretty. This is a fun song!

Fergalicious - Fergie (USA) - Did you think the pretty girl in Black Eyed Peas would blow up like this? And how much fun is this song?

Give Me One Reason - Tracy Chapman (USA) - From her early years - this song is fabulous as is Tracy - you "hear" the soul in her voice.

Whenever, Whatever - Shakira (Colombia) - Wooo...shake it! Great song, outrageously beautiful woman and a brain behinmd the pretty face.

If you're a woman celebrate your day...if you're a man, celebrate the women in your life.

A Little Catching Up

2011-02-24T13:01:00.005-05:00

Before I start, here's an explanation about the image. I Googled in search of an image that would represent "playing catch up". Everything that came up involved seemingly not old enough to drink young adults drinking beer and/or liquor. Apparenty it is some sort of drinking game - I remain clueless. (sigh)

OK, so on to why I've been a dork and not Blogged in too long. No good reason at all. I have written a semi-longish draft about a serious subject, alas, I got over the righteous indignation that triggered it, so I may or may not come back to it.

Sooooo...what else? Well I've been dealilng with health stuff - I've been having constant body aches and general malaise for a long time now, so I finally decided to talk to the doctor. We're exploring several possibilities - none are serious thankfully. The leading contender seems to be vitamin deficiency.

One thing we did determine is that I have tendonitis on my mouse finger (right index finger) so today the doctor injected cortisone right into the tendon. Hey! Guess what! That HURTS LIKE HELL! She said it would be numb or tingly or painful for a few hours. Right now it is numb *and* painful, which I didn't think was possible, but surprise - it is!

Yes - I am typing through the pain - *that* is how devoted I am to you. Stop laughing.

Oh! And I fell on Monday. I actually fell...on the floor...hitting the ground. I hurtish my ankle. I am not amused. I got really pissed off. It was completely stupid. As I was telling my friends, if I had fallen while saving a child from on-coming traffic, or skiing, or parachuting, that's one thing - but really, walking into the kitchen to get some water before I went to work? No - that's just stupid.

So I'm kinda in a crappy mood. And sore. And my finger hurts. BAH!

Hopefully Lola will shuffle up something good for us tomorrow.

I'll Write Soon, but in the mean time...

2011-02-13T23:09:00.004-05:00

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Pandora Pandemonium - The "I'm Blue - But Not the Pretty Melancholy Blue - the Pissed Off Bitchy Blue" Edition

2011-01-28T12:27:00.001-05:00

Night Ride Home - Joni Mitchell - I had never heard this song, it's lovely.
Sweet Dreams - Beyonce - Great song...I challenge you to listen to this and not bop your head. Go ahead, try. It's impossible.
Fernando - ABBA - Love this song! I love how they pronounce "Fernando" correctly and don't roll their Rs where they don't have to. ABBA just rocks. So, this is about the Mexican Revolution, right? BAH! This is a live version - I'm not usually a fan of live versions, like right now I don't need to hear some random audience singing. Just sayin' .
My First Kiss - 3Oh!3 *featuring Ke$ha*- Ha! Ke$ha sings it with them - so you know it's quality! I've never heard this but they're the ones who sang the demented "Helen Keller" song which I was mildly obsessed with a while ago. I looked up the lyrics, they're surprisingly not offensive, much.
La Unica - Juanes - I love this guy's voice, and he's often got that whole scrawny needs a sandwich and a shower thing going for him...
Como La Cigarra - Mercedes Sosa- Oooh Mercedes Sosa! I hadn't heard her in forever...such an amazing voice. One of the few well known indigenous looking Argentinians. She had enormous influence in Latin America - a much missed voice. I think I'll pull her CD out tonight,she's good for my head.
Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons - What can I say? A classic, beautifully sung, never gets old.
Duele el Amor - Aleks Syntek - See, here's why Pandora is all kinds of awesome. I have no idea who this is but I like it. It's in Spanish. The girl sounds like the girl that used to be with La Oreja de Van Gogh. Wait here while I do a quick Google. OK I'm back. Here's the scoop - he's Mexican, and the girls he's singing with is Ana Torroja from Spanish group Mecano, not the one I thought. Good song.
Dynamite - Taio Cruz - ohmygod I love this song! I mean come on! When a song starts "I came to dance-dance-dance-dance. I hit the floor cause that's my plans plans plans plans. I'm wearing all my favorite brands brands brands brands. Give me some space for both my hands hands hands hands." He repeats the important parts FOUR times, that's how you know it's important. And then of course the life lesson of the song: "Cause it goes on and on and on, and it goes on and on and on. Yeah. I throw my hands up in the air sometimes, saying ay-oh, gotta let go." Ay-oh indeed Taio, ay-oh indeed.
Money's Too Tight to Mention - Simply Red - Meh. This is from the album "Simply Red: Greatest Hits". I didn't know they had greatest hitS, I thought they only had one hit - singular. You know the one, that one...wait while I Google again...ok right "Holding Back the Years". So while Googling I read that this song is a cover of a soul standard. I'm not feeling it with them - although a dig at Reagonomics is always appreciated :)

That's it for Pandora this week, next week Lola will be back - I think I'll alternate them to keep it fresh.

Have a great weekend and as Taio says, "Light it up like it's dynamite!" Ay-oh.

It was 50 years ago today...

2011-01-20T12:15:00.000-05:00

Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens, we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom--symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning--signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe--the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage--and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge--and more.

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do--for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.

To those new States whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom--and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.

To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required--not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge--to convert our good words into good deeds--in a new alliance for progress--to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.

To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support--to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective--to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak--and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.

Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.

But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course--both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.

So let us begin anew--remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms--and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.

Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah--to "undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free."

And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

Now the trumpet summons us again--not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are--but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"--a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

John F. Kennedy, January 20 1961

The Lola Shuffle - The Chilly Lola Edition

2011-01-14T09:53:00.002-05:00

Lola is chilly! Are there i-Pod Snuggies? I can totally see Lola in leopard print. Anyway, it's been an age since Lola shuffled publically...let's see what she has for us:

I'm a Woman - Peggy Lee - woooo you go Lola! Way to warm things up! Peggy Lee is smokin' in this rendition.

Check on It - Beyoncé and Slim Thug - Pretty hot..."Dip it, pop it, work it, stop it" indeed...

It's Oh So Quiet - Björk - Could be chilly, but her voice is so awesome, it heats it right up...

Every Little Thing She Does is Magic - The Police - Speaking of hot...hello Sting! Plus don't you ladies want your SO to say that about you? "Every little thing she does is magic. Everything she does just turns me on."

Calypso - John Denver - Ahhh sailing...warm breezes...tropical drinks. This is one of my favorite John Denver songs :)

Grace Kelly - Mika - Hahaha this song alweays makes me smile! It is so insidiously dark while sounding so upbeat and peppy. And Mika totally channels Freddy Mercury in this song...

You Belong To Me - Dean Martin - Smoldering heat in that deep smiling voice. And how handsome was he in his hey-day? Also a fabulous standard.

Head Over Feet - Alanis Morissette - The happy Alannis song! But she still sounds pissed - hahaha! "And don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are I couldn't help it It's all your fault". That's right Alanis you give him the whatfor! Damn him for making you happy!

Over My Head - Fleetwood Mac - Nothing like a good dysfunctional love song to say romance..."I think, I'm looking on the dark side But everyday you hurt my pride I'm over my head Oh, but it sure feels nice". 'Atta girl Christine...that's healthy! But it's a hell of a song though, 'cause we've all kinda been there.

Breaking The Habit - Linkin Park - YAY, early 2000s angtsy white boys! I love this song! They're all upset but don't know why but they just wanna scream..."I don’t know what’s worth fighting for, or why I have to scream. I don’t know why I instigate, and say what I don’t mean. I don’t know how I got this way, I know it’s not alright - so I’m breaking the habit tonight". Brilliant! I blame the video games - but that's just me :)

OK Peeps...go forth and weekendate! Stay warm, have fun, be safe and all that stuff like that there.

Hello, it's me

2011-01-13T11:04:00.007-05:00

Remember me? I'm the lying liar who lies. (Hanging head in shame - and even now I'm shamelessly using a picture of a cute little monkey to garner sympathy!)

I know, I know, you have no reason to believe me this time - I'm not sure I believe me! But at this very moment I truly believe I will Blog with some semblance of regularityish.

So...Happy New Year!

What should I start with...oh I know...vacation!

Some of you may know that Hubby and I took a long trip up North (eek!) for Christmas to visit my in-laws in the Philadelphia area, which was lovely except that...IT SNOWED!!! Needless to say, I wasn't happy. I don't really "do" cold weather, much less snow. I do it wrong...I don't know how.

For example clothes. We don't "layer" in Miami, so that entire concept is lost on me. So then I wind up wearing a sweater, because the TV weather person is telling me it 24F outside. That's "sweater" weather", right? Hence...the sweater. Fine. But then I get where I'm going and they have the heater set to 75F which is NOT sweater weather. So now I'm hot and sweaty and yuck.

OK, next time I go out I put on a regular t-shirt and take a cardigan. And the never-ending "put on-take off ballet" begins. Getting ready to walk out of the house, put on the cardigan. Get into the car, take off the cardigan. Sit in the car just long enough for the temperature to get comfy then at our destination. Put on the cardigan, walk 10 feet to the restaurant - BOOM! 75 degrees - take off the cardigan. Now what do I do with it? Drape it over the back of the chair so that it trails on the floor and picks up restaurant floor ick? Put it on my lap so that I can't put my napkin there? Request an extra chair that it can be the purse and coat chair?

See? Complicated. In Miami you put on what you're going to wear and you're set. Magic! (sigh)

That's all for today. For mañana...maybe more. The intention is there. Really. No, seriously, I mean it.

Oooh! Tomorrow is Friday maybe we'll have a Lola shuffle or a Pandora shuffle. Excitement!

Really ABC? Seriously?

2010-08-31T13:33:00.004-04:00

ABC has announced the next lineup for Dancing With The Stars.

Basically, it is my own private hell with sequins and a disco ball. I mean really, people? David Hasselhoff, Michael Bolton and...wait for it...

Bristol frickin' Palin! Whaaaaaat?

I was considering maybe watching it because of Margaret Cho, but uh...no.

So Florence Henderson and Margaret Cho will have to soldier on without me. There is also something that calls itself "The Situation" - apparently from the "reality" show Jersey Shore. Yeah...given that it calls itself The Situation, not gonna happen.

I just had to vent...so between here, Twitter and Plurk I'm on the way to feeling better. I think Facebook will do the trick.

Ta...

I'm Still Here...I'm Fine

2010-08-19T10:22:00.004-04:00

I just don't have much to say I guess.

As many of you know I've been like this about pretty much everyting. I'm writing it off to yet another phase of that wonderful adventure known as menopause.

Wheee!

I feel I should give you something. Here...I'll do a Pandora Pandemonium, how's that?

I'm setting Pandora to run a QuickMix from all my stations, let's see what comes up...

Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin - Ohmygod! WTH? I am so not a fan of this song. Clearly a cruel cosmic joke.
Dead Flowers - The Rolling Stones - I don't know this song
Scar Tissue - Red Hot Chili Peppers - I don't kow this song
Dirty Old Town - The Pogues - Yay! Great song!
Don't Go - Yaz - GAH! OMG! My ears are bleeding!
Down In The River To Play - Allan Hall - Great song, don't know this guy. This arrangement is so-so.

Oh, Pandora only lets me skip sthrough six songs at a time, so that's all you get.

OK...I'll go back to work now. Love you loads...see you maybe soonish.

Hugs!

The Lola Shuffle - The "I'm Baaaaaack - Sorta" Edition

2010-01-08T14:50:00.001-05:00

First, Happy New Year! I hope everyone's year is going well so far. Can you believe 10 years already? Man that really flew!

Next, it's been 2 months and 1 day since I last posted. That's bad. I'm sorry. Thanks to those who have contacted me both to ask if I'm OK and to tell me they miss the Blog - that's really sweet. I miss you all too! I am fine but I've been busy and distracted and well, just not inspired. I don't think I've given up Blogging, I think I'm taking a hiatus or a sabbatical.

Lola also misses you and is ready with the first shuffle of 2010...let's see what we have...

Abracadabra - Sugar Ray
Pinball Wizard - Elton John
One Love/People Get Ready - Bob Marley
Bubbly - Colbie Caillat
Could It Be Magic - Barry Manilow
This One's For the Girls - Martina McBride
Bonito y Sabroso - Beny Moré
Raspberry Beret - Prince
I'll Be There - The Jackson 5
So What - P!nk

That's a nice mix...good job Lola.

Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm! OHMYGOD, I am so cold! I am not handling this winter well *at all*.

The Because I'm Nosy Meme

2009-11-07T20:10:00.002-05:00

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Yes, only a week into NaBloPoMo and already I'm resorting to memes. Shameless. Hey - that's all I have today!

You know the drill...if you want answer in comments, and if you want to use it on your Blog, let me know in my Comments.

Maybe I'll be scintillating tomorrow...but don't count on it.

How old were you when you got your first "real" kiss? 12

Have you ever shop-lifted from any store? No

Do you believe in Big Foot or the Loch Ness Monster? No

Have you ever traveled out of the United States? Yes

Have you ever swam in the buff? Yes

Have you ever cheated in school on a test? Yes

What is your favorite food? Today - eggplant anything

Ever kicked an animal? No

Ever tooted in public? No

Ever broken the law (not including speeding or a parking ticket)? No

What T.V. game show would you like to be on? Jeopardy

Who do you think is the most evil person in the world right now (alive)? Dick Cheney

Are you happy with your body? No

Do you believe in God? Yes

The Lola Shuffle - The "Lola's Baaaaaaack" Edition

2009-11-06T14:54:00.004-05:00

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No not Lola Falana silly! I'll wait while you return from your flashback. I'm talking about Lola the iPod!

Yes it's true Lola is back and she's ready to shuffle.

Actually Lola needs an update soon, lots of new music to add. Maybe for next week. So, shuffle the oldies Lola and let's see what we get...

Hand in My Pocket - Alanis Morissette
YMCA - Village People (YAY!)
Island Girl - Elton John
May Your Music Live On - Terrance Simien
Shake Your Bon-Bon - Ricky Martin
Return To Me - Dean Martin
Under African Skies - Paul Simon
I Don't Love You Much - Guy Clark
I'm Outta Here - Shania Twain
100 Years - Five for Fighting

Wow! Lola is all over the place and it's awesome...way to be eclectic!

Have a wonderful weekend...maybe shake you bon-bon a little, even if it's only in the kitchen while you make coffee...:)

2009 - New TV Shows

2009-11-05T13:26:00.003-05:00

Well, we've had a few weeks to watch the new TV shows for the 2009 season. I've already dropped some of the ones I checked out.

The ones I'm keeping so far are: Flash Forward, Glee and Modern Family. Last night I recorded the season premiere of V a remake of the unremarkable 80s show. I haven't watched it yet - we'll see how that goes. This season is tough because so many good shows from prior seasons were renewed that it didn't leave much room for new stuff.

Here are the ones I dumped, how many episodes I watched before dumping them and why I dumped them:

Cougar Town - 1 episode - OK...going in to this one I had my doubts. Personally I find the term cougar when referring to a woman with a younger man is offensive and misogynistic. But, I've always liked Courtney Cox , so I thought I'd check it out. Before the end of the first episode I was deprogramming it off of my DVR. Not gonna happen.

Eastwick - 3 episodes - I loved the book and movie on which this show is based, I also like 2 of the three leading ladies and I like "witch" stuff, so I figured this had promise. Unfortunately the man who plays Darryl Van Horne (played brilliantly by Jack Nicholson in the movie) is too skeevy. Nicholson pulled it off because he can, you know, act. This guy? Not so much. He bugs me enough that I gave up on the show.

Vampire Diaries - 1/2 an episode - OK, I know I'm not the target demographic for "The CW", and I was pretty sure this wasn't going to work out. It didn't.

The Good Wife - 3 episodes - I actually like this show and if it survives, I'll catch it in summer reruns. I took it off the DVR because I don't have time for it. Julianna Margulies is fantastic as always, and Chris Noth is slimily delicious.

So what about you? What are you keepers and throw-aways?

Book Review - "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

2009-11-04T20:11:00.003-05:00

Back in July I read Cormac McCarthy's The Road because of the wonderful reviews and comments I'd heard and read. While I recognize McCarthy's evocative writing and the narrative's emotional intensity, I definitely can't say I enjoyed it. The story of a father and son's journey "south" after an undisclosed apocalyptic disaster is brutal and unrelentingly depressing. There isn't a moment of levity or hope. "The Road" is an exhausting read and like a good story often does, it stayed with me for a while, popping into my mind at unexpected moments.

By never telling us where they came from or where they're going and never even telling us their names, McCarthy manages to make the story chillingly universal - it could be us. There is a constant sense of tension and danger with tragedy foreshadowed from the opening lines. There is unspeakable violence and cruelty fueled by other survivors' desperate circumstances. With little or no food, possibly contaminated water, societal order destroyed and some people's instinct to survive at all costs, the reader is constantly waiting for the next horrific scene of cruelty between people, or for the moment when our protagonists finally run out of food and safe water.

Do I recommend the book? Yes, but with the caveat that it is difficult and depressing to read. Will I see the upcoming movie? Eventually on DVD where I can stop it and walk away for a bit - I don't think I can sit through it in the theater.

Thought for the Day

2009-11-03T09:43:00.004-05:00

I'm not needy...I'm wanty!

There's a difference.

There may be more later...:)

NaBloPoMo 2009

2009-11-02T23:22:00.004-05:00

It's that time again! It's NaBloPoMo - National Blog Posting Month. And here it is the second day and I almost blew it. YAY!

If you've been a regular reader, first of all sorry I skipped out on you for over a month...the Muse has been distracted I'm afraid. But I really want to do this and I hope it'll get me back on track with the Blog.

So here's the plan. I will continue with my "regular features" 'Toon Tuesday on well Tuesdays - except for this week - and The Lola Shuffle on Fridays. In between I'll write about whatever pops into my head or is going on or just needs to be said or my head will explode. To paraphrase and misquote a classic movie line: Fasten your your seat belts...this may be a bumpy ride.

I really have no idea where I'm going with this, there is no big plan or organized outline. I do assume I will write about Second Life my current ~~obsession~~ entertainment during leisure time. There's a lot to be said about SL, that's for sure. Oh! and we're going on another road trip!

You know what that means! For two weeks you'll get to hear way too much about a road trip to the Philadelphia area for Thanksgiving. WOO HOO...big fun!

So...thanks for still being here, and "I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places" and some new ones too.

Have a great day!

12 Years and Counting

2009-11-01T20:42:00.004-05:00

I'm writing this at 8:52 p.m. on November 1. 12 years ago at this time, Hubby and I were smack-dab in the middle of our Wedding Reception. By this time my father had already left for the hospital because a kidney stone and I had already stuck a contact lens into an eye that already had one in there - rendering me virtually blind for my reception.

Yet despite all that plus the plethora of misadventures that befell us on that unseasonably rainy day - we're talking biblical proportions - our reception was awesome! Great friends and family from all over, excellent music provided by what may easily be the only Cuban DJ in the area, very good food and a whole lot of laughter. What more do you need?

Twelve years later we spent this lazy Sunday at home, playing on the computer, watching football and now watching the Phillies in the World Series - GO PHILLIES W00T! But between the football games and the baseball game we maintained our anniversary tradition. Afterwards we sat for a while looked at our wedding album and talked. We talked about how things have changed, stuff we want to work on, and we reminisced about that day twelve years ago - and we laughed! We still laugh...I know we always will.

To my husband, the love of my life, Happy Anniversary baby! It's been a hell of a ride, and the road ahead is wide open...let's go!

'Toon Tuesday

2009-09-29T15:31:00.001-04:00

The Lola Shuffle - The " ZOMG* What a Sucky Week" Edition"

2009-09-25T14:10:00.005-04:00

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*ZOMG

Since my real life isn't stressful enough (yes, I know the stress is mostly in my own head - don't judge me!) I have embarked on a Second Life. And this week, within this second life, I have managed to find myself in two completely separate dramas - one of which I'm on the periphery, but the second one, oh I'm smack dab in the middle of that one.

It's ridiculous. I think that's why it's bothering me more than it should - I'm annoyed at myself for doing something stupid and not knowing better. I'm not trying to be mysterious, I promise, it's just that I don't want to mix the "two lives" - that would totally push me over the already precipitous edge.

I'll write more about Second Life at some point. Most of the time it's a lot of fun, but like real life, sometimes things get complicated.

So, Lola...do your magic...shuffle me up a good dose of whoopazz...or cheer me up - you decide.

Stir It Up - Bob Marley - Oy vey the irony!
Baby Can I Hold You - Tracy Chapman
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds - The Beatles
Over My Head - Fleetwood Mac
Forever Young - Joan Baez
Saoco - Celeste Mendoza
Glory Days - Bruce Springsteen
It Doesn't Matter Anymore - Buddy Holly
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain - Willie Nelson
Check On It - Beyonce and Slim Thug

Have a great weekend in whichever life you find yourself.

The Pandora Shuffle - The "Rest in Peace Mary Travers" Edition

2009-09-18T19:48:00.003-04:00

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Mary Travers of Peter, Paul and Mary died this week. An iconic figure in American music, specifically the folk music movement of the 60s, her beautiful voice served as a clarion to inspire so much of the awareness and eventual change that decade provided.

Today, rather than a Lola shuffle, I'm using Pandora to provide music that is *genetically* related to the music of Peter, Paul and Mary, as well as songs performed by them. I created a Peter, Paul and Mary "station" and I'm going to list the first ten songs it plays.

Sloop John B - Kingston Trio
The Sound of Silence - Simon and Garfunkel
Fly Away - John Denver
All My Loving - The Beatles
Shower the People - James Taylor
Day is Done - Peter, Paul and Mary
Flowers Never Bend With the Rain - Paul Simon
Monday, Monday - The Mamas and the Papas
Wild World - Cat Stevens
If I Had a Hammer - Peter, Paul and Mary (A perfect song with which to end, in it Mary's voice is particularly strong and clear!)

"If I had a song, I'd sing it in the morning, I'd sing it in the
evening all over this land. I'd sing out danger, I'd sing out a warning,
I'd sing about love between my brothers and my sisters all over this
land."

That's exactly what Mary , along with Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey did for so many years and in so many songs.

There's a new angel's voice in heaven this week and an angel's voice is always needed - in heaven and on earth. It's been a rough week for me and for people about whom I care very much. Listening to these songs, most of them quiet, gentle and inspiring, has helped.

Have a great weekend!

'Toon Tuesday on Wednesday!

2009-09-16T14:00:00.003-04:00

Patrick Swayze

2009-09-15T13:31:00.006-04:00

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Patrick Swayze has died. Like Farrah, we all knew it was coming and like Farrah, death was a welcome relief from a terrible disease. There are several parallels with Farrah Fawcett's death earlier this year. Both enjoyed (endured?) enormous fame - but arguably more so for being beautiful than for being talented actors, both were diagnosed with types of cancer which are virtual death sentences, both outlived expectations, and both left my generation with vivid memories.

We all watched as, despite defying the odds and living almost two years after being diagnosed, the strong, handsome Swayze deteriorated into a man who looked decades older than his 57 years. In my mind's eye, however, he'll always look like Johnny Castle from "Dirty Dancing" (above) or Sam Wheat from "Ghost".

I smile as I write this because it takes me back to a Saturday night in 1987 - I was 24 years old - and for some reason all the girls from my group of friends were dateless, so we all got together for dinner and to see "Dirty Dancing". I remember sitting there and watching Swayze - who I was aware of from previous movies but who hadn't really registered with me - oh my God he was beautiful! Like, painful beautiful. And the dancing, his body, the music, all of it right there on the huge screen. We all followed the sweet and simple rich girl falls for boy from the wrong side of the tracks story, we thrilled to the dancing and swooned to the love scenes.

One love scene in particular - the one where Baby goes to a shirtless Johnny's cabin and they wind up making love. Remember? We don't really see anything other than him taking her shirt off to reveal a chaste white bra and then running his fingers along her body as they dance. To this day, I find that to be one of the sexiest movie scenes I've ever seen. Nothing graphic, just sensual and romantic and...sigh. And then the ending, his redemption in her father's eyes, their triumphant final dance where Baby finally gets the lift right! At some level we knew they probably wouldn't go on to get married, but they - and we - will always have that summer in the Catskills.

As we left the movie, one of my friends, usually very straight-laced and conservative, looking quite flushed cried out..."Ay! I need a Slurpee!" We all did...

And a couple of years later "Ghost" - plot-wise a better movie than "Dirty Dancing" - with equally memorable scenes by two ridiculously beautiful people - Swayze and Demi Moore. I mean really...who cries better than Demi Moore in "Ghost" with that lone tear streaming down her perfect cheek? And remember the pottery scene - again, incredibly sensual and we really see nothing? And then of course the final kiss where Swayze is all glowy.

From all reports Swayze was a kind, decent man. Loyal to his wife to whom he was married for 34 years - nary a scandal about him, despite being People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 1991. So I guess the last line Sam says to his wife Molly in "Ghost" just as his spirit is set free to go to heaven truly applies to the actor who so memorably portrayed him:

"It's amazing, Molly. The love inside, you take it with you."

I hope he in fact takes his love with him as he joins the constellation of bright stars who have left us this year.

Rest in peace Patrick Swayze, thank you for giving so many of us "the time of our lives"...

The Lola Shuffle - The "Make Up for Last Week" Edition

2009-09-11T10:13:00.004-04:00

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I'm sorry I missed last week's shuffle...I was busy and time got away from me. So today, Lola will shuffle up 20 songs to make up for the missed randomness.

Of course today is 9/11. Everything that has to be said has been said and then some. When I woke up this morning I found myself thinking about how I felt that day. Upon finding out there was initial disbelief and confusion. Then when they hit the Pentagon and we found out about the third plane there was panic. When I got home and started watching the endless coverage, I think I somehow skipped anger and went straight to deep, dull sadness.

That's what I feel today - sad for the victims, for the families of those we lost, for the country we used to be and will probably never be again, and for the subsequent victims - those who have died in the wars and their families. So much violence, tragedy and senseless loss.

So today I say a prayer for all those who were saddened to a degree that would seem unbearable. And today I gave my husband an extra kiss and a bigger hug when he dropped me off at work, because you just never know...

OK Lola...let's make up for lost time...

Dead and Gone - T.I. featuring Justin Timberlake (Wow - that was totally random!)
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Wake Up Alone - Amy Winehouse
'Round Here - Counting Crows
Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby? - Dinah Washington
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - The Beatles
Ugly - Jon Bon Jovi
Jungle Love - Steve Miller Band
Cry! Cry! Cry! - Johnny Cash
Botch-A-Me - Rosemary Clooney
I Shot the Sheriff - Eric Clapton
The Dirty Boogie - Brian Setzer Orchestra
Come Away With Me - Norah Jones
Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac
Seven Bridges Road - The Eagles
Luck Be a Lady - Frank Sinatra
City of New Orleans - Willie Nelson
Anyone Else But You - Michael Cera & Ellen Paige ("Juno " soundtrack)
Someone Saved My Life Tonight - Elton John
New World Man - Rush

Have a safe and happy weekend!

'Toon Tuesday

2009-09-08T10:30:00.000-04:00

Six Years Ago Today

2009-09-06T20:28:00.002-04:00

I miss you Papi.

'Toon Tuesday

2009-09-01T10:00:00.004-04:00

The Lola Shuffle - The "Fantasy Football Draft" Edition

2009-08-28T13:39:00.001-04:00

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Yes boys and girls it's Fantasy Football Draft time! Hubby participates in a "league" that consists mostly the husbands in our group of friends. This year however, there is speculation that one of the wives might participate (GASP!). Seriously, this girl knows her football. Through the years we (the other wives) have considered holding our own fantasy draft based on stuff like who's cuter, who has the nicer uniform, do we like the team's city, etc. But usually we just go out for dinner while the boys do their thing.

We used to stay while they did the draft but they are way too intense and we were "bothering them". Honestly, the planning for the invasion of Normandy was more relaxed than the draft - you'd think they were deciding the fate of the world rather than picking football players. This year the wives were considering having a *Pride and Prejudiceathon* where we would (in a completely different house than where the draft was going on) watch the entire BBC version - the one with Colin Firth (sigh) - of Pride and Prejudice. But the boys haven't gotten their shit together so we don't know when the draft is actually going to happen but it has to be before the season starts which is...soon (?).

Anyway, Lola and I were expecting the draft to be this weekend so, her shuffle this week is draft inspired...take it away Lola!

A Change Would Do You Good - Sheryl Crow
I Don't Feel Like Dancing - Scissor Sisters
Lonely No More - Rob Thomas (he's kinda yummy)
Rockin' All Over the World - John Fogerty
Black Is The Color - Nina Simone
Midnight Blue - Melissa Manchester
Mockingbird - Carly Simon & James Taylor
Ironic - Alannis Morissette
Luxurious - Gwen Stefani
Eternal Flame - The Bangles

Wow - some of those hadn't shown up for a while...good job Lola!

Have a great weekend y'all...stay cool and do something fun.

'Toon Tuesday on Thursday - for Ted Kennedy

2009-08-27T09:04:00.004-04:00

Bye Teddy...

2009-08-26T14:58:00.002-04:00

This morning when I woke up I was in a funk - for no particular reason, just meh. I didn't turn on the TV before we left, nor the radio while in the car. The moment I got to my desk - literally before I even sat down - the phone rang and it was my husband who had just dropped me off. He had turned the radio on and heard the news about Ted Kennedy. He told me he considered not calling me since I was depressed already, but figured I'd hear about it soon enough, so he wanted to be the one to tell me.

I don't really know why Kennedy's death has affected me as much as it has - it was certainly expected. Other than the obvious reason that he was one more in a long line of early and tragic deaths in a family that has endured more tragedy than any family should.

Now, there's only one sibling, Jean, left from the most stunningly committed group of siblings I can think of. Think about their contributions to our country and in some cases the world - not just those of John, Bobby, and Ted - but Joseph Jr., Eunice and Jean as well. Talk about living up to JFK's "ask what you can do for your country" - despite all their flaws and missteps, they certainly walked the walk.

And now Edward is gone. He was 77 when he died.

During one of his last public appearances, when he defied all odds and appeared at the 2008 Democratic Convention he said health care was the cause of his life. He repeated those words in an article he wrote for Newsweek published just last month in which he wrote:

But quality care shouldn't depend on your financial resources, or the type of job you have, or the medical condition you face. Every American should be able to get the same treatment that U.S. senators are entitled to.
This is the cause of my life. It is a key reason that I defied my illness last summer to speak at the Democratic convention in Denver—to support Barack Obama, but also to make sure, as I said, "that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American…will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not just a privilege."
For four decades I have carried this cause—from the floor of the United States Senate to every part of this country. It has never been merely a question of policy; it goes to the heart of my belief in a just society. Now the issue has more meaning for me—and more urgency—than ever before. But it's always been deeply personal, because the importance of health care has been a recurrent lesson throughout most of my 77 years.

Is it cruel irony that he dies just as health care is at the cusp of reform or is it yet another tragedy? Now that his intelligence, experience and enthusiasm for this issue is needed most - now is when he leaves us.

He was no saint, he acknowledged and owned up to it in 1991 during a speech at Harvard:

"I recognize my own shortcomings, the faults and the conduct of my private life," Kennedy said. "I realize that I am alone responsible for this and I am the one who must confront it."

I don't think he was necessarily the most flawed of the Kennedy brothers, he was simply, and sadly, the one who lived the longest without the benefit of post-mortem forgiveness. He was also the one that was left to carry the burden of the family legacy and promise of greatness.

So yes, I'm sad. I'm sad that a man who had gone through a private (yet so public) hell for so many years and seemingly managed to quell his demons, was felled while still relatively young. I'm sad that he never saw his dreams of universal care achieved - possibly (hopefully) coming so close to it. And I'm sad because he was the last symbol of the elusive time which "for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot".

Rest in peace Senator Kennedy...you have so many waiting for you. And now "the boys" are finally together again.

'Toon Tuesday

2009-08-25T12:39:00.003-04:00

Back to School

2009-08-24T13:03:00.003-04:00

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It seems summer vacation is ending much earlier than it did "in my day" (I'm over 40 I'm allowed to say that without irony). I did however start school slightly later than everyone else. Most people started school shortly after Labor Day, however, since I went to a very Cuban-American grade school (1st-8th grade) we didn't start until after September 8 which is the feast day of Cuba's patron saint La Virgen de la Caridad (Our Lady of Charity).

But my favorite part of going back to school was, of course, shopping for school supplies. Even now I'm a bit of an office supply junkie, but school supplies are so much better. Because I went to a private school we didn't have to worry about shopping for clothes because we had a uniform so it was all about the supplies. I know that today parents usually get a list ahead of time for what to get, but 142 years ago, when I was in grade school, the parents got nothing ahead of time. So before school started we would head off to the now defunct Zayre's, which was sort of like a Wal-Mart only not soul-suckingly evil, and buy general stuff.

General stuff was pencils - I would get 2 packs of pretty yellow unsharpened #2 pencils, a pencil sharpener - the black one with the domed plastic lid, depending on the grade either spiral notebooks or plastic three-ring binders with three hole punched college ruled paper, a wooden ruler, and starting around 5th grade we had to get ball point pens - a pack of blue, a pack of black and a pack of red. Then there was the matter of a carrying method - this was before backpacks and rolling suitcases were an option. When I was little I would get a book bag that looked like a soft sided briefcase with a buckle on the front - I can't find a picture of anything like it. Later on I was too too cool for book bags so I got those elastic book bands with hooks to hold the books together and hitched the pile of books and notebooks on my hip. Oh and there was that glorious time when the Trapper Keeper entered my life - as John Mayer said (although he was talking about the 80s generation it applies to me as well) it was "the genesis of obsessive compulsive disorder for my generation." I never needed a pencil case or pencil box because my mom would get me bank deposit pouches from work.

On the first day of school the teacher would give us the list of specific items we would need - crayons, scissors, and as we got older calculators, protractors, compasses (shudder!), etc. But best of all, we would get our books for the year. Again, because I was in private school we would buy our books, so each year we would get brand new books - people didn't sell used text books back then. I remember the crack sound when I opened them, the smell of new book...they were so pretty and shiny, so full of promise. Later that night my father would cover them, first in clear contact paper to protect them and then with whatever book covers I had chosen for the year which wound up lasting about a week tops. It was awesome.

Then of course, the second day of school we'd get homework and everything went downhill from there as I counted the days to the next summer vacation.

I hope everyone's 2009 back-to-school day is (or was) uneventful and full of promise!

image sources: pencil sharpener, elastic book bands, bank deposit pouch, clear contact paper

The Lola Shuffle - The "Working From Home" Edition

2009-08-21T16:28:00.005-04:00

I've been working from home for the past two days because my stomach has declared war on me. That's my view up there...the laptop and the TV in the background, but I usually don't have the TV on, I listen to music.

Bleh. It's been a day, I'm in a mood.

Lola, go ahead and shuffle something up for the nice people who came to visit...

Never Can Say Goodbye - The Jackson 5
Shut Up - Black Eyed Peas
The Lucky One - Alison Krauss & Union Station
You Make Loving Fun - Fleetwood Mac
Tradición - Gloria Estefan
I Don't Want to Wait - Paula Cole
Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
Brass in Pocket - The Pretenders
Passionate Kisses - Mary Chapin Carpenter
Hotel California - The Eagles

That's a pretty good shuffle Lola - good job.

Everyone have a great weekend, stay cool and do something fun.

'Toon Tuesday

2009-08-18T06:30:00.000-04:00

The Lola Shuffle - The "Woodstock 40th Anniversary" Edition

2009-08-14T09:24:00.007-04:00

This weekend commemorates the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. Woodstock is now the age against which the attendees were rebelling.

What a weekend, huh? What a lineup - here are just some of them, the ones that I would have wanted to see:

Melanie
Arlo Guthrie
Joan Baez
John Sebastian
Santana
Grateful Dead
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Janis Joplin (!)
Sly and the Family Stone
The Who (they sang 25 songs starting at 4 a.m.)
Jefferson Airplane
Joe Cocker
The Band
Blood, Sweat and Tears
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Neil Young
Jimi Hendrix

Except for the mud and the whole being outside thing - I would have loved to have been there. Since then we've had events like Live Aid and other multi performer events, but the aura of Woodstock was never recaptured. There have been attempts, but they've failed because the world is so different now. Things were far from perfect then, and the festival had it's dark side - but I think there was a level of sincerity and innocence that isn't as prevalent. I think those kids really believed in their hearts as well as in their LSD and pot infused brains that they were going to change the world - and to be honest they did in a lot of ways.

Despite the turmoil and problems of the era, IMO for one weekend in upstate New York it was a magical moment. Sadly, we may need to wait 100 years like Brigadoon, or perhaps wait for "when the moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars and peace guides the planet" before the zeitgeist produces another Woodstock moment.

OK Lola, give us a Woodstock worthy shuffle - who knows we may get a ghost of rock festivals past...

Crazy - Willie Nelson (Don't start Dixie!)
I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince
I'm in You - Peter Frampton
I Only Want To Be With You - Dusty Springfield
God Only Knows - The Beach Boys
Un Poquito De Tu Amor - Desi Arnaz
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day
Pinball Wizard - The Who (WOO HOO - Woodstock sighting!)
Mercy - Duffy
Crazy Little thing Called Love - Queen

So this weekend, stay cool, have a glass or two of Mateus or Lancers - maybe listen to a little Hendrix, some Joplin or some Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Send out good vibes so that some day we will again know the pleasures of peace, love and rock and roll.

But keep out of the mud and most importantly stay away from the brown acid.

'Toon Tuesday

2009-08-11T14:57:00.001-04:00

Which Do You Prefer? Meme

2009-08-10T23:30:00.000-04:00

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I haven't posted a meme in forever! I swiped this one from Facebook. If you want to play and put this on your Blog let me know in my Comments section.

Do you prefer...

Traveling or Staying at Home? Traveling
Dancing or Watching others dance? Dancing
Oldies music or Country music? Oldies
Hiking or Swimming? Swimming
Hot Dogs or Hamburgers? Hamburgers
Beer or Wine? Wine
Cars or Trucks? Cars
Resturant or Home Cooked Meal? Restaurant
Hotels or Motels? Hotels
Auto racing or Horse racing? Horse racing
Winter, Spring, Summer of Fall? In Miami Winter, anywhere else Fall
High School, College or NBA Basketball? College
Swimming in a Lake or Swimming in a Pool? Pool
Nightclub or Tavern? Tavern
Cash or Charge? Charge

Your turn...