The boxer in the snow

I've not shown pics of the pets lately. Here is the boxer. He is still active as all get out. He is still goofy. He nearly brings the house down when somebody comes home or knocks on the door. All hell breaks loose as he slips and slides his big self across my wooden floor.

He is like a bull in a china shop. Not that I have any china. He knocks over chairs, crashes into furniture. We just yell at him. "Slade!"

He is a nut.

When somebody knocks on your door, does it make you jump? I can't seem to explain why I have this fear or anxiety when somebody knocks on my door. I don't mean it to sound funny because of the dog (dogs). I have had this feeling  all my life. Even when I did  not have pets in the house.

Anybody remember the song "Who Can it Be, Now?" from Men at Work.

Oh, wait. After examining the pictures above - take a closer look at the second one. Now, does anybody remember the song "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow?"  - that was Frank Zappa? Huh. I never knew that.

Musication

Music. We all love it. Or some form of it.

While setting that valley school up with an increase in bandwidth last week, a staff member (female) came up behind me and said    "This means we can play Pandora again, right?"

Last year I told this tech at this school (who was constantly complaining that he never had enough bandwidth) to block Pandora because when I checked there was a lot of Pandora traffic coming from his network.

I noticed a few months later that he had done so.

Now, this lady.

Sigh.

I turned to her and said "Is it educational?"

They hate that.

"It helps me keep my sanity!"

I said "Then bring in a CD, an mp3 player, or play it on your phone!"

Sheesh. Why should the tax payers have to pay to keep increasing a school district's bandwidth for more, more, more just so that staff can stream audio to their desktop?

Right?

Rock on!

Her daddy (nephew June 78) is a rocker. Sings in a rock and roll band. Looks like she is saying "Rock on da-da! Rock on!"

Rock & Roll

Going here today. Strange that I am not looking forward to it. I have had family and friends go and they say it is (yawn) boring! Ugh. I hope I am pleasantly surprised.

I am also not excited to be travelling today. The weather experts are calling for four to six inches of snow in my area. I am heading north and supposedly no snow that way. It is all me and south of me. My friends live one county north of me. The HofF is a few more counties above them. Right next to the lake. What do you think the wind chill factor is up that way? With the stiff breeze coming off of Lake Erie? Egad!

So, I will conjure up some 45 memories and dig back in the archives. I have no interest in the musicians of the past thirty years. Well, maybe a few but - no thanks. I want 50's 60's and 70's, please.

Celebration

However you celebrate it  (Independence Day) - have a good one.

As for me - quiet today.

A crew is coming in on Saturday (the 7th) to grill. I told them I was not 'doing' the fourth this year. Sigh. They said they will bring everything. Go for it.

I am on some new medication for migraines. And am scheduled for an MRI. I called earlier in the week when I got yet another headache. They are not full blown migraines but my quality of life really sucks. I am trying to find a solution to this "staying home and staying quiet all summer" theme that I have committed myself to. Until I find out what the hell is causing this or what is going on, I am laying low. If it is menopause then I may just have to deal with it until it all passes, but I am not taking it laying down. I will fight but only when I can muster up the energy to do so. I look like shit.

The ones coming in this week-end do not get headaches. I love them and I hope I do not get grouchy. Screw fire works. I hate the noise.

Okay, enough for the negativity. My new med is for seizures but also is believed to help with migraines. Anticonvulsant. Two days in and so far so good. Time will tell. I am certain the MRI will tell nothing, but at least I'll have gotten it out of the way. They seriously asked me if I had any pins or bolts in my head. Really? What am I? Frankenstein? I said the only metal I had were teeth fillings and my mouth is full of that. That is another story. Welfare children do not get to pick much from the dentist arena. Every dentist I have been to since I turned 20 has cursed the dentist that pulled one of my molars at 12 years old.

Okay - back to quiet. Seriously - have a good one. Grill outside if you must but get back into the shade or the Air or a big blue pool. God Bless America. And anything/anybody else who wants to bless us. Every one.

I think I'll go online and try to find an American song by Andy Griffith. I like to hear him sing.

Oh, and wonder of wonders. My computer sputtered on me this morning. I swear! Every fourth of July or close to it (you can go back in my archives and look for yourself) this damn computer crashes. WTF? It is back up and running but it gave me a good scare. I immediately backed up a lot of stuff. I am running out of external hard drive space. Prices are coming down, I think I'll get a 2 TB one.  Newegg has a WD for $129.

Bar is Open

Key West is known for the bar scene. I guess. A group of us did go out one evening and meandered in and out of bars. We started at the Hard Rock for dinner. A lot of the bars in Key West are multi-faceted. You walk in one place and if you continue to walk around or upstairs, you enter another bar area with different music and a different crowd, but it is the same named bar.

On our trolley tour, we were shown the bar that opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 4 a.m. We didn't make it to that one. Heh, heh. There is an open atmosphere in most of the Duvall street bars. There is no glass on the windows. I am not certain there were any doors. I have no idea how they lock up after hours. I would have to say our favorite was Pete's Dueling Pianos.

A lot of the drinkers stood outside on the sidewalk. No drinks allowed outside but some had one foot in the bar and one foot outside. They spilled out and mingled with the tourists. Perhaps a lot of them were tourists. It was odd for me to see this mixing of people drinking and families walking (with little children) through the same drinking crowds of people. I'd say it was about eleven p.m.

There was one group that came in. Four in total. I only saw the two guys dressed (horribly) as women. They had exagerrated make up on and scarves and old lady skirts with tragic white hose on. Somebody in my group said that there were two women with them. I only saw the men. It was amusing.

Settled Down

I was never a BIG fan of Hank,Jr. Even less so after I saw him make an ass of himself when he berated his crew in concert. One song phrase does pass through my mind quite often. "All my rowdy friends have settled down."  How lonely one must be out there in the bar trying to get loud and drunk with the younger set. Leave it to the younger set. I have settled down. I despise the bar scene. The lights, the noise. Back then (the smoke). I do not miss it one iota.

The photo above is from a set my nephews did. One nephew sings, the other controls the audio mix. They get a gig every once in a while. The singing nephew is mixing it up with two different bands these days. They don't practice much. They just get out there and howl. I have not heard them. Photo courtesy of nephew 1977.

I can still remember the day I first heard my nephew sing. (not with a band, just himself). I almost fell off of my chair. I just wish he would sing words one could understand instead of the screaming and howling. But that is what they want these days I guess.

Watched "Immortals" with the daughter. Her choice of movie, not mine. I fell asleep during the movie. I am thinking I need more sleep. Seems like I am falling asleep during a lot of movies. You cannot tell much in the movie but Cavill is one handsome dude. From what I read, somebody wanted him to act the Edward role in the Twilight series. (I am NOT a Twilight fan). The thought of watching the series makes me cringe. I am not certain if it is the vampire thing or the fact I think it is insipid.

I scoffed at the Immortals movie when I pointed out to my daughter that I did not feel they should have such nice, feathered (or razored) haircuts - the men. The movie is fantasy/fiction I know but some of the other men had horrible, ugly hair. I do not think anybody or anything can make Rourke uglier than he is. He is the epitome of ugly - but he does it very well.

This close

My daughter's beau was pleasantly surprised with a special event Saturday night at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. My daughter stayed at his uncle's house sick with a migraine. They go to New Jersey every year for the zombie walk. 

Seeing Bruce would be an event of a lifetime for my daughter's beau. He took this photo with his cell phone.This was a benefit show for Boston College.

Peace Out!

I went to a 60's tribute concert Friday night. This is my brother-in-law. I seriously doubt that he has ever tried mj, but maybe he did. During the 60's he was the crew cut marine over in Viet Nam.

We had a wonderful time. Four sisters, my bil (above), two nephews and one niece (who bailed out on us in the middle of the concert).  She did not know the music - that is okay. 

I took the video card out of my ubuntu machine and installed it into my old Motherlode machine, so I am back on Windows XP. However, all 8 of my USB ports are gone. And my firewire port. I am working with a wire (that is a network patch cable to my router strung across the floor). 

I guess I will have to download my e-books to my nook at work. I am fortunate that I have an external hard drive that is USB attached to my router and I can backup data that way. Hey, I just realized I can probably plug my thumb (flash/jump) drives in to the router that way also.

So much fun, this technology.

The above mention of a jump drive reminds me of the commercial where the gym teacher is going through the list of items students will need and at the end he says "jump drive... not sure what that is but they are going to be jumping!"

Splish Splash

My grand/great nephew taking a bath at my sister's house. 

(His grandmother).

I got lost reading about Bobby Darin and now have no time for a post. I didn't have anything worthwhile to write about anyway.

A little bit closer now

The title to this post is kind of a quote in a Little Richard's song "You Make Me Want to Shout!" A close up of an ant on one of my peony buds. I hope to improve with this camera as the week unfolds but I am hearing the thunder rumbling over my house as I type. Sigh. Here comes the rain again. Another line from a song. The Eurythmics.

Every time I go to get a drink of my coffee this morning the cup is empty. What is up with that? Who is drinking this coffee?

Like a Rock

Stood there boldly, sweatin’ in the sun

The song was still resounding in my head after
my drive.


...felt like a million, felt like number one


I sat down at my computer to check my e-mail messages

....at the height of summer, I’d never felt that strong

My god! I felt so strong and alive back then.

Like a rock

My daughter's boyfriend and his cousin walked into the room.


I was eighteen, didn’t have a care

I felt like I was on top of the world back then.

workin’ for peanuts, not a dime to spare


"We are going to a Bob Seger concert the end of May,
you wanna go?"


but I was lean and solid everywhere

Sigh... Bob Seger... I knew every word to every song,
maybe I still do.

Like a rock

I leaned way back in my chair. Bob Seger.....
in person. Not the tribute band this time.

My hands were steady, my eyes were clear and bright

At 20 years old... they were going to listen to Bob...

my walk had purpose, my steps were quick and light


Where was I working at 20 years old?

And I held firm, to what I felt was right

I despised injustice in the workplace. Still do.


Like a rock

A live conert, huh?


Like a rock

Ah yes, I have always witnessed somebody puking at
every concert I have attended....


I was strong as I could be

My head aches thinking about it.

like a rock

I didn't care to see any of that!

Nothin’ ever got to me


Life speeds by, I feel as though I am on a runaway train.

like a rock

Sigh. At 18, 19 and 20 I was a real dancing queen....

I was somethin’ to see

I would even dance sober!

like a rock

Life was risky back then. I was naive.


And I stood arrow straight

Energy seemed endless back then.

...unencumbered by the weight of all these hustlers and their schemes

If I didn't like the situation I was in at work,  I just left.

I stood proud I stood tall high above it all

I had my integrity... I would quickly lose respect for my boss.

I still believed in my dream

Yep. Piss me off and I was out the door. A regular ramblin' man.


Twenty years now, where’d they go?

Twenty, thirty? Who is counting anymore?

Twenty years, I don’t know

Getting up for work day after day after day.


I sit and I wonder sometimes

And when in the hell did my boss become a
person YOUNGER than I?




where they’ve gone

Sh!t! I was singing "Old Time Rock & Roll" before
my current boss was even born!


And sometimes late at night,


No more late nights dancing and partying...don't really miss it.

...oohhh when I’m bathed in the firelight

More like the television light.

the moon comes callin’ a ghostly white, and I recall




That crazy moon! Why does it cast such a spell onto us?

I recall

Why does it bring back such melancholy memories?


Like a rock...

My daughter's boyfriend brought me out of my reverie,
"So, do you want me to get you a ticket?"

Like a rock...

Thirty years....

Like  a rock...

Time waits for no one....

Like  a rock...

I managed a weak smile.
"Nah, go on ahead without me..."

I still have my dreams.

Found the video "Like a Rock".

I could eat this one all day

I do not recall having this candy when I was young. I do not recall the first time I had sixlets. I could eat this candy all day along with plain m&m's. 

Remember during Christmas I said that I despised the song "Santa Baby"? Well, I sure set something into my brain that is going to haunt me for a long time. About the same time as Christmas music was playing everywhere I began the ritual of giving Sable her medicine and like Pavlov's dogs, I associated the meds with a jingle.

In a day of complete insanity I sang the jingle to the tune of Santa Baby. What was I thinking?! Here are the words (to the tune of the despised infamous Christmas song):

Sable Baby
Come and get your medicine

Oh, yeah!

You know you need your medicine.

Sable Baby,
Come and get your medicine, now!

I don't know if I will ever get this jingle out of my head as I give her the medicine daily. God help me.

I give Sable two tablets of Novox (carprofen)  100 mg and two Phycox softchews. All the dogs get a tiny piece of bread and peanut butter (sticky enough to hold the pill  to the bread until she swallows it). The other dogs do not get any medicine. I implore you to try this medication if your dog is showing signs of arthritis. Sable could barely get up from the floor where she was laying and now she runs with the pups. It is so wonderful to see her having fun outside. The medicine was first prescribed by my veterinarian, but I chose to order the medication on-line after that. I chose VetDepot. When you go to order the product, they ask you for the name of your veterinarian and they do the contacting and getting the okay (because it is prescription) and once all is clear, they ship it to you. For the Phycox softchews you do not need a prescription.

Santa Baby

Did some arts and crafts with friends a week or so ago. We all sat around a big ping pong table. Most of them used glitter pens and markers. I used up all the white felt and stole all the white cotton balls.

By the way, my least favorite holiday song is "Santa Baby". Hate it. I despise the lyrics and it totally goes against my nature. Oooh! Buy me this! Buy me that! I only love you if you give me material things! A ring, yes a ring! Boo boo be do! (retching).

I am not feeling any better at all. I think I am getting worse. Have the big dinner party tonight.33 is the latest count. My daughter's boyfriend will drive (deer on a dark county road at night) and I'll let the 20 year old eyes take care of the spotting. I'll be snug in the back seat with no worries. I might drink some of the bourbon that Tabor suggested. If I can keep it down.

I am not used to riding in the back. It is a forty minute drive. I'll hope for the best.

The adult game we are playing goes like this. I took construction paper and cut it in half - long ways. I put the first letters of the first line of a Christmas song on each one. I have about 40 of them.

For example, the song "Away in a Manger" looks like this on the card:  AIAM. They have to guess the song. Not so easy. Here are some, can you guess them?

1.  TFNTADS

2.  STNWTTLL

3.  DTTS

4.  DTHWBOH

5.  GGROBAR

6.  OLTOB

7.  SNHN

8.  HTHAS

9.  JTTW

10.  GTIOTM

11.  FTSWAJHS

12.  HYAMLC

13.  IDOAWC

14. OCAYF

15. WWYAMC

At the office and away

The ladies in the building where I work at started a monthly night out for the gals. I hosted last night's get together and I could not think of anything to do with them or have for them.

The host is not at all obligated to do anything but pick the restaurant and get the tally of gals coming and show up. An hour before the event it hit me.

A "get to know you" questionnaire. Who is your favorite actor and why? Who is your favorite actress and why? Who is your favorite male/female singer. What song did you like?

Oh, it was hilarious. We had 8 gals show up. Our list includes over 20, but life does get busy.

I had no idea we would have this great of a time talking about movies, music and books.

The funniest was of the group of the ladies that liked Elvis - that age group, one of them was into heavy metal. We were shocked! She liked Ozzie Osbourne. She named a few others I don't recall, but it was quite the surprise.

I had 3 pages of questions (about 20) and we barely got through the first page. I know a little bit more about the women I see every day and what they like. It was great!

Oh, the food sucked. They burned my seafood and I had to get a re-do on some of my dish. The hot sauce made me sweat and started a hot flash and that (with the excitement and laughing) brought on a royal headache. I used to work in a grill restaurant and I could tell they had the grease too hot - or they forgot about it - or both.

I came  home to a basement full of kids playing video games. (Why do I still say kids? They are in their early 20's except for my daughter who is still 19).  They were hungry. I ordered the pizza and wings and gave them the coupon and money and told them when to go pick it up. We have 3 pizza joints within walking distance of my back door. Easy peasy.

The dogs were in heaven with all the company. And I am certain they were drooling in hopes that somebody would let a chunk of sausage or pepperoni fall off of their piece of pizza. Me? I read my e-mails and went to bed. Didn't hear a thing until I woke up at five.

Sister 1944 posted a remark on Facebook about brother 1957. She told his lady friend/wife/ex-wife to post a picture of our brother, she forgot what he looked like. Coming across as "he never comes to any get togethers."  Sister 1956 mentioned to me that brother 1957 was a little bit upset by it. I said "Oh, he needs to lighten up."

Brother 1957's lady friend stated that she didn't know how to post photos, yet.

So, my daughter and I found the funniest looking monkey photo on the web and I posted on Facebook : I said "here. I found a picture of brother 1957. I'll post it."  And I slapped that monkey up there. Hee, hee. Take that brother. I don't let my brothers and sisters get miffed at me. I'll be right in their face saying "lighten up! I love you!"  Then I give them a big hug. It is completely futile to get upset with me.

Festival 2

I had to zoom to get the photo of these two. I did get more of them, but in a movie format. This dance is just awesome. They invite the crowd to come in and participate. A few did. I did not make it back out on Sunday. Both sisters canceled. They ended up closing the festival early because of poor attendance.

This couple had me in awe. They kept right up with the dancing. Once I check the sound of the video, I will try to get it posted. I am not certain what is said on the video, yet. I'll have to use my backup computer. The sound card in my big one seems to have bit the dust. I blame it on sister 1954 and her making me listen to Lady Ga-gag.

The festival

From the fall festival this year. The best I can tell (from Google) is that this type of pipe is a Great Highland perhaps? I see her every year and I should talk to her (when she is not busy playing, of course).

We walked. Then we ate. Then we walked some more. Then we ate some more. Rinse, repeat. I thought I would burst. My sister and I would not have eaten so much, but she had her son with her and he was like "Next!" at every food tent. I didn't complain, but my tummy did a little.

My other sister just called and cancelled on me today. I guess that is a good thing (for my tummy). The weather has been cold and rainy (yesterday it was cool and cloudy). The ground will be a muddy mess (I know from past experience) and it will be quite miserable. I still have one sister who has not checked in. I may be going, yet.

Jive Talkin'

For my friend's birthday bash she requested a little disco music. I found some. I don't have much of that flavor of music in my stash. Maybe five songs or so from (please let us forget) that era.

Had a wonderful day with friends at the camp grounds yesterday. Could not have asked for a more pleasant day. It was beautiful outside. Just beautiful.

Driving around on the golf cart we drooled over the camp sites that were for sale. So nice! So shady. Not many were lakeside, and some were downright shabby. Ah, well.

We will survive! We did survive the disco craze. LOL!

La di da!

It is green. It's just the day and sky was gray and the asphalt was gray and it all reflected back onto the car to make it look gray.

I got the color and style I wanted. I got it at the Civic price. How? I bought it used. Certified used. Five things it does not have. Leather interior, heated seats, power seats, navigator and an outside temperature gauge. I think I can live without those.

My absolute favorite (besides the color)? The 6 CD changer that plays CD's and MP3! I have a huge MP3 collection. I can fit about 200 songs on each CD. That's over 1,000 songs without touching a disc! It's all in there.

Red, Gold and Green

I heard an old song on the radio the other day. A blast from the past. "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club. I couldn't find who exactly wrote the song. I didn't search very long. It has a catchy tune and beat and I love red, gold and green.

Am seeing lots of green these days. I started to mow for the first time this year, only to be met by a downpour when I wheeled the mower out of the garage. I put it away and went inside. Washed my hands, turned around and the sun was shining again. Go figure. Ohio.

We watched Lakeview Terrace. It was okay.