Monday Morning you sure look fine...The Dog Days of Summer

The Dog Days of Summer
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It's automatic, it's hydromatic, no, it's LISTOMATIC - to do this next month
Take Chel out for her birthday
Put lawn service on hold
Call FSC Financial AId to get Chel's Fall Tuition reviewed
Send cards
Package up Goodwill stuff, take it down there
Call Fee
Decide on which 2 of the 3 HOB shows in September are the most important to me
- Citizen Cope 9/11, James 9/21, The Black Crowes 9/22,
Get tix for the Joshua Radin/Script show on 10/29
Get fares for mom's trip to MD
Set up initial appt at Cele Health
Clear out office
Set up website come hell or high water
Set up order for business cards
Go down to Mother Falcon with logo and price out shirts etc.
Oh, yeah... go to the day job....
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The prodigal son, Mike, texted me the other night, in bits and pieces of Boondock Saintisms. It was a good laugh trying to have the coversation in just quotes from Boondocks. I miss him. He's working, and coming home soon (3-4 weeks).
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Michael Fassbender is in X-Men as young Magneto -- THAT? Makes me beyond happy :)
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Matt Mackelcan show at House of Blues with Corey Smith was great, Matt was in fine form, dancing around with the guitar, in great voice, met the new band members seem like fine fellows, great musicians, how can I go wrong? Was only allowed to shoot the first three songs, so not a lot of shots taken, but next show is at a normal bar with no photographer time limits, so I'll take a ton there. Road Trip to the Windjammer soon.
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Tomorrow is 2nd shoot with this new talent Justin. Should be interesting, scouted some new locations I may use in this instance so looking forward to that. Cameron and Maddie will be shooting soon as well, they always give quality even when goofing around. Cam, David, Justin, Mike and maybe Josh(when and if he comes home) have a shoot in August, guys doing guy stuff...
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Real update later - popping in before BAZINGA! Hope all is well. In the mean, have a brilliant brilliant.

There’s no finish line. Link Love, Movietimes,

Am looking for some new music to put on some mix cds for an upcoming road trip to NC. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
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"What’s something you know now about happiness that you didn’t know when you were 18 years old?" asked Gretchen Rubin. "There’s no finish line." replied Larry Smith - Smith Magazine -- THAT? Probably the biggest thing I have learned in my 25 years since becoming an "adult". Every time I think that I have a handle on it - it turns out I don't. I'm not sure that any of us ever will. That said, in the words of my friend Cameron Ivey - "Without the fright, standing on a line, I might as well call it a night." I'm tired of running the marathon - where's the finish line? Is it after your children leave the nest? After your 50th birthday? When you are made a Mgr at your job? When you have a cool Million in the bank? When? Anybody know- please bring me on board with an answer, otherwise I'm going with there just isn't one, we keep pushing on.
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I never tire of this and often listen just to get some french in.. AND THE CROCODILE and HIPPOPOTAMU!! OH MY!
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=35694
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I am in love with these two songs- Matt MacKelcan's "Drive" http://www.myspace.com/mattmackelcan
and "Black Summer" by The Country Slashers. http://www.myspace.com/countryslashers
They are on rotate right now. Mind you, I love all of Matt's stuff and Jason's voice gives me chills, so anything they play is great. If you're looking for new music to get into, I highly recommend both bands.
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I'm a big Bass girl, it's Lou's fault, he knows, but anyhoo--- I highly recommend this man and his brilliant fingers... James McKeever http://www.myspace.com/jamesbeadg5 Check out his player - great stuff. If you're a purist, "Blues for Roger" is gorgeous.
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Ian McKellan is turning 71 on the 28th of this month. 71. I truly truly hope we get back to London and I get to meet him before anything happens. It astounds me that he has done so much in the time given. I only have a few OMG! moments when it comes to celebrities, but it's McKellan. I won't rest till I do.
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Just for fun: and part of my continuing I love....

Small things I rely on constantly:
1. Tweezers. I have used mine to the point where you can't see the brand name on the side. Love mine!
2. Baggies. I carry at least one in my purse all the time, change, ink cartridges, eye shadow brushes, who knows, but it's all contained in a baggie.
3. Pens. Papermate Write Bros. Medium tip Black Ink.
4. Scissors. In the bathroom, in the kitchen, on the desk, I use them almost 2x a day every day
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LCL PHOTOGRAPHY - The first round of Proust questionnaires will be going out on Tuesday, please get them back as soon as you can, so I can start getting the soft draft set up. Thanks
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I love movies so I leave you with a movie meme :
1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times: Boondock Saints, Master and Commander, The Far Side of the World; Braveheart, Rob Roy, The Notebook, The Lord of The Rings Trilogy, and The Empire Strikes Back, The Mummy Trilogy, The Bourne Trilogy, should I go on?

2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in a theatre: The Lord of The Rings Trilogy, Master and Commander, Jay and Silent Bob Strike back

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie: Ed Burns, Liam Neeson, Norman Reedus, Viggo Mortenson, Sean Bean, Sean Patrick Flannery, Ryan Gosling, Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe and Kurt Russell

4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie: Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey,

5. Name a movie that you can quote from: SEE ANY of the above movies

6. Name a movie musical that you know all the lyrics to all the songs: 0: I don't know ALL the lyrics to any musical except Les Miz and the movie they made for it was not a musical.

7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with: The Sound of Music

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see: See all of the above movies

9. Name a movie that you own: See all of the above movies some I own all of these listed: theatrical version, director's version, multiple copies of each

10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops: Harry Connick Jr.

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in?: Yes

12. Ever made out in a movie?: Yes

13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven't gotten around to it: Seven Pounds

14. Ever walked out of a movie?: twice I think

15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theatre - oh I don't know, I get very involved in film so probably a few

16. Popcorn?: About 10% of the time, not a big popcorn lover

17. How often do you go to the movies?: Maybe 20x a year. I wish I went more, I love the movies

18. What's the last movie you saw in the theater?: A Death in the family (The Chris Rock/Tracy Morgan thing)an America remake of the orig English film

19. What is your favorite/preferred genre of movie?: drama, then comedy

20. What was the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?: The very first movie I saw was TONY ROME, with Frank Sinitra and Jill St. John. I was 6 months old. The first one I remember seeing was a SINBAD movie (Sinbad the pirate explorer fighting a cyclopsy snake thing, I remember Medusa being in it)with my uncle. It was a matinee.
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Have a brilliant brilliant

whisper to a scream

The other night on the drive home, radio station played its "Friday night 80's stuff, asked for requests, ever hopeful I asked for Dramarama - Anything Anything or Last Cigarette, completely not expecting to get what I wanted, and indeed, dj did not have... hang the dj.... oh wait, that's a whole 'nother song....ANYWAY - he did play "Whisper to a Scream" by Icicle Works. That made me very happy, think about it when is the last time you heard that song... and of course, now I'm like this is why I need an IPOD, all these old songs that I keep hearing, and don't have in my collection. I am probably the only one friend you have that doesn't have an IPOD. My L and other friends always just make me mix cd's of things they think I'd like. Should I get an Ipod? I do LOVE my music. Thoughts?
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Work keeps making me change my password every two or 3 months, and I'm not allowed to use any of my past ten passwords. Screwed, because I sit there attempting a bajillion times to log on using last time's password. This is Lou's and JWW's fault. :)
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Had dinner with chicklet last night, she moves into summer dorms today, summer classes start on Monday and financial aid awards haven't hit her account yet, so of course I'm still on edge. I hate not knowing what my bottom line is on things. I'm all about the numbers - can handle anything as long as I know what it is I'm supposed to be looking at bottom line wise, but until that award hits, I have no idea what to budget for. Hate that. On a good note, her manager at the new job likes her and he is happy with her progress. She still has the on-site campus daycare job that she is probably still going to do in June on top of the Panera job and her one class a month. Busy girl, but that will help her with some spending money :)
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Looking forward to going to South Carolina end of May to see a friend, Matt MacKelcan play a show with Carbon Leaf. I stopped promoting and help book bands ages ago as it was just taking too much out of me, what with dayjob, the photography, and family life. It was fun and I enjoyed helping musician friends do their thing, but it was just too much at once. I still support local music and always will, I just can't be physically there as often as I'd like. Priorities change, but it doesn't mean you like people less or don't support their efforts as much, I wish more people understood that.
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Did my hair on Wednesday, am pleased with it, no pics up this time, because I was just plain lazy.
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My Netflix queue has exploded, mainly due to the fact that I have tried to find all of Norman Reedus' main work. he has some off the wall indie stuff that I am sure is out there, but NF hasn't picked up yet - but also am interested in his directorial efforts - go to www.bigbaldhead.com if you're interested in either Norman or his films/directorial efforts.
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EXPLAIN this to me someone? PLEASE? Where is the beauty in these god awful ugly shoes and those like them and why do you continue to pay the ridiculous house payments to own them? Thank you.
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for those other Norm and Sean/ Murphy and Connor/BDS fans out there

THIS? makes me laugh!
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Going to see "Babies" this next week, I think I also want to see Iron Man, but only for Downey Jr and Sam Rockwell, I love Rockwell - I recommend everything he has ever been in but especially this last film Chelsea and I saw together with him in "Moon", it's good stuff. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1182345/
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April showers, plans, link love

This evening starts yet another "weekend" for me. I have a meeting tomorrow regarding an opportunity that I am interested in pursuing - we'll see how that all pans out, but other than that no solid plans. This is good. A Chill relax few days will do the body and soul good.
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http://www.aolnews.com/philanthropy This <-----? makes me happy.
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http://www.mhouserphotography.com/index2.php#/home/ - so does this :)
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April showers bring May flowers -- well it's not April but this morning it rained so hard on my way into work I almost stopped the car on the side of the road because I couldn't see the car in front of me. It was so bad! By like 2pm it ws the most lovely day though, Florida weather... the sybill of meteorolgist's nightmares. April is right around the corner - my high school reunion is happening - most of my class is either on their way to Lima, Peru right now or will be next week or so. A new shift bid at work, so who knows what hours I'll be working, Easter, National Tartan Day (the 6th if you're wondering) Seeing David Gray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP-f8TDb2n4 and some various and sundry projects I am working on, should make for an interesting month.
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http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ This <---- is my downfall. I have such a love/hate relationship with this site, it's not even funny. SOOOO INSPIRING! I want to go out to the Home Depot and Lowe's and Target and furniture boutiques RIGHT NOW!Seeing how I share a house with my sister at this point, and we have different design styles on some things, it's even worse for me to go to the site, but once I'm there, it sucks me in and I can literally look up at the clock and have lost a good hour. ARRRGGGHHH.
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My mother leaves for Md on the 1st of April to visit my father and her family for Easter (my dad in doing some work in VA sub contracting out till May) we were supposed to go see "How to Tame your Dragon" at the movies tomorrow, but my meeting is making us postpone till she gets back on the following Tuesday, I love that my mother loves silly kids movies as much as I do. She calls them "dancing mice" movies as in "no violence and blood etc", I call it good fun. I'm so glad we get to hang out like that.
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Anyhoo kittens it's getting late - to all a good night and I'll see you tomorrow after the big meeting :) Have a brilliant brilliant!

Harmony, Muses and LCL Photography

"Harmony is the inner cadence of contentment we feel when the melody of life is in tune" Yeah, these past few weeks, I have been so outta tune it's not funny. No more flat notes!
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Sunday -- 6:45 AM, running 15 minutes late already, coolant light comes up on car dashboard as I start out of the driveway. It's 32 degrees outside in "sunny Florida" on Valentine's Day. I still have to drop off cards at my parent's house so they have them when they wake up, welcome to my morning. Coolant dealt with, cards dropped off, workday commenced - Happy Singles Awareness Day.
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Speaking of Valentine's Day, I know to most people, it's a big deal, really not so much for me. In relationships, I think if you express your affection/love/desire whatever on a daily basis to your significant other, or others as the case may be, then you don't have to have a "special" day to celebrate that. I think this is a requirement in any real and loving relationship. Now, don't get me wrong, I like going out to dinner and getting cards, but those actions shouldn't be a one day type of thing. Any real man knows this - so that should be no big surprise.
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Things have been crazy busy, work, the house, Chels at school, traveling here and there, various and sundry projects I am working, I cannot wait until I get a few days off to just reconnect with some friends and take a breather. .
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Saw "When in Rome", I was surprised by Josh Duhamel's performance, I saw him in vegas and liked him, but didn't know if the "charming scalawag" he does so well, would transfer to big screen. He was charming but he was also sweet and it was a cute movie. I recommend it for that.
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Next - "Boondock Saints" back on the big screen for 1 nite only - so excited! Brothers McManus - how can you go wrong with that?
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ETA: Monday -- T-9 hours and my weekend starts - it's an odd thing working 4 days/3 off, with the 3 off being Tuesday, Weds and Friday. Although I get to go out and see friends on those nightS, more often than not on Tues-Weds I run around getting errands done and come Friday night, I can't stay out till all hours, cause I have to be up at 6:00am on Sat am. Bummer- but it's not stopping me, Imma see my music and friends this next "weekend". Tuesday, I think we are going to Tampa, Wednesday night - I'm hoping we catch Howie Day at The Social, it's All Saint's Day and I can only think of one better way to spend it, so...,Friday - I thought Matty Mac was playing but I'll have to check the planner, if so I want to go up and see him, Saturday night, going to catch up with some new friends and see some local entertainment. Am I getting too old for this running amok? Probably, but you know what - screw that.
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The new myspacepage is up www.myspace.com/liveandcreatelight This is the launch of the business rebranding/relogo the new name of the business is LCL PHOTOGRAPHY (for live and create light, which is what of course I aim to do in my own and in other's lives), I can also be found on the twitterverse at http://twitter.com/pocketfuloposes I am still uploading some photos and have to finish up the front page, but it is running at least, feel free to hop on over and friend us if you are so inclined. I have felt so creatively stifled for a while and its great to be feeling the muse again.
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till next time kittens, have a brilliant brilliant.

Just passing through - it's been a while.

I've been trying to start this post for the last two weeks. I have actually started and then deleted 3x. Something always gets in the way. Time constraints for the most part, but then they say if something is important to you, you'll MAKE time for it. I had my first days off in a while planned on savoring them by doing things I want to do. Getting back up to speed on emails, blogging, catching up with friends, maybe seeing a movie, (Sherlock Holmes for the 2nd time- such a good movie- Downey Jr. already starting the sequel) and then taking my parents out to dinner. Sleep has been lacking as of late so sleeping in was just decadent and worth every second of the daylight lost.
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CONAN - What an absolute class act. I don't care what NBC does now, I really only watch How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory anyway and they are ABC shows. Last night's ending of the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brian was classic. If only it hadn't have been Will Farrell, who I can't stand, it would have been perfect. The song was a great fit and to see Conan playing up there classic licks on the guitar was amazing. I will miss him. I only really watch him and Craig Ferguson, so now, it looks like I am going to have to stay up even later to get my late night goodness.
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Won 4 tickets to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure two park/1 day passes - ended up giving them to the daughter so she and her sorority sisters could have a day of fun as I am working so much anyway, also worth it, because I got text messages and thank you's and pictures of roller coasters sent to me, all during the day to let me in on the fun :)
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The Golden Globes - although I am glad the German dude from Inglorious Basterds won an award, Tarantino as a whole was ignored again. Alas, he is the movie world's bad boy and is paying for it over and over again. he's an acquired taste and maybe the Hollywood Foreign Press just doesn't have the taste buds for him.
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I was completely immersed in music over my weekend. Local, national, old videotapes, cd's, tapes, and radio. It was glorious. It never really occurs to me just how central music is in my life's priorities until night time. Last night, I watched some old videotapes (yes, videotapes, not even a dvd, of music videos we recorded in 1992. That tape was not even the oldest we own. It was fun and seeing how I had to get up this morning at 6 to get ready for work it was a nice way to still get the music without being in the city and braving traffic on a Friday night. In the past week especially, music really hit home, every song I heard seemed like it had a memory attached to it, Johnny in the car singing Journey's"Don't Stop Believing" (long before GLEE got to it and butchered it), Lou with his hands in the air imploring us to like Violent Femmes "American Music", L and I with Stevie Nicks "Stand Back", Mallorie and I driving weekends to DE with MB20's "Push", laughing literally out loud whilst being in awe of all that is the little fireplug that is Rob Danzig and "Mother". I was in the grocery store and The Sundays "Here's Where The Story Ends" came over the speakers. Surprised I was. yes, Music makes my world go round. and twirling away, I couldn't be happier.

Sunday Sunday and who made you God?, GBC

Excellent music on the ride home Friday! "Keep Me Hanging On"-Kim Wilde's version, "Chains Of Love"- Erasure, "Too Shy Shy"- Kajagoogoo and "Sentimental Street" - Night Ranger to name a few. Yes, it was Friday night 80's on Mix 107.3, and yes, I knew almost every word of all of those songs. Who doesn't love the 80's?!

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Not usually political or uber religious in this blog, or in my life but I do have a few points I stand strong on and this is one of them. The fact that Patrick Kennedy has been denied his right to take communion by this jackass Dioceses Bishop (on the left Thomas Tobin)because of Kennedy's stance on abortion rights has me steamed beyond all means. This means Kennedy cannot take Communion in Rhode island, he'd have to leave his own state to participate. I am pro choice and not a catholic, but even if I was catholic, I would still be pro choice. No Bishop, Priest or Altar Boy is standing in my way of taking Communion if I so choose to do so. By the way, I was baptized Baptist, and although I don't attend church as often as my mother would like, I still maintain a relationship with God, and HELLO, a BISHOP is NOT GOD, (and in my opinion is unnecessary in one's relationship with GOD) therefore, I would still take communion on the first Sunday of every month if I so choose. Church and State people, Church and State.... where does he get off?
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Black Friday is coming! I will be working so I will not be participating in the chaos that is this fine tradition of consumerism. As it is, the majority of my shopping will be done online, with a few things bought here and there as I can get to them on days off. I am lucky in that my family sends each other and email or tells each other clearly what we'd like or need and then we all work from that list. Just because something is on the list, doesn't mean you'll get it, but you might so put it on the list is pretty much the rule. It works for us and that way nobody is running around trying to find "The Perfect Gift" for someone who just can't make up their mind of what they want.

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My L wrote that we only have 6 weeks to go till the end of the year. Can I tell you something? I looked at a horoscope sometime in September 2008 (when I was still unemployed) and it said that all the job drama would be finished by end of October 2009. I was offered the job on the 30th of October and started the 9th of November. Freaky? I think so. 6 weeks and I don't feel rushed, I don't feel like if I don't finish everything will go up in smoke. There's always next year. 2010, we have so much we can accomplish, I cannot wait! I have so many plans and you know what, this year I'm actually able to accomplish pretty much everything I have set out to do for me and mine. You can't imagine the peace that gives me. It's been a long 2 years, and I have learned soooooo much from those two years. Mistakes made, actions noted, won't make them again. I can assure you that.

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Just got back from Target - clothes shopping for work, haven't done that in a long time so it was nice to buy some clothes for me and not have to justify it to terribly to myself.

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Got a lot accomplished last night - dishes done, laundry two loads, the GBC in the family room as far as magazines is almost done, cleaned out both cars, took out trash, will continue on tonight. I know Sunday nights are supposed to be to relax before the chaos that is a Monday morning, but I'd rather be able to come home to a cleaner, more organized house. Have a Brilliant Brilliant.

She sells Sanctuary, now if I onlyknew for how much :)

Remember when I said I was going to see more shows from now on and this coming year? The Cult (see photo) played Hard Rock Orlando Saturday night. I won tickets. Did I go? No. The Cult had a few great hits, Fire Woman, She Sells Sanctuary, Love Removal Machine, Matt Sorum (far right, from Guns and Roses) has taken over drums, Ian Astbury is still a drama queen and their guitarist Billy Duffy (far left) is amazing, but I was just too tired. Relationship drama, and just general catching up on other things overcame the desire to go to Hard Rock. I don't regret missing the show, but I don't know if the opportunity arose again, I would have choosen the same way. If performance is a priority for me, and it is, then I should make more time for it.
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Sunday, was supposed to have been a day of rest. I would have loved to do that, but I had laundry to do and a living room that looked like the magazine fairy came and dumped all of her load on my massive 36" round coffee table. Literally you could not see the top of the table for all that was on it. That and the kitchen needed a scrubdown and I needed to meal plan lunches. As I am quite possibly the only person in my family who doesn't care about football at all, for that matter, most sports, I was not swayed by the silliness that is men running after one another and toppling on top of each other to get a filled pigskin from one end of stadium to the other, and I was able to accomplish most on the to do list tonight. I say that all queen-like, know that as soon as I got home, I put on Forensic Files, and had that on in the background as I did chores, so really, I haven't won at all ;).
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Chels gets proper inducted this weekend to her Sorority - Alpha Chi - so white dress shopping was a success, I hope the photographer is better than the man who shot her graduation ceremony photos, those were atrocious, needless to say, we didn't buy those. I take better shots that that guy and he has a storefront and staff. You can't just give any old person a few cameras and hope for the best at major life events, I wish the school had recognized that when shopping out vendors for the job.
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In other news, I am still thinking about the Legal Administrative Assistant Certification. It has potential to be a good thing down the line, only problem is the timing, it's Thursday nights, now I think the new class starts October 2010, so maybe my schedule by then will work around classtime, so we'll see, but it's something to think about. I'm a damn good Admin, might as well get certified for it.
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Off home, baking to do.

The Key to it all.

Hello you gorgeous key, you! Not only do you represent my coveted piece of jewelry for the next year, you also symbolize the key to doors that are opening for the first time in a few years. Due to the new job and circumstances in other parts of my life changed or in the process of changing, doors that have been closed are now open. Yes, this key will be mine this year or by my birthday next. It means far too much for it not to be. I cannot begin to tell you how nice it is for me to sit down her for the first time in a week and blog. To read email and be able to answer it, to read my friends blogs, to hop on twitter and see what's been happening. Ok, so it's 9:10 p.m. on a Friday night, but you know what? I'll take it. The house is quiet, I've had dinner, spent some time with the family and now? Now it's me time. Tonight, it was so freeing for me to delete the old business myspace and all email addresses attached to it. I have kept the rebranded business myspace page(see sidebar if you care to see the page with some of my work) and the email attached to that, but eliminating the other page helped out so much with time management as well as moving on to the next chapter of where the business is heading. I suppose the key is also to a door where I am heading. That is a good thing.

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The "life list", which is what I have decided to rename my bucket list (I don't like that term) has had a few check marks completed in the last two weeks, so that's exciting. Still have so much to do, on average a woman lives to be what, 90? Gotta get movin' on that list ;)

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Edwin McCain is coming to town again December 28th. House of Blues. I've shot his show before, so this time it will be nice to just sit and enjoy and listen as opposed to being worried about the lighting or having to adjust exposures, etc. It's a Monday night, I'm off and I'm going. It's another thing that is starting the New Year off right for me, I'm going to more shows, more plays, more exhibitions. I stopped going out and doing it for various and sundry reasons and now, really other than exorbitant ticket prices, I'm not seeing anything stopping me this year from seeing/doing/hearing what I want.

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It's official, there is a day for everything and November 15 is Clean Out Your Fridge Day. I did not know that. Good to know. I pretty much did it last week, but I'll see if there's any drips, etc that needed cleaning up.

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Some of the Christmas presents I ordered have started trickling in. I'm tempted to buy some wrapping paper at the end of the week and just start wrapping stuff as it comes in. One less thing to do the week of Christmas, especially as I get NO days off that week, including Christmas (I work 12-9), so maybe getting a head start is what I should be doing. Starting to address the holiday cards now.

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WOW, I feel like I just threw up all this pent up stuff all over the blog. I know I will make the time to sit and enjoy the silence more often. Man did I miss this.

Where do you find your peace?

These are a few of my favorite things. Things that bring me peace.

Books, especially Alexandra Stoddard books. I think there is probably no author who touches me creatively more than she does. I'm not a decorator and never will be. Whether or not my dining room china closet is Louis IV inspired or not I'll never know, that's not why I read her. When I figure out why, I'll let you know. Until then, I think she is brilliant and recommend her.

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Music - Cd's albums, cassette tapes, doesn't matter. I think if I could not hear music or read books, I would be miserable. So here is much gratitude that I am not losing my hearing or sight. I have quite a few friends who are musicians, so I am lucky that even when I go out and a national act that I love isn't anywhere playing in our town, I can pretty much be assured there is someone I know and enjoy playing downtown.

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A friend of mine asked something to the effect of "Do you ever feel like you have used all of God's favors?" the other day. I immediately replied "ALL THE TIME" Last night was a hard night for me, I was tearful and regretful, stems back from my inability to let things go and my wish that I could be better, give more, do more. I was UPSET. There's no use calling friends or family up to commiserate, I just needed to get it out, and I did. Then I was reminded, you need to forgive yourself and decide to move on. I'm not a real religious person, but last night I prayed, it seemed to help. I tried very hard to forgive myself. I woke this morning more at peace. It doesn't solve the problem as a whole, that will come, I know, but I felt better. I want to believe God doesn't run out of favors.

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Little bits - Today L and I went to Sweet Bay, Publix and CVS. We used coupons everywhere we went. I walked out of Sweet Bay with a glass jar of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) normally priced at 5.67, 1 pound of butter quarters, a dozen eggs, and a 5lb bag of sugar for $1.19. Why? Because I used coupons. I am not so vain or shy that I can't use coupons, and you shouldn't be either. Why not use them if they let you use your real money on other things you need/want. I have no need for butter quarters, EVOO, or a 5lb bag of sugar, but my sister, an extraordinary cook and sometimes baker does, so I gave them to her. Little bits people, here and there, they add up to help one's budget, and in this case, one's happiness in helping.

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FYI - It's World Pasta Day today, hope you all found some gorgeous Fettuccine Alfredo or some Linguine Pesto to nosh on.. I completely forgot until dinnertime had well been over. Thinking I'll make up for it tomorrow :)

Addictions

I've been drinking Diet Coke for as long as I care to remember. They say it's a mother's/housewives addiction, like perhaps Prozac. Except Diet Coke has caffeine and I am under the impression (as I, myself, do not take the medication)that Prozac does not. I am not affected by the caffeine in Diet Coke, so it can't really be justified as my high octane kick in the rear every morning in the vein that coffee is for some people. No, my addiction to Diet Coke stems from the fountain sort, the bubbles, the taste. Let me tell you now there is a HUGE difference in the taste of a fountain Diet Coke and a can or bottle. I rarely drink anymore, I don't smoke, I just bite my nails, read way too many magazines and drink Diet Coke in copious amounts. These are my vices, I say leave me to them :)

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Taking my sister to the airport tomorrow, she's going up east to see a musician friend of hers who only comes to the states to play once in a blue moon. I'll be picking her up on Wednesday as well. I remember just getting the car and following a band for a small weekend. This is not what she is doing, but it reminded me of many road trips and set-ups and take downs and drums bigger than my head and tea in thermoses and late night/early morning Silver Diner and Denny's runs. For some people it's sports, some people it's Star Trek, me, it's always been about the music. You take me places whilst you are onstage, and I will GO places to see you. I miss those days. I miss good live music. We're lucky here in Florida, not only for great venues for national acts to play but also for the plethora of great local musicians we have and their amazing sense of community here. That is another post altogether. I tell you, people, music, it can change you.

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Watched two pivotal movies this weekend. The first was Boondock Saints with Sean Patrick Flanery (left) and Norman Reedus(right), also starring Billy Connolly whom I adore. I'm a huge sucker for good Irish Catholic Boston boys, so this was a win from the first time I saw it back in the day. I came to it later than it was released, but now I don't know how a film fanatic couldn't have it in their library. Its message is a good one, albeit not carried out in the best and certainly not the most legal way perhaps, but it's still a good message. It doesn't hurt that Flanery's accent is superb, the Irish, not so much the Boston. The other was Rob Roy. Scotland, as far as I am concerned is my second home, so this was not only a gorgeous movie to watch, it was compelling and again a good message. Honor made him a man. Courage made him a hero. History made him a Legend. I know that's the corny tag line for the movie, but it's true. Braveheart is my favorite movie, but this ranks right there in the top five. Liam Neeson, who can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned and the goddess Jessica Lange, who plays Roy's wife Mary with such a presence and dignified grace, it wrecks me how much I love this movie.

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The house is filling up with the smell of Pesto Pasta and it is amazing. My sister, I think in the knowledge that I'm quite happy to eat just cereal, cheese and good bread all my life, is making us dinner. It's not that I don't know how. I just have rare call to make myself a full on meal. So, I am thankful, my tummy will be warm, my nose happy, and my mouth wanting seconds, no doubt :) ETA - it was Delish!

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I leave you with the thoughts of warm full tummies and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER AND BIG BANG THEORY :)

October mornings filled with music

"October, the trees are stripped bare from all they wear, what do I care? October, kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall, but you go on and on... you go on." October by U2. Photo by Bruce Doucet.
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So October is about going on and on in the midst of it all. I'm totally down with that.
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Tuition - paid. Job -not yet in hand. Chel's grades - All good. Treadmill today - done. The weather even cooperated.
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Things to look forward to this month:
1. Meg coming down from up North, if I get to see her at some point great, if not it's still ok, I'll talk to her soon.

2. Southern Women's Show at the convention center. It's so funny to go and be like OMG! and people watch. Well, there's also fun shopping and stuff, so that's good.

3. Chels is home for a full week, FALL BREAK.

4. Lots of shows, local people playing out, some national acts coming, if I'm able to see a few then even better! Our Lady Peace, Joshua Radin, The Bravery,The Cult, Roger Freaking Daltrey!, Local shows, That, my friend, is what is on my mind... All a big yay! We are so lucky to have decent venues for people to play.

6. Boondock Saints 2, All Saints Day

7. Last but most definitely not least, It is WORLD PASTA DAY on October 26th and you know me and PASTA! Woot Woot!
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All in all, I wish you everyone a BRILLIANT BRILLIANT OCTOBER.

Order and Light

Happy Fall Solstice!
The House of Blues, Orlando has two for 1 tickets, $10.13 plus tax, available to the The Psychedelic Furs/Happy Mondays show. As much as I know I can sit through and enjoy Richard Butler, I cannot at all enjoy aging bovver boy Shaun Ryder and because I don't know who is opening for who...I pass.
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Last night did a list of lists, (stock photo) ended up with 250 things I want to do before I die. I guess that means it's a bucket list. I'm sure there is more, but that was a great start. It was fun and things were in no apparent order and some things I can't do now due to financial concerns (set up a scholarship in Chel's name at FSC for single parent children who need financial aid) or because the people don't exist yet, (Grandchildren), but I am going to make a big run at the list. I mean I must have at least another 42 years I reckon, if not more as only the good die young.
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Chel comes home on Friday for the weekend. We live an hour away from the university so she felt it was just silly for me to drive up for parent's weekend. We'd rather be here and go to the movies and chill mother/daughter anyway. I'm excited to see her. Just got off the phone with her and she seems good except for roommate problems, cramped quarters will do that to you. If I had my way she would have gotten a larger room or more roommates, it's difficult when there's just two of you. Also, I'm going to have her go through her stuff and decide really what she wants to get rid of because I need to get started on this culling in the house.
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The treadmill, alas, did not happen. Other stuff is though. Those folders we bought at Target? Being utilized this evening. I am purging every slip of paper that is in a big old Rubbermaid tub and sorting it into HOUSE DECOR, TRAVEL, FASHION, PRESSIES, FINANCIAL, PHOTOGRAPHY, and FITNESS categories, and they each get a folder. I feel uber organized just looking at it all and I haven't even started the actual purge. I know it sounds ridiculous coming out of my mouth when I say it but "I can't create under these circumstances" or "I can't even think in here" is true when I have disorder around me visually. I'm not anal and I'm certainly not BREE from Desperate Housewives as far as the house being spotless, but I need order. This is a good start on it. Kicking away...