My version of Cheers and Jeers - Yay and Nay -


OK


Yay to - The sublime voice of Joni Mitchell, especially her contribution on The Wide World Over, by The Chieftans. (RCA Records) Actually I love just about all the tracks, but Mitchell's - sandwiched between Ricky Scagg's "Cotton-Eyed-Joe" and good drinking melodies on "Live From Matt Molloy's Pub" is the wonderfuly haunted song, "The Magdalene Laundries". This tune, which tells tales of virtual enslavement of young women in Irish Convents, is done soulful justice to by Mitchell. As an FYI - she also delivers a superb performance on the Love Actually Soundtrack (J Records), with a newer arrangement of "Both Sides Now". Lovely.


Nay to - (and this in my Dennis Leary Voice- even ) - CD's that are a bitch to open, and that never stay in one piece. You have this ridiculous piece of plastic wrap over the CD, you finally figure out how to get it off in only 7 or 8 rips and tears, and then you have to contend with the super fancy security tape. And THEN - the bloody case breaks at a harsh look! I thought it was just my kids being rough with CD's or PlayStation 1 games (CD Format- unlike PS2 with a DVD style case a mini 'yay' within a 'nay') but I have broken more than I thought possible. Man!


Nay to - The myth of Spring. What happened to Spring here in New England? Rain, rain rain, now it's like August. (even thought it's only June 10). Its hot. Africa Hot.

I'll have to post more of these!

Six Feet Under


I finally realized the new season started, so on went HBO on Demand.


Episode 1 "A Coat of White Primer"


Could it be any more sad?


Frances Conroy's portrayal of the usually optimistic Widow Fisher is a work in subtlety. While Ruth's frustration with George's psychosis and depression is visceral, Conroy doesn't resort to grimacing with impending headaches. Nor does her pain manifest in acid burned stomach ulcers. Yet you feel it. You feel it in the set of her jaw, and the slight slump in her posture. Her voice is tighter, a little bit more shrill. Her pain so incredibly evident when you look in her eyes. Its all there. Exhaustion, disbelief and sadness. What strength though.

When she is confronted with the Dr.'s idea to release George on a particular evening, Ruth can't believe she's hearing him right. The man had endured ECT - more than once - and was physically and emotionally tattered. The Dr. is discussing waking George from a much needed sleep, and packing him off. Ruth outright refuses this proposal, astounded that the idea was even broached.

Major dopeslap to the Doc.

Start humming now - 525,600 Minutes .

French Toast- It's such a lovely thing, bread fried in egg batter and sprinkled with powdered sugar and then doused with warm maple syrup. It's hard to find a good French Toast. This place has pretty good Ice Cream, and their restaurant has some good French Toast as well.
Another local farm (well - I think it's under an hour's drive from here) has some great things on the menu including including this amazing stuffed French Toast that includes cream cheese, pineapple and ham.
Who's hungry?

Staying on the theme of delicious things was my trip to Kimball's Farm on Memorial Day. Now this will shock some of the locals, but I had never been to Kimball's. Nope! Never! Ever! Of course, I end up going during a pouring rain storm so some of the appeal was missing, but the place is pretty cool. And...drumroll... There's shopping! The ice cream portions are huge, which was of no problem to my 16 year old, but I couldn't finish mine. However it was tasty. There's also a cute store/cafe combo, that serves coffee. Between the ice cream and being wet from the rain, we were freezing. The store was a nice way to warm up and find some additional Father's Day gifts.

Now I'm in the mood for some French Roast Coffee - hmm, I wonder why?

A Righteous Dude!

Yeah, he's the man allright.

Trying to get this image thing down right. But this might work. I still want to add a permanent image in the template. I have the code to do it, but I'm still having probs.
*sigh*
So, I have been experimenting. No, I didn't get my fill of experimentation in college, I'm still at it.
Anyway, Here's Bobby Milk in all his grown up glory.

Later -

No Agenda


Just coming on here to post stream of consciousness stuff today. The Fab Five are going to take on the Boston Red Sox. TV Guide had a shot of Johnny Damon getting his hair cut and other such niceties. Cool.

Our basement is being finished off. We are still waiting for the 'mud' to dry, but the heating is all in place, which should aid that. We finally picked out the rest of the flooring, making more decisions and spending more money. Whew.

A demonstration was held today in front of a local middle school. The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas has been sending hate filled pamphlets to our town to protest an essay winner at the middle school. This child wrote an essay on Ellen DeGeneres for a contest about Women in History. Somehow this group in Kansas picked up on this non-news item, and decided a 12 year old student and the teachers and staff of Englesby [School] would all be perfect targets for some nonsense about devils and going to hell. Yeah this is the same lovely group under Fred Phelps that demonstrated at Matthew Shepherd's funeral. I did not attend today's demonstration, I had actually got involved in something else and forgot about it! In a way it's just as well, I don't need to see the hate-mongers up close. An area church had a sign with a wonderful sentiment, which I'll paraphrase, cuz I can't remember the exact quote. Something like..."We encourage the Separation of Church and Hate". Beautiful!

I'm going to make chicken tenders again. I hate the cutting and so forth, but they come out so good. Yum.

Done.

The Rice Man Cometh (Still!)



When I heard (OK - half-listening) on the news the other day that Jerry Rice had signed on with the Denver Broncos - I assumed it meant as coaching staff. "Cool", I thought. I knew he'd been around a while and surely had some good gridiron wisdom to impart to the young-uns. A teeny little part of my brain wondered, "Hmm, special teams or defensive coordinator" while another part registered the fact that Rice was going to play. And like the rest of America I found myself to be an ageist, at least temporarily. "Isn't he like...old.?"

So I become intrigued and start reading up. Yeah, he's old! I read a news blurb that mentioned that Rice was around to vote for Jimmy Carter in 1980. Wait - I was around then too. I see his age - 42 - and realize - I'm older than him! Yes, and I too have been pushing the envelope - physically and mentally.

I started in Martial Arts when I turned 40, have been training fairly steady for the last seven years. It's not a career, but it is a lifestyle change. Luckily the injuries have been fairly minor, but my knees are taking a beating. Should I stop? Hell no. I will modify what I need to, and keep moving.

Rice wants to keep moving too, he just wants to play without some of the pressure of past years. The wide receiver who gave the 49's more than 15 years, and 3 Super Bowls, says he just loves the game, and he can still play. He's not a shoo-in, he still has to try out, and he isn't asking for #80. Sounds good to me.

Speaking of #80, another wide receiver, free agent Troy Brown (and one of my favorite Pats) just signed with New England. Again. It's a one year deal, but this too, sounds good to me too.

Anyway, back to Mr. Rice - I say, good for him, age is just a number. He's had a lot of good numbers in his career, and God willing 2005-2006 will give him a few more.

Speaking of a Fool in the Rain -


Today I bought some flowers for myself - but I digress.

While in the Florist shop - I was looking at the Yankee Candles. As if I need more candles, but then - i'm a fool for candles too.

So - I bought...get this..."A Splash of Rain". (Yes a candle)


If you live in Boston - anywhere within the sound of my voice...(like the old Radio Days). You'll know what I mean about the 'splash of rain'.

-Done

Play List for a Rainy Day -


Walk This Way - Aerosmith
Healing Game - Van Morrison
Dollar to the Pound - Ska - The Album (not sure the artist)
Rascal King - Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Redemption Song - Bob Marley
Around the World - Red Hot Chili Peppers

And one of my Favorite Songs (as if these above weren't?)

Fool in the Rain - Led Zeppelin

Breaking Records -


1. New England Weather - Abnormal Spring in New England? I don't know what the records are, but c'mon, this sucks.

2. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith -- Opening $$. Although it holds the present record for biggest opening day [$50,013,859], what I'm seeing is that it is still second to Spiderman for opening weekend.[$114,844,116(Spiderman) over $108,500,000 (StarWarsIII].

OK numbers are one thing, but I think Yoda could kick Spidy's ass. (Then they'd find out they both were on the same side after all - another feel good movie hidden under the layers)

3. Cleaning - I think I've been cleaning for 2 hours straight. That must be a record indeed. : )~

And a Writer Shall Lead Them...


Funny how writing leads you places. You thought you were headed - here - but instead you meander over - there. Or vice versa. For example I thought I might write a piece on the new X-Box and how Bill Gates has designs (no Pun intended) on harnessing the whole consumer entertainment market and fashioning said market into something Microsoft refers to as a "Digital Entertainment Lifestyle". Though this topic is very interesting, and actually brings out my inner conspiracy theorist, I will have to wait on that idea. [Hint, code name - Furby Factor].

So, here I am pondering something entirely different. I mentioned the process of writing, how it can be surprising in it's exploratory little way. Is it the essence of art itself to get lost in a project, and let the work be the guide? Well...Duh. Ask anyone who dances, writes, sculpts or jams. Artists move with the grace of God and to the music of the muse. And they sometimes move from one medium to another, and I don't mean from water colors to oils. Models try acting. Dancers leap to KungFu Fighting. Portrait photographers change focus to painting. And Rockers write. And write! Bob Dylan, David Navarro, Niki Sixx, etc. Whew!

But what about the ones who started out writing? That is, after they were teachers, waiters, students, moms, but you get the picture. Someone like sci fi writer Marc Laidlaw. [ Dad's Nuke, Kalifornia, The Orchid Eater]. This dude was publishing novels and earning money, something that sounds like success. But it wasn't until he was writing game reviews for Wired that he got a glimpse of a new career. He then ended up at a little company in Seattle called Valve. You might know him better as one of the creators behind the outrageously successful PC game, "Half-Life".

Another well established writer got a taste of acting when his novel was sold to Hollywood. High Crimes [Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Jim Caviezel] author Joseph Finder not only had a hit book on his hands, he was going to the show, literally. Not that having a book made into a movie is the 'be all and end all' in a writer's life, but it's pretty damn cool. And the very 'wicked cool' thing (my Boston roots are showing) is that Finder was cast in the film as a JAG officer. No lines but perhaps some emoting? Now I'll have to see the movie again to find Finder.

Stephen King is another writer who does the cameo thing. He's famous for appearing in the film versions of his books (Pizza anyone?) No, he won't be quitting his day job for acting, nor for rocking. Oh yeah, not only can Stephen King scare the pants of his readers, he's a closet rocker. King is a member of the Rock Bottom Remainders , a garage band of sorts. This group plays fundraiser concerts and is made of up other literary/creative heavy hitters such as Scott Turrow, Amy Tan, Ridley Pearson, Matt Groening, Mitch Albom, Dave Barry, and a few others. The Remainders raise pulse rates, decibels, spirits and money. It's all good, except for perhaps the music. Bruce Springsteen was quoted as saying, "Your band's not too bad. It's not too good either. Don't let it get any better, otherwise you'll just be another lousy band."

Of course, if you're going to consider the interesting lives that writers lead, don't forget George Plimpton. This man was a genius at really getting into his subjects. He played professional football, baseball and hockey; he's boxed and tried circus high wire stunts. All for being able to write about the experiences. Amazing.

Where will writing lead me? I don't know but what a trip it'll be.

Something I recently got http://blogcritics.org/ involved in. I shall let you know how that evolves. I'm constantly trying new ways to use my writing skills.


This whole Blogging thing - is it "the new black" ?

Must make this rather quick - as I have to start the homework routine.

I'm back to my blogging ways, back to enlightening and entertaining any and all who stumble drunkenly into my path. (Now that paints quite a picture, dosn't it?).

Like I said, this has to to be a quickie, but I'll be back with more news and ...

I am SO mad. I had the best little post almost all done and ready to go, but somehow, I lost it. Ok - so without any further fanfare, and the ..."sorry I've been gone so long BS", I'll get right to it.

Recently I heard about an interesting story from the U.K.'s The Guardian [ThankYOU Leslie]. Evidently, a secret underground cinema restaurant combo was discovered in Paris. The local police were on a training exercise underneath the Palais de Chaillot. They then found this ampitheater-bistro kind of deal. All underground. The coppers admit that they presently have no clue as to who built and/or used it. They noted a couple swastikas, but to be fair, they also found Stars of David and Celtic crosses. Whatever.

They found quite a variety of movie tapes, with projection equipment, and full size screen. The movies were film noir from the '50s, and some modern thrillers. [Yes, I'm wondering too, any Andrew Lloyd Webber?]. "None of the films were banned or even offensive, the spokesman said" And who says Paris is a dirty city.

They also found - this next part absolutely kills me - oh what the heck, I'll just copy and paste a bit here. "A smaller cave next door had been turned into an informal restaurant and bar. 'There were bottles of whisky and other spirits behind a bar, tables and chairs, a pressure-cooker for making couscous,' the spokesman said."

Couscous! How...decadant, how...unseemly, how cute! I can hear the exchange now in the Parisian version of the Evidence Room.

"Ahh, Jacques -- here is the haul from the Catacombs."

"Merci Maurice, Hmm, let's see, films, films, fil --what? Oh, Mon Dieu!... what have we here? Ah, oui for the couscous! Quelle joie!

C'mon, you can picture it too. But the question begs: what kind of fries did they serve there?

[For the full story, http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1299444,00.html]

Hello out there. Helloooooo. Yes, it’s been way too long, no excuses for it either. Anyway, I have no real agenda for this post, except perhaps as a shout-out to any and all who are listening: “I’m still here!” So, this will be most likely rambling, and even maybe boring, but at least it’s something.

First off, a fellow blogger and writer returned home from Iraq recently. OK, about 2 months ago. I’m not even sure where “Home” is, but better to be there, than…there. Actually if you read his posts from February, right before he left the War Zone, you’ll see some startling stuff. Ok, just go here…and see what I mean.

So, in Local News - The Dracut School system has dealt with some health scares lately, namely an unidentified rash afflicting kids at the Jr. High, and TB at the High School. TB - which is obviously scarier, seems to be very under control, with only one individual actually having symptoms, and about 4 others who tested positive. From what I’ve read, this occurrence is not entirely outside the norm. The Mystery Rash, much less life threatening, was still upsetting for parents and students alike, since it was just that…a mystery. Evidently this kind of thing happens in other settings, and clears up, no one ever finding a cause. :::Shrug:::

Of course, sickness hit closer to home with nasty sinus infection for both children in my house. Something hit me too, and I have no idea what, but it better git soon.

National TV Turnoff week is like…now…or soon…or something. We at the Campbell school will be doing our TV Un-Plugged week starting May third. Lots to do to get ready for that, but it’s always a fun time.

Karate is still fun, my husband, and partner in insanity, just started back with his training. He tore his knee cartilage in January (The day before Sempai Jen's wedding no less) and is very glad to be back doing iron bridges (NOT) and getting whacked around.

At the dojo, I kicked it up a notch - no pun intended - and had been training about 4 days a week. I even went running a couple times too! But one knee started acting up, then kids got sick, now I'm sick. This setback aggrevates me to no end, since there's a little umm...blackbelt test in June I'd really like to be ready for. I will NOT panic - NO, I will NOT. Ok I'm fricken panicking here. Grrr!

Well, I need to either rest, or catch up on many overdue projects and/or bills.
Wish me luck!

Remember Dave? That nice guy, portrayed by Kevin Kline in the movie of the same name. (“Dave” that is, not “Remember Dave”). Dave ran a small employment agency, and he was all into supporting his temps, cheering them on, building them up. Dave also moonlighted occasionally as a ‘celebrity double’ for the current US president, because of the amazing resemblance between the two of them.

When the real president had a stroke, the staff brought in Dave, to pretend to be the Prez, so the country wouldn’t be thrown into chaos. Or something like that.

Anyway, this being a movie and all, Dave made a great president. He was fair, decisive, and above all, honest.

The point is, where are all the Dave’s (or Donna’s for that matter)?

Why can’t there be candidates for office that are fair, decisive, and above all, honest?

If there IS someone already in office that fits, or at least tries to fit, that description, why must others work hard to get them out of office?

This is not a piece about FOR someone or AGAINST someone else. But how many times have you heard someone going to the polls say: “Well, I don’t like Jones, but I hate Smith, so I’m voting for Jones.”

Hmm, I have an idea, Kevin Kline is a decent actor, maybe he can be on a write-in ballot, as a presidential candidate. He can represent the “Dave” party. And Ben Kingsley would make a heck of a Vice President. Remember Gandhi?

Here’s another, how about Bill Belichick for the top job? He can hire folks like Charlie Weis, and Romeo Crennel, if it works on the field, why not on the Beltway? Bingo!

I know life can’t always be a ‘feel-good’ movie, but c’mon, where is Dave?

In Memoriam



You can go to D.C., to the Wall. It’s just a simple structure, really - just a wall. But the names - they get you. No matter what the weather or your mood - you read the names, and there’s no way you can’t be touched.

You can go to Boston too, downtown, along the Freedom Trail. Another stark memorial. Walk along at dusk and read some of the 6 million names etched in 6 glass towers. As smoke rises from chambers at the bottom of these towers, learn through snippets of stories, the horror of the Holocaust.

Among the stories that ran in tonight’s edition of the Lowell Sun [January 7, 2004], two of them share parallel themes. One story reports on the 25-year anniversary of the fall of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge. This piece covers survivor’s views stressing the inhumanity of that time, but yet strong desires to “let it go”, and move on.

A second report is about the unveiling of the September 11th memorial design. It’s a nice enough looking plan, but unfortunately some of the victims’ family members are not pleased. Mr. Lee Hanson, of Connecticut, lost a son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter on Flight 175. He’s afraid of a memorial that will be too “sanitized”, that won’t be an appropriate expression of what a nightmare that day really was, and still is. I can’t imagine that Hanson or others would want a display of graphic misery to be a permanent reminder in Lower Manhattan, but still, reminder is the key word. We need assurance that the world never forgets.

Senseless genocides committed in the name of purity, ordered by a WWII madman. Police actions gone wrong, and killing fields. Young women mutilated so that they can’t feel what we take for granted. Terrorists high jacking our planes, our country and our lives. Tragedy and grief present the universal paradox of wanting to forget pain, but yet knowing that you can’t nor should forget. How can emotions be reconciled? If we can’t move on, “they” win. If we can’t remember, they win again.

When we suffer losses, we usually have ways of coping. First might be tears, maybe rage. Eventually though, feelings even out, tears dry and we wake up another day. We have ways to mark the memories with photos, anniversary dates, scars, and headstones. Somehow, the pain has become almost compartmentalized. We can just about put it away for a time, until an anniversary rolls around, or some other trigger brings it all back.

When we are ready, we can go to these memorials - all over the world - that are symbols of horror and healing. When we are ready, we can embrace the pain, dance with it, and let it rest for another time. It doesn’t matter if we’re touching granite, steel, Lucite, or an oak tree. We’re looking to the future, by touching the past.

Remember, I want to know who you are. If you stop by, and enjoy, let me know. If you stop by, and hate it...then lie to me (kidding). Just be gentle.
But let me know you're here!

My site stats show me when someone stops by, how long they stay, and so on. I would just like to know who you are : ). So say hi already!

Things I’ve Learned


A dumped canister of cornmeal has an uncanny resemblance to plaster dust, this is especially noticeable when it’s all over at least half the kitchen, including the coffee machine and stove top.


However, a dumped container of 12-hour-old coffee grounds bears an even uncann-ier [is there such a word?] resemblance to rodent droppings. Hmm, I’ll take the plaster dust.


Laboratory specimens do not have a “grace period”.


School children still want their parents to bake things for classroom holiday parties. They still forget to ask until the night before.


The grocery store is always fun, especially when you have a full list, half the time, and none of the money.


Cats are such clean little critters. They love a nice clean bed to nap on.


Cats too, have built in alarm clocks. Marvelous things…cats.