Actually they would have been doing a jig or an Irish reel! *LOL* Happy Halloween everyone!! We spent tonight enjoying the Enid Symphony Orchestra. Sound odd, perhaps? Not really, since the program was "A Celtic Halloween" featuring Mithril! Yep, my favorite Celtic group arranged a Halloween program and our 'on-the-spot' maestro, Mr. Doug Newell, snapped up the chance for their first ever performance of the program!
The evening began with our own ESO performing Mussorgsky's "A Night On Bald Mountain" - they did a fantastic job with this piece. In my mind I coul see the animations from Disney's "Fantasia" as the music played! Next was the ESO performing Saint-Saens' "Danse Macabre, Poeme Symphonique, op. 40". A young local violinist, Sarah Youn, was the soloist for this piece. This young lady is amazing! She is a freshman at Enid High and, at her young age, has aleady been the Concert Master (the leader of the first violins of an orchestra and by custom usually the assistant to the conductor) for the Honor Orchestra at the Tri-State Music Festival for the past two years AND has been the Concert Master for the All Oklahoma Youth Orchestra. The math is right there - she was a lead violinist while attending the 7th grade! I can't wait to hear this young lady in a few years - I'll be very surprised if she hasn't garnered national attention by then.
And then Mithril began their program. Oh - I just can't say enough about this group, and I'm so very glad that Doug has had them back two years in a row. They began their program with the rollicking "Halloween Jig" and "Lilting Banshee". Next came a set of "The Ghost", "The Banshee's Wail Over the Mangle Pit", and "Banshee Reel". Next was "The Women's Lament for the Dead (Inishere)" - a beautiful, flowing song that made me see pictures of the hills and coasts of Ireland. Next was "Merrily Kiss the Quaker's Wife", "A Fig for a Kiss", and "The Choice Wife" - the guitar player was so intense on these that he broke a string clean off his guitar. *LOL* Then they took us to the Shire with songs from "The Lord of the Rings": "Concerning Hobbits", "In Dreams", and "Bilbo's Birthday". Then came their 'international' portion, as they called it: "The Celtic Silk Road", "The Camels' Hump", and "Purgatory Chasm" - these songs had a very Middle Eastern sound to them. And they closed with a set they called "The Devil's Box". Apparently, and I did not know this, the fiddle was known as the Devil's Box - way back when, everyone was expected to be sober and pious but whenever there was a fiddle playing, people danced and sang and were said to be ensnared by the "Devil's Box". This set was a jumble of pieces of tunes including "The Devil Went Down To Georgia", "The Devil in the Kitchen", "The Devil's Dream", and "Howling Wind". It was a rousing end to a wonderful concert.
Honestly, if you ever get a chance to see Mithril, or even just to listen to them - take it! They are four wonderfully talented musicians who LOVE Celtic music and it shows! Oh, and all of the pieces they performed tonight - every one of them was orchestrated by their flute player, Andra Bohnet. She has a way of making the accompanying orchestra a big part of the music, yet they never overshadow the performers of Mithril - the orchestrations are seamless!
It was a fabulous evening all the way 'round. Now don't be too scared of the ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and things that go bump in the night! *G* I just love Halloween!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
"O...K...L...A...H...O...M...A..."
"...Oklahoooooooooooooooma......STATE!!!" *LOL*
I know, two posts in one day - wow. *L* But we went to see the OSU Cowboys whup up on the Grambling State Tigers yesterday! Supposedly Grambling has one of the premiere marching bands in the country so everyone suggested that this was the game to attend. We were trying to choose a game since Eric started at OSU this semester and plays trumpet in the Cowboy Marching Band. As it happens, Laura got offered free tickets by a policy holder so we got to go to this one. We went over in the morning and spent the day at OSU. I absolutely LOVE that campus - it's everything a traditional college campus should be. It always makes me wish I had gone there. I would still love to attend some classes there some day and be a Cowboy Alumni. *G*
The day started with a walk around the campus. I put some pictures in the albums here if you'd like to see them. We met up with Eric briefly at the Student Union, then he was off to play with the Pep Band at the stadium while we stayed at the SU to watch the Spirit Walk. Half of the band stays at the SU and plays for the crowd, then the drum line marches the football team and the Coaches to the stadium. Both Coach Gundy and T. Boone Pickens walked by as they made their way down to get ready for the game.
Then the band got back together and did their practice on the lawn outside the Student Union. They're really quite good. As for the opening of this post...well....usually when you hear the song "Oklahoma", they spell it out at the end....sing "Oklahoooooma!" and end it with a whoop. At OSU though, it ends as I wrote..."Oklahooooooma! STATE!" It's really pretty cool. And if orange bothers you...never go to Stillwater. *LOL* The town is very proud of its association with OSU and orange and black are everywhere!
The game was great - we smashed 'em but good! Every time there is a Cowboy first down the announcer says, "And that's enough for a COWBOY first and ten!" and everybody does the forward chop motion. Every time there is a Cowboy touch down: the ROTC fire a cannon then one does push-ups on top of a board held by the other ROTC members to equal the score, then the announcer yells, "And here cooooomes Bullet!!!", and Bullet the horse rides out to about the 40 yard line and circles back to the goal. He also has three guys running after him holding flags that spell out O S U. I think I included a picture of this.
During this time the dance squad is performing just beyond the far goal, the cheerleaders are cheering at the near goal, Pistol Pete is running around and firing his guns and the crowd is going wild. They play the school fight song and everybody does the OSU motions and cheers in the appropriate places. There was a little girl, maybe 6 or 7 years old, down the row from us and she knew every single motion and every single cheer - she never missed a step. And of course, she had her orange jersey and her orange hair ribbon, and OSU painted on her cheek. Very snazzy! *L* But the cutest all day were the three little stair steps - he was about 3 wearing an OSU football jersey, she was about 2 wearing an OSU cheerleader outfit, and the baby in the stroller was about 1 wearing a bright orange tutu that had an orange ribbon with black polka dots around the waist. *ROTFL* And of course, Mom and Dad had OSU t-shirts and Mom had orange and black beads around her neck. I'd say those kids don't stand a chance - there's three future Pokes there!
It's quite a spectacle and loads of fun! The new T. Boone Pickens Stadium is really nice and a great venue for a college game. We had beautiful weather all day and evening...oh...and did I mention that we KICKED THEIR BUTTS??????? *G* GO POKES!!!!!!!! I swear....I gotta go to that school before I kick the proverbial bucket! *L* Cowboys 4-Ever!!!!
I know, two posts in one day - wow. *L* But we went to see the OSU Cowboys whup up on the Grambling State Tigers yesterday! Supposedly Grambling has one of the premiere marching bands in the country so everyone suggested that this was the game to attend. We were trying to choose a game since Eric started at OSU this semester and plays trumpet in the Cowboy Marching Band. As it happens, Laura got offered free tickets by a policy holder so we got to go to this one. We went over in the morning and spent the day at OSU. I absolutely LOVE that campus - it's everything a traditional college campus should be. It always makes me wish I had gone there. I would still love to attend some classes there some day and be a Cowboy Alumni. *G*
The day started with a walk around the campus. I put some pictures in the albums here if you'd like to see them. We met up with Eric briefly at the Student Union, then he was off to play with the Pep Band at the stadium while we stayed at the SU to watch the Spirit Walk. Half of the band stays at the SU and plays for the crowd, then the drum line marches the football team and the Coaches to the stadium. Both Coach Gundy and T. Boone Pickens walked by as they made their way down to get ready for the game.
Then the band got back together and did their practice on the lawn outside the Student Union. They're really quite good. As for the opening of this post...well....usually when you hear the song "Oklahoma", they spell it out at the end....sing "Oklahoooooma!" and end it with a whoop. At OSU though, it ends as I wrote..."Oklahooooooma! STATE!" It's really pretty cool. And if orange bothers you...never go to Stillwater. *LOL* The town is very proud of its association with OSU and orange and black are everywhere!
The game was great - we smashed 'em but good! Every time there is a Cowboy first down the announcer says, "And that's enough for a COWBOY first and ten!" and everybody does the forward chop motion. Every time there is a Cowboy touch down: the ROTC fire a cannon then one does push-ups on top of a board held by the other ROTC members to equal the score, then the announcer yells, "And here cooooomes Bullet!!!", and Bullet the horse rides out to about the 40 yard line and circles back to the goal. He also has three guys running after him holding flags that spell out O S U. I think I included a picture of this.
During this time the dance squad is performing just beyond the far goal, the cheerleaders are cheering at the near goal, Pistol Pete is running around and firing his guns and the crowd is going wild. They play the school fight song and everybody does the OSU motions and cheers in the appropriate places. There was a little girl, maybe 6 or 7 years old, down the row from us and she knew every single motion and every single cheer - she never missed a step. And of course, she had her orange jersey and her orange hair ribbon, and OSU painted on her cheek. Very snazzy! *L* But the cutest all day were the three little stair steps - he was about 3 wearing an OSU football jersey, she was about 2 wearing an OSU cheerleader outfit, and the baby in the stroller was about 1 wearing a bright orange tutu that had an orange ribbon with black polka dots around the waist. *ROTFL* And of course, Mom and Dad had OSU t-shirts and Mom had orange and black beads around her neck. I'd say those kids don't stand a chance - there's three future Pokes there!
It's quite a spectacle and loads of fun! The new T. Boone Pickens Stadium is really nice and a great venue for a college game. We had beautiful weather all day and evening...oh...and did I mention that we KICKED THEIR BUTTS??????? *G* GO POKES!!!!!!!! I swear....I gotta go to that school before I kick the proverbial bucket! *L* Cowboys 4-Ever!!!!
"You can sell your paintings on the sidewalk..."
It's been a rough year, a tiring past six months, and a b*tch of a few weeks. It was decided that getting away was necessary, if not imperative! So we chose Eureka Springs and a three day weekend to accomplish this goal. I'm pleased to say the trip was a success. We came back less tired, more refreshed, and no longer snapping at innocent people who had the gall to speak to any of us. *L* Seriously, it was that bad - but it's better now.
Eureka Springs was somewhat different than I had imagined and it's a very unique place. Kind of like O.C. in that, once it was a grand and elegant place to go - now it's fun and kitschy, a little faded around the edges but still worthwhile as a destination. I've put some pictures in the album - go here if you'd like to see them.
Eureka Springs has become a community of artisans. You can find craftsmen (and craftswomen) working in just about any medium you could name - paint, beads, needlecraft, glass, metals, and others. There were wonderful little boutiques and a crazy touristy t-shirt shop. There were antiques and fine jewelry and handsewn clothes and, yes, an artist selling his paintings on the sidewalk in the park.
The restaurants in the historic area are also interesting - ranging from fine food to pub grub. Outside the historic area was your basic motel restaurants, BBQ places, and one McDonald's. *L*
The hotels go from your typical chains like Days Inn and Best Western to cabins in the woods that you can rent to little B&Bs. In the historic area downtown the hotels are also historic and tend towards the Victorian era in decoration. Yes Victoria, that means tiny beds and small rooms and LOTS of stairs. We stayed at a place that had slightly hard beds, an okay jacuzzi in each room (not as big as was advertised), and a really nasty pool - so we didn't get to swim. If we ever go again I think we'll opt for one of the chains - at least with them you have some idea of the quality you're getting and you have an option to complain if the pool isn't as advertised. *L*
The people of Eureka Springs are very friendly and they really don't make you feel like a tourist. You know how some artists get a major chip about staying true to their art even when they have to be a bit commercial to survive. These people have come to very graceful terms with it - they KNOW they are artists and in order to do the art their soul inspires them to, they have to make a living. They're very comfortable with this and I didn't see a one of them look down their noses on the creations they made to sell or on the people who bought them. Mind you though, some of the artists are...ahem... extremely proud of their art. *L* Several things were way beyond my bank account.
Another tidbit that I did not know about the place - it is very "alternative lifestyle" friendly. There is a thriving gay community in Eureka Springs and, while they don't advertise this fact, they also don't hide it. I admit that I didn't pay much attention to the propensity of rainbow flags and such around but it made sense after I spent some time there. After we had come back I was talking about the trip at work and one of my friends mentioned it. She had gone with her partner and they met several other couples from the town. She said they both felt very comfortable there - more so than almost any place else they had gone together. I was glad to hear that - both she and her partner are very nice and I'm glad they found a place where they can relax and be themselves.
Some of the pictures you'll see are a recreation of the "Great Eureka Springs Bank Robbery". Apparently some desperados from Oklahoma (doesn't it figure) thought they'd grab some quick cash by driving over to a small town, robbing the bank, and heading back over the OK line to get lost. Well, apparently the bank had a silent alarm that sounded in the other businesses along Spring Street. They hit the alarm and the other business owners responded with guns ablazing! The outlaws were killed and the money was saved. They recreate this each year during the Classic Car celebration. We had no idea those would be going on the weekend we chose but they were pretty cool! *G*
We also made a visit to the Cosmic Cavern before heading for home. I haven't been to a cavern like this since many years ago at Luray. It was pretty cool - the cavern is still growing and they still haven't found the end of it. We took the regular tour but there is also a "Wild" tour that takes you into the undeveloped parts. You have to sign a waiver of course - and you have to wear a hard hat and be prepared to rappel and climb in and out of small spaces and be dressed a certain way to do that tour. Our guide said that at one point in the wild tour you have to climb straight up about two stories or so. Maybe not much for a climber but Toto-ly impossible for ME. *L* As it was I enjoyed the formations and the small lake with the blind cave trout. Oh, and when they discovered the last room on the developed tour it made the news and one of the cable channels, maybe National Geographic, did a special on it and the room they call the Crystal Cathedral. The last room they call the "Oh My God" room - since that's usually what people say when they see it. We had a little girl named Rachel on our tour and she did very well. We all got a bit of cave mud/slime on our hands and she got some on her legs. When we got back to the surface she and I shared some wet paper towels to get cleaned up. *L* Then her mom gave her a baby wipe and got the rest of the mud off. I have some pictures but haven't added them to the albums yet.
When we left to come home we drove down by Beaver Lake. Absolutely beautiful! Also have pictures of these but not posted yet.
And before leaving Ark. we stopped at Pea Ridge Military Park. Lots of history, every bit as moving as any of the battlefields I've visited on the East coast. Again, pics, but not yet posted. *L* I'm such a slacker. Probably the most moving thing there - they have an actual part of the Trail of Tears running through the park. It's amazing to look down at a worn down path and realize whose feet wore those grooves into the earth - and why. It gave me a very eerie feeling to stand in that path and wonder what they saw and what they felt - and to know that I'll never know. I can read about it. And I can take what other's have surmised and draw my own conclusions, but it'll never be exact. That should never stop us from learning from the past.
All in all it was a very nice, bohemian sort of vacation and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Eureka Springs was somewhat different than I had imagined and it's a very unique place. Kind of like O.C. in that, once it was a grand and elegant place to go - now it's fun and kitschy, a little faded around the edges but still worthwhile as a destination. I've put some pictures in the album - go here if you'd like to see them.
Eureka Springs has become a community of artisans. You can find craftsmen (and craftswomen) working in just about any medium you could name - paint, beads, needlecraft, glass, metals, and others. There were wonderful little boutiques and a crazy touristy t-shirt shop. There were antiques and fine jewelry and handsewn clothes and, yes, an artist selling his paintings on the sidewalk in the park.
The restaurants in the historic area are also interesting - ranging from fine food to pub grub. Outside the historic area was your basic motel restaurants, BBQ places, and one McDonald's. *L*
The hotels go from your typical chains like Days Inn and Best Western to cabins in the woods that you can rent to little B&Bs. In the historic area downtown the hotels are also historic and tend towards the Victorian era in decoration. Yes Victoria, that means tiny beds and small rooms and LOTS of stairs. We stayed at a place that had slightly hard beds, an okay jacuzzi in each room (not as big as was advertised), and a really nasty pool - so we didn't get to swim. If we ever go again I think we'll opt for one of the chains - at least with them you have some idea of the quality you're getting and you have an option to complain if the pool isn't as advertised. *L*
The people of Eureka Springs are very friendly and they really don't make you feel like a tourist. You know how some artists get a major chip about staying true to their art even when they have to be a bit commercial to survive. These people have come to very graceful terms with it - they KNOW they are artists and in order to do the art their soul inspires them to, they have to make a living. They're very comfortable with this and I didn't see a one of them look down their noses on the creations they made to sell or on the people who bought them. Mind you though, some of the artists are...ahem... extremely proud of their art. *L* Several things were way beyond my bank account.
Another tidbit that I did not know about the place - it is very "alternative lifestyle" friendly. There is a thriving gay community in Eureka Springs and, while they don't advertise this fact, they also don't hide it. I admit that I didn't pay much attention to the propensity of rainbow flags and such around but it made sense after I spent some time there. After we had come back I was talking about the trip at work and one of my friends mentioned it. She had gone with her partner and they met several other couples from the town. She said they both felt very comfortable there - more so than almost any place else they had gone together. I was glad to hear that - both she and her partner are very nice and I'm glad they found a place where they can relax and be themselves.
Some of the pictures you'll see are a recreation of the "Great Eureka Springs Bank Robbery". Apparently some desperados from Oklahoma (doesn't it figure) thought they'd grab some quick cash by driving over to a small town, robbing the bank, and heading back over the OK line to get lost. Well, apparently the bank had a silent alarm that sounded in the other businesses along Spring Street. They hit the alarm and the other business owners responded with guns ablazing! The outlaws were killed and the money was saved. They recreate this each year during the Classic Car celebration. We had no idea those would be going on the weekend we chose but they were pretty cool! *G*
We also made a visit to the Cosmic Cavern before heading for home. I haven't been to a cavern like this since many years ago at Luray. It was pretty cool - the cavern is still growing and they still haven't found the end of it. We took the regular tour but there is also a "Wild" tour that takes you into the undeveloped parts. You have to sign a waiver of course - and you have to wear a hard hat and be prepared to rappel and climb in and out of small spaces and be dressed a certain way to do that tour. Our guide said that at one point in the wild tour you have to climb straight up about two stories or so. Maybe not much for a climber but Toto-ly impossible for ME. *L* As it was I enjoyed the formations and the small lake with the blind cave trout. Oh, and when they discovered the last room on the developed tour it made the news and one of the cable channels, maybe National Geographic, did a special on it and the room they call the Crystal Cathedral. The last room they call the "Oh My God" room - since that's usually what people say when they see it. We had a little girl named Rachel on our tour and she did very well. We all got a bit of cave mud/slime on our hands and she got some on her legs. When we got back to the surface she and I shared some wet paper towels to get cleaned up. *L* Then her mom gave her a baby wipe and got the rest of the mud off. I have some pictures but haven't added them to the albums yet.
When we left to come home we drove down by Beaver Lake. Absolutely beautiful! Also have pictures of these but not posted yet.
And before leaving Ark. we stopped at Pea Ridge Military Park. Lots of history, every bit as moving as any of the battlefields I've visited on the East coast. Again, pics, but not yet posted. *L* I'm such a slacker. Probably the most moving thing there - they have an actual part of the Trail of Tears running through the park. It's amazing to look down at a worn down path and realize whose feet wore those grooves into the earth - and why. It gave me a very eerie feeling to stand in that path and wonder what they saw and what they felt - and to know that I'll never know. I can read about it. And I can take what other's have surmised and draw my own conclusions, but it'll never be exact. That should never stop us from learning from the past.
All in all it was a very nice, bohemian sort of vacation and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
"He isn't much in the eyes of the world..."
"He'll never make history
No, he isn't much in the eyes of the world
But he is the world to me."
Happy Father's Day Poppy!!!
I love you and I miss you - always!
No, he isn't much in the eyes of the world
But he is the world to me."
Happy Father's Day Poppy!!!
I love you and I miss you - always!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
"These are a few of my favorite things..."
I've been trying to figure out how to embed a widget so you could, if you choose, listen to some of the songs I currently have on my mp3 player. I decided to try this one on the recommendation of Blogger. Please let me know what you think of the player and what you think of the music.
Some of these you might recognize, even if you don't know why. If you haven't already figured it out - both "Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop" and "Sweet Pea" are the full songs from AT&T commercials. *L* Hey...what can I say, I really like the songs! Just click on each song icon to listen - single click, if you double click it won't play. To hear another song just click on the grey X to return to the list. And don't forget to have your sound turned on!! Hope you enjoy!
Some of these you might recognize, even if you don't know why. If you haven't already figured it out - both "Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop" and "Sweet Pea" are the full songs from AT&T commercials. *L* Hey...what can I say, I really like the songs! Just click on each song icon to listen - single click, if you double click it won't play. To hear another song just click on the grey X to return to the list. And don't forget to have your sound turned on!! Hope you enjoy!
Friday, June 5, 2009
"Science fiction.....double feature..."
"Dr X....will build a creature
See androids fighting.......Brad and Janet
Anne Francis stars in........Forbidden Planet
Wo oh oh oh oh oh
At the late night, double feature, picture show"
from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
So...we went down to Houston to see Phillip and
Stephanie and Bryan last weekend. Phillip and
Steph were very good hosts and we did several interesting things. One of their ideas was to go to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Katy, Texas. Phillip currently teaches at a school in Katy, that's why we chose this one. Anyways - this was truly a unique 'dinner and a movie' experience!
We saw the new "Star Trek" movie - which in my opinion was pretty good, very funny, and quite enjoyable. In each theater there are the usual rows of seats (very comfortable too) but with a bar type table running in front of them. You choose your seat, peruse the menu, write what you want on the order papers and place them in the holder at the front of the bar table. A waiter/waitress comes and gets your order, then brings your dinner to you. It's an eclectic menu - everything from pizza and chicken strips to Asian salads. We all had pop but of course you can order from an extensive selection of beers and wines. The wait staff will come back and check on you frequently but they don't disturb you during the movie. You can order up until last call which is about 30 minutes before the movie ends. During the movie I had the potato skins, which were REALLY good, and the chicken strip dinner. The barbecue sauce was a bit odd - it had a kind of citrus after-taste - but the chicken was good and the fries were wedge-cut steak fries with a seasoning over them. All in all it was delicious! I wish we had something like this in Oklahoma - I would definitely be a more regular movie-goer!
To see more about the Drafthouse Cinema they have a web site at http://www.drafthouse.com/. As I said, we went to the one on Mason in Katy.
See androids fighting.......Brad and Janet
Anne Francis stars in........Forbidden Planet
Wo oh oh oh oh oh
At the late night, double feature, picture show"
from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
So...we went down to Houston to see Phillip and
Stephanie and Bryan last weekend. Phillip and
Steph were very good hosts and we did several interesting things. One of their ideas was to go to the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Katy, Texas. Phillip currently teaches at a school in Katy, that's why we chose this one. Anyways - this was truly a unique 'dinner and a movie' experience!
We saw the new "Star Trek" movie - which in my opinion was pretty good, very funny, and quite enjoyable. In each theater there are the usual rows of seats (very comfortable too) but with a bar type table running in front of them. You choose your seat, peruse the menu, write what you want on the order papers and place them in the holder at the front of the bar table. A waiter/waitress comes and gets your order, then brings your dinner to you. It's an eclectic menu - everything from pizza and chicken strips to Asian salads. We all had pop but of course you can order from an extensive selection of beers and wines. The wait staff will come back and check on you frequently but they don't disturb you during the movie. You can order up until last call which is about 30 minutes before the movie ends. During the movie I had the potato skins, which were REALLY good, and the chicken strip dinner. The barbecue sauce was a bit odd - it had a kind of citrus after-taste - but the chicken was good and the fries were wedge-cut steak fries with a seasoning over them. All in all it was delicious! I wish we had something like this in Oklahoma - I would definitely be a more regular movie-goer!
To see more about the Drafthouse Cinema they have a web site at http://www.drafthouse.com/. As I said, we went to the one on Mason in Katy.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
"M is for the many things she gave meeeee...."
To the woman who:
- endured numerous choruses of the seven-part harmony of "Are we there yet????",
- received enough macaroni necklaces that, if they were diamonds, she would have been richer than Bill Gates,
- cooked enough spaghetti / bean soup / beef stew to feed an army (and she did! *LOL*),
- worked in enough classrooms to qualify as a teacher,
- baked enough birthday cakes to truly be the "Ace of Cakes",
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY NANNY!!!
- endured numerous choruses of the seven-part harmony of "Are we there yet????",
- received enough macaroni necklaces that, if they were diamonds, she would have been richer than Bill Gates,
- cooked enough spaghetti / bean soup / beef stew to feed an army (and she did! *LOL*),
- worked in enough classrooms to qualify as a teacher,
- baked enough birthday cakes to truly be the "Ace of Cakes",
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY NANNY!!!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
"Oh nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force!"
I don't know if this is only in Oklahoma...but I sure hope not. Awhile ago I was at Wal-Mart picking up a few things. I walked out into the parking lot headed for my car. Directly in front of me was a young Black lady dressed in fatigues - obviously from Vance AFB.
As we walked up the aisle of the parking lot and she reached a battered pickup truck, we both heard a loud rumbly yell, "HEY LADY!!" The young woman almost jumped out of her skin and turned to look in the direction of the roar. I stopped several feet behind the young woman to make sure she would be okay. An older caucasian man, easily 60-65 years old, big and burly, jumped out of the passenger's side of the truck. She looked pretty frightened - then he snatched the hat off of his head and yelled, "Thank you for serving Ma'am! I appreciate it!" I saw all of the tension drain out of her and she stood up straight and faced him directly and said, "You're welcome sir, it's an honor!"
I watched her walk to her car with her head up high and pride in her step. My face was wet by the time I got to my car and I was thinking that I sure hope this isn't the only place that happens. I hope it's happening everywhere!
Please remember - the branch of the military doesn't matter - if you see a soldier, airman, seaman, marine, etc., thank them! These days there is no such thing as "Peace time service".
As we walked up the aisle of the parking lot and she reached a battered pickup truck, we both heard a loud rumbly yell, "HEY LADY!!" The young woman almost jumped out of her skin and turned to look in the direction of the roar. I stopped several feet behind the young woman to make sure she would be okay. An older caucasian man, easily 60-65 years old, big and burly, jumped out of the passenger's side of the truck. She looked pretty frightened - then he snatched the hat off of his head and yelled, "Thank you for serving Ma'am! I appreciate it!" I saw all of the tension drain out of her and she stood up straight and faced him directly and said, "You're welcome sir, it's an honor!"
I watched her walk to her car with her head up high and pride in her step. My face was wet by the time I got to my car and I was thinking that I sure hope this isn't the only place that happens. I hope it's happening everywhere!
Please remember - the branch of the military doesn't matter - if you see a soldier, airman, seaman, marine, etc., thank them! These days there is no such thing as "Peace time service".
Monday, March 30, 2009
"My oh my...my oh my..."
*GASP* Oh my poor Sue Sue!! You don't know the song from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"??? It's near the beginning after Brad and Janet have the flat and walk through the rain to find someplace with a phone. They saw lights a ways back and figure there must be someone there that can help them. They walk up to the castle singing as the song plays:
"Over At The Frankenstein Place"
In the velvet darkness of the blackest night
Burning bright, there's a guiding star
No matter what or who you are.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
I can see the flag fly, I can see the rain
Just the same, there has got to be
Something better here for you and me.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
The darkness must go down the river of nights dreaming
Flow morphia slow, let the sun and light come streaming
Into my life, into my life.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
At the end of the song the motorcycles roar past, Brad and Janet jump out of the way and knock on the door to be greeted by....dnh dnh dnh....Riff Raff!!!! *LOL* Honestly this movie is worth watching for the pure camp of it if nothing else. And in my opinion....Tim Curry made one HOT transvestite! "I'm just a sweet transvestite....from Transexual, Transylvania...." *G* Of course, my favorite song is "Time Warp" and I would love to play Magenta!
I must say though, I absolutely love the one you recommended, "There's a lighthouse on the hillside, that overlooks life's seas..." Have to find the rest of the lyrics for that one! Thank you thank you! *HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS*
"Over At The Frankenstein Place"
In the velvet darkness of the blackest night
Burning bright, there's a guiding star
No matter what or who you are.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
I can see the flag fly, I can see the rain
Just the same, there has got to be
Something better here for you and me.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
The darkness must go down the river of nights dreaming
Flow morphia slow, let the sun and light come streaming
Into my life, into my life.
There's a light over at the Frankenstein Place
There's a light burning in the fireplace
There's a light, light in the darkness of everybody's life.
At the end of the song the motorcycles roar past, Brad and Janet jump out of the way and knock on the door to be greeted by....dnh dnh dnh....Riff Raff!!!! *LOL* Honestly this movie is worth watching for the pure camp of it if nothing else. And in my opinion....Tim Curry made one HOT transvestite! "I'm just a sweet transvestite....from Transexual, Transylvania...." *G* Of course, my favorite song is "Time Warp" and I would love to play Magenta!
I must say though, I absolutely love the one you recommended, "There's a lighthouse on the hillside, that overlooks life's seas..." Have to find the rest of the lyrics for that one! Thank you thank you! *HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS*
Sunday, March 29, 2009
"There's a liiiiiight...."
Okay fine...so the rest of this line is actually, "...over at the Frankenstein place..." but the first part of it was very appropos. *LOL*
In case you couldn't get the emails I sent or couldn't open the pictures due to size - here they are just as I promised:
First - the pencil sketch - matted in deep blue velvet:
And now the oil painting - matted in maritime red textured and tufted velvet:
So what do you think about the pictures themselves and the matting and frame choices? I found the "driftwood" styled frames at Hobby Lobby and thought they were just what I needed.
Let me know what you think guys! *G*
In case you couldn't get the emails I sent or couldn't open the pictures due to size - here they are just as I promised:
First - the pencil sketch - matted in deep blue velvet:
And now the oil painting - matted in maritime red textured and tufted velvet:
So what do you think about the pictures themselves and the matting and frame choices? I found the "driftwood" styled frames at Hobby Lobby and thought they were just what I needed.
Let me know what you think guys! *G*
Sunday, March 1, 2009
"Do an arabesque...now a big plie..."
"...this is the way we do ballet..."
Anyone remember that song from the Kate-sters ballet recital? *L* Well...I came across another reason to remember it...the famous "Flight of Spirits" mural at the Oklahoma State Capital building. I have seen this mural and it is absolutely gorgeous. I also find the ladies in the mural fascinating as well. I found the information and pictures below on various web sites and hope you find it interesting as well. My apologies for the size/quality of the pictures - these are the only ones I could find.
Between 1920 and 1929, five extraordinary women came into the world from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Shawnee, and Osage Nations. They were destined not only to change the face of Oklahoma, but the world of ballet as well.
Flight of Spirit merges the tragic history of Native Americans with the hope and renewal of modern accomplishments. Behind the illuminated ballerinas is Larson’s depiction of the Trail of Tears. Five geese soar over the displaced Native Americans. The geese symbolize the grace and spirit of the five ballerinas. Mike Larsen's depiction of the ballerinas is strictly representational in that the painted figures have analogous facial features and proportions.
Flight of Spirit is located above the fourth floor rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol and can be seen from both the fourth floor and the fifth floor gallery.
First born in 1920, Choctaw Rosella Hightower came from a large family in Durwood, close to Lake Murray. Hightower toured internationally and was engaged in an enormous repertory, including the “Black Swan” pas de deux with Rudolf Nureyev in his 1961 London debut. A year later she started l’Ecole Superieure de Dance in Cannes, which integrated jazz, contemporary dance, and classical ballet. She later served as Director of the Marseilles Opera Ballet and the Ballet of Paris Opera. In 1975, the French government named Miss Hightower a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, the country’s premier honor. Sadly, Ms. Hightower passed away on November 4, 2008.
The next oldest, Moscelyne Larkin was born in Miami, OK, in 1925, to a Shawnee-Peoria Indian and a Russian dancer, who trained her. She joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1948, dancing many leading roles, and later enjoyed being featured as the prima ballerina at Radio City Music Hall.
Betty Marie (later Maria) and Marjorie Tall Chief were Osage sisters born only a year apart. In fact, Maria’s birthdate was only ten days after Larkin’s, on January 24, 1925. Upon high school graduation, Maria became an apprentice with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Later, as she was headed toward becoming the highest paid prima ballerina of the era, the company requested that Maria change her name to Maria Tallchieva. Proud of her Osage heritage, Maria refused, but finally compromised on “Maria Tallchief.” She married famed Russian choreographer George Balanchine, who created her signature roles in “The Firebird,” “Swan Lake,” and “The Nutcracker,” among others. Today she is still popularly known as “Oklahoma’s Firebird.” Even though the marriage to Balanchine ended, their artistic collaboration continued for many years through the New York Ballet.
Maria’s younger sister, Marjorie, born in 1926, became the first American Indian to become premiere danseuse etoile with the Paris Opera. Known for her classic, dignified style, she worked with the American Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas, Ruth Page’s Chicago Opera Ballet, and the Harkness Ballet.
The youngest of Oklahoma’s ballerinas, Shawnee Yvonne Chouteau, born 1929, descends from Major Jean Pierre Chouteau, who established the state’s oldest white settlement in what is now Salina, in 1796. Only 14, Chouteau was the youngest American ever accepted by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. In 1960 they established the University of Oklahoma’s ballet program, the nation’s first accredited dance degree. They went on to organize the Oklahoma City Civic Ballet in 1963 (now Ballet Oklahoma), which they ran for ten years.
So...this is the way that these marvelous ladies "did ballet". I couldn't find any pictures but there have also been 5 bronze statues, one of each ballerina in costume in a signature role, created for the Vintage Gardens of the Tulsa Historial Society. These statues are called "The Five Moons". There was also a ballet created especially to honor them titled "The Four Moons". It contains 4 solo dance parts to honor the heritage of the ballerinas - since Maria and Marjorie Tallchief are both Osage, their heritage shares one solo dance part, hence the 4 instead of 5.
One day I hope to be able to see the sculptures in Tulsa. I also hope you enjoyed this little bit of Oklahoma history.
Anyone remember that song from the Kate-sters ballet recital? *L* Well...I came across another reason to remember it...the famous "Flight of Spirits" mural at the Oklahoma State Capital building. I have seen this mural and it is absolutely gorgeous. I also find the ladies in the mural fascinating as well. I found the information and pictures below on various web sites and hope you find it interesting as well. My apologies for the size/quality of the pictures - these are the only ones I could find.
Between 1920 and 1929, five extraordinary women came into the world from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Shawnee, and Osage Nations. They were destined not only to change the face of Oklahoma, but the world of ballet as well.
They are, officially, Oklahoma’s treasures: Yvonne Chouteau, Rosella Hightower, Moscelyne Larkin, Maria Tallchief, and Marjorie Tallchief. These ballerinas all danced during the 1940's with the Ballets Russes and the Grand Ballet de Marquis de Cuevas.
On November 17, 1991, these five friends enjoyed a rare reunion during the dedication of the Flight of Spirit painting of them in the State Capitol rotunda.
Flight of Spirit merges the tragic history of Native Americans with the hope and renewal of modern accomplishments. Behind the illuminated ballerinas is Larson’s depiction of the Trail of Tears. Five geese soar over the displaced Native Americans. The geese symbolize the grace and spirit of the five ballerinas. Mike Larsen's depiction of the ballerinas is strictly representational in that the painted figures have analogous facial features and proportions.
Flight of Spirit is located above the fourth floor rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol and can be seen from both the fourth floor and the fifth floor gallery.
First born in 1920, Choctaw Rosella Hightower came from a large family in Durwood, close to Lake Murray. Hightower toured internationally and was engaged in an enormous repertory, including the “Black Swan” pas de deux with Rudolf Nureyev in his 1961 London debut. A year later she started l’Ecole Superieure de Dance in Cannes, which integrated jazz, contemporary dance, and classical ballet. She later served as Director of the Marseilles Opera Ballet and the Ballet of Paris Opera. In 1975, the French government named Miss Hightower a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, the country’s premier honor. Sadly, Ms. Hightower passed away on November 4, 2008.
The next oldest, Moscelyne Larkin was born in Miami, OK, in 1925, to a Shawnee-Peoria Indian and a Russian dancer, who trained her. She joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1948, dancing many leading roles, and later enjoyed being featured as the prima ballerina at Radio City Music Hall.
Betty Marie (later Maria) and Marjorie Tall Chief were Osage sisters born only a year apart. In fact, Maria’s birthdate was only ten days after Larkin’s, on January 24, 1925. Upon high school graduation, Maria became an apprentice with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Later, as she was headed toward becoming the highest paid prima ballerina of the era, the company requested that Maria change her name to Maria Tallchieva. Proud of her Osage heritage, Maria refused, but finally compromised on “Maria Tallchief.” She married famed Russian choreographer George Balanchine, who created her signature roles in “The Firebird,” “Swan Lake,” and “The Nutcracker,” among others. Today she is still popularly known as “Oklahoma’s Firebird.” Even though the marriage to Balanchine ended, their artistic collaboration continued for many years through the New York Ballet.
Maria’s younger sister, Marjorie, born in 1926, became the first American Indian to become premiere danseuse etoile with the Paris Opera. Known for her classic, dignified style, she worked with the American Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas, Ruth Page’s Chicago Opera Ballet, and the Harkness Ballet.
The youngest of Oklahoma’s ballerinas, Shawnee Yvonne Chouteau, born 1929, descends from Major Jean Pierre Chouteau, who established the state’s oldest white settlement in what is now Salina, in 1796. Only 14, Chouteau was the youngest American ever accepted by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. In 1960 they established the University of Oklahoma’s ballet program, the nation’s first accredited dance degree. They went on to organize the Oklahoma City Civic Ballet in 1963 (now Ballet Oklahoma), which they ran for ten years.
So...this is the way that these marvelous ladies "did ballet". I couldn't find any pictures but there have also been 5 bronze statues, one of each ballerina in costume in a signature role, created for the Vintage Gardens of the Tulsa Historial Society. These statues are called "The Five Moons". There was also a ballet created especially to honor them titled "The Four Moons". It contains 4 solo dance parts to honor the heritage of the ballerinas - since Maria and Marjorie Tallchief are both Osage, their heritage shares one solo dance part, hence the 4 instead of 5.
One day I hope to be able to see the sculptures in Tulsa. I also hope you enjoyed this little bit of Oklahoma history.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
"Time won't let me....oh no..."
Well, the song actually says "wait that long" but my problem is more like "let me do what I want". *L* I apologize for not posting again - It's been a busy past two weeks and if it has slowed down at all it's not by much.
Last weekend we were in OKC since Eric had Small School All-State Honor Band on Saturday. On Sunday morning he was flying out for Vision Weekend at Rice, so we decided to just spend the night down there. We had a really good dinner at the Red Lobster right near the hotel, did some shopping, dropped him at the airport Sunday morning, and spent the rest of the day shopping at Penn Square Mall. Then on Tuesday he flew back into Will Rogers so Laura and I made a trip after work to get him. That pretty much blew Tuesday night. The rest of the week was work and the Y and then I had to work for a few hours Saturday morning. Phew...I'm REALLY glad today is Sunday. Except for doing laundry, I'm catching up on emails and basically being a slug.
Oh...okay...well...I fibbed a bit. Apparently we are also going to clean the aquarium. *L* I have a choice of now or later so I'm sorry dear Sisters...I believe I will choose now so that it's over with. The remaining fish - Daemon the angelfish, Blueberry the fruited tetra, Glowee the orange glo-fish, and Albert (Algae algae eater) will thank us. Hey! It's just about the only way I get near water around here! *LOL* Well, aside from shower water anyways. So, gonna go and make the fishies smile. Love ya's!
Last weekend we were in OKC since Eric had Small School All-State Honor Band on Saturday. On Sunday morning he was flying out for Vision Weekend at Rice, so we decided to just spend the night down there. We had a really good dinner at the Red Lobster right near the hotel, did some shopping, dropped him at the airport Sunday morning, and spent the rest of the day shopping at Penn Square Mall. Then on Tuesday he flew back into Will Rogers so Laura and I made a trip after work to get him. That pretty much blew Tuesday night. The rest of the week was work and the Y and then I had to work for a few hours Saturday morning. Phew...I'm REALLY glad today is Sunday. Except for doing laundry, I'm catching up on emails and basically being a slug.
Oh...okay...well...I fibbed a bit. Apparently we are also going to clean the aquarium. *L* I have a choice of now or later so I'm sorry dear Sisters...I believe I will choose now so that it's over with. The remaining fish - Daemon the angelfish, Blueberry the fruited tetra, Glowee the orange glo-fish, and Albert (Algae algae eater) will thank us. Hey! It's just about the only way I get near water around here! *LOL* Well, aside from shower water anyways. So, gonna go and make the fishies smile. Love ya's!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
"With the echo of Mendelssohn's tune...."
And it's a pretty good echo! *L* The concert began with the ESO playing Mozart's "Symphony No. 41 in C, K. 551". Very pastoral and very nice. I freely admit that I did snooze a few times but hey...I've been up since 6 am so cut me some slack! *G* Next we had a brief intermission and then our competition winner. The music was Mendelssohn's "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E Minor, op. 64".
Marat Gabdullin is a very nice looking young man who was born in Russia and began studying the violin at age 5. By age 7 he was a soloist in a performance of the Vivaldi Violin Concerto in A Minor with the Ufa Chamber Orchestra in Russia. My ears, especially when it comes to violin music, are completely untrained, my brain, however, is NOT...and Vivaldi at 7 years old is pretty doggone good!!!
Not only did he play the entire performance (approximately 40 minutes of music) from memory, he also showed a presence and sense of performance you don't generally see in someone in their early 20's. The violin was no more and no less than an extension of his arm. If you watched his face as he played you could actually see love for the music and love for the mere sound of the violin flow across it. In fact, it appeared that his love of the music was so great that, when he received a standing ovation, he almost looked embarassed - as if to say, "I'm just the vessel but isn't this music awesome????" *L*
Marat won the 1st prize of $3000 and apparently the competition was quite stiff. They introduced the second place competitor and, for the first time ever, awarded a second place prize because this young man was also so good. Doug Newell, our Maestro, explained about getting some pretty well-credentialed adjudicators to judge the performances and he was really glad that he didn't haveto make the final decision - the three finalists were all that good!
All in all it was a very enjoyable evening - David and Marilyn have excellent seats! *LOL* I'm generally up for taking their tickets any time they offer them. They have front row in the balcony and since it's such an intimate venue they are probably among the best seats in the house. Aren't connections wonderful sometimes?? *G*
Marat Gabdullin is a very nice looking young man who was born in Russia and began studying the violin at age 5. By age 7 he was a soloist in a performance of the Vivaldi Violin Concerto in A Minor with the Ufa Chamber Orchestra in Russia. My ears, especially when it comes to violin music, are completely untrained, my brain, however, is NOT...and Vivaldi at 7 years old is pretty doggone good!!!
Not only did he play the entire performance (approximately 40 minutes of music) from memory, he also showed a presence and sense of performance you don't generally see in someone in their early 20's. The violin was no more and no less than an extension of his arm. If you watched his face as he played you could actually see love for the music and love for the mere sound of the violin flow across it. In fact, it appeared that his love of the music was so great that, when he received a standing ovation, he almost looked embarassed - as if to say, "I'm just the vessel but isn't this music awesome????" *L*
Marat won the 1st prize of $3000 and apparently the competition was quite stiff. They introduced the second place competitor and, for the first time ever, awarded a second place prize because this young man was also so good. Doug Newell, our Maestro, explained about getting some pretty well-credentialed adjudicators to judge the performances and he was really glad that he didn't haveto make the final decision - the three finalists were all that good!
All in all it was a very enjoyable evening - David and Marilyn have excellent seats! *LOL* I'm generally up for taking their tickets any time they offer them. They have front row in the balcony and since it's such an intimate venue they are probably among the best seats in the house. Aren't connections wonderful sometimes?? *G*
"But I'd be done seen about everything..."
You may not know this, but Oklahoma has a minor league hockey team, The OKC Blazers. And as I'm sure you know, sports teams have fan appreciation nights. Well, I'm not sure if it's only in Oklahoma, or only in the midwest, but I'm pretty sure it's only in America. The Blazers are teaming with the FFA, 4H clubs, and the American Farmers and Ranchers for "The Blazers Give Away The Farm Night". Yes...you heard me correctly....and yes...it means what you think.
Tonight the Blazers host the Colorado Eagles at the Ford Center and will give away nearly $4,000 worth of livestock after the game. Student members of 4-H and FFA who attend the game and register at the AFR booth will be eligible to win a hog, a goat, a lamb, or an Express Ranches heifer. And this is in the 'big city'!!! Oh my God!! *LOL* What is this place I've moved to????? Attend the game....and win a farm animal! Geez.
Now mind you, in the MUCH smaller town of Enid, Laura and I will be attending the symphony tonight. Her boss and his wife have season tickets but they are out of town this weekend so she and I will be seeing:
Mendelssohn in Leipzig
Felix Mendelssohn's 200th birthday party alla the Leipzig Gewandhaus,
featuring the winner of the ESO's 2009 Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Competition for Oklahoma Young Artists ~ Marat Gabdullin
I hope this young man is as good as the paper is touting him to be and I REALLY hope I can stay awake through a concert of soothing violin concertos. *LOL* We'll see if I make it. Hey...at least nobody is trying to give me a goat! *ROTFLOL*
Tonight the Blazers host the Colorado Eagles at the Ford Center and will give away nearly $4,000 worth of livestock after the game. Student members of 4-H and FFA who attend the game and register at the AFR booth will be eligible to win a hog, a goat, a lamb, or an Express Ranches heifer. And this is in the 'big city'!!! Oh my God!! *LOL* What is this place I've moved to????? Attend the game....and win a farm animal! Geez.
Now mind you, in the MUCH smaller town of Enid, Laura and I will be attending the symphony tonight. Her boss and his wife have season tickets but they are out of town this weekend so she and I will be seeing:
Mendelssohn in Leipzig
Felix Mendelssohn's 200th birthday party alla the Leipzig Gewandhaus,
featuring the winner of the ESO's 2009 Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Competition for Oklahoma Young Artists ~ Marat Gabdullin
I hope this young man is as good as the paper is touting him to be and I REALLY hope I can stay awake through a concert of soothing violin concertos. *LOL* We'll see if I make it. Hey...at least nobody is trying to give me a goat! *ROTFLOL*
Sunday, February 1, 2009
"Whoa oh ohhhh, listen to the music..."
Okay...I was inspired by Life In A Lovely Heart to research the #1 songs on my birthdays (I have just a few more than you, Puddy-Girl) and then to make a list of songs I like that might surprise you. The results of this inspiration are as follows:
#1 on my birthday - August 7th
2008 ... "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry
2007 ... "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston
2006 ... "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland
2005 ... "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey
2004 ... "Slow Motion" by Juvenile featuring Soulja Slim
2003 ... "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
2002 ... "Hot in Herre" by Nelly
2001 ... "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child
2000 ... "Incomplete" by Sisqó
1999 ... "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera
1998 ... "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy & Monica
1997 ... "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans featuring 112
1996 ... "Macarena [Bayside Boys Mix]" by Los Del Rio
1995 ... "Waterfalls" by TLC
1994 ... "Stay (I Missed You)" by Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories
1993 ... "Can't Help Falling in Love" by UB40
1992 ... "This Used to Be My Playground" by Madonna
1991 ... "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams
1990 ... "Vision of Love" by Mariah Carey
1989 ... "Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx
1988 ... "Roll with It" by Steve Winwood
1987 ... "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2
1986 ... "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera
1985 ... "Shout" by Tears for Fears
1984 ... "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr.
1983 ... "Every Breath You Take" by The Police
1982 ... "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
1981 ... "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield
1980 ... "Magic" by Olivia Newton-John
1979 ... "Bad Girls" by Donna Summer
1978 ... "Three Times a Lady" by The Commodores
1977 ... "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" by Andy Gibb
1976 ... "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John & Kiki Dee
1975 ... "Jive Talkin'" by The Bee Gees
1974 ... "Feel Like Makin' Love" by Roberta Flack
1973 ... "The Morning After" by Maureen McGovern
1972 ... "Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan
1971 ... "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by The Bee Gees
1970 ... "(They Long to Be) Close to You" by The Carpenters
1969 ... "In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)" by Zager & Evans
1968 ... "Hello, I Love You" by The Doors
1967 ... "Light My Fire" by The Doors
1966 ... "Summer in the City" by The Lovin' Spoonful
1965 ... "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" by Herman's Hermits
1964 ... "A Hard Day's Night" by The Beatles
1963 ... "Fingertips (Part II)" by Little Stevie Wonder
Uhmmm...yeah. I pretty much lost the train of music after 1996, although I have heard "I Kissed A Girl". I don't believe I've heard most of the songs in between though. *LOL*
As for songs I really like that might surprise you:
"Straight To Number One" by Touch and Go
"Disturbia" by Rhinannon
"Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down
"1985" by Bowling for Soup
"Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace" by Big and Rich
"Smooth" by Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas
"Glamorous" by Fergie
"House At Pooh Corner" by Loggins and Messina
"Panama Red" by New Riders of the Purple Sage
"Baby Doll" by Pat Green
"Somebody Loved" by The Weepies
"Waterfalls" by TLC
"Get Right With The Man" by Van Zandt
I am also a major "Parrothead", a frequent visitor of the "Martini Lounge", and a "Zydeco" fan. I'll listen to Big Band, Swing (country and regular), Broadway, some Metal, and even an occasional Rap song though I totally dislike hardcore and 'gansta' Rap (think "Wild Thing" by Tone-Loc, NOT NWA's "Straight Outta Compton"). In short - if it's good music, good lyrics, or a tiny bit odd - there's a chance I'll listen to it at least once. If I like it I'll listen more. And if I love it I'll listen for the rest of forever. As Nietzsche said, "Without music, life would be an error."
So come on....'fess up....what are YOU listening to??? *G*
#1 on my birthday - August 7th
2008 ... "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry
2007 ... "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston
2006 ... "Promiscuous" by Nelly Furtado featuring Timbaland
2005 ... "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey
2004 ... "Slow Motion" by Juvenile featuring Soulja Slim
2003 ... "Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z
2002 ... "Hot in Herre" by Nelly
2001 ... "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child
2000 ... "Incomplete" by Sisqó
1999 ... "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera
1998 ... "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy & Monica
1997 ... "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy & Faith Evans featuring 112
1996 ... "Macarena [Bayside Boys Mix]" by Los Del Rio
1995 ... "Waterfalls" by TLC
1994 ... "Stay (I Missed You)" by Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories
1993 ... "Can't Help Falling in Love" by UB40
1992 ... "This Used to Be My Playground" by Madonna
1991 ... "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams
1990 ... "Vision of Love" by Mariah Carey
1989 ... "Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx
1988 ... "Roll with It" by Steve Winwood
1987 ... "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2
1986 ... "Glory of Love" by Peter Cetera
1985 ... "Shout" by Tears for Fears
1984 ... "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr.
1983 ... "Every Breath You Take" by The Police
1982 ... "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor
1981 ... "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield
1980 ... "Magic" by Olivia Newton-John
1979 ... "Bad Girls" by Donna Summer
1978 ... "Three Times a Lady" by The Commodores
1977 ... "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" by Andy Gibb
1976 ... "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" by Elton John & Kiki Dee
1975 ... "Jive Talkin'" by The Bee Gees
1974 ... "Feel Like Makin' Love" by Roberta Flack
1973 ... "The Morning After" by Maureen McGovern
1972 ... "Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan
1971 ... "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" by The Bee Gees
1970 ... "(They Long to Be) Close to You" by The Carpenters
1969 ... "In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)" by Zager & Evans
1968 ... "Hello, I Love You" by The Doors
1967 ... "Light My Fire" by The Doors
1966 ... "Summer in the City" by The Lovin' Spoonful
1965 ... "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" by Herman's Hermits
1964 ... "A Hard Day's Night" by The Beatles
1963 ... "Fingertips (Part II)" by Little Stevie Wonder
Uhmmm...yeah. I pretty much lost the train of music after 1996, although I have heard "I Kissed A Girl". I don't believe I've heard most of the songs in between though. *LOL*
As for songs I really like that might surprise you:
"Straight To Number One" by Touch and Go
"Disturbia" by Rhinannon
"Kryptonite" by 3 Doors Down
"1985" by Bowling for Soup
"Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace" by Big and Rich
"Smooth" by Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas
"Glamorous" by Fergie
"House At Pooh Corner" by Loggins and Messina
"Panama Red" by New Riders of the Purple Sage
"Baby Doll" by Pat Green
"Somebody Loved" by The Weepies
"Waterfalls" by TLC
"Get Right With The Man" by Van Zandt
I am also a major "Parrothead", a frequent visitor of the "Martini Lounge", and a "Zydeco" fan. I'll listen to Big Band, Swing (country and regular), Broadway, some Metal, and even an occasional Rap song though I totally dislike hardcore and 'gansta' Rap (think "Wild Thing" by Tone-Loc, NOT NWA's "Straight Outta Compton"). In short - if it's good music, good lyrics, or a tiny bit odd - there's a chance I'll listen to it at least once. If I like it I'll listen more. And if I love it I'll listen for the rest of forever. As Nietzsche said, "Without music, life would be an error."
So come on....'fess up....what are YOU listening to??? *G*
Monday, January 26, 2009
"Ice, ice, Baby..."
And believe me, it "sucks, sucks, Baby"! Yep, the winter storm is coming through and decided to spit on Enid. I left the office and went to my car and found about 1/8 inch of ice on one side and about 1/16 inch on the other side. Sounds like such a tiny bit doesn't it? Yeah...I was scraping my little arms off for about 20 minutes and hadn't really made even a dent in it - then God sent me an Angel. Rusty, one of our Maintenance guys, came out to salt the sidewalks. I thought it was strange that he came over by the car and poured a little pile of salt near the curb. And then he showed himself to be that Angel I mentioned. He told me to stand over where he had just salted so I wouldn't slip and fall, and proceeded to take my ice scraper and scrape my windows front to back! When he was done he stayed and made sure I got into the car without slipping, and asked if the other ladies from the office area had left yet. I told him they had not and he said he would go in and get their keys and warm and scrape their cars so they would be ready when they left.
Yes, Virginia, there are Angels. And one of them is named Rusty.
Thank you for sending one my way, Lord. And St. Peter, when you record today in your book, please make sure to put several VERY LARGE check marks next to Rusty's name. Sounds like a deal to me Guys - you send him the blessings and I'll send him some cookies! *G*
Yes, Virginia, there are Angels. And one of them is named Rusty.
Thank you for sending one my way, Lord. And St. Peter, when you record today in your book, please make sure to put several VERY LARGE check marks next to Rusty's name. Sounds like a deal to me Guys - you send him the blessings and I'll send him some cookies! *G*
Saturday, January 10, 2009
"Time has come today...."
Okay, not a total emergency but definitely something to take care of. The current computer is slowly leaving us. Within the past few months we have experienced 2 "organ" (hardware) failures and it is slowly sliding into total system shut down. Not to mention the fact that it is truly a dinosaur in tech years. Luckily we placed it on "heart-lung bypass" after the first failure so all important files are on separate external hard drives and all important programs are backed-up. We also budgeted for the time when we would have to choose its successor.
That time has come today. The local Staples had a good deal on an HP machine with a 750 Gb hard drive, 8 Gb of RAM, SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe, a graphics card with 256 Mb of dedicated memory, and running the Windows Vista OS. The currently running computer has 256 Mb of RAM total! This new one should fly! *LOL*
Of course, we also had to get a new cable modem since the current one is not compatible with Vista and we had to upgrade the Microsoft Office to 2007 for the same reason. Staples did throw in the HP printer though - not a bad deal considering the curent printer is approximately 12 years old and the cost of one black ink cartridge for it is more than the cost of both the black AND color cartridges of the new printer. It's still a deskjet, not a laserjet, but I'm totally okay with that. My little deskjet has been an absolute workhorse. And it was free too at the time! Can't complain.
But the new puter is ordered and will be in on Thursday. Oh, and they are also going to set it up in the store. Once we pick it up all we will have to do is plug it in, connect the external drives and modem, make a few modifications, and fire it up. Much better to let them download the 4 hours of updates and install the full version of Office than for us to spend time doing it.
The only thing I'm unsure about is how long it will take to get the email program back up and running. We're currently trying to remember the passwords we used and such. If nothing else I will have the hotmail and gmail available so I'll still be accessible over the net. And I'll let everyone know as soon as we get the email straightened out of course. Right now it's kinda like Christmas all over again....I can't wait!! *LOL* I'll keep you posted!
That time has come today. The local Staples had a good deal on an HP machine with a 750 Gb hard drive, 8 Gb of RAM, SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe, a graphics card with 256 Mb of dedicated memory, and running the Windows Vista OS. The currently running computer has 256 Mb of RAM total! This new one should fly! *LOL*
Of course, we also had to get a new cable modem since the current one is not compatible with Vista and we had to upgrade the Microsoft Office to 2007 for the same reason. Staples did throw in the HP printer though - not a bad deal considering the curent printer is approximately 12 years old and the cost of one black ink cartridge for it is more than the cost of both the black AND color cartridges of the new printer. It's still a deskjet, not a laserjet, but I'm totally okay with that. My little deskjet has been an absolute workhorse. And it was free too at the time! Can't complain.
But the new puter is ordered and will be in on Thursday. Oh, and they are also going to set it up in the store. Once we pick it up all we will have to do is plug it in, connect the external drives and modem, make a few modifications, and fire it up. Much better to let them download the 4 hours of updates and install the full version of Office than for us to spend time doing it.
The only thing I'm unsure about is how long it will take to get the email program back up and running. We're currently trying to remember the passwords we used and such. If nothing else I will have the hotmail and gmail available so I'll still be accessible over the net. And I'll let everyone know as soon as we get the email straightened out of course. Right now it's kinda like Christmas all over again....I can't wait!! *LOL* I'll keep you posted!
Friday, January 2, 2009
"When the moon....
...is in the 7th House..."
I saw the coolest thing the other night! On Tuesday, Dec. 30 there was supposed to be a conjunction in the night sky where you could see three planets and the moon. We went outside just after sunset and lo and behold...we saw them!! It was exceptionally cool! First you had to find the crescent moon in the Southern sky...then look slightly to the West of the bottom tip...and there was Venus! It's so bright and pretty, it looked like a diamond sparkling up there! Okay, so then you were supposed to draw a line from Venus towards the Southwest directly to the spot where the sun went down and there they were! Jupiter and Mercury right next to each other riding just above the horizon! Jupiter was brighter than Mercury but not as bright as Venus of course. Mercury looked like a tiny reddish light sitting there - Jupiter sparkled a little but like I said, nothing like Venus. I was so amazed at this sight - I just thought that was the neatest thing ever! *L*
Oh, and since I'm not really fond of "resolutions" - I've made an "agreement" with myself that I will try to post once a week, circumstances permitting. I may have to do it once every two weeks now and again but hopefully I won't have to drop to posting only once a month. Hmmmm...but even that would be better than lately. *hanging my head in shame* All in all - I really intend to try and post more often. But we all know about "the best laid plans of mice and..." ... Totos!
I saw the coolest thing the other night! On Tuesday, Dec. 30 there was supposed to be a conjunction in the night sky where you could see three planets and the moon. We went outside just after sunset and lo and behold...we saw them!! It was exceptionally cool! First you had to find the crescent moon in the Southern sky...then look slightly to the West of the bottom tip...and there was Venus! It's so bright and pretty, it looked like a diamond sparkling up there! Okay, so then you were supposed to draw a line from Venus towards the Southwest directly to the spot where the sun went down and there they were! Jupiter and Mercury right next to each other riding just above the horizon! Jupiter was brighter than Mercury but not as bright as Venus of course. Mercury looked like a tiny reddish light sitting there - Jupiter sparkled a little but like I said, nothing like Venus. I was so amazed at this sight - I just thought that was the neatest thing ever! *L*
Oh, and since I'm not really fond of "resolutions" - I've made an "agreement" with myself that I will try to post once a week, circumstances permitting. I may have to do it once every two weeks now and again but hopefully I won't have to drop to posting only once a month. Hmmmm...but even that would be better than lately. *hanging my head in shame* All in all - I really intend to try and post more often. But we all know about "the best laid plans of mice and..." ... Totos!
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