Week 138

So, I am exactly one month out. Good thing I did a lot the past couple of weeks:

#1 Completed the travel journal. I have a horrible memory especially when it comes to trips. The days and even the destinations get all mixed up. I forget where we go and what do in the terms of details. That makes for a disappointing experience if I can't remember the trip. From China to girl's weekend in Charlotte to DW to helpful trips to Biloxi, they are all accounted for. Had to make some phone calls--thanks Mom and Penny, and ask M. for details. In the end, I have all the details, dates, destinations and funny quips from all my trips. Maybe when I am 95 in the nursing home, some 18 year-old kid doing community service will be interested in reading about them.

#8 Finished my 40th book--Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The first 3/4 was really good. They lost me when the book started overlapping the movie and things did not match up as I thought they would have. The book didn't have the confrontation at the house over the shoes. It did not have the flying monkeys kidnapping Dorothy. It did not portray the melting as in the movie. Rather, the author made it seem like Dorothy was helping the witch. Maybe it followed the original book. We all know how Hollywood likes to butcher a good book. The original should be my next read. But alas, I have moved onto Pride, Prejudice and Zombies.

#18 Finished the angel tree skirt. This was a task. Three ginormous angels cross stitched and then mounted on an ivory fur backing with a red rope trim. We don't normally do hokey decor, but I worked too long and too hard to not have this out for the holidays. I get a bye on this piece and it will be out every year we do a tree. So there!

#36 M. got three more rubby rubs. One on the floor. One on the sweat banana couch and one...oh wait, that was two on the sweat banana couch. No frills or exciting stories. Just the feet, rubbing oil and crappy reality TV. Yes, we are cool.

#70 Bowled a 150 game. Monday nights are all you can bowl including shoes $10. Good date night experience at our local joint. I have been struggling for 2 years to get this goal. I don't close frames. On this night, I felt good. I told M. that this was the night to hit 150. I felt the 150 game inside ready to bust out! Got to the alley and my first game was 97, which is about what I bowl. Next game--the universe aligned. The ball hit it's targets with extreme accuracy and fury. Pins were falling left and right. Spares were plenty. Strikes were bountiful. The scoring screen was ablaze with images of pins exploding and disintigrating at the end of the lane. When the dust settled, 162 shone proudly on the screen next to my name. No sirens went off. No ticker tape parade. Just a hero and her supportive hubby and a single tear to commemorate the accomplishment. That and a cheap beer crosses it off the list!!

#9 Completed the wedding journal. Refer to #1. I spent all that money. I would like to remember it when I am 95 in the nursing home....you get the picture. The journal is stored safely in my wedding chest with other momentos that Nana and Mom saved from the wedding.

And finally....

Wait for it....

Antici....

Pation...

#74 Listen to all Mark's CD--Completed. Yes, I said it. I thought I would never get this done. He has some great music. A couple of hidden gems. The last two weeks, I have been listening to promo music from local bands. The list was long, but it is done...

Haunted Halo--Rebecca Tex
The Space Bar--The Space Bar
R50--The Golden Highs
R50--Rosco
Lowtone--Lowtone
Black Line Grind--Black Line Grind
Regret--Regret
Rob Slac--Always Chillin'
Jonasay--Spare Dimes for Dust
October--As Tall As I Am
October--Lay Down and Die
Under the Sun--EDP
Swel-J--Away
The Easy Flow Nation
Ernest--Dragging Me Down
Dialect-- Promo
Morning Becomes Ecclectic:On Air Performances from KCRW Studios
SuperModel
Annoited 1--Born Again
Finger 11-- Drag You Down
Harry Dash--Sugar High
Mojave Demos
Naked Head--2002
The Kingdom of Leisure--One Fine Ride
Large Mammal--Divine
Media Music Professional
Cosmos Productions--Music to Listen to Video
Network Music--demos
Unit Shifters--This Ain't Love
Michele Lane 2010
Remedy 526--Everything
Remedy 526--In a Dream
Vova Zen--Promo
Vova Zen--Noise in the Background
Unit Shifters--Promo
Unit Shifters--Big Shiney German Knife
Unit Shifters--Please Stay on Grass
Unit Shifters--Virgin EP
Harry Dash--EP
Hello Joseph--I Wish I Was Nine
The Gospel Brothel--Something Like Forever
Franchise--Voices, Notes and Tones
Finned Pilot--Finned Pilot
The Actomatics--10 Stories
EBO--Drained
Wolf Nibble Chips--Out of the Cold, Behind your Eyes
Sean Edwards
The Dungeon Recording Studio Compilation
Leslie--leslie
Bread and Circuses Music Fest II
Mohave--Clear Blue Trickling
The Lonely H--Hair
Mercy Machine--Mercy Machine
Mercy Machine--In Your Bed
King Remo--Bad Dream Girl
Kitty in the Tree--Hello Kitty
Long Wave--End Songs
Travis Pickle--Travis Pickle
The Moths
The Julius Airwaves--A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Jesse St. James--The Brave Fall
In Low--In Low
Hugo--Velvet Playground
Tower to Cesena--The Bowling Teeth
Emily Stein
Amy Steinburg--Raw Material From the Etheral
Amy Steinburg-- Sky High
Amy Steinburg--Hibiscus 360
SheBang--One of your Perfect Friends
Space Bar--Our Flight
Ironic Daze-- Clear Reception
Red--Red
Nocturnal--Apt 7L
Peter Moon--I am the Elephant Man
Zodiac Groove--Metabolic Windows
ZOA-- Dirty Little Anything
Swank--Swank
None Other--Mad Cow Boys and Girls
This Open Heart--Not Tonight Josephine
Buck 32--Product
Bring Back Jack--Deep Within the Irrational Behavior
Boys Go To War--It Always Hurts
The Bogman--Failing Systems
BLU--BLU
Bloom--Motorola
Bird Dog Bobby--I Ain't no Pedigree
Blue Meridian--Brave Angel
Blue Meridian--Minerva
Blue Meridian--Bleeding on the Guardrail
Blue Meridian--At the End of the Century
DManufacture--Alone I Fall
Coletta--Drive
Jeff Coffey--EP
Cider--Sugar Coat
Cider--Starters
Choke--Pure Choke
Choke--Fashion By Late
Code Sunshine
The Sourpuss
Tune Up--Rock 48 complilation
4 Years Past--Surface
Dirty Shannon--Wealth, Time and Possessions
the Doors--live mix
Olive Carpet--Do you Know Who I am
Clovis--Bilss
Thaddeus Scrumb--Willow
Gadwell Lane--Waiting for you
Launch the Waiter
Axis Sunday Night Mass @ the Sapphire
Dust for Life--Step into the Light
Gereration--Revolution
Steven Foxbury--Summersong.
New Music From an American Landscape Compilation 2004
5 Billion Dead
Immedia--3 song demo
Jereme Hall--jereme Hall
Beautiful Mess--Homewrecker
Casual Folklore--EP
Madisen Crawford-2002
Joy Formidible--The Big Roar
Janis Joplin--Janis
Chilton--Mix
Dio Mix
Jeff's Crank #4
Thin Lizzy Mix
Heavy Metal Mix
Black Star Morning--All Rise
Beerman--Life in the Stars
Paul McCartney--Never Stop Doing What You Love
Atom Eve Eclipse--No Suspension of Disbelief
American Supermodel--Amphire
Choke--Damn It, Janet EP
Atom Eve Eclipse--Future Shock and Exorcism
Choke--Live Oct 99
Brooke Waggoner-- Fresh Pair of Eyes
Slack Season--Post Party
Big Mother Thruster Demo
Philler--Safe to Drive with Two Glass Eyes
Dexter Freebird
Backsliders-- Southern Lines
Boxcar Prophets--Little Tortures
King Reno--Blackbook EP
The Trantulas--Monster Wave 100ft High
April March--Lessons of April March
April March--Chrominance Decoder
Strangefolk--Weightless in Water
The Hope Blisters-Smiles On
Von Ra- Just Waking Up
Von Ra-- POW
Together at Last
People's music awards 2001
Strobe 7--Strobe 7
SMG--Demo Reel
Gasworks--Bluegills and Bombshells
Gridlock Studios Sampler March 2003
John Frank
All Saints--I Know Where It's At
The Promise Ring--Wood/Water
Glass Laughter
Fred Schneider--B52's raw
The Methadone Jones Duo
Union Made--The Package
Fall Term--Try the Sagan
The Vinyls
Anthony Bonilla--Beats and Treats
Nate Larson--Nate Larson
Michael McCloud-- Another Day in Paradise
Ursula's Curse--Move Left
Ursula's Curse--West Trailduster
Upstairs--Casualties of Uncertainty
Von Ra--Fame
Von Ra--Interactive
Union Made--Union Made
Brooke Waggoner--Heal for the Honey
Fatback--The Way Things Should Be
Sex Sells Records--The Best No-Money Making Bands We Could Find Vol. 2
Venus Platt
Full Devil Jacket
Ultrablue--The Way Life Should Be
10 cent--Buggin' out
The Wiseguys--The Antidote
Sweet Mustafa--Behind the Zion Curtain
Oasis Acoustic Music Sampler
Joe Henry--Shin and Teeth
Uncle Tupelo--Anodyne
John Gallagher--Meridale
Lux Vixens--The Music of Hildeguard Von Bingen

and DONE!

Week 134

In the home stretch, but I feel like there are so many things left. 28 to be exact. The good news is that I have a gameplan to wrap this list up completed and on time.

#4 Expanded the friend wall to cover most of the office wall. Much like the rest of the house, there is no more room. The only other option now is to rotate pics to include other friends that are not currently up there. Or we could just leave it. I am not playing favorites. I am just lazy.

#8 Read Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. What a great piece of fiction! Or, depending on who you talk to, non-fiction. I find it comical that some people swear this book is fact. Of course, they also think the bible is 100% accurate as well. All that aside, the book was very entertaining. It was full of spies, slave trade, senate race and of course, slaying of the vampire!! I love the concept of taking history and throwing a bit of tweak in there. I actually learned some true facts about Lincoln from the book. And no, him being a vampire hunter was not one of them.

#14 I did 100 sit-ups on the Bender Ball. Supposedly using the green Bender Ball will enhance your sit-up experience by taking pressure off your back and extending your drop down into a slight arch that will work the abs more than a regular crunch. I don't know about all of that. What I can tell you is that my abs hurt like a mother right now. That is after I have been working them solid for the past week or so. Darn you Bender Ball! Darn you for the pain!!





#36 Gave M a glorious foot rub. I made sure it was after a shower. Only clean toes for me. I also had on my written record two other occurrances of the foot rub. Maybe in D.C? Not sure because I did not write a date or note any other details. I am totally counting them! Anytime I touch feet, I get credit. OK, not really, but you know how I feel about feet.





#40 This was a big one. M and I watched Citizen Kane. It was the last movie on my list and it the number one movie of all time according to AFI. I could not agree more. Go on, Orsen Wells! Go on with your bad self.





#59 Go to Gatorland (went with K, P, & M). In Florida, Gatorland is a state treasure. Basically, it is a haven for rescued gators or gators that need love. We saw big gators, white gators, baby gators, and even gators from Egypt. Pop quiz! What did all the gators have in common besides crazy sharp teeth and a ferocious appetite? They are super lazy. Imagine a sloth with teeth and pension for fresh meat. That is a gator. We were taking bets in our group as to which ones were alive. None of them moved. Lazy butts.





# More CD's. They never end. M has explicit instructions that, under no circumstance, is he to bring any more CD's into the house until April 5.





Izzy Cox-Love Letters From the Electric Chair


Roman Alexander and the Robbery


Van Preston-Van Preston


Peaceful Mix-Bea


Quiet Morning Mix-Bea


Black Sabbath Box Set-Black Sabbath, Sabotage, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Never Say Die, Paranoid, Masters of Reality, Black Sabbath Vol. 4, Technical Ectasy. If you have not listened to this box set, go out immediately and get it. This means you.


Ponderosa-I'm Your Pistolier


Strange Bedfellows Compilation


Darrin James Band-Thrones of Gold


Have Gun Will Travel-Shadow as Tall as Giants


Legendary Shack Shakers-Believe


Sugar Free Music-Devil's Note Candy Shop


The Ditchflowers-Carried Away


Herb Brochstein and the Gulf Coast Giants of Jazz-Volume 3


Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets-Back to Boogaloo


Janis Joplin-Janis


60 Greatest Rhythm and Blues Classics


Unit Shifters-Promo recording?


Roy Haynes-Fountain of Youth


Smashmouth-Fush Yu Mang


Everclear-Sparkle and Fade


Godsmack-the Other Side


Mickey Hart-Planet Drums


Michael Uyttebroek-Drums of Passion


Metallica-Master of Puppets


Metallica-Ride the Lightning


Nature's Drums-Harmonizing with Nature


Global Mediatation


Metallica-S&M


Dutch Pop+Rock Compilation 2000


Am Gold 1966


Highly Pissed Radio Clips KLBJ


Southern Fried Sunday Compilation 2011


Sublime-Sublime


3 Doors Down-The Better Life


Rudess Morgenstein Project


Charlie Parker-Chasing Gold


Mastadon-The Hunter


2 Centuries of Romance-Mozart, Beethoven


Maurice Ravel-Bolero


Weekend Favorites-Classical


Handel-The Masterpiece Collection


Chopin-Volume 3


Beethoven-The Masterpiece Collection


Bach-The Masterpiece Collection


Headliners Compilation


AM Gold 1971


105.9 WCXR Classics-Volumes 1-4


Local Licks Live from Austin 1996


Immediate Blues Story Down and Dirty Volume 3


Dazed and Confused Soundtracks


Emergenza Compilation 2005


Trackspotting Connections Magazine Compilation 2000


Florida Music Festival Compilation 2008


Manheim Steam Roller Christmas Collection


A Celtic Christmas


Christmas Essentials


The John Henry's-Sweet as the Corn


James Jackson Toth-Waiting in Vain

Week 127

So I feel like the time is flying by. Now that I am in the last 3 months I wonder where all the time went. Hope I can finish...

#8 Read three books:

World War Z--Post zombie invasion book with the story being told through first hand experiences of the characters. This was an odd one because I had my brain all ready for a run-from-the-zombie book. What this book was about was not that. This story really centered on military involvement and coverup. There were a couple of good story lines, but for the most part, the book was choppy and kind of boring. Sorry, zombies. Please don't eat my brains when the real Zombiegeddon happens.

Odd Thomas--One of my favorite authors penned this extremely long tale about a line cook that can see the dead. He gets involved with smoke monsters that feed off death and devil worshippers that want the whole town dead in some kind of mass sacrifice for the devil. This mass killing ends up taking place at the local mall and our hero must stop the attack. Overall, it was a good read. That being said, why do authors bring up situations and then leave the loose ends blowing in the breeze? I like a good story with a beginning, a middle and an end. I don't like loose ends. They look messy and make me a little flustered. Dean Koontz, I implore you, what was the deal with the pitch black room and the repeating circle of action? You wrote two whole chapters about it and then never explained it or what its relevance was to the story. Sigh.

Drinking with Strangers--The story of Butch Walker. Great songwriter and performer. From the gangbuster rock band, SouthGang, in the 80's to the Black Widows, Butch relates his experiences in the music industry. It was fun because his first hand account of music is exactly how I see the music industry.


#35 Gave M his last love note of this list. I opened a word document on his computer and wrote a dinosaur riddle. He saw it when he got home. It was funny. He chucked. All was right with the world.

#40 Watched The Gold Rush with the legendary Charlie Chaplin. Funny, funny, funny. That is all I have to say about that. Only one more to go and I saved the #1 movie for last!

#51 M and I planted flags on the headstones of veterans this past Veteran's Day at our local cemetary. This was something that Dad wanted me to do and I have to say, this is one thing that we will do as often as possible. This task made us feel good.


#74 I am really trying to knock out this music. I have been listening to tunes non-stop. Most of the music now is local bands which is kind of fun because I have not heard some of these bands in years. Memory lane.....

-The Killers: Sam's Town
-The Killers: Hot Fuss
-Butch Walkers and the Black Widows: Spade
-Reverend Horton Heat: Revival
-Florida Music Festival Awards: 2002, 2004, 2005
-Axis Magazine Compilations: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
-Axis Magazine First Rotation 1998
-Axis Magazine Another Spin
-Insite Magazine Compilation Austin: 2001
-Thelonious Monk: Misterioso
-Duke Ellington: Live in Paris 1959
-Orlando Music Awards: 199, 2000, 2001
-Supermodel
-Southern Culture on the Skids: Peckn' Party
-Kidney Stones: Raise em up
-Geddy Lee: My Favorite Headache
-Bright Light Social Hour: Bright Light Social Hour
-Bright Light Social Hour: NYE Live
-Millstock Compilation 2011

week 121

So between traveling, work and Halloween, I have been a slacker in doing the posting. That being said, I did get a couple of things done during the absence.

#8 Read 4 books:

1. Malefice--good conceptual book about a witch trial. Each chapter was told from a different perspective i.e the witch on trial, the town doctor, witch's daughter, the clergyman, the hangman and others. You get a good lesson in perception of events and how everyone sees events differently and interpret them differently from the person standing across from them.

2. Carrie--Stephen King classic was a great read right before the Halloween party. Very spooky!

3. Eye of the Dragon--Another Stephen King tale that was perfectly timed before the party. I remember reading this book in high school and loving the artwork. In fact, I drew some of the illustrations and it was the 3 months of my life that I could draw freehand.

4. Griftopia--Matt Taibbi. You must read this now. I thought this was going to be a very political book about why the other side is wrong. I was hestitant to read it, however, I hold the opinion of the friend that told me it was a must-read in a very high regard. I read it and was blown away. It lays out the entire ins and outs of the banking industry, insurance industry and all sects of the government and how these three entities got us into the mess we are in today. My most eye opening experience was the chapter that talks about why gas prices are so high. Think it is a lack of oil? Nope. Think it is the major oil producers in the Middle East holding out to prove a point? Nope. Think it is because we drive too much? Not even close. Think it was because the banks, Goldman Sachs, got greedy and wanted to become speculators in the oil business and drive the price up to make oodles of cash for themselves? Ding ding ding. You win the prize! Read this book. You will soon see who the bad guys are and why they suck so bad.

#36 Gave M a footrub after the OO in October. My toleration of feet might be turning a corner. I rubbed for like, 20 minuted on each foot. A couple glasses of wine certainly help.

#40 Three more movies off the list:

1. Sound of Music--I have been singing these songs for the last month. Do a deer, a female deer....
2. Nashville--Why does Stanley confuse me so? I understand that this was a great slice of americana, but to me it was choppy, slow and ended with a question mark. I loved the opening credits though.
3. The French Connection--Am I the only one that thinks that Gene Hackman got better looking with age? I also could not look at Roy Schneider without saying "We're gonna need a bigger boat". What can I say, Jaws spoiled me.

#35 M got an I love you in the best possible way--written in chocolate on a toaster strudel.

#29 Had lunch with C yesterday at a new place that opened near us. Great munchies, but expensive for a lunch place. Also had dinner with M. We had a great night that started with wine, apps and dinner and ended with Cheesecake Factory pumpkin cheesecake and coffee. Fantastic night except for the fire alarm that went off during dinner. It was a false alarm, but very loud.

#74 Listened to these CD's:

Southern Comfort Rocks the Blues--Various artists
Jazz Squad--Katherine Whalins
Natural Thang--Tanya Blout
The Jazz Messengers--Art Blakey

Still drinking water every day. I feel like crap if I skip a day.

My dentist is very impressed with my new flossing habit. I got a platinum star for my beautiful gums!

Week 112

So much done!!

#8 Read two books--

Voodoo Queen. I am very interested in voodoo. This book was about the descendant of Marie Laveau. It was really out there. A lot of poetic license, which really ruined the book. Plus the story was week.

Girl Bomb. Free book I got at D'echos bag sale. Good read about a girl who runs away and lives in a shelter at 16. Her plight includes drugs, ever-changing hair color, love, sex, violence, Central Park, empty cash registers at work and the ass that will never go away.

#29. So, one of the good things about Facebook is that you get to reconnect with people that you have had in your life in the past. One of those groups was the Crab House. We have been talking in the Facebook world, and finally decided to get together. We met, where else, at the Crab House. The interior has changed, but my nostalgia ran deep. It was great to see everyone again. We really are a family.

Also had dinner with J. from Nashville. She is down for a couple of weeks visiting, so it was mandatory that we get together. Went to Dexter's and had a great dinner!

#36 Gave M a footrub after another discgolf tourney. He deserved it. It was an international competition and he came in second in his division in the world! Yeah, he's that good.

#35 I was superwife while M was in Nashville recording. He forgot two camera cords that he needed. I packed a love note in the box because I am sappy and totally in love like that.

#40 Watched a ton of movies this time:

The General--great silent flick with Buster Keaton. Hilarious but action packed.

Spartacus--Gotta love a movie where an underdog gets mad as heck and starts a movement to free the people.

Modern Times--Silent?? movie with the every man, Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin was a genius. I say Silent?? because there was some talking in this flick from supporting characters. Charlie was a man of no words, as usual. Best scene? Roller skating in the department store on the edge.

A Clockwork Orange-- What? A Stanley Kubric movie that I actually liked. Should have watched this one sooner. It was great! Stanley, I got you this time--

Apocolypse Now--I love the smell of Napalm in the morning

The Wild Bunch--A western I dug. Ernest Borgnine was epic in this movie. I am not a big western fan, but I loved this one. Maybe because it wasn't all about robbing trains and the plot moved along. Maybe because most of the cast was older and worn and rugged and awesome. Maybe because the guns were bigger. Maybe because you knew at the end, no one was going to make it.

The Grapes of Wrath.--So, I put this one off a long time. I thought it was going to drag. Henry Fonda was so cute. I could not stop looking at him. The interesting thing about this movie is that the plot is very true today. Greedy banks taking land. Corrupt politicians taking no blame. Everyman taking the crap. John Steinbeck knew what he was writing about. Sad that we have not forced our society to change.

Lawrence of Arabia--I will forever associate the theme music with this movie. The sand dunes were pretty killer, literally. The movie was really drawn out and ended odd to me. I mean, Lawrence just left.

Only 5 movies left!!

#74 CD's for the session:

Wolfmother--Wolfmother
Stevie Wonder--Songs in the Key of Life
Zappa--Joe's Garage
Dirty Dozen Brass Band--Buck Jump
Priceless Jazz Collection--Various Artists
Butch Walker--2 bootleg CD's
Lucinda Williams--World Without Tears
Wallflowers--Bringing Down the House
Roger Waters--The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking
Roger Waters--The Wall:Live in Berlin
Roger Waters--Amused to Death
Whitesnake--Whitesnake
Whitesnake--Slide In It
The Who--Who's Next
The Who--Endless Wire
Butch Walker and the Black Widows--I Liked it Better When You Had No Heart

Week 108

So I have listened to a crap ton of music and I have run out of room on my little note sheet. This post is all about the music--

Stone Temple Pilots--Tiny Music...Songs From the Vatican Playlist, Shangri La Dee Da
Stereophonics--You Got to Go There To Come Back Again
Matthew Sweet--Girlfriend
Supertramp--Breakfast in America
10000 Maniacs--Blind Man's Zoo
Talking Heads--Naked
Temple of the Dog-- Temple of the Dog
Trapt--Album Advance
Stevie Vai--Sex + Religion=Passion +Warfare
Stevie Vai--Flexable
Vallejo--Vallejo
Van Halen--Van Halen, Fair Warning, Balance, For Unlawful Karnal Knowledge
Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble--Instep, In the Beginning
Robin Trower--Bridge of Sighs
Velvet Revolver--Contraband
Ugly Kid Joe-- As Ugly As They Wanna Be

So close to the end of the CD wall. As Brad in Rocky Horror would quip " There's a light...."

week 105

Betcha thought I forgot about you blog. I did not. I have been lazy. I have accomplished more things on the list, so let's get to it.

3. Wrote a thank you note to Nana for the windfall she sent in the mail. Thank you Easter Bunny!!
#29 Had loads of lunches, dinners, and drinks. Drove to pick up Phil and Patty at their respective group homes and took them out to lunch. We had not seen them since the wedding and we were looking forward to spend some time with them. Phil and Patty had not seen each other since the state moved Phil to his new pad, so this was great for them as well. Had dinner with John and Cathy. We went tot a new local place called the Black Cat Spooky Cafe. As the name implies, it is spooky!! The food is really good and it is a local, small business so it may become the new go-to joint. Liked it so much that I had dinner with Melissa there about two weeks later. It had been a while since we got together so we stayed later than we had anticipated. We made a dinner date the next week at her new casa for dinner and drinks. Good times. Met Michelle at my usual haunt, Pom's. True happiness is a Pom's sandwich. My tummy is always happy when I leave there. Also celebrated Michelle's birthday at her usual haunt--Kobe's. Lots of ginger sauce and wine later led to the organization of a girl's night out with more friends. We went out for drinks and then to a show at the House of Blues. Good show, good drinks, good friends, good times.

# 23 Finished the crocheting the blanket. Went fast, but my little fingers and hand muscles got a work out. I have fingers of steel. Watch out!! It is not perfect, but it is colorful and has a pretty border. Much to Mark's happiness, it did not cost anything but some time and hand cramping. I was given all the yarn in typical baby colors, so I used up as much as possible. Good news is that now I only have a large yarn collection instead of a ginourmous yarn collection, for which Mark is also happy.

#35 Gave Mark a special I love ya on the back of the State Farm annual thank you note? I am not going to lie, I can't remember the story behind this one. It was too long ago. But I obviously did it because I wrote it down. Good thing the pen works better than my memory.

Also gave Mark a red tattoo on his leg while he was sitting next to me as I was working on Referee sheets for a tournament. He was not amused, but he did not stop me either.

Gave Mark a crude drawing of lips. Not my best artwork, but hey, it got the point across.

#36 Mark got a foot rub. Mark got a foot rub. Mark got a foot rub. Apparently the disc golf tourney was a little rough on his tootsies so Mark got a foot rub. Mark got a foot rub. Mark got a foot rub.

#8 Read No Lease on Life. I had to force myself to read this. I am not a big fan of these books that just talk about a life experience that is not interesting. This one was about a girl in a NYC apartment in a neighborhood that she hates. All she wants to do is sniper the people that she hates in the neighborhood. Not exciting. There was not even a climax, unless you count the part where she goes out on the street and gets harassed by a homeless guy who keeps deficating in the lobby of her apartment building. They did not even have a throwdown--just exchanged some words. Couldn't wait for it to end.

#49 Donated blood, well red cells. I did this new thing where they take the blood and take out the red blood cells with a machine and then pump the platelets and plasma back. This way they can take out twice as much blood. The catch is you have to wait longer in between donations. Everything went great until the machine started beeping and the needle shifted in my arm. At the end of the day, I had a gigantic bruise, some new ice and heat packs, a gift card to Seasons 52 and a M*A*S*H shirt. Oh, and the knowledge that I saved a couple of lives. What else could you ask for?

#40 Watched Gone With the Wind.....Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn. Go on, Rhett, go on.

BladeRunner. Is it just me or did none of the movies in the 80's make sense. It is like the movie makers tried so hard to make them avant guarde, but then they lost any semblance of plot, writing or acting ability. Can you tell I did not care for it? Took me forever to watch. Just could not hold my attention.

Platoon. Movie was very good. It is hard to watch war movies. It hurts my heart to see what human beings do to each other in the name of a cause.

#74 CD's I listened to this time. Getting to the end....

Rush...Rush
Rush...Moving Pictures
Remy Shand...The Way I Feel
Joe Satriani...Surfing With the Alien
Joe Satriani...The Extremist
Joe Satriani...Flying in a Blue Dream
Silverchair...Frog Stomp
Soundgarden...Superunknown
Soundgarden...A Sides
Steely Dan...Gaucho
Steely Dan...Countdown to Ecstacy
Spinal Tap...This is Spinal Tap
Stone Temple Pilots...12 Gracious Melodies