What a sicko!!

Quote of the Day 8/31/08: "Gustav is proof that there is a God in Heaven." - Michael Moore

Not that I didn't already know it, but this just proves that Michael Moore is an idiot who matters not. Moore isn't the only democrat excited about the hurricane taking away from this week's GOP convention, former DNC chairman Don Fowler had his own line, "That just demonstrates that God is on our side."

Anywho, if you have a moment, say a little prayer for the people on the Gulf Coast and maybe say an extra one for the police, firefighters, EMS, National Guard, etc. who are putting their lives on the line. I don't know how the people of Louisiana feel about their governor but I have to admit the more I see, the more I like. He has impressed the hell out of me today. I think I'd feel a lot safer in this situation with him in charge vs Blanco.

I hope everyone had/is having a good weekend. My fam had a cookout today...I'm thinking no one knows I quit my job. The first thing my uncle said to me when I arrived at my grandfather's was, "What happened over near so and so yesterday?" I just kind of shrugged and tried to get away. I didn't stay long after we ate though, my knee was killing me...I can't even take the faux pain medication anymore because it's making me sick!

I can, however, swim! I found this out last night and it actually seemed to help. The water was super-cold yesterday and I stayed in for about twenty minutes. When I got out, the knee felt like it was loosening up! I came home and put a heat compress on it for about half an hour and last night, I didn't even need pain medication. As a matter of fact, it felt OK for most of today (and that's a relative OK, it still hurts, but I no longer feel like cutting the leg off would be a pleasant alternative) until I put the brace on to go to the cookout... Anyway, so I went swimming again tonight and actually swam some laps! Don't expect me to win any races anytime soon, but it was so nice to be able to do something. I only did a few with that leg because I was too afraid to really push off or kick with it, so I mostly just did arms only stuff for about half an hour, but it's definitely feeling better...still not totally functional (buckles about every 5th step) but I haven't taken pain meds since yesterday around noon. Wasn't that a fascinating story?

Song of the Day: "Southern Cross" by Crosby, Stills, and Nash This is one of my favorite songs of all time, probably in my top five. I have absolutely no reason for picking it as song of the day other than it was on the radio when I got in my car and it put me in a good mood!

Go Dawgs!!!

No quote or song of the day...and I'm taking a break from politics. Football season is upon us and I plan to spend the day enjoying myself and being lazy (not that I've had much choice on that lately). I went out to get some of the world's best BBQ a little while ago and when I was driving home down my parents' street, I realized the leaves were beginning to drift down from the trees. I absolutely love this time of year. Anyway, even though I won't get to watch the game today, Go Dawgs!! (Picture is our new mascot...UGA VII!)

And now, my favorite video in the world...I swear this gives me chills every year.

Bloody fingers...

Quote of the Day 8/30/08: "When it came to contemplating working next year… we [thought] bringing Sheryl Crow would be an intriguing idea. We put out the feelers and that’s about as far as it got. Last spring, Sheryl took it upon herself to tell the world she was joining Fleetwood Mac. It was in itself inappropriate - you sit down with a band and announce it. It bothered Stevie a great deal and Mick as well. I thought it was off the wall. There were some harsh words, and she was given her marching orders - not that she’d been in the band in the first place." - Lindsey Buckingham

Time to talk about the other Mac...Fleetwood instead of McCain. That's kind of a long quote but I remember back when the news broke about Sheryl Crow and I was really disappointed. I don't like her and I seriously don't see Mick or any of them really counting how many sheets of toilet paper they're going to use. I actually had another quote of the day planned, but my new friend Pat already used it! Something about being your brother's keeper and a "Hut, Sweet Hut" sign. :-)

Anyway, Buckingham has a new album coming out on September 16, so he's getting a lot of press right now and there is a lot of talk of a big Christine McVie-less Fleetwood Mac reunion next year. If this happens and they tour, you can bet I will be there, even if I have to go alone and/or travel to Missouri. I've been reading this blog: Lindsey Buckingham (not sure if it's official or not) and it's got lots of great info. I also really need to update my favorite websites.

Some other quick thoughts:

1. You know how I was all excited about this: Matthew Perry stars in “The End of Steve?" It has suddenly occurred to me that I no longer get Showtime and am totally screwed. Thing #3,907 to blame on my former landlord...

2. Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld, Andy Levy, and maybe even Fox News are so off my coolest shows/people/networks ever list. Why? Click here: The Daily Gut OK, maybe not Fox News, but how not cool...

3. Jimmy Carter really needs a hobby: Carter: McCain 'milking' POW time, or at least to realize he's no longer was never relevant. I'm thinking my girl already got a shot in at him today though.


4. Thoughts and prayers are with the people on the gulf coast: Gustav picks up strength as it passes over the Caribbean...

5. On a personal, unimportant note, my big life changes always seem to coincide with major hurricanes...

6. Ocho Cinco, no Chad Johnson, no Ocho Cinco really is crazy: Bengals' Johnson reportedly changes name to Ocho...

7. Today, I decided, would be the day I'd start teaching myself how to play the guitar (mainly because I'm partially immobile and running out of things to do). So, I got out an old guitar book I found in my piano bench when I bought it and got started. I practiced for about an hour and now my fingers are bloody and I have a new reason to go back to the doctor and ask for something a little stronger for pain. We'll see how it goes...though I'm thinking I should stick with my piano. I mean, what if FM decides to replace McVie and my fingers are all bloody and callused from those horrid guitar strings? I did record myself playing a "song" and if I can figure it out - I'm going to post it over on the sidebar...I'll maybe track my progress as time goes on. And let's hope there's lot of progress because it's GODAWFUL!

8. I had to go pick my last check up today and I came ever so close to going back this afternoon and begging for my job back. Thank goodness Sarah Palin distracted me.

9. Have a good weekend!!

Sarah Palin

Score one for the people. Today, John McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate.

I can't even begin to describe how I feel as I've been hoping for this since June. I don't think I've ever been this enthusiastic about a politician, even Fred Thompson. Last night, I went to bed, excited about finding out who the nominee was, but also disappointed because I knew it would more than likely be someone who was expected.

My mom and I went shopping this morning and around 11:00 AM, my dad called to tell me the news. I thought he was joking at first, most everyone knows I've been campaigning for Palin for the last few months, but once I realized he was telling the truth, I insisted we go home so I could watch it happen for myself. I'm so glad I did.

Palin is everything a candidate should be. She wasn't born running for office, nor did she come from a political family. She wasn't born with a silver spoon in her mouth and she didn't attend Ivy League schools. She hasn't spent years in Washington DC and she isn't a celebrity. Instead, she's someone I can relate to...someone you can probably relate to. She's a mom, a wife, and a woman before she is a politician. She got where she is by fighting for what's right and working hard.

Today the Obama campaign released this statement:

Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency.

I heard it and wondered if that was supposed to be negative. All your life you're told you can be anything you want to if you just put your mind to it. I've always wanted to believe it but never had much reason to. Today, I finally get it. How cool is it that this woman went from being the mayor of a town of 9,000 to being the potential vice president? If you stop and think about it, it's really quite amazing.

Sure the media and political elites, particularly on the left, are making their attacks. The main criticism I'm hearing now is that she's not experienced enough. Running a household of five children gives her more experience than Obama.

If all goes accordingly, Palin will be a constant figure in American life for the next eight, possibly the next sixteen years and I'm thrilled about that. That means if I ever have children, they will more than likely be born under the McCain-Palin administration and whether I have sons or daughters, I will be so proud for them to be born in this country with two real American heroes as their leaders.

So, now I can honestly say without any doubt:

McCain/Palin '08

SONG OF THE DAY: "God Bless America"

Things you should never say to your doctor:

"The Ibuprofen seems to be working OK for pain."

I was kind of hoping I'd at least get something good out of the deal...like something found in Matthew Perry's medicine cabinet circa 2001? But no, I had to open my big mouth and tell her I've been taking mega-doses of Ibuprofen.

"Great!" she says, "You want to keep doing what your doing or you want the prescription strength? It's basically the same thing, it's just more concentrated and I'm told a little cheaper."

"Um, neither, I'd prefer something that ends in 'odin' or 'ocet'," I thought. At that point I did try to emphasize that the ibuprofen didn't get rid of the pain, just kept it to a minimum and made it so I can actually walk, but there was no sense in backtracking at this point.

Anyway, it turns out I've either sprained or torn my MCL, which is an unusual injury for your average person as it is mostly found in football players. A special thanks to the good doctor for not laughing at how I hurt myself, but the lady who fitted me for the knee brace really didn't have to giggle every few minutes and say, "How on earth did you do that?" But anyway, yeah, I got a fancy little (expensive) knee brace that helps a little.

Quote of the Day 8/29/08: "Suppose you're a voter, and you've got candidate X and candidate Y. Candidate X agrees with you on everything, but you don't think that candidate can deliver on anything at all. Candidate Y you agree with on about half the issues, but he can deliver. Which candidate are you going to vote for?" - Bill Clinton

Oh well, I'm off to watch the last bit of the DNC. Can't wait to find out who our VP is tomorrow! I'm still hoping for Sarah Palin but I don't see it happening.

P.S. I'm watching the streaming thing on FOXNews.com again and Michael S. Steele (who I'm a fan of) just said he'd like to see Sarah Palin as VP! Finally, a little recognition!

DNC or DNZzzzzz?

Quote of the Day 8/28/08: "There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees." - Michel de Montaigne

So, the DNC is almost over and to be honest, it's been pretty boring. There were no snide comments from the Clintons, no outcry from the Hillary supporters, no "OMG did he really say that?" moments from Joe Biden...even Dennis Kucinich was fairly tame. As a matter of fact, the most amusing moment was John Kerry's (the most boring person alive) joke ("joke")...something about John McCain being before things before he was against them. And even then, the McCain campaign was quick to reply with a much wittier line anyway. Here's hoping to something exciting from the nominee himself. I mean, from what I hear, I get the feeling that at least a sea will be parted or something.

Actually, here's hoping the RNC is a lot more exciting, though for some reason I get the feeling it won't be. For some reason, McCain doesn't seem like the "get wild" type. As a matter of fact, I'm half expecting the RNC to be more like bingo night at the nursing home. Who knows, maybe it won't be. Maybe Zell Miller will be there.

One thing that does worry me about the RNC is the oncoming tropical storm, Gustav. My main concern is, of course, with the people around the Gulf Coast, but I do wonder how it will effect the convention. From what I understand, Louisiana governor, Bobby Jindal won't be able to speak now and I was really looking forward to that. I'm not sure it would look so great for the President to be making a speech that night either. I'll stop there.

Song of the Day: "The Scarlet Tide" as performed by Elvis Costello (I've been in love with this song since AKUS did it for the Cold Mountain soundtrack, but I love the EC version too, though I could only find crap ones on YouTube. Please ignore the political message worked into the end of this live version of the song...way to ruin it.)

P.S. Doesn't the little sleeping guy kind of look like Michael Dukakis?

My geek moment

Just as I did last night, I watched Shepard Smith streaming live at foxnews.com during the DNC tonight and just as I did last night, I enjoyed the hell out of it. The only difference was tonight, he read an email I sent in about being disappointed in Hillary's speech. (It was actually a joke and I believe it got a little laugh from the panel...I think...I was too busy thinking "did he just say my name?") I was as giddy as a schoolgirl.

Now I know this is probably not that big a deal to most of you and probably shouldn't be to me for a million reasons, but this is Shepard Smith we're talking about. He's in my top five...he is my top five! Now all I need is a front row ticket to a Lindsey Buckingham concert, to meet Matthew Perry, and a date with the OH, and I can die a happy woman.


(don't you love how I call it "my geek moment" as though most moments of my life don't fall into that category)

An apple a day...

Quote of the Day 8/26/08: "When doctors and undertakers meet, they wink at each other." - W.C. Fields

After almost three weeks of some of the most excruciating pain I've ever had, I called my doctor today. I'm not exactly the "run to the doctor every time you sneeze" type of person. As a matter of fact, in my nine short years of being an official adult, I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually visited a doctor's office. This visit will be number five. So maybe quitting my job and losing my health insurance wasn't a fabulous idea, but as luck would have it, the only doctor I'm 100% comfortable with is the only one left on the face of the earth who doesn't really deal in insurance...as a matter of fact, I believe her father was the only doctor in my town for quite sometime. Anyway, I'm just hoping she can work some magic and doesn't refer me elsewhere.



So who watched the DNC last night? I'll be 100% honest, I watched Shepard Smith from 8:30-11:30ish streaming live at FOXNews.com, talking about the DNC. He's a lot more entertaining. I did see the Kennedy stuff (boring!) and I did see Michelle Obama. Here's the thing with Mrs. O. I want to like her but I can't find much to like about her. The truth of the matter is she's an elitist snob, no matter how hard she tries to suggest otherwise. She seems bitter. I don't like her stance on issues and I don't the way she approaches them. Even worse than that, she got up in front of the country last night and pretended to be something she has so far proven she's not. As someone on one of the news channels said today, she is a good speaker and spoke well, but what she said was crap. She took herself down a notch to be the perfect wife and it came across, to me, as fake and forced. I realize why she did it, sure, but she's already put herself out there and told us who she is with previous comments, I have very little respect for the fact that she got up there and tried to be who everyone wanted her to be. Quite frankly, if anyone from the Obama family won over any votes last night, it was probably little Sasha Obama blowing kisses and talking to the image of her father projected on the large screen behind them.

I can't wait for the world to "meet" Cindy McCain.

Song of the Day: "That's All" - Alison Krauss and Vince Gill ... this is such a great version of this song...yes, it's the Genesis song (my favorite). Krauss is one of my favorite musicians and when I saw this on TV one night, I looked all over the internet for it...finally, it's on YouTube!



P.S. Speaking of 80's songs, I've been watching some of Lindsey B's 80's solo stuff...umm....hmmm, yeah, I prefer the older guy of the 90's and today! Except maybe when he's reading random poetry. Or barking. As a matter of fact, when Stevie went to rehab, I'm thinking LB didn't follow suit.

And for what it's worth, I had to try really hard not to name this post, "Ma Belle"

Viva Obama

Quote of the Day 8/25/08: "But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns went silent the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing." - Manuel Alvarez Jr.

My friend, Roxy, and I have had a few conversations about this. The way crowds react to Obama with their cheers and chants reminds me so much of the old videos you see of Hitler's speeches. We aren't the first people to realize this comparison, but I'm really surprised more people haven't.

Roxy sent me this a few weeks ago: Letters To The Editor. If you scroll down to the second letter entitled, "Beware Charismatic Men Who Preach 'Change,'" you'll see what what I'm talking about. It's a letter from a man (Manuel Alvarez Jr.) who, 40 years ago, escaped Communist Cuba and he compares the "Obamania" to the fanfare for a young Fidel Castro. (I really suggest you read it.)

I'm not saying Obama is going to be the next Hitler or Castro, but I'm really beginning to wonder how the people of this country can so blindly follow someone who preaches a very simple message that lacks any and all substance.

I was watching Studio B w/ Shepard Smith this afternoon and a young man by the name of Ben Taber was a guest. Taber is an 18 year old who also just happens to be an Obama delegate. Taber spoke with the confidence and authority of someone more than twice his age but something he said worried me. When Smith asked him what it was about Obama he liked, his first response was, "A lot of it has to do with he represents a new face in Washington DC." (For the record, he did go on to name a few more reasons which is more than I can say for most of the Obama supporters I've encountered.)

A new face. There was a new face working at a restaurant here a few weeks ago and within a weekend he'd stolen $1,000 from the owner.

Change. Last night, my dog was for change when she slept in my room instead of the hallway she's been sleeping in since we got here last week.

I don't think either of them would make good presidential candidates. These aren't reasons we should pick a leader.

I can understand wanting someone different from what you have now. While I have never been one to jump on the "Bush sucks" bandwagon, there is certainly room for improvement in our country and yes, I agree, a change would be nice. I'd like to go to the grocery store every week and not be genuinely shocked at the rising price of cheese as much as the next person, but different doesn't always mean better and change doesn't always make sense. What's it going to take to make that change?

Another thing I saw while watching "Studio B" this afternoon was a campaign commercial from the Obama camp. It was a split screen with a John McCain quote on one side, something along the lines of "Economics is not something I've understood as well as I should," and on the other side were pictures of McCain hugging President Bush. It was the sort of thing that could only appeal to the lowest of intellects...an empty message. It was almost satirical. There was nothing there, but I realized, people will see this and let it guide them to the polls.

And that also worries me. I've always bought into the theory that the people you see on TV aren't truly the heart and soul of this country. The media, the polls...none of it really matters. The real people outside of that world are smarter than that. They know an empty promise when they see it, and they realize what Americans really need and how it can be achieved realistically. They've worked for what they have and recognize someone who has and will do the same. I have to hope that as they grow older and die off, their children aren't buying into this "if it sounds good, why not?" mentality.

There's very little doubt in my mind that unless something major happens, McCain will be our next President. But the blind support for his opponent doesn't make me feel so good about the future of my country.

And now I'm off to watch the DNC so I can laugh and point!! Tonight, keep score of how many times Michelle Obama mentions/implies/pretends she's proud of our country!!!

DNC '08

If you haven't noticed, the Democratic National Convention is this week and I, for one, am EXCITED. Who's with me?

Best case scenario? Hillary makes a big scene, but I may even settle for stupid remarks from anyone named Clinton, Obama, or Biden. (i.e. "Jesse Jackson probably would have picked Joe Biden if he'd won in '88 and Obama picked Joe Biden." Well, you get the point.)

Worst case scenario? I get bored to tears and eventually turn off my TV when the phrase, "four more years of George W Bush." is evoked for the 12,470th time. Seriously, is that all they can come up with? It's not original or even interesting. Or relevant.

And if that doesn't drive me crazy, counting the references to how many homes the McCain family owns will. The dems jumped on that one and held on for dear life, didn't they? I was unaware that prosperity and home ownership were bad things. Particularly when they were all purchased legally. Anyway, I know desperation when I see it.

Finally, I have this to say: did any of you catch "Losers Unite" the Ward Churchill/Cynthia McKinney/Cindy Sheehan, um...protest thing? That was the silliest looking thing I've ever seen. Those people didn't even know why they were there and no two of them were there for the same thing. I happened to be watching Fox News this afternoon when a reporter tried to interview them, ask them if they wanted to get their message out. I mean, what better opportunity than a free, unedited, live spot in front of one of cable's biggest audiences? I'm not sure what happened, some foul language was used, the reporter was pushed and shoved, a few people stared blankly into the camera as though they weren't 100% aware of what was going on, and a few people threw out this oldie but goody, "Bush sucks," but I never really figured out why they were there.

Starting anew...

Quote of the Day - 8/24/08: "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thanks to everyone who e-mailed and left comments about what may or may not have been a dumb move on my part yesterday. Even though I still felt like a complete loser after reading it all, it was nice to know I have so many friends - old and new - who were kind enough to offer words of support. Thanks to Rosemary for the above quote. (This is the second cheesy, "you all have been great" speech I've made this weekend...please put me out of my misery.)

I do believe things happen for a reason and while right now the job thing may not seem like the smartest thing in the world to do and I do still have a tiny bit of regret (though nothing like yesterday), I do think in the end, it'll end up being the right decision. Besides, there are other ways to meet the OH that are a lot less involved!! I'm 100% kidding, that is NOT why I took the job...I had to make a joke. Anyway, I'm actually ready to start concentrating on new, positive things for the future.

On the job front, I'll probably just start subbing again until I can find something else. I'm also considering doing it in the county north of here, just to have more selection and opportunity, but the class for that is not until mid-September. I also started looking into early childhood education programs today. I'm really considering one of the two schools I originally attended just because there's less I'll have to do with transfers and all of that. UGA is appealing right now because I can get away from here for a while...my cousin just moved to Augusta and no one knows what she's doing 24/7, how nice that would be. I don't necessarily want to live in Athens again, I feel like I'm too old for all of that, but there are some nice areas around there and they are generally pretty cheap. GSU is also appealing in that there is an older student population, particularly in their education program. I wouldn't have to move for that one, but I think I wouldn't mind living in the city for a while...it may actually be good for me. Anyway, that's my goal for this week, to look into/contact each of those schools (and a few more) and to look into financial aid.

As for the other stuff, I've found that a good double dosage of Ibuprofen every six hours makes the agonizing pain in my knee almost go away. I've decided to start swimming again every night -weather/politics permitting - and see if that helps.

I've pretty much given in to the fact that I'm probably going to be living here for the next few months...at least through Christmas...and that's OK. It's not ideal, but it'll give me a chance to save some money and do some other things that I really miss doing...creative endeavors, if you will. The three that come to mind are piano and writing. (Here's the part where you can laugh at me.) As I mentioned, I have 24/7 access to my piano now, and at the risk of sounding like Ross ("Friends"), I miss working on "my music." I also miss writing (other stuff, not the crap I put here) and I think I'm going to start doing that more, maybe even get back into submitting things to places. I've received a lot of encouragement from unlikely sources lately. And if all that fails, I guess I can always work up the courage to e-mail the OH. I'm kidding....

Anyway, enough about me. I'll update if something major happens, but I need to move beyond this stuff now. Off to start a new post, about the DNC!!!! I am more excited about this than I am the beginning of football season. Geez!

This is great...

from the McCain '08 campaign (though I got it through the fab The Daily Gut):



Because this is what unemployed people do...spend the day posting repetitive political messages and YouTube videos on blogs.

The answer is blowin' in the wind...

Quote of the Day 8/22/08: "The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." - William Arthur Ward

I wish the answers were blowing in the wind because I really need some answers right now and Fay's winds are now among us. It feels so good outside. I love it! I don't have much to say. I should be in bed...I work the next three days...presumably...I should also probably keep my mouth shut for now about that. You'll all figure it out eventually though. Surely, at some point I'll figure out what it is I'm supposed to do with my life. By 30 would be good. That's sort of weighing heavily on my mind right now. That and why LB starts touring next month and the closest he comes to these parts is Missouri. He can go to bloody Missouri but not Atlanta? Geez.

So...Joe Biden, huh? (That's about as far into politics as I'm getting right now...let me get over this whole I can't walk/I have no place to live/my jobs sucks worse than anything I've ever done/men suck/now what? thing, then I'll be back to my regular, obsessed self!)

Now I'm going to bed. It's probably best I at least have the ability to pretend to be awake while the world tells me their problems tomorrow. This may be the most pointless post ever.

Song of the Day: "Against the Wind" -Bob Seger (notice a theme? I was actually just going to talk about how nice the weather was and the actual wind without double meaning but, well...things changed...and this song has been in my head all day)

Guitar Heroes

Quote of the Day: "Just rock on, and have you a good time." - Duane Allman (deep stuff)

Dear Rolling Stone,

I was very saddened to see that Lindsey Buckingham was NOT included on your list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." As a matter of fact, I find it hard to take your list seriously at all when Kurt Kobain is listed at number twelve, high above the likes of Jerry Garcia, John Fogerty, and Eddie Van Halen (though kudos for giving Duane Allman the number two spot). And I find it hard to take your list seriously when any member of U2 is listed at all. I'll admit, maybe I'm a little too into Buckingham's sexy voice and steamy gaze to be an unbiased judge of his guitar-playing talents, but The Edge? Seriously?

Yours Truly,
Sarah
---------------------------------------------
OK, so whatever, maybe Lindsey B. isn't the greatest guitarist of all time. I've had everyone from Rolling Stone to my new friend, Pat, to my very own mother tell me otherwise. As a matter of fact, the following conversation took place just about an hour ago:

My Dad [looking over my shoulder]: What are you looking at?
Me: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time
My Dad: I bet Hendrix is number one. Read the list to me.
[I read the list]
My Dad: Kurt Cobain? Hey, listen to this crap [yelling to my mom in the kitchen], guess who Rolling Stone says is a greater guitar player than ________ and __________ (two people that were obviously before my time as I've never really heard of them).
My Mom: Umm, Lindsey Buckingham?
My Dad: Ha ha ha, even your mother's got your number.

Perhaps you had to be there, but it was pretty funny. God, I miss my privacy.

Anyway, I admit, I don't know a whole lot of things about the guitar...and that video I posted of Lindsey doing "Big Love" impressed the hell out of me. I'm really a piano kind of girl. That's one of the good things about being back here for a while...I have easy access to my piano. Or so I thought...my mother has piled a bunch of junk in front of it. Oh well, I'm sure that can be fixed as I may soon have a lot more time on my hands (dun dun dun...). Maybe I'll go purchase some Fleetwood Mac sheet music and pretend to be Christine McVie.

I also have to admit that when I'm going through a particularly trying, traumatic life experience (or what most people call "change"), I latch on to some sort of music as though I need it for survival. That's why I can work Lindsey Buckingham or Fleetwood Mac into every post lately.

One more thing and then I'll shut up and go...uh, do something productive. I was looking back at a post from 8/15 of last year. It's kind of interesting to see what I was doing exactly a year ago. I had no idea of what was to come and it's funny to look back at what I wrote, knowing what I know now. In some ways, I'm right back where I started. In some ways, things have changed completely.

Song of the Day: "Ramblin' Man" by The Allman Brothers This is the music I was raised on, the stuff that takes me back to my childhood. Every year around this time, when there are traces of fall in the air (or tropical storm Fay), I start to get a little nostalgic.

I didn't need a swimming partner that bad...

I asked the GC to come but he had to work. I asked my dad to come but he was too tired. Alone, I hobbled to the pool, got in, felt slightly refreshed and started to dive under, but just before my head went under, I realized I was face to face with this:

I don't know if my job has made me less scared of things or if the fact that I'm sick and tired of putting up with everyone's crap lately has made me that way, but when I looked up and saw it's little head charging at me, I thought nothing of it. I reached out and flinged it across the pool. I got out and got the net (after I took a picture of it) and it took me about three hours to get the damn thing out but I finally flung it into the woods and got back in the water.

Now had it been a frog, forget it. I would have jumped out of the pool - bad knee and all - and been halfway up the hill to the house before anyone knew what was going on. I'm not cool with frogs. Not at all.

So, that was the excitement of my swim. Laps swam = 10...all were arms only. I thought my knee would feel good in the water and it didn't hurt, but it felt really stiff. I tried to swim some regular laps but I was too afraid to kick it too hard. It's kind of miserable and frustrating to know I have all this time to workout and now I can't.

Anyway, I know I already did a song of the day, today, but I picked that song purely for it's sap value and I really need to quit being sappy about the thing I'm being sappy about, because it's just one more dumb thing I have to worry about. So I'll go with another song: "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac which I pick NOT ONLY because it sort of fits my sappy thing but also because it's Fleetwood Mac.

Michael who?

If you live anywhere in the...world?...in the last week, you've probably heard the name Michael Phelps. You know, the wonderkid swimmer who won 4,932 gold medals. You've probably heard him being compared to Mark Spitz. Unfortunately, you probably haven't heard the name, Tom Dolan.

Sure, Dolan won, uh, a few less medals in his time. I'm not sure he has an Official Site , and I seriously doubt he ever got eight figure endorsement deals, but in 1996, Tom Dolan was the man. I was crazy about the tall skinny dude from the University of Michigan. He made winning the 400 IM - no easy accomplishment for anyone, much less someone with exercise-induced asthma - look like child's play.

Not to take away from what Phelps has done, it's just a little weird to see the swimming guy get so much attention, I guess. I mean Dolan had his Wheaties box and his magazine covers (most of which I still own - I have more sports memorabilia than one of those little stores in the mall), and he was even on Letterman, but it was nothing like what you see with Phelps. How long will it last? I'm not sure. And I'm really not sure what to make of it. On one hand, you love to see the sport get a little attention, on the other, you hate to see it become a big media spectacle and lose its purity.

Anyway, I guess that's just part of getting older - your heroes become yesterday's news, but if you ever get a minute, look Tom Dolan up, check YouTube (or come to my house where I have what amounts to the entire 90's on video), watch him do amazing things in the water.

That said, I'm going to swim, assuming my knee will allow me.

Song of the Day: "Where I Stood" by Missy Higgins

The last night, part deux

Quote of the Day 8/17/08: "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." - Dr. Seuss

I've never been the type of person who wakes up and has to take a few minutes to adjust to a new level of consciousness. I'm usually 100% alert the minute my eyes open. But not today...I woke up wondering where the hell I was, why my head was pounding, and why the sweet sound of Lindsey Buckingham was playing rather loudly in my ear. Then I remembered we'd moved my mattresses (my last bit of "furniture") into my living room yesterday, it'd been a whole 24 hours since I ingested any form of caffeine, and my dog was standing on my laptop, staring at me, and apparently starting iTunes.

And so another day of packing and moving began. My parents came over and we continued the process of moving my stuff. Aside from a few snarky comments from my dad about how I should really consider getting married before I move again, things went pretty smoothly.

Then I told my mom I was looking forward to getting my TV hooked up ASAP so I could watch "The Roast of Bob Saget" tonight (shut up!) and I could tell by the look on her face, she hadn't yet finished clearing out my old bedroom. She took this as the perfect opportunity to suggest I spend one last night here...just in case. Just in case what, I'm not sure. So, here I am, alone with my dog, my laptop, my TV, and one mattress, spending yet another "last night" in my cute-little-historic-downtown home...which is fine by me. Tomorrow, I have a few last things I need to do around here, but I should be done in a few hours and then I'll go to my parents' house and...figure out what I'm going to do next.

So, I'm really about 99.9% wanting to go back to school and get certified to teach elementary school. The thing is, I've been working with kids all my life. Everyone has always said I'd end up being a teacher and I think I tried harder than anything to not become that person. And by "that person" I mean someone who gets a traditional job and grows old pretty much the same way they grew up. I tried everything to avoid it but in the meantime, I was also avoiding what makes me happy. It finally hit me the other day...I was telling someone how much I hate my current job. Yes, the one I just started about six weeks ago. I just don't feel like I fit in with those people. I got to thinking, I never felt like I fit in with the other teachers when I subbed, but I kept doing it. Why? Because I loved what I was doing. I don't love this job. My aunt who used to work in law enforcement says I will like it once I have a moment that makes me realize what a good thing I'm doing, but I can tell you right now, I've already had one of those moments. It was a domestic dispute and the call was very cryptic. And while it felt really good to know that I figured out and was able to help this woman who couldn't ask for it and maybe even saved her life, I feel a million times better when I know I've made a difference, if even just for that day, in the life of a child who desperately needs it...whether I'm getting them interested in reading or just lending an ear because no one else will listen to them. This is starting to sound really corny, but that's the truth. I just feel like I could do more as a teacher.

Now the question is, where the heck do I start? I left college with 100 and some odd credits from two different schools in three or four different majors and a 1.9 GPA. Will a decent school even accept me with that or will I have to return to one of those schools? Can I do it online? Is it too late in the year to apply for financial aid. Could I start in January? Ideally, I'd like to get financial aid and go to an out of state school, but I wouldn't be opposed to returning to UGA or GSU. I'd like to get it online as much as possible, but I'd be open to going to class too. Either way, I just know I'm really excited about it.

Song of the Day: "Let Him Fly" - I went with the Patty Griffin version. I wanted to use this song...remember I said I was going to do something the other day and I dreamed LB told me not to (which, by the way, that was like a "Wayne's World 2" Jim Morrison and the naked Indian/"if you build it, they will come" dream - not some pathetic sex dream...just so we're clear)? Well, I did it, and at first I regretted it for a couple of reasons, but now I'm OK with it. Yes, I'm a little sad and a few months ago, I probably wouldn't have been able to do it, but as the song says, "it took a while to understand the beauty of just letting go." (And if you don't know what I'm talking about, I apologize. If you do, there will be no eye rolling.)



And now I'm going to go get ready for the Bob Saget roast!! Yippee! (Shut up!)

The last night...

Quote of the Day 8/16/08: "Home is a place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." - Robert Frost

So, it's my last night in my cute-little-historic-downtown home. Most of my furniture is gone. Most of my stuff is packed. I was going to give Gabby a bath, but as you can see, she's spending her last night sleeping soundly in the closet, so I'll let her be.

As it would turn out, I was right. The house I thought I'd get to move into didn't work out, so, I'm stuck living with the parents for a while. Right now, it doesn't seem like such a horrible thing. They are being extremely nice to me at the moment and as stupid as this sounds, I just feel kind of lost with everything that has gone on in the last month or two...both things I've posted about and things I haven't. Give me a week or two, I'll hate them both as much as I hate my job.

My dad has already tried to tell me today that I am very wrong in thinking Lindsey Buckingham is the greatest guitar player ever. Fighting words if I've ever heard them.

Song of the Day: "Restless" by Alison Krauss & Union Station (perhaps the only group I enjoy more than Fleetwood Mac)

Don't stop thinking about tomorrow...

I have so much I'd like to post but it's going to have to wait. I FINALLY met guynextdoor yesterday. I have some interesting/funny work stuff. I spent the first few hours of today wondering why 7:00 AM suddenly seems like a good time to get up, and then I went on to rent a storage facility ($100 a month!) and to buy a few big plastic tubs. Today will be all about packing. Tomorrow all about moving my stuff to said facility and then either tomorrow night or Sunday, I'll be chilling at the 'rents' house. SIGH. I'm only allowing myself to take what I can fit in a 30-gallon tub as far as clothes and stuff, so I'm hoping that will motivate me to find a new place ASAP. If all goes according to plan (and it won't, it never does), I'll have one in about 30 days.

Anyway, Song of the Day: "Don't Stop" - Fleetwood Mac. I know, I said no more FM for a bit but screw it, this is not a democracy, I make the rules...Fleetwood Mac every day! And this song is my theme song for the moment. Also, the GC came over last night and we ate enough Chili's takeout to feed 12 people and watched the whole "The Dance" DVD, so I am totally in the mood for this.

Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn...

That's the attitude I have with just about everything right now. It's just one of those days. I'll spare you my lengthy list of grievances... Actually, right now I just want it to be 1800 hrs tomorrow. That's 6:00 PM for you civilians. Oh whatever, I don't even find my imagined self-importance amusing right now.

I'm just going to go do a little research on potentially broken ribs, hobble to my bed, and hope for the best. If I owe you an e-mail or a blog visit or something, I'll get there soon!

Song of the Day: "King of Pain" by the Police

Sometimes there's a part of me...

OK, I was kidding about the whole Georgia/Russia thing, but apparently some people really think my home state is being invaded.

So, is anyone watching the Olympics? Me either...not even swimming. Phelps doesn't interest me. I am of the old school...a time when Tom Dolan was THE 400 IM'er. I'm also sorry to say I missed Dara Torres win a silver medal. Though despite the fact that I haven't moved much in the last few days, I feel like I just swam the entire women's 4 x 100 freestyle by myself - 380 times. I swear, I feel like I've been hit by a car...oh wait.

Anyway, work was exhausting and went by oh so slowly. I'm convinced I suck at my job and I spent most of the day wondering where I could look for another one. I did come home to some pretty good news though. I don't want to jinx it, but it looks like I may have found a place to live...or rather, it found me. I should know for sure in the next day or two! I'm really just excited about the fact that it's a house! I can go somewhere in the middle of the night without fearing my dog will bark too much! I can crank up my iTunes at 4:00 AM without having to worry that I'm going to wake guynextdoor up.

And in other fabulous news, the GC just informed me that I am now the proud owner of a shiny new DVD copy of "The Dance." Which brings me to...

Quote of the Day 8/12/08: "Now I finally found my way, now I know just what to do. Once you said goodbye to me, now I say goodbye to you." - Fleetwood Mac (from "Say Goodbye")

(That was my song from yesterday - perhaps it was a bit premature, but I love those lyrics...and it fits.)

Song of the Day: "Seven Bridges Road" by The Eagles

location, location, location...

It's 9:00 and I have to be up in seven hours and I still have two loads of laundry to do and a load of dishes...so what do I do? Update my blog, of course!

Oh yeah, and I may not have a place to live at any given moment!

My day started off with my mother calling me bright and early to ask, "Was I supposed to call and wake you up this morning?"

"No," I mumbled into the phone.

"Oh, maybe I dreamed it. Go back to sleep."

Of course, I couldn't exactly go back to sleep with everything hanging over my head. I did get in touch with my bank and successfully stopped payment on my August rent check. I did get in touch with a lawyer who told me that basically at some point soon, the SO would serve me with the paperwork saying I had seven days to vacate the property and that I was NOT to give my landlord any money.

When I was finished with the lawyer, I joked, "I guess I'm not going to get my security deposit back?"

Of course she gave me some professional, "That's not my problem" kind of response. People really need to lighten up. I mean I ran over myself and got kicked out of my home through no fault of my own...and I broke my favorite sunglasses today, but I'm still cracking jokes about it all!

Anyway, I spent the day riding around, looking at houses for rent. I have a few ideas, but nothing great. I do know my days of living in "cute historic downtown" are probably over, but I guess that's not all it's cracked up to be. I just want a house. There are certain areas of town I won't live in, but I'm not too picky. I'd like a little privacy and a yard for the dog. I'd like to be able to leave her alone at night and not worry that her barking is going to wake someone up or be able to crank up my music at 4:00 AM while I'm getting ready for work.

I am not dreading work tomorrow as much as I usually do after a long weekend, but I do regret that I didn't do as much prep work as I'd planned and I'm hoping I won't let the fact that I'm still worried about my stuff being thrown out on the sidewalk get in the way of my job. With any luck, I'll be able to get in touch with someone who will know exactly when I need to be out of the house.

I have no quote for today. Also, if I owe you e-mail, I will try to get to it soon!

Finally, my song of the day. I know I promised no more Fleetwood Mac for a while, but this song, well...I've been debating doing something for about a month and last night, I dreamed Lindsey Buckingham himself told me I shouldn't do it. Of course, against my and LB's better judgement, I'll do it anyway and probably regret it.

Song of the Day: "Say Goodbye" - Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks (this is an absolutely gorgeous version of this song and I am the least romantic person in the world but I could only hope someone will look at me like that one day...you'll see what I mean).



P.S. This is how swamped I am: it took me about five minutes to figure out why on earth 100 U.S. citizens were desperately trying to evacuate from Georgia. Seriously, for a minute I wondered if I should be looking at houses in Florida or Tennessee instead.

Good grief

Quote of the Day 8/9/08 "Sometimes I lie awake at night and I ask, why me? Then a voice answers 'Nothing personal, your name just happened to come up.'" - Charlie Brown

I think I've used that quote before and when I used it before, I think I just used it because it was Charlie Brown. Today, I can't think of anything more fitting. So, I'm thinking I'm going to have a peaceful weekend, right? I'd go to my mom/aunt's birthday party today and get free food, come home and rest my leg, etc. I was thinking about going to a party a girl I work with is having Monday night. Life is good. Then I decided to get my mail.

In my mailbox, I find a letter from a law office addressed to my landlord and/or the resident of this address. I wasn't going to open it but my curiousity got the best of me. The word "foreclosure" and the words "until 8/7/08 to vacate the property" immediate jumped out at me. Bloody hell. I couldn't even concenrate at the birthday party, so I rallied up the GC and came back to my house. I tried to call the law office, I tried to call the bank. I even got up the courage to finally face guynextdoor to see if he'd gotten one too...being that he's a lawyer, I figured he'd be great to have on my side, but the bastard (who I totally decided looks like Mick Fleetwood) wouldn't come to the door.

Finally, I called the sherifff's office just to make sure I wasn't going to be thrown out in the street over the weekend (I am actually with the city - county handles this type of thing) and they assured me nothing would happen before Monday. So now I have who knows how many days to find a place to live. The house on my parents' road that I should have taken all along has been rented. My grandfather is trying to convince me to buy a house...quite frankly, I don't think he's seen how much of my paycheck goes to the government!!

Anyway, I guess I should go start packing.

Song of the Day: "Silver Springs" by Fleetwood Mac (around 4:30 - that is just so hot - and this will be my last FM song for now, I promise - I just love that DVD)

I bet you never ran over yourself...

...but if you have, today, I join your ranks...and I live to tell about it.

Keep in mind, I'm fairly clumsy. If there's something to trip on, slide in, or fall over, I'm your girl. It was 5:00 AM - I'd gotten about three hours of sleep. It was dark, I was running late, and I was parked at the top of a hill at my parent's house (dropping Gabby off). I hopped out of the car and it took all of two seconds for me to realize I may or may not have put the car in park and it took me two more seconds to realize my car was rolling down the hill.

It took me another two seconds to decide if I was going to chase it or not. My first thought was Gabby's welfare, my second was, "Oh crap, I'm going to be late to work if something happens." So, I dove for the car. Gabby was in the driver's seat and wouldn't budge one way or the other, so only my right leg made it into the car and I held on to the steering wheel for dear life. I tried to pull the rest of me in but I realized my left leg was stuck on something. The car went about 10-15 feet, dragging me along the side, my left leg getting tangled up under the car. Brakes were out of the question, so I reached to put it in park and did so just in time. The back tire was inches from rolling over my left leg.

The best part is, by the time I get it in park, I'm sitting there half under the car, half in the car. My left leg is at an angle that a leg should never be in, and I've taken out two grills and a patio table. My mom comes running outside and says to me, "What are you doing?? Get up! You're going to hit something!!!" But that was the thing, I couldn't get up! My brain was saying move, but my leg wasn't doing anything. I then thought, "Oh crap, I'm paralyzed!!" I was finally able to push myself up on my good leg and hobbled into the house to take Gabby -- my mom tried to ask what happened, but I was so worried about being late for work. I guess I had an adrenaline rush thing going on because It didn't hit me until I got to work that I couldn't actually walk on my left leg.

Of course I had to tell my co-workers what was wrong with me and I'm sure they got a good laugh behind my back. The girl who is training me used to be an EMT and she started looking me over. She offered to call in an ambulance to have a "real" paramedic look at it, but all I could think about was how I really didn't want some hot fireman looking at my legs that are in desperate need of a shave. I'm kidding, actually all I could think was I've only been at this job a month and I'm sure as hell not going to miss out on my training because of this. So I stayed. And I stayed seated. And tried so hard not to cry or pass out every time I shifted in my seat.

I'm not so worried about the pain I'm sure to be in for a while...I'm actually worried that I tore my knee up really badly more than anything. It buckles when I try to stand on it and pops in and out of joint at the slightest touch. So much for my Olympic career. Speaking of...

Quote of the Day - 8/7/08: "I'm not a huge fan of the Summer Olympics - no curling - but I like watching the women's biking events because by the end of the Olympics, they're all on the same cycle." - Andy Levy on last night's Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld - FOX News .com)

That's the best I can do tonight...assuming I can move, I have to go take a hostage negotiation class tomorrow. That should be fun. But keeping with our dreamy LB theme...

Song of the Day: "Go Insane" - Lindsey Buckingham

LB

...because I am totally hung up on how ridiculously talented this man is. This is so freakin' hot:

The Decider

Quote of the Day - 4/5/08: "I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” - Dr. Seuss

So, I'm thinking seriously about going back to school...to get certified to teach...elementary school. I know, I know, I know...don't even say it.

Anyway, once again, my little "weekend" is drawing to an end. I'm not so nervous about going back to work this time around, I'm getting used to doing the actual job...I just kind of feel like I don't belong there, ya know? Oh well, I'll be working Wed, Thurs, and Fri, and Sat, we're having a birthday party for my mom and aunt, so if there is no updating between now and then, that would be why...

I'll spare you this weekend's movie reviews. The only things I watched were "Kiss the Girls" (yes, I am about a decade behind on that one), and that stupid Texas cheerleading thing (I couldn't sleep). I wish I could find a good website that shows a straight up list of what is coming out in the theater and what is coming out on DVD each week.

Song of the Day: "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac (I was going to use another video but there's something really hot about Lindsey Buckingham here.)

R.I.P. Skip

"For so long, he was what people associated with the Atlanta Braves. Turn on TBS, and there was Skip. Good times, bad times, that was the constant. The voice people identify the Braves with is Skip Caray. That's going to be missed." - Tom Glavine

Wow. Skip Caray died yesterday. Completely unaware of anything that didn't happen inside the boundaries of my county this weekend, I didn't find out until this evening. Forget any other "notable" person who's died this year, this one, for me, is the biggest loss. Next to Larry Munson, I can't think of a single other person who's voice takes me back to some of the best times in my life. I think Caray got a bit of a raw deal over the last few years, but he remained a part of the Braves family and there were days I'd mute my TV and listen to him call the games on the radio if that was necessary. When I was a little girl, I wrote a letter to Skip, telling him that he was the best announcer ever and all about how I wanted to work with him when grew up. I doubt he ever received the letter - instead of realizing there was probably actually an address to send fanmail to, I got out a phonebook and mailed it to the address listed for the old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. What can I say? I was like nine or ten.

My point - a Braves game without Skip Caray isn't much of a Braves game at all. He will be missed.

Anyway, blogger's not letting me upload pictures tonight and I don't have a song of the day, but someone put this on YouTube today. Anyone who's been a Braves fan remembers this call, perhaps the most famous one Caray ever made. As a matter of fact, any thought of the name "Skip Caray" usually evokes a "Braves win, Braves win, Braves win!" in my head.



By the way, I found out about this death through the Huffington freaking Post. Yes, THAT Huffington freaking Post. Atlanta media, you have failed me. I called my dad and a friend of mine, both of which responded, "You didn't know that?"

Long time no see...

a whole four days since I last posted something... someone's getting a life! Actually, someone's trying to adjust to stressful 12 hour days and getting up at 4:00 AM.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Don't be so humble - you are not that great." - Golda Meir

And now I present, RANDOM CRAP:

1. I know I'm not alone, but it doesn't seem fair that our already overly paid congress is going on a 100% unearned vacation. I know renaming post offices is hard work, but shouldn't they just get the 10 days a year most other gov. employees get?

2. Dear CNN, here is where you fail: You have a program on at this moment called, "Buddha's Warriors." Fox News has "Porked: Earmarks for Profit." Hmm, I wonder which one more Americans relate to. (Honorable Mention: Your show is hosted by Christiane Amanpour, FNC's by Chris Wallace. True, I find Wallace to be a bit of an arrogant bastard, but like our friend Maureen, Ms. Amanpour makes me die a little inside with her beady little elitist eyes.)

3. Speaking of taxes (huh, what?), I got my second paycheck on Friday. After last time, I knew not to be excited but I did get in a little overtime so I thought it might be OK. Um NO. My OT probably bought Pelosi a new pair of shoes or something. This is why I opted to keep "job number one" as a side thing.

4. Yesterday, the most unfortunate thing in the world happened. I was listening to the radio on my way into work and a song came on the radio and I liked it. Then I realized it was Neil Young. And then I still liked it.

5. Kyle Busch sucks. I saw the last few minutes of the race today. Admit it, you said, "Jeff Gordon is used to taking it in the ass" or something similar when you saw Gordon's finish. Anyway, in "I can't wait for football season" news, according to the AJC, the Falcons promise a dirty offense. I promise not to laugh when they lose their first game.

There was more but I'm tired.

SONG OF THE DAY: "Harvest" by Neil Young