Wordless Wednesday - Take this Job and Shove it

Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Gooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaal!!!

This is one of those stories that I love… Seems Louis Maneiro, the coach of the Nepean Hotspurs soccer (you know, World Cup game? – football for my European friends) team pulled his girls under-12 team from the ARS Laval Indoor National Tourney in protest… What was he protesting? During the third game of the tournament, as 11 year-old striker Asmahan Mansour stepped onto the field, she was told by one of the referees she would have to remove her hijab, the traditional muslim head scarf citing safety issues. Mr Maneiro saw it as discrimination against the player’s religious beliefs, argued with the officials of the tournament to no avail. He then felt compelled to pull his team, with the full support of his players and their parents’ and vowed never to return to the tournament again. A representative of the Quebec Soccer Federation stated that the rules of the international governing body of soccer, FIFA, prohibit wearing any jewelry and all headgear as a safety concern. She is quoted as saying: "If it (meaning the hijab) becomes untucked and the player is running on a breakaway, for example, and another player pulls on it, I would imagine it would be quite a jar to the neck and head of the player wearing the headgear." This rule is not enforced uniformly, the fact that Miss Mansour was allowed to play 2 games in the tourney prior to this call is an illustration of this. The same representative of the Quebec Soccer Federation stated that as all jewelry is also banned, if a Catholic player wanted to play wearing a crucifix, she would also be asked to remove it, or told to stay off the field and that claims of religious discrimination are unfounded. Any thoughts? Oh… by the way... there is no formal ruling in FIFA about headgear. Seems questions regarding the safety of the athlete are left up to the referee’s discretion. The FIFA rule the Quebec official referred to simply states that a player "must not use equipment or wear anything which is dangerous to himself or another player (including any kind of jewelry.)" Did I mention the referee in this controversy is a Muslim? Well.. I for one applaud Mr Maneiro, Asmahan, her teammates and the 5 other teams from the Ottawa region that withdrew in solidarity. In a world where you hear about coaches that scream and become violent, and put winning above all else, it's refreshing to hear one stood up for his values and that those values were put before the team winning a tournament. Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

I think I'm here.. Manic Monday - yellow edition

Well, it’s official… I no longer have a little girl. Morgen.. hope you don't mind sharing! LOL My child has morphed into the mythical mysterious creature that is …. **cue sinister music **(or boy band music.. just as sinister.. even scarier… like, say Boyzone for instance… very scary) … a ‘tween’… Lord help me! If you actually sat throught the whole video... I apologize... Bwahahahahahaha! Oh Travis.. dude! Yesterday, I sat on the loveseat in my ex-mother-in-law’s living room, watching as my daughter The Chicklet coddled her younger cousins at her 9th birthday party. She’s growing up. I still remember the day I brought her home from the hospital and took her into her bedroom for the very first time. Not that she actually slept there in the beginning… but that’s another story. Because we hadn’t wanted to know if the baby was a boy or a girl… wait, I feel the need to correct that statement… I wanted to know that it WAS either a boy or a girl.. just not which specifically of the two! Alright, I can go on now. Where was I? Ah yes… Because we hadn’t wanted to know the sex of the little invader that had taken up residence in my stomach, seemed keen on using my bladder for a Yoga Ball, felt the inner décor would be greatly improved if my rib was way up there instead, and had taken over my taste buds (Italian sausage had become my mortal enemy and green apples made me salivate), we (not the royal mommy married we), my ex and I, had decorated the nursery with a lot of yellow. It was a bright and cheerful room, with a lovely old fashioned wood rocking chair and the greatest invention since the clapper.. a deluxe diaper genie! Nothing equals the stench of a breast-fed baby’s yellow poopy diaper… the diaper genie was my new best friend! And now, as she is 9 years old and I’ve managed to put off redecorating her room other than buying new furniture and bedding, I will.. with great sadness.. be forced to remove the white and yellow striped wallpaper and paint her room in a tween approved hue of some form of girlie pastel (most likely blush or lavender) before the official teen years and she wants her room painted black or dark blue or red…. Ok.. it really has nothing to do with any sentimentality… I hate the thought of tackling that damned wall paper… the walls are PLASTER!! Do you have any idea what a pain it is to remove wall paper from plaster? With two crazy dogs hanging around and trying to steal the wall paper as you peel it off? It’s enough to make you want to pack up and move… I’m fortunate. I have a healthy, vibrant (yellow is vibrant) child who still loves to cuddle and actually actively seeks out hugs and kisses. She and I are both healthy. And, I get along very well with my ex and my former in-laws. When a child is involved, it feels like you become inextricably linked to the people who have, in some way, contributed to the history and genetic makeup of your child. Not everyone is this fortunate though... and I'm well aware of that. My ex mother-in-law knew that I couldn’t bear to throw a celebration for my daughter’s birthday this year at the house… so she organized one as only a grandmother can. That woman has been in my life somehow for close to twenty years and knows the pain of losing a mother. Next week my daughter gets to spend some time with her, and it brings me some peace to know she still has a grandmother she can be close to. I’ve been remiss in my blogging in the past week. I’ve had a terrible time at work- an employee’s career possibly resting in my hands. That coupled with the knowledge that my daughter would celebrate her first birthday without Mom... both these facts were weighing heavily on my heart. By the grace of God and the support of a two very special people, I’m back to myself again. Yup.. you’re in for it now folks… Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Wordless Wednesday - the end of the rainbow...

Happy Birthday Morgen.. Manic Monday Minions Celebrate!

Welcome one and all to Morgen’s around the world birthday celebration EXTRAVAGANZA! I thought long and hard.. what to do for the fearless leader of the crazy manic minions he has been inspired. Plus, let’s face it any excuse to haul out the new and improved snazzy luggage.. and I’m a happy girl! It was an extensive trip and I apologize for being so late but you try and cover so many countries is so little time.. I mean.. I must have lost the greatest part of my time explaining to Customs officials all around the world who this Morgen is and why he’s dressed like a pharaoh (the gold lame is FAHBULOUS DAHLING!) So.. I got my luggage, my passport, my world map, a picture of Morgen, Fodor’s guide to the universe and a nice hat ( I decided against the pith helmet, it didn’t match my shoes). Our trip begins in New Zealand, where after the birthday candles are lit, everyone gathers and sings the Happy Birthday song loudly and usually out of tune (look, I’ve only been there once it is NOT my fault! I hear Matt’s the one responsible). Once the singing is mercifully over, the birthday person then receives a clap on the back for every year they’ve been alive and of course one more for luck. 41 claps… hmmmm… This might take a while, but thankfully you have enough friends to go round Mo. Kia huritau ki a koe! (in Maori) I head off to the home of the BentoBoxx…Japan.. (um.. Morgen? A Samurai?) Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu! Happy Birthday in Japanese... or so I'm told... actually it's that or your mother sat on a walrus... Well, but of course, tradition says one must wear new clothes one one’s birthday! Ok..well, I know it applies mainly to kids, but Mo.. you are young at heart! ( An excuse to shop.. WOOOOHOOO!.. and who says new clothes says new shoes!) I'm not sold on the parasol... We head off to Russia… Ok.. I have an issue here.. PIE? See, it seems the Russians don’t have a birthday cake.. it’s a PIE!! With wishes carved on the crust! Knowing that this won’t do because Mo loves cake, I promptly grab a case of vodka and head off to my next destination… Pazdravliayu s dniom razhdjenia! - again.. I think that's right.. but.. cabbie looked drunk... I was secretly hoping Mikhail Barishnikov would be on the flight.. but alas… Bello! Welcome to Italy… Buon Compleanno! Ah yes… now, as I was busy roaming the piazzas I encountered a lovely darling man who was so very helpful and offered to squire me around on his vespa… through my um.. adventures… I managed to do some research, and I found out that on their birthday, an Italian child’s ears are pulled (no this is not code for.. um.. never mind) I was saying, a child’s ears are pulled as many times as how old they are turning. Ok.. I admit it.. this picture has nothing to do with Italy.. but seriously.. Mo.. who cares! I'll give you a moment to reflect... *sigh* Right... so.... where to next? We hop on a river cruise... and cross the sea.. taking a trip to the Nile to visit Egypt (you didn't think I would forget to take you cruising in Egypt did you?) In Egypt people invite many friends and family to their birthday parties, and will often serve two birthday cakes (makes up for the stupid Russian pie tradition!). One cake has candles while the other one doesn't. A great deal of food is served such as cookies, sesame breads... Eid milaad saeed! (In Arabic, I'm not even joking about this one...... nope.. nosiree!) Homes are decorated with paper garlands called zeena that look like chains of snowflakes. These are hung all around the house. (Hung? Hey what just walked out of the water?) We board a flight across the Atlantic down towards South America for a stop in Peru where guests at a birthday party often receive two kinds of party favors. The first favor is a goody box or bag and the second is a pin made in honor of the event. And there are almost always fancy paper hats (how attractive!). You sir, receive a crown! Feliz Cumpleaños! And we take you back to North America.. where all your friends are gathered to wish you... HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY MORGEN! Love you more than my New and Improved Luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes! Thanks Vince

If this doesn't blow your mind...

I posted about some fantastic Canadian Blues musicians (scroll down and check them out if you missed it).. but I forgot to share this young man with y'all... If this he doesn't give you goosebumps.. nothing will! Ladies and gentlemen... meet Jimmy Bowskill. Here he is singing one of his original compositions... back in 2005 (when he was 15... yup.. 15!) Did I tell you he can play piano too? He can... Colin James has said he's one of the best natural singers.. high praise ladies and gents... Keep an eye and an ear out for this musical wiz... he'll go far! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Canada en blues…

Oh my... Canadian Blues... I believe Dave was asking me about Canadian Blues artists. Sure hope I didn't read you wrong… I’m featuring three amazing contemporary Canadian Blues artists.. Colin James, Jeff Healy and Sue Foley. I’ve posted about Colin before… So beg your pardon if I don’t go over his career for you.. but I will give you some tunes.. Any excuse to share his music. Tin Pan Alley By Colin James BestAudioCodes.com We’ve all felt like this at one time or another in our lives… I know I have. “Why’d you lie” Jeff Healy.. What to say... Most people got their first look and listen to this amazingly talented man in the forgettable Patrick Swayze flick Roadhouse Blues. Jeff was blinded after a bout with cancer at the tender age of one. It didn’t stop him from picking up his first guitar at the age on 3, over a few years developed his patented method of playing the guitar, flat on his lap, and by the age of 6 was performing out in public. He has been regarded as a prodigy. He has shared the stage with greats Stevie Ray Vaughn and BB King. Here are a few samples of Jeff Healy in action Little Sister with Stevie Ray Vaughn... Dave, you mentioned the guitar God Eric Clapton… Here’s Jeff and his version of My Guitar Gently Weeps, one of the most beautiful songs ever written by the deeply missed George Harrison. Sue Foley Must include a lady on this post… Meet Sue Foley, a Texas style blues artist. She’s been singing, playing guitar and performing for over 20 years now. Love Comin' Down By Sue Foley BestAudioCodes.com How Strong By Sue Foley BestAudioCodes.com Mediterranean Breakfast By Sue Foley BestAudioCodes.com Hope you enjoyed listening, I had a tremendous time going through songs... Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Canadian content – Five for Friday

I’m Canadian and proud of it. Here are a few artists that rock my world. I’ve included many songs.. feel free to sample… there’s something for everyone. 1- The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive (inextricably linked) The band was formed in Winnipeg (or Winterpeg as it’s also known up round these parts…) back in 1960 and has evolved much over the years… They were the first Canadian Rock Band to have a number one single in the U.S. (WOOOOO!) with the classic ‘American Woman’. It was to one of the two number one hits they would have in the States. Back in the day, the driving force behind The Guess Who was Burton Cummings (vocals and keyboards) and Randy Bachman (guitar). They gave the band a harder driving sound and brought a sweet blues and jazz influence to the music. BestAudioCodes.com BestAudioCodes.com Differences lead Randy to leave the The Guess Who in 1970 during the recording of ‘The Way They Were’ and he then formed the hugely successful Backman-Turner Overdrive. BestAudioCodes.com BestAudioCodes.com 2- RUSH… A band made up of some of Canada’s (if not the world’s) best musicians.. Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and of course Neil Peart (IMHO the best drummer alive today – and my daughter’s current idol). The journey began… From hard rock and blues (heavily influenced by bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple)… BestAudioCodes.com To progressive rock, and story-telling… BestAudioCodes.com Geddy Lee’s synthesizers became ever more present during the 80s… Neil incorporated electronic drums and percussion… I grew up to this… BestAudioCodes.com BestAudioCodes.com On Valentine’s Day the holy trinity announced the new Album would be called ‘Snakes and Arrows’… to be released… Neil.. drumroll please.. March 1st! With a tour this summer.. oh boy oh boy oh boy! 3- Sarah McLachlan Sarah possesses one of the most beautiful and haunting female voices today. She was the founder of Lilith fair, a tour that celebrated and showcased female talent. Her music sets a tone of sensual abandon and prepares for endless nights of pleasure, passion, and that sweet slow burn… BestAudioCodes.com BestAudioCodes.com Her cover of the Beatles classic Blackbird is worth a listen… She recorded it for the film ‘I am Sam’. 4- The Tragically Hip Canadians have a love affair with the Hip… They’re part of our National Fabric. Just Another Roadside Attraction… Gordon Downie, the lead singer for the Hip has a habit of going off into improvised versions of their songs in concert. Gord likes to tell little stories to the music. They’re actually quite entertaining. BestAudioCodes.com BestAudioCodes.com On March 6th, their latest CD ‘World Container’ will be released nationally in the U.S. I love Bubbles… 5- The Barenaked Ladies (BNL) My list this week wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t include them… Americans will, by listening to their ‘If I had a $1000000’, learn that it’s Kraft Diner.. and not Kraft Macaroni and Cheese… (FYI if you go to a concert the boys frown upon the throwing of said dish). BestAudioCodes.com The band was formed by Steven Page and Ed Robertson. The two became fast friends after going together to a Bob Dylan concert where, because the show was, in their opinion ‘lame’, they started improvising as music critics and came up with ‘Barenaked Ladies’ as an imaginary name for Dylan’s band. Soon after, Ed was supposed to play a gig, the band he’d been in no longer existed, and when the promoter called to confirm and told him the band’s name had changed to ‘Barenaked Ladies’. He called Steven up, told him what he’d said and would he want to join him, they played the gig and the rest is history. BestAudioCodes.com Barenaked Ladies - Sound of Your Voice Hope you enjoyed a trip around Canadian Content… there’s more.. for another time… Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Wordless Wednesday... well almost...

'The most eloquent silence; that of two mouths meeting in a kiss.' ~ Unknown ~ Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

For My Girl

BestAudioCodes.com Je t'aime mon trésor!

looking for love...

Oh my lord.... This video is especially for Mimi and the participants of the Saturday Comeback Challenge... For those of you who aren't aware of this lovely fun competition please visit Dating Profile of the Day... Mimi finds the funniest REAL personal adverts posted by clueless singles who hopefully will fail to add to the gene pool. Folks are asked to send in their snarky responses to the list of pitiful attempts at attracting the opposite sex... we assume. These are what I envision as the video portion of her blog. Are these guys for real? Get a load of the guy who'll stay up at night and watch you sleep.. OK.. he creeped me out big time! *shivers* He gave me the skeevies! This is a skit.. I repeat.. this is a skit... Meet Bobby... he knows... Now... where DO people find love? BestAudioCodes.com Lookin' For Love Johnny Lee I spent a lifetime lookin' for you Single bars and good time lovers were never true Playing a fools game, hopin' to win Tellin' those sweet lies and losin' again. Chorus I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places Lookin' for love in too many places Searchin' her eyes, lookin' for traces Of what I'm dreamin' of Hoping to find a friend and a lover I'll bless the day I discover, You - lookin' for love. I was alone then, no love in site I did every thing I could to get me through the night Don''t know where it started or where it might end I'd turn to a stranger just like a friend. I ask you dear reader, What are people looking for exactly? What kind of love? What is love? Will the kind of love they’re looking for influence where they look? Can you actually go out search for love? I mean, is it a quest? Is it like trying to find The Holy Grail? What IS the Airspeed Velocity of an Unladen Swallow? Oops.. sorry ... wrong topic. It happens when I ask too many questions. I ask a lot of questions, kinda like a 6 year old… So… I was saying… I started to think I was getting entirely too much enjoyment from the first video. What if these poor souls really are looking for that “soulmate” so many people are convinced is out there… ok... I may be one of them… not the saps in the video!!!!… sheesh.. the soulmate proponents! I’ll admit to being a romantic but let me make this clear… it does NOT make me a softie! Travis... stop rolling your eyes... I am not neither. “Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Travis is rolling his eyes at me!” Oh, then I watched it again… I got over the guilt. I’m sorry, but I really don’t think these guys are looking for a soulmate. Which is why I had no qualms whatsoever laughing at the personal ads Frank picked for this week’s challenge over at Mimi’s. I ask you dear reader, have you found love? Is it the deep and abiding love? The “Honey I love you even if you drool in your sleep” love? Hey, I challenge you to find someone who doesn’t drool in their sleep... and oh my is that spot on your pillow NASTY! Ok, bad choice. Is it the “I love you even though I hate the noise you make when you breathe” kind of love? Oh wait, that’s a couple I know… sorry. I know! Is it the “I’ll sit and watch the chick flick and refrain all snarky comments, won’t look at the time, sigh and roll my eyes’” kind of love? Now admit it ladies… that’s LOVE! Either that or he’s trying to get in your panties, or thong, or jeans cause you went commando that day. Look girls, you go commando… you have to expect that reaction. Like my mother always said: “They’re not made of wood dear… they have urges…” (um.. mom… wood? *snarf* ... at this point I believe I would get a look that would make me retreat in fear). I actually don’t expect y’all (Look ma, I can twang.. or was it tang? – the only way you’ll understand this comment is if you visit Mimi’s Saturday Comeback Challenge once the answers and winners are posted) to answer all these questions… And if you want to see this week's winner and my fellow participants.. please visit the ever gracious Judge Frank who it seems thought my response to that particular dating profile was funny *blushes*. Gotta love a fellow Canadian. But, if you were going to answer one… is it a quest? Were you victorious? And what kind of love floats your boat? (ok.. so, it’s a three-parter.. bite me!....... really… go on! Bite me…) Oh yeah, I was trying to make a point the other day. Well yesterday, about love... As I was researching “all things love” while writing this little exposé (what? You don’t know what I’ve got exposed… or do you? – checks out the window- hears a “woooooooohooooooo”.. damn I forgot about that!), I found a quote. I copied and pasted it but forgot to save where I found it… *blushes* I had a blonde moment, ok! Sheesh! Actually, it was my migraine’s fault… that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. It summed up my point so very well: “Love is the quiet understanding and mature acceptance of imperfection. It is real. It gives you strength and grows beyond you - to bolster your beloved. You are warmed by their presence, even when they are away. Miles do not separate you. You have so many wonderful little films in your head that you keep replaying. But near or far, you know they are yours, and you can wait.” Yup… Like I was saying yesterday… Love … the true and abiding kind shared equally between two people won’t leave you “broken and wounded”, it’s not for a day… Don't get me wrong.. passion is the added ingredient that spices things up... But you need commitment and true intimacy, not just sex, for passion alone is infatuation... and THAT fades away. "Immature love says: "I love you because I need you." Mature love says: "I need you because I love you."" - Erich Fromm 1900-1980 Oh… and folks.. do check out The Dearest Doc’s actual first official Dr. Blogstein Radio Happy Hour… He’ll make you laugh! He will engage you (Right Tisha? *wink*)! He may even have a roaming reporter from the UPSTAIRS JAZZ BAR AND GRILLE--THE FINEST IN MONTREAL NIGHTLIFE (not that he’s asked me to or ever commented here.. even though I’ve seen his lovely thumb hanging out in the sidebar… just sayin’…) It’s a date folks! Tonight… 9 PM EST... on Blog Talk Radio! History in the making! Who knows, you might find your soulmate there - not to put any undue pressure on you Dearest Doc. But you better deliver darlin’! Cool links to funny folks... My fellow participants in the Saturday Comeback Challenge: Mimi Lennox Your host and First time contestant Ian Healy from EDog's Everything's Page Bud Weiser from WTIT Lyn from Last Minute Lyn's Life Spinnerz from http://sp1nners.blogspot.com/ Limey from http://a-limey-in-lime-rock.blogspot.com/ Karen from http://reasonenough.blogspot.com/ Anyhow from http://anyhowblogs.blogspot.com Uncle Artemus from http://uncleartemus.blogspot.com/ SGT DUB from http://sgtdub.blogspot.com/ Love you all more than my luggage (but what kind of love… hmmm)! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Manic Monday... Spike

OH MY!!!!! I sat with Chicklet, my jaw agape... Can it be? You hear the announcements but until you actually see it..... It's real! Sting! Andy! Stewart! OH MY!!!! Could it be? A reunion tour? They play... I squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... Chicklet looks at me, rolls her eyes and proceeds to tap her feet... "ahem... Mommy... my hair?!... will you finish drying it please?... Mom... Maman?..." she sighs... I squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... I haven't been this excited about watching music on TV since Taylor won... actually... probably more excited... of course once she started listening to it she looooved it, singing Roxanne out loud (better than Eddie Murphy though...) Which reminds me of my previously mentionned 'friend' Nancy who had the nerve to record me singing it through the phone when we were 15 and has kept a copy to blackmail me... OH MY!!!!! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Manic Monday... spiked... A room… the Red Light district… 6 inch spiked heels… ruby red lips… the smell of cheap perfume sprayed liberally to mask the musk of many men... his treasure in exchange for hers… a price is set… money exchanged… her fishnet stockings snagged… the man’s rough hands … briskly pushing her skirt up to get what he’s come for… the smell of alcohol on his breath... seeping from his pores... a yellowish bruise on her neck that her John ignores… not wanting to know… making it easier… his whore... bought and paid for… her eyes vacant… he enters… disconnected… the glint of a wedding band.. tarnished… dreams faded… grinding… memories of the child that once was… grunts… laboring… slavery… he finishes… withdrawal… a door slams… solitude… sigh of relief… she lives… for now… Amsterdam's Red Light District Do YOU think America would have such a place? Should we protect the rights and safety of sex industry workers? What if it was your daughter, sister, niece, wife? Should Prostitution be legalized and normalized? Is Prostitution violence against women? 10????? Love you more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Easy Sunday Listening

Sweet soul... My featured artist for a lovely Sunday of easy listening is... Amos Lee I LOVE this guy. He's on my MP3 player, my car cd player, the cd player in my office and the one in the bathroom (GFC plug, far from the shower), my computer, I listen to him through the dvdv player on the big screen TV!.. you get my point, I've been listening to him all the time lately... This singer songwriter from Philly brings a sensibility and a soulfulness to music that finds my spirit rejoicing. His sophomore album is a joy and delight. There's a soothing, easy quality to his voice and the simplicity that caracterizes his style let's the melodies and words reach out to the listener. Maybe it's the flip side of an exhibitionist nature... but I love people watching and I especially love peering into people's windows as I walk down the street... getting a glance of the life they live within their walls... Here's the single for his second album 'Supply and Demand'... 'Shout Out Loud' It never fails to make me smile. Some people have interpreted it as a sad song.. I find it to be hopeful... And as this beautiful song by the immensely talented Amos Lee reminds us... we have to reach out to one another... at least, that's what I make of it. I wanna shout out Shout out loud Why don't you all Just come on out And we can Tear it all down, yeah Cause everybody's got a part in the game And everybody's got a cross they can claim And everybody's got somebody to blame But we all must find our own way, yeah yeah Have you ever wondered what that person walking past you has going on in his life? Have you been on the outside looking in? Have you shut yourself off from the rest of the world, waiting for someone to reach out? Hold my hand ... Come ... Tear it all down ... I found this live performance of a lovely song off the second album called "Sweetpea". The video quality leaves to be desired but you get a feel for the joy he brings to an audience, the intimacy of his live sets. From his first album is this beautiful soulful number... I've been dreamin' myself... Dreamin' By Amos Lee BestAudioCodes.com Finally... this song speaks to me.. takes me deep within myself... makes me dream... It too is from his self-titled debut album... and it's scrumptious. Yes.. I know.. I'm not following any order... I'm just going where the music takes me... You know, the way music is supposed to do... *sigh* Here's a performance clip that has me itching to see him live... Hope you enjoyed this talented artist... he's found a place in my soul. Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Fun on Friday

At first I was going to have you play a little game.. guess the lyrics to songs of the 80s.. And as I looked outside contemplating a very cold but brightly sunny day wondering what in the world my chicklet and I were going to do to entertain ourselves this weekend, I was brought back to movies… Movies and the 80s.. hmmm.. songs and movies in the 80s… I’m a bit scatter brained today… so... ‘bear’ with me. (Hey Hoochies! DixieBear, MarBear, TurnBeary!!!) Without further ado… 1- Pretty in Pink – from the movie of the same name… (1986) So I came of age in the days of teen angst movies and comedies with Molly Ringwald. I absolutely loved her and have always thought she looked like my cousin Isabel, who is the closest thing I had to a sister growing up. AND her character’s name is Andie… I could tell you stories of our adventures, Izzy and me, but then I’d have to kill you. One of our favorites happened when I must have been 15 to her 14. My parents took us both to Hampton Beach for summer vacation, I’d gone there every year since I was a baby. That year, the hotel owner’s nephews were also staying there. One of them looked like a young Joe Perry, his name was John Paul. The other one (whose name escapes me and that’s odd because we flirted quite a bit) looked like Ricky Schroeder (back in the days when he was Ricky, before he changed it to Rick, and now he changed it back to Ricky... make up your mind man!). But then, I’ve never had much interest in or luck with blondes. One warm starry summer night, we had gone out exploring the boardwalk with the boys. I’ll keep mum about what exactly we did, but… we came back to the room, where my parents were waiting for us, annoyed because we had broken curfew (oops) in a FOREIGN country no less, carrying big puffy pink flowers made of tissue paper (think the size of small children’s umbrellas). Dad was furious, he yelled! Dad almost never raised his voice… Sheepishly we propped the flowers up behind my parents headboard, put on our pjs and went to bed. Poor Mom lay there, trying to sleep, my father furious and she had these huge pink flowers over her head. She laughed so much but tried to stifle it, and it infuriated dad to no end... and to make things worse the boys whistled for us to come out! It was their signal when we were ready to go and have some fun. Dad was not pleased, and Mom laughed even more. That memory stuck folks, and was part of my cousin’s eulogy for my mother. I laughed out loud in the church and I know Mom was laughing. .... Caroline talks to you Softly sometimes She says'I love you' and 'Too much' She doesn't have anything You want to steal Well Nothing you can touch She waves She buttons your shirt The traffic Is waiting outside She hands you this coat She gives you her clothes These cars collide Pretty in pink Isn't she? Pretty in pink Isn't she? The Psychedelic Furs... that song had actually been released back in 1981, but was re- recorded for the movie... it hit #41 on the US hot 100 chart. Back in 1984, they released "Heaven" as a single in the UK, but it was never a single in the US... do yourselves a favor, it's one of their best songs... It's perfect for Richard Butler's vocal style. Oh, and I adored Duckie… every girl needs a Duckie in her life! (I miss the duck). The hat, the shoes, the round sun glasses… and his lip-sync to ‘Try a Little Tenderness’… Who doesn't love a little Otis! Memorable quotes: Iona to Andie (the morning after Duckie lays one on her): "I know I'm old enough to be his mother, but when the Duck laid that kiss on me last night, I swear my thighs just went up in flames! He must practice on melons or something." Duckie: "We don't have none of this stuff in the boy's room! Wait a minute! We don't got none of this... we don't got doors on the stalls in the boy's room, we don't have, what is this? What's this? We don't have a candy machine in the boy's room!" There's a little Duckie in all of us... (get your mind out of the gutter.. sheesh.. I'm having a softie moment here.. never mind.. it's gone.. it passed.. TOO late!) I love John Hughes… 2- In Your Eyes – from the soundtrack of ‘Say Anything’. The movie was released in 1989, but the song was released by Peter Gabriel in 1986.. do we have a theme??? Ok guys. Here’s the thing… I don’t know about the other ladies, but... when John Cusack held up that boom box (how much more 80s can you get!) over his head outside that girl’s window… I got goose bumps… and I still do. Try doing THAT with an IPod! It started my adoration of John Cusack. I LOVE this guy… mmmmmmmmmm… Talent, looks.. and he has this voice that just does it for me.. I have a thing about a man’s voice… it’s how I met or started dating a lot (most) of my ex-flames… It’s a beautiful song. I actually had a boom box moment when I was 17 (before the movie was released).. with this guy I went out on a few dates with, really sweet guy, fantastic kisser (must have practiced on melons), but just not for me ultimately… He parked his car next to the curb in front of our house. My bedroom window was street side. I had to be very careful about what I was wearing whenever my blinds were up I tell you…. Got a woohoo and a couple of whistles once when it slipped my mind – it was flattering... but embarrassing (mind you, I’m a bit of an exhibitionist at times…) Where was I… Oh yeah. His name was Richard, he was tall, had dark curly hair and piercing blue eyes… I had told him that evening that I thought we shouldn’t date each other anymore; the chemistry just wasn’t there… He called me five times (my parents had the good sense to get me a separate phone line.. and would you believe I still, to this day, have the same phone number!), I said no… five times... He drove over to my house and in the pouring rain stood out there looking up at my window. He stood out there for over 30 minutes, until I had to do something. Not that I myself felt compelled to do something, it's just that my mother was NOT happy about it, I mean, what would the neighbors think? My parents were cool though, Dad could have gone out there and told him to scram, but they let me do it. Had Daddy done it, I like think I like probably would have like died of embarrassment! Really.. I’d be dead now, pushing up daisies.. it was THAT serious! Memorable quote: Lloyd Dobler: 'I am looking for a dare to be great situation.' love, I don't like to see so much pain so much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away I get so tired of working so hard for our survival I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive and all my instincts, they return and the grand facade, so soon will burn without a noise, without my pride I reach out from the inside in your eyes the light the heat in your eyes I am complete in your eyes I see the doorway to a thousand churches in your eyes the resolution of all the fruitless searches in your eyes I see the light and the heat in your eyes oh, I want to be that complete I want to touch the light, the heat I see in your eyes in your eyes in your eyes in your eyes in your eyes in your eyes in your eyes 3- Twist and Shout - From Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)- John Hughes.. (the man's a genious!) This version of the track features a prominent brass section (TopChamp.. wooohoooo!), which did NOT sit well with Sir Paul apparently. Nonetheless, this oldie charted again because of it.. and I LOVE this song! This is dancing in your underwear kinda music… Just remember to close the blinds when you do it, unless you want to hear a ‘wooooooohooooooo’ coming from the street… it really is quite flattering actually... Had I mentioned that? Now.. this movie is a classic. I’m waiting for the Chicklet to pull the clammy hands trick on me… Ha! I'm ready for her... Memorable quotes: Ferris: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." Ferris: "Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks you'd have a diamond." ( Anndi’s note: I have known many, many, many people like this!) (Oh...and, I had a crush on Cameron… nice tribute to Gordie Howe…) Ferris: "If you're not over here in fifteen minutes, you can find a new best friend." Cameron: "You've been saying that since the fifth grade." (Anndi’s note: I swear I’ve had this very conversation with Nancy... my oldest friend except for Isabel) Ferris: "It is his fault he didn’t lock the garage." OOOOOOOOO Yeah!!! Vrooooom Vrooooooom! *Hands Travis a napkin*... Your chin dear… I could do this all day.. but.. gotta save some for another time! Oh. Had a LOT of fun in 1986... but I'm very content and hopeful with what 2007 will bring! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!