This morning Mac and I went out for breakfast in an attempt of mother and son bonding. I discovered if we talked about nothing serious, made fun of the other diners, and we ate platters of homemade biscuits and gravy bigger than our heads we could have fun. The bonding continued to Wal-Mart where we looked at games and movies and played with toys. We bought shampoo and a Bruce Lee subtitled movie. It was a good day, so far. Yes, I said so far. I never look a gift horse in the mouth with a teenage song; things could go drastically wrong at any time. No, I'm not being a pessimist- I'm being a realist.
In other news, I'm doing laundry. I did grocery shop. I got fuel in the car. I worked yesterday, driving a transport, which was really an exercise in futility. I'm still having a good spring break in-spite of the housekeeping stuff but I can't believe it's over in 3.5 days. It seemed so short.
I think I need a nap. I forgot to turn my alarm off last night so it went off at 7:20am this morning and I couldn't fall back asleep. I'm still tired.
We got cool coupons in the mail today. Rent one movie or game and get one free of equal or lesser value and present the coupon and get all late fees wiped off. We have late fees because mac's ex-girlfriend kept his movies and then returned them late. So, today we got the fine cleared off for the price of a rental. Bonus! Mac wanted a game to play anyway, so it's totally a win- win situation.
And said game, when playing, has the character end a level in a bakery full of giant cakes and cookies. I like that game. I wish I was in a land of giant cookies and cakes.
Okay I sound like I'm on crack with the weird ramblings of this post.
Pardon the tired me...............................
Maggie
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
A Wild West summer of long ago
Thinking about a Wild West summer...
I would feel like I was going to melt into summer warmth. Magically, the sun is shining and the snow dissolves, leaving brown hues in its wake. The wind turns warm and humid, and is sparse. I question whether I really feel a breeze or it's so hot, I imagine a cooling presence. The cold air that had so frozen my lungs just that previous winter not so long ago, becomes hot and sticky, leaving me parched. Sweat immediately forms on my brow and I look over the brown fields, feeling the heat of the sun on my shoulders and the heat radiating up from the cooked cracked earth. Summer was having an intensity matched by nothing other than the fires of Hell.
The plains are still rolling and the shades of brown are many. The fields are dirty dark brown, and as the hills raise and lower, the hues become darker and lighter. The round bales of hay dot the landscape, giving it a polka dotted look. And the pattern of bales at first appears random, but upon closer examination the rows of bales are symmetrical and aligned, making a quilt like pattern across the otherwise unadorned fields, in a covering of summer.
The humidity and summer sun has done its job and cooked the earth until it cracked, leaving gouges running through the hardened, dried mud. Tractors and long ago rains worked together to leave the huge ruts, like craters, making the terrain uneven and broken, almost scarred. Not even the brilliant blue sky, like a tall drink of water, can ease the hotness, the lines of heat reverberating from the ground. The scrub brushes wilt in the mid day sun and not a tumbleweed blows across my path. The sage brush is limp, tired from the beating it received from the summer's intensity. Land as far as the eye can see, miles of brown with golden dots of hay, lasting forever, until it joins hands with the blue sky at the horizon.
Maggie
I would feel like I was going to melt into summer warmth. Magically, the sun is shining and the snow dissolves, leaving brown hues in its wake. The wind turns warm and humid, and is sparse. I question whether I really feel a breeze or it's so hot, I imagine a cooling presence. The cold air that had so frozen my lungs just that previous winter not so long ago, becomes hot and sticky, leaving me parched. Sweat immediately forms on my brow and I look over the brown fields, feeling the heat of the sun on my shoulders and the heat radiating up from the cooked cracked earth. Summer was having an intensity matched by nothing other than the fires of Hell.
The plains are still rolling and the shades of brown are many. The fields are dirty dark brown, and as the hills raise and lower, the hues become darker and lighter. The round bales of hay dot the landscape, giving it a polka dotted look. And the pattern of bales at first appears random, but upon closer examination the rows of bales are symmetrical and aligned, making a quilt like pattern across the otherwise unadorned fields, in a covering of summer.
The humidity and summer sun has done its job and cooked the earth until it cracked, leaving gouges running through the hardened, dried mud. Tractors and long ago rains worked together to leave the huge ruts, like craters, making the terrain uneven and broken, almost scarred. Not even the brilliant blue sky, like a tall drink of water, can ease the hotness, the lines of heat reverberating from the ground. The scrub brushes wilt in the mid day sun and not a tumbleweed blows across my path. The sage brush is limp, tired from the beating it received from the summer's intensity. Land as far as the eye can see, miles of brown with golden dots of hay, lasting forever, until it joins hands with the blue sky at the horizon.
Maggie
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Ghost?
First, funny thing about the apartment house that ITSam lives in- he lives in the same building I used to, about 15 years ago. He's in a different apartment than I was but he's in the same building. It's a big old house that was converted into a mortuary- it was a funeral home when I lived above it. (If you click here you can read about that experience!) Now it's a hair salon on the ground floor and apartments above it.
Yes, you read that right. I lived in an apartment that had a funeral home on the ground floor and my apartment was over it. And it was an actual, working funeral home then.
I spent last night at Sam's last night. He was long gone to work when I finally got out of bed. I took a shower and got dressed. I was blow drying my hair when I swore I saw a reflection of a man in the mirror behind me. I whipped around, brandishing my hairbrush and dryer. No one there. My heart was beating in my throat. I turned off the blower and called out Sam's name- no answer. Of course.
I walk through the apartment, opening doors and looking under furniture and in closets. No one there, of course. The front door was locked. The back door was locked. I went back to resume the hair blowing and in the mirror over my shoulder, I saw that Sam had a dress shirt hanging on the open door of his closet, on a hanger. I leaned around at different angles and realized all I probably saw was his shirt and when I flipped my hair it looked like a person move.
Whew.
But I felt sort of silly.
However, I thought about when I lived there, in that building, 15 years ago. I would tell people I lived in a apartment over "Body & Sons" (not their real names!) funeral home and took private glee in their shock and horror and in some cases, revulsion. I was brave. I was sassy. I thought it was cool. Ha, I was never scared. I never really dwelt on it.
But today I had the complete creeps. What if some spirit was hanging around? I know that no one died there- they were long gone before arriving- but today the creeps settled in and freaked me out. I called Mac to pick me up asap and sat at the window with the doors open, just in case.
It's the second time I thought I saw a person in that same mirror in the same apartment.
I freaked myself out and I'm sure it's nothing but lighting and tricks and clothes on hangers on open closet doors and the like.
But today I was unsettled.
I've lost my nerve.
Maggie
Yes, you read that right. I lived in an apartment that had a funeral home on the ground floor and my apartment was over it. And it was an actual, working funeral home then.
I spent last night at Sam's last night. He was long gone to work when I finally got out of bed. I took a shower and got dressed. I was blow drying my hair when I swore I saw a reflection of a man in the mirror behind me. I whipped around, brandishing my hairbrush and dryer. No one there. My heart was beating in my throat. I turned off the blower and called out Sam's name- no answer. Of course.
I walk through the apartment, opening doors and looking under furniture and in closets. No one there, of course. The front door was locked. The back door was locked. I went back to resume the hair blowing and in the mirror over my shoulder, I saw that Sam had a dress shirt hanging on the open door of his closet, on a hanger. I leaned around at different angles and realized all I probably saw was his shirt and when I flipped my hair it looked like a person move.
Whew.
But I felt sort of silly.
However, I thought about when I lived there, in that building, 15 years ago. I would tell people I lived in a apartment over "Body & Sons" (not their real names!) funeral home and took private glee in their shock and horror and in some cases, revulsion. I was brave. I was sassy. I thought it was cool. Ha, I was never scared. I never really dwelt on it.
But today I had the complete creeps. What if some spirit was hanging around? I know that no one died there- they were long gone before arriving- but today the creeps settled in and freaked me out. I called Mac to pick me up asap and sat at the window with the doors open, just in case.
It's the second time I thought I saw a person in that same mirror in the same apartment.
I freaked myself out and I'm sure it's nothing but lighting and tricks and clothes on hangers on open closet doors and the like.
But today I was unsettled.
I've lost my nerve.
Maggie
Monday, April 4, 2011
Spring Break so far
I've been a complete and utter bum since spring break started. Well, sorta. I did work a 15 hour day on Friday.
Saturday I slept late and hung out with XRay Girl for a little while. I ran some errands. i read a book. I made a card with Daddy-O. I just chilled.
Sunday XRay Girl and her hubby, and ITSam and I all went to see a movie (Source Code, which was pretty good) and then to Northern Civilization to hang out. We went to the bakery and used book store. The guys went to a hobby store. We had dinner and coffee. We just chilled out and had a good time and lots of laughs. Then we did ITSam's furniture and rent a movie we never finished because it got to be so late.
I was supposed to have a birthday lunch with my Sis-In-Law today but she's sick! (I hope you feel better soon!) I was supposed to have a day with Lilith tomorrow but she's going to visit with her mom who's battling cancer (so I completely understand that change of plans). I was invited to go shopping with Daddy-O and Curley today but since I didn't have any money I thought it was would be better to just stay home.
I slept in until noon and have just lazed around on the computer and made a pot of coffee. I'm going to read.
My big plan for the week ahead is to drive a return transport on Wednesday. I plan on reading and hanging out with ITSam in his newly furnished place. I want to watch movies and maybe scrapbook and maybe quilt. But my brain needs a rest so that comes first.
I love spring break.
Maggie
Saturday I slept late and hung out with XRay Girl for a little while. I ran some errands. i read a book. I made a card with Daddy-O. I just chilled.
Sunday XRay Girl and her hubby, and ITSam and I all went to see a movie (Source Code, which was pretty good) and then to Northern Civilization to hang out. We went to the bakery and used book store. The guys went to a hobby store. We had dinner and coffee. We just chilled out and had a good time and lots of laughs. Then we did ITSam's furniture and rent a movie we never finished because it got to be so late.
I was supposed to have a birthday lunch with my Sis-In-Law today but she's sick! (I hope you feel better soon!) I was supposed to have a day with Lilith tomorrow but she's going to visit with her mom who's battling cancer (so I completely understand that change of plans). I was invited to go shopping with Daddy-O and Curley today but since I didn't have any money I thought it was would be better to just stay home.
I slept in until noon and have just lazed around on the computer and made a pot of coffee. I'm going to read.
My big plan for the week ahead is to drive a return transport on Wednesday. I plan on reading and hanging out with ITSam in his newly furnished place. I want to watch movies and maybe scrapbook and maybe quilt. But my brain needs a rest so that comes first.
I love spring break.
Maggie
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Open your heart to me, baby you hold the lock and I have the key
So ITSam had very little furniture in his house and what he did have is really uncomfortable. Because of that I rarely liked to hang out there. We usually go somewhere or end up at my place, which is Daddy-O's house.
So I made an executive decision this week. I was going to get some of my furniture out of storage at my brother's place and stick it in ITSam's house. I weighed this carefully because we don't live together and we're not married; heck, we're technically not even engaged. I was worried that if I put my furniture in his apartment and we broke up I wouldn't get it back. I said that to him and he gave me a key to his place and signed an agreement similar to a pre-nup that I would get my stuff back.
Well, that took care of that.
My other fear was that he would eat on it. I hate it when furniture gets food and drink stains and since living with Daddy-O where we are NOT allowed to eat on the furniture, I've grown accustom to it. He said he wouldn't eat on it and wouldn't let his son either. Guess I just have to trust him on that.
So with the help of my brother and his access to a pick up truck, we moved some furniture last night. And holy cow, that an amazing change over!!!
There's no longer boxes as end tables and lawn furniture. The TV is no longer on the floor. There are other lamp options than the ceiling fixture. There's now a real love seat and a rocking chair recliner (thank you bro and SisIL for that bonus!!!). The TV is on a table. There are lamps on end tables. There's a lovely desk with a desk chair. The whole places looks awesome.
While Sam didn't have much in the way of "stuff" he's a clean freak so the place is always spotless and smells good, like cleaning products and there's always vacuum tracks. I never worried about things not being taken care of like that. So now with "real" furniture and his clean habits, the place is comfy. I think I'll be spending more time there.
After all, I have my own key.............
Maggie
So I made an executive decision this week. I was going to get some of my furniture out of storage at my brother's place and stick it in ITSam's house. I weighed this carefully because we don't live together and we're not married; heck, we're technically not even engaged. I was worried that if I put my furniture in his apartment and we broke up I wouldn't get it back. I said that to him and he gave me a key to his place and signed an agreement similar to a pre-nup that I would get my stuff back.
Well, that took care of that.
My other fear was that he would eat on it. I hate it when furniture gets food and drink stains and since living with Daddy-O where we are NOT allowed to eat on the furniture, I've grown accustom to it. He said he wouldn't eat on it and wouldn't let his son either. Guess I just have to trust him on that.
So with the help of my brother and his access to a pick up truck, we moved some furniture last night. And holy cow, that an amazing change over!!!
There's no longer boxes as end tables and lawn furniture. The TV is no longer on the floor. There are other lamp options than the ceiling fixture. There's now a real love seat and a rocking chair recliner (thank you bro and SisIL for that bonus!!!). The TV is on a table. There are lamps on end tables. There's a lovely desk with a desk chair. The whole places looks awesome.
While Sam didn't have much in the way of "stuff" he's a clean freak so the place is always spotless and smells good, like cleaning products and there's always vacuum tracks. I never worried about things not being taken care of like that. So now with "real" furniture and his clean habits, the place is comfy. I think I'll be spending more time there.
After all, I have my own key.............
Maggie
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Random observations from my drive yesterday
I drove kids home yesterday for Spring Break (these would be Alcatraz students). I had to go to the southern part of my state. I can't believe what a difference it is in weather. It was so warm there and all their spring trees had started flowering. I don't just mean little buds and getting ready to bloom but in full bloom cycle. It time would've allowed I would've taken pictures. And let me tell you, it made me crave spring even more.
I was dropping off Princess on this run and she was a pistol. She could've starred in the movie Mean Girls. And she was in full tilt flirt mode because there were---- *gasp* boys on the bus! I was actually happy to get her off. I feel terrible about saying that but then I was relieved because I feel that way about Mac so I know I love them both.
I drove 700 miles yesterday.
Finally I want to admit I was a real idiot/ bitch last night. I was finally heading for home from my transport. I had about 2 hours to go so I stopped at a Starbucks. I ordered my favorite drink. Because I'm a gold club member I get a discount. Because I was driving for work, I had an "expense account" so I wasn't going to have to pay for the drink out of my own pocket. So, I had the guy at the counter still scan my card to get the discount but specifically said to not use the balance on my account. While he was doing this, I had been talking to another barista about my long day and what I had been doing and this guy was listening. He was new and he screwed up. He called a manager over to fix it but couldn't. He said he used the balance on my account and was sorry. I rolled my eyes at the guy and said, "Didn't I ask you to not do that?" And he said yeah and apologized. I said something like, "Well, that's par for the course of my day. My company won't reimburse that. Great. Thanks." I was.... snotty. As I get my drink and turn to leave the guy stops me and gives me a coupon for a free drink of my choice and says, "I"m sorry I used the 67 cents on your card. Here's a free drink for next time." Ummmmmmmm, 67 cents. 67 cents????? Oh shit, I was a bitch over 67 cents? I mumbled an apology and said thanks many times. I sat in the car and tried to figure the 67 cents when it dawned on me I used my card the day before when I was out with XRay Girl; I didn't have $5 on there at all. Ooops. I felt like an idiot.
Driving that long makes my right hip hurt.
Maggie
I was dropping off Princess on this run and she was a pistol. She could've starred in the movie Mean Girls. And she was in full tilt flirt mode because there were---- *gasp* boys on the bus! I was actually happy to get her off. I feel terrible about saying that but then I was relieved because I feel that way about Mac so I know I love them both.
I drove 700 miles yesterday.
Finally I want to admit I was a real idiot/ bitch last night. I was finally heading for home from my transport. I had about 2 hours to go so I stopped at a Starbucks. I ordered my favorite drink. Because I'm a gold club member I get a discount. Because I was driving for work, I had an "expense account" so I wasn't going to have to pay for the drink out of my own pocket. So, I had the guy at the counter still scan my card to get the discount but specifically said to not use the balance on my account. While he was doing this, I had been talking to another barista about my long day and what I had been doing and this guy was listening. He was new and he screwed up. He called a manager over to fix it but couldn't. He said he used the balance on my account and was sorry. I rolled my eyes at the guy and said, "Didn't I ask you to not do that?" And he said yeah and apologized. I said something like, "Well, that's par for the course of my day. My company won't reimburse that. Great. Thanks." I was.... snotty. As I get my drink and turn to leave the guy stops me and gives me a coupon for a free drink of my choice and says, "I"m sorry I used the 67 cents on your card. Here's a free drink for next time." Ummmmmmmm, 67 cents. 67 cents????? Oh shit, I was a bitch over 67 cents? I mumbled an apology and said thanks many times. I sat in the car and tried to figure the 67 cents when it dawned on me I used my card the day before when I was out with XRay Girl; I didn't have $5 on there at all. Ooops. I felt like an idiot.
Driving that long makes my right hip hurt.
Maggie
Friday, April 1, 2011
25. Buy a CD by an artist I've never heard before and listen to the entire thing
The Fame by Lady Gaga
To be honest, y' all probably think I'm crazy but I didn't really ever know who Lady Gaga was until Princess introduced us. I think I heard of her in passing but I didn't know anything about her, and I would've been guessing that she was a singer (I was thinking actress at first but I wasn't sure). Then one day, I was in the car with Princess for 6 hours and she brought this CD along. Then she fell asleep and I was afraid to turn it off, that the sudden silence would wake her and the other 4 girls who were all also asleep. Trust me, you take 5 teens girls on a six hour road trip and they fall asleep, you don't want to do ANYTHING to disrupt their sleep.
So, I let this just play over and over again. It played through about 3 times total, and I was pretty impressed and pleased with this CD.
It is sure something I would never have picked up myself but after listening to it, I did go buy a copy a few weeks later and it still held appeal for me, so much so that I downloaded a song called "Boys Boys Boys" as my default ringtone, for fun, because it's a zippy little tune!
This album is certainly a dance club mix. It's highly synthesized-pop and electric-pop, with songs that have quirky little chorus, that hook in the listener. It's similar to lots of club music that came out of the 80s and heavily influenced by glam-rock. The album was released in 2008 (I really can't believe I never have heard of her or any of this music until a few months ago!!) to popular, positive reviews and critical acclaim. There have been four songs of the 12 on the album that have released as singles here in the US, which reached Top Ten spots on Billboard: "Just Dance", "Poker Face", "Love Game" and "Paparazzi." The album itself reached the top 10 (topping out at #4) and hit the #1 spot for Dance/ Electronic albums. It's also the number 1 best selling digital album of all times, and its gone platinum four times. (Thank you Billboard for this info!)
The overall theme for all the songs is fame. Lady Gaga is a lover of attention and is certainly a fame seeker so all these songs focus on that as the theme.
I think the four singles are awesome. They are sure great tunes to head bop and dance to. I can see why they are huge club songs. The content, along with fame, are also heavily focused on sex, drinking, and money (I'm not super thrilled about this since most of Gaga's fans are young girls!). "Love Game" is all about sex and money, and "Just Dance" is about being drunk at a party. "Poker Face" is all about sexual innuendo, and "Paparazzi" is about a stalker following her biggest fan.
Songs other than "the hits" that I really like are "Paper Gangsta", "Boys Boys Boys", and "Summerboy." These little ditties biggest appeal to me are the easy to sing along lyrics and the beat. Sometimes her lyrics are raging and powerful and other times they're drivel but overall, just about every song on this album is something to sing along to. That, my friends, is usually what is "make or break" about an album for me. The songs "Money Honey", "Beautiful Dirty Rich" and "Eh, Eh" are also good songs but not my favorites and I find myself passing through those when they pop up. "Boys Boys Boys" is my favorite song of all!
So like everyone else in the world, I've now heard of Lady Gaga and she's found a secure spot in my CD player rotation for awhile. I find I pop her on and dance around when no one is watching. I also can't wait until I can roll down the windows and crank up the radio and go so a summer drive, with lady Gaga blaring away! While the content may not be your cup of tea, she's addicting and her catchy riffs are worth listening to over and over again. Makes me wish I was young enough to go clubbing!
Maggie
To be honest, y' all probably think I'm crazy but I didn't really ever know who Lady Gaga was until Princess introduced us. I think I heard of her in passing but I didn't know anything about her, and I would've been guessing that she was a singer (I was thinking actress at first but I wasn't sure). Then one day, I was in the car with Princess for 6 hours and she brought this CD along. Then she fell asleep and I was afraid to turn it off, that the sudden silence would wake her and the other 4 girls who were all also asleep. Trust me, you take 5 teens girls on a six hour road trip and they fall asleep, you don't want to do ANYTHING to disrupt their sleep.
So, I let this just play over and over again. It played through about 3 times total, and I was pretty impressed and pleased with this CD.
It is sure something I would never have picked up myself but after listening to it, I did go buy a copy a few weeks later and it still held appeal for me, so much so that I downloaded a song called "Boys Boys Boys" as my default ringtone, for fun, because it's a zippy little tune!
This album is certainly a dance club mix. It's highly synthesized-pop and electric-pop, with songs that have quirky little chorus, that hook in the listener. It's similar to lots of club music that came out of the 80s and heavily influenced by glam-rock. The album was released in 2008 (I really can't believe I never have heard of her or any of this music until a few months ago!!) to popular, positive reviews and critical acclaim. There have been four songs of the 12 on the album that have released as singles here in the US, which reached Top Ten spots on Billboard: "Just Dance", "Poker Face", "Love Game" and "Paparazzi." The album itself reached the top 10 (topping out at #4) and hit the #1 spot for Dance/ Electronic albums. It's also the number 1 best selling digital album of all times, and its gone platinum four times. (Thank you Billboard for this info!)
The overall theme for all the songs is fame. Lady Gaga is a lover of attention and is certainly a fame seeker so all these songs focus on that as the theme.
I think the four singles are awesome. They are sure great tunes to head bop and dance to. I can see why they are huge club songs. The content, along with fame, are also heavily focused on sex, drinking, and money (I'm not super thrilled about this since most of Gaga's fans are young girls!). "Love Game" is all about sex and money, and "Just Dance" is about being drunk at a party. "Poker Face" is all about sexual innuendo, and "Paparazzi" is about a stalker following her biggest fan.
Songs other than "the hits" that I really like are "Paper Gangsta", "Boys Boys Boys", and "Summerboy." These little ditties biggest appeal to me are the easy to sing along lyrics and the beat. Sometimes her lyrics are raging and powerful and other times they're drivel but overall, just about every song on this album is something to sing along to. That, my friends, is usually what is "make or break" about an album for me. The songs "Money Honey", "Beautiful Dirty Rich" and "Eh, Eh" are also good songs but not my favorites and I find myself passing through those when they pop up. "Boys Boys Boys" is my favorite song of all!
So like everyone else in the world, I've now heard of Lady Gaga and she's found a secure spot in my CD player rotation for awhile. I find I pop her on and dance around when no one is watching. I also can't wait until I can roll down the windows and crank up the radio and go so a summer drive, with lady Gaga blaring away! While the content may not be your cup of tea, she's addicting and her catchy riffs are worth listening to over and over again. Makes me wish I was young enough to go clubbing!
Maggie
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