I don’t generally like politics, talk politics or write politics, but this picture was sent to me in an email, and I felt I had to share. Please leave your caption in the comments!
Archive for February, 2006
In need of a caption…
February 28, 2006Scarf on eBay
February 28, 2006
I don’t often do this sort of thing, but WarCryGirl asked if I would be so kind as to make mention of it. As you can see, she is modeling this fine scarf that she made in November. She now has it up for sale on eBay. I think it would be a kind gesture to go make a bid on it. It’s not often that you can grab a piece of HNT! Here is the eBay link. Now go bid on the thing!
Then go vote for Summer!
And submit a Mystery Guest picture for consideration this week!!
Then go to Lecram’s site to check out the publicity for the Rogue Festival!
Busy, busy week & HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
February 27, 2006I am caught COMPLETELY unprepared for this, but today is Rachel’s birthday! She’s a close friend and beer drinking buddy that I’ve met through blogging, and thankfully only live minutes away from me. She deserves a full tribute here, but it slipped through the cracks. My apologies dear (then again, Moose didn’t get one either…). If you haven’t been there yet, go wish her a Happy Birthday!!
LAST CALL!! If you haven’t voted for a weekend choice for Addict’s Playdate, do it now! Voting ends in the next couple of days!
A surprisingly busy week last week. There are some emails I need to answer soon–my apologies. A rundown on some of what happened (a warning–alot of this is quite boring):
I got my phone rebate for my new cell phone from Verizon!
I found out that a musician friend of mine from another town has a brain tumor. If it’s grown at all by mid-May, they operate BY GOING THROUGH THE ROOF OF THE MOUTH. The “good” news–it’s a benign tumor.
Said goodbye to a friend.
Danced Saturday night with a dark-haired version of Scarlett Johanssen (too busy to post a link). This is shocking to those who know me, because I haven’t danced in 16 years. Since the night I broke my sister in half (S2). Long story, but suffice it to say that it affected me enough to give it up. Besides, I’m a musician. I can’t dance!
I won Brico’s sudoku contest. Stole it away from SisB!
I guess I also “won” my own CD contest by admitting that I own some Mandy Moore, but not Van Morrision.
Voted for Summer probably over 20 times last week in her quest to become 5.0 Mustang Magazine’s Babe of the Year. Voting continues for another 2 weeks or so.
In spite of missing her birthday tribute, Rachel dragged me along to run errands, then dinner. So I got to join her as she shopped for underwear (not the first time I’ve done that), then got hammered at Applebee’s from their fruity drinks with dinner.
Saw that Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp” is being released for it’s 50th anniversary on DVD. Does anyone else find Lady just a little bit hot?
Played a symphony concert (complete with a boatload of rehearsals all week). Celebrated “Shakespeare In Love” with Weber, Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn.
Finished up a blogpage for the Rogue Festival. That starts this week!
I need Mystery Guest submissions today (tomorrow AM) if you want to be considered for this week. An awful lot of you promising, but not committing!
Called my baby sister (S3) to get the numbers from her blood screening. The girl is a walking timebomb. I beat her by 70 points (which = $70!) on the total cholesterol: 194 vs. 264! And her triglycerides (fat in the blood) are almost double what mine are. Her blood pressure is just this side of a freshly dead corpse. Yet she eats relatively healthy (kids will make you do that), doesn’t drink to excess, doesn’t smoke, (doesn’t exercise…), and generally tries to stay as healthy as her husband (who is in disgustingly good health). It really pisses her off that her overweight, sedentary, pizza-loving, beer guzzling brother has better blood! The only place where she smoked me was the glucose levels. I can attribute that to increased beer drinking with both Just.A.Girl and Rachel. In any case, I’ll still be asking for the money in twenties!
This is why I avoid these sorts of things…
February 27, 2006I find this result a bit humorous today.
Another one!
February 25, 2006Once again, stolen from the ever lovely Kerri. This one is actually better than the last one!
CD Contest Results
February 23, 2006Well, I was able to fool all of you all of the time! A talent I share with F3M1. Out of 28 responses, 9 out of the 10 were mentioned at least once. All but the real answer! And I’m apparently going to disappoint many of you with my Mandy Moore collection! Without further ado, here are the details of what I’ve got:
- 1) Gretchen Wilson–She’s only got two CDs out, and they both kick ass. She’s not the cutesy beauty that seems to have infected country music today. She could kick your ass in the back alley. And look good doing it! Her music reflects that. She’s bad-ass! (note that I use the word “ass” 3 times!)
2) Jamiroquai–If you haven’t heard this guy, you need to. Anyone old and obscure enough will think he sounds like Gino Vanelli. His sound almost has a 70s disco style to it. Great dance groove, great sound. My favorite album would be “Synkronized”.
3) Van Morrison–This is the one that no one chose, and the only one in the list that I lack. I have all the big early hits on a variety of compilations, but I don’t own that first one with “Moondance”, “Into the Mystic” or “Brown-Eyed Girl”. Or any of his others. As a child of the 60s/70s, I suck, in this instance.
4) Mandy Moore–I’m going to take shit for this. I own her debut album, because it was a promo CD at the music store I managed. But while Britney and Christina were trying to out-slut each other, Mandy concentrated on her acting (well….) and her vocal talents. Her 2003 album “Coverage” is outstanding. She sings cover songs from the 70s and 80s, and in many cases, delivers a stronger song than the original artist. Her version of Elton John’s “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters” might be the best on the album. Yes, I’m proud to say that I own some Mandy Moore!
5) Tower of Power–One of the funkiest bands of all time. Still going strong with a majority of their original line-up after 30 years. Horn section schooled on the sounds of James Brown, and a rhythm section that is unparalleled in any form of music. I think I own everything they have ever issued. “Monster On A Leash” is probably their best “modern” album, but even when they went through some hard years, no one could touch them!
6) Mariah Carey–Before Mariah learned that she had boobies (monster boobies), she had an incredible voice. And a fear of audiences. I own a couple of her early albums when she was actually concerned with MUSIC and SINGING. Her breakout album was the one that came out of her MTV “Unplugged” concert, which was one of her first concerts. No samples, no dance beats. Just a string section, acoustic instruments, and her amazing voice. Her version of Michael Jackson’s “I’ll Be There” still runs a chill up my spine. Too bad she weirded out…
7) Guns N’ Roses–When I was teaching HS band, a couple of my students got me to listen to “Appetite For Destruction”. Damn, what a great album! They also conned me into writing pep band arrangements of “Paradise City” and “Welcome To the Jungle”. Much better than playing “Louie, Louie” or the “Hey! Song” at games. As usual, GNR went downhill after awhile, but those old albums still bring a smile to my face. Perhaps this would be my secret vice…
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy–Modern swing. Gotta love it. I was slow to embrace it, but once I did, I was hooked! Even though the craze has faded, they continue to record, and I continue to buy everything they put out!9) Elton John–Early Elton John was unbeatable. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, “Captain Fantastic & the Brown Dirt Cowboy”, and my favorite, “Caribou” (using the aforementioned Tower of Power Horns!). I don’t particularly like his crap after the late 70s, and certainly none of his Broadway musical collaborations. But no one rocked like the “Rocket Man” in the 70s!
10) Shania Twain–Shania changed what women in country music could do, and probably was a major force in changing people’s perceptions of what “country” music is. Her first three albums broke all sorts of barriers. And when you’re married to your producer, who also produced the “sound” of groups like Def Leppard, then some of that’s going to creep in. We (In Cahoots) play songs from all 3 of those first albums, but I would have bought them anyway, I think.
So there you have it. No one gets burned CDs from me (except you. maybe you. oh…and you, too). I may try this again down the road. Thank you all for playing, and thanks to Brico for coming up with the game.
Olympic HNT
February 23, 2006Moose and I were talking last night, and I was lamenting the fact that I didn’t have a HNT photo taken yet. I was watching the Olympics in the background, and a thought struck me! I could pose like an Olympic athlete, with the athlete in the background on TV!! Unfortunately for you, it was the short program of women’s figure skating on at the time. But I’m determined, so I get half-nekkid, IN A TUTU (don’t ask–yes, one exists), and I set up my camera, tripod and TV.
Have you watched the things those girls do? I gave it my best. Not easy to do to focus, set the timer, get in front of the TV, and time your moves with both the TV and the camera. I think having TiVo might have helped here… I did the grab-your-foot-and-bring-it-up-behind-your-head move. I tried one of those triple toe thingies, but the downstairs neighbor wasn’t too happy, so I didn’t try anymore leaps. I did the squat thing where they do the spiral, puke-your-guts-cuz-you’re-dizzy moves. I even threw in a couple of the post-performance, kisses-to-the-crowd things. All in all, a great night of photos for your pleasure.
I woke up this morning and could barely move. Fortunately, I looked at the half-nekkid tutu pics and decided against them. Instead, you get me, in my glory, just before jumping out of bed and running to the can to pee. Running in that hope-I-get-there-before-I-have-an-accident sort of way. This is the way I celebrate the Olympics. I wish I would have had the idea during the curling or the bobsled coverage….
I swear, I wasn’t planning on the legs shot to do a comparison here. Mine are fat, white and dry. Hers are shapely, tan and wet. This week’s Mystery Guest is a long time participant. Her greatest attribute is her legs. At least that’s the subject of most of her HNTs. Though her Christmas series was quite nice! I will identify her sometime Thursday afternoon, but feel free to try and figure it out on your own! A hint–check out the scar and the moles. They might help you!
With her permission–today’s Mystery Guest is No One In Particular from Tasty Tidbits Of Life. Stop by and see the top half today!
If YOU want to be the Mystery Guest, but sure to send me your picture! Don’t be shy, and don’t delay!
Don’t forget to turn off your Word Verification for the day!
Be sure to check out some HNTs that had to go up early–Boo (no, the other one), Pieces, Binsk and Kerri.
Voting for Summer for 5.0 Mustang Magazine’s Babe of the Year continues for a couple more weeks. I’ve been able to vote on a daily basis (even a couple of times/day!). Go to her site and give her your votes!
New Blood Numbers are in!!
February 21, 2006This year’s numbers are in! I posted my last wellness screening results almost exactly a year ago. As mentioned earlier, there’s money ($1/point) riding on the cholesterol totals with S3. All of you medically inclined people can interpret these to your heart’s content! The first number will be my current results (with the desirable results), then underneath, my numbers from the prior two years (2005, 2004).
- Total Cholesterol
194 mg/dl (less than 200)
199 mg/dl
184 mg/dl - LDL Cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol)
121 mg/dl (less than 130)
122 mg/dl
121 mg/dl - HDL Cholesterol (“good” cholesterol)
59 mg/dl (45 or more)
53 mg/dl
46 mg/dl - Risk Ratio (Total/HDL)
3.3 (less than 4.0)
3.8
4.0 - Triglycerides
72 mg/dl (less than 150)
120 mg/dl
83 mg/dl - Glucose
112 mg/dl (less than 110)
99 mg/dl
92 mg/dl - Oops! Forgot about the blood pressure!
140/88 (
So in spite of my overweightness and piss-poor diet, I’m not doing too bad. I’m not going to give you specifics about weight, BMI or girth, because those numbers are big numbers. But dammit, my blood’s good! A little on the sweet side, but not much fat floating around in there.
Other results–last year it was determined that I have lost the ability to hear in the 4 kHz range in my left ear. My right ear has joined in. That’s about the pitch of the highest notes of a piano. I can hear higher and lower. Just not there. Unless it’s amplified. Damn. The other result that was depressing was my combined grip strength. Last year it wasn’t very good, nor was it this year. I expected better. I’m going to blame the early morning and frigid cold. Last extra result–I far surpass the flexibility test desired results. Again, with a large gut in the way and without any pre-stretching. Don’t quite know how I do that…
I’ve already called S3. She was sick, so she’ll get her blood drawn on Thursday. She seems to think that she might top 300 in the cholesterol total. I can only say two things to that–”sorry to hear it”, and “I’d like that in twenties, please”. I’ll let you know how things turn out!
Apologies to Rachel, Kalani, and everyone else…
February 20, 2006I offer to you a new view of “Star Wars”. Sort of answers a few questions….
(shamelessly stolen from Kerri)
The CD thing….
February 20, 2006By now, most of you have seen Brico’s game on his site, or on a couple of others. I figure I should jump on the bandwagon too. Mine will be a little different. As a former music teacher, former music store manager, and current working musician, I’ve got more damned CDs that I’ve heard once, maybe, but keep in my collection. So the limitations for this are on my end. I will list singers/groups that I have at least 2 CDs of, and that I’ve actually listened to more than once. And one that I don’t have any CDs of. I’ll also stay away from my jazzy and classical stuff. Same prize that everyone else is giving–a mix of my current favorites.
In no particular order:
1) Gretchen Wilson
2) Jamiroquai
3) Van Morrison
4) Mandy Moore
5) Tower of Power
6) Mariah Carey
7) Guns N’ Roses Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
9) Elton John
10) Shania Twain
Remember–I have at least 2 CDs of 9 of these. One of them–I have nothing. I’ll take guesses until Thursday afternoon at 6:00 MST. Good luck to ya!
