Melange

Congratulations and best wishes to Wes and Amanda on their engagement Wednesday evening. I am so happy for you both and glad that you are in a good place now, both personally and professionally. I remember all of those evenings chatting on and on about our dismal love lives, and look where we are now!

We're heading to Gatlinburg this weekend with some friends for a nice little break and a nice little stay in a beautiful chalet.

Looking forward to next weekend's movie releases: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Pride and Prejudice, and Walk the Line.

Some unnerving news about the birth control patch (which some of my friends are on, so please read).

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods, and sorry it has been so long since I last posted.

Spam?

Sorry it has been so long, I have moved back to my hometown which is taking a ton of my time, and we've moved at work, and my new location in our new open office has absolutely no privacy. I face the front doors. It sucks.

From Friday until this morning, I had 3 comments posted to my blog and they were all "great blog... I have a free online dating service" or something of that ilk. I looked to see where they commented, and it wasn't in the last post or few posts back. They were all in my April 27 post titled Religion and the Fillibuster. Odd. I suppose I'm getting spammed on my blog, a blog that hasn't been updated in a month, and they even refer to my timely content. If it isn't spam, take a look at the content, timley or otherwise, and you'll see that I have an S.O. That means significant other, and one I've physically moved myself for, so I have no interest in your dating sites if you are indeed legit.

Anyway, all is ok here, just trying to get settled and all that. Hopefully I'll be sorted out by Thanksgiving!

UPDATE: I believe I am getting spammed, 4 more in the course of 24 hours. So, since my comments aren't that numerous, there is now a word verification step when posting a comment. I don't think this will be that cumbersome since I don't get many comments, but for those that do, bear with me through this.

What a week

What a week this has been. Personally, work has been hellish for the last two weeks, hence my silence on matters I would usually post. The wrath of Katrina is heartbreaking, and we discuss it constantly at work, so work has not been fun at all. I was lucky to actually go to New Orleans my senior year of high school to see UK play in the final four, and have wonderful memories. I have said for years that I wanted to go back as an adult and experience New Orleans as you're supposed to. I even flirted with the idea of that being my honeymoon. I am so sad to know that I won't ever see what I remember again. My prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

There has also been a shake-up with a music club downtown that I have frequented more than any other over the past year, The Dame. Here's the article in the Herald-Leader. Who knows what's going to happen next. I wish Cole & Co. the best, they created a great place to see music out of a hole in the wall (and I do remember the hole in the wall it was with no heat and broken everything). I hope that they find another place in Lexington and give it another go. Even though Cole's name was the only one I knew, I knew the staff by face, and it was a familiar face I saw each time I went there, and that's comforting in a strange way. The Dame's mb is still up, maybe some news will crop up there.

On a happier note, my good friend and former roomie Ashley turns 30 tomorrow, and the celebration is tonight. I am really looking forward to having a fun night out with him and his girlfriend April and the rest of the motley crew that will be there. Welcome to 30, my friend!

alt.country

I just had to laugh at the following posted by Wil Wheaton over at his blog:

If you like Wilco or Uncle Tupelo, you must get Son Volt's first album Trace.
Heh. If the 1990 me ever met the 2005 me and discovered that I'd become a fan of alt.country, I think I'd kick me in the nuts. Goddamn know-it-all 18 year-olds.

My S.O. first came into the alt.country fold upon his hearing of Son Volt's Trace, and that has turned into an assumption of him always being into alt.country and growing up on "the old stuff" to people just becoming acquainted with him. I assumed this of him for a while until I found out the truth: that I was listening to country before he was. My best friend in high school listened to nothing but country, where I was raised on oldies and top 40 pop. She brought me, er...forced me into the fold in 1990; Son Volt didn't release their first until 1995, and I'm not exactly sure when he discovered it. But, even though I was immersed at least 5 years before he was, he's got me on the knowledge; he knows more about the history and the current than I ever have or ever will. My ears came around to alternative in 1993, and by the end of college country was phased out until he came into my life with his breadth of knowledge of the country tradition.

Saturday night we attended the Hank III show at The Dame, and brought along my sister and her husband. She was a big fan of Hank Jr. back in her redneck days so I figured she might enjoy seeing his son. It was a hot, sticky, hell-raising evening and she enjoyed the show, but not the crowd. It was a bit on the rowdy side, even for a Hank III show; the drunken frat boy first-weekend-back-to-school element made a huge difference. It was a great show, even better than the first one I saw last year. I'm used to a rollicking crowd, there was hardly a weekend that I wasn't out seeing a rock show for about 4 solid years, but this show even had a tad bit of moshing once they went into the hard-core part of the show. They were doing a lot of "dancing" during the country set, so I wasn't surprised the "dancing" turned to moshing for the hard-core set. The country set was blistering and fast-paced and a down-home good ole' time was had by all.

ADDITION: If you click on the alt.country link above in the Wil Wheaton post, it will take you to a definition of what alt.country is in Wikipedia. It lists a myriad of other names for the movement. The one I like best is "y'allternative". Too funny.

Orgainized Labor and Wal-Mart

Whenever I head over to Blue Grass Report, I find interesting, well thought out posts that are either quite ahead of the main stream media or covering topics they won't touch. Today I read a post set around organized labor and Wal-Mart. I agree with him on many points, but I of course have my own views on the topic.

Organized labor was needed when it began, and over the years it has helped the working man. Today we live in an international corporate world and to compete, wheter union or not, companies in the U.S. have to offer the same working conditions, pay, and benefits to gain desirable employees. The big one around here is Toyota. They are still not part of UAW, though there have been pushes for it over the years. When I was working there, there were red shirt Wednesdays to show your support for the union and many other things people where doing to get workers to sign up. Then it fizzled for a few years, and it came back again recently. The thing is, to all of us who are not Toyota employees, we don't get it. They have the best pay and benefits for their jobs in the state. Get over yourselves. We'd all love to get what y'all get, and this is at a non-union company.

Wal-Mart came into my little hometown of Mt. Sterling and pushed out all the little stores that sold the same wares. We had a handful of places you could go to get what you need for school supplies, and if one was out, then you could go to 3 more places in town and hopefully find what you needed. When Wal-Mart came, if there was no more white posterboard at Wal-Mart, you were screwed. You couldn't get it anywhere else. You had to drive to Winchester to see if maybe they had some at their Wal-Mart or K-Mart, since we weren't big enough for K-Mart to take over before Wal-Mart came around. It was this way for years. A few weeks ago I was helping my mom put together some gift bags for our out of town wedding guests, and she needed some nice gift bags that would hold everything. We did not go to Wal-Mart. We went to the Dollar Tree, Big Lots, and Dollar General and found what we needed there. I then realized that we had attracted some more stores and that Wal-Mart hadn't won. We have a choice again.

Wedding Bells

Its been a busy couple weeks since my last post, between traveling and preparing for my sister's wedding this Saturday. Its hard to believe it is almost here. The dresses are done and safe at our parents' house, the hair has been decided, and the backyard has been spruced up with twinkling lights dancing in the dusk. Ahead us are the manicures and pedicures, packing, and watching the weather every day worrying about that chance of rain on Saturday.

We'll arrive into town on Friday with tux in hand and start the arranging and rearranging as the tent, tables, and chairs arrive. The arch and flowers have to be placed, tablecloths to be hung, furniture to be moved, and centerpieces and favors to be placed. And a hundred other things will need to be done that I'm not aware of I'm sure. But as the sister of the bride and maid of honor, I'm sure I'll find out and be helping with what's left to be done. The bride returns from her manicure Friday afternoon, and if she's like any other bride, her fingers will be done working. Praying for a nice afternoon that's not too hot, low on humidity, and zero on the rain.

Maybe this Democratic Ticket Will Win

I read today that The West Wing is up for a best drama series Emmy, which is great, it was on the upswing last year. The West Wing continues to be my favorite TV show, and the only one I make a point to watch. So, with that news, I went to a website I visit on occasion for news of the show and found that someone is selling this bumper sticker on Ebay. I'm all for the ticket, but you never know, they might put Vinick in to make for some drama. Rumors are that Richard Schiff is leaving after a few episodes and that Rob Lowe might be coming back. The new season is supposed to start in September on Sunday nights.

One Day Away

As my close friends know, I am a Harry Potter fan. I came into the fold after seeing the first movie. I watched it out of pure curiosity and was enchanted. I then started reading the books and became a fan. The first four books had already been released by this time, so I had plenty of reading to do, and never felt the agony of waiting for each to come out until I finished the first four and had to wait for book five which took two years to come out after my foray into the Potter universe. It has been two years since the release of book five and book six will be arriving by UPS to me tomorrow. (Yes, I pre-ordered my copy, as I did for book five).

I am also one day away from the beginning of my shutdown week. One glorious week of sleeping in and spending time with my S.O....and reading book six.

One thing I do remember when Potter-mania was sweeping the children of the land and I was not yet initiated into the world was the huge outcry of Catholics and Christians denouncing the book as teaching children evil when they had not read the book themselves. If they had read the book, it shows the fight between good and evil, and Harry is on the good side.

I've heard rumor that Pope Benedict wrote letters about Harry Potter while still Cardinal basically denouncing Harry Potter as well. Today while reading one of the fan sites, The Leaky Cauldron, (Mugglenet is also a great fan site) according to transcripts of a Vatican radio address aired yesterday and made available by CatholicInsider.com, say that remarks made have been misinterpreted.

Monsignor Fleedwood states in the radio address:
"I was sent a letter from a lady in Germany who claimed to have written to the then Cardinal Ratzinger, saying that she thought Harry Potter was a bad thing. And the letter back, which I suspect was written by an assistant of the then cardinal Ratzinger in his office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, suggested that there was a subtle seduction in the books. What that subtle seduction was, was not specified, which makes me think it was a generic answer. And she had written a book on these subjects and so the Cardinal's signature was at the bottom of the letter, suggesting she should send me the book. She sent me the book, and I found it a very unsatisfactory book. I don't think she understands English humour."

He goes on: "I remain firmly convinced that the Harry Potter novels are very well written. They are written on the classical plot of good versus evil in the standard way that the old myths were written. The characters are built up around that: the goodies and the baddies so to speak, and I can't see that that's a bad thing for children, when goodness, and the people on the side of goodness are portrayed as the ones who will eventually win. Harry's enemies resort to all sorts of evil things, and they are the ones who lose in the end. I don't see what's wrong with that, and I can't see that does any harm to children. What my advice would still be to parents: if you're in doubt, read the books yourselves, the first one, that's the shortest one, and see what you think. Don't simply rely on somebody else's opinion, not even on my opinion, since it's only an opinion."

You still hear little blurbs from someone each time a book is released that Harry Potter is teaching children evil. This is refreshing. An opinion by a Catholic Monsignor that Harry Potter is basically good fantasy, just like old myths we all learn growing up. Thank you Monsignor for your words that will hopefully silence the narrow-minded thinking that has become so pervasive nowadays, at least on this subject.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

Please welcome two new members to the blogroll, The Mind Village and Blue Grass Report.

I believe The Mind Village found me from Walk In Brain, so welcome to my little corner of the sphere.

I've really been neglecting my politiblogs lately, I just haven't been in that mind space (as you might have noticed), but I'm trying to remedy that since I know I'll be very involved once I move home. I can't remember how I came to Blue Grass Report, probably Blue Grass Roots, but I've been reading for a bit, and have been enjoying myself, so why not let y'all in on the fun too.

Another year older

Happy 27th birthday to my S.O., Josh. He's feeling a bit old; I remember 27 sounding old too, but 30 sounds even older. Thanks for bringing immeasurable joy to my life.

Feting

We had quite the eventful Saturday this past weekend. First up was the couples bridal shower for my sister and her fiance. Even with too many cooks in the kitchen it came off quite well. It was fun watching the guys in an environment very foreign to them once the games and gifts got underway. Everyone had a good time, and they were showered with gifts; well, mostly.

There are 4 couples that are involved in the wedding, and two of them are myself and his sister & our S.O.'s (the bridesmaids), so we were going to throw the shower, since that is the norm. The other two couples (friends of the groom) wanted to be involved too, hence "too many cooks." Well, gift opening came, and as maid of honor, I had the usual job of writing down what they received so that later when they are writing out their thank you cards they know what they got, because really, in all the excitement you're not going to remember who got you what. We came to the end of the gifts and I noticed that I had not written down any shower gift for the friend of the groom couples. I found it odd, since this the fifth wedding I've been in and my third time being maid of honor, (and the countless other showers I've attended, too) and I cannot think of an instance where all attendees did not give a gift even if they did plan the entire part or portion of the shower. Is it just me or is this heading toward rude? Maybe they thought they were exempt as fellow hosts or have something else planned for them, but in my experience, regardless of how involved you are (or are not) and how many showers you're invited to (from 1 to 10) if you attend, you're expected to bring a gift to each one. Maybe there's some new custom out there, like couples showers for instance, that I'm just not aware of. If there is, please enlighten me, because I still have friends who are not married and I'd hate to look old-fashioned.
The second half of our eventful Saturday was Josh's high school 10 year reunion. We had a nice time, but it was of course over-priced for what it was, and you do see a lot of people you never cared for who either suddenly want to know everything that's happened to you over the last 10 years or can't remember you even being in their class. We spoke to the people he wanted to and high-tailed it out of there when he spotted someone he really didn't want to get stuck talking to for the rest of the night since she's working in Hollywood now and he knew we'd be stuck listening to her crow.

This weekend brings the beginning of my week of shutdown, and it can't get here soon enough. I need a rest.

Oddity

Today on my way back from lunch I got behind a car with a West Virginia license plate "commemorating" 9/11. (I'm not sure the right word to use here, maybe memorializing would be better?) I have never seen a 9/11 license plate before. On the left was written "We Will Not Forget" and then a 9 over an 11 then the rest of the random numbers for that plate. I checked WV's DMV, and they didn't list it, but you can get a square dancing one if you want. Good ole' West Virginia.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Being from Ohio, I've been a Cincinnati Reds fan my entire life. We still went to games a lot as a kid once we moved south, but eventually stopped going because they always lost when we went. I'll still watch them on TV from time to time. Josh, a Kentucky native, has also been a Reds fan his entire life, and has gone to many a game himself, and pays much more attention to them now than I do. He is still quite the fan.

My dad is in purchasing at an automotive supplier and lucky enough to have some vendors with sweet gifts, and the latest that we got to experience came on Sunday. My parents, Josh, and I went to see the Reds play this past Sunday against the Astros, with Roger Clemens pitching. Josh wanted this game in hopes that he might pitch since he considers him a living legend. We had 4 Diamond level seats, which is basically the area behind home plate, maybe the first 10 rows. These tickets also include entrance to the Diamond Club, which is a plush, air conditioned area that has a nice buffet and nice restrooms with wait staff. We visited the buffet, enjoyed the air conditioning on this sweltering day, and then headed up to our seats which were 5 rows back right next to the dugout. It was amazing being that close, and on top of the great seats, we had waiters coming around all day taking our food and drink orders, up to the 7th inning. All of this was free. All of it.

Mom and dad brought their camera, and we got a little crazy taking pictures, it just seemed like those once in a lifetime events. The Reds were shutout, and Clemens didn't pitch the whole game, but we had a great time even though it was so hot we were all soaked through. The pic above is of Josh and I not far from our seats, next to the Reds dugout and on deck. It was quite the memorable day. Thanks, Dad!

I'm Your Zero

I went on a cd buying binge yesterday since in the last month every week there is something new coming out that I want, and I just kept saying, I'll get it next week when Coldplay comes out, I'll get it next week when Foo Fighters comes out, so I finally got them all last night when Billy Corgan's new solo cd came out. Hopefully, once I give all 8 of my purchases some good listening time I'll come back and let you know what I thought. It shouldn't be too hard, I did do cd reviews a few years ago for a now defunct website.

Billy's solo effort sounds promising, but I haven't given it a proper listen yet, just a rushed one, and it is now coming through my speakers here at my desk, though I can't hear it very well, I have to keep it low since my desk is an inch away from the next desk and not everyone is at lunch yet.

So, while listening to the new solo album, I find out that Billy Corgan took out a full page ad in the Chicago Tribune yesterday announcing that he has "made plans to renew and revive The Smashing Pumpkins. I want my band back, and my songs, and my dreams." I think hooray!!! My favorite band in the world is going to reunite. I only got to see them once on the Mellon Collie tour, and wished that I lived in a bigger market or had more money to travel in those lean college years. In an article in the Tribune today, Billy is quoted "What I've done [by going public] is I've set the intention. It's going to happen." He goes on, "The work's not done. I thought it was done. I left [the Pumpkins] for very noble reasons. My loyalty to James [Iha] was really the big splitter in that. And now that I look at it, I know there is more."

Billy's site has made a transformation lately, mostly due to the new album, but for most of the last year, it was for all intensive purposes a blog and nothing more, and he laid the demise of the Pumpkins at Iha's feet. Is the bad blood over? Have they all turned over a new leaf? Will I get to hear the opening strains of "Zero" played in a venue again? I guess only time will tell. At least for now I have some new material to wrap my brain around.

It's time

I'm finally getting my wish this September...I'm getting the hell out of Lexington. I moved here in 1999 with my great friend Ashley, then in 2000 to my own place and for most of that time I loved it, and didn't think I'd be heading back home to Mt. Sterling. But, a year ago my life changed, and my life is there, I'm here. So, it makes sense; I feel at home there. I'll still be commuting back here for work (until I happen upon something else over there) but the drive won't be that bad, all interstate with a toe into Lexington's north side, and back out again. It's usually a half-hour drive from here to Mt. Sterling, and some days, its a half-hour drive from here home, just 10 miles away.

Hopefully I'll find a nice place to live, though cheap enough that I will be able to afford my next car, a Mazda 6s. I test drove one when they first came out and fell in love, and it still has a hold on me. My 1999 Mazda Protege is getting long in the tooth, and I'll be doing more driving so its time. She's been a good car and I'm sure I'll miss her.

I know I'll miss being so close to everything, and I'll be frequenting Hamburg much more (ick) due to the convienence factor, but I know we'll still venture into town some Friday or Saturday night to catch a show at The Dame and get a hot brown at Ramsey's. I'm ready for a slower pace, after all, I'm old now.

It's all in the genes, and I hope I have them

Just wanted to wish my extraordinary mom a wonderful birthday today. Hopefully, I'll look as good as she does when I'm her age.

Friendship

I’ve been in a contemplative mood lately, and I’m not sure why. My sister is getting married in August, so we are coming to the time of dress fittings, final preparations and purchases, and the throwing of showers. It hasn’t been a fun week in the world of throwing a shower; too many cooks in the kitchen, and cooks I don’t know very well. I guess that brought thoughts of my friends and what it’s going to be like when it’s my turn.

Josh and I have been together a year and a couple weeks now, and things have changed with my friends as I knew they would, I have a lot of past experience with it happening to friends. Before Josh, I was at a friend’s houses quite often hanging out, because they were my defining relationship during that period. There was no boyfriend to take up my time, and if there was, it was brief and not as all-consuming as my relationship with Josh has become. Josh lives in Mt. Sterling, I live in Lexington. We see each other on the weekends, Friday night through Sunday night, and talk on the phone each weeknight. So, he makes plans with his friends on weeknights and I try. I’m a lonely, wretched girl on my weeknights, because most of my friends have plans with their husbands, or are working, or just have something else to do. So, I might see my girl friends once a month, which is quite a lot less than it was before, but at least it’s something. I have one friend that I’ve had since high school, and though months pass by before we get together, we can pick up right where we left off, and still feel somewhat connected to each other’s lives. Others have drifted in and out of my life, and others have remained a constant presence, not far off my mind, but our paths don’t cross as often as I’d like.

One relationship has blossomed in this time, and I am grateful for it. When my other friends seemed to fade she showed up, on the arm of my former roommate and good friend. The four of us try to get together at least monthly if not more. The guys talk about guy stuff, we talk about girl stuff, and Josh and I have a great time going out with a couple. She has become one of my closest friends when my closest friends don’t seem so close anymore. I’m not sure why we get together some of my friends as couples and some I only see by themselves. All of my old friends have a husband, and I thought that’s what people did once they coupled up, got together with other couples. So, why aren’t I seeing them more, not less? We don’t have to just have a girl’s night and leave the husbands out in the cold anymore, we can all get together and have a nice time. I guess its just the nature of the beast, things are going great in one area of your life, so the others get moved around until they’re just not recognizable anymore. I hate it, but I’ve been the shoe on that foot many times before, and it just happens no matter what you do. We all change and grow and shuffle things around; its life, I should just accept it and move on, and quit my whining for the day. Adieu.

Boomers

I really like today's Doonesbury. The boomers are quite the generation. What happened to the left-field hippies who wanted to stop war and make the world a better place? I'm not seeing any resemblance of their youth myself nowdays.

They've always been catered to, and want to keep it that way even though they're mostly beyond the usual target market of 18-49. We see ads for all kinds of anti-aging products (including Viagra, Cialis, etc.) on tv now, but 20 years ago, was there this kind of marketing to the older generation? I don't remember it as much. I don't remember my grandma falling for the latest anti-aging fad; she just aged, like every generation before her. I guess when you've been the center of attetion your entire life you just don't want to let it go. But, do remember there are a couple generations behind you now who are going to inherit this place, and we'd like to see y'all treat it like you said you would back when you were our age.

Welcome Aboard!

Please welcome my good friend April to the blogroll. She is new to the blogosphere and likes to rant so stop on by and say hello!

Religion and the fillibuster

Andy Pac has a thoughtful post on "Justice Sunday" which happened at Highview Baptist Church East in Louisville this past Sunday. I'm a bit behind the times, and I wish I could find the picture that appreared on the Monday issue of the Herald-Leader of a man at a Louisville Presbyterian church holding a sign opposing the service that was happening at the Baptist church. Being a Presbyterian myself, it was nice to see.

Kentuckiblogs

My humble little blog is not all politics all the time, but I do peruse the politiblogs most days to see what is going on in the world, and if I see something I find interesting or I think y'all might want to know I'll post it here. This past Sunday, the Herald-Leader published an article about Kentucky politiblogs, and highlighted my favorite, Blue Grass Roots, which is linked there on the right. So, congrats to Ben and all the folks over there, and hopefully it got a few more Democrats interested in what is going on in our red state.

We're Number 1!

Now that I'm dating an allergy-sufferer, I've become keenly aware of the affects of pollen on those susceptible. We were at the UK Arboretum the last glorious Saturday we had and we weren't there a half hour before he was having a reaction. Well, it was for good reason. Lexington is number one in the country this year as the worst for spring allergies. And, we get to suffer 3 out of 4 seasons. Spring brings tree pollen, summer grass pollen, and fall ragweed pollen. Keep those Allegra prescriptions up to date, and invest in some Kleenex, 'cause this is just the beginning.

Bundle of Joy

Congratulations to my friends Kimberly and Mark on the birth of their daughter, Jillian Faye, last night. Jillian weighed in at 10 pounds 14 1/2 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long at birth. The family is doing well, and I can't wait to see their newest member this evening!

Foo and Flow

There is something to be said about flow. Whether it be within music, literature, or conversation, having flow is important, at least to some. Music that has flow tends to stand the test of time for me. One of the best examples I know is the cd by the Foo Fighters, The Colour and the Shape. From beginning to end, each song flows into the next to perfection. One may end in a delicate swirl and the next begin with a loud crunch, but the notes fit. It remains in my top 5 to this day. It is perfection.

I am excited about the Foo’s June 14 release of In Your Honor. It is a double cd, one heavy one mellow. Dave Grohl has posted the following on foofighters.com:

Hey there. Dave here. Sitting in my favorite chair in the control room with a few minutes to spare. Nick is mixing. MT is doing some technical shit that no one else could even begin to understand. BB is probably on the phone in the office, or practicing his pong skills (which have become utterly unstoppable). Sean is whittling wood in the warehouse. Geoff is back at home. Taylor just left after his usual afternoon visit. It's a hot one, today, though it makes no difference here deep in the bowels of 606, where it's always a cool, comfortable 72 degrees. Fortunately, I just had my week in the sun, taking a nice break before we begin the mix. Many beers were spilled (down my throat) beside the pool. Many listens of the new album. Many viewings of NAPOLEON DYNAMITE. Many hours sleep. The past month was a flippin' bear. Noon to 6 am everyday. I have probably single handily depleted the Kona coast of all coffee reserves. But, we did it. It's done.
"In Your Honor" will be the bands fifth album. Almost exactly a decade from the release of the first Foo Fighters record, it will come out in June. It is a double album, as promised. One CD rock, one CD acoustic. It will surprise you. It surprises me. Almost a year in the making, from 5 hours of bedroom demos, to warehouses being built from the ground up, to months of rehearsals, to the construction of an 8,000 square foot classic recording studio, to the recording of 40 songs, to the final track list of 20 songs, it is by far the most ambitious project I have ever had anything to do with in my entire life.
There are subtleties. There are complexities. There are extremities. There are familiarities. There is orchistration. There is simplicity. There is a pile of blown speakers on the floor. There is full bottle of whiskey covered in drywall dust. There is a full bottle of whiskey covered in drywall dust that is about to disappear.
Never before have we ever put so much effort into the making of an album. 1st record- 6 days. 2nd record- 2 months. 3rd record- 3 or 4 months (but mostly just drinking and BBQ) 4th record- 2 and a half weeks. 5th record- writing, rehearsing, recording = 9 months. And now we are the proud parents of a beautiful 2 headed baby. Born with a 606 on her head, just like that creep from the Omen.
I will spare you the track by track bullshit. You can decide for yourselves. There are a few guests. They may seem strange to you. They don't seem strange to me. I just love music. Music can be faceless. It can be nameless. After all, it's the sound that makes your hair stand on end, right? It will.
I will write more soon (I always say that), but just so you know, I have a calendar in front of me that is a year long, fucking packed with tours that will spin us around the globe over and over and over again. It makes me dizzy just looking at it. I can't fucking wait.
See you soon,Dave

Reading that has upped my anticipation and VH1 has been posting foo news almost weekly now. I will most definitely be stopping by a cd shop on my way home that Tuesday and if they are in the area on their tour, we are going. Last time they got as close as Dayton and I didn’t go. Not this time.

Mallrats

I'm a Kevin Smith fan, and so is my S.O., and Mallrats is his favorite of the acclaimed director. Today I found this article about malls cracking down on mallrats. I believe all the folk in the movie would have made it in without any carding problems, the lot of them seemed to be at least 18. I can see both sides of this issue, as a grown-up who is annoyed by teenagers, but I'm not too far from those years not to see how this is like, totally unfair.

Maisonette

My significant other has wanted to dine at Maisonette, the contemporary French restaurant in downtown Cincinnati that has received the Mobil 5 star rating 41 years in a row, (more than any restaurant in the U.S) for years. We have made plans to go there for our 1 year anniversary next month as part of our getaway weekend to Cincinnati.

Today, via the Hegemo, I read this article stating that Maisonette will move out of downtown next spring due to a drop in business, as fewer people are visiting downtown. Business is business, but it is sad that this landmark is probably moving out to the 'burbs somewhere, where everything looks and feels the same. Maisonette has been in its current location since 1966, and all of those years there have been spent as the creme de la creme.

I am glad that we will get to dine in the current location before they make the move.

UPDATE:
Maisonette will be moving north to Kenwood in the fall of 2006. The downtown location will remain open until then.

It is a truth universally acknowledged

that a girl in love with literature will find her heart in Jane Austen.

I have loved Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice since it appeared on a reading list in high school English. In 1995, my love grew with the airing of the BBC adaptation starring one of my favorite British actors, Colin Firth. Then I got the chance to actually study the novel when I took an English Literature class as an elective at Morehead State. I've read the book many times but this past Christmas my wonderful significant other gave me a multitude of sequels to my beloved book.

The first that I read was Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll. It is quite the bawdy tale of what happens after the wedding, as Jane Austen had no knowledge of that subject. I was enthralled; from the wedding night to the birth of children, to sex, violence, and rumor-mongering and of course, a grand happy ending for my beloved characters. If you don't mind a different, not-so-staid take on the Darcys, I do recommend it.

I next read Letters from Pemberley and More Letters from Pemberley by Jane Dawkins that details the first year of marriage in the first book and the next six after that in the second in letter form. Most letters are correspondence between Elizabeth and Jane, and you get an idea of how daunting the task of running a grand estate really is. Both were entertaining, and great diversions on cold, winter evenings.

I then started the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy, having received the first book at Christmas, and bought the second upon completion. The third has not made publication yet, but many chapters can be found online. These books tell the story from Darcy's perspective, and it is a most interesting read. You come to understand what he is thinking behind his cold facade, and how his upbringing and expectations has made him who he is. I look forward to finally seeing the last chapters of the third "book".

After spending so much time in the post-wedding world of Mr. & Mrs. Darcy, I was ready to return to the original, and much to my delight I found The Annotated Pride and Prejudice, edited by David Shapard. Even though I have formed a clear understanding of the book over the years, this book has made me slow down and really take in the book and analyze words and situations with the help of numerous annotations per page. The format is quite pleasing; the original text on the left, annotations on the right, so there is no flipping back and forth. It has deepened my love of the novel, and I'm not yet even halfway through.

For a daily (or so) fix when not reading the novel, I stumbled upon The Republic of Pemberley. It is a site for all Jane Austen enthusiasts, if not obsessives, with lots of discussion groups and information. If you do visit, please note that there are lots of rules in this world, and if you do not follow, they will kindly point you in the right direction.

Perspective and Thanks

I came across this article in The Cincinnati Enquirer via Wes, and it really brightened my day. I can't imagine accomplishing what she did at 26.

At 26, I had been in my first real, permanent, full-time job out of college a year, was in my first apartment by myself, and was involved in the Lexington music scene and all the partying that goes with that. I was just a typical mid-twentysomething trying to figure life out.

Wil Wheaton dot Net

Within the last month I was looking for something new to read, blog-wise, so I decided to scroll down the right side of Wes' blog to see if he had added anyone new, and indeed he had. Wil Wheaton has a blog at Wil Wheaton Dot Net, which I've added to the links section at the right. I haven't even made a dent in his archives, but I find myself visiting daily to see what is on his mind. It is a very delightful and refreshing blog to visit. Please hop on over when you get the chance, and do read "If this is your first time here, you should read this" located right under the welcome title before you dig in to his posts. You'll be glad you did.

Food Fight

This is a strange occurance. Two mid-westerners at two different schools in two different states decided to through food product at two conservatives at college speaking appearances two days apart.

Commentator and former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan cut short an appearance after an opponent of his conservative views doused him with salad dressing.

"Stop the bigotry!" the demonstrator shouted as he hurled the liquid Thursday night during the program at Western Michigan University. The incident came just two days after another noted conservative, William Kristol, was struck by a pie during an appearance at a college in Indiana.

Kristol, editor of the influential conservative magazine The Weekly Standard and former chief of staff to Vice President Quayle, was splattered by a student during a speech Tuesday at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind.

Accomplishment

I finally got my sister to read a novel.
She only reads books on computers and other work-related stuff. She thinks that novels are stupid; why read stories about things that are not true? I counter with, why watch movies or tv, the majority are stories about things that are not true.

I found a book of frothy chick lit at the local Joseph-Beth about an independent woman marrying into a family with a very domineering mother and how she deals with it. My sister is about to gain a quite overbearing mother-in-law so I figured of all the books out there, this might be one she can actually relate to right now, and she might even acquire some advice on dealing with this woman for the rest of her life.

I asked if she had read any of the book yet, and she said that she has already read nine chapters (I gave it to her on Sunday) and it is very easy to read and funny. Success! Now, what else is out there that might pique her interest? I must feed this fire; I never thought it would happen in the first place!

Duran Duran

Last night I attended the sold-out Duran Duran show in Louisville with my DD-fanatic friend, Kim. (And a big thanks to her dad for getting us such awesome seats) I was 7 years old way back in 1982 when Hungry Like the Wolf and Rio dominated the airwaves and MTV. I was mesmerized by the videos; of these beautiful men gallivanting across the screen. I was drawn to John Taylor, the model-perfect bassist, and I was surprised last night how much his bass licks were ground into my memory. I have vivid memories of heading out to Cave Run Lake in the huge station wagon we had with The Reflex on the radio on a hot summer day. I'll never forget the video of Wild Boys or my 45 of the song with all of them posing just so on the sleeve (which I still have). John had the looks, Simon had the swagger, and Nick was mysterious under his blond hair and eyeliner. Over 20 years later, John still has the looks, even in a kilt, Simon hasn't lost his swagger, and Nick is still mysterious. They've aged remarkably well for men in their 40's; still hot, still fit, and still melting the hearts of girls who are now in their 30's and 40's.

They played all the hits and the much-loved gems that didn't make it to the airwaves. They played some new songs off their latest album, Astronaut, and they were as funky and fun as those released 20 years ago. It was a great night, and even though I'm having vocal troubles at times today, and am dead tired, it was all worth it. Their songs took me through my childhood, and I'll always smile when I hear them.

March Madness is here...

So, in honor of March madness, I present to you this article regarding UK fan's feelings of Rick Pitino in the years since his arrival at UofL. I work with some die-hard UK fans, and they still proclaim him Traitor Rick to this day and take great delight in his losses on the court, in recruiting, and beyond.

This article says that for the most part, those bad feelings are gone. There are only 8% who still feel betrayed. I believe that it is because this article was written in Louisville and appeared in the Louisville Courier-Journal, not the Lexington Herald-Leader, the paper of the town in which UK is actually located. Had that poll been conducted here, or Frankfort, or Somerset, or Pikeville, the outcome would be different. People are still holding their grudges, and probably will to their grave in their UK coffin.

In the article, Pitino states, ""If someone from UK has said they've had a problem with me, I just know that I've done more for UK than they've ever done, and leave it at that." The key word is from UK. If you ask a regular UK fan on the street, I bet they'd have a different opinion. Even if you ask a UK professor, or hey, the president, I'm sure they'd have a different opinion. Pitino has been quoted as saying that his biggest regret is leaving UK. Nice sentiment, but you still went to UofL, and have been bad-mouthing Lexington lately.

But for all Pitino was, in the lore of UK basketball, Tubby Smith is the current head coach, like him or not (I do), and he is now in a dead heat with Pitino in accomplishments in his 8 seasons as head coach, the same amount of time Pitino had. I won't throw all the statistics at you, you can read them here. But, its nice to know that for all those Tubby-haters, who compare his results to Traitor Rick's years here, there's no reason for your hate. He's done a fine, outstanding job coaching the Cats. Stats don't lie.

Thirtysomethings

First off, today I want to wish my friend Wes a very happy 32nd birthday.

Second, I finally want to welcome The Hegemo to my tiny blogroll. I peruse her blog as often as the others listed, and I usually find myself in a cheerier mood after visiting. Also, take note of the updated link to Blue Grass Roots. It looked like it was updated in the template, but my skills in that area are lacking, so it didn't actually update.

Third, I became a thirtysomething last Wednesday, February 16, turning 30. So my something is still a zero, but hey, not being a twentysomething just sounds strange right now. I took off the next 3 workdays, giving myself the present of a 5 day weekend and lots of love from the bf, family, and friends. My dad said his 30's was a favorite decade of his since he was old enough to be treated like an adult, but still young enough to get away with his crazy antics. He now says he's liking his 50's even better, the kids are out of the house, he has money and vacation time, and isn't afraid to use either. So, there's always something to look forward to.

Music

Do go check out Wes' post about music and the article he links.
I played trumpet for 10 years, starting in 5th grade through half of college, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

BR5-49

Josh and I went to see a great band Friday night at The Dame, BR5-49. I've seen them once before, and was not disappointed this time. They put on a very energetic show, very tight and at the same time loose and fun. It was especially good since two memebers recently moved on, and they were starting over with a new bassist. It was a rollicking good time, and crowd got into it as much as the band, which is always a blessing. Their latest CD, Tangled in the Pines, is a gem. If you like country, and real country, not pop-country, you might like them.

And, since today is Ash Wednesday, I should mention the local band ashwednesday, who are quite talented in their own right. They won the battle of the bands last year, and are supposedly working on a new album with the winnings in-between treks to New York and Canada. They are straight-ahead rockers and hail from a couple counties near my home-county, so their neighbors, so go be neighborly and check them out!

Awareness

Warning: Rant

I'm tired driving behind a van with 3 different awareness magnetic ribbons stuck on the back. I know that there are troops in harm's way. I know that breast cancer exists. I know there are POW's. I know there are a host of diseases that need help. But, I'm tired of being reminded to be aware.

I'm tired of seeing livestrong bracelets on people. A colleague of mine was trying desperately to find one because they're a status symbol at his son's school. I'm now tired of the blue ones in Kentucky for Tubby's foundation. I've heard that there's a wristband for every color of the rainbow, for a variety of reasons/causes. If I see someone with a lime green wristband, am I going to know what they're promoting awareness of? No, of course not unless I get close enough to read the embossed word on the band, and then I still may not know depending on the wording.

It has become stale and overdone, and when you can buy awareness magnets at Wal-Mart, two for the price of one, then its time to move on. Its overblown now. The market is saturated.

"They" said...

I was at my parents' house last night and in the room were myself, my Democrat boyfriend Josh, my Republican Dad, and my Independent-leaning (though registered Republican) Mom. Our original plan was to watch The West Wing until we realized that it was being pre-empted by Emperor McCokespoon (thanks to Wes, that has stuck in my head) and Mom declared that nothing was going to be on tv from 9-11 or so.

We still had the tv on a network channel when it came on, and the anchors were talking about what he'd be talking about when they mentioned social security. I turned to Dad and asked if he thought it was really in trouble. He just turned 56, so it has to be on his mind since retirement isn't too far away. He said that he didn't think it was and that it was just one of many domestic things Bush is trying to force through. Mom (55 this year) chimed in that when she was my age (nearly 30...just a matter of days now) "they" were saying that social security was in trouble, and her (boomer) generation wouldn't see a dime of it. Now "they" are saying, 25 years later, that social security is in trouble and my generation (X) won't see a dime of it. I don't think our generation ever thought we'd see a dime, due to the enormous boomer population and much, much smaller Generation X population (generally 1965-1978), listed at about 17 million.

But, in college while doing a marketing paper, I found that the generation after X, sometimes called Y or the Echo-boom, is indeed almost as large as the boomer population. The Echo-boom is generally listed as births from1979-1994, and they total about 60 million to the boomers 72 million. So, hopefully these now young punks will get a job when they achieve adulthood (some already have, some are still in elementary school) and their masses just might be able to pay for my generation's social security, and help us continue to pay for the boomers too. After all, isn't that what happens, each generation pays for the previous generation's social security, or is that just some urban myth?

Homesick

I picked up the latest from The Finn Brothers last weekend as well as some old Crowded House cds since my originals are on tape. Josh and I found out were each Crowded House fans back in the day and my friend Kim introduced me to Split Enz, so I figured this collaboration would be quite lovely, and it is. It is rich and melodic; Neil and Tim Finn's voices blend very well, as they should. I'm usually a music first, lyrics/vocals second person, but these lyrics are very intelligent and bring out the melodies. I was happy to find out this week that they will be in Louisville and Cincinnati next month, do go check them out if you have the chance.

One of their songs is titled "Homesick" and a line in the chorus really caught my attention: "Homesick for the country that I'm living in". Even though they're from New Zealand, my mind twisted it to my experience, and I thought you know, I'm homesick for the country I'm living in too. So much has changed in the last 4 years. I'm homesick for the way things used to be, a mere 4 years ago. Maybe its just me getting older, and everyone longs for a "simpler time", but with the war, the cultural attacks, and the overall conservatism this country is in right now, I am homesick for the way things used to be. I don't know when the pendulum will swing back. Another 4 years I suppose, if not more, but its definitely time.

It can also be said that I'm also homesick for my hometown and am trying my hardest to get back there. It is where Josh and my family are and I feel sane and relaxed when I'm there. I hate the drive back to Lexington, I just get irritated once I see the blue building and the lights of downtown and Hamburg as I approach on the interstate. Lexington was home for a while, but it is no more.

We thank our blessings

Via The Slate, The Complete Bushisms.

He likes to say "like" a lot, and sounds like "A West Texas girl, just like me."

Tara Strategery

I came across this article on Kentucky.com, and when I read the title, "Bush Admits Misgivings About Famed Phrases," I immediately thought of the words he doesn't know how to pronounce, like terror (which, to me, sounds like "Tara" in Gone With the Wind), or "strategery", and decided to see how many of these the AP came up with.

Actually, it touches more on "Bring 'em on", "Wanted: Dead or Alive", and other phrases that just make him look like an idiot. He calls it plain speaking. Anyway, he now says "Sometimes, words have consequences you don't intend them to mean." So, is this the end to his "plain speaking"? I doubt it. I'm sure he'll find a new way to say democracy or inauguration.

Happy Birthday, Dad

I just wanted to say "happy birthday" to my dad, who is turning 56 today. He's up in Detroit at the auto show having a grand time, I'm sure.

The Name Game

My Supafuzz listening friends and I noticed a strange occurance in music last year. Supafuzz's last album, Vertigo, released in May 2004, boasts 3 songs that by title alone, may be familiar to those familiar with music released in the last year.

Supafuzz track: "Settle it Up"
Seven Mary Three track: "Settle Up" (on Dis/Location released May 2004)

Supafuzz track: "Falling to Pieces"
Velvet Revolver track: "Fall to Pieces" (on Contraband released June 2004)

Supafuzz track: "Vertigo"
U2 track: "Vertigo" (on How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb released November 2004)

It was humorously suggested on the Supafuzz message board that U2 and Supafuzz combine for the "Vertigo" tour. Today I heard "Fall to Pieces" on the web radio I listen to and it reminded me of the coincidence. It makes you wonder how many instances of this are out there, with virtually unknown bands releasing material, then well-known bands releasing similar titles to songs, though the songs are not the same.

In a related event, a friend's band called Psycho Bitch Magnet has had two instances where songs they wrote sound very similar to later released songs by popular artists. They wrote a song called "Redneck Stomp" and later Kid Rock comes out with "Hillbilly Stomp" and then they write a song with a chorus saying "Gimme a redneck chick, don't want no uptight bitch" then Gretchen Wilson comes out with a song that goes "I'm a redneck woman, I ain't no high class broad." As you can see, all parties involved are avowed rednecks; maybe the redneck experience is the same no matter where you go, and being from Mt. Sterling/Montgomery County where there are plenty of rednecks, I have to believe this is partially true.

On a musical sidenote, congrats to Wes on his decision to finish is Ph.D in Music Theory.

KFC

I had to post this, being I am in Kentucky.
Thanks to the Hegemo for the laugh this morning.

Happy New Year

Yes, I am a few days late, but I'm still coming out of the haze of shutdown. It was harder to get up today than it was yesterday, my first day back.

Even though no one in my family reads this (since I haven't given them the address) I still want to post my condolences to the Bill Shepherd family of Tipp City, OH. He was my step-uncle, but he was more family to me than a lot of my blood relatives. He died of cancer on December 27, 2004 at the age of 55. I will miss him dearly, he was truly the best of men.