Growing up?

2007-06-30T14:21:00.000-04:00

My Last Post Here
May I direct your attention to my new blog? I am a little miffed because I logged in this morning to correct a typo and lost my whole post! I know this could happen anywhere... but I have just moved over to wordpress. I like it already!
Peace to all

2007-06-30T09:07:00.001-04:00

Holy Christmas - my whole f-ing post just disappeared - the one I posted last night. I don't know what happened? I logged in to edit a misspelling - and it's gone. I quit blogger - Blogger - U SUCK. I'm off to Wordpress and the comfort of my other blogging friends friends

2007-06-29T19:23:00.000-04:00

2007-06-26T15:28:00.001-04:00

I have this friend. Well, she started out being my son's friend, but she's mine now. Yah, I claim her!
She has a very cool blog but better than that - she is an author and her first book will be out this winter! I can hardly wait!!!
She's trying to get into this writer's colony so she needs some hits on her blog site. So do me a favor, please. Click here! Check out some of her posts - and the comments too - they're funny!
Refresh a couple of times if you don't have time or the inclination to read anything.
But when you do get time - check her out!
And look for her book, The Hard Way, available Winter, 2008.

2007-06-14T20:16:00.000-04:00

Trash Talking
This photograph of Devil's Hole, Wyoming was taken by Michael (aka Messiest Objects). You can see it and other glorious pics in his gallery of favorites. Thanks to Julie for turning me on to Michael.
This is the story of how a seemingly innocent question can cause a whole crazy run-away-train full of doubts and fears.
So I get an email at work today that starts like this:
I desperately need some info on our xyz. The info I need is the Key Strength, Key Length, and Key Algorithm. This is some technical jargon for encrypting files that contain sensitive data. I'll just leave it that I found the answers to the algorithm and length. I had trouble (because I'm a bone-head) finding anything definite about the key strength so I summed it up as follows: the longer the length, the stronger the strength.
As I typed the answer, I could feel the inner struggle beginning... the one that starts with a subtle giggle and ends with a loud snort of disgust at myself for being such a pig. And also the disgust of fully acknowledging that I am a 55-year old married woman sending an answer like this to much younger gentlemen.
One of those men, the one who initiated the email, is a really nice guy who is, well, a little held back... that's the nicest way to say it. We give out moron stars to some of the duller pennies in our piggy bank and he has most of them.
The other man is an awesome guy that I've come to admire over the last 4 years. He is a good people person, ever the professional, who rarely loses his cool and who I totally respect for his ability to go above and beyond the call of duty.
The other guy is a great people person and very smart. I've admired his ability to embrace new technologies and learn ways to make the processes we deal with flow better. He is full of fun and also a musician (which never fails to attract me) and well, he is a self-admitted slacker. We have worked together pretty well over the years and we've done some jamming in off hours and he has become very near and dear to my heart. It doesn't hurt that his wife is awesome as well!
Being a woman and being older than all of the guys I work with makes me feel most often like a mother to them, or an older sister. They take a lot of pleasure in saying things that make me squirm... Things like "Now it's time to stick it in the mashed potatoes!" "It" being a euphemism for, well, IT!
I sometimes add my two cents but often it's me laughing and turning red. So, it did sort of shock me when I got this reply to my email: I thought it was all about girth? I could have left it. I could've pretended to have been shocked, or better, just plain clueless. But no-o-o-o-o, I have to take it to the next level, never content to just "leave be". So my reply is the plain and simple truth: Well - I WASN'T going to go there but since YOU brought it up - um, hmm. To which came this reply: Sorry, I just couldn't resist!
Because I just can't let someone else have the last word, I shoot back: Well - if you want to know the truth, as I typed this: the longer the length, the stronger the strength I couldn't help thinking about this: girth? To which I added as an afterthought: I really AM a ho
Well the verbal parry continued and got sillier but by no means got more suggestive... And then this gentleman has to walk in our office for some other business and suddenly, I AM embarassed. I am turning red and cannot, for the life of me, make eye contact. And by golly, I am squirming.
So, not so much the ho, I end my day laughing at myself as always. And thanking God that he has given me friends who say: You're rock and roll peg!

2007-06-10T20:37:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine has a lame blog but he did turn me on to this site. If you've ever struggled with a personal computer, you'll enjoy these:

This is the site: http://www.xkcd.com/ You should check it out! I highly recommend it.

Why am I posting this? I don't know, perhaps to cover the ache in my heart. A friend died and she was pretty remarkable. It shook me to the core, this one... I've buried lots of folks, but this lady shouldn't be dead... no, not a bit. As my dear friend, Pam, said "How can someone so alive be so dead?"

This was a lady who took life by the balls. It just doesn't seem possible that she isn't raising hell anymore... Well, I believe that she may be giving God a run for Her (Betty Anne's image of God is not an old guy with a white beard) money! I hope Betty Anne goes easy on Her.

2007-06-04T19:52:00.000-04:00

Well, here it is June already. What a wild couple of months!
Friday night I went to the Awards Dinner Dance for the little theater group I joined. Man of La Mancha won awards for Best Show and Best Technical Production. Albert won for Best Supporting Actor. Many of us were nominated for awards in other categories. It just cracked me up! And no, I didn't win, but was nominated for Best Actress in a Cameo along with my friend, Cathy from our production.From left to right, standing: Robert (DQ), Mike (Dr Carasco), Jeff (Sancho), Donna (Housekeeper), David (Anselmo), Tola (Maria), Jack (Padre), Mike (Pedro), Tim (Barber), Mike (Captain). From left to right, seated: Me, Jess (Aldonza), Chris (Tenorio), Cathy (Gypsy), Anne (Antonia).

Our director, Dana, sent us all an email after the Awards dinner and this was what she said:

Kudos to everyone for a great showing at last night’s Awards Dinner for Burlington County Footlighters!
We had 2 tables of La Manchers. In attendance were: Robert, Jack, David, Anne, Tim, Jeff, Tola, Peg, Deb and me (and assorted spouses and significant others!). Lynn, Iris, Bonnie, Andrew and Tony weren’t at out tables, but we were happy to see them there.
We came away with three awards last night. The award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role went to Albert. Great job, Albert! We were all so excited for you! The second award was a new one for Footlighters. They used to do Best Set, but they changed it to best Technical Production. This includes, set, props, costuming, lights and sound. And we won! Overall I think our tech was great (if you don’t count the on-stage radio broadcasts).
I was thrilled to hear that the audiences enjoyed us so much they thanked us with the award for Best Show! That is a great feeling.
I really want to thank you all for the most enjoyable productions I have worked on in a long time. What a wonderful bunch of people! I feel lucky to have met you all. Such talent, generosity of spirit and a lot of fun!
Before I get a teary (too late), I was hoping that anyone interested in seeing Mike's performance in Beauty and the Beast might want to go together and perhaps go out for dinner, and/or drinks, after the show. It opens July 13th (that’s right isn’t it, Mike?), so let me know!
With lots of love and best wishes to all ,
Dana

So I guess it's time to end this chapter... but what an amazing ride and, wow, I met some amazingly talented people and made some wonderful friends. This is perhaps the hardest part of doing a show... letting it go...

2007-05-29T11:24:00.000-04:00

Peg took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test!

Take the ColorQuiz yourself right now!
Yup, I took the ColorQuiz!!! I'm not sure how it works but I'll tell you this - there may be more truth in this test than in any other...

Free personality analysis of Peg.
Generated on Wed May 30 03:35:54 2007.

Peg's Existing Situation
Working to improve her image in the eyes of others so as to obtain their compliance and agreement with her needs and wishes.
Well, of course, I'd like others to comply with my needs. Doesn't everyone? My wishes, not so much...
Peg's Stress Sources
Has an unsatisfied need to ally herself with others whose standards are as high as her own, and to stand out from the herd. Her control of her sensual instincts restricts her ability to give herself, but the resulting isolation leads to the urge to surrender and allow herself to merge with another. This disturbs her, as such instincts are regarded as weaknesses to be overcome; she feels that only by continued self-restraint can she hope to maintain her attitude of individual superiority. Wants to be loved or admired for herself alone; needs attention, recognition, and the esteem of others.
There are some valid reasons I agree with this statement - it's a pretty general statement that could apply to anyone... most of us seek attention, recognition and the esteem of others. Of course, I'm going to control my sensual instincts! Sheesh, I'm married.
Peg's Restrained Characteristics
Feels that she is burdened with more than her fair share of problems. However, she sticks to her goals and tries to overcome her difficulties by being flexible and accommodating.
Circumstances are restrictive and hampering, forcing her to forgo all joys and pleasures for the time being.
Wants to broaden her fields of activity and insists that her hopes and ideas are realistic. Distressed by the fear that she may be prevented from doing what she wants; needs both peaceful conditions and quiet reassurance to restore her confidence.
When was the last time you were prevented from doing what you wanted? Did that cause distress? Hells yeah!
Peg's Desired Objective
Longs for tenderness and for a sensitivity of feeling into which she can blend. Responsive to anything aesthetic and tasteful.
Doesn't everyone long for tenderness and intimacy and, and, and, who DOESN'T respond to tastefulness?
Peg's Actual Problem
Needs to achieve a stable and peaceful condition, enabling her to free herself of the worry that she may be prevented from achieving all the things she wants.
Good heavens, don't YOU worry about not being able to achieve all that you want?
Peg's Actual Problem #2
Wants to be valued and respected, and seeks this from a close and peaceful association of mutual esteem.

YOU take the color test! Let me know how YOU fare!

2007-05-19T13:58:00.001-04:00

If someone were to ask me about my likes and dislikes, I’d have to admit that the thing I dislike most is goodbyes. When I left my job 5 years ago, it was hard saying goodbye to the friends I’d made over those 13 years. By the grace of God, I have managed to retain a relationship with 3 of those folks.
I am a horrible friend. My best friend from high school lives near Scranton now. She used to live 10 miles away and we saw each other so infrequently that I often got lost going to her house. We worked in high school theater for so many years. We shared so much and now that she’s in Scranton, I’m lucky if I see her twice a year. It’s interesting though, because when we see each other, we just pick up where we left off and it’s like we were never apart.
While looking at the video and pictures I’ve taken over the past few months, it’s hard to remember Robert when he was clean-shaven and had short hair.Speaking of Robert, last night as we left the theater, I asked him what he’s working on next and he said, “Oh I have a show on Sunday. I have an all day rehearsal tomorrow, our show tomorrow night and I open on Sunday.” I know Mike is already rehearsing as well as Dana. These folks are amazing.And I have had the amazing good fortune to work with them all!
I think Albert really said it well last night… He’s been on Broadway and been in touring companies of shows. He said he’d been in shows that have had million dollar budgets, but he’s as proud of this show as any of those! Everyone was just so talented and he really respected everyone’s abilities. I don’t think it was only the gin talking. I think he was sincere.
It’s funny that the end of this show is bringing out all of these feelings. I really tried hard not to care very much about these folks. They are all so talented and will continue to perform. It is sheer luck that I have been able to perform with them. I am continually humbled by their brilliance. And so when we take our final bow and all go our separate ways, I may not see them again. It is certainly a tragedy. And what’s more – it makes me very sad.
Then again… David said he’d like to sing with us at church. Anne said she’d help me find a song if I wanted to audition for another show. And I sense that I have not seen the last of Jack and Cathy. I hope that Jeff will keep in touch – especially when he comes back from Italy. I would like to go to see some of the productions that all of these talented people will become involved in. Maybe, if I just try to be a better friend…
It will be hard not to cry. I think I will not be alone!

2007-05-12T13:41:00.000-04:00

last year before Christmas as I was shopping for groceries, I suddenly filled up with tears and sadness... nothing in particular seemed to be the reason - not the store music, or canned goods aisle or the season - just that overwhelming sense of loss. And after 11 years i was puzzled that it should have occurred.
An acquaintance happened to be approaching in the opposite direction and asked if I was ok "just having a mommy moment" I explained. Today I have that overwhelming sadness surrounding me.
Back before my mom was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I started running. I did it more for me because I had just had a benign tumor removed from my right breast and after that scare, I felt that exercise and clean living would help me fight diseases like cancer and heart disease which seem to have a place in our family. When mom was first diagnosed in 1991, I was running 5k's pretty regularly. And in April of 1995, when we found out the cancer moved to her liver, I was training for a marathon. She died on October 6 and I ran the marathon on Ooctober 21. Up until last year, my brother, Chris, and I ran the Race for The Cure in Philadelphia which is held on Mother's Dday. Bad feet and a bad back, in my case, had me walking most of the 3 miles. Last year it was terrible weather so we didn't go for the first time. Now Chris has bad health issues and we're not doing it but my heart and my registration fee is with everyone who runs to raise money for breast cancer research.
After mom died, it was a full year before I dreamed about her but the dream was that I was talking to her on the phone which is something that I did every day she lived after the liver cancer diagnosis. The sense of calm and serenity helped me at a very low point in my life.
I am blessed with a healthy marriage and family nearby and this time of year we support each other through the pain. Last year, mother's day was so hard for me because our son was in California. With any luck, he will be arriving this afternoon and staying through tomorrow - a proper Mother's Day!
My dad came to the show last night. I didn't know he was there - thought he was coming tonight. I heard his laugh and thought "There can't be two people with that laugh!" Sure enough, well into the 1st act, I spotted him and Peg and Pat. After the show, he told me he was proud of me and I was close to tears. I have dedicated these performances to my mom because she really was a "lady" and tried hard to raise me as a proper one. I have occasional lapses, but I try really hard to emulate her.

2007-05-09T14:24:00.000-04:00

I have this theory about acting and actors – now that I have tried it. First - this part isn’t a theory: Acting is HARD… really, it is. Now here is the reason AND the theory – Acting is HARD because you have to completely be someone else – you cannot let a piece of yourself into the character you are portraying.

I feel that actors are entirely selfless. Actors have to step outside of themselves and never let their “real selves” be on stage. I am a prisoner and if I’m doing my job right, you are seeing a prisoner – not Peg. I think that I am way too selfish and self-centered to be a good actress. You should just see the folks that are in Man of La Mancha.

For instance, I remember a rehearsal when Dana was blocking the Abduction scene. The guys playing the muleteers were really trying to be polite while they were – um – molesting Aldonza. Jess tried to make it easy on them – I remember she told them, “I don’t mind being touched.” I think they might have felt less self-conscious knowing that she was less self-conscious. In addition, she has been amazing, every rehearsal and every show, she has gotten new bruises and she never complained.

Robert fell on Saturday night, when he “died” and bruised his head – I mean he drew blood! Almost everyone has cracked his or her head on the set. Poor Anne dropped a cube on her toe and bruised the nail bed. Donna had eye surgery and she is still bravely wearing that horse head. Chris fell of the stage and bruised his back – badly!

These folks are awesome – so many great personalities. Jack is such a kidder – always quick to toss out a one-liner that is sure to fill the room with groans. Jeff is the self-professed “worst thespian, ever.” He never knows the shows or characters that we discuss, but he is a natural actor. Albert is quiet and seems deep in thought, but has the most amazing tales of performing on tour. Mike and Chris regale us with tales of youth and daring.

David is so sweet and kind and always has great gardening tips. He worked so hard on the set. He has a wonderful voice and is a very giving actor. Tim is too funny, talking about his WW points and his adventures in theater. Tola is from Nigeria and has hysterical stories about her sister. Cathy is a darling, sweet girl who never fails to bring tears of laughter to my eyes as she does the Moorish dance. Mike (I’ve mentioned him in another post) has a wonderful speaking voice (oh and he sings real well too!). It seems he’s pretty good at doing imitations although he wouldn’t do Albert for us.

They all have very funny theater stories. Chris told us about doing Godspell right in a church and a Nigerian bishop was sitting in the front row. He sang his first line and (he’s a spitter) saw a wad of spit fly out of his mouth and, in slow motion, roll toward the Nigerian bishop. Of course, it landed over his eye and the bishop very calmly used two fingers of his right hand to wipe his brow.

Robert told a story about how he was playing Curly in Oklahoma at Longwood Gardens. They taught him to ride a horse so he could ride onto the amphitheater stage and sing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.” As he rode on for his song, the horse stopped and took a leak.

I have some good stories too – from years in the pit. It’s a whole nother show in the pit! I can’t tell you how many times stuff (or even people) fell off the stage and into the pit nearly killing someone.

I am truly enjoying this experience. I am glad I took a chance and auditioned. I am so grateful that someone gave me a chance to perform. I will look back on this time fondly. And it doesn’t hurt that the show is near and dear to my heart!

2007-05-05T10:34:00.000-04:00

An update!

I was nervous. Heck, my hands were shaking. Was it wonderful? It was awesome. I can't think of how it would've been a better opening night.

I talked to a former student when I arrived at the theater. "What did I ever tell you about not being nervous?" I asked him. I realized I never said much about it. He answered, "When I was young, I never got nervous but as I got older, I got more nervous. At 14 and 15, it never bothered me, as I got more serious about what I was doing, nerves actually helped. I'd say that if you're not nervous before a performance, you don't care all that much."

I liked the way that sounded! I really do care - so much so that I practiced guitar for nearly 2 hours and again after we warmed up and got in costume and makeup.

He also said, "Peg, if you think the rush you get from applause when you're in the pit conducting or playing is wonderful - wait until you take your bow!!" It was a total rush... but I like the safety of the pit... that's for sure!!

2007-05-04T07:47:00.000-04:00

We open tonight and I am strangely serene… I should be frantic because I feel like missing those Friday night rehearsals put me at a disadvantage – I played catch up all week and still have to refer to my notes so that I know when to do what I have to do. It should be automatic at this point and it’s not. I also have to finish memorizing the songs I’m playing.
Monday night began “tech week”. We practiced in costume, got make up, (which consists largely of having our faces and hands dirtied), and dealt with lighting cues and props.
The set is complete and looks amazing. The space is small – the theater seats 98 and the stage and wing space are tiny, but Jim did a wonderful job with the set design and dressing. It just gets me all choked up whenever I enter the theater.
As a cast, we are having a good time. Looks like there’s an outing planned for Saturday night after the show and all are invited. The talent that is present on that stage is humbling. The acting is superb, yet, everyone is so down-to-earth.
After our final dress rehearsal, Robert, who plays Don Quixote (or DQ as the director nicknamed him) had a surprise for all of us. “In honor of our finally having a rehearsal with the entire cast present, I have some goodies for you.” And he produced a bag of ice cream novelties that he bought at”Dairy Queen”. I almost didn’t eat one because it was late, but I hadn’t had dinner and was having a huge headache because of the stress of the day and no food. Well guess what? That ice cream bar was the antidote and I slept like a baby when I got home.
Last night we had a night off and because I had to be in work at 6:00 am, I was asleep by 9:00 pm. I feel well rested and ready for whatever the day may bring.
I just hope I’m ready for the night!

2007-04-26T20:28:00.000-04:00

So I was just watching some video from Big River. I took it this morning at our “dress rehearsal” for the 2nd weekend of performances. I put my camera on a music stand and hoped for the best and I really did get some good clips although the vocals are hard to hear because the music stand is right between the piano, guitar and bass amplifiers and the drums. Which was cool because it gave me an opportunity to hear some of the really nice drum fills my friend, Nathan, has been playing and also the neat stuff my brother Neal has been playing on the guitar.
I am in awe of what Neal does. He’s a full time guitar teacher and he also has a gig as a children’s entertainer with his best friend Ernie. Did I mention he has a wonderful wife (I love her like a sister) and two adorable children? Well if I didn’t mention it, their pictures are plastered all over my blog.
So to get back to awesomeness – My friend Nathan is also someone I am in awe of. He works where I work and he does some pretty technical stuff and yet, he is a totally talented musician and he just loves to play! I really respect that ability to balance creativity and technology.
So that got me thinking about the folks that I’m working with at our community theater. It’s funny because those folks are all super talented – I mean their voices are unbelievable. And their acting skills – they just blow me away! And they’re all so down to earth. I feel pretty comfortable with them.
And most of them also have jobs that are not music or theater related. Some of them are school music teachers but there’s a social worker, a FEMA employee, and office workers, professionals – oh and a retiree. Thank God Albert’s in the cast, or I would be the oldest person in the show!
Albert is a theater professional – he’s been touring companies and on Broadway. He’s really amazing as well. His comedic timing is impeccable and he still has a great voice.
I feel really comfortable with Cathy. We’re often clumped together in scenes and she has a beautiful voice and can dance as well. She’s in the Moorish dance and is a riot. I crack up every time I hear her sing in that scene.
David – too. He’s in the scene and he sings in this great falsetto. As a muleteer, he does some great bits and he has also helped build the set. He cracks me up in that Moorish scene.
Robert is Don Quixote and he is very believable. I really liked his audition – we were all in the audition room together so I saw a lot of the cast when they auditioned. I thought, physically, he should have been taller, but then I remembered when we did LaMancha at the high school, our Quixote wasn’t tall and gaunt. Robert has totally pulled it off. And he’s hysterically funny – he can go from complete silliness to total seriousness in three seconds.
I could go on and on – Mike has the richest baritone I’ve ever heard – Honestly when he speaks, it’s like music. Last night at notes, Dana, our director, said “I believe every word you say, Mike.” And it’s a true compliment. Oh and, of course, Jess – She’s brilliant! She has helped me immensely, both with acting and directing. Just by observing and listening to her, I’ve learned to think a little bit outside the box…
Which leads me to Dana and Deb – our director and music director – sisters, who do an incredible job of herding this disparate group into one cohesive, well-oiled machine!
I’d like to talk a little bit about the other folks, too- I’m sure I’ll add more soon.

Oh - did I mention we got our costumes????

2007-04-22T14:06:00.001-04:00

Wow what a couple of amazing weeks. I feel like all I’ve been doing is sleeping, exercising, working, rehearsing and playing – oh wait… That’s exactly what I’ve been doing! Oh and a salad here and there…

Of course there was my little brother’s 40th birthday party last weekend and that was a total rockfest. He’s been in a lot of bands and there were representatives from several of them – Skinny Dick and the Wranglers , Ruder Than You, China White, and of course Ernie and Neal . And there were performances by all of them – all unrehearsed and still solid as a rock. Even Dooner and Denise performed.

Neal turning 40 was huge because he is the baby and it makes all of the rest of us feel ancient. I was 15 when he was born and my mom and dad had my younger brother, Rob, and I as godparents. I guess after 6 kids, they had gone as deep as they dared for godparents. There were probably 150 people there – well, our family counts for about 35 people and Denise’s family is another 12 or so. So she rented a hall with a stage and it totally rocked!

Of course we had rehearsal on Sunday so we were a little shaky but all in all, the week passed quickly and the performances have been really well done! The high school kids are amazing – their voices are so strong and they’ve worked hard and it shows in their energy and enthusiasm.

And it's so amazing to be in the pit when Marky and Neal are playing together!

For me, this week should be a little easier because I only have one rehearsal and that’s Wednesday night. I have Big River at the high school Thursday morning, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and then I’m full on rehearsing for Man of LaMancha the last week in April. MOLM opens May 4.

We’re actually going out to dinner Tuesday night with our friends and, maybe, Dooner will be home a few days.

I will miss a rehearsal for Man Of LaMancha because of a Big River performance tonight. The cast is awesome and their voices are just wonderful. I’m playing guitar in a few scenes and I’ve been reading the music because I don’t have it memorized yet. I’m sure by opening, I’ll be ok but for right now, I’ll just be nervous.

And it looks like plans for moving are up in the air again… which is fine with me. I guess we’re going to try to ride the summer out and see what shakes out with Shelden’s company. It is a lot of ups and downs to deal with, but I’m not alone in the dealing and it’s gotta be rough on Shelden because his future is totally messed up!

I’m thankful that I have these shows to keep my mind off of the decision making and stuff. I guess we’ll spend the summer having yard sales and emptying the basement and attic. But for now - I'll have fun!

2007-04-10T12:53:00.000-04:00

I Love Blog Quizzes

Your Inner European is Italian!

Passionate and colorful.
You show the world what culture really is.

Who's Your Inner European?

In 1952 (the year you were born)

Harry Truman is president of the US

Elizabeth II becomes Queen of England after the death of her father, George VI
First explosion of a hydrogen device takes place at Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific
Christine Jorgensen becomes the first medically and legally certified transsexual
US troops complete their pull-out from Japan
Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected President of the US
Sister Theresa becomes Mother Theresa and begins her charity work in Calcutta
Rick James, Douglas Adams, and Liam Neeson are born
New York Yankees win the World Series
Detroit Lions win the NFL championship
Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White is published

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

Your Career Personality: Original, Devoted, and Service Oriented

Your Ideal Careers:

Art director
Book editor
College professor
Composer
Film director
Graphic designer
Novelist
Stage actor
Psychiatrist
Writer

The Quick and Dirty Career Test

You Are 100% Happy

It's unlikely that you know anyone happier than you.

You know how to be happy, no matter what life throws at you.

How Happy Are You?

You Are a Chocolate Chip Cookie

Traditional and conservative, most people find you comforting.

You're friendly and easy to get to know. This makes you very popular - without even trying!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

2007-03-28T14:03:00.000-04:00

Ok… I admit it. I was stupid to think I could do 3 shows in 3 months and still live my normal life. No I cannot. Last night, as I lay awake for most of the night, I came to the realization that I was actually looking forward to going to North Carolina this weekend because I just need to relax a little…
Don’t get me wrong – I love doing these shows – I love the shows and the folks with whom I’m working. I love my job and the folks there. I love my family. I’m just tired of thinking, thinking, thinking.
My poor shower curtain almost reached out and grabbed me this morning. I have three loads of laundry to fold. The dishwasher needs to be unloaded so the clean dishes can go in it. I need to pack to go away.
And speaking of going away, we’ll be staying in a nice hotel and we’ll be touring the county including the town where my husband will be working. Let me tell you about this town.
Apparently, the highlight of the year is the Collard Green Festival. Let me list some entries I found on the town’s website regarding last year’s event:
Mayor XYZ is calling the 32nd annual TOWN Collard Festival "A great success with record attendance." Crowds from various counties flocked TOWN streets near Town Hall for music, arts and crafts, cotton candy and funnel cakes, a Ferris wheel, parade, and sporting events from collard cooking and eating contests to horseshoes and a 5k road race. (ok a 5k road race – I’m totally down with that!)
Here’s another entry:
Due to lack of interest in the Womanless Beauty Pageant (Ms. Collard Blossom) this year, we had to cancel the event. The event was scheduled for Tuesday, 9/5 at 7:00 p.m. in the TOWN Arts and Recreation Center. Keep an eye out next year to see if Ms. Collard Blossom happens to 'pop' again! Have a great "Collard Festival" Week!!!! WHATTTTTT??????
And these folks are SERIOUS about collards:
Collard Eating/ Cooking Contest
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2006
1:00 PM ON MAIN STAGE/ West Avenue
(For Collard Cooking Contest, you must have your collards with you and ready to be judged on stage (West Avenue Main Stage) at 1 p.m.

Don't miss the 32nd annual Collard Eating contest. Come to the stage about 1 p.m. to sign up and eat a mess of Collards. We have 2 categories each year. One for the Males and one for the Females so there will be 2 winners. The only rule is you must eat each pound of Collards completely and you can add anything to it while eating them. Eat as much as you can for the 30 minute time period and you just have to keep them down long enough to get your prize and plaque.

We can only have a total of 16 contestants...So come early if you want some collards!!!

Oh there’s live music too – a band called TrainWreck” and one called “Super Grit Cowboy Band”. ‘nough said! And yet, I am looking forward to this trip…

2007-03-02T10:38:00.000-05:00

Happy 55th Birthday to me!
I got up this morning, fully intending to go to the gym. I haven’t gone for 2 weeks mainly because I’ve had a stupid sinus thing and also because I’ve really been tired because someone has been snoring a lot. So I fall back to sleep instead of getting up.
Today, I didn’t fall back to sleep. I got up and checked my email and noticed I had a voice message on my cell phone. Apparently, one of the night shift supervisors called because someone was locked out of their computer. I guess it got resolved because I checked this morning and the person wasn’t locked out anymore.
I checked my work email and realized that the woman I was helping last night still had some printing issues. I can’t for the life of me figure out wtf they are doing over there! She’s a really nice lady so I’ll probably try to get over to her building today and actually watch, in person, what they’re doing.
When Shel left for work this morning, he said “Why don’t you come straight to Neal and Denise’s tonight instead of stopping here when you come home form work? And bring the camera.” Well I’ve been walking around with the camera in my pocket for a couple of weeks now, so that was a no brainer. Then I remembered it needed to be charged so I spent some time looking for the charger but, because I didn’t have my contacts in and I’ve lost my glasses, I couldn’t find it readily. I started cursing and realized I’d have to take a shower and get my lenses in… and since we’re having “Important visitors” today at work, I decided to find something that fits and looks more professional than jeans.
At this point I had procrastinated enough that it was impossible to go to the gym and get to work on time. So, I showered, got my yogurt together, found the charger, packed up and walked out the door.
Oh, I forgot to mention that it started pouring last night – I’m not sure what time, but I realized when I was doing my crossword puzzle in bed last night that it was lulling me to sleep, slowly but surely, which is why I never heard my cell phone ring at 10:30 last night.
So it’s kind of dismal today and it’s also trash day. As I walked out to my car, I noticed that the trash can lid was lying in the street and the trash can was empty, yet turned on it side awaiting a blast to blow it down the street towards Sue’s house. I picked up the trash can and lid and deposited them in the little corral that Shelden built, picked up the newspaper and ran back into the house to wash my hands. By the time I got in my car, my pant legs were soaked, front and back. Then I had to stop at the bank and since my bank is presently housed in a trailer, I was bathed again in rain.
At this point, I’m dried off and smiling still. In retrospect, it’s been a great week , what with Gianni’s birth, a nice snow storm, Dooner’s return from LA and a small gathering of family tonight at Neal and Denise’s. Oh and the wonderful birthday greetings I received by email and regular mail. And also the great song mix being played on LaunchCast this morning – Your Smiling Face, Dixie Chicken, Lawyers, Guns and Money, You’ve Got A Friend, Welcome to the Jungle, Tommy Can You Hear Me, Shake It Up, Free Bird, even some Sousa!
So we’ll see how the rest of the day goes. Maybe lunch with co-workers. And have you seen those photos of Saturn???

2007-02-24T22:06:00.000-05:00

So I woke up this morning after a very restless night. Worried about my sister in law and the baby to come. She'd been contracting since Thursday but wasn't dilating. She was very uncomfortable. She went into the hospital yesterday but nothing much was happenning.

We had a funeral to go to this morning - before we left, Neal called and said that Denise's mom didn't want to go to the hospital so if Sue and I wanted to come over - it would be cool! SO we went to the viewing and paid our respects... very sad.

But then we went to the hospital and were allowed to be in the labor and delivery. Denise was unbelievable too- when we got there they had given her an epidural so she wasn't in much pain - just pressure from the contractions. And before we knew it, the doctor was there telling her to push.

We stayed at the hospital til about 3:30 - then I came back for church. Shel and I went out for Chinese food and my fortune read:

You see pictures in poems and poems in pictures. Here's a poem titled Gianni Robert

2007-02-23T06:23:00.000-05:00

So this week things are picking up musically.
I’ve been contacting folks to play in the pit orchestra for “Big River” in April at my high school alma mater. It will be a small pit – bass, guitar/mandolin/banjo, drums, keyboards, trumpet, trombone, clarinet/flute/soprano sax. There’s also an “on-stage” group consisting of violin, harmonica and guitar. I’m not sure what the director has in mind, but I guess we’ll figure that out soon. I’ve done shows here for so many years and in so many roles – pit orchestra musician, vocal director, music director, conductor, director. When I attended this high school, we had a solid music program – 110 in the marching and concert band, probably 150 in the concert choir. Today there is no marching band, no concert choir – no music program at all. There is a group that leads worship for liturgies and they do a fine job. Unfortunately, there is not a single musician that attends the school that has expressed interest in playing in the pit this year.

I have another rehearsal coming up for “The King and I” at the local high school. I’ve played bass for them a few times and it’s always fun to get another perspective of high school musical theater -such a difference from my alma mater. At this high school, most of the pit is made up of high school musicians. I believe that there are only 4 musicians that are not high school or middle school students.

And then I had my first acting rehearsal for “Man of LaMancha.” The director blocked the first 30 pages of the script. It was an interesting process for me because I’ve never been the one who was told to cross right or left, upstage or downstage. AN interesting evening! In fact, the director told us that the man who was designing the set was supposed to be bringing a model of it to the practice. Imagine my surprise when a fellow alumnus of my high school and theater days at that school walked in carrying a brief case and a model! He did an amazing job and I really feel that when it is built, it will be an incredible set! Oh, and as he left he mentioned to me that he was dashing off to the high school to pick up his daughter who is in “Big River”.
Man of La Mancha Pictures 2-23-2007
In any case, I am excited and expectant. These next 3 months will be tough but so far am I looking forward to the challenge. Now if I could just figure out whether I have a cold or a sinus infection….

2007-02-06T16:53:00.000-05:00

Well, here we go! Our high today was 21°f and that’s WARM. I’m pretty freaked that I have to go out tonight. I realized today how much I hate the cold. I mean I hate when it’s stinking hot too. I guess I hate weather extremes. I never minded the cold because I had a theory that you could keep bundling on clothes and such. Eventually you’d warm up… It just seems like sometimes it’s so cold you can’t get warm. I’ll try not to complain though. Like my 5-year old niece says “I’m hungry. I’m not starving. If I was starving, I’d be dieing.” God bless her little soul.
In any case, I do have to go out tonight. Rehearsing with Ernie for the CD release party on Saturday. It will be fun, but I dread going out once I get home! Also, Dooner will be home this weekend, so I think he is going to come to the gig.
I had my first rehearsal for The Sound of Music at my town’s high school on Sunday. I’m playing bass, which I love to do… and although I hate the show, I realized how brilliant the orchestration for this show is. I got goose bumps (or goose pumps, as the five-year old calls them) at certain points as we were rehearsing. Oh yes, I still hate My Favorite Things and will cringe as I play it, but some of the other music is wonderful.
Tomorrow night, I have my first rehearsal with Burlington County Footlighters, our local community theater group. This is the group I auditioned for and got a part in their production, of Man of La Mancha. It is a small part – just singing in the chorus and playing guitar, but I’m totally psyched to be a part of it. More on that in the future.
Thursday night, I will probably head up to the local Catholic high school, where I will be conducting Big River, a musical about Huckleberry Finn. The music is very cool for that show too – more modern than the other two shows. Some bluegrass and spirituals and then regular show-type tunes. Thursday night is call-backs for the students that auditioned. I’ll poke my head in and see what I have to work with!In the meantime, I’m listening to Rock the House! constantly so that I can learn the tunes for rehearsal tonight. These songs are also incredible – my brother Neal and his friend Ernie have written these tunes for their 5th CD and I think there isn’t a dud in the bunch! The tunes are catchy and the styles range from rock, to ska to jazz to Latin. They are very diverse.

2007-01-31T09:23:00.000-05:00

lmao

Are You A Bam Margera Fan?
Congratulations!

Are you sure you're not Bam?
Well you must be his biggest fan cause you sure know alot about him. You are definitely Bam worthy!!!

Take this test

How ridiculous is this???? Well, the BAM quiz cracked me up!!!! So ,I took this one:

How well do you remember the 80's?

Totally Awesome, Totally Tubular, T

You know every 80's song by heart, and will sing them on request. A day spent watching The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, Mr. Wizard, or Inspector Gadget would totally rock; and you know about "I love the 80's", "I love the 80's Strikes Back!", and "I love the 80's: 3D" and wonder the the hell is taking so long for the next installment!

Take this test

Not much of a surprise with my answers to the 80's quiz, so I took this one:

I'd say the personality quiz is fairly accurate so I decided to find out what my eyes say...

What do your eyes say ?

Bashful

You have a shy personality, you only have a few friends that are close to you, and you are insecure. You are a follower rather then a leader, being in the spotlight brings out your insecurity. You think too much, you shouldn't do that! Your personality tends to bring out depression or Anxiety. Your talent is to be able to blend in with any surrounding or any person for that matter.
Take this test

Now this was a surprise... Bashful? I need another opinion...

ULTIMATE Music Challenge

Genre GENIUS

Good job on not sticking to one style of music to like. You\'ve apparently grasped what it means to explore music without limiting yourself to what\'s being played on the radio and on MTV. You have obviously done your homework, people should be jealous of you!

Take this test

Mad props to my family, WXPN and LaunchCast for exposing me to so many differnet kinds of music! So this one was just for fun:

What Disney Princess are you?

Belle

You see past the bad things in people. You also don't settle for someone who is below your standards. You care about your education and you love your family. It takes a lot to win your heart, but once someone does they can count on you to be loyal.

Take this test

Yup!

2007-01-27T22:08:00.000-05:00

Well – last night, I was sitting at my computer clicking cards and the most amazing thing happened. The phone rang and the woman on the other end said “Hi Peg. This is Dana.” I asked her how she was doing and she said “I’m fine, but I’ll be even better if you say you’ll be a part of the ensemble of our production of Man of LaMancha.”
OH MY GOSH!!!!!!! I did it!
She said she was watching my reactions to the scenes and I was very expressive! I’m just so thankful that it was easy to react to so many awesome actors. So I guess now I will start my blog about this show.
We begin practicing on Feb 7 – just a read-through. And then we begin blocking on the 9th. Music rehearsals are on Sunday nights. And acting on Wednesdays and Fridays. Can you believe this?
But then on a sad note… our pastor of 12+ years has been transferred to a new parish and we will get a replacement in March. I am so sad… so very sad. He’s a very special person and worked very hard to bring our parish through some turbulent times. Also stressed spirituality and was one of our group’s greatest supporters. I will miss him incredibly and a lot. I just don’t know if we will get someone as open-minded as Fr Tom is. And someone who appreciates the type of music we do.
God – I hope we don’t get someone who is very conservative… Makes moving a little easier to take.
And then there is my Pyramids League. I signed up to become a Tournament Director and got trained by a very awesome trainer. And I held my very 1st tournament today. It was a little nerve-wracking but I enjoyed it mostly. Can’t wait for the next one!
Oh - Thanks to all the great Phoenix members for being so supportive Thanks to the Head TDs for their encouragement. And thanks to SATX for the great training!

2007-01-23T12:58:00.000-05:00

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

So I did something completely crazy last night! 39 days short of my 55th birthday, I did something I never imagined I’d ever do. I auditioned for a show. Yup! I did.
Back story first:
This summer, we went to a local community theater to see some students perform in a workshop production of The Matchmaker. The president of the company (a former student, mind you) announced the new season and, among other shows, he mentioned Man of LaMancha. Now I must tell you that there are many shows that I love and many shows that are very dear to my heart. And of course, Man of LaMancha is in both categories. The reasons are many but I’ll be glad to list a few:
1) As a high school student, our music department traveled to Alexandria VA to see a high school production of MoL and it was very well done. I became acquainted with the show and purchased the LP (remember vinyl?) and fell in love with the show. Not to mention the story and songs are incredible.
The rhythms are just so neat. I love the songs. I still have that LP somewhere in my collection in the basement.
2) Freshman year in college, I auditioned to play bass in the college production of MoL and the experience was amazing because I had only been involved in high school productions and this was a quality performance.
4) Saw a production if MOL at LaSalle Summer Theater and it was a truly professional production. The next year, I became involved with La Salle Summer Theater playing bass for a couple of seasons.
5) Saw some professional productions of the show, most notably at Living Arts Repertory Theater.
6) Finally saw it on Broadway with Raul Julia as Quixote and (get this) Sheena Easton as Aldonza! Craziness! And then Raul Julia died soon after we saw him.
7) Actually was music director of our high school production back in maybe 1999 or so.
8) We are probably moving to North Carolina in the late fall. I just started thinking of all the things I’ve wanted to accomplish in my life.
Enough back story… now to the audition.
So I checked the website for audition dates and instructions and decided to sing 16 measures of “I’m Only Thinking of Him” from the show. We were also required to do a cold reading from the script. When I got to the theater, I filled out some paper work and then we were herded into a rehearsal room. There were 12 people auditioning each with varying degrees of experience. One woman had no experience whatsoever. And while I have scads of experience behind the scenes, I have never performed in a show.
And so we began, each person singing 16 measures or so of a song they prepared. Many sang songs from the show and they were just amazing! Most of them were well-trained and just blew me away. I started having second thoughts but then figured, what the heck! I couldn’t really walk out at that point anyway. Well, I could’ve if my legs would’ve worked! And then it was my turn…
Now I sing every week in church – at the very least there are 200 people there – often more. But in this room with 12 other potential cast members and about 7 members of the theatre company that would be involved in casting, I had my doubts. And of course, I was horrible – from the very start…. I mean – on the outside I appeared calm and collected and poised (acting skills) but my voice totally betrayed me. I can’t tell you how nervous I was… I even forgot to breathe and screwed up a phrase totally.
Well, then they gave us a break and told us they would have some discussions and have us come back in and do our readings. I suppose I could’ve walked out at that point, but I really wanted to see how some of these amazing voices would act. I also figured, the worst was over – I’ve been acting most of my life so this part wouldn’t be so bad. And I was right!
Some of these folks were truly the total package – great looks, build, voice and acting all rolled into one very lucky person. Some folks were wrong physically for the role they were most interested in, but had a great voice and acting skills. Some folks were just adequate all the way around. I put myself in that group and cross my fingers that there will be room for me in this production. If there is – maybe I’ll start a separate blog about it!
In the meantime, there is another audition session tonight and callbacks. I have not been called back, but we were advised that this is not necessarily a bad thing. It could mean that they were able to recognize our capabilities and didn’t need to see us again.
In truth, I read the same role 3 times. Maybe that’s a good sign…

2007-01-19T15:57:00.000-05:00

You Are 48% Addicted to the Internet

You're somewhat addicted to the internet - but who isn't?

You can keep it under check, and you're by no means a hermit.

Are You Addicted to the Internet?

2007-01-14T20:16:00.000-05:00

So yesterday was a really neat day. I got up and went to the gym – 55 minutes on the treadmill and, of that, I ran a half mile. Came home and showered, got some breakfast. Got all the music together for church.
Then I went to a local salon for an Angel Deluxe Retreat spa day! I got a facial, a 45-minute massage, a pedicure, a heart-healthy lunch, and a manicure. Of course, I bite my fingernails down to nothing so I only had clear nail polish applied to them… But my toenails – now that’s a different story.
Back in September about a week before we left for Italy, I stubbed my toe on a piece of furniture in the dark and my toenail fell off. It was pretty painful and also caused blisters when we were in Italy. Jerry had to operate… But it’s growing back nicely…. Probably by April it will be restored to its former size.
In any case, I have a confession to make… It’s my fault the Eagles lost the play-off game against the Saints because I got my toenails painted Eagle Green in their honor. I’m sorry. I apologize. I’ll be sure to never do anything like that again. What was I thinking?

2006-12-29T17:33:00.000-05:00

It was a wonderful Christmas holiday for me.
It started off on Friday morning at 3:30 am. I went in to work early to help with the holiday celebration for 1st shift. Such a diverse group – Indian, Hispanic, Filipino, Vietnamese – makes for an array of goodies, which they prepare in bulk and share with each other. This year the celebration was a little subdued. The death of a co-worker in a car accident during the previous week made for a celebration filled with thanks. There was no dancing this year but the food was amazing – curried chicken for breakfast at 5 am was a real treat!
Having a whole weekend to prepare wasn’t even time enough! I thought that going into work early, I’d leave much earlier than I did, take a nap and plow through some housecleaning and gift-wrapping. I came home and collapsed and never really got up the gumption to do any more than watch mindless TV.
So Saturday morning I went to the gym and when I came back, we blitzed through the house, straightening and cleaning. Then I began preparing food for Christmas Eve. I planned on having some of it catered, but I also wanted something extra special nice because this will be our last hosting of Christmas Eve with the Smith family. So I planned a menu:
Antipasti - Caesar salad
Primo Piati - Ravioli and Meatballs
Secundo Piati – Prime Rib, Yukon Gold Smashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole (catered)
Dessert – lots o stuff
There wasn’t much to wrap, but I got the presents organized, then I organized a rehearsal for Christmas Mas. We had a nice wind ensemble of 2 trumpets, clarinet, flute, alto sax, 3 trombones, tuba and cello – along with 2 guitars, keyboard and vocals.
Christmas Eve I got up and set the table, reorganized music for Mass, made more meatballs, got out all the serving pieces, got ready for Mass, went and picked up the catered portion of dinner and left for Mass, which was beautiful. Dooner and Shelden both were there.
We got out of Mass and Dooner gave us our Christmas Present – a brand new digital camera that is totally awesome! Family began to assemble. The nieces brought appetizers, Santa arrived and we were well on our way to a wonderful night…. Until my husband had my brother-in-law cut the prime rib before I had served the ravioli and meatballs. Ah well – It was fine and dandy!

2006-11-30T21:17:00.000-05:00

The Big Ass Pot

At one time I had this big pot that I used to make gravy or Spaghetti Sauce as some of you may call it. My husband reminds me often, “Gravy is brown”. I also used it for making soup. It was a big pot – I forget how many quarts – with a nice heavy bottom and a lid. The heavy bottom made it perfect for making gravy because it rarely allowed the gravy to stick and burn.

Now some of you who are somewhat perceptive may have noticed that I am speaking of this pot in the past tense. There does happen to be a story related to this pot.

I brought this pot with me when I helped on a women’s retreat that we were giving and providing food for. Denise, my sister-in-law, used it to make marinara sauce for a pasta dish we were having. There were a bunch of us cooking and cleaning up. One of the women, who I’ll call ‘Liz’, also brought a pot that was similar in size but didn’t have a heavy bottom or the same type lid. I had also provided an even larger pot that was better for cooking/steaming seafood or corn – but we used it for marinara as well.

As we cleaned up, I took my heavy-bottomed pot and put it with the lid in my bigger pot and put them off to the side and out of the way. I wish, I had stuck them in Denise’s car trunk but I thought her car was locked. So in the kitchen, off to the side, they sat, the heavy-bottomed pot and lid inside the steamer pot and the steamer pot was covered with its big lid.

So by now, you should’ve guessed where this is going. It turns out the car wasn’t locked so we began to load the car on Sunday morning and were pretty much ready to leave when Denise realized she was missing her car keys. We started pulling everything out of the car, hoping that the keys were on the bottom of the trunk or maybe in the 2 pots. As I checked the pots, I realized that my heavy-bottomed pot wasn’t in the big steamer pot. The lid was also missing.

I went back into the kitchen and couldn’t find my heavy-bottomed pot and lid. I did however find Liz’s pot and lid. I went to her and asked her if it was possible that she had taken my pot in error and left her pot in the kitchen.

“Oh no,” she said, “I have my pot. I know it’s mine because it was my mother’s pot.” Well, I’ll tell you a little secret, Liz has OCD and she is obsessed with food. There’s no way that was her pot!!! It was MINE!!! MINE, I tell ya! And I have way too much class to go up to her and call her a liar/thief!!!

So I let her keep my pot.

Well, sometime later I went shopping and bought myself “The Big Ass Pot”. I will never let Liz anywhere near it because there’s no way she’s going to house it and say it’s her grandmother’s or her poor dead cousin’s big ass pot! It’s mine – I bought it with my own money at the Home Goods store in Delran. And Liz isn’t going to lay her obsessive/compulsive eyes on it… ever!

2006-11-01T15:58:00.000-05:00

So it was one of those particularly horrible days and I had to call home to get messages because I was expecting a doctor’s office to return a call. The doctor’s office was just another part of the horror of the day. So I dialed our voice mail and this is the message that greeted me:

Um
Aunt Peg and Uncle Shelden…
I want you to come over.
But…
Um, I’ll give you some roses if you come over one night.
And when it’s fall, we’ll both jump in the leaves.
When it’s winter, we’ll both eat snow.
And in spring, when can pick flowers.
And when it’s February, we can go see the baby.
And summer, we can go in the pool one time.
Bye.

I saved the message and it’s good for another 15 days. I sent a copy to myself so maybe I can keep doing that and when it disappears, I’ll still have it to listen to on those other horrible days!
Everyone should have a message like this one!

2006-10-06T20:55:00.000-04:00

October 6, 1995
The day that changed my life... I'm feeling a little sad and a little angry. What's the line that Joni Mitchell sings, "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone".
It was funny because when we were in Italy, Erika sent Sue and email and she said, "I never realized how many times a day I call my mom." Yah, Er. Me, too!
I can't call my mom OR email her... she's just someplace where she can't get those physical messages. Maybe she hears my heart calling out to her. Maybe she hears my prayers. Maybe she feels my tears. I don't know. I just miss her a lot.
I'm pissed because she has three granddaughters she hasn't even seen... Three granddaughters who've never met her... never felt her warmth. Never shared her laugh...
Yeah, Er. I just never realized either.

2006-09-02T08:55:00.000-04:00

Summer's Gone... Pretty much!!!
Today we're heading for the shore in the remnants of Ernesto. It's a bit chilly and it's certainly raining. Last night, Shel thought it would be good to take an inch or so out of the pool given the amount of rain we were anticipating. When we woke up this morning, we expected to see the pool near to cresting... Nope - It was actually 3 inches emptier!
How might this happen, you ask. Simple - someone, who shall remain nameless, forgot to turn the valve off and the pool emptied itself overnight! It's still raining so perhaps it will fill some more. In any case we're not in any rush to get to the shore so I thought I'd spend some time updating.
This was a fun summer in many ways. Mike carpooled with me so the drive to and from work was usually pleasant, not to mention raucous. We laughed a lot... From the first Deer Park truck that began our drive to the Asbury sign at the end of our drive. A lot of in-between included the distasteful green building that had the word "adult" painted in black letters on the sides, the guys at the bus stops (the guy who was monochromatic by the pizza place, and the one down by the pub that has changed it's reopening date 3 times), the crazy turbaned drivers including the many that park in our lot at work and the mad dash across 6 lanes of highway traffic going 65 mph.
So, yesterday as I drove to work, I realized that there was little traffic , owing to a holiday weekend. There wasn't a Deer Park truck to be seen and the only laughter was my own, as I listened to WIP sports talk radio. I was thinking that it would be an uneventful ride, when I happened upon the distasteful green building and noticed a gentleman pushing a mop in a yellow bucket on wheels. I immediately skeeved and at present refuse to conjure up the image because thinking of what that guy was mopping - aaaaagggghhhh - I can't do it.

2006-08-31T07:07:00.000-04:00

Saturday was somewhat of a celebration. The weather was threatening but it didn't stop friends and family from gathering to welcome the Bald-headed Wonder back to Cinnaminson.

An opportunity in NYC brought Dooner East and he had the weekend off so he took the train and visited with us. It was very weird having him home - I'm thinking that we've sort of gotten used to it just being the two of us in this house.

In any case, it didn't rain and I didn't cry. The food was yummy and the laughs were many. Tim's shirt was salmon! There are more pictures if you click this link :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28922249@N00/

We hope to see him a few more times before he returns to California! If the weather's nice on September 9th, we'll go up to Madison Square Park and check out the venue like we did last year. And perhaps he'll have a few days to stop home again at the end of his gig, do some laundry and catch up with a bunch of other folks.

I'm looking forward to that :-)

2006-08-30T19:21:00.000-04:00

So today’s topic actually began to take shape 2 days ago – a typical rainy day and Monday. I was scheduled to drive up to our Pennington location so I found myself driving north on Route 130 instead of south… Either way, it would’ve been a crappy day because southbound 130 was flooded as was Route 73 and I would’ve used either of those routes to get to work in Swedesboro.
The point of this story is that it was raining and I was driving through Burlington on Route 130 – just before the Burlington Bristol Bridge. I looked up and noticed a the light had turned red and was slowing down when the three cars in front of me seemed to be braking suddenly. I think I was going about 20 mph but I slammed on my brakes and found myself gliding into the rear of a red Nissan Altima.
Well, there’s no need to go into the prayers followed by the string of obscenities issued from my mouth! Yah – I prayed. “Please don’t let me hit it. Please don’t let me hit it. Please don’t let me hit it.” (The three thing again!) Yah – I hit it.
I wasn’t going that fast so the airbag didn’t open. Apparently, the damage wasn’t so bad either. The worst thing was that the screws on my license plate holder left an imprint on her rear bumper. I was pretty shook up and upset at the stupidity of the situation, so much so that I neglected to check the obituaries when I got into work.
Also, I tried to call Shel and I had to leave a message because his cell didn’t pick up. When he finally called me, he started yelling because I didn’t call the cops… really the damage was so minor… I finally hung up on him because I had had enough crap all day! I even told Andy to take a walk out to Postal to check the time on their PCs.
SO… yesterday morning, I’m driving to work – the southern direction and I catch the light at Riverton Road. This woman using a walker is crossing Route 130 at the street, not using the famous overhead crosswalk that Erika used to love crossing to go to Clover to get her birthday present. No – this woman was crossing at road level and, while she was making good progress, it was unusual enough to make me giggle – especially when she motioned for oncoming traffic to inch up on her!
Then, a little farther down the road, still in Cinnaminson, this little blonde chick hopped the medial strip and got stuck there as she tried to cross Route 130 – not even at a light let alone over the cross walk! I wasn’t going fast, but someone with a little speed, could get her caught in their draft and fling her up like Dorothy’s house in the twister!
So now, I’m approaching Cinnaminson Ave and I noticed there was a car stopped at the light going northbound and an older guy was standing beside it pouring gas into the gas tank. The light changed and everyone begins to move and I noticed that a police cruiser is up ahead with its lights flashing. This cop has decided that he’s going to cut through the medial strip and go back north on 130 to the guy with the gasoline can.
I started braking (probably because I was still freaked from the fender bender the day before) and it was lucky that I did so! The guy in front of me slammed on his brakes but slid into the rear of an old taxi. The taxi then, pulled to the right to avoid hitting the SUV in front of him, but clipped it anyway, knocking the rear passenger lights off.
There was a younger guy driving the Mazda in front of me so I told him I’d be a witness if they needed me. He was a wreck. Then I called the cops because this was a much worse collision then I’d had the day before. A cop came, took my info and told me I could leave. Then he stopped traffic so the other cars could pull off to the side of the road. As I drove away, the guy in the Mazda waved a thank you.
This morning – it was quiet.

2006-08-24T14:08:00.000-04:00

Got Wedding?

An amazing adventure began somewhere back in 1979. Two families became inexplicably bound – first, through the Spirit, then through music. I won’t get into the details except to say that this Saturday, we celebrated together the wedding of the youngest J. sibling after having celebrated a total of 10 weddings, myriad christenings and several very difficult funerals. The P.’s and the J.’s have shared a lot of ups and downs and although it seems impossible, more than 25 years have elapsed and the music still flows as does – the milk. In fact, two of the culprits in the picture are highly successful children’s musicians… but that’s a story for another day.

So the point of this entry is that sharing music with the J boys and my brother at Church was inspiring to say the least. There’s such a feeling of heaven when you share space and time with folks you love. So much so that we immediately went into buffoon mode at the reception – you know we really know how to balance our lives!

First, Mike spilled beer on Jerry, which, of course, prompted the “Spiller in the Family” discussion. We have one in our family too… although he wasn’t at the wedding. Sue asked Karen, “So which of your kids got the ‘spilling gene’”? “Oh,” she sighed, “Peter got it.”

Well, don’t you know? Peter comes over to our table with a gallon of milk which promptly slips from his grasp, hits the floor, pops the lid and spills all over the floor. (Thank God, they had the sense to stick us in a dark corner.)

Karen and Sue just shook their heads and sighed together. You can’t make this stuff up!!

2006-08-24T14:03:00.000-04:00

Got Wedding Part A

So about the sharing time and space… the prep for the Wedding (I know – I’m working backwards here) was a hoot. Mike, Ernie and I met at Mike’s house one night about two and a half weeks before the wedding and attempted to put together the music that would be needed for the church.

This turned out to be a larger obstacle than I expected. First, there was the whole – “the groom wanted to get married by a lake so he could go fishing afterwards…” thing. Then, the bride only really wanted one song – and we were banned from singing it during the ceremony because, even though it’s based on scripture, it isn’t liturgical. Ah, well, the challenges of selecting songs for a church wedding ceremony…

The sub-plot was that Mike was in the backyard when we arrived, setting up a tent so that Rebecca and a friend could camp out that night – in 90+ degree heat!

Karen explained that Mike was frazzled because they had a toilet that he couldn’t fix and she had just noticed that the LED on the thermostat for the central air conditioner was faded out and she couldn’t read it. She was afraid to tell him, thinking he would freak. She swore Ernie and me to secrecy so that we could get some productive work done.

The music selection went fairly well – even Ernie had some positive contributions. We chose some oldies but goodies and some new songs. I promised Ernie and Mike I would send MP3s of the 2 new tunes. Of course, we neglected to set a rehearsal date, so that when it became apparent that I would be unable to attend the church rehearsal (because I was prepping for the dreaded colonoscopy), Ernie ended up not being available for when I COULD practice. Mike, Neal and I had a productive rehearsal on Wednesday before the wedding.

On Saturday, Wedding Day, Neal, Denise and I began the drive down to Camden (yes, Camden, NJ – City of Violence). As we passed the Old Ivystone, Neal looked over and said, “Hey, when did that place become an old people’s home? I saw Yngwie Malmsteen there!!” I am not lying when I tell you that place has been an assisted living facility for probably more than 15 years. And it’s not like Neal hasn’t driven past it once a week for the last 20 years!!!!

We arrived at the church early enough that we had a bit of time prior to the actual wedding ceremony and used that time to brush up some of the newer stuff and set harmony parts and beginnings and endings. Mike mentioned that at the wedding rehearsal Thursday night, Father Mike had asked if we planned to sing the “Our Father”. Mike said, “I told him we didn’t plan on it.” I thought to myself “Good, it’s been a long time since I had actually played the one that Father Mike would’ve wanted us to play”. Moments later, Ernie said, “Oh by the way, Father Mike wanted to know if we were going to sing the Our Father. I told him we weren’t going to.” I was just about to say “Good…” when Father Mike came up to us and said, “We’re singing the Our Father right?” In unison we responded, “No Father Mike, we didn’t prepare it.” I started to figure out the chords just in case. I got more than halfway through the song and Ernie looked at me. “No – we’re not doing it, Peg.” I nodded and we began the prelude songs as people were starting to come into church.

The ceremony went well and when it came to the part where we all would pray the Our Father, Father Mike looked right over at us and said, “Now let us all raise our voices in song as we pray the Our Father.” I couldn’t really see the paper where I had jotted down the chords, but I did my best from memory, completely ad libbing the ending… We all just giggled through the song.

When ever we do one of these church gigs, there is always one song that we fear will be a challenge and we had one for this gig. It happened that we needed it during a quiet prayerful moment of indefinite length. We had planned to sing the refrain twice hoping that we’d only have to do one verse because Ernie and Mike – who were doing the verses – weren’t real confident with the 2^nd and 3^rd verses.

As it turned out, our bride ended up NOT saying much of a prayer and we’d barely got through the refrain once when I saw her returning to her space in front of the altar. I signaled for a quick end to the song only to watch Ernie have a conniption because he had practiced and practiced that song and never got to sing a verse!!! “It was the best we ever did it,” he blustered.

AH – church gigs…

2006-08-20T13:57:00.000-04:00

Be Kind To Your Colon!

So-o-o-o… last week I experienced a miracle of modern medicine – the colonoscopy. I’m over 50 and have never had one so it was time. Having put it off for four years, I truly wasn’t looking forward to the adventure but decided it would be worth it in the end (ha, get it). Besides, it will be five years before I need another one and if I’m lucky I can put that off as well.
The procedure was scheduled for Friday so the fun began Thursday morning. I took my happy pill at 4 am with a piece of pretzel and that was the last solid food to be consumed for the next 36 hours or so. I drank sprite and beef consommé – never did get around to the chicken broth.
I left work early to set up VPN access for the human resources director of our company. She’s having knee replacement surgery and because she’s in so much pain, can work from home where she’ll be comfortable… also on days like Monday, when she has pre-admission testing from 10:00 to 2:00, she can work – do the testing and work without having to drive 60 miles round trip to work.
Oh, so, I got home at 4:15 and took the first 4 Visicol tablets with 8 ounces of water. 15 minutes later, the next 4 tablets with 8 ounces of water, etc., until I had consumed 20 of these gigantic pills that I gagged on by the end of the preparation. These lovely white gems draw water to your colon so that, um, things will start moving… which they did within an hour of the last pill sequence… just like the literature stated. I kind of just lay in bed and watched TV to take my mind off of everything.
Then at 9:00 pm, I took 4 – count ‘em, 4 – Dulcolax tablets and things really started happening. I guess I finally drifted off to sleep at 10:30 pm and awoke at 4:00 am for the final clean out. All in all, it wasn’t painful or uncomfortable. It just was!
Shel stayed home and took me to Voorhees for the procedure, after stopping at WaWa for coffee and cigarettes. By now, I had a bad headache from caffeine withdrawal. We got to the medical center and the stupid benefits credit card didn’t work so I had to write a check for $200 – awesome, huh!!
Eventually, they called me and Shel went to get breakfast. I got an IV, a hospital gown, robe and those little socks with treads. I walked into the operating/procedure room, hopped on the stretcher and was told to lie on my side. A nurse injected something into my IV and I asked if it would make me say stupid things. She said, “You won’t even have time to say…” I don’t know what else she said because the next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room.
The nurses were very cheerful and were actually singing Mellow Yellow, which they thought was a Beatles’ song. I let them know that it was Donovan. They were pretty young to really have known that. Then they were singing Lola by the Kinks and I think they though that was also by Donovan…It’s ok, like I said, they were pretty young.
Then the doctor came in and said everything looked good – no cancer – maybe some colitis. He took some biopsies and said “No aspirin, Motrin, etc. for a week. Follow up with me in three weeks and we’ll go over the biopsies.” He even showed me the pictures!
So, all in all, I’m pretty proud of my colon and decided to share a view with my friends. I sent an email with the following text:
The miracle of modern medicine makes it possible for me to share an image of my healthy colon... after a bunch of biopsies, i'm doing a-ok. NO CANCER - that was never even in the thought process... I'm just over 50 and never had one... maybe colitis but we have to wait for biopsy results...
... oh yeah, if it had been ERNIE'S colon it would've been funny.... I see how it is!
My friends immediately made comments like –
LOOKS LIKE THE INSIDE OF THE TERRACOTTA WINE COOLER!! – Tim
See,
If it was me, I would have had part of my colon removed.
Just so I could say that I had a semi-colon.
That's what I'm talkin' 'bout.
Fmwah,
Ernie
IF WE'RE HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT YOUR COLON, DOES THAT MEAN WE'RE HAVING A COLIN POW WOW? (BABA WAWA) – Tim again
An oldie but goodie – Jeff who sent this picture of his famous broken finger surgery…

And that about ends it for Be Kind To Your Colon week.

2006-08-07T13:34:00.000-04:00

Eagles Pre-season – Hall of Fame Game

Well you KNEW this was going to happen sooner or later. First pre-season game of the 2006-2007 season… And WHO was there???? Not Ernie – he doesn’t come to pre-season gatherings. Not Neal – he just came back from vacation. Not Dooner – he’s in California – and besides, he probably needs an exemption for this season so I don’t even count him. AT LEAST HE CALLED when the Eagles scored.

Peg was there… of yeah, of course I was there. I tried not to be too loud, be cause we all know that only ERNIE can be loud and be funny. When I’m loud, it’s stupid and NOT funny. I’m a little bitter, of course, but I’ve been trying to control myself.I was talking “drunken gibberish” so a lot of F-bombs were dropped. I promise to try harder and better throughout the season. And also, I promise to be quieter… but I still love McNabb.

2006-08-04T15:59:00.000-04:00

This is just amazing.

Back in May, my sister and I went out to get some perennials to plant. Perennials are flowers or plants that don’t die after their season is over. They bloom or grow every year. I got some sedum and stuff.

Then we went and got some herbs – basil and flat parsley – and I picked up a four tomato plants. Got home, got everything planted in containers on the deck and then our neighbor came over to borrow our wheelbarrow.

Our neighbor is a pretty cool guy. He just doesn’t own a wheelbarrow and has no plans to ever own one. We didn’t really care about him borrowing it because we weren’t using it and it’s kind of nice to know that a tool is being useful to SOMEONE.

When he returned the wheelbarrow, he brought over two zucchini plants, four pepper plants and five more tomato plants. “Thanks for letting us borrow the wheelbarrow. Here are some vegetable plants. If you can use them, great, I was just going to throw them out because I didn’t have enough space to plant them.”

Well neither did I… so I dug up an area near the deck and in went the vegetables.

Now it’s August and this is what I got!!!!

2006-07-31T15:59:00.000-04:00

So it happened on Saturday night at church… our regular 5:00 gig. We are a contemporary ensemble of singers, guitars, keyboards, drums and cello although we were missing some of the key components. We had just sat down after the proclamation of the Gospel and were getting ready for the sermon – our priest, this weekend, was the associate, an intriguing gentleman from India… very spiritual and kind of oblivious to our culture but learning quickly.

As he began to preach, I noticed two of my friends, seated on the other side of the church, jump up and head for the back of the church. In a matter of moments, an usher appeared and headed down the aisle, as did another friend of mine who is an RN. Mary Beth got to the person who was in distress and I watched her take a pulse and quietly ask some questions.

The usher checked on the situation and headed to the church entrance again. He came back with a wheelchair but by now, another usher and another woman had approached the scene and were motioning for someone to call an ambulance.

I soon heard sirens and felt a bit relieved however Fr Mike had just finished his sermon and sat down for a moment of silence. (I have to admit, I didn’t hear much of it because he has such a thick accent that you REALLY have to pay attention when he preaches). Fr Mike did NOT at this point notice what was going on, the deacon, however was aware.

The deacon got up to lead the prayers of the faithful and now, I was beginning to feel very uncomfortable. I felt that Fr Mike should have been made aware of the situation and maybe gone down and anointed the person in distress. By this time, the whole back of the church knew what was going on because the police arrived – 3 strapping Cinnaminson lads in uniform.

We stood up to begin the Preparation rite with a song but I didn’t feel that I should have started. First of all, everyone was worrying over this person and not really preparing for the most sacred of moments in our celebration. Second of all, I really felt strongly that the person should have been anointed. I did begin the song but cut it short.

By now, the paramedics arrived with a gurney and Fr Mike finally realized what was going on, as did the whole church assembly. The person in distress protested the paramedics’ attempts but eventually agreed to be taken to the hospital. It turned out to be an elderly woman whose face was whiter than her hair by the time I saw her. The deacon’s wife was gesturing to her husband that one of them – the deacon or the priest – should say some prayers for the poor, sick woman.

Fr Mike didn’t stop. He didn’t go and anoint her. He began the prayers for consecration as the paramedics rolled her out of the church.

I was fit to be tied but trying not to be angry. I just felt so uncomfortable. No one would’ve cared if he had delayed the Mass for a few minutes to say some prayers for the woman. I said a lot of prayers for her starting from the moment I realized someone was ailing.

Later, I found out that she was severely dehydrated and anxious because her special needs son was in rehab after an operation that left him partially debilitated. This woman is the sole caregiver to her adult son who is impaired and she was stressing because no one would be able to help her son if she was in the hospital.

I haven't heard anymore about her. I hope she's ok.

2006-07-29T15:29:00.000-04:00

So this is what I've done this summer:
I joined the Golden Eagle Community Band so I could brush up on my bass playing skills. We played a variety of music: marches, show tunes, standards, some pop. I really liked the Sousa marches, Liberty Bell turned out to be my favorite because we played it the night of the fireworks in the Shade. On the way home, Mike and Mark sang it from start to finish. I laughed until I cried.
I've gotten to Wildwood twice. It's so relaxing. I love the deck especially in the morning, drinking coffee as people walk, jog or bike by. It's so beautiful there. I hope to get back soon.
We remodeled the powder room which was just insane because it took SO long. The result is that it looks good and it works.

2006-07-17T14:48:00.000-04:00

You Are a Dreaming Soul

Your vivid emotions and imagination takes you away from this world
So much so that you tend to live in your head most of the time
You have great dreams and ambitions that could be the envy of all...
But for you, following through with your dreams is a bit difficult

You are charming, endearing, and people tend to love you.
Forgiving and tolerant, you see the world through rose colored glasses.
Underneath it all, you have a ton of passion that you hide from others.
Always hopeful, you tend to expect positive outcomes in your life.

Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul, Prophet Soul, and Traveler Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

2006-07-13T08:30:00.000-04:00

Jump!

Have you heard David Lee Roth do the bluegrass version of “Jump” from the Strummin’ with the Devil CD? It’s sort of growing on me... although I think Eddie would have issues with it!

Andy did this incredible version of Tarkus. Well – Tarkus is pretty frightening, but his interpretation is just plain brilliant! He has an amazing sense of rhythm. He also has the uncanny ability to laugh at himself. Why he would ever try to cover Tarkus is one question that defies an answer. Another question is simply “Why?” I’ve given up asking any questions.

I found my Marc Broussard CD – I thought it was lost but it ended up being in my car CD player. I had it on my IPOD so I wasn’t so worried about not ever hearing it again… I just was pissed that I lost it.

Last night I heard that amazing version of Wanted Dead Or Alive – the live BonJovi one… This Left feels Right I think is the album.

Which brings me back to Strummin’ with the Devil… what WAS he thinking? Did poor Eddie give his approval? Did he need to give his approval? Are things that bad that they David needed to do this album? OK, so he failed miserably on WYSP… was that such a shock?

Which begs another question? WHAT has happened to WYSP? Oh sure, in the wake of Howard Stern, the station was doomed, but what about the MUSIC???? I find myself listening to WXPN more often than not… sometimes WMGK – classic rock, now that Mike and I carpool.

There’s a large rubber cockroach on my desk, left by a co-worker. I must remember to return it.

I listen to LaunchCast on Yahoo. By rating artists, albums, songs and genres, you have some control over what you listen to. I feel that my selections are eclectic. Show Tunes to Ska. 80s Hair band to Singer-Songwriters. Classical to Classic rock.

Ah well. I DO like bluegrass… so instead of asking “WHY?” I’ll just say, “Why not?”

2006-07-06T14:19:00.000-04:00

A favorite time of year for me… Kind of interesting without Lance -still a lot of excitement for me. Yahoo has flash updates and live coverage so you can follow the riders as they progress through the stage.

This guy – George Hincapie, I think, can win. He’s in 4^th overall right now – 17 seconds behind. It’s so early in the Tour. Almost anything is possible.
I love watching these guys race. There’s just so much heart in the Tour de France. There’s the team aspect, the country aspect and the individual aspect. I spent a couple of years “going Postal”. Now Discovery, with the Lance Armstrong legacy, is doing very well.

Paolo Salvodelli is in 7^th overall, just 27 seconds back, Yaroslav Popovych is in 22nd place, José Acevedo is in 27^th place, José Rubiera is in 46^th place which is only 57 seconds behind the leader.

Floyd Landis could do it too… he’s an American riding for Phonak. He’s in 8^th overall.

Levi Leipheimer is an American riding for Gerolsteiner and he’s in 25^th place.

These guys were both members of Postal and rode with Lance.
It’s still early… and it’s so exciting.

2006-06-26T09:49:00.000-04:00

18 Things To Do With A Third Arm:

Drink coffee or something stronger, while typing
Paper hanging
Dial a cell phone while driving
Hold all your paraphernalia while booting H
Light a cigarette while making an amazing wind screen
Opening jars
Talking on the phone while rolling meatballs
Punch my shaking head while covering my eyes
Applauding while still being able to eat popcorn at the ball game.
Keep the 3rd one hidden and "WHOA" whip it out with a surprise bitch-slap.
Become a guitar legend that no one could imitate
Dress up the third like a chestburster from "Alien" and scare people at a hospital.
Unlocking the front door while carrying a bass fiddle
Mixing a cocktail while drinking one
Cutting your meat while eating potatoes
Flipping the bird while keeping 2 hands on the wheel
Rolling down the window while searching for change at a toll booth
Opening the basement door while carrying a basket of laundry

2006-06-23T15:23:00.000-04:00

I love movie billboards. I love them better than when the Indians in our building page each other... but that’s a topic for another day. I even love them better than when Lauren pages because she sounds like a 3 year old, I think she should have her adenoids removed… then she might sound like her age.

My last entry had to do with a concert… ok, The X-Men billboard. The Omen billboard recently caught my attention because it would have been my mother's 78th birthday. Luckily, she hasn’t lived to be that old. I don’t think she would’ve liked it much. She was lively and vibrant and had such peace about her. She had an incredible sense of humor – well she married my dad, after all, and had seven children.

In any case, my newest favorite movie billboard is for Superman Returns. Now tell me, does this not seem reminiscent of Christ crucified? I mean, really? Ok, the arms are extended downward, but the cape is certainly a cross. Does this mean that Superman is intended to be a savior. Well, Metropolis may think so, but I don’t. I’m completely dedicated to UnderDog. It’s my belief, that UnderDog, albeit a minor super-hero and often misunderstood and maligned super-hero, is really the guy we need to call on when we’re in a bad way. I’d give real pesos just to hear “There’s no need to fear, UnderDog is here.” Don’t you think that’s way more effective then jumping into a near-by phone booth.

No, I haven’t lost what little bit of my mind I have left. It’s just that I’ve been unjustly accused of having DID – dual identity disease or some such nonsense. Some people believe that “Violet” is the violent ‘other me’. Most of it has to do with the repeated degaussing that I suffer at the hands of the evil Seth. But that’s a topic for another day.

2006-06-08T17:27:00.000-04:00

Ok… so maybe I need to have my eyes checked again. My last check up was in May and the doctor said that, with contacts, my eyesight was excellent “for someone your age.” Folks, be careful when an eye doctor says, “For someone your age…” What they’re really saying is “Jesus, how does that woman drive a car???”

Ok… so I drive to work and home every day and I read billboards as I fly by. I’ll admit, some of them peak my interest like 6 + 6 + 06. I figured it was for a movie about the devil, no big deal, right.

So I see this other billboard as I drive up and down Route 130. Now my nephew is car-pooling with me. So I say – “Check out that billboard… who else is gonna be at that concert?” “What concert?” he asks. “The one with Bonnie Raitt and EmmyLou Harris.”

I know I’m in trouble when he bursts out laughing. “That’s for the X-MEN movie.” “Oh. I see.”

Thanks to Dayv who photoshopped the above gif - it's my new desktop!

It could happen….

2006-06-07T15:55:00.000-04:00

Ok this is a true story:
This morning at 4:55am the alarm goes off and my husband gets up to get his shower after hitting snooze twice. I try to fall back to sleep as is my custom. Suddenly, as the drool is beginning, I’m sure, the door to the bedroom bursts open and Shelden yells, “You gotta help me. You gotta help me.”
“Holy Shit, Holy Shit, Holy Shit”, I think. It could be anything when that skinny-assed, lame-fingered, diabetic is concerned. So I leap out of bed and say “What? What? What?’ (I think in 3s, especially at 5:20 am)
“I gotta tick. You have to remove it.” “A tick??? Where is it?” “It’s on my dick!!!! I have a tick on my dick!!!” “What the shit? How’d you get a tick on your dick??” “I don’t know. Just get it off. Make sure you get the head” I was pretty sure he was referring to the tick at that point.
So I go into the bathroom, get my makeup bag and grab the tweezers. Of course, the tick is on his groin, not his actual dick, so I go to work on it. “Why don’t you put on your glasses so you can actually see?” he says. He still hasn’t figured out the whole near-sighted/far-sighted thing. “Actually, I see up close better withOUT my glasses.” I say. He seems happier and lets me get down to work again. This time I get the tick – it really hasn’t latched on or anything – but it starts climbing up the tweezers. I run to the sink and turn on the water. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?????” he screams. "Put it in the toilet – it’ll climb up the drain pipe. It’ll cling to the sides.” I go to the toilet and try to flick off the tick. Doesn’t the pair of tweezers fall in the toilet????

2006-05-19T14:11:00.000-04:00

Why they were chosen - Road Trip CD 2

Take the Time – Freddy Jones Band – “Take the time to look in front of you.” And all around when you’re driving through some of that beautiful country.

We’re Not Right – David Gray – What’s wrong with us is no small thing…

Lonely Night in Georgia – Marc Broussard – Marc Broussard rocks. Hope you don’t get too lonely.

Two of Us – The Beatles – Wish I could have made the trip with you. I was there in spirit.

Hate to Lose Your Lovin’ – Little Feat – A kickin’ song, just to make you dance in the car!

Your Smiling Face – James Taylor – I have to smile myself, because I love you.

Show My Face Around – Jim Boggia – from the new CD. Another Beatlesque tune with lots of mini-moog. “I’ll just crawl back in my world of sound.” Boggia’s Mom sings at the end.

Sailin’ Shoes – Little Feat – When Neal was in Sweden he played this song on a radio station. It’s just another link to family history…. Nothing to do with the drug reference.

Prologue, Jellicle songs for Jellicle Cats – Cats – One of my favorite gifts was when we went to see Cats together.

Carry On – Crosby Stills Nash and Young – “Where will you be tomorrow? Carry on, love is coming, love is coming to us all.”

Up on Cripple Creek – The Band – One of our favorite jams. Our air jam band does it real good!

Maze – 4 Way Street – Those Philly roots are represented again. “Better find another way out…”

Magic To Do – Pippin – Referring to the magic of life!

Northern Bound Train – Pete Droge – The ultimate Jam of all air band jams. Our anthem, our New Years Eve favorite!

Mexico – James Taylor – Simply because my fondest memory of this song was the night we danced around your bedroom.

You’ve Got A Friend – Carole King – She has a big butt but she can write a mean song!

Ma-Ma-Ma Belle – Electric Light Orchestra – Don’t forget to call once in a while.

Everywhere You Go – 4 Way Street – Ben Arnold’s contribution to a really great Philly local CD “You sing a silent little melody Everywhere you go”

2006-05-19T13:44:00.000-04:00

States Where I've Urinated!

create your own personalized map of the USA
or check out ourCalifornia travel guide

2006-05-16T15:25:00.000-04:00

Why they were chosen Road Trip CD 1

California – Joni Mitchell – Obvious… he’s DRIVING to California. Not so obvious… James Taylor plays guitar on this tune. When I was in college, I listened to this album (vinyl) repeatedly while drinking cheap wine. I have fond memories that I associate with this entire CD. Perhaps, my son will have some as he listens to this song on his big adventure.

The Long and Winding Road – The Beatles – Obvious…. He’s on the long and winding road. Not so obvious… it’s from Let It Be – Naked. We both got goose bumps the first time we heard this version.

Shoot The Moon – Four Way Street – Obvious… a Philly local band, Scott Bricklin and his brother Brian, or maybe it was the other way around, produced The Freakin’ Cads Escape from Philly. Not so obvious – Jim Boggia and Ben Arnold are also part of Four Way Street, an obvious reference to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. “Once in a while your dreams come true…”

Wanted, Dead Or Alive – Mr Andy - Obvious… It’s my favorite karaoke tune, something to be remembered by. Not so obvious… Oh yes, I do karaoke – badly, but I do it. And I’ve seen some amazing performances, as has my son. I want him to laugh as he listens and remembers nights like Petey doing White Snake and Neal doing Livin’ La Vida Loca. Oh, and, Mr. Andy’s version just reeks of karaoke.

Rocksteady – Marc Broussard – Obvious… Marc Broussard ROCKS! Not so obvious… Dooner actually worked an event where Marc Broussard performed and was pleasantly surprised by the guy’s talent and demeanor! AND a very special Christmas present.

Come On! Feel the Illinoise – Sufian Stevens – Obvious… another special Christmas present. Not so obvious… Dude, you can’t be on the road trip of a lifetime and not listen to a song about Illinois. Plus the album was recorded in Clarksboro – right down 295 from where I work!

In A Daydream – Freddy Jones Band – Obvious… What compilation disc is complete without a Freddy Jones tune. Not so obvious… The lyrics – “The sky is calling, Calling out my name. Telling me just to stay, Stay and don't go away. I'm already in, In a daydream.” But go, my son, go where no Petti has gone before!

Honey Don’t Leave L.A. – James Taylor – Obvious… It’s James and it’s about leaving LA. Not so obvious… It’s James.

Several Thousand – Jim Boggia – Obvious… “Every time I see you I'm exalted.” Lyrics, of course. There is nothing like the feeling I get when my son croshes the threshold! Not so obvious… Dooner drove to Manayunk in a snow storm to get this CD for me as a Christmas present.

Teach Your Children – Crosby Stills Nash and Young – Obvious… we all want our kids to continue to honor the values we’ve instilled in them. Not so obvious… Dooner went with Neal to a CSN concert. They had 1 front row seat so they took turns sitting there. Dooner was young – maybe 15, 16. As CSN sang this song, Graham Nash noticed Dooner in the front row, reached down and shook his hand, saying “We’ve got some young ones here tonight.” When he came home, he woke me up to tell me about it. How cool is that!

Corner of the Sky – (from Pippin) – obvious… Lyrics “Every man has his daydreams. Every man has his goal. People like the way dreams have of sticking to the soul. Thunderclouds have their lightning. Nightingales have their song. And don't you see I want my life to be something more than long.... Rivers belong where they can ramble. Eagles belong where they can fly. I've got to be where my spirit can run free. Got to find my corner of the sky”. Not so obvious… One of our favorites as a musical. When Bo Bice was on American Idol, they had to sing show tunes and Dooner thought “If II were Bo, I’d sing ‘Corner of the Sky’.” Bo sang it. Yah - my son can totally do TV... no problem!

So Far Away – Carole King – obvious… Lyrics “So far away. Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore. It would be so fine to see your face at my door. It doesn't help to know, you're just time away.” Not so obvious… I miss Dooner (I’ve missed him for a year) but I want him to live his life and be successful. If it means being ‘So Far Away’, so be it.

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved by You – James Taylor – Obvious… It’s James. Not so obvious… Dooner and I share some pretty insane taste in music. James has been common ground for many, many years.

Silver Lining – Bonnie Raitt – Obvious… It’s a David Gray tune. Not so obvious… Lyrics “Step into the silence, take it in your own two hands. And sprinkle it like diamonds all across these lands. Blaze it in the morning. Wear it like an iron skin. Only things worth living for are innocence and magic, amen” You make your own magic, you make your own life. Why Bonnie Raitt? Why not?

Jesus on the Grill – Willy Porter – Obvious… a travel song. Not so obvious… we really dug Willy Porter when we saw him at Apple Farm. Funny thing, on his trip out to LA, A jackelope got all up in Dooner’s grill. I called him up and parodied the words to this song, singing “I saw rabbit on the grille…” ah well – you had to be there.

New Horizons – David Gray – Obvious… It’s David Gray… again no road trip cd can be complete without David Gray. Not so obvious… lyrics “Weight on my shoulders but I'm walking so tall out into the new horizon. Wonder in everything no matter how great or small.” How cool, a great big new adventure.

Superman – Five for Fighting – Obvious… “I can't stand to fly. I'm not that naïve. I’m just out to find the better part of me.” Well, sure, Dooner. Take this opportunity to find what you’re made of. Not so obvious… I met John Ondrasik at Singer-Song writer weekend. He’s pretty down to earth. Like Dooner.

Traffic Jam – James Taylor – Obvious… It’s James… Not so obvious… I wanted to let Dooner know that I knew it would be a tough trip, not just because of traffic. It would be a real test of stamina and patience. We all know how patient Dooner can be.

All That You Dream – Little Feat – Obvious… Well it IS Little Feat, after all. Not so obvious… “All, all that you dream comes to shine in silver lining. And clouds, clouds change the scene. Rain starts washing all these cautions right into your life, make you realize just what is true. What else can I do just follow the rule keep your eyes on the road that's ahead of you.” Just do it!

2006-05-15T14:39:00.000-04:00

Sending your son on the road trip of a life time…

Get a phone call on a Tuesday from the 31-year old appendage commonly known as ”son”. It goes something like this….
Son: Yeah, well, so I start my new job in Santa Monica on Monday.
Me: hmmm
S: Well, I’m driving. I’ll need my car out there.
M: hmmmm
S: um
M: hmmm
S: Let’s see, my car has been sitting in the driveway for 6 months and has no insurance…
M: hmmmm
S: yeah and apparently my license has been revoked because I got a ticket in NY and I neglected to pay it.
M: hmmm
S: Dad said he will drive up here to Hoboken on Thursday morning to help me move my shit out of here. Then maybe I can get the car inspected sometime during the day Thursday so I can leave Friday morning.
M: hmmmm
S: Yeah and well I’m so busy finishing out this job, I’ll never have time to figure out insurance and getting my license reinstated and getting the car serviced for the trip.
M: hmmmm
S: Thanks, Mom
M: hmmm

So, of course, I get home from work on Thursday with the knowledge that I’ve helped pave the road West. The car is sitting in the driveway, serviced and inspected, driven by someone with a newly reinstated license AND new insurance.
In addition to the many phone calls I’ve made during the week, I make a lovely dinner for son, husband and PopPop – a dinner, which by the way, has not escaped the scrutiny of husband who whines as usual, even though I’ve made a salad with ICEBERG lettuce.
The family shows up to celebrate the nephew/cousin who will now embark on a journey that none of us have ever conceived of, given that we all live within a 10 mile radius. Some of us live across the street from one another, some of us on the same street more or less.
It is mostly an excuse for cousins to drink together. Aunts, uncles, parents, etc., do their bit and help with the alcohol consumption, good wishes and monetary gifts. I kick them all out at 11 knowing that 5:00 will come all too soon. And it does.