Category: Blog

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Me! Me! Pick Me!

Two posts in one day?! Oh. Em. Gee. (As my younger cousin would text, as an added emphasis on “OMG”). What the bloody heck is goin’ on?! Well, I finally have a Sunday of absolutely no plans to do a little catching up on bloggies.

And seeing as if I’ve recently been tagged for a meme, I figured I do it today. And actually, come to think of it. I’ve been tagged a few times with different meme’s … so might as well do them all!

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The first one was waaaaay back at the beginning of August from VA Blondie at Do Without Doing. Uhm … yeah. So sorry it’s taken me this long to do it! 

The Rules

  • Link to the person who tagged you
  • Post the rules on your blog
  • Let the tagger know when your entry is posted.
  • Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog
  • Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them

Okay, six random thingies …

  1. I’m such a procrastinator. Oh yeah, right … like you didn’t already know!
  2. I’m a coffee snob. Hate the nasty stuff at work and have to pick up “the good stuff” or brew my own before heading to the office.
  3. I’m a sucker for word games. Throw a Scrabble board or a NYT Crossword in front of me, and I’m game. Not good at them, but I love doing them!
  4. I have trust issues with my hair. Not that I do anything extraordinary to it (like cut/dye/style it a special way), I just don’t like anyone I don’t know or trust playing with it.
  5. I’m not as daring or brave or as impulsive as most people (IRL) think. I’m actually quite a deliberative person who has to be excessively prepared before heading into a situation. (Okay, maybe I should have just said I was “anal-retentive”!)
  6. Sunday mornings are probably my most favorite time of the week. I love sleeping in, but the utter quietness of Sunday mornings makes me feel at peace … even for just a minute

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The next one is from Kara at Becoming Parents. (Okay, wow … this one was from back in June! Talk about procrastination!) This meme was prompted by the book written by Larry Smith & Rachel Fershleiser, Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous & Obscure. Apparently, Hemingway once bet ten dollars that he could sum up his life in six words. His words were, “For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn.” The book is a compilation of similar 6 word stories. This meme challenges us to do the same:


Instructions:

  • Write your own six word memoir.
  • Post it to your blog including a visual illustration if you would like.
  • Link to the person who tagged you
  • Tag 5 more bloggers
  • Don’t forget to leave a comment in the tagged blogs with an invitation to play

Here’s my Six (okay, really seven) Word Memoir and visual illustration:

(A) non-fictional account of triumph over tragedy

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And finally, Kate over at Bee in the Bonnet tagged me for this one word meme. Apparently I’m supposed to stick to a one word answer … which, just like Kate, will be torture for someone who loves to just babble on and on and on …

So here’s my attempt

  1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
  2. Where is your significant other? Table
  3. Your hair color? Black
  4. Your mother? Religious
  5. Your father? Traveling
  6. Your favorite thing? Reading
  7. Your dream last night? Scary
  8. Your dream/goal? Far
  9. The room you’re in? Cafe
  10. Your hobby? Writing
  11. Your fear? Failure
  12. Where do you want to be in six years? Happy
  13. Where were you last night? Football
  14. What you’re not? Ignorant
  15. One of your wish list items? Travel
  16. Where you grew up? Suburbia
  17. The last thing you did? Type
  18. What are you wearing? Underwear
  19. Your T.V.? Off
  20. Your pet? Family
  21. Your computer? MacBook
  22. Your mood? Content
  23. Missing someone? Cousins
  24. Your car? Orange
  25. Something you’re not wearing? Socks
  26. Favorite store? Target
  27. Your Summer? Gone
  28. Love someone? Hubby
  29. Your favorite color? Blue
  30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
  31. Last time you cried? Friday

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And if you’ve noticed, I’ve already broken the rules / failed to follow instructions. I’ve decided that I’m not going to tag anyone. So ptooey!

Boy, this was fun!

 

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Show and Tell: Yami's Holiday

So I decided that in order for me to post regularly, I should probably join an activity amongst our IF / Loss community. I made the attempt earlier this year to join the predecessor for IComLeavWe, but failed at it miserably. Trust me, it’s not from lack of trying, it was more because working 10-hour days with nary-a-break (other than to nibble on lunch) leaves me incredibly exhausted with little brain-power to do much else.

Which brings me to this post. I have decided to join the Show and Tell weekly thread, a week-to-week commitment where each participant brings something fun to share. Yes, it sound like fun and it does sound just like kindergarten!

Anyway, for my first week I decided to share pictures of my cat, Yami. Now, I bet you’re wondering why the title of this post says “Yami’s Holiday.” Well, it’s because our kitty is a black cat and this coming Friday is Halloween … the day for black cats to rule! 🙂

Seriously. Check out how MEAN she looks?!

Actually, Yami (pronounced “Yah-mee”) is the most adorably precocious cat we’ve ever had. And, no … she’s not intentionally bearing her teeth at us. I just happened to snap a picture of her at the end of a yawn. This is how she normally looks like.

Ain’t she adorable?! Well, that ain’t the most adorable picture I’ve taken of her. That one happens to be this one.

Yup, I managed to catch the normally hyperactive kitty , who hates to be held, snuggling next to one of my stuffed animals. Busted!

And actually, she does love to snuggle … it just has to be on her terms (of course).

We acquired Yami from our SIL about four years ago, when she moved into a new apartment and wasn’t allowed to take more than one cat. Her name means “The Chosen One” in some variation of Japanese lore. Quite appropriate, as she seems to think she rules the household.

Did I mention that she was smart?! Yes, this girl has managed to open doors and get herself locked into bedrooms she’s not allowed to be in. And some days, I wonder what kind of trouble she gets into when we’re not home. Seriously, do you think she might be posting stuff on my blog?

Oh, but Hubby & I love her so much. Our lives would be so much boring without her in it. So Yami, if you happen to be “googling” yourself … I hope you know that you are my most favorite indoor indoor black kitty ever! Not to be confused with my most favorite indoor kitty … that title is reserved for your sister, Rain!

BUSTED again!!

To read others’ Show and Tell items for the week, click here!

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Uh-Oh …

I had a feeling this day would come. And I’m surprised it’s only happened now …

This is what I get for dressing in the dark!

As Hubby pointed out earlier, I suppose I could bring back the whole Kris Kross look.

‘Cause “it’s wiggidy wiggidy wiggidy wack!”

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Music Snob

Okay, totally stole this from Mrs. X. That, and spending time with my cousins this past weekend had me reminiscing about the styles and fashions and music of our day.

So this is the deal.

A) Go to this site
B) Enter the year you graduated from high school in the search function
C) Copy and paste the list of 100 most popular songs of that year
D) Bold the songs you like
E) Strike through the ones you really hate

I must preface this by telling you guys that, back in the late 80’s-early 90’s, I was a big music snob. I thought I was supremely cool for working at a “Rekka Sto” (as in Prince’s “Under The Cherry Moon”), and thought that I knew anything and everything about alternative music. G*d forbid I listen to anything “Top 40!” And that’s probably why there isn’t much I know or really like on this list.

However … today, I’m pretty much open to anything that has great bass, good beats and/or hook.

Today, when I listen really closely to some of the songs that I hated back in “the day,” I suddenly find myself appreciating some of them more than I did back then.

The best example I can give you is this: I utterly despised GnR’s “Sweet Child O’Mine” when it first hit the airwaves. Yuck, I remember thinking, here’s yet another “big hair” 80’s metal band. But today, when listening to the song “closely” on my iPod using my excellent d-JAYS earphones … I am completely enthralled by how the song was written both lyrically and melodically.

So, with that said … I’m adding another rule to the above, which is to:

F) Bold/Highlight the songs that you hated in high school but appreciate today …

  1. Hold On, Wilson Phillips (uh-huh … the harmonies ROCKED!)
  2. It Must Have Been Love, Roxette
  3. Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O’Connor
  4. Poison, Bell Biv DiVoe
  5. Vogue, Madonna
  6. Vision Of Love, Mariah Carey
  7. Another Day In Paradise, Phil Collins
  8. Hold On, En Vogue
  9. Cradle Of Love, Billy Idol
  10. Blaze Of Glory, Jon Bon Jovi
  11. Do Me!, Bell Biv Devoe
  12. How Am I Supposed To Live Without You, Michael Bolton
  13. Pump Up The Jam, Technotronic
  14. Opposites Attract, Paula Abdul
  15. Escapade, Janet Jackson
  16. All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You, Heart
  17. Close To You, Maxi Priest
  18. Black Velvet, Alannah Myles
  19. Release Me, Wilson Phillips
  20. Don’t Know Much, Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville
  21. All Around The World, Lisa Stansfield
  22. l Wanna Be Rich, Calloway
  23. I Remember You, Skid Row
  24. Rub You The Right Way, Johnny Gill
  25. She Ain’t Worth It, Glenn Medeiros Featuring Bobby Brown
  26. If Wishes Came True, Sweet Sensation
  27. The Power, Snap
  28. (Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection, Nelson
  29. Love Will Lead You Back, Taylor Dayne
  30. Don’t Wanna Fall In Love, Jane Child
  31. Two To Make It Right, Seduction
  32. Sending All My Love, Linear
  33. Unskinny Bop, Poison
  34. Step By Step, New Kids On The Block
  35. Dangerous, Roxette
  36. We Didn’t Start The Fire, Billy Joel
  37. I Don’t Have The Heart, James Ingram
  38. Downtown Train, Rod Stewart
  39. Rhythm Nation, Janet Jackson
  40. I’ll Be Your Everything, Tommy Page
  41. Roam, B-52’s
  42. Everything, Jody Watley
  43. Back To Life, Soul II Soul
  44. Here and Now, Luther Vandross
  45. Alright, Janet Jackson
  46. Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice (admit it, it has a catchy beat!)
  47. Blame It On The Rain, Milli Vanilli (so the lip-syncing sucked, but the song was still cool!)
  48. Have You Seen Her, M.C. Hammer
  49. With Every Beat Of My Heart, Taylor Dayne
  50. Come Back To Me, Janet Jackson
  51. No More Lies, Michel’le
  52. Praying For Time, George Michael
  53. How Can We Be Lovers, Michael Bolton
  54. Do You Remember, Phil Collins
  55. Ready Or Not, After 7
  56. U Can’t Touch This, M.C. Hammer
  57. I Wish It Would Rain Down, Phil Collins
  58. Just Between You and Me, Lou Gramm
  59. Something Happened On The Way To Heaven, Phil Collins
  60. Black Cat, Janet Jackson
  61. Can’t Stop, After 7
  62. Janie’s Got A Gun, Aerosmith
  63. The Humpty Dance, Digital Underground
  64. I’ll Be Your Shelter, Taylor Dayne
  65. Free Fallin’, Tom Petty
  66. Giving You The Benefit, Pebbles
  67. Enjoy The Silence, Depeche Mode
  68. Love Song, Tesla
  69. Price Of Love, Bad English
  70. Girls Nite Out, Tyler Collins
  71. King Of Wishful Thinking, Go West
  72. What Kind Of Man Would I Be?, Chicago
  73. Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over), Technotroic
  74. Here We Are, Gloria Estefan
  75. Epic, Faith No More
  76. Love Takes Time, Mariah Carey
  77. Just Like Jesse James, Cher
  78. Love Shack, B-52’s
  79. All Or Nothing, Milli Vanilli
  80. Romeo, Dino
  81. Everybody Everybody, Black Box
  82. I Go To Extremes, Billy Joel
  83. Whip Appeal, Babyface
  84. Oh Girl, Paul Young
  85. C’mon and Get My Love, D-Mob With Cathy Dennis
  86. (It’s Just) The Way That You Love Me, Paula Abdul
  87. We Can’t Go Wrong, Cover Girls
  88. When I’m Back On My Feet Again, Michael Bolton
  89. Make You Sweat, Keith Sweat
  90. This One’s For The Children, New Kids On The Block
  91. What It Takes, Aerosmith
  92. Forever, Kiss
  93. Jerk Out, Time
  94. Just A Friend, Biz Markie
  95. Whole Wide World, A’me Lorain
  96. Without You, Motley Crue
  97. Swing The Mood, Jive Bunny and The Mastermixers
  98. Thieves In The Temple, Prince
  99. Mentirosa, Mellow Man Ace
  100. Tic-Tac-Toe, Kyper

And with that said … Here’s how my list for 1990 turned out:

* Huh … Just noticed how a lot of the songs on this list are more “Dance Tracks” (remember 12-inch maxi-single remixes?!) Again, goes to show how I fancied more the stuff played elsewhere (-ie- clubs, house parties, etc) rather than on the airwaves.

** Double Huh … Also noticed that I seriously did not fancy any R&B artists back in the day.

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And Finally …

Special project can, once and for all, be revealed. (Woo-hoo! I can hear y’all *excitedly* cheering … NOT!)

Yeah, I just have to show this off because I honestly spent a lot of man-hours on it. And well … the end result was more than I ever imagined. SO … without further ado, here is the special wedding gift I presented to my cousin this past weekend.

My Special Wedding Gift
My Special Wedding Gift

If you might recall in a previous post, my cousin and I were very close growing up. We wrote detailed letters of our daily life, including many of our hopes and dreams, our troubles and concerns. And in return, we would receive lots of encouragement and support. I guess you could say that we were “bloggers” about 20 years ahead of our time, as the first of our back-to-back correspondences started around 1985.

All of My Cousin's Letters to Me
All of My Cousin's Letters to Me

I can’t even imagine how many letters I sent to my cousin over the years. I suppose I could go back to my own special wedding gift from her, but quite frankly I’m too lazy to count. In total we must have exchanged well over two hundred letters amongst ourselves; some of them as long as 40 back-to-back, handwritten pages. And the only reason I’m guesstimating is because I must have scanned in more than 100 of her letters to me over the period of 6 weeks. That, and pictures of us growing up.

Hubby, the graphic designer, helped design the covers to the three books. Each book with a title taken from lyrics to an ’80’s song. And after doing some research, we were able to self-publish this book by uploading the pdf files to this site. I think they turned out awesome … don’t you?

Okay, so what happened when my cousin opened her gift?

Uh-huh … it was quite emotional for the two of us. But just to see the look on her face, and how happy she was? And to know that I finally fulfilled a promise we made to each other back in our youth? It was worth all the sweat and tears.

Now … bonus points for anyone that can name the title of the song and the artist for each of the three books!