A Guessing Game!

Not your average 9 to 5 guy!

Ok Peoples....here's a fun one for you. Take a guess at who this is....
Those of you who are right - win a prize. I don't know what the prize is because it will be personalized to each winner.
Friends that don't want to register to the blog can post their answers without leaving a name. Or if you want to send me your answer to my e-mail...you can. But I will post any and all answers to this guessing game.
If you get the right answer...I'll even be more amazed with you.
Happy guessing and if you do research to find out who this is...good for you!!!

Sure...

Like I'd do that?!?!

How tempting it is to just go beyond the normal nice expectations and just walk up to a cute butt you see and give a little pinch
Oh don't mind me....I'm just a bit too mischievous for my own good. And now you wonder if I really did this or not. Hee hee hee....

Flashbacks from the 80's

I switched from MGD to Bud

Well...break out the acid wash and wait....is that the faint smell of Drakkar Noir?!?!?
My tongue is firmly planted in my cheek and when I go out and about and see this...it takes all of me not to just get so viciously catty when I do. I gave up on the 80's so long ago. I don't know this guy but I see so many of them...and it scares me. The mullet will not die, nor will some fellas ideal of "back in the day". I often wonder... underneath it all, is there a mullet man lurking inside every guy.
"But Wait ....Duuuuude!"
No way dude! I hope not.

Having my say...

I've got this to say 

Usually, I always have something to say.  I have been known to bite my tongue and save words.  I have been known to engage in witty banter.  I can give a wonderful  and entertaining presentation. And I have been rendered speechless a couple of times.
But I also have the tendency to have the last word... actually I will go to lengths to have the last word.  Sometimes, I say something cutting or cynical.  Sometimes it is a kind sweet word.  And I try to leave it like a lady...with a little grace.
Lately, too many things have been creeping up and I've had to watch my tongue, but I have gotten the last word in.  And I was nice about it.

If the answers were true...

You are going to marry Brad Pitt. He is always friendly to anybody he ever meets and he is very talented as an actor. He is also very sincere and friendly. He will respect you until the day he dies. Congrats!!
 
So... I had time to kill and needed a giggle...so I took this quiz
http://quizilla.com/users/ponygirl2008/quizzes/Which%20male%20celebrity%20are%20you%20going%20to%20marry%3F%20(14%20choices%20now!!)
I'm gonna marry Brad Pitt.   What do I know About him...Mmmm, only has 1 semester left to get his Architecture degree, but left to follow his passion.  Nice guy, philisophical, yet whimsical. Very married (but to a sweetie), nice ass, can do just about any accent,( Great "Pikey" in SNATCH) and did 7 Days in Tibet,  because he felt it was the right thing to do and believed in it and now is "uninvited" to China for life.
Gotta love the man. Neat with a twist...yep!
I just happened to luck out on the quiz...I could have landed with some freak.
We now interrupt this dream to go back to reality....

Damn Mondays...

I'm pretty sassy, so watch out! 
Today, was crap.  Tomorrow, better be so much better.  It's beyond needing little umbrellas in my drinks.
And yes...cross my path and I will tell you BITE ME.
I'm just that sassy.
Tomorrow is Tuesday.  I don't know what the rest of the week will bring, but just bring it on. I'll be the gal with her bitch boots on and sassing back.

I've got my mind on ...

mmmmm..... 
She says it so well...my thoughts exactly.
Just part of the sassiness, people... and if it makes you wonder a little more about me...good.
Like I say, Don't Postpone Joy.  AND DON'T SETTLE FOR THE NORM. No, not a Norm...the norm.
and Yes, I like them neat with a twist! 
hee hee hee!

Getting Centered.

The Land of Lupines... 

A few weeks ago... I dipped my toes in Lake Superior and proclaimed all was well with the earth.
Since then...life has been pretty chaotic.  That and the fact that for the first time in TEN years...I got a speeding ticket. I've been pretty frazzled about a lot of things lately...the speeding ticket was the wake up call for me.  The literal meaning of ...You need to slow down.
So I was talking to a dear friend and they gave me some advice.  Being the music girl that I am, the first thing I ask...are those lyrics.  No they are not...and I have permission to share them with you.

And listen to the voices of the summer night breezes; the whispering of the universe...

wondering where it has traveled and what it has heard and seen before it whispers to you
Find time...life is too short to not listen to the peace of your mind

and the gentleness inside your own heart

 
Pretty beautiful  and good advice.
One of the most amazing things I saw up north was the fields of lupines.  I love purple and to see fields and fields of purple was calming.  I look to this picture as a pretty calming reminder of the beauty I saw.  And I stopped to look at every chance I got.
I'm stopping and looking now.  And listening also. So listen...sometimes the biggest sounds come from the softest of whispers.
And my own favorite lyric...The less I seek some source for my definitive - the closer I am to fine
I'm fine...and I'm not going to search so hard for some answers that lie right inside of me.  They've been there all along...I just haven't stopped to listen.

Let the Games Begin!

ROCK ON!!! 

I was accused of being politically biased at work. EXCUSE ME! I have laws I have to follow. According to the older American’s Act and because I receive federal and state funding, I must have an "open door" policy for political candidates to visit the centers.
So this being the political season, I’m getting calls from candidate’s offices to come and "visit" our centers. Amazingly…I’m only getting calls from one party. I’m not soliciting, I’m not asking them to come, and I’m trying to keep my personal convictions to a minimum. I just have one rule…Don’t mess with my seniors. Most of them are pretty savvy and can see through the bullshit.
So, because one party is visiting…I was accused of being biased. To quote: "Martha, that’s not right of you to not have__________ come to the centers also." (Notice the wording…pretty Freudian) I informed them that I don’t invite…they invite themselves to the center. Well….. _________’s office hasn’t called me to drop by, but _____can come and have lunch at anytime with us. (Maybe I’ll have them on cabbage day. Being a politician can be pretty stinky business.)
I’m getting tired of this political crap already and it’s only July. We have 3 ½ months to go. Well, goodie goodie. I think my soapbox is broken for the day…

The People you Meet

Mugging with My Fave guitar player 
Meeting Tommy Emmanuel was a thrill.  Just because he's a superstar in Austraila, doesn't mean that he's a guitar god in the US.  In fact, I feel pretty lucky to have had breakfast with him this time around.  He's getting bigger and bigger and chances like this won't happen in the future.
It's a long story, but I belong to the TE Discussion group and have chatted with fans and his manager.  At his Bayfield concert, I met up with his manager, Gina and TE and Lizzy, his girlfriend.  They are just great people.  The conversation just flowed and we all found out that we have many things in common. 
So here I am a name dropper and I wouldn't have changed anything in the world.  I"m already planning for next year in Bayfield and if Tommy gets to Prairie Home Companion...I'll hide out with Gina if I'm allowed.  ANd I"m taking them to Slippery's.  And that is another story for another day.

Setting up a New B&B

Keep Smiling! 
 
Sad day for Martha Stewart...5 months in jail, 5 months house arrest, 2 years probation and $30,000 fine.
She was led away in cuffs ( he he he -  all you kinky people and your fantasies) and proclaimed that it was a shameful day. She also apologized and I think it was the first time that I have ever seen her show her true feelings. 
I'm kind of torn.  I love her colors and she has nice things, but she's a poster child for psycotropic medications if I've ever seen one!  Maybe a "break" will allow her to gain some new perspective. It's a high price to pay for $400,000 and a lie.
Life is too short to be Karmatially challenged.  Sorry, Martha.

Too touching for words... 
Get Fuzzy is my favorite comic. It can be irreverent and just plain bizzare. Sometimes, it can be just touching...like this comic when Ray Charles passed away. Although, Sachel's (the dog) reaction is childlike, it really hits home when you think about it. Sometimes, you just have to write a letter and send it off like that...

Make Your Own Kind of Music...

Wishin and Hopin 
Oh Dear Dusty, What shall I do?
I have a wonderful chance to sing for a gig. It's a big break for me...and it's jazz. But I have a problem of which direction to go.
You see...there's the "popular" way to go and then there's the artistic way to go.I haven't even sung one note and I'm already having some artistic differences.
So, I've come up with an idea...I'll learn some of the songs the piano player wants me to learn and he will have to learn some of the songs I want to sing. Compromise. Sure, Diana Krall is the way to go for jazz music right now and I'll sing her, but I don't want to sing Norah Jones. To me she's not jazz...but I suggest ( and even burned) some songs and I get this nose in the air crap. I've made my song list out. He will make his and we will meet in the middle. I'm only a "guest" vocalist...I get that "featured vocalist" billing. That's where the greats ( Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Billie Holiday, Ella to name a few) started and I'm starting at the beginning, too. ( I just need a couple of songs that really showcase my voice and then ears will perk up... which may lead to other gigs. I'm always thinking!)
Dusty always had to deal with compromise. Between her personal life and her musical integrity, Dusty was always making choices. So now I invoke the Diva Wisdom of Dusty.

Tomorrow is Monday.

Really Pissed... 
This is how I feel on Monday mornings. I wake up and think..."What the hell... what am I gonna wear, what do I have to do???"
I can wake up real early and have no problems. I think it's got to do with my REM cycle - no not the band, the actual sleep cycle, people. But I can also stay up till the wee hours. I'm just not a morning person, but thank goodness I'm not like Glen Campbell in this photo,but this is how I feel on monday mornings. Well, it's another day;another buck, $3.80.
Don't mind the phraseology here either...you'll get to hear all of my doozies one of these days.

You know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em.

What in the name of Kenny Rogers...? 
I got a new favorite website…http://www.menwholooklikekennyrogers.com/
Yes…there are tons of men that look like Kenny Rogers.
The real Kenny - I think - is 60 something and just had twins. The man still has got it. You go, Kenny! And I think there are many men that want to get it…so why not Kenny. This site is a multipurpose site too! You have tips on how to look like Kenny, how to spot men like Kenny, recipies, A Kenny of the Month…you name it and it has it.
Did you know that Papa Smurf looks like Kenny? Uncle Jessie from the Dukes of Hazzard does too! I bet you know of a couple of men that really do look like Kenny.
God…the silliest things amuse me.

Going out of my Head!

Skyrockets in Flight! Afternoon delight... 
Sometimes you get a song in your head and you can’t get it out of your head. If it is a good song…fine. But if it is a bad song, your day is shot. These are the ultimate in craptastic tunes – in my opinion.
To borrow from an annoying song (by the Partridge Family)… Hello world, there’s a song that we’re singin’! Come on…get snarky!
Add to the list! I know you have a couple of tunes that you despise.
(Show tunes are not allowed. Most people consider them annoying. Some of us don’t)

THE ULTIMATE NOT TO GET IN YOUR HEAD
Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight
THE worst tune to get in your head and now a part of a new movie (Anchorman) Just when you think you’ve got it out of your head…it’s back.
Paul Anka - Havin' My Baby
Michael Jackson - She's Out of My Life
Michael….she never was in your life
Captain & Tenille - Muskrat Love
Billy Ray Cyrus- Achy Breaky Heart
Mullet head song….sung by a mighty fine mullet man.
BORDERLINE BAD ONES…
Herman's Hermits - Henry the Eighth
It’s just like the “song that never ends”. It’s cute for a while then it bugs the piss out of you.
Glen Campbell - Rhinestone Cowboy
All you ever get is to the first line and you go no further…”Like a rhinestone cowboy…”
Elvis Presley - In the Ghetto
The chorus is the fun part…the fact that it is written by Mac Davis saves it.
Culture Club - Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?
Nice little reggae ditty, but Have this one in your head long enough and you really do want to hurt somebody.
Commodores - Three Times a Lady
Irritating as hell…but think of Buckwheat singing it (a la Eddie Murphy) and its fun again…Unce, Tice, fee times a mady….
Air Supply - All Out of Love
Air Supply songs are all annoying… get one of these in your head and your day is long gone…they come back like a bad rash. But I found out that Tommy Emmanuel was the studio musician for them, playing some of the guitar solos, and they are saved from BAD SONG HELL. (PS – I think they owe Tommy some “props” and royalty cash too.)
Hall & Oates- Maneater
“Whoa oh here she comes…” Catchy isn’t it? Gotcha!
SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION CATEGORY
Kenny Rogers – The Gambler, Lucille, or Lady
You get any one of these in your head and you get that Kenny ‘growl’ and his vibrato. You get that stuck in your head just because it’s Kenny.
Chicago –You’re the Inspiration
Peter Cetera - need I say any more?
Exile - Kiss you all Over
The chorus is mighty catchy…and can be sung on the intercom system of your local grocery store by stock boys very well. (Another post…another time)

My Brush with Fame.

my "Favorite" teen idol. 
I was reading the St Paul paper today and the front-page picture was of Matt Dillon and Lili Taylor filming a movie. It jogged a memory and I’ve been waiting to tell this story. I haven’t told this one for a long time.

Years ago, they filmed “Beautiful Girls” in Stillwater. I was working at the Minnesota Zephyr and they used the depot as a spot for cast and crew to have lunch. Timothy Hutton and Uma Thurman were incredibly sweet and posed for pictures and gave autographs. Then in walked Teen Idol heaven…Matt Dillon. He hung out with some of the crew and ate but didn’t pose for photos. I asked a crewmember if he would be willing to give an autograph. He looked up and then at me and then said (I read his lips) “no F’ing way”. Well…
The next day I had a day off of work and they were filming a scene across the street from my apartment. My porch was Hollywood central! The Crew and Cast had the caterers set up there, but they didn’t order a porta potty, so they asked to use mine. No problems. I had hot coffee and homemade treats and sat and watched the process of Mira Sorvino walk from the house across the street to her car all the whole day. It took longer than expected due to the fake snow, and my phone and potty were used a lot. So some of the other stars showed up to eat and hang out. Lo and behold, my “fave” teen idol (heavy sarcasm here), Matt Dillon strolls up the drive to the catering tent. After about an hour, his “assistant” comes to one of the crewmembers that I was hanging out with to ask me if Mister Dillon ( oh pullllleeeeezzzzeeee) could use my bathroom. I looked at the crew member, the “assistant”, and then made serious eye contact with “mister Dillon” and then looked the assistant straight in the eye and said “no, f’ing way”. At that moment, I think mister Dillon remembered who I was from the day before. I wish I had a picture for the look on his face. I then proceeded to tell the story of the day before to the crewmember. We laughed and that was my movie making experience. ( I guess he showed his personality to her too.)
I know that it is mean to deny people the chance to use a bathroom, but don’t be an asshole. I understand the need for privacy and the perils of being a public figure, but don’t be an asshole. The day before, I was nice and polite and was not intrusive to him at lunch, but don’t be an asshole. And I feel that way about any person, star or not. Don’t Be Karmatically Challenged.
That’s my brush with fame. An paybacks can be uncomfortable. (I wonder how long he had to do the Pee Pee Dance. Hee hee!)

I need a vacation...

Not asking for much 

When this time of the year rolls around...my wanderlust gets the better of me. I want out. Getting up in the morning is a beast - more than usual, because I am SOOOO not a morning person and just being at work is a drag. Worse yet, the people I enjoy being around just get on my nerves even more. And when I start thinking of looking for another job...then I know that I really need to get away.
Yes...it's time to take off of work for an extended length of time. A thing called a vacation; a holiday.
Sure, I went North 2 weeks ago to a concert.(That is for another post) I dipped my toes into Lake Superior and proclaimed that all was right with the world - it's my little centering ritual. But 2 days does not make a vacation. I need to stay away from work long enough to not think about it while I'm gone.
So I'm open to suggestions...good cheap fun. I could stay in my house for a week, but the sad thing is I know my seniors and work will find me. I GOTTA GO!
And I don't need to have umbrellas in my drinks.

The Soundtrack of your Life

One...Singular sensation! 
My sister and I were having a wonderful discussion about our childhood. We have come to the conclusion that we are warped. No…not from abuse or horrific and traumatic events. No! Nothing of the sort. Sure we had the typical family dysfunction, but nothing like “having a meth lab in your basement” kind of stuff.
We have come to the realization that Broadway Show Tunes have shaped our psyches.
I’m not kidding.
What child would know all the lyrics to A Chorus Line, Godspell, Barnum, and Annie by the time they were 10?!? (I’m happy to say I deviated from the mix and found the Manhattan Transfer and the Streisand albums.) But we ran around the house happily singing “Tits and ass…bought myself a fancy pair….” And we were pretty cool little kids for knowing all of “Day By Day” for Junior Choir at church. My happiest moment was seeing my sister sing “Tomorrow” for the school talent contest when she was in first grade. And my proudest was when I was playing “Chairy” in Barnum and dedicated the role to my mom, who now has been married to the ultimate showman/Director, my dad, for over 37 years.
I still watch the Tony Awards and sometimes I have a bittersweet moment. But sometimes knowing that you are the greatest star in your own living room is a good feeling too.
So if the moment strikes me…you better watch out, I might just break out into a Show Tune when you least expect it.
PS – We shared this with our parents. My mom whole-heartedly agreed and smiles about it when she hears a song from one of the shows. My dad grandly tells the story of how his two girls would act out the parts of his favorite shows for him. And they both proudly exclaim how they “warped” their daughters for life.

Tony DeFranco...for a 6 year old girl he was the "One" 
See the below post on Tony...
Sorry, no Davy Jones Picture or other long forgotten teen idols.
One on my blog is enough.

The Joy of Holidays

Merry Christmas!!! 

WARNING: ULTRA CYNICAL POST WITH TONGUE FIRMLY PLANTED IN CHEEK
Those of you who know me...know I dislike Christmas. It was always a busy time for our family with the flowershop. And my birthday is so close...If I had a dollar for everytime I heard "Oh, I got your Birthday and Christmas Present together...", I'd have a large nest egg. But alas..no. Christmas time also really brings out the true nature in humans. People can be rude assholes at this holiday. Try Wal-Mart on Christmas Eve... You ask "What, in the name of Kenny Rogers, are you doing at Wal-Mart on Dec 24th?" Well, It was on the way back from visiting the relatives and we have to see if they have any more glass balls on sale.
Now, the glass ball story will be saved for another posting with a picture of my parent's christmas tree...actually it is Henry's tree (my dad). The tree looks like Liberace blew up all over it or a little piece of a Las Vegas extravaganza in the living room. This past year's tree had over 500 balls and 700 lights...we asked him to tone it down.

I'm seriously trying to change my attitude about the Holiday season. That's why I'm starting now. I just might get to a "festive" mood when the day rolls around.
Anyway...a friend sent me this to remind me that we have less than 6 months of shopping days till the big day.
I think Grandpa really is sharing that holiday spirit. This is my kind of Christmas.
(and notice the nice sedate Chrismas tree...)
Fa la la la la la

Finding people on the Internet

A good hair day. 

Now, this post has nothing to do with chat rooms or meeting people through personals...NO Sireee. This is looking up and trying to find a funny picture of a mullet and finding a former classmate - on the web - on a site that glorifies the ultimate 80's Hairdo! And I do have to say...the girl had a beauty of a mullet
So here's to great hair days...and great hair days gone by.

Blame Tony DeFranco...

Why do I adore dark-haired, dark-eyed boys? Tony DeFranco. Heartbeat is a love beat and when we meet it's a good vibration...
There was Tony, and John Travolta, and a young Scott Baio, and the guy that dated Valerie Bertinelli before Eddie. (Am I SO TigerBeat or what!) And then there was my high school sweetheart.
Then came the Englishmen! (Don't even go there!!!) Eric Clapton in his Armani Suits (English with Italian) the 80's Brit Boy bands - too dishy for words. Even Prince Charles or Andy (I wanted to be a real life princess) I can even say I have my own personal "Daniel Cleaver" in my life. And Colin Firth can come over for a cuppa anytime.
Why this now... I just finished the book, “Under the Tuscan Sun”. Passion, creativity, chances, romanza and living life to it’s fullest. I’m listening to Andrea Bocelli and Eros and suddenly want to cook and create, buy food in an open market and move to a villa in Europe.
That and Tony DeFranco may be coming to the state fair. After being in hiding in the 80's and 90's, he's back singing and performing.
Now...I just have to find Davy Jones for Mim (and I, even though I think Mike was the coolest one of the bunch) and we will be set!
Ciao!

Does this mean I'm part of the 21st Century?

So all I wanted to do was make a comment on my sister's pic and I found myself here. Maybe that's good, maybe that's bad...maybe that's just the way it is.
Actually...a commentary on what is really going on is not so bad...then I can just direct people here and not have to retell the story a million times! Such a clever girl!
So...I'm here and I'm blogging. and now I have to add a bunch of stuff to this, which might be kind of fun.
Welcome to the 21st Century!