2016: The Movie (Trailer)

They made 2016 into a horror film. It wasn't really a stretch, was it? Happy New Year! May 2017 prove better!

RIP Carrie

We've lost so many great people this year. I'm just glad that I'm old enough I got to follow Carrie Fisher since her Princess Leia days. She's always been an inspiration! I could write some long eulogy, but there are so many floating around, I'm just going to post this photo set because it says so much!

Merry Christmas!

The daughter's home, the cookie orders are all delivered, the presents are wrapped and the turkey is brining. Just one more day at the grocery store, and then hopefully the madness will end! (Working retail seems to take the magic out of the season.)

Now, if I can keep Squirt kitty out of the tree. He just this morning discovered that it might be fun to play with. (I imagine it's because there are presents under it now.) The tree may come down tomorrow night!

Merry Christmas, all!

Yuri On Ice

So, 2016 kind of peaked for me in March, and has gradually gone downhill ever since. Have we really ever seen such a year? But there has been this little ray of sunshine the last couple of weeks. My daughter has been a big anime fan since before her teens, and I've developed an appreciation for it. Yuri on Ice began popping up on my Twitter and Tumblr, so a couple of weeks ago I started watching, and wow! Yup, I'm a bit obsessed. 10 episodes in, and I think there are 3 more. 

 The animation during the skate scenes is amazing, and the storyline is full of surprises. Watch it on Crunchyroll or Gogoanime (dubbed version) if you have any interest. Maybe the year doesn't have to go down totally in flames!

It's A Meme, Meme World!

 I can't express at all how much I am so loving the Joe and Barak memes that are flying around everywhere. They make me feel so good because I find strength in them. And there is strength behind the laugh, that ability to find the joke, to make whatsit the butt of that joke. It shows that we all took a deep breath and then said "No, we're not sitting quietly with our hands folded on our laps." So kudos to the meme makers--don't ever stop!

Sainsbury's OFFICIAL Christmas advert 2016 -The Greatest Gift

If we had Sainsbury's here, I'd shop there, just because I love their commercials!

What Comes Next

I spent way too much of my weekend on Facebook, getting into silent arguments. Funny what people will say when they don't actually have to face you as they say it! But, on the other side, I also had more Private Message chats in the last three days than I probably have had in a year, people that wanted me to know they agreed. It balanced out the negative feelings I was getting, and I became rather amused by the end of it all. Well, except the guy who friended me and then got creepy. But that's a whole other story!

But, the point is, I know this isn't forever. The next few years are going to be difficult, I don't doubt that. But I'm not tucking my head between my knees, I'm not going to stop looking for positive things to fill my life. I'm not going to quit trying. The fight for human rights--all human rights--is an important one. In other words, I'm going to continue being me! If anything, I'm probably going to be more "me" than I ever have. This should be fun!

That said, I want to reach outside my little splot of Earth, where everything's pretty white and the population tends to ignore what is outside their lack of empathy. So, I'm looking through Twitter and Tumblr and finding organizations who are doing real good, and need help doing that. Finances are iffy right now as I help the daughter get on her feet, but hopefully by the start of the new year, she'll have (at least part) of her shit together. I had never heard of Amazon wishlists for LGBTQ Centers, but I think that might be a good place to start. Nyrae Dawn does a blog and she features a different Center each month. I think I'll bookmark her.

Anyone else? What are your plans to keep your sanity?

My Turn!

We've had to put up with it from the other side for 8 years. Now it's our turn, and I plan on enjoying it immensely! 

I've already had countless arguments on FB with friends and (mainly) family, going so far as unfriending a few. There will be more!

Four years-deep breath-I can do this...

Not Mine

I got rather upset after President Obama was elected by the people who said "he's not my President". I mean, I didn't like Reagan or the Bushs (especially the second one), but I always considered myself an American, and as such, they were my presidents. Well, I get it now. Not my President.

And should he step down, or get impeached (and I fully expect it), the same goes with Pence. The shock is fading and I've reached a zen state after dealing with a few of my more fun relatives. Facebook has definitely demonstrated to me over the last 3 days that yes, we can't pick our relatives, but I've discovered how well I've done picking my friends!

I Like Punk!

Well, That Sucks.

My reaction to this morning's headlines.

Can I skip work and just go back to bed?

Happy Holidays!

Today's Question to Ponder!

Small Town Controversy

It's amazing what people in small towns get over-excited about. Our city council, in their infinite wisdom, decided to make our "Triangle" into a no parking zone and they did it practically overnight and with little warning. Now, there are pros and cons. Pro- the road is a bit narrow and people drive faster than they should, so this widens the space. Con--we lose 12 parking spaces. That doesn't seem like a huge number, but there isn't much parking available uptown, plus some of our older customers (I work in the store where the white truck sits) have a hard time backing up, and preferred to parallel park. Now, personally, I don't really care. I mean, I've seen some accidents, nothing major, but there was damage to vehicles. But I suppose accidents will still happen. Everyone (including my boss) is up-in-arms. For the most part, I think the whole thing has been blown totally out of proportion. It's all every one talked about last week. I'm so hoping there's a new topic this week! (But I doubt it.)

Guinness advert - "Men and women shouldn't live together"

I was doing research on "dance club fashions of 1995" and this popped up. How, why? Who knows how the internet decides what we want to see. But this is brilliant! An advert from 1995 that shows a couple facing the trials of living together-- way ahead of it's time! But because of a back-lash by anti-gay groups, it was never shown. Which is too bad. It's a good ad!

Golden - A short film by Kai Stänicke

I'm not going to say anything about this short film, except that it's lovely.

I'm The Hippy of the Bunch

Trying to find the logic in the not-logical. Members of my family carry guns "for safety". There is no talking to them. And I don't imagine events of the weekend made even a dent in their opinions. 

A Tiny Vent

So, my mom is just shy of 80. Not exactly a spring chicken. And she has some health issues: a heart-affecting birth-defect and COPD. And apparently my step-dad told everyone at their church that she's not doing well.  And yes, she was having some tests done. Now, if you live in a small town, you will understand. I've had soooo many people ask me "how is your mom?" and in the that soft voice with what they mean to be a compassionate look on their face. I didn't think too much of it at first. I mean, she told me the test results came back good although they found a cyst by her thyroid and then she left forWyoming to see my brother and his new grandson. But then I began to worry and called my aunt. We compared notes and she reassured me that every thing is okay. And then another lady from her church asked me again this afternoon and I practically yelled at her "she's okay!". And when I say yelled, I think I actually did. Her eyes got big and she was all like "oh, good. glad to hear that" at which point I asked her to tell everyone at church that Mom isn't about to die.

Now, I know my step-dad is just worried, and he's a great guy who has taken amazing care of my mom, so I'm not complaining. Mom does have breathing issues. But that's because she should have one of those portable oxygen tanks but she's too proud to carry one. But, just...wow. I think maybe I'm just having one of those days when everyone is getting on my nerves.

Yup, that's it. Just had to vent a little!

Morning Coffee

When you hear noise from the other room and go to investigate-- and the culprit stayed at the scene of the crime! Yup, that's how my morning is starting!

If It Weren't For Bad Luck

 2016 hasn't just been a bad year for celebrities. Apparently, it's hitting right close to home. Meaning, I keep thinking "we'll get through this month and nothing bad will happen. Smooth sailing the rest of the year!" Wrong! We've been having trouble with our (11 year old) car for the last 6 months. We've put well over $1000 dollars into her, but I didn't think that was bad considering it's been a good car and we've never had to put much money into her. So yesterday the hubby got ready to leave for work and the back tire wouldn't spin. Needless to say, he called into work. Next door neighbor owns a mechanic shop so when he got off work he looked at it. Brake pad had disintegrated. He got it to moving, so I'm taking it down to his shop this morning and hoping he can get to it right away. So the hubby is missing another day of work (that we can't afford) and I've got my follow up doctor's visit this afternoon, so I'm hoping they can get it done by noon. Otherwise, I'm going to be scrambling for a ride. Because I need released so I can go back to work full time! (I've worked light duty/half time since Wednesday). And now I've got that stupid Hee Haw song stuck in my head. Just another thing to deal with today!

Another Update

           I have to wonder if it's the way I was raised? I'm sick. A cold, more than likely. I feel like crap. I should just go to bed and sleep. And yet, here I am, trying to get some work done. I mean, I planned it that way. Surgery on Tuesday, get an organ removed, go home, get a few "no lifting involved" things done while I took a few days to recuperate, feel accomplished. Really? That's what I expected? I mean, I had an organ removed! True, one we don't need to survive, but still. I went to an outpatient center, the doc yanked it out, and I went home two hours later. (Is that not the most amazing thing? It kind of blows my mind--not a wart, not a tooth- a gol-damn organ! and home by noon, for f*ck's sake!)

         Anyway, I didn't like the pain meds, they made me feel like my head was stuffed with cotton. So I Tylenoled it. And apparently got a cold. It took me all morning yesterday to talk myself into calling the doctor to see if I should do something. What, I don't know. But still, you hear about people getting pneumonia after surgery and they had said if I had any problems to call. But I didn't want to 'bother' him/them, or sound like a whiner. Again, for f*ck's sake, I just had surgery three days prior. I wasn't whining! And it's his job--it's what he gets paid for! And he was very nice. (I really like my doctor) Told me to rest, push fluids, NyQuil it, call if symptoms get worse.

        And here I sit at the computer, trying to get some work done and thinking about the Avon order that is sitting in the box in the next room that needs bagged, and telling myself to just GO BACK TO BED!

I will. After I start a load of laundry.

Update

I had my surgery this morning. I got lucky and was first in the queue, which meant I was in recovery by 8:30 and home by 11:30, which I find amazing. So I'm on liquids and soft foods for a couple of days (and I'm actually hunger--usually I come out off surgery with no appetite, so this is a bit of a surprise.) Going to spend most of the day in bed, I think, watching the telly and trying to sleep, but I am having some "rising bile" issues, so that might interfere. I wish I had a recliner, that's what I need. So, if you have one and are in my area, feel free to drop it off!

Thought For The Day

Life's Little Jokes

I believe I mentioned last month that I had the stomach bug right before I left for Florida. It got better but the pain never fully went away. I became suspicious that it might be my gallbladder, but there was absolutely no way in hell I was going to let any doctor tell me I couldn't go to Chicago. I just prayed (figuratively speaking) that nothing ruptured, because there was nothing keeping me from seeing My British Comedian! Long story short, I went to the doctor, there was a sonogram, and I have a "surgical consult" on Monday. Don't let it be said I don't know what's important in life!

When Dreams Become Real-- A long ramble

So, this might get long, and it's more for my benefit (because I want to remember every moment!) So, if you don't want to read further, just know the whole weekend was brilliant! 

We made it to Chicago Saturday and found our hotel fairly easily. I'm not sure why it never entered my mind, but we got checked in and I wasn't paying 100% attention as we did so, but we were in a very tall building and our room was at the top-- on the 40th floor! For most people, that is probably not a problem, but I have a very bad height phobia--even pictures can make me dizzy, and I'm not even comfortable going higher than 7 or 8 floors. So I kept telling myself it was okay--and it was. I just avoided the window as much as possible! 

We aren't very familiar with Chicago, or it's transportation system, and the man at the desk didn't give us the best advise, so we got a little lost trying to get to the venue. It's funny, because I don't get too excited, I just ask people and go about it, but my husband is wired different and that was a bit difficult for him. I finally asked some police officers standing near, and they actually got on the next bus with us, rode until our stop, got off, and showed us where to wait for the right bus. Honestly, everyone was so nice and we got where we needed to be--hours early. We found a pizza joint, ate a slice, and then went and got in line. We had other "Booshlrs" that were joining us and they arrived soon, so that the 3 hours we stood in line went quickly as we visited and laughed. It's nice to finally be able to put faces to URLs. That's how everyone introduced themselves-- by their Tumblr names instead of their real names. It was the funniest thing, really. We got lucky--Chicago in March can be brutal, but the weather was mild all weekend, great for walking and standing in line. 

Our wait was worth it-- general seating, which meant our little clump of fans got right in the front. I was less than 20 feet from the stage! It was amazing! I now know how those girls felt when The Beatles stepped off the plane. I screamed and laughed myself hoarse! And I clapped so much, my hands were bruised (I wear a handful of rings). I was familiar with the show--after all, he's been touring it off and on across Europe and Australia for the last year and a half. But still, seeing it live, hearing it in his voice, just seeing the expressions on his face, it all felt fresh and new. And there was material that I hadn't seen posted on Tumblr and he does enough improv that there is new stuff even for those who have seen the show multiple times. 

A couple of the girls were hosting a party in their hotel room after the show and we went, but we were so tired, and our train only ran for less than another hour, so we made our goodbyes, found our way back to our overly posh room, and passed out--for about 3 hours. Again, the husband was so worried about being late, that we got to the train station with more than an hour to spare. The train ride home was packed but uneventful. I dozed for most of it. And now I'm home and (still) exhausted. But oh so happy! 

I had hoped to have lots of brilliant photos to post this week, but it didn't really happen. Several reasons, actually. For one, my camera is on its last leg. And of course, they didn't allow photos during the show. Now, some people were brave and did (the one above isn't actually mine, I kind of, uh, borrowed it), but I wasn't taking the chance of getting kicked out. And, although we waited outside for a while, we heard the cast weren't coming out for several hours, and we didn't hang around (partly because we had a train to catch). Some of them that did stay still didn't get to meet him. It would have been a bonus, yes, but at the same time, the show was amazing and we got to sit in the second row, so I'm just going to revel in that (for the rest of my life!). And remind myself that we're never too old for adventures! I know my husband even had a good time (not that I doubted he would) just because he actually visited with some of the others of our group. He's usually content to sit back and people watch. But he actually engaged! (Bonus!)

Off On An Adventure!

I'm catching a train in a couple of hours to Chicago to go and see this guy. Dreams do come true!

Noel in some of his finer moments… Don’t miss these and MORE during the #NoelFieldingTourUS! http://noelfielding.co.uk/tour/
Posted by Noel Fielding on Friday, March 25, 2016

Talk Talk

    I had a wonderful time in Florida. I drove down with my favorite aunt-- my "mom" away from mom when I was a kid; you know, that aunt who is more than just an aunt. We talked the entire way. I dropped her off and then I spent three and a half days on the Atlantic side with one of my very best friends. We didn't do much, mainly talked and talked, and then talked some more! But it's amazing to have that friend that you don't see very often, but the conversation always just picks right up where you left off last time.

   I then spent three and a half days on the gulf side at my cousin's house (it was his daughter's wedding), reuniting with my aunt and my folks and some cousins. The wedding was lovely, the reception was fun, the booze was free and I got to spend time talking with my cousin's wife, which I haven't been able to do for a long time.

We put the pedal to the metal and made it home in record time for my uncle's funeral. My brother came from Wyoming and other family came from as far away as Arizona, so there was all kinds of catching up at the visition last night and during the dinner this afternoon. So, yes, I've talked more in the last 10 days than I have in the last six months! I'm surprised I don't have a sore throat!

On Vacation

I'm sitting on a lawn chair by a swimming pool in Florida, watching the sun come up while I drink my coffee. My cousin's wedding is Saturday but I came a few days early to visit with a life-long friend that I haven't seen for a while. I was supposed to do this two years ago but we had an ice storm in my part of the country and wasn't able to come. Anyway, it's nice to get away, but all last week I had some stomach bug and missed a week of work (because I HAD to get well!) and I was planning on being back in Illinois and back to work next Wednesday, but my uncle died and the funeral is going to be that day (they're actually waiting for us to get back, since half the family is down here). By the time I get back to work I'm going to have used every sick day, every vacation day, and every personal day I have. So I better just enjoy this!

Morning Coffee

This shelf is over the kitchen sink and there is a tree full of birds just feet away. I fought for a year to teach the kits to stay down. I fold, I concede. They win.

Busy Making Plans

I haven't posted lately. Not exactly sure why not, other than I just haven't taken the time. Plus-- January and February-- not much seems to happen. It's kind of a holding pattern. It's been rather mild, actually. A little snow, then a couple of unseasonably warm days, then snow again. I've got two trips coming up in March, so I've been trying to get everything ready for that. The first is in Florida for a week and a half for my cousin's wedding. My best friend lives down there, so I'm excited that I'm going to get to spend a few days with her.

Then on Easter weekend, the hubby and I are going to Chicago to see fantasy man (and comedian) Noel Fielding. (I'm still squeeing about that!)

Then I'm going to spend the rest of the year working to pay for it all. But it will be worth it!

But for now, here's a picture of Squirt watching it snow.

Quality Writing

Actual Amazon blurb:

"He was a billionaire, I was a bellboy, can I make it anymore obvious? 

It all started one fateful afternoon in summer of 2012. I was working as a bellboy at the Trump Hotel in Hong Kong on an internship program. This was my first time in a big city. It was all I could have ever dreamed of, and more. But little did I know, it was all about to change."

The "book" is 10 pages long, so it'll probably take longer to read the reviews on Amazon than to read the actual book. I'm skipping the book, sticking with the reviews, because they're hilarious! It kills me, those few people who give it one or two stars, who either don't get that it's a joke or are just such Trump lovers that they feel they have to let everyone know they're offended. 

Anyway, I've had my laugh for the morning!

January- The Most Depressing Month of the Year!

What a week. First Bowie, then Rickman.

It's January. Nothing good ever seems to happen in January. Dreary and wet. I guess we're lucky it isn't colder or we'd be fighting snow, and I don't want that, either. I used to love snow, and I think I still would if it meant I got the day off and didn't have to go out in it. Why don't adults get snow days?!

And all anyone wants to talk about is politics. I used to be very politically minded until I realized I was having anger issues and traced it back to that, so I pulled back. Except, between the internet, my husband and my cousin (who I work with), it's a constantly discussed issue. I'm not saying I don't want to keep up on the issues, because I do. But my poor psyche can only take so much.  It's going to be a long 11 months.

And everything is breaking down. We had to replace the car battery, the shocks are going out (appointment to take care of that tomorrow), got a rock chip in the front window we had to repair, we need new tires,  the oven heat element broke, the dryer is making a funny squeal, strong winds pulled off some of our shingles, and none of us are working quite as much. I could go on, but maybe I've whinged enough for one day!

On the upside, my muse, my inspiration for everything creative, Noel Fielding, has been in the US doing some publicity stuff for his upcoming tour. (and I get to go see him in Chicago in March--still squeeing!--the only light in these otherwise dark days at the moment!)  He's a huge Bowie fan, so that has come up in every interview. And Tumblr has been a very strange place this week because of all of it. But there are new pictures and new videos. They'll help me hold on until spring!

A New Year's Flashback Friday!

Me and my "gang" back on New Year's Eve in '84. Yes, the 80s were Rad, and so were we! But really, we were young and had so many dreams about the future. The 80s was such a weird time-- girls just wanted to have fun and we all had to fight for our right to party, and things were pretty good. (Had I only known!) Some good decisions were made, probably more bad decisions were made, but I don't think that young woman looked into her future past her 30s. My 40s were rough, emotionally, but I've found the beginning of my 50s to be quite liberating. So, money wise, things suck, but on a personal level, it's good. Therefore, no resolutions because no one ever sticks to them anyway--another thing we discover as we grow older-- but I'm going into 2016 with hope and tentative optimism (which may be challenged as the primaries develop!). Happy New Year, my friends!