Travers triumph!

Whoo-hoo!
I love it.

Today was the fan-tab-u-lous Travers Stakes (gr. 1) at historic Saratoga Racecourse in New York.
And even though all eyes were on the return of the highly regarded Quality Road, I still went for the bird. And that was most certainly the wise choice.

Earlier last week, Mine That Bird was pulled from consideration for this race because he was still recovering from some minor throat surgery. So that left me the other bird to root for.
The Belmont Stakes winner, Summer Bird.
And he delivered.



Summer Bird wins the Travers
Coglianese Photos/Blood Horse

It was an extremely sloppy track, as just as much as it had rained here, it had rained there.
Messy, messy, messy. I always hate a sloppy track because the poor surface makes me nervous for the safety of the horses. But everything went quite well. Coincidentally, Summer Bird's sire, Birdstone (also Mine That Bird's sire) also won the Belmont and the Travers in 2004. How ironic.
Or should I say ICONIC?

Quality Road was trying to make an impressive comeback, as he has been out of contention for months. He was an early Derby favorite. But he just didn't fire today.

Summer Bird had a great trip, just cruising along till he made his move. He then proceeded to win by an easy 3 1/2 lengths. It probably cemented his favoritism for the 3 year-old colt of the year prize, unless Mine That Bird has something else up his sleeve - (like a Breeders' Cup Classic win???)...

Naturally I picked Summer Bird in my handicapping game, and had Quality Road second - but he ended up third. Oh well, I still had the winner.
And that is always cool.

I wonder what the winner of eight straight races - the formidable Rachel Alexandra -would have done to this group of boys. But hey, she's already beat the 3 year old colts.
Next week she runs against the older boys - in the Woodward.
I really think she is looking at Horse of the Year....unless something else occurs.

Wait for it...

Random thoughts

I got an email the other day that absolutely cracked me up.
I only wish I'd thought of these things myself. So when it says "I", please remember it is not me, but some sarcasm savvy guy. (Someone I think I could be great friends with!)

Enjoy:

Random Thoughts of the Day by Bob

1. More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves me.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I don't understand the purpose of the line, "I don't need to drink to have fun." Great, no one does. But why start a fire with flint and sticks when they've invented the lighter?

4. Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

5. That's enough, Nickelback.

6. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

7. The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again.

8. Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all know how to fix the problem? There was no internet or message boards or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft.

9. There is a great need for sarcasm font.

10. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

11. I think everyone has a movie that they love so much, it actually becomes stressful to watch it with other people. I'll end up wasting 90 minutes shiftily glancing around to confirm that everyone's laughing at the right parts, then making sure I laugh just a little bit harder (and a millisecond earlier) to prove that I'm still the only one who really, really gets it.

12. The other night I hit a new low at an open bar. I had already hopped on highway blackout when, inevitably I had to find a bathroom. Eventually I decided it was probably on the other side of the bar so I tried to walk over there, but ran into a guy coming the other way. We played that, Both go left, Both go right game to no avail, so I finally put out my hand to guide myself past and that's is when I realized, yup, that's a mirror I just tried to walk through. And the guy on the other side is me. Even cats can re cognize their own image.

13. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

14. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

15. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

16. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

17. A recent study has shown that playing beer pong contributes to the spread of mono and the flu. Yeah, if you suck at it.

18. Was learning cursive really necessary?

19. LOL has gone from meaning, "laugh out loud" to "I have nothing else to say".

20. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

21. My brother's Municipal League baseball team is named the Stepdads. Seeing as none of the guys on the team are actual stepdads, I inquired about the name. He explained, "Cuz we beat you, and you hate us." Classy, bro.

22. Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart", all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".

23. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

24. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a dick from cutting in at the front. Stay strong,brothers!

25. Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in' examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies"

26. What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?

27. MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

28. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

29. I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

30. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

31. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

32. Bad decisions make good stories.

33. Whenever I'm Facebook stalking someone and I find out that their profile is public I feel like a kid on Christmas morning who just got the Red Ryder BB gun that I always wanted. 546 pictures? Don't mind if I do!

34. Is it just me or do high school girls get sluttier & sluttier every year?

35. If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring would probably just be completely invisible.

36. Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....

37. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

38. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't want to have to restart my collection.

39. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

40. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

41. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this. Ever.

42. I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people watching TV. There's so much pressure. 'I love this show, but will they judge me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishing we weren't watching this. It's only a matter of time before they all get up and leave the room. Will we still be friends after this?'

43. While watching the Olympics, I find myself cheering equally for China and USA. No, I am not of Chinese descent, but I am fairly certain that when Chinese athletes don't win, they are executed.

44. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damnit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

45. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

46. When I meet a new girl, I'm terrified of mentioning something she hasn't already told me but that I have learned from some light internet stalking.

47. I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my iTunes.

48. Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising speed for pedophiles...

49. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.

50. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

51. It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood.

52. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

53. I think that if, years down the road when I'm trying to have a kid, I find out that I'm sterile, most of my disappointment will stem from the fact that I was not aware of my condition in college.

54. Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it.

55. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, hitting the G-spot, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet my ass everyone can find and push the Snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time every time...

56. It really pisses me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and the link takes me to a video instead of text.

57. I wonder if cops ever get pissed off at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit.

58. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

59. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lites than Kay.

60. The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words, someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think about it, and then estimate d that there must be at least four people eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by myself. There's nothing like being made to feel like a fat bastard before dinner.

Trailer for The Wolfman

Usually I post this kind of thing on my horror blog - and it is there - but thought I would put a link to it here.

The Wolfman movie starring Benicio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins comes out 2-12-10 and wow does it look good!

Check it out here.

Babysitting, so to speak

The hubby has an extra job this week.

He's staying at my boss's house while they are away and more importantly, watching their pets.

Here's a couple pics of two of the four beasties living there:

Bubba and Duke (Mastiffs, both)

Bubba's in the red collar, Duke the blue.

Not that you can tell.

Though Bubba's a few years older than Duke.

Bubba weighs in excess of 200 pounds. Duke is just over a year old so he's only like, 180. ("only"...)

They look hulking and scary but they are big, sweet babies if they know you.

That said, I still wouldn't want to drive up their driveway to their house and see those two giants running up to my car. Yikes.

There is also an aging Golden Retriever and a new kitten at the house.

I'll get pics of them too.

If it ever stops raining.

Things I've realized

Because next week is my birthday, I guess I've been randomly thinking of some things I've realized in the last forty+ years.

So here goes the meanderingly long, random list.

*Celery still sucks. I remember my grandfather saying when I got older I'd like it, that it was just a "stage". Yeah, well I still don't like cooked cabbage, oysters, brussel sprouts, and pickled pigs feet either. Sorry Grandpap.

*I can still sleep in till 11am, if I wanted to. People always said I'd grow out of that - that I would become a "morning person" as I got older. Not so much. I'm up till at least midnight every night, and most nights I'm reading until at nearly one. I don't nap during the day, I don't fall asleep easily at night, and I apparently don't need much more than six hours sleep. Just lucky I guess. 'Course I'm not good for much before ten a.m. though.

*Unless there is an event of major proportions going on (such as a natural disaster or terrorist attack), I do not watch the news on tv. Sometimes I'll catch the local weather report, but I won't sit and watch the news from 11:00 until 11:22 just to see it. That's what the weather channel is for. I also don't read the paper. CNN.com is my friend in times of need.

*I wish I liked coffee cause everyone seems so enamored of it, but as of today I still don't. So no one need offer me a Café Au Lait or a Espresso Macchiato. I don't even want a plain cup-o-joe, 'kay?

*Most country music still turns me off. I tried to like it. I did. I even went to Wyoming and Montana in 1993, where apparently they've never heard of rock & roll and I had to listen to nothing but country for two weeks. But I still....don't.....like it. There are a few artists I can tolerate, such as Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town, and I actually like alot of Kenny Chesney's stuff (in particular the Jimmy Buffet-esque beach songs of his).... but overall, not a fan of the genre.

*I've never played "Bejeweled" and I don't have any desire to.

*Fresh cut grass still sends my allergies into a frenzy. So Dad, it wasn't just an excuse not to mow.

*I don't really like eating outside. I've come to this conclusion after years of really wanting to be a picnic person. My grandparents always took me for picnics at Cook Forest where we would sit out along the river at one of those picnic tables and dodge the abundant barrage of bees and bugs of all varieties. The only food I like outdoors is stuff over the campfire - hot dogs and marshmallows, that kind of thing - because voilà! - no bugs near a fire.

*I am not a BEER person. Hard truth - I don't like it. I tried. In high school - it was cheap. But I soon found out so was a fifth of grain split four ways. Every once in a (great) while I will order a Corona if I'm at a restaurant or something. But that's cause again, it's cheaper than ordering a shot of bourbon or a glass of wine for eight dollars.

*Unattractive people who are stars (be it movies, tv, sports, musicians, etc...) still get bombarded with indecent sexual proposals and offers. They have to beat people off with a stick. I mean, Michael Phelps? Seriously? John Mayer? Really? Maybe I just don't like guys with Frankenstein heads.
Do people honestly have posters of these guys in their room, in lieu of say - Johnny Depp (sorry he's my go-to guy) or even Robert Pattinson (who he himself does sorta have a Frankenstein head truth be told)....?
I know their accomplishments are what is so impressive. I'm not doubting that- I'm equally impressed with gold medals and Grammys. What I'm doubting is the amount of sleep I would be able to obtain with a poster of Michael Phelps looking at me across a room.

*I'm an obsessive person. Everyone who knows me knows this overly-obvious fact. It shows in alot of what I do. But even in the privacy of my own home, I am the same way. Ask my husband. I become obsessive about things at the drop of a hat. If I see a movie, say - Mamma Mia - I will suddenly listen to ABBA for three weeks non-stop. If I find I like white pizza better than red, I will order it exclusively for a month. When I discovered the author Laurell K. Hamilton, I read all seventeen of her vampire books in a month. It's just how I'm wired.

*I hate game shows. If pressed, I can only tolerate Jeopardy. And even Alex Trebek gets under my skin sometimes. He's gotten fairly arrogant over the years. Bet he's processed alot of that useless trivia, eh?

*People are annoying me more and more as I get older. I'd like to say I fear being one of those old hermits that heardly ever comes out of the house and scares small children, but hey - I don't fear it. I embrace it.

*To that effect, I hate crowds (well, except Steelers games!). I hate parties. I hate weddings, funerals, reunions, and any other event that requires me to be social. Sorry. Matter of fact, I am positive I could spend an entire month- maybe longer - in my house alone and not be bothered by it. As long as the food held out, that is.

*Your mom and dad actually aren't always right. You know how when you're younger, most adults will tell you that you don't know everything and that your parents are always right. About everything. That's not true. They're flying by the seat of their pants too, just like you. They're just older.

*I don't like stand-up comedians. That complaint does not include George Carlin. He was the I-Ching of comedy. I also like Eddie Murphy's early stuff. But to sit down and watch an uninterrrupted marathon of low-grade stand up on tv? Just put a bullet in my head, I'd enjoy that more.

*And while I know this will disturb many people, I don't like Charlie Chaplin, The Marx Brothers, The Three Stooges, Laurel & Hardy...etc. I don't really like comedic movies much either, though I will watch them. Yes to romantic comedies, no to movies like 'Black Sheep', 'Happy Gilmore', and 'Old School'.

*That said, it is understandable then, that I am still one of the biggest horror fans...ever.Guess I never grew out of that. Don't plan to, either.

*Something else on tv that grates my nerves? Reality shows. Why the F*** would I want to watch random people go about their daily lives? I don't care if someone's car is repo-ed, nor do I give two licks about a couple raising eight kids (subsequently getting divorced in the middle of the season!). Also don't care about people getting arrested, voted off the island, married on a rollercoaster, eating giant spiders to win a contest, or finding the next top model.
Ditto jungle living contestants, slutty LA chicks sleeping with their best friend's boyfriend, finding the next ho-bag for an aging rock star, or watching a guy neck with twenty different girls till he finds the one of his dreams. Ew.
I don't believe shows like American Idol should actually be classified as reality shows. I would call them talent competitions. Somewhat different. And the Biggest Loser show? At least it motivates people to do something good.
And I agree that shows like Deadliest Catch, American Chopper, and Miami Ink are slightly different in that everyone has an actual talent or job to do. They showcase something.
Kinda like Wild Kingdom did, you get my drift?
But all those other shows? Junk.


*Politics are disturbing, irritating, and unpleasant. That will never change. Neither will politicians.

*I never learned to play poker.

*Cats are smarter than most dogs. You can yell and scream at a dog - even slap him silly (not that I would EVER do that, cause I wouldn't) - and he'll come right back to you. People call that loyalty. I call it stupidity. Would you do that? Try even raising your voice at a cat - not only will you be ignored, but they will hold a grudge. Like I said, smarter.

*Eight glasses of water a day is impossible unless you're working on the road crew or some kind of hard labor. Eight glasses of Mountain Dew? Not recommended but highly do-able (or should I say 'Dew-able'?)

*Tabloids at the supermarket never change. Weekly World News is still reporting about that alien spaceship found in the Mohave Desert. You know, the one with the likeness of Jesus on the side? The one Elvis has apparently been hiding in for the last 32 years. OY! Stop the madness!

*Most sports cannot hold my interest. The few exceptions are football (Go Steelers!) and my unbridled passion (like that one?) for Thoroughbred Horseracing.
Like I said, I can't play poker - but I can hit a Kentucky Derby winning longshot at 50-1. I shit you not. Case in point: Mine That Bird. 5-2-09.

{Oh, and I did watch the last several sets of the Men's final at Wimbledon this year. Rooted for Roddick. I've never watched tennis before but it was freakin' awesome.}

*I don't like swimming pools. Not really. I abhor above ground ones - most people that get them cannot afford in-ground ones, and their backyards are all too freakin' small to have that kind of monstrosity in it anyway. I can think of at least five pools in the town where I live that absolutely dwarf their yards into postage stamps with the addition of pools. And no, your deck all the way around it doesn't make it any better. Contemptible and silly.
In-ground pools are nice, but come on - people pee in those too.

*I like rain. Thunderstorms are cool. Snow is swell. Most precipitation is okay in my book. Except maybe ice balls. I can do without falling ice of any kind. But rain? I find it quite soothing. Granted, we've had a real boatload (no pun intended) of it this summer, but generally I like a nice rainy day. And thunderstorms are amazing.
You can keep the high winds though. Gotta draw the line somewhere.

*The older I get the more I appreciate life. I don't think this is some great revelation on my part. It's a shared sentiment all over the world.
But I've also gained more sarcasm than I will ever be able to use in one lifetime.
So thanks for letting me get rid of some.

Backyard Tour '09

I love taking pics of my flower garden, because I always think if I don't capture them on film, it will be hard to believe their beauty existed. Silly, I know. But here goes:


Just a general pic of the messiness that is my garden.



Paper Lace grows wild all over America, along highways and back roads...
Bet you never really looked at it before, did you?

My mother-in-law has an absolutely crazy green thumb.

She gives me startings of so much...

Like this daisy-like flower she doesn't know the name of.

My favorite garden flower.

Bee Balm.

Some sort of lily, again courtesy of the MIL.

Stages of growth.

The delicate bud.

Starting to come alive.

The finished product.
Stunning. (Daylilly)

Begonias. (Annual)

This is a Hosta flower.

I think some people don't even look at the flower because they are too busy admiring the greens.

A white Coneflower just starting to come out.

(It has since bloomed totally. Will have to get a pic of it for later.)

Another of my many daylillies.

Bee Balm again.

A frequent visitor to my garden.

A Silver-spotted Skipper.

Strangely enough, these moths never visit yellow flowers.

Okaaay....

A female House Sparrow gets a sip.

Another beauty from Barb.

She had the card that gave the correct botanical name of this blue bloomer, but it didn't have the common name. So we've no clue. But I think it dismisses the myth that there are no true blue flowers.

Yet another Daylilly

Balloon Flower (again with the BLUE myth...)

Not sure of name but they are quite striking.

Asiatic Lily

Peace Rose.
I've had this particular rose for nearly twenty years. It was one of my first flowers.

It usually only blooms once a year, but it gives it everything it's got.

Shasta Daisy (seriously the happiest flower, no?)

A Mourning Dove hangs out.

Another Hosta bloom

Name? But it is certainly pretty.

Clematis vine.

Flowers are freakin' huge. Like eight inches across or more.

My pink Peony.

I bring these blooms inside because they are SOOO heavy that they outweigh their stems and droop onto the ground.
And they smell divine - even better than roses.

My white Peony.

The blooms are so big and full. Really old fashioned looking.

My cousin Nickie would love this. When I got it I thought of her because it is so very ORANGE.

The pink Peony before it bloomed.

I guess that's all for now. I have more pics but I have to transfer them to my computer.

So maybe there will be a part two.

Forty Years of music

Another blogger friend of mine posted her top twenty songs that "meant something to her"and why.... and suggested I do the same. Hmm.. tough one.

I mean, over my lifetime? Wow. That's forty years of songs, dude.

So I had to think on it a bit.
Here goes:

1) American Pie by Don McLean : When I was a child and we went on trips in the car, we used to sing this song (among many others) and I thought I was so cool cause I knew all the words. And it's long enough to practically make it to Kittanning (10 miles) by the time the song ends.

2) Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks: Getting ready for school when I was a kid meant listening to KDKA Pittsburgh radio station. This song was a gold standard, and when I hear it, I think of my mom packing my lunch and hurrying me out the door.

3) California Dreaming by The Mamas & the Papas: When I was like, 11 I think, the Pittsburgh Steelers played the LA Rams in the Super Bowl. On the radio stations here in the Burgh and the surrounding areas where I live, they played California Dreaming over and over. It still sticks in my head. I used to have a tape recorder, and I taped all the Steeler fight songs so I could listen to them again and again and sing along. (Hey, I've been a fan for a really long time, ok?) California Dreaming still reminds me of Super Bowl XIV...

4) The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot: My mom introduced me to Gord waaaay back in the early 70's. I love all his stuff. I just may have his entire musical catalog in my iPod. This particular song just gets me. It's a long, depressing walk through a moment in time. Don't know the story? Go here and/or here. Sad. Great musical remembrance though.

5) Addicted to Love by Robert Palmer: We've hit the high school era now. A song from my senior year (1986 for all you curious folks) that still hits a nerve. It is one of the best songs ever, with a crashing good beat and a great hook. Love it in the movie 'Cocktail' too...

6) Bad Company by (none other than) Bad Company: I went through a major Bad Co. stage in my last few years of high school and several years after. I had every album (yes, vinyl!) and knew every song off by heart. This song is just the 'I-Ching' of Bad Co. songs for me.

7) Kashmir by Led Zeppelin: No way I wouldn't have a Zep song on this list. This song makes me want to get drunk. Enough said. No, really.

8) Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult: This song would always make a top five list for me. I find it difficult to say, 'Oh that's my favorite song ever'... but this would no doubt be right up there. Have always liked it because its lyrics are dark and the music is fanastic. Then they used it in my favorite horror flick, Halloween (in 1978) and there you go.... a favorite song was born.

9) Billie Jean by Michael Jackson: I could have picked a million and one eighties songs, as this was my high school era and the time when I was most influenced to pretty much forget everything else that mattered and just rock out. Billie Jean is one fan-freakin'-tastic hit. And when you combine it with the video (on the brand-new MTV!!) with Michael's smooth moves, it's one killer tune.

10) Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne: I have always listened to Ozzy, (and Black Sabbath for that matter) - but no song means more than this one. First, I danced like a nutjob at all the school dances where my friend Tracy and I spun the records.... Then, when I got married, Todd and I didn't do the whole church thing or reception stuff.... my grandfather married us in their living room. So when we got in the car to leave, we decided whatever song came on the radio when we started the car would be "our song".... So you can see where this is going - Yes, Crazy Train was just coming on. So it's our song. True story.

11) One Love by Bob Marley: I really can't recall exactly when I heard my first Bob Marley song. He's my favorite singer. I think Three Little Birds was actually my first Marley experience, but One Love is my anchor in a sea of reggae. It's just perfect. No other song puts me in an immediately blissful mood any quicker.

12) Hungry Heart by Bruce Springsteen: Funny enough, I used to literally despise this song. I mean, hate - enough to instantly flip the radio station if I heard those first few keyboard riffs at the beginning. Sometime during the 90's, I had a complete turn-around in regards to this song, and it is now in my top ten ultimate tunes. Really weird.

13) The Dance by Garth Brooks: Yes, believe it or not, I went through a semi-country stage. It didn't last long, and it didn't preclude me from still rocking out. But as far as country goes, Garth had it all going on. He was a god. And while many others tout Friends in Low Places and The Thunder Rolls (both also fab) - I choose The Dance. Because it's lovely.

14) Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden: While others were still grunging out to Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit (still a good tune, true).. I was more infatuated with Chris Cornell's vocals on this bizarre five minute tune. The video was even more eccentric and peculiar... But something just really got me, and I still love it today. Long live grunge.

15) How Soon is Now? by Love Spit Love: Originally recorded by The Smiths in 1985, this version is a more alternative nineties rendition. It was used in the soundtrack for a favorite movie of mine, The Craft, and later as the theme song for the tv show, Charmed. I like pretty much everything about it. It used to be I didn't go many days without listening to it. The cover band is rather obscure - they were a spin off of the Psychedelic Furs, and split in 2000.

16) Living Dead Girl by Rob Zombie: For a man who can't really sing, I freakin' love this dude. While I relish alot of Zombie's stuff (including his off-beat horror flicks), LDG is just simply put, my fave. The beat is just a head-slammin', straight forward, kick ass, metal-ish horror-rock tune. And I dig it.

17) If You Could Only See by Tonic: A song from around 1997 I believe... Just a random musical expression of relationships in general. For some unknown reason, everyone seems to find songs in their lifetime that encapsulate a period in their life.. For me, I don't really know what period this is. Suffice it to say, I just freakin' like this song. No particular reason. I just like when it comes on the radio or pops up on shuffle on my iPod, okay?

18) The Reason by Hoobastank: A song from 2004, it just typifies modern rock today. There are a ton of other songs by other bands that you might push ahead of this one, but for me, it is a superior song, with meaningful lyrics and a great hook/melody. I could hear it over and over and not tire of it.

19) Down With the Sickness by Disturbed: A nasty song that includes some powerful spoken lyrics near the end of the song which are edited out of both the video and the radio-edited version. It is straight-forward, fierce rock and roll with some furious percussion and seemingly meancing vocals. It is certified gold, nonetheless, and was used in both 'Queen of the Damned' and 'Dawn of the Dead '04 - horror movies than deserve this kind of...mayhem.
Did I mention I like this song?
Richard Cheese does an absolutely fabulous lounge-singer type cover of this song. Really outstanding.

20) Bad Things by Jace Everett: Anyone who has ridden in a car with me in the last eighteen months has heard this song - and not because of radio airplay. You see, I do not play the radio in my Jeep.... I only listen to CD's, and usually ones I have burned off. The last seventeen to twenty mix-CD's I've made have this song on it. Originally I first heard it when my uncle Shawn advised me it was a really cool, bluesy-type tune that was the theme for a new show on HBO called True Blood. The rest is history. Love it.

So there you go. It isn't easy to think of a life list of songs. Seriously. I have tons and tons more that I love that didn't make the cut, and I few of these on this list I don't even listen to much anymore - but they are still on my iPod and mean a little more than the average tune.

* Ten more songs that didn't quite make the extended cut *
Dancing Queen by Abba
Rocky Mountain High by John Denver
Dust in the Wind by Kansas
Ah Leah by Donnie Iris
Back in Black by AC/DC
Hey You by Pink Floyd
Let's Go Crazy by Prince
Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright
My Immortal by Evanescence
Vindicated by Dashboard Confessional


My friend also did lists of fifteen favorite books, tv shows, and movies....
I may tackle that at a later date. God... books would be like a nightmare.
E-gads.

*What are your favorite songs and for what reason???

Gone but not forgotten.

As the world said farewell today to a legend, I can't help but think of all the great memories I have of listening to his music - in particular the Thriller album.



I don't care one little bit about the controversial life he led in the last several years, I really don't. I am proud to say I loved his music and thought he was probably the best performer I have ever witnessed.



His influence on other musicians is, for lack of another word, legendary.
And if you ever doubt his talent, just click here!



All those Grammys, all that immeasurable talent. Probably no one as versatile as the 'King of Pop'...



goodbye...

Independence defined.

Sending prayers and love overseas and around the globe...



Hearing that yet another operation is underway in Afghanistan as of yesterday (their time) just makes me think of all the servicemen everywhere who attempt to help others defend their own freedom and rights - and the sacrifice they make being away from family and friends.

My cousin Jackie's hubby is in Afghanistan, so our family all has a front row seat to the hardship something like this brings. As I pray for Aaron, I think of all the others who stand beside him in our military and hope they continue to stay safe and come home soon!

As we all celebrate yet another Independence Day this weekend, can we all just say some prayers and try to think of all the men and women in the Armed Forces who will not be here (for one reason or another) to celebrate the 4th alongside their loved ones...

We appreciate the risks they take, the duty they feel, and the cost they pay to keep this country safe and free.

Thank you.

Ode to Oliver

Today's Oliver's 2nd birthday!

So...extra treats for the O-Man on this special occassion.

And a big thanks to the hubby for not only rescuing Ollie, his mom, and two sisters, but for letting me keep my favorite. What a truly wonderful addition to the family. No offense to Biscuit, but Oliver is the happiest, friendliest, most loving kitty I've ever met.

Sorry for the gushing. He's just so sweet;)

Bite me!

No, it's not another post about my undying affection for True Blood (though this season is rocking my socks off, BTW) - it's a show I discovered on the always entertaining Travel Channel.

It's called 'Bite Me with Dr. Mike' and it's so cool!

This dude (Dr. Mike) is a freakin' nutjob. A former motorcycle mechanic, he always had the travel bug (no pun intended) and decided to study virology - getting his PhD in that as well as molecular biology at Oxford University.

Now he's got his own show on the Travel Channel - which involves him traversing the globe, hunting down strange bugs, parasites, arachnids, and basically anything that bites - hence the title.

The show just started on June 24th, I believe.

I watched the first one, where he goes to Brazil.

He first searches for - and finds - fire ants.

Straightaway he gets bit (on purpose!) and ends up at some rinky dink hospital that is practically in the jungle with an anaphylactic reaction. Nice.

And that's in the first five minutes.

Here are some of the show-stoppers we meet:

The Candiru - the most feared fish in the Amazon River, even moreso than Pirhana.

Unfortunately, this slippery little sucker slides into any open orafice (most likely the penis!) and they have to be surgically removed.

Say it with me now folks - Ouch.

Vampire bats can carry rabies, of course. But the whole bloodsucking thing is equally as disturbing, right?

Brazillian Wandering Spider

(On the show, this guy was just hanging around on the sidewalks of the slums in Rio.)

Bullet Ants. Apparently the most painful sting of any insect. Thirty times as powerful as a wasp.

So. Not. Cool.

Schistosomes...parasitic worms that, from my understanding, burrow into the skin and lay eggs, causing a heapin' handful of other issues.

Man, I should have put this post on my horror blog. Seriously.

The lovely yet deadly Pirhana.
Nasty, nasty.

The common Mosquito - this one carries the nasty Dengue fever, otherwise known as 'Breakbone Fever'.

the Assassin Bug - some varieties of this bug are known for biting humans in their sleep, in places such as the eyelids and lips. Again, nice.

Bite Me with Dr. Mike airs on tuesdays at 10pm on the Travel Channel.

Check it out!