Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Sunday, February 24, 2008




A Great Night


Kitty and I went to see Gabriela Montero last night at the Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J. We had seats in the front row Center! As is her want, the first half of her program, she played straight classical pieces & after intermission, she did improvisation requests from the audience. The highlight (for me) of the performance was when a Peddie School Student asked if she could play a piece she had been working on but was stuck. Ms. Montero welcomed her up, she played about 6-8 seconds of a piece and after a moment, Ms Montero went for a good 5-8 minutes; just on that small piece! I loved the fact that she engaged the audience (and was very engaging herself)


After the performance ended, we came out to the lobby, where a couple of Ms. Monteros' CD's were being sold. We were told she would come & sign them and because I was prepared for that eventuality, I brought the Right tool for the job, a fine point Sharpie ( I've had Experience with Musicians before-they Never have them!)

Ms. Montero came out and (as usual) was trying to sign in pen. I offered her the Sharpie, which she gladly accepted and when it was my turn, I got both my CD's signed on the Cd's themselves plus I gave her a job shirt I had made for her from the Quartermaster with her name embroidered on the Right side (like all of us have) I said: " many people will offer you flowers or Candy but I thought you might appreciate something that will keep you warm." She graciously accepted and in the picture above, you see her holding onto the Quartermasters' clear bag.(and the Sharpie)

Yes, that IS what I look like- Short,Plump & Balding with Glasses and a 'stache Kinda like Santa Claus but without the Powers or Motivation. But I'm a WHEE! of a paramedic!- and a Legend in my own mind too!
























Friday, February 22, 2008

Music You might like to Check Out.

Thanks to Gooseberried and her wonderful commenters for a list of music they listen to.

1. Belle & Sebastian 11. The Postal Service 21. Neko Case
2. Bloc Party 12. Regina Specktor 22. DCFC
3. David Bowie 13. 311 24. The Doves
4. Elliot Smith 14. Idna Menzel 25. Iron &
5. Feist 15. Beirut Wine
6. Imogen Heap 16. Hawksley Workman 26. Wilco
7. Ingrid Michaelson 17. Mia toi Dodd 27. Rachael Yamagada
8. The John Butler Trio 18. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! 28. Sia
9. Joni Mitchell 19. Tally Hall 29. Stars
10. PJ Harvey 20. Arcade Fire 30. Nada Surf

I didn't follow any particular order and there were some I couldn't fit in (only 30) but Please Check out her Great Site for the Original List! For some (probably) stupid reason, I can't point to more than 24 folks. Sorry!
And Now for the Funny...

I thought I would ask who you are currently listening to but I must pass along a Very Funny blog: Vonnegut's Asshole he's a writer whose posts are a little long, but if you don't laugh at some of his turns of phrase-seek psychiatric help!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

How Resilient are You?

I had a hard couple of days. Many folks seem to be under more stress than usual and they are taking it out on others. I'm unsure as to why, maybe the economy has something to do with it. I was assulted by a heroin addict, who after she was given Narcan to start breathing effectively on her own, popped awake & hit me in the head. Luckily, there isn't much up there so I was more surprised than hurt. I've been noticing I'm getting cursed out a lot too. I'm fairly careful to treat everyone with civility- I've been doing this too long not to. Don't Know.

How do you handle disrespectful treatment?

Friday, February 15, 2008

Tempus Fugit-( Time Flys)

Once again it's time I gathered up all the various reciepts, W-2's etc... and head over to H&R Block to get my Taxes done. I know it's the lazy man's way but I am not a Tax expert and I Know I'd miss deductions. I used to have a Great Bookkeeper who did an Excellent job, but she smoked all her life and died suddenly of Cancer. Since then, I've gone to Block. For those of you who like to do it yourselves, they also have that option as well. Online.

When do you do your Taxes (usually & this year?)

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Recovery,

I had the offending tooth removed (rather quickly and professionally by an Oral surgeon) after working a double shift (Yes, 16 hours with a Toothache is something I would wish on my worst enemy) Thanks to a small supply of Tylonol with Codene (#3) my doctor gave me. I'm home today with Vicodins & Antibiotics- am still painful & swollen 'tho.

I was happy to hear they settled the Writers' Strike but I think the terms kinda suck. The writers' are going to get a set figure for series Internet distribution, regardless of how many folks download, amounting to a couple of hundred more dollars.. The pay did go up at least. and the next deal will look a bit better as they can take a look at the Compnies' books.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

OWWW!

It was an otherwise uneventful evening at work. We had all chipped in for pizza & I was on my 2nd slice, when I bit into the crust and... BAM! A tooth cracked! and of course, being the Genius I was I grabbed some tylonol and washed it down with Cold soda...Big Mistake! Just about hit the floor with pain. I've paid a lot of money for good dental workand it's been a Long time since I've had that level of Pain! I put in a call to my doctor and hope she will take pity on me and give me a few Tylonol with Codene or toridols to hold me over until monday.

When's the last time you've had a toothache?

Thursday, February 07, 2008

"I feel my Mortality Surround me..."



I was going through my record of This American Life Podcasts, listening to an episode named Home Alone about what happens to folks when they die alone and while this isn't me at all, I felt a sadess come on me. Some of these folks were married, had children, but in some cases, outlived them all! In others the children had become estranged and no one was around for them when they died. When you are Young, noone thinks about your own demise- it's the furthest thing from your mind. When you get to middle age however, you realize one day that at least half your life is behind you and that your time to come is not nearly as large as the time you've already spent alive.



NO, I'm not having a Midlife Crisis. I have a job that occasionally Challenges me, a better-than-average living situation, folks who Love and Care for me & I, them. It just comes as a realization that for some, this is what they have ahead of them and it is the Last thing they would have expected. As part of the Baby Boom, I can expect even more aweful things happing to us as a group as the majority of us goes into retirement (those of us that can) Somehow, my Jaundiced Eye thinks that there will be a lot of Predators out there, trying to make a living on the misery of others, or exploiting for Profit. I have noticed stories about it and I'm sure it will be on the Rise as the population gets Older.

Monday, February 04, 2008

QUESTION TO GO

If you won a million dollars and had to spend ALL of it — every last penny, what would you spend it on?

Your answer starts here ……………….
What’s Your Answer? You can get the Question To Go Question here!
What is the Question To Go? Read about it here!
The point of the Question To Go is to take the both the question and answer on your own site, then visit the sites of those who are participating. First, copy the Question To Go , then fill out your info in the Mister Linky box so we know who is playing along today. Don’t forget to leave a link to your Question To Go in the comments of the blogs you visit.QUESTION TO GO
If you won a million dollars and had to spend ALL of it — every last penny, what would you spend it on?
Your answer starts here ……………….

If I had a million dollars, I would invest it as I can make much more then a million in interest without touching the Principal. but if I were to have to spend it...

I would purchase a Vacation place, somewhere off the Beaten path, as it were, fund my sideline appropriately or even open a shop! I like keeping busy, so I would do only what I love. I'd buy a car.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Another day Underground



I spent yet another fruitless day trying to forget the pain in my hand while trying to get the bike sorted out. Somehow, the Carborator got loosened up and there is some sort of rubber strap? that holds it onto the head ( I've been told this is standard for Shovelheads but can't find the diagram in the Manual.I still can't make a fist but that should subside in the next 2-3 days. Actual work is Uneventful but in my condition I should count my Blessings. If the local H-D dealer is Open tomarrow, I'll see if they know. I also have to get the paperwork for the car assembled to send it off. Total Loss! Luckily, I'm Insured so I should get something. I might be buying a new car sooner then I planned. C'et la Vie.

Friday, February 01, 2008

QUESTION TO GO
If you could do it all over again, would you? Why? Why not? (oh, and you’ll have to tell us what ‘it’ is)
Your answer starts here ……………….
What’s Your Answer? You can get the Question To Go here!
What is the Question To Go? Read about it here!
The point of the Question To Go is to take the both the question and answer on your own site, then visit the sites of those who are participating. First, copy the Question To Go , then fill out your info in the Mister Linky box so we know who is playing along today. Don’t forget to leave a link to your Question To Go in the comments of the blogs you visit!

Answer: Yes! I would, hopefully not making half of the mistakes I made the first time around! OOPS! Life, that is. . .