Bend and not Break

If goooooogle images were to be believed, every man who does yoga is inked.

I can confirm all are not - as I don't have a tattoo. It's not so much that I don't want one as that I'm a huge huge wuss when it comes to getting one. Haven't I had enough needles and other things poking into me and cutting my skin?

....well, that and I probably could never decided on a design.

Anyway, yesterday was day two of yoga. It went slightly better than the first. It had to - right?

Same place, same instructor, a few of the same participants, though I went during lunch instead of after work. I'm not a complete imbecile when doing it - or at last no worse than anyone else . I think. To be honest, I didn't look around. I wasn't going to relive aerobics from all those years ago. And the point of yoga (or one of them) is to be centered and not worry about your surroundings. I'm trying to do this correctly.

But I will say, it really grinds my gears that some folks come in 10 minutes late. The instructor really probably should have squashed that one - but she didn't. Where is common decency?

Over the weekend, I went and bought my own personal yoga mat. This way I don't have to use the bacteria-filled communal ones. Yesterday we used yoga "straps". I didn't have a set, so I had to use my towel. You use them to stretch parts of your body and have something to grasp and use for resistance. But my legs are too long and the towel was too short, so there were a few things I couldn't do.

So I guess now I have go buy straps. Or as Denton pointed out, "is this some kind of pyramid scheme?"

Don't even get me started on the blocks.


Song by: Dashboard Confessional

I Can't Wait

Normally, I don't take pictures at the gym....mainly because normally I don't have my iPhone in the gym. I have a Nano for my music while working out. But on Sunday, I forgot the Nano - and if I'm spending 30-45 minutes on the elliptical, I need a musical distraction. So I actually used my iPhone.

What sucks is, the shorts I was wearing had no pockets and I have no arm strap for the device, so I had to hold it for all my work out. Very difficult to do.

But since I had it, I thought I'd snap a few shots....if nothing else, to prove I do go to a gym.

Here I is, in the Big Boy Weight Room - which I've just started to get the nerve to go back into. Normally, I'm on the Nautilus equipment, but I'm trying to be a man. TRYING! (menwithiphones.com - I'm still waiting for my big debut!)

This is kinda sad. These are my new cross-training shoes. My first new pair. It's not that I've gone to the gym barefoot (except at yoga), it's that I've been cheap and have just gotten hand-me-down shoes from the BF and my 16 year old nephew!!!!

I'm not really cheap - not really. I'm just a bit pathetic. Oh - and I loathe shopping. The used shoes never really fit, but then until a few months ago, I never truly wore them for work-out, just bike rides and to cut the lawn.

And though my purchase didn't provide the title of the post, I went with a round-about means, since the group name did.

No, the above image is not an illusion. Nor is it trick photography. With those above hairy legs (and new shoes), I can push out 260 pounds. Probably 280, but I'm not trying to hurt myself.

Today is day two of yoga. And I'm doing it over lunch. But with out shoes.



Song by: Nu Shooz

Record of the Month

I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!

It's really a shame the Cardigans started off their U.S. career with their more than fluffy single "Love Fool". At the time it was annoying as hell and they were written-off stateside almost immediately. Upon listening to it a decade later, it is actually not a half bad song.

What is even better was their three follow-up disks which never found footing over here. I'll have to make their Long Gone Before Daylight one of my Classic disks. It really is in the top five disks of the first decade of the 21st century. Seriously!

But those three disks were eventually released here in America - a good 12-18 months after their initial European launch. So it is no shock or surprise that lead singer, Nina Persson's side project, A Camp, suffered the same fate with Colonia.

Colonia is not a bad album, but it won't hit any airwaves here - nor does it strive to. Or at least I don't think that was the intent. The group is a lot lower key than the Cardigans, and they weren't too 'out there' to start with.

The music itself is sparse - some guitars, rudimentary keyboards, drums and the occasional strings. That's it. But that combo has its moments. I really like "It's Not Easy to be Human", "My America".

There is this weird early '60s girl-group/Phil Spector vibe weaved in and out of part of the album (horns on "My America", vocal arrangement "Here are Many Wild Animals"). The latter being about survival - with references to the bomb, the ark and cockroaches. I don't think it's really about eating our young, as that is more of a metaphor than meant for literal translation. Either way - you'll never hear something like that on radio.

There are clunkers along the way - the too sleepy "The Weeds Had Got There First" and "Chinatown".

I liked the last three Cardigans disks so much, I had high hopes for Colonia, but in reality this is a so-so disk. Lots of promise and little follow-through.

...but I love the cover art.

Return of the Grievous Angel

Oh, how I wish this were a post about at least a half-nekkid David Boreanaz. You know Angel, from Buffy.....or, I guess Angel. .....but mostly I care about Buffy.

Even with the bumps on his left shoulder (go ahead, enlarge the image and look), he's still dreamy.

No, this is about going to see Angels & Demons yesterday. I know, I know - it goes against most everything I stand for: catholicism and Tom Hanks. But short of being rude - what could I do? I was out-voted 3-1.

We rarely see our friends David and James, and they really wanted to go. For full-disclosure, they'll see almost anything and everything. David worked in film (in a way) and has an appreciation for most everything - though it is not to say he likes everything.

Denton wanted to go too, so what's a good bf to do? I went.

I never read the book and I think I'm one of 18 people in the U.S. who did not read The DaVinci Code. I tried. Honest. I could not get past page 104. I'm not estimating here.....it is not an approximation. I distinctly remember the page I gave up on the book, even years later.

Clearly, I didn't see that movie either.

But we went. It was exactly what I expected, though with a few twists I didn't quite see - but the end result was how I figured it, about 25 minutes into the picture.

One twist was that Ewan MacGregor was in it! Who knew? Probably anyone who read an ad or the movie poster. I wasn't one of those people.

I don't care that Hanks has two Oscars to his credit and one is a Jonathan Demme movie about a person with AIDS. It could be argued, he peaked with Bachelor Party. But once he went down the road to Big, I started to find him insufferable. Ok, maybe that's a bit harsh, but the schmaltz with Forrest Gump and that FedEx movie......oy.

I'd say 70% of the movie is background information. Them walking and talking and explaining a few millennia of history, but just enough to end up fitting very very very neatly in the the jigsaw puzzle of a movie was annoying to me. Yeah, lots of movies and TV shows do it - but they do it better. Raiders of the Lost Ark comes to mind, or something a little more didactic like The West Wing.

For the blockbuster it was supposed to be, I doubt there were more than 25 people in the theater. ...and it was a rainy Saturday.

...oh and the music. The overreaching score. The Gregorian chants in the background. And bombastic approach to the final credit music. Way too much, Opie.

As it turns out, no one thought it was a great movie, so I wasn't the cheese standing alone. I doubt that Dan Brown or Ron Howard even scraped the surface of how evil the catholic church is, but it's not exploding anti-matter.

On a positive note - I'm up to my third of at least 12 movies for the year (you all remember my never-achieved goal, right?). And with a few movies slated for summer release, I honestly think I'll make it.

But at least for this, I got a really really cute image of Mr. Boreanaz.


Song by: Gram Parsons

Clean

I'm a bit hungover today. More just tired than hungover. Yeah, I probably killed a bottle of wine by my lonesome, but it was worth it. Oh c'mon - I could have easily killed another one. You know me.

My man-date, Scott, and his wife came over last night. It was supposed to be dinner, but we ended up just noshing on cheese, hummus and the likes. I even had macerated strawberries and bought angel food cake (oh yeah, and ice cream) for a dessert-like finisher.

We never got to that last part. Too much wine or Makers Mark.

Scott and Celeste had not been over before. We've had many failed attempts. And then we lost the person who helped us clean our house. Poor Florida got cancer and decided to retire. My mother tried not to laugh and attempted to look appalled when I tried to wipe a faux tear from my eye when saying: "It's true.....cancer does affect everyone!"

As a cancer survivor, I thought (and think) I could get away with a joke as crass as that.

It took us almost a year to find someone new - someone we like and trust. She started yesterday, so we got right back on the social bandwagon and had guests over on day one.

Today we have plans with other friends, but not here. I love them, but really am ambivalent about the actual plans. More on that tomorrow.

Now, it's off to the gym.


Song by: Depeche Mode

I Am Stretched on Your Grave

So, yesterday I ventured into a new realm of exercise. Yoga.

A few weeks ago I hurt my left shoulder while doing my weights. I tried to power through it for another week, but all I did was continue to aggravate the injury. So I'm off lifting for at least this week, possibly next.

I've wanted to try yoga, but the reality is that I'm not very bendy and I'm not sure I have a center. I know I don't have "a happy place". Since I was in 6th or 7th grade my legs have always been longer than my torso, and since then I've never been able to touch my toes (see the bendy comment above). So I wasn't horribly optimistic on how it would all work.

I actually worked out at my usual 05:30 time and then returned to the gym at 18:30 for Yoga for Beginners.

I wasn't sure how it would work or how the set-up would be, so wouldn't you know that when I got my mat down I ended up in the front of the class? Frick.

And while the class may have been for beginners, I felt like I was on the Yoga Short Bus.

It seemed the instructor continually used me as the example of how to do things correctly, since apparently I wasn't. She'd gently guide me to the correct positions and such, but I suppose it helped the other members of the group to do the right things as well.

To be fair - I didn't suck at it. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't impossible either. I didn't feel nearly as self-conscious as I thought I might, even with Barrie walking me through some routines. (she did it to others too - not just me.)

I felt things stretch, but all I really did was confirm my un-bendi-ness. I'm sure it takes time to become more adept at it all. I've got my Warrior poses down, and I'm decent at the Triangle. I don't remember the names of the other moves.

There is something relaxing about it, but I definitely broke a sweat too. Not soaking wet like when I'm doing the ellpitical.

At the end, Barrie made a point to ask me how I liked it (was I the only new face in the class?) and then continued to encourage me and congratulate me on the 'good job' I did.

Yeah - I was being treated like I rode the short bus, but I can deal with it. I'll go back. I think it would be good for me.


Song by: Sinead O'Connor

Shopping with Blobby

Yet another installment in the drudgery that is everyday shopping. The camera-phone makes it a bit more fun - though I get looks whenever I take pics of products. Like I care what people think!


I'm a big fan of cauliflower. Mostly raw - the vegetable, not me. I can have it cooked, but it seems to loose whatever appeal I truly have for it. I like the crispness of it and the texture.

But hell, you cook it enough and it tastes like nothing and it looses all that crispness and texture.

The other day I came across something I had never seen before: orange cauliflower. orange! What the hell is that?

Of course, the wrapping says 'multicolor'. I guess.......if you include the leaves.

I have no idea if this is genetically manipulated food or not. And as much as I like cauliflower, my guess is if it were put in front of me, I might not eat it. I can guarantee you that I would not purchase it.

But I will take a picture of it.

Don't Ask Me to Choose

Yesterday the mailstudman brought me a present. One of my oft used phrases, by way of Lisa Simpson and Ralph Wiggum, on a t-shirt.

...and yes, I've used it at least twice in Valentine posts. And now I have a shirt to go with those posts and fond Simpsons memories.

But it was not from "my beloved" that cho-cho-chose me. Well, maybe it was. I don't know. I'm so confused.

I mean, it was not from the man I've spent the last 20+ years with. You'd think that would be the obvious choice - but that's not how we operate. Unless one of us is traveling and then we might surprise each other with a little gift.

No, it was Rebecca. Maybe she loves me more. {sigh}

How fun!

Way back when "blogging" was new(er), I surprised her with a Blogger t-shirt and mug. I thought it would be fun. This was before WordPress and all the other sites existed. Certainly before more and more people started hosting themselves. ...and it was also before I had a blog.

Anyway, this shirt totally brought a smile to my face. I thought I'd call her immediately and then thought better of it. Not better - but different - of it.

Wouldn't it be more fun....or funner....or funnerer...to log on to my blog and see the shirt you bought someone? and they were wearing it? and they were writing about it? and writing about them?

Of course, I always write about Rebecca. If it weren't for her, I'd only have about 500 entries and not 1500.

The bestest thing about the shirt? It's a Large. Not an Xtra-Large. And it fits. g-d love her for affirming my work-out routine. A risky gamble though. An ill fitting shirt could have sent me into a shame spiral that would last until Friday's happy hour.

I also didn't realize my forearms were that hairy. I look so manly. ....kind of like a certain cab driver in Los Angeles, eh Morty?

Of course, now I feel obligated to get her a t-shirt that says "Look in the tunk".



Song by: Fine Young Cannibals

Fast as You Can

...so on Saturday, I got pulled over and given a ticket for speeding.

ME!

Would it surprise you to know that I have never been ticketed in all my years of driving? It's true.

I've been pulled over four times and never ticketed. Once, they not only should have fined me, but probably hauled me in. I had had a few drinks, but was not drunk. Speeding? Yes. And I ran a four-way stop sign where two cops sat. And still they let me go.

It must have been my devastating good looks. Or my winning personality. Yeah - that's it.

At my last job, I logged a few hundred miles a month by way of driving. And I flew. Not on a plane, but down the highway. I never got pulled over. I'd tell people this and they would say 'don't say that, you'll jinx yourself'. Quite the opposite, I'd think. I figured if I said it, I'd continue my lucky streak.

Saturday I was not so lucky. After working out and then buying pastries for my mother to take to her for Mother's Day, I was going 38 in a 25. I'm not trying to let myself off the hook here, honest. I was speeding. I got caught. But I wasn't even able to keep up with the two cars ahead of me. Sometimes it is just the luck of the draw.

I kind of thought he'd give me a warning as when he checked my priors he'd find I had none. But no, we're in cash-strapped times - and no tax levies have passed in a few years. Our roads are for shit and our services diminished. Catching law-breakers is our revenue generation these days.

So the fine? $150 !!!!!

The funny thing is - I'm not even upset. How can I be?

If there was any rub to the situation - the cop was not hot. Not by a long shot. But hot cops are like the Holy Grail - or mythological creatures. The chances of them looking more like Chief Wiggum is even money. Eye candy would have been nice. I should have gotten something out of the situation - right?

And I did - a ticket.



Song by: Fiona Apple

The World is Full of Stupid People

You might look at this title and the accompanying image and assume that I went to go see the new Star Trek movie and didn't like it.

You'd be wrong.

I mean, I did go see it. But I more than liked it.

The reason for the song title - which is about a decade old or more - is because it contains lyrical references to Jean-Luc Picard and the United Federation of Planets.

See, I was never ever a fan of the original Star Trek series or their movies. I saw Wrath of Kahn. I saw Search for Spock. I saw the one that was #V - whichever one that was. You know, the one where they were going to Shakaree or something. Of course, Jon and I would substitute Chaka Kahn just for our own giggles. Awful!

I remember seeing that last one with Jon in that old Grandview theatre and successfully (?) quoting dialogue that had yet to happen. THAT is how predictable it was. I remember turning to him and saying, "hell! I could have written this", to which his quick reply was "thank g-d you didn't!!!" Oh how we laughed. The movie cost us a dollar and I still wanted a refund when it was over.

I really enjoyed The Next Generation series though, but not so much their movies. I could never get into Deep Space Nine, Enterprise or Voyager. TNG was an anomaly.

Anyway - back to the movie. Yes, we saw it on day two, so the place was packed. They even had an 'event coordinator' to make sure all seating was utilized. They tried to get me to move to the center to make it easier for others to get in. Tough cookies, babe, I got here early, I scoped out my seat. I'm keeping it.

JJ Abrams did a great job with it. Better than he's done with Lost or Felicity (insert laughing here). The effects, the storyline and the acting. Except for two or three lines they had to throw in (c'mon - did anyone think Scottie wasn't going to say his frickin' trademark line?). I was annoyed at a few product placements that clearly every movie has to do anymore to off-set financing. The Nokia ringtones are a blatant display was just crappy.

And then there was Lenord Nimoy talking around his new dentures. It was a distraction.

Oh oh oh.....and Winona Ryder!!! She didn't take anything away from the flick, but she certianly didn't add anything to it either. It could have been played by anyone. But it probably keeps her in Actor's Equity for another 3-5 years. Denton didn't even recognize her.

The cast was actually really good. I don't know why all the gays pine for Chris Pine. He's a better actor than he is a looker - but that could be my opinion. But Zachary Quinto was great as Spock. And of course Harold (or was it Kumar?) as Sulu. Even Uhura was good - though she a bit of a space slut.

And is there anything that Eric Bana is in where he isn't totally hot? Even as a Romulan?

Don't get me wrong, there are great scenes but little suspense. It's not quite a spoiler alert when you know none of the main characters are in complete danger - as they all live for another 6o years....or 60 films. Whichever comes first. (flash on the Simpsons: Star Trek XII: So Very Tired!)

You know we don't go out to tons of movies, mostly because I'm picky....and cheap, so I heartily recommend it.

Go. Now. I think they need the cash.



Song by: the Refreshments

Mother Stands For Comfort

Can I say this? For the most part, I have a pretty great mom.

Except for a few blips when I was a teenager, I think we've always had a pretty good relationship.

Naturally, those blips were all about me becoming......me. I think my sexuality came a lot more easily to me than it did to her. Mind you, when I was 15 or so and she was figuring it out, as I was. I had less of an issue with it - I'm assuming.

It's not that she was ill equipped to deal with it all, it was just a different time. Hell, we didn't know anyone who was divorced way back then, let alone who was gay. It certainly wasn't what anyone talked about.

Of course, it might have just been about me being a teenager. Who the hell knows?

But we've come to a great place where not only am I not the black-sheep of the family, but more like the golden boy. Yes, granted, I am the only boy, but now you're just nitpicking.....

My mom has been extremely supportive of how I've lived my life. It probably doesn't hurt that I've never asked them to move back home or asked for cash and have always had a steady job (well, except for that 5 months in 2006-2007 - but I had a severance package, so there's that...).

She has always accepted Denton and you know that has to be a huge plus. I know so many people who do not get along that well with their in-laws - whether they're queer or not.

Like me, my mother has a great sense of humour. For the most part, so do my sisters. My "aunt" (quotes used, as she's not really my aunt) Rosemarie said at my mother's 70th birthday, to my mother, (almost like I wasn't at the table), "he has the same wicked sense of humour as your mother."

I can't say that for sure - as she was just my grandmother and died when I was 10. My keen sense of humour was not fully honed at that point - and I don't remember her being funny. But my mother is, and I think her grandkids know she is.

So like most every Sunday, we'll go over to have dinner with my parents. There will be a gift or two, but she really wants nothing.

I always try to make time for my mom - and she for me. It's not just about a day. It never is.




Song by: Kate Bush

So Good to See You

I don't know how "out there" in the blogosphere this video is. I just found it funny. I doubt it is being shown on America's Funniest Commercials You've Never Ever Ever Seen - or whatever that show is.

...and clearly it is not even meant to be shown in the U.S. We just don't allow that. We're not that progressive.




For the record, how could you not know the difference?

....and yes, I know I'm just phoning it in with a YouTube Saturday. Sue me.



Song by: Shawn Colvin

Record of the Month - Classic

Another installment of a disk I have enjoyed over the years. I'm trying to keep the Record of the Month posts to be fairly new releases. Classics are going to be ones that are at least 5 years old.

I was all set to go with another selection and then a song rotated through my iPod play list and I completely changed direction.

Maria McKee's third release, Life is Sweet is one great disk. Granted it is not for everyone, but what music is? And it is an album - one meant to be played front to back. It's not just a collection of songs thrown together and set out for sale.

Unlike her work with the short-lived band Lone Justice (a totally other RotM-C) or her first solo disk it is not country-rock. And unlike her second solo disk, it's not blues-tinged.

Life is Sweet is electric guitars, distortion and strong vocals. It is everything I want out of Maria McKee.

Opening with what is arguably the best track on the disk, "Scarlover" is as rough and painful as the title suggests. Oddly enough it's off-set the background vocals which tend to draw you in lessening the edge if only for a few seconds. Then you're drawn back in. Or I am.

Even with the guitar work, sometimes her lead and backing/harmony vocals really set the tone for the disk. Hard and soft. Mean and nice. ("This Perfect Dress", "Everybody")

The theme of the disk is clearly being an outcast ("I'm Not Listening", "Smarter" "What Else You Wanna Know?"). But there are underlying hints of duplicity and/or schizophrenia ("Absolutely Barking Stars", "Carried").

As much as I love "Scarlover" it is really the title track that makes the disk. Maria must like it too - as she has recorded and released it thrice - once here, once on a live album and then on her High Dive disk.

In my opinion it works best on this disk and it really encapsulates the entire album into one four minute song (though technically you need to play the following and accompanying "Afterlife").

Depending on when you go to amazon, Life is Sweet may or may not be available for purchase. Oddly enough, it is the only McKee disk not available on iTunes.

But I'd recommend finding it.

Pineapple Head

Rebecca sent me this photo while I was driving. I should have known better than to steer, gas, brake and download photos on the iPhone, but c'mon - it's Becky.

She had me ROR'ing (that's asian for LOL dontcha know). So she immediately got a call - because texting while driving in Cleveland is now against the law. I don't want to be a felon.....again.

I will admit to seeing High School Musical. One. Not Two or Three. One! And once was enough. I have three nieces and nephews who were pre-tweens who loved it and while watching them I was forced to sit through it ("We're all in this together").

Isn't Zac's head HILARIOUS?? At first I assumed it was an optical illusion, because of his hair-don't. Or as I said to Becca: "HE'S a HAIR HOPPER!" Then launched right into "....but Zac ain't no first lady....is she?".

If you haven't seen the original Hairspray, you might not get that. Ironically enough, Becky had to tell me he was in the musical remake of it (which I have refused to watch. Ugh....John Ravolta!).

But Becky insists that it's just bad photoshopping that makes Zac's head look like it is being continually filled with helium. She has even submitted the image to PhotoShop Disasters.

I'm loving the website - and could have held out until June (omg...June is on its way already!) for my Site of the Month, but I really wanted to get this up ASAP. I'm very fond of Tatooine's Best Restaurant. If for nothing else, because I missed Star Wars Day three days ago (may the 4th be with you!).

Enjoy the image. Enjoy Zac Big Head. Enjoy the site. Enjoy doing all those hundreds of Hairspray quotes in your head and chuckling to yourself while you do it ("Tracy! Don't run. You've got heels on - you'll fall !!!").



Song by: Crowded House

The French Mistake

Poor Dom DeLuise. Dead.

He'll be missed - not that he's really been seen in the last decade. At least not by me. Unless of course, I'm watching Blazing Saddles - which can be a frequent occurrence.

It is such a great movie and so could not be done now-a-days. I think it was my first R-rated movie. My mother would have said 'no', so of course I went to my father who was clueless about these things and gave me his permission.

Naturally, it was the bean/fart scene that had 12 year olds just rolling in the aisles - me being one of them. There were so many other jokes that were so much funnier, but you needed some age and wisdom behind you to catch on. It's not like the entire movie isn't quotable. My man-date, Scott, and I do it all the time.

Of course, I distinctly remember the entire two minutes or so "Buddy" was in the movie - right near the end. It's still funny when he says, "watch. me. faggots!" Like I said, I'm not sure they could pull off some of this shit anymore.

Enjoy the clip.




Song by: a bunch of Sissy Marys.

No More Mr. Nice Guy

I told my friends I wouldn't talk about this anymore, so of course I have to get in one last reference to an on-going conversation we've been having.

I have been in discussions with an organization about employment. Yes, I know I'm gainfully employed - so it's been a relatively no stress situation.

The COO/VP to whom I would report to had an immediate connection during our first phone call. It was a great hour phone call. It wasn't an interview - he made that clear.

I did interview and it went well. Not well enough, but they liked me.

How do I know? Because the COO/VP called to tell me, personally. I know, right?

Ok - in our first call, he said he would always be the one to let me know where I stood. No HR. No recruiter. No secretary. My first thought was, "what the hell is wrong with this guy - who, at his level, does this?" My immediate second thought was, "I want to work for this guy".

The next day he left me an email thanking me and giving me his contact information if I had questions. Not his secretaries line - his direct one. And his cell phone. That above question and above foll0w-up statement came back to mind.

So yesterday, when I was told I was not the candidate, the COO/VP called me personally - as promised. And even though I did not get the job, it was still one of the most positive conversations I have had - even for a turn down.

He acknowledged that connection I felt we had - professional, people.....just professional. I, in turn, told him exactly what I typed about my reactions to his personal interaction with me. I think he was really struck by that - in a good way. I also told him I mentioned that same reaction to the president of the company and the head of HR.

Mr. COO/VP then told me he'd like to keep my contact info - as he plans on there being a job opening up (i.e. being created) possibly in 3-6 months. Maybe there is. Maybe there isn't. It was still a classy way to be not chosen.



Song by: Alice Cooper

Comfort

Ugh. Yesterday we went over to my little sister's house for a small-ish gathering. It was when we were halfway there did I realize we had not been over, or invited over, for almost two years.

I guess it should be mentioned that she lives less than 30 minutes away from us.

I don't think she is harboring resentment at us or anything, but we certainly don't see them a lot. I see them at my parents and they've been over our house a few times, but it is usually to drop off their kids so we can babysit. I'm not really complaining. While I like my sister and her husband, we clearly don't see eye-to-eye on politics. And by that it would be closer to eye-to-big toe.

A bigger group of right wing nuts you'd never want to meet. So maybe that has a bit to do with why we're not asked over. I really don't know. Or care.

The other thing we differ on is religion. She married into a large Italian Catholic family - and raising their kids as such. Strike Two, I guess.

I could almost deal with their Jesus this and Jesus that crap it weren't for the hypocrisy - which I guess is the spine of Catholicism. You know, having their kids sing songs about Jesus while downloading music from the internet without paying for it.

I mean, I'll peer to peer share songs too, but I don't tell my kids not to steal from the other side of my mouth.

Let's say nothing of my brother-in-law's previous divorce and my sister living with him before marriage. Aren't those on the pope's 'Not To Do' List?

But the actual thing that I loved about the day was that one of the in-laws in-laws came up and introduced themselves to me and then to Denton. I missed the exchange, but apparently she asked who Denton was to Denton. Just being honest he said, "we're partners".

It seems that a records needle got dragged across the vinyl with that statement. Denton said her face just dropped! I'm sure we were persona non-grata upon leaving - though I'm guessing they did indeed all talk about us afterwards.

I have zero idea of my sister and brother in law have never mentioned this to some of their family or not. I mean, her in-laws have known us for longer than a decade, so are we just too embarrassing to talk about?

I kind of hope so. And I'm happy to make those kind of folks squirm a bit and forced to sit there and have cake with two homos.

Luckily the "flatware" was plastic, so they can just throw everything out because lord knows whatever we touched can't ever come truly clean.



Song by: Michael Penn

Smoothie Song

It's happened. I have started..........eating better! I know, right? I've always tried to eat somewhat ok, but never gone out of my way to eat..................healthy! ewwwwww.

Hey, I like cheese and I have no issues with mayo. Sorry Becca, but it's true. And of course, I like alcohol, cookies and chocolate too. But I do try. I also like salads. The other day, this found its way to my desk.
The few times I've eaten sushi, I think it will never be enough - and it always turns out six pieces are more than enough. It's all that bed of cold rice that fills you up. It's ok, but not my favourite of foods. But it sure is better for me than the fried chicken tenders in the cafeteria.

Then at home, I started making these.......

Yup. Fruit smoothies. In this blender, I got a little OJ (not the alleged murderer), fresh strawberries and b-a-n-a-n-a-s. Also included is frozen blueberries, red raspberries, black berries, and yogurt. Oh and some ice cubes to thicken it up a bit. A little frappe and you get............

.......this. Ok - yes, it made a lot. A LOT. But you know, you just throw it into a container and put it in the freezer or refrigerator. I have a little when I get home and it keeps me till dinner. Or I take some with me on the way to work or the gym. It beats the other crap I used to eat. Well, I still eat. But less of......and fewer times.

Doesn't it look refreshing?

I really wasn't planning a lifestyle change when I went back to the gym, but it seems to be happening. Slowly. Nothing extreme. It's not like I want to be Wynonna or Kirstie Ally. ....except for maybe spending time with Parker Stevenson, of course.

I seemed to have gotten off topic. As usual.



Song by: Nickle Creek

Lovecats

Hello. I'm Tovah. I'm ever so cute. Look at me. I'm quad-coloured. I know calicos are supposed to be tri-coloured, but they never account for my pink triangle of a nose.

Yes, I know my whiskers make me look like Wilford Brimley's love child, so what? They help me maneuver though doorways and such. They're functional and look good - at least on me.


I just turned 15 the other day. I used the be the rambunctious one of the household, but now I'm more like the Grand Dame. I'm very ladylike and sophisticated.

I'm pretty spry for a 15 year old, but now and again I like my downtime - like resting my paws and chin on my dad's hand. We do this daily. He loves it - even if it makes it impossible for him to read......or type..........or eat.

When I need downtime, I just hit the ottoman. Yeah, I know it makes it look like I have been hit my nerve gas - but it's just how I unwind. And again, it makes me look ever so cute.

My pink pads match my pink nose. My dads are gay. Of course I coordinate.



Song by: the Cure

Site of the Month

I'm going against my own self-imposed rule of not posting a Site of the Month too early in the month. Is the first too early? Probably.

But like a fool, I've been holding onto this site for about a month too long - and now everyone and their brother has it posted. I feel like I'm jumping on the bandwagon - which I'm totally not! You make one simple blog rule-of-thumb to follow and it comes back to bite you in the ass!

And while I have an iPhone - see above - you will not be seeing me at Guys With iPhones.

I should mention - before clicking on that hyperlink, that it is totally NSFW. TOTALLY. NOT.

And if you're not Fairview Sue and yet, still a woman - it might not be suitable at all. Ever.

I won't lie, some of the pics are not bad - and some are even inventive. In the best of times, with multiple takes, I can't get a good picture of myself - let alone nekkid and with the iPhone camera. Someone who operates this site has to be taking the best of the best submissions.

I have to say - you see what you want to when going to a site like GwiP. The first time through (yes, I've been several times.....so what?), I assumed all there were nude. Not true. Not true. Many were clothed or partially clothed. Somehow I missed those guys at first pass. Go figure.

But since this site has been done to death in the blogosphere, for a limited time only, I'll give you a second SotM at no additional cost. If you act now.

Yes, people, we have Hot Prison Pals. When eHarmony just won't do, (btw.....whomever signed me up for JDate - very funny! NOT!) you can find yourself a hot incarcerated man. Mind you, "hot" is all relative, though their not all heinous.

I did click on a few to see what they write and it's quite amusing actually. First, I was taken on how many never actually specified they wanted a woman. Maybe they never assumed guys would be looking at this site. Maybe they don't care. Maybe prison has changed their mind. I've seen Oz!

Or maybe they're just that lonely, that they need some kind of outside contact.

It's not NSFW, but you still might want to wait until you're in the privacy of your own home before going to Prison!



Please note: I do have shorts on in my picture. Most on GwiP do not. Though I might cop to going commando under those shorts.

Oh - and how about that rockin' gym bod? Ok Ok......give me another 6 mos...then maybe......