So, Sara assigned me the task of coming up with ten things that begin with O, that somehow relate to me. I’ve done a Thursday Thirteen about both the letter O and the color Orange already, which is why I’m doing a podcast this time.
Or at least I was going to…until I realized it’s almost two am, and I broke a tooth earlier, and I really should sleep and stuff.
So…look for an audio post tomorrow.
Really.
Well, if I can talk.
On Sunday, driving through Cedar Hill under ominous clouds, I looked at a line of men in plaid pants and cute hats, their golf equipment arrayed behind them, all along the driving range, and thought, “How peaceful. Wonder what would happen if it rained.”
It did not rain on Sunday, and while it threatened to rain all day yesterday, no real precipitation occurred, but this morning the heavens let flow a deluge and it’s been windy and rainy all day.
It’s the kind of day that makes working from home absolutely wonderful, because in between writing and researching, I could soothe the dogs, who are frightened of thunder, and make soup and a turkey sandwich for lunch, which I ate sitting in my comfy sofa, while watching lightning arc across the sky.
This afternoon, I went through the South Beach quick meals cookbook and found a recipe that would use a bunch of odds and ends I had in the fridge, and we’re about to sit down to an episode of Angel on DVD and piping hot pesto chicken with steamed broccoli on the side.
I love Rainy Days.
Today’s questions from the Monday Music Mambo are about Irish bands:
1. What is your favorite traditional Irish artist or band?
2. What is your favorite non-traditional Irish artist or band?
3. What is your favorite instrument used in Irish music?
They’re old school, but I grew up listening to the Chieftains and they’re music is still among my favorite. Do they count as traditional or not? I have no idea. I’d say they count as both since they’ve been through several incarnations.
As to my favorite instrument? Other than the human voice, I’d have to say the fiddle. Fiddle music is always so merry and bright and while technically the same instrument, the style of music is so much freer than the much more formal classically played violin.
I love cello, but part of me wishes I’d studied violin, just so I could play fiddle music.
I say… And you think… ?
Like this meme? Play along here.
It was an odd Saturday, all things considered. I went to bed before one AM for a change, but half-woke when Fuzzy came to bed, enough to realize who he was and why he was stealing the cool part of the bed, and to tell him to set the alarms for 11:00, in preparation for my planned 1:30 repinking appointment.
The phone rang shortly before ten, however, to inform me that Natalie, my stylist, was out sick. After much back-and-forth, I have a new appointment NEXT Saturday at 11:30. So…freshly pink hair for Easter. I can live with that.
I’m still coughing, and my throat is tight, as the five people who heard my practice vocal track for a podcast audio drama I’d really love to be part of heard when I sent them copies. I can speak okay, but in the words of Ms. Eclectic, when I sing it’s the “pack a day” version of my voice. For this reason, I’m not entirely upset that I got to stay home and nurse my voice a bit, so I can make the official recording on Monday (this is just the singing part, the speaking tracks were already sent). To that end, I’ve been alternating water with lemon, and throat coat tea with honey, all day, with the exception of one nonfat latte this evening. As I type this, I’m sipping a hot toddy, made with the same tea, honey, lemon, and a healthy splash of bourbon. There are very few things that a healthy splash of bourbon cannot help.
The bourbon, by the way, marks the first time since we moved here that I’ve had bottles of decent liquor in my house. Oh, we always have beer and wine, despite the fact that Fuzzy doesn’t touch alcohol, but I’m hardly a heavy drinker, and honestly, until we asked Deb, we’d been hitting the grocery store, Cost Plus (World Market), or stores in Dallas for such things. So, thanks to Deb we now know that the closest liquor store worth visiting is Majestic in Kennedale, which is about nine miles from here, but they were very friendly, greeted us at the door, and hooked us up with their rewards card so we saved $9. (We also bought vodka, cointreau, peppermint schnapps, and Godiva dark chocolate liqueur, and I’m making of list for future visits.)
The rest of the evening was low-key: Lone Star Comics (for Serenity: Better Days #1), the Italian place at Highlands of Arlington because I wanted comfort food (I had grilled scallops on a bed of spinach gnocchi, baby spinach, and grilled sweet potatoes; Fuzzy had spinach tortelloni with spinach, cheese, sundried tomatoes and grilled chicken), Tom Thumb for a few forgotten items. (Damn! STILL forgot Mayo.), Starbucks, and CVS (for bubble bath since the grocery store had none I was willing to purchase).
We came home, cuddled the dogs, napped a little, and then watched a couple of episodes of Angel over dessert (pie for me, a Reese’s Klondike bar for Fuzzy). We talked about going to the auto show tomorrow, but honestly? I just want to read the Sunday paper, catch up on correspondence, and not do much else.
For CafeWriting, this month’s Seven Things is to write about Influential People:
Please note that this is a sampling of the influential folks in my life, and not the entire list. Also, please note that people who influence me NOW may not be quite so important tomorrow.
Or actually, Eee-Pc. I don’t need another laptop but these are so inexpensive I’m tempted to buy one just to fiddle with. What are they?
Linux-based ultra-portable notebooks with SSD storage, 7″ screens, and built-in wifi, cameras, and microphones.
And did I mention they come in pink?
(Thanks to Centerfire @ LJ for sharing the link.)
So, I bought something today. No, not a back rack, because while they’re useful things, they don’t really work on Subaru Foresters.
No, what I ordered today was the latest offering from Brent Spiner. It’s called Dreamland, and it’s a CD, but it’s more than just music – it’s also a radio play and a stage musical (albeit without the actual, you know, stage).
I’ve listened to some of the clips from the CD that are available online, and, a couple of weeks ago when I was stuck in bed sick, sat through the intro video that is running on his site and on YouTube (and is embedded below, because I’m all about spreading the geekiness around), and I’m really looking forward to the physical disc.
And yes, I sprang for the personalized, autographed copy.
Because if you’re gonna geek, you should go all the way.
Oh, and, to make it EVEN GEEKIER…many of the characters are voiced by Mark Hamill
We went to bed later than anticipated, as sometimes happens, and I was hot when I finally fell asleep after swallowing a melatonin tab and four ibuprofen, but when I woke up I was freezing. I hate that.
I love waking to gentle fog embracing the world, however. Fog and mist feel like magic to me, softening all the blurry edges and allowing me to see the world in soft focus. I snapped pictures of the peach tree in the fog – it’s in blossom – but I can’t find the USB cable I removed from the box not two days ago, so I can’t upload them til later, because neither laptop has a flash card reader (though the desktop does).
As I was steeping my tea, the carpet guys pulled up, though they haven’t yet come to the door or left their truck. It’s all good. I’m not in a rush.
I’m working in the living room today, and there’s no tv or radio on, so I can hear birdsong from both the back and front yards.
It may be Tuesday, but it feels like Monday should have been.