Part 2 of a series of posts to prepare the way for the release of the new Emmylou Harris CD in June. See Part 1 here.
(Yes, I know the CD drops in a week. Yes, I know I've gotten behind again. oh well...)
It all started with one song, my love of all things Emmylou Harris. Interestingly, it wasn't one of her songs, which is kind of fitting if you start to think about the long history of collaborations she has.
I'm pretty sure I've written about this in the past, but my mother was a huge Linda Ronstadt fan, which meant that I in turn became a Linda Ronstadt fan. In fact, by a the time I was about 13 or 14, I was listening to those albums more than she was. The stereo was in her bedroom, so I had to have permission to listen to them. Sometime after my parents divorce, she sold most of her albums, but she kept the stereo and gave it to me, along with all of her Ronstadt albums.
My favorite Ronstadt album is Prisoner in Disguise, which has some great songs on it. I used to play it over and over and over. One of the songs, a traditional tune called "The Sweetest Gift," had the most beautiful harmony vocals. I asked my mom if she knew who it was, and she gave me the name, Emmylou Harris, but not much else.
Later on, I noticed the same lovely harmonies on other Ronstadt songs: "I Never Will Marry" (from Simple Dreams), "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)" from Heart Like a Wheel. I was hooked. I had to find out more.
The first ELH solo song I heard was "Two More Bottles of Wine", which actually kind of shocked me a little. My sweet little harmony singer was singing hard-rocking, twangy country drinking songs? What was this? It took a while to grow on me, but it did. Obviously, this was an artist of great versatility, much like Linda Rondstadt.
At some point, the public library began to circulate LP's for patrons to check out. One day, I found Blue Kentucky Girl in the "new arrival" bin. And, that, as they say, was all she wrote. I checked that album out dozens of times and played it endlessly. It remains to this day one of my favorite ELH albums.
There probably isn't a better overview of who Harris is musically than BKG, an amalgam of hard-rocking country, traditional music, old time country, lovely harmonies that all work together because you can feel the love she has for the music in every song. Several of my most favorite ELH songs come from this album. (More on that later.)
BKG burned Emmylou into my brain for sure, and I've been a mad crazy fan ever since!
Next: Emmylou loves other artists!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
I'm psyched!
Image nicked from Ear X-tacy page.
It's going to be a rough week, so this will be well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Also, there's a comic show this weekend, plus one of the best church yard sales in the city.
If I can just keep from going insane until then.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
It's Ride Your Bike to Work Week!
I know it's Wednesday, but there's still time to participate!
Details here.
And if you need to ride the bus part of the way, use the bike rack!
Details here.
And if you need to ride the bus part of the way, use the bike rack!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
My Political Thought of the Moment....
One week from today could very well be the first Kentucky Democratic primary where my vote actually matters in the decision. Our primary is so late that usually the nominee has all but declared victory. I got kind of excited about that possibility in the early primaries, when it started to look like the contest between Obama and Clinton would not be quickly or easily decided.
Now we're a week away from the primary. Even though he's pulling ahead in all the counts, every state is being watched and analyzed, poked and prodded, polled and sampled, looking for signs not only how the race to the nomination will go, but how things might play out in the fall. And I'm so freaking tired of it all.
I've gone from wanting my primary vote to really matter in the overall scheme of things to wishing that Clinton would see the writing on the wall and bow out gracefully. I'm willing to give up my one chance of a primary vote on something that isn't a done deal for a few extra weeks for the nominee to pull a fractured party together and get ready for the convention and November. I'll gladly trade my moment in the sun to help improve the party's chances at winning in the fall.
I only wonder when/if Clinton will say the same thing. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.
Related: Keith went to see Obama last night. (I had to work late.) He came home positively glowing. It's time to start focusing on the general election, people.
Now we're a week away from the primary. Even though he's pulling ahead in all the counts, every state is being watched and analyzed, poked and prodded, polled and sampled, looking for signs not only how the race to the nomination will go, but how things might play out in the fall. And I'm so freaking tired of it all.
I've gone from wanting my primary vote to really matter in the overall scheme of things to wishing that Clinton would see the writing on the wall and bow out gracefully. I'm willing to give up my one chance of a primary vote on something that isn't a done deal for a few extra weeks for the nominee to pull a fractured party together and get ready for the convention and November. I'll gladly trade my moment in the sun to help improve the party's chances at winning in the fall.
I only wonder when/if Clinton will say the same thing. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.
Related: Keith went to see Obama last night. (I had to work late.) He came home positively glowing. It's time to start focusing on the general election, people.
Friday, May 09, 2008
The Emmylou Countdown Starts NOW!
The new Emmylou Harris (aka The Goddess of Music) CD goes on sale in about a month, so I'm starting the Eddie-torial countdown. Needless to say, I am so psyched about this and absolutely cannot wait. (I'm debating taking the morning off on release day so that I can be at Ear X-tacy when it opens to get a copy. Seriously.)
All of the reviews I'm reading are glowing and what I've heard so far is fabulous.
So, to pass the time, I'm starting a countdown to release featuring highlights and some of my thoughts about songs and albums and such.
First up, the early years:
I suppose the whole Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris story has become such a part of American music history that there's no need to recap the whole thing. I do wish that more of it had been captured on film. There's simply not enough video record out there of the two of them singing together.
Even though it's his show, you can see and hear so much in her performances that speak to the performer and artist that she will become--especially those warm, achingly beautiful harmonies. I don't care who she sings with, she has such a way of elevating others' performances and adding such richness and depth with her harmonies, but she does it without ever taking over or stealing the show.
I'm not normally one for YouTube photo montages, but this one has such great shots of the two of them, plus some performance clips that I can't resist it. It's one of my favorite songs from the Gram/Emmy era:
Parsons is such a cutie in those old pics, that it almost makes you wonder what he'd look like had he lived. Would he have the rugged, survived-the-hard-life handsomeness of Kris Kristofferson?
Or the perennial hit-by-several-speeding-trains-simultaneously, lucky-to-be-alive-and-upright look of Keith Richards?
Of all the artists who have self-destructed way too early, there are only two that make me ponder the loss and imagine what might have been every single time I hear one of their songs. Parsons is one. Janis Joplin is the other.
I think that knowing what Emmylou's career has been is part of what makes me ponder what would have happened to Parsons. It's probably inevitable that she would have gone solo. She simply has too much talent not to. But would it have been a graceful parting? What would he have done post-Emmylou?
Of course, the flip side to that is what would her solo career have looked like if he were still around? She typically included a Parsons tune or two on her early albums. Would she have felt that need to keep his music alive if he were around to do it? Would she have done more songwriting in her early solo career? Would she have always made such interesting musical choices? Or would she have broken away from his influence and gone in a totally different and unexpected direction? Would we still have such a rich catalog of Emmylou Harris albums? Regardless of how differently things might have played out for her, one thing is for sure: it would have been worth listening to. Parsons may have helped her refine her talent, but her innate musicality was there from the beginning.
As for Parsons, I'd like to think that with the rise of the Americana and alt-country movements of the past ten years or so, he would have enjoyed a career resurgence on his own, which would have led to the inevitable Parsons/Harris reunion album.
One thing we wouldn't have, though, is this song, which she wrote after his passing. It rips my heart out every time I hear it.
Next time: My first Emmylou Harris album!
All of the reviews I'm reading are glowing and what I've heard so far is fabulous.
So, to pass the time, I'm starting a countdown to release featuring highlights and some of my thoughts about songs and albums and such.
First up, the early years:
I suppose the whole Gram Parsons/Emmylou Harris story has become such a part of American music history that there's no need to recap the whole thing. I do wish that more of it had been captured on film. There's simply not enough video record out there of the two of them singing together.
Even though it's his show, you can see and hear so much in her performances that speak to the performer and artist that she will become--especially those warm, achingly beautiful harmonies. I don't care who she sings with, she has such a way of elevating others' performances and adding such richness and depth with her harmonies, but she does it without ever taking over or stealing the show.
I'm not normally one for YouTube photo montages, but this one has such great shots of the two of them, plus some performance clips that I can't resist it. It's one of my favorite songs from the Gram/Emmy era:
Parsons is such a cutie in those old pics, that it almost makes you wonder what he'd look like had he lived. Would he have the rugged, survived-the-hard-life handsomeness of Kris Kristofferson?
Or the perennial hit-by-several-speeding-trains-simultaneously, lucky-to-be-alive-and-upright look of Keith Richards?
Of all the artists who have self-destructed way too early, there are only two that make me ponder the loss and imagine what might have been every single time I hear one of their songs. Parsons is one. Janis Joplin is the other.
I think that knowing what Emmylou's career has been is part of what makes me ponder what would have happened to Parsons. It's probably inevitable that she would have gone solo. She simply has too much talent not to. But would it have been a graceful parting? What would he have done post-Emmylou?
Of course, the flip side to that is what would her solo career have looked like if he were still around? She typically included a Parsons tune or two on her early albums. Would she have felt that need to keep his music alive if he were around to do it? Would she have done more songwriting in her early solo career? Would she have always made such interesting musical choices? Or would she have broken away from his influence and gone in a totally different and unexpected direction? Would we still have such a rich catalog of Emmylou Harris albums? Regardless of how differently things might have played out for her, one thing is for sure: it would have been worth listening to. Parsons may have helped her refine her talent, but her innate musicality was there from the beginning.
As for Parsons, I'd like to think that with the rise of the Americana and alt-country movements of the past ten years or so, he would have enjoyed a career resurgence on his own, which would have led to the inevitable Parsons/Harris reunion album.
One thing we wouldn't have, though, is this song, which she wrote after his passing. It rips my heart out every time I hear it.
Next time: My first Emmylou Harris album!
I am the nightlife!
According the standard geek-scale, I have a real low threshold for quality in my super-hero movies--I loved both the last Clooney Batman and Catwowan, after all.
There's just something about those movies that don't take themselves or their source material too bloody seriously that appeals to me. I can see some elements of that in the Iron Man previews I've seen, so I'm looking forward to seeing it. (Maybe this weekend...)
In the meantime, there's this:
There's just something about those movies that don't take themselves or their source material too bloody seriously that appeals to me. I can see some elements of that in the Iron Man previews I've seen, so I'm looking forward to seeing it. (Maybe this weekend...)
In the meantime, there's this:
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Totally stolen from today's Journalista!
Animation is about the only thing that can make a Chick tract more bizarre and creepy than it already was:
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sigh!
Apparently, I'm doomed to never again know the consistent feeling of having work that is:
a) plentiful
b) meaningful
c) suited to my temperaments and talents
I was informed yesterday that once my current "assignment" is over, I'll be returning to the status quo, which is none of the above. I almost cried.
The only real bright side is that there is no visible end date to the current assignment.
Have some links while I mope:
RIP Alfredo. (I have to say that The Rack is my favorite web comic and the only one I actively make the time to follow.)
The Boy Toys of the DC Universe.
Stuffed animals playing board games. (About London,yet!)
Donate to David Pirkola, comics retailer seriously wounded during a robbery. (via Journalista)
How about a video to make us all feel better. Maybe Kasey Chambers?
Um...maybe not.
a) plentiful
b) meaningful
c) suited to my temperaments and talents
I was informed yesterday that once my current "assignment" is over, I'll be returning to the status quo, which is none of the above. I almost cried.
The only real bright side is that there is no visible end date to the current assignment.
Have some links while I mope:
RIP Alfredo. (I have to say that The Rack is my favorite web comic and the only one I actively make the time to follow.)
The Boy Toys of the DC Universe.
Stuffed animals playing board games. (About London,yet!)
Donate to David Pirkola, comics retailer seriously wounded during a robbery. (via Journalista)
How about a video to make us all feel better. Maybe Kasey Chambers?
Um...maybe not.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Because Roger demanded it!
Ten things about me you probably never really wanted to know.
1. For the last two or three weeks, I've ridden between 20 and 30 miles on my bike.
2. I've been a vegetarian for just about as long as Keith and I have been together.
3. When I was 26, I quit a job that I hated without any prospects lined up. I kind of miss being able to do that.
4. I collect Catholic religious and devotional items, which amuses some people to no end. I knew I had become rather infamous for it when a friend at work brought me a statue of Our Lady of Grace that her mother (who I had not met) saved for me from the house of a friend who had passed on.
5. When I was younger, one of my favorite things to do after dinner was go back and finish off the gravy after it had gotten cold. My grandmother used to leave the gravy bowl on the table for me.
6. I'm taking this Friday off, which excites me because it's payday! I'm also going to be spending the weekend at a friend's apartment, catsitting. So, it's kind of like having a mini-vacation.
7. I need a haircut.
8. I do a lot of ordering through Amazon, but I typically get used stuff through the marketplace sellers.
9. We've seen more live music so far this year than we did the whole year last year.
10. I've been leading a financial literacy class on Monday evenings.
Happy, Roger?
1. For the last two or three weeks, I've ridden between 20 and 30 miles on my bike.
2. I've been a vegetarian for just about as long as Keith and I have been together.
3. When I was 26, I quit a job that I hated without any prospects lined up. I kind of miss being able to do that.
4. I collect Catholic religious and devotional items, which amuses some people to no end. I knew I had become rather infamous for it when a friend at work brought me a statue of Our Lady of Grace that her mother (who I had not met) saved for me from the house of a friend who had passed on.
5. When I was younger, one of my favorite things to do after dinner was go back and finish off the gravy after it had gotten cold. My grandmother used to leave the gravy bowl on the table for me.
6. I'm taking this Friday off, which excites me because it's payday! I'm also going to be spending the weekend at a friend's apartment, catsitting. So, it's kind of like having a mini-vacation.
7. I need a haircut.
8. I do a lot of ordering through Amazon, but I typically get used stuff through the marketplace sellers.
9. We've seen more live music so far this year than we did the whole year last year.
10. I've been leading a financial literacy class on Monday evenings.
Happy, Roger?
Monday, April 14, 2008
Then and Now: Steve Earle Edition
Classic Steve Earle:
Recent Steve Earle:
Mmmmmm.....Steve Earle....
BONUS: Emmylou does Guitar Town!
Recent Steve Earle:
Mmmmmm.....Steve Earle....
BONUS: Emmylou does Guitar Town!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Emmylou cares about the animals*
And she has a new CD coming out in June! Woo Hoo!
*So do I. Have your pet spayed or neutered, won't you?
*So do I. Have your pet spayed or neutered, won't you?
Friday, April 11, 2008
Can't find a clip that I like, so this will just have to do
Spring finally sprang here a couple of weeks ago, and Keith and I have been riding our bikes pretty much ever since. I've logged between 20-30 miles a week for the last three weeks or so.
2008 has been a wet year for Kentucky, which is good because 2007 was a drought year. I've tried not too let some sprinkles here and there deter me from riding, but some times you just gotta stay off the bike or get soaked.
The other night, we were riding back from having coffee when I got this song stuck in my head. I told Keith about it and he said I ought to get one and put it on my bike. So, now I have a quest! (Actually given my collection of religious tchotchkes, it won't be too hard to find one.
I'm off this morning until 1:00, because I'm flexing out some time I picked up this week. Can't have the Eddie-tor drawing overtime, now. So I'm about ready to hop on the bike and run some errands, then find a coffee shop, hole up, and read for a bit (my favorite past time). Given that there are scattered storms predicted for today, this is a particularly appropriate theme:
2008 has been a wet year for Kentucky, which is good because 2007 was a drought year. I've tried not too let some sprinkles here and there deter me from riding, but some times you just gotta stay off the bike or get soaked.
The other night, we were riding back from having coffee when I got this song stuck in my head. I told Keith about it and he said I ought to get one and put it on my bike. So, now I have a quest! (Actually given my collection of religious tchotchkes, it won't be too hard to find one.
I'm off this morning until 1:00, because I'm flexing out some time I picked up this week. Can't have the Eddie-tor drawing overtime, now. So I'm about ready to hop on the bike and run some errands, then find a coffee shop, hole up, and read for a bit (my favorite past time). Given that there are scattered storms predicted for today, this is a particularly appropriate theme:
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Salvage Week: An Old Yard Sale Haul
Some pics of a yard sale haul last year that I never got around to doing anything with:
Honestly, I'm not even sure why I held on to these for a salvage post, but here they are nonetheless.
Honestly, I'm not even sure why I held on to these for a salvage post, but here they are nonetheless.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Salvage Week: A Deja Vu That Will Never End!
These clips were going to be part of a "holiday gift to you" post this past December, but never made it that far.
One of those uniquely Japanese pop culture phenomena that usually escapes notice over here is the musical careers of anime voice actors. Some of them will capitalize on the fame of the show to boost other aspects of their performing careers.
The women who voiced the parts in Wedding Peach also performed as a group named FURIL. The music is pretty typical Japanese pop of the period, but it's still fun and kind of cute. This vid has the WP characters on the left and the FURIL singers on the right both doing the same song.
I love this one, largely because they all appear in the WP wedding dresses!
More about Wedding Peach.
One of those uniquely Japanese pop culture phenomena that usually escapes notice over here is the musical careers of anime voice actors. Some of them will capitalize on the fame of the show to boost other aspects of their performing careers.
The women who voiced the parts in Wedding Peach also performed as a group named FURIL. The music is pretty typical Japanese pop of the period, but it's still fun and kind of cute. This vid has the WP characters on the left and the FURIL singers on the right both doing the same song.
I love this one, largely because they all appear in the WP wedding dresses!
More about Wedding Peach.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Salvage Week: Oh Frabjous Day!
I bought two of my favorite 2007 CD releases on the same day last year. It had been a really tiring week and I headed to Ear X-Tacy to check out some new music. I was really surprised to find both of them, because I had not heard they were coming out, but it was a nice treat after a busy week. I started putting together this post, but never got around to finishing it. Since I like the songs and the artists and the vids so much, I'm salvaging it now.
Night Falls Over Kortedala by Jens Lekman
This video isn't on the Kortedala CD, but it's my favorite Lekman song and video, so I'm using it instead. I'm just that way, I guess, but the CD is pretty awesome. It's got more of a folkie-confessional song kind of bent to it, but with a kind of skewed, quirky perspective to it that makes it fun to listen to over and over.
We Are the Pipettes by The Pipettes
This one is on their album. What can I say? I just love these girls! (For a bunch of different reasons!) This is another CD I'm still playing over and over again. Plus, the one guy lurking off to the side in the video is kind of cute.
Night Falls Over Kortedala by Jens Lekman
This video isn't on the Kortedala CD, but it's my favorite Lekman song and video, so I'm using it instead. I'm just that way, I guess, but the CD is pretty awesome. It's got more of a folkie-confessional song kind of bent to it, but with a kind of skewed, quirky perspective to it that makes it fun to listen to over and over.
We Are the Pipettes by The Pipettes
This one is on their album. What can I say? I just love these girls! (For a bunch of different reasons!) This is another CD I'm still playing over and over again. Plus, the one guy lurking off to the side in the video is kind of cute.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Salvage Week: Why Worry?
I yanked this off YouTube a while back when I was basically grabbing vids that suited my mood, but didn't get around to putting it up because I actually wanted to write something about it first.
Well, my new world of optimism and hope at work ran into a huge stumbling block yesterday, which means I'm not overly happy about going in today, so this seems like a good time. And a fitting song. I'm going to try to keep it in mind.
This is my all time favorite Dire Straits song, one that Keith and I used to play a lot when we were cruising around town in his old Taurus. The addition of Emmylou only makes a great song that much greater.
When I first saw this clip on the Roadrunning DVD, I thought about some stuff I had read about the Knopfler/Harris concerts on an Emmylou list I belong to. Someone was complaining about how Knopfler completely "disrespected" Emmylou by "hogging" the stage with his guitar antics and not "bothering" to sing harmonies on her solo songs. (Sometimes the music fans they can be as annoying and irrational as the comics fans.)
And then I look at this, one of those songs everyone comes to his shows to here him play, and he steps aside and they do the first verse accompanied only be her acoustic guitar. Emmylou is often self-deprecating when she talks about her guitar skills, and it is true that, like a lot of singers, she's primarily a competent rhythm guitarist, but she actually does play quite well. I thought it was pretty damn cool that a man recognized as of the greatest guitarists in music would step aside and let her do it. I think it's a beautiful summary of their collaboration throughout the Roadrunning projects. And a lovely version of a lovely song.
So, anyway, why worry? I'm going to try not to.
Well, my new world of optimism and hope at work ran into a huge stumbling block yesterday, which means I'm not overly happy about going in today, so this seems like a good time. And a fitting song. I'm going to try to keep it in mind.
This is my all time favorite Dire Straits song, one that Keith and I used to play a lot when we were cruising around town in his old Taurus. The addition of Emmylou only makes a great song that much greater.
When I first saw this clip on the Roadrunning DVD, I thought about some stuff I had read about the Knopfler/Harris concerts on an Emmylou list I belong to. Someone was complaining about how Knopfler completely "disrespected" Emmylou by "hogging" the stage with his guitar antics and not "bothering" to sing harmonies on her solo songs. (Sometimes the music fans they can be as annoying and irrational as the comics fans.)
And then I look at this, one of those songs everyone comes to his shows to here him play, and he steps aside and they do the first verse accompanied only be her acoustic guitar. Emmylou is often self-deprecating when she talks about her guitar skills, and it is true that, like a lot of singers, she's primarily a competent rhythm guitarist, but she actually does play quite well. I thought it was pretty damn cool that a man recognized as of the greatest guitarists in music would step aside and let her do it. I think it's a beautiful summary of their collaboration throughout the Roadrunning projects. And a lovely version of a lovely song.
So, anyway, why worry? I'm going to try not to.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Announcing Salvage Week!
I really do put more effort into this blog than it might appear. I have written countless posts that never made it out of draft stage and into Blogger. I've written a bunch more that made it out of Blogger because I never got around to finishing the links or adding the pics. I'm pathetic that way.
A couple of weeks ago, I was cleaning up my stuff in blogger and I found a bunch of unfinished posts that weren't too badly out of date and could be easily cleaned up and repurposed into new posts. And, lo, Salvage Week was born!
This week I'll be trotting out a few of these stillborn posts into the fresh air of morning for the eddie-fication of anyone who happens to stumble across them. Enjoy!
A couple of weeks ago, I was cleaning up my stuff in blogger and I found a bunch of unfinished posts that weren't too badly out of date and could be easily cleaned up and repurposed into new posts. And, lo, Salvage Week was born!
This week I'll be trotting out a few of these stillborn posts into the fresh air of morning for the eddie-fication of anyone who happens to stumble across them. Enjoy!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
So how did I do?
Not too well, actually. Not my best time, but not my worst either. Still I was shooting for better:
It was cool and very windy yesterday, usually blowing in our faces. By the time I hit the finish, I just wanted it to be over. The wind gave me a terrible headache and I was pretty miserable.
It was cool and very windy yesterday, usually blowing in our faces. By the time I hit the finish, I just wanted it to be over. The wind gave me a terrible headache and I was pretty miserable.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Foto Funnies Comix (Walking Tall Edition)
Tomorrow is the Papa John's Ten Miler! For the third year in a row, I'll be engaging in this madness and pushing my body to get ten miles out. I'll definitely be out of blogging action for tomorrow and probably Sunday too. So here's something to enjoy until I get back:
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Athl-Ed-Icism
Okay. That's probably the lamest Eddie-pun I've made since I started this blog. I'm both proud of myself and appalled.
Here's a pic of me walking 6.2 miles in the Rodes City Run this year:
It's actually a pretty good shot. You can't tell how fat I am! Keith waited along the course to take some pics.
And here's me rushing to the finish line. What...um....form! That's it! What form!
I'm going to have to find a way to use that shot in the future.
Here's a pic of me walking 6.2 miles in the Rodes City Run this year:
It's actually a pretty good shot. You can't tell how fat I am! Keith waited along the course to take some pics.
And here's me rushing to the finish line. What...um....form! That's it! What form!
I'm going to have to find a way to use that shot in the future.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Something Good Happened Today!
And I can't talk about it in detail. Here's the Reader's Digest version:
I've been really unhappy and unfulfilled at work for the past year, for reasons I shouldn't go into here. However, lots of testing, resumes, and interviews didn't do any good, as far as getting a new one goes.
Today, the situation turned itself around a little. I've got some new job duties, and hopefully a new position assignment is going to follow in a few weeks.
Maybe my mood will finally lighten a little too. Which, in turn, should lead towards a greater inclination to more actively blog.
If you're really observant, you'll realize that this post explains a lot about my blogging frequency and tone over the past six months or so...
I've been really unhappy and unfulfilled at work for the past year, for reasons I shouldn't go into here. However, lots of testing, resumes, and interviews didn't do any good, as far as getting a new one goes.
Today, the situation turned itself around a little. I've got some new job duties, and hopefully a new position assignment is going to follow in a few weeks.
Maybe my mood will finally lighten a little too. Which, in turn, should lead towards a greater inclination to more actively blog.
If you're really observant, you'll realize that this post explains a lot about my blogging frequency and tone over the past six months or so...
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
I never really intended to be such a lazy blogger...
You know what I mean: one of the ones who just grabs random stuff from YouTube and calls it a post. But, I got to thinking about it this morning and came to a new conclusion.
If you've found a niche why fight it? Go with the flow!
So here's The Imagined Village:
I mean, what the hell, right?
If you've found a niche why fight it? Go with the flow!
So here's The Imagined Village:
I mean, what the hell, right?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
In a way it's appropriate for Holy Week...
My favorite Patty Griffin song:
I've always had a thing for songs especially those of a folk-ish bent that feature biblical characters or characters named after biblical persons. Jesus, Mary, and Mary Magdalene seem to be the most commonly such used. One of these days, I'm going to sit down and make a mix CD of a bunch of these songs.
I've always had a thing for songs especially those of a folk-ish bent that feature biblical characters or characters named after biblical persons. Jesus, Mary, and Mary Magdalene seem to be the most commonly such used. One of these days, I'm going to sit down and make a mix CD of a bunch of these songs.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
Have some musical treats!
Dublin City Working Man's Band:
Dropkick Murphys:
The late great Tommy Makem and friends:
And as a bonus here's a picture of me in a leprechaun hat from last year's Rodes City Run which was held on St Patrick's Day:
You want a close-up of that?
Such Irish verve! Such athletic vigor! Such determination to cross the finish line before passing out! (Photos nicked from the official race photographer Brightroom.)
This year's City Run was this Saturday. Here's my time:
Only a minute off from last year! Yay! I spent most of yesterday recovering but there seems to be no permanent damage. Off to the Ten Miler in 2 weeks!
(Gaaah! This is dangerously close to actual content. What happened?)
Dublin City Working Man's Band:
Dropkick Murphys:
The late great Tommy Makem and friends:
And as a bonus here's a picture of me in a leprechaun hat from last year's Rodes City Run which was held on St Patrick's Day:
You want a close-up of that?
Such Irish verve! Such athletic vigor! Such determination to cross the finish line before passing out! (Photos nicked from the official race photographer Brightroom.)
This year's City Run was this Saturday. Here's my time:
Only a minute off from last year! Yay! I spent most of yesterday recovering but there seems to be no permanent damage. Off to the Ten Miler in 2 weeks!
(Gaaah! This is dangerously close to actual content. What happened?)
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Now this is AWESOME!
Sometimes, you find a real honest-to-god treasure on YouTube. Case in point:
That's Maybelle and Sara Carter of the original Carter Family. Here's another one:
And just cause I'm in a Carter kind of mood, here's Mother Maybelle and her daughters on the Opry. That's June on the autoharp.
Now, THIS is the way to start the day!
That's Maybelle and Sara Carter of the original Carter Family. Here's another one:
And just cause I'm in a Carter kind of mood, here's Mother Maybelle and her daughters on the Opry. That's June on the autoharp.
Now, THIS is the way to start the day!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
It's time to lick our knives and rip our shirts
And get ready to go to work!
Where's the back-flipping, one-armed chick with the swinging towel when I need her?
Arrgh!
Where's the back-flipping, one-armed chick with the swinging towel when I need her?
Arrgh!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Monday, December 10, 2007
Okay, so I've missed a few days...
Yes, I did it. I broke the Eddie-torial Pledge.
That means that you get your money back.
Just return this blog to the place you purchased it, with the original packaging and receipt.
Offer void in Albany, NY.
That means that you get your money back.
Just return this blog to the place you purchased it, with the original packaging and receipt.
Offer void in Albany, NY.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Here She Comes!
Back when I worked in AIDS services, the director of our agency had a holiday tradition--every year he would dance in the hallway and sing Here Comes Suzy Snowflake. He was always kind of surprised that none of the rest of us had ever heard of the song or Suzy.
I've kind of lost touch with him over the years, but through the magic of the internet, I've found Suzy. I'd like to dedicate this post to Steve, wherever he is.
And just because, I think he'd really get a kick out of it, here's Soul Coughing's slightly more disturbing version:
So, yes, Virginia, there is a Suzy Snowflake. I hope she hasn't been visiting your area already this winter!
I've kind of lost touch with him over the years, but through the magic of the internet, I've found Suzy. I'd like to dedicate this post to Steve, wherever he is.
And just because, I think he'd really get a kick out of it, here's Soul Coughing's slightly more disturbing version:
So, yes, Virginia, there is a Suzy Snowflake. I hope she hasn't been visiting your area already this winter!
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Shouldn't he be called an oce-little?
Public Service Announcement to those readers I pretend to have: Cuteness Alert! Cat Alert!
This is the newest addition to the Louisville Zoo family:
So I was reading the story about it in the paper, and looking at the pics, when I something struck me as somewhat familiar: the derring-do, the exploits, the fearless attitude, and, above all, those ears!
Then, it hit me!
Chiquito's a little bit ocelot!
This is the newest addition to the Louisville Zoo family:
So I was reading the story about it in the paper, and looking at the pics, when I something struck me as somewhat familiar: the derring-do, the exploits, the fearless attitude, and, above all, those ears!Then, it hit me!
Chiquito's a little bit ocelot!
Monday, December 03, 2007
It's That Time Again!
I don't know about you all, but it's just not Christmas until these guys show up.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Some Notes About Bardstown Road Aglow
Last night was Bardstown Road Aglow, one of my favorite events of the year. Bardstown Road runs through the heart of what is considered the most “artsy” part of town. It’s not too far from our house and is a fun place to hang out and an even better place to shop. I think it’s probably got one of the greatest concentrations of locally-owned, independent-minded businesses in town. Our music shop is there. So is the best bookstore in town. And our coffee shop hang out. And my comic shop.
I admit that in recent years, there’s been an invasion of yuppie bars and trendy clothing shops that has displaced some of the antique stores, junk shops, and cooler spots, but there’s still a great selection of places to go.
Aglow was started twenty-some odd years ago as an effort to promote shopping in local businesses for the holidays. It’s a lot of fun. Musicians wander the streets. Stores run specials and give out refreshments. Everything stays open a little later than normal. It seems like Louisville is being overrun by the big boxes and huge commercial developers more and more these days, so with the economy faltering, the local guys need all the help they can get. This is a fun way to give them some support.
I took my camera with me, intent on doing a photo-commentary, but discovered that the battery was dead the first time I took it out. Curse you technology!
So, instead of a bunch of photos, here’s some quick bullet points. Follow the links to learn more about some of our cool local businesses.
We started out the evening with yummy sushi at Café Mimosa. At least I did. Keith had sesame tofu. Which was also yummy. They have the best vegetarian sushi in town, in my opinion.
The crowds were lighter than usual, although there were still a ton of people out. I think the forecast of rain later in the evening kept folks away. The smaller shops were still packed, but popular stops like Ear X-tacy were not nearly as full as usual.
Biggest disappointment: No demos and samples at the grocery. The manager told us that they had wrapped up before we got there, which meant they ended way early, because they were our first stop. And we hit the road right at the beginning of the event.
The scary conservative churches seem to have the best cookies. No Jesus, please! Just cookies!
Cider here. Hot chocolate there. I was awash in warm beverages! Still had room to end the evening with Huber’s cider at Heine Brothers, though.
Mmmmmm! Fresh cookies from Kizito. It just don’t get any better at all.
Was a little dismayed (in a good way) to find out that Josh Ritter, Tegan and Sara, and Digby all have new releases out. Looks like 2007 still has some musical treats left in it. Guess what I’ll be picking up come payday?
Lots of costumes out: Several solo Santas, plus a whole pack of Santas of various ages, size, and genders, the Grinch and all his co-stars, and a group of Victorian carolers.
Several buskers too: We watched one guy with a bagpipe get chased away from one store, while on another block there was a mandolin player and a saxophonist. And then there was the wandering harmonica player, who latched on to people and blew little tunes at them while walking in front of them or beside them, until they either gave him money or it became obvious they wouldn’t. Then he latched on to someone else. He was especially annoying because he didn’t say anything, just tooted on his harmonica. It was like being assailed by a noisy mime.
We took a smell test at one of the New Age healing places. I seemed to like the “Male Tonic” most. Hmmm…..
As usual, I spent the most money at All Booked Up, who started their December sale last night. Everything 30-50% off. I love used book stores, and they're one of the last good ones left in town. And for the third or fourth year in a row, I passed up the hardback collection of Barbarella strips to buy a small stack of other stuff. One of these days, it’s not going to be there, and I’m going to regret not buying it.
Instead, I indulged in one of my favorite sub-sub-sub-genres of reading: books by traditional Catholics decrying everything that’s changed in the Church since Vatican II. I got one about the “tragic unraveling” of the women’s religious orders and another that pretty much comes out and calls all the American bishops heretics. Fun stuff! (Okay, I admit. I’m a little weird.)
We never did see the Louisville Bagpipe Corps or Pokey Lafarge. Bummer.
Still, Pokey or not, it was a successful evening for us. Lots of fun. Lots of cookies. And a book about rebellious nuns. What more does one need?
Remember, support your local businesses when you go holiday shopping!
Hey Pokey! Sing us out!
I admit that in recent years, there’s been an invasion of yuppie bars and trendy clothing shops that has displaced some of the antique stores, junk shops, and cooler spots, but there’s still a great selection of places to go.
Aglow was started twenty-some odd years ago as an effort to promote shopping in local businesses for the holidays. It’s a lot of fun. Musicians wander the streets. Stores run specials and give out refreshments. Everything stays open a little later than normal. It seems like Louisville is being overrun by the big boxes and huge commercial developers more and more these days, so with the economy faltering, the local guys need all the help they can get. This is a fun way to give them some support.
I took my camera with me, intent on doing a photo-commentary, but discovered that the battery was dead the first time I took it out. Curse you technology!
So, instead of a bunch of photos, here’s some quick bullet points. Follow the links to learn more about some of our cool local businesses.
We started out the evening with yummy sushi at Café Mimosa. At least I did. Keith had sesame tofu. Which was also yummy. They have the best vegetarian sushi in town, in my opinion.
The crowds were lighter than usual, although there were still a ton of people out. I think the forecast of rain later in the evening kept folks away. The smaller shops were still packed, but popular stops like Ear X-tacy were not nearly as full as usual.
Biggest disappointment: No demos and samples at the grocery. The manager told us that they had wrapped up before we got there, which meant they ended way early, because they were our first stop. And we hit the road right at the beginning of the event.
The scary conservative churches seem to have the best cookies. No Jesus, please! Just cookies!
Cider here. Hot chocolate there. I was awash in warm beverages! Still had room to end the evening with Huber’s cider at Heine Brothers, though.
Mmmmmm! Fresh cookies from Kizito. It just don’t get any better at all.
Was a little dismayed (in a good way) to find out that Josh Ritter, Tegan and Sara, and Digby all have new releases out. Looks like 2007 still has some musical treats left in it. Guess what I’ll be picking up come payday?
Lots of costumes out: Several solo Santas, plus a whole pack of Santas of various ages, size, and genders, the Grinch and all his co-stars, and a group of Victorian carolers.
Several buskers too: We watched one guy with a bagpipe get chased away from one store, while on another block there was a mandolin player and a saxophonist. And then there was the wandering harmonica player, who latched on to people and blew little tunes at them while walking in front of them or beside them, until they either gave him money or it became obvious they wouldn’t. Then he latched on to someone else. He was especially annoying because he didn’t say anything, just tooted on his harmonica. It was like being assailed by a noisy mime.
We took a smell test at one of the New Age healing places. I seemed to like the “Male Tonic” most. Hmmm…..
As usual, I spent the most money at All Booked Up, who started their December sale last night. Everything 30-50% off. I love used book stores, and they're one of the last good ones left in town. And for the third or fourth year in a row, I passed up the hardback collection of Barbarella strips to buy a small stack of other stuff. One of these days, it’s not going to be there, and I’m going to regret not buying it.
Instead, I indulged in one of my favorite sub-sub-sub-genres of reading: books by traditional Catholics decrying everything that’s changed in the Church since Vatican II. I got one about the “tragic unraveling” of the women’s religious orders and another that pretty much comes out and calls all the American bishops heretics. Fun stuff! (Okay, I admit. I’m a little weird.)
We never did see the Louisville Bagpipe Corps or Pokey Lafarge. Bummer.
Still, Pokey or not, it was a successful evening for us. Lots of fun. Lots of cookies. And a book about rebellious nuns. What more does one need?
Remember, support your local businesses when you go holiday shopping!
Hey Pokey! Sing us out!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Another Early Holiday Gift: TMBG New York City
I need happiness, perkiness, and joy today. It's been a loooong week at work--much motion and activity, but too little accomplished. I hate the week after a short week.
So, anyway, this isn't the official video for this song, but I like it. I stay away from the amateur attempts at song videos because they can be so lame, but this one has a real polish to it. Plus, I'm nuts about typography.
Tomorrow night is one of my favorite events of this or any other season.
What it's like to thrift in Omaha.
What to get Popeye for Christmas.
So, anyway, this isn't the official video for this song, but I like it. I stay away from the amateur attempts at song videos because they can be so lame, but this one has a real polish to it. Plus, I'm nuts about typography.
Tomorrow night is one of my favorite events of this or any other season.
What it's like to thrift in Omaha.
What to get Popeye for Christmas.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Ever get one of those songs stuck in your head for days?
A little while ago, I watched a documentary that used a song as the opening, and it ended up stuck in my head for several days afterwards. Since this is the season of giving, I thought I'd share it with you.
Here is the great Marlene Dietrich singing Where Have All the Flowers Gone.
The version I heard in the film was in German, but I couldn't find that one online.
Happy Thursday!
Here is the great Marlene Dietrich singing Where Have All the Flowers Gone.
The version I heard in the film was in German, but I couldn't find that one online.
Happy Thursday!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Have an early present on me!
It's been one of those days where I tried all day to accomplish one simple task--turning in my timesheet--but got sidetracked every single time I set out to do it. I feel like I ran, ran, ran all day without actually getting anything done. I hate days like this, and they leave me too braindead to actually contemplate anything remotely approaching coherent.
So, here, have an early holiday gift:
Because, who doesn't like the Go Go's singing the Beach Boys?
So, here, have an early holiday gift:
Because, who doesn't like the Go Go's singing the Beach Boys?
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
How I Spent My Thanksgiving Break
Being part two of a few more, each just a bit more stupefying than the last...
(At least this installment includes a video!)
By Michael Edward Mitchell, Age 43
Black Friday was really different for us this year. We’re the typical get up early, hit the stores as soon as they open types. I draw the line at standing outside places before they open, and of course we don’t frequent the evil empire.
Keith usually wants to hit a Staples or the like and a Radio Shack for their early bird deals. By the time Black Friday rolls around, we generally have 90-95% of our holiday shopping done, so we’re looking for deals and stuff for US!!!!
There’s one strip mall in town that has a Staples and Radio Shack side-by-side (it’s also got a you-know-what there, but we just ignore them). While Keith is entertaining himself, I’m a few doors down at Michael’s, finishing off my baking and candy-making supply needs. They always have an early bird deal where you get 25% off your entire purchase before 9.
Sometime between 7:30 and 8:00, we’re both finished and we meet at the car to head across the road to Shoney’s. We’ll fuel up on the breakfast bar and watch the sun come up and plot our next moves. There might be one or two more stores we want to hit, but most of the rest of the day for us will be spent in Barnes and Noble or Half-Price Books. We'll also make a point to hit some local businesses along the way too.
From start to finish, though, this year was completely different. First off, the Shoney’s closed, causing much consternation about where we would watch the sun come up. Then, Keith got an email about a special advance online sale Best Buy was having that happened to include the one item he was going to Staples to get. After he ordered that, he eliminated one of his major stops in our strip mall starting point.
Since we didn’t have to be at Staples when they opened, he decided to hit the Radio Shack in our part of town. Lo and behold, they are so off the beaten path that he was the only one in the store and was able to get all of the special sale items he was interested in. (That never happens.)
Well, the Radio Shack happens to be across from the Shoney’s in our hood, so I chowed down, while he shopped. Then we headed over to Michael’s. (Unfortunately, there’s not one in our part of town.) I only needed a few things there, so it was a quick stop. I did get a new candy thermometer, which I really needed.
After that we hit Target, for a jacket I wanted that was on sale. Then we went to the new Half-Price books, which is quite large, and quite nice. Lots of room to spread out and look and lots of comfy chairs to relax in while you browse. Good selection of graphic novels and trades, plus lots of other interesting stuff to look at. Just the kind of place we could spend several hours in, which, of course we did.
I ended up getting the first Nextwave hb, plus some CD’s, including The Age of Consent from Bronski Beat, which was really weird, because I’d been looking up BB videos on YouTube the other day. Like this one:
How's that for a little bit of holiday cheer?
After this, things took a real left turn.
(At least this installment includes a video!)
By Michael Edward Mitchell, Age 43
Black Friday was really different for us this year. We’re the typical get up early, hit the stores as soon as they open types. I draw the line at standing outside places before they open, and of course we don’t frequent the evil empire.
Keith usually wants to hit a Staples or the like and a Radio Shack for their early bird deals. By the time Black Friday rolls around, we generally have 90-95% of our holiday shopping done, so we’re looking for deals and stuff for US!!!!
There’s one strip mall in town that has a Staples and Radio Shack side-by-side (it’s also got a you-know-what there, but we just ignore them). While Keith is entertaining himself, I’m a few doors down at Michael’s, finishing off my baking and candy-making supply needs. They always have an early bird deal where you get 25% off your entire purchase before 9.
Sometime between 7:30 and 8:00, we’re both finished and we meet at the car to head across the road to Shoney’s. We’ll fuel up on the breakfast bar and watch the sun come up and plot our next moves. There might be one or two more stores we want to hit, but most of the rest of the day for us will be spent in Barnes and Noble or Half-Price Books. We'll also make a point to hit some local businesses along the way too.
From start to finish, though, this year was completely different. First off, the Shoney’s closed, causing much consternation about where we would watch the sun come up. Then, Keith got an email about a special advance online sale Best Buy was having that happened to include the one item he was going to Staples to get. After he ordered that, he eliminated one of his major stops in our strip mall starting point.
Since we didn’t have to be at Staples when they opened, he decided to hit the Radio Shack in our part of town. Lo and behold, they are so off the beaten path that he was the only one in the store and was able to get all of the special sale items he was interested in. (That never happens.)
Well, the Radio Shack happens to be across from the Shoney’s in our hood, so I chowed down, while he shopped. Then we headed over to Michael’s. (Unfortunately, there’s not one in our part of town.) I only needed a few things there, so it was a quick stop. I did get a new candy thermometer, which I really needed.
After that we hit Target, for a jacket I wanted that was on sale. Then we went to the new Half-Price books, which is quite large, and quite nice. Lots of room to spread out and look and lots of comfy chairs to relax in while you browse. Good selection of graphic novels and trades, plus lots of other interesting stuff to look at. Just the kind of place we could spend several hours in, which, of course we did.
I ended up getting the first Nextwave hb, plus some CD’s, including The Age of Consent from Bronski Beat, which was really weird, because I’d been looking up BB videos on YouTube the other day. Like this one:
How's that for a little bit of holiday cheer?
After this, things took a real left turn.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Our Pledge To You!
For what it's worth, anyway...
From now until the end of the year, expect a blog post every day here at the old Eddie-torial hangout. I'm not guaranteeing that every day will be content-rich, mind you, but at some point during the day, I will spit in the face of the status quo and throw something up here.
In the meantime, if you're a Neko Case fan (and if you're not, I don't want to know about it), Bloodshot Records has her first three CD's on sale from now until the end of the year! Details here.
In my book, it's always okay to pick up a little something for yourself while you're buying presents for everyone else.
From now until the end of the year, expect a blog post every day here at the old Eddie-torial hangout. I'm not guaranteeing that every day will be content-rich, mind you, but at some point during the day, I will spit in the face of the status quo and throw something up here.
In the meantime, if you're a Neko Case fan (and if you're not, I don't want to know about it), Bloodshot Records has her first three CD's on sale from now until the end of the year! Details here.
In my book, it's always okay to pick up a little something for yourself while you're buying presents for everyone else.
How I Spent My Thanksgiving Break
Being a long and somewhat boring attempt at a timely blog post.
By Michael Edward Mitchell, Age 43
Last Wednesday was pretty uneventful at work. With most folks in the building off, it seemed like it was a nice, quiet day. I only learned later that appearances can be deceiving.
Our regularly scheduled payday would have been Friday, when everyone is off. So, we got paid yesterday instead, but with actual checks instead of pay advices—no direct deposit. I went to the bank at lunch and put my check in and got out enough cash for the weekend.
Keith was off all last week, so he picked me up after work. We celebrated the holiday eve by going to Shoney’s for the breakfast bar, where we also finalized our plans for the next day.
We were invited to go to my mother’s house for Thanksgiving, so we stopped at the grocery to pick up the ingredients for the dishes we were bringing. My mom had also advised us to bring whatever beverages we might want, so we got some store-brand diet cola with lime. As an impulse, I grabbed a cheap bouquet of flowers to take as well.
Thursday, I got up very early to fix our corn and pepper surprise, which was the side dish I volunteered to bring. Since I’m not a fan of pumpkin pie, I also whipped up a honey bun cake as a desert alternative.
Then I got ready to do my traditional volunteer stint. Our agency operates the Meals on Wheels program for our area, and every Thanksgiving, they do a special meal delivery. For the past several years, I’ve volunteered to help out at their “command central”—getting the meals and the delivery routes together for the delivery volunteers to come pick up.
This year, the program manager asked me to also ride along with one of the delivery folks and take some pictures for them. Since she lives two streets over from me, she offered to pick me up in the morning. I got everything for our trip finished up and loaded in the car, then woke Keith up. The plan was for him to pick me up at command central after the deliveries were done. Then we’d head south to my mother’s.
I was ready at 8:40, and sat down to wait for my ride. At 9:15, I decided something was wrong, since she’s not one to be that late without calling first. I called her house and found out from her brother that she had fallen and broken her arm at the office Wednesday afternoon and would not be going to the meal delivery. Guess it wasn’t such a quiet day at the office on Wednesday after all! I was a little perturbed that this had taken place right down the hall from me, and no one had bothered to say anything about it. Even worse, I was completely oblivious to the whole thing.
So it was time for Plan B. Keith dropped me off at command central, where I discovered that two of the workers had been dispatched to pick me up. They showed back up a few minutes after I got there. Turns out they had gone to the wrong street looking for our house.
After that kind of rough start, the meal pick up went really smoothly. It was about 11 when the person I was going to ride with showed up to pick up the meals she was delivering. After we got out to the area she was delivering in, I realized that we were almost to the southwestern edge of the county—practically halfway to my mother’s house!
We delivered the meals, and I took some pictures of some very appreciative senior citizens. It was hard not to feel awkward and intrusive about doing it, but the meal recipients were all very gracious about it.
After the last delivery, I called Keith and told him where I was and told him to head on down the highway. I figured if he grabbed me where I was, then I wouldn’t be making half the trip twice! I convinced the delivery volunteers (a former co-worker and good friend) to drop me off at an open McDonalds. A little while later, Keith picked me up and we were off!
We had forgotten to put the flowers in the car, so we stopped at a roadside vendor and got another bunch. I wanted a more interesting drive, so we eschewed the interstate for the cross-country route. Several little towns and state roads later, we were pulling up into my mom’s.
She had fixed Morningstar Farms vegetarian chix patties for us, but otherwise we had the traditional meal. She also left the meat seasonings out of most of the dishes, so we could eat them as well. And it was a grand feast!
We stayed and talked for a few hours after the meal. Mom showed me some new stuff in her backyard, and we played with her dogs. When it started getting close to dark, we left.
I was so tired that I pretty much crashed out as soon as we got home. Had to get some rest before the big Black Friday extravaganza!
By Michael Edward Mitchell, Age 43
Last Wednesday was pretty uneventful at work. With most folks in the building off, it seemed like it was a nice, quiet day. I only learned later that appearances can be deceiving.
Our regularly scheduled payday would have been Friday, when everyone is off. So, we got paid yesterday instead, but with actual checks instead of pay advices—no direct deposit. I went to the bank at lunch and put my check in and got out enough cash for the weekend.
Keith was off all last week, so he picked me up after work. We celebrated the holiday eve by going to Shoney’s for the breakfast bar, where we also finalized our plans for the next day.
We were invited to go to my mother’s house for Thanksgiving, so we stopped at the grocery to pick up the ingredients for the dishes we were bringing. My mom had also advised us to bring whatever beverages we might want, so we got some store-brand diet cola with lime. As an impulse, I grabbed a cheap bouquet of flowers to take as well.
Thursday, I got up very early to fix our corn and pepper surprise, which was the side dish I volunteered to bring. Since I’m not a fan of pumpkin pie, I also whipped up a honey bun cake as a desert alternative.
Then I got ready to do my traditional volunteer stint. Our agency operates the Meals on Wheels program for our area, and every Thanksgiving, they do a special meal delivery. For the past several years, I’ve volunteered to help out at their “command central”—getting the meals and the delivery routes together for the delivery volunteers to come pick up.
This year, the program manager asked me to also ride along with one of the delivery folks and take some pictures for them. Since she lives two streets over from me, she offered to pick me up in the morning. I got everything for our trip finished up and loaded in the car, then woke Keith up. The plan was for him to pick me up at command central after the deliveries were done. Then we’d head south to my mother’s.
I was ready at 8:40, and sat down to wait for my ride. At 9:15, I decided something was wrong, since she’s not one to be that late without calling first. I called her house and found out from her brother that she had fallen and broken her arm at the office Wednesday afternoon and would not be going to the meal delivery. Guess it wasn’t such a quiet day at the office on Wednesday after all! I was a little perturbed that this had taken place right down the hall from me, and no one had bothered to say anything about it. Even worse, I was completely oblivious to the whole thing.
So it was time for Plan B. Keith dropped me off at command central, where I discovered that two of the workers had been dispatched to pick me up. They showed back up a few minutes after I got there. Turns out they had gone to the wrong street looking for our house.
After that kind of rough start, the meal pick up went really smoothly. It was about 11 when the person I was going to ride with showed up to pick up the meals she was delivering. After we got out to the area she was delivering in, I realized that we were almost to the southwestern edge of the county—practically halfway to my mother’s house!
We delivered the meals, and I took some pictures of some very appreciative senior citizens. It was hard not to feel awkward and intrusive about doing it, but the meal recipients were all very gracious about it.
After the last delivery, I called Keith and told him where I was and told him to head on down the highway. I figured if he grabbed me where I was, then I wouldn’t be making half the trip twice! I convinced the delivery volunteers (a former co-worker and good friend) to drop me off at an open McDonalds. A little while later, Keith picked me up and we were off!
We had forgotten to put the flowers in the car, so we stopped at a roadside vendor and got another bunch. I wanted a more interesting drive, so we eschewed the interstate for the cross-country route. Several little towns and state roads later, we were pulling up into my mom’s.
She had fixed Morningstar Farms vegetarian chix patties for us, but otherwise we had the traditional meal. She also left the meat seasonings out of most of the dishes, so we could eat them as well. And it was a grand feast!
We stayed and talked for a few hours after the meal. Mom showed me some new stuff in her backyard, and we played with her dogs. When it started getting close to dark, we left.
I was so tired that I pretty much crashed out as soon as we got home. Had to get some rest before the big Black Friday extravaganza!
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