As I have mentioned before, I spent Friday down in the Quarter for the celebration surround Tubas and Tuba Fats. There was an amazing selection of music to be had all centered around the Tuba. I have a selection of my favorite pictures, I didn't realize that I had taken SO many pictures until I was uploading them. I had something like 114. Insane. So enjoy the ones I have put up!

One of the BEST musicians in town....Matt Perrine

The second line stops in front of Jackson Square for a few songs.

Outside WWOZ the Tuba's stopped in the street, and they did a live broadcast, notice the gentleman on the roof with the microphone!

Two of the photographers and friends, caught taking pics of each other.

The clouds finally breaking up

Matt's tuba on a rest as he goes to get his car...

Yesterday was another great day in New Orleans. Yes it was raining a bit during the 2nd line for Tuba! Tuba! Tuba! but that didn't stop us. The sound of the Tuba's filled the Quarter. I particularly liked it when they were playing down the French Market, the sound just rang through the area. I went down to the Quarter by myself, but I am never alone! I ran into so many people that I knew and now have a few new friends. One friend makes sure to introduce me to all the other music junkies he knows. he is the best! For the rest of the afternoon it was music with a Tuba backing of some sort. Brass bands, street swing bands, Funkified bands. It was just some killin music. After it was over and the streetcar wait/ride from hell, I went on over to Carrollton Station to check out Jimmy Robinson and his guests. Mark was one of them and I had been bugging him earlier in the week to bring Kelly his wife, I hadn't seen her for about a month or so. Since it wasn't a working gig for me, we were able to chat the night away. So much fun. She told me I was busier than Mark. I doubt that!!

I do have pictures, a few turned out fantastic, however they are in the other room and I am taking advantage of the lazy lazy rainy day. I will try to get them up tomorrow.

I don't do the black Friday shopping. I never have and I probably never will. Yeah you can get some killer sales, I would rather get sleep however. Chances are the things I am getting people for Christmas don' t need to be on sale anyway. No, I have spent my morning batting away the cats as I tried to sleep in. I got an hour longer. Granted that was being woken up every 5 minutes as my cat tried to eat my hair. As for today? I am heading to the Quarter. Going to check out Tuba! Tuba! Tuba! There are two second lines starting at Conti and Decatur and Dumaine and Decatur and they will meet up in Jackson Square. From there they go up to Battery Park along the river, then to WWOZ for a performance there. Then there will be music all through the Quarter all day all over the Quarter, all some how featuring Tubas.

Then tonight Jimmy Robinson is playing at Carrollton Station. His newest CD is, well there are no words it is an amazing CD. He is playing with Beth Patterson, Mark Mullins (yeah yeah yeah) and Mark from Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes. It is going to be an amazing night of music.

Time to get ready to enjoy the city.

I am thankful for a lot of things. Family, extended family, my cat, my friends, being in New Orleans. But today? I am most thankful for a live Rick Roll. FUNNY FUNNY stuff

So. We all know I obviously like to spend time on the internet. Chatting with people. Reading blogs and all that good stuff. I mean some of my closest friends I have met from the internet (what up blue lounge??) Dia and Randy love to say (when I am at their house) are you twittering on our couch again??? And I say, yeah...yeah I am. Twittering is kinda addicting. Someone I know recently started up twittering and well....he enjoys it, perhaps a BIT too much. It is fun, and I get to correspend a bit more with the local folks and that is what I like.

I have a Myspace page, and for awhile was on that ALL THE TIME!! I still get on everyday, change the status read a few things and then journey on my way. I will check it maybe once more during the day. (depending on the work flow) A few more of my family members were found on there, okay they told me they were there, but it is nice to correspond with them a bit. Since lord knows I have failed at that in the past.

Lately I have been addicted to Facebook. I HATE all the applications, and have recently just been ignoring all the invites or whatever they are called. It isn't anything personal. Just when you receive 10 at once from one person well, I am over it. I love however to comment on people's status. Love to write on walls. Look at pictures and all that. I have reconnected with so many more people via Facebook it is amazing. I am talking about people I worked with in Seattle. People that were part of my theatre life in Seattle. An old roomie from college. Family. People from High School. Seriously...HIGH SCHOOL!! It is crazy and fun. High School in my opinion pretty much sucked, however I wouldn't have made it through without my friends and to be able to reconnect after so many years, it is cool. (how many years you may ask? 15 years. since graduating) I haven't looked at pictures from HS or my yearbooks since before Katrina. Which is odd in a way, because they were some of the things I was most worried about. While I did lose things from HS and college (and all the theatre work) I didn't lose pictures or the yearbooks. Maybe in the back of my mind I am thinking that if I don't acknowledge their exsistence now, when another hurricane blows through and perhaps ruins them then I won't be so sad? I don't know. Lately I have been thinking about picking up those pictures and yearbooks and flipping through them again. Maybe I will do that tonight. It will be a hoot to read things people wrote in the yearbooks. I think I still have an old diary from that time as well somewhere......

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper. I love wrapping, and I love unwrapping. bags take some of fun out of it.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I do love a real tree...the smell, the searching for it. however it has been SO long since I have had a real tree, that I do love the convience of saying, wanna decorate for Christmas, and then pulling the tree out of storage. Candles can take over the scent, and I don't have to worry about watering it.

3. When do you put up the tree? whenever there is a free moment, AFTER Thanksgiving.

5. Do you like eggnog? I LOVE LOVE LOVE egg nog. LOVE. however being lactose intolerant makes it less enjoyable than when I was little. I do take lactaid before drinking it (sometimes with brandy sometimes without) and it does help....I did a happy dance when saw that Silk had their version of egg nog out. SO HAPPY!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Um...possibly my bike. That was pretty cool.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My brother in law...never know what to get him. or My mom...yeah actually her.

8. Easiest person to buy for? My dad.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No. I had one in Seattle but I donated it with all my other Christmas things when I moved.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail I love sending and receiving Christmas cards!!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't think there has been one...

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and Christmas Story.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I hate shopping. HATE so I am usually as last minute as possible. This year it will have to be done earlier since I will have to ship things. Crap I better get started.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?Nope

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Prime Rib and chocolate covered cherries.

16. Lights on the tree? YES!!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Silver Bells and I Pray on Christmas

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel. Travel and Travel.

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? Yup! Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comit, Cupid, Donnor, Blitzen!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning! we opened the presents on Christmas Eve a few years back because my mom had to work and I hated it. I would rather wait until she got home Christmas day to do it.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Besides the fact that Christmas things have been out since September, or that the coffee shop downstairs has been playing Christmas music since right after Halloween?

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I don't think I have a favorite theme...

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Again...prime rib, twice baked potatos, lady finger cake. yummy!!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I told my family some DVDs and books...dont really have anything that I want...

I am unsure of my feelings of the opening of Boarders on St. Charles. I have a list of good and bad things about it's opening. The first one for me is being that it is in an old funeral home. Not because of the squimish factor of it, or the fact that maybe it could be haunted. Although it could potential cool to have Jayne Mansfield haunt you for a bit. (after her fatal car accident she was taken to this particular funeral home) No it isn't for those reasons. It was the place for a funeral for a friend, coming up on three years. I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing. I mean I almost always think about him when passing by. I can't imagine how many more people have attended so many more funeral's there than I have. Another reason is well, the local bookstores and how this will affect them. I myself haven't actually been into many of the local bookstores because well...they make me uncomfortable there. The few interactions I have had with bookstore owners haven't been that great. Nothing in particular or at any particular place but I do get an elitest attitude that I don't enjoy. So I kind of like the fact I be "invisible" at a corporate chain. I also do, as a person that relies on public transportation, appreciate that there is a place easily accessible via the streetcar where I can go and browse non local CDs. Pick up a DVD. A new book, grab a cup of coffee. I am going to go and check it out, I guess the big grand opening is happening next weekend...but it is open now.

I have been home for just about an hour or so. This mini holiday was just what I needed. I laughed SO MUCH with Dia and Randy and their friends. I swear more than half the time I was there we were in hysterics about something. It was also nice to be able to visit Dia and Randy without the cloud of evacuation hanging over all of us. On Friday Dia and I spent most of the day wondering where my cat was since Liza is always with me when I am at their house. Randy on the other hand was happy not to have to deal with her. He just had to deal with me. ;) I am for the most part ready for this short week ahead, rested. Seems weird....

Just a few quick words to get my post in today. I hope that isn't cheating but we are busy....

-Bonerama rocked the Pearl last night. It was grand. Except for the mice on stage.

-Craig's birthday was fun....cupcakes and cake!!

-Grizzlies won 35-3. Chalk up another win for the Griz in the Brawl of the Wild (Griz/Cat game)

-Just saw Twilight, it was pretty good. I hadn't read the books yet but it was good......

-Dinner is being prepared by Dia for 2nd night in a row. Hell has frozen over.

After a pretty uneventful flight I made it to Dallas about 11 last night. We were an hour late, but that was okay. I was asleep soon after arriving. So far today Dia and I have gossiped, laughed, watched some Dexter (first show of first season and I am HOOKED) made an adventure out to a pretty new Wal Mart and well gossiped some more. Dinner is cooking and smells wonderful and we are going to see the Boys in a few hours.

Speaking of seeing the boys. The first time I ever saw them live it was in NYC at a club that is no longer around called Tobacco Road. It was on a Friday night. I was to fly home that Sunday afternoon, when we realized that we wanted to see them play at the Cutting Room (not sure if that is still around). Oh what fun events it was to get back to NYC from DC, convincing Lisa she had to come as well. We realized it happened to be Craig's birthday so we took him cupcakes. Well the cupcakes are bought, because today is Craig's birthday. That is right, it has been 6 years since the first time I have seen the boys play live. And I am still not tired of the music, or them. So much has changed in those six years and I have loved every second of the chance I have gotten to help them out. I can't wait to see what happens in the next 6 years.

I am heading to Dallas this evening to enjoy some non evacuation time with my lovely friends Dia and Randy. Not exactly sure of all the plans, I have heard some. Of course we will be partaking in some Bonerama tomorrow night. Other than that I am at the beck and call of Dia. It will be kinda nice to get out of the city even for just the weekend. Okay, really it will be nice to have two short weeks. Let's get real. I had also considered for about a day and a half to NOT take my computer. I realized however that I will need to keep up the blogging both days since it is NaBloPoMo. It may be easier to just take the laptop. I had just put on some 30 Rock on the ipod to keep me entertained on the way there, and was figuring that was all I would have to carry on. I am however going to miss the Po'Boy fest and last year it was SO much fun. So if you are here in town...make sure you come down!! It is kinda nice to have a fest half a block from my house.

Oh and because this is a pretty pointless post today (moreso than usual) I am going to do a weekly reminder that today is my favorite WWOZ day. :) Also Bonerama and PBS are both on Twitter now.

It can only happen in NOLA. More specifically in the Treme, while sitting in a church. Yes you read that right, I was sitting in church. It happens from time to time. Last night, I went to a CD recording for Glenn David Andrews. He decided to do a Gospel CD. He had the choir of the church backing him. A few other people as well. Like my friend Paul Sanchez, John Boutte and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. Since it was only a few blocks away from their house I conviced KT to go with me. We walked into the church and it was pretty full, so we grabbed a pew near the back. Soon John Boutte walked in with a few friends and he sat down with us. I can not tell you what a thrill it gave me to hear John singing along to the songs next to me. That man has the voice of an angel. In true John style he had the words of the song he was singing out and was going over those from time to time. If you have never experience Glenn David Andrews, again he is someone you need to check out. He really has his own style. He does play the trombone, but he really commands the microphone. He loves to perform without a doubt. Paul, well Paul played in the band, didn't sing. But he contributed in a big way. He wrote a song with Glenn that was just so outstandingly beautiful. Like I told him, there isn't any words to describe the song. And the smile on his face was priceless as it was performed. Paul posted this on my facebook page and I thought I would share it here because it explains a bit of the song process,

I practiced with glenn for the dba show a few weeks ago and dreamnt that song at 3 a.m. the night before we played. We performed it that night with my words, the next week at my birthday with additional lyrics from Glenn David and last night with the words re-written to be about his life and family as he struggles to escape his past and build a future. The choir practically burst with joy at the thought of Walking Through Heaven's Gate, the feeling in the room was of real spontaneous joy.
I don't have the words to describe the feeling that went along with that smile but I'm sure glad you were there to see it.

Paul is a genuine guy, so it was an honor and joy to see him in that capacity. I hope the recording turned out the way they all wanted it to. The Threadheads are the ones putting up the dough for this to come out. Ya'll have heard about the Threadheads and Threadhead Records right? This is an amazing group of people that came together on a internet board talking about Jazz Fest I believe, and they would start gathering during Jazz Fest, hanging out having parties and what not. After Katrina they wanted to be able to help the musicians that they love, so they put together this Record company and are responsible for a few that have already been produced and that are being produced. This is a group that everyone should check out as they are doing amazing things for our musicians!!!

The other day I mentioned that it wasn't fair that NOLA had all these fantastic musicians. Another thing that is unfair? Is the amount of things that go on in this city. You really can't do it all. Trust me, I have tried. Last night I really wanted to go and see Paul Sanchez play at the Howlin Wolf. Tim Reynolds (of DMB) was also playing. I ran into a friend at the grocery store and they asked if I was going to the Maple Leaf to see Papa Grows Funk. You know what I did? I went home, cooked a HUGE dinner and watched TV. Bed by 10. It is hard on a "school" night to go out. Especially when you still aren't up to a 100% health level and knowing you have a fun busy weekend ahead. Tonight I am faced with the same dilemma. The choices are again hard. I can either go to the Howlin Wolf to see "Swimming Upstream" which debuted during the V to the Tenth celebration back in April. I missed it because I was working on the big show that was going on in the Arena. It is being restaged with some of the actresses the performed in the Vagina Monolouges included Liz Mikels who filled in for Oprah and did such an amazing and moving piece. Of course this is about what women went through before, during and after Katrina. I was thisclose to buying a ticket this morning. But that $30 is kinda steep for me right now. Also tonight is the recording for Glenn David Andrews Gospel Album. I know Paul Sanchez is playing on a few songs. He has a new song that is being recorded for this and apparently it is pretty moving. This event is free, at the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist in the Treme. Or I can stay home and watch Biggest Loser. I have a feeling I will be a big loser if I don't go to one of these two events. So if you don't live here...which one would you go to? and if you do live here, which one are you going to? (or would want to?)

So my friend Pontchatrain Pete gave me some great sites to help on my ongoing battle of spam. However I am an idiot and haven't figured out how to actually get the sites uploaded correctly and running on my site. I will continue on playing around with it and see what happens. My luck I will somehow make the entire site disappear!!

Now on to something else....it is getting COLD here. COLD people. So cold that on Saturday night? I had all three cats on top of me. Not next to me, ON TOP of me. Two of the cats don't get along, so there would be sporadic fights that would wake me up, then the cats would scatter, then they would all come back. Yesterday morning they were all curled up on the bed with me yet again. I didn't turn the heat on and I really should have, but I couldn't get up. Even when the cats weren't passed out on me, it was too dang cold to leave the bed! It is on now, but we have it set really low. I have mentioned before that we are cheap right? So there you go.

Coldness and spam it goes together right?

I almost forgot to do an entry today!! I don't know know how...I just forgot to. I actually just woke up from falling asleep in the recliner and realized that I hadn't done so today. So here I am.

Last night I did something for the very first time. I shucked an oyster!! I know this is no big deal for some, but it was kinda fun. Now you won't find me wanting to do this all the time, but occasionally? Sure. The way the oysters were prepared was new to me also. Our friends have a fire pit in their back yard and they had that going, a tailgate was placed over the fire pit (with appropriate distance between the flames) and the oysters were laid out on that, they put a dampened bag over the top of them, and steamed them open. They also had a tailgate on a second level in which the corn on the cob (in husks) were laid out. Some of the best food I have ever had. The weather was a tad chilly, but once the food was laid out on a table made of wood, we all went to town. Bread had been crisped over the fire as well. We all shucked the oysters and corn and ripped the bread off the loaves. It was a magnificent feast. And brand new to me!!

It really really is unfair the amount of great musicians that New Orleans has. Last night I got to experience once again (and most likely for the last time) Royal Fingerbowl. A few names that you may recognize are Alex McMurray and Matt Perrine. Alex wrote all the songs and well really, he is a master at creating song. There were some that were funny as hell, Eggplant I am looking at you. Some that are just so so so moving. I was lucky because Debbie was there and she would give the back story on some of the songs. There were so many people there last night to experience this event. I saw people from the Maple Leaf, musicians, radio DJ's and so many more. Luckily they recorded the sets, so the night won't fade away forever. The first set itself was just over 2 hours. I left before the 2nd set was over, and at that point it had been over 2 hours again.

It was a great night, just what I needed. Great conversations, great music and some text messages that had me laughing so hard that my stomach muscles are now sore. It was good.

Rain is pouring down pretty hard right now. This is the first day all week that I haven't had the umbrella with me, and of course the first day it is needed. It is so dark out right now, it is almost like it is 5 in the evening, and it isn't even noon yet. I guess it is officially winter time. I was feeling the holiday spirit for once early this year. The past few years it has been hard to gain that excitement that comes with the holidays. This year not so much....until I realized as I heard Christmas Carols in the coffee shop, that I am already tired of the hoidays. Why must retail PUSH Christmas so frickin early. It ruins it for me. Christmas stuff was going up before Halloween was even over. Seriously going to start seeing stuff for Christmas in August at this rate.

Heck Harry has a new Christmas album out that I have listened to only once because I couldn't bear to hear the Christmas music so early.

Can anyone make it stop? No? I just have to suffer?

I got nothing today...so instead I give you this. Someone did it on myspace and I thought why not?

Did you listen to New Kids on the Block?
No. So not even in my style of music. At that point it was all about Poison, Def Leppard and Cinderalla.

Did you ever own a slap bracelet
I don't think I ever did. I know a place now that does slap koozies!

The Babysitter's Club or Sweet Valley High?
I read both. My sister had the bigger SVH collection...I borrowed her books.

Kids Incorporated or The Mickey Mouse Club?
he. I watched both.

Did you want Dylan to end up with Brenda or Kelly?
I didn't really care. I only watched the show for a few years....didn't really like anyone on that show.

Who was ALF?
Alf eats cats and is an alien.

Do you remember the show Dinosaurs?
NOT THE MAMA! yes...I remember it.

Do/did you know the words to the Fresh Prince theme song?
I don't think I could do the words without it playing along

Kimmie Gibler or Urkel?
If I had to chose, it would be Kimmie because I got so disgusted when Family Matters became all about Urkel.

Blossom or Clarissa Explains It All?
Blossom

Did you have a crush on JTT?
I have no idea what that means.....

Bobby Brown or Tevin Campbell?
neither....

Step By Step or Full House?
Full House

Did you listen to Milli Vanilli?
if they appeared on MTV and I didn't feel like changing the channel

Mr.Rogers or Reading Rainbow?
Mr. Rogers!!!

Did you own a Glo Worm?
Nope

Paula Abdul: better now or then?
I loved Paula back in the day

Wild 'n' Crazy Kids or Double Dare?
Double Dare.

Remember Legends of the Hidden Temple?
Vaguely but my mind is slipping as I get older

The Mighty Ducks or The Little Giants?
Mighty Ducks

Did you watch Saved By The Bell?
nope.

Who was hotter: Zack or Slater?
um...Slater?

Camp Nowhere or House Arrest?
yeah...I don't know what this one means.

Did you own a pair of Reebok Pumps?
no...really.

Carebears or Smurfs?
Smurfs...

Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake?
Strawberry Shortcake. I never had one I don't think....my sister did. I think she even had a sleeping bag with Strawberry Shortcake on it

Did you watch Miami Vice?
I remember watching at slumber parties

Did you own a pair of Jelly Shoes?
Yup!!

Did you own a Trapper Keeper?
Every year I got a new one!!

Atari or Nintendo?
Atari!!!

I have been debating whether or not I wanted to write this particular blog post or nor for awhile. Once I get it down, I am sure I will post it. I know a lot of people don't read this, so it is more of a way for me to just get this down, off my chest, and potentially to move on. So if you feel like reading, continue on. If not, then don't.

There's more... "State of Mind" »

What I talked about yesterday? Nevermind. It became moot pretty much about the time I published that last post. Which isn't surprising. Just normal for my life. I am ready for the week to be over with. I spent 3 hours last night trying to work on something, actually fix something my cat had messed up and it didn't go very well. It was almost the straw that broke my back. I am ready for something to go right. I am tired of things going crummy for long stretches and then good for about a week. I feel I deserve better. It will get better at some point, maybe when I am 50.

This morning started out just "grand" as there was an accident on the streetcar line. It didn't look to be like a HUGE accident, but it did delay us by a half hour. The girl in the coffee shop must have taken pity on me, they are giving away free tall coffee today to honor the Veterans. She gave me a grande for free. Also for the first time in my working career. I have business cards. So I will take the small victories.

This morning I decided on the streetcar that I needed to deal with something, that if I didn't do something about it I would continue to obsess on it, and the what ifs. Obviously with things that have been going on lately, I don't want to live a life of what ifs. I think for the most part I haven't lived that way, although there is a certain area in my life that is nothing but what ifs and I am tired of it. I read my horoscope today that kind of solidified my thoughts. No I don't think horoscopes are the be all and end all. I read them for fun. It just happened that today's hit on what I have been thinking about the past few days..."Deal with someone directly. How you handle a personal matter and the choices you make could be quite different as a result. The more information you gather, the better off you will be. Express your innate buoyancy. Tonight take in a new view" It is really the first two sentances that I responded to. How I end up dealing with this, and moving foward with it is yet to be seen, but it needs to be soon or I fear I will miss my chance. Building up the nerve to take the step is nerve racking, and I just need to get over that take a deep breath and dive in.

(yes this is all vague. Some of you know what I am talking about....others can figure it out...)

Yesterday I woke up after 8 hours of sleep. Took my time getting ready, kind of enjoying a slow morning. I met up with a bunch of NOLA twitter peeps for lunch at Bud's Broiler. I had no idea there was one so close to my house!! It was great to see everyone again, and met a few new people!! I was only there for about an hour, before my ride showed up and we were off to the Mirliton Festival. It was the perfect way to spend the day. Hanging out with friends, listening to music and drinking wine. It was so much fun to people watch there. After a short nap, I headed over to the Leaf for the James Booker tribute. The music was totally insanely wonderful.

I overloaded on music and people and now I am going to sleep. Again.

I am feeling about 100 times better today. However, I just means I am miserable, not knocking on death's door. It seems to be going away finally. Two weeks has taken its toll on me. Last year at this time I had the same thing...sickness...illness. Some have suggested an allergy? Possible...I hadn't thought about that.

As for taking it easy, well I am trying. Yesterday after work, we went to Jacque Imo's for dinner, which as you know can be a long wait. Luckily we know people at the Maple Leaf so we were able to chat with friends while waiting. I tried to stay out for a bit of the music but failed miserably. Home before midnight.

Today there are several options of things to do. My body is telling me to just stay in bed already. But I did that last weekend and I may go stir crazy. We will see. There is a music tribute I am going to tonight so maybe I should conserve energy.

Once again I am going to put a plea out to anyone that knows anything about Movable Type. I am getting 40+ spam comments a day and I have done every suggestion from Movable Type online help. Anyone have ideas?

I almost did this as bullets again, but decided that was cheating somehow. Yesterday was miserable. It started out okay. In fact the first half of the day was alright. I still wasn't feeling well, but things were okay. I got my plane ticket to go to Phoenix for Christmas. Talked to my mom a few times. Good music was playing. It was my roomies birthday so talked to a few people about plans for the evening. Then my mom called again. My uncle, my dad's oldest brother passed away. We found out at the end of September that he was in ill health. This was a few days after the passing of another Uncle. He had a surgery to remove a kidney and was doing okay. Not great but okay. My mom and I had talked the other day about her and my dad going to Montana to see him and they were kind of hoping to do it soon. Yesterday morning when my mom and I talked, she said he wasn't doing so good, had gotten pneumonia. A few hours later she called to say he passed. My dad called not long after. He seems to be fine, said we were expecting it. Which we were but still. My parents leave tomorrow to go up to Montana for the services. I know my sister looked into flights as well, but they are just so expensive. Luckily the tribe is covering my dad's flight up. You know what Death? I am done with you. 6 deaths in a 5 month period is enough. Thanks.

As I mentioned it was my roomie's birthday as well yesterday. Some friends and I were planning a dinner party for her. So after work it was to their house to help with the food preparation. It ended up being a very lovely evening with friends and a really really good homecooked meal of Indian Food. We all laughed over the bar that was set up in the backyard, and the drink menu for the election night party they had had. It was truly classic. So that really helped my floundering mood.

This morning? It was okay....wasn't so bad. Not feeling as horrible has I have been. Still not great, but doing okay. Then I tried to update my billing information for the host of this site. I couldn't remember the password so I reset it online. This was after about 30 mins of trying to remember what it was and trying different things. I finally reset it, and it won't accept my new reset password. Actually it accepted the new password into the system, it just wouldn't accept it when I tried to log on. So finally I just call. I am fed up. I just need to change my exp. date on the card on file. The "gentleman" I talked to was a total ass. Talking over the top of me, and then asks me to give him the whole card number again. I said, no I am just changing the exp date, there is no need for me to give you information you already have. My frustration level was at an all time high, so finally I just start reading the card number to him loudly because he keeps talking. Which he apparently didn't like. Then I may have cussed him out a bit. Finally I asked for a supervisor. I was put on hold, then hung up on. NIIIIICE. Finally I get someone on the phone again. Guess what? He didn't need the whole number again....just the exp date. Interesting. It wasted an hour of my time this. Not to mention just make me miserable.

I think things just magnitude themselves when I am sick and tired. I am doing my best to shake this bout of nasties because I am tired of them. Things will look up.

I can't think of things to blog about. Okay that is a lie. I can but don't have the energy. So here you go.

-still sick. sometimes I feel better, sometimes I feel really lousy. I just want to sleep. It is difficult right now however. Not because I can't, because of well I just can't. This morning I was awake at 5:30 a full hour before I needed to be up. I cried.

-Remember how I spent last Christmas here in NOLA by myself? Not this year. Got a ticket today to go AZ to spend it with my parents, sister, BIL and Aubrey. (oh yeah and the other little one that is still cooking)

-is still stewing about something that was said to me a few weeks ago. It brings up a lot of frustrations, and today it is bugging me even more.

-However, it is 11 AM CST which means my most favorite 3 hours on WWOZ has started...and yup there is the theme song. Always makes me smile. A little Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

-got a few people celebrating their Birthday's today. I wish them the best!!

-Holy crap it is November.

Once again, I don't do politics here. However I am happy with the outcome of most things. What really really scared me this morning? Was the multitude of gray hairs that I found on my head this morning. I am only 33, what the hell is up with the gray hairs??? I noramally color my hair because well, dull brown bores me. So in the past year it has been black, brown with red highlights, brown with an ugly orangy-red color, and lately I have been going back to a more basic brown. Still colored of course. Whatever I used last time is NOT working in the hair....because I noticed a few gray hairs almost days after the coloring (I do it myself) Here we are almost 6 weeks later and holy hell the gray is taking OVER!! I know my dad started going gray early and let me tell you how NOT pleased I got that gene. I do think my sister is the same. Needless to say, it looks like a new color is going in very soon! I so don't need to see gray hairs right now. I feel old enough as it is, and I ain't that old!!

So if you see me today and I am mumbling something about out out damn spot...it is the gray. ;)

Ya'll know what day today is. Everyone has been talking about it. Anyone that matters that is. Today the world is going to get a little bit better, a new Christmas album from Harry Connick Jr has dropped. What? Did you think I was going to talk about the election? Yes that is very VERY important, but really when I have talked politics here? I mean really. I voted. I totally rocked the vote. It feels good. But this here? I don't get into politics here. So back onto Harry....I was going to to Barnes and Noble today to get the album (album sounds so much cooler than CD) however without a vehicle that makes it tough. So I checked with my roomie last night...wish I had done it sooner as she doesn't want to drive anywhere today. Lucky her, they gave her the day off because of the album release (shhhh let me live in my fantasy world it is pretty and shiny) If I had known that she didn't want to go anywhere today, I would have ordered it online already. But I didn't. And I don't have it yet. Why go to Barnes and Noble, when down the street at Louisiana Music Factory you can pick it up, you may be wondering? Well because Barnes and Nobles has an exclusive. With extra songs and a DVD. I think if you get if from Amazon there may be one extra track....or something. I hate it when they do that...all these different bonus tracks from different places. So Harry, Managment and recording companies? please stop. I am poor, I can't afford buying 3 of the same albums from 3 different places just for one track. I would love to have all of them...but can't. As it stands, I ordered the CD online today and it will hopefully be here tomorrow. I have a rule that I don't listen to Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, but for you Harry? I may bend that. Snap it in half. Or just hold onto it like a treasure and as soon as Thanksgiving is over, pop it into the player.

Oh and for those keeping track on the health? I still feel crummy. bought and tried the Neti Pot, have used it three times....brought some relief but not a whole lot. Will keep at it however. :)

Ya'll. I am having a hard time today. Getting up? No problem (YAY time change) But the whole showering, getting dressed, walking to the streetcar? I am lost. I felt like I haven't been here in weeks. It was just Friday. As in two days ago. A normal weekend. It could be the tylenol PM I finally took last night. It could because of all the coughing. But I don't feel like myself and I kinda hate it. I really wish I could go to the doctor however with no health insurance, I can't afford to. Yes my new job doesn't offer health insurance and if I had taken on Cobra when leaving the last job? Well my paychecks would be going towards that. I do like to eat food and have a life. So I suffer. My new job would LOVE to offer healthcare, however because they are new and small they can't afford it. Hence, again I suffer. I am going to try the neti pot when I go home. It can't hurt right?

So far this month is much much calmer and quieter than last month, so that should help in my recovery. So far all this week is the roomies birthday, including a lovely homecooked indian meal. Since her mom comes to town, we are going to dinner Friday. Other than that? Not much. Going to get Harry Connick Jrs. new CD tomorrow when it comes out. May have to break my no Christmas music before Thanksgiving rule because of it....and of course voting tomorrow. Hopefully everyone votes no matter which way you go...voting is important!!

It is a Sunday people. SUNDAY. I should be asleep. However the pain in my head and the coughing say otherwise. It has all moved to my sinuses so my head in a laying down position causes some pain. I have gone through two bags of Ricola in a week. I need to venture out of the house today to get some more kleenex, some OJ, more Ricola and water. Yesterday I never stepped a foot outside. Okay maybe one when the food was delivered. Other than that? I was in my room all day. Granted because of the festivities the night before, I didn't get home until about 5 AM. My roomie was up and moving at 9. It makes sleeping hard then. It is a small house. So I slept in spurts all day long, in between coughing bouts.

Speaking of the festivities of Halloween, I was going to mention how they started the show. As viewed yesterday Mark had a persona that went along with his costume. I believe they told me his name was Walter. When Mark first walked into the backstage room, I had been talking with Sherwood Collins (my favorite DJ on WWOZ, Thursdays from 11-2) we both pretty much fell over when we saw Mark. It took my brain almost a full minute to realize it was in fact Mark. The room was in fits of laughter for the next 5 minutes. Not only was it a great costume, but he was bumbling all over the room, tripping over things and being a total total nerd. It was classic.

The club itself had a DJ going in between bands. A few of the guys were trying to get his attention to tell him they were about to go on and just couldn't get him to stop spinning. Finally Mark just walked up on the stage....was kinda eying the trombones, poking at his, finally picking it up and making a few sounds with it. All in the persona of Walter. I coulda died. The rest of the guys followed him up on stage and away they all went. We even got a new song!! So without further ado....I give you more pictures from Friday night:

Yeah it is the Funk Fairy, there were two other girls with this costume on. Greg totally looked better.

Danny and I. At the beginning of the night I was the Goddess of Bonerama..by the end just the Goddess of Bone. Danny, well he was just Danny.

Craig, I am Batman!

Matt was sporting the best porn 'stach of the night. Greg tried and it was close...but Matt took the prize on that one.

Debbie and I got to hang out!! At a bar!!! and her husband was there!! That must mean someone else watched the kids. It was awesome!

There's more... "Awake" »

Because of Walter. Several people didn't realize it was him...I laughed so hard when I saw him. Best costume of the night. It wasn't Richard, but way better.

I don't think he stuffed his pants....he quite possibly did....I have no idea what he used...of course Walter wasn't so used to being around pretty women. I believe he convinced me to go to the prom with him. The start of the show was classic. I will have to get into that more later. I feel as though my head is going to explode. Must go and sleep some more.