** ELTON **

I totally love Elton John! I have for a very long time. Several years ago I bought tickets to see Elton and Billy Joel in concert together – only to find out a few hours before the event that the show had been cancelled due to Billy Joel being ill (yeah right…hung over or strung out was more like it!). I have since held a strong grudge against Billy (hence my previous comment).

Yesterday, on a routine visit to my grandparents, I walked in to Ian sporting a crazy top hat and a spot with my name on it at the dining room table. Ian, with his best (a little disturbing, I might add) game show host voice invited me to have a seat, as this was Final Jeopardy.

The answer to the Final Jeopardy question was obvious and my grandparents made crap up so I was set to win. When I won Ian ran into the bedroom and came out with a big sign saying I had won round trip tickets to Las Vegas! Next, grandpa went into the room coming out with a sign saying I had also won a night in a Deluxe Suite at Caesar’s Palace along with a gourmet dinner at their 5 star restaurant. Finally, grandma went into the room and came out wearing a silly hat, doing a jig, singing and bearing a sign that said the final prize was…wait for it...3rd row seats to see Elton in concert…did you get that?? 3rd row!!!!!

Not only do I get all of this, but I get to share it with Hannah!! She will be accompanying me on this whirlwind weekend of snazzy hotels, fine dining and ELTON JOHN!!!

Whoo hooo!! Happy Early Birthday to me!!! And thanks to my hunny bunny for making it all possible! We leave on May 12th!

Inhumanity / Jumping to conclusions

This blog is entirely premature, but I have to get it off my chest. Several years ago my grandmother had breast cancer. She had the lymph nodes removed and radiation (she refused chemo). Last year she had an abnormal mammogram, but told me that what they saw was scar tissue…I, not realizing how sneaky my grandmother can be, believed her (assuming this is was the doctors told her).

A couple of weeks ago she commented to me that the cancer was back and that she wasn’t going to do anything about it. This, obliviously, is not the way I would like to see her handle something of this caliber so I talked her into going to the doctor to have it looked at in case it was not what she assumed.

Yesterday was her appointment. The lump is very large (actually visible)…the doctor took a look and felt around it. The first thing she asked my grandmother is what her plans were if she told her that the cancer was back. Well, my grandmother, being the loon that she can be, said “party”.

They are setting her up for a diagnostic mammogram and biopsy. This should all take place in the next week or two.

This is the part of me that’s jumping to conclusions because it has not yet been affirmed that what the doctor saw is in fact the cancer returning…we will not know for sure until the test results (but the way the doctor presented it and grandma’s history – it’s pretty certain).

I know very little about cancer, but what I do know is that it can lead to a long agonizing death. This makes me realize how inhumane our society is that we will put our beloved pets out of their misery, but will sit back and watch our loved ones, our family, our friends, our spouses die a slow painful death. Yeah, I know there are drugs for the pain, but please.

When my mom and Maizee died I was thankful for the fact that neither of them suffered. I don’t know how I’m going to handle this if I have to watch my grandmother suffer even the least little bit.

The only good I can see from knowing that the time is coming is the fact that I will be able to say good-bye unlike my mom’s passing and that we will be able to throw a big ass party for her while she can still enjoy it. You are all invited!!

Hockey

I like hockey! Hockey has all the ingredients of a great sport: fast moving action, great music, fun red-neck hecklers, BEER, fights and blood (albeit only a few drops at this last game). Lara, if you are reading....I think it might even out do Nascar!! It's amazing how much fun you can have for under $20!! Totally worth the drive to Jacksonville. Oh, not to mention...we got to see Jimmy Fallon. No clue why he was there, but was all decked out in hockey garb surrounded by large African American body guards.

Ian can't understand why I like hockey but not MFGs (movies for guys who like movies). They have the similar content...but I just like being there. I miss the games in ATL. Now those were FUN!! Way more fights than any boring MFG! I once saw the ATL Knights mascot deflate and fall down several flights of stairs. Where else can you get that kind of entertainment??

Unfortunately, the home team (Jacksonville Barracudas) lost, but this gives us another opportunity to go back tomorrow night for the big show down...it's the play offs or something like that...I don't care, I just go for the blood and beer!!

One weekend, two funerals

Our sport can be so cruel. Over the years I feel as if I have become numb to death, but never the less, a weekend like this weighs heavy on my heart. This afternoon I will be attending Bob Holler’s funeral/ash dive. Bob was one of the most caring and generous people I have ever met.

Sunday I will be flying up to Georgia to attend the 2nd memorial for Danny Page. I’ve known Danny for 13 years now. He was probably one of the biggest assholes I’ve ever met, but I (as well as many, many others) still like him for who he was.

I know that people must die and that many of those deaths are untimely, so I don’t feel sad for those who are lost. My heart goes out to those who are left behind. Having lost someone really close, I know how difficult it can be. The grief sticks with you for so long. I’m especially sad for Dakota, Bob’s dog. There is no way to explain to her that her daddy will not be back…I think grief is especially hard for our animals. I still feel for my mom’s horses. I wish there was some way to let them know that she did not abandon them.

I'm a MORON!

So, I'm at work today doing a little internet surfing...(not really surfing, actually doing a little work at our book service website and checking some email) when mere moments after shutting down IE my entire computer screen turns green. Oh shit I think...I'm going to be in deep doo doo with Mike for catching the Saint Patrick's Day virus!!

I'm not really allowed to surf the internet and my computer does not have virus software so I'm freaking out wondering how I'm gonna tell Mike. Instead I call Justin thinking that he's a pretty good surfer and is pretty smart with computers...maybe he can find a fix.

Meanwhile, Mike returns from the bank and my eyes are burning from staring at the bright green and pee yellow screen so I decide to fess up.

Mike comes and looks at my screen and decides that we will switch out monitors. Would you believe that I didn't actually have the dreaded Saint Patrick's Day virus??!! LOL Turns out that right at the very moment I shut down the internet my computer monitor blew one of it's color tubes?? and what was left (just days before St. Patty's Day) was green!!

I'm too stupid for my own good sometimes!! And no, there's no such thing as the Saint Patrick's Day virus...at least not one that turns your screen green!

New Wheels

I think it’s new car time. I’m not so much jonesing for anything in
particular like I have in the past (Jetta, Element, T-Bird…) but feel the need for something a bit more green. Being a paranoid passenger I find myself driving a ton. I put about 25,000 miles a year on my car, which is pretty ridiculous considering I live about 3 miles from work.

So far the car highest on my list is the Toyota Camry Hybrid. This thing gets 40 mpg!! It also comes with some of the luxury items that I have missed with the Element such as leather seats, steering wheel controls, and seating for more than 4! Don’t get me wrong, I totally LOVE my Element but it is pretty minimalistic. Plus, it’s quite challenging for my Grandparents (and Lara) to get in and out of. And, one of the main reasons for getting the Element in the first place was so that Maizee had room. :o(

I face a few challenges before I can get this new car. First and foremost I have to get Sadie (the T-Bird) out of the garage. The damn car will not start despite the $4000 new engine and other repairs. Charlie has pretty much thrown up his arms so I’m in the market for a new mechanic. Lara sent me a few links to some local clubs, which I have followed up with, but only received one recommendation. We’ve left several messages for this mechanic but he hasn’t called back…so, back to the drawing board. I’m hoping that our Hispanic neighbors (who, from the number of vehicles in their front yard, are either running a small car dealership or are mechanics themselves) will take a look at her for me.

Next challenge will be selling the Element. I know I won’t get what I should out of it if I trade it in so I’m gonna put it in the Auto Trader. It’s a great car so I’m hoping it will sell fast – but my past history of car sales has not been stellar.

Finally, yet the most exciting challenge will be choosing colors and options. I’m very indecisive so that should be fun. Also, I HATE car dealerships and car salesmen – they just rub me the wrong way. I always feel like I’m taking it up the ass when I’m there.

All that said…hopefully, in the next few months, I will be cruising around in a more economical ride. :o)

American Idol

I have been watching American Idol since season 2. I am absolutely addicted to the show. (If I could choose one talent, it would be the ability to sing.) Not only am I addicted to the show, but also I get pretty fanatical about it, jumping up and down, screaming at the TV and, of course, voting numerous times for the contestants that I love.

This year, however, is starting off quite crappy. It’s not so much that the contestants are bad (but we have had better in past years) but give me a freakin’ break – Diana Ross songs??? WTF? I thought the contest was for American (POP) Idol…not, American (what my grandparents listened to) Idol. These contestants are young adults ranging in age from 17 up to 29 (most being in their early 20s). How is it fair (or interesting) to see these young people butcher these songs? In one hand they tell them to make them their own, but when they do they tell them that it doesn’t work…Well duh! Making the songs their own means bringing them into our era (well the contestants era), which doesn’t work with songs that were written and designed in the freakin’ 60s!

If I’m going to continue to love this show they (the producers) need to step it up a notch and find some artists that these kids can relate to! Thank God for DVR and fast forward!!

BTW, for those of you who watch…I’m vying for Blake (even though his last performance was a little iffy).