It was someone here on Vox who turned me on to aussieBum a couple years ago (with the advert for the Flaunt line) - and what a nice deed that was as my mantoy looked particularly delish in those products.
Returning the favor:
OPI "Hello Santa" (red with gold flake).
I let Tammy pick the color and design (I was hoping she'd intuit that I thought a string of lights would be fun). The stars on the top of the trees are rhinestones.
I was going to get semi-perm lashes too but they had a last hour rush so I said I'd return during the week so they could make more money now.
Then I drove across the street to PetSmart for a HUGE bag of prescription cat food (looks like 50lbs of dog food) - cause now Boo has "the poopies" too (which she's leaving everywhere except the litter boxes) and that usually happens when she's off her scrip food. I think she's fat intolerant, like me - and I've been feeding them foods that are high in fat (some natural one and another that's "hairball remedy").
I also bought kitty probiotics, to see if that helps Boo and/or Skritches (since I'm back on the human ones) and a crinkle sack - which I intended for Skritches (she likes noisy toys) but it freaked her out. I'm sure that will change, and it will become her favorite toy ever, around 3am.
After taking advantage of "would you like help to your car?" (why, yes I did. thank you!), I headed over to It's a Grind for a pound of coffee for the office and my freebie peppermint mocha. But apparently no one else has used the coupon cause the girls didn't know what the hell to do and I had to point out where it had the instructions printed on it. Then they tried to give me a cup, for regular coffee, and I was all, "nonononononono... free peppermint mocha!", which the chick made excessively scalding hot. On the drive home I realized I'd, again, forgotten to say DECAF... sounds like a xanax night (if I want to sleep).
Then I to headed to Ralph's (supermarket) for peppermint mocha flavored coffeemate (which is now a year-round flavor - as I learned from being a facebook fan... of CREAMER). One huge bottle for the office (because my coworker couldn't find it at her store) and another for home. Then I checked the bread clearance shelf and found sliced croustinis for cheap so I bought 2 bags. And soup. And cheese balls (why not?!). Then got home and discovered I don't care for the bacon cheese (didn't think I would - but they were out of the port one) as I nuked a huge bowl of "loaded baked potato" soup. The soup was super YUM but fresh pho is cheaper (and healthier).
If it weren't so freakin cold out (or if I weren't so sensitive to it), I'd probably head out for drinks at Puka Bar. But I'm already in my PJs so I that's off. I'll finish the laundry instead (finish washing & drying it - I'm still just dumping it all on the floor when I bring it inside).
I'm expecting another hell week at work. Even though the s/w team's manager has declared the project deadline "unattainable", my boss hasn't done so, so we'll be working like dogs till she does - or till someone decides that what we've done is what will be released, the end (or till someone quits or we all rebel - which is seeming more & more likely, the more we're being pushed).
I found out that the Hollywood Pinup Girls are performing their Sexy Christmas burlesque show again, at a new venue (KingKing, where I got towed earlier this year), this week. I really want to go but don't see any way that I can get off work. I think that's Wed night. There was also something I wanted to do on Tues but, again, mandatory OT won't allow me to get there in time.
The Brian Setzer Christmas Extravaganza is on Saturday. I found out that Royal Crown Review is going to be one of the openers. Can't wait. I LOVED that show (2 years ago) and I'm in the pit this time (MUST bring crutches; wish I'd remembered to get a handicap parking pass but I keep forgetting to make an appt), and I love RCR, so it should be a great night.
I have a hair appt on Sun night but I'm kinda hoping she gives my appt to someone else (I already told her she could, being so close to Xmas) cause I don't feel like dropping another $200 on my hair, I don't care how grey it is.
Ahhh... dangit... I just realized that I forgot to buy a kitty Santa hat for Skritches. I realized that she'll probably let me get away with putting one on her - at least long enough to get a photo. And what kind of fanatic feline femme would I be if I didn't dress up at least one of my cats at the holidays?!?
Who the hell is knocking on my door now? Oh... it's Mitchell (just knocked & called my name). No doubt looking for money. Last night he was tapping on my windows (I happened to be in my bedroom, naked, at the time). When the hell did people decide tapping on windows was acceptable? I didn't get the memo and I DON'T agree with the idea!! Anyhoo, I'm not answering. I hear a plastic bag being moved around. If he's leaving shit at my house again, he'll find it all missing tomorrow. NOT ACCEPTABLE!!
This is special on two counts: one since I didn't bring you a InspirationSounds podcast last month and second I have been blessed to be the GRAMMY community blogger for the 52nd GRAMMY Awards for the Gospel genre so what else to do but to bring you GRAMMY edition podcast. You know how I love blending Gospel/Christian with some of the best instrumental tunes but this one has a little twist: each of the Gospel songs are up for a nomination for a GRAMMY.
It's pretty cool the power of instrumental music and when it's blended with men and women of God that loves the Lord it's a win-win situation. When you really think about it how many times have you been in service praising and worshiping the Lord and when the choir has stopped singing and the musicians are playing you still are caught up in the spirit, they two go hand in hand.
The tracks featured in this podcast is from their past work to let you that success did not come to these Gospel Nominees over night...it took years for these artists to achieve what they have today and I also feel in order appreciate a person in the present you have to sometime check out what they have done in the past. The artists that are nominated are:
Vicki Winans
Jars of Clay
Smokie Norful
Third Day
J. Moss
Donnie McClurkin
Mary Mary
Kierra "KiKi" Sheard
Sheri Jones-Moffett
Donald Lawrence
Karen Clark Sheard
Israel Houghton
This is only a handful of the talented men and women who have done remarkable work in composing, song writing, arranging some of the best Worship and Praise songs that are nominated this year and if I'm granted the opportunity to participate I will have more tunes in the podcasts.
Big, BIG thanks to the Academy of Music for allowing me to express my feeling in regards to the wonderful talent of the incredible men and women who love the Lord of lords and the King of kings.
Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Day. :-)
Sounds Unlimited: GRAMMY Edition LP1
{to listen: click here | to download: right click}
to download from iTunes - copy this rss feed into iTunes
[Track Title - Artist or Group]
o1. Long As I Got King Jesus - Vicki Winans{Nominated for Best Traditional Gospel Album}
o2. WindSurfer - Steve Kindler and Teja Bell
o3. Nobody Loves Me Like You - Jars of Clay{Nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album}
o4. Till We Meet Again - Special EFX
o5. Celebrate - Smokie Norful{Nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album}
o6. With You In Mind - Acoustic Alchemy
o7. I've Always Loved You - Third Day{Nominated for Best Gospel Song}
o8. Chinnok Winds - Chet Atkins
o9. Livin' 4[Remix] - J. Moss{Nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album}
10. Thy Kingdom Come - Special EFX
11. Speak to My Heart - Donnie McClurkin{Nominated for Best Gospel Performance}
Bonus Podcast
Sounds Unlimited: GRAMMY Edition LP2
{to listen: click here | to download: right click}
to download from iTunes - copy this rss feed into iTunes
[Track Title - Artist or Group]
o1. Incredible - Mary Mary{Nominated for Best Gospel Song}
o2. All Laid Back and Stuff - Andy McKee
o3. You Don't Know - Kierra "KiKi" Sheard{Nominated for Best Gospel Song}
o4. Cruise - Eddie Daniels
o5. God Will Take Care - Ted & Sheri{Nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album}
o6. Dance With Me - Govi
o7. Healed - Donald Lawrence{Nominated for Best Traditional Gospel Album}
o8. Your Love Has Lifted Me - Special EFX
o9. You Showed Me - Karen Clark Sheard{Nominated for Best Gospel Performance}
1o. Those Eyes - Michael Deep
11. Again I Say Rejoice - Israel & New Breed{Nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album}
Intro Underscore music: Todd Kelley "The BigLa"
Outro Underscore music: Nicolay
photo: Snow Blind
Funny, when checking out the genre category for Steely Dan they are placed in the "Rock" category and to me they should be placed in the Jazz category. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are true music geeks and are not ashamed it at all. They are not getting Botox treatments or getting face lifts. They focus on what they know best, bringing quality music, intelligent lyrics to the masses. You have heard me say this time and time again in regards to how Steely Dan and solo projects from Donald Fagen lifts my spirits whenever I'm feeling down and it kinda weird considering that some of their work is about depressing matters, go figure.
When growing up listening to their music it always strikes me in awe with the "Who's Who" of session musicians that show up on their albums. Not only can these musicians hold their own when it comes to improvising but are on point when writing music. I love the trilogy LP from Fagen because it goes from the wild ideas from a young man to a middle age man coming to terms to his age to finally tackling and embracing that touchy subject, death.
"The Nightfly" is one of my favorite LPs in the since of I can remember being young and being fasinated with sci-fi movies, digging science, wondering when we would have flying cars(which I'm still waiting on). This album was released the year I was a junior in high school and was beginning to discover my taste in music, the time I realized that I was different when it came to my taste in music and was not ashamed of it. (I saw this because growing up in a place where you were thought being weird when listening to music other than R&B).
Reading through the list of musicians that performed on The Nightfly brings a huge smile on my face and I am so blessed I read liner notes because if I didn't I would not have known about Rob Mounsey who would later produce for Michael Franks or Marcus Miller and Will Lee, two of the baddest bassist around who has recorded with so many great artists and Marcus Miller who would later produce albums for the late Luther Vandross and Will Lee is the bassist for the Paul Schaffer Band on Late Night with David Letterman and both bassist has performed for David Sanborn. Then there is Greg Phillinganes, Jeff Porcaro, Chuck Rainey, Valerie Simpson, Steve Khan, Larry Carlton, Randy Brecker and the list just on this album is just mind-blowing.
I could go on but I'm not...just check out these tunes and enjoy. I hope you dig this line up as much as I did putting it together.
Be Blessed,
~DarrenKeith
{to listen: click here | to download: right click}
[Track - Artist or Band]
01. Pixeleen - Steely Dan
02. Ruby Baby - Donald Fagen
03. Slang of Ages - Steely Dan
04. Brite Nitegown - Donald Fagen
05. FM - Steely Dan
06. Security Joan - Donald Fagen
07. Third World Man - Steely Dan
08. The Nightfly - Donald Fagen
09. Lunch With Gina - Steely Dan
10. New Frontier - Donald Fagen
from the LPs...
***Bonus Podcast***
{to listen: click here | to download: right click}
[Track - Artist or Band]
01. Peg - Steely Dan
02. Snowbound - Donald Fagen
03. Time Out of Mind - Steely Dan
04. Mary Shut the Garden Door - Donald Fagen
05. Almost Gothic - Steely Dan
06. Tomorrow's Girl - Donald Fagen
07. Jack of Speed - Steely Dan
08. Florida Room - Donald Fagen
09. West of Hollywood - Steely Dan
10. I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year) - Donald Fagen
from the LPs...
to subscribe via iTunes copy and paste this rss feed
intro underscore music: Todd Kelley
outro underscore music: Nicolay
***for my first Steely Dan/Donald Fagen spotlight click here***
Real rain, like other states get. Not like our usual sprinkles. A downpour this morning caused some flooding into my garage, from both the east & west. But I'm prepared for that - have stuff moved away from the car door side and up on crates on the other side.
I missed my fairly expensive, prepaid, cooking demo/class this morning. I had insomnia last night: Didn't fall alseep till around 3:30, then back awake (for no apparent reason) at 5:15, up again with the cats at 6:50. I was supposed to get up to get ready for the class at 7. I tried pushing it to 7:30 but I was grumpy and in pain and, after a LOT of debate, finally decided to cut my losses, take a xanax, and go back to bed. I woke up after 1p (the class was 9a-noon).
No LA Tamale Fest either. But I already figured that was gonna be kinda lame, and totally lame so if it rained (which it has). So no loss there. Maybe I'll swing by a mexican restaurant and order a bunch of tamales for Christmas.
I started doing laundry (how did I accumulate so much?!?), crushed up a huge box that I'd intentionally left out to get wet (cause it was too big for the recycling bin and the cardboard was too strong to bend), found a big black widow spider and her egg sack (eegads!!), let all the kitties play outside, then spent 10 min getting Skritches out from under the house when it started raining again. I got her, and the rest of the kitties, inside just seconds before another big downpour.
I'm currently debating what to do with this day (or what's left of it - it's currently 3pm). The Daisy Lane Parade is in 2 hours - I don't think I'll be there. I could get a mani/pedi, it's been a month since I've had one and they're open till 7 (and across the street from PetSmart - so I could pick up cat food too). I could do some house cleaning (since my service last showed 4.5 weeks ago and I really need to vacuum; washing dishes would be good too). I could go back to sleep and see if my back unkinks (that sounds appealing). I could pet he kitty that's currently rolling around my feet (done).
I need to get food. I had an egg & a bagel yesterday and, so far, nothing today. The total edible products in my house are really old frozen girlscout cookies, misc chocolate, and a can of yams. No, no and no. I was watching the end of moonstruck and REALLY wanted to go to Angelo & Vinci's for dinner but it's a long drive just for Italian food (but what good Italian food it is!! And you can't beat the insane decor). I'm pretty sure I'll end up having either mexican or pho.
I ordered some clothes online... slacks and a sweater (both on clearance) and a reversible coat (black/leopard), which was on sale. I really need new work clothes - esp if my waist is gonna keep expanding (I don't eat much anymore, and I'm eating a lot healthier, but I'm getting basically zero exercise). Especially pants - I barely own any work slacks, 1/2 (or more) of those no longer fit, and the few that fit are OLD. I should check to see if I put any "big" pants in my unsorted pile intended for charity. If so, I'll need to pull them back out.
Last Sat night (or was it Friday?), I had my buzz on and ordered a bunch of sale items from Old Navy. I can't wait to see what the hell I got. For sport, I refuse to go back and look at my order. All I know is that it was a lot of stuff for a really low price - about $5 per item. I'm sure most will go back (or to charity).
I bought some new black sneakers, Kangaroos (because I have an awesome purple pair that I love - cute, fit well, supportive, and I I like that they're not bulky - they look narrow on my feet) from Zappos and they arrived in about a min and 1/2. My first instinct was to return them cause they weren't nearly as cute as my other pair and I hate white soles on black shoes. But I was desperate for some supportive sneakers so I kept them and wore them yesterday. Unlike my other pair, the arch support in this pair is in the wrong place for my feet (I can't wear Nike or Reebok for the same reason) and I felt like I was walking with my feet tilted inward. Since I tend to walk on the outsides of my feet (according to their wear patterns), this probably means I was actually walking properly - but it felt strange. I'm gonna shop for another pair of shoes. There's a Sketchers outlet 2 blocks from me so I should probably start there... but no more cute shoes. I need cute and supportive shoes - for my knees. I'd like to get a pair of those ones that exercise your legs & butt but I think they look like shoes for the handicapped... with those big ole "safety" looking soles.
I used my Amazon GC to buy an automatic cat litter box. Lots of mixed reviews online (love it, hate it, and everything in between) so I don't know what to expect. Not too much, I guess. My boss said she had one (doesn't remember the brand) but didn't like it and gave it away. The one I bought was more than 1/2 off, and cost me very little out of pocket (thanks to the GC), so I figured I'd give it a try. I HATE cleaning the cat box - which doesn't exactly work out well when you own 4 cats, and one of them (the smallest, btw) poops like an elephant.
I guess I'll go take a shower and decide what I want to do - mani/pedi or go back to bed. I don't think there is anything on my calendar for tomorrow, and I think the rain is supposed to stop by morning, so I can pretend I'll be more productive then (though we all know that I won't). Work stress is killing me - if I'm not at the office, I'm so burned out from having been at the office that I'm a zombie (more so than usual).
There's always something blooming in Flickr's garden, regardless of the season.
He's on Leno right now. When did he join the ranks of "bad facelifts"??
He looks like Cloris Leachman.
seriously.
It's sad.
Do not hire people if their business card does not include a physical address.
Housekeeper has stood me up again. I have NO desire to talk about it. Went to throw the final check (which would have been a 2-visit check if he'd bothered to show up and pick it up today) in the mail and discovered I have no mailing address for him.
Since he only ever calls while I'm at work, when it's convenient to him, I think I'll return the favor and call around 1am.
Mine features art by Cat and Art&Tea (and a local photographer, Stephan Pastis, and whoever draws Happy Bunny) plus a little felt bison from MotleyMutton.
My parents picked up this brochure in Aurangabad India.
It speaks for itself. It is definitely worth the read.
Here is the text:
Glimpses of History
No more elucidation or elongation is necessary to picturise the historical importance of this city because its enchanting beauty is received encomiums from alien tourists as well as our domestic guests. The explicit beauty of Ajanta and Ellora Caves, its carvings and mural paintings are widely accepted and discussed in the nook and corner of this world and enthralled everybody who visited these spots. Its lucid and natty creations are wonderful and a while arrest the palpitation of a vibrant mind and melt any obdurate man.
In the mid 70’s this city saw the emergence of industry and subsequent development in tourism sector. There was a scope in the hotel industry. But the infrastructure for a good Restaurant was not rampant baring two five star hotels in this city. There were limitations in this field as considering the then prevailed culture and custom of our society. Slowly the scenario changed and glitteratis became the part of this city. Fast Food vendors slowly appeared and sticked up phase by phase. But this does not satiate the demand of public and the race for good nosh continued for years. Here start our attempt to hoist a flag and laid the foundation stone of our restaurant in 1989. This was the first hotel in this city of its kind started with an intention to end the nightmare of connoisseur of foods. Even such grade hotels came into existence “Angeethi” a name equal to sumptuous nosh – still glees its successful years of prompt service.
Savoury Kitchen
We started our hotel with a pack of ebullient and efficient cooks experienced in star hotels from abroad and India. They work tirelessly in our kitchen and understand the taste and hate of our guests and their optimum service is an asset to our hotel.
Calibre Restaurant
Our Restaurant is made and decorated in such a manner, there one can feel as their own home and can immerse in their own world. We allow to get in only the gentle and good mannered guests to maintain the family atmosphere and status of our restaurant. This is a plus point adorn in our name since long years so a genuine guest can acclamatise and hover with the cool atmosphere. Apart from this restaurant, there is a fully equipped Banquet Hall having capacity of 100 people to be accommodated at a time, which is sufficient to convene a meeting, seminar or any kind of small function. Centralised Air Condition, Music System and Television are added quality of our restaurant which attracts and surely beckon you to the world of charm. The carpet paved restaurant, majestic seatings and serenades are the replica of our hotel.
Specialties in Veg / Non-Veg
Our kitchen is in action since 10’ O Clock and strict vigil is taken to prepare the food in hygienic way. Our buffet system is very unique, it allows you to select as much as you can in veg or non-veg section. The food served in Indian, Chinese and Continental are competent to world quality and you will make re-visit for the palatable food.
Quixotic and Diligent Service
Our service staffs are so polite in their behavior and exhibit their manner that one cannot buy with a penny. They welcome you with a smile in their lip and take you with respect to our respective seats. Needless to advice them, they are always with you away from one arm distance to hear your command. These staffs are the pivots of our restaurant and our guests are always leaves the restaurant with handful of thanks to them.
Parcel and Outdoor
This city has witnessed number of outdoor catering which we have made available to the spot specified by the Party, Marriages, Seminars, Meetings, Birthday Parties, what more, even in a small get-together, we rush you with our team to serve you in amicable way. You have to do is simple, just make a call to our telephone No. 2441988 definitely you will receive a positive reply of your queries.
