Probably Closing Bar Out On This Song

Yes, a tad outdated, but hey, hip hop and other genres of music are not the exclusive province of American artists.

Enjoy!

Am In That Mood

I have worked in the Korean community for about 15 years now. Even though I can't speak much (I know more Spanish, damn it), I have been immersed in the culture, and to some of my co-workers' surprise, their pop culture music. I now this video is old school ... still, I like it.

In An Oldies Mood, Korean Style

Fly To The Sky - Goodbye

Happy Five Year Blogiversary To Me!

This marks my 2,000 post on my blog.

My first post was five years ago, today, on MyDD, which was also the first post on my blog, Carrie's Bar & Grill.

In those five years, blogging has completely changed. I am a remnant of the past, to be sure, as I am still a single contributor blog, and I have had to expand my topics from the purely political to more personal.

Still, those first two years of political blogging were thrilling (see my archives if you want to really read a left wing lunatic ranting!). And I was fortunate to be nominated by MyDD for a Koufax award in 2005 for "best post." I was featured on Salon.com, thanks to Steve Benen's interest in my stuff (high five, bro), and even got a spot on AMERICAblog (even though John didn't "get" my post, LOL).

Skippy shouts out to me from time to time, FireDogLake reaches out to me for donations (and I am sure if I decide to attend a blog convention, I'll be recognized), and John Amato and I share hockey in common! I enjoy my spot on The Smirking Chimp, and my faithful readers!

Thank you, my readers, for supporting me these past five years. It's been a blast getting to know many of you (sliding a Guinness to my friend Arno). And it's been a trip discovering the topics "searched" that brought people to my blog: Warren Wiebe's death, CSI episode on Chateau Rouge, and Gretchen Wilson singing Barracuda! Oh, and of course, the annoying phrase in Lou Reed's song ... "all the colored girls go ..." search!

Who's that lady?????



Dancer I miss most.

Hooray For Hollywood

Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner on Monday donated the last $900,000 sought by a conservation group for a land purchase needed to save the famed vista of the Hollywood sign from being spoiled by development.

Having lived most of my life in this part of town, I can remember when the Hollywood sign was lit up every night. The fact that the sign was going to actually be replaced by development really pissed me off. I can see it from my bedroom, and have grown up with it all around me. I used to take my daughter up to the area and we'd have lunch looking at the sign. I've even jumped the fence and walked up the path right up to the letters themselves (which are seriously huge).

To have this gone would be a travesty to what is officially known as Hollywood.

High five to Heff. Gonna have to go out and get me a Playboy mag just to give back to the coffers.

Yeah, There Is A Double Standard

We are constantly inundated with all the barely dressed and mostly naked Victoria Secret ads, and everyone makes a stink over this one?

Bite me, is all I can say.

"What If God Were One Of Us?"

Berman told the crowd, “I believe that Barack Obama is God’s punishment on us today, but in 2012, we are going to make Obama a one-term president."

I find it funny how the Christian religious right consistently say God is punishing "us," from theories about 9/11, to the Icelandic volcano eruption.

There is such a disconnect with American Christians these days. It's as if regressive ideology has overtaken them, and we are back in the 17th century, completely unaware of the world as a whole.


Granted, Christianity is the largest religion, but it is on a decline, while Islam (Muslims) are on an incline, which is antinomical to the belief system of Christianity, i.e., that it is supposed to be "the only true religion," and that all of mankind is supposed to be Christian, because no other religion is the "true" religion. The irony of fact that Islam is rising and Christianity is declining is, of course, lost on most Christians, which probably is part and parcel to the rise of violent tendencies of late attributed to Christians. Of course, Christians have been violently forcing their beliefs on people for centuries (lest we forget the Crusades and what happened to most of Europe during the Roman Empire).

It's too bad that people cannot adjust and take responsibility for the reality they live in. Terrible floods, hurricanes, volcanic disruptions and the like are what occurs when man fucks up the planet and changes the natural order of things. God doesn't play a part in any of it. People die of illness and starvation around the world because other people don't give a shit to see that their brothers and sisters are taken care of -- greed plays no small roll in these types of death. Wars occur because mankind has always been violent, choosing death over peace more often than not, and we'll probably annihilate ourselves in the process of forcing others to believe what they don't want to believe.

Evil exists in all of us, and this absolutism that it is only in "liberals" as espoused by the White Christian Americans is beginning to wear thin on me. I find corrupt Wall Street employees more evil than I find terrorists, for at least terrorists have a belief system, while Wall Street just wants to fuck everyone for a buck. I believe private insurance organizations to be inherently evil because capitalistic greed takes priority over actually helping someone over an illness or making someone whole and healthy. I find the governments of the world becoming increasingly evil as they sidestep the issue of world humanity and its needs in favor of pillaging their base economy for personal profit and gain. But to blame our woes on God's displeasure ... that's a bit juvenile for me, even more, infantile.

Trust me, if God really is pissed off, this world would just simply cease to exist, as I am sure God is not happy one bit with the drama that passes for "life" on this planet today, and since God apparently created this world, it's a safe bet that God can take us out in a heartbeat.

Kings Suck, As Usual

LOS ANGELES -- On a night when the Vancouver Canucks couldn't muster much of an attack for 40 minutes, they once again found a way to hang in like a boxer playing rope-a-dope before delivering a knockout punch against the Los Angeles Kings and clinch their Western Conference quarter-final.

What else is new? Am I disappointed I gave up my season tickets in 2000? Ummmm, NOOOOOO!

So, It's Already Happening

PHOENIX – A Valley man says he was pulled over Wednesday morning and questioned when he arrived at a weigh station for his commercial vehicle along Val Vista and the 202 freeway.

Abdon, who did not want to use his last name, says he provided several key pieces of information but what he provided apparently was not what was needed.

He tells 3TV, “I don't think it's correct, if I have to take my birth certificate with me all the time.”

And, this was not just some guy off the street. This was a professional truck driver being asked ... "where are your papers?"

Ahhhhhhh, do we really want to go back to the 1950's?

The World's Shortest Man Who Was Able To Walk Passes Away

I was watching tonight's episode of The Amazing Race, which featured a scene about making noodles while in Shanghai, China. Once the task was completed, the competitors were given their clue by He Pingping, apparently the world's shortest man. He was definitely adorable, but judging by the dedication at the end of the show, he passed away just a short while after the filming of this episode. He was only 21, and seriously cute. And just like in this video, he was smoking that large cigarette!

If It's April, It's Stanley Cup Playoffs!

NOTE: Am very close to my 2,000 post. It may just coincide with my 4/27, fifth year anniversary post.

So, even though I have not watched much hockey over this past year, it is playoff season, and I am watching Colorado vs. San Jose (Colorado just scored a goal in the third, making the score 2-1). I am rooting for San Jose, though, damn it. As I am posting this, San Jose scores, to tie it back up. They could close out the series with a win. Woo Hoo! Ok, San Jose just scored, with about 11 minutes left, and lead, 3-2!

The Kings were doing fine, but they seem to have lost the momentum against Vancouver. We shall see tomorrow.

For those that care, Caps are up on Habs, 3-2 in series; Devils are out with Flyers win of 4-1 in series; Buins leading Sabres thus far 3-2 in series; Pitts takes the series against Ottawa 4-2; Vancouver over the Kings now 3-2 in series; Wings over Coyotes 3-2, Hawks over Preds 3-2, and Colorado and San Jose 3-2.

UPDATE: San Jose takes the series, moves on.


Linda and me in New Jersey, one year, viewing the Stanley Cup, since Tony requested it.

We Know Them By The Shoes They Wear

Under Arizona's new law, to take effect in 90 days, it will be a state crime to be in the country illegally, and legal immigrants will be required to carry paperwork proving their status. Arizona police will generally be required to question anyone they "reasonably suspect" of being undocumented -- a provision that critics argue will lead to widespread racial profiling, but that supporters insist will give authorities the flexibility to enforce existing immigration laws.

This law is the stupidest yet in the series of gaffes coming out of the state of Arizona. And on top of it, a California crazy Republican (Bilbray) says "trained professionals" can tell an illegal immigrant just by the way the person dresses! Kind of reminds me how people think they can spot gay people with their "gaydar!"



I am not sure what the ramifications for the state of Arizona will be, but rest assured, the part of the bill that allows anyone to sue the local law enforcement if they feel the job of rounding up "illegals" is not being done, will probably bankrupt the state in, oh, say, two years! Every block has a crackpot that will file a lawsuit for the hell of it, just because he or she can.

On the other end of the spectrum, I'd say if you really are in this country without "papers" and in Arizona, you might be moving real soon to avoid the train wreck that is coming your way. Another reminder of my youth, when as hippies with long hair and traveling cross-country, one generally went north and avoided the southern route (think "Easy Rider" ending, and you'll get the picture).

Religion ala Eddie Izzard

Gonna close out the bar with Eddie Izzard and a routine on Christianity! Drink from the holy grail!

"Cake Or Death?"

This has been a running joke in my family and with my friends. When we were at Eddie's wedding, and they were cutting the cake, both Linda and I yelled out "cake or death?" Only about half, ok, maybe just a few, got it!

Here's the original!

Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine

Still, to me, one of the best "rock" songs of the genre.

Axle was my hero. Hell, I decided to get body art (tatts) because of him. Saw them perform live twice in the 1980's early 1990's.

It is sad how Axle's life has morphed into a sorry ass soap opera, while Slash has gone on to guitar hero infamy. Oh well. Axle was a great frontman, but Slash ripped it on guitar. As soon as you hear that opening guitar riff ... man, it puts you into another zone!

Get Better, Bret Michaels

"Until I'm screaming for more ... lock the cellar door and baby, talk, dirty to me!"

I was so into hair bands back in the '80's and Poison was definitely my favorite band (although the Gunners came in a close second!)

This was, of course, my fave of faves (and no, I wasn't all drippy eyed over "Every Rose Has It's Thorn").

Here's wishing that Bret is better.

"CC pick up that guitar and talk to me!"

In the immediate hours following Bret Michaels' hospitalization for a brain hemorrhage, his fans have been poring over various websites looking for a hopeful update on the Poison frontman's health. Now, encouraging word has leaked that Michaels may be better off than initially feared.

TMZ is reporting that Michaels is "awake, in good spirits and talking" as of Friday evening (April 23). This information comes from Ambre Lake, the season-two winner of Michaels' "Rock of Love" reality show. TMZ reports that Lake has spoken with people close to Bret who say he's "stabilized and conscious."

4/20 - 4:20

"An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people all exhale marijuana smoke as the clock hit 4:20pm during the 4/20 event on Norlin Quad at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado April 20, 2010."

I have smoked weed for 30 years, and only this year actually quit it on a permanent basis. Mostly because if you drink AND smoke pot, you are really wasting money, cuz you can only have one of the highs, not both!

Every now and then I quit everything just to prove to myself that I am in control of what I do. The last time I stopped drinking and smoking pot, when I wanted to "start" again, I felt I really didn't need the pot anymore. Don't get me wrong, I still am all for legalization of it. But, it just didn't have a place in my life at my age anymore, and I really did like the "taste" of my rum, more than I enjoyed the cost of the smoke.

You definitely know I am out of the loop when I miss 4/20! LOL!!!!

Had A Good TV Night!

I know there's lots going on right now to blog about, including Obama's visit to SoCal for the Dem convention, and the heckling he got from the GLBT groups that hounded him on the DADT stalling.

But tonight, was TV night (grins).

First, the "new" Dr. Who (which I think premiered earlier, but it was still NEW PREMIER tonight. I loved the last "doctor" but this new "doctor" is pretty cool. (Since its inception, there have been 11 "doctors"). I thought I was really going to miss David Tennant's performance, but Matt Smith was brilliant in tonight's episode. I'm still a fan!

Then, there's Glee's Madonna episode tonight. If you didn't watch it, check it out on Hulu or whatever TV re-view of episodes are available to you. It was clever, including the part with the character Sue Sylvester doing Madonna's "Vogue."

I'd post a "video" but you know YouTube ... Nada!

Van Halen, That's What Dreams Are Made Of

Ok, I'm an Eddie fan, but I still love both Van Halen groups. This just happens to be one of my faves.

Drinking, Not Watching CMA's

It's Sunday, but thought it was a good time to post this video!



Sure as hell don't want to watch the CMA's. Not that I don't like country music, I do. But the Grammy is really all there is to know and aspire to in music, in my mind. And, to be honest, if I have to hear another Taylor Swift song, I'm going to shoot myself in the foot. Don't get me wrong, I think she's sweet and sings great, but enough is enough already.

Time for more drinking songs, damn it!



Ok, DAC is always considered a racist, based on some of his songs, but when it comes to drinking songs, he's the best! I'm old school, I don't care if it's politically correct, I still laugh at Polish jokes (or JAP jokes -- Jewish American Princess).



I think this is funny as shit -- Titties and Beer, Wieners and Wine!



Why are all the drinking songs, country? I love this version with Kid Rock, to be truthful, but YouTube doesn't have it at the moment.



Ok, change of pace (tee hee) ... dry martini, jigger of gin ...



ROCK AND ROLL!

Ok, time for some serious drinking. Mas Tequila!


Toby Keith! I Love This Bar!



Let's close this out with UB40. (P.S. written by Neil Diamond ... give street creds when due).

Closing out Bar with Blood Sweat And Tears

Laura Nyro song.

Clap Your Hands A Little Bit Louder

Ah, that Sweet Soul Music!

Playing For Change

On my trip to Seattle, I met a lot of people, and a few of them were "musicians." I tried to pass along "Playing For Change" to help make some of the passengers interested in music understand versatility ... street music for one.

"War, No More Trouble."

Chick Corea and Hiromi, 2006

First off, I have EVERYTHING Chick Corea. I am and was and always will be at the forefront of funk/fusion jazz/rock.

That's why I am so intrigued by Hiromi ... she spans the musical spectrum from traditional jazz, and classical to funk ...

Finally, Pictures From Eddie's Wedding!

Linda and Tim dancing.


Bride and Groom's first dance.


Cutting the cake (ok, so I am thinking Average White Band, "Cut The Cake" LOL!


Bride and Groom's table


The crowd, viewed from my table (with family)


The vows.


Eddie's mom, Linda, and her boyfriend, Tim.


Eddie, his Dad and his stepmom.

A Day In The Park With Zaire

Zaire and I spent some time at this cool park near where we live, and he and some of the boys put this baby turtle on one of his plastic boats and set it out in the pond. The turtle eventually walked off the boat!






This is Zaire and kids and people he met today while at a local park. Zaire brought his plastic boats that he floats in his bathtub (he had four of them) so he shared them with the other boys playing. They had a great deal of fun. There is a picture of a small waterfall set up, and they would launch the boats up there, and watch them smash up while falling down into the pond.

The pond is filled with Koi fish and little and large turtles. It is also watched by video security, as we found out later when a security guard came out to let us know we were NOT allowed to touch the turtles!

Later, Zaire and I played ball. He has a league style glove, but I had to catch by hand, so we used a baseball, not a softball, but it was a tad softer than a real baseball, so I could catch by hand. Damn, I'm still good! I can catch one handed too! But, Zaire surprised me by being very good with the glove, and throwing back to me right on target.

To Mine, Or Not To Mine

I really want to diss the misinformation that has been abundant of late regarding the disaster at the Massey mines, but, for now, I will leave that to my weekend rant.

I am so happy to have my grandson here after five weeks of not seeing him (and, yes, I had a blast going to Seattle by train, and blogging about it, including spending my 58th birthday on the trip), and I am so listening to Hiromi jazz music at the moment (lol), but come on, let's be real. Massey prevented union organization, and spent tons of dollars to keep those mine workers in poverty and beholding to him, the mother fucker. If you want to go all right wing on this, I say string Blankenship up. Shoot me, if I am on the wrong side of this massive fuck up.

Old School, Dion And The Belmonts

Ah, the good old days.

Yes, I'm in retro mood. So shoot me, damn it!

This Bitch Is Best Jazz Pianist ...

Get me seats to her next performance anywhere near me, damn it!

Hiromi Uehara

I feel ya!

Still The Party Of No, And "No," They Haven't Really Educated Themselves On What They Are Saying "No" To

BACHMANN: We’re, we’re, we’re hoping that President Obama’s policies don’t succeed, exactly as you said. And of course, David Axelrod unfortunately seems to be wanting to smear people who disagree with the president. We’ve seen that over and over at Tea Party events, at gatherings where people say, “look, I don’t like this idea of out of control spending and accumulating deficits that our kids have no possibility of paying back.” And to think that those of us, we who disagree with that very ill-thought out idea are being smeared, I think that’s really wrong.

H/T to Think Progress.

You know, I am just so fucking tired of hearing and reading this crap. "Out of control spending and accumulating deficits" are what the REPUBLICAN PARTY did to this country for eight years -- and Obama is still making this country pay for two wars, while they (both Repugs and Democrats) still talk about initiating a third war with Iran.

Not one fucking word out of these guys and gals' mouths about the money going down the crapper for these wars. Nada. This country is not mad because of "out of control spending and accumulating deficits" caused by the Obama Administration. Yes, they are being told that it is Obama's new policies that are fucking them over, but that's because those that attend the teabagger events are morons who don't know their ass from a hole in the wall, and believe whatever FOX tells them. I don't have any excuses for those in Congress that just outright lie to the American public. I have no idea why they say what they say, and why the media just lets them lie and lie and lie.

If anyone in Congress is FUCKING SERIOUS ABOUT STOPPING THE OUT OF CONTROL SPENDING AND ACCUMULATING DEFICITS, just stop the damn wars! Why in God's name are we putting our country's money into two countries? Why are we bankrupting our country and forcing our citizens out of work and into homelessness? Why are we even arguing about having HEALTH FUCKING CARE for every American citizen? WHY?????????

It's not a Democratic thing. It's not a Republican thing. As an American, we should be wanting, no demanding, our government stop these wars and give us back our money to be used for Americans' needs. God knows there are many needs here, and the billions and billions of dollars lining the corporate schmucks' pockets that benefit from war spending is disgusting.

Ms. Bachmann, if you want this to stop, just vote no next time on the war spending bills. That is where the "out of control spending and deficit accumulation" is coming from, and get your foot out of your mouth and learn something about the fucking government that's called your "job," bitch. Do something constructive instead of lying like a snake on a daily basis and supporting the ever-so-popular non-grassroots teabaggers. Spouting off at the mouth that you want Obama policies to fail is just so third grade.

And while I am on my rant, this is a MUST READ, all of it:

You didn't get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President.

You didn't get mad when Cheney allowed Energy company officials to dictate energy policy.

You didn't get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.

You didn't get mad when the Patriot Act got passed.

You didn't get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.

[snip]

You finally got mad when.. when... wait for it... when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick. Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all OK with you but helping other Americans... well fuck that.

The Wedding Was Mexican/Hawai'ian!

Can't get any better than Yolanda!

Gonna have to close out the bar soon!

HOME, SWEET, HOME!

I got home tonight, and had a few presents left for me for my birthday. I took a picture of these coffee mugs that spell out my name (yeah, Carrie is just the pseudonym, what the hell, did you really think my name was Carrie Cann?). Ignore the fact you can see my damn keyboard and the power cord for my cell phone, I was just flabergasted to see these mugs! And, I do drink coffee!!!! One mug for Monday through Saturday, yippee!

The rest of the ride on the train in the fabulous (but I am sure, seriously expensive) upgraded room was a gas. On the way back, I totally stayed in the room and never left, except once the credit card company and the hotel worked out the charge back to my card and I went to the Parlour Cafe to buy a cappuccino (with a shot of Bailey's Irish Whiskey!) and get a $100 cash back. I had never needed cash and been out of it in such a fashion as I was for that 24 hours. Pissed me off, but at least I got my money within 24 hours, so no harm, no foul, as they say. I mean, my meals were part of the trip, so there was nothing to pay. I just didn't do the dining car because I could not give a tip. But, once I did get my money, and my porter upgraded me, trust me, she got a hefty tip!

Anyway, I put my sheets on my futon (my friend slept in my grandson's bed, so I had to purpose by OWN bed for the night), changed clothes, and yes, bite me, I'm having a bacardi and diet before I go to bed, damn it!

Tata!

Amtrak Upgrade!

So, I got upgraded this morning to a full room with my own toilet, shower and sink! The remainder of my trip should be very relaxing in this rather large room.

I am on my way to getting my money back on my credit card. Contrary to what the hotel told me, the hold was to stay on there until April 23! But if the hotel faxed my credit card company with a release, it seems I might get the credit back in a couple of hours.

Wish me luck! It's bad enough Firefox appears to be down, now I have to use Internet Explorer, damn it.

Hotel Snafu, Why Do They Always Take More Money And Never Give It Back?

The train was three hours late leaving Seattle, and I've not been the social butterfly on this trip. I had already paid my hotel for for the room back in February, and for whatever reason, the supposed $50 charge for proposed incidentals that I might accrue, ended up being $260 FUCKING CHARGE on my cre3dit card. The hotel is still insisting they only put a "hold" for $50 bucks, but my card says they charged $260. So, now I am in credit card hell, with no money to take out of the ATM (that left me with $2 on card, and since I was cash happy in Seattle, I only have $5 on me). It's a good thing my food comes with my train trip, but I feel bad I can't tip! The hotel says either way, a charge back to my credit card should occur at midnight tonight. We shall see.

Heading for the dead zone over the Klamath mountain area. I might be calling it a night earlier than usual. I even took a short nap today.

I'll put up some wedding pictures, either later tonight if I have access, or tomorrow when I get into California.

Pike's Market

The view down at Pike's Market this morning. I was supposed to hang out with Linda and her boyfriend, but I took off on my own. Had a nice eggs Benedict breakfast at a restaurant nearby, then took a walk at the market. Lots of fresh seafood, and the lobster and crab were yummy to look at. But, not something I could buy and take back on the train (LOL).

I did a little sightseeing and bought a few gifts to take home. Also added to my shot glass collection since I do not have one from Seattle.

The picture below is a nice piece of iron artwork in the lobby of the hotel I am staying at. I have to say, where we are, there are eating places and bars, each next door to one another. Like six or seven to a block. Also, aside from Starbucks everywhere, there are at least three other coffee places on every other block. I decided not to buy coffee here. It's the same as if I buy it in Los Angeles, anyway!

The Best Party In Seattle

I spent the afternoon with some friends of Linda from her early days in Los Angeles that have moved up here (the two girls, yes, they are a couple). This is their fabulous house, and they had about a dozen people over and we had all this incredible food and wine and tequila shots all afternoon. I made fast friends with everyone, and the girls (one works for Microsoft duh LOL) and when the found out how much music I had on this little puter, one brought out a portable hard drive and started downloading the crap out of my puter, till my battery finally died!

One of the guys there (the son of one of the older ladies my age, he was like a tad older than my daughter) went to college in Hawai'i and spent some time on the islands. He actually hates it there, is about 1/16 Hawai'ian and the rest Portuguese, and so they downloaded all the Hawai'ian songs so they could bug him. Of course the one girl is Mexican (lots of Spanish spoken today) and they (her mother and her) remembered me from all the parties I went to at Linda's parents' house off of Vermont Ave. and Washington, in Los Angeles. So, of course, they also downloaded all my Mexican and mariachi songs, but pretty much everything, like Frank Sinatra, my doowop, Journey, hard rock/heavy metal, zydeco, and a bunch of stuff. Speaking of zydeco (which is Louisiana music) when we got to talking about Katrina and New Orleans, they said the real damages were in Mississippi, and they downloaded some of those pictures from New Orleans, over 300 of them! I feel like I have actually been there.

After the afternoon we hooked up with the groom and Linda's ex Steve and his wife, Lisa, and other family for dinner (I had lobster) and then the "boys" went out for their bachelor night, and we old farts came back to the hotel. I am not sleepy by a long shot, got a nice bottle of wine, listening to my music with headset and blogging.

The girls whose house I took the above pictures are coming to L.A. in June, and we've already made arrangements to hang out at my place and do the Los Angeles thing.

Maybe we'll go over to the Criminal Minds set, and I can get a smooch from my new sweetie (LOL).

Great Birthday Present, Criminal Minds Style

Ok, so only a handful of people know that I have a crush on Matthew Gubler who plays Dr. Reid on Criminal Minds. Well, Linda (whose son is getting married and the reason that I am here in Seattle in the first place) works as a grip on the show. She told him that I have a crush on him, and so, she took this picture of him and he signed it to "Mel" and drew a ghost figure on it, signed his name, wrote "all my love" on it, and gave Linda a button that he is known for making, which she put in a frame and gave it to me for my birthday.

Even at this age, I still have crushes, and the the autographed personalized photo made my day (sigh, and gushing, to be sure!)

The Party Of Dumb And Dumber

It's funny reading the news the past week, and not really having the time to blog about it. The way the Republicans are acting, en masse, you'd think that this country was overthrown by a regime straight out of the 1950's commie, pinko red scare! I am at a loss to even begin to comprehend the silliness of the media machine and the crap it is putting out. Sarah Palin is an embarrassment to humanity, Gingrich is still an asshole, and as for branding the President as a socialist, commie, liberal, (first those on the right have to learn the meaning of the words "socialism," "communism" and "liberal" before they try to use all three of them in one sentence), those of us that are truly liberal know for a fact that Obama has been anything BUT liberal!

I know the outright lies over the years by the right wingers and tv pundits has been getting bolder, but in the last few months it has been astounding the bullshit that the right wingers and their teabagger offshoot has tossed out into the atmosphere. Don't these people realize that outside of their small core of followers, REAL people can discern the truth from the fiction? Don't they have a clue how stupid they really look and sound?

Republicans -- the party of the stupidest Americans. I really don't think they can successfully navigate a take over of Congress in the near future. They can't even find their way to a ballot box, let alone properly spell in the name of whomever their favorite nut job candidate is.

There is a website (I'll find it and link it later) that has pictures from these teabagger rallies, and the bad grammar of the signs is just fucking hilarious. I was reading it at work the other day and was gut splitting laughing, I had to stop reading and get back to work.

The party of No is really the party of Dumb and Dumber.

Courtesy of Crooks & Liars:

It's just a modest proposal: I think it would be great if liberals streaked at Tea Party rallies, carrying signs that are actually spelled correctly. "Confront stupidity with nudity" and "Teabonics is Not English Only" are two examples. It's not disruptive if you don't look Ethel!!!

Seattle Is Cold In The Morning

I woke up early and realized I did not buy coffee to make in the morning. The room I am staying at has a kitchenette, but I got in at 8 p.m. last night and all we did was hit the bar! I definitely got wasted, but it was a fun way to end the evening.

So, woke up at 7 a.m., tried to go back to sleep, and couldn't, so got dressed, and this being Seattle, found an open coffee shop a block away. Got a triple espresso, and here I am, waking up!

It is cold. 38 degrees. I could see my breath, which doesn't happen too often in L.A. I'll be out and about the city today, so I will be taking pictures and keep you all abreast of the activities.

UPDATE (FEW MINUTES AGO): Silly me, there's fucking Starbucks coffee in my damn room next to the COFFEE MACHINE. Ha ha ha. Oh well!

Happy Birthday To Me - In Snow Capped Mountains Of Oregon

My breakfast in the room!

Traveling through the mountains in Oregon, where there is still plenty of snow, as you can see. We left Klamath Falls this morning, when I was awakened by a telephone call from Zaire, my grandson, at 7:30 a.m. wishing me a happy birthday. Couldn't fall back to sleep, even though I went to bed at 1 a.m.

Had a wonderful dinner last night, and took what was left of my bottle of wine to my room. Chatted online with a few people, listened to music on my headset, and eventually went to sleep. I ordered breakfast in my room, with espresso (eggs, sausage and potato wedges. There's zero wireless reception up here in the mountains, so I'll post this when we get down from the "hill."

I've made reservations for the wine tasting this afternoon, again, this time Washington wines will be featured (yesterday we did the Napa Valley California wines).

We are stopped for a short while in Eugene, which is why I probably have a signal.

In Oakland

Just finished up dinner. Great steak, by the way. Had mashed potatoes instead of baked. Bought a bottle of wine from the wine tasting earlier from golfer Greg Norman's vineyard, so had that with dinner. I offered a glass to my table but the only drinker drank white whine, so I have the whole bottle to myself for the evening to enjoy.

Traveling by train is a unique experience. There is more time to get to know people, and I think I actually made a new girl friend (whose mother is 86 and is as mean as my mom was so we bonded in that weird way when two people know how really mean their mother is in real life). We sat for an hour after dinner just chatting. I have cards made out for Carrie's Bar & Grill and I give them to people, so expect some newcomers to my blog leaving comments!

It's dark, so no new pictures for tonight. I might find some cool songs on YouTube, who knows. It's still early for me, only 10ish. Having the porter wake me up in the morning with breakfast. I think he likes me, cuz when I asked him to bring breakfast and coffee, he already knew what room I was in, and this is a long train (tee hee).

Linda is already in Ashland Oregon damn they're driving fast! She said she's taking her time coming home from the wedding to stop at places, but they are booking it to Seattle.

Until later ...

Heading Into Salinas

Heading into Salinas. My friends who are driving are already in Redding! Here's some video for sharing.







Drama on the train. First we are stopped in Salinas and they are throwing off the passengers in the room next to me for being drunk and unruly. Sending them by bus to their destination, which I think is San Francisco. Second, a lady went into labor, so we are stuck here while the paramedics show up!

And we'll have fun, fun, fun!

Talk About Smoking ...

I know the incident on the airplane was about the guy firing up a ciggie, which everyone knows is illegal, and has been for a few years. Here on the train, some asswipe smoked a ciggie in the bathroom, and the conductor told him if he tried it again, they would put him off the train right then and there! They do have some stops for those that want to get off the train for a smoke.

So far the trip has been fun, except there are a few dead spots, wireless-wise. Plus, trying to hook up to the office is a lot slower, and for some reason, the mouse won't work unless the computer is plugged in rather than working off the batteries. Other then that, the trip has been pretty scenic and I've enjoyed meeting new people. I can't really take pictures because we are moving, but I have taken a few videos of the scenery.

I had lunch, which was ok, but the company was pleasant. The wine tasting was fun! Upper deck with windows all around, and only a handful of people, so we all got to know one another. I scheduled my dinner reservation for 8 p.m.

More to come later!

So Much To Blog About, So Little Time!

I find that AMERICAblog and Crooks and Liars tend to have the same stories up, so, as far as politics go, my input on the happenings of the past week aren't really significant. I don't have a strong statement to make, although the revealing video of the Italian journalist confirms my theory in a post I did at that time. With almost 2,000 posts to wade through tonight, I don't have the time to search out my comments, but back then (2007) and earlier, I was most certainly of the view that journalists were being personally targeted, and that these killings were not accidental.

I am off for my trip tomorrow morning, and am packing and making sure I have everything, and that my suitcase doesn't weigh more than 50 pounds! (I keep putting it on the scale to make sure).

Anyway, got my books, my diary, my computer, speakers, of course clothes (and raincoat, boots and umbrella!) and toiletries all ready to go. Even though the suitcase does not come close to 50 pounds, it is still heavy as shit to carry. Thank goodness it has wheels, and a handle.

Once I get settled on the train, and am off on the road, and taken care of any emergencies at work (laughs), I'll start to take pictures and blog a bit.

Ok, Really Closing Out The Bar, With Circle Of Life, From The Lion King

I saw this live in Los Angeles. I think it was the most spectacular show I have ever seen on stage, eclipsing "Cats" which was pretty awesome.

I applaud those that brought this cartoon creation to life on stage, and am glad that I saw it performed live.

Jump!

Closing out the bar with Van Halen ... I'm sure I have this several times at the bar & grille, but enjoy!

Gina G

"It's Gotta Be, Set Me Free ..."

My daughter hates this song. It is my theme song though!

Dwight ... Love Ya, Wish You Tube Had More To Offer

This is an oldie. But was probably one of my first faves that turned me on to Dwight.

Enjoy.

The Lord Of The Rings

I finally watched the last of the three movies tonight, and cried my eyes out!

I read the Hobbit and then the trilogy while in Hawai'i back in 1978. I had the good fortune to read all four books in one week, 7 to 8 hours a day, and I lived in "Middle Earth" while at the same time living in a paradise on earth, so to speak.

Over the years, many people tried to turn the Hobbit and the trilogy into movies and television specials, but no one did it like Peter Jackson did. He had a vision, and yes, it took three movies to tell the story that was in those four books. If you were able to get past the first 100 pages of The Hobbit, you were definitely into Middle Earth (because those first 100 pages are boring as shit!).

I still don't own the last of the three movies (just the first two) but am definitely going to finally purchase it, and one day, just for the hell of it, watch all three of them in a row.

I almost named my daughter Galadriel (the character played by Cate Blanchett), but I was afraid most people would not even know how to pronounce it.

Happy Easter!

Since I am leaving in a few days for Seattle, I declined having my grandson for Easter this weekend. My daughter decided not to do anything for him, which I sort of felt bad about. Then she called me and asked me if I wanted him today, but I told her that it was too late, I didn't have time to go out and get the Easter goodies for him. I suggested she call some of her friends that do the church thing and always like to take him. She had a photo shoot to go to, so she needed a "babysitter." I'll call him later, and if he didn't have that great of an Easter, I'm going to tell him the Easter Bunny stopped off at my house by mistake and left him some goodies. Then, haha, I'll go on Monday and buy some things for HALF PRICE and have them here for when I see him next, which will be the 16th of April.

I'm nervous about the trip. My only problem aside from my high blood pressure is that I have panic attacks (not to be confused with anxiety) and they come out of nowhere. Right now I'm stressing my suitcase will weigh more than I can put on the train ... but I actually have no idea how much it weighs, yet I'm stressing. Pretty silly, but that's what the valium are for!

I'm bringing home my scale from work, putting the suitcase on it empty just to see how much it weighs, and then go from there. I'm also stressing over cleaning the house for the house sitter. My kitchen floor is a mess, and I don't even want to look at the microwave! I actually bought one of those Mr. Clean sponges to clean the microwave, it's that despicable!

I think once I get ON the train (and my bag makes it through-they don't count make-up bags, purses and computer bags as part of the luggage limit), so I should be able to put all my make-up and hair stuff in one smaller bag, and truth be told, the little computer actually fits in my purse!

Oh, and we had a 6.9 (updated to 7.2) earthquake here just about an hour ago. I didn't feel it as I was in the grocery store, but it apparently was centered in Baja. My friend Linda called here relatives down in Mexico, but they said nothing toppled, everything was alright. Here at my house, I didn't notice anything moved, not even a bottle tipping over or any of my glasses fallen off the shelves. Pictures still hanging straight on the walls, etc.

Anyway, hope all those that do the church thing had a wonderful sermon (except those Catholic hypocrites, get over it already and fucking apologize for the abuse and stop trying to say it's not pedophilia but homosexual acts of a few priests ... give me a break!), and for those with little children, hope the youngins' had fun finding the eggs and eating the candy!

It's My Birthday! Gonna Sip Bacardi!

Next Friday, I turn 58. Gonna sip Bacardi on the train to Seattle, playing this song LOUD!

Still Playing With The Gadgets

I know the world is falling apart, Obama and his "drill baby drill" new strategy and whatnot, but, like I posted earlier, I'll deal with politics this weekend. For now, I'm still tinkering with my new little computer.

I got the tiny mouse (it's cute, and the USB plugs into it for storage and battery containment, i.e., it stops the battery charge). Uploaded all my programs, got the wireless working (both the internal, and the Verizon one I am using for my trip), and even, for the heck of it, put my regular computer and this little one on "share" so that when my grandson comes to visit, he can "stream" off of my regular computer if he wants to. He has his own regular full sized computer in his room, but a lot of the time, he likes to hang in my living room area, so I know he'll get a lot of use out of this little new computer!

Listening to Babs right now. My friend (whose son is getting married and the reason I am going to Seattle) gave me Babs 2006 concert tour album for Christmas. It has a lot of nice songs on it, and reminds me a lot of her Live Concert At The Forum back in the 1970's.