WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY'S MEGER OFFERING

Okay... this is where my head is today... come on in, the cerebral fluid is good and warm... but not terribly productive. So this is abunch of mutterings from a sleep deprived... yet very happy at the moment... individual. Just don't expect clarity or sense to come out of this. I guarantee that is not going to happen.

I am finding it increasingly more difficult to keep up with my on-line life. I was doing very well until I allowed in some real life. Now reality is eating my life like the Worm Orobus eats his own tail. Worse, reality is conflicting with reality. Heavy sigh. I cannot seem to keep up. Something has to give... these post will likely be the ones taking the hit. But as summer winds down, I am sure that you will all understand. I'm thinking that instead of 7 days a week, you will find 5. That may be pared further if required.

No, I’m not high. Mostly I am sleepy and delightfully confused. Sleep is something that other people do. I take naps. I intend to sleep but I take naps. Tonight I have to sleep… I have to sleep… no excuses… because I am taking care of my babies on Friday and must be able to think and respond quickly. You know how 2-3 year olds are. No slackers allowed there. So the phone will be turned off… sorry fella! The computer is going down… I know you folk will understand. Thank you for that.

My lyric for today:

“If I had a shotgun, you know what I'd do,
I'd point that shit straight at the sky
and shoot heaven on down for you
Because the bars are always open, and the time is always right
And if God's good word goes unspoken, the music goes all night
And it goes...

I want a lover, I can't find the time
I want a reason, I can't find the rhyme
And I want to start some static, but I can't afford,
Just lay on the ground like I fell off my skateboard
Now a days as clear as you please, strap with protection or strap with disease.
Laughter, it's free any time just call me… ”

(I do believe that I get that. So sad that boy took the early train home.)

On the good news front: I know that I have raved about the cousin, J. He is such a good dad. Only one son… an adored and cherished son. Well, little guy’s mom has been having troubles. I try hard not to be too judgmental on folk’s troubles. God knows that my family has had troubles that would make a consumptive two dollar whore blush. I have no right to judge others in a harsh light and I do, honestly, truthfully wish this mom well. I hope this serves as a wake up that inspires her to do the work and get it straight. Today she lost custody of our cherished boy and he has become the legal responsibility of a truthfully great dad. YAY J! Good for J, but the very best part is that this is what is good for our cherished boy. And I am stunned… simply stunned… that DHS made an intelligent choice for a change. They have a very crappy track record as far as I am concerned. Today I give them a happy thumbs up!

Tomorrow the Bear is going to take me shopping for date clothes. My wardrobe is so very sad. I know I’ve hinted at it… I’ve lost quite a bit of weight and my clothing hangs. Talk about a gunny sack… yikes! Time to think about getting clothes that actually fit and don’t look like a “rag picker” as my mother would have said. Besides… date clothes can also be my professional work clothes. Right? I mean, I am supposed to look decent at work too. Two birds with one stone… let’s hope they are big fat black crows. So that will be fun. I’d like to look good for a change. I mean, really… I am going to leave Dumb Potter’s Hell for the real world. I don’t want to frighten the populous.

There is a problem naturally. Mr. O works graveyard. Ah…. Yes, you are starting to get this lack of sleep deal. I am day shift and the time is rapidly flying toward me that I will be expected to be a coherent individual capable of teaching young minds. As much as I have enjoyed the attention and the crazy schedule, all fun things come to an end. We are going to have to work out some sort of system where we can communicate and not destroy my brain’s ability to function.

Okay, enough with the mutterings. I will be back on Friday with a Fable. Until then…

“Oh well the bars are always open and the time is always right
And if God's good word goes unspoken the music goes all night
And it goes...
If i was Bob Marley I said could you be loved
If I was half pint I'd ball the lord up above
If I was Mike Tyson I'd look for a fight
If I was a Boomtown Rats I would be stayin up all night
IF I was the king Ad-Rock I would get stupid dumb
If rhymes were valiums I'd be comfortably numb

If I had a shotgun, you know what I'd do,
I'd point that shit straight at the sky
and shoot heaven on down for you…”

TUNE FOR TUESDAY

Ah ha! Here it is. I found this gem on Michael's blog Innocents and Accidents, Hints and Allegations. Another guy passed it on to him. I'm passing it on to you. Every body's tune pile grows. Check out the lyrics to this song... what a story!

Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen (Lyrics and Chords)

And isn't that the nature of music? As you all know stories are huge for me. I love to read them, to live them and to give them wings through words to pass them on. Every tiny mundane thing is a story waiting to be set free.

It's no wonder at all that I love music just as much. Music, even instrumentals are stories. Ever listened to the musical version of Peter and the Wolf? I love Pictures at an Exhibition. You know these songs, even if you don't know that you knew any of them... I guarantee you do.

Classical Notes - Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition ...

Here is one of those fine songs as offered by Emmerson, Lake and Palmer; The Sage




Music and stories have been shared the same way forever... by word of mouth... around the camp fire, around the family table, at worship and festival. These stories are contagious and so delight us that we continually pass them on and never really stop to think about that action and how the piles of tunes here and there grow. Well I didn't anyway. Not much. Not until 3:48 AM on a Tuesday morning when I happened on Michael's post.


I'm not sure there is a response to this posting of mine. Just me and my brain out for a little walk in the early hours of pre-light. It seems to be the time of day that my mind works best. I don't know if its the calm of a still house, the quiet of computers, video machines, washing machines, microwaves...etc. in abstention or what. But this time of night/day is perfect for thinking and for stories, musical or otherwise. I am off to listen to more of these marvelous stories as I get ready for my day. I hope you enjoy these two different, but wonderful tales. My favorite ELP song...

Dire Straits - Walk Of Life: Video

Mark Knopfler - Cannibals: Video

Music video by Mark Knopfler performing Cannibals: Video
with Chuck Ainlay [Producer], Mark Knopfler [Producer]
(C) 1996 Mercury Records Limited

Dire Straits - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mark Knopfler - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

When I finally crawled back out of bed today at about 4:00 PM... this video's song was playing in my head. It's been churning around in there since. There are not many songs that get stuck in there... that I like. Usually it's some horrible "ear worm" (as dmarks called them in a post) that I detest. So this was a nice treat to share.

I thought these would make a good start to your week. I tossed in the second one, which is not Dire Straits, but Mark Knopfler by himself and a lesser known song about little boys and their daddies. I hope you take the time to enjoy them. But if it's not your cup of tea... pass on!

Yes... I got up so late because I stayed up so late on my date. My date was funny and nice. We ate out at a great Mexican food place. I did have one margarita. We went back to his motel room... ah... ah... behave! ...and watched DVDs and stayed up talking. At some point very late, I fell asleep. Sorry... despite motel room.... no dirt to report as yet. He was a gentleman. We are going out again next Saturday.

OOOps! Laughing pointed out that I omitted why I would have a date in a motel. Okay... I should explain that one. It does sound a bit odd. He lives a couple of hours away and did not want to drive back late. I had nothing to do with this decision. I could have had him over to my house but my boys would have massed and been pains in the neck.

It did give us a place to visit where no one else was staring at us. We had beer at the only bar in town when he first arrived and there was Aman keeping a close eye. The motel is staffed by ex-students with puzzled and curious faces. It is rare that I am truly alone in Dumb Potter's Hell. I am now the object of speculation and idle gossip. What fun!

I got the welcome back to the new school year letter that arrives this time every year. Heavy sigh... my summer is drawing to a close. Unlike Crazy4coens... I do not return each year with a light heart. My feet drag and I grumble all the way. I love my job, but hate to lose my freedom. I don't get excited until the night before school begins for students.

The good news is that I have not lost any hours. I have gained 30 additional hours that will be dedicated to working in special ed as an Instructional Assistant. I've always been one. Until now, I did that job in the library helping high school students one on one. Now I will be working with younger readers in need of extra help. Close enough to library work for me. I am still the librarian as well. Cool beans.

But I will miss my high school students terribly... especially my Squeaky who gets to escape mom for the first time in his life. I know this is good for him. Probably good for me too, because this time next year he will be going off to college. Mom is not clear yet how she will feel about being alone at that point. What is best for Squeaky will always come first.

Have a wonderful Monday! What is one of your favorite "upbeat" songs that can get you going on the right foot on a Monday?

XANADU / SATURDAY SCAVENGER HUNT

Our Saturday Scavenger Hunt word for the week is "Xanadu" given to us by No Regrets

Xanadu is supposed to be a place of perfect peace.
I think Xanadu is what these fellows were looking for in that opium pipe.

Maybe you can find your way to Xanadu if you can get through the mists.

Perhaps Xanadu is a thing of perfect beauty... like this little angel.

What if Xanadu is about harmony and balance in nature?

Clearly, I do not personally know what or where Xanadu is. I can only imagine what it might be or represent.


I am prepared to accept most possibilities with but one exception of what I feel that Xanadu is certainly NOT...
anything to do with Olivia Newton John!
Just my personal opinion folks. Feel free to disagree.



If you are looking for a musical version of the word Xanadu, I'd suggest this interpretation by Rush...

You thought you were going to see Olivia Newton John here didn't you! No freaking way!

TIME OUT FOR MISS BLISS / WELCOME HOME BIG JOHN

This is my oldest, Boo and the first used son I ever adopted.
We will call him Big John for obvious reasons.
He dropped into town yesterday for an evening of man boob groping fun!

These were some my star entertainers over the past 21 years in Dumb Potter's Hell. Big John, Boo, Jman, Aman and this lovely, lovely we call McGoo. Do you doubt that she was star of this group's show?

Big John is a Sergent in our army stationed in Germany. I should have known he'd go army when I caught him and Boo playing with his dad's hand guns. Eh-hem!


Always at my very best after a pounder of Barefoot Brown...
I cleverly captured the back of the Pool Shark's head.

I cannot tell you how much fun these people are, but they are so funny and great to be around.




Jman is with the lovely lady below... shy C. Their boy is now a student of mine.

This is my lovely grand daughter, Sookie Toots... who's mysteriously missing top front teeth have shown up at long last and are just peeking out of the gums.
(No, she is not in the bar with the rest of us Pounder People.) This shot was how my day began... with Sookie and her dad.

My social evening ended with Dumb Potter's Hell panache... went to drop off one of the guys and fell into a domestic disturbance complete with the Po-lice.
Life is never dull in a small town.

Upon my return home, I got asked out tomorrow too. So now I have a new problem... I have only one nice outfit and two dates. Crap.


The fables of Miss Bliss will return as normally scheduled next Friday.

LOOKING FOR PEARLS...

Yesterday, laura b. over at What Fresh Hell is This? said of dating after being out of the game for a long time...."Just go out expecting nothing but that would be my advice...oh wait...you didn't ask for that, did you? haha! Sorry :-)"







Well my brain is so fried today, it occurred to me that what I need is exactly that... advice... a.k.a. "pearls of wisdom".



I am so rusty that I am sure that I could use a whole string of those pearls... heck a necklace of them! So if you've got any crustacean irratants of wisdom... drop them here please!



If you have no wisdom at all on the subject, then have you got any dating horror stories you'd like to share?


Hope you all have a wonderful day!

WHY PEOPLE MY AGE SHOULD NOT DATE

My arrangement with StbX is that I can now date. The paper work is not final, but the marriage has been for five years… So why wait? I now know the answer to that “rhetorical question”.

People my age should not be dating period. They should be married to someone who knows what their farts sound like and that know they used to eat peanut butter and Miracle Whip sandwiches. We are not mentally prepared to redo what was bad enough in our teens and twenties. NO.

Yikes! I am so horribly bad at this that you cannot imagine. I think I have made every possible mistake at least once now and have begun round two or three in the humiliation Olympics. In short, it SUCKS.

And of course I can hear Himself laughing again. Did I ever mention that I have some serious vanity issues? My father… who used to be my idol before I decided that boys had a greater use than having my back in a good game of Combat…used to tell me “It’s okay to be vain. There’s nothing wrong with knowing you’re good looking… just don’t be conceited.”

He was tall on irony. I was short on clues. He’d say… “You look just like Kim Novac” and other total lies that I ate up like Cheetos. THE HEAD GREW HUGE. One would think that I would figure out that daddies say this sort of crap to their little girls… even to the little girls that look like Golem.

Vanity is a cruel teacher. My first semester in college I had a writing class. I excelled… but you need to be clear that there were people in here with English as a second language who had trouble asking for a cigarette. One of the guys in my class asked me out. I was presented with several problems with this simple request.

I had no clue how to turn someone down. I stupidly agreed to go out before I knew where he wanted to take me. As it turned out, it was to some big family party full of “English as a second language” sort of people. But on the bright side… what could go wrong in a house full of relatives? (Yes I do recall being related to Medusa!)

I might have gone through with it, but then I overheard him and his buddy talking…the plan was to get away from the family as soon as possible and go out cruising… yep in one of those cars that hops. It would no doubt be playing some version of Latin music loudly. I was a psychedelic metal head for heaven’s sake! That was paramount to listening to Pat Boone! Not cool.

I drove a small vintage English sports car that my dad sold to me for a dollar. The very idea of sitting in that kind of car… hopping on the Blackstone drag was more than I could possibly endure! It was a convertible… people would be able to see me! I was mortified by my own vanity and total lack of empathy for a very nice young man. What a creep!

That evening the poor kid, dressed up in his very best came to my door to pick me up… Crazy4coens and I were sitting in the dark. I’d taken the “bell is broken” sign down. We sat and giggled… yes, giggled… as this poor sweet guy rang the doorbell repeatedly. The doorbell that had been disconnected for years. Eventually he gave up and left. The class we had shared was over at that point, so I felt pretty safe. When I did finally see him, he looked through me. I no longer existed. Rightfully so! What a crappy thing to do to a person.

So now Karma has come back to kick my butt around. Dating, which was so easy for me in college has become as difficult as it was for that poor boy who knocked on my door forever ago. How many broken doorbells do I have to push before I find someone willing to answer? It is an exercise in humility. I am humbled.

Yet, Himself must think that I’ve temporarily paid enough to merit mercy right now… ‘cause I finally have a date on the 22^nd. Very cool beans!

Don’t worry TyeDye… Max is on it. I will be safe. Not sure my date will though. ;)