Ain't That Mr. Mister on the Radio

Good evening all my loyal readers & fans. How y'all been? I'm hanging in there. Yes, I mentioned on my statuses (stati? haha) that I haven't been feeling well. I am blaming it all on my attempt to lose weight. You see, about a month ago I bought this multi-vitamin at Wal-Mart. It's called Weight Conscious, same as the One-A-Day brand Weight Smart vitamins. They have something extra to boost metabolism and stuff. I have to take a vitamin anyway, might as well get something extra out of it. So I went to my regular 3 month arthritis doc checkup. They took my blood pressure. To me, this is simply a formality. My BP is ALWAYS 120/80. Has been for years. Nurse said, "Your pressure is a little high, so I'm gonna check it again". How high, I logically asked "How high" (I had my pressure checked within the last month & a half and it was fine so I was concerned). It was 140/100! What the WHAT!! I told my nurse & doc about the vitamins and a few doctor friends on here. They all think that could be the reason. I bought a monitor and have been checking it religiously. I believe it's finally starting to go down. I've cut back on caffeine and been taking it easy all week. I'm good at taking it easy. I'll ease back into things and exercise now that it seems to be back at a decent level. I did joke with mama Tuesday morning that I didn't have a stroke overnight so that was good. She doesn't appreciate extreme sickness jokes. Please, I've had enough wrong with me over the years that I like joking about it. Also, beware of any sort of diet/weight loss/fat-burning type pill or supplement. Apparently, it can mess you up!! I wish weight loss came in a pill form. It'd make things a heck of a lot easier.

Bama softball and baseball played today. Baseball in the SEC final lost to LSU in 10 innings. I napped & missed it. Bama lost on a walk off homer today in the super regionals. Heartbreaking and sad. Those little Hawaii heifers liked to lean into pitches to get hit. I think, and others do too, that the Bama pitchers should have really zoomed some pitches in there. If they want to get hit and get first base, you ought to pay for it. Oh well, hate it ended that way.

In idiot news, BP still hasn't capped their gushing oil well in the gulf. UGH! Now, the fun game to play is "Whose fault is it?" It's BP! It's TransOcean! It's Obama! It's Bush! It's Halliburton! Guess what, I DON'T CARE WHOSE FAULT IT IS, FIX IT YOU FINGER POINTING NIMRODS! They are worse than the Brady kids on the episode of The Brady Bunch when they broke the vase or when Jan ran over the picture, or when...wow, they were some trouble making little honkies, weren't they? Anyway, right now isn't the time for blame, it's the time for results. I really think the BP guys are sitting in a room getting high and trying to come up with the wildest ideas to stop the gusher. Try working together to fix this for once: BP, White House, Democrats, Republicans, etc. The Gulf can't afford this. But as we've sadly learned in this election cycle, cooperation with the other party will get you voted out. Yes, how dare we have compromise.

On to TV. There are some really bad/weird/trainwreck-you can't-help-but-watch shows on right now. This show on NBC the other night, 100 Questions, was one of the most unfunny things I've seen. I'm surprised Jenna Elfmann and Oliver Platt weren't in it. Right now, I'm watching Long Island Princess Unleashed on E! It's a new show. It wants to be Real Housewives with 20s-30s women. Just as trainwreck fascinating. I'm still thinking I should do "Real Housewives of West Alabama" It's be AWESOME! But in WONDERFUL news, Royal Pains returns for season 2 this coming Thursday. I loved this show last year and can't wait for its return. It was such a good, solid, funny show. HooRay!! Lee won Idol, but he shouldn't have. He did bad things, or at least uninteresting things, to 3 of my favorite songs of all time. I was team Crystal from the beginning.

Oh, the blog title? It comes from that horrific Hey Soul Sister song by Train. Train holds a special place for Drops of Jupiter, but I want to punch them all in the face for this abomination of musicality. It's as dumb as a Ke$ha song. WHY?!?!?!

Now, I am just sitting here watching TV. I have no Memorial Day plans. If I were back home, I'd be in Arkansas right now. Yes, I know that sounds confusing, but it makes sense to me. Holidays get ya homesick. I heard Sweet Home Alabama on the radio this morning. Plus, a friend of mine was able to go home to visit for the first time since last June!! Bless his mama's heart! Glad you are getting to visit buddy. I'll be in Bama in July. I fly in on my birthday night, so I expect presents or something. haha. But I also need a vacation soon too. I have friends in ATL so I could go visit there (I still have the $100 Delta voucher from earlier this year). I want to hit a beach though, maybe San Diego, West Palm Beach, someplace fun that Southwest flies. Gotta love a free trip. That'll probably be in September. I figure prices go down after Labor Day, and I'm cheap.

Well, that's enough mindless rambling for now. Later folks!

Up to the Mountain

This is the song Crystal Bowersox sang on Idol as her last song. I'm glad they didn't make them sing some horribly written song that's sickeningly sweet and cloying and overly pseudo-emotional. This beautifully written gem is by Patty Griffin (whose version I have include) and was also amazingly sung by Kelly Clarkson on Idol Gives Back (further proof of why she's my favorite Idol by far!). Read these lyrics, please. She based it on a speech by Martin Luther King. We ALL can relate.

UP TO THE MOUNTAIN (MLK Song)
I went up to the mountain
Because you asked me to
Up over the clouds
To where the sky was blue
I could see all around me
Everywhere
I could see all around me
Everywhere

Sometimes I feel like
I've never been nothing but tired
And I'll be walking
Till the day I expire
Sometimes I lay down
No more can I do
But then I go on again
Because you ask me to

Some days I look down
Afraid I will fall
And though the sun shines
I see nothing at all
Then I hear your sweet voice, oh
Oh, come and then go, come and then go
Telling me softly
You love me so

The peaceful valley
Just over the mountain
The peaceful valley
Few come to know
I may never get there
Ever in this lifetime
But sooner or later
It's there I will go
Sooner or later
It's there I will go

Here are Patty Griffin's version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl4HjwQ77XM

Kelly Clarkson (featuring the awesome Jeff Beck on guitar): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shTQ5UTbfsM

And Crystal Bowersox: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGt5bjf31o4

Just be yourself. It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else!

Forgive me readers for I have transgressed. It's been 17 days since my last update. In that time I've worked with an office that was displaced due to a flood, celebrated Mother's Day and Daddy's birthday alone, conversed with Michael Lohan (at least he claims to be him, but it could very well be him), avoided the gym due to sinuses and leg pain and lack of motivation, finally watched Sherlock Holmes, tried to see the new Nightmare on Elm Street with my free movie pass I earned only to be told they had to cancel the showing so instead I got 2 movie passes (no restrictions so I'm guessing new releases are fair game), suffered through the most boring season of Idol in quite some time (still I say CRYSTAL BOWERSOX FOR THE WIN!!!)Just, started watching the horrendous debacle known as Real Housewives of NYC (do NOT judge me! I am putting the blame squarely on Merideth Thaxton for getting me hooked), caught up with some old friends on Facebook and gone to work, church, and my apartment. Yeah, quite an eventful 2 1/2 weeks. Who says you can't have fun alone in Mayberry!

I was very happy today that no professed automotive Christians showed road rage towards me. What would Jesus do, NOT TAILGATE! Seriously, are you in that big of a hurry? If so, LEAVE EARLIER! I was going the speed I was because I had a car in front of me and an 18 wheeler next to me. I'll move when I can get over you selfish road hogging nimrod!

People still amaze me. Never underestimate the power to overestimate people. People either don't know what they are doing, think they know how to do everything, tell you something is wrong: call AND email, tell someone else, who tells someone else, to tell you to make sure you really know. Seriously? What, the skywriter wasn't available? Just tell people once, that's all that's needed.

I'm also amazed at how one tragedy bring legitimacy to a celebrity. In April, Bret Michaels was still a joke. An enjoyably entertaining joke, but a joke no doubt. He was in a fun cheesy 80s hair band, dated Pam Anderson, starred in a "dating reality" show which no doubt cause prescriptions of penicillin to increase exponentially, had a set piece drop on his head at the Tony Awards (Bret Michaels on the Tony awards is odd enough), went on Celebrity Apprentice. Pretty much this is the celebrity irrelevance tour. But, one near death experience with a brain hemorrhage and now he's on Oprah. Only in America!

Now, politics. Usually, I stay away from talking about politics because I have found very few people who can have a political discussion without it turning into a personal attack on the other person. To me, that is a sign of immaturity. If you think I'm wrong, that's your right. But it's my blog and I'll say what I want and I'm about to upset people. Extremism in politics is going to divide this country far too much. I'm not sure if talk radio/news commentary shows are the culprit or not. I do know it's seemed to make everyone an expert on what's wrong with the other side. And let me tell you, each side has come up with some winners. Hateful people, bullies, people with awful phone calls broadcast all over the media, WE'RE DOING IT LIVE!, former 2nd rate stand up comedians, and an ESPN anchor. Yes, when I'm trying to learn about the intricacies of a Senate bill, or our relations with a combative nation, I want to know what the former host of Inside Edition or a guy who used to make smart aleck remarks about sports bloopers has to say. Yes, that's my first thought!

But these programs and these hosts promote extremism. They've even led to political movement bent on removing people from office who aren't extreme enough. Some Democrats and Republicans were victims of movements to get rid of them because they voted for the health care bill. The Dems are out because it wasn't liberal enough. The Republicans are out because it was too liberal. Those people who dared reach across the aisle to try to get some work done are being voted out. I guess it's true that no good deed goes unpunished. I'm not a Democratic, I'm not a Republican. I've voted for both in the past and will vote for both in the future. I'm not a liberal, I'm not a conservative. The title of the blog (a song lyric of course) give a good hint :-) I'm a moderate independent and dang proud of it. But I think people are being ridiculed and ostracized for being so. Why is that? Why is it wrong to see the good & right in both sides? Why is it wrong to want to see the government try to help those who can't, yet still have some social & fiscal conservatism. Why does MSNBC make it seem like the Tea Party group are a bunch of kooky fascists who are racist and can't spell and are mesmerized by Sarah Palin (although, truth be told, I don't understand her appeal either. During the VP debate, she came across to me as someone who'd be overwhelmed in a debate for VP of the Hannah Montana fan club). Why does Fox News make it seem like liberals are evil atheistic egoists who are out to bankrupt the country and replace the stars & bars with the hammer & sickle? (although Harry Reid does sorta give me the creeps). I also love it when each side acts like they are the only one truly in touch with Jesus. Last time I read the Gospels, Jesus wasn't a registered Democrat or Republican. What I really want to know is why we can't get along? What's wrong with being a moderate? What's wrong with being able to see both sides of an issue? Political extremism frightens me. I don't see any good coming out of it. If we don't learn to be understanding with each other, we'll never make progress as a nation. We should be mature enough and smart enough to do that. Grow up and get along. Y'all are worse than 5 year olds on the playground. At least they can be friendly after throwing dirt at one another.

OK, that's enough for now. I really want something with cinnamon. But I don't have anything. Instead, I'll eat my Mint Oreo Fudge Cremes. So, any suggestions for my next topic?

Sing a song about the heartland, sing a song about my life

Well, it's been a busy week. Heck, it's been a busy month. I'm glad April is over. Work has been wicked busy, but that phase of busy is over. Now, onto a new phase of busy! But it's a different kind of busy. That's what I get I guess!

Anyway, on to the past couple of weeks. Yes, Comcast still sucks. Pretty soon, I'll probably get rid of it (except for internet, darn you New Freedom and your lack of DSL!) and switch over to DirecTV. I now need the account number of someone who has it and I'll give it when I sign up (which should be this coming week I guess). First come First serve (if you are referred by a DirecTV user, both of you get a $10 per month credit for 10 months!). Bring it on users!

Orioles suck this year (no shocker there) and the Braves suck this year too (Bobby's last year thankfully. He did a great job, but once you are 212 years old with 6 knee replacements, you need to give it up) so baseball isn't high on my list these days.

The other day, I had to turn on the heater. Today, it's 90 degrees and my air conditioners aren't in my windows so it's very warm in here. At least I wasn't moving today like my neighbors. Yup, the next door neighbors moved out this time. But apparently it's already been rented. I'm gonna have seniority!

But things aren't all bad. Friday I got GREAT news from my ENT (ear nose & throat). A year and half ago I had a small little ulcer type irritation on my throat. I sound more hoarse than I used to and my throat usually feels irritated and my singing range seems affected. Well, the doc (who, trust me, was a bit of an odd duck) said the spot wasn't there and my irritation was a combination of sinus drainage and reflux (gross sounding I know, but I'm happy it's fixable, or not worrisome at least). Then Friday night, I bought more Mello Yello (thank you Target) and finally broke down and bought some almond milk. You know what, it's not bad. I think I will like it a lot.

Today was quite a full day. I went to bed earlier than normal and woke up later than normal. Apparently, I've been tired. Then I had some Chocolate Cheerios with almond milk. Then I went to the Amish market. I went to the furniture/home store first. It looked like some cutesy country barn exploded and the merchandise is the shrapnel. Then, I went to the food part. Or as I like to call it "Heaven in south central PA". Bakery, candy, ice cream, fudge, restaurants, butcher, deli, and if you are so inclined, produce (I don't incline that way). I limited myself to the bakery and some homemade rolls (which I doubt will be as good as my aunt Sandra's, but away from home you take what you get) and a pound cake (but trying to lose weight, I only bought a half a cake). Then I went to eat at Cracker Barrel and it was good today, except I had the laziest waitress ever. It took several minutes after I sat for her to come over so I went ahead and ordered (that was visit #1), she brought my food (visit #2), and then brought the check and asked if I wanted dessert (visit #3). No extra trips to check on me, no extra trips to refill my Coke. LAZY! But I did get Yankee Candle car fresheners (vanilla lime is AWESOME!) and those red & black berry candy (those have been a favorite of mine since The Peanut Shack at the new mall all those years ago). Then I went and took my car through the car wash and threw away too much trash. Then I came back to the apartment and changed for my brisk walk. I walked around Mayberry some. Stopped and visited the Harrisons. Saw boss lady, knew better than to offer my lack of experience to her hubby while he put up a fence, saw the sister in law, and 2 adorably sweet little boys (one playing in the dirt, one playing with an air pump. Also learn if you spin around a 15 month old and try to get him to walk, he looks drunk, can't stand and it's hilarious!). I then went on the NCR trail to the tune of songs from Glee. OK, "Home" which was Kristin Chenoweth sang this past Wednesday night is AMAZING. Her performance of it was great and the words are great too. Yes, it's tough being away from home. Maybe one day. Now, off to eat something for supper and iron clothes (I iron at night because I'm OCD & paranoid about going off in the morning and leaving the iron on. Yeah, I'm weird!). Have a great May everyone!