Four Days to Go....

Gone Batty

Look at this! A lovely Gemma Correll card from dear Miss Helen Coldwell PLUS bonus stickers of the plumpest and cutest haggis-shaped bat ever!

Classic Portraits with a Twist

In With The Old Prints over on etsy is a find! So many fantastic portraits to choose from...what's a girl to do?? (I think I actually like the one of Freddie best.)

February 2019 Books

* Brief Interviews with Hideous Men ¹ ² by David Foster Wallace
* The Postman Always Rings Twice ¹ by James M. Cain - A classic noir that I really liked. Kinda think I need to rewatch the film version again, even though the ending is different from the novel.
* Life's Little Annoyances ¹ by Ian Urbina - Stanley Tucci read this and had me cracking up at some moments.
* Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace - I am so glad that I listened to this audiobook because I really and truly liked it!

♥ Love Monster by Rachel Bright - One of thee sweetest lil' kids books ever, and Bailey aww'ed at all the right spots.

♥ The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog (twice!) by Mo Willems - Another favourite kids book that always makes me lol!
John Cheever Audio Collection ¹ by John Cheever
A Study in Scarlet ¹ by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

¹ - audiobook
² - abridged version
* - liked
♥ - loved
Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.

Redundant Delight

A few weeks back Bishop introduced me to one of his favourite 80s albums and I've been loving it ever since. The album in question? Living in a Box. The band? Living in a Box. The best song and their biggest hit? Living in a Box. 

(photo kidnapped from eil)

Not a Funeral Tango

Found out last night that Scott Walker had passed away. That beautiful voice is gone forever, never to create a new melody or lyric to put out into the universe. Thankfully he left behind a legacy of extraordinary music to keep his lovely spirit alive for all time.

(photo kidnapped from udiscovermusic)

Manhunt

All I have to say is that Eason's or Tower in Dublin had better damn well have this series available on DVD next month because I gots to get my Martin Clunes fix. I am a full on Clunatic and I don't care who knows.

(photo kidnapped from sharetv)

Crayola Experience 2019!

A couple weeks back I had asked Jax what was he most favourite of all the things we've done over the years. He immediately said Crayola. Last Sunday I asked if he wanted to go back and he was so excited! We had a great time chatting on the drive there and jamming out to Journey, Greta Van Fleet, Hozier, and The 10:04's. We got to recreate most of the pix that I took back in 2018. The new thing we tried was to make a crayon mold of a ring. The wait in line was about 20+ minutes, so I think we'll skip it next time. Come the end of the day we both agreed that the best part of our outing was having another picnic in the front seat of Roark in the parking lot of a nearby Wawa. (We are two very strange people.) Next time we visit Easton, PA we want to wander the town more. There was a book store and record shop that caught my eye, and Jax likes goofing off in the fountain area across from the Crayola building.

Convent Ave. Resident Saints

Here's Natalia's indoor step at her old apartment on Convent Ave from 2017...

...and a few doors down at Nikki's apartment entryway is...

Lucy Makes Cupcakes

Back to Harlem

Natalia and Teo flew from Honolulu to spend a few days of Teo's Spring break in New York. This morning I awoke at the butt-crack of dawn and headed north to see my friend for the first time in close to two years. We picked up her diploma from the City College then headed back to where she was staying to have tea and just chat. It was beyond wonderful to see her again.

Wasteland, Baby

Haven't stopped listening to this since I downloaded it off Apple music a few weeks back. Every song is just fabulous. Hozier's first album was so good that I was worried his second would fall short. How truly wrong I was.

(photo kidnapped from hozier)

Sam Smith, Jr.

This is pretty much everyone's favourite video of Jackson. He was so little!!

All in the Family

I am just finishing season four of one of the greatest, classic TV series of all time and am honestly howling with laughter on almost every episode. Archie's facial expressions are unmatched. He says so much with just an eye glare, head bobble, or sneer and I bust out laughing every time. Still such a good show even all these decades later.

(photo kidnapped from eonline)

The Quiet Man

For the first time ever the five of us, Me, Mum, Dave, Wayne, and Xavier went to the movies together. A family favourite, John Ford's The Quiet Man, was playing at The Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville on St. Patty's Day and I am still amazed that everyone agreed to go. We grabbed grub before and after at a couple pubs on Bridge Street and had a fantastic day. It was great to see The Duke drag Maureen O'Hara across Innisfree's meadows on the big screen. Oh, so many fine actors, like Ward Bond, and tons of great lines. A classic film, full stop.

(Xavier, Wayne, Star, Mama Rosie, and Dave)

February 2019 Donations

Bernie Sanders

I like this man. I like him a lot. I donated money to his campaign this month (as I had done in 2016) because I believe in him and I want someone like him at the helm of this country. Someone that wants equal rights for everyone, believes in a woman's right to choose, healthcare and education for all, and reflects the vision I share for this country. The US needs Bernie Sanders and his ideals and ideas to make the changes we so desperately need.

(photo kidnapped from cnbc)

Planned Parenthood

Who We Are:
In October 2016, Planned Parenthood turned 100 years strong. Planned Parenthood was founded on the revolutionary idea that women should have the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives and fulfill their dreams — no ceilings, no limits. 

Today, Planned Parenthood is a trusted health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world. Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide.

Please join me in the Low Budget Philanthropy movement and help out your community and beyond in the simplest way - donating any amount to whatever charity or organisation that you care about!

Hannah Gadsby

I had the comedy special Nanette in my Netflix queue for months and months. Last year I was wrapped up in listening to and reading books on my down time and movies and TV got pushed to the back. Today I decided to give Ms. Gadsby a try and was blown away. She's funny, but not bust-a-gut laughing funny. What I loved about this show is how it went from a somewhat amusing comedy special and morphed into one of the best spoken word shows ever. She was absolutely brilliant and it was so empowering to see a woman alone on a stage in front of so many people just let her anger rip. To speak her truth and her experiences and not apologise or show shame. She was fierce and strong and inspiring. A must see.

(photo kidnapped from wired)

Johnny and We

Last night Kayla and I went to The State Theatre in New Brunswick, North Jersey to see Johnny Mathis. Before going in the theatre we stood outside to take pictures and were tickled to see a much older couple (late 70s/early 80s) with thick Russian accents taking photos of Johnny's name in lights. Then the wife started to video tape her husband, who was all smiles, speaking in Russian and holding up a 10 inch album of Johnny's. Clearly he was recording this to share with the folks back home. 

Finally we were allowed in at 7pm and took bathroom selfies and purchased t-shirts. We sat and admired the theatre, especially the gorgeous ceiling. By 8pm Johnny hit the stage and the excitement was palpable. Let me tell you, that man's voice is completely unchanged and is as lush as ever. Like Tony Bennett, he sang parts of his best songs rather than the entire piece. This was great because it allowed us, his fans, to hear so many of his classics. Kay was definitely the youngest person there and we both agreed that it was so nice to be surrounded by adults. No one was loud or obnoxious. The couple in front of us were holding hands during several songs and you could see this was truly an experience for so many; a step back to their early days of courtship where they necked on the couch to Mathis or swayed together to his music at dance halls.

Johnny was very light-hearted and chatted with the audience a bit in between a few songs. He had everyone in stitches when he revealed that his pants were too big and they were falling down. He then proceeded to hike them up and double over giggling. All in all, we both had a fabulous time and were so pleased that he sang our favourite - It's Not for Me to Say. We both actually oooo-ed out loud when the song began. Oh, it was such a great, great night. Dare I say? Wonderful, wonderful. Anyways, here's the setlist from last night's performance. I may have skipped a song or two but this is pretty close.

When I Fall in Love
It's Not for Me to Say
Chances Are
Gina
I'm On the Outside Looking In
Wild is the Wind
Shenandoah
Let It Be Me
Let Go
Mancini songs:
It Had Better Be Tonight
Two for the Road
Charade
Days of Wine and Roses
Moment to Moment
Moon River
-intermission-
Like Someone in Love
All Alone Am I
Certain Smile
Baubles, Bangles, and Beads
Stranger in Paradise
Secret Love
Wonderful, Wonderful
Betcha By Golly Wow
Misty
Yesterday
You and Me Against the World
My Foolish Heart
99 Miles from L.A.
The Twelfth of Never
Mas Que Nada / Manhã de Carnaval
Brazil
-applause and receives at least five bunches of flowers from ladies in the front row plus little gift bags!-
-encores-
How Do You Keep the Music Playing
Let the Good Times Roll

(sixth and tenth photos taken by Kayla)

After Life

Another smash from Ricky Gervais. I absolutely loved this series and think it's his best work yet.

(photo kidnapped from imdb)

Good Girls

When they first started showing previews for this new show I was super interested. However, I don't have TV so I'd have to wait until it came out on DVD. Fast forward to the now and I've managed to find it on Netflix! It's really fun and I love all three ladies - Christina Hendricks of Mad Men, Firefly, and Drive, Retta from Parks and Recreation, and Mae Whitman of Bye, Bye Love, Hope Floats, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Arrested Development. The premise is a great original twist on the whole "down-on-their-luck-turn-to-a-life-of-crime" story. I'm looking forward to season two already!

(photo kidnapped from nytimes)

Quarantine

Paula Cole - Carmen
Depeche Mode - Halo
Ani DiFranco - Diner
Jill Scott - Honey Molasses
Barenaked Ladies - Call and Answer
The Skyliners - Since I Don't Have You
Joni Mitchell - California
Ewan McGregor - Gimme Danger
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
Jewel - Morning Song
Madeleine Peyroux - No More
Jamiroquai - Love Foolosophy
Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes
Loretta Lynn - Out of My Head & Back in My Bed
Donna Summer - Last Dance
The June Spirit - If Kenneth Could Speak
Anoushka Shankar - Hamsadhwani Tabla Duet
Lou Reed - Perfect Day
Morrissey - Swallow on My Neck
Bruce Springsteen - Badlands 
Tori Amos - Beauty Queen/Horses

19 April 2005

First Selfie Sunday of 2019 with Jax!

Today Jackson and I did our usual thing for lunch, but it was driving around chatting and listening to Greta Van Fleet and The Revivalists that was the best. Just hanging out with this kid and doing nothing special at all is an utter blast.