Sunday Rerun-Fourteen

Originally posted February 28, 2009 
[a year ago today, a total coincidence and she is still challenging us at 15]


Fourteen

She rolled her eyes,
And shook her head.
Listening to me talk,
Her mind full of dread.

She didn't care,
What I had to say.
Plotting her escape.
How to get away.

Hot tempered, opinionated,
And stubborn is she.
Sensitive and smart,
Just like her mother, me.

Mystifying and relaxed
Anger fades as soon as started.
Comforting, loving
Forgotten angst soon departed.

Years gone by, we'll have a laugh
Happy that, they did pass.
How being fourteen she did sass,
And very nearly kicked our ass.


image source 

My [miss]Adventures in the Midwest continues Monday or Tuesday.. the amazing (lol) conclusioin.

55 words-Sleep

Sleep the enemy
I fight it strong.

Awake all night
Off and on.

TV lights
The late night dark.
Infomercials talk til dawn.

Computer dims
Its light goes out.
People sleep
On the other side.

A drink,
The bathroom
As I wake.
On the couch
TV blank again.

Finally to bed
Eyes close in am.

Tell a story in 55 words, read more at g-man

My [miss]Adventures in the Midwest Part three

 Welcome to Indiana [click pictures to enlarge]

Yes the journey continued, after I landed in Charlotte I found out my flight was canceled so I booked another and went to the bar and waited and and enjoy the company and a couple of drinks. That flight too was eventually canceled and after finally getting a voucher I booked a discounted room, climbed into an over crowded van and headed to the hotel. It was a great room with a kitchen even.... Adam suggested I cook  myself breakfast ....too bad I had no food to cook. A short sleep and a much needed shower and I was back to the airport for an early flight to Indianapolis.

Again my bag didn't make the switch and with plans to go out that night I was disappointed. Luckily we took our time getting ready and I get a call they are delivering it and I am first on the list. Yay, I didn't have to wear my snow boots out on the town.

We headed to a bar/restaurant called Vegas and had dinner and....a Martini Sampler. [see picture] I can't remember all the different ones but each was delicious. The Slippery Noodle was next and we drove into Indianapolis. The bar has the distinction as being the oldest bar in Indiana and was at one time a brothel.  They have two bands and we headed upstairs to listen to the rock band. It was a cover band but I was impressed in that it played a huge variety and many oldies.

Lucky enough to get a couple of seats at the bar we enjoyed the band and the diverse people that frequent The Slippery Noodle. There was a convention of some sort having to do with motorcycles parts and accessories and we even met a few motocross riders. We also had a nice chat with the guy who books the bands for the bar.  Sitting at the bar has several advantages one of which is we had several drinks bought for us [never hurts to be hanging out with the girl with the "nicest butt" in the bar] and I was introduced to a shot called the Lemon Drop. Apparently there are several recipes and I am not sure how this bar made them but they were yummy. The best part being the sugar covered lemon wedge you suck on after the shot.

It was a late night so we slept in the next day and enjoyed a late breakfast of eggs and bacon. I do know the best places to stay and have the best hosts....our plans that day are to see the movie Avatar.... more on that tomorrow.

My [miss]Adventures in the Midwest Part Two

Cleveland [click on pictures to enlarge]

We didn't get as early a start as we wanted,  so as Jenn and I got ready Adam drove Audrey to her mothers. When he returned we piled in the car and I got a daytime tour of Cleveland. It didn't seem like a big city to me, very manageable in fact. I am most familiar with Boston with its crowded narrow and winding streets. The two midwest cities I have been are wide open, straight and sensible. In Boston's defense it is much older and half built on a land fill.

Arriving at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame we could hear the music as we got out of the car. It is an interesting building to say the least. It looked smaller than I imagined but it is deceiving and is very spacious inside. Unfortunately no picture taking is allowed inside but believe me when I say it is filled with more memorabilia than you can imagine.

The displays are laid out in a mostly chronological order, starting with the early origins of rock and roll and continuing to the present. It is also laid out in a manner that it is hard to miss any of the displays. Everything is explained in well placed placards. My favorites were displays of bands I had seen in concerts.  I would point to someone, for example David Bowie, and say I saw him in 1977 and Adam would say "I wasn't born yet". This happened more times than I care to mention...funny guy Adam. :-)

We were surprised how short and small a lot of the artists were. Clothing and guitars definitely were the main artifacts. I found the hand written notes of songs and music very interesting and insightful.  There were also cars and motorcycles of many of the musicians.

We didn't have time to see everything and I am planning a trip back, hopefully this summer, to see the rest. As a music lover it is a must see.

Lunch was next and we headed to The Greenhouse Tavern, a top 10 best new restaurant of 2009 in Bon Appetit magazine. It is a "green" restaurant using reclaimed wood in its construction and fresh in season ingredients. My French Dip sandwich was well chosen and delicious.

Check out all the different draft beers at the bar.

My whirlwind visit, cut a day short by mother nature, was now over and it was off to the airport. Hugs all around and onto the only plane that left when it was scheduled.

 

Audrey 

Audrey and Addison

I must say Adam and Jenn were consummate hosts and their children Audrey and Addison are just delightful and adorable. I miss the little ones, it is nice to be around kids that don't talk back. 

 

Jenn, Addison and Adam

Part Three, do I make it to Indiana, will be Wednesday or Thursday.

My [miss]Adventures in the Midwest Part One.

 

Finally on a plane

Ok, enough about my miserable travel adventures, it is time to share the fun. It seems I have let the "bad" times take over and shadow the fun I had with my friends. Truth be told I learned a lot, met some interesting people and only had one person (airport employee) I would truly call a bitch.

Once I arrived in Cleveland, Adam of  Throwing Quarters fame saw me first and gave me a big welcome hug. It was just what I needed. After filing for lost luggage we headed out for dinner at Bar Symon. The menu was as diverse as Adam said it would be and after he explained what several, ok most things were, I settled on the Cleveland Classic.  It was a generous portion and delicious. Not a fan of raw cabbage I have to say the way  it was prepared with the vinegar was delicious."Cleveland Classic potato pierogie, smoked kielbasa, cabbage & stadium mustard sauce"

[helpful hint I should have included yesterday, always, always keep your baggage claim ticket. It takes them minutes to track your luggage with it, without 100x longer and I do not exagerate. I had mine, the gentleman ahead did not.]

Jenn and Addi
On the way to Adam's house he gave me a great tour of Cleveland and the surrounding area. He showed me where he and his wife Jenn grew up and I saw Lake Erie. Cleveland is flat with straight roads unlike New England where I live. Adam is a great tour guide and very enthusiastic about his city. We had been called during dinner my luggage had arrived so we went by the airport to pick it up before heading home.  It was late when we all finally succumbed to sleep.

I slept in a bit and was awoken by the wonderful smell of coffee. I wandered downstairs and was treated to a lovely breakfast of eggs and leftover kielbasa from my meal the night before.  Jenn and children slept a bit longer and once we were all up and dressed we [Adam, Jenn, me and adorable baby Addison]  headed out for more touring and a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Part Two tomorrow

Read Adam's Part one and Part two of my trip to Cleveland.

Travel Tips

During my travels I learned many things and I thought I would share some of them with you...

• In your carry on always pack: [and I did .. phew]
• a change of clothes
• medications
• make up
• toiletries
• jewelery
• gifts
• phone and/or laptops chargers

• Buy direct tickets if possible,  avoiding being stranded in a city part way to destination [will do next time, my time is worth money and would save on bar and hotel tabs]
• keep your id and a credit card accessible.
• use a "wheelie" carry on. [I have had neck pain from lugging my duffle bag around]
• Find your gate first then wander around if you have time.

• Sit at the bar in a restaurant..gives you someone to talk to and shared eyes on your bags.
• Bring a book or magazine

• If you stay in a hotel keep organized, chances are you have to leave early [445am]
• Use a wake up service if they have one
• Take advantage of the free coffee and muffins

• Try not to get stressed, there is nothing you can do... 
• Try to enjoy yourself [I met many great folks.. also stranded like I was]

Image source 

Why blogs don't get written

No wonder I have no new blog posts. As @jepsipepsi said on twitter its Vodka Logic
Lemon drop shots

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

I'm Sorry........

 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shot glasses...........

Whether necessary or not I want to appologize for my absence. The trip was tiring and long and since I have been home I am trying to catch up on rest.

As many of you know the snow hindered my trip extensively and I want to thank all of you that followed along and wished me luck... I so appreciate it.

The time with my friends was amazing and tons of fun, I will blog about it but right now I have a major headache and sore neck. I think it may be from lugging my bags around so long at so many airports.

Adam at Throwing Quarters has written a great two parter about my visit to Cleveland. You can read Part One and Part Two for his take on my trip.

Stay tuned.... and I will catch up everyone elses blogs as soon as I can You know I love the comments and always have something to say about everyone elses blogs.

Enjoy the picture...it is just a teaster ;-)

My So Called Vacation Ends In More Snow

I am home safe and sound. The ride from the airport was hairy as it is snowing like mad. The picture is from my town. There is 4 inches of snow in my driveway and no sign of stopping.
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. I will blog more specifically later.
Cheers xx
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justifiable Homicide Tuesday - Have I said I HATE Snow recently

I have had so much travel interruption I am seriously having trouble keeping track of what day it is....

I hate snow... not dislike....HATE

I am stuck in Indianapolis in a hotel........The flight to Chicago was delayed making me miss my connection to Boston.

I now have a ticket on a direct to Boston at 6am...

Follow my adventures on Twitter........ so much excitement...NOT

edit to add: The time I have spent with my friends has been wonderful. Meeting Adam , his wife Jenn and their two greats kids was wonderful.
Spending time with Rush again was a ball as usual.
But the travel........sucked. No more February travel......

I will blog more specifically when I get home.

It only snows when I fly

Another hard to see picture but it is currently snowing quite hard in indiana. So far flights are scheduled "on time". Who knows.
If you don't hear from me for awhile send the dog sled.
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The trip so far
 Has been a blast
When at my destination
I get to at last.

Furious and fast
The snow is falling
To my friends with cancelations
I am calling.

They have all been great
Patient and kind
Happily adjusting,
I am glad they don’t mind.

In Cleveland we went
Straight to the bar.
Bar Symon
Thankfully was not very far.

In the morning
Breakfast was made.
Cooked to perfection
An A was the grade

Of to the sites
Cleveland we did see.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Ended up being the place to be.

At the Greenhouse for lunch
I had a sandwich, French Dip.
Then off to the airport
For part two of the trip.

I made it to Charlotte
Without a hitch.
But once there
I encountered another glitch.

Two flights canceled to Indy
One or a few drinks at the bar
A few hours in a hotel.
I am off to Indy on an early star.

A text to Rush
To pick me after this leg
Then off to breakfast
For at least and egg

When time it is to return to the job
Murphy’s law will prevail.
The flights will be on time, no question of that.
And back to the mines without fail.

IMG00462-20100213-0707.jpg

It is hard to read but I have a flight to Indianapolis. I was supposed to be there last night but after two cancellations and a night in a hotel I am on my way.

Woo hoooo
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Twitter Fail

I had a major twitter fail last night....... I deleted my account. I had over 5,000 tweets a lot of great followers. All gone. [stone cold sober]

I realized I had two accounts and when I deleted it I didn't read the fine print. I went to my regular account and it was gone too... not sure how that works but it was gone.

Soooo if you previously followed LauraBlue58 please follow LauraBlue24. New followers welcome as well. I will follow you back.

I also have a twitter button..one click and I'm your twitter friend.

*******

Trip update. I am packed and ready to go.. I have printed a boarding pass so I am feeling hopeful that I will get somewhere. I may be spending time alone in Philidelphia but lets hope the connecting flight finds a flight crew so I can go on to Cleveland. Adam promised me the first stop is a martini....

Me and Murphy's Law

In typical Vodka Logic fashion Murphy's Law has reared its ugly head and messed up my vacation plans. With all the snow up and down the Eastern part of the US my connecting flight from Boston to Philidelphia was canceled today. I called the airline and managed to reschedule for Thursday. I could have tried for later today but the snow isn't hitting Boston until the afternoon so figured it would be futile. I called the van company that is driving me to the airport and reschuled them as well. They will be at my house at the ungodly hour of 3 am to pick me up for a 630 am flight out of Boston. Fingers crossed I make it.

I have to admit I have been lucky and that this is the first time I have had flights canceled. But after last summers disasterous attempt at a vacation I am hoping this isn't the new normal.

It has given me more time to "fix" my ipod. Since we got the new desktop pc itunes has been missing a lot of songs. They are all safely on my MacBook but I have yet to transfer them all over. I guess that's todays plans since I am all packed and ready... sigh

Can't plan for snow but I can still be disappointed. I wanted to eat at Bar Symon tonight. I know Adam and Jenn will entertain me for the time I am there but our visit has been cut short. I will keep you posted....

PS Have I mentioned that I HATE SNOW


Image source 

Justifiable Homcide-Tuesday

Pimples, are the bane of my existence. Seems they should no longer bother me now that I'm an adult. But nooooo they still pop up at the most inopportune times. I had to get one just as I am going on vacation. Let's hope some make up can do its magic and hide the offender.

Weather, I hate weather. Weather scares me. Wimp you say, yep that's me. To clarify it is bad weather specifically. Impending thunder storms get me all worked up and nervous. Watching the sky darken and then the first booms of thunder send me straight to the mall so I don't have to be alone and hopefully not able to hear the thunder. Admittedly I have gotten better over the last 10 years or so. 

Snow storms are fairly common place in my part of the country and for the most part I am ok with them if the snowfall expected stays in single digits. I don't mind watching it fall through the safety of my living room window, but to drive in it can be bothersome. It seems I always have to work when we are expecting snow. Working the night shift at least ensures me there will be less cars on the road and therefore less things to potentially run into me. Because my job is considered essential the hospital has sent the police to pick me up when the snow was considered bad enough to declare a state of emergency. [PS the police drive like crazy people in the snow]

I am flying out to Cleveland to visit with Throwing Quarters and his family on Wednesday and we are expecting snow. The thought of flying during a snow storm is not comforting. Will I? You bet. I have been looking forward to the trip and not one for wasting hard earned money I will fly if the airport says it's ok. The second leg of the trip is to Indianapolis to see a best girl friend and we have a lot planned.  I hear that Cleveland is expecting  a foot of snow this week... I wonder how long it would take me to walk to Indy?

Music Monday-An artist you should know.

Mat Kearney

My concert list gets longer every month. Each time I go to a gig I usually come away with a new band to follow. In most cases the opening bands are new to me and very enjoyable. On our last visit with British band Keane the opening act was Mat Kearney. I had just been introduced to Mat, musically, by my older daughter and was really enjoying his sound. He has two cds, Nothing Left to Lose and a newer one City of Black and White. I love them both but if I had to chose I would have to go with his first cd. I don't think there is a song on either that I skip.

Don't let this sway you but his first album has a great blend of song and rap. This is not gangsta or rap in any sense that you might think. You can understand what he is saying and the blend between the singing and rap in the song is fantastic. I have included a video of one of his rap songs below, you be the judge. He blends the melody in his songs very well. Along with his guitar playing and the rest of his band, he is a great artist.






Thanks again to Steven Anthony   for the idea to spread the music.

Sunday Rerun-Blush

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Blush

Have you ever felt such a fool,
For doing something you don't normally do.

For playing a part, playing a game,
Nothing that would bring you shame.

Your face is red, your eyes look down,
Where there was a smile is now a frown.

Forgiveness is easily won,
Wasn't needed from anyone.

Embarassment can be kept inside,
Not to be shared, easy to hide.

Just a feeling all your own,
Old enough, you should have known.

Was it all you wanted to attain,
Would you do it all again?

In a nod, yes in a wink,
It was worth the laugh, yes-I think.

Wiser with each passing day,
Taking risks, learning to play.

And luckily with each morning dawn,
The blush is cleansed with the days first yawn.

55 Words-Jumbled

I am again thankful to waystationone for introducing me to 55 words.

Jumbled

The words appear in random form
Mixing up in my head.

Paper,  pen help to sort
Ideas that are jumbled.

One by one
They fall upon paper
With my pen making the marks.

Arranging and rearranging the words
Until I am satisfied.
I finally lay them down

Hoping someone reads the words
Despite rambling jumble.

My Addiction

I have an addiction

It is plane to see.

I'll be standing in line,

No cuts in front of me.

Lots of people

Share this curse.

Spending hard earned money

Emptying their purse.

Handing over the cash

Without a second thought.

Finally holding in my hand

The delight I have bought.

Are you wondering what holds

This spell over me?

Look in my eyes

It is easy to see.

In the summer it's iced,

In winter hots the way.

It's a wonderous Starbuck's

One pump mocha latte.

picture courtesy google images

Happy Hump Day

I got nothing. Nothing to talk about, nothing to post. So...........

See you tomorrow xx

Justifiable Homide-Tuesday

I was going to say my mood was justifiably homicidal, which is still true. I am beyond tired, achey and just in an over all pissy mood so what changed my mind? I was picking my daughter up from college [I had appointments all morning so needed the car] and some truck, a large delivery type, decided we weren't pulling out of the intersection fast enough and he passed us by on our right. If he hadn't pulled up so close we could have seen to pull out but he was in such a hurry he couldn't wait. We honked as he sped up the street. 

We passed him after he had pulled into a store. He was out of the truck carrying a box into the store and I [so maturely] yelled out the window. "I'm calling your boss" and his equally mature reply was "Fuck you".

Meanwhile I got out my trusty BlackBerry and made a note of the company he worked for, emblazoned on the side of the truck, the time, location and his description.. red crew cut hair.

We went home had lunch when I remembered to call, I googled the company [I love google] and called. A woman answered and I asked for a manager. She asked why and I said it was about one of their drivers so she transferred me to shipping. I explained the situation and the man said I know who it is we only have one driver in that area. I said a "red head" and he said yes. He promised to call the driver and I think he will. He thanked me and said, they can't do anything if people don't call.

I am not trying to get the man fired, but I do think he needs some manners and saftey training. 

I have done this one other time when I called about a FedEx driver that ran a stop sign in our neighborhood. In that case they called me back [obviously having taken down my details.] 

I must admit it felt good to stick it to the driver...

A Band you should Know-Augustana

I have known about the band Augustana for awhile and for one reason or another not shared.  Thanks to Wikipedia, I know they are an American band [shock for me I know] from San Diego, California and are best known for their singles, Boston and Sweet and Low.

They only have two cds,  All the Stars and Boulevards and Can't Hurt, Can't Love. I own both and like them both. Their songs often start mellow and build up, I have always liked songs like this.