Today is the Kind of Day that makes me want to Drive Angry

Groundhog Day


What a crock.


According to Wikipedia 23 groundhogs have made predictions.  23!
Who do we believe?


We need cage match fights.  To the death.  Each time a groundhog goes down, another prediction is made. Last one standing is the one believe.


And there should be gambling.  Of course there should this is America dammit


If I don't get Candy or Presents I want bloodshed


Give me some reason to care about February 2nd.


Until my demands are met I will spend every February 2nd watching the fantastically awesome Groundhog Day on a continuous loop. You cannot go wrong with Bill "I'm A God" Murray.  And Chris Elliot makes up for the fact Andie MacDowell is in the movie too.

Phil??  - click here
I'm a God - click here
If you only have 19 minutes

2112

As today is 2/1/12 I must acknowledge the band Rush.  A big favorite of my husband .  He has passed his love on to our children.  Their ipods are full of Bytor and Tom Sawyer Flying by Night to Xanadu.


I do enjoy Rush but not the way my menfolk do.


The Hubs can give you many reason why Rush should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and why they will never be there but if he wants to rant he can get his own damn blog :)


A few thoughts on the Canadian Trio that is Rush - 


The first time I ever heard of Rush was back in the late 70s/early 80s.  My best friend at the time had an older brother Jeff.  Hilary and I listened to Loverboy.  Jeff listened to Rush.  Turns out, he had better musical taste. 


Neil is my favorite he is cute and smart and one hell of a drummer


Rush's song Red Sector A led to a great discussion with my kids about the Holocaust. 


My favorite Rush album is probably Grace Under Pressure.  But the live Exit Stage Left is pretty good too


The song Freewill reminds me of my Grandpa. And this is why - A few years ago I had just learned that my Grandfather didn't have much time to live.  Alan Jackson's  Sissy's Song came on the radio.  I though to my self.  I'll bet this song gets played at a lot of funerals but Grandpa would rather hear Freewill.  Sort of random but now the song reminds me of him.  


My sweet brother-in-law was buried with Rush CDs


Best Rush in Pop culture moment  - Paul Rudd  in I Love You Man "Slappa da bass"
I love you man - click here


I just saw Rush doggy T-shirts in the clearance bin at the pet store.  We don't own a dog but I can think of a few stuffed animals that could rock a Rush tee.




Whenever we pass the Getty gas station my whole family becomes Geddy Lee's grandmother shouting Geddy, Geddy in our wannabe eastern European accents.  Geddy's real name is Gary but it sounded like Geddy coming from his grandma's mouth


Neil's book Ghost Rider is a lovey book.  Read it. "It chronicled Peart's motorcycletrips throughout North America, and Central America in the late 1990s, as he contemplated his life and came to terms with his grief over the deaths of his daughter Selena in August 1997, and his wife Jackie in June 1998." from wikipedia


One of Monkey Ones favorite songs - YYZ


One for Monkey Two - Roll the Bones


One for Me - Freewill


In other music news - RIP Don Cornelius from Soooooooooooooul Traaaaaaaaaaain.

The Way Back Machine

I've been time traveling this morning.  Not real time travel , just the interwebs.

This doesn't mean I am not still holding onto hope that a certain Dr. 10 will come pick me up in his blue box an get all Time Wobbly with me.  Because I am.  But, for now I'll take what I can get.

It all started this morning as I enjoying a cup of tea and a little Pinterest.*  Someone posted a link to wishbookweb.com.  It is a web archive of old Christmas catalogs. I started thinking about how The Hubs and I spent a lovely evening looking at the 1979 Sears catalog a while back.  Christmas of 79 was a big one for him because his family had just gone through a major flood and they had lost a lot.  Santa brought a lot of replacement gifts that year.  Anyway I started click, click clicking through my childhood.  Memories.....

And of course I share them with you now. If you follow me on Pinerest (and you know you should) many of my unbelievably witty comments many not be new but, whatever nerds.   The down side of wishbook is you only get a whole page you can't focus on only one part, so use your eyes my lovelies.

The BeeGees and Banana Seats.  Both big in 1979.
I had that BeeGees guitar. (Jealous much) and I wish I had a banana seat today.  Is a banana seat good or bad for a fat ass?  And speaking of asses - Does my Fat Ass make my Ass look Fat?

Some of my favorite things were creative and artsy craftsy.  (Yes I know Big Surprise)  Spirograph, Playdoh (how much does that monster set jam?) and Fashion Plates ruled.  My mother was a fashion plate wiz.  I was always so inspired by her skill and creativity.  She was the McQueen of the Fashion Plate world.  I also loved Lightbrite.  I don't think I ever owned a lightbrite but I loved to play with them at friend's houses.  Secretly I am glad my kids don't own a Lightbrite.  Stepping on Legos is bad enough all those dang pegs. Yikes!

    

Something I observed in the 1979 books, that was even more obvious in the 1983 book I looked through, was Traditional Gender Roles were being shook up.  Most of the kitchens were primary colors. Toy makers of  today should take note.  Boys pushing shopping carts etc. etc.  But my favorite has to be this Little Executive Set.  " John I need you pick up my lavender pantsuit from cleaners.  I need it tonight for a little booze and schmooze with those overseas investors.  What do you mean they can't get that stippers lipstick out?  What other meeting do I have today.  I wrote it down but my calender is made from magic slate and I accidentally erased it.  Yes, I know I need a real calender but Mommy won't let me write with pen yet. Shit! I need a Tab"  Slams down phone

Here is a toy I  hadn't heard of - Sindy

Sindy is her own woman.  She left he husband to go live in an artist commune in AZ.  Someday her children will forgive her but for now she paints them postcards and forgets to send them.  She is no Barbie.  Sindy doesn't shave her armpits unless she has a date.  And it's been awhile.  The only thing Sindy has been blowing is her inflatable furniture. 

Ahh Good Times.   Star Wars, Strawberry Shortcake and The Smurfs.  Record Players, Typewriters and Giant Calutalors.  Unfortunately it's all a giant time suck.  So unless a cute Time Lord comes a knocking, that's enough time travel for awhile. 

*Pinterest is virtual pin board web site. Follow me on Pinterest. All the cool kids are doing it.  You know you wannna - http://pinterest.com/empowers/

TMI Tuesday

 I had a wee bit of insomnia last night so I was slacking  a bit this morning.  Got out of the shower with three minutes to spare before I had to take Little Man to preschool.  Could not find underwear anywhere.  Uggg

Before I get to far into this story,  I must first tell you this
1. I am procrastinator
2. I do not like to shop for myself
3. I don't like to shop for anything I must try on because 95% of the time I have to drag a toddler into the dressing room.  (Cue husband shaking his head saying "I told you to leave him home, make time to shop for yourself. But see #4)
4. I hate to spend weekends and evenings shopping for myself when I could be doing fun family stuff or reading a book or taking a nap

Back to the point - I rush down to the basement, looking through the clean clothes in the dryer.  Seriously!?  Not one pair?

Sure I could put on a thong.  But we all know those things are meant to be worn for 10 minutes until they end up tangled in a heap with the sheets at the end of the bed, or left in the bed of truck.  Thongs are purely for show, not for every day.  I no longer wear clothing were VPL is a worry.

Sure I could put on something black and frilly.  The panties you are supposed to wear when you are feeling girly and carefree.  The panties you wear when you give the Hubs a wink cause you know you got it going on. But I am heading for Preschool drop off people - Frilly didn't even enter my mind

I needed underwear, underpants, functional, cotton.  And I needed them now. See points 1-4 above.  Obviously I've been putting off buying new underwear for awhile.  I trash it and don't replace it

Anyway I'm going to be late so I do what any sane woman would do stick a panty liner in my pants and go.

Why not just Freeball you ask?

Why are you calling it Freeball when you do not have testicles you ask?

Well 1.  I didn't think about it and 2. I'm not trying to get lucky by flashing you a little cooch under the table and 3.  I just love to say Free ball it makes my think of Tom Petty. and 4. See items 1-4 above. I'm running out of pants too and don't want to wash these freshly washed jeans  if I can wear them again tomorrow so must have some sanitary barrier

Off I go, boy to school, me to Target.  Did it occur to me to pick up a pack of Hanes while I was there - Hellz No.  Lack of sleep = lack of smarts

Then I did a few more errands.  Back to preschool for pick up and home.

In the bathroom peeing.  Hummmm?  Where is that panty liner I stuck in here a few hours ago?  Not down my pant legs, not stuck to my ass.  Missing.  Oh WTF!  Did it fall out?  Did I litter the floors of Target?  Out to the car.  Maybe it made it's way down my pants and fell on the floor by the gas peddle. Nope

Well this is a puzzle.  I am laughing  and also wondering if some perve at the gas station, saw it and picked it and took it home for his personal collection.  Then....what's that.  There is nothing in my pocket but what is that lump.  Eureka! I have found it.  Jammed up and twisted around the pocket lining in my jeans.  Sigh of relief.  Leesburg pervert will not be sleeping with my feminine hygiene protection next to him tonight.  Beside he didn't really want a pad, he wanted an ipad

“Oh, he’s very popular, Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids, dweebies, dickheads – they all adore him. They think he’s a righteous dude.”

So unless you have been living under a rock or just don't give a shit you know that Matthew Broderick is starring in  a Ferris Bueller's Day Off themed commercial for Honda.  I heard about it  from my best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend who heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who told me about he commercial. In fact many of you have surly watched said commercial as it has spread faster then toddler snot on your newest dress. (or your only dress if you are me) 


I have yet to see the commercial. I really want to but I frakin' Love Ferris!  You can keep your Breakfast Clubs and your 16 Candles.  I'll take Ferris Bueller.  I am worried that the commercial will ruin part of my love. Sure Ferris was a schemer, a cheat, a young man just skating through life.  Who cares!  He was in High School and he was freaking adorable.   Girls love bad boys who will take them on an adventure. And in my world Ferris grew up and made something of himself.  Also Ferris was a total geek in the best sense of the world.  Only a brainic would come up with the sleeping machine and think to record himself out possible trouble. "Oh, I'm sorry. I can't come to the door right now. I'm afraid that in my weakened condition, I could take a nasty spill down the stairs and subject myself to further school absences. You can reach my parents at their places of business. Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your concern for my well-being. Have a nice day! " 


 I doubt I could be Ferris.  I am no longer that  confident  in  myself and such debauchery makes me uncomfortable.  I don't want to be a Cameron,  neurotic and worried all the time. "Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks you'd have a diamond. "  But, alas, I am a Cameron.  Sure I would call Mr. Rooney and go along with Ferris' fun but in the back of my mind I would be slightly miserable until  I broke . "Who do you love? Who do you love? You love a car! "


It is hard enough to see Matthew Brodrick age. Maybe it's because now he is mostly a theater actor and likes to go for real  but frankly he looks a wee bit more haggard then some of his Hollywood peers.  I don't like a real pretty boy but sometime a girl wants to suspend her disbelief and pretend her HS crush doesn't  age or at least ages really  gracefully.   I imagine that George Clooney  probably gets up bright eyed, bushy tailed and smelling good.  He is in the kitchen making me coffee and waffles.  Matthew snores, wakes up scratches himself, hits the snooze alarm.  Yes just like a real husband.  Of course I'll bet that is the kind of dude Ferris turned into.  Sweet and cuddly Who needs breakfast in bed when you can laugh together for the rest of your life. Holy  Sweet Epiphany Batman!  I think I might have married a Ferris.  A slightly bad, wee bit nerdy boy who turned into a real good man.  Sweet!  (PS He will never admit, but it's true) 


I just don't want this commerical to be a sell out out.  I don't want one of my favorite all time, most quoted, watch a few minutes when ever I stumble upon it on TV,  movies to come down to an ad for an SUV.  A Freakin' SUV man.  But then again,  at least Ferris  finally has a car.  He wanted a car he got a computer.


Anyway like I said I have yet to watch this commercial.  Not sure if I should.  This is uh... This is ridiculous, ok I'll watch, I'll watch, I'll watch, What - I'LL WATCH.  Shit!


Here is it - 

I love it!  Feeling so much better about Matthew and Ferris. Matthew is still frakin' adorable.   I loved the moment at the Natural History museum take on Chicago art museum.  Loved, "control yourself woman".  Loved the parade.  No "Danke Schoen" but good.  Ferris' Danke Schoen will always be best.  Suck it Wayne Newton!  Pretty, Pretty Good Honda.  I will not have to boycott your product for the rest of my life.  And I will be able to continue to watch Matthew B without thinking he ruined something good just so he could have a Super Bowl commercial credit under his belt.  Ahhhh, sigh of relief.......


What you're still reading?  It's over! Go on get out of here. 

Music Notes

I went back and forth about calling this post music notes because it sounds a little pat and cutesy but who cares. And if you do - Suck It.

-Plato

First-  RIP 6 time grammy award  winner, feminist, recovering addict, blues icon, Etta James.  Her greatest hit "At Last" will be played at wedding for years to come
At Last - click here

Jay-Z has claimed that he will stop saying Bitch in his music.  He says the birth of his daughter Blue Ivy has made him think about what the connotations of the word represents.  Two thoughts - 1. Maybe you should have considered your daughter before you named her Blue Ivy.  2. At this point bitch is part of the culture it is used so much the stigma is all about gone.  And, while it's nice that Jay-Z has had this change of heart, why not before.  Your mother, or wife never made you think about curbing the bitch, bitch?  Too Little Too Late.
short too the point commentary comparing Jay- Z to the Republican Party

I just read that Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood are going to be appearing on CMT's Crossroads on February 4.  If you are unfamiliar with Crossroads it is a pretty cool show.  A traditionally county and a traditionally rock artist come together and sing each other's songs and duet.  If their appearance on last years AMC awards is any clue I think this Crossroads will be a really enjoyable one.
Carrie and Steven

If you haven't been listen to the Ultra Cool Country Girl Group the Pistol Annies you don't know what you are missing.

My boys Love Weird Al.  The funny part is they often know the Weird Al song but do not know the song or artist Weird Al is parodying.  Recently I have been  having them listen to the originals.  Sometime they like it but other times not so much.  For example, they like the song "Jurassic Park"  Jurassic Park is a Parody of "MacArthur Park" by Jimmy Webb, sung by Richard Harris.  And when they heard that "someone left a cake out in the rain"  their little minds were blown.  MacArthur Park and all the sweet green icing is so weird it is hard to believe it is not a parody itself.

Speaking of "MacArthur Park"  The first song that RuPaul preformed too in drag was Donna Summer's version of MacArthur Park.
PS Did you know Ru ran for President in 2008 ;)

Update on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - The Beastie Boys will in fact be inducted to Hall of Fame this year.  If that don't make you want to do some "Super Disco Breakin'" I don't know what will, so "Check it Out"
The Boys

Poe Follow up