A Musician's Muse

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-25T13:53:15Z

To all my friends on LJ: Merry Christmas from me and the 'kids'!!!

Ah Alan!

2008-08-02T19:48:43Z

I just love Alan Rickman and Alan Rickman in a comedy is even better! Here's the trailer for his new picture....Bottle Shock.

Can't wait....

2008-07-26T12:43:27Z

Just got my Paul Weller tickets in the mail yesterday!. I can't believe he is actually going to be playing Philly in September. The last time I had to take the train to NYC...and although it was an unforgettable night it was a long trip for a two hour show. The last time Weller tried to play Philly it got cancelled due to insufficient ticket sales. That was over 12 years ago....so I guess he has decided to forgive us and try to play here again. I'm pretty sure it won't happen again since he has gained alot more popularity here over the years. His new cd is pretty amazing if not bizarre but it grows on you. You got to like a man who has to keep evolving and doesn't keep putting out the same crap just to sell cds.

Relaxed....for now!

2008-07-21T00:05:59Z

I spent a wonderful weekend at the New Jersey shore on a little island called Brigantine. There's always been a member of my family living here since I can remember. I was invited to have a cousin's day out and although I wasn't really looking forward to it...I would up having a very fun and relaxing time. There was about 13 cousins on my father's side who came in and out all day long...most of the day we spent laying around on the beach making fun of my one cousin's husband who was wearing a very 70's speedo that was WAY to small for him....(shades of Gene Hunt?) and watching the para gliders walking on the water backwards!

After washing off we headed back to my cousin Vinnie's house (and no, he doesn't look anything like Joe Pesci ) for dinner. Vinnie made tuna stakes grilled to perfection and we spend the rest of the night drinking green margaritas and talking till the wee hours of the morning in the wonderful cool breeze....I can't remember when I had a more relaxing day.

It was nice to get together with family you really like and can have fun with....we're talking about a cousin's trip to Italy next year....I know we will have a ball, I'm not so sure if Italy will survive!

Happy Birthday Flip!

2008-07-18T00:29:33Z

Have a great day and do something FUN!!! All the best...Di

Me and Mr. Hall, we got a thing going on.....

2008-07-12T11:47:40Z

I always look forward to a Hall and Oates concert but tonight's show is a solo stop on the long awaited Daryl Hall tour stopping here in his home town. It's amazing that for a man in his 60's now he has a voice that is even better than it was at his prime. He still sings with so much soul and sweetness. His solo music is amazing as well and his last two cds just put Barry White to shame. So off I go tonight to pay homage to the church of Daryl. Will report back tomorrow....

Tennis anyone?

2008-07-04T16:50:19Z

There is just something so civilized about kicking back, making a cup of coffee and watching the Wimbledon finals. It's my July 4th ritual. I'm looking forward to the Williams sister's match tomorrow....It's actually going to be a very quiet and relaxing holiday weekend.

Black Out

2008-06-15T21:44:29Z

Had a great weekend with Ducky and Emmie despite the black out on Saturday night from the storm....Went to our favorite place for Brit food.... Stoneys and then met up this morning for breakfast depite the onslaught of families celebrating Father's Day, we got a seat. All is quite now....boy the weekends go quickly don't they?

HOT

2008-06-06T10:52:59Z

I am suppose to do a flea market tomorrow in the town center of West Chester but of course I had to pick the hotest day of the year (97F) to be standing in the sun selling junk! Am I crazy or what? I think it's going to be a short day! Luckily the dogs will be staying the weekend with a friend....(in air condition luxury I may add!)...so I don't have to worry about them. If I didn't pay so much for the space, I think I would bag it!

Happy Birthday Ducky!

2008-05-06T11:37:56Z

Sam and I are sad we can't be there in person to wish you a very Happy Birthday! Have a great one!...Di

Happy Birthday Emmie from the Gang!

2008-05-03T10:58:39Z

Happy Birthday Auntie Em!

Love Dougie and Kiki

England...here we come!

2008-05-01T01:27:32Z

It all seems so real when you book those tickets and spend the money doesn it? Can't wait to do it all again.....Emmie...Ducky...see you at the terminal...be there or ...ah hell, you know the rest......

Rock and Roll heaven

2008-04-19T10:46:29Z

Well I'm off to Atlantic City to spend the weekend with my Hall and Oates buddies and that's because my home boys are playing at the casinos tonight. This is our annual pilgrimage to the other city of sin...but for some reason I'm just not that excited as in past times. I love the music but it's geting old, they're getting old and I'm getting old! I guess I've had enough for now...I think they have too. This is probably going to be one of their last tours, they closed up their web site and are now promoting themselves as solo artists. So I will enjoy the day with good friends, have a few drinks and enjoy the music one last time. Long live Philly soul!

A Walk with the Goons

2008-03-09T14:34:40Z

One of our ad vanguard theatres in Philadelphia put on a production of YingTong...A Walk with the Goons. I went to see it yesterday and really had a good time. I knew nothing about Spike Milligan and the rest of the Goonies (except for Peter Sellers). This was a peek into the crazy mind of Spike and the gang. I knew that Monty Python, Beyond the Fringe and Firesign Theatre have used the Goons as their model and would always mention the Goons as their inspiration over and over. Now I know why.

The play was a look inside the mind of Spike Milligan and how he related to the rest of the group. They also reenacted a number of their shows on stage and used us as the BBC audience. The funniest scenes were in the psychiatric hospital where it seems Spike spent most of his time hallucinating about Gay Vikings and Jewish Leprechauns! The flash back scenes were pretty hilarious as well.

The play could have gone on a few more hours as far as I was concerned, I was pretty facinated by the skits and the way out scenery. The cast was stellar and the actor who played Peter Sellers was amazing. His voice imitations were wonderful.

I know this played in London for awhile but I don't know how long it's been around. Would recommend it to all if you are a Monty Python fan in particular....you can see where their inspiration came from...it's all there. Great stuff.

Yeah for Once!

2008-02-25T11:12:33Z

I'm really pleased that Falling Slowly one the best Oscar for Best Song from the movie Once. Finally! A song that deserves the nod!!! Not that it had much competition but at least it was recognized for the beautiful piece that it is.

For the Ebay Challenged....

2008-02-24T11:48:24Z

I have been sitting and look at these two guitars that I have been wanting to sell for at least a year now. I keep telling myself I got to learn how to become a seller on Ebay....I know it's easy....but do I really want to spend the time? So I decided my time was more valuable and when I found one of these places that helps sell your merchandise on EBay...I thought what the heck....I'll try them. I just let them sell one guitar...my first good classical guitar from Yamaha. It really is a beautiful guitar it just is not the easiest instrument to play, particularly if you have small hands like I do. So I replaced it with a guitar built to specifications from a local luthier...which has lovely sound and action. Anyway, back to the Ebay story....

I go to Snappy Auctions, hand over the Yamaha and cross my fingers and hope for the best. The first day has a whopping 99 cent bid! I decide I'm not going to look again until it's over. But I have to say I'm impressed by the way they presented the guitar and how professional the layout looked. They made the guitar look great and had at least 7 pictures which really showcased the instrument in such a good light. So I was pleased that it had a chance to shine. Well, low and behold 5 days later the guitar sells for $566.00! Whooo! Hoo!!! I'm stunned. I was hoping for at least $200....so I'm over the moon. The down side is they are going to take 38% of the profits but since I didn't have to lift a finger except get it to the place and they are doing the mailing and insuring....I feel it's worth it.

So I guess I'm going to try the other guitar next and see how that goes and if I ever have that free time I so desperately would love to find...maybe I'll try it on my own one day and clean out a few closets around here!

Haunting...

2008-02-09T17:41:39Z

I just watched a movie that was out last year called Once. Not much of a story line but the music was haunting...so much that I had to download the cd. I haven't stopped playing it since. The main actor is a wonderful singer in the Cat Stevens style. The female lead has this real squeeky voice but it really works with the music and as a harmonic voice to his lead singing....really nice compliment. I just wish there was more of a story line to chew on but it was filmed as if it was a documentary and as such has a unique feel to the whole movie. Very different and...worth a watch...if for the music alone.

I'm in love....again

2008-02-02T12:40:18Z

It was 1966 and I was just a kid but I remembered hearing a song called Distant Shores on the radio by Chad and Jeremy. I heard it again the other day and so many memories came flooding back. I think it's got to be the most romantic love song ever written and 40 years later it's still beautiful. Time has not taken anything away from this gorgeous song. So I went on amazon and bought a copy of the cd...and I haven't stopped playing it. Then I though...Hey what happen to these guys? Well they have a web site (www.chadandjeremy.com) and not only are they still touring but they are going to be in the Philadelphia area in April! Will have to see if I can get tickets....

Anyway, found the attached picture on their site and just love Big Ben in the background....They have aged (haven't we all!) but their voices are still wonderful. Boy they were sooooooooo cute when they were young...(weren't we all!) Jeremy Clyde still works and lives in London but Chad Stewart lives in Idaho of all places and works as a music teacher! I just listened to an interview with both of them and he has just about lost his accent! I have no idea what accent he has now but he has lived in the States so long, there is very little trace of his Brit accent.

Anyway, listening to all this old music and given me back some lovely memories. I just love when music can affect you like that....

27 and Holding

2008-02-01T12:16:09Z

Well Happy Birthday to me! Actually I just wanted to say thanks to all my friends who were kind to acknowledge today. And yes, I am still going on 28 but holding at 27. As they say it's only a number, eh? Yeah, right!

But what a crummy weather day! I just tried to walk the dog and I could have used ice skates instead of sneakers! It's raining and freezing as it hits the ground. Yuk....and it's only going to get worse. Hopefully the rest of the weekend is suppose to be nice and pleasant.

I'm going to try to do as little as possible at work today as a birthday present to myself and kick back and enjoy the weekend!

Not a lazy Sunday

2008-01-27T12:57:43Z

First, let me say how great it was to have Torchwood back on the screen again. Captain Jack and the gang were great to watch and although it could be a bit violent at times, I think the humor was brilliant and fun to watch between the cast. After the writers strike over here has left us with no new episodes (if you don't count Lost) of our favorite tv shows, it was a treat to watch this show knowing there are many more to come. Also the bonus was the trailer for Robin Hood which is coming in April. That got my juices flowing too! Whoo, hoo...can't wait!

Have a busy Sunday ahead of me....book club meets for brunch at a great little diner called Ruby's.....a bunch of errands in between and then I have tickets for a classical guitar concert at one of the local colleges. Time to go!

Oh, also picked up the latest Ray Davies solo album yesterday....big thumbs up! Love the man!

No Yellow Snow.....

2008-01-22T11:26:50Z

Looks like more snow today. I usually like snow but now I come to look at it as the enemy....because I have two dogs who refuse to walk in it! Kiara does her best Camile as soon as she puts her paw in the stuff. "Oh no, how will I go on if I have to walk in this nasty white stuff?" Dougal becomes Queen Victoria and is just not amused. So, I have to find a place that has little or no snow, like under a tree and carry my two spoiled brats there!

So no yellow snow today.....Oh, the life of a pug mom!

Oh, to be in the West End....

2008-01-21T11:28:13Z

I just read an article in the New York Times this past weekend about the sold out shows with Ewan McGregor in Othello and Zoe Wanamaker in Much ado About Nothing. How I wish I could see both of those productions! Much Ado is my absolute all time favorite Bard work and I just loved Zoe Wanamaker. She is so much fun to watch. I know the Othello production is a hard ticket to get but I was wondering how the reviews were. Any of my theatre friends out there get a chance to see one or the other?

I remember going to the Globe theatre two years ago and wishing I could see a production there...but it was off season and too cold to even walk accross the stage let alone put on a play. But it was a great tour and the museum section was really informative. Although seeing how long some of ol' Wills plays could be, I'm not sure I would want to be standing in the peanut gallery that long....so I guess I would love to see a production only if I could be in the comfy chairs!

Ouch! That hurt!

2007-12-29T12:31:32Z

Well, yesterday I decided I hadn't visited my local hosipital emergency room in a while...and hey, why not on Christmas week!???

There just wasn't enough drama going on in my life and I thought "What the hell...how about if I just trip and bang my face into a wall. Three hours later in the emergency room and I went home with a cat scan reading, an ice pack, a couple of band aids and two Tylenols!

I was walking (very fast) at work to get word to the Controller that he had to put a stop on a wire that was being sent out. As I rounded the corner, my ankle gave out and I went tumbling thru space and a nice big ol' wall was there to stop me. A little bit to the right and I probably would have broken my nose too. Thankfully, no breaks, just a lot of bruises!

At least I made the admissions clerk's day when I handed her over all the correct worker's comp paperwork...She wanted to know how I knew to bring all this information! (I'm the workers comp risk manager at my company...so this injury is doubly embarrassing!) But I just told her a little bird told me and that I was glad I could make her day.

So here it is the next day and boy am I sore...all over. But I am a survivor...but after the year I've had...I think I'm going underground and not coming out until 2008!

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow

2007-12-24T23:13:52Z

I was listening to The Christmas Song as I was driving to work yesterday. When Mel Torme sang the line "Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow...will find it hard to sleep tonight" I traveled back to that time when I tried to wait up for Santa to come and find out if he left me all the presents I begged for when sitting on his lap. I thought how sad we lose that wonderment and that innocence associated with Christmas.

I mean there are still things that give me the warm fuzzies like Judy Garland singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (still brings a tear to my eyes) or watching Jimmy Stewart running down the stair juggling ZuZu on his back in It's a Wonderful Life...but I wish I could capture that special feeling again as I watched the minutes tick by waiting for it to be 6am on Christmas morning.....a respectable time to go bolting down the stairs to rip into my presents! I was so excited to find out what Santa had left....and as long as it wasn't clothes (boo!)...I tried to sneak back to my presents all day long just to play with a doll or some new electronic toy for a few more minutes.

But I also realize how lucky I was to be able to have that kind of charmed life. How many kids don't even know what that feeling is like. I just got done reading an autobiography called The Glass Castle by Jennifer Walls. She and her siblings celebrated Christmas a week later so her parents could find all the used trees in the streets and old toys that kids had thrown out in place of their new toys. I was truely blessed. I had parents and family who loved me and were happy to make my life full. So I may not wait up for Santa any longer and run down the stairs at 6 am...but I am content to know that this was a big part of my life and that these memories brings a very big smile to my face.

To all my friends, I hope you can remember the things that made you smile during the holiday season...and use them to count your blessings as well. Sing us out Mel! Although it's been said, many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you!

Perfect

2007-11-30T11:35:47Z

Animals are magical creatures…especially dogs. I use to be a cat person until I adopted my first dog, Dougal 5 years ago. Now I have a second one (Kiara) and if I had the room, there would be more. This past week, Dougal made pug for a day on this silly little web site for pug lovers. That’s him to the left. You would have thought he was just elevated to the dali lama, I was so proud. It’s amazing how much joy they can spread (along with fleas and poop, but that’s another story…). It was a bleak year for me but they managed to always put a smile on my face. You never run out of stories when you live with these guys. They crack me up. They are one of God’s perfect creations….of course you take the good times with the bad, in sickness and in health but I wouldn’t live without them that’s for sure.