So I gets a lot of spam. The law of probability states that I'm going to get some that I'll actually open. One time I got an email from a sender with a name two letters different from my granny's. Now, my granny doesn't have a very common name so even with two letters off my curiosity was piqued. Of course, Granny doesn't use email, but still.

So I get another email with the subject line that shares a title with this post. I thought it HAD to be someone emailing about the blog but no, just your run of the mill spam.

So, my skates are in. I'm very excited to get out there and skate. They'll be super fast, I can tell. I'm not crazy about the pink wheels but tht's ok. I wore them around the office today and got a few compliments. I couldn't get the toe stops off in order to put the toe guards on but that's ok, we had crafty night at Kazu and Kazu himself was able to fix that. I had planned on doing that at the skate shop but they were closed when I stopped by. I'll keep you posted.

I'm watching Growing Pains right now and it's one with Mr Brad Pitt. But that's not the point.

As you may notice I'm elaborating a bit on the picture mails I've posted. I know, picture mails are no substitute for real posts but, well, that's what I can do right now.

Labels: roller derby

Labels: pictures, roller derby

In class we're learning about values. We did these with charcoal. Check out that sphere! I'm rather proud of it...

Labels: pictures, school

don't you love my sangin?

Labels: podcast, schmoovecast

Dear Brit,

Hey. Looks like you're having a tough time lately. Listen, I know how it is, when you feel like no one in the world is on your side and you might as well just give up. And I think I know what you need.

Now I'm no psychologist, I leave that hard work to Dr Gay. I have, however, seen Pure Country on many occasions. I'm sure you're a busy girl so here's a quick recap: George Strait plays a big time country star, Dusty, who gets tired of the superstar lifestyle. He cuts off his signature pony tail, goes to the country, works on a farm under a cloak of anonymity, falls in love with a girl, and, well, I don't want to spoil the ending here.

So here's my idea, Britney: Do like Dusty did. You've already gotten rid of your extensions. Let your mom take care of the kids for a little while and get the hell out of town. Heck, I'll offer you my spare room. Yes, it's a little humble, but you need some humbling. Why not work in a bar or restaurant? Sheeit, you could be totally anonymous. we'll work something out. After all, the lower you fly under the radar the less likely people are going to believe that you've located to NASHVILLE of all places.

You know what else? You can come to roller derby practice with me. We'll find you some skates, some pads, and a helmet. I guarantee that after a few months you'll be one tough bitch.

You're under a lot of stress, lady. You're getting out of a failed marriage and you've found yourself the subject of much derision. It's time to get away from the cameras. Anna Nicole Smith is dead, don't be so quick to fill her shoes.

Sincerely,
LPC

Labels: drama, open letter, pop culture

So, I live in Tennessee. Living in TN means freaking out at the first sign of snow. We get a light dusting and PANIC.

So this morning I was due to drive to Memphis for a baby shower honoring young Holden the Guy. I look outside--snow. I don't think much of this, but then I look at the state highway reports and see that past Jackson there's some ice. I decide it's better that I not go. I fall back asleep, knowing that Jesse the Guy is probably not yet awake so I go back to sleep for a couple of hours intending to call in my regrets. During this time I have the television on MTV where they're showing a marathon of their stellar programming, in this case it's My Super Sweet Sixteen and Underage and Engaged (or vice versa). I drift in and out of sleep not knowing which part is on television, which part is my dream, and whether or not my mom really did tell me that Britney shaved her head overnight and got some tattoos.

You may be asking how my mom scooped me on entertainment news? Good question. She's never even looked at Perez Hilton.

Anyway. I also have not one but five (that I can recall) dreams where I get up, go downstairs, call Jesse the Guy and get on with my day. I hate that. by the time I actually get going it seems so DONE. you know what I mean? BUt I do eventually call Mr the Guy who fully understood, and I do intend to visit Memphis in the next few weeks to visit little Holden.

So I do my grocery shopping where I buy lots of sweets and some necessities. I catch up on DVRed stuff, good times, right?

So the time comes to get ready for Kate and John's engagement party. I debate going. I'm excited to go because I really do like Kate and John and am very excited for their impending wedding but the roads are not so good and the snow continues to come down. Basically, the later it gets the worse the roads will get. I take my shower, shave the parts that ladies do, clip my frikin toenails even, and hit the road. While the road doesn't really hit back, it does throw out a gentle insult that made me rethink everything I know. So I slip a bit, pull over, call in more regrets, and head home.

And here I am. THe picture above was taken of me in my engagement party finery.

Also, more pictures added to my flickr account, including a couple of pics from before the very first nashville rollergirls interleague bout.

Labels: celebrations, drama, pictures

So, over the past few nights I've had weird dreams about explosive family dynamics. Granted, things haven't been so explosive since medication was introduced into the mix. That's not being funny, that's being real. A certain family member started taking medication for psychological issues which made things easier.

Also, I met Barack Obama who wasn't as tall as you'd expect. I met him on an elevator.

Labels: dreams

I started the day getting ready for some screen printing. After a few false starts I ended up in my dark room (it's actually my laundry room outfitted with two special lamps--one high wattage, one with a red bulb) burning the screen for Michelle's shirts.

A call from my boss let me know I had flowers at the office. See how pretty? Thank you, Steve!

I have this tradition, I meet Ginger for bowling on Valentine's day. It started many years ago when we found ourselves single and not wanting to deal with the day. We decided to take the day off and bowl. That way we knew that we'd have an amazing day no matter what. Of course, Ginger outbowled me as she does every time we bowl, but that's ok.

I then headed over to order new skates. New skates! I'm so excited! Next week...

Then art store for more printing ink.

Crafty night was at Kazu this week. I said we needed to have it there every single week. Seriously, it's a great place for it.

My last stop was at Steve's, he's under the weather so I took him some soup.

Finally, I printed Michelle's shirt and burned the screen for Molly's birthday tee. Her birthday was October so I'm very on the ball.

I'm going to bed, goodnight y'all!

Labels: celebrations, pictures

Design done for Michelle, who has a birthday next weds...

Labels: crafts, pictures, printing

A bird's nest. Even the VU campus birds cheer for the Commodores.

Labels: pictures

The lady across the way, Jeanie, found out recently she had cancer. She had other health issues and was retired with disability. She also had this sweet corgi dog. She was kind of a grump sometimes but was also a great lady once she got to know you. She worked for the Home Depot for many years, was a Tony Stewart fan, and loved cross stitch. The last time I spoke with her was about a week or a week and a half ago, she was taking her dog out for a walk, I asked her how she was going, if she needed anything, and if she did just let me know because I was right across the way. She said her family and the hospice folks were in and out so she was well covered. Also, Jimmy, another neighbor, was bringing her anything she needed (Jimmy also built her a nice rail to lean on and a chaise for when the weather warmed up, she could read outside). She asked me to be nice to the next people. I told her I would and I would pray for her. I knew she was a strong lady so if she were to allow hospice in it must be serious.

Jimmy's another story. His wife died a few months back. She was his best friend and his partner for many years. He visited her every day at the Alzheimer's home, fixing her hair, applying her makeup, and painting her nails. Jeanie was his best friend. Imagine losing your spouse and your wife in the span of a few months.

Monday night I spoke to Jimmy on my way to practice. He said they expected Jeanie to go any minute. Jimmy was taking care of Jeanie's dog, Corgi, and Corgi had apparently gone crazy at the door so he let her out. Jimmy took this to mean that Jeanie's soul was passing by his door to say goodbye to both of them.

I have these neighbors, they're a very young couple from a nearby county with a reputation for being somewhat country-thug. THey used ot have loud parties but have toned it down. A few months ago I spoke with the female half of the couple and found out she's pregnant. I would say this explained her yelling and crying outbursts that could be easily heard outside her condo but unless she'd been pregnant for over a year, well, you know. Anyway, either monday or tuesday I saw the male half of the couple running out of the condo to his girl's car with an empty baby carrier. I take this to mean she's in labor and he's going in order to pick up his girl and his child.

Jeanie died Monday. Both halves of the young couple are home now.

Check this out! i'm not pictured and I can assure you that most of those things aren't guilty pleasures. I mean, honestly! Denny, a guilty pleasure? whatever. Dr Gay, check out the byline while you're there...

Labels: roller derby

So last night I was taking a quick break to catch my breath and discovered that the sweat pads in my helmet are removable. They're held on by velcro. Those of you more athletic than I may have known this. I had no idea...I thought that they just got stinky and maybe you had to replace them frequently depending on how sweaty you are. Being a sweaty, sweaty gal I thought I'd go through a couple of helmets a year. Seriously. You can remove the pads. They're only held on by velcro. This was news to me.

Also, my new pads (did I mention my new pads? they're made by triple eight and came in a clever mesh bag.) are absolutely wonderful. For reals. Last night I practiced falls and barely knew I was falling. My old pads hit right below the knee leaving me with super-classy bruises, these pads are gigantic and padded like no one's business. Seriously, it's like I've got a small army of tiny people holding soft pillows to catch my bigger-than-Tyra bulk.

Labels: roller derby

Because honestly, I don'treally care about the Super Bowl. I always liked when MTV had the annual Butt Bowl but those days are long gone. This year's halftime show will be FUNKY, on account of it's Prince. I prefer the puppy bowl with the kitten half time show. I am totally dog crazy, I fully admit it. I love my dog more than anyone and if there's a puppy around pretty much nothing else exists.

I mean, seriously, how can you not love puppies? This may be hard to believe but I was terrified of dogs until I was in my early teens. No kidding. I remember one summer spending most of my time indoors because the neighbors had two dogs, one a pinscher, who constantly got loose and would chase down any unlucky pedestrian in the neighborhood. I was even afraid of my cousin's pomeranian, he'd attack your ankles if you walked past a certain spot in the hallway.

Oh, and in the grand tradition of me keeping my finger on the pulse I've finally discovered smoothies. My mom brought me one the other night due to my sore throat and my mind was officially blown. In the last four days I've had a total of four.

And finally I've got new pads for derby practice. they're super nice, I could get shot in the knee and never know it--that's how thick the foam is! Think I'm going with the Riedell Wicked skates but still deciding.

Labels: dogs, roller derby

so I don't blog like I used to. so what, wanna fight about it? i'm not going to be one of these dorks who says "sorry I haven't updated but I have a LIFE you know!" because honestly, it's a combination of business and laziness, probably a 40/60 split.

• So, why are songs like "Winter Wonderland," "Jingle Bells," and "Frosty the Snowman" considered Christmas songs? Here in TN it doesn't seem to snow until after xmas (although there are exceptions of course) so they're more appropriate now than they were in November and December. But yes, we got a slight dusting of snow. PANIC! BUY BREAD AND MILK AND CIGARETTES! CLOSE ALL THE SCHOOLS (except the Davidson Co schools because the city kids? fuck em.)!


• Molly Ivins has passed away. Very sad. Y'know, even if your political leanings aren't to the left you have to acknowledge that Molly Ivins has an amazing style of writing. Definitely check out any of her books, you'll be laughing and thinking at the same time. To me, the most brilliant people make being a genius look so simple that anyone can do it--they can relate to the common man without alienating the intellectual set. Just go read her books. And I'll happily admit that Clinton is a smooth talkin, lyin philanderer if you'll admit that Bush is an inarticulate, lyin doofus.


• Joe Biden is an idiot. Yes, it's audio, just listen, you bastard. If you're too lazy then read the damn story.


• Music documentaries can be kind of boring if you aren't into the music featured in the film, one obvious exception being Dig! (about the Brian Jonestown Massacre), another being Gimme Shelter which I saw for the first time last night. I knew it had to do with the Rolling Stones and the lead up to Altamont, I also knew what happened at Altamont, but wasn't ready for that ending.


• As I stated my tax refund is going to buy some new skates. i've picked out a pair but want to see if I can buy locally. They're going to be totally bitchin. I also need kneepads. See, the other night I was able to practice falls without pulling muscles but I did hit the hard parts of the kneepads at a weird angle leaving me these crazy looking bruises. so watch this space.


• Let me give you a little history about my part of town, DA. Back on the very day the movers arrived at our house in 1990 the DA mall opened--only don't call it a mall! It's a CENTER. Not a mall. Ok, flash forward to 2007. The CENTER is now officially referred to as a MALL, almost everything has closed, most of the mall is offices, practice spaces for sports and dance, crappy art stores, discount outlets, and a few local businesses. To give you an idea of how sad the MALL is there isn't a single Limited, Inc store within the whole place. There was a big ole Old Navy there for a couple of years, but even it failed. so now, not five miles away, they're opening an OLD NAVY. Because the first one was so wildly successful.

Labels: movies, news, politics