I’m here!

I have finally arrived in Leadville. Well, I arrived in Leadville yesterday. It took approximately 24 hours of driving but was largely uneventful.

My awesome friends in Saginaw gave me a gift of meaningful road snacks and a great mix CD. What are meaningful road snacks? The Dark Chocolate Raisinets that a guy at the movie theater told me were “the best thing I have ever put in my mouth.” The Ho Hos that Spouse asked me to buy for Carly, because Carly really wanted them, but when I got home it turned out they were just for Spouse. The Mint Milano cookies that are my favorite. You get the picture.

The mix CD had memorable songs from memorable events in the last three years, which was fantastic. I pretty much jammed out all the way across country. And the first thing I did (once I was functional) was hook up the wireless connection. Because I’m a geek like that (not internet obsessed or anything).

Today we’re taking our guests out and around the local area, hopefully eating some great food, and picking up odds and ends. And then spending the next three weeks unpacking boxes.

Instead of packing – holiday music mix.

The realtor was showing my house this afternoon, which meant I had to leave. So I made my way to the Barnes and Noble, to partake of their speedy (and free) wireless. During my drive, Carly called to tell me about her new potential facebook status – which was not safe for work and a commentary on the idiot drivers who were making her trip to Ann Arbor more hazardous. Carly and I have a lot of things in common, including the occasional fit of road rage. One of our more important shared characteristics is a loathing of Christmas music.

I spent every Christmas season, from junior high through college, working retail during the holidays. Some places were great (book stores) other places were not (sporting goods store). At the sporting goods store, they played the SAME LOOP of holiday music throughout the day, EVERY DAY, beginning the day after Thanksgiving. As a result, songs like Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree make me want to bludgeon people with a golf club, or brain them with free weights. Most of the holiday ‘classics’ have been ruined for me – or had been – for years. In the last year or so my holiday spirit has begun to recover.

It used to be that I would only tolerate holiday music the day before, day of, and day after Christmas. Now I can listen to music a week or so beforehand! Progress, I tell you!

The exception, of course, is Feliz Navidad by Jose Feliciano because it is 1) the best Christmas song ever 2) Christmas music you can dance to and 3) included on almost NO ONE’s retail holiday music loop.

After commiserating about the terrible drivers, we started talking about holiday music. Apparently there’s some Christmas shoe song that I haven’t heard? From Carly’s reaction, it’s a good thing I haven’t heard it. At any rate, it inspired me to make a mix of holiday music for people who do not like holiday music. It will include some classics, some classics with a twist, and new holiday favorites (Stoned Soul Christmas, My First Christmas (As a Woman), and She’s a Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas). And Feliz Navidad. It will be called WTF H$liday Mix.

I’m kind of excited about the project and when I get it done, I’ll upload it to imeem.

Ah, the first school-closing of the year

It took me nearly an hour to shovel my driveway this morning, brought to you in conjunction with the township school closing (my barometer to cancel yoga class) and my newfound inability to sleep in. I haven’t shoveled that much snow since a few years ago when Spouse threw out his back just in time to get 13 inches of snow. This was only about 6 inches of snow but it was HEAVY and WET. Ick. The snow is supposed to continue throughout the day.

The local U is reluctant to cancel classes under any circumstances, but they closed campus until noon which says something about the condition of the roads.

I am inordinately excited about the new Britney Spears album which comes out tomorrow. Her last album, Blackout, was fantastic and quickly became one of my favorite workout listens. I’ve got a certain amount of sympathy for Britney having to live out all her big mistakes in the public eye. If the stuff I’d been doing between the ages of 19 and 24 (I got married at 25) had been televised, I’m pretty sure my family would never have recovered. That said, I know she doesn’t have the greatest voice. But Blackout was so grabby that it was one of my favorite album purchases that year. I’m looking forward to Circus being more of the same. I think Shane and I are making the trek to Best Buy together. Where I am a fan, Shane is a superfan.

In other music news, I’m loving John Legend’s new album. I’m a big fan of his music in my yoga classes because they’ve always got a good groove. Those are invariably the songs that get folks to dance.

Carly and I are supposed to make an outing to Australia today but I’m not sure that the snow won’t derail it. If nothing else, I can be on my couch with a blanket and book or (more likely) packing up the remainder of the office.

Best of: Thanksgiving

1. Macy’s Rickroll.

Love Comedy Central. They are full of epic win.

2. Home for the Holidays. Best holiday film ever. It’s hilarious no matter how many times I see it. The turkey part is particularly fabulous.

3. Me and mom hanging out, cooking OUR turkey and stuffing. Delicious and mellow. Loved it.

FINALLY

I return to regular posting and it’s on the weekend, right? But that’s not what my finally is all about. I finally got Zune 3.0 loaded onto my computer. I’ve got NO IDEA what the problem was, just that it was immensely frustrating. But last night when I tried the secondary download (first one still failed) it WORKED. Let me say to you now, games on Zune are LOVE.

I had a second gen iPod once upon a time, as well as a shuffle. The iPod treated me well but I ran out of space. Around the same time, Spouse ran out of being able to use iTunes. I was constantly having to tweak the settings for him and then, memorably, iTunes stopped playing the songs he had purchased. He went from frustrated to fury in pretty much no time flat and at that point swore off of DRM music. And when the time came to upgrade, it was 2nd gen Zune time.

I love the Zune. I know a lot of people bitch and say it’s not as sleek or userfriendly as the iPod, but I’m calling bullshit. Having used (and liked) both, I much prefer the Zune software to iTunes. It takes less time to load and is easier to manouever. It accomplishes the same goals (playlists, etc.). And my Zune is the whip. It’s got an enormous screen. It’s super easy to load video and pictures on to (perfect for trips to the hair salon without magazine clippings). The sound is great, the scroll button is slick, and I don’t have a single complaint.

As I stood in line to vote on Tuesday, I got to watch my Yes We Can video. I buy my mp3s from Amazon (who has everything from current music to the karaoke versions of current music – as evidenced by having to buy some for the recent nuptials) and I don’t have to worry about it not playing on my software. It works in Media Player, Zune, and (if I chose) iTunes. When I finally uninstalled iTunes I felt a huge relief (and my laptop sped up considerably). I also completely heart that I can sync my Zune wirelessly and now (should I choose) I can purchase music from the Zune store over that wireless connection right from my Zune. Love it.

I’ve also crafted a few of my yoga playlists using the quicklist function (adds current song to a temp playlist) on the Zune and that works out pretty great for me.

Packing is skipping along. Today I donated around 300 books to the local public library. I’ve got about another 75 to take to the V.A. hospital. We’ve also sorted out the clothes to be donated to the local battered women’s shelter and have something along the line of 50 t-shirts, 10 pairs of pants, 10 pairs of shoes, several pairs of jeans, several sweatshirts, and some dress clothes for women. We’ve got about one more closet to raid and then I just have to parcel out which things I’m keeping and which other things I’ll donate.

Being able to drop things off has been a relief. Every pound of stuff we give away makes me feel that much lighter. I’m also very happy to be able to support the local library and women’s shelter. The shelter takes first dibs on the clothes and then sells things they aren’t using and the proceeds support the shelter. The library has a donated-book sale each year and uses the proceeds accordingly. The V.A. hospital will make the books available to their patients (including hospice patients who live-in long term) as well as the vets that they travel to treat.

Still to be done: finish boxing the last of the books we’re keeping. Finish washing clothes, sort and pack. Pack bedding. Pack CDs and cases that are remaining. Ideally we’ll get a fair chunk of that done tomorrow and then Thanksgiving weekend will simply be wrapping up loose ends.

Right now though – to couch.

Updates!

I FINALLY got my most recent mix updated on imeem to include *all* the songs. It had been missing the Gomez song, which I kind of love, so I wanted to make sure it was all there. The mix has gone over really well in my classes.

I’m really really excited about Halloween, mostly because of my costume. I’m looking forward to dressing up and going out and have volunteered to be the designated driver for a few of my friends. Being sober also means I’ll get the best pictures. Heh.

Wedding stuff will keep me busy for most of the weekend but I’ll be attempting to steal internet time whenever I can. I’ve also got an eye appointment at 8:15 in the morning and may need to sneak a yoga class during the morning. We’ll have to see how forgiving the schedule is.

New Yoga mix

I made this mix a week or so ago and have been listening to it kind of nonstop on my Zune. Fair warning – I just pulled it up on the lab computer on campus (killing time before Micro lab) so I haven’t actually heard it. I’m hoping all those songs are the originals. It’s also missing Woman! Man! by Gomez, so when I get home maybe I’ll upload it.

Related to that, it was awesome to see Adele on SNL last week. I really love her album and I would not have picked it up if it weren’t on eMusic.com

I’ve got to say that as far as websites/apps that I’ve used the most in the last year, imeem and eMusic are right up there. Imeem lets you find out if you like something before you buy it. Emusic lets you pick up loads of music for way cheap and has a metric asston of awesome indie artists. If you like Hem, eMusic is Hem heaven.

Micro midterm was meh. I’m not thrilled with my performance, but I guess I’ll wait to get the final results before getting overly worked up about it.

I am still way tired – ostensibly left over from the weekend. I’ve got to pick up my costume today (alterations done) and my bra for the wedding (ditto). My major plan after that is paying bills and sorting/boxing books. I live a life of wild excitement, I’m telling you.

Last night was the Bandwagon Book Club. I always enjoy the discussion there, though I sometimes feel conspicuous with my English degree. Last night it meant an explanation of Gothic literature. It’s weird because I’m in a group of mostly retired teachers and I’m also the youngest person by at least 10 years. This month’s book was The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. I really enjoyed it and thought she did a great job of incorporating the Gothic style and themes, but making it a more modern and interesting story. I’d recommend it (gave it 4 out of 5 stars).

If you’re looking for something fantastic, read Infidel by Ayan Hirsi Ali or A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Housseini.

TV Notes:

Heroes- WTF? I mean, really? WTF.

Sarah Connor Chronicles (Terminator) – Getting wicked awesome. Also, Brian Austin Green has NEVER been this hot. Not ever. I dig that the kid playing John is able to convey a lot of emotion with a minimum of dialogue. I also like that Sarah is starting to see things unravel. Love.

Chuck – I started watching this season after having caught a couple of episodes last season. This show is great. Funny and slapstick spy show with heart. I cracked up at several points.

Yoga notes:

If you don’t normally read The Yoga Journal, I’d recommend picking up this month’s issue. They’ve got a great article on Warrior I as described by people from various yoga disciplines (Kripalu, Anusara, Ashtanga, Viniyoga, et cetera). I love it because it highlights that everyone teaches things in slightly different ways to accomplish different things (I tend to go with the Viniyoga approach to Warrior I). It also shows that just because someone is describing one variation, it doesn’t mean you have to use it. Most importantly – EVERY VERSION talks about safe knee position. I’m a stickler for knees.

My class schedule is changing slightly and I’m excited about it. Life is about to get wicked hectic, though.

Surviving the weekend

Friday was a trip to Detroit and dueling Pianos in Pontiac. Saturday we headed to Windsor early and had several appointments at Estetica Day Spa. Everyone loved their services and we spent the split time (appointments at 9 and then at 3) at the Devonshire Mall. Best food court EVAR.

Saturday night was all about club hopping. I’ve got to say that it’s been a number of years since I’ve done that and we had a lot of fun.

Today I am still exhausted and not really enthusiastic about attending poli-sci. It doesn’t help that it’s rainy, overcast, and just chilly enough to be inconvenient.

SNL has returned to its tried-and-true format of fantastic and scathing political commentary and then deadly unfunny everything else. Adele’s performance was great and Cold Shoulder is already on my new yoga mix.

Life is still awesome and I’m loving Donal Logue.

True Blood ramped it up again this week and I can’t wait to see where it goes. I am hearting Tara more and more with each episode, but Lafayette is still my favorite.

If I’m going to class, I’ve got to get into the shower.

Supernatural

I love that this show is introducing a new generation to classic rock. “Agents Angus and Young.”

At least, I *think* it’s introducing a new generation. I mean, if I was in high school or college, I’d totally be watching this show. Two hot guys and monster hunting? What’s not to love? Also, it’s funny. (“Rehymenated.” OMGHILARIOUS)

My goal for this move is to reduce my clothing by like HALF. I’d like to have enough clothes for 2 weeks, with the exception of special occasions and sweaters. After all, I’m moving to Colorado. I’m not getting rid of ANY sweaters that fit. I have more t-shirts than I could possibly need, so how come I feel like I should keep them all? Possibly because I hate doing laundry.

Spouse is having a positive experience with the folks who live out there. I dig that and I’m jealous that I’m missing out.

Tonight I taught a yoga class where we never left the floor. I like those classes because people are always surprised at how much work you can do without standing up. Everyone also used props (straps, blocks, and blankets) so that always makes me really happy. Trying things in new ways stretches your brain, too.

I’ve got a Micro midterm on Tuesday and a girl’s Bachelorette weekend beginning tomorrow at 5. I’ve also got to make a brief out-of-town detour to check the location where I’ll be doing a yoga series. I also have to decide if I’m going to use music or not.

I’m going to finish Supernatural and go to bed without folding my clothes. Because I can.

I Wanna Do Bad Things With You

I *adore* the theme song from HBO’s True Blood. I’m really enjoying the show – it’s a nice social commentary on prejudice and being an outsider but with sex and vampires. Not necessarily sex *with* vampires but you get what I’m saying.

The best thing about the song is that they lyrics *and* the music pretty perfectly convey the atmosphere of the show. You can hear it on the artist’s myspace profile.

Bad Things - Jace Everett

When you came in the air went out.
And every shadow filled up with doubt.
I don’t know who you think you are,
But before the night is through,
I wanna do bad things with you.

I’m the kind to sit up in his room.
Heart sick an’ eyes filled up with blue.
I don’t know what you’ve done to me,
But I know this much is true:
I wanna do bad things with you.

When you came in the air went out.
And all those shadows there are filled up with doubt.
I don’t know who you think you are,
But before the night is through,
I wanna do bad things with you.
I wanna do real bad things with you.
Ow, ooh.

I don’t know what you’ve done to me,
But I know this much is true:
I wanna do bad things with you.
I wanna do real bad things with you.

Yoga mixes

I’ve got another 70s yoga mix working in class. Tonight there was singing *and* dancing -which I love.  I haven’t decided whether or not to upload it to imeem, but maybe I’ll just list the songs in a post.

I’m having the terrible urge to do an all-metal yoga class, but I think I’d have to advertise it separately. I’ve had enough people comment about it that I’m reasonably confident I wouldn’t be the only one there but it’s not like you can just spring that on a whole class without warning.

Sarah needs

Stolen shamelessly from Middle Aged Woman, I googled those words. Results were mixed, but these were what made me smile. I’ll leave you to your own commentary.

Sarah needs a cold shower.
Sarah needs her panties.
Sarah needs to hand him one of those weapons that went off without warning
Sarah Needs Your Vote to Win a Guest-Blogging Contest.
Sarah needs to set up her experiment by finding subjects and gathering the materials that she wrote down before.
Sarah needs findings in order to see what else Google comes up with.
Sarah needs advice.
Sarah needs her own set.
Sarah needs batteries.

The last one might be my favorite because it makes me sound like a robot. A weapon handling yoga robot.

And because it was relevant this week, I thought I’d post the list of Sarah Smile Songs that I sent to a friend. These are songs that ALWAYS make me grin and take me out of a bad mood.

I Just Want to Celebrate – Rare Earth
Istanbul (not Constantinople) – They Might Be Giants
If I Ever Leave This World Alive – Flogging Molly
Mama Told Me Not To Come – Three Dog Night
Life is a Highway – Tom Cochrane
I Love Rock n’ Roll – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Meet Virginia – Train
Rockafella Skank – Fatboy Slim
Mysterious Ways – U2
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Summertime – DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
Just a Friend – Biz Markie
Home – Marc Broussard
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
Spinning Wheel – Blood, Sweat and Tears
Cisco Kid – War
My Sharona – The Knack
Just a Little Bit – Gina G.
Hey Ya! – Outkast
Celebration – Kool and the Gang
Come On Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runner
Kiss Me Deadly – Lita Ford
We’re Not Gonna Take It – Twisted Sister
The Final Countdown – Europe
It’s Tricky – Run DMC
I’m Free – The Soupdragons
Are You Gonna Be My Girl – JET
Are You Gonna Go My Way – Lenny Kravitz
I’ll Take You There – The Staple Singers
December, 1963 – Four Seasons
The Humpty Dance – Digital Underground
Jump Around – House of Pain
Bust a Move – Young MC
Unbelievable – EMF
The Power – Snap
Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
Spill the Wine – War
Toxic – Britney Spears
Hung Up – Madonna
Since U Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson
Just What I Needed – The Cars
Here Comes My Girl – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Groove is in the Heart – Deee-lite
Clumsy – Fergie
Pump It – Black Eyed Peas
Volcano – Jimmy Buffett
Abracadabra – Steve Miller Band

Tomorrow is my birthday

I have no plans beyond teaching my evening yoga class. I will probably continue to lay around and read fiction before the grind that is Microbiology begins next week.

In related news, I read New Amsterdam by Elizabeth Bear and there is nothing I did not like about it. It’s a collection of short stories which involve the same characters. The people are complex and interesting, I love the alternate history and practical magic.

Up next on the list, finishing The Mermaid Chair, A Thousand Splendid Suns (for the Bandwagon), and the Penelopeiad by Margaret Atwood. I’m very excited about the latter because it was a surprise find.

I’m also excited about my birthday. I’ve gotten to the point where it feels like I’ve ‘earned’ each year and I’m pretty happy to be doing so. I’m in good health – better than when I was in my 20s – as is my family. We’ve got some changes and challenges coming up, but I’m looking forward to them.

And since it’s come up in conversation twice in the last several days, I Just Want To Celebrate by Rare Earth is probably my all-time favorite song. There are so MANY favorites that it’s hard to choose but in terms of tone, tempo, lyrics, and overall good-feeling I think it’s The One. It runs through my head every single day and is great every single day. More music here than video, but you get the gist:
[vodpod id=Groupvideo.1491932&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]

TV this week:

Generation Kill – Amazing. I can’t believe it’s almost over. I continue to laugh and be shocked and horrified simultaneously. Alexander Skaarsgard defines hawtness. I’m going to have to pick up the book the series is based on.

The Closer- Great Episode. Although really, are there ACTUALLY people who get engaged without having discussed whether or not they want children? Really?

Wipeout- Seriously? Rerun? WTF?

I’m going to eat awesomely Spouse-made lasagna for dinner and then have cake! I love cake!

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Nostalgia yoga mix

My class has been pretty excited about my threats to create a yoga mix with MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice, so today I got motivated and put it together. It’s pretty much all music from 1990 and I LOVE it. I can’t wait to use it next week!

Spouse is home from his trip and it’s very nice to have him back. We got Chinese food for lunch and he’s napping while I troll the internets.

P.S. Have you SEEN this video?
[vodpod id=Groupvideo.1478774&w=425&h=350&fv=m%3D40694972%26type%3Dvideo%26a%3D0]

Having done the big Anatomy and Physiology course this semester, trust me when I say you do NOT want to know how much that would jack up your arm. *shudder*

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I’ve been AWOL

We had a family wedding this weekend. In a weird coincidence, we got a phone call from a telemarketer bribing us to sit through a timeshare presentation in the SAME TOWN as the wedding so we went over the night before to sit through it.

I suspect that no one else will be shocked by the timeshare presentation but the fact that it took place in this VERY SMALL TOWN is totally bizarre. The bribe was airfare and three nights of hotel in any city with an international airport in North America. And he didn’t really say it was a timeshare presentation, just that it was a 90 minute presentation. When we got there, we discovered that our sales pitch guy used to play basketball with Spouse’s brother. We broke the news right away that we weren’t going to buy anything.

If you’ve never sat through a timeshare presentation, basically they try to convince you to buy a week of vacation time in one place (because you can use it to travel the world!). If you’ve got a low tolerance for dodgy hotels and a job that guarantees you won’t be shitcanned, it’s a great idea. Also, the city where you get the presentation is ALWAYS the MOST POPULAR destination which makes YOUR timeshare the MOST VALUABLE and then you can trade it to go ANYWHERE.

My mom has a timeshare. She loves it. But then she changed jobs and now doesn’t have enough vacation time to use the vacation weeks that she’s locked into paying for. Right.

So the bribe is really only airfare and TWO nights of hotel, plus you have to travel on a Tuesday, and you can’t travel on almost any holiday or 7 days before and after New Year. Also, it’s not FREE because you still have to pay $100-130 to get the “activation package”.

What am I trying to say here? It’s not worth sitting through these presentations. Ever. Really. We’ve sat through three now and they are all the same. And the ‘catch’ for the reward is the same. Where the hell are we going to go for two nights on a TUESDAY?

The wedding was nice. There was a lot of family, a lot of beer, and a lot of dancing. I suspect there is NOT video of me, Spouse and his cousin doing the Soulja Boy dance.

We can all agree this is a good thing.

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