Music Conversation

I have had an amusing conversation regarding music lately…same thread…different people:

Me: I really like Paramore’s new CD. I was really surprised to find out that they were from Franklin, Tennessee.

Jenny: Mom – not all musicians from Tennessee sing Country!

Later when passing this conversation along to Teresa her response is: That is why we have Devin in Nashville!

That thought made me smile (c:

I have been adding music to my iPod lately. I made the comment to my sister that if I died I hoped that they wouldn’t judge me by my playlist. It is so eclectic for someone my age. But I tired of the “Golden Oldies” after their 3rd rehash. Not that I don’t have a lot of classic rock on my iPod but I am not into the early rock of the 50’s as my husband is.

In the last several months I have added the following albums:

David Garrett by David Garrett (new twist on Classical violin – Rock!)
Twilight – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (my introduction to Muse and Paramore)
Leave this Town – Daughtry (will see them in concert next month)
Black Holes and Revelations – Muse (still reminds me of Queen)
Number Ones – Michael Jackson (in remembrance)
Brand New Eyes – Paramore (love this album – definitely not Country)
New Moon – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (still forming an opinion)
Street Talk – Steve Perry (oldie but not Golden)
Golden Hits – ABBA (ok this says Golden, but it is great for walking!)

One single – Moth Wings by Passion Pit. I found this on John Mayer’s website and thought it was great. Speaking of John Mayer – his new album Battle Studies will be released November 17th. I like is music – have all of his studio albums (I am not a fan of live albums) and have seen him in concert. I keep turning his twitter off and on these days – I can’t seem to get around his ego.

Needless to say, with music and audio books I stayed plugged in most of the time. We had a fire drill at work last week – they had to drag me out of my office because I couldn’t hear the noise (c:

Things I am Excited About

Teresa is coming to see me the weekend before Thanksgiving. For the first time in the 10 years we have lived in the Washington, DC metro area she is coming to see me by herself. We will have uninterrupted time together – I have promised to have all of my studying/papers done before she gets here. So far we have planned to see – New Moon (as many times as we want), the mosaics of the National Shrine, WWII memorial, and the musical Jersey Boys. We will have 4 days of wonderfulness!

Daughtry Concert on November 19th.

Thanksgiving in Philadelphia with Jenny.

Spring Academic Schedule: HIST 389-001 : History of Animation
In addition to a history of animation and its practitioners, this class covers subjects from the handmade illusion of movement through the physiology of sight to computer generated motion pictures. The course pays special attention to the aesthetic of the animated image as well as the unique ability of the image to communicate through semiotics and visual narrative. Finally, the offering will explore the tools, technology used in animation, and the various techniques: claymation, cel animation, CGI, and so forth.

Train

I just retrieved a missed call from my sister, Teresa. She was calling after she left our parents’ house for the last time. The closing is today at 5:00 pm. She said that as she left and drove down Montague Avenue she was stopped at the tracks by a train. How appropriate – and how normal. That train has stopped us any time of day or night, whenever we were in a hurry or just taking our time. Life in North Charleston, especially our neighborhood, has been dictated to by the freight trains carrying wood chips to the paper mill and other cargo for decades.

This is truly the end of one track in the journey of our lives … it is really bittersweet for me. I have always thought that this song by John Mayer was almost written with me in mind. Today it really hits home.

"Stop This Train"

No I'm not color blind, I know the world is black and white
Try to keep an open mind but...I just can't sleep on this tonight
Stop this train I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
But honestly won't someone stop this train

Don't know how else to say it, don't want to see my parents go
One generation's length away
From fighting life out on my own

Stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't but honestly won't someone stop this train

So scared of getting older, I'm only good at being young
So I play the numbers game to find away to say that life has just begun
Had a talk with my old man, Said help me understand
He said turn 68, you'll renegotiate
Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
Don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly we'll never stop this train

See once in a while when it's good
It'll feel like it should
And they're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
'til you cry when you're driving away in the dark.

Singing stop this train I want to get off and go home again
I can't take this speed it's moving in
I know I can't
Cause now I see I'll never stop this train.

John Mayer - Continuum

Pretty in Pink

For many years I shied away from certain colors: yellow, orange, red and pink. I remember telling my Mom that "I didn't wear red." I have found that I still look really sick in yellow and orange. I try to stay away from too much beige ... because with my coloring I tend to fade to one color with beige! I have found that the right shade of red looks rather nice ... usually a tomato red, something yellow based. But several seasons ago I fell in love with PINK. Not loud pink ... but a soft shade of pink that seems to look good against my already pink based complexion. My first item of pink was bought two Fall season's ago -- a Ralph Lauren V-neck pullover short sleeved cable sweater that I loved. It has been well worn and needs to be discarded badly. But what to replace it with? As I was shopping this week for Jenny's birthday presents I happened to find a perfect Jones of New York long sleeved shirt in just the right shade -- they called it "cameo pink." The cut of the shirt is classic, 100% cotton but easy care, and fit beautifully. Needless to say I bought it on the spot! I am trying really hard to build a decent wardrobe... piece by piece. Things that make me feel good regardless of size.

Shoe Wardrobe

Since the fire the one thing that I have had a deficiency in was shoes. I ended up with one pair of Hilfiger tennis shoes (plaid), a pair of Hilfiger flip-flops (also plaid) and a worn out pair of black flat shoes. Last week after my trip to the podiatrist I bought 2 pair of Top-Siders. But, those will not work with everything -- even though my wardrobe is very limited. My hubby was very kind and patient as he sat in Nordstrom's shoe department yesterday and while I tried on shoes that were kind to my feet. He made sure that I did not panic at the price, but used his favorite quote "it's all about me!" The first pair was a pair of black 'Ella' sandals by Munro. The second were 'Brook' a black loafer (with snakeskin) also by Munro. The last pair were a black pair of Mary Jane's named 'Saffron' by Sofft. I guess whatever clothing I buy now will have to go with 'basic black' or Topsider plaid!!

Best Summer Movie

After waiting for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince to be released -- seeing it and a myriad of other 'Summer Blockbusters'-- my favorite hands down is still Star Trek. I was a fan of the original show. Followed a few of the spin offs haphazardly, but this cast and story is so fresh and exciting that I look forward to more. No need to rehash the past!!

New Shoes

Contrary to my daughter's opinion -- plaid Sperry Top Sider's are not ugly! This Bahama Plaid pair could have been purchased in pink. Now that would have been a little over the top. Needless to say, the feel wonderful on my feet today since the doctor's injection for a bone spur yesterday was not exactly a walk in the park.

Since the doctor said I had to wear "tie-ups" I also purchased a pair of Top Sider's in Graphite to go with my standard black pants for a less casual look. I don't know if it was exactly what he had in mind, but I refuse to wear orthopedic shoes!! That really would make Jenny shake her head (c: