Deep In The Forrest

This one's for Chelly-I was reminded of the movie "White Chicks" starring the Wayans Brothers , and in it there is a scene that makes me laugh every time I see it. It's the scene where one of the Wayans brothers, dressed like a white girl for undercover is on a date with Terry Crews , who won 'her' at the auction. So as he is trying to 'turn off' Crews in the scene by playing a song that he thinks will disgust him, all of his attempts backfire. Watch and laugh (if you have seen this movie, it will be funnier).

(Meanwhile... down at the Plumbers Local 667th...) Is my time valuable? (don't answer that-lol). The answer is invaritably, "Yes!" Therefore, when given the choice, I always opt to "do it yourself" rather than bother with the pains of a plumber (plus, you know with their 'crack problem' and all, I really prefer to stay away from the stuff). ;) Really though, I spent the better part of a valuable afternoon 'attempting' to go and find a stem for a particularly antique faucet that goes on my Clawfoot Bathtub (which I can't live without now), only to find that this particular stem was about as easy to get my hands on as the Hope Diamond. Yet I wasted alot of gas driving all over our fair city trying to score this 1 tiny piece of hardware... the only thing standing between me and a luxurious, wonderful, skin-scalding bubble bath. In the battle, so far I lost, it won, and we had to order a whole new faucet to replace the old one, which will take p...

When there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn't you. Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back for more. Ask if you can push the button for other people, but push the wrong ones. Call the Psychic Hotline from your cell phone and ask if they know what floor you're on. Hold the doors open and say you're waiting for a friend. After a while, let the doors close, and say, "Hi Greg. How's your day been?" Drop a pen and wait until someone goes to pick it up, then scream, "That's mine!" Bring a camera and take pictures of everyone in the elevator. Move your desk into the elevator and whenever anyone gets on; ask if they have an appointment. Lay down the twister mat and ask people if they would like to play. Leave a box in the corner, and when someone gets on, ask them if they can hear ticking. *Thanks to Narayana for this contribution

I just realized, I don't spin anymore . You know, the kind of spinning we used to do when we were little kids. Just spin yourself out of control until you collapse to the ground so dizzy you can't see straight and then look at the horizon and watch everything in sight rotate, and it would just take your breath away, and your stomach along with it. Then lie there until you were stablilized and had 'come back down to earth', then do it again... Why would we willfully choose to induce this 'vertigo'? It was liberating... it made us laugh. How many REAL 'natural' highs like that do we get in our life? Not really that many (well, I guess it depends on the person and how we see things). Let's see theres the spinning thing, sneezing, first kisses, successfully humiliating someone who's publicly made a fool out of you (that's right, revenge!), and Ice Cream-it's natural, I buy all natural, so that counts. There are a few others. Not like that tim...

Anyways, Christmas is creeping right upon us and can really throw you for a loop if you're not careful, so hopefully everyone will get all they need done and get everything from Big Bad Santa Claus that they've asked for [And hopefully nothing that you DIDN'T ask for-muuhahah]. Well, i'm off to grocery shop and try to get in a quick work-out, so i'll be back later when I have a bit more time... Hope everyone's safe and happy this weekend!! AJ

Or at least stuff someone you love :) I'm between feasts here, as my Mother had quite the spread-I should have some pictures from The Ruddicks soon hopefully, as my neice's hubby was snapping many a'photo. So far, the day is pleasant (no not pheasant), but we still have more on our eating agenda [stuff to the gills am I]. Hope everyone is having a wonderful day... and on behalf of Aunt Jackie and her entire family, we wish you a very... Even if you don't celebrate it, hope you have many things to be thankful for today.

This Chicken is mad and he ain't gonna take it no more!!! Hey, the kid deserved it anyway! rofl "Karate will not do you any good my little pretty!!!! Heeeheheheheheeh"

However, This one ran straight into a Bush... {Doh!!} Thanksgiving here in the U.S. is just a day away... (counting down to Mom's Dressing!), and now that my wonderful lunch (below) has digested, and i've pretty much finished up my Tuesday, I had one more song I would like to reflect on-I get stuck on this song every once in a while--it's "Love is A Stranger" by The Eurythmics (Annie Lennox). There's just something about this song, if you've ever felt an obscession, a passion, a heated love (or something like it) for someone, you can understand what Annie is singing about. I know I do, and really just love this song... Hope you enjoy it--I'll be around tomorrow with maybe some funny Thanksgiving-related stories for you guys. [*Note: as this is sort of 'vintage' footage, the quality isn't that great, but it was all I could find.]

Well, not literally now... was earlier... maybe mentally yeah! Speaking of lunch, tried out this Mediterranean place here downtown called Meditrina , was delish! I got this 'Meze' plate, which had olives, almonds, lentils, pita bread, hummus, some other sauce... yummy!! In the spirit of Barnze , I thought I'd make your mouth water here with a phone-snapshot of my plate. I'm about ready for an afternoon coffee now, maybe i'll be back in a bit with a few more words. Happy Tuesday! [Thanksgiving is almost here, nice little vacation].

Or maybe I should ask the question "What's Luck Got to do with US?", and by US, I mean My Dad, My sister (some of you know her as "Nana"), or me. Luck has nothing to do with US... not often. My Dad used to love this insane 'rednecky' show that came on t.v. called "Hee-Haw", and would always go around singing one of their main songs which quipped "If it weren't for bad luck, i'd have no luck at all..." I don't know if you can really call it bad luck, as I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that sometimes the supposed 'bad lucks' happen to deter us from even worse fates. So maybe we should refer to it as "Strange Luck", or just Uncanny episodes, which are what ensue anytime the three of us try to do things (mostly good things) [which is why I usually stick with evil hehe]. Nana and I were discussing this just today, when she told me of her latest episode, her 'dirty laundry' du jour, ...

Sunday is drawing to a close for me, and once again the weekend has passed too fast. In remembering songs that evoke and stir pain in my heart, I also include Iggy Pop with "Candy". I'm sure i'll have more to say tomorrow... :) Enjoy!

I'm feeling rather emotional this weekend, which is "me" anyway, no use in hiding that. I've had lots of weird feelings passing through my mind about past moments and many good times (the best) that i've had, times I truly treasure. Jimi Hendrix is one of my absolute favorites, and a song that means so much to me on so many levels is "Little Wing", the lyrics, the song, what it has brought to my life I can't really put into words here, but it's very moving, has alot of meaning. I thought I would share it here, as I really can't sort my thoughts out well enough to put anything else up this weekend, so I'll listen to this song, and daydream about emotions, passions and wonderful times past... Well shes walking through the clouds With a circus mind thats running round Butterflies and zebras And moonbeams and fairy tales Thats all she ever thinks about Riding with the wind. When Im sad, she comes to me With a thousand smiles, she gives to me ...

All I needed was another thing to make me worry about loved ones, or to obscess over death-related matters. Yesterday, Mr. J makes the "mistake" (as he put it) of telling me that he was 'nearly' struck by an 18-wheeler (large commercial truck). It seems that the light turned green for him, the truck ran the red light and they swerved to miss each other. He said it was so close that he could feel the wind even in his truck. We've discussed the bad drivers around Memphis, and that is no lie. I can understand that a truck of that size is unable to maybe stop at a red light if he is very close, but odds are he was probably plowing down the road at death-defying speeds when this happened. Also, Mr. J has to be aware that people run red lights all the time, and to watch more closely before he begins to drive. He really could've been killed! It could happen anywhere anytime, I know, but the fact remains... it scared me thinking that I could have had a call in the mid...

That's right... today, November 16 is The Great American Smokeout . I had forgotten all about that really... just happened to run across it today. Now I want you to remember, Aunt Jackie is a "live and let live" kind of girl, but i've never been a smoker... even though my parents have always been pretty heavy smokers (maybe not as bad as this guy)... Somehow, I just never picked up the habit. So i'm not a big fan of smoking. Mr. J quit smoking a couple years ago, without my heavy prodding-I let him make his decision, and he wanted to quit for better health. I supported him, and tried to help him stay the course, but I did not force him (as I said, I am all about 'live and let live'). But i'm so glad he quit, and he is too-he's got so much energy! The house smells so much better, he smells great (except on rare occasion) and I wish everyone I cared about that smoked could quit too. Even though advertising has historically romanticized smoking, even ...

Aunt Jackie & Aunt Tamra Need your Help! Normally, I don't try to prod you too much about serious matters on my blog, but this is important to us. You may or may not know what a big animal lover I am, but Tamra and I are greatly concerned with animal rights and cruelty. You've probably seen some of the related links to the right. However, those that have been fighting to continue helping stop fur farms, labs, puppy mills and many such similar entities, are being stopped in their tracks by the AETA (Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act). Well their bill was passed just the other day (read here) , The bill defines the 'causing of' any business classified as an "animal enterprise" (e.g., factory farms, fur farms, vivisection labs, rodeos, zoos and circuses) to suffer a profit loss , as a "terrorist" act . There is a chance to help, and I would love if any of you wouldn't mind taking a moment to sign a petition for me (Aun...

Word verification words aren't always notable, but one that I just ran across today I thought was pretty good. "Furmpeyn"... hmmm, I could make some things out of that. "Doc, I got a furmpeyn in my chest, right about here." Or perhaps, "I was at the grocery store, and I ran into this Furmpeyn man (literally) with my basket, and he cussed me out!!! Good thing I don't know the language, because he'd have been in for it!" And of course I can't ignore the f... "Honey when you get home tonight, you're so getting furmpeyn!!!" [What?!? o.k. so I got bored--i'm sure you can come up with a few too] :)

As previously requested, I'm including my finished Celtic "Tree of Life" tattoo... although it is complete, i'm not satisfied as you sometimes lose ink in such a tedious spot (dead center of my shoulder blades/back)... so I'm going to have it touched up soon... but here you go... Have a good one.

Oh what if we could all truly rekindle the "Wow Factor" in life? I really try to, & I'd like to think there are others out there who do the same. Let's Laugh at ourselves, make snow angels, enjoy making pictures out of clouds, 'slosh' around in rain puddles, drink hot cocoa with marshmallows and invite our old imaginary friends over for dinner. Let's laugh at the big as well as small things in life. Our perception of what life should be has become over complicated and creates too much paperwork and pain. This is in honor of childhood and all that it represents to all of us "old(er) children". Fishing around on the net, I found these 3 poems that I wanted to share with you all. "Childhood" by Eugene F. Ware It passed in beauty, Like the waves that reach Their jeweled fingers Up the sanded beach. It passed in beauty, Like the flowers that spring Behind the footsteps Of the Winter King. It passed in beauty, Like the clouds on high, Tha...

No matter how old we get, we're still "growing", learning, experiencing ups and downs that come with the lessons of life... "Growing Pains" if you will. Do you ever gauge yourself or your accomplishments against your age? Do you maybe get upset, because you're "this many" years old, and you have yet to ( fill in the blank )? I think I do this... I feel as though I have always tried hard, and treated people very well no matter what it was I was doing, and my only sin in that is probably that I wasn't "assertive" enough, or maybe lacked the motivation to rise on up, and wasn't a 'cut-throat' or backstabber. Just upsetting when someone who hasn't gone through nearly as many trials, life, who hasn't been at it even half as long, can just waltz off with some prize, have something just fall into their lap... totally undeserved. Unreliable folks who simply treat those around them with nothing but disrespect and ill-manne...

By the way, today is 'World Kindness Day'. We could use more of that, although it is hard to come by, putting a little reminder out here can't hurt... Have a Kind Day ... hey i'm gonna try too, and we'll see if it does any good. :) SEE WORLD KINDNESS DAY SITE - STORIES OF INSPIRATION

Mondays probably get most everyone down, unless that happens to be one of your days off... So of course, i'm understood there. However, as I have discussed before, rainy days do not get me down... I find them relaxing and renewing to my soul... rain and water involuntarily finds its way into the lyrics of many of my songs and words to alot of my poems... I favor rain just as I do trees. This morning, it looks like rain again... I sigh with satisfaction at the darkened sky and the fuzzy watercolor clouds above... the sunrise was pretty this morning, since the sun attempted to come by, it was kind of pinkish-purple on my way to my morning workout. Reminds me of morning times as my Mother would drive me to elementary school, in the rain... I'd watch the rain hitting the windshield, observing as the droplets would trickle down, sometimes joining one another and getting larger... and larger... then heavier until finally they would roll right out of sight. The soft scent of the mois...

Hypothetical for me today, since I haven't even done any drinking... but in honor of my drinking story from yesterday, I thought we could ponder 'favorite hangover foods'. Now, assuming that at some point the next day you chow down, whether it is followed by a bit of the 'hair of the dog' that bit you, combined with some aspirin or ibuprofen, or a pizza... I'd love to know what hangover food really gets you back on your feet. For Rodney and Sal's auntie Tamra and myself, we used to hit up Taco Bell , and wash it down with a good ole Mountain Dew . I don't fancy thinking about hangovers, as they sure can be rough... that combo pretty much put the spring back in our step.

Oh yeah, one more thought...

Saturday is probably the one day that I wish would last all week long. I love sleeping in, and don't even mind not getting anything accomplished because it feels so great not to have to wake up at any certain time [that not-accomplished guilt strikes me down on Sunday nights of course]. Anyone ever been here? I've seen and heard of some good 'while they were passed out' pranks, but whoever did this one was pretty crafty as well as sadistic... haha. This guy is probably a Baptist Preacher now, who vowed never to drink again. I guess the only story that comes to mind at the moment is one of drunken cruelty, and of course, self-absorbed bitchdom. A former "friend" of mine, we'll just call her "Terry" to keep her bitchdom an internet secret. She was one of those friends who made you appreciate your enemies... Yeah, who cares... ok her real name is Sherry who in fact, had pretty bad hair herself (She was once mistaken for a member of the 80s rock grou...

Glad the weekend is almost upon us , but it's a busy one for me. Time to post in just this quick little hello today... The week has been really long and sometimes you can only wish Friday would hurry up and come... but alas, we must learn to have...

I love Thai food, not certain about the pumpkin part-I am really thinking I need to try this recipe. It looked so good in the photo (with toasted pumpkin seeds on top!) that I had to share. If you wanna try this soup, as it's still great for fall, here it is! Thai-Spiced Pumpkin Soup

Things have been 'quiet on the set' this morning. Was also able to get up first thing and get in a good workout, so I think if I can keep some good routine going... get some 'order' in my life, i'll be feeling better. Anyway, it was nice to be able to work out again in the early a.m., woke me up and I haven't required any coffee yet. Sometimes I think it affects me adversely when I feel that i'm losing 'control' in any area of my life, but as long as I am keeping up on things, I start to improve. Don't want to fixate on too much boring stuff about fitness and diet, that's a 'One Day at a Time' thing, we have to wake up each day and make the best choices possible, and if we have a downfall, or make a mistake, we can't give up--just have to keep plugging away and do better the next day... Feeling good about yourself, and doing your best--being the best YOU possible is all one can do... and if others don't like that? Well, they...

Trying not to retract into my shell today, but have alot going through my head. I don't want to smile or giggle at any stupid jokes or play nice. Just too much to do-but i'll feel better later i'm sure...

I hate it when my sweet tooth decides to stage a riot. He's a real trouble maker, causing all of the other teeth to join in without hesitation. This leaves my head to battle the whole lot of them. Sometimes, I try to assist my head by flooding the troublemakers with either black coffee or a big bottle of water. If it doesn't help, I occasionally give in. After all, life is short and deprivation is a mortal sin. However, today this tooth led me to wonderful memories of past holidays and the corresponding treats. Normally, this would be Christmastime with my parents. Back then, Dad was quite active in helping or sometimes taking over the preparations of alot of the food. Don't be fooled, the dinners would not have even transpired if Mom had let him have full reign but he did enjoy putting his hands in and cooking a dish or treat, and was fantastic at it! Prepare to get hungry... There was always too much food on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we enjoyed. Mom and Dad would c...

"One Rainy Wish" Make no mistake, I absolutely adore the rain! It's so soothing and refreshing. On a rainy day, I could cozy up on my couch with a book or a DVD, or just simply kick back and close my eyes, listen to the crescendo, as the raindrops sing on the roof!! However, today is not one of those days. Started out o.k., but as usual, bad weather turns Memphis roadways into a big Demolition Derby. I saw one really ugly-looking wreck on Third St. on the way up, the car's 'nose' was nearly all gone, police, wreckers'n all on the scene. It appeared that they had been cleaning up for a good while. I mosy on up the road a bit, traffic about average for a rainy Monday. The other drivers either going so slow that they were going to cause a wreck, or driving like they had a deathwish. Redlights, especially irritate me as everyone watches the side of the traffic signal for that hint of 'orange' to let you know that it is about to change, everyone revving...

Found these at Modern Drunkard Magazine , and thought some of you would enjoy immensely! (just a few choice ones I liked best): You Know You're a Drunk When... Bouncers have a special headlock named after you. Your dentist is afraid to drill in your mouth for fear of an unexpected spark. “Taking the edge off” usually means waking up on your lawn. You’ve stopped drinking, but only when you’re asleep. When making punch, you dilute the rum with vodka. Everyone thinks you’re bilingual. You’ve told a priest, “Make it a triple this time, and hold the wafer.” Your birthday is a holiday in Scotland. You’re not sure when Mary Ann snuck out your apartment last night, but you figure it was about the same time Mrs. Howell snuck in. You receive divorce papers from your liver and it wants full custody of the kidneys. You drank so much beer last night you single-handedly wore out a fresh urinal cake. The arresting officer tells you that you have the right to remain silent and you waive that right...

Ahhahaha!!! I got this Factorizer, A fact generator based on your name over at Chelly's However . Had to post this Chelly. It just made Aunt Jackie Look so damn tough!! :)

Well, it's been another short weekend... nearly over. That's what bothers me so much about Sunday is that mean ole Monday is always chasing it right away. Enjoyed a nice visit with my parents this weekend, my father is zipping around with his walker like nothing ever happened. In fact I was fast asleep in the chair this morning and he woke me up at the crack of dawn zipping in and out around the kitchen, making the coffee... impossible to sleep, so I got up and consequently drank 3 cups of the stuff while we waited for Mom to wake up too (we kept them up too late watching Larry the Cable Guy's movie, "Health Inspector"). Anyway, here's to another Sunday Gone Too Fast , and in honor of such a sacred and sabbath day, I'll blaspheme by bringing back for your listening pleasure "The Farting Preacher" (I just keep going back for more!!). Hope he makes you laugh too... Hallelujah!!! (Isn't he something?!!?) he-he

November 3rd is the Birthday of John Montague, the creator of the sandwich. Have a delicious sandwich today! (Boy this one will thrill Mr. J... he'll be happy to celebrate (as long as it comes with a beer). Have a great weekend everybody!!!

This goes out to my friend Faith . The video was put together by someone else, and isn't any related video to the Donovan song, but I thought the imagery was pretty cool, and seemed to fit. At any rate, Faith, just know that you're not alone and you are understood and appreciated... Everything will reveal itself when the time is right, trust yourself and I know you're doing the right thing. Hang in there, it's a big crap shoot you know, we win and we lose. Enjoy the video and know i'm behind ya 100%.

One of my favorite Surrealist painters, or artists in general is Salvador Dali. (Even named my dog, "Sal" after him.) I don't really know of a work of his that dissappoints me, they're all so strange and wonderful, innovative... make you think. Nearing the end of the week, and I can only hope for some sort of peace of mind for the weekend, but given my luck, and my in-laws, i'm sure something will sour that one. Therefore, I thought I would just enjoy a bit of Dali. What Would Dali Do (if he were dreading his in-laws over the weekend, or expecting something to disturb his peaceful time)? He certainly wouldn't let anyone take his mind off his art. He'd probably go on creating and paint something in spiteful homage to whatever it was that ticked him off. I really should model my thought process more closely to his. Hmmmm, let's have a "pretend visit" between Dali and me, wherein I go to him for advice (indulge me for a moment). Me: "Dali, ...

You Are Tequilla When you drink, you're serious about getting drunk! You'll take any shot that's offered up to you... Even if it tastes like sock sweat! And you're never afraid of eating the worm. What Alcoholic Drink Are You? Not sure if I really believe this or not, as getting plastered is sort of a 'now and then' thing for me. However, when I do, Tequilla is my drink of choice. Go on, give it a spin!!

Don't mean to seem morbid, or obscessed the the topic this week, but I've been thinking a bit more about how other cultures handle their loss and grief of those that have passed on. How many cultures mourn so severely as mine, and then there are those that make great celebrations to honor and remember them. Although I am not of mexican descent, Mr. J shares some of this ancestry... I still thought I would share this tidbit since I do enjoy what it stands for and it is quite a colorful celebration from what I understand. Today begins Mexico's "Day of the Dead" celebration. Two 'Day of the Dead' dancers Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico on November 1st (All Saint's Day) and 2nd (All Souls Day). It's a time to remember deceased loved ones and honor them. Day of the Dead is a festive occasion, a ti...