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Showing posts from March, 2007

Need Security!! Please, We're insecure!

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I was reminded by Rockdog , who was reminded by Jay , who was reminded by Carmen (not sure how long this list goes on-lol) of titillating stories of Security-guard screw-ups and sometimes breaches in security around manufacturing companies, and plant-type environments. How secure can these places be?? I mean, you have a guard shack, and an open gate... lots of times the buildings are in bad parts of town or in the 'industrial' section, which is a bit morose looking in itself. But the guard shacks gave us this evidently 'false sense of security'. They're mostly unarmed, unless they can throw their security badge like some type of karate stars, or maybe knock the criminal down in a puff of cigarette smoke. Otherwise, they're pretty much sitting ducks, am I wrong? Well I once worked in a similar type of environment, but it was the Printing Industry. I was on 1st shift, but I have been through my share of 2nd and 3rd as well. Our building was older, a bit run down,

Soul Soothing Thunderstorms

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Forces of nature can be so cool and calm at times, with a tender breeze, birds chirping and the sun shining, and all is calm then it can turn fierce just as quickly. For me, however-there's nothing quite like a good Thunderstorm . I love them... can't think of a better way to spend a grey, stormy day than curled up in front of a good movie, balled up in your favorite comforter with a cup of cocoa. Maybe you're lying there so relaxed during the movie, that you tune out and just listen to the rolling waves of thunder, occasionally cracking the sky, and relax even further as the intensity of the raindrops waxes and wanes, singing you to a peaceful warm sleep. Euphoria for me, whether alone or sharing the fluffy comforter with someone you love ;) Ahhh, how I love a beautiful Thunderstorm...

Stuck In A Rut With A Buzzcut

Lately I'm still feeling a sort of "tightness" or anxiety towards the future. Not the regular way that you sweat about the future and wonder what's in store for you, and thinking about the bright future one might have. It's a much more 'morbid' fixation. Constantly, in the back of my mind I am anxious and worried about how much time I have left with my parents. I can't imagine what this world will be like when either one of them is gone. Although I know that I will still have people in my life on whom I can depend, the non trusting part of me is afraid that these two people (the only two people in the whole world that have yet to let me down) are the only two that I can truly rely on... I'm trying to deal with those thoughts, but sometimes it's easier said than done. I realize it is really terrible to worry about how much time is left, and it does take away from the enjoyment that we have right now "this very moment" as I have posted

Always A Wednesday

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{From comedian Dane Cook : - "Back in the day, which is always a Wednesday..."} --yeah I know, you think Dane sucks, right? --moving along-- What I'm Up To: Trying desperately to finish up taxes, which have stressed me out, and I'm lost on. Busy with a many projects at work. Trying to come up with a nice little storyline for a short story I'm about to write. Working on artwork for my band's CD and website (which I'm having trouble getting the time to finalize too. Other general household crap. What's coming up: Tonight (Wed), Meggy Moon's Crazy Talk Radio Show (Go and listen if you haven't so far, and be sure to call in! She'd appreciate it. Thursday... Thursday's coming up tomorrow, and I don't have anything to say about it. The Weekend, yeah that's coming up too... as well as the rest of our lives (indeterminate amount of time, I'll get back to you on that one). Finally, if are still somehow, in any way bored after readin

Learning to Lean

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I have trust issues. I'm admitting it... So much at times that I wonder who I can truly rely on. Maybe I get this from my Mother, who lately seems to be putting us all through constant passive-aggressive type guilt trips over not being able to 'rely on us', but that she doesn't want us doing anything for her and refuses to burden us with any of her troubles or needs. It's becoming so frustrating to me that it makes me want to scream. I understand that everyone gets tired of bearing the burden, and feel like they have to go it completely alone, I feel the same way sometimes... But I find outlets, either I write it out whether in personal journal form, or the blog, which has become quite a therapeutic tool for me. Those that read the blog can choose to read or not read it, comment or not, and sometimes when I voice what I am going through it can help someone else who might be going through similar changes to get through theirs, and 'go another mile' (so-to-spe

Today's Message of the Day

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This came to me from Cappuccino Kidd (a.k.a. "Cappy", "Sime") and it made my Monday start off better than anything else could have this morning. Sometimes you have to remember 'not to sweat the small stuff', and as the old saying continues, 'It's all small stuff'. So if you're having a rough start to your Monday, remember that it's only temporary and hang in there... maybe the following will help you remember to smile like it did me. Today's Message of the Day Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile! Original email said to 'send to all the people you love and don't want to lose in 2007, even me.... If you get 3 back, you are a great friend'... but I thought I would just share it with everyone at once! Have a great week... XOXOX Click to enlarge->

Sunday Knock-Out

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A few days ago I rented "Rocky Balboa" the most-likely (and hopefully) last of the Rocky movie series. It wasn't too bad, I rather enjoyed it. But it prompted me to go backward, and I happened to 'fatefully' run across Rocky I and II at the grocery store for 9 bucks a piece, so I called it a sign and bought them. So, all I've done today was continue to regain mental and emotional strength while I kicked back earlier and caught up on the old Rocky movies, then did dishes, a couple of loads of laundry and here I am. Coming up this week?? Well, we don't quite know from day to day now do we? But-I'll remind you all if you haven't already, on Wednesday afternoon at 6:00 p.m. to go and check out my friend Meg's radio show on Blog Talk Radio , entitled Meggy Moon's Crazy Talk (details here) . Other than that, i've had some pretty busy days at work and will try to post something of interest when I can... Glad so see some of you back that haven&

Saturnine

Well almost out of light for the day, and not much to really post-Thought i'd let everyone catch up on the last couple or so, or anything you might have missed lately which is probably not that much, but hey well... y'know. Put together a new playlist, and I hope it doesn't get on anyone's nerves... If it does, you can slide down and scroll through and find a song that you do like on my playlist or you can hit pause so it will stop playing altogether... Was pretty fun to put together. Maybe you'll enjoy some of my songs, and you can have a glimpse into the ecclectic musical tastebuds of the whacky Aunt Jackie. Wish I had something cooler to talk about, but i'm still trying to work myself into a better state of mind. I guess sometimes you just need a good mental rest... Have a great 'rest of the weekend' everyone.

Friday "Crap"

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I know it's Friday, I wish I could post something but I feel like a complete Turd today... one covered in flies that's been out in the middle of a lone pasture and forgotten... Plain and simple. I hate to sound graphic about it, but I just feel like total crap... It's not that I'm sick, it's just my mood--I feel totally disgusting and fat, I feel like renaming myself "Shamu". To top it off, I wore a hideous brown suit because I had nothing else to wear this morning, and that only intensified the "Turd Syndrome" that I already had going on... I won't elaborate any further--Some of you will understand this feeling, others will think I'm nuts for feeling this way, but either way, don't step too close to me because you'll get it all over your shoes. When I was looking for a picture to illustrate my "Turdism", I found the strangest thing called the Turd Twister . I'm amazed, horrified and yet somehow jealous that someone

Strange Dreams and Alternate Universes

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The other night I had a strange and unsettling dream, which is not uncommon really, but this one was remarkable to me in the sense that it made sense. The dream (as much as I can remember it): Richie and I were not married yet, but we had clearly been in a long-term relationship. There was this other guy, a guy who's face I have never seen before in reality, but in the dream, I knew him evidently well enough to be marrying him. So, I was engaged to this guy, and we were trying to plan wedding details, but every thought in my head was making me completely nauseous about it--I didn't have any feelings except for disgust for the guy, I was wondering why I was even doing it--and how I got involved with him and all that. It was really weird... I had a terrible feeling that I was on the complete wrong path and that I needed to turn back and fast. In the dream, I missed Richie terribly and really wanted to talk to him. I remembered our times together, and all I wanted to do was to mak

Deep Thoughts by Aunt Jackie

To start off our Wednesday, here are my favorite three 'quotes of the day'... enjoy. "When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained." - Mark Twain "Someday we'll look back on this moment and plow into a parked car." - Evan Davis "Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag them down to your level." - Quentin Crisp

Tune In Blog Radio Fans!

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Everyone please listen in this coming Wednesday, March 21st at 6:00 p.m. CST to: "Meggy Moon's Crazy Talk" on http://www.blogtalkradio.com . This is part of the "Mean People Still Suck" Series, wherein this week she will be talking about Anti-War Protesters, as most--not all--don't have a clue and are darn right mean... so mark your calendars, do yourself a favor and tune in to the latest "Meggy Moon's Crazy Talk"... It's not so crazy is it??? Join the madness this Wednesday and every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time).

Happy Birthday Jessica!

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Jessica is my best friend Tamra's daughter... I can't say "little girl" because she's growing up all-too-fast, and is no longer a 'little girl', plus she'd get mad at me for saying it since she's 14 now... I've been Trick-or-Treating with her, trips to the mall with her when she was still in a child-seat, rocking out to her Mom's metal music and watching MTV and Southpark all the while! She's a really cool cat, and she knows it... so I just wanted to wish her the Happiest Birthday ever!! So Jessica, and anybody else who has a March 20th Birthday, hope it is a terrific day--you share it with these other superstars (some of which have passed on--r.i.p Mr. Rogers)!! Happy Birthday to Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington (1976), Franz Ferdinand singer Alexander Kapranos (1972), supermodel Kathy Ireland (1963), " Harry Potter " actor David Thewlis (1963), " Thirteen " star Holly Hunter (1958), actress Theresa Russ

On The Road Home

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“You can't go home again.” Thomas Wolfe Monday finds me rather emotional and feeling a bit strange after a nice visit with both my parents yesterday afternoon. I have had every intention of writing a story over the weekend, but it just didn't come... Mom, Dad and I ate dinner, and sat around chatting about so many things. Of course, my Dad has been in an increasingly odd state where he will get hooked on a subject and he can't seem to let it go. If he wants something done, he'll repeat it 20 times until you have done what it is he wants. Lately, he's obsessing over this country song that I sang for him at the family reunion and it's all he can talk about (makes Mom play the demo that I recorded long ago in Nashville over and over). Then he'll ask me repeatedly if I remember a certain event (from the past) that happened before I was born and I'll have to tell him no once again. Mom will jump in and remind him "Dad, Jackie wasn't even born yet.&q

Dog and Cat Food Recall!

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Please read This Press Release (pdf) , which you can download and print--It is information regarding a precautionary Cat and Dog food recall that happened to various brands of these products which were harming pets, including health problems such as kidney failure and death, so it is no joke. Also, you can Check Out This Page for More Information . I had to put this in as fast as I could, as I hope nobody has been affected by any harmful products for their animals... Even if you don't have pets yourselves, please make your friends and neighbors who do have animals aware of this so that they can prevent any possible pet tragedies. I know that not all of you are animal lovers, but that most of you are so find it in your heart to at least pass it along. Here is one news article about it. Also, Pet food recall hits home for Cape Girardeau cat owner Thanks everyone!

Worship Me, Sacrafice Your Life

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Trying to get started today, so I took this little quiz over at Chelly's However Blog , about the 'movie of your life'... Turns out that mine would be: Guess I better get out here and try to live up to that before they pull the plug on the project--I'd hate to lose Quentin Tarantino as a director!!! I'm cooking up a Sunday Story, so check back. I will not dissappoint and it will be my gift to you, which promises to top off the weekend and help us all make it through... you believe in me, right??? hehe... Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Luck Be With Ya!

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Been a quiet and boring Saturday for me, so far... We had a cook-out last night though with a few friends/family over so I guess that was good enuff! Mr. J cooked up some great chicken, burgers and Brats, and consumed some beers as well... tasty times. I'm sure alot of you are out and about having a big weekend of partying for St. Patty's... Here's to ya, have a drink for me and here's hoping you find your Pot O Gold, and don't run into any Leprechauns like this one... if you do find the gold, however, share the wealth and send your checks payable to Aunt Jackie... :) Have fun and watch out for yourselves!!!

Psych Yourself Up

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Hey, it's a brand spankin' new weekend, just around the bend! A delightful end to a very busy week for me, but it's all o.k... Tonight we're just planning to chill, cook on the grill, and have a thrill (or two). So join me in a quick little burst of joy, wherever you are, stop what you're doing and just scream at the top of your lungs... maybe the reaction you get (depending on where you are) will be a funny one, or you might get some strange looks, or even in trouble for disturbing the peace--Hopefully not... So celebrate Friday everyone!! Let's go crazy!! Sorry I haven't gotten around to the story yet-maybe I can do that for you over the weekend... I've been inspired by Rockdog to possibly write a little short story of some type... maybe grace you all with my amazing talents... Who knows... But for now, let's just see how crazy you really are. I want everyone to take a look at the following Ink Blot, and tell me what you see! :) Have an insanel

Friendly Environmental Reminder

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Happy Thursday everybody! I'll be back probably this afternoon with something maybe fun, maybe one of my stories if I can work it up, who knows. Maybe a surprise so keep that in mind and come back and check. Meanwhile, I would just like to extend a friendly reminder to be Earth-friendly, do what you can to help the environment and try if you can find it in your heart not to litter... Why?? Because I said so, and also just because you should always try to: Remember that, o.k.?? :)

Letter To Myself

I'm not feeling very talkative today, just more reflective, more thoughtful. Just been busy, and haven't really had any time to gather thoughts, or do much extra. Been more involved in some things with work as of late, and I guess in just a "regrouping" mode. I'm not in a bad mood or anything, just still a little tired--I hate to blame it on the time change again. It's probably more on the fact that I can't seem to keep it together and get kick my workout schedule in to overdrive like I would like... I wish I could just do like "The Sims 2" game where the character can just jump on a treadmill, you could hit the fast-speed button and then turn skinny in like 5 minutes... But Real Life is not so kind. For today, take a 'Cock-Rock' flashback with me (those of you who don't like Rock bear with me), and enjoy one of my favorite songs by Pariah called "Letter To Myself"... Happy Tuesday.

Smoking Commercials

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I was going to write today about Eddie Van Halen and his rehab , and how terrible he looks, but I couldn't find the words. The last photo I dug up of him, he looked more like "Eddie" from the Iron Maiden Covers and less like Eddie Van Halen. It is a horrible sight to see... He shows the unmistakable look of Crystal Meth abusers ... But I'm not going to blog about it all really since I really don't know what to say about it... like I said, I just can't find the words... but how sad. I mean I know he's like 52 but he really looks scary! David Lee Roth doesn't look much better either... Aaauughhh! It's all so disturbing really. But, since I decided not to mention Eddie, I was looking through some YouTube stuff. I ran across the following video. It's funny to see how they used to have commercials for cigarettes... even funnier to me that The Flintstones were part of the act--Although I am not a smoker, and do not advocate it for you, I still had

Sunday Dinner

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Seem to be much more skillful cooking Indian Cuisine. I went Friday at lunchtime and got a first-hand lesson with one of our team lead's Mother. She showed me how to make whole wheat chapati bread (which is another flat bread), and a very good curry-type okra dish. She is a delicious cook, and I tried to take some notes in the small amount of time I got to see her at work. So this weekend, I took on my very own Indian Cuisine meal. It consisted of the curried okra dish that I learned, a very good vegetable long-grain wild rice (I was testing this) in the style of what they commonly refer to as "lemon rice", my newly-learned Chapatis, a bit of Raita (yogurt/onion dipping sauce) and a spicy curry chicken dish that I put together with a curry paste recipe that Barnze set me up with , Cheers to you Barnze! It worked out very well (as you can see)! That's right! Hand-prepared by Aunt Jackie herself!! So we settled in for a nice meal, and afterwards, I guess I might have so

Let's Plan Our Escape!

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Friday is here, and I am glad for that. I'm not going to think about how fast the weekend might pass, or what I might not get done this weekend, but rather think positively about the limitless possibilities that the hours ahead of me might hold. I'll still try to think of some great things I'd like to do before the weekend is through, and save my negative rants for Monday (where they belong). Fridays are for dreaming, and reminiscing, and fantasizing of things that make your spirit soar... so let's plan our [mental] escape, and start packing now. Take a hot air balloon ride over the fantasy place of your choice, or hope on a riverboat and see where it takes you. Today is all about you (me, you know--US!) So let's just milk it for all it's worth and enjoy! The weather is fine, and even though we're expecting rain tomorrow it would be a great day to take a long walk down by the river. Or if I had my way, and had the time and the ability to I think I would pro

Critiqued I Am!

Originally, I saw this link over at Wormbrain.com , so I thought I would give it a try. Got My Blog Critiqued at Critique My Blog! Check it out!

Losing My Religion

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Or losing patience more so. Those that know me well, know that I am not a morning person in the least. Also, during those tender loving morning hours you will find me in a bit of a rush too because I am a procrastinator, running late, hitting the snooze button one too many times. This morning, I was doing pretty good though as Richie and I are once again tackling the Couch to 5K running plan . So I'd already had my morning walk/run and had some good healthy oatmeal in my belly. Plenty of time to spare, not plenty but more than usual so I stop off at the gas station for a quick fill-up. I'm nearly finished pumping the petrol, close the gas cap, and I'm veering towards my door to get in and head on towards my work day. Just then I am obstructed by none other than an early-bird Jehovah's Witness. These Jehovah's Witnesses used to come to our house it seemed a lot when I was a child. That was pretty brave of them as we had an extensively long driveway. They must've

My Visual DNA

Thanks to Rock and Blu--Well, I can't be the only one not doing it now can I?? (And yes if you jumped off a bridge, i'd come running-not to be left out) I'm kidding! I thought it was cool though... Read my VisualDNA ™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Giving Til' It Hurts

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I'm just full of laughs this week, but I live in Memphis and there is just so much to laugh about sometimes... as you've probably heard must be "A Memphis Thang". As I have talked about before, I was raised in church. Good ol' Southern Baptist churches, where the preachers sweat, we had 'all-day-sangin-and-dinners-on-the-ground', the hairdo's were high, the choir could use some vocal lessons, but 'it's o.k., they're making a joyful noise unto the Lord' (as my Mother always told me). Sometimes, though, I thought God might like to tell them to sit down and leave it to someone who could carry a tune... but that's just me. He's all-forgiving, right? So he has to sit and take the punishment from his creations (like a good parent should). That's alright! Southern religion is a funny thing (maybe it's alot of religions). You dress up on Sunday, receive the spirit and praise the Lord, you're asked to "give", give

Just One Last Rant

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Forgive me for this last 'bitching' that I am about to give ya... I found something else I noticed today while I was out and about running errands. To all pedestrians and drivers (especially Memphis pedestrians and Memphis Drivers): I am not one of those drivers that 'tries to look like I'm going to run over you in the street', or even that would (unless I was given good reason). Also, I surely understand the hustle and bustle of life and everyone's busy and has much to do-and maybe that the laws of "Jaywalking" have loosened up a bit. But PLEASE people, do not go walking across a busy intersection in the middle of the day (in the middle of a city like Memphis nonetheless) when the light is green and people are trying to get somewhere. You're risking your own life just trying to look tough. If you are GOING to do this no matter what I beg of you, then please don't start off running across the street in this way, only to make eye contact with me

Jukebox Tuesday

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Everyone, my sister Vickie made me all emotional and misty today. That's not a hard thing to do by any means, but she deliberately tried to make me cry!! I'm kidding... well sort of. She sent me the neatest page. It's a Jukebox player of all the popular music from 1950 through 1984 . It's really cool... Just because. Now it doesn't have hardcore, or much punk or whatever, but it's still a walk down memory lane, and as I'm eclectic anyway, most all music moves me so thanks alot VICKIE for getting me all Verklempt ( Talk amonsgt y'selves! I'll give you a topic: Duran Duran was neither a Duran, nor a Duran... DISCUSS!! ) **clears throat, wipes tear from eye** Ok, so all you do is click on the link above (or below) and select a year, turn up the speakers and jam, or break dance, or do the robot or the twist, whatever happens your bag man... Enjoy (courtesy of my sadistic sister). Once again it is the Playa Cofi Jukebox ... enjoy! (and i'll be back l

My Roots Are Showing

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What on Earth can I say that hasn't been said about Monday? Not much at all! I have noticed a lot of people talking about having their Cabin Fever, and spells of restlessness or general blahs over the weekend. I think it has to do with the Moon, it had us all loco. That's alright, we all go through our changes and our phases, just as the universe, earth and everything in it. Don't feel bad about it... let's just all pat each other, or even pat ourselves on the back for being human, take a deep breath and shovel through the madness. Hard to feel strong sometimes, when you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, along with a few other things that pile up on top of it sometimes, but we all have an inner spirit and strength and we can dig down deep and find it. Doesn't matter what it is that you and I are going through right now, like a big kidney stone, it will eventually pass and you will look in your rear view mirror and realize that it looks might

Just Like Me

Another weekend has passed and I have been simply drained of energy. I don't know why, just unable to wake up and feel very alive today mostly. Hope the feeling passes soon. Sorry If I have missed making it around to your blog in the last couple days, i'll try to catch up soon and come by and say hello. Last night was a good one, I had a great time listening to Cappy's radio show , he played a few songs throughout his broadcast that I requested and had some really good ones... Then we went on to see the Homemade Jamz Blues Band play at the Ground Zero Blues Club , and they were really great to see in person. Those kids are so talented! Our drummer, Rob and his girlfriend Meg went with us and had a blast. Then today it was back to lazy and drained of energy as I overslept and then got zero accomplished! As usual, I have to hope for the best and a new start with a new week ahead. Probably be the same story all over again, but we have to have 'hope' right? Fine, i'

All Apologies

I'm feeling like a caged animal today, feeling like I need to escape from all of the ties that bind, and all of the restrictions of life. I want to move freely but I can't... The house is filthy, I'm trying to get that cleaned up some and can't seem to find a place to begin. We're going to see those kids play tonight at the Ground Zero blues club as I talked about last week. Rob and Meg are supposed to be meeting us at my house around 6:30 and I'm just feeling like I can't get a move on. I can't get Richie to go running, or help clean the house or anything. He doesn't want to move a muscle, and I'm trying to pop us out of this 'lazy hell spell' that he's helped us fall back into with gaming... All he wants to do is play World of Warcraft, and I just want to get out and get moving and get back on the right track... I wanna get back in a heavy lifting/strength training routine and get back to our daily walking/running and just feel grea

Thursday for Knowledge

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I spend most of my time "telling" things about myself, telling stories, ranting about current events or issues that I might encounter on a daily basis. Maybe today would be a good time to "ask" you guys something and get your input... well I guess it still involves a little bit of "telling", since i'll give you my opinion on it as well. Today found me contemplating music, and although there are unlimited topics and resources to discuss about music, I found myself thinking about the most depressing songs that I could remember hearing. Then of course there are songs that are so uplifting they make you wanna change your life, or at least take you sailing through the day with a good feeling. Then there are the ones that are so annoying that you cannot even abide listening to them for a minute (in which case I flip channels or put in a CD). So here goes... and list as many as you feel like. What is the most Depressing song you've ever heard? What's