Saturday, September 26, 2009

It's Not Always As It Seems

What would you expect if you heard screaming riffs being played on these guitars by guys in black leather pants, sporting rocker hair cuts?





Perhaps a little headbanging heaven? A touch of metal mania? A precursor to this year's Freaker's Ball? Why, yes, Indie, if I am following stereotype, I can see all of those things.

Ladies and gentlemen, behold some of the axes belonging to the members of Taylor Swift's band.

Yes, this Taylor Swift...



As a woman of a certain age, I can say that I haven't been 19 year old Taylor's biggest fan. She writes cutsey ditties about teenaged heartbreak. Seriously? At 19, you've barely scratched the surface of life. Anyway, one of my good friends invited me to the concert. While not dreading it, mostly because I would get to see my friend, I was not exactly enthused. I really didn't relish sitting amonst screaming female tweens in a sold out show. Face it, we girls shriek. LOUDLY.

Gloriana opened the show at 7:30. Great 4 part harmony. Hopefully, they have a bright future ahead of them.

Kellie Pickler was the second act. Some of you might remember Kellie from American Idol. She has had moderate success in her singing career. Unfortunately, her voice is not suited to an arena. Or should I say the sound engineer just couldn't get it right. She has a higher pitched voice and her mike was up too high. It was a particularly painful experience. Combined with shrieking girls...I believe I've lost my hearing.


Finally, young Miss Swift took the stage shortly after 9:00 PM. Let me add here, that I made some earplugs from napkins to save my eardrums from the assault of shrieks and screams that ensued.


I can't believe I am admitting this, but Taylor Swift, at 19, is a consummate performer. Costume changes, humor, and a humblness belies her tender years. At one point, I really though she was going to burst into tear from the adulation she was receiving from the crowd. Her music, while young, is infectious. And there are a couple of tunes that I do like. So all in all, I have to give Taylor an A for her first headlining show. She's got a bright future. I hope she retains her "sweetness" as her career continues.

Somehow I must get "You Belong With Me" out of my head.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

8 Very Good Reasons to Watch AVP Pro Beach Volleyball

Reasons 1-8: Sean Scott's 8 Pack...enough said!

After a protracted absence from viewing the sport, I have been watching again. Thanks KP :-)
I've been a fan of Pro Beach Volleyball going back to the team of Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos. I wanted to name my first born son "Sinjin" back in the day because it was such a cool name. However times have changed...oh how they have changed.

Now, I root for the abs....ok, I really don't care who wins the match. I just want to see the abs.

Sorry readers, this is my moment of completely shallow, insipid, ridiculousness...seriously though, will you look at those abs....


Friday, July 03, 2009

A Moral Compass for the Directionally Challenged

Do atheists have a moral compass? If so, what is guiding them to choose right over wrong? I ask because of something that has recently happened.

What gives an atheist the direction for their lives? There is no higher power to which they answer; only themselves. So do they inherently recognize and choose to do what is moral and correct? If they have no sense of God, does making a poor choice become okay?

An atheist (or Christian) is confronted with a situation which could be handled two ways: 1. Come forward, acknowledge the issue and work to resolve it. 2. Cover up the situation, which snowballs out of control, and continue the deception.

If option 2 is chosen, the atheist has no recourse for grace or forgiveness. Or does that even matter to them? Perhaps they move through life thinking "oh well, it's no big deal" regardless of whom they hurt.

As a Christian, I know that my faith enhances my moral compass. By that faith, I am driven to live a more Christ-like life. So I am bound by an innate sense of right and wrong; and more importantly, a sense of accountability. I also know that if I do choose a path that is wrong, I can repent and ask to be forgiven and it will be granted. That's the beauty of grace under which Christians live.

But back to the atheist....what drives his/her sense of accountability? What does he/she believe in other than him/herself? I would only have myself to blame. And wouldn't that be a rather miserable way to live?

Monday, June 08, 2009

Oh The Insanity - Part 2






...A Snail's Tale...

Back in March, I posted a picture of the Celtic cross stitching project that I was starting. Here we are almost 3 months into the project and I have much to show for it...really! That is a lot to show for 3 months. Granted I am not working on it every day. We have a craft day once a month and Sundays are my stitching days.

Every "x" means I am one step closer to my goal of finishing before I am 50.

To give you some perspective, there are 25 "x" in one inch of work. In my first 19 "x" I used 12 different colors.

Needless to say, this is going to be framed and hung with pride when it is completed.

And to show you how insane I really can be, I am also working on a group of snowmen. It's on a much larger count fabric and it will be cute. It's my "look I can really make progress" piece when this one gets on my nerves.

I'll continue posting pictures quarterly for those who many be interested in my progess.

Student of The Year

...another "you've got to be kidding me moment" brought to you by Indie 67...

A brief synopsis...makeup lesson on Saturday:

Jeff: Hey did you see the board for Students of the Year?
Indie: No
Jeff: You should take a look.
Indie: Why?
Jeff: Well you're my student of the year.
Indie: You're kidding me, right?

Never accepting compliments graciously and flattered, of course; however, me?? "Miss I Don't Practice and Want Immediate Gratification". Me, student of the year? What a crack up. In a year of wanting to bust that piece of wood into splinters...hating it...hating music and within weeks of wanting to end the dream of ever being able to play guitar...

Jeff says I'm his student of the year.

Infreakingsane!

I was planning on quitting at the end of summer session, but my musican therapist aka Mike said he would stop speaking to me. Threat or promise? I'm not sure. So, I'm still plugging away. I'm actually practicing.

Jeff says I'm on the verge of being able to tackle "Stairway to Heaven"...that's my second goal. I've mastered "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" which was my original goal...

I suppose there is not stopping me now.

Ha!

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

There Just Aren't Any Words



Seriously...

So I've been planning my fall vacation, giving myself something to look forward to this year. I'm planning a cruise and my vacation bud stumbled across this picture on one of the excursions available in Cozumel.

Undersea Scooters...yes, that's what I said.

Needless to say, when I saw the picture, I laughed.

...and laughed...

...and laughed; so much that I had tears. But imagine the picture enhanced by commentary. "You think the fish will tap on the helmets, wondering if we will wake up?" "Imagine popping a wheelie on the scooter." "My, what a nice tank you have."

Please feel free to continue the commentary in the comments should you so desire.

I'm thinking, great big body, tiny little head.

Monday, May 04, 2009

As My Guitar Vigorously Sobs...

Ok, bad take on The Beatles "As My Guitar Gently Weeps". Everyone heave the collective groan. Sorry. But my guitar is crying. Probably because I'm playing. Nearly a year and I'm still a sorry guitar player. Is it me or is it the music...maybe I'm not cut out to be a classical guitarist. I really am a rock and roll girl. And while I love classical guitar and would love to master it...I'm not so sure I'll get there.

This guitar experience is humbling. I want so badly to be good, but it feels as though it's taking forever to get there.

Maybe one day I can give my friends a mini concert but not any time soon.

Monday, April 27, 2009

How To Fix The Economy

...much less expensive than the BILLIONS Mr. Obama has foisted on the American people...

I received this via email from a friend...gave me a good laugh.

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force

Pay them $1 million apiece severance with the following stipulations:

1) They leave their jobs. Forty million job openings -
Unemployment fixed.

2) They buy NEW American cars. Forty million cars ordered -
Auto Industry fixed.

3) They either buy a house or pay off their mortgage --
Housing Crisis fixed.

4) Include those already retired in the plan, & require that all these folks purchase long term care & health care insurance --Social Security and Medicare problems resolved.

It can't get any easier than that!

PS If more money is needed, have all members in Congress and other public officials pay their taxes!

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Fan Appreciation Night

Saturday was the last home game for my Dallas Stars this season. After an atrocious start which had them at the bottom of the ranks for the division, they fought their way up as high as 5th. For those who don't know hockey, the top 8 of the division make it into the play off. So don't laugh at 5th.

But I digress...After a dismal, wait that's not exactly a strong enough word...atrocious, disgusting, and to quote Razor Reaugh, "rancid" March, my Stars ended their season with some pretty awful losses. While you never want to use injury as an excuse, this season it was the glaring "obvious" for the team.

Anyway, they were mathematically eliminated last night, after a gutsy, 5-4 win in overtime. They scored more goals Saturday in one game than they had in their last three or four.

I was there and have to admit I always love the last home game of the season. Fans are recognized and get a bit of the love thrown their way. Although as a 4-year season ticket holder, I've not had any of that love tossed in my direction.

So I've come to the conclusion that most sports franchises only love the fans who can dole out the cash for a full season. Yeah, I would have given my eye teeth to stand next to Brad "ohmygoshhe'ssoooohot" Richards and receive one of his game worn jerseys...but again, I'm not a full season ticket holder.

After the game, the majority of us 18,532 fans got to watch the lucky few receive the jerseys right off the guys' backs...literally...game is over and they are stripping of their jerseys right there on the ice. Sure is was a treat to see, for all of 2 minutes...but why stay when I don't get one.

I think all fans should have received something last night, whether you were a season ticket holder or not. Some little token of affection would have been nice.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Guitar Nails

There are days I feel like a dork when I look at my hands. The left hand sports nails filed below the tip, while the right hand is a thing of beauty. Five gloriously growing long nails. Such are the hands of a classical guitar player. In fact, my right hand is the envy of my teacher.

I find it rather funny that I couldn't grow my nails to save my life and now that I am taking lessons, the nails won't stop growing. Keeping the left hand short is as much a chore as shaping the right hand.

So it only goes to show me that the main outcome of my guitar lessons is some pretty nice nails.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Oh The Insanity...My Own, That Is...


I'm a cross-stitcher, needleworker, enjoyer of the needle arts...I don't know what you want to call it. Anyway, this is the newest project I'm working on. After years of making beautiful pieces of artwork for everyone else; I am finally working on a piece for myself.

If I am lucky, I will have this piece finished within 5 years. Needless to say, it will take countless hours. One inch of the fabric I am working contains 25 x's. That means one square inch contains 625 stitches. 625 intsy tinsy bitty x's. I'll have presbyopia by the time I'm finished. I worked 19 stitches to begin and in those 19 stitches I used 12 colors. There are 90 different colors in this work.

I've actually started and will blog about the progress from time to time. It will be a love hate relationship, but I fully intent to have it finished and framed while I can still enjoy it.

Wish me luck and good lighting!!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Can't You Play It On A Classical Guitar?

Good friends provide the humor of life. My closest friend, KP, has been amused for years by my antics. I won't bore you with all the details, but I finally had my big laugh at her expense.

"Can't you play it on a classical guitar?" Oh dear, such an innocent question, really. The answer is no, but here is what made it so funny. Follow me back to the previous evening....

As my guitar lesson was ending, I asked Jeff if he could play the intro to Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love." Of course, I knew it would be a silly question, but I asked regardless. Without hesitation, he uncased his guitar, plugged it into the amp and BAM!

As I am sitting there drooling (over his guitar playing abilities), I realize that I am jealous of his talent. So, now it's back to practicing regularly. Anyway I digress. I love the intro to that song, and he played it perfectly, without a warm-up, without missing a beat. It was great and I was happy.

So KP and I are conversing Thursday and I'm sharing my awe at Jeff's guitar awesomeness...I told her that in our conversation, I mentioned to him, that I wanted to learn to play the intro. So I was now looking at electric guitars as well.

In all seriousness, she asked me, "can't you play it on an classical guitar?" I laughed so hard that I couldn't breathe. Maybe you had to be there, but for anyone who enjoys the hard rock/metal genre, you would know how silly a question this is.

Some songs are made for classical, other for electric. Guess I should be a good friend and introduce her to hard rock and metal.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

To Die Doing What You Love

Prayers for Kim Martin, an old acquaintance. I knew her from a church I attended several years ago. She was in a Bible study program I facilitated for a couple of years.

Her husband, Vyarl, a skilled helicopter pilot, and a U.S. Coast Guard reservist (I'll always remember him saying, "It's pronounced VERL, not VIRAL" was killed in a "helicopter crash" on Sunday. Vyarl was 2nd in Command on the flight.

In the interview with NBC5, Kim said he died doing what he loved.

Should we all be so lucky.