A Pandora Introduction

I was working a little late in the office tonight, so I turned on my Pandora station for some background music. I have several stations on Pandora (yes, I still use Pandora). Some are seeded by only one song or artist. A few are seeded by a mix of specific songs and favorite artists. Tonight’s selection was my station. The one I named “Stone Girl’s Tunes.” I created this station in February 2007. I listen to it all the time. Pandora reports that, through the years, I’ve “thumbed up” 602 songs and “thumbed down” 905 songs while listening to my station. Tonight, for the first time in a long while, I looked at the list of songs and artists I chose to seed my station. Like my blog introduction, I feel my Stone Girl station is still a fairly good representation of me. I’ve discovered some new now-favorite musical artists in the last few years. I’ve outgrown a few from my old list. But it’s a good list and a good station. And it is, perhaps, another good way to introduce myself to others and perhaps to learn more about you. What songs, which musical artists, seed the music station in your life?

My list, from 2007.

Artists:

• Imogen Heap
• Kosheen
• Lijie
• Art of Noise
• Fool’s Garden
• Maktub
• Ella Fitzgerald
• Paul Simon
• Tears for Fears
• Maura O’Connell
• Cause & Effect
• Rob Zombie
• David Lanz
• Delerium
• Sting
• Third Day
• Hungry Lucy
• Scorpions

Songs:

• Santa Cruz by Fatboy Slim
• Home by the Sea by Genesis
• (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding
•  Haunted by Poe
• No Mermaid by Sinead Lohan
• Fear by Sarah McLachlan

 

Holidailies #3

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Musical Inspiration – Sad and Lonely

Deja vu all over again.  I was looking back at the last few blogs I wrote – oh so long ago.  And from July 2011:

I sat in front of my computer after a long 12+ hour work day, after listening to some insightful questions from my sweet nephew about how many hours I work everyday and how often I work this late, after eating some warmed over canned chili with much too much sharp cheddar cheese, after daydreaming about welcoming Sweetie back home on Saturday after his long work trip away from home, after taking my blood pressure and marveling at the startling increase in numerals from my blood pressure reading last night……….and I sat in front of my computer and switched on my iTunes and asked my music “What do I want to listen to right now?”

And I have to laugh because tonight (March 2012) I was feeling wiped and slightly demotivated after working a 12+ hour workday (which is short these days), eating microwaved pizza that I missed eating with my nephews because I was working too late, wishing fervently that Sweetie was home already from his week-long work trip away, and marking a noticeable increase in my blood pressure from my February reading. Yes, that’s how my evening went tonight.  So, I thought “Might as well.”  I opened iTunes, turned on shuffle and hit play. 

And my music replied:

Sad and Lonely

Does my music know me or what?

Sad and Lonely (Daughter Darling)

Did they tell you I’d be boring?

Do you know where to order the next morning?

There is no guarantee

That when you wake up, you’ll be able to breath

So I’ll throw you moonbeams

Ill make you kick and scream

Oh then baby I’ll make you smile

Then I’ll make you bleed

Sad and lonely

Don’t you look so sad

You know it can’t be that bad

Just consider it to be

Another way you’ll see me

Did you forget your place of ambition?

I’ve seemed to move you from your only position

You’re so afraid of my reality cause it burns your eyes

Makes you sad and lonely

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Musical Inspiration – Long Long Way to Go

I sat in front of my computer after a long 12+ hour work day, after listening to some insightful questions from my sweet nephew about how many hours I work everyday and how often I work this late, after eating some warmed over canned chili with much too much sharp cheddar cheese, after daydreaming about welcoming Sweetie back home on Saturday after his long work trip away from home, after taking my blood pressure and marveling at the startling increase in numerals from my blood pressure reading last night……….and I sat in front of my computer and switched on my iTunes and asked my music “What do I want to listen to right now?”

And my music replied:

That’s my Phil!  Hmmmm……sounds about right. 

Long Long Way to Go

While I sit here trying to think of things to say
Someone lies bleeding in a field somewhere
So it would seem we’ve still got a long long way to go
I’ve seen all I wanna see today

While I sit here trying to move you anyway I can
Someone’s son lies dead in a gutter somewhere
And it would seem that we’ve got a long long way to go
But I can’t take it anymore

Turn it off if you want to
Switch it off it will go away
Turn it off if you want to
Switch it off or look away

While I sit and we talk and talk and we talk some more
Someone’s loved one’s heart stops beating in a street somewhere
So it would seem we’ve still got a long long way to go, I know
I’ve heard all I wanna hear today

Turn it off if you want to (turn it off if you want to)
Switch it off it will go away (switch it off it will go away)
Turn it off if you want to (turn it off if you want to)
Switch it off or look away (switch it off or look away)

Switch it off
Turn it off

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End of the Year 2010

Well well well.  If there is one thing that can shake me out of my blogging snooze, maybe it is the tried and true End of the Year meme.  I am inspired enough to continue the tradition so – Hello!  Sorry for the prolonged absence.  Let’s see if 2011 allows for a little more blogging time. 

 

Without further ado:

 

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Is it too early in the meme to mention buying a house?  I bought a house.

 

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I once made a New Year’s resolution to not worry about New Year’s resolutions.  Yeah.  I kept that one. 

 

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes.

 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Define “close.”  Close enough to go to his funeral?  Yes.  Drat.  I came very close to having ONE year with no funerals. 

 

5. What countries did you visit?

U.S.A.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

A very warm pair of slippers.  I got a pair for Christmas but they need to be exchanged for a larger size.  California is COLD!

 

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

I don’t do numbers.  Numbers do not etch themselves upon my memory.

 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I think getting three different job offers was fairly reassuring. 

 

9. What was your biggest failure?

No big failures.  Just some disappointments.  Like my crappy poker stats at the end of the year.  *sigh* I would like to be in the top 25% out of almost 2 million players.  Which is still dismal compared to my 96% rating out of over one million players a couple of years ago.  But oh well.  72% this year.  Nothing I can do about it now. Stupid full-time job getting in the way of my poker playing.  *grumble*

 

Also, I and the medical establishment in Maui failed completely to alleviate any of my chronic issues this year.  Medical establishment – you suck (except maybe for that rather handsome ENT doc who actually figured one thing out).

 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No major illness, but yes indeedy – more body parts broke down again this year.  Arthritis diagnosed.  Inflamed larynx (I have pictures!).  Undiagnosed hip issue. Potentially uncooperative reproductive system.   It’s the joy of aging, folks.

 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

That would be the aforementioned HOUSE.

 

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I gotta give a shout-out to my former co-workers this year.  I spent almost six months at my old workplace this year before I left again for another job.  The office has been a sinking ship and it’s been a weekly drama of people leaving, both voluntarily and involuntarily.  It’s been stressful, sad, frustrating, and just downright wrong to see a once very-highly-regarded office of professionals fade away.  But through it all, most of these folks have been supportive of each other while maintaining a (sometimes gallows-like) sense of humor. 

 

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Some people at the old company who do not warrant celebration.   

 

14. Where did most of your money go?

See #s 1 & 11.

 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Moving back to California.  Hello family and friends.  We’re baaaack!!!!

 

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Hmmm….need to think about that a bit.

 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

1. Happier or sadder?  About the same, I think. 

 

2. Thinner or fatter?  Congrats to me.  This is one year I can say, without a doubt – fatter. 

Wait. 

No congrats to me.  Frak.

3. Richer or poorer?  About a hundred times poorer.  In cash. 

 

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Surfing.

 

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Working. 

 

20. How will you be spending Christmas/Hanukkah?

Sweetie and I spent it with family in the various places that our families are located.

 

21. How many one-night stands?

None.  We sold most of our furniture in Maui. 

 

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Leverage

AND – I rediscovered The Young Riders!  Yup.  That’s right – 1980s television goodness right there.

 

 

 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No hate in the 808 (or 916) brah. 

 

24. What was the best book you read?

Hmmm……the latest releases of the Fables trade paperbacks.  And, I have to say – I’m almost done with Atlas Shrugged and I’m glad I (almost) read it.  That’s probably a whole other blog.  

 

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Can I just change this to musical moments?  This year, I said good-bye to two of my all-time favorite bands, as both declared they are retiring. Sweetie just got me A-ha’s final album.  And Big Sis and I saw Scorpions live in concert.  Farewell, dear dudes.  That’s a lotta music between them (yes, A-ha produced more than one song in the 1980s….sheesh).

 

26. What did you want and get?

More time with family and friends.  A job with health insurance.  A house.

 

27. What was your favorite film of this year?

Toy Story 3

 

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was, and still am today, 39.  Spent it with family and my former roomie and her family at mom’s house where she/we hosted a Chinese-fondue/hot pot dinner of awesomeness and yum.

 

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Winning a few more poker games to bring my stats up.

 

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Oh-my-lord-I-do-not-have-a-proper-wardrobe-for-cold-weather-ACKKKKKKK!

 

31. What kept you sane?

Who you callin’ “sane” Willis?

 

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I do not.

 

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

The on-going legal sideshow surrounding Prop 8 here in California.  Never should have passed in the first place, and this whole debacle is embarrassing.  The midterm elections were also kind of amusing for the amount of people who honestly think anyone seeking higher office in this country is capable of steering Congress in some productive direction.  Oh, and Christine O’Donnell, for comedic relief. 

 

34. Who did you miss?

 A-ha.  I missed seeing them in concert.  Never did get to see them.  Boo hoo. 

 

35. Who was the best new person you met?

Well, it was significant that I met the five principals of the firm that I am now working for.  Good group of folks.

 

36. Did you fall in love in 2010?

All the time.

 

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:

There’s always a better house somewhere down the road. 

 

37.  Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

 

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Sunday Stealing, The 35 Questions x2, Part 2

Never mind the fact that I didn’t do Part 1.  Here is Part 2.

You can participate in this week’s Sunday Stealing over HERE.

36. If you suddenly became single or are single, do you think you could last in a relationship for 12 months or more?

Of course.

37. Do you forgive or forget?

 

I forgive, I sometimes forget, and – when necessary – I just get over it.

38. Do you trust people?

Do I know people I can trust?  Yes. 

39. What are you not looking forward to?
The next body part breaking down.
40. Do you get mad easily?

It seems only around my husband and sister.  We know how to push each other’s buttons.  Other than that, I usually have a very long fuse.

41. Tell us about the last time you were told you that you have pretty eyes.
A little while ago. By Sweetie.  We were in bed.  That’s all you need to know.

 
42. Do you have strange dreams?

hahaha.  Are there cows in Switzerland?  Could I fill a whole blog just with strange dreams?  Yes.

43. Ever licked someone’s cheek or forehead?

ummm….what?

44. Tell us about the last time you fell asleep in someones arms.
Sweetie is a good cure for my insomnia.  Course, it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve seen him.  *sigh*

 
45. When did you last play a game?

Few days ago.  With my nephews.  Killer Bunnies we played. 

46. What do you have on you at all times?
My aura of awesomeness. 

47. Do you go out in public without getting all dressed up?
Define “getting all dressed up.”  Do I wear clothes?  Yes.  Do I think I look fine?  Yes.  Am I anywhere close to being “in fashion” or “dressed up?”  Hell no.

48. Do you like fruity or minty gum?
Cinnamon

49. Favourite musician or group?

Click on the “Music” tab for an idea on that.

50. Do you like anyone?
I like many people.

51. Favourite computer game?
Civilization (although – I really only play it on the PlayStation)

52. First album you ever went and bought with your own money?
hhhmm….it was a compilation album of some sort.  Song Bird of something and…….man, I can’t remember the other one.  Loved those. And by the way – they were ALBUMS.  Not cassettes or CDs.  ALBUMS.  Anyone remember those?

53. Think back five months ago, were you single?
Is it that hard for people to think back 5 months ago?  I’ve been married for 2.5 years.  You figure it out.

54. Do you believe in celebrating anniversaries?
I believe in recognizing anniversaries.  I’m not heavy into celebrating because I think they should be noted for their importance without the extraneous burden of celebrating.   

55. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?
Right this second, probably not.  Sweetie is working, the rest of the family is busy and…….oh, I don’t know. 

56. Last thing you bought?

Food.

57. Are you a jealous person?

Not really.  But I do tend to get insecure which is probably worse.

58. Does it take a lot to make you cry?
It used to.  Not anymore.  Happiness. Sadness.  A good episode of Buffy.  Is that a lot?

  
59. Do you have a friend of the opposite sex you can talk to?
Of course.  Especially since I consider my husband to be my friend.
60. Have you ever had your heart-broken?
Take out the dash there and I’ll answer – yes.
61. Have you ever done something while drunk that you still cannot believe you did?

No.  I don’t believe getting drunk is a good excuse to behave in a manner inconsistent with my own good judgement.  That being said, I’ve been rowdy, been loud, been happy, been sad, made out with an almost-stranger, danced in public, and even *gasp!* sung out loud while drunk.  None of that surprises me into disbelief at my own behavior. 

62. Is there anyone you secretly wish you could be spending your time with right now?
Yeah.  It’s a huge secret that I miss Sweetie.  Shhhhhhhh. Don’t tell anyone!
63. Do you text?

Within the limits of my not-unlimited-text plan, yes.

64. Do you wish someone would call or text you right now?
Not really.
65. Is your life anything like it was a year ago?
A lot like it, yes.  Except for the part about me being freezing cold in California and looking for a new job.
66. Go back one year on your blog. Leave us a link to your favorite post.

Here’s one from a little over a year ago:  Mating Behavior.

67. You can only drink ONE liquid for the rest of your life, what is it?

Well, all other things being the same, I need water to survive.  So -water.

68. Tell us about someone that you have lost contact with someone you wish you didn’t.

hmmm…can’t think of someone.  I try and at least stay in infrequent contact with many people. 
69. What is the last thing you said out loud?
“What’s the last thing I just said?”
70. Will this year be better than last?
Could be.  But maybe not.  Oh wait……I said this year was going to be EPIC.  Epic.  So, it must be better

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OK Go – This Too Shall Pass

If you haven’t seen this yet, it’s worth a look.  Massive massive Rube Goldberg device (complex devices that perform simple tasks in indirect, convoluted ways). 

According to Wired magazine, this really is one long unbroken shot.  If you watch it, think of how impressive it is – not only that they finally got it all done in one shot, but also how the heck the camera can even follow the action.  I find myself more intrigued by how they set up the camera to follow everything so well.  The Wired mag articles says it took over 60 takes over 2 days to get the final video.  That means they would start the machine, some part of it would go wrong, they would have to stop the shot and reset the machine.  Insane.  But impressive.  And yes, if the name OK Go sounds familiar, these are the treadmill song guys.  The YouTube page has a link to the makers of the device over at Syyn Labs. 

Check it:

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2-1

 

First the earth was flat
But it fattened up when we didn’t fall off
Now we spin laps round the sun

All the gods lost 2-1
And holes to heaven pointed out to us from light years away
We’re surrounded by a billion galaxies

Things are not always
Things are not always how they seem
Will you be ready?
Will you be ready?

The interim of life
Has got you tiptoed and pinning all your hopes
On the top dog of dreams

You’re not alone in this
The polyfilla way looks strong in the weakness
Of the gaps

Things are not always
Things are not always how they seem
They don’t turn out always
Don’t quite turn out always how we think
Will we be ready?
Will we be ready?

I’m dying to know, what’s in your head
I’m dying to know, how it all got in there
I’m dying to know, to help make some sense of it all
I’m dying to know
Tell me is it my fault?

And I care about you, darling

And I care about you
Course I care about you
More than anyone else

Things are not always
Things are not always how they seem
They don’t turn out always
Don’t quite turn out always how we think
Will we be ready?

(lyrics not reprinted with permission but Ms. Imogen Heap is usually cool with fans using her stuff respectfully.  Her website is over here:  http://www.imogenheap.com/site.html)

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The Best Show You’re Not Watching: Leverage (Update #2)

And now for something a little more lighthearted……

…..how about TV commentary?

I have been known to tune into a television show for the sole purpose of watching one actor.

Take “Lost” for instance.  When ABC first started running promos of their new series about a bunch of plane-wrecked people stuck on an island, I thought “How stupid.”  I thought it was a lame premise.  I had no interest in watching the show. 

Then, one of the commercials showed this guy:

Dominic Monaghan.  At that point -most recently known as young hobbit Merry from The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.  I loved Dom in the movies and had been looking out for him in other movie roles.  And there he was – on my TV and about to show up in a new series.  Sign me up!  What channel!?  Where’s my beer and popcorn!?!  Who cares what the story is about – That’s DOM! 

The rest is mostly history.  Became entranced with the series.  Loved the incredible character development.  Got sick and tired of the millions of questions posed without any answers.  Stuck with it like a sap.  Still waiting for the show to redeem itself in this newest season.

Anyway.  That’s what happens.  Lost was a lucky discovery for me.

So, imagine me jumping off my couch over a year ago when Sweetie and I were channel surfing, the TV ended up on TNT, and a commercial for the new series “Leverage” popped up (http://www.tnt.tv/series/leverage/) , and I saw this guy:

“Hey hey hey!!”  I yelled.  “That’s Christian Kane!”

Indeed.  Probably not known to many people, I first “met” Christian Kane when he portrayed evil lawyer (is that a little redundant?) Lindsey McDonald in Angel – the spin-off series from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, one of my all time favorite television series. 

Now, I know what you’re thinking – That Stone Girl.  She just likes the scruffy-looking pretty boys. 

No. 

Well,

ok maybe. 

But I didn’t go gaga for Christian Kane until the second season of Angel when, much to the surprise of the characters and the audience alike, we all discovered that lawyer Lindsey McDonald could SING:

 

*sigh* Color me besotted.  I like a nice voice.  I mean – come on….Jesse Martin? ……hot.  Jesse Martin singing??  Center-of-the-sun-burning-studly HOT.

After that Angel episode, I learned that, while not acting, Christian Kane was the front man for his own country western band – Kane.  I don’t know if they are still active and producing music but I managed to buy a couple of CDs and I love them.  My country music collection is pretty small – mostly Johnny Cash and Diamond Rio.  But I like Kane’s stuff and usually keep that CD in rotation in my CD changer (yes, I still use one). 

Anyhoo –

That quick snip of Christian Kane on the commercial was all I needed to tune into the first episode of Leverage last year.  Sweetie watched with me.  It’s about a bunch of thieves and an ex-insurance investigator who used to track down thieves.  They are now working together to —-hmmmm — basically swindle swindlers.  They take on cases from people wronged by big corporations or evil/greedy people and they set up cons to get back money or bring people down, etc. etc.  It’s a little bit of OCeans Eleven and maybe the A-Team.  But I’m not sure because I never watched the A-Team. 

Sweetie and I were pleasantly surprised by the series.  Some top-notch acting with the lead role played by Timothy Hutton.  Some interesting plots and twists.  Some good characters who have been developing little by little over the series.  And – it is damn funny!  It’s just funny.  The characters are quirky and their stereotypes are played to the hilt.  The geeky hacker is full of one-liners and catch phrases.  The grifter wanna-be-actress who can play any part in any con but can’t act on stage to save her life.  The anti-social thief daredevil who just loves money.  And Christian’s character – the bruiser type who loves the challenge of a good fight and is learning to act as part of a team. 

Much as Sweetie and I enjoyed the show – we kept forgetting to watch it last year.  So, we’ve Netflixed the first one and a half seasons and we are currently watching 2 to 3 episodes a night.  It’s just so enjoyable.  I suppose there are many others watching because I think it just got picked up for a third season.  Happy to hear it because I enjoy the show and I always like to see good Buffy/Angel alums getting steady work. 

Anyway, I don’t plug TV shows that often.  But if you’re sitting at home on……..uhhhh…..hmmm….I think they moved it to Wednesday nights……with nothing to do and a hankering for some quirky characters and a good con, check it out.

UPDATE

By the way, looks like Christian Kane’s music site is still around. Check it out at:

 www.kanemusic.com

UPDATE #2

Drat.  Looks like that site is down.  I’ll just have to refer you here:  http://www.christiankane.com/, where you can check out a whole lotta Christian Kane, including *yea!* his music.

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Living on the Edge

I’m not a downtown kind of girl, I’ve figured out.

I thought about this as I drove down the hill to go grocery shopping the other day.  I hate traffic.  I’m don’t think I’m unusual in this dislike.  Haven’t heard a lot of people lately who mention “Oh, I was stuck in this nice bit of traffic yesterday.  It was quite pleasant.”  The saving grace in that situation is, of course, good music.  If I’ve managed to stow a couple of good CDs in the car, a longer car ride can be quite bearable.  Of course, I’d prefer a long car ride along the coast, or up Haleakala to the Kula Lodge for some nice breakfast.  That sort of thing. 

Speaking of music, here’s a song to keep you company during this blog trip.  I like this:

So, what have I done?  I’ve found a new route to Costco that involves driving about a mile in the opposite direction, then going down the hill, then driving back towards town.  If traffic in town is light, my new route is about the same time.  If traffic in town is heavy, I save myself a bit of time.  But that doesn’t matter to me as much as the bliss of LESS traffic.  I don’t use this route for the grocery store (yet) because it would really be out of the way.  But it’s been so much nicer to drive past sugar cane and empty fields instead of track homes and the mall.

Because, about a mile away from my house, I’d be in the middle of sugar cane fields.  When I look up at the sky at night, I see stars.  I live on the edge of town.  And, as I thought to myself on the way to Costco, I realized that I’ve lived near the edge of towns my whole life.  Granted, most of my life has been spent in relatively small towns.  I think I’ve mentioned that – growing up, even though I technically lived in “town,” the area across from my home was grape fields.   I climbed the tree in my back yard (a lot) and on a clear day, I could see the Sierra mountains.  If I got in my car, I could be in wide open fields in two minutes. 

I went away to college to an Ag school in the middle of ag land.  Not hard to get away to open fields from anywhere in town.  Even when I lived in the dorms, I was close to empty fields.  I lived on the west edge of town.  I lived on the east edge of town (at least, it was the edge of town back then.  There’s a few extra miles of homes to the east nowadays.)  I lived on the south edge of town. 

Even when I made my way to Sacramento, I still managed to find a neighborhood on the edge of town.  Some days, after a bad day at work or a heartbreak of some kind, I would get in my car and seek solace in wide open space.  And that wouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes from my home.  I visit friends who live in Sacramento neighborhoods who are socked in by suburban development.  You get off the freeway and have to drive another 15 to 20 minutes through crowded streets to find their home.  I sometimes think that if I lived in those areas, I would suffocate.  If I were to climb up to the top of my roof (another thing I used to do quite often) and could not see open space in at least one direction, any distress I felt would just be multiplied.  I guess you could call it my “Heidi Syndrome.”  Take the simple country girl and stick her in the middle of a city and she wilts.  She wanes.  She weakens.   I am half Swiss.  I need my alps.

It’s not that I don’t like a good city.  OK, I don’t actually like many cities.  I love San Francisco.  That may be it.  I just need to be able to clear my head in open air.  And since I don’t often know when the need to clear my head will arise, I guess I have this instinctive need to be near open space.  Maybe it stems from my girlhood plans to run away from home.  That plan involved the mountains and my bike.  It was going to be a long ride, but I knew I had to get up to the hills.  I’ve had many recurring dreams over the years that end in me running as hard as I can towards hills and trees for solace.  I don’t know what I will find.  But the search for peace of mind always seems to start there.

I don’t know where our next move takes us.  Right now, Sweetie and my #1 and #2 choices are both fairly small-townish.  It will be easy to be near trees, hills, and open space in both these spots.  Who knows.  We could end up somewhere else.  I could suck it up and thrive in a boxed-in, artificially-lighted, urban home.  I could survive away from the edge.

If I own a helicopter.

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Welcome Mondegreen and Texas Hold’em!

In case you have not heard, Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary has released their annual update of new words. Many words that have been part of the vocabulary of regular folks for years are finally regular enough to be included in the dictionary.

Among the new words? Texas Hold ‘Em. Welcome Texas Hold ‘Em! Of course, the current definition is about as bare bones as you can get:

poker in which each player is dealt two cards facedown and all players share five cards dealt faceup.

I was hoping the official definition would include something about the game being a game of SKILL instead of “luck,” thereby improving the chances of getting an exception for Texas Hold ’em (and other poker games) from the darn Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (boooooo). But alas, no such help from Webster’s Dictionary. I say – regulate on-line poker and maybe make some money off it instead of trying to pretend that thousands of Americans don’t still play. Not that I would ever play poker on-line from Hawai’i. No sirree Bob.

And finally, welcome Mondegreen!!! This term is all about misunderstood lyrics. I love it. From merriam-webster.com:

Mondegreen—a noun defined as a word or phrase that results from a mishearing of something said or sung—was first coined by author Sylvia Wright in 1954, when she wrote an article for Atlantic magazine confessing to a childhood misinterpretation of the Scottish ballad “The Bonny Earl of Moray.” When she first heard the lyric “they had slain the Earl of Moray and had laid him on the green,” she felt terribly sorry for the “poor Lady Mondegreen.”

In honor of this new word, merriam-webster online is asking people to submit their own personal favorite mondegreens. If you would like to submit, go here:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/info/newwords08.htm

My sister has commented before on the hilarity of some of her and her hubby’s misheard song lyrics. Personally, I love “You’re the weather balloon” for Grease’s “You’re the one that I want.” I have a bunch. Probably the biggest doozy was trying to figure out what the heck the line was in Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s song “Blinded by the Light.”

What do you hear? I always heard “wrapped up like a douche…..in the middle of the night….” not that that makes any sense, of course. That is what mondegreens are all about. Do you have a personal favorite?

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