Can't Fight the Feelin'

After school today, I went for a walk. The campus has a great trail and it was a beautiful day. I put on the sunscreen, new lime green shorts, and hit the trail. I had the ipod on and enjoyed many good tunes. When I was about three-fourths finished with the trail, I saw this patch of grass and I had the urge to just lay down in it.

I didn't though. Why didn't I? Was I afraid that I would be looked at funny? Was I afraid of a sunburn on the face since I forgot to reapply to the face? Did it just sound like a good idea and I would hate it when bugs were crawling on me?

Who knows? But, next time I have that kind of urge along with that kind of time, I am doing it.

Two Cents on Alec Baldwin

I love 30 Rock. It is one of my favorite shows for many reasons. First of all, Tina Fey writes the dry, clever, and self-deprecating funnies for the show.

And for all of my love for Tina Fey, it is Alec Baldwin that I dig the most on this show. I can't even begin how many personality disorders his character must have, yet he is somehow likable. His raspy voice and completely unemotional advice that he hands out like pearls of wisdom makes you really feel sorry for him. But only after you laugh out loud at what he just said. I love him...on the show. However, I have a beef with him. I know what you are thinking...

Sara, do you really want to start a fight with someone who calls their own daughter a pig?

Yes. Yes, I do because when it comes to my television entertainment, these colors don't run!

Alec Baldwin, I am tired of you saying that you want to leave 30 Rock to concentrate on your relationship with your daughter. What about me? What about millions of other viewers that depend on you each week to be a part of an hour and half of television that I rely on to be my reward for a hard worked week? Alec, you won a Golden Globe for this show! C' mon! I am going to hope that you come to your senses, but with past history being my guide, I won't hold my breath.

Not Much

I want to write something, but I really do not have anything to write. Life has been pretty uneventful and I have not been involved in anything too interesting. So, that leads to what I consider a lazy person's blog entry. Bullets. And not the violent kind. The kind that are simple and concise.

• I saw two men screaming at each other with their man chests all puffed out at each other. It amazes me that human men are just like animals when they come into conflict. Animals react that way.
• I just realized that all of the American Idol finalists are hard-core Jesus lovers. I discovered this as I read their celebrity playlists on itunes. A lot of Michael W. Smith and worship songs. Now, I won't judge them on that. I have a soft spot for the days when I was all saved in junior high.
• American Idol is also singing "life anthems" tonight. I am not sure if I love this season. I am pulling for Jordan Sparks at this point. This is not why I am pulling for her, but I have to say, she just reminds me so much of the crew that I hung with in high school. She can throw a huge smile on whenever it is asked of her. She is overly-excited about everything.
  
• I usually have two 'go to' baby gifts that I give for showers, but this might be added to the list.
• And finally, because you haven't wasted enough time today, try this.
  

Calling All Gardeners

This is my first attempt at gardening. We have this little rectangle space that begged for some flowers. I planted two hostas and five other flowers.

However, I find myself stumped and frustrated as I clean up the other parts of our landscaping. Because we did not landscape, we have mystery annuals. I have enjoyed the daffodils, but there are several that I am clueless about.

My biggest fear is that they are baby trees that are growing all over my yard. I just need answers. This is where you all come in. I am hoping that some expert gardeners read this blog so they can give me insight. I am posting pictures and if you know what these plants are, please comment. Be sure to refer to them as "plant #1" and so on. Also, if you have tips or opinions on loving or leaving this plant, tell me that too.

Plant #1
Click on any of the photos to get a close up.

These are growing in about four different places in my landscaping in the backyard.

Plant #2
They seem to be opening up and this mystery could soon be solved. I am hoping for some lovely flower that will bloom all summer with my love and attention.

Plant/Shrub? #3
These plants do not have any height to them. They just lay there. They have a pretty purplish hue to them along with the green.

Plant #4

This is the view from the top. It stands up to my knees. It doesn't have thorns, but it looks very healthy.

I am feeling horticulturally delayed here. Help me out.

Mowin'

Looking at Tim rest on our new mower, you'd think that we lived in 1930. Yes, we have a push mower and you'd understand if you saw how small our yard actually is.

However, I can't tell you how satisfying this push mower is. I love it. I love how the blade feels when it cuts the grass. It makes a fantastic 'werrrrr' sound as I cut the grass. It is not the most graceful of machines, but I like it.

Maybe this weekend will give me a chance to take a picture of Tim hanging out at the new grill we purchased.

Crab

I am super crabby today. No reason. Okay, maybe I have a reason but it is too boring and mundane to write about on my lovely, non-crabby blog.

Today, I am longing for the days in Iowa where I knew what was going on. I knew what was expected. I long for the days that I could just sit in my friend's classroom after school and crab. I have no one to crab to here.

Here are the high points to my day:
1. I am eating Thai food tonight.
2. I am going to Blades of Glory tonight.

Nor'easter

Did you hear? We had a Nor'easter. I had heard about this for about three days before the event. The weather people kept calling it a storm.

To me, a spring storm has lightening, thunder, and tornadoes. I thought the weather people were weak. It was just going to be rain.

I was so wrong. I couldn't sleep at all last night because the wind was so strong and the rain pounded on the house all night long. I woke up to see slush, snow, puddles, and muck all over the ground. Because of fallen trees and electric wires, school was canceled.

I will not poo poo the weather casters now when they tell me a nor'easter is coming. It is a mess. However, I was able to get a Starbucks today because I had the time.

Grow For Me

Daughter
Teacher
Sister
Wife
Friend
Homeowner
Cook

I can put a new role in that list. Gardener. We purchased a lawn mower, weed wacker, and a hodgepodge of gardening tools. We mowed our lawn and wacked some weeds. I hoed some dirt to make it ready for next weekend when I will be planting a variety of annuals and maybe a perennial or two.

We have a shady backyard so I have been researching shade gardens. I think I will plant some Hostas, but I am looking for ideas to compliment this perennial. I plan on some impatiens in the flower bed, but I will plant some Geraniums in hanging plants. I am also reseeding my backyard because there are some splotchy spots. I am also going to try my hand at an herb garden.

I know I will enjoy spending time at the gardening center. It is the first time and I already know that I am going to get into taking care of my yard and garden.

Unrepentant

Rolling Stone has put together a little list they call the Undisputed Guilty Pleasure Bands list.

First of all, I love a nice list.

Second of all, I feel no guilt. I do not live in an ipod of shame. Instead, I proudly checked my itunes library to see how many of these artists Rolling Stone would say besmirch my playlists.

For your voyeuristic pleasure, I have listed my opinion and number of songs by each artist that currently hangout in my itunes library.

1. Rush (0 songs)-No. NO. NOOOO! I can't stand Rush. I don't care that I love most Canadian things. I don't do Rush.

2. E.L.O. (0 songs)-My husband is a fan, but I just don't get this one.

3. Journey (3 songs)-My relationship with Journey has come full circle. My first memory is Steve Perry standing at the front of a melodramatic rock video pyramid with his fist clenched in pop glory. I hated it. Now, for nostalgic reasons, I love it.

4. ABBA (3 songs)-No one does wedding dances better than Abba.

5. Chicago (5 songs)-Keep in mind that Chicago went through their ballad stage when I was around 13 years old so I have my nostalgic self wrapped up in pining for boys to these songs.

6. Boston (2 songs)-I love the slow start to "More Than a Feeling" and then, it unabashedly ROCKS, my friends!

7. Foreigner (2 songs)-I think I have my friend Jodi for these two little lovelies. I like to pump my fist in a 1980's mocking fashion when this tune comes on the ipod in the car. It embarrasses Tim.

8. Bread (5 songs)-What kind of girl has FIVE Bread songs?? A girl who likes nothing better than be sad to "If" and the funny little plucking at the beginning of the song. Oh, I love "Lost Without Your Love" and you all should.

9. Bon Jovi (2 songs)-I thought it would be more, but this is respectable since I was a teenager during their glory days. I tended to listen to Bread instead of the hair bands of the time.

10. New Edition (0 songs)-I did have the Bobby Brown tape, but I haven't transferred my love to the digital age yet.

11. The Monkees (6 songs)-I love them. I have since I watched them on Nick at Night and memorized the theme song. My favorite song is "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You". I have memories of driving down I-29 with my friends in high school driving to graduation parties singing to the Monkees tape. Nerds.

12. Motley Crue (0 songs)-No crue. I think I was traumatized by my brother's posters that he had in his room. I thought they were scary.

13. STYX (2 songs)-When I feel like a rebel, I like to crank up "Renegade". I long to karaoke this number.

14. Eddie Money (o songs)-Shocking. I need to buy me some Money man. I loved "I Wanna Go Back" and "Take Me Home Tonight" when I was sitting next to my duel deck tape player.

15. Simply Red (0 songs)-Thank God.

16. Kelly Clarkson (3 songs)-Doesn't everybody?

17. America (0 songs)-Lists like these are great for me to rediscover songs that I love. I will now buy "Sister Golden Hair".

18. Wham (2 songs)-It is really hard for me to separate Wham from George Michael, but I will. "Freedom" by Wham is their under appreciated swan song before the solo days.

19. R.E.O. Speedwagon (4 songs)-I am proud to say that I have karaoked two R.E.O. songs. Of course, they were the sentimental ballads that every person (and you are lying if you deny this) like to sing to in the car.

20. Poison (0 songs)-I know others dig Poison, but I just don't. However, if I had to, I am sure and positive that I could sing "Every Rose Has a Thorn" since I was forced to listen to it at every junior high dance from 1989-1992.

21. Lionel Richie (11 songs)-I am going to go ahead and put my Commodore songs with Lionel. He was basically that whole band anyway. Favorite Lionel song..."Easy". I know this guy who claims that Lionel is his favorite out of everyone. Everyone. That is a bold statement.

22. Kansas (0 songs)-See, I think I would feel guilty for having a Kansas song in the collection.

23. Air Supply (5 songs)-Did you know that Air Supply had five songs? Yes, they all sound a like, but that is about 25 minutes of one great sap song.

24. Hall & Oates (7 songs)-If you know me at all, you know I love Hall & Oates. They are from Philly, you know. They are performing for Fourth of July and I am going! I would like to see a huge comeback for Hall. The man can sing. Don't argue with me about this.

25. Britney Spears (2 songs)-I do have a little shame about this one, but there is definitely a time and a place that you need to have "Toxic" on the playlist followed by "I'm a Slave 4 U". Right? Right? Don't let 'em get you down, Brit Brit.

Oh, It's On!

Barack Obama. Good.
Hillary. Good.
John Edwards. Good.

I am really excited and pleased with the democratic contenders. I am the person they are working to win. I like all three for different reasons. I don't really feel like getting into here, but I can't remember a time that I felt really excited about a candidate since Bill Clinton. As for the Republican candidates, I think it is going to be a long road because they have hitched their boat to the conservative Christians for so long and no candidates will be able to fit that mold. I think it is going to be very interesting.

Spring Awakening

As I write this, I feel the urge to tell you that I am by NO MEANS a Broadway show expert or critic. My experience with musicals and plays are limited to my own performance in The Pirate of Penzance in the 10th grade and a few shows during trips to New York City. These shows were the big, flashy types. I have seen Hairspray, Wicked, and The Producers on Broadway, but after this week, I have a new category of musical.

I saw Spring Awakening with my friend Kecia. I had heard several things about this show prior to arriving in NYC. Zach Braff had written about this show on his blog. I had read about the show in a news magazine, but what I remembered was that the music was written by Duncan Sheik. I am a fan. He wrote "Barely Breathing", but so many more great songs after that radio-recognized tune.

Right away, I knew this musical was different than the rest because some of the audience was sitting on the stage along with the band. It was a band because the music has a definite pop feeling to it. The actors used microphones in their hands as they sang songs that sounded more appropriate for the radio today rather than the setting of early 20th century Germany. The play is based on Frank Wedekind's play about adolescents discovering their sexuality and the repressed nature of the society of the time.

This musical is not for the easily embarrassed or timid when it comes to viewing sexually graphic art. Along with some mild nudity, there are a couple other scenes that might make an audience member blush.

Although some will find flaws in Spring Awakening, I am going to say that I like it. I like the topic of the story. I liked the music. If I had to say anything negative, it would be that the lyrics were a bit vague at times. However, I never wrote a Broadway musical. Who am I? I was just a chorus girl in Pirates of Penzance!

Ghost Stories

This is me on the Philadelphia Ghost Tour. Since I don't really believe in ghosts and such, I thought I had to act the part if I wasn't going to offend the believers on this tour.

Even though I am not a believer in the paranormal, it was a fantastic event. The story teller brought a group of 12 or so around the historic streets in Philadelphia. She wore a black, flowing cape and carried a candle lantern. She told stories of old homes, buildings, and cemeteries in Philadelphia.

The most interesting ghost story detailed the history of Washington Square which is a block from Independence Hall. It was once a potter's field where over 2,000 bodies are buried from a variety of social and medical epidemics that occurred in the city. In 1793, Yellow Fever raged in Philadelphia and many bodies were buried in this square that is also where the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary Soldier lies. Caretakers would sell the bodies of the victims of Yellow Fever to medical students.

However, there was a Quaker woman who felt these acts were immoral and made her thoughts known. She continues to make her thoughts known by haunting Washington Square in the early mornings where she has been seen digging at the ground trying to save the bodies from the grave sellers.

Right in My Backyard

Along with the traditional tourist destinations in Philadelphia, I took Kecia to see Eastern State Penitentiary. First of all, Eastern State makes Alcatraz look like Club Med. It was the first penitentiary in the United States and believed in the solitary penance of its prisoners.

Eastern State looks like a castle fortress from the outside. It is in the middle of the city, surrounded by modern buildings and roads. It was built in 1829 and remained in use until 1971. Its most famous prisoner was Al Capone.

If you are in Philadelphia and want a little change of pace from all of the Revolutionary War history, Eastern State Penitentiary will do a proper job of creeping you out.