The Good. The Bad. The Fugly.

I'm in a bit of a pensive mood this morning (not a bad thing - but it is an odd thing - considering I'm not typically a morning blogger).  My alarm went off at 7:45 AM and I (immediately) whacked the snooze button.  My relationship with that little tease has been hot and cold for YEARS.  And for my question of the day... what clockmaker/manufacturer thinks that 9 minutes is REALLY enough snooze time??  For anyone??  I might have to Google that later.

So, my thoughts were kind of jumbled all in my inner stratosphere (my pet name for my screwy mind) and I decided to make a bit of a list of all the things that I tend to think about, when I'm laying in bed and pondering all the mysteries of life.  They are in no particular order - and unless something is very obscure, I will not be providing links (or pictures - for those of you who may be visually inclined).  On with the show!!

The Good

- Family.  Somewhat.  I really love my siblings and all my nieces and nephews.  I even like my MIL, FIL, SIL, and BIL (#1) - but I don't care for the Jerry Springer BIL (#2).  He's just an asshole.  But, at least he is living well over 2200 miles away.  Makes visiting a pain in the ass - and he's too cheap to go anywhere.  ::happy dance::  haven't seen him in YEARS because of this!! 

-  My husband.  He is my best friend, confidante, lover, companion, constant, and he totally gets me.  I don't have to explain to him where I'm coming from, because he knows me that well.  I also know how he ticks and all of his favorite things and what makes him happy.  Sixteen years together, through multiple moves, deployments, the ups and the downs.  It's all good.  If anything, it's made us far closer (well, that and the lack of children - I think they can royally fuck up a relationship - and many HAVE actually screwed up relationships - so my reasoning is solid...  ;0)) ).

- My friends.  Even those who are in every single state, in every corner of the globe.  We are all able to stay in touch via Facebook and Skype... and it always makes me happy to see their faces.  Fuck fighting time and distance... we can beat that.  It just takes a little more of an effort.

- My city.  New Orleans may not be where I was born and raised... but every single time I leave and come back here??  I feel like I'm coming home.  The feeling is indescribable and makes me utterly and sublimely happy.  I'm proud of this place and the wonderful, awesome, artistic, happy-go-lucky people it attracts AND who live here.  There's nothing shabby about French Quarter Fest or The Running of the Bulls, either.  

- Living every day to it's fullest.  I truly believe that this life is the only one we'll ever have and we need to make the most of it.  Volunteer, travel, see the sights, do things you'd never, ever think you could do... be honest and blunt and quit waiting for an afterlife or a visit from Saint Peter (he of the pearly gates) or any type of god.  Besides, if you're only being good for the "idea" of god (and getting into heaven or wherever), it kind of defeats the purpose, don't you think??

- My dog.  She's never met a stranger, demands nothing from me but love and affection, she's far easier to care for than a child (no diapers, no messes, no problems) - if there is such a thing as reincarnation, I think I'd be content coming back as a dog.  Really.  Instant gratification to Chai-Dog is the best happiness in her life.  Walk??  Ride??  Treat??  Yeah, I could wag to that.

- Roller Derby.  Need I say more??

The Bad

- Upstairs neighbors who have loud little children and piss-poor-parenting skills.  As much as I would, indeed, like to blame the children for their rudeness, they DO learn all their societal skills from their parents.  And when the parents don't know any better, how can you expect their children to??

- Burning food because you can't hear the timer from the other end of the house (where I tend to fold laundry and all that other happy shit).  It's stinky and it takes forever for the smells to dissipate.  GAH.

- Kill shelters.  People who put animals in kill shelters because they suddenly find that they are knocked-up, and their loyal dog or cat of X-amount of years has to go because of the new baby.  That's pretty damned shitty.  Or, if they don't put them in a kill shelter, they'll just abandon them.  Makes me wonder if some of these assholes would be so callous with their own baby (should it have something wrong with it).  I don't really tend to trust people who treat animals poorly.  It speaks VOLUMES about their personality.

- People who lie to spare someone else's feelings (even if it is a problematic character flaw).  If a friend of mine tries on a new outfit and it looks like a horse's ass, I'll be tactful about it - but I'll let her know that it's not for her.  Why would I want her to go out in public thinking that she looks good, when she really doesn't??  Of course, we all have different styles - and I tend to wear funky tee-shirts and jeans/shorts/Chuck Taylors/Dr Martens, but I'm fully aware that I look like a freak and that's perfectly okay with me.  I just can't be bothered** (which might be a GOOD thing and maybe this is under the wrong category) to try and fit a stereotype.  Makes me gag to think about it.  

- Pimping your religion.  Whether it be via email, door-to-door (private residences), or on a public street corner.  If I *were* interested, don't you think that I'd seek YOU out??  

- Helicopter parents.  Need I say more???

- Organized religion.  The Greeks, the Romans, the Christians (to include the Crusades), the Moors, the Islamists... if there were no religion to fight about, what would life be like here??  Probably a lot more fucking pleasant.  Which is why I identify with atheist or secular humanist.  Christopher Hitchens was right.  Religion POISONS everything.  However, I don't really give a shit if you want to worship Mohammed, Jesus, God, Kali, follow Buddha, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster...  I just don't want you to shove it down my throat.  Easy enough, right??  Wrong.  Some people feel compelled by the "spirit" (or just the church's ugly little tithing system - because the current flock isn't coming up with enough).

The Fugly

(Which stands for "Fucking + Ugly = FUGLY")

- Position does NOT dictate behavior (nor should it ever).  Watch Kevin Smith's original movie "Clerks" and you'll understand this concept.  You are who you are and unless you're a psychopath or a serial killer or a person who just blows people out of their shoes because they can... well, you need to be true to yourself - regardless of position.

- Ass kissing people.  Oh, my bleeding Jeebus... they make me want to go over a really high, rocky, rough cliff in a Sedgeway with NO HELMET ON.  Not everyone is going to agree all of the time (and those that do make me just cringe... like they've never had a fucking original thought in their head) and not agreeing is perfectly fine.  It's also fine if you think that I'm an asshole and I think that you're a douche bag.  It is what it is.

- People who whore their entire lives out and then piss and moan when someone makes a comment or points out something which is known by all, but should *never* be brought up because it's "not nice" or some other such blathering bullshit.  If you didn't announce this uncomfortable thing to the WHOLE WORLD, no one would ever know your sad secret and point it out.  And, if you can't defend yourself, you shouldn't expect other people to do it for you.  Grow a fucking pair already and OWN what you've written.  If not, shut the fuck up and disable people from POSSIBLY posting something negative.  

- The lack of common-fucking-sense from grown adults.

- I don't think "sensitive" men are attractive.  I want a man to be a knuckle-dragger who can take control and act like a man.  One that holds a purse/diaper bag and simply says "yes, dear" seems to be emasculated to me - and I'm always tempted to ask if their fucking balls are beside their wife's wallet (in the quilted cheezy purse).  

- Sheeple mentality.  People who are so worried about fitting in, looking a certain way, or doing things in order to impress others.  It's pitiful.  I see this bullshit with some of the military wives (they'll compare the size of their strollers and SUVs - however, they don't describe their husband's cock size, so that's SOMETHING, at least).  Many of them are so vapid, they don't have an original thought in their head.  I see this with certain religions - and although I feel a bit of pity for these type of people, I also feel like they are just selling out and are probably miserable inside.  If they can't stand up and say "this IS NOT RIGHT" on their own, they are complacent.  Which is nothing different than the German people who lived outside of Auschwitz and claimed to never smell the crematorium while thousands of people were thrown into ovens and made into ashes every single day.

Okay.  The last thought was just an awful one and I'm going to quit while I'm not quite ranting.  If you'd like to send me a list of YOUR personal "The Good.  The Bad.  The Fugly.", you can send it to:

thepoint[dot]nola[at]googlemail[dot]com

Disclaimer:  I will post those emails I find to be thought-provoking and different from mine... however, if you write something idiotic and miserable (with any personal attacks), I still may post it on here with my responses or commentary.  Just a heads-up.  And if your language is dirty, I don't care.  We're all adults.  But if you curse or use "dirty" words, please use them in the correct context.  It would be a shame for me to have to point out that you don't know what a certain word means.

I look forward to hearing from some of you!!  Now, it's time to get ready for the weekend... it's movie night here for all the girls... and wine is necessary!!

x0x0

Memorial Day Weekend. Crawfish Saturday.

Memorial Day Weekend???

Started with a bang.  BOIL time!!

There is NOTHING better than a boil, great company, and plenty o' booze.  I actually find myself feeling bad for those who think a "party" consists of high-end cupcakes, some sort of fizzy drinks (non-alcoholic, of course), and worrying about how everything looks.  How does one do it??  To me, that would be the second circle of hell - I'd rather deal with crazy drunks rather than the Joneses.  True story.

Let's start off with Friday night.

So.  Went to Perino's last night (I had such a hard-on for some properly fried oysters).  We sat in the bar area (which also has electronic gaming machines - so no one under the age of 18 was allowed - SCORE!!) and ordered our deviously delicious seafood.

I had a basket of sweet fried oysters and curly fries.  Husby had the fried shrimp (which are JUMBO) and he drank a couple of Abitas.  Needless to say, I drove home.  ;0))  Perino's is THE place to eat fresh Louisiana seafood.  It's not fancy (not by any means), but the beer is frosty and cold, the menu is simple, and the food comes to you hot and fresh.  One of our very good friends introduced us to this very local restaurant, and I won't eat oysters anywhere else.  The decor is awesomely tacky, though...

^^  An alligator sucking down a beer??  WINNING!!

^^  Cheezy mural outside Perino's...  the crab isn't really looking boiled.

But the gator has a beer and is wearing "over-hauls".  <3

After dinner, we stopped at Barnes and Noble (again) on the way home - I had just found out that the new Joe Hill book was out (I've given up waiting for the trade paperback/regular paperback versions - I'm rough on my books and I love to have them forever), so I picked that up and found a book which was a collection of short stories/novellas by some of the best horror writers in the genre.  So, I started reading that today (Sunday - as I'm a bit behind).  :0))

So... on Saturday, the neighbors were having a crawfish boil.  Oh, yes.  I picked up a Bananas Foster Cake (banana cake with rum custard - if I were religious??  I would've had an epiphany!!) and some Mike's Hard Cherry Lemonade from Rouses Market (which is one of my favorite local stores here in NOLA)... and bestowed my friends with the gifts.  I also drank some Abita beer, white wine, and a lovely mixed (girly) cocktail.  Delish!!

 ^^  It was 10* cooler under the overpass.  I was glad to get some shade!!

^^  Looking down a side-street on the way to my house...  I love how I can see the city (even when it is beyond the levees AND across the Mighty Mississippi)...  shots like this make me appreciate living in New Orleans.  The difference between a "big city" and a "little neighborhood" are obvious, but not unreachable.  This city is FANTASTIC.

^^  Live crawfish.  Waiting to be boiled.  And, yes.  That is a boat paddle in the upper right-hand corner of the picture.  Certainly necessary for getting every last live crawfish into the boiling pot.

^^  It takes 30 minutes to boil the crawfish, potatoes, onions, mushrooms, garlic, and corn (along with cayenne and other Cajun spices) on a 80,000 BTU gas burner.  Sounds like the space shuttle taking off, it's so loud.  And when everything is done, it's spread out on a large table and everyone eats what they want - it's a communal experience.  We were really lucky - we had some out-of-country visitors (a married couple from Brittany, France - and an Irish woman on a short stay from Dublin).  It was very cool to teach them how to eat the crawfish and they really enjoyed the whole experience.  

^^  After dinner, L. (who works for the New Orleans Saints), took out her ring that she received when the Saints won the Superbowl.  It's from Tiffany's - and it is HUGE.  Weighs over 2 ounces with all the  gold, diamonds, and onyx... and it is heavy.  

^^  Here I am, wearing the ring (to give you some perspective, my solitaire is 1.2 carats - and the Superbowl ring makes it look minuscule)... I can honestly say that I don't think I've ever worn a piece of jewelry that is so very expensive...  

^^  View from the front porch after the boil.  Everyone is keeping their lights off, because right now - the termites are swarming.  Yes, you *did* read that correctly.  However, it was a really balmy night and the wind coming off the Mississippi River was lovely.  So, we braved the swarms.  ;0))

I didn't get home until well after midnight and managed to sleep until 8:00 AM.  Woke up, showered, dressed, popped some Tylenol, and headed to another friend's house because I was on doggy-sitting duty for her four pups.  Hung out there for about an hour and a half, ran the dogs until they were tired, watered and fed them, and headed home.  Where I promptly fell asleep on the couch while reading one of my new books (no, the book wasn't boring or badly written - I was just wickedly tired).  I managed to snap some pictures of the pup-dogs, though...  they were so happy to see me and so very cute!!

 ^^  Petey (the ugliest-pug-in-the-world) is wrestling with Clementine... the hairiest dog in the house.

^^  Petey's profile.  He has a massive under bite and the worst breath.  ;0))

I didn't get pictures of Sophie and Bootsy... as Sophie had jammed herself under an end table and Bootsy moves TOO fast for me to get a decent picture of her.  Maybe I'll be able to get a photo in the morning (when I head over to the Grotto to water, feed, and wee everyone).  

Speaking of tomorrow, I don't think we're planning on doing much.  I borrowed the Lord of the Rings trilogy from my friend, K. - so I'm thinking it's going to be a pretty laid-back day.  I'm thinking that we'll probably do some upscale bar-food (spicy buffalo wings, home-made pizza with a ton of roasted veggies, and some jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, and broiled) and we'll probably graze for most of the day.  Besides, it's supposed to be hot and humid here again, and I think it'll just be in our best interest to take it easy.

Because... come Tuesday, I'll be back at the gym for my 3+ miles on the treadmill and then off to the pool afterwards to hopefully start a tan of sorts and swim some laps.  I love, love, love to swim!!  

I hope everyone had a wonderful, relaxing, fun, happy, awesome weekend... because we most certainly did (and are technically still working on it).

x0x0

Stocking Up: On Books.

Although this stash will only last me a week or two (at the most).  It'll depend on how many notes I make or references I come across (I find some of the most interesting tidbits/quotes/people)...

I had some free time today, so I figured I'd mosey on down to my local Barnes and Noble.  They had been calling me for a couple of days (I ordered a hard-to-get book and didn't expect it in so soon) - but my social calendar had been full, AND it's been 90* with humidity above the 90% mark.  Not exactly cruising weather (I've taken two showers today and I'll probably take another one before I go to bed), but I figured I could take one for the team (hahaha) and make the effort to pick up my books.  Besides, I'm hard-up for reading material in printed form (I love my Kindle, but it'll never replace real books).

And, since it is Memorial Day Weekend, I figured I'd probably be enjoying my lovely deck, soaking up the sun, drinking a dirty martini or a gin-and-tonic or an amaretto sour (or maybe all three)... but what is missing from this idyll picture??  The pleasure of a BOOK.

Here is what I ended up getting:

 ^^  "LIARS FOR JESUS:

The Religious Right's Alternate Version of American History - Volume I"

- Chris Rodda - Foreword by Rev. William N. Esborn

ISBN:  1-4196-4438-6

"Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts."

- Daniel Patrick Moynihan

This was my special order.  The author has not completed Volume II as of yet, so I've added Chris Rodda to my wish list... and I'll be notified as to when it comes out.  :0))

********************

 ^^  "Urban Voodoo:  A Beginner's Guide to Afro-Caribbean Magic"

- S. Jason Black and Christopher S. Hyatt, Ph.D

ISBN:  1-56184-059-9

My initial interest was piqued because of the strong Voodoo and Hoodoo influence here in New Orleans.  There are shops here which cater to the practice of both - along with witchcraft and Paganism.  You can purchase a Voodoo doll suited for your needs at some shops - I received one for love when my husband I were married here.  It's on my desk right now.  

********************

 ^^  "The Handmaid's Tale"

- Margaret Atwood

ISBN:  978-0-385-49081-8

Description:  "Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead.  She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read.  She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable."

One of my friends, who is a librarian at a university, recommended this book to me.  I'm really looking forward to reading it - and there are a couple other Margaret Atwood books that I'd also like to buy.

********************

 ^^  "Alien Contact"

- Edited by Marty Halpern

ISBN:  978-1-59780-281-9

Compilation of stories by:  Stephen Baxter, Orson Scott Card, Cory Doctorow, Karen Joy Fowler, Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Ursula K. LeGuin, Elizabeth Moon, Pat Murphy, Charles Stross, Michael Swanwick, Harry Turtledove

Oh, how my geeky little heart beats faster at the thought of delving into this awesome alien sci-fi...  I can't wait to start reading this!!  Besides being a *huge* Stephen King fan, I also love Neil Gaiman.  Hopefully, some of the other authors may have other novels available... and if I enjoy their short stories, I'll be willing to try a full novel, a book of their own short stories, or a novella.  Finding new authors within genres that I like is always such a pleasure.

********************

^^  "God's Brothel"

- Andrea Moore-Emmett

ISBN:  978-1-930074-13-2

Description:  "The extortion of sex for salvation in contemporary Mormon and Christian Fundamentalist Polygamy - and the stories of 18 women who escaped."

"[An] illuminating new book" - CNN

I initially came across this book while reading about Flora Jessup and her escape from Warren Jeff's FLDS sect.  Another novel, about the "Lost Boys" (young men exiled from their communities so that the elders can take more wives) is on my short list for summer reading.  I am fascinated with cults - and the people in them... both from a sociological and psychological standpoint.  It is difficult for me to understand the need to "fit in" or (in Borg-speak) "assimilate" in order to stay in a lifestyle in which you've been born and raised.  I cannot imagine not having mentors who encourage learning in any capacity - or repress the natural nature of questioning your world and the people who inhabit it.

********************

I'm currently reading the sci-fi/fantasy book "Game of Thrones" by George R. R. Martin.  HBO has made a program that follows the series... but I didn't realize that there were quite a few books that follow.  The second is "A Clash of Kings", the third is "A Storm of Swords", the fourth is "A Feast for Crows", and the final book is "A Dance with Dragons".  If the first book is indicative of the rest of the series, I can say (with some certainty) that I will be purchasing the rest of the series.  

x0x0

Rain. Drugging the dog. Hiding.

^^  The sky will be falling most of the day, Chicken Little.

Well, the bad weather has finally moved south.  I woke up this morning to the loud rumble of thunder (at least it wasn't the uncontrolled, loud, obnoxious neighbor's children - the bastages) and promptly messaged my friend and gym partner, L. to let her know I wasn't going to be able to make it to my workout.  Seems like laziness is in the air, because she was still in bed.  Le sigh.  I'm up, but still wish I was snuggled under the soothing blankets of Big Puff (that is what we call our big awesome bed in this house).

 ^^  View from the back deck...

^^  Looking toward the French Quarter (the big green house is actually a recording studio)...

The sky looks so angry.

And since Choggie is terrified of thunderstorms, I ended up giving her a benadryl in order to calm her down.  She's currently holed up in the master bedroom closet - sleeping.  She gets so panicked during a storm, she tries to jam herself into the smallest places (and a 100-pound dog can't fit under the coffee table - it's physically impossible).  Disclaimer:  Our vet suggested the benadryl solution for when it is thundering/lightening outside.  I'd rather give her that instead of some weird prescribed anti-anxiety medication.  It appears to work rather well for her...

^^  Hide-y holed up in our bedroom closet.

My motivation is missing.  I really need to find it.  And I'm just really sucking today.  There is one consolation... I cleaned the house pretty thoroughly on Monday.  So, I have a minimum of work to do today, and I think I'm going to fire up the crock-pot so that I don't have to worry about dinner.  :0))  I also bought the book "Game of Thrones"... so I'm eager to start it.  If it's as good as the reviews say, I'll probably end up reading it right through today.

Sometimes thundery, rainy, gloomy, overcast days are absolutely needed (and it's not just Choggie who is hiding from the world... it's me, too!!).

x0x0

Musicology. Listening ears are now ON.

The first word in the title of this post doesn't sound copacetic.  Yes, I agree.  It *does* - indeed - look entirely like a made-up word.  But it isn't.  According to my favorite online dictionary the term is legit (but no need to take my word on it) - here is the definition:

mu·si·col·o·gy

 [myoo-zi-kol-uh-jee]

noun

the scholarly or scientific study of music, as in historical research, musical theory, or the physical nature of sound.

Origin: 

1905–10; music + -o- + -logy

Related forms:

mu·si·co·log·i·cal [myoo-zi-kuh-loj-i-kuhl], adjective

mu·si·co·log·i·cal·ly, adverb

mu·si·col·o·gist, noun

Now we've all learned something new today, kids!!  //sarcasm  

I can't lie.  As a bibliophile, I'm a word-lover, a grammar lover, a spelling lover, and a text-speak hater.  I suppose this just adds a bit of eclectic charm to my (sometimes) abrasive personality.  But, it also means that if you receive a text from me, there will be no sign of abbreviated words, the spelling and punctuation will be (generally) proper, and the length of my response will reflect this.  However, if YOU send me a message with a bunch of fucking acronyms, I will more than likely curse you as I'm trying to look the shit up on Google.  

Seriously, though.  I'm going to post some YouTube video links with some newly discovered (by me) music.  Before my trip to Shreveport, I found myself in a musical rut.  I tend to enjoy a lot of alternative and grunge music and find that I have very little patience for shitty pop music (Justin Bieber??  Adam Lambert??  Mariah Carey??  Celine Dion??  - I can't even believe that I have befouled my blog with those musical whores).  And, I don't really care for a lot of country stuff (there's only so many times your wife can leave - or cheat, the tractor can flip over, the dog can die, or the crops can wither).  I'm okay with some of the classic country, like Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson - but as far as the new stuff goes??  No.  Just... no.  So, it was utterly surprising to me that I ended up downloading some music which sounds kind of country and twang-y.  Hell, maybe it's more bluesy (at least that's what I'm telling myself).  

For most of these songs, I've actually used an app on my iPhone called "Shazam".  It's a free app (you can also purchase the ad-ware free version, but I couldn't justify paying for that version - the adverts really don't bother me much and certainly don't affect the app itself) and all you have to do is touch the screen (to SHAZAM!!) when a song is on, and it identifies the name of the song and the artist.  Pretty snazzy, eh??

^^  Wham!!  It's Shazam!!  

**Okay, so that was wickedly cheezy.  But I thought it was amusing.  It is what it is.**

What I'm getting at, is this little app helped me to discover new (at least to me) music and artists.  It entirely took the guesswork out of finding the songs on both YouTube and the iTunes store.  

Now my shameless Shazam plug is over (and no, I didn't receive anything for pimping this app - I just really like it), we'll *finally* go on to the actual reason for this post... the music.

Please note:  Lyrics, video content and subject matter may be offensive to some.

"Ain't No Rest for the Wicked"

Cage the Elephant

"99 Problems"

Hugo

"Immigrant Song"

**Remake of Led Zepplin's original song**

**Also featured as the opening song for the movie "Girl With a Dragon Tattoo"**

Trent Reznor, Karen O., Atticus Ross

"Hats Off to the Bull"

Chevelle

"Pride"

**I couldn't find an official video for this song, hence just the audio.**

Syntax

"Man of Constant Sorrow"

**Remake of the song from the movie "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou"

Charm City Devils

"Alcohaulin' Ass"

Hell Yeah

"Too Close"

Alex Clare

"Hey Mister"

**Totally inappropriate**

Custom

"Shambala"

**This song makes me so happy - and reminds me of the movie "Drowning Mona"**

Three Dog Night

Just a partial list of my road-tripping music.  :0))  Some of these songs are a bit older (besides the Three Dog Night song from 1975) - and I missed them because we were living in Europe during the time they were released Stateside.  Contrary to popular belief, everything American does not necessarily make it across the pond.  Hell, the Germans still think David Hasselhoff is a hawt commodity (and for those brave enough to take a look and listen... click here).

Until next time, peeps.  

x0x0

Shreveport-ed.

This weekend I made a quick trip up to Shreveport to visit with friends - and to participate as an NSO (Non-Skating-Official) for this weekend's bout with my first (and favorite!!) flat-track roller derby team... the Twin City Knockers.  I was up, showered, and eating breakfast by 6:00 AM on Saturday morning, packed the car,  filled the gas tank, and left New Orleans by 7:30 AM.  It's a 5-hour trek (roughly 350 miles) from NOLA to Shreveport - along roads that have NOTHING (and I mean NOTHING) to look at... even the gas stations are few and far between.  However, I *am* a glutton for punishment AND I really enjoy a solitary road trip... it's awesome to take the top off the car, listen to whatever I want to, and just lose myself in thought.  Therapeutic, really.

One of the gas stations I stopped at (exit 87 in Alexandria, Louisiana) was really dodgy... I pulled in there around 10:00 in the morning and was a tad bit worried that I might get shanked while filling up the car.  Of course, I needed more than just a fill-up.  I had to use the public bathroom.  Oh.  My.  Gawd.  Besides the fact that it was a unisex bathroom (with a MASSIVELY TALL urinal for the menfolk to pee in and a pretty grubby commode), there was a condom machine mounted on the wall... and one of the items you could purchase for .75 (all quarters, please and thank you) was "Randy Goat Weed".  Touted as a male enhancement drug, I shudder to think of what type of ingredients were really in those miracle "pills".  And I also wonder just how many people have actually parted with their spare change and actually TRIED it.  The proof is in the pudding:

 ^^  Always quality restrooms to be found on I49 N - Exit 87 (Alexandria, LA)

 ^^  This is what .75 cents in a trashy public restroom buys you...

So, after a mood-altering visit to the bad bathroom over in Shanksville, I headed back up the road in order to make it to the House of Wheels and assist with the track set-up (and whatever else my team needed me to do).  Luckily, I had time for lunch (at a decent sandwich shop) before meeting all the other NSOs at 2:00 PM.  The bout was scheduled to start at 7:00 PM, with the doors opening at 6:00 PM so that spectators could get their drink on ($5.00 surcharge for coolers - no matter what the size!!)...

^^  Home of the Twin City Knockers - and one of my favorite places to be.  :0))

^^  Sexy socks and skates...

^^  And the final score... with the Knockers taking the win!!!  :0))

The after-party was at a new (old) bar that I hadn't been to before - Bear's on Fairfield.  They had some excellent drink specials and the bar staff was awesome.  Very attentive AND offered free shots (some kind of vodka mixed with pineapple???  That was what they smelled like) - also had no problem with the derby girls getting boisterous.  Oh, and they served decent bar food... the kitchen was open as long as the bartenders were still serving.  This, in and of itself, makes Bear's a winner in my book!!

^^  All lit up!!  (Literally)

**Photo courtesy of Bear's on Fairfield**

I didn't get any pictures of the inside... it was dim and a bit smoky (most bars in Louisiana still allow patrons to smoke) and I was too busy socializing to even think about taking pictures.  However, I *did* find these gems in the bathroom (I know, I know... what IS it about me, this trip, and bathrooms??!!??) - and being a big huge fan of "Stall Wall" poetry and doodles...  

 ^^  This gem graced the first stall in the ladies room...

^^  And this was in another stall.  I thought the repertoire was quite witty!!

After having some drinks at the bar, visiting with the team, meeting the opposing team (off the derby track), we called it a night and headed home to have some snacks and chill out.  Of course, my friend B. and I ended up gabbing until almost 2:30 AM - and then we both crashed.  

I set my alarm for 9:30 AM so that I could get a move on my day and meet some of my friends for lunch before heading back to New Orleans.  I'm not going to lie...  I was dead tired.  Ended up going to the Olive Garden and after a great lunch, I packed the car back up and headed home.

All in all, it was a fabulous weekend and I'm so glad I was able to catch up with everyone.  

Road Trip + Roller Derby + Good Friends + Food + Boozy Drinks = A Great Weekend

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Fab Fashionista (for Derby).

So.  Today (after I met up with L. at the gym, popped in to the commissary, put groceries away, and bathed my sweaty ass), I realized that my loyalty card to Fleurty Girl would be filled up today IF I bought two new tee shirts (you receive double-stamps on your loyalty card every Tuesday).  Which means, I could get a *free* shirt!!  Ooh, la la!!  Since I had to run out to the post office, I figured I'd just pop across the river and do a little shopping.  Imagine my surprise when I found TWO of the tees I wanted were marked down to $10 each... so, I ended up getting four shirts for the cost of less than two (full retail).  Score!!  I feel like ol' Charlie Sheen today...  WINNING!!

One of the reasons why I wanted to pick some new tees out is because on Saturday, I'm heading up to Shreveport.  I'll be score keeping for my favorite flat-track roller derby team...  the Twin City Knockers (also known as TCK).  I simply needed something funky to wear for that event.  Now my biggest problem is choosing EXACTLY which tee to wear for the bout (as I can't wear anything with the TCK logo on it)...  I might have to draw straws.

Here are my finds:

 ^^  In New Orleans, the medians are known as the "Neutral Ground".  

Apparently, this is a hold-over from when the French and Spanish had colonized southern Louisiana.  The area between the settlements was known as "The Neutral Ground".  

 ^^  City of New Orleans - Ordinance No. 3267 (March 10, 1857).  NOLA was a trashy whore back then, and she's a trashy whore now.  However, the houses of "ill repute" are now lovely bed & breakfasts gracing the Garden District and Uptown.  The only indication that they were brothels are the red gaslights lighting the doorways at night.

 ^^  The Sazerac is one of the most famous drinks in New Orleans.  You can still order one at many restaurants - however, the absinthe which is used in the drink has changed.  Spirits distilled with wormwood (which is what gives absinthe it's hallucinogenic properties) is illegal in the United States.

 ^^  Well, Boston wasn't acknowledged in this quote.  However, I simply think that the author overlooked the awesomeness.  He's dead, so I suppose I can forgive him for this transgression.  ;0))

^^  And just for shits and giggles... this was the line at the commissary today.  Now, you may feel inclined to ask me just how many registers were actually open today... and I'd have to tell you that there were TWO.  And one was the express lane (15 items or less) and they didn't have the self-checkout open, either (personally, I can't stand the self-checkout because I never seem to be able to place anything properly in the damned bags).  Anyhow, the retirees converge at 11:00 AM - note to self. 

So far, this has been the pinnacle of my exciting week.  I'm very excited to be heading to Shreveport early on Saturday morning to help set up the track at 1:00 - and then the bout happens at 7:00 PM (of course, the doors open earlier and it's a BYOB event - $5.00/cooler - no glass bottles).  It is going to be a blast!!  I'll post a whole bunch of pics when I get home on Sunday afternoon.  

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Out (and About).

For some strange reason, whenever I see the words "out" and "about", I always think of the Canadian pronunciation ("oot" and "a-boot").  Don't know why.  It's just an idiosyncrasy that I have (one of many, let me assure you).  Anyhow...

I ended up at the doctor's office this morning because my allergies were hellaciously bad.  There is nothing quite like a lovely large steroid injection in my right ass-cheek and ten days of oral steroids to start the week off right.  Goodbye, sanity.  Welcome 'roid rage.  Le sigh.  So, I didn't make it to the gym this morning.  Instead (after going to see my doc), I went and got my toes painted, picked up some Philosophy hydrating mist (oh dear Jeebus - my skin LOVES their entire line - and I just wanted to go cray-cray and buy it all), and then moseyed over to Best Buy and picked up a new Sims 3 expansion pack.  Later on, I'm going to run to Michael's to pick up some art supplies so that I can make some additional designs for my tee-shirt line.  I've got some really good ideas.  As to how they will translate on to paper??  Well, we'll see.

Now, I'm back home and I'm attempting to get some housework done.  I know - wicked shocker.  The house-elves are on strike and I'm having to do it all myself.  Fuckers.

 ^^  Purple toesies.

^^  The Philosophy awesomeness.

My life has not been hugely exciting lately.  I've been a good girl and I've been on the wagon (damned booze has a TON of calories in it) and eating healthier.  Well, except for yesterday.  Husby did the neanderthal knuckle-dragging grill-thing...  meat + fire = dinner.  And it was really, really good.  And it was even BETTER because I didn't have to make a plan, find the ingredients, and then execute a meal.  

Might be boring, but it's all mine and I'm pretty damned happy.

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Not just the Westbank. It's really the BESTBANK.

As most of you know, the mighty Mississippi curves around and through New Orleans.  Some sections of the city, such as the French Quarter, Irish Channel, Uptown, Marginy, and the Garden District are on the Eastbank (and, yes, it is indeed spelled as one word).  The area I live in (Algiers Point) happens to be on the Westbank.  You can get here two ways - via the Crescent City Connection (the much-bitched-about bridge) or the Canal Street Ferry can carry you AND your car for a mere $1.00 each way.  Of course, parking is a bitch on the other side of the river... and the meter maids are vicious.  VICIOUS, I say!!

Anyhow, people can be really weird when it comes to what area of the city you live in.  Some uppity-ass Eastbankers also like to call those of us on THIS side of the river "Wankers" (W(est)+Bank+ers).  Hell, my husband will say to me "Are you ready to go back to the Wank?"  So, to counter all the Eastbank negativity, I scored this AWESOME tee shirt yesterday at Fleurty Girl:

^^  New tee.

So take that, you weirdo Eastbankers.  I need to find out from some of our friends if there is a derogatory name for those on the OTHER side of the river.  Not that I'd use it or anything.  ;0))

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Voting. Comics. Stormtroopers. Pizza.

This morning we headed out to the Algiers Point courthouse in order to vote on whether or not the Crescent City Connection (the bridge from the Westbank to the Eastbank - connecting the city of NOLA) should have an additional 20 years of tolls.  We also voted on a new Juvenile Court Judge, but because we don't have children, I just picked the name I liked best.  Not very informed, but both of the people running were from the Democrat party, so it didn't really matter to me.  Had it been a Republican vs. Democrat... well, I *am* a liberal-godless-Yankee, so I would've gone with the blue ticket.  ;0))

Oh, and I voted "no" on the bridge tolls, too.  New Orleans has the only bridge on the entire Mississippi River that has a toll (just a little bit of trivia for you).

On our walk over to the courthouse, I came across this disabled Dollar General trolley trashed underneath a "No Parking" sign.  The ironic thing, is that there isn't a damned Dollar General within 15 miles of this location.  So... it's appearance is most definitely mysterious...

^^  Abandoned trolley...

We had to cross the bridge (the same bridge we just voted on) to get to Metairie, which is where one of the bigger comic book shops are.  Here are some pictures I snapped on the way there (don't worry - I wasn't driving!!)... 

 ^^  Crescent City Connection Bridge (CCCB)

^^  Super Dome!!  You know you're in the heart of New Orleans when you see this...

With today being May 4th and all (May The Forth Be With You), we headed out to a couple of our local comic book shops to get some goodies.  Husby is an Avengers and Fantastic Four fan, and I enjoy the cheezy-ass comics like SpongeBob SquarePants and the Smurfs.  And we have:

^^  Fine promotional literature...  

^^  My Score...  all free!!  :0))

 ^^  An Imperial Guard...  right on the parkway!!

^^  So exciting...  I got to meet a Storm Trooper!!  

The only thing more exciting would've been to see Darth Vader!!

After all our comical excitement, we headed back home so that we could walk the dog (who has some serious gas - it would probably be best to NOT light a match in my living room right now) and figure out what we wanted to do for lunch.  I had a craving for pizza, so we decided to go to Mo's Pizza in Westwego.  Yes, that is *really* the name of the town.  :0))  We ordered the large supreme (minus the olives) and the pie was the size of a large hubcap.  I managed to eat 2 slices (just the goodies - no crust) and we have enough to feed us for the rest of the weekend.  Guess that gets me out of cooking.  

While we were in Westwego, we found a Piggly Wiggly!!  My brother, sister, and I used to call it the "Hoggly-Woggly" (we thought we were being SOOOOO witty - someone slap me straight now!!)

^^  Proof positive!!  Look and weep, biotches!!

Unfortunately, we didn't stop in.  However, I think I'll find a reason to head back there soon (as if I *need* a reason to shop).  

On the way back home, I was lucky enough to see a plane skywriting over the French Quarter.  It was really cool to watch and it made me wonder as to what lucky person was the recipient of the (literal) love:

 ^^  Noticed on the way home from Westwego...

^^  Almost finished by the time we were in Algiers Point...

And now we're back home.  I'm heading over to the Casey Jones in a little bit... they have pork chops on sale (family packs - $1.00/pound) and I need some libations for tonight.  I'll be heading over to S. and L.'s house tonight for some front-porch fun.  Life is good.  Very, very good.

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