Writing and your brain

This is a really cool article about writing and the brain.

Nothing like a learnin on a rainy Saturday.


This visual account of brain activity associated with reading and writing is quite worthwhile and revealing. Poets, novelists, essayists: pay particular attention to the part about cliches. Studies show that cliches do little to activate readers’ or listeners’ brains, while fresh and imaginative new ways of writing stimulate them in important ways. So make it new! Oh, that’s an old cliche now, isn’t it? My brain hurts. Thanks to Andrew for sending this in. I might put this up on my wall.

Ernest Hilbert

Ernest Hilbert is founder of E-Verse Radio

well that sucks.........

So.......that's my leg.........currently

Tuesday, my neighbor knocked on my door asking if I smelled gas.

I did, it was in the main hallway and rather strong.

We started knocking on doors to find the source and I piped up and said
"lets just call the fire dept, they can check if there is a major leak somewhere"

So we all went outside to wait for the fire trucks.

The fire trucks turned the wrong way so...........
I walked down to the end of the drive to flag them down.

When they saw me a turned and started a little jog back up the driveway.

There was an audible "POP" and then my toes no longer worked.

I have had either a partial or complete rupture of my Achilles tendon.

It hurts REALLY bad and on Monday I see an orthopaedist to determine if I will need surgery to repair it.

I am NOT a happy girl right now :(

I said I wasn't gonna do it

I swore I was not going to pig out this weekend. I promised myself that I would not eat all the wonderful things that Asheville has to offer.........
but then BFF K said "I want to take you to Tupelo Honey" (sh*t) where I proceeded to eat my weight in fried okra. I don't know what they put in that stuff but DAMN!!!

Not to mention the yummy canned ham and boirson cheese thingy BFF K's mama made for my arrival.
The things southern women can do with canned ham is just miraculous.

Then there was dinner at the old folks home where Mrs. Bubbles insisted that I have a bourbon with her. Now when a 94 yr. old woman in a hove-around asks you to have a bourbon you don't say no. That's just rude.
I proceeded to have too much bourbon (one is too much for me) and WAY too much ice cream and orange cake. Orange cake will make you diabetic, but the sugar and alcohol buzz is really good.

And then last night I put myself into a wine and pizza coma. Why in the world have I never had friend eggplant on a pizza. How have I lived without this?

So now my jeans don't fit and we are supposed to make philly brownies with the girls today. Crap, I'm gonna have to buy a hippie skirt so that I have something that fits. Thank God I'm in Asheville, finding a hippie skirt won't be a problem

I am still trying to come out of my pizza and wine comma. All I want to do is head up to the parkway, find a spot and watch all the bikers ride by.
Of course I'll have to pack a light snack before I head up ;) 

A real woman is a man's best friend. She will never stand him up and never let him down. She will reassure him when he feels insecure and comfort him after a bad day.

She will inspire him to do things he never thought he could do; to live without fear and forget regret.

She will enable him to express his deepest emotions and give in to his most intimate desires.

She will make sure he always feels as though he's the most handsome man in the room and will enable him to be the most confident, sexy,seductive, and invincible. . .

No wait... Sorry... I'm thinking of beer.

That's what beer does...

Never mind.

Here she goes again

I have been seeing these crazy inspirational thingies lately.

I usually roll my eyes and grumble something like "yeah, yeah, positive....bah humbug"
but lately I have been reading them and taking them a bit to heart.

This one hit very close to home.
For some reason I have had an unusual amount of "strangers" come into my life in recent days.
I am often wary of "strangers" but this time I have let a lot of them in and I've liked it :)

Now when I read something like this I always think of my beautiful Dale.
Dale came into my life a few years back. We became instant friends and we are now family.

Not to long after we met we were sitting on a bench at John Howell Park. He turned to me, grabbed my hand and said "I love you". I started to laugh hysterically.

You see, not too long before I met Dale I asked the universe....."Universe, I just want to hear a man tell me he loves me"

Well the universe answered.....and rather quickly I might add. Thank you Universe.......however.........
Dale is a big gay man.
While his love for me is genuine (and mine for him) that's not exactly what I meant when I sent up my little prayer.
So when you ask the universe for something.......be specific ;)

We still get many giggles out of that one.

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for ...each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

— Unknown

DAMN (the original)

You know everytime someone tells me about a sexy piece of music or video.......

I always show them this...............................

They don't need no fancy effects

Is it hot in here...........

DAMN

Y'all this is hot........like really hot..........plus a really cool concept.

(not so crazy about the song but.......just watch it)

Well that was weird

This has been a very bizarre weekend.

So bizarre in fact that it extended into Monday (ha).

Friday night was........way too much rum.

Saturday I had a lovely girls night with the beautiful and oh so grown up Miss Mary. Miss Mary is BFF K's daughter. BFF K had a much deserved grown up night out
We had dinner at Doc Cheys, Miss Mary had lomein with chicken and even tried the edemame.
She said "I don't think I like it but it's not bad". Well Miss Mary I appreciate you trying it, that's all I ask.
We then headed home, it was a lovely evening for a walk, and watched Enchanted (great movie). We both fell asleep on the sofa while watching an old episode of Caillou.

Now I do not have children and I don't know if I will ever have children (I am a woman of a certain age so that may not be physically possible) but there is nothing sweeter than having a five year old fall asleep on you. It's just sweet. Miss Mary is a love and I am happy to watch her anytime.

BFF K scored a great deal at a fancy midtown hotel, so at the end of her grown up night, we all headed over and crashed.
Twice this weekend I had the pleasure of waking up in a king sized bed. I gotta figure out how to squeeze one of those things into my place. It'll be a tight fit but I think I can do it.

Sunday I discovered a mountain stream and a beach in my neighborhood!!!! I know!!!!
It's this great natural reserve right in the middle of town. Took another walk there this morning. It's beautiful and it feels like you are no where near a city. Very nice, thanks Hawker ;)

Today......I decided I'm going on a road trip.
Yes.
I have no ties right now and I am very jealous of the pirates adventure so what the hell.
It will be small and not on a bike but I have people I need to go see and what better time than NOW!!!!
(also, I can't afford a plane trip but I think I can scrounge up gas money)

Dad

Several years ago my father sent me this song. He wrote a little note with it.

"This is all I have ever wanted for you"
It was signed with his signature LOVE DAD (with the goofy smiley face)

It's full of cheesy sentiment and sappy goodness and my father and I sent it back and forth to each other for years.

It makes me cry every time (it made him cry too)

When he passed in 2008, this CD was one of the first things I grabbed, along with his wallet and cell phone.
I did not put his cell phone down for three days and I still carry his old drivers license. It's strange the things you grab in crisis. When we are thinking logically we picture ourselves holding onto sentimental, romanticized items but when the trauma actually hits, you hold on to the common and mundane.

I miss you Dad, everyday. I am so grateful for the years we had and I carry you with me always. MWAH!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Oh No......

she's moved on to bossa nova......it's official........nothing NOT FUN will get completed today :)

Sangria can be a breakfast drink.......right?

I don't think its going to be a productive day :)

Just saying...........................

I love this kid

Shhhhhhhh..............just listen

The smile is almost uncontrollable around 2:06

Istanbul

Hey, did you know that there is a lot of civil unrest going on in Istanbul right now?

No

Oh right, I forgot, Beyonce showed her midriff this weekend squelching the rumors of a 2nd baby,
our "journalist" are busy.

Well anyway, there is some shit going on in Turkey. I hate this for very personal reasons. I love Istanbul, it's an amazing city and the Turkish people are some of the best people I have ever met. I have some dear friends there and I know I could just SHOW UP in Turkey and I would have a place to lay my head. That's kinda cool.

Ok so about two weeks ago protesters took over Taksim Square. It's a neat little place, good bars and restaurants. Nice place to hang out and just chill if you are chillin in Istanbul.

My friend Serenat has been blowing up my twitter. Unfortunately its in Turkish so I have had to do a lot of translating.

on a side note - Serenat means serenade. I have always said if I had a daughter I would name her Serenat because, how beautiful is that (no, you cannot steal it.....well I mean you can cause how the hell would I know). Also Serenat is beautiful both inside and out. I got a little lady crush, I'll admit it.

Now this is not an Arab spring kinda thing. Turkey is about as Western as you can get in that part of the world. They have free elections, women are not in Berkas, alcohol is allowed, its just like any other big European city.
These protesters feel that their basic way of life is being threatened.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22866043

"This is not an Arab spring", one protester, Melis Behlil, told me.
"We have free elections here. But the problem is that the person elected doesn't listen to us."

Hmmmmmm....why does this sound so familiar.....I just can't put my finger on it but I'm sure I've heard this before..........

Bad Ass Grandma

Yesterday I had the pleasure of lunch with the amazing Kathy.

Kathy is my realtor and given my recent financial "issues" she treated me to lunch at Cafe 246 in Decatur.

http://www.no246.com/

This place is really good, the pork sandwich thing with fancy au jus.......DAMN, the french fries.........for real's y'all. I took em home, and you know french fries are not known as yummy left overs.
Plus the space is really beautiful, I just love a good space!

Anyway.........Kathy is an older woman. I would say late 60's early 70's. She's feisty, I like that. She's about 4ft10 with a mop of white hair with a thick Jersey accent.. She is ADORABLE!!
Plus, she's a great realtor. She kept my deal alive when I was basically saying things like "you tell those bleeping, bleeping, bleeps to take this new addendum and shove it up their up bleep"

She would let me sleep on it, call me the next day and plow forward.
Because of her, I am probably the only person in my neighborhood sitting on a 50 to 60K profit. I love Kathy :)
She looked at me over piles of tax records and comps and said "You're going to make a profit if you choose to sell. You're the first person I've said that to in about 4 years"
The grin on her face was priceless.

Sidebar - I found a duplex in Decatur for a great price. Hmmmmm, I think I like the idea of being a landlady.

So Kathy got to talking about politics and life in general. Ayn Rand came up (she always comes up when we are together for some reason).
Kathy then told me of her latest "you did what!?!" adventure.
This little woman is always getting into shit.

Those in the area may remember this story.

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/stolen-ambulance-crashes-into-building-in-dekalb-c/nX8kn/

This was pretty scary because I know people in the neighborhood and when it happened I was calling and doing the phone tree stuff; "did you talk to so and so?" "everybody is ok, right?" It was scary.

Well apparently, Kathy and her neighbors were having a little block party on this day. So in the middle of all the neighborhood fun, some guy comes running down the street stating "everything is fine". Well when a stranger comes running through your block party exclaiming "everything is fine"........you know everything is NOT fine. The men folk perked up a bit, gotta love the men folk.

Someone yells out, "Hey Kathy, he just ran into your house"
Well little 4ft10inch Kathy gets up and marches over to her house, with the men folk BEHIND her.
The guy had locked her front door so she quickly went around the back knowing that that door was unlocked. Leaving the guys scratching their heads and calling 911.

So my little friend marches into her house after a crazy man.
She said "when I got in the house I could see him in the living room so I yelled out "what are doing""
"Kathy, you could have been killed"
"Oh, he wasn't going to hurt me, he was far away from me anyway"
Oh, but of course, distance, because guns only work at 3 feet (he wasn't armed, but who knew that in the moment)

In Kathy's defense, she was a social worker for many years and has encountered many dangerous situations. 

She said the guy just stood there so she just stood there.
Apparently by this time two of the neighborhood men folk had made it into the house and were, again, BEHIND her. Although one did have the sense to grab a knife from the kitchen.

As it turns out, this poor soul did have mental issues and was not a real threat to anyone. He just dove off the deep end and some innocent people happened to be in the way when he decided to do it. I actually think going into Kathy's house may have been Divine intervention. He could have walked into the wrong house and been blown to oblivion.

I did however, do my duty and give Kathy a little talking too. "Please do not go after the crazy people that break into your house.....OK!!!!"

The moral of the story is this........most little old ladies are bad ass. They have seen shit, they can make things with vaseline and whisky that will heal you, and they are usually not afraid of ANYTHING!!!

Some of this is actually useful

Ok so it's another list but.........WOW, so many uses for those little plastic bread thingys


http://twistedsifter.com/2013/01/50-life-hacks-to-simplify-your-world/

I was shushed

I love this song so very much, and this band puts on such a great show.................
that being said, when I was dancing and singing my head off this last fall, the annoying girl behind me SHUSHED ME...............................which only caused me to sing louder and dance even more obnoxiously hehehehe.
It's a concert sweetheart, not mass, lighten up (no wonder her boyfriend looked so sad)

Philip Glass

ABBA (because its my blog...thats why)

I could watch this for hours

and trust me.....at some point during this, you will find your self whispering....."get it, get it"

Don't yell at me but.........

this is really funny.

Ladies, you must admit we do this.

Not all the time, but more often then not......

The drummers house

I was inspired to start this blog because of another brilliant blog

www.elpinchepirata.blogspot.com

The pirate is funny and charming and most importantly, he has a great dog named Mikey.

Yesterday a picture of Mikey was posted and unbeknownst to the pirate, it is in front of a very special place from my past.

The drummer lived in that house.
On August 7, 1988 at The Point in little 5 points, I met The Drummer

Those of you paying attention will know, that was my 18th birthday. It was a significant meeting.
A few short days later I was sitting in this house rambling on about nothing to The Drummer.

It was a duplex then (it may still be for all I know).
The Drummer and his roommate lived upstairs and a few members of Drivin and Cryin lived downstairs.
It was a fun house and for almost two years, this was my home away from home.
The little porches you see were not there, but the side rooms are big sun rooms with lots of windows, it's a really beautiful home both inside and out.
Oh and those greyhound statues, yeah, those were not there. (they bother me)

I drive by the house constantly but seeing it in a photograph allowed me to stop and really look at it. It brought back a lot of stuff. It is interesting how places, smells, music brings you back. This house was a huge part of my life.

Many of you know that I was a wild child. Starting at about 14, I went a little crazy, but in matters of the heart, I was totally green.
The drummer was nine years older than me, he played in a popular band and he was really cute.
I was smitten from day one, but I was also 18 and a bit naive.
The Drummer was the first big heartbreak. It hurt, it hurt bad.

I was swept up and convinced that we would be together forever, in this beautiful house surrounded by our cool friends and the best neighborhood in town.
Ah, to be 18 again!

Well.......the drummer and I went our separate ways, fell in love with others, fell out of love with others, got back together, broke up, tried again, broke up, met other people.................then decided, we are really great as friends.

So, we are together forever :)
He is a permanent fixture in my life now and I would not have it any other way. We are NOT romantic and once we figured that out, the rest just fell into place.

This house and that time will always remain one the greatest of my life. I was so free and happy and dramatically melancholy (you know what I'm talking about), it was a great time.

Thanks for the karmic post Pirate.

Hilarious

This is really funny

It reminds me of the time I worked in Ann Arbor, MI.
Apparently in some parts of the country a "grit" is a working class or blue collar person. When I overheard a co-worker talking about "grits" I chimed in with, "oh man, I love em with lots of butter and cheese"
I was considered a freak for much of my time in Ann Arbor.......................

http://www.businessinsider.com/22-maps-that-show-the-deepest-linguistic-conflicts-in-america-2013-6?op=1

Attitude

This concept of attitude has been drilled into my head for years.

My father had this quote that he kept with him at all times. It was in several places in the house, his office,  he even carried it in his wallet.

When he died, we printed it on little cards and handed them out to everyone.
One side had an American flag, the other side had this quote, that was Dad.

When I was younger he would make me read it and I would think
"yeahyeahit'sgreatabsolutelyIgetitsure, can I go back to my music now please, thanks"

But now, that I'm older, and Dad's gone, I'm starting to get it.
Happiness in your life is a choice, your attitude colors everything.
Everyday we have a choice, I can make this a great day or not.

Now I am not saying that choosing to have a bad day is right or wrong, we need bad days, bad days are healthy, but make no mistake, it is a choice.

I was recently having a pity party when I started to examine achievements in my life.
(note-be sober when you do this)
I remembered as a little girl I always pictured myself in a glamorous high rise apartment overlooking a big city.
I also pictured myself in this beautiful home that I rode by on Habersham.
(I'm a bit of a contradiction, just deal with it ok)

I started to go down the "I have achieved nothing!!!" path, but I had to stop.
Wait a minute, I have lived in New York City, the biggest big city there is.
 Yeah, I did not have a glamorous apartment with a great balcony overlooking Central Park, but I've been on several (ha).
But the point is I went there, I grew an amazing career, I ended up with a really nice apartment (by NY standards). I did it, 8 year olds dream accomplished.
Oh and that house on Habersham, no I didn't get that, but last year I bought a condo in one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Atlanta.......check that one off.

There are many things that I want in my life that are not here yet. The reality is, some of those things may never come but I get the chance, everyday, to meet new people, learn new things and change the path of my life.........with my attitude.


The quote is from an evangelical Christian pastor. This is funny, why, Dad was not a bible thumper. I have never seen him set foot in a church, maybe for a wedding, but you could always tell he did not like it. Dad was a hard man, but he too was a contradiction. 

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”
― Charles R Swindoll 

 

I have done good..........

Most of you know that I am a woman of a certain age.

Being a woman of a certain age, I feel it is my duty to educate the youth about the greatness of the 80's rock ballad.

You see the rock ballad is a lost art form.
It's a shame really
Some of them were horribly sappy
Some were heartfelt and still hit that spot
and some were just EPIC!

Last night I had the opportunity to edumicate a particular youth (don't worry, I will share the details with those that need to know later ;))

We started off a little on the girly side, but always one of my favorites

That one, sadly, got a no but there was hope, so I went a little more organic.

He still wasn't feeling it so I went classic..........

Ah, we had a little nod, very nice.

Oh a smile....but honestly by this point I was on a role and this little boy was just going to have to come with me on my ride down memory lane :D

He knew that one so he was starting to trust me.  On a side node ---- Duff, I will love you FOREVER!!!

So I thought to myself, Self........what is the ultimate rock ballad............

Oh, that's a good one......but no

Oh super cheesy and Tawny Kitaen is in her prime there......but no
that one is just not right.

Oh........of course.

How could I have missed it.

The greatest rock ballad is from the greatest rock ballad band

..........

Wait for it

.......

Jeesh you people

..........

..........

I thought of giving you the radio version, but that would just not do.

so here it is, in all it's 6min and 12 seconds of glory

Lights out and lighters up!!!!