Yet another

Lets all send our best wishes to Little Red Haired Girl. She's having her first big girl operation on her knee(s) tomorrow, complete with anesthesia and everything. She's a little scared, but she'll be fine and they'll give her drugs.

So, good luck and relax and enjoy the attention. Oh, and make the recovery room nurse talk to you. (and don't forget to do what i told you to do tonite, cause it'll be a few weeks before you want to again)

Here's hoping your significant other shines as brightly in this moment as another did. (They'll totally go get you ice cream and stuff).

NMT 33

Even though I don't have any hair, there is currently a flat iron stored under my sink.

Went to the grocery store tonite and I saw why daddies don't get to go grocery shopping. Two guys standing next to the OJ with their carts, talking to each other. Little kid, 2nd grade age comes running up the one of the carts with two boxes of cereal bars. The dad leans down and says, "Go to the next aisle and see if you can find jelly." Awesome. Shopping without moving. Maybe I'll take Ben next time....

Ok ladies, one of you must know: Is it the softest bra ever? (Though it may be the only bra Vicki's has that goes up to DD. I'm being forced to watch HGTV, which is why I've seen the commercial)


Our pick this week is actually new. I will admit, I didn't like this girl too much when she first came out. More to the point, I only liked a few songs on her first couple of records, but never a whole record. Her last record was the first one that I liked all the way through and I would have ignored it if not for the first video, but that's for another Tuesday.

I do like that she was stuck with the "Angry girl" label when she had ONE angry song. Granted, it was a really angry song, but there were 12 songs on that record and the rest were not that angry. She had one about walking around naked in your living room and Mormon Girl can't be the only one who does that. ( come on...don't even deny it. Even the mommies before they had kids).

Anyway, this is the first single from her upcoming album, Flavors of Entanglement (she's good at picking titles, I'll give her that). She looks really good in this and she's always been quietly hot. And she's single again.

So, from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada:

Alanis Morissette - "Underneath":




Bonus Tracks:

Another new single. Single #2 from a great, great record:

R.E.M. - "Hollow Man":



Random pick of the week:

Why?

Why was this necessary? Honestly.

Opposing time slots

I watched CSI so I don't know, but I hear Grey's was good tonite. I doubt it, but this is what I hear. I did have the three scenes I saw during CSI commercials explained to me. I'm not sure why noone likes Meridith's sister, she's way hot. She's a klepto, but totally hot.

Oh and I totally put on some music and was dancing and got, "What the hell are we listening to?" It was (former NMT pick) Ween's "Voodoo Lady". So fun to dance to in your living room. I totally did the "human daisy" move from the Push th' little daisies video. KG knows what I'm talking about and that's all that matters.

In a completely unrelated note, my surgical area is lightly reminding me it's still there. Total coincidence.

NMT 32

Where the Wild Things Are

Meredith, Alex, Izzie and Cristina compete in a surgical contest, with Bailey judging; George and his new roommate, Lexie, adjust to their squalid apartment; and Callie finds a friend in Erica Hahn zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Holy hell. I'm bored just reading that. This does seem like some sort of important plot point though: The episode takes place six weeks after Derek and Meredith ended their relationship and Derek began dating Rose.

Didn't Derek leave to be the head of Pediatrics somewhere or something?

Saturday was National Record Store Day. Independent record stores across the country held special events with some bands signing autographs, some artists doing DJ gigs at the stores and a few bands, including R.E.M., putting out record store only available singles. (NYTimes article about it Here).

This is something near to me. The record store gig I had was the best job I've ever had. I used to bitch a lot, but it really was the best thing for me. If you could make a living doing it (and trust me, you can't), I would still be doing it.

Talking to people, having in depth discussions about a band or how they were good until more than five people like them, then they were no longer your precious find (you get over this quickly as you get older). Discussing the WJRR playlist and realizing that the top 5 songs are played about ever 4 hours (no shit). Helping someone find something you also enjoy and maybe turning them on to something else that they may like. (and then making fun of them when they leave. And we did. Sorry, but it's still retail and stress must be relieved). And of course answering the time honored question; "When that new Dre album gonna drop?" (Remember that Hannah?)

Playing something in the store, because you knew, if only people would hear it, know it was out there, they would want it. Sounds silly, but it works. You remember that scene in High Fidelity, you know this one, it's not crap. It totally works that way.

I enjoy the ease of finding almost anything online. Some hard to find stuff and it's really convenient when you live in a shit hole like this town, but there's something about touching the product and searching through the racks. See, the finding wasn't always the point, it was the looking. Searching for the lost, hidden gem. That one piece that maybe completes a section of your collection.

I don't think the kids today do that enough. You can just go online and download it somewhere. You don't build that connection with other like minded searchers. Not directly anyway. There was that feeling of accomplishment when you finally found something after searching for it. Kids today don't have to do that and I think it's one more thing that has cost them some soul. You don't get attached to anything, because it took zero effort to find it. That's sad.

Sometimes, it's good to just go look. Just look through the racks and see what is in there. You never know what you'll happen to stumble upon.

Which leads us to our pick for this week (cause trust me, I could go all day on this and maybe someday I will).

These guys opened for The Tragically Hip in Orlando when I saw them back in 2002 at HOB. Great show and I was right on the barrier in front of the stage. Never heard of this band before, but I did when they finished. Very good band. Good voice and catchy songs.

I didn't buy their album then, but went looking for it a few years later and nothing. Not on Amazon, not on iTunes, zip. I think the band has since broken up, so no web site.

Went to Vinyl Fever here about two years ago, went flipping through the 99 cent leftover cd's and lo and behold there it was. Snatched it up and it was every bit as good as I had hoped. Which is sad, because this band should have been more well known then it was.

So, in this one (and probably final) instance, the record store won. Small Victories.

I don't know anything about this band, but I think they're from Alabama maybe. Not sure.

So, from Parts unknown (like all the cool wrestlers of your childhood):

Wayne - "Be This Way":



Bonus Tracks:

Here's a band I wrote about on the old blog, way many years ago (Here and then scroll down to April 27, 2004 or hit ctrl+f and search the page for Hate Bombs)

and in keeping with the Record Store Day theme, the drummer is a Peaches Alumni

Hate Bombs - "She's the Girl":



Random pick of the week:

Allison, we were there!

NMT 29+2

She made me a sandwich before she left for work on Monday. Allison doesn't even get that from Mormon Girl.

She's grading papers right now. It's on the solar system. Question 6: has oxygen for breathing, water to drink and a temp. that is not too hot or too cold for humans. YOU LIVE ON IT. (my emphasis). Someone actually put: Uranus. Which is sad, but provided me with hours of endless entertainment. Maybe he is from Uranus and had to flee because of the constant infestation of Klingon's.

Ok, so this week our pick comes to us from a performer whose writing I have always loved. I got a collection of his poetry and lyrics from the library before I had surgery and I've been going through it whenever my eyes will let me. The words are beautiful even when (especially when) the subject is perhaps not so.

His melodies and style are instantly recognizable. On R.E.M.'s 1999 album "Up", the melody to the song "Hope" is based on our pick this week. The very first time I heard it I thought, this sounds like him. Low and behold he was credited with a songwriting credit.

He is similar to Bob Dylan in that the songs are beautiful, but most people can't get past his voice. (and also like Dylan, the early work is easier to listen too) and they enjoy it when someone else sings one of his songs.

The best example of this is Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah". I was going to use that this week, but couldn't find a suitable version to use (and I've given it to all of you at some point). Rufus Wainwright did the piano version in Shrek. It's one of the most beautiful songs ever written and even the chump on American Idol who is trying to get kicked off the show couldn't screw it up. (He totally is trying to get kicked off too).

So, here you go. This is a film project someone made for a class and put the song to it. It's pretty good actually (I have something similar for an R.E.M. song that I haven't used yet).

So, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada:

Leonard Cohen - "Suzanne":




Another film project, and you get to see what it's like when someone else sings his songs. I love this version of this haunting and achingly beautiful song (and I love the quote and the beginning):

Tori Amos - "Famous Blue Raincoat":



This was on the soundtrack to Pump up the Volume. You remember, the pirate radio movie with Christian Slater. Loved it. The original version of this song was his theme song so to speak. Also, you get to remember the 5 to 10 min. period you would have slept with Johnette Napolitano given the chance. (Vicki liked this version over the regular studio version, and I have to agree. Miss this band).

Concrete Blonde - "Everybody Knows":

Surgery: Update

Wow. This hurts. I am ok though. Friday started out early with a 6.45 check in. If you've ever been to TMH here, you know that getting in and finding where you are supposed to be is Challenging. Once we found where we were to be everything went very smoothly and all the staff were very helpful and friendly. Like all hospitals stays there were a lot of questions, some of them more than once and then a lot of waiting. At about 8.45 I got wheeled down to pre-op and started all of that.

I must mention that this was my first trip to the hospital since I was born. I've never had surgery or even had an IV before. so it was all new to me. The IV was weird because it made my arm cold. the Dr. came in and went over some things before hand and he was very detailed, so that set me at ease.

For some silly ass reason I thought I was going to just have a local or something. Wrong. Totally going to sleep. This caused a bit of concern, since I had never done this and I had no idea what it would be like.

Once I was all prepped up and ready, they came to take me to the OR. This is where i gets surreal: As they're wheeling me down the hall all I can see is the ceiling, like in the movies. In through the doors of the OR and then stop under the big lights. No idea what the room looks like except it's bright. Then they get me to move over to the table and begin to strap me down and all that. This operation is a well oiled machine and I am just in the way. The Knock out DR. must have started the drugs right away because I started to feel tingly right away and he puts an oxygen mask over my face ad says just go ahead and breathe deeply. Two breaths and then I was waking up/being woken up in recovery.

Let me tell you something about recovery room nurses: They can suck balls. Never done this before, totally disoriented, I was dreaming and then thinking I was waiting for my surgery to start and they're telling me I need to stop moving. I have no idea where I am and I am freaking out and telling them it hurts. She explains to me that my BP has to come down before I can get anything. So instead of talking me down and trying to help me relax, she sits down and reads a book. I can't stop moving and my eyes can't stop and focus on anything and my body still thinks it's in OR, but please, by all means, let's see what interest plot shift James Patterson has come up with now. Didn't realize this bothered me so much until yesterday.

So, anyway, get back to the room my Mom is there and Vicki is on her way. Still a little wobbly and no idea what's really going on.

The nurse comes in and asks about the pain, I had to give it about a 7. I think it was the dismount. She gives me some morphine. Comes back an hour later, how is the pain? It's about the same. That's right! I am immune to Morphine. She gave me percocet and then some more Morphine. Nothing. Well, it did bring the pain down, but not totally away and I wasn't as loopy as the other people in the room thought I should be. I am above your silly medicines.

So spent all day in the room and I wasn't allowed to leave until I peed. Nurse helped me up to go pee and I went in and nothing really happened expect I suddenly became very nauseous, very quickly. I opened the door and the nurse, who to her credit played it cool, grabbed me by the arm and said I should get in bed. I was apparently pale. I felt pretty bad.

Eventually, I got to go home and the first night was kind of rough. I can't sit up and getting up is still painful.

Thankfully, I had two wonderful people here to help me out. My mom was stellar while she was here as usual, but the person who has shined through this has been Vicki. Seriously, she has been a champ. (and she's reading this site now, so watch your language-this means you Mormon Girl).
My mom could only stay Friday night and she left early Saturday. Vicki has stepped right in and taken care of me. Made sure I had what I needed helping me get to the bathroom (and waiting outside, she says to make sure I'm ok, but I think she's some kind of pee freak). She's also here to fuss at me when I get up before her and move around too much without her being here to help. Got up this morning and walked out to get the paper and got a look when she got up and realized how it had gotten in the house. She's also forbidden me from working tomorrow. And she totally ratted me out to Amanda and my mom for moving around too much. She's a total snitch. And she just went to get Advil and Ice cream. good times.

I am doing better. Still hurt sometimes and hurts to move. Took off the dressing yesterday and I can shower now. Removing the dressing was fun. They had to shave the area and only shaved half of it. Who does that? Just go ahead and do the whole thing. I got Percocet and it's keeping the pain away, but not knocking me out. So, now I am resting, and we are watching the end of The Masters. The only side effect I'm having with the pills is my eyes are watering and since I'm rubbing them, now they're raw and hurt.

I wanted to thank everyone for your support and concern. It meant a lot and was very helpful. It was very humbling. Thank you

So, I'm ok and looking forward to being fully recovered. Cause this hurts.

Did I leave anything out?

Surgery

Ouch. More Later.

NMT 29+1

I don't know if I told all of you yet, but just in case I am having surgery Friday. Nothing major (or so I'm told by everyone who is NOT getting cut on) I apparently have a hernia on my left side and it needs to be fixed. I am told it's common in men and pretty sure I got it while working out (see, if I had continued to be a lazyass, I wouldn't be hurting). I'll spare you the gory detail, but I guess there is an area in men where three different muscle group meet and cause a natural weak spot (intelligent design my ass). Somewhere along the way it gave out and now I have something poking through said hole. I don't know, but it hurts. Not all the time, but most of the time. Plus I can push it back in, which is kind of fun and it weirds your girlfriend out.

Anyways, Our pick this week is in honor of that procedure. Hopefully, this will be funny to you and show it's not a big deal. It's outpatient and I'm not going fully under. Oh and I get kick ass drugs.

So, Straight outta Lynwood, CA:


Weird Al Yankovic - "Living with a Hernia":

(And it's not this bad, just thought it was funny)



Bonus Tracks:

Sense a theme?




Random Pick of the Week:

NMT 29

You know you're married with kids when your mother-in-law offers to keep your child overnight on your anniversary and your first thought isn't "Oh man, now we can have anniversary sex in any room and be as loud as we want.", but instead: "Oh man, I could totally sleep in and only worry about getting myself ready for work in the morning".

Can't wait.

Our pick this week, in celebration of R.E.M. day -the album came out today and they were on the Today show, but I only saw two of the songs- is one of the bands that will be opening for them on their U.S. tour. I probably won't get to see this leg of the tour since the only close show they are playing is in Atlanta, in June, outdoors. No thanks. I'm sure they'll be back around in the fall or whatever.

never heard of this band until they were announced as an opening band (along with Modest Mouse), so not sure what to tell you other than I do like it.

From Cincinnati, OH:

The National - "Mistaken for Strangers"



bonus tracks:

It's always good when a song from a genre you wouldn't normally listen that you are forced to listen too is actually pretty good. I have this cd if any of you need a copy.

Alicia Keys - "No one":



Random pick of the Week - It's R.E.M. day: