The Mind Wobbles

So many things to absorb, think about, deal with and put up with - it simply makes the mind wobble...

Friday, October 31, 2008

The Lola Shuffle - The "Happy Halloween!" Edition


BOO!

Did we scare you? I told Lola you'd be able to hear us sneaking up...

Lola is dressing up as a calculator!

So, do you have any exciting Halloween plans for tonight?

We're going to a friend's house. Years ago we started the tradition of going over there so that some adults could stay at the house to give out candy while parents took the kids trick-or-treating. But now the youngest "kid" is 16! So now we pretty much go to eat, drink, hang out and give candies to other people's children.

My job is to torture dumb-azzed teenagers who don't even bother to put on a costume and show up holding a wrinkled Publix bag expecting to get candy. After I give them a mildly hard time, I decree that their costume is "annoying teenager" and tell them they did a fabulous job!

So Lola...shuffle up some music to trick-or-treat by...

  1. I'm Goin' Home - Hootie and the Blowfish (goin' home to...trick or treat?)
  2. Whatta Man - Salt and Pepa (didn't you always feel sorry for Spinderella, for not getting any credit?)
  3. Hurt - Johnny Cash (chillingly creepy performance of this song)
  4. God Only Knows - The Beach Boys (so, it's bad that this song now reminds me of polygamous Mormons right?)
  5. Ring Ring - Mika
  6. Nights on Broadway - Bee Gees
  7. Real Good Man - Tim McGraw (YUMMY!)
  8. Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett (this songs never fails to make me smile...don't start Dixie! Don't be a hater!)
  9. You Can Leave Your Hat On - Joe Cocker (as I've said before, I find this song to be smokin' sexy)
  10. Gigi - Bing Crosby (oh..."Gigi"...I love this movie!)

Have a happy, safe and treat-filled Halloween!

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Wednesday, October 29, 2008

WOO HOO!


The Phillies did it!

They won the World Series!

After a bizarre two-part game, they marched into a cold, dry field - the stands packed with fans enduring 30+ degree weather. They got the job done!

Hubby is beside himself with joy. He was on the phone with his parents when they got the final out and he kept yelling "I can't believe it!", "I can't believe it!" A friend called on my cell yelling WOO HOO!

It's a good night!

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"Yes We Can" Music Video


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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

'Toon Tuesday







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Monday, October 27, 2008

Baseball and Lentils and Dumplings, Oh My!


I had a great weekend!

First of all the Phillies won both weekend games, putting us at a 3-1 lead! YAY! Hubby is over the moon!

Saturday, we woke up late and lolled around the house which is always fun. Then I went to a friend's house and learned how to make Cuban-Style Lentil Soup. The recipe will be up here in a couple of days - check it out, it's delicious! After we made the soup we had it for dinner along with a yummy pork loin, lots of wine and lots of laughter.

Sunday, some the Culinarily Adventurous Girls got together to go to an Armenian/Georgian restaurant - OHMYGOD - YUM! The food is similar to other Mediterranean fare, but it has a different twist to it. We had these Armenian Dumplings that were to die for. And again, wine and laughter with good friends.

Do you see a pattern here?

I hope your weekend was just as great!

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Friday, October 24, 2008

The Lola Shuffle - The "I Voted Today!" Edition

YAY me! I voted today! It took exactly 2 hours from when I walked in to when I walked out - but I did it! So did Hubby.

Now it's up to you all.

Lola, shuffle up some stand-in-line-to-vote music for everybody...

  1. Hole in the World - The Eagles (great song)
  2. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson
  3. Passionate Kisses - Mary Chapin Carpenter (love, love, love this song!)
  4. Don't Speak - No Doubt
  5. Travelin' Soldier - Dixie Chicks
  6. Julie, Do Ya Love Me? - Bobby Sherman (swoon)
  7. I'm the Only One - Melissa Etheridge
  8. Out Tonight - RENT Soundtrack
  9. Apologize - Timbaland featuring One Republic
  10. Cecilia - Paul Simon

Have a great weekend, and if you haven't already - go vote!



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Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Just so you know...

Sarah Palin's "pro-America areas of the country" and accusations of Socialism, along with some conservatives' "real Americans" crap is really, really pissing me off! So I offer a cartoon and an article.

(Scroll past the cartoon for my comment.)


FYI - The statement in the cartoon bubble is what Joseph N. Welch, the the head attorney for the United States Army while it was under investigation by Joseph McCarthy's Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations for Communist activities, said to Joseph McCarthy.

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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Because MoveOn.org Told Me To...


Yes, I know Moveon.org is a little much sometimes, but they're asking us those of us with Blogs to pubish this. It makes sense, so here you go...
TOP 5 REASONS OBAMA SUPPORTERS SHOULDN'T REST EASY

1. The polls may be wrong. This is an unprecedented election. No one knows how racism may affect what voters tell pollsters—or what they do in the voting booth. And the polls are narrowing anyway. In the last few days, John McCain has gained ground in most national polls, as his campaign has gone even more negative.

2. Dirty tricks. Republicans are already illegally purging voters from the rolls in some states. They're whipping up hysteria over ACORN to justify more challenges to new voters. Misleading flyers about the voting process have started appearing in black neighborhoods. And of course, many counties still use unsecure voting machines.

3. October surprise. In politics, 15 days is a long time. The next McCain smear could dominate the news for a week. There could be a crisis with Iran, or Bin Laden could release another tape, or worse.

4. Those who forget history... In 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote after trailing by seven points in the final days of the race. In 1980, Reagan was eight points down in the polls in late October and came back to win. Races can shift—fast!

5. Landslide. Even with Barack Obama in the White House, passing universal health care and a new clean-energy policy is going to be hard. Insurance, drug and oil companies will fight us every step of the way. We need the kind of landslide that will give Barack a huge mandate.

If you agree that we shouldn't rest easy, please sign up to volunteer. Click here to find to find your local Obama office.


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'Toon Tuesday




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Friday, October 17, 2008

The Lola Shuffle - The "Phillies are in the World Series - WOO HOO!" Edition


OHMYGOD - Hubby is so happy he can't stand himself!

You have to understand Philadelphia sports history to truly fathom what this means. Philadelphia, arguably one of the "sportingest" cities in the U.S., hasn't had a whole lot of luck getting to and winning sports championships. But that changes this year!

The last time the Phillies won the World Series was 1980, and the last time they made it to the World Series was 1993. It's their time.

So come on Lola, channel your inner Philadelphian...there's a
Whiz wit' in it for you!


  1. Black Velvet - Alannah Myles

  2. Check On It - Beyonce & Slim Thug

  3. Bring Me to Life - Evanescence

  4. See-Line Woman - Nina Simone

  5. New York State of Mind - Billy Joel

  6. Get Closer - Seals & Croft

  7. Slip Slidin' Away - Paul Simon

  8. Read 'Em and Weep - Barry Manilow

  9. Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi (nice, boys sorta from the 'hood)

  10. Let It Be - The Beatles
Have a great weekend...

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Thursday, October 16, 2008

Random Dots


  • Last night I went to see David Sedaris "in concert". It wasn't a book signing at a book store, it was in a theater where he read from different sources. It was a surprise invitation from a dear friend, who advised that it was "her treat". How nice is that? It turns out to be exactly what I needed, a fun night out with a friend with whom I don't spend enough time. Before going to the theater we had dinner at her house with her 14 year old son who was a blast! We had bratwurst, macaroni and cheese, salad and my friend and I enjoyed a lovely Cab/Shiraz blend. We both realized it was the first time we had ever had macaroni and cheese with wine. It's a perfect pairing! Sedaris was fantastic. While I've read all of his books, except the most recent, I haven't liked them all - but he is fantastic in person. He's funny, irreverent, quirky, crude (but in a good way). If you ever get the chance to see him live, do so - it is totally worth it. and if you can do it with a friend all the better!

  • While I was watching Sedaris, hubby was watching the Philadelphia Phillies winning the National League pennant and making it into the World Series for the first time in 15 years! YAY PHILLIES!


  • Because of Sedaris and baseball, we DVRd the third and final (thankfully) Presidential debate. By the time I got home, watched the last 3 innings of the game with Hubby, watched the post-win celebration coverage and dealt with the plethora of calls from the in-laws in Philadelphia, we wound up watching the debate at around 12:30 a.m.. And then we watched the post-debate talking heads. I fell asleep after 4:00 a.m. - and woke up for work at 7:00 a.m. unable to pretty much move - my brain kept sending the signals to my body to move, but it didn't want to. After much cursing and sighing I finally dragged my caffeine-craving carcass into the office. Thus far I haven't fallen down, so I'm counting this as personal victory.


  • Regarding the debate - you all know I'm an Obama supporter, so you know I think he won the debate. I will give McCain props for the first half hour - he looked good, made some good points and even got in a couple of good and fair jabs at Obama. Alas, then he started trying to rattle Obama and when that didn't happen McCain pissed himself off and went downhill from there. All the polls, except probably FOX News (DUH!) had Obama winning the debate handily. YAY!


  • So about Joe the Plumber - no relation as far as we can tell to Joe Six-Pack - is not a licensed plumber. Oh, and the plumbers' union isn't happy with McCain's apparent appropriation of plumbers and in fact were the first labor union to endorse Obama. I don't know if that's important, but it amused me. Do you think Joe the Plumber knows about Andy Warhol ? Things that make you say hmmmm...


That's it for now...



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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

'Toon Tuesday



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Friday, October 10, 2008

The Lola Shuffle - The "Bail Out" Edition


OK, here's the plan...I mess up at my job so that the government can give me money for being a failure and then I get to go to a spa in California. Brilliant!


Come on Lola, play us some bail out music...
  1. Lonely People - America
  2. Long Time Gone - Dixie Chicks
  3. Revolution - The Beatles (Note to the Department of Homeland Security - this was purely random, I swear!)
  4. The River - Garth Brooks
  5. Tupelo Honey - BC & The Blues Crew
  6. Gin and Juice - Snoop Dogg
  7. Nobody's Home - Avril Lavigne
  8. Heaven's What I Feel - Gloria Estefan (shout out to my homegirl "Glo"!)
  9. Highwayman - Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings (fantastic performance!)
  10. Hump de Bump - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Have a great weekend everyone, and whatever you do, don't look at your 401k statement...it'll just ruin everything.

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Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Book Review - "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer

I liked Breaking Dawn. I didn't expect to, but I did. Not only had I read about so many fans of the series being upset and the reviews being mostly mediocre to poor, I had some serious misgivings about parts of the story.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a great book, there were a lot of inconsistencies, the biggest of which being how did Bella, a barely average girl, become a super-vampire? Why was she able to adapt so easily and wind up being such a force? If there was an explanation, I missed it. Bella's character development, while definitely there, wasn't logical. Had the Bella in the first three books been a logical predecessor to the Bella in this book I might have disliked her less. I also thought the build-up to the final confrontation was more than was merited and culminated with a fizzle.

Now, to what I liked. It kept me entertained and wanting to read more. It was exciting, unpredictable in parts and just a good story. I wasn't bothered by Jacob's resolution and was happy with how the Cullens were developed and other vampires introduced into the story. Clearly I like the story best when the vampires take center stage. I was happy that she finally told Charlie - sort of, but still believe she sold Renee short.

I'm glad I read the series, it was - except for "New Moon" - entertaining. However, IMO, it can't compare in quality to the Harry Potter series. In short, I will keep the entire Harry Potter series forever, but I will sell the Twilight series.

I'm still not sure I like the messages the series sends to young women specifically and don't think it has the universal life lessons offered in the Harry Potter series, but it was fun and easy to read.

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Tuesday, October 7, 2008

'Toon Tuesday


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Saturday, October 4, 2008

Sadly it still doesn't make sense

Thanks to our friends at Huffington Post.


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Friday, October 3, 2008

The Lola Shuffle - The "This One's for Joe Six-Pack and Joe Biden" Edition


Regarding Sarah Palin's reference to Hockey moms and Joe Six-Pack - since I'm definitely not a Hockey Mom, I've decided that I'm a "Polly Pinot Noir"!

Fine, I'll say it - Sarah Palin did better than expected. But the bar was set so low that short of drooling on herself or wandering off the stage she had to exceed the expectations. However, I think Joe Biden rocked the free world and parts of China in the debate last night!

So Lola...lets give both Joes a good shuffle this week...

  1. You Make Loving Fun - Fleetwood Mac
  2. Turn Me On - Norah Jones
  3. I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do - ABBA
  4. Hold My Hand - Hootie & the Blowfish
  5. I Get Along Without You Very Well - Lena Horne
  6. Penny Lane - The Beatles
  7. Life in the Fast Lane - The Eagles (Do you think they they mean downtown Wasilla?)
  8. Don't Stop Me Now - Queen (One of my favorite Queen songs - Lola and I dedicate this to Barack and Joe!)
  9. Get Up Stand Up - Bob Marley & The Wailers
  10. Any Other World - Mika (Really pretty song)

Am I gonna have a great weekend? You betcha'...you do the same, ya' hear! (This may go on for a few days, I don't think I can stop myself.)

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Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Mmmmm....Ice Cream


OHMYGOD!

I have found heaven in a super market freezer.

Häagen Dazs RESERVE ice creams. Seriously, it's ridiculous.

I've only tried two of them. First Fleur de Sel Caramel - you can read the official description, but basically it's caramel ice cream with these little nuggets of dark chocolate sprinkled with a teensy bit of sea salt - but, when you bite into the chocolate nugget, it's filled with liquidy caramel that oozes onto your tongue (sigh).

The other one I tried was Amazon Valley Chocolate , which is a dark chocolate ice cream, but it reminds me of a light, airy chocolate mousse. You can eat buckets of this without being overwhelmed by sweetness.

I discovered these ice creams thanks to my friend Frank who swears that the Toasted Coconut Sesame Brittle is also fantastic. I haven't found it in my Publix, but he says the best thing is to have a spoonful of the coconut and a spoonful of the chocolate together. This guy is an ice cream connoisseur, so you should really trust his judgement.

So while this isn't exactly great for my diabetes, it does wonders for my soul!

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