Month: December 2019

Brought Over From FB ~ 12/31/14

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The following in italics was written five years ago today and posted to FB.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. While Ryan Seacrest is no Dick Clark, I still love this NYE tradition!!! We are home, safe and all toasty in flannel pjs. Sweet red wine & way too many snacks. This is how the other half lives large ;). Heartfelt memories of New Years Eves pasts. Missing my brother Jimbo Pete my constant companion. Mom & Dad always went to the dance at Martinez Hall. So us kids would be at home living large just like tonight. Thankful for all our blessings. It’s still rainbows and sunshine here even when it isn’t. Be good, be kind and enjoy the simple things. Happy happy joy joy!

Five years ago 12/31/14 was shortly after B’s fall that April and the terrible awful the September but before that which can’t be repeated. Hard to believe as time works its witchy magic. Seems like forever ago and yesterday in a second at the same time. Since it really hasn’t been that long, I have hope! Hope that she’ll hit rock bottom and realize things have to change. Hope that the light bulb goes off. Might not require bottoming out might require being tired of the way things are now. Hope, that fickle bitch Hope.

In the meantime, I’m angry and projecting. Starting Twitter feuds with fat shaming strangers. I’m triggered. Acceptance is futile.

As always more to come.

J-Dubs Review of “Hope: A Tragedy A Novel” by Shalom Auslander

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In place of tunes we have book club. Yay to multi-media. Time to get started.

I almost didn’t review this book calling it un-PC but in actuality the story is satire. Or my layperson’s definition of satire. Kind of cool that the kidlet recommended even though he couldn’t finish the book. He said he’ll pick it up again once his own personal demons pass. He’s very astute and realized what would happen before it happened. The theme in a way mirrored his life last year. Or perhaps just too close for comfort.

I’ll try not to spoil the story for anyone though this book has been out some time. Solomon Kugel is the proverbial sad sack or schmuck. Sort of “Death of a Salesman” Willy Lowman like. Sol trudges through a job he hates to afford the American dream he really doesn’t want while caring for his aging mother and trying to make everyone happy.

He carries around a small pocket sized notebook and pen so he can write down his possible last words as things strike his fancy. He borders on obsessed really. He knows the famous last words of several celebrity types. Some of his entries are so wrong they’re right. Funny too.

He has a warped relationship with his mother. Well don’t we all? She’s right off her rocker. Well yes I am. 😂 There’s a long suffering spouse and plucky only child. He has a sister who’s missing in action leaving their mother’s care mainly to him.

I think some fantasy was woven in with Professor Jove his psychiatrist who I believe never existed and the realtor Eve. She seems to have made a deal with the devil selling houses with a special surprise in the attic. The tale starts and finishes with fire as a theme of arson is carried on throughout. Though dark and twisted, there were parts which were literally laugh out loud.

I sometimes joke Hope is a fickle bitch. Sol Kugel would likely agree. I didn’t get a lot of quotes for my commonplace book. Instead I got one rather long passage that expresses to me that the past can be difficult with which to come to terms. I’m not the only one who might wish for a do-over occasionally.

If only there was a Miracle Away for the past. A Forever Gone for brutalities, atrocities, indignities great and small. A lemon-scented life, that was what he wanted; for Jonah, for Bree, for Mother, for Anne. A pine scented, clean, polished, revitalized life. Leaves no residue. Resists finger prints. Sixty-four ounces of new, price on Amazon – who cares? Click to add to cart. Rush delivery.

May not be for everyone but I’d read it again. I’d probably pick up some new gems. Sol is a tragic character who you laugh with … to keep from crying maybe. My rating 4.25 of 5 stars.

So, … 12/29/19

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I just found out if I post something privately it doesn’t count. As much as I’m a personal stats chaser, some things aren’t ready for prime time. I’ve realized I used to be a lot more brazen on this blog. And now I turned into a wimp. Wimpy wimpy wimpy hefty hefty cinch sack. Ugh 😫

No more free therapy here because I sit with analysis paralysis worried about what people will think. Which is just plain silly. I’m not the sun. Guess I’ll jump back in to sessions. See if I can get straightened out.

As always more to come.

#SLS for 12/29/19 Part Two ~ “Flagpole Sitta”

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Since “Let’s Go Crazy” was at least a triplet today, I decide to post one of my backup choices.

Released in 1997, the year our Lulu was born … when MTV wasn’t in its heyday but not yet completely lost, I saw the video in the wee hours of the morning. More deets at the wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagpole_Sitta

Without further delay, here’s “Flagpole Sitta” by Harvey Danger. Writers: Evan Sult, Aaron Huffman, Jeff Lin, and Sean Nelson. Lyrics within.

To join in the crazy, follow this link https://jimadamsauthordotcom.wordpress.com/2019/12/28/aint-it-crazy/

For 12/29/19 ~ “Let’s Go Crazy”

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Jim prompts us with crazy. Lots of songs to choose from. I immediately thought of Prince’s Let’s Go Crazy and thought why not? Even if there are duplicates. Before I change my mind, here you go:

https://youtu.be/aXJhDltzYVQ

That beginning line just grabs me and I’m hooked. I ❤️ Prince. One of my favorite vacations was going to Paisley Park with Lulu.Prince was the consummate artist. He collaborated with many in and outside his typical genre. A real life member of the community who‘d ride around on his bicycle. More deets at the wiki – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let%27s_Go_Crazy

“Let’s Go Grazy”
(from “Purple Rain” soundtrack)

Dearly beloved
We are gathered here today
To get through this thing called life

Electric word life
It means forever and that’s a mighty long time
But I’m here to tell you
There’s something else
The afterworld

A world of never ending happiness
You can always see the sun, day or night

So when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills
You know the one – Dr Everything’ll Be Alright
Instead of asking him how much of your time is left
Ask him how much of your mind, baby

‘Cause in this life
Things are much harder than in the afterworld
In this life
You’re on your own

And if the elevator tries to bring you down
Go crazy – punch a higher floor

If you don’t like the world you’re living in
Take a look around you
At least you got friends

You see I called my old lady
For a friendly word
She picked up the phone
Dropped it on the floor
Uh uh was all I heard

Are we gonna let the elevator
Bring us down
Oh, no Let’s Go!

Let’s go crazy
Let’s get nuts
Let’s look for the purple banana
‘Til they put us in the truck, let’s go!

We’re all excited
But we don’t know why
Maybe it’s cause
We’re all gonna die

And when we do (When we do)
What’s it all for (What’s it all for)
You better live now
Before the grim reaper come knocking on your door

Tell me, are we gonna let the elevator bring us down
Oh, no let’s go!

Let’s go crazy
Let’s get nuts
Look for the purple banana
‘Til they put us in the truck, let’s go!

C’mon baby
Let’s get nuts
Yeah

Are we gonna let the elevator bring us down
Oh, no let’s go!
Go crazy

I said let’s go crazy (Go crazy)
Let’s go, let’s go
Go
Let’s go

Dr. Everything’ll be alright
Will make everything go wrong
Pills and thrills and dafodills will kill
Hang tough children

He’s coming
He’s coming
Coming

Take me away!

Writer: Prince Rogers Nelson

To join in, follow this link https://jimadamsauthordotcom.wordpress.com/2019/12/28/aint-it-crazy/

J-Dub’s 2019 WP Review

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First John posted http://thesoundofonehandtyping.com/2019/12/26/my-top-10-posts-of-2019/

Then Suze followed

http://suziland.site/2019/12/28/fandango-started-this-nonsense/

After Fandango

https://fivedotoh.com/2019/12/28/socs-the-year-in-review/

Monkey 🐒 see monkey 🐒 do or imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I’m attempting to play along but I’m technically challenged and on a mobile app to boot. The saga of no desktop continues.

I see my dashboard and stats page but in a collapsed view. Rather than going crazy, I’m going with what I can … I’m saving my crazy for tomorrow’s #SLS.

Top 2 posts with the most comments. Yep not views. Comments are what I craved. Since the … won’t open, I could only get to two (or three because there’s a tie for 2nd place). The other of the top five comment producers displayed were from 2018. That’s so last year 😂

  1. https://jilywily.wordpress.com/2019/07/13/socs-for-7-13-19-instructions/
  2. https://jilywily.wordpress.com/2019/07/11/so-dang-nabit-att-more-funny-math/
  • 2b. https://jilywily.wordpress.com/2019/01/19/jusjojan-and-socs-for-1-19-19-television-%f0%9f%93%ba/

    • I also noticed my top three referrers outside of WP Reader are Linda G Hill, Ronovan Writes, and Jim Adams.

    Top five comments came from

    Janet Smiles

    Peter’s Pondering

    The Sound of One Hand Typing

    No Facilities

    Open Your Eyes Too

    Thanks bunches!! What a whirlwind ride. Wishing the WP crew a roaring 20s. Uh yep, I’m going to overuse that reference 😂

    As always more to come.

    #SoCS for 12/28/19 ~ “year”

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    Time once again for #SoCS. Linda gives us the prompt of “year” to end the year. How apropos. I’ve been strolling down memory lane. Reflecting on 2019 and looking forward to a revamp of the roaring 20s. Woo to the hoo. Just call me Zelda. Or not.

    What will the next year bring? A year of firsts and lasts. New beginnings and endings. But isn’t that every year? The circle of life. Cue music. But not the Lion King. Some other music 🎶 maybe New Year’s Rockin’ Eve? A tradition to watch for as long as I can remember. But the event isn’t the same. Ryan Seacrest is no Dick Clark.

    My stream is outta steam. Cheers 🥂 to 2020. Three more days. We can do it Ricky Bobby!

    To join in on the shenanigans, follow this link

    http://lindaghill.com/2019/12/27/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-28-19/

    Thursday 🐏blings 12/26/19 Part Two

    Published on by J-Dub1 Comment

    We ran a few errands earlier and ended up getting Lulu’s graduation ring. Yep it’s happening. Spur of the moment but planned as she’d narrowed down her selection some months beforehand. I’m verklempt. Though not really. Makes me happy 😊.

    Due to our late start, the crowds were large and fairly rowdy. Parking was hard to come by. We remarked that we saw more people out shopping after Christmas than before. Of course our retail strategy is go early and get in and out. Now back home to more reading and lounging. I’ve no idea what day it even is 😂