When you consider the fact that The Scorpions made this album, you know where my top five can be found!
1.Dust In The Wind A rather odd but beautiful cover of the Kansas classic
2.Drive I wonder what exactly made the guys decide to cover The Cars...
3.Hurricane 2001 Rock You Like A Hurricane, acoustical style!
4.Wind Of Change A favorite of mine acoustic and otherwise
5.Still Loving You Another ballad that lent itself to a beautiful acoustic rendition!
All of these songs are available for download for the next seven days. You positively must give at least one of them a listen! The entire Acoustica album is a source of endless amusement for me, and these five songs are the very best of the best!
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Thursday, September 29, 2005
A Day In My Life In pictures...
There are lots of pretty things that can be seen in the course of my ordinary work day. That is, when coal trucks aren't crashing into 84 year old drivers who run stop signs. Argh!
Here are some of those pretty things.
This bit of beautiful landscape can be seen from one of the higher points on my route.
This pond located behind one of my customer's homes is another pretty sight to see.
Let us not forget the lovely gardens that many folks plant. The frost hasn't hit them, yet...
But my favorite sight by far is that of my may doggie friends. This guy's name is Charlie.
One lane was closed after an accident involving a car and two coal trucks on Route 136 just before noon Wednesday in Carroll Township, Washington County.
Coal spilled all over the road.
Dispatch said an 84-year-old woman was seriously hurt and was flown from the scene.
There is no word whether anyone else was injured in the accident.
And now for the REAL story! I should know it, this section of PA Route 136 represents a good portion of my mail route.
Obviously the reporters of this story have a very broad idea when it comes to the term "just before noon." The ambulances and Life Flight helicopter were seen heading to the accident while I was loading my truck at approximately 10:15 AM. That would mean that the accident occurred at around 10 AM! Shortly before noon indeed!
At about 11:30 AM a friend of mine who lives near the effected area called me on my cell phone to warn me about the situation ahead. An entire section of Route 136, not just a single lane, was closed. Firemen and road crews estimated that it would be at least five hours before the spill and other accident debris would be cleared. I would be in that area in less than two hours. I anticipated a long detour and the possibility of some folks' mail being curtailed.
When I arrived at the junction of Routes 917 and 136, I discovered the road still closed. I inquired about detours. I was told that if I caught 136 at Hazelkirk Road, I would be allowed to pass. Off I went, on a happy six mile detour along with some creative mail delivery.
When I reached the other intersection, I discovered the road still closed to all but local traffic. I WAS allowed to pass. Much to my surprise, I was able to complete all of my deliveries, albeit in a rather odd variation of the way I normally deliver my route.
When I completed my rounds at about 3 PM, the road was still closed (both lanes) to all but local traffic.
My commentary on the accident is as follows:
I knew that this would happen some day! The drivers of those coal trucks are always speeding. When they pass my mail truck they cause it to shake, they travel so fast! The speed limit is 40 MPH, for crying out loud! Slow down! These guys hardly ever obey traffic laws. They cut across traffic to make left turns quite frequently without even pausing to look for anything coming in the opposite direction. They also ignore stop signs quite often. I'm surprised that something like this hadn't happened sooner!
I won't even bother to express my opinion on 84 year old women (or men, for that matter) driving cars...
I sure hope the lady pulls through!
And now for a lovely Hump Day Hunk to cheer me from the depressing events of today!
Klaus Meine takes center stage as my Hump Day Hunk this week. I just love this screen capture from the Send Me An Angel video!
But not as much as I love this one fom No One Like You
I'll use any excuse I can to post this picture!
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Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Boredom Strikes!
Every once in a while boredom rears its ugly head. Thankfully, the folks over at Blogthings always have something to keep me amused. Like this...
What Your Underwear Says About You
When you're bad, you're very bad. And when you're good, you're still trouble!
You're comfortable in your own skin - and don't care to impress anyone.
1. Ice cream or Yogurt? Definitely ice cream. Yogurt is a sad substitute for the yumminess of glorious fat-laden ice cream!
2. What's your favorite board game? Sorry, Lady Starlight does not do board games...
3. Do you play video games? If yes, what game system(s) do you use? Don't Laugh! Sometimes I enjoy playing Tetris or a Pokémon game on an old Game Boy that used to belong to one of my sons. I said, don't laugh!!!
4. If you were given a chance to change your name, would you do it? If yes, what would your new name be? I think that I'd rather have just about ANY name other than the one I have. Deborah must have been the single most popular name for girls in the year that I was born. I'd want my new name to be something exotic or unique. I don't have anything in particular in mind, but given a real opportunity, I'd think of something!
5. What are the last 2 blogs that you've visited? Please share the links with us so we can check them out. Time to shamelessly plug my friends... Kjersti's Blog and Samantha (JieYing)'s Blog
6. What's your biggest frustration? I would think that you woud all know what that is already...
THE TOTAL ABSENSCE OF SCORPIONS TOUR DATES IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES!!!!
10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)
It's all about water this weekend, with a few added extras just for fun!
1. High Enough - Damn Yankees 2. Obsession - The Scorpions 3. Running Water - The Moody Blues 4. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon & Garfunkle 5. She Hangs Out - The Monkees 6. Pleasant Valley Sunday - The Monkees 7. I'm Sorry - Justin Hayward 8. Send Me No Wine - The Moody Blues 9. The Actor - The Moody Blues 10. Rock You Like A Hurricane - The Scorpions
OK, here's the run down on why I selected these songs:
Songs 1 & 2 were random songs from Media Player this morning. Songs 3 & 4 are in honor of our trip to Ohiopyle State Park today. Songs 5 - 9 were played in the car during the trip. Song 10 is there because all I ever see on the news any more is hurricanes!
And now for the picture...
The largest waterfall at Ohiopyle State Park
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Saturday, September 24, 2005
Rushing The Season
It is not even the first of October, but the people on my route are already really into the Halloween spirit of things. Just look at this guy's house!
Besides the spiders and webs, witches, and jack-o-lanterns on his porch, he also has a skeleton lurking in his yard...
Even his mailbox is decorated for Halloween!
Still, none of this is as ridiculous as what Mike and Andrea saw today at Washington Crown Center mall.
Top 5 "Fall" songs (As always interpret as you see fit)
Just for fun, I've decided to do multiple interpretations on this one...
1. Forever Autumn - Justin Hayward I'd love to hear him do this song live, but there's not much chance that the other Moodies would go along with that.
2. Believe In Love - The Scorpions "If you don't catch me now, I can't stop falling down..."
3. The Next Time I Fall - Peter Cetera & Amy Grant It would have been a better song without Ms. Grant...
4. Free Falling - Tom Petty From the four chord wonder's only solo album. C, F, G.... If you know those chords, you can play this song. Wait, that's only three!
5. Can't Stop Fallin' Into Love - Cheap Trick Robin can fall into love with me any time he wants...
*Please Note* All of these fall songs are living on my hard drive. I didn't get a chance to upload them, but if you want one of them, give me a holler and I will!
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Thursday, September 22, 2005
The Official End Of Summer
Today's equinox marked the official end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The amount of daylight will be less than that of darkness following today. Fortunately the weather here has not yet caught up with the season. Daytime temperatures remain in the 80s, although the nights are becoming increasingly chilly. I hope that this "Indian Summer" remains with us for a while. I do so dread the cold, dark, dreary days of the upcoming late fall and winter.
I get depressed at this time of year. I can't help it. My workload increases steadily at this time of year until it hits full force in December and January. I spend more and more time working and am left with very little time to do the things that I want and/or need to do.
The first round of deer hunting season (archery) will begin in a few weeks.This so-called sport disgusts me. The thought of killing those beautiful creatures merely to have a trophy to hang on the wall quite frankly makes me sick! Not so for "the estranged one." He lives to hunt deer. From the beginning of October until mid-January, wife, children, and all obligations take a backseat to his hunting obsession. I see major blow-ups between us in the near future. Oh, well, it is not as if I care. I'm only still in this relationship for the sex... And THAT takes a backseat to deer hunting, too! The man is sick, I tell you!
At least there is one bright spot to this fall. On October 29, I shall be in Cinncinati with Andrea, seeing The Moody Blues once more.
Our tickets have arrived. I've put in for the time off work. The reservations are made for a room in a hotel on a street called Fountain Square. Fountain Square! I forsee pretty pictures of some things other than The Moody Blues coming home with me from this trip...
Oh, how I wish it were The Scorpions I was seeing, but alas that still is not in the cards for me. Maybe someday I will find myself a rich benefactor who will ship me off to Europe where the guys actually play concerts. A girl can dream, can't she? I've got to do something to ward off the end of summer blues!
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Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Why
Ah, yes, the eternal question, Why? I ask this about so many things each day that I have decided to list some of my favorite whys here...
Why do I continue playing NeoPets? I am disgusted by all of the censorship and petty rules that have been added to the site since I first started playing over four years ago. I always say that I'm not going back any more, but I keep returning. Could It be because I own pets named MatthiasJabs and KlausMeine and cannot bear the thought of abandoning them?
Why is it that with the beautiful weather we've had all summer, the road constuction crews have waited until mid - September to begin all of their major projects in this area?
Why does the USPS promote dimwitted idiots to management positions? Case in point, our current OIC. This freak, who has earned himself the nickname Skippy for reasons unknown, was promoted after a mere ten months of employment as a city carrier. Damn it, he was in freaking junior high school when I was hired. No one has offered ME any promotions. Perhaps it is because I know how to do my job! Oh, well, at least I don't pick my nose. He does. I caught him at it the other day. Ewwww! Gross! Grow up, little boy!
Why do the manufacturers of women's clothing offer nearly every short dress in a petite size, but never the long ones? This makes absolutely no sense. It really doesn't matter if my mini skirt is a bit longer, but a longer dress not designed for a petite woman will drag on the floor! Someone, please, put me on the rack!
Why are there not more men in the world who look like this?
I just had to find a way to fit my favorite Hump Day Hunk in here with my rants!
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Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Lady Starlight Sings The Blues
You know that people really shouldn't encourage me! When I read a humorous little blurb over at The Pond about how to write the blues, I commented that I should try out the lesson by writing a bit of my own blues. The reply came, "Yeah, The Scorpions Ain't Coming To Town Blues!" Ever since seeing that reply, I've had bluesy words floating around in my head. What the Hell! I'll have a go at it!
This one is for you, Russ...
The Scorpions Ain't Coming To Town Blues
This lady is feeling so down and so blue. Yeah, this lady's feeling real down and real blue. She loves sweet Matthias but don't know what to do. 'Cos his band won't play in no Pittsburgh venue. All over Europe his band will go They'll play gigs in Russia, Greece and Mexico! But playing the east coast of this country here Must really be something the band members fear 'Cos they haven't played here in nearly three years. And so I've got the low-down Scorpions ain't coming to town Blues...
It may be short and not all that good, but it is definitely my version of the blues!
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Monday, September 19, 2005
1. When you're stressed out, what do you do to relieve your stress? Loudly played Scorpions' music usually does the trick. Something about Klaus' voice and Matthias' screaming guitar soothes me.
If I'm really feeling stressed stressed, loking upon their beauty is an added plus.
So I pop one of my DVDs in the computer.
2. Are you normally a patient person, or is patience NOT one of your virtues? I do not claim to be a very patient person, but I might have a bit more patience than I think. After all, I haven't killed anyone.... YET!
3. How many times a week do you blog? I blog on a daily basis, sometimes even more frequently if I'm feeling particularly inspired or irritated.
4. How many memes a week do you participate in? I participate in four memes faithfully. There used to be others but many of them are now defunct.
5. Describe the perfect day, weather-wise. Sunny, 75-80 degrees, low humidity... You don't see many days like this.
6. Would you rather be too hot, or too cold? I'd rather be too hot, I suppose. When I'm cold it takes every ounce of energy in my body just to drag myself out of bed!
7. Do you eat out often, and if so, what type of restaurants do you frequent? Eating out every Sunday is pretty much a family tradition. Buffets and places that serve ethnic food (Italian, Chineese, Mexican, etc.) are favorites with the clan!
8. If you could run your own business, what type of business would it be? Animal photography by Lady Starlight...
10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)
This was quite an uneventful weekend, so these are the first ten songs of the day as selected by Media Player's shuffle feature...
1. The Zoo - The Scorpions 2. Bad Love - Eric Clapton 3. Don't Lose My Number - Phil Collins 4. How You Remind Me - Nickelback 5. Baptized By Fire - Winger 6. Never Going Home - Wild Horses 7. No More Lies - The Moody Blues 8. May You Never - Eric Clapton 9. Blue World - The Moody Blues 10. Hurricane 2000 (Rock You Like A Hurricane) - The Scorpions & The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
A rather interesting mix, don'cha think?!
And now for the picture...
My first purchases from the "White Elephant Sale" at our church's parish picnic today.
Believe it or not, the little dalmatian plushie is mine. Mine, I say! All mine!!!
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Saturday, September 17, 2005
A New Meme! At least for me it is...
Nothing brings me joy quite like the discovery of an interesting meme that I haven't played before. I happened upon this one in my boredom today. It's called Question Of The Day, and that is a fairly good description of what it is. So, without further ado, here is today's question...
What are you going to name your winery or brewery? (or both, you can have a winery AND a brewery if you choose, you lush!)
I'm a lush and proud of it! I'm going to have a winery and a brewery and you can't stop me!
My brewery will be called The Beer Garden. I wonder, does anyone not living in the Mid Mon Valley see the humor in that name?
The name of my winery will be a bit simpler for everyone to appreciate... Would You Like Cheese With That?
Even when I'm meming, the snark cannot be contained.
Now here's one from the archives that I just couldn't resist answering...
You are sporting a brand new "I love _____" tattoo on your bicep, and the guy screwed up the love of your life's name! What does your tattoo say?
I love Klaus Mine
I knew that I should have found myself a German tattoo artist. It's M-E-I-N-E!!!
Top Five Questioning Songs Songs with the word Question in the title or songs that ask questions.
1. Is There Anybody There? - The Scorpions
2. Question - The Moody Blues
3. Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad? - Def Leppard
4. What Is Life? - George Harrison
5. Ain't That A Shame? - Cheap Trick
I was feeling feisty, so I decided to include some photos of the artists.
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Thursday, September 15, 2005
Following A Friend In Boredom
My friend, Khushrenada13 took this quiz when he was bored, so when boedom and lack of anything exciting to post overtook me, I decided to take it as well.
Actually, I probably wouldn't have posted the results if they had been different from the ones that I got...
I'd never pass an opportunity to look at Hayden Christensen!
Passionate and impulsive, you are most like Anakin Skywalker. You embody many traits not generally found within the Jedi order, yet your undeniable will and connection with The Force are awe inspiring. You train the lightsaber form Shien/Djem So which was originally derived from the defensive form Soresu. It maintains that while defense is critical - chanelling it into overwhelming offense is paramount. You are heralded as The Chosen One and while you have mastery over The Force, your inability to control your own emotions makes you your own worst enemy. In every action you are enigmatic and never subtle.
Quite frankly, I feel like crap. It happens to me every September. Blasted allergies! I can blame it all on this...
Ragweed!
ARGH! It's everywhere, making me sicker than a dog with its nasty pollen. I can't take antihistimines when I'm working, because they make me sleepy, and those non-drowsy ones, they just don't work. Bummer! Working when you're sick really sucks. I probably should call in sick tomorrow, but I won't. Dedicated employee that I am, I know that it is damned near impossible to reach either of the subs who can work for me in the morning. I suppose I will survive.
