On EMMA mode

I'm tired. No matter how many times I say it today, it doesn't make me less tired. I need a break!!!!

Pen not Ten

Soooo busy with the start of this week - Holy Week.  I miss taking this week off, ala PI.

Anyway, last night as we were getting ready for bed, my husband handed me $10 bill.  I thought he could read my mind.  You see we allot only ten dollars for our weekly allowance - we agreed to that amount - as part of our belt tightening program so we can save up for future vacations or whatnots.

Why did I think he could read my mind?  Because I needed my allowance for this week and I didn't want to stop at the ATM, have no time for that.  But he can easily go since he doesn't have a long commute to work.

How did you know I needed money I asked him?  He said I asked him for it when I called him at work during the day.  For the love of chocolates, I couldn't remember ever asking him to swing by the ATM at all. I know I have some memory loss lately, but this surely I could remember.

When was that I asked him further?  He said, " You told me, don't forget my ten." 

Hahahaha!  I said don't forget my PEN.  Not ten.  And here I laughed out loud it scared the cats.

I liked the pens they have at his work. Our work don't buy those pens because of budget limitations.  So if I need one I ask him to give me one, hence the "don't forget my pen" message.

I think dear husband needs a little visit to the ear doctor :)

Bulleted Thoughts for Friday

Oh one of those days when I cannot string sentences into paragraphs so I'm using bullets.

• First time since I got married that I went to work without my wedding band.  Forgot to put it back on last night after taking it off to wash the dishes.  Something feels wrong.
• Did not do an American Idol recap/prediction.  A combo of laziness, busy schedule, and worry over Emma.
• Emma my tuxedo cat has vomitted in the middle of the night.  What came out was unchewed food.
• Last week we awoke to a vomit near Buster's food plate and assumed it was Buster who overate and threw up. Now we're leaning more towards Emma being the culprit.
• Was observing Emma if she had some changes in eating/appetite (No), behaviour (NO), or her physical well-being (NO).  She's not lethargic at all, although my mother has been noticing that she was. I think my mom may have mixed up lethargy to a cat's laziness.  Keeping my fingers crossed still.
• Really bummed that my 2 point and shoot cameras have dirty lens and I don't know how to clean them.  They are ruining my shots when I zoom to take photos.  The newer one thankfully is still covered by warranty and would be sent for clean up.  The older one is my fave and I think it's on its last legs, but I still want to hold on to it.
• I hope I can save up enough for that DSLR.
• I feel really silly and petty when all I could think is DSLR while two of my friends are having a tough time.  One is in need of a pacemaker, else the next time she passes out she won't wake up.  And the other is caring for her husband who's dealing with chemo :(
• I am going to a free Christian music concert in Berkeley this Saturday. 
• I am looking forward to a little trip in Costa Rica late summer/early fall.  Not booked yet, getting our schedules sorted out so we can start planning and paying for the trip. 

Street Photography #8:

I really hope I could go back here (Valladolid, Mexico) and stay for at least one night.

Have You Ever Seen The Rain?

I don't know how many people 30 and under knows about this song, until Casey Abrams of AI sang it last week.  I am definitely over 30 and only learned of this song a few years ago when Rod Stewart coached AI (during Daughtry's season) and plugged his album.  I googled that album and listened to the tracks and found this song included in there.  I loved it since.  But I am sharing here is a clip from the original singer, CCR or Creedence Clearwater Revival featuring songwriter and lead singer John Fogerty.  Lyrics here.

My Weekly AI Review Or Something

Before I go on with my weekly listing of my fave and least fave performances, I must say I recently went to out for dinner on a weeknight, a very rare occurence for me.  A friend of ours just got back to the States after a few months overseas and he and his wife and me and my husband went to this tapas place.  The selection is not wide and varied, but the dishes were great.  I'll blog about this since I have photos to go with it - very soon.

So on to the American Idol perfomance night.  I didn't realize that before the season started the producer had announced that this year - with the new judges and all - there would be no theme every week.  Howevder, it looked like there is a theme every week, don't you agree?

And last night was Rock and Roll or songs by artists inducted in the Rock and Roll HOF.  The top 9 went on to perform and I was pretty much satisfied with the performances.  They as a group pretty much upped their game and gave their all.  It is a competition after all.

At the end of the night, here are my picks.  For this week and the coming weeks, I will refrain from using BOTTOM THREE instead I will refer to it as my LEAST FAVE peformances. 

I am still reeling from my successful prediction from last week.  On my bottom three last week were Naima and Thia - who were both got the boot. 

This week, rock being the theme and my fave themes of all time, I chose the following:

FAVE PERFORMANCES:
1.  James Durbin - come on now even if you weren't a fan before this night, didn't he sway you a bit to take a second and closer look at him?  I was washing the dishes when the commercial break come on and I told my husband that I predicted James to sing a Beatles song - a slow one since it's a Rock and Roll theme, he'd take the slow route.  I was correct on both instances, although the song he chose -  WHILE MY GUITAR SILENTLY WEEPS - was not the one I had in mind, but what a clever choice.  He came out swinging with his emotional take on the theme.  And what a handsome guy he is.

2.  Casey Abrams - A few posts down, here, I mentioned how much I love the song HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN that was a cover by Rod Stewart, originally sung by CCR. My brother has CCR CDS and sometimes when I borrow his truck one of these CDS are in his truck stereo and I get to listen.  But I wasn't particularly knowledgeable about the group.  Still I was stoke to hear Casey go out and cover this song, the song that I personally believe would be great tune in this day and age and would merit more air time.  I thought he did a great job - especially since the song he chose was my favorite.

3.  Scott McCreery - Who knew he could do Elvis?  And spectacularly well I might add. I was truly impressed with his overall perfomance last night although some of his hand gestures were a bit disconcerting to see.  Anyway, I thought he hit the bull's eye with last night's perfomance.

LEAST FAVORITE:
1.   Stefano Langone - I did not particularly care for his brand of crooning and the song he chose I thought did not do any justice to his quest. I am not a fan to begin with and with that song choice last night I remained not a fan.  You see what I mean.  I thought he failed last night to convert nonfans to fans by that song.

2.   Lauren Alaina - No one sings that and comes out looking and sounding good, unless you're Kelly Clarkson, which I really haven't seen since I jumped onto the AI bandwagon in Season 4.  But I heard Kelly's interpretation and it rocked.  But Lauren's Natural Woman - suprised to find it was sung by Queen Aretha - was nowhere near the shadow of the originator.

3.   I don't have a third choice. 

I'd like to note that I like Haley's raspy almost manic performance last night. I hope she keeps choosing songs like this.  Plus, keep the curls Haley, I like the curls on you.

Agree or not, doesn't Pia sounded like Celine Dion every single week.  Keep your eye shut and just listen. You would think it's Celine crooning.

Jacob Lusk continues to do well. But I don't think he'll have enough staying power.

So there goes my weekly prediction and blabber about American Idol.  Until next week.

Random Thoughts and Random Observations

There is nothing much to write about, but something inside me tells I should write something.  I fear if I don't post something and let this sit idle I'd lose my momentum and interest. 

Needless to say I have been busy - both at and out of workplace.  Been to the church meeting after work last night.  Was assigned to be the graphic artist, sort of, this big fundraiser we are planning for June.  That means I have to design the flyer (done - final edit last night), poster (have a draft that need to be tinkered), donation letter (also given final go by committee last night), and tickets (which I will start working on tonight).  That's not the end of my duties. I  think I may have to also produce a programme that must be submitted closer to the event date.

Honestly I was overwhelmed by the responsibility.  I know a little bit about designing flyers but nothing compared to the magnitude of this job.  You see I have no artistic bone in my body.  I cannot even draw straight lines.  I cannot mix and match colors.  I simply am the "wrong" fit for this job.  But the task fell onto my lap and I went with it.  Scoured the internet for template designs, emailed people for help and/or permission to use their flickr image.  It was really a big job. 

Thankfully a fellow blogger that I avidly follow since the very beginning of my blogging days - she inspired me to put out a blog when I read her posts - mentioned in her blog that she is doing her church's fundraising flyers and other graphics.  She is a professional graphic artist.  She was an answer to my prayers.  I emailed her for inspiration, she emailed me back with material I could use and did use.  God's presence!

My participation in this undertaking is almost over and I haven't enjoyed the experience.  I reached that realization today.  When the task first came to my desk I was a bit surly.  Yes it added to the things I needed to do outside of work.  Work has been pretty draining this year, too many things to do, and the last thing I wanted to do when I came home is to do some more work.  That is how I approached the job. 

A co-worker asked me why I had a frown the day after I got the job.  I told her about the assignment I got from the church fundraising and how inept I was at this project.  She told me then that the way to approach this was to think that I'd be doing something for God and put all my efforts into it.  The results would be coming from God.

Why didn't I listen to her when she said think that this is for God.  I never did that. I had some resentments early on because I was doing it for the committee, which is not the case.  Oh well.  I should take a 180 on this and start enjoying the ride.  I shall again do the same thing next year.  Not my idea.  That was brought up last night too, that this would become an annual thingy - but I already designed the flyer and the logo. Only the dates would be changed in the coming years. 

Anyway, I was planning on joining Miss Kayni's giveaway.  First because I truly love freebies.  And most importantly, the prizes are truly lovely.  But the tickets need to be generated tonight, so I pass for now.  Till next giveaway.

Before I forget our weekend had been glorious - weather wise.  I could not find anything to complain about.  We had sun, breeze, and glorious 70F.  Bay denizens who had to endure steady rain for weeks and weeks were flapping their wings like free birds and went outdoors to enjoy the sun.

We pulled weeds both days, though looking out in the garden, front and back, it needs more than our efforts combined could give.  We are asking a guy - jack-of-all-trades - our guy to come and help us with anything that needs fixing around the house.  He can lay out tiles and wood flooring and also do some gardening. 

On Sunday was my burger day. No plan for a burger.  But we were scheduled to visit with our friends, an elderly couple who asked for burgers.  We often bring them some eats when we go and visit with them.  During these visits we eat together and then we asked them what we could do for them.  They're old and had been very sickly over the past 2-3 years. In fact the husband just got out of the hospital again.  He has been the one sick with this and that thing.  They only have one son, who hasn't really gotten control of his life.  So he's not even stable enough to support/look after his parents (emotionally that is not to mention financially).  That's why we take it upon ourselves to peek in once in a while and see how they're doing - in addition to the phone calls.

When we left their house, we decided to go walk a bit.  After all there's a burger that needs to be burned.  Our choice of park to walk is called Eastshore State Park.  We don't come here often since this is located along the very busy Interstate 80, one that is crowded even on weekends.  So we avoid coming this way.

However, since we were in the neighborhood and the sun was out we went here.  Normally this would be too cold to walk being too close to the water.  But Sunday was terrific. I was wearing short sleeves and I was fine. 

Furthermore the reason we wanted to visit is to see if the outdoor museum is still there.  Refuse, trash, and whatever washes up on the shore some artistic hands create works of art and they stand out near the water.  Every local knows about this and enjoy this part.  I cannot remember if there are new items - I will post my entry about this on my other blog. 

But here enjoy some of the things I found on the net about this place.  Here is one. Here is a writeup. And photos.  Remember to wait for my entry on my photo blog.