Namaste, Bitches

My rather eclectic taste in music is part of what convinced me that reincarnation is reality. Why else would a lower-middle-class white chick know anything about the blues? I liked the blues before Ralph Macchio was in Crossroads, and before I ended up in Memphis - that was just where I got educated.

I like the starkness of the Delta blues better - just a voice & a little guitar, but damn, Muddy Waters & Howlin' Wolf are so... damned... good. Hair-raising. It's funny, though, to hear songs like Bring It On Home done by Sonny Boy Williamson & prop it up against Led Zeppelin. Robert Plant did a decent imitation of Williamson's warbling intro - beyond that, even though I have always and will always love the Golden God - Plant's voice is no match for Williamson. It's not even fair to put Plant up against Howlin' Wolf. Killing Floor was his loooong before Led Zeppelin was born.

I got the Chess Box Set, 1947 - 1967 today. It was kind of like leaping into the void for me as far as not knowing what was on the CD's - if it was going to be outtakes or B-sides or frequently covered modern crap. There's a couple of tunes by John Lee Hooker, & a lot of Waters & Wolf (they were Chess' big sellers of the day), but it's also cool to hear Memphis Minnie & sweet, sweet Etta James.

I'm on vacation now, so I'll have time to explore the music a little. Finished staining Ed's tank trim. Rob was trying to widen the bolt-holes on the security gate in my room & managed to put the drill through my window. So much for a stress-free break from work. If it's not work, it's the in-laws. I cannot win. The Universe obviously wants me to go bat-shit crazy. Ah well. I called in sick for two nights, so my vacation hasn't officially started yet. Tomorrow, which would be day 1, is going to be spent dealing w/the in-laws trying to get my window fixed.

I got some stuff cleared off my desk - more coloring books to scan into the hard-drive. They've been sitting on my desk since late August. Feels good to get rid of them. I also closed my myspace account. I keep saying, "I don't have time for this or that" so I'm going to gradually start eliminating all the things that eat up my time. myspace was a big one. So was okcupid - that account is also closed. WoW is sacred space - don't even go there!

Finished the 'Dark Tower' series, King's magnum opus... He took the lazy man's way out, and I suspected the ending would be like it was probably about halfway through the book. It sucks, but I imagine King's probably pretty fucking tired of all those people wandering around in his head. He's been working on those books for longer than I've been alive, even if he has been doing other stuff in between, it's dominated his career. I am mightily pissed about Oy.

I'll be curious to see if King actually retires, or if he keeps writing. We all know what happens to artists who 'retire'... Hel, anyone who 'retires' after putting their heart & soul into what they do best.

I have to go back to work tonight. It's ok. I'm so stressed out when I'm not at work & other people are doing my job. Can't relax. Might as well not even take the time off & just take the extra vacation pay.

Your Birthdate: December 31

Your birthday suggests that you are a good organizer and manager, an energetic and dependable worker; attributes often showing success in the business world. Serious and sincere, you have the patience and determination necessary to accomplish a great deal. Your approach can be original, but often rigid and stubborn. Sensitivity may be present, but feeling are likely to be repressed. You are good with detail and insist on accuracy, but at times scatter energies. You're a practical thinker, but not without imagination. You love travel and don't like to live alone. You should probably marry early, for responsibility is necessary for your stability.

Marry early, eh?

Anyway, Blessed Beltane, Happy May Eve, Gutten Walpurgisnacht everyone. Today is my 10th Handfasting Anniversary. I think I should have opted out at the end of the year & a day. Ce la vie, I guess. I don't even know if I spelled that right.

I'm on vacation next week - it's scheduled & official. Kelly's gonna have to sink or swim!