Last post of the year

Back from running errands and working out at the gym. Lifting weights was a lot easier 40 years ago...
Be nice to unwind a bit tonight; we'll be going to some friends for the evening, so I'm making up a couple of bowls of chip dip for the evening; shrimp-garlic, and a lime and cilantro bean dip. Both are usually liked by people, and they are healthy (though the chips usually aren't).
For those who like tasty fried stuff (in moderation), my wife learned how to make beñuelos, which are a bit like a crisp sopapilla with a bit of sugar and cinnamon.
They are about eight or nine inches across, but are very thin and light. They are quite good with a cup of coffee or tea.











So far I haven't gained any weight over the holidays, so if I keep moderation in mind, I should be ok. Hope all of you have a good New Year's Eve, and that the coming year is a good one.


Today's playlist seems to be a little more upbeat; at least the top ten in the list are. The majority of them are probably older than half my visitors however. What can I say? I like the moldy-oldies better...

"It Was a Very Good Year" by Frank Sinatra
"Maggie May" by Rod Stewart
"Rhinestone Cowboy" by Glen Campbell
"Squeeze Box" by The Who
"She's My Girl" by The Turtles
"Eternity Road" by The Moody Blues
"Runnin' Blue" by The Doors
"Eight Miles High" by The Byrds
"I Got a Line on You" by Spirit
"Ball and Chain" by Janis Joplin & Her Kozmic Blues Band

2007 is winding down

Another year shot in the ass. Seems like I had a lot of plans that never seemed to get completely off the ground. Anyone else have that feeling? Hopefully this coming year will be different. I know I need to get my health squared away; more cardio exercise and drop more pounds, if I want to keep my heart from failing on me again.
Getting things taken care of around here is up high on the list, also. Seems like since my health went bad I got messier; I used to keep things a lot neater than I do now. That needs to get back on track. If I can clean up my act, maybe I'll feel like blogging more. There are a lot of people who come by here to visit and chat, and I'd like to tell you that I appreciate the company; visiting others and having them take the trouble to stop by at my mad ravings is one of the higher points of my day, sometimes. Are there any subjects or thoughts that any of you would like to share or to have me share with you? I'm not always sure what I want to blog about, so sometimes my thoughts tend to wander about like a stoned sheep. Thanks for bearing with me.

Have sort of a moody playlist today; most are older, but some of you may recognize a few of them in the top ten of the list.

"Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol
"Red, Red Wine" by Neil Diamond
"Turn the Page" by Bob Seger
"It's My Life" by Bon Jovi
"Someday Never Comes" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
"Bridge over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel
"Honky Tonk Blues" by Hank Williams
"Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" by Johnny Rivers
"And the Tide Rushes In" by The Moody Blues
"Always On My Mind" by Willie Nelson

Anyone have any opinions, or memories associated with any of those?

Best holiday wishes to all

Looking at the news, there is a lot wrong with the world, but in the spirit of the season, there will be none of the usual ranting, raving, bitching or complaining today. It was good to see that there were people out there who actually noticed my absence; I wasn't too sure of anyone coming around once I got back on line.

My music mood today has been all over the place; the top ten on today's playlist shows that:

"(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding
"If You Don't Like Hank Williams" by Kris Kristofferson
"With You There to Help Me" by Jethro Tull
"She's a Lady" by Tom Jones
"These Dreams" by Heart
"Perfect" by Sara Evans
"If You Could Read My Mind" by Gordon Lightfoot
"You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" by Dusty Springfield
"Georgia on My Mind" by Ray Charles
"Bring Me Some Water" by Melissa Etheridge

Some old, some newer. Anyone who is familiar with all of them?

Sorry about the absence...

In case anyone was wondering where I've been, I've been having technical difficulties the past two weeks, and am just now getting online; will be visiting people and posting soon.

Professional hand-wringers...

I see where the MSM is falling all over themselves to report on Romney's talk about his religion. WHO THE HELL CARES? I can think of several reasons not to vote for him without bringing in the fact that he wears funny underwear (here in Utah, we non-LDS refer to them as "angel pants" or "chapel chaps"); I don't like his way of changing his platform every time he talks to someone different. Who he (or any other candidate) prays to is irrelevant to me. It seems as if the journalists go out of their way to find the least little thing, and try to magnify it into pant-wetting proportions.

I don't have a real lot to say about the shootings in Omaha; once again some kid falls out of his tree and takes it out on a bunch of innocent people. He had a history of drug abuse, was mentally off, and was a felon. Why did anyone think a "No Guns Allowed" sign would keep them safe from him? And why did they think laws prohibiting him from having a firearm would keep him from acquiring one? I notice the MSM is going on about an "AK-47 automatic assault rifle"; too bad they don't have a clue what they're talking about. It seems as if half the people in journalism are as stupid as most actors; what is it about the media that attracts idiots?

Time for some music, maybe that will cheer me up on a gloomy day. The top ten on the playlist for today:

"Welcome to My Nightmare" by Alice Cooper
"Sundown" by Gordon Lightfoot
"Alone" by Heart
"I Just Want to Make Love to You" by Muddy Waters
"Essence of Now" by It's a Beautiful Day
"Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix
"Snowblind Friend" by Steppenwolf
"El Nicoya" by Santana
"Tube Snake Boogie" by ZZ Top
"Black Blade" by Blue Öyster Cult

I've been lost...

Been a while since I had decent contact with the Web; my connection has been down more than up, and when it was up, was running at about 30% speed (sort of like right now). The past few days have been snow, which is probably why I've been having internet withdrawal symptoms. Yesterday I had to shovel about a half foot, and it is some really heavy wet stuff. The main roads are clear, but neighborhood roads like mine still have about an inch of clear ice, so driving has been interesting.

I notice they're still fighting about the UK teacher over in Sudan. I don't understand the logic here; the country hires foreign teachers, and then gives them grief for a well-meaning mistake that didn't hurt anyone. It seems to me that no matter what is decided, when the teacher is sent home from that cesspool, the UK (and everyone else who has the slightest inkling of ethics) should pull out all aid, close their embassy there, and let those ignorant assholes either solve their own problems, or climb out of the Dark Ages and join civilized society.
Just my opinion.

I feel in an Eighties mood today, so the top ten of todays playlist reflects that. I imagine most of these should be familiar to visitors.

"Back Where You Belong" by .38 Special
"The Tide Is High" by Blondie
"This Ain't the Summer of Love" by Blue Öyster Cult
"Life Is a Lemon and I Want My Money Back" by Meat Loaf
"Sole Survivor" by Asia
"Shot of Poison" by Lita Ford
"A View to a Kill" by Duran Duran
"Dreamboat Annie" by Heart
"Take My Breath Away" by Berlin
"Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds