mini-rant over insignificant issues...

I was watching a DVD today for discovery in a criminal case. When the clip was over, I left the television on. Oprah was doing some kind of Summer "must-have" giveaway. She had Robin Thicke on to sing a few songs. I absolutely do not get it. I don't find the high-pitch singing voice appealing. Since hearing him, I've been racking my brain to see if there's anyone/any song that's similar that I enjoy...Al Green and Earth, Wind and Fire to some extent, were the best I could come up with.

Anyway, I became annoyed with Oprah's studio audience. After the first two "and you're going home with it, too" announcements, you think they'd get the concept of the show. I don't think every announcement warrants a standing ovation and maniacal cheering. Maybe I was just in a bad mood...hahaha. When she announced that the studio audience would be receiving an ipod nano...pandemonium. Will they kick you out if you don't act like a raving lunatic at the announcement that you'll be receiving an Old Navy cover up & flip-flops?

As GOB Bluth would say: Come on! (I still can't get over the fact that Arrested Development is no longer on the air...sorry.) I'll watch Will Arnett in anything.



It's a Turner Classic Movies night again, since I can't fall asleep. Tonight, I'm watching So Long at the Fair. It's a suspense/mystery, that's actually somewhat terrifying. I think Cathleen Nesbitt, the hotel owner is as creepy as it gets. It's a fairly fast-paced movie I find hard to believe anyone wouldn't enjoy. Here's the synopsis from FilmFanatic.org: A young British woman (Jean Simmons) attends the 1889 Paris Exposition with her brother (David Tomlinson), only to find him mysteriously missing the morning after their arrival. When the hotel staff insists that neither her brother nor his hotel room ever existed, Simmons must investigate the mystery on her own, with the assistance of a helpful young stranger (Dirk Bogarde).

I've started to feel bored at my job, and that's not good. The morning's consisted of research, research and more research. That may have something to do with it.

Memorial Day weekend was fairly uneventful. We had rain, like much of the state. I got a call for "Carney Man"...the singing was superb! HAHAHA! We celebrated a birthday and graduation from kindergarten...and watched a mini-marathon of Man vs. Wild on the Discovery Channel. The show appeals to all ages, apparently. My nieces love to watch to see what he'll end up eating on the mission.

I'm looking forward to this weekend, with Brandon Rhyder and the Motorcars in town. I was going to drive an hour or so to see Reckless Kelly, but that's out, now that the Motorcars are at the Blue Light.

77 days to go...

Well, I finally bought my departing ticket to Idaho. I'll be leaving Dallas Thursday morning, and should arrive just after noon in Boise. I have yet to buy the return ticket...
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I loved the LOST season finale. The last half of the season was a great surprise for me. I was tempted to give up on it earlier in the season. The only drawback to being interested in the show - it won't be back until next February.

I was not as pleased with the series finale of Veronica Mars. It was obvious the writers didn't take cancellation into consideration...so many loose ends. I loved the episode, it just didn't sit well as the final chapter in the series.
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I've been working on a case for a few months now that I absolutely loathe. However, now that the case is entering the final phases, I find myself a little sad. The great thing about the case is that I've been able to work with a friend from law school, who now practices in Georgia. I'm going to miss talking on the phone with him on a consistent basis. We're both bad at keeping in touch in the long haul. I've told myself that I'll try to do better, and make a trek to GA if I get the chance.

Listening to a local radio show this morning, one of the DJs said, "I'm happy to give up all my rights, in order to live in the safest city." What?! That's unbelievable to me. I'm pretty sure one professor, in particular, would have fainted had he heard that statement.

I'm looking forward to Thursday night, Adam Hood is in town. I can't wait. Not only is he playing, but it will also be my first trip back to the Blue Light since Cinco de Mayo...wow. Becky and Brady are coming in this weekend, so that should be fun. There will most likely be a celebration of my mom's and sister's birthdays. Plus, how could I forget, the kindergarten graduation of my niece. She is very excited.

I had one of those Mondays that everyone dreads, so I hope the rest of the week goes well. I've got a hearing and a mediation lined up for tomorrow. I'm counting days until I can leave town on the 22nd. I haven't been more than two hours away, for what seems like an eternity. That weekend can't come fast enough.

Question:

What makes you decide to write someone off? Is there one thing that you just can't deal with in another person? I've been thinking about this the past week due to a conversation I had at the office with some co-workers. If another person truly believes in something that is in complete opposition of your viewpoint, is that when you write them off? I'm not talking about who's your favorite Beatle or anything trivial like that...but the main things, you know the core things you hold dear.

In writing someone off, I'm not insinuating that you treat them differently or bear any ill-will. I just mean you know you'd never be more than an acquaintance of that person as a result of the conflicting beliefs.

Just something floating around in my head...

Undone....

Last week on Turner Classic Movies, they were celebrating the work of Katharine Hepburn in honor of her birthday. I stayed up until four in the morning, it may have been five. I have no idea why I didn't just use the DVR. They aired two of my favorite movies, "Bringing Up Baby" and "The Philadelphia Story." I could watch them on a loop and be content, the pairing of Cary Grant and Hepburn is the best. How is it possible that they were made 69 and 67 years ago?

Since staying up that night, I've steadily gone to bed a bit earlier each night. Last night it was around 2. Another Monday without the Blue Light, since I had to deliver Mom's present, which did end up arriving late. Missing last night, I missed Charlie's last show around here for a few weeks. He'll be out and about with his own band and still playing with MMartindale.

I don't think I'm doing anything this weekend. Just like last weekend, I had plans and followed through on none of them. I watched some DVDs while in a haze from my allergy meds. I watched The Holiday again with my sister. I also saw Music & Lyrics. It was alright, better than I expected, actually. What else? Oh, I made my sister watch The Omen. Watching horror movies with either of my sisters is a comedic experience for me. Monica immediately called Becky when the movie was over and told her that she was to "never, under any circumstances" watch that movie. HAHAHA! I really didn't think it was that scary in comparison to the original, which can still freak me out.

I rediscovered my favorite Dashboard Confessional cd and have been listening to it since I got back to the office this morning.

Stoney...

We made the drive south to see Stoney LaRue last night. OH! I hadn't seen him since Steamboat. Prior to that, I hadn't seen his full band show since last April. That's hard to cope with when I was used to seeing him on a regular basis while in school and then pretty much every 6 weeks here. I don't know if something/someone offended him here...but we sure do miss him. The DVD just isn't the same.

The best aspect of the show was that it was apparent they were all having a great time. I hadn't seen a show with David on drums. I really liked it. The crowd surprised me. Not many knew much besides "One Chord Song" and "Oklahoma Breakdown," but you could tell they would be back to see his show whenever he comes back around.

Ryan James was also in Midland, for a private event. They were hanging around the bar after the show. Good to see them again so soon.

The plan is to go see Boland tonight, that might be changing. Macon Greyson is down the block, or I may just sleep. It's been a long week.

When the Sun Goes Down...

How busy have I been at work this morning? I have spent the last hour on Google Earth. Looking at nothing, specifically, just checking out different destinations. I could easily spend hours checking out all the images. I even looked at Idaho for a bit. You know how tiny Challis looks from up above?

I had a hearing this morning that was reset due to carry over from a trial that began earlier this week. So, here I sit at my desk watching the rain fall, listening to the Arctic Monkeys and Rocky Votolato's new song, "Postcard from Kentucky" (listen to it...it's a good one) and searching Google Earth.

A/C is still not working, but we've hit a cold snap with the rain.

Aside from our A/C going out, I had a great weekend. It's always fun when Ryan Turner comes to town. He played at least five new songs, and was entertaining as always. The crowd could have been a bit better, it grew about halfway through the set. In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we got a little La Bamba from Adam. I didn't realize until the next morning that I didn't even enjoy a margarita...the shame.

The previous night, Ryan James played, as did The Ducks. I split my night between both shows. I had a fantastic time at The Spoon. I may have gone a bit overboard with the cherry bombs, though. Wow...when we got to the Blue Light, I had nothing more to drink for fear of not being able to remember anything. Ryan James' cover of Honky Tonk Women was outstanding...as was his dancing. He tried to cajole us in to joining him by calling us out from the stage. He was so disappointed in us! HAHAHA! I love that David usually books the two Ryans back-to-back. It always makes for a fun weekend.

My sisters and I have been wondering what in the world to get my mom for Mother's Day. I think we found a good gift, now we just have to hope that it arrives in time.

No Charlie for me this Monday, I have an early negotiation conference. I should go just to get out of the house, but I'm afraid I'll hit the snooze too many times tomorrow.

Up this week:

Thu: Stoney LaRue
Fri: Jason Boland & the Stragglers - woo-hoo!
Sat: Django maybe? I guess it depends on family plans.

Like finding a present behind the Christmas tree...

The Foo Fighters at Hyde Park came up on my ipod. I LOVE THEM! The show was last June, there were 85,000 people and you can hear every one of them singing back to the band. It's an amazing setlist from beginning to end.

I haven't been to see one of their live shows in about five years. I've tried, but they seem to always come around when I can't get away. I still cannot believe I didn't see the Foo Fighters/Weezer show. The last time I saw them was right before the end of my second year of law school. I went to see them in Oklahoma City, and it was probably the best live show I've ever seen. Dave Grohl's voice does not disappoint, the band was tight and it was a great time.

Random, but it made my afternoon fly by...

I'll be spending the weekend at the Blue Light with a stop off at The Spoon. It should be a good weekend!

I wish I was sleeping...

Another Monday night at the Blue Light...this time two Daniels and Charlie. We left later than usual. I planned on coming home to catch up on sleep and here I am, still awake. Morning is not going to be pretty...

The RK show was a bit of a revival for me. I hadn't seen them since Steamboat, with being sick/out of town/ice storms keeping me from the past few shows. I went solo and had a fantastic time! My only complaint is that it was about 100 degrees in the venue.

The rest of the weekend was family time. There was a surprise birthday party that turned into an all-day event. I also watched Grandma's Boy at about 3:30 Sunday morning. It was probably the lack of sleep, but I laughed through most of it. The minor characters stole many of the scenes.

If I could manipulate my schedule, I would be in College Station May 10th. The Charlie Shafter Band is opening for Bob Schneider...two of my favorites.