This is It - Michael Jackson film

Tonight I went to Channelside with 9 friends and watched the MJ movie. It was cool seeing the behind the scenes of his preparation for his tour. That man really needed to eat a little more pizza, french fries, and chocolate!

Elsie the chihuahua had a throw down with the Dammit Doll

In my birthday box from mom was this Dammit Doll with the attached poem:

When you want to throw the phone
or kick the desk and shout,
Here's a little Dammit Doll
You cannot do without


Grasp it firmly by the legs
and find a place to slam it,
As you whack the stuffing out, yell
DAMMIT, DAMMIT, DAMMIT


Elsie is very upset that I am even remotely considering adopting this cutie pie:



15 pounds of Italian Greyhound. He was running wild around an apartment complex in Tampa and Liz rescued him. We haven't met him yet but are told he is very sweet. He even knows the 'tell me a secret' game... How is that possible?

I need reminded as to the reason I pay taxes to Hillsborough County....

If you access www.hcplc.org today, you will see the image below. Yes, the county offices are closed- apparently due to budget cuts. I don't remember my taxes being lowered but maybe I missed something. All I wanted to do was check the status of the books I have on hold at the library. I guess the webmaster has to have the day off as well.
It would seem sensible that employees are not getting paid for today, correct?
Or, are the offices closed just to cut down on A/C and other utility bills?
OH YEAH - ya know, Halloween is HUGE around here. I mean, I've seen more witches, spider webs, orange hefty bags stuffed with who-knows-what, mini lights, etc. than ever. Maybe Hillsborough County is attempting to make this a holiday... The news just reported that emergency personnel, fire fighters, and trash picker-uppers don't hae the day off.

Memphis in the meantime...

Now I have that song stuck in my head 'cause I've been planning a trip tonight. I have a business meeting in Memphis in a couple of weeks so I decided to go a few days early and 'do' the Delta Blues Trail thru Mississippi. I leave 11/7 - Saturday morning ... and return 11/14.

Saaturday night I am staying at the Clark House B&B in downtown Clarksdale. I plan to drive straight to Clarksdale from the Memphis airport. I will hang out in downtown Clarksdale Saturday night and then Sunday continue my journey.... well, after I visit the Delta Blues Museum of course.

I can't wait to stay Sunday and Monday nights here:

http://www.shackupinn.com/ I booked the Cadillac Shack. Love it! Check it out... it is so ME!

I will spend the first 3-4 days driving around Mississippi visiting the blues landmarks. I must be back in Memphis sometime Wednesday... Thursday morning at the latest.

I haven't booked any rooms for Tuesday and Wednesday night. I may find myself at a CASINO! I'm open for suggestions.

OF COURSE I will be spending a day at Graceland!

While in Memphis I also plan to go to:

• The Civil Rights Museum
• Gibson Guitar Factory
• Sun Studio
• WC Handy Home
• Elmwood Cemetery (they are wonderful arboretums!)

SOLD!!! FOR SALE: 2007 Harley Sportster 1200 L 1k miles 7900.00

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/mcy/1417213782.html

Feel free to forward to anyone.... post on Facebook.... link to your blog.... etc. THANKS :)

Moonalice Band Skipper's Smokehouse 10/25/09

Moonalice is:

G. E. Smith – bass, guitars, vocals
Barry Sless – bass, guitar, pedal steel guitar, vocals
Pete Sears – bass, keyboards, accordion, vocals
Ann McNamee – bass, percussion, vocals
Roger McNamee – bass, guitar, vocals
Jimmy Sanchez – bass, drums (until 2009-05-09)
John Molo - drums (first gig played on 2009-05-23)
Jack Casady - bass (when performing live as "Moonalice 7")

Wonderful and entertaining jams at skipper's....beautiful night although I did get a little chilled towards the end.

Roller Skating with the girls

These pics are a little grainy. I need a new camera! Or, does anyone know a good photographer who also likes to come to the rink? That's a tall order I guess.

Thanks Joni for shooting these with that lame camera of mine!

I am still very wobbly!

All dressed up and somewhere to go!

Going to a party!

I had to throw in a little rockabilly ruckus, right? It's TEMPORARY Mom! Although, this is probably the one tattoo of which you'd approve....


Outside of Joni's house. Thanks Joni for the earrings!

That dress barely fit in the car!

Eric Lindell, World of Beer Octoberfest, Tampa

Last night Eric was in town again. Gotta love that man. Mercy. I was just a little overdressed and ...note to self... stacked heels and grass do not go together. I survived and can't wait 'til he returns.

Liz was coveting Eric's flannel shirt and was convinced I could get it for her. I guess a trip to Sears is in order for me ;) Hey, maybe I should buy him a new one and trade him the next time he's here...

Just say NO to Facebook!

At first, I really liked FB. I embraced all that it was (except for the games, quizzes, polls, etc.).
I friended friends and I de-friended some who were not truly friends. I am happy with the renewed friendships with peeps all over the country and from my childhood.

I will miss reading all about their escapades and various states of being. Hopefully they will keep in touch via email, snail mail, and phone.

Sometimes I wish I could go totally off the grid but I know that is not possible... I'm addicted to the internet and all that it offers. That's the first step, correct?

I went to the magician again today....

...and thought I'd post a couple of pics because the mop won't look like this tomorrow!

Me and TCDITW.

Yes, I took this in the car. BUT - I wasn't driving, I swear. I took this before I left the magic shop.

Elsie at the dog park

Not the best pics - I used the phone for these shots. I'll take the real camera the next time.

She loves to go play with her friends.
Good thing there is a fence dividing the big dogs because Elsie would rip them to shreds.

Yappy Hour at the Quorum with Eddie Wright

Here are some photos from Yappy Hour!

Dice - The King

The King and his harem.

Elsie and Rookie

Elsie one of the harem girls.

Shelley and the harem girls.

Up close shot of the harem girls.

ROOKIE!!!

Eddie Wright provided hours of entertainment and even played a few dog songs when requested!

Thanks Eddie.

Thanks to all who attended the event and help raise awareness of greyhound rescue.

Thanks for your donations!

Why do people say they care but act totally different?

It is time to re-think my thinking!  I know I will always wonder, worry, and lose sleep... it's my nature.  It's ok though, I have my true friends and family - my loyal blog followers - and I'm glad you are in my life.

Matching Donations to GREAT greyhound rescue

Hey faithul blog readers....
We have a matching donation challenge right now at

http://www.great-greyhound.org/

(Scroll down the site to find the 'donation' button)

For EVERY donation GREAT receives from today through November 15, 2009, GREAT has a benefactor who will match that donation, up to $2500.

So, GREAT could potentially raise $5000 in the next month!

Even a ONE DOLLAR donation will be matched.

What can you give to help greyhound rescue in Tampa?

Don't forget... Yappy Hour next weekend at the Quorum! Live music, a free draft beer or glass of wine if you bring your dog, food and drink specials, and LIVE music by Eddie Wright!

C'mon out and play with the paws. If you don't have a dog, come out and we'll let you borrow one for the evening.

Elsie can't wait to see you!

Direct link to PayPal donation site:

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=HylU3o20gUN9fKZnQihi4_BaCduzR_h3lNPg-WWIc8_jDmlu0zkfcVZW0gO&dispatch=50a222a57771920b6a3d7b606239e4d529b525e0b7e69bf0224adecfb0124e9bed5d628c85727479b1b92b132a6281aab8c2c6f2ee34f0a1

Come out and have a drink with me Saturday 10/17/09

Mohawk sightings!

I've seen three in the last couple of weeks but captured shots of only two.
The first was at the Lightning game.... the second below was spotted at the roller derby bout.
I'm on the lookout now for these cool hawks. How in the world do they do that??? I need some of that freeze hold/glue stuff for my hair!

It's Hockey Time!

A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.....Wayne Gretzky

I'm ready to see if we have a good team or a great team. Let's Go Lightning!

What was I thinking when I had this jersey made?

The birthday never ends! Yeah Me!

Today in the mail I received another wonderful birthday gift. There were three DVDs in the box that I can't wait to view and... this OH-SO-CUTE t-shirt for Elsie. As you can tell by this picture, she truly DOES love PT!

Thanks to Ellen and Shelli! We had a fun girls weekend a while back with a Paul Thorn double-header.

shelley...

... has to surround herself with people who do what they say they are going to do.

... wants to be with people who know what they want.

... is ready to eat dinner and is going to have a glass of wine with her meal. Maybe two.

(my version of FB status)

Actions speak louder than words

...and that is my thought for the last few days... deep, huh?

Roller skating with Emily and Tracy

Today we went to the rink to test our skills. I haven't skated in years and I'm taking the compliment given by Tracy Ann "you are doing good!" I didn't fall once but had to take breaks now and then. Either my feet hurt or I was so hot my glasses fogged. Seriously. What a workout.

We went 1/2 hour early for the lesson session. It was totally worth the extra $2 to have the rink to ourselves. Well, there were two toddlers and one little guy there and eventually a couple of adults but it was like we had our own place. The guy teaching was nice and gave us good tips.

Tracy shot this great video of Emily before we were busted for having electronic equipment on the rink:

I'm looking forward to the next time.... LIZ...get ready!

Anyone else wanna join us? Saturday 12:30 - 3:30 for $7 total. We left around 2pm. We were tired and hungry!

Can anyone say Five Guys?