Spider....spider...go away

In case I never told anyone, I HATE bugs. HATE THEM....as in I don't care if they're a 'good' bug or a 'bad' bug. They give me the heebie-jeebies. Spiders especially. To this day whenever I see a spider I will freeze and scream bloody murder until I have someone rescue me from the impending doom of the spider. Which of course means SQUISH AND FLUSH (SOMETIMES DOUBLE FLUSH) so it is not going to return.

So you can imagine my chagrin and horror as I get a call from a co-worker this morning telling me about the MASSIVE, HAIRY ARACHNOID sitting outside the office and the non-cooperation of MALE co-workers to dispose of this menace. You can imagine my shock when another coworker E-MAILED ME THE PHOTO of this menace.

Anyway, in this horror and during the terror-reign of said

arachnoid (at right) this is the e-mails shared between Claire and myself. Please note this insect is still at large and FREAKING us out.

The e-mail:

Claire:There's a great big giant spider in the hallway. If you zoom in, you can appreciate the effect.

Me; WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?

WHY ARE YOU TAKING PICTURES OF THAT THING?

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WHY ARE YOU SENDING ME THESE PHOTOS? I AM AFRAID OF SPIDERS!

Claire: So am I! BUT NOW IT'S MISSING. MISSING!!!!

Me: WEEEELLLLLLLLLLL,

WHY DIDN'T SOMEONE FROM YOUR DEPT KILL IT WHEN IT WAS THERE?????

NOW IT IS ROAMING FREELY IN THE BUILDING ABLE TO TERRORIZE INNOCENT PEOPLE.

AND WHY ARE YOU TAKING PHOTOS OF IT? SHOULD WE POST THEM IN THE BUILDING AS MISSING? I WONDER IF IT IS RADIO ACTIVE. (LIKE YOU KNOW…AS IN SPIDER MAN?)

Claire: I like to take pictures of freaks of nature. You know, for posterity. We didn't kill it because we would have needed a shovel. You're right - now it's roaming freely, planning its attack in taking over the building. and eating all of our faces.

So if anyone would like come to our office, hunt wrangle and kill this 8-legged freak, please feel free. Because now I'm envisioning this thing launching from the ground or ceiling, and chewing our faces off.

Reflection of 2007 (Meme)

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Host a party with my two brothers.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I am sticking to my resolution thus far, and I may make one for next year too.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No. Oh unless you count Crazy-cat-lady....but we're not close.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
:o( Yes, my cousin Jack. It was tragic on (2) two levels. (1) He was down in Jamaica, VI for his wedding, and we were not there yet. (2) It was so unexpected.

5. What countries did you visit?
None in 2007.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
My own place. :-) Self love, a more committed relationship. Is that too much to ask for?

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
September 28- it was the first night I hung out with someone, and has been leading me down an interesting road.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Speaking up (even though I was pushed) and telling H.R. I did not want a specific situation. This led to me getting to work with the people I like, doing the job I like.

9. What was your biggest failure?
The closeness with my mom....but I think I can regain it.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Bronchitis, sinus infection, a cyst on my side.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
In 2007? I know it's something which I use every day but for the life of me I can't think of what it is right now. ACK!!!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Erm, mine? For not fighting with my mother.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My mother's. Because we had been getting along so well, that I forgot that she can not be the person I'd like her to be, nor can she love me the way I need her to love me. Because of this, and some other stuff she has said to me and her actions, I've come to realize that I can not rely on her for anything.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, cat food, supporting myself.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing Pooka & Cro`i when I come home at night, seeing someone special, getting ready for a night out.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
'The Way I Am' by Ingrid Michaelson

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer?
I am happier, a bit fatter (but working on that), and on my way to being poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Laugh.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Second-guessing conversations.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
For 2008, I have no clue yet. 2007 was spent seeing Sweeney Todd and having dessert at my cousins.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Yes.....or the beginning of love.

22. How many one-night stands?
None....what I had thought was going to be a 1-night-stand turned in to repeats.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
SuperNatural, Paranormal State, Ghost Hunters, and Grey's Anatomy and Brothers & Sisters.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Yes....and ex-boss who was almost my boss again, but was thwarted and still tries to be EVERYONES boss.

25. What was the best book you read?
For 2007- Asking For Trouble by Elizabeth Young

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Rhianna

27. What did you want and get?
A laptop
28. What did you want and not get?
GPS
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Oh jeebus! 3:10 To Yuma, Bee Movie, and Sweeney Todd

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 31, and had bare-stage rehearsal and ate dinner at Caraba's.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Meeting someone. who has made me realize what I want in life, and to go get it. Forging a closer bond with my cousins.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
As my own. :-) Jeans, sexy tops...sweaters. BOOTS. Boots are very important.

33. What kept you sane?
My cats. Smoking. Nelson and Peter listening to me and making me drinks. No seriously.....a circle of close and good friends keep me sane.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Johnny Depp.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
(Product) Red.

36. Who did you miss?
My Uncle Frank...my Cousin Jack.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
There are two. Keri (my cousin Christina's roommate) and Squirrel.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Don't be afraid to go after what you want.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Cuz I love the way you call me baby.And you take me the way I am."

RockStar: SuperNova concert 1/31/07 Recap

“I love you Gilby Clarke”…and other cliché’s such as that!

I would just like to precursor this post with a shout out to my girl Claire. And in a public forum, will admit: GILBY CLARKE is not an awesome rocker. I don’t know what I was thinking…but he is still eye candy to me. Claire…you were right…I was wrong…and I don’t love you anymore Gilby Clarke! {Claire used to mock my temporary Gilby love.}
With that out of the way, I would like to share my RockStar: SuperNova concert experience with you all. First of all, I was shocked with the amount of kids…and when I say kids I’m talking young kids, like 9years and up at the show. Also my tickets were not as great as I thought. Because we were in row N, in orchestra and I thought we’d be closer to the stage. But at Radio City Music Hall, the seat closer to the stage are double lettered such as AA, BB, CC, etc., then the single letters start. So our seats were good, just not GREAT. What was cool though, was I was able to sneak lower and get some better pix (which I will post in the next few days) than from my seat because yeah, the Sony Cyber Shot is not as awesome with the concert photos as it is with regular photos.
Dilana was the first to take the stage, and she was A-MAZ-ING. I would totally buy her cd, and also see her in concert. Magni is playing with her which is cool too. But she sounded just as she had on TV, and her energy is great. She is my height, if not just a smidge shorter. They did four songs, opening with Roxanne and then Toby took the stage with his band. All I can say is THANK YOU GOD that he is not fronting SuperNova. I don’t understand what was going on with the sound system because you could hear Dilana great. Then when Toby’s band took the stage, it was SO LOUD (and no the cliché, ‘if it’s too loud, you’re too old’ does not fit here.) It was so loud, that you couldn’t hear what they were singing, and what you could make out SUCKED. Plus he has that crackly, foggy, scratchy filtering going on, so his voice wasn’t that clear anyway. He did two cover tunes, and that was the only good thing about his time playing. Toby then announced that downstairs, he, Magni, and Dilana would be posing for photos and signing stuff.
So down I went, feeling somewhat like a groupie, youngster and waited, and waited. It was then announced that they would not be signing until 9:45, and at that point, The Panic Channel (Dave Navarro’s band) had just gone on stage. After missing three of their songs, and it only being 9:15, I decided to go back up to see TPC play. So back to my seat I went, and listened…and cringed. Because I own TPC cd, and they sound way better on cd, than live. Dave Navarro did NOT rock out at all, moved a round a bit, but nothing crazy, no guitar smashing…no crowd cruising. Just did circles on stage. They were really loud, but not as loud as when Toby was on stage, so at least you could understand what they were singing. Then Steve Issacs, (the lead singer) decides he is going to get political. And I’ll be a hypocrite. Yes, I’m a huge fan of U2/Bono, and the work that Bono does. But I do not believe politics should be brought to a concert. And Steve Issacs wasn’t very diplomatic. Steve goes up in the side balcony seats and starts talking about people lying, and people lying to gain power. And he loves that in this country you can agree to disagree. With that he launches in to bad mouthing President Bush, and talking about how he’s a liar, etc….but even if we hate the president, we can love our brothers and sisters over seas. Well! The crowd wasn’t very happy and one woman in the row in front of us got actually belligerent. Dilana joined The Panic Channel to sing ‘Highway To Hell’ and then it was time for SuperNova.
And finally it was time. Ida and I were joking around, chanting “Tommy! Gilby! Tommy!” and then I actually heard someone (not me Claire) scream “I LOVE YOU GILBY CLARKE! YOU ROCK!” As Gilby walked on to the stage. Tommy had a new drum kit and it is awesome. And the crowd went wild when Lukas made his appearance. RockStar: SuperNova caused mixed feelings in me seeing them live. Yes, the music was loud…and you could understand what they were singing. But after three songs, Lukas and his voice wore thin. I still have NO IDEA what Jason and Tommy were thinking, to pick him. Now, I like my music loud, I like it raw…angry…full of emotion or even to tell a story. I like my music to course thru my body, and make me not sit once. I love to watch the band members and get a charge off their juice. GILBY CLARKE was a thud! Now, aside from knowing these guys are older, I decided to do my homework this morning. Gilby Clarke was born in 1962, making him 44/45 years old. He did not rush around the stage, play off Lukas, move much, or give any energy to the audience. Joe Perry-born in 1950, 12 years older than Gilby. You can not glue him to one spot when he plays for ANYTHING. He makes me want to BE the guitar. He has an energy level which I wish I had. Keith Richards-born in 1943, 19 years older than Gilby. Need I say any more? Gene Simmons-born in 1949, 13 years older than Gilby. Again, the energy and enthusiasm just oozes from him. And Eric Clapton-born in 1945, making him 17 years older than Gilby. Eric Clapton is still slow-hand, and still gives an amazing show, inspiring many people of all ages to pick up a guitar and play. Not you Gilby! NOT YOU! My Gilby-lust has gone down the drain.
Lukas just looks like a monchichi, and has not altered his glam style. Sparkly mic, sparkles on his face, intense eyeliner. And the bass player who is standing in for Jason Newsted? So looks like he does not want to be there. Tommy Lee carried the show…hands down. His enthusiasm, his flair…he did it. Maybe the guys were tired. Maybe it was just an off night. I do know there was some bad feedback at one point during their set…and I did feel bad when a HUGE chunk of audience walked out. SuperNova wrapped things up at 11:30, and did one song for an encore: The Rolling Stones cover. Would I go to see them again? Yes, but if it was an outdoor venue and if Jason was on Bass. I have to say I did buy their cd last night, and the cd is worth it.

Seperated at birth?