Friday, December 28, 2007

Name That Tune...

1. "If you don't eat your meat! You can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat???

2. " You know how long I've been on ya..since Prince is on Appolonia..since O.J. had Isotoners...don't act like I never told ya.."

3. "Remember, to let her into your heart, then you can start, to make it better."

4. "Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything, but everything means nothing..."

5. "Blue jean baby...L.A. lady...seamstress for the band..."

6. "She never compromises, loves baby's and surprises, wears high heels when she exercises...she's beautiful."

7. "It's been a...long December and there's reason to believe..maybe this year will be better than the last.."

8. "This bed is on fire, with passionate love. The neighbor's complain about the noises above..."

9. "Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am...."

10. "Don't go changing, to try and please me, you never let me down before...hhhhmmmm..."

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

"Anger Management"

I'm not sure that I know one person that doesn't have their moments of being a possible anger management candidate. That could possibly be because alot of my "nearest and dearest" are Italian New Yorkers (including myself-that is not a stereotype, do a study, and tell me the results) or it could just be human nature to blow your stack from time to time. Either way-I know I definitley have moments where my blood pressure flies off the charts in a matter of seconds. Here's a few.....

1. Automated services on the telephone. I feel my body getting warm just typing that. I am that raving lunatic that hits the ZERO incessantly until it brings you to a HUMAN BEING. Remember back in the day when people actually ran customer service?

2. A slow computer/dial up. I once thought I could save money by switching to dial up. That lasted I think 3 days and I decided my sanity was worth the cost of "The Bundle"(I still cringe every time I pay that bill).

3. When employee's behind the counter continue their personal conversations as they are taking care of you, that no one wants to hear, and don't even say so much as "have a nice day" to you when all is said and done.

4. Walking up to a table at the restaurant and being "shooed" away from someone on a cell phone. You better believe that person dies of thirst before I go back to that table. Sometimes people have no common sense. Right now, I am in charge of your dining experience-even though I'm "just a server".

5. NEXTEL. Enough said.

6. The volume on the self check out lines in the grocery store/Walmart. I feel like I am getting verbally abused...IS THERE ANYTHING UNDER YOUR CART!!!!!!!!!! DO YOU HAVE ANY COUPONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There's just no need.....

These are all legitimate anger sparkers-aren't they? But yet on the other hand I am one of the most relaxed, laid back, free spirited, carefree people you will ever meet. But I can admit that I have a button. And once it's pressed-watch out........It's like when you light a whole mat of firecrackers! People that don't have buttons scare me more than people that do have buttons....

Friday, December 21, 2007

Did you know? Part ll

1. On his debut album, "For You" Prince played 27 different instruments.

2. While playing in front of a large lake at the Crystal Palace Bowl in London in 1970, Pink Floyd played so loud, a number of fish were killed.

3. James Brown's wife tried to get her traffic tickets dismissed because of "diplomatic immunity" in June of 1988. She claimed her husband is the official "ambassador of soul". she lost the case. (GREATNESS)

4. Gene Simmons of Kiss has a tongue that is 7 inches long, 2 inches longer than most men.

5. Chuck Berry holds a degree in cosmetology.

6. Jimi Hendrix was thrown out of high school for holding the hand of a white girl in class.

7."Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson was the first video to air on MTV by a black artist.(When he was black that is)

8. Sonny and Cher were initially known as Caesar and Cleo.

9. The first group to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame were The Coasters.

10. More than 2,500 cover versions of The Beatles "Yesterday" exist, making it the most recorded song in history.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

The Corbett Family

Okay now I am an even bigger disgrace because I hurt my mother's feelings with my last post. Those were not my intentions, it was meant to be light-hearted and funny. I got an email from her apologizing for falling short. Falling short? Those words never enter my mind when I think about the Corbett family, so I would like to now share with you the BEST types of memories. Ones that can't get lost while moving, ones that won't grow mold in a musty place, ones that even if the earth blew to bits couldn't be destroyed, because they are the memories in my heart. My big sister helped me with this because she remembers the earlier years when the Corbett's were just starting out....

Our father told Southland Corporation (7-11) he was leaving - he had NO JOB - but he had 4 kids and a wife he didn't want to be away from anymore. He would just figure it out - well he was such an awesome employee they practically "gave" him the store that became our families 7-11 so that he would still be with the Company.
If we were all busy with our own lives and out and about too much he would call a "family day" and we would all have to cancel any plans we had for that day and the six of us would spend the day together.
Both of our parents instilled a great sense of FAMILY in us because we were always the house the family gathered in and always multi generations.
Every year we went to Lake George for a week and stayed in an "Old school" cabin where we played games, cards, and swam, and still cooked in the cabin and sat down all together for every meal.
Our mother never worked in the summer when we were all in school so that she would be home with us and our friends.
They deliberately kept phones and T.V.'s out of our rooms so we would all come together every night in the living room as a family. No phone calls between 5-7 because it was family/dinner time. We all talked about our day.
We went to the diner every Sunday morning for breakfast-and most of the time they gained about 4 extra kids because our friends wanted in on the action.
My father taught all four of us how to swim, and the other three to drive. He took me out for a spin once, and took me back home and called The Driving School.
We would get woken up by our parents at midnight to join around the table and chow down on about 50 pounds of Chinese food.
Anyone could sleep over-but it was like pulling teeth to sleep out. My parents couldn't sleep without their family under one roof.
My Mom wanted new furniture, so she hauled everything out to the curb to try to force my father to comply. He followed up with getting lounge chairs from the yard and placed them in the living room. my mother stopped him before he could go buy the sand that he intended to pour throughout the room to finish off the look.
When our father died we did not have much money at all - me, Marie and our mom moved into an apartment. Our mother gave us the big bedroom and she took the little one with a twin bed - with the little bit of money she had she bought us new bedding, curtains, carpet etc…. To make the room nice since we had to leave our home - and she kept all the stuff we had, had for years. Completely selfless for her girls who had just lost their father - even while she had lost the love of her life.
To this day, 15 years after my fathers death, my mother wears her "bling"(and yes, it's bling) with pride, has never been on one date, and holds my father closer to her heart than ever. Like she always says.."You can't go from caviar to flounder!"

So you see...in the big scheme of things, I wouldn't swap these memories for a baby book, or a family name, or a portrait, not for anything.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

The Finale of Four

I have blogged about this before on my pastor's wife's blog, Holly, but it warrants my own post being that I fell victim to the fourth child syndrome. There is no proof of my existence until a grade school photo. Every child in my family has a handed down family name from my father's side-except for me. You know who I was named after? NOBODY. I don't have a middle name because apparently by kid four, the imagination "has left the building". When your the fourth child, you divinely become the "Queen of the hand-me-downs". New things weren't necessary, especially that my sisters are 2 and 5 years from me. That would have just been wasteful. My father wrote a beautiful letter to my sister in her baby book that she will have to cherish forever. Do you really think I have a baby book? NOPE. And anyone that knows me has heard me say these things a million times. Do I really harbor bad feelings over it? No, but I will bust chops until my dying day about it. Here are some of the perks.....Being the "baby", if I call anyone one of them, they jump. If I need something or someone, "Johnny on the spot". Who's the clown of the bunch-me. I can be, because they carry all of the stress for me, because I am the "baby". I think they called me that until I became a mother at 24. On this past Sunday morning when I spent the night at my sisters, my mother made me breakfast, and my sister ironed my shirt. You know...the baby...it works to my advantage at times I must say. Now that I am a mother, let me share with you the differences between my 2, and let me know if you see history repeating itself. When my daughter started to eat food, I made everything that passed her lips myself, homemade and pureed with care. As soon as my son had 4 teeth we hit the drive through for a happy meal. Once a week (or more) I filled up my bathtub with bleach water and cleaned every single one of my daughters toys. If a toy looks dirty now, I rub it on my shirt, and move on. My daughters baby book looks like an accordion that won't even close, and I just saw my sons under my bed last night...or was it in the closet? I have all of my daughters teeth-I have time not to mess that up for him. I have everything from hospital shirts to her first mini golf ball to painted faces at the circus photos to locks of hair to portraits every 3 months for the first 2 years to her first tooth brush to BRONZED SHOES to dance outfits to several favorite outfits to 6 plus photo albums in the first 2 years....I better stop before you think I'm nuts but this list could go on and on. My boy...I have a modest bin of memories. I have one portrait because the little booger won't sit still for 2 seconds, I couldn't imagine him making it through 20 minutes of the circus, I have all of my sons photos in a draw in no chronological order in hopes that they will get put in an album one day. What am I doing? Will my son have the same stigma that I have carried for 34 years that I KNOW that when my mother told my father she was pregnant again (there are 4 of us in a five year span to the month) he said; and I quote verbatim..."No Rosie, you must just have a cold". Is this what I am reducing my one and only son to? I am a disgrace.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

What happens when you grow old?

Can anyone explain to me what happens to "style sense" once you grow old? Working at the restaurant, I see tons of people. Young and old. Not all, but most old people wear some funky stuff. Does something in your brain deteriorate as you get older that causes you to wear things that in your "hay day" you wouldn't be caught dead in? And am I destined to be that elderly lady that the younger generation is laughing at? Next time you go somewhere, observe......whether it be the VERY matronly haircut, or the obnoxious color schemes, or the make up that looks like it was put on in the dark in the car going over speed bumps.....it's crazy. And I am not being mean, I am stating the facts. Look around-I'm telling you the truth. Now my Grandmother until her dying day was stylin'. Hair was dyed, nails were done, and her clothes were very nice. And God forbid she leave the house without a heel on? NEVER HAPPEN. But she was an exception to the general population. When people ask me how I wear my high heels, and keep up with my nails/brows/toes/hair...my response is this. "I'm not going down without a fight. I will not "frump" before my time. I will not succumb to the rut that women approaching 40 sometimes fall into." Ok I'm not nearing 40...but you know what I mean. I can fight it all I want, but one day, just as lots of others, I could very well be the elderly woman with the gaudy Holiday Sweater on with my jacket draped over my shoulders because I'm chilly and my Michael Jackson white socks, or better yet KNEE-HIGHS sticking out of my pants......that are floods, going to my once a week wash and blow out, and my rouge will be 4 shades darker than it should be. It's inevitable....oh well.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Did You Know...?? Part l

1. Deep Purple were the first ever rock band to play together with a symphonic orchestra.

2. Sheryl Crow started her singing career on Michael Jacksons Bad tour, and she was a back up singer for George Harrison, Joe Cocker, and Rod Stewart.

3. As of 2005, Queen albums have spent a total of 1,422 weeks or 27 years on the UK album charts; more time than the Beatles, and THE KING.

4. In 1987 Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin was the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock "n" Roll Hall of Fame, followed by the Supremes in 1988.

5. Billy Joel played piano on Shargri-Las "Leader of the Pack" in 1964.

6. Pink Floyd were the first band to use a quadraphonic sound system at their concerts. Using 4 different channels of audio, it was an early version of surround sound.

7. The harmonica is the world's best-selling music instrument.(who would have thought!)

8. The first video to premier on MTV was "Video Killed the Radio Star" by Buggles on August 1st, 1981. The most aired video in MTV's history is Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer".

9. Elvis Presley once entered an Elvis look-a-like contest in a US burger bar and only came in THIRD!!

10. Frank Sinatra once called Rock and Roll "The most brutal, ugly, degenerate, vicious form of expression it has been my displeasure to hear."(How dare he!)

Check next Friday for Part II.......

Thursday, December 13, 2007

The Change of Times

If you asked me 10 years ago if having to walk around the corner at night would be such a big "to do" I would have thought you were crazy. Last night I had to walk around the corner to meet the tow truck guy who was picking up my truck because my starter went. I would say it is a 1/4 mile walk on a well lit busy road. I can't explain to you the overwhelming fear I had. First off-to have to walk around the corner alone at night, and secondly to meet a strange man in a parking lot by myself. I am going to share my thoughts and actions with you, although you might think I'm insane afterwards.

1. I called my mother to tell her where I was going in case something happened to me someone knew my where abouts.
2. I thought about bringing my ID, just in case, but was torn because I didn't want to bring my whole purse.
3. Although I could have gotten there in less than half the time by cutting through the apartments, I went all the way around the long way to stay in well lit, busy areas.
Here's comes the psycho.....
4. I walked with the biggest key on my key chain clutched between my fingers in stab-ready position.

After he put the truck on the lift, and I paid him, I cringed at thoughts that he may ask me if I needed a ride home. He didn't. Feeewwww...I gave him $80.00 in cash-although it was $75.00, I didn't have correct change for one, and for two, where I come from, we tip everybody. I see in my experience here in the south that alot of people aren't allowed to even accept gratuity in that form. There's nothing like "greasing someones palm" in the North, sometimes it's a life saver. So, I walk away, he's pulling away, and I hear him put the truck in park, and get out and call out to me. My stomach hit the ground. I think I broke a sweat. All he wanted to do was give me $5.00 in change. What is wrong with me? This guy is trying to do his job, and I'm thinking I'm in grave danger. I remember being a kid in the 70's/80's, and walking to school with my brother and sister's without a care. I remember going out on my bicycle after school, and as long as I was home by dinner-it was all good. In this day and age I'm labeling every jogger, walker, and tow truck driver as a serial killer. Doesn't that make you sad? And the point of the whole story is that what I did last night could definitely be considered foolish and negligent. My sister flipped out on my mother for not stopping me from going. "MA...THIS ISN'T THE 50'S MA!!!" That's a little New York thrown out there for you compliments of my Big sis. Well as you can see I made it home in one piece, but I probably will never do something like that again. I think I lost a year of my life last night.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Slow Down For Alex

I saw this sign today on Colony Road. It was on a full sized beautiful Christmas tree wonderfully and obviously decorated with pride-solar lights included. Ornaments, garland, the whole nine yards. The tree was standing in a big red bucket on the side of the road. This has been on my mind all morning. Someone lost their Alex because someone else was speeding. See that little guy to the right? That's my Alex. I pray that no one has to endure what those parents and family will endure forever. Let's all make a conscious effort in this very busy season to slow down, pay attention, put the cell phones away when were in the car...think about what your talking about or rushing to. Is it really worth the possible consequences? Let's all slow down for Alex.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

The Music Lovers Challenge

Where to begin.....I would love to proudly say that I have no addictions. I'm not addicted to cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, soda, coffee, reality T.V., or any T.V for that matter....but I do have one severe addiction. MUSIC. Since birth almost. I know music that was rocking the world before my parents even met. I consider it a gift, not an addiction. I would like to say every Friday will be some type of Musical post. Whether it be "Did you know?", or Trivia, etc. But I don't think I want to commit. So I will just say I would LIKE to do a post on music on Friday's, but don't hold me to it. This first post is a challenge to all of the hard core music lovers out there. I challenge you to beat out my concert attendances. You think you can do it? Let's see........

HUGE

Guns N' Roses, Metallica x2
Madonna x2, Janet Jackson
The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac
The Doors(less Jim, of course)
Pink Floyd,
Dave Matthews Band x6(their huge to me)
Phil Collins,
Billy Joel - Elton John-dueling piano's-UNBELIEVABLE

90's Grungy Goodness and then some........

Rage against the Machine, Faith No More
Third eye Blind, Counting Crows
Nine Inch Nails, Vertical Horizon
Blink 182, Greenday x2
The Cranberries, Stone Temple Pilots
Smashing Pumpkins, Bush
Live, Wallflowers
Tool, Oasis
Weezer, Cold Play
311, Pearl Jam

Big, but not exactly HUGE

Duran Duran, Bon Jovi
The Greatful Dead, The Allman Brothers
Steve Miller Band, Psychedelic furs

Cheesy and humiliating

New Kids on the Blizzzock
Tiffany, Paula Abdul
Debbie Gibson, The Village People

Here's the last 2 that fell into Cheesy, and Big but not huge(for their time)

Great White/WhiteSnake
Hall & Oates-my very very first concert in 5th grade.

Alright, bring it on, I dare you to beat that list. I'm so proud of that list. I'm getting rusty, but I am looking for a come back next summer at Verizon....My son came to 2 concerts with me in the womb. He can actually say he attended a Doors concert-how about that! This list also excludes the concerts I have seen with my daughter. Hillary Duff, Cheeta Girls, Hanna Montana....add them to the Cheese category if you would like.






Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Lysol to Go....

I was on the line in Walmart yesterday, and when I looked to my right, I felt a disturbing sense of excitement when I saw this travel size Lysol Spray. Let me start by saying I am a Lysol/Febreeze FREAK. Obsessed with "freshness". If I'm not spraying one or the other, I am burning candles-or my absolute favorite-incense. LOVE IT. Why the obsession? I really have no explanation. I don't smoke, and I have no pets, so it's not a cover up of any kind. Aside of the obvious stink bombs which I hope will be coming to and end soon. One of my favorite scents is when I open the door, and I can still smell the Mr. Clean that I used to mop the floor. Aaahhh.....So I find this travel Lysol that you can throw in your purse even! HOW AWESOME IS THAT. My question is this....can I whip this thing out and start spraying stuff in public? Is that against the rules? I will be spraying everything...high chairs in restaurants, shopping carts, that germ infested toy with the beads at the doctors office....the list is endless. I couldn't care less what people think of me, I would just hate to get hauled off in front of my kids for illegal use of disinfectant spray.