Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Oakley as a Puppy
This post is mostly for the family who never saw Oakley (my grand-fabulous dog) as a puppy. I found this on Jamie's MySpace page. Oakley's 4 years old now. There's a recent picture of him in the post below this one.
Step Away From the Television
Until my son and his family sell their house and get settled into a place here in Beaumont, I have custody of their HDTV and their dog.
My old television was twenty years old. No exaggeration. It looked something like this...
I had no idea what a difference it would make to watch television on a huge (by my standards) 42 inch high definition television as opposed to a 26 inch old timey television.
Every night, the grand-fabulous puppy and I lay on the couch hypnotized by all of the high definition wonderfulness. I watch things I don't even care about just because it's all so amazing.
So, Carly keeps asking me how far along I've gotten in Guitar Hero,
I've had my most recent Netflix movies two weeks and still haven't watched them,
Donna is pissed because I've only read two chapters of Twilight,
I'm paying $30 a month to a gym that I haven't seen the inside of for weeks and...
...my blog posts are more and more reliant on pictures than on writing.
My old television was twenty years old. No exaggeration. It looked something like this...
I had no idea what a difference it would make to watch television on a huge (by my standards) 42 inch high definition television as opposed to a 26 inch old timey television.
Every night, the grand-fabulous puppy and I lay on the couch hypnotized by all of the high definition wonderfulness. I watch things I don't even care about just because it's all so amazing.
So, Carly keeps asking me how far along I've gotten in Guitar Hero,
I've had my most recent Netflix movies two weeks and still haven't watched them,
Donna is pissed because I've only read two chapters of Twilight,
I'm paying $30 a month to a gym that I haven't seen the inside of for weeks and...
...my blog posts are more and more reliant on pictures than on writing.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
FYI - Changing a Watch Battery in Beaumont
WalMart in Beaumont no longer changes watch batteries unless you bought the watch from them or as the girl behind the counter said, "...unless it's a WalMart watch." I don't think I've ever actually seen a "Walmart watch." I wonder if it's like a Mickey Mouse watch but with Sam Walton's arms pointing to the semi-accurate time. Maybe it has a little alarm to let you know when the lawn furniture goes on sale.
Nederland Jewelry (in front of Hobby Lobby), however does change watch batteries for $10 including the battery. $10 seems a little excessive to me, but they were nice about it and a lot quicker than the poor bastards at WalMart who used to change my watch batteries.
Nederland Jewelry (in front of Hobby Lobby), however does change watch batteries for $10 including the battery. $10 seems a little excessive to me, but they were nice about it and a lot quicker than the poor bastards at WalMart who used to change my watch batteries.
From my mom - Tattoo You!
1. Click here.
2. Type your first name on the first line.
3. Type the name of a friend on the second line.
4. Skip the e-mail address.
5. Click on 'Vizualizar.'
2. Type your first name on the first line.
3. Type the name of a friend on the second line.
4. Skip the e-mail address.
5. Click on 'Vizualizar.'
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Mad Men Season Premiere
Mad Men season premiere this Sunday, 7/27/08, on American Movie Classics. Take off your girdle, grab a scotch and a pack of smokes and turn off the phone. Don Draper. Mmmmmmm...
Local Music Blog
Here's a good local blog (click here) to help you keep up with the live music in our area. Now, step away from your computer and go do something!! Take a walk. See a show. Join a band. Hell, form a band.
Whew, that was exhausting. I need to lay down. Where's the remote?
Whew, that was exhausting. I need to lay down. Where's the remote?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Friday Night!
I've been in a couple of blog/e-mail conversations the last few days with folks who share the same confusion as I do wondering why more people in this area don't get out and watch live music. I've lived here my whole life and this has always been a very music oriented culture.
However, most of the people around here only see live music at Mardi Gras or some sort of seafood oriented outdoor festival. I've narrowed the problem down to lack of advertising on the part of the venues and lack of a network of friends dragging each other off of their couches. When people get well past college/high school age, they just don't have that "What's going on this weekend?" network anymore.
Well, here's something for you to do this Friday night. My friend is in two bands and both bands are playing at Changing Times.
I wonder if I served pork-ka-bobs and shrimp-on-a-stick if I'd draw a crowd.
However, most of the people around here only see live music at Mardi Gras or some sort of seafood oriented outdoor festival. I've narrowed the problem down to lack of advertising on the part of the venues and lack of a network of friends dragging each other off of their couches. When people get well past college/high school age, they just don't have that "What's going on this weekend?" network anymore.
Well, here's something for you to do this Friday night. My friend is in two bands and both bands are playing at Changing Times.
I wonder if I served pork-ka-bobs and shrimp-on-a-stick if I'd draw a crowd.
Monday, July 21, 2008
I'm really a nice person, but damn.
As you will recall from this post, I had an interesting exchange with a less than adequate office person at my optometrist's office last week. Today, I went in to pick up the contact lenses I had ordered and there was the less than adequate office person, standing right in front of me, live and in person. I would recognize that voice anywhere.
I told Barbie (not the blond Barbie, but the porn star looking Barbie with the long brown hair) why I was there and she slowly opened the drawer to look for my lenses. Then, without looking at me she said, "Wait a minute."
She then stopped a co-worker and asked the co-worker a question about a patient chart which was sitting on the counter. From the co-worker's reaction, I could tell that this wasn't the first time this chick had asked that particular question.
The chick didn't quite seem to understand the answer she was given, but soldiered on anyway. The phone rang, she answered and put the person on hold, then looked at me. "Ah, contact lenses," her blank eyes seemed to say.
She found my contacts, entered things into her computer and handed the lenses to me without speaking a word. I asked, "Don't I get a receipt or something?"
Without speaking, she looked at the papers in her hand, tore off my receipt and my copy of the invoice, handed them to me and turned away. She never spoke a word or made eye contact. She never said, "Oh, here it is," "Sorry, here's your receipt," or even "Here you go, bitch. Have a nice fucking day."
She acted like I...was bothering HER...for asking for...MY...receipt.
Oh.
My.
God.
By the way, she never did go back to the person on the phone that she had put on hold. Big surprise.
I told Barbie (not the blond Barbie, but the porn star looking Barbie with the long brown hair) why I was there and she slowly opened the drawer to look for my lenses. Then, without looking at me she said, "Wait a minute."
She then stopped a co-worker and asked the co-worker a question about a patient chart which was sitting on the counter. From the co-worker's reaction, I could tell that this wasn't the first time this chick had asked that particular question.
The chick didn't quite seem to understand the answer she was given, but soldiered on anyway. The phone rang, she answered and put the person on hold, then looked at me. "Ah, contact lenses," her blank eyes seemed to say.
She found my contacts, entered things into her computer and handed the lenses to me without speaking a word. I asked, "Don't I get a receipt or something?"
Without speaking, she looked at the papers in her hand, tore off my receipt and my copy of the invoice, handed them to me and turned away. She never spoke a word or made eye contact. She never said, "Oh, here it is," "Sorry, here's your receipt," or even "Here you go, bitch. Have a nice fucking day."
She acted like I...was bothering HER...for asking for...MY...receipt.
Oh.
My.
God.
By the way, she never did go back to the person on the phone that she had put on hold. Big surprise.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
A touch of weirdness, perhaps
Today, my mom, sister and I went to one of the casinos in Louisiana. On one of my trips to the bathroom, I got locked in the stall. I seriously thought I was going to have to crawl out under the door. Eventually, the little slide thing on the door gave way and I was able to get out.
When mom and Bonnie dropped me off, I couldn't open my gate. Bonnie unscrewed part of the gate opening thingamajig and I was finally able to get in. True, it's an old gate opening thingamagjig and I've been needing to replace it for quite some time, but still. To get locked in/out twice in one day. That's weird.
However, getting locked in/out isn't the weirdest part. Today is the birthdate of my uncle who passed away in March.
Read here and here for more weirdness about my uncle and my grandma. I've been looking for the post I thought I did about the weird things that happened on my grandma's first birthday after she passed away, but I guess I didn't do one. On her birthday that year, I didn't get locked out of anything, but my computer died, my living room curtains fell and a Tabasco hot sauce sign in my kitchen fell off the wall.
My relatives don't let a silly thing like dying keep them from being part of the action. This is all fine by me. However, even though I'm an amateur ghost hunter, I repeat my request to all dead relatives that I don't actually want to "see" you, if you get my drift.
I realize that might not make sense to any of you (alive or dead), but I never said I was an uncomplicated person. Lock me up, set off my smoke alarm, knock things off the wall, but please stay invisible.
Oh, and don't touch me.
Thanks.
When mom and Bonnie dropped me off, I couldn't open my gate. Bonnie unscrewed part of the gate opening thingamajig and I was finally able to get in. True, it's an old gate opening thingamagjig and I've been needing to replace it for quite some time, but still. To get locked in/out twice in one day. That's weird.
However, getting locked in/out isn't the weirdest part. Today is the birthdate of my uncle who passed away in March.
Read here and here for more weirdness about my uncle and my grandma. I've been looking for the post I thought I did about the weird things that happened on my grandma's first birthday after she passed away, but I guess I didn't do one. On her birthday that year, I didn't get locked out of anything, but my computer died, my living room curtains fell and a Tabasco hot sauce sign in my kitchen fell off the wall.
My relatives don't let a silly thing like dying keep them from being part of the action. This is all fine by me. However, even though I'm an amateur ghost hunter, I repeat my request to all dead relatives that I don't actually want to "see" you, if you get my drift.
I realize that might not make sense to any of you (alive or dead), but I never said I was an uncomplicated person. Lock me up, set off my smoke alarm, knock things off the wall, but please stay invisible.
Oh, and don't touch me.
Thanks.
Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular
I just got home from the Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular (click here) at the Ford Park Amphitheater here in Beaumont and it was...spectacular. When it was over, the announcer said, "See you next year." I hope they do come back next year. If they do, I guarantee twice the crowd because everyone there will surely talk at least one person into giving this great show a try.
Some suggestions for next year:
Some suggestions for next year:
- Skip the tribute bands. I'm sure the promoters were attempting to justify the $25 admission fee, but the tribute bands were totally unnecessary. Of course, I might have felt differently about that if it wasn't 95 degrees outside. (The tribute grands were very good, by the way...Kiss and Led Zeppelin. I love tribute bands.)
- Speaking of the 95 degree heat, booking this show in the spring or fall would help draw a larger crowd and the show could start earlier because we wouldn't be on daylight savings time.
- If the promoters insist on having an opener for the laser light show, how about a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show or some trashy horror movie like Eraserhead or Night of the Living Dead?
By the way, you don't have to be a Pink Floyd fan to be amazed by the show. However, do yourself a favor and read up on the amazing Syd Barrett, NetFlix some Pink Floyd (Pulse, Dark Side of the Moon, Live at Pompeii) and, most importantly open your mind and give their music a try. If you don't like their music, you've wasted a little time. If you do like it, you'll wonder why you waited so long.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Because I know you like weird or you wouldn't be reading THIS blog
My son and his family have moved home to Beaumont. They still have things at their house in Houston so it'll look lived in until it sells. I rode with him back to Houston last Sunday to pick up a few things from the house. The main thing he needed was his social security card for his new job.
When we got to the house, he went to the place he thought the card was and it wasn't there. He told me to check in a file cabinet in one of the bedrooms while he looked somewhere else. Neither of us could find the card. We went on to load up other things from his list and, from time to time, we'd look for the card.
After packing and shuffling around for a half hour or so, I decided it was time to get Saint Anthony involved. In case you don't know, St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost things. I said, "St. Anthony, something is lost and must be found." My son, being used to his saint obsessed mother, moved on to other items on his list.
Right after I said the prayer to St. Anthony, he said, "Check that file cabinet again." This time when I checked the cabinet, although I still didn't find the card, I pulled four folders that I thought he might need later even though they weren't on his list of things to bring home. He said, "I don't really have a place to keep those." I said, "I'll keep them at my house. It might save you a trip to Houston later. You never know."
Eventually, we gave up on the card. Cory decided it might be in his truck. On the drive back home, I again mentioned the file folders I had insisted on bringing home. I told him, "You know, you just never know when you might have an emergency need for your marriage license or that other stuff I grabbed. Maybe you'll just have to have a passport or something."
Those file folders kept nipping at my brain. I didn't think the social security card was in them, but I was certain he'd need something else in those folders before his next trip back to the house in Houston.
When we got back to Beaumont, Cory checked his truck and the card wasn't there. We went to my mom's for lunch and when he was leaving to go back to his in-law's house I told him, "When you find that card, let me know where it was. I'm dying to know." He said, "YOU'RE going to find it." Though that was an odd thing to say, being from a fairly psychic family, we don't question little outbursts such as that.
When I got home that evening, after leaving my mom's house, I unloaded all the things I brought back from the house in Houston to keep at my house. I put the folders upstairs and didn't give them much thought.
When I finished putting things away downstairs, I went up to my office to check my e-mail and saw the folders. Instead of putting them in the file drawer in my desk, I decided to look through them first.
The first folder I opened, the "Wedding Stuff" folder, had an envelope in it. Inside the envelope? The social security card.
St. Anthony rocks.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
"What number is that?"
I just called my optometrist's office. When I told the girl who answered the phone that I needed to order some contact lenses, she put me on hold and never came back. When I called back and she realized she couldn't get rid of me that easily, she took my order. Here's the conversation:
Operator: What is your name?
Me: Laurie Anderson
(She put me on hold for a while to get my chart.)
Operator: What is your name again?
Me: Laurie Anderson
Operator: Oh, Anderson is your LAST name?
Me: Yes
(Put me on hold again.)
Operator: Okay, I found it. How do you want to pay?
Me: My debit card.
Operator: Um, okay. What's the number?
Me: (blahdy, blahdy, blah...giving her my number)
Operator: Expiration date?
Me: October, 2008
Operator: What number is that?
Me: Excuse me?
Operator: October. What number is that?
Me: Um, ten?
Operator: Okay. October...ten. 2008?
Me: Uh, yeah.
Operator: Hold on.
(Put me on hold for the third time in about 2 minutes.)
Operator: Okay, we'll call you when they come in. CLICK.
Me: (hanging up the phone mumbling to myself) Oh...my...God. What number is that? WHAT NUMBER IS THAT?! Oh...my...God...
Operator: What is your name?
Me: Laurie Anderson
(She put me on hold for a while to get my chart.)
Operator: What is your name again?
Me: Laurie Anderson
Operator: Oh, Anderson is your LAST name?
Me: Yes
(Put me on hold again.)
Operator: Okay, I found it. How do you want to pay?
Me: My debit card.
Operator: Um, okay. What's the number?
Me: (blahdy, blahdy, blah...giving her my number)
Operator: Expiration date?
Me: October, 2008
Operator: What number is that?
Me: Excuse me?
Operator: October. What number is that?
Me: Um, ten?
Operator: Okay. October...ten. 2008?
Me: Uh, yeah.
Operator: Hold on.
(Put me on hold for the third time in about 2 minutes.)
Operator: Okay, we'll call you when they come in. CLICK.
Me: (hanging up the phone mumbling to myself) Oh...my...God. What number is that? WHAT NUMBER IS THAT?! Oh...my...God...
Monday, July 14, 2008
New Orleans Running of the Bulls
I am SO going to do this next year!
No, silly. I'm not going to do the running part. I'm going to do the standing on the sidewalk drinking a beer laughing my ass off part.
No, silly. I'm not going to do the running part. I'm going to do the standing on the sidewalk drinking a beer laughing my ass off part.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Happy First Birthday, Grand-Fabulous Ava!
Click here for all the birthday pics.
Note: There will be more pics and a video from my brother-in-law which I'm having difficulty transfering.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Happy First Birthday Grand-Fabulous Ava!!
Today is my grand-fabulous-daughter Ava's first birthday! Below are some of the highlights. Click on the Ava label below this post for a year in the life of Ava as seen through Grandma Honey's eyes. Pics soon of her grand-fabulous birthday party today.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Where's the leftover birthday cookie?
Today we had a birthday cookie at the office.
When I went looking for another piece of the yummy giant chocolatey chippy cookie goodness, I couldn't find it. Eventually, I did. Mmmmmmmmmmm...cookie.
When I went looking for another piece of the yummy giant chocolatey chippy cookie goodness, I couldn't find it. Eventually, I did. Mmmmmmmmmmm...cookie.
Happy Friday
I just went to a "meetin' in the ladies room" and now I can't get this song out of my head. Ergo, I thought I'd share...
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Good News, Bad News
Good news:
All my blood work came back normal (long story, not important).
Bad news:
The doctor could have told me that over the phone instead of making me pay for an office visit and miss two hours of work.
Good news:
I have inherited my son’s beautiful 42” Samsung HDTV until they get settled in back here in Beaumont. Then, I’ll finally be forced to buy my own new television, because my family has vowed to destroy my 20 year-old 26-inch console Zenith which has been my faithful companion lo these many years.
Bad news:
When I exchanged my regular DVR for an HD DVR, I lost all my recorded programs including my Hayes Carll clip from CBS Sunday Morning a few weeks ago.
Good news:
When I went to the cable company to exchange my DVR, there were only two people in front of me and the whole exchange, including waiting in line, took a total of fifteen minutes. The wait in line alone is usually at least twice that long. It was a little cable television service miracle.
Bad news:
My internet and, therefore, my phone (because I’m cheap and decided to “Bundle”) are down. This means another excursion to Time Warner. Whaddayuwanna bet I won’t be as lucky with my modem exchange as I was with my DVR exchange?
All my blood work came back normal (long story, not important).
Bad news:
The doctor could have told me that over the phone instead of making me pay for an office visit and miss two hours of work.
Good news:
I have inherited my son’s beautiful 42” Samsung HDTV until they get settled in back here in Beaumont. Then, I’ll finally be forced to buy my own new television, because my family has vowed to destroy my 20 year-old 26-inch console Zenith which has been my faithful companion lo these many years.
Bad news:
When I exchanged my regular DVR for an HD DVR, I lost all my recorded programs including my Hayes Carll clip from CBS Sunday Morning a few weeks ago.
Good news:
When I went to the cable company to exchange my DVR, there were only two people in front of me and the whole exchange, including waiting in line, took a total of fifteen minutes. The wait in line alone is usually at least twice that long. It was a little cable television service miracle.
Bad news:
My internet and, therefore, my phone (because I’m cheap and decided to “Bundle”) are down. This means another excursion to Time Warner. Whaddayuwanna bet I won’t be as lucky with my modem exchange as I was with my DVR exchange?
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Prayer to St. Therese
You've probably all received this prayer in your in-box from time to time. It's the only chain e-mail I don't mind receiving. Click here and here to read more about St. Therese who the prayer is attributed to. However, some sources say it was written by Mother Theresa though I'm not sure anyone knows the true origin.
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
The Grand-Fabulous Ava's Latest Trials and Tribulations
"Now, where did I put that penguin?"
"I guess I'm the only person here who cares that the dog needs to go out."
"Okay, Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw, I'm going to explain this one more time."
"You take that big stick over there and hit the white ball..."
"Um, excuse me, I'm busy here."
"Now, where was I?"
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Hellboy meets Grant and Jay
If you're a Ghost Hunters fan, you saw this commercial last night. If you aren't a Ghost Hunters fan, you might not think this commercial is particularly funny. If you're Laurie, you post it anyway...
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Charlie Bit ME!
I found this on YouTube via MySpace. It's been on YouTube for a year, but somehow I've missed it. The mom of these two boys writes (5/22/07):
"Even had I thought of trying to get my boys to do this I probably couldn't have, neither where coerced into any of this and neither were hurt (for very long anyway). This was just one of those moments where I got had the video camera out because the boys were being fun, and they provided something really very funny."
The next video is Harry and Charlie four weeks ago. It reminds me so much of my nephews when they were little...20 years ago! Watch the video to the end.
"Even had I thought of trying to get my boys to do this I probably couldn't have, neither where coerced into any of this and neither were hurt (for very long anyway). This was just one of those moments where I got had the video camera out because the boys were being fun, and they provided something really very funny."
The next video is Harry and Charlie four weeks ago. It reminds me so much of my nephews when they were little...20 years ago! Watch the video to the end.
Crockett Street Rumor
Several of the venues on Crockett Street here in Beaumont are closing for 60 days and will re-open under new management or with a new lease agreement or with a new tenant/tenants or something. Those of us on the outside will never know the real reasons and I don't really care about the real reasons.
(Note to new management: Start booking decent bands at Antone's again, have a jazz happy hour EVERY DAY at the TEN martini/cigar bar and open up an after-hours diner, a brew pub and a karaoke bar and your nightlife people will be happy. If you manage it right, they will come.)
The Smoking Ban
One thing we are certain about is that the closings are not because of the smoking ban which Beaumont enacted last year. Some naysayers from the surrounding towns are enjoying saying "Ah-ha! I told you this would happen." However, according to the Beaumont Enterprise, restaurants and bars in Beaumont have not been hurt by the ban and most continue to prosper and profits have increased since the smoking ban. The bars that did go out of business "because of the smoking ban" probably didn't do enough to accomodate their smokers with lovely outside smoking facilities.
A note to those nasty negative folks from Beaumont's outlying areas who proudly say, "We never go out in Beaumont anymore since the smoking ban. Serves you right that all your bars and restaurants are closing!" Beaumont doesn't miss you and guess what. If I might join you for a moment in your insane generalizations, we folks here in Beaumont don't go to your towns anymore either where we have to sit in stinky smoke filled restaurants and bars.
The Rumor
I'm trying to start the rumor that Landry's has bought the entire Crockett Street complex (ala Kemah), but it's not catching on. Work with me people.
(Note to new management: Start booking decent bands at Antone's again, have a jazz happy hour EVERY DAY at the TEN martini/cigar bar and open up an after-hours diner, a brew pub and a karaoke bar and your nightlife people will be happy. If you manage it right, they will come.)
The Smoking Ban
One thing we are certain about is that the closings are not because of the smoking ban which Beaumont enacted last year. Some naysayers from the surrounding towns are enjoying saying "Ah-ha! I told you this would happen." However, according to the Beaumont Enterprise, restaurants and bars in Beaumont have not been hurt by the ban and most continue to prosper and profits have increased since the smoking ban. The bars that did go out of business "because of the smoking ban" probably didn't do enough to accomodate their smokers with lovely outside smoking facilities.
A note to those nasty negative folks from Beaumont's outlying areas who proudly say, "We never go out in Beaumont anymore since the smoking ban. Serves you right that all your bars and restaurants are closing!" Beaumont doesn't miss you and guess what. If I might join you for a moment in your insane generalizations, we folks here in Beaumont don't go to your towns anymore either where we have to sit in stinky smoke filled restaurants and bars.
The Rumor
I'm trying to start the rumor that Landry's has bought the entire Crockett Street complex (ala Kemah), but it's not catching on. Work with me people.
The Barking Dog
There is a new coffee shop in downtown Beaumont right around the corner from Crockett Street. It's called The Barking Dog. I've been there a couple of times for lunch and it's one of those funky little places I'd like to sit in all day reading Augusten Burroughs, drinking coffee and watching people.
I haven't been to any of the evening events, yet, but will remedy that soon. Click here for upcoming events.
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