Today, my 7 squared birthday, a new Springsteen album was released. I was expecting the album, but what I was NOT expecting was a song written FOR ME?
Title: Surprise, Surprise (no kidding!)
Lyric snippet:
Well today is your birthday
We’ve traveled so far we two
So let’s blow out the candles on your cake
And we’ll raise a glass or two
And when the sun comes out tomorrow
It’ll be the start of a brand new day
And all that you have wished for I know will come your way
It’s got to be some kind of omen or something.
BRUCESPRINGSTEENWROTEASONGFORMYBIRTHDAYOMG.
I bought the single (because I had to have it today, even though I’m getting the album by the weekend).
I took about 45 minutes off today to watch some important parts of the inauguration.
I loved the music. Opinions on the internet are all over the place on both Aretha Franklin’s rendition of “America,” and her hat. I loved both. Aretha looked marvelous. She is a very large woman, and as another very large woman I very much appreciate it when someone of Aretha’s stature can represent so magnificently. That hat. I’m in awe. I could never pull off a hat like that. I particularly liked this hat review:
Aretha’s hat was a full-on diva crown, in the best African-American Sunday Suit tradition.
Hats are tremendously symbolic in the AA community, with a whole lore surrounding them. In traditional black churches, you don’t show up on Sunday without your crown — the sartorial sign of the nobility of black women. You may clean hotel rooms or sling hash in a crummy uniform six days a week; but on the seventh day, your church hat puts the world on notice that you are nonetheless a beloved daughter of God.
I also loved the classical piece arranged by John Williams. I’ve heard strains of “Simple Gifts” in the background of inaugural events and on NPR for the last few days; what a stellar arrangement with a talented group of artists.
The new President’s speech was inspiring. It’s hard to pick the parts I like best, so I won’t.
It is going to be a very interesting four years.
On another note: I am not much of a prayer, but we always have prayers before meals. Sunday night, I said the prayer before dinner, and I found myself praying for George W. Bush, that he might find a worthwhile path for the next segment of his life and that he would be sustained in what he chooses to do. I realized as I said this that I had never, in the last eight years, prayed for President Bush. Going forward, for this President and the ones that follow, I will not repeat that mistake.
Saturday night DH and I attended a party to celebrate the upcoming inauguration. It was a fund-raiser for the local Democrats. We don’t mingle much, being a rather home-bound pair. But we stepped outside our normal social circle, met some nice people, and had a wonderful dinner.
The food was good. The venue was lovely. But I think my favorite part was the music. The Randy Hebert Duo was two guys, one on guitar and another on saxophone. It was amazing how much sound just those two instruments made. I really enjoy jazz, and that’s what they played.
And it was ALL for a good cause.
Bits reminded me over dinner last week that I haven’t been blogging much. I like to think I haven’t been internetting so much lately. I don’t know how accurate that is; I did spend more time than usual watching TV last week (I was at the parentals, and they have a great TV).
I have been blogging for over five years now. Even in the beginning it was hard to be diligent about blogging regularly. I’m on my 2nd blogging platform, and I blog on my own URL. But I’m not a blogger in the sense of an online journalist, or a subject-expert. I just write about my life. It’s more of an online journal than a blog in the typical sense.
I used to keep track of where my readers were coming from and how many I had. I haven’t messed with that much in the last couple of years. Maybe if I did, I’d be better motivated to write more regularly.
1. NO Divorce
2. Lose 50 lbs.
2a. Exercise for at least ten minutes every day in January. (small goals from Zen Habits.)
3. Have sex > 100 times.
4. Take 4 CLEP tests: English Comp, Psych, Micro and Macro Econ.
5. Start Free Freshman Biology class (have sex with instructor).
Re: #1 - This list was originally posted on a discussion board, where the first two people who posted wrote their #1 as “Finalize Divorce.” So it’s more of a crack than a real goal. But I’m leaving it at #1 because it should be VERY easy to achieve.
#2 is going to be harder.
I was particular proud of my #4, because it was going to be something vague like “make progress toward degree” but “Take four CLEP tests” is measurable and achievable. As is #3, “Have sex > 100 times.”
As far as #5 goes, I’m going to CLEP two semesters of Freshman Biology after I learn the material. I won’t be taking the class at an accredited institution, but from a very knowledgeable and fun and smart instructor who is a GREAT kisser. So having sex with the instructor will not help my grade at all, but it will probably make the homework more enjoyable.
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