Cleaning the Inbox

I think this will probably just be another list of random topics. I think of it as cleaning out the Inbox before the long weekend. The first step is just getting started.

Ok, first up….I made a new friend this week. Isn’t that nice? And she doesn’t even work for the spa. In fact, she works for the same company I do and she recently moved here with her fiancé. We met for dinner this week just to get acquainted. You never know with these things, right? It could have been awful. It wasn’t. She is really nice, a little younger than me, and totally up for exploring the city. It’s nice because all the other people I know here don’t want to go out and do this stuff any more. So I think we are going to the Elvis museum on Monday. Maybe Liberace. I don’t know yet. AND, I have a new person to haul over to the Peppermill. Yum!

What else? Well, my Facebook experience seems to have exploded over the last month. What’s up with that? Suddenly everyone that ever thought they knew me is reaching out to say Hi. It’s nice, of course. I guess the timing just seems a little odd. I’ve had the page for a while but it really just took off all of a sudden. Still, I like it a lot better than MySpace. As much as it makes me want to cringe to say it, Facebook seems a bit more age appropriate. Ugh. These days, I only use the MySpace page to keep up with different bands.

And speaking of bands…..Yay!!! I was able to see Keane this week. They were having a radio interview in London earlier this week so I tuned in online so I could listen to it. Little did I know that the studio was set up with web cams so I was able to see them too! They were there to talk about the new album and I was able to hear a few of the new songs. Apparently, they are really feeling the old 80’s electronic sound because all 3 of the songs I heard had it. I wouldn’t say I’m in love with it yet, but I’m sure it will grow on me.

I think I may have mentioned it in an earlier blog, but listening to the songs reminded me of specific songs from the 80’s because of that weird distorted sound. I mentioned that Human League song, but I thought of another one today. I am also reminded of Nu Shooz, “I can’t wait.” That whole electric part that is so catchy, remember? Anyway, I am still anxious to get the new album in October.

Along the music lines, Baby sent me a CD this week. It’s funny, really. Well, it would be if you had been involved in the conversation that led to it. But since it won’t mean anything to you, I’ll spare you the details and just say that I have a fun new CD to listen to with some of Baby’s favorite songs performed by females. Baby- I am really digging the DM cover of Enjoy the Silence! Awesome!

And finally, Heidi is moving once again. And again I am helping her. Hopefully this will be the last time for a while. Tonight and probably part of tomorrow I will help her shuttle stuff from the old place to the new place. Luckily, they are just down the street from each other.

That’s it. Have a great weekend!

Update on Perfect Symmetry

I have a Keane update. Their new album is going to be released this fall and I can’t wait! I received an email from the web site about 2 weeks ago with the opportunity to download one of the songs. It’s called Spiralling. Spell check goes nuts over that one, but that’s the way it goes.

Anywho, another email today gave me the good news that the single is now available on iTunes. With a completely biased attitude, I highly recommend that you go and listen to it. When I first heard the intro I was immediately reminded of old 80’s synth sounds from bands like the Human League. Specifically, it reminds me of the song (Keep Feeling) Fascination.

Perfect Symmetry is the name of the album and the release date is October. Please take all the necessary precautions and prepare yourself to listen to me go on like an idiot for months to come.

Busy, Busy Week

Last week I was back in New Jersey for work. I meant to have this entry written a lot sooner than today, but as usual, time gets away from me. Here are some of the highlights:

Chicken and Waffles
My friend Lily kept mentioning a soul food restaurant that she wanted to try but wasn’t sure where it was. Among other things on the menu, they offer fried chicken and waffles. How weird is that? Anyway, on Tuesday ThreeL came up for dinner and said there was a restaurant she wanted to try call Delta’s. I asked her what kind of food they served and she said it was a soul food place. HA! So any guesses on what I ordered for dinner? It was really good!

It looked so strange on the same plate that I had to take a picture of it. It’s a really crappy picture from my phone, so there is no sense in posting it here. Have I mentioned how much I hate that phone?

So the next day I told Lily I found her restaurant and the whole team went to dinner there that night. I decided to try something different. I don’t think chicken and waffles is something you should eat twice in one week, right? Anyway, it was a big hit with the team, so I have no doubt we’ll all be back the next time we come to town.

Young Frankenstein
I decided to stay the weekend again, so ThreeL came to pick me up on Friday afternoon and we hung out until it was time for the Olympics to start. I love the Olympics! I watch almost no sports, but I try to watch every minute I can of the Olympics.

The next day we got up and headed in to the city. We had tickets to see Young Frankenstein on Broadway. It was really funny. They had a lot of great material from the movie, but did an exceptional job of adding songs for this musical version. I think Dad would have enjoyed it.

Keane Fund
One cool thing that happened last week was an email from Keane. Isn’t it nice when they email me? They were letting me know that their 3rd album is coming out in October. It’s cool, although I know they won’t be touring here until sometime next year. Anyway, in addition to the email, they gave me a sneak peek of one of the singles and let me download it now. It’s called Spiraling and it’s pretty good. It reminds me of an 80’s song, so that’s cool with me.

I opened up my Keane fund with the money I have not been spending on cigarettes, so I should have plenty of time and funds to see them in a couple of cities next year. I am going to try to keep the scenario in place of seeing them in different cities, but I won’t be stupid about it. Although one special trip I would consider making is to Chicago. Other than that, I think I may try to stay on this side of the US.

Ok, I think that’s it. I probably left out 6 things I wanted to mention. I’ll have to try again later. Quick shout outs to a couple of people:

Mimi- Happy belated birthday! I know I talked to you on Sunday, but I meant to call on Monday too. I hope you had a great day!

Dorian- I know you aren’t going to read this, but Happy Birthday to you too! I can’t believe you are 12 already.

Mom- Congrats on locating the Internet. I hope you enjoy getting to know this side of me.

Katie- Hi Katie! Nothing new. Just saying hi. You were singing to me yesterday, so I just wanted to say it was good to hear from you.