Gem's Journal

Warning Ranting Ahead !!!!!!

Life Blender : Crush - I have the schedule from Hell ......I am the only one in my department ( High School English - though you would not know from my spelling ) who takes 5 of the toughest classes - no one elso wants them ...so, there are certain conditions upon which I can work....all of these conditons were ignored...nay ....; erased .......stomped on.......( Screaming with my hands to my head ) ...I want to run up and down the halls yelling........and to make it worse....I was promised ( yes promised a week ago that it would be fixed ) ...so, in I go today.....it was made even worse !!!!!!..so rather than jumping off the building ( haven't seen sexy Hala'l yet) I feel this need to buy something ....I see Red boots in my future ( move over Sarah - TDV reference)

Sorry about the rant ......I am going to play a few empowering songs and DRINK !!!!!!!!

Hugs and Scotch all around
G

With just a few days before I go back to school.....the race is on to do all the things that I planned ---ok it is never going to happen ...so I am going to take a moment to highlight some wonderful things .
                 I saw many wonderful plays
                 Got some great dressage scores
                 Read for .....yes .....pleasure
                Discovered the musical Elisabeth and the best part - met some wonderful , generous , intelligent people through that link
                Got back to LJ - a very good thing
                Saw the Horse exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in NY
                Had some wonderful rides
                Did some serious hammock time
                Laugh out load while driving and listening to a book on tape
                Danced and sang in my underwear
So , who cares that I did not shampoo my carpet, or paint my bathroom ,,,,,,

So, I am siting here with a glass of wine  ( wish I could share ) listening to the August sounds ands feeling that it has been a very nice summer- thank you all for being a part of it

Cheers , Hugs and a bootle of Fields of Fire ( a very good local wine

G

Life Blender Report - Surprisingly quiet......after a few days of " the blue funks ( yes I spelled it write - the other spelling would be nice not depressing ) I have climbed out of that dark place - it really scares me ....anyone out there feel like this ????

Book Recommendation ; I do not read a lot of Non-Fiction ....but I do like the following pseudo - non fiction The City of the Falling Angels . It is about the character and characters of Venice . Very interesting ....and the title , well apparently a church there has a sign Watch out for Falling Angels ( due to structural issues - but I think it has interesting theological possibilities )

Music guilty pleasure : well ...if you did not know it before....I am definitely going to hell......I have down loaded " you make me feel like dancing" Yes, I know it is really Kitchey but it makes me smile......sometimes , I just can not listen to those - cut my throat love songs ....come one you have at least one silly song that you love

YouTube Report : I have become addicted to Hungarian musicals = esp those with Szabo P Szilveszter .... check any of them out ....but esp the ones from Elisabeth - Mozart ; Romeo and Julia .......you just got to love those dark mysterious guys

4H Fair- One of the joys of living in a rural community is the annual 4 H Fair - complete with tractor pulls , cow petting and kettle corn....wish you could all be here

Just got tickets for Yeston's Phantom and Jekyll and Hyde .......even for The Rocky Horror Show ( my husband has never been -Imagine ) When I was in college ( way back then ) we used ti get a bit drunk and got to the Midnight showing with a newspaper, rice and toast Let's do the Time Warp Again!!!!

Hugs and sexy Hungarians all around
G

The unicorn days continue :) !!!!!!

Sharing a secret : I just got back from my favorite shop - I love consignment ; thrift shops ...I have a kind of exotic . romantic...sometimes ethnic .... , taste in clothes and it is a wonderful place to find goodies. My best find was a long Mandarine type jacket ......sometimes I think of the biography for the piece of clothing - where has it been ,,,what has it seen ???? I love when I find something ( not valuable - but like a message in a bottle ) in the pockets or a name in the lining....FList.any other thrift shop junkies out there - what did you find ?

Movie vs Novel review : I know the book is always better ...but sometimes I try to evaluate as two different items......P.S Love You was a wonderful book= set in Ireland .....charming and with great characters. ....wonderful humour..the ending was not the cliche' I expected......The movie was cute ...GB is handsome ....but unlike the book ,....I did not care about the people ...when I was reading the book I found myself immersed in the lives and shouting , laughing , crying with the characters. ...So by all means , rent the movie ...but take the time to embrace the book.

Hugs and vintage handbags all around
G

HMMMMMM: If the really hot days this month are called The dog days..what do you call perfect 70 degree days ( like today) in August. - Unicorn days ?!

Life Blender Report: Milk shake - The weather is beautiful......the dogs are all well ( maybe another month without a vet bill)
Things are so good m that I am getting nothing ...yes nothing done. ....I am easing into the day....riding my horses for hours and the laundry is still on the stairs waiting to be taken upstairs ..and I do not care!!!

DVD Report : I just finished the first season of the Tutors - I know ,...full of error ...but it is wonderful....certainly makes you understand why women loved Henry.......and I loved Anne's clothes esp her hats ...

Clinic Report : I taught at a side saddle clinic this weekend and I met some very interesting women.....one does Civil War reenactments .and she had pictures of her druid wedding
Another lady just got back from riding in the mountains of Transylvania ( I am so jealous) .....So, I am giving you all a virtual ticket to the place of your dreams : Where will you go ? and Why? ( Flist question alert )

I wish you a Hammock day and a nice glass of sweat tea ...

Hugs all around
G

Life Blender Report : Whip - This is a hectic week. I am riding a dressage test today that I have not ridden before.( Look out for pilot error . ) And I am giving side saddle lessons at a clinic for the next two days

August is here and as all school teachers know - I get a pain in the pit of my stomach - I being back to teaching - I just hate going back - setting up my room - learning names - choosing at least one himan sacrific per class to make the rules clear -- Yes , I know I have the whole summer off. But when school ends in June - the summer seems to stretch out in front of me like an endless green lawn.

Many Thanks to

valancystar for her great suggestions and links ...as if I needed more theatre addictions - but they are great !!

Books Calling to Me - Because I teach English ( though you would never know it here) Reading for pleasure is a lost art during the school year. So, when I find an interesting book -it goes on a pile .Well . My Dark Places has made it to the top of the pile. Is is non fiction , It seems that in 1958 the author's mother was murdered , her body dumped on a roadway in LA. Her killer was never found . This book traces Jame Ellroy's search for the killer . It is harrowing and disturbing so far. For FList : what are you reading ?

Phantom Spotting : Bucks County Playhouse ( Pa.) is performiing Yeston's Phantom this Sept and Oct.

The Hunt : I am trying to track down several Hungarian Musicals. My sources are at a loss and I am getting a bit OCD about. it. And my Sound De Music bill grows larger everyday.

Well. I have to run - my mare will not groom herself . I hope I remember the test - heck I hope I get my rt and left straight.

Hugs and mint tea all around
Regards
G

Life Blender Report : Dusty - Well it has been so long since I have posted but I will clean it out in order to make some lovely summer drinks . Things have been wonderfully busy - ( with a few - for no good reason- depression moments ) .

Four Legged Family report : My paint mare went in her first dressage show and got a 70.5 ( really good score) Of course , I am so mature and cool I cried. Rosie - the amoral pug ( no sense of right and wrong ) has only destroyed two things this week. But she is so darn cute .....The weather is perfect for riding today - so my other horse ripped off her show .; so that she could avoid any thought of trail riding

A Day Late ......: As most of my Flist know - I always discover great things rather late in the game. With that said let me tell you how much I love Tanz Der Vampires - the long running European musical ( ugh not NY ) Hay the vampires win and celebrate - what could be better -
Rudolf - The Last Kiss a musical by F. Wildhorn ( Jekyle andn Hyde ; Dracula etc) There is only an Hungarian Production but it is great
Finally Elisabeth the musical - how did I miss this !!!!! Elisabeth of Austria - and her lover is Death Very sexy !!!! \

tp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvaNhJxud34

Why do great shows like this never make it to the US . I know my tastes are on the dark side but these are great shows Are there any other great Shows I should check out ?
I have just read The Richard III Murders by Elizabeth Peters - a great summer read .

I hope this post finds you well.......I have been reading ....just keyboard silent
Hugs and hot fudge sundaes all around
Regards

G

mea culpa: to all my LJ friends like in the blender has been rather crazy I have tried to keep up with LJ – but if I missed something important please forgive me

Life Blender Report – Mash - : Taking in older animals is a mixed blessing. They are wonderful additions to the family but…all too soon we lose them. In the last six months we have lost 3 dogs and one cat …I have not been able to open my vet bill with out breaking down – so I make my husband read the amount to me. Of course that did not stop me from taking in Ollie 10 year old pug, who was rescued from a kill shelter. He is a doll .

Crazy family report- I got one of those messages on my answering machine – you know the ones I mean “ G this is your mother ( like every nerve ending does not know her voice ) please call me right away “ ……so after 15 tries and 35 imagined scenarios ( Mom does not believe if a answering machine ) she tells me that she got a call from my Aunt Grace ( anything but ) that my Aunt Marbella had died and gave mom all the cremation/ memorial info – she called back the next morning and said “ never mind “ she was not dead !!!!!!!

Crazy school report – One of my students killed – yes, your read that right – killed his mother this week. I did not see this coming at all…if fact he was doing very well in class – I was more concerned that he would take his own life…….

Movie Corner: I rented and thoroughly enjoyed The Jane Austin Book Club- a bit diff from the book but it is charming . And , since I am always late to discover things – one of my students lent me Vampire Hunter D and Bloodlust…I enjoyed them both

Spring is here and unless I want to truly be a lady of substance , I have to change my eating habits……and stop getting bags of jelly beans ( on sale mind) and eating them in the car ……they seem to march up my arm in military formations and jump into my mouth .

Life Blender Report - SWILL - NJ thinks it is Seatle - no sun ( serious SADD) Rain and my back yard looks like a monster truck mud track ....ugh here comes Big Foot now

The Sad Rule of Three - there are many joys to adopting old dogs .....and I have never been sorry one second but in the last 6 months - three have crossed over - in fact two in the last two months....I did not post for this very reason because I did not think you wanted to read a pitty party ..... and in truth , I could not stop crying....so on to my topic

Everything I need today - I have in Kindergarden - you are welcome to come along - First - cookies and milk - then I let's play in a rythim band - the blocks I thinks - what do you want to play ?- then off to the swings and see how how high we can soar ( let's be truly joyful) - we can take off our shoes , put them on a Bunny covered Linoleum floor and go up to the top floor of a pink cottage and take a nap with a very soft blanket. HMMMMM

Hugs and twinkies all around
Regards
G

I must apologize for my absence ......I have been reading and lurking but too overwhelmed to write

Life Blender Report: reverse puree- I am giving exams next week and my school is doing its imitation of a third world country
             No heat ( my room is 50 degrees)
             No copies work - get out you stone tablets
             No ( now remember I teach English ) no paper!!!!!

Pet Update : I do not know if your remember but I lost two of my very old dogs in the last 5 month ( could not stop crying) well , we decided it was time ....so we took in a new rescue - removed from a horrible situation ( I will spare you the details but offered to make a huge contribution to the rescue group if they let me beat the obusivr owner to a pulp) Here is Rosie ( no, the dress was not my idea - the rescue group says it helps with adoptions )

What says Christmas more than a Victorian Killer......so we are off to see Sweeney Todd for Christmas..

School Idea:: Think I will resurrect ( no puns intended ...ok maybe ) the short story to use in class .

Rum punch and ...dare I say it Fruit cake ( I like it , sorry ) all around
Regards
G

I just wanted to take the time to thank you for the hand , the humor ,the head and the heart you have extended to make my like more joyful. So I wish you peace and love this holiday season.

A friend sent me this....only wish I would remember to follow it before I jump into the life blender

Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly.......
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

For all the goddesses on my flist : Thought I wouls share this wonderful Youtube link re Woman in film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEc4YWICeXk

A cup of tea: There are certain films and books that have all the charm and grace of a china pot of Earl Grey Miss Potter is one of those films . Is an enchanting look at the career , joys and talent of Beatrix Potter. Lovely animation is so subltley add, that it blends seamlessly with the story.

Life Blender : jammed. - I am facing a moral dilemma . Monday there was a Inservice in school ( no kids) . Well, I was up very late with a sick dog, so I called in sick ( I have 300 days in my sick bank.....so I do not stay home as a rule ) To make a long story short ( too late , I think) they school system is asking every teacher who was out to bring in a doctor's note or be docked a day's pay. First , I feel that, though , by contract , they can do this ( have not in the past) I feel they should look at a teacher's attendance record before asking.....as for me , I did not go to a doctor and I have a problem asking some one to lie for me.........thoughts?
It is a lovely fall day ...hope you are having the same

Hugs, a hot apple pie ( cheese ot ice cream ) all around and your favorite sweater
Regards
G

First, I wish to thank everyone for the kind birthday wishes and virtual gifts….kind thoughts are golden ( waxing zen like)

Second, I wish to apologize for being MILJ ( missing in Live Lournal ) though I have been read all of your wonderful posts and fiction.

Life Blender Report: Puree- This has been the lost hectic 1^st marking period of school ever. Not only am I teaching Reading ( never done that before - ) but I have half of a student teacher – sometimes it seems like the bottom half- she is pretty and perky I think she was born with pom poms – hard for my dark counter culture self ( as well my dark counter – culture students)

Weather Report- As close to perfect as it could be. No bugs a light wind. Clear / Crisp with fall colors ……( taking a break to jump in a pile of leaves) ……..I have been having some wonderful gallops cross country…..like flying only better FALL IS MY FAVORITE SEASON!!!!

Fall Cleaning Question for my flist- I have finally donated all my horrible holiday teacher sweaters…..they have been lurking in my closet for years…many unworn gifts….well today out they went….and in their place my new look …well for this year…..Ruffle blouses and shirts and sweaters with boot cut jeans and Ariat clogs or boots ….sometimes I like to reinvent my look ( time to perm my long hair ) ……to get right to the point OOOPs too late……how might you describe your look and / or how would you like to change it – given enough funds?

Book Recommedation: I am reading the Mobile library mysteries- clever and filled with querky characters ala Northern Exposure or BailyKissAngel

1. Do you have a tattoo?
2. How old are you?
3. Are you in now or have ever been in a serious relationship?
3b. would you get into it again if you know what you know now ?
4. Fish?
5. Do you dream in color?
6. Ever seen a corpse?
7. Hipsters or Hillbillies?
8. How did we meet?
9. What's your philosophy on life and death?
10. If you could do anything with me, and have no one know, what would it be?
11. Do you trust the police?
12. Do you like musicals?
12B. Favorite ?
13. What is your fondest memory of me?
14. If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?
15. Would you cheat?
15b. on what or who?
16. What are you wearing?
16b. what would you rather be wearing?
17. Have you ever peed in a pool?
17b. whose?
18. Would you hide evidence for me if I asked you to?
19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
20. Which do you prefer - short or long hair?
21. What's your favorite day of the week?
22. What's your favorite color?
23. If you could bring back anyone that has passed, who would it be?
24. Tell me one interesting/odd fact about you?
25. What was your first impression of me?
26. Have you ever done drugs?
27. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you?

Blender Report: spin Well, tomorrow I head back to work with all the best intentions that I will not let other people's unhappiness sweep me up ...and of course I never sleep the night before ...no matter how many years I teach....I am cutting the big district wide meeting...they do not take attendance , the speeches are unimportant and it it my one big Bad Girl thing I do all year.

I blush : Did a side saddle clinic two weeks ago and I am still getting great feed back....this would not be important if one of the other clinicians ( tall and beautiful - could hate her ) acted as if she thought I feel off a turnip truck and really did not belong ...( warning a bitchy moment ) HA take that

For my flist: If you are interested in a copy of the Dracula ( Ortin. Evans ) that I mentioned let me know .....have not figured how to up load to a share site ( tutoring will be accepted) but will gladly send it snail mail....

Weather Report : Three perfect days .......Rode...rode ....rode .......( and this surprises you because?)

Back to school memory: Last week I did my back to school shopping ...No, not a pair of Mary Jane shoes .....colored folders for my classes...sharpies and two new ( oh my god please help me lift them up ) bras .......certainly a far cry from my back to school shopping as a kid ,.,,,,,I miss my pencil box and National Velvet themos / lunch box ..( yes, back in the ice age) ..What do you remember ?

Hope you all are have a wonderful Unlabor Day - relaxing ..no work
Hugs and Smores all around
Regards
G

Does any one out there know anything about Christopher Orton's Dracula the Musical.....( not Fran Wildhorn's version)? Bought the Concept album with Michael McCarthy ...it is wonderful ...has it been staged?

I want everyone on my flist for you heartfelt condolences ...they are very important to me
Hugs and gratitufe all around
Regards
G

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