In the song, "Our House" by the band Madness (a big hit in the 80s which still pops up sometimes), we see the busy family members on a nice day, a sweet memory of "our house, in the middle of our street" and with the upbeat tune it's all fun, until, just before the bridge, we get the line regarding the mother: "She's the one they're going to miss, ( Read more... )

For any on my list who are interested in LJ Idol, sign-ups are now open for "Second Chance Idol" (click here).

"Idol" is a writing contest with elements of TV reality-contests "American/Pop Idol" and "Survivor" with weekly writing prompts leading to polls for voting to keep contestants in the game. There are also some other twists along the way. FAQ ( Read more... )

A quick belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to tygerz  (Sunday).

Anyway, the LJ Idol poll is up through Tuesday night (tomorrow!). I'm listed in Tribe 1. Bottom two in each tribe are eliminated. Everyone can vote, entries linked next to usernames (as usual).

The topic was "Inside Baseball" -- which could be taken literally, like I did, or used in referring to a slang ( Read more... )

Voting is under way through Saturday afternoon for LJI: Second Chance Idol. About 47 of us wrote about the trails we've walked, either actual or metaphorical. I'm very grateful for all the positive feedback my entry got.

There were other entrants who, in turn, impressed me:
bad_evil_echo  blew me away with her Neil-Gaiman-esque entry, there were the worn neural ( Read more... )

Ever stood behind a waterfall, with it forming a liquid wall in front of you while you stay mostly dry? Ever been to a place that is literally the stuff of legend, and from where you stand it feels like you’re on top of the world? Ever looked at odd rock formations and discovered that some of the graffiti in a nearby cave is hundreds of years old?

( Read more... )

...except that we can look back and see all the Second Chance Idol entries themed "Irreversible"
Voting is now open through Saturday afternoon. I would appreciate your consideration (and votes, yeah, votes are good), as would my friends in the contest.

Fine print: Voting open to anyone with an LJ account, entries linked next to usernames, side ( Read more... )

She used to call me her “soulmate.” And I believe she meant it. Turns out she was a “meant it at the time” kind of person.

Looking back with over a decade's perspective, it’s easy to see a continuum, a process in which we drifted apart. That last summer we were spending less time together. She started spending weekends in another town with friends, ( Read more... )

Voting has been under way for a day or so now for LJ Idol: Second Chance Idol. And this time, I'm in the running and so far doing middling-high in the votes. Any support you can lend would be appreciated. Vote is open to all with LJ accounts, vote for as many contestants as you like, entries are linked next to usernames, e i e i o...

The voting ( Read more... )

(WARNING: Clicking some links may trigger music files.)

I think it was "Barracuda."

It was playing on the radio when the topic came up of, just how long had Heart been around? There had been hits on the radio for years, yet in recent pictures and concert appearances Ann and Nancy Wilson still looked barely out of their teens. Judging by a best guess ( Read more... )

Here's hoping nonabloch  had a HAPPY BIRTHDAY today (Friday) and shaze  has a good one tomorrow!

Those who want to get in on the LiveJournal Idol experience can sign up in the " Second Chance Idol" through 5 p.m. EST (Saturday).

The day has brought about an inch of fluffy snow -- and now I must go drive home in it.