Zarathustra

I know the title is "Also Sprach Zarathustra", but I needed the Z. :)
Welcome to the last day of the A-Z Challenge!
It's also Music Monday, so I thought you'd enjoy this wonderful orchestration piece.

Written in 1896 by Richard Strauss, this opening fanfare was used in (and became famous with) the 1968 film "2001: A Space Odyssey". (Which, admittedly, I never got around to watching.)  The fanfare has been used in many movie settings since then, including Buzz Lightyear's "video game" at the beginning of "Toy Story 2" (I think I was one of about 3 people in the [very full] theater who laughed at the musical pun...)

I've included two clips of it for you today.  The first is by far my favorite and delights me every time I watch it.  (Even though it is incorrectly labeled "Wagner".)  The second is just really pretty imagery.  Enjoy both! :)

You'll Need Tissues

My Y post today is for Yahweh.
God Almighty, Who loves with such a love that we can't even comprehend it fully.
Jehovah, the Lord.
(For a beautiful list of names of God from the scriptures, go here.)

This song makes me cry, because it is so beautiful and I think singing Hallelujah is the closest thing we have to being able to thank Him for all He blesses us with.  But the song also deals with the heartbreak of being human and how turning to God after being wounded and broken beyond repair is our only source of healing.  So bittersweet.

These lyrics give me goosepimples:
I did my best, it wasn't much/ I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong/ I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah


Grab some Kleenex.  Give a listen.  Let your heart be moved.

X Marks the... Really?

We saw this at the park the other day and I knew I had my X post.  LOL!

I seriously doubt there is pirate gold/treasure at 50,000 feet...

Where in the World...

...would I go if I had the money to travel?

Where would I NOT go?!
You already know about my plans for England, but I thought I would share a few other places on the bucket list:

Cities in The US:
New York: A show on Broadway; general sightseeing
San Francisco: The Golden Gate Bridge; general sightseeing
San Diego: After the last few posts about a certain band, do I really need to explain this?
Seattle: General sightseeing
Boston: Boston Harbor, general sightseeing
Charleston: Historic homes; general sightseeing
Colonial Williamsburg: general sightseeing

Other Countries:
France: Paris; the palace at Versailles; general sightseeing
Prince Edward Island, Canada: The birthplace of Lucy Maud Montgomery; general sightseeing

There are more, but that's a start.  All that stands between me and crossing these trips off my list are three words:  Airfare, Childcare and Time to Spare.  (Yes, ok, technically 5 words, but you get the point!)

But I'm not giving up.  Some wonderful day...

Video Wednesday

How cool that "V" ended up on a Wednesday!
V is for "Very Funny Video Wednesday"! :)

I've pulled a selection of my favorite Muppet clips for you to enjoy today.  I'll be in the studio if you need me. :)  Have a great day!

We Interrupt This Program...

to tell you how AWESOME you are, because I've hit the 100 blog followers mark!!!
WOW! :D

I'm going to celebrate with a GIVEAWAY, but in a few days- after the A-Z Challenge winds down! (I also have my 4 year Blogoversary on April 30, so I'll combine the 2.)

Stay tuned!  For 100 followers, I'll have to think of something really good! :)

THANKS AGAIN!

Umscheid, Kit: Pirate's Alphabet

Today's featured illustrator is Kit Umscheid.

SO very appropriate for this A-Z Challenge, Kit illustrated the book "Pirate's Alphabet" by Patti Wigington.  Kit lives in the midwest, and is a member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators).

Here is the U page of the Pirate's Alphabet.  I love the treasure hidden in the well!

Here's a YouTube clip Kit made for the book:

Head on over to your bookstore or local library and enjoy!

That'll Be The Way Home

Hey, did you know that Steam Powered Giraffe has a song on the new album that starts with "T"?  In fact, their album title starts with "T" as well! (Two Cent Show)  That fits in so neatly with my A-Z!

But back to the song- Would you like to hear "That'll Be The Way Home"?  Of course you would.  But in order to do so, you have to become an Engineer-eteer first!  (There's a video about becoming an Engineer-eteer in yesterday's post, if you would like to be entertained before clicking the link.  Or just click the link.  But why would you not want to be entertained?!)

So do it.  Become an Engineer-eteer and hear a wonderful song with amazing harmonies from the Most Epic Band Ever.  (If you thought of any other band besides Steam Powered Giraffe when I said that [and also if I knew how to fence], I would totally challenge you to a duel.)

You're welcome.
Actually, don't thank me.
Thank Rabbit, The Spine and The Jon.  It's their awesome that you're about to be listening to.  :)

Steam Powered Giraffe

Yes, I know I've posted two Music Mondays about these guys already.  That's just not enough!!!
I listen to them every single day.  On repeat.  Because they are made of Awesome.
I've ordered Album One and the Live album.  And a T shirt.  And the DVD that's being released soon.
Check out the trailer and see if you don't run over and pre-order one!

AND I became an Engineer-eteer on Patronism.com, donating $10/month (previously my Swing Dance cover charge money) to help them raise funds to tour, record and do what they do.  (The Spine is very persuasive in this promo...)

I was going to order a mug too, but I'd already pushed my budget to the max. XD
I should have enough time to save some back for their new album "The 2¢ Show" that's coming out next month.  At which point, I will probably go ahead and get that mug. :D

They deserve to succeed.  They are crazy talented and I adore them.
To keep up with their awesomeness, go to their website.
To help them continue their awesomeness, become an Engineer-eteer! (You get exclusive treats through this program!  I'm enjoying a track off the new album before it's even out, and there are chords and art and videos and other amazing stuff to be had when you join!)
I want them to come to Atlanta soooooo baaaaaadddddly!

Here are 3 more of my favorite videos/songs/awesomeness.  Enjoy!

Brass Goggles: This song sort of explains the automatons' origins.  And features sing-along lyrics.  Sorta.

Ju Ju Magic has wicked cool bass playing by The Spine, amazing guitar and vocals by The Jon, and Rabbit on the melodica.  LOVE.

One of their performances in Balboa Park, this clip shows a parody of Bobby Darin's song "Mack the Knife" that involves the noms of the Golden Arches, and also Rabbit getting rather worked up at The Spine.  Hilarity ensues! :)

RRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

That's the sound my sewing machine makes.  And it has been making it a lot the last week.  I'm working harder than ever, because several newer, shorter term goals have presented themselves to me, and I want to meet them.  I'm sick of where my life is, so I'm going to change it.

I know that I have obligations and responsibilities.  Duh.  But I'm not going to defer to everyone else and all of their goals and needs for the entire rest of my life in the name of being an unselfish person.

I'm important too.  There are people I want to meet and thank for having an intense and profound impact on my life.  (70% of those are musicians.)  I don't think it's right to let other people to persuade me that simply buying albums/soundtracks/books/products or sending an email is enough to let my heroes know how much they are appreciated.  I've been quietly told by the naysayers in my life how impossible or frivolous or impractical my dreams are, that I got to the point of not being able to look anyone in the eye.  That's just pitiful.

I will change this.  I want to meet people face to face and look them in the eye to tell them how happy I am for the moment they came into my life.  To do this, some extensive (and expensive) airfare will come into play.

New York.
Brisbane, Australia.
San Diego.
London, England.
Los Angeles.
Wellington, New Zealand.

But really... who cares?  People fly into and out of those cities EVERY FREAKING DAY.  Why not me?  Absolutely no reason why not.

Patiently feeding fabric through a sewing machine may seem an unusual way to reach my goals.  But I love what I create, and apparently other people do too, because orders are pouring in.  I'm going to meet my financial goals and live my dreams.

It starts in my soul.  Way down deep.  Stand back, y'all.  I'm spreading my wings.  And I am going to fly.

Quis Leget Haec?

Translated:  Who will read this?

I get curious about my readers.  Lately, the manual labor portion of my work (fun though it is) has taken over and kept me from being able to craft any blog posts with any truly valuable and/or entertaining content.  The writer is willing, but the hours are few.

Yet, I see that I am only 3 followers away from the coveted blogger status of 100 regular readers.  Awesomeness!  Am I really that entertaining?  I want to be.  I crave approval.  I can't help it.

So I'd love to take this letter Q post of the A-Z and ask all of my readers:
Quod facit redire?
What makes you return?
Is there a certain feature you enjoy?  Music Mondays, perhaps?
Or maybe it's my fractured way of looking at things and telling a story.  I think I'm hilarious.  I would hope that other people do, too, but either way, I love to laugh and I never cease to run out of material due to my own life experiences and warped sense of humor.  (Thinking about it, this blog could probably use a few more puns from day to day...)

I just wonder about the people on the other side of the wires.  Wherever and whoever you are, it's nice to have you come visit.  I've met so many interesting people through blogging and I have a feeling the awesomeness on that front is just getting started. :)

Proust Questionnaire (Of Sorts)

I love to watch "Inside the Actor's Studio".  I love learning about actors themselves and their unique creative processes and just generally how they came to play certain roles and characters.  At the end of the interview, they are asked 10 questions.  If you want to know more about this questionnaire, I suggest this article.  (From the article: "Inspired by Bernard Pivot, James Lipton, the host of the TV program Inside the Actors Studio, gives an adapted version of the Proust Questionnaire to some of his guests.")


I've modified it just a little.  #7 on ITAS is "What is your favorite curse word?"  I abhor profanity, so I've chosen to modify the question a bit, but still keep it related to the realms of human speech.  I've also modified question #10, which originally begins with "If heaven exists,".  I know in my heart of hearts that it does, so I've reflected that in my version. :)

1. What is your favorite word? Ubiquitous.
2. What is your least favorite word? Impossible.
3. What turns you on? Bass guitar.
4. What turns you off? Self-depreciation/low self-esteem.
5. What sound or noise do you love? An orchestra warming up before an overture.
6. What sound or noise do you hate? A person clearing their sinuses.  Makes me nauseated!
7. What word or phrase do you over-use? "I know, right?"
8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Professional singer/musician.
9. What profession would you not like to do? Nurse or embalmer. (*queasy!*)
10. What would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? "Welcome home."

Oh, no! No "O"s!!

Well, I tried and tried to find a children's book illustrator with an "O" last name that I liked well enough to fill today's Illustrator Tuesday.  But.... I didn't.  Sorry.  I don't mean to be difficult, but for me to feature an artist on an IllusThurs, I have to know and support their work and I just didn't find anything that jumped out at me.

So what can I post for "O"?  I really haven't been doing anything but being Lucy Jane, so I don't have any photos or news to share, really....

How about showing off my favorite precious stone, OPALS?  Yeah, that'll work! :D
It's October's birthstone, not mine.  But I like them anyway.  Here are some pieces I wouldn't mind owning and wearing.  Feel free to buy them for me, if you have piles of extra money laying around needing to be spent.  ;)

No Good Deed

Happy Music Monday and letter "N" on the A-Z!

Blaring my OCR of the hit Broadway musical "Wicked" today as I work in the studio.  This number is beautiful not only in its composition, but in that it represents a pivotal moment of change in the plot.  The final straw, as it were, to Elpheba becoming fully thrust into the identity of "Wicked Witch of the West".
Favorite lyrics:
"...Was I really seeking good? Or just seeking attention? Is that all good deeds are when looked at with an ice cold eye..."
And:
"Sure I meant well, well look at what "well-meant" did!"
(It took me a few tries to master that one while singing along!)

Enjoy!

Me and My Baby

I usually keep the music videos for Music Mondays, but the theme of this song is Saturday Night, so... I thought it was appropriate.  That, and I can't stop listening to it.  And fan-crushing on Steam Powered Giraffe. :}  (I can't help it that they are so amazing!)

So.  Enjoy your Saturday Night music to go along with your... Saturday. :)

Lucy Jane Pennybright

I know I sound like a broken record about The Other Me, but that's pretty much all I've been working on lately!  I just got new business cards in the other day and I'm looking forward to giving those out at the Hydrangea Festival. (5 working weeks left!  AAAUUUUGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!)

I seriously need to get a bunch of stuff that's "in the works" finished and have a photographer friend of mine do a photo shoot.  It's tough sometimes, being a photographer and not really having the time or ability to do your own portraits.  Self portraits are nice, but they take more time and effort than I have on hand at the moment.  I have some great local colleagues, though, so I will try, try, try to get that done soon.

Here's what Lucy Jane finished up today and will deliver to the client tomorrow.  We're pleased with it. :)

Made from a Funky Friends Factory pattern.
She's around 12" high.

Lucy's working on a bunch of themes to have at the festival.  Military, Christmas, Autism Awareness, Music, Fall, a Bumblebee, Watermelon for summertime, Back to School prints, Breast Cancer Awareness, Bridal, Floral and many, many more!  The cutting table looks like the fabric store was picked up by a tornado and dropped onto it. :)

What kinds of colors and themes would you like to see?  Open to suggestions and custom orders! :)

Krispy Kreme

ATTENTION: Best doughnuts in the world.  

Come to Atlanta.  

Get one when the "HOT" light is on. 

There is even an app for your phone to tell you when and where to find it.

Your taste buds will thank you.  

That is all.

JASNA

JASNA is short for the Jane Austen Society of North America.  I plan on officially joining when I have gotten more Lucy Jane things nailed down and in order.  As it involves costuming, I was going to use it on Lucy's blog, but I decided to go with my Janome sewing machine for that, since it spans more of what she does than just Regency.

As it's Video Wednesday, here is a series from YouTube about the 2011 JASNA AGM.  (Warning: anachronisms abound, but I think the idea is for people to gather and have a good time.)

Enjoy!

Insomnia

How cute is this guy?  I'd count lots of
these if I thought it would help!

I'm retro-posting this because even though it would seem like not being able to sleep would give me plenty of time to blog, it hasn't.  I have had trouble sleeping for a long time now.  I'm taking steps to find a solution, but the causes of my sleeplessness are many and varied, so it's not as simple to cure as it might first appear.  "They make sleep aids, Jenny," I hear some of you saying (especially you, best-friend-who- has-spent-the-last-20-years-I've-known-you-in-school- [of some kind, be it regular 5th-12th or all that was beyond] studying-to-become-a-pharmacist.)  "just take one and go to bed."

Well, I would love to.  Problem is, I have never had a tolerance for any kind of pharmaceuticals, and even mild over-the-counter stuff messes with my delicate system and renders me catatonic and unable to function.  (I am already not functioning due to sleep deprivation, but the meds make me have a headache and feel icky on top of it and even MORE unable to function.  I'll take the lesser unpleasantness, thanks.)  In addition, I have dependents who need me to do things for them at certain times each day, and I can't fulfill those responsibilities if I'm knocked out by (safe, legal and even prescribed) drugs.  It's a paradox.  I can't not sleep, but I can't take drastic measures to make myself sleep.  Sigh.  Why is it always complicated??

Things I can't do while only getting a maximum of 3 hours of sleep per night for more than 4 consecutive nights:
1. Drive for any length of time.  Thankfully, the places I generally HAVE to go are within a 10 mile radius (and I would never get behind the wheel if I knew I wasn't safe to do so.  I'm mostly talking hour long trips across Atlanta here.)
2. Blog.  I stare at the blank screen and... I got nothin'.  Which always sucks, but even more so when it's in the middle of the A-Z Challenge!!! :P
3.Work.  Big things are happening for Lucy Jane and I have to come up with a solution fast, because even cutting out pattern pieces is taking WAY WAY longer than it should.
4. Deal with 4 Gremlins (cute as they may be) alone while Husband is still away for work in a non-irritable way.  ... I don't think I need to expound on this one at all.  Self explanatory.  I want to be all cuddly and happy with them and I can't when their normal being children-ness gets on my nerves.
5. Write letters.  At least, coherent and non-weird ones.  My 52 Weeks of Mail project has been all but abandoned and I feel terrible for that, but still can't seem to drag myself back into the mix and get caught up on all of the replies I need to write.  My brain is just all... fuzzy.


Things that make sleepless nights more bearable:

1. After reaching the point where keeping all the electronics off just isn't making any difference in being able to fall asleep, I have burned through seasons 1-3 of The Big Bang Theory.  It's good company.

2. Steam Powered Giraffe.  Every day I discover footage of them on YouTube I haven't seen yet and my fangirl crush on the trio of 116 year old automatons is growing steadily deeper.  (In a cute, non creepy kind of way.  Promise.  Although I did look up the cost of airfare out to San Diego to calculate how much meeting them in person and getting some autographs would cost.  They are super talented!  Don't judge me!  Watch enough of their stuff on the interwebs at 3 AM, and you would probably find yourself comparing a non-stop on Delta with a one-stop in Denver on US Airways too!!  Don't believe me?  Go watch yesterday's video a few hundred times.  Yeah, I thought so. :})


3. Tea.  No, it's decaf.  Even sleep deprived, I'm not an idiot, not by any stretch of the imagination.
4. Dreaming up new ideas for work, even if I can't immediately make them happen in my less than optimum current state.  I put them down in a notebook and some of them are quite good and worth following up on.  Once I've... gotten some sleep.  Sigh.


We'll try again tonight.  Meanwhile, I'm going to go try to get some basic things accomplished (making lunch, catching up/scheduling both blogs, going to the bank and constructing some fairies) in the hopes that it will wear me out sufficiently and I will crash into bed at a decent hour tonight (Friday.  Retro-posting, remember?) and get this sleep ship righted before next week.  Because I have a life I desperately want to get back to. o_O

Honeybee

It's all Adam Jones's fault.  :)

Who knew Steampunk Automatons could have such awesome harmony? (Or such pretty eyes!)  I hope Steam Powered Giraffe finds their way out to Dragon Con someday.  :)

I listen to this at least once a day, if not more.  It's Emily's favorite, too.  Enjoy!

PS- I also took this very springtime photo in Gran's garden last week, to share with you on this H post and gave it two different editing treatments.  Hope you like them.  Which is your favorite?

Goliath: A Giant Coaster!

What we're doing all day today:

Well, not JUST the coasters, but Six Flags does boast this one called GOLIATH!  Here's a video of what it's like to ride in the front row!  Enjoy!

4/9/12 Edit:

People have been asking since I can't ride Goliath, what my favorite roller coaster at Six Flags is.  It's the Batman.  Here's a view from the front row by the same people who filmed Goliath (above).  Enjoy!

Falling on my face...

I'm sorry to do this again, but I just have to make a placeholder for F and come back to it on Monday when everything goes back to normal.  The Afters, DecembeRadio and Tenth Avenue North in concert at Six Flags tonight and I am completely tuckered out.  It was incredible.  (photos forthcoming, promise.) I got to finally meet Rob Langer from The Joy FM in person, too!!  We've become friends through Facebook and email, and it was so cool to say hi and get a hug and a picture!

Mike, the lead singer of 10th Ave, came out into the crowd to share God's love with us and share some of his experiences and thoughts and he stood in our row next to Gremlin #1 and myself.  AWESOME!!!  As he was coming through, I got to shake his hand/high five/connect with him and it's been so long since I experienced the high energy of a music concert that I sort of reverted to a giggly teenager state on the way home in the car.

I kept saying "I got to touch 10th Avenue North. *giggle*"
My gremlins were good sports about it. LOL

I'm crashing in the bed, y'all.  Husband is home tomorrow to go with us to Six Flags AGAIN (this time to ride rides).  I don't know if I have the stamina to do this all season long!  It's exhausting!  (Oh, wait- that was yesterday's post...)

Goodnight!

Exhausted

I spent all day with Cute Gremlins #1 & #2 at Six Flags Over Georgia.  We rode rides.  We watched shows.  We ate BBQ and curly fries and cotton candy.

AND TOMORROW WE GET TO DO IT ALL AGAIN, PLUS A CONCERT THERE!!!


(I'll take photos and post them in an edit.  Never fear.)

Then we came home and watched the third Harry Potter together.
I know I'm totally phoning it in for this one.  It's Spring Break week, Easter weekend, and time with my CGs.  Gimme a break.  I have some doozie posts planned for next week, so please don't run away just yet.  Come back and visit or browse the archives and I promise there is bound to be something to make you laugh hard enough to make whatever beverage you're drinking execute an unplanned detour through your nose.  (PSA:  Milk is moderately painful, but carbonated sodas burn!)

Thanks for reading my insomniatic babble.  I'm crashing under a micro fleece quilted bedcover.  Mmmm, cozy.  Happy A-Z ing! :)

Duck Amuck

Happy Video Wednesday!  It's the D post for the A-Z Challenge, so I thought I'd entertain you with one of my absolute favorite Looney Tunes shorts, starring Daffy Duck.  My childhood was chock full of these antics, and I still love it.  This stuff never gets old. :)  Enjoy!

Chapman, Jane: Bear (and his friends)

When Cute Gremlin #2 was 4 or 5 years old, she got this book (and a stuffed bear to match) for Christmas from my awesome aunt:

(c) Simon & Schuster

We were all instantly enchanted by the illustrations of Bear and his friends by talented artist Jane Chapman.  Along with Karma Wilson, Chapman has illustrated 7 "Bear" books, with an 8th to be released this fall.  Here are all of the "Bear" books.  (I was going to pick a favorite and I just couldn't!)

(c) Simon & Schuster

Gorgeous art from "Bear Wants More"
(c) Simon & Schuster

(c) Simon & Schuster

(c) Simon & Schuster

(c) Simon & Schuster

(c) Simon & Schuster

Pages from "Bear's Loose Tooth"
(c) Simon & Schuster

(c) Simon & Schuster

Coming Fall 2012
(c) Simon & Schuster

Chapman has also illustrated these books:

Dora's Eggs by Julie Sykes

Dora's Chicks by Julie Sykes

Big Bear, Little Bear by David Bedford

I Love My Mama by Peter Kavanagh

One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies

One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root

The Dark, Dark Night by M. Christina Butler

The Emperor's Egg by Martin Jenkins

The Very Noisy Night by Diana Hendry (Also a Ray Family favorite!!!)

Check out her beautiful illustrations in all of these and many, many more at your local bookstore or library!

Beautiful Beautiful

Happy Music Monday and A-Z to you, readers!
Today's MM is brought to you by one of my favorite artists, who - very coincidentally- has a 'B' name!
Here is Francesca Battistelli singing "Beautiful, Beautiful".  Enjoy!

Attitude of Gratitude

Welcome to the first day of the A-Z Challenge!!!  It's going to be a great month, full of fun posts!
As it's also the 1st of the month, my A entry is all about attitude today- An Attitude of Gratitude!  Here is my list of things I was grateful for in March:

• 3.31- A few hours with husband home. And that he has a job. Even though I really hate it right now. I'm grateful that he has one.
• 3.30- Making a phone call that ultimately saved us a lot of time, hassle and gas money
• 3.29- Tea at the Vineyard Cafe in Marietta Square
• 3.28- Good friends bringing their kids for a play date
• 3.27- Novacaine
• 3.26- Fun shopping by myself and getting supplies for Lucy Jane
• 3.25- Getting to snuggle with husband before he had to leave for another week away. I sleep so much better when all of my family is at home together.
• 3.24- Spending all day at the zoo with my family
• 3.23- My Grandmother, who has a birthday today
• 3.22- Clean jeans
• 3.21- Cute Gremlin #4 is 4 years old today!
• 3.20- Sewing time and Things Accomplished
• 3.19- Good things showed up in the mail. :)
• 3.18- Church with my whole family. Also thankful for prayer warriors
• 3.17- HUSBAND IS HOME!!!
• 3.16- Parcels from England that contain bath salts, which made everything else smell heavenly! (including the mailbox!)
• 3.15- Today I'm thankful that I'm not Julius Caesar. He had it pretty rough.
• 3.14- PI DAY!!! :)
• 3.13- Really, really, really awesome dental hygienists. And pain killers for the migraine I sported later in the day
• 3.12- Nimble fingers
• 3.11- Getting to spend time playing Nancy Drew games with my kids
• 3.10- Getting my Nikon out again after a 3 month hiatus and photographing the evidence of Spring all around me.
• 3.9- Nice receptionists who treat me with respect and courtesy when I decide to act like an adult and make a dental appointment.
• 3.8- Being given the chance to enter a giveaway to WIN new patterns on the internets!!! :D
• 3.7- The magic of ordering new patterns on the internets!!! ;)
• 3.6- An amazing day out at Marietta Square!
• 3.5- The gentle whirring sound of my sewing machine
• 3.4- 50% off coupons
• 3.3- Spending time with friends all day long
• 3.2- Straight pins
• 3.1- Getting some much needed sleep