| Random Stuff |
|
|
| 05:25pm 29/08/2008 |
|
| |
Geia sas olloi! First, best wishes to all my friends on here. I know I haven't written anything of substance in awhile and I want you to know that I'm fine, and hope you are as well. Not much has been going on except that Spiros has been coming here every night for the last week. So so so cool. He said that he didn't want me to be alone while Grandma was away in Florida. I said tht was ridiculous but then stopped and added "but I like it". lol Of course, I'm fine on my own, but you know. Any excuse to see my man, so long as it's happy, is a good one. So last night, we finally opened up that record player and got it working. It was wonderful. I got one with Stelakis Perpiniadis, one with a very strange old version of the Hellenic National anthem that was actually recorded in America, one with Roukounas, , and of course, that long-awaited record of Markos Vamvakaris. Spiros wasn't sure what the anthem was just based on the title on ebay, so he bought it and our guess was right but wow was it weird! Perpiniadis played like a dream. I barely even knew it was a 78! The others were so so and Markos I could barely hear over the noise, especially on the side with Tsitsanis, where I couldn't even tell who was singing, but I loved them all the same. Thankfully, none of the records skipped. I'm so used to the cleaned up digital versions of things, and though they sound great, it was a whole other experience listening to the very same records that they did back then. I mean, these are the actual recordings from that time, not modern copies.
Anyway, I've also been trying to hold phone parties, but haven't advertised that well. I had the first that Friday after getting back from Massachusetts and no one stayed up. I stayed on the line half an hour just to make sure and then hung up. the next were to be this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday, spiros came and though I knew I had only a little while before the party, we started talking and having coffee and I wasn't able to make it. I almost punched myself afterword. So yesterday, he came later, so that I'd have time for the party. I actually didn't hear him for 10 minutes! I heard the car but when he didn't ring I thought ok, maybe I heard it wrong. Stupid me, I forgot my phone in the house! He was worried about me and I felt horrible. But back to the party, one person showed up from
http://www.zonebbs.com
and I at least got to do a demo. It was really cool and I think I got a customer. Her cousin is actually a Passion Parties consultant, so it went full circle. But I really want to have a full party by phone before the one at my house which I hope will be next week. I think I'm gonna try to network my friends on lj etc so that we can have a conference. At least then they could bring their friends etc.
Think I'm gonna relax and take a nap for now, but before I do, here's something I posted to The zone. Maybe, one of you will have an idea or two. Btw, I learned today that he has ADD, so can't stay focussed for too long. He paces alot around the house.
( Helping a Friend )
Ok, I'm off. Hope your day is going well. |
|
| |
|
Read 1 - Post |
| |
| Really Cool Meme |
|
|
| 04:55pm 29/08/2008 |
|
| |
Opa! A mememememememe and a really cool one at that. Now, you get to learn a little about my other half.
.
( S.O. survey ) |
|
| |
|
Post |
| |
| Tropical Storm Gustav and New Orleans |
|
|
| 11:19pm 28/08/2008 |
|
| |
As some of you may have heard, Tropical Storm Gustav may soon return to hurricane status. According to the National Hurricane Center, one of its possible goals is New Orleans, a major location for leather and BDSM clubs. A report posted on the Leather Titleholders list from a local leatherman indicates that the city is busy in preparations for a possible landfall by Gustav.
The latest news is that, since Gustav isn't scheduled to reach the U.S. this weekend, the New Orleans gay festival Southern Decadence is still scheduled. If New Orleans is badly affected by the storm, ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) truetales will do its best to keep people informed, as it did three years ago through its Hurricane Katrina Report.
Two good sources of New Orleans news: NOLA.com and WWLTV.com. |
|
| |
|
Post |
| |
| What Would You Do? |
|
|
| 02:21pm 27/08/2008 |
|
| |
Ok, so not to continue the bad mood, but this is actually interesting and sad at the same time. This morning, I heard something on television with MOm. There's this woman named Jessica who is 23-years-old. She has a very rare disease that caused her to have a bunch of tumors and at least 20 opperations throughout her lifetime. She lost the hearing in one ear and the doctors told her that if she didn't have this next one, she would have a stroke and die. The thing is that it would take away all of her hearing. So for the next month, she soaked up and recorded all the sounds of her life, in the hopes that one day, she could hear them again. She went through with the opperation and is now completely deaf. She says she's doing fine and of course, she and her family are all adjusting, learning sign language etc. She loved this one singer and got to see and meet him in concert before it all happened. It touched me when the reporter described it as the last one she'd ever hear. She was listening to her favourite song as they wheeled her into the opperating room. So many things that we all take for granted. By the end of it, I was crying. I have two very dear friends, Vassilis in Ma and ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) pawpower4me on here who are losing their hearing, but it's very gradual. they both have time to adjust, and though it isn't easy by any means I'm sure, it's different, especially because of the fact that they have very little vision, the former will lose his entirely one day and the latter's, thankfully, is stable.
So here's a very serious question for all of you. What would you do if you were told you'd lose your hearing in 30 days? What sounds would you treasure the most? What would you seek out to hear one last time? and if you had another terrible choice, which would you prefer to lose, hearing or sight? If you were jessica, would you go through with the opperation?
For me, it would be the voices of the people I love, especially spiros, the sounds of water and of nature, birds, dogs, cats etc. And of course, rebetika, lots and lots of it. Good taximia to just listen to, not even words, just the sounds of the bouzouki washing over me. And the voice of Markos Vamvakaris especially. I'd call his son Stelios for one last time and ask for one request, to hear some tapes of his father being interviewed, those that haven't been released. I'd try to speak and learn as much Greek as I could, since I think it's the most beautiful language in the world and I'd do one zebekiko, for once in my life, and not give a shit what people thought of it. And when all is said and done, I'm not sure I could go through with it at all. I'm weak, I admit it. But if I had to, I would, so long as I could be around the people I love. But I think I'd have to do at least one ritual with my fellow Hellenic Polytheists. I've never worshipped in a group and think that would bring me the most peace, to hear the names of The gods on other people's lips and to be joined in that way to them and my fellow human beings.
So in honour of those who are losing the gift of hearing, do something soundful today, something that brings you joy and laughter and try to not take it for granted. Geia sas and Gods bless. |
|
| |
|
Read 2 - Post |
| |
| Aman Aman, Again! |
|
|
| 02:00pm 27/08/2008 |
|
| |
|
mood: indescribable music: rebetika, please, now!
|
My name is Tiffany and I am addicted to the internet. Alot of people may think it's funny or strange but it's true. I keep trying to do other things and I don't want to be online all the time, but I keep thinking "oh! I need to do this!" I wake up and first thing I do after my daily routine is to check my e-mail. I go on The Zone or Livejournal when I'm bored. I used to think that it's because I was blind and had nowhere to go, no one to meet or nothing to do but now, I'm not too sure. When I did tht telemarketing job, I'd often chat on Skype instead of my work. I chat on skype anyway, but at least, I've managed to cut down on that. To many stupid fucking people who can't speak english, too much asking for webcam sex etc. But I have to learn Greek, which though is online, is different. I have to practise bouzouki but don't put effort into it. I have to find other things to do to keep me occupied. I always say how blind people are emmersed in books but maybe, it'll be good for me. I also need to start posting for my business. I am L A Z Y and that's very very bad and will hurt me in the longrun. I need! to get this off the ground and while there isn't much I can do when I'm not partying, I can at least post adds. I feel so fucking stupid right now! I haven't studied my Greek and now I'm hving a conversation in it with someone and can barely understand. Sometimes, I feel like a fucking vlaka, and worse, a kseni, though please don't call me that. I donno. I'm just depressed right now. I need to get a life! And let's add this.
I'm also a rebetika addict, even more so than the internet. I can live without the net but not without my music. I'm constantly listening to it, humming it or having it in my head. I'm always looking for more. I get annoyed when people interrupt me and I'm listening to it. I think I'd go absolutely crazy if someone took my music away. But I don't fucking practise bouzouki! I mean, hello! That's the one thing that can bring me close to the manges and I don't do it! Grrr! Why am I in such a cafe aman mood today? I need something to cheer me up. I need to get something right, to fucking read and write in Greek again, to find something else to occupy my time. Yes, masturbation helps, it always does, but after that, then what? Θέλω Ελλινικά στο αυτό computer! Δεν μ' αρέσει αυτό! Θέλω Windows στο εδώ πριν πάω τρέλη! Παρακαλώ, έλα και το βάλε εδώ ή φέρτε το αλλο computer κάτω! Ποθ ειναι όλλες Ελληνες εδώ στο livejournal?
Anyway, I'm off to, oh oh, I know! Spend more time on the internet! |
|
| |
|
Read 2 - Post |
| |
| i miss you guys!!!!!! |
|
|
| 02:08pm 25/08/2008 |
|
| |
mood:  crazy
|
I got really bored so I started another LJ, intending to not friend any of you guys. Not that I got bored with you. (Please, that would never be the case. ;))
I wanted to see, if Im capable of making frieds, turned out I was. Only I wasnt as comfortable writing with them than with you.
So Im giving you all a hug. XOXOXOXOXOXOXO ;)
I missed you guys so much.
A lot of people left and not a lot were added. I hope those I have right now would stay longer. Im back! ;) |
|
| |
|
Post |
| |
| Recommended Writings, Films, and Websites: 2007-8 |
|
|
| 01:28am 24/08/2008 |
|
| |
I'd better do this according to school year rather than calendar year, since my eyes won't be in shape to do links-chasing in January. These are works that I discovered or rediscovered during the past year that I was especially impressed by. ( Read more... ) |
|
| |
|
Post |
| |
| Long Overdue Update |
|
|
| 08:51pm 23/08/2008 |
|
| |
Geia sas! Well, it's been a long and wonderful week. I actually wanted to write a day by day account of what we did but 1. I was lazy and 2. I was too involved. Sorry for not posting by phone either. I just needed some time away from the net. This is the longest I've been away from it in several years and to be honest, it felt really nice. I got back to it yesterday but was way too tired to think. So anyway, here we go..
We started our trip at about 3 or so, on Friday, though Spiros picked me up at around 12. We had to do a few things. lol Think cleanly for once. I wanted to give him our gps to keep, and I was gonna give MOm the money for it, but he'd already got one and didn't tell me about it. I was so excited when Joanie took me for a little ride and I heard our's speaking Greek, but to be honest, his is alot better. Anyway, the traffic was terrible. At some points, we were crawling! Then, towards the end of the journey, it started to rain! Thankfully, it stopped after awhile. Vassilis kept calling us to try to give us directions, even though we told him we had a gps. Ah well, I guessed he was just excited to see us. But after staying with him, I realised it was his character. So we got there at around 8 something I think. I was too tired to think. We had something small to eat and then went to bed. We chose the larger room with the huge bed, which was way too far away from the bathroom. I was to learn that very well. Not doing that next time. The house was huuuuge. I don't mean a little big, I mean poly megalo! Four garriages, complete with a few cars, though one has alot of tools and also an apartment/flat that they're renting out. Vassilis actually built it by himself and custom-designed it cause he knew he was going blind. Seriously, it's amazing. lol But he was a pain in the ass when it came to eating. He's worse than I when I was a child and that's saying alot. But I made him my tomatoe sauce from scratch some time around Tuesday and he said it was the best sauce he'd ever had in his life. So you could imagine my surprise. He said it like three times, even in Greek, so it must've been true. Anyway, his wife Maria was a sweetheart all the way around. She was so helpful and considerate. Anything I needed she was right there and you could tell she genuinely meant it, that's the best part..
I'm pretty sure Sunday was when I met my all-time favourite living bouzouki player, minus Stelios Vamvakaris, of course.
( Here's some of what I wrote to the rebetika group plus more stuff for all of you. )
speaking of old things, Vassilis gave me a 51-year-old record player that works beautifully, aside from the record changer which we had to remove. It plays not only the usual speeds (33 and 45) but 78s too! So guess who's gonna start having a blast on ebay? Oops. lol Spiros and Vassilis spent over an hour trying to get that thing working, until Spiros figured out it was the record changer that was causing the problem. Vassilis also gave me a very old case for my bouzouki. It's beat-up and looks like crap but it beats mine any day. MIne's made of gods only know what and I seriously think whoever made it was on some serious shit from the teke. It's so so bad! Well, the bouzouki that came with it (the tetra not the trixordo) was really rotten too, so. lol But they both served me in my time of need.
Music aside, we also went shopping a bit. I found the most amazing stove at Sears.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02260012000P?vName=Appliances
I'm not sure if it just shows the picture or what, cause there's no description. But it's the White Galaxy 30 in. Gas Manual Clean Freestanding Range. It's so nce! No digital shit, all dials. Nice burners, big oven. It even has a drawer so I can put things under it! spiros and I went back to Sears the next day where I got both their mastercard and regular card and he got me some clothing. I usually hate shopping for clothing, but with him, it was fun. We all went out to a few restaurants too. In one, I got lamb and it was nice. I hadn't had lamb in years and never made that way. Another time, Maria and I went to a different place and I got American stuff. lol Chicken fingers, onion rings and French fries. But sometimes, I just love apitisers like that. The last time, I got fish and mmmm! Very very good.
It was cool because all I heard last week was Greek and some english. I felt a little weird coming back here and having to speak only English. We left on Thursday morning, just after breakfast. It was crazy, cause we went all through the room to make sure we didn't forget anything and then we forgot those tapes anyway. lol I was really sad to leave that place, but we took a few pictures to tease my parents. One is of me sitting on the bumber of the Lincoln and another is of me in the massage chair that was in the bedroom where Spiros and I stayed. lol Joanie's been after that kind of chair for years. There was a little problem with the car, so we thought, but it turned out to be nothing. We still don't know why that water or whatever it was, was on the ground. We stopped at McDonalds for the second time in two weeks, a real rarety for me. But man is their coffee good! There was actually a contest with major coffee fanatics and of all the brands tried, Mcdonalds won out! We also picked up this brownie and a cinomin twist right next door and the guy was Albanian but knew Greek! It was so funny cause he heard me talking to Spiros and then started talking to us. Now how often does that happen? Btw, that doesn't mean I like Albanians, but this one was really cool.
It took about four and a half hours to get back home and when we did, we were so tired that we barely knew our names. We went to this local Greek place for take-out but they didn't have what either of us wanted, so we got pizza. Believe it or not, it wasn't that bad.
I'm actually gonna close this entry now cause the love of my life is here now. Mmm! More later. |
|
| |
|
Read 2 - Post |
| |
| no subject |
|
|
| 02:59pm 22/08/2008 |
|
| |
mood:  depressed music: Reuben - We're All Going Home in an Ambulance | Scrobbled by Last.fm
|
9/11 collapse mystery solved - it was actually the first time in the world a fire caused the total failure of a skyscraper.
HOW CONVENIENT.
As one guy put it, "We are being lied to." |
|
| |
|
Read 2 - Post |
| |
| being home |
|
|
| 10:56pm 21/08/2008 |
|
| |
mood:  optimistic music: "Shrill and small... echo down the hall"
|
It's okay, so far. I'm enjoying spending time with my family and whatnot. The only thing that's really pissing me off is that mom and dad go to bed so goddamn early, meaning I can't shower after like, 9:00PM. Which is really annoying. But I'll live.
Went to the dentist today and I don't have any cavities! So yay for that. Sadly, I'm probably going to have to have my wisdom teeth removed sometime before I graduate (while I still have dental coverage from the parentals). I'll know sometime this week whether or not that's a definite.
Bbuutt everything's going nicely. I haven't got the chance to hang out with anyone yet really (other than dad and Dominic) but I think tomorrow I'm going to dinner with some folks, so that should be cute and exciting. I would also like to visit ZeBop tomorrow morning and perhaps go to the beach as well. We'll see.
The weather has been gorgeous and sometime before I leave I'm going to ride a horsey or two. Perhaps the stinky little pony-face. That should be exciting as well.
But no real news or otherwise exciting happenings to report. I have some sort of upper-respiratory thing going on and it sucks, but it's not a life-crusher so I will be fine. I'm actually somewhat excited to wake up tomorrow. It's been a while. |
|
| |
|
Post |
| |
| Daily life: Smack, crash, bushwacked. (That is to say, I'm overworked.) |
|
|
| 01:10pm 21/08/2008 |
|
| |
"Really, she must try and concentrate on [her protagonist's] alibi. . . . And she had not properly worked out the speed of the steam-yacht. One ought to know about these things. Lord Peter would know, of course; he must have sailed in plenty of steam-yachts. It must be nice to be really rich. Anybody who married Lord Peter would be rich, of course. And he was amusing. Nobody could say he would be dull to live with. But the trouble was that you never knew what anybody was like to live with except by living with them. It wasn't worth it. Not even to know all about steam-yachts. A novelist couldn't possibly marry all the people from whom she wanted specialised information."
--Dorothy L. Sayers: Have His Carcase
Topics in this post: Ahead of my publication schedule but behind on everything else, review of Lija O'Brien's Staged Life, winter plans, Internet round-up (not-worksafe pulp covers), online goods and evils, e-book plans and my icky non-publishing schedule, low-fat and low-sugar vegetarianism, review of the 2008 film Brideshead Revisited.
( Read more... )
( Review of Lija O'Brien's Staged Life )
( Review of the 2008 film Brideshead Revisited ) |
|
| |
|
Read 7 - Post |
| |
|
|
|
happy
enraged
energetic