Or maybe I should call this one "A 70 Year Old Groupie"
Two Christmases ago, my dear friends Steve and Teresa gave me an iPod which I immediately loaded with my favorite bossa nova and Brazilian music. After loading iTunes, I discovered a button that read "Radio" so I pushed it and found another link to Latin music and then finally to batanga.com. This is a Brazilian internet radio station coming out of Atlanta and this is where I first heard Djavan and his music. His style of music is jazz but with a strong Brazilian flavor. He plays and sings pagode, axe and the old bossa nova style tunes.
After hearing him many times on batanga.com I started to explore various websites to learn more about him and his beautiful music. I eventually ordered his double album from his 1999 tour and quickly learned to love all of the songs. He sings in Portuguese and I kind of mumble along but then I got the idea to download the lyrics, or letres, and began to learn the Portuguese words. My pronunciation is awful, but if I think I'm singing them right, then I'm singing them right. Who would know the difference anyway?
I had told my former lover, Marco, that if Djavan ever set foot in the US, I'd be there and he just laughed at me. Well, several weeks ago I was visiting Djavan's website and noticed that he was on the move again. He was appearing all over Brazil and now is headed for Paraguay, Uraguay, Chile and Argentina. Just out of curiosity I Googled 'Djavan Internation Tour Dates' and what popped up made my cry out loud "Oh My God". My workmate Nadine thought something awful had happened.
It said he was coming to Boston on June 8th and then to New York on June 10th. I wasn't too thrilled with Boston, but I'd go if it was the last resort. I called my friend BJ to see if she was interested in a road trip. But alas, she and her new hubby will be in St. Maartens and my niece Sandy will be at Lake Nacimento in California. Before I made any attempts to get a ticket I made one more attempt at web searching and found a link telling me he would start his tour on June 6th in Miami.
Now Miami seemed more my taste. I found he is opening at the Arsht Center For the Performing Arts (a bit like our Kennedy Center)and when I tried to get a ticket online I discovered that tickets didn't go on sale until late April. That's why he didn't appear through Ticketmaster. I patiently waited for April 26th and called the venue rather than a ticket agent. I was on hold at 10:00AM (second in the queue I might add)and was greeted by a sweet young man who agreed, when I told him I would be flying in from Washington, that I needed a good seat. I bravely asked him if there was anything available in the orchestra pit and he said "You want to be up close?" I sighed and said "Yes, of course". Anybody want to guess who is sitting front row, center, orchestra pit?? Yupper - it's me, the 70 year old groupie. I am so excited that I can't stand it.
I dug deeply into my Rio trip fund and allowed myself to remove enough for plane fare and a hotel for 2 nights. I fly into Miami on Thursday morning, the concert is on Friday and I leave Saturday to come back home. I chose a hotel in Downtown Miami that is only 2 blocks from the venue so I can walk and won't have to call a cab, only if it's raining of course.
This is the most exciting thing I've done since I got tickets to a Paul McCartney concert at RFK Stadium in 1993. I know I'll have a great time and it truly is a dream come true.
God bless you all.
XXOO
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter Sunday - 2008
It was a lovely Easter Sunday. I spent it with Steve, his wife Teresa, his Mom Martha, his 2 daughters Delilah and Rachel and Delilah's 3 children, Curran 12, James 7 and Katie 5. I hadn't seen Delilah and Rachel for at least 7 years and they look great. Delilah has done a wonderful job with her kids. They were well behaved, polite and a joy to be around. We had ham, potatoes au gratin, macaroni and cheese, pigs-in-a-blanket, fruit salad and green salad. All was very delicious. I'm so glad Steve invited me.
I do believe that I have Steve convinced to do some work for me around the house. The shower doors in my master bathroom have leaked for at least 5 years and I've griped about it, every single day, I think. Since Steve began doing General Contractor work, he has accumulated a miriad of parts and pieces. He is giving me a set of shower doors for the leaky bathroom. Last weekend we went out looking and I found some I like. The ones he has are very close to the ones I chose (for $300). He says he'll install them this week. He will also replace the linoleum in the bathroom that is coming up at the tub, from the leak. I found a $52 remnant that I like so that's a saving too.
While he is doing stuff for me, I mentioned that I didn't like the overhead flourescent light in the kitchen and I'd like a ceiling fan. He said it wouldn't be a problem to put one in, so I found a Hunter fan at Home Depot for $99. Another coup. And while we're at it, I found a new kitchen faucet that I like and he can do that too.
Now for the big ta-da. He has a group of hispanic house painters that he uses when he is 'doing' houses. He has asked them to look at my house to see how much to paint the entire interior. I told him I'd pay $3,000 which is very low for a house that is occupied. The house hasn't been painted in about 12 years and truly needs it. I said if they won't do the whole house, what will they do for $3K, so we'll see how that goes.
I've been feeling better these past weeks. I had an appointment with Dr. R and she said she didn't feel I needed to see an Ortho specialist. She feels that my hip and leg pain are from my arthritis because my pain travels. I can go for several days with no discomfort and then it will flare up in me knee, or the next day in my hip. She feels that with the warm weather coming I'll really feel a lot better.
All in all, I'm in a good place. Spring is coming, I'm beginning to feel better and there is a trip to Rio de Janeiro on the horizon. Although it's a long way away, Sandy and I are planning on going. It will be a blast. :o)
Mostly I am blessed to have a job, and a family of friends that care about me. I know that God is busy in my life. Thank you Jesus.
God bless you all.
I do believe that I have Steve convinced to do some work for me around the house. The shower doors in my master bathroom have leaked for at least 5 years and I've griped about it, every single day, I think. Since Steve began doing General Contractor work, he has accumulated a miriad of parts and pieces. He is giving me a set of shower doors for the leaky bathroom. Last weekend we went out looking and I found some I like. The ones he has are very close to the ones I chose (for $300). He says he'll install them this week. He will also replace the linoleum in the bathroom that is coming up at the tub, from the leak. I found a $52 remnant that I like so that's a saving too.
While he is doing stuff for me, I mentioned that I didn't like the overhead flourescent light in the kitchen and I'd like a ceiling fan. He said it wouldn't be a problem to put one in, so I found a Hunter fan at Home Depot for $99. Another coup. And while we're at it, I found a new kitchen faucet that I like and he can do that too.
Now for the big ta-da. He has a group of hispanic house painters that he uses when he is 'doing' houses. He has asked them to look at my house to see how much to paint the entire interior. I told him I'd pay $3,000 which is very low for a house that is occupied. The house hasn't been painted in about 12 years and truly needs it. I said if they won't do the whole house, what will they do for $3K, so we'll see how that goes.
I've been feeling better these past weeks. I had an appointment with Dr. R and she said she didn't feel I needed to see an Ortho specialist. She feels that my hip and leg pain are from my arthritis because my pain travels. I can go for several days with no discomfort and then it will flare up in me knee, or the next day in my hip. She feels that with the warm weather coming I'll really feel a lot better.
All in all, I'm in a good place. Spring is coming, I'm beginning to feel better and there is a trip to Rio de Janeiro on the horizon. Although it's a long way away, Sandy and I are planning on going. It will be a blast. :o)
Mostly I am blessed to have a job, and a family of friends that care about me. I know that God is busy in my life. Thank you Jesus.
God bless you all.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Farewell 2007 - Hello 2008
I haven't been very good in posting these past two months. I haven't had many positive things to post about so rather than just whining, I settled back to deal with it.
2007 was an awful year on my job. In January, the day after my birthday the company laid off more than 1/3 of its total employees. I dodged that bullet. I worked my butt off retrieving materials and equipment from more than 300 field employees. I believe that physical strain is responsible for my back pain now. In April there was another layoff and another 40 investigators left. I dodged that bullet as I did the next one in July. Seeing my coworkers and friends leave was a very hard thing for me. This past November I was transferred to another contract. I was moved from Project Coordinator to an Administrative Assistant. I had a hissy fit over being demoted, but both my boss and our Vice President assured me that it wasn't a demotion. Just a cost saving effort. They did not cut my pay. After being there for a month now, I can truly say I don't hate it, but I am working hard at liking it. The welcome and support that I received from the supervisors and my coworkers is more than I could have every expected. They have made it very clear that I am one of them now. That makes me feel good.
I've been suffering for five months now with daily back pain. My lovely new doctor, Dr. R believes it is due to advancing arthritis. I think I have to agree with her because its location is sporadic and moves. I don't know what I'd do without the devotion of my dear friend and chiropractor David. He stops by three times a week to give me treatment. My insurance does not pay him and he won't even accept the copayment allotted by the insurance company. He fusses each week when I give him his token check. He feels the majority of my pain is stress related, that I internalize all of the things around me and this causes my muscles to spasm. I'm beginning to believe him. I've been off this past week, doing nothing but following his instructions to rest. I honestly can say, my back is better.
I believe that God has blessed me with the best family of friends. BJ, David who are close by and Donna who is only a phone call or email away, my dear Dennis' daughter Debbie and my cherished niece Sandy. The love and support they give me is worth more than gold.
Next year will be what I make it.
God bless you.
2007 was an awful year on my job. In January, the day after my birthday the company laid off more than 1/3 of its total employees. I dodged that bullet. I worked my butt off retrieving materials and equipment from more than 300 field employees. I believe that physical strain is responsible for my back pain now. In April there was another layoff and another 40 investigators left. I dodged that bullet as I did the next one in July. Seeing my coworkers and friends leave was a very hard thing for me. This past November I was transferred to another contract. I was moved from Project Coordinator to an Administrative Assistant. I had a hissy fit over being demoted, but both my boss and our Vice President assured me that it wasn't a demotion. Just a cost saving effort. They did not cut my pay. After being there for a month now, I can truly say I don't hate it, but I am working hard at liking it. The welcome and support that I received from the supervisors and my coworkers is more than I could have every expected. They have made it very clear that I am one of them now. That makes me feel good.
I've been suffering for five months now with daily back pain. My lovely new doctor, Dr. R believes it is due to advancing arthritis. I think I have to agree with her because its location is sporadic and moves. I don't know what I'd do without the devotion of my dear friend and chiropractor David. He stops by three times a week to give me treatment. My insurance does not pay him and he won't even accept the copayment allotted by the insurance company. He fusses each week when I give him his token check. He feels the majority of my pain is stress related, that I internalize all of the things around me and this causes my muscles to spasm. I'm beginning to believe him. I've been off this past week, doing nothing but following his instructions to rest. I honestly can say, my back is better.
I believe that God has blessed me with the best family of friends. BJ, David who are close by and Donna who is only a phone call or email away, my dear Dennis' daughter Debbie and my cherished niece Sandy. The love and support they give me is worth more than gold.
Next year will be what I make it.
God bless you.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
More to cope with
A little over a month ago, our family lost a cousin. At that time I learned that my dearest cousin, Dennis, had a recurrance of the cancer that took his voice over ten years ago.
It came back to his throat, lungs and stomach and his doctors gave him a very aggressive chemo and radiation treatment. Last weekend, he was sent to the hospital with almost no white blood cells and a blood sugar count over 900. Either one is a killer. His daughter called this morning to tell me he is now on life support and will receive last rites of the Catholic Church at noon today, with his whole family present. The doctors say if there is not brain activity in the next 24 hours they will recommend pulling the plug.
I want to go back very badly, but when I checked the airline fares, for flights with less than 10 days advance booking, for a normal $175 round trip flight the cost is now $467. Coupled with two or three days in a hotel and car rental this trip will be well out of my reach financially.
It is breaking my heart, but I may just have to tell Debbie that I can't afford to make the trip. I hope she understands.
In the meantime, I pray for peace for his whole family. He suffered with this disease and now he is in God's care.
Please pray for him.
It came back to his throat, lungs and stomach and his doctors gave him a very aggressive chemo and radiation treatment. Last weekend, he was sent to the hospital with almost no white blood cells and a blood sugar count over 900. Either one is a killer. His daughter called this morning to tell me he is now on life support and will receive last rites of the Catholic Church at noon today, with his whole family present. The doctors say if there is not brain activity in the next 24 hours they will recommend pulling the plug.
I want to go back very badly, but when I checked the airline fares, for flights with less than 10 days advance booking, for a normal $175 round trip flight the cost is now $467. Coupled with two or three days in a hotel and car rental this trip will be well out of my reach financially.
It is breaking my heart, but I may just have to tell Debbie that I can't afford to make the trip. I hope she understands.
In the meantime, I pray for peace for his whole family. He suffered with this disease and now he is in God's care.
Please pray for him.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Why does a four day weekend.....
feel like a month? I cleaned the house, did the laundry, cleaned out a junk pile, went grocery shopping, took several naps and it's only Sunday afternoon.
I am better. Not much, but every day lets me feel a little more like my own self.
I went to the new church this morning forgetting it was World Communion Sunday. This was the first time I took communion in this church and it was lovely. A little different than the old church, but at least I was able to reconnect with my spirituality.
I've had to disconnect my Yahoo Messenger. He kept leaving me little messages, kind of like throwing the dog a bone. I finally shut the doggone thing down. I need peace in my heart, not turmoil.
Never thought I'd ever say this, but I'll be glad to get back to the office.
Till later,
I am better. Not much, but every day lets me feel a little more like my own self.
I went to the new church this morning forgetting it was World Communion Sunday. This was the first time I took communion in this church and it was lovely. A little different than the old church, but at least I was able to reconnect with my spirituality.
I've had to disconnect my Yahoo Messenger. He kept leaving me little messages, kind of like throwing the dog a bone. I finally shut the doggone thing down. I need peace in my heart, not turmoil.
Never thought I'd ever say this, but I'll be glad to get back to the office.
Till later,
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
This is awful.....
But I am a little better each day. Still alive, still breathing and still kicking myself in the butt for being such a fool.
Just wanted to say thanks for your prayers and let you know I'm still around.
Just wanted to say thanks for your prayers and let you know I'm still around.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
I think it was Neal Sedaka who sang that song. And it's true.
When will I ever learn my lesson? I'm too old for this kind of trauma. I believed him and for a month I was like a girl again. But then, he dropped me. Fast and hard.
I'll be back when I can talk logically but right now, I have jello for a brain and want to isolate.
I don't think I'll ever accept a date again. I just can't.......
When will I ever learn my lesson? I'm too old for this kind of trauma. I believed him and for a month I was like a girl again. But then, he dropped me. Fast and hard.
I'll be back when I can talk logically but right now, I have jello for a brain and want to isolate.
I don't think I'll ever accept a date again. I just can't.......
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