Dialing in

Don't know if my DSL carrier (the only one on this little island) is actually down in my area, or if it's my silly-ass ISP again, but didn't feel like wasting time tonight to find out. Decided to "rough it" for the first time in years. So I'm on dial-up tonight.

Kinda take for granted being always online. Not just email and web, but work-from-home. And frivolous stuff like blogging :)

So now my trusty little old laptop and I are in the living room, actually watching TV together. Pretty cool. I don't watch a lot of TV, but this new one called "Prison Break" is pretty good. Funny thing is my laptop still seems to think it's attached to its flat panel monitor, though when I've taken it on the road it knew it wasn't. It's kind of spoiled, usually has its own secondary monitor, keyboard, mouse, and lotsa external drives/readers/good stuff.

Hey, we could kind of get used to this. Except for the speed, or rather, lack of it.

OMG, this is funny -- Hawaiian Telcom's "high speed internet" commercial is on now! Hmmph, their DSL ain't so fast tonite. But again, it might not be their fault. My ISP has had more than its share of problems in the past, and it always seemed that I was the only customer calling in to ask what was up.

While this new setup is all cozy and all, if it lasts 'til tomorrow it will really be a pain. Gotta connect to work, and with the multiple power outages we had there today, we're not sure what tomorrow will bring.

My parents have read my blog

Should I be embarrassed?

Actually, my dad did went to the site and mentioned it to my mom (who never goes online herself). And, when I say "read", I mean skimmed..or rather, dismissed.

My main blog's link was in my email's sig when I sent my father an image of us at his birthday lunch that his AOL account couldn't view, but that's beside the point. I was at their house today to update his computer when he mentioned my blog. He didn't really read much of it, but did have a few things to say about it..mainly that he didn't think it was a good idea that I had one.

You know, weird internet stalkers and freaks and all.

I told him that I didn't post anything I thought would be too revealing..or too embarrassing for others (like my parents!) to read. So what would strange stalker-like people learn about me through my blog?

That I love the Eagles? And Butch Walker?

That I have an overly-furry, would-have-been-dead Maine Coon stray kitty-boy whose fuzzy little life I saved?

That I wear mostly jeans and am grateful that the BOE hasn't implemented a dress code?

That dinosaurs have overtaken the yard?

ooh. Dunno what useful information stranger-like stalker-types would have gleaned from what I've rambled about these past months.

So I ask, those of you who are NOT stranger-like/stalker-types, have I missed anything? (Yeah, I realize some of you wouldn't comment here, so pls email me to tell me if I'm revealing too much.)

No pink shoelaces for Rocky

Went to sign up for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure today, but discovered that they didn't have any pink shoelaces this year! I've been doing the Race with friends for several years (we walk, not run), and have always looked forward to signing up in person as opposed to online because I could score freebies, including long pink shoelaces that Rocky Raccoon loves.

Had to break the news to Rocky today that the mall that had been providing them no longer does so. Bummer, because I accidentally vacuumed up one a few months ago so Rocky's left with just one. And if you have a pet, you know how the last of any toy can up and disappear any time without warning.

Here he is enjoying the last of the pink shoelaces tonight.

Eagles tickets are NOT selling on eBay!

They're barely being bid on!

Hah. Those people who bought Eagles tickets only to turn around and sell them on eBay aren't doing well at all. The guy who had 12 and told me he was able to get them because he was "at the right place at the right time" (though he listed them on eBay five days before they were even available to the public) didn't sell a single one and has re-listed his auction. The person who was selling tickets for the same row I will be in for the Dec. 2 concert hasn't sold any, either. That auction ended today, so those tickets might be re-listed, as well.

[aww, what a shame]

In fact, not a single Eagles ticket auction ended with sales, and none of the ongoing auctions look as if they'll be successful, either.

[hee hee]

The sellers have very high reserves ranging from $30 more for the $95 tickets and $125 more for the $250 tickets than they actually cost, excluding surcharges. And with decent tickets still available for the Friday, December 2 concert, I think they'll a have hard time unloading theirs.

[gloat]

I've had to pay scalpers', er, broker's prices for several of my Eagles mainland concerts, and hated it, but it was a necessary evil. Those pigs just make it harder for real fans to obtain good seats the "normal" way and their unsold tickets just go to waste. Then they have to resort to waving them around in front of the venue on the day of the concerts, hoping someone passing by would want to score them at drastically reduced prices.

Pathetic. Ahh, well, I'll just point at them and giggle when I see them in a couple of months!

Should I?

It's been over a year since I've worked out at a "real" gym. I did join one of those "ladies circuit training" thingies, and in the beginning went home to work out with weights afterwards because it really didn't do the trick, but I've since let everything lapse. Everything.

I joined Gold's Gym five years ago because that was a, well, pivotal year. Five years later, it's more than pivotal, it's critical. I need help and I'm too undisciplined to do it myself, even though I have pretty much all I need at home, if I weren't so lazy.

What I need is to pay a trainer IN ADVANCE like I used to, so I'd be sure to show up. Otherwise it'd be way too easy to blow off the session. But I've just spent a semi-tidy sum on three Eagles tickets and will soon pay for a year's worth of chiro visits (way more expensive than Eagles tickets), so don't know if I'm willing to do this.

Any excuse. I know. I hate to go to the gym, but once I'm there I'm OK. I just hate having to show up. Dunno why.

Emailed my former trainer tonight. We'll see. I 'm not overly anxious to resume, but have been very lazy in the past months and could use some help..before my Eagles concerts in November. It sucks getting old.

I hope they're stuck with them

Eagles tickets

They've already begun showing up on eBay. "DaCoach123" has at least 12 to sell, and posted his auction on Sept. 13th, six days before they went on sale. Hmm, now how does that happen?

Maybe he'll reply to me and let me know. Maybe no one will buy his.

Ohmygosh, another seller has two tickets for Dec. 2 in the same section and row I'll be in. Wonder which seats. I'll ask.

Shame on these people.

I did it again

Yesterday's paper said that a third Eagles concert was guaranteed if the first two were sold out. I haven't listened to the radio today and couldn't find any information about that online, so decided to go to Ticketmaster's site.

Whaddaya know, a third concert (December 2) was listed! When the heck did that happen?? Usually it takes a day or two before the announcement so people can prepare!

After I finished hyperventilating I fired up a few web browsers in my quest to get better tickets than I got today. Not bad, it's a little closer than one of the nights and a little farther than the other.

Three nights. Same songs. ($250 + fees) x 3 = $793.50.

The Eagles always put on top-notch 3-hour concerts, usually with three encores. And I always love every minute.

I might just be insane. Especially since I'll be by myself every single night :( At least I'll drive there with friends the second night, but will still sit among strangers.

Good thing I don't live on the mainland within driving distance of Butch Walker concerts. That'd be disastrous.

EDIT 9/18: I've since read that the first two concerts were close to selling out within two hours (7,000 tickets were sold within 20 minutes), prompting the addition of the third. I guess there were so many people still in line still trying to get tickets that instead of sending them all back home, they just made the date available then and there. Lucky people, to have had first shot at a new date, which is a FRIDAY, and better for nearly everyone, including those who already bought their Tuesday and/or Wednesday tickets.

Got 'em in my grubby little hand!

Eagles tickets!

What an adventure. I was there by 6:08 am, but didn't bother to start a line yet. I asked and was informed that, contrary to what I was told yesterday, I wouldn't be able to buy tickets for both nights without having to get in line all over again. I was crushed.

A couple other people later showed up so the three of us started the line. One guy had friends spread out at various Ticketmaster outlets as well as the Blaisdell Arena, and whomever got the best place in line would buy tickets for the rest. I called my friend and told her not to go to the Blaisdell Arena because it was crazy there, that some people were there since last night. Eventually, only about 15 more joined us when random numbers were passed out at 8:00. My friend and I went to breakfast and came back just before 9:00 when tickets would be sold. Another friend joined us at that time.

Then it got kind of nuts. I needed a ticket for different nights so was going to have the lady who was with me from the beginning (and received a lower-numbered token) buy it for me. But then I was told since I needed just one ticket for both nights and there really wasn't a crowd, that I'd be able to get both myself. My friend who had just joined us asked the lady to buy hers because she wanted to go that second night. All was settled..until people in front of us were finding out that seats in certain price ranges were already sold out -- within 10 minutes! People had to quickly decide to switch days and prices.

When it was my turn I told them I just needed one ticket for each night -- and was told that the $250 tickets were also sold out!! I know I blurted something unprintable, and begged them to try again because we knew that the $150 tickets were already gone, and I couldn't imagine getting seats any worse than that. My heart was beating fast and I was starting to freak. Eventually they realized that I just needed one ticket for each night, so started searching differently.

Happy ending: My friends had to upgrade from $65 to $95 because the cheap seats were sold out (they're horrible, anyway, behind the speakers, practically behind the stage!), and had to change nights. They ended up getting seats one seat away from my other friends! So everyone will be together, except me.

But don't pity me, I ended up getting great floor seats for both nights!

Maybe I'll do better if they announce a third concert. I certainly will try!

..Don..

Been so long, I almost forgot why I love him

Noble activism to protect the environment and promote education, co-foundation of the Recording Artist's Coalition, articulate testimonies before Congress...just some of the reasons Don is my favorite Eagle.



Oh, and his music. His soulful voice. Best songwriter and most successful solo artist of the band. The best Eagles songs (IMO) were written and sung by Don.

Not all of the below may be well-known to non-fans, but these are some of what I consider some of his best solo efforts.

The Heart of the Matter
The Last Worthless Evening
Talking to the Moon
Taking You Home
The Unclouded Day
Goodbye to a River
Lilah
The Heart of the Innocence
The Boys of Summer
Sunset Grill
A Month of Sundays
Dirty Laundry

I'm on my own

My two friends who originally were going to spring for the good seats have changed their minds, so while I'll be going with them to the Arena to see the Eagles in November, I'll sit by myself and wave to them waaaay up there in the nosebleed section. They''ll sit with two of my other friends while I enjoy my Eagles from the ___ row. (Hopefully tomorrow I can fill that space in with a number between 1 and 5!)

Then, on the second night I'll be down there in way-too-expensive seats again while two other friends that I'll probably drive over with sit in another section.

There was never a moment's hesitation. From the second I heard The Eagles were coming to Hawaii, I knew I'd pay as much as it took to get as close as I could.

Everyone thinks I'm crazy. What they don't understand is that we're talking about The Eagles, the only band I followed to both the East and West coast, and once in-between. No other band has such a special place in my heart. Actually, if Don Henley weren't in the band, I'm not sure I'd be doing this...he's the man.

A friend told me she heard on the radio that a third performance might be in the works. No bout adout it, if that materializes, I'll be there, too.

Took out $550 in cash this evening so I could save a little bit on the fees tomorrow. Ticketmaster has changed their tactics; they now have a sliding scale for their outrageous, excessive, price-gouging practice: for each $250 ticket paid by credit card, the fee is over $18. I'll save a few bucks each ticket by paying in cash. Whoopie.

I'm hoping this ridiculous add-on will deter most people from standing in line at the Ticketmaster outlet I'll be at, and go to the Blaisdell Arena itself where the charge is just $2 per ticket! The downside to going there is if you intend to buy tickets for both nights (like I am), you'd have to get in two separate lines. Yeah.

For my Eagles, I'll bite the bullet (but curse Ticketmaster under my breath) and pay the exorbitant fee twice because I was told I could purchase tickets for both nights at the same time at the outlet.

Kinda bummed that I won't be able to share the experience with friends, but maybe I'll make new ones :) That's part of the reason I'll buy my tickets in person instead of online. It'll be cool to be lined up with other Eagles fans. It's been so long.

Gonna pack my iPod and other provisions so I'm set for tomorrow morning! Wish me luck!

The Eagles in Hawaii November 29 & 30!

Amazing!



The last time they were here was 10 years ago, Nov. 6, 1995, to be exact. I remember because it was Glenn Frey's birthday. The production was such a big deal and cost them so much to fly out all their equipment for only one night at the Aloha Stadium that it made the news. They said they wouldn't be returning since they ended up losing money on the gig (top ticket prices were "only" $85, pretty much unheard of for Hawaii at the time).

Well, something (greed? nah, can't be!) must've changed their mind because they'll be back at the end of November for two nights at the Blaisdell Arena!

Some of you know how that one Hawaii concert led to me flying out for many others on the mainland, including a string of 'em along the East Coast. That was the first and only road trip I went on with fellow fans I'd met online, but it was the great way to see five concerts in as many states! The most extravagant Eagles concert had to have been their Millennium Concert on Dec. 31, 1999 as we all rang in the New Year at midnight. People balk at the price, but to me, it was worth the $1K per ticket. My last concert was in August 2001 when they opened the Invesco Field in Colorado. I gave up after that; it really wasn't worth it for me to fly out and hear pretty much the same material time after time. Their long-awaited CD never materialized and rumor has it that it probably won't. They may also call it quits soon and not have a "Farewell II" tour, which was the reason they call their current one the "Farewell I".

Whew, I get one last chance. Tickets go on sale this Saturday for $65, $95, $150, and $250 a pop. Guess which one I want :) I can't remember (and can't find my old ticket), but I think we were in the 5th row in 1995. Or was it the 10th? I need to do better this time, since it'll probably be the last time I ever see them together. Don Henley's new CD will be coming out soon and he'll go on tour, so I know there will be a time I'll catch him in the future.

Anyone want to join me on Nov. 29th or 30th..or both??

EDIT 9/12: Whee! A couple of my friends are willing to part w/$250 and accompany me to the first concert! Others also plan to attend, but will opt for less-expensive seats.

My friend confirmed that we had 5th row seats in '95. I remember being at a later Eagles concert, sitting in the 10th row, and thinking it seemed closer to the stage than Aloha Stadium's 5th row.

"5 Days with Katrina"

A must-see

If this were a Hollywood movie, critics might say it started off too slowly. But this is definitely no movie, though the serendipitous ending might make it seem so.

Alvaro's 197-picture slide show with captions gives an incredible first-person account of the city as it weathered the storm, and how people were relieved and optimistic when most parts emerged mostly unscathed. The city and its people changed two days later when the floods came and they barely made it out intact.

Steve Wozinack's Philosophy on Living Life

Don't know Woz?

From today's Macsimum interview with Steve Wozinack:

"Life is measured by your happiness, basically smiles minus frowns. You have a choice in this regard at every step. All people should be treated fairly, evenly and justly, to the greatest extent possible. Nothing is black and white. You don’t have to win arguments to be happy, just know that your own opinions are good. Be a good person that others would like, golden rule. Be open, show your true self, don’t hide behind facades. There is room for humor in everything."

I can't even imagine how it must be

..to lose everything

Instead of complaining about

• my old house w/clogged pipes and drains
• humidity and heat
• FUR all over everything
• inconvenience and stress at work
• traffic
• self-absorbed people

I should be thankful for my

• roomy old home
• ..with water and electricity
• sweet, good-natured catsicle
• job
• ..that pays for the gas in my car
• friends and family

There are so many now who have none of the above. Again, if you haven't yet, consider making a donation.

Got more candles

But won't attempt to write any more poems :>

Hallmark had a 50% off sale on some items, so I picked up a couple of yummy-smelling candles and a great three-screened bamboo-designed candle holder that goes with other bamboo-designed candle holders I have. Can't wait for the sun to go down so I can fire 'em up. (Yeah, I know I can light them now, but the effect won't be the same.)



Been shopping every weekend since I came back from my trip, I think. Yikes. At least today I hemmed the two pairs of jeans I got at Wet Seal last week. One has embroidered flowers, even Rocky thinks it's so c-uuute! And I'm not even a flower person.

in the dark

it's not a lot of money
or a lot of time
but they keep asking only me

i might need something, too
yet they never think to ask

i sit here alone
with my wine and my cat
in candlelight
and wonder what it might be

Not again

Left home late, puttered along with too many others at less than 5 mph for approximately 7 miles, for no apparent reason.

It's like, deja vu all over..oh no, please, no repeat of yesterday!

7:04 am
Traffic finally lets up at the main downtown exit and we were able to gain near-freeway speed..for two minutes.

whee!

7:06 am
Traffic grinds to a halt for miles. Radio reports a multi-car accident ahead. Ohgoody.

Things that could be worse: I could BE in that accident. I could be in Louisiana or Mississippi instead of beautiful, grid-locked Hawaii that hasn't been hit by a hurricane in over a decade. I could be in a crappy car with no stash of great tunes burned on to mp3 CDs.

7:20 am
An ambulance squeezes its way through our non-moving, bumper-to-bumper traffic. Radio reports that at least two lanes (of a three-lane freeway) are closed.

Things that could be better: I could be wasting less precious gas. I could be at work and get to pee!!

7:54 am
I finally reach the scene of the accident and can see the flashing lights. Suddenly the fire truck extracts itself, the lanes are opened right in front of me, and traffic begins to flow once again.

Things that are OK: Despite the inconvenience, I've actually enjoyed the wonderful (not-that-hot-at-this-time) weather, and the opportunity to listen to my CDs of Foo Fighters, Low Millions, Ben Folds, Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, and more. Otherwise I usually only listen to my obsession, Butch.

8:04 am
Pull into parking lot. A one hour and eighteen minute ride for a 14-mile trip.

Several other teachers haven't rolled in yet. Bummer, not the best way to start the day.

iTunes, Yahoo makes it easy to donate, again

American Red Cross

[My memory must've failed me; the links to donate after the 9/11 tragedy probably didn't go through PayPal as I noted in yesterday's post.]

In any case, iTunes, Yahoo, and others have handy-dandy buttons with pre-set donation amounts, 100% of which will go to the Red Cross. iTunes includes $5 and $10 donation buttons; Yahoo's starts at $25 and goes to $5000.



The situation is extremely dire: Houston's Astrodome is turning away refugees, survivors are living among corpses, lawlessness abounds. Not sure how our donations will help in all situations, but Red Cross volunteers have been deployed and are trying to supply the victims with crucial necessities and gains will be made. Please consider donating generously.

Hey, people!

Be safe & be careful!

As of today, Hawaii has the distinction of being the only state presently implementing a price cap on gasoline. Very bad timing. Prices will now be even higher than ever imagined since it's hinged on prices in the Gulf states, where refineries have been damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The gas station near my house was selling regular for $2.95. Surely will break $3.00 by tomorrow morning, tho nowhere near Georgia's $6.00.

Traffic has been worse than usual. Drivers seem to be taking out the stress they feel on their wallets on others on the road. This morning, in the light rain, we were all toodling along on the freeway at about 10 mph when I heard a screeech and three loud crunches. I watched in my rear view mirror as a large red pickup truck plowed his way across at three lanes of traffic at an angle, and came to rest a scant couple of feet before the median. It must've flown onto the freeway from an onramp, realized too late that it couldn't really go anywhere, then skidded in the rain and kind of just pushed the other vehicles out of the way.

The trip home was less eventful, but much longer. Took me just over an hour to travel 14 miles, and I left just before 6:00 pm! Thank goodness for my stash of mp3 CDs and the beeeautiful rainbows along the way. (At the speed we were traveling I could stick my head out and gaze at the rainbows.) I had the windows and sunroof open (no, I didn't stick my head out of there), music blasting, and didn't even mind the slight drizzle. When traffic finally opened up a few miles from my home, people started behaving badly: overtaking on shoulders, speeding up to cut others off, basically releasing their pent-up frustrations over the past hour or so.

After the ridiculously long drive, I decided to treat myself to a barbecue chicken plate (no rice, extra veggies) at the mall, but, wouldn't you know it, there was no parking. Didn't feel like walking from one end to the other, so just took my cute little car home. Which is what others should do. There are way too many of us on this island..