tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28748384314058607132024-03-05T16:51:01.957-06:00The Road Not Takenevery road leads somewhere...MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-77087305251129898642014-10-07T21:37:00.000-05:002014-10-07T21:37:46.684-05:00The Arrival of Fall <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmNLOzrSRWN653MCef_i_aJmpaIkLgNVx3GbFWM_ufmbMBACispYIv-dWQAMCfbdjyVtg6hMQKPr13t-eWn6l2bouVJMZDq_IMX_wcF4CCMiKt19VoHAFuoVbFxDntC2duK8-lZyk5dE/s1600/DSC_0754-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmNLOzrSRWN653MCef_i_aJmpaIkLgNVx3GbFWM_ufmbMBACispYIv-dWQAMCfbdjyVtg6hMQKPr13t-eWn6l2bouVJMZDq_IMX_wcF4CCMiKt19VoHAFuoVbFxDntC2duK8-lZyk5dE/s1600/DSC_0754-copy.jpg" height="400" width="346" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>The Arrival of Fall</i><br />
<i>Brings forth change</i><br />
<i>A change of season</i><br />
<i>Of summer moving to fall</i><br />
<i>A change of scenery</i><br />
<i>From leaves of green</i><br />
<i>To leaves of golden brown</i><br />
<i>A change of the spirit</i><br />
<i>A chance to reflect</i><br />
<i>On times gone past</i><br />
<i>And those still to come</i><br />
<br />
© Amy Lynn 2001<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-44378915366745545562014-09-26T17:54:00.002-05:002014-09-26T17:54:47.894-05:00Honey, I'm Back!!! *<i>Grabs broom</i>*<br />
<br />
Goes to sweeping up the place... *<i>cough cough</i>*<br />
<br />
I got side-tracked it seems which for me is not too hard to do. ;-) <br />
<br />
Will have to perform a resurrection...<br />
<br />
MercMercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-36528193777302469212012-08-13T00:07:00.002-05:002012-08-13T00:09:07.194-05:00Random Travels & Other Things...<h4>
<i>It's been an interesting week.</i></h4>
<br />
It started last Sunday morning with me deciding instead of going to church as I normally do taking a brief road trip into Oklahoma in search of the "Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa". Actually it's not <i>'IN'</i> Tulsa but just right outside of it in Catoosa,OK but who cares... <i>*details,details ;-) * </i>The reason I needed to locate this place is because Duran Duran are playing a gig there on August 15th & I gots me a <i>FREAKIN'</i> ticket!! <i>*Hell Yeah! Big shout-out & much thanks/love to Miss Marie... it was 1 of my bday presents :-D *</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Just a brief history lesson: Both of my parents and quite a number of my relatives were either born in, raised in and/or live in Oklahoma so I know some parts of the state well. <i>*this comes in handy later on... well, sort of ;-) * </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
<i>Do you know where we are?...</i></h4>
<div>
Now I'm fairly good with getting to the places I need to go & know where I'm going <i>most</i> of the times anyhow... I've<i> NEVER </i>been to Tulsa, <i>*well, scratch that*</i> I <i>HAVE</i> been to Tulsa lots of times to visit my grandparent's but I've never actually <i>DRIVEN</i> in or to there before. I figured that it wouldn't be TOO hard of a drive but I ended up getting lost 3 times <i>*technically 2 cause i missed a blasted turn that i KNEW i should've made but oh well...* </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
I started my car, popped a DD cd in the player <i>*had to have some driving music, ya know... ;-) * </i>& headed out toward Grove, OK. The drive started well enough & went <i>fine 'n dandy </i>UNTIL<i> </i>I was suppose to make a turn left and head to Afton. Instead, I messed up and turned right(1st mistake) ended up clear to Bluejacket, OK . <i>*WAY off course*</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I did know better than to do that <i>*No, really I did... ;-) * </i>but that turn off to Afton is tricky & I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention. Anyhow, I turned around in Bluejacket, left there & got back on the right road again... So, I made it through Afton(finally) and headed toward Vinita. That's when I got so lost I'm surprised<i> </i>I <i>EVER</i> made it out. Some blasted way I got turned around and was going north when I should've been going west. Long story short... I <i>FINALLY</i> figured out which way I was suppose to go to get to Chelsea, OK. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was headed toward the right direction and made it <i>ALL </i>the way to Claremore <i>*which is about half way to Catoosa or a bit more*</i> when I decided I had had enough driving/getting lost/frustration that I turned around and headed home where I once again got turned up-side-down in Vinita and took me forever it seemed to get myself home. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I DID get home that day.... I know some are probably wondering why I just didn't take the Turnpike to get there & the reason for this is because I don't want to: A.) not too comfortable w/ getting on & driving it & B.) having to pay the blasted toll booths</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
Spinning a compass to choose your way...</h4>
<div>
On Wednesday(this past one), I decided that I try once again to see if I could find that blasted venue. I started & off I went. This time I made it <i>ALL</i> the way to the place with no problems whatsoever. *score :D * Didn't get lost once. *go figure*</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am <i>WAY</i> psyched for my Duran show to get here. Don't know quite what to expect seeing as how I've <i>NEVER </i>seen Duran Duran play live before. I do have a few songs that I want<i>(and if I don't get 'em then they can't leave until they play 'em... you hear that JT! ;) )</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
I also am the proud new owner of a smartphone that has GPS... which I may need before this coming week is over with. :) I'm gonna try n take as many pics as I can possibly get away with too<i>(let's just hope they turn out decent *fingers crossed*)</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>~Merc</i></div>
MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-7500543981337410872012-07-25T00:00:00.000-05:002012-07-25T00:03:59.692-05:00short n sweet...<br />
Decided I'd share a poem I wrote awhile back... enjoy. :-)<br />
<br />
<i>Merc</i><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><br />
<b><i>"Past, Present, Future... "</i></b><br />
<br />
The ghosts of my past<br />
Haunt reality's present<br />
Awaiting the cast<br />
To a grave accent<br />
Of future's line of descent<br />
A spiraling mess<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
© Amy H 2005</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-29900733212985358802012-07-21T02:38:00.000-05:002012-07-21T02:38:06.853-05:00Ordinary World<div>
<i>*Just a Note: This was suppose to be posted on and for July 20th but I had a hard to finding just the right words to express how I was feeling/felt so it's a little late.*</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4 style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">
But I won't cry for yesterday... There's an ordinary world...</h4>
<h4 style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">
Somehow I have to find... And as I try to make my way... </h4>
<h4 style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;">
To the ordinary world... I will learn to survive...</h4>
<br />
My birthday was yesterday(on the 19th) & has become for me now a bitter-sweet affair. It's been 2 years since my 'Ordinary World' was turned up-side down on it's axis... I'm still trying to get my bearings straightened out. I'm never quite sure where this road/path is ever going... but we shall see. I have a special song for today & it's 'Ordinary World' by Duran Duran. "Why that song on this day?..." well, you'll have to just read on about it to find out. Never did I think or ever consider that there would be a day where this song would resonate so strongly with me. I mean, I have ALWAYS loved it & thought it was a well-crafted pop song. And now it has alot deeper meaning for me.<br />
<h3>
<i><br /></i></h3>
<h3>
<i>Still I can't escape the ghost of you...</i></h3>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Having such a good memory is often a blessing but sometimes it's a curse... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I remember what happened as if it had occured today. It started with a party to celebrate life & ended with an unexpected good-bye. For my bday in 2010, I threw a little get together with friends/family. All was fine & dandy(or so I thought)everybody had a great time... my Dad shot off a firework that nearly took my head off <i>(it was by accident, honest ;))</i>. Lots of laughs were had, I got my favorite pizza plus a bday cake.What could be any better?.... When the next day rolled around, it started out as any other normal day. What I did not know was that that would be the VERY last day I would ever see my father.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
My Dad died suddenly on the 20th of July. So this day has not been easy for me. :-( </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCd6vKsV5mhwsqjOf9_eDcQ9j-kzDGe17S1odzuYwdHmRGGeAHSYLOOrhnrOcVcyJj4QF6WmeYzOtTBWAXjbzTfXcw0o2ENp-vsXW3nhXkAXknUhmIzuJgVgAQMpfKL_lpXN6SYqy-2o/s1600/dad1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCd6vKsV5mhwsqjOf9_eDcQ9j-kzDGe17S1odzuYwdHmRGGeAHSYLOOrhnrOcVcyJj4QF6WmeYzOtTBWAXjbzTfXcw0o2ENp-vsXW3nhXkAXknUhmIzuJgVgAQMpfKL_lpXN6SYqy-2o/s320/dad1.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>*i love you daddy*</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For my Dad's funeral, I chose 3 songs that were to be played during the service. The 1st being "The Journey" by The Oak Ridge Boys (one of my Dad's favorite groups)... The 2nd was "Haven of Rest" sung by Glenn Payne & Guy Penrod(a favorite gospel tune) & the last song was Duran Duran's "Ordinary World". The reason I picked that Duran song was kind of a selfish one. At the time, it was the ONLY thing getting me through & I really needed to hear it. The song really is beautifully written & conveyed <i>exactly </i>what I was feeling... *<i>thank you simon</i>*</div>
</div>
</div>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>But nobody knows what's gonna happen tomorrow...</b></i></h3>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Last year's bday(in 2011) was a REALLY rough one since it would be 1-year since I lost my Dad. I never had any time to process my father's passing as I was too busy looking after my Mom & planning the funeral... I STILL haven't gotten use to him NOT being here. But then again, that's the way it is. For my bday last year, I decided that I wanted something special. I had a bday cake & put Duran Duran on it. :-) I didn't have much of a party, only a few friends over for some cake. </div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><div>
Truth was I didn't feel much like celebrating... :-/</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But there was one thing that happened(stood out shall I just say) on this bday. A silver-lining amongst the clouds... 'Twas a very special bday present I would receive that would make that day unforgettable. :-D </div>
</span><span style="background-color: white;"><div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I shall state it here(<i>in case ya didn't know already ;) </i>) that I have <i>Had</i> & <i>STILL DO</i> have a Major(<i>and I DO mean MAJOR :-D</i>) crush on one Mr. John Taylor, the bass player for Duran Duran. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div>
<i>Anyway, back to July 19th 2011...</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was not a particularly 'happy bday' girl this day. I was having a hard time with my dad's death and I had also gotten bored so I decided to go 'n lurk on Twitter for awhile. Well, lo and behold... Mr. Taylor just happened to be on at the same exact time & was a tweetin' away. I had decided to <i>(just for the hell of it really</i>) tweet John and ask him to wish me a 'Happy Birthday' not really thinking that he would EVEN see much less reply to me. But to my ABSOLUTE astonishment he granted my wish and gave me the tweet I had requested. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was FLOORED to say the least... Actually, my 1st response was to do a 'WTF' double-take at my Twitter timeline & my 2nd was to burst into tears. <i>*yes, John Taylor made me cry*</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have to say that it meant/means a HELL of alot to me that John did that. He probably had no idea at the time just how special a present that was for me & how much better it made me feel. It is a gift that will ALWAYS be treasured too considering that I put it in a frame. <i>*i'm weird, i know ;-)*</i> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jbyoVFIVqv46RFCfd6uSZIXBzPgD0Z8KiBA1CpippjPYfTG93EFM6HNWEb-8WDYQBmw8BQC432-6zkrahDGoaHbtsKRBuSFvqbyb6-5Pz10nL6nX0Z3zHZ19fkDG8et3c6yzQ5sEvCk/s1600/P8030009a-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jbyoVFIVqv46RFCfd6uSZIXBzPgD0Z8KiBA1CpippjPYfTG93EFM6HNWEb-8WDYQBmw8BQC432-6zkrahDGoaHbtsKRBuSFvqbyb6-5Pz10nL6nX0Z3zHZ19fkDG8et3c6yzQ5sEvCk/s320/P8030009a-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>my bday tweet all framed up... :-D</b></i></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</span></div>
<h3>
<i>It's so hard to accept the fact you're gone forever...</i></h3>
</div>
</div>
<div>
After just 2 years... it's still hard for me to grasp the fact that my Dad is really gone. Death never seems easy to understand. We just have to find a way to carry on & cherish those special to us... And btw, I am still learning to survive.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>much love, </i></div>
<div>
<i>Merc</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><u>In closing...</u></i></div>
<div>
I want to give a special shout-out/thanks to some peeps.... <i>*ya know just in case they read this, yeah like that's ever gonna happen... ;-) *</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>To Duran Duran: Thank you for being a part of my life... </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>To Simon LeBon: I want to thank you for writing "Ordinary World". You gave us music fan's an amazing song and please know that that song has, does & means alot to us. </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>*saves best for last... ;-)*</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-style: italic;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: italic;">
To John Taylor: umm, what to say... I'm not sure if I can express this right but I shall try. I want to personally(well, as personal as I can ever get anyway) Thank you for giving SO much to us fan's through all the tweets you do. You don't really have to tweet us but I'm very thankful & happy that you do... PLEASE know that getting that Bday tweet last year from you meant EVERYTHING to me. You made me feel VERY special on a day when I really needed it. Again, Thank-You! for doing what you do... *much love & hugs* :-D</div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-58409043399926921472011-06-04T04:23:00.000-05:002011-06-04T04:23:28.507-05:00Is There Something I Should Know? pt1<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Please, please, tell me now...*</span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been an interesting time being a Duran Duran fan these past few weeks & months. They have released their 13th studio album(see: All You Need Is Now), received good album reviews from the press(that's a shocking surprise!) & played some important gigs as of late(see: SXSW, Coachella, David Lynch-directed concert "Unstaged", etc...).</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having finished up a "mini-tour" of the States, they were getting prepared to launch a world tour. To kick it off, a string of dates in the UK. That is until "<i>Lady Destiny"</i> decided to change up the game and throw the <i>"Let's let Simon's voice go kaput" </i>card out on the table to be played. Apparently, he has ended up with an acute case of laryngitis. DD shows have been dropping like flies, one-by-one & at the last minute(in some cases). Now, the news seems to be (it's been kinda hard keeping track ;)) the UK dates have been postponed/canceled & are in the process of being rescheduled for later.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>*No-no-Notorious*</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the news was breaking across the DD fan community, it seemed at first, that there was nothing but confusion about what <i>exactly</i> was going on. One minute... it seemed the show was <i>on,</i> the next it was<i> off</i>. With that the fan's started getting restless and when that happens in this fan-dom... y'all better<i> Watch Out!! </i>... because it then becomes: <i>cue-up the speculation bombs & run for shelter</i>. To me, this fan community seems to thrive on nothing but drama(but I'll get to that later...).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, I know... the band are not always great at getting us information when we need it but I think they <i>DO</i> try their best (or at least I'd hope so... ;)). Perhaps they need to work on having better organizational skills. <i>*don't look to hire me just yet cause I can't find anything at the present time... LOL! ;)*</i> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>note: here comes the fun stuff... y'all might wanna take cover now ;)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Do You Believe in Shame?</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I debated somewhat on writin' this topic. There's already been quite a bit of discussion on various DD boards/Twitter/Facebook etc... but I thought, <i>"what the hell, why not throw my 2 cents into the ring?" . </i>Everyone else & their brother has... guess I might as well too<i>(besides Duran Duran ain't gonna read it anyway so I'm safe, I think).</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now what I'm about to say, some ain't going to like... but I need to say it. <i>*rant time*</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are some DD fans that <i>NEED</i> to have their <i>dog-gone</i> fan card revoked or at least suspended for a time being.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of what I've read/seen: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anger, blame, frustration, sadness, love, sympathy & understanding -- are the emotions that have been expressed so far. Now <i>ALL</i> of those feelings are justifiable to a certain degree but THERE are those<i>(ya know who you are too) </i>that have went too far. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok, I think this is a good breaking point & I'm gonna stop right there cause it's 4am. I still have quite a bit left to say about the situation, fan's/band's reaction, etc.... anyhow I'll get to those things in pt 2 later on this mornin' / today.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>peace out,</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Merc </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>ps : to simon, john, nick & roger - howdy!! (ya know just in case... ;))</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-80272930136698104792011-05-31T00:28:00.000-05:002011-05-31T00:28:47.134-05:00Memorial Day 2011<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This Memorial Day has a different feel for me than in times past. </span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For some, this day/long week-end is a day to just get away. To go out on the lake(if weather permits).... have some friends/family over & crank-up the barbeque grill for a cook-out... maybe hit some shopping sales... But for many others, it is a more somber occasion. A time of remembrance and reflection.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In times past, I just thought of Memorial Day as the "long-weekend" type holiday. Although, I did take note to remember those that served their country... it never seemed that important to me.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I mentioned that today feels different to me... First off - because yesterday(May 29) was my father's birthday... not an easy day. For those unaware, my dad recently passed away suddenly without much warning almost a year ago. So it has become a somber day of remembrance for me... and secondly located about 30-35 miles just north of me is Joplin, Missouri. If you haven't heard by now (what rock have you been hiding under) an F5 tornado hit downtown Joplin, Mo., a place I'm quite familiar with. It's been hard to see the news/pics & barely recognize places I know so well. My prayers have been many for Joplin & it will be back stronger than before.</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, today we honor those who have passed on, those who were taken so abruptly without much warning and especially those who have made the greatest sacrifices.</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends -- John 15:13</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Much love, Merc</em></span>MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-18764477701258599142011-03-27T22:45:00.000-05:002011-03-27T22:45:20.434-05:00Today's dayIt was not a good day for me.<br />
<br />
I missed church on account that I slept in late and my broken ankle was hurtin' like fire. So I skipped church and just rested for the day.<br />
<br />
I did go to the movies on Saturday night, down to The Flick to see "Rango". It was a cute movie... kind of a take-off of them old spaghetti westerns.<br />
<br />
I also <em>finally</em> received my deluxe edition of <em>Duran Duran's - All You Need Is Now</em> cd/dvd (took them long enough to ship it ;)) and I plan on writing up a review sometime this week <em>hopefully</em>...<br />
<br />
Well, tomorrow is another day....<br />
<br />
<em>Merc</em>MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-8273325190807466932011-03-25T23:59:00.000-05:002011-03-25T23:59:10.978-05:00a few things...I didn't have much to say today but I thought I should write something anyways...<br />
<br />
some random thoughts:<br />
<br />
- watched Duran Duran on Ellen this afternoon... <em>killer</em> performance of<em> AYNIN</em> by my boys<br />
<br />
- <em>can John Taylor get any damn hotter? :)</em><br />
<br />
- I need to mow my yard.... ugh... <br />
<br />
- It's suppose to rain tomorrow...<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>the end</em><br />
<br />
<em>merc</em>MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-67072786085522978862011-03-23T02:26:00.000-05:002011-03-23T02:26:54.223-05:00Late Night BlogSeeing as how this should have been up yesterday(on Tuesday), I was distracted by the official Duran Duran's <em>AYNIN</em> cd release day and various other things. I'm still up so I'll just do this now. ;)<br />
<br />
If you were not aware, Duran Duran, the British new-wave/pop group has record a brand new album called -- <em>All You Need is Now</em>. It was produced by Mark Ronson and it's the follow-up to 2007's <em>Red Carpet Massacre</em> album(I <em>officially</em> hate <em>RCM</em> for the record!!). <em>All You Need is Now</em> was first put out as a 9-track digital release on Itunes last December and was just released on CD(a standard edition or deluxe edition w/dvd) on Tuesday, March 22, 2011.<br />
<br />
I am waiting as I write this for my copy. I ordered the deluxe version w/ dvd from Amazon and am blasted impatient for it's arrival. :) I did buy the digital release(my first ever ITunes purchase, in fact) when it came out so I have heard 9 out of the 15 tracks. <em>sidenote - the deluxe has 15 tracks as oppose to the standard edition that only has 14.</em> I have loved every track on the digital release(so far) with my favorite track being a song entitled - <em>"The Man Whole Stole a Leopard"</em> <em>(just that title alone is genius)</em>. I do believe that TMWSAL has knocked Come Undone out as my absolute favorite DD track that has ever been made.So today, I have been rockin' out to my digital copy and trying to learn tweeting to boot while I wait for my cd/dvd. <br />
<br />
Duran Duran also had a performance on The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno last night(Tues. night). I have a few thoughts on that. <em>oh lord have mercy on me ;)</em> DD's performance was brilliant, very energetic, perfect.... In other words, they <em>freakin' </em>rocked it!! I did have one small issue with the "musical" performance before them....<em> coughRebeccaBlackcough</em> I don't think I'll go there.... I'll be nice...<br />
<br />
Anyways, back to DD... they are going to be doing some more tv appearances(Ellen,Kimmel,Jimmy Fallon) & my only hope/wish is that their new album gets the attention it damn well deserves.<em> AYNIN</em> is a brilliant album(what I've heard of it so far anyway) that sounds like the Duran Duran I know & love. Plus, I can hear JT's bass playing which makes me ecstatic. :) I plan on doing a full album/dvd review just as soon as I get my hands on it <em>(DD better watch out ;))</em> ... They also have the Wednesday show with David Lynch that's being broadcast on Vevo/Youtube that I think is going to be really interesting & cool. <br />
<br />
Other things... <br />
<br />
- I'm still trying to learn twitter <br />
<br />
- Don't forget to watch the DD's Unstaged concert directed by David Lynch streaming live on Youtube Wed. night at 10pm est <br />
<br />
- Catch Duran Duran performing on the following: <br />
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on March 22nd at 11:35pm <br />
The Ellen DeGeneres Show on March 25 (check local listings)<br />
Jimmy Kimmel Live on March 30th at 12:05am<br />
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on March 31 at 12:35am<br />
<br />
- If ya ain't got it, pick yourself up a copy of All You Need is Now<br />
<br />
<em>I'm out... MercB </em>MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-81134840328956218652011-03-21T19:14:00.000-05:002011-03-21T19:14:36.646-05:00To Twitter or Not to TwitterThat was my conundrum for today...<br />
<br />
It seems like practically the whole world is on Twitter so why shouldn't I be? <br />
I weighed all the pros & cons of the situation like.... <em>Do people really care what I had for breakfast? , I want everybody & their brother to see this youtube clip... ,</em> and the ever-so-important... <em>Does my hair look ok today?</em><br />
<br />
So I decided, <em>"what the hell?" ....</em> I'll jump on board the twitter train & see how much trouble I can get into. Of course the idea that my favorite celebrity<em>(John Taylor,can you hear me?)</em> might tweet me was a good incentive as well.<em> </em><br />
<br />
I'm just gonna blame Duran Duran for this.... ;)<br />
<br />
<em>peace,</em><br />
<em>Merc</em>MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-88267887048663254112011-03-20T22:33:00.000-05:002011-03-20T22:33:56.968-05:00My Latest CreationEvery third Sunday, my church has a fellowship dinner for it's congregation.<br />
<br />
Various church members bring basically enough food to feed a small army. You name it, it's probably served... Meatloaf, Home-made Chicken & Noodles<em>(yum)</em>, all types of salads from green ones to potato salad,vegetables, plus any sort of desserts from pies to brownies and really anything else anybody cares to bring.<br />
<br />
Where am I going with this you ask? <br />
<br />
Well, me being in rather a creative mood and wanting to bring a dish that <em>hopefully</em> noone else was bringing decided that I would make a cake. And not just any old sheetcake would do... I had to go an attempt to make a butterfly cake. <em>told ya i was in a creative mood ;)</em><br />
<br />
I found an old cardboard recipe,several in fact, which were basic sheetcakes that were cut and decorated into things. One was a swan, another was a rockinghorse and then there was a butterfly. So I decided that the butterfly looked to be the easiest to make and I was off. I didn't have too hard of a time but I had to improvise a little as my recipe didn't mention specific dimensions. I discovered my cake was a little too big so I only used about half of it instead. It still turned out o.k. so it wasn't a <em>complete </em>disaster. :)<br />
<br />
The final result :<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhvuy5jGq3ehWDW2W2PkGoR88zj605ufHxBG4O_pZ92IGc8WWzu40MDtN_kjrdZxs_GW6UyC4f0uOQ0pqjnmLFbaFW7eRbpLXa43NBJQ-X88Q6EpHUUWyt967ji0EwFkim_b8ApTdQxw/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhvuy5jGq3ehWDW2W2PkGoR88zj605ufHxBG4O_pZ92IGc8WWzu40MDtN_kjrdZxs_GW6UyC4f0uOQ0pqjnmLFbaFW7eRbpLXa43NBJQ-X88Q6EpHUUWyt967ji0EwFkim_b8ApTdQxw/s320/cake.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><br />
It's suppose to be a monarch butterfly.... I suppose it's not too bad for someone who has never really decorated a cake before.<br />
<br />
<em>Merc</em>MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2874838431405860713.post-89853819602629061152011-03-19T01:03:00.000-05:002011-03-19T01:03:55.735-05:00Kickin' things off againHere I am back to writing once more...<br />
<br />
Had me another blog but it was lost<i>(read: neglected + lost my freakin' password) </i>to space travel in another galaxy. Since my journey last, some things have stayed the same, quite a few events have been re-arranged, alot has also changed but I keep traveling on down my beaten path. It shall be interesting to see just what avenues,shortcuts and grooves cross my journey's way. Better charge my Ipod... <em>wait I don't even have an Ipod... can somebody buy me one? ;)</em><br />
<br />
I re-read one of my <em>absolute</em> favorite(I have 2 actually) poems earlier. It's <em>"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. </em>In particular, the last 2 lines of the poem really struck me. When I look back on various past things in my life, I seemed to choose such different thoroughfares then those around me did. Now, I'm not sure whether my choices have <em>"made all the difference"</em> but I reckon quite a few did keep me out of trouble from time to time. <br />
<br />
And for those amongst you that have never read the poem, I hereby present it to ya :<br />
<br />
<em>The Road Not Taken</em><br />
<br />
<em>Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,</em><br />
<em>And sorry I could not travel both</em><br />
<em>And be one traveler, long I stood</em><br />
<em>And looked down one as far as I could</em><br />
<em>To where it bent in the undergrowth;</em><br />
<br />
<em>Then took the other, as just as fair,</em><br />
<em>And having perhaps the better claim,</em><br />
<em>Because it was grassy and wanted wear;</em><br />
<em>Though as for that, the passing there</em><br />
<em>Had worn them really about the same,</em><br />
<br />
<em>And both that morning equally lay</em><br />
<em>In leaves no step had trodden back.</em><br />
<em>Oh, I kept the first for another day!</em><br />
<em>Yet knowing how way leads on to way,</em><br />
<em>I doubted if I should ever come back.</em><br />
<br />
<em>I shall be telling this with a sigh</em><br />
<em>Somewhere ages and ages hence:</em><br />
<em>Two roads diverged in a wood, and I --</em><br />
<em>I took the one less traveled by,</em><br />
<em>And that has made all the difference.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
I'll wrap this by saying that I'm glad to be back on this railline... I hope to keep up with things<em>(plus this time i have my password where i can find it...ha! )</em> this go around. Don't know where I'm headed for but I plan on taking as many pictures, seeking as much wisdom, gaining lots of advice and having as much damn fun as possible while I'm at it. :)<br />
<br />
Oh, and I'm in charge of the veggie garden from now on.... <em>*watch this space & lord have mercy*</em><br />
<br />
<em>Peace out...</em><br />
<em>MercBlues</em><br />
<br />
<em>Ps - a MB secret revealed </em>: Now y'all know where I got my blog name from... :)MercuryBlueshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11310947227337108766noreply@blogger.com0