The answer is "jazz"

Don't you hate it when you know something about yourself but you ignore it or do it anyway? Like the times you eat spicy foods knowing that you usually end up turning red and coughing, but you still try that jalapeno dish?

Well here's my 'bang hand on forehead"  / "I coulda had a  V8" moment. Things haven't been going to well for me at work. Personnel issues, respect issues, work volume issues - you name it. It's a struggle every day.

But here's the thing.

Jazz music. Yup. It really does something for me. When I hear it, it just feels right. It feels like it belongs in my body. It feels like it's part of my body.  And bonus - instant mood uplifter too. So about a week ago I realized that I should be listening to Jazz when I'm having one of those difficult moments at work. But have I done it? Nope.

Do I have a good reason?

Nope.

But maybe this light public self-shaming will remind me that I should take a jazz break when the work crud starts to blacken my day. I'll let you how it goes.

Happy Birthday Janis

As I was finishing this week's project, I was listening to radio station Jazz 91.1 San Mateo, California (on the interwebs). The program was celebrating the life of Janis Joplin who would have been 70 years old today. It was interesting hearing her range of styles of the years and comments and stories from friends and peers. At first I was a wee bit surprised because I've always thought of her as a rock singer, it never really occurred to me that she really was a blues and jazz singer first and foremost. I heard one story that was sad, she was voted "ugliest man on the campus" - how cruel people are to each other, I wonder if bullying will ever go away.

I can't think of a clever segue into this weeks project, so I'll just start - this is Hoot the Owl Toque:

I wasn't going to make another owl hat but when I held the yarn in my hand and started to knit with it, it really seemed that an owl would be the best thing for it. I would like to thank Honey Nutbrown for providing the pattern, I am very happy with the results. I used a really bulky yarn, so I used the number of stitches for the smallest size but used the measurements for the bigger sizes.

Oh and by the way, do you like my new "baby"? I felt it would be much better to display my baby hats on a baby head to give viewers a better idea of how the hat would fit, instead of just being put on a rock or christmas ornament, or whatever else I've used in the past.

Wake up it's Monday!

My alarm goes off and I hit snooze, not wanting to get out of my warm bed yet and still feeling tired. Then my second alarm goes off and I give myself permission to stay in bed - it's Sunday after all and I have nothing planned. Slowly my brain wakes up and reminds that yesterday was Sunday. Yesterday was Sunday? Ah crud, today's Monday and it's time for work.

And then this some comes to mind:
 

 How about you? Were you ready for Monday today?

***

And by the way, did you get the see the commercial at the beginning of this video - the cell phone commercial with Richard Simmons?

(I can't get is smaller so sorry that it hangs off the edge of my blog) 

 The way he says "detergent" just cracks me up. 

Okay that's a better start to the week. 

Well for those playing along - yesterday was my 12th year anniversary at my job. It came, it went just like every other work day. In fact even spoke to my boss on the phone (I usually only talk to him about once a week when I call him). I should have known not to make such a big deal of it in my mind. I have made a note to not build up any expectations next year. Happy Un-niversary. The only good news? I now get four weeks vacation per year - I like that!!!!  I was planning on treating myself to a sushi lunch, but Jp made us the most delicious sandwiches so I didn't bother. Not much can top his sammiches!

Today for Vancouver and the areas surrounding it, it is finally sunny, which makes me happy because too many grey wet days can really bring a girl down! And do you know another way to bring a girl up? (no, not that silly) How about some high energy dance music? My instructor plays this at the beginning of our class for a warm up -we only need this song as a warm up and we are ready!  Turn up your speakers and get moving!

 Instant mood lifter!!!

Happy Groundhog Day! 
(He only has a 30-40% accuracy rate so don't believe him too much)

Daddy It's Cold Outside

I've been listening to the "all-Christmas song" radio station over the last couple of weeks during work, and I just love this version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" every time I hear it. I couldn't find a very good sample of it, this is about the best I could find:

The song starts at 3:11. Enjoy.

And if you're a dog, and it's cold inside, then laying in front of the fire, roasting your brain must seem like a nice place to be, don't you think? 

P.S.  New blog design - do you think I'm getting into the Christmas spirit yet? 

Il Volo

Oh I think I am in love with these boys! I am crazy about way  Italian sounds! Isn't it beautiful?




One day I'll learn to speak Italian!

IRELAND'S CALL

St Patrick's Day isn't just a one day thing, in fact the Irish celebration seems to carry on for a week sometimes, so to acknowledge that, here's my favorite Irish song (bet you'll want to sing along - it's very strong and powerful!)



And another version by Celtic Thunder (which I like much better)



And if you really want to get in the mood with Irish Drinking songs, listen to The Spicy McHaggis Jig by the Dropkick Murphys.

And to really get you started on the day, learn how to speak Irish! Read this!

                                               Happy St. Patrick's Day

Dedicated to Me! Radio Hour!

In Alberta there is a radio station called CKUA *and my sister-in-law and brother regularly sponsor hours of radio. Tonight they had 1 hour of songs about dogs - and it was dedicated to me, and a shout out to Eco for her 2nd Birthday tomorrow! How cool is that?

It was an eclectic mix of songs and bands from Jane Sibbery to Bruce Hornsby  with songs like "She's My D.O.G." by Freebo and David Bowie.

* More on the radio station here. The show is being rebroadcast next Saturday morning 3-5am MST, I believe.

White Knuckles + Dogs

I love the dog training in this video (oh yes, and the song is good too):