New York Senator-Kirsten Gillibrand

Heather speaks: I find it difficult to take this woman seriously. First, her name: it's KIR-sten not Kristen. What is she... 20? She sounds like the head cheerleader at my high school. When I was a freshman, she was a senior; I wonder if she would have picked on me? Either I am getting old or she is too young to be a senator.

I do like her platform though. She supports marital equality, small businesses, and understands the differences between Upstate and Downstate.

Let's hope for good things from Kirsten.

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?

Rockapella in concert. Watch the amazing Jeff Thacher at 1:30 perform solo.


I finally spent my ITunes Channukah card a few days ago.... on Rockapella and electric versions of some classical pieces. I found a great "Flight of the Bumblebee" and spent an hour looking for a well done "Sabre Dance." Alas, I did not find anything worthy. But I did rediscover Rockapella. Remember Where in the World..., the PBS kids game show that proved the sorry state of the education system. Kids couldn't find Spain on an outline map. The a cappela group provided transitional music plus choral cues during the show. When the crowd roared "Do it Rockapella" at the end the talented quintet launched into the song that put them on the map. The clever lyrics blew my skirt up. I'm sure my crush on the tall man with the jutting jaw and cornrows had something to do with my making Where in the World after school appointment televsion. Geek to the core-I am, was, and always will be.

I learned that the group is still recording orginal music and touring here and abroad. I downloaded a bunch of their tunes. The music, produced soley by vocal, is fun, fresh and displays the group's range. The harmonies are pitch perfect. The vocal percussion, aka beat box, of Jeff Thacher will amaze your ears. Soon you'll forget that sound comes from a human being. I was smiling from the first note and singing along by the last.

My Parents...

have arrived into the technological age. Three Waghelsteins online at the same time. What are the odds? P.S. They live in the same house.

My Bloody Valentine-3D

Saw this movie yesterday with my friend, Ray. Ray liked it and his shoulder stayed warm because my head remained buried in it. I never liked horror films ever since my sister made me watch Amityville and Friday the 13th(a new one is due to hit theatres in spring). I saw this one to support an actor I like. This movie amazed, terrified, and disturbed me. Took me a while to get certain images out of my mind before sleep last night.

The production values and effects rocked as did the 3D. The gore was so realistic plus they did an amazing job of keeping you guessing between all the possible suspects. The story is simple: Big murder spree by miner with a pick-axe then the murderer gets killed and buried. Ten years later the sleepy town of Harmony falls victim to the same killings. Did the murderer rise from the dead or is it a copy cat? Plus there's some angst and lost-love thrown in for good measure. The plot is secondary to the presentation and if you like gore fests this one will have you screaming at every swing.

Brain Farts

I've got to get my dog a job. He sleeps all day in my bed or the couch and I'm sure he's learned to use the remote control. When I close the door to leave for work at 6am he gives me this look. Somedays I swear he's thinking, "sucker." Later around noon he turns to the cat, "ok, you get the beer, I'll turn on Animal Planet." It's like having an unemployed husband. When I come home it's all, "take me out, I have to pee," or "love me, I missed you all day." I'll forgive him for the needing to pee, I'm thankful he's housebroken. But he can be annoying with his licking and pawing. Oh, men.

My roommate and I had a debate about PC v. Mac. She feels that more Mac people frequent Starbucks than independent coffee shops because the are willing to pay more for a label. I disagreed. I find more Mac users at indie coffee shops because they know quality and are free thinkers that eschew coporate dribble. Starbucks tastes like burnt floor, yet has the most caffiene. PC's work like the telegraph, yet have the most power for the dollar. Indie coffee tastes better but wont have you buzzing. Mac works like the wheel, but costs more.

I took care of an eight month old baby after his ear tube surgery. I held him in my arms until the parents arrived. The mother took a look at her crying child and yelped, "Oh my god, what's wrong with him? He looks so different." She was so upset I insisted the father hold him. I talked her down the baby was fine. They went home happy. But after I laughed heartily with my co-workers. Did she not know she was bringing the baby in for surgery with ANESTHESIA. Anesthesia induces an altered state of mind.

Odd News

Since I have nothing scintillating to write I will post some links to cool stories

107 year old Chinese woman seeks first husband. You go girlfriend. Have you had the wedding night talk. Will you use protection?

Computer geeks learn to flirt "It's not the size of your hard drive..."

Dairy Milk Chocolate bars contain......milk!

and a funny video for you to enjoy

Did she get some last night?

You can't win in this world.
I am, on most days, a happy and chipper person but as Winona Ryders Veronica said in the Heather's, a bitchin movie btw, "if you were happy every day of your life you'd be a game show host." Since I am not channeling Wink Martindale daily, I have my moments of crank. I start work at 630 and it takes me a while to get going with myself. My collegues notice the moment I am lackluster. "Whats wrong, you're not my usual self." "Oh just tired, or didn't sleep." Give me a chance to be human people! Gee. We all have ups and downs that are not fueled by the moon's gravity on our uteri. Is it possible that my usual self is just a facade I put on for you people. Maybe inside I'm constanly in a depressed rage. Ok, kidding. People crave consistentcy and if something falls out of that norm that worries them. If the workplace bitch flashes a smile and a wave everyone assumes "she got some last night."

Bizarre New York Moment #583

Walking down 106th a shriveled woman approached me and the dog. Her knarled fingers grasped the handles of her walker as she spoke in a gutteral Eastern European accent. "Hello, can you help me." My five foot four frame towered over her hunched shoulders.

"What do you need?" I said twirling Sebastian's leash to hold him at my left side.

"Can you read something to make sure the English is good." I looked at my watch. I wanted to get the dog walked so I could get home to write plus on a good day I forget comma's and switch tenses. Maybe editing a wrinkled woman's words would be the kick my copy career needs. The octogenarian knew to ask me; something told her I would stop.

Her eyes danced as we took a spot on the bench outside her building and she produced a letter written in script. She tapped the paper:"Read, check English." The letter was 6 pages , though her handwriting large.

The first paragraph summarized her thwarted attempt to be a 'witness for a court case.' I did not find an error. The second and third focused on each obstacle she encountered on her way to Pearl St. The operator at the court hung up on her repeatedly. When she finally reached someone they gave her the same room number as her apartment. Interesting. She called another 5 times; they told her it was a different room, the room above her. That's the police officer's room who, by the way, harass her consistenly. Hmmm! I look at the building marquee. "Red Oak Senior Housing". At this point my nurses brain labels her as paranoid and delusional, but as the plot congeals so does the letter

The cab driver-she called him a taxist, how cute-didn't know the way, construction diverted traffic, and the police blocked her entrance. So she is allowed to leave and she got downtown, but she mistook common New York events as a greater power. It's possible she's mildly nuts. She was an hour late for court. She found the room just as the official closed the court. Every one started to file out, but not my slavic sprite. She walkered herself onto the platform shouting, "I am here to witness..." The official said "No, court is closed." The police gently asked her to leave. Her skinny stems stood firm. They removed her with force. In her letter she writes of other's 'witnessing' after her ejection. Is some authority trying to silence her? Maybe she's someone of importance or threat. She pleads with the organization. The letter ends.

Her lanquid writing held few mistakes. I found it pleasant, like a ride on a stream. I presume English is not her first language, yet she displayed a mastery of our word. I corrected little, a comma here, extra word there which she had me make directly on the page. As I walked my dog down the street, I imagined her returning to the floor nestled below the police office. She will rewrite the letter on fresh paper by candlelight, pausing only to dip her quill. Readying herself for the revolution. I gave her my number. Next time I hope her fingers are stained with ink.

It puts the toilet paper in the...

Found in bathroom at an upper west side nail salon.
Sadly, I'm so conditioned that I complied with the request.

When Britney Spears enters your subconscious.

I'm up at 3am tonight because....

Last night -I am not kidding or inflating the truth of my R.E.M sleep- The phoenix of Pop crawled into my brain. I was 17 in the dream which would make Britney about 2 but lets suspend reality for a moment. She was the age she is now and I was living on her compound/ranch. I asked to borrow her burgundy BMW. She asked for my driver's license! Stunned, I asked my mother whose appearance at the compound seemed natural. My mother had forgot to bring it. "I just wanted to drive the car mom, I should be allowed to drive the car."