10 years

10 years, originally uploaded by Brett Jordan.

Pretty amazing how quickly things change in the world of technology. I still have the iMac on the left, and will be getting the iPhone 5S on the right very soon.

Ten Favorite Albums

I love music, and can't imagine a world without it. I listen constantly to a variety of genres , musicians, composers, and singers, but there are some that are my absolute favorites. I can't imagine a playlist without at least some of these on it.

Ok, I'm dating myself by even using the word "albums", but hey, you get the idea. Here are my top 10, in no particular order.






1. Miles Davis - Bitches Brew
2. Peter Frampton - Frampton Comes Alive
3. Bruce Springsteen - The Wild, The Innocent, The E Street Shuffle
4. Frank Sinatra - Nothing But the Best
5. Grateful Dead - American Beauty
6. Pearl Jam - Ten
7. Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers - Conscious Party
8. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - So Far
9. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin (box set)
10. Indigo Girls - Indigo Girls

What are yours?

Music Streaming

I spend a lot of time sitting at a desk at work. It's also very quiet in my office. If it weren't for the music streaming capabilities of my iPhone, I would certainly go mad on those days I am stuck in the office. I often stream local public radio stations, but I have recently discovered Minnesota Public Radio's wonderful app. Contained within this little bit of digital goodness are seven separate streams - MPR News, Classical MPR, The Current, Local Current, Radio Heartland, Wonderground Radio, and Classical MPR Choral Stream.

All of the above streams are available on the internet, but if you work somewhere that doesn't allow streaming (like my office), and you have an Apple or Android device, I can't recommend this app enough. The content is varied enough to satisfy a wide variety of musical tastes. I've also found that even with a crappy phone signal (I'm looking at you AT&T) the stream runs smoothly. So what are you waiting for? Go get this FREE app now!

Downton Abbey, Nintendo Style

This is just sheer awesomeness - especially the Nintendo-ish soundtrack!

Bronchitis and Me, Perfect Together

I tried. I really really tried. I washed my hands religiously. I stayed far away from sick friends, family, and coworkers. I rested. I ate right. I ingested vitamins and supplements by the pound. It didn't work. I have bronchitis.

I think the fatal flaw in my plan was that I live with another human being. Who got very sick. And then I traveled by plane. D'oh!

Now that I am enjoying my illness in the comfort of my bathrobe, under a blanket, on my couch, I can let it wash over me. I can sleep. And snore. And cough. And hope that tomorrow I feel just a wee bit more rested, less tired, less achy.

Time for more Nyquil™...

Hoping that next week is better....

Ever had one of those days? I did, last Tuesday. Paid for a Quad Venti Caramel Macchiato at Starbucks. Picked it up from my cup holder. It exploded.

Cats

This is Olivia. I would show you her face, but it is often shoved inside a bag. Any bag will do, she's not particularly choosy. If you set a bag down for more than a minute she will find her way into it.

Where I'll Be Spending Time Today

I am happy to announce I finally have an afternoon to myself, with nothing to do. It is rainy, chilly, and gloomy here, and I plan on sitting in this chair with a good book, a cup of tea, and a cat or two. Yay me!

Coffee

Coffee is my lifeblood. Life is too short to drink crappy coffee. But I am 😝.

Why I Love November

Besides the obvious reason that I love November (it's my birth month), there are several other considerations in my choice to name it my favorite.

1. The weather. I absolutely love blustery days.

2. Thanksgiving. Of all the holidays we celebrate here in the states, and notwithstanding the political incorrectness of the day, this is my favorite holiday. Perhaps it is because it evokes wonderful childhood memories, and later in life, the joy to be found in a 4-day weekend. 

3. Beethoven. Yes, Beethoven. You see, Beethoven is my favorite composer. And WQXR is my favorite classical music station. And the month of November is Beethoven Awareness Month. How awesome is that?

4. Christmas is coming! But not yet.

5. Did I mention my birthday?

HAPPY NOVEMBER!