Fast forward a few months and a trip to Downtown Disney for the Goose’s 7th birthday. We’d already spent time building his RC car and were just wandering around when we went in to the Vinylmation store. While Zachary colored his VM coloring page to look like the VM he liked, I walked around. I decided to take the plunge and bought three boxes from the Urban 3 series. Now the intriguing thing about this whole VM craze is that you buy the boxes “blind” and don’t know what you’re getting until you actually buy them and open them up. Of course this is a brilliant marketing scheme by Disney but we won’t get into that here. I actually chose well and the first two I opened were vinyls I wanted. The third, not so much. But the nice thing about buying these in the store is that you can exchange ones that you don’t like. With the guidance of the nice sales man I ended up with the Palm Trees vinyl that Zachary had colored. Yay for me!

Unfortunately now I’m hooked. It turns out these things can turn into collector’s items after a while since the collections are discontinued after awhile. And they’re pretty damn cute. In addition to the three I purchased at Downtown Disney yesterday, I managed to pick up a few on eBay as well. Not the coveted Balloon “chaser” which is going for over $300 these days (yes, 3-0-0), but a few cute ones I will enjoy.

Vinylmation Penny Machine Park #2

Cast Member Mickey

Imitation is at least 50 percent of the creative process.

I’m often surprised by how much media gets remade. Movies, music, television—at some point everything old is new again. This isn’t always a bad thing, except in the case of Tupperware in those lovely shades of avocado green, washed-out tangerine orange, and baby diarrhea yellow. I don’t want those to be new again.

But I digress. One of the things I’ve noticed over the past year is the number or duplicate songs that come up when I do a search for something in my iTunes. I’m not talking duplicates in the sense of the same song by the same artist twice; I’m talking about the same song remade. I have a lot of these in my music library and every time I hear a remake it’s natural that I compare it to the original—or the one that is the most well known. Because let’s face it, there are a lot of songs out there that were remade and the original is not the one you know. Respect, by Aretha Franklin, is a perfect example. Otis Redding actually performed it first making Franklin’s female anthem the remake.

That brings us back to the point: the remix/remake. I’ve decided to make note of my duplicate songs when I think of them or see them in iTunes, for the sole purpose of sharing them with you. Along with my thoughts on which one is superior. What would be the point if there wasn’t a debate, eh?

So let’s get this party started. This version of remix/remake features the song Superstar. The first version that I’m aware of is by The Carpenters (1971). I’m a sappy gal, and I actually love The Carpenters. So does my mother which explains why I’m aware of this song in the first place. I have always liked this song and would consider it one of my favorite Carpenters’s singles. I’m actually listening to it right now for this post and have goosebumps. Karen Carpenter. Wow. Listen for yourself.

Moving, isn’t she?

Then along comes Juno. One of my all-time favorite movies. While getting really creeped out by Jason Bateman, I couldn’t help but be pulled into the scene where he shared with Juno a remake of Superstar done by Sonic Youth. I was totally taken aback by the intensity and the grittiness of the Sonic Youth version. This whispery, sing-song version doesn’t compare to The Carpenter’s soft and flowing version. The Sonic Youth version is naughty, creepy, and feral. And I love it. While Karen is singing about Lancelot, her night in shining armor, Sonic Youth is singing about his one night stand who made him feel dirty and took all his money. What do you think?

I can’t really pick a fave between the two of these. They are both rated 5 stars in my iTunes and I love both versions for different reasons. They are, naturally, in very different playlists.

So what do you think? Which one rocks you and why?

True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.

…one sunny September day I received a Facebook message from another old, dear friend that I thought I had lost long ago (we have reconnected via Facebook) asking if I wanted to get together when I was visiting Denver. I was thrilled, and we set a date for lunch. Little did I know how much that lunch would turn out to mean to me.

Coincidence? I think not.

So MM and I met for lunch. It was great seeing him and the hour flew by. During that time we did a lot of catching up, and our conversation inevitably led to ST. There were a few of us that had been trying to reconnect with her, but up to this time no one knew what had happened to her. At lunch he shocked me by telling me that only a few days earlier she walked into his best friend’s work (who also was a super-dear friend of mine), totally out of the blue. Not only that but ST got MM’s number and had called him, while he was driving to meet me for lunch! Coincidence? I don’t believe in coincidence.

I didn’t want to put MM in an uncomfortable position by asking for ST’s number so I asked him if he would give her my number when they met next week. He said of course he would, and we had to wrap up lunch so I could go back to work. Of course the first few days I couldn’t check my phone fast enough when it rang to see who was calling, or to see if I hand any missed calls when I was away. After a few weeks, however, I stopped waiting for ST to call. While MM had given ST my number, she obviously didn’t want to use it. This made me sad, but I understood. Afterall, we’re talking over 10 years with not so much as a single word. And as I’ve mentioned. I wasn’t always the greatest friend.

Fast forward five months. I’m going about my everyday business when I get a text message from MM asking me for my email address. I quickly sent it to him, but didn’t dare hope he was asking on behalf of someone else. Why set myself up for that again? So it came as a complete shock when only a day or so later, I get an email from ST stating that she heard I wanted to get in touch with her, and asking me how I was doing. I guess patience really is a virtue!

Since then we’ve passed a few emails back and forth. They’re tentative and kind of awkward which is, of course, understandable. ST asked right away if I was trying to reconnect, or if I was just curious about what had happened to her. I felt it was a test question and I didn’t have the right answer. Which answer did she want? Did she want to reconnect? I know she was probably just reaching out to satisfy her curiosity–what happened to that selfish girl? Did she end up in prison? Divorced for a second time? A street walker? I’m pretty sure that’s all she wanted and then she’d be on her way again. I’m trying to make sure that doesn’t happen. I do want to reconnect. I know we’ll never be as close as we were all of those years ago, but ST was the most important person in my life for many years and I’m still selfish enough to want to hold on to that.

I’m hoping there will be a part 3 to this little story. There have been several more emails since I wrote this, and with each email we both seem to be loosening up a bit. Stay tuned.

Web-Betty, circa 1995. God, what awful hair!

While you may find this hard to believe, I was not always the awesome, wonderful person you know today. Oh, sure, “back in the day” I was fairly awesome and I was pretty wonderful at times; however I was also young, insecure, totally into myself and not always the most thoughtful person. I think this describes the majority of 20-somethings, though some handle those tough finding-myself-at-your-expense years better than others. Alas, I was not one of them. In my quest to discover who I was and who I wanted to be I failed many people and burned many bridges. I hurt people who cared about me. I was dishonest at times, just to get what I wanted. I was selfish. I was young.

I look back with regret on the friendships I have lost; some of them were substantial and one was the most substantial of all. I’ve tried to move forward as a better person, and to some extent I’ve succeeded. I’m not perfect and I have many lessons to learn before I’m done. but losing some of the most important people in my life made me realize that living selfish and in-the-moment is not as fulfilling as living selfless and for the present (and the future).

It’s been over 10 years since I’ve spoken with my best friend from those days. (She’s in the pic of me above, but I cropped her out–I would never post someone’s pic without consent.) She’d had enough of me during my divorce from my first husband (that’s a story for a different post). I guess she got tired of my behavior, and I can’t say that I blame her. Of course, there’s a part of me that thinks if you are truly a friend you stick it out, for better or for worse. I’d like to say that I would have, but who knows. I was a bit of a selfish bitch 15 years ago and maybe I’d have had enough of me as well.

15 years later, I still think of her. Not every day, but often enough that she’s usually very present in my mind. I dream about her a lot too, which is kind of odd (and all you perverts out there can sod off–they’re not those kinds of dreams ). Since moving to FL four years ago I’ve often toyed with the idea of trying to get in touch with her. I’ve even gone so far as Googling her and attempting to find her on Facebook and other networking sites. All to no avail.

Then, one sunny September day I received a Facebook message from another old, dear friend that I thought I had lost long ago (we have reconnected via Facebook) asking if I wanted to get together when I was visiting Denver. I was thrilled, and we set a date for lunch. Little did I know how much that lunch would turn out to mean to me.

I’m going to leave you in suspense here. I didn’t realize how long this post had become. Look for part 2 in the next couple of days.

I’m a Woman (Peggy Lee)

I can wash out 44 pairs of socks and have ‘em hangin out on the line
I can starch & iron 2 dozens shirts ‘fore you can count from 1 to 9
I can scoop up a great big dipper full of lard from the drippins can
Throw it in the skillet, go out & do my shopping, be back before it melts in the pan
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

I can rub & scrub this old house til it’s shinin like a dime
Feed the baby, grease the car, & powder my face at the same time
Get all dressed up, go out and swing til 4 a.m. and then
Lay down at 5, jump up at 6, and start all over again
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

If you come to me sickly you know I’m gonna make you well
If you come to me all hexed up you know I’m gonna break the spell
If you come to me hungry you know I’m gonna fill you full of grits
If it’s lovin you’re likin, I’ll kiss you and give you the shiverin’ fits
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again

I can stretch! a green black dollar bill from here to kindom come!
I can play the numbers pay the bills and still end up with some!
I got a twenty-dollar gold piece says there ain’t nothing I can’t do
I can make a dress out of a feed bag and I can make a man out of you
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I’ll say it again
‘Cause I’m a woman! W-O-M-A-N, and that’s all.

Think you’re bodacious enough for this? Check out The Diva who started it all and link up your own post.

Would I? Maybe. Who goes there? Who knows. What is that?! Read on, and maybe you’ll find out!

Who

…is easy to love?

My boys, of course.

…do you just wanna smack?

My boys, of course.

…do you trust?

Chris. I’ve never met anyone more trustworthy in my life.

…do you talk to when you’re alone?

The voices in my head? My Rice Krispies? Hmm, since I’m mostly alone I feel like this is a trick question.

What

…dangerous things do you do while driving?

Check my iPhone directions. I’m too cheap to pay for the turn-by-turn app.

…would you never, ever, ever give up?

Red wine. Ever.

…is Satan’s last name?

Tesh. As in John Tesh. I believe that man is truly evil.

…is the last thing that moved you?

A crazy wave of nostalgia that took my breathe away and brought me to tears.

…is the freakiest thing in your house?

My mother.

When

…is it time to turn over a new leaf?

When the old one is too dried up and shrivelly to hide behind.

…will you be all that you can be?

Probably never. I am, after all, human. ((Seriously, look at Tiger Woods. ))

…is enough enough?

When I find out I’ll let you know.

…do you go to the dark side?

That is between me and Chris.

Where

…are your pants?

On the floor with my socks, bra and shirt.

…is your last will and testament?

Uh, if I had one, it would be in the fireproof safe? (Is that the correct answer?)

…is your junk food stash?

I’m actually not much of a junk food eater, so I don’t have one. Now if you asked about my liquor stash, that would be another story.

…are you the happiest?

This is where I’m supposed to say something sweet like “Anywhere as long as I’m with my family,” or something equally schmaltzy. And this is true as long as anywhere is on a beach, with a fruity drink in my hand and a cabana boy.

Why

…are there no seat belts on school buses?

The same reasons school programs are cut, teachers are laid off, and there’s no more art class. MONEY.

…are musicians sexy and plumbers aren’t?

Plumber

Musician

Do I really need to answer that?

…did the chicken cross the road?

To prove to the possum it could actually be done!

…do we revere athletes more than teachers?

Here’s a better question…why do we revere athletes more than our family?

Would You

…swim the English channel for a doughnut and coffee? If not, what?

Hell no! I hate doughnuts. I might, however, for a Brewery Bar II chile relleno smothered in their green chili!

…forgive someone who deliberately hurt you?

Isn’t that the job description for wife and parent?

…rather believe a lie if it hurt you less than the truth?

Unfortunately I live with the most honest man on the planet and two kids. That’s not even an option.

…still need me, would you still feed me, when I’m 64? ((I know, I know, it’s will you still need me…))

That depends. Will you need to be fed with a spoon?

Random Tuesday

It’s random Tuesday. I know, I’m late to the party. Sue me. But I have been taking notes this week so I’m ready. First I have to say that I hope I’m on the tail end of my blogging slump. I really enjoy putting my piece of mind out there (little as it may be) but lately ((lately being the last few months)) I have just been too damn busy. Of course I’m not the only blogger on the planet who works, has kids, lives in a messy house and is avoiding piles of laundry. I just don’t know how the rest of you manage blogging too. Maybe it’s the wine. I hope not, because if it comes to blogging or wine, well, sayonara WordPress!

While we’re on the subject of domesticity, does anyone else hate grocery shopping as much as I do? I mean, I really, really hate going grocery shopping. It’s kind of an odd think to dislike so strongly, especially since I love food so much. Okay, I love food that I don’t have to cook. Maybe that’s the problem.

Since I hadn’t been grocery shopping in awhile, we ordered pizza from Pizza Hut the other night. I actually ordered our dinner online. ((God I love the internet!)) I was filling out the form and signing up for the first time ((No, I don’t make it a habit of ordering pizza for dinner.)) when I noticed the “Don’t know your zip code?” option. I may not be a brain surgeon, but really? Don’t know your zip code? How is that really possible?

I did make dinner tonight. Spaghetti. A family favorite and easy to make. All the moms reading this know exactly what I’m talking about. Now it’s nice and peaceful, with the boys in bed and Chris out playing poker. I’m enjoying a nice glass (or 3) of wine and watching what is becoming my new favorite show on TV. The Good Wife. If you haven’t watched this show you are truly missing out. This is one of the best new dramas on the tube. I didn’t really like Julianna Margulies in ER—I thought she was a stuck-up whiny bitch. But she’s fantastic in this. The stories are interesting and the cases are fresh. Sorry, I stopped to watch. You really should be watching too.

So I’m composing this blog masterpiece, not in WordPress, but in WriteRoom. I will copy and paste all of this sacred text into WP when I’m finished, but I love that WR completely covers my screen and leaves me with nothing except a green blinking curser. A cursor just waiting to be moved by my amazing prose.

Speaking of WordPress, I’m really enjoying 2.8. I know, I’m late to the party again, but I only upgraded a few months ago. Sometimes I avoid change. Anyway, while composing my last post in WP I noticed the Quick Post option. Quick post, really? How does that work exactly? I couldn’t compose a quick post if you gave me a timer, 20 minutes all to myself, and a pre-written script. Something tells me I will not ever be using the WP quick post.

But while we’re discussing WP, I do LOVE the WP app for my iPhone. I’ve already composed three drafts. Maybe one of them will see the light of day.

I’m so happy that I’ve kept a random list the past week. I actually have more randomness than I think is wise to put in one post. But that’s the beauty of random. I can save it for next week. I will leave you with one last random thing. I was really sad to hear about the death of Ken Ober. The 80′s MTV show Remote Control was one of my favorites. And while it was the birth of all things I loathe about MTV now (like no music television), I loved the game and watching the then- young Colin Quinn, Adam Sandler and Denis Leary. RIP Ken Ober. RIP.

Ken Ober, Remote Control

• Dammit, tagged again!
• My favorite stuff: the movies
• Teenage meme

While he will be missed, like all great “documenters of life”, his movies will live on and his characters are unforgettable. Here are some reasons why.

Sixteen Candles

This is by far my favorite Hughes film. This film gave us a love for geeks everywhere and had all girls under the age of 18 proclaiming “I love Jake Ryan!”. Here are some of the more memorable quotes:

• I can’t believe this. They fucking forgot my birthday.
• I can’t believe my grandmother actually felt me up.
• That’s why they call them crushes. If they were easy, they’d call them something else.
• Can I borrow your underpants for 10 minutes?
• Relax, would you? We have seventy dollars and a pair of girls underpants. We’re safe as kittens.
• What was he wearing? Well, uh, let’s see, he was wearing a red argyle sweater, and tan trousers, and red shoes… No, he’s not retarded.
• No more yankie my wankie. The Donger need food.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

Another ALL-TIME classic! What teenager doesn’t fantasize about skipping school with their best friend, a hot babe, and an even hotter car?

• The question isn’t “what are we going to do,” the question is “what aren’t we going to do?”
• Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks you’d have a diamond.
• Hey, Cameron. You realize if we played by the rules right now we’d be in gym?
• A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn’t deserve such a fine automobile.
• Does anyone know what Vice President Bush called this in 1980? Anyone? Something-d-o-o economics. “Voodoo” economics.
• Oh, he’s very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, dickheads – they all adore him. They think he’s a righteous dude.
• -Ism’s in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself. ((Ferris Bueller was definitely on to something there.))

Pretty in Pink

What more do low-middle class teenage girls want, than to think that someone named Blaine was going to fall in love with them and take them away from it all. This movie actually pissed me off, because in the book, she goes with Ducky. ((And Ducky is who she should have gone with.))

• I know I’m old enough to be his mother, but when the Duck laid that kiss on me last night, I swear my thighs just went up in flames! He must practice on melons or something.
• You said you couldn’t be with someone who didn’t believe in you. Well I believed in you. You just didn’t believe in me.
• His name is Blane? Oh! That’s a major appliance, that’s not a name
• She thinks you’re shit. And deep down, you know she’s right.
• Love’s a bitch, Duck. Love’s a bitch.
• Despite my appearance at this function, I remain now, and will always be, a Duckman.

Uncle Buck

John Hughes did more than just teen flicks. One of the all-time best comedies is Uncle Buck. This is truly John Candy at his best. And McCauley Culken at his best too, come to think of it.

• You should have seen the toast, I couldn’t even get it through the door!
• I don’t think I want to know a six-year-old who isn’t a dreamer, or a sillyheart. ((Amen to that, Buck!!))
• Take this quarter, go downtown, and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face! Good day to you, madam.
• Q: Why was your Uncle micro waving your socks? A: He can’t get the goddamn washing machine to work.
• How would you like to spend the next several nights wondering if your crazy, out-of-work, bum uncle will shave your head while you sleep?
• I don’t know why we need boys at all. They’re so loud.

I could go on all night. Consider the movies I haven’t quoted. Can you name these movies?

Another teen classic.

• Accident my ass Gary! My parents are coming home. Chet’s coming home. They’re gonna freak out!!
• Why do you have to be such a wanker?

This one is probably on most 30-something’s top 10. I liked his others better but this is definitely a classic.

• Remember how you said your parents use you to get back at each other? Wouldn’t I be OUTSTANDING in that capacity?
• Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?
• Uh, Dick? Excuse me; Rich. Will milk be made available to us?

If you dont’ know this movie by one quote, well, you are NOT a fan.

• You can start by wiping that fucking dumb-ass smile off your rosey, fucking, cheeks! Then you can give me a fucking automobile: a fucking Datsun, a fucking Toyota, a fucking Mustang, a fucking Buick! Four fucking wheels and a seat!

Of course, many of these movies would not be complete with a soundtrack to go with them. I’ve compiled a few that should help you with your stroll down memory lane.

And if that weren’t enough, did you know that John Hughes probably WROTE some of your other favorite films? Yes indeed! The films above are just the gems he directed! Here is a list of some classics penned by the dearly departed Hughes (in chronological order, to be fair):

• Mr. Mom
• Vacation
• European Vacation
• Some Kind of Wonderful
• She’s Having a Baby
• The Great Outdoors ((Hughes certainly loved John Candy!))
• Christmas Vacation
• Home Alone
• Maid in Manhattan (the story, not the screenplay)

Mr. Hughes, you spoke to me. You spoke to my generation. You made us laugh at ourselves and you made us cry because we were ourselves. You made it okay to be a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess or a criminal. Or a geek hoisting borrowed underwear. Or a fat man making the biggest pancake ever. You saw the best in us, even at our worst. And you will be missed.

I am sad today. A generation is sad today.

I’ve left out a TON of quotes, on purpose. Please comment with your fave.

I have to admit, I’m stealing using an idea I found on the blog of someone requesting a 10 things review. I found the idea of my week in tweets an intriguing one so I’ve gone back through my week of plurks, and picked some gems for you.

May 1 WebBetty shares WTF???

May 1 WebBetty shares Patrick broke ranks and chose drag over the bow tie.

May 1 WebBetty really hates IE6. Seriously–everyone who still uses it needs to upgrade!

May 4 WebBetty gets really frustrated when everyone assumes I can do all kinds of peripheral work just because I work from home.

May 5 WebBetty is NOT ready for the boys to get bunk beds this weekend!

May 5 WebBetty is having a battle of the wills with The Bear. ((Which I won, BTW. ))

May 6 WebBetty is at Wet ‘N Wild! ((Zachary and I got wet and wild!))

May 7 WebBetty just booked her anniversary trip to Vegas!!! ((Who’s coming with us?!))

May 8 WebBetty says the crib has been taken apart. No more bars for The Bear, Which strikes fear in my heart.

May 8 WebBetty is plurking while the boys do all the heavy lifting.

May 8 WebBetty is amazed. 8 trips back and 75 minutes later, and The Bear is asleep in his bed. No more crib!

May 8 WebBetty says this is the current state of my living room

And now some random plurks from my pleeps:

2ManyBoyz needs a good wake-up slap!

AsianAly says Sammi and I are going to do a walking workout video and apparently it’s pretty hard. How hard is walking in place?

Bronsont says Hell Yes, it’s Hell’s Kitchen.

CarolineFB wonders why.

countess janey says what’s new, Pussycat?

MissCaughtUp Holy crap it is hard to read Old English.

You can catch all of this, and more, at Plurk.

Alas, dear readers. It has been too long. I apologize for the absence. Life, believe it or not, takes precedence over blogging.

But it’s a nice Tuesday evening. The boys are in bed. Chris is off playing poker (and hopefully winning–baby needs a new pair of shoes!). So I’m taking a little time for some Random Tuesday Thoughts!

We watched Kung Fu Hustle over the weekend. It was fabulous and you should definitely check it out. ((Unless crap like Twilight is more your thing. In that case, don’t bother. You wouldn’t understand Kung Fu Hustle.)) I loved Landlady and wish I could kick ass like that in my housecoat and curlers.

While we’re on the topic of entertainment, I’m seriously pissed at my DVR. It keeps messing up all of my programs. I’m missing things I want to see. The Brighthouse box is a piece of crap.

And segue to American Idol. since I had to reset my DVR I forgot to set AI up to record. For the past three weeks. So I’ve missed all the Adam glory. Poop.

I guess this is turning out to be the all-entertainment version of Random Tuesday Thoughts.

So, who knew a bunch of geriatrics could sound so good. The Fleetwood Mac concert last night was awesome! Stevie Nicks sounded amazing and Mick Fleetwood looked like he was having the time of his life. Thanks Nicole, for going with me!

I can’t wait for the U2 concert in October. We’re taking Zachary ((We haven’t told him yet–we’re giving him his ticket on his 6th birthday.)) I’ve seen them twice–both shows were amazing. I really like the new album, even though some people are slamming it. Hey, not every album can be The Joshua Tree.

And on an I’m-my-own-entertainment note (for this entertainment post), I’m now off to check out Westgate Reservations–they have a Vegas resort (Westgate Flamingo Bay). Let’s see what deals they have for hubby and me. Vegas in June baby!