Wicked Dragster Force Power

Ever been to Cedar Point?

If you’re a fan of RollerCoasters, I highly recommend going. Went this past weekend, for their Halloween Festivities. Even tho temperatures were cold and the wind blew off the lake…it was a wonderful time. And there was plenty of hot coffee to go around. We sped 120mph, shot up 240 feet, twisted like crazy, and dropped 300 feet down. I’m ready for next time, maybe once the weather warms back up…

No Boil? No Way.

So, I don't cook. I don't really even go to the grocery. Altho this new roomie of mine has me attempting otherwise. Somehow from somewhere (I think we saw a commercial and it looked delicious) I decided to snag my mom's lasagna recipe and attempt homemade lasagna.

Then I heard about these magical No-Boil Lasagna Noodles that you simply add uncooked and out comes wonderful layers of yummy lasagna. WELL at my house that was NOT the case. Thankfully no one showed up for the dinner party, so the poor guests weren't forced to tell me how good it was out of respect for my Suzie-Homemaker efforts in the kitchen.

Add-in the wine, ceasar salad, and the boyfriend who was extremely nice about eating my overly garlic and very very stiff lasagna, and it turned out an enjoyable, worthwhile event. And yes, our friends eventually showed up as we finished off 4 bottles of wine and hung around the firepit on a wonderful fall night....I think they all knew better than to let me cook for them.

So I might be the only person who has unsuccessfully used the no-boil noodles, since everyone I tell explains their love for the simplicity of them. I however, found a way to mess them up! What it really "boils" down to tho, is that it was a fun night and I'm not worried about lacking the skills in the kitchen. That's what the wine's for right?

a NATIONAL issue

I live across the river from Ohio, one of the most important states in this oh-so-important election. We’re seeing more political ads on tv than probably anywhere in the country, and the candidates are visiting this area like my uncle Aaron visits Las Vegas (those who know him are smiling EAR TO EAR)

Yesterday there was a rally downtown Cincinnati to promote the ability to vote early in Ohio, they were bussing voters to polls, etc etc. Among many other things, such as talking up a certain someone from Illinois. Altho I am a "Kentuckian" I attended the rally, but solely for the sake of the music in my ears. A band called THE NATIONAL was there, little did I know they are from Cincy. So I hopped on my bike and rolled over the bridge to see what it was about.

Low and behold Natalie Portman was there, and of course her biggest fan (one of my best friends) told me of this. She gave a tid-bit of a speech, basically she announced The National onto the stage. The band came on, played some great songs, and respectfully had little to say about their choice for the election. Which I felt was amazing, many props to them….

They stated that "Yes – we are partial to the candidate we like. But we really just want to emphasize the importance of voting, we don’t have much to say, we just came here with our songs."

So to you, THE NATIONAL: thank you for coming to your hometown and letting us gather to see how different this election year is than any other. Not just to repeat again and again who it is you think we should vote for.

Because it is my decision, and I’ll figure that one out on my own.


Turn the light out say goodnight
No thinking for a little while
Lets not try to figure out everything at once
It’s hard to keep track of you falling through the sky
We’re half-awake in a fake empire

U ain't got time 2 call ur Soul a critic...

Right outside this lazy summer home
You ain't got time to call your soul a critic, no
Right outside the lazy gate of winter's summer home
Wond-rin' where the nut-thatch winters
Wings a mile long just carried the bird away

Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world
The heart has it's beaches, it's homeland and thoughts of it's own
Wake now, discover that you are the song that the mornin' brings
But the heart has it's seasons, it's evenin's and songs of it's own

There comes a redeemer, and he slowly too fades away
And there follows his wagon behind him that's loaded with clay
And the seeds that were silent all burst into bloom, and decay
And night comes so quiet, it's close on the heels of the day

Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world
The heart has it's beaches, it's homeland and thoughts of it's own
Wake now, discover that you are the song that the mornin' brings
But the heart has it's seasons, it's evenin's and songs of it's own

Sometimes we live no particular way but our own
And sometimes we visit your country and live in your home
Sometimes we ride on your horses
Sometimes we walk alone
Sometimes the songs that we hear are just songs of our own

Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world
The heart has it's beaches, it's homeland and thoughts of it's own
Wake now, discover that you are the song that the mornin' brings
But the heart has it's seasons, it's evenin's and songs of it's own


Eyes of the World - by the Grateful Dead...
Click to Listen

JB's Television Debut...

Wait Til About 1 Minute 10 Seconds into it...

Click to Watch: jb's TV debut

Four Kicks (and Albums) - Who's Struttin Now?

One thing I quite enjoy is entertaining my ears with new music. These days there are so many ways to obtain new tunes, and sometimes not a dime is dropped. Yes, there’s the whole "don’t steal the music" bla bla. But I’m still an avid cd buyer, so when I come across free stuff, oh well. I feel it’s a Karma balance-of -validation.

Lately I’ve had the chance to overload the "recently added" PlayList on my i.tunes. And have new stuff I look forward to hearing more of, along w/some long-loved artists, (both old and new albums)…its been glorious.

Anyway – what I’m getting at –the new Kings of Leon record is out. I was lucky to snag it prior to release, which in part has me burnt out on it already, by my own fault. And yes, its not the typical sound from them we’ve all know and love. But its still new stuff to hear and maybe, yes maybe, it might just grow on you. Altho they’re gaining mainstream rep and hype….I would guess its what they’re going for, isn’t any band, sort of? Hopefully during this time while they’re "all the fuss" (good OR bad), they’ll start writing songs that pull back to their roots. I suppose we can only wish.

I read a great review where a reader commented that regardless this album would take criticism. Basically it stated how if it sounded like all their older stuff people would gripe of no "maturity" to their sound, but instead now they’re griping its too "pop" and mainstream. Yes, the album is part-corny (I need their off-the-wall lyrics!!) – but also: some people just like to bitch. If anything, the release of this album has given them more recognition, which means they’re sticking around. I’m grateful for that. They’ve been huge in Europe for a while now and as that hype grows in the US, lets just hope they keep it up. Even if they spit out a not-so-par record every now and again…..

My cocky look emerges when U question my moves
Cuz U ain’t got no taste..
U talkin’ bout my baby
I could flip you upside down and I could mop this place...
Kings of Leon / My Party / Because of the Times

Blowin' in da Wind...

I can’t believe I live in the midwest and can say a "Hurricane" hit (sort of). And, considering pictures I’ve seen, and stories I heard of the rest of cincy, mine are minimal. People were out of power for an entire week, along with no H2O due to water pumps that run on electric. So city ways are fortunate I suppose. And I almost feel our issues partially deal with LazyLandlord more than midwest.hurricane, AKA we were not surprised all those trees fell on our driveway. But here’s a pic of Ike’s remnants on Russell.St while we, however, were at Paul Brown, watching the Bengals get "blown away" by the Titans..BLUGH.

Hit Me BABY One More Time!!

My cousin had another baby: Round 3....
Drake Thomas Winchester, Cutie-Pa-Tootie!
Born September 10, 2008
Congratulations to the family, you got it goin on AbbySUE!

Smiles N Hugs..BrettySue

Welcome to My Jungle...

Ahhhhh, the BENGALS. This Sunday brings the first home game of the regular season. And hopefully also brings a win over the Titans and a 1-1 record, after the sad display of disgust in Baltimore. But, Whatever. I’m not here to talk strategy. I'm not even here to talk football. Really I just figured it was time to add a picture. So, as I looked through my latest photos, I realized that I should remind you…Ladies and Gentlemen--No matter your wasted-ness, no matter how the bengals play, no matter if you’re cool enough to have a motorized cooler you ride at the tailgate, THROW AWAY your empty beers! If you have any questions or concerns about this, you can always refer to the attached picture. Thank you – and have a WhoDey.

InSide My Head...

I'll tell you about the driver who lives inside my head.

Starts me up and stops me, puts me into bed.
He opens up my mouth when it's time for me to talk.
He fires up my legs when he wants me to walk.

Keeps my eyes open most of the day.
Adds to my memories, the things that people say.
Then he makes decisions I don't have to make.

BUT SOMETIMES IT SEEMS
THAT HE'S GOT TOO MUCH ON HIS PLATE

Like this morning when I woke up and he dressed me in this shirt
It looks a little ragged like he dragged me through the dirt.
I'm moving through this life and I'm thinking about the next
And hoping when I get there, I'll be better dressed.

Keeps my eyes open most of the day
Adds to my memories the things that people say
Then he makes decisions I don't have to make.

I'll tell you about the driver who lives inside my head.

DRIVER by Phish