Six Sentence Monday: Missing Entry #5

I searched the world over for missing Entry #5. It was here — at the tips of my fingers — Monday, September 16. But, then it slipped through my grasp. As I went through the week, I looked. But, prepping kids for school, household responsibilities, social time with girlfriends, and after-school commitments compromised my focus. Today — Monday, September 23 — will be different.

Related articles

• Six Sentence Monday: Entry 1 (kateschannel.wordpress.com)
• Six Sentence Monday: Entry 2 (kateschannel.wordpress.com)
• Six Sentence Monday: Entry 3 (kateschannel.wordpress.com)
• Six Sentence Monday: Entry 4 (kateschannel.wordpress.com)

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A Case of Winter Snark: Five-Step Recovery Program

For two weeks I have battled a case of winter snark. Despite an appearance of happiness, peace and goodwill my inner voice continues to have more snark as the winter days linger on. Last night, the snark would not shut up. I was trying to fall asleep. It kept listing one complaint after another. Finally, I demanded silence.

While I am not anywhere close to being snark-free, I stopped living in denial last night. I admitted to having winter snark and signed myself up for a self-imposed, five-step recovery program.

1. Listen to my favorite music when and wherever possible. Blink 182, Foo Fighters, Korn, Rob Zombie and  Journey are among the artists who help take me to happier places.

2. Girlfriend time puts winter snark in its place: out in the cold where it belongs. Without fuel, the snark does not have energy to thrive.

3. Exercise is my number-one defense against any kind of snark: winter, cleaning, marital, parenting, alcohol shortage, etc. Fitness is a natural outlet for all negativity to escape. Too bad this doesn’t work while I’m driving. Sign language isn’t enough.

4. Writing is my second line of defense. Again, it is another method I use to relieve stress. Once I write it, it’s no longer a burden. I may still need to resolve a problem. But, I no longer feel it clouding my thoughts. Somehow, I achieve clarity on the direction I should take.

5. Attack action item list, which is always growing. After crossing items off, I felt accomplishment, not dread from excuses for not “doing.”

Related post …

Seven Silent Monsters

Bonus Post: Lyric Status Friday

Time is never time at all
You can never ever leave without leaving a piece of youth
And our lives are forever changed
We will never be the same
The more you change the less you feel
Believe, believe in me, believe
That life can change, that you’re not stuck in vain
We’re not the same, we’re different tonight
Tonight, so bright
Tonight

— Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins

One selection from many I love from Smashing Pumpkins. It is among those on my MP3, which is always with me on runs and walks.

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Bonus Post: Lyric Status Friday

Purple Haze was in my brain,
lately things don’t seem the same,
actin’ funny but I don’t know why
‘scuse me while I kiss the sky.

— Jimi Hendrix

I don’t know about you. But, for me, summer just wouldn’t sound the same without listening to legendary guitar riffs from Jimi Hendrix. His lyrics and melodies always make it easier to wait for some delicious ribs to smoke up all hot and tasty on the grill.

Enjoy your time soaking up the sunshine with family and friends as the U.S.A approaches its celebration of independence on July 4. Temps. north of the “D” are approaching 100 this weekend, which calls for plenty of Hendrix tunes, ice-cold Bell’s Oberon and something cool to splash in.

Related articles

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• “Purple Haze” (greatamericanthings.net)

One-Word Wednesday: Chaotic

Since Mama’s Empty Nest takes the top slot with her Wordless Wednesday posts, I figured I would take a stab at a One-Word Wednesday series. Jamie Taylor, a long-time college friend and extraordinary photojournalist inspired the idea on Facebook this morning. He challenged all of his peeps to describe their Wednesday is just one word. So, here is mine … chaotic.

See It: Xanadu Live at Meadowbrook Theatre

You have to believe we are magic
Nothin’ can stand in our way
You have to believe we are magic
Don’t let your aim ever stray
And if all your hopes survive
Your destiny will arrive
I’ll bring all your dreams alive
For you

— John Farr, performed by Olivia Newton John, Xanadu

After romancing two glasses of Pinot Grigio Campanile and my husband at Mitchell’s Fish Market Saturday evening, I revisited what I define as one of the best decades ever. I saw a family friend and former neighbor star, David Havasi, in the live production of Xanadu at Meadowbrook Theatre in Rochester Hills, Mich.

Photo Credit: Meadowbrook Theatre, mbtheatre.com

Perhaps re-connections with school mates through social media sites such as Facebook and Pinterest stir up all these feelings of nostalgia. But, it was a decadent performance complete with leg warmers, flashy colors, superb roller disco moves and replays of hits from Olivia Newton John (one of my fave’s from that era).

I recommend booking a date with your partner or girlfriends for a trip down memory lane with this very talented cast. It’s surreal to look back at the years growing up during the ’80s. What great memories and good times.

Can’t help myself. I’m singing this in my head as I type. So, it’s the only cure I know …

A million lights are dancing
And you’re here with me
Eternally

Xanadu Xanadu (now we are here)
In Xanadu
Xanadu Xanadu (now we are here)
in Xanadu

Xanadu
your neon lights will shine
For you Xanadu.

— Jeff Lynne, performed by Olivia Newton John

Cover via Amazon

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Go 4 It

What if all those greats we learn about in history, science and the arts sat on their thumbs wondering? If they stood frozen with fear of failure would we be driving cars, chatting online with far-flung friends or sitting in the dark at night?

It’s almost as if I’m being hit over the head with the same message, today. Two of my favorites in the blogging world posted some good ones about seizing opportunities. We all know some only present themselves once. The moment to fulfill the success to its greatest potential might not return a second time.

So, without further delay, here are the two posts that grabbed my attention this morning.

The Only Way to Guarantee Failure is Never to Try – Dances with Chaos

If You Want Something, Ask – She Takes on the World

Good luck in pursuing your dreams, today.

Bonus Post: Lyric Status Friday — Beautiful Day

The heart is a bloom 
Shoots up through the stony ground 
There’s no room 
No space to rent in this town 

You’re out of luck 
And the reason that you had to care 
The traffic is stuck 
And you’re not moving anywhere 

You thought you’d found a friend 
To take you out of this place 
Someone you could lend a hand 
In return for grace 

It’s a beautiful day 
Sky falls, you feel like 
It’s a beautiful day 
Don’t let it get away

— Written by Bono and The Edge, music composed by U2.

I don’t know about you. But, U2 has been a favorite of mine since the ’80s. Each of U2’s songs showcases the band’s ability and consistent success with blending lyrics and music to deliver a powerful and lasting listening experience. The MP3 I use on my 5k training runs is loaded with tracks from U2’s Elevation and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb albums.

Previous Bonus Posts from kateschannel.wordpress.com on Lyric Status Friday …

Outshined, Chris Cornell — Soundgarden

Crazy Train, Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley

Times Like These, Dave Grohl — Foo Fighters

Bonus Post: Lyric Status Friday — Outshined

Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So now you know
(Who gets mystified)
So now you know
(Who gets mystified)

Show me the power child, I’d like to say
That I’m down on my knees today
It gives me the butterflies, gives me away
‘Til I’m up on my feet again
I’m feeling, I?m feeling
Outshined, outshined, outshined, outshined

— Chris Cornell, Soundgarden

You can count on it. This won’t be the last song I promote on Bonus Post Friday. Chris Cornell is one of my faves. Soundgarden, Audioslave, solo, what have you. It’s all good. Damn good.

But, Outshined, is my absolute top when it comes to the Cornell’s magic. It blares inside my car while I drive around checking errands off my list. I envision my college days. The scenes center on the entry-level, night-course I took on graphic arts/printing. My classmates and I are busy creating. Then, in the midst of screen-printing some t-shirts, Chris Cornell belts Outshined from the in-ceiling speakers or from someone’s boom box (it was still the ’90s, people).

Bonus Post: Lyric Status Friday – Crazy Train

Ozzy Osbourne, Prince of Darkness, at the I Am Ozzy book signing at Changing Hands, Tempe Arizona, Feb 20th, 2010 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

All aboard! Ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaa! 

Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay 

Crazy, but that’s how it goes 
Millions of people living as foes 
Maybe it’s not too late 
To learn how to love 
And forget how to hate 

 — Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads and Bob Daisley.

I like this Bonus Post idea. Do you?

After all it is Friday. What could be better? The school/work week is coming to an end; and weekend fun can commence in mere hours.

Today, I have Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train playing on repeat in my head. It’s the tune I associate with watching my beloved Detroit sports teams. I don’t know what it is about this song. But, it revs me up each time it plays for the Lions, Red Wings, Tigers or Pistons.

Related previous posts …

Beautifully Said (kateschannel.wordpress.com)

Bonus Post: Lyric Status Friday, April 20 (kateschannel.wordpress.com)