I'm Still Standing

Greetings and salutations, folks! Yes, I am still here, in body and as much of my mind as is still functioning. :c)

It has been a frantic two months. How frantic, you ask? I have been working on two projects, one at work and one non-work, both of which had/have deadlines this week, for that entire stretch. For the past six weeks I have been putting in 80+ hours every week.  

I met one deadline - the more challenging non-work one, thankfully - last night, the end of a 15 hour work day, coupled with two and a half hours of commute time. 

Today was a frantic day at work, but more of the standard end-of-project-cycle variety. (I know Stace and others can relate!) The other, work-related deadline is tomorrow, but the worst is over in terms of workload. As I kidded a developer colleague today, "Now I get to ask YOU why the hell you aren't finished yet!" lol 

(Actually, everyone has been working extremely hard - and extremely well - together. No hissy fits, no temper tantrums... just a team buckling down to get the job done as best we can under stressful, challenging conditions. It helps quite a bit to know that everyone has each other's back.)

I will write more about how I got into such a stressful, time-consuming situation in my next post. I have learned a hard, hard lesson as a result. 

It is a lesson I have needed to learn for some time. A number of people whose opinion I value a great deal have told me as much, with varying degrees of forcefulness. (Including Kelli - you were correct once again, missie!). 

Fortunately, it has finally sunk in at long last. I get it, finally. And as result, there are going to be changes in my life as a result. Big changes.

But it can wait 'til next time. :) I plan to unwind a bit tonight (if my brain will let me!), get to bed relatively early (I hope), and make one last push tomorrow to cross the finish line. Then I can turn my focus to a subject I have seemed to push aside far too often in the past.

Me. :c)

Until next time, be well, everyone, and enjoy the summer! It's finally arrived here in the Boston area along with the standard humidity. I took this picture one recent morning - AFTER spending 10-15 fruitless minutes trying to straighten my hair. lol (I gave up, needless to say.)

Until next time... be cool!

***

Here's a great song from Elton John's 1983 album Too Low For Zero that sums up where I am at this very moment:

He reunited with his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin after a recorded the song, and album, with Bernie Taupin once again collaborating on the songwriting and the core band he used on the staggering string of classic albums he recorded in the 1970s. The difference in energy from his previous solid-but-not-inspiring albums is palpable.

Incidentally, for those of you who are not aware, Elton has been on a creative roll for well over a decade now, releasing a string of albums that can stand tall in his catalogue. The first of these albums, 2001's Songs from the West Coast, is a particular favorite, and one I still pull out frequently. 

Here's the album closer, "This Train Don't Stop Here Anymore," which features a wonderful video starring none other than a very young Justin Timberlake, who makes a more than credible Elton stand-in. (And yes, that's Pee Wee Herman playing Elton's manager.) Enjoy! :c)

April Is Back!!!

Hi folks! Just a quick post to let you all know that your favorite blogstress, April, has torn herself away from her latest French millionaire suitor to start her blog up again. Yea!!!

She has moved into more upscale digs, however, which you can find here:

http://myroadredux.blogspot.ca/2014/03/im-back-baby.html

She asked me to let everyone know that she is redecorating it in a fashion that becomes her (insert your own joke here - I already did ;D), but for now it is bare bones.

More seriously, she asked me to thank everyone for their concern the past few months while her blog was down. At least two or three people a week would contact me to ask how she was doing and send their best wishes. She is grateful.

And so am I, frankly. Being her secretary is NOT an easy gig. Running to Tim Horton's in five-inch heels each time Her Highness needed a caffeine boost does a job on the ol' ankles, let me tell you…

Anyway please join me in welcoming back our Miss April! It's great to have you back, sweetie!!!

***

I teased her earlier this evening that I was going to use this song as the title from this post, but you know how sensitive those Canadian chicks are (how do they play hockey when they're so weepy, anyway?!?). Instead, I shall post it here without comment. :D

This also gives me a chance to post this remarkable solo version of "Tiny Dancer" from 1971. 

Still gives me goosebumps every single time I watch this. :c) SUCH a great song...

Kiss the Bride(?)

So, I had one of those fun "If only you knew what I was *really* thinking" conversations last night.

I was out for a walk after work and came up to a major intersection. It  was rush hour, so I was waiting for the lights to cycle through before the walk signal came on.

I turned around and noticed a beautiful wedding gown in the window of a small boutique. I had been idly looking at it for a moment when I heard a woman's voice behind me. 

"Thinking about your big day?"

I turned around and saw an older woman smiling at me as she nodded in the direction of the gown. 

I returned her smile.

"I am," I said.

"Is that what her gown looks like?" she asked.

I thought for a moment.

"To tell you the truth, I don't know," I said.

The walk signal came on.

"Well, I'm sure she'll be beautiful," she said over her shoulder as she waved and walked off. I returned her wave as I started off in the other direction.

"I hope so," I said to myself, still smiling.

To be continued…

(I hope!)

***

Here's a terrific rocker from Elton John's 1983 comeback album, Too Low For Zero. This is the album that reunited him with Bernie Taupin and the core of the 1970s band, with whom he recorded that string of classic albums.