Musical Memories

I was up late with Lauren last night...and it was even later when I awoke, thanks to Daylight Savings. It was so late, after wrestling with changing the time on my watch, I wrote in my journal, then went right into making Chocolate Chip Pancakes for what was now brunch.

Listened to the Donna Summer greatest hits collection On the Radio while I ate. Donna Summer's music holds a lot of precious memories for me. Some of my earliest memories are of Rose and me dancing around the house to Dad-Bill's old record copy of Bad Girls, belting the title song at the top of our lungs. I bought him On the Radio on CD as a Christmas present around 1999-2000. I kind of did it as a joke. He'd always been a fan of disco...and Mom was not a fan of disco. To my surprise, it was a hit when Dad played it for my sisters and their friends on Christmas night and became much-requested in my family during the early 2000's, even from Mom.

Ran out to get the laundry done as soon as I finished breakfast. While it was fairly busy, there were plenty of washers and dryers open. Good thing, too. I had a really big load, including towels. I read The Introvert Entrepreneur while ignoring soccer on TV and two Hispanic college kids running loud Spanish music on their smartphones.

Put everything away when I got home, then did some writing. Re-wrote the opening paragraphs. Leia Ortega is still flying over Coruscant City, but she now gets a call from the mysterious White Queen, her Charlie-like boss. She tells her that there's a fire at the Erso Scrapyards in the Scarif District that seems to have been started by the evil Darth Vader, fire-powered Father of Death, and his minions the Shadow Soldiers. The White Queen wants Leia to pick up a package that includes some very important tapes and blueprints, describing Vader's newest secret weapon...

Lauren came on early (she was watching wrestling). I took a shower first, then had a quick leftovers dinner while listening to a few more 70's items and chatting with her. I've been a huge fan of Billy Joel literally for as long as I can remember. Like him, Dad-Bill was from Long Island; Mom often spoke of seeing him play in clubs and bars in the early-mid 70's. His 52nd Street was one of the first records I remember listening to constantly; favorites from this album include "Honesty," "My Life," "Zanzibar," "Rosalinda's Eyes," and "Until the Night."

Finished the night with the soundtrack from Superman: The Movie. Superman has been one of my favorite superheroes since early childhood, likely due to Super Friends and the first three movies. John Williams' score for the first movie has become iconic in its own right, especially the opening credits Title March.

Shining Stars

Started off the morning with my first pancake breakfast of 2019. I had a pear that was getting soft, so I made Pear Spice Pancakes. They came out very well, soft and sweet...and I didn't burn them this time. Had them with the last of the Cranberry Flummery.

Rose called me shortly before breakfast. First of all, she pretty much confirmed what she said before and what Lauren said. She'll try to fight the raised rent...but I'd be better off just finding another place. Willa is not going to stop raising the rent. It isn't worth it for three rooms (one unheated) and a bathroom. That sliver of a kitchen is so small, it doesn't qualify as it's own room. 

The trouble is, I only got this place last time because I rented it from a friend of my uncle's. The friend and my uncle passed away in 2012. I was really hoping I'd be able to find another little studio or one-bedroom place attached to someone's house. I have no friends or family I can move in with. Dad-Bruce isn't going to last much longer, and I suspect Jodie may not be able to afford to keep the house, whether Jesse and Dana stay or not.

Shortly after I talked to Rose, I headed off to the laundromat to finally get that done. They were busier than they were on Sunday last week, but still not so bad that I couldn't get my small load done quickly. I was in and out in less than an hour.

When I got home, I went right into putting everything away. There wasn't enough time left to work on fanfic, but I did go through a few more things in the back room and dressed the Cabbage Patch dolls in their regular clothes. Carrie got her yellow dress with the pink and green ribbon trim; Dulcie went in her original blue and white gingham dress. Had a quick yogurt-and-banana lunch after I finished there. Listened to that Reader's Digest Lerner & Loewe CD Lauren gave me last September while I worked. Most of the songs are instrumental orchestra recordings or singers with an orchestra. Though Richard Harris' Camelot numbers are in this vein, he has the advantage of actually having starred in that show, both in it's 1967 film version and in a short-lived Broadway revival in the 1980's.

Switched to the Mary Martin Peter Pan Broadway cast album. while having yogurt and a banana for lunch. Since I did the Disney Peter Pan yesterday, I figured it made sense to run this one, too. (In fact, it debuted on Broadway less than a year after the Disney movie came out.) It has the advantage of sticking more closely to the book and play than the cartoon did, including the Lost Boys building Wendy a house, the kids being given poisoned cake by Hook (which Wendy throws away), and all of the kids but Peter going home to the Darling house, not just Wendy, John, and Michael. "I Won't Grow Up" and "Never Never Land" are probably the best-known numbers here. Other good songs include Peter's manifesto "I Gotta Crow" and his sad lullaby "Distant Melody." 

Work was crazy when I arrived. I went outside to do carts immediately. The carts kept vanishing, no matter how many the other bagger and I brought to the patio. It slowed down enough by the second half of my shift for me to do the overloaded outside trash and recycling canisters, but it never died out completely, even after the game started. A lot of people are probably restocking after the holidays, and they may have been out to enjoy the nice day. By 2 PM, the sun was out, and while it was gale-force windy, it was also in the lower 50's, relatively warm for this time of year.

Went straight to Dad and Jodie's from work. The Eagles and Bears didn't really do a whole lot during the first half of the game. The Bears were up slightly 6-3 when I arrived. Jodie gave me rolls and let me set up my own ham and Italian hoagies, along with chips, chocolate donuts, and chocolate chip cookies Rose made. This time, it was just her, me, Dad, Mark, and Jessa. Rose had been around with Finley earlier, but she had to pick up Khai from a friend's house, and he has school tomorrow. 

Things started turning around shortly after I rolled in. The Eagles finally got a touchdown that pulled them ahead. The Bears turned around and got another one, but they missed the two-point conversion. The Eagles did the same after their touchdown. The Bears managed to get close enough for a field goal in the final seconds of the game...but their kicker missed the goal! It hit the goal post! The Eagles won by one point, 16-15. Talk about your nail-biter games. I don't think I breathed in those final moments.

Hit the shower as soon as I got home. When I finished, I celebrated online with two dance albums. Earth, Wind, and Fire's Greatest Hits Vol. 1 features some of my favorite numbers from them, including "Singasong," "September," "Shining Star," and their version of "Got to Get You Into My Life." Moved to another greatest hits collection, Donna Summer's On the Radio. Good ones from this two-disc set include the title number, "I Remember Yesterday," "Bad Girls," "Hot Stuff," "Last Dance," and "MacArthur Park." 

I Remember Yesterday

I celebrated the start of a sunny winter day with Mandarin Orange Pancakes and the soundtrack from the 1967 Rex Harrison version of Dr. Doolittle. I haven't seen this movie since it made occasional appearances on cable and a few local independent stations when I was a kid, but I remember it being supremely weird. The plot description in the booklet attached to the record cover bears this out. The good doctor of the title prefers animals to people, despite being friends with an enthusiastic young man named Matthew (Anthony Newley). He falls for the niece of one of Doolittle's more obnoxious customers, Emma (Samantha Eggar). Doolittle is accused of murder when he steals a seal from a circus to return her to her mate and it's believed that she's a woman, thanks the bonnet he's hidden her in. When the others rescue him from jail, they all take off for the South Seas to find the rare Great Pink Sea Snail.

Uh, yeah, the story is that bizarre. No wonder this was apparently a flop in 1967. In some ways, it reminds me a lot of another odd musical fantasy from this time period that also didn't do well at the box office, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. There's a period setting in Victorian/Edwardian England, with the first half set entirely in England and the second in a far-flung fantasy land. At least one scene in England takes place in a fair or circus. The lead is an eccentric older man who prefers machines, animals, and kids to adults and has a romance with a younger woman, despite the initial disapproval of her guardian. Both films end with the leads being taken home by some fantastic conveyance.

For all this movie's problems, it does have a rather nice score. "Talk to the Animals" was the hit at the time and won the Oscar, but I liked the ballads better. Too bad Matthew's "Where are the Words?" was deleted; it's very sweet. His duet with Emma, "Beautiful Things," is also quite lovely. Dolittle's "When I Look In Your Eyes" is a touching ballad...that he performs to the seal missing her mate in the film.

I don't know if this is available on CD, but the LP makes a pleasant listen if you ever run into it.

Headed off to work shortly after the record ended. While busier than it was last week, we mostly weren't quite as bad as we usually are on Sunday. The Eagles played yesterday, and a lot of people may have been taking advantage of a chilly but windless afternoon off to get other things done. I cleaned the bathroom and bagged in the morning shift, then helped the afternoon bagger do the carts, did cold returns, and for some reason, cleaned up a lot of spills after break. (Including plastic buckets of roses that were leaking all over the main entrance to the store.)

(I also got to see some of the Jaguars - Steelers game during break. The Jaguars were way ahead by the end of the first half, 28-7. Though the Steelers caught up in a big way, Jacksonsville still pulled off a win 45-42 and will hopefully knock out the Patriots next. The Vikings had an even bigger last-minute victory over the New Orleans Saints tonight 29-24 - they'll be playing the Eagles next Sunday.)

When I got home, I listened to the Johnny Mathis Swing Softly album while working on BB In Toyland. BB manages to get the door open while Rose distracts Kylo Ren and his men by throwing paint at them. Ren finally gets a hold of BB after the others make their way in. Han stops his son from dragging the girl away, confronting him about his leaving the factory and his invading Toyland. Kylo Ren takes off before he can give his father answers; BB goes after him.

Broke for dinner and to make dessert around 6:30. Turned one of the containers of ground turkey I bought on Friday into Taco Casserole with the addition of pasta, cheddar cheese, onions, carrots, taco sauce, and broccoli. Made Blackberry-Pineapple Grunt from I'm Just Here for More Food for afterwards. (I didn't have enough blackberries for just blackberry grunt.)

Listened to Golden Boy while I ate. I thought this 1964 stage musical was appropriate for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Joe Wellington (Sammy Davis Jr.) is determined to become a fighter by any means necessary, even betraying his manager when he falls in love with his white girlfriend Lorna (Paula Wayne). He does become famous...but when he learns just how empty it is when he actually takes a punch in the ring and kills his opponent.

Oddly, the music reflects very little of this heavy drama. You can hear some bitterness in "Don't Forget 127th Street," a paen to Joe's Harlem roots, and in Lorna's song "Lorna's Here." Otherwise, it's mostly ballads for Wayne and Davis and jazzy numbers for Davis like the hit "This Is the Life."

I'm pretty sure the CD is out of print, but it can likely be found online if you're a fan of Davis or prefer your musicals on the darker side.

Finished out the night with Donna Summer's greatest hits set On the Radio. I felt like I needed something a lot more fun after Golden Boy. My stepdad was a huge fan of hers. Some of my earliest memories are of dancing around the house to this and her Bad Girls LP set.

Farm Market Before the Rain

Ugh. I don't know what it was, but I couldn't sleep last night. I was still tired even after laying in bed for a while, writing and finishing Anne of Ingleside. (Incidentally, my favorite of the Anne books is still the first story of Anne's arrival in Green Gables. While I also like Anne of the Island and Anne's House of Dreams, none of the sequels can quite surpass the original. Rilla of Ingleside was by far the best of the three books about Anne's family after she's grown and married, and possibly the most tragic book in the entire series, with its World War I setting.

The original is required reading, especially for young girls. The sequels aren't necessary for anyone but Anne fans, or those who enjoyed the first and want more.)

Listened to Alice In Wonderland while I had breakfast. The Peter Pan children's album I have from the mid-70's does have some nice music, including the dreamy title song and "The Queen Has Commanded," but the most unique thing about it is the artwork for the storybook. A very modern  Alice, complete with Malibu Barbie blond hair, cavorts through a still-Victorian Wonderland that looks more like it was drawn by Marvel Comics in the mid-70's than a children's record company.

Headed out for the Collingswood Farm Market around 9:30. At that point, it was still a nice day, sunny and bright, if a bit warmer and more humid than yesterday. The fall harvest is starting to roll out in earnest now. I saw pears, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and gourds for the first time this year, and leeks for the first time since spring. Made my way through the crowds well enough to buy Bosc pears, Chinese beans, a cucumber, and small Gala apples. 

Hunted up a couple of yard sales on the way home. First stop was Everett Avenue, a few blocks down from Collingswood High School. They had a box filled with recipe books from the 50's through the 80's. Thought I'd give Better Homes and Gardens Jiffy Cooking and Sunset Cook Book of Breads a whirl. Had less luck at a sale on Woodlawn Terrace a block from my apartment in Oaklyn. It was mostly furniture and vintage appliances, nothing I really need.

Worked on writing for a while after I got in and put everything away. Leia and one of Jabba's showgirls pass a new statue being added to the lobby as they're heading for the stage. She doesn't have much time to inspect how lifelike it is...because it's showtime! As she performs with the other dancers, she catches the arrival of corpulent mob boss Jasper "the Hutt" himself...who never takes his big yellow eyes off her. She's more interested in figuring out where Hank is...

Broke at 1 for lunch, this time running Mickey Mouse Disco. Yes, it's what the title says. The Disney gang spoofs the disco dancing phenomenon of the late 70's with original comic numbers and disco covers of songs from earlier films. My favorite of the new material is "Welcome To Rio," with it's catchy tropical rhythm. "Zip a Dee Doo Dah" is the best of the covers. 

Work was an absolute pain today. It wasn't bad when I got in. I was able to get all the trash inside and out done in the first hour. It picked up considerably after that. Every time I tried to do one of the full carts of returns or get to cleaning the bathrooms, I would be called up to take the register. Neither were ever remotely finished. One manager called me right as I was going on break. I figured it would do no good trying to explain it to her and wound up being more than 20 minutes late. I wanted to take my break on time because the other bagger was leaving early. And of course, I had no help with corrals that were bulging with carts for the rest of the evening. Thankfully, it did slow down enough by 5 that I was able to fill both sides before I headed home.

Clouds were starting to creep in, even as I was going to work. They grew darker and darker the longer I was outside. It did wait until I was long home and out of a much-needed shower to start raining. 

(Ran into Richard, one of my next-door neighbors, on the way in. He'd been tinkering with my bike this afternoon. The inner tube's shot, like I figured...but so's the tire. I have an inner tube, but not a tire. I'll see if I can get somewhere to pick up a new one this week.)

I had leftovers for dinner while listening to Introducing the Care Bears, one of several recordings featuring the colorful critters in the early-mid 80's. There's a number for each of the original Care Bears who debuted when the franchise did. Most of them were unmemorable and/or marred by the fact that several of the Bears' voice actors couldn't sing. The best of a bland lot were Wish Bear's sweet "When I Grow Up" (even if her voice sounds like it's on helium) and Funshine's appropriately peppy 50's-style dance number. By far the most interesting thing about this one is the "picture album." The LP itself has some lovely artwork of the bears against a yellow background, possibly taken from the original greeting cards or Parker Brothers picture books. 

As the record was finishing, I thought I'd try something I haven't had in ages.I had four big Macintosh apples leftover from last week. The Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book has a wonderfully simple recipe for Apple Crisp that sounded perfect. Sliced two of the apples, sprinkled them with spices, salt, and added a 1/4 cup of water. Rubbed flour, sugar, and butter together, then spread it over the apples. Oh yummm. It came out flavorful and just sweet enough, and it smelled amazing in the oven. 

Ended the night online with the soundtrack from Return of the Jedi on YouTube. I still haven't been able to find the LP for this. I've seen it twice in ten years offline, and it was expensive both times. I'm guessing this one sold far less than the other two. While the music is excellent, it lacks iconic tracks like the credits music and "The Imperial March." Given my fondness for the Ewoks, I'm partial to a lot of the numbers that involve them, including "The Ewoks Parade" and the "Battle of Endor" medleys. 

Return of the Jedi Soundtrack

It's Always Something

I had barely enough time for breakfast and my Mousercise record after I did my morning reading and writing before work. This was Disney's exercise-themed album from the aerobics craze of the 1980's, and one of the first kids' records we got. I was delighted to find it again at a yard sale a few years ago. While there's a couple of cute numbers on here, my favorite has always been the hilarious "Get the Money (Uncle Scrooge's Money)," with the Beagle Boys' attempting to steal from Uncle Scrooge's money bin (at least five or six years before the debut of Duck Tales).

Work was a total pain in the rear. We were busy for most of the day, thanks to a huge four-say sale. I'd no sooner start bagging for someone than another person would want me to return something, and then someone else would want me to check a price. All I did was panic. About the only thing I got completely done was mopping the bathroom floors this morning. It got worse in the afternoon, when the other bagger who was doing carts went home. I had no help with the carts, and they kept calling me in to return cold items or gather baskets. The one other bagger ended up in a register. They even called me to do returns while I was on break! I'd bring carts to the front, and they'd vanish in seconds. I never did get caught up with them.

I couldn't get home fast enough. When I got in, I went right on the computer to cheer myself up with some writing. Leia, Cedric, and Rusty get involved in a food fight after the Crimson Hawk leaves that eventually encompasses half the fair. Leia gives Rusty the blueprints and tells him and Cedric to get them to an authority figure - her aunt and uncle, or Senator Mothma, or Sir Benjamin Kenton. Leia no sooner sends them off than she's promptly captured by Baron Vader, who knows she has some kind of involvement with one group of rebels or the other.

Meanwhile, Rusty has dragged Cedric over to a junk pile behind the old stone fortress on the edge of the park. The Junk Pickers, a group of peasants who gather cast-off items for their junk  yards and sell them, frequently round up trash from here. They stow away on their cart for a quick ride out of the fair under Vader's nose.

Broke for dinner around quarter of 6. I had leftovers while listening to Donna Summer, then played more Kirby's Epic Yarn. Finished out Treat Land. My favorite level in this land is by far the music-themed one. Walking on pianos and swinging across harps create musical notes with beads in them. Kirby gets to jump on cymbals and pound drums. I didn't do very well at it, but it was still cute. Had to do the "Squashini" boss round twice to get the extra rounds, but I did get them. I did better with the train round (when I finally figured out how to draw the tracks) than the haunted house-themed one.

Next time I play, I'll be doing the water-themed world and probably going back to the first round to check out some side games.

On the Radio

Began a vaguely sunny morning with Banana-Spice Pancakes and disco. The slightly gloomy weather made feel a need for some relatively upbeat music. I danced along to Donna Summer's classic greatest hits collection On the Radio, a very old childhood favorite of mine. I've been dancing to this literally my whole life. Dad-Bill was (and probably still is) a huge fan of hers. I remember dancing to his original LP copy when Rose and I were toddlers.

Work was on-and-off steady again, though generally busier than yesterday. The weather may have spooked people. It was still pretty decent when I got to work, but the clouds slowly increased all afternoon. We're not supposed to get snow this time around, but they are talking about at least a little rain. There were some annoying people who wouldn't help bag, and we had trouble when one man forgot his ID (we were given a new policy two days ago - anyone doing a large order on a credit card needs to show their card and ID) and I had to call a manager to override him, but otherwise. there were no major problems. The afternoon flew by, and my relief was right on time.

When I got home, I went directly into writing. Luke is going to Ben Kenobi to warn him that the evil Lord Vader may be plotting against the Aldran royal family. Han says he can't go with him - he has something to take care of. He does send him off on Chewie and tells him he'll meet him and Ben at the Eisley Tavern later.

Finished the night with leftovers and some more memories. I had some of the Barbara Streisand album Back to Broadway when it came out in the 90's, taped off a library copy, but I didn't get the whole thing until recently. I especially love "Children Will Listen" (which reminds me - one of the few cast albums I don't have is Into the Woods), "Everyone Says Don't," and the duet with Johnny Mathis from West Side Story "I Have a Love/One Hand, One Heart."

Disco Summer Dolls

I began an absolutely gorgeous Sunday morning with Peach Spice Pancakes and Donna Summer. On the Radio was mainly a greatest hits compilation, including favorites like "I Remember Yesterday," "Bad Girls," "Hot Stuff," and "MacArthur Park," as well as a new one, the title song. I've always loved Donna Summer. My stepfather does, too. I remember dancing around the house to his Donna Summer records with Rose when we were really, really little.

Work was surprisingly on-and-off steady. This being both the Sunday before many kids go back to school and the day before Labor Day, I thought we'd be a LOT busier. A lot of people must have taken off for the Shore once the weather got warmer. Not only were there no major problems, I had plenty of time to work on story notes between customers. By 3:30, I was easily able to shut down with no relief and no need for one.

While it was hotter than yesterday and that breeze was gone, it was still dry and not as bad as it has been this summer. I took the long way home down Nicholson Road and Manor Avenue. The traffic was still bad, but it could have been a lot worse. Given this is Sunday and a holiday weekend, there wasn't even any road repair happening at Manor Avenue or the Atlantic Avenue Bridge.

When I got home, I went right into dressing the American Girl dolls. They're all either in school outfits or summer outfits this month. Samantha wears her full current "Meet" outfit (the pink Swiss-dotted dress with the big lace collar), complete with white stockings and black strap shoes. Her Hair Styling Set hat looks really cute with it. Josefina is in her orange and red Summer Outfit with the fake-leather vest and Riding Boots. Whitney wears a cute floral Queen's Treasures dress and headband that passes for 50's with the addition of the petticoat from her eBay poodle skirt and the Springfield Collection espadrilles. Molly's in (Kit's) blue School Outfit and oxfords. Jessa keeps things simple and cool in the tie-dye t-shirt from the 90's Earth Day Outfit, a pair of shorts and flamingo-print sneakers from several craft shows, and the sunglasses from Molly's Bathing Suit Outfit. I left Felicity in her Traveling Gown and the hat from Elizabeth's Summer Gown. I really don't have much to change her into.

Made an absolutely delicious dinner after I finished the dolls. I love those turkey tenderloins I've been getting cheap at the Acme. I cooked this one in broth in a frying pan. Cut up most of the older vegetables in my refrigerator for an amazing ratatouille. The turkey was succulent, moist, a bit salty, and very peppery! The vegetables melted in my mouth.

Treated myself to ice cream at Phillies' Yummies after dinner. While the wind is gone, the weather largely remains lovely, warm but not humid. We desperately need rain, though. The grass is dry and brittle; the gardens and trees are starting to droop. A few people put out flags or bunting for Labor Day. Most settled for what remained of their gardens. I waved to an old man on his porch who asked me where my bike was. I told him I'd given it a rest and opted to walk to Yummies instead.

There were plenty of people sitting at tables when I arrived, but no line. I thought I'd try something new they had listed, Cake Batter. "Cake Batter" turned out to be bright yellow butter/vanilla ice cream with fudgy cake pieces. Ooh, it was so delicious - especially the cake! Decadent and delightfully different.

Oh, and I called Dad and Jodie earlier in the night. Dad and Jodie called back. Technically, they're not doing anything tomorrow, but Jodie did mention having "some food around." I was planning on going for a swim regardless of what they were doing - it's supposed to start getting hot again tomorrow. Other than that, my only plans for Labor Day are laundry and lots of writing.

Thanksgiving Rehearsal

I'm thankful that I awoke to a lovely, sunny morning. It was the perfect day for making my last Collingswood Farm Market run of the year. Ran today's American Top 40 re-run as I ate oatmeal with bananas and fruit concentrate and a pear for breakfast. We disco danced our way into late November 1978 as uptempo synthesizer dance tunes and dramatic ballads found their way into the spotlight. Hits from this time period include "Our Love - Don't Throw It All Away" by Andy Gibb, "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" by Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond, "Sharing the Night Together" by Dr. Hook, and "Ready to Take a Chance Again" by Barry Manilow.

The #1 hit of the week was one of the hottest songs of that year, Donna Summer's lengthy smash tale of "MacArthur Park."

I did look around for a yard sale, but I couldn't find it and just went straight to the Farm Market and back. Despite the wind and chilly temperatures, the booths were packed elbow-to-elbow with people buying their Thanksgiving fruit and vegetables. I managed to find my way through the crowds long enough to pick up honey, Brussels sprouts, pears, small Empire apples, bananas, cranberries for Cranberry Bread for Thanksgiving, spinach, an onion, and an acorn squash.

I ran into a friend while I was at the Farm Market. I hadn't seen Pattie at Yogawood in a long time, even before I took a few months off from yoga. She said she'd found Thursday evening classes to be easier with her schedule at her massage therapy business. She suggested getting together sometime soon; she even had a friend she wanted me to meet.

There was one other yard sale listed on Craigslist, but it was cold and windy, and I didn't feel like running around. I just went straight home. I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon working on editing the Bowery Boys fanfiction we have backlogged from as far back as the middle of the summer. I posted a Halloween story and a story about the Boys apple-picking on a farm, and there's more coming in the next week or so, including this year's NaNoWrite novel-length fanfic:

Bowery Boys Fanfiction - The Haunted Theater and She's the Apple of My Pie

I left for work a little early so I could pick up my contacts before my shift. (I worked until 6:30, and America's Best is only open until 6.) I should have left a little earlier. The place was packed with people trying to get their prescriptions before the holidays. It took me almost ten minutes to pick up my contacts, which normally takes about two seconds to two minutes.

Work was busy all day long and filled with some really grouchy people. I don't know why so many customers were in a bad mood. Maybe they hit long lines at other stores, too. People fussed at me. I couldn't bag anything right. They growled at each other, too. I heard a noisy fight in the line behind me at one point.

Thank goodness the employees were in far better moods. The Acme had a Thanksgiving Employee Luncheon in the back room all afternoon and evening. They'd started at 11, and there was still tons of food when I arrived. It felt like a dress rehearsal for Thursday! I had turkey (not much of it - by the time I got to it, it was really dry), baked ziti (pasta), a pile of sliced fresh broccoli and green peppers, chunks of fruit, a slice of carrot cake, and a slice of red velvet cake with thick cream cheese frosting from the bakery that was too rich for me to finish. I was so stuffed after eating a second plateful of veggies and meat that I had no need to go out to eat after my shift was over.

The hit of the party was one of the head front end manager's "white trash" - ie, Rice Chex mixed with powdered sugar, peanut butter, peanuts, and I believe M&Ms. Chex has a variation on this recipe (sans the peanuts and M&Ms) called "Muddy Buddies" at their site. Everyone kept eating tons of it, including me! The manager really turned a few customer's heads when she told people on the front end what she made for the luncheon, though! ;)

And speaking of Thursday, I did get Thanksgiving off. I also got Tuesday off, which is a very good thing. I'll have a lot to do that day, including returning DVDs and books to the Haddon Township Library and getting the Christmas cleaning started.

Faster and Faster To Nowhere

I have a confession to make. Ahem.

I like disco.

A child of 1979, I grew up on disco. My stepfather loved disco divas like Donna Summer and Diana Ross, and still does. One of my earliest childhood memories is of my sister Rose and I shaking our groove things to "Bad Girls/Hot Stuff," still two of my favorite songs, while Dad laughed at our antics. I bought him Donna Summer's On the Radio on CD for him to annoy Mom (she DOESN'T like disco) with about five or six years ago. It was the surprise hit of my family's Christmas. Even Mom happily cranked up the volume whenever it was on.

I sent the bills this morning and went through last year's papers, sorting what could go and what needed to be kept for tax purposes. After everything was sorted, I headed back to Act Two to see if they still had the CD/DVD rack I saw on the way out last week but wasn't going to try to carry home on foot. They didn't, but I did pick up a few other items. My Cabbage Patch Kid, Carrie, finally got some new clothes. She's been wearing the dress she came in in 1984 for over a decade. The dress is in decent shape for it's age, but it's also pilled, stained, and the Velcro won't close very well anymore. I got her a cute pair of green overalls with a red-and-green plaid shirt. The shirt's short-sleeved, so she still wears her cream-colored baby sweater. The overalls are a bit stiff; I had a hard time getting them on her. I also got a second vintage 80s item, a Good Luck Bear Care Bear figurine in mint condition. My third find was my favorite, Donna Summer's disco classic Once Upon A Time. I haven't heard this in years, but it seems to be Summer's 70s retelling of the Cinderella story, and while not as familiar as "MacArthur Park" or "Bad Girls" it's still a blast to listen to.

About an hour after I came home, it began to snow heavily. Though the snow settled into flurries by 3PM and never did stick, I opted to get a ride to work anyway. I wasn't getting off until 8:45, and I was worried about ice. Work was steady when I came in, stone-dead when I left.