Blogs

I've been writing a ton of Blogs lately, but have been posting them over at MySpace. If you'd like to play catch-up and read my Blogs from June 8-present, go to www.myspace.com/StephBKNY.

I'll try to do a copy/paste and post them here, too.

My First Great Love Is My Dad

I'm going to do some bragging here: My Dad kicks ass.

My earliest memories of my Dad go pretty far back, to when I was 2 years old or so. I remember he would come home from work every night and have my sister and I find bags of M&Ms or some other treat in his coat pocket.

I remember Lisa and I getting into bed with him every Saturday morning. Mom would go make breakfast and Dad would make a tent out of the covers. We'd be under the covers, me, Lisa and our Dad, and he'd make up stories or tickle us or play wrestle. We'd stay there with him and laugh till breakfast was done.

After breakfast Lisa and I followed him to the bathroom, where he'd sit one of us on the toilet bowl tank, and the other on the bathroom counter. He'd put shaving cream on our faces and we'd pretend to shave as he did. When that was done, Lisa stayed behind with Mom and I'd go on errands with him: first to the bank, then wherever else, then back home.

Sometimes after lunch I'd join him at the TV, and we'd watch a James Bond movie or Black Sheep Squadron together. I remember how amazed I was when he told me Black Sheep Squadron is based on a real U.S. military squadron. He'd always point out the differences between fact and fiction on the show. If the show's art imitated real life occurrences, he'd explain it to me further too. Those Saturday conversations with my Dad is where my interest in history and world events started.

My childhood memories of my Dad don't stop there: there were trips on the Circle Line, baseball games, the Zoo and Aquarium (also with Mom of course). I also remember when I outgrew my first two-wheel bike, he bought me a 12-speed, just because I needed one. Not for my Birthday or any occasion, just because. He was a "give the shirt off my back for my family" type of Dad. Still is.

Even the way he treats my Mom, he is my measuring stick for all men. He used to ask me "why are you still single?" I'd tell him "it's YOUR fault, I can't find anyone who treats women the way you treat Mom." (Although I may have hit jackpot this time, no jinxes!).

When I was living on my own, he always stopped by with groceries or a home-cooked meal (from Mom of course) because he wanted to make sure I was eating well.

I can go on and on about my Dad, but this Blog is long enough so I'll sum it up. As far as Dads go, he never made me feel like I needed anything, material-wise or emotionally. There was nothing I missed out on. Not to say I'm spoiled, because as soon as I got old enough to get working papers, my parents made sure I learned the value of a dollar and how important employment is (but not at the risk of my education). I'm not saying we were The Brady Bunch either. We've had our moments, but at the end of the day, we are a family and sometimes, families fight. The love is still there though, always will be.

My Dad will be 71 years old in October. He is healthy as a horse, THANK GOD, except for a bad hip. I know I don't see him as often as I should but if the whole "yours ears ring when someone talks about you" thing is true his ears would be in a lot of pain, cause I'm always talking about him, to anyone who'll listen.

So that's my Dad. His name is Sonny. Wasn't it just nice to meet him?

You're The Cats Meow!

I LOVE cats so I'm getting a huge kick out of this: Original story here. A(meow)rican idol

Claws are out as 10 cats vie for dream job by sharing quarters in Meow Mix House

BY NICOLE LYN PESCE DAILY NEWS WRITER

This cathouse welcomes peeping toms.

Since Meow Mix has launched both a kitty cafe and a tabby television station, it's no surprise that the cat food maker has turned to reality TV on Animal Planet with "The Meow Mix House."

In "The Real World" tradition, 10 cats are sent to live in a swanky apartment specially designed with felines in mind. It's stocked with an aquarium, scratching posts, loft beds and even a backyard with barbecue. The "cat-testants" - picked from shelters and rescue groups in 10 cities and tended 24-7 by members of the ASPCA - compete in various challenges to prove they are Meow Mix Material, such as purring, catching toy mice and falling asleep.

Voiceovers add a splash of drama and fun, although any onscreen romances have been nipped in the bud (each pet is spayed or neutered).

Starting tomorrow and then every subsequent Friday at 9 p.m., one cat will be evicted from the house each week in 10, three-minute long segments hosted by comedian Tom Shillue. In the Aug. 18 finale, the judges' pick of the litter is crowned feline vice president of research and development at Meow Mix in charge of taste-testing new products.

Viewers also can visit www.MeowMixHouse.com to vote for the Viewer's Choice, who also lands a job with the company. And everyone leaves a happy kitty, because each former stray is sent home to a loving family with a year's supply of Meow Mix.

City spectators can catch the action firsthand at the pet penthouse on 425 Madison Ave., or visit the Web site, where Web cams broadcast the action in real time and each mouser has a photo, bio and blog posted.

So what will get a puss booted from the house? "No missing the litter box," says promoter Keith Fernbach.

Originally published on June 15, 2006

The Dog Had Her Day!

Ok so earlier I was annoyed by some co-workers (not at QSAC, but my other job, believe it or not I sort of have co-workers there). Anyway, I got some news that made my day!

My best friend, Terriann, who we call T-Rock or T-Dog or The Dog, finally met her "hero." See, so many of us live for a band, or a sports team, and it would make our day, our lives even, to be front row and/or backstage at that band's concert, or at the biggest Championship game for our team, or to even meet our fav athlete. Not Terriann. Except for Jon Bon Jovi, there is only one celebrity she covets to meet: Tom Hanks. She absolutely LOVES him! And last night *Drumroll Lars* It happened!

Apparently Tom Hanks' wife, Rita Wilson, is staring on Broadway in a play. The name of the play escapes me right now, but Terriann and her boyfriend went to see the play last night. Tom Hanks was sitting a few rows ahead of them, and during intermission she got to talk to him and shake his hand.

She said he was very personable to everyone: he signed autographs and took pics for anyone who asked, and even kidded around with the crowd. When it was finally her turn to meet him, she was shaking. He asked her if she was ok. LOL

I'm so happy for her. I know what it is like to meet someone like that: before I met Metallica, I was so nervous that Laura, Ian and Mike made sure I had a shot before I went to get my Meet & Greet pass. And before that, Kevin, Laura and Ian tried force feeding me chicken fingers and french fries, unsuccessfully I might add. LOL Once I was backstage and had met the band, I was so thrilled beyond words that I not only met Metallica, but had the time of my life doing so. In a world where so many celebrities are stuck up, it's nice to see that Oscar winners like Tom Hanks, and Grammy winners/musical icons like Metallica, really do appreciate their fans.

I told Terriann she will be riding this wave for quite some time. It's been two years since I met Metallica, and when I really sit and think and digest meeting them and how we talked and things that were said, it puts an ear to ear grin on my face. (Although I still can't watch that Met On Tour vid of me and James Hetfield, without keeping one eye closed and the volume turned down. LOL)

It gives me a huge amount of happiness to know someone with a heart like Terriann has (MY DOG!) finally got to experience something she really, really wanted for a long time. She got her "Meet & Greet" and it was a nice time, as short as it may have been. For Terriann, watching Forrest Gump will never be the same.

THE DOG FINALLY HAD HER DAY!

Thought For The Day

When I die I want to be buried upside down, so certain people can kiss my ass.

Words of Wisdom

I lifted this off of PPM because I know some non-Clubbers who may enjoy it:

- Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

- Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

- Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

- Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

- Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you for the rest of the day.

- If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

- If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

- It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

- Never buy a car you can't push.

- Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you don't have a leg to stand on.

- Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

- The early worm gets eaten by the bird, so sleep late.

- When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

- Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.

- Ever notice that the people who are late are often much jollier than the people who have to wait for them?

- If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?

- You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

- Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

- Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.

- We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors; but they all have to learn to live in the same box.

- A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

- Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open.

- Have an awesome day, and know that someone has thought about you today...

Quickes

Quickie ..1

One day, a man came home and was greeted by his wife dressed in a very sexy nightie.
"Tie me up," she purred, "and you can do anything you want."
So he tied her up and went fishing.

Quickie ..2

A woman came home, screeching her car into the driveway, and ran into the house. She slammed the door and shouted at the top of her lungs,
"Honey, pack your bags. I won the damn lottery!"
The husband said, "Oh my God! What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain stuff?"
"Doesn't matter," she said. "Just get the hell out."

Quickie ..3

Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right, and the other is a husband.

Quickie ..4

A Polish immigrant went to the DMV to apply for a driver's license.
First, of course, he had to take an eye sight test. The optician showed him a card with the letters:

'C Z W I X N O S T A C Z.'
"Can you read this?" the optician asked.
"Read it?" the Polish guy replied, "I know the guy."

Quickie ..5

Mother Superior called all the nuns together and said to them, "I must tell you all something. We have a case of gonorrhea in the convent."
"Thank God," said an elderly nun at the back. "I'm so tired of chardonnay."

Quickie ..6

A wife was making a breakfast of fried eggs for her husband. Suddenly,
her husband burst into the kitchen.
"Careful," he said, "CAREFUL! Put in some more butter! Oh my GOD!
You're cooking too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW!
We need more butter. Oh my GOD! WHERE are we going to get MORE
BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful...CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You
NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up!
Are you CRAZY? Have you LOST your mind? Don't forget to salt them.
You know you always forget to salt them. Use the salt. USE THE SALT!
THE SALT!!! THE SALT!!!"
The wife stared at him. "What in the world is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?"
The husband calmly replied, "I wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving."

METALLICA!

Ok so I haven't seen Metallica perform live in almost 2 years. TWO YEARS TOO LONG my friends! The past few months they have been playing some shows overseas as part of their "Escape From The Studio Tour."

Reading the message board reviews, as well as seeing the pics, setlists and info on Met On Tour (GOOD JOB JEFF!) is getting me really really psyched for when they come back to the U.S.

One thing about Metallica shows, it never gets old! During the Madly In Anger With The World Tour, they constantly changed set lists. They even played some songs that were requested on the Fan Club message board. Each show was unique and worth more than the price of admission. They seem to be continuing with that (THANK YOU LARS, for kick ass set lists, IGNORE the haters!).

Only die hard fans will appreciate this, but for instance today I heard they opened with Motorbreath, and just the other day at the Rock Am Ring show they opened with Creeping Death! UNFUCKING REAL! AWESOME!

Also, and this is what REALLY bugs me out: In honor of the 20th Anniversary of Master of Puppets (don't listen to the crap info next to the album at the bottom of my MySpace Blog, for those who do read it there too. MySpace is wrong. For ACCURATE Metallica info visit Chapter Inc.), they played the album in its entirety, in the middle of the set list. Oh, you didn't read it wrong. They played all eight songs from Battery to Damage Inc. IN THEIR ENTIRETY! Once again, I know they made Cliff proud (RIP Buddy).

Anyway, God Bless cable modems. I downloaded the shows, in both audio and video versions, in less than 5 minutes each. The audio is already on my iPod and iTunes. I have it playing now, man do they sound great! The video is in perfect condition too.

I can't wait till they Tour the U.S. again. I'd LOVE to be at a show and hear MOP played like that! And people wonder why we are addicted to this band!

To quote one of my fellow Clubberz, aka KillamAll:

"Maybe it's a craving or a habit. You have drug addicts, you have smokers, and then you have Metallica fans."

It's The Little Things....

I've been with Anthony for over a year now and living with him for six months, and yet I hardly write about him on my Blog. I always mean to, but I'm so bad at typing certain things. (Say it Anthony, I'm an Ice Princess, LOL.)

Anyway I was just thinking about the little-big things, you know, those small gestures that count in a big way. I remember one time at work, a co-worker surprised me with an iced coffee, because he knows how much I like them. That totally made my day. Anthony is the king of doing things like this, at any given moment.

For my Birthday last year he gave me a digital camera. I never even asked him for one. He said he had remembered us looking at digital cameras, and I said "I wish I had one of these at the Metallica shows." He then told me, "now you have a digital camera for all of the Metallica shows next Tour." The size of the gift didn't matter. The realization that he LISTENS to me and put careful thought into my present meant the most.

Other sweet things he does:

He will return from the supermarket with instant iced coffee (I'm the coffee drinker, not him) because he knows I like iced coffee so much ("see now you can make it here whenever you want it.").

Last night I had a meeting after work. I called him during that meeting to find out he picked up some seafood salad for me, simply because he knows I like it.

If I'm not feeling well and I need him home, he will skip the gym and come straight home after work, to take care of me.

It's all the gestures that seem small, but mean so much. To know someone cares for you, loves you, listens to you and is considerate of you, is an awesome feeling.

Just in case you men do not think we appreciate the little things, you are wrong. The things you do that seem little, are actually what counts the most.

Anthony's Blog

I had to share what Anthony wrote this morning. It is about our kitten and shows how damn cute she is!

Tabitha the Freak

My cat Tabitha (in my pics section) is a nut. She's very attached to me (as I am to her) but this cat needs mental help (as I do also.)

For one thing, cats hate strong tastes/aromas but this cat LOVES mint. As soon as she hears my electric toothbrush going in the morning, her ass is in the bathroom doorway, waiting for me to finish. She then wails until I pick her up and let her lick whatever toothpaste is on my lips (icky, yes...but cat lovers will empathize).

Another thing is she likes to take showers in the sink in the morning. It's like she's mimicking our adult routine; hilarious. Again with the frickin' wailing and meowing till I turn on the faucet and she gets in...drinking some of the running water, and letting the rest pour over her head/body. I guess she figures it's easier than using her own licking...dunno. At least it helps with hairballs. With all this primping you'd think she had a job to go to also...wish she did; we'd love a third income, lol.

And she literally "misses" Steph and I when we're out of the apartment. You should see how crazy she goes when we get home. But I think I have a slight edge...she's a bit more attached to me. I never thought a female cat could be so funny/entertaining but we've raised her since she was barely a month old....goes to show what love can do when it comes to raising an animal. She's a real sweetheart. Mischievious as hell sometimes and there are occasions I'd like to murder her...but a sweetheart. I'm one of the biggest cat lovers you'll ever find and I sure am glad we found her....she adds alot of fun to our household.

Chris Daughtry

Ok so most of my friends have IMed or e-mailed me, saying how "pissed," "stunned," "shocked," and "devasted" they are that Chris was voted off Idol and none of us get to see the Taylor/Chris finale we hoped for.

But....*sniff sniff*....I smell something sorta fishy.

Last night Fuel BEGGED Chris on TV to join their band, but supposedly Chris has said no because he feels loyal to his band, Absent Element, and he knows they are bing signed to Arista Records soon. I actually saw the plans to sign his band in several news stories, so that's a fact, Arista wants to sign his band. That made something click in my head: Arista is owned by Sony. Sony=the almighty Tommy Mottola, and he took the Idols to Graceland. The next day Chris gets the boot. So I did some Googling and this is what I found:

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arista

Arista Records is an American record label that is wholly owned subsidiary of Sony BMG, and operates under the RCA Records Group.

So that confirmed who owns Arista, the label ready to sign Chris' band.

Hmmmm....anyone think Mattola told Idol to let go of Chris? I mean even Simon told Fox 5 News that America got it wrong. We all know in the long run Idol isn't the best place for a musician who lists Pantera, Tool, Shinedown, Killswitch Engage, Lamb of God and Mudvayne as his influences.

I love Chris but just like Bo (ok he blows Bo out of the water but go with me here) I couldn't imagine him standing there at the finale, confetti falling on him as he sings "You are the Wind That Lifts Me Up Through The Trees and Takes Me To Moments Like This" or some such Celine Dion/ Gay Aiken crap that Idol writes for the winners, either. Could you?

Oh well, at least Taylor still stands a chance....

iPod Debate

Ok, I've been having this debate with myself: I want an iPod Nano, but is it worth it?

I already have the old school 20GB iPod with Clickwheel, and I love it! I'm not someone who put every CD I own on there, I actually only put the stuff I have been listening to for the last few years. Out of the 5,000 song that can fit in there, I have almost 1500. I quickly learned that live shows take up most of your GBs (thanks Metallica!). I'm not saying all my iPod space is used, I think I have about 8 GBs left.

Anyway, I'm a junkie for stuff like this. Lately I've been tempted to get an iPod Nano, especially now that it fits 1000 songs and comes in black. I always said the iPod would be perfect if it came in black. I know all iPods are now available in black, but the size of the Nano appeals to me. I think it would be convenient for biking and rollerblading.

I can't seem to decide on actually buying one because: a. I already have an iPod that works well and I love, b. if I'm getting a Nano, a second iPod, is it worth spending the money for the one that holds 1000 songs, or do I go for the 500 song model? And of course, I'd have to decide which songs I want to bike and skate too, which ones I can live without for that time period. That's a task I'm kind of dreading.

Anyone think I should say fuck it and just get the second iPod?

Missing You

Three years ago I joined MetClub because my friend Christine, a MetClub member since the beginning, said I'd enjoy the ticket pre-sales and contests. When I paid my $55 membership fee, I had no idea just what was in store for me.

You see, about a month after I joined, I started posting on PPM (MetClub's message board, for those who don't know) because I wanted to find a little bit more about a contest for the Bowery Ballroom show.

(I'll use PPM names here): Instantly I became friends with Jimmyd95. I then met and totally loved Laura112 and NYTallicaChick at the Bowery. Then the friendships snowballed, and before I knew it, I had this whole other family.

We aren't just "online friends." We have spent so much time together at Metallica shows, or at ballgames, other concerts, each other's Birthdays, Weddings, housewarmings, etc. I even hired a friend I met through MetClub when he needed a job the most. I've spent hours on the phone with my "MetClub friends", crying or letting them cry to me, and more importantly, laughing. Together.

Life happens and naturally some of us have lost touch or simply don't talk as much as we used to. Yet there are others I have gotten even closer with. Lately we all have been getting back in touch steadily, and fuck it feels good. Tracy and I have been texting and calling regularly again. Yesterday I called Teresa, and her boyfriend (and my friend) Jameson answered, and we talked for a few.

I think I need to get back on the ball with keeping in touch steadily. Although I always think of everyone and have always missed everyone I have not seen, or haven't seen in maybe a few months, I almost forgot just how much!

I've said it once and I will always say it: I have met the best group of people, even when we bicker, through my love for Metallica.

xoxo