It's My Wake!

When I was about 14 years old, I had a dream about my own funeral.   I don't remember how I died in the dream, or any of the other details of the dream before the funeral.   What bothered me about this dream was the fact that no one attended my funeral.   I decided to make sure there would be a few people attending by writing out a detailed plan for my funeral.   Of course, I forgot to put this plan up and my mom found it.   She checked me out of school because she thought I was suicidal.   I wasn't.   Just planning ahead.

I still think about my funeral occasionally, usually after someone I know has died.  The plans changed pretty frequently until the last few years. 

At the time of the original plan I was still sort of attending church, and most of the songs I chose were religious in nature.   Since then my choice in music for my wake has changed significantly.   Mostly.   There are three songs I want played at my wake, in no particular order:

Amazing Grace

The Parting Glass



Feel Like Going Home



Beyond these three songs, the music is in the hands of two people, my sister and my best friend.  I want lots of music, good food and drink.  Especially the hard stuff, like Dr. Pepper.

I've also decided that I want to be cremated.   The thought of being buried in a box is just more than I can take.   It's not logical, but there you go.   Also, cremation will prevent any possibility of my becoming a zombie.

college days

This song always reminds me of the 4 years I spent at the University of Montevallo. There was nothing more angst ridden than 90's college radio.

Ice Cream Trucks

Thanks to the variety for crime dramas I've watched over the years, I now suspect everyone driving an ice cream truck is a serial killer. The creepy, tinny sound of the music they play does not help.

Progress Toward Goals

You may remember, I set some goals for myself. The progress has been a little hit and miss, but I think I'm gathering momentum now. Progress to date:

1. I've managed to limit some of my "want" purchasing. This tends to happen more consistently when I have a big project to concentrate on at work (thank you, Med-Verify). Since I have trouble leaving work at work, these projects tend to consume my time and attention to the detriment of pretty much everything else.


2. Limiting my carbonated soda intake has probably been the most difficult and the most hit and miss. While those big work projects may help with unnecessary spending, they also usually involve longer hours and extra stress. Since Dr. Pepper is the strongest beverage I drink, I have been know to hit it a little heavy while under stress. What can I say??? Now that the previously mentioned project is finished (my part, at any rate), I have managed to limit myself to one Dr. Pepper a day.


3. I think I am most proud of my progress this goal (to actually go to some of the places I have on my list to visit. Since establishing goals for myself, I've actually been to two of the places on my list: Callaway Gardens and Atlanta Botanical Garden. There are still 50+ places on the list, but those two trips are two more than I took all of last year. Baby steps.

April looks to be a pretty busy month. I have 2 work related trips and a photography class at Callaway Gardens scheduled already. Hopefully, I'll be able to make time to go to Providence Canyon sometime this month, as well.

In other news, I hope to have some new stained glass work done soon. I've been working on some patterns based on quilt squares. I also have a new turtle pattern I want to try out.

Poetry!

It has been awhile since I've posted any poetry, but the world always needs more Dorothy Parker :)

Social Note

Lady, lady, should you meet
One whose ways are all discreet,
One who murmurs that his wife
Is the lodestar of his life,
One who keeps assuring you
That he never was untrue.
Never loved another one...
Lady, lady, better run!

- Dorothy Parker

Changes

I know it's sort of late in the year for this, but I've decided to set some resolutions, or goals for myself. For the next few months anyway. The plan is to start March 1st.

1. Limit "want" purchases for myself. While I have more disposible income than some, I'd still like to have a little more of cushion for myself. Also, I'll hopefully be able to pay my car off early.
2. Limit my carbonated soda intake. I drink way too much Dr. Pepper. I think I'd feel better and eventually have more energy if I were drinking more water.
3. Actually go to some of the places I have on my list to visit. I'm not talking Europe (though that would be enjoyable), just place around Alabama and Georgia. I noticed last year I'd spent so much time waiting/wanting to go places hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away, when there are dozens of place much closer to home I've never been. Dismals Canyon, anyone??

I think that's enough for now. No need to get carried away and set myself up for failure. :\

Rooftop Shots

My car is still in the shop (damn you, Tuscaloosa Pilot gas station!!!), so out of pity, my mom drove me to the hospital to take some pictures from the roof.

This is one of the shots I got today. Haven't finished processing the others.

Photographs

This photo was taken on Christmas Eve, at the Merry-Go-Round here is town. At first I wasn't sure I liked this shot, but now I'm thinking it has possibilities. Now to decide if I like it better in black & white or in color...

Fortune Cookies

I've been in a Chinese take-out rut lately. With the Chinese take-out has come the usual assortment of fortunes. But tonight's fortune...

Well, I'm just not sure I'm ready for fortune cookie induced guilt trips.

And what was this fortune?

"The world will look a little better with some love given by you!"