Hopefully one of the theater-type people will have an answer for this.
What is the deal with the "MacBeth" superstion? I mean I've read all the websites I can find, and blab blah blah it's supposed to bring badluck or whatver, and as such you're not supposed to utter the word "MacBeth" around actors or in a theater or what have you.
So what pray tell do you do when you are actually performing a rendition of the play? Do you go reciting lines and change it round so that MacBeth and Lady MacBeth are just known as Mr. and Mrs. M. and /or do you use the third person whenever possible so you've not got to ever say the names? What?!
This is a question that's plagued me for years since I first heard this superstition in an episode of Blackadder III, and I was reminded of it recently because there was an article in the JCS Playbill about the current Patrick Stuart rendition. So hopefully somone will help satisfy my curiosity...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHxyZaZlaOs
Either that or I'm just eaily amused, it could be both!Personal Favorites:"I can't give you my lisence officer!" "Why Not?" "Because you are a headcrab zombie!""Zombie ghosts leave this place!" "But this is our house!""There were no birds singing, and the pants were dead, and the dirt was messy and bloody from headcrabs."

Finally got my birthtime, and am now able to calculate knowing my ascendant. Therefore some of these changed (to even more accuarte and creepier statements), enjoy!
So you remember that Astrology book I got about a month ago. Man it's a lot harder than I thought it would be. In fact the numerology is as well. Lots of math and stuff, but I think after I read it over a few times I'll get the hang of it, mostly I have issues remembering what the formulas are off the top of my head (it's like I need crib sheets) and what each number/combo that sort of thing means. Again with some practice I guess it'll become easier. In the meantime I've gotten some readings done that are again, frighteningly accurate. Update 5/29/08: I've also purchased "Astrrology for Dummies" as a companion book.
I did a full birth chart. You don't actually plot out points like you used to. Apparently you can, but you need a lot of other books like Atlas' and all that to do it, which I'm not interested in investing in at this particular time. There's software that instead tells you where all the planets are and from that you can then do the charts using the books. Most astrologers these days use the software, so if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me. So I got my chart from Update 5/29/08: http://alabe.com. and the following translation came with the chart, but I will also (once I've worked it out using the book) will post my own interpretation at a later time, for now here's the freebie:
What this basically tells me is the following (my notes in purple):
Rising Sun is in 18 Degrees Virgo.You tend to be very shy and not very self-assertive. You are supercritical about how you appear to others. Even though you may think you are uninteresting and dull, you are actually quite soft-spoken, orderly, neat and very likeable. You are a perfectionist with high standards, and at times you can be quite tactless in pointing out the faults of others. Very practical, efficient and puposeful, your appearence and bearing reflect your need to appear graceful, sensible and reserved. You have a crisp, no-nonsense approach to dealing with others. Never lazy or self-indulgent, you tend to be dedicated to the work ethic.
*Holy crap. As much as the last reading was accurate, this one is like almost eerie. Planets get out of my mind! Seriously! Shy - check, worried about appearence- check, think I'm uninteresting (yet people still talk to me) - check, soft-spoken - check. I am not however neat and orderly, I could be but I've often got better things I'd rather be doing than straightening out (also I was sick of housework before I even graduated High School, as my parents both worked and used me as thier personal maid). I am kind of tactless, though I don't mean to be. It's the scathing sarchastic sense of humor I have, 9 times out of 10 people find it funny, but that 1 in 10 I can sort of hurt someone's feelings pretty bad. I can't do anything without a purpose. I have to already know what the finished project is in my mind and work towards it. I'm not one to just sort of dabble around with crap hoping it will come out right. I have visions, and work towards those visions. Also efficient, yeah I never thought I was and then realized recently that I am. A good example is this, when playing EQ2, I for some reason have a good portion of the game memorized (by accident) and as such I know that say there are 5 quests that all involve killing the same Mob (NPC) and therefore will not fight said mob until I have picked up all 5 quests, so that I can accomplish them all at once. My husband likes to tease me about it, I dunno I just figure it's the strategist in me inherited from my Grandfather (who was an Army General). As far as graceful, I'm not, I'm really quite clumsy, but I like to give off the illusion that I'm graceful. This is where the high heel fetish I have comes in, I'm naturally a toe walker (when not in shoes) so I feel most at balance wearing a 3" or better (preferably platform) heel. If I could float or levitate I totally would. Sensible and reserved, those kind of come naturally. Other than this situation with my husband, I don't really fuck around when it comes to other people. I either like you or I don't and sometimes maybe that's too black and white, I'm slowly learning to become a little bt more in the gray area about it, but when I do like you, try not to piss me off, I take ages sometimes to forgive... though inevitably I do. I'm totally lazy and self-indulgent, at least now that I'm at home. I've always been self-indulgent actually, I'm the sort of person who goes out Christmas shopping and picks up say one gift for one person on my list and then buys like three for myself. Lazy I was not when I used to get paid to work, I was all about work-ethic. I was getting paid to do something, so I did it with my best 100% effort whenever humanly possible, again another thing I'm trying to work back into. I;ve forced myself to work on the "Gypsy Princess" bookcase at least once a day each day this week.. so maybe there's still hope for me.*
Sun is in 22 Degrees Taurus.
You are known for being patient, slow moving and careful - you love to prolong and savor enjoyable times. You appreciate and need comfort, ease and warm surroundings. Be careful of a tendency to become placid and self-satisfied and to overeat (especially sweets). You require strenuous situations in order to grow and mature properly, even though you try to avoid them. Affectionate, even-tempered and slow to anger - when you do become emotionally upset, you are also slow to forgive and time must pass before your clam returns. You demand real results from any situation - abstractions are very difficult for you to comprehend. Very artistic, your hands love to mold and shape things. You potray an earthy, physical sexiness that others find quite seductive.
*LOL, the start of this sounds like I should have gotten Butterball on that Cenobite quiz. Anyways if ever there was someone who was slow to act on things, it's me. At least when it comes to something I come up with on my own, but also even when given a task (when I used to work) I got it done on time, but would spend a lot of extra time on it than I needed to in order to meet the deadline because I had to be so methodical about everything. Even when I used to paint sets, half the reason I failed out of college was because I'd be up all night making sure everything looked perfect (to the point when doing the "Noises Off" set, I literally hand painted patterns in the wallpaper and everthing). But what I really meant is when I come up with something on my own I usually sit around for days sometimes months going over every possibility before acting, just to make sure it's even a good idea to begin with, and once decided it is that I don't mess it up. I like going to events, but my alltime favorite thing ever to do with friends is to just go to someone's house and just chill, listen to music, and just shoot the shit for hours on end. Sometimes I probably even used to wear out my welcome (ask Chris or Paul about how many times me and Terri would just invite ourselves over and hang out all day long). But I just love that concept of having great conversations in a cozy environment... exchanging ideas... actually come to think of it maybe Governments ought to be more laid back, instead of suits and conference tables just have some couches and chill music and come dressed casual.. I bet they'd get on a lot better. I doubt there's any danger of me ever becoming self-satisfied, I'm far too critical of pretty much everything I do. I hate strenuous situations, I'm sure a lot of us do, but it's true, if it wasn't for the trying ordeals in my life I would never move on to the next thing. For example I wouldn't even be doing this astrology thing or the bookcase right now, except I was fed up with being a "happy-housewife" and wanted to get back to doing the things that I used to enjoy that I hadn't in so long. I've been told I am one of the most patient and even-tempered people that most of my friends have ever met... of course most of them have never seen me angry, but even that sometimes takes months and even years of things piling up before I snap. But again, you're better off not having me get to that point, at minimum it takes me about 2 years to really fully forgive, and depending what you have done it can be much longer even than that (remember how I recently said I got back in touch with two people I hadn't talked to in over 15-20 years?). I think I covered the abstraction bit already, but yeah if I can't at least visualize the outcome it's not going to be something I give a shit about. As I said I'm hyper-critical of myself, and thus my art. I have the capacity for it and people have said it's good, but I always think it's shite and normally don't show it round too often. I think I'm recently deciding I'm better in the solid objects field (furiture, jewelry) than say my drawing or painting (which I never like). And yeah I dunno I'm not concited enough to agree with that last sentence, I don't feel attractive or sexy at all unless someone wants to give me an ego boost and tell me otherwise, LOL.*Moon is in 14 Degrees Libra.Affectionate, warm and friendly, life must be a "beautiful" experience for you. Unpleasantness should be avoided at all costs. You tend to overlook other people's faults and you would rather give in and fight. You are uncomfortable with strangers, but at ease and sociable with friends and associates. Indeed, you would rather socialize than work - you can use your prrodigious charm to avoid unpleasant tasks. You need the support and assistance of another in order to get you started on any new project - you are not a self-starter. Be careful of a tendency to be overly self-indulgent (i.e. lazy). Your refined aesthetic sensibilities attract you to music, dance, art and any other cultured activity.
*Life certainly be "beautiful" as long as you know where to look for it (and in my case not so depressed at that particular moment that I actually notice it). I have always felt that it is a bit subjective on the people you choose to spend it with, when I'm with my friends it's good times and easy to notice and apppreciate what life offers to you, but othertimes when I'm having a rough patch it's hard to get there. However if I didn't believe in the possibility, I would have turned it in a long time ago. I love this sentence about the unpleasantness - like there are people out there that actively seek it? Of course you would try to avoid it, just sometimes it doesn't really avoid you. I amost always overlook people's faults. This is how for example I even still eventually forgive and forget with people who I've felt have done me wrong in some way. I kind of try to get into thier head and look at it from thier perspective and almost always come to the conclusion that 90% of the time what has transpired is more of a personality trait that a purposeful slight, and as such since the good points of that person are also personality traits you kind of just let the good parts outweigh the bad and learn to accept that sometimes you're just not going to see eye to eye on every single item all of the time. I only never forgive people who I feel have intentionally hurt me out of spite and/or people whose bad traits outweigh thier good. And yeah as should be obvious, I don't like being in fights with people, I almost always concede. I am socially inept sometimes with people I don't know. It's a wonder I've made any friends at all, all I can say is it's apparently a good thing that the people that do like me somehow think my awkwardnessis cute or endearing in some way. It usually takes me at least three or four good conversations for me to really be at ease with someone, but once I consider you a friend you're pretty much in for life (assuming you don't do one of the previously mentioned items). My prefect sort of job is one where I can both socialize and work at the same time. That's why I liked set design you normally were working in close proximity with people so you could talk about all sorts of topics while still doing something artistic and productive at the same time. I almost always need a good shove to get started on something. Thank goodness again for supportive and persistent friends. On the flip-side of this once someone discourages me from something, it's really hard for me to overcome that. So in otherwords never be critical of something I'm working on until after I've finished it, or else it'll probably end up in the wastebin. Yeah, I'm a culture snob... I am naturally attracted to art, music or anything unusual or avant-garde. Normalcy bores me. I don't know why.*Mercury is in 15 Degrees Taurus. A slow and careful thinker, you like to present ideas visually and concretely. Abstractions are quite difficult for you to understand. For you, everything must be practical and useful in order to merit your attention. You are a perfectionist - you enjoy being skillful enough to handle the dexterity required of fine craftmanship. Cautious and conservative in your thinking, you are very slow to change your opinions. You are more apt to respond to an appeal to your feelings than to an appeal to logic or reason.
*A bit of reiteration on most of this. What I think is important to not as when the same traits keep coming up in the different houses like this, the more likely those are your strongest traits. In other words the more times it says that I am something, the more likely it's true. Things to add to this: I like the craftmanship bit of this, mostly because this is my new current goal and so far it's really been working out pretyty good for me. This helps encourage me in the sense that maybe this is what I should be doing after all. Secondly I'll just mention briefly that the apeeal to feelings vs. logic is half true. While yes an appeal to my sensitive forgiving side will make me stop being angry long enough to sit and think on it, eventually that calculated industrious side kicks in and thus the logic and reason. I often contemplate the 100 different ways in which a situation could play out. Sometimes this won't work out to the other parties advantage in the long run.*
Venus is in 01 Degrees GeminiYou are friendly, warm, open and tolerant toward others. You love variety in relationships, indeed you may even prefer to maintain more than one relationship at a time! Very witty and humorous, you have the ability to amuse and please others. This makes you quite popular. You love to play the field and thus find it difficult to settle down and make any deep emotional commitments. Your innate charm and vivacity makes you welcome most everywhere you go.
*OK, I've already agreed withthe first bit earlier on. To tackle the second portion of this, I am definatley not cut out to be a poly person. I can't stand the thought of sharing my SO's with anyone else, nor do I have the energy to share myself with more than one person at a time (I tend to invest a lot, maybe too much of myself, into any given person). However I could also take variety to mean, constantly changing, and this I don't mind as much since I am kind of always redefining who I am and my interests never really stay too constant, I think it could be intereting to find someone who changed as much as I do as long as we still had that basic sync point at which we got on well and had meaningful dialogue and all that. I hope that makes any sense to anyone but me. I don't really think I'm popular, I mean maybe I am with the friends I have, but it's not like I'm going out left and right like some pied piper of people and picking up new friends with my charm. I think my problem with emotional commitments has more to do with trust issues. I haven't always had the best judgement in the people I choose to have relationships with, and usually get hurt. Thus I always keep some buffer around myself, never really letting myself get 100% there with people, for fear that the consequences could be devestating. I can be a shameless flirt howvere, so I dunno maybe there is more to it than I think there is.*Mars is in 03 Degrees Pisces.Very sensitive and vulnerable, it is difficult for you to assert yourself. At times, you feel quite tired and you will require a lot of sleep in order to maintain your health and strength. You are at your best when you act without your ego being important. You can be very unselfish and considerate of the needs of others. You get the most satisfaction by giving to others when you expect nothing in return. Beware of a tendency to want to always work behind the scenes or to become overly deceptive by doing things behind others' backs.
*Extremely sensitive. I'm always reading way too much into things (for exampel I take it as a personal affont when people don't e-mail me back within a week when in reality they've just been busy or I've just not said something that requires a response). I'm trying to get better about it. I find it difficult to assert myself, mainly due to the conflict avoidance. I don't like to "shake things up". Lately I have been very tired, I thought it was just from Meaghan being so active, or because I'm a little bit sick, but I also wonder if I'm secretly storing energy for something else ( I have this feeling of impending doom that a huge fight is in the works sooner or later). I'm one of those people who puts almost everyone else first. I want all my friends to be happy, and will often without even being asked offer advice of guidance to them whenever possible. I always figured, even if I can't be happy, if everyone else is then that would thereby make me at least feel better having known I helped someone else. Also on the last bit, yeah I hate being the center of attention, I always prefer to hide away in whatever little corner I can, that's why I preferred tech over acting and film projection over selling concessions (when I work at the theatre), hell I usually try to find someone else to call for take-out simply because I'm petrified of talking on the phone ( i only did that well when I was paid for it as part of my Office Manager position). I guess I should get out more but it's all part of that awkward meeting new people thing, I am so afraid I will do or say something stupid I can barely function (meanwhile it's this fear that then causes me to look stupid, like when I met Paolo, I hardly spoke to him I was so nervous I was going to say something unfunny or stupid. Even though we'd e-mailed a few times back and forth. Later I was kicking myself for being such an idiot, because there was no reason why I shouldn't/couldn't just act natural).*
Jupiter is in 11 Degrees Aquarius.Your personal growth occurs when you have the freedom to do things in new and interesting ways - this brings out your natual inventiveness. You are an individualist, but you are also attracted to mass movements that emphasize social betterment and you will devote much time and energy to thier efforts. Very fair-minded and objective, you have extraordinary skills at organization and administration.
*It's possible I could do the most mundane or undesirable task, as long as it's presented to me in an interesting way. An amusing example is that I like to play the game "Trauma Center" but yet I cannot watch RL operation shows on telelvision without wanting to hurl. Yet I jokingly have said, if they were going to award me points (like in the game) I'd think about it in a life and death situation. Obviously this is a bit of an exaggerated metaphor, but things like the fact that I hate ironing, but if I put my headphones on and dance around while I do it, I can get it done. Something like that. If I can figure out a way to make it fun, then I can probably do just abotu anything even if it's something I hate. I do have a strong self-awareness (not necessarily to be confused with a positive self-awareness) but I also strongly belive in things like equal rights, the "global village", going green, those sorts of things. I think if every person does what they can to the best of thier ability to be kind towards thier fellow man (and to the planet) then there's still time to fix the things that are rapidly going wrong. Also I'm seriously contemplating "getting out of Dodge" sometime in the future (read as move to another country, but probably not for another ten or twenty years). Did you ever feel like you were about to get a front row seat to the fall of the Roman Empire? Because I do.*Saturn is in 19 Degrees Gemini.You are such a clear thinker and speaker, with a logical orderly mind, that you are repulsed by abstract, intangible or unorganized thoughts or ideas. But you tend to get uptight about speaking in public because you arfraid to be wrong. Remember that the best way to learn is by making mistakes. Also, you will be so carefully prepared that you probably will not make any mistakes anyway. To be interesting to you, ideas have to be practical and useful.
*Am I really a clear speaker? I don't think they necessarily mean I actually have to be "speaking" for this. I definately do go on and on to make my point understood (if you're reading this or any of my blogs you know what I mean). But I always feel like I overdoit ont he explanation department, but at the same time can't ever figure out how to say what I mean in a shorter way. If I could have an editor that would work, take what i said and then condense it, you know the "Cliff's Notes" version for those with a short attention span. I wouldn't say I am repulsed by intangible ideas, what does that mean really? I mean there's some sort of point to almost everything isn't there? I mean some art, music or performance starts out as not having a poitn and then does anyways. Either as entertainment or to convey a message or feeling. I'm really trying to figure out what a true "pointless endevour" would be and if I would be repulsed by it, but can't think of something atthe moment. I don't like public speaking, not because I'm afraid I'll be wrong, I'm sure I'm wrong a lot actually, but because I'm petrifed more of looking silly or stupid or something (so yeah maybe wrong, but wrong seems more like you assume you're always right and I respect other peoples right to have an opinion other than my own so don't think it's necessarily the right word to use here).*Uranus is in 19 Degrees Libra.You, as well an your entire peer group, have a very free, unstable and unconventional approach to relationships and emotional commitments. You will be attracted to experiments in marriage and shared lifestyles. Personal freedom is more important to you than entangling emoitonal bonds. In the realm of art and aethetics, you are attracted to the bizarre, shocking and unusual.
*Ok, so is this speaking for a generation, or just people born in 1973, or what? I would say generationally (people say seven years plus or minus my age) that this is more or less true. Part of the reason I say this is because if you pay attention there's the beginnings of something happening. The whole civil union issue for one. People (with the exception of really rural areas still) are able to really start claiming the right to thier sexuality, be it gay, transgendered, bi, poly, whatever. It's hard to really pinpoint change, because it comes in small surges over lengthy periods of time. We're still not completely gender or race equal even now more than 100 years since suffrage movements gave that right to women and people of color, and then reiterated thier rights again in the 1960's. But have I noticed that slowly day by day I notice maybe one more person wh even ten or twenty years ago rights or opinions would have been surpressed, yes, and slowly each day that someone stands up for change it will get better still. I dunno know how this turned into a rant on equality, so back to the topic at hand. Personal freedom is very important to me, to the point at which I am struggling with it currently. I rather feel I wouldn't mind being alone in this world (no family, or friends) than to keep being told what I should be or how I should act. Obviously this would never happen as there are plenty of people who would support my right to be the person I want to be, and so even assumign I alenated all my friends and family, I would eventually find new people who would enrich and suport me in a more positive way. Regardless, I find this change difficult to make, because I have such strong emotional bonds to everyone, and dislike alienating anyone from my life, even when they are harmful to me. As far as the art thing, yeah I like it when acts push boundaries or try to go where someone already hasn't, or even if it's just generally something 50% of the population wouldn't necessarily consider entertainment. So yeah I used to really like the Jim Rose Circus Sideshow (Mr. Lifto was my favorite) and people on the fringes of things like fire-eaters, blockheads, sword-swallowers and that sort of "dare to watch" style of amusement.*Neptune is in 06 Degrees Sagittarius.You, and your entire generation, are heavily involved and idealizing foreign and exotic intellectual systems and religious philosohies. The most extreme ideals will be pursued with gusto. You will be at the forefront of humanitarian attempts to improve the lot of those who are in need of assistance. You will be comfortable with the concept of the "global villiage".
*Other than maybe the Sixties and the Renaissance, I think now is probably one of the most interesting times to live as far as being on the forefront of modern ideas and thinking. Possibly the laypeople aren't seeing it yet, but I suspect a shift in consciousness on the horizon. In fact I know a guy who's very much into the Mayan Calendar, and while I haven't yet been able to attend one of his sessions and hear his point of view on the matter, 2012 is the big to-do (similar to the new millenium dealey). A lot of people read this as the impending apocalypse, I myself like to think more on the lines of some sort of catastrophic (in a positive way) change. Rather than be all gloom and doom about it, I kind of hope something along the lines of more global unity, which is also why it's extremely important that the right person be chosen for the next U.S. Presidency, as they will be innaugurated in January 2009 and thus in thier third/going on forth year of presidency (and in case you care, I like Obama). This year also links up with the exact age which numerologically I am supposed to find my true purpose. Being a number 11 - the Master Teacher, I think I am supposed to impart some sort of profound spiritual guidance, personally I can't wait to find out. As far as the "global village" is concerned, it's normally used in respect to the internet. And yes I love the internet, it allows me to talk to and meet people from other walks of life or different parts of the world who I may not have ever gottent he pleasure to have known otherwise. Sometimes maybe I go tooo far with this, as ideally I should maybe travel and get out more to accomplish this, but it works for someone like me who is initially awkward in social situations. I can get to a comfort zone with a person, and then if it's still someone I would really like to know better I haveno problem travelling or what have you to make that happen. I also like to think of the "global village" as something we haven't even discovered yet. This is what I was alluding to a second ago... I still have the optimistic approach that with the right leaders who are actually willing to openly exchange and accept other people's ideas that we could achieve some sort of world harmony (peace perhaps is a bit further off still, but if we could at least not argue so much, that'd be a start). Though I think it won't actually happen, there was a thing (dunno if it was a joke or for real) about Eddie Izzard running for Prime Minister. After I stopped laughing (because I just can't picture voters getting past the whole transexual probably smokes {or at least used to} tons of pot thing) I actually thought, "wow, that wouldn't be such a bad idea". Some of his ideas are expressed directly in his comedy (Europen Union/melting pot is one that immediately comes to mind) but I've also got about two VHS full of interviews and things he's done and often he gets quite politcal, and I'm really just into his ideals, separate from his comedy, because he really seems like he understands where we need to be in order to move forward. I also respect his views on spirtuality, I was seriously contimplating telling him about my "spiritual athiest" concept as it linked up so well with a skit he did in the new show, but alas have no way of guaranteeing it would get past his publicist and on to him. Anyways I'm way off the subject now.*Pluto in 01 Degrees Libra. For your entire generation, this is a time of radical changes in society's attitude toward marriage and interpersonal relationships. There is a general fear and awe at the power inherent in making emotional or contractual commitments - they will not be entered into lightly.
*I've got most of this about covered. But a portion of this I am taking off in a direction they probably didn't mean to go, and that's the bit about the commitment. This was a point I brought up in a response to Paolo's Martin Luther King day post, which then got deleted by MySpace and never really re-wrote, UNTIL NOW! In order to exact change in the world, you've got to have some sense of commitment. You need to figure out what your ideals are and you've got to be willing to fight for them. This is difficult for many people, especially Americans, because we really put a lot of emphasis on status and thingies and as such you don't really want to jeapoardize your comfort level. So for the average person, yeah you might agree that say there's still not equal rights, but how willing are you to make that statement. Some people are only as comforable to the point at which they say, Ok well I treat my fellow man nicely and if it comes up for a vote or somethign I'm all for it. It takes a really exceptional person (case in point MLK or Ghandi) to actually be outspoken about it. And this is because progessive thinking is not without it's pitfalls. It's very likely you could be arrested if you organize a rally (free speach my ass) or you could find yourself socially ridiculed. You could lose the respect of your peers (often true progressive thinkers contributions are not recognized until after thier lifetime) and this doesn't sit well with Mr. & Mrs. Joe America. Because after all we have to work to provide our families with food and shelter and how are you going to do that if you quit your job and/or get fired for your belief system or worse because you've missed a day of work locked up in jail. It's easier to think in the now rather than look towards the future, "well maybe it'll be bad for us now but someday what I am working on will benefit my children or my children's children". It doesn't require you to think and/or to sacrifice, you just wake up in the morning do your thing and go to bed, no muss no fuss. This is what makes the visionaries sacrifiece so great, they are willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of thousands of others at a later point in time. It'd be nice sure if everyone was willing to do that, but unfoortunately egocentrism and looking out for numero uno get in the way most of the time.*
N. Node is in 08 Degrees Capricorn.You rarely get involved closely with anyone unless he or she has something specific and practical to offer you. You tend to be "all business" when it comes to dealing with others. You're usually so intently focused on aparticular goal that you rarely have time for social niceties or casual fellowship. But you can definately be counted on by others to get things done. When you say that you'll do something, you do it. As Such, you're a valuable member of any team situation and will probably rise to a position of leadership within the group. Your trustworhiness and sense of responsibility are unquestioned. But do try to avoid the temptation to "use" others to reach your goals - they might come to resent you.
*Well this is more blunt than I would have liked. I am never intentionally calculating. I do tend to be a bit methodical sometimes, especially with people, if I can't at first meeting figure out how they fit into the grand scheme of things. This is what I meant way earlier abotu being a bit black and white about it. I used to just like you or not, and based on that I hung around with you some more or I didn't. As I get older it is slowly apparent that people who initially may not seem like they hold any interest for me, may do so at a later time. I figured this out mainly by self-reflection, because I certainly leave a very bizarre first impression, and if it weren't for people giving me more than a one chance meeting, I'd probably not have many if any friends at all. Usually these days I find a lot more redeeming qualities in people than I used to, now that I try to be more open minded about things. There are still those select few though, that for whatever reason "rub me the wrong way". What I've lost instead is my "sitck-to-it-iveness". I definately was someone who would always finish my tasks, these days I am much more easily frustrated. If something doesn't work out the way I wantit to it will take me some time to work up the courage to plod on and complete it. Eventually I do still do what I said I would, just sometimes it may take me a few months rather than a day or two like it used to, I'll have to work on improving that. *

I get a bit hyper when I'm actually allowed off my husband's leash and out of the house. Here's the rest of the e-mail exchange I've been having with Chris; just because it turned out a bit amusing towards the end. :-)Tonya Taylor to Christopher show details 7:28 AM (7 hours ago) Reply
Oh yeah and if you ever want some more photos (you decide to add to the slideshow) I have a couple that you don't have if you want them. In fact if you want I'll scaan them and CD them and bring them with me. Christopher Mathews to me show details 8:59 AM (5 hours ago) Reply
Oh boy Well, yay! You can come, and it is on Sunday, but I was telling everyone late afternoon early eavening, like 4:30-5. I won't be home tonight or tomorrow and I desperatly need to clean my apt. before having anybody over, prepare the ribs and the table and stuff, and the ribs themselves take 2 1/2 to 3 hours to cook and I have to do that all sunday morning after spending all day driving my Mother around the Merrimac Valley Saturday, then doing a few loads of laundry for her and cooking dinner before crawling into bed when ever I get home Saturday night. If I could I'd tell everyone to come earlier but there are things I absolutley have to do before having company like cleaning the bathroom, I haven't had company in months and the place needs a little, um, prepping. I don't know what to do now, I feel bad because you went to all that trouble to get to come but 1 is way too early...Christopher Mathews to me show details 9:53 AM (4 hours ago) Reply
Of course! I'd love any photos you have that I don't have! I'm trying to see if anyone can come earlier, sent a few emails out...I can get up earlier and try to get some of the stuff done in the early morning, how about mid afternoon, say 2:30-3 if anyone else can?Tonya Taylor to Christopher show details 11:08 AM (3 hours ago) Reply
No that's cool, I couldn't remember what you said.. OK well then I'll have to rearrange a bit. Steve was talking like maybe if it was later we'd come home from NH on Sunday, attend and then drive back for that Meeting on Monday.. so that works too. (Or he could stop being a nervous Nellie and just let me stay home.. but whatever). Christopher Mathews to me show details 11:28 AM (3 hours ago) Reply
Kay-o, I won't change anything then (huge sigh of relief) and I can have the place looking a bit better and actually have some food cooked by the time you guys show up...Tonya Taylor to Christopher show details 12:29 PM (2 hours ago) Reply
OOoOH! Um hey if for soem reason you have that card I sent you kicking around still, put it where Steve can't see it, he'll be pissed if he knew I sent it and didn't include him. Thx :-)Christopher Mathews to me show details 12:56 PM (1 hour ago) Reply
I took down all my birthday cards (jeeze that makes it sound like a ton when I only got like 3) already, no problem there. so I can assume at this point you guys will be coming later in the day now? I'll justkeep to my orginal cooking scedule and plan around that. Tonya Taylor to Christopher show details 1:14 PM (1 hour ago) Reply
We'll come when you tell us to (and weirdly that sounded way more perverted than I meant it to, I doubt it's THAT sort of party) As of now I am going to plan for like 5 unless you tell me otherwise. Christopher Mathews to me show details 1:26 PM (1 hour ago) Reply
5 is fine and NO its not that kind of a party silly, do I look like a dominatrix? ;-)) I'm guessing you should bring something for Meaghan to eat unless she can eat ribs and whatever BBQ treats we all are gonna eatTonya Taylor to Christopher show details 2:26 PM (10 minutes ago) Reply
She can eat hotdogs or chicken, but yeah I'll have a backup plan because she's picky sometimes. I forgot to ask, do you need/want me to bring anything. Beverages, Hors D'Ouvres, dessert... a carful of midget clowns, a ten pound python, anything? And hey I've met people that looked less like SadoMasochists than you, that were my friend. So you never know... in case it matters my safety work is "penguin". LOL! Can you tell I'm in an uber-weird mood today.. trying to make sure I'm all de-angerfied before Sunday (or just happy that I get to see you guys).

So as my birthday gift I requested that Chris give me a copy of his King Richard's Faire photos. As such I posted this years in the LJ Scrapbook (along with the ones that Lesley took), i'll slowly add pics from previous years.http://pics.livejournal.com/ish_tar/gallery/0000bkes
*MySpace Notes: Eventually I'll try to get these on the MS galleries so I can tag the shit out of them, but for now (since it took me two days just to upload and annotate these) just check em out at the link above. I made them public (unlike my journal) so you should be able to view them, comment on this post if not so I can try to fix it.*

Heard a news report today that McDonald's has officially made the transition to no trans-fats and it got me thinking (as yah do): why does our government feel the necessity to dictate the minutae of our everyday lives?I assume since it's not a national ban on trans-fats yet, that McDonalds took it upon themselves to do this, but at the same time one would argue that this is because it was inevitable. Several States have already made this a State Mandated Ban (Illinois, California, and soon Massachusetts: that I am aware of). I mean it's natural selection, isn't it? I mean I know things like smoking are bad for me, and eating too many fried-foods is bad for me, and really if I'm that determined to kill myself slowly, why do you feel like it's your right to stop me? I don't smoke, and yeah I know second hand smoke is bad (I personally know woman who got cancer just because she tended bar, but never smoked a cigarette in her life) so maybe I guess I can kind of get that one, but who am I hurting aside from myself if I ingest a big-ass bucket O lard? If anything I think what it does instead is give us the illusion that greasy fried foods are now somehow "safer" simply because the government has put a ban on certain types.. and this in in fact very far from the truth. I believe it encourages the uneducated to now make an excuse for themselves, which will then inevitably lead to like ten years from know, a lot of lawsuits because "the government told me it was good for me! *whine*". That's my rant for today (OK like one of them, have you ever read the book "How to Be Good" by Nick Hornby? The husband in the story was an editorial columnist who called himself "The Angriest Man in Holloway". Maybe this is what I should aspire to, since lately I seem to have a lot of anger issues, LOL!)

I thought I'd let good 'ole Jello Biafra/Coldcut title this post for me...So in todays drama, apparently I had the audacity to ask my husband if I could go to my friend Chris' Barbeque this Sunday. Chris is a guy btw (you'll understand why I mention that in a minute). We are attending but boy was it a lot of work! Transcript of my reply as follows: Well.. after some rigamarole (which I of course because I am the Goddess who loves to bitch and whine will tell you about in a minute) all three of us will be able to attend the BBQ (assuming you did say it was on SUNDAY? and it is sometime around ONEISH? because I forgot now what you said and already delted that e-mail like a chump). Ideally it would have been better if a-hole wasn't coming along, but well I'll take what I can get. I just have to remember to not let him ruin it for me and all should go well, either that or I'll give you the signal to hit him over the head with a shovel and then I'll bury him in an unmarked grave in Maine... either way works for me. So yeah it's not a long story but essentially I was trying to figure out what the deal was with the schedule, and the thing we absolutely had to be there for is in fact on Monday.. so really we're just skipping the Story Land, which isn't that huge a deal since it's not like we won't be up there again in a few weeks (and hey it'll be warmer then). But of course I have to run my mouth off and mention how if he absolutely had to be at something, that I didn't mind going on my own or with just Meaghan and meeting him later up in NH. Of course he immediately changes the whole schedule around after that (I guess he learned his lesson after we went to KRF... not to let me wander around unattended). And he does his usual retarded ass ego seeking thing "what you don't want me to go?" which if I wasn't a sucker I would have told him the truth and said "no actually I don't" but of course like the dutiful wife, I lied to his face. Not my best moment, but I do have to live with him and all. So then he wants to know who's going to be there, and I tell him and he kind of catches on that it's all couples, except well you (and me if I wasn't going with him) and he gets all suspicious looking about that for a bit (guilty conscience much?) and then has the audacity to ask me if it's going to be uncomfortable for him to be there! He's worried that everyone there hates him (they probably do, but I wouldn't want to speak for anyone, or tell him that even if I knew for sure) and would be "looking at him or treating him weirdly". I mean WTF? You made you bed, now lie in it like a man. If people are going to judge you because you're a miserable cheating fuck wad, then that's your own goddamn fault. Don't deprive me my right to hang out with my friends because you can't stand the consequences of your fucking actions. Christ Almighty on a Twinkie! Never mind he doesn't bother to ask me how I feel about it. I mean I'm the asshole who has to explain to my friends why I'm even still with your sorry ass.. so if anyone should be ashamed and embarrassed it's me... So yeah long story short we'll be there, and I'll remember to leave my anger face at home. :-)*THIS PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT BROUGHT TO YOU BY ANGRY POISONOUS SHORT CHICKS ANONYMOUS*

You are thee who shall not be named.. the Female Cenobite. You're truly vicious and bloody thirsty, with only one thing in mind: pain. In fact, you're so intent on your purposes, even your master has a hard time controlling you. Whoa there, sparky. Why don't you take five?

Check out this quiz on Quizilla...
Which Cenobite are you? (includes pictures)
A quiz by jade0basilisk


Got something to share?Create it on Quizilla!
I'm actually curious whop Terri would get. It'd be pretty ironic if she actually gets Terri [HR3]!

http://www.friends.hosted.pl/redrim/Reading_Test.jpg
Anyone who's ever chatted with me in AIM can attest to this. I am the worst fast-typer on Earth. My mind goes about 50% faster than my fingers... it looks an awful lot like this image actually. Quite sad...
P.S. can you tell I'm bored and Stumbling today?

Witty little politcal cartoon:
http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/photographer/20/20534_large.jpg
Representing the misguidedness we Americans sometimes have when we take stands on certain subjects.
A similarly cute cartoon would have been a man/woman separating recyclables or screwing in energy efficient lightbulbs and then driving thier Hummer to work.

So what the heck is WAFD (pronounced waft-duh) anyway? It's a new designation I have come up with to indicate that the post contains whining about Steve (it stands for What a Fucking Dick, in case you were wondering). Yeah I know I should stop whining and do something about it. I really should. No one wants to listen to me bitch, etc. but I find the writing therapeutic, it helps me to sort my thought and in some cases not make any rash decisions (and in some cases maybe calms me down TOO much... but well it's a process). So for now you get the warning, it doesn't of course mean the entire post is about this... so you know if you want to know what I've been doing for the last week and a half, then by all means read it, just don't be surprised when I go off on random tirades is all. J
The story begins on Friday the 9th. Steve got us tickets to see David Copperfield as my Mothers Day gift. The only thing that actually pissed me off this day is that as per usual the event was ruined by sexual jokes. What I mean by this is sometime while we were getting ready to leave he made one of his extremely un-sexy comments indicating that he was "in the mood" and as per usual I was not (amusing because I DO actually like sex, a lot actually, when it's not used as emotional blackmail... but of course since Steve pretty much always does and he makes it obvious that it's what he's doing I usually don't want to be near him with a ten foot pole sort of deal). When I made it obvious I was not interested he started to sulk, and then he was downright belligerent with me after that, yeah nice fucking Mothers Day. I got sick to my stomach and almost wanted to not go at all, this is my newest thing I still want to go the places I have been going with him, I just wish I was either by myself or with anyone else but him. The one thing I have been doing, which is also newer, is calling him on these things right away, instead of letting them fester for months at a time, so I let him know he was doing it and it was ruining my night. He shaped up after that and it ended up being a decent time… I just wish it didn't have to be this way. I'll actually review all the things I did this week in separate posts, so until then that's about it in regards to the David Copperfield show.
Since my mom took Meaghan for the night, Steve and I decided to play night owls and drove up to Liberty Tree Mall to see a midnight showing of "Speed Racer". I was kind of borderline not feeling great so I only got a small popcorn and a bottle of water. There was no word of a lie this one couple in the show that talked through the entire movie. I don't mean in that way where maybe they're whispering to one another but you can still annoyingly hear them, I mean like they were yelling as if they were across the room from one another but yet they were sitting right next to each other! How rude of the theatre to put the volume up on the film so that it interrupted their conversation. Sheesh! Other than that apparently I am the only person on the planet that actually thought "Speed Racer" was a cute movie... but again more on that later.
The next day my cousin's son had a First Communion. Steve and I went early (around 9) to pick up Meaghan from my mom. She wasn't eating breakfast, but she's also been being really picky so we didn't think much of it…. Until on the ride home she vomited profusely all over the car. Steve conveniently excused himself, he did at least take Meaghan and give her a bath and change her… but never came out to help me clean the car, and it was his car. I sat there for over an hour painstakingly separating car seat pieces and putting them in a plastic bag so I could bring them up to the washing machine. Meaghan at least felt better after all that and managed to get down some toast and water so we did go to the communion still, albeit a few minutes late. After the communion was a luncheon, Meaghan played with her cousins and was pretty much in full recovery by then... so that was good; too bad the rest of my family ended up pissing me off alphabetically once I got there.
The first person to do this was my cousin Lisa. I mean I like Lisa about 80 % of the time but the other 20% when she does do the things that she does that piss me off, she really really pisses me off. This was one of those times. Lisa has been taking cooking classes. Not even like as a degree, say at Johnson & Wales, just classes. Because of this she now thinks she is like Gordon Ramsay or some shit (sadly the people I know who did graduate from J&S don't even behave this way). She constantly tries to give people "tips" to make their dishes better and it's really annoying. So she's sitting over the end of the table criticizing the appetizers. For real at one point she complained the tomatoes in the salad were "too cold". I mean really WTF?
The next person after this was my dad. Or perhaps to clarify, when I say dad he is actually my step dad. I am the proverbial "red-headed stepchild" of an Italian family. But he adopted me and still treats me like I'm his kid even though he and my mom are divorcing now... so that's cool even though it's not without its WTF moments. This was one of those. One of the kids at the event was a little girl with flaming red curly hair. I had a similar head of hair when I was about 5, and wish I still did sometimes (now I've got to dye it a bit and stylize the crap out of it to do anything). My dad made some comment (because the parents one was darker haired and the other a blonde {though I'm guessing dyed}) that maybe it was the "milkman's kid". I have never been so mortified in my entire life! It was like he stood up reached across the table and slapped me across the face in front of everyone!
Lastly was my aunt Janet. Janet's a bit of a ditz so I usually try my hardest to let the ridiculous comments she makes (at every family event!) slide. Meaghan got school pictures back around Easter I passed them around the table to see if anyone wanted to place orders, and only my cousin Vilma and Rob committed to what picture and size they wanted , even after I asked a second time if anyone else wanted to put in an order. My dad bought a package deal, figuring he would give the 5x7s to his sisters (Rita & Marie) and the rest of the family the wallet sized. So the pictures came in and this was the first time my dad had seen everyone together since then so he distributed them and wouldn't you know Janet bitched about the one she got because she didn't get to pick which one she wanted and she wanted a bigger one and blah blah blah... look lady I gave you a chance and you didn't take it so fuck off already.
So made it though that nightmare, but of course Sunday was Mother's day which means one more day I have to spend with my family. This time with my Mom & Grandmother, which didn't turn out so bad. We went to a place called Plum Island Grille, conveniently located on Plum Island (go figure). The food was ok, considering I was expecting Brunch (which is what we usually do). We then drove down the road back into Newburyport and putted around the waterfront. Meaghan ran my mom all over the place while we kept an eye on my grandmother. Overall it was a good day where no one seemed to piss anyone off in any way. My grandmother gave me $50 for my upcoming birthday and my mom gave me $100 bill for Mother's day. I think the thought was so I could buy some clothes or something, but there's just something really cold about being handed a bill for a gif… like it screams I couldn't be bothered to think of what you really would like, or something. Steve and Meaghan got me some Bath & Body stuff... it smells nice, though I would have preferred some new CDs or something.
So all was going well until about 2AM Monday Morning. I got up because I thought I had to pee… I was poorly mistaken. Apparently Meaghan gave me whatever she had on Saturday morning because I spent the night puking and crapping my innards out. Not fun, and probably more info than you really needed. Aside from the general annoyance of this, Steve thought it would be a good idea to try to tickle me and keep asking me questions, when all I wanted to do is lie down and die. This is something I don't even like when I'm feeling well [him trying to tickle me when I'm trying to sleep, because a) I'm trying to fucking sleep and b) his tickles bruise and don't fucking tickle in the slightest] so never mind how open mined I was to this right after I had just lost the entire days food content. I snapped at him and he had the audacity to make it sound like I was being the ass. OK, maybe I was but for Christ sakes have some common sense. I wouldn't try to do that to him (and didn't the last two times) if he were sick.
So Monday I spent a lot of time nursing myself back to health and catching up on the sleep I had missed the night before. When I felt better Steve and I started painting the downstairs apartment so we could rent it out again. Steve got a call from the bank because it had been robbed and had to run off… so I finished up what I could and then went back upstairs. His redeeming point of that day is he went out to the store to fetch me some Ginger Ale when I asked him. I can't remember any other significant details.
So Tuesday of course was my birthday. I actually dislike Holidays and Birthdays now that I am older, especially Birthdays, because it's a constant reminder to me of how much I hate my life, and marks yet another year in which I chose to do nothing about it. So I was having a really down, I'm talking I wanted to just crawl in a corner and cry, sort of day. It didn't help that two people I really was hoping would send me birthday wishes, didn't… but again I expect too much of people sometimes I guess and it isn't up to them to make me happy, it's up to me. Steve bought me the upgraded iPod I wanted (160G) that was pretty cool except I don't know what to do with my old 80G model now (normally I would have traded it in at Tweeter for a price break on the new one). But hey I can store more music, now I just need some more music. Started off dropping Meaghan off at school. Went to Eatz (it's like my new favorite place) with Steve for breakfast. Spent the day painting the apartment more (woo party animal I am) went to the 99 for dinner after getting Meaghan from school since I wasn't feeling well enough still to have a huge fancy dinner. Got our Red Sox card stamped and turned in for the contest they're having. Came home had cake, played EQ2 maybe… and then had a couple of funky dreams so I did get to spend some time with one of the people I was hoping would send me a birthday wish and then didn't… even if it was just in a dream (no I'm not going to post them this time, sorry, they were a bit personal).
I really wish I could remember what the hell happened on Wednesday. I think we must've painted some more, because I vaguely remember setting up the tent and DVD player downstairs for Meaghan.
Thursday my Brother and Leslie came to visit for the weekend from San Francisco. I didn't really get to see much of them but that planned a sleepover with Meaghan so Steve and I went to Grill 23 as a makeup Birthday celebration (as I was sick on Tues) . The food wasn't as good as the first time we had gone, and they had just added a new wing and for some reason t hat kept making the fire alarm go off during dinner. Meanwhile the guy at the table next to us had his seat out so far that he was practically eating in Steve's lap and it was really disturbing to me even though it wasn't happening to me, because I guess I have personal space issues and just seeing it was like uncomfortable for me. SO yeah that didn't go down so great. We had decided we were going to go see a midnight show of Prince Caspian, so we had some time to kill. Went over to what used to be Jillian's on Lansdowne Street, expecting video games, only to find it is now called Lucky Strike and only has bowling and Pool tables. I wasn't really dressed for bowling so pool it was. Steve slaughtered me at 8-ball but I killed him at 9-ball (it's always been my better game). We were tied two games a piece and of course his masculinity couldn't take the heat, he switched the game back to 8-ball so he could win the last round (whatever happened to chivalry?). Anyways then we drove out to Liberty Tree again to see the film. Great film, I spent most of it drooling over Ben Barnes.
So now it's Friday. We had breakfast plans with my brother, Leslie, and my dad. It turned out to be lunchtime by the time everyone got their shit together, but at least I got to spend some time with my Bro. I do however warn you, do not, under any circumstances ever go to the Rosebud diner in Davis Square, Somerville! OMG! What a dive. We thought it'd be cute and nostalgic for my dad, but the booths were too small for all of us which Ok it's an old diner, not really their fault. I don't know how people's breakfasts were, but I ordered a double-decker BLT, and it was awful. I mean you actually have to work at it to fuck up a BLT, but they managed somehow to do it. The bacon was undercooked, the tomatoes were borderline over-ripe and I don't know what mayonnaise they were using but it was so gross. I barely even finished half of it. If that wasn't enough the waitress was an utter douche bag, and I don't just casually throw that term around. Not only was she really rude to us (including trying to pour coffee over my shoulder, and I didn't see her so she shouted "helllooooo" in a sarcastic manner to me) during the meal, she also accused my dad of short changing her. This is my dad, btw who drove his frigging Bentley to the restaurant. She apparently added it wrong and thought we shorted the meal 15 cents when actually my and had given her almost a $10 tip (despite the fact that she was a C-U Next Tuesday). The funniest part of the whole thing is that we're all standing out front talking. I mean if we were really going to Diner Dash, do you think we would have hidden out front of the restaurant in plain sight? Kooky old bat!
My breakfast didn't make me feel too well again, so I spent some of Friday afternoon lying on the couch feeling borderline Ill again. I think I might have played some Assassins' Creed, but that might have also been before breakfast, since Meaghan wasn't home (and it's too violent to play when she's around)... oh I think I tried to finish "Citizen Kane" and then fell asleep... Yeah again I am the party animal. Oh I know I also went out to get Steve's present while he got his eye exam. Duh! Oh and I got my brother's present, which was "The Best of the Electric Company" DVD, which is where the title of this post comes from. I miss that dang show!
So on Saturday, Steve and I had tickets to "Jesus Christ Superstar". I love this musical, and pretty much absolutely must see it whenever I am aware of there being a production of it somewhere nearby. I believe this is my fifth or sixth time seeing it. It wasn't the worst performance I'd seen, but it wasn't the best either. Afterwards Steve and I walked back towards my mom's to pick up Meaghan via Boston Commons. We stopped off and got hotdogs and sausages, honey roasted peanuts, and pretzels... and I suddenly wished we could have procured tickets for the baseball game (I was trying to get tix for Sunday for Steve's birthday, but with no luck short of overpaying through Craigslist). Then we picked up the Megs and went home. Steve made chicken noodle soup (or maybe that was Friday?) which was good and made my tummy not quite as angry with me as it was with other foods.
Sunday was Steve's birthday. Meaghan gave him some Who CDs which he didn't already have and I got him some new Hawaiian shirts (I know boring presents... but he really doesn't have many hobbies). I made him some brownies with chocolate frosting instead of a cake, since we still had leftover cake from my birthday and he likes brownies better anyways. Mostly we hung out and had a lazy day. I didn't feel well (again.. man this bug sucks) so slept for a couple of hours, but overall I think it was on okay day, other than the constant jokes about me being the "present" and how he wanted to "unwrap" me.. I did mention I wasn't feeling well right?
Overall I guess not as much bitching as I thought I was going to do, this is partially my short term memory. If I had written this each day as things had occurred I would have a better memory of it... but I don't hold on to too many trivial bits.. I only save the good stuff. Still a little bummed that it's now almost a week since my birthday and the two people STILL haven't acknowledged it... I guess I should just give up. Other than that the real reason you didn't hear from me is Steve was on vacation last wek, and as you know I can't wrtie when he's around. In fact he hit an all time low on my birthday trying to read over my shoulder my birthday wishes. Granted the only one I was really worried about was the one from Gef Fahey because I knew he'd go ballistic if I told him that Gef was an ex-bf from H.S. even though that fact is just so unimportant at this point like 20 years later. So yeah I had to wait until today to even thank people for thier wishes and shit just because he makes me so uncomfortable.

I know; I'm being completely pretentious. Why mess with something that's such a classic? It is after all Rolling Stones 14 best album, and considered one of the Beatles' "most tightly constructed albums" (or so says Wikipedia). Well for one, because I for some reason am a big fan of concept albums, or even albums that while not meant to necessarily be concept albums, somehow accidentally end up telling a story. So it always disappointed me that while this album has quite a few of my favorite all-time Beatles' tunes, it never really flowed the way I wished it would, despite the inclusion of the conceptualized "Abbey Road Suite". So here you go my interpretation of how the tracks should go.
If for some reason you actually try to listen to the album in this order, please be aware that yes some song transitions are going to be a bit more abrupt, it would have to be completely re-recorded and mixed in order for it to sound the way I would want it to. Also I haven't quite worked out some of the finer plot points yet, to make the characters fit in more with the songs.. so this is currently categorized WIP (work in progress).
Track 1) Because - I could be partially biased here, since the Cirque Du Soleil production of "Love" begins with this track (and inevitably always gives me chills) but I like the idea of the album starting off with a sort of elemental theme. So I start off with "Because" mainly for it's earth/air theme but also because it's one of the quieter peaceful tracks and seems like a nice way to kick off the story. [ETA 3:43PM 5/6/08]: I thought visually it could be interesting if a juxtaposition was provided by having this song accompanied by Maxwell slacking off in school. I kind of half thought of starting by looking at the earth from space and then slowly zooming into the classroom scene where we realize Maxwell is daydreaming and the teacher yelling at him to pay more attention, somethign like that.
Track 2) Sun King - I had a difficult time deciding which of the two "Sun" themed tracks to put in this slot, and finally settled on "Sun King" because it flowed better with the surrounding songs. [ETA 3:48PM 5/6/08]: Possibly the two of the murder scenes occuring somplace during the Italian lyrics. Kind of a "Son of Sam" thing... the "Sun King" is talking to Maxwell and he has strange hallucinations of everybody speaking in Italian and he isn't able to understand and lashes out in frustration accidentally killing Joan and then later the teacher
Track 3) Maxwell's Silver Hammer - Maxwell, the ex-science student and pathological killer. As the song indicated he escapes judgment (by killing the judge). [ETA 3:49PM 5/6/08]: This song will accompany the court scene (in a tip of the hat to "Pink Floyd's "The Wall" maybe) with a really cartonish vision of the judicial system, culminating in Maxwell's third murder (the judge) and his escape. But what happens then? In my story Maxwell and Mr. Mustard are in fact the same person.
Track 4) Mean Mr. Mustard - Thus begins the only section of the "Abbey Road Suite" which I have left intact. Maxwell makes his transition into Mr. Mustard, the mean "old-man" derelict of the local park. We are also introduced to his sister Pam (whose story continues in a later song). Pam is the only person who is aware of Maxwell's dual identity, and often visits him in the park bringing him warm clothing and food. She has tried to talk him into living with her, but he always refuses... he lives in self-induced squalor as payment for the crimes he has committed.
Track 5) Her Majesty - Paul originally omitted this from the "Abbey Road Suite" and an ambitious engineer tacked it on to the end of the album as an afterthought. I've put it back in where it belongs. I was always a bit pissed at Paul about this. Instead of trying to find a way to make it work musically, he just sort of tossed it in the trash. I mean I guess at that point they were all about fed up with each other and probably didn't want to spend much more time on the album than necessary, but still. As with Maxwell/Mustard; Her Majesty/Pam is also the same person. Pam is admired from afar by the story's un-named hero (who is the one singing this track). A fellow park frequenter he has noticed her generosity towards the derelict Mr. Mustard and it has warmed his heart. [ETA 3:52PM 5/6/08]: I've decided to name the protagonist John. I was looking for somethign Beatles-esque, but determined that most the good males names were already used on the characters in "Across the Universe" so instead named the character after John Lennon.
Track 6) Polythene Pam - Our completely unconventional heroine (at least in my version). I love the idea of this quirkily dressed sexually ambiguous (and experimental) lady being the love interest. I have no idea why... just go with it. :-) This song in my head is sung by either other derelicts in the park or kids hanging out at the local convenience store sort of thing (in fact this same group probably also should/would sing Mr. Mustard.. I think I'll tentatively call/cast them as "rumour-mongers"). Basically as a street scene... hey what's with that weird girl... these are the local stories sort of thing. In other words, no one in town is very nice to Pam. [ETA: 3:54PM 5/6/08]: In order to better suit lyrics in the song "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" Pam will be the daughter of a wealthy family (Maxwell's school will be some sort of boarding school or other such rich-kids type of institution) who is trained in dancing, but then uses that talent after she discommunicates herself from her family, to work at various strip-clubs and seedy joints. hence the strange attire, sordid rumors, etc.
FURTHER EDITING NEEDED FROM THIS POINT FORWARD
Track 7) You Never Give Me Your Money - This is the un-named hero's track. This takes place at his place of employ, a factory. He is essentially complaining to his boss about his dissatisfaction with his wages and position. The boss kind of blows him off, so the hero organizes a labor strike
Track 8) Come Together - this is the labor strike anthem. Since the lyrics of this song are so intentionally obtuse to begin with, you can sort of make it to whatever you want it to mean. In my version the hero's is pointing out the boss' ridiculousness in some way. Spouting "the man's" faults as it were and riling up the other workers. At some point the riots spill out into the street and Pam (on her way to the park) is pushed into a massive crowd, eventually finding safety by climbing through the bathroom window of the factory, where our hero then finds her.
Track 9) She Came in Through the Bathroom Window - Yeah you knew I was going there when I described the scene in the last explanation. So kind of more the introduction of the hero and Pam transitioning into...
Track 10) Oh Darling - as previously stated our hero already has a soft spot for Pam, and now he finds himself with the perfect opportunity to introduce himself, only problem is she's still scared shitless from the riot. He sings this song to gain her trust and eventually convinces her to come to his nearby flat and get some rest until the streets are safe again.
Track 11) Golden Slumbers - the hero sings this to Pam to help her fall asleep once they are back at his flat.
Track 12) Octopus' Garden - weird dream sequence. Because really what else are you going to do with this song? I mean I love this song but it's just too bizarre to fit anywhere else but a dream sequence. So yeah Pam has a dream about being under the sea with the newly discovered hero, and realizes that even though she's just met him she's falling in love with him (because essentially he's the only one in the story so far that's even remotely nice to her).
Track 13) Something - the hero admires Pam while she sleeps
Track 14) Here Comes the Sun - day breaks and Pam awakens... the pair make small talk and have breakfast, but when it finally comes down to the bit where they have to separate they cannot bear to part.. They embrace, kiss and well other stuff
Track 15) I Want You/She's So Heavy - yeah it's the sex scene song (of course it is) and not just because it was in "Across the Universe" it just lends itself to that sort of thing because of the lyrics and the guitar riff. In my version "she's so heavy" is a way of saying that they're "so in love" the "weight" is the feeling of that...
Track 16) Carry That Weight - as previously mentioned in my version the "weight" is a metaphor for love. The hero decides to "carry that weight" meaning he decide he wants to spend the rest of his life with Pam. Originally the Heo has reservation during what will be the wedding scene (original lyrics) but the lyrics would then be expanded to add verses which finish off the sotry. They continu with the wedding and then go together to take care of Maxwell in the park. The hero gets promoted at work (despite the riot/strike) and Pam is no longer ridiculed by the locals and becomes a "respectable" member of society and eventually a mother (they have a kid)
Track 17) The End - Well duh! Let the credits roll... LOL!

So went to Eddie Izzard Tuesday night. He was of course awesome, as per usual. That however was only part of the amusement of the evening, the second half of which was provided by the womens restroom at The Orpheum.
The stalls were all grafittied out with various sayings, the typical so-and-so hearts so-and so, and random band name blurbs. But two particular ones stood out to me, the first just said simply "Candace 94-05", and no further information. Was it some sort of epitaph (and if so please put me down on the list of people who do not wish to be eulogized on a restroom wall)? Was it a sign of a person desperately imprisoned in that particular stall for 11 years? What?! We may never know the true answer...
The second simply said "Good Oral Call 603-xxx-xxxx". Now correct me if I am mistaken here, but if you indeed give such good oral, is it necessary to advertise? One would think you would get an ongoing customer base simply based on word of mouth (no pun intended). There's really no need for the calling card, unless of course you're planning to charge me for the priviledge. Also if you think I'm going to drive all the way to NH from Boston, it better be pretty damn good, unless of course you do housecalls!
Meanwhile Thursday was spent trying to figure out what was up with my eye. Went to Winchester Hospital who first decided it was not conjunctivitis but was instead some sort of eye damage caused by a foreign body or debris, but none which they could trace using thier equipment, so they then forwarded me on to a Opthamoloagist in Wakefield... who determined there was no eye damage and that it was conjunctivitis after all and then prescribed me a freaking expensive and small ass bottle of drops ($50!) that she didn't even guarantee would work (if it was viral conjunctivitis I would still have to just "wait it out").
This is again, not the interesting part of the story. That part ensued while waiting in the exam room at the hospital for the dude to look at my eye. I could overhear the conversations in the other exam rooms. The woman across from me cut her finger trying to slice an english muffin (someone ought to inform her that Thomas' are "fork-split"). Apparently she had an architecture exam later that day which she could not miss becuase her professor doesn't offer makeup exams. Sucks to be her, I am assuming drafting quite rots with only one hand! In addition I got to listen to the doctor describe the play-by-play of exactly what he was doing, especially the really squishy bits where he was all "ok now I'm pushing back this bit of skin, no I can't see the bone, it's only bleeding moderately not too much or too little.. so I think you'll be OK... I'll just stich you up" I was rather suprised when he didn't continue describing exactly what knit pattern he was using with the stitches.
So then it was some other doctor's last day. I'm not sure if he was getting some sort of exit-interview, training his replacement, having a general chat or what... but the question posed was "What's the worst thing you've ever seen while you were here?" to which he wanted the claification "Fatality or non-fatality?" and yeah you just knew the rest of this line of conversation wasn't going to go too well. I didn't catch all of it (maybe I secretly didn't want to) but the worst non-fatality was a a tie between a guy who missed his mark with a hand-ax and a construction worker who fell off some scaffolding onto one of those metal support tie things... mind you both of these scenes were elaborated just as fully as the english muffin cut incident (albeit by a different doctor). Didn't catch the fatality ones other than one was some sort of car accident.. but yeah I thought doctors weren't supposed to talk about cases within ear-shot of patients? You know why? Because if we wanted to hear all about all the blood and guts, then we would have been doctors too! Fortunately I don't have too weak of a stomache, I can hear about that stuff I just wouldn't want to see it, yah know.

Though to be honest I'd like an explanation of what the "Turf" is all about? Makes me want to have a side of mashed potatoes when I read your posts :-p
Do you sleep with your bedroom door open or closed:Depends, I don't HAVE to have it either way. I mean to close it but sometimes I just fuck-off and go to bed leaving it open.
If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you'd grab:Meaghan, and after that as many irreplacable things as I could grab: like photos(the "stuff" like tvs computers ipods is technically all replacable).
Have you ever been cheated on:It's probably happening right now
Where in the world is Carmen San Diego:Ok, where isn't this chick? For real she could get from London to New York faster than the freakin' Concorde!
Do you ever steal those little shampoos and soaps from hotel rooms:Yes, but it's all a bit pointless it takes about three of them to have an acceptable amount of shampoo!
Are you allergic to bees:No, but I am covered in them!

When is the last time you talked to the person you like:Um, be more specific, if you mean my best friend then last Thursday. If you mean romantically, two weeks ago and two days ago respectively
What cell phone provider do you use:Verizon, but why do you care? You wanna be on my "in" or something?
What color is your cell phone:Is blue-ish (like the Meanies)
What nationalities are you:Well yeah, American. If you mean heritage Irish, Italian, English, French-Canadian, Swedish, and some type of Native American (Micmac?). I am the fucking UN over here.
What did you eat for dinner today:I didn't east dinner today yet, it's 8:19 AM
What is your favorite restaurant and what do you get there:It depends what sort of food I'm looking for. In general I like Chinese and I almost always get Crab Rangoon and Orange Chicken
Describe your perfect salad:Honestly I don't care as long as it doesn't have mushrooms, otherwise most of the salad bar in whatever combination is cool with me
What reality show do you love:Yeah I'm a an Idol fan, have been since it started and can't stop watchign it even though it sucks this year and I have no favorite. Damn you!
Do you have any posters in your room:Not since college, but if I ever have a room thats like a music studio I have a bunch of love and rockets stuff and/or if we have a home thatre a bunch of movie stuff. Right now they all just collect dust.
What is your favorite nonalcoholic beverage:Coca-Cola, even though it's horribly evil for my body
How about alcoholic:I like wine when it doesn't give me an excruciating headache. SOme do, some don't I'm currently trying to figure out what causes them.
Do you take any medications? If so, for what:Not regularly, no. Right now some sort of eye drops (Vigamox? something like that. All I know is it sounds like Viagra, LOL!)
What is your favorite Marvel superhero:Wolverine <- she wrote that but I highly agree. Logan is the sexy, just mind the claws!
What was your favorite show as a child:Creature Double Feature and/or Force Five
Do you have any unique scars:Unique, no. I have a few but the only one with a real story is the one from the evil-ex and it's not even that good of a story (he tried to throw an excercise bike at me when he was pissed it hit a glass table which shattered and shot a huge chink of glass into my arm)
What's your worst habit:Nail-bitey
What are your parents' names:Donna and Bob (Frank who I call Dad, is actually my stepdad)
What grade are you in:I've graduated.
What are your biggest fears in life:This could go on too long, you know most of them by now, I write all about them all the time
What should you be doing instead of this survey:Eating breakfast?
What's the last thing you ate:Soggy reheated nachos from Baja Fresh (I don't recommend it, the sour cream got curdled)
Do you brush your teeth in the morning AND at night:Usually more like one or the other, though I know I should do both
What kind of bed do you have:I think it's a Simmons Beautyrest, I dunno it was comfy and suggested to us by Jordan's Sleep technicians, so it must be good
How old do you want to be when you get married:I am, the real question is how old do I want to be when I get divorced?
What are your plans for tomorrow:Um work at the theatre (if I don't look like a cyclops tomorrow), Eat, tell Meaghan to stop whining about 100 times, maybe play some Fatal Frame.. I dunno really I don't have big aspirations when I go to NH, I'm usually bored to tears
Can you sing the alphabet backwards:I could, but I kind of stall a bit sometimes trying to get the letter order correct. P.S. this is almost as lame as the phone service question.
Who was your favorite character from Sesame Street:Snuffleupagus... cos back then no one could see him but me and Big Bird.
Do you play Guitar Hero:Um no... people say I would want to, but I'm perfectly happy jumping off high buildings in Jerusalem and stabbing peeps in the back (Asssasins Creed)
What's bothering you right now:Oh what's not bothering me... my husband's an a-hole, I have conjunctivitis, I DON'T want to go to NH this weekend, Peyman promised he'd IM me and then didn't, I didn't get to hang with Terri yesterday, certain other people who read my e-mails and then only write back about 1/4th of the time... I could go on if you let me
Who do you miss at this very moment:Well it's complicated, because I'd rather not say, but simply by writing this they're going to figure it out. The same person I always miss when he goes out of town, I feel a strong psychic bond with that person (though I am unsure if they feel it too) and always know when they're going out of town (without them even telling me) about a day before they leave and always know they're coming back about three days before they arrive. It kind of blows because it really throws off my moods.. and yeah I've said too much already
What color are your panties:Light Blue.. perv
Do you shave your legs faithfully:Yeah I do now, though I admit kind of letting it go once and a while when I was depressed
What is your magazine of choice:I don't really do magazines, maybe Entertainment Weekly or Wizard if someone's got it kickin round
Are you double jointed:I wish, I'd totally join Cirque Du Soleil or some shit. But alas, no
What is your favorite flavor of Kool Aid:I haven't had Kool-Aid in ages, Hawaiian Punch is OK in small doses though
Who do you get along with the most out of your family:My Brother
Do you trust your boyfriend/girlfriend:I trust Terri, my best freind. I don't have a boyfreind or else I'd be a right bastard/bitch (I guess in my case) like my husband, and yeah as far as my husband.. I think my answer already clarifies
Can you do an acceptable cartwheel:I used to but as I got older my center of gravity changed or something, I can no longer do any acceptable gymnastics nor hula-hoop and it kind of bums me out
Do you use your manners:Usually.
What kind of milk do you drink:Hood, I guess but I dunno whatever has the latest expiration date, Milk is Milk unless you know they put crap that doesn't really belong there in it (hormones)
What is your favorite type of juice:White Grapefruit
Who is your favorite Disney character:Lilo Pelekai because she reminds me of me when I was like 6 or 7
What was the best vacation you've ever been on:Hawaii with my family
What are you currently listening to:Nothing, which can't be good, I better check the Megs!
Are you on a laptop or a desktop:Desktop
Is the computer YOURS.. or a family computer:It's Mine
Do you like grilled cheese or chicken salad better:Grilled Cheese
Do you have a ceiling fan in your bedroom:Yes
What are you going to do now:Check on the Megs.. wonder why this meme seemed longer than I thought it was, fuck-off until Steve gets home and I have to be bored in the car for 3 hours