My Musical Journey: A Tale of Collecting and Cherishing

My dream net radio set up

If you know anything about me, you know I'm way into collecting music. My journey began with 45s and tapes that filled bins in my room. The first CD I ever received was Michael Jackson's Dangerous back in 1991, which kicked off my CD collection. Today, I have thousands of CDs, along with a substantial collection of LPs.

People often ask if I've listened to all the CDs in my collection. Honestly, the answer is no. Some of them don't really interest me, and apparently, they don't interest others either, as I haven't been able to sell them on eBay or Discogs. Some of these CDs have been used for parties, cross-referencing various projects, or just collecting dust.

Some might call my collection an OCD disorder known as hoarding. However, I prefer to think of myself as a self-professed music historian. My collection isn't just a pile of items; it's a carefully curated archive of musical history—or so I once thought. While I'm known for my extensive collections of show tunes and dance music, I also have a deep knowledge of classic country, disco, pop, Eurodance (aka Gay Disco), and novelty tunes. I love introducing people to new music and watching their disinterest transform into appreciation for something they might never have discovered on their own.

Streaming has made a lot of physical media feel obsolete, but what happens if one can't connect to the internet? This is where my collection truly shines. There's something special about holding a physical album, reading the liner notes, and experiencing music as it was meant to be heard.

At one time, I worked with my best friend in high school on a pirate radio show and later ran my own net radio station. The station had a huge following, but unfortunately, the operating costs didn't align with the revenue, which was non-existent. In hindsight, I probably should have asked my listeners for donations to support the cause. Ultimately, I had to shut it down due to licensing costs, leaving me in the red. Despite this, I don't object to doing it again; I just won't do it the same way. I still have thoughts about one day reuniting with my friend from high school and legally rebooting our radio show. Streaming may be king now, but there's something irreplaceable about the charm of a live radio show.

And if you ever come across any rare CDs or unique music memorabilia, feel free to share them with me. Your recommendations—or even a little gift—would certainly make my day.

What about you? Do you have a music collection or a favorite album that holds a special place in your heart? Have you ever discovered a hidden gem that changed the way you think about music? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Music has the power to bring us together and create lasting memories. If this story resonated with you and you'd like to support my journey in sharing more personal musical memories, your contributions would be greatly appreciated. Let's continue celebrating the music that shapes our lives! 🎶✨

Rediscovering ABBA: A Personal Journey Through 1992

ABBA Gold Greatest Hits

Imagine this: it's 1992, a year filled with new experiences, adventures, and the magic of discovering music that speaks to the soul. For me, this was the year I truly fell in love with ABBA, all thanks to Erasure's tribute EP, ABBA-esque. This four-track homage brought the timeless melodies of the iconic Swedish pop group to a new generation and set the stage for the release of ABBA Gold: Greatest Hits, an album that would become one of my all-time favorites.

Growing up, I didn't know much about ABBA. My musical knowledge was limited, but I was a huge fan of the musical "Chess," written by Bjorn, Benny, and Tim Rice. My understanding of "Chess" far exceeded what I knew of ABBA. Everything changed when I bought a copy of Erasure’s ABBA-esque thanks to hearing the tunes countless times in the clubs, bars and in random stores. The cashier at the Sam Goody in the A&S Plaza, now Manhattan Mall, suggested I also check out the new ABBA greatest hits album called ABBA Gold. Without hesitation, I added it to my purchase, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

ABBA Gold is a 19-song collection that marked the first comprehensive greatest hits compilation featuring the 1970s supergroup after years of their music being off the market. Released by Polar Music in 1992, the album brought together some of ABBA's most beloved songs, offering both hardcore fans and casual listeners a straightforward collection of the group's most popular tunes. Produced by Michael B. Tretow, who worked with ABBA throughout their career, the sound quality and arrangements remained true to the original recordings.

From the infectious beat of "Dancing Queen" to the heart-wrenching "Knowing Me, Knowing You," each track on ABBA Gold tells a unique story. I remember the thrill of hearing "Take a Chance on Me" and "Mamma Mia," songs that encapsulated the essence of ABBA. "Lay All Your Love on Me" and "Super Trouper" quickly became personal favorites, each song evoking emotions and memories that I cherish to this day.

ABBA Gold stands out as one of the few albums from the 1970s and '80s that doesn't show its age. The fresh sound, innovative production, and unforgettable melodies make it timeless. The album's track listing includes hits like "I Have a Dream," "The Winner Takes It All," and "Money, Money, Money," each song contributing to the album's enduring appeal.

The release of ABBA Gold in 1992 was followed by More ABBA Gold: More ABBA Hits in 1993, featuring additional tracks like "Summer Night City" and "The Day Before You Came." Both collections were a welcome addition to ABBA's catalog of brilliant albums. Since then, ABBA Gold has been re-released several times, ensuring that new generations of listeners can experience ABBA's music in the best possible quality.

As for my personal favorites from ABBA Gold, I’d have to say "Take a Chance on Me," "Knowing Me, Knowing You," "Voulez-Vous," "Does Your Mother Know," and "Lay All Your Love on Me" are the standouts. Each song showcases the unique blend of catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and impeccable production that made ABBA a global sensation.

What about you? Do you have any favorite ABBA songs or memories associated with their music? Have you listened to ABBA Gold or More ABBA Gold? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Music has the power to bring us together and create lasting memories. If this story resonated with you and you'd like to support my journey in sharing more personal musical memories, your contributions would be greatly appreciated. Let's continue celebrating the music that shapes our lives! 🎶✨

Why I Blog: Finding Joy and Connection Through Writing

Why do a blog? Am I interesting? Do I have something to contribute to the world? Am I relevant? Honestly, I don't know. But here's what I do know: I like to write about things that inspire me, and I enjoy talking about the things I love. If my words resonate with someone, if they make a connection with someone who enjoys what I share, then that makes me incredibly happy.

Recently, I received an email from someone who was particularly unkind, telling me to stop talking. What is wrong with people? If they don't like what I have to say, then they should just move on. It's not like I'm forcing anyone to read my words. I wanted to put this out into the universe because writing and sharing my thoughts brings me joy and helps me feel connected.

Writing is a form of self-expression that allows me to explore my thoughts and feelings, reflect on experiences, and share them with others. It’s a way to create something meaningful and lasting. Through my blog, I hope to inspire others, spark conversations, and perhaps offer a different perspective on various topics. Every post is a piece of me—a glimpse into what excites me, what makes me ponder, and what I find beautiful in the world.

To anyone who enjoys reading my posts, your support means the world to me. If you come across anything related to the topics I write about—whether it’s a charming stationery set, a unique find, or something you think I’d love—feel free to share it with me. Your recommendations always bring a smile to my face. And if you feel inclined to send a little gift, if just a comment, that would be a lovely surprise. Your kindness and engagement make this blogging journey all the more rewarding.

A Stitch in Time: Learning to Sew with Mama and the Beloved Chair Cushion

AI version of me around the time this story happen. That bowl cut!

Yesterday was my mom's 80th birthday, and even though she's no longer with us, I wanted to share a fun little story about the time she helped me learn to use her beloved sewing machine. It's a tale of creativity, determination, and the special bond we shared. So, grab a cup of tea and let's journey back to my third grade year.

When I was in the third grade, my classmates and I often complained to Mrs. Kell about the hard plastic chairs we had to sit in. One day, she jokingly suggested that if we made our own cushions and they looked good, we could use them. Despite her jest, I saw this as a golden opportunity. Determined to take on the challenge, I went home and told my mom about the sewing project I needed help with. I had already planned the design: a perfectly square inch-and-a-half piece of foam, which I knew we already had, covered with navy blue denim fabric from my mom’s stash.

Mama was eager to help. She guided me through cutting out the fabric, pinning it up, and teaching me how to use her sewing machine. Together, we made straps and sewed the fabric to create a cover for the foam. Once it was ready, I proudly brought the cushion to school. Mrs. Kell didn’t believe I had made it at first and even looked for evidence of a tag. But when I explained that I had planned it out and my mom had helped me learn to sew, she realized her little joke had backfired and she couldn't retract the permission she had given. My DIY and craft skills were clearly in my blood, and I used that cushion the entire year. Unfortunately, my fourth-grade teacher was not as accepting of the idea of a seat cushion, and my days of hard plastic chairs resumed.

That cushion didn’t just serve me in third grade—it became a staple in our household. It transitioned to the desk chair for our typewriter, later our Radio Shack TSR-80 Color Computer, and eventually became my mom's sewing chair cushion. It’s funny how a simple project can create lasting memories and become a heavily utilized item in the home.

Looking back, I realize that this project was more than just a solution to an uncomfortable chair. It was a lesson in creativity, determination, and the value of learning new skills. It’s a reminder of how DIY projects can bring joy, practicality, and a sense of accomplishment.

I still cherish those moments with my mom and the memories we created together. The older I get, the more I appreciate the skills and values she passed on to me, just as I shared in yesterday's blog about how she would write letters. Her influence has undoubtedly shaped my love for crafting and creativity. Even now, I continue to find joy in DIY projects, and I always think of her when I embark on a new one.

I hope you enjoyed this heartfelt tribute to my mama and the beautiful legacy she left behind. If you have similar stories or memories of your loved ones, please share them in the comments below. Your feedback and shared memories help build a wonderful community. If you'd like to support this effort, your contributions are greatly appreciated. Even small gestures of support mean a lot as we continue this journey of storytelling and connection. Thank you! ❤️

From Homeless to Prepared: A Peek Inside My Manbag

Ever wonder what it's like to carry everything you own with you at all times? Well, let me take you on a journey through the world of a self-proclaimed packrat with a touch of OCD—me! From backpacks and lunchboxes in my younger days to the latest and greatest manbags, my journey has been one of overpacking and overthinking. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into the quirky contents of my trusty manbag.

Most people who know me in real life are well aware that I'm somewhat of a packrat. Actually, if I'm being honest, it's more than just "somewhat." This OCD thing touches every aspect of my world. When I was younger, I had backpacks and lunchboxes to stash all my stuff. But when I hit the streets in Atlanta and NYC back in 1992, carrying a backpack seemed to draw a lot of attention from store salespeople.

I quickly found it best to downsize to the bare essentials. That way, I would rarely be asked to check my bag, and if I was, they wouldn't have any reason to question why I had so much stuff. One thing I learned quickly was to never tell the staff at FAO Schwartz or Sam Goody that I was homeless and carried everything I owned with me. That is, until I discovered the place I tricked out behind an abandoned house in New Jersey, and then the amount of my belongings grew substantially. If I did have to check my bag and the clerk asked why it was so heavy, my standard response became something like, "I'm visiting my uncle or dad." It totally worked, especially because of my Southern accent—it was a real kicker. This was before I learned to cover up the accent.

Once I left NYC, I found it hard to part with "the essentials." To this day, I still carry stuff around with me as I did when I was homeless, but my carry-all bag is now known as my manbag. I have four manbags—one is technically a laptop bag, and another is a laptop backpack.

Have you ever noticed that when you ask someone, "What's in your bag?" most people won't tell you? In fact, they'll go out of their way to avoid further conversation on the topic. What's in there? Government secrets? People can be so touchy about petty stuff. It's just that—STUFF. So, what's in my manbag? Let's break it down:

Contents of My Manbag:

• Hand Sanitizer: Essential for keeping germs at bay, especially after touching public surfaces or before eating. Remember, it's not just for Covid.

• Epi-Pen: A lifesaver for someone with severe allergies. Luckily, I've never had to use it, but it's always good to be prepared.

• Prep H Pads: Handy for relieving any discomfort or irritation. Not glamorous, but practical.

• Pain Meds: For pain management. These are something I keep around just in case I have a severe headache or any other sudden pain. During my homeless years, I never bothered with meds and suffered through toothaches, migraines, colds, the flu, and nausea. I would rather die than go through all of that without some sort of assistance.

• 4 Color BIC Pen: Super useful for organizing notes or highlighting different things in my journal or planner.

• Mechanical Pencil: Always good to have for making notes or sketching ideas on the go.

• Notebook: This is my portable idea bank. I jot down thoughts, to-dos, and anything else that comes to mind.

• Out-of-Date Penny Press Word Search: A fun way to pass the time and keep my brain active during downtimes.

• Rechargeable Portable Fan: A lifesaver on hot days. It’s small but mighty and helps keep me cool.

• Mini Mary Hanson Roberts Tarot Cards: Great for quick readings or just a bit of fun. They’re compact and easy to carry. I don't break out the tarot cards as much as I used to, though. Not that I've lost my touch, just not really interested in the attention a public reading brings.

• Lighter: Always useful, whether for lighting a candle, starting a fire, or just in case of an emergency.

• Swiss Army Knife: I used to have a Leatherman Mini, but it was stolen many years back. No matter which, they come in handy more often than you’d think, especially when I was homeless—cutting, opening packages, minor repairs, you name it. Except when I go to work—even though I am cleared to take necessary tools into the airport, this isn't needed for my job though it would come in handy at times.

• Lotion: Hand sanitizer dries out your hands, so it's always good to moisturize, especially when you never know when you're going to have to shake someone's hand. Dry hands are embarrassing.

• Gum or Hard Candy: Just because.

• Lip Balm: Keeps my lips from getting chapped, plus it tastes pretty good too.

Things that I Used to Carry but Have Been Outmoded by Other Stuff:

• Digital Camera: Now we all rely on our phones, and it took me a while to break away from a dedicated camera, but phones are just as good for higher-quality photos.

• Creative Zen Touch MP3 Player: My old-school music player. I loved it until Terry upgraded me to an iPod Touch for Christmas many years ago. Much like the Digital Camera, the iPod has been replaced by my phone.

Yup, I was once a Boy Scout. Their motto is "Be Prepared," and that, I am.

The thoughtful Christmas 2024 gift from Terry. ❤️

Now, let's talk about the fantastic gift I received this past Christmas. Terry gifted me an amazing large messenger bag. He was itching to give it to me before my trip to Orlando, knowing it would be the perfect size for me to travel with as my personal item on Frontier Airlines, but I didn't want to take away from his or my Christmas morning excitement. At first, I thought it was a little too big, but when I realized my 14-inch laptop that I use for almost everything, including this blog, fit perfectly, I knew it was just right. Though I love it, much like ladies with their handbags, you can never have enough things to carry stuff in. Given that I am required to carry clear bags to work, I've been searching high and low for a clear crossbody bag large enough for my larger 15-inch laptop and the accessories mentioned above.

So, what about you? Do you carry a bag or a manbag with you? My favorites are pretty much the standard waxed canvas bags, similar to the ones at Army Surplus stores. I wish I could find one large enough to fit a 15-inch laptop into, but no such luck for me. If I could carry my laptop around in one, I would, but it seems the typical messenger bags they make nowadays aren't really big enough. And if they are, they don't have enough padding to keep the laptop safe. What's inside your bag, and why do you carry those items? Let's swap stories—leave a comment below and share your essentials. You never know; you might inspire someone to add a new must-have to their own bag!

If you've got any cool ideas for must-have items or if you come across an awesome messenger bag that you think I'd love, feel free to let me know. Your suggestions and contributions are always appreciated. Thank you!

Confessions of a Tabloid Enthusiast: Crafting Fantastical Stories

I've always loved fantasy stories and things that are too good to be true. My life reads a lot like that, but it's totally true. So, it should come as no surprise that I love tabloids. Not the celeb news though—I’m not a Perez Hilton, National Enquirer, or Star fan. I couldn't care less if Britney’s snatch is blue, Lady Gaga fired her crew, or they found Michael Jackson’s nose in Bubble’s poo. I don’t know those people, and I’m not interested in their drama. I don’t read much in terms of newspapers or watch the news unless something important is going on in the world that I need to be informed about, and even then, I somehow know what’s going on. Tabloids are just so much more fun to read anyway.

Give me Bat Boy or stories of a 500-pound infant and his mom who’s a mere 97 pounds. I don’t mind GLOBE or National Examiner—they feature stories of real people along with a little bit of celeb fluff. My favorite was Weekly World News, but the only thing that remained in print similar to WWN is the SUN and it's no longer printed wither. WWN is online now, but it’s just not the same as when I was a kid. When I was younger, I’d secretly ride my bike down to the Jr. Food Store, where other kids spent their money on candy, sodas, Slush Puppies, and bags of potato chips, while I spent mine on the Weekly World News and a cheap Faygo Root Beer. It would take me a week to read the stories in the paper completely and then a day or so to reskim it and enjoy the advertisements.

Did I care if the stories were made up? Nope. I loved that part of them. There was something magical about headlines like "Woman’s Breast Implants Explode Thanks to Low Flying 747." Did I believe it? At the time, yes. And even now, I’m sure there was some truth to some of the stories. The point of a tabloid is to go into them knowing there is a requirement to suspend your disbelief. You can’t deny the entertainment value in stories with headlines like "Grossed Out Surgeon Vomits in Patient" or "North Korean Sub Probing US Lake: Is Kim Jong Il Poised to Attack?"

Silly purchases? Definitely. Waste of money? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

During a period in my life, I even became a content provider for a tabloid paper. It was an incredible experience to let my imagination run wild and create the most random, outlandish stories. There was something so satisfying about concocting tales that were just on the edge of believability, playing with the fine line between reality and fantasy. I loved the process of making up these stories, knowing they would entertain and astonish readers, just as the Weekly World News had done for me as a kid. It was a dream come true to contribute to the world of tabloid journalism, even if it was just for a while.

What about you? Do you have any favorite tabloid stories or memories of reading them? Have you ever worked on something similarly creative and whimsical? I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments below!

Sporadic since 2016. Where have I been and what's going on?

Back when I started this blog, I really had no real vision for it, it was mostly just getting my thoughts out into the universe. Unfortunately, some of my actual thoughts were offensive to some people so I dialed back a little and tried to keep things light.

I've shared my thoughts on some of my favorite albums, struggles with the ups and downs of diets and also some stories of my past. At one point, I began to share work stories, which I ended up deleting. The management of the restaurants I worked for felt I was invading on the privacy of their clientele. In hindsight, I realized the stories contained no personal details of customers, just the situations they created and the managers seemed to be afraid of some sort of bad publicity. Hearth Pizza Tavern of Sandy Springs, Georgia should have worried more about the roaches we were stepping on behind the bar as we were making cocktails for customers rather than my mention of a woman who got mad that I bought her 2 glasses of Diet Coke and a time since she sucked them down and would snap her fingers for more before I could get her food order in. A co-worker that had followed me from Chuy's to Hearth seemed to have been the tattler who added drama to the stories.

After all that, life got busy. Terry and I took our first cruise, along with the original Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. We discovered the we very much enjoyed cruising and have been on 5 so far. I switched jobs, I left Hearth Pizza Tavern after working there for almost 4 years to work as the bar manager of a restaurant in Buckhead which converted to an event space after the General Manager #2 decided to pad his pockets and comp all of his friends alcohol and food when they would come in, $900 in comps a night is not normal. After we converted over as an event space, I stayed on as the manager and only bartender along with another guy. I broke my arm and hand on the way to work and ended up working an entire 6 hour shift behind the bar in excruciating pain because the owner of the venue, Paul, who owns Savi Provisions, threatened that he would not pay me for the last party I worked if I didn't work this one. The back pay was $600 and another $700 was what I made the night I broke my arm. I was stupid not to sue. I switched jobs again, working for Hobnob, the bar manager was not a people person to say the least and I just couldn't deal with watching her incomitance and hear her berate the employees and refer to black employees with racist stereotypical names rather than learning their actual names. I quit and started at Henri's Bakery as a manager and worked there for over a year and then Covid happened.

Once Covid hit, I avoided it. I lost my hearing in both ears due to Eustachian tube dysfunction and an extreme middle ear infection, which I eventually had procedures done to help relieve the pressure and restore my hearing, though I only have 5% hearing in my left ear. A week before my medical leave was over and I was to return to work, the owner of Henri's, a fratboy type named Anthony, informed me through email that due to my ongoing medical issues, my employment was terminated. I know Georgia is an at will employment state but one should really look into the legal aspect of terminating someone on medical leave, then again, they aren't too worried about employment laws anyway. Who still does a working interview? You know, where you have people come in to work a few unpaid shifts to see if they are going to work out in spite of not being trained? Covid was still in full force at the time and unemployment was paying more than what I made at Henri's anyway so I was able to work on creating soap for the little business that Terry and I started.

My mom passed away, not from Covid, the last week of the expanded Covid benefits. Luckily I had saved enough to live on for a while. Once I came back home, Terry was recalled to work at La Parrilla. He began having issues with his back and legs but worked through it. I eventually accepted a job as a front desk agent at the Ramada Plaza, where a former Hearth Pizza coworker was the manager. I had worked front desk of a hotel many years ago and it should have been an easy job but NOPE, I was poorly trained on the computer system and policies and had to learn the system on my own. The hotel was run down, had no hot water for the first 3 months I worked there, the elevators were constantly getting stuck and cars always getting broken into. To say it was a hooker hotel was an understatement. It was basically a place hookers, drug addicts and homeless people attempted to live out of. Within my first week, a tranny hooker, whose real name was Eugene, was banned from the property after trashing a room. Eugene tried to return several times claiming to be someone else and attempting to use stolen IDs and credit cards to check in. I got death threats nightly and the management said things like "Well this IS Old National" as if that was some sort of a consolation. I eventually added my holster and Ruger LCP Max to my uniform because our security was not into doing their jobs and when you are the only employee on the premises of a 271 room run down hotel, safety is always on your mind.

I quit the hotel and took a few months to clear my mind before accepting a position as a Book Operations Supervisor with the company the runs the retail locations in the airport and will have been there for 2 years this November. Terry quit La Parrilla after having back surgery and the management of La Parrilla decided they would try to abuse him and make him work long hours and not letting him sit down when needed in spite of his doctor advising him to limit his activities. Not sure why small companies don't understand the concept of adhering to medical accommodations, even when they are as simple as a 5 minute rest period every few hours.

That's a lot to unpack huh? Does anyone blog anymore? Even if they don't I guess I will keep this going just because I once enjoyed sharing whatever was on my mind. While I'm not the most tech savvy person, I might even follow through with an idea of doing videos to run concurrent with my blogs.

So that's what's been going on with me in a nutshell. There's a lot more between the lines and I will probably cover some of it in future blogs. Till then have a great one.