FFUSA Atlanta

Man, this guy loves attention. The recent rumors of him moving to the Minnesota Vikings have put him right back into the spotlight. Personally, I would welcome him to Minnesota with open arms, not because I am a fan but because I know how angry it will make the people in the wretched state to the east known as Wisconson. There would be nothing better than to see Favre beat the Packers in Green Bay wearing a Minnesota Vikings jersey. Let just hope is arm doesn’t fall off….

I found this super interesting

General Cat Questions
Q: What kind of toys are best for cats?
A: Their favorite playthings (that I give them) are catnip sacks, wadded up paper, and paper bags. On occasion they will deign to play with a ping pong ball, but most anything else is a waste of money. The things they choose for themselves run the gamut from pens and pencils to pill bottles and eyedroppers. Plastic drinking straws make wonderful toys and make a satisfying crunch when the cat bites them, but don’t let him shred them and swallow the pieces). You can attach a piece of string to a stick and tie an “accordioned” bit of paper to the other end and wave it in front of him or try a laser-beam type toy that he can chase, or even one of those “gloves” with very long dangling “fingers.” Top of Page

Q: Why doesn’t my cat like catnip?
A: It may be too young. Most kittens aren’t interested in catnip until they are close to a year in age. Top of Page

Q: Are all cats similar in personality?
A: No more so than all humans. Some are “love bugs”, some are nearly untouchable. Some are “hunt-aholics”, others will ignore even the most obvious prey. Some continue to be active and playful long past kittenhood, while others quickly turn into rug potatoes. Top of Page

Q: What does “meow” mean?
A: Most cats never actually say “meow”. Each has his or her own voice and vocabulary consisting of a few basic commands. I’m not kidding here, folks. Cats don’t generally have a lot to say, but what they do say, they mean. The command you will hear most often is “I want”. “I want food.” “I want out.” “I want in.” “I want attention.” Next up is a simple “hello” and then “why did you wake me up?”. Most cat vocalizations are directed at humans, since we generally have whatever it is they want. The ones they use for each other include the aforementioned “hello”, but more often it is a less-than-friendly “You’re in my territory”, or the more emphatic “Get the bloody heck out of my territory”. Of course, females in heat have their own very special calls, as do the responding males, and queens with kits have a peculiar way of calling their young. If you get a cat who wants to carry on a conversation for its own sake, consider yourself very lucky. Top of Page

Q: Why does my kitten paw the floor next to his dish after eating?
A: The pawing and digging is an instinctive behavior. In the wild, cats often bury their food remains (as well as their feces) as a protective measure so their enemies can’t track them. Top of Page

Q: Do cats cry real tears?
A: Cats’ eyes will “tear” or water for a number of reasons, including dust, a scratch from another cat, or allergies or clogged tear ducts. Some contagious diseases, such as upper respiratory infections will cause tearing. Cats do have emotions such as grieving or depression, but they express them in ways such as lethargy, withdrawal, or disinterest in food. Top of Page

Q: Why do you oppose declawing destructive cats?
A: Declawing a cat requires amputation of the entire first joint, and is naturally painful. Clawing is a natural activity that provides needed exercise, especially for an indoor cat. For a more detailed answer see my article You CAN Have Your Cats and Your Furniture Too. Top of Page

Food and Eating Questions
Q: Recently, my six month old cat quit eating his food entirely. Instead, he’s started finding his way into cabinets and onto shelves and stealing ramen noodles and oatmeal. We can’t get him to stop this behavior, and beyond being tired of cleaning up ramen crunchies on the floor, we’re worried about him not eating anything nutricious.
A: Ramen noodles and oatmeal are nutritious from a human standpoint, but definitely not what a growing kitten needs. If the food you’re giving him is strictly canned food, he may not be getting the veggies he needs. Most dry foods have a vegetable component, but canned foods are often strictly meat. Get a large low pot and try growing him some cat grass. Most pet supply stores have the seeds, and they grow quickly. Meanwhile keep the cupboards locked and get him a small bag of good quality dry food. Top of Page

Q: I just adopted a 7 month old cat that was staying in a foster home. The lady that had him mixed in wet food with the dry. I really don’t wanna start him on wet food because then that’s all they want. He’s hardly eating his dry food. Everyone is telling me to just keep the dry out and if he’s hungry enough he’ll eat, but I feel bad because I don’t want him to be hungry. Everytime I go in the kitchen he runs out there and stays at my feet constantly. What can I do ?
A: Most cats eventually settle in to a combination diet of wet and dry food, but if you’re set on strictly dry, just set it out and eventually he will eat it. Just be sure to have plenty of fresh water available at all times. Top of Page

Q: Lately my cat has been licking all the juice or gravy of of his food and leaving the solid part. He won’t eat dry food or anything solid. What could be the problem?
A: It sonds like your cat may have dental problems. Check his gums for redness amd his teeth for tartar build-up. An abcessed tooth can be a serious health problem, and too much tartar can make eating uncomfortable. If this is the case, he will need professional attention. Top of Page

Q: I’ve been giving my new cat a lot of cat treats to make her feel at home and now she won’t eat anything else. Will she harm herself if she doesn’t eat at all?
A: Not likely. A cat’s metabolism is geared to the “feast and famine” cycle that a cat in the wild encounters as a matter of course. Your finicky feline can go several days without food. She will eat when she gets hungry enough. Hold your ground and only give her a treat AFTER she eats her regular food. Top of Page

Q: Do I need a special cat food to prevent hairballs?
A: In most cases, no. A regular grooming schedule, combined with a good hairball remedy such as Petromalt or Hartz administered weekly should be all you need. Top of Page

Q: Which is better for my cat, canned food, soft-moist, or dry?
A: Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Canned food is smelly but tasty and your cat will need less water on the side. Notice I said less, not none. Dry food is usually less expensive and can be left out all day as long as your cat is not inclined to overeat. On the downside, your cat will need a lot of water , but try not to encourage drinking immediately after a meal. A full load of dry food will swell and cause regurgitation. I’ve never tried soft-moist food, so I can’t really speak to that issue. As long as whatever you give them is a quality brand, your cat should live a long and healthy life. Top of Page

Cat vs Cat Questions
Q: I recently adopted two kittens from my local shelter. I’ve noticed that if one kitten has a toy in his mouth and the other gets too close, the first one will growl. Is there anything I can do to stop this?
A: Congratulations on getting two kittens! There’s nothing wrong with one kitten growling at the other under these circumstances. It’s entirely normal, and you’re not going to be able to train them to “share,” as you would with a human child. Your kitten is instictively reacting to a perceived threat, in protecting his “prey” from his playmate. The only time you need to step in is if one kitten is getting hurt, but this is extremely rare. Top of Page

Q: I recently moved in with my boyfriend. I have a 9 month old kitten who is completely fearless, while he has a 4 year old mixed breed who is more solitary. His cat is having a very hard time adjusting. She stays under our bed and won’t eat, drink, or poop.
A: Your roomate’s cat needs some time to adjust. Try locking her in the bathroom with food, water, bedding, and a litterbox for a week or so. Let her get used to your cat’s smell under the door. Then install a chain lock and block the door open a couple of inches so they two cats can sniff and poke at each other through the crack. When they’ve broken the ice, take the younger cat in with the older one for a few minutes once or twice a day and hold it on your lap. Just make sure you’re wearing long sleeves and heavy trousers. Let the older cat take the lead. When she’s ready, she’ll make the first move. Top of Page

Q: One of my cats (both are male) will attack the other by straddling him and biting his neck and back. The second cat seems to be paralyzed when this happens and stays still and squeals for help. At other times the first cat will initiate grooming with the second. They must have a special bond to be doing this, but I always have to keep the cats separated when I’m not home.
A: Both your cats are behaving normally and doing what cats do. Cat A is not attacking and injuring Cat B, but simply asserting his dominance and even engaging in a little sex play (no, he isn’t gay). Cat B simply submits. The fact that Cat A initiates affectionate grooming means they have their relationship worked out, and Cat B is on the bottom. His responses are normal for the situation. There is no need for them to be separated. Top of Page

Cat vs Human Questions
Q: Why does my cat bite and scratch me when I try to play with him?
A: This is how kittens learn to play with each other. First, trim his claws. This should be done regularly, anyway. Then, stop playing with him with your hands. Let your cat wrestle with a catnip-stuffed toy or a crumpled up ball of paper that he can bat around. If he grabs your hand, tell him “no” in a firm voice. Slowly remove your hand from his clutches. Don’t yank it away or he’ll think it’s a game and grab it again. Grasp him by the scruff of the neck and firmly push him down toward the floor, while saying “No!” in a firm tone. Hold him in this position for only three or four seconds and release. If he still persists, tap him on the nose and say no. Top of Page

Q: Why does my cat lick me?
A: Sometimes it’s for the salt on you skin, but most often it’s a sign that they have accepted you as part of their family, the same way they wash each other. Another way of showing affection is butting their forehead against yours. Rubbing against your leg doesn’t count. That’s just territorial marking. Top of Page

Q: My two cats drive me absolutely crazy at night scratching the bed and walls to get me up. How do I get them to leave me alone?
A: Cats are normally nocturnal animals, and it is natural that they want their human to wake up and entertain them. The only long-term solution is ignore them. Shut the bedroom door if necessary, and put earplugs in your ears. It may take a couple of weeks, but once they get the idea that you aren’t going to respond, they will find other ways of amusing themselves. Top of Page

Q: My new cat doesn’t seem to be very loving. He lets me pet him a little, but won’t sit on my lap or let me hold him at all. The cat I had before was very loving and affectionate.?
A: It is the nature of a cat to be independent and solitary. How “cuddly” they are depends a lot on how much they were handled in the first few weeks of life. In the wild, only the lion lives in groups. With time and lots of patience, your cat may become more affectionate, but don’t count on it. Lap cats are few and far between. Top of Page

Cat Behavior Questions
Q: My cat won’t sleep in the basket-type bed that I bought him. Instead I find him curled up behind the bedroom door.
A: Cats like privacy and seurity when they sleep. Try getting him an enclosed bed, or at least put his bed in a quiet corner out of traffic. High places are also a good choice. Top of Page

Q: I have an 8-month cat that I am getting spayed in about 20 days. She’s always been an outside cat but comes inside for hours at a time. After her surgery, she has to recover inside. I got her a litter box, and a “Portable Pet Home” which I sprayed with catnip spray, but she won’t go inside. Instead she tries to sleep in the litter box I got at the same time. How do I get her to not sleep in it and use it as she should? And how do I get her to use her bed? .
A: First, wash out the catnip spray. 8 months is too young to appreciate it, and it’s just a distraction. Next, get something with your own scent on it, such as a small pilow or old sweater, anything that smells like “mom” (that’s you). Put this in the bed along with the loudest ticking small clock you can find. The ticking approximates the mother cat’s heartbeat and is soothing to the kitten. It’s not unusual for a young kitten to try to nest in the litter box, but they will usually switch if you give them an attractive substitute. Top of Page

Q: I have a 7 month old kitten that is constantly meowing. The vet checked him and says he is healthy, but the crying continues. What can I do to get him to stop?
A: Try playing music for him. Lullabies don’t usually work, nor will classical music. They need something with a strong beat. Different cats like different types of music, but most go for 60’s rock, but nothing shrill or raucous like heavy metal, and don’t play it too loud, they don’t like it too noisy. Top of Page

Q: Why are my neutered cats spraying? I have two cats, a female about 12 years old and a male three years old. When the three year old came into the home, I did notice a problem with the female marking different areas. It wasn’t too bad at the time, but now it has got to the point that both cats are doing it everywhere.
A: First eliminate physical causes, especially in your 12-year-old female, as inappropriate elimination can also be a sign of urinary tract inflammation or infection. Stress-induced urine marking is probably one of the most difficult behavioral problems to correct. If possible, confine them to separate rooms, preferably with vinyl flooring and with no residual markings. If they stop marking, wait a couple of weeks and try gradually re-introducing them to each other, no more than a few minutes a day at first. Top of Page

Q: How soon will my neutered cat quit spraying? He was two years old when we finally got him neutered.
A: There is no automatic cutoff triggered by neutering of this learned behavior, especially in a fully developed cat. Some cats will spray indefinitely, even though they have been neutered. You’ll need to completly remove any odor of his previous spraying with an enzymatic cleaner, but this may or may not work. I have had several cats that I had to keep confined in a room with vinyl flooring, and mop up almost every day. Top of Page

Q: We have two indoor cats who are constantly getting on top of the kitchen countertops. Any suggestions?
A: Place a several wide strips of cardboard along the edge of the counter so that four to five inches of the cardboard hangs over the edge. Put some pennies in some empty soda cans and put the cans on the inside edge of the cardboard to weight them down. When the cat jumps up to the counter it will land on the overhang, which will give way, toppling the cans. The noise and the fall should discourage the cat from jumping on the counter again. This may have to be repeated two or three times. Top of Page

Q: My cat uses the scratching post but he likes the carpet better. What can we do about this?
A: Many cats prefer a horizontal surface to a vertical one. Try wrapping carpeting around a large piece of plywood and putting it on the floor over hre favorite spot. Spray it with catnip spray, and when she starts using it, gradually move it into a more convenient place. Or you might want to try one of the commercial corrugated cardboard scratching trays. They are a bit messier, but cats love them. Top of Page

Q: My cat doesn’t meow very much? Is something wrong with her?
A: Not at all. Some cats simply aren’t very vocal. Take it as a compliment. She has everything she wants, so why complain? Top of Page

Q: My cat uses the carpet instead of the litter box.
A: Just close the cat in a room with the litter box on a hard, bare floor with no rugs or other fruniture except the cat’s bed. Cats prefer something soft to go to the toilet on, and most animals won’t soil their own bedding. It may take a week or two, but once it gets the habit, it probably won’t break it again. Top of Page

Really Strange Behavior Questions
Q: Why does my cat insist on licking or even chewing plastic bags from the grocery store?
A: Most plastic nowdays is made with corn starch to make it biodegradeable, and surprisingly, many cats have a taste for corn. Under no circumstances should you let her eat the plastic. It can become impacted in the intestines and cause a potentially fatal blokage. Top of Page

Q: My cat steals my mail when it comes through the mail slot in the door.
A: The only thing you can do is to fasten a container of some type under the slot to catch the mail so the cat can’t get it.” Top of Page

Cat Medical Questions
Q: My cat is shedding like crazy and it isn’t summer. Is there something wrong with him?
A: All cats shed some year round, and indoor cats tend to shed almost continuously. In addition, a lot of cats go through a six- or seven-year shed cycle when they seem to shed more than normal for several months at a time. A daily brushing with a plastic-bristled brush will alleviate most of the mess, and your cat will love you for it. Top of Page

Q: My cat was fine until we moved into a new mobile home, but two or three months later she started scratching and licking all over her body. She has started losing hair in her lower stomach, the back part of her legs, and near the top of her chest. How can I help my nearly-naked cat?
A: Sounds as if your cat is allergic to something in the new mobile home. Unfortunately, new homes, and especially mobile homes, are rife with toxins, most notably formaldehyde, which “outgas” from carpeting, cabinets, paneling, insulated drapes, in short, just about the whole house. The best solution (for the cat) would be to have her stay with a nearby friend or relative for a few months until the outgassing process is more or less resolved. If this is not possible, your vet might be able to prescribe something for the itching. Top of Page

these are some great pics where the camera happened to be at the right place right time, enjoy

February 1 is … Serpent Day
February 2 is … Purification Day
February 3 is … Cordova Ice Worm Day
February 4 is … Create A Vacuum Day
February 5 is … Disaster Day
February 6 is … Lame Duck Day
February 7 is … Charles Dickens Day
February 8 is … Kite Flying Day
February 9 is … Toothache Day
February 10 is … Umbrella Day
February 11 is … White Tee-Shirt Day and Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
February 12 is … National Plum Pudding Day
February 13 is … Get A Different Name Day and Dream Your Sweet Day
February 14 is … Ferris Wheel Day and National Heart to Heart Day
February 15 is … National Gum Drop Day
February 16 is … Do A Grouch A Favor Day
February 17 is … Champion Crab Races Day
February 18 is … National Battery Day
February 19 is … National Chocolate Mint Day
February 20 is … Hoodie Hoo Day

February 21 is … Card Reading Day
February 22 is … Be Humble Day
February 23 is … International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
February 24 is … National Tortilla Chip Day
February 25 is … Pistol Patent Day (Samuel Colt)
February 26 is … National Pistachio Day
February 27 is … International Polar Bear Day
February 28 is … Public Sleeping Day
February 29 is … National Surf and Turf Day

So I just got the new Sara Bareilles album off of ITunes and all I can say is WOW!

I put it in yesterday and fell in love.  She has 2 songs on the radio… Love Song (I’m not going to write you a love song) and Bottle It Up.  I was turned on to her after the love song came out because I heard a story that said she wrote that for the record company she has a deal with because they told her she had to write a love song to make some record sales.  She came back with this song with lyrics like:

“I learned the hard way that they all say things you want to hear”

“I’m not gonna write you a love song
’cause you asked for it
’cause you need one, you see
I’m not gonna write you a love song
’cause you tell me it’s
make or breaking this
if you’re on your way
I’m not gonna write you to stay
If all you have is leaving I’m gonna need a better reason to write you a love song today”

If you listen closely to the lyrics, you might just get a chuckle out of it.

But other than the 2 songs on the radio, this album carries itself.  I am highly impressed as to her lyrical abilities and her melody lines.  The music is great too.

I highly recommend it.  It’s titled “Little Voice”.

I recieved this email the other day and it caught my attention! This guy really has something going, I would not want to be in his jail!!!

You all remember Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona , who painted the jail cells pink and made the inmates wear pink prison garb. Well………

  

Oh, there’s MUCH more to know about Sheriff Joe!
Maricopa County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over, and the County Supervisors said okay.
The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who’d like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows. The best part? His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million. Teresa and I adopted a Weimaraner from a Maricopa County shelter two years ago. He was neutered, and current on all shots, in great health, and even had a microchip inserted the day we got him. Cost us $78.
The prisoners get the benefit of about $0.28 an hour for working, but most would work for free, just to be out of their cells for the day. Most of his budget is for utilities, building maintenance, etc. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals.
I have long wondered when the rest of the country would take a look at the way he runs the jail system, and copy some of his ideas. He has a huge farm, donated to the county years ago, where inmates can work, and they grow most of their own fresh vegeta bles and food, doing all the work and harvesting by hand.
He has a pretty good sized hog farm, which provides meat, and fertilizer. It fertilizes the Christmas tree nursery, where prisoners work, and you can buy a living Christmas tree for $6 - $8 for the Holidays, and plant it later. We have six trees in our yard from the Prison.
Yup, he was reelected last year with 83% of the vote.
Now he’s in trouble with the ACLU again. He painted all his buses and vehicles with a mural, that has a special hotline phone number painted on it, where you can call and report suspected illegal aliens. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement wasn’t doing enough in his eyes, so he had 40 deputies trained specifically for enforcing immigration laws, started up his hotline, and bought 4 new buses just for hauling folks back to the border. He’s kind of a ‘Git-R Dun’ kind of S heriff.
TO THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH JOE ARPAIO
HE IS THE MARICOPA ARIZONA COUNTY SHERIFF
AND HE KEEPS GETTING ELECTED OVER AND OVER
THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY:
Sheriff Joe Arpaio (In Arizona ) who created the ‘ Tent City Jail’:
He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them.
He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails.. Took away their weights Cut off all but ‘G’ movies.
He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects.
Then He Started Chain Ga ngs For Women So He Wouldn’t Get
Sued For Discrimination.
He took away cable TV Until he found out there was A Federal Court Order that Required Cable TV For Jails So He Hooked Up The Cable TV Again Only Let In The Disney Channel And The Weather Channel.
When asked why the weather channel He Replied, So They Will Know How Hot It’s Gonna Be While They Are Working
ON My Chain Gangs.
He Cut Off Coffee Since It Has Zero Nutritional Value.
When the inmates complained, he told them, ‘This Isn’t The Ritz/Carlton……If You Don’t Like It, Don’t Come Back.’

More On The Arizona Sheriff:
With Temp eratures Being Even Hotter Than Usual In Phoenix (116 Degrees Just Set A New Record), the Associated Press Reports:
About 2,000 Inmates Living In A Barbed-Wire-Surrounded Tent Encampment At The Maricopa County Jail Have Been Given Permission To Strip Down To Their Government-Issued
Pink Boxer Shorts.
On Wednesday, hundreds of men wearing boxers were either curled up on their bunk beds or chatted in the tents, which reached
138 Degrees Inside The Week Before.
Many Were Also Swathed In Wet, Pink Towels As Sweat Collected On Their Chests And Dripped Down To Their PINK SOCKS.
‘It Feels Like We Are In A Furnace,’ Said James Zanzot, An Inmate Who Has Lived In The TENTS for 1 year. ‘It’s Inhumane.’
Joe Arpaio, the tough-g uy sheriff who created the tent city and long ago started making his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches, is not one bit sympathetic. He said Wednesday that he told all of the inmates: ‘It’s 120 Degrees In Iraq And Our Soldiers Are Living In Tents Too, And They Have To Wear Full Battle Gear,
But They Didn’t Commit Any Crimes,So Shut Your Mouths!’
Way To Go, Sheriff!
Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less crime and/or repeat offenders. Criminals should be punished for their crimes - not live in luxury until it’s time for their parole, only to go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoy things taxpayers can’t afford to have for themselves.

I haven’t really paid to much attention to all the president stuff that’s going on, but so far Obama looks like he might actually be doing some good! I did not vote for him, and I am not a big of a fan but he’s already signed a freeze on his employees salaries that are making over $100,000.00 until they get stuff done. And I’ve heard he is planning on closing down Guantanamo Bay with in the next year.  Atleast we know that he really is going to try to change things!

I was watching the news today; they were talking about the inauguration and how he had to be sorwn in two times. The first time didn’t go so well, the words to the oath were spoken in the wrong order and he repeated the words back totally wrong! So that night they had to swear him in again in the White House!

Anyways, I dont know much about Obama and I don’t follow him at all but I just wanted to blog about what I just heard about our new President!

I love local music, I love going to a show and watching a local band play their heart out on a stage, then get off the stage and hang out with friends and each other. It’s exciting to know local bands and watch them grow amongst the local music scene. I went to Owatonna High School, and there was a kid who was a year younger then me who was the best guitar player around, he was well ahead of his guitar teacher, along with being an amazing guitar player he had a beautiful voice. We were in choir together throughout our high school experience, traveling to Europe etc. In high school I knew he was going somewhere. Fast forward a few years to college, and this new local band hits the Scene. Four Letter Lie, I started looking at the band members and realize I know one of them, we went to high school together, yes Kevin Scaff, the one I knew would go somewhere in music, was not in the largest local band which was soon to be signed with Victory Records.

This is a music video that Four Letter Lie did, Kevin is the singer. Four Letter Lie was set to play at Club 3 Degrees in Downtown Minneapolis, which at that time was where I was doing local booking. I hadn’t seen Kevin since high school, and wasn’t sure if he would recognize me, however at our meeting before the doors were scheduled to load in, we were going over the details of the night etc, and following the meeting he came up to me and knew exactly who i was. What a nice little reunion, it’s always exciting to reconnect with people from your hometown, especially in a completely different city and scene.

When I was in college I took some Music Business classes’ the first class I took was a basic on Music Business, learning about contracts, riders etc. We had a huge project that we would be working on throughout the semester and would be presented throughout the class. My group was scheduled to present December 2nd. Our topic was Heaven vs Hell the Rise of Christian music in a secular world. We conducted interviews with a hand full of bands, Project 86, POD, Dropping Daylight, a local band, and Quietdrive. We decided on Quietdrive cause they were a local band from Minneapolis, that had just gotten signed and they were scheduled to play a show at The Triple Rock which is just down the street from Augsburg (where I went to school). So we had planned to go to the show and hope to catch some of the guys after the show to ask them soem questions for our project. So before the interview I decided I should probably check this band out. I am looking at the band members and I realize two of the members (Justin and Droo) used to be in a band called Fury who just happend to have been one of my favorite local bands when I was in 9th grade, and who just happend to go to Cornerstone Festival with my youth group. We were all close friends, but after a while lost touch since I was in owatonna and they were up here in the cities. Now two of the guys were in this growing success called Quietdrive.

It had been close to 5 years since I last saw these two, again never thought they would remember me. So we went to the show, enjoyed our time, they were very talented. Afterwards, we went to track down some of the members, the one we found was Droo. The girls asked their questions, we got the interview, and then I proceeded to tell him who I was. It was a happy lil reunion, he was surprised to see me after so many years and pulled Justin over to point out who I was. ahh yay for reunions. This is what makes Local music so amazing, builidng friendships with bands and watching them get up on stage and pour their hearts and souls out on stage. Over the years I have met many local bands and built long last relationships with a many of them. Some upcoming local bands that I love and everyoen else should love also are
Claret www.myspace.com/claretmusic

Asher www.myspace.com/asherrockband

Nineball www.myspace.com/nineball

So I always swore I would never ride on or drive a motorcycle.  The reason being that my mom’s cousin hit a squirrle going like 30mph and flew off his and died.  That always scared me away from that.  Of course he wasn’t wearing a helmet, but still.  Not only did I say I never would get on one, but I forbade my husband and best friend to get on one either because I didn’t want to lose them.

But then last summer came around and my best friend talked my husband into getting into a class and they decided that they were going to move forward.  They took the class and got bikes.  Then I decided one day to be bold and had my other friend take me out on his Harley.  I was super nervous but I trusted him because he had been riding for 2 years.

WOW… wow is all I can say for my first motorcycle ride.  It was exhilarating to say the least!  I felt like i was flying! 

So that convinced me this was going to be fun.  So I studied the guide and took my permit test and passed with flying colors.  Then came time to learn.  My husband and best friend had already bought their bikes so I learned on them.  For some reason I was not nervous!

I got on the first time and took off and it was 100% natural to me.  Since that day, I have spent a lot of time on my husbands motorcycle.  I took it to work, to play to everywhere.  I would take the long way to and from work and sometimes, we would borrow my husbands dad’s bike and just go riding.

I am dying for summer to come so I can go out again.  It’s like an addiction now (and the leather is fun to wear too!)

Goes to show you, what you are afraid of might actually turn out to be your favorite thing!  I feel a sense of release when I am on the bike.  I don’t think about my day or what happend, I just feel the breeze and admire the scenery.  It is my therapy.

‘Twilight’ Sequel Confirmed: ‘New Moon’ To Hit The Big ScreenFirst-day sales help green-light second book in Stephenie Meyer’s hit series.
By Larry Carroll

It’s been talked about, it has a screenwriter, and now it’s official: Stephenie Meyer’s “New Moon” will be coming to a theater near you. Summit Entertainment made the official announcement on Saturday (November 22), during a brief respite from counting the massive box-office receipts that Meyer’s first film, “Twilight,” is taking in this weekend.

“I don’t think any other author has had a more positive experience with the makers of her movie adaptation than I have had with Summit Entertainment,” the best-selling author said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to have the chance to work with them again on ‘New Moon.’ ”

The news comes on the heels of the vampire flick selling out theaters nationwide, despite its mixed reviews. The madness began with some impressive advance ticket sales, then the film added to its $7 million midnight-screening take with a staggering $35.7 million on Friday, taking in money at a rate reported to be more than three times that of last week’s box-office winner, “Quantum of Solace.” To put it in perspective, “Twilight” is now second only to “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” in terms of biggest opening-day gross for a non-summer release.

“Twilight” is currently on track to become the highest-grossing film ever made by a female director, the highest-grossing vampire film of all time, and is also threatening several other records heading into Saturday. The film is currently projected to make more than $60 million this weekend, which would put it on track for the $150 million box-office haul that director Catherine Hardwicke has said would automatically green-light sequels.

Hence, the announcement of Robert Pattinson’s favorite book being turned into a movie - news that will surely send Taylor Lautner to the gym immediately. Keep your eyes on MTV, Twilighters, as we’ll have more news about the box-office take and “New Moon” in the next few days.

I can’t wait for this movie to hit the screen, I want to see how they portray this book. Shall we plan our office outting now? haha