Hello...Testing...Anybody there?

This is a test. I repeat. This is only a test. Does anyone still bother to check my blog? Yeah, I wouldn't either. Oh, I haven't. For like a year. But things are going to be different now, Baby, I promise. Just give me one more chance and I'll make it up to you. Or, as the Bee Gee's said, "Baby come back!"

Leave me a comment and let me know you haven't given up on me completely. If there is even one faithful blogstalker I will perform like the monkey I am. Promise.

Because I trust your opinion...

I need a little help understanding something, and I couldn't think of a better place to ask than among my blogger friends- being that you are all salt of the earth sort of people with itchy fingers just waiting to dispense advice and anecdotes at the slightest provocation. Here is your provocation:

I like people. I feel generally well liked by other people. I enjoy getting to know people and especially helping them to feel included and well liked. I think I am a fairly genuine person. I think I represent myself largely the same way to most people. I feel generally accepted for being this person. Generally. Then there are times like these. Times when I feel largely misunderstood and misinterpreted. Times when I feel like I just don't fit. Like the social double-dutch is happening all around me and I just can't get my timing right to jump in. It seems I trip up the ropes. I'm a show stopper. It's not that there has been a singular event or relationship where something has gone bad. I still have the same friends. I am invited to just as many activities. But somehow I just feel a disconnect with people with whom I previously had a groove. My comments or ideas or attitudes seem out of place. The conversation killer. It's like I've turned into this. Does this make sense to anyone else? Does this happen to anyone else? Am I crazy? Feel free to comment or question. Even blog stalkers and lurkers can comment. I'm accepting all callers on all lines right now.

What I Did During My Christmas Vacation

Well, there is really one thing and one thing only that stands out among my holiday activities. I cannot take credit for the spectacular feast of musical talent and visual perfection which you are about to witness. My friend, Megan, introduced me to this most fabulous spectacle whilst we visited her and her sweet family over the break. What you are about to receive must be relished. Never mocked. Only appreciated for pure talent and amazing chutzpah.

This woman rescues gem sweaters. What? Yes. You heard me. Those wonderful bedazzled samplings of art we all knew and cherished in the '80's. She finds them in thrift stores across the country and puts them in her traveling gem sweater museum. She names them. And when she wears them, she rocks them. Especially with her gold spandex pants. And then, just when you thought it couldn't possibly get better...she starts...to dance.

Ladies and gentleman, I give you Leslie Hall.

Were you not transfixed? Now that you have been introduced, allow me to share my personal favorite. But watch out, things really get rockin' in this def jam!

The Great Thing About Old Friends..

Is that you can just pick up where you left off. I mean, say, you don't call or write for maybe, oh, four months or so. Who cares? Not your old friend. No way. That friend is just happy to see you again. It's like you were never apart. That friend would NEVER point out how long it had been since you'd bothered to keep in touch. That said, it's nice to be back among old friends.

Welcome!

How excited we are to have you here, these little posts and I! This is now the place where I can ramble without the guilt of not sharing syrupy little glimpses into my children's days. You can find that elsewhere. But here, here I can be cynical and strange. Here I can write WHATEVER I WANT.

I can't believe I forgot THIS:

These are the rejects from Dutch Pop Idol performing at a football game. I can't decide if it's mean or just so delightful. You decide.

Worst Music Video EVER, or, The Challenge

There are few people in my circle of friends who have not been privileged to see THIS:

And with it I shall offer a challenge. It would do my merry little heart so much good to see each of you gather your friends and family around you, re-create this video, and post it to my blog. Please? Pretty please? I triple dog dare you.

If you are hungry for more, I invite you to check here, here, here, and here. If you dare.