CountryMouse's Refuge

From Twitter 11-27-2009

2009-11-28T07:10:25Z

01:23:48: @deach When I try lifting my ring or pinky for the rest of the B minor, it pulls up my index. I keep trying but it's almost impossible. :-(
01:29:29: Didn't play Cosmic Eidex: playd Assyria (gorgeous board game), Cosmic Wimpout; watchd 2 eps. Reginald Perrin; Cat'r & I sang Xmas songs. #fb
15:08:26: A new music video! Please take note, @SantaClaus25 ! :-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlQ9IT5RbUE
16:40:28: @webcruzr21 Scrabble is always fun. :-) CAN get cut-throat though! LOL!
16:41:12: @thisnthat Thanks! Meee toooo, hope Santa is listening! :-)
16:42:00: Ok, need to get away from the computer and get back to crocheting Fun Fur decorative (not-for-warmth) scarf. #fb
22:58:10: @webcruzr21 I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Me too, hope Santa did too. :-D

Christmas is coming!

2009-11-28T02:42:50Z

We bought a new Christmas tree this year, almost a month ago! It's a table-top fiber optic tree--beautiful!

So tonight we put up our tree (on the stereo) and put the wreath on the door! Yay! We've begun our decorating! Over the course of the next few days I plan to get the decorations out for the rest of the house.

My first Christmas video

2009-11-27T19:38:46Z

This little ditty jumped into my head a few days ago and wrote itself in about five minutes--can you tell?! LOL! Anyway, I hope you like it! Lyrics below the video:

Santa please bring me an ukulele
A Watermelon or Kiwi would do
A Mainland would be even better
I trust that you know what to do

A Fluke or Flea’d be great
Ohana can’t be beat
KoAloha in koa would really be a treat

So Santa please bring me an ukulele
I’ve tried to be good this year
I really mean it!
I’ve tried to be good all year!

Copyright Joanna M. Phillips 2009

From Twitter 11-26-2009

2009-11-27T07:11:34Z

00:01:01: @KenyB Hehehehehe! Well, you're doin' a good job. :-D
09:42:28: @KenyB Hee--thanks! We plan to do some Xmas filk songs! :-)
09:43:15: Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! :-)
09:46:32: Just looking thru 2 Unitarian hymnals I have & found several nice inclusive harvest/autumn hymns! Hymns usually have easy chords. :-) #fb
09:50:26: @SantaClaus25 Have fun in all the parades, Santa! I always watch you in the Macy's Parade!
18:55:33: Think I can just about make a Bminor chord--cheaty way (barring 3 strings, wrapping thumb over top of fretboard for other) but still... #fb
18:57:27: Earlier: dinner & watching "The Tale of Despereaux" on DVD. Gonna play a board game soon. Cosmic Eidex (card game) later, I think! #fb

Tweets copied by twittinesis.com

Thanksgiving Day!

2009-11-26T17:22:34Z

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Today we'll probably be watching "The Tale of Despereaux", various TV programs, playing board and card games, and eating. :D

I'm very thankful for my family and friends (both online and off), that Cat'r is living back here in town, that he's got a good job and a nice apartment, and that I've discovered the wonderful community of folks at Ukulele Underground (and also on YouTube).

I hope everyone has a safe and happy day!

From Twitter 11-25-2009

2009-11-26T07:11:36Z

10:48:37: RT @DnSsnvr: Confession: I never actually took the xmas tree down. I just carried it into another room. Less work this year! // Hee!
10:53:57: @FLNonficwriter Behind on reading tweets: hope severe storm didn't cause any damage!
10:58:33: @DnSsnvr Eek! Hope all your services are back up & running!
11:03:55: @KenyB :-) You two are such a cute couple--I mean that sincerely. :-)
11:47:17: @SantaClaus25: Happy Thanksgiving, Santa's elves! :-)

Tweets copied by twittinesis.com

Stuff done a little late etc.

2009-11-25T22:19:46Z

Two things from yesterday's to-do list that I got finished today:

--Finished crocheting and putting together mouse ears headband
--Washed dishes :-D

Going to eat (late) lunch, then cook & process my little meals for the next few days.

After that we're going over to Cat'r's place to watch "The Amazing Race". He just got a new futon/couch, so that'll be nice.

Three-month anniversary!

2009-11-25T17:39:13Z

I've been playing the ukulele for three months now! Woohoo! I love the ukulele, and I love all the wonderful people online I've met because of it! Ukulele Underground ROCKS!

Just did a video yesterday, but have to see if my song is too similar to another song that came to mind after-the-fact. It's for Christmas, so it's not up yet.

And my friend in Germany and I are moving along on our special Christmas collaboration music video! Well, he's doing almost all the work, as he's going to be playing several instruments and doing all the video and sound editing! He also rocks! Check out his YouTube channel!

From Twitter 11-24-2009

2009-11-25T07:10:52Z

00:03:06: @KenyB Ah, that makes sense (AC joy & pain). I think the pain started to outweigh the joy for me...
07:33:06: RT @tamalady: Wow, I actually feel like myself again. // Yay! :-)
07:39:15: RT @MindfullyChange: A person, who no matter how desperate the situation, gives others hope, is a true leader ~ Daisaku Ikeda
08:20:22: @DnSsnvr No no, the rule is no Xmas lights or music &c. before Thanksgiving! Except for crafting & rehearsals. :-D
08:29:27: @PD90 Eep! Hope it doesn't last long & you're all well soon!
08:31:52: RT @SarahHardesty03: I subscribed to ctrymaus's channel on YouTube http://tinyurl.com/yb635v3 // Thanks!
08:39:13: Yay! New Pocket God update coming! W00t!
09:59:25: @thatyarnstore Hope you are all better Real Soon Now!!
10:00:29: RT @MindfullyChange: Surprising inspiration on Starbucks door: "I wish grown ups could remember being kids during the Holidays"
13:58:52: YouTube is totally screwed up again. I can't see people's comments to any videos. It seems to be hiding them today. :-/ #fb
15:07:19: @DnSsnvr Oh, lights, yes, just not Christmas-coloured! :-D
15:08:31: @bizarra Of course I want to see comments on YouTube--at least the comments in the ukulele threads are intelligent and often witty. :-D

Tweets copied by twittinesis.com

Stuff to do

2009-11-24T14:08:28Z

What I need to do today (let's see if it really happens!):

--Finish crocheting and putting together mouse ears headband
--Wash dishes
--Rip out beginnings of knitted Fun Fur scarf and crochet instead!
--Find a different melody for a song I wrote--I accidentally plagiarized a well-known Hawaiian Christmas song--eep!
--Print out lyrics for Cat'r's and my Christmas filk songs--Doctor Who!

I doubt I'm going to do all those things today--I get distracted sooo easily. But must do the first two or three.

[ETA: Did I do any of these things?! Nooooo. I did make a music video, but it's too soon to upload it (must be after Thanksgiving). Other than that, just hung out online mostly. Sheesh.]

[Further ETA: HoHO! I did get something done! I ripped out the knitted Fun Fur scarf and started crocheting a lightweight for-decorative-purposes-only scarf (a prop for music videos)]

From Twitter 11-23-2009

2009-11-24T07:10:29Z

01:08:09: @indigonightbird Yay! I'm sure you'll enjoy your ink! I can't do scented inks myself--allergies. :-(
14:17:32: Ukulele Underground seems to be down--eeeek! #fb
16:29:24: @UUrayan Okay, thanks loads! :-)
16:35:32: New music video, a few days early! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Qx6oe4evg #fb
18:24:32: @thisnthat Thanks! :-)
20:19:59: @KenyB Ooo, re: AC: what is the double-edged curse? Besides sucking all one's time? :-P
20:21:50: @webcruzr21 Thanks re: video. :-) Mouse ears are for a special Xmas collaboration video in the works! :-)
20:23:24: Sooooo behind on reading tweets! Eeep!
20:48:27: RT @Aldrine: NEW VIDEO UP! "Cruisin" collab with @xticklesmilex http://bit.ly/8eHyA3 // Wonderful!! Must see!
20:52:30: RT @Encourage1Anoth: I am thankful for yarn sales! // That's *always* something to be thankful for! :-)

Tweets copied by twittinesis.com

Shoot! + video

2009-11-23T19:28:42Z

I didn't write an actual blog entry yesterday--all I have is the collection of my tweets from the day before.

I wonder if this disqualifies me from NaBloPoMo. Grrr.

I just had so much on my mind. A friend in Germany and I are starting to work out the details of doing a music video collaboration on a Christmas song. And I'm frantically trying to get a part of my costume for it done also!

AND I have a Thanksgiving song I want to do a video for before Thursday--maybe later today!

From Twitter 11-22-2009

2009-11-23T07:10:12Z

00:36:39: @indigonightbird: White Forest pine scented ink would be perfect for the holidays! Not helping, am I? :-D
00:44:26: @thatyarnstore Ooooh, Blink was *such* a good episode!
11:00:14: @thatyarnstore Me too, easily scared. I have Cat'r pre-screen TV shows & movies to see if they're "mouseable". :-)
11:03:00: @maggiedo http://twitpic.com/qi0ny - Yum!
11:04:44: RT @MindfullyChange: "Don't let a little dispute injure a friendship" - the Dalai Lama
14:02:52: Guys went 2 Target, then 2 work on stuff @ Cat'r's. I'm here putting my mouse ears together. :-D Need to knit on furry red scarf too! #fb
20:39:35: Oh boy! I'm going to be doing a Xmas collaboration music video w/someone who will play various instruments & do cool editing! Excited! #fb
20:53:09: @webcruzr21 I crocheted mouse ears & they'll be attached to a headband. It'll be part of a costume. :-)
20:54:49: @indigonightbird Then give in & get the ink you crave! :-)

Tweets copied by twittinesis.com

From Twitter 11-21-2009

2009-11-22T07:10:48Z

10:41:38: @thatyarnstore Yeah, UU is comprehensive plus the folks on the forums are friendly & helpful!
10:43:03: @thatyarnstore http://twitpic.com/q99ir - Pretty cool!
11:39:24: @arjadi People can just RT the old way--boycott new RT function. And send negative feedback to Twitter.
11:41:53: RT @rdominick: We couldn't be any closer to the stage at Go Bananas. This could get ugly. // Eep?
11:46:35: @UUrayan Re: ick salad--I'm eating breakfast right now while catching up on tweets, didn't need to see that. Blech.
12:49:06: @lonesoph1st I wouldn't say that Palin is either "touched" or "special"--she's below that.
17:44:18: RT @AnnCurry: "Our true home is in the present moment."-Thich Nhat Hanh
17:47:09: @arjadi: "Mailing TG card for godmother"--heh, thought you meant transgender at first. :-)
17:49:29: @pendemonium http://twitpic.com/qdmkh - What a beautiful, serene-looking cat! :-)
18:02:32: @PearTreePens Oh my, I see ink in my future!
18:16:57: @UUrayan: "@ctrymaus at least i didn't include a picture" Oh so very thoughtful. :-P

Tweets copied by twittinesis.com

What I actually got done

2009-11-22T02:25:49Z

and what we did: we did do the grocery list, which turned out to be a fairly short i.e. inexpensive list--less than $40!

This afternoon we all played a beautiful new board game Cat'r had bought called Tobago. As Cat'r was reading the rules, and at the beginning of the game, I was thinking, "This sounds soooo complicated--argh!". But as the game went on, it started making sense and being fun! In fact, I managed to win!

We followed that up with a couple rousing games of Cosmic Wimpout, the first one being probably the shortest game we have ever played! Cat'r rolled a Freight Train (5 fives--instant 500 points!) plus 30 points beyond that. And we were suddenly at Last Licks (last round of turns)! Of course he won! So we played a second time, and I won that one. :-)

We never went to Cat'r's--B. and he will be working on stuff over there tomorrow. And I never got any knitting or crocheting done today. I'll do some of that tomorrow while the guys are gone.

I did manage to give all three of my ukuleles some love and attention while the guys were at the grocery this evening. :-)

Stuff today + reminder

2009-11-21T16:55:26Z

Stuff I need to do/probably will do today:

--Make grocery list
--Go to Cat'r's and help clean up
--Work on crochet and knitting projects

I still need to finish eating breakfast--got distracted by the Intarwebz.

Note to self: work up the song "Sing" (The Carpenters) for ukulele and voice.

From Twitter 11-20-2009

2009-11-21T07:09:42Z

14:30:23: @webcruzr21 Glad you liked the videos. :-) Definitely enjoying my ukes!
15:07:58: Man, I need to get back to a crochet project I'm working on instead of obsessively checking YouTube, Ukulele Underground, & email! LOL! #fb
16:48:41: @thatyarnstore Oh that is so cool about the ukulele!!!! Go to Ukulele Underground online for lots of help and information!!

Tweets copied by twittinesis.com

The Song

2009-11-21T00:07:51Z

The song that AdelleTheGreat requested I do is Bob Dylan's "Percy's Song", but she wants me to cover Joan Baez's cover of this! I hope to get a complete version of this soon. I ordered on DVD the film/documentary "Don't Look Back" last night. It was shot during Dylan's 1965 British concert tour; and Joan Baez is featured in it, including her singing "Percy's Song". I'm hoping the DVD will have the entire song as a bonus audio track on it, since I read somewhere that there are no complete songs in the video portion whatsoever.

Of course it's a long song--it's Dylan. No way I'll be able to memorize that. I need to think of a way to make it interesting enough and not "flat"/too much the same throughout.

From Twitter 11-19-2009

2009-11-20T07:12:17Z

01:20:58: @xticklesmilex Oooo, I haven't had footie PJ's in years--I need to get some!! Thanks for the suggestion! :-)
10:55:54: RT @MaryMG: RT @ecram: RT @vegan_one: Kindness should become the natural way of life, not the exception. (Buddha)
11:25:52: @indigonightbird: "Baking a brown sugar pound cake." Yum!!!
15:29:11: @rdominick http://twitpic.com/q4b4y - That's a lot of yummy lookin' food, Uncle Ed!
15:29:39: @rdominick http://twitpic.com/q4lw5 - Pretttty! I get to see it soon in person!!!
18:24:59: @thisnthat Thank you re: my videos. :-) Writing the autumn one helped me not get swept into the too-early Xmas stuff!!
19:41:59: Standing in line at Chipotle's. To Cat'r's after. :-) #fb

Tweets copied by twittinesis.com

In other news

2009-11-19T22:18:55Z

Right now Cat'r and Bunnicula are out shopping for a futon for Cat'r's apartment. Cat'r doesn't have a couch at the moment, and he wants to get a nice futon to do that job.

When they get back, I guess I'll be going over to Cat'r's so that he and I can play Rock Band--specifically The Beatles: Rock Band! Cat'r just got himself the Gretsch Duo-Jet Guitar for The Beatles: Rock Band for the PS3! He wants us to play Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band tonight! Ima play bass, I guess. He'll play guitar, for a change--usually he does vocals.

OMG OMG OMG!

2009-11-19T22:10:54Z

(*good* OMG's!)

adellethegreat has a request for me!! AdelleTheGreat! Like...the Goddess of Ukulele Underground is requesting I do a song for her! No idea what it is yet, but I'll learn it, whatever it is!!

Eeee!

From Twitter 11-18-2009

2009-11-19T07:10:06Z

11:57:10: @thatyarnstore Socks in that colour shouldn't look too girly--however what about a brown/tan colourway?
12:07:41: @JaneBunny: "I also don't think I'm ever going to be well again. So ill." :-( I hope you're wrong & will be all better *soon*.
12:13:08: RT @MaryMG: My mom got her MFA degree from Mt St Joseph in Cincinnati. One of her paintings is hanging in the university library.//Too cool!
12:27:01: @Aldrine I *love* The Everly Brothers!
13:47:06: RT @MaryMG: Johnny Depp chosen as People magazines sexiest man alive. Only guy to win twice. Hmmmm // Yeah!!
17:19:13: Can't stop singin' & strummin': 2 new videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9olzPrlckc and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgaN8xZio98 #fb
18:18:16: @Aldrine You know what's really fun with the EB's songs? Singing the third part harmony when you can! :-)
18:20:12: @UUrayan I thought it was just Japanese salarymen that have high blood pressure...but I could be wrong. :-P Sorry about dizzy spells!

Tweets copied by twittinesis.com

The rest of today

2009-11-19T02:59:15Z

Mostly I didn't do anything else today! Just the two music videos (after working out a new melody for "Don't Hurry The Time Along" because the melody I had for it originally was toooo similar to other things I had done) and being online.

Cat'r came over this evening, and we all watched more of "The Sarah Jane Adventures".

I need to get useful things done tomorrow. I am such a procrastinator!

Two new music videos

2009-11-18T21:15:47Z

I wrote "Don't Hurry The Time Along" yesterday and today, and did the video this afternoon. It's here.

Then I did this happy little ditty ::grin::

From Twitter 11-17-2009

2009-11-18T07:10:34Z

05:51:06: @mabeloos Oh wow, a Kindle! Congrats! :-)
07:29:49: Okay, I'm on Twitter on the Web: CAN you retweet at all?? If so, how? When I am using Echofon for the iPod Touch, I have no problems! Help?
07:31:03: RT @jsr7: Either I suck at New Super Mario Bros. Wii, or the game gets really hard really fast. // Eep, and I was thinking of getting this!
07:31:31: Nebbermind--I can retweet online with Brizzly. :-)
07:39:49: RT @leighpod: http://post.ly/CnR9 - I almost missed the rays! Good thing the N97 was able to capture them.// Nice photo!
08:03:44: Please tell me I don't need these: http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/cPath/214_70/products_id/1359 #fb
08:05:32: @adrianchall I already got an invite from you; and I remembered after tweeting that I *do* have Brizzly--works great! Thanks! :-)
08:07:20: @emmalificent OMG, that's early (first Xmas card)! NOT READY! It's not Thanksgiving (USA) yet!
12:20:35: @thisnthat You know what helped? Thinking we might have to buy a new cordless phone, so I can't afford the pens. :-P
12:21:19: @webcruzr21 Nope, didn't order. Might have to get a cordless phone instead, if I can't find out where to get a new battery.
12:21:35: @webcruzr21 Thanks, re: new video! :-)
12:55:07: @webcruzr21 Gonna try a serious recharge first, see how that goes.
13:26:26: @indigonightbird hehehe! I'll have to see how our finances are, though. We're only halfway through the month. But they are such cute pens!
13:54:42: @jsr7 It *is* tempting. :-) Still...I haven't paid $50 for a video game in a *while*--been playing DS games or my ukulele. :-D
15:06:15: @clarekrmiller Where is YOUR retweet button??
15:09:28: @rdominick http://twitpic.com/pw3h6 - Wow, that's one big cheeeeeseburger!! (I haven't eaten YET! eep!)
15:11:45: Okay MUST go eat something NOW!
15:13:20: Hmm. I wonder what i should retweet.....
15:13:39: RT @MaryMG: RT @Toaster_Pastry: Our household has discovered that if you put earbuds in your nose you can play music through your mouth ...
15:14:48: Is this thing even WORKING? I posted a comment on a twitpic--it hasn't shown up. I used the new RT button and IT hasn't shown up. WTF?
15:15:43: You don't see what you retweet, using Twitter's new RT button?? Hmm. I think Brizzly might be the better option here.
15:16:54: @tamalady Hope you continue to improve, only more rapidly!!
15:19:09: @FutureNostalgic Yeah, Twitter's new RT function is not as useful as it could be!
15:30:14: @tamalady The little Pilot pens can be bought individually and in the pack. :-)
15:34:14: RT @FLNonficwriter Evangelicals, rights group mobilize on Tampa council's transgender vote - Arrgh, they’re at it again http://bit.ly/7HgmI
15:35:02: Okay, okay, @rdominick , I'm going to go eat NOW!! :-P
17:02:48: @arjadi Use Brizzly.
22:35:32: @arjadi Sending a tweet in a sec with Brizzly invitation codes.
22:35:40: Don't be the only one at the water cooler who doesn't have a Brizzly account. Here's an invitation, good for 10 people. http://bit.ly/3WblUr
22:36:57: @clarekrmiller Thanks. I got the new RT feature right after I asked. :-P Not that I like it at all!

Tweets copied by twittinesis.com