Tag: delta

delays and cancellations

First of all, our trip was amazing. We saw so much, and did even more.

However, it was almost ruined by the 11 hours of delays and cancellations we endured today as a result of a thunderstorm in ATL. We got to the airport around 1, and didn’t take off until after 11. Then, upon arrival in Atlanta, we had to wait almost an hour in a line for a cab, because the city’s “amazingly” “efficient” and “effective” transit system closed down at least an hour before we touched down.

Needless to say, I have had a bad day, but I am glad to be home (albeit, at 3:05 am). Details on the trip to follow. I promise.

first class, free drill, and a huge fucking owl!

Recently (yesterday), I booked my flight for a trip I am taking to NYC in July, and I decided I should use those sky miles that I have been holding onto for years now. Well, I had no idea, but if you book with sky miles, you fly first class. It wouldn’t even let me choose a seat outside of first class. Sweet!! Now that was a great surprise, and I am looking forward to flying first class… for only $5!

James went to Lowes to get us a new trash can and some odds and ends, and thought he should pick up a new corded drill, because every time we need the drill we currently have, the batteries are dead. Well, when he got home, he pulled out the receipt, and noticed that the drill was not listed anywhere on it. Ladies and gents, we have ourselves a free drill, courtesy of the not-very-detail-oriented cashier at Lowes! Is it bad that the only thing I said to him, upon finding out that he didn’t pay for it, was “you know, it would only suck if we needed to take it back for some reason”? Yeah… free drills acquired through no fault of your own are pretty much a gift as far as I’m concerned.

it's an owl!Finally, last night, I was playing Xbox 360, and James went out to go to the store. As soon as he gets outside, I hear him screaming my name, but since he is always over-reacting to things, I took my time to get up and see what was going on. Turns out, it wasn’t typical James shenanigans, but instead, there was a HUGE owl sitting on top of his car; which was parked about 5 feet from the house in the driveway. Now, for those that don’t know it, we have a koi point right in front of the front porch, to the left of the driveway (if you are looking from the porch to the road), and there are always squirrels and other small critters trying to nab our fish. We have a “anti-pest” net on top of the pond, but occasionally, we will see a cat or a squirrel scurry away when we come out onto the porch. Well, I can honestly say that last night was a first; the owl was sitting on the top of James’ car looking down at the water. It was freaky that it was so close to us!!! I ran inside to get my camera, and sure enough, the batteries were completely dead. Nice. Well, I managed to get the back up battery pack in, and even got a picture of the thing (which I didn’t know until today that it actually came out… click on it for a bigger version). It was so big too, and the freaky thing, was it just kept looking at us the whole time it was sitting there. It flew back and forth to the tree at the end of the yard a few times, each time, coming back to the spot on top of James’ truck. We are going to try and feed the fish at night and see if it brings the owl back, because it goes without saying that the owl encounter was pretty freaking cool… I would also like to get a better picture if I can; even though I am elated that the ONLY one I took actually came out pretty decent!

the 31 best of 2007 – 6: Delta Goodrem – Delta

As the list gets closer and closer to number one, it gets harder and harder not to just foam at the mouth, and gush incessantly about how great these CDs are; but for the most part, just understand that I am trying. Up today, at number 6, is the fabulous third album by Aussie bombshell, Delta Goodrem, titled simply, Delta.Having been a fan of Delta’s for some time now, I was eager to hear her new album when read that it would be coming out late this year. What I didn’t expect, was that it would be so amazingly good. While I have liked her records in the past, they have lacked an overall consistency that Delta totally delivers this time around. She molds a pristine pop record, and gives herself completely in each track.

The likeness in voice to Celine Dion may be apparent, but Delta definitely has something Celine is majorly lacking; the talent behind the voice. Delta writes her songs and plays piano beautifully, and doesn’t come across as egotistical or shallow with her powerhouse vocals; in fact, she has a sincerity to her that Celine could learn from. With this album, Delta has clearly taken her music to a new level, and made a greatly crafted, and well produced pop record.

While many of the songs are upbeat, and have sunny disposition, it is clear that she has been through, and continues to struggle with, many different issues in her life. The girl beat cancer on her last album, and on this one, she talks about her struggles with relationships, and the divorce of her parents. Regardless of the topic in these songs, there is no denying that Delta has been able to tap into the best that she has to offer, and for this album, has trimmed away the fat (albeit, it was only a little bit of fat; the other records are quite good) that slow down her previous two efforts. It is still a surprise to me that such a talented artist is practically unheard of here in America; but at least I can say that I am one American that has got my ears pointed towards the land down under. Delta is definitely a treat, and the entire album is a great listen. You will find yourself listening to it over and over again; which is exactly why it made it this high up on my list… I can’t get enough of Delta!

Favorites from Delta:
Woman
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1026_woman.mp3]
Brave Face
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/fsf_1102_braveface.mp3]
The Guardian
[audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/delta-theguardian.mp3]
In This Life, I Can’t Break It To My Heart, and One Day (link for youtube video, as always).

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