This is a funny story.  Bob Geldoff hates his own song.  Click here to find out more.

I’ve never been happier to see a Monday in my life. I had a great Thanksgiving holiday, no big issues really, I’m just sort of done with it, and yet…like the infomercials say “BUT WAIT….THERE’S MORE!!!” I went out with my friend Chris on Black Friday. EARLY! I was at her house at 4:45am and we entered the Fred Meyer doors at 5:05am, and it was already insane. We were there for the socks mostly and to watch the frenzy. I’m always amazed by the sock sale. Half price is a great deal, especially if you have kids who seem to go through socks like water. Also great for those “work” thick socks that cost a lot for the person who has to be out in the cold wetness all winter. I always get a few packs and put them away for when those single socks seem to travel to that place between the laundry basket and getting it out of the dryer, or if I wear them out. To see people frenzied over socks is quite a thing to see.

We went to a couple of other stores and I got things that were not on sale and by 9am, I was ready for a nap. Which I took. That settled into a day of feeling like I had that “sleep deprived” sort of hangover feeling. I managed to watch the Duck game, then bailed on the Jason Bonham show. I know. What a weenie! Holidays just are like this. I get too tired thinking of the whole thing before it arrives, then it’s here and I’m exhausted.

So, for the rest of the year, I’m taking a holiday break. No, I won’t be off work for the rest of the year, but I’m just taking a break from thinking of what comes next. I’m going to just let it all happen and not make any plans. Yee ha!

This week has been very very long, but somehow it also moved along at a rapid pace. I guess there was just a lot to squeeze into it, starting with Monday night when Trans-Siberian Orchestra blew into town!

I didn’t even get the chance to blog about the TSO show. I’ll take care of that right now. They were incredible! As usual. But this year, I seriously think it was better than ever before. The technical production end of things just blew me away yet again. This year there were ramps that came down and hovered over the sides while musicians ran up on them and played hanging over the audience below. You had to see it. Plus, it wasn’t just a ramp that you saw from below (which was where I was sitting), the bottom had digital lights forming patterns that could be seen from underneath. Crazy!

I don’t know how Paul O’Neill comes up with this stuff, but it must have something to do with the fact that the man never sleeps…or rarely sleeps. Adam, the road manager who has worked with Paul for over 20 years said that he just loves to work. That’s when you know someone is really actualizing their passion because they just can’t quit. Well, as someone who adores TSO, all I have to say is “Thank You!”

The band had a couple of new additions to the pool of talent and they were fantastic. Before the show, Amy the KGON’sider and I were hanging out backstage with the band (I know, I’m blessed) and Al Pitrelli, mentioned something about the new narrator. I gasped and said “Anthony isn’t here? But, but…” and I was assured that I would like the new member of the cast. Oh boy did I. Anthony had been part of TSO for 11 years, and he is an actor, and went to pursue other interests, so I’m happy for him. The new narrator is like a rockin’ James Earl Jones by the name of Phillip Brandon. Wow! He was seriously amazing.

Al, Tommy, Angus, Andrew, Jane, Caitlin, Jeff Scott Soto and all the others delivered a show like never before. I think Portland gave them 4 standing ovations. The performers said after the show that they were thrilled at the reception we gave them. Of course! We know Portland ROCKS!!!

Next year I hope they go back to doing two shows in Portland on the weekend, but whatever they do, don’t pass us by EVER!

Again this year they gave a big check for about $7,500 to the Community Transitional School, plus Paul O’Neill sent $6,000 extra to be used for families of the students to make sure they have a better holiday. I’m sitting here at my desk with tears in my eyes just thinking of how amazing and generous he is. Paul is the real deal. Someone who gives just because it feels good and needs to be done. He didn’t do this to be noticed, and I’m probably not supposed to tell this story, but sometimes, I think it’s just important to recognize people who do good things. It should make all of us want to be better people.

So, if you missed TSO this year, just know that you missed one amazing show. But there’s always next year! Oh, and they are touring this Spring, but will be going to Europe, and other markets in North America that never get the Holiday show. SO, plan to travel if you want Nightcastle, or Beethovan’s Last Night.

I think seeing them in Europe in the Spring sounds incredible.  Now, to get my flight all set up…

I always get excited when Trans-Siberian Orchestra come to town.  Is it because they put together the most visually exciting show EVER?  Is it because there’s more rock hair on stage than all the 80’s bands put together?  Is it because it ushers in the Holiday Season in Portland?  Yes.  All of that and more.

It’s also because TSO is about giving back to the communities they visit.  One dollar of every ticket sold for tonight’s show will go to the Community Transitional School, helping the homeless kids in Portland get a chance at an Education.  They have been getting these checks from TSO for years now.  Every time TSO comes to town, they ask us what charity needs this money, and every time, we have the same answer. 

Paul O’Neill is the man who had the vision and created TSO.  Every year he says it’s going to be bigger and better than last year.  If you’ve seen them in years past, you are probably like me and wonder “HOW CAN THIS BE BIGGER?”  Yet, every year he delivers on his promise. 

The only thing that would make it better, is if the show would come around on my birthday.  I did ask this year, but they already had their schedule set.  Ha.

Do yourself a favor and see the show.  Click here to buy tickets.  Let that stony cold heart of yours melt a little, enjoy the music, the story, and the incredible musicians that grace the stage.  Let the Holidays begin!

We all need to take a day off from time to time and some excuses are better than others. Careerbuilder.com surveyed almost 7,000 people about calling in sick. Check it out …

• 30% took time off because they simply needed to relax
• 22% said they need to catch up on sleep
• 14% had personal errands to do
• 9% wanted to miss a meeting or other scheduled work event
• And (our favorite!) 34% just simply didn’t feel like going in!

We are a country of workaholics.  Yeah, I know there’s exceptions to that, and plenty of them, but I work with a lot of “Type A” crazy people that think that they HAVE to come to work sick.  Please, from someone who doesn’t want to get sick, and doesn’t have any sick time left after three surgeries in a one year period, stay the hell away from me. 

I went online and found some little facts about the flu season and being sick at work and I thought I’d pass them along.  It’s from the Wall Street Journal and Staples did the survey, so I consider it credible. 

“With an estimated 20,000 germs per square inch on the average office desk according to experts at GOJO, it’s important to keep workspaces clean particularly during flu season. Taking simple, easy steps, such as frequent hand washing and cleaning workspace surfaces, can go a long way in keeping healthy.”  Okay, I’m getting out the Lysol wipes right now…..and wiping down the control room!

“As an expert on the flu virus, Dr. Brian Currie, vice president and medical director for research at the Montefiore Medical Center, offers effective ways to keep offices healthy. “Prevention is imperative. In today’s busy world, people don’t have time to be sick. It can be hard to allow yourself time to rest and recover so taking preventative measures is the most effective way to defend against the flu,” said Dr. Currie. “I encourage workers who are afraid of getting the flu vaccine to take it. It’s a safe and effective way to prevent getting the virus. (note:only four of 10 survey respondents plan to get the flu vaccine.) Additionally, to prevent the spread of flu I strongly recommend that workers wash their hands regularly, use hand sanitizers, have tissues readily available, and practice proper coughing and sneezing etiquette.”  Note to self, get flu shot on the way home….

“Although 34 percent of those surveyed said they would prefer if their coworker stayed home and used sick days, a majority of respondents (85 percent) said they will come into work when sick. (WTF!)  When asked how sick they need to feel before not going to work –43 percent said that they would come into work unless they physically couldn’t get out of bed (here, let me get that hammer out so we can knock some sense into you…) “33 percent said they would come in with caution 10 percent said they would come in no matter how sick they were.”  Oh yeah…love that 10 percent.  Really?  Throwing up and making no sense because your head is about to explode makes for GREAT decisions. 

So, stay home if you’re sick.  Or if you work alone, what the hell, go in. 

Stay well everyone!

First of all, let me say THANK YOU to all our veterans.  For your service, for your sacrifice, for us.  I was born in an Army hospital.  My fathers (both of them), my Father-in-law, my husband (our own Marty Party), my brother, my sister-in-law, and so many other family members, friends, co-workers (Including Amy the KGON’sider, and production wizard who also hired me at KGON in 1977-Bob Brooks) have all served in the military.

Here’s a link to what is happening in the Portland area today in honor of Veteran’s Day.