Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Checkin' In...Checkin' Out...GIVE AWAY PARTY

Today's Intention...check in with myself...


I ask how I am within myself today? Am I particularly tired, stressed, or off-form? If any of these characteristics apply, can I try to let go of the concerns that disturb me?

Like the Hotel California...you can check out any time you like...but you can never leave...is that not true of ourselves...we can check out of our lives at any time...but we can never really leave...every time I go to Atlanta (sorry Atlantans)...I see throngs of people who are checked out...they are checked out when they drive 98 MPH everywhere...they are checked out in stores where they act like the world will end if they don't get what they want NOW...they are checked out with their children in restaurants...need I go on???

And sometimes I, too, check out...just more quietly...that is why it is important to check IN with myself regularly...today I am all three...tired, stressed, and particularly off-form...tired because I have been working non-stop for several months now, stressed because I can't seem to get the magazine finished and to the printer, and particularly off-form because of the first two...and the fact that I am getting older...



So what do I do about it......

Host a

BIGarse* G I V E A W A Y

P A R T Y....


Monday is my happy birth day and my 240something post...

so in honor of my

240somethingth Post & Birth Day...

I am having a

240somethingth Post & Birth Day

Give Away...

it is BIG... BIG...


very
B I G. . .


So how do I enter this BIGarse GIVE AWAY...leave a comment between now and Monday noon on any post between now and Monday...if you link to this post, you'll get 2 additional chances...

So what's the BIGarse prize you ask...the first hint is below...

Tell your friends...everyone is invited...there will be dancin'...pink champagne on ice...mirrors on the ceiling...* stands for something big also....


Hotel California The Eagles

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night

There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself,
'This could be Heaven or this could be Hell'
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find it here

Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes Benz
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget

So I called up the Captain,
'Please bring me my wine'
He said, 'We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine'
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say...

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
They livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise (what a nice surprise)
Bring your alibis

Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said 'We are all just prisoners here, of our own device'
And in the master's chambers,
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives,
But they just can't kill the beast

Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
'Relax,' said the night man,
'We are programmed to receive.
You can check-out any time you like,
But you can never leave!

43 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

Early happy birthday Rebecca. We are six days apart with mine the following Sunday. Gotta love Hotel California. I'm rockin'. Hugs, Annie

Darla said...

Woo-hoo, I'm checking in on this one. I have a bigarse* so I'm all set for your party.

Happy Birthday by friend.

Darla

katie said...

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear rebecca
happy birthday to you
(and many moooooorrrreeeee.....)

your post today hit the nail on the head - there is no getting away from oneself.
xo katie

turquoise cro said...

Phew!!! I have a bigarse too soOOOOoo I'm in!!! hehe Happy Birthday SWEETIE!!! My birthday is Sunday,the 11th!!! WOOT!!!I LOVE Hotel California!!!I've got that CD!!! ROCK ON!!!Let's get this party started!!!

Nunnie's Attic said...

OOH I love giveaways. Thank you so much for sending people my way. I will be sure and do the same for you.

Now, about that song...I hate that song. It's the most overplayed Eagle's song ever. I remember loving it when I was young. But I cringe when I hear it. For the first time ever, I had a different appreciation for it today. Thanks to you! Great perspective!!

OH - and Happy Birthday, Baby!

Love,
Julie

Gledwood said...

Darling I'm not sure I'm that much of a "creative spirit" ...not all the time anyhow... I am (slowly) penning my intellectual memoirs though, so I suppose that is creative...

Now as for checking out... I know all those things. Surely television is one massive way of checking out... that's why I gave it up...what a massive waste of time!

Do Americans really drive at 98 mph? All I've heard about American roads was that the top speed limit was something ridiculously low like 55mph (how on earth did you ever get ANYWHERE in a country with such distances?).. I take it they've upped the speed limit then?

I heard Germany, which famously had NO speed limits on their autobahn has now instituted them.. what a shame.. I always wanted to go hurtling along at 180mph just the once... the only way I'm going to get to 180+mph on land is on the Eurostar train London-Paris I expect I have a great thing about trains... especially very fast ones!

What a lovely blog you have here

take care

I came here c/o a friend of a friend of Bimbimbie's!

All the best
from
Gledwood
"Vol 2"...

paris parfait said...

Well who can resist a party that celebrates your birthday and your blog??!! Hope your birthday and the year ahead bring you much joy and satisfaction. xo

Distant Timbers Echo said...

Firstly: Woo hoo! Sail away on the ocean liner of Love! Oooooogah!

Happy birthday lady friend!!

Secondly: I agree so much with people who have "checked out". I often find that silence is a wonderful way to contemplate your own life if you listen to what's around you.

somepinkflowers said...

very good
and
fun posting, miz 8tiva!


:-)

is this your birthday **TODAY**?

h
a
p
p
y

b-day to you!

[[ you saw the sad sycamores?
i bet you had the same sick feeling... ]]

Doe Grozs Art said...

ok, gotta say, one of my favorite songs :-)
I'm cooking for my 2 brother's birthdays(14th) this sunday, so I'll sing to you too :-) My yoga teacher is in there too, I think the 11th..your in with some creative company. Best way for me to check in with myself is to paint or meditate. Sometimes I just forget.
I think the whole world needs to just slow down. "there's more to life than increasing it's speed"
~Gandhi

Zorana said...

I'm a November girl too! Happy early birthday! I'll visit on Monday to party with you! xoxo

Donna, The Decorated House said...

You got me singing now Rebecca!
It the old saying, no matter where you go, there YOU are!

And Happy, Happy Birthday.....it should last at least a month don't you think?
Mine is on the 18th, and I didn't realize it was so close. I better start celebrating, too!
Donna

Sherry said...

If you need a big arse for this party, I'll be here!!! I love the Eagles and you're so right...we can check out but we can never leave. Checking in from time to time is a VERY good thing!

Sherry said...

And...Happy Birthday Rebecca!

Debra from Bungalow said...

Happy Birthday! I remember that song well, it was one of mt favs.Thanks for posting the lyrics, I never knew all of them.

Anonymous said...

wishing you the best...
love.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a fun party - count me in!

Happy, Happy Birthday dear Rebecca!

Manuela

Naturegirl said...

Oh my dear sweet friend don't stress..breath in hold breath out slowly!A November birthday Woohoo!!
I wish all the best dreams come true for you and that you'll feel less stressed soon!!

Stop by my blog as I am having a....
~~~~~~~GIVEAWAY~~~ HUGS AND MORE HUGS
aNNa xo

e.beck.artist said...

in seventh grade i slow danced to hotel california with a boy named don ... and NO ONE else was slow dancing ..... i felt like a freak but i LOVED that he wanted to slow dance!!!

and .... i am in atlanta, but luckily do not see myself at all in your complaints .... whew!

and .... happy, happy birthday!

and ..... yes, please, enter me in your large and lovely giveaway ....e

rochambeau said...

Cound me in!!. Happy early Birthday to you Rebecca and Happy 240 something posts! You add so much peace to our world.

xox
Constance

Heather said...

Great song! I'll be at that party if such good music is playing and Pink beverages are served! hehe Happy Birthday!!

Carolyn said...

Another big arse is here to help you celebrate !
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !! TO YOU :O))
I think i need to check in more with myself , thanks for the excellent reminder

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

Yohoooo!!!!
A birthday party!
I love them!

Happy Birtday Dear lovely friend!
xx

Anonymous said...

a birthday party?? just relax rebecca, lean back and let it flow! allow it, it's so easy! take a glass of wine, listen to some lovely music and wind off. you just have to do it, pulling the strings yourself.
i'll be back for the party though ;))

Pam Aries said...

YEE HAW! ..MY BIGarse is ready! ... Let me know when you will be in Charleston!!!!

flyinamber said...

Early happy birthday to you,Rebecca!Looking forward to more beatuful posts and artworks from you I wish you all the best!

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Haha you are in RARE form today! I like it!
I think that song is comparing the hotel to HELL itself...which is funny because sin does look inviting and traps us...but that Hotel surely sounds like a place a person wouldn't even want to leave!
All that dancing and the cool wind in her hair...the mercedes benz...
Well happy birthday!

kari and kijsa said...

We agree with you...such wise words...so many people checking out when they should be checking themselves! We are here to enter the giveaway (and happy birthday to you, too)

smiles, kari and kijsa

Rella said...

This Scorpio is jumping in to play...set for a party...wooohooo!!! Looking around for my party hat (it's here somewhere I am sure)
xo Rella

Scrappy Moments said...

Happy Birthday Rebecca :) I'm on the 7th . Love The Hotel California Song, In Fact I did a Layout of it :)
Hope you have time to catch up with life and relax, I know the feeling.

Angie

Debb said...

Happy birthday Hoping you have a great one . Just blogging around
Love your blog

Rick said...

I love the Eagles. Still can't figure that song out though. I do a little creative work too - displayed on my blog - but a bit different from yours.

http://organizeddoodles.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday and 240 something post! Reason to celebrate for sure! Great words of wisdom here! Especially the part about having a party! Always a good time for that!

Count me in!

Melissa

Anonymous said...

HAPPY HAPPY BDAY! Ok I am guessing that the give away has something maybe to do with the Eagles??? you did say there is a hint in those words??

HUGS

JO

smilnsigh said...

WooT! I'm comin' to your Birthday Celebration. And I'll bring plenty of Pink Champagne! :-))))

I wish you time for introspection, on your Birthday. We all need that, at times, I think. My 'smilnsigh' entry today, speaks of having a baddddd dream last night. Which usually means to me, that my body has a message it's trying to send me. And my bod would like me to be quiet and listen. So, I will.

May you too go quiet a bit, and listen to your best friend, your own body. That which knows best, what's best for us. {In my estimation, that is}

And as to getting older ~ Oh you Youngin's! Worrying about dealing with age, when you are obviously not aged yet! Hey Hon, I dealt with 70 last March. Can be done. Can be done.

But we do have to learn how, about midlife. Once we learn how, it's nearly a 'cake walk' from there on. :-)

Mari-Nanci

Mahala said...

Happy Birthday to you!

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogging Birthday! That's alot of blogging! I hope that you are doing alright! :) Wonderful post! Time to Party!!! *HUGS*

Nihal said...

Let me wish you happy birthday and many more happy & healthy returns from the heart:)

PS Oh by the way, thanks to dear Darla, that's how I come across your ''really inspiring journal'':) Will be coming to visit you ASAP.

Anonymous said...

Hey there...I saw you stopped by... so nice to see you... the post I wanted you to see about Da Vinci was several down from the one you read ...it has a link for you to literally observe the Last Supper ....up close and personal... it is amazing because you can see the cracks from the years of aging...

check it out if you can

HUGS

JO

Debb said...

All I can say is I'm no good at guess. But Happy birthday and I hope you get want you want. Me when my birthday come around Jan.@1 I told my family I want PEACE and Quite . The 4 yr grandson laugh. Will it was a good thought. I'll send you more details on the Christmas party Later .

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a relaxing day at a spa, complete with a 1 hour massage, would be a perfect birthday present for you. Come to think of it, I need one and my birthday was months ago! Really, I hope that you have a relaxing birthday. :)

Unknown said...

Happy Big Arse Birthday in advance..LOL!

Terri Steffes said...

I hope I am not toooooo late!