Dare to Dream

I was on my way home from work today listening to Il Divo. Don't know who they are? Well, here is a picture to grab your attention:

Il Divo is a multi-national pop-opera group that sing in several languages. Whether it's in French, Italian, or Spanish, their music goes straight to my heart. It doesn't hurt that they are easy on the eyes. But it's more than that. They each have a distinct sound, and together they are pure magic. My all time favorite song is a french ballad "Pour Que Tu M'aimes Encore" (For You to Love Me Again). I have heard it hundreds of times and it still pierces my heart.

So, I'm driving down the freeway, and I've got the volume high. I'm singing along because I took French I in the 8th grade and recognize a word here and there. I'm even trying to roll my R's but it's not coming out as well as Sebastien (the French guy from the group) makes it sound. Never mind that-because I can sing phonetically, or as I like to say: finetically!

I have had the greatest pleasure of seeing Il Divo in concert twice. The second time was close enough for them to watch me sing along with them. Not in the language they were singing, but in the way it sounded to me. And honestly, I liked it that way. I may have looked silly because I was trying to roll my R's and don't really have a clue what they are saying, but I can tell you this: heartache and love speak all languages. And the men from Il Divo convey such raw, powerfully beautiful emotion that I don't need to know the translation. It's ok that I just sing along "finetically" because the words are reaching my soul.

I can't wait for their new album Wicked Game to come out this month. I've already pre-ordered it and it should arrive in the mail next week. I highly recommend checking it out. Trust me, you'll learn to love Carlos, Urs, David, and Sebastien as much as I do. Then you'll be going to Il Divo concerts and singing phonetically like the rest of us!

No surprise, I went to Starbucks yesterday. I was so excited to learn that they now have their mocha base in sugar free. Gimmee a grande I tell them. And they have their holiday cups now-even better!

I was not a huge fan. It tasted...well...artificial. A couple of hours later I had a killer headache and felt awful. Granted, I don't feel good on most days and have been sporting a nasty cold for 2 weeks, but this was different. Wait; I DO know this feeling...I get it when I consume certain things like MSG or Carrageenan (a thickening agent that can create an MSG reaction). Oh crap, what have I done? Once consumed there is nothing to make it better except time. I was doomed. And I had only had 1/2 of my drink. I can't imagine what it would have been like had I drank the whole thing.

So, I spent the day feeling like I wanted to die (figuratively). Hitting my head (literally) for doing something so stupid. I know better. I should know better than to try something new without reading the ingredients. But no, I was taken in by the lure of what I thought would be sugar free goodness. Don't be fooled! By evening, the effects of the carrageenan had almost worn off and I was starting to feel more like myself.

This morning, I had to prove to myself that this new mocha base indeed had either MSG (unlikely) or carrageenan (likely). When I went there and asked to see the ingredients, I was looked at as if I had grown 2 heads. Is it that difficult to accomodate a simple request? Begrudgingly they brought me the box and sure enough, at the bottom of the ingredient list there it was in neon letters: CARRAGEENAN. I was satisfied I was not losing my mind and went on my merry way.

Ok, so I ordered a different drink, but this time I got something with ingredients I could pronounce. And I am happy to announce I feel fine-at least as fine as I can feel while being sick.

Sadly my weekend adventure to a local casino did not bring me the funds I had hoped for, but a hole in my wallet and some fond memories. There is a good reason for the disclaimer "for entertainment purposes only". They should also have a disclaimer "may cause repetitive injury syndrome" as I left with a sore shoulder from pushing the slot machine button so much!

In any event, I had a good time with my mom. We love eating at the buffet-did you know it's calorie free? I was amazed to learn this! So I piled up and enjoyed every morsal, knowing there was no way it would reach my stomach or thighs.

You'd understand my surprise after I washed my jeans but they wouldn't button. I must have washed them in hot water by mistake..

Since I wasn't able to retire I suppose I must get back to work!