When I'm doing laundry, I like to pretend that the clothing manufacturers have added commas to their clothes' tags so that they would read:
wash with, like, colors
****************************
My brother has a cackle of a laugh that, according to his wife, sounds evil and only comes out when he's talking with me.
****************************
Remember that Weird Al song, Amish Paradise? No? Well, he wrote a parody of Coolio's Gangsta's Paradise (you know that one), but Coolio got offended and threatened to sue (I think) because he never agreed to it. The thing about this whole scenario is that, if you want to get technical, when Coolio created Gangsta's Paradise, he sampled Stevie Wonder's Pastime Paradise, so I don't think that Coolio had any right to get his panties in a twist about the whole thing.
****************************
Does anyone ever actually use webdings?
****************************
I can't stand the texting text that goes around: 2 = to or too (rarely two), U = you, R = are, ppl = people, etc. The worst one is UR, meaning your or you're. To me, Ur is (was) a city in Mesopotamia. Plus, kids are learning these things as valid substitutions for the actual English language. I've read some things that teens have written using these shortcuts, and it makes them seem mentally handicapped.
****************************
To me, it's long been a mystery how certain people get to be on the radio when there are others with so much more talent who cannot seem to get a break in the music business. My friend's brother, who is the lead guitarist for a successful band, told her (my friend) that it's all about luck, fame can be fleeting, etc. What I honestly don't understand, though, is this influx of "artists" whose "talent" is nothing more than talking really quickly at the interval of a major 4th or a major 5th, depending on the "song". Is it too loud? Am I too old?
****************************
I share a birthday with Billie Holiday, James Garner, Francis Ford Coppola, Jackie Chan, Russell Crowe, and Bill Bellamy.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
happy birthday, skye
I met Skye at a house party where my band played. She came up to me afterward and told me she liked the Indigo Girls song that I sang/played solo. We were instant friends. She lived in Salt Lake, but came down to Provo to visit often. My roommates got frustrated at how much she was at our place...that's a different story for another time (never). She was a wonderful, loyal, trustworthy friend. We had plans together, involving waiting for "our" missionaries, moving to Portland (where she would marry hers and I mine), and living happily ever after, taking ski vacations and trips to the beach together.
Skye was my hot friend. The one where guys trip over themselves just to talk to her. Said males would make friendly with me to ask about Skye's status. I could have told them she was married and that wouldn't have deterred them from asking her out.
We were very fast, close friends. I think the last time I saw her was when she & Nate (a boyfriend) came to visit shortly after li'l ~j. was born. I have pictures of her holding li'l ~j.. I don't think I ever saw her again. I'm not sure why.
I'm the type of person that keeps in touch with people - I really make the effort, whether it be through lettters, phone calls, what-have-you. I can honestly say that I tried my hardest with Skye. I called and left messages, which weren't returned. I kept mailing birthday cards and Christmas cards until the year they were returned to me, undeliverable, no forwarding address available. I know that she wanted to go to San Diego. Maybe she's there. I have no idea.
I have some friends that know of Skye through a friend of theirs, and they did give me an idea of what she may be up to...but they didn't know where she was or how I could reach her.
And so here it is, out there in fake-space: Happy birthday, Skye. I hope you're happy and healthy, and I'd love to hear from you. Have a beautiful day.
Skye was my hot friend. The one where guys trip over themselves just to talk to her. Said males would make friendly with me to ask about Skye's status. I could have told them she was married and that wouldn't have deterred them from asking her out.
We were very fast, close friends. I think the last time I saw her was when she & Nate (a boyfriend) came to visit shortly after li'l ~j. was born. I have pictures of her holding li'l ~j.. I don't think I ever saw her again. I'm not sure why.
I'm the type of person that keeps in touch with people - I really make the effort, whether it be through lettters, phone calls, what-have-you. I can honestly say that I tried my hardest with Skye. I called and left messages, which weren't returned. I kept mailing birthday cards and Christmas cards until the year they were returned to me, undeliverable, no forwarding address available. I know that she wanted to go to San Diego. Maybe she's there. I have no idea.
I have some friends that know of Skye through a friend of theirs, and they did give me an idea of what she may be up to...but they didn't know where she was or how I could reach her.
And so here it is, out there in fake-space: Happy birthday, Skye. I hope you're happy and healthy, and I'd love to hear from you. Have a beautiful day.
Friday, November 25, 2005
oh yes indeed it's fun times
I must be a moron.
Thanksgiving is the day that I buy newspapers. I get the Deseret News, the Salt Lake Tribune, the Daily Herald, and USA Today. I buy them to look at the ads for the "Black Friday" sales. I buy USA Today because I forget that there are no ads in it. The others I consolidate and study to create my plan o' attack.
I saw that the Comp USA had DVD players (ours is still broken) that, after rebates 'n' such, end up being $14.99. Normally I wouldn't waste my time in a store to get just the one item, but I saw that they opened at 11:59 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, which worked out well for me since I wasn't all that busy at that time. It ended up being a waste - huge line of people, and when I finally got into the store, I asked Worker Boy where the cheap DVD players could be found. He told me, "Oh, I don't know - there was a pile over there somewhere, but it's probably gone now." "Okay," I told him, "then I'm probably gone, too." And I left. Didn't even look for the DVD player. I don't do rude.
After driving home, I knew that I needed to take the time to reprioritize the shopping venues that awaited me in the wee hours (of which Best Buy had been one but was eliminated when I saw the line of people camping outside at 12:20 a.m. - the store didn't open until 5:30 or 6). I rearranged the fliers, in order of importance, finished watching a movie, and took a nap. Cell phone #1 woke me up at 4:40, and I threw on my shoes, a vest, and ski hat (I don't use the word "cap" in this sense as most others might), emptied the van of my MK inventory from the Skin Care Class I had held the previous day (yes, I did facials & makeovers on Thanksgiving Day), and headed to Orem.
First stop: Gart Sports. One reason is that they opened at 5:30, whereas most other stores opened at 6. Also, this store contained some items that Darin had expressed interest in. This will be our 9th Christmas together, and this is the first time that he has ever expressed wanting anything in particular - a huge step for him, and so I wanted to make sure to get what he said he'd like to have. Those things were a soccer ball, a basketball, and a football. Seems simple enough - and they were half-off. He also mentioned a soccer net, but even at 50% off, they're still $50. Not for us today. Maybe in the spring.
Next stop: Media Play. Standing in line in the bitter cold outside, I noticed a guy handing out small pieces of paper to people waiting for the doors to open. When he got closer, I recognized him as my friend Phil, and we had a nice mini-reunion. I always see Phil at the most random times/places - at concerts is where I see him the most, and he's usually the only one I ever see at a concert that I know. He's quite the business man, and always seems to have his hand in any number of different things. His free paper was advertising holiday work, a little of this, a little of that. Yay, Phil.
Also waiting in this line, I started to get phone calls because of the fabulous Day After Thanksgiving Mary Kay Sale that I was having. Smart people. They got some really great deals.
Once inside I first grabbed Arrested Development Season 2, which was only $19.99. Such a great deal. I bought six other DVDs (yes, I remember that our DVD player is broken...maybe Santa will bring one for us) and a CD for li'l ~j.. She's growing up. She had told me that she wanted some CDs, "maybe Hilary Duff or Britney Spears. I like them." ug. I found a Hilary Duff CD. I hope it's the right one.
I had spent too much time in Media Play, I was really dragging, so I went to Starbucks. My ox was in the...whatever. It was a matter of safety for the other drivers on the road.
Next, Lowe's for the 6 &1/2' pre-lit tree for $25. It's a major improvement from the 3-footer we've been using since forever.
Then to Old Navy. I can't stand to go into Old Navy. It is always crowded and messy and trying to be a dance club but failing miserably. Here's where my moron-ness came into play. What was I doing there? They had the fleece blankets, which I'm a sucker for, and check out their prices: 2 for $10, or 1 for $10. I am not kidding. Now, I like fleece as much as the next guy, and I did get some really good deals. What I'm still not clear on, however, is why I
spent
two
hours
waiting
in
line
for
the
cash
register.
Yes, that's right. When and if I ever wrap my mind around why I did that, I'll let you know.
Then off to Target where I got almost all the toys I needed, as well as a few groceries, including Helluva Good French Onion Dip. Come on over for some chips-n-dip.
Last stop was in American Fork at the Recreation Outlet. Another of Darin's requests - for a sleeping bag at a really good price (he camps/scouts a lot), as well as a few other gadgets.
All in all, I was out shopping for over seven hours. That's ridiculous. But, I'm nearly finished with my Christmas shopping. Lest you think I spoil my children at this joyous time of year, I'll tell you that they only get three gifts (one from Santa, two from us, plus their stocking, and not counting gifts from grandparents, etc.). Why three? Because that's how many Jesus got.
Thanksgiving is the day that I buy newspapers. I get the Deseret News, the Salt Lake Tribune, the Daily Herald, and USA Today. I buy them to look at the ads for the "Black Friday" sales. I buy USA Today because I forget that there are no ads in it. The others I consolidate and study to create my plan o' attack.
I saw that the Comp USA had DVD players (ours is still broken) that, after rebates 'n' such, end up being $14.99. Normally I wouldn't waste my time in a store to get just the one item, but I saw that they opened at 11:59 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, which worked out well for me since I wasn't all that busy at that time. It ended up being a waste - huge line of people, and when I finally got into the store, I asked Worker Boy where the cheap DVD players could be found. He told me, "Oh, I don't know - there was a pile over there somewhere, but it's probably gone now." "Okay," I told him, "then I'm probably gone, too." And I left. Didn't even look for the DVD player. I don't do rude.
After driving home, I knew that I needed to take the time to reprioritize the shopping venues that awaited me in the wee hours (of which Best Buy had been one but was eliminated when I saw the line of people camping outside at 12:20 a.m. - the store didn't open until 5:30 or 6). I rearranged the fliers, in order of importance, finished watching a movie, and took a nap. Cell phone #1 woke me up at 4:40, and I threw on my shoes, a vest, and ski hat (I don't use the word "cap" in this sense as most others might), emptied the van of my MK inventory from the Skin Care Class I had held the previous day (yes, I did facials & makeovers on Thanksgiving Day), and headed to Orem.
First stop: Gart Sports. One reason is that they opened at 5:30, whereas most other stores opened at 6. Also, this store contained some items that Darin had expressed interest in. This will be our 9th Christmas together, and this is the first time that he has ever expressed wanting anything in particular - a huge step for him, and so I wanted to make sure to get what he said he'd like to have. Those things were a soccer ball, a basketball, and a football. Seems simple enough - and they were half-off. He also mentioned a soccer net, but even at 50% off, they're still $50. Not for us today. Maybe in the spring.
Next stop: Media Play. Standing in line in the bitter cold outside, I noticed a guy handing out small pieces of paper to people waiting for the doors to open. When he got closer, I recognized him as my friend Phil, and we had a nice mini-reunion. I always see Phil at the most random times/places - at concerts is where I see him the most, and he's usually the only one I ever see at a concert that I know. He's quite the business man, and always seems to have his hand in any number of different things. His free paper was advertising holiday work, a little of this, a little of that. Yay, Phil.
Also waiting in this line, I started to get phone calls because of the fabulous Day After Thanksgiving Mary Kay Sale that I was having. Smart people. They got some really great deals.
Once inside I first grabbed Arrested Development Season 2, which was only $19.99. Such a great deal. I bought six other DVDs (yes, I remember that our DVD player is broken...maybe Santa will bring one for us) and a CD for li'l ~j.. She's growing up. She had told me that she wanted some CDs, "maybe Hilary Duff or Britney Spears. I like them." ug. I found a Hilary Duff CD. I hope it's the right one.
I had spent too much time in Media Play, I was really dragging, so I went to Starbucks. My ox was in the...whatever. It was a matter of safety for the other drivers on the road.
Next, Lowe's for the 6 &1/2' pre-lit tree for $25. It's a major improvement from the 3-footer we've been using since forever.
Then to Old Navy. I can't stand to go into Old Navy. It is always crowded and messy and trying to be a dance club but failing miserably. Here's where my moron-ness came into play. What was I doing there? They had the fleece blankets, which I'm a sucker for, and check out their prices: 2 for $10, or 1 for $10. I am not kidding. Now, I like fleece as much as the next guy, and I did get some really good deals. What I'm still not clear on, however, is why I
spent
two
hours
waiting
in
line
for
the
cash
register.
Yes, that's right. When and if I ever wrap my mind around why I did that, I'll let you know.
Then off to Target where I got almost all the toys I needed, as well as a few groceries, including Helluva Good French Onion Dip. Come on over for some chips-n-dip.
Last stop was in American Fork at the Recreation Outlet. Another of Darin's requests - for a sleeping bag at a really good price (he camps/scouts a lot), as well as a few other gadgets.
All in all, I was out shopping for over seven hours. That's ridiculous. But, I'm nearly finished with my Christmas shopping. Lest you think I spoil my children at this joyous time of year, I'll tell you that they only get three gifts (one from Santa, two from us, plus their stocking, and not counting gifts from grandparents, etc.). Why three? Because that's how many Jesus got.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
just so you won't have to send me another of those emails...
***feel free to submit additional questions as desired***
Full name: ~j.
Birthday: april
Town where you were born: ny
Last movie watched: serendipity
Favorite food: juice
Ever been to Africa: no
Loved someone so much it made you cry: yes
Been in a car accident: no, but I rolled a brand new jeep...right into a snow bank - not a scratch.
Croutons or bacon bits: did i ever tell you about the year i gave out croutons for halloween?
Favorite day of the week: foursday
Favorite Restaurant: cafe rio, carrabba's, pf changs, johnny's lunch
Favorite Flower: white daisy
Favorite sport to watch: lacrosse, hockey, swimming, marching band
Favorite Drink: nordstrom's mocha ice storm, ginger ale, tepid agua
Favorite ice cream: russel's moose tracks, starbucks java chip, ben & jerry's chubby hubby
What is your occupation? mommy & mary kay lady
What color is your underwear? white
What are you listening to right now? songs in my head
What is your greatest achievement to date? you mean besides the presidential academic fitness award?
Do you wish on stars? not anymore
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? cerulean
Last person you spoke to on the phone? partridge
How old are you today? 28
Have you ever dyed your hair? quite
Do you wear contacts or glasses? yes
Pets? no thank you
Favorite month? october
Favorite meal? cafe rio salad, no meat, black beans, house dressing
What was the last movie you watched in a theatre? just like heaven
Favorite day of the year? my kids' birthdays
Fall or Spring? fall
Where do you like to shop? costco, maceys, target, ikea, trader joe's, wegmans, nordstrom, gap, hot topic, hallmark, media play
Hugs or Kisses? kisses (i don't like white chocolate)
Cherry or Blueberry? blueberries for muffins & pom juice; cherries for desserts
Do you want your friends to email you back? always
Easiest bass line: once in a lifetime (talking heads)
Who do you live with? my kids & their parents
When was the last time you cried? am i ever not crying? i mean, on the inside?
What is on the floor of your closet? shoes, wrapping paper, gifts, taylor's box
Who is the friend you have had the longest? brittan
What did you do last night? saw chris clark's play (huzzah!)
Favorite smell? clean laundry - currently, gain fabric softener
What are you afraid of? the dark, wolves, regret, flying, armadillos, that guy from the fitness made simple commercials that looks like his head has been airbrushed onto his body
Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? spicy cheese
Favorite car: free
High school mascot: trojans
Voted in high school: class clown
Number of keys on your key ring? oh, three or four
Favorite song(s): dancing nancies, lead kindly light, the star-spangled banner
Best line from a song: "you think you're so smart, but i've seen you naked..."
Best line from a movie: "how 'bout some gold bracelets?"
How many years at your current job? 7-ish, and a little over a year
How many states have you lived in? three
Name the cities/towns you have lived in: ny; il; ut
Favorite candy bar: 100 grand
Favorite book: gift from the sea, uncle shelby's a-b-z book
Favorite poet: robert frost, EE CUMMINGS
Favorite color: purple
Bedtime: later
Favorite TV show(s): arrested development, the daily show, letterman, gilmore girls, amazing race, extreme makeover home edition
Ford or Chevy: seriously?
Favorite way to eat potato: with my daughters
How many tattoos do you have? zero
Which came first the chicken or the egg? oh, for the love. dinosaurs came first.
Do you save stuff? yes
Favorite place you've never been to: hawaii
Do you play instruments? in a former life...violin, piano, snare drum, trumpet, bass guitar, guitar, larynx
Good news: ikea in draper
What will you do now? go to bed.
Full name: ~j.
Birthday: april
Town where you were born: ny
Last movie watched: serendipity
Favorite food: juice
Ever been to Africa: no
Loved someone so much it made you cry: yes
Been in a car accident: no, but I rolled a brand new jeep...right into a snow bank - not a scratch.
Croutons or bacon bits: did i ever tell you about the year i gave out croutons for halloween?
Favorite day of the week: foursday
Favorite Restaurant: cafe rio, carrabba's, pf changs, johnny's lunch
Favorite Flower: white daisy
Favorite sport to watch: lacrosse, hockey, swimming, marching band
Favorite Drink: nordstrom's mocha ice storm, ginger ale, tepid agua
Favorite ice cream: russel's moose tracks, starbucks java chip, ben & jerry's chubby hubby
What is your occupation? mommy & mary kay lady
What color is your underwear? white
What are you listening to right now? songs in my head
What is your greatest achievement to date? you mean besides the presidential academic fitness award?
Do you wish on stars? not anymore
If you were a crayon, what color would you be? cerulean
Last person you spoke to on the phone? partridge
How old are you today? 28
Have you ever dyed your hair? quite
Do you wear contacts or glasses? yes
Pets? no thank you
Favorite month? october
Favorite meal? cafe rio salad, no meat, black beans, house dressing
What was the last movie you watched in a theatre? just like heaven
Favorite day of the year? my kids' birthdays
Fall or Spring? fall
Where do you like to shop? costco, maceys, target, ikea, trader joe's, wegmans, nordstrom, gap, hot topic, hallmark, media play
Hugs or Kisses? kisses (i don't like white chocolate)
Cherry or Blueberry? blueberries for muffins & pom juice; cherries for desserts
Do you want your friends to email you back? always
Easiest bass line: once in a lifetime (talking heads)
Who do you live with? my kids & their parents
When was the last time you cried? am i ever not crying? i mean, on the inside?
What is on the floor of your closet? shoes, wrapping paper, gifts, taylor's box
Who is the friend you have had the longest? brittan
What did you do last night? saw chris clark's play (huzzah!)
Favorite smell? clean laundry - currently, gain fabric softener
What are you afraid of? the dark, wolves, regret, flying, armadillos, that guy from the fitness made simple commercials that looks like his head has been airbrushed onto his body
Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? spicy cheese
Favorite car: free
High school mascot: trojans
Voted in high school: class clown
Number of keys on your key ring? oh, three or four
Favorite song(s): dancing nancies, lead kindly light, the star-spangled banner
Best line from a song: "you think you're so smart, but i've seen you naked..."
Best line from a movie: "how 'bout some gold bracelets?"
How many years at your current job? 7-ish, and a little over a year
How many states have you lived in? three
Name the cities/towns you have lived in: ny; il; ut
Favorite candy bar: 100 grand
Favorite book: gift from the sea, uncle shelby's a-b-z book
Favorite poet: robert frost, EE CUMMINGS
Favorite color: purple
Bedtime: later
Favorite TV show(s): arrested development, the daily show, letterman, gilmore girls, amazing race, extreme makeover home edition
Ford or Chevy: seriously?
Favorite way to eat potato: with my daughters
How many tattoos do you have? zero
Which came first the chicken or the egg? oh, for the love. dinosaurs came first.
Do you save stuff? yes
Favorite place you've never been to: hawaii
Do you play instruments? in a former life...violin, piano, snare drum, trumpet, bass guitar, guitar, larynx
Good news: ikea in draper
What will you do now? go to bed.
Friday, November 18, 2005
my curly
Curly is just such a little mommy. She and li'l ~j. are so different. I think I'm always so surprised at what Curly does because I was more like li'l ~j.. Li'l ~j. lives to play with friends. Yesterday she spent her after-school daylight hours playing football with her friend Braxton. Curly, on the other hand, had a friend over but after about 15 minutes decided that she wanted her friend to go home and instead wanted me to go cuddle with her on the couch. I've always said that Curly is our little lover. There have been times - yes, more than one - when I'm trying to get Superstar to fall asleep for a nap (I'm the type that rocks/cuddles/holds their babies to sleep instead of just putting them in their crib), and it's not working, and I get up to answer the phone, and by the time I'm done with the phone call, Curly is telling me, "Mom, you can put Superstar in her room now. I helped her go to sleep." Curly is only 2 & 1/2 years older than Superstar, but Superstar will often go to Curly for a hug or to play, and Curly always obliges.
I just wanted to share that little bit about Curly and tell you about what she just said. She LOVES to help with housework, and after breakfast, she was helping me wash the table, chairs, bar, & barstools. I sprayed the 409 and she followed with a paper towel (then I followed her with another paper towel). While cleaning the table, Curly looked at me, and with a huge smile, said, "Mommy, we stick together!" And then my heart melted a little.
I just wanted to share that little bit about Curly and tell you about what she just said. She LOVES to help with housework, and after breakfast, she was helping me wash the table, chairs, bar, & barstools. I sprayed the 409 and she followed with a paper towel (then I followed her with another paper towel). While cleaning the table, Curly looked at me, and with a huge smile, said, "Mommy, we stick together!" And then my heart melted a little.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Monday, November 14, 2005
pleasures remain. so does the pain.
Last Thursday, as I was getting dressed, I was listening to my shower radio, which is tuned to X96, when a Nine Inch Nails song came on. Since I don't do NIN, I turned that radio off and turned on the clock radio in my bedroom, which is tuned to 101.9 The End, just in time to hear Mister say, "Callers 10 and 19 will win Depeche Mode tickets." When it comes to winning things on the radio, I'm something of a veteran, so I called. After a few busy signals, when the phone was ringing, I had to write down "1019 the end" so that I'd remember what to say when Mister told me that I was caller 19 and asked what station is sending me to see Depeche Mode. When I told Darin that I won, he asked, "Do you even like them?" and he told me that while he'd enjoy spending time with me, perhaps someone else would enjoy the music more, so we decided that he'd stay home with the girls. I drove to Salt Lake on Friday morning to pick up the tickets, and asked a few people if they wanted to go with me (see previous blog post). Carina graciously offered to drive, and picked me up a little before 7:pm.
Now, maybe here is where I should mention the extent of my DM experience. I had the Violator tape. I loved to listen to the live version of "Stripped" on the Say Anything Soundtrack. In high school, when my friend Matthew would see me, he'd occasionally loudly march the beat from "Personal Jesus", or sing, "Sitting in a lawn chair..." to the tune of "All I ever wanted...". I like the newer songs that are played on the radio now. It was when I was 19 and had just moved to Utah when I first heard "Somebody" (after which I promptly threw up).
That' s really it. In this case, I was the one at the concert that die-hard fans hate. But, I liked the band (and I use the term "band" very, very loosely) so much back then, that the price of free tickets was right for me. And, I just wanted to see...
Little did I know.
When Carina arrived at my house on Saturday evening, I looked a wee bit different than I did when she saw me earlier that day at my Mary Kay open house. See, I woke up that day as a curly-haired blond-ish gal. After a fantastic hair appointment, where I told Trisha I was up for a change, I have straight black (but if you look really closely you'll see it's brown) hair in an a-line. Hmm. Just in time for the concert. Coincidence? I felt I'd look the part, although I was fresh out of black lipstick and black nailpolish.
We had a nice ride up to the concert (and Tiffany came with us so she could meet her husband there), but traffic outside of the E Centre was just stupit. We missed The Bravery, which was disappointing, but we did have plenty o' time to visit our friend Lou and get some Mexi-crap food (I had a soft taco-thingey, and although I didn't specify beef or chicken, I still couldn't tell which I had been given) before settling down in our seats.
When the lights went down and the people stood up and started screaming, I saw the silhouettes of five people take the stage. The first sat down at the drum set. The next two took their places at their instruments: computers. Boy #4 came out dressed in all black: a t-shirt, pants, a skirt, and feathered angel wings. He alternated between playing the guitar & singing, and playing the computer & singing. Finally, I noticed Frontman. I don't know his name, so I'm going to call him Freddie Lee Jag-vi Ty-hag. He has been donned such due to his clothing and antics. He came out in black pants and something (jacket? shirt?) with black long sleeves. From where I sat, he was a combination of Rick Astley and French Stewart. During the first song, he removed his jacket and was left with a black vest, a la Scorpions. Vest only lasted a few songs, and for the rest of the show, he was topless. Apparently, his chest was a major theme of the show, as it was shown on at least one of the (if not all) six screens behind the stage for about 95% of the entire show. That's right, six different views of the same person's chest.
Oh yes, the screens. I'll let Carina tell you about the film short that was shown, but you should have seen the set. Stage right contained a big silver sphere. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be a spaceship or a robot or what, but it was very "futuristic". Using the latest in Tron technology, we were treated to a show of blinking red circular lights. And as Freddie Lee was spinning around with the microphone stand/pole, he strutted down the catwalk. That's right. There was a catwalk. Nay, there were two.
It was during the first catwalk prance that I recognized that a lifelong, though expired, dream was being realized for me. See, I was born in 1977, making me a child in the '80's. I wanted so badly to be a part of the teens-in-the-eighties generation, namely, my babysitter Gwen. Gwen loved Bon Jovi. She had great bangs. She had the coolest walkman. Gwen's prom dress was teal with black lace. Did you hear me? Teal with black lace!! I wanted to be Gwen. I wanted to bang my head and live on a prayer and fight for my right to party. Alas, on this night, I had gotten my wish: I, if only for a few hours, was in the eighties and old enough to legally enjoy it.
You'd think that music in this specific genre would perhaps only have fans in one specific genre, but you'd be wrong. Case in point: The couple sitting in the row in front of us. Again, I'll leave this description to Carina, but suffice this: a lumberjack and a by-night bellydancer. Also, think Payson.
Freddie Lee was very generous in having the audience sing the choruses, and I love when that happens. I'd think it would be a rush for the person who penned the words to hear thousands of people singing them. (I know this on the tens level.) They came out for two encores. Encore #1 began with "Somebody", prompting everyone to stick their cell phones in the air, in effect treating the guys to a sea of Latter-Day lighters.
I had a good time. I'd go again, if the tickets were free.
So...what did you do on Saturday night?
Now, maybe here is where I should mention the extent of my DM experience. I had the Violator tape. I loved to listen to the live version of "Stripped" on the Say Anything Soundtrack. In high school, when my friend Matthew would see me, he'd occasionally loudly march the beat from "Personal Jesus", or sing, "Sitting in a lawn chair..." to the tune of "All I ever wanted...". I like the newer songs that are played on the radio now. It was when I was 19 and had just moved to Utah when I first heard "Somebody" (after which I promptly threw up).
That' s really it. In this case, I was the one at the concert that die-hard fans hate. But, I liked the band (and I use the term "band" very, very loosely) so much back then, that the price of free tickets was right for me. And, I just wanted to see...
Little did I know.
When Carina arrived at my house on Saturday evening, I looked a wee bit different than I did when she saw me earlier that day at my Mary Kay open house. See, I woke up that day as a curly-haired blond-ish gal. After a fantastic hair appointment, where I told Trisha I was up for a change, I have straight black (but if you look really closely you'll see it's brown) hair in an a-line. Hmm. Just in time for the concert. Coincidence? I felt I'd look the part, although I was fresh out of black lipstick and black nailpolish.
We had a nice ride up to the concert (and Tiffany came with us so she could meet her husband there), but traffic outside of the E Centre was just stupit. We missed The Bravery, which was disappointing, but we did have plenty o' time to visit our friend Lou and get some Mexi-crap food (I had a soft taco-thingey, and although I didn't specify beef or chicken, I still couldn't tell which I had been given) before settling down in our seats.
When the lights went down and the people stood up and started screaming, I saw the silhouettes of five people take the stage. The first sat down at the drum set. The next two took their places at their instruments: computers. Boy #4 came out dressed in all black: a t-shirt, pants, a skirt, and feathered angel wings. He alternated between playing the guitar & singing, and playing the computer & singing. Finally, I noticed Frontman. I don't know his name, so I'm going to call him Freddie Lee Jag-vi Ty-hag. He has been donned such due to his clothing and antics. He came out in black pants and something (jacket? shirt?) with black long sleeves. From where I sat, he was a combination of Rick Astley and French Stewart. During the first song, he removed his jacket and was left with a black vest, a la Scorpions. Vest only lasted a few songs, and for the rest of the show, he was topless. Apparently, his chest was a major theme of the show, as it was shown on at least one of the (if not all) six screens behind the stage for about 95% of the entire show. That's right, six different views of the same person's chest.
Oh yes, the screens. I'll let Carina tell you about the film short that was shown, but you should have seen the set. Stage right contained a big silver sphere. I'm not sure if it was supposed to be a spaceship or a robot or what, but it was very "futuristic". Using the latest in Tron technology, we were treated to a show of blinking red circular lights. And as Freddie Lee was spinning around with the microphone stand/pole, he strutted down the catwalk. That's right. There was a catwalk. Nay, there were two.
It was during the first catwalk prance that I recognized that a lifelong, though expired, dream was being realized for me. See, I was born in 1977, making me a child in the '80's. I wanted so badly to be a part of the teens-in-the-eighties generation, namely, my babysitter Gwen. Gwen loved Bon Jovi. She had great bangs. She had the coolest walkman. Gwen's prom dress was teal with black lace. Did you hear me? Teal with black lace!! I wanted to be Gwen. I wanted to bang my head and live on a prayer and fight for my right to party. Alas, on this night, I had gotten my wish: I, if only for a few hours, was in the eighties and old enough to legally enjoy it.
You'd think that music in this specific genre would perhaps only have fans in one specific genre, but you'd be wrong. Case in point: The couple sitting in the row in front of us. Again, I'll leave this description to Carina, but suffice this: a lumberjack and a by-night bellydancer. Also, think Payson.
Freddie Lee was very generous in having the audience sing the choruses, and I love when that happens. I'd think it would be a rush for the person who penned the words to hear thousands of people singing them. (I know this on the tens level.) They came out for two encores. Encore #1 began with "Somebody", prompting everyone to stick their cell phones in the air, in effect treating the guys to a sea of Latter-Day lighters.
I had a good time. I'd go again, if the tickets were free.
So...what did you do on Saturday night?
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Monday, November 07, 2005
lie just a little
Dear Everyone:
If you should ever wake up one morning and hear a crazy man on a bullhorn yelling at you and your family from your front yard, telling you to pack up and get ready for a week's vacation and a makeover of your crappy, crappy house, do me a favor.
Shed a tear.
I really like watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I really don't like when the family recieves their FREE HOUSE and walks through it as if they were inspectors: "Hm. Would you look at that." "My, that's nice." "Oh, wooooooooooooooow."
Are you kidding me?
Let's review. You, in all your squalor, took it upon yourself to borrow someone's video camera (because you don't have your own, right? Take it from me, if there are wires hanging from your living room ceiling that you need to touch together to make the lights come on - don't get buzzed! - you can't afford a camcorder) and show ABC the sad state in which you live (and I don't mean Iowa). Your hope was that someone would take pity on your situation and give you something...anything...LIKE A NEW HOUSE. And guess what? They showed up. They picked you, they showed your movie to the crying design team, and decided to send you to Orlando for a week (at no cost to you, I presume). Now, maybe you thought you were getting a back porch and a Florida Room added on. But, then again, you're no dummy - you've watched the show before. You know that they're going to deem your abode a sty and knock it down. What will they put in its place? A similar-sized home? Nay. A freakin' mansion, as far as you're concerned. With actual furniture. New furniture. And fireplaces. And kitchens out of magazines. And fairy-tale bedrooms, complete with actual fairies. Huge televisions. Bidets. Elevators. Bedroom sets. Did I mention ELEVATORS?????
And that's just inside. Outside, they install your pool, and your batting cages, and your swingsets, and your tennis courts. They professionally design your landscaping. They till your fields and plant your alfalfa. They fill your garages with free vehicles.
That's not all.
While you're schmoozing with Minnie & Mickey, they also raise money through a benefit concert for you, set up a trust for your kids' college, and pay off your mortgages.
You arrive home in a limo to the welcoming fiasco of your entire neighborhood and then some. Together with your family, you shout, "MOVE THAT BUS!", and, viola.
Here's where we need some direction. I want to see the kids jumping up and down, or running around in the street. I want to see high-5s and cartwheels. I want to see parents crumbling in thankful humility for what they've just been given. Most of all, I want to see tears. I do NOT want to see, "Oh, my. That is a nice house."
Now, I realize that some of you may be thinking, "Well, some people just don't cry." Bull. I don't care. If I'm crying, they should be. I know that a new house is not the answer to all the world's problems, but if you get one, a huge, new house, for free, show us that we're all on the same page.
Cry a little. For me.
If you should ever wake up one morning and hear a crazy man on a bullhorn yelling at you and your family from your front yard, telling you to pack up and get ready for a week's vacation and a makeover of your crappy, crappy house, do me a favor.
Shed a tear.
I really like watching Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I really don't like when the family recieves their FREE HOUSE and walks through it as if they were inspectors: "Hm. Would you look at that." "My, that's nice." "Oh, wooooooooooooooow."
Are you kidding me?
Let's review. You, in all your squalor, took it upon yourself to borrow someone's video camera (because you don't have your own, right? Take it from me, if there are wires hanging from your living room ceiling that you need to touch together to make the lights come on - don't get buzzed! - you can't afford a camcorder) and show ABC the sad state in which you live (and I don't mean Iowa). Your hope was that someone would take pity on your situation and give you something...anything...LIKE A NEW HOUSE. And guess what? They showed up. They picked you, they showed your movie to the crying design team, and decided to send you to Orlando for a week (at no cost to you, I presume). Now, maybe you thought you were getting a back porch and a Florida Room added on. But, then again, you're no dummy - you've watched the show before. You know that they're going to deem your abode a sty and knock it down. What will they put in its place? A similar-sized home? Nay. A freakin' mansion, as far as you're concerned. With actual furniture. New furniture. And fireplaces. And kitchens out of magazines. And fairy-tale bedrooms, complete with actual fairies. Huge televisions. Bidets. Elevators. Bedroom sets. Did I mention ELEVATORS?????
And that's just inside. Outside, they install your pool, and your batting cages, and your swingsets, and your tennis courts. They professionally design your landscaping. They till your fields and plant your alfalfa. They fill your garages with free vehicles.
That's not all.
While you're schmoozing with Minnie & Mickey, they also raise money through a benefit concert for you, set up a trust for your kids' college, and pay off your mortgages.
You arrive home in a limo to the welcoming fiasco of your entire neighborhood and then some. Together with your family, you shout, "MOVE THAT BUS!", and, viola.
Here's where we need some direction. I want to see the kids jumping up and down, or running around in the street. I want to see high-5s and cartwheels. I want to see parents crumbling in thankful humility for what they've just been given. Most of all, I want to see tears. I do NOT want to see, "Oh, my. That is a nice house."
Now, I realize that some of you may be thinking, "Well, some people just don't cry." Bull. I don't care. If I'm crying, they should be. I know that a new house is not the answer to all the world's problems, but if you get one, a huge, new house, for free, show us that we're all on the same page.
Cry a little. For me.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
All your wildest dreams will come true...
It's voting season. I've been more politically minded in the last four years or so than I've ever been...well, maybe not politically minded, but certainly aware. Well, maybe not aware...I just want to know which mayoral candidate will put a Harmons or Maceys in the big ugly field on Center Street, and put reflective paint on the roads. Those are my two major issues.
There's something else that's on my mind that I'd like your feedback on. In fact, let's have a vote, shall we?
I'm in DIQ - Director in Qualification - for my hobby-jobby. Starting today, I have four months for my team of 8 and myself to expand our team to have 30 active consultants. My goal is to do this in two months. I know it will take a lot of work, but I believe in my team, and I know it can be done.
Part of this portion of my career involves coming up with a team name, which, once directorship is achieved, will be the unit's name. Here's where I need your input.
To create a team name, you should include your own name - first or last. Of the team names I'm aware of, alliteration is a big hit:
Martha's Millionaires, Partridge Powerhouses, Brandie's Billionaires, Lisa's Leading Ladies.
Here are my ideas:
Jenny's Jillionaires
The Super Dudes
I need more suggestions...
There's something else that's on my mind that I'd like your feedback on. In fact, let's have a vote, shall we?
I'm in DIQ - Director in Qualification - for my hobby-jobby. Starting today, I have four months for my team of 8 and myself to expand our team to have 30 active consultants. My goal is to do this in two months. I know it will take a lot of work, but I believe in my team, and I know it can be done.
Part of this portion of my career involves coming up with a team name, which, once directorship is achieved, will be the unit's name. Here's where I need your input.
To create a team name, you should include your own name - first or last. Of the team names I'm aware of, alliteration is a big hit:
Martha's Millionaires, Partridge Powerhouses, Brandie's Billionaires, Lisa's Leading Ladies.
Here are my ideas:
Jenny's Jillionaires
The Super Dudes
I need more suggestions...
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