10 + 1

Gotta love the androgeny that was omnipresent in the '80's. Boys dressed like girls, girls dressed like boys. I remember feeling very cool when I wore a tie and vest. I guarantee I was also wearing some garish shade of lipstick that was opalescent. So very attractive. The Human League song conjured up so fond and not so fond memories of that whole period in fashion. I am soooo much cooler in my zippy hoodies.

1.Kharma Chameleon-Culture Club
2.All the Small Things-Blink 182
3.Kool Flattop-Horrorpops
4.Period-Mission of Burma
5.Boards of Canada-Stereolab
6.Birdhouse in Your Soul-They Might Be Giants
7.I Don't Want This Anymore-Straylight Run
8.Letterbomb-Green Day
9.Raga Bahar-Ravi Shankar (WTF????)
10.Don't You Want Me-Human League


FRIDAY FUN FACT!!!!!!!



Did you know that the country that drinks the most coffee is Finland? They are followed in order by Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. I'm guessing months of darkness and ass freezing cold have something to do with it. These are my people. Maybe a coffee cup should be my tattoo. Nothing says punk rock like a cup of coffee. One lump or two.

Stranger Than Fiction?

1. Who were you with last night?
Mr. Ten S, Sweetness and Bink watching Stranger Than Fiction. That movie rocked. As Sweetness so eloquently put it, "It was great because the comedy wasn't forced."

2. What woke you up this morning?
Our GIANT cat, Ed, when he leaped on me at about 6:15. He's very cuddly at night.

3. Where are you?
Sitting in my chair in the living room.

4. Is tomorrow going to be a good day?
Absolutely! I get my hair cut and highlighted. Brady, my colorist, is a fabulous person and I look forward to seeing him every few months. Plus, I will have good hair again. It's getting too long.

5. Did you kiss or hug anyone today?
Bink is always good for a nice kiss and hug as he heads off for school. He's a sweety.

6. When was the last time you cried?
Two days ago, thinking about how much I still miss my Mom. Nope. Now. All I have to do is think about her and I tear up.

7. Ever thrown up in public?
Several times in my amateur drinking days, which are gratefully over.

8. Passed out because of alcohol?
Only once. Ask Lulu. We were on an El train and she and her boyfriend tried to sell me. I'd say that I'd like to forget about it, but I have no memory of it whatsoever except for what has been told to me.

9. Who's on your mind RIGHT NOW?
How tired I am and how I wish my coffee would work a little faster today.

10. Would you take a bullet for anyone?
Absolutley. Anyone that I love dearly.

11. Where would you like to live?
I've lived a lot of places and I am so glad to be back in Chicago. I'll get wanderlust again in a few years.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A rock journalist.

13. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Done with school and having a little more control of my work life. Also, I hope it includes more travel. Again, the wanderlust.

14. Do you like candy necklaces?
Ick. They taste like crap and they stain your skin.

15. When was the last time you fell over or ran into something?
I fell up the stairs last week. It is one of my signature moves.

16. Do you listen to music every day?
Are you kidding? Every day, almost constantly except when I am trapped at work. Then I sing to my kids that I work with. Maybe this is why they cover their ears. I was thinking it was a sensory integration thing.

17. Do you still go trick or treating?
I don't go trick or treating, but my total guilty pleasure is squirting trick or treaters with the fog machine as they come up the stairs to our door. I get giddy just thinking about it.

18. What was the last thing you ate?
Popcorn last night while watching the movie.

19. Are you a fast typer?
Medium, but with proper form. My mom made me take typing in high school.

20. About how many people have you liked?
Uh, are we in middle school? Should I circle yes or no?

21. What are you doing this weekend?
Apparently, I am celebrating my freedom at a party on Friday night. I have to babysit all day on Saturday and on Sunday I am going to join the gym that Lulu goes to.

22. What’s your favorite type of SODA?
I don't really like soda that much. About twice a month I'll have real Coke if I am tired.

23. Have you ever won an award?
Yup, and I'm always looking for the next one. Have I ever mentioned that I am competetive?

24. What do you want to do right now?
Go shopping for new clothes. My wardrobe is in a terrible state.

25. Are you listening to music right now?
For real or in my head? I am listening to Aztec Camera in my head. I heard it on Mindy's blog this morning and now it's stuck, but I like it and don't really want to stop the soundtrack just yet.

26. Do you like someone right now?
I like a lot of people. A better question might be who I don't like right now.

27. What's a quote that you love?
"I'm a sad, bad, lonely little girl." -Sweetness, age two, in the time out chair

28. How long 'til your birthday?
Too long to use it as an excuse to indulge myself.

29. When were you the saddest in your whole life?
When I lost my mom. I can't believe all the levels of sadness that there are and how long the sadness lasts. It takes on new meaning almost every day.

30. What time is it?
9:01 a.m.

31. Do you use eBay to buy or sell?
I am an eBay addict. I have bought everything from albums to our antique dining room set. I think it is absolutely amazing what you can find there.

32. What makes you mad?
Injustice. Makes me CRAZY mad.

33. Have you ever had a song written about you?
Not to my knowledge, but it's possible.

34. What song makes you cry?
I have to be headed towards crying to have a song make me cry.

35. What song makes you happy?
A Town Called Malice-The Jam Makes me want to jump up and dance around the room every time I hear it.



36. What do you like to listen to before you go to bed?
Rain on the roof.

37. Do you have a job?
Uh, yeah.

38. If you were a crayon what color would you be?
Periwinkle

39. What makes you happy?
My family and friends, going to shows, time to myself

40. Whats the next CD you're gonna buy?
Sweetness and I just bought a few at Target. We bought The Killers, TV on the Radio, and some emo something or other that I can't remember. I have an eMusic account and I downloaded some Guided By Voices yesterday since I don't own anything of theirs.

Taggity tag to whoever wants to play along.

The Anglo Files Vol. II

MY BLOODY VALENTINE-Realise

Technically a British/Irish band, My Bloody Valentine were part of the fabulous shoegazer genre of feedback and fuzz. They are making my list because they remind me of an old friend, Jan Williams. I met Jan (pronounced "Yan") at the radio station in South Carolina. He was one of my DJ's and an exchange student from Warwick University in England. Jan was a great guy and had a nice working knowledge of alternative music. You know, unlike other British people I have known, Jan was a little less absolutist and more amiable. Anyhow, we got to be good friends over my last year in college.

After graduating, I worked for awhile and saved up all of my money and made a trip to Europe solo. One of my first stops when I was there was to visit Jan. I actually got quite ill while I was there with him, but was unable to get medical care until I got back to Germany where I was staying long term. Turns out that I had a kidney infection and really was pretty sick. So, weirdly, now My Bloody Valentine and Jan remind me of having a kidney infection. I'm not so sure that's good.

YAHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

BLOC PARTY-Banquet

Sweetness and I are on our way out to go see Bloc Party tonight. The bad storm has blown over and I feel free again. Hopefully the next two weeks will bring me some peace, rest and fun. Happy Friday, Everybody!

In the Eye of the Storm

Finally, some news to lighten my spirits. This is the quote from my professor regarding my final paper (the big 20 page beast).

"Paper is comprehensive, well-researched, well-written, focused--superb. Thank you for your consistently high contributions to the class. 40/40"

Even though everything else is kind of making me seasick, this was indeed good news. Two A's for me! Magna Cum Laude, here I come! Because everything is a contest.......

The Anglo Files Vol. I

THE CHILLS-Leather Jacket

I will admit that I probably am an Anglophile, especially when it comes to music. While I love, love, loved the alternative scene in general, there was something about the music that came out of England from the late '70's all the way through the '80's that crawled under my flesh and took root deep inside my brain. My exploration of this music was encouraged by a Brit that now is long gone from my life. As Lulu and I discussed some of the sillier aspects of this friendship earlier today, it sent me on a musical journey in my head to places I hadn't visited in a long time. There's a whole catalog of music that exists up there that I sometimes forget about. And so, to satiate myself and hopefully for your enjoyment, here's the first installation of music that is lurking around in the recesses of my mind.

Comin' At Ya! Tunes and Trivia

I'm strapped into my study chair and ready for takeoff on my LAST Statistics assignment. Apparently my iTunes wanted to get my day started right with some high octane tunes. Oddly, I slept well for the first time in weeks last night (asleep by 9:30 and slept all night), but I am feeling more tired than ever this morning. I'm convinced sleep is kind of like a drug. The more you get, the more you need. Well, the coffee is brewing and I am gosh darn giddy with excitement about getting this quarter finished off. I think that will get me through the day. Here's the Friday brew from the iTunes:

1.Mirror in the Bathroom-The Specials
2.Birthday-Mission of Burma
3.I Don't Know-Naked Raygun
4.Tell That Girl to Shut Up-Transvision Vamp
5.Bring the Shotgun-The Bomb
6.Town Called Malice-The Jam
7.Blitzkrieg Bop-The Ramones
8.Money-Flying Lizards
9.SXRT-Bloc Party
10.Changes Are No Good-The Stills

New feature at Tenacious S-Friday Fun Fact!
Did you know that the koala is the sleepiest animal on earth? It sleeps an average of 22 hours a day. It wakes up at night to eat one to two pounds of eucalyptus leaves and then passes out again. I don't think the people who researched this fact have met my daughter yet. While we have no hard evidence, we often wake to find empty boxes and containers in cabinets and the fridge. Please view the following photos to compare daytime sleeping habits of both creatures.

Bon Jour!

MALAJUBE-Fille a Plumes

Two clicks this morning and this is what I found. God bless YouTube. Honestly, I have been a hermit for so long now that I have nothing to say. I feel drained and am in the midst of the last big push to finish this quarter. I'll be a much better friend next week. At midnight on Sunday night I will officially be freed from my cage. Look out! Well, look out after I take a couple of days to catch up on my sleep.

Oh, So That's Who I Am?

Good thing someone told me, because I really had no idea.

Read my VisualDNA™     Get your own VisualDNA™

I Don't Know Shit

BEN FOLDS-Bastard

The more I know, the less I know. Somehow those are the most freeing words in the world to me. I am realizing that the quest for new knowledge is way more interesting than mastery of what I have. New perspectives feel fresh and trying on different shoes is a challenge. We all have our stories. We all bring our unique perspective to life. Sure, there are a few black and white concrete answers in life, but there sure is a lot that is open for debate. That's cool.

Deer In Headlights

I am immobilized by the crushing weight of everything that has to be done. And so, I stand here, not blinking, staring into space, wondering where to start or if I should make a break for it. There is Red Bull in the fridge. That ought to tell you how this week is going. I'm going to dart back into the forest now. I'll come out when the road is clear.

Super-Silly-Us

Not much time. Going slowly mad. Enjoy!

Surrender

I can't decide if this is an act of surrender or if it is an act reclamation. I have decided to slow my pace in school starting next quarter. Yes, it will take me an additional year to finish, but I'm just not willing to live like I have been these past several months. I have no life. I rarely go out. I spend all my would-be free time doing homework. I never see my kids. I haven't seen my Dad in weeks. It all bothers me a great deal. In the end, the degree will be helpful to my clients and will boost my salary, but I refuse to sacrifice my life for it. I liked the life I had. It was full of friends and family. Now it is full of.........my computer and textbooks. People have always been the center of my life and I'm not willing to sacrifice that for anything. I'll still finish. I'll probably get better grades and will be a way better mom, wife, case manager and friend in the process. I feel like getting one of those dorky Wham! t-shirts that says "Choose Life!" and wearing it through town. I choose to have a life.

Fun With Aqua Net

FUZZBOX-Love Is A Slug

Procrastination often reveals fabulous jewels. This video is everything that was fun about the '80's. Whimsy, dancing, and Aqua Net.

CHA! CHA! CHA!

When you've had an awful day
And your job's not worth the pay
Margarita, Margarita

When you tried to slam on brakes
And now you'll be paying higher rates
Margarita, Margarita

When you studied really hard
But you're feeling like a 'tard
Margarita, Margarita

When you took a brand new job
But your new boss is a slob
Margarita, Margarita

When you've been an awesome cop
But you just want it to stop
Margarita, Margarita

When the kids you teach are cool
But your boss is such a tool
Margarita, Margarita

When you've changed your blogsite's name
But the posts are still real lame
Margarita, Margarita


CHA! CHA! CHA!

Stereophonic Invasion

When music makes you want to do that, you know it's got to be great. Here's this Friday's random mix.

1.Bicycle-Queen
2.Is It Too Late?-World Party
3.A Life Between Us-The Finn Brothers
4.Down in the Tube Station-The Jam
5.Surf Combat-Naked Raygun
6.Elvis Presley in America-U2
7.Burn-Alkaline Trio
8.I'll Be Around-Duvall
9.Ride-The Vines
10.Wipeout-The Ventures

Early Warning-For any of you who dug the Hoodoo Gurus, they will be playing at The Abbey on March 25th. Happy alternative surf music!