Leaving

Here is where Tenacious S learns that leaving is easier than being left behind. All of my life I have been the one to do the leaving. I moved away from my Chicago neighborhood to move to the suburbs. I moved away to college, watching and wondering why my parents were blubbering messes. I left the college I was at and went to another one. I left there and went home to Chicago. I managed to stick around for about a year and I left for Europe for about half a year. Came home from Europe and left Chicago again for California and graduate school. I stayed in California for ten years. I finally realized after all of the leaving that I really wanted to go home. After years of wandering, I realized I missed the place where I grew up. I realized I missed the place where people are actually nice. I missed my hometown.

So now I find myself in the place of the one being left behind. I feel as if I can't say a thing except "Go." In all of my travels, I feel like I discovered bits of myself here and there. I learned that I am very self-reliant. I learned that I can make a home anywhere I want to. I also learned that no matter how hard I tried, I was always a Chicago girl in my heart. You can take that with you anywhere. Even when you're the only Chicago native in a a 500 mile radius, it's who you are.

I hope Lulu has fantastic adventures and meets new friends and loves her new job. For once, I'm the Chicago girl, hanging out here at home, looking forward to her visit next summer. Life will go on. I'll miss her dearly, but I wish for her all of the travels and experiences I've had. I'll be here. At home in Chicago.

Bon Voyage!

OK, so Lulu isn't going to California like Kermit and Fozzie were, but I'd say this is a similar trip for her. Adventure, new experiences, and opportunity are just hours away now. Bon Voyage! Have a safe trip and a soft landing in your new home.

Not Dead Yet...

I recently got tagged by Frank of The Sirmarco Letters, I mean, Guacamole Pants. Anyhow, I'm supposed to get all morbid and stuff and come up with a list of songs I would want played at my funeral. Well, I can say that having lived part of my life enthralled with the whole goth thing, this wasn't too much of a stretch for me. So here we go. Fifteen songs that I want blasted when I perish:

1. Youth-Love and Rockets
2. What a Wonderful World-sung by Joey Ramone
3. Where I Belong-Duvall
4. My Body is a Cage-Arcade Fire
5. Slice of Life-Bauhaus
6. 1000 Tons of Ice-The Bomb
7. Hold on Hope-Guided by Voices
8. The Life is the Red Wagon-Jane Siberry
9. Walk in Cold-Naked Raygun
10. The Past is a Grotesque Animal-Of Montreal
11. Tonight, Tonight-Smashing Pumpkins
12. Sweet Soul Dream-World Party
13. Keep Me in Your Heart for Awhile-Warren Zevon
14. Cynical Girl-Marshall Crenshaw
15. I want to hear what YOU think my last song should be.

Do I get to decide where I want this function? Can I rent out Metro with a full bar and have a live band as well? Stage dive for me, will you?

I'm tagging Beth, Julia, Echo, and Grant.

My Brain is Like Swiss Cheese

There's no way I'll ever remember all of the shows that Lulu and I have seen, but here is what I've managed to retrieve from my memory.

Naked Raygun, Smashing Pumpkins, Violent Femmes, EIEIO, The Suburbs, Trip Shakespeare, Cheap Trick, Lenny Kravitz, INXS, The Cars, The Thompson Twins, The Church, Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, Iggy Pop, The Ramones, The Smiths, The Dickies, New Order, Phranc, Jesus and Mary Chain, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Bomb, The Methadones, Matthew Sweet, Wilco, Peter Murphy, The Finn Brothers, Detholz, Big Black, Ted Leo, !!!, 7 Seconds, The Bollweevils, The Blue Meanies, Mustard Plug, 7000 Dying Rats, Liquid Soul, a bazillion blues bands at 4 am at Kingston Mines, The Briefs, The Buzzcocks, Head Cat, Dick Dale, Sugarcubes, Jane Siberry, No Doubt, Marshall Crenshaw, Dave Edmunds, The Drovers, El Vez, Nicholas Tremulis, The Waterboys, Bob Mould, The Wallflowers, Garbage, Duvall, Paul Westerberg and we're going to go see The Smoking Popes and 4 Star Alarm on Friday night.


OK, I admit this isn't a complete list, but I have a brain cramp now. Too many venues, too many shows, and wow, if you add it all up, a whole lot of cash was dropped (add another few thousand on beer). Lu, feel free to mention any that I've forgotten.

Club Lulu Day Two

Because Lulu and I know that Gordon Gano's hands are very tiny. Saw these guys live at Harper Junior College in about 1984 (same vintage as this video, just not the same joint). I may try to recap all of the shows we have seen at some point this week, but I know my memory will fail me severely. We managed to sneak in an interview on this occasion and it is one of my favorite memories.

Club Lulu (party like you're going to Dhaka)

Since Lulu is busy packing and doesn't have time to hit the clubs this week for some last minute fun, I thought I'd bring the clubs to her via the internets. Behold, the sassy pants fun that is Tenacious S and Lulu drunk and dancing and listening to loud music. First stop on our tour is Smart Bar. Hot sweaty Smart Bar. At least it was in the basement.



Whew! That was fun! Anyone need another drink?

It's Like 1988 All Over Again

Does this haircut look familiar to anyone?

Neurotransmitter of the Day-Vol I-Dopamine

Neurotransmitters, friend or foe? They can help you get shit done or they can screw up your functioning good and proper. Today's neurotransmitter is dopamine. Too little and you end up with a disease like Parkinson's, too much and you end up with one of many forms of psychosis (well, it's a little more complicated than that, but you get the picture). Appreciate the fine line you walk each day.

Two For Tuesday

MY TEENAGE STRIDE-They Are Alone in Their Principle

Hailing from the Northeastern U.S., this band entered my radar when they were featured recently on my beloved eMusic. A bit of a throwback to the '80's bands like The Chills and The Go-Betweens, My Teenage Stride has fab melodic tunes with relatively snarky lyrics. Right up my alley.



THE GO-GO'S-Head Over Heels

So, you want to know what I look like when I dance? Watch Belinda Carlisle in this video. I suppose it's not too shocking that I dance like an '80's chick. I learned to dance in the'80's. What do the crazy kids dance like now? Do they still dance? I have to say that among my favorite memories are weekends spent in Smart Bar dancing until I was sweaty and drunk. Now that's some fun.

Unbridled Optimism

Yesterday may have been one of the most perfect days of my life. I was invited by Lulu to join two of our very best friends to go see a Cubs game. It was possibly the most beautiful day of the summer so far and a beautiful day for a ballgame. I was giddy at the thought of going to Wrigley Field as I haven't had the chance to go since we moved back to Chicago six years ago. This is a long time for me to go without my Cubs.

Yes, it's true. I'm one of those people. I am a die hard Cubs fan. Win or lose, they are my team and I will never desert them. I am one of those people who really believes that this is the year they are going to win. I am one of those people who even when the Sox won the World Series, I refused to switch loyalty. I politely congratulated the Sox fans and was happy my city had a winning team, but still turned my thoughts to next year.

I've often wondered what the secret sauce is that makes Chicagoans a very distinct breed. I am convinced that it has something to do with having to survive somewhat harsh winters, but I believe that even more than that, it has a lot to do with the Chicago Cubs. Anyone who has ever been a Cubs fan for any length of time knows what true optimism is. It's always believing that it will turn out right in the end, that there is another chance waiting, that the impossible can happen. Now imagine a whole city (or at least half of a city) filled wth a bunch of people who have taken the defiinition of optimism to heart. That's a Cubs fan. That's a Chicagoan.

Watching the Cubs yesterday reminded me that the Cubs are actually part of who I am. I would never describe myself as a sports nut, or even a baseball nut, just a loyal Cubs fan. I inherited my love of the Cubs from my mother, who watched almost every Cubs game on TV while she sewed or did other chores. She's the one who took my brother and I to games when we were young. I inherited optimism.

So, when I tell you it was a perfect day yesterday. It was indeed perfect. The weather was warm, the sun was shining, I was with my good friends, I had a hot dog and beer, I sat in Wrigley Field and of course, I watched the Cubs win. That's a perfect day.

Name That Tune!

In the midst of studying about the ethics of animal research, I suddenly thought, "Let's play Name that Tune!" I am a professional procrastinator, folks. Expect more postings from me now that I am back in class. I also crave candy-coated diversions from the far-too-meaty material presented in my courses. I nearly went insane earlier today reading research about unilateral neglect. By the time I was done reading the research, I couldn't tell my right from my left and felt my grasp of consciousness fading away.

So, on with the game! This is easy, here's how it goes. I quote some moldy old lyrics and you guess the song and artist. Simple and fun! Put your thinking caps on or climb into the way-back machine.

1. "So I'll sing you a new song."
2. "Do what they say, say what they mean."
3. "She floats like a swan, grace on the water."
4. "Don't take no rhythm, don't take no style."
5, "And you want her, and she wants you."

Have fun! Answers revealed on Monday!

Two For Tuesday

Remember when stations had gimmicky stuff like Two for Tuesdays? Oh, wait, they still do have gimmicky stuff. Anyway, I've decided that I haven't posted near enough videos lately. I feel as if I have been slacking. So, I'm thinking I'll post something old and something new on Tuesdays. Well, until I forget that I decided to do this.

First up is a groovy tune from Fountains of Wayne. I like them. They don't seem to take themselves or the world around them too seriously. Added plus, generally bouncy, trouncy music.



Next up is an oldy and the definition of one hit wonder. I was listening to the radio on Saturday when this came on and immediately felt my feet start moving. This song reminds me of a place called Phil's Beach. There are a lot of tiny little lakes in Northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border and Phil's Beach was located on one of them. It had a great canteen and one of the original waterslides. The thing was metal and floated on a raft out in the lake. The thing I liked most about Phil's Beach was that they played music over the PA system. It was classic. I think there may even be a short clip of this place in the Blues Brother's movie. Anyhow, nothing says summer like listening to The Kings "This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide." Phil's Beach is gone now, but I can still get my new wave on and dance around to this one.

The Early Bird....

It's summer. No one should have to get out of bed at 5:30 a.m. in the summer. Tomorrow morning is going to suck!

All Clean!

Because every kitty just loves a good scrubbing, I decided it was time to clean up a bit around here. I finally fluffed the old House of Ten S a bit today. I started adding some new links and made a few minor changes to the place. Hope you all enjoy your stay. And like any good cat, I won't be cleaning up again like this for a long time. I think I need to go nap in the sun now.

Happy 4th of July!

GALAXIE 500-Fourth of July

When I was a kid, our family was always in northern Wisconsin the week of the Fourth. It was kind of cool, because I got to experience small town celebrations of the holiday. Often we attended the parade, which was basically a firetruck and some kids on bicycles. Sometimes we'd go to the water ski show, but we always went to the fireworks display. They were modest, but good enough to make a small kid happy.

We no longer vacation the week of the Fourth. I have really enjoyed being home these last few years. I love the town I live in and they have a great fireworks show every year. It's probably the only time of the year I don't mind being in a crowd. There's something about walking down the middle of a street shoulder to shoulder with people from your community.

Adopt A Ten S

Well, I'm sure you've all heard about Lulu's upcoming adventure to Bangladesh. I am excited for her and can't wait to go visit her there. But there is indeed a problem that this has created. Lulu has been my partner in crime for more shows than I think either of us could ever put down on paper. Now I have a shortage of show going buddies and might need a stand-in. Mr. Ten S does attend many shows with me, but some of the music I enjoy is not exactly his favorite. So, please let me know if you'd like to adopt a bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy Ten S for show going amusement. I usually offer to pay for rounds of drinks and I don't run off to the bathroom to reapply makeup. You must be willing to stand close to large speaker stacks.