Things I'm Going to Do in Two Weeks

1. Get on an airplane and fly far away-It's vacation time! We're going to San Francisco for a visit to our old hometown and our friends that we left behind.
2. Burn books-I'd like to, but given how much I spent on them, I'll probably keep them.
3. Sleep until noon-Granted that I haven't been able to do this in years, I figure there's a better chance to do this on vacation than any other time of the year.
4. Farm out the animals-We have three pets that require daily care, Ed the cat, Mandy the guinea pig, and Grottle the tortoise. I love them all dearly, but I will happily give up their care for a couple of weeks while we're gone.
5. Take a walk on the beach-Half Moon Bay is one of my favorite beaches. I'm looking forward to going for a long walk there when we are on vacation. This is one of my favorite things to do on this earth. We usually follow it up with a seafood dinner at a little dive in Half Moon Bay. Either that, or we'll continue down Skyline and eat at Alice's restaurant in the middle of some huge redwoods.
6. Get overserved three or four nights in a row-We'll be spending a few days with our friends Glenn and Sandra. We used to rent our house from them, but they have become like family to us and quite frankly, are way more fun. Glenn usually opens the bar up at 4:30 or 5:00 and because they live near Napa and Sonoma, there's always tons of fabulous wine around. We all drink until we're silly and play card games. I love it.

7. Listen to loud music-Didn't think I'd have a vacation without at least one show planned? The first night we are in SF, The Methadones will be playing there on tour. They'll be at Bottom of the Hill, one of my favorite clubs there.
8. Read a book or two cover to cover-I've got several books waiting for me to crack them open. With all my school work there hasn't been enough time to read something fun. I started Kavalier and Clay awhile ago, but put it down because class started again. I'm dying to finish it. Anyone have any suggestions for a funny book? Here's a hint, I love Chuck Klosterman and Augusten Burroughs. I love books that make me laugh out loud.
9. Buy some new CD's-Amoeba music is just around the corner from where Sweetness and I will be staying in SF. I never have time to go through the bins like I used to. I plan on spending at least an hour in the store if not more.

10. Spend some quality time with my daughter-Sweetness and I are flying out two days ahead of the boys. We're staying at the Stanyan Park Hotel, which is right next to Golden Gate Park and near where I used to live in The Haight. Two years ago we spent a long weekend in New York and it was the best time and money I've ever spent. Life is so fast and furious that I feel like we all disconnect sometimes, so this our chance to spend time together with all of life's pressures removed. Even if she wasn't my daughter, I would want to know her. She's a smart, interesting, and funny person. I can't wait to spend time with her.

Who Said It Had to be Fair?

Have you ever had that feeling of righteous indignation? I get it all of the time. Got it right now as a matter of fact! How dare my professor assign a paper to be due over Memorial Day weekend! That ain't right. I am slightly cheered by the fact that I think I'm writing an "A" paper, but this cheer is offset by my feeling of irritation and anger at having to do this on a beautiful sunny day when the rest of America is barbequing and making merry. I'm not making merry. I'm writing a case study.

Overachiever

OK, so there's this semi-meme going around about picking five songs from the year you turned 18. Five? Really? Just five? Why stop there? Here's 75 from 1983 and my thoughts about all of them. This is why you love me.

1. It's Raining Men - The Weather Girls-Didn't fully appreciate this gem until 1984 when I went to my first gay bar.
2. Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners-This is Lulu and my theme song, sort of, well, we're nostalgiac when we hear it.
3. Flashdance (What A Feeling) - Irene Cara-Makes me wanna rip up some sweatshirts and take off my bra while I am still wearing said ripped up sweatshirt.
4. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson-Tigers and dancing. Oh my!
5. Wanna Be Starting Something - Michael Jackson-Pre-nose job. Remember when he was almost normal? What happened in that oxygen chamber?
6. Electric Avenue - Eddie Grant-Reggae for new wave fans.
7. Rock The Casbah - The Clash-Starter Clash for many, sell out Clash for some, still a pretty cool song.
8. Bang The Drum All Day - Todd Rundgren-I hate work. I like this song.
9. You and I - Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle-ick
10. Ain't Nobody - Rufus and Chaka Khan-Chaka can be cool, but not on this one.
11. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Journey-World's worst video ever, song isn't much better either.
12. Kiss The Bride - Elton John-Huh? Who sings this song?
13. Let's Go Dancin' (Ooh La, la, La) - Kool and the Gang-Not cool.
14. **1999** - Prince-Fucking awesome! Purple power1
15. I Melt With You - Modern English-And so does cheddar cheese.
16. Down Under - Men At Work-That guy should have seen someone about his strabismus.
17. Beat It - Michael Jackson-Still almost normal.
18. We've Got Tonight - Kenny Rogers and Sheena Easton-I'm coughing up a hairball.
19. Sexual Healing - Marvin Gaye-Heal me, baby. Great song and great tragedy.
20. Do You Really Want To Hurt Me - Culture Club-No, but I wanted to be as androgenous as he was.
21. Rock of Ages - Def Leppard-Only metal act of the '80's that I might admit to liking just a little.
22. (She's) Sexy and 17 - Stray Cats-Why did I think they were British? Commercial, but cool.
23. Candy Girl - New Edition-Too bubblegum for an 18 year old.
24. Little Red Corvette - Prince-Sang this loudly in line at Great America.
25. New Year's Day - U2-Remember when U2 was good? Remember when they were interesting?
26. Tonight I Celebrate My Love - Peabro Bryson & Roberta Flack-I'm not a slow dancing kind of girl.
27. Photograph - Def Leppard-Ditto previous comment.
28. Faithfully - Journey-Lame, lame, lame.
29. True - Spandau Ballet-Fancy, but I kind of liked it.
30. Inside Love (So Personal) - George Benson-Huh?
31. All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Ritchie-Oh God, no!!!!!! I hate this song with a passion that burns like 10,000 suns. Apparently, the crappy radio station in Grand Rapids, Michigan used to play this song at the same time every day, because it used to wake me up for weeks, launching me into one foul mood for the first several hours of the day.
32. Pass The Dutchie - Musical Youth-Hee, hee. What the heck are they talking about?
33. Safety Dance - Men Without Hats-Odd, but fun. No offense to our Canadian friends, but you all are weird.
34. Sharp Dressed Man - ZZ Top-Rock you can boogie to. If you like that kind of shit.
35. Boogie Down - Al Jarreau-It's almost smooth jazz.
36. Our House - Madness-This song gives me happy feet.
37. Mr. Roboto - Styx-This song reminds me of Advanced Chemistry and my prom date. I'm not sure why.
38. White Wedding - Billy Idol-I was young, he seemed naughty. I liked it.
39. I'll Tumble 4 Ya - Culture Club-Again, such cool clothes. I didn't like boy George. I just wanted his clothes. Well, I liked him a little.
40. Making Love Out Of Nothing At All - Air Supply-Double hairball.
41. Mornin' - Al Jarreau-OK, dude has a good voice, but again with the smooth jazz.
42. Rockit - Herbie Hancock-Pretty damn cool for jazz dude.
43. Tell Her About It - Billy Joel-Last I checked, it wasn't the '50's.
44. Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler-Overblown operatic bullcrap.
45. The Look Of Love - ABC-Slick appealing Eurotrash. Mmmmm.
46. Shock The Monkey - Peter Gabriel-I'd like to shock the monkey. I love this beyond words.
47. Let's Dance - David Bowie-Sell out to many, happy '80's memory for me. He could sing commercial jingles and I'd melt.
48. Just Be Good To Me - S.O.S. Band-Not my groove.
49. Every Breath You Take - Police-CP's favorite song. True fact. I had this on a tape in my Walkman and would play it EVERY morning when I first woke up. Really.
50. Rio - Duran Duran-Pretty boys, must listen.
51. I Like It - DeBarge-Sicko in this band messed with one of my friends. True fact.
52. Freak-A-Zoid - Midnight Star-OK, I don't think I've ever heard this.
53. Bad Boys - Wham! U.K.-Oh George, I was young and I loved you.
54. She Works Hard For The Money - Donna Summer-Chicks rule. Song's pretty cool too.
55. Gimme All Your Lovin' - ZZ Top-Boys with beards find schtick that sells lots of albums. Lucky break for ugly dudes.
56. Just Got Lucky - JoBoxers-There's good Brit Pop and bad Brit Pop. I don't like this, so I'm calling it bad.
57. Uptown Girl - Billy Joel-Why?
58. Stray Cat Strut - Stray Cats-Cool, daddy-o.
59. She Blinded Me With Science - Thomas Dolby-This is one of the songs that will forever remind me of senior year in high school. Kind of goofy tune, but I think it captures everything that is cool about "New Wave."
60 Cum On Feel The Noize - Quiet Riot-Not quite my cup of tea, but at least it was loud.
61. Maniac - Michael Sembello-Yikes. Crazy bad.
62. Puttin' On The Ritz - Taco-Cliche' piece of garbage.
63. The Monkey Time - The Tubes-Cool as hell band. Where'd they go?
64. Love My Way - Psychedelic Furs-This is when I started to turn. I heard this and it felt like the inside of my head.
65. Change - Tears For Fears-You know, they were a pretty decent band.
66. Radio Free Europe - R.E.M.-Perfection, and possibly the best song on this pathetic list.
67. Let Me Go - Heaven 17-I give it a 7. It had a good beat and I liked to dance to it.
68. Goodnight Saigon - Billy Joel-More? Why?
69. Reap The Wild Wind - Ultravox-I LOVE this band. They were cool and I really like synthesizers then.
70. Burning Down The House - Talking Heads-I thought they were weird and incredibly cool.
71. Too Shy - Kajagoogoo-OK, am I the only one who thinks that Limahl looked like some sort of bird?
72. Jeopardy - Greg Kihn Band-Remember when MTV only owned like 20 videos and this was one of them? It was a Kihnspiracy!
73. Holiday Road - Lindsey Buckingham-Huh? Not on my radar at all.
74. One Thing Leads To Another - the Fixx-Pretty cool. Saw them at Wrigley Field, but even hobbled at the knees, Ministry stole the show.
75. A Million Miles Away - The Plimsouls-Classic.

See? Wasn't that more fun than five? I tag...whoever. It's late and I need to go to bed.

If...

I've always been interested in tattoos. I've been stopped more than once from getting one in haste, and have always been glad I hadn't. I've thought of several different ideas for what I'd like, but have never been able to settle on any one thing that I felt I could carry through my life, that would remain unchanged to me in meaning and importance. Maybe because I'm getting older, I can see more clearly now what has meaning to me. I can tell you that it is not the lizard that I once wished I had tattooed on my body.

Lately, I've been thinking about this a lot more than usual. I think I feel like I'm approaching the "either I'm going to do this or not point" soon. As I've thought about my life, I've considered my values and what has stayed with me throughout my life. Sure I love music, but my tastes change. I love my work, but don't feel like literally wearing it on my sleeve. It's what I do, not who I am. The answer I kept coming back to time and time again is my faith. I identify myself as a Christian and I openly admit my belief as well as draw strength from it. It is the aspect of strength that I feel is most important to me. I don't see my faith as a sign of weakness in mind or body. I see it as the source that I pull my strength from, making me stronger in this life. Maybe this is the secret sauce behind the Tenacious in Tenacious S.



In Judaism,Rastafarianism and Christianity the symbol used for strength, power and wisdom of leadership is the lion. The Lion of Judah crosses boundaries in all three of these faiths to represent not only strength, but hope. Bathed in Messianic symbolism, the Lion of Judah represents the Messiah and His ultimate power to release us from our human bondage. To me, this is freedom and the hope of justice and peace. These are the values that are my foundation in life.

If I were to get a tattoo, I've decided that it would be the Lion of Judah. My strength in life, my hope of justice and peace.

It's Friday (BFD)

Woohoo! It's Friday! I've been doing homework all morning and will do more when I get back from work! Friday rocks! So, yeah, here's the Friday Random 10.

1.Managua-Naked Raygun
2.Fascination-Human League
3.No Myth-Michael Penn
4.When The Light's Go Down in the City-Journey
5.By You-Fugazi
6.Ex-Girlfriend-No Doubt
7.Show Me the Top-World Party
8.She Sells Sanctuary-The Cult
9.Since You're Gone-The Cars
10.Pickpocket Song-The Ponys



The list is as scrambled as my brains are right now.

I Fought the Law

This is what has been running through my brain a lot lately. Don't know what that means, but I'm passing the infection on. I am uncomfortable in my own skin these days and have this general sense of uneasiness going on. Change is coming. I can feel it.

Rock and Roll Treason

Last night's show left me with a few mixed feelings. I loved The Head Cat. Seeing Lemmy, Motorheadless or not, was one for the history books. While the band was not particularly tight, the combo of Lemmy's bass and the upright bass had the floor vibrating. Slim Jim Phantom was playing the standard whittled down rockabilly drum kit. But it was Lemmy I couldn't take my eyes off of. His unusual style of playing chords on his bass lends this dense layer in the lower mid-range of the music. It was fascinating to watch and listen to how it transformed a song when he jumped in. Considering the band also had an upright bass player, the sound was definitely bottom heavy.

Then there's Lemmy's unmistakable voice. Gravelly, with vocal chords that I guarantee are full of nodules, give a roadhouse feel to every song he sings. And they did some classics last night. Spanning more than rockabilly, some of my favorites of the evening were "Not Fade Away" by Buddy Holly, "Bad Boy" by Larry Williams, and "Crossroads" by Cream (a natural choice for a bass player like Lemmy, especially given his style of playing). To my astonishment this morning, when I did some fact checking, I discovered that Lemmy is 61 years old. I don't know why, but I thought he was about ten years younger. He looks great, well, for being Lemmy, he looks great. He is one of the characters in rock that is larger than life and certainly a legend to many.



Up next was surf rock legend, self-proclaimed "King of the Surf Guitar", Dick Dale. I don't know what I expected. I absolutely loved the first four or five tunes. They sounded like every bad biker bar I've ever been in. I appreciated that these songs that were inspired by sunshine and waves really actually take on a whole new meaning in a dark smoke-filled club. Dick Dale is clearly a virtuoso. Then it happened, about half an hour into his set, I got bored. Sometimes virtuosity turns into noodling and egos stroked too often turn a performer into an inflated showboater. That was the feeling I started to get. I appreciated that Dick was out there doing what he loved, but felt like he loved himself a little too much. While Lemmy was more down to earth in his banter, Dick was downright chatty at times, but pretty egocentric. That kind of stuff wears on me really quick. Add to that the fact that it was starting to feel like a bad frat party because most of the crowd was overserved by then, and you got my reaction. I left early. I almost never do this. I consider it to be similar to getting up and walking out of a movie before it's over. I'd had it. The set went on too long and I was bored to tears. I know some of you will think this treason of the highest order, but I couldn't help it. For me, virtuoso or not, Dick Dale couldn't hold my interest. I'm glad I saw him and I certainly respect his originality and skills, but it was not my favorite show. Now The Head Cat...I'd go back to see them again and I hope next time they'll be the headliners.

You're Invited!

Lulu and I will be going to see The Head Cat and Dick Dale on Monday at the Double Door. If you live nearby, drag yourself on down. We'd love to see you and might even buy you a beer!

Victory Lap

In my job, most victories are small quiet victories. Sometimes the victories are silent. Today the victory was a little larger. I'm not at liberty to discuss details, but it will give two small children a better chance at having the best life they are capable of having. I look forward to the day when I stop counting one by one and can easily say that about all the kids I work with. But the system is broken and until it is fixed, we will fight and win one by one.

I wouldn't do what I do if I didn't think it made a difference. My first client is now in Jr. College. The perception of a majority of the population is that children with autism are hopeless causes. I've had people who should know better tell me that they believe all children with autism are mentally impaired. It's not true. And even if it was, don't they deserve to live the fullest richest life possible? In the long run, proper early intervention saves those concerned most about money lots of money. I'm sick of watching some of my clients stagnate in special education programs that are little more than crayon colored warehouses. Once you give up on a child they fall further and further behind with the bar being raised higher and higher each year. It makes me sick. There is legislation headed for the Supreme Court soon that could possibly force children into subpar programs and wait for failure before other options are made available. It seems absurd, but hey, we're only toying with someone's life. Why not?

With an epidemic proportion of the population of children being diagnosed with this disorder, it's time to start thinking about how we can best serve this population. Sure, researching the cause is great, but the real financial need in this country right now is treatment. The insurance system is broken, the education system is often broken, and the taxpayers backs are going to be broken. It's time to stop arguing about who is right and who is wrong and collaborate and sort this out.

Tonight I will rest well knowing that two boys have been given the best chance they have at being the best people they can be. I wish it wasn't so difficult. I wish a lot of things were different, but they aren't. I will practice within the system and offer help to the system and support the kids I know and love. Everyone deserves and has a right to an appropriate education under the laws of this country. Kids are not one-size-fits-all and their education can't be either.

Hair 911

OK, so I wasn't drunk and I didn't get my hair stuck in the door, but the effect was the same. Today I win the Dork of the Day Award. I believe Beth is the originator of this dubious distinction, but today I get the prize.

I was in a hurry to get to work, running late. I decided to speed up the process of doing my hair, which was the fatal flaw. I have really fine hair. It is delicate. I have to be nice to my hair for it to be nice to me. I know this. What do I do today? Why, I throw caution to the wind. I turned my blow dryer on high and pointed the sucker at my soaking wet hair. Apparently this is more than my hair could take.

As I'm drying the back, my brush seems to be stuck. I pull a little harder still blasting the poor stuff with the blow dryer when magically *bing* the brush comes free. Then the horror, the horror. I look in the sink and wonder what is going on? What is that in the sink? What is that smell? OH SHIT! It is my singed hair. A large clod of it from the back of my head. I start feeling my hair and can feel that there is a spot towards the bottom in the back where I have handily burned out a patch.

The panic sets in. I throw my hair in a ponytail and race out the door with no makeup, because I've now wasted my makeup time freaking out about my hair. I get in the car and speed dial Art and Science (my hair gurus) and explain my pathetic situation and begin to beg for an appointment with my girl, Alice. Fortune smiled upon me and I was able to get an appointment.

It was like the walk of shame as I walked up to Alice as she is saying, "Oh honey, what happened?" We both end up hysterically laughing and Alice claps her hands with glee and asks, "Oh goody, can we bob it?" So, long story short, I have a groovy new haircut. I really like it and I used to have my hair bobbed years ago. I'm calling this divine intervention through human fallibility. Yeah, that works for me. That way I don't have to admit I am a total dork.

The Week (in which I contemplate the fact that I am the parent of a teenager and all that this means)

I felt as if I handled my fortieth birthday quite well, and the two following, but now I have run head on into a wall so solid I cannot see my way past it. Sweetness turns thirteen this Wednesday. That single fact has made me feel older than the hills. I will be the parent of a teenager in just a few short days. It seems incomprehensible, inconceivable even. This is all offset by the joy that is Sweetness.

If I got to pick a child out of a catalog, I'd pick one just like Sweetness. She's smart, funny as heck, and incredibly creative. When she's awake, she lives to create. She's an elusive creature, hiding in her cave both during waking and non-waking hours these days. When we are fortunate to be graced with her presence, she brings laughter and a sense of wit and whimsy with her. I often feel like I won the lottery when I think about what a (mostly) delightful child I have. Then I need to remind myself that I do get to take some of the credit. I hope she feels as fortunate that I am her mom.



Sweetness and Bink-Summer 2006

Just yesterday she managed to maneuver her way through a social minefield with the ease of a seasoned veteran. She was invited to the Bat Mitzvah of a casual friend. While this friend is a lovely girl, some of her friends are not so lovely. Sweetness usually prefers to just avoid the whole scene, but knew it was important to her friend that she be there. She wore a respectful, but creative outfit, so that she fit in, but didn't compromise. She later attended the party portion where she was again forced into contact with people she'd rather avoid. I was concerned as I drove up to pick her up. Worried that someone had hassled her. As I was walked through the party scene to find her, I was pleasantly surprised at what I found. In the back room, Sweetness and a few friends were bouncing around singing "Panic" with The Smiths cranked full tilt. What a wonder she is.

Truth Be Told

A big thanks to Lulu for coming up with some questions that made me think about myself a bit. Hey, I'm a Psychology student. Analysis is the name of the game.

1. I posited to CP recently that we are who we were in high school. In what ways are you the same person now as you were as a 15-year-old?

I think in a lot of ways I am the same person that I was when I was 15. Lulu leaked this question to me last night on our way to the gym, so I've had some time to think about it. When I was in early elementary school, I was what I guess some people would call one of the popular kids. I was invited to all of the parties and the "queen bee" was my supposed best friend. I also learned pretty early that popular does not mean nice and that most of the girls I hung out with, my BFF in particular, were evil climbers willing to step on anyone in their way. I wasn't one of them. I wanted to be one of them, but I knew I could never be, because I am too nice. Maybe this is where part of my overdeveloped sense of justice began to kick in, but I couldn't stand to see these girls be so mean to other people. They were awful.

Fortunately, at the beginning of seventh grade we moved. I had a chance to start all over. I don't know if I consciously did it or not at this time, but I managed to choose much nicer people as friends. Slowly, because I was an overinvolved overachiever I managed to make a lot of friends, both popular and unpopular. I was one of the only people who would talk to the mentally impaired girls in our PE class, but I also was on athletic teams and in student council, so I knew a lot of the really popular kids.

When high school started, all bets were off. You end up having lunch with random people and not necessarily with your friends. I was invited the first few weeks of school to eat with the popular girls. I hated it. Just like I had remembered from earlier in my life, they were awful shallow evil people. One day I just stopped going to lunch with them. No goodbye, no reason. I remember walking into the cafeteria and thinking to myself that I would sit with the first person I knew that wasn't part of their group. I ended up sitting with someone who is my friend to this day. A smart girl who could have cared less about any of the goings on at our high school.

So, back to the question. Yes, I am still that girl. I mistrust people who are social climbers and I have no patience for social games. I don't want to be part of their group. I make no pretenses about this in my life. I live on the fringes of the playground, avoiding all "those" people. While I realize that some of them are probably nice enough, I just can't play the games that you end up playing to be part of that group. I suppose this is all what laid the groundwork for my life as an alternachick. I prefer my friends to be smart, funny, and passionate about something. I can't say that I'm necessarily a fuck authority person, but I am probably a fuck society person. And, yeah, I think I was that way at 15.

2. Which blogger do you most want to meet?

Since I've had the fortune to meet many of my fellow bloggers, the person I would most like to meet is Echo. I'm not sure if we were seperated at birth, but I'm pretty sure that our iPods were. Echo seems like a smartass music lover, which are traits I place high on my "want to get to know you" list. He is also a parent and we have discovered that we have similar childrearing theories. Mind you, they are only theories, because those little buggers can ruin anyone's best laid plans.

3. Your children are highly entertaining. What is the strangest thing one of them (or both) has ever done?

I'm not sure if this was the strangest, but it was certainly the most embarrassing. We were at a family function (with lots of people watching and listening) and Bink, who was about 4, decided he wanted to climb on top of a balcony railing. I quickly told him "no" and that he would surely fall to his death. This is when Sweetness, who was about 7, pipes up. "Yeah, and Mommy and Daddy can't have any more kids because her eggs are all rotten." Clearly she had heard us have the conversation about not having another kid and feeling older, but come on! There were several gems that came out of this period, when she began to ask questions about the birds and the bees. I have been told that I will NEVER have grandchildren and the moment she put 2 and 2 together and realized what it took to have a kid, she said, "Couldn't we just touch elbows or something?"

Bink's defining moment actually occurred when I was not present, but Lulu was. They had gone to get ice cream and Bink was in his Mr. Roboto phase, dancing up a storm in front of the Dairy Queen on a pretty busy street. Apparently, Sweetness was expressing dismay at his conduct, which prompted him to chant, "We share DNA!" at her over and over again. Delightful little buggers they are.


4. Music is an obvious theme in your life. What music did you listen to in your younger days that thoroughly embarrasses you now?


From the moment I got my first radio, I was an addict. I would lock myself in my room hour after hour listening to whatever I thought was the most wild thing I could get away with. Sadly, this occurred in the mid-seventies and I don't have to tell you what was on FM back then. Sure, I was real badass with my love of bands like Foghat and Aerosmith, but I also can sing all the lyrics to many '70's gems like "The Year of the Cat," "Dreamweaver," "Let Your Love Flow," and my personal sing-along favorite "I'm Not in Love" by 10cc. Sadly, I can't remember a damn thing these days, but these songs are etched into my memory for eternity. I graduated from the pablum to real rock and roll somewhere around eighth grade. I can proudly say that I never really fell victim to the clutches of disco. I was already a loyal WLUP (The Loop) listener and was digging The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Who. At one point in my life I had decided that if I saw all three of these bands live, I could die happy. Two thirds of that came true, and we held tickets to a Zeppelin show that was never to be. Curse you John Bonham! I will die unfulfilled.



5.What overused cliche or quote do you find to be true in your life?

Overused quote of choice for me is, "Everything in moderation." Except music. I am neither too clean or too messy. I drink, but not too much. I enjoy food, but try not to overdo it. I exercise, but am not freakish about it. I am a parent, but it doesn't define me. I could go on. I think life is about finding the balance that works for you. If I find myself tilting the scales too far one way, I end up being really unhappy and usually try to take steps to correct the problem. As an adult it can be hard trying to find the balance between the things you HAVE to do and the things you WANT to do. I'm still learning. And there's another quote that I'd bring up."You can't teach an old dog new tricks." I find that to be a really depressing quote. I refuse to believe that we are incapable of change. If that's the case, then I am in the wrong field and there is no hope for humanity. Anyone can change. You have to want to and it takes a lot of work. Sometimes you even need a refresher course along the way, but we are all capable of being better than we are today.

Five For Ten

I am totally jazzed to be interviewed by Beth from Cup of Coffey. As a fellow college radio alumni, I feel a connection to the music addiction it instilled in both of us. I've never given up my ravenous appetite for alternative/indie music and Beth must know that given the heavy hand of music questions she's dealt me.

What's your theme song?
You know, I think theme songs can change during the course of one's life. I think in the past I might have said either "Cynical Girl" by Marshall Crenshaw or "American Dream" by Love and Rockets. These days it's all about what do I really want from this life? What am I still passionate about? Have I compromised any of my dreams? I think some of these wonderings are explored quite nicely by Jeff Pezzati of The Bomb in the song 1000 Tons of Ice. This song is about second chances at dreams, something Jeff knows a lot about.

What are your five favorite albums and why?
You know, I think I've answered derivatives of this question before or maybe even this exact question, but like the theme song or any favorites list, I think my answers change over time. There are always a few that I think will live there forever, but some cycle in and out of this list.
1. Hunky Dory-David Bowie
This one is always at the top of the list. I will listen here. I will listen there. I will listen everywhere. This album displays the flexibility of David Bowie's voice and writing style. Bowie has several different variations of tone and delivery and deftly moves through all of them on Hunky Dory. Additionally, my love for Bowie includes his ability to write lyrics that sprawl from nods to Nietzsche to simple lines about his son. The music on this album flexes from one of my all-time favorite silly diddys "Kooks" to the hard rocking "Queen Bitch."
2.Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven-Love and Rockets
I guess this one is at number two because of its importance in my life. This is my college awakening album. I was already well immersed in the alternative scene at this point, but this was the album that struck a chord somewhere inside me. I have always joked that I have a Bauhaus brain trapped in a Go-Go's body. Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven slithers around in the darkness in a most gloriously beautiful way.
3.Throb Throb-Naked Raygun

Not as experimental as the preceding Basement Screams EP but still more experimental than many, Throb Throb is a post-punk touchstone. Gritty, grinding guitar pushed aloft by great sing-along choruses and you have the beginning of the Naked Raygun formula. They stood out from your average neighborhood post-punk outfit with their rolling rhythms and their toying with various genres of music, usually evident in their song structure. This is fun smart punk/post-punk.
4.London Calling-The Clash
I don't know what I thought I was going to hear the first time I heard this album from start to finish. For sure, I thought it would sound much more aggressive than it does in many places. What I realized is that the punk cred that The Clash carried was captured in more than just guitars and drums. Their cred came from their social and political commentary that fills this album. The icing on the cake is that The Clash are one of the most versatile bands with regard to songwriting ability. They stand alone as far as I am concerned.
5.Quadrophenia-The Who
Before I became an alternachick, I was simply a rock chick. I spent my youth cutting my teeth on the classics. I quickly became especially drawn to The Who. They were a little more anti-establishment than other bands. In Quadrophenia, I found the story of someone questioning their life, wondering who they were. To this day, I have a hard time listening to just part of Quadrophenia. I want to listen to it from start to finish. Musically, I think it contains some of The Who's best material. I can't pick a favorite track because in my mind it exists as a whole. If Pete Townshend set forth to write a rock opera, I believe he succeeded.

If you could play on stage with one band, who would it be?
This is an easy one for me. Either Naked Raygun or The Bomb. I love their music and they are my friends (and I already know almost all of the words!) I've seen these two bands more than any others in my life and feel a deep connection to my local heroes.

What's the best concert you ever saw?



This is a hard one. I've seen so many concerts in my life and so many have been amazing for different reasons. I'm going to say seeing Love and Rockets on the Seventh Dream Tour at St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit. Love and Rockets were unlike anything I had ever seen before. I'd seen everything from huge arena shows to local punk shows at VFW's. Love and Rockets came on in a mist of fog and a blaze of strobes and completely sober I had an experience that was totally intoxicating. They were all so intense and I can't begin to tell you what Daniel Ash and his guitar do for me (distortion is the way to my heart). Their music went so far inside my head that night that I really have never been the same.

Why did you pick a Southern College? What did you like the best/least about the South?
I started undergrad at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While I loved my friends there, I had a really hard time with a lot of the hypocritical Christian students there. They'd tell me I was a heathen and then have drunken bashes that rivaled Roman orgies and head off to church in the morning throwing beer cans out of their car as they left. I had already started working at the campus radio station and went to the IBS (Intercollegiate Broadcasting Society) convention in NYC Spring of my junior year. While I was there, I met a ton of people from WUSC, the University of South Carolina radio station. I found out that they had one of the top college radio stations in the country at the time. A couple of weeks later, I went with my family to visit my grandparents in Charlotte, North Carolina (the Southern connection). I took a couple of days and went to go visit USC. I loved it. I was ready for a change and so I transferred the following fall. I don't regret a second of it. I needed a change and I ended up being Program Manager at WUSC and had a wonderful two years there. The thing I liked best about the South, particularly where I lived was the nearness of the coast. I loved heading out to the Isle of Palms on the weekend with our crew and hanging on the beach drinking lime daiquiris and eating fresh from the ocean shrimp and crab. I also loved spring down there. It's just so beautiful with all of the flowering plants. What I liked least about the South were the large quantity of racist individuals and the cockroaches. Damn, those things get big down there!


Anyone who would like to be interviewed, just leave a comment. I'd be happy to pry your secrets out of you!

Here They Come Again

I have to wonder if Friday night is the last night I will ever see my beloved Naked Raygun live again. Have they come out of retirement for good or are they just here for a victory lap? Either way, I'll be there one more time on Friday night, this time at the House of Blues.

My hope for them is that Jeff's voice will hold out, as it crumbled during their last outing due to illness. I want to hear the mighty Raygun roar one more time. I want to hear them rip straight through "Knock Me Down" and "Metastasis." I want to hear the crowd singing all the whoa-hey-ho's. I want to see a mass of devoted followers scrambling for free shit. I want to see and hear my guys at least one more time.

I am guardedly optimistic about the evening. Sweetness and one of her friends are coming with us. I want them to love it as much as I do, even though I know that is impossible. These are the anthems of my youth, of my rebellion, not theirs. They'll have their own. I sometimes feel like I wish we could do the stupid Freaky Friday trick and switch bodies for one day so that she could feel all that I feel when I listen to Naked Raygun. Well, hell, now I've ventured into Disney territory. That's just sad.

I love this band. I guess it's past of what makes me, well, me. Can I mosh just a little bit?

Stratford Upon Cat Heads

A big Happy Birthday to William Shakespeare. It is fortuitous that on Thursday I will be joining Lulu and our friends Jane and Steve to enjoy Troilus and Cressida at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This is our third and final play of the season and I am already looking forward to next season.

I have odd fond memories of reading a lot of Shakespeare in college. As an English major, I was required at the University of South Carolina to take both a course on his comedies and his tragedies. Due to scheduling issues, I ended up taking both of them in one semester. I loved it. In fact, it was probably one of my favorite semesters in undergrad. I was living in an apartment on my own and basically spent almost every evening curled up on my sofa reading Shakespeare. How bad could that be? I had two brilliant professors for the courses as well and wish I could go back and thank them for their insight and enthusiasm.

So, Happy Birthday to the Bard! I often wonder if he realized how influential his work would become and how his stories of love and betrayal, human introspection and comic wit would cross cultural and temporal boundaries. Bravo! And now, for your entertainment...Cat Head Theater. Come on, this had to be a little silly, right?

Seven Songs or What Puts the Spring in Tenacious S's Step

OK, so I wasn't officially tagged, but after going through a rough time with school, I've crawled out of my hole and am enjoying life again. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I am dancing again. I realized this when I was driving the middle school kids to school the other day. One of my seven came on and I could not sit still. That's a very good thing.

I'm Not Down-The Clash
Just listen to the rhythm in this one. I dare you to sit still! The older I get, the more I appreciate the true genius of The Clash. They were musically versatile, writing songs that covered so many different styles. Lyrically, pretty in your face punk, but also just great commentators on the condition of living. London Calling might be the second album I'd grab if the house was on fire.

Small Talk-The Ponys
I'm a girl who likes a little distortion with her coffee. Swirling guitars and hollow echoey vocals on this one make my head buzz just right. Who needs drugs? Just turn up the stereo.

Somebody to Love-Queen
I have to thank *gasp* Panic! At the Disco for reigniting my love of Queen. They did a respectable version of Killer Queen when I saw them with Sweetness this past winter. Truth be told, of all the groups out there, they probably come closest to matching Queen's drama level. Growing up, Queen was probably in my Top 5 bands. For some reason I have really strong memories of laying out on the raft at the lake in Wisconsin with my crappy old Walkman clone feeling Freddie's pain and joy, my emotions cresting and falling with his vocal delivery, my head filled with the operatic beauty that was Queen.

Black and White Town-The Doves
This is one of my roll the windows down songs. Can you tell I listen a lot in the car? Can't explain why this sounds like a warm sunny day with the breeze blowing through my hair. Music is so visceral for me.



Read My Mind-The Killers
Have you listened to Sam's Town, their latest effort? I may have lost all of my sensibilities, but I really think it is one of the most cohesive pieces of music out there right now. I think they pushed themselves to grow and came up with an album that is going to stand the test of time. Then again, I may have gone mad. Sweetness loves this band and therefore we listen to it a lot in the *shock* car. I have been held captive and forced to listen to Sam's Town start to finish on multiple occasions and I have to say, it has been a pleasant surprise. Read My Mind showcases all that makes The Killers their own brand of music. They have managed to borrow from the past, but twist it enough that it is fresh and unique. Come on, I lived through the '80's. They have synthesizers, kids. Used properly they are fabulous. Used improperly, well, it can be dorks with keytars. The Killers have a very shiny metallic studded looking synthesizer. I'm calling it cool.

That's Just What You Are-Aimee Mann
I am so glad she has managed to make a career for herself after 'Til Tuesday. I think she is one of the most talented songwriters out there. Period. Her vocal range is something to be awed by as well.

(I'm) Stranded-The Saints
I've always got some straight up punk tune tripping around in the back of my brain. The Saints managed to make some great melodic driving music. I classify this as beach music in my world. Granted, it's a beach where people are probably sweltering in leather jackets, but they remind me a bit of the vibe The Ramones had going. The Ramones are beach music, right?



So, now do you understand the picture at the top? I've got the windows rolled down and I am in full Spring Fever. Woof!

I'm tagging our new friend, Julia!

Meme Above All Memes

What was the first recorded music you bought?





My mom took my brother and I to Turn-Style and we were each allowed to spend some of our gift money on an album. We were given the choice between The Beatles and The Beach Boys. Because they had a recent surge in popularity, I bought The Beach Boys Endless Summer. Hey, my choices were limited. My next purchase, I believe, was Boston. Rock!

What was the last music you bought?

The Ponys-Turn the Lights Out. They are a local group and I had seen them "simulcast" during Lollapalooza a couple of years ago and liked them. I haven't had time to listen to it yet. I'll let you know if it lives up to my expectations.

What was the first "professional" music show you ever went to?

The first show I was allowed to see was Rush. It was at the Chicago Amphitheater, which was in a gritty part of town. My parents really didn't want me to go, but they had promised and let me. They shouldn't have! My date (and our driver) dropped acid at the show and got lost in a bad place to get lost. The cops led us back to the highway, but I was still driven home by a tripping seventeen year old. Good Lord, how am I still alive?



I had the jersey version of this shirt. I wore a lot of tight jeans and eyeliner. I used to scare Lulu.

What was the last?

Big shock, I saw The Bomb a few weeks ago. It was one of their better shows and it was at The Abbey, which is an old favorite haunt of mine. Me, Lulu, beer and cute Irish boys we were crushing on. Ah, youth.

What's your "desert island" album?

David Bowie-Hunky Dory
The Thin White Duke reigns supreme and this particular album exposes a vulnerable side of him, I think, along with some serious rocking tunes as well. Variety is the spice of life.

What's your favorite album/song title? (the *title* , not the actual album or song).

Favorite song title might be Shoplifters of the World Unite by The Smiths. Favorite album title is one I recently saw and it kind of cracked me up, Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven by a band called godspeed you! black emperor. Don't ask. I just liked the visual it put in my head.

What's your favourite album art (include an image of it if you can)?




Technically, this is an EP, but it has the most psychedelic groovy illustrations ever. Plus, it always reminded me a bit of Monty Python, which is never a bad thing. It's the Dukes of Stratosphear-25 O'Clock

Ideal choice for a karaoke song?

Tempted-The Squeeze
I know all the words to this song and cannot resist belting it out badly EVERY time I hear it.

Song you don't like that WILL NOT LEAVE YOUR HEAD if you hear it.

I get shivers down my spine typing this because I know I will be stuck with the hell that is My Humps by The Black Eyed Peas for the next several hours. Honestly, lady lumps? I think that is the worst lyric EVER.

Which is cooler? -- Vinyl? CD? Cassette? 8-track?

Vinyl, duh. I get euphoric just thinking about it. The smell, the feel of the edge of an LP between my fingers as I cued it up at the radio station, the pop of the needle hitting the surface, the hiss between tracks, liner notes and lyrics, cover art that looked like art because it was big enough to notice the details and the rich sound that came from vinyl. Why, God, why did you take this gift from us?

I'd like to tag Echo (if he ever surfaces again) and his nemesis Grant Miller.

Welcome to My World

Imagine being diagnosed with cancer. Now, imagine that once the doctor delivered the diagnosis he turned around and said, "Well, as I see it, there are a bunch of different things we can do to help get you healthy. I'm going to give you a list. Go home, do some research, and then when you decide which treatment you'd like to proceed with, try and find someone who specializes in that treatment. Oh, and your insurance probably won't cover most of it. Oh, and there's a waiting list for most of the good specialists. Good luck!" In essence, this is what parents are told when their children receive a diagnosis of autism. There is no consensus on treatment and there is no real network of providers, except for a few cutting edge programs in the world. Personally, I can't even begin to imagine the confusion and fear that most of the parents face as they begin their journey down the road of autism treatment. I am impressed every day at how dedicated some of these parents are in finding the best care they can for their children.

I rarely speak of my occupation as I am bound by so many ethical constraints. But, as some of you know, I am a case manager for a behavioral consultation firm and I provide home-based educational services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). April is Autism Awareness month and I felt it was time for me to speak a bit about these children that I have come to know and love through my work. Since Autism now affects 1:150 children born, chances are you've heard of Autism or have read reports about Autism or know someone with Autism. I won't go into great detail about the disorder itself other than it primarily affects social, language and play skills in children. What I do want to talk about is the fact that considering the high prevalence rate, diagnosis and treatment are in what is essentially the Stone Ages. While there is no known cause or cure at this time, there are several therapies that have been proven to be effective in reducing some of the symptoms. What is confounding to me, is the difficulty that parents have finding valid information about treatment. I am not exactly sure what has to happen to change this scenario, but I know something needs to happen.

I also know that time is of the essence for treatment. Ideally, children should engage in intensive treatment up until approximately age seven, when the neural connections become less plastic. All of this leads to an epidemic headed for our school systems. Underfunded to begin with, schools struggle to provide appropriate services due to the high cost of intensive services. Families struggle with the high costs as well, as much of the private treatment isn't covered by insurance. The bottom line is that with intensive services delivered in the early learning years, lifetime cost of services decreases exponentially. For now, the system is broken and we all are going to be faced with paying for this epidemic in one way or another.

This is my life's work, my passion and my pleasure. Like any job, there are ups and downs, but on the whole, I couldn't be happier with my job. Really, it's the kids. So many people have the misconceived notion that children with autism are incapable of forming meaningful relationships. While the work to develop a relationship is a little more arduous, the payoff is well worth the effort. Recently, one of the most moving moments I had at work was with one of my little guys who doesn't have much language. He is accustomed to pulling us around to get to an object he desires. While I knew he really enjoyed our play time, he had never really asked for it. I was sitting at the table tabulating some data and I felt this little hand on my shoulder pulling me around. As I turned, he got the biggest grin on his face and yelled, "Tickle me!" Now for some of you, this isn't a profound experience. For me, I knew that this meant so many wonderful things were coming. He had learned that his words got him what he wanted and he had learned that people are fun. To me, that's worth it all.

These kids are a part of me. I understand them even when they can't talk to me. In some ways, I feel like I speak another language. I've learned to catch the most fleeting glance. I've learned the hidden secrets of tantrums. I've learned that sometimes they can't look at me and listen at the same time. Most of all, I've learned that just when you think you've run out of patience, there's always a little more.

The Blind Leading the Blind

Last night I purchased my first ever baseball mitt. Not for my son. For me. Mr. Ten S has a lot of travel booked in the coming weeks and I have been tagged with the responsibility of getting Bink to practice and games and playing some catch with him.

Now what you need to know is that when I was young, girls were not allowed to play Little League, so I have zero real baseball experience. I used to play Chicago ball on the street corner a lot with the neighborhood kids, but you don't need a mitt for that. In short, I have never really had to use a mitt in my life. I'm a little concerned. Those dang little baseballs are hard as rocks too.

So, how the heck do I help my son learn how to play a game that I can't play myself? My assets are that I actually can hit pretty well and know all of the rules, but my deficits are throwing and catching. I bought the kid some books and a DVD to help explain the mechanics of throwing, catching and hitting, but I think live practice is best. This is going to be a comedy in three acts.

Fortunately, it looks like tonight's practice is going to be snowed out, but that means he's going to need even more help next week. The first night of practice was difficult for him. He's in Middle League now, and it is a little more serious. There are kids on his team that are very good players. I think he saw them and got scared. Scared that he wouldn't be good enough to be on the team. Bink loves baseball. Mostly he loves running in the field and playing in the dirt, but he loves it. He watches it on TV, he goes to games and he just plain loves the game. Our family is not rich in athletic talent, so Bink is not necessarily a gifted player. I think we'd all settle this year for average. So I guess he and I will fumble our way through this. I'm hoping most of the laughing will be directed at me. I'm a far better sport about things like that. I figure if neither of us ends up with a black eye or knocked out teeth, we'll have been successful.

Just Take Me Away Now

Some people might define crazy or reckless behavior as engaging in illegal or dangerous activities. In my world, reckless behavior is defined by my decision to go full-time again this quarter. Despite the fact that I have told everyone that I was going to cut back to part-time, I've changed my mind.

I've been experiencing small panic attacks centered around the length of time it will take me to finish, which means the length of time until I have a little more control in my job. Last quarter was admittedly the most painful of my long and illustrious academic career to date, but just like childbirth, the pain is vanishing in my memory and the pride of having completed it has taken over. I am a glutton for punishment.

I promise that I will try not to whine like a big baby every time I feel myself going under. Actually, I looked at the syllabus for the two courses I am enrolled in and they both look much more managable than either of my last two courses. Maybe I'm fooling myself, but I think it won't be too painful. Besides, always remember that I live in a constant state of competition, both with myself and anything that looks to be a good fight. Feel free to occasionally offer to take me out for drinks if I become too irrational. I got a lot of mileage out of a couple of Zombies and some good conversation.

Free Kitten to Good Home

Ah, spring. The robins have returned, the grass is greening up, the weather is warming, and ................Edward is shedding like a banshee. Not that I know for sure that banshees shed, but if they did, I imagine it would be similar to the fur storm going on at our house right now. A sure sign of spring at our house is the lovely layer of white fluff that covers every surface.

So, bright girl that I am, I decided to brush Ed today, so as to lower his chances of coughing up an enormous hairball or two due to his incessant licking. I brushed and brushed and brushed him. He wasn't very happy about the whole ordeal and swatted at me a couple of times and was generally grumpy throughout the process. But the sense of victory that I felt was overwhelming when I realized that the volume of fur I brushed off of him was roughly the size of a large kitten. So, if anyone would like a ragdoll kitten, I have enough fur to get you started at least. Internal organs might be a bit tricky.

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.

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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!