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!

Word

I decided I needed a little pick me up today. I've got a big fat commute coming up this afternoon and I always try to pull a special CD or two to play in the car. I've got my standard rotation, but sometimes I need a change. I'm suffering from insomnia right now due to some serious stress from school and work, so I needed something positive and upbeat. World Party is what I settled on. I need a little good news right now.

Without going into detail, I was up almost all night last night worried about a meeting today. A little guy's future is hanging in the balance. Basically, all I can say is that nothing was resolved in the meeting and I felt like the only sane one in the room. Everyone was well intentioned, but all were so caught up in their own drama that no one could see what really mattered. So, round two on this one next week. Sing it, Karl.

Viva Vintage

I used to love shopping in vintage clothing stores. I loved sifting through the racks of unusual apparel looking for the perfect beaded sweater or a kicky skirt to wear with my lace-up boots. Sadly, somewhere along the line, I seem to have given this up. Maybe it's because I have a hard time working some of the items into my everyday case manager wardrobe. Maybe it's because it takes time to look through everything. Maybe I feel like I'm too old to pull some of it off anymore. Whatever the reason, I sure do miss visiting all of the shops.

So now I get to live vicariously through my daughter. Today Sweetness and her friends are going to go to a great little vintage shop near our home. I've driven past it a million times, as it is near the grocery store. I always love their window displays, which they change on a regular basis and are always outstanding. I feel nostalgiac for the days when my friends and I could spend entire days hopping from shop to shop. I hope she comes home with some fabulous treasures.

I Don't Know Why I Don't Like Sunday

Every Sunday it's the same thing. I sit and struggle with my big statistics assignment of the week. I think I understand and then I realize that I have no clue. I have now been working on this piece of shit for about three hours and am nowhere near completion. To complicate matters, I am supposed to have at least seven pages of my paper done by midnight and I have only one completed. If I were not a rational person, I would blow my brains out right now. I hate this. I am a prisoner in my own life. I want to quit so bad right now, it's not funny. The thought that I have another year and change of this is enough to drive me to drink. And no, I will not get the summer off. I hate this. And I do mean hate, a lot, all the time, every day.

Killer Klowns

THE DICKIES-Killer Klowns from Outer Space

Bubs, this one's for you! I saw the Clown Killer post and *ZAP!* this is where my head took me. It has clowns, lineups, fingerprinting, handcuffing, dames, guns, and a guy in a fez hat. What could be better?

Ode to the Rat

Tender leafy springtime plants
Covered with some little ants
You ate them and you left the stumps
You piled up great big muddy clumps

I came to pick a little flower
I saw your teeth had awesome power
I thought you were a baby rabbit
As it was spring and your species' habit

And then one day I saw two eyes
Reflecting back the sunny skies
To a mouse, I thought, they did belong
Oh how I was so very wrong

I didn't want to kill the mouse
Just flush him from his little house
Into the hole I stuffed the hose
And then so slowly the water rose

I waited and stared down the watery hole
And then the bubbles began to roll
Larger and larger the bubbles popped
And then in horror the hose I dropped

Out sprang a creature so dark and vile
He looked at me with his evil smile
"I ate your plants" he seemed to say
"F#@* you, rat!" this is your last day!

I screamed and ran as fast as I could
He needed to die, I thought he should
I dialed the phone to call the "man"
He came right over with his poison can

Down the hole the poison went
A message to the rat community sent
It took two rounds to kill the rat
He's dead, I'm happy and that is that.

Random Rock

Statistics assignment? What statistics assignment? Huh? In the immortal words of Twisted Sister, "I wanna rock!"

1.The Whole of the Moon-The Waterboys
2.Be My Number Two-Joe Jackson
3.Been Caught Stealin'-Jane's Addiction
4.Come Dancing-The Kinks
5.Less Than Zero-The Methadones
6.We Will Rock You-Queen
7.Fat Randy-Voodoo Glow Skulls
8.Eighties-Killing Joke
9.Come On Eileen-No Doubt
10.The Passenger-Iggy Pop

Alright. I've shirked enough, and I want to go to the Tiki Terrace tonight, so back to the books.

I Smell A .........

A couple of years ago, I was tending my garden on a lovely spring day. I had planted several perennial flowers the year before and was glad they had come back and were so big and healthy. Then I noticed it. Next to one of my flowers was a small hole in the ground and next to the hole, one of my plants had been chewed to a nub. "Oh, those rotten rabbits," I thought. Even though I had never seen a rabbit in my neighborhood, I assumed the furry little beasts had taken up residence in my garden and had set about to eat all of my precious plants.

A few days later, I noticed the hole had gotten bigger. Now I was mad. They had eaten two of my plants and were making an awful mess of my garden. I worried that it was spring and that there would be cute little baby bunnies down the hole. I decided I wouldn't do anything about them.


Days passed by and then when I stepped out onto the porch one day I saw little beady eyes peering out of the hole at me. Shit. Not rabbits. Not cute baby bunnies. Mice. There were mice where we lived in the suburbs growing up. Irritating, but kind of cute. Off he scampered under my porch. I decided that I needed to take action. This was my fatal mistake.

The next day I armed myself with the hose, as I had decided to flush the suckers out. I didn't want to poison them. I figured if I flooded their home, they would feel unwelcome and leave. I shoved the end of the hose down the hole and turned on the water. Five minutes went by and I couldn't see any water rising to the surface. Ten minutes. Finally, the water started rising in the hole. "Industrious little mice," I thought to myself. As the water filled the hole I stood next to it watching. Then I saw a few bubbles. Then I saw large bubbles breaking on the surface of the water. Then it happened.....


Out popped the biggest rat I have ever set my eyes upon. It was enormous. I threw down the hose, shreiked like a little girl and ran into the house, slamming the door behind me. Through the window I saw the bastard run under the porch. I walked into the kitchen, picked up the phone and called the exterminator with the largest ad. Bunnies. Not quite.



Did you think you'd escape without a video?

I'm Scared

HORRORPOPS-MissTake

Statistics are scary. I'm bleary-eyed and frightened. Time to rip it up psychobilly style. Either that or I'm going to bed.


HORRORPOPS-Ghouls

Shuffling Through the Snow (or laying around in it, whichever)

Time to shuffle off again. I am happy to say I am enjoying a normal Friday night off. Yahoo!!!!

1.Say It Loud! I'm Brown and I'm Proud!-El Vez
2.Give Me Novacaine-Green Day
3.What's Under My Bed-Horrorpops
4.Back on the Chain Gang-The Pretenders
5.I'll Melt With You-Modern English
6.Through Your Eyes-Matthew Sweet
7.Rebellion (Lies)-Arcade Fire
8.Life During Wartime-Talking Heads
9.Somebody to Love-Queen
10.Optimistic-Radiohead

Screw the shuffle. I'm listening to London Calling and having a dance party in my living room all by myself. It's Red Tail Ale time!

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things (that start with "R")

How do you narrow down your favorite things in life? Well, when you have one letter to work with, that helps a lot. Here are some of the things that make life good.


Ranunculus-They are unusual flowers that have layers of petals and subtle colors. I love to dig in the dirt. Some of my happiest moments have been spent taking care of flowers.

Rock-As in music. Couldn't live without it.

Racing-I like stock car races. I like to watch them on TV, but I love going to dirt track races in small towns where there's an accident on almost every lap and you can feel the engine in your belly when the cars roar by.



Ragdolls-Our cat Ed is a Ragdoll. He is fluffy, silly and social like a dog. This is his Great Grandpa "Bear."

Running-I used to run a lot. I loved running. I like being outside and I like being by myself. It was the perfect sport. Then I shattered my ankle. No more running. I still miss it. I like walking, but it's not the same.



Ribs-When I lived in South Carolina I lived near Piggy Park, best barbeque in the country. Now we have Hecky's. Mmmmmm.

Reading-I like reading. I don't like reading my textbooks, well, sometimes I like reading those too. I like reading before I go to sleep.

Rest-A good nap is like heaven on earth.

Records-I like the smell of vinyl. I miss big LP covers and liner notes. I still own a turntable and always will.



River Thames-Next to Chicago, London is my favorite city. I love the narrow streets in some areas, the Tube, the stores, the art, and the history. My roommate from college lived there and I visited her a couple of times many years ago. I've lost touch with her and it is one of my great sorrows in life. I have fond memories of piling in her roommate's itty bitty car and going down to a pub on the river. I hope to visit London again soon.

You Make Me Smile With My Heart!

To All of You,
Happy Valentine's Day!

Big 80's Love,
Tenacious S

Venting

At the end of a weekend where I had less downtime than I really needed, I'm ready to blow off some steam. Seeing as it's late and the only place I have to go is here, here it is. I just feel like I need to yell and scream a little and let the kettle boil over before I can start another week. Four weeks left. Oh yeah, I'm counting.

President Barack Obama

I am encouraged. Run, Barack, run. Make our hope reality.

Oh, Hell No!

I am Charlie Brown. The football is statistics and my knowledge of statistics. I took a good run at the ball today. I don't know who the hell Lucy is. Possibly the part of my brain that should be able to understand this, but doesn't. Taunting me, "You think you know which is worse, Type I error or a Type II error? Ha, ha! I don't know how to figure that out. Guess you'll be falling on your ass!"

Why?

Psycho Friday Shuffle

My iTunes apparently were possessed today. Now that all of my music is finally home in one spot on the happy shiny Macbook, the mix is getting a little weirder. That being said, the mix from Pete Yorn to The Eagles to Natalie Merchant was actually pretty sweet. I miss the mixing board at the radio station. I could create pure genius with that. I loved nothing more than controlling the segue between two songs, fading the new song in at the perfect moment while carefully fading out the old one. Now that was a beautiful experience. Someday I'll find some software that lets me have that level of control again. For now, here's the psycho mix of the week:

1.Arcade Fire-Neighborhood 1-Tunnels
2.Tones on Tail-Slender Fungus
3.Pete Yorn-Crystal Village
4.Eagles-Desperado
5.Natalie Merchant-Wonder
6.Gwen Stefani-Rich Girl
7.Virginia Astley-Some Small Hope
8.The Smiths-How Soon Is Now?
9.Alkaline Trio-We've Had Enough
10.ABBA-Knowing Me, Knowing You

No Man is an Island

Sometimes this is how I feel. Remote, isolated, alone in a sea of whatever it is that is surrounding me. Funny, sometimes the only place I want to be is on that island by myself. I often feel like no one understands or cares. I feel myself drifting further and further away and really not minding that I can't see the mainland anymore. Where's Gilligan for a little comic relief?

Baby, It's Cold Outside

The Bears were not victorious, it's -4 degrees this morning, and I love it. We're back to being just plain old Chicago. I can barely believe that I was away from the city I love for so many years. I'm wearing my long johns, a big wooly sweater and have mittens that look like squirrels (so I was told by the neighbor boy). I'm a happy girl.

Bears and My Brain

I really, really, really want to watch and actually enjoy the Super Bowl today. Not that I am a huge football fan, but because this is my town and I want my team to win. I love Chicago and I want this for the city. But I have one more hurdle to jump before kickoff time, my crappy statistics assignment of the week. I now loathe Sunday, because I can no longer procrastinate and the dumb thing is due by midnight.



Now I realize I could probably do some of the work after the game, but I plan on enjoying a couple of margaritas and some yummy ribs, and alcohol and a belly full of protein is not so conducive to sharpness of thought. So, I am off to fire up those little neurons and get this beast done. If I can pass Statistics, maybe the Bears have a chance at winning the Super Bowl.
Go Bears!!!!

Wondering What To Do This Weekend?

OF MONTREAL-Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games

In case you needed suggestions for fun activities for the weekend......

You Can Dance If You Want To...........

I was just thinking how cathartic going dancing was for me. Whatever my week was like, I knew I had Smart Bar, a few drinks and a few hours of just letting it all go on the dancefloor. Much cheaper than seeing a shrink. I think I may need to turn up the music and dance around when I finish my homework tonight. I guarantee everything will feel better. Wanna dance with me?

My Favorite TV Show Ever

Freaks and Geeks was written about me. I am convinced. I was Lindsay, the smart girl who couldn't play nice and found life a little more interesting in the smoking lot. My church group friends were always trying to rescue me, but I was too busy trying to figure out who I was. No other show has rung so true for me. I almost cried when they cancelled it. I actually was one of those people who wrote to the network begging them to bring it back. To this day I am sad that we only have a handful of episodes of what I believe to be TV genius.

This particular clip is one of my all time favorites. Nick is one of my favorite characters. He tries to be a tough guy, but he's painfully sentimental. I've known this guy. There were a lot of them in the smoking lot. Nothing makes better TV than cringing awkwardness. Freaks and Geeks rocked. At least I have the series on DVD. Whenever I forget what my teenage years were really like, I can watch them. I would say the only difference between Lindsay and I is that in the end, she goes off to follow the Grateful Dead. I hate The Dead. I ran off to follow punk bands. Other than that, watch the series and you'll see my family and my life. Really.

C'mon Little Buddies, Work!!!!

These are brain cells. Mine are very tired and confused. Statistics makes them hurt. I am pretending that they are on the cross country team and just finished their big long distance run of the week. They like to jog, but not too far. Now they want to go to bed. I hope they'll wake up in the morning. I'll be needing them again.

What Does 42 Look Like?

Somehow, I thought it would be different. I guess I thought that how I feel inside is how I would look outside. I'm not even sure I look like I should at 42.

You watch your parents age and I remember my parents going through their forties. They seemed so grown up to me. Of course, I was a kid, so anyone over the age of 18 was ancient, but they looked more mature than I think I do. I wonder if I seem the same way to my kids.

I wonder when I will have to give up some of the things that I love because I will simply be too old. Will I have to give them up? Will I stop wanting to do things at some point? Will I change? I haven't felt a strong change yet. I always wonder if it is lurking around the corner.

Aging is very strange. I'm not actively fighting against it, but I'm not letting it be an excuse to give up or to let go. It's hard to reconcile how you can feel so young inside, but your body ages. My father told me this week that his friends say the same thing. They're all in their seventies.

Here's to another year of being 18 on the inside.

The Boys in the Bands Vol. III

Michael Hutchence was the ultimate frontman. Beautiful, fabulous voice and moves that created a tension so palpable, you could rip it apart with your teeth. A writer, a singer, an Aussie and tragically missing now from our lives. Oh, Michael, you were my favorite lead singer.

INXS is probably one of the poppiest bands that I will willingly cop to loving. They had a great groove and churned out hit after hit in the 80's and into the early 90's. I had the good fortune of seeing them live on two occasions. Michael was a master of working the stage and the crowd and his voice sounded just as great live as it did recorded. Not everyone can claim that feat. Add the fact that he was beautiful and a bundle of sensual energy and you have the recipe for whipping people everywhere into a hot and bothered frenzy. I typically don't cross lines into that category either, preferring to stay a little more detached, but oh my, oh my.

Sadly, we lost Michael back in 1997. Celebrity deaths usually feel to me more like a fact than anything important. Michael Hutchence's death felt like something more. I actually miss him. Nope. Didn't know the guy at all, but I can feel the hole that he left in the world, at least in my world. Maybe it's because I don't usually let myself turn into a squealing twelve year old at the meer thought of someone unobtainable. Maybe he was my rock and roll ideal. Whatever the case, I miss him. I refuse to go see them with J.D. whoever taking his place. It would feel awkward and would make me miss him all the more. Do I feel like a teenage fan girl even as I write this? Yes, I do.

So, here's an homage to teenage lust and the teenage lust that lives inside of every one of us, I hope. Or should I say, the devil inside.

There Comes a Time

There comes a time in the middle of the night when you have a choice of staying up or attempting to sleep. I finished my assignment a little while ago after being held prisoner by school all day. I want a few minutes of my own and know they won't come in the morning tomorrow. So I've been sitting here reading and looking out the window at the snow, enjoying the cold, dark quiet. I suppose I'll go to bed for a little while, but I want a few more minutes of nothing first.

And Now For A Brief Message From Your Sponsor

Today's Shuffle:
1. Matthew Sweet-Sick of Myself
2. Mission of Burma-Nancy Reagan's Head
3. Iggy Pop-Lust for Life
4. Horrorpops-Dotted With Hearts
5. No Doubt-Simple Life
6. Voodoo Glow Skulls-Thrift Shop Junkie
7. The Vines-Ride
8. Dumptruck-Walk Through Mirrors
9. Waterboys-Whole of the Moon
10. Fugazi-Long Distance Runner

Looking forward to seeing some of you on Saturday night! I'm off to cram my homework assignments in before the inebriation commences. Peace out!

The Boys in the Bands Vol. II

How could an adolescent girl in the late 70's and early 80's not love these boys? It was the tag team of Robin Zander and Rick Nielsen that sucker punched me into hysteria as a young teen. Robin was white hot and Rick was possibly the coolest guitar player I had ever seen. Sure, he played up the geek factor, but he rocked the checkered look hard. Couple their look with riffs sent from heaven and a band name that made my parents gasp and they had an unwaivering fan.

I didn't get to see them live until the mid-80's when they were the opener for INXS. Now I love INXS and I guarantee that Michael Hutchins will be the subject of another story in this series, but on that night, Cheap Trick ruled. They were loud, energetic and Rick Nielsen is a machine. This is a band that has taken the idea of pop, tossed it into the blender with rock and sprinkled it with a little New Wave. Slurp it up, kids. It doesn't get much sweeter.

Farewell......sort of.......not really

School starts again on Monday. I'm dreading it and hyperventilating and having apocalyptic nightmares. This quarter, I am hoping, will be the worst one. Not that I want it to be, but it gives me hope that the rest will be tolerable. Basically, I suck at math and I have to take graduate statistics, not having had a math class since 1985. It's a little intimidating. What I think is even worse, is that the class I thought would be easier looks like it is going to be really yucky. The professor sent us all an opening letter with an enormous diatribe about what he doesn't like (and not worded in a very friendly manner).

So, I have sworn that I am going to severely limit my blogging. I am thinking I will limit myself to two visits per week. If it turns out that I am freaking out for no reason, I'll see you all more often. If it turns out I am rightfully hyperventilating, then you'll know why I'm not around. Hopefully I will see some of you when I come up for air on the 20th. Oh, and by the way, for those of you who care, Naked Raygun is officially back together and will be playing House of Blues on April 27th. Tickets go on sale on January 10th. And fortunately, it will be after this nasty quarter.

The Boys in the Bands Vol. I

It's no secret that I am an avid music lover. It most likely is no secret that I have harbored some pretty serious bandboy crushes over the years as well. They are innocent love fests that usually involve me swooning over either looks or voice or lyric writing aptitude or fabulous virtuosity on whatever instrument they play. Most often the killer combo for me was nice cheekbones and a British accent. Put those two together and I was a goner. So, here is installation numero uno of the boys I have *loved* through the years.

Richard Butler. Ah, Richard. With the voice that sounded like velvet and cigarettes. He crooned his way into my heart somewhere around 1983. President Gas, We Love You, Heaven.......he was snarky, sarcastic and seductive and I loved it. This was one of the first shows ever that I had really good seats. I went to see them in about 1984 with my brother and we were in the second row. I don't think either one of us anticipated the earshattering volume the Psychedelic Furs managed to produce that night. I firmly believe that this was the show that began my progressive loss of hearing. Forget that my ears rang for days. Richard sang to me. Right to me on many songs. At 18, I looked into his eyes and lost myself in the music and dreamed of being swept away to England to live a fabulous and totally hip life.

And so, I give you bandboy crush number one, Richard Butler..........



PSYCHEDELIC FURS-Sister Europe

Perspective

This year I will ring in the New Year by attending a funeral. I got word this morning that the director from the preschool I used to teach at was killed in a car accident on Friday evening. While Cynthia and I were not what I would call close friends, I am forever indebted to her for her kindness and generosity. In a time that I would call the darkest for my family, one filled with the stress of my husband's unemployment for seven months and the grief of watching my mom decline in health as she struggled with cancer, Cynthia was not just my boss. She went out of her way to support our family. She approached the board of the preschool to have Bink's tuition completely waived while my husband was unemployed. She gave me preference for picking up extra hours, as she knew we needed it. Most importantly, she was always there with a word of encouragement, a hug and a smile. She was a very warm hearted person. Cynthia leaves behind three beautiful girls in their late teens and early twenties and her husband.

So, as a new year begins, I am reminded yet again of the things that are truly important. We hear over and over again to not take life for granted and to enjoy each moment of our lives and those we love. We all go through moments when life can be less than enjoyable, when the world seems like it has been turned on its ear. Existence is frequently harsh and filled with pain. It is, however, in these moments that we learn what we are made of. There were times when I thought I would crumble into a million pieces and be blown away by the breeze, when I could barely stand under all of it, but this is when I learned that I was much stronger than I thought I could ever be. This is when I learned to lean on those who loved me, that it's OK to ask when you need help. This is when I learned that the most important aspect of life is the friends and family you travel with through life. Not that I took them for granted before, but it gave me a whole new appreciation for them. Cynthia was one of those people. May she rest in peace and may her family find comfort from loved ones as they go through this difficult time.

Digging Deep

In an effort to bring you more variety in the new year (well, almost new year), I dug into the depths of my record collection to find this gem. I actually had forgotten about its existence. Who couldn't love a French 80's group? OK, don't answer that. Rita Mitsuoko were doing the new wave thing French-style. So, for your visual and auditory pleasure, or not............

Bye-Bye PC.....Hello Mac Book......Thank You, Santa!

Apparently Santa heard me threatening to throw my PC out of the window. He brought me a shiny new Mac Book. It was a total surprise, and a great one at that. With school being the main reason I use a computer, my frustrations with my PC were increasing by the day. I cursed it often and not so secretly wished for a hammer to smash it into little bits. So, ding dong, my PC's dead. Thank you, Santa!

Happy Festivus one and all. Hope Santa was good to each and every one of you. Hope to see some of you GEWS this Friday!

Progressive Rock Hangover

Long ago and not so far away, progressive rock ruled the radio waves. Overblown and full of itself, it eventually became extinct like the dinosaurs. As I was driving the kids to school this morning, however, a howl from the past came through my speakers and reminded me that sometimes there were some redeemable moments from that era.

One of my good friends and my then boyfriend were in a band in high school that wished they were Emerson, Lake and Palmer. One of the songs that she loved the most was "I Believe in Father Christmas." Maybe it's the memory of that time in my life, or maybe it's actually the song, but this song is part of my mortal fabric. I felt some sort of old sense of Christmas swell inside of me, much like a bombastic ELP song, as I listened to it this morning. So, hallelujah, noel, be it heaven or hell, the Christmas we get we deserve. Have an existential Christmas.

Bing 'n Bowie

There aren't many more unlikely combinations of characters, but they did a lovely job with Lulu's favorite Christmas song. For a Bowie nutjob like me, it doesn't get much better than this.

I've finally finished the Christmas tree and will polish off the rest of the shopping tomorrow in a frantic flurry of economy stimulating spending. Bink is counting down the days to wrapping paper ripping euphoria. I am counting down the days to a blissful week off of work. We have no exotic plans and I am happy about that.

I was reminded this week by two tragic events that life is precious. Not that I had forgotten, but it made me hug my kids a little tighter. For them, this is still a magic season. I wish for them and for all of us, peace and happiness.

Addicted

TV ON THE RADIO-Wolf Like Me

Can't get enough of these guys right now. Now that I've come up for air, I have time to catch up on some of what I've been missing lately. TV on the Radio definitely fills my requirement for good buzz. One week of school vacation down and three to go. Oh, and I got another A. Pass the Christmas Ale.

Friends Call Me Heatmiser...

Echo, I am in 100% agreement with the Year Without a Santa Claus pick. Of all those old Rankin/Bass puppet clay movie things, that one is a standout. I dig that Big Bad Voodoo Daddy did such a nice job covering this. Personally, I have felt like the Heatmiser the last couple of days as I have "taken ill" with the flu. At least I made it to El Vez. Anyone can ask Lulu, I could not stop laughing when the big blow up Santa and Snowman came out. It was like some sort of freakish silly mosh pit. I really want to make people mosh with Santa and Frosty before they enter my house. Now that would be fun.

We finally have our tree, although it was a somewhat pathetic trip as Sweetness had a fever and I had to run out of the store to get fresh air before I hurled. Not very ho-ho-hoey. The tree made it home and we managed to get it in the stand and then I collapsed into bed. I'm feeling much better today, so I think Christmas is officially underway again. This is one weird Christmas so far.

Yes, Lulu, there is a Santa Claus

Finally! Actual El Vez footage! I am so very excited. I am one annotated bibliography and homework assignment away from Christmas break. I actually got to press the "print" button for the paper yesterday evening.

As we get older, the holidays aren't always what we wish they would be. Life is messy and busy. The best we can do is find the moments of joy when we can. Merry Mex-mas, everybody!

Sucked Dry, But Hopeful

Yeah, school is sucking me dry. Kicking my ass around the block several times until I beg for mercy and then it bodyslams me and walks away laughing. But......it's over for a month on December 8. I'd forgotten what the feeling of semester break anticipation felt like. It's a big fat oaf of a party buddy, goading you on to put down your books and come to a kegger. I'm trying really hard right now to not listen to him and to just finish my work when I really want to run like hell and drink from the keg tap.

Even better than school being over, and the ultimate and perfect school's out/Christmas celebration is that El Vez is doing his Merry Mexmas show the day after I finish. I am giddy with excitement because El Vez's shows are always the most fun, positive experiences you could ever dream of having. What's better than an Elvis impersonator? El Vez! So, I just have to hang in there for two more weeks and then my Christmas can begin.

Revelations

Grant Miller, you really put the gun to my head. All this time I've been lurking in the shadows with no clue as to my real identity. Well, here I am in all my furry glory. I'm a rockin' kitty with attitude and a totally awesome band. Check us out.

WTF, Lulu! (Super Secret Song From the Confessional)

So, I'm outting Lulu. Educator by day, freak by night. How do you find the time?

Two Years

Two years ago today I rushed to my parents' house knowing full well what was happening. Mom was in pain that they could no longer control and not breathing well. I arrived at their home to find an ambulance already in the driveway. I remember parking in the neighbor's driveway and running into their home to find my mom unable to speak and my dad and aunt in calm but nervous voices telling me that they couldn't take care of her pain anymore and that she had to go to the hospital. She'd been home under hospice care for the past few weeks with all of us taking turns caring for her.

I remember driving behind the ambulance with my dad in the car and letting him out at the ER entrance so he could be with her while I parked. I remember calling my husband and asking him to pray that my mom be released from her pain. I remember all of us trying to frantically find my brother to tell him to come immediately. I remember knowing in a most searing and painful way exactly what was happening.

At my mom's bedside in the emergency room were my dad, myself, my Aunt Carol (my dad's sister), finally my brother, and the minister who my parents were good friends with. My brother nearly collapsed when he came in. I've never in my life seen a grown man cry like he did that day, without any regard for who saw or heard his pain. I remember just holding her hand and stroking her head as they began a morphine drip that slowed her breathing until it stopped. I remember feeling relieved when she finally passed away after so much time spent suffering through her illness. I remember grey skies much like today.

The rest of the next few weeks were just a blur for me. A wake and funeral followed by joyless holidays, making the best of it all for my kids. What I didn't know then was how much I would miss her every single day. At first it just felt like a void, almost unreal. I had dreams where she was very much alive almost every night. Those dreams eventually ended and the reality set in.

My mother, you see, was the most loving and luminous person I have ever known. She was smart, fairminded, generous, and caring. Our family is not the same without her. I have tried to fill some of the emptiness that exists in our family, but I pale in comparison to her. I feel all of my rough edges when I compare myself to her. I feel my selfishness. My mom wasn't perfect, but she was one of those people that you couldn't say many bad things about.

So two years later, I am looking at myself and feeling sorry for myself and feeling angry. Angry is one of the things I do best. It's not always an external anger, but the kind that roils below the surface. I know in my mind that I am more fortunate than many to have had her as long as we did. I hate that I lost something so precious. I hate that it still hurts like it does. I hate that it has changed me. I hate that autumn is now one big season of bad memories. I hate that I feel like I'm sleepwalking through my life. I hate the hole that I can't seem to fill.

Obliterated

OK, I'm a little slow on the uptake, as this was released last spring, but I have to say, "Holy Crap!" If you thought that Mission of Burma doing the reunited thing was lame, think again. This chunk of music is nothing short of spectacular and every bit as relevant as anything they put out the first time around. I now completely regret not seeking them out when they played the Pitchfork Festival this past summer. Oh, the concerts of regret. Three guesses what will be spinning in my car for the next few days. Well, I have to take a break from Naked Raygun every once in awhile.

O, Christmas Ale (sung to the tune of O, Christmas Tree)

O, Christmas Ale
O, Christmas Ale
O, how I love your bubbles

O, Christmas Ale
O, Christmas Ale
You take away my troubles

You are so dark
I can't see through
You are a perfect
Microbrew

O, Christmas Ale
O, Christmas Ale
O, how I love your bubbles

Songs From the Confessional Vol. VII

NO DOUBT-Excuse Me Mr.

Perhaps we have forgotten that our shame can be outted. To play fair, I'll out myself first, 'cuz this is a doubleheader today ladies and gentlemen. The only thing I'll say in my defense is that there still aren't a whole lot of chicks out there. None on stage at Riot Fest to be exact. I've gone so far as to see them live....in an arena. Anyone who knows me, knows what that means. Hey, I had 90 minutes of sweaty bouncy fun. Nuff said.



K.C. AND THE SUNSHINE BAND-Get Down Tonight

Welcome to the club, Johnny! Enjoy your 15 minutes. No one ever said they had to be good minutes, did they?

Shake a Tail Feather, Baby!

I just turned in the final draft of my first big paper. Time for tunes!
1.Out of Step-Minor Threat
2.The Mule-Naked Raygun
3.What Are You Waiting For?-Gwen Stefani
4.Turning Inside Out-The Methadones
5.Slender Fungus-Tones on Tail
6.Dethbed-Alkaline Trio
7.Hella Good-No Doubt
8.Yesterday Never Tomorrows-The Stills
9.Seen Your Video-The Replacements
10.Helicopter-Bloc Party

For any of you looking for non-stop fun, I suggest trying out The Methadones. You can find them on eMusic. I recommend "Not Economically Viable." Have a groovy weekend.

Whoa Hey.........uh oh (Part Two-Not Just Boy's Fun)

So the second coming of Naked Raygun was at Riot Fest. I had really wanted to go to this fest in past years, but had no takers. This year there was no denying the attractiveness of the event with Naked Raygun headlining. Riot Mike who runs this fest always manages to come up with a great bill of bands, local, national and international . And I loves me some hardcore!

The show was already running late when we got there at 3, so we actually got to see a couple songs from Secret Agent Bill, who are a really quirky, funky and fun local band. Saw a few ska bands, all good fun. We were with Sweetness (my 12 year old daughter) who was not quite ready to explore the mayhem from any further than her seat. I had a really hard time staying seated for many of the acts. Had she not been with us, I would have run into the middle of the pack and bounced along with them for most of the show. But, I was there and happy just to see the spectacle and to know that the scene was very much still alive and in many ways, still as positive as it used to be. I was called an "old fucker" about three or four times over the course of the weekend, but meant in a very positive way. I kind of liked it.

The sets that I absolutely adored were 7 Seconds, The Blue Meanies, and Flatfoot 56. 7 Seconds were as tight as when I saw them years ago in a much smaller hall in South Carolina. Kevin Seconds is a very polarizing person in the hardcore scene. While many like him, there are some who find his brand of straight-edge hardcore irritating. I'm not one of those. The scene in Columbia, SC was also straight-edge in large part because of Bedlam Hour, the local heroes that were on the 7 Seconds label. Kevin made one of the best comments of the night. He gave a shout out to all the girls that support the scene, noting that while we were the minority, we were important and appreciated. They then ripped into "Not Just Boy's Fun." Lulu mistakenly thought this was about something else, as she had stepped out for a moment. It was good for a laugh.

Flatfoot 56 won the prize of the night for most unusual instrument, as they are permanently accompanied by a bagpipe player. That guy seriously rocked a kilt and a tam! This band also won the prize for best encouragement of crowd participation. Up until that point, everyone was bobbing around in an unorganized manner. Flatfoot 56 managed to part the crowd and have everyone run head on into the opposite side creating what looked like a scene from Braveheart. I also enjoyed the snarling blue collar punk of The Business. They were the real deal.

Right before Naked Raygun came on, also reunionized Blue Meanies took the stage. I lived in California for the entire decade of the 90's, so I had never seen them live. I know they had quite a rabid local following and I found out why. A little ska, a little jazz, a little Chicago-style punk and a whole lot of drama. They were handily the most polished act of the night, choreographed and tight. I loved the freak show spectacle that they were and Sweetness loved them the best of all the bands. If there was such a thing as roccoco punk, this would be it.

Finally, it was time for the swan song of Naked Raygun. I was on the edge of my seat. I was worried for Jeff. Would he have any voice at all? Would the crowd care? And then the mixed bag of joy and sadness started welling up in my heart again. Shows gone by played fast forward in my mind's eye as the stage was readied. Finally, the moment I had waited for all day was there. They began with "Home of the Brave." Something sounded wrong and about six bars into the song, Jeff stopped the band. Roadies swarmed the stage and mucked around with Bill's guitar and Jeff began ranting about his stupid cordless mic and the crappy stand it came with. If you've ever seen them live, Jeff uses the cord and stand as props while he sings, wrapping the cord around his wrist and pulling it taut across the back of his neck. He uses the stand like a staff and often lowers the whole contraption out over the crowd so everyone can sing along. To me, this is what a Naked Raygun show is about, the sing along. Hundreds of devoted happy fans singing ALL of the words to every song so loudly that half the time you can't hear Jeff.

When they finally got it all together again, the ripped right back into "Home of the Brave." This is when I realized that his voice was just as thin as it was the night before. He made it through the first four or five songs in decent voice and then it really started to fail. Jeff apologized, but then said, "Hey this is punk rock. It's good enough." The crowd cheered them on and gratefully, the sound at The Congress was much better than at The Subterranean the night before. Where his voice lacked, the band and the crowd made up for it. Jeff took several long breaks along the way to give his voice a chance to recover a bit before the next tune. He is a chatty ridiculously dead pan funny guy. The ultimate wise ass. On one of the breaks, Jeff called out the "spawn of Raygun" and all the band members' kids came out to toss out the free shit that they always give away. They finished up their set with the crowd singing a majority of the songs with feet flying through the air as crowd surfing was in full swing.

As for why Jeff's voice was blown out? The weekend before he had toured with his current band, The Bomb. While Naked Raygun may have rode off into the sunset, we still have time to have our socks rocked off by a Chicago legend. "I said, I got new dreams. I got new dreams and I'm gonna make them real."



THE BOMB-Rat Patrol (Live at The Madhatter in Covington, KY)
Gotta love it! Whoa Hey Ho!

Whoa Hey.........uh oh (Part One)

The chapter of my life that was Naked Raygun is now closed. They performed their last show ever at the 2006 Riot Fest. Riot Fest is a full day punk rock extravaganza that is held here in Chicago every year at the ornate but decaying Congress Theater. I got to hear some bands that I've never even heard of , some that I had, and of course, old favorites like 7 Seconds and Naked Raygun. I came away with some new favorites and some hope for the future as I sadly watched the swan song of Naked Raygun.

On Saturday night at the Pre-Riot Fest Bash, we had the pleasure of seeing Four Star Alarm, The Bomb (Jeff Pezzati's new band), The Briefs, and Naked Raygun. Four Star Alarm delivered a great set, a little emo, a little old school, entirely fabulous. Then, murmurs developed. Where was Jeff? No one had seen Jeff. I wasn't worried, because this is his usual behavior. He gets everyone worried and agitated and then shows up at the last minute. Finally, the crowd parted like the Red Sea and Jeff was escorted through and stepped on stage for his first set of the night with The Bomb. I saw a look of disappointment on Jeff Dean's face (the guitarist) and wondered what it was about. Then we all found out. Jeff's voice was thin and barely held out for his set with The Bomb. I was concerned. I quickly realized that everyone there was very forgiving and even though it wasn't perfect it was good enough and it didn't stop them from having fun. The sound isn't the greatest at Subterranean either, but when is it ever perfect?

After The Bomb, the next band up was The Briefs. While I've heard their music before, this is a band that definitely is all about the live show. Dressed in 1979 punk rock garb, looking like The Sex Pistols on acid, they ripped their way through an amazing balls to the wall snarling set with a very tongue in cheek sassy attitude. Great fun. The crowd then bristled with anticipation for the headliner of the night, Naked Raygun. They took the stage with their usual opener "The Strip." The sound was muddy in the room, and Jeff's voice was clearly on its way out. The crowd didn't seem to care and made up for Jeff's waning vocal abilities by singing along to every single song, just like they always do. That's the thing about Naked Raygun fans, they are a dedicated tribe. If their leader was failing, they picked up the slack. Were they perfect? Nope. Did everyone have a fabulous time? Absolutely.





I ask you, do these people seem disappointed?

Thank You, Lulu!

Now I have a new word to yell at the drivers who piss me off and don't obey the rules of the road. Hey, I think this word may also be appropriate when discussing school administrators. Cool!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween, everybody! Now go scare somebody!

Black on Black

So it's time for the Friday Shuffle, then I'll tell you what I really think!
1.Go!-Tones on Tail
2.Jetstream-New Order
3.Birds Fly-Icicle Works
4.Lust For Life-Iggy Pop
5.Walk, Idiot, Walk-The Hives
6.Whenever You're On My Mind-Marshall Crenshaw
7.Romeo and Juliet-Dire Straits
8.Interstate Love Song-Stone Temple Pilots
9.Heart of Glass-Blondie
10.Bohemian Like You-The Dandy Warhols

While I love my iPod, it is cute and small and black and great to take on walks and to the gym and I can plug it in in my car, I love vinyl more than anything. I have never sold any of my albums. I still have really embarassing stuff from when I was in fifth grade.

I love everything about vinyl. The smell of the album as you pull it from its sleeve. The static spark that flies as you clean it. The sound of the needle dropping into the groove. The crackle and hiss in the moments of silence. The feel of the edge of the record as I cued it up on the turntable. But most of all, I miss the rich, full sound that is lacking in digital media. Vinyl is a riot to my senses.

The artwork for albums is a whole subject unto itself. It was bad enough when the artwork was shrunk to CD size, but now I am expected to go without it completely when I buy mp3's. I can remember laying for hours on the couch in my living room looking at the covers of albums, flipping through the pages in a gatefold, reading the lyrics in print big enough to see with the naked eye. The artwork always seemed to convey something important about the band. You could see who they were, or at least some sort of representation of who they were. I felt like I could connect with the band. Now they are faceless entities. I really don't like it.

So, call me a dinosaur. I'm sure this is how every generation feels as they see things that they were fond of in their youth slip into the history books. As for me, I'm saving my vinyl and will always have a working turntable. And my most prized possession in this collection? My autographed copy of 'All Rise' by Naked Raygun, signed in a parking lot in Greenville, South Carolina after doing an interview with crickets chirping in the background. Did you think I'd let you go a day without mentioning them?

5 Things You Don't Know About Me

Well, these are five things that most of you don't know about me. Lulu probably knows them all. Something everyone should know about me is that I am rarely secretive. I've got nothing to hide and hiding stuff takes too much energy.

1. I saw a dead man on the sidewalk in front of the bus station on my first visit to Detroit. Word to the wise, stay away from the bus station in Detroit.
2. I always smoked before I went on the air at the college radio station. I liked what it did to my voice.
3. I hate that I never learned to play an instrument. My mother was right.
4. Nothing has felt the same since I lost my mom two years ago. I know I'm an adult, but it seriously screwed me up.
5. I now fill this void with loud music and my children. I will be deaf soon and my children will one day run screaming.

More Fun Than A Barrel Of Borscht

I can't believe my good fortune. I thought I was just getting tickets to go see The Bomb and Four Star Alarm, but my all-time favorite Ukrainian band, Holyy Lazarski Nahane is playing on their Pillage the Village tour! I hear we all get free goats. Cool.

Newflash!!! Naked Raygun! Small Venue!

For anyone interested, Naked Raygun is one of the mystery acts at the Subterranean on Saturday, November 4th. Go to the Subterranean site for tickets. Thought you all might like to know.

Things I Do Instead of Studying (Weekend Shuffle)

I know, I know. It's not Friday. Sorry, I was still licking my wounds then. Here's my shuffle set.

1. It's My Life-Talk Talk
2. Horror Beach-The Horrorpops
3. Senses Working Overtime-XTC
4. Free Nation-Naked Raygun
5. Birthday-Sugar Cubes
6. Oi To The World-No Doubt
7. Desperate, But Not Serious-Adam and the Ants
8. Bitchin' Camaro-The Dead Milkmen
9. Nobody's Hero-Stiff Little Fingers
10. Lavender-The Go-Betweens

Yup, sounds like my brain.

Free Shit!!!!

NAKED RAYGUN-Knock Me Down

At one point the crowd screamed for "Free Shit." Naked Raygun is known for tossing all sorts of goodies with their logo on it. Jeff's response was, "The show's the free shit!" Just had to let you all see the fabulousness that was the Cobra show. Uh, I still hurt. Damn, that was fun!

Raygun...Naked Raygun

Naked Raygun Live at the Cobra Lounge, October 19, 2006

Oh You Pretty Pretty Boys.....

Last night was possibly one of the best nights of my life. In preparation for their upcoming reunion appearance at Riot Fest, Naked Raygun played to an invitation only crowd at the Cobra Lounge. I was there. They started with "The Strip" and ended with "Managua" with every favorite of mine in between. It is all a fabulous sweaty blur in my mind. I spent the entire show in the confines of the very friendly middle aged mosh pit, jumping up and down, bouncing off of other bodies, singing along at the top of my lungs. I felt like I was 19 again.....until this morning, ouch.

Every once in awhile in your life, fabulous things happen. While last night was unbelievably cool, Naked Raygun's existence has buoyed me through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Full of optimism, criticism, heartbreak, and unbridled zest for life, their music has been part of the soundtrack to my life. I think of all of the shows I have seen with many friends over the years, from Sons and Daughters Hall in Grand Rapids to Metro in Chicago. I think of how many miles I have driven listening to them and singing along. Just yesterday I got some weird looks as I pumped my fist in the air as I sat at a stoplight listening to "The Mule." In addition to all of this, Jeff Pezzati has been one of the most intelligent and gracious musicians I have ever known. I've known him since my college radio days.

So last night was undeniably cool, but it also was undeniably precious to me. Unforgettable in the very best way.

Shout Out to My GR Home Girl

There used to be days when there was nothing better than a pack of Camel Lights and a trip to the mall with my college girlfriends. Wired on strong coffee and ciggies, we rolled with the windows down singing ABBA at the top of our lungs. We were wild chicks!

Does Anyone Remember This Song?

THE TOADIES-Possum Kingdom

I had to Google the lyrics to find the band name and the song, but I remember the song very well. Reminds me of driving to grad school ages ago during my first go-round with higher education. The Toadies? Either I have amnesia or I just never knew who they were.

Lest We Forget

It is still October and it is still Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One of my friends is struggling with this disease right now and she is actively involved with Young Survival Coalition. They actively promote education programs for younger women under 40. This is a portion of the population that runs high risk of going undetected because most have never had a mammogram. Once again, get those yearly exams.

We Share DNA

While I realized that today was Friday the 13th, I did not realize that it had any particular significance since I really do not believe in luck. Apparently I did not get the memo that Sweetness received. She bounded out of bed with unusual enthusiasm this morning blathering something about it being dress-up day. She decided it was a good enough excuse to dress as wacky as possible. Her Friday the 13th celebratory outfit consisted of (Lulu and CP will know exactly what I am talking about) my old "waif/Laura Ingalls" plaid dress, argyle tights with a patterned purple sock on just one leg, a very graphic intensive hoodie and turquoise Chucks. As she came bounding down the stairs to go to middle school, she raised her arms and declared, "Let the teasing begin!" I have *no idea* how she turned out this way........

Fulfilling my Blogligation

1) Would you bungee jump? I am deathly afraid of heights, so I am inclined to say no, but I wouldn't rule it out.

2) If you could do anything in the world for a living what would it be? I would start my own record label.

3) Your favorite fictional animal? Heffalumps and Woozzles.

4) One person who never fails to make you laugh? That'd be Lulu.

5) When you were 12 years old what did you want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian. Then I figured out how hard it was to get into vet school and I dropped it like a hot potato.

6) What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? I almost never hit the snooze button. I'm such a light sleeper that once I'm up, I'm up.

7) Have you ever gone to therapy? Are you kidding me? I should be in therapy right now.

8) If you could have one super power what would it be? The power to allow people to actually see things through someone else's eyes.

9) Your favorite cartoon character? The Tick!

10) Do you go to church? Not as often as I'd like to.

11) What is your best childhood memory? Laying out on the raft in the middle of the lake we used to acation at listening to the water and the loons.

12) Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual? I had a small wedding and am not a big fan of weddings in general.

13) Do you own a gun? A squirt gun. I use it on the cat when he is being overly frisky.

14) Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? Yes. I was drunk and REALLY angry and it was a long time ago. Thanks for bringing up bad memories.

15) Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? My parents forced me to be in the children's choir at church and I hated it. I quit as soon as they would let me. We did have a couple of very large performances.

16) What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Snarkiness. I'm not sure how to quantify that.

17) What is your biggest mistake? Honestly, I'm doing this for fun. This is not a fun question and I'm refusing to answer.

18) Say something totally random about yourself. I have to wear pajama pants, specifically, I hate having my knees rub against each other. I'm not sure why. I just do. I wish I could play guitar.

19) Has anyone ever said that you looked like a celebrity? People used to say I looked like Terri Garr when I was in my early 20's, but no one says that anymore.

20) What is the most romantic thing someone of the opposite sex has done for you? On Mother's Day this year, my husband brought me breakfast in bed and had made little heart pancakes.

21) Do you actually read these when other people fill them out? I usually do.

Test This, Baby!

MINISTRY-Stigmata

My head hurts and I have insomnia. I haven't had more than four hours of sleep a night for over a week now. I'm blaming my Psychological Tests and Measurements course. It is full of numbers and statistics and psycho-lingo. Makes me want to scream and possibly run over my textbook with the car. Fortunately, this particular torture will be over on December 8th. I'm counting.

Time For a Victory Lap

Thanks to all who donated and all who *gave of themselves* during this year's Boobiethon. The figures are in and they raised $9,260.50. That is an amazing amount of money that went directly to breast cancer funds. Stay tuned for this week's spotlight fund. Really, thank you all.

Aural Gratification

Lulu asked me yesterday if I had been obsessively thinking about this since I got tagged, but oddly, I really hadn't put that much thought into it yet. Now that I have a moment to come up for air, I'll try to crystallize my musical inclinations.

1. Music That Has Changed Your Life
In high school when I discovered WXRT and MV3 a whole new world opened up to me. One that included the Psychedelic Furs, Adam Ant, The Clash and so many more. I was never a mainstream kind of girl, so when I discovered that there was more out there than Journey and REO Speedwagon I immediately got on that ride. In college I would have to say that the first time I heard Bauhaus my freshman year, I was never the same again. I realized that music could take you to places you never dreamed of. I'll never forget sitting in my room listening to that tape of Bauhaus my friend Dwayne gave me. I felt like I was exploring a new planet. From that point on music began to define who I was. Additionally, I would have to include Naked Raygun. I adored them and loved being a part of the local scene.

2. A. An Album That Has Stayed With You For More Than Ten Years (In a Good Way)
There is a lot of stuff that has stuck around. Here are a few of my all-time favorites:
David Bowie-Hunky Dory
Love and Rockets-Express
Naked Raygun-Throb Throb

B. Music You're Supposed To Like, But Are Embarassed To Say You Never Really Did
I can tell you that it took me years to warm up to the whole alternative country thing. It was virtually blasphemous at the time I worked at the radio station in college. Everyone was soooo into it. Ask Lulu, for many years I preferred buzz saw guitar versus jangly guitar. It just made my head feel better. Now, I am a lot more diversified in my musical taste. I still am not a huge fan of anything that sounds a little too country. Makes my skin crawl.

3. Music That Makes You Laugh
I cannot listen to The Smiths without laughing at some point. Does it count if the video makes you laugh, because OK Go had the funniest video I've ever seen.

4. Music That Makes You Cry
What A Wonderful World-Joey Ramone version
Keep Me In Your Heart For Awhile-Warren Zevon

5. Music You Wish You Had Written
Almost anything by Wilco. I am consistently stunned and in awe. However, I think if I actually could play and write, my music would come out sounding more like Matthew Sweet.

6. Music You Wish Had Never Been Written
Good Lord, I hate John Fogarty. Fingernails on a chalk board. I couldn't even tell you if his songs were good or not, I HATE his voice.

7. Current Music You Like
Bloc Party, The Bomb, The Methadones, The New Pornographers

8. Music You've Been Meaning To Hear
I don't have a copy of The Methadones new CD yet. It's all covers and is called 21st Century Power Pop Riot.

That's about it, kiddies. Time for me to go destroy another decibel of my hearing.

Anger Management

Looks sort of pretty, kind of interesting. This is a breast cancer cell. Thinking about it makes me so angry I want to break things. This is my nemesis.

Our family moved back to the Chicago area almost six years ago. About three months after we got here, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I wasn't worried too much at first. I was educated. I knew my mom had been religious about her mammograms, so they got it in time, right? Wrong.

What many people do not know is that the hormone replacement therapy that doctors like to prescribe to menopausal women make mammograms cloudy and nearly impossible to read. Additionally, they make the breast tissue dense, so that even physical exams are not reliable. After my mom suggested that her doctor take her off the hormones, the next mammogram was clear and finally revealed the tumor. 10 centimeters. How the f%#@ do you miss that? I still am amazed.

She had a masectomy, which revealed that almost all of her lymph nodes contained cancer. This is bad. This means it has already started traveling around your body. Three rounds of chemo, metastasis to her bones, and metastasis to her liver were the things we all lived with and that my mom so bravely fought through for four years. She never complained, not once. She said, "The doctors tell me I've got a 30% chance of living. Well, I'm 100% alive." She is easily the strongest person I know.

All of this to say, there is more research to be done. There is more education to be done. There are people with no insurance who need treatment and early detection. I am angry because the system failed my mother and the research couldn't happen fast enough. I know a lot of people complain about the commercial "pinkness" of breast cancer awareness. Personally, I think the ribbons should be black, but I am on board to let people know that there is so much more that needs to be done. As I write this a good friend is battling for her life. There are lots of issues that need attention. This one has mine.

You Get What You Give

NEW RADICALS-Get What You Give

If you haven't taken the time to donate to a breast cancer cause yet, this is your chance. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This week's special is Boobiethon. Every week this month I will post another donation opportunity. I've got the dreamer's disease.

Boobs Rock!

Less than two years ago I lost my mom to breast cancer. It sounds like such an innocuous disease. Let me tell you, it is ugly. No cancer is pretty, because the way that it eventually kills you is by spreading and destroying one or more of your vital organs. If breast cancer stayed in your breast, it wouldn't kill you, but that isn't what it does.

So, thanks for the heads up from Lulu. I have sent in this picture to Boobiethon (you can see it in their gallery for free!) as well as a bare breasted version in hopes of raising much needed funding for research. It scares me to know that I am in danger and it scares me worse to know that my daughter is in danger. Flash your boobs for research ladies. Guys and gals, put your money where your mouth is and donate $50 or more ($50 buys you access to naked boobs, less buys the undying gratitude of millions of women and men) to Boobiethon. Keep breasts healthy and have a little fun. Boobs rock!

Daniel of the Day Vol. I

LOVE AND ROCKETS-Mirror People

You know, every day is better with a little Daniel and company. I'm so happy with my feet on the ground.......

I'm Blaming Jim Henson

ALICE COOPER AND THE MUPPETS-Welcome to My Nightmare

I think I may have figured out what went wrong. Our family dined on a steady diet of The Muppet Show when I was a kid. How, I wondered, did I end up with such an appetite for all things gothic later in life? What in my childhood led me down this path? I think this may be the answer. By the way, Halloween is right around the corner. I am VERY excited!

I Want Those Who Get to Know Me to Become Admirers or My Enemies

ADAM ANT-Friend or Foe

A little Pirate/New Romantic fashion, a little voodoo and a whole lot of fun! Time to dance! While Adam Ant reminds Echo of the perfect kiss, Adam Ant reminds of a great weekend home from college and going to go see Adam Ant with one of my best friends, Frank. Frank and I had one of those fabulous platonic relationships. I know Frank didn't score big points with at least one of my friends, but he was always a sweetheart to me and was the shoulder I leaned on many times. We had great times together and rode out some rough relationships together. I've seen him naked.....running down the street.

WWBD (What Would a Behaviorist Do?) Vol. IV

Dear Behaviorist,
I am an elementary school principal and have been given fabulous training in positive behavior intervention that my district paid thousands of dollars for. My problem is that I do not understand behavioral priciples even after being inserviced and am making a bloody mess of my school. Further, I refuse to take the blame for my mistakes. What should I do?

Signed,
Eternal Irritant

Dear Eternal Irritant,
First, perhaps as the administrator you should be setting the example for your school staff to follow, we call this modeling. If you are unwilling to admit your mistakes, how will there ever be any growth? Second, once you have accepted that you are in need of additional training, go get it, BEFORE YOU RUIN THE MORALE OF THE ENTIRE SCHOOL! How will your staff ever know how to implement a behavior system if they are incorrectly or inadequately trained. I hardly find this to be the fault of the staff. Modifying behavior is a tricky thing and should not be taken lightly. I suggest you take a long look at yourself and do some serious reflection about what kind of school you'd like to be running. Sorry to go all cognitive on you.

Eternally Controlling,
The Behaviorist

A Mighty Fine Vessel She Was

Ahoy, me hearties! I wanted to tell ye a tale of the fine and worthy vessel the Balclutha. Aaargh, she is near me heart 'ere since I set foot on her back in the autumn of 2000. We were sailors and pirates for a night, aye.

Me journeys took me onto the mighty Balclutha with a bunch of young scallywags, lads and lassies. The youngens were in need of some supervison on their overnight voyage. We swabbed the decks, lowered the boats, rowed, cooked and sang sea chanteys. We took shifts on the nightwatch and kept the bells. As the sun rose o'er the bow, while sippin' me coffee and overlooking the sleepy city of San Franciso, this pirate had a most memorable moment indeedy. The sea salt in the brisk morning air was intoxicating.

Arrgh, I miss the sea.

The Eyes of an Eight Year Old

"Everything is different now, isn't it." While we were riding home together on Monday, September 11, 2006, I was faced with this statement from my eight-year-old son. He has only begun to comprehend what happened on 9/11 this year. We shielded him from it when it happened, because he was only three. Three-year-old children do not need to be exposed to events this horrific.

As he has grown older, he has learned of the constant wars. He has learned of what happened on that day. He has heard of his parents' dissatisfaction with our President. He has heard news of terrorists. He has wondered why someone would purposefully fly a plane into a building, knowing of all the consequences. In short, he has had to face the facts of life. Not all men are good men. That is a harsh lesson.

Explaining the terrorists motivations sometimes is easier than explaining why we choose to go to war. Explaining any of it is worrisome as a parent. Many worry about whether the Nintendo games are going to scar our children. Well, I'll tell you, the games will never touch them in the way that the culture they are being brought up in will. A culture so divided that dishonesty and fear-mongering are apparent at every turn. A culture that doesn't value humility and service. A culture that tells them that bigger is better and the mighty rule in any way they choose.

My son doesn't remember a world before George W. Bush, terrorists, and war. I barely do either. I often wonder what the mothers of children his age in Iraq feel. Are they optimistic, as we are told? I somehow imagine not.