just stuff

I absolutely love this girl's blog - It's midnight at the starlite diner. It's chock full of thoughts on songs. How perfect is that? And her taste is eerily similar to mine, love reading it. She makes me want to start a music-related blog.

My son is starting Pre-K on Monday. How is this? I can't grasp it just yet. Still. We are going to meet his teacher tonight, and walk around the school, familiarize him with it. I think I'm more emotionally distressed at the thought of him being in school than he is.
So much to do today.

I spent this past weekend in Atlanta, partying with seven women. It was my longtime friend's bachlorette party. We had a good time, but I am not as young as I used to be. It wears me out to party two nights in a row on little to no sleep.. holy hell. But there was a lot of laughing and fun, which is vital. So it was good.

I do not write here enough. Dammit. I say that all of the time.

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oceans of angels, oceans of stars.

I am still kind of floating from seeing Courtney Love put on a hell of a show last night. I think that means I should write about it.

This was my first time seeing Hole live.

They were late coming onstage, but I didn't much expect punctuality either. My feet started to hurt after a bit and my buzz was wearing off from 'Foxy Shazam'-- who were a VERY entertaining group, and put on a really high-energy fun show. It was my first time seeing a musician eat three lit cigarettes and crawl across the stage like a monkey, ever.

So anyway, we waited more than we would've liked. But needless to say, once I saw Courtney's blond head of hair come out from behind that curtain, a feeling of "oh fucking hell yes' came over me. Everything was right in the world.

She apologized for her voice being 'shot', but she pulled right on through nonetheless. I was actually surprised at how put-together and cute Courtney looked. She didn't appear strung out.. but I know that may not mean a whole lot.

They made my night by playing shortly into the set, 'miss world'. I think I jumped on the foot of the guy standing behind me. In fact, I know I did. Sorry guy.
I got lost in a 'Live Through This' Hole rock 'n roll nostalgia wonderland when she played songs off the album.

Impatiently, I awaited 'doll parts'. Please, please, please, I thought to myself.. You gotta do this for me! So they finished their set and fans drew them back out for the encore, and lo and behold Courtney had changed into a dress that screamed old(er) school Courtney and I just knew then that my wish was going to be granted. It was, and again everything was right in the world.


I wouldn't have missed this show for the world. Check one band off my bucket list

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a weekend fit for a free-spirited queen

I was in Savannah, GA this past weekend. I vow that this city has a magic to it. I feel like I fit there, as if that's the place that would solve any of that discontentment that settles into my brain from time to time. My puzzle piece. The streets, the buildings, trees, the character that seeps out of every window and door downtown.. the sound of the branches, birds, swoosh of cars going past.. it makes for a gorgeous melody.

Going the weekend before St. Patrick's Day was interesting. Savannah celebrates this holiday beginning weeks in advance. Everything was green - building lights, water fountains, beer. The streets were packed at night with party-goers in their green circus wigs, face paint, hair, shoes. Very cool to experience. Cabs had TWO hour waits, so Saturday night we ended up calling someone we knew to come and give us a quick ride home. Amazing, I tell you.

My hubby and I went childless, which was a huge plus. Don't get me wrong, I love my son more than life and he IS my heart, but as a parent you just need need need these times away. Fortunately, my dear old friend took us into her home for the weekend and we had a fabulous stay. We were about 5 minutes from downtown and stayed gone for most of the trip save for potstickers at 4am, Scattergories on the couch, and a few early morning, hungover bed conversations.

On Saturday, we had waffles and coffee, then drove out to the beach to hang out for a while. It's always therapeutic to see the ocean.
I had a beautiful time.

Also, to my delight, I discovered a band - Dead Confederate. They hail from Athens, GA and have a familiar feel that makes my soul happy, but are original at the same time. I stayed stage-front at The Jinx their entire set. As a matter of fact, as I type this, I am downloading their albums. I am psyched.

There is nothing else in this world like traveling. The new experiences, having no set schedule, and laughing and loving with no cares. I'm so thankful for my weekend of peace.

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Random thoughts after an overnight shift

This morning, for the first time, I noticed the red orange leaves on my favorite tree in my front yard. I wonder if they've been this color for days and I haven't noticed.. could very well have.

Awareness..

I want to take my son to the Atlanta Zoo before it gets too cold out. Yes, it's still in the high 70's most days lately and its nearly Thanksgiving. Insane.

I was reading back through my blog yesterday.. through the archives that span almost three years! I didn't realize I'd had this place so long.
I found myself amused, reflective, proud for writing.. even if I have been largely sporadic - I have some record of my thoughts and life.

I've really got to up my music supply. Since I restored my laptop, I have only about 9 or so cd's ripped... it's quite sad.
I need new cd's for my car. I am so completely burned out on everything I've been listening to.

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Grateful

So, my fun-filled weekend has come to an end, but I'm not dreading going back to work a whole lot.. I need the structure, it's good for me.

The NIN/JA tour show was absolutely magnificent. I seriously can't even find the perfect words to describe it. It met my expectations and more.
Nothing beats feeling free in the music, singing along, dancing in your own little personal space bubble, walking barefoot up a dewy grassy hill, sweat (yes, sweat), hanging with fun people, one of those being your awesome husband.
I'm lucky.


The songs that Nine Inch Nails played and the range of emotion they are able to pull me through was intense. I was so, so glad that he put 'Something I Can Never Have' on the set list. I got so lost in that one, so I had to kind of climb my way back to reality.

(LYRICS)
I still recall the taste of your tears.
Echoing your voice just like the ringing in my ears.
My favorite dreams of you still wash ashore.
Scraping through my head 'till I don't want to sleep anymore.
You make this all go away.
You make this all go away.
I'm down to just one thing.
And I'm starting to scare myself.
You make this all go away.
You make this all go away.
I just want something.
I just want something I can never have
You always were the one to show me how
Back then I couldn't do the things that I can do now.
This thing is slowly taking me apart.
Grey would be the color if I had a heart.
Come on tell me
In this place it seems like such a shame.
Though it all looks different now,
I know it's still the same
Everywhere I look you're all I see.
Just a fading fucking reminder of who I used to be.
Come on tell me
I just want something I can never have

Jane's Addiction's backdrop intro was rad. I desperately wanted to get a good picture of the hot and shirtless Dave Navarro but I didn't manage. The side screens weren't showing up well on camera. But I did SEE him.. and it was sweet. Ha. Jane's did a nice show as well. We left about 3/4 through their set.

Not to mention, I ran into and got my photo with Margaret Cho. ;)

If you're interested in seeing pictures from the show, I've posted a set on my Flickr account. Feel free to add me.

I think there's another rock show in my future.. I'll have to update when I find out for sure.
On the lawn with the fans, I am truly in my element. One group of people together to enjoy something they love.

It's gorgeous, really.

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music makes my heart go thump

Things to look forward to are vital to my mental health.

Being the fortunate woman I am, I have a few on my list. I thought I should point them out.

This upcoming Monday, I'm going to see Meiko live at The Hummingbird downtown. It's only a $10 ticket! That makes the joy that much brighter. I've never been to this venue, but it seems low-key and chill. I am very much looking forward to sipping a drink and hearing some acoustic and a enjoying a pretty girl with a pretty voice.

On Mother's Day, (hello, special awesome treat for me) Kenneth and I, along with some friends, are going to Atlanta to see Nine Inch Nails on their NINJA Tour, also headlining Jane's Addiction. I'm getting a sweet deal here. I've been a NIN fan for years, and one of my dying wishes is to see a live show (I'll get to more of those dying live show wishes later), and here it is, opportunity followed with my utmost glee.

If Kenneth and I play our financial cards right, another Summer musical shenanigan may be in our future. That being the Mayhem Festival 09. I'm in it for Marilyn Manson, truth be told. I don't mind seeing Slayer, though. No complaints here. If we go, we're going to end up with lawn tickets (less expensive) and.. will have to set up baby sitting arrangements with my mother-in-law.

Sigh. I am thankful for the live music coming my way. It fulfills me in a way nothing else can.

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thoughts I thought today

I was really productive today at work. I was surprised, not that I was productive but that I wanted to be and felt accomplished for corrected fifty-something price discrepancies after auditing the drug/gm department. Better me then the holier than thou head honchos who come in and act like they are God when they find errors and talk down to you about it. Pssh.

I had a lot of time to think. Thinking and working, now that's what I call being productive. Multi-tasking has always been a specialty.

Anyway, I was thinking about how music was and has always been my way to escape into my head, get away from the stress-causing stimuli around me. I find myself, even at work, doing this. When something like Pink Floyd, Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, Ozzy, or anyone else remotely enthralling pops onto the work radio, I find myself drifting away, singing along to every word, floating aimlessly in my own world. I become oblivious to the beep-beeps of my scanning gun - yet I still get my job done competently. The music is just in my lungs, brainwaves, perhaps bloodstream, helping to move me along the work load.

I was also thinking back to when I was a teenager, paining my nails and listening to Bush's Sixteen Stone. It was my favorite CD for months, I couldn't take it out of my player. I'm surprised I didn't wear my stereo right out when I was a teenager. All I did was listen to CD's and paint my nails, read and write.
I had shoe boxes full of nail polish, it was a fetish. I had every box lid painted, in -ha! .. nail polish "Heather's Nail Polish" I had to be a sight, jamming to Gavin Rossdale's sexy-as-hell vocals, banging my head ....everything zen everything zen I don't think so... I wanted to marry that guy. I still secretly kind of hate Gwen Stefani for stealing my husband.

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All You Need Is Love

Today (tonight rather.. as I near midnight) seems to be one of those uninspired days, as writing goes. I'm giving it a shot regardless, because I have a goal for myself to write something every day. I didn't want this blog to start sounding livejournal-esque, but due to my brain's lack of creation of interesting topics, I'm elaborating on the movie me and my hubby saw tonight, Across the Universe.

If you haven't seen it already, and are a fan of unique musical films, I suggest you see it. I was impressed and enjoyed it a lot. I think I got chills more than a few times. Beatles songs work magic, they seem to sort of 'puff' into your ears and head and you can't help but move along, sing along, or even cry along. I loved the surprise appearances by Joe Cocker and Bono. Probably my favorite song renditions were Bono's great cover of I am the Walrus, the scene of the guys singing With A Little Help From My Friends (made me want to sing along to the song with my good friends), and the Hey Jude scene towards the end.

The overall art direction was lovely. The rendition of Strawberry Fields was war-themed and pretty interesting. There's a circus-like psychedelic scene featuring a made-up Eddie Izzard that I actually wanted my 22-month old to be able to see, he would've loved it.

Parts of the movie made me want to be a free-loving hippie. And I'm sure movies make the whole "make love not war" thing look more glamorous than it indeed was. There was much hurt and chaos in those days, as there surely are today. Surely. Though my inner flowerchild can't help but want to share a marijuana smoke filled, artsy partment with five of my hippie friends and dance around in the grass in my spare time. Just once.

I kind of fell in love with the character, Max, who looks so much like Kurt Cobain it's eerie.

Sorry, I'll try and not give away the entire movie. I'm just appreciative of it, I haven't seen something so original in quite awhile.

Long live The Beatles.

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next week holds excessive beauty

Anyone else want her necklace as bad as I do? I mean, how cool it that?

I'm going to see Tori Amos for the third time next Wednesday. So, exactly one week from today. Each time I see her, it's a whole new invigorating experience. At my first show, she was with the band (all hail Matt Chamberlain), the second time it was just her and the ivories. While seeing her without the band was unique and beautiful, my senses are ready to taste the guitar and drums once again. The vibrations, the way your head just uncontrollably nods and your foot won't stop tapping. I, myself, am a finger-to-thigh tapper. Rat-a-tat-tat-.. pretend-piano.

I also want to talk a little bit about the song 'mother'. That was the first live song performance that I actually sat and sobbed to. The resonation was heart-stopping. It was also during a time when I was struggling really hard emotionally and it just hit my core and brought out all of these tears which seemed to have been snuggled up behind my eyes for decades.
.... circus girl without a safety net

There really are no words for how encapsulating live music is.

I'm so pumped for next week. Nothing beats Tori prancing onto stage, making her way to her bench and rocking the piano and her loyal fans' ears for a couple of hours.

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