Super Awesome

APA

2012-02-04T21:45:00.001-08:00

So I thought of this the other day...
Charter College uses APA writing and citation style on their academic writing assignments.
See NOW I can use this as a citation as to how to cite a blog for my reference list for the handout I am providing the staff (if they choose to use it) for their ILAs.

Put on your red shoes and dance the blues...

2012-01-03T20:56:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012!
What a year! Half of the year I was pregnant and the other half I was staring at the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. Gawd, I love her. She is the best ever! After 4 months of maternity leave I finally hauled my ass back into work. I was kind of hoping they would "let me go," but they didn't and I got a promotion. I am now the library coordinator, which is a hop, skip, and five classes away from being a bona fide librarian. Music has been taking a back seat with the baby and school, but some of my new year's thingy ma-bob-ers are to finish the record that I have been working on for the last three years, write more of my autobiographical Chuck Klostermany vignettes and get better on the guitar.

The little lady has kind of decided that she does not care that much about breast feeding, so very soon I will be back to my normal physical fitness activity. I find that when I work out too much, she does not care for the taste of my breast milk. TMI? I had a baby and a lot of strangers looked at my lady parts, my prudeness has been cut down a couple of notches. Get over it, it is 2012.

The holidays were a blur and I think that my parents (all 4 of them) are into having a grandchild to spoil. In a few days we set off to see the husband's parents (first plane ride!) and she can continue to be spoiled. His mom invited the entire eastern seaboard to her baby naming, so I imagine she will get some attention.

In writing this post I have decided that another resolution is to take more photographs. Good luck to me.

You know Dasher and Dancer...

2011-12-12T22:15:00.000-08:00

I love Christmas. The gift exchange is okay, but I like the traditions that me and the husband are going to create for our daughter. We are going to make Christmas/Hanukkah rad for our little baby. I have decided to collect little trees and so the little lady decorate them anyway she wants. Our buddy S gave us her first decoration so maybe I can have a tree with ornaments that were given to her.
Christmas music has been playing non-stop too! I love the corny ones, religious ones, soulful ones, straight up crappy ones (Christmas Shoes), and even Billy Idol's holiday record.
Last week I started my new job as a library coordinator. One step closer to being a librarian. I only have five classes left! Jeeez! If I start talking about PhD programs, please stop me!

Dancing Queen

2011-09-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

I bought these shoes about a week ago. It had been YEARS since I bought me some fancy shoes, they are from Remix Shoes in Los Angeles. They have a website www.remixvintageshoes.com, and let me tell you these handmade babies from Spain are pretty darn comfortable. I consider them my new dancing shoes. Speaking of dancing…

Picking out a playlist for your baby is not something to be taken lightly. Being a music enthusiast only makes it harder. The past two weeks I have been testing out some material during our dance time. Yes, me and little M dance every day.

So far M likes…

Public Enemy Can’t Truss It

Crowded House Weather with You

The Knitters Poor Little Critter on the Road

Stevie Wonder Superstition

Vampire Weekend A-Punk

Eddie Rabbit I Love a Rainy Night

And the best of Squeeze.

Some duds…

Best of Style Council

Bad Company Bad Company

ELO I’m Alive

Maria Muldaur Midnight at the Oasis

The husband thinks she is too young to be listening to the adult contemporary tunes of Crowded House, but when it is time to wind down the dancing they are a good band. I swear!

Rabbit Fur Coat

2011-08-29T20:40:00.000-07:00

My lil' daughter has great taste in music so far...I dance with her when she starts her fuss-fuss and so far she likes Squeeze, Crowded House, Jenny Lewis, The Knitters, John Doe, and The Old 97s. Also, Catpower seems to sooth her. Maybe she is getting depressed. I better skip over Nick Drake.
Anywho!
I am still not a fan of breastfeeding, it is getting better and I am sure I will have fond memories of it twenty years from now.
Last week lil' M forgot how to latch. I mean she had been doing it for a month and all of a sudden it was like Memento or something. Four weeks after I got my driver's license I didn't try to start the car from the backseat or put gasoline in the trunk. Yes, she is only four weeks old, but c'mon!
We have also introduced the bottle. She does not mind it and the thought that I don't have to wear her like a necklace is also a lot less stress for me.
When I called around to some lactation consultants to ask a few questions about pumping, bottle introduction, good formulas, etc I was surprised that of the 4 calls I made only one called me back. Since I don't use names I will refer to the one who called back as "Whore."
Whore made me feel so bad about myself right out the gate. And when I asked about having formula around in case I did not have any pumped milk, or for whatever reason (damn, it ain't none of her concern anyway) she made me feel like a HORRIBLE mother and person in general.
Fighting back tears I thanked her (I think she might have caught on that I was upset) and then stayed in bed for the rest of the day. Me and lil' M had actually a great time lounging on the bed and watching programs I had seen a million times (hello, American President). We also watched another Annette Bening joint The Kids Are Alright. I thought it was a pile of garbage, but other people like it.
I don't mean to speak ill of the profession of lactation consultants, but of the handful I have come in contact with really don't do a whole lot of consulting. There is a lot of judging and criticizing but not much else.
I start an internship tomorrow and I am super excited, but I will miss the lil' one. It will be the longest I have been away from her- four hours.

A Year in the Wilderness

2011-08-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

I find comfort in John Doe songs. I love X, The Knitters, Auntie Christ, Exene solo and all the other side projects. But something about his solo stuff is a melancholic and a sincere reflection of a mood in which I feel very at home.
I relate to him ( I know, I know) because of his subtle California pride, which comes out in some of his light homage to the Golden State.
This was not what I was going to write about however...
Things that were not told to me about postpartum. I guess I thought you had a baby and that was it. Your body went back to normal and there you go. Uh, no.
I ended up having a C-section, but the pad and underwear you have to wear is necessary and it lasts for more than a day or two.
Contractions can last for awhile because your uterus has to go back and they can also hurt.
Stretch marks hurt and itch like a mutha.
There is apparently a rash that women can get called PUPPS that I have the pleasure of having on my legs, thighs, ass, and arms. It itches something fierce and I cannot take benedryl because I am breastfeeding. PUPPS can take up to 5 months to go away (thanks, Internet) and I am really trying to not go to the doctor. Epsom salts help and so does the magic stuff from Whole Foods.
On that note, the good nipple cream from Whole Foods stains your clothes. It works really well, though.

I love my daughter she is perfect and I would do it all over again for her.

But one and done!

Joy to the World!

2011-08-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

I am a mother.
Weird.
Good, but weird.
She is amazing, I am totally in love with her. B is absolutely smitten with her as well and he has become quite the shitty diaper changer. I am recovering quite quickly and I am looking forward to letting her (and me) out of the house. She is still too little for big time outings, but today or tomorrow I want to take her out for a stroll.
In just two weeks I have found that it is okay to slow down and take life in. I like being busy don't get me wrong, however sitting on the bed and watching her sleep is just as satisfying.
The post I was going to write was about things they don't tell you about when you have a baby. I will save it for another time.

Wonderwall

2011-07-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

Only days to go...
There are weird things that happen to you when you are pregnant.
My hands get hot and splotchy as do my feet. It is like I am only a half mutant. This is a X-Men reference in case you didn't know. These hot flashes also usually include my ankles swelling to resemble pig hooves.
Also, I only sleep in 3 hour increments , which will be great for feedings, but Robot is still in my belly!

Love Removal Machine

2011-07-11T20:08:00.000-07:00

Ok. So today I went in for my weekly NST exams (stress test for the baby) and the substitute nurse hooked me up to the machine and walked away. About ten minutes later she came back and said very casually, "Oh, you are having contractions two minutes apart. Do you feel them?" I said I did not and she told me she was going to have a doctor check me after my test was done.
Now, I am ready to not be pregnant, but I just got home from a good friend's wedding and I was so hoping for a nap when I got home that I was hoping it was a false alarm.
I finished my test and waited and waited. Another nurse came in told me to take off my pants and a doctor would check me.
A doctor came in and asked the nurse who he needed to be seen and she said that I might be in labor, the woman next to me had little baby movement, and the one across from me was overdue. The doctor said in a not inside voice that he was almost done with his shift and decided to check the women with not much baby movement, because it was probably nothing. Awesome.
Then a midwife came in and asked who was having contractions and the nurse said, "the old patient," and the midwife went in with the women next to me. The woman said in kind of yelling voice, "It is not me!" Poor midwife kind of mumbled that she thought that the nurse pointed to her bed and shuffled into my curtained area.
She said hello and told me she had to check my cervix. I am learning that you need to check your modesty at the door when you are pregnant, but... Did she have to check me with the curtain open? Could the nurses have waited a minute before coming and asking her questions? And did the doctor who did not want to do anything have to have a goodbye conversation with the midwife while she was checking my cervix?

The final countdown...

2011-07-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

It is only a matter of weeks, or even days before me and the husband step into parenthood. It is exciting and terrifying, but I think we are both ready.
Though I have not been a super fan of the "beauty" of pregnancy, I have to say some of it has been kind of amazing like the kicking (not in the bladder), and how great my hair looks.
We still don't know if it is a girl or a boy AND we still don't really have a boys name picked out. There is a list of names we like, but who knows what will happen when we finally meet the lil' one.

I have only been on maternity leave for a week and a half, but it seems like I haven't worked in forever. We are pretty busy too. I thought I would be able to sit around and read or do projects. Huh, who knew?
My prediction is that I will become a mom on July 19, but we shall see what happens...

Good Golly Miss Molly!

2011-03-13T17:58:00.000-07:00

I just noticed that I have not posted anything since we got Versula. That's right, Versula is the name of our car. At least that is what I call it.
We are all about names these days. With the little one arriving July-ish, we are constantly talking about names. It seems fair that it is really difficult to name something that you have created from scratch.
I have never had that hard of a time with naming my animals though.

The last goodbye...

2010-11-19T17:17:00.000-08:00

On Monday the Egg overheated and after consulting with the mechanic we decided to let it go.
My mom bought the car new in 1990 and in 2002 we took ownership, and for eight years the Egg took us where we needed to go. These last two years big price tag fixes started to happen and it started showing signs of aging. The thought of "this is the beginning of the end," crossed our minds more than once and this summer after a hefty fix, we decided that the next issue that took us into the thousands financially would be the end. Many of my friends drove the Egg and had the pleasure of sitting in the backseat. I know my friend, D in Knoxville, will always have fond memories of riding to Senior Taco crammed in the back and my friend I, in SF, having to ride in the front eating his knees, because he is over 6ft tall.
When B drove it into the car lot yesterday he had to have the heater blasting to prevent it from overheating. At the end the tires were bald, the CD player was broken, the passenger door mirror was hanging on by a thread, and that is not even mentioning all of the under-the-hood issues. We now have a new vehicle, but this post is to honor, The Egg.
1990-2010

She's Crafty...

2010-08-23T19:35:00.001-07:00

On Friday night I participated in a Rock n' Roll craft show at DiPiazza's. It was a benefit for AMP( www.amporg.org). There Goes the Neighborhood is comprised of the tenants of my building. Together we sold our wares (feather clips, key broaches, politico pins, dog scarves, aprons, felt cards, reusable lunch bags, and more) and got to watch drag kings, bands, and performers strut their stuff on stage. For about 5 years I have talked about making stuff ETSY style and until the past couple of weeks all I had produced was talk. I worked pretty hard on my stuff and made a small chunk of change. My friends involved, J and R, were an inspiration to me and I was glad to be part of the event with them. R's husbando provided our logo, which I think is adorable. Will I keep up the crafting? Good question. I just got a job and I start school in two days. Oh, did I mention I am going to put together a Christmas show? I love it when my plate is full.

Bona Drag

2010-08-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that summer is almost over! The weather has been so mild it seems like an extended spring and though I am unemployed, I have been keeping myself busy enough to not blog. When people say the economy is bad and there are no jobs it is absolutely true. Although I have stopped counting I would say I have applied for a hundred jobs. A few weeks ago, I applied for jobs I was totally not qualified for (Sales Exec. at a company that sells high end men's suits to Ross type stores) to jobs I was totally over qualified for (the list is so long, but I applied for a job at a gas station convenience store) and a dog walker. So! School starts in a few weeks and I am excited. Bring on due dates and lots of reading.

Master! Master! Master of puppets is pulling your strings...

2010-05-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

Awwww yeah!
I have done graduated. It was a long and fantastic road, but I have a master's degree in musicology.
It could not have been possible without the support of my wonderful, fantastic, and super-duper husband. His patience and awesomeness was amazing! My pals in California, Tennessee, and New York provided me with insight as well as being a great ear when I needed it. I had the best adviser in the universe, which made the whole experience worth it. In the fall I start a second master's in library science and I am pumped. Me-pencil skirt, glasses, hair in a bun-you get the visual. This has been the greatest birthday gift for me, from me. I hope all of my friends and colleagues do well in their future endeavors. For now, I am having another drink!

And all the girls say, I'm pretty fly...

2010-04-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Identity. How does one identify? Culturally? Ethnicity? Geographically? Sexual Orientation? Nationally? Common interests?
I am female, a musician, a budding academic and Californian. Half of my family is Canadian and I have a DIY ethic. Where do I fit in?
Or do I have to fit in? Is my absence of identity, my actual identity? Is this too postmodern? Is this post-post modern thought? Not belonging is in fact belonging? I can ask many rhetorical questions. But an answer would be a way to get off this möbius strip.

Silver Bells the red nosed Santa had a chesnuts roasting on an open fire...

2010-04-03T14:58:00.000-07:00

I am in the home stretch of my first draft of my thesis. I have no idea if it is any good and at this time I do not care. I mean I care, but I just want my adviser to bleed all over it so I can fix it up real nice for my committee. Two weeks ago, I rented my cap and gown, joined the alumni association and Monday I will send in my Phi Kappa Phi forms. Phi Kappa Phi! I have not walked for graduation since I was in high school. My mom says watching me graduate from high school was a high point (and if you saw my transcripts from HS you would understand), but this time when I walk it will be for me. I did this! Yes, I had help (thanks B, you are the best), but it is all me. This whole graduate school adventure has been amazing...I have met some great people that I hope will be life long friends -H, J, J and J, P, E at UT- C, M, S, and L at CSULB- taken classes with some amazing professors, and learned so much about not only the discipline of musicology, but putting music in a social context, musical analysis, and of course f@%$ing Christmas songs. I might not have gotten into a PhD program, but I will have a M.A. So everyone will have to start addressing me as "Master Watson."

World Destruction- your life ain't nothing.

2010-03-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is a reference to one of my favorite songs of the 1980s, Afrika Bambaata and Johnny Lydon's Time Zone. It was a 12 inch single released in 1984-I thought it was the shizzy.
Anyway! I am worried that we (humans) have made the Earth so upset with our pollution, annihilation of species, and total disregard for just about everything she will not forgive us this time. Earthquakes, volcano eruptions, extreme weather and all the other
"natural disasters" are a sign to be a little nicer to our landlord.
Unlike when I hear an easy noise coming from my car and I turn up the radio with the hope it will go away, personal conservation might be the way to go.

Freeze Frame!

2010-02-22T22:43:00.001-08:00

Hockey Song...

2010-02-21T21:27:00.001-08:00

Here are some pics from the Olympics so far...Having a blast! Can not believe I have only been here a couple of days. We have done so much!
Photos-
Our digs
The rings
Us in front of our first event. China vs Switzerland women's hockey
Me with a fiver!

larghetto...

2010-02-02T18:15:00.000-08:00

It is thesis-time. I am finishing up my first draft of the first chapter, and it feels strange. Not bad strange, or good strange, just strange, strange. It is already February which is kind of crazy since it was just Christmas. I hurt my neck on New Year's Eve and in the last few days I am finally starting to feel back to myself. Since I am going to be (gulp!) forty, I guess it takes a bit longer to heal.
Saw the Residents a few days ago and I enjoyed it. It had been quite a few years since I had last gone to see and hear them, and they did not disappoint. I mean it wasn't as good as the first time I saw them twenty years ago (Cube E and King and Eye), but it was very enjoyable. Who knows when I will write again. Word!

Sitting on a cornflake...

2009-11-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

Did you know that goldfish crackers have names? Gilbert, Brooke, Finn and Xtreme.
It has been forever since I wrote on thee ol' bloggy blog. I have been engaged in many activities: thesis stuff, school work, Italian work, and GRE. Not to mention watching the remake of V , Mad Men and Modern Family. The only thing it seems I haven't been doing is playing music. The band has been quiet and I have been sketching out my covers project (I have one song done out of 20 I want to do) but I have put that on the back burner because of school deadlines, etc. I am going to a conference this weekend so playing music will not happen again.
Bummer.
On a happier note I had a fun Halloween. Hung out with friends, played BRB (Beatles rock band) and ate great food.
I saw decorations up for Christmas already. My mother is breaking the tradition of decorating Thanksgiving weekend. She is decorating the weekend before! Up is down, high is low! I will stick to tradition and decorate Thanksgiving weekend.
Who day and night must scramble for a living--to have the final word at home? Tradition, tradition!

This town, is an all-right town...

2009-08-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

Reno. For some reason I just love it. The husband and I spent a few days there and played penny slots, roulette and blackjack. We also had an Awful-Awful at the Nugget. They have tried to class up the joint with more light and tables, but I know.

She bought a clock on Hollywood boulevard the day she left...

2009-08-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

X is my favorite band. I can be in crummy mood play one of their songs and feel better. They played a few weeks ago at the OC Fair and they (of course) were great. They played a couple of tunes I hadn't heard in awhile which was exciting. Exene was recently diagnosed with MS and I don't know if they will play as often---so anytime they play I am there!

Robert DeNiro is waiting...He's talking Italian.

2009-07-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

In case you don't know what that means it is a song title-Bananarama from the 1980s.
ANYWAY! I am taking a summer Italian course and I learned that in Italy there is a slow food movement. It is a community of people who enjoy local produce, homemade products, and have a commitment to the environment. There is a website for gli Uniti Stati- http://www.slowfoodusa.org
Kind of cool. I think with the garden, compost, frequent farmer's market visits, and B thinking about making cheese (again), that we think "slow food" is a good thing.
Please recycle.

Pale Shelter

2009-07-18T10:44:00.001-07:00

Last night I went to see Tears For Fears. I had never thought of myself as a superfan of the group, but I had no idea I knew all the songs/they had so many hits. The crowd was seriously into it and I was pleased that the young girls beside us were super into them. They did "Mad World" like the on the record The Hurting. It was great! It makes me want to celebrate the summer of duos even more. Well done guys!

Close to You

2009-06-28T20:53:00.000-07:00

Loretta does not like Monkey, but she loves the basket.
Some might look at this picture and think, "that cat has a really blank expression." This is her secret weapon, she makes you feel sorry for her by her "I don't understand" look and then BAM! she will hiss at, bite, or grab you. If she likes you (again you might not be able to tell, because of the blankness) she will stick her face or butt in your eye.
The basket is for my bike, but it has become Loretta's nap spot.
She is a good girl-sometimes.

Summertime

2009-06-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I volunteered for AIDS Walk, Long Beach. It was really inspiring to see people participating in this economic climate. I was not a fan of getting up at 3:30 in the morning, but otherwise it was a great day. Since I do not have a real job at the moment I think I will donate my time to other activities. I wonder if there is a website for finding such opportunities? Started sewing again---you can really fall out of practice with that one.

Wake me up before you go go...

2009-06-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

In June I pick music which will be my summer mix for the summer. I have been contemplating many artists, genres, and years and I have finally come up with potential music picks for my playlist.
The other night I was watching MTVU (the "cutting edge" MTV) and saw 3 videos which intrigued me. Empire of the Sun, The Kills and some other one who's name escapes me at the moment. What excited me about these artists? They are duos!

SO here is a small list of artists.
Hall and Oates
Tears for Fears
Pet Shop Boys
Eurythmics
Wham!
Erasure
OMD
Yaz
Soft Cell
Blancmanche
Go West
On the lite side-
Captain and Tenelle
Carpenters
Air Supply
and for the modern rocker in me
Mates of State
White Stripes
Black Keys
No Age
If I this doesn't hold me over I am going to indulge in some Paul McCartney and Wings.

Flying the flannel...

2009-05-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

Semester is over. I survived, whew! Now I have to get down to thesis business and (hopefully) sign up for summer school. I still love our new digs and the weather has been awesome. I went to the Pride parade in LB and had a great time. Did not realize how much I missed seeing Dykes on Bikes.
Missing some of my long distant friends. A few weeks before my birthday I get kind of sad face-the getting older part is not my favorite, but I miss the birthday hang out stuff. D, L, A, A, S, J, I, H and B have made my birthdays past so memorable. Even if some of them are a bit hazy from the cocktails consumed. There is at least one visitor this summer I can look forward to and hopefully others will come to the LBC to hang out at Casa W. There is also talk of an east coast to south road trip to see the newest addition to the family.
B always knows when the pre-birthday blues start because I watch Sex in the City episodes. The 4 main characters sitting at a restaurant talking makes me happy I have such amazing friends. Makes me think of when I was driving to pick up A and D from the train station with L before my wedding and I had to let them know that with no warning I might start crying. Guess sometimes I am not as "hard" as Henry Rollins.
PS-Our new couch cover is nice, right?

Ink is black, the page is white...

2009-04-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

441. These numbers mean nothing to most, to me, they have been the bane of my existence for the past 6 plus weeks. The numbers stand for the theory review class I am taking to advance my degree and go to 541, the music analysis seminar, I will take in fall. Music theory is not my strong suit, but I like it. I hadn't taken a class in it since 1994, and have used very little in my "music career," so it is understandable why I might be a bit deficient in it. Well, a month ago our professor for the class had to take an emergency leave and the class has not met in 5 weeks. I have been meeting with my tutor to keep it fresh in my mind, but without any assignments I am not on top of the game. This morning me and my fantastic tutor went over the piece we are studying today, the Waldstein by Beethoven. Of course it is not a typical piece and there are all these chords I recognize after they are pointed out to me, but when I look at them they are just a bunch of notes that are not a I, IV or V chord. Neapolitan chords!? Why do you forsake me?

Hot Child in the City

2009-03-07T11:00:00.001-08:00

Yoga. I am into it, but not just any kind of yoga. Bikram. Here is the deal-yoga in 90 degree heat. I am simplifying of course, lets just say it is awesome in a kombucha tea kind of way.
My husband who isn't so down with exercise seems to like it. The room smells like katmandu-no not Bob Seeger or Cat Stevens. Not even the city in Nepal. I mean it smells like a cat-man and doo doo. Namaste.

Freebird

2009-01-18T12:49:00.000-08:00

When I was a teenager I lived in the front bedroom at my mom's house. It was big and outside of it was a tree which was nice because it kept my room shady. However, there were birds in the tree. So what right? Ah, they chirped all night long---they were some kind of "night" bird. I told my mother and grandmother about it. I think my grandmother believed me, but as my mom and I have talked about it in the past she did not. She probably thought I was high, which I might have been but it had nothing to do with the birds. Anywho, I moved out of the house and my grandmother moved into my room. Those birds sang for her for four years. After she had passed away my mother eventually made it her extra room. She stays up late so sometimes she would stay in there....Guess what!? I was not making it up. She had the tree taken out. Why this story? Well, 2 days ago I was getting ready for bed around 11:30pm and I heard birds chirping. To make sure I wasn't having some kind of flashback I asked B and he confirmed that yes, I did hear birds.
Last night they were at it again. WTF?

You've got to let love rule!

2009-01-16T16:37:00.000-08:00

2009 is the year of tough love and the ox.
With the economy sucking a dirty hole, military conflicts, social unrest abroad, the environment gasping for air, it is only natural to be sitting at the meal table with a bowl of uncertainty, a rock and roll side dish, a suicide note as a napkin and utensils made of hope. People it sucks out there, but I am forever an optimist. Sure this year is going to be tough, but since I love I can put the two words together and make it work. Yeah, I am going to be 39 and I have no (real) job to speak of--I live in a small (and moldy) apartment, I am up to my eyeballs in debt and as broke as I was when I was 23. Cool. But I have the best husband in the universe whom I love so much I feel like vomiting sometimes. Also, great friends who never cease to amaze me with their awesomeness, some cool family members and crazy/fun/gifted band members who I think are great. So if you are feeling down, stressed or on the verge give it your best shot to think of something positive in your life.
It may not be a "happy" new year, but it can be an "all right" new year.
Tough love 2009, deal with it.

A place where nobody dared to go...

2009-01-10T02:30:00.000-08:00

I haven't been to a midnight movie in a long time---long time. Xanadu is not your typical movie, but gosh darn it, it is a good one. This winter break so far as been a good as well. Been to SF to see good friends, hung out with family, recorded some music, played a party and relaxed with the husbando. I have a few weeks left and now I have to get back into the swing and finish some work I have pending. Get back to work Watson!

I'm only happy when it rains...

2008-12-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

School is out and I have a month before classes start back up.
I have loads of things I could be doing---baking interfaith cookies, sewing my friends birthday present that is now 3 weeks late, looking up sources for my annotated bibliography, or cleaning the bathroom.
I am going to lay on the couch and do nothing for now.

G-L-O-R-I-A..Gloria..G-L-O-R-I-A

2008-12-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

I am finishing my final paper for a class today. I have been working on it for a week and I am in the home stretch. My window faces a backyard where there is a wedding reception going on right now. The live band that is playing is very good, but I like to write in silence. Kind of difficult when the harmonica player's microphone is so loud. If they play "House of the Rising Sun" I might have to punch someone in the throat.

For those about to rock...

2008-11-26T01:32:00.000-08:00

I haven't written in forever!!! The four day weekend will (hopefully) let me get some work done.
After some conversation (with my adviser and a few professors) and consideration (see parenthesis before) I have changed my thesis. Whew! Sure glad I have a bunch of sources (purchased) that I am not going to use... Ah! who am I kidding I wanted those books and DVDs and I had an "academic" reason to purchase them. So, yes, it is official I am not going to do a gender angle on punk rock, rather an examination of secular Christmas songs of the 1940/50s and tie them in somehow to capitalism. Yes at the moment a little vague, but I just got some books and articles and I will pour over them this weekend. After this is said and done I want to refer to my self as a Christmasologist. Wouldn't it be great if Frosty and Rudolph had a counterpart who did not stand the test of time. Maybe Gene Autry was the reason for their success. Stay tuned.

If I had a hammer...

2008-10-07T17:16:00.000-07:00

Things at school are starting to get going-papers, presentations and grading assignments.
I am also feeling like a bit of a day laborer, because I have done some baby sitting, sorting e-bay "inventory" and cleaning for cash. No job is too small. Also, I have joined up with some rock and roll fellas, and I am strumming the 4 strings and I am on the mike. It is really fun to be playing in a rock band again. The guys are really easy going and I like the music they play. The camaraderie between musicians in a band, for me, is something I cherish. This includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. This just reminded me I should change my strings.

Losing My Religion...

2008-09-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

So it looks like I will have to get part time job. I know, boo-hoo me, but I was hoping to not during my first semester at CSULB. The teachers aide pay is not going to cut it and I like Synergy drinks and they cost money so I will pound the pavement and find me some work.
The reason I titled this entry "Losing My Religion," is I applied for a part time job at a big corporation. I am not super PC and I like the store okay, but I feel as if I am truly co-opting with the man if I work there. But it is close to school and they are open hours which I could work---SO!!! what is a girl to do? I hope I don't have to turn in my Northern California Mentality Card.
What store is it? I ain't telling unless I get the gig! :)

How Soon is Now?

2008-09-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

I am the sun and the air...Went to my 20 year high school reunion. I have a question, who in the hell are these people? I mean I was not popular, but I did have the reputation of good parent signature skills and in the morning you could find me sitting in front of the office with my pal, A.
I was pleased to hang out with a few folks.

Like a zero drowning in a sea of higher numbers...

2008-09-04T17:02:00.000-07:00

Okay. So I have started school and I am really digging it at the moment-with that said today at school was a bit of a challenge for me.
I got my contract for my TA position and had to submit it to payroll to get paid.
The campus is big and sits on a hill. I was down at the music building and had to go to the library, and payroll. Great! I stepped into the library which is at the other end of campus and realized I had forgotten to go to payroll which is located in the middle of campus. So after I walked up and down the stairs at the library for an hour, I went back to payroll. Did everything there and they tell me I have to get a graduate assistant ID, SOOOO I walked back to the ID center which is on the way to the library. Then I remembered I needed to get a form to get keys and so I went back to Brotman, where the payroll office is....the line was ridiculous so I said forget it and went to take the bus home.
Now the funny thing about the bus is just yesterday I was telling my friend J in Nashville how the bus is WAY better than the KAT- Knoxville Transit. The buses were relatively on time, they were clean, the drivers appeared sober and knew the route. (Footnote: in Knoxville I was taking the bus home once and the driver made a turn and started going on a different bus route)
But the best part about the bus was there were very few undesirables on the bus. Now before you judge. If you know me then you know, I am all for public transportation and if you can pay the fare, you can ride.
With that said the hobo brigade was riding on my route home. We had Mr. Curseword at Students, Madame Smells-Alot, How many trash bags filled with recycling from garbage cans guy and my personal favorite large man with sweatpants with no elastic band. They all got on within 2 stops of eachother. It was madness! The bus was packed anyway-I had to leave the fun and get off 3 stops early and walk home, because I hadn't done enough walking today...

D'ant D'ant D'ant!

2008-08-22T13:35:00.001-07:00

We have ants! Not bad and they are in the bathroom (I know, bathroom), but I really do dislike them immensely. Why are they in the shower? Are not ants opposed to water? Maybe California ants like to swim. I dunno. I have become obsessed with getting rid of them. The act of me busting into the bathroom every hour to see how many I can get prove I need to start school very soon.

All hail the Egg and life in the "fast lane"

2008-08-19T14:25:00.001-07:00

Okay. Today I went to the DMV to get CA plates for the Egg. B had to go to work so I drove him and did laundry, blah, blah...At 1pm I left to go to the DMV. This by the way is the 4th time I have been there since we moved. In Tennessee DMV dealings are very easy-first it is located in the mall so you can get a drivers license, buy some underwear and have a get a slice from Sbarro.
Not so for California.
I had an appointment but I had to take the TN plate off and surrender it so I could get new plates.
The plate screws are a little bit stripped is an understatement.
I am not kidding when I say I was using my whole body trying to get it off- I am sweating, I cut my thumb and last night I pulled my neck so there is a pinch making me curse every time I tried to lefty loosey. I looked across the parking lot and saw a 20ish guy, so I said, "Excuse me can you help me get my license plate off my car?" The dude replied, "No, I promised my girlfriend I wouldn't."
WHAT??
Was I speaking some kind of sex code? I mean I am sure I looked pretty good with my brown teeshirt and over sized black shorts and let us not forget my bleeding thumb and sweat pouring down my neck.
Thanks dick. I decided to see if I could still get the plates anyway.
I went to window 13 and spoke to my new best friend Richie. He saw my sweaty face, filthy hands and said he would give me the plates, but I had to turn in my TN plate by 4pm.
Another DMV worker and said there was a Pep Boys at the circle and they would probably help me. I set off...
I wanted some music to calm my nerves and I kid you not three channels on the radio were playing "Life in the Fast Lane" by the Eagles. Wasn't that song popular 30 years ago? I am not a hater of the Eagles, but I would have settled for Kansas, Boston, Journey, hell I would have settled for an early Aerosmith or Linkin Park. Alas, Eagles took me to the Pep Boys-the guys were busy. So I set off to the Goodyear nearby.
Dave gave me faith in humanity again.
He took off the plate and put offered to put the new ones on... Thanks Dave.

Namaste...

2008-08-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

So I am doing my best to exercise every other day. My bike is in full working order so I am riding some and doing yoga at home. I was doing yoga the other day and I am in shavasna (deep relaxation) and I hear outside of the window. "That shit will give you diarrhea!" Guess I need to close the windows when I practice.

San Francisco

2008-08-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

Me and B were in SF for the past few days and it was lovely. Lots of good food and friends.
I do miss it and I think I will always think of it as home. It was true summer weather in SF, 2 days of picture perfect and two days of 55 degrees and foggy. I loved it!!!
We are back now and B is hitting the work pavement- After I figure out how to make a work area I need to start studying for a music theory test.
YIKES.

Rock This Town

2008-07-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

These were the two highlights of the Orange County Fair, the pigs and the Stray Cats.
B was fully introduced into the LBC life on Tuesday. We went to the fair and saw the Stray Cats-there is a pretty big rockabilly scene in Long Beach and the king is Mike Ness. WELL! He came out during the Stray Cats encore and played "I Fought the Law" with Brian, Jim and Lee.
Afterwards we went to Shorehouse on 2nd for a bite! I mean come on!!
It was really fun.
Today, however, OC and LB were not as kind and the Egg didn't want to start while we were at my dad's work. Then it didn't want to start in the Trader Joe's parking lot. I guess we will have to not ignore the problem any longer.
Totally off the subject-LB doesn't have as many mailboxes as I would prefer.

Settings, settings-whos got the settings?

2008-07-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

I did not realize...
A. Someone would want to comment on my blog.
B. Someone tried and could not due to a setting.
I think after some edits to my settings anyone can comment on my blog.
Now, who will be the first? I wonder...

Living for a zip code.

2008-07-21T21:26:00.000-07:00

Went to my step brother's house on Sunday. He has a lovely child, but I am not going to talk that I want to talk about his condo. First, I toyed with not writing about it, because who am I to judge?! But whatever, he would think where I lived is crappy.
It is part of a gated community which is very Orange County-and it is shaped kind of funky. The kitchen is the size of an elevator and the living room is really small. There are two "master bedrooms" which is kind of strange and does not seem very family friendly. But he does live in Newport Beach, which if you care about those such things is the important part. His little one will probably be able to go to a top-notch school and I am sure his car insurance is higher. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.
Today me and B, and A/R painted A/R's kids room...It was fun, but a word of caution to anyone who is thinking about putting up a "wallpaper mural" IT IS NOT EASY. Three capable adults had a hell of a time-we did punk it up and not follow the directions on which panel we put up first. Take that establishment! I love their kids--they are awfully cute.

My friend's birthday...

2008-07-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

My buddy A- birthday is today and I want to hug her very bad. She has had a rough couple of weeks and I am sad I can't be with her. She is truly a rock and roll star. It is late in her time zone and she wakes up early so I don't want to call... I think I will take down my box of wigs and send her a picture through the googles and internets (Henry Rollins joke).

2008-07-15T14:39:00.000-07:00

I thought this had posted last week when I was borrowing the internet from a neighbor...Sink from a Days Inn in Arizona and me, B and my pals in the new apartment before we filled it full of shit.

PST

2008-07-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

Back on the west coast. The weather is nice, but I miss the space of a two bedroom house. Our travels on I-40 were for the most part uneventful with the exception of the U-Haul swaying anytime it hit a bump in the road. We "ate fresh" often at Subway and it was cozy with 4 adults and 2 cats in one motel room every night, but we survived and now it is time to start living in southern California.
So, I lost my social security card. I know--me! I never lose anything, but I did and I went to the SS office. Things have changed since 1986 which was the last time I had stepped foot in one of their offices. B and I also got CA drivers licenses yesterday. Again, not so painful as I had remembered it. I think technology has really helped out agencies that are usually wrapped in red tape.
A week from today B and I are going to the Orange County Fair to see the Stray Cats.
That is right baby, Rock This Town!

No need for an angle.

2008-05-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

Meet Lotus.

Creating a new persona?

2008-05-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

Creative writing is something I want to be more disciplined about... I mean I like making up stories about people who don't exist so why can't I write a full length story. Maybe it is all the television...

Moving

2008-05-09T15:48:00.000-07:00

Moving is a pain. We have a lot of stuff, a car, and two cats.
What is the best course of action? Movers? Fly the cats?
Pack everything together and take the cats with us?
Movers, send the car and drive a rental with the cats?
There are way tooooo many actions and none that really make it "easy."
I need a drink.

I just want to copy Pippin

2008-05-08T16:35:00.001-07:00

This whole blog thing has been mildly interesting to me, but now that my pal Pip has made one I have decided to totally copy and make one. I am not a follower by nature, but maybe this can be a way for people that I like to check in and see how it is going even with me though they don't call me back.
Nothing interesting to say, yet.