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Friday, July 31, 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Hearing Impaired

I went to bed last night feeling that my body had returned to about 70% healthy. I was happy. The neighborhood was quiet. I was finally tired. And I drifted off to sleep.

At 12:15am I woke up with a horrible pain in my left ear. This is not the same ear I went to urgent care for on Tuesday. I got up and stumbled around in the dark for my ear drops. I dropped two drops in my ears and laid down on the couch waiting for the relief to take hold.

It didn't.

So, I added more drops. I wasn't sure if I was getting them in there so I woke Husband up to put them in. He got them in there and I waited again. At this point I was sobbing from the pain. It was as if someone was taking a needle and jamming it into my ear. It felt nothing like the pain I had in my right ear. I laid on the couch for hours.

Finally around 3am I couldn't take it anymore and dug around for the vicodin I was given after having a tooth pulled last summer. I hate taking pills. I hate feeling out of control and loopy. I never even took one when they pulled my tooth. But I just couldn't take the pain anymore. So, I took one.

I laid back down and was finally drifting off to sleep (still in pain) when one quick piercing pain shot through my ear and then a loud POP followed by about 10 consecutive smaller pops. Suddenly the pain was gone. But my ears are both still clogged.

It sounds like someone is blowing air directly into both of my ears. My balance is all off. I'm so tired and still loopy from the vicodin that I feel like I'm drunk. I'm sitting here at work unable to concentrate.

I came in late today. The only reason I came in at all is because my self review was supposed to be today. But another manager missed hers this morning, so she is taking my time slot since she is leaving for vacation at noon.

But none of that matters because I think I would feel pretty good if I had a) been able to sleep last night b) not been up crying for 3 hours - my eyes are so dry and c) if I could hear clearly and wasn't living in a fog.

I just want my ears back. They are very important to me.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Back To Work

Back at work with surprisingly little to catch up on. I guess I did a little too well in my desk clean up before last week's three day weekend and I did some work at home while I was sick.

I had to go to urgent care last night for an earache. Hopefully this is the last of my illness. As soon as the earache kicked in, the lump in my throat went away. The earache has been subdued by meds and, for now, I just have a cough.

Someone posted a "challenge" on Facebook. Put your iPod on shuffle and list the first 25 songs that come up. No editing/skipping songs. So, I am going to do that throughout the day today while I work and listen. Here we go:

1. "Bruise Violet" - Babes In Toyland
2. "The Leading Guy" - Micah P. Hinson
3. "You Only Live Once" - The Strokes
4. "Setting Sun" - Chemical Brothers
5. "Shatter" - Liz Phair
6. "Winter" - Tori Amos
7. "Tonight" - Lykke Li
8. "Secret Meeting" - The National
9. "Masochist" - Ingrid Michaelson
10. "Seashell Tale" - M. Ward
11. "Somedays" - Regina Spektor
12. "Onyonghasayo" - Skankin' Pickle
13. "Porcelain" - David Cook
14. "O'Brien Nocturne" - M. Ward
15. "Let It Be Me" - Social Distortion
16. "Carousel" - Iron and Wine
17. "Displaced" - Azure Ray
18. "32 Flavors" (live from Hamburg, Germany) - Ani Difranco
19. "Cheated Hearts" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
20. "Virtue" - Ani Difranco
21. "Look Inside America" - Blur
22. "Silver Lining" - Rilo Kiley
23. "A Postcard to Nina" - Jens Lekman
24. "Love Reign O'er Me" - Pearl Jam
25. "You and I Both" (live version) - Jason Mraz

Not nearly as embarrassing as I thought it would be.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Ugh

I'm still sick and missing too much work. I don't like to miss this much work. It makes me nervous.

This weekend is my 7 year wedding anniversary. Here's to hoping I feel better and that Husband does not get sick, as well.

I also want to try out a free yoga class on Saturday at a local yoga center. I'm hoping I will like the place and that their classes are cheap. But, I need to feel well do to that.

Being sick is such a waste of time.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Post Show Glow



Saw David Cook tonight. He puts on a fantastic show. He is a lot more than "Season 7 American Idol Winner". Really, if you haven't checked him out, you should.

I did something crazy, though. I made a mix cd of my music and gave it to him during the show. In return, I received a guitar pic and a one on one interaction. I put my email address on the cover. I'm not expecting anything, really. Honestly, he probably tossed it or left it backstage. But, I'm all about seizing the moment right now. I've found by just saying "fuck all" and going for it, things have been working out for me. So, I did. Here's to hoping.

Also, here are some pics from the night. I bought a new camera this week and it's not much different from the old camera. Some turned out pretty well. At one point he was standing literally right in front of me (I touched his shoe) but I had the zoom on, so all I got was this:



But here are a couple more that turned out a bit better:








Friday, July 24, 2009

Tonight's The Night!

The David Cook show is finally here.

I've got a brand new camera to take lots of picks with.

I'm very excited.

Off to get ready.

Woohoo!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

I've Always Wanted To Be A Backing Singer

I've always said my dream job is to be the backing singer for Leonard Cohen. Think of his song "Closing Time". I want to be the girl in the background singing along.

Well, I got a taste of my dream on Tuesday night. Not with Leonard, but with Jenny Lewis.

That's me in the grey dress:



During the last song of her set, she invited people to come on stage to be her choir for her song "Acid Tongue". I wasn't about to miss this opportunity and was quite surprised that more people didn't jump at the chance.

Once on stage, we were quickly told my Jenny's partner in love and music, Jonathan Rice, that if we take any pictures, we can't sing. He's kind of a tool. So I handed my camera off to a friend in the crowd, wrapped my arms around the shoulders of my fellow singers, and waited for my lines. Except, when it was time to sing, nothing came out and when I finally was able to make a sound, it was some horribly off key warbling mess. Total stage fright. Even though I was with a large group of people and could not be heard, I couldn't get anything out that sounded even remotely pleasant. So, I just sort of mouthed along. Finally, by the last chorus, I was able to find my voice. It was an amazing moment and I was so happy to share it with my best friend and the biggest Jenny Lewis fan I know (she's in the tank top next to me). She has loved Jenny since she first saw Troop Beverly Hills. This was an even greater moment for her.

Jenny also made a believer out of Husband and my friend's boyfriend. It is quite impressive when you hear that big voice come out of that little person. She is an outstanding performer and this was a great show.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The Final Countdown


Today I am officially entering the last month of my twenties. In 31 days I will be 30 and then all hope is lost.

I'm kidding. Not ALL hope will be lost, but I feel like a lot will be. I suddenly feel like I'm on a real countdown to do as much as I can.

It occured to me the other day, after noticing a mole that I'm not sure how long has been there, that I should probably get it checked because I'll be in my 30's soon and these things might actually lead to something. Something could actually turn out to be cancer. I could have a heart attack. Oh, no! I'm old!

In ten years I'll be 40. 40!!!! How did this happen? I feel like I'm 25...yet I feel like I'm 37 at the same time. I'm at an odd crossroads in life that I'm sure each and every person goes through. I just can't let a number define me. I will do all the things I want to do. It will happen. Someday.

In honor of this countdown, I leave you with this:



A Bottle Of Suds For You And Everyone

About a week and a half ago, I was browsing a Rilo Kiley forum and someone posted a notification they received that Jenny Lewis was to be a part of some secret show film fest thing. All you had to do was RSVP to the email attached. So, I thought, what the hell? And I did. And now I'm on the guest list for her show tonight! Me plus 10 of my friends! I'm super excited. It's an acoustic set. Just Jenny and Jonathan Rice. Kaki King will also be performing.


Gah! I hope this all works out and everyone I've invited gets in okay. I'd feel terrible if they didn't.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Short Week

Look at me being good about posting!

I have a short work week this week and it is the only thing that got me out of bed this morning. After a most busy weekend, I was not ready for the alarm this morning. But when am I ever, really?

Four days of work then a Friday free to me! With a Friday night David Cook show to follow. Should be a good time. Unfortunately, I have to drive out to the casino in Prior Lake to see him, but I'm sure it will be worth it. I'm even considering being a total fangirl dork (as promised) and trying to meet him. But I see he has a show the next day, so I'm guessing they will be on the bus and out directly after.

Probably for the best.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Christian Science

Since when does being Christian mean you can't have a good time?

I returned from a wedding tonight not filled with tears full of celebration of binding love or feet tender from the Electric Slide and the Chicken Dance or buzzed off of champagne and beer. No, I returned from a wedding tonight stone cold sober and at 8:30p.m.

I understand that people choose to celebrate their love in many different ways...and that's cool. But I have never been to a wedding like this.

The couple getting married are scientists. Scientists. Like they went to college and are now scientists. Like during the ceremony instead of lighting unity candles, they mixed chemicals. This was the only fun part of the entire celebration.

The ceremony was about a half hour filled with God this and God that. Fine. It's a wedding. It's expected.

The reception was dry. Dry as a bone. No alcohol. None.

I've been to one other dry wedding. It was my brother's. He and his bride are recovering addicts. So, fine. No booze. Understandable. They are also born agains. But guess what? They at least had a DJ and dancing.

This wedding? No dancing. No dancing!!! I have never in my life heard of a wedding where there wouldn't be a dance. Oh, we were encouraged by the pastor to "get our groove on" to the musak that was played during dinner and the slide show. But that was it.

So back to the scientist part....isn't the Big Bang Science 101? I don't get how two people so devoted to science can be so uber-Christian that they don't even have a dance at the wedding. Where is Kevin Bacon when you need him? I mean, you gotta cut it footloose, am I right?

What part of the Bible says to not have fun? Isn't the Bible full of wine and women? I can't say. I've never read it. But I know it's in there. I know the Bible okays the selling of women and the murder of homosexuals. Luckily, there was none of that at this wedding.

I guess you can only drink wine in church. Oh, wait, that's the blood of Christ and the wafer is his body. Fucking cannibals.

This Is My Favorite Thing Ever

Friday, July 17, 2009

This Is Good


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Tired and Wired We Ruin Too Easy

Well, it's been about a month since my last post. This past month has been an emotional rollercoaster. It's amazing how much money can rule someone's life, if you let. But sometimes, you have no choice. You put yourself into a place where money matters. I have a home, a car, a dog. All expensive things. I like to buy music, go to concerts, have money to spend on the weekends, go out to dinner. These are all things that bring me enjoyment. Lately I've had to curtail these things that bring me pleasure, that make life worthwhile. It has taken it's toll on my emotional well being, or at least I think it has.

I'm going to get a bit personal here. You see, as a woman, my emotions during certain times of the month are already deemed inauthentic. It's just PMS, they say. This comment used to make me so very angry. How dare someone disregard my feelings, my emotions due to some date on the calendar? But, lately, I've really noticed legitimate PMS happening and I find it extremely frustrating. It's getting worse every cycle. It's unsettling not to have any control of your emotions. While it's happening, I know it's happening, but there is nothing I can do about it.

Exactly a week before my period, I find myself freaking out and crying and getting into arguments with my husband over the smallest of matters - and there is nothing I can do about it. I've been meaning to go to the doctor. I think about it each and every month. Then it passes and I forget about it.

Everything has been so tense lately as it is, with my husband still not having found a job and work getting really crazy for me. My stress level is through the roof. It's hard to manage and go through your days and make future plans when you don't know if you will be able to keep your house come the first of the year.

The only gleam of light is that once he does find a job, we've become so good at managing our finances and living meagerly that we will be rolling in dough. It will be awesome. I live for that day.

On the flipside of things, I was looking over my last post about all I have to look forward to this summer. Some of these things have happened. Let me tell you about them.

1. New bathroom and kitchen floors
Never ever hire a handyman to do the work a professional contractor can do. This guy came so highly recommended by people I trust I was in complete shock at the work he did and the way he did it. He informed us that the job would take 3 days barring any unplanned obstacles. He showed up at 9am each day and left by 1:30. The project took a total of 7 business days to complete.

Our kitchen floor turned out great. The bathroom was a hack job. It's like he would spend all this time on the kitchen, look at the clock and see 1:30 fast approaching, and rush the work in the bathroom before taking off.

We also, unexpectedly, had to buy a new refrigerator due to our kitchen floor being raised and the old fridge no longer fitting in its spot. This was an unexpected expense for an already expensive project that we probably should have held off on. So, we had to sell our beloved dining room table that has been sitting in the basement since we moved into this house because it didn't fit with the decor. I had always hoped that someday in the future we could make a space for it. But we couldn't wait anymore. I miss you, table.

2. Rock the Garden
Rock the Garden was a fantastic event. The weather was great and the place was packed. My husband and I volunteered and were placed taking names at the VIP door. What we didn't know is that this got us into the VIP area once our shift was over. Free beer, free food, a great view, and private bathrooms. I am completely spoiled for outdoor festivals now.

3. Regina Spektor's new album "Far"
I was so fucking excited for this album. I think I may have built it up to a level that it could never have lived up to. But I never expected it to fall as short of my expectations as it did. There is one song I really truly enjoy. That is "Folding Chair". But I already have a version of this song she did by herself on a radio station that I prefer. The album version is an over produced commercial fare and I swear they used autotune on her voice. Why? Why? Why? She does not need it. The other songs that I like, I sort of feel like I'm reaching. I want to like these songs so I am making myself like these songs. They are: "The Calculation", "Eet", "Dance Anthem of the 80s", and "Machine". "Machine" is a Peter Gabriel knock off that is probably the other only song on the album that I truly enjoy. It's jus really too bad, Regina.

4. 4th of July
We had our party. People came over. Badminton was played. Lots of wonderful food was consumed. Beers were drank. It was a good time.

5. The National
The National concert was last night and, dear god, it was one of the best shows I have ever seen. I went into this loving their album Boxer and random other songs that I've heard. I had no idea what they looked like, what sort of stage presence they have, how many people are in the band, what their names are, where they are from. I was open to anything.

Oddly enough, they were almost exactly what I pictured in my mind. The lead singer, Matt Berninger, came out in an olive suit with a skinny tie. He himself was a tall, very thin, short blonde haired man. And his voice....when you hear a voice like that on an album, one can only assume that it is not real. There is no way a person can sound that awesome. But from the first note sung, he proved me wrong. His voice is amazing. He just seemed like a guy who, to quote Leonard Cohen, was "blessed with the gift of a golden voice" and decided he had to share it with the world.

What I didn't expect was as high an energy show as it was. I expected them to just kind of hang out and present their songs in a pleasant manner. Holy shit! They rocked! Mr. Berninger was all over the stage screaming into the mic whilst intermittently pouring wine into his plastic cup. At one point during the encore, he jumped off the stage, walked through the crowd, up the stairs (right past me) and jumped on the railing of the landing screaming "I am the great white hope!" from their song "Mr. November". God, it was fantastic. I am forever hooked on this band and must now use my upcoming birthday money to purchase everything they have ever done. Go See Them Live!

This has been my summer so far. An emotional rollercoaster with some amazing highlights. And there is still more to come. My husband says he notices the job market opening up. Maybe something will happen soon.

As for now, it is about 60 degrees and super windy out. It doesn't feel much like summer. Apparently we are in a cool cycle and the next couple of summers are supposed to be this way. It doesn't help my emotional state. I need the sun now.

Up next on my agenda:

A weekend filled with a wedding, a baby shower, and a 40th birthday. A private Jenny Lewis show on Tuesday night. And, finally:



David Cook next Friday. I plan to get my full fangirl dorkism on. It should be great.

I will try to post more.