| One Last Post to End the Decade |
[30 Dec 2019|12:11pm] |
01. What did you do in 2019 that you'd never done before?
Lived apart from Pete since we've gotten married. Visited Iowa, Amsterdam, & Spain.
02. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I'm not sure I made any, but I am working on building emotinal resilency.
03. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not close, but a few casual friends did.
04. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.
05. What countries did you visit?
Netherlands. France. Spain.
06. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019.
Wellness.
07. What date from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 13th, the day I got in the car to move to Colorado.
08. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Taking a big risk to persue our dream of living out west.
09. What was your biggest failure?
Being harsh to Pete when he needed my support this summer.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes, so many stress-related disorders, including migraines that make it hard to see.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Tickets! For travel and for concerts in 2020.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Petes! He's just amazing all the time.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The Class of 2020 was a piece of work. My MIL. My BIL. Trump & the GOP.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Credit Cards, Target, Travel
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
End of GoT series. RPDR. The Highwomen. Starting a new job in Colorado. Our Euro trip/My Birthday in Barcelona. Christmas at home with the entire family. Pete's suprised Birthday Party.
16. What song will always remind you of 2019?
Old Town Road - Lil Nas X
17. Compared to this time last year, you are:
hotter or colder? Hotter
Fatter or thinner? Same
more active or lazier? Active
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Relaxing. Smiling. Reflecting.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Stressing. Spending. Fearing.
20. How will you be spending/did you spend Christmas?
5 days in MKE with Pete's suprise birthday party, dinner with extended family, napping, eating amazing foods, and a bit teary eyed having to say goodbye to Pete as he headed back to Minnesota.
22. Did you fall in love in 2019?
Everyday.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
It should be Game of Thrones. Although, I have feelings about the end of the series. I'll go with Chernobyl.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is too strong of a word. I don't hate anyone. However, disgusted may be the better term...
26. What was the best book you read?
I didn't read much in 2019, yikes.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Could not stop listening to the Highwomen this year.
28. What did you want and get?
This job in Colorado. Pete's new job in MN.
29. What did you want and not get?
A better job in Colorado. Pete to be able to move with me.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Rise of Skywalker -- I don't really have a better answer.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
30 fucking 7. Ate a bunch of seafood and pinxtos in La Boca in Barcelona.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having Pete with me in Colorado with a good job.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?
Sometimes Boho. Sometimes Blah.
34. What kept you sane?
Hope that things are going get better.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Aneurin Barnard is adorbs.
35. What was your favorite video game of the year?
Uh. None.
36. Who has made the most cameos in your dreams this year?
Tornados.
37. Who did you miss?
Pete, deeply since October. My family.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Kelly, Mary, Beth, & Tamah share that title here in Boulder.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019:
Life is short, take risks, even if it scares you. You'll at least learn something from the process.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Lately she's stopped travelling
Her heartbeat moved too fast to know
Choked up with miles to go
Over a million signs to blink and let it go
Over a million signs to blink and let it go
Maybe I'm unraveling
Maybe I'm unraveling slow
Ooo, but it calls me
Ooo, but it calls me
Ooo, but it calls me to let it go
|
|
| We are amused. |
[16 Sep 2011|07:54pm] |
My last post...amuses me greatly.
Not much else to say, besides I'm glad that we are in the final quarter of a trying year.
Yes, I'm aware it's mid-September.
I'm looking forward to a sedate and happy 2012.
With family, friends, and a special someone who listens to String Cheese Incident.
|
|
| Day 12: A Song From A Band You Hate |
[18 May 2011|10:10pm] |
00:39 seconds in feels more like 39 minutes in. Honestly, it could have been any Jam band, take your pick, but I picked The String Cheese Incident because the name makes me want to punch something.
I think listening to this music takes me back to high school, in a bad way. Both my high school boyfriends were into Phish, Widespread Panic, Phil Lesh/Bob Weir, etc. I do like some of the Dead's original stuff and I can't hide the fact that at one point, I was a huge DMB fan. see journal title
It's not that I can't ever listen to this genre, it's just that I prefer to be using substances and at an outdoor concert while doing so. Fortunately, those are two things I don't get to do a whole lot of now that I'm a grown up with responsibilities.
|
|
| Day Eleven: A Song From Your Favorite Band |
[15 May 2011|07:51pm] |
I've already covered a good amount of my favorites on this list...so I been waiting for a good time to include Morcheeba* and since there isn't a "Song that Reminds of The Best Sex You Ever Had" day, this will have to do.
*Skye Edwards albums only.
|
|
| Day Ten: A Song That Makes You Fall Alseep |
[14 May 2011|02:14pm] |
I have some straight-up, new age stuff in my collection that is really abstracted and ambient. It's only good for listening during meditation or when you are already in bed, in comfy clothes, with the lights off. Otherwise, I find it annoying.
This is where the Cocteau Twins comes in. I can listen to their music pretty much anytime I want to chill out before bed. And unlike the other new-agey tracks in my itunes, it can come up on shuffle at other times and I'll leave it on.
|
|
| Day Nine - A Song You Can Dance To |
[10 May 2011|09:17pm] |
Okay, so I'm not so good at this posting everyday thing, but this one was worth the wait, I promise you.
Prince Rogers Nelson, you freaky skinny little man. You are the Pied Piper of dirty dancing. I don't even have to be drunk to want move my body to this song. I'm not sure I even get half the things going on in this video, but that's okay. Simultaneously confusing and turning on your audience is just what you do.
|
|
| Day Seven: A Song That Reminds You of a Certain Event |
[04 May 2011|01:59pm] |
A song that reminds me of an event, hmmm. I can think of plenty of embarrasing ones...
I could be tacky and pick my high school's prom song, which was "Champange Supernova" by Oasis. Or what was playing when I fooled around with my first boyfriend, "Sex and Candy" by Marcy Playground. Or the song that was popular my first week of college, "Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm. Lame.
But I'm all about making this list awesome.
So, I'm going to go with an awesome song that reminds me awesome times.
The summer of 2004 was totally my summer of love. The first summer I was 21 years old was a magical time of sex, drugs, and rock and/or* roll in Milwaukee.
And if I had to pick a single song that takes me back, it would have to be The Obsolete's "Going Down to Milwaukee". Sorry I can't find a complete version of the song. Basically the album "Is This Progress" was the soundtrack of that summer. I also "borrowed" it from  tendollarwine for six years, just returning the CD a few months ago.
*Simpsons reference
|
|
| Day Six: A Song That Reminds Me of Somewhere |
[02 May 2011|04:43pm] |
Since this whole 30 day challenge is like making a mix tape of your life, I've got to go to the last place where the forgotten art of mix tape arrangement still reigns supreme. Or at least it did in 2004.
Ingraham Deli
Tucked away behind Bascom Hall on the UW- Madison Campus, this little gem of deli is where I earned my drinking dollars shilling Alterra coffee and Wisconsin Union's food. My co-workers quickly became a group of good friends. Our insane boss would curse us out if we called in sick to work (which was frequently), but she would spend maybe 10 minutes working for every 60 she was clocked in. She likely got mad because then she might have to increase her output to 20 minutes. There was no weekend hours and we all took turns opening, which required you to report at 6:30 am. One semester, I opened MWF, all while still going out most nights of the week until bar time. It was easy to do, since I knew a free cup of coffee and a fresh doughnut awaited me at work. Not to mention on Friday afternoon we got dibs on the weekly leftovers.
The sights, smells, and sounds of Ingraham Deli I carry with me to this day. Especially the latter. We could get radio, but all the best stations were hazy at best. So each employee made and brought along mix tapes play during their shift. The best part about this was we all had divergent tastes. I was the classic/indie rock girl. Tracy loved jam bands and 90's alternative. Silas only did punk and metal. Maggie was into twee-pop and new wave. Rob was like a real-life version of the character Rob from High Fidelity. He was the one that introduced me to N*E*R*D:
When I hear it, I'm right back in the Deli. It was also the last track of the tape, so I always have the urge to get up and change the song when it ends. On an unrelated note: How hot is Pharrell Williams?
|
|
| Day Five: A Song That Reminds You of Someone |
[01 May 2011|10:17am] |
Well I was not nineteen, but I was seventeen going on eighteen when I experienced my first really intense attachment to someone. Sure, I had my share of silly crushes (prior to this person and still experience them ever so often). But with this guy, who was a few years older, it was different. I literally remember being stir-crazy that I couldn't be near him day and night. That was about 2000 and seven years later Tegan & Sara captured that sentiment exactly.
I prefer the studio version, but I couldn't seem to find it on you tube. But whatevs, T & S are so adoreable, enjoy the live performance.
So what happened with this guy? Well, as expected, he lost interest and I got burned. Someone my earliest LJ entries are about him. That's okay though, I had a much better time when I actually was nineteen.
|
|
| Day Four: A Song That Makes You Sad |
[28 Apr 2011|10:12pm] |
I like a lot of sad-bastard music and thus have an arsenal of playlists solely for the reason of getting a good cry out.
Leave it to Jeff Buckley to write the song that makes my stomach drop and leaves me breathless with emotion.
( And the lyrics, oh god, the lyrics.Collapse )
Honorable mention in this category:
Bright Eyes by Art Garfunkel
Ne Me Quitte Pas by Jacques Brel/Nina Simone
It's Cool, We Can Still Be Friends by Bright Eyes
Long Black Veil by Johnny Cash
Without You by Nilsson
Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell
|
|
| Day Three: A Song That Makes You Happy |
[27 Apr 2011|07:07pm] |
Amy, Amy, Amy,
You hot mess of a diva. Still waiting for you to get your shit together for another album. I know you are busy "producing" for the handful of talent on your Lioness label and working on sobriety...or at least moderation. No small feat.
I was suppose to pick one song that makes me happy, but ALL your songs make me happy. I can't resist a retro-soul-revival act, particularly when I so identify so strongly with the themes in your lyrics (and life). Often imitated, never duplicated.
Please don't hate me though if I pick "Valerie" as the song that makes me the happiest. Okay, so the Zutons wrote it and Mark Ronson gave it that extra special polish. But girlfriend, YOU OWNED IT.
I'm sorry they filmed the video when you were feuding with Ronson (Or were you still in jail?). Those "Winettes" just make me cringe. Can't say the video makes me as happy as the song.
Anyway, you keep up the good work, stay away of the crack and away from Blaaaaake, and just maybe...I actually get to see you perform in person someday.
Wino Forever,
B
|
|
| Day Two: Your Least Favorite Song |
[26 Apr 2011|01:20pm] |
Today's prompt is even more challenging than yesterday's. Not because I hate or dislike most music, it's just a lot easier to pin point favorites than try to narrow down a specific 'not liked' song.
I dislike plenty of songs on the grounds of "it's just not my thing", "overrated", "overplayed", "I don't get it", or "used to like it, but now associate it with bad things(like Glee or annoying roommates)". Some of my favorite artists have made songs/albums I could take or leave and sometimes I'm just crazy about one song by an artist, but think the rest of their work is just meh. There is also context to consider. I have a hard time listing to most hip-hop outside of partying and working out. I can't listen to Radiohead while driving, it makes me too spacey. And anything beside of my new agey mixes before sleep will keep my mind reeling.
So I'm going to go with a song that everyone else seems to like, but just leaves me slightly irritated with throbbing ear drums.
*video of "don't stop believin' deleted because it annoyingly would start upon opening page*
A side note: I never really cared for this song, even before Glee covered it. So it doesn't fall into the "bad associations" category, more just generally "overrated". I've always been more of a Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) fan.
|
|
| Day One : Your Favorite Song |
[25 Apr 2011|03:49pm] |
Because I don't want to fuck up my facebook feed, but still want to participate...I'm going to do the 30 day music challenge in my good old el jay. Mainly because I know no one really gives a shit about what song (fill the in blank) reminds me of (blank).
So, here on day one, I'll start with my favorite song, going on 15 years...
Who doesn't like Tom Petty? He's got intergenerational fan base that continues to be filled with younger listeners. I was introduced to him by my favorite babysitter, who would let me watch late night MTV with her. "Last Dance with Mary Jane" would come on I remember thinking he was pretty cool at age ten. See also: Traveling Wilburys.
Anyway, he did the soundtrack for "She's the One", with this as the lone single. Not sure if the film was any good, but was starring Jennifer Aniston who makes a bit cameo at 2:17 in the vid. The film was written by and also starring Ed Burns. Who also makes a cameo as the taxi driver. So it's safe to assume "She's the One" was vomit-inducing at it's best. Too bad for Tom, as this was a gem of a song. Oh and thank you Wikipedia, I didn't know that Lindsey Buckingham contributed to the vocals and the vid, I can't believe I didn't notice that!
As for the personal relevance of this song, I remember exactly where I was when the first time I heard/saw the video. It was a summer morning and I was about 13 years old. Obviously, the video has such a distinctive theme that I never forgot it. Beyond the "cool" visuals, the song's lyrics *blew my mind*. Walls? Not only do they keep things out (the dangers), but they hold things in (the pain). OMG. To this day, I think it's a neat little summary of the cyclic and contradictory nature of life.
Also, I would probably melt if someone told me "You've got a heart so big, that it could crush this town/And I can't hold out forever, even walls fall down". That's Godzilla Love. Honestly, how many songs do you enjoy because there is some small part of you that wishes the lyrics were about you? I'm sure everyone has a few.
|
|
|
[18 Jan 2011|11:57pm] |
Do you have a father,
who has treated you well,
and in his own imperfect way
tried to love you the best he could;
which means at times he failed,
but you still know that he loves you?
Deep down, you know you love him
in a similarly flawed way.
Please say to him today, "thank you"
and, of course, "I love you."
Someday certain you will want to say these things,
but he won't be able to hear you.
Those words held back will rebound
and sting like a slap.
|
|
| Reading List for 2011 |
[16 Dec 2010|11:25am] |
|
Books I would like to read in 2011, in no particular order...
1. The Postmistress - Sarah Blake
2. Remarkable Creatures - Tracy Chevailer
3. Listening is an Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life form the StoryCorps Project - Dave Isay
4. Blonde Roots - Bernadine Evaristo
5. My Name is Mary Sutter - Robin Oliveira
6. My Freshman Year - Rebekah Nathan
7. Atypical: Life with Asperger's in 20 1/3 Chapters - Jesse A. Saperstien
8. Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood - Koren Zalickas
9. Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets - Sudhir Venkatesh
10. Voodoo Histories: The Role of Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History - David Aarnovitch
11. Life in Year One - Scott Korb
12. Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life - Winifred Gallagher
13. I Don't Know What I Want....-Julie Jansen
14. Drive: The Surprising Truth of What Motivates Us - Daniel H. Pink
15. Beyond Tolerance - Gustav Neibuhr
16. The Ghost Map - Steven Johnson
17. Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing without Organizations - Clay Shirky
18. Debt Free U - Zac Bissonnette
19. Art of Conversation - Catherine Blyth
20. They Can But They Don't - Jerome H. Bruns
21. You Majored in What? - Katherine Brooks Ed.D
22. Taming the Tiger Within - Thich Nhat Hanh
23. The Miracle of Mindfulness - Thich Nhat Hanh
24. Unstuff Your Life! - Andrew J. Mellen
25. Battling Bias - Ruth Sidel
26. Man's Search For Meaning - Victor Frankl
27. Mists of Avalon - Marion Zimmer Bradley*
28. The Red Queen - Phillipa Gregory
29. The Mouse and His Child - Russell Hoban
30. Life - Keith Richards*
* Started in 2010
Ok, so I don't expect to read every single one of these books within the year. I'd be happy if I tacked a third of the list. Some are indulgent fiction, some need to be in my professional library, and others I've been meaning to finish for years. I'm sure I'm missing some, but I think this list is a good start.
I've got some time now, if you haven't heard.
|
|
| tension |
[24 Oct 2010|06:39pm] |
|
I need a better way to manage stress. Though I suppose graduate school, even at a small liberal arts college, can induce epic levels of tension that regular coping skills can't seem to topple.
Tried yoga. It works in the short term, like the 90 minute window during the class and immediately following. But It actually stresses me more in the long run, because it's stressful getting to class on time and then as soon as I get home I have to get started on work.
Drinking, is again a short term fix with long term consequences. Like being to hung over to study, failing classes, dropping out.
Mediation does work. If you use it regularly. The only things I do on a daily basis are studying and stressing. Sleeping, eating, working, and socializing occur randomly in that order.
White people problems, I know. But stress is stress. And it will kill you dead, mother-uckers.
This counselor needs a counselor.
|
|
| MINE MINE MINE |
[01 Oct 2010|08:13am] |
|
I've had this journal for 10 years.
I'm not giving it up for another 100. Even if the frequency of posts drop to one a year, I'll still be keeping this journal.
So stop trying to make it yours, K?
|
|
| Good karma is cashed |
[13 Sep 2010|10:49pm] |
You should never try talking to me after a 13-hour day. I'm not very nice.
edited at 11:32pm
*facepalm* how did I end up taking the lead on a project I was only supposed to assist with. Not cool.
|
|
| So far, so good |
[13 Sep 2010|04:21pm] |
|
3 Good Things That Happened Today
1. Free coffee on the way to my internship.
MSOE counseling services is located in the Kern center, while my parking pass is for the lot across from the Blatz condos. This means I have a brief two block walk from my lot to my office. Grace Lutheran Cathedral happens to be located right next door to the Kern center and they have a coffeshop that is open on Weekday mornings. I was actually meaning to pop in to see what the shop was like and grab a much needed jolt of caffine, but didn't have to as they had set up a card table with complimentry coffee. The man at the table made me think of someone from my past. I'll let you speculate who...
2. Free lunch.
I'm going to really like Mondays. We have a staff lunch meeting, which means the entire staff gets together to enjoy some comped cafe meals and share stories about their weeks. One of the full time staff members usually contributes a topic of interest and today it was about the unusually high rate of terrorists with engineering degrees. Obviously, it prompted a chicken or the egg dicussion.
3. I was complimented on my french accent!
Ok, so I haven't been adding any new mots françias to my vocabulary, but I have been dillgently working to improve my pronounication. I figured, I would rather say less, but say it correctly. When I shared this with two other workers in the office, who spoke french at some point in their lives, were rather impressed. It could be totally BS,but I would like to believe that all that Serge, Jacques, and Edith I've been listening to has helped a bit!
|
|
