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Archive for the ‘Band Practice’ Category

Aunt Becky’s Annual Memepalooza

28 Dec

Becks over at Mommy Wants Vodka hosts her annual meme about this time every year and I am jumping aboard this crazy train for the second time because I like random surveys given by foxy bitches who like encased meats.  This is what I had to say last year, if’n you care to refresh.

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

I made science my bitch.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I’m gonna say yes because I’m too lazy to look at my resolution post from last year and because I’ve been told that I need to believe in myself more.  I will make more.  I will make many.  #onedayimgonna

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My lovely step sister just had her first kid.  Several Bandmates had babies and one of my mommy friends had her second kid.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My favorite aunt died.  There’s a hole there to deep to mention in polite company.  One of my Bandmates, the irrepressible ball of joy Mrs. One Day, died this week.  Although I didn’t know her well, her kindness was legend.  She will be remembered, as will her message of dreaming big and dreaming often.  #onedayimgonna.

5. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

Daryl Dixon and the ability to freeze time.

6. What countries did you visit?

Texas.

7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why:

Halloween was pretty memorable.  Hulk and Thor do Urgent Care tends to stick to the gray matter.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Showering more days than not.

9. What was your biggest failure?

There were many.  The most recent went undetected to my epic relief.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Depression.  It’s old news, people.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Contigo Water Bottle at the recommendation of Moosh in Indy.  Money well spent.

Gray Brain Cameo

If I only had a brain.  Oh wait, I do.

Womens NEW YORK Love Tri-Blend Pullover - american apparel S M L (5 Color Options)

I’d wear this everyday, but then I’d have to shower more.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Ellen, because she is spreading the kindness movement on a global level.  Also, she’s fucking funny.  And a cover girl.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

There was a lot of unkindness and bullying that made me sad in the heart parts.  There was also the whole election dealio that left me exhausted and deflated.  And, of course, the escalating incidences of violence that decimated me.

I’m trying to keep the light on the good stuff I witnessed.  The kindness, the camaraderie, #26acts, all that Ellen does everyday for people.  The Band, the Bloggess, Moosh in Indy and everyone else who shines lights into the dark corners and lifts up those who are down.  Kindness is catching.  Pass it on.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Christmas lights.  It’s like the Griswold’s up in this bitch.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Comic book movies.  It was kinda a big year for the geeks.

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?

We really are you know.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

i. happier or sadder?  I can hardly remember yesterday, how am I supposed to remember last year?  This year has been pretty bad so probs sadder.

ii. thinner or fatter?  Thinner.  Slightly.

iii. richer or poorer? Same, same.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Flash mobs.  Also flashing.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Second guessing and stressing.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I spent it with the kid and the hubberband.

22. Did you fall in love in 2012?

Only with Daryl Dixon and Russell Stover Dark Chocolate and Coconut Cream Santas.

23. How many one-night stands?

I’ve had a series of them with the aforementioned Santas.

24. What was your favorite TV program?

The Walking Dead.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I don’t hate anyone.  But I harbor strong feelings of anger, disappointment and revulsion for a select few.

26. What was the best book you read?

Let the Great World Spin

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

28. What did you want and get?

A meat thermometer.  Seriously.

30. What was your favorite film of this year?

Moonrise Kingdom and The Avengers.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 43.  I went to Bio, had a massage and saw Pitch Perfect.  It was cool.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A little more sun and a little less science.  Also, world peace.  And more Dark Chocolate Santas.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

Minimalist.  Read: I can fit into two pairs of pants, both of them yoga.

34. What kept you sane?

I don’t think I am this year.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

 

Source: fanpop.com via Lucid on Pinterest

 

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

The election was pretty hairy.  I’m grateful for three more years before the next shitstorm.

37. Who did you miss?

38. Who was the best new person you met?

Well, I technically met Lisa last year online, but met her live and in person this year.  So, Lisa.

 

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:

Patience is not a virtue I possess.  Hurry the fuck up, is.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

I know what I want but I just don’t know
How to, go about gettin’ it

http://youtu.be/bq76w2e6HoQ

 
10 Comments

Posted in And...cue zombie, Band Practice, El depresión, Moi, Musacks, Pictars, TeeVee, The Beautiful Peeps, Uncategorized, What about yer friends, YouTube

 

Dose of Happy – Caviar Wishes, Zombie Dreams

10 Dec

Over at Band Back Together we’re feeling like we want to junk punch the next person who asks us if we have a case of the Mondays.  So instead of doing the time in the resulting anger management program, we decided to take Monday back.  So we’re linking up our Dose of Happy posts and bringing the awesome back to Mondays.

Sunday night was an empty void without a new Walking Dead epi.  What can I say?  I like zombies.  I liked them before they were blowing up the screen, both big and small, and I will like them when I’m senile and decrepit in my rocking chair (read: next Tuesday) (C U then).  I also like Daryl Dixon.  Because I have a male oriented vagina.  I also, also like flash mobs that combine fads and include zombies.

So I have to find my happy place without TWD.  Thanks be to the sweet lady internet for YouTube and the zombie craze.   This may have been more relevant a few weeks ago, but my terrible timing may have given some enough time to recover the vitriol associated with every single election ever and bring the focus back around to where it should be – the zombie apocalypse, aka the new American Dream.

Also, Daryl Dixon.  You’re welcome, straight ladies vaginas.

 
2 Comments

Posted in And...cue zombie, Band Practice, Entertain Me, Grr. Argh, Musacks, TeeVee, Things that are rad

 

Dose of Happy – Make This World Mo Betta’

03 Dec

Over at Band Back Together we’re feeling like we want to junk punch the next person who asks us if we have a case of the Mondays.  So instead of doing the time in the resulting anger management program, we decided to take Monday back.  So we’re linking up our Dose of Happy posts and bringing the awesome back to Mondays.

 

 

I pinned this from the Bloggess because she makes me feel just like all the people in this pin do, like my internet bff does, like the Band does, like the Wheaton’s do, likeEllen does.

The Bloggess and James Garfield (obvi) are going for the trifecta of Christmas miracles in order to get the pig (James Garfield, obvs) qualified for sainthood.  Also to make people smile and feel loved even when in the middle of a horrendous catastrophe.  I’ve been lucky enough to be in on this experience from the beginning, but I want to share the warm fuzzy high that comes with joining together to make the world brighter with everyone.

Project Night Night is an awesome program that distributes a night night bag with book, blanket and stuffed animal to homeless kids all over the US.  Imagine how scary it feels to be a kid without a home, without any possessions to call your own.  It costs only $20 for one complete package or you can put them together yourself (see guidelines here).  This year, the Bloggess is trying to reach a goal of 1,000 packages for kids affected by Superstorm Sandy.  She kicked off the awesome with a donation of 25 packages.  I’m donating one this year because my pockets be smaller right now, but my mom’s group has a plan to work on a larger local donation after the holidays.

I know what the economy is like firsthand, y’all.  I totally get not being in a position to give right now.  But if you can’t give, can you spread the word?  Tweet that shit, Pin it, FB it, Stumble Upon it, Reddit it.  Every little bit helps.  It all matters.  Come on y’all, let’s all get high together.

 
16 Comments

Posted in Band Practice, Pictars, Pinteresting, Stuff That Matters, The Happy, Things that are rad, Uncategorized, What about yer friends

 

Crawl Toward The Light

05 Oct

I’m starting the weekend off right with a kick ass post that I had absolutely nothing to do with.  My internet BFF Lisa, has strung some words together in her typical nonchalantly badass way because I couldn’t.  That’s what Band Back Together is all about and that’s what my friendship with Lisa is all about.  Shining light in the dark and drearys, sharing stories and proving day after day that we are none of us alone.  Also, dick jokes and gallows humor.  Obviously.

 

My five-year-old son started primary school this fall.  The move from preschool to big kid school has involved a lot of changes and a lot of losses: two baseball caps, three snack bags, two water bottles, a sock, and a full PE outfit, not to mention a touch of innocence.  I never intentionally sheltered my children, but the truth is that most fortunate little kids are sheltered just by default.  There’s so much that my son just flat out doesn’t know about, and for that I am grateful.

Yesterday he came home from school talking about lockdown.  Lockdown, according to the kid, is what the school does when there’s an intruder.  “What’s an intruder,” I asked.  “Well,” he says, “An intruder is a man who comes into the school angry and wanting to hurt someone.”

Cue the sound of the bottom dropping out of my world.

It was so close to bedtime, and my ever-sensitive younger daughter was listening in, so I tried like hell to shelve the topic as quickly as possible, in order to revisit it at a more opportune time.  An hour later, my son came to find me putting some clothes away.  “Mommy,” he said, “why would someone want to be an intruder?”

Fuck the hard questions, yo.  I didn’t sign up for this.  The other day my daughter asked me if my vagina looked like hers.  I thought that was a tough one.  I’ll take the vag questions over the intruder questions any day.

“Nobody wants to be an intruder,” I said.  “Some people have something called mental illness, and that means that their brain doesn’t always work the way it ought to.  Sometimes, that mental illness causes them to make decisions that don’t make a lot of sense.  Sometimes it makes them hurt people.”

Without being prompted, my son then said, “Oh, right.  Like that time we were downtown and that man with mental illness broke the light in front of us.”  I’d forgotten.  It was a sunny weekend day, and we were strolling around downtown Hong Kong as a family of four.  From out of nowhere, a man met us at the corner of the street, holding a long fluorescent light bulb.  He threw it at the ground near our feet.  The ensuing explosion was louder than hell, and it scared the bejesus out of me.  He then laughed and walked away crookedly.  When my kids begged for an explanation, I gave it to them the way I made sense of it myself: mental illness.  Why else would someone do something so nonsensical?

Mental illness takes all different forms.  My kids know it by the smashed light bulb and they know it by the tears that fall down my face at the most inopportune times.  They know it’s a thing that makes people want to enter schools uninvited and that it’s what keeps me on the couch when I’d much rather be playing catch outside in the sun.  They know it intimately, whether they realize it or not.

I’m lucky, because I have tools to keep the monster at bay.  I’ve got access to doctors and therapies and books.  But most of all, and the thing for which I am most grateful, I’ve got support.  No matter what my diagnosis, I can’t stroll through downtown throwing light bulbs, because I have a wall of people standing in between me and that.  They won’t let me.  Thank god, they won’t let me.  My wall of people is what keeps me grounded.

One huge section of my wall is Joules.  She lives on the other side of the earth, and I’ve only met her in real life for a few minutes.  But when the shit hits the fan over here, she’s one of the first people I talk to.  She’s been on the receiving end of the darkness lately, and I go there because she gets it.  She’s been through it, and she doesn’t judge it.  She doesn’t wish it away on a magical cloud.  She doesn’t lose patience.  She doesn’t yawn and grow tired of it, even as I grow tired of it.  She isn’t afraid of confronting it.  And, trust me, almost everyone is afraid of confronting it.

These relationships, those founded on shared experience and mutual respect, are what make mental illness bearable.  Connection.  Friendship.  People are the light that we keep crawling towards.

Band Back Together is a community blog written by survivors

who share their stories of darkness,

in hopes of bringing light to others who are suffering.

This year’s calendar features our very own Joules as Miss December.

Proceeds from calendar sales help ensure that Band Back Together

remains a safe place for survivors to share their stories.

These are the people I’m talking about.

Please buy a calendar and support a worthy cause.

 
14 Comments

Posted in A Seat At The Head Of The Table, Band Practice, Stuff That Matters, What about yer friends

 

Fall Back Into Awesome. Or Onto Someone Awesome. Either, Either.

26 Sep

I’m linking up this week with the SITS girls because they’re doing a week of fun prompts and I like fun.  And I like the challenge of writing to prompts on occasion.  I also like From Tracie and am down to be a part of anything she has a hand in creating.  And her hands?  All over these prompts.  Sign up here, if’n you wanna.

Today’s prompt is to share something we look forward about fall.

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year.  The sun still shines after the work day is done, the air hovers at a pleasant temperature on most days and the nights require hoodies and snuggling up under blankets.  The clothes rule – tall boots, cozy sweaters, cute hats, scarves and gloves.  And the food is killer, both in taste and to the waist.  Comfort food sticks to more than just ribs.  Thick, creamy soups; warm, spiced baked goods; anything with pumpkin.

Fall kickstarts to the holiday season, it’s like the gateway to awesome.  Adorbs little ghosties at the doo.  Trotting with the turkey and a rambunctious, friendly crowd at the Portland Zoo and then the gluttony that ensues.  Shining eyes and drop-jawed awe at all the Christmas cheer and goodwill and shenanigans.  It all sends me.  Especially with the kid being of perfect age for full magic appreciation.

The promise of the true new year (school year, obvi) crackles in the air with visions of freshly sharpened pencils, unmarred notebooks and robot backpacks dancing in my head.  The excitement of ALL.THAT.NEW. driving adrenaline through wiggly, little bodies.  New teachers, new friends, new skills to be accomplished.  And for mama, new teevee.

Premiere week gets my juices flowing.  I love seeing the old familiars, catching up, how’s the wife and kids, how was your summer and all.  And checking out the new kids, seeing if we mesh, pulling for that weird, little show to hunker down and pull up its ratings so we can continue our new love.  I love the continuity of those relationships and how they’re parceled out over time.  I adore the long stretch of uninterrupted weekly episodes.

But there’s another side to fall, one that’s less charming and glorious and settles like a dark and rusty mantle just about this time every year.  I read about the rapid light change phenomenon and it all clicked into place.  No wonder my broken-down synapses resist the allures of the luscious, lovely fall despite all the wonder that populates my life.  Depression is a wily fuck and can topple you when you least expect it.  If you’re like me and have an inclination towards shaky mental health (depression, anxiety, any other diagnosis  from the grab bag of mental disorders) be aware of the possibility of trigger time and take some steps to help you cope.

Light box therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, motherfucking laughter, scheduling time with friends and family, writing, singing, piña coladas or getting caught in the rain, a host of other things that work for each of us.  Reach out.  And, when you feel that pressure crushing you like a crumpled paper bag, take a breath and remember the light will slow down and this too, will pass.

This world needs every one of us for as long as we can manage to dig our nails into the earth and hold on.  And yes, that means YOU.

 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

 
9 Comments

Posted in Band Practice, Moi, Silly Stuff, Stuff That Matters, The Happy, Things that are rad, Uncategorized

 

Stuff and Junk

21 Sep

  • I’m over at the Argus again, fearing for my life and the lives of the 47%.  Also, the other 53% because Jeebus help you if he decides none of us are worthy.  I’ll love you forevs if you brave the tumultuous website and comment over there.  Who am I kidding, I’ll love you forevs anyway.  Thanks for reading, Mom.
  • Want to support Band Back Together?  See some brave ass hotties?  Throw darts at my photo for the entire month of December?  I’m in a calendar and you can own it for a low, low price.  That price is $5 lower than it will be come October so buy now, if you’ve a mind to do so.  Also, if you love me (ie, Mom).  And please remember to drop my name.  It won’t get you anything more than the already included awesome, but it will count toward my quota of 10.
  • I sold my iPhone 4 for money for Tootsie Rolls an iPhone 5, but there’s this mind-altering bloodlust happening with the release so I’m rocking the 3G iPhone until my turn in the pre-order queue.  The 3G means I’m using 3.1.1.  In other words, I have gone back in time and am unable to connect with or relate to any of you using current technology that actually a)functions and/or b)exists.  I am playing Pong on this thing y’all.  It requires six D batteries.  It’s entirely possible this is where they hid Jimmy Hoffa’s body.
  • I’ve been assured everything is stored in the cloud.  But the cloud is a motherfucking mirage to someone with an antique iPhone that’s only real use is…pardon my gag…talking to people who aren’t there.  Which, as far as I learned in grad school, is not psychologically healthy.  As I recall the correct term was insane in the membrane.  But there is a current revision of the DSM going on so there’s a chance it will given the new diagnosis of Antiquated Technology Syndrome.  I’m planning the telethon now.  Call in to donate at KLondike-SEND-4GLTE.
  • And, because I love you, I’m doing a song every week from my wedding CD because I found it recently and want to share my stellar taste in musack with the world. Consider this the aural equivalent of watching someone else’s vacations videos. All songs are from bands that we saw live together.  Which reminds me.  Hey current music scene, could you please be a little more awesome so we can attend another show that doesn’t involve Charlie Sheen, elephant tranquilizers or a guy in purple dinosaur costume?  Thanks!

First up is perfect for the weekend.  If you’re having the weekend if wish I was having and probably am having right now in the flashback to my life in the early 90′s.

Ain’t got no dope, all I got’s my forty
Ain’t got nobody, baby, I can call my shorty

Indeed.

 
4 Comments

Posted in Argus, Band Practice, Musacks, Silly Stuff, Stuff That Matters, The Happy, Things that are rad, Writing, YouTube

 

Miss December

13 Sep


Photobucket

 

So, you know Band Back Together, right?  The one I’ve been volunteering for since last summer?  The one I talk about often and have an ooh shiny button for right over there to your right?  Well, we have a calendar coming out featuring thirteen lovely Band members.  Thirteen brave ass Band members too because not only are they displaying the undeniable radness of their visage, they’re also displaying their conditions.  In front of like, the world.

Somehow I got asked into this group of badasses and somehow I agreed, despite my beef with the other side of lens.  And somehow I’m kicking off the thirteen month calendar as Miss December 2012,  the Face of Eating Disorder NOS.

You can read a little bit about that face on the Band today.  You can purchase a calendar at a discount right now during the pre-sale and even get a bundle with some cool goodies to go along with it.  And, of course, all proceeds go to Band Back Together to keep it running smoothly and allow it to remain a safe place for survivors to share their stories.

Order yours today, if only to see my mug in a professional photo(taken by my lovely and talented Portland friend, Elizabeth Hutchins) in which I am not blocking the camera with my hand TMZ style.   Few, if any, exist.  Remember to add a note to seller with my name for like, accounting and junk.  And remember, as always, that we are none of us alone.

 
4 Comments

Posted in Band Practice, Stuff That Matters, Uncategorized

 

We’re Still All In This Together

11 Sep

                                                                                                                     Source: uniqueshoppes.com via Annie on Pinterest

 

Eleven years ago today I was in New York City.  I have a story just like every other person who was there.  Or wasn’t there, but was still affected.  Everything  changed that day.  It started a chain of events that would leave indelible scars across this country and all of those who reside within.  I keep mine close.

But something else happened that day.  The lines that divide us were severed, obliterated in that cloud of shattered glass, shredded paper and fine gray ash that fell like snow for days.  For a short while there was no us, there was no them.  We were all in it together.  And we were all New Yorkers.  Even those of us who had never set foot in the Empire State. Those that were in the Empire State were kind to one another.  We stopped on the street to inquire after a person we would have walked right past the week before.  We lent a hand, we shared what we had, we offered a shoulder.  We were united.

I want that feeling back.  Without the fear or the anger or the incredible sadness.  I want that sense of community on a national level back, even if it’s just for one day.  911Day.org is offering us a way to remember, to be of service and to rise up together once again.  United.

What will YOU do today?

 
4 Comments

Posted in Band Practice, Stuff That Matters, Uncategorized

 

Happy Feet. And Other Assorted Body Parts

30 Aug

Bubs

So I’m over at Band Back Together waxing poetic-like about happiness and how to get you some.  Check it out if you ever hope to be happy in this life.  Or, you know, if you have time.

 
1 Comment

Posted in Band Practice, Silly Stuff, Stuff That Matters, The Happy, Things that are rad

 
 

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