I picked up the most amazing vase at the festival on Saturday. I should have gotten a card from the artisan. It is just perfect.

Hanna and I drove to Chattanooga last night. It was a little surreal to see the devastation in the Murfreesboro area from the tornado that hit yesterday morning. There was mangled metal in the trees and branches down all over. Sad.

There were beautiful mamatas clouds in the sky when we got to the venue (just like the ones below). We sat in the car and watched them through the moonroof for a little while.



The show was good... despite some blatant disregard for the sound specs outlined in the rider. Matt did a great job with what he had available.

Oh yeah. I got mad on Saturday. This is monumental, because I only get mad maybe three times a year... so congratulations goes to Michael for being the first one to set me off in 2002. Our conversation last night went a little like this:

M: Hey thanks for bringing that cd over to [so&so]'s apartment.
D: Yeah. But I was so mad at you on Saturday.
M: I knew you were, because you hung up the phone and I turned to the guys and said "She is pissed!"
D: I was!
M: So Paul said, "Well, call her back and do whatever it takes to make her unpissed."

Haha. I really do love those guys.

Tash, I hope that you are feeling better. Thanks for calling me. I told the guys about your ordeal, and they were very sympathetic. I hope your car recovers as well!!

End of the British Invasion? "For the first time in nearly forty years, there is no British single on the Billboard Top 100." (source)

Main Street Festival tomorrow. I am so tired, but I am planning on dragging my butt out of bed for this one.

Chattanooga on Sunday night.

Friday Five
1. What are your hobbies? I like to read and sew and play video games (current addiction is Motocross Mania) and mess around on the computer.
2. Do you collect anything? If so, what? Dust. No, I used to collect pop cans with different designs, but with all the moving I've done in recent years, I gave up on that.
3. Is there a hobby you're interested in, but just don't have the time/money to do? Underwater basket weaving.
4. Have you ever turned a hobby into a moneymaking opportunity? I'm getting paid to update people's websites... I guess that counts, right?
5. Besides web-related stuff (burbs, rings, etc.), what clubs do you belong to? I'm a Sam's Club member. I think that's it, at this point in my life. I used to be in 4-H. :) We were the West Clever Clovers.

I'm not quite dead yet.

Last night was really weird. How much drama can you pack into one evening? I can't even begin to write about the harrowing experience downtown... but then night ended with my neighbor being taken to the hospital in an ambulance in the middle of the night, and me going over there and staying with the baby while the wife went to the emergency room.

More later...

I'm Rogue
What X-Men Character are You?

I don't have a leash mobile phone.

Take the IckleWEB "Which mobile phone are you?" test...

It's official. I love GMA week. Yesterday was just the pre-beginning of everything, but I am already have a ball.

Erin is staying with us until Thursday! Yay!

Last night saw Feezel at SATCO. I miss them so much! It was great to see them and catch up on everything. Their showcase is tonight, so I am definitely going to catch that. (And we saw the gals from Out of Eden dancing inside -- wow, that youngest one is starting to look like something the cat dragged in.)

We are running a hotel at the moment. Erin is here all week. Then last night and I think tonight Beth's friends Mark (formerly of Sundry), Danny (formerly of STP), & Neil are staying downstairs. Craziness. We had a Moxie Davis listening party when we got back. Then on top of all that my guys got back into town and had to come to my house, because Michael had to bring me money and pick up his car. But they all left again.

Chris just wished me a Happy Admin Professionals Week.
Thanks!
And on that note, Happy Earth Day.
Love your Mother.
And on another note, Friday is Hug an Australian Day.

Oh! And I had someone confirm the rumor from a few weeks ago... so I can now say -- U2 is supposedly recording at The Dark Horse!!! My friend told me yesterday that a friend of his makes deliveries out to the studio, and the other day he couldn't get in because there was security outside saying that it was a closed session... and apparently they have been spotted here and there. Now I just have to figure out if my source saying that they are renting a house downtown in Franklin is correct.

Song of the Day:
Head over Heals - Tears for Fears
~~ This is my four leaf clover... ~~

1. What's your favorite TV show and why? 24, because of the original concept and extreme intensity. (And hello! Lou Diamond Phillips as a prison guard! How brilliant was that? I love him!)
2. Who is your favorite television star? Kiefer Sutherland :)
3. What was your favorite TV show as a child? M.A.S.K. or Twin Peaks
4. What show do you think should have been cancelled by now? Is Frasier still on? Never liked that show.
5. What new show do you hope escapes the axe this season? Apparently 24's return next season is still in question.

On that note, Martin over at The Copydesk posted a link yesterday to Real-time reviews of '24'. I wish I had thought of that. My household watches that show religiously. I also think that a 24-hour 24 marathon is in order at the end of the season. Maybe FX would do that.



Okay, I know I wasn't going to be talking about Brandon anymore... even though he really is so cute... but I found out that he has puked on my roommate before. How exciting is that? She was doing promotions for the festival... and he had partaken of too much alcohol and other substances. He's still cute though.

GMA week begins Sunday. I have yet to figure out exactly what my plans for the week are. I don't have one of those pass thingies that get you in to everything... since I'm not here looking for a record deal, and I have a job that already keeps me far too busy as it is. But I have started compiling a list of places I need to get to:
~ Sunday - Newsboys Jumbotron... after the whole permit fiasco, I just want to say that I've seen it.
~ Monday - Sparrow Late-night Showcase... might catch The Elms, Santus Real, & Newsboys.
~ Tuesday - Tooth & Nail showcase... Supertones, Bleach, KJ-52, Jeremy Camp... all I really want to see is Jeremy and say hi to Brandon (not the above-mentioned Brandon).
~ Wednesday - Fervent showcase... I want to catch Big Daddy Weave, since they are exARCies too.
~ Feezel - don't know what night, but they are at Grand Central Station at 11:25.

Song of the Day:
All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray - Handel
I don't know why Messiah is in my head today... but whatever.

I am definitely writing a novel next November for NaNoWriMo. I think it might have to be a romance novel, because I was just inspired by a line from an email -- "And give me a ring with any questions..." And give me a ring with any questions. Imagine a diamond ring arriving in response with a question attached.... which would, of course, be Will you marry me?. I'm hopeless, I know.

And in other Consumable News, The Coca-Cola Company announced that Vanilla Coke - Coca-Cola with a hint of vanilla - will be introduced in the United States with distribution starting May 15. Sounds yummy. My loyalty was always to Jones Soda's Vanilla Cola, but it does have a bit of a weird aftertaste. We'll see how Coke does with their attempt.

I haven't had a SlapStix in years. Probably 15 years. Back in the day they were only about fifteen cents, and we kids would walk down to Food*Land and get them once in a while. I have often wondered if they were available anywhere, and today I found them at Peppermint Palace. Nostalgic Candy has them available individually, but their website is kind of obnoxious.

WhoWouldYouKill.com - You can kill off random characters on shows ranging from Dukes of Hazzard to X-Files.

We here at the manor are accidental exhibitionists. Apparently Chanel drove past last night and saw us upstairs walking around the living room. Oh well. It is hot, and we open all the windows and doors when we get home.

what's your battle cry?

Hungry.

Okay, so I really got Bubbles... but Ally-B is Bubbles... and Ern is Buttercup. That's just the way it is. I'm Blossom.

I drove directly under a hot air balloon on my way home from work yesterday. It was kind of surreal.

My roommates got mad at me for going to Wal-Mart after midnight on Sunday night, because a girl was attacked in the parking lot there a few months back. Well, that did cross my mind, which is why I took my pepper spray with me... but when a girl needs Rainbow Sherbet, a girl needs Rainbow Sherbet.

I live for the last minute.

Taxes have been e-filed.

I'm going for coffee.


Take the What Kind of Slacker are you? Quiz

Take the What Will Your Result To This Quiz Be? Quiz

The people who know the people I work with will see the complete humor in the above test result. Mmm... swedish.

Do you know Jack Schitt? Hehe.

I bought Remy Zero's The Golden Hum on Friday night, and I'm digging it.



Upcoming Shows:
4/28/2 - ArtOfficial Tour
5/3-5/2 - River Stages: Incubus, Counting Crows, Garbage, No Doubt, et.al.
5/30/2 - Usher w/ Nas & Faith Evans
7/9/2 - Dave Matthews Band
7/13/2 - Sonshine (hopefully)
And then the as yet unscheduled Nelly show.

Oh no. I just read that my old college is trying to do away with the end-of-the-year nekkid soccer game held annually on the library lawn. I admit to having been a spectator in '99 when I went back for what would have been my graduation. It is really less of a big deal than what administrators would lead you to believe... but yeah, if gross old locals are setting up camp with their folding chairs and coolers, that's just not right.

which children's storybook character are you?

I have little feet. I can generally fit into the largest size in the kids department, and last night I almost bought some of those sneakers that light up when you walk. Instead I got some nice black ones that add at least 2.5 inches to my already tall stature. The guys in the office are going to hate them. :)

I'm stressing out.

Friday Five
1. What is your favorite restaurant and why?
In Sioux Center, Pizza Ranch -- quite possibly the only good pizza out there.
In Decorah, Cafe Deluxe -- great homemade food, good coffee, the perfect college-town restaurant.
In Michigan, The Butler in Saugatuck -- located where the Kalamazoo River meets Lake Michigan, it has the best fish and chips in middle America.
In Indianapolis, Mama Carolla's for irrestistable Italian or El Azabache for marvelous Mexican.
In Nashville, Demo's for their chicken & rice soup.
2. What fast food restaurant are you partial to? I have Subway probably four times a week for lunch, because it is fast and the people there are cool. I do like Backyard Burger though as well.
3. What are your standards and rules for tipping? Tip above expectation... if the server is crabby, it might be because he/she was stiffed by the patrons before you... attempt to right the wrong.
4. Do you usually order an appetizer and/or dessert? Rarely. Almost never order dessert.
5. What do you usually order to drink at a restaurant? Dr. Pepper / Mr. Pibb -- sweet tea

Nothing in life is certain except death and taxes
-- Benjamin Franklin

There will always be death and taxes; however, death doesn't get worse every year.
-- Unknown

A little tax humor for you. Ahh, how quickly doth April 15th draw near.

Chris turned my poem into a song. The rest of it perfectly captures November 12th, 2000.

Danielle
smile like you're leaning
on a split-rail fence
breathing roadside dust
and lemonade
red hair showing
bluejeans wearing
sunset glowing
midwest poetry
in your pose.

Smile like we're walking
In a small-town park
Bundled up against the cold
Arm in arm
Wind was blowing
We were talking
It should have been snowing
Midwest poetry
Walking close

Smile like you're sitting
On an old piano bench
I'm sitting there with you
In a big empty house
I was playing
You were listening
I was singing
Midwest poetry
About the coast
Yay. :) He said that he will record it and send it to me someday. Musician friends are so cool.

I hate Netscape... and even AOL is messing with me this time. I hate having to design for those people who don't bother to update their browsers -- can't we all just be DHTML friendly?

Brandon from Incubus looks especially nice in the "Nice to Know You" video. And that's the last time I'll mention that.

Talked to Naten tonight. I miss that guy. Nothing like a chit-chat with a childhood friend to make one homesick. I want to go home for visit now. Sometimes I wanna go where everybody knows my name... and they're always glad I came.

Anyway, back the topic of vocalists... I had to laugh when I ran across the clever little animated gif below. Go Adam!

I don't want to take these tests... but I just have to...


Which NIRVANA song are you?


Find your inner donut.


The Band Quiz

I don't know exactly how they determine the personality traits of band instruments, but whatever. Chocolate donuts are the only ones I ever really eat, so that's fine by me. I dig "Pennyroyal Tea"... and I do my own thing.

REMINDER TO SELF:
Saturday the 13th, 6:00 p.m.
David Blaine - Street Magic
on The Discovery Channel

I am desperately trying to somehow find a pc version of the old mac game The Fool's Errand. It may not be as great as I remember it, but I did have the best time playing it ages ago at my aunt & uncles house. The thing is that it was made for Macs, and even copies of that are apparently out of print.

I am 72.5% British, just like
Michael Caine
Though you know your way around London you are most likely to retire to the West Coast of the USA.

Take the Brit Quiz at
www.darrenlondon.tripod.com/britquiz1.htm
"Your distinct personality, The Benevolent Ruler might be found in most of the thriving kingdoms of the time. You are the idealistic social dreamer. Your overriding goal is to solve the people problems of your world. You are a social reformer who wants everyone to be happy in a world that you can visualize. You are exceptionally perceptive about the woes and needs of humankind. You often have the understanding and skill to readily conceive and implement the solutions to your perceptions. On the positive side, you are creatively persuasive, charismatic and ideologically concerned. On the negative side, you may be unrealistically sentimental, scattered and impulsive, as well as deviously manipulative. Interestingly, your preference is just as applicable in today's corporate kingdoms."

The Eighties Pop Act Test deems me:

45% Eighties Pop ActYou are Phil Collins: When your friends were with you, you were the coolest, but on your own, you were a simpering crybaby. Go listen to Genesis.

I am Gary in the Spongebob Quiz!

Song of the Day (and Yesterday):
Gramarye - Remy Zero

which "monty python and the holy grail" character are you?




I think the house is about to blow away. Bad thing?

Men are like parking spaces --
all the good ones are taken...
and the rest are handicapped.

Sad.

On top of that, I found out that the whole Dark Horse thing was just a rumor. Dang-it.

In better news, Ted got our Dave Matthews Band tickets yesterday. I guess I need to find a date. Bleh.

Today was beautiful! Sat outside on the porch this morning with my Gold Coast coffee from Michael.

Watched Karl tinker around with ProTools for a little while. That stuff completely intrigues me. Maybe my calling is in the producing/mixing field. Makes my GoldWave shareware look pretty chincy.

Beth and I watched Waiting for Guffman this evening. Such a classic flick. "I hate you, and I hate your ass face." I think it is even funnier to me, because I was in my hometown's centennial production. I like to think we were better than that though. Hopefully.

Update from last Saturday -- still no sign of the resident celebrities.

I wonder if Jay has seen Broken Saints. Seems like a him thing.

Today is the longest day... ever. Maybe I am too eager to get my photographs from Sunday back and that is dragging the afternoon out. Ugh -- even my normal website distractions aren't entertaining me today.

Friday Five
1. What are the first things that you do in the morning to start your day? Hit snooze. Several times.
2. What are the last things that you do at night before going to bed? Lay in bed and read or something. Shut off the lamp. Make sure my alarm is on.
3. What daily routine have you recently added to your day? Breakfast. Weird.
4. What routine do you wish you get rid of? Umm... ?? I don't have that many routines. I prefer to be more impulsive than that.
5. What's the one thing that makes you feel like something is missing if you don't do it some point within your day? The daily walk to Starbucks with Ted and/or Karl.

I think I am going to try to get my keyboard and amp from Kevin tomorrow. After messing around with a few songs last week, I am inspired to play again.

I took classical piano lessons for 13 years... from five years of age until the summer I left for college.

My enjoyment of it was hindered when I developed performance anxiety when I was about 14. I just remember sitting on the steps to the balcony of Christ Chapel at Northwestern College hyperventilating because I was almost up to play my contest piece. I dreaded my recitals in high school, and even playing for my teacher was hard for me. I would shut the french doors between the piano room and the living room while I practiced so that I could not tell if anyone was around.

To this day, you have to sneak up on me to hear me play... but it is better than it used to be. Angela and I even sat down together over the holidays -- she plunked out the melody while I played the accompaniment.

ChordHouse.com -- great for piano and guitar players

Sorry, I've been busy.

Tour officially (or ArtOfficially...) starts today. Thank goodness.

More later -- I just wasted too much time laughing at cockeyed.com. (The Pre-emtive Sculpture Placement tale is especially amusing.)

Allergies suck.

Either I got kissed by the sun while we were walking about downtown this afternoon or my allergies are causing my skin to turn red.

Song of the Day:
Axel F - Harold Faltermeyer
Oh you know you tried to figure this one out on your Casio keyboard when the Beverly Hills Cop movies were big. It is being featured on my compilation disk -- Refrigerator Magnets: Volume Two.

It was definitely a warm-fuzzy weekend. Heard from old friends. Met new people. Good times.

Matthew (who is really the only person I keep in touch with from college) showed up on my doorstep Saturday night after a 14-hour drive from Ft. Lauderdale. We walked around downtown in the rain attempting to find a place that continues serving food after midnight. We ate and caught up on everything that has gone on since we last saw each other back in April of last year. Good times. Despite our major differences in opinion sometimes, I think he truly is a good person who has mellowed with age.

Yesterday was filled with people, food, and laughter. It almost made up for my twinge of homesickness knowing I was missing the family dinner back home. Highlights of my day: service in the morning, Kodak moments, lamb, Aerro the human garbage-disposal, pavlova, Hans & T.W.'s magic show, the cracker trick, and spinach dip at Bailey's.

"Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results." ~James Lane Allen   "If you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you want and copy what they do and you'll achieve the same results." ~Anthony Robbins   "Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results." ~Willie Nelson

Barbara just got email. Yay!

I hope Tash survived Easter camp... maybe she'll email me the details. :)