Thanksgiving 2009 (amended)

Happy Thanksgiving,

Its about family, not food. Im thankful for my family, my friends and my job.

I hope you all out there have a wonderful day!

Talk Hard!
G

Sweet Home Chicago

Update: I'm not going anywhere! Chicago is my home, and this is where I will stay for now. *wink*

Now onto other interesting things, this coming week I have lots to look forward to. NIN shows on Friday AND Saturday, and then Motorhead with Reverend Horton Heat and Nashville Pussy on Sunday... YEEEEHAW!!

And just to make the deal a tiny bit sweeter, I have the following Monday Off!!! Oh yes I'm Excited!

Considering this is supposed to be Trent Reznor's last tour, (we all know how last tour's go) I have to see him. I'm really glad that the show is going to be at the Aragon Ballroom as well. Just as I suspected, it is indeed sold out. It will be one hell of a show. Ah yes, the good ole' brawl-room. This will be interesting.

My first experience there was when I was 17 to see the Black Crows with my very good friend Kelly. We had a blast there, other than the asshole who kept trying to feel me up during the show. He got a great elbow to the stomach a few times.

I'll give him that he was persistent.

It seems I may have an extra ticket for the Friday show, so hit me up if you are interested.

Oh some quick updates, since May 12th down 35 lbs. AND, I am starting a Soy Whey protein diet tomorrow morning!! I'm actually excited about it.

Getting a tad ticked that my pants are constantly falling down, but hey I'm glad its that way instead of them being too tight.

Podcast - NEXT

Dyed my hair dark brown with one blond streak on the right side, I know I have to post pics, but I dig it, A LOT. Its been YEARS since I had anything remotely close to my natural hair color. I suppose its true what they say, God gave it to you for a reason, USE IT.

I'll check in again soon cats and kittens, in the meantime, get meaner... and keep swingin'!

There are some good things about walking in the rain

Sure, a summer rain can be refreshing, cleansing, and cool down humid/hot temps. But what I was most thankful for today was in the downpour, no one could see me crying.

My life has seemed to turn upside down in a matter of a few days.

Now I've always been a pretty resourceful girl. I have always managed to pull myself up by the bootstraps and keep chugging along, and yeah, I come around, stronger than ever.

Let's face facts, the economy is for shit. Some of my closest friends have lost their jobs, and most are having a hell of a time trying to get a new job.

While I still have my job, I am under tremendous stress and worry considering my company was just acquired by a HUGE global conglomerate. A company that will have little to no use for a smallish creative department.

The beauty of being a graphic designer is that I can do it from anywhere.

Here is where the rain came in handy.

I am faced with a decision that is life changing. I am considering a move half-way across the country.

There is a history I have had for the past 13 years, that has been a major part of my life, and something that I know I can never walk away from. But in the balance is my family, my friends, and Chicago as a whole.

I've blogged about the health of my mother before, this is my number one concern with this decision that I am struggling with.

Do I follow my heart? I'm so torn, and I truly do not know what to do.

I've often dreamed about a fresh start, and this could be my opportunity to do so. It's frightening, and exciting. I call out to my friends, my personal friends, who I know are reading this.

I need your counsel more now than ever, I am at a loss, and I am so unsure of everything right now.

Saturday 6 AM

Im up way too early for a Saturday. I had some nosh already and I think I may either go for a ride or go to the gym.

It's rainy out here in the land of wind, big buildings and the voting dead. But that never stopped me from hitting the mountain bike.

I may just go for a walk with the fox.

Last night was particularly restful for a change. Just chilled at home, and relaxed. It was very needed.

Gotta keep going with the to-do list. I have a number of concerts I need to get my tickets for, one being NIN and the other being Motorhead with Reverend Horton Heat and Nashville Pussy.

I love the Rev, and saw him last year with Nashville Pussy and Backyard Tire Fire.

If you haven't seen the Rev, it truly is a must see. This man gives a high voltage performance every time he steps onto stage. With Nature Boy Jimbo slapping that stand-up bass by is side, the sound is swingin'.

Nashville Pussy does NOT disappoint. If you want some good ole rock n roll with some stink of the south on it, YOU NEED TO SEE THIS BAND.

Now I have never seen Motorhead, and honestly, would never before go out of my way to go see them, but I'm glad I'm getting the chance to. I keep remembering from the movie Airheads "Lemmy is God" so I figure, why not right. Full review coming after this show.

Back in May NIN was here in Chicago (sans Jane's Addiction) on their NINJA tour. I unfortunately missed ticket sales, and had to miss the show. It was at Northerly Isle (which is one of the ONLY outside venues I actually like). I wanted to go SOOOOO bad, but the concert was run by Live Nation who has a new way to do tickets, which makes it a tad harder and a tad more expensive to get after sales tickets (aka from a broker or a scalper). And truth be told, I HATE getting tickets from a broker if I dont have to.

Much to my surprise yesterday, NIN is coming back to do an intimate show. Presale is going on in a week and you can bet your ass Ill be online refreshing as much as I can to get my ass to that show. Im not missing this one, because this will probably be the last time NIN is in Chicago for a very long time if not forever.

I was fortunate enough to see NIN last year at Lollapalooza, and Reznor was just as I remembered him. Except now, he isnt some skinny guy, he cut his locks and the man is PUMPED.

Watching him on stage was something else. He did all the old favorites off of Pretty Hate Machine and Downward Spiral. He did my favorites Burn, and Gave Up, as well as some off of Year Zero and the Slip.

I'm sure this concert will leave me fulfilled. I do wonder if he will be here with Jane's though, considering, Jane's is playing Lollapalooza this year, and they do have the "NO SHOWS IN CHICAGO 2 months prior or post LOLLA if the band is performing in the festival"

I know so far 2009 has been a disappointment on the concert front. I did get to see Cornell up close and personal, and saw him in a full show at the Riv, but all in all, I lost Musink this year where Mr. Ness was supposed to be. I had Rev cancel out on 2 shows, and have yet to see when SxDx will be back here.

KMFDM will be back in their hometown in October, and I do have my tickets for that. I'm COMPLETELY jazzed for that. "feel the hunger inside, don't lose your trust" Cannot wait for that show.

Alrighty catz n kittenz, thats enough for now. Time to get off my ass and do something.

The dream is over... or has it just begun

"There's a place I like to hide, a doorway that I run to in the night.
Relax child, you were there, but only didn't realize it and you were scared.
It's a place where you will learn to face your fears, retrace the tears,
and ride the whims of your mind. Commanding in another world
Suddenly, you hear and see this magic new dimension"

–Queensryche, "Silent Lucidity"

I know I haven't blogged in a while, partially because of life being life, busy.
But during the hustle and bustle of life there are things I have been learning about others, about myself, and truly finding my place.

I have big plans, and for some reason, I have gained this amazing sense of confidence.

This is something that I have been lacking almost all of my life. No Im not on some Stuart Smalley kick thinking "dog gone it, I'm worth it"

I'm getting older, I'm learning from my past, my mistakes, and observing everything around me.

I'm learning about love again, I'm learning patience, tolerance, and most importantly determination.

Tonight as you can see I'm on a Queensryche kick. This particular song Silent Lucidity is something that always struck a cord with me. It always meant a lot to me.

My health is slowly improving, my endurance, and my stamina is growing, and not to say I am feeling invincible, but I'm ready to take a lot on right now.

My passion is coming back, honestly I thought I had lost it, but there it is.

My creativity is flowing again, and even when bad things happen, its not getting to me like it used to.

I am sure the weather has something to do with it, its relatively nicer outside, and I am a lot more active. Going to Starved Rock, climbing, hiking, riding my bike a TON more.

I like this direction.... the past is over.

Meh

Discontentment is the feeling that has been overwhelming me and I just don't like it.

Usually when I get like this, I sink into a cocoon and try to heal from the inside out. While on the surface, I put on a smile, I over-think things, I over analyze and drive myself crazy.

Certain situations that I am going through right now, have me second guessing myself, as well as others, and I hate that.

Concert front has been quiet, I got my KMFDM tickets today for October's show, and I'm really looking forward to it. On the opposite side of this, the Lollapalooza schedule has come out today, and I'm less than thrilled. To the point that I am considering selling my 3 day pass (got it for $175 if anyone is interested).

It sucks that the only bands I want to see there are the headliners, and the ones I really want to see, are playing at the same time as the others I want to see.

If you know me, you know that music is my passion, and to make me choose between bands I want to see is like choosing a child. I just can't do it.

I'm still thinking about it, and who knows what will happen between now and August.

Maybe I'll approach the "healing from the inside" in a different manner. I do know this, I am back to focusing on myself, because then is when I will be truly happy.

Hope all you cats n kittens are doing well. Keep swingin' and make sure you hit me up with the concert and band tips. I need more shows!!!!

Another year come and gone...

So I'm 33 now, and honestly, it doesn't bother me one bit.

I feel fine, I got to spend time with my friends down in Wrigleyville, got lots of well wishes, 3 dozen roses, a beautiful bracelet, Wii Fit (YAY) and my mom made an awesome red velvet with cream cheese icing birthday cake for me.

Im just all in all a happy girl as of late. Work seems to be going well (knock on wood) Im starting a 5 day vacation and it's beautiful weather outside.

I still have to get the podcast going, its on the list of things I really should do, and one of these days Ill get around to it.

This has been an interesting year, I had people leave my life, and new people come into my life. Some really awesome friends I reconnected with that I am soooo glad are back in my life. You ladies and gentlemen are the best and am having SUCH A BLAST with you all.

I had a breast cancer scare (all is well) Had some mom scares (I mean my mom, I didn't think I was pregnant). Still on the endless house search, which I am determined will find one before october of this year (DAMMIT).

Yep, just a happy girl.

NOW is the time that I start going to endless concerts, so more pics and updates to come soon!