More Important Than Music.

Hey, so I just added a link (yes, yes right over there --->) to a site that a few of my friends started called "More Important Than Music". Its a place where the music community can come together and talk about things that are more important than music (i.e. poverty, the current crisis in Darfur, etc) and offer practical solutions and a place to discuss these issues.

I am quite proud of my friends for taking the time to do something impactful. Being a slave to the music biz myself, its very easy to get wrapped up in talk of albums, tours, etc. Its nice to see people who care about the state of our world.

so, check it out. they have banners and such for your myspace profiles if you so desire. or, you can just link it on your blog.

www.moreimportantthanmusic.blogspot.com

tell everyone you know. :)

THREE REALLY GOOD THINGS

1. I got my health insurance card in the mail yesterday. Holy smokes, that feels good. Welcome to being an adult, Lindsay.

2. I got an emphatic email from Jon from Man Alive yesterday - thanking me for my work and all the shows I've booked for them. I'd copy and paste it here, but it has a few 'unsavory' words in it -- but he essentially told me that I rule. And that was really nice.

3. Tonight is my first night in the new apartment! MY OWN ROOM! ME! BY MYSELF! TONIGHT! NEW PLACE!

yes, life is good.

albums I am listening to a lot of right now:

1. Mogwai - Mr. Beast
2. Sherwood - Summer EP
3. Van Morisson - Tupelo Honey
4. Weakerthans - Left and Leaving
5. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
6. Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?
7. BRMC - Howl Sessions (the B sides)
8. Cold War Kids - all 3 of their EP's
9. Band of Horses - Everything All The Time
10. Starflyer 59 - Everybody Makes Mistakes

Albums I really really want to hear/buy/steal/etc:

1. Danielson - Ships
2. Gnarls Barkley
3. Mates of State (I don't even know what the new one is called, just curious what they sound like nowadays)
4. Joni Mitchell - Blue (I don't know how I don't have this. its stupid.)
5. The Raconteurs (Probably is terrible? But is Jack White and I am curious)
6. Neil Young - Living with War (thoughts? anyone heard it yet?)
7. Mountain Goats

pictoral history of the last few months.

So, I haven't done much picture taking in the last few months.
But the pictures I do have are pretty fun.
so I figured I might as well share them with you. here goes.





my white trash alter-ego





jamie and I at D land.





the infamous music video





rachel and josh's wedding. the 'black sheep bridesmaid'.





erica, me, and the bride to be (this was in january. i just take a long time with photo blogging)

so there you have it.
a physical representation of a few things I've been up to.

she might hate me for this

a jewelry conundrum

Last night, while I was washing my face, my nose ring fell out of my nose and down the drain. Now my nose feels naked.

This morning, my teddy bear ring broke. I looked down and saw a flimsy gold band with NO TEDDY BEAR. it fell off somehwere. I just got it from Sam's box of treasures on Wednesday. bah.

what's next?
bring it on, world!
you think you can steal my jewelry?
THINK AGAIN!

Home is where the Hosty hangs her hat.

The new apartment is official. We get the keys this weekend!

For the first time in my adult life I will have my own room (except for brief stays at my parents house or the dorms). I honestly can't believe I have shared for this long. I am going on TWENTY FIVE years old, for crying out loud. But, thankfully my time has come. I have a room.

There was a small dilemma as to which room I should take. The master bedroom was tempting, but is more expensive. Personally, I'd rather save a few bucks a month than have the luxury of my own bathroom. Plus, getting my own room AND bathroom at once might be terribly overwhelming. So, now, Kristin and I are left to choose which of the 'regular' bedrooms we want. Mind you, both bedrooms are enormous. The furniture I currently own is enough to fill half of a room, so it will be interesting too how dwarved my things look in the new, BIG, room.

Here's the low down on the rooms: they are equal in size, shape, closet space, etc. However, one room is located in the back of the apartment and one room is directly off of the front room/living room. My heart (and my sleep patterns) are drawn towards the back bedroom, as I am a light sleeper.

But (and this is where YOU, the reader come in) - this is my question. As I am the notorious "hosty" (i.e. entertainer of bands, vagabonds, dinner parties, et al.), should I just bite the bullet and take the front room? This seems to make the most sense. I can't imagine Kristin having over loud and obnoxious late night guests, whereas I seem to make a habit of it. I suppose I should deal with the occasional late night revelry from Kristin and Amanda - knowing that I will most likely be the one to have frequent visitors.

Maybe I have answered my question already?

I think the front bedroom is exchangable for the peace of mind I will receive in having Kristin and Amanda sleep soundly in the back bedrooms next time Sherwood (or Careen, or Man Alive, etc etc) comes to town.

what a day!

1. overcast, loads of coffee.
2. nice phone conversation this morning with a certain someone in Germany.
3. a sense of accomplishment at work today
4. i tunes party shuffle knew my musical needs
5. last, but not least -- amanda, kristin, and I will sign papers tonight for our NEW APARTMENT!!! 7th and Termino in Long Beach. More details to come.

for a good time...

WATCH THIS:

http://playground.dailyjolt.com/~american/sucker.mov

its a nice day.

I don't have much of anything to 'report', but it does seem a good day for writing.
The coffee shop I am sitting in currently is filled to the brim with other 'lazy sunday' types. I am sitting in very close quarters with an elderly gentelman who is scribbling notes on a yellow steno pad. He insists on engaging with me in akward conversation and I have humored him by taking out my earphones (although this means that Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is no longer the soundtrack to my blogging). In fact, the nice old man's most recent comment to me was his expression of surpsise about the speed in which I type. Wait, no, now he's asking me questions about computers in general. I don't think he's heard of the concept of wireless internet before. I will enjoy the akward conversation because he is a cute old man, and afterall, what am I actually doing currently? Nothing. That's the beauty of a lazy sunday.

My goodness. I wish I could describe to you the genius of this man. He's already expressed his disdain for rappers, communists, and democrats. And, come to find out, he is a landlord. That is his profession. He seems to approve of my profession, though I didn't bother trying to explain that I am an in house booking agent. I just said that I work at a record label - to which he repllied: "oh Classical? or jazz?". I told him, that no, we have pop and rock music, to which he then said: "Oh well, you don't have any of that rap music I hope! You wouldn't want any of those hoodlums hanging around."

Priceless.

Thankfully, for the sake of myself and my current conversation, we do not have any of "that" rap music. I have garnered his seal of approval.

And, now, Ron (as I just learned he is called) is off to get a sandwich. We wished each other the best of luck, though Ron said I hardly need luck. I hope to see Ron here again soon.

because its friday.

Your senior year in high school is supposed to be "the best year of your life." Let's see how much you remember.

1. Who was your best friend?
Abbie

2. What sports did you play?
Softball, soccer, I also ran track (briefly) and wore argyle socks to track meets.

3. What kind of car did you drive?
an 81 Honda Civic with Leapord print seat covers and a Ninja Turtles bumper sticker.

4. It's Friday night. Where are you?
The Fishbowl (our church coffeehouse/venue) or Denny's. Maybe Chevys. or TPing with Jeremy and Adam.

5. Were you a party animal?
um, not really. I thought I was punk rock. But, looking back -- going to see Sappo and Silage at the Fishbowl on Friday nights wasn't very crazy at all.

6. Were you in the "In Crowd"?
I think so? Homecoming, student government, all that jazz...

7. Ever skip school?
Sort of. Just took an extra sick day here and there. nothing big.

8. Ever smoke?
Nope.

9. Were you a nerd?
yeah, kinda. Straight A's and crap like that...

10. Did you get suspended/expelled?
not even close.

11. Can you sing the fight song?
not sure what you are referring to.

12. Who was your favorite teacher?
Mr. Thomasson or Mr Mahnke

13. Favorite class?
English (but only with Thomasson, not with Mrs. Fendley)

14. What was your school's full name?
Forest Lake Christian High School

15. School mascot?
FLC Falcons, baby!

16. Did you go to prom?
every damn year.

17. If you could go back and do it over, would you?
No way, jose.

18. What do you remember most about graduation?
I stepped on Abbie's toe and made it bleed. And I went to a dance party afterwards and wished I was with Phil T and not my boyfriend.

19. Favorite memory of your senior year?
hm. probably when a bunch of us girls went and forked/TP-ed Angie P.'s house and wore ski masks and dark clothes and wrote "Cruella Deville" on her driveway in toothpaste and Abbie was scared that we were going to die before she ever got to sex. It was mean of us (I know), but terribly fun.

20. Were you ever posted up on the senior wall?
i don't think we had that ?

21. Did you have a job your senior year?
yeah, I worked as a filing clerk for Dynamic Chiropractic.

22. Who did you date?
Jason K. the whole stinkin year. till the week before I went to college and dumped him. yup.

23. Where did you go most often for lunch?
Closed Campus. So, I ate bagels every day for lunch (which my mother packed for me)

24. Have you gained weight since then?
um, actually, I dont think so.

25. What did you do after graduation?
Went to Biola.

not the Easter I expected.

This is the first year I spent Easter without my family.
It was also (notably) my first Easter without an Easter Basket.
I sort of expected Easter to be a bust this year.

For starters, I dropped Jamie (if you don't know who Jamie is, then you must not have seen or heard from me in the last month) off at the airport at 9:25 am. Not the most pleasant way to start my Easter holiday (to put it lightly). I am no good with these things.

Then, I got to church a half an hour late. And I was by myself. On easter.
But Kristin (thank the Lord for Kristin) saved me a seat. And the sermon was incredible. And there were free scones and juice boxes! And I went to Kristin and Amanda's for Easter lunch and was surrounded by good friends and I ate a LOT of good food. And I drank alcohol (yup, I can again!) -- but not too much. :) And Dan from Sherwood came over and we watched Space Ghost on You Tube (and David Hasselhoff videos) and we played cards and had a delightfully relaxing holiday.

And even though I was physically and emotionally exhausted, when I finally went to bed (2 am), I fell into a deep and peaceful sleep. I haven't slept that well in weeks.

To mimic my mom's blog/chipper text message -- "He is Risen, Indeed!".
Its true, He has risen.
So simple (and so true).

Christians can be punk rock, too. (or not)

This is from an email I got from a Christian venue in Ohio today. They wanted to book one of our bands (which is not a Christian band) and sent over a list of "rules of conduct" for the bands that play their venue. Read it and weep, folks. You can't put a price on entertainment that is this good.

Must be Christian music!
-you are expected to have some kind of ministry, whatever you are comfortable with, we are expecting you to open with prayer
- we can provide pa system, but you must provide mics, cords, stands

-We are open Tues. thru Saturday, we have country,gospel,bluegrass, some acoustic on Thurs., heavy rock on Fri and all kinds on sat. We predominately book 2 bands a night

-Featured bands share full love offering taken up for them. All bands are expected to partner in the advertising and bring customers with them. Let their friends know about the show.

-Opening acts are usually solo or duets , they are not at this time compensated, they are expected to stay for the whole show, it's polite

-all artist can sell their merchandise, space and a table will be provided

-show start at 7:30 PM on weekdays, 8 on Saturday and, load-in is between 6-6:30 PM

- the MustardSeed will advertise in 5 different location around Columbus, Ohio, band should consider some supporting ads

-please bring a picture or poster to hang on the wall of your band, with your contact info

-please do not bring food in from the outside, we will provide some coffee and water, we have food for sale .

- If you need to cancel 2 weeks notice is required! It is the way Christians would act

FIRE!

I just watched two houses blow up.
Ok, ok, not blow up.
But it was the biggest fire these eyes have ever seen.
and there were firemen on crane/ladder things and hoses and lots of water and smoke.
and I did hear a loud(ish) thud/explosion and then the flames got very large.
It was amazing to watch.
in the words of Kevin, the intern -- we were "rubberneckers".

Guilty Confession #2

For breakfast, I had a Mocha and Cheetos.
And I liked it a lot.

guilty confessions ( a new blog series? )

Guilty Confession #1:

I really enjoy the new Watashi Wa album.

like, a lot.

nobody dances anymore...

I just saw the rought version of the Brandtson video that I was in.
I can't stop watching it.
its the funniest thing I've seen in months.
I can't wait till I can share it with you all (and yes, Danielle you made the cut)!
WOOT.

i can be your hero, baby.

ME AS A SUPERHERO

a bit of silliness, really.

There are a lot of things to be written, but do I have the guts to write them?
Probably not. That's the catch with having such a painfully self-aware online account of one's existence.

I am sitting on my couch, next to my sister Danielle, as she watches Pride and Prejudice (the new one). I recently watched this movie and dismissed it for its unrealistic romantic notions. RUBBISH, if you will. Danielle called it girl porn. I claimed that it left me with an "acute sense of lonliness". But here she is watching it nonetheless. I think she is trying to prove something to me.

I think she wants to prove to me that maybe Mr. Darcy does exist and maybe we don't have to be the skeptical Strannigans and maybe love like this is possible?

Well, maybe, Danielle. MAYBE.
But I still don't buy Keira Knightley's version of it all.
I like my own little rendition much more.

p.s. I met someone.

i want to make a sign and sit on a corner.

today, i am enormously happy.
I like this feeling.
the only thing that would make me happier (in this particular moment) would be knowing that I could go to Disneyland on Sunday. Because I really want to go, I just don't know if I can. Let's cross our fingers, folks.

call me crazy, but...

I don't think I like texas. Or music festivals. or drunk people. or live music in general?

Let me explain.

DAY ONE.

I arrived in Texas around 5 pm on wednesday evening. I immeadiately went to the hotel to meet up with the other Militia peeps - and we grabbed a bit to eat at "Aussies" across the street. I got a blackened catfish sandwich, which was unsatisfactory in every way. We then made our way into down town Austin for the musical goings-ons of SXSW. The Colour played at 7, but I missed their set. Instead, I went to the Beauty Bar for the Atlantic Records party and caught Say Anything (also unsatisfactory). I met a few booking agents, stood around akwardly, and drummed my fingers on whatever surfaces were available to me.

Then I met up with the Colour and we snuck into see Of Montreal at Emo's in Austin. We weren't really into that either and meandered towards the infamous "Red Bull House" - the Austin Mecca of irresponsible drinking and "networking". Due to poor directions and a general sense of exhaustion, I never made it to the Red Bull House. The Colour were kind enough to take me back to my hotel. This was nearing 2 am. Day 1 ends with no real excitement.

DAY TWO.
I meander out of bed around 10:30. Paul and I set about making arrangements for our Militia Group day party at Latitdue 30. We have to get the gift bags together, and this proves to be much more complicated than I imagined. I was starving, but there was no time for food. We got to the venue, stuffed bags, distributed goodies, and walked quickly about as any party planners do the day of a big event. Rory went and got us Chipotle burritos around 1:30 pm. My stomach was grateful. There is general stress about the guest list for the party, our bands start arriving into town -- but with some Jack Daniels and Amstel Lights, everyone seems to mellow out a bit. David Bazan (yes, Pedro the Lion) proves to be a great DJ and the Cold War Kids come around to say hello.

Then we hop about to a few parties -- I catch the Cold War Kids at the Levis/Fader party, some girl rapper at the IHEARTCOMIX party, and my friends Sub Rosa at the Speakeasy. I grab a sub from Jimmy Jons. It was the worst Tuna I've had. Then, its the Militia Group showcase. DUN DUN DUN. This goes off with out a hitch -- the crowd loves it, the bands love it, The Appleseed Cast and I had a few drinks together, and a good time was had by all. I was left with an overwhelming sense of pride for my label and a love for my job. Once again, my Militia co-workers dissapeared but I made it back to the hotel around 2 am thanks to Fielding.

DAY THREE.
Today, I don't leave the hotel till 1 pm. I grab yet another sub (this time, egg salad. and its still terrible) and wander to the Performing Songwriter Party. BORRRRRING. They had incense burning and some terrible adult contemporary band. I went and caught the Cold War Kids again at the Drink and then I wandered with Paul to the Paste party. This proved to be another adult contemporary party (Over the Rhine and Jamie Cullum were playing) with really bad Nachos. Yes, I know I've complained about the food quite a bit -- but let me tell you people, it was BAD. and I was sorely dissapointed.

I caught the Flatstock exhibit at the convention center, which was quite impressive. It was booth after booth of poster art from every different era/artist/genre - and you could purchase most everything there. I bought a print of Johnny Cash's mug shots from prison - it was pink. Yes, I know, how very Warhol of me.

Then, it was our last and final SXSW event -- our Beauty Bar Party with a performance by Brandtson. I was in charge of the list and the door -- so I sat at the front all night and checked people in. It was fun (sortof). I like being in charge and all that, but I don't like being tied down. Eventually, I left my post and let anyone in our party so I could watch Brandtson. That was pretty awesome of me.

The rest of the night I wandered with various friends in various bands. I made new friends, kindof got asked out (by an attractive male), and finally graced the Red Bull House. It was everything I thought it would be and more -- something akin to a giant frat party but with only music industry geeks. I could only take a half hour of its madness before I retired to my hotel. Once again, I hit the sack around 2 am.

So, that was my week. Maddenning and productive all at the same time. It had its moments. I never had real Texas BBQ, so I suppose I will just have to wait for next year.

DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS! (CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP)

See you kids in a few days.
I am off to Austin for the noise pollution-rific SXSW 06 festival. I tried making myself some semblance of a schedule today. My oh my, that was a laugh. There's iis really no possible way to schedule it all. so, despite what my rigid personality says -- I am going to adopt the "go with the flow" mentality for this trip. Well, I will aim for that. No promises, I may go into total meltdown mode.

I am more nervous than excited (but that could be the triple caramel macciato talking) about this trip. I know I will forget a million things. I am in charge of a guest list of 600 names that I forgot to alphabetize, so I will have to work on that on the plane.

eh, its an adventure. To infinity and beyond.
Right?

My heart hurts for my dear friend, Dave. His dad committed suicide this week.

I don't know if these things are blog appropriate but I can't help but say something.

The whole thing makes me angry and sad.
I guess all I can say is my love and prayers are with the Price family. and I am sorry.

To my sister, Danielle on her 22nd Birthday.
May your days be merry and bright, and may all your birthdays have pictures as good as this one.



I love you
Linds

feelings feelings feelings
so my sister wants me to blog about my feelings.

i feel like i have to pee every 5 minutes. and i feel when it rains that I drink unhealthy amounts of coffee. and i feel that the oscars are hollywood propaganda bullshit and I don't even know why I bother watching them. probably because its an excuse to see friends and eat hot dogs?

but, really, I am feeling good overall. I made a decision to cut my hair, and I think that is a good decision. i haven't actually done it yet but I like thinking about it.

so, that's the haps people.

SHOWS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT BE INTERESTED IN BUT I WILL BE THERE SO YOU'VE GOT THAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO.
Neko Case at Amoeba on Weds night.
The Appleseed Cast / Minus the Bear/ Crustal Skulls at the Glasshouse on Thurs night.
The Holy Fire/fielding/Controlling the Famous at The Scene Bar (in Glendale) on Fri night (with OPEN BAR from 8:30 to 9:30). Cold war kids CD release at Detroit bar on Saturday. so my week is shot.

i am listening to

CAT POWER

and I am rarin for the weekend.

high five get frenched

in honor of dave's birthday, mardi gras, all things french related, and the way kristin likes her potatoes, amanda and I "get frenched"



Happy birthday to my dear friend, dave. I wore a terrifying mask just for you.



"Wow, this is the best drag show we've ever seen."



the future roommates of lindsay. WOOT!

readers poll #1

If I were to have a band, should I name it:

1. The Skinny
2. Stranny Pants and the Beardy Nights
3. Tell It To The Judge
4. Twinsy
5. Lindsay and The Rest

a new kind of homesick.

I know I have been writing in blips and lists as of late, and for that I apologize. I'm a busy little bee, ok?

but, quickly, I will meditate on things of the past.

I think I miss the good old days. The days of the Triniti and our world domination and sporadic dance parties and El Patio. I am homesick for an era, if that is possible. I feel so far from that. so adult. I love my life and my apartment and my job and my group of friends. its just different than before. Ever since I stayed the night at Becca's and we drank champagne and looked at her pictures I have felt this inexplicable twinge of nostalgia. I even recall bemoaning (in my overly nostalgic state) "Those were better times".

tis true - Bob Dylan said it best: "The times are a' changin"
But, the times aren't better or worse.
they've just simply changed. and for a control freak like myself, I suppose I welcome change with wary arms.

we can dance if we want to.

3 day weekend, here I come...

and I couldnt be more thrilled.

THANK YOU FOR BEING BORN, GEORGE WASHINGTON.

if you're lucky, I might even blog about what a good time I am having. but probably not.

I haven't had time to report in a while but I saw Jeff Tweedy and he changed my life and I had a nominal but nice valentines that was interrupted by one bittersweet text message and i made funny valentines and i went to the prospector and i hung out with sherwood (i like them) and I swiffered my floor. not necessarily in that order.

I'm out like a trout.

shameless promotion

so if you all could take 16.7 seconds (I timed it) and go to Yahoo Who's Next and vote for CARTEL it would make my day. You've probably never heard them (I know my readers) but that's OK. its helping me and my label and Cartel to get free studio time.

(http://music.yahoo.com/promotions/whosnext/)

PLEASE?
because you love me.
do it because you love me.

its been a long time since i've done one of these.

1. Initials: las

2. Name someone with the same birthday as you: madonna

3. Favorite fruit? cherries.

4. For or against same sex marriage? lets not speak of such things in blog world.

5. Are you allergic to anything? committment.

6. Are you bisexual? no, but I am asexual

7. Have you ever slept in someone elses clothes? quite a few times.

8. How many U.S states have you been to? most of them. not louisiana. don't think I've been to georgia. definitely not Maine.

9. How many of the U.S states have you lived in? 4

10. Have you ever lived outside the U.S? sort of. mexico for a few months. I'd like to think I lived in croatia, but I only stayed there for a bit.

11. Name something physical you like about yourself? my ankles.

12. Something non-physical you like about yourself? ok, but only because you asked. boobs.

13. Do you have any pets? not at my apartment. 2 cats and a dog at home in oregon.

14. What is your dream car? probably the one I am driving. i really like it.

15. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? africa

16. Are you bipolar? today, yes.

17. What dream car do you want your husband/wife to drive? thats a really weird question. i don't care as long as it runs and doesn't smell too bad.

18. Where would you want to go on a first date? not a rock show.

19. Would you date the person who posted this before you? um no, i hardly know them.

20. Has anyone ever sang or played for you personally? yup

21. Ever been kissed under fireworks? i think so

22. What was the last text message you received: my friend eric (the booking agent) wrote me and said "I am doing sound for jesus rock bands. now thats funny".

23. Have you ever bungee jumped? no way, jose.

24. Have you ever white water rafted? of course my dad is a GUIDE. that's right. RESPEK.

25. Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you? most definitely.

26. Are you racist? good grief, no.

27. What song are you listening to right now? Wilco Kicking television live disc one JUST FINISHED. so nothing currently.

28. What's your favorite song at the moment? Hard Rain by Bob Dylan

29. What was the last movie you watched? Notting Hill

30. Where was the last place you went besides your house? Chain Reaction

31. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property? nope

32. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex? all the time

33. What's the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? probably clothes. sadly. then face.

34. What's your fav. body part on the opposite sex? jawline.

35. What do you usually order from Starbucks? iced grande no water americano

36. Say something totally random about yourself: i bite my nails religiously. and i have an undying obsession with post secret.

37. Do you have an iPod? yeah but its broken.

38. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity? julia roberts, fiona apple, alanis morisette, sara (of teagan and sara), and a couple more I can't remember.

39. Do you have freckles? a spattering.

40. Are you comfortable with your height? love it.

41. Do you love someone right now? not in the slightest (if you mean romantic)

42. How tall are you? 5'8"

43. Do you speak any other language other than english? spanish, but not really.

44. Have you ever ridden in a limo? yeah a couple times.

45. Has anyone you were really close to passed away? yes.

46. Do you watch MTV? i don't have television. and if i did, i couldn't afford cable. and mtv sucks.

48. What's something that really annoys you? floods

50. Do you like Michael Jackson? i learned the thriller dance for last halloween. what do you think?

51. Have you ever surfed? no

52. Do you know how to pump gas? yes, despite my oregon roots

53. Do you drive? i veto this question. its just dumb.

54. What's the latest you have ever stayed out? 5:30 am or something silly like that

55. Have you ever thought that you were honestly going to die? every time i get in the car with danielle. or linda. or my mom. (just kidding ladies. its all for laughs. are you laughing?)

56. Were you ever rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? no, i wish.

57. Have you ever been dared to do something you didn't want to do? - mm, hasn't everybody?

58. What's your favorite state to live in? i don't know anymore.

59. What color is your hair? brown with blonde and reddish tints?

60.What color are your eyes? hazel-ish

61. Do you have any special talents? booking shows? recently, i have been getting a lot of free things.

62. Favorite non-alcoholic drink? coffee

63. Favorite city? portland. boston. san francisco. zagreb

64. Have you ever ridden a mechanical bull? NEVER.

65. If you were working on a pirate ship, what would you most likely be? the captain, of course.

66. Who do you live with? erica

67. Last thing you watched on TV? can't remember. maybe 2nd season of LOST at my parent's in oregon.

68. Do you wear glasses or contacts? neither suckers!

69. Have you ever taken a roadtrip? YES. hasn't everyone? and that's the question this thing is ending with. brilliant.

gypsy death and you.

on a day like today, eating a soy noodle bowl in silence in the conference room seems particularly unpleasant.

my apologies to the seahawks

Ah, to be sitting.
I am half-curled on my red courdoroy couch, complete with braids and black velvet track pants. It feels nice to be sitting. I should unpack another box or two - possibly hang up my clothes or pick up any number of things scattered on my living room floor. Alas, I have no motivation; no gusto, if you will.

Next saturday will be my first day off of work in 3 weeks. I work at The Militia Group (hereafter referred to at TMG for reasons of pure laziness) during the week and I have worked for Haken at tradeshows for the last 2 weekends. I really shouldn't complain. After all, I am in dire need of money. And work equals money. So, I have that going for me. But, I must say that I am tired. Really, really tired.

So while you all are enjoying the game/commercials/beer/snacks/etc - I am going to sit right here and listen to Bob Dylan. I might turn up the heater and light a candle. And I might pay a visit to the Bluth family a little later, but only if I am feeling really crazy.

great success!

in a stroke of pure luck -- it seems I have finally stumbled upon a wireless connection at my new apartment.

and it is not password protected.

piracy, here I come.

I would like to thank the neighbors down the way who just moved in for enabling my blog today.

tell me about it.

on the accomplishment scale of 1 - 10

i got a .2 today

I cannot concentrate for the life of me.

I spent hours on the phone with people and it all amounted to nothing

I saved $2 at quiznos, so that was nice.

and now my co-worker is blasting latin jazz and I cannot hear myself think and all I want to do is finish these five tours.

its 6:30

and i feel like I have 5 hours more of work to do today

and what am I doing?

writing about it in my blog.

that's the funny part.

if I were a Simpson

I WOULD BE THIS ONE.



and you?
who are you?
ch-ch-check it out.
the simpsonmaker
http://www.devilducky.com/media/41026/

party like its 1999.

thanks to my new friends over at William Morris (the proverbial 'man' when it comes to booking) I got in free to the Imogen Heap show at the El Rey last night. I saw David Spade and Julie Delpy. Not a bad live performance, but I was disenchanted with the staggering amount of burly looking females shouting "YOU GO GIRL" during Imogen's set. Sort of a killjoy.

then, we headed over to the Roxy.
and I saw Prince. and he looked exactly like this (I think it was the same jacket)





he was playing guitar and singing backup for "Tamar", his newest protege.
at one point he yelled out onstage "I need ice cream! get me ice cream!"
and then he took off his jacked and unbuttoned his shirt.
I was standing next to Queen Latifah.
what a night.

the money pit

still no gas (or showers, or cooking, or heat, etc)

and I came home last night at 1:00 am to a delightful inch of water that covered my bathroom and hallway floors. it was seeping into the bedroom and kitchen as well.

a flood! a deluge!

in my new apartment!

in the words of kevin, my flood rescue comissioner: "your apartment is a massacre"

back in business

I am back.
true to Lindsay style, I have hit the ground running.
I am now working on 4 - 5 tours for March. I am the 'default' booking agent for 7 artists.
i love it.

but do you know what I do not love?
that my gas in my new apartment got shut off and its freezing and I haven't showered.
plus, I ate lentils and apples for lunch.
yes, I am a hippy.
just for today.

ok i lied. they come in quadruplets.

I woke up this morning to 8 boys in my house.
Four of them were named Matt.
Matt Mayott. Matt Maust. Matt Aviero. Matt Hopper.
Count em. There's 4.

and I am off to California tomorrow -- two nights in SF -- then to Long Beach
My traveling companion is Matt Mayott (pictured here)




See you kids soon.

note to self

The Old Spaghetti Warehouse is not the same as the Old Spaghetti Factory.

The latter is a nice - yet kitchy - family style Italian dining experience.

The Warehouse, however, is not quite that. The Old Spaghetti warehouse is Salem, Oregon's pathetic mock-up of the much nicer chain establishment. Think cafteria dining - meets dime store decor - meets t-shirts sloaganeering such phrases as "In Pasta We Trust".

Danielle and I drove down to Salem today to take our youngest sister, Candyce, out for her birthday dinner. We braved the elements (there is quite a storm) in order to take her out for a Spaghetti dinner -- her personal favorite.

Unfortunately for all parties involved, the replacement of the word "factory" with the word "warehouse" made a big difference. We were greeted with uncomfortable bright lighting, an oversized and ugly dining room, and a few scattered tables made with bed frames (not the S. Factory lavish Italian looking bed frames - these were more the type that had belonged to Ma and Pa Kettle.)

I would like to tell you that the prices were good. They were fair at best.
I would like to tell you that the food was good. It was, in fact, terrible.
I would like to tell you that I had a great time. Nonetheless, I did have a good time.

Its good to have sisters who will giggle about birthday dinner fiasco's with you all the ride home.

go here:
http://www.thesurrealist.co.uk/slogan.cgi

type in your name
and get your clever marketing slogan.

mine was:
"ONLY A FOOL BREAKS THE LINDSAY"

I love it.

new year, new job, new city, new home

Yes, its true.

I am now a resident of Long Beach, CA.
I don't know my address yet (ask Erica). but I have an apartment. I've just never seen it.

and...
I have the best job in the world.
yes. tis true.





I am officially the In House Booking Agent for The Militia Group.
A better label with better music and better people (and better pay, and health benefits...).
I couldn't be happier.
I get paid ot book bands! I didn't think this was possible. HA.

oh, and I get back on Sunday. we should PARTAY.
Red Room?
anyone?

two by two

The Daves.
they call me every day and are the best listeners I know. and they really love me and believe in me and have neverending delightful things to say. they also hate that I compare them to each other. they don't have much in common - but they are the most constant sources of communication in my life. I love the Daves.

The Matts.
My sister has her own set of Matts (hers are Matt B's. Mine are Matt M's).
My Matts do not have much in common at all. The one thing that is true about the Matts is that they constantly baffle me. I don't think I will ever figure either one of them out. I have spent more time worrying over the Matts perceptions of me than most other people. For some reason, I love them both dearly and they love me occasionally. And they have the strangest way of showing it.

The Erics (Trine, Trickett, Tobin)
All good looking, relatively charming, dark haired, pompous little boys: the whole lot of 'em. The first two have been nothing but a rollercoaster. The third -- well, I don't really know him yet so he doesn't count. But if he's anything like the others (and he probably is) then I am steering clear. Erics are trouble.

The Phils.
I have PHIL tattooed on my back (its short for Phillipians). I like my tattoo, but I do not like Phils. Too many years of twenty something (and teenage) angst spent on the Phils. You are no good.

And then there's Drew.
And there is only one of him.
And he is an anomaly to me.

Somali Christmas (my thoughts on the matter)

I think I had almost forgotten the magic of the Somali Bantu. They have this funny way of changing my life.

After a morning of feverish baking (Pumpkin bars for Somali Christmas. They LOVE pumpkin.) I headed over to the Douglas Ranch to play my part in the Somali Christmas. We were giving Christmas dinner (and presents) to 40+ Somalian Refugees who are living in Portland. Danielle works with them on a regular basis, so she's used to the chaos that comes with the Somali clan.

I, however, am not as well-aquainted.
and I got volunteered for van duty. So I drove that 15 passenger van over the the somali apartment complex and picked up 14 Somali childred. FOURTEEN. and they were all under the age of 11.

Before I loaded into the van, Seynab invited us drivers into her home for coffee and a snack. I had already eaten and was quite full. But that matters little to a Somali. So I ate it. I ate the chipatis (fried bread. something akin to Nan) and the chunks of goat liver in oil. YUP. goat. I did my best to eat the goat without them noticing my disgust. It was not good at all.

The rest of the day went by in one delightful blur. There was food, music, dancing and the general akwardness of trying to communicate with 40 people who hardly know your language. And I loved every minute of it. And I tried to dissect what that is. why do I love them so much? to tell you the truth, I am not really sure. But I think they are beautiful - absolutely beautiful and I can see how much Jesus loves them. And I think that is what makes me love them. Even if I do love little Abdulai a little bit more. Is it so wrong to have favorites?

So, nevermind my new year woes.
Really, I have so much to look forward to.

somali christmas

danielle and dunya.



Baby Hassan (and my cell phone)



Me and Baby Hassan. Present opening chaos.



Baby Jama

I think I always hate the approach of the new year because it reminds me that I am right back where I started.

a simple twist of fate

sometimes it takes a few PBR's and a 7 rounds of pool to help you figure out the answers.

i certainly wasnt looking for it. but maybe that is because I didn't want to know.

but now I know.
so I suppose I have to do something about it.

top 10 of 2005

1. The White Stripes - "Get Behind Me Satan"
2. Bob Dylan - "No Direction Home Soundtrack"
3. Sufjan Stevens - "Illinois"
4. Wilco - "Kicking Television Live"
5. Spoon - "Gimme Fiction"
6. BRMC - "Howl"
7. Sigur Ros - "Takk"
8. The Kills - "No Wow"
9. Denison Witmer "Are You a Dreamer?"
10. Kanye West - "Late Registration"

notable mentions:
Death Cab, Johnny Cash Legend Series, Joanna Newsom, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Gorillaz.

I feel like I am forgetting quite a few very important discs. But this is what I thought of, off the top o' my head. Tell me what I am missing.

and to all a good night...

(becca and I at the 4th annual Roommate Christmas party, circa 1970)

oh yeah

I'm not on a boat anymore. :)

and I am in Clackamas, Oregon with the fam (and our new puppy, Scout).

Today I am baking pies (Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Jefferson Davis Pie, and Eggnog Cheesecake).

I watched 8 episodes of LOST yesterday.

I went to my crazy Oregon thrift store and scored a typewriter, some elton john records, and a crap load of clothing. My favorite item is a yellow dress with a peacock on it.

I will post cruise pictures when I get around to it. right now I am feeling far too lazy. But I had a great time.

sorry for the lack in blogging. I will get back on the wagon soon.

see you in a few.

I'm on a boat to mexico.

like sister, like seagull. (the seagull series)

family photo op.

in san fran at thanksgiving.
what a lovely bunch.

free love on the free love freeway

AS OF TODAY, I AM A FREE WOMAN.

I gave my two weeks notice. I am officially unemployed. and I LOVE it. I'd explain to why I am leaving, but its long and complicated -- but it basically boils down to a personality conflict and the fact that I am tired of being tired and stressed all the time. I want my life back.

So, I have a few other job opportunities -- ones that I am rather excited about -- and I will keep you posted as I figure out what's next. For now, i am going home for Christmas.

And, I am going to be taking care of Taylor again for the first half of January. Her mom relapsed and has to go into treatment for a year. I am just going to help them with the first few transition weeks. It happens to fall at a really keen time for me, since I was already going to quit my job. And I get to be in Portland for a few weeks longer, so I am not complaining.

In other news, I quit drinking today. Dave Price and I made a pact. I told him that I would not drink a drop as long as he wont drink a drop. This started today. I dont know how long he'll last (because I can last as he can. Thats the thought, anyway) - but I will stick it out with him.

And, yesterday, I talked with an old friend for the first time in awhile. things were a little 'off' with our friendship, but I think we're on the road to recovery.

So, just like that - its a new day. A light has dawned. Honestly, I feel like a different person. I am ready for this new year and whatever hellish things it may throw at me. After all, I made it through this year in one piece.

So here is to what is yet to come -- may I not die of an ulcer at 25.

My Grown-Up Christmas List

My grown up christmas list: (posted at the prompting of Abbie. so here you go, Ab.)

Unlike Amy Grant, I am not asking for “No more lives torn apart, and that wars will never start. And that everyone would have a friend, and love would never end…”

Nope. I am not asking for that at all. Because that’s cheesy and insincere.

This is what I want for Christmas:

1. Arrested Development Season 2
2. LOST – season 1
3. Johnny Cash “The Man, His World, His Music” DVD
4. The No Direction Home DVD
5. Christmas with Johnny Cash (CD)
6. Coconut Lip Balm (The Body Shop)
7. Burts Bees Tinted Moisturizer (Medium tint)
8. DIG! DVD (Special Edition preferred)
9. A new purse or wallet
10. A functioning record player
11. The Simarillion – by Tolkien
12. Aveda shampoo, conditioner, hair products
13. Elizabeth Arden Green Tea perfume (its cheap and found at any drugstore)
14. Wilco – Kicking Television Live CD
15. For my ipod to work
16. Bob Dylan – Live at the Gaslight CD
17. A marriage proposal from Sufjan Stevens
18. Books. Really, any books (Vonnegut, Salinger, CS Lewis, Jane Austen, anything about Johnny Cash or Bob Dylan or music biographies in general…)
19. Underwear. Cute underwear.
20. A gift certificate to Trader Joe’s.

CROCS.

Milton (my intern) sent me this link today: http://sub.crocodileadventureclub.net/archive/
I will post the link here (so you can see all the lovely croc pictures) - but you must read below. I got a good chuckle out of it for sure.

A Brief Guide to Crocodilians we Like
see also: Gavials, Why They Can't Play Too


Crocodiles have medium-length snouts, jagged smiles, and curved scales along their backs
They tend to have Biblical names
Crocodiles enjoy 7-Up but hate Sprite
Crocodiles drafted a Bill of Crocodilian Rights, but burned it when they realized it'd also apply to their delicious, tender young-uns.
Crocodiles can't read, but have never been outed as illiterate because they're incredibly unpleasant and therefore solitary beasts.
Crocodiles accidentally invented the Flowbee in the early 90s and are truly sorry for it.
Finally, crocodiles like to make tooting noises whenever they finish doing something.


A Similar Compendium Concerning Alligators, Nature's Andy Dicks


Alligators have more aristocratic features than crocodiles, which means crocodiles often refer to them as "fancy"
Alligators hate using cellphones and will only make calls from princess phones
Alligators like stout beers and ginger ale, but nothing else
An alligator named Lawrence once bit through a killer whale. It took him 8 days and 3 metric tons of horse tranquilizers.
All alligators have read Fast Food Nation, consequently they've all killed at least one McDonald's executive
Many alligators rebelled against their parents' dated archosaur values
Most alligators believe Gygax is a better player than Beckham


A Enchiridion to Caiman, Masters of New Age Medicine


Caiman are naturally stout, a characteristic that limits their roles in Hollywood to "munchkin", "hobbit", and "poor Bond-villain trap"
Many caiman believe people still do "The Bartman"
All caiman enjoy Cajun food
Caiman don't play MMORPGs because they get bored with them after the initial leveling high, also, no thumbs
Many caiman actually read books on the New York Times Bestseller list, despite the fact that they're all either absurd self-help books or stories about quirky executives having mid-life crisises.
Caiman inherited the music industry from Sy Spurling 20 years ago, so they're to blame.

I've had some time to think about you.

I've listened to this song by Patty Griffin non-stop lately.
it says "I've had some time to think about you on the long ride home".
the song sounds very sad, and it makes me sad. I feel nostalgic, but i only heard the song a month ago, so I don't know why it makes me feel that way.

the point is, I have a long ride home every day.
and I have a lot of time to think and IT. and to think about him.
and to think about my friend the heroin addict, and moving to a new apartment, and selling my stuff, and roommate christmas, and my grandparents beliefs on tim robbins and communism, and job drama...

so, i don't normally like to subscribe to the idea of a theme song.
but if I was going to have one, I suppose this would be it.

despite the three listed below -

I must say, this thanksgiving has been amazing.
so, here's to all the wretched thanksgivings - may I never have another.

top three

WORST THANKSGIVINGS EVER

1. Cody, Wyoming (circa 1993?).
My dad was a pastor at a small, struggling, Christian church in Cody. We lived in the parsonage on the church property - which was a yellow and orange painted double-wide trailer. We had been at the church for nearly 6 months and none of us had really connectd with anyone there. It was too far to drive to California for the holiday's, and no one in the church bothered to ask us if we had plans. So we attempted thanksgiving dinner in the trailer. I don't remember many details -- just that my mom was horribly depressed, I helped cook the sad little meal, and that we almost killed our cat by throwing her outside during a raging blizzard. It was the lonliest and quietest thanksgiving we ever had. And we spend most of the evening trying to revive the cat we almost killed. The cat lived, thankfully. But it was still a horrid holiday.

2. Quincy, CA (circa 1992?)
I believe this was the year my family were in YWAM in Chico, CA. We went to my grandparent's place in Quincy, CA, for the big thanksgiving meal before we took off for our 2 month mission trip to Mexico. The day of Thanksgiving went off without a hitch - everything was perfect. It was the day after that everything went sour. First of all, my granparents house was on a septic system. And, while we were there, the septic system decided to break. The repairmant wouldn't be available until Monday (this was Friday), which meant that we had no running water for 2.5 days. In the meantime, I contracted the stomach flu. I specifically recall the feeling of myself getting ready to vomit - so I yelled to my aunt diana who grabbed a gallon sized ziploc bag and tried to contain the mess that ensued. Needless to say, I did not quite make it all in the bag. and, I had no way to clean up. So, we loaded up and went to Perko's Koffee Kup (purposeful misspelling in restaurants is a crime) to brush our teeth and freshen up. It just seemed like the worst possible combination of elements. No running water, the stomach flu, and a crappy coffeehouse in a teeny little mountain town. I still hate the Perko's chain to this day. And, fo no other reason than it reminds me of that fateful weekend.

3. Idaho Falls, ID (2001)
This was a monumental thanksgiving for the Strannigan family. We packed up the car (My parents were living in Central Oregon, I was living just outside of Portland) and headed out to Idaho Falls to the Manginelli's house. Phil was my boyfriend, and we were quite serious. Serious enough to bring our families together for Thanksgiving, anyway. Phil and my sister, Danielle, were at YWAM in Montana together - so they were able to meet us in Idaho for Thanksgiving. They both were leaving on outreach a few days after Thanksgiving, so this was the last family gathering either of them would have for a while. The whole thing seemed to work out perfectly - Idaho Falls was the middle ground between Oregon and Montana - we were all able to be together before Danielle and Phil left for the mission field. There was just one problem: Phil and I had come to a standstill in our relationship. A week prior to thanksgiving, I had found out a few imporant things about him and I confronted him on it. I told him that we needed to talk thanksgiving. I was delustional and expected him to change his wiley ways, tell me he loved me, sweep me off my feet - and then I'd wait for him to return from Thailand and we'd get married and all that jazz. Well, it didn't exactly go like that. Phil avoided me the whole weekend. He left me with the fam while he went out to breakfast with various hometown friends he needed to 'spend time with' before he left. He had a going away party and talked with everyone but me. And, finally, at the last possible second, he took me to Perkins family restaurant to break the news to me: The Lord was calling him in a different direction. He had to go be in Thailand without any distractions, and that meant breaking up with me. We sat in his car and cried and said that we wished things could be different. Then we went back to his house and he cooked me cinnamon rolls and we watched The Simpsons and prayed that the morning wouldn't come. But the morning came, and we said our goodbyes. I got in the family minivan, went straight to the backseat, and cried the whole way home. There was a blizzard on the way home, which extended the trip by at least 3 hours. Even without the blizzard, I think it would be safe to say that it was the longest car ride of my life. And, that, I think, goes down in history as being the worst thanksgiving ever.

on a more serious note

I must say, today is a loaded today.
You see, today is Linda's 24th birthday.
And today is the last day of having Linda Lee as my roommate.

The triniti is finally breaking up. Last night we drew names out of a hat to determine who gets what art pieces off our living room walls. We've been socialists for so long, its hard to divvy up the goods after 3 years. Maybe if Solomon were here, he'd threaten to saw our coffee table in half so that Linda and I could each have half of it. That's what I think he'd do.

when you live together for 3 years and share EVERYTHING (you people know our clothes sharing craziness. if you ever compliment one of us on an outfit, you can guarantee we will say "Thanks, it's Becca's" or Thanks, its Linda's". I rarely wear all of my own clothes) it feels like a divorce when you split up. Not in the emotional sense, just in the sense of personal belongings. Like who gets the fridge that we all pitched in on? or the infamous vintage table?

To tell you the truth, I do like change. I like moving, I like getting rid of things. I look forward to where I will be living come January. But just for today, I feel wistful. To sound perfectly dramatic, I am closing a chapter of my life (did I just say that? yeah, I did. and its true).

So, here's the the triniti. Its been a good stint.
I bet you'll miss my amazing toaster.

happy birthday linda!

in the spirit of thanksgiving

I am inspired to write a list.
of things that I am particularly thankful for.
some of them are rather trivial and silly, but those are always easier to write about.
so here goes...these are a few things I am thankful for.

the No Direction Home soundtrack
Arrested Development season 2
Murder Mystery parties
Eggnog lattes
Matrix Dj's at going away parties
My sweatshirt collection
My t - shirt collection
phone conversations with my mom
late night text messaging
the 4th annual Roommate christmas
$12 Gap jeans find
Vintage dresses
Cheese Danishes
Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins
Personalized snowman ornaments (that are personalized with the name DREW)
Patty Griffin's "Long Ride Home"
the thought of moving to Long Beach
Thanksgiving break
San Fransisco

you can't always get what you want...

but sometimes I think that I can get whatever I want just by working hard.
or waiting a really long time.

beck likes hummus, Cash likes coca-cola

if you ever wanted to know what persnickety rock stars require for their backstage provisions, look no further. This site has over 200 contracts from various musicians -- stating their needs, wants, and ridiculous demands.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/backstagetour/

twinsy

meet my twin, sara (of tegan & sara).
yes, they are twins.
yes, they are lesbians.
and apparently I look just like one of them (on the right).
its the bangs and scary facial structure.

willy wonkers

gene wilder always did terrify me.

here's mikey from Sherwood (a band on my label, also a friend) and his impression of gene wilder. its goooood.

here's the link, ch-ch-check it out: YOU WILL BE AMUSED
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6228226787709089846&q=mikey+does+gene+wilder">mikey

strange things are afoot at the circle K....

wining and wooing and whining

went to three shows this weekend. fri, sat, sun.
each night, a different band from my label was performing somewhere in los angeles.
it was my task to woo them.
I wined them, I dined them.
I assured them that they were safe in the sidecho fold.
and now its monday and I am back at work.
but I feel that I never really left work.
I never really took off my sidecho shoes (if you will...and I do...)
and I think its safe to say that I am all show-ed out.
but then I will be at the detroit bar tonight.
I'm just that crrrrazy.

gratitude.

jen and shant made my day, my week, my life.
they listened to my sob story of all my hardships and troubles and they bought new tires for my car so I don't have to have another blowout on the freeway.
they said that they consider me to be family, and they have savings to help 'family emergencies', and they said this was one of those times.
I was crying a little bit. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to them.
tires, I know, its a silly thing. but I couldn't afford new ones and they are shot.
praise the Lord.
I love Jen and Shant.

tps report

today I wore a short skirt.
today I ate a pad thai bowl from trader joes. the tofu was awful and tasted like freezer burn.
today I got up a half hour early and sat in the quiet of the morning and prepared for my day. read a psalm.
today was much better than yesterday.
today I listened to BRMC, Beach Boys, Slick Shoes, Hot Snakes, and itunes party shuffle.

tonight I am going to the LAB.
tonight I will see a lot of people I know.
tonight I will probably see a few ex boyfriends.
tonight I will eat at the gypsy den with colin.
tonight my legs will get cold. poor planning on the skirt.
tonight I will stay in long beach. not sure where yet.

tomorrow...
well, I have no idea. but I think it will involve working, lunching, driving, and arrested development season 2.

I don't really have a third tale ready.

not that i can think of right now, anyway.
so read the other two and I will see what proverbial bats I can rummage up out of the proverbial belfry in the next few days.

3 unrelated tales I feel prompted to tell (part 2)

TWO.

Two Saturdays ago (maybe three), Myste, Kristin and I happened upon an amazing sale at a vintage store. We ended up in the back room of this vintage store for 2 hours, rooting through piles of vintage clothing. Myste and I did most of the rooting while Kristin giggled and took pictures of us perched on top of the mounds.

When we exited the vintage store, we were filthy. Our fingernails were brown, our hands were brown; the residue of aged, unwashed, and unwanted clothing was now covering my body. I wanted to wash my hands immeadiately. We had to drop Kristin off at work (Peet's) so we parked there and went inside to use the restroom.

On the walk back to the restroom, Myste paused for a second to look a a teapot. I waited at the bathroom door for her, keeping it ajar while motioing for her to join me. We only needed to wash our hands -- there was no need to lock the door. As Myste walked into the bathroom, she was followed by a small, elderly, Asian woman. It was a small, single bathroom. There were no stalls, walls, or doors of any kind. I turned to the woman and explained, "Oh, we're just washing our hands. We'll be out of here in a minute." I assumed she would wait for us outside. However, judging by the woman's reaction , I take it that she did not speak English, because she proceeded to continue on into the bathroom.

I again explain that we will be out of the bathroom momentarily. I walk to the sink.

The woman nods at me and proceeds to walk over to the toilet, drop her pants, and use the restroom.

I catch myste's glance in the mirror. I then look down at my hands and concentrate on scrubbing. I try not o look at myste, for fear of bursting into akward and hysterical laughter. We wash our hands briskly (but it seemed like an eternity). The old woman finished her business, stood up, and waited for the sink. Myste and I grab paper towels, made a beeline out of the bathroom, and to a far corner of the store where we feigned interest in the various teas. Anything to avoid eye contact with our new bathroom buddy. She returned to her table and was presumably enjoying her cup of tea when we left the building.

and that was it. a cutural experience, if you will. and a really funny one at that.

3 unrelated tales I feel prompted to tell

ONE.

Somewhere during the course of my freshman year of college, my roommate Abbie met a boy. I can't remember his name currently, but I think it was Ben. They hung out a few times and things seemed to be going well. I talked to him on the phone occasionally when he'd call for her. We were into a lot of the same things, Ben and I. We both liked Dogwood, I remember. Abbie wasn't sure how she felt about him, but Ben seemed to genuinely like her. somewhere in the process of wooing her, Ben beagnt o ask me for dating tips. He'd email me occastionally and ask me for date ideas and things of this nature. I hadn't met the guy, but I liked him.

a month or two into all of this, I was finally to meet the mysterious Ben. He was in a band and his band was playing in Santa Barbara one Friday night. After the show, Ben had planned to drive down to La MIrada and hang out with Abbie and I. We waited for him in our dorm room -- I remember a lot of giggling, there was probably a lot of chocolate eating...and there was a lot of waiting. We called his phone a few times, with no luck.

"He better have a really good excuse" Abbie said. I remember that much.

2:00 am and no word from Ben. Abbie and I fell asleep and hoped to hear from Ben in the morning. After all, you don't stand two girls up for no good reason.

6:00 am. Abbie's phone rings. I can't hear who it is, but I hear Abbie gasp. She says a few things, mostly "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh.". My heart sank.

He died. In a car crash on the way down to La Mirada. His band van wrecked.
Abbie had never met his family, but had met his best friend once. The best friend remembered to call Abbie and let her know the news. She didn't go to the funeral, because it would be akward, as no one knew her.

So we sat in our dorm room in the dark all that saturday. We didn't say much. We both cried. The whole thing was really bizarre. I kept the emails from Ben in my inbox. I refused to delete them because I wanted to remember him. I don't know how Abbie dealt with it. We didn't really talk about it. But you don't really get over a thing like that.

I did not forget you all.

There should be a few literary morsels for you to read (by yours truly) by the end of the day. Sorry it has been so long in coming.

thanks,
the management

annie are you ok?

so some of you may have heard the rumor that I am AWESOME and I get to go do cool things because I am a big wig record exec. well, today is one of those days.

I am going to see Alien Ant Farm at the House of Blues in Anaheim FOR FREE tonight. and my boss gave me money to schmooze and buy drinks for other big wig execs.

i mean, my job has been tough lately - I am not going to lie to you. but its nights like tonight that turn my frown upside down. how many of you can watch a marginally talented alternative rock band cover a pop song from the 80's (and this song somehow managed to sell 1.5 million records for them) on a cool autumn eve?

yeah, I thought so.
just cross your fingers, I might be able to ge tyou Hoobastank tickets the next time they're in town.

to kelly!

I must say, I cannot go to bed before I confess that this is the best weekend I've had in a long time.

*the good foot (70's funk dancing) with good friends
*cards and thai food
*kate's bridal shower
*vintage store uber sale (4 vintage dresses, 1 skirt, 4 shirts, 1 belt for $32)
*new beverly - good friends, good film
*cafe 101
*church
*the OC and Ali G.
*brownies and coffee
*RAIN

and, to top it all off, I sat in front of Tiffany Amber Thiesen at church today. I have no doubt that it was her. so, here's to you Kelly Kapowski. Your dance with Zack out in front of your house when your parents wouldn't let you go to prom was a defining moment in my young life.

2 nuggets of unrelated information.

1. I take absolute and sheer delight in being the person who gets to use the very last toilet seat cover left in a bathroom stall. I figure you have a 1 in 200 chance or so of being the person who gets to use the VERY LAST toilet seat cover, and so when it actually happens (I can remember it happening all of 3 times) I am quite enthusiastic. nevermind the next person in line who is now seat cover-less -- I was the lucky stiff who got the last one.

2. When I was a freshman in high school I joined in the magazine subscription selling extravaganza. I am not sure what the whole point of the ordeal was, but I was selling magazing subscriptions to friends and neighbors and my high school was somehow benefitting from this. I was a nerd and I didn't know any better so I sold those things like crazy. There were prizes involved and I wanted to win the grand prize. I don't remember if I actually won the grand prize, but I did place in the top 3 or so, and apparently this merited a real PRIZE. they picked the three winners up in a limo and shuttled us off campus for free lunch. the best part is, they took us to Sizzler. I think I am one of the few human beings on earth who has arrived at Sizzler in a limo.

i am in my weekly meeting right now.
i walk away from these feeling so little.
and so overworked.
I hate thursdays more than anything.
plus, the conference room is over AC'ed and my fingers are purple.
get me out of here.
thank goodness for wireless and laptops and blogging.

i changed my blog.

I had grown tired of the polka dots, it was time for something new.

not sure how I feel about the new color scheme. I wanted something minimalist.

but I did link (most) all of you suckers.

and there is password protection on the comments. those darn blog spammers.

so, enjoy.

this party will, indeed, be off the hook.

myste got me.

tagged by myste. I liked this one.

10 Years Ago:
14 years old. I had just recently moved from Cody, WY, to Auburn, CA. I wore a white t-shirt, black jeans, and a flannel shirt tied around my waist for my first day of high school at Forest Lake Christian School. My dad was a pastor and my mom was homeschooling my sisters. I don't really think I listened to music yet, although sometime that year I discovered DC Talk's Jesus Freak. I was a NERD.

5 Years Ago:
i have just started my sophomore year of college. I drove a 1981 Honda civic with a Ninja Turles sticker on it. I cut all my hair off and dyed it black. and then maroon. and then hot orange.I lived in Stewart hall with Jen Kendall, next door to Erica and Rachel (and just down the hall from Corban and Jen M.). I was waivering between a PR major and Media Management. Like Myste, I also met a boy named Phil (M.) and I fell in love. Unlike Myste, this love didn't make it through my sophomore year. oh yes, I almost forgot. Dave Price got me a management job at Family Christian stores. And I was booking concerts for biola / the eddy. My claim to fame was having Thrice play in the SUB.

1 Year Ago:
i was travelling the globe with my sister. Right about this time last year I was in Ankara, Turkey - eating Kababs, working with Iranian refugees, and playing with orphans. shortly after that we visited the city of Ephesus and sat in the auditorium where Paul used to preach. that whole time was completely monumental.

Yesterday:
i worked from 9:30 to 5:30. I ate round table for lunch and talked to a guy from Jerusalem. I made really yummy black bean and red pepper chili, drank wine, watched to OC and went and watched my friend Gena (her band is called Day of Lions. well its not a band, its just her. but she's called Day of Lions) play a set at the Lava Lounge. it was really good. then I fell into a deep and exhausted sleep.

5 Snacks I Enjoy:
peanut butter filled pretzels, chips and salsa, chocolate covered raisins, reeses pieces, cheese and crackers.

5 Songs I Know All the Words To:
the Man comes around - Johnny Cash
In my Life - the beatles
God only Knows - Beach Boys
A Lack of Color - Death Cab for Cutie
most every pedro the lion song - but lets go with "Secret of the Easy yoke"

5 Things I’d Do with 100 Million Dollars:
Travel a lot. Buy the somalians a house and food and clothing. move out of LA. I'd buy an apartment in San Fransisco, Boston, London and Zagreb - maybe more if I had money left. And I'd probably start a business. and I would go to Africa and depending on the current political crisis I would do what I could to make someone else's life better.

5 Places I’d Run Away To:
Croatia, San Fransisco, Boston, Africa, Italy

5 Things I’d Never Wear:
stirrup pants, the color purple (well, royal purple. I hate it), platform shoes, yosemite sam t - shirts, anything made by the "Big Dog" company.

5 Favorite TV Shows:
Arrested Development, The Simpsons, The OC, Freaks and Geeks, the Wonder years (and Scrubs, and The office)

5 Biggest Joys:
a GREAT cup of coffee/cappucinno, music that really fits a moment, the feeling of a job well done, my saturday morning breakfast and clean the house routine, the times when I am really able to rest in God's grace.

5 Favorite Toys:
my new G4 ibook!, my new computer speakers/subwoofer, my vintage toaster, my ipod (when its' not broken), my camera

5 Fine Folks Who Can Now Consider Themselves Tagged:
um, don't know who will actually do this - but lets say Kamn!, the talbots, matt and amber, nina, and rosie.

a first.

so after the show at the gig on Tuesday I called 911 for the first time in my life.

there was a big pile of trash that was on fire in the alley across the street from the venue. there were actually 2 separate fires (one in this silver pot, and one that was the pile of trash). the light was on in the building attached to the alley. when I called 911, Patrick (from Careen) somehow found a hose and started spraying the fire. and the lights in the building went off.

the firemen came and we had mostly put out the fire. they opened the door to the building (it was unlocked) but no one was there. they asked us a few questions and thanked me for calling.

I guess it was arson. not a big deal, really.
but it was a first. I called 911.

there was much, much more to that night (just your garden variety " your teenage idol is now single and sitting close to you on the couch" stuff) but its all too tiring to think about. I am just ready to get caught up on life this weekend. And doing my laundry will be like therapy for my soul.

back in the U.S.S.R

yeah that's right.
I am officially the representative of the USSR for myste's party on Friday.

anyone got any communist clothing I can borrow? because I got nothin. my sister in oregon has boatloads of this type of thing . but she's in oregon, and that is no good to me now. I'd ask her to fed ex it...but she won't. :)

so, I will try to track me down a red sash and a furry cap. and maybe a hammer and sickle.
and I got a bottle of russian vodka to bring as a party favor. (because I have no time to make perogi's or stroganoff or beets or anything like this. and vodka is the only other russian thing I can think of.)


in other news: I got asked to book a tour for fielding and the cold war kids (for spring). this has many, many strange implications to it - but mostly that I was sort of "hanging out" in a non-platonic way with one of the guys in fielding and we aren't really hanging out anymore but now I find myself booking a tour for his band. I know, I know, I bring it upon myself.

SO...
you should come out to the cold war kids/fielding/careen show that I put together at the Gig in LA on tuesday (10/4) and watch me self-destruct. No, really, I want you all there. mostly because if I don't get 60 people there I am dead. and its only 5 bucks.

MY LIFE IS WORTH 5 BUCKS TO YOU, RIGHT?

sigur ros

a cinematic masterpiece. watch it now.

http://www.emichrysalis.co.uk/quicktime/sigur_ros/glosoli/index.php?version=6.520&bandwidth=530236

the celebrity car game! yeah!

oh do I have a game for you peoples.

so you take a car. and you make it into the name of a celebrity (any celebrity will do), rockstar, band, etc...

this game is best while driving (because you are viewing lots of cars) in traffic.

Examples of what exactly I am talking about:

Toyota Camry = Camry Diaz (or Camry Crowe)
Ford Taurus = Ford Taurussel Crowe
Acura = Acura Knighley ( a-Keira Knightley? get it???)
Ford F-150 = Ford F-1 50 Cent
Jeep Cherokee: Jeep Sonny and Cher-okee

so -- have at it. post them in the comments. you can do it. you know you can!
I seriously love this game.

supercreepin

the last place I wanted to be last night was the Spider Club for a Supercreep CD release party.
I don't like the band.
I don't like the album.
The guys at the Supercreep record label are insufferable.
Kevin cancelled on going.
My sisters were watching the Arcade Fire in Oregon.


and I can't say that last night was amazing, or even fun, by any stretch of the imagination...
but it was worthwhile.
a bunch of really silly things (open bar + linda + ex boyfriends + drunk marriage proposals from strangers + cinespace + paul) added up to what seemed like a pointless Los Angeles extravaganza.

but on the drive home, I got in a fight with linda. we were both yelling and it all seemed horribly exhausting and pointless. paul (my friend from work) was in the backseat. he occasionally added his thoughts.

but today, I drove paul to work. and he told me that he liked listening to the conversation last night. in fact, he told me that his faith in christianity was restored. his words were "You said really good things. In fact, I think you sparked my faith."

things like this rarely happen to me (if ever).
the Lord certainly does move in mysterious ways.
and here I thought that last night was a bust.
needless to say, we had a great conversation all the wa to work today.
I like that.

happy birthday myste!

a little shout out to my dear friend myste on her BIRTHDAY!
let me know your schedule -- and I am taking you out for a cafe ole and an eclair!

paperwork panic attack.

I am a self-diagnosed control freak, organizational freak, OCD, with slight ADD tendendcies.

This means a few things for me:
1. I like things the way I like them. Not the way you like them.
2. I hang all my clothes in the same direction in the closet. I use the same brand of fabric softener, year in and year out. I systematically rotate shampoos so I get a nice mix of volumizing, cleansing, moiturizing, and color protecting.
3. I don't like being touched. Especially in public or when its hot outside.

These are just a few of the quirks that come along with my somewhat rigid personality. Granted, I grew up in a nomadic-evangelical-pack-rat-garage-saling family, so I had some semblance of flexibility beaten into me. And, for that I am thankful.

But, this is what I simply do not understand about my organizational tendencies: I have a crippling fear of paperwork. Mostly paperwork in the form of bills. But I also hate traffic tickets, any sort of contestment, bank statements, credit card applications, credit statements, loan payments, insurance papers, etc. I HATE THEM ALL. Rather than deal with my paperwork like a normal OCD person, I simply let it pile up on my desk -- and I let it sit there and haunt me for as long as I can possibly stand it. I won't open the envelopes because I fear whatever horrible news is waiting for me inside. There is NEVER good news inside of those envelopes.

Needless to say, I set out to take care of those nasty little envelopes today. And I found some real gems. A court contestment for the seatbelt ticket I got in Oregon. A bill for a Loretta Lynn CD from my CD club I supposedly recived at the Fullerton house while I was living in Oregon (I told you, I let this stuff PILE up), a few months of bank statments to be opened and filed, and my new loan payment information. There was lots more, but I won't bore you anymore with these details...

I don't feel much better now that I have opened them and written the corresponding checks. I just feel poor. But, I also feel a wave of relief. I did it! I tackled the pile. Now, I get to wait for the next set of mail to arrive and the crippling panic to rise out of my gut and into my chest as I stare at the stack of unopened envelopes on my desk.

I think I should start praying now that my husband will be a paperwork whiz. because, otherwise, I am screwed.

My new boyfriend.

Ok I tricked you. I don't have a boyfriend!

but, you have to listen to this. this guy is amazing.
(warning, its like 15 minutes long, but it is so worth it)

www.purevolume.com/troysmixtapeoflove

and, just so you know - the girl broke up with him the day after he recorded this for her.

this time last year...

...I WAS HERE. (Venice, Italy)

Just me and Danielle, traversing the european countryside. Drinking cappuccinos and eating pastries. I miss those days. I went back and read some of the blogs from our travels, and it makes me homesick. Or should I say travel-sick? I can't believe its been a year.

here's the europe blog if you care to take a trip down my memory lane:

http://eurostrans.blogspot.com/2004_10_01_eurostrans_archive.html

a smashingly good weekend

1. kanye west guest appearance with jon brion (and adam from maroon 5. but that doesn't really register on my awesome radar) on friday night. well worth the three hour wait. he did the first song off the new album and then freestyled about hurricanes and things of this nature.

2. jon brion played "don't think twice it's allright" for me. yes, I requested it, and he played it and it soothed my soul.

3. I slept till 11:45 on Saturday. i dont think I've done that in a year. and it felt gooooood.

4. Linda and I watched a LOT of the OC this weekend. (still season 1). I hate that Oliver kid. and Julie cooper. but I love love love love love Seth Cohen, and that's what keeps me coming back.

5. Dodgers games yesterday with the new boy on the block. The Dodgers beat the Padres 7 - 3, which worked out well for the overall mood of the date. He came over to my house and we watched a lot of OC and drank a bit of wine and I cooked him dinner. an all around lovely day.

I went to bed at 11:30 last night and woke up ready for a new week. That's a good feeling.

fallen from beach boy grace

my uncle doesn't think I should have taken this job.
so I think the glory days with Brian Wilson are over.

I sat at home on Sunday night while the wonderful melodies of "Smile" were enchanting those in attendance at the Hollywood bowl.

busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy busy

ha! that was fun.
the point: too busy to blog the past few days. sorry kids.

if you give a chimp a cig...

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/irresistible/4899696/detail.html#

inspired to write a hit song.

I think I am going to write a song called "gas prices got me down"
either that, or "gas prices are ruining my life and now I am broker than broke and if only LA had a decnet metro system and I didn't work 35 miles away and how come people blame the president for a hurricane and I am looking into bio diesel so that I can afford to live again."