So I'm not dead. Most people thought that I was, but honestly, I'm not dead. Just busy.
I can't believe it's been so long since I've actually updated. So much has happened.
I've been putting in a lot of hours at work. I've been working a lot of night events (and of course getting no recognition for it) and just doing a lot of extra random stuff to help out my boss. To put it kindly, I'm a sucker.
Yes, my status has changed for those MySpace lurkers. So who is this mystery man? It's Kevin, the same Kevin who is going to a Sox game with me, the same Kevin who got me the Tom Hanks autograph.
I know it's weird. We're not even sure how it happened. We've known each other a long time, since I was 17 to be exact. I've always kind of had a crush on him. Then he and I started talking a lot because of the whole "That Thing You Do" thing, then it just got to a point where we were talking every night for hours on end.
I'm really happy about it. He's the nicest guy I've ever dated and/or met. He treats me good and he's hilarious. I know it's going to be hard, since he lives 2,000 miles aways, but all the more reason for sending care packages right?
He's coming in July 6th-22nd, we've already have a list of things we plan on doing. He wants to take me on acutal dates, you know, not "Let's meet at the bar and have a few drinks. I'm flying out there is September (since he's taking me to Disneyland). I have a feeling, it's all going to work out.
I've also been staying in a lot lately, I don't know I really don't feel like going out. I'm trying to save money, really the only reason I ever go out is to see The Romeros. I know, I'm a winner.
I'm trying to eat healthier and trying to just be healthier in general and I think cutting out a lot of beer is helping.
I'm reciving a present via the mailman tomorrow from LA. I'm really excited.
My dad got Sox tickets. July 9th, Chicago VS Boston, right behind home plate (and access to The Stadium Club). Four tickets, it has been decided it will be myself, my brother, my father and Kevin (also the giver of said present).
Work is going really well. We're getting new people in, so we're not as short staffed. Laura is back to fill me in on all the Fall Out Boy gossip and Monday I get payed double because of the miracle of "holiday" pay, something I was never eligible for up till now.
My buttons are going well. Mike has been getting me a lot of buisness. In return I'm going to put out some "Limited Edition" buttons and all the money I make on them go directly to The Romeros for their upcoming EP. I'm just looking for ideas.
The best news I've had comes all the way from California. For those of you who don't really know me, I'm obsessed with the movie "That Thing You Do!". I went to see it high school and became obsessed with it. I quote it on a daily basis and I can recite it word for word.
My friend Kevin is editing the 10th Anniversary Edition of the movie, I told him how obsessed I was, he asked me some trivia questions and promised he would get me something from the set.
He did ten times better. He talked to the producer and they asked me to write the interview questions. So when I watch the DVD they'll be answering some of the questions I came up with. He also is getting me some "prizes", I can't wait for July.
I'm anxiously awaiting his call, since he promised to call me about the interview, I can't wait.
I've been sticking to my rule of only going on Thursday-Saturday. I'm saving money. I'm applying for grants to go to school. I've come to the conclusion, it's time for me to graduate. For real.
There is a small chance I might move out in August with one of my favorite people Rachel. I'm debating things right now. But I'm working as many hours as possible, paying off my credit cards and saving a little money for each check.
I've been spending an awful lot of time with Erin. It's her fault I've started watching baseball, I mean actually following it. It's weird I know what's going on in the games now. Plus, she's taking me to my first White Sox game this summer, which I'm really excited about.
Last night was the weirdest night ever. I'm a bit confused and bewildered, but things were starting to get a bit boring, so I kind of welcomed the akwardness.
Nothing beats making buttons for your favorite band since you were 17.
Nothing beats meeting your favorite band, hanging out backstage at the Abbey Pub with them, people knowning you as "The Button Girl, people wearing YOUR buttons,snagging a set list (getting them to sign it) and sharing it all with your best friend/older brother.
I got the full time position at work. Which is awesome. I found out on Monday, I was quite proud of myself. This means more money, which also is awesome. I get time and a half and holiday pay. Which is really going to come in handy this weekend, since I have to work Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night. And instead of making my regular pay, I'll be making time and a half.
It's kind of like I have a grown up job. I had to go to meet with the finance department to talk about 401K's and benefits, weird. I've kind of decided I don't think I'm ever going to leave MSI. I figure I'll get my degree in Education and just get a job in the education department. That or who knows what can happen.
I sold my first bulk of buttons. The guys from Pezband loved them, I made a hundred bucks and they're hooking me up with a bunch of free shit. He also refered me to the guy from Poi Dog Pondering. I know they suck, but it's for his new band.
With all the money I'll be raking in, I'm planning on paying off my credit cards and buying a drum set. A new one, new hardware, new heads, new stand, new throne, new everything.
The big question, what's going on in the romance department? Well, things are going good. I just like where things end up. Sometimes I get annoyed, but then the dude will do something and completely change my mind. We had a blast at Rhett Miller and the one thing I love, he treats me like a girl.
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me." 2. I will respond by asking you five questions of a very intimate and creepily personal nature. Or not so creepy/personal. 3. You WILL update your LJ with the answers to the questions. 4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
These were from Erin:
1. If you were forced to watch one and only one show for the rest of your life, which campy 80's sitcom would it be? This was a hard one, I thought about this for a loooong time, no seriously I did and I'd have to say Hogan's Family.
2. Where did you find that great picture you posted on my MySpace? I assume you refering to the black kids, I can't reveal my sources, but never fear there is plenty more where that came from. One friend of mine said I should win an award for Best MySpace Comments. I hope you guys enjoyed the Cubs bashing jokes and yes, I e-mailed them to Winters for good measure.
3. Do you have any more Fort Knox secrets you can tell me? Of course I do. I'm a wealth of information. I'm like Elaine, I have a vault, that only a ridicockulous amount of alcohol can open.
4. What are you doing tonight? Tonight, I'm headed to Brokuls early for a evening of drinks with "The Girls", then perhaps The Bake. Text me as to what your doing, although I can kind of assume. Winters isn't coming out because he's working early tomorrow, I know I laughed just as hard.
5. Has Pat Winters touched you inappropriately yet? Refer to question 3, it's in Fort Knox ;)
I'm happy. Even if it's just for now. I'm really happy.
I hate it that everyone wants it to be something more.
It is what it is.
It's filled with spooning and sleepovers, walking through alleys under streetlights and holding hands under bar tables, mix cds and holding on, laughing and sharing secrets, concert tickets and Andy Capp's, certain smells and late night text messages.
Back in the late 70's, Cheap Trick ruled the airways, but they weren't the only power pop band, there was also Pezband.
When I was about eighteen my brother introduced me to this Pezband. They were local boys from Schamburg, they once were managed by the same guy who managed Cheap Trick. I fell in love with them, you should to.
Well, Pezband is back. They are playing here for the International Pop Overthrow (which will also include performances by local heros Enuff Z Enuff and The Romeros). They started talking to Mike via The Romeros MySpace. They then added me, then they added my button company.
Yeah, here's the point of this post.
My button company Bitchy Buttons, is making buttons for PEZBAND.
It's kind of unbelievable, it's all coming together.
So I take drum lessons. The guy who I take them with, is awesome. He and I get along great, he's introduced me to some great bands and of course, is an awesome drummer.
His band recently played down in Austin at SXSW, before he left I gave him one of my "Kiss My Irish Ass" buttons, not one of my best, but good. He loved it, put it on his coat and left for Austin.
I guess while he was down there he got a lot of compliments on it, including this guys who works at SXSW. When he was asked where he got it, he told them, a girl that he gives drum lessons to made it.He was impressed with my handiwork, but my drum teacher didn't have any of my info, so he got some info for me.
Basically, the guy wanted to know if I would be interested in being a vendor at SXSW next year. They are always looking for new people. I'd get to go for free, get a booth and get some exposure.
It's a big step and nothing is set in stone, it's whole year away. But I'm getting a website, thanks to my friend Jeff and I'm stepping it up a notch.
So I'm home, I survived my five day stint in Tampa, Florida.
I had a great time, not as high octane as last year, but still it was a nice time, spent with my friends.
I've spent the past five days in a mad drunken haze, running around the streets of Tampa in skirts and flip flops (which I'm already missing). It got off to a rocky start, due all to miscommunication, but that was quickly solved. I didn't get to spend as much time as I wanted to with Judy, but we'll see each other soon.
As much as a I loved being there, where it was warm and no one knew me and I could do whatever I wanted. But I was happy to come home, knowing that there is someone here who I can hang out with, without the pressures of a "relationship". Just two people who like each others company and I'm more then happy with that.
How come I can put on SPF 50 and still get sunburn?
How do I spend five days in eighty degree weather and get a cold?
The past two nights I've gone out have been fantastic. Seriously. It's been awhile for me to be feeling this way and I'm nothing but happy with the company I keep as of late.
I've been going out, more then usual. The one good thing that came of the drama that's been going on lately is that it got me to get off my ass and make some new friends. I was in a comfort zone. It was easy for me to go over to that apartment, sit and drink, go to Brokuls, call it a night. Then I would come home miserable, because I don't meet new people. Well, since I had my issues with people, I haven't been over there in a few weeks, instead, I've been hanging out at Beverly bars, with a dude who makes my stomach hurt. No, he doesn't make me sick, he just makes me laugh that hard.
My boss and coworker made a mistake and I have the whole weekend off. Yes, the whole weekend. I don't go back to work till Monday. But my boss said that I should take it for what it's worth, if I get the full time position, I probably won't get things like this.
Last night (this morning), I went to bed at seven o'clock. SEVEN O'CLOCK. I do have plans for the rest of the evening. I have to get buttons made and my mom put me in charge of making the cupcakes for parade day, I decided I'm might stay in tonight, this is a big weekend and I have a bunch of shit to do.
So yes, I'm staying in to make buttons and cupcakes...but it could be worse, I could be going to see Belle and Sebastian.
I'm kind of excited about tomorrow nights slumber party. Nicole and Renee are coming over to spend the night for the parade, since it would be hard for them to get here on Sunday. It will be fun, to hang out with the girls, gossip, have a few beers, watch a few movies and get to sleep early.
I got my shirt for the parade in the mail today...classy motherfucker.
My little brother is going out to buy board games, I'm excited.
So tonight will include...buttons, cupcakes and board games.
So as of today, I'm officially 24. Weird. But I'm not upset or anything, one of my best friends turned 30 on Saturday, so that makes me feel a little better.
Looking back at 23, it wasn't terribly good. But it wasn't terribly bad either.
I've met some amazing people.
I've done some amazing things.
I guess I just feel like I should have done more.
That's my goal for 24.
Thank you to all who came out and helped me ring in my birthday, you guys are awesome.
24 started on a really good note...
Come on, I got a BOX OF WINE, a Buddha candle, a Lionel Ritchie CD, a supply of Mary Kay stuff, earring, hair clips, watches and a card from Stroke 9 for my birthday...it can't get any better then that.
Also, I would like for every one to share a moment of silence today, for today 24 years ago, we lost one of the greatest comics that's ever lived.
I know, it's a Thursday, it's pay day, it the week of my birthday and I'm sitting at home. Eh, oh well right. My voice is shot, I don't know why, but it's almost gone. Plus, for those of you who know me and what's been going on, I'm emotionally exhausted.
The one thing I've been doing is planning my trip. I know it's not going to happen for about a year, but I figured if I get excited for it now, it will incline me to save my money and get it together.
My plan is to put at least a hundred dollars away from each pay check, maybe even more, if I can afford it. I know that if I get the full time position I'll have some extra cash and by that time I should be getting vacation days. I guess just knowing I'm working for something will make me do it more.
My plan is to be gone for almost a month. Yes, a month. I need to do this now, before I'm too old to enjoy it.
My plan:
Great Britain (London and Liverpool) France (Paris) Netherlands (Amsterdam) Germany (Hamburg and Berlin) Czech Republic (Prague) Italy (Rome) Switzerland (Bern) Spain (Madrid) Ireland (Cork and Cavan)
It looks expensive, but I'll be staying in hostels and my uncle told me that there is some train pass you can get to go from country to country. I would like to have someone with me, but if I can't find anyone, I'll go alone. This is something I've always wanted to do.
So I'm feeling pretty good today, besides the fact I'm pretty tired, but oh well.
I decided today that I'm going out for a full time position at work. This might not seem like that big of a deal, but if you know MSI, you know that the situation.
See, we're only budgeted to have so many full time employees, so basically, I've been working five days (sometimes six) for really nothing. The posted some new positions and my boss and I have decided that I should go for it. He said that I already work full time hours, I should reap the benefits of it. I'll get paid sick days, paid personal days and a paid vacation. The biggest perk, on holidays (which I already work all the time anyway) I get paid double. And I'll get actual time and half.
This comes at a perfect time for me too. In a year, I'm off my dad's insurance and as we all know, I need health insurance. That and I'll make some extra cash, pay of my debts and put a lot of it into a savings account. I decided that I want to start saving now, because next year I want to go to Europe. I'm not sure where or with who, but I want to explore the world.
I've started the process, I'm just crossing my fingers.
Last night I had a lot of realizations.
One, I have an awesome friend in Mr. Tony DiNovo. Granted he's covered in tattoos, but I think he might be the nicest guy I've ever met. Plus, it's nice to a have a male friend who you kind of like and they kind of like you, but you both know right now isn't the right time. Plus, I'm so proud of him for becoming a firefighter.
Two, I've finally found two GIRL friends who I actually really like, coming in the form of an Erin and a Megan. I'm excited for Friday.
Three, I'm feeling different about my birthday party. I'm actually looking forward to it. Rumor has it it's going to be quite the blast. Complete with a Pete Repellent (maybe).
Four, I'm starting to feel different about Florida, after a chat with Dawn, I really don't think it's going to be that bad. Plus, I'll get to see the Judster and perhaps The Scooter Boy.
monkee3666
content.
exanimate.
excited.
anxious.
awake.
confused.
groggy.
crazy.
creative.