Sunday, September 24, 2006
JOURNEY!
Last night, Ben and I went to see one of my all-time favorite bands, Journey. I know a lot of people think they're a girly band, and maybe be they are, but both Ben and I love their music. Sometimes the lyrics are cheesy, but they write some solid pop music! And they've been going strong since 1975, and considering they haven't been on the radio with anything new in a while, that's a pretty good testiment to their old stuff.First, the place was absolutely PACKED. They were doing a split bill with Def Leppard. I fully expected that place to be full of skanky women around my age that were stuck in the 80s. Instead, there was a HUGE span of ages there, and quite a few teenagers and young kids in their 20s. I was really surprised by that, because the tickets were NOT cheap.
The thing that was great is that EVERYONE was singing along and having a great time. There were no obnoxious folks, lots of couples kissing and hugging, (loving, touching, squeezing) and the vibe there was really positive and fun. The music was OUTSTANDING. I mean, these guys have been playing forever, you so expect it to be tight, but not THAT tight. The new singer was fantastic and you know he just LOVES being a rock and roll star. He's SO into it, and he's fun to watch.
The thing that I realized, though, is that I've become a bit of a music snob. I've grown so accustomed to listening to jazz and going to shows that really are "listening" rooms, that I forgot how much FUN a big, sold-out concert can be. Ben and I were dancing and singing along, and we had a really good time. Especially when they played "Seperate Ways," which is our favorite song.
I mean really, can you beat a rockin' 80s opening synth line? I think not!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
OK, I'M OUT OF CONTROL.
I cannot stop painting. I really can't. It's become therapy for me, and I love every second I'm doing it, even though the output is pretty poor. No matter, its not the actual finished product that makes me happy, it's the actual painting - doing it - that I enjoy! So here are the two latest:
SUSAN'S MERMAIDMy friend Susan loves mermaids, so I decided to give it a shot. This is a little surprise gift for her tomorrow. I WAY overdid the glitter here, and the face looks like something out of a horror movie. But overall, I don't think the rest of it is all that bad. I like what I did with the water, and I like the mermaid tale. It's just pretty clear that I shouldn't be painting anything that even resembles a person.
EYE IN THE SKYI have to say, I love this one. I painted it for my bathroom wall and named it this because I was listening to Jonatha Brooke's version of The Alan Parson's Project's "Eye in the Sky" when I started it. I'm happy with this because it's simple and cute, and works perfectly in the john.
I'm one classy broad, eh? And an arteest to boot!
Monday, September 18, 2006
ARTIST ENVY - PART II
Ok, so now that I'm in my swank new pad, I've started to get artist's envy again. You may remember me saying in a previous entry that when I was a kid, my plan was to be a famous artist. I took art lessons, won awards, all that shit. I just ended up being as good as I was going to get at 14. It was very tragic. And I moved onto music.But now I'm in this artist's loft - surrounded by artists and tons of art - EVERYWHERE. I'm just feeling inspired to try it again. So what did I decide to do? Painting. The one medium that I was never good at even as a kid.
So I bought some paint and materials and got to it - most of the weekend. It was really, really relaxing, and guess what I found out? I SUCK. I mean, I'm truly HORRIBLE. But the thing is, I don't even care. It's mine, it's fun, and it's almost theraputic for me. So I hung those bad-boys up on the wall with pride.
As you can see, they're all abstract. And not on purpose. It's kind of amazing that I'm not mortified to show you these, but I'm not. I think it's kind of funny, actually. But I dig em. Because their mine!
PERSISTENCE
Ok, so I know it's kind of obnoxious to name lousy art, but I have to be able to refer to it in some way other than "Ugly #1." This was the first one I did. I have to say, I really like the colors I used, and I actually don't HATE this. I just don't really understand it, and I'm sure you don't either. I realized after I finished it that I had mimmicked some of the dotted lines from one of my favorite Dali paintings, "Disintergration of the Persistence of Memory." So therefore, I'm a fraud in even my crappy art!
MIXED QUESTION
At least the green is pretty, right? This was #2, just because I needed something to hang in my bathroom because I have a big, blank wall. At least it's cost-effective: cheaper than most things I'd buy. And more of a conversation piece, I suppose.
CELEBRATION
Now this is quite easily the ugliest of the bunch, and yet, I kind of love it! It started out this big yellow color burst, and then things went horribly wrong. But something about the insanely awful color combination makes me really love it. I especially like that I put a random pretty flower in the middle. I liked it so much that I even signed it. You know, for fear that someone might want to claim this as their own! (note: sarcasm)
UNDERBROWN
This is the last one I did, and I just finished it this morning. The weird thing is that even though these aren't very good, I feel compelled to keep at it. I suppose that with time my painting could become better, but even if it doesn't, that's fine by me. I kind of like this one too. When I painted it, I had the canvas horizontally, but then realized I liked it better vertically. Yeah, I totally did that on purpose because I'm very cool and abstract like that, yo.
I know you just can't WAIT for the next installation of paintings. Admit it! I know I can't! It's kind of fun watching what comes out - even when it's bad. So there you have it. There are my 14 yr old level paintings. Enjoy!
Saturday, September 16, 2006
DO NOT CALL, YO!
Subject: Telemarketing-DO NOT CALL LIST for cell phoneJUST A REMINDER....30 days from today, all US cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale alls..YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS! To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take less than a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You can also register your number on the website at NATIONAL DO NOT CALL.
This message has been brought to you by your friendly, neighborhood Diva!
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
So far, I'm totally loving everyone in my building.Just this past Tuesday, S&B from down the hall had a "movie night" at their place. They posted flyers in the elevators and in the lobby, and invited neighbors to come and watch - which I thought was really cool. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it because I was teaching, but I told S that, and she invited me to the next one. I think they are my favorite neighbors so far because they are social and nice and friendly.
There's a guy down the hall that I LOOOOOOOVE. He's SO handsome in a really artsy-fartsy-rock-star kind of way. He always says hello, and I know he loves dogs because he's got three of them and they're giant. I sort of like having a little crushy-crush on him, because I didn't know if he was single or not, but today I met his girlfriend/wife and she was sweet as pie. End crushy crush.
Then there's N who's just smitten with Julip and really sweet and friendly. M is a little kooky, but equally enamored with Julip.
A new guy just moved in a few doors down, and it was cute because his mom was all up in his stuff and saying hello to the neighbors. She came right up to me and introduced herself. She reminded me a lot of my own mom, actually.
I got on the elevator with this really, really tall guy today. He was handsome in a artsy-way, but he smelled SO strongly of pachouli - a scent that makes me want to shower with a scouring pad every time I smell it.
Overall, there's always lots of people out and about and most of them stop to say hello when I have Julip. I am thankful I moved here during the warmer weather so I have the chance to meet people.
So come on, people. Come and visit! Lowell is THE joint now!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
BRAND NEW ME
Ok, ok...so I've start and stopped and started over again a gazillion times. But THIS time, it's going to stick!Since I've been making big changes in my life: new move, no more boyfriend, new job, I decided that it was time to make big changes to my health as well. For REAL.
I restarted Weight Watchers and just had my first weigh in: -4 lbs!
I've also decided to hold myself accountable to folks by keeping things posted in a separate blog:
THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR DIVA
It would be REALLY helpful to have some readership so that I know that I have to be accountable for my actions. So stop on over, bookmark me, say hello, and all that.
I'll try to leave nifty weight loss tips and low point finds too. :)