Category: all about me

all about me, is it just me?, music musings

a slice and a confession

by  •  • 3 Comments

This morning, I was eager to enjoy a tasty beverage, specifically a Vanilla Coke Zero, and when I went to open said beverage, the pull tab slipped, and sliced the everliving fuck out of my finger. Now, I understand that said pull tab needs to be made of metal, but I don’t understand why said pull tab needs to have a sharpened underside, that is waiting there, innocently, to make you bleed if you lose your minute fingernail grip on said pull tab; even for a split second. The best part? The slice occurred underneath my fingernail. Needless to say, I grabbed a spoon to get the darn drink open, and will think twice about offering up my tender digits to future torture from beverage containers.

I have had a bit of a revelation lately about music. I think that it is a pretty interesting, albeit debilitating thing for me, and I think writing about it is a bit of a confession… and hopefully, I can overcome this condition. See, I have this thing, that whenever someone gets a bunch of hype, and everyone under the sun seems to be singing their praises, for no reason at all, I am instantly turned off at the prospect that said artist could actually be that amazing.

Case and point: Sia’s actually quite brilliant CD, Some People Have REAL Problems, came out very early this year, and while I liked it, I didn’t pay it much attention because of what I perceived to be an over saturated attention for it. My subconscious kicked in, and it was almost like something in me didn’t want me to like it as much as I should, because everyone and their mother liked it so much. After giving this some thought, I think that I will call this the “Dave Matthews effect”. See, I never got into Dave Matthews for the very same reason. Technically, he’s very talented, and has a huge following, but I have always been sort of “eh” about him; mostly because of how amazing everyone else seems to think he is.

Through this kind of recent revelation, I have decided that I am determined to overcome this, and as a first step, I have recently given Sia another chance; and you know what, I am glad I did. Her record is brilliant, and deserves the attention it got; and the attention it is now getting from me.

You know what, I guess it is the same thing as when I scream from the rafters about an artist, and no one really seems to take interest on the level I do… maybe they have a touch of the “Dave Matthews effect” as well. Maybe my “over-hype” turns them off, for reasons even they don’t understand. Either way, I hope that I can open my mind a bit more about potential musical artists, and not let what I consider over-hype to get in my way of enjoying their potentially brilliant work. My apologies, Sia (and everyone else that has been affected by my missteps in the past)… I am definitely listening now.

all about me, friends

we’re back!!!

by  •  • 8 Comments

Thanks to a well placed government holiday, I have all day to relax after our wonderful cruise to the Bahamas.

A great time was had by all, and the consensus is that we must DEFINITELY do future cruises. It is so nice not to have to worry about a thing, other than, “what am I going to eat… since there are so many choices!?!?!”. The only thing I didn’t like about the cruise (other than having to drive/ride 8 hours to the port from ATL), was the Bahamas itself. It is definitely a very poor area that has been consumed, and the culture has been completely displaced to make way for touristy trinkets and duty free shops. It was kind of sad to see, so I don’t know if I would want to cruise back to the same destination.

We did learn that gambling doesn’t really pay… however, I only lost about $200, so it wasn’t TOO bad. Needless to say, that will not be the activity I will use to pass time and have fun with in the future.

All in all, we had a blast, and can’t wait to go on another cruise. Let’s hope the next one doesn’t include the first day at sea being turbulent, and causing all of us to feel very dizzy and disoriented. Thank goodness it was calm for the rest of the trip. I hope everyone had a great weekend, and remember, the 5 song Friday will be back this week, so stay tuned!!! I will also eventually get around to posting the few pictures that I took on the trip… stay tuned for that as well.

all about me, friends

sailing… take me away…

by  •  • 4 Comments

I have some sad news for my five song Friday readers; this week, there will be no five song Friday. I know, I know, you are very distraught, but it is for good reason… We are setting sail to the Bahamas! Okay, perhaps “set sail” isn’t exactly the correct turn of phrase, more like embarking on a journey to the Bahamas? Whatever you want to call it, James and I, along with some good friends, are going to take a trip of sheer indulgence and opulence, and head out on my very first cruise vacation. I am excited to be getting away for some much needed R and R, but I am a bit nervous about being on a big boat; seeing as I have never been on a cruise before.

I hope to take lots of pictures, swim a lot, eat a lot, and see some pretty things. I will probably buy some things in the Bahamas that I don’t need, and I will probably drink way too much; but dammit, I am determined to have a great time. Five song Fridays will resume starting with next week, so if you are hunkering for some music to fill this very tiny void, check out the archives; there are more than 200 songs that I have already featured, and those should tide you over until our return.

One thing is definitely for sure… I will be wearing lots and lots of sunscreen!!!

See you when we get back!

all about me, music musings, music suggestion, shiny stuff

music releases and a nice surprise (or two)

by  •  • 4 Comments

First, I will bring out the surprise: remember how I was complaining about my Microbiology test, because it was so hard? Well, I must be a good guesser, because I got the highest grade in the class… a 97. Um, wow?!! I am happy about that, to say the least. Also, the professor sent out an email saying that this was the hardest material that we will cover, which is basically a big sigh of relief for me!!

Secondly, I was super excited about at least one music release this Tuesday: the release of of Jon McLaughlin’s second, highly anticipated CD. His first record really struck a chord with me, so much so, that it made a solid spot on my 31 CDs of 2007 list. I love piano rock, and this guy is cute to boot!! Needless to say, I ran out to Best Buy during lunch to pick up his newest CD, OK Now, because when you make good graces with me musically, I generally keep paying attention to anything you have going on, especially that which you may have coming up next.

Well, while I was at Best Buy (mine and Deb’s usual Tuesday ritual), we were looking around per usual, and I noticed that there was an Aqualung CD on the end cap that I had never heard of. A quick flip over of the CD case, and I noticed that it was released in 2008! What?!?! Aqualung has a new CD (called Words and Music) out?? Well, according to Amazon, not only does Aqualung have a new CD out, but it came out today! Score!!! I totally didn’t know that, and I am totally jazzed that I saw it. I snagged it as well, because Aqualung not only made my top 31 last year with his amazing Memory Man CD, but he made the top ten as well; the album is pretty flawless. Now, while I didn’t know he was coming out with a CD today, I can’t say how happy I am that I was able to snap it up, because if it is anything like his previous work, I am sure it is going to be good. So this is a bit of a surprise too… especially for other Aqualung fans that didn’t know he was coming out with a record today… like me!

So here’s to surprise A’s, and surprise CD finds when going out for other potentially great records from favorite artists!

all about me, friends, school

sunburned

by  •  • 4 Comments

James and I were invited to go see the Tech game this weekend with the lovely Mr. Pbody and hakeber, and after sitting in the direct sun for a few hours, my head is BURNED.

The worst, is that I cut my hear very short (buzzed), and as a result, my actual scalp is burnt. Since we are going on a cruise later on this week, I am going to be sure to pack two things indeed; sun screen and hats. Lots of hats.

Ouch!

In school related rants, I am half way into this Microbiology class, and I am more than over it! The questions on the most recent test were so detailed, and the amount of information required for the test was staggering to say the least. I will be happy when I have this one behind me for sure. The lab midterm is this week, and I hope that I do really well on it; especially considering it is 50% of my grade. Why do they have to do that in these classes? I mean, if you want me to LEARN it, why make it so I have to cram, and am more likely than not, most likely to forget most it? I don’t get it. I am still waiting to hear about nursing school at Kennesaw, so I want to be sure and do well in this class; but I don’t see an A in my foreseeable future, which does stress me out.

all about me, hmm interesting, is it just me?, well?

existential thoughts

by  •  • 6 Comments

This morning on the way in to work, I think I starting thinking about things, and really started observing everyone around me. We were all on our way somewhere… but why? What was driving us (not the car, I’m not being that literal)?

What drives us, everyday, to stay in the same job, live in the same house, and keep getting back up and going, day after day? I don’t often talk about what I do, but everyone knows that reads this blog, that I am trying to go back to school for nursing; which would certainly mean a change in career at some point. However, this morning, I am thinking to myself; what is driving me?

I thought about this yesterday when I read about the stock market crash, and I really thought about how much money people were losing; money that we are all scraping and saving to put away for that day when we can “finally retire, and start to enjoy life”. Fuck that! I am a realist, and I don’t foresee a time that I will be able to ever afford to supplement the amount of money I make right now with just savings, unless I win the lottery. The only way that I am going to be able to make it, is to work my whole life (which is the story for a lot of people), so retirement is really this “dream” that I am living my whole life for, working so hard for, and I will probably never see it.

So again, I ask myself, “what drives you?”. What is it that keeps you from opening a record store, or having a bakery, or having a website that actually makes money? What drives you to stay on the course you are on, and prevents us from deviating? People have businesses for everything; why not me? I’m not really trying to get an “answer” here, I am just reflecting, and I thought, why not see what other people think about this… what drives YOU? I mean, what makes you go down the path you are on, and what do you think prevents you from changing course, direction, or even stopping right where you currently stand?

Surely, fear cannot be the only thing that drives us… I know that is it in part, but it cannot, it just cannot be it. If it is… I think that I am going to work on having another driving force in my life; overcoming that damn fear.

(side note: I just noticed that this was my 1001th post; interesting.)

all about me, school, venting

…deep breath… put on a smile… there you go…

by  •  • 2 Comments

So after looking back over the requirements for applying to GSU (again), it looks like I have to take two MORE classes BEFORE the program semester in which I am applying. I knew that I had to take them, but was unclear if I had to take them BEFORE the program started. Oh well, because there is no way I could have done anything about that before this spring anyway, because they have to be taken AT GSU, and I only got in recently for spring. So, I guess I will just take them in the spring, and postpone applying to the program, and instead, apply for fall; which is definitely frustrating, but not the end of the world. Seriously, it just seems like so many hurdles to go back to school; no wonder there is a shortage of nurses. They make it so difficult to do something simple (such as fulfill requirements), and it seems like time has got to be your friend… you need it to get where you can finally get into a program. Also, it is so difficult to work and go back to school… people that do it really know what I am talking about. Thank GOD my job is flexible.

Given this bad-ish news, the good news is that I did apply to KSU, and I don’t know the status of that application. I REALLY hope that I can get in there, which would make it more attractive to go there; I could start next summer. I like the idea of going to another school too, because I have already been to GSU; even though going to GSU is so much closer to my house. Additionally, I am scared shitless about what I am going to do for money during the time that I am school; I have no idea how to supplement my salary without working. I don’t want to take out a shitload of loans, but it seems like that might by my best option as of right now. I wonder how much they let students borrow; especially if they have loads of loans already under their belt? I guess I will find out, and then freak out accordingly. Again, how do people do this?!

I just feel so tied up, and I feel like I am wiggling, and wiggling, but the ropes are only slightly loosening. I just want to get there, and it seems like I have spent over a year of doing nothing but hurrying up to wait more… and all that lies before me is more waiting.

It’s just frustrating. Really, really frustrating. However, I KNOW that I just have to take deep breaths, put a smile on my face, and keep moving. But that doesn’t make it easy to do so. I guess I should just keep repeating that to myself, because days like this, it is really, really hard. Sorry to have a downer of a post, but eh, there it is. I’m dealing, so that’s all I have for you. Maybe something more upbeat will put a real smile on my face soon… here’s hoping.

all about me, friends, school

it’s oh so quiet

by  •  • 4 Comments

It seems like things are quiet on the internets… perhaps I am just tired from coming back to work after 4 wonderful days off? Who knows.

All I know, is that I was humbled by the amount of well wishes, and the AMAZING outpour of gifts that I got for my birthday. I got way more than I was expecting, and I appreciate all of it!!! Thanks to everyone who “hooked me up”!!

It’s funny, though, because now that I am the “dreaded” thirty, I don’t feel ANY different than I did 2 days ago when I was still 29. Eh, such is life.

In other news, I took the TEAS, which is the “entrance” test for application to the nursing program at Kennesaw, and I got an 83%. Considering that the average for other students in the program was at 68%, I feel pretty darn good about my score. I also got 15% over the national average for the test. Rockstar! I am glad that is out of the way; I REALLY hate standardized tests… especially when they are required. Now, my Kennesaw application is complete, and I am waiting on two letters of recommendation so that I can send in my GSU one. Fingers crossed people!!

I also had a bit of a revelation this morning; after some events that took place yesterday. I am going to work on putting up with less bullshit in the future. I have had many discussions with my therapist, as well as with other people, about problems that I experience with my own innate inability to let go of stuff that bothers me that other people do, because I usually don’t address it when it happens. I am going to start calling out bullshit, so that I don’t have to be the one to carry it around anymore. This really isn’t a big “oh shit, he’s gonna get mean” warning, but I guess it means a lot to say something like this publicly, in writing, that I am going to be more forward when I feel like I have had to put up with BS from anyone. Maybe something is different today… maybe 30 means that I will be a little more comfortable with myself by standing up for myself. Who knows… we shall see!

And finally… APPLE; release the goddamned new iPods already! I want a touch with more than 32GB… like NOW. Thanks in advance. Kisses and love.