Day in Review - Facebook Unfriending and Politics

I'll be honest....I do a bit a Facebook stalking. (Some may call this "creeping") Don't judge me...you all do it. You know what I mean...you see that Facebook has some "great" friend suggestions for you and you know who these people are, but you don't really like them and you certainly don't want them all up in your life, so you don't add...you just stalk their profile a bit.

So I was innocently doing this today...and all of a sudden I notice that someone I thought was my Facebook friend was friends with someone I was stalking...and I was sad.

I was sad that I didn't make the cut on their friend list.  I was sad that our past friendship meant nothing.  I was sad that this person who de-friended me (we will call him "Dan"..of course this is a pseudonym) used to hang out with my mom when she briefly worked at the schools. I had been to his house, we used to hang out in similar groups in school and I even had a crush on him for awhile. The "high school self" that is in my personality was crushed. "Dan" de-friended me and I didn't even realize it. But the worst was yet to come.

This denial was tough, but what was even tougher was the fact that it brought up an even worse memory.  My first "de-friend" ever...I will never forget it and it still feels like a raw cut in my heart when I think about it. When you are friends with someone from childhood, knew their entire family, absolutely adored this person and supported them through everything they had gone through..(for the record, it was a lot)...then they de-friend you...it hurts.  It cuts deep. It still brings pain after all these years. He is still friends with some of my lifelong best friends and my photo albums and boxes are filled with pictures of him from our youth. He was one of my first friends ever...and one of the first to de-friend me on Facebook.

Ok...I am being a bit sarcastic and dramatic here.  One of these "de-friending" incidents I could care less about ("Dan"). The other one did upset me, but only because I seriously thought we were friends.

Facebook is intertwined into all of our lives. (Or maybe just mine) I have laughed, cried, cheered and jeered things that I have seen on Facebook. It is an amazing way to keep in touch, a great way to keep up on what is going on with your friends and family and a super way to stalk...errr  creep....um....

We love Facebook!

In other news, the paparazzi is hot on my trail.  (Don't get excited...this is the ONE member of the CLEVELAND paparazzi) You have surely heard of the lone paparazzi attack at my gym which happened two weeks ago, right? Today, I had another experience with the CLE paparazzi.  I was innocently driving down West 9th today and got stuck at a light. I was doing what most people do when stopped at a light. (I think...) I was playing with my iPod and checking my phone when I saw a flash. I looked up into my rear view mirror and there is a man with a camera...in his car...and he is taking pictures.

Before you ask, he was not taking a photo of my license plate nor was he a cop. I have no bumper stickers or anything that stands out on my car. (Typical silver SUV that you see driving down the highways and biways) I don't have hilarious vanity plates. (Nor would I ever get them...they are called vanity plates for a reason, people!) Let's get back to the story.

After I saw the flash and saw the man in the car behind me, I just stared into my mirror and observed.  Once again, he raised his camera and took a photo. No flash this time. For anyone who is familiar for the downtown CLE area, I was at the light on W 9th and Superior, turning towards Huron.  The camera was pointed upwards...if I was just a casual observer, I would say he was taking a picture of the sky...which was grey...and had nothing significant about it. The only thing it could be is that I have gotten too famous as a CLE celebrity and now have the paparazzi following me.

I didn't have make-up on, nor had I done much with my hair.  I am sure you will see the picture in next week's "Scene Magazine". I am probably going to have to leave town and I swear I will start wearing make-up each time I step outside.Can't take anymore chances.

You know I am being highly dramatic again, right?  I just want to make sure because I hate getting nasty-grams about this blog.

Who watched the State of the Union? I did...per usual...though I have to say with the invention of Facebook and Twitter, it is certainly more difficult to pay attention to what the President is saying. I have lost all faith in government so I was much more concerned with Hillary Clinton's headband and John Boehner's tan. Dude...he is from Ohio...it is winter time...there is barely enough sun for human's to survive, not to mention enough to get a tan. (FAKE, FAKE, FAKE)

I am a politics geek and don't miss these things. Nor do I miss debates, even when they are on the GOP side. It fascinates me, I have to admit. Judge me as you will, I love them and I won't stop watching. I even make Chloe watch them and even dress her for the occasion. Tonight she is wearing a blue sweater.

Do I even have to mention that even though I am certainly Liberal and tend to vote Democrat, that I am not a huge Obama fan? Hell, I voted for Hillary in the primaries and would vote for her again. (This is another attempt to limit the nasty-grams I may receive from this post about how bad Obama is...in this case, I may even agree on some things)

HOWEVER...I don't care who you are...rather you love or hate him, he is the President of this country and deserves some type of respect.  (Before you send a nasty-gram to me, no, I did not like George Bush's policies in any way, shape or form, but I still respected his position.) God help you if you say one word to me and you did not vote in the last election. You have absolutely no right to say anything to anyone if you didn't get off your lazy ass and vote. If you want to complain about this President and didn't vote, spout off...but don't spout off to me. I would have more respect for George Bush than you, and that is saying something. I am more than willing to debate ideals with someone who actually VOTED for McCain and *ahem* Palin. (Oh lord...now I sound like Newt...debate, debate, debate)

Ugh...enough politics now, even for me.

On that note...who is registered to vote? Time is running out. If you want to register to vote, go here: http://www.rockthevote.org/ 


Til next time...

Day in Review - Resolutions and Relevations

Welcome to the first post of 2012.  So far the year is going well, though I realize we have only gone through nine days. Not much has changed. I am still sitting on my sofa with Chloe. I am in my pajamas with a glass of wine and it feels like 2011.  Sometimes, at least for me, it takes a bit for a new year to settle into my bones.

Who has made a resolution?  Mine is to focus on ONE...just ONE of my ideas for a novel...I have three...and write. Other than that, I really have no resolutions. My mom wants my resolution to be meet a nice guy and have a baby but I told her I gave up on love. She has her own resolutions that I am fully supporting.

My 2011 resolution was to have more fun and I think I did pretty well with that.  Though there were moments that were not so fun, such as the first weeks after I quit smoking and when I got roofied. I was, in my defense, trying to have fun when I got roofied, but I don't remember if I actually did. The year was certainly met with surprises and things that tried to get me down, but I think I was fairly successful in the fun factor which means I hope to continue the trend.

Christmas and the New Year celebrations were great. I feel very blessed for the time I was able to spend with my family and for the giving and receiving that went on. Some of my favorite gifts were my new Coach purse, my ornament with Chloe's picture on it, my new dish towels, a new tube of Burt's Bee's lip balm and my new Camelbak water bottle...

I have wanted this water bottle for a long time, but I am too cheap to spend the $25 it cost, so I took the opportunity to request it in the family gift exchange where we all chose names and had a limit of...$25 - $30. My cousin Jason got my name, his wife Katie sent me an e-mail asking what I wanted, I gave her exact specifications and soon, I had my brand new water bottle in my hands.

My new water bottle

I had to prepare the bottle before using it since it has a filter. I had to totally disassemble the bottle, wash the entire bottle, rinse the filter and re-assemble it in order to use it, but once I did, I knew I was in love....until a thought crossed my mind...

See, this bottle...it has a bite valve on it.  This means, that when you want to take a drink, you need to bite down on the valve. The valve opens up and you suck the water into your mouth. I had been using the water bottle for a few days and getting used to the "bite then suck" motion. I became very interested in the bite valve...and I swear...I have no idea why I thought this...but I was...well...manipulating the bite valve with my fingers trying to figure out how it worked and then it hit me....this thing looked like a vagina.

I won't go into the particular details, but if you have a water bottle with a bite valve, take a look at it and you will see what I mean. Hmmm...perhaps it is only me but when I drink out of it, still, to this day....that thought briefly crosses my mind...

Speaking of resolutions and vaginas....

Many people have the resolution to go to the gym and that has been apparent at Planet Fitness the past few days. It is packed. I like to go in the mid morning hours and usually I have my pick of treadmills and bikes, but it has been more crowded as usual which leads me to a story. Picture it...Planet Fitness, 2012.....

It was crowded on this particular morning at the gym.  I was having a good workout...for me, anyway. I had already done a nice warm up walk/jog on the treadmill and had totally faced my fears and gotten on the elliptical for the first time since the unfortunate "fall off the elliptical" incident several years ago. I felt really damn good about myself as I walked to the back of the gym to focus on my arms. I was sweaty and gross, but I didn't care...I had met one of my fears head on and came out on the other side totally unscathed. It was a triumphant moment and even though my muscles were tired and weak...there was a spring in my step and attitude as I pulled down the weights and felt the biceps burn. I then moved over to the low row weights and it all fell apart....

No, this in not me, but it is like the machine I was using....

I was sitting on the bench and doing my row...it was then that I saw the suspicious man with the hat.  He was standing across the room and had his cell phone out. I saw his eyes darting between me and the cell phone...then I saw a flash and a smirk...his eyes darted up one more time and he walked away.

Of course I was A) totally self conscious B) wondering why he was making fun of me C) wondering if I had a hole in the crotch of my pants and my...ummm...chichi (or whatever you would like to call it, I suppose vagina is the politically correct word) was showing  D) thinking I was doing the row wrong and he was taking the picture to show his friends E) totally ugly and fat F) completely angry

So much for my workout...I just quit and walked back into the locker room. I had to check my crotch/chichi to make sure it wasn't making an inappropriate appearance (no hole in my pants, by the way) and just put on my coat and walked out.

This still bothers me for two reasons...one, because the guy seriously took a picture of me without my permission and two because my first thought was that something was wrong with me, that I am ugly and that he was making fun of me. Perhaps I should choose to add a new resolution...to build up my self esteem. A part of me is embarrassed that I even felt those things. Another part of me is angry for letting him make me feel that way.  A third part of me is afraid it is true and a fourth part of me is trying to push all of the low and negative thoughts out of my head. There is a fifth part, as well, that is just happy that I didn't turn Planet Fitness into an amateur porn palace by flashing my hoo ha all over the place.

I guess tomorrow is another day and I need to go back to the gym.  I was supposed to go today, but since the weekend was a little crazy and I pulled a muscle in my left Maximus Gluteus from being a bowler/dancing machine for hours on Saturday, I opted not to go. (Seriously, it was an effort to make it from my bed to desk.  I needed an ass massage, but Chloe wouldn't do it and since I gave up on love, I have no boyfriend to do it.) It is still painful today, but hopefully tomorrow will be better and I can get back to work. 

Until next time, my friends...


PS...if a post mentioning vaginas offends you, I apologize. I figured since I had a penis post, it was only fair...

Year in Review - Dear 2011 and a Plea to 2012

Dear 2011...
It doesn't seem like it has been a year since you entered my life.  I remember when I first found you...I had a childlike naivety that the you and I would have a good relationship yet at the same time, since the horrible break up with 2010, I certainly went into it with some trepidation.  I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised...

Looking back on my letter to 2010,  I put in a note for you...do you remember? I asked you to give us more love in our lives...more laughter...more fun. I was looking for hope in the new year as most people do.  What I found was a year like I haven't had in awhile.  I can honestly say, for the first time in several years...2011...I will miss you.

I know you must leave. I know I get 365 days with each new year and it is important to me that I use those days in a positive way.  Does it always happen that way?  No. Does it need to? Nope.  Even on the days that may not have been spent in the most productive or positive ways, lessons were learned. That's what it all comes down to, my friend...even in those bad years...where I struggled to find the money to put food on the table (or lack there of, since I didn't really have a table), the months I needed help with my rent, the two years I lived in New York City on unemployment (damn miracle and I still don't know how I did it)...as hard as it was...the tears I cried...the frustration that enveloped me daily...it was all a lesson learned and I wouldn't give it back for anything. Each tear, each scream of aggravation, each worry that wrinkled my brow...it all made me who I am today, December 31, 2011.

You weren't there, 2011, so I know you might not understand.  Your pal 2010 was...2009 was as well.  I wished them good riddance, but you are different.  You were a spark of hope...of happiness...of dreams beginning to take shape.  You  were different than other years I have lived, but different in a good way. Though there were surely times we wish that hadn't happened, they have to happen in order to form us into the people we really are.

2011...good and bad, I am thankful for all the times...the ones that made me laugh, cry, scream and take a deep breath in order to recenter myself. In 2011 I learned that my lifetime dream could actually come true. I learned that I am more than a number.

I learned that working at home isn't always the wonderful thing you think it will be. I learned that people don't really think you have a "real job" if you work at home, but in reality, you work harder than you ever have in your life.

I learned that sometimes the maid of honor can overshadow that bride...and that sometimes the maid of honor is all that you really wanted to be. I learned that weddings are not always the happy occasions they should be for everyone. I also learned that a hat at a wedding can be the star...even if it looks like an octopus on crack.

I learned that justice is not always served and the American justice system is bullshit. I learned that murderers can walk free and innocent men can be put to death.

I learned that the Kardashian's are like a plague to me and that a heterosexual "marriage" of 72 days is preferred in this country (by law) over the chance that same sex couples who have been together for 25 plus years may be able to tie the knot.

I learned that the phrase "in vino veritas" is...well....for real.

I learned that Rebecca Black's "Friday" can make my ears bleed and Adele can make me lose by breath.  I learned we can all "move like Jagger" if we try and that Lady Gaga is still pretty damn cool. Brittney still has it, the Decemberists still kill it and Rachael Owens is certainly on my radar.

2011, you gave me a huge surprise that I certainly wasn't expecting. Tomorrow, January 1, 2012 will by my 11 month anniversary of quitting smoking. I have not had a cigarette since February 1st, 2011...and there is still a part of me that can't believe it happened. It wasn't planned...it wasn't expected...it came to me in a dream and the dream materialized in front of my eyes.  I will say, however, that the 20 pounds I put on after quitting smoking was also unexpected and not appreciated. That is one beef that I have with you.  I mean, I can still fit into my clothes, but I am not happy.  Luckily you also brought me a gym membership that I plan to continue with as soon as I get back home from my little extended Christmas break.

Oh, 2011...the political climate this year was horrible.  I can't even believe that the American people have not had an uprising over the idiocy and stupidity that is going on in our government at this time. I am a liberal...I am a proud Democrat...but seriously...every single member of Congress, DEMS and Republicans...they need to be fired.  Normal people could NEVER EVER get away with what they get away with in their jobs. I recently read that Michelle Bachmann has an 8% attendance rating as a rep for the poor people of Minnesota...8%?????  Are you KIDDING ME????  How is this APPROPRIATE???  (For the Right, I am NOT focusing on Michelle Bachmann because she is a Republican, I am using her because I saw the stats...Dems do it too and it HAS to stop.)  Ugh...I can't even talk about it anymore, 2011.

2011...you taught me that friends can become family and family can become friends.  You also taught me that friends can save your life...literally. I learned that at 32 years old, you can still get roofied at the bar...and you can lose your memory for two days, lose your ability to drink white wine and though you can still like hummus, you don't love it with the same fervor you used to.

I learned that when the family you respect pressures you to do something you don't agree with, you will do it anyway.  I also learned that even if you do the "right" thing, you get no glory, no promises and no changes. It is also possible to feel like a stranger in your own family. Sometimes things just are not fair, but you deal with it.

I learned that even if you see things in black and white, others don't.

I learned that you can go on a hell of a lot of dates and still be single at the end of the year. I learned that it can be embarrassing to be single with zero prospects. I learned when you give up on love and focus on you, great things can happen. However, it still really sucks when you are the oldest one in your family and all of your cousins are married and having babies. (This is not to say I am not EXTREMELY happy about the good fortune these cousins have found...I love their spouses (and baby and pets....except Princess Jasmine))

I learned that even if a guy is hot, if he is a Pentecostal Republican, he is not the guy for me.

I learned that you can hear your biological clock ticking away if you listen closely enough.

I learned that when your dog wears a sweater, people will make fun of you. Speaking of dogs...2011...seriously?  The dog that lived downstairs?  What was THAT all about?


I learned that dancing to Britney Spears can mess your feet up for months and listening to Alica Keys still gives me chills.  Music matters, no matter what year it is.

I learned that Christmas Ale from Great Lakes Brewery can knock you on your ass very quickly, that a pretzel can break your tooth in a second and sometimes you can find kindred spirits in the strangest places. You can find solace in a photo, your heart can fly away in a moment and you can be self conscious, even among those you consider the closest of friends.

I learned that when I look at the clock, more often than not, it is always 22 past the hour...(what in the HECK is that about???)

Hey, 2011...dreams can come true, or at least be very possible and you can find the strength in yourself if you look heard enough. That was the biggest lesson I learned this year.

For the first time, I am having bittersweet feelings about the New Year.  You were good to me, 2011. You give me hope that 2012 will be even better and I love that thought. I will miss you, 2011, believe me...this was a good year and I am thankful for all that you taught me. It is with a heavy heart I say good bye, but looking forward to all year 2012 has to offer.

Always,

Christa


Dear 2012...

We haven't met, but I know you are on your way. I just wanted to send you a short note and let you know that I was very close with your colleague 2011 and I will miss them.  I have a sense that since I see the number 22 all the time, that you will be a good year for me and that this will not be the end of the world like the stupid people who believe the fake Mayan calendar think it will be. I look forward to getting to know you better and I would love if you could do a few things for me. I would love to find my true love. I want to be motivated to write creatively and get a novel going. I have several ideas, and need some focus on one of them. I wish for good health, an easy tooth extraction ( I am TERRIFIED of this), support from my family no matter what path I choose and the continuing good fortune that 2011 brought to me. Bring me good friends, good times, good music, good love and good health, and you too, can get a glowing good bye letter like your friend 2011 received from me. I also want you to bless my new blogging venture, which will be a real and raw site where anyone can share their creative musings.  In closing, 2012, lets have a hug, shake a hand and start off on the next 365 days as partners in crime.

Yours,

Christa.

Day in Review - Updates and What the Future Holds

Ella Grace is here.  Congratulations to my cousin Jason and his wife Katie. I wanted Ella to be the first thing I wrote about tonight since it is her birthday. She is a beautiful baby and I can't wait to meet her in person.

The last time I wrote I was dealing with a barking dog and talking music.  I am currently listening to the Adele version of "Lovesong" and thinking about how I could die and be happy if I was listening to this on my deathbed. I hate to wish death on anyone or anything actually.  However, when you have listened to a dog bark for hours on end in the same three syllables, I will admit, I wanted to KILL the owner for putting the dog through that.  As much as I want to get rid of the dog and as wonderful as it would be to get a bit of silence as I work, I know, deep down, it is not the dog's fault. The fault lies with the bastard who owns that dog.

I love dogs, I do...for real...I mean, I let a dog sleep in my bed with me every night...that should be proof enough that I love dogs. I feel bad for this dog...but it is making me go insane...slowly...painfully....utterly....insane. I lose all concentration (bark, bark, bark) and I can't concentrate on my (bark, bark, bark) work. I feel bad because I write for (bark, bark, bark) a living and sometimes really need to focus on what (bark, bark, bark) I am doing. I would hate to (bark, bark, bark) turn in a bad article or assignment because (bark, bark, bark) of this damn dog (bark, bark, bark).

Luckily the dog is moving...this weekend, in fact.  . Finally I will be free, but I am unsure that I will regain my sanity. You see, each time this dog barked I lost a bit of my sanity...I almost feel like Britney Spears when she went through her head shaving phase. I don't think I will do something really crazy and shave my head or become a conservative, but I cannot be certain that I won't do something else a little crazy...

I have been so busy with work lately but I have been able to work on my Festivus post as well as get a few snippets done for a possible novel.  I seriously have about 15 novels going right now. (Slight exaggeration...more like three)  My New Year's resolution is going to be to focus on ONE of them and stick to it. Is it bad luck to announce your resolution before the actual New Year? (Let me know if it is and I will erase this section) See...I have the funny one that is a reflection of my dating life...then I have to total fictional one that is based on real people that I know (Yes, if you are reading this, one of the characters could be you) then I have the one with the historical perspective that I love so much but only nerds will read it. (On a side note, I don't actually think I am nerdy enough to write it). My dream is to write novels...like Jodi Piccoult. I hope 2012 leads me deeper into that world. (PS...my letter to 2011 will be coming in about 2 weeks! It will be pretty awesome!)


OK...I cannot stop listening to Adele....don't judge me, I have a slight obsession at the moment.  I go through stages with music where I listen to artists over and over again. The good thing about me and music is that once I like it, I like it forever. Adele, Rachael Owens, The Decemberists, Florence Welch...all that I mentioned in the last blog post...I will likely be a fan forever...even when it is not "cool" to do so. I can still sing every word to "Please Don't Go Girl", "Spice Up Your Life" and "That's Why They Call It The Blues" and "Hot Cross Buns". I feel like these people are my friends. (This may be the dog bark insanity speaking) I am actually concerned at this very moment because Rachael Owens hasn't posted to Twitter recently. I notice these things...

Read this...an excerpt from a story I wrote...it could go places...or it could suck.  It is an interview of one character about another...

"The rope was cutting tight on her wrists. I could see her breathing deep, the girl with the blue eyes.  She was focusing on something unknown like she was bearing a child. Her hair was like no color I could imagine, but her eyes...they were very blue. I didn’t know why she was here in the prison, but from the looks of her, she was almost ready to collapse.  She was standing, but obviously weary.  She had blood on her face.  Her hair looked like string. She was European or American based on her features. It was like she was determined to show no pain. Her teeth were clenched and her eyes were shut like a vice. At intervals she would open them and look ahead.  She only kept them open long enough for tears to begin forming. At that point she would close them.  When I saw that, I knew she was strong.  I wondered why she was in prison since she had a very innocent look to her face.  She looked like a cherub in the books I had seen in my father’s library of western religion. I saw one tear fall from her eyes and I knew it was a tear for her beloved.  It was so touching that I wanted to hold her, but I knew I couldn’t.  I knew I had to take the rope and lead her to prison.”

Still to come...my airing of grievances, my letter to 2011 and the answer to the questions..."What is this new blog she keeps talking about?"

Day in Review - Festivus...It's Time to Air the Grievances

Happy Festivus to You and Yours...Have you aired your grievances?  I am about to air mine.  Festivus is that magical time of year where you can tell everyone else how much they have disappointed you over the past year.  It's like a free pass to let the bitchiness out that has been plaguing your inner soul for the past twelve months. It is a time to be honest with those you hate  love tolerate.  So, without further ado...I will air my grievances...

To the dog that lives downstairs...or used to live downstairs - I don't know your name.  I don't know if you are a male or female. If I saw you in a line-up I am not sure I could pick you out (unless you barked). I have seen you and your owner from afar but I have never met you in person. Each time you bark a piece of my sanity disappears forever. When I hear the pitch of your bark it is like a million tiny daggers stabbing my very being. You have caused me to stomp on the floor like a child in the throws of a temper tantrum, you have made me yell allowed to get the frustration out, you have pushed me to storm down the stairs in ugly purple sweat pants and a pair of socks with a hole in it in an attempt to stop your barking...but it never stopped.  It was just bark, bark, bark...at 7am and 5 pm.  If I was lucky, that was it...if not, it happened at happy intervals throughout the day. Bark, bark, bark.  Bark, bark, bark. Bark, bark, bark.

To Blackberry - You were in my Airing of the Grievances last year and once again, you have made an appearance.  What in the HELL does that tell you?!??  I had to struggle through 11 months of using a shitty phone that dropped calls, froze consistently throughout the a day, that restarted whenever it felt like it and that was just a thorn in my side. I told you last year if you didn't shape up I was done.  I am now loving my iPhone.

To the Kardashian's - Why are you on TV again?  All I ask is for one full day without hearing your name.  I don't think it has happened yet. I don't place all the blame on you but on the American obsession of watching train wrecks. By the way, please explain why Kim's marriage is a legitimate union but my friend cannot legally marry the man that he loves.

To the Republican Presidential Candidates - I have to admit, I enjoy watching you debate...it really enhances the buzz I have going on from the bottle of wine I have to drink in order to listen to the garbage that pours forth from your mouths. I don't hate or disrespect Republicans...I don't agree with them. I believe that it should always be a fair fight and we have a right to our difference of opinions....but....Really??  This is all you have???  The best of all your party?

To Congress - Sticking to my politics soapbox...each and every one of you...Republican, Democrat and Independents...you should be ASHAMED of yourselves. You should NOT have a job today. There are too many hardworking American's out there collecting unemployment or unable to even get unemployment because you can't work together to get this problem straightened up.  The only reason this country is in the shape it is at this point is because of YOU. 

To Harold Camping - Once again you have led innocent dumb asses to believe the world is going to end and once again you have been proven wrong. It may be time to stop making predictions and to work on  maybe getting those ears pinned back. "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves." Matthew 7:15

To Princess Beatrice - Your hat ruined the royal wedding. It distracted the world from William, Kate and most importantly, Pippa.

To my Meth Lab neighbor - For many months of 2011 my poor dog, random dates and myself had to suffer through the smell that emanated  from your apartment. I gagged, I had to explain what the smell was and I went through cases of air freshener spraying down the hallway.  Now that you have bought your new Kia Rondo I have noticed you have stopped making meth.  I am proud of you. I know it can be hard to make car payments. I would like to ask for 2012 that you remember that it is not appropriate to slam your door four times in a row each time you run your meth supplies down to the dumpster in the garage.

Day in Review - If I Ran Music Monday...

Bark, Bark, Bark...Bark, Bark, Bark...update on the dog situation...after a meeting with my landlord she said she would send the owner of the dog a note. This was before Thanksgiving.  From  11/24 to 11/27 the dog barked and barked. I lost control yesterday at 5:15 pm when the dog started howling....I immediately called my landlord and while on the phone with me, she walked over to my building in the complex...she definitely heard the howling. Her exact words - "I didn't know it was this bad."  REALLY?!?!?!?!??!  I HAVE ONLY COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES!!!!  Her next words - "I will take care of this TONIGHT!!!".

Today is 12/5...the dog barked from 7 to 7:30 am, then from 4:00 to 4:45 p,, then from 5:30 to 6:00-ish.

Once again I called her.  I think she is getting as annoyed with me as I am getting with this dog. She said she has spoken to him several times and she has to give him time to come up with a solution. I get that, but how long????

My Best Annoyed Face....That I Have A Picture Of...

After this exchange I felt the need to meditate and listen to some fantastic music. Warning...This will be a different type of post from me than regular readers are used to. (If you love music, you will probably enjoy it.  If not...see you next time)

For those of you who do not know or understand my love of music, perhaps this post will give you a bit of insight. I think my love of music goes back to the days of Mrs. Taddie and my first few piano lessons...I can still play "Hot Cross Buns" on the piano, in fact. Mrs. Taddie was my first piano teacher, but not my last. My parents found Tom, a crazy Irishman who had the brogue and the rhythm I probably needed to secure my love of music.

From the piano I went to the trombone (very briefly) to the trumpet that I played throughout junior high and high school.  I also picked up the guitar.  I honestly loved playing guitar and I taught myself how to play a few songs.  What I didn't like were the broken nails and calluses on my fingers.  Recently, however, I have felt the inspiration to get my guitar out of hiding. I know when I get that guitar into my hands I can say goodbye to my baby butt smooth finger tips and my long-ish nails, but perhaps it is worth it. I am at least going to bring my guitar out of storage and into my hands.The thoughts of my guitar made me think of music...and the reason for this post.

Back in high school, I always thought that the music my friends and I listened to were like a soundtrack of our lives. In fact, I can hear obscure songs and bands today and get an instant flashback to one moment in my life, even if it was an insignificant moment to everyone else. We went to school in the late 90s...it was grunge, indie and  quite honestly, just awesome. Kurt Cobain touched our lives, Dave Matthews was a god and my friends and I listened to bands that were essentially one hit wonders when we look back on them...we loved it.

As I got older, I came to realize that music, rather I liked it or not, would always be a part of my life. I found that some music actually touched my very soul.  (If you don't get what I mean, that's ok...If you do and you are single, give me a call...we may be the perfect match.  Still looking for my soul mate. I have a feeling that my perfect match loves music as much as I do...Though I did give up on love,  I will make an exception for a music lover.)

Now that I am in my early 30s and have found the most amazing invention on earth (YouTube), I have had access to music that I have never imagined.  I have discovered so many new bands and singers...I can't even name them all.  I just know that my ipod is almost constantly in danger of spontaneous combustion.

Almost as much as I love music, I love the news...as far back as I can remember, I have watched the news.  Though I don't have a great memory of this, I apparently named one of my parakeets after one of the local news anchors as a young child. I do remember setting my alarm clock in junior high so I would be able to wake up in order to watch the Today Show.

I know...you are probably wondering what music and the news have to do with each other...the answer is coming very soon...like now...

Most people hate Monday.  Me? I love Monday...for one reason...Music Monday. Music Monday is a segment on CNN that features different music artists. I have to admit...it is a bit creepy...why is it creepy?  Only because some of my most favorite artists have been featured on Music Monday. Last week, for instance, I was kind of on a Tori Amos kick and listening to an internet radio station that featured several of her songs...an hour later, I see a message on Twitter that Tori Amos was being interviewed for Music Monday. Perhaps it is only coincidence, but to my mind...it's a little strange.  Creepy things like that happen to me though. As my mom would say, things like this could only happen to me, so I just roll with it. (She's right)

Since I live for Music Monday, I have been thinking about who I would choose if I had the power to pick Music Monday. When I thought about it and looked back on the artists who have been on previous Music Monday segments, many of the people I would choose have already been featured. (The Decemberists (favorite song at the moment - "We Both Go Down Together", Bon Iver - loving "Holocene", Cyndi Lauper - definitely "Time After Time", Indigo Girls - Hard to choose, but just got their new album...liking "Birthday Song" , Cage the Elephant - the hit "Aberdeen" and Journey...I will never stop believing) There are a few of my favorites that have not yet been featured and if I had three Music Monday wishes, these are the artists I would choose...

Adele...I am pretty positive that the Music Monday team seriously would kill to score an interview with Adele, but if you are a fan of hers, you know she has been having some throat issues and hasn't been on tour in the US at all.  If anyone on the "dream Music Monday list" has been able to touch my soul, it is Adele. In my opinion she is able to touch my soul like Alicia Keys does...and that is saying something. If Adele doesn't touch you in some way, you just have no taste in my opinion.  Here is my Adele song of the moment...




My second choice for Music Monday would be the one and only Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine. I totally admire her for one reason besides her amazing voice and music....she is 100% her own person.  I am absolutely loving her new release "Shake it Out".



If I get competitive about anything, it is discovering new music before anyone else.  With this artist, I think I did it well...I found Rachael Owens randomly on Twitter before anyone I know and she turned out to be an amazing singer (and actress) who I immediately fell in love with. Since I have known her through the internet, she has released several singles and an album (that I own and sing out loud to).  It has a permanent place on my iPod's main playlist, in fact.  My favorite Rachael Owens song....totally live is "Take a Chance on Me". :)  If you love this, support her! (http://rachaelowens.com/)

 

Let's Pause....(20 minutes have passed)

I have just spent some time thinking about bands and artists I like and I am a bit overwhelmed...there are a lot. It is definitely hard to choose just a few to feature. Above, we have an artist who has a place in music history if she wants it, one who is her own person and one who is new and exciting with amazing promise.  All of them have a place in my playlist and all would be tops on my list for Music Monday. 

I am "no joke" when it comes to music.  I love all kinds....I will even admit to loving Enya and classical music can totally touch my soul as well. I listened to a great rendition of "Bolero" last night in fact if that tells you anything. Other favorites are Robin Thicke, Enigma, Alicia Keys, Safety Suit, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Rebekah Del Rio, The Strokes, Buxter Hoot'n, The Golden Dogs....there are just way too many to list.  I will get way too distracted if I keep going with this.

Moving on... if you love music, you must check out "The Book of Cletis" . He has "Music Saturday" on his blog and had a very interesting clip of The Ross Sisters this past Saturday.

I'm sorry if this this not the normal Christa post you are used to, but I totally felt the need to let out my music love tonight since I am thinking about my guitar. Your regularly scheduled Christa post will be back soon.  If you are new to the post, give a little follow if you love it, leave comments if you hate it and let me know what you are listening to.

Coming Soon ---- "Airing of Grievances", "Letter to 2011", the launch of my new blog (very real and raw) and anything randomly that comes to my mind.

Day in Review - Barking and Shrieking

First..before I even start this post, I want to thank each and every person who is reading this.  Last week I hit 10,000 views on this blog.  That is HUGE to me and it makes me feel like it is worth writing (despite what past men have said).  Thank you so, so much.  In fact, as of the writing of this post, we are up to 11,000 plus views.  This is amazing and awesome. Thank You!!!!!!!

Now on to our regularly scheduled blog post.... 

This is the third week in the a row I have released an audible shriek during the final scene of "Glee".   (Don't judge me.) The shriek reminded me of something that has been going on in my apartment building. No, it is not the meth lab/garage door neighbor across the hall, this little problem is one that is directly below me.

Every weekday...anytime between 6:57am and 7:03am...I hear barking.  This is no ordinary barking.  This is the most annoying barking/howling combination that has ever met my ears. Luckily I wake up early or I would be even more pissed off than I currently am. The problem is, I tend to start work at 7am and it is very hard to write when you hear bark, bark, bark....bark, bark, bark....bark, bark, bark...bark, bark, bark....bark, bark, bark...bark, bark, bark...are you annoyed yet?  No?  bark, bark, bark...bark, bark, bark...bark, bark, bark...yes...it is a pattern...three barks and a pause.  This makes it even more annoying to me for some reason.  I don't like order or neatness so much. I like variety and three barks with a five second pause followed by three barks with a five second pause makes me insane. This has been going on for a few weeks now.  I actually suspect it has been going on throughout the summer, but since my air conditioning was on, I didn't hear it.


I did some research.  I can't help it, I am a researcher at heart.  There is actually a list of steps you are supposed to take when a dog is annoying and also several rules.  This first rule of dealing with a dog that barks uncontrollably is to remain anonymous.  There are (very surprisingly) several murders that have been committed by dog owners. These dog owners have murdered people who diss their dogs. Yes...MURDERED, which is why you are supposed to remain anonymous.  I knew the first rule was to remain anonymous and the first step was to write a simple, anonymous note. This note should be three to four sentences and politely slipped in their mailbox or under the door.

I wrote said note...it said "Your dog barks from 7am to 6pm. Please do something about the barking. It is not safe for the dog and it is very distracting."  I know...it is certainly not poetic, but this was the guidance I got from several websites and templates.  (You would be surprised by the vast amount of people who have dealt with this.  I was simply following the rules of "dog bark etiquette")  For almost two weeks, there was silence....

This past weekend it all changed.  Starting at 10am on Saturday til about 7pm all I heard was barking.  I know it was the weekend, but I still shouldn't have to deal with this noise! Sunday was identical.  Monday, the barking began at 6:58am. Today, it began at 7:01am.  (Yes, I have been tracking)

The second step, according to several websites I saw, was to write a second note.  This one should be more in depth and again, you should remain anonymous so you don't get murdered and should be totally disconnected from the first (so it seems like more than one person is writing).  My second note was slipped under the door today.  It said - "We have noticed that your dog is barking on an daily basis. As dog lovers, we are extremely worried that your dog is experiencing stress, which is not healthy. Additionally, the barking is distracting to the neighbors and our own dogs are stressed out as well since they can hear your dog. We would ask that you take steps to stop your dog from barking. Unfortunately, if you do not control your dog, we will be forced to contact the apartment management for further advice on this matter."  (We = my across the hall neighbor.  He has been "anti-dog barking" too. Furthermore, this is not the meth lab neighbor, but the other guy across the hall)  Fingers crossed that the note works.  I will certainly keep you updated.

Breaking news....as I am writing this, I just heard a strange noise in the hall...I looked out of the peep hole and my meth lab neighbor was spraying air freshener throughout the hallway.  Seriously...he looked like a soldier walking up and down...spray, spray, spray, spray, spray, spray.  Instead of time to make the donuts....well...who knows what he makes in there.  I can vouch that it smells awful.

Not my neighbor, but it is appropriate in this case...

Sorry for that message, but I felt that it was worth mentioning especially if you are a follower of the blog.

I do have an announcement to close this post. If you follow me on Twitter or you are my Facebook friend, you may have seen a special announcement that I have a second blog.  It is nothing like this one.  The new blog is called "The Flip Side" and will be much more serious, likely much more liberal and much more spiritual and  poetic. It will certainly not be for everyone who reads "Confessions of a Girl". If you think you may like "The Flip Side", I invite you to read it as it get's updated. "Confessions of a Girl" will continue as it is...random thoughts, random events, and I daresay, making fun of men I meet online, though I have given up on love (much to my mom's chagrin) I envision "The Flip Side" to be less about me and more about things that mean something to me including poetry, people, events and spirituality.