Musical Moments

Guster's performance on Oct 6th was super fun for me. I'm not so sure it was as fun for the friends I dragged along...
Cassi knows some of Guster's songs because she will be cruising with them on the Ships and Dip cruise. Yup, she's a huge BNL fan and is following them south very soon. I have the option to send a video as to why I want to be Scooter for a day (if I win I would go on the same cruise). Scooter is the drum tech for Guster. I introduced Cas to Guster for this reason. She'll get me an autograph (I hope) hehe. Misa saw Guster at the 10,000 hrs show, and knows most of the songs from Goldfly and a few from Keep It Together. Viv and Beth and Huey were there because they'd been with us at the parade, though as Guster themselves wrote on their road journal "There will be 15,000 people there, probably 5% Guster fans, 15% Kansas fans, and 100% drunk people." They were somewhat correct...

Advantages: Lead singer, Brian wore a Hamburg Inn #2 shirt.
They played a rendition of "In Heaven There is No Beer" and a version of "Homecoming King" dedicated to Iowa's newly crowned King and Queen.
Astrophysics Boy was able to make an arrival and only missed a few songs.
Guster also modified "In Heaven" to explain "Guster has no gear, that's why we're singing here" because their drumset and keyboards didn't make it from their last gig. However, I think that makes the IC concert that much more unique. And they did a geat job regardless. (though Brian couldn't play with his hands on a rented drumset...can't get that set bloody or anything)
Drawbacks: Really tall guys standing pretty much right next to me on my right who were very drunk (seemingly) and kept yelling stuff like: Play Dust in the Wind.
And the girls who showed up half way through the concert, and tried to push their way to the front, complete with their tavel sized (luckily plastic) bottle of Smirinof Raspberry. Security (two guys standing on the edge of the stage) didn't seem to mind that at all, as they just looked on and laughed.
The stench/aroma? of marijuana was also an annoyance for me, as I am pretty damn allergic to it, even via contact exposure.
But, advantages outweighed.

Also, last night I had the opp. to be "hired" to videotape an opera production. This was a $65 dollar a seat affair at the hotelVetro in Iowa City. So I got to see the hotelVetro - which appears to be an attempt at a "modern" style, even though to me it came off as more of a "sterile" style. I got to try sushi from Formosa though, which wasn't too bad and give away my drink tickets to those adventurous enough to try Saketinis. I did snag a great looking bottle of VOSS water for my collection.
(I'm not sure I've mentioned my habit of collecting interesting looking bottles that are aesthetically pleasing to my senses/sentimental but I've been doing it for a few years now. There is in fact a Jazz vodka bottle that Astrophysics Boy is working his way through for me, it looks like a trumpet!)
The best part though, was everyone believed I was the sister of the director and why shouldn't they, as she's my twister. (i.e. twin sister in theory)

Not only that, but I got to be incrediably proud of her official professional opera directorial debut. The blocking was great, even though it meant I spent a bit more time panning. Cas did a great job staging Cox and Box in the lobby of the hotel. A triple challenge, because the audience was on EITHER side of the hotel's entrance, it's a public space, and she had only three days to work it all out. It was an enjoyable spectacle and her cast did a lovely job. Cedar Rapids Opera Company would do well to keep her employeed. I just hope the video turned out well, as associated people were clamouring for a copy afterwards.

Sensory Stimulation

This week's netflix pix: (for sight)
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead- Tom Stoppard...
Good night and Good luck
Walk the Line
Liked all three to a point. Fell asleep during GN and GL at first, but I was exceptionally tired that night, having driven to Ames from Iowa City, with a stop over in Ankeny, and had an exceptionally annoying headache to add to the mix. Walk the Line was decent - I knew nothing about Johnny Cash before watching the movie, except that he wrote that song "The Burning Ring of Fire" - and I was quickly corrected that it is just "Ring of Fire", and RC and GS R Dead was okay. Far less funny than I had expected, but still, somewhat contemplative. I hope they make a movie out of Steve Martin's play - Picasso at the Lapin Agile (though it would be more like a "short")

This week's music pix (for sound)
Ray Lamontagne
Bonnaroo Music Festival 2004 (Bob Dylan, Dave, Ani, Gov't Mule, Guster)
Matt Bar

I discovered Lamontagne because he was recently touring with Guster. I discovered Bonnaroo because I checked the CPL to see if we had any Guster. Matt went to highschool with me, and I helped him scan photos for his first website. He's also "folksy" in a sense like Guster and Ray (Ray seemingly a bit more jazz, and Matt is alot more "rap" haha, yes, folk rap - think Jason Mraz, but local to the IC.)


This week's food pix (for taste)
Granite City's Spinach and Artichoke Dip and Chinese Pasta Salad
Despite recent outbreaks of e.coli in fresh spinach, Granite City's dish was still being served (though their spinach salad wasn't) And their Chinese Pasta salad was a great choice - and will make my third meal of it for the weekend in about 20 minutes...yummy! Gotta love a dish I paid 9 dollars for that lasted for 3 meals.

This week's fabric pix (for touch)
Victoria Secret Silk PJ's and my awesome Japanese blanket
All I can say is I love to go to sleep with these items...I just wish I got more sleep!

This week's candle pix (for smell)
Party Lite's Zen...
this candle scent rocks. I've been giving it away to all my friends (here in iowa city anyways) if you live out of this area, get them!! It's tranquil and relaxing.

This week's read pix (for the "mental" sense)
Banned Books Week September 23- 30

**** *****

I can tell Fall is coming. Actually it is starting to permeate the Iowa Summer Air. This excites me.*
hiking to see the color-changing leaves, wrapping myself in big fluffy sweaters and drawstring hoodies, football games, tailgating, hot chocolate and apple cider, halloween (this year's costumes already include Family Guy and Bubble people from Dude, Where's My Car
**
and hayrack rides and October will also be a month of anniversaries.
DRAMATIC PAUSE...and the BESTEST NEWS OF ALL....
GUSTER IN IOWA CITY!!!*** SEEING GUSTER LIVE!!!
concert is on the Pentacrest, which means, not only is it free, BUT, if I try I can get a good lawn chair seat, and maybe meet the boys!! Oh this makes me so happy. And I know someone who will be happy to see Guster with me (if it doesn't start at 6:30) than Lifehouse.****

*A random list of things that exicte me will be a future blogpost. Feel free to take notes.
**Incidently, does anyone know where to purchase/rent a banana costume for a person over 6ft tall? Or where to get pre-made bubblewrap suits?
***This is an anniversary of sorts for Guster, as this will be their third time in Iowa City.
****Thanks for seeing Lifehouse.

Vacation all I ever wanted, time to get away

Returned from Okoboji on Tuesday night with an injured passenger :( but I think we had a good time overall. Tried some waterskiing, had a baby shower for a cousin once removed (but not quite removed from the womb yet) nutty bars, night boat rides, a little air hockey (one of the best comebacks in a long time!) swimming and sleep.
We also went to Pirates of Penzance on Friday night which was so much fun! It's a good funny musical/opera. We also joined some friends at the campground to hang out for a bit, which was also fun. The new bikini fit well, and the stomach rash has gone away. So the outlook is good at the moment. Still working on the full time job front (the CPL is only part time) ACT has apparently started interviewing for the Information Resource Specialist position, but they haven't called me yet...
Had a good swim in the North Liberty pool today also.
Allrighty, that is all.
Congrats to Trac on the job!

Feeling Wicked?

This past weekend I attended Wicked at the Ford Center/Oriental Theater.
What a great show! The set was amazing, costumes were great, musicians were wonderful, and the lyrics were awesome. I highly recommend that everyone try to get tickets and make the sojurn into the city for a little escape from our own reality and entry into the land of Oz. It's based on the book of the same name (though loosely as I am discovering). It was very entertaining, heartfelt moments, as well as comedic moments. And the best part for me, I had some very cool people to see it with! So thanks for joining me guys, on a little trip to find the yellow brick road.

Revisiting a Quiz from 2004

Listening to: Andrew W.K. ( and no this is not andrew from Slis - but I realize same initials - freaky)

Name: Sus
Birthplace:Coralville IA
Current Location: Bloomington, IN
Eye Color: blue
Hair Color: blond, soon to have toffee colored lowlights
Height: 5'4'"
Righty or Lefty: right - but i can write my name in a first grade like manner with my left
Zodiac Sign:Leo
Your Heritage: I recently learned I’m only 1/16th Irish. The rest of me is: German, English, Welsh, Norwegian, Dutch
The Shoes You Wore Today: (my duck slippersocks don’t count do they?) boots
Your Weakness: I internalize too much, at times, I’m a push-over
Your Fears: public speaking, that I’ll walk into a test and the questions will be in Russian, but I know all about the paintings, but I don’t know Russian (and the responses have to be in Russian also)
Your Perfect Pizza: sausage or taco (with lots of garlic sauce)
One Thing You'll Achieve: By the end of “aught-six” I’ll have a master’s degree in Library Science (or at least should)
What is your most overused phrase?: I overuse A LOT of words, A LOT of the time. A LOT.
Your first thoughts waking up: oh man, is it 7 am already?
The first feature you notice in the opposite sex: physical would be eyes, personality-wise: sense of humor
Your Best Physical Features: I would say my smile, others may disagree though….
Your Bedtime: lately it has been erratic. Anywhere from midnight until 4 am
Greatest Fear: Did we cover this one already? People will forget me.
Your Most Missed Memory: I don’t miss memories, I love re-living them.
Pepsi or Coke: Sprite or 7up please
McDonalds or Burger King: Fazzolis.
Single or Group Dates: both can be quite fun!
Adidas or Nike: both
Chocolate or Vanilla: twist ‘em
Cappucino or Coffee: coffee
Boxers or Briefs: boxers
Do you smoke?: no, I'm allergic
Cuss: ya, probably too much
Sing Well?: well, I sing. nothing to write home about though.
Do you think you've been in love?: I believe so, but to my way of thinking you can be “in love” and not have the other person return the same feelings. The best is when both of you are in love with each other though
Want to go to college? Again? At this point I’d say, HELL NO. But then, I’ve got another graduate degree looming in my future.
Liked High school? For the most part
Want to get married: perhaps I tell people “if or when I get married”
Type with fingers on the right keys? I type correctly according to the “standard” I learned in 8th grade
Get motion sickness?: no, and thank goodness, cause I like rollercoasters now.
Think you're attractive?: I think I love that other people boost my ego by finding things attractive about me. I do like my smile though.
Health freak?: I work out, I eat junk food...does that put me in the middle?
Get along with parents?: yes, pretty much all the time, and I love them very much
Like Thunderstorms?: if I'm not driving or photographing lightning then yes I love em
In The Past Month, have you?:
Consumed alcohol?:yes, a beer at Lennies for St. Patrick’s Day
Made out: with an absolutely wonderful guy
Gone on a date: with an absolutely wonderful guy
Gone to the mall: yes, was there yesterday
Dyed your hair: planning to do so next week
Stolen anything? I don’t believe so
Age you hope to be married?: You want an age? jeesh, that’s demanding
Number and names of Children?: I'm undecided, if kids enter my life I’ll most likely adopt but I do like the name Catalina
Describe your dream wedding: yikes...many questions about my future here. As long as the families and friends are there, that's dream enough
How do you want to die?: not sure…
What college?: UI and IU - I realize now that dyslexia is a descriptor for reading disorders..thanks 524
Career: future (ART) Librarian, right now, SLIS student
Most like to visit?: Eastern Europe, Japan, Austrailia/New Zealand, Western Europe, South America, Africa, pretty much anywhere someone is either willing to go with me to, will meet me there, or will let me come visit them at.
What are you doing right now: avoiding a take home test
What was the last thing you did: yawned
What is right next to you?: pillows and a coffee table
If you were a toy, what would you be?: a board game. (perhaps catchphrase or apples to apples)
Where do you want to go on your honeymoon?: see answer to where to travel
Who do you want to spend the rest of your life with?: someone that wants to spend theirs with me
Last person on phone with?: Erik
Last person that IMed you?: mom
Last person you IMed?: mom
What's your ring tone?: The Muppet Show
Do you wear contacts?: no, I have glasses for seeing far away though, (ie. slides in art history classes and movies, and driving at night)
School? Indiana University
Vehicle? 2004 Honda Civic Bessie
Ever won a special award?: all awards are special...I've gotten a few
Last film you saw at the cinema?: 16 Blocks with my brother
Did you actually watch it?: yup
Are you too shy to ask anyone out: I wasn’t too shy after roughly a bottle and a half of wine
If you could change your name to anything, what would it be: eh. I'm happy with it.
Scary or funny movies?: both
Christmas or Easter?: they are both important
Lust or Love?: isn’t it best if they go together?
Kisses or Hugs?: yes please :)
What color is your toothbrush?: um....I dont usually pay attention to the color, I'll raincheck that one.
Roller Coaster: Scary or exciting?: Both. I'm weird. I get nervous before new ones and I scream the whole way through with my eyes closed and my hands clenched. But the second time through I scream and let go and love them
How many times do you let the phone ring before you answer it?: depends on its location relative to me...(i.e. is it under clothing or furniture?)
If you could meet one person dead or alive, who would it be?: just one?
Day or night?: both, depending on my mood
Summer or Winter: neither - Fall
Silver or Gold: I like white gold best
Diamonds or pearls: probl diamonds
Sunrise of Sunet? both can be beautiful
Have you ever broken a bone?: collarbone
Who do you hate?: it’s a short list. Only one person I’d really care to do physical harm to.

Multitasking My Life

OKay, so I'm posting this during the Superbowl, because I don't actually care about NFL, give me college football anyday. But, I am, however, like most people in America, intrigued by the commercials, because companies pay so much money to get those spots. I'm also reading about frames for my Info Architecture class, and chatting with folks online, so multitasking is definately the word of the evening.

For more interesting points. I saw The Island this weekend, not a bad movie, esp cause I think Ewan McGregor is a decent actor and Scarlet Jo did a good job also. This was thanks to the IU Movie Channel. As I pointed out to Rena Friday night while getting food at Saraga, I've only been 2 two movies at the Showplace here in B-town, those being Garden State (which is one of my all time FAV movies) and Phantom of the Opera. I have seen another movie in B-town though - and that was Harry Potter with Erik and Trac and Philip, which was a fun time. I saw Capote also, while in Naperville last weekend. It was well done, and well acted, though I found myself somewhat squemish, which is odd, cause I'm usually not that way during movies. I think it was the graphic nature of the killings/hangings and perhaps that I knew it was based on a true story that Capote wrote In Cold Blood about. That was probably what made it more realistic to me, and caused the reaction. Kill Bill is so obviously hyper-realistic violence that they could spurt blood from just about any body part and it wouldn't make me look away, but Capote accomplished that action. I actually had to look away from the screen a few times. But, it was a good show.

Another good show was the Lifehouse concert. Highlights included: Erik tryin to explain how to use chopsticks to me, while demonstrating with my So Co and Cranberry drinking straws. Another highlight, Lifehouse begins to play the opening cords to Hanging by a Moment, stop, and turn to the audience to say "Well, you've heard enough of that bleeping song now haven't you?" Wade grabs another guitar and starts playing one of the songs off the newest album instead. That was also pretty funny. And afterwards, Erik went to get something to drink at the gas station, and settled on some ginseng filled tea. As we were leaving the gas station and walking to the car, a random guy talked to us and said "Hey you can't drink beer outside, they'll catch you." To which Erik replied, "It's tea, but thanks." And that made me laugh.

So I conclude this post by saying my multitasking ability also proves the theory that multitasking means you don't do any one thing really well, because I haven't read my chapter very closely, nor have I seen many of the commercials in detail, the online chatting is smooth but monosyllabic, and this post is rather lacking in a significant point. But then, I guess, that's my life and I mostly enjoy it.

IT's the WEEKEND!!

Going to see Lifehouse in Milwaukee tomorrow night - very exciting. Also going to visit my Thai Cooking Whore (inside joke)for the weekend - very exciting. Homework for this - not so exciting. But some time this weekend, between a nice dinner, lifehouse, TCW, King Kong and a possible trip to the Woodfield Mall, the homework will get done. I also have Deception Point on audio disc to finish on the drive up tomorrow after work - so yay for audiobooks.

P.S. This post proves to my ability to add links. Even if I don't do it often ;)

Listening to: Streaming Itunes Music One
Mood: eh, whatever

So, this weekend was pretty fun, despite my hawks losing to ISU. Blah! Oh well, at least it doesn't count for the Big Ten Season, and really, I think we'd have played better if Tate was in the whole game. Friday I ran errands with Rena, and I was proud of myself. I cooked parmesan ranch chicken and steamed veggies and ate grapes. So very good and healthy of me right? Then I met Christa at Ashton and we went to see the Hitchcock double feature at IUB City lights. That was alot of fun. We say Strangers on a Train and Shadow of a Doubt. I have to say, that old school hitchcock, ala 1940's style, has a romantic quality about it, even though the sound was not synced well to the movement of the mouths. It slightly resembled badly dubed japanese movies. However, I was still entertained. Perhaps the most interesting portion of the evening was when Christa, who always gets very invovled in movies while she's watching them, shouted out "JERK" very loudly at one of the characters, who, in deed, was acting like a jerk. I just laughed a little though, because she's usually so amicable and peaceful, so to hear her get animated about anything, much less a movie, and to shout, in an auditorium where other people were present, was pretty funny. Yesterday I tackled my first assignment for Info in the Humanities...it did not go well. I did finish the rough draft by 3 am though. I had such a case of writer's block, it was quite horrible. This was not helped by the fact that some of the IC friends were watching pirates and hanging out together. At least they talked to me online for awhile, and the phone was passed around some. Still, I think that's the hardest part about being in grad school right now in another state. It's knowing they are doing something that's fun, when I'm not. Course I did have my fun moments for the weekend too, so I can't complain too much. I also stayed up way too late on thursday night, and did nothing productive, even though i'd had coffee in order to stay up and be productive, but, instead, I talked online, and then read Tuttle's latest play. I love that he still sends me the rough drafts. I hope he didn't find my comments to punchy, as I finished reading about 3 am, and then read Rule of 4 for another two hours. Went to bed at 5 am. I really need to get out of that habit and start paying attention to school and school reading. I have to revise my paper, I have to start these long term projects, and I have to really start my exercise and diet program to keep me sane before heading home for jaime's wedding in October. We hope to have a game night soon too. :) We've got a few slis kids that are board game players, so that will be exciting if it can happen. I also would still like to go into Chicago some weekend with Traci to visit Erik, so her around Chicago (she's not been downtown yet) and perhaps go clubbing with some Iowa friends who can make the drive over. I must send a bday shout out to the bride to be, Jaime will turn 25 tomorrow. ;) HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Tonight after family guy, i will go to starbucks and try to really concentrate and get some studying done. Then tomorrow morning, another week will start again. Hopefully things will go better at work, and my topic ideas will pan out for all of my projects.
that's the update folks. BTW, certain people need to send me an email. It is LONG overdue. No matter how busy you are at a new job, that is no excuse to not keep in touch and drop me a line and tell me about what the job entails, your life, and your thoughts. This means you Will!!! (and yes, I'm doing this in the blog, on the chance you still read it every once in awhile)
peace out

Listening to: Lifehouse - You and Me
Can I just tell everyone how much I LOVE music, and how much I LOVE music from my favorite bands, especially NEW music from my favorite bands? I am really saddened that I missed not only Guster TWICE this semester, as they came to both Purdue AND UI, *sigh* (and I heard the UI concert was fabulous from Misa, my former roomie who went at my urging, though she has Guster's first album and none of the newer stuff - that will be remedied as soon as I get back to IC of course) I also missed Storyhill whom I have come to rely on as my "mellow downtime" contemplative mood music - and yes, surprising to some of you, I DO have moments when I contemplate my life, the lives around me, and what it all means. They came to Chicago and they played in Cedar Rapids, which I found quite interesting. It makes me realize how many bands out there that I've discovered through friends over the years, and have come to throughly enjoy listening to, and have probably missed countless performances by them in the past simply because I hadn't been introduced to them yet. It was sad that Tuttle introduced me to Chamberlain too late to see them perform live, as they've broken up since then. At least these other bands, lifehouse, storyhill and guster are still together and going strong, and even more awesome that they have been coming to areas in my neck of the woods...however, I have not seen them live yet! This saddens me, and I renew my resolve to see these bands before I'm out of my twenties! Academics be damned next time, i will drive the two hrs to purdue to see Guster play. I should have done it this time.
Honestly, sometimes I let my academic success drive rule my life, I'm such an idiot to let that happen. Truly. If I learn the information, that is what is important, not the grade I get after the fact. And, as I found myself thinking the other day, when I look back on my time in grad school - what am I going to be able to say? Well, I have at least met quite a few interesting and great people that have become my fantastic support system here at IU. I have lived away from iowa for a time, and generally it has been a good year. But next year, I will go to the concerts.

Okay, so instead of doing some shameless self-promotion, because well, I'm not really doing anything all that interesting with my own life. (This is not really by choice though, as I'm currently attending graduate school, which serves as a legit excuse as to WHY I don't have stuff of my own to promote) INSTEAD, I'll promote shamelessly for my friends and family. Because some of them ARE doing great and fabulous things (well they all are doing great and fabulous things, some of them just have websites to easily add here)
My cousin Adam is in a movie called Straight Jacket...check out the trailer and site here:
http://www.straightjacket-themovie.com/trailer.html

One of my great friends in IC "Christysissy" has acted, produced, and edited for her boyfriend and his friend. They are great filmmakers, and I anxiously await snagging a copy of the latest production when I'm back over Thanksgiving.
http://www.blueboxlimited.com


there are others, but not the time right now to shamelessly plug everybody, so hopefully this satisfies those of you that wanna know!
oh, and on the related note of promoting famous folks I like or something. I really dig a band called Guster, many of you may have heard of them. They have a kick ass feature on their site where you can take a look into their fridges on the road.
http://www.guster.com

Listening to: MP3 Oldies List (which means great tunes from the 50's, 60's, 70's)

All registered for my classes for next semester. Yay. I'm a big dork, I'm excited for them. Well, mostly...maybe not so much for cataloging, but it's something I need to learn, and it's required, so here we go!

So there is a coffee commercial out right now, for Foldgers, that includes my theme song. I can't believe how awesome it was to hear the EVERLY BROTHERS live in concert with Simon and Garfunkel this summer. I still can't get over how stoaked I was, I felt like they were singing directly to me, even though that Qwest Center was probably sold out. I love how I went to a concert with my parents. How many people get to say that their parents have good taste in music and that you agree with those tastes? I had a really great exposure at an early age to the music of my parents' generation, though they tell me they were on the "tame" side, weren't protesting, didn't do woodstock, etc. They listened to folks like Peter, Paul and Mary and the Carpenters. All great stuff if you ask me. I remember many roadtrips to Okoboji, before Steve and I were old enough to drive up by ourselves, in which I would get to listen to the Beatles and numerous other one-hit wonders, and also the music from their childhoods, like early Motown, and stuff like "Leader of the Pack".
Nowadays, when I roadtrip my music tastes are so entirely vast it's hard to pinpoint WHAT I listen to, but I know what I like. Now that I've got the Ipod, and itunes, I can roll out with just about anything and mix it up constantly. Last night I was doing homework to the RANDOM setting, it was great fun. Going from stuff like Dave Mathews to Ice Cube to Sugar Shack to Ave Maria to Pour Some Sugar On Me. Granted, I have my lists too, if I'm feeling like a particular kind a music, say "jazz" then I can turn to Etta and Sinatra. Or power females I've got Alanis and Janis and Liz to keep me company. But sometimes it's fun to just mesh it all together. Especially when some things really fit one after the other. Anyways, you are probably asking what the point of this random mussing is...well there ISN"T really one in particular. So hah!

I'm excited for the opera tonight!