Ok, she did it...she made me realize my assumptions of not having a good time were wrong and I've never been more moved by a performer live. She's somewhere in the neighborhood of 4' 11" and has the most powerful voice that you will ever hear. She sang many songs we recognized off of her albums as well as Journey's "Don't Stop Believin," Pat Benatar's hit (wow, the name just escaped me) and a few others. I said I would never have paid for tickets to a Martina McBride concert and I have completely changed my mind. I love her now more than ever before and I look forward to seeing her live again. She moved Jana to complete tears during her song "Concrete Angel." And then the most adorable thing happened, during her song "This Ones For the Girls," she brought her daughter Ava on stage and the daughter wasn't even fazed...she could not have been more than 3-4. The one thing I would love to know is what her beauty secret it. She's so freakin beautiful and the most amazing skin I've ever seen. She barely has any wrinkles and yet they are faintly there so you know it's not botox. Whatever it is, I want some!
Ok, I'm gonna go for a quick swim before Joey comes back from his only session today. I will write more later...I just wanted to say that I was completely wrong about the concert and I am so happy that I chose to go just to make sure. Jana and I had both wanted to back out...I'm glad neither one of us voiced it out loud until we were there and there was no going back...because we both would have been dumb.
Not to mention, Jack Ingram and the other opener (who's name has also escaped me) were great fun. I freakin LOVE the song "Love you" by Ingram.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Martina McBride
I'm going to the concert tonight. I'm not really excited because these tickets were given to us for free and I would never have gone otherwise. Perhaps it'll be more fun than I'm expecting and I'll be pleasantly surprised. There is also a dinner there for us that includes ribs...bleh. Jana's definitely excited about that part. I figured I'd get my blog out of the way in case I don't get a chance before midnight. I'm going strong, not gonna lose this battle of keyboard tapping that I have going on with Joey.
I'm looking forward to the weekend. We're housesitting and it'll be great having a place to ourselves for a few days. I'm also looking forward to reading lots and hopefully finding out good ideas for "survival jobs," the book I'm reading for ideas in LA. We're going out to look for places Sept. 18th and I know I'll feel better if I get out there with a job. Can't wait to see Allie...it's been almost 8 months since I've visited LA and that's completely unacceptable. This has been the longest stretch since I've moved back. I'm ready for some beach time...not to mention just getting away on a road trip.
BTW - almost got through to "press my concert luck" again...was caller 17 and then I hung up and got through again on the next try but they didn't pick up so they must have had their winner...I have a good feeling about winning Dave tix! I have a week left to try.
I'm looking forward to the weekend. We're housesitting and it'll be great having a place to ourselves for a few days. I'm also looking forward to reading lots and hopefully finding out good ideas for "survival jobs," the book I'm reading for ideas in LA. We're going out to look for places Sept. 18th and I know I'll feel better if I get out there with a job. Can't wait to see Allie...it's been almost 8 months since I've visited LA and that's completely unacceptable. This has been the longest stretch since I've moved back. I'm ready for some beach time...not to mention just getting away on a road trip.
BTW - almost got through to "press my concert luck" again...was caller 17 and then I hung up and got through again on the next try but they didn't pick up so they must have had their winner...I have a good feeling about winning Dave tix! I have a week left to try.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Pearl...and oh yeah, I'm 35
Tried a new sushi restaurant today...it was decent and they have a good happy hour. I think from 4-5 it's 50% off, 5-6 40% and 6-7 30%. The place was small and cute...not to mention we ran into the hostess from Blue Wasabi DC Ranch...which had closed down a long time ago and we hadn't seen her since then. She seemed to remember Jana well enough since she always knew when a new round of drinks was in order. I had a glass of Pinot. It was good..though honestly it smelled better than it had tasted. i've always wanted to do the Kevin Kline experiment from French Kiss where he had Meg Ryan sip some wine...then he had her smell things in bottles that had consisted of the things that grew around the vineyard where the grapes were grown...and after she'd smelled the bottles, she tasted specific things in her wine when she tried another sip. Anyway, this is kind of a blah blog...i just have to get something down and want to go to sleep. The name of the sushi place is Pearl...it's off of Drinkwater and 3rd Ave in South Scottsdale. Check it out...if nothing else, there are pictures of naked women dressed in nothing but pearls :)
Also, tried the Wii Fit for the first time tonight. Alison brought it over and to my surprise, the game told me my age was 35 based on my ability to balance. Fuck! I was older than Joey by 2 years...I gotta work on this. I can definitely see how the game is addictive. I've gotten really good at hitting soccer balls with my head and hula hooping...haven't tried much else.
Ok, must say goodnight...sorry for the boring post to any readers...I'll try to do better tomorrow.
Also, tried the Wii Fit for the first time tonight. Alison brought it over and to my surprise, the game told me my age was 35 based on my ability to balance. Fuck! I was older than Joey by 2 years...I gotta work on this. I can definitely see how the game is addictive. I've gotten really good at hitting soccer balls with my head and hula hooping...haven't tried much else.
Ok, must say goodnight...sorry for the boring post to any readers...I'll try to do better tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Concert Press Your Luck
Damn, so I just got through to Mix 96.9 to try my luck at winning concert tickets to Dave on the 23rd. I've always had fairly good luck in getting through to radio stations for contests, so I should stop being so surprised when I hear the phone ringing instead of a busy dial tone. Nevertheless, I was excited.
I had one goal in mind...must get Dave tickets. It didn't matter to me what else I won because I was going to continue the game and hope the Whammies would stay away long enough for me to get the pair of tickets I wanted so badly. Their game is basically the old gameshow "Press Your Luck," except with tickets instead of vacations and large piles of money. Instead, I won Counting Crows/Maroon 5, Melissa Etheridge, Switchfoot, Santana and Journey. Mind you, I said I was going forward no matter what because there's only one pair of tickets I cared about. Well, on my sixth try...the Whammy hit. Dammit. I hadn't even thought of walking away with the tickets I'd won to sell them for enough money for Dave.
I'm determined, I will win by the concert (I know I'll buy tickets if it comes down to it but I'm hoping that won't be necessary). So, wish me luck...and keep the Whammies away. OH, and let me get through as the 25th caller again...that's kinda the most important part.
Hmm, a little sad...but I shall persevere!!!
I had one goal in mind...must get Dave tickets. It didn't matter to me what else I won because I was going to continue the game and hope the Whammies would stay away long enough for me to get the pair of tickets I wanted so badly. Their game is basically the old gameshow "Press Your Luck," except with tickets instead of vacations and large piles of money. Instead, I won Counting Crows/Maroon 5, Melissa Etheridge, Switchfoot, Santana and Journey. Mind you, I said I was going forward no matter what because there's only one pair of tickets I cared about. Well, on my sixth try...the Whammy hit. Dammit. I hadn't even thought of walking away with the tickets I'd won to sell them for enough money for Dave.
I'm determined, I will win by the concert (I know I'll buy tickets if it comes down to it but I'm hoping that won't be necessary). So, wish me luck...and keep the Whammies away. OH, and let me get through as the 25th caller again...that's kinda the most important part.
Hmm, a little sad...but I shall persevere!!!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Sunsets
I was on an hour and a half walk with my sister in the midst of one of the most beautiful sunsets I've seen in a while. I wish I wasn't lazy so that I'd post a picture of one of my favorite sunsets to date...will try to do so tomorrow. Not only does Tucson have phenomenal monsoons, the sunsets there are out of this world. I remember everything about the sunset I went to watch alone at Gate's Pass. I had Meggo's car because I had dropped her off at the airport and decided I needed some time in nature. So I set off on my adventure...I call it an adventure because I'm pretty sure I still didn't have a license at this point and had not been driving long. Not my smartest idea, but hey...the sunset I witnessed was worth the possibility of serious consequences. I must have taken at least 50 pictures with my brand new camera. I was never crazy about that camera so the pictures don't even do it justice...but at that very moment, I'd never felt more at peace and in complete awe of the world that surrounded me. I stayed there in complete silence for over 2 hours. I was mesmerized. I wrote in my journal but mostly I just sat there, watching as the sun slowly turned the sky shades of pinks and purples and oranges until it faded behind a mountain. I couldn't move for a while, and then the part of nature that drives me crazy made me realize I had tasty blood and would be eaten alive if I didn't move it along...what can I say, mosquitos love me.
Anyway, tonight's sunset reminded me of that calm. Of the beauty that so many take for granted. I'm thankful that I'm not that person. I treasure and am eternally grateful for such moments. Now I can go to sleep and hope my dreams can paint just as breathtaking a picture.
Anyway, tonight's sunset reminded me of that calm. Of the beauty that so many take for granted. I'm thankful that I'm not that person. I treasure and am eternally grateful for such moments. Now I can go to sleep and hope my dreams can paint just as breathtaking a picture.
Monday, August 11, 2008
defensive driving school
if i ever have to repeat this stupid class ever again, it will be too soon. it wasn't as bad as it could be I suppose, since I did get to take it online...but the stupid computer had to read everything out loud and it took twice as long as it needed to.
There are so many things that I should do on a regular basis that I don't...check tire pressure, check my oil, windshield wiper fluid, etc, etc, etc. Although I truly hope I never get caught by photo radar again, because I'm completely against them...the course had some worthwile information. I now have to go pass a written test of 25 questions...hope I still remember all I learned by Wednesday...I have a feeling this is one of those "in one ear and out the other" situations... At least for the stuff you don't use regularly.
I'm beyond tired and am just grateful it's done. I got this speeding ticket back in March, on my way to hang out with Joey after work. Yep babe, I blame you. I could probably make this post a bit more interesting...but staring at a computer screen talking about traffic conditions and safety for just over 4 hours has completely made my brain go numb and all creativity has been lost for the time being. That is all.
There are so many things that I should do on a regular basis that I don't...check tire pressure, check my oil, windshield wiper fluid, etc, etc, etc. Although I truly hope I never get caught by photo radar again, because I'm completely against them...the course had some worthwile information. I now have to go pass a written test of 25 questions...hope I still remember all I learned by Wednesday...I have a feeling this is one of those "in one ear and out the other" situations... At least for the stuff you don't use regularly.
I'm beyond tired and am just grateful it's done. I got this speeding ticket back in March, on my way to hang out with Joey after work. Yep babe, I blame you. I could probably make this post a bit more interesting...but staring at a computer screen talking about traffic conditions and safety for just over 4 hours has completely made my brain go numb and all creativity has been lost for the time being. That is all.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Nut Milk
When I was in my Friends & Family class, the facilitator and I got on the discussion of eating raw and drinking nut milk. I'm a huge fan of almond milk. She had asked if I ever made my own, to which I replied "no, never even thought about it." She told me if I tried the recipe, I'd never go back to a store bought brand.
Today I decided take her advice. A week ago I'd ordered my nut milk bag, which is what you filter the blended concoction through to make the milk. I was skeptical and a little frightened to find out if I had wasted money in purchasing the bag and not to mention the nuts. I'm happy to report that Susan was correct. I will never again buy milk, when its just as easy, not to mention cost-effective and healthier to make my own.
This time I had tried it with Brazil nuts...Susan's favorite. I LOVED it. Had it over a bowl of cereal this morning and in my cup of coffee. I also had my mom try it and have been recruited to buy a lot of nuts and make her milk regularly as well.
So here is the recipe:
Two cups of raw nuts (your choice which nut...just make sure it is raw)
4 cups water
blender
nut milk bag (can order on amazon or just google "nut milk bag")
1. Soak nuts overnight in water
2. Empty the water from the nuts, place them into a blender.
3. Add 4 cups of fresh water. (not water used to soak them)
4. Blend until smooth, approx 2-3 minutes.
5. Pour through nut milk bag and wring it out as much as possible.
6. Voila, fresh milk that will last 3 days.
The proportion will always be 1 cup of soaked nuts to 2 cups of water in the blender. I promise if you try it, you won't go back. Tomorrow, I'm going to try hazelnuts. I'm so excited with my new discovery.
Today I decided take her advice. A week ago I'd ordered my nut milk bag, which is what you filter the blended concoction through to make the milk. I was skeptical and a little frightened to find out if I had wasted money in purchasing the bag and not to mention the nuts. I'm happy to report that Susan was correct. I will never again buy milk, when its just as easy, not to mention cost-effective and healthier to make my own.
This time I had tried it with Brazil nuts...Susan's favorite. I LOVED it. Had it over a bowl of cereal this morning and in my cup of coffee. I also had my mom try it and have been recruited to buy a lot of nuts and make her milk regularly as well.
So here is the recipe:
Two cups of raw nuts (your choice which nut...just make sure it is raw)
4 cups water
blender
nut milk bag (can order on amazon or just google "nut milk bag")
1. Soak nuts overnight in water
2. Empty the water from the nuts, place them into a blender.
3. Add 4 cups of fresh water. (not water used to soak them)
4. Blend until smooth, approx 2-3 minutes.
5. Pour through nut milk bag and wring it out as much as possible.
6. Voila, fresh milk that will last 3 days.
The proportion will always be 1 cup of soaked nuts to 2 cups of water in the blender. I promise if you try it, you won't go back. Tomorrow, I'm going to try hazelnuts. I'm so excited with my new discovery.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
hit list
So, the casting director book I'm reading is fantastic! I'm going to create a hit list of casting directors I will be contacting the moment I move back to CA. I've decided to take notes and I will contact ten casting directors a week, until I run out of the ones I want to contact and then resend information every three months. I'm learning about the ones that don't mind drop offs and the ones that believe only agents should submit. I'm really getting excited. I feel that I am preparing myself in every way for the imminent move. Not only am I finally setting myself up to read all the books I've bought over the years, I'm also committed to getting in the best shape of my life.
Joey and I have a competition going on in that department as well...for motivation. The minimum we both have to work out is 3 hours a week (after that its up to the individual) and the first one to not make the commitment has to pay for both people to go rock climbing at the indoor rock gym. We've also joined LA Fitness together so keeping one another motivated should be pretty easy. Now, i just have to get good at racquetball so I can kick his ass, which he tells me is impossible. We'll see...
Now I'm going to put out to the universe that I just need to book a few acting gigs to make the money situation more manageable. I'm looking at getting into some "work from home" gigs so that I can move out there with a job that I can just supplement with part-time work. That way, i can make my own schedule and being available for auditions will not be a problem. If anyone has any suggestions, please send them my way!
Some other news, started watching The Tudors...AMAZING!! For anyone interesting in the complex life of Henry XIII, you'll love the show. Also, a big congrats to Allie's sister Cassandra...her baby girl was born today. I believe that is all my news for tonight.
Joey and I have a competition going on in that department as well...for motivation. The minimum we both have to work out is 3 hours a week (after that its up to the individual) and the first one to not make the commitment has to pay for both people to go rock climbing at the indoor rock gym. We've also joined LA Fitness together so keeping one another motivated should be pretty easy. Now, i just have to get good at racquetball so I can kick his ass, which he tells me is impossible. We'll see...
Now I'm going to put out to the universe that I just need to book a few acting gigs to make the money situation more manageable. I'm looking at getting into some "work from home" gigs so that I can move out there with a job that I can just supplement with part-time work. That way, i can make my own schedule and being available for auditions will not be a problem. If anyone has any suggestions, please send them my way!
Some other news, started watching The Tudors...AMAZING!! For anyone interesting in the complex life of Henry XIII, you'll love the show. Also, a big congrats to Allie's sister Cassandra...her baby girl was born today. I believe that is all my news for tonight.
Friday, August 8, 2008
stream of conscience
goisjghs;ogiwheongvodsighsodngdsoh
ndohgosdigjsodignsd g
sdgosndisdngosdigjsdogjs
glskgosngdlsigjnsodings
dsoginsgosidjgosdijs'd
Ok, this is cheating...but I fell asleep and need a post.
goodnight
So I think I technically lost because everything I am writing now is past the midnight post deadline. Nevertheless, I did get the gibberish to post just in the nick of time and I have Joey to thank for waking me up. He told me he'd sat and debated if he should wake me or just let me lose...and decided since the spirit of the competition is not to win but to encourage one another to write more, he obviously awoke me. I can barely keep my eyes open and I'm yawning between every word. Why am I so tired? I've always been the person who consistently needed 8 hours of sleep so I guess I shouldn't be surprised since 8 hour sleep has not been a regular thing in my life as of late.
Nothing too exciting happened today...it was nice having a Friday off though. I kept thinking it was Saturday. I'm happy I get two more days of my weekend. yay. More to come tomorrow...and I've learned my lesson, must write in the mornin so as not to forget. Yep, lesson noted. Dobrou noc.
ndohgosdigjsodignsd g
sdgosndisdngosdigjsdogjs
glskgosngdlsigjnsodings
dsoginsgosidjgosdijs'd
Ok, this is cheating...but I fell asleep and need a post.
goodnight
So I think I technically lost because everything I am writing now is past the midnight post deadline. Nevertheless, I did get the gibberish to post just in the nick of time and I have Joey to thank for waking me up. He told me he'd sat and debated if he should wake me or just let me lose...and decided since the spirit of the competition is not to win but to encourage one another to write more, he obviously awoke me. I can barely keep my eyes open and I'm yawning between every word. Why am I so tired? I've always been the person who consistently needed 8 hours of sleep so I guess I shouldn't be surprised since 8 hour sleep has not been a regular thing in my life as of late.
Nothing too exciting happened today...it was nice having a Friday off though. I kept thinking it was Saturday. I'm happy I get two more days of my weekend. yay. More to come tomorrow...and I've learned my lesson, must write in the mornin so as not to forget. Yep, lesson noted. Dobrou noc.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Storms
After work today, Carol, Jana and I went walking on the canal. We walked from 40th Street to 16th Street and back...approximately 7.5 miles. I love the walk, wish I got the motivation to do it more often. There was a scary part where bees were flying around everywhere. I can't say with 100% certainty, but I think I'm fairly allergic to them because the last time I got stung, my foot was swollen for over a month. A nurse friend of mine told me the next time I get stung, i can go into cardiac arrest. Though I have yet to go to an allergist to see if that's true, I'd rather not find out the hard way. Because if I'm as allergic as it seems, I should have an epi-pen. When I have insurance again, this is a must do.
Anyway, not sure how I got on that tangent. The walk was beautiful. A little warm and humid, since 5pm is the hottest part of the day. Nevertheless, the heat was worth dealing with for the beauty that surrounded us. There is nothing I love more about AZ than the monsoon storms that roll through regularly. I must admit that I miss the ones in Tucson. Never before going to school at UofA was I completely fascinated and yet completely freaked by the sheer power of a thunderstorm. Granted, Tucson has no gutters so storms always made walking to campus interesting, tacking on about an hour for detours with the ridiculous flooding. Still, there's not a day I don't wish I could live there during monsoon season again just to experience mother nature at her best.
On our walk today, clouds were rolling in from every direction. Whenever I think about painting, which is really only a desire that strikes when I'm in nature, I wish I could actually draw and recreate the intense beauty of storm clouds...mind you, the only drawing I do is smiley faces because I stink...but I still dream of painting a storm rolling in. Clouds are menacing and yet bring with them rain, which to me has always signified a fresh start. There's nothing more peaceful that sitting at a coffee shop, writing in a journal, watching the rain. Rain reminds me that no matter how bad things get, the sun will always shine in the end...bringing with it a new light, a new perspective on any situation.
The one thing I don't enjoy is driving in the rain. Thankfully I was almost at Joey's before the storm began. A part of me just wants to go run outside in the rain. One other thing I've never done in the rain is kiss...there's something truly romantic about that. Not sure what it is...ok, that is all.
Anyway, not sure how I got on that tangent. The walk was beautiful. A little warm and humid, since 5pm is the hottest part of the day. Nevertheless, the heat was worth dealing with for the beauty that surrounded us. There is nothing I love more about AZ than the monsoon storms that roll through regularly. I must admit that I miss the ones in Tucson. Never before going to school at UofA was I completely fascinated and yet completely freaked by the sheer power of a thunderstorm. Granted, Tucson has no gutters so storms always made walking to campus interesting, tacking on about an hour for detours with the ridiculous flooding. Still, there's not a day I don't wish I could live there during monsoon season again just to experience mother nature at her best.
On our walk today, clouds were rolling in from every direction. Whenever I think about painting, which is really only a desire that strikes when I'm in nature, I wish I could actually draw and recreate the intense beauty of storm clouds...mind you, the only drawing I do is smiley faces because I stink...but I still dream of painting a storm rolling in. Clouds are menacing and yet bring with them rain, which to me has always signified a fresh start. There's nothing more peaceful that sitting at a coffee shop, writing in a journal, watching the rain. Rain reminds me that no matter how bad things get, the sun will always shine in the end...bringing with it a new light, a new perspective on any situation.
The one thing I don't enjoy is driving in the rain. Thankfully I was almost at Joey's before the storm began. A part of me just wants to go run outside in the rain. One other thing I've never done in the rain is kiss...there's something truly romantic about that. Not sure what it is...ok, that is all.
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