Monday, July 31, 2006

Hello Luxemburg

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M made her first appearance up at Augie's on Friday. Apparently, the races were on ... but we have no proof. None of the race boys came over to Augie's ... or Rhode House ... or Bumps. And Augie's is the only one with air conditioning! It was sickening at the other bars. Just sweating out my alcohol ...

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She had fun - she repeatedly told me. However, we were annoyed by some guys. They were both over 30 ... which isn't anything we're interested in. But they just wouldn't go away. Their names were Steve (which is funny) and Randy (which is borderline funny). And Randy was able to make the most annoying noise in the world. Which will be here when/if I figure out how to add sound.

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It was a pretty uneventful night ... not that it wasn't entertaining ... but nothing is jumping out at me with the need to be reiterated. I think we were both pretty well toasted by 12-12:30am. M stopped drinking at 1am ... and we really should have stayed until bar close for her to drink up some water ... but we left before 1:30am.

Linz was with us. At least, she rode with us. But she was pretty much engrossed with her brother and company. I don't go to the bar to play games. I go to the bar to drink and maybe to socialize. But it was a pretty dead night.

So we dropped Linz off at home. I learned a few new things that I will keep in mind. New Island info and such. Anyway - M and I (haha - like the bank) went back to my house, ended up making some blackened pizza and underdone chicken strips. It was bedtime.

7:30am found me not feeling so well. Couldn't have been the 7 shots. Not the 4 pitchers of beer either. It was the damn burnt pizza. 11am I got up and called M. =) It was a leisurely, hot and humid day of finally being able to stomach something and going to a movie that evening. We saw John Tucker Must Die. For the sheer fact that Jesse Metcalfe is ... super hot. And I'm not talking about the weather.

PS: Happy birthday Harry Potter and JK Rowling

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

New Music Tuesday

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Jake Owen's new (first) CD is coming out today. Yee Haw! Over on myspace I got a message letting me know the exciting news. And of course, I downloaded it right away on iTunes. Where would I be without my Mac? I'll tell you where ... music-less, Photoshop-less, and Internet-less ... in which case I would be stark-raving mad. So ... Bellin Psychiatric perhaps?

Onto the music ... I'm pretty excited that this guy is only a year older than me. But I guess I don't know a whole lot about him except what I've seen on CMT ... the generic stuff. I've seen the video for Yee Haw, I don't know ... probably like 25 times. CMT plays the same list of like 30 videos - over and over and over and you get the point here right? So right now, Jake makes that list of 30. I really do like the video. I like the camera angles and effects that are going on.

Here are my thoughts on the 11 track listing (one time through the whole thing):
The Bad in Me - The song is fast enough to be a good starter and keep me interested. Reminds me a bit of Jace Everett's Everything I Want & Bad Things blended together. Makes me smile ... 4.5/5
Something About a Woman - Wondering if all the songs are about a particular girl or if they are all just songs that seem to elicit a bit of innuendo. 4/5
Startin With Me - ah ha, here we have the title track. A list of bad choices. But a quality song. I think a lot of guys will like this one. 4/5
Yee Haw - Of course I'm a bit biased about this song. It's still the first song on many of my playlists. I just love this song. 5/5
Ghosts - First slow one I hit. I like the music with the subtle violin in the background. 4.5/5
Eight Second Ride - very rock. Fast paced. I wasn't catchin' the whole story of the song though. Definitely going to listen to it again. 4.5/5
Hard Not to Love You - second of the slowin' down songs. I like the lyrics ... the music, didn't draw me in immediately or anything. 3.5/5
The Bottle and Me - Reminiscent of songs I have been listening to by Dierks Bentley, Trent Tomlinson, and Chris Cagle. A good drinkin' song. 4/5
Places to Run - Slowin' down again ... it's not bad but I'm not enraptured by it. 3/5
Long Night With You - Cuddlin' song. 4/5
You Can Thank Dixie - oh no. Earnhardt fan. A bluesy ending to an overall well done, first CD. 4/5

What I noticed right away was the "artwork" that iTunes provides for me in the lower left corner of my screen. The cover of the CD. I don't like it. It doesn't look like Jake Owens in any way I've ever seen him (on CMT, in the video, on the website pics). And I think he's a pretty good lookin' guy - up until this pic. Back to the cover - it's pretty plain. So you know me ... I'm thinkin' - oh hell, I could have done better. So I have myself all of 3 minutes ... and pulled this one together. =D I don't know that it's better ... persay ... but I think it stands out more.

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Also - it's only 38 minutes for the whole CD. Had I known this when I bought it ... I don't know if I would have paid $10 straight up. My favorite song is still Yee Haw. That's not real good. I already had this song. I would have started off with a single that wouldn't have been quite so catchy. The best song on the CD being radio-ized right away ... I don't think that makes me want to buy the CD when I come into this knowledge. However, I like the guy ... I like the songs and I will be tellin' my friends.

Friday, July 21, 2006

My sister - gets connected


In this era of technology ... I can now say that 4/5 of my siblings know how to use the internet and navigate it independently. My oldest sister ... has just today ... I think for the first time EVER ... used her computer (my old iMac) to log onto the World Wide Web!

My older brother ... while ... sort of knowing what he's doing ... still talks to the monitor, swears at it when he doesn't see what he's looking for, and calls whomever he maybe looking up rather than figuring out how to get around the site. Customer service call centers are still up and running ... thanks to my brother.

And - if you couldn't tell ... I'm still not over my retro-phase. =)

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Post Op


Well Shenan is going in for her foot surgery today. Six weeks off of work ... and like four weeks of no driving. Fun.

She's havin' people over tonight. I'm not sure why ... so we can watch her hop around on crutches? That is my guess.

But Carol is making the trip down ... so I thought I would put something fun up. Enjoy the Hippie Chick motif.

Friday, July 14, 2006

The County Fair


Ventured off to the Outagamie County Fair last night to see Trace Adkins. It was actually a really good show. On and off stage. Trace Adkins is 6 ft 6, with long hair and a deep voice. We were there until about 9pm in the grandstand area. However, when we got there ... there was no place to sit. It was a pretty packed area. We (M, Angie, Tammy, Becky and I) bought pitchers of beer and meandored around the VIP section. Staying on the outside of this little rail fence, Becky entertained the "guards" by taking off her bra and kissing the old guy (the other was a short lady). Becky was escorted to the stage where she was able to fling her bra onstage - and I don't think it made it up there. Pitchers of beer. Remember that.

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Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us Becky - running back from the scene of the crime ...

After the show, we hung around a bit and I got to try out the men's bathroom. First time for everything. Did you know there aren't any locks on their stalls? Becky was severely annoying all the way home. She flashed a guy in a truck (a couple of times). And then when we got to the apartment, she peed in the parking lot!

We then went out to a few places in Green Bay. Nothing too exciting going on. However, we did stumble upon a swim suit competition at Stadium View. We promptly left.

Back at the apartment, M and I were feelin' our beers. I came up with the brilliant idea to order pizza. I don't think anyone knew that Tammy was going to sleep over. But all of a sudden, she was in the middle of the floor. Perhaps this was because I had already staked out the couch ... we'll never know. Pizza came ... we ate. And I ate a lot that night. Gyro, mozarella sticks and now pizza and bread sticks! (Don't forget all the beer.)

It was very hot in the apartment. The air conditioner was on but only cooled ... the couch. Good thing I was on it. Morning finally came ... (it was around 1am when I went to bed) ... and I got up, took a shower, and went to work.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

WTF?


So... nobody ever reads my blog is the conclusion I've come to. No one ever comments ... yet my profile has been viewed like over 70 times. Hmmmm. I'm beginning to wonder if these people I'm writing about ... you know ... my friends ... if they aren't all imaginary. I made them all up. It's just me and my fantasy world. Things to ponder.

Well, speakin' of that ... I guess I have another fake adventure comin' up. Going to the Outagamie County Fair tonight with M and Angie. Seeing Trace Adkins. Not my favorite singer ... not even someone I would hugely go out of my way for ... but it's Thursday night and there isn't anything else going on. I am more looking forward to the "going out" afterwards. Tammy and Becky (Angie's friends - or wait - maybe they are imaginary, too) are also going ... so it has the potential to get interesting.

Last night, M and I went out to Los for some margaritas. Yum! I have been cravin' salsa like the dickens ... don't ask where that just came from ... And guess what - I want more! Sounds like a lot of things I want - hahahahahaha

I know, I know it's super hot out ... but I'm sitting in the office in a tank top ... and guess what - I'M FREEZING. Perhaps I can take some of this chill with me when I'm sitting in the grandstands tonight, wishin' for a breeze. Whatcha think?

Well, today Shenan is off to Hodag. =( I want to see Keith Anderson tonight! And Saturday - just looks awesome. I wanna go!! I'm sure, her and bf will have fun. Wonder if she's going to drink ... But I get to sit in GB and do - nothing. Saturday morning I have to meet with Jennifer about the wedding stuff. Woohoo. I seriously need to figure out what I'm going to do about the dress. It's huge on me. Like - probably at least one size too big now. Three months ago ... it woulda fit ... not so much now.

Anyway, Shenan's gone. M is going to a wedding she says she doesn't want to go ... and I don't think she should ... we need to do something fun! I haven't heard from Linz. No clue if she plans on going to Augie's or if she has to work ... or even if she's back from Milwaukee. Guess this leaves me open to get work done ... oh joy.

Sunday is supposed to be Megs birthday party. She's the big - 2. I don't know if I'm going to attend yet or not. As much fun as it sounds like it's going to be ... I might have to pass.

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

On Again Tonight


Here I sit. I have to go tanning and to Shopko tonight. I have been saying that for like the last three days. Hasn't happened yet. Some odd texting has been going on. Nothing worth delving into. Other than that ... rather monotonous.

And here it's only Tuesday. Oh, one thing that did happen last night was that while I was walking J waved to me. =) Always puts a smile on my face. Wouldn't mind running into him out somewhere.

I could use a nap. Or movement. Anything really.

So ... new CDs ... Trent Willmon (2 CDs) and Rockie Lynne are in my computer. I have to give 4.5 stars to Trent. The awesome songs ... are just that ... awesome. And there aren't too many that I skip over. Rockie I'm still getting in to. I know two songs on the CD from the radio and GAC (CMT just doesn't have enough music videos on - ever).

Yawn.

The Rain in Spain

I spoke way too soon apparently. Incoming text: she didnt want me to leave & i got in a tiff w/4th girl & also i thought it was better 2 leave than catch the wrong girls eye, so i wanted go.

Huh? All I'm really getting out of this message is that he really wanted to leave. People are strange.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Andy, Larry, Tyler, Josh


I found the weekend to be highly entertaining yet only mildly eventful. Thursday or Friday of last week, M asked if I wanted to go to Appleton with her, Angie, and Tammy. This would include shopping, going out to eat, getting a hotel and going out to the bars. Given the possible lay-off situation ... I contemplated ... and then agreed.

Saturday we got down to Appleton. I was certain I wasn't going to do any shopping. Maurices found me two new pair of shoes and 2 packs of anklets. New York & Co. - I had another coupon for and I got some more tops. Even Old Navy ... where I thought all I had were exchanges and returns ... I got a new sweatshirt.

We ate at Good Company. My food sucked ... and M gave me some of her chicken parmisan ... which was way better than the garlic chicken I had gotten. We went back to the hotel then and hung out, got ready, and found out that I was unable to wear shoes. The sandals I had been wearing were killing me. I couldn't wear the two new pair I had just gotten either ... But of course I had brought two extra pair along. Good thinking. However, this made me have to change my whole outfit.

Now - normally I can make clothing, hair, jewelry, makeup decisions ... all on my own. But something about going out with M and Angie ... I become one of them. Which I tried explaining to Angie at the mall ... but I don't think she was listening (aka didn't really care). Ha.

So I ended up wearing the orange hippie tank that I planned on wearing home the next day. However - some of my body wash had gotten on it in my bag. I had rinsed it and it was drying in the bathroom. Angie, M, and Tammy took out a hair dryer ... and dried my top! It was funny how much they cared ... and how much I was just not gonna do that.

I also tried Tammy's new belt to go with my dark jeans. Didn't feel right. So I tried Angie's capris and Malinda's belt. I ended up wearing the capris - my freshly blow dried tank - Angie's orange/brown beaded bracelet, Angie's silver necklace - my brown necklace and I found a pair of silver earrings in my purse.

Finally - everyone was ready. Angie and Tammy both showered - M changed clothes ... all the girly variables taken care of.

We were walking to the bars ... First stop, Anduzzi's. Appleton's Anduzzi's (and The Bar) have 2 floors. It wasn't too exciting there but we all had one drink. Moved on to The Bar. More people ... but there seemed to be alot of bachelor, bachelorette, and wedding parties out. We had also taken into consideration that Summerfest was still going on.

Next we went on to Park Central. I had wanted to go here. I was the one pushing to go here sooner. It was pathetic. The only bright spot for me was that they have an all time karaoke bar called The Mic. I sang 2 songs. And we didn't go back in there after that. Mustangs (the country bar) was the worst of all of them. There was maybe 5 people at it's high point. Flashbacks is where we did most of our dancing.

Right around 1:30am ... I was tired, drunk and sick being around all the old people. So I was ready to head out. We got out ... and I took us on a sweep of the next bar: Wet. Awesome ass bar. I mean, the bar layout is soooo cool. Clientel - not so much. It was fairly busy ... but lets just say 4 white girls ... we were the minority. Hurriedly leaving that bar took us around the corner to Drinks Inc. You walk in and have to go up a big flight of stairs. Got up there ... and with about 15 minutes left until bar close ... we managed to have the most fun.

Angie noticed immediately that the bar majority was men. I'm like - oh that guy is cute. He was from a wedding party. And obviously anilihated but ... still cute nonetheless. We danced and Angie/M got pictures to prove it. All of a sudden he was off with this girl ... who I thought he was with until he was dancing with me. I wouldn't have been too please if my guy was dancing like that, with someone else. But hey ...

In my dancing absence, M and Angie had found two guys of their own. Andy and Larry. We ended up taking them back to the hotel with us. Just prior to leaving, when the bartenders were calling Last Call, I spotted two guys over at a table, just getting up to leave I assume. The taller of the two had my attention. However, all of a sudden he was gone and out the door, and I was there with his friend. Josh was talking with me about how I got my beads. I said all I had to do was a shot. We had a shot of Crown together and I gave him my beads. None of this New Orleans stuff for me. Everyone can keep their clothes on ... at least until we're alone!

I gave Josh my number, my name, M's number, and our room number. He was going to meet up with his friends (because he didn't have his car) and give me a call.

On our walk across the street we came to the conclusion that the reason the bars were so unpopulated was because everyone was outside - smoking. Police are all over the place. Not arresting anyone ... or doing anything ... just standing around. Crowd control. However, flashing red lights don't mean the same thing in Appleton as in Green Bay. Where I'm from, a flashing red light means it's now an all-way stop. In Appleton, I guess it means yield because no one was really stopping. And here's us ... playing in traffic.

So we get to the doors of the hotel. There are little boys (bell boys or something like that) standing guard. I flash my room key and I go right in. Had we thought about this a little bit better, we should have gone in two separate groups. M and I both had room keys. We all should have had our own, too. So we haven't done this ... everyone behind me kind of bottlenecks at the door.

Little bell boy follows us all to the elevator. We all get on. He gives us his speil about how they frown upon non-guests blah blah blah. Then he asks who the room-holder is. M pipes up - Angie L******. Everyone else is quiet. He goes - is she present? Angie raises her hand. She's like - we'll be quiet, we'll keep it down. And up we go.

The hotel room ... what can I say. It's your average hotel room with 2 queen beds. There was a desk and office chair, a small table, a chair with a foot stool, a dresser (with TV atop), and the night stand. Now add 4 girls, their bags, boxes, and various other essentials. It's not the most spacious place but ... we managed. The two guys who had come back with us ... Andy and Larry ... weren't overly talkative.

I don't exactly remember what I was all doing ... not like I was too drunk to remember ... it just seems like there was a lot of things all going on at once. I remember putting my pajamas on - half out in the room with everyone ... and the other half in the bathroom. Then I recall telling Larry to catch me, while I took a running start and jumped at him. And trying to do some yoga with Andy. Next thing I know ... I'm on M's phone with Josh. While I'm talking to him ... several things happen. Larry leaves. Angie was gone for a bit. M tells me that they were out in the hall ... fighting, arguing? Something. I had asked them (Andy & Larry) if they would come play volleyball up north with us. When I got off the phone with Josh ... my notepad had a number written down ... and then across the rest of the page - fuck off. Hmmm. Larry - the astute conversationalist.

Now Andy is stuck with us. Larry was his ride. Me and Angie (she's back in the room now) are on the phone trying to call Larry. So is Andy. Larry answers us. Angie is going - he's an asshole the whole time, while I'm like ... what the hell, I was just asking you if you would come play volleyball and all of a sudden you leave us with your friend. He's like - I'm not worried about Andy. Then breaks into a story about how I'm too young ... and why would he go all the way up north to play volleyball if there was no chance of us hooking up. WTF?! I'm like ... whoa, dude. Okay - did this guy not just come back to this hotel with ANGIE? How am I involved in this? Dude is like 34 years old. What would I want with him? Ew.

Somehow M and Andy have snuck off. I'm back on the phone with Josh - and he's telling me he's bringing a friend. I tell them to call back when they get into the parking ramp. Meanwhile, I'm checking to see if it's really alright that I asked these guys to come back here. Angie gives me the okay. Out with the old guys ... in with the young guys.

They call back ... but now I'm talking to Tyler. Apparently it's his phone. Now I'm understanding why Josh needed to have a friend along. He doesn't have a cellphone. They are stopped at the door. I have to go down there and get them. We all go up. I make them a drink ... and they regale us with their witty banter. Ha. M is the only one who was even kind of talking to them. Angie always gets snippy with younger guys ... so normal conversation wasn't really happenin'.

Tyler keeps getting texts. He tells about the girl who's sending them. Her name is Chelsea. She's at Life Fest and she's a Jesus-freak. Oh - yeah. And 18.

Somewhere amid the chatter - M started picking on Tyler for his incoming text messages. So I think it will be funny to send: Stop with all the texting. And he's like - who is this? Where is this message coming from?! He realizes it's me ... and we begin texting. 'Round about 5am Josh realizes that Tyler and I are texting each other ... even though we are participating in the real-world conversation. We've both had our phones on vibrate. Now - Josh wasn't a bad guy. He had dark eyes, dark/sandy hair, and of course his name started with a J. But Tyler was just ... more my level, if you know what I mean. They were both slightly younger than me ... but hey ... I'm a try-sexual ... I'll try anything once. =P

I won't get into the details of the texts ... mwahaha ... aren't I so mean? But I will say that Tyler began to feel bad about Josh getting jealous. I didn't have the opportunity to tell him that I had been eyeing him back at the bar ... Josh just happened to be the one I was able to talk to.

They end up leaving around 5:30am. Tyler texted me to say he'd gotten home at about 10 to 6am and that Josh was on his way home. In the morning ... we texted a few times and I got the impression that without the immediacy of being "right there" - we didn't have a whole lot to say because I was already back in Green Bay ... and we hadn't really done anything. So I left him with a closing text - leaving it open to him to get ahold of me if he wanted.....I'm still waiting.

When I got home ... I did a few things on the computer and promptly went to bed. It was about 2pm. I woke up ... around 8pm. What a nap. My sister had called me ... but other than that, nothing exciting. I got up - went for a walk - got home, ate something and then went back to bed. Highly compelling.

So Monday - I thought my Appleton adventure was over. But lo and behold, I receive an unknown text. !!! I'm excited. Is it Tyler? No. Damnit Larry. (I forgot to mention that right after Angie and Larry had gotten off the phone ... when I'd thrown it at her, to answer my phone because I was waiting for Josh to call back ... I had texted Larry saying: So, no volleyball then? And I thought it was all funny ... and that would be the end. Wrong. Right before my nap on Sunday ... I'd gotten a text saying that up north was too far to go for volleyball. And I never said anything back. Told M about it. She thought it was funny.)

However, about 10 minutes to 4pm on Monday in comes my new text from Larry. Who's number is this? Ren's or Angie's? What are you guys up to? I reply: Ren. We're all working. What's up with you? He says: Got done at 2pm. Hanging a fan then playing ball. Afterwards - cocktails. I've already emailed M to tell her all this... she's like, was he looking for Angie? So I text: Were you looking for Angie? He tells me: No, actually hoping for you. Hope you don't mind.

I find this extremely funny. Especially since I was hoping his text was from someone else! So I respond with: Too funny. What were you and Angie fighting about out in the hall?

Ha. Haven't heard from him since.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Kill Smiley

This one is for Charles. A few weeks ago he asked me to make the smiley face with a bullet to the head (like from Revenge of the Nerds 2 on Booger's shirt). Well here it is. Don't worry the background can be taken off. I just thought it needed something behind it for online.

The long weekend is almost to the end. Saturday I went to Marinette with M and Angie. Got to meet the family - they are hilarious. Also got in a few games of volleyball while we were there. Everyone is considerably taller than me ... I couldn't reach anything! The bonfire I got to handle. Woohoo! More wood! I didn't drink too much ... and M didn't hit any deer with her new Chevy Equinox.

We went to the beach and laid out on Sunday. The sand was too hot and the water too cold. I was ready to go after about an hour. We stayed for about 2 and half though. Lizzie joined us for some ice cream. And then we killed some time until supper with the guys at Gateway. All I can say about Gateway ... is our waitress sucked. We ended up waiting around there for 2 hours. It took us maybe 15 minutes to eat - tops. The rest of that time was waiting for her to come with our drinks, waiting for her to finally take our order, and eventually get food. During our time killing ... I got to drive the four-wheeler and M and Angie said I looked like Gretchen Wilson. That's the second time I was called that. ;)

I got home around 10:30pm. Not too bad. Not much going on here though. Monday I slept until 9am. When I got around to getting up and actually getting dressed ... I ended up going to pick up Linz and getting some running around done. Got back to Cost Cutters to stock up on the conditioner. Take2 had shit for CDs and way over priced. I can get the stuff online for the same price or less ... and some of that is brand new! Gay!!! Thank God for iTunes.

Today - happy 4th of July. All I've done is sit around waiting ... my mother and I are supposed to go shopping at NY&Co. However, Dad insisted on going to Hilbert - though he was the only one who wanted to go. And now it's almost 2pm ... and I still haven't gone. I've been waiting for this for the last two weeks. Not that it has anything to do with the 4th of July - it's just that it's the first Tuesday of the month and I get a discount! I'm getting pissed.

Anyway - got some new CDs from Walmart yesterday. Didn't know Emerson Drive has their new one out already. I also got Julie Roberts and Blaine Larsen. I'm a bit disappointed. On all three CDs there is at least one remake. And not necessarily for the better. Emerson Drive redid Fishin the Dark. Not good. Boys - leave that one alone. You didn't make it better. Julie Roberts does Girl Next Door - I kinda like it. I'm not all about Saving Jane. I don't know anything else by them. So Julie gets a thumbs up. And Blaine is singing I'm in Love with a Married Woman. First off, he's like 19. I like his other CD. But this is Mark Chesnutt's song. And I really like Mark Chesnutt. So - I'm sorry Blaine - but you'll have to go off to go back to joinin' the world.

Alright - well that's all I've got for now. It's time for me to go off and be angry until I get to the mall, which I won't want to be there anymore because it took all day, and then perhaps not even get anything. Then get to go sit at work tomorrow. Fun.