The year is at it's close....

....and time for a new beginning to come from this beginning. I must think of New Year's Resolutions and goals for this new year. Keep posted, once I think of them, I will record them here. Perhaps my readers would like to share theirs while we are at it? We can support each other in our individual journey to bettering ourselves and getting the most out of life!

What do you say, dear reader? Would you care to share your opinions of resolutions? Do you believe in making them? What ones did you make, if any?

Live Music That Rocked (Pun Intended!)

The show was awesome! Snow Demon totally rocked the place, and Lipstick Homicide was just awesome... However, Old Man lacked... Not just to me, but I think to pretty much everyone at my table. The guitars were good, The southern rock-ish vocals were good, and the drumming was excellent. Put them all together though, and they didn't quite meld. Overall, the music was a very good part of the night. Even better was that I got to hang out with a very old friend of mine, Justin, for the first time in years. I mean, YEARS!



The members of Snow Demon were surprised to see me there, I guess. But, just because I'm not dating Adam anymore doesn't mean I'm just going to stop being their fan and come to their shows when I can make it. Andy said hi to me (in passing, but he said it first, so that was cool) and I told Brad that it they did a great show, and he looked surprised, but smiled when he said thanks. Don didn't even look at me, but as I think about it, it's totally understandable since him and Adam are close, close friends.

This was the first show that I've attended at The Mill, but I think I will definitely make it to more there! Justin, Erin, Meredith and I actually got a booth right next to the stage, which gave us a pretty good up close exposure to the bands and music, without having to worry about being jostled around on the floor and all that. It's not the same as the front view, but overall better in my opinion.

Some shots I got follows:




(Lipstick Homicide)






(Snow Demon - Brad on guitar)











(Snow Demon - Don on drums)






(Snow Demon-Brad, Andy, Cooper, & Foge)



It was a great night, the best time I've had in a long while! I'm looking forward to going to many more shows this year than last... and what entry about that night would be complete without a pic of me and my closest friend, Meredith?? :P

End of a year, end of...

... Bleh, I did it again...

Things have ended once more. Right at Christmastime. At least my presents for him ended up at his house. I do hope that he opens them and keeps them. Especially the main one. That one was one that was to show my support and the fact that I know he'll make it big some day. He can use it to derive his first top ten hit. I know he's got what it takes, I've known that from the first time I heard him play.


The smallest one is for his carrying case, so he can always have plenty of them handy when he goes to practice or performances. I looked quite a few places for the perfect holder for them. And there's two of them, so that he can have one at home and on the road.

And the middle one? He mentioned quite a few times how he has to care for his nails, and keep them shorter to more easily play. That's small enough to also carry in his guitar case.

Each present was small, but I tried to put much effort into thoughtful gifts even though I couldn't afford much. I know it probably wouldn't seem that way by their display. But apparently I can't give him what he truly needs.

He left mine at my house, although I haven't looked inside yet. I don't know if I really want to. Maybe I'll just leave it carefully to the side for now...

How quickly things spun out of control...

Back to normal..

...the inside of my house is, anyway!

Yesterday was Christmas, and today was the tear-down. The inside of my house is void of trees, lights and breakable holiday decorations once more.

My living room furniture is back in it's correct spots, which means I can use the dining room set once again. Very happy about that!

It's been a very long day, and a stressful evening that took me six hours to unwind from a five minute event. I think I am going to head to bed now.

Good night my dear readers!

N'Sync- Bye, Bye, Bye

......bleh.......

.......am single again..........



bleh.

Christmas has come and gone...

This year has gone by way too quickly!

Christmas finally came and I had a wonderful time with my little family. We all slept in a bit, made cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and then commenced on the gift giving. Many good things came my way, though the presents don't mean as much to me as the one on one time with my mother and brother (and the pup too!), a whole day, uninterrupted by work or other obligations. I relished every moment of it!



For our Christmas dinner this year, we had: pork chops, five cup salad, corn, bread, potatoes and gravy. And for desert... mom's legendary cherry cheesecake! Yuuummm... making myself hungry just thinking about it!

Then, the rest of the evening/night was spent playing ONE game of Chinese Checkers. I don't remember that game being so hard to win! :P

Not much really to say...

...except my one day off went by far too quickly! Of course, I slept until noon (a total of ten-ish hours), cleaned house, did christmas cards and am getting ready for another four days of work. But it doesn't FEEL like I've done much!

I also started a music blog, where I will chronicle songs that I come across that I like or that were referred to my listening discretion. Ideally, each entry will have the video (or audio), lyrics, band website and a link to quick facts... I'll see how this works out :)

Here's the link:

http://thebeatgoesonhere.blogspot.com/

Please follow and it and comment whenever the mood strikes! And if you have suggestions for things for me to listen to, feel free to email me at: zombie_princess_2509@yahoo.com. All I ask is that you mention the blog in the title, so that I know it's more likely to be legit! Thanks!

Again, one of my most favorite songs..

How funny... a decade ago at a school dance, Liz made this my song.. it didn't really fit me then, but Lord it does now!! I LOVE this song, I can listen to it over and over, and relate to every word...

Meet Virginia
Train

She doesn't own a dress
Her hair is always a mess,
If you catch her stealin' she won't confess
She's Beautiful.

Smokes a pack a day, wait,
That's me, but anyway
She doesn't care a thing
About that hey,
She thinks I'm beautiful
Meet Virginia

She never compromises,
Loves babies and surprises,
wears high heels when
she exercises
Ain't that beautiful
Meet Virginia

Well she wants to be the Queen
Then she thinks about her scene
Pulls her hair back as she screams
"I don't really wanna be the Queen"

Daddy wrestles alligators
Mama works on carburetors
Her brother is a fine mediator
For the president
And here she is again on the phone
just like me hates to be alone
we just like to sit home
and rip on the President
Meet Virginia, Mmmm...

Well she wants to live her life
Then she thinks about her life
Pulls her hair back as she screams
"I don't really wanna live this life"

She only drinks coffee at midnight
When the moment is not right
Her timing is quite, unusual
You see her confidence is tragic, but her
Intuition magic And the shape of her body?
Unusual

Meet Virgina I can't wait to
Meet Virginia, yeah eh yeah hey hey hey

Well she wants to be the queen
then she thinks about her scene
Well she wants to live her life
then she thinks about her life
Pulls her hair back as she screams
"I don't really wanna be the queen"
I, I don't really wanna be the queen
I, I don't really wanna be the queen
I, I don't really wanna live this

It should be changed to " 'Til Life Do You Part"

There is no such thing as a monogamous, long lasting, loving marriages or even regular dating relationships, at least from what I've been witnessing. Just for a small example, almost every boyfriend that I have had has possessed wandering eyes and/or other wandering body parts.. I can't begin to count the times that I've heard versions of, "Well, if I can't get it when I want it.. I'll go elsewhere."

No, this isn't a lamenting entry about personal dating misfortunes. What really got this topic milling around in my head was something that I was told yesterday by a family friend, "Alice". Her and her husband have been married for decades. Apparently he's found yet another young 'admirer', THIRTY-FIVE YEARS his junior! When Alice found out about the younger woman, he told her that she's upset over nothing because nothing physical has or will happen, they're just friends. However, anyone can acknowledge the fact that there are more than one type of cheating... and, this isn't the first time that this situation has arisen in their marriage.


This seems to be more like an emotional affair... she calls him at least four times a day, he drives her where ever she needs to go, he omits his meeting with her when talking to Alice. He also talks about more personal issues with her than he does with his own family. I shake my head when I think about it, because I can't believe how many people actually practice this behavior and don't seem to realize what they are risking, and what great people they may end up losing. They don't seem to even think about how this will affect those closest to them. In this particular case, Alice might finally throw in the towel, because she knows that she deserves so much more than what she is being given.

What seems to complicate the whole idea of cheating and 'having an affair, is that every single person has a varying idea of it's definition. And that some people are absolutely against the idea in any shape or form, while other people agree to have open relationships so that they can bang other people and there's no issue. That's an extreme that I can't begin to understand. Why be in a relationship when its completely open? What's the point of the marriage or the relationship? There's a guy at my work that is in that istuation, and seem to bounce around a group of specific women that we both work with.... and all the women that he hangs around with totally don't care!

There's the situation that occurs when two people who are dating, or married to one another, and they have conflicting idea about cheating, it's definition and what it encompasses. That offender may swear that it's not cheating, but to that other person, it is blatantly so. How does one attempt to rebuild the trust that they feel deep in their heart was broken when the other doesn't see the problem?

Sometimes, the trust that was shattered from cheating can be repaired quickly. In other cases, it could take a while longer, even a decade or more. I have experience that speaks for that latter. I had a boyfriend that cheated on me when I was in tenth grade. It's taken over ten years, but I'm now finally getting to the point where I can talk to him and it doesn't bother me as much, and I don't have anger and feelings of betrayal boiling over at him. Maybe that sounds crazy to you, dear reader, but I guess I have a much more stricter version of 'cheating's' definition and its' hard for me to trust people as it is. When you throw in questionable behavior performed by a boyfriend or close friend, and it makes it near impossible for me to immediately trust again, no matter how hard I try to forgive and move on.

I've really digressed on this topic, but it's really struck a chord with me. My second mom and her husband divorced after fifteen years, my mom and her fiance' split after ten years and my father and stepmother after twenty, just to name a few of the relationships that I've seen disintegrate in my life, that were prime examples of 'Til Life Do Us Part'.


I really would love your input on this...



What are your opinions on the subject, dear reader?


What does cheating encompass?

Do you think this behavior should be forgiven?

What should be done when one person in a relationship does something that offends the other and they don't see the problem?

And now, with the new electronic means of communication that are readily available... do you think 'sexting' with someone that is not the person you are dating is wrong? Do you think dirty talk or flirting is wrong, or do you think it's acceptable?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

...from the hoards of angry, attitude-filled customers, to the presents piling up under my tree, to the snow drifts under the windows (and, in the case of the blizzard last week, in the roads)...

And also to the piles of Christmas cards that I've been slowly signing and addressing. Fun, Fun. I always start this project out with wild excitement and humor ~~until I've spent what feels like hours signing and addressing, and looking up addresses of people who's I've lost through the past year. It's made worse this year, because of the fact I've been really sick for the last week, so I do some and then nap.. and do some, and then doze off. That's why I'm finally signing off the computer in the wee hours of this morning, been sleeping off and on in front of it, doing these cards because the great holiday is only A WEEK AND HALF away! My ultimate goal is to have these cards in everyone's mailboxes by the holiday. I don't know if I'll be able to make it into all of them, but I'm trying my hardest..

I've gotta go crash into my comfy bed now, with my layers (and layers) of blankets. I cannot stay awake any longer. I hope that you, dear reader, are having a wonderful week and I plan on writing more in the next couple of days. See you then!

*insert bouncy and energetic title here*

My Sunday and my weekend have seemed incredibly long. Actually, as I think about it, every day seems to drag on and on anymore. I'm finding it harder and harder to keep track of the dates, and days as they go by. A product of being an adult, I assume?

I CANNOT believe that Christmas is only eleven days away.. it seems to have snuck up on me big time this year. Not really snuck up, but just arrived with little fanfare. I'm prepared with my shopping (only a few more items to get for a friend of mine and her daughter,) but it just seems impossible that the end of the year is upon us. I tend to get melancholy around this time every year, wondering what it was exactly that I accomplished during the previous eleven and a half months. And the answer always tends to be closer to 'nada' than anything substantial. I do have lots that I WANT to do, but nowhere near enough money or ability to actually do them. So, for the moment, I am living vicariously through Meredith for my travel dreams, (and learned languages,); my musician friends for the abilities they have for instruments and vocals; and my best friend Jenny for her adorable son(and my godson).... dreams are good, and I love sharing in my friends and family's successes so it's not completely a losing situation, right?

~~insert sneezing fit here~~

God, I hate being sick... It's been more and more lately that I am not feeling well or am physically sick, or just so lethargic that I can't do much. Friday, yesterday and off/on today I've been feeling very physically ill. And today, I barely had the energy to do more than sitting upright on the computer or watching TV. Add that in with the fact that I seem to break out in hives whenever I take any sort of medication and my active asthma and I am just miserable. Yes, dear reader, I do plan on going into the doctor soon, but I need to wait until after the first of the year if at all possible. That's when my insurance will kick in again.

One of the things that I cannot get out of my head that I want to do is a correspondence course for Administrative Assistant. I've been thinking about it more and more for the last couple of years ~~ ever since I had to take medical leave for my back and my doctor told me then that I needed to find a new job. After months of trying to sort through what I want and like to do, it narrowed down to this field. http://www.scitraining.com/Courses_US/Administrative_Assistant_Secretary/Course.htm

I've done research on this particular place and on the effectiveness of completion of correspondence classes on new (and better) employment and haven't seen much negativity from reliable sources. I do know that if it would be productive and real, I would ask Santa for financial help in obtaining this dream of mine.. I figure, if he can afford to run the North Pole toy factories and pay all the little people salaries, $37.16 a month would be a reindeer drop in the snow! Alas, it doesn't work that way..

It's funny how people drift in and out of your life, you know? There's a major handful that come and go on a regular basis in my life. Just off the top of my head, this would include Gabe/Becky, Joshua and Jenna.

It seems like forever that I've known both Gabe and Becky.. Gabe was the first boyfriend that I ever had, Becky used to date my brother and now is dating Gabe..

Josh, I've known since 2nd grade. However, we lost contact for about five years after he graduated high school and joined the service. We still talk via text, but it's odd.

Jenna is actually my exes sister, and a pretty cool chick. I looked her up earlier this year, and she was more than willing to chat. Unlike her brother, that is. I did write him last month, extending a possible olive branch of friendship, but it was shot down. Not by him, but by his girlfriend. I think that's odd, he must be whipped because he used to be his own man and not let others tell him what to do. Oh well, maybe he'll change his mind sooner or later... Everything happens for a reason, right?

Gah, drifting asleep at the keyboard without really realizing it. That's a signal that I should go crash into my bed, don't you think? I think I'm going to go make a hot tea for my upset stomach and hopefully fall asleep the right way under my covers in bed very shortly. I was so appreciative of how understanding and nice Adam was about not getting together this weekend. He got a ride with Tim to come see me for a few minutes at my work, after I told him that I was sick.. and then was very nice about me needing today to rest. We definitely will have to get together soon! I hope he likes his Christmas presents, I'm impatient to give him one of them, I spent weeks thinking about what to get him, and the idea dawned on me last week. And even if he hates it, I hope he's a good actor! :)

Until next time, dear reader! I hope you have a good start to your week!

What a very long week...

I have, perhaps, ten minutes to write before I get kicked off the computer. I guess we'll see how much writing I can actually do before that happens!

This week is finally done for me. Tonight is my Friday night. It began with a blizzard, and ended today with being sick. I got physically sick before work, and had that persistent feeling all day that it was going to happen again~ but it hasn't yet.. thank goodness!

(That reminds me, someone mentioned to me that they had read through my blog a second time, and noticed that I never said when I wasn't feeling well or was sick.. and since they've known me I've been sick or not feeling well often. I'm still trying to figure out why they (or anyone) would want to read a blog that details the occasions when the writer wasn't feeling well.. I didn't think to blog about that, I guess.)

Anywho.

Tonight I had a pleasant surprise of talking to Becky and Gabe on the phone. That was nice to talk to them, and catch up for a few minutes with Becky. :) I'm not quite for sure whether Gabe thought it was good to talk, by the sound of his voice.. but I enjoyed it!

I also was the recipient of an unexpected visit from Adam at work today. That was very nice as well. :) We couldn't' talk for long, but it was definitely better than nothing. He was going up to a friend's place in North Liberty for a guy's night of gaming and drinking, fun times to be had, for sure.

Work on the other hand, kinda started to suck at the end.. but I made it. Managed to stay in the department with the exception of a half hour on the door. Store Manager Chad tried to shove me up front a little after 3~~what a shame that both Jane and I had fifteen minute breaks to take before I left at four!

My writing is a bit rusty, I apologize. It's bound to get better if I can get back into a habit of making new entries on a routine basis. I hear footsteps, I must go now.

I should probably go lay down again, I'm feeling worse and worse as the weekend progresses... I plan on going downstairs, curling up in a little ball under all of my covers and reading myself to sleep while drinking a hot tea. I then plan on sleeping in tomorrow.. and hibernating with some medicine and a nap or two.

I do hope that you have a good night, dear reader!

I know, I know...

I did it again... I let my blog go to the wayside for far too long..

Okay, I'm going to TRY to get back in the habit of writing on regular basis! I swear I will!

Stay tuned for some new updates sometime soon :)