I had a frustrating day today, and I just went for an evening run. I can't say that I'm becoming a better runner -- I don't have time to do it enough -- but it definitely clears my head to sweat some of my annoyance out.

If you're going to pick up the habit, go get fitted properly for a pair of running shoes. It'll make a huge difference. Seriously.

In more exciting news, I have procured two tickets to see the New Kids on the Block reunion tour, and Beth is coming with me. I'm kind of embarrassed about this, but not enough not to share it with you.

NKOTB was the only famous-person-crush I had as a tween. I'm glad I it out of my system by the time I finished 7th grade. While I technically grew up in the '80s, it was the late '80s and early to mid '90s where I felt like I came of age. Before that, I was fairly oblivious to the world around me. I was aware of cultural phenomenons, but I didn't really live and breathe them like I started to around the age of 11.

Anyway, I have insanely fond memories of listening to my NKOTB tapes while playing Nintendo (the same Nintendo I have in my current apartment -- original NES -- and yes, it still works!). I went to one New Kids concert at the Buffalo Aud on November 9, 1989, with my friends Erin and Dana. Erin's older sister and her friend "chaperoned" us, and we went without adults.

I'm hoping at least one of my old New Kids tees still fits me. They're in a box, in the attic, in Buffalo.

While I'm not embarrassed to admit to going to the show, I was embarrassed today when my iPhone rang at work, playing my new ringtone loudly. ("Cover Girl")


Ah, they look so young. And so gay.

Labels: cranky, music

Last night, I went to see the wonderful Dolly Parton in concert at Radio City Music Hall. She was friggen amazing. She writes much of her own music, is an amazing live performer and plays a ton of musical instruments. She was one of 12 children raised in the Great Smokey Mountains with an illiterate father and a mother who was married in the 8th grade. She's charming and self-aware of her own cheesiness and does a lot of charity work.

The crowd was insanely diverse, with a high concentration of young gay couples. The whole theater was on their feet to sing 9 to 5.

It was a rare and refreshing experience to see a true showperson with real talent. I know that sounds incredibly dorky, but it was one of those evenings where you realize you're in the presence of a true legend.

Labels: famous people, music, nyc

So, I've been finding quite a few grey hairs lately. But the point is this:

Earlier, W and I were talking on the phone about the Miley Cyrus scandal. I stated that I would continue to enjoy her sugary hit single "See You Again" free of guilt.

W said, "You know, when you listen to that song, keep in mind that she is fifteen years old. You are twice her age."

Gah. I might as well buy a pack of Depends and call it a day.

Labels: music, pop culture

My annual "reflections" mix CD is ready:


It was really difficult to cut these down to fit. I'm still regretting cutting Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend."

Want a copy?

Labels: music

I'm making a mix for W, but I'm finding it to be harder than I thought. Do I go with a theme? Just my favorite songs? Songs that make me think of him? There are songs I love, but that might send the wrong message. Such as "Go Your Own Way," by Fleetwood Mac, or "The Morning Sad," by Veruca Salt. So I think I'm going to go with a general "Songs I Have Loved" theme, and try not to include too many songs that have super downer lyrics. But a few will be OK, because I have, at times, been through some downer stuff. I am going to include a few of my karaoke standards, as those songs have started to define me, in a way. And while I'm at it, did I mention that someone told me I should "enter some sort of contest," after my latest rousing rendition of "Rehab?" at karaoke on Thursday?

More Halloween pics later or tomorrow.

Labels: music, NaBloPoMo

It's a cold, gray day and I'd have liked to have stayed in bed. I'd like to free my mind from sociology and having to read an entire book each week and write a 2-3 page paper about it.

Also, I am currently obsessed with the Mark Ronson - Amy Winehouse version of "Valerie."

Labels: music, nyc

On Thursday after work I fell up the stairs. I was leaving the G train at Classon Ave - not my normal stop - and I was wearing a pair of jeweled slides. It was hard to keep them on my feet, so I was concentrating on tensing up my toes. As a result, I didn't lift my foot up high enough, and jammed it into the step. This caused me to fall down completely on the stairs, landing on my right knee and left elbow. It was one of those slo-mo moments, where I was thinking, "Ohhh, fuuuuuuuuckkkk," as I went down. Thankfully, there was only one person behind me, a kind woman who yelled dramatically, "Are you OK?" She even followed it up with, "I do that ALL the time!" Really? Do you? I couldn't even look her in the eye I was so embarrassed. I took a deep breath, made sure I wasn't seriously injured and scurried away with my head down. I really just wanted to go hide somewhere and cry hysterically for about 30 seconds. This must be what little kids feel like when they fall down.

Thankfully, after a night of dinner with old friends, a very successful bout of karaoke (where I received applause for singing my signature song), I'm sitting in a cool coffee shop in Bed-Stuy having a breakfast sandwich, studying with Martha and enjoying some funny stories from the Onion (specifically this and this - ha!!!). And I'm feeling better now.

Labels: hee, music, nyc

Now that I am not freelancing, I have so much time to blog!

Two important links I am obsessed with:

1. Apartment Therapy's Fall Colors Contest. AT is an awesome home-decor-for-small-living-spaces blog, and it's time for my favorite segment. Check the entries for great ideas on incorporating color at home. (This is where I was inspired last year to paint my dining room navy blue.)

2. Pop Songs 07. This guy is writing about every single REM song ever recorded. If you are obsessed with REM (like I am), you'll eat this site up. Today, he wrote about one of my FAVORITE songs.

Labels: music, pop culture, pretty things

So much for another chill night at home. Just received a call from a client asking someone from the office to spend the night near West Point to supervise some interns bringing a car in for a photo shoot. Looks like I'm going. Not a big deal -- I'll just book a snazzy place and order up some room service later or something. I'll bring my laptop- maybe I'll post again later.

BTW, I am finally really into the following songs: Umbrella and Lipgloss. Catchy as hell.

Labels: globetrotting, music

I was talking to a friend recently about R.E.M., one of my most favorite bands, and realized I hadn't listened to their music in ages. So, over the weekend, I went through the R.E.M. music I have on my laptop and made up a new playlist of favorites.

Today, another friend of mine sent me the link to a kick-ass R.E.M. blog where the author is attempting to write a post on each and every R.E.M. song. Sweet! The author hasn't written about my two most favorite songs yet, bit I look forward to seeing what he has to say about them.

R.E.M. Favorites Playlist:

Bad Day
Life and How to Live It
Gardening at Night
You are the Everything
Let Me In
Try Not to Breathe
Fireplace
Fall on Me
Swan Swan H
E-Bow the Letter
Final Straw
The Apologist
Bittersweet Me
Sweetness Follows
Welcome to the Occupation
So Fast, So Numb
Electrolite
Half a World Away
At My Most Beautiful
Walk Unafraid
Daysleeper
Orange Crush
Driver 8
The One I Love





Also, I'm back on MySpace. I deleted my profile in a fit of annoyance a few months ago. Want to be my friend? Add me.

Labels: famous people, music, pop culture

I ordered this book from Amazon a few months ago, when I ordered all of my parental death/grieving books. I had read an article about the author after the James Frey debacle.

It's about an African American woman who grows up poor, is put in foster care, becomes a prostitute and a runaway and a gang member.

Later, she becomes a lawyer. I can't put it down.

Memoir is my favorite literary genre, especially when done well. The only drawback to this book is that it's hardcover and weighs about 200 lbs. Yet I am so involved with it that I must carry it with me wherever I go.

Now, some musical pleasures new to Lesterhead's iPod:

1. Goo Goo Dolls: Stay With You (don't hate, they're from the 'Flo)

2. Keane: Is It Any Wonder (love Keane)

3. All American Rejects: Move Along (catchy, yo)

4. RHCP: Dani California (I like these guys, but only the newer stuff)

5. Gnarles Barkley: entire album (like the Grey Album, but even better)

6. Orson: No Tomorrow (on Brit radio)

7. Snow Patrol: Chasing Cars (could it be any sadder? no.)

Labels: music, pop culture

Last night, I had a huge breakdown. My mother has been experiencing severe back pain again and had to take an extra-large dose of pain medication. That meant she was too spacy to see her regular doctor yesterday, which she really needed to do. As it turns out, medicine will do that now until she has dialysis and has her system cleaned out.

I cried hysterically all evening. I called my godmother and cried to her for more than an hour. The thought of not having my mother on this earth makes me feel like I cannot take a breath. It hurts, and it made me freak out. Later, I called my parents and told them I wanted to come home next week and spend time with my mom. That way I can take her to her appointments, and speak with the doctors myself. She said, through my dad (she was too hoarse to talk herself) that yes, she would like that. I know she wants to be as little of a burden as possible, so the fact that she wants me to come means I need to come.

This morning I spent a considerable amount of time making doctor appointments for her. Thankfully, her PCP called me back and we spoke for awhile. As far as the kidney thing, he feels it would be better/less invasive at this point for her to continue dialysis. She's not going to get better, and the cancer is definitely spreading. He did say he would absolutely get her into a facility closer to home (the current dialysis center she has to go is very far away and scheduled late in the evening). I'm not sure why no one thought of requesting this earlier. He told me I am definitely the point person now. I knew that, but I wish someone would have gotten her switched earlier. I don't need to mention any names here, but the point is I am glad at least I can do something to make things a little more comfortable and less stressful for her.

On one hand, I feel completely logical about this. When she was first diagnoses six years ago, the cancer had already spread from its primary location, which did not even make itself known until a few years later. It is quite amazing that she has been able to overcome it so many times.

It makes me really fucking angry, especially that she will be leaving me with the Evil Aunts who are 80+ and still kicking along just fine. We always joked about all of the things we'd do with their inheritance money.

I can't help but replay a song over and over in my head today that I heard last night on my XFM radio in the background while I cried on various phone calls. I feel like I'm choking, and I don't know how to keep going.

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

Labels: mom, music

There are already a few songs I have become obsessed with in 2006. This is one of them:

Over My Head, the fray

I never knew
I never knew that everything was falling through
That everyone I knew was waiting on a cue
To turn and run when all I needed was the truth
But that's how it's got to be
It's coming down to nothing more than apathy
I'd rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who's still standing when it clears and

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

Let's rearrange
I wish you were a stranger I could disengage
Just say that we agree and then never change
Soften a bit until we all just get along
But that's disregard
You find another friend and you discard
As you lose the argument in a cable car
Hanging above as the canyon comes between and

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on

And suddenly I become a part of your past
I'm becoming the part that don't last
I'm losing you and its effortless
Without a sound we lose sight of the ground
In the throw around
Never thought that you wanted to bring it down
I won't let it go down till we torch it ourselves

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

Everyone knows
She's on your mind

Everone knows I'm in
Over my head
I'm in over my head
I'm over my

Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind

Labels: music

Starting in 2003, I have made a yearly CD mix called "Summer Is Almost Here." It always contains songs that remind me of summers past, songs about summer and songs I prediict will be big summer hits.

I did make a S.I.A.H. 2005, but I only just started sending them out. At this point, you can call it "Summer Is Almost Gone," but I have two copies left. Any takers?

Labels: music

Sam... you're getting sleeeeepy...join Friendster...you know you want to...

And speaking of things everybody is doing, let't talk about something everybody should be doing: signing my guestbook. I appreciate the traffic, but come on. Give me a shout out in my guestbook! Props to everyone who has already signed, especially Linda who has signed it twice!

I'm getting really jittery for my move. I'm excited, but there have been so many things I had to coordinate. I just hope everything works out as planned.

***
Rant of the Day:
I am really sick of Rolling Stone and their "Special Issues" ranking different things. Everything from Top 50 Artists, to Top 100 Artists, etc, etc blah, blah, and it always ends up being the same group of bands that I don't like: the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, etc. Not that I don't respect these artists - I do - but I don't really want to read about them every two weeks.

Labels: music, pop culture