Your Heart Has Space

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Ever since 9th grade, I could never decide or choose one best friend. It's why I didn't do the whole wedding line thing. I didn't want to pick one to be maid of honor or brides maids bull etc. I have several best friends. Maybe one is my best friend for fashion or art or politics or music or work or my best friend to laugh with or be silly with or cry with or share my dreams or soul or whatever it is we decide. It could be one or some, constant, or varying degrees of intensity throughout different moments. Why can’t we all be best friends? That’s what I want to know.

All my family, you know who you are this is for you too.

Your heart has space and pieces for everyone you want to let in. Not just a certain amount of people that give back to you. Yes it takes a lot to give so much away, but I’m not gonna stop. Think of all the people that pass in and out of your life, and you never see them or know what happened to them. All you have to do is hear a song or see a color or smell some perfume, and it really does make you smile or laugh.

Making Your Mark

Someone asked me “why do they think it’s ok to destroy and damage things? like school buses and now little kids can’t ride in them!”
and I say
Because I think it shows how young they are. They aren’t thinking of that. They are thinking of doing something sort of dangerous or expressing themselves creatively or trying to make their mark. They just need to learn or figure out find out to make their mark in a different way.

“If humans could only listen to each other-listen without prejudice or intolerance-listen with open minds and compassionate hearts- the connections could be something so splendid, so powerful, so perfect-

“It begins with one,” the woman murmured. And from that one, others. Now you begin to understand…” -from Spellbinder by Melanie Rawn

“Sometimes we forget that children have just arrived on the earth. They are a little like aliens coming into being as bundles of energy and pure potential. Here on some exploratory mission, and they are just trying to learn what It means to be human.” from the movie Martian Child

Happy Birthday dear friend of mine

I won't embarrass you by posting your photo, but I will post this, just a little something I made for you. Here's to laughter, falling in love with life, and sharing it. The bad the stuff, the good stuff, and all the hope. We've been friends for 10-11 years (except the time when we weren't), let's go for at least 10 more. Love ya

Cheapo music store

We saw Cheapo Music Store in Austin,
and of course we had to stop. 

I wished for it to be like Amoeba in San Francisco, but nope. It was much smaller
 & no posters, but they did have some old vinyls.

"Lionel asks you don't reach over counter!!
Take all listened CD back to register."

"Please NO singing."

Anyone remember We Are the World?
 Captain Kangaroo? Strawberry Shortcake?

I really wanted this Raggedy Ann and Andy,
but it was silly. So I didn't get it.

Saw interesting artwork, and funny t shirts.

Records must be trendy now cause they had the new Weezer (red album) in vinyl.

We did pick up The Urgencies,
 (they had a huge local selection). 

Thought I owned all The Replacements albums,
but found one I didn't. It was called The Replacements:Stink! (which I had to get too).

hostel or hostile?

We were parking the car to go to the art museum, in Austin. I heard and saw a blind man calling, "Can someone tell me where I am? What street I'm on?" I asked John to call out the address, and I watch as he walks across the street. Then I see him take the man's cane and walk with him to our car. What the...? John opens my door and tells me we are going to give this man a quick ride. We're what? We don't know him. I get into the backseat. He says I hope I'm not too sweaty (he is, oh, I wish I had some Febreze). He tells John exactly where to go and explains how he's waiting for disability, and needs $8.00 for the hostel. We drop him off empty handed at the bus stop.

Am I a bad person that it scared me? I kept thinking that blind man was a stranger. He could have been crazy? or a drug addict? or have a knife? or a gun? and John let him into our car. I asked John how he decided to help him. He said he could tell he was blind. Did you notice though that he knew exactly where he was based on the directions he gave us in the car? So was it a scam for money? I don't know, but we didn't get hurt, and maybe he didn't have to walk as far.



You never really know whether you are helping someone out or not do you? Even though I wouldn't have done it, I'm glad to know my husband is kind hearted enough to try and help a blind man.

the orchid

Today I bought this new orchid. I keep saying people are friendly here because it keeps being true. I asked the lady at the store about the plant, and she described how to take care of it. She helped me choose the best one.

Then I'm walking to my car and a different lady in the parking lot asked, "You aren't from here are you?" (Is it that obvious?) She said it was the license plates. She asks me about where I'm from, and what is Utah like. I told her it's pretty there and the heat is dry, but people are nice here. She said I know, and we said good-bye.

I just wish I knew where I was going. I am so lost here. It's not Utah I miss. I keep thinking of my favorite Pink Floyd song "Wish You Were Here." I just wish everyone I cared about was here, but in some kind of weird way you sort of are.

Can you see the orchid has lots of blooms on it? The cashier even noticed and mentioned that the flowers will last a long time.

At Emo's

We did not see fireworks on the 4th cause we went to Emo's in Austin, instead. Plus, I've seen fireworks before, we moved to see something new, ya know? So first band was Austin's Consider the Source as seen above. Then El Bronx, we wanted to see The Bronx, but apparently El Bronx is their alter-ego or something that we didn't know existed. They dress up in mariachi and actually do a set of that style of music, um, I Want to Rock! (who knows that reference?)
They claimed to have a new cd of that stuff they were promoting, but we're like, huh? We did not come to see mariachi, but some people were drunk enough that they didn't care and were dancing anyway.

Then came the band, my favorite of the night. Another Austin band, called The Urgencies. And rock they did, so happy that a chick is playing bass. I was in the front row trying to watch the guitarist fingers as he played like a rock star!

Finally The Bronx came on after 1 AM. I can't remember how late, all I know is I got tired. There were sweaty, stinky, men moshing in my face and I was already, as J called me his "bruised peach" from the idiot singer Story of The Year at Warped the day before. He made us all run in direction of the Paramore stage, and guess who got bruised? No, I did not go see Paramore. Does Metallica? (was it late 80's or early 90's ring a bell?) In Delta Center they had to stop GA and make everyone have seats. Cause people died from being trampled. I thought the concert world would stop without GA, cause I liked fighting my way to the front row. Yeah, I was kinda dumb, when I was younger. So we left before The Bronx set was over. Still went to bed after 3 AM. The whole Austin club scene felt empty to me. Like all people cared about was getting loaded and hitting on each other. All my friends had to drag me to clubs when we were teens, and now I remember why. All I wanted was to dance and hear music, so nope haven't changed much.

Coral Confection of Doom

We decided to paint the spare room. This is the room where people will stay, when they visit. I don’t want it to be offensive. I thought I was careful. I took my time deciding. We bought two gallons. I envisioned the soft Florida beach with my Coral Confection. We painted the trim. l I hated it. It made me want to hurl. It was a bad 80’s movie set or Malibu Barbie Beach house. I left the room. I came back 15 min later. It was horrible. Anyone familiar with the processed cheese that comes out of a squirt can? It was disgusting. I guess it was a good thing we only painted one wall. I thought I wanted something safe.

John said “Why do you want to be safe?” So we stopped being safe. We went bold. We went dark, and I love it. This is the color that reminds me of Florida. It’s called Tropical Waters. The extra bathroom also got painted. It’s dark purple.

Can you say Prince and Purple Rain? No, it’s the one horned, one eyed, flying purple people eater. But seriously we really like it.My art teacher Annette told me to not be afraid of the dark. She also taught me that it’s never to late to start. With Annette nothing was wrong or bad, it could just be better, and it was. Annette, I don’t know where you are, I forgot to ask for your address or email, but I did remember to get your photo.

You know, you were right.

Fancy Italian Restaurant

While in Austin, we went looking for a place to eat. We walked until we found this Italian restaurant. I was underdressed in my tank top and shorts. They had someone different to seat us, someone else to fill the water glasses, someone else to bring the bread, our server, an accordian player... They spoke Spanish to each other, and I started thinking in my Spanglish way.

I told John I would have felt more comfortable working in the kitchen with them. Than being waited on. The food wasn't worth the money. The dessert cart looked impressive. The doughnut hole sized baked Italian chocolate cakes with whipped cream filling were delicious. All the rest just isn't my style.

walking around Austin

We came across this music memorabilia store. There was some great local artwork, all related to music or musicians. I had wanted to find a whole block of this, not just one store. I wanted to buy these handmade and hand painted tables and cabinets. J said we could make our own. He already has, but I have to paint it before I'll share. This one guy who worked there was dressed like rock-a-billy Elvis. I wonder if that's how he dresses all the time?
The mural was used as screen for images at night. Did I mention the tatoo shops were open until 3 Am? Seriously I want to be sober when I decide to put something on my body forever. I guess that's just me.

Juice or water?

Decided to go to Austin for the 4th of July weekend. Quick and easy drive on the freeway only took about 3 hours. Did I love it there like everyone said I would? No. It was only okay. Am I going again? Definitely when the SXSW musical festival is there. So many people in Utah and Texas had said that Austin was probably the place I would most want to live. Guess what? Other people can be wrong.

Let's say there was juice and water. The juice was red like blood, Kool Aid, punch, and staining. What do I want? Do I want juice or water? Or do I want something else? Who says I have to drink out of what's in front of me. I don't like plastic disposable paper cups. Maybe I want a ceramic mug. Maybe I want a colored glass or a crystal goblet. Maybe I don’t want or need what’s here. Maybe I need to leave and go shopping for myself.

Warped Tour

The Warped Tour was musical bliss. The best day I've had in Texas. One perfect musical moment after another, and just when you think you were too tired to continue... Along comes another carnival ride.
Click on the white cartoon bubble to read who bands are, and my opinions. :)

Radio Stations

Just finished rereading Blessed Are the Cheesemakers by Sarah-Kate Lynch.
And in case some of you didn't see these on myspace. Here are some photos of my art/music room.

Warning: If you don't want to hear about music skip this post.

Was getting so sick of my rotating Dallas/Fort Worth 102.1 the Edge
Utah X96, & San Francisco Live 105 playing the same old. Like how does that happen? Someone at J’s work mentioned KEGL 97.1 the Eagle (check out online) they play a mix which I am love, loving. Classic Black Sabbath, Zeppelin, Floyd, with Perfect Circle, Tool, Pantera, Rage, Kid Rock, Korn, new Avenged, Disturbed, Shinedown, 3 Doors Down, Three Days Grace… They even play hair metal like Gn’R, Kiss, Tesla, Halen, Skid Row, (no one is allowed to make fun of my 9th grade crush on Sebastian Bach) and Jackal? Remember when my friend bought me that tape (Jackal). What were we thinking? It had like… 2 good songs. What garbage! Still hadn’t heard it in ages.

People are super nice here. Went to get car emissions and inspection done yesterday. Spent 45 min to an hour talking to man (who was waiting too). He told me (just like everyone else) that I have to go to Austin. He said, “you play an instrument don’t you?”

“yeah“

He said, “I could just tell. What do you play?”

“I try to play the guitar.”

“Welcome to Texas.”

“Thank you.” “So do they have any music stores around here?” I ask 1st guy (who works there). He tells me a place, maybe I can take lessons? (yes!)
Then when car is done, I notice the music. I said to 2nd guy (who works there).

“Are you guys listening to my radio station the Eagle? Where else can you hear old Megadeath with new Linkin Park?”

He said, “and Godsmack.”

“So you guys going to Warped Tour?”

1st guy “No, but I want to…” “Hey, my favorite music store is Guitar Center. Cause I play.” “What?”

“guitar.”

“Oh, they have one of those in UT.”

“Well it’s my favorite.”

“ok c-ya.”

Tomorrow is Warped Tour. I Am so Glad they Know how to Rock Here! Thank You!