Blogging from another state

It's been a while. True to form, I blog when I have a lot on my mind. This case is certainly no different. It feels like it's easier to look objectively at my life when I'm away from it, in a location completely different from my home. I'm torn. Presently, I'm going month-to-month on my lease at my studio on Cedar Lake in Minneapolis. It's a small, cramped apartment, with my feminine touches that make it livable. I'm unemployed, and have been for three months now. I was at my last job for almost 2.5 years, and it's incredibly important to me that my next job is one that I enjoy.

I'm staying with my best friend out here. Her friend, Anna, lives just north of here, and one block from the beach. She suggested with great enthusiasm that I move in with her, and pay as little as I want. She's from Wisconsin, so I'm sure she'd make a good friend, and a considerate roommate.

I've been to California what feels like 10 times in the past 10 years, and every time I find myself falling in love with the coastline and the friendly, beautiful people. Friends in Minnesota have told me any number of times that I'd fit in well here. Things all seem to be coming together to create the perfect storm. I'd dive into this if I were a more adventurous person, but leaving everything I've ever known is a pretty daunting concept.

My mother and her boyfriend bought a home in Florida and are planning on spending half of the winter there. And I'm not even bringing up how sorted and unstable my relationship with my father is. I'm single, and have yet to meet a guy that makes me think, feel, and love the way I want to. The idea of being alone another long winter in Minnesota is almost unbearable. This feels like the most difficult decision I've ever had to make. On one hand, I want to be happy, and on the other, I'm afraid to say goodbye to my home of the past 26 years.

I don't want to wake up 20 years from now regretting my decision, but I don't want to move across the country only to be let down. What would you do if you were in my shoes?

SATC 2

The thing that no review I've seen touched on, that only a real fan would notice, is how completely out of character the girls' behavior was in the sequel.

We love Charlotte because she's "the eternal optimist." She's been wanting a daughter of her own for years & now she's locking herself in her pantry crying while her kids bellow. Carrie's been in love with Big for years, and she not only has dinner with Aiden, but kisses him? Big is supposed to be #1. He was unattainable for six years, and now that she finally has him, she cheats on him? Miranda quits her job?? Samantha taunts the Arabs & flaunts her condoms, which leads to them chastising/condemning her. What?? This series is supposed to empower women. On top of the mediocre script, there's just nothing empowering about the film. The first one disappointed me, but I bought it. I don't care to see the sequel again. Hopefully the inevitable third will make amends. That's my two cents.

This may be the most ingenious comedic satire I will ever witness

Who are these writers? And good Lord, they are so underpaid! Honestly, who thinks up this shit? Hey, so we booked Rosie O’Donnell, queen of all that is lesbian chic, modern-eyewear, and gothic inspired clothing to performan on The Late Late Night Show with Craig Ferguson. And you know what? Lets do a Robert Palmert spoof. Lets throw a black dress on Craig and oh yeah, let’s bring in some midgets. Let’s deck ‘em out in the music video garb and throw them on stage beside Rosie O’Donnell and hell--let them rock out the full performance in our opening act! Craig’s pasty white legs on stage during this performance—not a problem!! I mean, really? Who comes up with this shit? And you know what, I will raise my glass in a toast to that man on any given night. It was sheer comedic genius. To all you Ferguson haters out there—how ‘bout them apples?

Dragging your name through the gutter

This afternoon, like any other day, I checked my Facebook account to see what my friends were up to, and get the latest buzz on events/music/etc. I was horrified to find an invite by a certain promoter who will remain nameless berating a woman for her sports views. He created an event specifically for people to add this woman as a friend, and write "boo" on her wall. I was and am horrified. This is so unbelievably unethical, and furthermore, why is it necessary to publicly defame someone?

I sincerely believe that social media needs to be used for good and not evil. I can't even imagine the humiliation and shame that would go along with an experience like this. Mean-spirited content just doesn't have any place in a public forum.

..."Make love, not war." -JL

Birth of a new theory

I remember a few years ago when my older friends/ relatives would say "Just wait a few years, then everybody will be getting married." Sure enough, they were right. My facebook feed is filled with people talking about buying wedding dresses, posting pics of their weddings, and gushing about the conjugal bliss. My family was right (for a change).

It's no surprise that neither myself nor any of my closest friends are part of this group. "Birds of a feather..." But, it has made me do some thinking. Maybe some people are just marriage material, and others...well, not so much. The people who are getting married/are already married were always the people who were consistently in a relationship. True to form, during a discussion with my married cousin I made a statement that I'm happy being single. She replied with "I'm a relationship person." Part of me questions how anyone can make such a statement? How can you possibly always be in a relationship? Does that mean that you've lowered your standards, and that you're willing to settle for Mr. Good Enough for Right Now? I find it hard to believe that people can bounce from relationship to relationship all the while being completely head over heels in love? Gimme a break. My gal pals & I are not single because we can't get dates or we're socially inept. We're single because we're picky and we don't want to settle.

Inner turmoil

I realize this is only my third blog, and I should probably be writing about a topic slightly more upbeat, but isn't the entire point of a blog to share your feelings in real time? So no excuses for my melancholy post:

When did people all become so mean? Is it this economy or the stresses of every day life? Divorce? What is it? I feel like almost every person I know is mean. They're all constantly trying to screw you or screw you over. The male friend you've had for years just wants to do you and women who are supposed to be your best friends are trying to extract as much cash from you as possible for bs reasons. They're distracted or obsessed with their boyfriends who of course only care about themselves and when their next bedroom session will be. How many times can one person be screwed over before they crack? Is there a sign on my head that says "shit on me?" I'm so tired of this insincerity, and lack of love or compassion or understanding. I may not always put others needs before my own, but my intentions are always good and honest.

If love is all you need--where is the love? Smile, laugh, enjoy, wine, dine...life is too short to spend your days being mean and not enjoying every moment of your relationships.

Michael Mcwhat?

Nobody's buyin' it Michael, we all know you're not cool or relevant anymore. Your music belongs in elevators, mediocre departments stores and retirement homes, not NPR. Now, I'm not the world's biggest fan of Grizzly Bears, but I'd absolutely give their recent album a thumbs up. They're no MGMT or Arcade Fire, but I like the foot-tapping beat of "Two weeks," so I will defend them. They don't deserve such treatment. Why they gave Michael McDonald "While you wait for others" without vox is beyond my comprehension. I'm all for experimental music, but nothing good could possibly come from that man. He has a masters degree in suck.

Apparently you can buy this monstrosity of a cover on iTunes. Operative word being 'can,' and not should.

See for yourself. Quite disturbing:

http://pitchfork.com/news/36374-michael-mcdonald-spills-about-working-with-grizzly-bear/