Ok I’m about a week late on my February update - but whatever. This is just my own little outlet and it’s not like anyone really reads this anyway. (sshh I kinda like it that way).
So February was probably one of the busiest, craziest months for me in a long time. But GOOD busy and not uggghhh busy like December was.
The first couple of weeks were pretty mellow actually - I was just busy preparing and anticipating my weekend vacation to Phoenix towards the end of the month. 
I was helping out a friend for about a month watching his cat and she sadly passed away while I was watching her. She was a sweet kitty and I’m glad she at least seemed happy & content the last month of her life in my care. To be fair, she WAS about 21 years old and I’m assuming it was just old age, since she didn’t seem to have a sickness or whatnot. (RIP Anne Frank) 
The second weekend I had a small get-together at Shark City for my bday - which was fun as hell! Actually that whole weekend was so fun thanks to my homie Josh. He hung with me and even took me to Wildfire to eat before we went to Sharks. It rocked, that place has the best food ever! I saw a bunch of peeps I hadn’t seen in YEARS, it was really great. Thank you everyone who came out!
We’ll just skip right over Valentines’ Day since it’s a stupid, useless holiday anyway and go right to my BIRTHDAY. 
And right to the Mudvayne/Nonpoint show! Was a great show and I think I missed Mudvayne the last 1 or 2 times there were in town (which is unheard of b/c I try to NEVER miss them) so I was totally psyched for the show. And with Nonpoint?? psssh heck yes! It was at the Pearl Room in Mokena, which is about 50 minutes from my place and I travelled there by my lonesome to meet up with some friends. I ended up being the only girl there (as per usual at a Mud show) - OH except for seeing one of my girl friends for about 5 minutes during the show & after at the bar - but other than that it was just me and the boys. Which always proves to be entertaining and this show was no exception. I toughed it out in the mosh pit for the majority of the show and got STOMPED on. The bruises on the tops of my feet are just now going away 3 weeks later.
Nonpoint played a great set and to be honest, I was probably more excited about their show than the Mudvayne part. Only because I KNOW Mudvayne puts on a good show and that I’m going to love it every time. But I haven’t been a big fan of Nonpoint’s last couple albums and I wasn’t sure if they would play any old stuff that I would know. But they definitely brought out some kick ass stuff when they opened with Mindtrip, then went on to play Victim, What a Day, Bullet with a Name on it and even their cover of In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins. (yes we will not talk about how I feel about bands covering Phil & Genesis at this juncture. We could be here a while) Let’s just say that I let slide and Nonpoint does a decent job so it was moderately cool.
Mudvayne’s set was awesome and I think they only played 1 song off the new album (which, in a way is a bummer since the new album is AWESOME, but in a way I was fine with b/c I would rather hear old shit). I won’t go into every song the played cuz you can find set lists other places I’m sure, but it was a killer show and I had a blast. Afterwards we went to the bar next door and hung out with the new guitar player from Nonpoint - he’s a friend and ex band member of a friend that was with us. Totally cool guy and we all had a great time. But alas, I am old AND I had to work the next day, so I bailed about 1:30. Slightly early I heard because only moments later my boys were invited upstairs to hang out with more of the bands and I missed it. I actually wasn’t too disappointed - as much as I love rockstars, my days hanging out backstage or on a tour bus are LONG gone and I don’t even really have that urge anymore.
The bad thing about my birthday weekend was that even before the Mudvayne show, I was starting to feel sick. So staying up late for the show just made it that much worse and I came down with a bad cold. But there was no recovering possible because I was headed to Arizona the next weekend! So I took as many meds as I could to try and knock it out and I thought I had done a decent job. Until vacation time came around.
Friday the 21st I headed to Phoenix to see Steve and my other friends who are (still) living there. I’ll sum up the weekend by saying that it was absolutely amazing to see my friends and to just sit in a room and hang out with them. 
It had been close to probably 6+ years since the 5 of us were all in a room together hanging out. It felt very at home and I miss them all so much. Of course I was sick ALL weekend - but I took meds, ate good and got a lot of sleep while I was there so I did what I could. It was the best weekend I have had in years and I’m sure I’ll be going back to PHX sooner rather than later.
I spent the remainder of February sick and trying to get better. (It’s actually now March 8th and I’m STILL very sick and trying to get better. 
I don’t know what the deal is!)
Overall February was great and busy and crazy and great some more.
There are so many pics from February and I couldn’t pick my favs, so if you swing over to my Facebook or Myspace, they’re up.
My likes and dislikes, hobbies, interests and attention are constantly changing. Most of the time I don’t think anything of it and even assume it is pretty normal. But there are times when I feel like my interests drastically change more than most. Not that it matters, or even means anything, it’s just one of many things I am aware of about myself. That being said (which means nothing haha), here are things I am loving lately:
1. Dexter - LOVE this show. Just got into it and watched Season 1 and Season 2 in 3 days. ELEVEN hours of it in ONE DAY. Tell me that’s not impressive? Season 1 was awesome, I’m hooked.
2. Internet Meme: Inspirational Posters - Holy crap some of these crack me up so much. I’ve spent hours looking through them and laughing my ass off. Great way to waste some time.
3. Facebook. Holy crap I’ve been a myspace fan since the start. Majority of my friends were there so I just hung out there all the time. I’ve HAD a facebook for years, but I never really used it. But in the span of a few weeks it has quickly become my primary method of communication with my friends. I’ve re-connected with some old friends and I’m really thankful for Facebook right now.
4. Coheed and Cambria. One of my new favorite bands. Period. This is NOT the type of music I normally listen to. Well, it IS in a way, but I never saw myself being a fan of C&C but low and behold. They are SO awesome and I’m obsessed with both Apollo albums. It’s ridiculous, I’m borderline a super-fan. haha.
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Almost everyone who knows me knows that I am a Genesis fan of gigantic proportions. Like huge. And I came across a show review this morning that made me smile and I wanted to share it. I was particularly excited to hear about all the older songs they are playing this time around, especially ending the show with my favorite “Carpet Crawlers”. What I wouldn’t do to see that! Unfortunately I cannot afford tickets this time around, so I’m just not thinking about it. But you can believe that if Peter ever re-joined them for a tour, I would be giving you a review first-hand because that is a show I wouldn’t miss.
If you like Genesis, you’ll enjoy this article. Of course, I may be the only one, but whatever.
Genesis balances progressive, pop-rock eras
By Frank Scheck Wed Sep 26, 7:18 PM ET
NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - No, it wasn’t the reunion including Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett that fans have long dreamed about, but the show featuring the most commercially successful incarnation of Genesis doesn’t disappoint.
The set list for the aptly named Turn It On Again tour, the band’s first in more than 15 years, is a canny mixture of prog-rock favorites and hits from its hugely commercial pop-rock era. While neither segment of their constituency is likely to be completely satisfied, the program seems a reasonable compromise that shows off the band’s many strengths.
Certainly, the core trio of singer-drummer Phil Collins, guitarist Mike Rutherford and keyboardist Tony Banks (augmented by longtime compatriots Chester Thompson on drums and Daryl Stuermer on bass and guitar) offers the fans plenty of value for the extravagant ticket prices they shelled out. Delivering a strenuous set that lasts more than 2-1/2 hours, the band doesn’t seem to have lost a step.
Collins remains an ever-engaging and theatrical frontman, clowning with the crowd and still possessing a powerful singing voice and drum chops that are frequently displayed. Rutherford remains an amazingly precise guitarist, while Banks’ assured keyboards provide the complicated textures that keep the long instrumental passages from becoming tedious. The music was well complemented by an extravagant video and light show that clearly wasn’t done on the cheap.
Many of the bigger hits, as well as everything from Collins’ prodigious solo career, were ignored (no “Abacab,” thankfully). But the old fans were treated to early numbers, some dating as far back as “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” days, including “In the Cage,” “Cinema Show,” “Afterglow,” “Firth of Fifth” and “I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe).” And they were no doubt particularly pleased by the closing number, “Carpet Crawlers.”
But the pop fans weren’t left out, with the band delivering strong renditions of “Throwing It All Way,” “No Son of Mine” “Turn It On Again,” “Invisible Touch” and “Land of Confusion,” among others. While “Hold on My Heart” showed the band at its treacly worst, such numbers as the supremely creepy “Mama” (with close-ups of Collins’ face illuminated to supremely spooky effect) and a nicely slowed-down version of “Follow You Follow Me” more than compensated.
Genesis hits the Hollywood Bowl on October 12 and 13.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
Tonight I’m going to see the Beastie Boys at the Riv in Chicago, which should be interesting, fun and tiring (in that order). I’ve only seen them once before and it was back in 1996. I had tickets, like a lot of other people, to see them come around with RATM until that tour was canceled and Rage decided to split up shortly after. I believe that was 1997-1998ish. So it’s been a good 10 years and I’m interested in seeing them perform and hearing some new stuff. Plus I’m going with Loree, so that always proves to be fun no matter what we’re doing. I’m sure we’ll also be talking about our possibly February trip to Trinidad & Tobago.
In other news, I’ve sprained and broken my ankle; along with pulling a tendon to boot. So I’m waddling around in an air-cast for the next 3-4 weeks until my next appointment. Then they will see how it is doing and start physical therapy if it’s healing good. I don’t really know WHAT I did to injure it, it just started hurting and swelling one day. Then it got to the point where I couldn’t barely put any weight on it, so I finally went and got it checked out. The break is a fracture that has possibly been there for years and might not be something recent. Because of all the gymnastics I did when I was younger, this doesn’t surprise me. Yet the fracture is still contributing to the pain. So let’s hope it all get fixed this time so this doesn’t happen another 10 years down the road. Who needs it?
But on a lighter note, my husband and I are finally going back to Colorado for a much needed vacation over Thanksgiving. It’s been about a year since we’ve been and we’ve spent the better part of that year being bitter that we could not move there. It will be hard to go back and even tougher to leave it behind again. But we will own property there someday and we REALLY could use a mini vacation right now. A mini honeymoon even? Perhaps.
Hopefully I won’t be hobbling around by then and can do some hiking.
Have a great week everyone.
Best news I’ve heard this year!!!!
The Used
30 Seconds To Mars
Senses Fail
Saosin
Aiden
Chiodos
Evaline
Dates and places aren’t announced yet.. SOOON.
Anyone who knows me, knows what a big day this is for me. 
Well, since I predicted my “movie of the year” already with Clerks 2 - I figured I would cast my vote for “album of the year”.
I should have known, honestly. I had a feeling this album would be the highlight of my year and renew my interest in all things John Mayer. 
And it has.
Continuum is Mayer’s 3rd major release and he had gone in a slightly different direction this time. I think this was to be expected when he formed “John Mayer Trio” in 2005 and we all heard the blues-infused album they put out. Backed up by world-class musicians Steve Jordan and Pino Palladino, the John Mayer Trio put out an album of a few new songs, a few old Mayer songs, and a couple covers. Once I heard this album I knew that THIS was John Mayer - this was his best music and clearly where his soul was at. Sure, the cheesy pop songs got his foot in the door and, I admit, they are great songs as well. I love “Room for Square” and “Heavier Things”, but this style was a breath of fresh air.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately - don’t ask me why - but I wanted to compile a list. 5 is just too few and I would leave out crucial bands. So this is my Top 10 favorite bands and my favorite album by each band. I will probably leave a comment by each one explaining my choices. It’s a VERY wide range of tastes, so a little explanation is probably needed.
1. Genesis - The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (1974)
When I say “Genesis” as #1 band - I’m always including Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel and their solo works in there as well. So they are really my all-time top 3 - BUT because I don’t listen to them that much, I keep them grouped at #1 instead of taking up room. This 2-disc album is an amazing concept album stemmed completely from Peter’s brain. It was unfortunately his last with Genesis and in 1975 Phil Collins moved from drummer to drummer AND singer. The Gabriel-led era of Genesis is not necessarily my favorite, but this album is. “Carpet Crawlers” is a great song - and the remake in 1999 featured Peter and Phil BOTH singing on this track and it’s a highlight for me. Talks of a reunion have been strong since 2005 and I can’t imagine the amount of money I would pay to see Genesis in its orginal line-up.
2. 311 - 311 (1995)
Most of the time I prefer the songs from “Music” and “Evolver” in 311’s collection - but this album is the one that introduced me to 311 and I have the fondest memories of it. It is also the year I graduated high school and reminds me of my earliest times at DeVry and good times. 311 will always be special to me.
3. The Used - The Used (2002)
Sometimes I wonder about my choice to put The Used up so high in my list - but it doesn’t feel right without it. They introduced me to emo/screamo/pop-punk sort of genres - which continue to be my favorite kind of music even today. I’ve seen them several times in concert and they are excellent musicians. Bert may not have a strong voice, but I love his passion he has and they all work really well together. I would never miss them when they come to town.
4. Mudvayne - L.D. 50 (2000)
It was hard to choose between this album and the Beginning of Things to End. Both are great albums and Mudvayne has been a great outlet for me - the anger, the passion, the honesty of their lyrics are amazing. And they are all each nothing short of brilliant musicians. I was never impressed by the mask/make-up thing, but it doesn’t bother me either. Another band I wouldn’t miss when they come to town. The last show I saw of theirs last year was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen. They played the entire LD50 album and it was amazing.
5. 30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie (2005)
30 Seconds to Mars is the only band - to date - that I have seen who sounds better LIVE than they do on their cd. The cd is amazing, the band is amazing and RIGHT NOW they are by far my favorite band. It was hard for me not to put them higher on my list. Jared Leto is highly talented - who could argue? I can’t help but love someone who is passionate about so many things in life - and succeeds in them. He’s a great actor and an even better singer. His voice is SO strong and SO amazing - it gives me the chills. The lyrics and writing on this album are top-notch and I’m very excited they are starting to receive some deserving press - helps for the promise of another album. Oh and did I mention he’s beautiful?
6. Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (1994)
Wow. Nin at #6. This even amazes me. Nine Inch Nails had more of an affect on me and my life than any other band I’ve ever listened to. I’ve never been obssessed with a band like I was with NIN in high school and college. I have dozens of t-shirts, magazines, videos, 42 CD’s and anything you can imagine with NIN on or in it. But, like all things, I grew away from NIN and even the new stuff - as much as I like it - it’s not really my style anymore and I don’t listen to it much. This album means a great deal to me and I would probably still burst into tears if I played “A Warm Place” (#10). It’s an instrumental and it’s SO sad. I played it over and over when my best friend moved away to Maryland back in college and that song means a lot to me.
7. John Mayer - Heavier Things (2003)
Don’t get me wrong, I love John Mayer. But I’m a little unsure about him and this album being in my Top 10. But that is only because of my present feelings toward it. I can remember listening to this cd over and over and over when I was pregnant and after I had Tyler. So it means a lot to me and it IS a great album. John is amazing live and a phenomenal guitar player. So if nothing else, it serves good memories and I would still sing along if I listened to it today.
8. Bleed The Dream - Built By Blood (2005)
Just a great cd. That’s all there is to it. I can’t say enough good things about this under-rated band and this great album that they put out last year. It was a creation from some demos they released in 2004 (cd called “Awake”) and a few of the songs were re-worked and put out again. Each song is emotional and passionate and I absolutely love this cd and this band.
9. Garbage - Version 2.0 (1998)
Most listened to cd I’ve ever owned. I wore it out when it came out in 1998, and again every year after that until fairly recently. I’ve owned 4 copies of the cd because of wear and tear - and I’ve been a huge Garbage fan since high school. I love everything Garbage does and this cd is my favorite.
10. Alanis Morissette - So-Called Choas (2004)
I somewhat randomly chose this cd - but I had to include Alanis in my top 10 because I love ALL of her cds. I’ve always looked up to her and her strength. Guys still think of her as the angry girl from You Outta Know - but she is anything but negative. She is a very positive strong person and her cds are all very inspiring and I look forward to each one of them.
**Note: Some CD’s that were very close and I almost feel like I’ve left them out:
Incubus - SCIENCE (1997)
36 Crazyfists - Snow-Capped Romance (2003)
Funeral For a Friend - Hours (2005)
Garden State Soundtrack (2004)
The Cure - Disintegration (1989)
The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream (1993)
Taproot - Gift (2000)