The Jealous Sound

I wasn't sure what to expect when we pulled up at half past eight to a no-liner venue. 10 years ago, one would come two hours before doors opened to see and hear the emo injected lyrics and enchantingly haunting guitar riffs from The Jealous Sound.

I know because I was one of those people. The girl with the pigtails, beat up old cons, band pins adorning my bag and of course dark rimmed square glasses. Your quintessential emo teen.
I was emo and proud. No one could touch my off label bands and their melodic music, that often times lulled me to sleep, or helped me get through difficult angst filled teenage years.

The Jealous Sound was one of these bands. They have a spot in my heart, and are without a doubt one of my favorites.

Bottom Of The Hill also brings back so many memories. Such a rebel, I was. Sixteen and being able to get into 21+ shows (and backstage) was my forte, and I can still remember the excitement. This show on Monday night was so nostalgic for me, and the fact that I was able to meet the band after such an intimate show was the icing on the cake. This venue is just perfect for that sort of thing and well, known for it.

The minute they (Blair, Michael (from Benton Falls), Josh and Bob) came on stage, it was as if I had been teleported back to my teenage years. Granted, the lineup had changed some, the sound and ethereal vocals by Blair had not. Thank god. They played a few newer songs from their newest album, "A Gentle Reminder", which is out now. And I have to say that I genuinely appreciate the fact they haven't deviated from their original sound. It's refreshing and nostalgic, and surpassingly good. They played older stuff as well, which got the crowd (myself included) singing along and jumping up and down with enthusiasm.

This show could not have come at a better time for me. It was a much needed distraction. So thanks guys. And thank you to Jenny for coming with me. I always have a good time with you! I love you Jen!

I wonder how long I can go before I start feeling the show itch again. Death Cab in May. Can't come soon enough. :)

Toothpaste battles

My morning consisted of me battling with Taylor for 20 minutes. It all started when she had fixed her hair just right with a headband (and by right, I mean disheveled with a headband shoved in; but to her: perfect) and it was time to brush her teeth. She started whining saying that her hair was going to get messed up if she brushed her teeth and that she frankly was NOT going to do it today. You should of seen the attitude. My daughter, the 14 year old, who cares how her hair looks!?! It felt like I was arguing with a teenager...she is SO strong willed this child of mine. I wonder where she gets it from?!? (Hmmmm...oh yea. Me.)

So it was back and forth for a while. And then I remembered I'm the parent, and in a one word directive said,"brush" and walked out of the bathroom.

I could not get out of there fast enough. I retreated to my bedroom and sat on the edge of my bed near to tears of frustration. Why can't she just do it? Was I this difficult? Did I always make a big fuss when asked to do things?? (Yes. Yes I did.)

I gave in to the realization that she is her mothers daughter, and if I want to survive the next 20 years, I need to just deal with it. "Good pep talk" I told myself.

I went back into the bathroom to check on her. I knew she hadn't been brushing her teeth because she had been whimpering while I was in the bedroom. "did you brush?", I asked in the most patient voice I could muster.

"NO!!!!!" she yelled. After that she lost it. 15 minutes of screaming about her hair, and yelling about not brushing her teeth. It was insane. Yea, you know...my kid gets possessed in the mornings, and screams bloody murder. Doesn't everyone's kids do that?!?!

At that point it was no use to try to reason with her. She'd flipped her lid, there's no reasoning when that happens. Instead I called for backup.

I dialed my poor dear unsuspecting husband. "hello?" he asked seemingly unaware of what was going on.
"Taylor won't brush her teeth and is now--" "I'm sorry I can't hear a word you're saying, all I hear is Taylor screaming, what's going on??! Let me talk to her".

The look on her face when I handed her the phone was priceless. She put it to her ear. I could tell she was trying to listen because her wailing had turned into quiet sobs. She kept nodding. "yea" she said a few times in between sniffles. And then that was it. She handed the phone back to me, walked back into the bathroom without a word. At that point my husband had hung up because he needed to get back to work. I waited for her to come back out before asking her.

I was fixing her breakfast (which now consisted of toasted bagel with butter and orange juice because the crying fit took all my extra breakfast making time) and tried not to look at her. Tried to not make a big deal of it. Tried to just continue on with the morning as if nothing had happened. Be cheerful, but not too cheerful, she knows when you're fake. Shes four, not stupid, I thought.

I gave her her bagel and orange juice, and gave a nudge to the table. As she sat down, without looking at her, I asked. So....what did papa say?

"I need to bwush my teef" she replied in the cutest way possible.

..............

Are you kidding? That's it? That was all he said? I told you that!?! I could've said it a few more times if you wanted me to! I didn't say anything, but I wanted to. So badly.

"oh. Okay" I said to her

I stayed pretty quiet the rest of the morning up until drop off at school.


My kid the teen:

If only I had the space.

I would have bought everything I thought was cute today.

The Alameda Antiques Fair is so coooool!! I was impressed with the vendors, a lot of very cool vintage furniture, art, clothes, garden troughs, buckets, jewelry, the list could go on.

I am definitely going back next month.

Here are some of the things that I wish I could have brought home:

So Random.

Why, Hello there! I'm back...

 Now that the work day is over, and I'm not as grouchy anymore, I can tell you a little about what's been going on around here. A couple of new developments. First off, We're moving in the near future, which means I've got to get a head start on decorating T's room, or at least start drooling over inspiration photos over at Apartment Therapy, and get some ideas on what I would like to incorporate into her "Big Girl" room. ( I know. I'm still fighting this myself: I just want to scream "no! still MY baby!! NO big girl here!!!" but alas, I can't stop her from getting taller, darn it!!)

 I digress, there are so many great ideas. T has a daybed, and it was actually mine from when I was a tween...I've kept it, but I kind of want to paint it, it's this ugly black iron, that is so dated, and not in the cool vintage way. it's just blah. what I really want it to look like is this:

(Source)

 Isn't that color gorgeous? So, I'm having Richie paint it once we've moved. I think I'm going for this look: (We've already got that rug from Ikea also!)

(Source)

 cute, right? Also, I've been wanting to go to the Alameda Antiques Faire for a while now...and YAY! It's this Sunday! So I think I'm going with my brother. Honestly just going to peruse, with nothing in particular in mind, just thought it would be fun. :) maybe I'll get a cool vintage lamp? or anything with owls on it? I don't know, maybe an old vintage cookie jar? I guess I'll buy whatever speaks to me.

 la dee dah, what else? hmmmm. Oh yeah, I've gotten into making Bentos for Taylor. SO much fun to make, and Taylor seems to really like them. So for now, during the week, I've been making lunches for her the night before. Here is an example:

......... Don't you hate it when you go to another website and get sidetracked, and forget why and how you even got there? oy. I just spent twenty minutes watching videos about the New York state virus that has made 12 high school girls exhibit tourettes like symptoms. creepy. alrighty, I'm off to bed. I'm exhausted.

 See ya'll later!

Morning thoughts...

Dark wash jeans. Clean trimmed slicked back hair. Brown leather jacket. Aviator sunglasses. Bright white smile.

It's 8 in the effing morning...

WHAT ARE YOU SMILING AT??? And furthermore, what, are you a pilot???

Woop-de-doo for you. Now get out of my face and let me get my coffee.
ughhh,