Back on the 12th, I went to an event I had been looking forward to for some time, something I had purchased a ticket to immediately after hearing about it! What was it, you ask? Chuck Palahniuk's "Doomed" Tour, or the "Adult Bedtime Stories" tour, also featuring Monica Drake and Chelsea Cain.
I haven't ever been to a book reading before. Signings, sure, but never a reading being done by the author themselves. And since I have the Internet, I've heard that Chuck's readings are can't miss, and he definitely didn't disappoint.
When everyone walked in, they received a beach ball and two glow sticks.
We'd received an e-mail ahead of time with some reminders: namely to wear pajamas, and to bring a Sharpie. I didn't let my mind wander too much, but figured I would find out when I got there, and once I got the beach ball, I put two and two together.
Chelsea Cain took the stage first, and told everyone they had to use the requested Sharpie to write a few words on their balls (literally): an adjective, a noun, a place, a body part, and a number.
A few minutes later, Chuck took the stage. The rest of the night was filled with stories being read by each author (I hadn't ever heard of either of the others, sorry to admit, but it made me want to check out their work for sure). We played some games, listened to some great stories, and almost burned down the University of Milwaukee after a beach ball got stuck in a light fixture. And the words? They were to play an awesome version of Mad Libs at the end of the show.
Without giving too much more away, I will leave that as my explanation, and just say this: if you have the opportunity to see Chuck Palahniuk live, do it. It will truly be an unforgettable experience. Here's some other photos from the night, and if you haven't already, check out Doomed.
I felt like doing something like a currently post, but decided against it. I can't believe it's the last day of August already! This summer has gone by fast, but also had its' ups and downs. I lost a good friend, went on my first vacation in years, and been on countless work trips that have eaten up all of my time it seems like. Time I could have spent blogging! But of course, sometimes things don't go as you think they will.
So here's a quick little recap of some of the more fun stuff I've been doing in the last couple of months.
July Trip to Dayton, OH
best friends forever!
I finally went somewhere that isn't in the state of Wisconsin for a long trip! I went to Dayton, Ohio to visit one of my best friends on this planet, Tiffany, since her and her husband Brian have been here to Milwaukee a couple of times and I just really needed to get out. I had four days of great times, including a July 4th trip to the Air Force Museum, fireworks, bike rides, good food, and allaround great times. I also got my bike updated, which is something I've wanted to do for a great long while. Now, I finally have the handlebars of my dreams, and it's all thanks to them. It was absolutely great to go somewhere new, and go on a little adventure - even if it meant six hours in the car by myself either way. I also got to eat at a Steak N Shake for the first time ever, and I must say that their red velvet shakes are the best. Just theeeee best. Oh, and I also finally got to try some of the new lip balm from her DIY cosmetics line, and it's prettymuch the best lip balm ever. She has a lot of cool stuff that you can check out at her Etsy shop, here! I talked about her nail polish in an old post, too, which you can find here!
Work trips have basically been my main focus of this whole summer. Inspecting fire trucks is a big job, but someone has to do it! For the last month or two, I've probably been gone at least once a week out of each week. I'm finally allowed to be home without trips for about the next two weeks.
As for the friend I lost, it hasn't been easy. There have been a lot of questions, a lot of wondering why. All I can say, though, a couple of months later, is that I hope that he's in a better place and not in pain anymore. That's really the best I can say.
Back in the positive, I have a lot of great stuff coming up as far as blogging goes. I'm going to be putting together a lot of neat stuff. I'm going to bring back the Tattoo Stories series, have some new Book Club Mondays, and am really shooting to have at least one post a day. This evening, however, check back, as I am going to be putting up a giveaway for Diamond Candles!
It's been a good summer. It's been long, difficult at times, and at other times great, but for the most part, it has been a great one.
2012 was a great year for crafting in my world. I started a weekly blog post called How To Tuesday, and drove myself to figure out a new craft for each and every week! While it was daunting at first, it got easier. Of course now, I'm daunted again, but am recounting my top three favorite DIYs of 2012 to drum up some inspiration for 2013!
Done a couple of years ago, I still get great compliments on this table in my living room! Even if you don't decoupage with comics, you can use newsprint or old books for a different effect.
This was one of my favorite DIYs of the year. Not only was it popular, but it's a cheap, fun, easy way to store K-Cups without having to pay upwards of $20-40 for a rack! It may not be the most stylish thing, but it does its' job and that's what is most important.
Just a quick, fun project to brighten up a room. I may already be thinking of ways to update and change up the bedroom, but this made a great project!
I am hoping for some great new inspiration and projects in 2013, and I have a few things up my sleeve to accomplish just that. Stop back next Tuesday for my surprise first How To Tuesday of 2013!
Where does the time go, seriously? Before I get all ramped up on some new ideas for May, here's a recap of what I put out into the blogosphere for April!
Henry Rollins has always inspired the hell out of me. Listening to Black Flag during my awkward teenage years, and as an adult listening to his spoken word, I've wanted to check out a live show, but never made it happen. A couple of weeks ago, I finally got to.
It was very much a Henry Rollins show. He went on about everything from current events to his experiences as a globetrotter, and produced some of the most entertaining stories I have heard in a long time. Of course there were the expected wise cracks about political candidates, but what really got me were the stories. Henry Rollins has such a way with words, and with conveying his experiences productively, that it really makes me jealous, sometimes. Experience is good for that.
I think that the best part of the show, for me, was looking at my phone after it was over and realizing that it had gone on for three hours. Three hours of sitting in a room watching someone speak, and I hadn't even realized that much time had passed. It was so much fun that I nearly forgot to worry about what time it was.
Making a long story short - if you get the opportunity to see a Henry Rollins spoken word show, take it. You will not be disappointed.
First of all, let me apologize for my silence minus a couple of Book Club Mondays! I have had a whole lot going on, and not a lot of time (or will) to write about those things. Let's make it really easy on you:
A lot of cool stuff is coming. I'm going to pick back up with How To Tuesdays and some of my other weekly stuff, as well as doing special posts and even starting some new weekly posts.
I'm going to start reviewing music as well as books (since it is what I've been doing seemingly forever), and even doing posts about bands that have been long broken up that I never want to fade from memory.
I'm sure there's more, but a girl does have to have her secrets, doesn't she?
I've always been a little slow on the uptake when it comes to being on time for things (in certain avenues of my life), so don't be surprised this list isn't showing up until now. I happened to read this list on my friend DJ's blog at http://martiandanceinvasion.blogspot.com, and thought it would be fun to re-count my last year - even though it's a little late.
01.What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?
Fell utterly, completely, head over heels in love.
Mike and I, at our crew Halloween party, where I dressed as Miss Argentina from Beetlejuice and he dressed as Mario.
02.Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t typically have new years’ resolutions, so I can’t say I kept or didn’t keep any. This year, I’d just like to maintain the life I’ve been working so hard to build over the past few, and just stay happy. That’s all I’d really like.
03.Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.
04.Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.
05.What countries did you visit?
None. The farthest I traveled for a trip was Green Bay, WI – my homeland, which is a drive of about two hours.
06.What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
A bigger apartment! And as it turns out, I’m getting one on March 1.
07.What date from 2011 will remain etched in your memory, and why?
There are a few, for sure. For one, the date of the surgery I had in October (10/17/11), and my anniversary date (10/15/11).
08.What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Transferring out of a job I absolutely could not stand in order to start from scratch 100% in an area I knew nothing about, and being incredibly successful at it. I went from being a secretary to working in auto parts in a matter of months, and I’m having an absolute blast.
09.What was your biggest failure?
I don’t believe in failures. I can’t think of one thing I didn’t try my best at all year – and sometimes things just don’t go as planned. But I certainly don’t feel like I ‘failed’ anywhere.
10.Did you suffer illness or injury?
In October, I had surgery to remove a Stage 1 melanoma that I found inside of one of my tattoos. That was one of the scariest moments I’ve had in a long while, for sure.
11.What was the best thing you bought?
I can’t really pinpoint anything specific that I bought for myself. Once and awhile, I like to take extra money and spend a little bit on myself here and there for some new clothes, makeup, or something like that. I also paid a lot of debt back this year, and my credit score is definitely better off for it.
12.Whose behavior merited celebration?
The men and women responsible for the Alford plea that freed the West Memphis Three after nearly 20 years behind bars.
13.Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Scott Walker. As a public employee, I’m living first hand with the changes he’s made, and let me tell you – it sucks.
14.Where did most of your money go?
Bills and paying back old debt. It’s difficult to not have a lot of extra, but when I think about the fact that I’m improving my life, making up for old mistakes, and carving out a future for myself, not having extra money seems pretty alright.
15.What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My new work opportunity, my new relationship… all of the above. I’m finally becoming the person that I’ve always wanted to be, and it’s a wonderful feeling.
16.What song will always remind you of 2011?
I hate questions like this, because I can never think of a single song that encompasses a whole year. This time, though, I can say that The Loved Ones’ “Distracted” got enough listens to merit reminding me of this year.
17.Compared to this time last year, you are:
a.Hotter or colder? Prettymuch the same.
b.Fatter or thinner? See above.
c.More active or lazier? See above.
18.What do you wish you’d done more of?
Being active.
19.What do you wish you’d done less of?
Toward the beginning of the year, drinking – once I curbed that and changed things for the better, I haven’t looked back.
20.How will you be spending/did you spend Christmas?
Mike and I spent Christmas Eve in Green Bay with my family for dinner, and Christmas Day in the morning with my extended family and evening with his. It made for a very long day, but it was good to be able to make the time to see everyone.
21.Did you fall in love in 2011?
That I did.
22.How many one-night stands?
Zero.
23.What was your favorite TV program?
Sons of Anarchy, bar none. I started watching it via renting season 1 from the library early in the year, got hooked, and wound up watching all three existing seasons before season 4 started this past year.
24.Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Not that I can think of.
25.What was the best book you read?
Currently reading “My Horizontal Life” by Chelsea Handler via Kindle.
26.What was your greatest musical discovery?
In late summer/early fall I really re-discovered punk music, so I’d say that counts. I’ve been staying pretty close to the music I know lately, since new music (especially music on the radio) is absolutely awful. I’ve also taken to unabashedly falling back in love with ridiculous music from the 90’s.
27.What did you want and get?
I’ve wanted a Nintendo Wii for years, but never had the extra money laying around to actually buy one. I told Mike this while we were shopping on Black Friday and opened one up for Christmas!
28.What did you want and not get?
I try not to want for much.
29.What was your favorite film of this year?
Pretty sure it doesn’t count, but The Other Guys was pretty great. I haven’t been to the movies in a long time.
30.What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Since my birthday was on a Saturday this year, I had a Friday night dinner and bowling with friends in Milwaukee, and spent Saturday night drinking my face off in Green Bay. I turned 26 – or rather it was my 5th annual 21st birthday.
31.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Thinking about it, I’d say I had a pretty successful, satisfying year.
32.How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Jeans, t-shirts, shades of gray and black. I’d say that about covers it.
33.What kept you sane?
Knitting, new friends, and new opportunities. Oh yeah, and my cats.
34.Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I try not to get too wrapped up in the celebrity world.
35.What was your favorite video game of the year?
It has been such a long time since I’ve played any new video games, I really couldn’t say – after I got my Wii, though, I started playing Cooking Mama again, which is pretty ridiculous in and of itself.
36.Who has made the most cameos in your dreams this year?
To be honest, I don’t dream all that often, and none of them stick out.
37.Who did you miss?
In quitting drinking for the most part, I’m not up in Green Bay as often as I once was, so I miss my friends there and my family, for sure.
38.Who was the best new person you met?
My boyfriend, Mike. By a landslide.
39.Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
Drinking isn’t everything, and finding friends to rely on has helped me more than I can explain.
