Bad Ass Piano

Yesterday afternoon I went to Millenium Park to watch the Monster Piano Concert. It was free and outdoors so why not right? It was AMAZING!!! They had 10 Steinway grand pianos and 30 musicians. They had 2 people to a piano, and for a few tunes they had 3 people to a piano or all 30 out there at once. They played some really great tunes like Ride of the Valkyries, 1812 Overture, Hoe-Down from Rodeo, Carmen, William Tell Overture and The Stars and Stripes Forever. I have NEVER seen anything like that before and it was really really neat. Amazing musicians from Northwestern University...hello Prodigies...hello I want to drool on myself...sigh. Unbelievable.

In other news, I went out last night with Ashley one last time as she was in town for the weekend picking up her stuff from her apartment. We had a grand old time at a few bars last night, dancing and such. We went to this bar called Shenanigans. Really loud in there, but after a few drinks we didnt notice. There were two guys there that I swear had been drinking since noon. And they wouldnt leave us alone!!! They kept grinding up on us from behind and touching us. Ashley got her boobs felt up; her boyfriend almost punched the guy. We physically pushed them away from us and I put my fist in the one guys face to warn him off. Nothing..nada...didnt get it at all. Then another guy wanted to dance so I'm like ok fine. So we danced and he did the SAME thing!!! Ok guys, I 'll dance with you but I wont grind with someone that isnt my boyfriend. I'll dance with you if you ask politely and not just start grinding up on me, thinking I'll respond. I'm not a club slore, so if other girls are doing it, dont assume I will. And that guy also tried to kiss me and I moved my face so he got my cheek. Goddaaaaaaaaaamn, I just want to go out, have a good time with my girlfriends and not get felt up. Seriously, guys have no clue how to treat women these days. Treat me like a lady damnit and if you're lucky (which none of them ever will be since I'm attached) you'll be treated like a king from me.

End rant.

I did drunk blog, but I took it down. Not sure why. It was funny, at least to me. Oh and Liz, loved the Four Play joke!! haaaaa, I would have totally lost it!!

My knee is swelling up again. I fell on it when I was home in May again (god I know ok...I'm a klutz) and now its feeling all weird again. Huge sigh. I hate having a dysfunctional knee. I'm pretty sure it'll never be the same again.

School is picking up now with more papers and projects and such. Which is good because I was getting bored for awhile. I know, Im weird eh? Some people enjoy a slow pace...not me, I thrive on stress I think.

The Dave Matthews Band concert is on Saturday!! Woooooooooooo!! I'll be on the Amtrak to Miller Town to stay with EmmyLou and whoop it up. This is like the highlight of my summer usually. This year its tied with the rents meeting in August. But aaahh Dave...how you thrill me so. Spring sweet rhythm in my head....

The concert yesterday only fuels my desire to have a keyboard. I really want a piano but thats not practical until I get a house with a piano room. Yes I'm having a piano room. It will be massive and octagonal with floor-to-ceiling windows, wood flooring and rich colors. And it will double as a library where I can put all my books and such. But I want a keyboard now!! I miss playing a lot.

Congrats to Miss Emily for taking her first steps! How exciting!!! I cant wait to have babies....

Did He Just Say What I Thought He Said???

My professor said "teet" in conversation today. Regarding careers. "Teet." Honestly, I'm not even sure where he came in with this because as soon as I walk into this class, my brain shuts down and my ears close and I dont give a damn about his lecture. Did you know that children's chins are underdeveloped at birth because its easier to suckle and "latch on" to the breast? Ok, I dont have a problem with that statement, I can handle someone discussing boobies and suckling, but what I dont really get is WHY THIS IS RELATED TO CAREER COUNSELING???? And then...THEN, he goes on to say something about "the teet" and the whole class lost it. And we werent even listening until TEET came out of his mouth.

Hello, am I a cow?? That has got to be the most un-PC, old-fashioned name for a breast, boobie, can-cans, ta-ta's, titty or nipple ever. I grew up around farming folks as 3/4 of my family are farmers and only heard TEET being referred to the cow or the pig or the female mama kitty. Never referred to about a mother and her child and breastfeeding. The child does not latch onto a teet, he/she latches onto a breast. A breast. Not a teet.

Never did answer my original question though. How does this relate to careers??

Ok, so I just had to get that out. It was highly amusing and completely ridiculous and stupid at the same time. I think that psych people can and sometimes do have the most interesting conversations/lessons but this one really just blew me away.

And by the way...where did June go? Holy shit, didn't we just start summer??? Man...

One Word

1. Yourself:
Loyal

2. Your Lover:
Sexy

3. Your Hair:
Ridiculous

4. Your Mother:
Friend

5. Your Father:
Rock

6. Your Favorite Item:
Joey

7. Your Dream Last Night:
None

8. Your Favorite Drink:
Wine

9. Your Dream Home
Cozy

10. The Room You Are In:
Studio

11. Your Pet:
Gizmo

12. Who You Are Now:
Adult

13. Who You Want to be in Ten Years:
Mom

14. What You Want in Ten Years:
Contentment

15. What You're Not:
Close-minded

16. Your Best Friend:
Em

17. One of Your Wishlist Items:
Peace

18. Your Gender:
Female

19. The Last Thing You Did:
Read

20. What You Are Wearing:
Blue

21. Your Favorite Weather:
Winter

22. Your Favorite Book:
Psych

23. The Last Thing You Ate:
Broccoli

24. Your Life:
Wild

25. Your Mood:
Unsettled

Tiger: International Woman of Mystery

Got my passport today. Woot! Will make travel between the Great North and the States much easier now. Which is what will continue to transpire for at least a little while longer.

Rumba accepted a job offer today in North Bay Ontario. Its a really good opportunity for him to get his feet wet and get an income. Its a computer tech job in the school district with a really good wage. I am slightly disappointed that he isnt moving here right now, but I am also very proud of him and happy that he is employed now. He's excited and starts Wednesday. We talked about it and we're not closing the discussion of him moving to the States. December is when we have agreed that we will really decide where we are going and where we want to get started. There are upsides to him staying there and getting employed which is what I'm looking at right now.

The apartment search is on. I'm getting help from Kristin and her parents on it, but its still frustrating. I'm pretty limited because of my lack of wheels which means I'll pay more than I would if I had a car. Location matters and prices go up because of it!! Boo hiss!!

School is busy right now. I'm taking three classes, four days a week. Its not so bad, just a lot of reading as always. Its also very boring for the most part. Its stuff I dont want to take and only need for licensure. Two classes I'll use for sure, even though one of those two still suck. The third is a complete waste of my time and money as is the professor. Probably the worst professor/class I've ever had to endure...and I've had some doozies.

I went to BluesFest at Grant Park on Friday with the Southern Belle. It was really fun, but it was also really shitty weather. Cold and rainy at times. The music was good though and I'm glad we went down there. We left the Fest and walked to a few bars. Had some appetizers and a few beers. Ended up staying out til 4am which didnt seem that late until I got into the cab to come home.

Well thats about it. Looking forward to August when I can see Rumba again. After that, it could be awhile before we see each other.

Take care

Weird...

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 35% Conservative, 65% Liberal

Social Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Ethics: 0% Conservative, 100% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

Siren

Exotic Dancer Name Is...

Siren

Exotic Dancer Name Generator

Rouge Red

You Are Rouge Red

Of all the reds, you are the most energetic and vibrant. You never need to recharge, and in fact, you often recharge others. Gutsy and brave, you've never let your fears stop you from doing anything. You figure that life is all about experiences, and you'll always take that leap of faith.

What Color Red Are You?

Hopeless Romantic

Your Five Variable Love Profile

Propensity for Monogamy: Your propensity for monogamy is high. You find it easy to be devoted and loyal to one person. And in return, you expect the same from who you love. Any sign of straying, and you'll end things. Experience Level: Your experience level is high. You've loved, lost, and loved again. You have had a wide range of love experiences. And when the real thing comes along, you know it! Dominance: Your dominance is low. This doesn't mean you're a doormat, just balanced. You know a relationship is not about getting your way. And you love to give your sweetie a lot of freedom. Cynicism: Your cynicism is low. You are an eternal optimist when it comes to love and romance. No matter how many times you've been hurt - you're never bitter. You believe in one true love, your perfect soulmate. And if you haven't found true love yet, you know you will soon. Independence: Your independence is low. This doesn't mean you're dependent in relationships.. It does mean that you don't have any problem sharing your life. In your opinion, the best part of being in love is being together.

The Five Variable Love Test

K. Hope Is Home!!!

Bluegrass Jump

So last night as I was ready for bed, I turned on Craig Ferguson to see who his musical act was for the evening. It was David Lee Roth (front man for Van Halen until 1985) and he was singing "Jump." In Bluegrass. Yes. Blue. Grass. Fiddles, and banjos and shit. Blue. Grass.

Ok need I stress anymore how completely assinine this display of attempted "re-invention" really is and how completely disturbing the fiasco/performance was to watch? It was really sad to watch him clap his hands and stomp his feet in tune to FIDDLES for fucks sake with his short, old man hair, striped "I'm legit" shirt and very loose jeans (must have Spandex balls). "Jump" was Van Halen's 1st and greatest commercial success.

I dont feel the least bit sorry for Mr. Roth about his inferiority complex/competition with Sammy Hagar. It makes me cringe that one of the greatest guitar riffs was reduced to banjo-fucking-plucking and if Eddie Van Halen is sober right now, I hope to fuck he throws his Jim Bean bottle at David's oddly shaped head.

My entire early childhood was defined by that song. My parents bought the vinyl (yes vinyl) just for me so I could dance to it. My aunt and I would sit in my uncle's S-10 pickup and play the cassette over and over again. That song was undoubtedly my favorite and it was castrated in all its glory last night...to fucking FIDDLES!!!

Oh the HUMANITY!!!!

Félicitations Rumba!!!!

Ok Ok, the secret is finally out!! After 7 long months of keeping it in, I have finally lived it. Thank gawd, it was the hardest secret ever!!!

Friday I flew up to Ontario to surprise Rumba. His mom and I have been planning this since November; the surprise was for Rumba's graduation from L`École des sciences de l`éducation de l`Université Laurentienne. I got into Sudbury around 11:00pm and his parents picked me up at the airport. We walked to his friend Fraser's where Fraser was keeping Rumba busy until I arrived. We got there and I hid behind a wall while they told Rumba to come upstairs. He saw his parents and brother first and then he saw me. His face was priceless; utter and complete shock. "What are you doing here?" and "How did you get here?" was all that he could say for several minutes; he was completely speechless. It was perfect!!!

The ceremony was Saturday morning and it was really interesting. The graduates marched in to the music of Bagpipes and the tune "Scotland the Brave." That was really cool. They also had a string quartet to entertain folks while we waited for the ceremony to start. It was a really small group of graduates that day as the university has about 8 different ceremonies for a week. The ceremony was also done in English and French with the speakers switching between languages throughout the ceremony. For the most part I didn't understand much when they switched to French, but was able to pick up a few words here and there. It was too long though as the honorary degree recipients were quite windy. What was neat about the ceremony was that each graduate had about 10-15 seconds on stage talking to the Madame President while people stood near the stage and took pictures. I was able to give Rumba a kiss on the cheek right after he recieved his diploma too after I finished taking pictures. They rounded up with a French rendition of O Canada and then marched out to the bagpipes playing Auld Lang Syne.

After the ceremony we went to Boston Pizza for lunch/dinner with members of his family. It was fun but for some reason I wasn't feeling so good. So I didnt eat much and felt bad that I didnt eat much of my meal even though I took it home. Cant help a stomach ache though. Saturday night, we fell asleep and slept til 930pm!! Holy...it was only supposed to be a short nap. At 1030 we went to a party that his classmates were having. Lots of beer, hot tubbing, swimming and a campfire. 95% of them were "Frenchies" so I had a very hard time fitting in as I didn't understand/communicate in their language. But they were very nice and did speak English at times, especially when they addressed me or Rumba. Some were cold towards me but I don't think it was a personal thing, I think it was because I was "different" and not part of the crowd. It was interesting to be there; Rumba was happy that we went and that I was there with him. Its nice to do these "normal things" with him that we dont get to do because of the distance and I know he loves it when we get the chance to do stuff like that together. Sunday we went to his aunt and uncles for a BBQ and Monday we just hung out and went to dinner. Tuesday I flew back to Chicago. It was a very quick visit and hard to leave...it always goes too fast but 3 days is definitely not enough!!!

Rumba bought a car--his grand maman's car. Its about 10 years old but in great condition with little mileage. It has only spent one winter in Sudbury as she was a Floridian snowbird for many years. It worked out really well and with great timing. Will make it easier for him to come to Chicago or meet halfway. We are still discussing him moving to Chicago. He has applied for a few jobs here but is still undecided on what is best. He's on the fence about visas and requirements for staying in the US long term. I think he's making it bigger than necessary but I do appreciate his concern and the fact that he is thinking it over seriously. I'm learning as I go here that I can't let the border heighten my anxiety or get stressed over it. Its just one small thing thats in our way but nothing we cant handle.

So anyhow, that was the big surprise. Most everybody knew about it anyways, except for him. I'm really impressed nobody spilled the beans about it and I know of a few people that came close, including me.

Rumba de félicitations, je suis si fier de vous. Je t'aime!!