Chick on acid dancing in a cess pool. Enough said.

Another cool concert review I read over the weekend.

This one below is just absolutely hilarious for the picture of the girl dancing in the cess pool of rainwater in hardly anything but mere bikini-

Strange to say the least.

These set of photos are so funny and entertaining. the ting tings is a band ive been meaning to check out because a lot of people who like similar bands i like seem to like them. there's just too many new bands to catch up on and check out and i have so much new music, i cant keep up with it all!

Ting Tings' Katie White
with a cowbell....?

Chick on acid dancing in a cess pool. Enough said.

Yoko Ono called and she wants her look back

Next up MGMT bounded onstage- as the rain began to let up- they played a short but sweet set- and left many with shivers (from the music, not the chill).

Ben was the first one onstage- behind his podium of sound. Showing off some 80s retro style. Whatever's mellow-

Messing Up Metaphors? It was an apple Andrew...Eve ate an apple....

Somewhere in the act, Andrew unfurled a bundle of ladies pink satin underwear (the kind noone asides from your grandma still wears) and unveiled an orange. No one knows the symbolism but it was cute.

What you don't see here is the bassist did a wicked kick of the beachball- while still playing. impressive.

Too cool for school. Are those grills on his necklace? or fake dentures?

An intimate moment amongst thousands....

occupation + consumption.

Quick list of what I've been occupied with and will write about on some future date:

Music:

The Kills- "Midnight Boom", The Decemberists- "The Crane Wife", Death Cab for Cutie's latest album- new fave song 'I will possess your heart'


Found this music post / video post via a favorite on a music site MOG which i belong to, highly amusing and entertaining.

See below:

How Siouxsie Sioux brought a tear to my eye..by Neill

Ailments:

Wisdom tooth dilemma and Jimmy pulled his back, so I took care of him all wkend. He is struggling with serious back pain and he doesn't know how it happened aside from a nap on the futon. It is so bad, its interfering with relaxing at home and he was in pain all wkend and couldn't do anything. He has a dr appt this Thurs. I guess this is what happens when you get older. lol. I feel old right now, all these problems. It does suck! I am hoping he gets better as it's been horrible for him and I hate to see him suffer so.

Film:

Under the same moon [mexican subtitled film- sad, moving, relevant to today's political issues, about mother and child- the bonds]

TV:

Latest new hilarious tv show that debuted, we discovered via VSL and our BBC cable station IS Gavin and Stacey- which I highly recommend to fans of the office [bbc] and quirky comedy like that.

News:

Tropical storms/hurricanes Fay, Gustav, and newly formed Ike and Josephine keep us riveted to local news, cnn, msnbc, and weather channel constantly. What can i say? Somex it's how you get when you are a Floridian. Those unfamiliar with constant hurricanes or living in a state with major hurricanes every year, probably can't or won't relate but that's how it is when you live in this sort of state.

CourtTV/ Current murder trial:

The Sean Fitzpatrick murder trial in Boston ended in a mistrial after he took the stand in defense of himself. The accused guy was older, weird, charistmatic, obviously charming but with an air of cockiness, arrogance and self righteousness. He seemed to be guilty but the lack of evidence/ dna was unable to sway the judge to come to any judgement. They simply felt too conflicted and that's why it ended with a hung jury. It will be retried and Phil Spektor's retrial begins at the end of September which will be of great interest especially since I spent months watching it last year and like everyone else was disappointed when he got off scott-free when we all know this man is psychotic and he did kill her. He's guilty! So now maybe justice will come this time around!

Politics:

Obama; democratic national convention last week [jimmy was more obsessed with this than i. its just since we live together, I kind of end up being sucked into things I normally would not take the time to watch on my own HA]

I am for obama though and I found most of the speeches very inspiring + moving but could have done with the HOURS a nite for an entire wk of constant CNN coverage that I was forced to watch because Jimmy couldn't miss one minute of any of it. He had to be in on each and every action -- thank god he has slowed down this week with the republican conven. - true its because he is not for the republican party as I am not either, but still if he had his chance, I think he'd watch it 24/7- he just knows I will explode on him if I have to watch another week of political junk nite and day. There is a certain amount of anything I can take and I'm sorry but my tolerance is LOW.

TV/Olympics:

Since I was stuck watching olympics everyday for almost a month becos of HIS obsession with that and if I complained over this and how it dominated our tv, I was ridiculed because I am UN-American to not be "INTO" the olympics. Whatev- LOL I have to disagree with that. I am not into sports period. So what?!!
To each his own, right?

I did enjoy the diving and gymnastics but when someone wants to watch 4-6 hrs of olympics everyday for 3 weeks, I hardly think u can expect anyone to be enthusiastic for very long. It gets boring and begins to feel like you have no choice but to watch that.

If I wouldn't watch it, he'd simply record it on our DVD-R but he'd have to watch it the next day to keep up with the latest olympics scores and to not use all the dvd r space up- so it wouldn't matter. I would still be stuck watching it the next day. I got aggravated a lot simply because he dominates the tv for his sports games on a regular basis, then it was olympics and now its politics. I just get irritated but that's life I guess. He isn't very good at taking turns or sharing and we get into frequent fights over that because he is often selfish in my opinion and lacks the ability to see past himself or to even offer compromise. I often have to get angry and fight to get any positive outcome. It is frustrating sometimes.

Wedding Planning:

*We will have a meeting with florist to finalize ideas and put downpayment down in mid september.

*We have an appt with Alessi bakery for wedding cake same weekend. We must also go to David's Bridal for alterations on my bridal gown during the last weekend of September.

*This month, also need to buy: clear contacts, bridal strapless full slip for gown etc.

*Research party favors and reception decor, send out invites by end of month, decide if there will be any wedding shower at all dependent upon his mother.

*We also investigated hotels near the wedding chapel/reception hall for our upcoming wedding, for our out of town guests that will be here and will need a place to stay the nite of the wedding nearby. We came up with the following, but in the end we chose the Oldsmar one for our out of town guests (we will stay in clearwater in sand key hotel)- It's the bolded Courtyard at Marriott one and looks pretty nice. We've reserved ten rooms for our out of town guests and if there are less than ten guests, we can lower the amount of rooms we are holding, accdg to receptionist.
Here's the list of the hotels within 10 miles of the chapel and reception hall. The one in Tarpon Springs would be by the sponge docks if anyone wants something interesting to do on Saturday. There are two in Oldsmar that I think are right by the big flea market, so maybe a few of you would be interested in that. I'll have to see if it would be open that weekend, but I imagine it would.Blue Moon Inn - Dunedin (1.59 miles/approx. $99)http://www.thebluemooninn.com/Best Western Lake Tarpon - Tarpon Springs (4.13 miles/$94)http://www.bestwesternlaketarpon.com/index.htmHoliday Inn Express - Clearwater North (4.76 miles/$119)http://www.hiexpress.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/ddnfl?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/ex/1/en/hotelsearchresultsComfort Inn - Clearwater (4.8 miles/$88)http://www.clearwatercomfortinn.com/Best Western Yacht Harbor Inn - Dunedin (5.11 miles/$112)http://www.yachtharborinn.com/Courtyard by Marriott - Oldsmar (7.21 miles/$99)http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpaol-courtyard-tampa-oldsmar/Residence Inn by Marriott - Oldsmar (7.22 miles/$109)http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpaod-residence-inn-tampa-oldsmar/Fairfield Inn & Suites - Clearwater Bayside (8.71 miles/$99)http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpacr-fairfield-inn-and-suites-clearwater-bayside/Belleview Biltmore Resort - Belleview (9.63 miles/$99)http://www.belleviewbiltmore.com/
I'm not sure where we're staying yet, but it might be the Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Clearwater. It's a little more pricey ($200 or so) and about 9 miles away. (http://www.sheratonsandkey.com/index.php)
+++

Labor Day:

I spent labor day sick, but so filled with anxiety [had a wedding day anxiety provoking dream], that i put together all 75 wedding invitations following correct model setup via box and putting in appropriate gift registries [was 25 short on gift registry cards so not all invitations are complete].

I felt so relieved for about ten mins like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders, chest, heart....but it wasn't long before that feeling disappeared and was replaced with renewed anxiety/worry, stress. Now, all we have to do is print directions, add them, add postage to reply envelopes, and then hand address them. YAY take one step forward, fall two steps back. Gotta love that feeling!

Honeymoon planning:

We met with travel agent at borders in tampa on friday. St. Lucia is way out of our budget and so is Turks and Cacaos. They are close to four thousand dollars even w/ discounts. So it looks like we are stuck going to jamaica, looking at Whitehouse Sandals all inclusive resort which Jimmy has hesitated on because he says its too expensive at $2800 which includes 5 nites, plane fare for two, hotel for two, all food, liquor, etc.

I hardly think its expensive and think its unrealistic to think u can find anything under 2000 that includes all that in the carribeans. he complains that i didn't want to take a cruise which is only a few hundred dollars. sorry but thats not romantic to me, being stuck on a ship with people i don't know is unromantic, limiting, claustrophobic.

My idea of romance and relaxation on a vacation far away is being able to have privacy, plan your time as u like, plan your days without anyones rules , get up and go to bed when you like unlike a cruise. In any case, he had reserved our hotel room and pkg price with the travel agent over the weekend with my approval. She wrote today saying the reservation ends tomorrow and money must be put down to seal package and book our trip if we are to have one for our honeymoon so i mentioned this on the phone when he called on the way home from work.

We got in an argument when i mentioned it as he told me he didn't know if he wanted to go all the way with it [after we wasted all our time talking with her and he told her we were seriously interested and reserved the room etc- this made NO sense to me], and that it seemed unaffordable to him even though we got major discounts since right now flights are free and you get a free nite plus a honeymoon suite on first floor upgrade for a limited time if u go with sandals, so thats what we were getting. It normally costs over a thousand dollars more than this. But anyway, he began complaining saying maybe we could find another deal cheaper somewhere else online. I said you've got to be kidding me!

We've been looking online for six mos now, all of them are close to this price range given by the agent if not mroe than this and the ones NOT all inclusive simply are not worth it and will end up more in the end. But no, he had to insist he knows more than I. And then he went into how we could have an affordable trip if i wasn't so picky and we went on a cruise.

I'm not even going to go into all the anger I felt then. This is supposed to be my future husband's gift to me -his wife. It is supposed to be romantic, a gift. It is supposed to be something I love. Is taking me on a cheap cruise that makes me sea sick and i find UNrelaxing and unromantic and NOT fun what you do to show your future wife you love her and she is special? I don't think so. I blew up, cried, then apologized after hanging up.

Later when he got home, we did look up prices on Jamaica Sandals pkgs. It pretty much proved what I had said. I think he was resigned because he wrote the travel agent saying he'd like to discuss booking the trip but there is still some hesitation because he wants to know the full price with tax which makes me feel he doesn't know how to finalize anything and is afraid, looking for an excuse not to make that decison yet. I don't know.

I didn't say anything but in our earlier argument I told him that I was resigned to have no honeymoon cos it clearly was too much for him, too much for me to ask and it seemed I was undeserving with the way he acted of something romantic, nice, and special. He said he wanted that for me and said he didnt feel this way but his actions/reactions tell a different story and I feel as I do because of how he makes me feel. No one should be this stressed over a honeymoon, most importantly, the bride to be. It makes me feel guilty for wanting to have and get what most normal people in this world get when they get married. It makes me angry that I am made to feel this way. i have a hard time coping with emotions under any sort of duress or stress and wonder if i ever can get any better than this. Most of the time, it seems hopeless and I feel it, inside. Hopeless.

I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.
-Rumi

We should always live in the dark empty sky. The sky is always the sky. Even though clouds and lightning come, the sky is not disturbed. Even if the flashing of enlightenment comes, our practice forgets all about it. Then it is ready for another enlightenment.

-Shunryu Suzuki, "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind"

i haven't written because i haven't been online due to emotional struggles with the symptoms of manic depression which seeped out during the second smashing pumpkins concert in recent weeks due to all the ingredients of a disasterous nite. i won't go fully into this only to say it stormed hard, he did not tell me we would be standing without any shelter for 20 to 30 mins in the pouring rain. he did not bring an umbrella either. i did not think to suggest it since i was unaware we'd be standing in the open sky unsheltered. 'losing my cool' would be an understatement.

i got completely soaked and stayed that way all nite. all my makeup went in my eyes that took me over an hour to apply. my hair was all over the place. my contacts got so irritated i had to take them out and wear crappy glasses all nite. there were lots of other things to make me angry and pissed off but mostly i just think when i feel socially overloaded, i can't handle it emotionally.

i felt like i was wearing a wet diaper from head to toe all nite because that is how much rain poured over me. it was the most uncomfortable feeling in the entire world. he understood why i was upset and was apologetic but he felt like i should get over it because he and every one else was. but the kind of clothing he was wearing was thicker material and did not get as wet as mine. also other people aren't finicky, high maintenance or picky. i am and he knows it. so i felt to compare me to others was ridiculous. obviously other people will do anything for a free smashing pumpkins concert. i am not in that category.

i am not a teenager or in my twenties. i am 36 yrs old. i don't have the stamina or the energy for it and honestly as a teen and young adult, i would have never gone to a concert that would mean millions of people, being outside all day, or being in any kind of nasty weather. it's just never been my personality.

i will share the smashing pumpkins pix we got from the first concert [the one that went well and was inside in a fancy music hall, NOT the hard rock cafe one. they are kind of far and blurry for most part but still interesting and worth sharing here]

i'm only regaining energy this week and starting to feel better now. i think i am getting a wisdom tooth in, and spent all week of last week plus this entire three day holiday weekend sick with mouth pain.

jimmy determined he thinks the gum at the back of my mouth is impacted, and a tooth is coming thru. i just cant afford to do anything about it. i have no credit cards or money to pay for it at all. and unless jimmy pays for it, im kind of stuck suffering.

my mom had an absessed tooth last month and so she had a prescription for penicillin antibiotics from her dentist which she knew would help me, so she filled it for me and i picked it up over the weekend. i am grateful for that.. its helped a little but i'm still feeling pain on and off and have been feverish the past several days. im constantly on advil, tylenol and excedrin it seems - for the pain.

i have lots more to say and share, but i've been so bogged down emotionally lately and just out of energy to do anything especially write online so i haven't been here in a while. i will be back to finish updating as soon as humanly possible.

bikini kill:desensitize the mind [illusion vs real]

I never got to share this as I could barely get myself motivated to wear LET ALONE 'share' such things, LOL, but when I first got my three new bikinis from Target at the start of the summer, I tried taking self-portraits of myself in them to convince myself my body wasn't that bad.

I have this slightly weird way of thinking...

...Somehow I think if I can get used to seeing what I see myself as - fatty and sloppy then maybe I can begin to get used to my body and eventually see it as normal. Is that strange?

Let me explain, anyone who sees me or meets me in person tells me I am crazy to think I am fat but yet all I can see myself as is fat and sloppy. I want to get over that "belief" and somehow learn to feel I am okay and that being natural is being beautiful.

Is it unrealistic? LOL Maybe. But I still want to try..




[pix from earlier in summer: June/July 2008]

I still feel uncomfortable when I see these pix and it doesnt help matters much that I am makeup-less and therefore feel unattractive and SO NOT pretty LOL.

Somehow I'm hoping these pix will convince me that I'm not hopeless or really fat, and that it's all in my head. I have this weird idea that if I see the pictures enough times maybe I can become desensitized to those uncomfortable/unsettling feelings and change the way I think about myself, change the way I see myself so poorly or negatively.

Here's hoping one day I can conquer this!

I just think with the wedding approaching, I feel even more self-critical than usual and that anxiety has developed into extensive worrying over if I will be beautiful enough, thin enough, young/youthful enough to be the perfect bride for my groom. I wish I could get over the feelings that leave me feeling yucky and just stuck. It's not a good place to be in.

wedding looming overhead + flurry of ideas ensue.

We got our florist quote last week and have to finalize that by the end of this month and finish that up, take my mom there to put money down and such as we havent set up the formal contract yet or even reserved the day yet and that must be done by September.

One idea we had- we liked these hanging lights we saw at target made of metal, in a butterfly style, dragonfly and these clear white chinese style little cubes that light up with chinese characters on it [cant describe but if i find a pic on target.com, ill email you it] they are meant for patio decor but we were thinking of for our reception decor at wedding and also considering some chinese lanterns. this is of course dependent upon if we can do this without disturbing the reception halls walls and without breaking their codes and rules. Jimmy said he needs to talk to the lady Janice at the chapel again before we do this or go ahead with that idea. We'd of course like some feedback on what you think on this idea.

Oh here are some pix of ideas off target.com in reference to what I mentioned to u above!!

dragonfly lights- ten piece



there were some butterfly ones with a darkened tarnished silver look and a sort of teal color for butterfly stem but i cant find picture of it on target online

also the chinese white cubicle like lights arent to be found online either so i cant show u what i mean!

last, here are some lantern styles but want to look at other stores that sell lanterns before deciding. its an idea anyway :)

We spent Sat at Jimmy's parents for his dad's birthday and Sunday we finally got our Target Bridal Registry done. that was great fun. they had so much more fun, cute things than bed bath and beyond which is so proper and a bit snooty- plus it was a more relaxed experience since people werent hounding us to buy the most expensive brand or following us everywhere we turned to manipulate the choices we made so it was way better!

Also, we did receive the wedding invites via UPS last week so we have to start working on that this week. things are going to be so busy and stressful. I hope we can get everything done in time before the wedding. I am a complete nervous wreck these days and feel upset quite easily- its just been overwhelming lately!

touch aveda salon & spa is the clear winner!

To: Jenni

Subject: we like touch salon & spa and have phone appt on saturday for more info!

Date: Thursday, August 14, 2008 2:11 AM

Hi Jenni,

I just wanted to let you know that we've called the top three salon places in the list I sent you earlier. After speaking with Michelle at Touch Salon & Spa, the one you got the flyer info for me, we felt that salon seemed to offer the best and was most attentive, seemed experienced in working with weddings whereas the other ones seemed to not offer much information.

The woman at Touch actually took the time to get some of the basics of our wedding, date of wedding and time we had to be at the chapel on wedding day and all the details such as how many bridesmaids would be there and so on. We explained to her that the bridesmaids only want updos and nothing else. It was suggested I get my hair trimmed, colored and have my brows done a week before the wedding by every salon we called so thats probably what I will do.

They do offer a trial run of makeup and updo which is what I definitely wanted for myself. I think she mentioned it costs extra but for me, its a must that I have a trial run. She said the bridesmaids didnt have to do a trial run and that most didn't but I kind of already knew that. I didn't expect you or Shannon to do that. It was me who wanted that.

Mainly I want the trial run/practice because I dont know what condition my hair is in [i have split ends] and what formal updo would look best with my hair texture and my face shape esp when I am adding a tiara and veil. I think it would be helpful to have a hairstylist who knows what might look best on me, so that is why I wanted a practice before deciding on a style and the same with my makeup- I want a chance to try the makeup colors and makeup looks before deciding on a final look for myself, but I think more than likely I will show them pictures of makeup styles that Ive worn in the past in my own personal pix because I do want to look like myself and pretty much have the makeup styled how I would do it. Mainly what Im paying for in getting the makeup done by a salon is the expert touch of someone doing it for me perfectly and with a steady hand. I just want my eyeliner put on by someone so it doesnt look crooked or all smeared because I'm not the most coordinated or good with straight lines and making my eyes look even. I have a tendency to mess up or not be able to make both eyes match each other perfectly.

And the other huge reason why I've decided to get my makeup professionally done is that I want someone who can make my skin look better, more balanced [i have very blotchy problematic skin and dry patches]. I think a makeup artist could make my skin look flawless and more balanced with the right foundation and concealer and products that I don't really own and are probably more expensive than I can afford. I don't have any good foundation/concealer or what makeup artists use and that is one of the biggest appeals to having my makeup done by a professional.

Anyway, we have arranged a time where we could talk to the woman at Touch Salon further about prices and about putting together a customized wedding pkg for me with a price quote. She would also be able to give a price quote for the bridesmaid updo's. She set up a phone consultation appt for Saturday afternoon , as she said she'd have more time to go over all the information we need to know and answer any other questions we may have as well as give an idea when we should be there on the wedding day [what time] and all other pertinent information and then if we decide to go with this salon, we'd probably have an in-person consultation appt set up in the future.

I will let you know what happens if we do decide to go with this salon. The good thing is that it's near the area you live. I think this might be the salon we choose if it isnt too expensive for us. Jimmy felt like the woman was really helpful too and attentive to our needs, willing to work with us and eager to make everyone happy. [the other salons we called seemed impersonal and less friendly] Hopefully it all works out for the best. Thanks again for suggesting it to me and sending me the information. :)

Love,

April

---

From Jenni:

That would be cool. If Shannon wants to go with them also. I am happy that they are open that day. I am cool, with going there.

The great thing is, if you like them and choose them. That it is by my house, so once we get our hair done, we can come back here and have something to eat, or whatever, and calm down before we have to head out to the church and stuff.

I assume the church/chapel has a place to get dressed, but if you wanted to get dressed here, we could do that. And, head over in the truck. Or take the dresses and get dressed there. I hope that made sense. Anyway, if we all go to the same salon, that would be convenient. Since Shannon doesn’t live here, it is probably easier for her to go wherever we go.

- Jenni

---

Secured appts with Touch Spa & salon, all details and reply to ur email!

Jenni, I did have the phone consultation with Michelle at Touch salon and spa on saturday. she didnt ask for any deposits and gave discounts for each thing i am doing and for everyone else involved so it worked out nicely and the dates are booked. Just thought I'd give you a heads up. this is what we came up with [some of this info isnt relevant for you, my appts with the salon are more involved than yours becos of being the bride but i still thought id share with you what pkg deal ive worked out for myself with them :D

so this will be it: November 15th saturday- consulation with anna about cut and color and tentative updo for wedding. will have cut, color, and brow waxing that day at 3:30pm. it will cost approx. $160 for all that i need to get done that day but she will give me twenty dollars off so it will be about 140. I feel its reasonable but its mostly because I never go to salons or treat myself to a professional cut or color ever and its been over ten yrs since I have so I feel I deserve this. also jimmy gets his hair cut every month and though its cheap where he goes, it still adds up. he spends more on his hair than i ever do. it isnt over-the-top in price because i feel i do not do anything luxurious for myself and havent in this entire relationship. jimmy felt the price was good enough and was ok with it - i think he knows its once in a lifetime and not anymore expensive than the other four salons we investigated.

November 22nd- saturday- at 3pm, I will have my trial run of the actual wedding updo where u bring your tiara to have a practice session and also do a trial on wedding day makeup. that costs $135 but she is giving me twenty dollars off on that as well so in total it will be $115 after discount. Neither of these two appts I shared with you involve you but I just thought Id share with you and give you an idea what they are charging me for being the bride and all the services that are included.

And then finally, on the wedding day, November 28th Friday - she recommends we have our appts [me the bride, you the matron of honor and shannon bridesmaid] at approx. 1pm. she says we only need about 2 to 2 and half hours to do everything and to be able to leave by 3:30pm and make it to the church by four pm.

So, anyway for a simple updo the Touch salon woman Michelle said these cost $65 [it is 105 if u get your makeup done with the Updo and she offered twenty dollars off of that price for both you and shannon BUT I told her that you and shannon didnt want that and would do your own makeup. So the price is a little less without.] She will give both you and shannon 20 dollars off the 65 charge for the Updo.

Note that we need to be at the chapel by four pm at the latest accdg to Jimmy. As far as we know the photographer recommends we are ready for photographs by 5pm, if it changes I will let you know. the photographer we hired recommended pix around 5pm because we want pix before sunset when there is still sunlight and our ceremony isnt til 6:30pm when it will be dark out already since its Fall and at the end of Nov.!

The photographer also said he will take us to the beach nearby for some scenic type pix before sunset since we both wanted something sort of romantic. I dont know if this is the main wedding party or just bride/groom. But both Jimmy and love the idea and saw some of their work where they did this in the past, their beach photography and we agree we think it would be beautiful and special so we've elected to do this.

We can discuss next time we are in person more of these details and if you want to stop at your house after the salon before the chapel, IF you think we have enough time to make it to palm harbor and all.

I plan to get dressed at the chapel as my dress is very very formal and I don't want it wrinkled or the discomfort of having to wear it during the long drive to the chapel, id just rather get dressed at the church and have you and shannon help me get the dress on as it's not a dress I can put on by myself esp the top part of it. I need someone to help lace up the back, it is intricate and fix the train and all that for me :)

Btw, when given a tour of the palm harbor chapel, we were taken to a huge room within the chapel, its either in the back or upstairs but its a huge room for the entire bridal party to get dressed with mirrors and adequate place to get ready. It looks just like a bride room and very nice. Trust me, u may want to get ready there and do all final touches in the dressing room at the church :)

Anyway this is all for now, I just wanted to get you up to date on the salon!! Hope you are great.

Love and hugs,

April

project runway blurbs and sheer genius -

two fave project runway blurbs from michael kors judge

"it looked like a handywipe gone wrong"

"it looked like toilet paper caught in a windstorm"

also blayne- the tanorexia guy and the faces he makes, his strangely shaped funny eyes

and stella the trashbag motorcycle biker prostitute designer with her tough ny accent and rough look " lethhh-ah"

other fave bravo reality tv show-

sheer genius- hairstylists competing-

kim vo with his smirky lip smile and scrunched squinty eyes from smiling so hard at everyone.

and other stylist with his "hi-hi"'s

oshun -

no longer on the show, let go on the first episode but his persona was so hilarious that mmy and i always refer to him - repeating lines he said because he made us laugh a lot. with his: oshun. i've got the potion and the motion...my name is ohhh--shun and i'm deep" he enjoyed bragging about how he had a few emmy awards for doing famous celebs hairstyles. we knew it couldn't be true. i had never heard of him and both jimmy and i looked at each other laughing, saying to each other, is he FOR REAL? lol apparently many of the other contestants and his closest peers thought the same of him. saying oshun was something of a bullshit artist or something to that effect. we believed them!

currently, charlie and daniel are most amusing and seem to have great talent in hair.

charlie is the artsy cynical arrogant one with blk glasses- he loves to talk behind everyones back and is very sarcastic- i know he can be mean but i find him very amusing and hilarious.

daniel's boyish exuberance and overexcitedness about everything is highly amusing and entertaining to me- he actually exclaimed how he wet his pants when the orange county housewives were on the show as a haircut challenge for the show. daniel spoke of how he had a party for the orange county housewives trash reality show's finale cos he just loves them so much. most distinctive about him-- his texas drawl and love of hair spray, big hair etc.

year zero + trent reznor + HBO???

Trent Reznor In Talks To Bring "Year Zero" Series To HBO

Artist: Nine Inch Nails

Last week brought news of HBO's negotiations with Kanye West for a new reality series, now we can officially add Trent Reznor into the mix.

Year Zero, which is Reznors vision of a worldwide chaos and nuclear war could very well turn into an HBO series, according to The Los Angeles Times.

"It's the most exciting thing on the horizon, [and] it's the thing that, when I wake up in the morning, it makes me say, 'God, it would be cool if that happened,' " Reznor told the Times. "This is my grand ambition. Will it happen? I don't know. It was fun sitting and telling [the HBO] guys and watching them shake their heads and having writers on board and producers that are into it. It's been a fun thing."

Reznor has always said that he wanted to expand upon the Year Zero idea, and there have been talks to bring it onto our screens in the past, but this opportunity seems to be more promising than the others. If HBO eventually givees the green light on this project, it could very well mean a new NIN album.

"We would have a second ARG tying into the second album and [that] ties into the series, and they all happen together with a budget needed to pull that all off. There would be a tour down the road," Reznor said. "The record completes the story — the ending that no one knows. I know what happens. I knew when I started it. And it's not what people think."

MTV News

Posted on 08/12/2008

olympics crazy!! (not me!!)

[i wrote this earlier in august, during the constant coverage and obsession that some americans had over the olympics via television. for the record, i find things like olympics overhyped and overrated. it's not really my cup of tea although i do enjoy gymnastics and some diving]

August 12.2008

Has anyone watched the olympics? Jimmy is a fanatic about it and about american teams. and thats all his family watched 24/7 when we visited last Saturday. after hrs of it, I decided to go into the guest bedroom and watch a real tv show I liked by myself alone and then went to sleep there. I was so bored. they spent all day watching olympics and then all nite baseball. then olympics after I woke up from the nap and I had to argue just to get him to leave the tv so we could make our drive home.

I dont mind the olympics a little [like once or twice a week or at least spread out so its not everyday] but not every single day. however jimmy is not the same. he would like to watch it every single nite and day but has RECENTLY tried to compromise because of me [well see how long that lasts] but only because i got angry on Tuesday and pissed off after 4 or more days of constant sport coverage and olympics and not having a say in watching something NON olympics when it is my place too and I live here. i couldnt take it and it gave me a headache/migraine strength.

I just couldnt imagine 17 days, day and nite of olympics which is originally what Jimmy intended and planned on doing/ watching it every nite til he went to bed and nothing else. meaning he didnt care if i wanted to watch something else other than sports and if i was stuck watching olympics the entire nite everyday until the olympics ends, it would not bother him at all. I found it highly selfish. and immature. I believe in taking turns and sharing but like a typical male, that concept is hard for him to fathom or practice with me.


I just couldnt tolerate this. i want some variety on the tv and to be able to watch some things that we both like and that are relaxing. sports is noisy and involves a lot of yelling/cheering. i cannot even read a book or do anything relaxing when that racket is on and everything i enjoy doing is in the living room not in the back bedroom. I felt he was being very unfair and man-like, one sided, reminded me of dad and having no say in my own house.


Anyway after i blew up earlier this week, he took a break from the olympics but he has recorded it everyday and that is about 3-5 hrs of sports to watch and since he wants to be caught up everyday on olympics, it means that I have ended up watching it more than i even cared for or intended to.

When we fought earlier in the week, he told me he had never seen anyone NOT into the olympics [i looked at his parents and family friends and knew exactly why. all of them are sports fanatics and remind me of the jocks/cheerleaders i hated in hschl who NEVER understood me and looked down on me for not being athletic or liking athletics. they bullied me, made fun of me, and ridiculed me for being nerdy and NONathletic in highschool. his family attitude reminds me of the people who made me ashamed of who i was and who never truly accepted me for being different and who also judged me harshly and were very superficial mean spirited people. I have never been into sports and never will be. they need to learn to realize im not them, i am myself and to accept who i am. everyone is different and just because i dont like sports doesnt make me a bad person or abnormal or lower than them.]


In the same above fight, Jimmy told me I was abnormal for not being into the olympics. he also said its abnormal i never watched it much before him. the times i did watch it was like one or two nites out of the entire summer and only the competitions i liked like the gymnastic dances and the diving. so it wasnt like i was forced to watch the parts i felt were boring and i certainly didnt have to watch it every waking moment i was alive. When someone is forced to like something or forced without any choice to do or watch something- its only human nature that you become turned off to it and begin to hate it and eventually despise/resent whatever is being forced on you.

Jimmy also had to watch the entire olympic chinese opening ceremony last Friday. i was so bored, and lonely that nite. I was mostly was on the computer, outside smoking or fell asleep during the nearly five hrs of coverage.


a lot of the olympics is incredibly boring- like volleyball and canoeing and stuff like that. but jimmy LOVES it all. even the boring sports.


tonite, we were watching the gymnastics portion and this was the only time I enjoyed watching the olympics since it started last week, I have to admit.


I liked this series better because i find it more exciting/challenging when its more than just floor exercises as it can be a little boring and tediuous to watch for hours. and i also think watching the men perform is more exciting than the women and the beginning focused mainly on the men gymnasts on balance beam and on the trapeze thing.


I preferred the balance beam competitions in the men and women's divisions that we saw tonite. i could not watch it for days in a row though like jimmy.


Also I tend to like the NON american teams- like the russians and the chinese and he is the type who puts down anyone who isnt american and makes annoying rude comments while they are performing, like yelling screw up to that chinese girl who is actually one of my faves after watching her tonite along with the russian girls who I think really have a natural grace and agility to perform more than the american girls do !!


I hate people like that, who will only cheer for americans and will BOO anyone from any other country in the USA. i think its stupid, immature and almost catty/childish, snobby. superficial judgemental. closeminded.


That's probably why i hate sports and jocks/ sport-fanatics because they are only for one team or one state or one country and arent interested in seeing others and like to make put-down rude sarcastic remarks towards anyone not on the team they love [whether it be USA or the state of FL].

i like to watch performers and make my own decision that isnt always dependent on IF they are american or not. i tend to like the european performers best.


jimmy would prob be annoyed if he knew i was saying this. but i just do NOT get what the big deal is about olympics or why anyone would be that obsessed!! I really dont care. I would not care if I missed it at all and it wouldnt change my life but the way he acts, he cant live without seeing the olympics every single day it is aired and if he does, its like he might have a heart attack because he has to be watching it so he can talk to everyone around him since it seems everyone he associates with in life are all sport fanatics. everyone except for me!! I simply dont get it or understand why he even wanted someone like me if sports and being into sports is such an important priority for him and for the girl he spends his time with.


Jimmy's mom calls everyday and when he isnt watching a sport game or prob the olympics, she quizzes him and acts like there is something wrong if he isn't because she is!!! I feel like if he isnt watching it that she secretly believes I am manipulating him into not watching sports and that she resents me and blames things on me since she knows Im not into sports and I know by her past reactions, she thinks its weird and abnormal that I am not and taht Jimmy picked a girl who isn't sporty or into that kind of thing.


His mom as usual made some sarcastic comments about the fact that I do not cook, towards me. Her along with her two female friends ganged up on me - making sarcastic comments how they cant believe I am not into cooking as if every woman is. and also how they think I should love to cook and his mom again insulted me with her: "Well you just have to learn to LOVE it. I DID because I had to, I was forced to. Thats what you have to and need to do." I didnt respond much but I wasnt going to let her manipulate/pressure me with that and said simply, Its not for me and when they kept pushing, I made sure to say things in a tone that they could tell I was going to get very angry if they kept pushing my buttons.

I nearly blew up. i told them i found food uninteresting and boring and didnt really care about eating much or food, it didnt excite me. I was sarcastic back towards them and I believe they noticed it. I was sarcastic because they were telling me how i should feel and very rude, putting me on the spot and trying to belittle me, scrutinize who I am in front of everyone and in the pool. It felt very humiliating and I feel she does it on purpose. Its NOT the first time.


I overheard her critiquing jimmy yesterday that i dont cook and he does and that its wrong and he is quote, "too easy". [in other words she thinks he lets me get away with murder and taht I dont treat him right. which means she feels I am not good enough for her son. I always feel she thinks that about me and I know its not my imagination. I am annoyed over this still. I could never handle living in the same vicinity as her or having to be in her home for more than a few days. I would go insane. She is controlling and constantly critical, judgemental of others. she may not realize it but its the sort of energy I do not want around me. I cant stand people who make me feel like I am lower than they are and that no matter what you do, its not impressive enough. No wonder Jimmy has so many issues of self doubt and lacks confidence in himself, never thinks he is good enough or successful enough. I feel sad for him that this is what makes him that way.


His mom was also trying to insist i need to go to a tanning salon for my wedding day to have tan skin since i got sort of burned. and she said if i wanted to be perfect, id want to go tanning once. i dont want to be tan and i tried to tell them all i hate tanning esp fake tanning and dont think it looks good, think it looks fake [ugly, leathery like lizard] they told me i was weird. i know why they said this. its cos they look like the ones i think look horrible, overly tanned, leathery and aging from being overly in the sun. i bit my lip but i felt like i was going to blow up.


+++


I got this VSL that seems to echo my sentiment about the olympics, that its truly OVERrated and that there are actually some normal intelligent people who are NOT into olympics and whose lives do not revolve around silly sports!! HA- I sent it to Jimmy during his crazed obsessive days with cramming as much olympic activity into our days/nites as he could!

Why we’d rather watch the Olympics in Britain

WEB VIDEO: "BBC Sport’s Olympics Monkey"

Tonight’s the big kickoff for the Olympics. But before you’re sick of NBC’s whole theme-songed, video-packaged enterprise (the network plans 36,000 Hilton-Coke-ExxonMobil-sponsored multiplatform hours of coverage, the equivalent of four years of 24/7 broadcasting), check out this brief and fetchingly odd Web-video alternative.

Created as a promo for BBC Sport’s Olympics coverage, “Monkey” is the brainchild of Damon Albarn (lead singer of the band Blur) and Jamie Hewlett, the pair behind the virtual art-pop supergroup Gorillaz. The wryly animated video is based on the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West as well as the alt-rock opera Monkey: Journey to the West, another Albarn-Hewlett collaboration. It follows Monkey, Pigsy, and Sandy as they travel to Beijing. Along the way they must battle various foes by using their skills in (naturally) swimming, javelin-tossing, running, pole-vaulting, and hurdle-jumping.

If we were giving out medals for network promos, there’d be no competition: BBC Sport’s Monkey would get the gold.

“BBC Sport’s Olympics Monkey”

The New Yorker’s profile on Damon Albarn

Ask.com for more information about “BBC Sport’s Olympics Monkey”

to a friend

the VeryShortList.com archive

choosing the best aveda salon for my wedding. (the options)

We will be calling the salon tonite and/or tomorrow to get information and price pkgs for wedding day. All the salons I am considering only use AVEDA products/makeup and they kind of specialize in the relaxology/aromatherapy experience in a salon so ive heard it is very calming and some even give a massage as part of the service.

We are going to go with one of the five AVEDA salons below but won't know which one til we call and weigh pros/cons to pick the best one for my wedding day needs. Whichever one we choose will enable a practice trial run of makeup and updo in addition to wedding, that way I will get a chance to know what styles are good or best for my hair type and facial type/personality. It will also minimize mistakes happening on wedding day or being stuck with a style that does not suit me or look good. I am anxious over that so having a trial run makes me feel better.

The pricing is pretty reasonable and Jimmy agreed, its not too expensive considering what it is for. Some of these salons are called 'concept' salons and 'lifestyle'- lifestyle we figured out means flagship store and concept is a store that branched out of the flagship but is prob more independent from aveda and doesnt practice everything the flagship store might. I am assuming that is how it is.

So here are the main ones we are looking at with price ranges:

[note that the ones starred are the ones both jimmy and i feel have the best potential and look really good based on reviews we saw online and their websites!]

** 1- Whole Salon & Spa [concept salon]

Oldsmar, FL- 813-854-4455
Hours: M-F 9am-9pm; Sat-9am-7pm; Sun-10am-5pm

Service Menu + Prices Online:

Haircut- $25-75 [i am only getting a basic trim and my hair is one length so id hope any of these salons would charge me the lowest end of the price scale!]
Single Process Hair Color- $40-85
Wedding Package for Updo and Makeup: $190 includes trial run of bridal hairstyle UPDO / Makeup and for day of wedding! great deal/price.
Brow- approx $20


* 2- Level Salon- [lifestyle aveda salon]

by USF on Bearss Ave. in Tampa, FL 813-972-0404
Hours: open til 8pm on most days, at least on M-F; Weekend hrs may close a little earlier.

Service Menu + Prices Online:

Haircut- starting at $25
Haircolor- starting at $50
Bridal Makeup- $80 [inc. trial run and day of wedding]
Updo- Prices not listed, suggests a phonecall to find out price or any wedding pkg deals.
Brow- $15


* 3- Touch Salon & Spa [lifestyle aveda salon]
Citrus Park/West Chase area. 814-1390
Hours: ??? Not listed, must call for days/times open for business.

Service Menu + Prices Online:
Haircut-$45
Haircolor-$65
Updo-$55
Brow-$20
Bridal Makeup [don't know if it includes trial run, need trial and day of] $60
Wedding Pkgs- suggests call to find out any pkg deals


4- Rituals Salon [concept salon]

by Clearwater Mall 727-797-2800
Hours:


Service Menu + Prices Online:
Haircut-$25-50
Haircolor-$40-50
Updo-$35-50 - must find out if extra charge for bridal/tiara/veil updo and if they have pkgs that do trial run of hair/makeup and on wedding day etc.
Bridal Makeup- $40
Brow-$20

-I won't consider this salon unless it has a good wedding pkg and has experience in doing bridal and wedding events. Won't know til we call and investigate more later in wkend.


5- Dillard's Dept Sotre in Citrus Park Mall

Phone Number: 926-4545
No Information on website. Must call for hours and prices and any pkgs, and ask if they even do wedding events etc.