This post should have been last Saturday since I actually went to see Shinedown that night, but it was a hectic day and I didn’t have time.
The concert was amazing, as always. It was my third Shinedown show and they just get better every time. I want to share the opening of the show with y’all, because oh my God! This got the whole venue fucking pumped. (The video I’m linking wasn’t from Birmingham. I can’t find one taken there, and I myself only recorded three songs.)
No appreciation post would be complete without pictures! These are not from the concert, obviously.
And, yes, I have a crush on Brent Smith. I can’t help it. He’s adorable. Lol.
You’ve heard of Tremonti Tuesday (or you have if you follow this blog, lol). Now get ready for Stitch Saturday! Showing some love for my favorite masked marauder in Mushroomhead ❤️
P.S. – I do have pictures of him maskless, but I just adore his masks.
I started out browsing for pictures of abandoned amusement parks and ended up diving down a rabbit hole of the strange on Pinterest. Some of the uploads were actually creepy, but most of them just gave me an uneasy feeling – especially the ones that are real places/things. There was a whole lotta nope, and locations that, were you in a horror movie, it would all start going wrong there. Haha 😛 Below are a few of my favorites. I’m sure there will be multiple installments of these types of images: I love this stuff.
Look, we all know dancing is a means of expressing oneself, right? A lot can be said without a single word being uttered. Dancing can be fun, goofy, romantic, a narrative…but in this case, we’re talking about sex, pure and simple.
You don’t have to bump and grind to get the point across, and these three scenes are proof of that.
1. The ballroom dance in The Labyrinth (1986)
Come up with any detail in these four minutes that isn’t fraught with sexual tension. I’ll wait.
This scene is iconic. I guess you could argue that this is actually supposed to be about romance, but the moment she first spots him from across the room is just…electric. Plus, David Bowie is so swoon-worthy in this role.
2. At the club in Fright Night (1985)
Chris Sarandon is the sexiest, most deliciously evil vampire I’ve ever seen. I’d be drawn to him, too. It was a little strange for me to see Amanda Bearse getting mildly sensual, though, given that I was only familiar with her in “Married With Children” when I first watched this movie. Lol.
3. The wolf dance in Red Riding Hood (2011)
The music – Fever Ray’s “The Wolf” – is really what sells this one. When he looks up at her, knowing she’s jealous, and then the two of them glare daggers at each other throughout the whole dance, it builds a tension that is palpable.
(Feel free to comment with your own additions! These are just the ones that jump out at me, personally.)
We almost missed our first flight, our second one was delayed (because some genius put us on a plane that wasn’t equipped to fly/land in snowy conditions, despite the fact that we were headed to Colorado Springs), and my mom had a mild case of elevation sickness on our third day there. Other than that, the trip to visit my brother and his wife was an absolute success!!!! I had visited last year, but we didn’t get to do a lot of sightseeing, and this was Mom’s first trip – and first time flying. The whole area is so beautiful. (Raton, New Mexico, wasn’t that impressive, though. Lol.)
We’re both dying to go back already. I’m aiming for some time during the summer so we can get out and explore a little more. Below are pictures I took during our excursions, and one from the plane because I’m that person 🙂
This was captured about 10 minutes from DFW Driving towards Trinidad The Raton signScenic overlook coming into Colorado from New Mexico Their cat, Hanzo, who was sad because we wouldn’t allow him in the guest room
I know 99% of my posts are about music and I randomly throw out a few things about books or movies, but I really wanted to give a shout-out to some small (online) businesses that are killing it. And it’s not entirely out of my wheelhouse — all of these shops, save one, sell items that are horror- or Halloween-themed.
Not Your Average Babe
I stumbled across this shop on Instagram and fell in love with basically everything I saw. Unique clothing at an affordable price (if you don’t get too carried away), NYAB sells must-haves for any fall/horror/Halloween lover.
This shirt is part of their camp set and comes with shorts.This Ghostface sweatshirt is available as part of a set as well.Sam jogger set 🎃
Twisted Allure
Another Instagram find. Twisted Allure often collaborates with NYAB and contributes various bath and body items to NYAB’s monthly boxes. Every single thing I’ve ordered from Twisted Allure has been spookily themed and positively delightful – and doesn’t irritate my super sensitive skin! Their Easter line just dropped, so treat yourself!
When my best friend moved away last year, I was depressed and decided to treat myself with some bath bombs and body butters. I found a fall/Halloween line from a shop on Etsy and ordered two of the body butters. Best choice I’ve ever made. I have since returned for multiple items, including one of her soaps (lemon and blueberry), and I ordered part of my mom’s Christmas from Honey Butter. I’m only going to link her Etsy shop because I think the IG profile is actually personal.
“Better Not Pout” is one of my favorites. It’s orange and cloves.
Vera’s Eye Candy
I found this site because of someone I follow on Instagram. This one is a little more pricey, but the clothing is very unique and includes band shirts/tanks/dresses along with the horror and Halloween themed items. The shop owner is nice and handles any issues swiftly. I highly recommend checking them out.
Scream, Billy Loomis tankCoraline tankHalloween Queen tankKewpie Art the Clown ringer tee
Wicked Ghost Co.
I love, love, love this page! The selection isn’t huge, but the designs are wonderful – and a handful of shirts are being brought back soon, so I’ll be ordering some stuff when that happens.
I will do a longer blog about my trip early next week, but for now I wanted to drop in and share some pictures. I just didn’t want to break my posting streak while on vacation (as lame as that is).
We fly back home tomorrow, which sucks. It has been a fantastic five days – complete with much needed family time, lots of snow, some exploring, and really, really good food. I can’t wait for our next trip out here!
Central ParkThe view from 12We took a drive down to Raton, New Mexico
I fell off the face of the earth during Covid, but as some of you have surely noticed, I’m back! There has been so much to share – from new music to tour dates – that I am just now getting the chance to post a little personal blog and tell y’all what’s up with me.
Well, I honestly haven’t been doing much besides working. My best friend and her family moved to Kentucky last year, so I’ve driven up there twice to visit them. I had never been to Kentucky before, and they took me to the Indiana state line so now I can say I’ve been there as well. Ha!
I also flew out to Colorado in February 2021 to see my brother and his wife. They have lived there since 2017 and that was my first time going to them, and my first time flying. (They have flown home three times, once for a memorable weekend in Dauphin Island.) Colorado was beautiful! We knocked out a couple of other firsts: me gambling and both of them getting tattooed. It was so much fun, but a very short trip. No worries, though. Mom and I are heading out there next week!
Other than that, I’ve been to a few concerts. I saw A Killer’s Confession (and met Waylon Reavis and Church, both formerly of Mushroomhead). I went to a John 5 show and met him, which made my life as I’ve been a fan since I was 12. Small Town Titans came to town, as did Smith & Myers, Tommy Vext, South of Eden, and Blacktop Mojo. And I hung out a lot with Alabama’s very own Throne of Eden.
Now, I’m really just crossing my fingers that the Rammstein tour happens this year. I guess I would be satisfied with an Alter Bridge run in the fall/winter instead; they keep hinting that they’ve begun writing for a new album.
I hope this blog finds all of you well, and that your 2022 is going much better than the last two years! I’m gonna wrap this up with a few pictures. Until next time! 🙂
Small Town TitansColorado My and my brother’s tattoosMy Rammstein tattoo Blacktop Mojo Mom with “Catt” (Blacktop Mojo)John 5Waylon Reavis ChurchWith the besties at the haunted woods for Halloween Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville My newest tattoo
This likely won’t be a weekly thing, because I doubt I’ll remember to post every Tuesday, but today I feel like sharing a few pictures of my favorite singer/songwriter/guitarist/artist/all-around genuine human being.
That time he let me put a filter on him (2019)Mark with my parents (2017)I took this one in February 2020The cutest picture in existence
Mostly Music 