personal post

5 Things That Make Me Happy

April 12, 2024 — Leave a comment

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?

I saw this prompt from WordPress and decided, why not? Then, I gave the question and its answer some serious consideration. A couple of my responses are no-brainers. The others…well, they are small things that I suppose I take for granted, but nevertheless, they make me super happy!

1. Family

All-encompassing, huh? Okay. Let me get specific. One of my absolute favorite things in the world is ending my day with my mom, watching either true crime or cooking shows. And I love listening to my dad tell stories about him and his brothers when they were younger. And I love hanging out with my brother and sister-in-law, playing video games or watching documentaries.

2. Music

Music ties in directly with family because my parents are responsible for my love and vast knowledge of music. I can’t live without it.

3. Books

Reading brings me so much joy. I’ll usually choose to read a book rather than watching TV. Curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee (or tea) is my idea of Heaven.

4. My cats

I mean, come on. Duh, right?

5. My coworkers

So I don’t always love my job, but I do have a pretty amazing team around me, which sometimes extends beyond the walls of our workplace. My favorite coworker story? The first time my mom had a seizure, we called an ambulance and rushed to the ER. Well, I had been sending snaps to my work bestie, Rocky. He was at the gym, and when I told him what was going on, he asked if I wanted him to come to the hospital. Before I even had the chance to answer (to be fair, I wasn’t staying on top of Snapchat at that point), the outer doors opened and I looked up to find Rocky walking into the waiting room, still in his gym clothes. It was only about 15 minutes later they let us back to see my mom, but the fact that Rocky sat with me and my dad for those 15 minutes told me that we were really friends, and not just on the clock.

And those are my 5. I’m a simple girl. It doesn’t take much to make me happy. I have to say, though, that this list probably would have been fairly different a few years ago.

Mom ❤️
The brotato
Dad 💙
Marceline
Vlad
Rocky
One of my work moms 🩷 (She loved that shirt so I ordered her one.)

Vacation Mode Activated

October 19, 2023 — Leave a comment

I still have 11 days before I fly to Colorado to visit my brother, but my mind has already abandoned the real world. I am so ready to escape my job for a week. Plus, while I’m out there, I get my birthday gift: we’re going to Albuquerque for the Wednesday 13 Performs Murderdolls tour – and my brother bought me the VIP experience, so I’m meeting Wednesday 13!!!!!! I’ve been a fan since I was 15, and I just know I’m going to make a fool of myself.

In other news, I had an appointment with a gastroenterologist last week. I had been having some abdominal discomfort, up to and including mild pain just below my breastbone and slightly to the right. The doctor said it was most likely a pre-ulcer or an ulcer. I was given a medicine to coat my stomach when I eat and another that is supposed to help control my stomach acid. I also had an ultrasound done. Well, the office has not called with the ultrasound results, but the medicines seem to be helping. The only pain I’ve had in the past few days has been at work. One of my coworkers said that suggests an ulcer, because I’m hurting only when I’m stressed. I guess we’ll see. If I don’t hurt at all in Colorado, then the problem is my place of work. Haha!

Just wanted to share another personal post, give y’all an update on things. In regard to the music side of the blog, I have two interviews coming up: hard rockers Sever Red and the industrial metal band Corvin’s Breed (who is opening for Psyclon Nine on their upcoming Infection Divinum Tour). These will both be written, as I don’t yet have the option to do video or phone interviews. I’m also continuing my weekly Bands You Should Know, so if there’s anyone I need to do a brief blurb about, tell me in the comments!

I hope this post finds all of you well! Oh, and if y’all wanted to see a half-assed shot of what was visible in Alabama during the annular eclipse…

I was in the parking lot at work with three other employees trying to catch that. The picture might not be great, but we were having a lot of fun! Lol.

Posing as a Travel Blog, a.k.a. My Colorado Vacation

May 25, 2023 — Leave a comment

I spent last week in Colorado. Trinidad, to be exact. I flew out to visit my brother and sister-in-law, and to enjoy five days far away from my job.

We didn’t plan things to do, we just did them. My brother smoked burgers and ribs because I love his cooking. We traveled highway 12 and ventured up to Simpson’s Rest, neither of which we’d managed during my previous trips due to the weather. He took me down to New Mexico, over the Raton Pass, through Carson National Forest, and into Eagle Nest. On my last full day, we drove to Rye and checked out Bishop Castle. I climbed to the second highest level there, but was too chicken to go to the top (especially since it was raining and the stairs and rails were wet).

Other than that, I had downtime with family. We ate good food and watched a lot of Netflix and Hulu. I convinced my brother to sit through the Fear Street films (he actually didn’t mind them), and I think I got him hooked on “Outer Banks.” Oh, and I was introduced to my newest furry nephew, Lucifer.

I could go on and on. However, I’ll just tell my story in pictures. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, after all.

(The cats get uploaded as individual images. I’ll group each day trip into a gallery.)

Lucifer
Lucifer again ❤️
Hanzo
Fishers Peak, taken from Simpson’s Rest
The sis-in-law
My brother
Simpson’s Rest
North Lake
Cuchara
Cuchara
Cuchara
Cruising Highway 12
New Mexico
Bishop Castle
Double rainbow coming down out of San Isabel National Forest
Lake Isabel
Random things

A Whole Lotta Good, But Also Some Bad

January 31, 2023 — Leave a comment

Hello, all! I hope this post finds you well. I just wanted to jump on here and give y’all an update on things.

I have four interviews in progress, though one seems to have stalled out because of circumstances beyond his control. I’m really looking forward to sharing them, Carbonstone’s in particular. I have also been receiving emails from various promoters requesting that I share singles and tour dates for bands they represent. I was followed on Facebook by Paul Crosby Management, which is cool (and if you’d like to follow too, here’s the link 😉).

I have almost finished yet another book for my Goodreads reading challenge, so keep an eye out for my next update post about that.

As for the bad news, I had to miss the Alter Bridge show in Nashville because I was too sick to go. I went to my doctor yesterday and he put me on an antibiotic and a medicine meant to break up congestion and help keep my lungs clear. I was gutted to skip the concert, but there is a bright side. I should be well in time to enjoy my brother’s visit this weekend! And we may have missed Alter Bridge, but I’m taking Mom to her first Shinedown show in April so… I guess we’ll recover. Haha.

Thank you to everyone who even acknowledges this blog. Drop a comment if you’d like, telling me something good – or bad – that has happened lately, or just how you’re doing today!

Cheers!

Halloween 2019 [Photos]

November 4, 2019 — Leave a comment

I just wanted to share some pictures from our Halloween get-together ❤

I was Harley Quinn. Overdone, I know, but I already had the costume and I was lazy this year. Ha! My best friend did my makeup.

The bestie and her son/my nephew, Alex. He was Sub-Zero.

Tiff’s husband, aka my “husband-in-law”

Tiff’s daughter/my niece, Ivy. She was a dead kitty.

Recent Photos

October 5, 2017 — Leave a comment

My best friend is a hair and makeup wizard, in my opinion, so I keep asking her to doll me up and take pictures. Lol. Since it is October, our most recent “shoot” was done in Papa Emeritus (Ghost) face paint.

 

 

 

 

Rest in Peace, Tom Petty

October 4, 2017 — Leave a comment

When I was a tiny human, my parents played music constantly. It was only natural for my first favorite band to be a band they introduced me to — Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. I can remember, before I could use the turntable, asking my dad to put on Full Moon Fever for me. (I loved solo Petty as well as his work with the Heartbreakers). I would listen to that album from start to finish, on repeat.

My first favorite band…and later, my first rock star crush. Before the boy groups and all that, it was Tom Petty. To this day, I can’t explain it. I just had a thing for him. And while I was still in love with the man and his band, my parents took me to see them. Twice. I was the happiest and luckiest kid in the world. I had been to several concerts, but Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers was the first one I was old enough to really remember.

And now, Tom Petty is gone. He passed away at 8:40 p.m. (PST) on Monday, October 2, 2017.

I’m at a loss. I know there are people here who can understand; after all, the music community has been grieving far too often lately. This, though, is different, for me. This was the artist who set me on my journey, the first to make me really feel so deeply about music.

Thank you, Tom Petty, and may you rest in peace.

https://youtu.be/B8m5p6V_NPQ

https://youtu.be/2SF1iLXSQtoi

https://youtu.be/cwqhdRs4jyA

It’s Midnight and I’m Blogging

September 21, 2017 — Leave a comment

I have decided to post a random personal blog once a week, although I can’t guarantee I’ll remember or always have anything interesting to say…

For tonight, however, I do have a good story. This past Saturday, my dad and I went to see the Alabama Crimson Tide play.

I’m a huge college football fan, as are my parents. My dad has loved the Tide since forever, but he’s only been to one actual game, and an A-Day. This was my third game, thanks to the fact that my Jesse took me to watch them against Virginia Tech.

Anyway, we had a wonderful Saturday. We reached Tuscaloosa early and briefly tailgated with a couple of really nice strangers. The game was amazing. Our opponent was the Colorado State Rams. There’s clearly work to be done, but we won and I enjoyed doing the “Rammer Jammer” cheer.

Dad bought me a collector’s cup and a stuffed elephant, decorated with the Alabama “A,” which is too similar to the one for the Atlanta Braves if you ask me. I took some pictures, none worthy of this blog. Just Google “Bryant-Denny stadium.” It’s magnificent. The atmosphere is electric. And I totally fan-girled on the Walk of Champions. No shame!

As always, I hope this post finds you well. Be ready for better posts in October. Lol. (Although I’m sure there will be more talk of the Crimson Tide before the season is over.)

October!

September 14, 2017 — Leave a comment

October is my favorite month. I love autumn, and I love all things connected to Halloween: the decorations, the candy, the movies. Oh, and football is still on. (Roll Tide!)

I’ve been lazy with my posts on here. Yes, I post everyday, but it’s just my playlist challenge and the weekly focus (and Let’s Talk Covers, when I remember). I’m going to try to get better, and October gives me plenty to blog about. I already have a couple of posts written 🙂

In other news, Alter Bridge is finally coming to my home state in November. I am so excited! Here’s hoping I get to meet the guys again.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful 2017!

Birthday Blog: Dirty Thirty

August 31, 2017 — Leave a comment

Okay, so my birthday was over two weeks ago. I debated whether or not to even post a blog, since I didn’t have a big extravagant celebration with a band. But then I thought to myself: “This year was better — in a way.”

On my actual birthday, I went to my best friends’ house. Tiffany, who is like a sister to me, fixed me breakfast for dinner. (She makes the best pancakes in the world.) She and her husband, Jerimy, gave me a Ghost tee-shirt, which I quickly changed into before settling back to watch that night’s episode of “Big Brother.”

The next day, I had the joy of seeing my Jesse. She lives in Georgia, and she left work that afternoon and drove straight to my house. My mom fed us tacos, then we watched movies until we fell asleep (The Houses October Built and Anna, for anyone wondering).

Jesse and I had adventures in Huntsville on Saturday, followed by Chinese food and ending our night at Tiffany and Jerimy’s. I was super stoked that three of my best friends were finally meeting, and they got along quite well. We sat outside, talking and catching sight of the occasional meteor from the shower taking place.

Sunday, Jesse and I literally did nothing except indulge in more movies and have a long conversation with my mom.

It may sound like a boring weekend, but for me, it was the perfect way to ring in my 30th year in this world. I missed my brother, and Heather and Chanin…and yes, it was weird not seeing Almost Kings. However, I had music, movies, three of my favorite people, my parents, and delicious food. What else does a girl really need?

Check out my fabulous gifts! The Marilyn Manson sweater was from my parents, the MM necklace was a present to myself, the Ghost shirt was from Tiff and Jerimy, and the other three items were from Jesse ❤

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