I don't DO quiet

If you know me, you know I'm loud...

I talk loud, laugh loud, listen to music loudly, and the list goes on and on. My mom always tells me I walk loudly... it's just who I am. I've accepted it and we all can move on now.

I was the kid that got in trouble for talking too loud, then for whispering when I wasn't supposed to, them humming when I finally would remember to stay quiet and then for exclaiming loudly when I should have kept the answer/comment/etc to myself. It's just who I am.

There are people that are quiet... they balance me out. So in this big, ole world, all is as it should be.

So I had a "minor" meltdown earlier this week when my computer itunes program started skipping everytime I touched my mouse or keyboard or anywhere else on my computer for that matter. Do you know how often during a normal workday you touch your computer? THINK about it. It's ALOT!!! All caps, three exclaimation points ALOT!!! And people, I don't do quiet. I can't stand silence... not even in nature - bring on the crickets, birds, wind blowing through the trees, etc. Quiet makes me nervous so just shutting down itunes and going on about my day was NOT an option. Not with all the work I had to do...

But taking the time to fix it wasn't something I wanted to tackle either - my whole technological world is breaking on me... computer, phone, printer, etc... they're all dying a slow and painfully annoying death. Nothing works as it should and I'm tired of coaxing them, promising sexual favors and such to get them to work. It's a daily battle and I was not prepared for battle with itunes on Monday morning. I was barely prepared to sit and stare at my screen while my brain decided if it was coming to work.

I need to consistent, soft stream of music coming from my computer to keep me focused... I know it sounds contradictary but I'm not actually listening to the music. But it keeps me from hearing the conversations around me and the random noises which occur here on a daily basis. It's another one of those weird things that make me, Me.

So I walked around our business for a while to simultaneously warm up (let's not discuss the temperature of my office) and cool down and I was muttering to myself*, "I don't DO quiet" over and over again. Several of my coworkers found this hysterical... and I answered several questions through out the day with the phrase. So I decided it should be my new motto.

I don't DO quiet.

Just in case you were wondering:)

On a side not, my Netflix was "The Duchess" and I loved it. Had no expectations of the movie, knew little to nothing about the story and I loved it. I'm interested enough to look up the Duchess of Devonshire and learn more of her story. Kiera Knightly did an excellent job.

And the costumes were amazing!!! A well deserved Oscar if I must say so myself.






*Another part of my quiet avoidance, if there isn't anyone to speak with or to hear me, I just talk to myself.

N.K.O.T.B.

Instead of blogging about life, I've been out living it. It's been nonstop here for a couple of days with concerts, work, friends, home remodeling, and birthdays. But a fun couple of days.

The other night I went to see the New Kids on the Block in concert, about 20 years too late. I was a fan around ages 9 or 10... I don't really remember because I've never been the obsessive type. But I was excited to go to the concert... I love live music. And the energy of shows.

It was raining with a chance of thunderstorms which isn't that big of deal except that we had LAWN seats at Lakewood. But we solidered on and were rewarded by the gods of ticketmaster: they upgraded us to covered seats when we walked in the arena.

Our seats were great and we were dry. Even a walk to the restrooms meant a walk through the rain so I made it through the entire concert without a bathroom break (that takes dedication). When they came out into the crowd and stood on the platforms, they ran right past us (we were 3 rows back from the divider fence) and John was right in front of us. That was the best part. Well, and the end of the show which featured the song "Hanging Tough" that somehow segued into "We Will Rock You" featuring all the teams of Boston. Some hometown pride was classic.

One thing I found funny was the back up dancers had more costume changes than the actual band... kind of unnecessary but I guess someone thought it was needed.

Crowds at concerts, especially boy band crowds are GREAT for people watching... when they were playing their new songs (which I didn't know), I was watching the people. My favorites were the girls who thought they needed to wear the clothes they were wearing the first time they saw the New Kids in concert (circa 1994). Neon pink and green hairbows with side ponytails were the winners.

And a major bad on my part... I didn't take my camera. I'm a little self-concious about my "big" camera and taking it places - mainly because I don't want to draw attention to myself. Which is fine but then I need to remember to charge my little camera and take it with me. It takes good pictures (as seen on this blog) and then I have pictures to play with.

But as for future plans, I just bought tickets for Sugarland this fall... I love them and I'm so excited to see them in concert (again).

Life in a Northern Town

So I'm not a big fan of email forwards, well anymore. So when I get one, I usually put it on here and go on with my life. So here we go:

1. Put your music on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!

1) IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY? My Hometown, Charlie Robinson. (oh, dear.)

2) WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?The Sweet Escape, Gwen Stefani (This is oddly accurate, considering I escape all the time, the lyrics really don't follow along those lines but the title is what counts in this one).

3) WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Until the End, Norah Jones (Hmmm....)

4) HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Perfect Lover, Britney Spears (No Comment).

5) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE??It's All Over, Dreamgirls Soundtrack. (um, is there something I need to know?)

6) WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?Beer in Mexico, Kenny Chesney (Sign from above?)

7) WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? You (Drive me Crazy), Britney Spears (I swear I am NOT cheating).

8) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Yes, Beyonce

9) WHAT IS 2+2? Rich Girl, Gwen Stefani & Eve

10) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Good Ol' Boys, Waylon Jennings (Interesting, considering I don't think I have a BFF)

11) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? All We'd Ever Need, Lady Antebellum ( My new favorite band - does this mean, I'll only ever need him?)

12) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Better Day, Zac Brown Band (there's some optimism, nice.)

13) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Fergalicious, Fergie (I think someone's trying to tell me something.)

14) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Might "O", Outkast

15) WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Please Mr. Postman, The Marvelettes

16)WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?That's Where I'll Be, Little Big Town

17) WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? Magic, Bruce Springsteen (Hell, yeah!)

18) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?Something More, Sugarland

19) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?Idlewild Blue, Outkast (Hmmm...)

20) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Womanizer, Britney Spears (Not a good sign)

21) WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? Everybody's Broken (Bon Jovi)

22) HOW WILL YOU DIE? Don't Stop Believin', Journey

23) WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? Nature Boy, David Bowie (this one could actually work if I had dated a nature boy, my friends and I used to nickname all the guys, as in "NYC boy", "wine boy" etc. based on a detail about them)

24) WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? I want you, Elvis Costello (I have NO idea...)

25) WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? Janie's Got a Gun, Aerosmith

26) WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?(You Want to) Make a Memory, Bon Jovi

27) WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? The Train, Outkast (Idlewild Soundtrack)

28) DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?All American Girl, Carrie Underwood

29) IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?Walk Like a Man, Franki Valli (the movie? the way we walk?)

30) WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? Don't Speak, No Doubt (talking is a little difficult for me right now)

31) WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?Life in a Northern Town, Sugarland, et al (Because that makes sense...)

32) HOW DOES THE WORLD SEE YOU? The Littlest Birds, The Be Good Tanyas (I really shouldn't download music suggested by my weird music friends)

33)WILL I HAVE A HAPPY LIFE?Thinking about you, Norah Jones (Should I be more concerned with others to achieve happiness?)

34)WHAT DO MY FRIENDS REALLY THINK OF ME? She, Emmylou Harris (Interesting...)

35) DO PEOPLE SECRETLY LUST AFTER ME? Trampled Rose, Alison Kraus (What's with the wounded female vibe, sheesh.)

36) HOW CAN I MAKE MYSELF HAPPY? I found it in you, LeeAnn Wommack (I guess it could work...)

37)WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY LIFE?Change, Taylor Swift (ah, poignant).

38) WILL I EVER HAVE CHILDREN? Up Where We Belong, Joe Cocker (Why do I even have this one on my playlist).

39) WHAT IS SOME GOOD ADVICE FOR ME? I'll be there for you, Bon Jovi (Who will be there?)

40) HOW WILL I BE REMEMBERED? I Hope that I don't Fall in Love with You, Hootie & the Blowfish (Ouch, iTunes, that's not nice)

41) WHAT IS MY SIGNATURE DANCING SONG?MJB Da MVP (now, that's what I'm talking about!!!)

42)WHAT DO I THINK IS MY CURRENT SIGNATURE SONG?No Ceiling, Eddie Vedder (That could be inspiring)

43) WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK MY SONG IS? Big Time, Big & Rich (Wow, iTunes definitely has some insight)

44) WHAT TYPE OF MEN DO YOU LIKE?I can't Help Myself, Four Tops (now that's funny)

45) WHAT IS MY DAY GOING TO BE LIKE? No Tell Lover, Chicago (No Kidding?)

What's Wrong with Britney?

More appropriately the title should be "What's Wrong with Newsweek?" Top pick story of the day! Come on people, Britney Spears thinking that the law doesn't apply to her is so 2007. Get over it. Let's all move on to the fact that Lindsay Lohan took a drink of champagne... far more important.
I'm not trying to sound condescending or elitist... obviously I know what happens in the lives of the pop-tarts as well. But I am tired of hearing about them. This stuff isn't even fun anymore, it's just sad. I lost all respect for Barbara Walters when she had Paris Hilton as one of the most fascinating people of 2006. They've all been in jail and rehab - if they were SuzyQ living next door, we would all stop talking to them. Yet they seem to only gain momentum from the news... I guess the saying, "there's no such thing as bad publicity" is true.


Today has been a great day for taking naps, the weather is dreary and even though it's much warmer, it was not an inspiring, sunny, go play outside afternoon. But a great day to curl up with a book and read the day away. And those of you who've spent more than an hour with me outside of a work environment know what I did today. I did move location several times and I did leave my apartment and go for a run this morning but otherwise I have been enthralled in my new book, "breaking her fall" by Stephen Goodwin. Such a great and touching story about a father and daughter. Highly recommend it.

I finally broke down and purchased Eddie Vedder's soundtrack for "Into the Wild" on iTunes a minute ago... I loved the movie more because of the music. More than one friend put it on their lists of top albums for 2007 and I just had to have it. I enjoy every moment of the album and want more when it's done. I'm not known for my "great" taste in music, just check out my collection of Britney and NKOTB. However, I do recognize talent and know the difference between being entertained and a talented singer/songwriter/storyteller. This is some of the best music ever, hands down, final answer.
The movie is such a touching story and sad ending. As I told my friend Brian, I'd watch the movie again just to hear the music and all I want to do now is go to Alaska. It was already in the top five places I want to visit and seeing the scenery in the movie only made me more anxious.