Dreaming of You

Man, it's not like I've been feeling uninspired because I'm not. I'm photographing, drawing, reading constantly but when I get to this "new post" screen I just freeze up.

I want to tell you about me, but there is nothing to tell. I'm not pregnant. Weight Watchers didn't work (my fault, it's a great program) so I'm the heaviest I've been in a long while and longing for exercise that isn't in a gym to cure it. I'm surrounded by friends and I'm taking advantage of the weekends by exploring Chicago. My family is just as insane, but loving, as always and may have possibly inspired me to write a book or at least a graphic novel about them. I adore my job and my coworkers.

But...yea, that's it. So how are you all?

I must say, 2008 has been one of the better years of my life in the last decade. 8 is my lucky number so I had high hopes, but when theMan went to the ER on 1/1/08 I thought, "eeep...maybe not." Turns out it was a blessing as it gave him time to devote to photography, which he is now earning money from. I've read some life-changing books. I've developed some deep friendships. I've earned more money and spent it wisely.

Not only do I turn 30 this year, but I will also celebrate 10 years of marriage with theMan. We have a trip planned the week after, since my new niece/nephew will be here on our actual anniversary. I can't wait for October, but I don't want to rush it.

Basically, I'm happy. I can't wait to see what's next but oh how I'm finally learning to enjoy the moment.

Making Out

These weekend cemetery visits are more and more special to the Foy and me. We're finding that spending the time alone, in a quiet park-like setting, being creative, first thing in the morning while exploring the city, is a great way to be close and intimate. Never thought I'd thank dead people for enriching my marriage.


In other news, I've managed to catch a spring cold that is ravaging my internal organs. Things are coming out of me that I never imagined were in there in the first place. Colds should be limited to Winter Months only. And if you elect me President, that will be my first order of business!

Day of the Dead

Try to picture it:

I've just dropped off theMan for his wedding photography gig and I've got 2 hours to kill before I get to babysit my nephew.

I hit our neighborhood in search of something, a place to sit and improve my headspace and there it is.

A date with Mr. Vonnegut and some red wine at a small table in a nearly-empty bar with the sun shining and their windows all open to the sidewalk.

A Cubs game on in the background where all the locals, along with the hot bartender are yelling "son of a bitch" as I get ready to enjoy this mystery red wine, read my book and eventually walk to the library. Later still, I spend 5 hours with Coen who is in a very good mood.

Really...a quality way to spend a Saturday.

P.S. Happy Birthday shout-out (yes, it's still 2001 in my head) to Trent Reznor of NIN. You get better with age, you hot ass talented mo-fo.

P.P.S. We've now hit up almost 9 (?) cemeteries and went back to one this morning to see a very impressive chapel and columbarium. Go to Flickr to see more.

Jolene Jolene

Guess who went to see Dolly Parton last night?

ME!??!?!?!??!?!??!?!?!?!?

At around 10:00 a.m. my boss mentioned that Dolly was playing tonight, her show to make up for the cancelled ones in February. I got really sad and was IM-ing theMan about it. He then said, “Just go.” Me being the tightest person on the planet felt guilty and hemmed and hawed. My coworkers caught wind and started pressuring me, then theMan was pressuring me, then I said, FUCK IT. I charged them up and then proceeded to get so giddy and excited I barely ate all day.

Trust me, that is me excited.

So I ambled down to the Chicago Theater by my lonesome and got into my very very very awesome and close seat and waited and smiled like an idiot until she busts out on stage singing “2 Doors Down.”

I teared up immediately, starting singing and dancing and just felt like “God damn this is the best $100 I’ve ever spent.”

One of my favorite things she said was talking about her husband, Carl Dean: On our first date, he was such a gentleman. He read the menu for us, ordered for us, and then we drove up to the second window and picked up our food.” Made me think of my man.

I just couldn’t believe I was seeing her sing the songs I love!

Sadly, I was ill-prepared and had no camera, but I have the best concert t-shirt ever (which I also convinced a gay man to buy in line with me) and I’m wearing it today at work under a blazer with a scarf. Every once in awhile I stop people in the hall and show them. I mean, I have Dolly across my chest…what would you do???

Saturday we're going to see Ministry to cash in the birthday tickets Jzn got theMan. If there is one thing I love in life it's extremes, and this week should about do it.

More YouTube Hits

I supposed I'm not the only one that gets stuck in a YouTube loop. Much like the myspace loop but way more interesting. For instance, I started by watching this.

And ended up with these:

Hank Williams Jr. - All My Rowdy Friends - This is what watching 20 Greatest Moments in Redneck History on CMT at 2:00 a.m. will do to you. Still, a great song from my IN days.

Hank Williams Jr - A Country Boy Can Survive

Dave Matthews & Emmylou Harris - Black Veil Beautiful. Simply.

Emmylou Harris & Dave Matthews - Gulf Coast Highway

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Down on the corner - One of them is playing a damn steel tub, for god sake.

Born On The Bayou - Creedence Clearwater Revival - His voice just gets me. I gotta pull out some albums.

Tina & Ike Turner - Proud Mary - Oh Tina, you are so god damn awesome.

Emmylou Harris & Robert Duvall - I Love To Tell the Story - This is probably one of my favorite gospel songs, mostly because I can always hear my Grandma Nita singing it. This verseion has Robert Duvall singing it!?!?

...and ended with this.

Ville-ians

From my coworker April about me and my stories about Crawfordsville:

Remember when Rose Nyland of the Golden Girls always told crazy St. Olaf stories? Well, the ‘Ville is like St. Olaf with meth houses, babies named Hayleighh-Aan Mohniqua, rampant dinners at the O.G., muscle cars, mullets and domestic abuse.

Yep, that's about right.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, you hot bitch.