It's all been done, and I want it back

Last night Tracie and I saw Barenaked Ladies (or Barenaked La- as we called them) up in Salt Lake.

I wasn't too excited as some of you may know (those who read Tracie's blog and have a spectacular memory) their lead singer Steven Page left the band early this year.

It was surprising to hear their guitarist and "other" lead singer Ed Robertson helm a lot of the songs that are so signature Steve.

Here's the story of our concert going adventure. I'm not sure anyone cares, but this is as much for me as it is for you, plus I haven't blogged in AGES, so don't complain! Aw, fine. Complain.

The concert date almost didn't happen, as I had a final that I thought I'd be able to leave early (especially since my teacher said I could leave early) but, I didn't. The concert said it started at 7:30 and I wasn't able to leave class til 7:00. With all the snow and bad weather, I really didn't want to go, but I knew Tracie needed to get out of the house and her parents were watching the baby, so go we did. My fears of getting into an auto accident or missing the concert never happened, and we actually got there just in time to find a place to stand while about 3 minutes later BNL came on.

It was a good concert, but it felt forced, like they were trying too hard (by they, I mean lead guitarist and now-lead vocals, Ed, and drummer Tyler Stewart. The bass player Jim Creegan and keyboardist Kevin Hearn seemed going through the motions, the only thingsweaker than their attitudes was their singing). They sang a lot of the classics, such as:

get in line, maybe katie, one week, it's all been done, pinch me, if I had $1000000, god rest ye merry gentlemen, blame it on me

which are great songs but I realized how essential Steve's voice is to those songs, Tracie and I had many comments to make during the concert, such as
Tracie: it feels like your visiting a divorced parent and you can't have as much fun with just one of them.
Me: It's like chocolate chip cookies without the chocolate chips.

They're all very talented musicians, and I'm glad we went, it was less than half the price the last time we went to one of their concerts (and there were a fraction of people too, but to be fair, it was a smaller venue and they did sell out) but truth be told, their new songs I enjoyed the best, because they weren't written with another voice and/or instrument, they were written for these 4 talented musicians.

3 out of 5 stars, just because they can't compare with the band they once were, but I'm glad they're being the band they are.

Armor

Photoshop Assignment: create 5 images around a specific theme.

Can you guess what my theme was?

*Hint: it rhymes with sbarmer.

New News

No, the news isn't that my blog is now credit card safe, the news is I have a new job! I start tomorrow, and I'm super de duper excited and super de pooper nervous. My time at Heritage (or HIT) was mostly well spent and I wish them well, but I felt that they were promoting people that didn't know as much or weren't as good with people as I was, I wanted somewhere I could be appreciated, somewhere I could make more friends and money, and somewhere closer to home. All of that is at Security Metrics.

I already have a friend there, Brad who told me about the job and pestered my new boss about interviewing me, big great big thanks, Brad!

I'll let you know how it goes after I've been there, but that's my news, now that I've officially quit HIT, I feel it's ok to tell the blogging world!

Look out, Security Metrics Tech Support, here I come!!!

The most adorable calendar countdown ever

True it has a lot of flaws (the design, not the baby) but I was just messing around and thought I'd post it for any NaNo Authors out there. And for funsies.

You've got a lot of 'Splainin' to do

And not enough time to do it. My poor neglected, cobwebbed and moldy blog. And it's not going to improve much in the near future. I've been very busy with work, school, and family, not that you'd know from my performance in any of them. My life is hectic, probably more than it's ever been before. Next month should be better in some ways, but I will be dedicating every second of my spare time to this year's NaNoWriMo. It will be my THIRD year participating, and if the old "third time's the charm" adage proves true, I will finish it. I've tried to get past the roadblocks I had the first two times I tried and failed, because this year I SHALL NOT FAIL! 50,000 words in 30 days. Not 30,000 words of 2 years ago or 10,000 words of last year, FIFTY THOUSAND! I have my story plotted out, my characters developed, I've been writing every day (almost) this month and most of last month to get into the habit of writing again, I am swearing off video games for 30 days, so if I fail, it's my own darn fault. But, as stated before, I SHALL NOT FAIL!!!

School is all right, I really enjoy my drawing class, I love my computer design class (Photoshop: SO COOL!) I tolerate my Geology class and I sleep through my Physics class while those around me get D's I scrape my A's.

Work is work is work (is a cigar? is a rose?) I just found out they're packing up our department and moving it to another section of the company, which makes me anxious a la Arrested Development. "So when do we get to see our shiny new offices?" "As soon as you get your shiny new jobs."

Moby is I think the cutest darn baby on the planet, even when I try to look at him as if he's not my son, I still wanna eat him up and hug him to death while doing so. In a good way, of course.

Tracie is an amazing mother despite what she thinks, and my biggest regret is not being able to be with them more often. But hey, if I DO write this novel and if it sells and if I make millions I can stay home with my family and write when I want, right? Awful lot of if's there, but I'm learning that if growing up means giving up on your dreams, I'm never going to completely grow up.

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a best selling novel to write.

Starting to really enjoy Graphic Computer Applications

I'm sure I'll look back at this one day and laugh, but right now I'm super proud I did this.

I told you I have class

So I've been back in school a few weeks now, thought I'd give you a heads up as to what they're like.

Mondays and Wednesdays I have drawing, not learning anything new here, I took Art in High School and Drawing in Virginia, plus I've drawn ever since I was old enough to hold a crayon, marker, penny. I already know what gesture, contour, value, line quality are, I already know most people in my class are better than I am, though, I must admit, several times during critiques people have said they like my drawings the best. A few times it wasn't even me. The teacher I like, she's probably my age, but the older I get the likelier that is to happen. She's smart, enjoys her subject (what drawing teacher isn't going to like drawing?) and is actually VERY helpful when it comes to advice and critique. I've already tackled several subjects I had given up on long ago. (Namely: drapery)

Tuesdays and Thursdays are more difficult. Partially because of the classes, mostly because I don't see my family until after 9:00. I start with Computer Graphic Design Applications, or Adobe Creative Suite class. Right now we're doing Illustrator, and while at first I was so overwhelmed and swept up in the pandemonium and difficulty of something so new and different, after a few classes, I'm getting better and almost liking it. The teacher goes way too fast, but most of the class already know the stuff. Then is Geology, I have to take it, but I enjoy it. The teacher is really funny and likeable, he's a Geology nut, plus he teaches Jr. High so he has to be entertaining or they'd eat him alive. I just wish the class ended sooner.

Saturday I predict will be the most difficult. Not to get an A, but to stay awake. My first day, the teacher reminded me of Professor Binns from Harry Potter. The teacher who was so old he died one day and came to teach class as a ghost just the same. The class is Physical Science, which I again have to take, and I think the teacher was around when science was invented. (That's just mean, we all were.) But, after awhile, you find out he's a funny cute old guy with interesting stories. Then you find out those interesting stories are outnumbered by the irrelevant, boring and rambling ones 7 to 1. But, he brought us donuts last time, so it can't be all bad. Bring me a donut and let me do my homework and we'll get along fine.

Those are my classes, just a small handful left until I get my associates and can focus on the good stuff!