Sunday Surprise

Yesterday was such a weird day — where to begin?!

Although I set my alarm for 11:30, I woke up around 9:30am. Willingly. I felt rested despite
only getting a few hours of sleep. I had none of the symptoms of “the day after” syndrome.
Woo hoo! So, I got up, made some coffee and puttered about the house and tidying up for
my parents’ afternoon visit.

The morning, itself, was smooth and uneventful. Around 1pm, I received a loud frantic knock
at my door. Assuming it was my expected company, I swung the door open (while still in
my fuzzy robe and matching slippers) to find myself face-to-face with a very large policeman.

(I didn’t do it!!!! I swear!!)

His eyes darted wildly into the void behind me. “Is my officer inside?”
Me: “Officer?” “Huh?”
Him: “Is the 1202?”
Me: “Yeah…”

At this point he backs up to check the number on my house again, then proceeds to walk
aimlessly about my yard looking for clues to who-knows-what. Not knowing what the hell to
do (and with no further explanation from the officer) I closed the door and watched the
freakshow from my window.

I noticed there were about 3 cop cars and 5 uniformed men circling my house. Finally, one
of my next door neighbors flags down a cop to inform them that they were searching the wrong
house. I am forever surrounded by idiots.

I soon discovered the confusion though. Seems the perpetrator had dumped his contraband
(and the bicycle he used as transportation) in my back yard on the way to his uncle’s
house (next door to me.) He was then seen by a neighbor trying to open the sliding doors
to my kitchen. Upon seeing the cops — and not being able to get inside — he dropped all
his shit and just ran.

Oy…

The oddity didn’t end there. In the midst of the cops searching my premises, my parents
pulled their mafia-esque Town Car up in my driveway. They were coming over to take me for
lunch, and my dad would be installing a new headlight in my car for me.

The installation went smooth. However, the minute the new bulb was tested, the other headlight
burned out. Talk about synchronized! Not so strange, in itself. What was strange… is
that I bought the new headlight last week. One headlight. But it didn’t look right to me.

So on the way to lunch with mum & dad, we stopped and picked up another headlight — at a
completely different auto parts store. It was exactly the same. And then there were two…

I had no idea I’d be needing both! That’s just totally weird, eh?

BREAD: “London Bridge”

Bread: “London Bridge”

I know the times the times are hard to bear
It’s hard to find someone to really care
But before i went down and out
Here’s what i used to think about, think about:

London bridge is always fallin’ down,
But there it stood within the heart of town
Reminding everyone of life behind and life to come

The changes taking place are everywhere
The centuries past have nothing to compare
Where they stand, where they trip and fall
Watch the writing on the wall, on the wall

London bridge is fallin’ down at last,
And so another memory of the past
Has fell beneath the blade, but soon the dead may be repaid

I know things just can’t evolve for all eternity
The thoughts will leave, will never die, and now so you can see

London bridge is finally fallin’ down,
It packed it up and shipped it outta town
And though the horror’s gone, the memory will linger on

London bridge is finally fallin’ down,
It used to stand within the heart of town
Reminding everyone of life behind and life to come
London bridge is finally fallin’ down…

Beer & Pancakes

Beer & pancakes — blueberry pancakes!  With REAL maple syrup.  My syrup bottle is one of the few things the airline didn’t break in my luggage.  Even two of my faves can’t quell my pain for what awaits.  The folks are not well… and I’ll be shipwrecked in Wichita longer than I’d expected.  It’s going to be a long, cold, lonely winter.

“Oh, that magic feeling — no where to go” Beatles

“Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose…” Janis Jopin 

REO Speedwagon: “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore”

While this song totally takes me back… it’s still here… and though the face has changed… the meaning’s the same.

REO Speedwagon: “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore”

I can’t fight this feeling any longer
And yet I’m still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship, has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show

I tell myself that I can’t hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
Cause I feel so secure when we’re together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear

And even as I wander
I’m keeping you in sight
You’re a candle in the window
On a cold, dark winter’s night
And I’m getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can’t fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for
It’s time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever

Cause I can’t fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crashing through your door
Baby, I can’t fight this feeling anymore

My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you
I’ve been running round in circles in my mind
And it always seems that I’m following you, girl
Cause you take me to the places that alone I’d never find

And even as I wander I’m keeping you in sight
You’re a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night
And I’m getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can’t fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for
It’s time to bring this ship into the shore
And throw away the oars, forever

Cause I can’t fight this feeling anymore
I’ve forgotten what I started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crushing through your door
Baby, I can’t fight this feeling anymore.

Weekend in Toronto

On Sunday night (my last night before catching the flight home on Monday), I finally went out on my own. I spent the night wandering Yonge and drinking in the sights and sounds. Being a “night person,” this was what I was looking forward to most — being left to my own devices in a city where something is always open and people are continually bustling about.

I was thrilled to find that the little book shop across from the Eaton center was still there. Didn’t find anything I wanted though. Kept walking. Sat on a stone bench in the courtyard for awhile and took in a bit of people watching. Skateboarders, couples on first dates, students holding tightly onto the last hours of the weekend, small groups of older folks taking in the night’s beauty after an evening at the theater, a man sleeping outside the Gardiner Expressway overpass…

I have to say, I was strangely inspired by Toronto. Strange because I wasn’t expecting it. I’ve been before, but it has a different feeling and meaning now. I saw everything with a fresh new light. I hopped on a ferry & visited the Island. I imagined that that’s where people could escape the City for an afternoon picnic and cuddle in the park under a nest of trees.

If I had to explain how I felt… when a dog gets a walk in a new neighborhood, and when he smells some new and fantastic scent, he feels an uncontrollable desire to roll about in it. I felt a bit like that.

I took my film in tonight to be developed & hopefully I’ll have some visuals to post!

Peace, Love & Happiness ~

Click on the photo below to view some of my Toronto pix!

Sleepless in Wichita

I haven’t had much sleep lately.  As of Tuesday night, I’d been without sleep for 48+ hours, and it was kicking my ass.  I was zombie-fied.

If that wasn’t bad enough, I checked my mail (after having been out of the country for a few days) to find a note in my mailbox.  While I was gone, the neighborhood got together and wrote a collective nastigram to me about what they think of “my type” and how I’m “ruining the neighborhood” and that I “need to go back where I came from.”

Not once since I have been living here has anyone been friendly enough to so much as say “Howdy!” in my direction.  Where the fuck do they get off judging me?  They don’t know the first thing about me or what I’m like or what my “type” is.  If this is all about not mowing my lawn… I will happily go back to where I came from.  Except, I *am* from Kansas.  Fucktards.  If they ever took the time to get to know me, they’d know that.

Also, I got home late on Tuesday night and discovered that I’d locked myself out.  In desperation, I had to kick in the front door (with assistance from a new friend!)  The repair man was out yesterday to fix it, so I stayed home from work to let him in.

Then, my mom shows up to surprise me and mow my lawn.  Don’t get me wrong… it was a very nice gesture, and I know she just didn’t want people to keep giving me shit, but I’m a little pissed about it.  I hate the thought of my smug fucking neighbors thinking they won.  That they intimidated me in any way.  I’m not afraid of a bunch of smalltown suburban assholes, and I don’t give a damn what they think of me.

It totally ruined my rep.  When I get home tonight, I’m going to crank up my music (Prince, George Clinton, and anything else with lots of bass) and make a general nuisance of myself.  If they’re going to hate me anyhow, I’d might as well make it legit.

Last night, I was awakened at 3:30am with a heinous migrane.  It hurt so bad, it actually induced a panic attack.  Sometimes, living alone isn’t the party it’s made out to be.

I really hope to get some decent sleep tonight… and some sweet, sweet dreams.

GENESIS – 9/7/07 Toronto BMO Field

Wow… I don’t even know where to begin! I was sitting at Pizza Pizza on West Queen’s Quay eating a slice of extra cheese when the sky issued a downpour of rain. I feared the worst for my long-awaited outdoors concert… but G_d smiled upon me. Not a drop fell during the concert (despite many scuffles about the banning of umbrellas!)

GENESIS was sooo fabulous — well worth the wait (15+ years!), well worth the $$ & the flight to Toronto. Tony, Phil & Mike on one stage — with Chester Thompson on drums (Phil did some fantastic drumming as well!!) and Daryl Struemer on lead guitar. I love Steve Hackett… but Daryl kicked some serious ass. Woot!

The BMO Field was PACKED!!! The line just to get in the door (even for those who bought tickets in advance) was unbelievable. Once inside, I picked up a couple of Molson and sauntered through the crowd to my 2nd row seat.

The stage was set beautifully — colored fog wandered to and fro while two large projectors gave closeups of Phil and Co.

I totally, totally, totally must see it again — maybe in Los Angeles!! In the meantime, I’ll be posting some pix from the show (should they be good pix) to share!

XOXO
Jen

P.S. — I could be wrong, but I think I may have actually seen Tony smile!!

***WARNING SPOILERS***

The set list included some incredible picks. Many from the Invisible Touch album! Invisible Touch, Domino, Land of Confusion… (I would have only added In Too Deep)

Then, some from the archives — Mama, IN THE CAGE (!!!!), I Know What I Like, Home By The Sea (I & II)…

An encore included We Can’t Dance & CARPET CRAWLERS!

Click on the photo below to view some of my GENESIS pix!

Dramarama

I’ll be heading North of the border Thursday night!! And Friday night… GENESIS shall be mine! I’m just going to run this lovely thought over and over in my head… because everything else kinda sucks and blows right now.

I might be losing my day job. Lots of changes are going on right now… and last week, I received a reprimand for surfing the internet at work. I may have some new website gigs though. Completely non-entertainment. The lack of drama might be a nice change of pace.

Speaking of drama, I’ve been under an inordinate amount of stress lately. I could have really used a bit of advice from an unbiased party. Unfortunately, no such advice was to be found. I then searched for a shoulder to cry on. Another unfruitful query.

In absence of counsel, I weighed the truth and acted accordingly. It wasn’t at all a “logical” move — when considering the big picture. In fact, I probably just fucked myself out of a potential career (or as some would say – “burned a few bridges”). However, I did what was fair and just, and I stand by my decision.

What an awkward situation. Yet every schmuck thinks they want to be in my place. They wouldn’t last a day…

I really need a stiff drink or five. Thanks to my secret stash, I intend to do just that. Just a little something to help me sleep…

Back to work tomorrow, and no doubt, fresh hell awaits.