Just You and Me Punk Rock Girl

And My New Year's Resolution is...the same as it was at age 17.

Well, I don't really need to be a bass player, unless in a Dead Milkmen cover band where an attention span is less of a requirement.  I do need to find a way to live the dream.  My Dream.  My stupid, risky "you will loose it all, and it is not really a good idea anyways because other people are already doing it, and there are already too many coffee shops in Asheville though none of them offer to add booze into your beverage so you have that in your favor" dream.  Also on deck: Write an article for publication, comparing both major Punk Rock festivals in the US (Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas vs Riot Fest in Chicago.)  I am not sure where this might be published, or how to even sell my written word, but I have a whole lot of something to say about both of my 2013 experiences   Lastly, it is time to get out behind the microphone in dispatch, and behind a microphone in a radio station.  

Bring it, 2014!  

Bring it.

2014 is The Year of The Artist & Hijinks

I am an artist.  

I am a writer.  

I am pretty hilarious when unfiltered.

Put my personality through a sieve, and something wonky will still get through.

Hold onto your britches, because this year, I am writing for myself; 100% quirky; me. 

Shenanigans are to be expected.

Hijinks are already underway.

The filter has been downgraded.

By that, I mean disintegrated.

Mostly via coffee and laughter, shared with long distance lady friends at all hours of the day.

It is never too late for a morning cup of coffee.

And, damn, I have wonderful lady friends!

Perfectly ratioed in the Classy : Tacky,  Beneficent : Absurd, and Frightened : Brave departments

My wild women are irreplaceable.

I am an artist.

I am a writer.

I am ridiculous.

Don't like it? 

Go poop in a shoe.

Preferably not my shoe.

Or anyone else's for that matter.  

If you are a in a bad mood, please poop in your own shoe,

Or perhaps trade in your uncomfortable footwear and see if that helps.

For My Sorority Sisters

This post goes out to my Sorority sisters. No,no, not a real sorority. I am talking about an imaginary sorority, where you still get to sing and dance, and even pull pranks on your sisters, but have to have sex with the same guy every night because you are old and married. Also, you do not need to memorize the Greek alphabet, but instead, get to sing David Allen Coe and Mica lyrics at a high volume in front of frightened elderly couples and children. We are onto something here! I am pretty sure you get to laugh a lot more in our imaginary sorority, but I could be wrong. My research is limited, since I majored in protesting in college, which included protesting the Rush week. I am glad I did so, because they were complete dicks to my orphaned, yet devoutly religious and Republican friend Tiffany. Did I mention that she was an orphan? Within years of her rejection, she became a Lesbian. Parents, watch out, the Greek/sorority system made her gay.

Speaking of homosexuality, I was also not a cheerleader in high school, though people are constantly assuming so, due to my cheerful-as-fuck attitude. I was a cheerleader of sorts, but only for my fellow students dealing with depression, coming out, getting sober, or questioning authority. I didn't really have a uniform, unless frizzy hair and eyeliner counts, and was neither sanctioned by the administration, nor recognized in the yearbook. I am pretty bitter about the whole experience.

I assume that this new imaginary sorority will fill the gap left by a lack of appropriate social interactions, but am hoping not. I am expecting anything but appropriate from my new Sistahs. Welcome to the Ridiculous, Ladies!

This One Time, At Grand Canyon

It is a good day when I get to say on air...

..."Gilla Monster reported in the Laundry."

The properly identified Salamander was later released into the wild.

Classic Fashion is Back!

Whether I am entertaining, socializing or cooking, I love to be dolled up in 50's style dresses. The look is very complimentary to my figure and personality. The drawback of my favored style is that the dresses are uncommon and often over simplified. I am very happy to have found the Whirling Turban online today: http://whirlingturban.com

The dresses are detailed and hand made, so they cost more than shopping at a department store. While I have been enjoying browsing through all the beautiful dresses, I have noticed they do have a few off-the-rack designs at a much more affordable rate. Happy browsing and shopping, girls!

Utah! Kodachrome, Grand Staircase Escalante & Bryce

Until July, Pete and I did not have matching days off of work. As soon as our schedules started to mesh, we got to adventure further out of our village. I love hiking in the Canyon, but this last month and a half has been a dream! Our first real weekend away was in Utah(!) Pete found us a cabin at Kodachrome Basin State Park. http://www.utah.com/stateparks/kodachrome.htm

There were only six cabins, each equipped with a charcoal grill, tiny refrigerator, bathroom, air conditioner and beds. It was very calm and quite. We could access hiking/biking/horse trails right from our cabin.

http://www.redstonecabins.com/

We had been experiencing a dry spell in our high desert home, so sitting on our porch and watching the storm roll in was particularly beautiful. Right out our front door we had a view of the rock spires called "hoodoos" (rhymes with voodoo) which are one of Utah!'s claims to greatness.

(You can see a hazy rainbow through the yellow storm cloud.)

We went for a 6 mile round trip hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls, which is part of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/grand_staircase-escalante.html

It was hot and sandy hike with a great payload at the end of the trail. Or great diversions along the way. Our favorite part was playing in the creek after we finished out hike. Next time we may wade up the creek in our chaco sandals instead of keeping to the dusty trail. I am glad I had so much water with me! We saw several groups of hikers bringing a half a liter of water for the hike, even though the signs and literature warned about the heat and need for massive amounts of water. Pete even brought my water filter (Christmas present from my Pops many years ago!) along as a precaution.
One of the advantages of dating a marine is he may over prepare on occasion, but is never under supplied.


Here is the 120 foot lower calf creek falls we hiked to. I wanted to go swimming in my chonies (that would be slang for undies) but a family showed up and ruined my fun. Pete of course was prepared and got to swim!

We did an 8 mile loop hike in Bryce Canyon National Park through the Peekaboo, Navajo and Queens Garden loops. Here is the Wall of Windows. Many many hoodoos in Bryce!

And here we are after we hiked out!