The Monday Blues

Lets start the week off right. Here a little something to get you out of bed and into a take down this day kind of mood. Enjoy :)

Portlandia

There is this show. Its called Portlandia. The clip speaks for itself. The show essentially makes fun of hipsters in Portland, although these days, it could apply to anywhere. Enjoy! The first season is on Netflix and the second season just debuted. Don't ask me what channel. Cause I don't know.

The Pines

Lately, I've been at a loss for what to write. There hasn't really been that creative spark or an interesting story I've wanted to share. Then I heard a song and it all changed.

The Pines are a local midwest band who started to get noticed a couple of years ago. They have this outdoorsy, rustic feel to them that is unmatched by any band I've heard in recent memory. They literally have a song for any mood, feeling, occasion. I heard "All The While" on the Current yesterday and was hooked. Now most of the time, when I hear a song I love, I forget absolutely everything about it. Who wrote it, what it was called, and of the lyrics. It all just flies out my head. Its like it doesn't want me to remember it. I made a point to remember who these people are.


This is a link to their myspace page. The featured song is called "What Good Am I". It's live. You wouldn't know the difference between a recorded track and live tune. They are that good. Its bands like these that often don't get the recognition they deserve. In an age of auto-tuned top 40's, its nice to know bands like The Pines Exist.

http://www.myspace.com/thepinesspace


This is a link to The Pines Page. They have their first album available for listening right on the site. Their second album is available on iTunes and the third album comes out January 31st, 2012. They are coming to the Cedar Cultural Center on February 17 at 8oclock. Tickets are 15$ in advance and 18$ at the door. It isn't much to support such a musical talent. Enjoy what you find. Love what you hear. Support this great band.

http://www.thepinesmusic.com

Enjoy. Don't forget to check out Skinny Girl Thoughts, brought to you by yours truly. 

What are you going to do to change your life today?

Things You Can Actually Get Paid For

It's easy right now to think that there are no jobs out there for people to have. Truth is, there are jobs, they just aren't ones that people want or think of. I recently found an article on jobprofiles.org that lists 37 weird jobs that people actually do. So here is a feature of the 10 ten in my opinion. Now I thought of this because of a trip to the gym after work. I was stopped at a red light waiting to turn, and I looked at a dealership parking lot. There was man walking around checking all the doors to the cars and carrying around the biggest key chain I have ever seen. And I thought, someone actually does that. I wonder what other odd jobs are out there? So without further adieu, the top ten weird jobs.

10. Cheese Sprayer
                  This person is actually in charge of spraying cheese or butter onto popcorn. Who knew it was a science. With all the jobs done by machines, its nice to know the important things are still done by hand.

9. Chicken Sexer
                  Believe it or not, someone actually goes through baby chicks and separates them by sex. This job is only cool for its title.

8. Cartoon People/Mascots
                  For obvious reasons, I don't think this is that weird. But I'm including it because at least I know I could have a job if my career path doesn't workout. You can say you knew me when ;)

7. Dog Food Tester
                  When I read this, I thought, "Couldn't they just use dogs for this?" Then I thought about it and realized they can't talk. I often forget this because I talk to mine like they can understand everything I saw. So a human out there actually test dog food. Gross.

6. Dice Inspector
                  The perfect weight, the exact role, cheat proof dice come from somewhere! Something not often thought about. Those high "rollers" (bahaha no pun intended) will have piece of mind at the tables knowing a professional has inspected their dice.

5. Weed Farmer
                  No, not that kind of weed. Actual weeds. Who knew those weed killers were tested on crops of weeds. That would be awesome to say "Yeah, I'm a weed farmer"

4. Gum Buster
                  Yes, someone actually walks around places and removes gum from the surfaces. Soooo, what I'm getting from this is that people should keep putting their chewed gum on public surfaces, otherwise someone is going to be out of a job.

3. Fountain Pen Repairer
                  Do these people realize that ball point pens have been invented. I guess if you're that one person who still uses a fountain pen, you'll be glad to know someone is sitting around waiting for you to break it...

2. Citrus Fruit Dyer
                 When I first saw this, I thought it said dryer, and I thought it was the someone who actually dries fruit. Nope, it says dyer. Someone makes lemons more yellow, oranges more orange. Weird, and we are worried about pesticides....

1. Hair Boiler
                 Gross. Gross. Gross. Gross. This person boils animal hairs so that it curls and can be used later. First off, for what? Second off, gross.

Here is the link to the rest of the article! Enjoy, and remember the next time you are complaining about you office job that someone out there right now is boiling hair. Take what you can get I guess.

http://www.jobprofiles.org/library/guidance/weird-jobs.htm

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Nontraditional

When I transferred to Metro, I never considered myself anything but an ordinary student trying to finish my degree. Then I walked into my communications class and I felt home. I'm not ordinary in any facet of life. I've always stomped to my own beat, never followed the social norm, and yes I bought that navaho winter jacket from Goodwill that was a dollar. Best dang purchase ever! I meaannn, it has been above 40 degree's, but I looked sexy wearing it that one time it was cold. I like sweaters, the uglier the better. I own plaid converse, props to Janey for that purchase ;). The more mismatched my life is the better in my opinion. So when my communication's teacher said that he liked working with nontraditional students like myself, I thought, yeah, this is where I'm meant to be. Finally I feel like I belong to a community filled with people just like me. I'm not fighting to fit in, feeling strange walking the streets, or trying to outdo the person next to me. I was nervous at first when I parked my car and began the trek to the classroom. I even went earlier in the day to scope out the room so I would look like I've been there forever. As I walked through the doors of St. Johns hall, all of that nervousness melted away and turned into pure giddiness. I was actually excited about what was to come. There are people in my class who are married with three kids. There are kids who are right out of high school and there are people just like me. Many already have degree's and are just trying to advance their degree. There is a Ukraine woman who has one of the coolest accents on the planet. There's a wedding planner, a laid off man trying to get back into the field, and then there's me. But I didn't feel out of place like I felt at Marquette. And don't get me wrong, the two years I spent at Marquette prepared me for where I am now. I have an amazing group of friends that I'll have forever. I'll have my experiences as the mascot, and the experience of being out on my own. In the beginning of living in my old room, I felt as though I had taken a step back somehow. But in reality, I've taken so many more steps forward. My parents don't seem like my parents any more, they are my roommates.(Don't worry, I still see you as authority figures) And they go out way more than I do. I have all I could ask for and more. I get the satisfaction of knowing that I didn't follow the status quo. I didn't stay at Marquette because it was the normal thing to do. I didn't like something about it so I changed it. I get to go to work everyday and talk with my kids and help them out in any way they need. I've seen more growth in "Clyde" over the past month than I ever thought was possible. I've seen "Bonnie's" layers slowly peel away as she becomes more outgoing and social. I've seen, lets call him "George", become the sassy little 5th grader he's supposed to be. These three kids have had to go through more than any kid should have to, but they don't let it get them down. They get up everyday and they surprise me. And no matter how much they can just push my buttons sometimes, I know that we have a bond. I get to see what a lot of people around them don't get to see. In a way, they are a lot like me. Nontraditional.

My name is Mary and I am nontraditional in every way. But now I'm home.  And most of all, I'm happy. The journey is just beginning, but at least I now feel comfortable with the path I've chosen to take.

Fiona Apple-Extraordinary Machine

Hitch

So remember that movie Hitch with Will Smith? Well that is me! I am a match maker, sorry I'm not sorry. My 16 year old boy and 16 year old girl are attending a dance together!!!! The girl, lets call her Bonnie, was so nervous. She's never asked or been asked to a dance before so no better time than now! Since the dance was at her school she had all the power in her hands! The boy, lets call him Clyde, has been to his share of dances, but hasn't been asked to one in a long time. So we were in the car last night and I brought up the dance and when it was and if she had asked anyone yet(knowing full well that she had not). And the rest is history! I'm pretty proud of myself, but mostly of them. They've both come out of their shells quite a bit since I've been working with them and I'm so happy that's the case. They are going to have a wonderful time!

So, it has been 8 months since I have set foot into an actual classroom, and tonight at 6 oclock, the streak ends. I guess picking a 3 hour and 20 minute class to break this wasn't the smartest idea on my part, but I didn't really have many options! So I return to full time student status today and I'm pretty psyched about it. I even enjoy have a little homework to occupy my free time. I'll probably think differently about that in a few weeks, but for now I guess I'll just enjoy!

Funny thing I saw today was a very very old woman driving a bug. She was so short that her line of vision was through the hole on top of the steering wheel. Can you say stereotypical old person driving? Yes.

Don't forget to check out Skinny Girl Thoughts, brought to you by yours truly! Enjoy the beautiful global warming! I'd say 54 degree's in January isn't too shabby :)

Flower's In Your Hair

Music. It's probably one of greatest passions in life. I played the Clarinet in middle school and was pretty dang good at it. I'm a little sad that I gave it up and probably couldn't play a note it I tried today. But I gave it up because my sister said that being in band was bad for your reputation. It is clear that I do not care anymore what people think of me. But that is that. It's in my closet if I ever want to pick it up again. What I really want to do now is learn the guitar. I think live acoustic unplugged performances are the most beautiful thing in the world next to sunsets. It's my dream to one day do an open mic night and somehow launch myself into music. But the likely hood of that happening is slim to none. At least the launch of a music career part. I find that lately I am bored of my music. I don't like the top 40 type music unless its the right time and place for it. I needed a new band to become obsessed with and play all the time. Luckily for me, Meghan came through. The Lumineers. The epitome of everything acoustic, raw and beautiful. Their EP is all live recordings with beautiful lyrics, that downtown cafe feel with beautiful guitar and piano backing. Here is my favorite song off that self titled EP.

The Lumineers Flower's In Your Hair

First Aid Kit is a band I saw in Chicago last year and it was one of the most amazing shows I've ever been too. They are two sisters from Sweden who got their start on You Tube recording videos in the woods behind their house. I recently heard one of their songs on the current and it's amazing to see how far they've come. They have a great CD, a couple of EP's and everyone is amazing. My favorite, Ghost Town, was done unplugged at the show I saw and it was so moving. Their music is relatable and noteworthy. Enjoy.

First Aid Kit-Ghost Town Unplugged

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Warning

WARNING! This will not be over stimulate brain, be educating in anyway or blow your mind. If you are a journalist in a third world country who barely gets to use the internet, don't waste your time reading this. Just sayin.

Anyhoooooooo, today's subject will be things from my childhood that ended this year. Number one. The Harry Potter Series. I grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione folk. I still believe that my letter to Hogwarts got lost in the mail. Aka someone killed the owl that was supposed to bring. I still believe that I should be careful in public toilets because one of them may be the passage to the Ministry of Magic. I've read all the books three times and watched the movies more. I dressed up as Dobby to the 3am premiere of the last movie(P.S bad move, cause Dobby def died in Part 1. I thought it would be an homage, ended up just feeling stupid in a dirty bed sheet). I am still disappointed in the choice of Harry for the movies. It isn't lost on me that you didn't grow past 5 feet Daniel. Ron will always be the hottest ginge on the planet. Hermione turned out the best out of all the female cast. Ginny also a bit of a let down. But I'm a girl, so I'll stick with the success of how Ron turned out.

Okay, so I guess that is basically just the only thing from childhood that ended this year. But it was big, and it makes me sad.


Just a short one today! Check out my new blog Skinny Girl Thoughts! A new journey for the new year! Happy 2012!