So the final vote in my bangs poll is

67% in favor of bangs. . . 33% in favor of no bangs.

We will see what Mr. Ricky thinks tomorrow. . . and pictures will be posted. . .

Love,

Soon-to-be dark-haired vixen (again)  :)

Yeah, I was actually in town this week. . . but I’ve been busy having FUN and did not have time for blogging action.

Well, Monday. . . I tried to have fun, but our plans fell apart.  Jamie was stuck in the rain forever all day. . .  and the weather was crap, and I didn’t feel like driving up North yonder.  We rescheduled dinner with that group.  Sorry Turner for ruining your shot at garlic knots.  Hopefully Gin can bring you leftovers?

Tuesday, I went to dinner with three girls from the book club (for a non-book club meeting). . . because sadly, I have not been able to go to the past two or three book club meetings and I missed these girls!  Luckily, our last meeting of the year has been moved. . . and I can attend!  I finished the book early and have now turned my attention back to Edward, Bella, and Jacob (sorry, needed a break between 3 and 4. . . and I couldn’t take time away from book club books).

Last night, yes. . . I danced.  I didn’t know if many people would go out, as it was raining when I left the house. . . but it was a really fun night with lots of people out.  If only it were a FRIDAY.  The beer tasted too good for it to be a Wednesday.  :(

I think I’m having a low key weekend. . . I’m way tired from a lack of sleep. . . and storms tonight will likely compound this issue.  I am not a big fan of Halloween. . . but I was invited to a party, and I have sadly never been to this friend’s crib so I think I’ll go.  Of course, I don’t have a costume. . . we’ll see if I come up with anything!

Okay, time to share the greatest video I’ve seen in a while. . . check out this little guy’s face.  HILARIOUS.  He’s got SOUL!

(unfortunately, can’t find it anywhere to embed. . . BUT CHECK IT OUT!  It made my night!)

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1610699488?bctid=31812464001

My family is dorky, and I love it.

I have all sorts of dorky memories growing up (and still have a family that creates dorky moments). . .

LOTS of dorkiness in Austria. . . and lots of using of the timer on the camera!

Me reenacting losing my chapstick in the psychedelic tunnel in the Detroit airport with my sister. . . "Myyyyy chaaapstiiick". (slow motion voice)

Dad posing with my Christmas present one year. . . nice.

Hannah Monta. . . err. . . my mom

My gorgeous sister

I couldn't keep a straight face! Why was Grandpa pointing and laughing? Because Mom was laughing so hard she could barely take the picture.

The thing is. . . you can be a closet dork or an out-in-the-open dork.  I tend to think my family keeps it pretty out in the open and does not tend to shy away from embarrassment too much.

My sister and I always have talked about that the people we ultimately end up with will have to be dorky.  Her husband is a closet dork, and for me, it’s a requirement.  I also appreciate this in friends. . . most of my friends are normal, however (or are super closet dorks and I have not seen this side). . .

When these moments come, I TREASURE THEM!  I LIVE FOR THIS DORKINESS!

So on Friday night I went dancing. . . and my friend and I were leaving late.  They pump the music from the bar outside through speakers. . . and all the sudden, he grabs me and takes me by the arm and we stop in the middle of the sidewalk doing arm turns and switching directions every time the music changed and got faster.  There were people coming in and out of the bar and watching us. . . and we didn’t care.

I need more dorky friends.  It’s rough keeping this to myself and waiting until I get home to let it out!

To dorks!  :D

Sorry for the break in action. . . I was out of town again for work, and then I was sick all day yesterday.  I totally blame it on the stupid flu shot.  :|

ANYHOWSERS. . .

My poor friend Emily broke her foot dancing at a wedding last weekend. . . yep, she’s hardcore.  :)

She was talking about how she isn’t the only one that specializes in awkward. . . but I remembered a really awkward injury I had. . . and I thought I’d share.

In college, I had a cactus in my dorm room.  Who doesn’t, right?

It was on my windowsill. . . and one night I put it on the floor beneath my bed because I was dusting the windowsill. . . BUT I got a phone call.  As I was going to grab the phone, I stepped off the bed. . . directly onto my CACTUS.  I answered the phone with a whimper, and hung up (It was my mom.). . .

In examining my foot, I could see giant needles sticking in.  Yeah. . . nasty.  The thing is, some were BELOW the skin.  Ick.  It still hurts me to think about it.  It hurt so badly to walk.  I called my University’s dial-a-nurse, and they told me to soak my foot in Epsom salt (yeah, I bet that’s not a call they received every night).  I soaked it for a few nights, and it worked like a charm!

This is just *some* of useful information that I can disseminate with my blog. . . yeah, YOU’RE WELCOME!  :)

I am going out of town again *sigh*. . . there will very likely be a big lag before I can post again.

Thank you for your patience during this Fall of heavy travel. . . come back and see me soon!

Okay, you know you wanna see this first. . .

BUT. . . this post is actually about. . . Bangs.

I am getting my hair done on Halloween.  I’m 90% sure I’ll go dark again.  I really liked it, although it was met with mixed reviews.  It seemed that people either LOVED it. . . or hated it.

I am also beginning to contemplate. . . bangs.  I haven’t had them since approximately. . . 2000.

Here is why I am contemplating this:

a)  I like the pictures of me from Junior year with bangs.  See below.  (I was going to scan more pictures, but my scanner is currently being STUPID.)

I think this is partially because I was tan most of Junior year. . . because I went on several trips and tanned for them (TERRIBLE, I know). . . but I look so much better with color.

b) I have a huge forehead.

c) There was a “c”, but I can’t remember it.

The only discouraging thing about bangs is when you decide you no longer want them.  The growing out period is not pretty. . .

Please take the poll below. . . EVEN IF YOU ARE A LURKER.  I will not know who you are so it’s a risk-free vote!  :)

I LOVE GARY ALLAN!

Katie and I went to see him at the Rodeo. . . but of course, even when you have good seats. . . the artists are playing in the middle of a football field so it’s still far away.  Plus, the acoustics and such are not usually that great.  This being said, Gary was AMAZING at the Rodeo.  See previous entry here. . .

Well, I got an email from ticketmaster saying that he was going to be playing at House of Blues, and I knew I couldn’t miss it in such a small venue!  I ended up getting four tickets because I knew friends would want to go.  Katie was a given because I KNEW she shared my love of Gary!

Shows where you have to stand are stressful. . . especially when you’re not the tallest!  We got to HOB early though and ended up about 10-12 feet away from the stage most of the night. . . and then at the end, only ~5 feet.

It is SO COOL to see people this close. . . especially when you are close enough when they are looking at you while they are singing!

I have only had three other experience where I was this close. . . or closer. . .

So the website said “No Cameras”. . . YET I COULD HAVE BROUGHT MY CAMERA!  :(

Katie got some great pictures from her phone. . . and Lori had her camera. . . and the lady standing next to us got some AMAZING pictures.  I friended her on facebook tonight so she can share hers.  :)

My phone takes crappy pictures. . . but this will give you an idea of how close we were!

In-freakin-credible, right?

He threw out some guitar picks. . . and I didn’t catch one, BUT it fell on the floor next to me, and I GOT IT!  :)  Check out the pictures. . . so cool!!!

Front of the guitar pick

The back of the pick. . . how funny is this???

FUN TIMES!  :)

The only songs he didn’t play were “Her Man” and “Smoke Rings in the Dark”. . . I can’t complain, BUT. . . I do love “Her Man”. . . I will just have to listen to it a lot this weekend to make up for not hearing it live.  :)

I have fallen into a trap, ladies and gentlemen. . . an satellite radio trap.

I had satellite radio in one of my rental cars back in June, and I thought. . . this is pretty cool. . . but I wasn’t totally sold.

Okay, now I have a three-month trial in my new car. . . and that I have discovered more and more cool stations (and have not even tipped the iceberg), I am TOTALLY sold.

My favorite station is definitely the 90s station.  It’s just so flipping good. . . it takes me back to high school and college. . . and I hear things I would never hear on the radio.  My other favorite station is the Country station for the 90s.  Also, so flipping good. . . and it’s rare to hear any of those songs on the radio.

I thought I would listen to my ipod all the time (and honestly, on long trips I probably always will). . . but it’s a bit of a dangerous pain in the butt to operate while driving.  I have to set up an on-the-go list of songs I feel like that day to use the ipod. . . Sooooo. . . I listen to satellite radio 95% of the time.

Yes, this could very much leave me out of touch, musically, seeing as I’m stuck in the 90s and 80s. . . but eh, I don’t care.

Some songs I’ve heard that totally take me back. . .

1) November Rain (Guns n Roses)–You did NOT wanna get stuck dancing with someone who smelled during this song at the Jr. High dance.  It was a LONG song.  Somebody good better ask you to dance, or you better make your way to the bathroom STAT so no one can trap you for this song!

2)  Poison (Bel Biv Devoe)–I downloaded some Bel Biv Devoe back in the day when I was living in NH because I heard it in a bar in Boston, and it was so fun to dance to and brought back memories.  I LOVE when I hear this.

3) 6 Underground (Sneaker Pimps)–This was played on “The Planet” in high school/college.  There was a long period when I listened to The Planet and love old alternative stuff.

4) C’est la Vie (B*witched)–Um, I have not heard this since. .. 1997?  What the hell was I thinking EVER listening to such CRAP?  It CRACKED ME UP TO HEAR IT THOUGH!

5) Pump Up the Jam (Technotronic)–Dancing in the car?  Don’t mind if I do.

6) Fantastic Voyage (Coolio)–Seriously, where you gonna here that on the radio?

7) C&C Music Factory–Makes me think of “The Office”. . . as Michael did play their tuns in the cafe disco!

8 ) THE DIXIE CHICKS!  Yes, satellite radio has NOT shunned them thankyouverymuch.  They have some seriously good stuff, but unfortunately some of our country is so closed minded that they have been essentially banned from radio???  Not “essentially”, actually. . . they totally have been banned.  DON’T even get me started on this topic or all the ignorant people around this issue.  Seriously, I have wanted to do a blog entry about this, but it would likely turn into RAGE so I need to back away from the computer right now.

Okay, I am super under the influence of benadryl can’t think of anymore!  I will post any songs that I think about later because literally. . . this station makes me smile daily. . . even on crappy days.

Now I need to pay for this service for future months. . . fell in the trap of 90s love.

I also love the 80s station. . . and in honor of the 80s, it’s my duty to inform you that C.O. Daniels, home of Timewarp Tuesdays is for sale. . . which one of my friends would like to buy it so I can crash timewarp Tuesday and not feel weird about it?  (Credit to Jason for pointing out that this is for sale!)

http://www.ramshaw.com/commercial/show/1283

Why haven’t you been available for interviews in the past few months?

I’ve been too busy working, traveling, hob-knobbing, etc.

Is that really how you spell hob-knobbing?

I have no idea.  That’s the drawback to a written interview with yourself.  Plus, I am far too lazy to look into this spelling.

Do you still love your car?

YES, indeed.

What about your hole in the wall. . . is it still there?

YES, unfortunately.  It seems that the times that are most convenient for the guy who will do the work is precisely when I’m out of town.  :\

When are you going out of town next?

Next week, a short trip to the Lou.  It will be semi-crazy, but I will survive!

What about after that?

I’m going to Illinois the weekend of November 7th for my friend Jason’s wedding.  It will be weird because while he is one of my closest friends, we have never really lived in the same place for more than parts of a few years in college. . . so I don’t know many of his friends or family and have never met his fiance.  I’ve already had some strange dreams about his wedding. . . I hope that they don’t come true. . . although the strange ceremony in my dreams would certainly make for good blog fodder!  :D

You’ve had several other weird dreams lately.  What’s up with that?

I’ve been reading “The Time Traveler’s Wife” before bed.  I think this has inspired a few sappy romantic dreams. . . because nothing else in my life could inspire anything relatively sappy!  I’ve been dreaming a lot about college, too.  Last night, I was walking into a class in Greg Hall. . . where they were passing out softcover phonics books (think–2nd grade). . . yet some of the seats were taken out of the middle part of Greg call, and people were ballroom dancing there?  Okay?

Any more major vacations this year?

Nope.  Not enough vacation time and/or money. . . what a bummer!  If only my dad could hurry up and win the flipping Lotto, I could plan more trips!

So I hear you are considering taking a spa weekend trip next year, seeing as you suck at taking relaxing trips. . . sounds like a great idea!  Go, you!

I know, I know. . . It’s BRILLIANT!  I was looking up a hotel for work, and this is the main picture that comes up from Westin. . . http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/index.html. . . how cool is THAT?  Also, when you look up hotels, it pulls up a really pretty picture.  I copied this website and the website that comes up when you look up hotels (it comes up as the top banner for ANY location whenever you search for something, and I was searching for St. Louis). . . I emailed these sites to Westin and asked them from what hotel locations these pics were taken.  Answer was. . . St. Louis.  Wow, that was super-helpful.  Clearly you have NEVER seen St. Louis before Mr. or Ms. Customer Service Person, as I’m not aware of mountains and such in the vicinity!  :\  Luckily, Liz is a super-sleuth and found the location of the main site is a spa/resort in Colorado.  We are going to need to research such spas. . .

What is up with this energy plan you signed up for?

I signed up for this program to help boost energy through my health provider.  First off, I thought they were going to send me emails daily with tips. . . but it appears to only be one a week?. . . and the first one told me to increase my physical activity to 30 minutes daily.  Thanks for the tip!  So motivating!  I think it’s extra neat that I scheduled the first day of this program to a day where I got four hours of sleep due to feeling like crap. . . I’m off to an awesome start!  ;)

Seriously, you need to start the Christmas newsletter soon.  I’m not sure how this is going to work with your millions of pictures this year.

I know, I know. . . soon, soon.

Nighty-night! . . . or Good morning!

Okay, a great way to ruin a weekend of relaxation is to stay up all night on Sunday.  :\

It’s been SUCH a fantastic weekend!  I need more *unsocial* weekends!

Okay, so these pictures are somewhat deceiving because I still need to sort through some paperwork. . . but I’ve finished most of it.  Tonight I started completely redoing my filing system and shredding a bunch of old documents to start over. . . so I’m not going to be too hard on myself about not being completely finished. . . plus, I have worked my butt off this weekend. . . I went through tons of things in my closets, cleaned my bathrooms, did ALL laundry (hamper is completely empty), made a batch of soup, made baked ziti, ran some errands, went into work for a few hours, went to church, etc.  I think I can be pretty proud of my progress, even if I still have some paperwork to file!

My baked ziti after only a few minutes in the oven. . . it was very good, but there are some things I might tweak. It is giving me six meals. . . yay for homemade lunches! :D

On a sidenote, I *did* decide to keep some of my Real Simple magazines to go through and pull out recipes and articles. . . BUT they have to be organized. . . and I have to start this within the next month, or they will be pitched.  (Seeing as I need to start organizing addresses and create the Christmas newsletter and make some Christmas presents, my suspicion is that these will go bye-bye sooner rather than later. . . but it’s a nice thought!

Before. . .

After. . .

Before. . .

After. . .

(Still some magazines to go through)

Proof that not all of my closets were this bad. . . I did a *small amount* of straightening on this one. . . was already very clean (thank God).

My main closet in my room isn’t bad. . . but the clothes are out of order right now. . .

The other closet in my room needs help. . . but isn’t *too* bad. . . I will address that another weekend!

Happy Monday!  I’m gonna be TIRED!  :(