Sing A New Song

We are looking forward.  I'll never be able to catch up on everything, so the right thing to write about is what I want to write about right now, right?  {Say that ten times, fast!}

Right.

As far as last week went, there were a few significant things:

• My birthday {please see my previous post for the details}.  I'm 34.  It seems a little weird, but I'm not ashamed of my age.  Am I supposed to be?  I hate my wrinkles, but I feel like I have earned them. 
• Benji actually initated going to the bathroom at school last Thursday.  Apparently he did it again today.  His teachers said that he said "I need to pee," an entire phrase I have never heard.  They also said he was sick, so I picked him up and took him to see Dr. Cox.  Nope--healthy as a horse.  It's not that I don't believe them; I just think they understand him a little differently.  Even so, any progress is progress!  I'll take it!
• The weather has been CRAZY.  There was a strange frozen rain phenomenon last week, something I had never seen before.  I was working that day, and I can't even count the number of Traumas that came in through the ER.  It has also been extremely cold, and then there's the tag team of Fog-and-Smog.  Today was actually pretty nice; the recent snowstorm cleared out all of the "inversion" gunk in the air.  Here's hoping it stays away!

If I am to get back on track with my blogging "guidelines," today would be . . .

I'd like to write a little bit about concerts.  My friend Shauna {who lives in St. George} recently went to a Muse concert in Los Angeles, and she said that my writing sort-of inspired her to go.  Yay!  I'm so glad!

I like going to concerts.  Hang on--scratch that.  I love going to concerts, but I'm a little bit picky about which concerts I go to {surprise!}.  There has to be some aligning of stars in order for a good concert to happen chez moi.  Before I even consider going to a concert, I have to check my work schedule.  It's such a crapshoot as to whether or not I will have that day off, so if it's early enough, I can request it.  If not, I have to try to find someone to cover my shift--not an easy task.  Then, I have to be sure Benji is taken care of, which is not always an easy task.  I'm VERY grateful my Mom was able to spend the night when I went to Boise.  Of course, I can't wait too long or dawdle in this process, because the concert may sell out.  That is what happened with Snow Patrol last year, so I'm trying to stay more on-top of it.

I also have to decide if the featured artist is worth my time, effort and money.  Sometimes I wish I could be a  roadie, but I don't think I could do that for any band other than U2, and I would need a trust fund to pay for all the travel involved.  If I like the band, if I know any of their songs by heart, and if I own any of their albums {or am willing to purchase said album(s)}, then it's a lot more likely I will make the effort. 

For example: my friend Allison told me that Maroon 5 is playing in Las Vegas on March 16, and she'll be taking her whole family to Vegas for that weekend.  As much as I would love to spend time with her, it has never really been a possibility for me.  First off--that's my "short" weekend, meaning I'll probably have to work that whole Friday 11-11 and that Saturday night from 11pm-7am.  Getting one day off work is one thing, but two days?  Much.  More.  Difficult.  Secondly, I like Maroon 5, but I don't love them.  I don't own any of their albums, and as hot as Adam Levine is, I'm pretty sure he's a serious d-bag.  And frankly--his voice is a little whiny.  Thirdly, I couldn't drag Allen and Benji to Vegas for two days just to go to a concert that I'm not really excited about to begin with.

* * * * *

I started this post last night, but I fell asleep while writing.  I've got to get a better routine down if I am to make a go of this thing!  Also, it's now Tuesday, and I can tell you right now that there is not going to be a tutorial this week.  I need to write early in the day, or get the whole guideline-of-the-day thing rolling the night before.  It's a work in progress, so thank you for your patience.

* * * * *

Okay, back to concerts: here's why I go:

• It's something to look forward to. 
• I get to experience some incredible live music
• Sometimes I get to hang out with Allison {my concert buddy}, who is one of the coolest people ever. She's amazing, and she actually likes to hang out with me!  By the way--concerts are WAY more fun when you have someone to share them with {especially if they actually like the music and are not just there to "support" you, which is why I don't take Allen}.
• They are fun!

                    and last but not least,

• "The Concert High."

What is a "Concert High," you may ask?  I imagine it's like other "highs" one gets from certain experiences.  Having never been high on illegal substances {or even drunk} myself, I don't really know.  Plus, I'm not really one to get "natural highs" from running marathons and such, so I'm certainly not an expert on the subject.  All I know is that I am happy and excited for long periods afterward.  Sometimes it doesn't last very long, especially when you have to go right back to work/reality, but it really is an amazing feeling.  I'm pretty sure the high from the U2 360° concert lasted for several days . . . at least as long as my hearing loss.  If memory serves, it actually took a shoulder dislocation to bring me down. ;o)  I also get a little of that feeling when I wear a concert t-shirt, because it brings back so many good memories.  

Tom Chaplin of Keane, at the Knitting Factory in Boise on January 9, 2013

I put a lot of effort into going to the Keane concert: getting multiple people to cover my shifts, getting my Mom to spend the night so she could take Benji to school in the morning, dealing with car issues, etc., etc.  For me, it was worth it.  I almost get more obsessed with certain bands after I go to a concert, and I end up listening to their albums repeatedly.  After a concert, it's no longer "studying up," it's reliving.  So, to be able to see a band again, who is still touring to support an album which I have long since memorized, was a pretty rare event.  The first time I saw them last June was so great, I knew this show would be excellent as well.  What I didn't know was what this venue would be like.  It was tiny!  We were so close to the stage, and we didn't even have to wait in line for hours!  We actually got kind-of lost trying to find the venue, so we got there about 6:40 pm.  Doors opened at 7, and the concert started at 8.  Youngblood Hawke opened for them, and they were pretty good.  But Keane was amazing, again.  They sound so good live!  Concerts are a very good acid test for singers.  Some do NOT sound good live, some are okay {like Train--very entertaining, but not the best live band}, and others sound as good, if not better than on their albums.  Keane is one of very few who can do that, at least in my opinion.

I need to get ready for work, so I'll just leave with a list of concerts I have been to.

Peter Cetera {1993?  Mom, I blame you for that one!}

Barry Manilow {1997, as a graduation gift.  Don't judge!  I was going through a phase!}

They Might Be Giants {1997 or '98}

Sarah McLachlan  {1997}

Yanni {1998, I think.  Yeah . . . seeing Yanni once is quite enough for a lifetime}

Dave Matthews Band {2003}

Goo Goo Dolls {2004?  I don't remember!}

U2 {2011}

Keane {6/2012}

Train  {9/2012}

The Killers {11/2012}

Keane {1/2013}

And there you have it.  I recommend making time to go to concerts, if you are able to.  And if you need someone to go with, let me know. Bon Jovi, anyone?

Blow Out The Candles

Well, this whole writing-everyday-thing didn't exactly work.  I have written more this month than I have in a long time, so it is fulfilling some purpose.  I'll try it again next week, but I do want to write about my

best. birthday. ever.

It was a very foggy day, and driving on the freeway when you literally cannot see any other cars is a little unnerving.  Despite the suboptimal driving conditions, all went very well.  I was late getting out the door to babysit, and I still had to go purchase chicken for our family potluck.  So I drove to Dan's on Wasatch and got a Saturday's Waffle for breakfast {the Bananas Foster is to die for, and I know the guys who run it--they are awesome!}.

Then I went to Layton to babysit the little Nolans.  Those kiddos are so flippin' adorable.  They are very good kids.  We did art projects and ate cereal and watched Caillou.  

Noah, Phoebe & Zekey

Then Dave & Lex came home and I was able to do my hair and makeup, then the rest of the fam trickled in, and we had a late Cafe Rio-style lunch.  It was excellent.  Rebecca gave me a cute cuff watch, and I got hugs and kisses from all of my nieces and nephews.

Clockwise from top: Lily, Sabrina, Nanny {who fell on the ice! Ouch!}, Tessa & Mia

Allen brought Benji around 12:30, but when he learned that lunch wasn't ready, he took off to procure food. He was gone a long time, and I'll admit I was a little annoyed. Anyway, he came back, and after lunch we were all sitting around in Dave's living room gabbing.  Allen asked me for some gum, and I said I probably had some in my purse.  I figured he would get up and get it, so I didn't really move.  A few minutes later, he asked me again, so I got up and found this sitting in the top:

I was genuinely surprised!  I think my statement was, "Where did this come from?"  And I'm pretty sure my mouth was hanging wide open.  I certainly wasn't expecting an iPad mini for my birthday, and Allen really outdid himself this time.  I'm still setting it up, fighting with the Android-to-Apple transition, and getting over the disbelief.  I'm also typing this on my laptop, because it's a lot easier to type with two hands versus one finger.  I will probably get a little cover/keyboard thing, but I don't think I've ever gotten anything that nice for my birthday!  Woo!

Anyway, we kept chatting, then I took Benji to Target and totally left without getting what I needed {Goodnights}, then went to Peggy's house to get a hug from my birthday buddy Jack Jack {who turned 8 today}, then drove home.  

I then went over to my friend Brittany Gonzalez's house, since she was having a little graduation party.  I got there late, and I'm not sure how many people I would have known had I come earlier.  Even so, it was more of a family party, but I got to have a nice chat with Britt.  I love that girl!  She cracks me up!

Then I came back home and watched the latest episode of Glee, which had some fantastic versions of "Baby Got Back" and "No Scrubs."  It was awesome.  

So seriously--this has been one of the best days ever.  And I didn't even have to blow out any candles!

You Raise Me Up

I think "Work-It Wednesday" is going to be a bust.  Actually, I know it is, because it's 1:45am, and I have to be up in 4 hours to take Benji to the school bus, and I get to work another 12-hour shift tomorrow.  Yay!  Super exciting!

I will replace it with a short "What -I'm-Reading Wednesday," because I just finished a really good book.  I read "The Midwife of Venice" by Roberta Rich.  It's set in 1575, and it is about a young Jewish lady who is particularly gifted at midwifery.  Hannah is very poor, living in the Ghetto in Venice, when she is called upon to deliver a Christian baby to a very rich, noble family.  Her Rabbi forbids her to go, since this illegal action would bring shame and wrath upon all of the Jewish people in Venice.  She strikes a deal with the desperate father: she asks for an exorbitant sum of money {for her, anyway--what would take her years to earn} in order to free her husband from slavery.  He was taken captive in Malta, and the story alternates between the two settings.

The father agrees, and Hannah goes to the mansion under cover of night.  The mother has been laboring for several days, and is very week.  Her midwife is ready to use the "crochet" in order to save the mother's life, but Hannah steps in with her "birthing spoons" and is able to deliver a healthy baby boy, who will replace his father's indolent brothers as his heir.  The mother never quite recovers, and this will be her only child.

Hannah is paid, and all is well as she prepares to sail to Malta to retrieve her husband.  But one of the brothers finds Hannah's special instrument which she inadvertently left at the mansion.  He uses it to blackmail her with the threat of exposing her as a witch, with the price of his silence being all of the money his brother gave her.  They are to make this exchange when Hannah is invited to the mansion for a dinner a while later.  Through her wit, she is able to retrieve her spoons and keep the money.  On her way out, she decides to stop upstairs and see the handsome baby, only she finds the baby is missing.  She realizes that the other brother has taken the baby, so she follows him.  He leads her back to the Ghetto, and she begins to understand that he would frame her for the kidnapping and death of his nephew.

What must she do to save the child and her husband?  Wouldn't you like to know.  This was a very well-written novel, with some vivid description of life in the dark ages.  Rich writes about the plague, the smells, the rats, the slipperiness of the cobblestones at high tide, etc.  I love historical fiction.  I love being transported to another time and place, and realizing just how lucky I am to be living in this civilized world, where a Jewess would not be put to death for delivering the baby of a Christian; where we have sterile instruments and low infant mortality; where C-sections are routinely performed, saving the lives of mothers and children all over the world.

When she writes about the husband, who eking out a very meager living by writing contracts for people who can neither read nor write for themselves, it is very eye-opening.  I know there are many people who actually live like this today, with very little in the way of food or shelter, who work for pennies and starve in the streets.

I am a very selfish creature; I love to shop and I feel like I need {and deserve} more, when there are so many around me who have so little.  It is always good to keep one's advantages in perspective.

For example, I was on my way home from work tonight {around 11:30pm}, when I decided to leave the parking lot via an alternate route.  While driving this way, I saw a man in a wheelchair in one of the parking lots far from the main hospital.  I asked him if he needed some help, and he said he was trying to get to the emergency room.  He asked if it was beyond the Central Lab building {which it isn't}, so I knew he was lost.  I offered him a ride in my car and put his wheelchair in the back.  It wasn't a long distance, but for someone who is compromised and in pain, who has no use of their legs, and who is hopelessly turned around in the dark and cold {it was about 15 degrees outside}, it honestly could have been fatal.

I'm grateful I was prompted to drive in this direction, and I'm glad I was able to help this man.  I know that having a warm, working car is a luxury not afforded to many, and I'm pleased that I was able to use it to serve someone in need.

We are all given gifts: some {like Hannah} have special abilities; others have physical or spiritual gifts.   I pray we may all discover what they are and use them for good, to serve our fellow men and to lift each other up.

When She Puts Her Eyes On

It's so time to go to bed.  I said I was going to write every day, and I wanted to have something to write about today for

I decided to go with "Tutorial Tuesday" instead of "Craft-tastic Tuesday," since it would give me more freedom to do tutorials on things other than crafts.  It's also a better alliteration.  I have been wanting to make a skirt for a while, and since I had today off of work, I thought this would be a great day to tackle this project.

Unfortunately, I GROSSLY overestimated my sewing abilities.  Even now, I think it shouldn't be nearly as difficult as it has been.  And that was just the cutting out part!  I finally have the pieces cut out, and now at nearly 2am, I'm so over it.  I'll try to sew it tomorrow, since I actually want to wear it this weekend.  If it turns out to be wearable, I may post the pictures.  Actually, once I get over the annoyance, it will probably be pretty funny {as a sort-of Anti-Tutorial, or "What not to do when dealing with knit fabrics"}.  Maybe next week; maybe never.

Since I would like to post something, I'll pull out these pictures.  I took them last April, as a justification for all of the makeup I purchase and use.   Most of these pictures are pretty unflattering and unretouched, but it is what it is.  I hope you can see the transformation that occurs when I put makeup on, and why I feel so much more confident when wearing it.

**I'm not trying to sell anything; I briefly considered selling Mary Kay, but I can't be married to one brand of cosmetics.  Plus, most of them are so pushy, and I hate sales.  I really, really, really hate sales.  That's one big reason why I work in a hospital.

Anyway...here's my face with zero makeup.  Horrible.

Zits, uneven skin-tone, perpetual dark circles, oily, etc.  Ugh.  So I usually start with a moisturizer.  I have been using Olay Complete Moisturizer for a while; it's okay.  I prefer Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel {for oily skin}, but Olay is a lot cheaper.  And I guess it does the job.  I'll put it on first thing in the morning, and give it a few minutes to soak in.  I'll usually work on my hair or eat breakfast or something, then come back.

I didn't take a picture of it, but I'll put on a primer after moisturizing.  Some people think it's a waste of time, and many prefer a BB cream, which includes a primer, but for me, any primer makes a huge difference.  It makes my skin look amazing.   A primer that I really love is Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer.

I have been using mostly liquid foundations recently, though I do like Bare Minerals Original powder foundation too.  The problem with Bare Minerals is that my skin tone falls between two different shades, so I have to buy two pots and mix them.  And at $27 apiece, that's a pretty hefty investment.  It lasts for a long time, but when you can get a liquid for $7 at Target, it's worth it.  Also, as an FYI, I have tried a lot of different mineral makeups, and none of them are as good as Bare Minerals for coverage, feel, texture, etc.  This is using liquid makeup; I'm currently using Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse, which I really like.  I almost always need the lightest shade available since I'm so freaking white, but I also have to be careful with warm vs. neutral vs. cool shades.  I need everything to be very neutral--any orange or blue undertones look terrible on me!

Better, but still pretty pale.  I haven't found any concealers that have changed my life, so I'll usually just go with a full-coverage foundation.  Anyway, I then put on some blush.  This first step is Ulta's Extreme Wear Mousse Blush in Nude Glow {or as I like to call it, "Healthy Glow"}.  Throw some on, and voilà: I don't look like a corpse.

Um, in case you hadn't noticed, I really suck at taking pictures of myself.  Anyway, sometimes I'll follow up with some bronzer.  I'm not super-attached to bronzers, though if I found a really good one I might use it all the time.  The one I have now is Maybelline Mineral Power Bronzer.  It's nothing to write home about.

I'll put it pretty much all over, but use it sparingly.  I have had to wipe it off and start over sometimes when applied too heavily.  Let's do a quick review.

Then--and I think this is the most important part of the whole routine--come the eyebrows.  Having well-defined eyebrows makes a huge difference in one's face.  Some people use powder, others use mascara, but I like a pencil.  I use the Beautique Blonde pencil from Sally Beauty Supply.  It's cheap and it does the job.  I also use the Beautique silver pencil sharpener to get a really nice point on it.

Now, compare that with photo #1 {no makeup}.  I have very little natural arch, so I like the pencil to define it.  Pretty amazing, eh?  Definitely worth the time.

I have used stencils before, which can be helpful with shape, but I usually just freehand it.  I also tweeze my  eyebrows myself.  I had them waxed once, and she honestly didn't do much.  A couple of hints: don't overpluck {ask me how I know!}, and look for your natural arch.  It's supposed to hit in a direct line from your nose, through your iris, kind-of like this.

Here's a much better explanation than I can give.  There are plenty of resources on the internet, so go get 'em.  I need to move on.

Sometimes I do an eyeshadow primer like this one.  It does help with color, especially when you have perpetual dark circles around your eyes like me.  It also helps prevent smudging and caking.

Then comes eyeshadow.  My eyeshadow routines vary; this picture is using a gold and purple palette from Clinique Bonus Week {that's the ONLY time I buy anything from Clinique!}.  I don't get too crazy with colors; I generally stay pretty neutral.  I'm currently in love with Ulta eyeshadows.

Here's a pretty good tutorial for eyeshadow.  I'll usually do an all-over neutral color {like Ulta's Lustre}, highlight the browbones and inner corner of the lids with something lighter {currently using Ulta's Naked}, create some depth with a brown in the outer corners, and sometimes put a shimmer over the top.  Ulta's Glitter Eye Topcoat in Fairy Princess is my newest favorite thing.  I LOVE IT.

A note about brushes: I have a bunch, but pretty much use just one similar to this for all of my eyeshadow purposes.  Spongy applicators are okay, but they get cakey and don't blend very well.

I'll usually do an eyeliner {no particular brand; whatever is cheap}.  This one is a brown pencil; the color will depend on my mood.  Sometimes it's a black eyeliner kind of day; sometimes I'll use a liquid for a cat-eye effect, sometimes just on the upper lid, sometimes all the way around.  Other times I'll skip it all together.  I can't imagine getting eyeliner tattooed.  To be stuck with one color and one style {not to mention having those needles that close to your eye!  Yikes!} is not cool.  Play with it; have fun!

And the last step is mascara.  I go through different brands, trying to find the ultimate all-in-one.  I have yet to find it.  Often I'll go with two different ones--one for lengthening {first coat}, and one for volume {second coat}.  My usual is two coats on top and one coat on bottom.

I'm currently using CoverGirl Lash Blast in Black.  It's okay.  I really like Benefit's "They're Real!" and Clinique's High Impact Mascara.  Even so, I'm still on the lookout for the mascara that will change my life.  Let me know if you've found one!

Sometimes I'll add another {pinker} blush and/or a translucent powder over the top of everything {like this one I got from Big Lots for $3}.  Sometimes I'll do something with my lips, but more often than not I'll throw on some lip gloss.  I don't have a favorite brand of lip gloss; I like some flavor and sparkle and a little bit of {neutral or pink} color.  The Beauty Rush collection from Victoria's Secret has some that are really nice, particularly "Slice of Heaven."  I also like Bath & Body Works Liplicious has some good ones, too.  I'll usually have several flavors in my purse.  Also, when I give my Benji kisses, he'll usually lick his lips afterward because it tastes good!  He has destroyed entire tubes for the same reason.  You win some, you lose some.

And that's about it.  Here's a before and after:

Yes, it's a lot of effort; it usually takes me about 10 minutes.  But it really does make me feel better about myself.  It boosts my confidence and it's kind-of an artistic outlet for me.  I think most women fall in who don't wear makeup don't need it.  I admire them, but as for me--I'm super-duper frumpy without it.  And since I'm trying to be FABULOUS, makeup is a pretty obvious part of that for me.

Wow, that took a lot longer than I had anticipated.  I may have to skip Work-It Wednesday, but since nobody but me cares, it's not a big deal, right?  Right.  Good night/morning.

The Songs In Your Head Are Now On My Mind

All right, friends.  I am going to write every day this week, using the "guidelines" I set up in my last post.  I even made up fancy little headers, in case this becomes a habit.  I'm hoping it will, since writing with a prompt seems much easier than just spewing out all of the nonsense in my brain.  Of course, that's what I have been doing for the past five years {for which you are very welcome}.   I'll try not to be too long-winded, since I want to finish a very good book tonight and it's already midnight.  So here is the very first edition of:

I have several thoughts to share, but I think it only fitting that I should start with my favorite band in the world, U2.  Since one of my goals this year is to turn my sister-in-law into a U2 fan {just you wait, Lexy, it WILL happen!}, this is a good place to start.  This is a picture of the band in their very early days {circa 1980}.

{all photos courtesy of U2.com}

This is one from The Joshua Tree, one of their finest and most highly-acclaimed albums {including "Where The Streets Have No Name," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," and "With or Without You"}.  Personally, I think this era was where they all looked their best.  This picture is from 1987.  Mmmm.

{L-R: Edge, Bono, Adam, and Larry}

Here's one from "Achtung Baby," my favorite album {circa 1991}

Nothing lasts forever, even cold November rain.  I think everyone agrees that "Pop" was one of their low-points.  Exhibit A {around 1997}:

They haven't aged very gracefully, but as incredible as their music was in the 80's, I believe it has gotten better.  This is a picture from "All That You Can't Leave Behind," one of my favorite albums {circa 2000}.

And this is from around 2009, in conjunction with their last album, "No Line On The Horizon."

My point in posting all of these pictures is this: they are still together.  They formed in 1978 as teenagers in Ireland, and 35 years later, with all of them in their 50's, they are still together.  They have all grown up together, making their lives together, forging a brotherhood.  It's more than a band, it's a family.  There have been many times where they came close to breaking up, and there have been plenty of fights and yelling, etc.  There have been a few solo projects here and there, but they always come back to the group: it's where they want to be.  The whole is much stronger than the individual, and it's one of my favorite things about these men.  They know they can't do it alone, so they rely on each other to do what they do best--create incredible music.

I think we can all learn a lesson from a band who wouldn't give up.  For a short biography, please read here.

P.S.  At the risk of sounding too preachy, I would like to include this in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, whose birthday and legacy were celebrated today:

"Sleep, sleep tonight
And may your dreams be realised.
If the thunder cloud passes rain
So let it rain, rain down on he.
So let it be.
So let it be."

{MLK, from the album "The Unforgettable Fire" by U2 (1984)}