The Tale of One Dreaded Fool

What's blowing my mind these days...

2007-03-14T11:24:00.000-06:00

Ok well I wanted to be fancy & post some pictures here but Blogger is working out some bugs I guess.

Anyhow~

SKINNY PUPPY IS BACK!
I've recently purchased "Mythmaker" released a week or so ago. It's fan-freakin-tastic. I'm so bloody happy that the band I was crazy about in high school (in my goth days no less) has managed to take it up a notch & completely obliterate my eardrums to twitchy synth awe inspiring sounds. I mean I was happy with Download (the side project) but to hear Key & Ogre back together is....pure magic!

DINOSAUR JR IS PLAYING AT THE ODEON!
Yes!! I know...all of you must be saying "Holy shite, Natty's gonna combust! How can she witness this stoner rock beauty unfold?!" They're playing May 27th. Tickets are purchased...now all I have to do is wait. My god, it's also the ORIGINAL LINEUP! (sorry about all the "yelling" I'm just that excited!) I can't believe I'm gonna see J Mascis & Low Barlow in the flesh...rumour has it, Priestess & The Sword may open. AH!!!!!!!!!

K now hang on for this one....

THE GATHERING IS PLAYING IN EDMONTON!
*breathe* I didn't think it would be possible to knock off the #1 & 2 spots of my "must see perform before I die" list in a span of 1 month. Now I'm still unable to find posting of this on Ticketmaster or Pollstar, but sources are telling me they are playing with Lacuna Coil both in Edmonton & Calgary. *cross fingers* I don't need to explain how huge this is for me if you know who I am! Let's hope to god this pulls through.

In smaller news....

Lots of new music coming out I'm supremely stoked for:

Mar 27
Machinehead - The Blackening *it's been 4 years since the last one. This one PUMMELS, the sticker on the front of the album claims "An epic trash attack for the new millenium, heavier than a ten ton hammer & guaranteed to burn your ears black" What more do you need? Check out the making of the album, it's hilarious! The naming of the songs made me think of good old days at HMV. http://www.machinehead1.com/media/Album_Preview_High.asx

Apr 3
Chevelle- Vena Sera *the single is kicking my ass...check it out at http://www.chevelleinc.com/
Idlewild - Make Another World *this makes me miss Jono. What do you think of it? It's different but I like it! http://www.myspace.com/idlewild

May 1
BRMC - Baby 81 - I'm happy to hear them rock it out again. The new album is going to kick it huge! I love that guitar riff in the single "Weapon of choice", & in headphones this is gonna be AWESOME! http://www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com/

I LOVE MUSIC!

Rock it OUT!!

2007-03-06T19:35:00.000-06:00

So I just brought home the newest release (March 6th) from Medeski, Martin & Wood entitled Out Louder.
It has the pleasure of featuring John Scofield. What a guitar GOD! The album is so different yet the same...with Medeski's classic jazz organ sounds that make you wanna sip cocktails in Shumon's appt, to the blissed out jam of Scofield's mastery...I'm in LOVE. It's been awhile that an album has wowed me. Thank you boys, you never let Natty down.

PS Bobert if you're reading this...I cannot wait to share this one with you!

Tequila!

2007-02-28T12:47:00.000-06:00

What an adventure....I think Jordy & I have found our place to settle down someday when we're old & done. This vacation completed me in so many ways, as well as the rest of us. I, for one, conquered my fear of water! The ocean & I got acquainted, you know, had THE TALK, & now are best of friends. (which only makes sense for my Pisciean nature!) Yep this is me...SNORKELING! It was really freaky at first, for I don't remember how to swim at all, so when the guide told me to jump i, I kinda panicked. Then I felt like I couldn't breathe, dummy that I am trying to breathe through my nose! Once I figured it out however that I wasn't going to drown, WOW! We snorkeled for about 45mins then got to go through this cave that ancient Aztecs used for ceremonies. What power! After more snorkeling (which I got slammed into a reef rock thanks to the waves) we headed off to the beach Marietta for 90 mins to just chill. Beautiful white white sand & no one else but us. I laid on the sand & listened to the ocean while the sun cooked my skin. AMAZING!

Jordy also conquered his fear of heights by going on a tour of the canopy which involved ziplining through it, sometimes 250ft up! EESH! Anyhow, he did it with reckless abandon & even went across a rope bridge with NO HANDS! Way to go babe! I was flabbergasted. Jordy's now decided he wants to be a volunteer someday for Vallerta Adventures Canopy Tour. HA!

I have to say, I've never been so at peace in my life. The people, the culture, the food...it was very hard to come back to the rat race of every day life. If anything, I have re-instilled my wonder in the beauties of the world. We get so caught up in work & forget how beautiful this earth is, & what we take for granted here in Canada. Our air is SO clean...I didn't realize how much. So I guess all my "issues" I've been having in life are pretty escapable & really not so bad huh? More trips will be had very soon. Even today, I took a walk by the river here in Saskatoon & breathed. Nothing else. When was the last time you did that? It's shocking isn't it? Go do it then!

Hopefully this works out...I have a clip from Clint & Dwayne's camera of a mariachi band that played for my "almost birthday" in a bar called Viello Vallerta in downtown P.V. It was my lifelong dream to have play for me!! HOORAY!

Boo to my shitty computer...I'm unable to post this video so I'll maybe email it to everyone or something...I need a new puter badly!! Well here are some other pics anyways, the first one is of the resort Canto Del Sol, the 2nd showcases our new fave drink the Chi Chi, & lastly is of Jordy & I during my birthday & the BEST sunset ever!

Tying loose ends

2007-02-06T10:24:00.000-06:00

I purchased & ordered my wedding gown as well as the bridesmaid's (Alyssa & Vanessa) on Saturday. Wow what an experience! I so felt like a fish out of water. Me & girlie stuff don't get along so well...as well as decision making! Why is it that I can make decisions at HMV off the cuff but when it comes to my personal side, I'm so bloody indecisive! Anyhoo, it's done, thank god! It's wierd too...the dress I'm going with is def. not what I pictured myself in. But when I walked out of the dressing room in it, time stopped & people cried. EVEN STRANGERS! So I told myself "well maybe this is the one?" hehe I'll try & find a pic of it...actually maybe not. Jordy may see!

Leave for Mexico in exactly a week. Pretty stoked! I'm looking forward to lying on the beach & poking fun at the fact that Jordy has speedos. (But he won't wear them out!! He swears they're for under his trunks...SURE!) After Mexico, I'm off to Edmonton to visit Leigh & see Wolfmother. Then whisk back to S'toon in time for Pride Tiger! I'm excited for the concerts to come up.

Hanging with Bobert all day today. He leaves for Africa on the 11th. Damn I'm going to miss him SO much! But at least we got to hang quite a bit lately. We're going to burn some of my massive music collection for him to take with him & then off to see "The Messengers" at the Galaxy. It's produced by Sam Raimi & my bro Brent built the set! Pretty damn kool huh! I hope it's scary.

Well that's all folks, I may be typing from sandy paradise next!

Upgraded to BIG-ASS wedding

2007-01-18T10:21:00.000-06:00

Well we've finally booked our reception site & have now been persuaded to include a 4-course meal for our guests (yep all 250 of em!) It's to be at the Radisson hotel.

How do I feel about this?

HIGHLY OVERWHELMED!

Jordy & I were very much aiming for something way more casual with an evening wedding with reception at Marquis on campus. I liked the idea that hors d'euvres were being served as people could mingle around hence cutting out the formality. Jordan's family much more wanted a full meal served as all of the guests are out of town & I guess it's more polite to provide a meal if they're travelling all the way & contributing presentation ... so forth. They've decided to front up the $$ to allow us to have it at a hotel (which is seriously almost double the cost) so have everything in one spot & less hassle.

It's not that I don't like this idea. It's fab to be able to spoil our guests with a fancy to-do & Jordy & I now get to spend the night in the posh Presidential suite for 2 nights for next to nothing. (there's the HUGEST jacuzzi I've ever seen!!) But now there's a head table....with a drawn out meal...with more ceremony...not Natty. But give & take right? Jordy has been so excited these past few days I have to remember this day is for him & his family too. So creative thinking to try & make it not so pompous huh? Food fight perhaps? *grin*

It's crazy that we're planning this. AT THE RADISSON!! We literally don't have to lift a finger. They do everything. That part will be nice. But I fear we may have to shave this guest list down a tab cuz 250 peeps at $30 a plate...you do the math eh?

Wedding Page is Here!

2007-01-03T17:49:00.000-06:00

Check it out!

Andy & Jordy are dorks!

Sign the guest book huh!

We Need Your Good JuJu

2007-01-03T17:07:00.000-06:00

Well I'm kinda freaking out here...it looks like we may have lost our location for our wedding reception. We wanted to have it at Marquis Hall on campus & tried to book it in Sept but were told we had to wait until Jan to do that. SO we called first thing on the day we were allowed to book only to find out it's already been "tentatively booked". (somehow before the date of bookings.)

So the staff at U of S bookings are going to get back to us on Monday to let us know if we get it. They have NO idea how this happened...their promising to do their best and we're first on the list if these "other" people don't take it. POLITICS!

I need everyone's BEST energy put into this...prayers, candles, meditation, thought...whatever you're into...even if your not, take a moment to do it anyways. Otherwise I have NO idea what Jordy & I are gonna do...!

Wedding stress sucks...I can imagine a million other things I'd rather be doing than this. I hope Jordy doesn't turn into "BrideZilla"...or is it "GroomZilla" I guess...! :P

2006-12-05T01:23:00.000-06:00

Working til 12:30 am kinda bites...I don't get sleepy til like 2am & then I get up at 11....not wanting to work at 4. Ick Xmas.

HMV party last night was very fun however. Aroma is a kickass restaurant...& I received a copy of Dawn of the Dead Ultimate Edt. (Romero's) among other kool gifts.

Saw Jakalope at the Roxy last Thurs as well. All I can say is "HOT". I freakin love blondes that can belt it out....I forgot how industrial sounding they are. Def. what's been in my internal stereo all week.

Can anyone believe that it's Dec 5 already?? That's crazy! Only 69 days til Mexico! 256 til the wedding! (why am I so number oriented right now?) Jordy & I have decided we're tattooing our wedding fingers as we hate rings...but like the symbolism. I'm in for a world of pain, aren't I...

Just a Quickie

2006-11-23T11:58:00.000-06:00

What's kicking butt in my world:

**The new Brand New cd....GEEZ! These guys def. upped it from the last one!!! LOVE IT.

**Jakalope is playing here at the Roxy on the 30th. I'm psyched to see the lil hottie!

**Work is suprisingly less stressy than I imagined...my staff is kickin it & my visit from my boss yesterday left me feeling pretty damn special with all the praises we got. HECK YA!

**Jordy & I hit 5 years of togetherness this Sat. We're out for a specially customized vegetarian 5 course meal at the restaurant that's in Emily's old spot on Broadway (can't remember what it's called??) It's so kool that the chef/owner of the place is making this sepcial just for us & he uses all local produce. YAY!

**I think I've got the style of dress down for our wedding picked out after lots of stress of "not being able to find it" The world of brides is full of shitty-ass dresses!!! I don't want to be in yards of material that poofs out 4 ft around me! But YES I found something very kickass. Pics to come shortly.

Peace out fiends!

Coming together

2006-11-16T11:36:00.000-06:00

Well this is interesting...I've updated to the "new" blogger version & I' m a wee bit confuzzled.
Sorry I've been MIA lately but this virus that's pandemic-ing my area has claimed me in its gut-twisting coils. I've spent that last 4 days trapped in my house to be close to my own toilet eating broth & crackers praying for the "expelling" to stop.

& it finally has!

I'm excited to be going out side today...even excited to go to work tomorrow *WHAT>!*
I pray, however, that this thing doesn't claim my sweet Jordy who seems to be immune yet so far even though the source of it comes from the hotel he works in. People are dropping like flies! It's really creepy how fast a disease can spread & it doesn't help that everyone is waiting for "the next plague". Love that gov't fear induced propaganda. Thankfully this "virus" only lasts 2-3 days at its worst so I'm over the hump!

Lots of wedding plans are in effect admist plans for Mexico. Today I go & have my passport filled out. It's too bad I look like pastey death for the pic but heh they're not suppose to look flattering I'm told. Sunday brings Jordy & I to the Unitarian Church here in S'toon to find an officiant for the wedding. We've chose this route for it's multi-faith & being we don't belong to one (I don't know if I ever will?) it seems the best option. A little nervous, however, to be walking into unknown territory. But hey, what's the worst that can happen? A burning bush from god forcing me to believe?

An a final note>>> Sparta's latest genius is kicking my ASS! I cannot get enough of this latest disc ...I think I like it better than Porcelain? *yes I know that's huge* It's good...cannot wait for the latest Killswitch as well...Arnie blessed me with a sampler of 3 tracks but it's just not enough!!

Til tomorrow fiends!

Countdown to Vacation Madness

2006-11-06T22:20:00.000-06:00

So work is nutzo right now. We're getting so many boxes & no room to put it all...why do I forget each year how crazy it is?? I'm miffed that I'm not getting the new fixtures for my store as promised which means I have nothing to merchandise all the new stock. ACK! Save me sister!

Anyways, I was uber stressed today. I'm tired of constantly THINKING. & not about music or what I'm gonna do with my spare time...it's about "conversion" & "best practices".
Then I had a good workout & upon kicking my own ass on the stationary bike I thought "Hey you're gonna be in Mexico soon! Who cares bout all this trivial stuff!" So yeah I've got a new headspace, some new CDs *god bless play copy splits!*, & I found this picture of Puerto Vallarta...sheesh & I was gonna make fun of Jordy wanting to wear his Speedo...I'm afraid he'll fit right in!! So when I'm feeling down, I'll just remember this .... wierd picture I found upon keywording "Mexico Vallarta" on Google...

What turns my crank!

2006-11-01T11:58:00.000-06:00

Just purchased this yesterday...makes my teeth grind something FIERCE!! The first track was described to me as being able to peel the paint from your walls. LUV IT!!! It makes riding the bus WAY more bearable when this is pounding in my headphones.

Cannot wait for the new Brand New cd...I'm digging the single alright!

Pumpkin Carving Party Potluck #5

2006-10-29T14:44:00.000-06:00

Well the 5th annual PCPP went without a hitch last night although missing a few honorary members! My stomach is still aching from all the food. (the item of choice seemed to be mostly cream cheese & ... cream cheese!) Many kool/scary pumpkins were carved up good; mine had a Clockwork Orange feel due to the weird monacle (even with a chain!) Hey what can I say, the pumpkin SPOKE to me ok? I was just following directions. Hopefully some pictures will circulate soon.

The night concluded with Bram Stoker's Way of the Vampire courtesy of John D. Now I don't believe Mr Stoker truly had anything to do with this horrible movie other than the story being LOOSELY based on Dracula. It was a canadian film as well so the acting was IMPECCABLE! (I loved the part when the lead character Dr. Van Helsing talked about Nosterfatu! Yes he pronounced it that way, this is not a typo) Alot of gratuitous side-boob (yeah how disappointing) & pointless vamp-porn scenes mixed with lusting bloodsuckers killing their victims which surpisingly had NO blood spurting from their jugulars...maybe those vampires were part Hoover? Night scenes in the movie looked like they were filmed during the day but switched to a black & white lense. You know I REALLY like that effect! Low budget all the way.

Well time was definately lost with that one. Oh Nosterfatu where did you go wrong?? I'll have to give this one 5 rotting pumpkins...taking the place of Leperchaun in the "holy shit what a bad movie" dept. Or was is Leperchaun 2? anyone remember?

*ching ching ching*

Chopping Mall is that you? Where were you last night???

Hungry

2006-10-17T19:08:00.000-06:00

I hate working 8 hrs a day. By the time I get home, I'm too tired to cook...yet I'm starving! I cant even think straight.

Got back from Winnipeg yesterday. Was an interesting trip. Already some tension in regards to the wedding/ BOO!

I will post later all about it. I'm just wasting time with this useless post.....

Holy Stoner Rock Batman - Priestess w/ Tiger Pride & Nashville Pussy @ The Roxy Oct 5

2006-10-07T18:48:00.000-06:00

I had the glory of first seeing Priestess at the HMV conference in Toronto this past Sept promoting their album "Hello Master". (it hits stores Oct 17) These boys kicked it with the intensity of Black Sabbath & Kyuss...a sound we all know Natty ADORES! Very crazy to see them rockin it in a conference room filled with HMV execs! They even had their own groupies whom almost took out our president Humphrey with their crazy headbanging. Kickass!

I was VERY pleased to see them in more of their own element at the Roxy here in Saskatoon this past Thurs. The opening band, Pride Tiger, had the stylings of Clutch meeting Death From Above craziness on the drumkit. A perfect way to warm up the evening in my books. I'm disappointed that I didn't pick up an album of theirs at the show...
Priestess followed with a KILLER set which included a 5 minute drum solo that just kept giving! Concluding with the 10 minute jam to end all jams, these boys don't make me regret in the least that I've missed out on all the super sonic sounds I would've died to see back in the 70s. Descending & harmonizing guitar wanking with bass lines to make you groove, I don't think my head stopped banging all set!

I promised to make these boys big out West when I met them in T.O., so all of you NOW check them out!!
www.priestessband.com

They were so bloody amazing, I didn't even STAY for Nashville Pussy!

Burnt pickles & mangoes

2006-10-03T17:54:00.000-06:00

We'll hell ya it's been a long freakin time. I feel like I've lost some friends so it's time to RECONNECT! (it's funny that Henry Rollins is singing in my head at this very moment to do the opposite...)

We were gifted Clint & Dwayne's old 'puter & finally got the net all sorted out. Eventually we wanna get an IBook with some wireless going on, but this'll do in the meantime. So how is everyone? Does anyone even remember who I am??

In Natty News:

We've set a date! Aug 18th 2007. Write it down foo's. We're hoping to have an outdoor wedding, possibly at the Bes' Gardens. We'll see. Jordy wants elephants too.

Feb. is coming up FAST. For those of you who don't know, we (jordy, clint, dwayne & I) are going to Mexico for 10 days. We've booked our tours too already. Get this...we're going on a 3 hour jungle excursion where we get to hike to various platforms in the canopy & zipline!! AH! I'm so pumped. We're also swimming with dolphins & whales in the ocean. Now this I'm freaked for. I'm so MORTALLY afraid of water so this chica needs to get over her fear QUICK. & I'm a Pisces...go figure. But I'm enrolling into some adult swim lessons so I think if I actually learn how to swim maybe I won't be so scared anymore huh? I really wanted to release some sea turtles instead but everyone laughed at me. Oh well...

HMV is kickin. It's been nutzo but things have really come together with staffing which is nice. We're hiring back Robert! YAY!

Jordy got manager at ProFit (the spa he massages in at the 'Bes) He's quitting Urban Barn & we'll be making more than I do! (jerkface) Anyhow, it's a huge challenge with awesome wages/commission so we're pretty happy! Congrats to the one who has slight delicate ankles (don't worry hun they're delicately manly!)

Well I think that's enuff for now. This kid is starving & I think possibly my cabbage rolls may be ready to nosh on. I miss all you cyber kids very much! I hope you haven't forgotten about me. I'm dedicating Oct as the month of reconnection (no Henry I said reconnect not disconnect. man why's he so angry all the time??)

Peace!

Blog is that you?>

2006-07-25T17:11:00.000-06:00

I feel so disconnected!! We still have no puter set up & I hate going to the library....I only have 6 mins so this will be short yet again...

Update:

New pad rocks it!
I love my job again!
I miss my Vancourites desperately!
I bought a trip to Mexico with Jordy, CLint, Dwayne for this Feb!
Jordy & I are VERY close to picking a wedding date!
It's hot!!

Well I'm afraid that's all time will allow. I have to call of you soon....I'm looking at you, Vancouver/Regina.

Luv hugs & dreads
Natty Bo Batty

I'm Lost!!

2006-06-01T10:37:00.000-06:00

So no phone...no computer...talk about disconected. I'm writing from the library with 5 mins to spare. So I'm still alive fair readers!!!

I'll write more soon sometime....just know my appt. kicks ass!!! 18 floors of great viewing pleasure.

But the chaos of the boxes. Oh god.

LatR fools!

Dear Blog I've missed you so.....

2006-04-27T21:30:00.000-06:00

....yup it's been awhile. & I'm afraid the posts may become more & more infrequent due to the splitting up of the hippie family. Yes, sadly, Alyssa, Jordy & I are parting ways in 2 weeks...lil Pic is moving out to Swift Current for the summer to be with her Travis & in the fall back to S'toon to move in with Bobert.

So Jordy & I are once again on our own...less a rockin sis & a minou. Sad...I'll miss them both SO much but am excited to move back to city park/downtown area in possibly a sweet ass studio place...we'll see. Oh right & the computer is Pic's so...maybe I'll finally be purchasing that IBook I've always wanted...if $$ allows. So all that being said I'm quite busy & disconnected coming up here. ARGH!

Also horribly excited to have reconnected with a long-lost soulmate out in Edmonton. We've lost touch over the past 5 yrs but she found me by googling me & found this??

Crazy blast from the past hey Bono? Holy mother...anyhoo I'm glad I've found her again & cannot wait for all of you to meet her!! Oh right & for those of you who are unclear about the link....it's the brief band Jon, Josh & I messed around in. Yup....ended before we hit the scene *grin* I can't beleive I'm actually linking this to my blog! When was this from, like 3-4 yrs ago? Crazy?! Well....ENJOY!

In 24 hours (give or take)

2006-04-07T22:46:00.000-06:00

I GET TO SEE MY FAVE BAND FROM HIGH SCHOOL!! SHOVE IT SHOVE IT SHOVE IT!!!!!

PS....In other NatzNews, I've purchased tickets to see Slayer/Lamb of God for the Calgary show in May. Let the fests begin!!! .... save me a camp spot for NIN Bono!!

Am I TOO Eclectic?

2006-03-31T13:08:00.000-06:00

Some of my friends used to tease me on my "weird" music tastes being they range anywhere from sentimental pop to hardcore black metal. Lately I've been feeling kinda stuck between genres...I just don't know what the hell I wanna listen to! I remember days before where I'd go on binges with one but now I'm left staring at my behemoth of a music collection going "hmmm...." Am I bored or do I plainly just have too much to choose from??

Maybe not too much is grabbing me anymore...maybe I'm too busy...am I losing the passion for music? I certainly hope not!

April/May hold some promising discoveries however with some of my solid old fave bands re-appearing like Tool & Pearl Jam. Maybe they'll help rekindle my love affair.

I did however listen to Steve Eearl's Transcendental Blues this morning while cleaning. I'm a firm beleiver that everyone needs a bit of this honky tonk rocker in their collection...! Brilliant social commentary, describable woes, it sounds weird I know, Natty liking country...trust me, true fans of music will get his art!

Where did March go?

2006-03-26T07:49:00.000-06:00

Raise your hand if you feel time is flying by incredibly fast...

Maybe it's due to everything I need to accomplish now in a day...today includes work, staff meeting, ACN presentations. Tomorrow is region manager visit, mall meeting. Yish. But I enjoy it!?

What's pleasing my ears lately...Devin Townsend's newest beauty Synchestra. It's similar to Terria for the "earthyness" but some manic going on which reminds me of "Infinity" This man fails to disappoint. OH HOW I WISH I LIVED IN VANCOUVER!! He's playing at the Red Room with King's X (another one of my fave proggie bands) April 24th for $20!!! JON YOU HAVE TO GO!!!!!!!!!

It also looks like the Van-move needs to put on hold. We just found out Jordy's grandma has pancreatic cancer. It's in her pancreas, large bowel, lungs, & lymph nodes. They figure about 6-8 months. This sux huge, she's the most amazing lady & we're very sad by this. But she's coming down to visit us next month before she gets TOO sick. Then Jordy may move to Winnipeg for a month or two to help take care of the family. So yeah.

March is moving too fast.

Go listen to these CDs however...

She Wants Revenge
The Editors
In Flames - Clarity
Devin Townsend - Synchestra

They keep me goin' no matter what life throws. See all you peeps soon!

Thank you Friends

2006-03-13T23:42:00.000-06:00

Well guys I did it!! I hit my 1st "bonus" with my new business!!! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVED IN HELPING ME OUT! (I'm looking at you Vancouverites) As for anyone else, YOU NEED TO SEE THIS!

Holy crap I'm yelling here...hehe I've positioned myself to make some SERIOUS $$...I'm on fire. This grrl isn't sleeping tonight...holy mother. I may just roll into Shambhala in a freekin motorhome equiped to the nines!

YAY! (insert happie dance here)

Well Im off to play CastleVania for Sega Genesis. Anyone remember that game?? I found it at a Salvation Army for $2.50 in WInnipeg...I know SWEET deal. Bloody monsters,here I come!

huh

2006-03-11T00:57:00.000-06:00

Just watched the latest Harry Potter (finally) I wasn't as thoroughly impressed...Voldemort was kool looking but the actor not menacing enough. Also the dance was CHEESY. But the underwater scenes were stellar...as well as the dragons. I dunno....anyways here's a pic of me as a south park character courtesy of my bro.

Rock it

fiN

She's Alive

2006-03-04T16:49:00.000-06:00

Holy that was a long break huh? Sory peeps...I'm still here. Unfortunately I have the worst headcold ever...Tylenol Cold & Flu sure wonks a grrl out, so if none of this makes sense (or I write a million run on sentences) you'll all know why!

I'm currently in Gravelbourg for the week...the Tommy Douglas story premieres tomorrow at 2. I'm pretty pumped!!

I was in Winnipeg visiting Jordy's fam from the 21-28 of Feb...was a pretty good time minus the 12 hr bus ride there & back. Boo-urns. Did some shopping...we bought this snakes & ladders drinking game where if you fall down a snake you have to take a shot. Could be fun huh? haha After busing home on the 28th I tried to leave the following day (1st) for G'bourg. We had gotten hit by a massive storm the night before so I guess the highways were closed. I really wish the dimwits here in S'toon would've let me know BEFORE I bused to Regina to find out I'm stranded there. Yeah. Pretty fun. So they sent me back to S'toon after an hour of trying to figure stuff out (they where gonna either (A) send me in a cab (B) put me up in ahotel til Friday but it was currently Wed. (C) send me all the was back to S'toon & try again on Fri. So yeah option (C) it was. A NEEDLESS 6 hr bus ride after having a 12 hr one the day before from Winnipeg & I STILL wasn't in G'bourg! AH!!! But here I am, arrived last night safely...although I had to transfer onto a shuttle bus in Regina then onto a VAN in Mossbank. Kinda awkward...you feel so obligated to talk to people when you're that close. Ick. But I'm here chillaxing till Wed the 8 which will be nice. I haven't reconnected with the G'bourg scene in awhile so it should be fun.

So yeah....that's it for now I guess. I'll post more when I actually have a brain about me, I'm sure a lightweight when it comes to cold meds. How FUN! (not so much)

The Land of Opportunity

2006-02-20T12:59:00.000-06:00

Wow this chica has been busy. As it stands, I'm going to be making enough $$ in June to never have to work a "job" again !!!

Yeah I know. It's huge. I'm building an empire. She's taking OVAH!!!

Today is my birfday. (& the start of my two week holiday) I'm off to Winnipeg with Jordy tomorrow night (*shudder* ick the night bus we leave at 10pm arrive at 9:30am)i don't care I'm just pumped to spend some time with my man. We're there for a week then I'm off to G'bourg til March 7. The movie that was shot there & that also has all my fam in it as extras, is being premiered. How exciting! It's the story of TOmmy Douglas. I'll let ya'll know when it airs on CBC. Pretty nutz.

Well I'm off...

...to the gym....

It's wierd how life hits rock bottom & then flies all the way to the top once you decide to make a change to grow.

I LOVE MITTEN!!!

Raise your hand if you miss the Pumpkins

2006-02-12T23:04:00.000-06:00

I bought a tribute cd to the best alt. band ever called "The Killer in You" today. It has the likes of Eighteen Visions, Static Lullaby, Armour for Sleep & MURDER BY DEATH (yay) doing some kool renditions of ol Smashing Pumpkins classics.

Although no-one can sing it like Corgan....

"close your eyes & sleep don't wait up for me"

check it out anyhow...it spawned me to re-visit all my SP albums, even got a lil misty eyed at parts.

Yuck

2006-02-09T10:56:00.000-06:00

I got food poisoning yesterday while at the region meeting/
Then I had to get on a delayed Air Canada flight that was the SMALLEST plane ever that almost didn't even land in S'toon cuz of the weather.

Sick stomach + scary turbulence = Natty puking in S'toon Airport washrooms

I'm home sick today...what a whirlwind this past 24 hrs. I've gotten a promotion at HMV, my home based business is taking off SO fast, & Vancouver is coming up quicker than I'd like.

I must lie down now...I'm a dehydrated husk! :(

PS Boo-urns to the Delta Bow Valley in Calgary for having shitty non-veg friendly food. I had to opt for egg salad which obviously was sitting out for awhile. *shudder* At least the "expelling" process is over....ew/ sorry about that!

Change is GOOD!

2006-02-06T23:16:00.000-06:00

So hey everyone! Sorry for falling off the radar like that, I guess sometimes you need a bit of time to disappear & get back into your "zone". ANyways here's the skinny; (I unfortunately have no time to write in detail)

Jordy & I are getting some counselling & we're ok. Thanks to everyone for the support & good juju ( I sure could feel ya!!) Bottom line,we're committed & love each other so yeah...we'll make it no matter what.

Also I've started up my own business! I'm SO excited at the opportunity this is going to give me to acquire the cash to move to Vancouver and go to school. AH!! I still can't believe it!! Anyways more on that coming soon...

I plan to get in touch with ya'll soon to have a lil more one on one...I still plan to work on getting myself more ... in tune I guess? But yes...I love you all!

So I must go pack. I have a region meeting in Calgary tomorrow for HMV (yes my first one!! I'm freaked!! Try not to think of the flying part hmmm?) I'll be back Wed. evening however. Then I work on developing my business...then off to Lydia's. BIG couple days. But ah I have to depart...

Clarity

2006-02-01T10:02:00.000-06:00

It's hard when you have to admit that you're not ok, & probably haven't been for so long. There's so much ugliness rooted in my past that is hindering me from being who I really am, or even knowing who I am. The last 3 days have been the most difficult I have ever experienced...more so than when Craig shot himself. Jordy has been staying elsewhere...I guess you can call it a break, it's scaring the shit out of me. But I know we'll be ok. He's the thing that is suppose to remain constant in my life.

I'm realizing things that are not my fault, they are my childhood. I need to move on, I need to start living. I need to stop HIDING. It's time I bring people back into my life & stop being so superficial. I guess this post is the first step (as most of you are probably like "Holy F***" right now) You all are here for me...I don't know why I've never allowed any of you in. (well I do know...but I have to stop feeling like you're going to leave me or die)

.......

So clarity...yeah it hit me like a ton of bricks while out with Rob last night. This will probably be the most hardest road I'll be undertaking in my life but I need to. Jordy & I need to stop living in a "sick" relationship. I thank all of you for being in my life...my clarity is realizing I've never been alone, I chose to be that way.

Infinite Sadness

2006-01-30T18:12:00.000-06:00

Things have been so bizarre lately. Alot of scary stuff goin down...some of which I'm unsure as to where my future lies in most areas of my life. I feel pretty isolated...& the most freaked out I've ever felt. ARGH!

ALthough Billy Corgan & crew have helped me along with their epic tales of Mellon Collie in subsiding my woes (for a little while at least) "In the Arms of Sleep" describes it best.

I hate this. I've worked SO hard to get where I am in both career & relationship. Why is it all falling apart now? I feel useless & afraid. (& a little whiney) Ah fuck it. It'll get better. SOmehow.

Mike Relm

2006-01-21T10:15:00.000-06:00

This is so exciting that this DJ now has a dvd coming out. I had the pleasure of seeing him at Shambhala in Ewok Village last summer. You can check out his video here...unfortunately it doesn't showcase what he was doing with the visuals...he had a dvd turntable hooked up that he was also scratching on so the music video or whatever on the screen was also being manipulated. VERY INNOVATIVE! He's def. changing what is possible in the scene....& like I said FREEKIN amazing!! Check it out.

M-LangalanG

2006-01-19T22:57:00.000-06:00

Thank you Shumon for exposing me to this gem of an artist! Lady Sovereign hails from London & is apparentley ripping it up on the grime scene. She so far has an ep out with hopefully an album to hit the UK in summer (which will be like 2007 for us right?) Imagine M.I.A. with dirtier lyrics & beats to match, this chica is calling on people like Chingy & 50 Cent which I find incredibly amusing! Anyways find out more at Lady Sovereign.com, there's some preview on tracks to listen. YOU BUY!

In other Natty news, I'm faced with a questionable fork in the road (which I'm not even suppose to know about yet) F*** that! Right when I think I get my goals set,I'm thrown a kink. The pondering shall begin...what/where do I go in the next 4 months??

(don't worry Vancouverites, it stills ways heavily to your side but damn the man!!)

SNES Block

2006-01-16T23:29:00.000-06:00

DOn't you hate it when you f'n stuck on a level (even though it may be the simplest if games!?) I've been playing the same tiny sequence for the last 45min obviously unable to pass...it's KILLING ME!

But I have found the twisted irony in playing Super Mario World while listening to crazy industrial band Bile,it makes it so much evil-er muah-hahahahaha!!!

...yes I must go to sleep now....

Slow Cookers Rawk

2006-01-11T10:28:00.000-06:00

There's nothing better than coming home to food already made for you by Ms. CrockPot...let the experimentation begin!!

Natty's Top Picks of 2005

2006-01-08T11:18:00.000-06:00

So 2005 came & went in a blur I've felt, but not without some pretty amazing accomplishments in the music scene. I've been blown away by quite a few genres this year while looking back on it which is pretty spectacular. Although I still feel, as my grrl Esthero put it, we are in need of a musical revolution! I'm tiring fast of the punk & indie rock movements that are in the mainstream as eventually they all become sorely overdone & contrived. But anyway folks, here's what I'm inclined to say were MY top 10 of 05....

(in no particular order)

10. Idiot Pilot - Strange We Should Meet Here...these guys mix electronic beats with screamo intensity...def. one of the most original ones so far!

9. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl...at 1st I was a little unsure with this one as it was drastically different from their previous 2 releases being more "honky tonk". But what can I say, it grew on me like fungus & turned out to be one of the most inspirational albums for me this past year. I could never turn my back on you boys! Kudos for breaking the mold!

8. Feist - Let It Die...hailing from the Broken Social Scene crew,this chica sure knows how to put out a mood setting album. A must listen!!

7. NIN - With Teeth...holy mother,it's about time Trent! This album leaves nothing to disappoint,the social commmentary, as always, hits dead on.

6.Open Hand - You & Me...if any of you are stoner rockers out there, it would be blasphemous to NOT own this jem! The opening track kicks you in the teeth you can't help but move LUV IT!

5. Depeche Mode - Playing the Angel...moody, dark, hauntingly beautiful...what more could you ask for? I tried to kill this one at the store but it just couldn't happen,it's too amazing!

4. The Arcade Fire - Funeral...it's hard to believe these guys came out this year. They're one of those bands, in my mind, that just stand apart in their genre...almost making them timeless. I don't care that they are the #1 hyped about band...they're good enough to deserve it!

3. Thrice - Vheissu...kudos to these boys for getting experimental. Hailing as one of the pioneers in their "screamo/hardcore" niche, the totally have changed it up for fans alike. Ironically, some of their more quieter, prettier songs on the album are def. my fave.

2. Murder By Death - Who Will Survive & What Will Be Left Of Them...Dark,apocalyptic lyrics matched with cellos & minimal screaming,its right up the Natty alley. This album,apart from many, played quite often in my (& jordys) headphones. Kind of a accidental purchase as well because I seriously did NOT remember ordering it for myself at work! (you know you buy too much when...)

1. Esmerine - If Only A Sweet Surrender To The Nights To Come Be True...yes I can def. hail this one as my #1 pick of the year. (even though it's NOT their newest album!) Clanning from the Godspeed & Silver Mt Zion crew, members of Esmerine def. make music I can imagine myself living in the dusty midwest of "Carnivale" origin. Instrumental beauty claimed through fiddle/cello & dark percussion, it def. creates the mood for any task, (mainly drinking wine with friends!) I can't wait to pick up their new release of this year,Aurore,which Im sure will appear as #1 on 2006!

Some very honorable mentions include:

Queens of the Stone Age - Lullabies to Paralyze
Sigor Ros - Takk
Esthero - Wicked lil Grrrls
M1- Robopop
Matt Good - In a Coma
Fog - 10th Ave Freakout
Reflux - THe Illusion of Democracy
M.I.A. - Arular
Orb - Bicycles & Tricycles
Castanets - First Light's Freeze
Foo Fighters - In your Honor
among many!!!! Please lemme know what you think I may have missed!

This year also brought on many memorable concert experiences...I had been blessed to see one of my most fave artists twice & 2 of my fave bands from my youth! I can't remember a year since the 90's that I have seen so many top name acts come through the prairies! My top 5 include:

Queens of the Stone Age w/ Throwrag - live at Red's - Edmonton AB (i've never sang & danced so much in my life!)
Pearl Jam w/ Supersuckers - live at the Credit Union Centre - Saskatoon,SK
NIN w/ Queens & DFA 1979 - Live at the Saddledome - Calgary AB (i still can't beleive this one happened!!)
Sounds of the Underground - Credit Union Centre Saskatoon,SK To see Gwar,Opeth, SYL, Everytime I Die...the list goes on.This was a fab show!
Death From ABove 1979 w/ Controller/Controller Louis Pub - Saskatoon, SK...another show I danced my butt off to...does anyone remember who the 3rd opener was?I remember liking them! haha

Well that's it's folks! (should be enough reading to compensate my lack of posting) Feel free to comment on what you think I missed, agree on,or disagree! Thanks 2005 from rocking my casbah!!~

Atmospheric Cataract

2005-12-30T11:08:00.000-06:00

So the last 3-4 days or so have been spent here with a -5 temp & this crazy thick fog thing going on. Very strange for SK...we're usually struck by -40 weather by now & cold cold winds. Getting anywhere has been surreal since you can't see jack. I wish however the conditions would keep people from shopping but alas they have not. It's been an insane week at work...I had the MOST angriest dreadlocked dude ever yesterday. So angry in fact that we had other customers in line tell him what a jerk he was upon leaving the store. I was whatever with it. If he's an asshole his whole life that's fine by me cuz I'm not!

But I'm off to attend a funeral today. My pet comet, Dave, whom I've had for 4 yrs passed away this morning. Damn for being so busy! *sniffles*

2005-12-21T19:45:00.000-06:00

Yup...the two days off are long forgotten...
Maybe if I had kool people like Lil Jon poppin by my store I'd feel the urge to go on....naw I just get Andrea Menard calling me & bitching why her cd isn't in our computer system. Oh Saskatchewan.

2005-12-19T08:59:00.000-06:00

Yay I did it! I managed to get all of my shopping done this weekend; you know what's strange? I wasn't stressed ONE bit! I guess it helped alot that I was only in a mall for 25 mins to pick up my sister from work (poor grrl, it was NUTZ at Lawson on Sat!)
I cannot get over the amount of stupidity however in people trying to get around the city. We must've seen at least 3 accidents & some a-hole almost mowed me down in a crosswalk downtown. (what's with people in vans?? they don't like me) I'll say my life flashed before my eyes, thank goodness the ice made me slip kinda backwards. I've never seen Jordy so freaked out in my life (or yell like that hehe) & the guy didn't even notice of course due to the evil appendage stuck to his ear! I HATE BLOODY CELL PHONES!

I'm starting to get really excited to see my family! Everyone arrives on the 23-24,we all haven't been together in sooo long!!

Well off to work I go. I feel much more capable to face it now that I've had two solid days off in a row. We'll see how I feel at 3pm!

Every year!

2005-12-16T11:06:00.000-06:00

So I got Saturday & Sunday off coming up tomorrow & sadly I have to spend it Xmas shopping. I tend to always do this every year, even though I promise myself after the meltdown I have from dealing with the throngs of people that it'll be the last time!

Hopefully I can get my act together & at least make some sort of plan as to where I'm going & what I wanna buy. Hopefully I can do most of the shopping on Broadway...I'll die if I have to be in a mall the WHOLE time! It's already consumed my life enough already...I've figured I've worked a total of 165 hours this last 3 weeks. EESh!

So folks that live out West...expect your gifts a lil bit late...Natty the Procrastinator strikes again!

Sometimes you just gotta yell

2005-12-13T23:46:00.000-06:00

Well I don't know how professional it was, but today I yelled at my boss. Yup, Natty lost her cookies & professed her frustration of being overloaded at work. (How did I start talking in the 3rd person??) I guess 3 months worth of doing my boss' job & NOT getting credit finally took it's toll. I told him I was done with it (but in much nastier words) Not too sure what tomorrow will bring but damn it felt better to get it out. (Well not at 1st...I get so emotional after a confrontation. I HATE THAT!) I fear my HMV days may be coming to a close sooner than I thought. Oh joy to the world...it's hard to feel christmas-ey this year...although this picture here makes me feel a bit better...

PS...oh heh check out my bro's blog (the one who plays with makeup)...it's some good reading & a freaky pic of him when he's 75!

Hurting Ow

2005-12-10T18:49:00.000-06:00

So I've been going to the gym to try & develop some upper arm strength as well abdominal muscles so I stop complaining of my aches all the time. It's been kinda working out for me, although I haven't been able to dedicate as much time as I've wanted lately due to my slavery to retail. But oh man I went yesterday & am I ever hurting today! I've been trying to work on my pectorals to help with my posture; sadly 15 lbs I guess was too much on the machine (I know I know...) It was a long hard day trying to put out cds.

One day....I'll have pipes of STEEL!

(you all can stop laughing now)

Thrice w/ Circa Survive & My Chem. Romance 12/06/05

2005-12-09T14:45:00.000-06:00

We (being Alyssa, Vanessa, Rob, Justin, Jordy, cousin Vanessa & myself) got to Credit Union center just in time to find our seats & catch Circa Survive. I was anticipating them all day being I LOVE the album (I'd slot them in the same cat. as Mars Volta for ethereal quality with Perry Ferrell vocals). ANyhoo they were good but not great being their sound levels were WAY off with the vocals way too echo-ey & overpowering. But man they still rocked it for me & even blitzed out a few longer solos in some tracks which had such a spaced out feel. Jordy loved them enough to buy a scarf of their's, good times!

.... Thrice. Wow, ok if none of you have Vheissu yet GO BUY IT!!! Have you ever been to a show, & you've seen a opening act or two, then another band comes on that's just so tight, almost like a breath of fresh air? *ooo* Thrice was incredible. They've made my top 10 list of live shows this year for sure. I love the fact that being a hardcore/screamo band, they're so versatile & NOT pigeonholed which unfortunately so many bands in that genre have become. They pulled out alot of the more experimental tracks off Vheissu which the crowd ate up. They were so well balanced with hard/soft new/old. Kudos!!!

As for MCR...what a bloody joke. If it weren't for the sheer fun of my friends whom accompanied me, I would've thrown my drink at the band & left. We however stayed to the end to make fun (& oh did we ever). It felt like a timewarp back to an Elvis show where you see all the screaming girls falling over in front, jumping up & down, my ears hurt so bad. It was strange. The frontman for MCR was so horribly arrogant & filthy mouthed (which was sad being the combined age at the show was maybe 13 yrs old? I would not want my young daughter being called a "motherfucker") He constantly all show demanded love from the audience & to "pump your f'n fists in the air like you just don't care" (Yes he sadly did say that TWICE) If I didn't know any better it felt like we were at a Nazi conference. At one point for Ghost of You, he demanded that everyone get their cellphones out (yeah instead of LIGHTERS how freakin LAME!! LOL) I could go on & on...

Sadly though, musically the band was the best I've seen them. The drummer & lead guitarist are ever so talented. In my opinion they need to lose lead singer man (he's so FAT now! I guess stardom agrees with his belly) & bass player. I was so torn, because I love their songs...I just hate for what they've become.

My Chemical Romance was SO 2 years ago....isn't how that always goes with things that become too popular for their own good?

COunt Blah

2005-12-05T11:28:00.000-06:00

I don't even really have much to say but I kinda missed my regular posting...I worked a total of 60 some hours last week...isn't that nutz? It's starting to get really crazy at the store...I get the pleasure of working til midnight tonight Boo.

Ah well, some Thrice-y goodness is coming my way tomorrow night!! Horray! (who says that anymore?)

well i'm off to the gym. I need to stay motivated being I dont work til like 3pm

bye bloggers

Yawn

2005-11-25T07:42:00.000-06:00

Getting up without the sun shining is really really hard. I imagine when I come home it'll start to be dark again. Blast this darkness (get your hands off of my woman...)

I need to sprout 4 more arms for today. Region visits are always fun with all the bloddy changes you get to do after.

Great now I have horrible falsetto frizzy hair "badnesS" in my head...sorry guys. Get ready for the new album though...they haven't unfortunately disappeared. (I believe in a thing called lo-ove Ooooo Oooooo Oooo OOoo Yeah!)

*shudder*

Your god is Dead - NIN w/ QOTSA & DFA 1979 Nov 17/05

2005-11-20T11:54:00.000-06:00

........

Yes I can't even describe how unreal this event was. I need a moment to collect myself....

Unfortunately we missed the Death From Above 1979 set. We wanted to leave at 9am on Thursday but our ride couldn't leave til noon. No biggie, with the time change n all, we still would've had enough time. But regretfully Dave got held up at work with his mean tyrant bossman & we didn't get out of S'toon til 2ish! Talk about cuttin er close! We made it just in time to see Queens. Let me take a moment here to describe how SUCKY Calgary's crowd was...

We had seats just off the side of the stage 2nd level up. Not too bad. So we're standing & rockin to Queens with people behind us yelling to "sit the fuck down". NO-ONE WAS STANDING AT ALL!! I couldn't believe it. The mentality the whole show was something like "we're too cool & apathetic to even tap our toes". Lame-os. Whatever it didn't phase us, & they eventually stopped yelling. It was awesome to see Queens a 2nd time...although was more enjoyable in a smaller club like Reds. They still graced us with a 50 min set of stoner guitar goodness. I LOVE Troy Van Leeuwan!

NIN...

They started off with these massive sheer screens covering the stage & lights pulsing behind to the track Pinion off of the Broken EP. Immediately I'm freakin out at the chance to hear one of my fave songs, Wish, but like a teasing lover, they rip into a song I've never heard before. Apparentely unreleased (Love is not Enough), the band continues behind the screens & Trent's voice cuts through every corner of the arena. All you see is shadows. They then drop the screens to the pummeling of "You Don;t Know What You Are" & everyone ignites! I still can't believe I was there...

I was very very happy to hear lots of the Downward Spiral & even Burn from the Natural Born Killers Sdtrk. They had a perfect mix of frenzy, contemplative downtime, & pure drive. Definately one of the tightest live acts I've seen. To hear Terrible Lie & Something I Can Never Have, I'm still baffled by how old those tracks were. Trent commented after playing Eraser (which was accompanied by visuals on the screens of anti-Bush images) that Calgary was the best show so far, thank you Canada, fuck the USA. Then Natty lost her mind as they played her ALL TIME fave song, Reptile off Downward S. EEK!!!!

They played for 90 mins & ended the show with Hurt (& a sea of lighters) & Head Like a Hole, which only made it to the second chorus due to Twiggy flippin out & smashing his guitar from the top of his speaker cabinet. The rest of the band followed suit & then boom it's done. I'm left out of breath, elated, & fully unable to speak. I only wish that my biggest known NINer buddie couldah been there with me. Let's keep our fingers crossed for March huh?

The rest of the trip went by pretty rank. We stayed in some cheap dive with no heat & massive arachnids & took forever to get back. Our buddie Dave kept getting the run around with his errands. I was still sick as a dog & just needed some comforts of home. But I SAW NIN!!

Thanks boys for topping my concert experiences...

Bedouin Soundclash with The Junction @ Louis Pub 11/17/05

2005-11-17T00:22:00.000-06:00

So FINALLY Louis got their act together & did not have an all ages show for once. What a better experience to be free to roam with drinks in tote without worrying about being stopped by some bouncer. Even if you're only drinking iced tea.

The show was very fun. I think however I had more fun rockin to The Junction who opened. (why is that mostly the case at indie shows?) ANyhoo imagine ska like guitar mixed with Nirvana like vocals & double kick insano drummer. I wish Bono & bDan both could've seen them. They kicked! Very energtic. I'll have to source out an album or two.

Bedouin was fun too. I had more fun watching the crowd try to dance to reggae. It's very strange...I unfortunately got a mouthful of some dirty beeswaxy dandruffed dreads when some girl decided to shake them out into my drink. Ick. People are so unaware of their surroundings. Maybe too I was grumpy from being INCREDIBLY sick. Yes folks it's that time of year again where Natty loses her voice & balance. I have the worst head/chest/face cold known to hippies. It sucks. Just in time for NIN tomorrow too. Boo. But nothing can stop me now...cuz I don't care anymore (whoa quoting the lyrics n everything I'm so lamo)

I felt too that the lead singer for the SOundclash was incredibly wasted on something. He had problems keeping up with guitar & kept talking WAY too much in between songs. FUnny that no-one seemed to care though. Maybe cuz everyone else was just as? They didn't play till 11pm or so. But still very tight band. I'd see them again & I'm glad they packed the place. Yay!

Well I'm off to NeoCitran land. Thankfully we don't leave till 12 tomorrow so I can sleep in a bit (& on the way). I'll give ya'll a full recap when I get back!

OOOOoo I hope some DOwnward Spiral gets played....I'll SHRIEK! (in my head that is since I lost my voice :P )

3 more days!!

2005-11-14T10:15:00.000-06:00

I can't believe it ... I'll be seeing this with my own eyes! (sorry to gloat to the ones that can't make it; i'm too freekin EXCITED!)

The Castanets - First Lights Freeze (Nov 22/05)

2005-11-08T23:03:00.000-06:00

I love finding new wierd obscure things. For not having posted in awhile (yet again) here's a track that pretty much describes my overall feelings over the past week. Alot of crazy shite's been going down. I miss my friends. Anyhoo...check it out here. It's unfortunately not out til the 22nd for those of you that wanna rush out & buy it. (Support the pink clan!!)

On a side note...NIN looks pretty likely to be booked here in Saskatoon after they finish the Canadian tour. It'll be just them (no Queens or Death From Above) but goody gumdrops, $50 gets me on the floor & rockin out a second time! I have every dread crossed for this one to happen!! Speaking of which it's t-minus 9 days before I get another musical experience of a lifetime..& possibly a night at the Hilton in Cowtown for $50...yeah she's got SWEET connections.

Keep it real folks...

....oh & this bloke here is the frontman for the Castanets. He quit school at 15 to travel on a Greyhound bus through the US for 4 years to get the "experience" to start writing music. I'm lovin the lyrics..who says you need anything past a grade 9/10 education??

Sorry I disappeared

2005-11-01T18:25:00.000-06:00

Yes I know it's been like a week since I've posted but I've been so caught up in life's ugly side. Work has been horribly busy (we average about 150 boxes coming in a week!) & with my gimped out finger it wasn't fun. But it's better now thank you for asking...yet only to be replaced with this half-flu thing that just won't go away or kick in. I'm in runny nose purgatory!

Also my uncle is back in the hospital. Those of you who don't know, he's had multiple surgeries since last Jan (yesterday's made #8) for colitis which involved removing his large bowel & colon. He lives with a colostomy bag & was pretty much on the mend to have that removed & put internally. But he had what they thought was an obstruction in his small intestine (which is quite common to happen I guess) but the doctors in both Moose Jaw & Gravelbourg misdiagnosed him to having "only the flu". My aunt had the sense after 12 hours of him in agony & vomiting to rush him to Saskatoon where within minutes of an x-ray they concluded he needed emergency surgery. I can't describe to you all the fustration I have with certain physicians that can't f'n read an x-ray or take the time to actually DIAGNOSE!

Thankfully, his intestine was only twisted & no removal of it had to be made. He'll still be in the hospital for 2 weeks but at least he'll be somewhat ok.

In other news my sis is stressed with school. She thinks she blew her entry into pharmacy.

So yeah people I need your good vibes this way. I'm ok. I'm not "moping" around, I just have alot on my mind, & sometimes it's hard to be Andrea the Rock.

I don't quite believe in prayer but if any of you out there wanna take the time to put out some healing goodness for me & my family....

....oh & I miss you Vancouverites very very much! (& Lloydminster-bound)

Shu call me soon. I miss you & love you very very much!!

....holy mushiness...well I guess I'm allowed to feel a lil vulnerable sometimes huh? Talk to you katz soon; & check out Dallas Green's new cd (from Alexisonfire) it's smashingly good!

I burst a vein somehow

2005-10-25T21:38:00.000-06:00

I had something truly painful happen to my finger today. & what is strange was I did absolutely NOTHING! I had just finished receiving some boxes at work & was taking a break when I felt this ghastly pain in my right ringfinger. I looked at it to see it rapidly turning purple & swelling beside my knuckle as if a vein busrt or something? Obviously I'm not medically skilled to give the correct terminology here but DAMN dude that HURT! Now I feel slightly incapacitated with a swelled hurty finger. Which is awesome cuz there's so much work to do at the store with the big boss man coming in on Thurs. What's the deal?

How come I get this instead of a free DVD player? HUH!?

(On a side note...I'm currently reliving Deftones Around the Fur album...goody gumdrops)

Mmmmm Likwid

2005-10-20T00:25:00.000-06:00

I love that I have friends who can play rockinh dj sets...it was good to here lots of "K & D Sessions" out at a pub.
Weird, however, that Lydia's now serves mostly asian food....um it's an irish bar? Who woulda thought...

In the Natty Jukebox this week - Deadly Snakes: Porcella

2005-10-18T22:25:00.000-06:00

Just got this cd tonight from the ArnDog ( I wonder if he hates that nickname??) Wow what a well written album! The lyrics slayed me, it's very different for what I thought they'd be (slotted in the garage band category) I found myself grinning quite largely at many different parts. I'll have to listen to the album again to quote you my favorite lyric, damn I can't find any on the net...but I do have a link to their website here which greatly describes who they are & what they sound like! Make sure you check out the MP3 for Gore Veil, it's awesome that the song SOUNDS so happy go lucky but the lyrics are hopelessly dark! Enjoy!

Oh yeah & my fave song part for whatever song it was (sorry I had my discman on in my bag...no clue what song it was!) had something to do with "being slimy as a fish because my mother was salty" Yeah pretty vague & prolly the worst written review here ever but I'm tired & full from Amazing Race eatery. Just check them out. You won't be disappointed!

Good Samaritan

2005-10-14T11:10:00.000-06:00

I arrived in Saskatoon yesterday at about 2:30pm. Talk about the longest flight ever! We had to land in Kelowna first, then switch planes in Calgary & finally land in good old SK. Let me tell you, I was so ready to pass out from the exhaustion of nerves & Gravol. I get to my baggage, lug it to a phone, & find out no one is available to pick me up. Now unfortunately the plan was for me to take a cab to Lawson & bus home from there; but an unexpected $30 cab ride to the Vancouver airport as well as a $15 breakfast, exhausted my funds! (Yeah I slept in...otherwise I would've bused it in Van & saved myself $50!! Getting up at 6am is just too hard!)

So here I am lugging my heavy-ass luggage (Bono can vouch for that...why did I pack so bloody much?!) & guitar down aiport road to McNab Park where I hopefully can catch a bus home. The weather is much warmer here than it was in BC so of course I'm over dressed, & having to pull a lopsided suitcase on wheels in the gravel is so not fun! I also have cars whizzing past me on my left spitting up rocks & giving the finger.
Come on people!! I'm sorry but if I saw a poor soul lugging their shit up the longest road ever, I'd offer them a ride, AT LEAST to the bus stop!!! So yeah I'm disgruntled, sweaty, & buzzing on Gravol. Equation for "Natty's not having fun"

Finally this shitty white van pulls up beside me, & this toothless cigarette smelling 60 yr old man offers me a ride. At this point, I don't care how unsafe this might be, after experiencing donwtown Vancouver this is a cakewalk! Anyway, the man is blaring some sort of gospel music which I later find out is himself singing in Cree. So he can't be THAT bad! Kinda kool, yet awkward. So I'm blessed to hear his life story of beating a life of alcoholism & turning to god. Hey may not be my bag, but kudos to you nice stranger, for beating the stereotype of native-canadians & turning your life around!

I get a ride to the bus mall being he's running out of gas but wow what a save! I finally make it home by 3:30 where my sister JUST pulls up from school. Great timing huh? Anyway that's my good karma of the day. Upon first looking at that man, someone might think alot of nasty things, but after getting to hear what he had to say, it made me really think about how horrible stereotypes & first impressions are in this society. I've made a promise to myself to def. act better in this...so thank you Mr good samaritan!!

Thanksgiving Madness

2005-10-10T17:42:00.000-06:00

Brent & I had the pleasure of joining the Wrubleski family for thanskgiving supper last night in Burnaby. Pretty fun night! Oh & say hello to our special guest Mr Fishhead who came all the way from the Kooteney river; he was quite the laugh of the party.

My adventures on Burnaby Mt.

2005-10-10T17:22:00.000-06:00

Here are some pictures I took behind Jono/Laura/Guy's appt while I was staying there. Oh man I wanna live in the forrest!!

Here I am!

2005-10-06T11:13:00.000-06:00

Wow. I don't believe it! This chica made it to the "big city". It's pretty amazing...I wonder if people are getting annoyed with me constantly pointing out the mountains, the fresh air, the amount of people...I guess thats what happens when a prairie grrl makes it out to somewhere like Vancouver.

So I've been staying at casa Mt Burnaby the last couple of days with Guy, Laura, & Jono. They live on the Simon Fraser campus in a pretty sweet appt. (I'll post some pics soon) It's so beautiful up here! (A bit of a trek from downtown Van however) I really dig the quiet, the clean air, the "student" watching. It's strange to not be at work right now! Oh but I relish...

Today I get to check out some kool shops on Commercial Dr with Jono & Laura where later this evening I'll be hooking up with my lil bro Brent to stay at his place. He lives right downtown on Pacific & literally 10 min walk from the beach. I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE THE OCEAN!!

So more posting latR kool katz, with some pics soon as well. (My folks dig. camera RAWKS!)

Heh anyone give me an update on how the race went? What did people eat? Did Jordy make the hummus? I sure did miss the gang on Tues!! Boo to the Paolos!

Boeing 747

2005-10-03T20:32:00.000-06:00

Well this is it folks. I leave in t minus 21 hrs! I can't even describe how naseously excited I've been feeling all day. I kept running around making sure everything was together at the store for the new staff..I apologize guys for not being there for the biggest sale ever! Eek. Well it'll be good training for them!

Woo...I don't even know what to say. I can't get Matt Godd outta my head

"oh be joyful cuz that shit spreads"

What a great line. I AM so joyful. Laura, Guy, & Jono are all meeting me. I'm so freakin pumped to see you goons!! I miss you tons!!!!!! AH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *doing the happie dance*

There's so many things I'm excited to see...the ocean, my friends, the new HMV on RObson, my brother...the film fest. *not thinkin bout the plane*

But I'll be ok...I'm too excited to not get on it. Gravol will help (& maybe a swig a DM cough syrup?? hehe)

I'll talk to ya'll latR once I'm in the big metropolis!! AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My own foolishness

2005-10-02T08:09:00.000-06:00

Egadz....I've gone out 2 nights in a row til god knows what hour to then get up & be at work for 8:30am to work like a fiend. (that was a really long sentence) that's good...i'll just be so tired on my flight, I won't even have time to be nervous.

Vanessa is a sugar psycho. I've never seen such a small body eat so much in quantity. Oh man we had fun last night...but my head screams for water at this moment.

Well off I go. I hope someone received all those campaign boxes for me. They really don't mess around when they say "Monster Sale"

....out....

Letter to my public

2005-09-28T14:39:00.000-06:00

Dear AngryFarmer or CrabbieOldLady,

I'm sorry you decided to come in at 5pm on new release day to buy your copy of Corner Gas/Robots/Family Guy movie/Sheryl Crow & we were ALL sold out. I'm also sorry that you're a mean old smelly person that doesn't understand yelling gets you nowhere.

Yes sir/madam, we had adequate stock, but when you ring through 100 customers in 45 min before 11am, possibly you could understand how it got depleted.

No there are no rainchecks on the coupons. That's what "ONE DAY ONLY" means in the flyer.

I don't care how you feel. I'm getting a fat bonus this Xmas off of your consumerism so I can be far far away from the stench of the retail environment this Feb break.
And I'll be laughing at how upset you are over not having your precious material things. I'll be laughing all the way down the mountain I'll be boarding on, hugging trees all the way.

Sorry I'm so inconsiderate. I guess I find some things more important than others. Like loving the Earth instead of your "precious" DVD boxsets. Have fun being old & grumpy.

Love,
Natty

Amazing Race Style

2005-09-27T07:32:00.000-06:00

So tonight premieres the new season of "The Amazing Race" on CTV. For those of you who are unfamiliar, it's a reality series that pits teams against each other to race around the world for a million dollar cash prize (among others along the way). The last team to arrive at a "pit stop" is then eliminated. This year's rendition is the family edition where teams of 4 (?) fam. members compete.

I can't wait!! A group of us get together each week to yell at the tv screen & eat glorious amounts of foody goodness, while rooting for our "picked" teams. Sadly we are 3 less this year as Jono, Dan, & Laura have moved away...we'll have to set up some sort of phone/web connection!

This week lines up to be quite busy for me before I leave on my trip. I'm managing the store while Dallas is away for the next 3 days (god help us this morning, every elderly person alive in SK will be at our doors for Corner Gas S2!!), KMFDM is coming up, Shu's party is on Sat, & Sunday/Monday is spent packing/freaking out.

Anyways off to work I go. It's been so nice lately to not have to receive. Vanessa is rockin the casbah on that front...man she rocks!! A toast to my grrl!!

Festival Goodness

2005-09-25T11:42:00.000-06:00

I just recently found out that while I will be in Vancouver, the Int. Film Fest. will be on!! YAY! Before I decided to embark on the culinary path, I fancied the idea of someday enrolling to film school & become a director. (I was half enrolled at the U of R but got cold feet last minute & dropped out) I guess it wasn't something I truly wanted (don't you wish there was a manual that told you these things sometimes...now I live with the "what if...") But besides that, the V.I.F.F. is something I've always DREAMED of attending since I was 14. & now that my lil bro is living in Van. & going to school in the industry, we have some pretty sweet access to this madness! Oh Val Kilmer here I come!!

Anyways here are the films we're off to see. You can check them out in further detail at the site.

The Duelist (in tradition of crouching tiger's love story & swordplay)
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (stars Robert Downey Jr, Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan. Neo-Noir dark comedy that apparentley involves a little male-on-male action?!)
Beowulf & Grendel (Sarah Polley plays this evil witch in a fantasy of the same vein of LOTR & Brother's Grimm; I have such an appeal for this one)
Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (how could i resist this one!?! a doc. on the culture...maybe I'll find myself in it somewhere?)

So I'll let you all know how they fare, man I still can't beleive I'm going!

I can't believe it...

2005-09-22T22:17:00.000-06:00

Well it's official folks...I just booked my plane ticket to Vancouver, only cost me $350 for a return fare?! Omigod....those of you who know me well can imagine how i feel right now. Oh dear, I may vomit now! Well wish me luck that I dont pass out this time & have the ambulance take me away...!

My Jordy has a pimpin new job

2005-09-21T16:40:00.000-06:00

So yay! Jordy got the job at the Urban Barn that he's been trying for. Pretty kool furniture & whatnot there...we're already starting to plan our wish list!

And yes he still is going to be a massage therapist. Unfortunately he still needs some funds to get his insurance & what not to practise (which is QUITE costly) so this job for right now will help him to get then money he needs for that. Then he will work part time at the Barn & part time in a salon/clinic.

....& with my new salary at the shop I can begin the arduous task of saving for the move to the "scholar-ly path" in good old Vancouver, BC. Wish us luck! Oh & here's a pic of our 1st item on the list to purchase, complete with by far the COMFIEST foam mattress I have ever lain on. You can put a glass of water on one side & jump on the other without the glass moving!! TOO KOOL! (hehe I'm sure you can just picture us testing out that theory too...maybe we'll try it with Minou!)

I'm off to Bingo with my sister...lets hope I win some big ca$h!! (yes you read it right...bingo's the new bowling!)

Someday yet he'll begin his life again

2005-09-18T14:09:00.000-06:00

Greetings from a very lazy Sunday afternoon...

Listening to Pearl Jam's live from Milan disc recorded in 2000, I realized I haven't even shared with you all my RELIGIOUS experience I had with these Seattle rockers! I can't believe that was already 11 days ago...whoo time flies (but am I REALLY having fun?? haha)

So we arrived at Sask Place (oops I mean CREDIT UNION Center) a little late, unfortunately missed most of the Supersuckers (boo) but was able to catch them do a song with Eddie Vedder. He was wearing a mask so you couldn't "tell" it waw him but man that voice is too recognizable!!

So the place was packed...I dont think I've ever seen any show here in Saskatoon with that many people. It was pretty kool, will definately make them come back I'm sure. What floored me is what they opened with; Release off of Ten. What a bold song to start with!!! Immediately I was washed over, I felt like my entire being was floating! (it sounds hokey but if you're a mass music fan, you'll get what I mean) The band is incredibly tight...I mean considering some of those songs are like over 10 yrs old...but not once did I feel my attention drift or cringe from anything being "off". There was a fantastic balance of what Eddie called "campfire songs" to rockin like there's no tomorrow!! & very crowd engaging. The band made sure to let everyone in the audience know how appreciative they were of our energy. It truly was amazing. I'm sorry but words cannot describe how f'n great this show was!! Anyways I'm glad I heard alot off of Vitalogy (being my fave album) & not hearing Jeremy. It was classy that they didn't play that I thought. Although I've talked to a few people that were pissed they didn't hear it. Come on though!! They have SOOOO much ground to cover & we were graced with ALive, Evenflow, Betterman...how many top singles do you need people?

I was happy to hear a few obscure things like Green Disease, Porch!!, & Whipping. They finished off the show with no less than 3 encores with the Guess Who's "Running back to Saskatoon", First Kiss & of course "Rockin in the free world". They only reason they quit playing is cuz Credit Union Center turned the lights on during RITFW. How lame. I really think PJ would've kept going! See the set list here.

So kudos to you Pearl Jam boys...I had been waiting 13 yrs for that moment & you definately did not let me down! Some tears were surely shed & I haven't been able to stop hearing Eddie's voice in the back of my head!

*Natty bows down in honor*

Here's a few pics from the Saskatoon show I've found on the net...both from when Porch was being played. I still can't believe I heard that LIVE!!!

What's in Natty's jukebox....

2005-09-16T13:03:00.000-06:00

I darn forgot how much I love these guys...I wonder how that "Doors of the 21st Century" concert here in town went? I can't even remember when it was, I just remember not neing able to afford it. It would've been interesting to see Ian Astbury try & fill the hole...I wonder if I would've liked hearing all those old tracks? I'd hope that they would've played more new-er stuff...ah whatever...I have Jim immortalized on my speakers...any of you Doors fans out there; what would you say, if you could pick only 1 song, would be your fave?

Natty says "Spanish Caravan is such a mind trip man!"

Everyone must check this out!

2005-09-11T20:35:00.000-06:00

As I was trying to find a link to the new Heineken commercial, (to share with all of you it's bloody good) I stumbled upon this website Superficial.com.

Dear god it's freakin hilarious! I've set up the link here so you can read my favorite page (& read it all!) Heh Bono do you write for these guys?? The comment of Canada's D(ion)-Day slayed me!!! (I don't recommend drinking ANYTHING when you're reading this...)

Enjoy!

Damn you Bono

2005-09-09T22:46:00.000-06:00

I've been blessed with the playcopy of Sigur Ros' new release Takk (which isn't even out yet!)I'll have to say I haven't really explored this band before even though I've been prodded to many times by both Dan & Jon. Wow. What an ethereal experience...it makes me think of Godspeed You Black Emperor mixed in with this other band I've found out about, Imogen Heap. Goodie goodness all around, I'm such a sucker for swelling, hopeless, dreamy singsongy music...who needs drugs?!

Oh right & for all of you wondering why I'm damning the Bono in my post title...the lucky dog gets to see these guys play in Vancouver soon...the 27th I beleive?? SO NOT FAIR!!!! You'll have to fill me in on every detail there!

....Coming soon......
Natty's take on the amazing Pearl Jam experience she had on Sept 7th!!

my feet are encased in pillows

2005-09-06T20:59:00.000-06:00

here's a pic of my new foot fetish...i LUV them so much!!!!! I used to be such a cheapo when it came to footwear, but I must say I've now been converted. Their so light & comfy...if I could only get them to walk for me I'd be set!

Oh & I've rediscoverd Biffy Clyro's Blackened Skies album. Damn they are so good I get emotional! If any of you out there are unfamiliar, you should really get acquainted. Their songwriting is stellar, the lyrics create such a mindtrip...they mix in well the harmony, syncopation, & aggression that this whole album gives. Is that enough reason for you to listen?? I'll leave you with one of my favorite lyrics...

"remember the time we lost ourselves to being lonely without love we sing and dance and kill together"

HMV Grrl says "You buy it NOW!"

On the lighter side

2005-09-05T19:08:00.000-06:00

In light of my current overloaded work situation, I've felt things have been a little bit "gloomier" here for my faithful readers. So to counter that, & to help me remember why I love my job, I've constructed a lil collage of goodness! It's good to stay positive, & I really do love my job (having 3 days off in a row at the moment definately does help!) I guess losing practically my whole family in a matter of 3 weeks is a doozy but I have regained my Robert! YAY! Here's to us my old fiends I miss you lots already...*hugs*

The receiving torch has burnt off my arms

2005-09-01T22:20:00.000-06:00

Well there goes another 12hr day////

I hope I'm somewhat caught up if the stupid ATS man doesn't unload more boxes on me. It's crazy with the amount of work I've been putting in you'd think I'd sleep like a log but I've seemed to have reached this weird state of conciousness where I can't sleep for more than 1 hour at a time (& write hugely long run-on sentences). Eesh. I was watching Fear Factor yesterday (don't ask) That show is getting ridiculous....they had these couples competing that had no sleep for like 36 hrs & they had to sit in a box full of hagfish & transfer them to each other through this tiny hole in the best time. Ick. Hagfish are gross. & they stink. If you don't know what they are you can find out here...but don;t be eating anything while you read about them. You may lose your cookies. I can't beleive I have to work in like 10 hrs again...doesn't seem right when the past 2 days I've worked 24 hrs/// Look at me complain...doctors, teachers, police do it....but I work in a freakin MUSIC STORE! How does that work out...aw well come Oct I'll get an extended vacation.

Well I'm off to see what trouble I can cause...& find my boyfriend. Anyone seen him??

I've morphed into an HMV robot

2005-08-30T22:41:00.000-06:00

I just finished my 12 1/2 hour shift today receiving & repricing campaigns...
how do people work in assembly line work?? i seriously lost my brain at about 8:30 tonight

I got to eat 4 hrs past my usual feeding, where I went to the HATED Pita Pit (cuz Extreme Pita was closed...& YES there IS a difference!) Some bobo of a female species coughed like a man on my hummus pita before handing it to me...if I wasn't so hungry I might've just punched her in the tit. Ah the glory...

....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........
(that's me sleeping in blissfully for it's my day off tomorrow)

Oh yeah and....

2005-08-29T21:15:00.000-06:00

Ok this is TOO catchy!

Blink Kong Girls

Stoner Rock Goodness

2005-08-29T21:07:00.000-06:00

I've only heard a couple tracks from these guys but it definately was right up my "I-love-stoner-rock" alley. It reminds me alot of where it all started for me (Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin) even twinges of newer stuff like Kings of Leon, & Black Rebel. Anyways it's kool that they hail from Canada!! Check it out here. I'll keep you all posted with my thoughts once I bring this baby home tomorrow!

Could I be a bar-star?

2005-08-27T11:27:00.000-06:00

Last night was spent at "the Scuz"...yes I know I can hear the gasps & comments of "what the hell was she thinking"; my sister convinced me to come along & my brother from Edmonton was in town so I thought "meh?"

Of course we were greeted with a huge lineup of drunken fools waiting for the all-mighty bouncer man to pick them to go through. So we wait. We encounter two drunkards from some small town who try to start up a rousing conversation involving the NHL. Ha! Of course Jordy & I are clueless, loathing the sport, but my brother tries to humour the guy. It ends with the two drunkies arguing over why Tampa Bay sucks. Thankfully my cousin sees us & pulls us up to the front of a shorter "VIP" line to get in faster...but it'll cost us $5/piece instead of $2. I give the bouncer the evilest eye I can muster...jerkface.

The place is PACKED! It feels like Shambhala all over again except wait a minute..the music sucks, the people are all slutted out to the max & oh yes I'm in SASKATOON! Strangely through the mass of backfat & sideways hats I see a familiar face. It's Bdan's bro, Kevin. He pushes his way over & we both are just as shocked & clueless as to why we're both there. I'm about to introduce my sister to him when she loudly "whispers" above the crowd to me "Who are you talking to?? He looks like DAN!"

"Yes this is Dan's brother Kevin"

"Oh wow you sure look like Dan! Omigod did I mention you look like Dan??" she looks at me "I can't believe how much he looks like Dan"

Kevin says "It's alright" kinda looks away

My sister then pulls a Will Ferrell from Old School & whispers (loudly) with her hand to the side of her mouth to me "He even SOUNDS like Dan!!"

Eek the awkwardness of a drunk sibling. She wanders off, & Kevin escapes. I'm so sorry!!! The night continues...

We finally find a table to the back of the bar & have a couple drinks. The 3 of us decide at some point that this sucks huge & wait for my sister to return so we get hit the road. People watching is so much fun!!

This guy comes by the table, stops, points at me & exclaims "HMV right?" He then pulls up a chair & makes himself at home.

"So what kinda music comes out this week, anything good?"

I hate this question. 1)I'm not at work so don't ask 2)As if I can remember with blasting J-Lo over the crap speakers 3)They won't know the bands I'll mention anyways...he looks like a Theoryofanickelcreed kinda guy

I shrug "Sept. a bigger release month. I can only remember DVD releases right now"

"Oh....so like....what you doing....later? Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Yeah"

"Oh shit is he here??"

"Yeah right there" I point to an oblivious Jordy across the table laughing at some random hooch

"oh shit uh....."

Laughing "it's ok...this doesn't have to be awkward!!"

The guy then calls for a friend to bail him out & he spends the rest of the night wistfully looking at me from across the bar. Right so this is why I don't come to these places...the meat market isn't fun for a veggie like me! & I was even dressed incognito...my dreads up in a toque & my black patched sweater. Ah well...I guess I'd have to show more skin to be a TRUE bar star.

I can't get those damn J-Lo horns outta my head!!!!

Ack

2005-08-25T18:25:00.000-06:00

Me so hungry....

What a LONG day at work. Good thing it's only one more day (ack I hear Nickelback somewhere!!! Who leaves the tv on that godforsaken channel??) where was I?? Oh yes...2 days off coming up!! (after tom.)

I shall be checking out the farmer's market Sat morn, then catching Brothers Grimm late afternoon, to be followed with a farewell gathering *sniff sniff* for my two best buds Bono & BdaN.

*throwing tantrum* PLEASE DON'T GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*ahem* Sorry 'bout that...I'm usually so much more controlled.

Don't know what I'm doing Sunday yet...so if anyone wants to chill with a bored hippie lemme know...

Oooo I can't wait for Jordy's vegetarian rendition of Chicken Parmesan....with Spongecake Fruit Cups for dessert...isn't love grand?

Jumpin on the bandwagon OR re-visiting my youth

2005-08-23T17:22:00.000-06:00

Well Dan you've convinced me...here's who has stolen my heart. All I need to do now is save up enough pesos for the darlin'...

I love rainy days off. I've done NOTHING today except walk to the vid store to rent Sin City...damn Jordy for having to work, I have to wait before he gets home to watch. I was sad however that they did not have this to watch...I'm dying to know what's happening!!!!

Day 1 Down

2005-08-20T19:44:00.000-06:00

So today was first day back at work since my holidays.

......

It went pretty fast considering. I've promised myself to stay positive throughout this next whole year of emprisonment...but I will say this; it sucks when you feel like you're babysitting your new boss. I hope at some point he stops feeling so guilty & treating me like a walking timebomb & lies in the bed he's made for himself. I kinda laughed when I read the note this morning asking me to outline all the things he's done wrong...it seems so messed up.

At least I had alot of visitors today, friends & regulars. The general consensus was everyone missed me & were glad I was back....AAAAAaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

On a sidenote...I found out last night an old friend was killed in a car wreck in Edmonton last week. The funeral was today. I obviously couldn't attend. His name was Daniel Sicotte. He was my first "boyfriend" in Kindergarten. He stole his mom's wedding ring to give to me during naptime. I haven't spoken to him since I moved away from Gravelbourg 7 yrs ago. I'm sad we won't ever see each other again. RIP Danny...

Where is my mind

2005-08-18T19:10:00.000-06:00

Well folks here I am, safe back at home in good ol' S'toon! We rolled in about 11pm last night & I've been spending the day on my futon trying to regain my emotional/mental conciousness. I stare at this computer screen & don't even know where to begin!! You know how you hear of people having life-changing experiences n all....well this chica right here sure had some priorities set straight! After the week I had had prior to leaving for Shambhala, being out in the mountains, surrounded by 12,000 people going off, & seeing some amazing creations in nature on the way home, things are really so much LESS significant in my doldrum life. I will no longer be sitting here pining over the fact as to why I'm not rewarded here, I'll now go out & TAKE it from the places that will give it to me. Yes, my time here in Saskatoon & HMV are now coming to a close. I now begin the countdown to when I can get my life in order to be living in the type of life I've always wanted, which consequently I have found in BC. Anyways enough of that mumbo jumbo...you fools prolly want details huh??

So the drive up Wed. was pretty frantic. We (jordy, john d, & i) left here around 11am & drove straight to Creston BC to set up camp. We arrived at about 12am BC time. EESH! But the ride did not feel that long at all! (Thank you Mr Cheebah) We stayed at Little Joe's Fruitstand (which was also a campground). It was pretty surreal cuz the highway was up on this cliff over our tents so all night it felt like big logger trucks were flying through the air over our heads. We got barely any sleep.

Then up at 8am we continued to Shambhala which was another 2-3 hr drive just outside of Salmo. We had to climb this tiny gravel road up this mountain to then be greeted by the longest car line up EVER! It was a good opportunity to stretch our legs & breathe in that fresh mountain air. We finally arrived into the gates about early afternoon. We quickly found our campsite luckily saved by our other S'toon buddies Jake, Wynona, Vanderloos, Bartsch, Timmy, Ruairi. I wish I could describe the amount of people already there. It felt like the amount of people you'd have at Connect's peak point. This was actually a day BEFORE the festival started. Yikes! So we set up base camp & begin lounging.

Throughout the course of the day, more & more tents pop up to the point where if you leave your site it's hard to find again. It's crazy! Around late afternoon, the ranch gets hit with a crazy thunderstorm transforming the entire site into one big mud puddle. People are scrambling, all of the lighting gear is in jeopardy, & one of the main stages isn't even up & running yet. The festival is looking grim. We wonder if we're even going to be seeing any acts tonight. Ruairi doesn't even get to play as well as Likwid & Rasta. We try to keep warm & dry.

Eventually Ewok VIllage is opened but everything is delayed. It's turning out to be a long cold night for us. It's quite comical to watch all the messed up people trying to make their way through 1/2 foot of muddy water in the dark, I felt like I was in a zombie movie. But the beer & the 80s keep me truckin. Soon we're watching Aphrodite pummel the crowd with his bass lines & people are going OFF! Watching the stage you felt like it was electric circus, the women in their bikinis & raver gear girating theit pelvis' in Aphrodite's ear. Too awesome. I must say though for me, Aphro's set was a bit dated for me. I'm glad I saw him but he really wasn';t that special.

After 3 hrs we are blessed with Ed Rush & Optical. AH!!!! It's was too f'n GOOD to write about! I danced like a fiend & gritted my teeth to the deep dirty dankness. I luved it. & on a sidenote here....it was roughly 2am & people were still waiting in line to get in at the gates...nonstop since morning. Chew on that huh? All that aside I was in bed around 4am & unable to sleep. The beats kept going so you had to train your ears to not hear it & sleep. Or doze as we all did.

After about 5 hours of rest we got up & fed the camp with tasty eats. (yeah we brought WAY too much food) If I thought yesterday there was no room, today you couldn;t even see ground with all the tents. Insane! We spent the day on the beach by the creek laying on rocks (suprisingly comfie with the 90s) watching all the asst of people. I've seen so much breasts & weiners to go around for a lifetime!! Lots of people with no shame. John D amused me with his syncro in the river while Timmy & Jordy basked. It was glorious.

At 6pm we caught up with everyone to watch Abstract Rude & Tribe Unique in the Village. Very awesome...here's a pic for you to see! I was so happie to see so many dreddies, I felt so much at home...

.Tipper. was then on at 10pm. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was the highlight by far!!!! Nice breaks layered with phat drum & bass it was so funky & the crowd was eating it up. Jordy, John D, & I def. partied up a storm that night...we didn't crash til the sun came up. We spent the whole night checking out all sorts of stages ending it with what we call "the unknown dj" at the Village whom played awesome awesome deep funk house.

Sunday day was spent recup-ing & me nursing a nosebleed. (too dry & too much excitment!)At 1pm we finally got to see Ruairi play in the Village. We made sure to cheer ever so loudly being not alot of people were up at that time, & it was really hard for the lil guy to treck his drumkit to the mountains. I'll say boo to the organizers for not giving Ruairi a better timeslot. The evening we got to see .Tipper. again with a downtempo set on the beach. It felt like we were in Cirque du Soleil with all the hippies on stilts, firespinners, & hullahoopers swaying to Boards of Canada. Thinking back on it brings tears to my eyes, it was such an amazing beautiful moment. I didn;t want this experience to end.

The rest of the night we saw BC/DC an AC/DC cover band at the Village, followed by Vinyl Ritchie. This guy was spinning Pantera into drum & bass with Slayer & White Zombie. Then he changed it up to Zepp into Black Sabbath. It was f'n awesome. Def. a set geared to me. I felt very special!

This next picture is when we were at the Fractal Forest watching Lioness & the Stanton Warriors. This was another fave part of the weekend...you felt like you were inside of a club the way it was set up. You're in a huge circle of trees with screens projecting images. In the middle is this massive tree stump that has a dj booth inside...there's lazers, disco balls, lights everywhere. It truly was a mind altering experience. Oh yeah & cram about 6000 people into that space...

Well I've felt I've exhausted myself & this post. It's hard to cram 4 amazing days into words on a screen. We left Shambhala quite sad but glad to not have to use outhouses or be stalked by weirdos on acid. The ride home was equally awesome. We crashed in Nelson at the Hume Hotel (highly reccomended!) Monday night & the next day made our way to Clagary taking the GOlden/Lake Louise route. Not to be taken if your scared of heights! There were times you had to drive 30km & pray for your soul...~

Well folks my brain is still fuzzy, thankfully I'm still on vacation til Sat. I CAN'T wait til next year. This trip has made me a Shambhala lifer...hopefully next year I'll remember to bring warmer clothes & pace myself. Don't know if I'll get used to the amount of people mind you. I'm glad to be back in the wide open prairies for now.

Till next time....

Off she goes!

2005-08-09T23:28:00.000-06:00

Oh man oh man I made it through today, I'm almost finished packing, I leave in 10 hours!!!! How awesome.

Well faithful readers, I shall return in 1 week to regale you with tales from the dark side of drum & bass & my corrupted mind.

WIsh you all could be there! ('specially Bono & Shu)

Here's Natz saying "See ya latR fiends...this grrrl is out!"

Strength & Speed

2005-08-09T08:29:00.000-06:00

Dear Masters of the Universe,

This is my last day at work before I embark on the "trip of a lifetime" to BC. All I ask is that the day whips by, I don't have to speak to Mr Weasle, & I'm reminded throughout the day of the people who I live for.

Oh I wish I could call in sick. That place is so tainted for me now.

So do your biddings....

Natty

When it rains it f'n pours

2005-08-06T23:09:00.000-06:00

Well...

I don't even know where to begin. Yesterday was a true test of my strength in character, that's for sure. I was told that I didn't have what it takes to manage the shop I've being slaving my soul at for the last 4 yrs...we'll just give it to the "new guy" instead. Really though I can't even be upset at who it was given to because he's prolly one of the nicest guys I've ever met & he definately didn't set it up that way. My disappointment lies in the guy whom has burnt me before in a very similiar situation 2 1/2 yrs ago. (We'll leave names out of it but what a WEASLE!) It sux. I hate my emotions as well; I'm the type of person that when I get angry or frustrated I can't stop crying, how flippin embarrassing. I wish I was tougher in that way. Too much of a feeler I guess. Doesn't help either with the fact that everyone of my friends ROCK so when I see them out come the waterworks.

I wish I could tell Ian where to shove his so called "promotion" Seriously I'm finally getting paid for what I've been doing for the last 2 years. Gee thanks guy.

So after all that hoo-ha I was suppose to be bound for good quality family time at the lake. Lake Deifenbaker to be exact. For my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary meaning all the aunts, uncles, cousins I haven't seen in awhile would be there, loving me up, making me feel better. For those of you that don't want any "downers" please stop reading now.

At first it was awesome. My mom consoled me, my sister made me some drinks, & I was able to sit around a roaring campfire with my fave uncle whose surpassed some pretty amazing hurdles this last year. It was good. Yet I started to notice some tension from my other uncle Ronalt whose married into the fam to my mom's sis. He tends to get quite drunk (all the time I guess) & proceeds to make a big ass out himself to the point where people are uncomfortable. The great thing about my fam is they can be big ignorers. SO the night continues.

My drunk uncle then starts to get real obnoxious & starts to call all of us "canadians" boring wimps. (hes native to brazil) we can;t handle the heat & such nonsense; while he's piling so much wood on the fire poeples faces are burning off. I try to break the ice & make fun of the situ. & comment man how are we wimps, we live in bloody Sask where it's one extreme to the other.

He then starts to swear up a storm of gibberish & my other uncle asks him to tone it down a bit, there's little kids around. Drunk uncle retorts, my own f'n kids are around I can f'n swear if i want, f***, f***, F***!!!! It's getting heated, I'm sitting between the two so I tell them to both stop it. I tell my kool uncle to forget about it, it isn't worth it. Then drunk uncle looks at me & tells me

"shut the f*ck up. just shut up shut up shut up shut the F*** up!"

I'm so close to tears & ask him why would he say that he's my uncle. He tells me again. He keeps telling me over & over again so I can't even open my mouth. Now after the day I've had I can't take it. I tell him no i'm not taking this I WILL NOT shut up. Things escalate my aunt gets involved & then my unlce tells her to shut up as well. He looks like he's going to hit her. The family is appalled. All hell is breaking lose. My uncle gets irrate & starts throwing logs into the fire to the point where he may hurt someone. He's yelling his head off. He wants to hurt my aunt. My dad gets in & takes him down. My aunt screams its done, they're over, yes he beats her. My gramma is screaming at my uncle to never tell her own daughter to shut up. I'm shaking. Fitting end to a wonderful day.

Today everyone woke up to a beautiful warm day on the beach but walking on eggshells. My aunt looks so sad & broken, my asshole of an uncle has the tenacity to hang out with everyone all day like nothings happened. He looks at me with defiance throughout the day , no sign of apologies there. What have I ever done to him? I'm now home. I asked my dad to drive me back tonight. I couldn;t handle watching my uncle drink again. I f'n hate binge alcoholics, & no one in my family is stepping up. He needs to be removed. NOW.

Wow did I ever spew out personal shite on this "blog" tonight. I guess I'm lonely, & need release. I need fucking gratification right now that I'm a good person. What a fucked up couple of days. How am I to face work tomorrow?? Thank god only 3 more days. I'm going to Shambhala to recharge & come back a somewhat patched together me.

Bono I'm going to miss you....thanks for coming by work on friday. It's so amazing how much energy & strength you give me, I've never been able to communicate that to you (i suck with feelings) i'm sure counting down the days til jordy & i hop on that u'haul to vancouver.

9 days 2 hours 2 minutes 45 seconds

2005-08-03T09:37:00.000-06:00

I can't believe this is where I'll be hanging out soon!!!!!

Metal Maiden says "Get those horns up in the air!!"

2005-07-30T19:53:00.000-06:00

So here I am reporting back from one of the best music fests I have been to in god knows how long. Sounds of the Underground landed here in S'toon at the "Credit Union" Center yesterday at noon & ended at 11:30 pm. (Yes my feet & neck are sore) Unfortunately we (jordy & I) got there after Devil Driver just finished *shucks* so no clue how crappie they were...although being an old skool Coal Chamber fan I still wouldn't have minded seeing them. Here's a little something I've thrown together as some of my best/worst moments...

Bands I enjoyed:/ Bands I hurt my neck to/or danced my feet off:
Lamb of God/ Clutch
Opeth/ Poison the Well
All that Remains/ Every Time I Die
GWAR/ Throwdown
Strapping Young Lad

Bands that were too heavy (yes it's possible!):
Norma Jean
Chimaira

Bands I don't remember:/ Bands I don't ever wanna hear again:
Unearth/ Madball
Terror/ High on Fire
A Life Once Lost/

Most Memorable Moments:

-hearing Throwdown cover Sepultura's Roots *hell ya!*
-seeing Devin Townsend create the biggest circle pit EVER!
-hearing Botchla (when does PTW ever play that live???!)
-seeing Gene Hoglan from SYL play drums for Opeth
-Norma Jean paying homage to Nirvana's Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
-seeing my old friend Terry from HMV Cornwall days *haven't seen him in 5 YEARS!!*
-anything Gwar did, oh the blood...
-when Neil Fallon pointed & sang at me through the whole of Clutch's set *I was the only fool dancing my ass off & shouting every word back to the mf'ers!*

Man I saw all sorts of crazy shite...Saskatoon has some wierd metal crowds. Ferlen Berenick was there!!!! LOL I also saw this chick sniffing solvent through one of those dust mask thingys. How she could walk I have no idea. Also the security tried to confiscated all metal objects such as wallet chains, studded belts, & necklaces as well as backpacks. I'd hate to see them have to sort through it all later?? Why not stipulate that on the ticket...oh credit union nazies...I guess we don;t have to worry about anyone getting rowdy at Taste of Chaos just let them have their fashion accessories!

All in all, I was more than satisfied. I will DEFINATELY seek out this tour next year, hopefully it comes back. The kool thing is every band was so appreciative of the crowd & gave an extra song or two even though they only were suppose to be 20 min sets. I'm sad From Autumn to Ashes was not there...but hey!! I saw FUCKIN OPETH!!!

So metal kats, weep for the madness you did not have the pleasure to see, but here's a pic of my metal king to help you imagine how AWESOME THIS DAY WAS!!! MY SWORD IS MADE OF METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

only 2 more days

2005-07-27T09:44:00.000-06:00

I'm pretty stoked for some metal madness here in a few sleeps...Clutch here I come to rock out til my body aches HELL YEAH!!

dear god....

2005-07-25T09:13:00.000-06:00

...you know you love someone infinitely when you spend all night cleaning up their projectile vomit in your bathroom that is pretty much in your bedroom...

nothing could have prepared me for the sheer smell & horror...or my own gagging. i'm quite proud of the fact even though how intoxicated i was myself, i still managed to clean it all up without adding to the mess myself.

happy birthday jordan.

This is the end, my only friend

2005-07-22T20:03:00.000-06:00

Well in spirit of my co-partner in crime's last day at the HMV I have compiled a list of top 10 people the Bono can be happie he'll never have to deal with again...

*ahem* Drum roll please...

10. Clinton Thiel
----damn no more lists of crappie metal to look up & fax back to him at the Bruno Credit Union. Should I just go ahead & fax them to you at Metrotown?

9. Laddie from the Hairstyle Inn
---Darn you'll never get to see his horrible self portraits at the Ex this year!

8. Laddie's Demon-Spawn Daughter
---*snaps fingers in face* "Can I get some f'n service here?!!? I'm a f'n hairstylist in a MALL, I demand you lick my shoes, lowlife music store employee!!" Ick, you lucky bastard for leaving this behind...

7. Irresistable Encore Lady
---Ok it's too bad I'll have no one to make fun of Ms. Penguin. God I hope she never wears that flippin dress again!

6. Swagger King
---Ok this one really doesn't count cuz I don't even really get to see him anymore, unless I take a trip to Market Mall I guess. Maybe I will, for old times sake.

5. Quatch
---I don't even know where to begin on this guy. The hair, the glasses, the horrible Bruce Springsteen references...."Hello Victoria!!"

4. The "Dontcha Know" Man
---Hey Jon, I heard that THE vinyl factory burnt down. Shoot where are we going to get our vinyl now?? Dontcha know Elvis is the King??

3. Jean "Bat"ko
---I swear to god I will forever be afraid of the sound of an approaching shopping cart. Should I send you a Marilyn Monroe collection on VHS so you can reminise? Oh wait how about the D.V.D.??

2. Asshole in a Suit
---Sorry I never caught his name, but be SO fuckin thankful you don't work tomorrow!!! Hey Space 1999 came out before you were BORN Jon!!

And the #1 person you should be so amazingly-thank-my-fucking-stars happie to never EVER see again....

1. Rick Reddekopp
---Wow no more clefty, no more woman shaped glasses, no more "I've shut down bigger operations than this before", no more staring into your soul with those damn stupid eyes pretending to give a crap...whoa Natty stop, stop...what are you.....AH RICK WATCH OUT SHE'S GONNA CLUB YA WITH THAT BAT!!!!!!

Other honorable mentions include...the biblical-movies woman, the tantric master, the creep who talks real slow & LOVES Sheryl Crow, the People's cart freak, & our very own mallrat in the blue t-shirt & ball cap. I'm sure there's a 1000 more...there has to be after 6 yrs but I can't bring myself to continue. The bottom line is they & I, Natty-Bo-Batty, will miss you very very much Jono. Here's to you & the fact that you survived this madness!!

*please save me...*

Blank

2005-07-21T22:07:00.000-06:00

...i have nothing to say...i don't even know why i'm here, i guess i'm lonely. jordan is out somewhere, mins is sleeping, so i seek comfort from a computer screen? oh well...can anyone believe its actually mid july already..? i'm freaked out by how fast time is moving, i feel like i'm running out.

big changes are in the air, the question is do i want them?

Love/Hate Relationship

2005-07-20T08:40:00.000-06:00

Dear Minou,

If you f*&!ing pee in the downstairs bathroom one more time, I will slowly pull out all of your whiskers one by one!!!!!

And thanks for biting my nose last night, it was muchly appreciated. Do you want to remind me why the hell I put up with your antics?

Oh right, cuz your cute.

Just remember who feeds you...

Love,
Natty

SucKing vorteX

2005-07-18T21:23:00.000-06:00

I don't understand how the city of Saskatoon trys to "clean-up" it's streets. The bus mall downtown has been quite a problem for sometime with it's closed store fronts & loitering vagrants/gangsta wannabes. There was a time when the city was going to move the entire location & revamp the area into parking/open businesses. But that seems to be on the backburner...instead they blare obscenly loud victorian-era classical music throughout the whole area through outdoor speakers. Is this detering crime?? I don't think playing bad string arrangements in making me feel anymore protected from the skidish crackouts. If anything, its making everyone more so on edge! Hey but doesn't it make the pidgeon shit covered sidewalk & crazy bag lady rifling through the garbage cans all that more enjoyable?

I mean come on, Clockwork Orange anyone?

Shambhala here I come

2005-07-17T16:34:00.000-06:00

Well it is officially 24 days until I depart for the trip of a lifetime this summer. I still can't believe I'm making it to one of the koolest music fests Canada has to offer, & in the mountains to boot! I have very little idea who's who that's playing but I can ensure you the d & b area will be frequented due to some awesome talent there (Tipper, Likwid, Ruairi Lazers, & Ed Rush & Optical to name a few) I'm prepared to lose a few brain & ear cells to the onslaught of immense diversity at Shambhala.

Can I take a minute to scream here....AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too awesome...I so wish that all of my close friends can be there with me this August...ah well guys you'll have to save up & come next year. (It'll be just a little hop for you Jono)

The list of acts I'm intrigued to see are as follows:

Raiden
Stickybuds
The Milk Pipes
JustB Murge & Ishkan
Adham Shaikh

Yeah they just sound interesting, who knows if I'll like them...but at least I can groove to the Fine Options if I get homesick cuz theyll be playing the Sk8 Pit!!

I may just have to stay living in the mountains...

I like the WHip

2005-07-15T18:25:00.000-06:00

Hey here's something you all should check out...now you all can see how freekin awesome the Bassment was on Sunday

LAZERS

Lucky Chica

2005-07-13T10:53:00.000-06:00

My friends rock.

I had the pleasure to watch one of them on Sunday night at the Bassment. He rocked our socks off to his twitchy samples mixed with his own madness on the drumkit. Very Autechre like. I had no idea a lil guy like Ruairi could bust through 6 pairs of drumsticks in 45 mins! And the constant aggression on the kit with too many drumrolls to count. I have alot of friends that are dj's spinnin' the wax but to see one of them to take it to a whole new level & actually incorporate his entire BODY into it blew me away. I wish everyone could've been there. It was so wild too especially that he played right in the middle of an indie rock show; some people had no idea how to react. Yet by the end he had the roof raised with cheers & mad applause, even people dancing which included a few mid 50 yrs old ladies! Kudos to you my fuzzy sweatered friend!

I tried to find his stuff on the wide inter-web but alas to no avail. But you can check out these guys here whom also rocked hailing from Victoria. I've never seen musicians multi-tasking so much in one night! This duo incorporated a guitarist who sang & played keyboards all at once as well as a drummer who drummed with one side of his body & tickled the keyboard with the other.

Maybe I should live in Victoria instead of Leeds. It seems to be the new Montreal...

brain SizzlE

2005-07-08T23:56:00.000-06:00

It is currently 35 degrees in my house as I speak. That's 15 degrees hotter than outside. How is this liveable?? (side note: I am NOT complaining about the heat outside, Mrs. Mother Nature, so please remember our deal & don't blast my ass with cold this winter)

I found Minou on the kitchen floor; I had to PEEL her off. *shudder* I should go put ice cubes in her water dish now....thanks for the idea Kim.

I guess this is what happens when no one is home all day until midnight & the house had no circulation moving through. I would leave a fan running but that just seems so unsafe...what if Mins got her whiskers caught?

I think I'll sleep on my cold basement bathroom floor. 'Night fans. This is "sweaty" Natz reporting to Sleepsville.

Yoga-tastic

2005-07-06T19:34:00.000-06:00

Yay! I deserve a cookie...I actually finished my yoga book today "Richard Hittleman's Yoga 28 Day Exercise Plan" I have been trying to complete this book for 4 yrs now& just couldn't get past week 1! All it is is learning a few new stretches each day until you've learned all exercises for Hatha Yoga. I just kept getting so lazy with it, but now I'm proud to say I can do a shoulder stand for 2.5 minutes & bend myself in half (somewhat).

Mind you I'm sure this insane heat does help me be more flexible huh?

You can purchase this wonderful text here

An Intervention May Be In Order

2005-07-05T10:40:00.000-06:00

Ah Mins....I love how grouchy you are when you eat catnip...yesterday she found some growing in my backyard & decided to get high. Then I couldn't even pick her up for 10 minutes because she was trippin out so hard & thought I was some big evil mean dog trying to kill her. I hope the scratch & bite marks don't become infected on my poor arms, & Mins realizes that she just can't handle the herb! At least after coming back inside she stuffed her face with catfood, passed out for 20 mins, & then try to kick the crap out of the cheap styrofoam airplane I got from Ruckers. At least it wasn't my arms....now I must go "Mins-proof" my yard. Junkie.

Ode to JordyZ

2005-07-04T13:31:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I feel like the entire universe is crushed on my shoulders; every which way I need to either make a life altering decision or lose a close friend. I sometimes feel like I haven't been able to smile or be myself in over a full 2 yrs but I then I look to the one who has been beside me through it all...it's hard to believe we almost lost each other that spring & it's so amazing that we have our whole path ahead of us...here's to us

"In a phone booth we will hide....squished together we don't mind..."

Wet

2005-06-29T09:06:00.000-06:00

Rain Rain Go Away.....

....I hope it stops for a lil while for my BBQ...I don't think having to eat soggy hotdogs would be much fun. But maybe we could bring out the slip n slide?

I wanna live in Leeds

2005-06-26T19:23:00.000-06:00

Everyone check this out....I can't get enough of these guys! *OOoooo & my parents love me...la la la la la la la la la la* How kool would it be to see this show?

Splash

2005-06-22T11:07:00.000-06:00

I woke up to Minou drinking out of my toilet bowl. I didn't know cats did that, well Minou anyways, she's so damn fussy. Then I noticed her water dish had 3 tiny little cat food kibbles floating in it. If so much as a hair is apparent in her water she will not drink, EVEN if she's dying of thirst. Does she not realize I pee where she just drank?? I probably shouldn't tell her. She may hiss at me.