1) Worn pajamas in graduate-level classes, the town bar, and the Atlantic Ocean.
2) Earned the vote from my 14-year old peers of “Most Likely to become a Nun.”
3) Once had a nightmare that Frankenberry and Count Chocula were holding me hostage.
4) Issued parking tickets for a living.
5) Hid a sheepdog in my dorm room.
6) By pure coincidence, professed my unrequited love the same night he decided to come out of the closet.
7) Driven so slowly that I was pulled over by the police.
8) Discussed wedding and honeymoon plans with a seminarian.
9) Sang Madonna on karaoke to a party full of senior citizens.
10) Shook hands with Lewis Black while I was dressed as a pirate.
( 7:14 PM ) Meghan
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Baby, there's no place that far...
Sponsored by Claritin-D, I was fortunately able to attend last night's Patriot Center event starring Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, and Andy Griggs. The show was excellent all around, oddly with far better sound quality than the MCI Center. Which meant I could sing "Suds in the Bucket" right along with Sara without the other fans booing me out of the arena.
I also got to meet and have my (unflattering) picture taken with Andy Griggs. He seems like a really nice guy, which would have been more apparent if I weren't always so self-conscious about not sounding asinine when meeting celebrities.
"Um, hi! Like you'll remember, but my name is Meghan and...uh...you're really good! By the way, could you take a picture with me since I'm too cheap to buy one of your five-dollar glossy photos and I want to prove to my friends that I'm cool because I met you?"
Who wants to touch me? I said, WHO WANTS TO F#@%ING TOUCH ME?!
*ahem*
My mom enjoyed everything as well. If she had to come to one country concert, I don't think she could have chosen better. Between Sara Evans performing at Sean Hannity's Freedom Alliance Concert and the duet that Brad and Sara arranged as inspired by Mel Gibson's The Passion ("New Again"), I think my mom has expanded her appreciation for country music.
Speaking of country style, bearing in mind the complaints that country has gone too "pop" in recent years, I found it hysterical and thoroughly awesome that both Andy and Sara performed 80s throwback songs, Tom Petty's "Free Falling" and Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven is a Place on Earth" respectively.
I had no idea that in addition to being such a clever lyricist, Brad Paisley is also a magician with a guitar. He can switch between acoustic and electric with no obvious effort. And normally, while instrumental segments tend to be a drag for me, his mere endurance is a privilege to watch.
It's a similar feeling seeing Brad onstage with the guitar that I got listening to Kenny Chesney's latest CD, "Be as you are." Kenny sings about lazing in an old, sand-worn chair on the beachfront. A place where in total comfort he can write music or work through feelings of broken love. I wish I had a place like that. A couch cushion or a talent that when I'm in its midst, I'd feel the outside energy invited in and I would create.
I love the concerts. They fill and energize me. And one day, I'm going to figure out where it is that inspires me to the top of my own performance. Opposite the audience.
( 1:07 PM ) Meghan
Friday, February 18, 2005
You wanna give, break out of captivity...
For the first time since the ancient days of school, I am using hours for sick leave. I waffled over it this morning for quite a stretch. My sinuses have been "talking" to me (as my yoga instructor says) for the last couple of days, obviously unhappy and craving clarity. At first, I thought this was a simple reaction to all of the horrible Valentine's Day flowers I've encountered this week. I was going to take half the day, but my mom advised a full eight hours. Professional expertise is helpful in these cases, especially when there's no co-pay. But it's most therapeutic to realize it's not all bad living at home when you have a parent around to validate the idea that you should just suck it up and force yourself to rest.
With the possibility that this all may be as a result of schmaltzy pollen arrangements, allow me to note that I received a Shakespearean sonnet (27) for this week's holiday. Well-thought and entirely hypoallergenic.
After having finally called in to my boss, the thought struck me that I actually didn't know what I would do. Having been awake that long for the decision process, I didn't feel tired enough to go back to sleep. So here I am, simultaneously blogging, cleaning up, downloading music, and mulling over ideas for my long-term work project. I suppose that since I'm paying for today with hours that I've earned, I'm trying to make the most of it.
Man, just reading that is making me more tired. The last few weeks, I've been trying to convince myself that the key to more energy is exercise. For today, I'll have to undo that and re-brainwash myself with the merits of sleep.
But first, there should be a "vegetarian" McGriddle, don't you agree? I can't recuperate without building up my strength.
( 8:09 AM ) Meghan
