Tonight is a night of cuddling up on my big chair with a cup of hot cocoa, proofreading my 46 page Teacher Work Sample. And I'm ok with that.

Hehehe.

Taking Back Sunday

Sorry, this post is overdue. It was a busy week of concerts, conferences, and weddings!

As mentioned in my previous post, Kevin and I went to a Taking Back Sunday concert Tuesday here in Des Moines. It was AMAZING and I wish I could go over and over again. There were actually 3 opening acts that lasted entirely too long. All tickets were general admission, and I don't know how to explain it any other way than... mosh pit. We stood from 6:30-11:30. So, our bodies were a little sore when the concert was over.

The first guy who played was Joe Summers. He was a local from Des Moines. He seemed a little douch-y but his music was good. If I heard his music before I saw him I might be more inclined to like him. But as stated in this post, I like artists for the whole package. He didn't have it. The second band was called Bad Rabbits and they were a huge surprise. They had sweet moves and a very different sound. Here's a video I found from about a year ago. This is an accurate representation of their sound, but not necessarily their look. I'd say the lead singer is a little more eclectic now. See pictures below.

The third opening band was named The Maine. Hated them. It could be that we had waited through two bands already, but they were the weirdest guys with the skinniest legs I've ever seen. Their jeans were ridiculously tight and one guitar player even had a rip in his crotch. Not attractive. There were about 10 teenage girls near us there to see them, and they were the quintessential teenie boppers. They were annoying with all their screaming and jumping up and down. Here is a video from youtube. This is not an accurate representation of their sound but it is an accurate representation of their douchiness. (Not sure how to spell douchiness.)

FINALLY! We got to Taking Back Sunday. They did not disappoint. Their sound was awesome and they played all their best songs. I loved them. I left the concert wanting to go all over again. Here are a few of the pictures I took from the night:

Joe Summers. Dumb.

Bad Rabbits. Entertaining.

Weird guy. Awkward yet...there are no words.

Tight pants. Ripped crotch.

Skinny legs. Unbuttoned shirt. Feather necklace. Douche.

Taking Back Sunday! John Nolan. He's on my list.

Taking Back Sunday. Adam Lazzara. Badass.

Such a cutie pie.

Loved that he was barefoot.

Go give 'em a listen.

New Music Monday

"The Valley" and "Better Love" by Eisley. I love Sherri Dupree Bemis oh so much. She's the one with pink hair of course. I love everything about her. Is that creepy? Here is her blog. She's awesome. And I love her voice and her whit. I should also add this band consists of siblings and one cousin. How fun!

Kevin and I are going to see Taking Back Sunday tomorrow night!!!!! GAHHH I'm so excited. I've been listening to TBS for weeks in preparation. They're coming to Des Moines! How lucky. Here are some TBS videos for you to enjoy :) Full report tomorrow.

"Cute Without the 'e' (Cut From the Team)"

"Make Damn Sure"

"New American Classic"-- This might be my favorite TBS song, and it's one that doesn't sound like any of their others. I just think the lyrics are so wonderful. Sad and raw. That is a weird description but I don't know how else to describe it? Anyway, give it a listen!

Kevin and I are hoping for an acoustic show but I have no idea what it will be like. Tomorrow will be a busy day- teaching all day, student teaching seminar until 6:00, and then headed to the concert venue to meet Kev and wait in line for the 7:30 show! Then I will come home and bake cookies, make cards, etc. for my LAST full day of school with the students-- WHERE THE HECK DID THE TIME GO?!?!

P.S. I just beat Kevin at a math problem. hehe.

P.P.S. Thanks, Tonia, for the vid suggestions. Tonia gets to see them this week also but in Minneapolis! Not only does she get to SEE them, she gets to MEET them! How lucky. Maybe next Monday (continuing with the New Music Monday theme) Tonia will supply a guest post on her experience? Eh? Eh?

"Occupy"

This is a terrible time to be cut off from the news and internet, but I have been trying to read up on the "Occupy Wall Street" situation. I don't know enough to voice an opinion on the matter at this point, but here is some of what I have learned. Groups of people all over the country are speaking out for American Reformation. It started in NYC on Sept. 17 and has spread to many other cities. From what I gather, people are protesting because they are fed up with insurance companies, lack of jobs, debt in America, and the never-ending cycle of poverty. In no way do I consider myself an expert on what is happening, this is what what I have briefly read in my google-ing. But in my brief researching I did come across this website that I would like to share. I think it helps explain some of what people are protesting:

We Are the 99 Percent

I realize you have to read it with grain of salt, as some of the stories might be exaggerated or may not be entirely true. However, it's sad to think this could be ME or YOU in a situation like that. I would recommend reading a few of the stories posted on this site. It won't take long, I promise. Just read it and be thankful for what you have and realize what could very well be your reality someday.

New Hair...Again

You may have noticed my beautiful amber locks in the previous post. If not, scroll down, take notice, scroll back up, and read how I did it.

I enjoy changing and/or updating my hair color about once a month or so. Here is my testimonial of dying (I don't know if it's dyeing or dying... gahh grammar!) my hair about a month ago. I did it the same color this time around.

My mom is/was a beautician and I get it from her. I have been migrating toward red as you may have read a few posts back. I am hoping to be red and not brown red. My mom always used to dye my hair for me but I don't make it back often enough, so I have resorted to box dye. There is a misconception that box dye is terrible for your hear. My mom says no. If mom says it, it must be true. She says you shouldn't dye your hair over and over because then you will have a buildup of color and it won't turn out how you want it eventually. I am going to ask my mom to write up a blurb with her hair-dying advice for my first guest post.

Anyway, dying your hair from a box is extremely easy and can be done all by yourself. Kevin and Brian (my roommates...if you haven't been following my life closely enough) went to Cedar Falls for UNI's homecoming, so I was left to myself last night. So, I bought a box of hair dye, made crafts, and watched episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It was a lovely, relaxing Friday night.

Here are a few pictures from my endeavor:

Before-- Hair has faded from the last time I dyed it, about 5 weeks ago.

During-- This is always the point I get a little nervous. My scalp turns red and I think my hair will end up fluorescent. I also am messy and have dye all over my face. Attractive.

And the final product-- My curls look weird in this picture. I used this to get my hair curly. This picture isn't a good representation of how amazing this technique is.

I will re-post the video for those who missed it or can't be bothered to click the link above.

Consumer's Tip: Berets are aplenty at Forever 21 right now! Most are only $5! GO STOCK UP WHILE YOU CAN!!! :)

What do you think? I think I'm going to go lighter red next time. This is a good fall color. Stay tuned for my mother's testimonial that she doesn't know she is writing yet but she does now because she's reading my blog :) Thanks, mom!

Ramblings

Gah! I haven't posted in forever. Sorry. We still don't have internet which is annoying but I'm not going to complain about it because there's nothing I can do. I have made the library my friend to send e-mails, check my bank account, etc. but haven't had time for blogging. My bad.

I love our new home oh so much. It makes me happy every time I come home. I love living with my boy. My overall happiness level is very high. I will post pictures later once things are hung up and decorated to my liking. Until then you'll just have to come visit for yourself. :)

Today is my grandparent's 50th anniversary! Wow. I hope to celebrate a 50th anniversary someday. What an inspiration. They are celebrating by going on a "trip." I called grandma and she said they got the map out and now they just need to figure out where they're going. Which reminds me, I can't wait to be retired.

This weekend is UNI's homecoming! Today I am wearing purple and gold to support my Panthers!!

I can't be there this weekend. I feel like an alumni failure. I miss Cedar Falls a ridiculous amount. Don't feel too bad for me, though, because the reason I can't go is because I have a bachelorette party to attend! My college roommate Erin is getting married next weekend and we are celebrating the end of her life as she knows it (just kidding, Erin!) tonight downtown DSM! Erin and Luke have been dating for I think 7 years now? Going on 8! (Erin, correct me if I'm wrong. I should know this information.) I am very excited to give her her gifts tonight :) I will post a picture after I give it to her! I picked up my bridesmaid's dress after getting it altered yesterday and I love it and am SO excited to wear it :) CONGRATS LOVE! You deserve all the happiness in the world.

Here they are. Did some creeping. In't that cute? Erin has been OBSESSED with weddings for as long as I have known her. She's the reason I have taken a more than healthy interest in weddings. I'm so excited that her OWN wedding is finally here :) Happy wedding week, Erin!