Songs of My Youth

Whether it's from knowing me in real life or just reading these posts, I'm sure it's pretty easy to tell what a large part music plays in my life. Since before I could walk, listening to music was something that I had a deep connection to. I've been told my whole life that my mom used to lay baby-me down in between the speakers, throw on some AC/DC and jam out. I apparently never even fussed. This was the start of something wonderful.

I have listened to a lot of different genres and artists throughout the years, but I have felt personally connected to every one of them. Looking back on my childhood, there are a lot of songs in particular that I had a strong connection to. Some of the songs had super relatable lyrics or mirrored an exact struggle in my life at the time. Some of them were just what was popular and I sang and danced to them with my friends. Some songs hold very specific memories. No matter what the reasoning, from infant to graduating high school, my youth was flooded with meaningful songs:

• Thunderstruck - AC/DC
• Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Elton John (from Lion King)
• Shiny Happy People - R.E.M
• Man on the Mon - R.E.M
• Mr. Jones - Counting Crows
• I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boy
• As Long As You Love Me - Backstreet Boys
• Back Here - BB Mack
• Wannabe - SPICE Girls
• Spice Up Your Life - SPICE Girls
• Bye, Bye, Bye - N*SYNC
• Lady Marmalade - P!nk, Christina Aguleira, Lil' Kim, Mya
• Waterfalls - TLC
• No Scrubs - TLC
• Just a Girl - No Doubt
• The Boy is Mine - Brandy and Monica
• Jumpin Jumpin - Destiny's Child
• Independent Women - Destiny's Child
• Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
• Slide - Goo Goo Dolls
• Truly Madly Deeply - Savage Garden
• What's My Age Again - Blink-182
• All The Small Things - Blink-182
• Anthem pt. 2 - Blink-182
• Fat Lip - Sum 41
• Little Things - Good Charlotte
• Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous - Good Charlotte
• Sonny - New Found Glory
• The Great Houdini - New Found Glory 

  

  Me at the height of my pop-punk days. And yes, I am wearing a
  self-created t-shirt for a Good Charlotte/New Found Glory
  concert, complete with safety pins and metallic paint.

• Minority - Green Day
• American Idiot - Green Day
• Swing Swing - All American Rejects
• Dirty Little Secret - All American Rejects
• Drawing Board - Mest
• Get the Party Started - P!nk
• You Make Me Sick - P!nk
• Nookie - Limp Bizket
• Pretty Fly For a White Guy - The Offspring
• Why Don't You Get a Job - The Offspring
• Flavor of the Weak - American Hi-Fi
• My Own Worst Enemy - Lit
• Dare You to Move - Switchfoot
• Wonderful - Everclear
• The Real Slim Shady - Eminem
• My Name Is - Eminem
• Without Me - Eminem
• Complicated - Avril Lavigne
• Broken - Seether
• Last Resort - Papa Roach
• The Middle - Jimmy Eat World
• Meet Virginia - Train
• It's Been a While - Staind
• Youth of the Nation - P.O.D.
• Silence - Mudvayne
• Happy - Mudvayne
• Headstrong - Trapt
• Rest in Pieces - Saliva
• Always - Saliva
• Cold - Crossfade

If I Could Have a Super Ability

I'm sure everyone day dreamed as a child what kind of super power they wish they had. I am no different. Somehow, I haven't managed to shake this fantasy even though I'm, you know, 25. I'm not even ashamed to admit how much thought I've put into this.

Ok, getting doused in radio-active chemicals
would kind of suck too.  But who's counting?

Ever since watching Alex Mack, I've always wanted to be able to turn into a silver puddle of goo and slide all over the place. I'd even take plain old invisibility. I'm nosey as shit and I'd love to be able to eavesdrop on people all the time. Plus, if I was invisible, I could make stuff just fall over or fly through the air. I would particularly like to freak out the people I don't like. However, my eavesdropping would probably backfire and I'd hear something that I really wouldn't want to. I'd probably wind up really hurt or really angry with someone I wouldn't want to be. Ok, so scratch that.

I also think it would be pretty awesome to be able to fly. You can get anywhere super quickly. No waiting for traffic, no road rage, no spending gas. Plus, you can just freely float through the air like a boss. But what if I flew right into a bird? Like an eagle. That would be pretty intimidating. Or what if I got shot at by the military or some UFO-crazed lunatic? Or got swept away by some storm? Alright, I guess this needs to be scratched too.

The one thing I would really like isn't really a power persay, so much as it is just an ability. And this is my genius idea, so I don't want some whacko scientist taking it from me. If I see this in a sci-fi movie or some lab somewhere, I will find you and cut you. Anyway, I want to be able to push a button on your chest or wherever, and be able to suck a limb inside you (think retractable dog leash) until you need it again. So here's the deal. Every single time I am cuddling with Man Friend, the arm closest to him just gets all in the way. I never know where to comfortably put it. Even though I've been living with all of my limbs for the past 25 years, somehow I still haven't figured out how to control them. Also, I really like to sit pretzel-legged all the time or in my half moon chair from my dorm days. Unfortunately, this either puts too much pressure on my bad leg or said leg is pushed into the edges of my seat. If I could just suck it right in, the problem would be solved.

I'm pretty sure this is the most brilliant idea I've ever had. Now if only I could find someone to master this technology, I would be comfortable and filthy rich for the rest of my days.

Rock Fest: Part Two

Aside from the shows, the next best part of Rock Fest is the people there. Whether you're spending your free time at your camp site with friends and/or family, or you're walking around people watching, there is no shortage of interaction in the days at the Fest. This was my third year going with my aunt and uncle and staying with not only them, but their friends. We had a really small group this year: only 9 people total. Even though I really like the party factor of having such a large group to camp with, it was also nice having a small group. Every year there is always at least someone new. This year it was a couple who are friends with one of the other yearly couples. Of the New Couple, the girl had previously been but I had not met her in my previous years. It was her boyfriend's first year entirely. We have a Fest Virgin every year and he was It for us in 2013. Because the group was so small, we got to chat a lot and have some good conversations. I got to know the New Couple pretty well, which I doubt would have happened in a larger group.

One of the greatest reasons why I love camping with my aunt and uncle is how attached I have grown to their group. Every single person has welcomed Man Friend and myself into their Rock Fest family without any questions. I am not just Aunt and Uncle's young niece to them and they treat me the same at 24 that they do their friends in their 40s and 50s. They all fell in love with Man Friend right away and he is only known as Big Red. It's also pretty cool hanging out with Aunt and Uncle at more than just family functions. While it's great catching up at holidays and birthday parties, there's just something extra awesome about rocking out to great music together.

For those who don't know me well, or at all, I am a huge people watcher. I am so fascinated by everyone around me at all times that I cannot help but stare. Sometime I get caught and I have to super awkwardly dart my eyes or quickly turn my head away. Maybe it's because before everything else, I am a writer. Being a writer isn't just about jotting quick words down or coming up with stories. It's not just a profession or an action; it's a feeling. It's an entire way of life. I am this to my core.

Anyway, Rock Fest is one of the greatest places to people watch because there is such a huge variety of attendees. My very favorite person to watch caught my eye at every show. A little girl around 9 or 10 went through the picture line over and over with her dad. She rocked out just as hard as people twice or three times her age without batting an eye. I was in front of her in the picture line for a show at the beginning of the weekend and I overheard her say, "Dad I wish every day was like today!" One of the days they had a little boy with them, presumably her younger brother. She carried him piggy-back through the picture line at least twice during one show. That girl was so awesome and I so badly wanted to high five her dad for being the coolest parent I've ever seen.

Every year, I see people of all ages. This year the youngest child I saw was still in diapers and the oldest was jamming out in her wheel chair. People there were of all races and from all parts of the country. Some even came across the border and joined us from Canada. People dressed up in full KISS attire, in concert tees for every band playing, bikinis and stilettos and Mardi Gras costumes. One show I stood behind a couple obviously new in their relationship or had just met. Their over-the-top amount of playful flirting and teasing eventually turned into full-fledged making out. People were poorly dancing, drunkenly stumbling or barely keeping themselves together. And let's not forget this guy:

He must have a lot of balls shoved into that tutu

In the last three years, if there's anything I've learned from attending Rock Fest, it's this: "you come for the shows, but keep coming back for the people." The four days packed full of concerts is the most fun part, but creating memories with the people you're there with make it even better. I'll leave you with a few more pictures from the weekend.

Sitting in the King Chair

Our custom-painted fire ring. Note the Big Red.

Now Dance, Fucker, Dance

I sure hope that some of you dear readers recognize today's title. If you don't, I'll help you out. It's from The Offspring's song "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid." And this is important, why? you may ask? I'll tell you why. Because I just came home from the 20th anniversary of Rock Fest, where they happened to be playing. That's why. The five days for the Fest are the only days of vacation I get and I still don't get paid days off, but it couldn't be more worth it. I spent the entire time not worrying or stressing about anything, getting to see a great line-up and spending time with wonderful people. 

Is there anything greater than spending your vacation next to the love of your life?

The only qualm I had with the whole trip was that almost all the bands that I wanted to see were packed into Thursday and Friday's line-up. That still left Saturday and Sunday and there were few bands I was actually eager to see. I know that they have to comply with different generations and different style bands, but I really wish the modern bands and the hair bands were spread apart a little. I'm not exactly a huge 80s hair bands fan and although each band did have songs I enjoy, I would far rather see the newer groups. Frankly, I would rather see a band that plays more of a variety of songs. So many of the older bands have only been playing their hits from 20 or 30 years ago and no new material. Doesn't that get old? Because so much of Saturday and Sunday's line-ups were bands I wasn't interested in seeing, I skipped many and left others early. I was kind of bummed to spend so much time in a row not at the shows, but at least I got to spend most of the last two days simply relaxing with Man Friend under a canopy.

I don't find KISS to be the most talented band I've ever seen,
but at least they are good performers.

Even though the majority of Saturday and Sunday weren't my cup of tea, I don't think I could have enjoyed the first two days more. I was really looking forward to seeing many of the bands; in fact, three of them are in my top five favorite bands. (The other two played last year. Hell yes.) I had already seen Seether three previous times, Halestorm and Theory of a Deadman once each, and Three Days Grace twice (though not yet with the new singer) but I enjoy them all so much that I was still quite eager to see them again. The first three are from the top fivers, if you already didn't know. I had not ever seen The Offspring, but have loved them since elementary school and had not seen KoRn, but figured they would have a good show. I was happily surprised that I was rather impressed with The Offspring. Ok, actually, it was one of my top shows of the weekend. They played a good mix of their old and newer songs, had amazing energy and played mostly upbeat songs to keep the crowd jumping and dancing the whole show. I was also impressed that Three Days Grace still had the same energy and stage presence as they did the last time I saw them and the vocals weren't terribly different either.

The Offspring

More Offspring

I just love Lzzy Hale. She is so damn talented.

Three Days Grace

Theory of a Deadman

Tyler Connolly. What a babe.

Because my aunt and uncle are awesome and have connections, they got us in to the VIP access area for KoRn and KISS (but really, I just cared about KoRn). KoRn is one of Man Friend's top fivers and he was so pumped to be able to see them so close. The VIP picture line is even more amazing than the general admission one; you get literally right in front of the stage and are at the same level as the band. In the general admission line, you are quite a bit lower than the stage and you can't see much when you're right in front. Man Friend and I each got a ton of pictures, many of them pretty good quality. I didn't know a significant number of their songs, but their entire show was amazing. I was not disappointed at all and it was fun being able to sing along to the songs I do know. It is so unbelievably cool being so close to the singers and being able to see them "in person" without the jumbotron screens. Sitting in VIP was easily one of the best parts of the weekend. Man Friend and I were also particularly excited because KoRn is Man Friend's best friend's absolute favorite band. Not only do we get to tease our friend that we got to see his favorite band and he didn't, but we also get to further add salt to the wound that we were right in front of the stage.

Since we had enough free time Saturday afternoon, my aunt, uncle, Man Friend and I took a trip to Chippewa Falls to check out and shop at the Leinie Lodge. Preface: Leinenkugel's is my favorite beer and a major preference for much of my family. The Leinie Lodge is attached to the brewery, though we decided no to tour. Inside the store was more clothing and merchandise than I could have imagined. I picked up a shirt, a bottle coozie and some post cards for the Rock Fest scrapbook that I'm making. The coolest part, though, was the section with the history of the company. There were displays of cans throughout the years, a timeline of all the beers the company has ever made, pictures of employees and the building and newspaper articles. It was particularly interesting to see the clippings from the end of Prohibition. I can't even imagine the fear that era struck in companies that solely made their living from liquor. Not counting speakeasies, of course. I also had no idea that Leinenkugel's once fell victim to a devastating fire. In 1948, the brewery was struck by lightning, which started a fire that caused $30,000 in damage. $30,000 in 1948? Holy. Shit. That would probably be millions now.

Beer tap handles for all Leinie's flavors

More about the Fest will probably come later this week, but for now, I leave you with one final picture. Rock on, dear readers.

This year's camp group

Fear

Hello, dear readers! Last week I got my hair done at a completely new salon with a new stylist. At one point during our consultation, in reference to her style and approach with clients, she said to me "Conservative is not a word that is ever used to describe me." Readers, do you know what is never used to describe me? Risk-taker. In fact, I don't think this sentiment has ever been used with my name in the same sentence. Never ever. I am not even close to being adventurous. I over-think every decision I ever make. Every. Single. Decision. Also, I'm really scared of a lot of shit. I'm actually so scared of so many things and so unwilling to take any kind of risk that there have actually been several times I've missed out on something because fear has held me back. Somehow, though, I've got the ovaries to share all sorts of my misgivings to the world and the Internet. So, in true Mon fashion, here are the things I'm either scared of, won't take a chance at or both:

• Heights. You have no idea.
• I actually would love to sky-dive and I've always wanted to. But I know myself and there's a higher chance of the Bears winning next year's Super Bowl than me getting in one of those planes. Rock climbing is out of the picture. Looking over any railing or stairway gets me about two seconds away from peeing myself.
• The dark. What? There's scary shit out there.
• Deep water. Ok, any water that comes higher than my belly button.
• When I was just a little nugget, I nearly drowned. Since then, I've been absolutely terrified of being in the water. This has resulted in so many times of not joining in pool parties and water park festivities. When people joke about or threaten to throw me into a pool, I actually get near panic attack anxiety. Anything exciting like tubing, boating jet skiing or going on a cruise? Forget it.
• Getting hurt. Physically, that is.
• I am such an unbelievable klutz. I fall all the freaking time. Last summer when we went swimming at The Falls during our Rock Fest trip, we had to cross a path of rocks to get to the swimming area. I was so terrified of falling down the rocks that I just stood there and wouldn't move. I actually contemplated not crossing and staying by myself while everyone else had fun.
• Getting in trouble
• I constantly worry about getting in trouble from any kind of authority. Are we being too loud? I don't want the neighbors to get mad. Will they call the landlord? Will the cops get called on us for being too loud outside? Or shooting off fireworks? Are we supposed to be in this part of the store? I think it's just for employees. Are we supposed to park here? What if we get a ticket? What if we get caught downloading music? I don't want to go to jail. 
• Getting in a car accident
• I've gotten into two weather-related car accidents and I am absolutely terrified of getting in another. Both times I was very lucky to have not been injured in the slightest, but I always know I could be. Not to mention, I am broke and cannot afford any major repairs. Driving in winter storms gives me an enormous amount of anxiety that I don't think I will ever get over.

Conversation Hearts

The only way my daily conversations could get any better would be if they actually were printed on heart-shaped pieces of sugar. Here are some little nuggets of life with Mon recently:

Former Roomie: On the bright side he [new roomie] is terrified of me.
Me: niiice.
Former Roomie: Seriously. Yesterday, I was like "I want you to leave." He's like "Why?" I'm like "BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL WELL AND I WANT YOU TO LEAVE!" And he did.
Me: Omg what? Your former roomie would not have reacted the same way.
Former Roomie: lol. True, but my former roomie also didn't annoy the living shit out of me with her gleaming positivity


Friend who recently moved across the country: This is embarrassing but I just saw Leinie's Summer Shandy at Target and almost started bawling because I miss you. Oay. Truth. I cried.
Me: Confession: I cried driving past your old apartment last weekend. And just now.
Friend: Christ we're a mess!
Me: I was just thinking the same thing! But that better be the last time Summer Shandy makes you cry.
Friend: lol deal!
Me: Go figure we still have solid conversations over beer on opposite sides of the country.
Friend: Well I mean we honestly cant be expected to change our ways merely because we're "adults" now.


Coworker (to me):  Instead of you having your own kids, you'll be the one to buy my kids their first drink! As any good auntie should.


Me: Does he ever stop complaining?
Friend: Chip? (a code name for someone we can't stand)
Me: Nailed it.
Friend: Maybe he's never getting nailed and that's why he's always complaining!


Former Roomie's Facebook status: An entire jar of peanut butter for lunch is healthy, right?
Me: SIICK
Former Roomie: DELICIOUS
Friend (from conversation 2): I just heard Monica groan across the country


Little: One time, when I was swimming in the lake with my cousin, I had had to pee. So I climbed on her back and peed on her!
Me: OH MY GOD I AM NEVER SWIMMING WITH YOU EVER!


Me: My Little told me that I'm going to die lonely and alone because I don't want kids!
Coworker (who also does not want kids): But...you'll be happy! And hopefully not poor from  kids sucking you dry.


Cousin: Why is it that I can squish a spider or mosquito with my bare hands, but the second an ear wig comes near me my stomach churns?
Me: Because those motherfuckers are way more disgusting.
Cousin: Fuck yeah.

And this picture I found on Pinterest, which I just couldn't resist sharing:

Bay Beach Adventures

Hello dear readers! After two weeks of not hanging out, I took my Little to Bay Beach on Thursday. For weeks before it was open, she had been asking to go. It was finally open late enough during the week and I was just as excited as she was. 

Although I can no longer manage the Tilt O Whirl or the Scat, I do still quite enjoy the other rides. I was a bit disappointed and a little surprised to find out how few rides Little won't ride. I was hoping to convince her to go on Zippin' Pippin, the only roller coaster, but I was vehemently shot down. Numerous times. She also wouldn't go on the swings, bumper cars or the Ferris Wheel. I found out that she attempted the Ferris Wheel on her class field trip, but got so scared after two circles that she screamed until they let her off. At least that happened at school. I have no idea how I would have handled a child that terrified. Anyway, that didn't leave us with too many options. She did want to go on the Tilt O Whirl even without me, but it was closed for maintenance. So that left us with the train, the Scrambler, the Slide, the Helicopters and the Carousel. The Scrambler is actually both of our favorites, which meant we rode it three times. We also rode the Train twice, which is quite enjoyable, but not really all that exciting. It would have been much nicer if we had been walking around all day and needed a few seconds to just rest. Little was hoping to ride in the back because "you get whipped around much more that way." Round two, she got her wish: we were the only two on the ride, so we could choose the exact seats we want. I somehow managed to convince her to go on the Slide, even though she almost chickened out. We got half-way up the steps and she turned around, looked at me and said "I don't wanna do it anymore." I did NOT just walk up those steps for nothing. Not to mention, I was not going to let her give up. "Uh-uh," I responded. "Keep going." She looked like she wanted to argue but I think she could also tell I wasn't going to move out of her way. I'm fairly certain that as an only child, she isn't used to not getting her way so I'm not sure what she thinks when I don't let her. We got to the top crisis-free, threw our burlap sacks down, and went down. And what do you know, we get to the bottom and she says "That wasn't as bad as I thought." I told her I knew it wouldn't be, and we headed back towards the Scrambler for time #2.

Waiting in line for the Scrambler, there was a little boy ahead of us with some other children. The ride operator/my cousin measured him and he was too short to be on the ride. And I don't mean too short as in if he wearing different shoes he might be able to pass. I mean a solid two inches, at least, too short. Cousin/Ride Operator apologized and explained that because he wasn't tall enough, he couldn't go on, unless an adult wanted to go with him. The children looked expectantly at a lady standing behind the fence. "I am NOT going on that!" was her answer when a simple, "Not this time, guys" would have sufficed. Ride Operator/Cousin handed them their tickets back and they walked out of line. What I heard next is a textbook example of why there should be a test to reproduce. "UUUUGGGGHHH!!! HE'S GOTTEN ON BEFORE! I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS!!" Ride Operator/Cousin: "I'm sorry. I don't know why he wasn't measured before, but if I let him on and something happens, I could get fired." Inexplicably Crabby Mom hauled the kids off to a different ride in another dramatic huff. Um, what did I just witness? First, why the hell are you so outraged by this? Second of all, do you really think that bullying the ride operator into breaking the rules will really make this situation any better? And what does that teach your children? That they can throw a fit until they get what they want? Finally, and most importantly, shouldn't you be worried about your child's safety? If his size puts him in danger, why in the hell do you think it's ok for him to hop on the ride and have a go at it? I would have loved nothing more than to tell that woman she should be ashamed of herself, but creating a scene in front of my Little would not have exactly promoted responsibility, so I pretended to ignore the whole thing. 

Since I convinced Little to go on the Slide, she used it against me and got me to go on the Carousel. By no means am I afraid of it like she was the Slide, but going around in circles while moving up and down is just asking for me to get sick. But after she threw out the "I went on the Slide for you, so you gotta go on the Carousel for me" line, I couldn't much argue. So we got on, and chose animals right next to each other. Then, at the last minute, she got an impish grin and bolted for a ride two behind me.  Oh, fuck. I watch SVU. It's always the Carousel that a kid gets abducted on. And now I couldn't see her when she was behind me. I manage to stay calm and not show my irrational fear and panic. After what I am certain was at least an hour, the ride ended and we hopped off, kidnapper free and just a mild case of dizziness on my end. At least I dodged those bullets.