A World of No

I beleive that Robert had a post about this a while back, but I was just reminded what an ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE song "My Humps" by BEP is. AWFUL AWFUL. "My lovely lady lumps"???? I think that's quite possibly the worst lyric I've ever heard.
It takes a lot for me to truely hate a band. I dislike a lot of them...but I can at least stand them. This is not something I can stand. WHY IS THIS SHIT POPULAR?

A Good Man

Most mornings, I buy my coffee from the cafeteria downstairs in my building. A waste of money? Yes. A byproduct of laziness? Mhm. But there is always something about cafe-brewed coffee that is different from homemade coffee. Not that I can't make good coffee..I make some fine coffee. Learned that from my dad. But I digress.
Each morning, as soon as I approach to cafeteriia counter, the barista guy has my coffee waiting for me. He sees me entering the building, and immediately knows what I want (since I get the same thing every day), and has it waiting for me, with a smile on his face. Now THAT is the kind of man I want. One who knows how I like my coffee, has it ready for me, and wishes me a good day. True, it's his job. I like to think that's beside the point. I like to think I'm special. "You are special, Hilary", Dan would say.

I thought I Heard a Spider Bark...

Sorry, guys, but this is something you need to know. Hilarious, yes. Nasty, sure. But also true.

Celebreality

Celebs abound in NYC. There are so many famous people who live in the city, walk the streets, have beers, and change in sports club locker rooms. I must say, as trivial as it is, I'm looking forward to seeing Joaquin Phoenix (in case you didn't know, I love him a little) in the village, or SJP shopping at Bergdorf's. But what about those celebs who aren't photographed in US Weekly?
That's right- I'm talking about famous classical musicians. (Nerd alert! Nerd alert!)
Yesterday, while shopping at Petalson's, I nearly almost ran into James Levine. (For my non-singer readers, James Levine is the conducter of the METROPOLITAN OPERA orchestra). I was purchasing some music, and he came in, walked right past me, and began browsing the magazines. My friend John was looking at the magazines, and I said "Ahem...John!" He looked up, noticed Jimmy L, and said "Hello Maestro". HA!
After a minute or so of staring, I realized he was pretty much a normal guy. A normal guy who conducts the best opera orchestra in the world. A normal guy who has worked with the most famous opera singers in the world. A normal guy whom I hope hears me sing someday. I was tempted to bust out my audition folder right there between Miniture Scores and Vocal Collections, but I thought better of myself. Shameless promotion will get you nowhere?

Lass mich sterben

I almost forgot! THIS is insane. The worst part is, the song playing in the trailer is Evanescence. GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Possibly the WORST choice to represent what is formally and formerly known as a Wagnerian work. Of course, I highly doubt anyone in the theater knows Tristan und Isolde is an opera by Wagner...or who Wagner is. OK, OK...it was a mythical story loooooooooong before Dickie W composed anything. But I bet move Isolde can't sing the Liebestod!

Um, yes.

"The only thing hotter than Joaquin Phoenix is Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash".
That is the truest thing I've heard all day...possibly all week. And Robert hasn't even seen Walk the Line yet.
I, however, did see it, and I'm here to tell you that it is good. So Citypaper can eat it. Now, I have to admit, I've not read any autobiographies, or biographies, or any books period about Mr. Cash. I only know that I've liked his music ever since I heard it.
Walking about of the theater, Wren and I were talking about our "first times", in reference to hearing Johnny. He said he first started listening to John in college..with a bunch of "good 'ol boys" from Connecticut. Ha. I said I first starting listening to him in college too. I had a friend named Ben, a bass baritone, who did a dead-on J.C. impression...he always sang Ring of Fire, and the ladies would swoon. Kind of like the real Mr. Cash. I also told Wren I remember listening to Johnny every couple of weeks to and from Pittsburgh my senior year of college. I was in a choir in the 'burgh, and carpooled with a group of fellow singers. Every week my friend Paul drove, we listened to Johnny Cash's Greatest Hits. Of course, "Boy Named Sue" is a favorite.
While the movie primarily focused on his love life, I thought it did a decent job at depicting his addictions. I'm no critic- I know what I like and what I don't. And I like Mr. Phoenix and Mr. Cash. (And for the record, Reese Witherspoon can SANG). Especially Mr. Phoenix as Mr. Cash.

Hotness in Hanover?

Last night, for first time in 4 years, I went out on Thanksgiving Eve. Typically, I avoid this night at all costs, because I hate making forced small talk with old high school mates. Also, I'm not 21, so binge drinking is a thing of the past. In case you didn't know, TG Eve is the biggest drinking night of the year...bigger than New Years Eve.
Somehow Ashley persuaded me to go out with she and her friend Adam. We went to the only decent bar in town- Kclingers. As far as bars go, it's really nothing special. But, as far as Hanover goes, it's cool. Mainly because of the beer selection. They have something like 50 beers on tap, and hundreds by bottle. For Hanover, PA, that is really something. And Kclingers isn't new...I don't know how long it's been open, but it's not riding some sort of worldly beer popular wave. Worldly beer popular wave? What the hell am I saying?
At any rate, we went to Kclingers, and lo and behold, there was a definite contingent of hot guys there. In fact, a rather large contingent of single, hot, straight guys all in one place...in Hanover, PA. This is huge! As the night progressed, so did the hotness factor. I was shocked. I don't think I've seen that number of hot, straight guys in one place since the Brew Pub days in college. Certainly not in Baltimore. It was very strange. "Where were all these guys when I was in high school?", I asked my sister. "I don't know, but they are all here now!", she said. Indeed they were. I just might have to visit Kclingers the next time I'm in town...

Eat, Drink, and be Thankful

I get to leave work today at 11:30- how sweet is that? I'm sitting here, listening to Morrissey, and leaving in less than 2 hours. Not a bad way to start the Thanksgiving break. I'm thankful for that!
But seriously, folks. I probably won't be blogging tomorrow, so I'll take this time to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. I have a lot to be thankful for this year- a job, an apartment, gigs, family, friends, opportunities, proactiveness in moving to New York, and my health. It's hard to remind myself in Shit Show times that things could be a lot worse. I could have lost my entire family in an earthquake or hurricane. I could be broke and unemployed. I could be totally alone. Fortunately, I am none of those things. And for that, I am thankful.
Gobble gobble!

Damn you, Ratface!

Foiled again! I am SUPPOSED to be seeing Ted Leo and the Pharmacists right now, but the show is sold out. I thought it would be, but Ashli insisted that we didn't need tickets ahead of time. She thought The Ottobar would be virtually empty, and that we would even be cold standing around waiting for Ted to come on. Little did she know- NO TICKETS LEFT. So, we went upstairs and had "2 for Tuesdays" beers, and on our way out, noticed the hall was completely packed. Grrrrrr...
Luckily, Mr. Leo will be performing in NYC next weekend, when I will be there, so I hope to see him then. Keep your fingers crossed.

Shame

I have a crush on a married man, and I feel guilty. Why I feel guilty, I'm not really sure...I'm certainly not mistress material. And I've met his wife, and she is very pretty and nice and sweet and they make the cutest couple. And I like them as a couple! It's not like "oh..what a cute couple" BLECH. Not at all..they work as a cute couple.
But back to my crush. He is the nicest guy...young, smart, hot, funny, and has daily conversations with me. It figures. I always want what I can't have.

If I had to pay this RENT, I'd be evicted.

OK...I know I wrote a previous post about RENT, and my distaste for it, but I think it's time for another.
First- I know a lot of my friends enjoy this musical, which is fine. At least they all have the foresite not to beat it into my head that they love it, and I'm crazy for not liking it, blah blah blah. Robert and George pointed out the importance of RENT in terms of AIDS awareness in the early 90's. Totally agree with them- very important.
BUT. I still hate it. And what I hate even more is people who think just because I'm singer, means I automatically have interested in this movie, telling me they are going to see it. And they are excited. And I have to bear a shit-eating grin so to conceal my true distaste. It's kind of like when someone tells me they heard 'Phantom of the Opera' and thought of me: but worse. MOST classical singers I know HATE HATE Andrew L. Weber. Personally, I don't mind him. I agree that a lot of what he writes is crap...but at least it's pretty crap.
Soooooo...maybe my tolerance of Andrew L Weber is like my friends' preference for RENT. Likeable crap.

Mia Culpa

I feel the need to apologize for a statement in my previous post. When talking about the dinner party I attended last night, I said that I felt more comfortable with strangers than I do in most social situations where I know most everyone. Mia culpa, mein freunds. I certainly was not referring to any friends...I think I meant maybe in a work setting..or..well I just don't know. Blame it on the turkey haze. Basically, I had a good time with strangers, and was happy about that. Period.

Weekend Update

For the first time in a long time, I feel like I had a well-rounded weekend. I didn't have to travel anywhere for an audition, or work a gala. Friday night I had dinner with friends, saw Peabody's opera, and then hit Brewer's Art for beers afterwards. It felt like old times. I stayed out till 1:30 AM! Woohooo!! This excitement should be an indicator as to how routine my life has become.
Saturday I slept in until 10 (again, WOOHOO), and took my time getting out of bed. I went for a nice, long walk in the crisp weather, stopped by my church's Christmas bazaare (for cookies), and grocery shopped and cooked. And went to bed at 10:30. Today, after churchie, I went shopping with Dan, where we both lucked out in the shoe and the Mom-Christmas-gift departments, and then went to a pre-Thanksgiving dinner with Ashley. Funny...we barely knew the host of the party, but I felt more comfortable in that social situation than I do in situations where I know most everyone! I dont know..it was just really nice. Young, intelligent, politically knowledgeable people, talking about music, movies, college, and food. It was refreshing to be able to talk to a room of complete strangers and have a really good time. Not to mention good food. God I love this time of year.
Give it up for a 3-day work week!

Advice

"George is a lawyer now in Hanover. How about that?  We have a friend who is a lawyer.  He has a law practice in Hanover. We have friends that are doing this. Settling down and making homes for themselves. And what are we doing? Flitting around gotham chasing the yellow brick road. Explain that one."

That is a little excerpt from an email I received from my friend Jonathan a few days ago. George is a guy I went to high school with, who is now engaged to be married, and (as it says) is a lawyer. He's 25, just like me and Jonathan. I might be more surprised at this news if he didn't live in Hanover, PA. If he lived in, say, Chicago and just bought a fantastic townhouse with his finacee, while making partner at a large firm, then I would be surprised. But the fact remains that most of my graduating class is already engaged, married, and/or have children. So it doesn't really come as a shock.

"Flitting around gotham and chasing the yellow brick road", as Jonathan said, is exactly what we're doing. And, as I told him, I wouldn't have it any other way. He lives in New York, and I'm about to move to New York. It's the most fabulous city in this country...and many people say in the world. It's exciting and cutting-edge, and I can't wait to be a part of that. Jonathan said he doesn't see himself being married before he's 40. Personally, I hope it's before 40 for me. There's that whole biological clock issue.

But the more I learn about married life, the more I can wait. I used to think the perfect age to get married was 27-28. I still don't think it's a terrible idea, but I must say, at 25.5 years old, I think 29-30 is more probable. The 20's are a time of self-discovery and change. If you marry at 23, and start a family 2 years later, where will you be at 40? Ask any of my co-workers. They all married young, had kids young, and are now mid-life crisising. I hear allll sorts of stories about husbands and kids, and just as soon as they want me to date the cute med student down the hall, they're telling me not to get married until I'm 30. I've heard many-a-tale about childbirth, sick kids, soccer practice, no sleep, and lots of money spent on it all. That doesn't exactly sound like something I'm ready for...just yet.

So, I say congratulations to George, and to all the rest of the engaged and married friends I have. I really do think it's wonderful. If I had a boyfriend, I may feel totally different. But as for now, this is my single stance.

Obsession, by Calvin Klein

Audition season this year has been a bit disorganized, to say the least. Up until 2 years ago, the main "audition week" for most major opera houses' Young Artist Programs was the first week of December. Singers schlepped up to New York for the week, doing as many auditions as were granted, and having holiday fun in the meantime. Well that, apparently, is a thing of the past. Now, companies start auditioning as early as September, with many auditions in October, and the ones in December are all over the map. This presents a problem, as I have made multiple trips to New York, and have 2 more left to go. Now, don't get me wrong- I love going to New York. Next year I won't have this problem- I'll just be able to audition on my lunch hour. But it takes time and money...2 things I seem to be running short on these days.
What's worse is waiting in anticipation for audition results. I don't expect a contract 2 days later, but some form of communication would be nice. Some companies don't even send rejection letters. And worse than waiting for the results of the audition (for me),is waiting to see if I am granted an audition at all! Thus, my current obsession with checking my email every 5 minutes. "You do that already, Hilary", you say. "No...every 15 minutes, maybe...but not every 5", I say. I am obsessed with finding out if I have an auditions for Cincinnatti, St. Louis, and Minnesota. They are the last 3- and all in the same weekend. I've sung for St. Louis for the past 2 years, and done very well both times. Does that mean it's someone else's turn this year?
Gotta go- my inbox may be full.

Quality

I haven't had anything from Margie on here lately, but this one is a gem.

A study conducted by UCLA's Department of Psychiatry has revealed that the kind of face a woman finds attractive on a man can differ depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle. For example: If she is ovulating, she is attracted to men with rugged and masculine features. However, if she is menstruating, or menopausal, she tends to be more attracted to a man with scissors lodged in his temple and a bat jammed up his ass while he is on fire.
Further studies are expected...

GhettoKart

Well, true to form, I feared for my life this morning on my drive through picturesque East Balto. This morning was particularly eventful, as the driver behind me almost killed heself, and others. You see, she is obviously VERY important because she was tailgating me as if her life depended on it. (If you will recall, tailgating is my #1 driving pet peeve.) She was basically on my bumper, until she decided to pass me...on a 2 lane road. Yes, traffic coming in the opposite direction. She crossed over the yellow line, crazily whizzing past me, and was nearly hit by the oncoming traffic. It's a good thing she passed me, though. She made it to the red light a whole 2 seconds faster.

Boy Named Sue

Citypaper may not have liked it, but I still can't wait to see it.

http://www.citypaper.com/film/review.asp?id=4922

Over the River and Through the Woods

This would be a fun holiday project, but I would never have the time. Maybe next year...


http://www.citypaper.com/special/story.asp?id=11117

Huh?

What is this?

"He spends his free time with girlfriend, actress Bo Derek, whom he met on a blind date. He has houses in California, Maui, and West Virginia, and probably soon in Nashville."

BuuuWHAAAAAAA???

BO DEREK?!?!

Woah.

I just watched the Sex and the City where Carrie begs Aidan to get back together with her. She tells him that she's not over him and she still loves him, and he tells her that she broke his heart, so he can't be with her. She's so stupid. But of course, as we all know, he comes back for her- throwing pebbles at her window and they do it, and then they take his dog for a walk the next day and all is well. It really is one of my favorite episodes, but seriously..does that ever really happen? I don't think I know one person who has ever gotten back together with an ex- a serious ex anyway. Of course, fresh out of a breakup, we all want that vindication. Who am I kidding? Sometimes we still want that vindication years later. But rarely do we get it. And usually, if the opportunity presents itself, we don't want it anymore.
I think the 1.5 hours of hot yoga I did tonight is getting to my head...

Yes please

Tall, handsome banker that has been fantasizing about those super cute nyc fashionistas I see running around the city seeks to establish a mutually beneficial sugar daddy type arrangement with just one of them. If you are a budding young fashionista with designer shoe and/or bag envy, perhaps I can help.

I am successful, sane, safe and really turned on by the idea of establishing something ongoing with the right girl. Tell me a little about yourself and include a picture if possible. Please no one line responses.

I promise to be 100% honest, up front and real.

Blah

Well now that the gala is over, work is "back to normal". Except for me, "normal" WAS the gala for the past 10 months or so. I feel a little empty...I really liked having my own project. Sure, I still had to answer to my boss and follow instructions, but I could work at my own pace. Now I'm back to helping whoever needs help, and being bored. I don't like being bored.

In other news, in typical fashion, I was kept awake last night by my heat, but was also woken up at 4:30 this morning by my upstairs neighbors HAVING SEX. Yes, at 4:30 in the morning. Seriously. As if the heat wasn't bad enough, I could hear them through my ear plugs. Keep rubbing it in.

What's Happening?

This article is pretty right-on, for the most part. However, I don't necessarily agree with the fact that Young Artist programs favor ligher voices. It's been my experience, which is only 3 years' worth (not very long in the opera field), that lighter voices like mine are not usually selected for the larger Young Artist Programs. They also don't select BIG voices (which is the basis of the article). So, if these programs are in fact picking lighter voice singers, I should be in the running. Right? Riiiiiiiight.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/13/arts/music/13midg.html?pagewanted=4

The Bach has been Rocked

Well a big thank you to all of you who came to the Rock Out with your Bach Out recital...ohhhhhh wait. I don't think anyone reading this actually came. You're all lousey.
But seriously folks, it actually went really well, and we had a great turnout. I guess people heard that the Glitterati of Baltimore would be performing the Coffee Cantata and had to see what all the buzz was about. We rocked it...Ashley "Fingers" Ryon lit up the oboe, Robert "Honeybear" Maril was the meanest daddy ever, and yours truely managed to sing her arias (although the ENTIRE thing sits in my vocal break) without laryngal rise! WOOOOOT!
After the recital, I had dinner with my mom and Ashley, and returned to the church to find "Just Married" Redi-Whipped on the back window of my car. I don't know what's worse- the fact that now I have to wash my car, or the fact that "Just Married" is SOOOOOO far off from my actual love life that it's just sad. Or could it be that it's so far off that it has actually done a 359 degree turn and come full circle around to be so close to the truth. (This will only make sense to Robert.) Surprisingly, I wasn't pissed about the whipped cream at all- I thought it was pretty hilarious. Incidentally, I forgot about it and was reminded by the white streaks coating my back window this AM. Guess I should wash my car.

Abrakadabra

I just saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire a week before it's offical release. How? Why?, you ask. Because as an original member of the glitterati of Baltimore, I am entitled to such things. Invited, even. And because I won a free pass through the Citypaper. Mmmmkay?

It was really good...a bit long, for a Saturday morning post-gala, but good. I won't spoil anything for all of you peons who have to wait until it's offically in theaters, but it stays pretty true to the book. Or what I can remember of the book. I read Goblet when it first came out, so I was a little rusty on remembering what happens when the movie first started.

There was an interesting contingent of people present at the Senator theater this morning. Kids, parents, adults, teens, elderly, and all in between. City folk, country folk, yuppie folk, and suburbanites. I could have done without all the up-and-down, back-and-forth trips to the bathroom, but I guess that's what happens when you feed children soda at 10 AM.

Glorious

The only word to describe this evening's festivities. Forget the fact that I'm totally nauseous from tonight's ssssssssspread of booze, fine dining, and fun. Mama's not used to all that goodness...that's clear by the utter disgust I hold for food at this moment.

At any rate, tonight's gala dinner was spectacular. I truly was a part of history, and that is pretty amazing. The evening began, after I helped with set-up, with a cocktail hour, where I preceded to drink two gin and sodas, and bond with lab members. There are some really cool people in my lab- I'm only sorry I'm just now starting to figure that out, a year after I started working at Hopkins. We threw back the cocktails, and stumbled into the ballroom, where the fantastic tables (that I helped design!) were set up. All 81 of them. That's right- 810 people. The salad was preset, and the program began. In between speakers, the main course was served (lamb chop, fillet of sole, potato souflee, and broccolinni). The wine flowed. More and more people payed tribute to Dr. Snyder (the Doc for whom I work), and it was really touching. I work for one of the most important scientists of the 20-21st century. That's awesome.

Complete with an amazing performance by Leon Fleisher, during which the drunks at the table next to me were nearly bitch-slapped for talking, the night was first class. My beaded gown was a hit, and the hard work paid off. I only HOPE that I find a job as wonderful as this one in New York. I don't think it will be possible to replace all of the wonderful people I have met, but that certainly won't stop me for calling upon them for recommendations!

Brainiac

Well today is the day. The basis of my job is today. The reason I have benefits is today. Today is the Johns Hopkins University Dpt of Brain Sciences "Discovery and Hope" symposium and gala. I have been helping plan these events for the last 10 months, and it's amazing to see it finally come to fruition. There are roughly 900 people in the symposium, as I type this, and over 800 coming to the gala dinner this evening. This was no small task. When I get married, notice I said WHEN and not IF, I will know how to plan the seating charts, the menu, flowers, and all that crap. I now have experience.

I got to work at 7 this morning, and helped with registration from 7:30-8:30. Well, I didn't help so much as I just cruised the room for possible Dr. dates for later this evening. I caught the first lecture of the symposium. It was about worms and experiments with oxygen? Or something? I don't know...I only understood words like "neuron", "laboratory", and "pathogens". Yes, pathogens. I know what that means. Hah! I did understand the last 3 minutes of the lecture, and found it really interesting. Somewhere in all that molecular level science talk, serotonin was mentioned. Apparently, 95% of the serotonin in humans is produced by the gut, not the nervous system. And, serotonin is related to nausea experienced by chemo patients. The reason doctors tell chemo patients to eat bland foods during treatment is because if the patient eats his favorite food during chemo, he won't be able to enjoy it again after chemo without feeling nauseous. Isn't that interesting? I thought so.


OK..back to checking email and phone messages, and then back to the symposium for lunch. And talks! Yes, talks. That's why I work here.

I want Your Loooooooooooooooooooooooove

As I sit here listening to the Dead Milkmen, and now Dead or Alive, I am reminded that when I was about 9 or 10 years old, I did a solo jazz dance to "You Spin me Round" at a dance competition. YOU SPIN ME ROUND! At 10 years old. I had no idea...I listened to whatever my brother was listening to, and decided that I liked that song. So, I took it to my dance teacher, and she choreographed my number. I think I won 1st place, too. Yeah Pete Burns!

GEMS

Two absolutely HYSTERICAL articles from Phat Phree today. Seriously, these made my morning.

http://www.thephatphree.com/Features.asp?SectionID=11&StoryID=1705&LayoutType=1

http://www.thephatphree.com/Features.asp?SectionID=11&StoryID=1708&LayoutType=1

Poof!

I'm a brunette. I figured that I need to get back to my "roots", so to speak, since good hair does not come cheap in NYC. So for now, I've moved back to the dark side. But for me, it's really not that dark. Just darker than before. You get the picture.

More important than color, to me, is the right stylist. It's very important to have a stylist that can cut curly hair, because if not, you (well, I in this case) will end up with the hair cut from hell. Been there, done that. I was in 8th grade, which made it even worse. Picture shoulder-length curly hair, chopped to resemble a poodle. A bowl cut of the worse kind. And there you have my humliation for the next YEAR. That's right; it took a whole year for that shit to grow out, where I could have it cut all one length. Needless to say, I never went back to that salon again.

ON a side note...Paula Deen is making beef wellington right now, and my mouth is actually watering. Wow..I thought it only did that for sweets.

Hate that Shit

I hate it when people call me from a bar. Or a party. Or anywhere that's loud. I also hate it when people call me when they are obviously having a conversation with someone else. Honestly, if you can't dismiss yourself from conversation A to have conversation B (the phone call), then don't answer your phone. And don't call me back when there are 63 people around. I hate that shit.

A-MEN

Is it wrong that I was totally cruising a guy this morning in church? I was a ringer this AM at Tom's church in Bethesda (we had the week off at St. David's), and I couldn't stop staring at this man in the front pew. He was with a couple whose baby was being baptized, very cute infant btw, and he looked like he'd rather be any place than in church at 10:30 AM on a Sunday morning. Rough night, perhaps?
In any case, he was attractive. I said to Tom during communion, "wow..check out the hotness with the baptism". He said, "Yeah I know! Didn't I tell you? In addition to your check for today, you also get a boyfriend!" Sigh. If only that were true.

Road Rage

Hey! This Phat Phree contributer must live in Baltimore.

http://www.thephatphree.com/Features.asp?SectionID=11&StoryID=1680&LayoutType=1

Um yeah

Since I was home from work all day, I've watched "Inventing the Abbotts" twice. It's a decent movie, plus it stars one of my fantasy celebrity dates. Apparently I've turned into a 14 year old girl, since I have spent a good part of the day googling pictures of cute boys.

I put my faith in God and my trust in you

A few more goodies...

I just made you up to hurt myself.

Chances are, if you were a pre-teen, teen, 20, 30, and maybe early 40-something in the 90's, you listened to Nine Inch Nails. Maybe you didn't own every remix album or B-sides, but you recognized "Head Like a Hole" or "Down in it" when it came on the radio or Mtv. And when the Downword Spiral was released, a whole new fandom was born with the genious composition of "Closer".
I remember when I first started listening to NIN. I think I was in the 7 or 8th grade; my brother, the responsable party for all of my new wave/industrial/80's tastes, was a big NIN fan. I would go upstairs to his room, in the attic, and listen to Pretty Hate Machine, sometimes when he wasn't home. At the time, "Black as your soul/I'd rather die than give you control" didn't have a profound effect on my life, but as I progressed through my teenage years, NIN somehow always managed to express how I felt. "Turn off the sun pull the stars from the sky/the more i give to you the more i die"; I think that follows heartbreak pretty well. "you give me the reason. you give me control. i gave you my Purity. my Purity you stole. did you think i wouldn't recognize this compromise. am i just too stupid to realize. stale incense old sweat and lies lies lies." Again, can't we all relate?
That being said, last night was the first time I saw NIN in concert. Totally.amazing. Really, honestly, probably the best show (and I mean show, not just concert) I have ever seen. I don't go to stadium or arena shows anymore because I hate paying the high prices. Plus, most of the bands I listen to don't play large venus. But, I didn't mind shelling out the 60 bones for this ticket, and it was worth every penny. The musicianship and genious minds of NIN band members electrified the stage, and Trent's raw, sexual, commanding power took over. The amazing lights and media show was mesmerizing; the color sequence and themes changed with every song, every beat. There were film shorts (very socially aware), scientific images, and shapes and colors that would make an acid trip seem like a nap. Not that I would know. Seriously.
I'm still reveling in last night's performance. I also have to include some pictures of the gorgeous Mr. Reznor. I think everyone has had a crush on Trent at some point- gay or straight, guy or girl, you can't tell me you wouldn't let him rip you from limb to limb. I know I would.

Sweet Jesus

Terrible! Don't read it! It's truly offensive....

http://www.thephatphree.com/Features.asp?SectionID=12&StoryID=1670&LayoutType=1

And the Winner is...

Crab and Old Bay!! That's right, ya'll. Ashley and I won the "Funniest Costume" award last night at the gayest bash in town - Hippo Halloween. We danced till the ghouls came home, and walked away with 250 bones! Not bad for some homemade outfits. Check out Robert's blog- there are a gazillion pictures highlighting our spooky night!