Are you still here?

My last post was Friday, May 13th. On that Friday, I didn't know I was about to have a mini-breakdown because I had lost my job on May 10th. I knew my last day at work was coming so I thought I would be okay with the fact I might not have a job for a while. However, I wasn't. I planned togive myself three days to wallow in my the grief, eat horrible food, and sit around and be uber lazy. Three days apparently for my brain wasn't enough.

Three days turned into almost three weeks. I was in a downward spiral, in a haze of confusion and I didn't see my way out. I've never been laid off or fired. I've never not worked, I've only been in transition. When I left previous jobs even knowing I didn't have another job lined up, before my last day hit I was already hired in another position or among the final candidates for another job. So shock came and I just spaced out and depression hit and it hit me hard. I'm not happy with the life I led over the past three weeks, but I'm going to put it behind me and move forward.

To start the progression I realized I needed to get out of New York and have an adventure to help me get my mental mojo back. So currently I'm in Seattle and will venture up to Vancouver for a few days. This trip will hopefully give me the resolve to return home and start fresh. This rebirth of sorts is only made possible because I have amazing friends. I'm truly grateful to have them in my life.

I look forward to reconnecting with you all.

Discovery Times Square - Pompeii The Exhibit Winners

Image retrieved from the Discovery Times Square Pompeii the Exhibit web site.

Now that Blogger is working again, I'm pleased to announce the winners of the pair of passes, along with a 10% discount at the gift shop at the Discovery Times Square, Pompeii The Exhibit. Random.Org chose numbers 14 and 12 out of the 18 entries, that is Living with Edward and Melissa Z. Congratulations!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Tell them Batman!

Summer 2011 Plans

So as many of you know as of 5 PM today, May 10, 2011 at 5 PM EST I became officially unemployed. My job was dissolved because the department ran out of funding. Since I had travel plans already set-up, plus two full weeks of Grand Jury Duty scheduled, finding another job and getting hired might be a tad difficult. Even though it will be difficult I'm not going to stop looking, I just need to be realistic.

However, losing my job has made my life quite interesting. This will be the first time a very long time that I'm really unemployed, not just in transition. So I'm on a mission and I wanted to share some of what I have planned for the Summer 2011:

1. Update this blog. I want to overhaul the blog, add more pages so it will clear up the clutter that is on the main page.
2. Build a presence. Technically I'm apart of this social media/marketing world. However, I don't know enough about it. I want to take the time to learn, network, and grow.
3. Explore NYC. I lived here for a few years and each year was filled with school, work, and studying. Because of it I was lazy, I didn't take the time to do all the wonderful things I could because I was just so tired. I have no excuse, it's time to explore.
4. Read, read, read. Read things other than fanfiction and school books. I love to read, but I've got in a rut and haven't read as much as I would like. So I'm hitting the books and getting my imagination flowing.
5. Take photos and plenty of them. I use to carry a camera everywhere I went. Then as time went on, I didn't crave out space to edit my photos, so it became easier to just not take pictures. It's time to start again. Possibly even take another photography class and brush up on things that I've forgotten.
6. See shows. Regardless if it is a play, musical, or band. I need to get my music and culture on. So if I can afford it, I'll be there and hopefully with a camera in hand.
7. Get healthy. My body has been falling apart and to help mend it, I need to eat better, exercise, and just take care of myself.
8.  Have fun. Even though I'll be stressed beyond belief trying to figure out how I'm going to make it day-by-day, I still need to relax and enjoy life. I'll never make it if I don't allow myself some fun.

Do you have think there is anything I should add to my summer 2011 plans?

Music Monday - 100 Monkeys Concert

Image retrieved from Eclipse Movie

I was hounded encouraged to see the "100 Monkeys" live by @jaymes805 and I'm glad I followed her advice. Besides viewing a few videos here and there and the five songs Jaymes805 let me listen to I was unsure if I was going like the band's music. I love how hot they are, but that isn't enough to make me start buying their music. Those days stopped in 1994, when I truly began to realize the value of dollar when I had to pay my first college tuition bill.

Jaymes805 being just the awesome person that she is, introduced me to @Cupcake__xo a fellow New Yorker who was attending the concert and a fan of the band. It's nice to hit a show with a fan when you don't know anything about the band. They can give you insight into the group, that you might not get as a newbie. Cupcake__xo and I chatted back and forth before the concert on May 7, 2011. She was getting in line to see the band in the early afternoon. I however couldn't bring myself to do that. I had a date with unlimited sangria at Calle Ocho and I just didn't want to stand in line for hours and then end up not really liking the band.

So my friend and I arrived around 5:45 PM to the Highline Ballroom to get in line for the doors to open at 6 PM. After we secure our 21 and over wristbands I go to meet Cupcake__xo. I didn't make that great of a first impression, my nose was running and crusty, it looked like I was transported back into my 6 year-old self. I was disgusted with myself, but Cupcake__xo didn't appear to be to bothered. Maybe she only saw visions of Jackson Rathbone and didn't notice.

We all finally make it into the venue, my friend and I are basically in the middle of the pack of the group that is on the floor. After a small wait the first opening act "Red Abbey" start to perform. I love their energy and any group that includes an electric violin has my attention. My hearing is a little off and I can't make out all of the lyrics, but I love the beat and I'll be doing some research about the band later on to learn more. The second opening act, "The Kissing Club" begins to perform and I immediately want to drink myself into a stupor, slit my wrists, or both. They are killing me. I'm immediately depressed. Not even when their happy, upbeat songs come on can I even begin to like them. They have turned this night of excitement into one of dread. I'm praying for their act to end, but it seemed like Jeebus wanted me to suffer because with every pray, they played another dreadful song.

As I lay on the floor in the fetal position, crying from the acute onset of clinical depression I hear squealing. Well more squealing than normal (this crowd was the shrillest I've ever been too for adult ladies) and I realize "100 Monkeys" must be getting their stage together. So as I dust myself off and begin to pay attention I see some good looking, dorky men make their way on stage. I won't lie I've been attracted to Jackson more and more thanks to Jayems805's web site Rathgasm 101. But a talk drink of water named Ben Graupner has my undivided attention. Good Lawd, Ben G. is pretty and tall, and tall, and tall, with muscles and hands that are crazy. Phew! Back to the music.

The "100 Monkeys" were fantastic and very talented. I floved the fact that each of them played so many instruments and all had oppurutnities to sing lead. The band didn't focus around one individual, but it focused on the band as a whole. Since I'm ignorant to what song was what and couldn't hear the names of each song that they chose to tell you over the shrill of women screaming, I can't tell you at the moment which was my favorite. The one song I did know was "The Monkey Song" by Spencer Bell. I adore this song, so when they played a huge smile came upon my face.

In regards to the improv song the band does at each show, I was on a mission to get them to do a song titled, "Mustache Ride." Yeah, that didn't happen. Instead they did a song that I hate to admit I liked (because it wasn't titled, "Mustache Ride) called, "Leave Your Boots On." Check out the video:

Video retrieved from mandarella27

I seriously enjoyed the band, so much so I have a ticket to their next concert in NYC on July 16, 2011. I hope the crowd is different because I really wanted to junk punch some folks. Since I've been going to shows a long time I realize that people try to move up. Hey, if you see a space, a real space and you can get to it with stepping on toes and causing drama - go for it. However, if you see I have 2 inches between me and the next person and you push me out of the way to get yourself in that "space," I will call you on it and tell you to move. If you need to go to the bathroom and/or get a drink I have no problem letting you out and having you go back to your spot. Well a lot of the ladies had a major problem with that and there were arguments and screaming and "100 Monkeys" hadn't even began to play yet.

Other things that annoyed me about the crowd were a lot of them were only there because of Jackson. I get that he is a draw for many that attend, but I saw a lot of people solely looking at him the entire time. Other bandmates are singing and folks in the audience are only taking pictures of Jackson or filming Jackson's every move. I thought it was a bit disrespectful to the band. Some girls even screamed out when Jackson was introducing the band members "we don't care about them, only you."

My final straw was during the last song "100 Monkeys" played, two very drunk girls made their way over and began stepping all over my foot. Once, I can deal with, when it becomes repetitive we have problems. After asking her to please stop stepping on my foot, I literally had to grab the girl by the arms, shake her a bit, and tell her to stop stepping on me. She then tried to hug me while apologizing and suffocate me with her booze breath. Thank goodness she moved about two inches over, but she was still very annoying and committed a concert foul - she dropped her drink. Argh!!! Luckily, it didn't spill over me and my fancy grey dress and TOMS shoes.

If you want to listen to some good music from a talented band I say go and see "100 Monkeys." Hopefully, the crowd wont' be as bad as the one I was in.

Dang, I won't be winning the lottery this year!

Image retrieved from Mrs. Natalie Tarot Card Readings

I was given the opportunity to receive a free reading with Psychic Source. I was uber stoked and a bit freaked out. I've only had two other readings done in my life and they weren't that pleasant. I had a woman perform a palm reading while I was in college. She informed me I was going to fall in love in the very near future with a classmate and we would get married and essentially live happily ever after. Okay awesome, but that meant that I was also going to realize that I was a lesbian. I went to an all woman's college. There were guys on campus who took classes, but they were never in any of my classes. So I guess that meant I was coming out, finding love, and getting hitched. Well none of those things happened.

The second reading I had done was from a friend. She looked at my life through Tarot cards. In short, her reading told me I was going to be broke forever. Can you talk about depressing? I was not a happy camper after that reading. So even though I was excited about the free reading, I was nervous because my life is in flux at the moment. I didn't have the best semester at school because some of my health issues took over my life for a bit. Which means I'll be in school for another year and that puts my move to Hawai'i on hold for a minute. I'm losing my job and I don't have one in sight, so that is stressing me out. I wasn't sure if I could handle hearing any bad news regardless if I was going to choose to believe it or not.

However, I bit the bullet and called Psychic Lousia, a Tarot card reader. I was immediately drawn to her profile when I began to research which psychics I wanted to talk to. But she wasn't available for any of the times I could to talk to her. But finally this morning I saw her line was open, so I gave her a call. I explained to her I was a semi-newbie to physic readings and didn't have any direct questions I had to ask. I wanted to just stick with the categories of career and finance and love and relationships.

We started with what will happen with career and finances over the next year. I wanted to begin with this topic area because these things have been weighing heavily on my mind. Three cards were pulled that told me that I was going need to prepare for change and challenge. I would rise above whatever comes my way and in a new opportunity I would rely on my previous skill set, but I would need to learn new things in a very short time. Also, nothing unexpected is coming my way. What comes in will be earned. My pentacle number was below average, a four. But I shouldn't worry because even though a Four of Pentacles came up, with the other cards it told Louisa that I was building a better financial foundation for myself. In all honestly, that is not what I wanted to hear in regards to my career and finances. I've been literally dreaming that I was going to win the lottery soon, for some time now. So to hear that no lottery winnings were coming my way was disappointing, but the overall outlook gives the impression that I will survive and I won't be living on the streets anytime soon.

Now, with love and relationships things were a bit more golden. Louisa informed me that I won't be having a dry run in dating. I didn't bother to tell her I wouldn't have a wet one either because I'm anti-dating. However, if what Lousia said is true I would have a lot of movement in my relationships. Settling for less would come to an end and big things in regards to the people in my life are coming my way. I just need to remember that I am strong, to rise above and be willing to make adjustments. To trust and have faith in myself, to try and do something for myself daily and that will help bring better people into my life.

I agree with her in regards to believing in myself and taking time for me. I didn't need her or Tarot cards to tell me that, but the reminder was nice. I enjoyed my reading with Louisa. It was general, like my categories and I'm okay with that. I'm fine with it because I'm still figuring out if I truly believe the things she said to me will happen or not. It will take me so time to fully process everything she said, but as of now I'm happy that I did the reading. Louisa was kind, efficient, and willing to explain things that I didn't fully understand. If I was gifted with another opportunity to have a reading done with Psychic Source, I would have the reading done with Louisa again.

If you like to have a reading done on Psychic Source, they have a deal for new members were you can pay $1 a minute for up to 30 minutes. Since I was gifted the reading, my reading cost $2.95 a minute and it was approximately 12 minutes long.

Disclaimer: Psychic Source readings are for entertainment purposes only.

Disclosure: This is sponsored post, for my review I was gifted a 10 minute psychic reading.

Freebie Friday: Discovery Times Square - Pompeii The Exhibit

Image retrieved from the Discovery Times Square Pompeii the Exhibit web site.

Want to experience Pompeii in a unique way? How about for free? Well lucky for you all I've been given the opportunity to present two of my readers with a pair of passes, along with a 10% discount at the gift shop at the Discovery Times Square, Pompeii The Exhibit.

I'm really excited about this giveaway because being the nerd that I am, I get to help spread my love of history to you all. Pompeii the Exhibit is "more than a museum" it gives guests the ability to connect to people and a place by immersing you in the time before and after the eruption 2,000 years ago (Pompeii The Exhibit tumblr page).

I was lucky enough to speak with Kristin Romey, curatorial consultant to Discovery Times Square. Kristin informed me that Pompeii the Exhibit "puts things in context." The exhibit is very different from a museum, the viewer doesn't need to be "familiar with the culture...because its more than just objects." The guest is shown "how little life has changed from 2000 years ago to today." When you arrive you see body casts ("human impressions created from cavities found in the volcanic matter"), some original some replicated because the original cast was too fragile to make the trek over. You capture the daily life in Pompeii, you get to experience an immersive movie and a Pompeian brothel room. This exhibit, this journey is something I believe should not be missed.

Regardless if you live in the New York City area or not, this giveaway isn't just for the locals, it's for anyone who plans to be in New York City before September 5, 2011. That gives the winners the whole summer and then some to make plans.

How to enter:

1. Leave a comment below. That's it! You leave a comment you have a shot.

If you want extra entries, do the following and leave a comment for EACH one you do!!!

1. Follow @misstejota on twitter (include your twitter handle in the comment).

2. Follow this blog (include your username in the comment).

3. Send out the following tweet: "I just entered the @DiscoveryTS Pompeii The Exhibit #giveaway (free passes and discount at gift shop) at http://bit.ly/kPVe0d." (include URL to the tweet in your comment).

4. Like "Chronicles of a fat girl named Miss TeJota" on Facebook (include your initials from your fb handle in the comment).

5. Follow @DiscoveryTS on twitter (include your twitter handle in the comment).

Remember leave a comment for each and every entry type you choose to do. You have until 11:59 EST on Thursday, May 12, 2011 to enter. Winners will be selected using the True Random Number Generator on random.org.

Before you rush off to enter I wanted to let you know that Kristen Romey every Wednesday does a Q&A on the Discovery Times Square Facebook page. Kristin answers your questions regarding Pompeii The Exhibit and Pompeii. I'll make sure to let you all know if she will be able to provide Q&A's days on Discovery Times Square Twitter account one day.

Also I wanted to provide you with a fun fact about beauty in Ancient Pompeii from Kristin, "As a woman in ancient Rome, the higher your social status, the more makeup you probably wore: foundation, blush, shadow and eyeliner. Certain cosmetics, especially those from France or the far East, became so expensive that they were actually banned by the conservative Roman government. This prohibition, of course, spurred the development of cheap Canal-Street style makeup and perfume knockoffs."

Disclosure: For doing this giveaway I was provided with a pair of passes to Discovery Times Square, Pompeii The Exhibit.

Freebie Friday: In a quest for an iPad.

Some of you know that I'm all about the giveaways and winning free stuff. Lately I've been on the quest to win an iPad.

Here is information about the iPad 2 contests I've entered:

Contest 1 - The Centsible Life and CheckNGo Giveaway:

The lovely Centsible Life, a blog I retrieve a lot of financial savings tips from, was gifted an iPad 2 for her readers from CheckNGo. As one of the ways to get 10 extra entries for the giveaway was to do a blog post about the contest on her site. 10 extra entries, I'm on it as you all can see. But posting about the contest also gives me a chance to let others know about the goodness that is her site, as well as let you know about the contest she is doing. To enter for yourself and possibly win please go here: http://bit.ly/TCLiPad.

Contest 2 - FabulousSavings.com School’s Out!: The Fabulous iPad2 Contest – College Edition!:

FabulousSavings.com has been doing a bunch of giveaways as of late. They gave away an iPad 2 not to long ago, is in the process of handing out another one, as well as some gift cards. As if those giveaways weren't enough they now added an iPad 2 giveaway geared towards college and university students. I'm also all on this. So for all you college and university students get to entering. Details of how to enter can be retrieved on the FabulosSavings.com blog.

If you enter either or both - Good luck!!!

Just Dance 2 Winner

Image retrieved from videogamesblogger.com

I love giveaways. Out of 10 entries, random.org chose the #3. The lucky winner is Twi-Lin.

Congratulations Twi-Lin!!! You have 48 hours to respond to my tweet or another winner will be selected.

Wordless Wednesday: The Doctor and Albert E.

Setback, but all is well.

In the quest to lose 100 pounds I had a bit of a setback. I gained 6 pounds since my last post asking for support in the my journey to get healthy and wise in 2011. I'm not stressing over the fact that I gained weight, it was to be expected. I went to LA and ate every unhealthy thing known to man. Mostly in the form of two of my favorite food items - chicken fried steak and bacon.

Being that I was on vacation I was a hot mess of unhealthy eats and massive gluten consumption. However I'm home and I'm getting back on track. The gluten consumption is over and healthy eating has started again. Luckily for me I found out the organization that runs my CSA also has a Center for Healthy Living. I'm truly excited about this because the yearly membership is $75 and you can take as many classes as you want and they only ask that you support them via donations. For me this is a true blessing.

As many of you know that I'm losing my job at the beginning of next month and I don't have another one lined up as of yet. So to be able to still take total body conditioning, yoga, pilates, and Zumba classes at a pay scale that I can afford is truly amazing. I have no excuses, the center is within a 5 minute walk from my house. So even though money will be tight I'll still be able to eat healthy and get fit. w00t!!!

Music Monday - The Head and the Heart

Image retrieved from Sound on the Sound

Up until recently there wasn't an artist and/or a band that moved me to the point that I could listen to only their songs for days on end and not get bored. The Head and the Heart (THATH) became the band that changed that feeling for me. I became aware of THATH from my sister from another mother (and father) @Kitty_Elvis (KE).

KE has been telling me on and off about THATH since a visit to Seattle in the fall 2010. Me, being me, I procrastinated and didn't bother to look into the band. Finally after another email and a link I gave a the band a listen. I was immediately pissed that I didn't listen to KE from the beginning. I could have been listening to this glorious band since last year instead of just for the last few months. Besides being a fantastic musicians with lyrics that move my being, it is a band filled with amazing facial hair (mustaches galore) and a woman so pretty and talented she inspires me to be a better musician.

THATH are comprised of five members: Charity Rose Thielen (vocals, violin, percussion), Chris Zasche (bass), Josiah Johnson (vocals, guitar, percussion), Jonathan Russell (vocals, guitar, percussion), Kenny Hensley (piano), and Tyler Williams (drums). Some are Seattle area natives others are transplants. Their combined musical journey starts at meeting each other at Conor Bryne Pub in Seattle, WA. The detailed in and outs of how they got together I can't discuss, but I am grateful they met and became a band. There hasn't been a day in the last three months that I haven't listened to at least 3 or 4 of their songs.

Luckily for me when I went to SXSW I was blessed to be able to see THATH perform live at a Dickies Party on March 17, 2011. I was giddy beyond belief to finally see the band that I had become obsessed with in person. Other folks were concerned with celebrating St. Patrick's Day, I was focused on getting up as close as possible to the band. I had no voice, but I was ready to silently sing along, while shaking my tail feather and doing a bit of jig. THATH were utter perfection, the audience was engrossed and excited. With each song they played I got more and more amped, but a bit sad because each song they played made me aware that their set was getting closer to ending.

I don't have a favorite song from their self-titled debut album, because I love them all equally. Each song has me singing aloud much to the chagrin of my neighbors and fellow pedestrians on the streets of NYC. But I leave you with their goodness via some live performances. If THATH stops through your town I suggest you go see and witness greatness before you.

"Down In The Valley" via kexpradio

"Cats and Dogs & Coeur D'Alene" via kexpradio

You can learn more about THATH on their facebook page.

You can follow them on twitter: @headandtheheart.

You can buy their self-titled debut album on iTunes, Sup Pob!, or on Amazon.

Thanks again to Ms. Kitty Elvis and Randall A "THE MAN" Walker for blessing me with the introduction to"The Head and the Heart." Your enlightenment have made my days better.

Saturday Fluff - JGL

The lovely folks of LA tonight get to experience Joseph Gordon-Levitt at hitRECord at the movies. Since I can't and some of you can't attend, I'll present to you all something those lucky and lovely folks may experience tonight:

Joseph Gordon Levitt, Sean Lennon, and Yuka Honda of Cibo Matto perform "Nebulullaby" via peoplelikemeshop

Freebie Friday: Just Dance 2

Image retrieved from videogamesblogger.com

I'm super small time in the big blogger world so I don't get gifted items to give out to my readers. Womp! Womp! However, I do on occasion win a crap load of vibrators things or just by plain luck receive free stuff for just being wonderful, awesome me. That is exactly what happened, I'm awesome and I received an extra copy of "Just Dance 2" and the company decided to let me keep the extra copy (I'm still shocked by this). w00t!!! So I'm giving the extra copy to one of you all. The entry is easy, see below:

How to enter:

1. Leave a comment below. That's it! You leave a comment you have a shot.

If you want extra entries, do the following and leave a comment for EACH one you do!!!

1. Follow @misstejota on twitter (include your twitter handle in the comment).

2. Follow this blog (include your username in the comment).

3. Send out the following tweet: "Freebie Friday: Just Dance 2 #Giveaway (http://bit.ly/misstejotaApr222011) by @misstejota" (include URL to the tweet in your comment).

4. Like "Chronicles of a fat girl named Miss TeJota" on Facebook (include your initials from your fb handle in the comment).

Remember leave a comment for each and every entry type you choose to do. If you don't follow the rules, I won't contact and let you know that you didn't. You have until 11:59 EST on Thursday, April 28, 2011 to enter.

Good Luck!!!

*As the supplier of this giveaway I will pay shipping and handling for the winner.

Getting more exposure

Nope, I'm not going to pull an Erykah Badu and get nekkid in the streets like she did in the video "Window Seat." I'm just letting others know outside of twitter and tumblr that I have a web site. I finally started a facebook page. I probably set it up wrong and will be reading another set of articles to fix it, but regardless here it is: http://on.fb.me/misstejotafbpage.

I hope you all go and "LIKE" me.

Wordless Wednesday: Sofa Hog

Pretty

This isn't a post to get folks to tell me what they think of my appearance or how the inside of a person is just as important of the outside. It's a post to discuss the struggle I have with the term pretty as of late.

I've confessed here that I didn't receive many compliments growing up. I shared that I wasn't showered with praise on how wonderful I was or how attractive I was. Those lack of compliments made it difficult for me to accept them later on. I know it's my issue and I work on it everyday. I'm learning to be gracious and just say thank you even if I don't feel exactly like what the person is referring to at the moment they are giving me a compliment.

I'm unsure what has changed within me or if I'm just being more aware, but I've received a bunch of compliments as of late in regards to my appearance. I'll talk about two here. In the Houston airport this past weekend a woman walked up to me and told me that I was, "so pretty...If she could pull of being bald or having very, very short hair she would." I was gracious and thanked her for kind words and I actually believed them at that moment. I was feeling quite cute that day so it was so easy to accept her compliment. However, immediately after she approached me and was so kind, she spilled most of her Jamba Juice all over the floor. World, seriously, you needed to throw that bit of drama into the mix.

You needed to bring me up only to make me think maybe she wasn't being sincere. Or you needed to let me know that you world don't agree. I thought it was totally crappy how it happened. Here I am minding my own business and this woman comes from across the room to pay me a compliment only to get her treat taken from her. That sucks ass. Then later in the weekend when I'm feeling like crap, a hot mess of a reject Patsy Cline drag queen (yes, an actual drag queen named Patsy Cline) and her drunk friend feel the need to tell how pretty I am while touching me, kissing me, hugging me, and putting one dirty thumb on my mouth. Oh, to make matters worse the drunk friend asked me if I needed a "bump." The man asked me if I needed cocaine because I was tired.

Yeah, I'm "so" feeling these compliments. If this is what will happen majority of the time someone wants to pay me a compliment on my looks, world, keep the compliments. I so don't need them nor the drama that comes along with it.

Music Monday: Coachella vs. SXSW

If I had unlimited funds I would attend Bonnaroo, Coachella, Sasquatch, and SXSW. But since my dollars are very limited I opted to only attend Coachella and SXSW (without a badge) this year. I think one will have a wonderful time regardless of which festival you decide to attend. If you haven't been to either below are some points I think you should know from my first-timer experience.

At SXSW you have the opportunity to listen to some unsigned, underground, and/or upcoming bands, as well as see very established artists perform. You can see the same band perform over and over again at different venues if you wished. Since your are not confined to one space and if you have the means to do so, you can leave downtown Austin to go explore and make your way back and hopefully find parking in a garage, lot, or at your hotel. Because SXSW is filled with many sponsored events you are able to see some bands and artists perform for free and receive booze, drinks, and food for just showing up. SXSW is more than just music, it is also an interactive and film festival.

At Coachella since everything is located in one massive venue you never really have to worry about not being able to see any band or artist perform. If there is overlap with your choices, you just leave one tent and hop to the next tent or stage, never having to worry about getting into a venue that has reached it's capacity.

At SXSW if you decide to not purchase a badge or wristband there is a very good chance you won't make it into an non-sponsored event and you will have to pay a cover that can range from $10 to $60. Many performances are limited to badge and wristband holders only. The lines into events are crazy long regardless of your credentials. Even with a badge you aren't guaranteed access because once a space reaches capacity badge holder or not, you aren't getting in. For many to help ensure that didn't happen they purchased express line passes which put them in front of all non-holders. Badges start at $500 and go up. Wristbands are around $250.

At Coachella all of your musical acts perform outside and it is hot, it's the desert folks and you are in the middle of it. Even if you see a performance in a tent, you will sweat. Getting free water is a pain and quite stinking. Most of the free hydration centers are located next to the porta-potties. And you may have to use porta-potties. They have nicer ones, that look and feel like bathrooms with running water, but the lines for those can be quite long. Almost everything you have to pay for. There aren't sponsored events on site that are gifting you free booze and food. Wristbands start at $270.

There are pros and cons to both, but in the end I preferred my time at Coachella. Next year as much as I would love to attend the film portion of SXSW I think I'm just going to spend money on a VIP wristband for Coachella.

Coachella: Day Three

The final day, total sadness. Coachella has been amazing. Great friends, great music, just a good time to be had.

This day started later than the rest, but it was amazing. We arrived around 4:40 PM just enough time to get onto the grounds to line up and see Ellie Goulding's performance. My knowledge of Ellie was limited. I knew the song "Starry Eyed" and what she looked like since we shared a bench at SXSW. I was told repeatedly that she was utterly amazing and I needed to go and check her out live. I missed her All Saints in-store performance a couple of weeks ago in NYC so I was determined to see her at Coachella. And I'm truly glad I did. The woman is uber talented. She sings, plays the percussion, guitar, and piano. Here are a couple of videos to show you just how wonderful she is:

"Starry Eyed" via elliegoulding

"Guns and Horses" via EllieGouldingVEVOelliegoulding

Seeing Ellie was a great way to top off my final day of Coachella, but seeing Duran Duran just made the three days friggin' EPIC!!! I flove Duran Duran. I would be happy if I could spend hours just staring at John Taylor. He is utter perfection. But back to the band as a whole, Duran Duran is truly the band that makes you want to party. While they were performing I got teary-eyed watching them again. It has been years since I've seen them live. It was an emotional experience for me. Their music is such a part of my being. I was so happy they were performing this year. "Hungry Like a Wolf" is one of my favorite songs (see the video below). I use to pretend I was the woman in the video, even had a whole dance routine made up to this song, including song effects. In my opinion, "Rio" hands down is one of the best albums of all time.

via emi
The night closed out with amazing performances by The Strokes and Kayne West. I'm a huge fan of both even though Julian Casablancas lead vocals of The Strokes and Kayne at times have been known to be douchebags. I try to tell myself they are geniuses and socially delayed therefore they don't know any better. I know that isn't the case, but it makes me feel better.
The Strokes were to the point, playing great music. They were fantastic and the video feed on the large screens for the performance was uh-mazing. The video didn't follow the band around during each song, but instead did some shots of the band members performing mixed in with majority odd shots of feet movement and or sound and amp adjustments. Hands, microphones, red plastic cups were put on display. The feed gave you a look at every small detail of the show and that drew me further into their performance. The simplicity of it all made me realize how much I missed The Strokes and how I can't wait to hear more and more from them.
Kayne was amazing. It was theatrics from beginning to end. It was ladened with emotion and honesty. I feel that Kayne puts his all into his performances. He entertained us with dancers, fireworks, and killer tracks. The crowd was massive. His performance was the only one going on and everyone was there on the field to see it. It was great to see the diversity of folks who were enamored by Kayne. It was amazing to hear folks screaming his songs at the top of their lungs. Kayne ended Coachella brilliantly.
I encourage you all to YouTube search many of the acts that performed at Coachella, if not all then some portions of their sets are online.
Now what Coachella post would not be complete without a list of celebrities spotted on the final day (most within tackle distance from): Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Aziz Ansari, Leonardo DiCaprio, Darren Criss, Shaun White, Brian Posehn, Xavier Samuel, Nick Simmons, and the perfect woman Dita Von Teese. However, the highlight was being 5 feet away from Alexander Skarsgard. He is truly beautiful and I admit that I might have fangirled a lot bit when I saw him.

Coachella: Day Two

Jeebus, could it have been any hotter. As I got off the shuttle and stepped out onto the grounds were Coachella is being held I was immediately sweating, I needed good tunes to push me through. Gogol Bordello is first up to see. They are an infectious band and the need to bob my head is immediate. They played "Start Wearing Purple" and the crowds around gott up and begin to dance. I bet you feel the need to move as well:

via BlankTV

Gogol Bordello helped me get over the fact that we didn't try to gain entrance into the VIP area today. I was filled with envy for those with better food options that were sitting on the other side of the fence.

Erykah Badu was up next. I was excited to see her perform. It's been a while and I was unsure what to expect. But she had a soulfoul set even though it was filled with some technical issues. I swayed, I reminiscence when "On and On" came on. I wished she performed, "Call Tyrone," but she didn't so a video of another live performance of it will have to do for now:

via cherubim321

Erykah's set ran long, so the powers that be cut her sound. She was gracious about it, because other acts needed to set-up and the show must go on. At the end of her set we made our way over to see a bit of Jenny and Johnny. I wasn't super sure who they were, but a couple of songs in I realized I had heard of them and knew that after Coachella I needed to invest in some of their music. After their set we just milled around and listened to a bit of Yelle and Elbow. Yelle was more so up my speed. The crowd watching them danced non-stop. It was fun to watch and be near.

Bright Eyes were performing, so we went and camped out in front of the VIP area. Directly in front of where we set yesterday in heaven. You know that heaven that had us standing next to the famous folks - HA! Regardless, Bright Eyes demanded my attention, sulking wasn't an option. Bright Eyes equals happiness.

Mumford & Sons were after. And good Lawd do they put on an amazing show. I was shaking and moving. I wished they could have performed for another hour or more. They could have sang the alphabet and I would have been happy. Absolutely, fantastic. I need to go and see them live again sometime soon.

Next up was Animal Collective. They are weird and I love them. However, I love them in short spurts. They're hour and ten minute set was too long at 10 PM for me. Don't get me wrong Animal Collective is genius, I so recogninze the brilliance I just wasn't in the right mind set.

Arcade Fire was the final act of my evening. And after seeing Win Butler walk by during the Bright Eyes set and me totally spazzing out and basically beating my friend to death in my excitement I was pumped. Start to finisth this band brought it. I flove them! I was so glad they were performing, I was up and moving their entire set. And who doesn't love a show that ends out with massive ballons being dropped out on the crowd.

In closing another perfect day even though it was hella hot. And because I know folks want to know (and I'm willing to share) here are the celebs or reality TV stars we spotted that were in tackle hug distance or standing next to me: Win Butler, Rob Kardashian, Matthew Rhys, dreamy and "I'm to young to be this hot" Nick Simmons, and Camilla Belle (so friggin' pretty). Leonardo DiCaprio and Lukas Haas were standing right behind me. We were seperated by a fence, but thats just semantics. Aziz Ansari walked by a few of times and also saw Usher, Alia Shawkat, and Kiowa Gordon.

Coachella: Day One

Coachella is amazeballs!

It might be a tad bit hot and I'm sure I'll need to hit the dermatologist to make sure that I didn't do any further damage to my sun damaged body, but I it was worth it. Arriving on the grounds of Coachella you see there is so much to take in. I'm too busy looking here and there to even think about busting out my camera. I know that is crazy to even contemplate, but I'm overwhelmed, excited, and shaky. So the picture taking is being given to someone else. Thank goodness!!!

Day One at Coachella was filled with some unexpected goodness. We were blessed with entry into the VIP area. Holy grace, mother of Jeebus was that lovely. We were able to use real bathrooms in trailers. If asked what the highlight of day one was - it was that! I mean no Porta-Potty. A toilet that flushes, a sink to wash your hands in. Frakkin' Heaven. Also, the VIP area had way better food than what was outside for the main event area. Once we realized we had been granted entrance into the Coachella Heaven I was NOT leaving. The folks I came with could come and go, but I was parking my arse down so I could experience bliss with real toilets, great food, and sit with celebrity's right out of Coachella's main stage.

So off in the VIP area we saw Cee Lo Green, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Interpol, The Black Keys, and Kings of Leon perform. Cee Lo Green only performed 4 songs because he just landed. The 4 songs he performed were great, but the real excitement came when the sound staff at Coachella cut his and the bands mics to get them off stage because their time was up. So you got to see his band still performing with no sound and Cee Lo storming off stage. Drama!!! Flove it!!

Lauryn Hill I was worried about. I've seen her perform in the past and if she is having an off day, as in if she is depressed her performance is hard to get through. She goes off on tangents, starts ranting, and just makes it no fun. But the moment she opened her mouth for this performance, I knew it was going to be golden. It was utterly fantastic. Her classic solo hits from the Grammy "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" along with Fugees classics were performed - she and her band truly brought it.

Interpol a band I'm ashamed to admit I wasn't familiar with even though they are from New York rocked it. I will be adding their music to my playlist for sure.

The Black Keys who I adore graced the stage not looking like 70's rocker dudes. They were hip and stuff. I wasn't prepared for it. But I was prepared for them to rock the house and they did so brilliantly. There performance had me on my feet swaying to the music, my booty was shaking. I was super happy. When they performed "Next Girl" I was overcome. That is one of my favorite songs, peep why:

via theblackkeys

And if The Black Keys weren't enough, Kings of Leon came on next to close out our day of brilliance. This is a band where I need to separate the artist from the art. I love their music, I'm just not a fan of them personally. Regardless, when they hit the stage I was happy. So happy that I even kept my cool when these drunk girls kept bumping into me, touching me, and talking very closely about how great this and that was. I can handle drunk folks, I've been one so I can't be too judgey, but Kings of Leon kept me check when this one girl started grinding the fence and in turn kept hip-checking me with every new sway of her non-rhythmic hips. And as usual once "Sex is on Fire" played, the place went bonkers. Something out the Kings of Leon brings out the crazy movements in folks and I loved every minute of it.

In closing the day was great. And I was even in the presence of a few celebrity's, like tackle hug distance or standing right next to. Vanessa Hudgens was the first celebrity we laid eyes on. This just tickled me pink. Also, we got to see Ethan Embry, TMZ stars Brandon Davis and Nikki Hilton, a MTV reality TV star whose name I don't know and can't be bothered to look up, and Kellan Lutz and his muscles.

LA: What! What!

Getting to LA started with some drama as most of travel adventures do. I left my home 10 minutes late, but that's okay I decided to make up the time by not to stopping at the bodega to get a sandwich to take on the plane. As I get a block away I see my bus that was suppose to leave in 8 minutes traveling East away from me. Argh! My bus was early, the panic starts to set in because I realize the bus schedule is off. So I try to calm myself because all will be well (hopefully). 20 minutes and a few heavy sighs later another bus arrives. I have 45 minutes to get to the airport and check my luggage. It's going to be close.

Count in bad directions, my stupidity, and the slowest family alive I checked my luggage in 3 minutes after the cutoff time. Oops! This means my luggage most likely won't make my flight and there is no clue when it would arrive in LA. After checking with customer service at my layover stop of Houston, Texas I find out that my luggage is MIA. Ugh! I'm trying not to stress, but that's hard for a worrywart like myself. However, the heavens above had another plan and somehow my luggage got on my flight and I left LAX with everything I went into LGA with. w00t!!!

Rental car acquired, two friends in tow, we head to the most important place to go - In-N-Out Burger. Craziness is In-N-Out, it is filled to the max, so after a bit of a wait we sit down to munch on some amazing gluten-filled goodness. Gut filled we head over to Griffith Observatory. I'm in geek heaven. Science, science, science!!! I had the best time. Even saw a celebrity - Vanessa Hudgens. I wasn't excited about Miss Hudgens, but I did want to ask her if Nikki Reed was going to be at Coachella. Of all the Twilight folks Nikki is my favorite. However, I didn't ask, but I did hear the question in regards to Vanessa, "What's the big whoop?!?" Which made me giggle and snort like a school girl.

Well Los Angeles, CA goodbye for now, tomorrow I'll be at Coachella. But no worries I'll be back very soon.

Wordless Wednesday - 6 AM Productivity

100 pounds

Many of you have read me complain about my health issues on this blog. One of the most annoying of those issues are my joint problems. My joint issues are mostly due to the fact that my body frame can't handle the extra weight that I am carrying. Years of being obese has taken it's toll on my body. I recently went to the doctor and received once again another stern lecture about how I need to lose at least 100 pounds.

The idea of losing a 100 pounds is so daunting to me. I would like to lose the weight without any surgical aids. But, I can't seem to keep my butt into gear to do so. One of the things I've been trying to do as of late to help me just feel better in general is be gluten free. I'm not eliminating gluten for dieting purposes, I'm doing it because I'm gluten intolerant. Lucky for me one of the happy side effects of treating your body better is weight loss. I'm not always successful, but my gluten intake is significantly less and I know that is the main reason I've lost 8 pounds over the last 45 days.

So I write about the weight loss attempt to put it out there, to state this is something I'm trying to do. I need support, so I'm asking for it. I can't lose this weight on my own. I need tips, encouragement, healthy and wise in life buddies. Can some of you please be a support system for me?

Music Monday - Walk the Moon

During SXSW 2011 I met the band "Walk the Moon" while hanging out in the artist alley of the Spin Magazine Lounge with @EarplugsNotIncl. I was told they were one of the darlings of SXSW and if we could we should go and check them out. Unfortunately, it didn't work out so I never got to see them perform while there. Randomly, on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 the band popped into my head. I immediately went to the Interwebs to learn a bit more about them. I came across the below video for their song, "Anna Sun" and was immediately smitten.

"Anna Sun" via walkthemoonband

I had to find out if they were going to be performing in NYC and lucky (and also unlucky) for me they were performing the next night at 11 PM at Tammany Hall. I already had plans to see "That Championship Season" on the same night so it was going to be tight. I was hoping I could take the train, but I didn't finish up with cast signings of the "That Championship Season" until 10:30 PM, so I needed to take a taxi. Ugh! Money I didn't want to spend, but when I walked into the venue at 11:07 PM and saw "Walk the Moon" under strobe lights with face paint on rocking out it became money well spent.

"Walk the Moon" a band from Cincinnati, Ohio are energetic, crowd engaging, and fantastic musicians. Their performance was utter perfection. I was unfamiliar with most of their songs, but their music is so good you automatically start shaking your booty and bobbing your head. At this performance, they played quite a few songs from their album "I Want! I Want!" They also performed a new track titled "Tightrope." Which Nicholas, the lead singer informed wasn't a Janelle Monae remake - Total cuteness. Often times when a crowd is familiar with an artists work they aren't to keen on hearing songs they haven't heard before. This was not the case with "Walk the Moon." The crowd was just as enthused by the new song which many didn't know the lyrics to as they were with the songs they knew by heart.

As if I wasn't already in falling in love with "Walk the Moon" they dug themselves a little bit further into my heart by performing "Let's Dance," by David Bowie. I flove that song. And if you frak it up there is no coming back in my mind. But they didn't. I urge you to learn more about the band, buy their record, and if they come to a city near you, put your face paint on and go see them.

Here are two more places you can get further information about the band: facebook and twitter.

I'll leave you with their live performance of "Anna Sun" at SXSW.

via ifc