I Know that Girl

So I do not remember how I came across finding out that this girl was on American Idol. I was either reading a blog, or Perez, or something, but I do remember something snapping after I read her name, thinking, "I KNOW that girl."

Jesse Langseth was part of the top 36 recently on American Idol. She is actually the little sister of my high school crush, Jonny Lang, the incredible blues singer and musician who truly has a voice like no other. Jesse definitely was blessed with her older brother's gift as well. She sang "Bettie Davis Eyes" on American Idol, which totally under utilized her voice. If she had sang something else which would have showcased her voice a bit more, she would have blown EVERYONE away.



Anyhoo, I met her in Minneapolis years ago back in another life. Actually, it was when I was with my ex, who was also pursuing his dreams as a musical artist. He was being managed by Jonny Lang's former manager, and Jesse popped into see him play one night at Bunker's. They became good friends, and when I was out visiting we met one night. She told me VERY intersting stories from her brother's heyday as an artist, when she manaed to hook up with quite a few famous young actors. I just remember her making fun of me because I could not get over how cold it was in Minneapolis.

I am sorry to see that the public did not vote for her. It just confirms my belief that the American public does not know crap about what good music is or who talented vocalists actually are. My only hope is that Jesse can use this as a springboard for something else.

I got an Award

The adorable Miss Lemonade over at Making Lemonade from Lemons gave me the "Love Ya" award. Here is it's description:
The "Love ya" award: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award!"

I plan to hand this out soon, but I am still coming out of my blogging funk.

Thanks again for this award! =)

Dirty Sweet

Do you ever find a band that you just absolutely adore and cannot wait to share their music with everyone? I find myself lucky because I have been blessed to find so many talented singer/songwriters over the course of my travels to various clubs in Los Angeles. The band that I would like to share with you today makes you want to shake your fanny and stomp your boots. Reminiscent of "The Black Crowes," this band has a bit of a southern rock flare that somehow fits our time today. Ladies and gents, say hello to "Dirty Sweet." They are playing Spaceland in Los Angeles March 6th.

Home, Sweet Home

I know the picture is dark, but I just do not have the motivation to get out my camera to take a picture with flash. Those are my feet on my coffee table. I am HOME, people! My eight days with my eighth graders n my Washington DC trip are done, and I have never felt happier to be sitting on my couch at home.

The trip, thankfully, was easy. However, we did end up shutting down the Statue of Liberty because one of my students forgot her backpack in front of it while taking pictures. We added on Boston and New York this year, and it was definitely worth it. I fell in love with Boston. I could totally see myself living there. It's one of the hubby's places for a city we might consider later on in life, and I am definitely open to it now.

New York though...not so much. My grand expectations of the city were totally dashed. Maybe I had the city built up too big in my mind because of "Sex and the City." I dunno. Times Square was a nightmare for me, the Plaza a letdown, and I didn't see that many "well-dressed" people at all. In addition, YOU CANNOT SEE THE SKY!!!! I felt claustraphobic the whole time in the city because of all the skyscrapers. I would just live in Central Park if I lived there. I do not understand how people can deal with just looking up and seeing nothing but buildings all of the time. To me, it was weird. Next time I go back (hopefully with the hubby), there are some spots I would like to go to with the hubby that might make things a bit better. But otherwise, it was a let down.

Oh, and I totally got snaps from the parents for my phone blog! Did you know you could blog from your phone? It's the best thing ever. I took photos of students on my iphone all the time and uploaded them to the blog over the course of the day so the parents could see what we were up to. Check it out here.

I am up to nothing today. I hope you enjoy your Sunday.

New Yorkers Are Mean

Dear Mean People of New York,

Yes, I admit that I am a bit crazy to take a group of forty-eight eighth grade students on a trip across country to the east coast to tour Washington DC, New York, and Boston. Yes, thirteen year old students can be obnoxious. And yes, they like to move in packs. But do you not remember a time when you would be so excited to be with your friends, especially if you were staying overnight? Don't you remember what it was like to want to crowd around? Do you not remember what it was like to be oblivious to everyone but your friends?

New Yorkers, you guys kinda suck. Is it really worth it to say, "Fuck you," to a bunch of eighth graders who are trying to move together in a group and are so worried about staying in their group that they might cut you off from time to time? Is it really going to affect your day THAT much to wait a minute to allow them to pass? Are they really going to affect your time that much?

Loosen up a bit...seriously.

Signed,
Frazzled Eighth Grade History Teacher that is OVER New York City

Can I be a boozehound...?

Because I am random, I was thinking about this song while making dinner. However, I could not remember the lyrics, just the ending where Bart sings, "Can I be a booze hound?" And Homer answers, "Not til your fifteen." I sang it out loud, and the hubby just stared and turned away.

Washington DC Girls...Help!!!

OK, I am only two days away from leaving on my school's Washington DC trip on Saturday. I have been organizing this trip for the past three years, only this year we have to go on our President's week break instead of during the actual school year....grrr. Because of this, we will be going when it is MUCH colder. I typically bring a wool coat I got from Victoria's Secret, but this California girl is now frightened of freezing her ass of. I plan on wearing tights under my jeans and uggs, but I am unsure about my jacket.

I have non-buyer's remorse. I found a great Kenneth Cole jacket this past Saturday, but I didn't get it because I wanted to wait and see if I could find it in a medium. MORON! Of course I wasn't able to, and when I went back today it was gone.

It even had a hood. =(

So I ended up getting this jacket at Macy's instead:

It is definitely not as long as I wanted, and my jacket doesn't even have the hood pictured in this one. So my question is, "Will I be warm enough?" On this trip, we go from Boston to New York to Philadelphia and finally to DC. I am so afraid of freezing on the walking tours this time around. We usually go on March when it is warmer. What do you think? Should I keep this jacket, or just use the wool one I have?

Get on Your Boots

I can't tell you how much this song just makes me want to shake my ass:
U2 - Get On Your Boots


And speaking of boots, here are a few I am eyeing:

Panguerma Boot from Aldo

Frye Paige Cuff Boot

Over it: Blonde or Brunette

This is the current state of my roots. I am have been getting my hair highlighted for the past seven years. Actually, I started in high school, but I got my hair lightened the most once I got to junior college. I have always loved being blonde; it feels natural to me. However, I am so OVER getting my hair highlighted, especially considering that I have to drive all the way up to the high desert to go to my hair person. I asked the hubby if he would be OK if I went back to my natural color, which is a light brown, and he said it was fine. Yet I am freaking out about this. I haven't seen my hair's natural color in over ten years. The one time I tried to go back brown in college, I completely spazzed out and had it highlighted again as soon as I could. So what do you think? Stick with blonde or switch things up?