In honor of Clinical Trials making their Chicago concert debut at Reggie’s on February 16th, I forced the ladies to let me sit in on one of their band practices as I caught their punk-pop rocking goodness on camera. Here’s a quick little edit I put together of one of my favorite songs, “Devils”.
If you’re in NYC this Thursday, Clinical Trials will be playing Hotel Chantelle and we’ll be celebrating Somer’s birthday so come say hi!
It’s been a weird, trying, exciting time as of late and I’ve been in dire need of making some changes. I started with my hair because, as any movie with a strong female lead making changes in her life will teach you, that’s where you should always start. Also, my stocking caps couldn’t hide the mullet growing out of my head and a haircut was necessary. So I’m back to being a brunette. It’s going to take a while to get used to again, but my scalp is already thanking me.
Next up: New ink. I had been wanting a new tattoo since moving here last September (ok, since the last tattoo I got, let’s be honest) but things got busy and searching for the right shop became an overwhelming task due to my pickiness. So, when a friend asked if I wanted to accompany her to get a Friday the 13th tattoo, I looked up the shop she was going to and decided it was finally time for me to get my first tat in NYC. I can’t believe it’s taken me over a year to make it happen, but it was well worth the wait.
I had been wanting a Where The Wild Things Are tattoo for a long time, but when Maurice Sendak passed in May, it moved to the top of my “tattoos wanted” list. Sendak’s books, WTWTA in particular, were such a core part of my childhood and their messages have remained with me as an adult. If you haven’t heard Terry Gross’s fantastic look (listen?) back at her interviews throughout the years with Sendak on Fresh Air, it is highly recommended listening. I sobbed my eyes out for at least half of it.
Big thanks to Megan at Magic Cobra for doing an incredible job on my arm.
Now, since I was there already and the Friday the 13th deal was $20 for some fresh ink, I figured I may as well get the unicorn (designed by Megan) just for fun. I haven’t gotten the Planet Unicorn theme song out of my head for two days now.
Don’t worry, the changes I’m making aren’t just on the outside. The biggest steps I’m taking towards being my best self are on the inside and I’m determined to make 2014 the stepping stone to ultimate life radness.
And without further ado, here is your Christmas Treats mixtape:
The fall weather has finally arrived (as of yesterday) and I’m pretty sure it’s perking me up for some reason. I don’t know if it just reminds me of Chicago or if I’m getting excited to see the leaves changing (now that I actually have trees to look at). Or, maybe I’m just really excited to have an excuse to wear my beanie hat so I don’t have to pay attention to what my hair is doing on a daily basis. It doesn’t matter, I’m chipper as fuck. I’ve also got some really great side projects I’m getting excited to work on which will bring me back to the things I’m really passionate about – music being one of them. So if you’re following anything on this blog & you’ve been missing some more frequent updates, you will hopefully be a very happy camper sometime in the near future.
I’ve got a few mixtapes to share with you today because the first one is more on the emo side (don’t worry, I didn’t include Dark Dark Dark’s “How It Went Down” again…though that song is still heart-crushingly perfect). Lately, the songs playing above my head as I walk down the street like my personal anthems have been Sarah Jaffe’s “Defense” and “Satire“. While I love them, I’m hoping to change that up a bit soon.
And so, this is how it feels when you fall:
The second mix I’ve got for you today is still a little bit of a work in progress since I started it yesterday, but it’s a mood shift and one I am very happy to embrace for as long as possible.
It’s time for dancing. Funk. Twerk. Awkward hipster one-legged knee shake. All of it.
And a couple extra downloads for good measure:
La Luz – Pink Slime (right click “save as”)
La Luz – Big Bad Blood (right click “save as”)
The end of summer is almost here and while I love wearing my hoodies, I’m not quite ready to give up the tank tops. Another big life-change comes this weekend after my bonkers roommate finally moves out and my two new roommates move in and we make the apartment a home.
This Tuesday also marks the 12 year anniversary of my dad dying. It will be the first time I’ll be commemorating the date while living in New York – far away from family…and I’m not really sure how I’m going to handle it. It’s weird how even after twelve years you can experience the same anniversary of loss differently each time.
But enough about that (for now) – I’ve kept you waiting for a new mixtape for too long already. Enjoy your long weekend and do me a favor: Hug your dads for me and tell them you love them.
It’s beautiful outside, one of my best friends from Chicago is in town and it’s Friday. Even if I have no clue where I’m going to be living once September 1st comes up, I’m going to do myself a solid and enjoy this mothafuggin weekend. Cheers to all of you – I hope your weekends are filled with sunshine, love and sexy times.
Chubby Jones 