Rock and Roll (Mostly)

I've been a terrible blogger lately! I have thought of some good topics to write on but haven't made the time to write in a while. Check back soon for a recap of our Rathbun's dinner (see May 21 post for part one) and a summary of Dan and my travels to Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Anyway, something recently made me want to make a list of all that bands I've seen. As you know, lists are quite enjoyable for me. I believe my list may have been prompted by hearing my dad talk about some of the bands he's seen (KISS, Alice Cooper, etc.)... and I decided it would be neat to have my own list.

Few music acts traveled to Eufaula, Alabama or Columbus, Georgia during my years there; plus with rather protective parents, I wasn't allowed to make the two hour trek from Columbus to Atlanta for shows. I can say, however, that a lack of concerts in my pre-college years definitely gave me additional appreciation and interest later in life.

Now the question is "which of these bands will make it to 'classic rock' status in 20 years?"

Shinedown

Nine Days

Third Eye Blind (2)

Everclear (most terrible sounding live band I've ever seen)

Cake

Maroon 5 (4)

John Mayer (3)

Stone Temple Pilots (2)

Incubus (4)

No Doubt

Garbage

Better Than Ezra (6)

Hot Hot Heat

Coldplay (2)

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Vertical Horizon

I Am the World Trade Center

Pacifier

Chevelle

Puddle of Mudd

Bon Jovi

The Killers

The Fray

Matisyahu

Cheap Trick

Good Charlotte

OAR

Train

Hoobastank

Bush

Evanescence

Pete Yorn (really great show despite not knowing but one of his songs at the time)

Death Cab for Cutie

Jump, Little Children

Gavin DeGraw

Dave Matthews Band

(possibly a few I forgot)

Updates

Nov.: Madonna

3/27: Collective Soul (awesome)

9/1: Depeche Mode

And to think it all started with a handful of privileged concerts (Hootie and the Blowfish in 6th grade with my youth group, Gin Blossoms with my mom in 8th grade and a few Audio Adrenaline shows with my friend Elizabeth Hamrick during middle school).

Feeling Sappy Today

I love my fiance.

:)

It's Amazing...

How a nice airport dinner with a friend then a windows-down, rock-and-roll blasting, fast-driving car ride home can make you feel alive and invincible all over again after a day when not many things seem to go right.

Irony in Atlanta

Not too far from our house is a predominantly Jewish neighborhood (near Emory University around Lavista Road and Briarcliff in Decatur/Atlanta). Despite having driven through this area many times, I never noticed a little street called "Christmas Lane."

Seeing this street really got me to wondering... I wondered to myself, "I wonder if the Jewish population avoids living on Christmas Lane." 

Then I chuckled to myself as I thought about a Jewish family sending a Hanuka card to a close friend or family member--and the recipient seeing the return address is "Christmas Lane."

"Happy Hanukah from the Schnetzels on Christmas Lane!" 

The Bare Necessities

I decided tonight, as I grabbed random things from the refrigerator and the cabinets to create some semblance to a meal, that there are a few items no kitchen should be without. 

There always seems to be a good reason to have the following things on hand:

• A fresh lemon (or two) and a lime
• Milk
• Butter 
• Oil (olive or canola)
• Fresh garlic
• Fresh onion

Tonight's schmorgasboard was part stirfry, part soccer mom but 100% "refrigerator management" (a term my grandmother uses for using unused ingredients from previous meals and leftovers to create a new dish... and empty the fridge of aging items).

Part 1: fresh diced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, chopped zucchini, sliced red and white onions, a can of chicken breast (that I sauteed before adding it to the stirfry) and one special/secret ingredient... the last few tablespoons of a bottle of Kroger brand steak sauce.

Part 2: Kraft spiral macaroni and cheese (prepared as directions indicate)

As weird as it sounds, the steak sauce veggie stirfry looked (and tasted) pretty delicious next to that pile of classic macaroni. Mission refrigerator management accomplished. 

Bravo Reality TV

With all the great train wreck reality personalities to follow, I am not sure I can decide which show I've liked best. What are your thoughts on the best?

• Blow Out (an oldie but a goody)
• Work Out (I've been recently turned onto this by my brother Paul and friend Kate)
• Flipping Out (Does anyone think that the personalities of Jeff on Flipping Out and Jackie of Work Out are similar?)
• Project Runway
• Top Design
• Top Chef
• Millionaire Matchmaker
• Real Housewives of New York

Bravo is an addiction. 

Bidding Farewells

I finally bit the bullet this afternoon and e-mailed my current colleagues to let them know I'm leaving. Despite feeling that it's time to move on to another job, it's still tough to bid farewell to those I've enjoyed working with.

It was tough to write the e-mail, decide who to send it to, press send... and read the responses. I am so overwhelmed with the support and compliments of those I've worked with, some of which I've never met since they work all around the country. Note, the person who mentioned the smile works at my office. If not, that would be creepy!


I will miss you. It has been a pleasure working with you. You did an exceptional job on [the employee magazine]. May your new career be everything you hope for and keep the creativity flowing. Thanks.

We are going to miss you and all the energy you devoted to [the employee magazine]. It's been a pleasure working with you and I wish you the best in your new job.

We will miss your shiny smile.

CONGRATULATIONS. I know we have never met face to face but, you have always been one of my favorite's. You will be missed but, never forgotten. I wish you and your family the best that life has to offer.

It's been great working with you. I don't believe we've ever met, but your e-mails are always happy and positive so I'm sure you're a wonderful person. Best of luck!

You have done an excellent job & we appreciate your hard work. It has been a pleasure to work with you.

Sorry to see you go Katy. I will miss your enthusiasm and your excitement for life. Have a wonderful transition period and maybe our paths will cross again in the future. Good Luck!

Best wishes to you personally and professionally. Thank you for all your support of the volunteer activities....you very effectively helped in many ways to spread the word and encourage volunteerism at the Rock. I'll miss you!

What an honor it's been to work with such a broad range of great, appreciative people. I'm going to miss this.

Confession of the Day

I am such a junkie for school and office supplies, and have been as long as I can remember. Pens, pencils, looseleaf paper, binders, staplers, index cards, markers, sharpies, pencil boxes, tabs, calculators, highlighters and more... Similarly, I am a big fan of art supplies. Colored pencils, pastels, paints, sketch books, markers, modeling clay, charcoal pencils, etc.

Confession number two. I love making lists, with no particular favorite format (bullet points or items in a series separated by commas).