(Back to our regularly shallow scheduled program)
I said a boom chica boom. I said a boom chica rocka chicka rocka chica boom.
I love MMMP. I love the laughs. I love the deep questions and honest answers. I love that we always get to eat dinner together. I love our teeshirt ideas. I love our handshake. I really love the bling. But most of all I love Boomie.
Because our mascot is the shiznit.
MMMP
So… Its 11:00 am and I already have fun Jamie stories I could tell… but honestly even the momentary high of a few classic Jamie moments has already worn off. Instead of being entertaining today, I think I am going to go out of my box and be real and deep. I hope you don’t mind.
Yesterday was a really really hard day for me. Maybe one of the hardest I have had in a while. After work Kim came to take me out to dinner, and when she got to my house I was sitting on the couch with tears streaming down my cheeks.
It was a hard week. And I was just beginning to feel like I had my feet under me and little more steady. Then everything came at once.
Life is a little overwhelming right now. And I am doing a pretty good job being “fine” and “fun” and not focusing on hard things, but inside I am really just so so so sad. If I am honest.
I have been thinking a lot yesterday and today about how ignorance really is bliss. When we don’t know about dying grandparents or angry friends or credit scores or rents being raised or not being able to rent the house you have your heart set on or past employers saying horrible things about you or roommates being upset or past issues that are about to resurface, that finding out changes everything, even though nothing really changed at all.
All those things existed before you knew. People got angry or made those choices or made up their minds long before you actually found out about it. Grandparents were sick long before the hospital pronounced them terminal. You just didn’t know. And knowing changes everything.
I am overwhelmed in the knowing. I would rather not know.
I wish it was a week ago and I still thought I had a handle on my emotions or on my past. I wish that I still thought that I was making progress and getting healthy and moving towards having meaningful relationships and I wasn’t afraid of men or commitment or myself.
I wish it was a week ago and I didn’t know that my rent was being raised and I didn’t meet with a financial advisor and I didn’t know my credit score and I still had hope of subleasing a friends house for half of what I pay now.
I wish it was a week ago and I never got an email from a friend saying that an old employer was saying horrible things about me.
I really really wish it was a week ago and my relationships were still solid and intact and the people I love and trust most in this world still loved and trusted me.
But more than anything else, I wish it was a week ago and I thought both my grandparents were fine and there was lots of time to go home and tell them how much I love them and how much I appreciate everything they have done and how much they loved me and how that love has shaped me in so many ways.
But knowing changes everything… and I do know all these things now. And I am so so so sad.
Pawn Shop
I went to the Pawn Shop for my first time ever today. Like ever ever. I kind of loved it. The manager was this big cute burly white man with lots of tattoos.
I asked him if I could ask a random question. He answered “A pretty girl like you can ask me whatever she wants”
He is my new favorite.
I asked him if he knew anyone who could come to where my broken car was and take the CD player out before I had it towed away. He asked where it was and I said downtown. He asked when I needed it and I said whenever. He offered to come do it himself. I asked how much. He said if it was outside he would have done it for free, but he would do it for the cost of gas. I asked how much. He said 5 or 10 dollars. He is totally my favorite.
He gave me his card and wrote his cell number on the back and said he gets off work at 4. Some days it pays to be a girl.
Pee Dance
I was wondering today, as I did a little dance in the elevator at work, why moving around helps you when you have to pee really bad. What is it about the side to side dance that makes your bladder feel more under control? Shouldn’t it make it worse? These are the things I think as I dance in the elevator at work.
Smells like Cake
I really want new perfume but I am poor. Its from Victoria Secret and its called Slice of Heaven. I think it kind of smells like cake. I love it. My roommate has some and I have coveted it for the longest time. You really should go smell it. And then buy me some. Because its good. And my birthday is coming up. And the people at Victoria Secret in the mall next to my work are getting kind of sick of me going to their store and using the sample every day. And I do mean every day. But I don’t care. It smells that good.
Hubcaps
Is there a point to hubcaps? I mean besides looking cool? See, the problem is that I am, at heart, a girlie girl who was raised in a gated community by upper middle class parents but thinks she is a little bad ass because she has woofers and spinners on her car.
Well only two spinners, because I went to Kmart to buy a fan and someone stole the front two. But that is a different story and different post for a different day.
But now my car only has two spinners, which isn’t very bad ass at all. Where do I get new ones? And can I buy just two. And why would anyone steal just two hubcaps?
And again, what is the point of a hubcap. I should ask my pawn store friend. He would know.
Nose piercing
I think I want to pierce my nose for my birthday. Well not pierce it by myself, because I am not nearly brave enough to stick a needle in my flesh. Luckily, this is why I could never do Heroin. But I would like someone else to poke a needle in my flesh and give me a tiny stud.
Do you think i could rock a pierced nose?
Mark Your Calenders
Its offical, Seth and Ann, Mike J, Adam and I are having an old school birthday blowout out on October 28th at Seth and Ann’s. Costumes, music, and if the weather is nice a bonfire… Good times will be had by all. Start getting your costume ready now.
Kathy Grunditz
Speaking of birthdays, Kathy Grunditz is one of my very best friends. In the world. I love her almost more than I love anyone, and I am not even saying that in a “Jamie is fun and pretends she likes everyone” sort of way. I really do think she is fantastic, and I am so glad we have fought it out and laughed it out and talked it out and remained friends for so long. She is sassy and beautiful and strong and wise and fun and I completly love, respect, and trust her. And that is saying a lot. And yesterday was her birthday. So I thought I would give a shout out to her awesomeness. YAY KATHY!
Geof Morris
Its also my friend Geof’sbirthday today. I love that every year he gets older faster than I do. We dated. I am not sure he will love that I put that here, but he has access to my wordpress so I guess he can change it if he wants… but my point is, we dated, and it was terrible and messy for a while, and I really didn’t think we could be friends. I have trust issues. And it is hard for me to trust especially when I have been hurt. So I didn’t think we could be friends. He didn’t think we could be friends. But we are. He is one of the few men who really really knows me and kind of gets me. And he is fun and kind and smart and has amazing taste in music and I really really appreciate his friendship. And if you can’t say that on someones birthday when can you say that?
That’s all I got kids…
MMMP.
At what point do you become so brilliant and good at what you do that nothing else, including your fans, matters? I have been thinking that a lot today as I try to process the Ryan Adams concert from last night. I saw Ryan Adams play at the State Theater in Minneapolis.
To start with, let me say Ryan Adams really is brilliant. His music is amazing. His lyrics are beautiful. His voice is stirring and soothing all at the same time. I admit I was not at all disappointed with what he sounded like live, if anything, he was more amazing live than on cd. He really is that good.
Last night I fell in love with his music all over again. I wanted to wrap it around me and cocoon myself in it. I called my friend Scott, who had introduced me to Ryan Adams, during the show and said that Ryan Adams music made me want to make out. And truthfully, it did. His music is sensual and sexy and passionate and brought out passion in me.
With all that said, I am not sure I would pay to see him again. His music speaks for itself, I think it would be hard for anyone to say something awful about the music last night. Dear John was amazing. Two was amazing. Everything he did was amazing.
What wasn’t amazing was his attitude. He complained about the sound system. He never interacted with the crowd except to yell at people who were yelling and clapping. He said we sounded like Cavemen and he couldnt hear us anyways. Then he played one more song and walked off the stage after just a hour of playtime. I was crushed. I waited for him to return and the lights came on.
The concert was over just an hour after it began.
I didnt understand. I called my friend Scott to tell him about it and he said Ryan is somewhat known for his temperamental behavior. He has a hard time on tour. Today I checked out the Ryan Adams forum to see what others were saying. Basically everyone said the same thing. Music is great, concert was short, Ryan Adams does what he wants.
I guess the age old question would be why a musician creates music in the first place. I gather that Ryan Adams is one of those musicians who creates music because he has to, because its in his heart and soul and it eats away at him if he doesn’t. His music is for him, and we are lucky enough that he lets us in to listen at all. But at the same time, in researching today I have read and heard his reactions to negative reviews from his shows. He clearly is passionate about what he does. And he wants people to appreciate it.
So where is the line? How volatile can you be and still keep your fans? How can you except people to appreciate you when you clearly dont appreciate them?
I am not sure. Because while I do appreciate Ryan Adams music, and I fully admit everything he played last night was amazing, I am not sure I would pay to see another show. In theory, Ryan Adams makes thousands of dollars to play music. But I am girl on budget. I am all for a good show and a night out… but I do not have the money to spend on a show where the musician may or may not decide he feels like playing.
The thing is a good show takes two. It takes fans who are willing to spend money, give up time, deal with traffic and people, understand that the sound might not be perfect, and want to stay anyways. Because the music matters. It also takes a musician who is willing to put himself out there, even if everything is not perfect.
It takes two.
What kind of girl am I?
I am the kind of girl who spends all day yesterday totally stoked about seeing Ryan Adams, leaves work early, drives downtown, pays to park her car in the garage, and then walks by the marquee of the State Theater only to read “RYAN ADAMS. THURSDAY. 8:00″ What?! I called my roommate, who I was meeting, and left a message asking her to look at tickets.
Yeah, you read that right. Yesterday, Wednesday, I went to see the Thursday Ryan Adams show. I am retarded. That’s the kind of girl I am.
What kind of girl am I?
I am the kind of girl who, in realizing that the concert I so want to see is still a day away and I have already paid for parking downtown, decides with my roommate to stay and hit happy hours. Have I mentioned how much I love my roommate Krista, because I do. She is one of my favorites. So we stayed. We were both starving anyways. Surely someplace had to have a happy hour deal on appetizers. Sadly we missed all happy hours… well almost all of them
What kind of girl am I?
I am the kind of girl who then convinces her roommate to go to Hooters for buy 1 get 1 and half price appetizers. We had deep fried pickles and drinks. And we were the only girls who were fully clothed in the whole joint. And actually for the record, there are lots of friendly men at Hooters who seem to appreciate a well dressed woman. Or maybe they thought we were lesbians and they appreciate lesbians. Either way, men at Hooters= friendly men. Also on a side note… why in the world would you ever want to waitress at Hooters. I am the least feminist girl I know, and even I think it is kind of wrong wrong wrong.
What kind of girl am I?
I am the kind of girl who maybe got a little tispy at Hooters (I hadnt drank in a while.. .I am lightweight) and decided to wait for Shout Piano Bar to open because they had even better drink specials. And Wednesday is 80’s night. And I am the kind of girl who is always down for a little Guns and Roses and Billy Joel and Soft Cell.
What kind of girl am I?
Apparently I am the kind of girl the waitress at Shout hated. HATED. And maybe it was because we already went to the bar and got a beer before she got to our table, but we were not her favorite. She totally ignored us and didnt even get us a menu. When we asked for a menu she walked by and threw one down on the table and left without asking us if we needed anything. Later, we had to flag her down because I spilled some of my drink, and she said we were being messy and then threw down a stack of 100 napkins, took our menu, and walked away again without asking if we needed anything. She was so rude that I actually thought it was funny but Krista was getting feisty. Tipsy and feisty Krista is a sight to behold. In order to make peace, I went to the bar to get more drinks and order Chips and Salsa. Even the girls at the table next to us thought our waitress hated us.
What kind of girl am I?
The kind of a girl who loves her roommate Krista, had a great time with her and even got digits after a night of singing along at Shout. Oh yeah I got digits. Ironically, not from a man. And surprisingly not in a lesbian on an airplane kind of way (although I am the kind of girl who accidentally makes dates with women on airplanes). One of the girls who had been sitting next to us all night and commented on our waitress hating us came over and sat in the chair next to me. She leaned over and whispered that she and her friend were not trying to pick us up, they were married and engaged, but they thought Krista and I seemed super fun and amazing and wanted to know if we ever wanted to have a girls night out. Then she gave me her card. HA! take that mean waitress, I am the kind of girl men at gas stations want to date and women want to be BFF with. Justification!
So… the night didnt go the way I thought it would. There was no Ryan Adams concert (although there will be in seven hours. YAY! ) but I am the kind of girl who rolls with punches, and had an amazing night anyways.
That’s the kind of girl I am.
(But I am still retarded. Seriously. How can I have the day wrong)
P: How’s that piece coming along?
M:Typing it up now… can I use the word asshole? Its a quote from the owner.
P: LOL, write it how you see it. We’ll take it up with the editorial board ;).
Apparently posting about how I am amazing and want a job writing was all that was standing between me and a gig.
I got a second job.
Actually I got quite a few jobs, including a two month contract, WRITING!
Oh yes, I am getting PAID TO WRITE! I am writer again!
Just thought I would share the news!
I am stoked!
Happy Dance!
On Thursday, when we had a major thunderstorm and tornadoes, I left my car windows open two inches. Sadly, two inches is all it took. It rained and tornadoed in my car, and nothing has been the same since.
Now my car smells like ass. Like liquid ass. Seriously. If they tried to bottle it and made a perfume of my car smell it would be called Eau de Liquid Ass Parfum. It smells like death. It smells like death died and left its rotting death corpse in my car. It smells like clothes you forgot in the washer for three weeks until you go to do another load (What?! Am I the only one who has done this?). It smells worse than the time I left my wet swimsuit in my gym bag in the trunk of my car for a week and a half. It smells almost as bad as a man who hasn’t showered in eight weeks.
Everything is moist and damp and smelly. I have tried to vacuum it and Fabreeze it and spray perfume on it and I bought air fresheners… nothing helps. I may have to just give up and catch my car on fire for the good of all humanity. It smells that bad.
Anyone have any suggestions on how to get liquid ass smell out of my car?
I don’t cook.
It’s not that I don’t like to cook, or I can’t cook… I just don’t. My mom will tell you I am wrong because she and I have slightly different views of my childhood, but I am telling you we didn’t cook that much when I was growing up. In fact, my mother has been known to have a meal catered and then claim she spent all day in the kitchen. My mom is also known for her amazing no cooking required bake sale recipes.
Plus, I am single, and a busy busy girl. Its just easier to meet friends for happy hour and get something to go then stay at home and cook a meal for one. It is also easier to date for dinner, but I am so past that. More or less.
However, this weekend I totally went outside my box.
My roommate was amazed because I actually put groceries in the fridge and not just a leftover box from a restaurant. Granted, I only bought a weeks worth of Naked Juices, 10 soup at hands, and two cans of Fat Free Pringles… but it was a start.
As if that weren’t enough living on the edge, on Friday I went to a wine bar with Kathy and didn’t drink any wine. I drank soda pop! I know! Crazy talk!
But my weekend of out of the boxness didn’t stop there! Oh no.
On Saturday I went to Ikea with Krista to buy candles and only spent 40 dollars! I know that seems like a lot for candles, and truthfully I didn’t just get candles. But I totally refrained from buying most of the things I wanted. See! Progress! Plus, I can justify it because 40 Ikea dollars is like 100 dollars in a normal store, so its like I saved money. In fact, its almost like I earned 60.00 dollars… just not. But almost.
Then, on Saturday night I went to Twins vs. the Tigers game and wore Tennis Shoes! I know! How sporty spice am I?! I started in my real gym shoes but couldn’t bring myself to walk outside in jeans and white running shoes. So I changed to jeans and pink chucks. Krista came out of her room and said “Wow! This is the first time I have ever seen you in shoes with laces” I was proud.
(side note: Krista and I had the best roommate day ever on Saturday; a trip to Ikea, lunch at Adrienes, a neighborhood fall festival, the twins game, seeing Hawk Nelson play, and then a late late pizza, trivia, and Karaoke night at Park Tavern. , Plus the day included a few wardrobe changes, including the above mentioned sporty spice look. SO MUCH FUN. )
But Sunday…
Sunday was a big out of the box day. I woke up early and went to the grocery store. To find something to BAKE. I know! It was our first Small Group and I wanted to do something special for everyone. I found white cake, and then decided to make homemade icing! And then I went to the dollar store and found fun bling to decorate my cake.
Gosh I am amazing! Martha steward eat your heart out.
Krista was blown away that I actually knew how to turn on the oven, but I made a cake! A real one! That people could eat and everything!
I was so excited I text Katie to tell her. Before small group I was supposed to meet Adam so I could follow him to the place we were meeting our friends for a charity dinner. I made him come look at my cake.
When we pulled into the parking lot I got out of my car and then made Kathy come look at my cake as well. I was proud.
(another side note: Dinner was good. It is good to be around Kathy and Tim, Mike, Kim, and Adam. We have been friends for years, so its comfortable… and like being home. And also out of my box… I didnt totally stuff myself on the German Buffet. I think it is because I went to Weight Watchers and lost 4.6 pounds this week, which puts me at 30 pounds lighter since I started. Yay! It is so unfair that I am becoming even more hot and amazing. I mean really.)
After dinner I made Kim come look at my cake.
Adam let me follow him all the way to my small group, and I was so proud walking in with my masterpiece. All the members of my small group Ooohed and ahhhed. And then they ate it! The WHOLE THING! And they said IT WAS GOOD! I baked and it was good!
Yay!
Even Ben, who claims to not like dessert ate it, and the boys all had seconds!
How is that for out of my box?!
so… maybe it isnt the prettiest cake ever….
But Oh yeah! I made that.
an open letter
To Whom it may concern,
I am starting to think that maybe I should have listened to people when they said it wasn’t wise to major in Journalism. Perhaps I should have stuck to studying something more useful, like origami or Spanish. While I am confessing, I also think I shouldn’t have dated my Spanish TA, even if he was muy guapo and I did get an A, because now I am stuck with a journalism degree and muy mal Spanish skills. In the real world that translates to a job as a personal assistant and a tiny paycheck that hardly covers the cover to First Ave.
Journalism is in my blood, but I was never as good at the “who”, “what”, “where”, and “whens” as the “whys”. I wrote an editorial column for the local paper where I grew up. I wrote about what I thought about what was happening in my life, and in their lives, and in the town I grew up in. I remember when Starbucks first came to town I said it was a very good thing. I got letters for weeks telling me I had lost all my small town values. I also got free lattes at the Starbucks, so I figured it was worth it.
The truth is I am not a small town girl. I am big city girl. I love Minneapolis. I love the farmers market and free concerts on Nicollet Mall in the summer. I love Lake Calhoun on a fall day. I love happy hours at the Independent and at the Local. I love 80’s night at the Shout House and dollar red bulls and vodkas. I think the one eyed willie at Psycos Suzies is one of the best drinks in the city and Matt’s Bar has better Juicy Lucies and cheese curds then 5/8 ever will. Red Dragon’s wondrous punch is wondrous, Peptios has great queso, and Market Barbecue has great sandwiches and terrible waitresses.
I also love Minneapolis because it is a good place to meet friends and date. And I have met lots of people and dated more men than I should in the eight years I have lived here. I have found that Zelo’s is a sexy place for a date and Bryant Lake Bowl is a good place to have fun and get to know someone. Cosmos is a great place to meet the girls for drinks, provided the girls can afford drinks that can cost as much as a pair of shoes on clearance at DSW.
I am a city girl, and I am perfect for a position where I can write about how amazing the city (and I) am.
Personally, I am fun, energetic, and sassy. I am not afraid to be honest and a little snarky. I am also not afraid to try new places, and I have used up most my entertainment books coupons this year. There is so much to do in the city, and I want to experience it all. Professionally, I am efficient and thorough. I am a natural leader, and people want to follow me. (some say popular, I would say socially blessed) My years in journalism have given me a love for a deadline and fast paced environments. I love what I do, and I do it well.
Please pick me.
Sincerely,
Jamie L Radich
