Mullet nightmares

All of my friends and co-workers heard about my last trip to the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill (March 2009) that led to a very teary ride home. I had been given what I can only describe as a “modern mullet.” I was mortified and resorted to wearing my hair in tiny claw clips for the following three to four weeks.

The silver lining that resulted from that student’s butchery was my subsequent relatively rapid hair-growth. You see, she’d given me my first “bang” since high school, but it only took about a month for me to be able to tuck it behind my ear and out of my way. I do not like hair in my face - more specifically - I don't like it ON my face.

I must admit that while the hair grew out, to this day I remain bitter. I should’ve known something was suspect when she kept my back to the mirror the whole time. Beware if you find yourself undergoing a "blind" cut.

Since I’d been to the Institute on two previous occasions and had been pleased with the results, I decided to go back. After all, it’d be almost impossible to see the same student on consecutive visits unless you return to the salon in less than a month. Oh, and a shampoo, mini-facial, cut and dry for $15 with no tips allowed is worth the risk to me! (Note: I think the regular price is between $19-$22, but that’s still cheap. The $15 price was a special).

So, I returned to Chapel Hill yesterday to brave another cut at the hands of an Aveda student. I think I made the girl quite nervous because after the previous disaster experience, I felt it necessary to share my disappointment and to be very specific about what I wanted her to do. I felt guilty, but I’m glad I spoke my mind because she took it all in and was very careful about getting feedback from me before snipping. And she was sure to keep me facing the mirror!

My hair is shorter than it’s been in a long time, but I’m happy with it. Since I blow out my super naturally curly hair every time I wash it, shorter is better anyway – so long as it’s not TOO short. NC summers make it tough to keep short hair straight when it’s in it’s nature to crimp up into the kinkiest of curls. (Hence the hatred of bangs!)

I will definitely return to the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill for a regular hair cut. If I want to make a drastic change? No. Not unless I am able to request a very experienced student. But my hair isn’t all that tricky – there’s really no style to it at all – I just think I drew the short straw back in March.

So as not to frighten anyone away, the students really are carefully supervised. They are required to consult with their instructors before and after every service they perform.

With regard to my one negative experience I advise the following, no matter where you're going for a service unless you've got a regular stylist:

1. If you have a specific cut/style in mind, bring in photos/magazine clips if possible. In my opinion pics or clips of cuts that aren’t obviously professionally-styled would be best, unless you have a stylist to do your hair every day. I think requesting a hair cut to match someone’s red carpet look might end up as a letdown if you don’t know how to style it yourself.

2. Even if you feel silly, be VERY specific in describing what you want done.

3. Be sure to make your stylist aware of your hair’s “makeup.” Whether it’s fine, coarse, thick, naturally curly, processed, etc.

4. Do NOT make generalizations, like “give me layers.” There are many different types of layers – my last cut involved very WRONG ones for my hair type. I feel I must say that I didn’t make that generalization, I did specify what I wanted but I was ignored. Grrr.

Over the last 15 years or so, the length of my hair has ranged from almost to my waist to 1/2 inch off of my scalp. The latter was WAY too short, but long hair is too hard to straighten and when I have it I severely neglect trims and end up with loads of split ends. Long explanation short: if I had naturally straight hair I'd keep it long.

Like most people, I was genetically given the hair I don't want. So my curly-made-straight hair will likely be kept on the shorter side for a while and continue to be subject to the Russian roulette assignment of Aveda students.

New (old) favorites

As I believe I've reported before, until recently I've had no cd player (or ipod connectivity, etc) in my car since the fall of 2003. Therefore most of my cds have been collecting dust up until I installed my new stereo a few weeks ago. And yes, I was still listening to music during that time, just not as much and only from an ipod.

I hadn't listened to Lori Amey's Nothing to Say album in so long that I'd forgotten how much I adore it. Flawless guitar skills and the voice of an angel - that is Lori Amey.

Lori is a dear friend of one of my former co-workers from Michigan State University. She plays the guitar on all of the tracks on Nothing to Say and sings the songs solo - all of which she wrote herself.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lori before I left Michigan for good and she is a delightfully modest and gracious artist. I do hope she continues to put music out there.

Her site hasn't been updated in a few years (or so it appears), but you can still find out a little bit about her on loriamey.com. Her 2005 album This Little Illusion is available on iTunes.

My favorite tracks on Nothing to Say are "Heal" and "Nothing to Say."

Another old and new favorite is Barrett Smith's Solo Guitar. BEAUTIFUL guitar - no lyrics - just guitar and nothing else. I LOVE it. Barrett is a friend of an ex-boyfriend of mine. At least I got Barrett's cd out of that relationship! :)

Check out Barrett's site here where you can listen to samples if you're so inclined.

If you check either of them out let me know what you think!

Summer TV

As previously posted, I am ecstatic about the return of True Blood – the second season premiered Sunday June 14th. Ratings were through the roof - up something like over 150% from last year's premiere and more than 50% higher than the 1st season finale. Go Stephen Moyer, GO!

But I’m slightly curious about other shows and what you might think about them. Let me know if you have an opinion about any of those listed below.

Raising the Bar: 2nd Season. Created by Steven Bochco. Starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Saved by the Bell); Gloria Reuben (ER); J. August Richards (Angel). I think I watched maybe ½ of one or two of the 1st season episodes. At the time, I couldn’t get myself to commit to yet another show, as I didn’t have a DVR until around February 2009. This reason will likely be repeated several times below.

Saving Grace: 3rd Season. Created by Nancy Miller. Starring Oscar-winner Holly Hunter (The Piano); Leon Rippy (Deadwood); Laura San Giacomo (Pretty Woman). Viewed parts of several episodes, but never picked it up completely. Again, I couldn’t commit to yet another show, as I didn’t have a DVR until around February 2009.

Hawthorne: Written by John Masius. Starring Jada Pinkett Smith (actress of many roles and Will Smith’s lovely wife). Did not watch or record the premiere last night. Anyone watch it? If so, did you love it or hate it?

Wedding Day: Reality. Description on IMDB follows: Each week, this uplifting and emotional series selects a different deserving bride from across the country and, with the help of her family and friends, makes her wedding dreams come true. WEDDING DAY comes to TNT from Mark Burnett Productions and DreamWorks Television, with executive producers Mark Burnett, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey and Janelle Fiorito. Did not watch or record the premiere last night, although I caught a few minutes while trying to transition from reading my book to watching TV (turning mute off) and I found myself yelling, “Turn it off, turn it off unless you want to be reduced to a sobbing mess of a woman!” Anyone watch it? If so, did you love it or hate it?

If I'm missing out on something great, please let me know!

And P.S., as you surely noticed, I am a TNT JUNKIE.

Zoe's stylishly pliable coif

I have several older photos of Zoe that I labeled "The Heatmeiser," as her hair easily resembles the described "Mr. Sun" from The Year without a Santa Claus. I actually have a good friend who is nicknamed Heat, and he looks far more like the Heatmiser than Zoe, but her do comes in at a close second.

The photos below were snapped last weekend. Despite her bad biting rep, Zoe really can be quite tolerant. (Or maybe not - considering I was the stylist and I'm the only one Zoe would never nip at, with the exception of Jen!)



We haven't ever figured out the why behind it, but Jen can force Zoe to act out the Macarena without experiencing so much as a scratch in response. The only other person I know of whom she adores nearly as much is my dear friend Caroline's husband, David. In fact, Caroline and David are the only individuals I even consider leaving Zoe with if I have to be away for a night or more. Thanks Caro and David - we love you!

Who says messy hair isn't hot?!

Candy

I recently purchased Candy on DVD from Amazon, along with my eagerly anticipated copy of the How to Be soundtrack. Candy, starring Health Ledger and Abbie Cornish is based on the novel of the same name by Luke Davies - which I read. The book is quite a bit more graphic, but the film is pretty true to the plot.

The description on the back of the DVD is as follows:

Oscar nominee Health Ledger stars as Dan, a charming but reckless young poet who has fallen in love with Candy (Abbie Cornish), a beautiful young art student from a comfortable middle-class family who is attracted to the bohemian lifestyle that Dan has long since embraced. In order to get closer to Dan, Candy, whose previous drug use has been casually experimental, starts shooting up. Their passionate relationship then alternates between bursts of ecstatic oblivion and bouts of despair and self-destruction. Hooked as much on heroin as one another, their story becomes a love triangle – a boy, a girl, and a drug.

I watched the movie, in its entirety for the first time on youtube.com and became an immediate fan (hence the DVD purchase).

My favorite scene is probably the first one - the opening scene - when Candy and Dan are together in the "tilt-a-whirl-like-ride" and so obviously enamored with each other. Ahhh, young love!

There are comedic moments in the first half-hour or so, but for the most part the movie is quite depressing, albeit easy to get drawn into. Abbie Cornish does an amazing job – her portrayal of Candy is so convincing with all of the heartache, despair and false hope. Towards the end her character becomes almost completely mad, and I believe every word out of her mouth. I just love her in this film.

Candy is beautifully acted, deeply and emotionally charged and painfully heartbreaking. Heath Ledger and Abbie Cornish most certainly make an attractive couple on-screen, but their destructive life together makes it hard for the viewer to want their love to survive.

I'm sure the tragedy of the film - for me - seems all the more painful in light of Ledger's untimely death. I can't help but be sad that Dan, the Joker, Gabriel, Jimmy, Patrick, Ennis, Skip and Casanova all died with Ledger in January of 2008.

Of all his roles, Dan was a favorite. Heath was gifted at portraying a tortured soul.

Candy was released by TH!NKFilm on DVD in 2007.

Quote of the day

"You grow up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself."

-Ethel Barrymore

I can't help but make an extra comment on this quote. It is so true! I learned to laugh at myself long ago (I'm sure others have laughed at me, too, for not-so-flattering reasons), and by doing so I've been able to almost accept myself as I am. It's been a long process, but I am a happy girl. I make my friends laugh, as they do the same for me.

There is nothing in the world I want more than to have friends who make me laugh!

True Blood Returns Sunday

I CANNOT WAIT!

Season 1 kept me on the edge of my seat (thanks to Robert and Kerry as I don't personally have HBO) and I've anxiously awaited Season 2.

This show is nothing like Twilight, which is a good thing, but I must admit my shock at Anna Paquin winning a Golden Globe for her role as Sookie Stackhouse because she is likely my least favorite character.

I truly never bought her performance and felt that almost every other character out-acted her. Perhaps that's the wrong way to describe it because I actually felt that she over-acted and that's why I didn't like her. Her Louisiana accent was atrocious and most of her intense scenes played out like extreme bad acting. But I guess that's just me. I still love the show.

Maybe I should add here that I adore Stephen Moyer. I'd never seen him before The Starter Wife, but it didn't take long to love him! In a recent interview posted on Variety.com he said, "I get the Robert Pattinson leave-offs, the ones who get to a certain point and think he's a boy. There's the Pattinson gang and the Moyer gang."

Well Bill, this viewer thinks your a pretty hot vamp-MAN.

I'm hoping Lafayette isn't really dead and that Sam isn't really such a bastard - or should I say dog? Less than 72 hours to answers! I'm sure the premiere will be Vamp-tastic!

Zoe is on the pill again

The pill I'm referring to is Trimeprazine with Prednisolone. It seems Zoe is just as much a victim of allergies as I am.

While she hasn't had an episode for more than a year, she woke me up very early Wednesday morning by pawing at my face while she struggled for breath. I'm sure I would've been far more panicked had she not had the same reaction in previous years.

I suppose I should've suspected an oncoming problem as the symptoms of atopy/inhalant allergies in dogs include the following: excessive chewing, licking and scratching at the face, paws, abdomen, armpits and genital area. Over the last week or so I've constantly admonished Zoe for perpetual licking and biting - get a clue mom, right? I feel terrible.

My understanding employers allowed me to spend almost the entire day at home with Zoe, and I will be able to do the same today as Thursday is my usual telecommute day. Zoe is far more comfortable - especially when ill - if I am home with her.

Still, I must admit that I often wonder if she wishes for illness that requires meds in pill form because that means baby food for Zoe. Her mouth is too small for me to get a good angle at forcing a pill down her throat (I can do it to Bailey although I prefer not to), so the pills must be pulverized with a mortar and pestle and then mixed into baby food for Zoe's consumption.

Her "happy Zoe dance" prior to receiving baby food is priceless. If I had a capable video camera I would certainly record it, but instead I'll give it a brief description. Imagine a tiny terrier, dancing on only her back feet for 2 to 4 minutes straight with tiny hops interspersed between the steps. The front paws never touch the floor.

Music finds

I've often stumbled across music I adore via my favorite television shows. I was introduced to a true favorite, Greg Laswell, via Smallville; Alexi Murdoch (pictured right) via Dawson’s Creek; Kim Richey via Angel ("A place called home" is an all-time favorite); Emerson Hart via (as embarrassing as it is) The Hills; Ryan Adams via Alias; Katie Gray via Bones, and many more.

I sincerely appreciate the web sites out there that list the music for individual episodes of shows. I would assume the artists do, too. *wink*

Recent superb find was also via Bones. "Broken Bridge" by Daughter Darling – love it. Wow. I encourage everyone to look it up.

I also love Aqualung, featured in both Wicker Park and A Lot Like Love; Sia’s "Breathe Me" from the Six Feet Under series finale (that is a lifetime true favorite, without question – both the song and the episode); and Powderfinger has been a favorite of mine since my summer in Australia. Tracks from Powderfinger can be found in Two Hands, an awesome flick starring the late Heath Ledger. The band and the film are highly recommended.

If you’ve come across any absolute favorites via television or movies I’d love to hear about it!

What makes a Zoe? (Please vote)

I found Zoe online at a rescue shelter in Greensboro. The person who gave her up proclaimed the following two things:

1. She was the offspring of a Jack Russell Terrier and a Poodle
2. According to medical records, she was born in April of 2004

Therefore, Zoe is believed to be a 5-year-old Jack-a-poo.

I just don't quite trust the word of a dog abandoner, so the following is the skinny on Zoe.

She weighs 7.3 pounds, she has serious JRT spring and she's as smart as a whip - the best guard dog I could ever hope to have - even though I often begrudge her for her keen alertness.

By alertness, we're talking snap-judgment bark-o-rama at the slightest of door slams. While I'm ever so positive that Zoe will someday save me from a horrible fate brought on by robbery, I'd still rather she kept her yapping mouth shut most of the time.

The first two photos below are of Zoe. The 3rd photo is one I found online of a Yorkie poo (Yorkshire Terrier crossed with a Poodle), and the last photo is of a Jack-a-poo (Jack Russell Terrier crossed with a Poodle).

So what's your vote as to Zoe's origin? Yorkie poo; Jack a poo; or random scrappy yapping terrier? Please let us know by commenting. Thanks!

Titanic finally at rest

Apparently the last survivor of Titanic's maiden voyage died on May 31st. Millvina Dean died at age 97 at a nursing home near Southampton, England. History reports that she was about 2 months old when Titanic sank. Her brother and mother made it on to a lifeboat with her, but her father did not survive the catastrophe.

Dean had no memory of the incident at all, and she was only made aware of it around her 8th birthday. After she was apprised of the disaster, she said she never wanted to hear about it again - ever.

Should I have experienced the same, I truly believe I would agree.

I saw Titanic with one of my dearest friends just before Christmas in 1997. By the end of the movie I was uncontrollably blubbering - completely incomprehensible in my sobbing - to the point where I think I scared my friend, Mark.

He looked at me and said, "Tracey, it's just a movie, it's okay!"

I turned on him, incredulous, and screamed, "It's NOT just a movie! I don't care about that Jack and Rose scenario! Don't you know that all really happened?! So many people died unnecessarily! How could they do that to each other - to children?!"

We went to dinner at Squid's in Chapel Hill afterwards and I remember our waitress feeling quite uncomfortable with my inability to stop weeping. It was truly not something I could control, and in fact, every time I watch the movie (as I did Sunday night because it was on TV) I experience the same emotions.

The following lines break me every time:

Fifteen hundred people went into the sea when Titanic sank from under us. There were twenty boats floating nearby and only one came back. One. Six were saved from the water, myself included. Six... out of fifteen hundred. Afterward, the seven hundred people in the boats had nothing to do but wait. Wait to die, wait to live, wait for an absolution that would never come.

Overdue get together

Caroline and I met up with Kerry at the Burleigh house for dinner on Saturday night for a long overdue night together. Of course, per usual, I only have photos of the kiddies - they are so much fun to photograph.

Sydney and Felton were both a bit apprehensive to the arrival of a "familiar stranger" - meaning they both immediately assumed "babysitter" when they saw me coming, but Felton quickly warmed up (he can't resist my super-high pushes on the swing). Sydney remained cautious although I was happy she let me give her a kiss goodnight.

Felton did not want to smile for the camera, but I blackmailed him for the photo below. I told him I'd never push him on the swing again if he didn't say cheese and smile for me. That threat was met with a huge grin right away!





Caro, Kerry and I had a great time catching up. I love that we've all been friends for more than 25 years - I wouldn't want to imagine life without them. Oh, and I'm seriously looking forward to baby Mason #1 this summer! (Caro is due with a baby girl on July 31st).

On a random side note, I just read an e-mail from Kerry announcing that her sister had to put down her beloved Bernese Mountain dog, Deacon, last week. Adios sweet Deacon - you will be missed!

Fuzzpa in the house

My dad, better known as Fuzzpa to my niece Abby, arrived last night for a three day stay. He's attending some kind of dentistry seminar at UNC. I think this is the third year that he's stayed with me for this reason, and I hate to admit that there is a certain amount of dread that accompanies thoughts of spending more than 24 hours with him.

You see, we are VERY similar - I am very much my father's daughter - and I think our similar personalities often butt heads (HARD) and that creates a dangerous dynamic. Our arguments are never anything less than violently intense.

It hasn't been so bad in the last two years or so, but I always have that dread in the back of my mind.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my dad SO much, likely more than anybody else in my life because I know he loves me more than anyone else ever could.

He's always been my biggest fan, greatest source of support and the one person (other than Kerry) whom I have always been able to count on no matter what. For those reasons, I accept the occasional tiff, no matter how bad, and always eventually move on because he is my dad and he is fabulous.

My faucet-like eyes return with a vengeance

I'm sure my life would be far easier if I went to a doctor to be thoroughly tested for allergens, but who has time for that, right? Really I should, but I know I won't, and I curse myself every day as I wipe at the corners of my eyes, wearing the skin down to extreme discomfort - practically rendering it unbearable to the touch. Most days I'm left with red-rimmed orbs that make me look stoned, 10 years my senior or both.

As I've said before, I'm sure a big part of my problem revolves around a pet allergy, but there is no real resolution for that because I will never be without a dog. That is certain.

Claritin Redi-tabs help a bit, but there are still days that are RIDICULOUS, on which I could easily convince an outsider that I'd been boo-hooing ALL day as my eyes water to the point where they runneth over - FOR HOURS.

DAMN these allergies that only came about sometime around my 21st year. GRRR. Curses! I'm tired of them ruining my use of mascara!

Those commercials where the woman rips up her yard and coats EVERYTHING in her house in plastic are starting to look quite appealing to me.

Yes, as one could easily guess, this post is merely and angry rant as I'm tired of looking like a glassy-eyed zombie.

You're not a nobody. You're a somebody.

I broke down and ordered How to Be from TWC on demand Friday night and I’m so glad I did.

In response to the one negative reviewer on IMDB, I would have to say that I am indeed a fan of the Twilight books, but I wasn’t a fan of Twilight the movie until I watched the version with the commentary by Catherine Hardwicke, Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson. I guess what I mean is that I’m not in awe of the on-screen Edward Cullen so much as tickled by how funny Pattinson can be when he’s off camera and amongst friends.

Yes, there are Pattinson fans out there that will watch How to Be just to see him, but it’s not fair to lump us all in a “Twilight-fan-obsessed-frenzy” and say that’s the only reason someone would enjoy How to Be.

I can easily see why viewers of How to Be will laugh out loud. It’s a quirky, cute, endearing and yes, funny film. Art is a painfully depressed misfit with whom many individuals can surely identify.

Young adults between the ages of 19 and 24 are often in the most volatile stages of their lives - especially when it comes to career choices. I should know, I feel like I still haven't made a real career choice even though I've got two degrees and I'm way past 24-years-old.

I included a photo of the poster above because my job/life also makes me feel like throwing my head down a hole quite often.

Art's self pep-talk before the ending scene is PRICELESS, especially his little fist-bump to the mirror. There are a LOT of kids out there who could benefit from seeing something like that. You're not a nobody. You're a somebody.
A little self-esteem goes a long way!

There are far more people out there like Art than Edward (from Twilight) and I'm fairly certain I'd prefer the former to the latter.

Two of my other favorite indie films are Irréversible and Loggerheads. Indies are great - I often enjoy them far more than any studio blockbuster. How to Be is a new indie favorite for me.