Don't stop the dancing...

I couldn't resist...Check this OUT!

Dear Tegan & Sara,

Up until three weeks ago, I lived super close to Vancouver, B.C. Now I'm 3,000 miles away and that's when you decide to do a show with Broken Social Scene in Vancouver. Which happens to be today, meaning this is an unhappy day for me. I already plan on spending it with "One Second" on repeat - in my car, my house, my iPod.

I've been checking tour dates for over the past four years and you never come to Toronto when I'm available. Yes, yes. You came October 8, 2007 and for some reason I missed it. Why? I'm not sure but I'm just going to blame the douche bag ex-boyfriend for the fun of it. That should not mean that I should be punished for the rest of my life. When this new album that you're creating with Chris Walla is released, please make it a point to come to whatever city I may be living in or near, whether it is Seattle, NYC, Buffalo or Toronto. I promise it will be worth it, since I'll be there. I'm one of your most faithful fans. Well, one of your favorite fans that has no interest in you sexually. Sorry (I don't like your haircuts). If it makes you feel better, your appearance on Season 3 of "The L Word" was the best episode ever.

XoXo,
Amanda

P.S. In addition to visiting a city near me, please send me an autographed copy of the album, on vinyl. Message me for the address of where to send it.

It's a silly time to learn to swim when you start to drown...

After three weeks of being back in upstate New York, I finally have a gym membership! The best part is, it's only $20 a month for six months! Incredibly cheap for this area. I'm super excited to get back into working out after a few weeks of sitting around. I think that's one of the factors resulting in my intense moodiness. They don't have a lot of classes though which sucks but oh well. Maybe I can find some cheap yoga classes in the area or just force K. to do yoga DVDs with me.

Now that I have a membership, I can start making new work-out playlists! I typically listen to hardcore while exercising (underOATH, From Autumn to Ashes, Every Time I Die, Drop Dead Gorgeous) but lately it's been more electro (The Bloody Beetroots, MSTRKRFT, Boys Noize, Uffie, Blank & Jones). Sometimes there's even my typical indie choices in there (Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, The Pierces) What do you recommend?

I just read "This is Not Chick Lit" which is a collection of short stories, edited by Elizabeth Merrick. I absolutely loved it and would recommend it. Some of the stories are heartbreaking, others comical and heart warming, while there are those that are just disturbing in a way that really makes you think about different situations you may have never considered before. It is not a cheap shot at "chick lit" as many have come to see it, including the editor of "This is Chick Lit" but rather an opportunity to give the spotlight to eighteen female modern literary talents. I think my favorite story was Cristina Henríquez's "Gabriella My Heart" about a young man coming to terms with his homosexuality.

Guilty Pleasure Confession

Today as I was watching Queen videos on YouTube, I had to stop and wonder if this could be considered a "guilty pleasure." Then again...who doesn't love Queen? Their songs make an excellent soundtrack to every aspect of my life. 

For example, the other day I was re-organizing my room (my parents are THRILLED to have me back in their house at the 

tender age of twenty three!) and I thought I had thrown away/burned everything from my life with him. I shuffled through some papers I had left on my desk only to find a note that reads "Amanda, I LOVE you! Love, J." Next, I found a card with a long inscription saying he loved me, so on and so forth. I opened up the top drawer of my dresser to put some socks aways and found some of his socks and a pair of blue and green plaid Calvin Klein boxers. Fuc

k. Seriously? I ended up sitting on the floor of my bedroom listening to Queen's "Save Me" on repeat and

 contemplating downing the shooter of Jack Daniel's that was sitting beside me and then running to the liquor store to aquire some more. So, back to my point, Queen's "Save Me" was the perfect song for the moment. Did I mention he was wearing a Queen shirt when I met him? Bastard. Of course I was going to fal

l head over heels in love with the asshole. The crazy part is I have no feelings left for him, whatsoever. I couldn't be happier to have him out of my life. It's the Queen that makes me so morose about it. I swear!

Moving on. When I'm down and needing a little pick me up to remind myself about how AWESOME I am..."Don't Stop Me Now" is perfect! "I'm a shooting star leaping through the skiesssss." You know, when you're getting ready to go out and you're running around in your underwear and thigh high socks from American Apparel...this is the song to listen to. Example of me in my AA socks is to your left. 

I have to admit, "Under Pressure" is probably the best. song. ever. written. Ever. Queen AND David Bowie? Omigod. Orgasmic. I could listen to that song on repeat, probably for the rest of my life. Honestly. 

Now...this Paul Rogers BS? No thank you! Queen IS Freddie Mercury. You're not honoring his memory by replacing him with Paul Rogers, of all people. AND releasing new material? I never listen to the radio but about a year and a half ago, I didn't have my iPod or a good CD in the car so I was forced to. I almost swerved off the road when I heard "and here's a new one from Queen, with Paul Rogers!" 

So now that you know about my obsession with the best band of all time...let's never speak of this again.