30 Days of Me: Day 30

Day 30- Your favorite song:

It’s impossible to pick one, currently I have a few…

"Swim" – Jack’s Mannequin

You've gotta swim 

Swim for your life
Swim for the music
That saves you
When you're not so sure you'll survive
You gotta swim
And swim when it hurts
The whole world is watching
You haven't come this far
To fall off the earth
The currents will pull you
Away from your love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
A crack in the armor
I swim to brighter days
Despite the absence of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I swim

You gotta swim
Through nights that won't end
Swim for your families
Your lovers your sisters
And brothers and friends
Yeah you've gotta swim
Through wars without cause
Swim for the lost politicians
Who don't see their greed as a flaw

The currents will pull us
Away from our love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking me open now
I swim for brighter days
Despite the absence of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
Well I'm not giving in
I swim

You gotta swim
Swim in the dark
There's no shame in drifting
Feel the tide shifting and wait for the spark
Yeah you've gotta swim
Don't let yourself sink
Just find the horizon
I promise you it's not as far as you think
The currents will drag us away from our love
Just keep your head above
Just keep your head above
Swim
Just keep your head above
Swim, swim
Just keep your head above
Swim

"Littlething" – Jimmy Eat World

It's how I've often felt

When I find myself on nights like these,

Like Christmas Eve

From the empty office window

To the street outside

It's everything not to call

And find out why

On the cab ride you said nothing

Just hair all in your face

I was scared to name it

And nothing changed

So, I walked until I just couldn't

Too late I understood

It was always half invented

But the other half was good

Just a little thing

Buried in the other things

Burning away, from inside

Could you be with me tonight?

There's a quiet dream

I'm not supposed to think

I know I shouldn't

Eating away at my mind

Could you be with me tonight?



"Electable (Give It Up)" - Jimmy Eat World

I came up like everyone, they taught us all the same

I said what they told me to say, and then from that they grade.
Give up repeating the facts, fact could be arranged
Here I am, I'll take my chance
Now play the record straight.

Now give it up!
Oh oh oh...
Give it up!
Oh oh oh...

Talking points from talking heads with automated smiles
There's no higher ground to stand than bottom of the pile.
Give up acting unaware, you can't ignore the crime
The enemy is you as well, the enemy is I

Give it up!
Oh oh oh...
Give it up!
Oh oh oh...
Give it up!
Oh oh oh...
Give it up!
Oh oh oh...

Not in my name, you don't speak for me
I am my voice, and I want to scream
You want my air, you want my life
I act as one, but I'm not alone.

Oh oh oh...
Give it up!
Oh oh oh...
Give it up!
Oh oh oh...
Give it up!
Oh oh oh...
Give it up!
Oh oh oh...
Give it up!
Oh oh oh...

 
 

Patty Cake!

I imagine this will be Cyrus & Remington in a few months...

30 Days of Me: Day 29

Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned:

I’ve learned that I can post an entry 30 days in a row, even if I had to get creative to figure it out. Other than that I haven’t learned much, it’s not like there were some hard hitting questions or anything.

 
 
 

30 Days of Me: Day 28

Day 28- A picture of you from last year and now, how have you changed since then?:

Last year:

This year:

I've grown ears & a tail and I hang out with really short people. Oh, and my hair is longer.

30 Days of Me: Day 27

Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge:

I’m doing this 30 day challenge out of a bit of boredom. I’m, also, hoping it’ll help me journal regularly again and to become a bit more creative on how I go about it.

30 Days of Me: Day 26

Day 26- What do you think about your friends:

I think my friends are awesome and I love them to death! The girls I keep close are loyal, honest, protective, funny, caring, fun, challenging, loving, and a whole bunch of other great qualities. They are beautiful women who have blessed me by letting me share in their lives. Each of them have their own great personalities and amazing qualities.

30 Days of Me: Day 25

Day 25 - What I would find in your bag:

Wallet
Lip gloss/lip stick (Avon 3 in 1)
Gum (Orbit Maui Melon flavor & Chicklets)
Ice Breakers (Peach tea flavor)
Keys
iPod
Camera
Fun CD case with 'Fun' & Jimmy Eat World 'Invented' CD inside
Camera card reader
Check book
3 different kids of lip balm (Blistex DCT, Avon Naturals Peach, Scentsy lip balm from my consultant)
2 pens
Kleenex
iTravel
Cell phone car charger
Dolphin pouch with hair bands & barrettes in it
Lotion (Johnson's 24hr moisture)
Day planner
Make-up bag with medicine, band aides & nail files in it

30 Days of Me: Day 24

Day 24 - A letter to your parents:  Hum, It would have to go something like this…

Dear Parents,

Thank you for getting drunk & having sex 33 years ago. I very much appreciate it.

Cheers,

Kerri

Honestly, that’s all I’ve got. Writing a letter to my parents would be pointless. They aren’t around to read it and I don’t see the point of putting something like that out there for them in cyberspace.

I wrote a letter to my mom before she died, that’s good enough for me; even if she never got to read it. It’s been 16 years and there’s no point in dredging everything up. Besides, I’ve come to terms with a lot of things since then. If she’s around somewhere where she can know what’s in my heart then there really is no reason to write a letter anyway.

Writing a letter to a man I never met or knew much about would be utterly pointless. I barely gave him thought throughout my life and there’s no reason to give even a moment to someone who’s never meant anything to me, especially if it’s just so I could properly respond to today’s entry request.

30 Days of Me: Day 23

Tue day 23- Something you crave for a lot:

Ice cream

Steak

Tortilla soup from Los Olivos

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

30 Days of Me: Day 22

Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else:

The first and only thing that comes to mind is….

EVERYTHING!

Wow, today’s questions was rather simple. Really, how the hell do you answer something like this?

30 Days of Me: Day 21

Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy:

Parker:

 

 

Cyrus:

 

Remington:

30 Days of Me: Day 20

Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future:


Call me crazy but I sort of see myself being with him in the future.

He drives me crazy most of the time but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even if that means there will be no less than 5 fishing polls & 2 tackle boxes lying around at all times.



Why Can’t I Be You?

1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.


1. IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
Anytime - Journey

2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Have I told You Lately – Van Morrison

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GIRL/GUY?
When You Love A Woman - Journey

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL?
Star Me Kitten – R.E.M.

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
We’re Young And Beautiful – Carrie Underwood

6. WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Belief – John Mayer

7. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More – The Allman Brothers Band

8. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Who Wouldn’t Want To Be Me – Keith Urban

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Cop Stop – Gavin Degraw

10. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
We Live For Love – Pat Benatar

11. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Run Baby Run – Sheryl Crow

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
When The Smoke Is Going Down - Scorpions

13. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
21 And Invincible – Something Corporate

14. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Rockstar – Jimmy Eat World

15. WHAT IS YOUR PASSION IN LIFE?
Missundaztood – Pink

16. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Some Kind Of Miracle – Kelly Clarkson

17. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Love Song For No One – John Mayer

18. WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Back In Time – Huey Lewis & the News

19. WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS NOTE?
Why Can’t I Be You? – The Cure

30 Days of Me: Day 19

Day 19- Nicknames you have and why you have them:

Ker – You know because Kerri is such a long name to have to say fully all the time.

KerBear - Not really sure how it came about exactly but part of my family calls me it & so does Will’s family. It seems to be a common nickname.

Sis – My sisters call me Sis from time to time…just like I call them it. The reason is obvious…it’s a sister and/or sibling thing.

Kerri Lee – It’s my name and some friends and Karie’s family call me it to differentiate between the two of us.

30 Days of Me: Day 18

Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have:

Plans…dirty, dirty word. Next!

Dreams…to be a trophy wife so I can spend my day lunching, shopping & gossiping with the equally rich & unemployed.

Goals…to get over plans being a dirty word and to find a dream worth writing about so I can put the off the cuff trophy wife answer to bed for good.


Most of the time I find I’d like to get married, have a baby or two, and be a harried stay at home mom who dreams of writing the next great American romance novel. Shhhh!, but don’t tell anyone… it’d kill my street cred.

30 Days of Me: Day 17

Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why:

I hate questions like this. I don’t sit around thinking about things like this. I have no idea who’d I’d want to switch lives with for a day, so I have no answer. It’s a bit lame but it’s all I’ve got right now.

30 Days of Me: Day 16

Day 16- Another picture of yourself

30 Days of Me: Day 15

Day 15- Put you iPod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play:

1. Crutch – Matchbox Twenty

2. Little House – The Fray

3. Miss California – Jack’s Mannequin

4. Full Force Gale – Van Morrison00

5. Nothingwrong – Jimmy Eat World

6. Shine – Keith Urban

7. D.W. Washburn – The Monkees

8. Car Crash – Matt Nathanson

9. The Dynamo of Volition – Jason Mraz

10. Staple It Together – Jack Johnson

30 Days of Me: Day 14

Day 14- A picture of you and your family:

My "real" family-

My "adopted" family-

30 Days of Me: Day 13

Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently:

I have no one to write to. If someone has hurt me and I felt the need to write them I’ve written them already and it’s not something I’m willing to share publicly. Sharing something like that so openly doesn’t seem right.

Unless you’re going to write to someone anonymously and can’t send a letter for whatever reason this may be a good outlet for any pain you have but I still don’t think doing it so publicly would be of any greater value to making you feel any better than if you did so privately.  <---That is the biggest run on sentence ever but I’m too lazy to fix it.

30 Days of Me: Day 12

Day 12- How you found out about blogger and why you have one:

You know, I don’t remember how I found out about Blogger but I’ve had my account since 2007. The posts didn’t start until 2009, if I posted before that I’ve erased them & don’t remember any of it. The main reason for the break is because of certain circumstances and/or people I wasn’t able to have a public blog anymore. In 2009 I joined Gavin Degraw’s web team & wanted another place to post for the team.

Now I use it for posts I think are “public appropriate”. I’m tired of “hiding” because of certain reasons and/or people and I think it’s been long enough to start sharing some of my life publicly. Blogger is anonymous enough that it’s too hard to find a blog without the address. I’m not on the public search engines and I only have a link to it on my Facebook. I guess it could get out to certain people but I don’t see that happening and if it did that’s something I’ll deal with if and when it happens or becomes a problem again.

I still have my private LJ that I use for the more private in detail posts. It’s mostly just for me & a few close friends if they so chose to read. Any blog I post is for me but I do keep in mind that blogger is public content and censor myself accordingly.

30 Days of Me: Day 11

Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends:

I find it rather ridiculous that I have to do this again after only 8 days. Put it down towards the end of the list if you’re going to have us do it twice. 

I don’t go around with my camera attached to my hand taking photos so it’s been a bit hard to do these types of entries. So I need to start taking more photos. Not because of stupid blog things like this but because I would actually like to have more photos of the people I love.

Jessica, me & Karie

                                                             

Karie & I

Me & Jessica

Me, Crystal & Chelsey

Not the best photo but its the only one I got

Chelsey & I

None of our photos together ever turn out.  One of us is always blurry.

Me, Olivia & Crystal (and baby Claire)

me, Shane & Sommer

Family can be friends too...

(My sisters) Sherri, Georgie & Me

There's no recent photos of all 4 of us sisters

Me, Nick (newphew) & Beth (niece)

We all grew up together so we're more like siblings. 

Also, today is Veteran's Day.  Happy Veteran's Day to all those who have served our country! Thank you and God Bless! 

Here's a photo of my favorite veteran.  My nephew Nick served in the Army for 5 years.

30 Days of Me: Day 10

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad:

I don’t have songs so much as certain albums or artists but maybe I can think of a song or two as well…

Happy-
Artists:Jason Mraz; Tristan Prettyman;
Songs: The Authority Song, A Praise Chorus– Jimmy Eat World; Return to Pooh Corner – Kenny Loggins



Sad-
Artists: Death Cab for Cutie; Jack’s Mannequin; Toad the Wet Sprocket
Songs:





Bored-
Artists: Gavin Degraw; Matchbox Twenty
Songs: Mayhem is Beautiful – Bushwalla & Dawn Mitschele; Beautiful – G. Love & Tristan Prettyman




Hyped-
Artists: The Format; Fun.; Ringside
Songs: Did You Get My Message, Dynamo Of Volition, Mudhouse (Gypsy MC) – Jason Mraz



Mad-
Artists: Something Corporate; Puddle of Mudd
Songs: Robot Factory, Nothingwrong, Get It Faster – Jimmy Eat World; Rockin’ the Suburbs – Ben Fold’s (though this song could go for any category)

30 Days of Me: Day 9

Day 9- Something you’re proud of in the past few days:

Something I’m proud of in the past few days… um, I haven’t killed Remington. I’m half joking, which means I’m half not. He’s really, really been testing my patience… actually, everyone’s patience, for that matter. I swear the reason God made kitten’s sooo dang cute is to counterbalance their insane demon craziness.

Remington literally went on a 12 hour bender the other night and did not relent at all on giving anyone a break. After waking me up by trying to cave my head in with the alarm clock I gave up on sleep and took him out of the bedroom so he did not wake Will up as well. We spent the next 3 hours on the couch while he tried to eat any part of my body that was not covered. Nothing would deter him from his task. If he wasn’t chewing on me he was gnawing on Parker and/or Cyrus. When I couldn’t stay up any longer & I went back to bed he terrorized Parker & Cyrus some more. When that became too boring he’d decide to chase his tail (which he rarely catches) behind the bathroom door (in the tiny wedge the open door makes between the door & wall). I think he likes it because he cannot possibly make any more noise anywhere else in the apartment. How he doesn’t knock himself out by banging his head on the wall & door every turn is beyond me. After I woke up the next morning he was still going strong. I ended up locking him up in the bedroom for a while so I could get what I needed done without him terrorizing me & hindering what it was I was trying to do.

I love him to death and he’s the cutest thing ever but sometimes enough is enough. Luckily, after sleeping all day he was in a much better mood by the time I got back from the day. He was so tuckered out he slept the whole time I watched TV & didn’t really bother anyone the rest of the night.

30 Days of Me: Day 8

Day 8- Short term goals for this month and why:

I’m not really into goals…short term or long term. That sounds bad but it’s sort of true. If anything I have more ideas than goals, if that makes sense. It’s not that I don’t make plans or “goals” for myself but tacking on the term goal just doesn’t work for me. I don’t know how to explain why so much. I still accomplish things but without the term goal being attached to it there’s less pressure, I guess, and less disappointment should I not complete what I had in mind or complete it in time. It may be more of a head game I play with myself but it’s one that works for me.

If I had to have a goal or goals, it’s to finish this 30 Days of Me “challenge” this month and to get Christmas shopping started. The why of it all really is just because I want to.

I’ve wanted to start writing daily and this is a great challenge to get that accomplished. I found the idea at a perfect time since it was the end of a month. Writing, even if it’s nonsense about nothing, helps ungarble the chaos that’s in my brain. I think it helps quiet my mind so I can close my eyes and sleep at night.

As for Christmas shopping, who doesn’t want to start Christmas shopping early. Not that starting in November is early to some people but it’s early for me.

30 Days of Me: Day 7

Day 7- A picture of someone/something that has/had the biggest impact on you:

Again due to the missing photo thing I can’t retrieve the photo I need. If I could it’d be one of my grandparents, Nana & Pop. Obviously I can’t find a photo that almost looks like the one I have so this is a photo entry without the photo.

----------
ETA:
11-09-10

Ha! Found my converter drive so here's the photo I wanted...

Catherine, Pop, Nana & me

30 Days of Me: Day 6

Day 6- Favorite super hero and why-

I’ve always loved Wolverine.

I started reading X-Men comics back in high school & just instantly loved him. Wolverine was always so mysterious & grumpy.  What’s not to love about those two qualities?!  Plus, his character was both strong & vulnerable., it was sort of an odd mix but it totally worked. 

I was really scared when they did the movies but they picked a perfect Wolverine. You can’t really go wrong with Hugh Jackman.

30 Days of Me: Day 5

Day 5- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to:

I’ve currently misplaced my camera card reader thing so I don’t have the pictures I want. It’s really frustrating!

I took this great photo during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery back in October 1999. I spent an unbelievable amount of time trying to get a non-sucky photo of a photo. I actually pulled it off too and I can’t show the fruit of all that hard work. Did I mention it’s frustrating?

Anyway it looked something like this….

Only, in my opinion, mine is way better! Plus, I had a panoramic camera back then so it was longer. Bigger, longer & BETTER!

Just saying.

---------
ETA:
11-9-10

Okay, here are my photos...

---------------------

Prayer to St. Peter video Edwin McCain:




"Prayer To St. Peter"

Let them in, Peter

For they are very tired

Give them couches where the angels sleep

And light those fires

Let them wake whole again

To brand new dawns

Fired by the sun

Not war-times bloody guns

May their peace be deep

Remember where the broken bodies lie

God knows how young they were

To have to die

You know God knows how young they were

To have to die

Give them things they like

Let them make some noise

Give dance hall bands not golden harps

To these our boys

Let them love Peter

For they've had no time

They should have bird songs and trees

And hills to climb

The taste of summer

And a ripened pear

And girls as sweet as meadow wind

And flowing hair

And tell them how they are missed

But say not to fear

It's gonna be all right

With us down here

Let them in, Peter

For they are very tired

Give them couches where the angels sleep

And light those fires

Let them wake whole again

To brand new dawns

Fired by the sun

Not war-times bloody guns

May their peace be deep

Remember where the broken bodies lie

God knows how young they were

To have to die

You know God knows how young they were

To have to die

And tell them how they are missed

But say not to fear

It's gonna be all right

With us down here

It's gonna be all right

With us down here

Invented

First, this song is incredible! So listen & read the lyrics. Not a demand just a request because it's really good.

Second, I blather on about the JEW concert farther down. I'm getting giddy just thinking about that night!

Invented-Jimmy Eat World



When I first came to see you I called it Houston street

Could we meet? Show me all the things you see?

I'm one more here

Some old-timer pioneer

Who believes with shaken faith

I still have some cool

I could leave you here with your 'people'

If I'm a flag you'd not prefer to wave

You're always in my head

You're just what I wanted

I live in constant debt

To feel you, invented

When I first came to LA I met you the old fashioned way

Too drunk

Even worse, much too lonely

I'll leave it there

A busted homesteader

Who believes in virgin grace

Somehow I'll stay proud

Any dick can roll up in a suit

But only I would know what really moves you

You're always in my head

You're just what I wanted

I live in constant debt

To feel you, invented

There's a cinematic end

I picture it just right

Having trouble with the right words

But you tell me with your eyes:

There's something good I miss

Something I can’t find

Do you believe me now?

Can you see it in my eyes?

You're always in my head

You're just what I wanted

I live in constant debt

To feel you, invented

Just needed to note that that Jimmy Eat World concert was fantastic!! Totally worth the 10 year wait but at the same time I’m even more totally bummed I missed all the concerts I did. I know I saw them way back when they were still a garage band & then when they were just signed with Capitol Records but it’s just not the same. The experience they’ve built in the last 16 years or so is incredible. So is the music & song list they have now. Plus, the energy of a “small” show like that you get at the Marquee Theater is a bit different from what you get from a house “show” or watching a practice in a garage.

Will agreed to go with me this time since he could “stand” some Jimmy Eat World songs and I’m glad to say that JEW did exactly as I knew they would and blew Will’s mind. I think he’s a bit in love now too. Not in the same fanGIRL! way I am but he’s a fan non-the-less.

Since it was on Oct. 30th they asked people to come dressed in their best Halloween attire & they would hold a costume contest. I was amazed at the amount of people who actually dressed up. I couldn’t imagine standing for hours on end in a Halloween costume when you are literally sardined in with hundreds of other people, sweating & jumping around. Apparently, it works for some people though. The band came out decked out. Everyone had on masks but Tom, who had zombie face paint. Rick kept his awesome light up Grim Reaper mask/hood on the whole concert (safe for about a 5-10 minute break on their jam session during Goodbye Sky Harbor). How he kept it on the whole time is beyond me but it was pretty damn impressive.

During the encore Jim threw out some guitar picks & one landed by where we were standing. No one really noticed at the time, including me, but the girl in front of us & Will did. Once Will told me we were all looking around for it and luckily Will saw it before the girl did. I felt a bit bad for being the ones to get it because she was like 14 and was looking pretty hard for it. I figure if she was meant to have it though she would have found it. Anyway, it’s an actual Jimmy Eat World printed pick & Jim Adkins signed the back side. Will was so proud he found it for me. It was an awesome find & I’m happy to add it to my autograph collection.

Speaking of 14 year olds, I swear we were surrounded by them! There was three in front of us right off to the side & they were giants! I barely came up to their shoulders & they were barely teens. They couldn’t drive because their mom was their with them, though she stood a bit behind them to give them space. She was for sure a fan and I’m guessing introduced the boys to JEW. How we got caught in the 14 year old giant pocket is beyond me but there wasn’t one person around us who did not tower over us or was legal to drink…or even drive. Just beyond them were what I’d consider peers and most of the diehard fans (at least those crazy enough to get smashed against the stage/barrier gates) were older as well.

I think for 2 days after my ears were ringing because it was so loud. It didn’t seem so bad when we where there, except for the first encore song when the sound was jacked, but we were standing in the line of the speakers. That’s my usual spot though & I’ve been to concerts that seemed way louder so I’m not sure what happened. Maybe my ears aged some since the Something Corporate concert a few months ago. I don’t know but I’m glad it’s since stopped and my hearing has returned & is normal. I would have been extremely sad & upset if Jimmy broke my ears! I mean, how would I properly hear the next concert of theirs I go to?!