Alway's Buzzin' Just Like Neon

Once in a while we are given the great pleasure in life to be completely transformed from the inside, out. Does it seem possible that something that begins with the simple movement of finger against string can be converted into a sound wave that can hit the ear, bypass the all too analytical brain and suddenly ignite the heart and awaken the soul? John's fusion of blue-y rifts and eloquent lyrics touch the spirit in more than one way. Suddenly it is possible to see right through his tattooed layers into a broken soul, that is waiting for love to gently reclaim territory. And at the same time it is as though he ascends his own trials and understands exactly the darkest emotions buried inside each of us. When he sang Heartbreak Warfare: "Drop his name, Push it in and twist the knife again, Watch my face, As I pretend to feel no pain" he might as well be channeling my own feelings of discomfort when certain people are surprisingly worked into a conversation. To John, the crowd is not faceless, and not simply a ca-ching! of $42.50 or more. Each of us in a journey, laced with the desire to love and be loved. John has for so long kept the dream alive for me that people truly have the capacity to create such tangible songs. John was in the flesh, no frills, flawlessly raw and intimate and as good as it gets. His appeal is not solely that he has a creative mind that works differently than any other artist, it is his utter relateabilty, knowledge and courage to say to a packed theater what many of us keep hidden and could not confide with our closest friends. Some may say that it is a strategically planned ambiance, but I prefer to think of it as just his style. When you think that John is so in touch with the troublesome emotions of the crowd, and they expect another heavy song, he lifts the crowd and remedies by playing something uplifting of his own, "Good Love is on the Way" or one that certainly got the people with blood shot eyes around me excited, "Who says I can’t get stoned?, Turn off the lights and the telephone, Me in my house alone, Who says I can’t get stoned?" Or he breaks into the vault of his predecessors, and sings out classics such as Raspberry Beret and Don't Stop Believin'. Often when a song is covered the original sensation is lost, and the crowd may not be as rapt in the music, but the way the John makes it his own is unreal and it is impossible not to instantly fall in love with the song all over again, like hearing it for the very first time. 

My Lovely Loyola Ladies

Whipty-Do! Loves Johnny

After moving the crowd for two hours with his musical wiles, it is expected that they would only crave more. When he appeared for the anticipated encore, holding just an acoustic guitar without the accompaniment of his band, my heart fluttered, recognizing the rarity that was about to happen. Then the slow harmony of "Your Body is a Wonderland" came through the speakers and I realized just how rare the moment was. See, John has said that he does not play that song because he feels as though he was young and ill-guided when writing it, and somehow thinks that it doesn't deserve airtime. IT DOES JOHN, IT DOES! The end of that song slowly melted into my all-time favorite, Neon. I don't know why it is my choice, maybe it is because it is what I would like to be sung about me and I like the imagery, "She comes and she goes, like no one knows, She's always buzzin' just like Neon". The first three second, distinguished guitar rift sent chills up my spine and caused me to involuntarily scream. The recording has much of my voice in it (hence why I didn't put it up) because I couldn't help but sing along, but then again you can't blame me because John even said that the experience must come along with the person beside you singing off-key because they needed to, and that person was me. 

Although I enjoyed his witty commentary on the improvements Body 2.0 would have; the real highlight was the more sophisticated, multifaceted use of his guitar. He played it on the ground and behind his head. Nonchalantly, of course. 

Who does that? He was so cool, they need a new word for cool. 

I'm going to take MY talents to Cleveland!

From a short dinner with four average Clevelander's, not even huge Cav's fans, it is very clear who the most hated man in the city is. Nevertheless, the city is quite welcoming to those who do not have "Loyalty" tattooed across their body (ironic right? Jeff gets the brownie points for pointing that one out).

The first night I experienced a true, classic Chagrin date with Abby. We went to the famous Popcorn Shoppe, had dinner at Yours Truly, and walked around the triangle that is so much like Stars Hallow I was a bit freaked! Woah, I might have actually seen Lorelei and Rory walking down the street!

Day Two! ABBY JEFFREY AND ERIN'S DAY OF FUN! We went out on Lake Erie, and even though it was a bit choppy I handled it with a lot of dignity and class. (That's a lie, I screamed. Very Shrilly.)

Obviously, we are great at taking a picture.

Well, the moment that I walked into Star Pop was the beginning of the rest of my life. I don't think I was alive (or at least did not know what frickin' awesome meant until that moment!) The whimsical and hectic blend of eclectic memorabilia and classic Disney toys was enough to keep us five-year-old at hearts occupied for days!

After we pried ourselves from Star Pop, but not before I was hooked up with a Super Soaker keychain, Carebear's Funshine Bear Mug and Support Cedric Diggory shirt, we ventured to Melt, a recently famous grilled cheese dive. I really wanted to prove the capacity of my stomach just like on Man vs. Food and finally be considered a bona fide champion and eat the 14 types of cheese grilled dish. After hearing most people end up puking before they finished, I accepted the fact that the sandwich would probably have owned me, and I didn't want to have to live with that. 

P.S. In anticipation for meeting my musical love, Johnny Mayer, I wanted to share his take on the whole LeBron "Decision" Fiasco. Yet another reason that I love him, he is so dedicated to me, as a fan and otherwise ;) 

Crucial Knowledge

There are some facts in life that you need to know off the top of your head. No, I'm not talking about China's GDP, the current President of Spain, or even next year's starters for a certain Florida NBA team. What I am talking about is more vital than that, and has currently become the mini obsession at Whipty-Do!

1. Adam Brody 2. Jake Gyllenhaal 3. Matt Damon 4. Prince William of Wales 5. David Beckham 6. George Clooney 7. Patrick Dempsey 8. Richard Gere 9. Chris Noth 10. Jude Law

What started out as innocent fun during a slow hour with Abby Brown, turned into a heated discussion about our Top Ten. (or as Abby more delicately says, "Guys whose bones I want to jump"). Believe me, this list was not easy. There were preliminary candidates, semi-finalist and our final list comprises only who we see as "la crème de la crème". It might seem trivial to some, but the day will come when I am strolling around London and run into Prince William and Jude Law simultaneously. Now I know for sure who I must pick. 

P.S. Another minor obsession is Fondant cake icing. Abby and I made a cake of our own after being inspired by one at Ally's graduation party, and then one for Natalie's family Pondfest. Here is our creation: Groovy right?

The Evergreen State

Going to Washington should have made me think about the unsettling mountains, the fearful plane ride or the fact that I was finally reunited with the most western member of my lovely wolf-pack! But in my grand tour of Spokane in all of its glory; I was thinking about an odd moment that I thought for sure I would never go back to. Junior Year English Exam. The assignment was fairly simple, just an analysis of a short story. The story was The Kugelmass Episode by Woody Allen. A brief recount is basically a man who finds himself trapped in the story of Madame Bovary, himself in an affair with Emma (preferably before Rodolphe). At the time I first read this, I thought nothing of it, and simply handed in my exam and hoped for the best. Fingers crossed.

But as I walked around Spokane I noticed the small allusions to literature all around. First the store, Boo Radley's and then the coffee shop, Atticus.

Those two were straightforward enough, and probably purposely placed. But the real surprise was the carousel that was made for the 1974 World Fair. As Sarah talked about the irony that Nixon opened the Fair at the beginning of the summer and Ford closed it, I just saw the similarities between the carousel and the ending scene of "Catcher in the Rye". In front of me was a whimsical game that the children at the Spokane Summer Camp eagerly lined up for. The goal was the same as the classic story, to be the one who reached and caught the golden ring. 

The feeling that I was placed in the shoes of Caulfield's younger sister Phoebe made me think of the Kugelmass story, and I suddenly seemed intertwined with a classic as well. Of course, this had certain implications about my sanity. Sarah was always the one to be the advocate for Madame Bovary, but I seem to disagree. I sometimes find at times like these, imagining life with an ending fit for a great novel. Impulse, Adventure, Passion and Trepidation OH MY! Many people, myself and Emma Bovary included, are often the Kugelmass' type, they want the excitement with minimal effort, no reaching of their own. While spinning in circles (around the carousel or otherwise) think about if we took a page out of Mr. Salinger's book instead. Reach for the golden ring in life, even if it is dangerous. Believe me, I thought for sure a few children were going to fall they were trying so hard, (though that bloodbath would not have been fun to clean!) Phoebe Caulfield must have had it right, she shares the name of a Friend's character, after all.

P.S. Washington is the Evergreen State I was informed. This is because even though they produce more potatoes than Idaho, they felt obliged to give them something. They have nothing else.