Put your money where my mouth is

Hey there, my loving and loyal audience!

Remember when we debated whether I should go back to NPR? And you were all for it?

Remember how this brilliant artist, who should know a thing or two about culture, started getting all insistent that I get myself on the radio, or find myself a public forum in which to tell my stories? He wants me to be the next Spalding Gray, the witty, frantic voice of my generation, but without the personal neuroses, depression and suicide.

Remember that an impartial measure determined that I have a good voice for tv and radio? Because I do!

Well dig this, baby -- the time has come to put it all to the test.

The Public Radio Talent Quest!

Check out my profile, and give me suggestions on how to improve it. Then pass the link around and spread the word, and when the time comes, Vote Early and Often! When I'm all Public Radio famous, I won't forget who helped me get there, and I'll share your stories with the world (with your permission, of course!)

This is your song

JodiRoadie wrote a song for me! Yes, this is about George, yes, he was going to build me a house of strawberries, yes, there was a barn, but it was to be full of artichokes, not sunflowers. Hard to rhyme "Artichoke" though...

I love it!

Getting around

Christ, I just read Bostonist for all my music recommending needs. They know what I like and how to make me happy.

Globe cuts 24 newsroom jobs in buyout - The Boston Globe

I'm so sad to hear that Eileen McNamara took the buyout (god I love her, I was so happy when she won the Pulitzer). But, on the flip side, restaurant critic Alison Arnett is also leaving, which means there's hope for me yet! Wish I had some clips ready, but at the very least, there might be an opportunity for some freelance work, to get my foot in the door.

Impeach him TWICE!

Buckle on those balls....

Ramen! Ramen! Ramen!

It's not always bad to have soup on your lapel (though I'd prefer it on my cell phone).

Nappy Perfection

"Everyone, no matter how high-strung, has the capacity to nap."

You hear that, Haneway?

mmmm, I could use one right now....

Daily Scope

Daily extended (by Astrology.com)
Wherever you go today, you will be able to effortlessly put your special mark on things. All you have to do is speak your mind in your usual clever way, and don't let yourself get intimidated by anyone. This is a great time for you, because you are full of unique ideas and a fierce charm that could bring a marble statue to life! The role of entertainer is becoming more and more comfortable to you, and you should explore ways to spend a little more time in the spotlight. People want more of you.

Well, this works. I spent the day in meetings at the paper, where I charmingly convinced people to change their workflow to dovetail with my larger goals for my projects and content development. And I was magnificent.

Weekly romance (by Astrology.com)
You're on a self-improvement kick this week. Monday and Tuesday you're focused on your body -- a new yoga class, a new cardio routine, something like that. Wednesday and Thursday you're focused on a relationship -- most likely a romantic one, although if you're not with anyone right now it could be a friend or ally. In any case, this relationship needs a fresh jolt. Do something brave together. Friday and Saturday have nothing to do with romance, although dinner in an unusual spot (a great date idea) figures on Sunday.

Again, pretty on-target. I started rock-climbing on Tuesday, and tonight I meet with the personal trainer. Focused on a relationship? Hah, That's pretty much been my week. Crying report: none yesterday, and I actually slept last night. Crying started again today, and also, unfortunately, the dead hope tried to resurrect itself. That's a bad idea; it's better off dead.

Fortunately, a new flirtation just presented himself; cute, sweet, smart, interesting, and taller than either the Lumberjack or the Cap'n. Unfortunately, I mentioned the Cap'n to a mutual acquaintance, and he immediately guessed his real identity. I'd love to know how he knew that (has he talked to the Cap'n? Had I tipped my cards some other way?), but it's not possible to simultaneously deny and delve in a situation like that.

but on the plus side...

(I keep thinking of really clever titles, but then as soon as I set down to type up a post -- whoosh, they're gone, and you're left with cliches...)

As I was saying, the good side of heartbreak keeps showing up:
1. Feeling something is good.
2. Although it would seem to be too soon for the nausea to be having any effect, my pants are way looser this morning.
3. Started working on a long-dormant screenplay again today, and also have a book idea to work on with my intern. We are going to be such a cute, charming and telegenic pair that everyone will want us on their talk shows. And you know that talk-show circuit = Green room hanging = meeting cute with My Husband backstage.
4. I feel gorgeous. And it's not just me who thinks so -- I've been complimented on both my hair and my teeth today, by two people. And the teeth got lots of attention yesterday too! Heartbreak is the latest whitening advance; someone tell Crest!

To stick with the theme, I was At the Good Pain for lunch today.

Tears of a Clown

Woke up nauseated. And hot-faced.
Cried in the shower again. Hoping I won't do that at work.
For now, the interns are taking care of me, giving me pep talks and letting me figuratively cry on their shouldners over IM.

But as miserable as I am, it's good to know that I still have a heart to break. I've had my share of crushes over the years, but I can't remember the last time I acutally cried over losing a guy. In a strange way, it feels good to be hurting like this.

Libertine

There has been a liberation. Free at last and all that jazz.

No, I don't really feel that good about it yet. The parts of today when I wasn't actually in tears, I wanted to be, but put on the brave face to be polite (in drunken company). Thank God for Eighties Dave, who perfectly called at just the right moment for me to cry on his shoulder. And that's fine; I need to cry more anyhow. Also spread the wealth among the many fine sturdy shoulders available to me, not lean on Von quite so much.

Things have changed, finally, in the PN firmament. Shaken up. Even Catmandoo isn't mooning around all lovesick and predictable anymore. Time has come for me to fall into step with the Revolution. I'm going to cast my attentions on someone who deserves them, like maybe the Captain. After all, if that Tarot card reading is going to come true, I need to be a good girl between now and August. Less aspiration, more appreciation.

Funny, before I started writing, I thought I had wittier, pithier things to say. So much for a 4 a.m. miracle; maybe I'll try again in daylight.

And yes, I know that's not what "libertine" means; call it poetic license.

Beware the fucking Ides of March

I have an ancestor who was a general in Julius Caesar's army. It must be his blood; I always have trouble on the Ides.

And the day is living up to the terrible expectations:

• After a crappy date (he didn't even know what the Ides of March is), I fell asleep on the couch, as Siena needed some cuddling. Woke up at 6:45 this morning
  
• Went to bed because I feel it's important to spend some time in my bed each night. Overslept.
  
• Went straight to the paper, as I didn't have time to stop by my office first. Parked in front as
  
  
  1. I don't work there and I am allowed to use that guest parking
     
  2. I was only going to be there for 20 minutes.
  
  Regardless, I got yelled at by the front desk guy, who threatened to have me towed because I didn't park in back.
  
• Calendar staff got mad at me because their work is STILL not exporting correctly into the website. Like I'm not already miserable about this and have been trying to get it fixed for months-- now they're yelling at me too?
  
• Late for meeting with traffic folks, my car got ticketed, and I was cranky during the meeting. But I pulled it together, and was charming enough that they want to give me a helicoptor ride.
  
• New seating chart has me sitting next to the guy who makes the wierd bird noises. I am appealing it to HR.
  
• The mammogram department has been trying to reach me for two days; they finaly caught me just now. They found a cyst and need me to go back and make sure everything's normal. Which it will be, I'm not worried, just annoyed. More of my time getting used up. At least they're very nice.
  
• I want the Captain, tonight (he claims to owe me a spanking; how nice to not have to be the one in charge). But haven't heard anything from him today, and he hasn't flirted since last week. Considering how things have been going today, I'd say it's not the day for a bold move on my part.

That said, I am surprisingly chipper. And so looking forward to Chez Henri tonight!

Shins on Segways

'Nuff said.

It's not Lupus

Just got back from the doc. Not lupus, not rosacea, not any other gross-sounding skin ailments from legendary 1960's ad campaigns. Definitely not leprosy.

It is some obscure and hella strong allergic reaction, so I'm seeing another specialist, still on scary meds, still can't wear makeup, in fact have to avoid more stuff. Apparently even baby shampoo and Cetaphil are too risky for me right now, until we figure out what's the cause.

Thanks all for your concern and support, I really appreciate it. Oh, but the stitches did pull loose too early, and the biopsy site is still healing. So no poking me in the chin, okay?

Surprise bonus Gothic Industrial fun on Friday

When the Downbeat 5 were sold out at the Middle East Friday, Von and I swung around the corner to see what was shaking at TT's. I laughed when I saw the flyer for Goth Night, and had to check it out. We ended up having a great time, and I'm all excited to go back next week!

Also ran into my former intern, for added strangeness points.

Another point for the Baby Psychic

Back in January, I sent the following e-mail to the Fug Girls regarding Salma Hayek's performance announcing the Oscar nominees:

Wait, you only had issue with Salma's bangs at the Oscar noms announcement? I was watching that yesterday, and as soon as she walked out, my first thought was "Ohh, the Fug Girls are going to have something to say about that maternity dress/muu-muu/whatever that is she's wearing..." Then I had to click back through to what she wore to the Golden Globes to make sure she isn't *actually* pregnant.

Yet, I was a little suspicious of all that draping in front of the bump-prone area.

Seriously, don't ever doubt my baby psychicness. Salma Engaged & Expecting; so says E!

D, let me know when you get the results next week. I think I'm feeling it's a girl.

Pants. On. Fire.

indexed: Hot.

Rawk out

Just got my little Boston-area concert update (maybe not so surprisingly, I don't actually get it from my employer...)

Anyone interested in checking out any of these shows?

• Rhett Miller, Friday, Mar 9, Paradise Rock Club
  
• Pete Yorn, Monday, Mar 19, Avalon
  
• The Decemberists, Friday, Mar 23 & Saturday, Mar 24, Avalon
  
• Lucinda Williams, Saturday, Mar 24, Orpheum Theatre
  
• Bloc Party, Wednesday, Mar 28, Orpheum Theatre
  
• Aqualung, Tuesday, Apr 17, Paradise Rock Club
  On Sale Sat, 3/10 at 12 pm
  
• Shawn Mullins, Tuesday, May 15, Paradise Rock Club
  

Support Britney Spears!

She needs us now more than ever. And Wesleying isn't the only one on the Save Britney bandwagon...

Daler Mendhi and Brown U

Brown University had a video contest. The winners get first pick in the housing lottery. These kids did a frame-by-frame parody of Daler Mendhi, and they feature Ruth Simmons!

An evolving lexicon of inclusivity

I like the gender-neutral pronouns and the shout-out to old Wes, of course. But I also appreciate the implied permission to say "black" again. Many of my black friends have Caribbean ancestry, and some are not American, so "African American" never sat well with me.

Whew, glad we got that resolved!