when I rock the mic, I rock the mic right

Since Shanks was released from captivity Wednesday afternoon, things around here have been pretty uneventful mouse wise. Not to say that the room is mouse-less now. There's a mouse up here which we've just been calling "Desk Mouse". Named for his current fave location. Loves to come and walk around the many trinkets on my desk while I'm sitting here on the computer. These mice are not scared of me. I get no respect! Be that as it may, Desk Mouse doesn't cause anywhere near as much havoc as Shanks did. Last night he ventured away from the desk area for a moment, but when he was chased back into hiding by Gizmo, he never came out again. Haven't seen him all day thus far.

But today the non-lethal trap I ordered came (as pictured) and so we'll see how this works out considering that when I got home from the Fuel House tonight I realized that I had not set the trap correctly. I think I've got it set correctly now. So, Desk Mouse, you best enjoy freedom while you can! If you are lured by the scent of peanut butter (as I've read mice particularly love) you'll either be taking a nature walk soon or you'll be seriously fat on frosted mini wheats covered in peanut butter.

Either way, that's pretty win-win, DM. Think it over.

Anyway, back to my delicious penguin rice krispie pop. Maybe I'll mail my popsicle stick to Conan so he can finish spelling out the cry for help he was trying to write on his roof. I think he had an "H" thus far.

Stay tuned for more mouse coverage...

In other news, didn't J&theY kick ass at the Fuel House tonight? shii....

snake doctor shakin like there's no tomorrow

After my post last night, things got pretty hairy. And I don't mean anything resembling hair. Last night I said how our little mouse buddy was acting a bit odd and slow after his 2nd near death experience. And I felt that gave Gizmo an unfair advantage and to protect the mouse until I went to bed (or figured out a better plan), I put Gizmo in his crate. Moments after doing this, Mr. Shanks decides he'll just come and hang out right outside the crate and chill. Gizmo noticed him as much as the mouse seemed to notice me; not hardly at all. I was pretty close and it wasn't running away from me. But I was still a bit weary of it and kept a safe distance. When it climbed over my slippers and stopped on the edge of my sheet, I cornered it with the slippers and this jar that I had been trying to coerce him into the past few nights. He didn't take any initiative in going in so I kept putting it closer and closer until finally I basically scooped him into it. I thought he was possibly on the verge of death, but once he was in there, he was fine. He was eating chips I had put in there and seemed fine. I guess Shanks was tired of being a fugitive. You can only run for so long. Relieved, I put the top securely on and went to bed.

Happy ending, right? Wrong!

Today I got up and took a shower straight away because I had to leave for a doctor's appointment at one. I come back upstairs and what do I find? Pretty much the thing I'd been trying to avoid throughout this whole ordeal. A dead mouse. Not Shanks, mind you. He was still safely and happily in his little glass entrapment. This was a mystery mouse. I was horrified. I just don't handle dead things well at all. Especially not cute little furry things. After freaking out about it for a little bit, I mustered up the courage to slide it into a box. Ugh. I know that it sounds completely ridiculous to most people, but it was terrible. For me it was terrible. Like I told my mom, I don't care if you kill mice. That's fine by me. Good for you. You must be a big man. But all I ask is that people respect my right to not want to do it and not giving me grief for being, in their opinion, overly compassionate. I can't help it.

Could I blog anymore about mice? Yes, I can.

After all this, I come home from the doctors and there's ANOTHER mouse in my room!! Amazon will you please send the trap I ordered already! I can't deal with this anymore! If I find this mouse dead in my room tomorrow I'm going to have a total meltdown!

i never meant to cause you trouble

For the past few days I've been putting Gizmo down. Revoking his right to the title "schnauzer" or "terrier". But tonight he's proven me wrong. Before I explain, I think I should make it clear that I do not wish to kill Shanks; our little mouse perpetrator. I ordered a non-lethal trap so I could get him and remove him. I know it's stupid to most people because the mouse can possibly just come back, but I don't care. I just prefer to do it this way. I don't have the stomach to kill a little mouse. And tonight I saved Shanks little life at least two times. I under-estimated Gizmo and he nearly killed this mouse. Twice. He cornered the little dude behind the trashcan somehow and the only reason he escaped certain death is because I grabbed Gizmo's collar and wouldn't let him do what God intended. Later, he attacked Shanks again near the wardrobe and I think he either scared him stiff or he actually hurt him. He was acting pretty weird and not running away as fast. He seemed to recover and continue mouse activity, but I can't be sure. As far as I know, he's not dead.. yet. I really don't wish to think about the possibilities. I would just really like Amazon to hurry the flip up with this trap so I can not be dealing with this anymore. It's making me a little mental. I'm like seeing shit now. And thinking my hair is like something that it's not. Not to mention I haven't gotten to sleep before 7am for the past few days because Gizmo is constantly jumping up and trying to get at him. So, I've actually taken on the hours of the mouse. I sleep when it sleeps. I am actually nocturnal. I guess it probably would make sense to most people to just have let Gizmo murder it and be done with it, but Gizmo is too young to have a murder on his record and I'm too squeamish to handle a dead mouse.

Let this update stand as a formal apology for dissing my dog's natural born abilities.

ps. isn't this badass?

havoc heavens!

Mousegate 2008 continues. "Shanks" the mouse is either very desperate for food or has figured out that I refuse to end his furry little existence and has been a lot more brave. He was just chilling behind a picture frame on the floor for a while this evening as I sat not far away on the computer. And where was Gizmo? Asleep on the bed! After I informed him yet again that he was fired from the schnauzer club, he got up off his lazy duff and got on the case. Gizmo P.I. in full effect. That is until he took it one paw too far along side my computer desk and stepped on the power strip thus shutting off my computer. Investigation is now halted.

As soon as Amazon ships it, I'll have a non-lethal mouse trap and detective Gizmo will have a holding pen for the perpetrator. Let's hope that's sooner than later. As cute as Shanks is, it's causing havoc around here!

one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do

"The earliest records surrounding development of the Miniature Schnauzer in Germany come from the late 1800s. They were originally bred to be farm dogs in Germany, to keep mice and other vermin out of the barn...."

Gizmo is fired.

this is our lucky day

January 11th, 2008.
The Beginning
OF THE END!

you've got your big cheese

I haven't been updating regularly lately, but who has been?! ButI figure since today was the start of my infamous "birthday weekend" that I should make a point to post about it! As a special (pre) birthday surprise, Jamie and Lisa took me to the Camden Aquarium! Though Camden is a bit sketchy, their aquarium is awesome! I touched a live shark, ray, jelly fish, lobster and shrimp! Contrary to popular belief, the shrimp did not jump out of the water. But the aquarium had more than petable fish. There was huge sharks and sting rays and Caribbean fish and seals, and most importantly, penguins! I think they were pretty easy to steal in their location too....


Later, we + Nathan, Jimmy, and Don went bowling in Deptford thus mending the wrongs that were done last year in Downingtown. Though, some wrongs cannot be righted no matter what you do. I will just never have a strike. Some people in this world were not meant to experience them in the true sense of the word. But I can settle with being a spare king and also with losing. I went in saying I sucked at bowling and came out feeling the same way. Jamie, on the other hand, is a total poser. But I psyched her out, ruined her game, and still lost. But I forgive her because she's being an A+ friend and taking me to visit with penguins and accidentally fulfilling my wish to sing karaoke tonight. Not to mention "Chew Man".

Thanks Jamie and Lisa (and others) for a totally unique and special day in my history!
But this won't be the end of the party train. It continues on tomorrow!

bye!

yeah, i don't read, i just guess

2007 marks the first Christmas ever that I got something that I actually returned. Sure, I've gotten things I haven't liked, but I feel like I really must be growing into an adult if I'm mature enough to just say, "no, I do not like this" and take something back. No, it wasn't this dog. It was a shirt with none other than ELMO on it. Honestly, I can't tell you what my mother Santa was thinking. Cookie Monster? Oscar the Grouch? Yes and Yes. ELMO? God, no no no! But I took it back and got something much more suiting to my tastes. A shirt that just plainly speaks to the heart of me. A shirt that Eavvon would definitely approve of. It says "Proud to be Awesome". I suppose I could have posted a photo of it, but Matt's dog Reese is much cuter and likes the word "Africa". That's much better than a picture of a shirt. Besides, Reese completely agreed with the shirt and wanted to be my best friend and steal my herpes. But I would never give Reese my herpes! No matter how awesome I am!

oh man, this is really livin'

Some Little Known Facts About Gizmo:
1. He loves plastic bottles
2. He does not love rawhide, chew ropes, or any other sort of paraphernalia meant for dogs to purely chew on.
3. He will not use a dog pillow or blanket until I've used it for a while first. (I use his dog bed mat as a seat cushion and now he loves it)
4. He sings along with harmonica
5. He loves cherry tomatoes
6. He growls at everyone and everything. He's very vocal.
7. He's terrified of thunder, fireworks, and a plethora of other loud sounds
8. He loves cardboard wrapping paper rolls.
9. He hates wearing hats and will become basically comatose if made to wear one (even if it makes him an adorable penguin)
10. He turned 3 years old today!


happy birthday, gizmo wilkerstenitious! xxoo

gee, pop, you forgot to say "halt"

I hope everyone had a holly, jolly Christmas. Considering that I've been watching an overdose of The Office and am now watching The Jungle Book on DVD, it can be surmised that I have nothing to complain about, and I don't. I didn't feel very well all day, which I hate. And not just because being ill is unpleasant. Being ill on Christmas day just makes you look ungrateful, like you don't appreciate things. What I might have appreciated more is not falling so asleep in the middle of the day and staying awake the first time I was woken up rather than the second time 10 minutes before we were supposed to leave for family dinner. But, thanks to yet ANOTHER Christmas miracle, dinner was running late and I arrived with time to spare!

Christmas is done. Here's to a merry New Year!

my mouth is dry I can't speak up

Lisa, does this picture make you horny?
Do I make you randy, baby? YEEAAAH

a jihad for his cutie pie

It was hard to pick a picture from our visit to see Samuel today. He's getting all big. And I think he could hold full conversations with Gizmo, though. I think they speak the same language. Believe it or not, Samuel sat on my lap this morning too. Shocking, I know. It's probably the first baby under 2 years old that I've ever held. My mom took some pictures of that but my God are they unflattering. Besides, this one is pretty damn awesome all on its own. :)

my heart is war torn

Considering Samuel is only about 6 mos old, I think it's safe for me to post a picture of his Christmas present before Christmas. I don't think he'll be logging on and checking up on my blog anytime soon. Just wanted to share a photo before I wrapped it up. I guess the photo isn't so great but if you've seen the album cover than you get the general idea of what the shirt looks like up close. Baby clothes are so cute, like anything miniaturized. Muffins, candies, schnauzers. All mini, all awesome.

BTW, J&tY played an awesome, somewhat spontaneous set tonight. The CD is selling well and people seem to really like it. People were singing along with Zoee & Gizmo and doing air-glockenspiel.

J&theY, the band you want to air-glock to!

some people live in a house on a hill

Ever wonder who puts up the delightful Christmas decorations in your local malls or casinos? Well, I don't know who decorates yours, but my dad put up the ones in many malls in the tri-state area and in the Trump Plaza casino in Atlantic City. Of course, not all by himself. But it's nice to see him be apart of something much bigger than himself. Even if it's the most boring thing to hear every little detail of. On the topic of festive casinos, the Tropicana is a jerk. Jamie wanted to see indoor snow. What the flip, dudes?! Might as well had put a lying sign that read, "There is no Santa" or something. Thanks for ruining her Christmas!

i dont have any music on to quote for once in my life

Considering how little I ate last week because of all the anxiety about the release party and such things, today I made up with a lot of calorie intake (for me):

- egg mcmuffin (yeah, i was up early enough today! mind blowing!)
- my first tastes of "smoothie" Skittles (nearly killed me)
- gnocchi posterino? (did not taste like potatoes and ketchup!)
- pinkberry! (lived someone's dreams!)
- chai latte (finally, that void is filled)
- nutter butter cookies (those were a bad choice)

And you would just never believe the drama that has surrounded my 2nd annual Christmas with the Team. Misunderstandings, strikes, fake outs, French bastards, and more. But I think, all in all, it was worth it! And it proved to one and all that I'm a big girl and I can go all the way up to NYC all by myself without anyone there to entertain me. Even without headphones one way. Though on the way back some agent talked to me half the way anyway. I'm rambling. I need to go to bed. My head is going to implode. Or I'm going to blow my brains out. Which ever comes first.

click.click.BOOM

oh well you know it's a fool who plays it cool

Been slacking on this blog thing, but with good reason; a CD release party was had! Finally, after months of stress and toil, the CD is finally done and pressed and in the merry hands of others. If you weren't able to make it out to the party, which is a huge bummer, I'm posting a little video from said party. As you can see, the follow-up album to Localized Phenomenon will no doubt be a big departure from our original stuff. We're always trying out new styles. Seriously. Come to any practice*. We run through just about all of them when there's time. Next time; Math Rock.

thanks Lisa! You're the bestest! You're so the best filmographer we've ever had! And I'm not just saying that because you're the only filmographer we've ever had...

* - don't literally come. I will call the cops.

you can indicate everything you see

For all those people out there that were concerned that Stephen Lynch perhaps "lost it" or is "not so funny" anymore, I am here to assure you that he is. He's still "got it". He can make you laugh when it's hotter than Hell, you can barely see, and some blonde in the back row is singing as loudly and off-key as possible. It must be part of Murphy's Law that says that those who sing bad, sing loudest of all. I guess their voices just stick out loudest of all like a sore thumb. A sore thumb that smells of almonds and is possibly gangrenous. Amputation needed. STAT.

I'm driving in your car asleep

December 8th sucks.

But oddly enough, I'm going to be in the same venue (Tower Theatre) I was at last year on this day. Except with a much, much funnier performer. Fiona Apple just isn't as funny as Stephen Lynch. She's got to work on her comedic timing. I hope Stephen doesn't cry in the middle of his set like she did... awwwkwwaaard.. rickrickrick...

I ♥ Dr. Winston O'Boogie

ever notice how the cops can't stand the music?

Another great piece of cinematography by zee lovely Lisa.

I feel I should apologize for the number of J&theY posts there has been lately. But I figure since #1) this is my blog and #2) the album which I worked on for the the greater part of this year is coming out this month, that you should understand where I'm coming from. That being said, it should be noted that I posted a new song from the album on our myspace page! check it out!

kids lie all the time

A super special sneak peek at J&theY's debut album!
It's going to blow the classical music out of your butts!

so much love and devotion no matter what i go through

Lisa has begun her filmography career with JeNell & the Yets in fine fashion!

On a side note to the filmographer: to retain your position, there will be a sort of "East Coast Ridin" requirement. That's not bribery. That's just truth.
Just something else to think about. ahem.

Anyway, watch the video, enjoy it, and then pat Lisa on the back for being swell.

the "F-dash-dash-dash" word

Something arrived via UPS today. And I could talk about it, but I'm not going to. What's inside is pretty rad. I can say no more. But instead I'll proudly announce that since last year, the side of these boxes reminds me of A Christmas Story. Sometimes being the baby in the family sucks. By the time you're around, your parents can be tired of things that are played annually on TV. Especially movies that are frequently played for 24 hrs straight. But, I caught up! And soon enough, you all can be caught up with what's inside these boxes! But don't worry, it won't shoot your eye out.

whoever wrote this episode should die

In celebration of the holiday season and the release of our debut album, Localized Phenomenon, Jamie and I decorated some JeNell & the Yets ginger balls to be hung on the Revelation Record & Novelty tree with care. To see more, come to Revelation Record & Novelty on Decembot 15th and check out our beautiful art and buy our beautiful album. Fah la la la la la la la laaaaaa!

would you like to give her a party?

Some people will do just about anything for some extra income. I went in "Jenell" and four hours later I came out "Jen the Ripper" having ripped up at least 3 boxes worth of old medical files. And I'll be doing it again next week too. Don't be jealous!

if it hits you is it my point or yours?

Ruby Tuesday must have gotten wind that some people have been talking shit on them and many other establishments in their restaurant league and have since gone from kitsch to class! Once upon a time, if you've never been, Ruby Tuesdays was basically an Applebee's with a salad bar. But look at them now! There's modern styled plates and they serve their Jones Soda in a fancy glass! They even serve the ketchup on a fancy plate! I don't know what happened, perhaps Gordon Ramsey from Kitchen Disasters came in, but something lit a hot, yet classy fire under Ruby's ass! Kudos!

nope, ship shape!

I started this last month, but finally I put the finishing touches on it. I would say I did it "last night" but I didn't go to bed so it doesn't feel like that happened last night. Anyway, the quality got a little destroyed in uploading, but it's alright, I guess. It's a little promo/invitation ala Pocket. I hope you enjoy it and will pass it along to your friends or family or co-workers or co-pilots or deputy or personal assistants or A&R people. Thank you, now back to your regularly scheduled reality shows.

got to get you into my life

Another holiday of festive eating here and gone. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves and that no turkeys died in vain. Personally, I was pretty pleased with the choices available to me today. Without any pre-coaching, special requests, or "I made this for you" bullshit, my aunt was able to prepare things that I actually really, really like. This is unfounded. A miracle! That plus the good news about the Grinch show brings us to TWO holiday miracles today! On another note, that sweet looking fruit dish is not the dessert I had. That is a candle. It looks and smells delicious, but I'm pretty sure that's just a trick to make you eat it and ruin your holiday. I actually can't tell you first hand because I ate pumpkin pie, not fruit candle. Though, I nearly fell for it. It was a close one.

no, there was a spider, there was a big spider

I think everyone should say a little prayer for my puppy. He's suffering from the driest skin... ever. If I had some money, I'd take him to the vet again for perhaps another allergy shot (since he is completely flea-free), but that's just not in the cards. So once a week baths, anti-itch sprays, and nursing tape are just going to have to do!

So, say a prayer.. for he may bite himself into.. oblivion.

darkness comes to kick your ass

I don't have anything to say about today really. So, instead I'll post this video someone contacted me with today that they took on Halloween at Revelation Records. And what I'd like to know is why none of you told me how dreadful I sounded?! Granted, I still had a cold, but my God, it's just bad. It pains me.

Lisa, please tell me the footage you got is a bit better vocally!

jump right into my nightmare the water is warm

It's too early to turn on your Christmas lights or sing Christmas songs at the Oar House, but it's just never too early for a pig to dress up in a Santa outfit and sing a festive song. Don't give him too much grief for skipping Thanksgiving, though. Pigs can't read calendars. I'm sure he loves Thanksgiving. Everyone eats turkey on Thanksgiving. I believe the traditional Christmas dish is ham... UT oh.

that mud did him good

Believe it or not, Jamie and I saw "Dan In Real Life" in this very theater. Not "American Gangster". Apparently some people in the theater on the other hand thought they were seeing "American Gangster" when they sneaked into the theater. They didn't even question it when the previews were for Disney movies. D'oh.

let's show some manners here

God does not want my left leg to live.

Let's tally the ailments that have befallen my left lower extremity lately. I've got this shin splint which gets more painful in cold or rainy weather (my "espn"), I strained my knee the other day somehow, my thighs are sore from my dance support, and then to really put the hat on the Lincoln, I got a big, hefty splinter in my foot this afternoon. Now I walk like a pirate and I had to bring the rock to Pitman sitting down. :(

coke is fuckin dead as dead

I have been terribly lazy with my little bloggy here. I guess I could say that I've been too busy to update, but that's not necessarily the reason. There was a day I intended to update but someone straight stole the picture I wanted to use, but I'm not hating. Lesson learned? When you want a photo for your blog and you've forgotten your camera at home, use your camera phone instead.

In other news, J&theY have been playing shows and keeping busy, which is good since I'm feeling probably more stress now that the CD is out of my hands than when it was still here. I won't go into the details, but when asked if I wanted to be in on the food decisions for the release party, I definitely opted out. I cannot be making anymore decisions than necessary.

In non-band related news, last night Jamie and I went to POOL in Harrah's Casino to bare witness to the spin-spin skills of Joel Madden. Apparently when we joked that swimmies were part of the "proper attire required" we were not far off. Lots of interesting things went down but this update is a bit long as is so I'm going to just leave it to the imagination of my audience.

But one last thing...
AH ha, AH ha, keep your hands off my ass, keep your hands off my ass...

I want my house to be seen from space

This picture essentially sums up what I've been occupied with the past few days; ze band. Thursday I finished up all the last touches on ze album and drove to Northfield to Fed Ex it. Then Friday we had practice. Though it was mostly us goofing off and switching instruments. Then today we had a show up in Haddon Township. I gave myself an "F" for the show, but everyone else gave me a "B"; for blacklisted! WHATEVA SUCKAHS! You gonna regret that shit when we is huge!

don't have a panic attack and don't curse

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and who better to imitate than the occasional blogger, part-time comedian, most-times musician, John Mayer? If you frequent his site, you'll see that he's transformed his blog into a mlog. A blog of his most personal facet of his life; his meals. In keeping up with this innovator, I considered transforming my blog into a mlog. And then I remembered what most of my daily meals entail, like today's incredible meal of left over salad and cookies (yes, I ate that yesterday too), and I realized it would look more like an ana-log and that's neither good for my image or good for my (m/b)log.

i am your second

Lessons Learned Today:

- Never trust monopolies. Since they have all the power, they'll cut your power and make you lose $200 worth of sale.
- Don't sign anything. Unless you get the rights to your masters.
- No matter how old you are, you cannot have a platonic relationship with a man without everyone assuming it's something more.
- People in Millville have no sense of humor about themselves or their city.
- Walgreens is chock full of dumb at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon
- It's hard to have a cute dog when you're trying to get work done
- Leftover chicken and salad just tastes better eaten cold and while dancing in front of the fridge

Some of these things I didn't learn today, but whatever. Let's not quibble over tiny details.
I'm so glad I got to use the word "quibble".

either you get this or you don't

Remember when you were young? How the hero was never hung? Always got away. Remember how the man used to leave you empty handed? Always, always let you down. If you ever change your mind about leaving it all behind, remember, remember, today. And don't feel sorry 'bout the way it's gone. And don't you worry 'bout what you've done. Just remember when you were small. How people seemed so tall. Always had their way. Do you remember your Ma and Pa? Just wishing for movie stardom. Remember when you were young? How the hero was never hung? Always got away. Remember how the man used to leave you empty handed? Always, always let you down. If you ever change your mind about leaving it all behind, remember, remember, today. And don't feel sorry, 'bout the way it's gone and don't you worry 'bout what you've done...

No, no, remember, remember,
The fifth of November....

*KABOOOOOOOM!*

welcome to Costco, I love you

Previous and terribly more exciting plans to make a journey to the West of Chester were canceled. I was saddened to not get to see lovely Lisa, but I tried to make up for it the best I could by going out to see a delightful little filmed by Wes Anderson by the name of The Darjeeling Limited. I'm a fan of Wes Anderson films and this one didn't disappoint me at all. I might be a little bit bias considering my affliction for Adrien Brody, but I thought the characters were lovable, the scenery was gorgeous, and it entertained me, which is most important, I think. I would recommend it to anyone that loves Wes Anderson, India, Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, or seeing Natalie Portman's ass. Considering the full cast, I hope that this means that Adrien Brody will be featured in many more Anderson films in the future.

this place is like no other

First the party was on, then the party was off, and then it was on again. You just never know what's going to happen when my brother is involved. It sort of broke my heroin/vicoden filled heart that Amy ditched out on us thus killing the possibility of an annual Halloween at the Bode tradition. So I guess we'll settle for the tradition of beer, boobies, and bitches! holler!

On another note, I finally got Fock the Cock back. And, if you're up for it, carry an over-sized rooster around, see how many penis jokes you hear.

better water by design

In all technical terms, the album is done being mastered. Just one little thing to be fixed and then it's off. I don't know if it's my lingering cold or the impending stress and pressure of this time crunch, but I are so tired.

And I apologize to my English teachers for my bad grammar here and on the album. If it's any consultation, I knew it was wrong. I just did it anyway.

you're on my radar

Halloween 2007 by all technical terms has passed, but it won't be the last time I bust out the track marks and false tattoos. Another festive occasion coming up this weekend! As for the last two, they were pretty good. The second one was a bit better than the first. Not only did we not get lost trying to get there (since it was in Millville) but there was a foul-mouthed priest, Chase from House, Harry Potter in drag, an undercover detective posing as a writer and even Buffy showed up! The only bad thing was that Paris Hilton came and I had to pretend I liked her and let her order my meal for me. Moreover, it was a pretty rare show featuring a special performance of "Better Like Butter"; I mean, what Buffy wants, Buffy gets. If you'd seen the stake she had...