now it's right in my face

With about 2 hours of sleep, I got a lot accomplished.
The good and the blah.

The Good!

The Blah.

watching me like you never watched no one

Here is the first review J&TY have received on itunes. It's not only quite an honor to be reviewed by a complete stranger (usually it's just our friends that take the time to do it), but to be reviewed with such eloquent and poignant language is truly a blessing. And absolutely blog-worthy. Behold the thoughts of Jeremy M!

Thanks, dude! Where ever you are!

are you my family?

It was about 62 degrees today. That's nice, but it's not good enough!
I'm still cold!

if I was smart I'd never call you again

Today didn't turn out exactly the way I had imagined it. I imagine it didn't quite go the way Jamie had expected either. When I think back on the evening on a whole, I think that maybe I should have driven. There's quite a few reasons why it might have been a good choice. Hmmm.. ;) Be that as it may, Nicole Atkins was just as good as I thought she'd be and more. She has such an incredible voice. I'm so jealous of her talent. Because it's not just a great voice. There's a lot of great voices out there. But it's just got this great raw edge to it. And she really knows how to write a song that displays it. I wish I could write a song that I could show more of my range than I have written. And considering this was the first time I saw her live, I'm happy to report that she's also got a great personality. She's cute, but sarcastic. Quick on her feet and intelligent. With so much talentless, produced bullshit around (even locally), Nicole is truly refreshing. And just when I couldn't love her anymore, she came out and did her cover of "Pissing in a River" by Patti Smith as an encore. Fucking amazing. I don't know what I was doing before I came home the night I "discovered" Nicole Aktins, but I'm glad I came in just when I did because had I come in at any other moment, I might not have ever seen her on Dave Letterman and I might be seriously missing out!

ps. Sorry you had such a havoc filled day, Jamie.

for all the good it'll do ya, you can die

Every year my cousins make personalized eggs for everyone in the family. I think they're probably a bit old to be making these, but considering the big deal their mother makes over them I guess I can see why they're still making them. One of these years they'll even spell my name right.

happy easter, bitches.

test.. 1, 2.. test...

I just wanted to see what this shit was like.

And since I did it, I guess I'll give a little 411 on this Amie Street site. It's a music community that's kind of different. I enjoy going there and checking out music. You can get some good deals because when you start out, everything is free, but as more people download it, the songs start becoming worth money - up to $0.98 or so. So friends, even if you have the album, go download it now for free and make the price go up! haha

you'll have to excuse me, the hunt is afoot

Gizmo and I are lazy. This crappy weather, unemployment, and life have us down. Well, mostly me. But it had Gizmo so down yesterday that he puked three times. Luckily, I'm just overcome with a sort of malaise. Just an emotion or a hunger type of malaise. Not something serious like cancer, cerebrovascular accident, or internal bleeding.

Hopefully with the coming of Spring and the possibility of a job on the horizon, I'll pull myself out of this rut I'm in and start feeling better. And I better start soon because J&TY have a Grand Ram Band Slam to win!

March 26th - Vote for us!

we were caught with our hands in the air

Things Happened on March 11th, 2008

These two mofo's had a birthday. They collectively turned 29. Is that an accurate statement? Or did they collectively turn 58? I don't know. Twins are weird. I don't know why I'm putting in my blog that they had a birthday as if they're my buddies. But it is something that happened on March 11th so it's alright. It counts. Sorry Johnny Knoxville, you did not make the cut. Don't feel bad, neither did Jimmy's dog, Sketch. I'm rambling.

Also, Jamie, Lisa, and myself found a Cosi, an Urban Outfitters, and an American Apparel on the same block in Philadelphia! And thus we celebrated by eating some Cosi. I could have and should have gotten a shot of Jamie in her brand spankin' new hat from UO, but I was too blinded by her beauty! I was afraid it would break my camera!

After our delicious dinner, we walked over to the World Cafe Live and showed support for Vince from Army of Me. He was there all by his lonesome. No Brad. No band. Just Vince. But he held his own. Played a lot of new jams and impressed us all. He also demonstrated how long it takes him to do anything and lied about his juggling skills. But more importantly, he told his friend Colin that I have a good voice. That I can "actually sing", unlike himself. (his words, not mine) I have been validated by someone I admire! Feels good, people! I can't deny it!

Then Jamie and I got back to the parking garage we left the car at and it was all locked up. I knew that the sign said it closed at 12:30 and I had been keeping an eye on the time, but somehow it took a bit longer to walk back there and by the time we got there it was already 12:35. But somehow we are the luckiest SOB's on the planet because as we're standing there by the gate a man pulls around and says, "do you need to get your car?" and low and behold, he let us in and we got the car and left. And bonus - we didn't have to pay! Our lives would have been so much more complicated had he not come around. Not to mention we would have been fined for leaving the car in there 24 hrs without a permit. So, really, we are so damn lucky. haha

Fin.



shit. That last part technically happened on March 12th, 2008. oh well.

believe me when i tell you i'll never do you no harm

My cousin, John, got married on Saturday. He's younger than my oldest brother and older than my other brother and now married. No pressure on my brothers. No pressure. It really shouldn't be any pressure considering my cousin, Katie, has two babies and is 4 months younger than me. Everyone has their own speed. My speed tends to be extremely slower than the average bear, it seems.


I don't mind weddings asides from the times that they play slow music. It's not like I'm sitting there pining for a man (maybe one in particular) or something. I don't weep to myself and wish I were married or anything. I just hate how I get left at the table all alone with my high school aged cousins so I feel not only awkward, but also like I'm sitting at the kiddie table. My brother was bold. He was going up to girls that were sitting alone and asking them to dance. Nobody did that to moi. Not that I really would have wanted them to. That would have been weird. I didn't even slow dance much at my senior prom with my boyfriend. Slow dancing is boooring. Maybe I'll grow to love it. I might like it if it's the right guy. Who knows.


Today some of the family came over to the house for a lunch/dinner thing. Linner. When I get up in the morning, it's terribly unsettling to hear the sound of my little cousin Alex's voice coming from the downstairs. People arriving early is so annoying. It definitely put me in the worst mood ever. haha But it went alright, I suppose. I actually played a lot with Katie's little baby, Autumn. She's just a cute little 5 month old that doesn't hardly cry and smiles a lot. I like them like that. I'm not going to like her anymore when she can walk and talk. She's in that good age where she's not too fragile to touch and aware enough of her surroundings to be amusing. Plus, Gizmo was freaked the fuck out by her so that was really amusing for me.


But the highlight of my weekend was definitely running into none other than WILL FERREL at the movie theater tonight. He's not a great coach, but he's a great promoter and you better believe that Jamie, Matt, and I tried to talk him into promoting J&TY, but it seems he's got his hands full having a new step-brother AND working for the NBA. He does it ALL. But I still want Steve Carell to be my best friend. But that's neither here nor there! Just know, Will Ferrel IS as awesome in person as he seems on screen! But somehow even taller than I imagined.

why should I care?

I don't have any pictures from the Coffee House Players All Star Show that I was apart of tonight, but I do have this awesome video commemorating J&TY's second radio success. So...have at it!

it's an even bigger day for me; employer of the bride

"You never know. I may have some emergency and need a ride, a woman, and a gps."

secret-secrets are no fun, sacred secrets hurt someone

I had a craptastic day today. I'm not proud of my adjective choice, but it's going to stick because I can't come up with anything better. Be that as it may, today sucked. It started out fine. The weather was hanging in there and maintaining some nicety and I had some good laughs at the expense of a few of the stupid men I know. After this, it starts to get hazy. Band practice got fizzled because of Nathan's sudden ailment and then Jamie took a shower and so I was left to my own devices. Tried to make use of all this spare time by practicing solo. And then some family came over and things just got more suck.

My grandmother arrived today from Texas to begin, well, living with us. So my Uncle John, Aunt Shirley and cousins Sara and Rachel came over to visit. Apparently Sara and Rachel were so excited about today they couldn't sleep. It's their grandmother. Not Santa Claus. I wonder how bummed they were when she just sat quietly and whined about having to eat dinner.

Anyway, my Uncle John has a way of really pissing me off. I just do not even try to bring up my band about them anymore. I always wind up getting hurt somehow so I just don't bring it up around this side of the family. But my mom can't help herself being that it's her brother and all. I mostly stayed out of it and sat in the living room with my Dad (which should go to show you how much I didn't want to be down there). But on their way out my Uncle stops and says, "Tell me the next time you play a show on a Saturday that isn't a kiddie show." I tried to control myself and not be offended by that comment so I said, "We don't play any kiddie shows. They're all for adults." So he says, "You played a show somewhere at a home or something.." and I said, "The Holly City Family Center is not for children. It's just the name of it. It's just a room with a stage.." and he says, "Well, that didn't sound very exciting." And I said, "None of our shows are exciting. They're all like that. I wouldn't know what show I should invite you to because none of them are going to be exciting" and he said, "Sooorrry" and all put his hands up like he was surrendering and I just wanted to scream.

If you're reading this and not getting why that upset me, I understand. I know it doesn't sound like a huge deal, but it just annoys me. When I was young, he was all about supporting my little music dream and taught me how to play "Hey Jude" on my first guitar. But when I started to record the music I wrote, all he had to say was that I "over sang" and since then it's just been either disinterest or subtle digs. I don't understand. I guess I shouldn't let it get to me, but it does get to me. Seriously put me in the worst mood.

In conclusion, today was craptastic. fuck it.

JeNell & the Yets on the radio?

We didn't win the Battle of the Bands, but we were on the radio. And wha?

pih-chow

edit: twice. we were on the radio twice!

this blog is not going celeb gossip!

Nothing interesting happened to me today, but I felt compelled to update about this lovely piece of celebrity gossip. It's been kicking around the past few days that Benji Madden from Good Charlotte and Paris Hilton have been hooking up and hanging out all over Hollywood & St. Louis. Well, on the 4th day, Panji (?) made an "official" appearance. As official as you can make it in the tabloid world. If celebrities are seen holding hands they're half way to the alter. And considering it's been "reported" that Benji has told pals that Paris is "the one" these two really are. But I wanted to post this because I've been reading some quotes on the topic and they were making me laugh so I had to share! Some of these are gold!

"GROSS, I THINK IT”LL LAST MAXIMUM OF A WEEK. NICOLE BETTER WATCH HER MAN CAUSE AFTER THIS WHOR* GETS DUMPED BY HIM SHES GOING FOR JOEL"

"ekkk…she is such a skank. Must she sleep with everyone in Hollywood."

"probably just ended as I type this"

"A tip to Benji: Don’t date a woman that has larger feet than you, and has had more STD’s than how old you are."

"Promiscuous Paris is all over town, and what-in-God’s- name is Joel thinking ? We all know he’s on the rebound, and if some random sex is what he’s looking to get with 3-minutes Hilton, why didn’t he just go pay hooker?" -- I hope she meant Benji, not Joel...

and my all-time favorite:

"paris hilton is a back with a crack and a pack of meds. benji tell me u aint serious."

one fine day you're gonna want me for your girl

My weekend. Sort of. Nothing *TOO* interesting.
...or was it?!?!

Saw the Foo Fighters at the Spectrum. Possibly the last show I will ever see at the Spectrum. Why? Not because I'm going to be moving anytime soon (hello, I'm unemployed and poor as shit), but because they're possibly tearing it down. If you didn't know that before I or Dave Grohl told you than you really need to get hip to the times! There's possible hotels to be built! Or maybe it's a shopping center. I heard both. Who knows? Not me.

Stayed up real late a lot. Til 8am one morning. I don't know what my deal is. Well, no, I do know what my problem is. My sleep disorders aren't anything new. But I seem to be especially lazy but not tired at night. I'd like to tweak it, but I can't seem to find the motivation to do so. Luckily, Gizmo is up for playing into the wee hours of the morning and then sleeping until whenever I do. He's the best dog ever. How did I live on 2nd st without a dog to keep me company? That place didn't even have TV and I only had like 5 DVDs. I didn't even have the Office to watch! Those were the dark ages! No Gizmo and no Office! I don't want to go back there!!!





Went to the Bus Stop Cafe to check out some friends who play in the band A Few Dollars More. They're bluesy and pretty sah-weet. The lead singer, Wolfman Fran, has the coolest voice so I think I'd probably enjoy most things that he does. I can't believe that voice comes out of him. It's amusing that he stands up there with a piece of paper of lyrics. Very off the cuff stuff. And it was a good night. The people at the Bus Stop are such genuinely good people and they've really put my mind to rest about a few issues. I might be able to attend open mic this week! Maybe Lisa will shows up! That'd make it betta like butta!

Hmm. I guess that's all that's happened this weekend....

SIIIIKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

The coolest thing happened tonight!! What happened you ask?! J&TY got played on the radio! The REAL radio! Not internet radio! (no insult to internet radio!) Being on the actual radio was real surreal. I mean, how to explain it... I guess the radio felt like a much bigger medium. Completely unattainable. It seems a bit more reachable now. Though I don't want to get ahead of myself here. It's not like we're on syndication and being rocked from coast to coast. It's a radio show FOR local talent and bands, but still, on a legit station. It's not like they just play anybody who sends something in! It's very validating for me. It's like every time we hit a new high, I get a sense of relief. I think to myself, "whew, you're not absolutely crazy for thinking you can do this.." Maybe this will help me sleep better tonight! haha It's a small step in an enormous business, but it feels pret-ty awesome! I didn't run around in jubilation in 32 degree weather, but maybe if we hadn't been in a scary part of Salem I would have! And furthermore, if nothing more ever happens at least I can say I played in a rock band that actually got played on the radio! Weehoo!

i woked up in NYC with a bunch of anxiety

A lot of fun things have been going on and have I been keeping up and blogging about it? NOPE. It's kind of hard to blog when you're getting home near or after 4am every day. But that doesn't really explain why I've slacked for an entire week. That can only be blamed on my absolute laziness. Shame on me.

I'll give a run down.

Friday: To start the celebration of Jamie's 24th birthday, Lisa, the birthday girl, and I went up to Hoboken to see Vince & Brad of AOM and Kris Roe of the Ataris do an acoustic set at Maxwell's. Cool little place, but Hoboken totally blows. We got there decently early and then spent half an hour looking for parking. Luckily I drove and my car is tiny enough to fit where it did because I don't want to think about how much longer we would have been looking had we been in another car. Asides from that, this was a good night. Lisa got to chill with Kris Roe and check out his SWEET ride and I got to drive in NYC for the first time ever with a very awesome navigator and Jamie got to enjoy all of the above! hahaha

Saturday: Nathan, Jamie, and I went to the West of Chester to continue the birthday celebrations. There was a lot of calls being made, as you can see. I'm not sure why the tactic of calling someone over and over to make them want to come out is still used. It's never worked. It's got a 10 out of 10 fail rate. But the people in my circle still try it. And they're still somewhat shocked when the person turns their cellphone off. I think I'd probably do the same thing, but I think if I didn't come out to someone's birthday I would probably have a better reason than being tired. I would at least say something like, "I can't come. Anthony is too annoying." That was nearly enough reason for me to leave! Despite being sexually harassed and having water poured onto my shoulder, somehow Lisa got all the sympathy for being thin! Life is so unfair. We'll see if I ever help celebrate Jamie's birthday again.

Sunday: On Jamie's ACTUAL birthday I put together a little day for her and took her up to NYC. This included some clever word placement and meeting up with Lisa and then Eavvon and it went off without a hitch. I had been a bit stressed about it, but things worked out pretty good. I was especially stressed whenever the issue of NYC or Eavvon would come up Jamie would say things like, "I had my cold weather trip to NYC this year. I'm done" or "maybe we'll go see Eavvon when it's warmer" and I'd have to just agree knowing that we were going to go up there in a few short weeks! That sucked! BUT I guess it turned out alright. I tried to tell her to dress warm.. I dunno. Anyway, we went and had sushi and then Pinkberry.. and then.. that was really the extent of my grand planning. It's hard to make great plans when it's so cold out. Stupidly, it got seriously so warm after it rained. When we got off the train in Hamilton, it was like humid and nice. I wish it had been like that all day! But it wasn't so bad sitting in the Houlihans in Penn Station and people watching. There's a whole lot of weird people to watch in Penn Station. Cue Bill's comment about NYC.

Monday: I took it pretty easy in honor of the President's! I played a lot of guitar and wrote a new song. The only time I went out was to get some Taco Bell with my mom. I haven't had taco bell in forever. And I still suffer from being spoiled by Matt for so long. I'm always unsure of what it is that I order. He always just knew and would get it for me. But I figured it out. It was pretty good. I know it's a sin to some people that I don't eat Taco Bell more since it's so accessible, but I had my fair share for two years.

Tuesday: Another pretty boring day. Most of my days are pretty boring, honestly. So I could have been blogging, but I was probably playing guitar. Later on I went out with Jamie so she could buy her birthday present from her parents. I haven't heard how that's been working out for her. I know it was a camera but I haven't seen any of it's amazingness yet. I'm sure it won't be long! After we got that, we went to one of my favorite places to eat; Ruby Tuesdays. As a balanced part of a Jenell diet, I made a piece of art out of my leftovers. Is that weird or wonderful?

Wednesday: I went to my second home, the post office and then over to visit Bryan who was JUST opening up his store. Don't get the wrong idea. I didn't get up early. It was about 4. And whoa, it looks crazy different in there. If you haven't been to New Revelations in a while you should go. The walls are painted and things are all moved around! It was weird to walk in there! But I had to go home because there was band practice. We put Jimmy to the test and made him play without his song book and he was doing pret-ty good if I do say so myself! After everyone left, I made some food and watched a lot of TV. And it was actual TV. It wasn't The Office DVDs for once. I think I have an addiction to the Office. I seriously have been watching it everyday for... I don't know how many weeks now. Is their a support group?

And that pretty much brings us up to the present! Tonight Jamie and I are going to go see the Foo Fighters. Seeing the Foo Fighters is kind of amusing for me. I mean, they're awesome live but I'm no where near as huge of a fan as Jamie is and I almost feel like a fraud being there. Be that as it may, I'm sure they won't disappoint. Haven't yet!

and I'm spent.

you see through, right to the heart of me

Once upon a few days ago (aka last week), it was nice enough outside that I could stand outside without my jacket and find irony in the winter themed window displays. That didn't last too long. February remembered it's a winter month and blasted back in full force with snow, wind, and ice. And though my car looked badass encased in ice and our driveway was hella fun frozen over, this shitty ass weather has put a damper on some of the social activities. No free pancakes. And... and.. oh wait. I don't have any social activities to attend. I'm poor and unemployed. Be that as it may, I've been keeping myself busy during these treacherous days. I guess I haven't been extremely inspired musically lately but I did feel a burst of artistic inspirato.
Beginning of March, my grandmother who is currently staying with my aunt in Texas is going to be coming back to her good ol' home state of NJ and shacking up with her favorite people. My mother and I went over to her house on Sunday to pick up a few things and consider what furniture would be moved into our house. In looking, my mom stumbled upon a box full of photos and the baby books of my mother and her siblings. My grandmother is incredibly organized to an obsessive level and she had every single school photo in each book from birth to 11th grade. When I came upon my mom in her kindergarten photo, I fells in love! What an adorable child! It kind of bugged me out a little because when I look at it, it looks like the imagery I get when I imagine what my own child would look like. Is that weird? Does anyone else imagine what their children will look like? Well, seriously, I felt like I had seen this child a million times in my mind! Kind of surreal. It's my mama! Well, I took it home because I wanted to scan it to keep it then I got inspired to draw it as a gift for my grandmother. A little "welcome to our crazy ass house" gift. I'm a little uncomfortable showing my art. I'm not exactly pleased with the end result. It could be better. But I'm posting it anyway because this gives me an excuse to show this super cute picture of my mom in Kindergarten! I wish my mom had been this organized with our school photos! Then I could post pictures of me in school and we could all laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh...

at some point the daddy can't take a bath with the kids anymore

For a while there, I was kicking ass blog wise. I was blogging up a STORM. And then things got a little stormy and busy over the weekend and I just didn't have the time! I know, that's no excuse really. All my many faithful readers must have been SO bummed. HA!

So, what was missed?

Wednesday: There was karaoke to be sung and college radio stations to bless with our presence. If you happened to be listening to WCUR in West Chester, PA on Wednesday night you might have gotten to hear J&tY on the radio. hollahollaholla!

Thursday: Band practice. We learned a new song together. We didn't get much else done asides from that, but it was a good accomplishment in itself. Later I watched House. I think that's another show I could probably have on DVD that I might watch a lot. Not as often as I watch the Office, but it's hard to top the Office...

Friday: Bryan's new band with Ryan, the Flyswatters, played at the Bridgewater Pub. Note to self: must get a show there. that stage is crazy looking. Second note to self: must get dance lessons.

Saturday: Played show at the Fire!! For more information on that, go to our myspace and check out the blog I wrote about it. It took me two days to write it. As in, when I wrote it last night, myspace ate it so I had to re-write it today. So, yeah, two days. I hope you guys appreciate it!

My stomach is hurts. I ate too many pretzels.

everything is not as its sold

In other news, the Christmas lights I had on my diamond window (description of its shape, not what it's made of.. unfortunately) behind my computer have passed on. This is a hard blow for me. Those babies were on 24/7 and they were not only helped me to find my lamp without killing my dog when I got home at night, but they also were my trusty night light! They protected me from the darkness that I so fear! Until replaced, it's going to be oddly dark and with this new sleep medication giving me nightmares I just did not need this! They made my room shine like a beacon of holiday merriment from the street below! Oh woe! I miss them already!

Good thing I have a spare string in my closet.
But I'll put them up tomorrow.
One night of darkness in honor of a really awesome string of lights.
Res'pect.

and I will wait to find if this will last forever

There was things accomplished today. We're shaking up this old world! Well, we're going to try. I don't know. We'll see. Or maybe you'll hear. I don't know what that means. But it did feel good to get something done that had been overwhelming for me when it came up. But I overcame it and got it done. What felt even better was to go outside without a jacket; just a hoodie. I don't like to imagine that the ice caps are melting and we're killing the world, but I did enjoy this oddly warm day in February. Sorry Mama Earf.

Also, sorry Democratic Party, I didn't vote today either. I toat failed you this time. But like I said to my mom, "Not like my vote made a damn difference last time!" I know that's not the right spirit to have, but I just can't handle the disappointment! I'll vote when it's the biggity big-big important one, though. I just wish the voting booths were in a more accessible place and there wasn't weird people there. Crazy ass Millville.


Be that as it may, I did accomplish something. Thanks to Jamie for addressing the envelopes. Top notch addressing, friend! On that note, if there's any more radio stations or booking places or record labels that would be interested in a press kit, they can contact the struggling members of JeNell & the Yets at jenell_music@yahoo.com. We hope to hear from you soon, Epic Records*!


* - I picked this name out randomly. we don't play favorites! we love all big record labels equally. well, right now. I guess we'll pick a favorite one when they pick us! hollerz!