Stop this!

This whole job thing is really infringing upon my leisurely activities. No time to take pictures. No time to blog. No time to write music. No time to make my bed. No time to clean my car. No time to bathe my dog. Just no time. Things are suffering! Have I seen any financial reimbursement for all my time lost? Nope, not yet. I had to use the ATM today so I could have a drink and a pretzel on my first ever break (so sad) and the balance was painfully, painfully low. It's a harsh reality. But on my glorious first ever lunch break, I sat outside and realized my true calling; soccer. The wind blew and my napkins took a trip and I jumped up and blocked/stopped them with my feet while I was at the same time putting my hair back. The fellow on the next bench said he was impressed with my skills and I said I should have been a soccer player. He agreed it was my true calling. So, if Aeropostale doesn't pay me soon, I'm going to quit and become a world famous soccer player so help me God!

In other news, one really awesome person and this other asshole had birthdays recently. Happy birthday to the awesome one! Unhappy birthday to the asshole!

at least my pay check will be nicer

My first day of work at Aeropostale was fuckin crazy. Where can I begin? Let's begin at the start. When I went to orientation last week, I was given my schedule, which clearly said that my first day was Sunday from 6am to 3pm. Despite that being a totally shit time to have to get up to go to work at the mall, I wasn't going to question authority. So Sunday morning I got up at 5am and got all ready to go and got on my way to work. The roads were as empty as the mall parking lot. And, apparently, as empty as the entire mall. The doors were locked and Janine, the manager, didn't answer her cellphone or the store line. I left a voicemail and drove back home thinking that I perhaps had the wrong times or the wrong number. I didn't have either wrong. So, for the next few hours, I called the store and Janine's cell about every half hour. At about 9:30, Katie, the assistant manager, answered at the store and I told her about my confusion. She didn't have much information for me since I'm too new to be on the schedule. We speculated that maybe Janine meant to write Saturday 6am to 3pm (what Janine had worked on Saturday) or that possibly she meant to put Sunday 6pm to 3am; what Janine was scheduled to work. A little after this, Janine called me back and come to find out, she had meant to write Sunday 6pm to 3am. Janine and Katie both apologized a lot and I tried to use this to my advantage and get my hours changed from 6pm to 1am. Janine agreed to this, but read on! haha

So, after that got all settled, I called my mom to let her know because we had made plans to meet at Volkswagon so I could get things fixed on mah ride. Since my hours were different, we decided to meet then. So, I drove down to Cape May Courthouse (about 40 mins away) and dropped my car off. Then my mom and I drove in the most disgusting smelling car (my brother's) ever to my Uncle John's so that I could borrow my grandmother's car so I could get to and from work the next few days. On a side note, I can't believe how horrible my brother's car smells. So rancid. So disgusting. It actually made my chest hurt. We had to open the windows.

Anyway, I got my grandmother's not so sweet ride, drove home, made myself a sandwich, and tried to lay down for a few hours to get some rest. I'm not very good at napping so I don't really know how much rest I really got. I was so in and out. I got back up at about 3:30, got re-dressed and chilled out with something to drink. This would be the last drink I'd have for many, many hours! I left a little early to get gas, but in my rush to get out of the house so I'd have time to get gas, I completely forgot to bring a drink with me. It did not register in my head that the mall would be closed the entire time I was there and thus there would be no way for me to get anything to drink. But I figured it'd be alright since I was leaving at 1am so I didn't stress....

So, what was I doing? I was doing "floor set". The Aeropostale corporation sends them books with how the floor sets are supposed to look and what clothes go where and we're supposed to follow that and make it as close to that as possible. But that means you have to move the clothes already on the walls, tables, racks and put them somewhere else. It's not fun. It's a big undertaking. And when we started, there was 6 of us doing it; Janine, Caitlyn, Alison, Devon, Ana, and myself. Devon is a minor so she had to leave at 11. At 11, we all went outside (because we can't be left in the store alone without a manager and Devon had to be walked out) and we had our break. It wasn't much of a break since all the benches outside were soaked so we just stood outside while Janine smoked a cigarette. After that, we all went back in and got back to work. Then at 12, Ana and Alison left. I don't know why. I guess they were just done. I know Ana had classes in the morning, but I overheard talk and it seems that Alison just is lazy and never stays. I don't know! hahaha So then it was just the three of us and there was still so much work ahead. Janine with a sinus infection and Caitlyn who sounded like she had one and me. I had a headache brewing, hadn't eaten since noon, and was seriously dehydrated. But, when 1am came around, there was still just so much work to be done and I couldn't just leave the two of them to do it alone...

So, I stayed. And it sucked a lot. I did a lot of shit. I can't even hardly remember. Just a lot of shit. I tried to work quickly but efficiently so that things would just be done and I could get home. With every hour, my headache grew, but there wasn't anything I could do about it. I knew Advil wouldn't have helped at that point and taking a Codeine without anything to drink or eat would undoubtedly led to me being too sick to drive. So, of course, I got a migraine. I continued to work and tried to like go into a sort of meditation in my head. I was putting these tank tops on hangers and they kept slipping off and there was soooo many, but I kept my cool. Just tried to be chill. It got really bad when Janine and Caitlyn started to clean up (I was still hanging tank tops) and found that Ana and Alison had left piles and piles of clothes for us to clean up for them. We had no place for them. Janine like flipped out at one point in the back. I was crawling around on the floor folding plaid cargo shorts. We were all exhausted and unhappy and Caitlyn kept saying, "I feel so bad for you... this is your first day!" and at one point said, "I hope you come back..." hahahah

At 3:55, we clocked out. I don't know how I managed to drive myself home. Thank God I live so close because I definitely wouldn't have been able to drive much farther. I had to drive with one eye covered in a car that's not my own. Horrible.

Upon getting home, I took a codeine and laid down in the dark with a piece of bread, a drink, and my Gizmo. I started to feel like I could function so I got up and made myself some mac & cheese (something I had been like fantasizing about all night!). For a while, I felt good. "Knocked UP" was on and I had eaten and I felt a bit better. But then I started to feel really nauseous. As time went on, I felt more and more sick and had to sit up and I was trying to breath slow, but it was no use. The feeling started to overwhelm me. So I went into the bathroom and said goodbye to my mac and cheese. :(

I didn't wind up going to bed until like 7am. And now I'm all having the after effects of a migraine and feeling like shit. It sucks. At least I don't have to go back there til 4pm tomorrow.

I think I just stole Benji's longest blog post award! OH OUCH!

prison is no fairytale world

Nathan has got me completely spooked. He told me a story about how he stepped on a mouse in the dark in his old apartment while only in his socks. He stepped on a mouse and crushed its tiny little body. He saw its brains! Anyway, now when I'm going around in the dark and I step on anything, I think it's a mouse and get all creeped out. For instance, I was in the hallway and I stepped on something and I ran down the hall so fast. I turn the light on and what was it? A dog toy.

Thanks, Nathan, I'm totally insane now.

little mama, what you drink?

Guess who finally got a job?!

hollahollahollahollahollaholla

what are you a pimp now?

I haven't made an update in far too, too long...
so here's some pictures to catch things up:
I think that about brings us up-to-date.

you know what our killer is? wolves.

For the past few days I've been pretty down and out because of an excruciating canker sore that grew from three little sores into one big massive beast. Drinking, eating, and talking are very difficult tasks. Even breathing through my mouth can hurt. Just constant pain that I can only describe as someone sawing through your lip with a serrated knife. I've never experienced this, but I think this is how it would feel probably. Though oddly enough, I fantasize about cutting my lip off a lot lately. Anyway, by the time this heals, I'm either never going to be able to drink green tea again or I am going to actually turn green. I've had like 800 cups. And I don't mean to sound complainy or anything. I just don't really have anything else to update about because it's the only thing I've been "doing". Just getting up late (though sporadically waking up through the night because of pain) and going to bed early (3am is really early for me) and aching. Be that as it may, today it was finally pretty outside and Gizmo and I enjoyed looking at it. Whenever I look out, he comes over and tries to jump/claw up to see too but is too small, so I lift him up. It's really cute. I tried to capture it as best as I could. Though it's a little bit scary when he sees my mom pull in the drive way and he tries to jump out the window. Many thanks to whoever invented window screens.

I'll tell you when I can whisper it in your ear

This is Hello Tokyo. They are from Brooklyn, NY. They are awesome. And I'm not just saying that because 75% of the band is a good friend of mine. They just released a new album called "Sell the Stars" and I went to their show/release party at the Fire in Philadelphia, PA on on Friday to picked it up and it's so awesome. My blog is far from being a music blog of any kind, but I would recommend this album to anyone! And now, I recommend it to you.

you always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows

Though the weather was quite nice today, there was something a bit odd going on. Some sort of disease infiltrated the entire Cumberland County area. A disease I'll tentatively entitle 40 miles peritis. If you're worried that you've contracted this disease, here are the symptoms: Extremely slow acceleration. Excessive slow down for turns/stops. Excessive pre-turn blinkering. Decreased vision and ability to read signs. Lack of consideration for other drivers. Inability to drive over 40 miles per hour. An increased desire for gambling or sexual activities. Dry eyes. Cotton mouth. Alright, I might have embellished a little towards the end. But if you're suffering from any of these symptoms, please refrain from operating heavy machinery including your oversized yellow truck, bright yellow neon, or any other kind of car, motorcycle, or moped.

In other news, J&TY recieved their first check! Royalty check? No. Pay check? Not really. Our first internet sales check! We sold enough CDs on CDBaby.com to warrant a checkity check check! woot woot! Now I just have to take this baby to the biggity bank! I hope there's more like these to come!

Actually, it would be even better if I was getting checks that I could actually spend. I need a job. It's just beyond pathetic at this point. I hate my life.

Could be worse though. I could be a prostitute named Shylah.

Better than anything that was on the radio..

When I told my mom I was going to see Army of Me an hour and a half away in Tom's River, she said, "Oh my God..", and I said, "They're worth it!" Well, friends, I was not wrong!!! So worth it!!

Maybe, but maybe not

We played Studio LuLoo's despite the power being mercilessly cut. There wasn't any air conditioning and before we went on they switched power generators and the power stopped working and so Nathan did an accapella set through a Vitamin water bottle. I think it was probably our best show.. ever. That is, til they switched the generators back and the power started up again and the show went on. After hitting such a high with Nathan's solo performance, it was all down hill from there. And I lost a pint of sweat I'll never get back!

Apparently, we gave it to the right guy.

People that know me, have already heard about this, but for memory's sake I'm going to say a little something about it. And if you don't know me and you're wondering what's going on here, I'll explain. Jamie, Lisa, and I went to see Good Charlotte at the House of Blues and afterward we were super cool enough to be on the guest list for the private after party. Joel (Madden) DJed, Nicole (Richie) waved, Benji (Madden) talked on the phone, and we danced. Later Joel did not want to "lose his party" so we were unable to talk to him, but Paul (Thomas), the bassist, was brave and unafraid of losing anything and stopped to talk with us. Turned out to be the best possible situation. We chatted with him for a while and gave him a copy of our CD. Mind you, we've given it to a handful of other "professial musicians" and never heard anything back. Well, the very next day he left the above pictured comment. I'm consistently looking for validation that doing this isn't absolutely a waste of time and that's a pretty good one right there. Not only did a successful musician give his approval, but a musician from a band that I love. It's very encouraging. I wasn't sure if he would listen at all, let alone listen right away and then come and connect back with us. It's just so awesome. haha I don't know how to express it! But I'm definitely going to remember this if I ever get anywhere in this business. Never going to get too busy or important! And to end this, I love Paul! ♥

I want to see everything you have to offer me

As I briefly said in my last post, I had more news than just Gizmo being cute and Google being stupid. Madness was afoot at the Bus Stop Cafe yesterday evening and it was worthy of two camera coverage. The brilliance isn't accurately captured in my photos, but the video Lisa got will no doubt express things a little better. But Jamie, seen here bamboozled at the sight of a foreign, un-Yet related bass, was a temporary Atomic Orphan. She played a mean E string which really added a special flare to the fantastic display of musical craftsmenship. Perhaps if she sticks it out with them she'll be able to at least teach a certain someone that if he's going to cover "Sanctuary" than he'll have to learn that it's not called "Sacrifice". That it in fact has no mention of the word "sacrifice" what so ever. Though I'm sure "Sacrifice" could be wonderful. Anything the Atomic Orphan's put their stamp on is by no means mind blowing. So I have no doubt that "Sanctuary" done as "Sacrifice" would be nothing less!

In other completely unrelated news, Gizmo got a haircut and a bloody foot today. Yeah, big day for the Mo. He was like a brand new dog when he came plopping back into my room this afternoon fresh from gettin his hairrr did. And as we do most afternoons, we were running around in the backyard. My mother joined us and somewhere in the mix Gizmo completely broke one of his nails. I came inside after him and I noticed there was like a circle of red paw prints. At first we thought maybe it was Zoee. That is until Gizmo stepped on my foot and I then had blood on it! I didn't have time to be grossed out, though. When my baby is bleeding I don't really care too much about anything else. And he was growling and pretty upset, but it was okay. I held him and my mom washed it and put antiseptic on it and I managed to NOT cry! hizzah!

I am just feeling under the weather

My head is killing me, but this picture makes life feel a little more worth living!

And on a completely unrelated note, why is Google video being a total tool? Yesterday I tried to upload two videos on there (because they're bigger than 100MB) and usually it works fine, but now when it's done (and it takes FOREVER) I'll go to see it and it's just a gray screen that plays for 2 whole seconds. I don't know what the hizell is going on with it, but it's seriously frustrating. I tried it again today and it did the same thing so I say flip dat. pshaw.

I have more to update about. Crazy things. But, I are tired. I are going to lay down. Good day!

we do what we need to be free

Last night I finally caught up with 1999 and saw Fight Club. Years ago, I came in while my brother was watching it and I saw from the scene that Ed Norton beats himself up in his boss' office til nearly the end. Though I was confused, I did see the "twist" that was supposed to be a surprise. After that, I just never bothered to watch it because I basically knew how it was going to end. Well, last night it came on and I watched it from start to finish and I'm glad that I finally did. And it wasn't completely ruined knowing the twist, either. It actually just made me enjoy things in a different way. I guess I just enjoyed it in the same way that people enjoyed it their second time seeing it. Noticing things I might not have noticed had I not known the twist. I probably don't need to be so cryptic about the twist. I'm sure I'm about the last person to finally have seen Fight Club in it's entirety. Ah well. It was good. I hope that my insomnia doesn't end with me shooting myself in the jaw, though.

I can't believe I went to bed shortly after watching that movie. Thank God for the Office. It wiped my mind clean of all the gruesome scenes.

Speaking of gruesome, has anyone seen that commercial Meatloaf did for Go Phones? It's nearly as horrible as seeing his dead body on a table with half his head blown off, but in a completely different way. If you haven't seen it, try to avoid it.

my first webcam video

I had a rather uninteresting day. Mostly filled with reloading the WSTW website over and over to see if they had the podcast from last night up yet (which they STILL don't! what gives?!), but I also got some things accomplished. Like what things? Like I got the "new" webcam Lisa gave me working! It actually was a little bit harder than expected because my computer is special and couldn't find this file and I had to have the computer search for it and then put it in manually and... this probably isn't making much sense to anyone so just take my word and believe it was a little touch and go. I thought perhaps my computer was too retarded to handle this new fangled technology. But it worked out for the best in the end! holler! So, I wanted to throw together a quick first video to say "Hi Lisa!" or "Thanks Lisa!" or something.. but, well, this is how it turned out...


But I think that about sums it up. :D

you've lost control

I never post or blog anymore. Why is this? Because I never seem to use my camera anymore. Well, today it got a little use. Like 5 whole pictures worth. Check dis shizz out, homies:
Not just a band played on the radio. We're also a band that's performed live on the radio and been interviewed! I think that makes us legit if nothing else has.

Considering what the power of cupcake cones have gotten me thus far, I think I should start making them more often! Particularly the next time I go to DC... ;)

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.