Well, crap

I wear my Schoolyard Heroes sweatshirt almost every day. It's warm enough on cool days, and it's cool enough any day. Plus, it tells the whole world "That's right, bitches, I know this awesome band." Every now and then someone will say "Oh, I love Schoolyard!" and I'll say "That's right you do." Because really, how could you not?

So imagine my dismay when I learned that this holiday season, the Heroes are giving us all a rocktastic present tied with a heartbreak bow. A reunion and farewell all rolled into one. I think I'll skip cliches on this one and go for simple instead: I understand, but I'm still super sad.

I know I don't have the authority to speak for all Schoolyard fans everywhere, but I'm going to do it anyway. We love you. We'll miss you. You are one of the cooliest, ghouliest bands out there, and the void you leave will be hard to fill. You've got big hearts, rockin' spirits and freaking fantastic hair. Wherever you go from here, we wish you all the best.

I'm so glad I had a chance to rock with y'all while I could. That little sweatshirt will certainly have new significance now. And of course, the offer for cookies still stands. Anytime, just ask.

I love you guys.

xoxo --Ashley Skye

Oh, and if you wanted to play Jonathan Harker on the 19th, I just might sell you my soul.

Because I can can can

Small fact that interests me:
I spent six months living in Oz, and now I have moved to the Emerald City.

Incidentally, what qualifies a fact as small? Can you have a large fact? I hear a "your mom" joke hiding in the background, but I don't have the patience or four-year-old mentality to coax it out.

Now that I am more or less settled in here, I wanted to share a few things. Why? See post subject.

-Parking is expensive! I know the city gets exciting income from parking and all its violations, but can't they have at least some free spots that aren't full of Greeks?
-I think someone is driving a remote control car around the parking lot across the street. Either that or there is an indecently huge spider running around. OR a crow that forgot how to fly. ... Or it's just a plastic bag. Nah, I'll stick with remote control.
-Free internet is a beautiful thing. Especially when it's wireless. And you don't have to walk 2.7km to get to it.
-Say no to drugs; say yes to windows. In this land of so little light, we must treasure every photon of it. I've lived in a basement. No matter how blue you paint the walls or how many sexy posters you put up, basements are cold and dark.
-Sedentary is an excellent word, but a terrible lifestyle. I can't wait to start work again.
-This is the first autumn I've had in two years. So far, it's been exactly what I would hope.
-Pay attention to your words. You never know how they will affect the world around you.
-I like living in Washington, and I am quite enjoying this new adventure I've undertaken, but I must admit that I miss hearing Australian accents every day.

"And so," she said, "let today be a good day full of good things. Let us rejoice in this rare moment of sun. Let us soak in the Vitamin D, and may it stimulate our pituitary with feelings of content and happiness. And let us store these feelings for the long dark winter ahead." And everyone replied, "Huzzah!" Or they would have, if there were anyone around.

I dreamt once that Bobby Kennedy was president

Ahh, remember the sixties? Well, I don't; I wasn't alive then. But every era has its legacy, and every legacy has… its soundtrack. Whether you remember them from when they first released or grew up with them thanks to your parents, the songs of the sixties are a prize in any music collection.

So why do I bring this up? Why do I conjure the ghost of music past? Because for the next four weeks, the sixties are alive and well in downtown Olympia. Harlequin Productions have worked their magic to bring some classic hits back to life. Sixties Chicks (currently running June 18-July 19) is, to put it simply, fantastic.

From a technical perspective, it’s brilliant. Lighting sets the mood for each song, while choreography and costumes exude 1960’s fabulousness. No aspect of production has been neglected. And when the show takes off? Prepare yourself because you’re in for a sizzling night of foot-tapping fun.

The chicks of Sixties Chicks have four superb voices: strong, clear and emotive. From solos to complete ensemble pieces, these women can really sing! The ladies are backed by a stunning five-man band. Together the guys and gals create music so danceable that I could barely stay in my seat.

Oh, but what of the plot? Aren’t we going to the theatre? My dear friends, you already know the story. It is written in the history books and in the hearts of everyone alive today. Civil rights and birth control, John Kennedy and Dr. King, these songs give voice to events that have affected the whole world.

So go, embark on this musical journey. Travel back through time and hum along with the heartbeat of an era past. If this show doesn’t leave you feeling vibrant and full of life, then I don’t know what will.

Subject?

Ok, so here's the thing. Romantic comedies build unrealistic expectations. I think everyone knows that. But for me, beyond temporarily expecting my own life to follow that same overused script, the unrealistic expectations also extend to my own behavior. After watching Love Actually or Ever After (two of my favorites), I find myself possessed by a strange courage. Yes! The world really is that simple! I will tell him how I feel, and all will be well. Or even if he rejects me, at least I will feel good about having spoken up.

Bullshit.

That euphoric feeling of "Act now!" doesn't stick. It certainly doesn't last long enough for me to put it into action, let on alone any permanent basis. So then I am plagued by unfinishable questions. "Should I have-?" "Do you think he-?" "What if I-?" Etcetera. And do you know what? They're the same questions I ask anyway. Even if all I'd done today was laundry (which I meant to, but that's another story), the exact same thoughts would still be using my brain as a treadmill. Only now there's also this sense of let-down. Of having been cheated. Of something not done.

But I wouldn't have done it. Even if he had been sitting right next to me at the peak of my cinema-induced bravery, I would still have kept my thoughts quiet. In fact, I think he has been sitting right next to me, and I didn't say a damn thing. So while I can instantly recognize my post-viewing fantasies as the fabrications they are, I actually believe for at least a few hours that this time I will do something different.

...

Which reminds me. It's 2009. Resolutions are traditional, are they not? I have two this year. I had two last year. Whether by accident or unconscious design, each of my pairs seems to have come with one labeled "possible" and the other labeled "likely." Though last year I was surprised by which one stuck, so we'll see. I guess that's what this year is for, right? Finding out?

Oh, right. The resolutions.
1) No more soda.
2) Learn to breathe algebra.

Good luck, everyone, and have a fulfilling year!