I have this weird thing where earbuds hurt my ears super bad. Maybe I have exceptionally small ears or earbuds are abnormally huge. Whatever, they hurt and I complain a lot about it. Last week I finally decided to do something about it and did a search for “cute, pink headphones”.

No, I’m not kidding. See?

(I got new glasses too!)

They are metallic-y hot pink over the ear Skullcandy headphones that are slightly obnoxious if worn in public but sometimes I just might want to be slightly obnoxious and make everyone jealous that I have cooler headphones than them. Plus the sound is amazing.

But for days when I want to be slightly less obnoxious, I got a pair of earbuds (also Skullcandy) that have 3 different gel bud thingys in different sizes for a better fit which means they won’t hurt my freakish ears.

So instead of just showing off all the super cool stuff I bought, I figured I’d share some albums I’ve been listening to lately as well.

Fun – Aim and Ignite: Jessica Maria turned me on to this band. Currently loving this album. It reminds me a bit of Queen and I love that.
Elliott – False Cathedrals: one of my favorite albums of all time. It’s just pretty and perfect. Trust.
The Get Up Kids - Something to Write Home About: They issued a 10th anniversary edition of this. Can I just say how old that makes me feel? But for the record, this album is fantastic.
The Stills – Logic Will Break Your Heart: I love these Canadians. This album reminds me of summer time.
Since by Man – We Sing The Body Electric: Milwaukee hardcore. Don’t click on that unless you’re up for some screamy, heavy shit. I’ve seen them live more times than I can count. They broke up a couple years ago but dude, they are still awesome.
Fight From Above – L.A. Kids: I just heard about these dudes from Sean tonight. I liked them so much I bought the album from iTunes. That says a lot from a serial downloader.

I linked to each bands Myspace because they have music players. But if you’re nice and think you might like to hear more, email me and I’ll break into my collection and see what I can do for you.

I woke up this morning feeling hungover. And when you didn’t have a drop of alcohol the night before, that’s clearly a problem.

You see, my weekend was filled with too much awesome. So much that I’m hungover from it.

(Or not enough water, whatever)

At first I was kinda sick and that was just not going to go well with my plans. I had to cancel dinner with Jessica Maria, who was in town, and Ang on Thursday night. And then missed Friday night’s Motion City Soundtrack show and one of the outside pockets of my Marc Jacobs bag got completely soaked on the outside and I had a three minute meltdown in the Target parking lot that included freaking out on Twitter and me being very close to tears because YOU JUST DON’T FUCK WITH A GIRL’S MARC JACOBS.

(Yeah, I’m talking to you, Target carts)

That night after a little bit of  a late start, I met up with an old acquaintance, who I haven’t seen in about four years. Personally, I’m a fan of spending my Friday night talking to a cute boy and eating soup until 2AM. So here’s to new friends!

The following day, I spent it mainly in bed with Barney Stinson and making out Christmas cards which was great until I got a paper cut on my lip. Who does that? Apparently, I do.

(I’m sorry if your Christmas card has blood on it)

But yesterday was a pretty fantastic way to round out an amazing weekend. I was just minding my own business when I see a tweet from Whitney (who has an excellent fashion blog you should check out) that Rodarte for Target was out and I was all HJASDLAK and ran out wearing leggings as pants and my ugly boots. All my clothes were in the laundry and it was CLEARLY A FASHION EMERGENCY so I made an exception to my rule.

Bad fashion for the sake of good fashion. Duh.

Here is my good fashion: crepe lace print dress and this cardigan. The cardigan (mine is grey) is amazing which is to be expected if you are familiar with Rodarte knits. AMAZING.

And then I found out that Brittany Murphy died. WAY HARSH, TAI. But seriously, I need to go buy Clueless and watch on repeat to honor her memory because it’s really one of the best movies ever. She was way too young to come to an end so soon.

My sister, Sara, is also home for the holidays so she was my partner in crime for the night. Then I got a text saying Jessica’s flight got canceled and Sarah flew in from Detroit for the night and we all hung out at the Motion City Soundtrack show! I haven’t really listened to them too much but after seeing them live, they definitely have a new fan.  After we got to run backstage and say hi to Jesse (Jessica’s husband) and it was pretty cool being able to meet one of the people I’ve read about for so long.

The show itself was fantastic even if it made me feel totally old. I use to be the one bouncing around in the crowd freaking out to my favorite songs and this time I was up in the side balcony checking everything out from up top. Regardless, I need more rock shows in my life.

There is only one way to wrap a night of good fashion, music and friends: GRILLED CHEESE. So the sister and I headed to The 44th Ward Dinner Party to grab a Belmont Harbor which is basically the sandwich dreams are made of. No joke, come to Chicago and I will take you there.

And the winner for most awesome weekend ever goes to me.

When I was in 8th grade my two older cousins took me to my first ska show. It was at the Fireside Bowl. A beat down bowling alley on Fullerton where they would have rock shows.

I couldn’t tell you what bands were playing. I just remember being mesmerized by the blaring horns and standing on a chair because I was so much smaller than everyone else. Catching flashes of girls with shaved heads but only bangs, guys with creeper covered feet kicking and stomping and arms swinging, which I’d soon learn was called skanking, in this tiny cramped space.

It Means Everything by Save Ferris was the first ska album (third wave, if you want to be all technical) I ever bought. I worshiped Monique Powell. I wanted nothing more than to dye my hair fire engine red and be able to belt out a song like her. I played that album until it could play no more.

(they are actually the band playing at the prom in 10 Things I Hate About You if you’ve seen it)

Operation Ivy. Less than Jake. Goldfinger (a bit more pop punky ska but still way fun). Reel Big Fish. Dance Hall Crashers. Blah blah, I could go on and on.

There is absolutely no way you can listen to any of those bands and not want to get up and move. It’s just not possible. I’m far from a dancer but I’d totally let go when my friend would grab my hand, drag me to the middle of the floor and we would skank our little hearts out. My lack of coordination didn’t matter much.

It’s just fun, upbeat music and a total pick me up.

This week coming up I’ll be doing some temp work. Mainly data entry which will probably be pretty tedious so I’m stocking up my iPod with some good music. I felt a little nostalgic and dug up some stuff I haven’t listened to in awhile.

Anyway, I can’t promise I won’t be dancing around in my chair while copy and pasting with stuff like this in my headphones.

P.S. Ska. Get yourself educated.

When I think back over the past few years, so many of my favorite memories are linked to music in some way.

My first and only year in the dorms, Story of the Year and 50 Cent. No joke. Pop punk and rap music were the soundtrack to our Thirsty Thursday. So college, it hurts.

Inking a dove on my shoulder when I turned 18. It happens to be a band logo as well but it means so much more.

There were many trips to various venues, my favorites being the beat up bowling alley on Fullerton whose bathroom stalls never locked and the lounge underneath the Belmont red line with Philly’s Best across the street that we would stumble in exhausted and sweaty, absolutely beat (literally) from the show ready for some pizza.

Being stuffed into a teeny tiny cafe listening to some stupid local grind band with the windows fogged up and kids pouring outside. Traffic often stopped to see what the hell was going on in the little coffee shop. But the bad music and the crowded spaces didn’t matter, it was all about who I was hanging out with.

Since I had an SUV, I was often the designated roadie for local bands I actually liked. I didn’t mind because I was probably going there anyway. Big huge cabs and bass guitars were often a staple in my car on weekends. The music that flowed from it was all that mattered.

Milwaukee. Some of the best bands came from there and since Chicago was so close, there were many road trips. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve seen sincebyman or even the things I would do to their lead singer but they were the best of Milwaukee hardcore.

Seeing the last show ever by Engine Down with Bella Lea. Lying in the middle of Grant Park on a blanket, head rested on his chest listening to Death Cab for Cutie. Being completely immersed in the beauty of Blonde Redhead when the girl in front of you stiffens, eyes roll back and she hits the floor with such a thud, you were sure her skull cracked open. She only fainted but it sure scared the hell out of me. I probably never would have forgotten that show but she forever cemented it in my mind. Another year at Lollapalooza, this time lying on the outskirts of a sea of people. Blanket spread out, eyes closed and soaking up all that Radiohead had to offer. It was like magic.

Packed in a sweaty, old man bar in Boystown while friends throw out mashup after mashup at the crowd getting out of the hood. Hanging out in various clubs and lounges and just being there for support. Lying on the couch listening to the scratch of records while he brushes up his skills. Occasionally, he throws in a silly song he would never play in the club just because he knows it will make me smile.

Right now? I’m listening to music that makes me think of better days. I’m pouring through 2003. There is nothing like pop punk when you’re not feeling your best.

Have you ever been in the middle of it all for one of your favorite bands?

There is nothing like it.

The pushing, the shoving, the screaming, the dancing. It brings out passion, fear, all kinds of emotion and pumps you so full of adrenaline. It’s just an amazing high.

I need more of that feeling right now.

Truly a legend who changed the face of music.

He will be missed.

Rest In Peace

Don’t you hate when you love a song or album so much and then it just gets played to hell on the radio?

Then you change the station and it’s the same song on that station too?

To the point where you are like ready to rip your hair out again if you just hear the beginning of a song?

I mean, I love Lady Gaga. I’ve been all about her since October or whenever The Fame came out. It’s my go-to album in the car!

Yeah, some people might compare her to a busted Christina Aguilera but whatever Christina isn’t looking so hot herself these days.

Okay, maybe carrying around tea cup and wearing John Lennon-ish glasses is a little odd.

And yes, we all know she doesn’t wear pants often but if I had an ass like that I’d say fuck pants too.

(Whatever she is a fierce bitch so haters to the left.)

But seriously, if I hear Poker Face one more time, I will cut someone.

CUT

SOMEONE

.

Don’t ruin the rest of the album for me, guys. I know it’s bound to happen but still. Go play Flo Rida, Blame It on the Alcohol or some other reject song again because in a few months everyone will forget about those and be all about some new Lil Wayne joint that sucks just as much.

Just lay off the Gaga because your killing it.

And me.

(In case I die, Tia, you can have my blog.)

(but don’t play Poker Face on purpose so you can have it because I will come back and haunt you all)

Basically, I’m all sorts of in love with Britney Spears (pretty sure everyone knows that though). The show Wednesday just confirmed it more if that was possible.

I fought my way through all the strippers and skanks, teeny boppers and dudes who acted like they didn’t want to be there but secretly, inside, they were loving it to my seats which were on the top level but still great view. Put up with the Pussycat Dolls screeching about buttons and hating this part. Drank my pink lemonade vodka something or other. Watched some reject wanna be Cirque du Soliel performances during intermission. Dealt with Perez Hilton’s annoying ass on screen for the intro (HATE PEREZ).

Then finalllly sparks flew out, music started thumping and BritBrit decended from the ceiling heavens and all was right with the world.

First off, let’s get this out of the way. We all know Britney isn’t going to sing so the whole OMG WHY PAY $XXX FOR TICKETS JUST TO SEE HER LIPSYNC shit is pointless. You go there knowing it’s not going to happen so shut up.

I didn’t go to see Britney sing. I went to see a show.

She is a performer. An entertainer.

And you know what, it was awesome. She put on a great show. The costumes, the vibe, the stage, her dancers – everything. There was a lot off of Blackout which is a great album, better than Circus in my opinion. Of course, the classics like Toxic, Baby One More Time and Slave For You. Even a sexy as hell video of Sweet Dreams.

Sorry, no pictures. I forgot my camera and my iPhone camera was just not cooperating.

I would go see it in a second if I had the chance. Go catch the Circus if the tour comes your way. Seriously.

P.S. Britney, I think you need to hire me for your social media team. You’re a rockstar, I’m a rockstar. It’s meant to be.

Let’s make it happen!

It’s finally here!

I’m going to see Britney tonight and it’s going to be amazing.

Try not to be too jealous, guys.

I’ll tell Britney and the Circus you said hi.

Yes, this post is all about Britney Spears. Get off my shit, bitch is fierce.

As some of you know, today her new record, Circus dropped. I think it’s good and there are a couple of really great songs (in my opinion) like Circus and Phonography but as a whole, I think Blackout was better. Blackout had hit after hit.

On another note, while watching the documentary, Britney: For the Record, I think you can really see how sad she is. It’s like she loves doing what she does but she just doesn’t have the spark anymore. Maybe it’s poor choreography but she isn’t really hitting the dancing like she use to. Or maybe it’s just taking her awhile to get back into the swing of performing. The preview for the Circus video looks insane though. I can’t wait to see it.

(Britney’s performance this morning on Good Morning America)

Whatever it is, I love her and want to go see her when she comes to Chicago in April. I wish I would have know that tickets would go on pre-sale today so I could have budgeted it in but I don’t think I can afford to drop like $250 for a pair of tickets