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2:16 PM
WEDNESDAY APRIL 18, 2007
Hello people.
I just wanted to say "thank you" for reading my blog.
I first started this blog in place of my diary and rock calendars. As of late it's become more of a "release" for me. I used to spend way to much time on this thing as I did with Myspace and it was just a waste of my time.
I may type something from time to time, just not as much as I used to. A few weeks ago I made this a private blog - since then I've made it public for the time being.
I got a new job with the same company that I've been working at for the past 3 years and I start on Monday, April 23rd. I'm really excited about it. It's partly a graphic design job. It's certainly the most creative job I've ever had. It could lead to better things in the future and that's what my goal is. "BETTER THINGS FOR THE FUTURE".
I saw the movie "grindhouse" the day it came out, at the Vista Theatre in LA. It's such an enjoyable movie to watch with a large crowd. It's a long one but well worth it.
I went to the Morrison Hotel Gallery to see Bill Wyman's exhibit of photos, mostly The Rolling Stones. It was rather amazing and inspiring. I had to go into the shop next door because it was called "rocker moms, not soccer moms". Cool baby - kids clothes in there. I have to mention 2 items in particular ..... One was a t-shirt that read "LOUDER THAN BLACK SABBATH". Though I would have made it Motorhead but that's just my opinion. The other item was these little shorts for girls who like to pull their dresses up. They were called France Pants...... get it ? France pants? I see Paris ....... anyway, it was adorable. Most of the items were rather expensive but what do you expect for one of a kind clothing?
I have a few gigs coming up soon that I'm ultra excited about. One being; Black rebel motorcycle club at the Wiltern. I remember seeing them for the first time as the opener for The Waterboys..... my jaw was to the floor as soon as I saw the fog and the black leather jackets! AMAZING is a good word to describ both their music and coolness.
I'm also looking forward to the Jesus and marychain at the Glass house coming up pretty soon. I haven't seen them in ages! I really can't even remember seeing them but I know I have.
I'm also going to see Grant Lee Philips at the Troubadour. I love everything that this guy does! He's got it all.... so much talent, such a comedian and he's very humble about it all. I've met him and he's a really nice, mellow guy.... guy next door type that you could sip a cup of tea with and shoot the breeze about life. It's such a small world..... ... I introduced my good friend Mark Miller to him a few years back at the Largo one night and now he's just done the artwork for the new album of Grants. It's amazing...... to be such a huge fan and then work with the guy!
That's about it for now.
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10:32 PM
I've got important things to do at the moment, I'll come back just as soon as I'm done.
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8:50 PM
3/24/07
.... to new beginning's. cheers!
no more wasting time.
no more negative energy.
only moving forward and happiness.
stop fishing in insecurity lake.
set small goals.
achieve them.
appreciate everyone, including family and friends.
tell the ones you love that you love them.
GOALS..........
LOVE...........
HAPPINESS........
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1:56 PM
February 27, 2007
It’s Tuesday. It’s been exactly one week since my jeep was stolen for the second time.
Lucky this time I got it back within an hour of it being taken out of my work parking lot.
The guy who “jacked the thing” is a 45 year old African-American, and his name is Jeffrey Keith Foreman and his birthday is December 16th. I picked up the police report late last week. I need it to file restitution charges. He did about $400 in damage to the locks and steering column, that’s not including the broken center console which usually costs a pretty penny from the dealer ($800.00). I ordered an aftermarket one from the dealer which will cost $140. I’ll check it out when it comes in before I buy it.
Instillation would usually cost a lot but I’m good with stuff like this so I’m going to attempt to install it myself.
I’m really thankful for all the Cypress officers: Pat Veneski, M. Sellers, Sgt m. Parker and Detectives McShane and Lassalle. If they hadn’t been there at that time, I would have been completely fucked. My jeep would have been either completely gone or damaged to the point of a total loss and I don’t have coverage for this type of situation any longer. After the first time back on November 17th 2005 when it was stolen and stripped, I just figured it wouldn’t happen again. Boy was I ever wrong.
I have all my receipts and paperwork ready to go. I got my jeep back on Friday. I got the alarm fixed, bought a club and feel that I’m ready for next time.
I was so pissed at our crackpot security the first time and I was shocked that they were of actual help this time. The one security guard saw my jeep going through our parking lot with an African American dude driving it really fast towards one of the gates, he caught up to him and asked what he is doing there. The guy stated that he works in the warehouse and forgot his badge and asked if he could be let out of the gate. He asked who his manager was and his reply was “Mr. Johnson”. Andre then started to call 911 and the guy threw it in reverse and it was a chase through the parking lot and he went over the grass and sidewalk to the street. Andre watched as he drove and made a turn and told the police all this as he was on the phone with him. Lucky for me that the Cypress Police are everywhere, yeah I used to complain but once something like this happens…. Well…. Yay!
Two detectives in an unmarked police car happen to be pulling out of a liquor store parking lot over on Denni and Cerritos when my jeep was trying to pull in…. police guns were pulled and he was booked and thrown in jail.
Andre came running over to my desk and said “Susanne, come with me” my reply was “Are you kidding?! Not again”! He said “yeah, I’m not kidding but at least we caught the guy this time”. I was relieved and grateful so I awarded him with a doughnut the next morning. Now if he would have been out there catching him the first time, I wouldn’t have gone though hell for a year trying to get my jeep fixed. As the police was talking to me Andre asked if this made up for last time and I said I guess so.
Also, don't shop at Mattress Gallery! They are mean and they suck. Once you are out the door and have paid, you don't exist to them anymore.
I bought a new bed two weekends ago at the MG in Cerritos and was happy with the soon to be new bed at the price I got it for. It wasn't out of ths world super low but it was what I was willing to pay for a Simmons Beautyrest Queen size set. They delivered a Floor model the following Friday. I didn't notice until after the two creepy delivery guys left. And by creepy I mean smelly, dirty and just looked like they hired them for some home depot corner or something. On the MG website they claim to give the "white glove" treatment when making the delivery. By no means could these guys be giving that kind of treatment by the looks of them. no way!
After they left I got a closer look at what was delivered and there was a tag that said FLOOR MODEL, and the mattress itself was covered in caked in dirt from sitting on the floor for the past 8 months. I was disgusted. I tried to catch the delivery guys before they were down the driveway but no luck, they were long gone. I called the store right away and of course the guy who was helping me wasn't working on Friday but they said to call back the next day. I did one better, I drove down there. As I walked in there was about 10 dudes just starting at me from the front counter. I couldn't tell if some were customers or not but I walked right over to Alex (the ass-clown) and stated that they delivered the wrong bed to me, I said it was a Floor Model and he gave me this look and said "yes, that's what you ordered". We argued a little and I told him that no where on the invoice does it say "Floor Model" he then pointed to the letters SR under ST/Loc (which to me means street location) but anyway he said "right there, SR = show room" I looked at that in amazement and said "um, I don't think so! You never said anything about Floor Sample or show room model being delivered to me" We went back and forth and he pissed me off by saying "well, maybe you just weren't listening". WTF?!!
Where is justice for consumers these days?!
I said what can I do about this? He told me to call customer service on the back of the "contract" which is actually the invoice. Funny how they have all this information on Arbitration and the Better Business Bureau right there on the front of the invoice.
I called as soon as I got home and the kid who answered seemed really calm and nice and helpful up until he said he would have to have his boss/ manager call me beings I want a refund and they usually don't give refunds.
When he didn't call me the next day I simply called my credit card company and filled out a dispute letter. They told me that they would take care of it.
I hate the fact that MG aren't willing to do anything about it. It's just not fair. If I knew that I would be getting a floor sample then why would I call as soon as It was delivered? Why would I go down there the next morning? It just doesn't make sense.
The only right thing that they did was to take my old bed away.
Who in their right mind would pay $600 for a used Floor Model that had been sitting there for 8 months?
This was not a high end bed. They are total swindlers! They need to be shut down. They should have a huge sign on their windows saying FLOOR SAMPLES FOR SALE, but they don't.
If they are as professional as what their website portrays them to be then they would not have argued with me, they would not have asked for me to wait until their boss calls me back and they sure as hell would not have said that I wasn't listening!
So I've got two problems that I'm dealing with at the same time.
It's a good thing that I'm excellent at multitasking!
I went to see Sabrosa Purr at the Echo last night and they were super amazing. It's a shame they were the middle band because they only got to play about 4 songs. They played all new songs. These guys have so much talent, omg!! The first band that we had to sit through was the equivalent to a junior high school band, it was excruciating. Sabrosa Purr pretty much schooled them in the art of talent. Everyone was in awe just as soon as they started to play.
Did anyone get tickets for Iggy and the Stooges for the Wiltern? I couldn't see myself spending $42 plus ticketbastards service charges, so nope, I didn't get one. I am, however going to see The Dandy Warhols at the Wiltern on Saturday with some friends. Oh and this Friday at Safari Sams is the place to be if you want to see 4 great bands play together in one night. It's going to be: The Hangmen (yes, the same band from the 90's!), The Binges (heard they were loud and amazing), Burning Tree (Marc Ford's 90's band) and last but certainly not least the amazing Superbees reunite once again. This will hopefully restore my faith in going to LA to see bands once again.
Other then that it's back to the gym and karate classes for me.
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11:18 AM
February 13, 2007
Thursday
I woke up in a “what the hell am I going to wear; I don’t have anything to wear; I need to go shopping” kind of mood today. Needless to say all girls go through the same feeling at some point every few months or so, even if they have a wall length closet overstuffed with clothes as I do.
Today I’m going to lunch with an old co-worker whom I haven’t seen or heard from in over 5 years. It’s pretty cool how some people are able to stay connected in some way or another. I remember sitting at my desk listening to either Tom Waits or Elvis Costello and this guy walks by and stops to talk to me. We became friends from that point on. I have other old timer friends who I used to work with that sends me an e-mail ever so often just to keep in touch and it’s a nice feeling.
I think it’s interesting and unusual that people can touch your life in such a way that you remain friends for so long even if you don’t keep in contact the whole time.
I have friends and lovers that I often think about and wonder how they are doing. Some that I still keep in contact with, but mostly aren’t able to. There are 2 guys in particular that I really want to know where they are. Dave Leon (photographer in Oregon) who last I knew was living in DC. I met him when I had moved to Oregon. We kept in touch via snail mail for awhile until one night he called my house and I was with a boyfriend at the time who didn’t want me to see him. My mistake. I no longer have that boyfriend and lost a good old friend. Another was Mike Powell (bass player for the Love Cowboys) from England. Last I heard was he quit the band because he didn’t like the road life and started a band with his brother.
I had a really good friend named Holly in Oregon also. We used to go to concerts together and just hang out and be silly. She now lives in Chicago with her husband and children. We still send Christmas cards every year with updated photos.
My best friend whom I practically grew up with as a child was Tracey Heiser. After she got married and moved to Oregon and had 2 kids, we pretty much lost contact. Though we often thank about each other and write letters once in a blue moon. Always a Christmas card though.
Then there are my friends who I grew up with in Record Stores who taught me about the real important stuff. The friends who I couldn’t imagine living without. Working in record stores is what every kid who is a music lover should do. I learned so much and I appreciate so much more then I would have if I never worked in one at all.
Movies~
I’ve seen Notes on a scandal, Pans Labyrinth and Factory Girl. I enjoyed them all very much. This week I will have to see a couple of chick flicks; Music and Lyrics, Catch and Release.
Judi Dench was incredibly creepy in this movie and seeing Cate Blanchett kissing a 15 yr old boy sorta grossed me out. I mean the kids body looked like just that, a KIDS BODY. I loved the movie none the less. Wonderful actors. Bill Nighly has never done a bad movie. Pan Labyrinth was very dark story, not at all for kids as you might think. The acting was unbelievably awesome. I was in awe throughout most of the movie, I mean I was actually staring at the screen with my mouth open as you would think a child would do seeing something like Cinderella for the first time. I loved the storybook look of it and it had an interesting plot. Factory Girl (documentary of Edie Sedgewick) was cool. I dig stories about the 60’s. This one in particular was fascinating because it had all the arts intertwined in it; Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Models and fashion as well as Musicians and Poets. Although this movie made Bob Dylan look like a prick and I think it was totally wrong of them to do. They made Andy look like a hollier than thou, chain smoking, pompous – ass – clown. Which was most likely a very true to life portrayal. Guy Pearce did an excellent job looking and acting like Andy. I think Andy Warhol’s artwork is cool but in a Target kind of way. It’s not like I’m going to stand back and stare at one and go “hmm… very interesting brush strokes”. Hayden Christensen, ahhh… not so much. Although Hayden is a total fox, his voice just didn’t work. He also made Bob Dylan look a little unsure of himself at times and that didn’t sit well with me.
Last week Luther Russell played at the Echo in Silverlake with Peter Hayes from the band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. I was going to go but at the last minute ended up not going. I sort of regret it although I did stay home and work on organizing my photos some more. If you or someone you know went, please write me a review. I’m really curious. Luther is going to be playing at Spaceland with his Latino band called Ollin next month, So I may go check that out. Luther was in a band called The Freewheelers back in the 90’s, they put out a few CD’s which I totally love, then he hooked up with Marc Ford (Black Crowes ) to do a band but they never put a record out. He just jams with cool people and writes great songs and is simply beautiful.
I once ran into him at the Hotel Café and I was so nervous but I had to say something. I always fumble when I’m trying to be cool and not faint…… I think I just said something stupid like; “I love your music, the freewheelers was a great band” and he was super nice to me and replying with a “thank you, what is your favorite song” I was shocked and happy that he was conversing with me and I said that I thought the song “Beautiful Suzette” was amazing. He said that he would play it for me. He didn’t but later said he would the next time….. Chris Joyner was also present and I was introduced to him as well. It’s like what do you say? I can’t sit and talk about the sounds he had on the record and I can’t very well just say “I find you really attractive, will you kiss me now”. LOL
Looking back on some of my reviews of bands in the Old Flipside magazines, I just have to laugh. I would mostly reference the sound being loud or amazing and I would always have to throw in something sexual like “I loved to see the sweat dripping off his cheek”.
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3:59 PM
January 25, 2007
Thursday
I’m back to being bored at work. Today about 11 of us are going to the Fish Company for lunch for all our hard work on the very successful yearly employee meeting we had last week. I basically fetched coffee from starbucks and flipped a switch every now and then during the meeting. The power went out twice after the start of the meeting but someone figured it out and fixed it. All the photos that I’ve taken over the past few weeks were pretty much lost due to a computer crash the night before, so only a few were shown.
My birthday came and went. I’m 29 (the new 39) as I like to call it. My friends took me out to dinner to my favorite restaurants all last week.
I haven’t been to the gym or a karate class in about a month. I will begin again this weekend. I just feel all wrong and that I have to start over.
On a Music Note:
The new Wilco CD will be out on May 15th, called Sky Blue Sky. A new Stereophonics CD will be out really soon, actually it’s not new but it’s re-released with a bonus disc of their B-sides. TV on the radio is playing at the Henry Fonda Theatre on March 30th and 31st. Ricki Lee Jones is also playing at the Fonda in March on the 1st and the wonderful and beautifully talented Neko Case will also grace us at the Fonda on February 17th.
I’ve been listening to my ipod on shuffle in my jeep for the past few weeks and it’s like having my own radio station with no commercials. I love it. My new system has not only Sirius Radio but an Ipod hook up built in and it shows the names of songs as well as the band on the LCD screen and a CD player.
I finally broke down and bought a camera and a scanner recently. Still haven’t opened either but I will this weekend. I find myself collecting and then depriving myself….. weird. I bought a Nikon D-40. I read tons of excellent reviews on it before the purchase.
All my other cameras have been Cannon, so this is a big change for me. Hopefully a good one! I may take a day trip to either Venice Beach or Joshua Tree this weekend to shoot.
Although Sneaky (or "Sneeky") Pete Kleinow's funeral services will be at Joshua Tree this Saturday. He was not only in the Flying Burrito Brothers, he was a special effects artist and director who worked on the original gumby, he recently died from Alzheimer's. Sad but true.
I’m still trying to find an apartment in Long Beach or Fullerton, I swear, the prices seem to go up just about every month. I can’t see myself paying over $1000 for a one bedroom in an ok area of either city. I may as well save up a bit more and buy my dream loft in downtown. Paying rent is like throwing money down the drain if it isn’t going towards something you get to keep. You know what I mean? I guess it is ok in certain situations. Damn, I’ve been in need of a new apartment for just about 4 years now. That right there shows you how I roll.
Last week my old hair dresser Jude Alcala was on the Greg Behrendt show. I had forgotten that I met him through my old record store days (Tempo Records/ Best Records in Cerritos) He went to high School with my fellow co-workers. He was cutting Carmen Electras hair the same year as he was doing mine. Then he went on to do the Osbourne family (as in Ozzy) on their reality tv show. It seems he’s moving on up.
Credit Cards
I can’t mention this enough. Some people just don’t realize that they can call their credit card company and get a lower APR simply by asking. I recently did a balance transfer to a lower APR card and now I only have one credit card payment every month. I’m so proud of myself. I’ve learned my lesson about credit cards. Although it’s good to have credit but it’s much better if you are able to pay it off each month.
back to school
I’ve decided to take a digital photo class back at my old college, so I contacted my teacher and asked if they offered the beginning class and he told me that they do but not until this Fall. I guess I will have to wait. I think it will be good for me to get back with the creative people.
movies...
The last movie I saw was Children of Men on my birthday. It was really good. It was shocking to see that Julianne Moore dies so early on in the movie. (ooops!) I also saw The Pursuit of Happyness, it was a good true story and it totally pulled on my heartstrings.
I do want to see the good shephard, notes on a scandal, freedom writers, factory girl, because i said so, smokin aces, the queen, music and lyrics, pans labyrinth and I want to see "Catch and release" when it comes out tomorrow. It’s a total chick flick though. I love the main guy (Timothy Olyphant) in it. He looks so hot in the previews holding the camera with the cowboy hat on. Grrrrrrrr!
books
I’ve been searching for this book called Hollywood Rocks ever since it’s been out of print in hard cover. I’ve seen it on-line for over $200 when at the store it was less then $30 bucks. Yes, I’m kicking myself for being so cheap a few years back when I had the chance to grab one. It’s all about Hollywood back in the days when I’d hang out there (80’s early 90’s). I basically want to look at while I’m making my own photo book from those times. So, If you see one in hard back for less then $100 somewhere, please let me know.
I know this post is all over the place but that’s how my mind works.
In the news:
Did you read about the 71 year old KKK member who was finally brought to justice for the 1964 killings of the two little black boys? This makes me so happy that the boy’s families can now relax.
or how about the one about the girl who had been missing from her job at the coca cola company in Downey? after reading this story in the news, I'm thinking it was the husband. Totally!
Also there was a crime of passion pertaining to some skydivers in Berlin recently. Two women in their late 30’s were in love with the same man, the women went skydiving with some friend and when one of the women’s parachute didn’t open, she fell to her death. The other woman is being investigated for tampering with her parachute. Why kill over a man? Why not just get rid of the man? I don’t mean by killing him, just not go out with the ass-clown anymore. Some people are so selfish and insecure. The dead woman was married and had kids. Ok so it was a little more to it then just being in love with the same man (other than her husband). We are here for a short time, move on..... there are other ass-clownes to go out with.
interesting detective stuff
A friend of mine who I met during my Jon Brion/ Largo days lives in Canada and has been involved in cracking the largest serial murder case in Canada ever: here is the link.
What else…. What else?
TV Shows I’ve been keeping up with: MEN IN TREES, The office, Ugly Betty, Supernatural, Greys Anatomy, What about Brian and of course Heroes. A bit of desperate housewives and medium once in awhile. I’m kind of looking forward to the upcoming season of Lost. I’m just curious as to what the island is all about. The drama is a bit much, same with Desperate housewives… that’s getting really stupid. The Office is one of the best comedy shows on besides Ugly Betty….. soo good!
I love my Tivo! I rarely watch my netflix anymore, I need to cancel it.
I’m back to being bored at work as you can tell (this is a long blog today). I did however submit my resume and a transfer form for a position that just opened in our HR department. I would be all set if I was hired on here permanently.
I’m still working on a portfolio of my photos that a guy in our ad department asked to look at a few weeks ago, I just don’t know if that was just a friendly question or he was genuinely interested in seeing my work (passion for rock) for a possible job. I won’t know until I get the damn thing to him, will I.
Oh oh…… I almost forgot. I finally got REAL health insurance and none of this crappy short term rip-off kind that you get thru a temp agency. I searched and searched on the net one day and the day my crappy insurance expired, I found Blue Cross. It was so simple to do it on-line and it cost less then that thru my temp agency. I’m happy.
Last but not least…. Myspace….I leave you with this.
I have a couple of friends on myspace who are really excellent writers. One in particular has been working on a book about his life which I always find to be interesting from other people. He blogs on myspace, chapters at a time and they are amazing! He is truly talented! You should check it out. He is a cool rocker guy who has had the pleasure of playing with the band Napalm Death. Check it out….. thanks, suze
UPDATE:
I recently heard from my friend up North in Canada (the one who is working on that trial I had mentioned above) and he gave me this link to an update, apparently it just got under way last week and so it begins..... finally.
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9:14 PM
Friday January 5, 2007
MUSIC: The Pernice Brothers (live a little) Joni Mitchell (hejira) The Jayhawks (sound of lies) Interpol (turn on the bright lights) Grant Lee Buffalo (copperopolis)
Happy New year!
I've been sick since new years eve. It all started around 10 pm.... fever, sinus, watery eyes.
It's 5 days later and I still have it. It seems that everyone has it at my work as well.
I have one request for you lazy Christmas lover Folks. TAKE YOUR DAMN LIGHTS DOWN ALREADY, CHRISTMAS IS OVER!!!
I'm sure there are worse things to look at but I for one can't stand to see peoples Christmas cheer all up during the day light hours. It just looks tacky. oh and forget about those who NEVER take down the lights. I won't go there.
I was supposed to go to my friends birthday party tomorrow (Saturday night) but I'm too sick. He's turning 40 (the new 28) and it's a halloween party. You see... he is a huge Halloween freak so his wife is surprising him with this type of a party.
I'm going to my uncles funeral then I'll just stay home and work on my photo projects.
I've been really busy at my work, not my actual job but this project that I'm helping another department with. I love it. I wish this would turn into something permanent. I've met just about everyone at my work doing this photo project for the big upcoming meeting that will be on January 18th. I've gone around to every department and have taken photos of people. I got to talking to some people (something I normally wouldn't be able to do) and this one guy asked what my background is.... we got to talking and he works on our ad's and brochures, creative type stuff... he mentioned that he would like to see some of my photos. I'm just happy for this opportunity. This is a kick in the ass to finally get a portfolio together so I can show at least a few of my photos that i've taken over the years.
I get overwhelmed looking at all my negatives that I tend to find other things to do instead. For instance right now I could be getting started on it but noooo I'm sitting here talking about it!
HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS!
I HOPE 2007 BRINGS YOU CLOSER TO YOUR GOALS and by you, I mean me to. =)
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