Banjo players lead longer, happier lives...

Hello Banjo!

I just got home from my first banjo lesson ever! I have to say that I was a bit intimidated when I first walked in the classroom because it seemed that most "classmates" had their own banjos, complete with strap and digital/automatic tuners. I felt like such a novice having only held a banjo once before, but once class got start, I learned that we were mostly in the same boat. The lesson was cool, we did some tuning, open brushing, chords, thumb picking. I think I've got enough to practice and get good at in the next week. I can already hear some similarities between what I heard tonight in class and some Sufjan music, so I'm well on my way!

The CTA was a nightmare today, both morning and night. I waited for the red line for about 30 minutes this morning and then got on the first train that was running express, which was just dandy for me. Unfortunately, once we got going, we stopped again and sat in the tunnel for about 10 more minutes. The conductor came on to announce that they were running with "defective equipment". Why the hell are they running the train with all of those people on it if the equipment is defective??? Then on the way home, I probably stood around waiting for the brown line for at least 20 minutes before one finally came along to run express again. I guess I can just consider myself lucky since I live in a city with functional public transportation and I don't have to pay ridiculous gas prices to go anywhere.

I broke the news to my mom that I was leaving the country in seven months and warned her that I would probably end up moving back into their house when I come back and don't have a job, an apartment, or any money! She seemed okay with it, but suggested that I just try to find a job wherever I can abroad and stay there because of the downhill slide that good old G.W. has us on the fast track for. She also brought up the good point that higher gas prices will bring higher grocery bills as well. I never thought of that. Bummer people...

Living, Working, Traveling Abroad

Going abroad has been one of my long-term goals in life, and I'm always thinking of ways to expand my experiences. Since I've hit a bit of a rut in my life, I was doing some thinking yesterday and came to two conclusions:

1.) Quit my current full-time "career" and opt for one full-time and one part-time gig in my neighborhood and do that until I figure out what to do next with my life

2.) Work at my current place of employment, tack on a local part-time gig, pinch all of my pennies like never before, and when my lease is up, pack up my belongings, ship them to my folks' house, and leave the country for a bit, or at least as far as my savings takes me. This would probably lead me to Europe, as it's pretty easy and affordable to get around to different locales and I could probably pick up a hostel stint here and there for free/discount board and some extra cash

THEN, I stumbled upon something new. It's an organic farming program that has locations all over the world that entails going to work on someone's farm in exchange for room and board in most cases. Seeing as though I've had the thoughts of trying my hand at some farming for the past while, I think this might be a fun option. The only drawback is that I have no farming experience. Luckily, most posts are short-term, so if I didn't like it, I wouldn't be stuck in the situation forever. Maybe the best option would be to travel around for about a month or so, prior to this farming program, and then experience some real work before heading home for the next adventure?

Of course, the latter two options would probably entail moving back to Minnesota and living for free with my parents for a bit. I'm a huge fan of Chicago. Am I ready to leave? Would I be able to maintain my sanity living with my parents again? These are all big questions to ask myself before I take any big leaps.

In the meantime, tomorrow I begin my banjo lessons. Woo hoo! I'm a little nervous just because it will be a new social situation for me and I won't know anyone. For some odd reason, I feel more outgoing in those types of situations though. Perhaps because it is so forced?

Armenian Honky Tonk Beach Fun (not necessarily in that order)

Well, well, well, what a fruitful Sunday to be had. I believe I spent approximately 11 hours in the beautiful outdoors that Chicago has to offer. For the first time in I don't know how long, I went to the beach and into Lake Michigan. Seriously, I don't even remember the last time I went for a dip in a body of fresh water. As far as beach-going goes, I try to avoid that in most situations due to the fair skin factor I have going on. It was actually quite fun and I wish I had done more of it this summer. To my surprise, the water wasn't too cold and we could actually see our feet the whole way out. The only disappointment was the fact that we couldn't really go out past our shoulders and fun flotation devices were not allowed.

The next trip of the day brought us to the Taste of Armenia in downtown Evanston. A few of my friends did a PeaceCorps stint in Armenia, and I've heard quite a bit about it, so I figured I'd give it a try. The food was delicious and the people that I met there were very friendly. A few people got some "readings" from the remnants of their coffee grounds after their cups had been turned upside-down for a short while. Unfortunately, I don't have a penchant for coffee, so no readings of the future for me.

For the evening, we headed out to the Pontiac Cafe in Wicker Park for a little bit of honky tonk bingo, which I can't recommend enough, especially since it's free. It was a special evening, for they were presenting a "Championship Bingo" trophy to the winner of the last game of the evening, that was actually a bowling trophy, but it definitely fit the atmosphere. I still haven't won a single round of bingo while playing there, but I guess I'll just have to keep on trying. Some of my favorite versions include "H is for Hank", "Prisoner", and "Oklahoma Sonbitch". What a way to wind the week down, and thank goodness we didn't have another round of 90 degree weather, it was getting a little old after a while!

No work for me today, I woke up to the alarm and made the quick decision that I just wasn't up for it and decided to go back to sleep until 10. It was quite luxurious and highly recommended. What made it even better is that I only have a three day work week this week and four day the next!

Kids and Babies and some Music thrown in for Good Measure

You know, when I was younger, I always thought that I wanted a few kids of my own and would be one of those nice stay-at-home moms for a few years and then switch to part-time so I could be home when they got home from school if the budget allowed either one. Well, I hate to say it, but a few years back, one of my best friends had a baby and my bubble was burst. I have done a complete 180 degree spin on the way that I think about spawning. I just don't think it's the right thing for me right now or anytime in the near future. I understand that it's a totally rewarding experience and it's different if they are your own kids and you learn how to deal with them, tune them out, keep them from throwing a fit, etc., but call me selfish or lazy, I'm just not ready to deal with that. I want to have my own time whenever I want it and for as long as I want it. I don't want some little kid talking my ear off about something when I'm trying to focus on something else. Sure they say cute things and they look cute, but that kind of stuff just isn't for me. I saw a woman who had four kids of her own at the Dairy Queen last night and while she appeared not-so-frazzled, there were a few outbursts of frustration. If I were her, I would probably tear my fucking head off with so much noise and commotion going on. Does this mean that I would be better off as a hermit?

Less than a month to go before I see my banjo-playing inspiration, otherwise known as Sufjan Stevens. I just can't get enough of him and his music. Every part of it is so beautiful, between the words, the melodies, the instrumentation, the talent of his backing band... T minus three days until my own banjo lessons begin! I'm a little nervous because it's been so long since I've played a musical instrument, and I've never played a stringed one. We'll see how it goes. It's only an eight week commitment, so if I don't like it, I don't have to keep on trying.

Also, less than a month to go before I head down to that foreign country of Texas for the first time to enjoy three full days of musical bliss, otherwise known as the Austin City Limits Music Festival. I'm sure that by the end, I will be 1.) exhausted and 2.) feel like I've died and gone to heaven with all of the quality acts that will be filling my ears, eyes, and soul.

On an random note, has anyone ever noticed how when you press that little button to take you to the "next blog" at the top of the screen that, yes, indeed it does take you to the next random blog, but how many of them seem to be all advertisements? I find it rather annoying to come to something that tells me all about CRM software, telescopes, cruise ship deals, or debt reduction/consolidation. Is it just me?

Day One

Here I am sitting at work, wasting time for about the fourth or fifth day in a row, and yes, it is Friday. Just finished listening to a great song by Karate, which always makes me feel good inside, but then makes me a little disappointed since they recently broke-up/disbanded/what have you. Kind of like something that I recently went through for no good reason in my life recently (on my birthday celebration night to be exact), but the details will just bore you.

Next song up on the good old streaming radio: Left Lane Lollygagger - Staggering Statistics. First of all, Staggering Statistics is a great band name, and secondly, "Left Lane Lollygagger" is one of the most enjoyable song titles every. I mean, you really want to hate that guy that is the left lane lollygagger, but when you hear the song, you don't mind it so much. In other music news, the new Death Cab for Cutie album sounds like a hit, even if they are signed on to a major label now, and everyone and their teeny bopping sister will fall in love with them. But, hey, fame probably isn't so bad.

I've got some real staggering statistics for you, unfortunately I can only really confirm one of them with back-up sources. Staggering statistic #1 - it takes 350 lbs. of ground beef to make meatloaf to feel 1,000. Staggering statistic #2 - the happiness that you find by making $50K/year brings you the same amount of happiness that a millionaire has. So I guess more money doesn't necessarily bring more happiness.

A question to the readers out there, has anyone done a stint in a foreign country teaching English? I'd like to take my life elsewhere for a change of venue and this might be something fun to do before I get too old. Thoughts? Comments?