My mother wanted to keep me in an arrested state of development. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s that most parents don’t want to see their little babies grow up. Or maybe they don’t want us to become familiar with our burgeoning sexuality and have us shame the family by getting knocked up at 15. Maybe they’re just prude. Or asexual. Which might both be the case with my mother (Yo Mom, if you’re reading this, STOP RIGHT NOW!)

At 13 when most girls had freshly shaved appendages and a new found interest in what Victoria’s Secret had to offer, I was still tomboyin’ it with furry legs and a sports bra that may or may not have stunted my breast growth. Mom told me there was no reason to grow up so quickly and like so many stupid stupid children, I believed what my mother told me.

Take for example her neglecting to introduce me to tampons.

For years, when I got my period, I’d walk around with a bulky pad between my legs. The official adult diaper (no, well, I guess that would be Depends, wouldn’t it?). (more…)

What do these men all have in common?

I am a product of the Baby Boomers born in the Millennium Generation. I often fancy myself as a child still. Full of naivety and wonder.
However, lately, signs are pointing to the opposite.

While discussing the importance of comfortable shoes with my friend yesterday, I looked up at a mirror and saw my mother looking back at me. The same hand gestures, the same facial expressions, the same use of the phrase, “Out. Of. This. World!”- the Mom equivalent of “OMG!”, when describing an item that I like (an item such as brand new SAS loafers).

My mother is a beautiful and strong woman, I’d be so lucky to turn into her, but having overly-animated conversations with her about “The Housewives of Orange County” and taking up her suggestion of including a bowl of Fiber One in my daily diet frightens me a little. What happened to the defiant child that locked herself in her room when a Michael McDonald record came on in the house? Or the girl that used to make fun of her father when he fell asleep in (more…)

I’ve never been much for female vocalists or singer-songwriters, but Austin, TX musician Suzanna Choffel has changed all that for me.

A little bit of jazz, a little bit of folk, and a little bit of rock, Suzanna’s music is unlike any other. Her voice is both sad and optimistic. Listening to her puts me in a reflective mood. A sort of Sunday feeling.

Her new song, “Archer”, produced by my co-worker, Danny Reisch, is possibly my favorite songs right now. Check it out at the top of her Myspace page.

Down below is her performance of “Hey Mister” on ME TV.

Checked out this rad band, Delorean, last night. They’re from Spain and freakin’ awesome!
Kind of like a more synth poppy M83.
Shoegazing mixed with some thumping beats.
They also have a kick ass name.
Check out their song, “Deli”, below.
DO IT!

SXSW schedule:

Hey Everyone!
Just got back from a AOL/Seed luncheon at SXSW.

Seed.com is a wonderful new program launched through AOL that lists available paid online work for freelance writers and photographers. I was acquainted to Seed through Spinner.com who was utilizing the platform for their SXSW contributor coverage.

This is a terrific and legit program for aspiring writers and photographers and is growing every day! Stop by and take a look!

Here is an example of work I did through Seed/Spinner. I interviewed a wonderful band out of San Francisco called Minipop. They will be playing SXSW at Aces Lounge on Saturday at 10PM. If you like Mazzy Star or dreamy pop/shoegazing, then you’ll dig this band.

Today is Day #1 of the music portion of SXSW.

My $2.99 boots from Thrift Town and Opaque pantyhose in Paprika from American Apparel.

See you all later today!