This work thing is KILLING ME!!

Man, I didn’t realize how good I had it when I was “on hiatus”, sleeping in, no worries about traffic, being on time (those early morning hours I love so much), scheduling appointments for any old time. It’s nice to have a regular income again, instead of my government dole, but I am sure struggling with going to bed at a “reasonable” hour, and getting up at 5:30-6:00 am. And it’s really been a struggle with the music blog launching–I have all of these ideas for posts, and then I get home and am wiped out from fighting traffic and the blistering heat, plus trying to get ready for the Alaska trip, and just life in general. There have been a ton of great shows that I have missed in the past 2 or 3 weeks because I either felt like shit after my crown lengthening nightmare, or was just exhausted from the new day gig, or am trying to save $$$ to spend in Seattle/Alaska/Vancouver. I’ve been out a little, but I’ve definitely struggling with balance–I see a big need for more physical activity, for a myriad of reasons. I’m trying to connect the dots in training, and it’s getting clearer, but being there at 7:15 in the morning is just soooo not natural for me–I am nocturnal by nature (it’s in my genes!), and feel like I am stranded in a the wasteland that is MetroCenter. The folks are good, though.

Who knows what the future might hold though, hopefully something will work out. I’m just praying about it, keeping an open mind, and opening myself up to possibilities and blessings.

Add comment July 20th, 2007

Got some loot!

Well, the birthday loot is trickling in! Bessie bailed me out of my slacker jam, and covered my SPCS bill (thank GOD!)–showing much b-day love there for sure, and renewed this lovely website (which I promise to be much more diligent about posting on). She says she’s sending me a big box ‘o beauty loot when she gets to it, which means I should go to Texas and pick it up, and drop off the package I’ve been putting together since April. Sad, so sad that I haven’t shipped it off, and even sadder that I still have sweaters at Al’s from over two years ago. Scootch blessed me with a fat iTunes card–which I spent in a hurry (didn’t even last 24 hours on my iTunes account), and tix for the Crowes!! WooHoo! Doing the birthday this tomorrow at mom and dad’s, and John is cooking my favorite-Tonkatsu!!! Yummy!! He makes the very best tonkatsu in the world. The kids apparently made me something for my birthday, which of course I will treasure. Mom and Dad are hooking me up with cash, which God knows I need. I’m going to try to put it back for the trip. Guess I’ll get together with Scootch’s family sometime over the next couple of weeks.

Add comment July 1st, 2007

Lordy Lordy Suzzann’s 40 (part deux)

How in the world can a year have flown by?! I swear I don’t know where the time goes, because I sure as hell don’t seem to be accomplishing all that I want to, but maybe things will be better this year, and I can be more productive. Scootch kicked off Birthday Week by getting me the Amy Winehouse CD when we were in Target Sunday night–I’ve had Rehab on my Pod for eons, and even got the video, but refused to download anymore songs–I just wanted to buy the CD (oh I have been so poor, and there are so many CDs I always want–maybe someday I’ll hit the Powerball, and my dream of all the books and music I want will come true). And although I won’t get to see them for a couple of months in Nashville, Black Crowes tix go on sale the morning after my birthday!!! They’ll be at the Ryman, and I do so love seeing them there–that’s my favorite venue to see them at because the acoustics are just sooo lovely! A tall time will be had by all, I have no doubt! Scootch has been asking me what I want for my birthday, and I just can’t decide, although I do want a laptop, bad, but I doubt that will be happening right now, what with the big Alaska excursion coming down the pike. I know I want the black (white) mask that Bessie turned me on to, and a Clarisonic facial brush, CDs, iTunes cards, and God knows I need a new phone (oooohh iPhone–but they have an exclusive contract with AT&T, and I do loves my Sprint–mainly because Bessie, Mom, Dad, John, and My-Linh all have SPCS, and they do have solid coverage. Ever since they merged with Nextel, their customer service has been for shit, though). Oh well, Suzzann’s about to turn 41, and have lots of fun!

Add comment June 26th, 2007

Back to the grindstone

After my loooong, extended vacation from the workforce (since mid-September 2006), I’ve re-entered the workforce. Scootch is soooo happy! I am still adjusting
But I can’t stand being poverty-stricken any longer, so hi-ho, hi-ho, it’s off to work I go! I’m in “training” for the next 4 weeks, and the training class set the schedule today–7-3:30, which at least means I’ll miss both morning and afternoon traffic. However, that 7 am is going to be oh so dreadfully early after a show the night before. Of course, it’s midnight now, and I should be sleeping, but am I? Some things never change…
Still, the people are nice, and I think it will be an ok gig. And I will like the getting out at 3:30 part! The original schedule I was given was 8:00-4:30, and I thought the 4:30 would give me plenty of time to get to Green Hills and make the 5:30 H2O aerobics class at the Y, but whatevah! The traffic today was horrible, parking at the Y was beyond fiendish, and then after fighting traffic, hunting for a parking space like it was the last pint of Ben and Jerry’s on earth, and getting my carcass in the door–I find out that class has been cancelled due to inclement weather (and by this point it isn’t even raining any more). Yaaaaaaaaah!!! So the leaving at 3:30 will be better. I can be at the gym by 4 since I will miss traffic, and can park and walk for 30 minutes or lift weights before h2o aerobics. Why didn’t I get the skinny gene?!?

Add comment June 26th, 2007

Randypalooza

Heading out to meet FeloniusMonk for the Randypalooza show in Five Points! It’s hotter than blister here today, I know the Bonnaroonies are roasting. More about the show later, and I’ll be posting about the Cosmic America show at Springwater, and their gig at the Mercy Lounge.

Add comment June 17th, 2007

Blogzilla

Well, I gathered my courage and submitted my application to b5 to be a professional music blogger (”This is no dress rehearsal. We are professionals and this is the big time” Waylon Jennings). Congrats to Shooter Jennings and longtime girlfriend Drea de Matteo, even though the folks at the maternity store on Madison Ave apparently leaked the info without their approval. Drea’s rep confirmed, but I think everybody should let them enjoy this time privately. And Happy Birthday to Shooter!! WooHoo, that man do rock! Anyway, back to the subject at hand, I submitted my application, so we’ll see what happens. I talked to my buddy FeloniusMonk, and am planning on checking out the Cosmic America show Saturday night at Springwater with him and Scootch. He and I are going to get together tomorrow, as he has a pile of photos for several bands that he needs to have emailed out, so I am going to work with him on that.
Honky is playing in ATL this weekend also, Friday 5/23 at Star Bar. They are an incredible balls-to-the-wall rockin’ band from TX–check out . I LOVE these guys!!! Want to try to head down for the show, this $3.15 gas is killing me.
Also, not to be missed–tomorrow 5/23 at 12th & Porter, Danny Flowers CD release party/DVD shoot for his latest release, Tools for the Soul, a gospel/blues mesh that moves the body and the soul. For some background on this incredible writer and artist, check out . Everybody says, he wrote “Tulsa Time”, which he did, but he has also written songs covered by Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith and others, and has played with greats such as Vince Gill, Marshall Chapman, and Dobie Gray, among others. He is an amazing writer and musician, and the album includes appearances from Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris . No telling who might be up on stage tomorrow night….. Several years ago, when I worked for Sprint PCS, he was one of my regular customers, and was a helluva nice guy, always sweet, polite, and laid back. Believe me, that says a lot in my book!
So I guess the plan for tomorrow evening will be to get some work done with Leaper, and then head over to 12th & Porter.

1 comment May 23rd, 2007

North Mississippi Allstars gig tonight!!

One of my ab-so-lute favorite bands, the North Mississippi Allstars, are playing tonight at Cookin’ on the Quarter in Chattanooga, TN. They play at 9:45, but there are five other great acts preceding them, including singer/songwriter Trent Tomlinson, whose single “One Wing in the Fire”, which he co-wrote with Bobby Pinson, got a lot of CMT video play and got good radio play(I really dig this guy–he’s a great writer and also rocks it), The Tennessee Rounders, and the Blueground Undergrass, among others. Tickets are only ten bucks at the gate–and this is a LOT of GREAT music for the money (this is a bargain, people!), as the Allstars alone are well worth way more than ten bucks.
These guys are great on cd, but a truly a band to see live! The first time I saw them live was opening for John Hiatt at the Ryman, and they BLEW ME AWAY! A John Hiatt show is always a great gig, and seeing him at the Ryman is extra-special, but these boys sealed the deal for a truly unforgettable night! Smoking, sultry, funky, ferocious blues that has to be seen and heard to be believed!! Do yourselves a favor, and get out of the house this weekend and check these guys out!! The weather is great, it’s nice and cool with no humidity (although they will be turning up the heat down Chatt-town)! You can check out this website for details,www.cookinonthequarter.com.
They’ll also be at Bonnaroo in June!! Check out their website at www.nmallstars.com.
See ya at the show, Rockzan!

Add comment May 19th, 2007

The Crowes are hitting the road :)

Happy day, happy day!! Although the Black Crowes new studio release has been pushed back from this year to early 2008, they have fired up the tour bus, pun definately intended. Although Chris and Rich did a couple of Brothers of a Feather dates in Atlanta in early April, which I sadly had to miss, but for a VERY GOOD REASON (trip to Texas to see Bess and the godbabies), the band currently has 24 dates listed on their website, starting with a June 15th date in Jackson, MS at Jubilee Jam. For a mere 20 bucks, you can pick up single day advance tickets, or for $35 you can get a two day advance pass. Friday’s lineup also inlcludes Galactic, Black Stone Cherry, Owen Beverly, and Alvin Youngblood Hart among others. Ludacris is the Saturday headliner, and the Saturday lineup includes Breaking Benjamin, Puddle of Mudd, Hawthorne Heights, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Corey Smith, along with many more. Sounds like a ton of fun for a little cash. Since the Crowes are playing on Friday night–I am planning on heading down to Mississippi for the show, and sticking around to check out some of the other bands whose CDs I have, but haven’t seen live. For more info, you can check out the website at www.jubileejam.com.
It’s looking like the next Crowes show I will (hopefully) be able to catch will be July 6th in Chicago at Taste of Chicago festival (FREE!!!) Looks like we’ll be staying for the weekend, as one of my other favorites–Los Lonely Boys–is closing out the festival on the 8th. John Mayer is headlining on July 4th, and Sara Evans and Craig Morgan–two great country artists–are playing on Sunday, July 1st. Also not to be missed, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, who kick things off on Friday, June 29th with their old-school, too cool brand of funk, soul, and r&b melted together and swirled around.
Since I’ll be out on the west coast for a while, it looks like the next chance I’ll have to get tall with the guys will be in August–but close to home, and close to the heart in Knoxville, TN!!! And we all know that August is FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!! They’re playing an August 22nd gig in K-town at the Tennessee Theatre. Then, I’ll be off to Atlanta for the weekend to see them play on their home turf, at Atlanta’s own Chastain Park. And with any luck, we’ll get a fall show right here at home at the Ryman!!
Stay tall, y’all!

Add comment May 19th, 2007

Ball of Confusion

Well, after my visit to the dermatologist, I am just maddened. After seeing my regular PCP yesterday, who took one look at the tell-tale vesicles in a linear formation, surrounded by redness, and noted that my BP was elevated (140/90), and concurred with my initial diagnosis of shingles (herpes zoster). She prescribed Valtrex 1000 mg (aka 1g), along with pain medication, and suggested that I follow the course that I mentioned to her of as much rest as possible, as little clothing as possible, staying cool (crank up the AC), and keeping the area dry. I fortunately had some topical Lidocaine 2% gel, so I am using that as well. But back to today’s source of irritation–I had made an appointment yesterday with the dermatologist, as I called both my PCP and my dermatologist’s office–thinking it better to use the shotgun approach, and see who could get me in the quickest. The dermatologist’s office was able to schedule me for a 9:00 appointment this am (not with my dermatologist, but another provider), so I took that appt., then a couple of hours later my PCP’s office called and asked if I could be there at 1:00 yesterday (so they were able to get me worked in same day!). Of course I said I would be there, but after thinking about it yesterday afternoon, I decided to keep my appt. this morning with the dermatologist as well, since I had a couple of dermatological issues that I thought I could knock out as well (the two birds with one stone theory). Also, in the back of my mind, I was curious as to whether the diagnoses would be the same. So, I arrived for my appointment this morning, had to wait much longer to get in than I did to be seen yesterday (which was a work-in, and by rights should take longer), and finally get in to see the….FNP. I have great respect for FNPs (Family Nurse Practioner), as they have to complete an extensive and rigorous educational process, but just as it is with MDs, some as better than others. My friend and former co-worker Celina–brilliant. The FNP I saw today–still reserving judgement to a point, but….I hate being given misinformation, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE—do not talk to me in euphemisms and avoid the hard questions or discussions. So, I tell him that I believe I have shingles, and he appears to agree, until I mention that I have had them previously (I told him that I was first diagnoses with shingles in college,) as I mentioned they were just like their herpes simplex cousin—the gift that keeps on giving. So then, he told me that once you have shingles, you can’t get them again, and that my blistered-up rash o’pain was a “cold sore” which was his euphemistic way of saying that I was suffering not from Herpes Zoster (shingles), but Herpes Simplex II (genital herpes) or HSV I (cold sores/fever blisters). Ok–first issue—misinformation–you CAN have more than one shingles outbreak! Obviously, if it lies dormant in the ganglia, and active shingles is caused by some trigger reactivating the virus, so that it reawakens in the ganglia, and travels through the nerve fibers to the skin, and then eventually subsides and becomes again dormant in the ganglia, common sense would tell you that it can be re-awakened again. I understand that you may develop antibodies, and that the majority of people who are afflicted with shingles do NOT have a recurrence, but those who are immunosuppressed or immunocompromised (the elderly, diabetic, people with HIV, cancer, lupus, etc.) frequently do have recurrences. From my research online, it appears that the general consensus is approximately 4% of people who have shingles experience recurrences. So, it makes me FURIOUS when someone tells me something that I know is incorrect, and supported by research and documentation. And if he thought it really was HSV I or II–as another dermatologist told me during last summer’s shingle/seborrheic dermatitis debacle, then why didn’t he ask me if I had ever been diagnosed with genital herpes or had suffered from cold sores? I have NEVER had a cold sore, and have been tested for genital herpes–and it was negative. If it truly was either HSV I or II, then it is your obligation as a healthcare provider to discuss that with me and give me the information I need to protect those I love (and even those I don’t), as HSV I and II are both HIGHLY contagious! NO questions, information, nothing!! So if it were HSV I or II, I would be putting those I love at risk (my boyfriend, family members–my parents, brother and sister-in-law, nephews, co-workers) because I wasn’t informed and educated about how HSV I and II can be spread and the level of contagion, since it can be spread just by touching the affected area and then touching someone else–so I could scratch the blisters on my back, forget to wash my hands, and touch one of my nephews and infect them. Also sharing towels–warm, wet, and wonderful for transmission. And don’t forget “Auto-inoculation: An infected individual can spread the virus to other parts of his or her body by touching an area shedding virus and then touching, scratching, or rubbing another susceptible part of the body. Towels are especially conducive to this.”, so I could be spreading it all over my own body, including to my eyes–which could potentially cause blindness due to keratitis among other eye infections. According to the the National Eye Institute, a division of the National Institute of Health: “Herpes simplex keratitis is a leading cause of corneal opacification in the United States, other industrialized countries, and developing nations throughout the world. An estimated 450,000 people in the United States can develop recurrent episodes of the disease and about 46,000 episodes of HSV eye infection every year. Herpetic eye disease is the most common infectious cause of corneal blindness in this country.”, . HSV is easily killed by soap and water, but the lack of appropriate care, and misinformation, and the failure to disseminate information when necessary is unfortunately not so easily treated.
Well, I guess I will wrap up this rant for now, as I need to eat some dinner, and spend some time with Scootch, but I will be back later with more updates on my progress.

1 comment May 2nd, 2007

I hate the SHINGLES!

Just a quick post before I am off to the dermatologist–as I have the shingles, which, oh yeah, did I mention….I HATE!!! I got them for the first time in college, and just like their cousin– Herpes Simplex II, the shingles (aka Herpes Zoster) are the rotten rat that just keeps on giving. I hadn’t had a round since last summer, when I was hit with a massive combo shingles/sebborheic dermatatis attack, but these clocked in Sunday night (after a lovely weekend, I might add).
Well, since I don’t want to be late for the DR., I am out the door, but will post up when I return.
I was all ready for a big write-fest last night, when….my Comcastic (not so much) cable internet went downnnn

Add comment May 1st, 2007