Routines in the Lions Cage

Spring Break feels not much like Spring or a Break. Discuss.

Other than the sleeping til noon (which I enjoy) this does not feel like much of a break. I work a lot. I did spend a night in lovely Brookings (note the sarcasm). I do have to say that my roommate bought Heros on DVD and we've been watching it the past two days. This is day 3 of HeroFest. I don't know what we'll do when we finish. If you don't watch the show I recommend you start.

Also, I dropped a load on books at Barnes & Noble in Sioux Falls. I'm reading Fast Food Nation. That book is amazing. I recommend you read it. I will however post some interesting facts about the fast food industry when I'm done. I've learned some kind of disturbing things.

In addition, I can't wait for 4/10-4/14. Here's why:
4/10 - Socratic, somewhere in Vermillion
4/11 - Hit the Lights, The Audition, Every Avenue, & The Morning Light, OMAHA
4/12 - We the Kings, Valencia, The Cab, & Sing it Loud, OMAHA
4/14 - THE FORECAST!, OMAHA
I miss the Forecast.

My birthday is May 1st. I just found out that Rooney is playing in Omaha on May 1st. I have never been to a show ON my birthday. So I'm really looking forward to this. Plus, I've liked Rooney for a LOOOOOONG time. I'm excited to see them again. I saw them last summer the day before my sister's birthday. That's kind of a strange coincidence.

Posted at 12:43PM Mar 21, 2008 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[0]

Ghosties?

I'm pretty sure that I've been watching too much Paranormal State on A&E (Mondays at 9, it's a good show). But I'm also pretty sure that my house has a ghostie.
It's weird because lately we've been hearing strange noises and things have been falling out of cupboards for no reason. Two nights ago my roommate and I were up talking and we heard a loud bang. It felt like it came from the ceiling, but it also felt like it came from everywhere. I've been in the same house for three years and this stuff only started happening recently. I hear noises and voices all the time, but I think it's just the neighbors. Although, sometimes, I'm not so sure.
I'm just saying. I love haunted-type things. It intrigues me. But I'm not so sure about living in a house with a ghostie. I just hope if I have one that he/she is nice.

Posted at 06:16PM Feb 27, 2008 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[0]

Another Day Late for the Audition for Danger Radio feeling Envy on the Coast and Glitta Shoes

So it's been a long time since I've had a really good time. Last night me & my roommate went to a show in Omaha. Another Day Late opened followed by Danger Radio and Envy on the Coast. The Audition headlined.
Another Day Late was the only band I hadn't heard before. They were however, EXCELLENT. I had seen half of a Danger Radio set over a year ago. They were the first band I ever saw at the Rock. They have an OUTRAGEOUS live show. Everybody was feeling it. Their music just makes me (and apparently everybody else) want to dance up a storm. Envy on the Coast was alright. I've seen them before and this performance just seemed lacking. It was still great watching their lead singer. He's beautiful. The Audition always have a very energetic live show. They just released "Champion" and they played a great mix of new and old tunes.
I had seen the drummer for Another Day Late walking around outside before the show and he was wearing the same shoes as I had on. They're a pair of Vans that is made out of a glittery plastic. They're super rad. If you go to my myspace (www.myspace.com/valerie_kaor) you can see them. So I said "Hey you guys did a great job. I love your shoes." And he said thank you. Then I pointed at my own feet that were clad in the same shoes. He freaked out. I talked to pretty much everybody that I wanted to afterwards and it was a really fun night. I hadn't seen a really good show with "famous" bands in almost three months. Which was coincidentally the last time I saw the Audition.
Now I'm just kind of sad. Like, that was really super fun. And I haven't anything really good to look forward to for a little less than a month.

Posted at 07:12PM Feb 08, 2008 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[0]

Media Law = Borathon

So I'm sitting in the media center right now. Generally speaking, I used to spend a LOT of time here. Since I got finished with my Media Theories test quite early, I've been on a computer in the concourse wasting my life away. By the time I got home I'd have to come back here because at 2 I have Media Law.
This class is outrageously boring. Right now all we're doing is talking about the first amendment. Which is really important, but boring to discuss for 4 class periods. I've taken up drawing and sometimes putting stick figures in compromising positions.
Beyond that, I have a speech due tomorrow that I have not yet written. I can't come up with any really good ideas. Just a few so-so ideas. So I'm hoping I can get that knocked out in Law today.
Anyway, I hope Law gets better so I can stay awake. I sometimes snore and that'd be really embarassing. If anybody has any ideas for what I can do to stay awake during Law, I'd love to hear them. So post them in comment. I'll be eternally grateful.

Posted at 01:13PM Jan 31, 2008 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[0]

Moving out of my house

So, because we're moving out of our house our landlord has been showing the place to potential renters. It's weird because I know some of the people that have come to look at the place. It's odd having people come in & look around my home.

Posted at 04:42PM Jan 16, 2008 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[0]

It's been a long while

And I've done nothing constructive. I can't wait until there are shows to go to again. I'm practically dying.

Posted at 02:38AM Jan 10, 2008 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[0]

Wowza!

I haven't blogged in a while. I've been kinda blah for a while. The snow and winter in general make me depressed.
It's almost Christmas and that means I have to go home on Sunday or Monday morning. I'm actually looking forward to seeing my little brother. He can be a real prick, but I love that kid. He's at that age (16 on Monday) where he calls me and asks me for advice & stuff. It makes me smile. He's told me that I'm his favorite sister. Before I leave for Omaha, we're going to go out to the Black Hills and to Deadwood and do historical things because we're both history dorks. And this little adventure was his idea. And it's just me & him going. My sisters can't go because, according to my brother, "they'll just be bored and look for hot guys."
So in addition to presents, I just want to see my brother. And eat tacos. On my mom's side we do Christmas Eve and we always have tacos. For at least the past 12 years we've had tacos. Not sure why, but I do know that I look forward to it.
In addition to all this, I've had some major bizzaro dreams lately. Just weird dreams about weird things and weird people. I've started leaving memos in my phone because sometimes I wake up and I won't remember it in the morning.
So that's basically what I've been up to. Kind of a boring blog.

Posted at 02:08PM Dec 22, 2007 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[0]

Top 10 albums of the year

So I sat down to make this list, granted there are a few more releases yet this year, but I just wrote down all the albums that I liked that came out in 2007. I had about 25 on my post-it note. So I started narrowing it down and I figure nothing coming out the rest of the year can make this list any different. So, in order from best to least best, here is my top 10 albums of 2007.

1) Melee - Devils & Angels
They're my favorite band and I've been looking forward to a new CD from them for about three years. I got to see them two and a half times this summer. They don't often tour this part of the Midwest. So, needless to say, I was very excited. I like "Frequently Baby" and "Biggest Mistake."

2) The Graduate - Anhedonia
Best new band I've seen this year. I never get sick of this CD. I've been listening to it on repeat for the past two weeks. I had never heard of them until I saw them. They started playing and I immediately got out of my seat and went to go stand up front. I have a total crush on this band and their music. I recommend "Sit & Sink," "Stay the Same," "Better Company," and "Anhedonia." Although, this entire CD really is amazing.

3) Sherwood - A Different Light
I really like these guys. Their music is so poppy, light, and refreshing. Check out "Song in My Head."

4) Self Against City - Telling Secrets to Strangers
These guys offer a great CD. Each song is very solid. They played in Vermillion in February. Nice kids. I particularly enjoy track 1, "Becoming a Monster" and track 6, "Tequila Moonlight."

5) Young Love - Too Young to Fight It
I saw these guys open for Good Charlotte last year. I fell in LOVE. They have a kind of synthy edge to them. "Too Young to Fight It" and "Discotech" are two of my favorites.

6) The Fold - Secrets Keep You Sick
This disc is a bit harder than their last, but still has some good pop hooks. "Medicine" regularly gets stuck in my head. Rarely have I met a band so nice as these guys.

7) The Secret Handshake - One Full Year
"Summer of 98" and "Make You Mine" are two of my favorite tracks from this album. I saw this guy in October and he has the energy of ten men. See him live if you get a chance. I saw him open for Jonezetta and I went home really glad I saw him. It's basically one guy, a computer, and live drummer.

8) The High Court - Puppet Strings
It's almost pop punk, but harder. Also, "Whisper to the Clouds" is one of the most profound songs I've ever heard. I saw these guys a couple times in April and again in October. To know that their lead singer wrote this song is incredible. It's about school shootings. And it's really quite catchy.

9) Paulson - All At Once
I didn't think I was going to like these guys. I was wrong. Key tracks are "Calling on You" and "Ultra-High." They're amazing live. Their songs are long, but don't feel like they're long. They still keep my attention.

10) The Rocket Summer - Do You Feel
I had heard of this band prior to seeing them, but I hadn't heard them. Bryce is The Rocket Summer. He has a touring band, but plays all the instruments himself on the record. If you like piano-fueled pop rock, this band is for you. "So Much Love" and "Break it Out" are two of my favorites.

Honorable Mentions:
As I stated earlier I liked a lot of records that came out this year. So here are a few Honorable Mentions (in no order).
Mayday Parade - A Lesson in Romantics
Bayside - The Walking Wounded
Daphne Loves Derby - Goodnight Witness Light
Moros Eros - Jealous Me Was Killed by Curiosity
Anchors for Arms - Listen.React
June - Make it Blur


Feel free to critique my choices and list your own. :)

Posted at 01:49PM Dec 03, 2007 by Valerie Bartlett in Music  |  Comments[1]

Free Sample Crazy

So I was watching TV and I saw a commercial that said you could get a free sample of Dove Shampoo. I also saw a commercial telling me I could get a free sample of Arm & Hammer toothpaste. So I thought, "I'll google the term 'free sample' and see what else comes up." HOLY COW. I did not expect this. So far I've signed up for numerous beauty products, parchment paper (for baking), condoms (not that I'm doing anything) and some post-it products, among others. I'm really excited to see how this works out. I'm sure I'll probably get a ton of spam in my inbox. But I created an email address just for this purpose, so it really doesn't matter. I saw samples of cigarettes, a bazillion different magazines, tons of pet products, tea, and lots of other things. It's pretty sweet. Anyway, if you get bored, check out some free samples.

Posted at 09:07PM Nov 23, 2007 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[2]

In the spirit of things...

I wasn't going to do this. But, I'm going to open up to my loyal(?) readers(?). I was on my way back to Vermillion this morning and "Adam's Song" by Blink 182 came on the radio. It made me think about how much I liked that song when I was about 16. For those who don't know that song, it's about a 16 year old boy that is seriously thinking about suicide then doesn't do it. That made me start thinking about when I was 16. I was very much in that same position. I had gone so far as to writing a goodbye letter. I however, was so afraid of failure that I didn't attempt anything. I hated myself enough, I didn't want to mess up killing myself. I was really depressed for a long time, from the time I was about 14 until I was 19.
Then I started thinking about how awesome the past two days had been. My friend & I went to Omaha on Tuesday. We saw Ludo, The Graduate, The Forecast, and Spitalfield. We stayed the night in Omaha and went to see the tour in Lawrence, KS the next day (yesterday). We then came back to Omaha, stayed the night, and came back this morning.
It's Spitalfield's farewell tour. We had just seen Ludo in October and I've been friends with the Forecast for years. The Graduate is an incredible band. I was supposed to see them this summer, but they were having van troubles & couldn't make it. Spitalfield is really good and their lead singer Mark is one of the nicest dudes I've met. In addition, Jonathan Lullo from Down to Earth Approach has been playing guitar for Spitalfield and I think he's a nice dude. DTEA was supposed to play one of their last shows ever in Omaha this summer. But they too were having van troubles. He emailed to tell me not to come to the show because it was cancelled. He told me last night that when he saw I was planning on coming he panicked and had to email me to tell me not to waste my time.
And that made me realize that I was so thankful I hadn't killed myself. I have met some of the most wonderful people. And I've done some of the most ridiculous things. And I'm so glad I've got to experience this all. If anybody reading this is thinking about suicide, don't do it. Things get better. If you'd have told me five years ago I'd be friends with the people I'm friends with I'd have never believed you. This, in turn, makes me happy with myself. I really do love my life. And sure, I get sad sometimes. Like when boys I like don't like me. Or when people die. Or when I realize I've wasted so much time at USD. But, overall, I'm good.

Posted at 08:57PM Nov 22, 2007 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[1]

Guess what!?

In May, I'm quitting school. In June, I'm moving to Omaha. I'm going to miss this blog, but I'll get something else set up. I still have like 6 months left on this, so I won't do it yet. But I will before I leave. Thanks for reading this friends. I'm finally happy with a decision I'm making.

Posted at 06:22PM Nov 11, 2007 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[3]

Disturbing News

My dad just told me he liked Nickelback.
This brings me to the question, WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY PARENTS?
They used to have a good taste in music. I give them credit for making me like music so much. I was watching MTV before I can remember.
Now my mom listens to country and my dad likes Nickelback. It just goes to show what old age can do to you I guess.

Posted at 11:06AM Nov 06, 2007 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[2]

WHAT?

How does everybody & their dog have more hits than I do?
Also, if you see me walking around campus, you should say hi. Just tell me that you read my blog. I'm pretty unmistakable. I'm short, fat, and I have bright/unnatural red/orange/blonde hair.

Posted at 10:30PM Nov 02, 2007 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[0]

Throwing in the towel

Right now, I'm at my radio show. This is my last semester of having a radio show.
Also, I've decided to not do shows in Vermillion anymore. My article to the Volante was just a parting message I suppose.

Posted at 02:54PM Oct 31, 2007 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[0]

UFOs?

So I've told everybody about my fascination with UFOs. Except that, I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY. So now I'm asking you bloggers and blog readers to help me out. If you see anything weird in the sky, such as UFOs, CALL ME! My phone number is 605-661-7359. Tell me where you're at and if I'm in Vermillion, I'll be there with you. Seriously, I want to see weird stuff SO BADLY and I never get to. So please, call me if you see anything.

Posted at 04:45PM Oct 29, 2007 by Valerie Bartlett in General  |  Comments[6]