moonmen

Video of the Year, Best Group Video, Best Rock Video, Viewer's Choice, Best Direction, Editing, and Cinematography. Green Day cleaned UP at the MTV VMA's this year for their latest album, "American Idiot". Out of eight nominations, the band walked away with seven awards--the first time since 1996 (when Smashing Pumpkins' "Tonight, Tonight" dominated). According to MTV.com, "...only two artists have done better: Peter Gabriel with 9 [awards] in 1987 and A-Ha with 8 [awards] in 1986...Before tonight, Green Day had won only one VMA: Best Alternative Video in 1998 for "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)".

I heard about Green Day when their album "Dookie" came out...in 1994. I was in 7th grade and I just had to have that album. My parents weren't too happy about it, but they let me get it. Dad drove me to the CD store on Watson (which is now a guitar shop), and I went in and grabbed it. I listened to that CD non-stop and have been a Green Day fan ever since. (Not saying I have posters and everything, but I do enjoy their music. Wish I still had that first CD, too...)

With the clean-up at the VMA's though, I think Green Day has shown that they have staying power. Some people may disagree, but that's my personal opinion. "We've been a band for 16 years," Billie Joe reminded viewers after winning Video of the Year. "This is what you dream about." I think any band that can stick around--and stay together--for 16 years has proved my point. And if they do eventually dis-band, they'll be a group you'll definitely remember.

a new musical...

The Last Five Years runs at the ArtLoft Theatre, 1529 Washington Ave., on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, August 11- 27, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $15. You can get ticket information by calling 314-412-5107.

My opinion, in a nutshell? Fabulous performances by both actors, with material that hit way close to home. Biggest complaint: wireless mics. *shivers* Those things are just TERRIBLE...

For a brief synopsis of this show, along with more information about it's author / composer, Jason Robert Brown, click here.

(aside: Norbert Leo Butz, DB alum, portrayed the role on Broadway and is featured on the soundtrack.)

ink

I just have to blog this: I finally got my tattoo done yesterday! I've wanted one for a long time, and I finally worked up the guts to do it. Surprisingly, I handled it a LOT better than I figured I would; I'm not going to lie, though, it HURT. Some places weren't as bad as I thought they would be, but there were some spots where it was like, "Ok, get this done with already..."

So what is it? The comedy and tragedy masks (of course) on my lower back, with a rose going through them and a few gold stars around them. It's really pretty, and it's something that I won't regret bc it represents something that is near and dear to my heart, and means a lot to me. I can't wait until it's completely healed, though, so I can show off the FINISHED product!
(Dustin got his done yesterday, too: what else? A Yankees symbol--the top hat and bat inside the baseball--on his left pec.)

feeling naked

While pulling some old papers and receipts out of my dresser drawers last night, I found the warranty papers for my engagement / wedding rings. The set was purchased in April, and I was under the impression I had to have it inspected every six months. So I opened up the envelope, started reading, and saw that the set has to be inspected every FOUR months in order to keep the lifetime warranty. Dustin and I were out and about, so we made a stop at the jewelry store in S. County Mall to get it checked out.

Figuring it would take only a few minutes, I pulled the warranty papers out of my purse, took the rings off my finger, and handed them over to the jeweler. As it turned out, the stone on my engagement ring was hanging on by a hair--"If you would have bumped this one more time, you would have lost the diamond," per the jeweler--and the side stones on the wedding band were loose as well.

Apparently the prongs on the engagement ring had been knocked askew, which obviously caused the diamond to become loose; he made me feel better, though, when he assured me that was normal, everyday wear and tear. BUT, then he said there is no reason the side stones on the wedding band should be loose since they are protected on all sides--basically, the jeweler we bought it from sold it to us like that. (Gee, how nice, huh?)

I am now without my engagement ring AND wedding band until next Saturday (the 13th), since they had to send them to the home office for repairs...in Massachusetts. :( I feel so naked.