And Hear's to Hoping Philly is Better than Baltimore

Philly
Originally uploaded by joy and pain.

Ah Philadelphia...it has to be better than my last road trip (Baltimore...for those of you that didn't get the hint with the title.)
I am going on my first official business trip. I am very, very excited. I am staying through Wednesday and am more than eager to get out of DC for awhile. I was supposed to leave tonight, but as I am co-chair for Fely's belly bash I opted to go up on Sunday instead. My delight at taking a trip may be deminished as soon as I step off the train, however. I'm crossing my fingers I don't get as sick as I was last time I ventured out on Amtrak. Although the trip was longer (NYC) and I downed about 4 double (tall) 7&7s at the Dubliner before I took off...at 3am for a weekend on the town in the big city. Man, what a bad idea. I swore off trains ever since, but was too ashamed to say anything when my bosses said we were all hoppin on the Amtrak to get to Philly. I'll try to stay sober Sunday morning and see what happens.
I plan on seeing hip bars, and may start my birthday celebration a week early since I have no clue what's going on when I get back. I wonder what Halloween's like out in Center City. I'll be smack dab in the middle of the fun, so we'll see. I'm not doing the Rocky stair thing, Katie. But I'll bring you a Philly Cheesesteak and force you to eat it. =)
While I am semi on the Halloween topic, the bar is totally decked out in "cheer." I've never seen more effort get put into decorating the place. It's sorta funny since it's normally really, really depressing without effort. If only that much thought went into it the rest of the year, it may look respectable...but I like the cobwebs and curtains...heh. Someone has to take pictures so I can see what everyone dresses up as. The new boy, Jeff, is apparently dressing up as a french maid. And Karen may stop by in a Ketchup bottle costume. Exciting times.

The Bravery was the Only Good Thing in Baltimore...

The Bravery
Originally uploaded by joy and pain.

Ah, The Bravery. I think everyone knows about my love for the band. I am so excited I got a chance to see them again. Only this time...it was in Baltimore. I can't lie, I have had my share of fun in Baltimore...but this trip included a whole lot more.
According to Sonar's website, The Bravery was scheduled to go on at 8pm. It was also the only band listed to play the venue that night. So, I picked up Kdogg and we ran our asses to Baltimore in the rain at a good 35 miles per hour since no one knows how to drive here.
We surprisingly get there around quarter to the magic hour to see people waiting to get in. So we figure it's safe to go look for some food since we didn't eat before we left civilization. Bad move. We found everything but food. All Katie wanted was taco bell and all we found was Baltimore's red light district and a whole bunch of nothing. Except for a mecca in the rain boasting "PIZZA!!!" Yeah. So we park and run in to see that it said Piaza (?) and was in fact a deli run by the slowest bunch of retards on the planet. Although we fit right in since apparently we couldn't read (granted it was pouring and it was the smallest etched sign on the planet(on a glass door). Ah, we're still challenged. We make it to the show to get a great spot in the first row at the edge of the stage. Get a beer and notice a lot of young wannabe hipsters and a lot of old looking parents...nice. Then to our surprise a strange "glam" garage band starts to play...hmmm. No biggie. The stage is set up to reveal a really grungy band sporting a lead singer that didn't wear underwear (first row...we could tell). At this point I am drinking heavier than I had planned. Is this a joke? Did the venue put up posters and advertise The Bravery to get people in the door? Good god. The band went on at 11. Finally. Then the crazed girls came out of the woodwork and the show went on.
Sam E. is a cutie, the rest of the band is too, and they were amazing. Mike and Sam both jumped into the crowd and got partially molested and a fan did a stage dive and didn't get caught. We were so close! It ended up being a great show, despite the setbacks in Baltimore. It is now Katie's favorite city of all time.
Go Baltimore!
Oh, and I may be the last to know (it's been known to happen...) but did anyone know about the feud between The Bravery and The Killers? About talent and past jobs? Funny stuff. The lead singer of the Killers said The Bravery sucked and got big based on The Killers' success...and that Sam Endicott sucks cause he used to be in a ska band...(While Brandan Flowers used to be a bellhop in Vegas...nice) and one of the bandmembers in The Killers also used to be in a ska band. So words have been had back and forth and the media jumped on the bandwagon taking opposing sides. I find it funny. I think pretty much all bands have had a shitty first or second one to add to their list. And the bands are on the same label and The Bravery got a handme down bus that The Killers used to drive around in. Heh. I hope they upgraded for sake of the feud. I love how drama transcends into every industry. (My pick is The Bravery...obviously.)

U2 Rocks!

U2 Rocks!
Originally uploaded by joy and pain.

In a landslide victory, I won over the man to go see U2 last night! Actually the man helped me out when I was at the end of my rope. It was such a great show and I'm so unbelievably happy I got to go.
I got tickets (from my very generous boss) way last minute and tried to no avail to get off work at the bar. Sigh. I called everyone and their mother and got the go ahead from our GM (THANK YOU) 4 hours before show time. I was so happy. I probably got three gray hairs trying to work everything out. I guess I could have just lied to everyone and said I was sick. But Mama raised me better. Although my parents both told me I was an idiot to have told them about the concert at all. "Just call out sick!" Fun stuff. Thanks, guys. The show kicked some serious ass. We went out for drinks earlier (and after) and had a brilliant time. I am still sort of spinning over the fact I got to go. From the get go I was sitting on the sidelines all up in smoke about the price and unavailability of tickets. I guess I won the lottery for a day.

In other news. I am eating a salad with raw mushrooms (as opposed to cooked...in a salad.) and it blows. I'm not a big fan of the raw mushrooms.

In about 3 hours I will be on the road to go see The Bravery with my band BFF. I can technically be called a groupie as this is the second time I've seen them and I am taking a veri-mini road trip to do so.
I'm excited!

Feminists and Ironing, What a Great Combination!

Feminists
Originally uploaded by joy and pain.

I got this picture emailed to me by one of my bosses. How funny is that? I can't wait for the Bravery on Friday. My pink eye (It's not really pink eye, so you don't have to avoid me.) has subsided a bit. I have worn my glasses for two days :( and the redness is gone, but the soreness remains. We'll see.

No other exciting news so I'm going to go back to work. I'm still waiting to see how much I won in the lottery.

They better not kill off Sawyer in three (!) weeks on Lost. Or else. I like how they introduce new cast members...when the premise is being stuck on a desert island. Great writing. Let's just say the island is huge and they haven't crossed paths...M'kay? They're going to kill off one of the newbies, which is the only reason they put them on the show in the first place. They better. Or else.

Just Say No to Pink Eye!

Ough, my eye is lighting up like Rudolph's nose...I don't think I have pink eye, but man it's red and hurts. I keep rubbin it and squeezing my eyeball to relieve pressure...I think I'm just poppin' more veins. Who knows, but I am getting a headache in my eyeball. Fun stuff.
Other than that, it's so beautiful in the big VA. I am digging this fall weather. I ran some errands at work today and ended up not wanting to go back...which is where I am right now, being all productive.
My bosses went to Philly Monday...and left me here by myself. Nice. Although no post it notes or memos anywhere about where they were and that they weren't going to be in the office. And I don't have a key. The place was open and all lit up with no one in it. I was waiting for someone to round the corner and yell surprise at one point. No dice. I finally figured out what was going on about two hours into work and it's been peaches ever since. I like having the place to myself. I can use the bathroom, play my music loud, drink, you know. It's a regular party.
Speaking of, Fely's baby shower! It's going to be fun. I am getting the buying for kids thing out of my system and taking the best of both worlds - I stay unpreggo and get to buy cool stuff for a kid that I will have nothing to do with. Awesome.
I finally found a good recipe for lemonade. Now I just need to know what to spike it with. Katie, what about doing a couple different liquor options? Not like sangria, but leaving it virgin and mixing with whatever you want? I'll keep investigating.
It's going to be lovely.
I think Fely should name the baby Joy Katherine Garcia (?) or Katherine Joy...yeah, that's beautiful.
I bought tix to the Bravery for Fri. Baltimore is going to be a blast. I can't wait to see my favorite band. Ah....
All I can think of doing now is relaxing on our balcony with a book for the next hour...heh. We'll see.

Beattie Awakes from Her Coma

I am alive. Sort of. I know it's been a good stretch of time since I've posted, and you have missed out on so much fun.
I feel like I have to lie and make up a million good stories since it's been so long. I didn't know so many people were bored at work and looked me up. I am caving and posting at work. This may become a regular occurance.
I still love my job. And I am talking about the day job, not the bar (to one of my coworkers that thought I was a freak of nature to love a bar so much.) Bree are you a coworker? We worked together like 3 times...and is that how you spell Bree? And do you even read this anymore or did you give up since I never post?
We'll see.
What has happened in my life:
I moved! I am now living solo in a fly ghetto apartment in the State for Lovers...how much gayer can you get with state slogans...really. I love the place.
I bought new furniture (It looks good, albeit a tad bit cramped.)
My electricity goes out whenever I microwave anything or blow my hair dry (Hence the ghetto comment)
I now have a brand new tv all to myself. (Inherited, sorta new...with surround sound to boot, even though the place is way too small to utilize it...when I turn all that stuff on the apartment shakes...)
More on the apartment to come, but I like it a lot.
Do my roommates miss me yet? I bet they thank God before turning in at night that they are rid of me.
What else....I am still working like a fiend, but have had the last two nights off (I only had to work at the day job) and have found it to be a very fun ride. Not only did I spend a shitload of money (which is why I need a second job to keep me busy and rich) but I relaxed, unpacked a few more random boxes I just should have thrown out...and went shoppin'. My hair now resembles one of the original Beatles, so if any of you call me mop head I may punch you, but it's deserved. I also got bangs. (!) I haven't had bangs since I was like 5 years old. But it's definitely a change, which is what I wanted. We'll see how much I love it when it starts growing out (in a year) and the bangs look like ass.
Are you all excited I am updating still? This is some exciting stuff. I'm getting bored talking about myself. How bad is that?
I had 2 relationships since my whole vacation from posting my life on the Internet. Well...maybe not full blown relationships, but they both involved the opposite sex and are now d-e-d. And thank God for that. I get smothered and complain too much to make anything work.
I've been to a bunch of great shows...My Morning Jacket, Kaiser Chiefs (old), Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (LOVE them), and more. I am bitter that my bff doesn't want to go to see the Foo Fighters Sunday. I will pay her back. Most likely by peeing on her couch after she gets it cleaned and blaming it on her dogs.
(If you notice a wet spot, you will now always think of me...great.)
My car died in the city, I left it there all weekend. It was like missing my right arm. Or maybe just my right thumb...but it was aweful not having it. I got it back. I am happy now driving everywhere and hurting the environment and my wallet.
My brother just turned 20. WOOOOOOHOOOOOOO. That is seriously like the worst age to turn. No longer a teenager, not quite legal. It's a good thing he drinks anyway wherever he goes cause he plays football and isn't ugly. If that were the case, he'd be screwed. Happy Birthday, Donny. You better utilize the shot glasses I sent, or else! I still have your birthday card. I'll sit on it another month and send it out. You better get me something grand for my birthday. Hit dad up for some dough. (Nov. is coming up! You best not forget it...but I'll give you the whole month as a grace period to get me something nice)
I think that is as much of an update as I am willing to give at this point. I'll be more consistent. I promise.