Always Room to Grow

I just adore the coworkers who sit around me in my cube, but I don’t think they actually know that. They are much younger than me and I see all of them with their kind hearts and radiant souls doing this thing called life. I wonder if anyone has told them how truly good they are?

These are my favorite people - people who live in the moment, welcome others into their circle and just have good energy. Even on their darkest of days, they are always there being kind to everyone and I just really love watching the kindness they spread around the office.

This is the type of people I want to be around. They are the dreamers, the doers, the people with good vibrations.

Sometimes we’ll chat and I hope I am giving them good guidance and wisdom about my life experiences with the world through my Gen X eyes. I want to be that cool 40 something year old that I never had when I was their age. I feel like I’m making an impact and that is truly all I want in my life is to make a postive impact on those around me.

I want to continue to give them sound advice when they seek it, find out how their weekend was and what the latest trend is and I actively enjoy learning from them. Too often we dismiss generations younger than us because they are different than us and because we don’t listen - truly listen to what they’re saying. We are too busy yammering on about, “Well, back in my day..”. These differences are what makes life beautiful, interesting, strange and I wholeheartedly accept them.

I hope you continue to have the opportunities to be included in a conversation with those younger than you, but next time, stay silent and watch how much you can grow. The sky is the limit, baby.

Living in the Light

This is a new month and a new chapter in my life.

For the past two or three months, everything has been in an upheaval of crazy. Who moves twice in this timeframe? Well, apparently I do. But I am finally settling in and honestly, I’ve never felt happier.

I feel like I’m getting my life back. I feel like I have time to do the things I truly cherish - like this, right here. Just to be able to spend a few minutes writing brings me much joy. It feels like an old friend who I haven’t seen in a long time welcoming me with open arms.

I quit vaping and then started back up again when life got too stressful. But, it’s not anything I’m centering my life around anymore because I am making way for the new that I feel is coming. Today, my life is filled with work deadlines, schedules and surrounded by horrible Frenchie farts, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Stay Blessed.

Such as Life, I Guess?

I’ve always felt that I am a highly sensitive person. When I perceive that someone has wronged me, I take that shit to the overthinker and over feeling extreme. Today was one of those days.

I woke up this morning to a notification that a brand I had been working with to promote had removed my tag on them on my post. Wow… My anxiety ridden brain went into immediate freakout and overthink mode. “Did I do something wrong?”. “What did I do?” “Was it something I said or a song I used?”. “Are they upset about the different brands I’ve been working with?” I literally cried in my coffee this morning about it.

I know it is so easy to say, “Forget about them”, but I have a really hard time doing this.

When I choose to work with a brand, I’m very loyal to them. I love helping small business grow and instead of picking one thing and staying in that lane, I realized I am way too eclectic to pick and stick to one “thing”. I am into so many different things and am not linear nor plain vanilla, so this rejection rippled through my heart this morning. It stung for a while until I realized something…if a brand is going to be upset at something I did and isn’t going to tell me what I did to upset them, there’s no relationship there and there never was. Ghosting and zero communication is for cowards and I’m not that person. If I fuck up, I’ll own it and make it right. However, if never given the opportunity to literally send me an email or a message taht says, “It hurt me when you…”, I can’t find a solution to the problem that I’m not even aware of. These are not my people.

I appreciate people who are brave, honest and forthcoming.

Today wasn’t a strike out at all, though. It was a lesson. A lesson in who’s real.

There is a different brand who also reached out and said that they couldn’t find more of their brand quality influencer, so they had left a platform. However, they were happy to reactive my code if I still wanted to work with them? Oh, you absolutely bet I do! Because of their honesty and not taking the cowards way out of just ghosting me.

I put a lot of time into being a brand ambassador - time that I won’t get back. I do this to help connect others to cool brands that I’m into, so maybe you’ll be into them too?I am just happy to know that there are still genuine people in the world, and they can appear in what some would call the least likely of places. They are my kind of people and brands I will continue to support.

Be good to each other because you never know what someone else may be going through.

I Guess This is Growing Up?

Here it is, early July, and I am still learning about myself.

To catch you up on things, I changed jobs in the spring and absolutely feel at home. I went back to the Learning & Development business and haven’t felt better about what I was meant to be doing for full time work in years. Remember, I walked away from training years ago to pursue this crazy thing called content. I have no regrets. I’ve learned so much in the past few years and have been steadily working on being better at digital marketing. It’s all about baby steps and being consistent, which also feels weird to say, because I haven’t written anything since the last blog post.

I made the choice for myself to quit vaping, but will always support it for anyone trying to quit smoking and failing themselves. It was the only thing that helped me and now six years later, I’m done. I feel positive about it. I still am here surrounded by the love of the vaping community and sending it right back to you. It’s just the personal choice I made for myself when I quit smoking, that’s all. No hard feelings and no goodbyes. Ya’ll can’t get rid of me that easily.

So, here I am. Being all independent and shit. I drive myself to work everyday. I finally feel like I’ve rid myself of my panic attacks while driving. I’m living at a much slower and simpler pace these days and I didn’t realize that this is what I truly needed. I don’t feel so wound up all the time and am way more relaxed, but still find myself being awkward sometimes. I guess this is growing up?

I’ve also picked up another thing that I found I’m really enjoying. Affiliate marketing. I have this whole page dedicated to brands I’m working with and things I love, so please check them out. A lot of these are small women owned businesses who need our support more than ever right now.

I’m falling back in love with the small things in life that bring me the most joy - vintage things, tea, coffee, smiling, being happy, being calm, inspiring others. being funny, art deco everything and just being an all around kind human. I implore you to truly find your own way in life and do what truly makes you happy. Like my husband always says, “We’re here for a good time, but not a long time.”

Much love,

Angela

Our World is Changing

Do you ever look up at the night sky and just let your mind wander through time and space? We are merely a piece of the Milky Way galaxy, but it’s about to get a lot more crowded up in here because our world is changing.

According to EarthSky, the “Andromeda and Milky Way galaxies are merging.” There are big things coming this way from the galaxy closest to ours. The Andromeda galaxy is hurling towards us around 70 miles per second, so that puts the “great conjunction” happening in about five billion years.

So, this is what it’s like when worlds collide?

Our galaxy holds 300 billion stars, but the Andromeda galaxy is showered in about a trillion. That’s lit.

Don’t panic. While this merger is technically already underway, the universe knows what it’s doing. It’s going to take approximately four billion years from now to emerge. Light moves fast, but not that fast in the grand scheme of things.

I wonder if the new mash-up will get a new name. “Andromeda Way” sounds dumb and “Milky Andromeda” doesn’t cut it either. I’m sure science will come up with something clever by then. I’m just disappointed I won’t be around to see it.

Here’s What My First Mammogram was Like

It’s been awhile since I’ve written anything here and it feels better to be in this moment more than I could imagine. I’ve been on a journey and am still on it. I am really pouring into myself lately in regards to my overall health.

I had my meds readjusted and have been on keto since the beginning of the year. I’m down 26 pounds and am celebrating the tiny wins along the way.

I am making an effort to drink water. Water ya’ll. I was only getting water in how ever many cups of coffee I chose to drink on a given day. Dehydration is real and is not a fun place to be.

For the first time, in a long time, I just feel good. I feel happy. I am really connecting with prioritizing myself. I’m catching myself from saying “I’m sorry”, unless the situation actually calls for it. I’m blasting Lizzo and Patti LaBelle and laughing a lot more over my latest favorite tea flavors. I feel worthy.

I had my first well woman exam for the first time in 10 years. I cannot believe that let that go for that long. That was just ridiculous of me. Having a history of endometriosis, this is something I always did annually like clockwork, but somehow the past 10 years just got away from me. I am not going to beat myself up over it because I went. I am celebrating the fact I went and am done for a year.

Today, I had my first mammogram. I am 5 years past due. Again, not beating myself over this. I am celebrating the fact that it’s done and wanted to share the experience with you.

I didn’t have much to go by. Growing up, I’ve always heard how bad this hurts and there was much debate in my household if it hurt more for smaller chested women or larger chested women. Naturally, I was anxious because I had no idea what to expect other than pain being deliberately given to my girls at my own will. Lord, help me.

After completing an iPad that needed my entire history and asked if I ever had cancer at least three times and paperwork asking “Are you sure you’re not pregnant?” and telling me, “If I think I could be pregnant, please let a staff member know.”, I finally am called back. The anxiety is racing at this point, but I’m still doing ok.

I was self introduced the warmest and kindest lady who was going to take my mammogram today named Shital. She showed me to the small changing room and advised me to put my belongings in one of the two available lockers, lock it, take the key with me and put on the dressing gown. She closed the door and there I was - alone and staring at the pile of rose and pink colored coverups to put on open in the front. “I can do this”, I was telling myself.

I am super modest. I remember even hating changing clothes in middle school P.E. class because I always felt like I was being stared at. I would do anything to not have to suit up and suit out.

I put the coverup on and caught myself swinging it back and forth in front of the floor length mirror, watching it flow right beneath my shoulders. I looked ridiculous in that short dressing gown I referred to as a “cape”.

Walking in, Shital knew this was my first mammogram and she couldn’t have been more patient with me. She explained the entire process and helped ease my discomfort both mentally just by talking to me.

The first image was what I would describe as uncomfortable. There was pressure but nothing that felt like my boob was a car getting crushed in the junkyard. Nope, that came with the second image. That was where the “Hulk, smash!” was happening on my left side had me saying, “Oww!” and trying to think of anything other than being in that moment.

The right side was captured without a hitch and the second snap image didn’t feel anything like the left.

Just like that, it was over. I was done. I had done it!

Shital showed me the images. That was actually pretty cool because I love anatomy things. That would also be the only way my boobs would ever be caught on film.

Shital is very good at what she does. She eases fears, she educates and she does her job with a shining light. The world needs more ladies like Shital, who wanted me to pass along this message: “Ladies, please go get your mammograms, pap smears and prioritize your health. Early detection is key.”

Please encourage your wife, sister, mom, grandmother, friend, neighbor or whomever to take care of themselves. This time we make could literally save lives. Be well.

Scott Weiland Biopic in the Works

Many years ago, I read “Fall to Pieces” because I wanted to know what would push a woman so far as to send her then husband’s expensive wardrobe up in flames. I was astounded by the stories shared by Mary Forsberg Weiland, the second ex-wife of the Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver frontman, Scott Weiland.

There is now movie in the works about Scott’s life, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film will be adapted from the book “Not Dead & Not for Sale” and will tell the tale of the rockstar’s life that was cut short by an accidental drug overdose in 2015 at the age of 48.

Stone Temple Pilots debut album, Core, plunged the San Diego based band into the musical mainstream spotlight with its release in 1992. Weiland’s lyrics filled the band’s emotionally charged songs until 2002, when he was recruited to join Velvet Revolver and smash out two albums before breaking up in 2008.

Weiland re-joined Stone Temple Pilots in 2008 but was fired from the band in 2013.

Stone Temple Pilots was one of the most successful bands of the 90s. Scott Weiland received a tribute from Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, posthumously, calling him “One of the greatest voices of their generation.”

Get Out and Go See the Full Strawberry Supermoon

The full moon tonight is ripe for picking. The June full moon is also known as the “Strawberry Moon” and is the last supermoon of this year.

The moon will appear bigger and brighter than usual, reflecting back to Earthlings with its reddish-rose color, unveiling itself in the Eastern sky.

Tonight is the night to get outside and enjoy the sights. Perhaps grab a strawberry supermoon doughnut from Krispy Kreme that is available today only, to make it even more memorable?

Make This Cookie Butter Iced Coffee Now!

It’s almost officially summer but don’t wait around for the official start. You’re going to want to make this iced cookie butter coffee now. OMG, yes.

Using a small scoop of smooth (not crunchy) Biscoff cookie spread, pour hot coffee over the scoop of cookie butter. Stir until perfectly blended.

Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla simple syrup to a tall glass of ice. Pour the desired amount of milk (or milk alternative) over ice and then pour the iced coffee cookie butter mixture over the ice. Stir it all up and sip it down for a sweet and savory cookie butter iced coffee treat.

Added bonus, this is way easier to make than a Dalgona coffee, so that is already a win.

Will You Answer the Call of the ‘One Ring’?

There are all kinds of fans traveling somewhere in middle earth but those who dearly wish to take a journey there and back again, even just once more, are in for a real treat that is almost as exciting as second breakfast.

Slash Film reports that, “The Lord of the Rings saga will continue with the standalone anime film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.”

The animated feature is a traveling buddy to the beloved Peter Jackson trilogy. It will explore the untold origins of Helm’s Deep and is being directed by Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell) are Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) are writing the script, so Lord fans are in for a truly great adventure!

That wasn’t the only news that fell on the ears of Lords fans today – Amazon is also creating a big ticket tv series around the trilogy that is set to drop sometime this year. Pack your bags filthy hobbitses, because we are heading back to the world imagined by J.R.R. Tolkien at least a few more times. The battle for middle earth has a few more untold tales.

Is a Baby Dinosaur Running Wild in Florida?

Having a front door camera can be quite convenient and entertaining at times. Someone rings the doorbell, and you can talk to them from any WIFI connection, making it easy to deal with uninvited solicitors.

There is also the occasional insect that sets off the motion detection sometimes, too, and that alert in the middle of the night can be alarming sometimes. Relax it’s just a slug.

But what if you’re not sure what it just picked up and you’re staring at the footage of “what in the hell is that?” Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it a… dinosaur? Well, one lady in Florida thinks so.

Fox35 reports that they received a copy of a video from one of their viewers in April. The viewer, a lady in Florida, is convinced it is a ‘baby dinosaur’ caught running through her yard at 3:40 in the morning.

Florida is home to all kinds of creatures, but this unidentified one moved quite fast with what looks like a leash in tow.

Anyone lose their pet raptor?

The internet is all a buzz with what they think this creature could be. Some of speculated it is dog, which could explain the leash and others stating it could be a sandhill crane, and there are a handful of others who aren’t convinced that it is indeed a dinosaur.

It is indeed strange, but it’s Florida, so the comments are about as wild as the people.

“I've never seen a sandhill crane run like that. Look how right before the end. Whatever it is goes lower and runs even faster. Only seen raptors run like that in the movies. Who knows – could be a dinosaur escape from a lab or a meth head, you never know in Florida." 

"As a native Floridian, I can attest that this is absolutely a baby dinosaur. It came up from the underworld of the lizard Illuminati through the aquifer. All the locals know this! She must be a transplant."

Who knows what all they’re growing in the Sunshine State?

Is it Really Monday Already?

This little dog hates mornings and I feel like we can all relate on some level. Who really wants to get out of bed on Mondays?

Not everyone is sunshine and kitty cats first thing in the morning and some of us need a little encouragement to even function when that alarm goes off and ruins everything.

While the world is quickly returning to normal, that means some of us are having to put on actual pants, pack a lunch and grab extra coffee on the way into the office. Yoga pants, we already miss you, but this is where we have to break things off. It’s not you, it’s work, and chilling in extra comfy active wear just isn’t going to fly in an office setting.

In a perfect world, the cat would cover the living expenses, but since we all know kitty is never going to pay the mortgage, so we’ve got to do what needs to be done. Here’s to adulting, right? Okay fine, but maybe it’ll be easier to get up and get going in about 5 more minutes.

Here’s How to Enjoy a Moon Garden

Gardens with plants and other types of foliage are great things to enjoy during the sunshine but have you ever considered basking and relaxing in a moon garden?

Moon gardening is quite simple, as there are plenty of choices for gorgeous milky white and silver flora. With a little bit of planning and preparation, your moon garden can be all a glow in no time. Limelight Hydrangea, White Fringetree, Wormwood, Angel’s Trumpet, Jasmine, and naturally, Moonflower are all great choices for a lovely moon garden.

Pick a spot that has easy access in the dark. Try scoping out a small space in the backyard where plants will grow during different seasons. You need some sun, so keep it simple.

Most moon garden plants are highly visible because of their white blooms, but try experimenting with yellow, as well. It can give your moon garden a softer look than stark white.

Don’t skimp on smells and sounds. A moon garden is a peaceful place where you can take in beautiful scents of fragrant flowers and relaxing sounds of a water feature.

Moon gardens are another great way to enjoy plants for anyone who appreciates the soft, natural beauty of the night.

Get a Ghost Town Here

What would you do if you bought a ghost town? Would you rename it or keep it with its name intact, much like “Swett, South Dakota that currently listed up for grabs at $250,000.00”, according to MoneyTips by Debt.com.

Owning a ghost town would be interesting, for sure, but what do you do with a town that has no residents residing in it?

Also, there’s the hard living aspect, as well. Imagine a town with no electricity, running water or internet. Most of these properties aren’t even up to code and wear their years or neglect sprawled on them, much like the leather faced aging cowboy.  

Buying a ghost town isn’t for the faint of heart, as there are whispers and rumors that a lot of these once thriving cities are now hosting only the dearly departed. However, you know what they say - Never trust the living.

It’s National Brisket Day

Get This Texas Brisket on Now

Meat matters because it’s time to get outside and get smoking.

Brisket is a popular cut of meat to share with family and friends, but everyone knows a good brisket takes time. Brisket can be tricky because it is a tough meat. However, a well marbled piece will become fork tender and easily pull apart, if cooked correctly.

Brisket preparation is up to the cook and can include the use of hardwoods, marinades, and sauces. A Texas style brisket is one of the most popular methods, where the meat is marinated beforehand and left alone to smoke for hours. Can’t rush a great meal of meat. Slow and low is key.

Try this Coffee-Rubbed Texas - Style Brisket recipe from My Recipes, done up nicely, Texas style.  I call this one, the Texas Three Step, because there it’s as easy as 1,2,3 and is perfect next time you want to get your grill on and enjoy a deep, smoky flavor to the meat. Now get out there and get to grilling.

Texas Three Step

Ingredients:

• 6 cups oak or hickory wood chips

• 1 tablespoon ground coffee

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt

• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

• 2 teaspoons ancho chile powder

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 (4 1/2-pound) flat-cut brisket (about 3 inches thick)

Directions:

1.       Combine coffee and the next 8 dry ingredients in a bowl. Pat brisket dry; rub and coat brisket with ingredient mixture.

2.       Remove grill rack and set aside. Prepare grill for indirect grilling, heating one side to high and leaving one side with no heat. Pierce bottom of a disposable aluminum foil pan several times with the tip of a knife. Place pan on heat element on heated side of grill; add 1 1/2 cups wood chips to pan. Place another disposable aluminum foil pan (do not pierce pan) on unheated side of grill. Pour 2 cups water in pan. Let chips stand for 15 minutes or until smoking; reduce heat to medium-low. Maintain temperature at 225°. Place grill rack on grill. Place the brisket in a small roasting pan, and place pan on grill rack on unheated side. Close lid; cook for 6 hours or until a meat thermometer registers 195°. Add 1 1/2 cups wood chips every hour for first 4 hours; cover pan with foil for remaining 2 hours. Remove from grill. Let stand, covered, 30 minutes.

3.       Unwrap brisket, reserving juices; trim and discard fat. Place a large zip-top plastic bag inside a 4-cup glass measure. Pour juices through a sieve into bag; discard solids. Let drippings stand for 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top). Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain drippings into a bowl, stopping before fat reaches opening; discard fat. Cut brisket across grain into thin slices; serve with juices.

Please Don’t Kiss the Chickens

Hey there, cowboy. Don’t kiss or snuggle your poultry.

This recent warning comes from the CDC who wants to warn the public that “Backyard poultry, like chicken and ducks, can carry Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to anything in the areas where they live and roam.”

The CDC also advises not to let children under 5 years old touch any kind of back yard poultry. If memory serves me correctly, what kid would want to come anywhere near yard bird at that young age. These birds are relentless, are scary as hell, and are just one of the reasons I pissed my pants after being chased by one myself.

Remember, chickens evolved and are modern day dinosaurs, so that should serve as a good reminder of what you’re messing with regardless of it living in your backyard or in the wild.  Perhaps leave the chicken affection to the professionals, who already are quite aware of what living a fowl life is truly all about.

Get Up Really Early to Catch the Super Flower Blood Moon

The early morning hours will bring skygazers the delight we have been waiting months for, as we get a triple dipped treat from the universe right in time to kick off summer. There is a “Super Flower Blood Moon” to illuminate the skies and this one is not a sight to be missed.

The blood red supermoon rising is also the only total lunar eclipse of the year, so get outside and go look. The blood moon, or lunar eclipse, happens when the Moon moves through the deepest part of Earth’s shadow, or umbra, taking on the deep crimson glow from the bending of light in our atmosphere.

The lunar eclipse event kicks off at 4:47 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, so you’ll have to get up early and stay awake to catch the full eclipse at 7:18 a.m.

Alternatively, if you’re a night owl, just stay up to catch this beautiful wonder. Who needs sleep anyway when there are celestial events like this happening?

This is all due to the perfect timing of the universe to bring these events in motion. Trust the timing.

Cheers, it’s National Wine Day

If you need an official reason to pop the cork on a favorite today, here’s one to be celebrated. Cheers, it’s National Wine Day.

People have been drinking wine, since practically the dawn of man or at least 6000 B.C. where archeologists discovered evidence of wine in the present-day country of Georgia. Wine production might have begun in the U.S. began in 1628 in New Mexico, but today, California is the biggest producer of wine. Sunshine ya’ll.

National Wine Day for hanging out with family, friends or even flying solo with your favorite fancy vin or discovering a new one. From reds to rose, there is a wine for practically every palate these days. And, let’s be honest, the stemware is both classy and nice.

Don’t throw out that bottle or cork either, because these can be repurposed into pretty cool things such as cork bathmats and lamps.

There’s something magical about that clink when it’s surrounded by loved ones such as family and friends.

Drink Coffee Like Your Life Depends on It, because a New Study Says it Does

Some say it is the fountain of youth and now we know exactly how many cups we need each day to live longer. All signs point to a daily need to keep that coffee pot going.

People aged 40 and participated in a study that found death was lowered by those who drank more than three cups of coffee per day. According to The Korea Herald, “Scientists tracked the patients’ daily coffee intake and death rate for an average of 9.1 years. Individuals already diagnosed with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer were not included in the study.”

The study was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The other good news that that the study found was that it didn’t matter what type of coffee was consumed, as instant, straight black and 3 in 1 (coffee, sugar and cream) all benefitted in more years added to their lives and had a reduced risk of death by cardiovascular disease than non-coffee drinkers.

The people who try to say that coffee and caffeine aren’t good for you, probably relish in decaf and likely won’t outlive you at this point. Drink up, buttercup. Your health and years on this planet may depend on it.

I Want the Airwaves, Baby

1989 was a huge turning point of my life growing up in Dallas-Fort Worth. Our FM radio Airwaves choices were shit and mostly still are my opinion. On New Kids on the Block might have made other teenage girls swoon when they promise that they'll be “loving you forever”, but this boy band was a hard pass for me. Songs like “Don’t Know Much” only solidified my belief that I'd rather watch paint dry than here Aaron Neville sing any day of the week and Chicago's “Look Away” made me want to run away from all hope of music. It all felt like a tidal wave of awful, attempted love ballads and I wasn't having any of it.

l am self-admitted channel surfer. At a moment's notice, I will turn the dial to another channel frequency like it's nobody's business even if I'm in a car and not the one driving.  It drives people who are around me nuts, but I can’t help that my brain gets bored easily and seeks out a new experience constantly.

It was during one of these millions of channel surfing times that I stumbled across this radio station that I could barely get any reception, but there it was with barely any commercials but what stood out was that the this genre music that came pouring out of my bedroom radio was unlike anything I've ever heard of my life in my life it was a rock and it hit me right in the soul was Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde a and Ross y voice raspy voice hit me like a brick being thrown through the shattered glass she openly sings about life death and gunshot victims and God is a bullet I needed more of this but I would have to wait one more year to discover the heartbreaking realism of trying to love an alcoholic that haunts us in the song “Joey” which is rumored to be based on her relationship with Wall of Voodoo’s Mark Moreland. The little, static-filled radio station then known as KDGE The Edge and it was my life. I was introduced to bands like Social Distortion, Sonic Youth, Jane's Addiction, Faith No More, The Pixies, Midnight Oil, and they fucking rocked my world. I couldn't get enough and I would sit in my room and write poetry while listening to a wave of music that was just about to explode. This music was about to be in the bedroom of every angsty 90s kid because we could relate to these songs in some way.

I then discovered 120 Minutes on MTV, even though it had been running since 1986 and fell even more in love with alternative rock, which only lead me further down the musical rabbit hole. I found the hidden treasure of goth and Industrial.

I can distinctly remember where I was the first time I heard head like a hole I was at my middle school dance. I was one of three of us in a small group of friends that even recognized it and we all jumped up and down clapping that the DJ even recognized the brilliance of a then barely known Trent Reznor.

I am a huge Ramones fan and feel very fortunate to have seen them before most of the band members passed away. I even met Johnny Ramone on the floor walking through the crowd at the show. What stood out to me the most, was how kind he was - and completely approachable. I recognized that chili bowl haircut anywhere and my meeting him really set the bar for how I feel celebrity interactions should be. Some should probably take a page from Johnny's book and be kind to the people that support you.

Nothing felt like it could stop alternative rock. It was a force to be reckoned with and it felt like it would never die – until it did in 1996.  

I still celebrate this musical Journey often, even if it was 30 plus years ago.