Another Stolen Survey.

Thanks Mari. :)

1. Last beverage → Mountain Dew
2. Last phone call → Steph
3. Last text message → Honkus
4. Last song you listened to → Stephen Lynch - America
5. Last time you cried → Sometime in February-March. Whatever.

SIX HAVE YOU EVER:
6. Dated someone twice → No
7. Been cheated on? →No
8. Kissed someone? → Yes
9. Lost someone special? → Yes
10. Been depressed?→ Yes
11. Been drunk and threw up? → Yes

LIST FOUR FAVOURITE COLOURS:
12. → Blue
13. → Black
14. → Green
15. → Pink

HAVE YOU:
16. Made new friends → Yes
17. Fallen out of love → Yes...Fallen back into it...only to have it leave again.
18. Laughed until you cried → Yes
19. Met someone who changed you → Yes
20. Found out who your true friends were → Yes
21. Found out someone was talking about you → Yes
22. Kissed anyone on your friend's list → Which friends list?
23. How many people on your friends list do you know in real life → Again...which list?
22. Do you have any pets → No...but my brother has a dog who I sometimes pretend is mine.
26. Do you want to change your name → Nope.
27. What did you do for your last birthday → Went to the Crayola Factory with Honkus...then got my first ever speeding ticket.
28. What time did you wake up today → 8.40 AM...was almost late to work and didn't get to take a shower. WORST WAY TO START THE DAY.
29. What were you doing at midnight last night → Passed out.
30. Name something you CANNOT wait for → The thing I couldn't wait for was last Friday nite...so now...nothing.
31. Last time you saw your father → Today
32. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life → I wish I lived in some swank European country.
33. What are you listening to right now → Nothing...for once.
34. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom → Yes
35. What's getting on your nerves right now? → Nothing's jumping on the nerves.
36. Most visited webpage → It cycles. WWTDD. BreatheHeavy (SAVE BREATHEHEAVY). My e-mail. Facebook. CNN Crime News.
37. What's your name → Julie Elizabeth
38. Nicknames → I don't really have any...but Honkus calls me J and I let her. So I guess J is a nickname.
39. Relationship Status → Single
40. Zodiac sign → Cancer
41. Male or female or transgendered → Female...I love that transgendered is an option.
42. Primary → South Street.
43. Middle School → Beaty Warren Middle School.
44. High school → WAHS.
45. Hair color → Blonde.
46. Long/medium/short → Asymmetrical.
47. Height → 5ft 4
48. Do you have a crush on someone? → Unless you count my boyfriend Jason Segel...then no.
49: What do you like about yourself? →My snarky attitude.
50. Piercings → Ears...x6.
51. Tattoos → 2
52. Righty or lefty → Right

FIRSTS :
53. First surgery → 16
54. First piercing → 10
55. First best friend → MY MOM. heh
56. First sport you joined → Softball.
57. First pet → Greer -- Beagle
58. First vacation → Sea World in Ohio
60. First crush → I can promise you it wasn't JTT.

RIGHT NOW:
61. Eating → Nothing
62. Drinking → Nothing
63. Already missing → Honkus and London friends
64. I'm about to → Go up to bed.
65. Listening to → Again, nothing.
66. Thinking about → Sleeping.
67. Waiting for → Pay Day

YOUR FUTURE
68. Want kids? → Eventually
69. Want to get married? → Tomorrow...kidding. Another eventually.
70. Careers in mind → College English Professor. And yes, I'm serious.

WHICH IS BETTER WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX?
71. Lips or eyes → Eyes
72. Hugs or kisses → Hugs
73. Shorter or taller → Taller
74. Older or Younger → Older
75. Romantic or spontaneous → Both
76. Nice stomach or nice arms → Arms
77. Sensitive or loud → Loud
78. Hook-up or relationship → Relationship
79. Trouble maker or hesitant→ A bit of both. I want them to straddle the line.

HAVE YOU EVER :
81. Drank hard liquor → Yes
82. Lost glasses/contacts → Nope
83. Had sex on 1st date → Nope
84. Broken someone's heart → I always seem to be the one who ends up with the broken heart
85. Had your own heart broken → Hell. Yes.
86. Been arrested → No.
87. Turned someone down → Yes.
88. Cried when someone died → Yes
89. Liked a friend of the same sex? → No

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
90. Yourself → This honestly depends on the day, the time and the situation that I'm in.
91. Miracles → Only ridiculous ones...like Mary being on a grilled cheese and a water stain that looks like Jesus (SUNNY IN PHILLY WHAT)
92. Love at first sight → No. Just extreme like...especially if that boy is British and he looks like Christian Bale.
93. Heaven → I honestly don't know what I believe here any more.
94. Santa Clause → No
95. Kiss on the first date → Yes
96. Angels → Yes

Welcome to the Circus

Best. Concert. Ever.

Ever.

A Britney Spears Uber Post in Honor of Friday's Concert

In case you haven't quite figured it out yet, I absolutely positively love Britney Spears (um...of my 50some blog posts, she's been the topic of 11 of them).

So in honor of her Circus tour coming to Pittsburgh on Friday (I AM SO EXCITED...I feel like a 12 year old girl), I've decided to dedicate yet another lengthy memory-like post to the one performer who has seriously amazed me for years now.

...Baby One More Time
The Single and the Album

In a pop saturated late 90's era, "...Baby One More Time" exploded onto the scene. The song was catchy. The dancing was awesome...and I hated how much I loved this song. It was fantastic. I can remember being in middle school...it was the summertime...and Brit had released a few singles off of her first studio release...I was going to stay over at my friend Kate's house with all of my friends. Steph had somehow convinced her mom that it was a party for Kate's birthday so that she could trick her into buying Brit's CD for her (being in middle school, we were all a little strapped for cash). So Steph wrapped the CD up and acted like we were all going over to celebrate Kate's birthday (Kate's birthday is the day before Britney's -- in December). When we went to pick Steph up, her mom came out and kept saying happy birthday to Kate over and over and over. Needless to say, when we drove away, Steph had some rather humorous explaining to do.

Oops...I Did It Again
The Album

Reminds me of my cousin Megan. We used to spend summers together. One summer we were obsessed with the Spice Girls. Another, it was N'Sync (my first "real" concert). Another it was Britney...and this album. Now. I love Brit, but her first CD was full of songs that any credible artist these days (AKA...someone up to her star power now) would never release. Come on. "E-Mail My Heart"? Oops was a little higher in caliber with even more catchy dance songs. I can remember Meg and I being obsessed with "Lucky" for some reason...and watching the "Making theVideo" for it on MTV over and over again (much like we did with Spice World only a few summers before). I STILL love that dress Brit wears when she accepts the award in the video...and the outfit she wears when she's throwing glitter off the star. Some of the songs off this CD are still the best of her career -- Stronger, anyone?

"One Kiss from You"
The Song

Real lyric: "I don't want to hear my time will come." Misunderstood lyric: "I don't want to fill my tongue with cum."

Britney

The Album

This album...to me, is the first one of Brit's releases that I can sit and listen to from start to finish without switching a single song. Sure, some of the songs are totally eye roll enducing worthy (particularly the slow ones), but it DOES have my favorite dance sequence ever on it.

"I'm a Slave 4 U"
The Song and Video

This video is still my favorite Britney video of all time. I love the dance in it. I love the wardrobe. I love the colors. There's just something about how raw and sweaty and dirty it is. I can't get sick of the song, which helps. I did think at one point, however, that instead of saying "Get it, get it," Britney was saying, "Kitty, Kitty." I still get made fun of for that. Also, this video makes me think of one weekend when my parents went away and my brother's super skanktastic girlfriend at the time was staying the weekend with me. I stayed up that Friday night watching music videos and this one kept coming on. Over and over. And I loved it. Steph and I also dressed like Britney from this video for a Halloween party. It was fantastic.

"Overprotected"
The Song and Video

My favorite Britney dance sequence takes place in the Dark Child remix video version of this song. It STILL gives me chills and amps me up today. Dance sequence starts at 2:20.

In the Zone
The Album

I bought this CD in New York CD pirated. I love it. LOVE IT. It's more urban and dancey than the rest of her CDs...plus the Onyx Tour that accompanied the album was absolutely, positively one hundred percent incredibly awesome.

Toxic
The Video and Song

By far my favorite Britney vid. Love the concept. Love the costumes. Love, love, love the song. I was home sick one day from school and the toxic video kept coming on MTV every hour...and dammit if I didn't get up and dance to it even though I had a fever something terrible. The making of this video also reminds me of Honkus...and watching the making of the "Toxic" vid together. "It's a wrap y'allllll."

My Prerogative: Greatest Hits
The Album

I was surprised to see that Brit released a greatest hits album so quickly...until I realized how many songs she actually had released. I guess that I just didn't realize how many massively big songs and singles she had. Love the art work on this. Love the bonus tracks and the bonus disc of remixes (and the awesome mega mix that spawned a shit load of YouTube vids).

"Do Somethin'"
The Song

The first video Honkus and I ever made. We made Courtney Cassa shoot it in their dorm room literally days before we moved out. It's still fantastic today. :)

"I've Just Begun Having My Fun"

The Song
See video. 'Nough said.

Blackout
The Album

Is forever going to remind me of Honkus, my absolute BFF in the whole wide world. I can remember what a trying time this whole album period was...how hard it was to be a fan. How scary. You didn't know what the hell Britney would be doing next. She was out and she was acting completely crazy...but she wasn't talking to her fans. She was manic. I can remember being in London (long before Blackout was released) when Brit shaved her head. Honkus sent me a copy of Us Weekly in her next care package and it was just...I don't even know. It was so weird and bizarre. Towards the end of Blackout's run was the whole hospitalization thing. And I can remember Honkus calling me early in the morning to tell me about that too. All the bad stuff aside...this album is absolutely incredibly a force to be reckoned with. In a year that tarnished the pop queen's crown, this was the diamond in the rough. The songs are a bit darker for Brit...but it fit her mood at the time. I love this album and whenever I listen to it, it makes me think of my best friend. :)

"Gimme More"
The Song

This song reminds me of the first of many weekends that Honkus drove down and spent with me in Pittsburgh. How fitting was it that Brit's first single in years was dropped during that first Pittsburgh weekend. I can remember "Hot as Ice" was also leaked at this time. The song hadn't been finalized or polished...but "Gimme More" had...and yeah. :)

"Break the Ice"
The Song

Makes me think of the drive away from Mellon Arena after graduation...plus Honkus and I made a vid to this one too. :)

Circus
The Album

I swore up and down that I wasn't going to download this album before it was released...then I watched the "Fans on the Record" special on MTV and caved. Amazing album...and her first tour in five years. How exciting it is to be a fan again (!!!!!!).

Yet another reason I love Jason Segel.

Jason Segel + Styx = Absolute Awkward Hilariousness

God. I love this clip from 'Freaks and Geeks.'

Stephen Lynch is a silly bitch

I have to say that Stephen Lynch has been my favorite comedian -- excuse me, singing comedian -- for years now. Which is why I was super super excited to discover that his latest studio release "3 Balloons" is now available for download.

Lynch's last release -- The Craig Machine -- was pretty damn awesome...with songs about being a Nazi, Jesus' forgotten brother Craig and a bio-song about Satan.

3 Balloons, it's safe to say, blows it out of the water in inappropriateness.

And I absolutely, positively am one hundred and ten percent in love with it.

Among my favorite tracks are:

• "3 Balloons" -- A song about stuffing drugs up one's ass and smuggling them on a plane
• "Waiting" -- All about waiting for the results of an AIDs test and contemplating how such a thing could have possibly happened.
• "Dear Diary" -- A series of short "Diary" like songs that are dispersed throughout the disc. Best one by far: Anne Frank.
• "America" -- It's surprisingly patriotic while being totally satirical at the same exact time.
• "A History Lesson" -- My absolute favorite track on the disc. I have the feeling some of it is improved, but it's pure genius. Plus, the line, "Write it down, motherfuckers..." will totally get caught in your head.

It's fantastic to see Lynch sticking true to his guns and continuing to push those boundaries about what's socially unacceptable for him to perform and what isn't. God. I love it.

Now go and write it down, motherfuckers.

I've caved...

And have started using my Twitter account. You can add me here.

The review's in...

Punk Goes Pop, Volume 2

I was walking around Wal-Mart tonite...when I came across the latest Punk Goes... CD. The stakes were high. I absolutely love Victory's last release Punk Goes Crunk. But how is it, really? The first PGP CD was FANTASTIC. Does this one stack up?

Track One : "What Goes Around..." - Alesana
The band gets props for cutting a seven minute song into a five minute song and I love that they kept the funky beats that Timberlake had in the original...but I really, really can't stand people who constitute "screaming" as "music." I don't get the whole screamo thing. Sadly, this doesn't rate the track as a favorite.
Better Than the Original: No.

Track Two : "Apologize" - Silverstein
I loved this original song...until it was overplayed and overdone...but Silverstein puts a new twist on it, while staying true to the original. Instead of trying to put in the Timbaland bits...it just gives it a more organic vibe. I don't even mind the bit of screaming in the bridge.
Better Than the Original: Yes.

Track Three : "...Baby One More Time" - August Burns Red
I'm not going to lie. I can't even get through this whole song. I had to change it about thirty seconds into it. Constant screaaaaaaaaaming. RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Gives me a headache.
Better Than the Original: Hell to the no.

Track Four : "When I Grow Up" - Mayday Parade
We all know how I reacted when I first heard the PCD version of this song. Mayday Parade gave it a new twist and made it the enjoyable fluff that it is. Made it a bit darker though...so I really liked it.
Better Than the Original: Yes. The original "Grow Up" is still good, but this one's fresh.

Track Five : "Over My Head (Cable Car)" - A Day to Remember
I really can't remember. Was this The Fray? Did The Fray originally do this song? I can't remember because I really didn't care for the song an awful lot when it originally came out. I guess the cover's alright. They sped it up, which I like, but since I didn't really like the song before, I'm indifferent. Plus, more screaming. The screamer sounds really angry about the cable car.
Better Than the Original: Indifferent.

Track Six : "Smooth" - Escape the Fate
I hate this song to begin with. Santana should have stopped in the 70s and not had people sing with him to make these songs that aren't that great sit on the Billboard charts for so long. I guess it's a decent cover. Not liking a song and having it be similar to the original makes for a whatever kind of reaction.
Better Than the Original: I suppose.

Track Seven : "Ice Box" - There for Tomorrow
I honestly cannot remember this original song. But can we please discuss how funny the chorus is? "I've got an icebox where my heart used to be. I'm so cold, I'm so cold, I'm so cold." Who the hell wrote this song?! That aside, I do like this cover. Surprisingly pretty well.
Better Than the Original: I'm assuming, yes.

Track Eight : "Flagpole Sitta" - Chiodos
Let me just say that "Flagpole Sitta" is seriously one of my favorite songs of all time. That being said, the bar is set extremely high for this song. Because I love it so much. Don't ask me why. I just do. That being said, Chiodos...no. I mean, it's not bad. It seriously is pretty good...and then they ruin it with the screaming. God. I get pissed at people for singing "untouchable" songs on idol all the time. This one is untouchable for a different reason...and it shouldn't have been touched.
Better Than the Original: No where near it.

Track Nine : "Beautiful Girls" - Bayside
I hate, hate, hate this fucking song. Hate it. Hate, hate, hate it. That being said, Bayside did a really good job on it. Made a fucking terrible song more than tolerable. Amusing, light and entertaining. I'm pleased.
Better Than the Original: Hell to the yes.

Track Ten : "See You Again" - Breathe Carolina
Um, Honkus, I know you love this song and Miley Cyrus -- and you too Mari -- but I don't know how I feel about her. Plus I got sick of this song and the Miley craze (...Okay, okay...I really, really like her "Fly on the Wall" song...especially when I'm smashed). That being said...I LOVE THIS COVER. A great cover can honestly make you fall in love with a song you weren't really crazy about before.
Better Than the Original: Yes.

Track Eleven : "Disturbia" - The Cab
I love this song -- still. And um...holy, holy, holy shit. This cover is FANTASTIC. It sticks true to the original...while being totally original in its own way. I love it. LOVE IT.
Better Than the Original: Love them both...so in some ways, yes...but others no.

Track Twelve : "Toxic" - A Static Lullaby
Um, I'm hopeful, but wary. "Toxic" is one of my ultimate favorite Brit songs. August Burns Red did ruin another Brit classic after all. But honestly, I'm confused. I like it...but there's screaming...but for this song, it honestly works (especially since it isn't all the way through). I like it.
Better Than the Original: Nothing touches the original...but it's one of the better Brit covers I've heard (Lily Allen's "Womanizer" aside).

Track Thirteen : "Love Song" - Four Years Strong
Another overplayed Top 100 Billboard song. Pandora is always trying to get me to listen to Sara Bareilles because I like Lily Allen and I'm not falling for it. Anyway. That aside, this is a great cover. Makes an overplayed song new again. I'm liking it.
Better Than the Original: Yes.

Track Fourteen : "I Kissed a Girl" - Attack Attack!
Cobra Starship's take of Perry's song is a classic...but this one really is pretty good. It's got a techno beat thing going on in it that just works. Plus, Cobra Starship somewhat rewrote the song. This is more of a cover. Entertaining and a nice change.
Better Than the Original: Undecided.

Overall Opinion: Not as good as the first Punk Goes Pop CD, but it has some really fantastic covers on it.

Leave Em: "...Baby One More Time" & "Smooth"

Download: "See You Again" & "Disturbia"

Julieology--Doesn't Work Great If Your Name Ends in an 'E'

Stole this off a Facebook note.

Let others know a little more about yourself, re-post this as your name followed by "ology"

***********FOODOLOGY***************

What is your salad dressing of choice?
Italian

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
It varies...rite now, it's Thai Me Up because I want it so bad.

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
Chicken

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Cheese...sometimes pepperoni.

What do you like to put on your toast?
Either just butter...or orange marmalade...or strawberry jam.

Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla

***********TECHNOLOGY***************
How many televisions are in your house?
6

What color cell phone do you have?
Black

Do you have a laptop?
Yes

***************BIOLOGY******************
Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
My Wisdom Teeth

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
Containers full of shit...well not really shit...but my stuff. I'm still unpacking.

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
Nope

************BULLCRAPOLOGY**************
If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
No

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I don't know if I'd want to change it. I think if I could though...it'd have to be something absolutely ridiculously awesome for me to want to do it.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
No. $2000 maybe.

************DUMBOLOGY******************
How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
Too fucking many...and I just bought 2 more pairs on clearance.

Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
Speeding ticket last July.

Last person you talked to?
My brother

Last person you hugged?
God, I don't even remember.

**************FAVORITOLOGY****************
Season?
Spring

Holiday?
St. Pat's

Day of the week?
Saturday

Month?
May

***********CURRENTOLOGY*****************
Missing anyone?
I usually am.

Mood?
Exhausted

What are you listening to?
Nothing for once. The last thing I listened to was a mixed, burnt CD at work.

Watching?
I think it's CSI NY. I don't know. It's background noise.

***************RANDOMOLOGY****************
First place you went this morning?
Midtown...to take my car up to get detailed.

What's the last movie you saw?
God. That's a good question. What was it? I'll get back to you.

Do you smile often?
Only when I'm amused.

Do you always answer your phone?
No.

It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
Someone who's drunk. If it's one or two texts, I'll respond. If it keeps happening, I shut off my phone.

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
I like my eyes. They're grey.

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
I've been to Sonic once. And I didn't add a flavor to anything there.

Do you own a digital camera?
Yes.

Have you ever had a pet fish?
Yes. I liked it at first, then I realized fish are boring and dirty. Now, I just like to look at fish at aquariums. Someone else has to clean up after them.

Favorite Christmas song(s)?
Anything by Frank Sinatra

What's on your wish list for your birthday?
An iMac.

Can you do push ups?
Not well.

Can you do a chin up?
Again, not well.

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
Nervous mainly...but excited for some things.

Do you have any saved texts?
Not at the moment.

Ever been in a car wreck?
Nope.

Do you have an accent?
I wish I had a British or Scottish accent.

What is the last song to make you cry?
I can promise you it wasn't "Butterfly Kisses."

Plans tonight?
Relax before the weekend.

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
...Of course.

Have you ever been given roses?
Yes.

Current hate right now?
The tension in this room.

Met someone who changed your life?
Multiple persons.

How did you bring in the New Year?
Sick. Hung out at Kate's and went home and fell asleep before the "new year" even started...Totally one hundred percent sober.

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
No. I think some regrets are normal and are good learning experiences.

Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?
No.

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
Two tattoos, six piercings.

Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now?
Who sits to think about these things?

Does anyone love you?
Yes.

Would you be a pirate?
No. They don't bathe a lot and I have this huge problem with not being able to bathe.

What songs do you sing in the shower?
...Whatever stupid TV jingle is in my head. I mostly talk to myself in the shower though...not sing.

Ever had someone sing to you?
Yes.

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Myself

What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school?
Classic Rock from the 70s. Terrible pop music.

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
New and old.

Do you like pulpy orange juice?
Good God NO.

What is something your friends make fun of you for?
My tumor.

Do you like to play Scrabble?
No. It aggravates the hell out of me.

When is the last time you ate peanut butter and jelly?
A few days ago.

What were you doing 12 AM last night?
Trying to sleep and failing miserable.

What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?
Good God. Not yet.

My Current Obsession : The United States of Tara

I think that Showtime has surpassed HBO's original programming. When I was living at Point Park, I would watch loads of HBO. I loved their series, their original films...so on so forth. But recently, Showtime's programming has honestly kicked their ass. HBO's gotten boring. Besides "Big Love," I just can't find myself getting excited about any of their original series.

Showtime stole the torch from them with "Dexter." I've read all of Jeff Lindsay's Dexter novels...and the show, seriously, does not disappoint, whatsoever. Michael C. Hall IS the Dexter I picture when I read the novels. It's uncanny. There's a reason why the guy keeps getting nominated for awards. If the Academy would only recongnize his talent...

But anyway, this isn't a long rant about my love affair with Dexter. Instead, it's a declaration for Showtime's latest series..."The United States of Tara."

Toni Collette's portrayal of a woman with Dissociative Identity Disorder is phenomenal. Of course, I have to give huge props to Diablo Cody (the writer of "Juno") because it's her scripting that makes the show so fantastic. It would be so easy to focus on the problems of Tara...but Cody manages to actually go that extra step...showing how it interacts with her relationships with family and would-be friends. It's an honest, personal portrayel of a woman with multiple personalities...Diablo Cody really should be commended for such incredible scripts.

But my rave for Diablo Cody's writing aside, the show is just amazing. The actors make you forget what you're watching is television. You seriously feel like you know these people and struggle right along with them.

So anyway. Raving aside...I love this show. And if you have an internet connection and thirty minutes to look it up online, I think you would too. :)

--J

New visual candy.

New layout is up. That's really it. Things have been crazy here.
--J

...

New layout and posts to come. I spent this weekend drinking too many screwdrivers with my friends and then puking them up to sit down and type type type away.

Promise.

-J

Oh. And it was two years ago on March 1st, that I totally kissed my pretty British boy, in case you cared. :)

And in 25 days I'm going to see the Legendary Miss Britney Spears!!!!!