New Blog

Not doing so much with this one now. But I started a project where I am writing letters to my father who passed away last year. Feel free to check it out: http://deardadblog.blogspot.com/

What's It All About, Chriso?

Oh my blog, how I have neglected thee. Which is not a surprise. As soon as I was accepted to the full time cosmetology program at Cinta Aveda Institute I knew my presence here would fade significantly. What I didn't realize is that my desire to be present here would also follow suit. It's particularly interesting because my life is currently fuller and more exciting than it's been in the longest time. My time is pretty much consumed by school and my band. And since those are both two things I love a lot I am spending tons of time doing fantastic, fun, thrilling and challenging things. So why aren't I writing about it more?

I was trying to document my beauty school experience for awhile in my Livejournal but I quickly lost the focus and drive to do so. It felt like I was trying to process everything into this format as soon as it happened but it ended up feeling kind of false; like I was trying to frame it in a way that was entertaining or consumable for a reader. But really, all I wanted to write was "OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD, I CAN'T BELIEVE I GET TO DO THIS EVERY DAY, IT'S SO AWESOME. ALSO I AM SO TIRED." And that is still how I feel most of the time. And that's not all that stimulating of a read, is it? Sure, I could work at making it one, but that doesn't hold much sway for me right now.

I don't want to put down anyone who keeps a blog; even a blog that I might think is a as boring or pointless as the day is long. Because I think writing about things, expressing yourself and sharing your thoughts is always a great process to undergo. But I also think that there can be times in one's life when one is too busy living to write about it. And I think that is a lot of where I am at right now. I have rarely felt as in the present as I do lately. Not that I never reflect on the past or contemplate the future. But it's usually about things like "Oooh, I wonder what hair services I get to do at school tomorrow" or "I can't wait till the new album is finished". It's all very much focused on things that I am currently involved in and excited about. And things that I don't feel like endlessly processing through this particular filter. This is a similar feeling I had when I ran out of steam for writing zines. (Although there were other mitigating circumstances that were souring me on that genre altogether) I started to feel like I was trying to force my life experiences through that specific filter instead of just fucking living. And I really am not trying to insult you if you faithfully maintain a blog. Or several. It's just where I am at right now and it feels worth sharing. And hey, if you're really tied to blogging, maybe see how it feels to take a few weeks off from it. Just give it a try.

In the meantime, I am doing hair and making music and feeling like the luckiest motherfucker just about every day. I highly recommend finding a situation that makes you feel the same. It rules.

Ex-Boyfriends Recording Blog!

My band, Ex-Boyfriends, have started a blog about recording our third album. Go check it out and follow along on all of our wacky misadventures!

http://exbfrocks.blogspot.com/

Finished

My memorial tattoo for my Dad is done now. And I fucking love it so much. Tattoo by Clio at Black & Blue who also did my Athena piece. She is the shit. You need to get inked by her.

Riot Grrrl is Turning Over In Its Metaphorical Grave

All thanks to the idiotic ramblings of the Vivian Girls.

Vivian Girls: Fish Out of Water...Sometimes.

Vivian Girls: Just Write a Good Song.

Sure, Kathleen Hanna may have said "like" about 100 times per interview. But she said it in the context of discussing radical feminism and then turned around and helped create amazing songs like "Double Dare Ya", "Rebel Girl" and many others. From what I can glean, Vivian Girls make shambolic, reverb-drenched indie pop with 60s overtones (so! original!) and talk shit about everyone who isn't a part of their white, hipster world. How fresh! I love when they talk about normal people as if they're SO outsider and other and odd. When all I see are 3 hipster white girls who pretty much seem like every other mainstream high school mean girl but somehow just dress a little kooky.

So Far

My memorial tattoo for my Dad, 3/4 of the way finished. Tattoo by Clio at Black & Blue who also did my Athena piece. The symbol alongside the heart is a Marines symbol. My Dad really loved his time with the Marines and I felt like it would appropriately symbolize him. I will post the finished results when it's done in a few weeks. I'm really happy with how it's turning out so far. You really should get some work from Clio if you live in the Bay Area, she's fucking awesome. And her rates are really reasonable right now but bound to go up in the near future.

Wow. Just, wow.