Cowboy by Kid Rock

2001 started out as a rough year.  I was coming out a relationship with extreme difficulty.  I was miserable in my job.  It was the pits.  Once I started to come out of the doldrums, I started making some positive changes and really thinking about what would make me happy.  I decided that I would really enjoy starting a custom tour business.  When visitors came to San Francisco, I loved putting together tours that were out of the ordinary.  I'd pick out hidden spots around the city, unique restaurants, and interesting routes. I figured I could do the same for 2 other places I knew and loved and as an added bonus, the tour business would pay my way there!  Jen's Journeys was born.  I purchased domain names and Jacob L. put together an amazing website for me.  I decided I'd start with "The Beers of Germany" and "The Festivals of Spain". 

To launch the plan, I threw a fabulous birthday party for myself.  I talked to the owner of my favorite college hangout - The Bison Brewery.  I reserved the entire top floor and planned the food and drink menu with great care.  I created customized beer coaster party favors. I also had a music playlist - the Jen's Journey mix.  The first song on it was Cowboy and I jumped onto a table to do a little dance for everyone, although I immediately felt silly and regretted that moment of spontaneity. Coyote Ugly Bar, it was not.  I talked all about my business idea and even garnered some interest!  It was a fantastic party with a huge turnout of friends both new and old, as well as telecom clients, and family. 

So whatever happened to Jen's Journeys?  I can tell you that 9/11 happened just over a month later and that put a damper on things.  That is partially true.  I also got scared because I had a great idea, but I didn't have a business plan.  I didn't know about start-up costs, operating costs, marketing, business licenses, etc, etc, etc.  I am pretty risk averse and the more I thought about running my own business, the more it terrified me.  So instead I worked myself out of sales and into something more suited to me and eventually went to business school to learn about all of those things I mentioned.  I still have no desire to run my own business or be my own boss, but at least now I know how!

Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard

I was sitting in Ms. Olsson's science class in 6th grade, talking to some of my classmates about this and that and the subject of music came up.  I mentioned that I loved the song Pour Some Sugar on Me and this popular girl excitedly said that she loved that song, too.  She even busted out the chorus, getting totally into it.  It was definitely one of those moments I mentioned in my very first blogpost.  I felt so excited to be connected to this popular girl because we both LOVED THAT SONG.  It was pretty much the highlight of my day. 

You know who else loved that song?  My Uncle Bill.  My Uncle Bill was the coolest, except for when he took all the good Legos.  Or when you dared to play a board game with him because he not only beat you, he destroyed you.  Laughing.  He is only 11 years older than I am, so when I was in 6th grade, he would have been 22 and just finishing up college.  When we visited Babci's house, I mostly hung out with my Auntie Ann who was even closer to me in age.  Uncle Bill worked and studied a lot, but once in a while, I would see him.  I was so excited to tell him how much I liked this song by Def Leppard and Uncle Bill HAD THE CASSETTE!  He told me all about how some other song was actually a lot better than Pour Some Sugar on Me. But the best part was that he let me listen to the cassette and I think I probably even copied the songs I liked onto my very own cassette.

Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers

We'll start off back in the summer of 1992.  We were visiting some old family friends in Martinez for the 4th of July weekend.  The oldest daughter and I were just 1 year apart and we got along really well.  She had just finished up 8th grade at a Catholic K-8 school and I am sorry to say that everything you hear about Catholic schoolgirls was true at this school.  She told me all kinds of stories about what the kids were up to and I was properly scandalized.  After finishing my Freshman year in high school, I was still incredibly naive and inexperienced.  I had never even been kissed!  My grown-up self is still scandalized by some of the things she told me.  In any case, she has this brilliant plan that we would go hang out with her friend James.  Apparently he was super fine.  We headed off on foot, through downtown Martinez, and up Alhambra Rd, finally ending up at James' house.  I just mapped it and we walked over 4 miles!  Need I mention this was without permission or telling our parents where we were going?  No wonder my Dad was so mad and wouldn't let me go to the fireworks!  The worst part is that the hanging out with boys part wasn't very fun either.  I had no idea what to talk about, or how to flirt and besides, I didn't think he was very cute. 

That didn't stop me from agonizing about it for weeks afterwards.  Should I write him a letter and send my school picture?  (Maureen said yes).  What did it mean when he said xxx?  What did it mean when he sat down next to me?  I turned this completely stupid, innocent, uneventful day into this BIG DEAL.  When we went to my Grandpa's in Martinez a couple weeks later, I decided to call this boy for some reason.  My dad said I couldn't, but I hid in the spare room and called anyway.  GETTING TO THE POINT....I called and his friend answered and then I heard him telling the boy who I was and he clearly had no recollection of who I was.  I also think they were drinking.  They put the phone down and totally forgot about me.  The song playing in the background was Under the Bridge.  I don't ever wanna feel....like I did that day.  That part of the song.  Which I later listened to obsessively.  I was humilated!  Over nothing! 

To make up for that (non) event....Under the Bridge was the very last song in the very last show I ever played in the Cal Band.  It was bittersweet.  I still really loved the song, regardless of past connotations and it was the perfect way to end my time as a Bandsman.  The best part was when we started playing it on the football field, I suddenly realized I could hear the stadium singing along with us!  I caught Kathy's eye and we both smiled in amazement at the realization.  I may have even shed a tear.  It was amazing. 

Faith by Limp Bizkit and George Michael

Nick and I were driving, sun roof open, blaring Faith by Limp Bizkit.  It was one of many epic weekends that summer.  We were in a brand new relationship where everything was fun and exciting.  Every single weekend was packed full of stuff.  For example, that weekend Nick picked me up in Daly City, bright and early on a Saturday morning.  I had packed a picnic lunch and spent the night before making fried chicken and shopping at TJ's.  We drove down to Monterey, taking Highway 1 all the way there.  We viewed a couple apartments for my upcoming move there, picnicked, walked along the Wharf, and enjoyed some margaritas while watching the sea lions.  Then we headed back up Highway 1 and decided to stop in Santa Cruz.  We rode a couple roller coasters and relaxed on the beach.  When we got back to Daly City, I packed my overnight bag and we continued over the bridge, calling in some takeout on the way so we could enjoy the evening.  Today a day like that would overwhelm us and we would never attempt such a thing.  Back to the music - we were playing Nick's mix CD and Faith was one of the songs.  Honestly, I am not convinced this was remix that needed to be made, as the original was great.  Limp Bizkit is one of those angry-sounding bands that screams everything, rather than singing, and I will tell you that Nick and I really enjoyed banging our heads and screaming along with them as we drove down the highway.  This was obviously very early in the relationship as I had not put together a road trip mix tape for him yet.  I was still getting to know him after all!

About the original Faith by George Michael.  My sister and I used to go to the Rec Center after school every day.  It was a roller rink, mini golf course, super slide, and after school program.  Pretty fun idea and kudos to my dad for being original!  Initially, he had mapped out a bike route for me and my sister.  Turlock was a lot smaller back in 1988 and a lot of roads did not go through.  For example, Hawkeye did not exist between Berkeley and Colorado or between North and Geer.  He created this very roundabout route, avoiding big streets, and at the time it seemed ENDLESS.  I just mapped it and it was about 2.5 miles.  But I was only 10 and Catherine was 7!  Little legs!  Eventually we talked him into letting us take Dial-a-Ride and we rode with my friend Justine P and picked up some kids from Crowell School along the way.  Justine had a Walkman and one day we listened to Faith on the way to the Rec Center.  I remember we were positively scandalized by the lyric:  :Wouldn't it be nice?  If I could touch your body!"  We didn't exactly know what that meant, but we knew it was something scandalous.  She got me really hooked on the song and we sang it all the way there for a couple days at least.  ....cause you gotta have Faith!

What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction

Hayley is going to be horrified that this post is about her.  She really does have a very cool, discerning taste in music.  Her wedding guestbook was a book of rock music history and people were encouraged to sign on a page with an artist or group they liked and to share a story.  I was super impressed and a little jealous that I hadn't thought of something so cool!  Regardless, this over-hyped, over-played, teenybopper song reminds me of her.

Hayley A. was my first friend in Livermore.  She was in my mom's group and her little girl is 2 months older than Dexter.  We had both left our full-time jobs and moved out of the city (San Francisco for her, Oakland for me).  We were both very determined not to become those mommies that only talk about poop and naps and nursing and blah blah blah baby stuff.  We both had large, rambunctious dogs so we often met up at the dog park near my house so the dogs could run around and the babies could hopefully fall asleep in their strollers.  We also joined the Club and spent many a morning there working out and relaxing in the sauna.   I had never really had a ton of girlfriends that I would call at the drop of a hat or text into the wee hours as we were nursing our babies to sleep.  She would see me driving around town (can't miss my car!) and call me and invite me over for a quick visit. Hayley really made being a stay-at-home mom a lot of fun.

When we found out we had to move after only one year in our rental house, Hayley was on-hand to sit with me while we were waiting for realtors to show the house.  She helped entertain Dexter while I unloaded boxes.  One of these times, we were sitting on the floor in our new, empty house.  Zoey had dug Hayley's phone out of her purse and was asking to play some music.  Hayley was working on a skit or a dance or something for her volleyball class.  The music?  What Makes You Beautiful.  Zoey just loved it and she started bouncing and dancing.  It is pretty catchy, upbeat, and fun.  I secretly kind of enjoy listening to it and every time I do, I think of that adorable little girl, dancing and smiling. 

Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealer's Wheel

Bryan A. and I were on the road, probably stuck in I-80 traffic, on our way to a ski weekend in Tahoe.  In preparation for the trip, I had asked Bryan what his favorite song might be so I could create the perfect mix for our drive.  He said, "It's that song that goes, clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right."  I did some asking around and figured out it was Stuck in the Middle.  I was super proud of my Ski CD and I had a bunch of great songs, interspersed with little quotes from Austin Powers, like Shh! and Zip It!  We were cruisin down the road and I turned up the volume on Under My Thumb, a song I thought Bryan really liked (which has a story all its own).  Bryan was not showing me the appropriate level of appreciation and excitement.  In fact, he said something like this:  "Sure, this is a great song, but it definitely doesn't require blasting the volume."  I strongly disagreed. 

We made in to Tahoe in one piece and we were joined by Mitch, Vince, Tammy, maybe Juraj, maybe Laurel?  I honestly can't remember the specifics as we took a couple trips to that cabin over the course of a couple of years.  Jenny wasn't with us this time because she was busily laboring at home.  She labored and labored without realizing it was happening.  This is why Bryan received a phone call on the slopes to the effect of: "You'd better ski on down the mountain and hurry up.  The baby is on his way."  Unfortunately Bryan didn't make it for the delivery, but he has been there for every step of his son's life ever since!  I wasn't stuck in the middle, but I was almost stuck in Tahoe.  I must've gotten a ride with someone who might've even sung along with the music on my Ski CD.  In fact, since I don't remember whatsoever, let's just say they did!

Whenever, Wherever by Shakira

It is no wonder that I love throwing parties.  My mom has been throwing parties for as long as I can remember.  She also loves to cook and bake and I have so many memories in the kitchen with my mom and my sister.  My mom loved turning our time in the kitchen together into a party.  Her favorite music in the kitchen was the Mermaids soundtrack and we could often be found be-bopping around the kitchen, measuring, dicing, and mixing.

Not only did we have our own personal cooking parties, my mom also threw parties where the guests were encouraged to help out.  There were burrito bar parties and pasta parties, but tonight, we are going to a pizza party.  My mom had recently moved into her new house and since she went from an apartment to a house, the front room was furnished solely by a drum kit.  At this time, my mom was in a rock n' roll band and she played the bass guitar!  They practiced in her living room!  I know!  We started the evening by making 3 or 4 pizzas topped with all kinds of yumminess.  During dinner, I was tasked with selecting the music.  I chose a Rock compilation, going with the theme of the rockin' good time we were having, but unfortunately, Breaking the Law by Judas Priest came on, which is hardly dinner music.  My mom hissed at me:  "Jennifer!  Look around the table!  Change the music!"  Everyone was completely silent, eating quickly and aggressively, just like the music.  Ooops!  I then put the Chocolat Soundtrack on, but I was feeling silly, so I put the first song on repeat.  I was giggling by the third repeat and then Jared T. finally caught my eye as he had noticed, too.

After dinner, an energetic doing-dishes dancing party took place and we listened to Shakira's Whenever, Wherever in English and in Spanish, over and over and over again.  I remember most everything I said seemed to shock Nathan T. who would constantly exclaim: "Jennifer!  Ohhhhhhh my gosh!  You're so crazy!"  Jared didn't seem to shock so easily.   The evening later still turned into a drum lesson (for me) and some rock n' roll, including my mom on bass guitar.  I know!  I still find it hard to believe!  Food + my mom + music = a super fun party!