Sleeping soundly is for losers

I am terrible at blogging, but who really cares? 

Here is a fun thing I have started doing:

I've been waking up in the middle of the night...shrieking and in the process of leaping out of bed.  Usually it's because I am 100% certain that an enormous bug or snake (although it is usually some 50-legged monster bug) has just landed on me from the ceiling.  Two nights ago this happened (as it has been happening on and off for months) and I found myself standing in my closet doorway, heart pounding and frantically swatting the air.  It takes me about 45 seconds to realize 1) That I was just sleeping and 2) There is no bug/snake.  It takes another 5 minutes to calm the fuck down and get back in bed.  I also realized that I was bleeding from my toe, which I had injured on the guitar stand near my bed.  

A few weeks ago while taking a nap at my parent's house, I woke up convinced that there was a shadowy figure/intruder over my bed and my mom heard me screaming, "Who are you?  Get out!"  I remember doing this and I also remember being 100% convinced that I was looking at a shadowed outline of a figure. And I'm not even doing drugs.

It turns out that these episodes are called night terrors.  This is a really cool thing that I started last year at a time of super intense stress.  They stopped for a few months and then, just as I said to myself, "Hey, I haven't done that insane thing lately"... they started again.  And I'm under some stress, but not nearly as much as I felt when these began.  And if this is my body/mind's way of dealing with stress, it is not cool. My cat is totally not cool with this new habit, either, because I often end up yanking all of the blankets, and her, off the bed in my spazz out.

So anyway....Kate - aren't you excited to sleep in the same room with me for 2 weeks in Costa Rica?  Where they legitimately have bugs as big as small squirrels?  Yay!  Bring ear plugs/taser.

Shaggy

Nothing makes me weepier than stories about pets being saved.  Especially when they look like Barkley the dog.

Suckas write me checks and then they bounce

This week I celebrated 12-years cancer free, or as I like to call it, my Bone Marrow Birthday.  And in honor of my marrow, I got what every 12-year-old wants...a robot vacuum.  Such a boring adult splurge, but at least it has potential to endlessly amuse/terrorize my cat. 

Despite some utter craziness at my job (the desk one, not the bar one), this week has been pretty great.  I'd like to thank America for not sending me into a nervous, emotional breakdown by electing a garbage person named Mitt Romney for President.  I'd also like to thank the city of Chicago for deciding to repave/restabilize/reroute literally every street in the city of Chicago at the same time.

Finally, a big thank you to some of my co-workers for not only having the crazy/creepy cat statue in front of their office, but also for dressing it in amazing costumes for each season and holiday.  I wish I had as much free time as you all do.

Blargh Blog

I am slightly worried that I can't remember if I've gone to the bathroom while I've been at work (since 8:30 AM).  It's like...when you're driving to work and realize when you get there that you have no clear memory of actually driving there.  Yep, it's exactly like that.  And something you all clearly needed to know.


Halloween weekend!  First residency interviews on Friday, so I worked from 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM.  The best part of the day was a tie between Three Aces' arancini (made especially for me by the chef) and Amy bringing her baby to the mixer.  That baby is ridiculously cute and was wearing a hat that made me super jealous. 

Saturday - my momma and I went on a walking tour of Graceland Cemetery in Lakeview.  It was much colder than I thought, and was not dressed super appropriately (but better than another chick who showed up in 3" snake skin heels with a shiny, studded clubby purse).  Other than the chill, it was educational and a fun way to spend a fall day.  Saturday night found Kate and I in 2 decidedly un-sexy costumes (She - Count Chocula; Me - Breaking Bad meth cook) wandering in and out of parties in Wrigleyville.  It was a sea of sexy this and sexy that (sexy fish! sexy drunkie!) and a veritable parade of slightly overweight girls wearing wayy too little clothing.  Interestingly enough, I found that wearing a baggy, yellow haz-mat suit makes me dance like a thug (crotch thrusts included).

In other, much more important news, the medicine my mom has been taking for her breast cancer has had unbelievable results and she can proceed with a minimally invasive surgical lumpectomy in December.  So absolutely thrilled - more good news for the Dowty household.  My 12th year of remission is next week and my mom is also celebrating her birthday.  Lots of celebrating to be had.

Consider the dot

Consider again that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar", every "supreme leader", every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there - on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam -Carl Sagan

Verbatim

 I was lucky enough to find an audio recording of the 8/7/12 Garbage show on the internet (the internet giveth!).  I transcribed the shout-out from Shirley.  It's even better hearing it the second time around, mainly because I'm not hyperventilating.

Shirley: Okay, I completely lied, I’ve got plenty more to say.  Shannon, I think you’re here.  Somebody told me that Chuck was bringing you here. I might cry because I’m totally on my period, but Shannon, I know you’re here. I don’t know where you are. Is that you up there?  I can’t fucking see you but I’m assuming it is because you’re waving wildly. Shannon, it means so much to us that you’re here.  Shannon was a little girl when we first came to Chicago and she had a diagnosis…I hope you don’t mind me sharing this…I know you don’t because you’re a survivor and a feisty bitch…but Shannon was a little girl and Chuck brought her backstage to meet us.  And I think you were 7, is that right?  7, 8, 9?  I can’t see you.  Dominick, come on, let me get some lights here.  I want to see this baby girl.  How old were you Shannon?  How old were you?  You were a baby. 12?  Well that seems like a baby to me.  Any way, you were a baby and now you’re a beautiful young woman.  When Shannon first got introduced to us, she was very sick and she had been going through chemo.  And you were bald as a little baby bird.  And you were really beautiful.  And you totally stole our hearts and we have never forgotten you.  And we have with pride watched you fight through unbelievable, unbelievable odds.  You’ve grown up into a beautiful young lady and you have no idea what a privilege that is for us to fucking watch that.  And you are part of our history and our world, and to have you here tonight is very special to us.  And this next song is a song about when you feel down and out and you can’t fucking beat the odds…you know what?  You can fucking beat the odds man.  You can fucking beat the odds.

I love this show, but...

...when Walt said "I'm in the empire business" - my brain automatically did this:

588-2300 EMPIRE!

Big Bright World

What a lucky girl I am.


Not only do I get to spend my birthday at one of the best musical festivals in the world (Birthdaypalooza!), my favorite band, Garbage, decided to schedule their first Chicago show in 7 years, two days after my birthday.

Chuck and I immediately ordered tickets and were lucky enough to get 6 before they sold out (in less than 2 minutes). Plans to bring other people fell through, so we ended up selling the extras (including 1 ticket to an astonishingly convincing Bono look-alike). The show was at the Metro and the band had left us VIP passes. We got a great spot in the balcony.

Opening act was a band called White Mystery – a brother/sister act from Chicago who definitely rocked out but didn’t win me over due to a) the fact that it sounded like one long song and b) the fact that I couldn’t understand a word out of the female singer’s mouth. She was an amazing guitarist though and they had great hair.

Garbage came on and blew the place away. It has been seven years since their last album and tour and I swear, they just get better with age. They had no bells or whistles – just amazing music and killer energy. Shirley is a mesmerizing front woman and it’s hard to take your eyes off of her.

You could tell that Garbage was really thrilled to be back on tour. In Chicago. At the Metro. Shirley took time in-between songs to recognize people who were there, tell stories and thank people. She said that it was here at the Metro where she became a real-life adult – basically “auditioning” for the role of singer in Garbage. It was really wonderful to see the band so genuinely grateful to be here in Chicago. Towards the end of the set, Shirley took a break in-between songs to give another shout-out.

Here is my memory of what happened next:

Shirley: “Someone told me that our friend Shannon is here.”

Me: [Screaming, waving my hands] “I’m right here!”

Shirley: “Shannon, are you here?”

Me: [Screaming, waving hands even more] “Here!”

Shirley: “I can’t see anything but that must be you because you’re waving like crazy.”

Me: [Waving like crazy]

Shirley: “Can you pull up the lights so I can see?”

[Lights come up, everyone in the Metro is looking up at the balcony at me. At this point, I was so stunned that I have a bit of a hard time remembering what she said, so I’m paraphrasing here…]

Shirley: “A long time ago, our friend Chuck brought a girl named Shannon to see us and…Shannon, I hope you don’t mind me telling this, but you are a fierce bitch so I know you won’t mind. Shannon had cancer and was a wee little bald girl. How old were you? 7?”

Me: “12” [a lie, actually I was 15]

Shirley: “She was very sick, and she touched our hearts. She beat cancer and she’s grown into a beautiful young woman.”

[At this point, everyone in the Metro, including the band, is clapping/cheering for me and I am trying not to cry/throw-up]

Shirley: [Something about not letting obstacles stand in your way…kicking ass/taking names and then she dedicated “Man on a Wire” to me]

Talk about an amazing experience. I was so stunned and thrilled and slightly embarrassed (but not really). I kept thinking, thank god I wore a cute outfit. How surreal was that!? I’m listening to a fabulous, inspiring rock star talk about how I inspire her in front of a sold-out Metro crowd.

After the show was over, we waited to go backstage and Butch Vig came and ushered us all backstage. Now, I’ve probably hung out with the band at least 6 times, but it never gets completely normal to be in a room with such talent. I mean, Butch Vig is one of the greatest producers and has worked with Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and the Foo Fighters. Hands down, the boys and Shirley are the nicest, most down-to-earth, sweetest rock stars I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. I got big hugs from everyone and many hugs and kisses from Shirley. Although it was 14 years ago, she still asks me about my mother and my big brother (both of whom she met at concerts). She still remembers finding out that my cancer had relapsed (Chuck contacted Butch) and calling my house to give me her love and a pep talk. She is truly one of the most special people I’ve ever met. Let’s not even get into how gorgeous/funny/fierce she is on stage and in person.

So there you have it.  A pretty amazing birthday present huh?

Back by popular demand

I forgot to blog about the Grand Canyon adventure I had at the end of May.  Seeing as how Jean still hasn't posted her pictures from the trip, I think I can still blog about it ;)

We did a mini-road trip from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon - stopping for a day in Sedona.  Sedona was eye candy - it was so beautiful.  Perfectly blue skies and vivid red rock mountains and buttes.  Not to mention all the hippie vibes coming off the downtown area and the promise of time/space adventures in the many vortexes around town.  We did a lovely hike around the Airport Mesa (sounds rustic, doesn't it) in the early evening and enjoyed a sunset.  We tried to find Sedona nightlife and ended up at a pub which was shockingly only open until 11pm.  We scoffed at that - remarking that last weekend we had been out until 4am.  Well, in less than an hour we were all struggling to keep our eyes open and finish our beers.  Must have been all those vortexes.  Vortices.

The next day before heading to the Grand Canyon, we drove through Oak Creek Canyon and stopped at Slide Rock State Park.  We were one of the only groups there and it was absolutely mesmerizing to scramble around within the gorgeous red canyon on our own.  We hiked until we couldn't go any further, without having found the slide rock.  We were getting frustrated, but we were determined to find this slide.  All we had to do was wait for some little kids to show up and then we realized we'd walked past the "slide" at least 3 times.

Even though the water was 60 degrees and the air temperature hadn't climbed above 70, we were all committed to trying this slide.  It was freezing, a little bumpy, but totally exhilarating.  Because of the lack of junk in my trunk, I was left with some pretty nasty bruises and rock burn, but it was worth it.

Onward to the Grand Canyon.  We were all pumped; none of us had ever been to the GC.  But of course, it being a holiday weekend, the place was packed and we drove for what felt like hours until we were able to find a parking spot and catch our first glimpse of the hole.  It was exactly as you'd imagine it - awe-inspiring and larger than life.  Having satisfied our GC itch, we headed to check in at our campsite.  Our home away from home away from home. 

We spent the rest of daylight hiking the western half of the rim.  Luckily, we spent most of our hike relatively on our own.  The weather was perfect for hiking - cool enough so that no one was working up a sweat but not too chilly.  Later we set up our tent and made a fire before the sun set.  Cracked open some beers and settled in for a rather chilly night (in the 40s).  There are only two campsites on the southern rim of the GC and the one we were in, Mather Campground, was huge - over 300 campsites and washroom facilities.  So it wasn't roughing it...but it was also 40 degrees and we ate PB&Js for dinner.  In one day I had gone from a bathing suit to long underwear and gloves.

We got up at the crack of dawn, partially because of the cold, but also because of the epic-sized ravens that stalked the campgrounds, screeching their big birdy heads off.  We split up and headed for different trails.  Mary, Jean and Kate took the Bright Angel trail down into the canyon, while I opted for the shorter/steeper South Kaibab trail.  The changes in elevation were intense and I had to stop often to catch my breath and wait for the dizziness to subside.  Luckily, I could pretend I was just enjoying the scenery.  After my hike, while I waited for the girls to finish theirs, I purchased my souvenir for the trip, a book called "Death in the Grand Canyon" - a massive tome that detailed every single known fatality (natural or otherwise) in the Grand Canyon.  This turned out to be massively interesting and a great read around the campfire.

Another night in camp and another dinner around the campfire, although this time we cooked potatoes and chili (Mary's idea) and it was beyond delicious.  We tried to finish up our beer so we wouldn't have to bring it back to Phoenix with us.  There was also some whiskey in the mix.  Then, slightly drunk and fully exhausted, we spent at least half an hour trying to zip our tent up before completely giving up and realizing it was totally broken.  We tried duct tape, but that didn't keep it closed.  With the 30 degree night, we were a little worried about having a completely open tent flap.  So Mary went to visit our neighbors who miraculously had some clothespins we could borrow.  Unfortunately, the clothespins were the trendy, colorful plastic kind and totally flimsy.  We finally got our tent closed, but had to use about 45 clothespins.  No one was allowed to get up to use the bathroom.  Cut to 45 minutes later.  I'm still awake and in desperate need of a pee, thanks to the beer and whiskey.  Finally, I couldn't take it any longer and decided to risk the wrath of the group to get up and go to the bathroom. It turns out that everyone else had to pee as well, but I was the only one brave/desperate enough to make the first move.  

Another early morning - we were determined to get back to Phoenix as soon as possible and warm up our bones by the pool.  As we drove south to Phoenix, we all began peeling off our layers of long underwear, double socks, and sweatshirts.  Spent the rest of our trip luxuriating near the pool with frozen drinks.  

You guys, we did it!

Some things to blog about

I went into the walk-in cooler at Reggie's and the door shut behind me.  It is super reassuring to see a big sticker saying "You are not locked in."

But the best place to be locked in during summer would be a walk-in full of beer.


I was a leader this year at camp, meaning I was in charge with another leader, Amanda, of all Standard counselors (about 13) and all Standard campers (about 38).  The week had its ups and downs but I did end up enjoying the new role and meeting a lot of new people.  Within five minutes of getting to camp, I had signed someone's yearbook and gotten pepper sprayed.  I blame Brooke for a) bringing pepper spray to camp and b) leaving it near Ian and Charlie.  After that rocky start, things improved and the week ended with a movie pajama party, introducing a new generation to Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.

My 29th birthday is in a few weeks, but I'm already focused on the next one.  Kate and I have decided to plan an epic trip to Costa Rica to celebrate turning 30.  If you're friends with me, expect me to be talking about this too much.


I went to Saturday and Sunday of Pitchfork this year (thanks to my graduating residents' who bought me tix to Saturday).  It was just as hipstery as always, although this year, the hipsters trended a little more ugly/dirty/ill-fitting than usual.  Kate agreed that any fashion trend that makes the rest of us non-hipsters look better, is OK in our books.  Long live mom jean shorts and crop tops!

Live musical fantasticness will continue this summer with Lollapalooza (another birthdaypalooza, hopefully with a little less mud) and then immediately following Lolla... GARBAGE!!!!!  It's been so long since I've seen them, I can't wait!  Keep your fingers crossed for a new Shannon & Shirley photo!


Pretty soon the Dowty family with have two cancer survivors.  My mom is on her way to beating breast cancer.  Kicking ass and taking names, that's how we Dowty's do it.  Although I don't think she'll be getting any tattoos to celebrate.

And finally - found some street art combining two of my favorite people: Dr. Seuss and Abraham Lincoln.  Duh. 

Second Hand Stories

Brandon is 5 and just lost his first tooth.  Well, he didn't really lose it...in his words he "crushed and ripped it out of" his mouth.

He is excited about the tooth fairy visiting.  Even though they aren't at home in Maryland, but on a mini-vacation to Indianapolis, the tooth fairy will find them.  Like Santa, the tooth fairy is apparently omniscient. 

not your kind of people

 
We are difficult to understand ::
It was hard to make this simple plan work ::
Difficult and that's what made it burn ::
You're a satellite around my heart ::
One million miles before the start ::
Indescribable and that's what makes it you.

- "Big Bright World" :: Garbage

Slow + Low

The weather is warming up and bringing craziness with it.

The other weekend I went to grab some bbq and jug band playin' at Honky Tonky BBQ with Clare and her neighbor friend Arielle.  Somehow, bbq and jug band night morphed into us walking around Pilsen with Arielle in a cow costume and Clare and I gallivanting around in cheap vampire wigs and duct tape accessories.  Also, British accents.  It's a really long story, but we ended up at Skylark trying to convince the lead singer of Alien Ant Farm that we were celebrating Cinco de Mayo with our very own freedom cow.  It was a pretty good night.

Next week I'm leaving with three of my best friends for a long weekend in the desert.  We're road-tripping to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix, with a stop over in Sedona.  We are spending two nights camping in the Grand Canyon.  I've never had a vacation where I've had to pack both tank tops and long underwear.  I can't wait for this adventure.

For once, Monday brought with it some glitter.  After seven years, there is a new Garbage album out and two short days after my birthday, they are playing the Metro.  It's been so long since I've seen Shirley and the boys - I cannot wait.  Getting better with age.

Today, I made the following online purchases:

• Cat eye sunglasses
• Roman gladiator helmet & shield
• Hippie glasses, peace symbol jewelry and headband

Yes kids, that means that camp is near.  This year I'm serving as team leader with my pal Amanda.  I'm interested to see what the other side of camp is like.  At least I will still get to dress like a moron - hands-down one of my favorite parts of the camp experience.

You guys, this is how I dance now.

Love, Shannon

Who is happier?

Answer: Me

Happy Trails

I had a lovely time in Maryland at the beginning of April - visiting my brother, sister-in-law and nephew.  They moved out to Frederick in the summer of last year and this was my first trip out East.  I had a wish list of things to do, and I wasn't sure how well that was going to fly with the five-year-old Brandito.  We had a good week though, minus a few toddler melt-downs.  We visited the Air & Space Museum, the American Art Museum, the Natural History Museum and Gettysburg - so I was totally nerded out by the end of the trip.  We also took a short hike on the Appalachian Trail (we ate lunch on an enormous rock, Brandon tripped a lot and we gave up.  His favorite part of the hike was the overpass that went over the highway).

Gettysburg was one of the most interesting parts of the trip, but it was very surreal to be on top of a hill where hundreds of men died and have kids running around playing tag and screaming.  There was also a gift shop full of Gettysburg shot glasses, plastic guns and embroidered aprons...it made me feel a little queasy.

The East Coast Dowty's have purchased 8.5 acres of land in Frederick, Maryland and will be building a Dowty Compound soon.  We got to visit the property and it was hard for my brain to comprehend having that much space, no neighbors, no street lights, no homeless midgets.  I am very happy that they are making this big step, but I am so relieved that I don't have any grass to take care of, let alone 8.5 acres.

It was so lovely to spend time with my big brother since I haven't seen him since August.  And my nephew was just as crazy, high-energy, high-pitched and wonderful as always.  I am constantly amazed by his brain - I miss having that kind of imagination and excitement.  I do not miss having that kind of absolute brain-breaking emotional meltdown every time something goes wrong, though.  I was surprised at how patient and substance-free Bryan and Ann were.  As much as I love the kid, I was so emotionally exhausted after spending each and every day with him.

There were plenty of bright moments though - Brandon breaking out into song ("The boots with the fur...") at any given time and place; Brandon choosing butterfly wings as his favorite thing ever in the Smithsonian museum store; his delight at finding out we were going to Gettysburg...because his favorite outlet mall is there; watching him do the monkey bars for the first time ever; showing him the famous Washington D.C. 7th Street Pee Tower (see below).  We told him that before they had toilets, they all used to pee on posts like this one and only a few remain in the city.  He totally bought it.

The best exchange of our trip:

Brandon: I've always wanted to go camping.
Bryan: When I told you could go camping on our property you started crying.
Shannon (sympathizing):  Sometimes camping can be a little scary.
Brandon: Because of all the werewolves.

Other than my trip, I've been ridiculously busy with classes (last week coming up!), working at Reggie's and my normal 9-5.  I've been having some trouble sleeping - either trouble falling asleep or just waking up a lot in a state of panic.  Last night, I woke up and immediately thought that the pillow next to me was the dismembered torso of ... someone.  I remember realizing it was just a pillow in a cream colored pillow case - and then realizing that I had just had a completely inappropriate reaction to a pillow.

FUN!