Bri interviews Amy-Renee

First, the obligatory posting of the rules:

1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me” or something of an equally pithy nature.
2. I will respond by asking you 5 questions of a very personal nature. Be warned!
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions, or there will be trouble.
4. You will include this and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them 5 questions.

Questions from Bri:

1. If you actually could pick up and move from B’ham tomorrow, would you? And where? You can be honest, I promise.

Wow, that’s a hard one. There are so many qualifiers and factors. And it depends on the day and mood you catch me in. But I will try to give a good answer. Most days the answer is yes, I would move. In a New York minute. But there are days that I look around and can not imagine leaving this city.

I actually quite love Birmingham. It’s beautiful and amazing. It is a fantastic blend of city and outdoor living. I have weeks where I kayak, hike, see an amazing art exhibit, enjoy an up and coming band live, attend a charity gala or two (getting my pretty mug in the local “About Town” social mag), and have picnics with tons of great friends all in the same week. I love that I am never lost, never alone, never unknown. The seasons are easy, if you can stand humidity and don’t love snow. The people are friendly. I spent a huge part of my childhood here and I have family and lifelong friends here. But I’ve been here a while now. And the North Wind has been calling me for years. Not answering the is painful. Standing still is like slowly dying. I often feel the need to be in the wind.

The “where” is especially complicated. My standard answer would be Paris. France is the place I have dreamt about since I was a teeny tiny ballerina dreaming of dancing with Baryshnikov. Which might not make sense, but wrapped in pink tutus I dreamt of living abroad and being so beloved by Misha that he would move his dance company to France to incorporate me as the prima. Oh, the dreams of youth. Anyway, Paris is the city love of my life.

New Orleans, my home, would be more likely. I am never more at home and never happier than when I’m roaming the streets of the Big Easy. Even through great tragedy my city remains the same ol’ sinful smelly place of my heart. I have always told my son that I’m showing up for his high school graduation with my car packed and I’m heading down to NO once his little black tassel switches sides! So after May 2014 you can find me down by the Pontchartrain.

And of course there is the obvious Colorado choice. I fell in love with little Leadville. But really, more so with Frisco. Frisco still has a city about it. Leadville is a town. A town of 2000, on a good day. A town you never have to own a car in. A town where the mayor drives a VW with a Grateful Dead sticker. A town where my love is.

Recently I’ve become enamored with Quebec City. And Costa Rica. But they are but whims starting to take shape.

2. What are the three most important life lessons you wish you could be SURE you passed on to your son? The three things you most hope you can impart on him as a parent?

First: Be mindful of the world around you. Acknowledge the people around you, acknowledge all the living creatures in your path. Take responsibility for the imprint you leave on the earth. Take responsibility for the imprint you leave in other peoples lives. Know that you make a difference, for better or worse, in all that you touch.

Second: Strive to be and know that you are the best you you can be. Be yourself and have confidence that you are the you who you are proud of being. Being you should not come at the expense of others. You can do anything, so don’t give up the trying.

Third: Learn from the mistakes that are made around you. Learn from your own mistakes. Don’t let life lessons go by unnoticed. Don’t do what you know is dumb. Know that sometimes you can’t catch others as they fall, still try, but know sometimes they have to fall on their own to get up on their own. And when they do fall learn from it.

3. I know you have a huge love of music – what ONE song do you think is closest to the theme song for your life. You can only pick one.

Damn Bri, that’s nearly impossible. There are so many theme songs to my life. I have a theme song for every person, every moment in my life. Music is the only way I make it through each day. Music is my life-force. Music is my diary. Music is my religion. So to cheat and still answer your question I have to list a few other songs before I come to the one I think is most me.

The top five:
A Little Less Conversation: Elvis Presley
Bad Reputation: Joan Jett
Not A Virgin: Poe
Dream A Little Dream: Mama Cass
Lorraine’s Song (My Heart Was A Lonely Hunter): Theresa Andersson and Grayson Capps

and the song that has always been my theme song.. which I guess answers your question

Don’t You Forget About Me: Simple Minds

4. If you could wave a magic wand and instantly have the job of your dreams, what would it be?

Rock star. You know, like Jem! She’s truly outrageous. Or like Dazzler, X-Man style.

Or a Wedding Planner. I would love to be a Wedding Planner. I wish I could go to a wedding every single weekend! If I didn’t have to be married after it, I’d have a wedding at least once a year!

Or a writer for a travel magazine. That would be the best job for me. Traveling all over the world would make me very happy.

Or owning my own store. That has been my dream for many years.

Or wife to Dominic Monaghan. Does that count as a job?!

5. The Sophie’s Choice question – if you had to give up your dog or your cats, which would it be?

Dog. But I would be heartbreakingly destroyed. I can’t really imagine not having any of the pets. Okay, I can imagine life without the puppy (shivers of joy at the thought) and I can see living without Monkey. I love Monkey (Ivanava/KeyKey) but she is a handful and not the most endearing of cats. I could whittle down to (in order of importance) Sorshia, Lucky, and Bob and be quite happy. That’s really an awful question, dear friend!!!

Lyrics to my themes songs:

A Little Less Conversation by Elvis Presley
A little less conversation, a little more action please
All this aggravation ain’t satisfactioning me
A little more bite and a little less bark
A little less fight and a little more spark
Close your mouth and open up your heart and baby satisfy me
Satisfy me baby
Baby close your eyes and listen to the music
Drifting through a summer breeze
Its a groovy night and I can show you how to use it
Come along with me and put your mind at ease
A little less conversation, a little more action please
All this aggravation ain’t satisfactioning me
A little more bite and a little less bark
A little less fight and a little more spark
Close your mouth and open up your heart and baby satisfy me
Satisfy me baby
Come on baby I’m tired of talking
Grab your coat and lets start walking
Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Don’t procrastinate, don’t articulate
Girl its getting late, getting’ upset waitin’ around
A little less conversation, a little more action please
All this aggravation ain’t satisfactioning me
A little more bite and a little less bark
A little less fight and a little more spark
Close your mouth and open up your heart and baby satisfy me
Satisfy me baby

Bad Reputation by Joan Jett
I don’t give a damn ’bout
my bad reputation
You’re living in the past
it’s a new generation
A girl can do what she
wants to do and that’s
What I’m gonna do
An’ I don’t give a damn
‘ bout my bad
reputation

Oh no not me
No no no no no
Not me me me me me

An’ I don’t give a damn
’bout my bad reputation
Never said I wanted to
improve my station
An’ I’m only doin’ good
When I’m havin’ fun
An’ I don’t have to please no one
An’ I don’t give a damn
‘Bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me

I don’t give a damn
‘Bout my bad reputation
I’ve never been afraid
of any deviation
An’ I don’t really care
If ya think I’m strange
I ain’t gonna change
An’ I’m never gonna care
‘Bout my bad reputation
Oh no, not me
Oh no, not me
Pedal boys!
An’ I don’t give a damn
‘Bout my bad reputation
The world’s in trouble
There’s no communication
An’ everyone can say
What they want to say
It never gets better anyway
So why should I care
‘Bout a bad reputation anyway
Oh no, not me
No no, not me

I don’t give a damn ’bout
my bad reputation
You’re living in the past
It’s a new generation
An’ I only feel good
When I got no pain
An’ that’s how I’m gonna stay
An’ I don’t give a damn
‘Bout my bad reputation

Oh no, not me
Oh no, not
Not me, not me

Not A Virgin by Poe
I’m not a virgin anymore
I just thought you should know
Darlin’ I’ve been around
I took a walk up your block
In fact I have been all over town
Down by the lake
And underneath the table in my living room
Outside with the blue blue moon

You can call me what you will
Call me a slut call me a jaded pill
But darlin I’ve got your number now

I’m not a virgin anymore
I’ve been taken
I’ve been hung up
I get down and start it over again
I’ve been open
And I’ve been closed like a book
And burned down like a written sin
I just thought you should know my darling
Before we begin
I’m not a virgin anymore

Just thought you should know
Before you let another lie
Slip through those crooked little teeth
I don’t think you wanna start that shit with me

Much better yet
Tell me something dangerous and true
Oh yeah that looks much sexier on you

Careful what it is you say
‘Cause I can see right through you
On a cloudy day and darlin’ I think you wanna play
I’m not a virgin anymore
I’ve been taken
I’ve been hung up
I get down and start it over again
I’ve been open
And I’ve been closed like a book
And burned down like a written sin
I just thought you should know my darling
So if you wanna play dirty darling I’m gonna win
I’m not a virgin anymore

Been there done that
(Say what?)
Get the hang of it
Get screwed
I screw you I had a whole lot of fun with it
I’ve had enough now so you better take a bow
It’s gonna be a new experience if you wanna play with me

Daisy chains and maryjanes
Happy ending fairy tales
Cannot fool me now

I’ve been taken
I’ve been hung up
I get down and start it over again
I’ve been open
And I’ve been closed like a book
And burned down like a written sin

Hell I’ve been divided
Out of my mind and reinvented again
I’ve been ignited and then uninvited
So honey
You break it up
I’m gonna put it back together again

I just thought you should know my darling
Before we begin

I’m not a virgin anymore

Dream A Little Dream by Mama Cass
Stars shining bright above you
night breezes seem to whisper
I love you
Birds singin’ in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me.
Say “nighty night” and kiss me
just hold me tight and tell me
you’ll miss me.
While I’m alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me.
Stars fading but I linger on
dear
still craving your kiss
I’m longing to linger til dawn
dear
Just saying this
Sweet dreams til sun beams find you
sweet dreams that leave our worries behind you.
But in your dreams
whatever they be
dream a little dream of me.
Stars fading but I linger on
dear
still craving your kiss.
I’m longing to linger til dawn
dear
just saying this
Sweet dreams til sun beams find you
sweet dreams that leave our worries behind you.
But in your dreams
whatever they be
dream a little dream of me.

Lorraine’s Song (My Heart Was A Lonely Hunter) by Theresa Andersson and Grayson CappsYesterday I had a dream…
I could fly through the sky…
Then I woke up in a sweat…
Not dead yet, But on the ground

I’m up in Johnson City Tennessee
looking for the wind in me
Lord fly me over Pontchartrain
back to the land of sugarcane and summer-rain

Nevermore shall we part…. Nevermore shall we part

A little girl was early told
that life was time and time was gold
she took a little everyday till it went away
and she was old
and she cried cause her gold was gone
and she cried for she was all alone
And I’m hunting with a lonely heart
crying nevermore shall we part, shall we part….

Nevermore shall we part… Nevermore shall we part

And all those words that I never said
gently bled from my mouth

and I am ready to embrace…. this place.. where I belong

I’m afraid, but I need to love
If I don’t I’m gonna fly

And I’m calling to you in the dark
just a hunter with a lonely heart, a lonely heart…

Nevermore shall we part… Nevermore shall we part

Don’t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds
Won’t you come see about me
I’ll be alone, dancing — you know it Baby
Tell me your troubles and doubts
Giving me everything inside and out
Love’s strange — so real in the dark
Think of the tender things
That we were working on
Slow change may pull us apart
When the light gets into your heart, Baby

Don’t you forget about me
Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t
Don’t you forget about me
Will you stand above me
Look my way, never love me
Rain keeps falling
Rain keeps falling
Down, down, down
Will you recognize me
Call my name or walk on by
Rain keeps falling
Rain keeps falling
Down, down, down

Don’t you try and pretend
It’s my beginning
We’ll win in the end
I won’t harm you
Or touch your defenses
Vanity, insecurity

Don’t you forget about me
I’ll be alone, dancing — you know it, Baby
Going to take you apart
I’ll put us back together at heart, Baby
Don’t you forget about me
Don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t
Don’t you forget about me

As you walk on by
Will you call my name
As you walk on by
Will you call my name
When you walk away

Oh, will you walk away
Will walk away
Oh, call my name
Will you call my name

Since my baby left me, I’ve found a new place to dwell

I stole this from Sheila. And, since I have a MASSIVE hangover I am happy to be given questions to answer rather than trying to be profound or interesting. Last night, with good intention, I imbibed entirely too much sake. Oh it started out incocent enough. My friend was in need and sought my company. A few beers while she ranted and vented. Then sake over sushi to rant so more. Then more sake. Then more sake. I can’t remember much after that. But it was one of those times when you wake up in the morning, peel an eyelid open, and sigh in disguested embarassment. I might be getting too old for this.

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
I visited the Georgia Aquarium and The Fernbank Museum with my son

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t make resolutions on New Years. I don’t need the quilt of breaking them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes

5. What countries did you visit?
Stayed in country all year. Much to my disappointment

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
A home
A firmer body
Freedom
Him

7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory?
No date stands out. Ever day is remarkable in my world.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finally breaking that tie

9. What was your biggest failure?
Losing my job. I guess that’s considered a failure.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes. But it’s a constant. I did however get stitches for the first time since childhood this year.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Most of my favorite stuff has been given to me. But right now the best purchase I’ve made was that damn Nerf gun for my kid. His face when he opened it and his endless hours of joy that he’s gotten from it since made it a priceless purchase to me. (BTW Sheila, I’ve very jealous of you having a purple couch! Tell me it’s velvet and I’ll cry! Very cool!)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My son, always.
I’m sure many great people did many great things this past year.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
GWB
That girl
JP (but that’s a constant)

14. Where did most of your money go?
Gas
Gas
Sushi
That damned Turtle Chex Mix
Gas
DVD’s and CD’s

15.What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My Atlanta Trip with Tristan
The Trip to my parents house in Florida
Gulf Wars
Blogging
Seeing Dusty’s band (I’m excited and proud every single time I see them)
Something I’ll never admit made me excited cause it’s shallow and wrong
That night
Christmas

16.What song/album will always remind you of 2006?
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a. happier or sadder? Way happier!
b. thinner or fatter? Way way fatter
c. richer or poorer? Poorer financially, but richer every day in every other way

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Travel
Exercise
Dance
Sex
Love

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Cry
Sickness
Drink

20. How will you be spending New Years?
Sitting on the couch with my son. It’s my favorite way to spend New Years!

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Bri, Diana, CynCity, Bambi, Jon, Rich, Steven

22.Did you fall in love in 2006?
No

23.How many one night stands in this last year?
Can I plead the fifth? Come on, we don’t really need to go there do we? Do the ones with ex-boyfriends count…. shit….

24.What was your favorite TV program?
Lost
Heroes
Gilmore girls
Studio 60
CSI

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Yes

26. What was the best book(s) you read?
Wow, I read a lot of good books! The Awakening, The Left Bank, The Devil Wears Prada, Echo Park, In a Sunburned Country, damn I could go on for a while!

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Of this year, Gym Class Heroes and Rent

28. What did you want and get?
That one more night. And then another night.
A pink covered litter box for my cat
A kitten (be careful what you wish for..)
To see my parents and sister

29. What did you want and not get?
A trip to France (but i’m not giving up on it yet)
A pink blender
him

30. What were your favorite films of this year?
Clerks II

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was thirty three on my last birthday.
I spent my birthday in Little Rock with my close friends and I got to shoot them with airsoft guns! It was a good birthday! And I went to dinner at my favorite resturant with Candace and CinCity

32.What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A job that pays well and has lots of travel. Freedom. Oh and him.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
Same as the year before PINK

34.What kept you sane?
My son, my friends, coffee, and a few Cosmos.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Dominic Monoghan, Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
War always gets my goat. Armed guards on our borders seemed a little excessive. Let’s face it there were several things.

37. Who did you miss?
My mom. My dad. My sister. My brotha from anotha motha, Diana (for part of the year), Friends that can’t be friends anymore, him.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Wow I met lots of great people this year!

39.Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.
Wow, no pressure.
33 is too old to drink six bottles of sake. Even if you have help.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the mystic
Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic
And when that fog horn blows I will be coming home
And when that fog horn blows I want to hear it
I dont have to fear it
I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
Then magnificently we will float into the mystic
And when that fog horn blows you know I will be coming home
And when thst fog horn whistle blows I got to hear it
I dont have to fear it
I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
And together we will float into the mystic

and also
I remember when, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind,
There was something so pleasant about that place…
Even your emotions had an echo in so much space.

And when you’re out there,without care,
Yeah, I was out of touch.
But it wasn’t because I didn’t know enough:
I just knew too much

Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Does that make me crazy?
Possibly (or Probably)

And I hope that you are having the time of your life,
But think twice, that’s my only advice.

Come on now who do you, who do you, who do you, who do you Think you are, ha ha ha, bless your soul,
You really think you’re in control!

Well,
I think you’re crazy…
I think you’re crazy…
I think you’re crazy…
Just like me.

My heroes had the heart to lose their lives out on a limb,
And all I remember is thinkin’ I wanna be like them.

Ever since I was little, ever since I was little it looked like fun,
And there’s no coincidence I’ve come,
And I can die when I’m done.

But maybe I’m crazy?
Maybe you’re crazy?
Maybe we’re crazy?
Probably!

Like a rolling stone

I’m starting it off with a quiz thingy!

1.If you were to find out you were pregnant tomorrow, how would you feel?

Well I’d be a little shocked. But, put that aside, and I think I’d be happy. I guess. After the initial panic and shock and curiosity.

2 Do you trust your friends?

All but one.

3. Would you move to another state or country to be with the person you love?

Having chosen the wrong answer to this question in the past, I’m gonna have to go with yes. If I could of I would of.

4. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?

Everything happens. Of that I’m sure. I think I interpret it more of everything that happens leads you further down the path you are meant to walk.

5. Name two things you would NOT tolerate in a relationship?

Disrespect to my kid
Abuse

6. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best roommate for you?

Anyone of them except Candace. Candace and I could only live together if we had a enormous house and had separate wings separated by a garden or something else large and neutral.

7. Can you deal with people who are too concerned with status?

Sure. But they always end up amusing me.

8. Are you afraid of falling in love? Why or why not?

Not afraid. I like the falling in love part. It’s the falling alone part that sucks.

9. Is there someone who pops into your mind at random times?

There is someone who pops into my mind all the time. And there is someone who pops in my mind at the oddest of times. And they’re not the same someone.

10. Would you stop talking to your friends because you hooked up with a new guy/girl?

I think I have a time or two. So dumb! It’s never on purpose!! Next time I hope someone puts the smack down on me! I’d love to believe that I am finally older, wiser, and better than that, but we’ll see what happens when it happens.

11. Name one person from your friends list that you could call to come to your rescue if you got a flat tire…..
Well, Rich, Steven, Diana, and Guy have all come to my tire rescue in the past. I’m pretty confident that I could call most of my friends and they’d come help me out.

12. From your friends list, who can you call in the middle of the night if you need to talk?

I could call most anyone, it’s who would answer that’s the real question.

13. What quality do you find most attractive in the opposite sex?

Good humor, self-confidence, and nice eyes

14. Fill in the blank. I would have kids with…

Dominic Monaghan.
That boy whom I won’t name.
Johnny Depp.

15. What is your number one priority in life?

Tristan.

16. What can you tell about a person by kissing them?

I’m not sure what you learn from it, but I sure love doing it!!!

17. When you get married, for the first time or again, what would you envision your dream wedding to be?

I love love love weddings!! I have a special one planned for each dream groom. Mostly they’re outdoors and I always look fanfuckingtastic. I wish I could have a wedding every year! It’s the morning after, when you’re actually married that I have a problem with!

18. If you could say just one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

love

19. If you were to wake up from being in a coma for an extended period of time, name some people you would want to see by your side when you open your eyes?

Tristan.

20. How many kids do you want to have?

Keeping up with the one I have is enough for me right now.

21. What would make you a good parent?

I am a good parent!! And what makes me that way is my damn amazing kid!