suddenly your heart is pounding, wishing secretly you were a star

                   Without a doubt, the best band in the world is:

                     Without a doubt, the best STYX album is:

Released in 1977, 10 years before I was born, this album became the bands first Triple Platinum album. What I love about this album is the strong message of finding value in yourself and what you love through all of the bullshit life throws at you.

Example 1: The Grand Illusion
so if you think your life is complete confusion
'cause your neighbor's got it made
just remember that it's a grand illusion
and deep inside we're all the same

Example 2:Fooling Yourself
get up, get back on your feet
you're the one they can't beat and you know it
come on, let's see what you've got
take your best shot and don't blow it

Example 3: Come Sail Away
I'm sailing away
Set an open course for the Virgin Sea
'Cause I've got to be free
Free to face the life that's ahead of me

Example 4: Miss America
Are you really who we think you are
Or does your smile seem to wear your down
Is the girl who you once were
Screaming to jump out?
Is the dream that you must live
A disease for which there is no cure
This roller coaster ride you're on
Won't stop to let you off

Example 5: Man in the Wilderness
All of the years I've spent in search of myself
And I'm still in the dark
'Cause I can't seem to find the light alone
Sometimes I feel like a man in the wilderness
I'm a lonely soldier off to war
Sent away to die - never quite knowing why
Sometimes it makes no sense at all

Example 6: Castle Walls
Life is never what it seems
And every man must meet his destiny

The members that really got the band rolling: Tommy Shaw, James Young, Dennis DeYoung and Chuck Panozzo

Like many bands, members come and go. Tommy, singer/guitarist, joined the band in 76 and I believe he is a lot of the reason (if not the WHOLE reason) why STYX became so popular. (((((side note: Tommy proposed to me at an autograph signing just before my Junior year in high school)))))


The current, and my favorite, line up:


James Young (1970), Lawrence Gowan (1999), Todd Sucherman (1995), Tommy Shaw (1976), Ricky Phillips (2003) and Chuck Panozzo (1961)

(Also love: Crystal Ball)
I wonder what tomorrow has in mind for me
Or am I even in it's mind at all
Perhaps I'll get a chance to look ahead and see
Soon as I find myself a crystal ball



I could write for days about my love and adoration for this band. I could then go on for days about my experiences of going to well over 20 concerts, on road trips, jumping over security, getting engaged, autograph signing, family time, whip lash ---- and so much more...but this isn't the time for that. This was simply a shout out to my absolute favorite band and my absolute favorite album.

   
                                 STYX: "The Grand Illusion"

1. I hate that Crystal is holding Tommy's hand in the picture and not me :)

2. This was the day Tommy proposed to me. He may have been prompted by my sister, and I may have only been almost a Junior in high school, but it still counts.

3. This is my favorite line up except at the end, Glen Burtnic (something like that) was the bassist for a short time until Ricky Phillips joined.

4. Chuck (3rd one down) told me that when I became the 1st female president, he wanted to sleep in Lincoln's room.

5. Notice the album we brought with us for them to sign? :) Told ya it was the best.

<3 xoxoxo <3
STYX

10 randoms

10 randoms you may or may not have ever known. (also, may or may not care to know.)

 (in random order)

1. Sometimes I get paranoid people can hear my thoughts. Now, before you try and admit me to a mental hospital, let me just say that I blame Edward Cullen and Sookie Stackhouse. It's funny when I catch myself wondering if people can hear my thoughts because then I tell myself that its crazy for me to think others can hear what I am thinking. Then I think I am crazy for thinking to myself.

2. I do not grow armpit hair. True story. I mean, its not completely hairless, but its like the fine little hairs that you don't really notice.

3. I get carsick when I am not the driver.

4. I got whip lash when I was 10 years old from head-banging at my very first Rock-n-Roll concert: Pat Benetar and STYX.

5. I have seen STYX in concert over 20 times. This is interesting because I am only 23 (ill be 24 on March 24th) and my first concert was when I was 10. I mean, you do the math. This means multiple concerts in multiple years...which means ROAD TRIPS!!!

6. I am an anxiety victim of gossip and body language. I don't want someone to leave a conversation with me and then go to someone else and complain about how I don't shut up, am self-absorbed or how I don't make any sense. I have these worries because there are those people that you know are perpetual "I am awesome and here is why" people-- and I don't want to be one of "those" people. I feel like this doesn't make sense as I type it. 

7. I worry a lot about being a young teacher and looking like a child.

8. I shattered my windshield and broke my side mirror by running into a mailbox my senior year because I saw my ex-boyfriend (who I still had feelings for) walking out of school with another girl.

9. I was voted Most Humorous Female in my Senior class. Pretty impressive when you go to a freakin nation like Warrior Nation.

10. I still have all 4 of my wisdom teeth.

just for fun

random #11: week 10: -17lbs. 3 weeks to go!