So, I just started Accutane a couple of days ago. I went through the whole ridiculous process- 2 pregnancy tests, my blood being taken twice, answering ridiculous questions, and waiting a month. Last Sunday, I finally popped my first pill. It was a weird experience. I was afraid and felt like I had just crossed some line- not sure what the line was, but it felt very important….or something. I really do not have bad skin. I have just used everything out there to combat my acne to no avail- antibiotics, birth control, spiro, benzoyl peroxide, and tea tree oil. I even cut out all dairy, processed, sweet, high gi foods. I basically ate nuts and veggies, but it did not give me significant results. My doctor had always suggested it but I just did not want to take it to that level. As an incredibly analytical person with OCD tendencies the side effects and risks associated with this medicine scare me…..but at this point, I have decided to take the plunge in hopes of better skin. It is so easy to say to someone- “It is really not that bad.” When it is you, it is a different story. I am just now beginning to experience the dreaded “initial breakout.” This would not be so bad except that I can not use any topicals to combat my breakouts. Ughhhhh…..I am just trying to keep my head high and get through this. I look to God and just keep praying that everything goes well and that this chapter in my life will be over soon.
I have pretty much decided that Japan is where I want to go for a semester. Now my problem is deciding which program I want to do. Do I want a homestay program? Which city do I want to live in? What about the cost? What happens if I fall in love with the country and the language and want to stay another semester?? Well, while driving down Brainerd today I was thinking about all of this when I saw this Japanese restaurant. I had passed it several times before and thought, “Maybe I will go there one day for dinner.” This restaurant is called Na Go Ya. I have been praying for some sort of sign from God pointing me in the right direction. I think I found that sign, literally. See, one of my favorite programs is in the city Nagoya. After passing this restaurant a million times, I finally realized today it was named after Nagoya. Na Go Ya- on a big orange sign-How could I have never realized it was referring to the city of Nagoya? I had this epiphany today and got a little teary. Nagoya. Is this the city where I will leave behind all comfort and security to experience a completely different culture and learn a language entirely different from my own. No friends or family, just Lindsey. Well, wait…not just Lindsey. I am never just Lindsey. God is always with me. Even when I am just driving to Aldi, he is with me.
In 2002, Ryan began a transition, some might say a regression, toward a heavier sound. Full electric lineups turned up to 11. He formed yet another punk band, The Finger, with Jesse Malin and a few others under a pseudonymous shield. Ryan (Warren Peace) provided dirty guitar. They released 2 EP’s - which I have - but will spare your ears the posting of them.
Sensing the inevitable sound transformation, Ryan wanted to record one more (last?) down-tempo, sentimental album. Love Is Hell was recorded in New York in 2002 - more on this in the future - but was not accepted by Lost Highway. They reportedly complained that the collection was “too alternative,” “incredibly depressing,” and “not your best stuff.” Again, the label wanted Ryan to recreate the success of Gold, most-likely telling him to create more of a rock and roll sound. Ryan took that and ran.
Straight back to the studio with a group of friends, Ryan recorded what would be a metaphorical slap-in-the-face to Lost Highway: A record spitefully entitled Rock N Roll. The set is blatant, forceful rock that is the furthest overlap of Ryan’s therapeutic but never-serious side projects into his ‘real’ work.Present in the studio during the two-week recordings were Smashing Pumpkins/Hole bassist Melissa Auf de Maur, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong - whom Ryan shockingly resembled during this time.
R&R isn’t shy in expressing it’s contempt, both lyrically and musically. Powerful guitar riffs become instant classics in songs like ‘Shallow,’ ‘Wish You Were Here,’ ‘So Alive,’ and ‘Do Miss America.’ Most songs on the collection end in huge crescendos of drums, vocals and reverb. That is, except one. Keeping with the sarcasm theme, the title track is the only cut to not feature amped-up guitars. This depressingly slow ballad features only Ryan on piano and vocals:
“Everybody’s cool playin’ rock and roll.
Everybody’s cool playin’ rock and roll.
I don’t feel cool, feel cool at all.
I don’t feel cool, feel cool at all.”
Full article @ http://www.thismornin.com/2009/03/ryan-adams-rock-n-roll.html
Haha Ryan is the best!
