It's My Life

As I'm approaching 40, I've found myself making different decisions. Riskier decisions, I think. Why? Because it's my life, and now that my kids are grown, I find myself saying "it's now or never."

I've been accused of telling the stories of my life as if they were all a bunch of 80s songs - even when they didn't pertain to me specifically.

But I'm OK with that. I'm not at all sorry that I've lived my life the way that I have, and that now, as I'm starting my 40th year (I will be 40 in 10 months), I look at life and love differently.

And I'm OK with that. It's My Life.

Sleep When I'm Dead...

I've been an insomniac, I think since birth... but definitely as long as I can remember. Just a few short hours ago, I fell asleep only to wake up 3 hours later *wide* awake.

Of course, I'm sunburned as all get out from Bamboozlefest, and that is keeping me from sleeping more than anything else I think. So tonight I bring you:

Seven days of saturday 
Is all that I need 
Got no use for Sunday 
'Cause I don't rest in peace 
Don't need no Mondays 
Or the rest of the week 
I spend a lot of time in bed 
But baby I don't like to sleep no 

I won't lie to you 
I'm never gonna cry to you 
I'll probably drive you wild 8 days a week 

Until I'm 6 feet under 
Baby I don't need a bed 
Gonna live while I'm alive 
I'll sleep when I'm dead 
Till they roll me over 
And lay my bones to rest 
Gonna live while I'm alive 
I'll sleep when I'm dead 

So you're looking for some action 
I got got everything you need 
Better keep your motor running 
'cause I was built for speed 
This ain't no slumber party 
Got no time for catching z's 
If they say that that ain't healthy 
Well then living's a disease 

We're never going to die baby 
Come on let me drive you crazy 
We'll make every night another New Year's Eve 

Till I'm six feet under 
I won't need a bed 
Gonna live while I'm alive 
I'll sleep when I'm dead 
Till they roll me over 
And lay my bones to rest 
Gonna live while I'm alive 
I'll sleep when I'm dead 

Sleep when I'm dead, sleep when I'm dead 
Gonna live while I'm alive, 
I'll sleep when I'm dead 
Seven days of Saturday 
Is all that I need 

Got no use for Sunday 
'Cause I don't rest in peace 
I was born to live 
You know I wasn't born to die 
But if they party down in heaven 
I'll be sure to be on time 

Until I'm six feet under 
I don't need a bed 
Gonna live while I'm alive 
I'll sleep when I'm dead 
Till they roll me over 
And lay my bones to rest 
Gonna live while I'm alive 
I'll sleep when I'm dead 

I feel like I'm exploding 
Going out of my head 
Gonna live while I'm alive 
I'll sleep when I'm dead 

Till I'm six feet under 
And they lay my bones to rest 
Gonna live while I'm alive 
I'll sleep when I'm dead 

Sleep when I'm dead, sleep when I'm dead 
Gonna live while I'm alive, sleep when I'm dead

In these arms

Now that I'm home from Bamboozlefest, I have some time to write about my experience.

In These Arms has been one of my favorite Bon Jovi songs for more than 15 years or so? How has that much time gone by?

I also think that the line "I need you like the poet needs the pain" is quite possibly one of the worst lyrics he's ever written, but at the same time... so very true. Corny, but true. 

That's just the kind of dork that I am. 

Nothing in my life has been consistent over the last almost-30 years. Except for one thing. My absolute fandom/star crush of Jon Bon Jovi.  Sometimes when I tell stories about my life, I'm told that my life sounds like an old 80s song, or a Jon Bon Jovi song... well, yes. I became a Bon Jovi fan in 1986 when I was 13 years old. I grew up with him, crushing on him, following him around on too many tours to count.

I really view being told that as a compliment.

You see, I'm Gina.

Literally. 

I grew up in the Midwest. I'm not Italian, but I look like I could be (dark hair, dark eyes), and there were NO other Ginas. Just me.

When Tommy and Gina became regular subjects in Bon Jovi songs, I was hooked.

I wanted to be Gina, I wanted to find my Tommy.

Bamboozlefest 2012

Bamboozlefest 2012 in Asbury Park, NJ has prompted me to create a new blog about life as a hardcore Bon Jovi fan. I thought it might be worth documenting just how my love of all things Bon Jovi works into my daily, functional life.