ARCHIVE
ARCHIVE
11/4/03 Mmm... journal entry requests...
Happy belated Halloween! I hope everyone had fun. I've had some requests for
more journal entries, so I thought I'd write today. It's wonderful when people
write me about my entries, but I am always surprised to remember that people
actually read it. It's like a radio interview...I am aware that there is an
audience listening somewhere, but they are not physically there and somehow
that makes it easy to forget that anyone is listening and I end up saying very
silly things to myself that I regret afterwards when I truly realize people
were listening! I have one radio interview where I am laughing almost the entire
30 minutes. I may have played one song between my laughs. That's what you get
when you put me in a room by myself...either that or crying. Thankfully it was
laughing that time. At first, when I got some emails mentioning something about
an event I wrote in my journal, I'd sit at my computer trying to figure out
how they knew that...am I in tabloids I don't know about? But then I remember,
oh yes, I wrote it in my journal. Makes me think I should spend this time writing
something of meaning. Oh well. I have a show coming up in LA and it is near
my birthday so I want to make it a celebration and bring treats. Note to self:
do not buy candy treats three days in advance of show. I have already gone through
a bag of Reese's Pieces- they're so good. And I wonder why I give crazy interviews.
I was a dancing queen for Halloween, which meant I had to dance the entire night,
which was okay with me. My second choice career is to be a flygirl. Once I make
it big in music, the transition should be easy. Speaking of being a flygirl-
I took a hip hop dance class in LA and everyone in it was so good- it was like
dancing with professional dancers. It was so fun, though I did not want anyone
to watch me as I tried to keep up. But by the end, I had enough attitude to
make up for the missteps. I have been trying to keep abreast of the current
events and checking out alternative news sources (Pacifica Radio, Moveon.org,
FAIR, etc...the internet is a wonderful resource to get a well-rounded picture
of what is happening in our world). It is so important to know about and have
a voice in these times....now let me go write another love song! A political
one will come someday.....
10/7/03 Scaredy Kat
I went camping this weekend and it was not the rustic scene I had imagined-
at 3am I went over with my friend to ask the campers next to us to turn down
their music (it wasn't Kat Parsons music) and stop beeping their horn. I was
so nervous to go talk to them (I have seen far too many horror movies), that
when I thought I heard them say they were from DC, I overcompensated by launching
into a friendly ten minute conversation about our wonderful nation's capital
(where I am from). I found out on the way back to our campsite that they actually
said they were from KC. What's KC? Kansas City?
9/20/03 I can't believe that lady
I went to see "The Bourne Identity" with a couple friends when it
first came out. Remember the scene where the guy busts into the apartment? (if
you haven't seen it - don't worry I didn't ruin it) It is a very startling part
and the woman next to us screamed so loud. After the movie, I commented, "Can
you believe how loud the lady next to us screamed?" They both started to
laugh. Apparently, I was the person who screamed so loud....
When I saw Jaws...I bit the finger of the lady next to me in the theater and
also had no memory of it....
9/15/03 Ice Ice Baby
I was in Cleveland this weekend for a friend's wedding (at the reception which
I ended up singing/rapping "Ice, Ice Baby" with the wedding band-
there is no excuse, I know, but see explanation below) and what a weekend. Watched
the Cleveland Indians beat the Minnesota Twins in the most polite bleacher section
I have ever been. I enjoyed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Gift Store (the $18
admission price does not make it so "rock and roll" friendly, so I
abstained from going into the museum out of principle). They did however have
a few exhibits in the ticket area. One of which was a stickered van exhibit,
which I really enjoyed and, while no one was looking, happened to run into its
bumper with one of my stickers. Met up with my friend/wedding date and we ended
up going to the Gravity Games instead where we saw some international skateboarders
perform some crazy tricks on a half pipe. Reminded me of my skateboarding days
when I was happy to be able to turn my skateboard around using one foot.
But back to the wedding. My friend Lisa (bride) wanted me to sing a song with the wedding band. They asked me what song I knew and somehow at that moment, I couldn't think of any. So I resorted to a song that I sang during another friend's ceremony : "I hope you dance". However, when I sang this song during my friend's ceremony, I had the words and this time I did not. Thankfully the Cleveland performance was late into the reception so I had a forgiving audience when I sang the first verse 3 times and then finally resorted to "la, la's...". Astoundingly, the people at the reception shouted for more and one person requested Vanilla Ice....little did he know that I attended a Vanilla Ice concert in elementary school and know all the words to "Ice, Ice Baby". So I broke out into "Ice, Ice Baby" while everyone watched the requestor perform dance routines with numerous half splits on the floor. Finally, we closed the night out with "Mustang Sally" which was less eventful and helped to redeem me from my Vanilla Ice performance. (Disclaimer: Though it may appear to be the case, I do not just show up at weddings and break out in song-in all cases it is at the request of the bride & groom.)
9/10/03 Mars
Did you check out Mars? Pretty incredible. I sent out an email to my LA list
about a show and mentioned it. I found out from someone that if you look through
a telescope you can even see the surface of the planet....craters and all.
8/18/03 Invite me over
I was in Bryn Mawr playing at The Point when the black out in NYC happened-played
in NYC the next night and the power was up and running. Thank you everyone for
asking how I was. I am and was good! Except as soon as I got paid for the NYC
gig I lost the money. I think I dropped it because I was carrying too much at
once. Gotta wear clothes with pockets. At least I made someone's day-hopefully
they really needed the money (that's how I try to make myself feel better).
I sold out of CDs this trip within the first two shows-thanks for all the love!
I underestimated it and next time my packing/shipping motto will be "less
shoes, more CDs". Last night I played a house concert-I have got to do
more of these-they are so fun. So start inviting me over.
ADDENDUM (8/21/03):I called the Bitter End to see if someone happened to turn
in the money I dropped (Yes, I am naive-Yes, I believe that people are good).
They had not found the money but asked me how much and told me they'd send me
a check. A club the reimburses me for money that I lost? That's cool.
8/3/03 YMCA 5 Miler and ice cream are not a
good combo
Vacation sweet vacation....Yesterday I went running with my mom and dad...how
can they run with Kat "lightning" Parsons? I just made that nickname
up and promise I will never use it again. Every year at the beach we (not my
parents for this one, but my brother, members of our god family with whom we
stay, and I) run a race. Usually our vacation falls on the 5k. I love the 5K-I
have placed and gotten a trophy/medal every year I've run it. Unfortunately
this year, our vacation fell on the YMCA 5 miler. Last time I ran the YMCA 5
miler I thought I was going to die. This time, I felt great during the race
but thought I was going to die afterwards when I made myself the world's largest
sundae and consumed it in record time. Fudge, three ice cream flavors, and cookies....I
spent the rest of the day trying to deal with the fact that my stomach felt
like it was going to explode. And as far as the trophy goes...I have moved up
an age category and the competition is fierce (i.e. more than 2 people in my
age category), so no trophy to march around all day...I'll work up to it next
year.
7/25/03 I am addicted to Harry Potter
So I went back to the post office where they are cheering on my career and met
with the producer - it has been fun! I am looking forward to a short vacation
coming up where I plan to read the next Harry Potter. I read all 4 books in
a week last year while I was with my family. My brother showed up for our vacation
in the middle of the night-he woke me up to say hello and I asked him three
times where the potion was until I finally figured out it was not my co-wizard,
but my brother. That same night, I woke up searching for my wand.
7/2/03 Discovered in the post office
Okay, I have to follow up my last journal entry. I just received a letter today
from one of the postal employees telling me that as soon as I left, a music
producer came in and wants my information. Only in LA! He concludes the note
"Remember: Your gift will find you".
6/28/03 No line in the post office
I went to the post office today and there was no line. This made me extremely
happy so I was chatting it up with the postal employee. He asked me to sing
a song, so I sang "When I had you" until all the postal employees
came out from behind and said she doesn't just "sing", she can "sang!"
6/1/03 Fasten your seatbelt… driving with
Kat
Can't believe it's June. I love the heat. It's good to peel off the layers.
Spending more time in Los Angeles lately-good to be in one place for a while!
I have a lot of friends who are getting married this summer. Actually, I only
have two friends who are getting married-but that seems like a lot to me. Strange
to have any friends getting married! I am happy for them. This has been a weird
week- got my wallet stolen at Ralph's grocery store, got a ring stuck on my
finger (my finger was turning blue-how can it go on so easily and not come off?!),
hit a car, and on a different day, got hit by a car who then left the scene
of the accident. A pedestrian got their license plate though-ha! And finally,
got pulled over and asked about my registration which I then realized had not
been renewed since 2001. Luckily for the latter, I had written down in my calendar
to get new license plates, etc and showed it to the police officer who then
let me go with a warning. So, moral of the story: if you are doing anything
illegal-write down in your calendar your plan to change it and maybe you'll
get let off. Other moral of the story: don't get in a car with me-I am living
on the edge.
3/31/03 Sibling Rivalry
I am writing from DC. I just performed last night in DC and so many people came
out despite the snow. I cannot believe it snowed in March! Cherry blossoms &
snow are a funny combination. It was so fun to play these last few shows with
Julie (mom) & Jon (brother) Parsons. Jon & I have come a long way. No
lack of love, but we always enjoyed torturing one another. Not too long ago
he was hitting me in the head with the middle seat belt and I was attempting
to push him out of moving vehicles....almost as bad as when I ran around after
him encouraging him to drink a cup full of what I was claiming to be apple juice.
Thankfully, he did not fall for it. I almost killed myself one time racing him
down a ski slope that was far too advanced for both of our skill levels. Never
mind the "no rental Skis" sign forbidding our entry onto the slope.
I am happy to say that I won (only because I fell and when he came to make sure
I was okay, I got up and skied away!) I am such a nice sister. Really all of
that was a very long time ago. Now we are both much more mature.
3/29/03 Freedom of speech
I am thankful to live in a country where I have rights. One of those rights
is Freedom of Speech. It is important to me to maintain that right and note
when it is being infringed upon. Recently, several country radio stations blackballed
Dixie Chicks for making an anti-George Bush statement. These same stations held
a monster truck rally, the feature of which was to drive over & smash Dixie
Chicks CDs and other paraphernalia. These radio stations are owned by Clear
Channel (company who owns most radio stations, many venues, and continues to
expand). Radio stations have the right to express their point of view, but when
one company owns all of the stations, it makes me worry that only one point
of view will be expressed. As heard on NPR, MTV has told its artist that they
will not air any videos that are anti-war/depict war in a negative way. I think
that this kind of infringement of the First Amendment is happening all over
the U.S. in such subtle ways, that it is hard to recognize. But perhaps you
disagree? The wonderful thing is that you can disagree with me and I promise
not to blackball you from my mailing list. :
3/10/03 Black Cat at the Camp Talent Show
My brother is back in the US after surgery in Singapore due to a surfing accident
in Bali. I am so glad. He likes to keep us on the edge of our seats. I love
his spontaneity and tried to imitate his lifestyle once and it cost me a lot
of money. Back to pre-planned Kat - though get me on a dance floor and I can
be very spontaneous. I am always up for performing the dance from "Flashdance"
and the choreography that my friend Hannah and I made up for "Black Cat"
(Janet Jackson) and "Cold Hearted Snake" (Paula Abdul). We performed
"Black Cat" at our camp talent show and I made Hannah crawl off the
stage in cat-like motion because I thought it was such a good idea considering
the song's subject matter. She did not agree.
2/18/03
I had a fun show at Genghis Cohen in LA-packed and they kept clapping for an
encore. My kind of crowd! People emailed me afterwards with lovely things to
say about my music, but I am most impressed with my jokes. I was so funny!!
If I do say so myself....Off to SXSW now...see you soon...
1/5/03 Sledding
I am sitting in an office in DC right now and it is snowing...thick white flakes
that make me want to grab a cafeteria tray and take a ride down the street which
I am facing. That would be fun...a little dangerous...I hate the reasonable
part in me that keeps me from riding a cafeteria tray in the afternoon traffic.
I suppose I should be thankful for that reason which is right now probably keeping
me from killing myself! I am going to sled today though. Maybe I will even build
a snow woman...my last snow woman was very successful. We used grapefruits for
her breasts and twigs for her hair. We 've got to get some female snow representation!
12/28/02 Making our parents proud
My brother is in India right now. He just went to a friend's wedding there.
During the ceremony, the bride has to walk a short distance from one point to
her groom, while the groom's family tries to impede her progress by dancing
in front of her. At this particular ceremony, it took her 3 and a half hours
to get to the groom. Another woman said it took her ten hours. I like that tradition,
though it would take me a black eye and broken arm...and I probably would not
be on the best of terms with the groom's family afterwards...
Then he goes back to Bali (Indonesia) for another few months. My parents are
so proud....two homeless, unemployed children.
11/22/02 Happy Birthday song
I celebrated my birthday this month. My favorite thing on my birthday (besides
eating ice cream and cake) is to be sung to. One of my most entertaining messages
this year was "Happy Birthday" sung to the tenor part of the Hallelujah
chorus. Coming in a close second was my dad, aunt, and grandfather's version
in three-part harmony. But the best, was friends who wrote their own original
Birthday song and sent it to me-it was so good, I thought it was Sheryl Crow
(literally) and I found out it was them weeks after!!
11/15/02 Guilt
I was thinking about guilt recently. Maybe it is not such a terrible thing after
all. I have done a lot of fun things because I was going to feel guilty if I
didn't.
11/2/02 Fight nor flight, more like sit down
and hide
There's nothing like the air of a good, crisp Fall. I went to a haunted house
last night with some friends. We were all a little disappointed when we arrived
in the parking lot of a strip mall. However, it ended up being very scary. I
was probably one of the more entertaining people to visit because I scare easily.
I bruised my knee from falling to the ground in an effort to avoid the chainsaw-clad
actors chasing after me. And I injured friends when I jumped onto them when
monsters jumped out from my periphery. I was really pleased with myself to know
that my first instinct when threatened with danger is neither fight nor flight,
but sit down and hide. That'll be really effective. I lost my shoe in the last
haunted house (and only other) I have gone in. Someone was chasing me up the
stairs, my shoe came off, and I would not go back for it. I wore lace-up sneakers
this time.
10/12/02 yard sales
I went running this morning which turned into a tour of yard sales all within
a few blocks of my apartment. What people will sell and what people will buy
is funny. I furnished my room for $25 from yard sales. Today I got these neat
Asian trays for $2.50...what a deal....how could I resist? (I couldn't.) I don't
think I'll ever use them.
9/22/02 Opening for Billy Corgan...sort of...
I had so much fun last week...in Chicago I happened upon an open mic hosted
by Billy Corgan under a pseudonym. During a break, a friend introduced me to
him and he invited me to play...I played his guitar which was tuned and prepared
with an assortment of straps and picks by his guitar tech...Billy played right
after me (could this be considered opening for Billy Corgan?). What fun it was
to meet and play the guitar of someone whose music I admire so much...and what
a nice guy.
Drove to Vincennes, IN for a college gig...it was a little further than I expected
and the gig was eventful, with the electricity flicking on and a tornado warning
in effect my entire set (and it wasn't just because my set was so rocking).
I am a little afraid of driving in "weather" (as they call it at the
airports) ever since I got my first used Toyota Corolla Station Wagon and totaled
it within 12 hours of owning it. It was a huge blizzard -tow trucks were in
ditches. I got my car at 9am in Maryland and totaled it at about 9pm in Fremont,
Ohio. I was stuck in Fremont for 2 days with my friend until another friend
came to pick us up (It was a level 3 snow warning and anyone driving on the
road was to be arrested).
9/02 The Funk Brothers...
I just saw "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" - a documentary film
about the Funk Brothers. The Funk Brothers are a group of incredible musicians
who created the Motown sound and had not, up until this point, been recognized
for their contributions to the life of music. They played on more hit tracks
than The Beatles, Elvis, Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys combined....My Girl,
Heat Wave, Heard it through the Grapevine, What becomes of the broken hearted
(which Joan Osbourne sang incredibly on the documentary as part of a reunion
concert), Aint no Mountain High Enough, etc. The musicians had such a bond-they
were family to each other and they played with such joy and hope. I was so moved
by the film - It reminds me how much I love music and people. Allan Slutsky,
the producer, was working to finish/fund this project for 11 years....what an
incredible story.
8/02 Nashville makes me throw up (no, I like
Nashville)
Glad to have the website up! I am looking forward to adding some new tracks/songs
that I have been working on to the site. I am writing from Chicago. I just saw
Wilco last night at The Riviera. I enjoyed the show but for the broken air conditioner.
It was warm to say the least. Since my last entry I have been traveling a lot-
got to see my brother graduate, my friend get married, friends in Nashville
(where I did the Gibson shoot), shows back East and in between, and recording.
I had fun last weekend with mom & Tom in NYC...the show as usual was great,
I got to debut my new song on piano and competed with Tom on who could hit the
highest note on "It Hurt So Bad"...I think I won...however, the higher
up it went, the less musical it was. We had interesting social work conversations
on the drive up as to the actual equality between men & women's salaries
and what it's like to be a woman in the music business...where looks are often
swapped for talent (in both cases, but more exploited in the woman's realm)...and
where as a woman, it is hard to get taken seriously as a musician. came back
to DC to play in my new favorite dc venue, Stacatto's and saw many old friends
and some new fans. whisked away to Nashville the next morning. I think I was
averaging 2 flights a week. I am an okay flyer, but I threw up on the plane
on the way to and from Nashville. Both different experiences. On the way there,
I was in the middle seat and grabbed the vomit bag in front of me while the
passengers on either side of me pretended not to notice. Finally I asked the
aisle seat to let me out. How can you not notice someone vomiting next to you?
On the return trip, the woman next to me was fanning me the entire time, telling
me to take deep breaths. Something about that town...every time I play there,
the venue closes down...
4/02 Too cynical for a vortex
I had a great drive out to LA from Chicago....but for a $900 stop to get the
clutch in my car replaced. I was stranded in Flagstaff AZ for two days....however
some good came out of it...ended up in the AZ Daily Sun and got to hike in Sedona-beautiful
Red Rocks. I searched far and wide for an energy vortex...(where you become
one with the Earth and realize what you were put on it to do)...maybe I am too
cynical to genuinely find one of those. Got to see the "Gateway to the
West" in St. Louis-even went up in one of the pods to see the view of St.
Louis from the top....not a recommended trip for the clausterphobic...the pods
feel like tiny space ships. Santa Fe, NV is beautiful. I have never felt so
awake as I did in Las Vegas... they pump oxygen into the casinos and the next
thing you know it is 5am and you are still feeling great and ready to play more
games! However, I learned that gambling is not my scene....maybe when I have
more money, it will be fun. I went with the express purpose of winning enough
money to buy a bed. Note: that doesn't work if you only know how to play slot
machines. I did get a bed though and finally have a place in LA. Even have a
pool in the middle of the complex! Like Melrose Place, but much cheaper! Traveled
to SXSW in Austin, TX which was great fun. Played in Chicago as part of IPO
(thanks to David Bash) - at Uncommon Ground, Schuba's, Beat Kitchen -met many
talented musicians and played with Johnse Holt on electronic percussion. And
of course had fun at the Neo-Futurists "30 Bands in 60 Minutes" at
The Metro where I played a 90 second version of "Chasing Me". That
was a short pursuit! Hope you are all well and enjoying your journey.....hope
to see you soon! Kat
12/01 How many curbs can Doug Hoekstra and
I hit while touring in Europe?
I had a wonderful time touring through Europe for the second time backing and
opening shows for Doug Hoekstra. We got lost in the Netherlands, Belgium, England,
Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and even accidentally happened into Germany.
We met tons of wonderful people who welcomed us into their homes, venues, and
hearts. I sold out of CDs in England. Doug did a wonderful job of driving on
the other side of the road, just barely making it into the double digits of
how many curbs he hit.
We experienced the 'gezellig' in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. Saw Beatles land and accidentally got a ride to Strawberry Fields (we were lost AGAIN) from someone who turned out to be John Lennon's school mate. Had our moments of glamour when the BBC sent a Mercedes to come pick us up from sound check in London, whisk us away to a broadcast, and then return us for the performance. Had our moments of not-so-glamour taking over 2 hours to get somewhere that should have only taken 30 minutes.... We kissed the blarney stone, were disinfected from foot in mouth, recorded in Limerick with Mark, saw the murals in Belfast (and got to drink from the largest glass known to man which they let me keep b/c I thought it was so cool - see below), got to play for a brownies troupe ( a group of 10 year old girls) who shrieked as I entered the room asking me if I was a popstar, to which I, of course, answered 'yes'. We saw tons of countryside and a fair amount of the cities (as we were usually lost for a while in them). Asked the same people for directions, took 3 weeks to figure out how to turn the back windshield wiper off, saw beautiful coastal towns and met tons of great people.....pictures to come.
8/01 Winning contests
This even surpasses the moment when I won second place in the Science Fair.
I was really annoyed because it meant I had to spend a Saturday at the County
Science Fair. I taped myself singing to plants to see if they grew more healthily
(don't ask me how I won 2nd place with such a dumb experiment). And someone
from my school stole the tapes- I am just waiting for them to resurface just
in time for my VH-1 Special.