jessalyn

I'm really into music, particularly reggae, ska, and rocksteady, and swing. I love to swing dance as well, but I'm still just a beginner (even though I have been one for over a year!). My favorite kinds of ska are Jamaican/traditional styles and sometimes a little but of twotone, but lately, I've been listening to more reggae and rocksteady. I'm also getting into some rockabilly and soul! And then there's my sick little obsession with the *cougheightiescough*. I got into the ska scene through third wave, but it's not really my cup of tea anymore. I enjoy going to a lot of shows, but there haven't been too many in my area lately. My favorite bands that I've seen this past year have been, no surprise, Hepcat, the Skatalites, the Cure, and most recently, Royal Crown Revue and Madness! I also enjoyed seeing the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Jump With Joey, See Spot, the Slackers and the Debonaires. A band I really like but haven't seen yet is No Doubt. Go ahead and criticize me, whatever, but I really love them. I'm partial to female singers, and I grew up in Anaheim. So there.

I'm currently working on a zine with one of my best friends Laurel. We call it Freedom Sounds, "the zine for the ska, reggae, and rocksteady scene." Hopefully, it will get done sometime this year (we're working on it right now!). It's going to include to some interviews with ska and reggae bands, some reviews, and basically whatever ramblings that we feel like including (we actually do know everything we're putting in it, but we'll let you be surprised). Also if you're interested in an ad, interview, whatever it may be, just let me know. For a long time I was working on a ska/swing/whatever zine I called Chicken Soop. But that was my little tutorial, I've moved on from that, but it'll be out anytime (during July actually). It's going to be free, so I'll send you a copy if you're interested.

Alright, some other stuff I'm into...I'm the editor of the opinion page of my school newspaper, I've really enjoyed doing that; I'm in drama, leadership (publicity commissioner), swing club (secretary!), and mock trial. I've always enjoyed acting, writing, and singing. Oh, and I'm also looking to start a traditional ska/skinhead reggae or swing band, so go ahead and email me if you're interested in that also.

I'm also very into the styles of the 40's and 50's (and I also like the 80's!), *sigh* If only I could sew, I would make all my own clothes. I like to wear vintage-style dresses, collared shirts, skirts, sweater vests, my Fred Perry, docs, and wingtips (mine are creepers), fishnets, velvet, and more. So, what else...I really like movies, but I don't have any particular favorites, because there are so many. Some of my very favorites include: Swingers, Say Anything, Pulp Fiction, Schindler's List, the Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, American Graffiti, Clueless, Swing Kids, Grosse Pointe Blank, Empire Records, The Harder They Come, The Craft, A Clockwork Orange. I know I'm forgetting at least 80 others. My favorite actors and actresses include John Cusack, Winona Ryder, Tom Hanks, John Travolta, Nicholas Cage, Drew Barrymore, Uma Thurman, Ethan Embry, Molly Ringwald (my friend this I look like her), and more.

I also enjoy reading. Ray Bradbury is my favorite science fiction writer. I got into him in 9th grade when we had to read The Martian Chronicles. I also like classic writers, and reading books about history. I have done a lot of studying about the Holocaust, it's something I've been interested in since I was very young. I don't think I had any family members that were greatly affected by it, but I think it's because it was just so horrible. (If you're interested, you might want to check out my page on Tolerance). There are some books I'm looking for, if any of you can help me. There's a really good book that my cousin read before, it was a theory about a government conspiracy to kill JFK. She said it was really convincing, and I'd really like to read it but she doesn't remember the name. And I'm also looking for some good books on women's studies and rights, etc. And one more, does anyone know where I can get The Two Tone Story by George Marshall? Recently I also got a new book called Fashions of the 1940's, if you're into that this one is really cool, it's a collection from Sears catalogues and shows a lot of insight. I also went to the library and borrowed this great book called Street Style. It's all about subcultures and the fashions. It's got everything from rudeboys to mods to goths to teddy boys to punk rockers to skinheads. This book is so excellent, I can't wait to buy it! Some other books I've read or acquired recently: Total Madness by George Marshall, Reggae, Rasta Revolution by Chris Potash, This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The Stranger by Albert Camus.

I enjoy a lot of "creative"-type stuff besides singing, acting, and writing. I'm not very good at drawing or painting in great detail, but I enjoy unusual art projects and collages. I've discovered my skill is arranging things OTHER people have made, but in a new and interesting way. Right now I'm working on creating some pots, lamps, picture frames painted in bright colors, with decorated "junk" all over them. It's really hard to explain what I do, but it's all very unique and fun. I've posted a couple pictures of my artwork here.

I haven't been watching much television lately because I've been so busy, and when I get home that's not something that usually interests me. But I really like the Drew Carey show, it's one of my favorites. I also like older TV shows, especially I Love Lucy and Happy Days. And South Park, my favorite new show!! "Kick ass!" MTV used to have a really good show called the State, but sadly it's not on anymore. I also like the old Twilight Zone, Sliders (before it went downhill), the X-Files, talk shows (especially, Jerry Springer, with the fighting!), Daria, the Jetsons, Saved by the Bell (the original, I've seen every episode 3 times!), the Wonder Years, the old 90210 (it's so unrealistic and overdramatic, so I'll admit to watching it), and Boy Meets World (Alex Desert from Hepcat was on this show!). I also loved this show that was on about 6 years ago, it was a 40's drama called Homefront, I wish it was still on! But, I guess that's it for TV.

I'm a person with many strong beliefs. I love it when I have can have an intelligent conversation with a person where we can question each other's beliefs and not become offended by it. Religion is one belief I'm not too sure on yet. I believe in some form of a higher power, whether we call it God, Allah, or Buddha. I'm studying eastern religions right now, particularly Taoism and Buddhism. I haven't found the particular religion that just grabs me yet, so I'm doing a little "faith shopping." Wicca is also interesting but it's not the religion for me either. Suggestions are welcome. I feel that while we all may have different religions than the next person, that does not make our religion any better. They actually have a lot of similarities if you look closely. To read a great story on the Buddhist view of other religions, click here. I also believe in ESP, or psychic powers, and parapsychology. You may disagree or even think I'm "weird," and that's fine. But I believe that each person has a soul, and that souls live on after we die. I also believe in supernatural beings like ghosts and angels. I know that's a very deep subject, so I won't get into it all here, but feel free to email me, I'd love to talk about it with you!

Take me to my home sweet home !