THREE FEET OF SNOW!

So.. here's the line-up for awesome weather way up nawth... or as my amazing Knoxvillian cousins say "almost Canada":

Thursday - Snow
Friday - Snow
Saturday - Snow
Sunday - Snow
Monday - Snow
Tuesday - SUNNY (kinda)
Wednesday - Snow
Thursday - Snow
Friday - SUNNY

All in all, we're supposed to get between one to three, get this.. FEET of snow!!!

I'm happy.  I know a lot of people don't like snow.  I have friends who complain about it.  It's cold, it's wet, you have to shovel it, etc. etc. etc....

However, I am a huge fan of snow.  Driving in it is kind of fun (NOTE: if you live in Maine, please learn to drive in snow.... it is not necessary to go 25 MPH on the interstate), and it's gorgeous afterward.  Everything just shuts down (hopefully not the power, but even so) and it just feels like the world is on pause and we can breathe. 

It's the best time to get some coffee (or tea, or coco, whatever you're into), a good book, and just cuddle up and relax.  Some of my favorite memories are of my family just reading in the living room with candles lit and the wind howling outside.  Cribbage tournaments and whole books read in one sitting and quietness and laughter.  Wow I just said 'and' a lot.

Side-note... I was hoping to film my SK6ERS music video... video out in the snow with my brother.  So, hopefully we can do that this weekend. 

<3

new year's goals

As of today, I have exactly 6 months before Sam & Emily's wedding.  If you don't know, Sam and Emily are two of my best friends and this is going to be the most amazing wedding ever.  I'm one of Em's bridesmaids, which means bachelorette parties, tons of fun, and also wearing a pretty dress :)

Now, this dress situation poses an issue.  I have been trying to get healthier and lose some weight for some time now (seems like forever), but I think this wedding may be the push I need to eat healthier and work out more.  This can't be a casual "I'm going to try to be healthier when I can" kind of thing.  I have got to be serious.  I'm going to be working at least 55 hours a week during tax season and it's going to be so easy to just want to sit on my butt and veg out when I get home.  I cannot let myself do this.

So... you my friends are going to have to keep me in line.  I'm basically talking to Kateland, but everyone else here too.  We're going a sort of "biggest loser" thing on HNet in January, so I know I have a support group there. 

My Wii Fit is going to be my savior though...

Okay... so specific goals (because, as my father always says: "if you don't set goals, how will you know when you've reached them?")

1. Sleep more: bedtime is 9:30pm 
1. Get up earlier (5:30am) and eat breakfast before work
   
2. Excercise EVERY DAY! 
1. Use the Wii at least one hour a day-get a routine set up
   
2. Go for walks outside when it's nice (preferably with mom)
3. Eat healthier
   
1. Bring lunch to work (and healthy snacks)
   
2. NO MORE SODA
   
3. Keep a food diary (I hate doing this FYI, but it's worked in the past, so I'll suck it up)
4. TAKE YOUR VITAMINS! (I always always always forget this)

 Ok... lets do this...

Project "get sexy" has commenced :)

the indispensable calvin and hobbes

Random addition for the day 
becauseitsmyblogandicandowhatiwant :) 

I stole the majority of these off this blog

Calvin & Hobbes Quotes:

As a math atheist, I should be excused from this.

Reality continues to ruin my life.

To make a bad day worse, spend it wishing for the impossible.

My only regret is blowing the best day of my life while I’m so young

Weekends don’t count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.

It’s psychosomatic. You need a lobotomy. I’ll get a saw.

“It seems like once people grow up, they have no idea what’s cool.”

In my opinion, we don’t devote nearly enough scientific research to finding a cure for jerks.

This one’s tricky. You have to use imaginary numbers, like eleventeen … 

I’m learning real skills that I can apply throughout the rest of my life … Procrastinating and rationalizing.

I’m not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information

 -------

Calvin : You can’t just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood.
Hobbes : What mood is that?
Calvin : Last-minute panic.

H : “What are you doing?”
C : “Being cool.”

H : “You look more like you’re bored.”
C : “The world bores you when you’re cool.”

C: We are a fierce and dirty band of cut-throat pirates! Keep a sharp lookout matey, we dont want any sissy girls on our ship!”
H: “We dont like girls???”
C: “Of course not dummy, we’re a murderous bunch of pirates, remember?”
H: “Who do we smooch then?”

“Today for show and tell I've brought a tiny marvel of nature: a single snowflake. I think we might all learn a lesson from how this utterly unique and exquisite crystal.. ..turns into an ordinary boring molecule of water just like every other one when you bring it in the classroom. And now. While the analogy sinks in. I’ll be leaving you drips and going outside.”
- Calvin and Hobbes

“Somewhere in communist Russia I’ll bet there’s a little boy who has never known anything but CENSORSHIP and OPPRESSION. But maybe he’s heard about AMERICA, and he dreams of living in this land of FREEDOM and OPPORTUNITY! Someday, I’d like to meet that little boy… AND TELL HIM THE AWFUL TRUTH ABOUT THIS PLACE!!”
“Calvin, be quiet and eat the stupid lima beans.”

--------

<3

Hey Now...

I've been listening to a lot of Something Corporate lately.  My friend says that it's depressing, but I don't think so.  I find hope in it (i can never ever get through a day without mistakenly quoting a hanson lyric....sigh...).  I recently watched the Jack's Mannequin documentary 'Dear Jack' which chronicles the lead singer of both band's, Andrew McMahon, battle with leukemia.  You should definitely watch this.  It's amazing.  


www.strikegently.com posted a link to the live stream of the film... click it :)
http://www.zshare.net/video/679490101f187cf5


In other news, Andrew (not McMahon... BeeBo) told me yesterday that he missed my vlogs.  YouTube was being very lame at the end of November and would not upload my videos, so I missed the last few days of vlogging every day in November for NaNoWriMo.  I should have something up this weekend though, and will link you when it's up.  
<3


Straw Dog -Something Corporate

and i just need to feel

and now, a two-day blog, because last night was awesome and today was boring

December 6th, 2009

Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers show day!!!!

     I went to church in the morning, I was still feeling pretty weird after the whole almost seeing Chris thing.  I'm kind of glad he wasn't there, but at the same time I wish I could have seen him.  It's just the whole first boyfriend thing... I don't know if I'll ever fully get over it, but I can try.  Either way, had a much needed talk with the Big Guy and felt a lot better.  

     I drove my brother to school and hung out with his roommates while I waited for Stephanie to get out of work (she works in his college's town).  She texted me and let me know she didn't feel well and wasn't going to come with.  

     So I went alone.  I wasn't upset, I actually had a really awesome time despite being at a venue I'd never been to before and being there alone.  I know it's kind of weird, but it seems that Hanson fans always have sort of a vibe around them.  I say this because I knew the 3 girls at the bar were Fansons the minute they walked in, and they're generally awesome people (especially when at shows--unless they're bitchy....which they weren't).

     So I made new friends and had an amazing night.  Small venues are amazing!  For the last song (before the encore) Stephen decided to bring the band into the crowd and play 'See You Later, See You Soon' which, though is not my absolute favorite Sk6ers song, has my favorite lyric.  I have this phrase on a sticky note at my desk at work, on a homemade Starbucks coffee mug, and on my white board at home.

Somewhere east of that solo and a little bit west of the bridge

was the singular kind of moment that you remember as long as you live.

Boots was also standing in front of me.... I think he's cute... I think it's the smile... I dunno.... 
:)

I had a smile on my face the entire time.  I have a favorite quote that seems to fit here... two quotes actually:

May you live all the days of your life -Jonathan Swift

If you smile when you're alone then you really mean it. -Andy Rooney

     Even though I was alone in the sense that I knew no one at the concert, I really felt like I was living.  I wasn't self-conscious (which is a big deal for me), I was just in the moment and experiencing something.  I wasn't taking pictures or anything, just being there, which was just perfect.And even though I wasn't technically alone, I wasn't smiling for anyone for me.  Sometimes you smile for other people.  Those smiles are different than when you smile when you're truly happy (like when you're alone).  It's the best kind of happiness when it's like that.

     After the show I literally ran into Stephen at the front of the venue, automatically asked "high-five?"   and he was like "yessss!"  High-fived me and gave me a huge hug, and we talked for a bit (he's super sweet).  He dragged me over to the merch table and said hi to the other guitar player (not Kit.. the other guy.. I forget his name).  I had a 2 hour drive home though... So I headed out.  

I'm not sure how I got home without falling asleep or going off the road.  It was scary

                                                                  Got home at 1am... woke up for work at 5:45am.....

December 7, 2009

I was tired... all day

Had a nice dinner with Nana though :)

I am going to sleep now :)

SUPER EXCITED TO WATCH THE GLEE FINALE AT A THEATER ON WEDNESDAY WITH BEEEEEBO!

<3

Song of the day: I have spread some love -Thieves and Villains  

and if you're looking for advice my dear...

I have been a complete fail today...


I misplaced my concert tickets for tonight (Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers)
I cannot for the life of me find my driver's license
My car is a mess
I am not hungover (yay!)... but still feel a bit off from going out with Stephy last night


Solutions to my failures...


-Called the ticket vendor and got my order switched to will call
-United States Passport :)
-Cleaning out my car as soon as I post this
-Making pasta and eating Italian Ice.... I think not eating anything yet today except for coffee is adding to my stress level and weird feeling.





{{  Break to eat  }}


i feel better now


<3


Father's Day -Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers

my life is just a something corporate song....

..and the world is singing along...

I'm feeling 'meh'

...Something Corporate is my go-to band when I am down.

I may see my ex tonight

I'm nervous

And sad

And a million other emotions....

I'm just going to sit here and address christmas cards and listen to SoCo on shuffle and pretend to not be anxious...

<3

Shake down you make me break

For goodness sake

I think I'm on the edge

Of something new with you

Shout out don't drown the sound

I'll drown you out

You'll never screan so loud

As I want to scream with you

Standing there with your smile blinding

Your eyes from seeing

My face as I'm dying

To figure out a girl

But she drifts so far away

I'm on her coast

So maybe I should stay

And map around your world

[Chorus]

So Don't Say

"These currents are still killing me"

And you can't explain

But the wind went and pulled me 

Into the hurricane

Stand up don't make a sound

Your ears might bleed

There are sweet flourescent enemies

That live inside me

The world moves faster than I knew

Not fast enough to not creep up on you

And the space we put between

So pull me under your weather patterns 

Your cold fronts and the rain don't matter

Becuase a sun burn's what I needed

[Chorus]

You don't do it on purpose 

But you make me shake

Now I count the hours 'til you wake

With your babies breath

Breathe symphonies

Come on sweet catastrophe

Well, maybe this time I can follow through 

I can feel complete

Stop paying dues

Stop the rain from falling

Keep my ocean calm

Lets Take Off And Fly...

Holly posted pictures as her Blog today, and I am obviously going to copy her (because it is a wonderful idea!)

So.... things that have happened this year so far that I will never ever forget:

Jeremy and me being awesome at the US Open in August

Saying hello to Michael Johns (also at the Open)

Front row at Hanson in October with Cindy...

I may have guilt tripped some girl into giving me my spot back, but hey, she didn't have to move

(and she did push me out of my spot in the first place).

Halloween was fun.. then not fun at all.. then fun again (and a little awkward)

:)

I wrote LOVE on my arm in November

www.twloha.com

...and had good times at The Academy Is... with Andrew and Brittany and Mr. Cuervo

<3

I seems that I have this awesome life where I get to go and do all these cool things.  Which is true, but only a recent development.  I decided when I graduated from school that I was no longer going to put off doing the things I wanted to do.  I'm single, I have a good job, and I'm basically happy.  So why put off doing things?  I have money, I save what I can, but while I'm young and single and have minimal responsibilities, I am taking advantage of my situation and doing what I want.

This is not to say that I am being selfish or anything, I just want to not stress out all the time and worry.  Right now music and my friends are a huge part of my life and who I am, so I'm going to enjoy them.

I'm going to 3 (well 4 if you count tonight) concerts in the next 7 days.

It's going to be awesome.

I will take tons of pictures.

<3

Promise the Stars -We The Kings

from the leaked 'smile kid' album (I love www.strikegently.com!!!!)

when there are clouds in the sky you'll get by

this song basically sums up how I feel right now...

I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand
not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand
Life is good today -'Toes' Zac Brown Band


Just had drinks with friends instead of being responsible and going to bed at a reasonable hour.

Makes me miss the old days when our group of friends hadn't been split into about 4 separate (very small) groups due to break-ups and arguments and general growing-up-ness.

Now my 2 best girlfriends from home are planning on moving away to the Carolinas in July... I don't know what I'm going to do.

Just enjoy the time we have now, because you really never know when someone will leave your life unexpectedly. I've lost good friends due to really stupid things and it is not fun. I'm very blessed with my friend group now (though most of them I don't see regularly) and it just feels so good to know that I have more than 5 people who I know would be there for me whenever I needed them. That's the kind of friend I have always been and it feels good to finally have that reciprocated.

I just spelled reciprocated correctly on the first try... so with that small victory, I will say goodnight

<3


Smile -Robert Downey Jr. Verson

I just smile...

I'm watching Glee / Sherlock Holmes is Hot / Not being able to sing today has been difficult

There.. got my random out of the way for today.


Since I've been sick lately, and still went to worship practice Tuesday, I'm not singing for the rest of the week and am trying to talk as little as possible. My voice was really shot after Tuesday and I have some high notes to hit on Sunday.

I always feel like these posts have to be profound, or flow well, or ...something.

However, today my brain is kind of all over the place. And I'm hungry. (see.. I can't even finish the though about not being able to stay on topic)

But there is excitement ahead! 2 more days of work until the weekend, then 2 days off and Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers on Sunday, 3 days of work and a 4 day vacation in Boston and New Hampshire, a Dashboard Confessional show and tons of tax-free shopping :)

I am beyond excited to get to Boston and NH again. Always fun times. Always good memories. I love a good road trip! :)

<3



Smile -Lily Allen

I'm looking now at pictures of us

Blog Every Day December!!!

Just so everyone isn't confused (because I may have some new readers this time around), My titles are usually song lyrics from a random song off my iTunes or something that's been on my mind lately. I'll include the title and artist at the end of the post.


Now down to business...

I really wish there was some sort of device that could record my thoughts. I do my best thinking while driving and really wish I could remember everything. I was driving home from tennis about 20 minutes ago and was writing this blog in my head. It was wonderful, and now I cannot remember a word of what I was going to write.

Driving is also my favorite place to listen to music. Yesterday I was meeting some friends for a pizza/game night/birthday party and was a half hour early. I could have gone in but instead drove 15 minutes past the house into basically the middle of nowhere just to finish listening to the new Matt Wertz live album (which is fantastic by the way).

Sometimes it's difficult for me to explain why music is so important to me. My friends here, who I see all the time, don't really get how music is such a huge part of who I am. A few do (they're also musicians, so that's probably why), but the majority just see music as expendable. I had a friend yesterday say to me that they never really listened to the lyrics of any songs. The beat was all that mattered and they didn't have a favorite band or musician or anything. It seemed like, to them, music was just something that existed and was expendable. At least that was what I got. I probably had a more adverse reaction that was required, but it's difficult for me to hear that the music and lyrics that I cherish are not really being heard.

Every day lyrics and music are going around in my head. Whether it's just humming a song, or remembering lyrics that help me get through my day. I'll hear someone say part of a chorus in normal conversation (for example -- i wrote this time around earlier... which sent that song rolling through my brain), or just have a song pop into my brain. Whatever it is, I can never ever get music out of my life.

I am so happy to be able to listen to, appreciate, play music, and sing. If I lost any of these abilities I would truly be heart broken.

Does anyone else feel like this?

<3 Hold It Up -The Rocket Summer