Katie's Epic Tale

One Day, I had A Visit from the Goon Squad

2011-08-04T21:18:00.000-04:00

So I’m finally done with summer classes and let me say, it feels wonderful!! Now I feel like I can finally keep up with this blog. I apologize for the sporadic posts, I’m going to try to be more on top of this! Since being done, I have been able to lounge in the pool and get a tan along with digging into my mile high stack of books that I want to read. I have read two novels recently that I haven’t been able to put down and they are wonderful.

Up first is One Day by David Nicholls. Let me just say that is one of the most interesting concepts I have ever read. The first chapter starts out on July 15^th of the year the two main characters, Emma and Dexter, are graduating from college then each chapter that follows takes place on July 15th of the following year. When I read the description I was really surprised on Nicholls would have the plot progress because missing a year, you miss a lot of the characters lives, but the way he wrote was perfect. I didn’t feel like I missed anything in their lives because he let history tie in with the current year without it being overwhelmed with every single detail of what happened. He also did a great job of letting you really connect with the characters by the end of the book, I felt like I knew them my whole life. I loved the story and the way it came together, but the ending angered me. I wasn’t angry in how it was written, just disappointed in the outcome of the characters because I loved them so much and wished the outcome happened differently. It is definitely a book I would pick up again just because it is written so well and has a great characters you really connect with and root for them to succeed.

The movie of One Day comes out August 19^th and I’m excited for it. I think it will be really interesting how they turn this different plot form into a movie. Plus Anne Hathaway is in it as Emma and I absolutely adore her. She is by far of one of my top ten favorite actresses and I think she will do a wonderful job of bringing Emma to life. Dexter is played by Jim Sturgess and I always enjoy his performances as well. I think they will make a really great Emma and Dexter and work well together, plus in the preview, it seems like they have the right chemistry that the two characters need to exist. I think my only hesitation about the film is that Emma is described as sort of this not so pretty type of girl, almost plain and I find Hathaway always so beautiful that I can’t picture her as plain girl, but we shall see how it turns out.

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan is the second book I read that I couldn’t put down. The amount of literary awards this book has won is amazing; everything from the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and 2010 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction to dozen of Best Book of the Year titles from many different newspapers and magazines. Egan spun a fantastic story that intertwines these characters who are so interesting and fascinating to read about. I love story lines like this where you are introduced to different characters and it isn’t until later on that it is revealed how they are all connected and this book is a perfect example of how that type of story line can weave a fascinating plot. I read a lot of this on the plane to NewYork City, on the subway in the city, and while on the train between NYC and New Jersey which shows how the good the book is because normally I’m just one for listening to music and sleeping while traveling, but I just wanted to keep reading because the characters in this novel just enthralled me with all their quirks and struggles in life. Plus the plot takes place mostly in NYC along with being heavily influenced by the music industry and how that industry is so fickle and quick to change. Egan wrote a great novel that should definitely be picked up a read as soon as you can get your hand on it and I know that it is one I will definitely be picking up to read again.

Sweet Conculsion to Sweet Valley!

2011-07-28T22:24:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, I ran a couple errands with my mom and ended up at Sam's Club. I always check out the books there because they are usually a good value. I can't really even describe the feeling that came over me when I saw Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Lately by Francine Pascal. A book that finally wraps up everything in the Sweet Valley world!

I've always been a reader and I grew up with the Sweet Valley books, actually I grew up with Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield. The first series of books I ever read were Sweet Valley Kids, then Sweet Valley Twins, then I progressed to Sweet Vally High and Sweet Valley Senior Year followed by Sweet Valley University. I remember that a couple books I kept rereading through high school were Jessica and Elizabeth's diaries. They even influenced my journal keeping and I filled up more journals during high school then any other time in my life.

Reading the books growing up, I always would wish I could live in Sweet Valley so I could be friends with the twins. Even more so, I wished I had a twin of my own!

The books helped me realize the type of girl I wanted to be: Loyal (like the twins to one another and to their own friends (and yes I know they had times of struggle with this, but they always realized what was important in the end)), Smart (like Elizabeth), Confident (like Jessica), Determined (like both the twins), and Happy (like both the twins (they had some rough patches but generally content with the life)). It's not like I sit here and say I'm the way I am today because of two fictional characters, but those two fictional characters were real to me, friends to me, and taught me about life through their experiences.

Seeing this book brought back a flood of memories of growing up and I was so excited to read it. I remember always wondering what would become of the twins when I would come across a Sweet Valley book tucked away in a old box and now I finally know.

It was an easy read, I read the entire book in a little over three hours, but it was an enjoyable read. I was finally back in the head of two of my favorite fictional characters and I loved it! In this book, the twins are now 27 years old and have a lot to figure out in life and between one another. I loved that the author, Francine Pascal (who I'm pretty sure up until this book I never saw a picture of but she is on the back cover flap of it!), kept her style of around true to the other Sweet Valley books by flip-flopping between Elizabeth and Jessica (and a few other characters here and there) throughout the book. Pascal threw in flashback moments to help better move the plot and they were well done too. The ending was perfect and I feel content knowing my favorite twins ended up in good places. I really like how Pascal wrote an epilogue and let all of us old school fans know what happened to the rest of the characters in our Sweet Vally universe.

I'm really happy I decided not to sit home and go run errands with my mom because who knows if I would have stumbled across this? I mean maybe eventually but with Border's closing I need to find a new bookstore to get my new book fix. As much I love Sam's Club's prices, I hope that's not my only choice because they carry very little books. And yes I know about online shopping, but I like to physically hold my books and shopping for books in a book store is so much nicer than clicking around online.

It's always hard to see something end that I have loved, but to see something end and have it end well is icing on a good cake. I think Francine Pascal ended the legacy of Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield well with Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years Later.

2011-07-27T22:20:00.001-04:00

Ever watch something...

2011-06-29T00:42:00.000-04:00

...and it just sticks in your mind?

I watched this video a few days ago and it has been on my mind ever since.

In less than a minute, I had chills. Halfway through, I was crying. When those three minutes were over, I was moved and completely still with awe.

This is an absolutely brilliant with this piece of poetry written and performed by Kavindu "Kavi" Ade.

This is what poetry is suppose to do!

It is suppose to move you. It is suppose to make you think. It is suppose to make you feel emotion. At least in my opinion, that is was poetry is suppose to be. It could be about a dog, the moon, an upset stomach, marriage equality or the death of your parent, but poetry should make you feel something!

I understand that some poetry is confusing and not everyone understand metaphors or the flow of it. I write poetry. Some I know is really silly, just me letting some emotion out of my mind while the other half of my poetry is really obscure. Each of my poems came from a different emotion or thought of mine and to the few people who have read some of my poetry, it has brought a different emotion to them. There is no right or wrong interpretation of a poem. It should affect everyone differently. It will draw out an emotion and could even make you uncomfortable. This poem does all of that.

Kavi's language is strong and filled with emotion that is so visual, it made me catch my breath. I found myself shortly into it just closing my eyes and listening because the words themselves are so powerful. I want people to watch the video and hear the words, but some of standout phrases from this poem that really affected me were:

"Is that a girl or a boy?"

"You aren't human here."

"It's got tits. IT. Because you aren't worthy of any other title. Days when girls will hate you for what you are, whatever you are. You aren't human here."

"Days when you have to carry your somber heart like a coffin."

"You. It. Your telltale breasts will never be one of those strong boys. You are far from Peter Pan, but learn to hold your back like a flagpole. It's all you got out there. There's no Neverland."

Those words are powerful words to read. Hearing them spoken out loud are just are powerful. But hearing them out of the poet's mouth with the emotion that is intended for them is what caught my breath. You feel the pain, the anguish, the uncomfortableness, the confusion and all the other emotions that Kavi felt which led to the creation of the poem that shows the struggle of the LGBTQA community.

I'm a strong believer in equality, but before equality can happen through acceptance, tolerance is needed. Hopefully this perfection in the form of poetry can help bring awareness to this need for tolerance, acceptance and equality.

If you haven't heard already...

2011-06-13T00:39:00.000-04:00

...Book of Mormon won the Tony for Best Musical this year!!!!!!

Book of Mormon won 8 other Tony Awards as well: Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Nikki M. James), Best Direction of a Musical, Best Orchestrations, Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Bst Lighting Design of a Musical, and Best Sound Design of a Musical. The show won 9 of the 14 nominations it had this year. It was also nominated in Best Performance of an Actor in a Musical (Josh Gad), Best Performance of an Actor in a Musical (Andrew Rannells), Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Rory O'Malley), Best Choreography, and Best Lighting Design of a Musical.

I had the privilege of seeing Book of Mormon in its 4th preview in the evening on February 26, 2011. It was perfect them. From the cast recording to reviews, it's perfect now. I plan on seeing it when come back to the city in August. I'm coming in to see the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibit at the MET and get my Broadway fix! I will see it again! I will! And I implore all of you to do them same! It's perfection. Absolute PERFECTION.

The Tonys were awesome this year with Neil Patrick Harris as the host and I really enjoyed the telecast. The only thing I would change is I wish that Andrew Rannells had one Best Performance of an Actor in a Musical. He deserved it completely. He is perfect in every way possible. Norbert Leo Butz won, who I adore as a Broadway actor, and I haven't seen Catch Me If You Can, so I am a little biased, but I wish Rannells would have won. I'm happy for Butz, but Rannells should have nabbed that one. But everything happens for a reason...

...I shall leave you with my favorite song from the musical, "I Believe," with Andrew Rannells singing it on the 2011 Tony Awards.

It's not a big surprise...

2011-05-06T00:10:00.000-04:00

...that I'm a fan of equality and equal rights for all humans no matter their race, gender, sexuality, or anything else they can be judged on. Two videos captured my attention today and I needed to pass them along.

First up is Representative Steve Simon's (DFL Hopkins/St. Louis Park) speech regarding a proposed Minnesota consitutional amendment.

It makes me proud to know that are are some government officials who are not afraid to actually say what they think.

The next video is actually an advertisement for Google Chrome.

First off, I have to give major props to Google for using this as an advertisement as many companies would not have.

I do not really have a lot to say regarding the two videos because in all honesty, they are perfection in themselves and say everything beautifully.

How many gays must God create before we accept that He wants them around?

It Gets Better.

Here comes the bunny...

2011-04-24T15:26:00.000-04:00

Hoppy Easter from Betty White & Me!

Voting ends tomorrow at 3pm!

2011-04-07T22:35:00.000-04:00

If you haven't taken a second, please do and vote for my entry in the Wonderland Broadway contest!

It ends tomorrow (Friday) at 3pm. Thanks so much!! Just follow these two steps!

Entry #4 in the contest.

Please click "Like"for Wonderland (http://www.facebook.com/WonderlandBway?sk=app_6009294086), then like my post (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=200881206612436&set=a.200881116612445.52036.156153684418522&theater) Thanks!!

If I win, I get to go to NYC with my best friend, get a makeover, walk the red carpet for a Broadway show, and see opening night of it! A dream for me!
Thanks so much!!! I really appreciate it! (Pass the word if you can!)
Katie

So you know those contests you enter but never really think anything will come of it?

2011-04-04T21:53:00.000-04:00

Well, I became a finalist.

I nominated my best friend from the womb, Jamie of Love & Butter and Making Electricity, for this Night in Wonderland contest. Now we are one of the top five entries and the winner receives two tickets to Opening Night of Wonderland on Broadway, two Opening Might party passes & The Red Carpet Ready Package for two at Michael Angelo’s Wonderland Beauty Parlor!

So if you could, vote us! Number 4!!!!!

Click here to vote!

Like #4. Thanks so much!!!

Sucker Punch(ed) and I liked it.

2011-03-26T02:34:00.001-04:00

"You will be unprepared."

And I totally was. It's been awhile since a movie has blown me away. And tonight, this did it:

Sucker Punch was, no joke, from the first frame to the last, I was in complete awe. Every aspect I adored. I went with the Wifey, one of my great girlfriends, and the Brother to see it. They all agreed about how fantastic it was too! It had the twisty, unexpected plot that I love in movies. I did not expect what happen, to happen. I know a lot of the reviews said the movie wasn't that great, but I disagree. It was all that a movie should be. It took you to another place, an imaginary place, let your mind roll and just ingest it all and leave with a feeling of wonderment.

"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

The casting was absolutely perfect:

Emily Browning was absolutely fantastic. I think the reason I enjoyed her so much is that even without having a ton of dialogue, she acted and she brought across such emotion. Especially within her eyes. They were just stunning and filled with emotion in the entire movie. She made me want to never give up and fight for what I want. She was a fabulous choice for Babydoll.

Vanessa Hudgens, my you have grown. From sweet little Gabrielle in High School Musical to a bad-ass fighting hot girl. There really is no other way to describe her. She was great as Blondie and it was pretty sweet to see her play the total opposite of anything she has ever done.

On a total side note, I saw Beastly as well this week. It was fabulous. The perfect girly romance movie. My best friend, the Wifey, and I went. Perfect date night with your best friend. We laughed, cried, and absolutely loved it. Not mention a stellar cast of Hudgens, Neil Patrick Harris, Alex Pettyfer, and Mary-Kate Olsen. Plus it has a stellar soundtrack!

Carla Gugino, what to say about her. I not only feel she is one of most underrated actresses in the business, she is also one of the sexiest and beautiful actresses around. She's perfect as Madam Gorski, just absolutely perfect. From the accent to the acting to how she holds herself in the awesome costumes, she just perfect.

Jena Malone's character of Rocket was actually my favorite character in the film. She just is one of those characters you love. It was originally reported that Evan Rachel Wood was going to portray Rocket, but I really glad that she had scheduling conflicts and couldn't do it. I am a big fan of Wood, but Malone is just fantastic in this role. She nails it to the wall. She creates a character that you connect with, fall in love with, and root for until the end. Malone as Rocket is a beautiful thing.

I have never actually seen Abbie Cornish in a role before and I can say that I will be looking into watching her previous and up-coming movies. She's great. She makes you love her character, hate her character, love her character again, but keep rooting for her throughout the film. She's also very captivating on screen. I just felt like I need to keep watching her in case I'd miss something. Her Sweet Pea isn't so sweet, but she makes you realize why and you like her for it.

Do you remember Jamie Chung? I kept thinking she looked familiar. Then I wikipedia-ed her when I came home after the movie. Hello Jamie from Real World: San Diego! That was one of the only Real World seasons I watched in full besides the original Las Vegas one. She actually was enjoyable in this movie. Her character was really pure and she portrayed that well. Now whether that was good acting or just her being herself, we will have to wait and see for her next movie (The Hangover 2 and Premium Rush are her next upcoming films). I liked her and looking forward to see how she grows as an actress. Also I would just like to state, it's nice to see a reality tv star actually work, not just make money because they are a so called star. I also got to meet her when I was in Mexico a few years back and she's super nice. I like when nice people get good things in life.

The other cast members (Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm, Scott Glenn, etc.) were great too. The film was casted very well. The cast also worked well together. I like when that happens. Some films you can just tell there is something missing between the cast. In Sucker Punch, there wasn't any dynamic between cast missing.

The film was just visually really appealing as well. The cinematography was awesome. So many different and beautiful angles. I really feel I need to go back and see it again because I know there is so much I missed!

And the action sequences were incredible! Seriously the stunts and everything that was done just blew my mind. The editing that had to be done to achieve them must have taken forever, but it was well worth it if it did because it was incredible action sequences!

The coloring of the film was another stand out aspect that I loved. It was just so visaully appealing. The colors just came at you and drew you into the film. They made you forget you were watching and you just absorbed every moment.

Every scene was colored differently, making each one specific and special. They did a really good job of that with the separate colors. It really made every scene stand out, but then again come together as a whole.

Oh the costumes. I can't even justify how good they are on here since most of them I can't find on the internet yet. Fabulous costumes! Especially for anyone interested in fashion. They just are incredible and bring so much to the story. Not mention they are totally sexy and hot. I'm pretty sure I will be one these girls for Halloween this year. They are too good to pass up not to be one!

Vanessa looks incredible here. I just needed to post this because of that. She was fierce in the film. I think I liked her costumes the best. So far Blondie is winning as my choice to Halloween...

This is my favorite still from the film that I have found on online. I think because I just really liked this scene so much so I find this picture perfect.

And I almost forgot one of the best parts!!

The music! How could I almost do that?? It honestly was on of the most integral parts of the film. It was just fantastic. Every song had a meaning and worked perfectly the film. I downloaded the soundtrack and have been listening to it ever since I saw the movie. It just brings you back to the film and they just nail it with the new renditions of old songs. My favorites definitely are "Sweet Dreams," "White Rabbit," and "Where is My Mind." Not to mention Emily Browning actually sings a couple songs. Her voice is hauntingly beautiful and a perfect fit on them.

If you can't tell, I really liked the film. I just feel it does what a film should do: transport you to another place and make you forget reality. This is definitely a film I will be adding to my collection and I know I will watch again. It has everything I love: fantastic music, amazing costumes, crazy good action sequences, a cast that works well together, and an interesting twisty storyline.

“If you do not dance, you have no purpose… and we don't keep things here that have no purpose. You see your fight for survival, starts right now. You don’t want to be judged? You wont be. You don’t think you’re strong enough? You are. You’re afraid? Don’t be. You have all the weapons you need. Now fight!”

I need some studs in my life.

2011-03-11T01:01:00.001-05:00

Some Burberry Prorsum studs that is.


http://www.rachelzoe.com/burberry-prorsum-studded-shoulder-trench

I love getting Rachel Zoe's fashion newsletter, The Zoe Report, emailed to me everyday and it is where I first saw this coat. The studded trench is from Burberry Prorsum's Spring 2011 collection and I am just in love with it in every way! Honestly, how can you not be?

Neiman Marcus

The classic cut with the flare of studs on the collar and arms just make its. It's perfect. It really does not matter what angle you look at it.

The trench is a statement in itself and, in my opinion, does not need much in the accessory department. The shiny, gold studs are enough of a statement alone.

While I love Emma Watson from the Harry Potter films (and her interviews, she just a smart girl!), and I'm super jealous she owns this trench, she definitely over accessorized with the studded bag.

She has such a cute pixie Edie Sedgwick-esque hairstyle that looks fabulous with the coat, but the bag is just a little too much.

Super stylish bag + super stylish coat = too much. One or the other would be perfect!

http://www.net-a-porter.com

Burberry Prorsum also makes a shorted version of the trench
which is super cute as well. I love how they switched up the belt and arm details and made it darker. It really gives it a whole new look.

I would love either one these or both of them!

Not to mention that one of my favorite people, Miley Cyrus, looks absolutely amazing in a Marie Claire photoshoot wearing the shorter version of the trench.

This is just an absolutely stunning photograph and I adore everything about it!

I just really like the composition of it. It's not a typical pretty picture. It just seems like a real photograph, like the photo taken between the ones they were expecting.

So I'm back and still in love...

2011-03-08T20:23:00.001-05:00

...these boots:

These fabulous boots are by designer Brain Atwood called the 'RZ boot' in honor of fashion stylist extraordinaire Rachel Zoe. I'm in love, IN LOVE with them. Because of their popularity, Atwood made them into more colors for his resort line:

That's Mr. Atwood with his boots. I know I'm a little late to the game and these were last years boots, but I can't help it. I just love them. LOVE THEM. And they are on sale at Neiman Marcus right now. Originally $2,900.00 reduced to $1,305.00. Anyone who wants to buy me a pair is more than welcome! 7.5 please ;)

And to show these boots in style on a celebrity I love, here is Mrs. Victoria Beckham sporting the fabulous boots making her look classy as always:

April showers bring...

2010-04-04T01:47:00.000-04:00

... new photographs! :) I played around with my mom's Nikon D60 (oh how I want one of my own!) today outside after a rain storm. I got some great shots of Coney and some pretty outdoor ones. I'm happy with how they turned out. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Check out the rest of the shots at my flickr!

Happy Spring!

Abandoned Amusement Park Photographs? Yes Please!

2010-03-20T23:35:00.001-04:00

I've always had an interest in abandon buildings, but after viewing this article of Uber Creepy Tour, I need to find an abandoned amusement park to go and photograph!

Photo Credits: Brynne Photography, Eric Paul

See what I mean about the photography that can be captured at an abandoned amusement park? Stunning. These photographs were taken at Six Flags in New Orleans, Louisiana which was another victim of Hurricane Katrina. The park has yet to be reopened because of the damage that was done to from the hurricane. I have to say that if I had hear it has been reopened I would be mad because the last thing that needs to be open in New Orleans is an amusement park with all the other places that people actually need to restart their lives there. But that's another story for another time, now back to eerie and stunning photography.

From the article, this is my favorite photograph:

Photo Credit: Brynne Photography

I love the creepiness of the jester and how scary it looks from the faded color and detioriating figure.

My other favorite shot is this one:

Photo Credit: Brynne Photography

First off ride looks sweet! The second aspect I love about this photograph is the silence of it. With the coaster being so still and no people around, the silence that emits from the photograph is deafening.

My two favorite photographs and some of the photos in the first collage are from Brynne Photography. I have to say another reason I'm happy I found this article is I discovered this photographer. She's great, especially her abandon buildings photographs. She also takes great animal shots.

Detroit has a lot of abandoned buildings. I'm hoping to check some of them out (not by myself of course!) this summer. So look for some of my photography soon!

One last shot from the article:

Photo Credit: Brynne Photography

Definitely check out this article for facts and more pictures and take a look at the other odd things at WebUrbanist. You can stumble across some great art!

Award?!

2010-03-20T17:23:00.000-04:00

Well this is an exciting moment, I just got my first Blogger Award! Yay! My fierce friend Rose (and sorority sister!) has a fantastic blog: Spirit Phoenix: The Fire Deep Within and she gave me the award. Thanks Rose! Yay!

Yay! I'm beautiful! ;) But alas, like most things in life there are rules that go along with this award. I'm cool with them though.

Rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

Seven Things About Me...
(sung to the tune of Miley Cyrus's "7 Things I Hate About You" hehehe)

1) I have a bleeding heart for animals, any and all kinds, but especially cute, soft, and furry ones. Here's the confession: I can't stand watching animals being hurt, killed, or implied of the previous mentioned on television or film. I have an easier time watching people get hurt or killed than animals. I realized I had a problem when I saw Beethoven in theatres with my family when it was released in 1992. It was the part when the bad guy was coming toward Beethoven with the shot to hurt him and I just start sobbing in the theatre and I remember my family just looking at me because I was the only person crying, crying very hard at that. It has just grown from there. For example, I love the Twilight movie, but I still can't stand to watch the first few minutes when they just show the dear and talk about being a predator.

How could you not love him?

2) Scrapbooking makes really happy, but I feel I'm too much of perfectionist. It takes me so long to do a page. I really hope one day to have a nook in my own place devoted to it that I can leave it out and come and go and work on it as I please. I'm still not done with my sorority scrapbook and I'm now alumnae. The original goal was to complete as things happen, but you know I didn't. I will. Someday soon. I think part of the problem is I take too many pictures as well, but we all know that won't change.

3) I'm addicted to grande Iced Green Tea Lemonades with five packets of Sugar in the Raw from Starbucks. I love them. And even though I shouldn't eat them because of all the gluten in them, I sometimes cheat and eat Vanilla Bean Cupcakes. The frosting is to die for! Mmm...

Photo from jellybeanjill13's Flickr

4) I always say that for a year I'm going to keep track of all the movies I watch, but something happens and I forget. This year I've actually been keeping track. As of today I have watched thirty films, the first being Donnie Darko and the most recent being She's All That. My favorite so far is a toss up between Alice in Wonderland, Taking Woodstock, and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. I've discussed Alice enough so I won't here. I loved Woodstock just because it's my favorite era, has a great cast, directed by Ang Lee (one of my favorite directors!) and it was a new look into the crazy epicness of Woodstock. Miss Pettigrew is just a fantastic film. The cast, the plot, and the costumes are fabulous! My least favorite is According to Greta (also known as Greta) so far. It just didn't live up to what it could have been because it built up and up and then just ended. It could have been a lot better. At the end of the year, I'll write my complete list with my final picks for favorite and least favorite.

5) Since sixth grade I have kept a hand written journal. It is what got me started in to writing. I have a bookshelf full of them now. Not quite sure what I will do with them exactly, but I enjoy having them and my life written in my hand writing.

6) Weird fact: I hate sleeping pants or shorts. I mean if I'm staying somewhere I will out of courtesy of the other person, but I sleep much better in a shirt and my underwear. I just hate how pants get all twisted. Although I live in pajama and sweat pants. As soon as I get home I lounge in them.

7) Another odd fact: I'm always sit Indian style. I'm sorry I should be more politically correct since my mom says people don't use that term in schools anymore, they call it criss cross applesauce.

Photo Taken by Liz of Octopi-Arts <3 her!

Here I am watching Nobody & the Dead Men perform a house show. That's my favorite way to sit.

Ps- Check out Nobody & the Dead Men! They are fabulous! :)

And now I shall pass on the award:

1) Jamie @ Making Electricity - I love the little insights to her life and her fabulous photography!

2) Jamie @ Baked with Love & Butter - (I couldn't just choose one of hers!) She's a fabulous chef and there is even more of her photography!

3) Meg @ My Semi-Average Life - I love her honesty in her posts. She's completely real.

4) Rose @ Spirit Phoenix: The Fire Deep Within - I had to give her the award as well because ever since I found out she had a blog, I've loved it. She posts about everything and anything in her life like me and I really enjoy her insights. Plus she makes me want to be a better blogger since she posts almost every day!

5) Antonio @ The Singular - He blogs about two of my favorite things: photography and fashion! Plus he's uses Polaroids which is are just fabulous of the shots he gets.

6) Jane @ Sea of Shoes - Jealous of her life. She's a fabulous photographer with great vintage taste!

Hmm, I'm surprised to realize I really don't follow many blogs. I mean there a couple I check sparactically and some of actors, but I feel that by nominating them is almost just trying to get them acknowledge me and I don't want to be that fan haha. I just like that they post and share when they don't have to. The ones above I follow regualrly. So I guess I have another goal for this year. Find more interesting blogs to follow and interact with.

Thanks again Rose for my first blogger award! :)

Ahh!! Inflatable Bag Monsters take over NYC!

2010-03-18T23:13:00.000-04:00

My fabulous friend Meg, who blogs at My Semi-Average Life, posted this lovely video to her facebook today. This video has art, monsters, creativity, and New York City - some of my favorite things!

My favorite had to be the polar bear. So cute! I have also have a soft spot for the giraffe as well. Which one did you like?

I love artists who take something completely random such as plastic garbage bags and do amazing things with it. It is just so inspiring. It's a good feeling to know that art can still be new and innovative in this day in age without the use of modern technology.

“I try to believe in six impossible things before breakfast each day.”

2010-03-17T01:08:00.003-04:00

A line from the new film, Alice in Wonderland, that Alice says that her father had said to her. She then decides to follow that advice later in the film. Instead of discussing six impossible things I believe, I’m going to write about the six fantastic things from the film that made me find it even more enjoyable then I expected it to be.

#1: The Plot
To be honest, the plot had to be the aspect that worried me the most about the film. I just wasn’t particularly sold that the idea of Alice revisiting Wonderland years after her first visit would be as entertaining as her visiting there as a child. I actually think that I enjoyed Alice being older in Wonderland because it gave a new perspective to the Wonderland world. Plus, not to give anything important away, she would never have been to able to complete the task at had she been the young age from the original story. I would write more about the plot, but I really don’t want to give anything away to anyone who reads this before they see it. Since I didn’t know much about the plot besides it being in the future, I really liked seeing it unfold before.

#2: Wonderland
Or should I call it by its proper name of Underworld? It was Alice who deemed it Wonderland when she first visited not knowing it had a proper name. I know that most of the set was done digitally and they filmed using a green screen, but it was wonderfully done. Now I saw the movie in Real 3D which made it an even more surreal experience, but I feel that no matter how it is viewed (and when I go see it regular, I will confirm if I still agree with this) it is a wonderfully created. There is not a detail overlooked down to the little flowers in the outdoors. It’s beautifully done. There is so much to see that I feel like I wasn’t able to see it all which makes me want to see it again!

#3: The Cheshire Cat

From the original novels (and even the Disney film), the Cheshire Cat has been one of my favorite characters. In this film, the Cheshire Cat progressed to become even more of an amazing character than he already was. His original demeanor and personality was still there, but in way he has grown. I’m not sure how exactly to describe what he has grown into, but I guess you could say he has become more whole. We see more than just a single side and emotion from him in this version and I really like it. I want to discuss my favorite part involving the Cheshire Cat, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers for people who haven’t seen the movie yet. When the DVD is released, I’ll discuss it. **insert Cheshire grin here**

#4: The Cast
I am completely enamored by the entire cast of the film. I really think that every character was cast perfectly and that each actor and actress brought their very best interpretation to the table. Always a fan of Johnny Depp, his portrayal of the Mad Hatter was brilliant. He truly let the madness overtake him. The lisp he used for the Hatter’s voice was a perfect quirk to his character. Helena Bonham Carter I have yet to see her in a role I don’t like. She really engulfs and becomes the Red Queen. Now the White Queen, Anne Hathaway who portrays her pure and magnificently. Carter and her do each of their queens superbly opposite of one another and each Queen comes out in a lovely perfection. Mia Wasikowska is the lucky actress who was casted as Alice. She is a breathe of reality in this film. I really love her as Alice. She has the innocence and purity of the young Alice we know from the books, but the grown up sense of her age. Her curiosity and courage come through at the right moments in the film. In my opinion there is no question that Mia is Alice. Another reason I love the cast is they make pale beautiful with all their milky white skin. Makes me feel pretty as my pale self!

Honorable mention #4: Tim Burton
It’s widely known that I’m a huge Tim Burton fan and he did not let me down with his version of Alice in Wonderland. His interpretation of Alice, thirteen years in the future, is wonderful, creative and witty. He brought his typical Burton-esque elements to the film. Of course I can’t discuss them since it would spoil it all for you who haven’t seen it (get on that! when the DVD comes out, I’m discussing no holds barred). You can though look for one of my favorite Burton infused moments, it’s the last time you see the Mad Hatter in the film.

#5: The Music
Danny Elfman composed the score to the film. He has collaborated on previous films with Burton and the two of them working together make a pretty good team. Once again I feel that they nailed it with this film. Here I go talking about the Cheshire Cat, but the track titled appropriately “The Cheshire Cat” suits him perfectly. Elfman does a really good job composing songs that fit characters well. He also makes music that the plot moves along easily to and draws you in further than just viewing the magnificent film that Burton directed. I think my favorite song from the movie was the very last one, “Alice Reprise #5,” because it was the perfect piece for the end of the film.

In addition to the film another compilation of music has been released called Almost Alice and if a collection of different artists who have wrote songs inspired by the film. I’m pretty sure this is an album I want to get my hands on. Music (one of my favorite things) inspired by this film (another one of my favorite things) sounds like the perfect music experience for me!

#6: The Costumes
I was absolutely blown away by the costumes in this film. Blown away. Colleen Atwood was the costume designer on the film. Along with Alice, the Oscar award winning designer has worked on films such as Nine, Public Enemies, Chicago, Planet of the Apes (2001), Sleepy Hollow, Silence of the Lambs, Mars Attacks, Little Women and Edward Scissorhands just to list some and there are so many more I could name. Those films have had great costumes and this one if no exception. Every piece of clothing, especially the dresses, were absolutely stunning in this film especially Alice’s. I cannot tell you how much I loved every single dress that Alice wore in Wonderland. They were fabulous, flattering and so unbelievably creative. Just stunning. Unfortunately I have yet to find pictures of any of the dresses she wore in Wonderland besides this one when she first arrives:

Gorgeous. If this dress or the others were in stores, I would be first in line to buy them.

Well that’s my six and a half things of what I loved about Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, but don’t just trust my judgment, go fall down the rabbit hole for yourself!

Hurry before it's too late!

I'm determined to go to this:

2010-03-16T01:22:00.002-04:00

She's done it once again....

2010-03-12T00:23:00.004-05:00

Lady Gaga premiered her new music video tonight, "Telephone" featuring Beyonce. It's nothing short of amazing which is what I have come to expect from the great Gaga. This 9 1/2 minute video, well worth your time, is another masterpiece by her. The idea, the costumes, the chroegrpaphy, everything is just stunning. For example a few screen caps courtesy of MTV:

Now it is widely known I'm not a fan of cigarettes, but the smoking glasses is something I have never seen before and a clever idea. Plus she just looks super hot in the black cocktail dress and chains!

I love her choreography. She's always amazing. This video had two stand out moments of it. This particular scene above towards the end of the video and the jail cell dance. The dance she did in the jail is my new goal to learn. Loved it! Not to self: buy American Flag bandanna. If it works for Shawn White and Lady Gaga, it should work for me too!

This is my favorite look from the video. A couple years ago one of the Olsen twins was in a fashion magainze and did the same thing with pop cans in their hair. I love the idea of that. It's not practical, but for photography and video it makes a cool effect. Also, whoever would like to purchase a jacket like that more me will be my favorite person! Just saying...

Finally now onto the video:

Gaga - you astound me. I bow down to your greatness. I bow down.

One of the Best Quotes in Televion History:

2010-03-03T20:31:00.001-05:00

"Ok, here it is. Your choice, it's simple, her or me. And I'm sure she's really great. But Derek, I love you. In a really, really big, pretend to like your taste in music, let you eat the last piece of cheesecake, hold a radio over my head outside your window, unfortunate way that makes me hate you, love you. So pick me. Choose me. Love me."

-Meredith Grey

Grey's Anatomy

Bring the Pain

Season 2, Episode 5

It's one of my absolute favorite speeches said by a character on a television show.

The Last Song

2010-02-18T23:57:00.001-05:00

Silence.

Sometimes I enjoy a good silence as much as I enjoy my life filled with music. After finishing The Last Song just now I laid with ice on my face thinking in contentment. This novel was the perfect novel tread before and after my surgery. It didn't require a lot of thought or strength, it was just a pleasant easy read that allowed me to focus on that instead of the post operation pain and soreness.

I have a love/hate relationship with the author Nicholas Sparks. Two of the novels of his that have been made into films, A Walk to Remember and The Notebook, are two of my favorite films. They are the perfect all out love-romantic-cry fest-girlie films which is also why I hate him. I hate him because both films make me cry, especially The Notebook, and I hate crying. I have only ever read one other book of his, A Walk to Remember, and I really enjoyed it. It is simple, emotional read that I have read several times.

In all honestly, I picked up The Last Song because I heard that Miley Cyrus is going to be in the movie version of it. After reading the inner flap on the hard cover edition, I decided to purchase it because it seemed like a good read. It was. I really liked how Sparks had different characters narrating each chapter as the story progressed, but I always like books that have more than one point of view of a character. I feel that it allows me to enjoy the book more because you can understand characters better and feel more connected to the story by being in their minds.

I have to say that up until he finally reveals why the book is called The Last Song, I had no idea. When I found out why, I was affected in the way that I think he meant for it to affect the reader. A friend of mine (Zach - if he ever writes in his blog) says Sparks' writing is very cry here, laugh here, emotion here and I definitely can see that even though I have only read two of his novels. I have to say sometimes it is nice just to have a good story to read and the emotions plainly out there. After dealing with the surgery, it was nice to read a good book and just let the story be told to me. I enjoy books that make me think, but sometimes it nice not to. The Last Song was perfect with its wit, charm, likable characters and good plot and made my post-operation pain bearable.

2010-02-17T01:35:00.001-05:00

It's funny how aspects of life stay with you. Take for instance books in mine. Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn has been in my life a long time. One day back in tenth grade, I asked my English teacher if she could recommend a book to me. That's when she loaned me her copy of Tree. I remember thinking it was rather a large book compared to a lot of the books I had read at that time, but I was eager to read it because I really looked up to that teacher and respected her opinion. I was immediately enraptured by Francie Nolan and her world. It fascinated me that I could relate to the character with her love of reading, observation, and thought and her natural curiosity for life. Even though we were growing up miles apart and at different times, I felt I could easily relate to Francie. Unlike some books when you first start reading them, the characters are strangers to you and takes awhile to warm up to them, I felt Francie was immediately my friend. I couldn't set book the down. I wanted to absorb it. I'd lay reading it late into the night and when I finished it I remember feeling sad that it was over and I wouldn't see any of Francie’s life anymore, but content with the conclusion of the book. To this day I still remember the shiny smoothness of the cover with the loan tree on it and the wonderful heaviness it felt to read and hold it. Handing it back to my teacher I thanked her for letting me have that experience of reading it and told myself I would buy my own copy one day. Finally around ten years later I have. A different edition with a dull cover but with imprinted letters that you can feel the title with your fingers. I just finished reading the book for the second time and not the last in my lifetime and have fallen in love with Francie and her story all over again. I've stayed up reading the book and finishing it with an even better and more mature understanding of it. I feel that Smith wrote the character of Francie to be relatable at any age. What tied me strongly before to the book still does but the themes important this time are different from the last. New things stood out to me and I enjoyed remembering little details I forgotten. Plus this time I found myself understanding the character of Katie better and her reasons for way of being. This book is truly a classic and rightfully so. It has been on my favorite list since tenth grade and still is because while it's a book with great story to be told it's also a book about life’s lessons. Lessons that should be learned and relearned throughout life therefore Tree should be read and reread as ones life goes one. I plan on picking it up again, not sure when maybe one month, two years or another decade, but I look forward to revisiting Francie in Brooklyn again.

Goodbye to a Great One...

2010-02-12T19:16:00.003-05:00

Growing up I’ve heard my grandparents, parents and other older people in my life say “I remember when (insert famous person here) died. I was...” That is exactly how I felt yesterday. At 11:45am sitting in the waiting room at the doctors, my friend Meg texted me, “Alexander McQueen died!?” Stunned, I immediately texted her back “What?!?” She was in class and had just saw it on twitter, so I using my trusty iPhone to do what we all do when we want to find out something, I googled it. The news reports started to appear and gave me the news I was dreading: the amazingly and fiercely talented fashion designer, Lee Alexander McQueen, was dead.

As I stated in my previous post, this particular death of celebrity affects me more than others. In no means am I saying that some deaths are worth more than others. Death itself is just a hard aspect of life all together. The reason McQueen’s death affects me more is I’m a fashion person and one of my fashion influences and someone I looked up to is/was McQueen. Ever since he came across my radar way back when with his unique style, I’ve been a fan. He knows his way around clothing and tailors them to perfection. He designs are not just fashion, they are art.

I was very fortunate to have experienced McQueen in my life. One of my first trips to the lovely New York City with my fashion class, I attended the AngloMania: Tradition and Transgression in British Fashion Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. AngloMania was put on by the MET's Costume Institute and presented to show a selection of works by different British designers. Not only was it my first trip to the Met, it was my first real-life experience with a McQueen piece. Walking into the exhibit displayed solely on its own was the Union Jack jacket that McQueen designed for David Bowie who wore it on the over of his Earthling album tour of 1996-1997. The jacket is part of Bowie’s own collection that he loaned for the event, but it was awe inspiring to see one of his creations in person. It was beautiful. I remember just staring at it because it had this vintage look that I love and this amazing feel to it. That was my first time seeing a McQueen not in a magazine or on television and it was wonderful. I knew that no matter what I did, I wanted to aspire to be true to myself like McQueen was.

It’s just so sad to me to know that he is gone. I know he struggled, but he did great things and I just know he had many more great things left to go. He definitely took his life way before his time.

R.I.P. Lee Alexander McQueen 1969-2010

(McQueen & Gaga together. She sent this out on her twitter after he passed away)

2010-02-11T12:56:00.003-05:00

I just found out a little while ago about the passing of Alexander McQueen. I'm devastated by this more than I have been by recent celebrity deaths. I looked up to him and he was an inspiration. So sad, too soon and leaving way to much left to do.

The Grammy's Through My Eyes...

2010-02-01T01:24:00.002-05:00

**This was all wrote as I watched the pre-show & awards**

Pre-Show Red Carpet:

Lady Gaga strutting down the red carpet in Armani Prive. “I am honored to be wearing Armani this evening. The series of pieces Mr. Armani created for me are truly iconic; they represent not only beautiful fashion, but my spirit and essence as an artist,” she said in a statement.
She floors me. I love her. She’s amazing in every way possible and already a three Grammy winner tonight before the show even starts!

Katy Perry & Russell Brand are engaged and Katy revealed that she already knew about it because she at times googles herself and saw that Russell was shopping for rings. They are a cute couple and seem happy. Plus they look really good together.

Paramore has style. All the guys in cute suits or sweaters and Hayley Williams with her amazing red hair in a cute Nicole Miller number.

Beyonce looks flawless in Stephen Rolland. She is in a taupe/beige dress with these amazing details. Her earrings are huge! I hope they are hollow otherwise she will be in pain by the end of the night.

I like knowing that Slash still gets the ‘heebie jeebie’s’ whenever he goes on. He says he still gets nervous whether he is performing in front of two people or on the Grammy stage.

Carrie Underwood looks stunning in her dress. It’s perfectly tailored and cut for her. She really has the wow factor going on the red carpet.

Ke$ha is asked how life has changed for her now? “I can buy myself a taco now.” Haha, love down to earth people. I really like that she describes her style as ‘garbage can sheik’, but Nicolas Gebran dress and Steven Webster jewelry make her look anything but. She actually has a Native American vibe going on which she seems to make work.

Lea Michele. She looks good in black, not digging the feathers, but that’s a personal thing, just not a fan of feathers. I do like the over the shoulder look. Plus she is pretty and she knows it. Looks great with her natural hair and make-up. "I had an insane wardrobe malfunction today! I picked out this white dress...I stand by my window, and you could see through the entire thing,” she said to E! Thanks for sharing Lea, you’re going to give all the boys who like a crush on you from Glee heart attacks!

Colbie Calliat looks stunning in her gold dress by Nicolas Gebran. She looks absolutely glowing on the red carpet next to her father.

The Show:
The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards start off with a bang: Lady Gaga!! A crazy set with The Fame Factory and Gaga herself comes out of this egg in a fantastic sparkly green leotard thing with her signature big shoulders and wearing pink eye and face makeup, sparkly of course.

Her outfit is fierce. is She starts performing. She starts out with an awesome rendition of “Poker Face” only to be thrown in the rejection tube by her dancers. Give it a second, then this gate thing opens with a double sided grand piano with Gaga at one end and Sir Elton John at the other. GAGA AND SIR ELTON F-ING JOHN!!!!!!! My two worlds have collided and I’m in love. IN LOVE. My life is now complete. They start singing her song “Speechless” only to go into Sir Elton’s “Your Song.” Plus the piano was fierce with all the hands in the monster sign coming out of the top.

“How wonderful life is with Gaga in the world...”
“Thank you, love you, Sir Elton John...”

Stephen Colbert starts off the show wearing Brooks Brother, American-Made as he said. “None of that Italian Designer stuff.” “Ran into a Jonas brother backstage or one brother three times.” “You all may be the coolest people in the world but your industry was saved by a 48 year old cat woman with sensible shoes,” referring to Susan Boyle. And my favorite quote of the night from him: “Have a good time hunny, stay away from Katy Perry,” he told his daughter.

Song of the Year: I hope it’s Gaga’s “Poker Face.” You can’t deny that song, but “Single Ladies” was good as well and will give it a run for its money. Also “Use Somebody” was a stellar song on my playlist. And I just like Taylor Swift. Don’t know much about Maxwell though. AND it’s Beyonce. “Single Ladies” was a song for the year. Loved seeing Taylor Swift dancing to “Single Ladies” as the people to accept the award on behalf of Beyonce got on stage. She’s cute and you can tell she’s having fun tonight.

Speaking of Gaga: here she is in the audience with her dad --->

Green Day & the Cast of American Idiot: Rebecca from the cast opens “21 Guns” with the cast joining in. Her voice is stunning. LOVE how they all look.

Love Billie Joe taking over the second verse. OMG Green Day and the cast of American Idiot together is amazing!! Sounds so good. This is beautiful! I also LOVE Christina’s voice.

That performance was amazing! It was so cool seeing some of my Spring Awakening and Broadway faves on stage: John Gallagher Jr., Brian Charles Johnson, Gerard Canonico and Theo Stockman.

(Thanks to Liz for this screen shot!)

I’m not a fan of Kristen Bell’s dress. I feel it makes her look shorter than usual and she’s on the short side as it is. It just cuts her off. I’ve seen her in more flattering dresses.

Taylor Swift just won her third Grammy for country album. She looks stunning in her blue sparkly dress. She’s so cute. I really like her and the dress she wears is amazing. “I feel like I’m accepting the impossible dream right now.” I like both shots of her here because it's so different in each shot, but just as beautiful in each.

Beyonce has 10 Grammy nominations this year. Time for her performance. Starts in the audience marching with soldiers wearing a fierce short, black dress with metal studs and awesome shoes! She knows how to perform. Belting out “If I were a boy”. Was it necessary for her to grab her crotch and swagger as she sang “I’d be a better man?” I do love this outfit though. She looks flawless. Fierce boots and with sparkles. SHE’S DOING ALANIS. “You Oughta Know!” Amazing! Holy crap! Now she’s crazy dancing on her knees with head shaking. Great performance overall.

Pink’s performance: I love her voice. It’s unique. She’s fun. Her outfit is all white and sparkles, look very pretty, very demure. Now she has stripped down to a leotard with sparkly shoes. It looks cool she’s floating over the audience in a ribbon with other ribbon dancers. I’m impressed she can sing like that. Now she doused in water and spinning over the audience while still signing and doing acrobatic moves on the ribbon. This is fascinating to watch. She’s beautiful up there not the mention the song is too. Especially the spin at the end. Very artistic.

Miranda Lambert’s dress is pretty, but not flattering. I do love Keith Urban’s accent though.

Best New Artist: Who’s it going to be? I wish Gaga was eligible, but alas I hope the Tings... It’s the Zac Brown Band. They seem happy. Good for them. They look like grizzly bears, but nice ones. I kinda want to hug them.

Love Miley’s dress, hair, and jewelry, but her ‘tan’ and pale lips don’t look good at all.

LOVE how the Black Eyed Peas jump up the from below. the futuristic outfits are awesome. Will.I.Am.’s mask is very phantom of the oper-esque. Fergie’s outfit really emphasizes her bust, not a bad thing, but they look bigger than usual. I love the tights that Fergie has on because they have this sparkle detail that is sweet. And only Fergie could bring the visor back in style. I like that they used fans videos in the background. I saw you 50 Cent. And I’m enjoying the dancing speakers.

LOVE all the sparkles in everything this year. And everyone. 2010 the year of the sparkle! Yes!!

Jonas Brothers looking good. Joe has a 5 o’clock shadow. Love Nick’s bow tie!

Lady Antebellum. I like how the stage i set up with a scrim of a building. The song is pretty. Oh jeeze the scrim just fell on her head as it fell down! Poor girl. She played it off well. Her jacket is pretty. It sparkles too.

Comedy Album: Hope it’s Colbert. Although I love Kathy Griffen as well, but the fact that Spinal Tap made a comedy album about themselves is quite amazing. COLBERT! Love he has a secret handshake with is daughter. He’s funny. I like him.

Norah Jones looks beautiful. I feel like Ringo hasn’t aged at all and has looked like that forever. I really l like her short hair.

Record of the Year: GAGA please. Kings of Leon won. “Use Somebody: was a huge song this year. Props to Fergie for giving a standing ovation after losing the award. “Not going to lie we are a little drunk but we’re happy drunk.”

The most self important actor of his generation: Robert Downey, Jr. LOVE IT. “Thank god I’m here.” I love him. Introduces the opera: a guy then a girls sings, then Jamie Fox. LOVE IT such a catchy song “Blame it on the Alchohol.” T-Pain looks horrible. Jay-Z was all in to with Jamie but then T-Pain came out and he’s no longer bouncing as much as he was. Awww Jamie brought his sister onstage to dance with him. That’s so nice! Holy crap, there’s Slash! Almost thought that was a lost performance because of T-Pain, but bringing his sister and Slash on out redeemed it. But what did Jamie say to Jay-Z at the end?

Katy Perry & Alice Cooper: enough said. LOVE both of them.

Best Rock Album: Green Day or DMB. Toss up. I will be happy with either or anyone that isn’t U2. GREEN DAY!!! Love Mike Dirnt’s suit. They are fantastic people. I want to meet them one day. “And now I’m going to go have shots with Kings of Leon,” Billie Joe haha.

Zac Brown Band singing “America the Beautiful.” I enjoy their voices so far and their laid back set. Really like the harmonies on it. Now on stage with Leon Russell. I like Leon’s long white hair and beard with the white ten gallons hat and shades, you can just tell he’s a cool dude. Really like their patriotism. Need to check out their album. It seems like fun music. And they still look like big teddy bears to me. I’d like to hug them. Whoa! Crazy guitar playing and the end and loving the guy’s face as he does it!

Ryan Seacrest looks the same. He never changes. I hope I age like that.

Taylor Swift or the phenomenal Taylor Swift as Seacrest introduced her. She has an awesome guitar. Very laid back atmosphere of her set. Enjoying it. She has a cute little number on. Sweet! She’s singing with Stevie Nicks. This is an amazing duet! I really enjoy them both. Now Stevie is singing her song with her although it’s an odd version though. Awesome! Taylor has great eyes. She really accents her eyes well with make-up.

Lionel Ritchie is another one who hasn’t aged in awhile. And here comes the Michael Jackson tribute. Was the plug about the MJ movie necessary? No. And I don’t have 3d glasses! WTF? And what an odd group of people together: Celine Dion (in a sparkly dress, looking fantastic), Usher (hot as usual, hope he dances), Carrie Underwood (gorgeous!!!!!), Jennifer Hudson (love her) and Smokey Robinson (another one who hasn’t aged, still love his voice). Why don’t I have 3D glasses? I’d like to know that... The five of them plus Jackson’s voice is great. Love that Beyonce has 3D glasses in the audience but I don’t. Carrie Underwood looks amazing. This is the most gorgeous I’ve ever seen her. I really enjoy how this sounds and the end was nice with how they all looked up at MJ on the screen. His kids are gorgeous. Paris especially. She will be stunning when she grows up. I hope now that the Grammy’s are over and it’s been a year we can move past and let the MJ legacy live on and allow these kids to grow up how he wanted them to.

Sheryl Crow looks great. She’s wearing big earrings like Beyonce. Hope they are hollow too otherwise she’ll be in pain too. She’s another one who hasn’t aged much either.

Bon Jovi has peace signs on the screens in the back. I’m sold haha. I can’t believe in over twenty years they have never performed at he Grammy’s. I guess there is a first time for everything. Jennifer from Sugarland looks stunning in her leather corset catsuit type outfit. I love her voice. It’s so distinct and she sounds great with Bon Jovi. Yay! Fans picked song is ‘Livin’ On A Prayer.’ Love it!

Mos Def. Not only his name, his style too. Placido Domingo who would think could make a joke with Mos Def? But he did.

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: "Run This Town" please... YAY!!!!! Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kyane. So Jay-Z bringing his son to accept the award is awesome. “Because he’s wearing a tux and dunks.” Haha too cute. Rihanna is gorgeous, but I’m not a 100% sold on her dress. It’s pretty, but she could have went fiercer. She can pull off fierce.

What do you think? I think it's pretty, but I really think she should have went even fiercer.

Not going to lie, I miss The Fugees.

Andrea Bocchelli has a great voice. Mary J Blige’s dress is gorgeous, so is the bling she’s wearing. I like song, “like a bridge over troubled water....” They sound really good singing together. That was beautiful. And thank you Mary for remembering to walk Andrea off, remember when Will Smith and the Wild, Wild West company left Stevie Wonder on stage after their number?That wasn’t good. In contrast, this number was very good.

I love Adam Sandler. He looks great in his non fancy clothes.

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND. LOVE LOVE LOVE. “You & Me!” Anytime I watch live shows it brings memories of seeing DMB live and nothing tops that. It’s always a fun atmosphere that the music enrapts everyone and it’s just happiness.There’s a reason they have been together for 20 years and are still going strong..

HAHAHA Ricky Martin and Lea Michele what a pairing! She’s beautiful though, can’t ignore that. And he’s really tan, can’t ignore that either.

Female Pop Vocal Performance: I’d be cool with any wining. “Halo” by Beyonce wins. Her dress is sweet. It’s a new short one. Almost looks like it is made out of pop can tabs, but it’s gorgeous. She was nervous and sweet and thanked her husband (cute!). And another pair of big earrings! Her poor ears.

Is it weird that I know of Maxwell, but can honestly say I’ve never listened to him before? I like the rain lights in his set. Hmm, I should check into this music. I like his double-breasted tux he is wearing. Looks good. More men should wear that. Plus he gets to sing with Roberta Flack which is just plain cool. She is a lady who has aged well. She looks great in her black gown with sparkle accent on the cuffs and neck.

In Memorium: These always make me sad to see artists go whether it’s their time or not. I didn’t know Mary from Peter, Paul & Mary died. Sad. I listened to that growing up. DJ Am aka Adam Goldstein I saw him live once. He was pretty sweet. Co-founder of Wilco died, sad, I like Wilco. Les Paul, what a guitar legend he was.

Beck what a fantastic guitar player. Who’s the rockabilly girl singing? Love her style.

Quentin Tarintino a Grammy nominee? I know he creeps people out, but he’s pretty sweet at times, but seriously we can tell your wearing makeup and this is not one of the times. You sound like a creep.

Travis Barker on drums and Eminem, I’m sold. Let’s see if the rest will sell me. I do like the dripping beat. Eminem can I have your babies? Actually Travis yours too? Can I even put into words how much I love these two men? Love Lil Wayne’s t-shirt “listen to Lil’ Wayne.” Priceless. Um am I the only one who didn’t know Drake sang that song? Probably. Wow people grow up, totally remember when Drake was on Degrassi. I spent my 21st birthday watching Eminem in concert one of the best decisions I ever made. While I would enjoy Eminem and Travis Barker at the opera, I have to say if more than 50% of the song you are performing gets censored out, maybe you should pick a different song to do for the Grammy’s. Just saying.

Album of the Year: GAGA PLEASE. Although all the nominees are deserving, but please GAGA. And Taylor Swift gets it. I have to say that she is genuinely excited. She was shocked. I’m happy for her, but I really wish Gaga would have gotten it. Congrats though Taylor, you are so happy and thankful that I’m happy for you. But my friend (thanks Zach!) reminded me it’s not for The Fame Monster, it’s for The Fame so I actually would have been on team DMB or Beyonce. But I’m happy with Taylor winning. And just a side note: Santana totally wanted DMB.

Best Performance: Hands down Lady Gaga & Sir Elton John. Runners up is definitely Green Day & the Cast of American Idiot and Beyonce.

Best Dress: that’s a hard one. I need to think on that. Loved Gaga, but she’s in a category all her own. I really liked all of Beyonce’s outfits. And Taylor’s dress is beautiful. I'll have to think awhile, but here's Gaga, well just because she's Gaga.

What have we learned? 2010 is the year of the sparkle.

What do I still not have? 3D Glasses.

Fin.

New York, I Love You --> Detroit, I Love You?

2010-01-31T00:28:00.001-05:00

New York, I love you. I could say that everyday because I honestly do. I love New York, but I’m not writing about my passion for the city in the post. I just finished watching the film New York, I Love You. This movie followed the film Paris Je T’Aime and is considered the second episode of the “Cities of Love” project.

Instead of being one film shot by a single director, New York, I Love You is a collective work of eleven short films with each being about ten minutes long. The directors were Jiang Wen, Mira Nair, Shunji Iwai, Yvan Attal, Brett Ratner, Allen Hughes, Shekhar Kapur, Natalie Portman, Faith Akin, Joshua Martson and Randy Balsmeyer. Portman’s short film for this project marked her directorial debut. I found it neat that the segment she directed she also wrote as well. The directors had to adhere to three guidelines: they had only 24 hours to shoot, a week to edit and needed to give the sense of the particular neighborhood. I really feel that each director did give just that, I mean I’m not quite sure about the 24 hour shooting and week editing, but they did give a real life sense to each of the boroughs of NYC.

The cast of the film was what originally made me interested in watching besides the title itself. Hey I enjoy films that take place in New York City, but I’ll be the first to admit that some aren’t very good, so I’ve learned to research. I really enjoy ensemble cast movies. Don’t get me wrong I like movies when there is one or two leads, but I find that ensemble cast movies are just more my cup of tea. I like seeing many different actors and actresses of all different ranges of stardom work together and bring a film to life. Plus have ensemble cast films can bring to life one of my favorite filming way of movies: a plot that moves forward then you finally realize toward the end how it works and everyone fits together. This is film cast included Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha, Andy Garcia, Hayden Christensen, Rachel Bilson, Natalie Portman, Irrfan Khan, Emilie Ohana, Orlando Bloom, Christina Ricci, Maggie Q, Ethan Hawke, Anton Yelchin, James Caan, Olivia Thirbly, Blake Lively, Brea de Matteo, Julie Christie, John Hurt, Shia LeBeouf, Ugur Yucel, Taylor Geare, Carlos Acosta, Jacinda Barrett, Shu Qui, Burt Young, Chris Cooper, Robin Wright Penn, Eva Ammuri, Eli Wallach and Cloris Leachman.

From the official film site, I’m going to take the one line synopsis’s of my favorite segments before I talk about them:

“In the Diamond District, an intercultural romantic fantasy transforms the purchase of a precious stone.” This was the segment Natalie Portman acted in. She portrayed an Hasidic Jewish woman who was about to get married. I just enjoyed this segment because the Hasidic culture intrigues me and it’s rare to find it in a mainstream movie. Plus I think Portman is a fabulous actress and does well with whatever role she’s playing.

“After an unexpected night in Central Park, a young man’s prom date has a surprising revelation.” This had to be the funniest of all the segments. With a cast of four, Anton Yelchin, James Caan, Olivia Thirby and Blake Lively (although she has a line and I’m not quite sure she should really be counted, but they did), the short film was directed by Brett Ratner. Caan is a really good actor. I enjoy a lot of his work and this film was no exception. Thirby played her role very well that when the surprise came at the end, I was just as shocked as Yelchin’s character. Speaking of Yelchin, he plays the awkward high school boy in this short to perfection. And even though she one line in the short, I still love Lively. I just can’t help it, she’s gorgeous and she knows it. Not to mention she looks good in whatever she wears, so I like seeing her on film.

“Within an Upper East Side Hotel, a sophisticated guest and a mysterious bellboy journey outside of time.” This short film wrote by Anthony Minghella and directed by Shekhar Kapur was by far my favorite of the film. With a cast of three, Julie Christie, John Hurt and Shia LaBeouf, I was stunned. It was a beautiful, moving and just downright heart-affecting, I felt it. LaBeouf stood out too. I already like him as an actor, but this, in my opinion, is his best role yet. He plays Jacob a sort of man servant at the hotel, but he’s foreign, I want to say maybe French? And he also walks with a limp that was so believable that when they finally revealed his face, I was shocked to realize it was him. This is segment I wish they could elaborate on, even turn into a longer film. I felt there was so much left to say, but yet they did cover enough that it was enjoyable and easily my favorite as I stated before. On a sad note, Minghella passed away right before filming began on the segment and in one of their last conversations asked Kapur to direct it. The entire film is dedicated to Minghella.

Over all it was an enjoyable movie with parts that stood out about others. Visually I loved it. The colors and abstract way of shooting the film in the different segments made it beautiful to watch. I loved all the taxi shots of people whether from the front, the back or the outside. I also loved the mirror shots. Many of them took place in my favorite scene at the Upper East Side Hotel. The camera would be on the mirror and the action would take place in it. It was gorgeously done.

I don’t think this is movie for everyone, but it’s definitely for people who like artistic movies with stellar casts or for people who love New York and like to see it beautifully shot on film.

I definitely want to check out Paris Je T’Aime now to see how it was adapted off of it. There are also rumors of the series to continue with Shanghai, I Love You and Rio, Eu Te Amo. I’d be interested in viewing those as well just to get a different take on love in different cities.

What if they shot a one called Detroit, I Love You? How do you think it would be? I could definitely see it being done although people might not think there is much love in the city anymore, but I think there is. I love living in the middle of it. I could see segments between college students, the homeless, old money, new money, and the working class. It actually might be fun, urban and interesting to shoot this type of movie in Detroit. It would bring the romance back to the historic city. What situation would you choose to be part of Detroit, I Love You if it came into existence?

What can be done in nineteen minutes?

2010-01-25T22:53:00.002-05:00

In nineteen minutes, I can do a lot of things. I can shower. I can drive to Starbucks, get a tea and return back to my apartment. I can complete a workout on Wii Fit. I can listen to the song "Tetragrammaton"by The Mars Volta. I can watch a half hour television show by fast forwarding through the commercials on dvr. I can run a mile and then some. I can have a phone call with my grandma. I can take my dogs for a nice walk outside. I can do a lot of things.

The opening of Jodi Picoult's book, Nineteen Minutes, gives plenty of examples of what can be done in nineteen minutes. "In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist; you can fold laundry for a family of five. ... In nineteen minutes, you can stop the world, or you can just jump off it. In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge." The time span of nineteen minutes is constantly brought up throughout the book including later on toward the end, "in nineteen minutes you can bring the world to a screeching halt" which best describes the event that happens during the critical nineteen minutes in the book.

Picoult writes this book in similar style to other books I've read by different authors. They write one chapter in the present day, then the next in the past/future, then back to present, then back to past/future and so on. I enjoy this style because it makes me want to keep reading because it slowly works out the plot and makes feel on the edge of my seat wondering what this past/future event has to do with the present day. For this particular novel, writing it in this manner works out very well to advance the book forward.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to write about the actual plot or allude to it due to the fact that even the back of book doesn't specifically say what the event is except for "an act of violence", but the book was first published in 2006 and after doing a little searching on the internet, I've found plenty of reviews and comments that the main event has been revealed to public. Therefore I feel alright writing about it. I will say that knowing the event will not affect the reading of the book, but if you don't want to know, stop reading this entry now.

-~*~--~*~- -~*~- -~*~- -~*~- -~*~- -~*~- -~*~- -~*~- -~*~- -~*~-

The event that happens in nineteen minutes in the book is a high school shooting. It happens in a small town community and along with the time of the book changing through out, the point-of-view is constantly switching too. The reader is given insight from the shooter, some of the victims, the shooter's friends, the shooter's parents, parent's of the victims, a judge, a cop who was on the scene and both the lawyers for the trial. Being allowed into so many different minds and hearing what they think about the same event is interesting because similar to real life, people interpret things differently and hearing each of them really lets your mind think how you would react in that situation.

The final blog post of last year, Thoughts from The Other Side, I wrote about an interview with Susan Klebold who was the mother of one of the Columbine shooters. Klebold's memory of day it happened was eye-opening to read because like I wrote before, all we hear about is the victims of people who did it and never stop and think to realize that the people related to the ones that initiated the act are victims as well. Picoult does a great job reminding the readers of that fact. She helps the reader really put themselves in the shoes of a parent whose child does this unexpected horrific act. Seriously, who would be ready for that? Who could believe their child would do that? Even myself, a twenty-something college student without kids, was affected by the point of view of the shooter's parents in the book, especially the mother. One event can affect a lot of people and can change the course of their lives, even a short event that is only nineteen minutes long and Picoult does a fantastic job of showing how that event does affect everyone and change their lives.

The version of my book included a question and answer part at the end with Picoult. In the questions she was asked about her writing process for this book along with her research and her thoughts. I found that I really enjoyed reading the authors insight after reading this particular novel because it is such a taboo subject she wrote about. She makes you sympathize with all the characters because you understand what is going on in all their heads and it makes you question your morals because in 'real life' we rarely think of the perpetrator as a victim. It's comforting to know that she thoroughly researched the topic, even though it was difficult for her at times to, and she knew she needed to address these moral questions herself to allow others too. One question she was asked was, "You once remarked about your novel My Sister's Keeper that 'there are so many shades of gray in real life.' How might this statement apply to this novel?" I found her answer to be stated perfectly: "It's funny you should compare Nineteen Minutes to My Sister's Keeper because I see them as very similar books-they are both very emotional, very gut-wrenching, and they're situations that every parent dreads. And like the moral and ethical complications in My Sister's Keeper, in Nineteen Minutes you have a kid who does something that, on the surface, is absolutely devastating and destructive and will end the lives of others. But-given what these characters have endured-can you blame them? Do I condone school shootings? Absolutely not. But I can understand why a child who's been victimized might feel like he's justified in fighting back. I also think it's fascinating to look at how two good parents might find themselves with a child they do not recognize-a child who does something they can't swallow. Do you stop loving your song just because he's done something horrible? And if you don't, do you start hating yourself? There are so many questions raised by Nineteen Minutes-it's one big gray area."

And it really is one gray area just as she answered like every other moral and ethical situation in life. After reading her novel and Klebold's interview I understand the 'other side' better. I know I can never fully understand because I haven't been in that situation and I hope I never am. I wouldn't want to be affected on either side. I truly feel for people that have been in them. I feel that if more people read Klebold's interview or Picoult's book, they would realize that even though we all look for someone to blame and reasons why, sometimes the person we blame is a victim as well. Maybe if people took nineteen minutes to read the interview or go buy the book and start it, they would understand it better like I do and as Picoult did after she researched and wrote it.

Single events can change the path of lives forever. While the good events affect us, the bad ones seems to affect us much worse. It's the unexpected that causes us to take a look at our lives and cherish our loved ones, shouldn't we be trying to do that everyday? But that is a question we ask every time something terrible happens. I can't guarantee right now that Picoult's book will change my life drastically or change yours, but I know that it has affected me and made me think about life's rules, morals and ethics which is something that we all need to do from time to time. It's an interesting read and a different read from anything you've read before, I can guarantee that.

We know now a lot can happen in nineteen minutes and change the course of lives. The question is, what are you going to do in your next nineteen minutes?

New year. New Layout. New me?

2010-01-24T16:53:00.001-05:00

Happy 2010! Took a little writing hiatus due to my lovely head acting up again. I hate migraines and everything that comes with them. I'm better now, back in school and ready for a new year.

Changed the layout from the black to a lovely green with one of my favorite pictures of myself. It may be vain, but I like it. Now when you read what I write, you get to look at me too! It's one of my favorite shots taken on the RiverWalk in Detroit right outside Hart Plaza. Great day, great photos taken that day. I'll do a photo blast of some of the best shots from that day soon.

Due to some annoying circumstances I have had to make my facebook completely private. It's just family and a few close friends. Why can't people just respect other people? It's sad when something that should be fun and relaxing is no longer a joy. My twitter and blog are still public, let's hope I can keep them both that way.

Speaking of improper facebook behavior, I feel really sad for the cast of Glee. Everyone knows that I'm a huge fan of Glee, not only because two of the actresses on it are from Spring Awakening, but because it's just a darn good show. On facebook, I'm a fan of Glee along with some of the cast members who have fan pages. About a week ago, I get a friend invitation from Lea Michele. First of all, why would Lea be friend requesting me? Second of all the person is using her full name, Lea Michele is her stage name. A few minutes later I get one from Amber Riley, Mercedes on the show. I follow Lea and Amber's tweets along with the rest of the cast and Amber has said repeatedly she doesn't have a facebook and Lea already has a page for fans. I don't accept either request, but I did look into it. Both pages have a very little information on the person, shows the whole profile and the pictures used are pictures from events that are posted all over the internet and photos that they have tweeted. It just disgusts me that people would impersonate them and use their own photos against them. I think twitter is a great invention and social communicator. It's also wonderful because it allows for a somewhat personal communication between fans and celebrities, but just like an actor coming out the stage door after a show to meet fans, it's not part of their job. For these actors on Glee to have people use pictures they send out on twitter to make up phony facebook accounts is just rude. The actors don't have to do it, but they do it to allow the fans a glimpse into their lives. And it is a valid argument that they are allowing people in their lives by tweeting, but when is enough, enough? Shouldn't they be allowed privacy too? And what about the fans who don't realize it's not them? I mean of course it's their fault for not looking into it more and realizing that it's not them, but it happens and there are all different ages of people on facebook and the Glee fan page has over one million fans on it. I have a feeling I was added because I'm a fan of Glee. (This is also one of the aspects of facebook that I don't like, I don't like that even if I have everything private, someone is still able to see what I'm a fan of. I just feel I should be able to make everything private.) What if someone is added then the impersonator does something to that person and they get hurt somehow? It's not right. It's not fair. I mean I guess the impersonator does it because at some point we all want to be something we aren't. "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." Instead of wasting their time impersonating someone else, they should use that time to try and achieve what they want in life. It's situations like this that make people leery of fans and not want to meet them or interact with them and that makes me sad because I really enjoy meeting people who inspire me. Plus when I enjoy the work of someone, I like to be able to tell them if I have a chance, but when instances like this happen, I completely understand why celebrities become more and more standoffish. We should just be thankful we have tools like twitter to interact with them. It just irritates me that when people take advantage of others whether they are celebrities or not. Plus impersonating someone else (except in the instance of onstage) is never acceptable. And now I will step off my soap box for the day.

Listening to a Muse music station on Pandora right now. I'm absolutely loving it. Just heard a band that is new to me, The Section Quartet, and their song "Time is Running Out." Definitely going to need to check them out some more. I really enjoyed that song.

I went to the Auto Show at Cobo Hall on Friday. It was awesome year. I think it had to be one of the best years yet. I'm currently editing the photos. Once finished, I'll post about the show and display photos.

I'm reading Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes at the moment. I'm about halfway through and completely wrapped up in it. She's a fantastic storyteller. This is only the second novel of hers that I've read (the other being My Sister's Keeper) and I enjoy them. I think I will be checking out more of her books in the future.

Well on that note, I'm going to read some more. :)

Thoughts from the other side...

2009-10-27T16:33:00.004-04:00

I'm not a big fan of Oprah for many different reasons, but I have to give O Magazine credit for finally being able to get an interview from Susan Klebold after the Columbine Massacre happened over a decade ago. Klebold is one of the mothers of the two shooters who were responsible for the massacre in April of 1999. According to the article, Klebold has declined to be interviewed or speak about the tragic event by any news outlet until now.

This article gave me a new perspective to the story of Columbine since all that has been brought into the news has been negative reports on the parenting abilities of the two shooters and information on the victims and survivors. No one really stops to think that while these two kids changed so many lives and hurt so many people that their own family is hurting just as much.

Klebold wrote the article in memoir form starting with the morning of the attack when he husband called her. It was interesting to hear the thoughts that went through her head and to realize that she was just a more concerned for her son, then later devastated that he could cause so much hurt and pain.

"I do not remember how or when, but sometime that day it was confirmed that Dylan and Eric were indeed perpetrators in a massacre at the school. I was in shock and barely grasped what was happening, but I could hear the television through the open windows. News coverage announced a growing tally of victims. Helicopters began circling overhead to capture a killer's family on film. Cars lined the road and onlookers gawked to get a better view," she wrote. "Though others were suffering, my thoughts focused on the safety of my own child. With every moment that passed, the likelihood of seeing Dylan as I knew him diminished. I asked the police over and over, "What's happening? Where's Dylan? Is he okay?" Late in the afternoon someone finally told me that he was dead but not how he died. We were told to evacuate for a few days so authorities could search our home; we found shelter in the basement of a family member's house. After a sleepless night, I learned that Dylan and Eric had killed 12 students and one teacher, and injured 24 others, before taking their own lives."

I found the above words some of the strongest in this article because it completely shows how the situation affected her family.

We have heard all about the survivors and victims of the tragedy, but Klebold is one as well. She has gone through just as much, if not worse in my opinion, because she has to live with the unanswered questions of what her own flesh and blood has done.

"Since the tragedy, I have been through many hours of therapy. I have enjoyed the devotion and kindness of friends, neighbors, coworkers, family members, and strangers. I also received an unexpected blessing. On a few occasions I was contacted by the parents of some of the children killed at the school. These courageous individuals asked to meet privately so we could talk. Their compassion helped me survive."

The last three lines of that paragraph brought a range of emotions to me. It amazes me that even in tragedy, on that is so horrible, people still can be compassionate. I know it would be very hard for me to meet someone who took the life of someone I loved or injured them severely, but it makes me happy to know that people understand that she is hurting just as much. She lost a child, a person she loved dearly and is just as confused as why it happened as the rest of the world.

This was an eye-opening read and I really hope other people take the time to read it as well. I feel it reminds people of human nature and compassion and that even the other side can hurt just as much when it could be someone from that side who caused the pain.

Check the article out at http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200911-omag-susan-klebold-columbine

American Idiot!!!

2009-09-17T18:54:00.008-04:00

First these pictures were released and now clips of video!!! Yes!

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/video?id=7018677

I want to see this. No wait, I NEED to see this.

2009-09-11T16:39:00.001-04:00

Man Demands to Drink Beer Before Arrest:
Bayou George, Fla. - Authorities in. Florida Panhandle say they
arrested a convenience store shoplifter who demanded to drink the 12-
ounce beer he had stolen before being taken into custody.
The Bay County Sheriff's office said the man told the deputy he had
recently lost his job of 13 years and wanted to drink beer. The man
become combative when the deputy wouldn't let him finish it.
-Maconb Daily 9-11-09
Seriously? Wow. People in the world amaze me.

Sent from my iPhone

2009-08-31T02:56:00.010-04:00

I'm content. I'm happy. I'm enjoying life. It's been awhile since I could say that and really mean it. Aspects of my life are just going right for once and I like where they are heading....

The surgery went well. I'm feeling great. All of me feels great, when is the last time I said that? I'm almost all off my neurological medications and that makes me so happy. To finally be in complete control of my body again is an amazing feeling. You don't realize how foreign your own body can feel until you no longer can feel it. But today, tonight, right now, I feel me, I feel like me, I am me, and I have control of all me.

I love where I'm living in Detroit now. For, hopefully, my last year of school, I have the perfect apartment with two very amazing roommates, Kaity and Heather. Our apartment is sweet, cozy, home-like and I absolutely love my room! Especially my semi-walk-in closet which has been put to very good use. Plus I have all my Andy Warhol prints (my collection is up to ten now!) on my one wall that is visible as soon as I walk in and right before I go to bed and having those there make me completely happy and perfectly at ease. I have no idea why I am fascinated by him and his art, but I just am. He absolutely astonishes and fascinates me.
This is my wall of happiness, not the best picture of it, (it's just taken with photobooth) , but you get the idea. :)

School starts this week. Last year of it, as long as Wayne doesn't try to school me. I talk to an advisor on Tuesday, so we will see. I'm so ready to be done and finish and to start doing something with my life. I know my friends who have finished school are all like 'enjoy it' or 'you'll miss it,' but I really don't think I will. Sure I'll miss the social aspect, but I really enjoy working a lot, a whole lot, especially when it's something I love to do.

Friends. I have the best friends. Hands down, no argument. My friends who have always been in my life constantly remind me why they have been in my life so long and why I love them. I've made new friends who I think are just wonderful and I'm already enjoying them so much in life. There have also been a few rekindle friendships that I didn't realize how badly they were actually missing from my life and have just helped with this overall improvement in my quality of life.

Love my family. They are kooky, weird, and at times annoying, but I really do love them and wouldn't trade them for the world.

Art has been amazing lately, all forms of it. I've been enthralled with fascinating books that have helped me remember why I love to read so much. I've discovered new music of both old and new artists/bands that have reignited my ever burning love for it. And I've been having so much with photography. I love it, LOVE it. Taking and editing pictures is just relaxing for me. It motivates me to critically look at everyday and odd things with a new thought cycle.

That's me. Happy with life. Happy with me. Jumping for joy with the frog at the zoo....

In every darkness is there light?

2009-08-19T00:22:00.002-04:00

I hope. I'm a firm believer in everything happens for a reason but
sometimes I wonder why? I know that no one is perfect and no one has a
perfect life, but shouldn't life go the right way at least once in
awhile? I think it should. I know that there would be no right without
wrong and no good without bad, but a person can only handle so much. I
really hope this surgery tomorrow is the last health related bad thing
I'm going to have to deal with for a long time or even ever. I feel
like I have dealt with so much bad regarding my health that I'm due
for some, make that a lot, of good now. I'm ready for my good, I'm
done with bad and hopefully after this surgery it will be all good.
Hopefully...

Sent from my iPhone

2009-08-06T20:13:00.002-04:00

Black and blue
Bruised by you
Not that you ever meant too
Along my face
Scratched across my back
My wrists are only sore
But that is where you gave some slack
Brand my legs
Tie my feet
Please don't kill me while I sleep
Every breathe I inhale
Two escape freely
One for strength
The second for healing
Hit me
Slap me
Slit me
Pull me
Stab me until the blood flows swiftly
Let me struggle with each dying breath
Taste the innocence that I have left
As I bleed out I smell sweetly
The tired smiles of lonliness completly
Dim
Dimmer
Dark
One last spark
Count the last beat of my heart

Sent from my iPhone

Sharing some beauty today...

2009-07-25T17:36:00.005-04:00

A friend of mine sent me these pictures. They are set designs from Bregenzer Festspiele or the Bregenz Festival that is held in Bregenz, Austria. The festival is held every July and August and presents a wide variety of musical and theatrical events over the course of it. These pictures are from Seebuhne (there should be two dots above the u, but I can't figure out how to do that) also known as the Lake Stage. The stage has 7,000 seats and is the location for large-scale opera or musical performances on a stage that is over water on the shores of Lake Constance. I find these pictures of the sets of Seebuhne breathtaking. They are just absolutely gorgeous in composition, color, use of light, and and aesthetic quality. I just like looking at them because each time I notice a new aspect I haven't seen before. Take a look:

I'm hoping to one day actually see a show at this festival in person on the Lake Stage because I just have a feeling that with how amazed I am with just the pictures, I'll be blown away at the beauty of the sets visually in person.

Be My Escape

2009-07-23T03:15:00.002-04:00

I'm crazy.
This I know.
You don't have to tell,
I understand it well,
But would you stop, listen, breathe?
Join the madness.
You've earned this reprieve.
I could be good for you.
I may rock your world.
But you would have to see me as more than a crazy girl.
Lips full,
Eyes blessed,
Open both wide,
Make me undress.
I think you may be wrong.
So back up,
Look again,
Taste the magic of my sweet skin.
I may be crazy,
And this you know,
But captivate me,
Punish me so.
Crash into me.
I need your embrace.
One more time as I continue to shine,
Just hold my hand,
Be my saving grace.

Sent from my iPhone

Everything Happens For A Reason

2009-07-16T03:41:00.002-04:00

Some of my favorite days are days that I read an entire book in. By
now it's obvious I love books and adore reading, but to read a book,
especially a good book, in a day just makes me feel content. Today was
one of those days. Last time I was at Border's I picked up the book,
Post Grad. Honestly what attracted me to even pick up the book was
that Alexis Bleodel is on the cover. Not only is she pretty with super
amazing blue eyes, I have tended to like pretty much everything she
has acted in. So needless to say I'm looking forward to the movie with
her in it late this summer. After reading the back cover, I bought the
book. I started it this afternoon and finished it about five minutes
ago. It's about a newly college graduate who thinks she has her life
planned out, the plans don't work, and she has to figure life out.
It's not a complex novel, it's actually an easy read, but it has a
cute storyline with hilarious, easy to love and relatable characters.
The main character, Ryden (which I'm loving this name for a girl)
would think these thoughts or have these feelings that I felt she
plucked right out of my head. When her post college life doesn't work
out as planned, she isn't prepared and doesn't know what to do. That's
how I feel right now. Grant it I'm a year away from graduating (May
cannot come soon enough!), but this summer is not turning out the way
I planned with well pretty much eveything: school, work, family, and
I'm just plain not where I want to be. This book just reminded me to
breathe, relax, and be patient and to remember that life doesn't
always happen how you plan, but it happens for a reason. Post Grad
became one of my read in a day books because not only was it
entertaining and a fun read, it came at a time when I really needed to
remember that life happens and it happens for a reason, it may not be
the way I planned, but I will get where I'm meant to be.

Sent from my iPhone

Michael Jackson's Memorial Service

2009-07-07T16:11:00.003-04:00

So I completely forgot the Michael Jackson’s memorial service was today, but as I turned on the television and voila it’s there. So I decided to watch it and do a commentary as it is on MTV.

And it begins…

Andrea Crouch Choir just walked on stage and started to sing, “We are going to see the King”. Beautiful choir. I love choirs like that sound like that. The song was very fitting for the opening as well.

Some random commentary regarding MTV while I’m waiting for what’s next: I’m not a fan of the MTV VJ Sway. I just never have been. He bugs me. I feel like he tries to hard to be ‘real’ instead of just being himself. And can we talk about John Norris a second? How long has been on MTV? I remember watching him when I first started watching MTV when I was really little. Has he looked in a mirror lately? Did he see his hair? Ridiculous! I can’t believe MTV even put him on the air like that! I also can’t stand commentators. Is it really necessary to say, “We are just waiting to see what happens next at the memorial service?” I mean the entire Staples Center in LA was completely quiet, completely SILENT and they ruined that peaceful moment for at home viewers by having to state a stupid comment like that. Just let us watch in peace.

The stage is covered in what’s look like blue velvet carpet. I don’t know why but I really like it. It’s fitting.

They are bringing out his casket carried by pal bears that are wearing one sequined white glove. He has a gold shiny casket with a spray of red roses. It’s very shiny. It suits him. I approve of it.

Mariah Carey is covering the Jackson 5 hit “I’ll Be There.” I’m impressed with her, she usually has questionable taste of what to wear, but she is wearing a tasteful number. Her voice also sounds really good.

I’m such a fan of Queen Latifah. She is such a confident and beautiful woman. I am really enjoying the words she is reading by Maya Angelou. “We had him.”

I love Lionel Ritchie. He has a fabulous voice. I’m really happy he is performing in honor of Michael Jackson. I’m enjoying the pictures they are showing of Michael during this on the big screen, especially the one at the end of Lionel Ritchie’s song where he is sitting at a grand piano.

Video montage of him dancing. I wish I could dance like him. He was so fabulous at it. I pride myself that in after watching his videos repeatedly, I taught myself how to moonwalk when I was younger.

One of my favorite songs is ‘You Are Not Alone’ and I’m really happy they did it in the video montage. While they played it they showed a bunch of his charity works. He really did a lot hat people don’t always show gratitude for. “There is nothing that can’t be done if we raise our voice as one” –Michael Jackson

I wasn’t tearing up or getting emotional until now. Stevie Wonder was just brought onstage. While I love Lionel Ritchie; I love, LOVE, Stevie Wonder. Hands down one of my favorite artists. His voice, his music, his personality, his everything, he is just a fabulous person. He sounds amazing singing ‘Why Didn’t You Stay” right now. His voice just always holds just raw emotional appeal especially right now, it’s amazing. He just to “Keep Me From My Destiny” and I have goose bumps. He is a beautiful performer.

Magic Johnson’s speech was great, exactly how I think a speech should be at a memorial service. It was one that shows compassion and caring, but also brings part of the person that passed to life. I really enjoyed hearing about Magic and Michael sitting on the floor eating Kentucky Fried Chicken together.

Jennifer Hudson is fantastic. She sounds so amazing singing, “Hold Me” or “Lift Me Up” (I can’t remember the actual song title, all I know is it’s the song from Free Willy). She looks great too! Absolutely beautiful in her white dress. I also really like how while she is singing she looks upward like she is singing right to Michael.

Aww I really enjoyed John Mayer’s instrumental version. It was nice. A different change instead of people singing his songs.

“Michael was one of a kind.” Very true, Brooke Shields, very true. She looks very beautiful as well. She has on a simple pretty black dress and pretty pearl earrings. I had no idea that Michael and her were such good friends. She also has done a great job with her memorial speech. I love that she just quoted The Little Prince! Aww I love that Michael’s favorite song is ‘Smile’ by Charlie Chaplin. That is a great song, one of my favorites as well. “Smile though you heart is breaking…” I love the metal image she left us with at the end of Michael perched on a crescent moon looking down on us, just like The Little Prince.

Jermaine Jackson is singing, “Smile” right now. I love it for so many reasons. One because I know now that it is one of Michael’s favorite songs. Two because his brother is singing it for him. Three because his brother is singing with one white sequined glove on. And four because the emotion is so raw right now that it is beautiful.

Usher is singing right now. He’s singing, “Gone to Soon.” It’s very fitting. Part of me wishes he would dance in honor of Michael because I think it would be a good tribute. Oh wow. He’s singing and walking with his hand outstretched towards the casket and just stopped and placed his hand on it. That was beautiful and touching. He stepped away now and is looking at the casket as he finishes. He’s crying and I don’t know if this sounds weird but it’s a very beautiful moment as he broke down and cried. All the Jackson siblings have been coming up to the speakers and performers when they are finished to hug and thank them, but Usher was the first to go and kneel in front of their mom and talk with her. It was very sweet.

“I wrote that song.” Smokey Robinson’s opening line. He is another who is giving a great speech right now. “That’s my little brother over there” pointing to Michael’s casket. I love that he says “he celebrates his life.”

Oooooh it’s Shaheen Jafargholi, the winner of Britain’s Got Talent. He’s in a show called Thriller – Live in London playing young Michael Jackson. He has a fabulous voice, so powerful for a little kid.

Kenny Ortega is onstage right now. I had no idea he did so many of Michael’s tours. “We were just hear a little over a week ago rehearsing with Michael here at the Staple Center, his house.” So weird to think about that. He was just rehearsing and ready for a big comeback tour which I think would have been amazing..

Oh wow they are going to show something from the This Is It Tour, the tour he was going to be on. Oh I thought they were going to show a rehearsal video. It’s not. I think that the people who are singing are people who were going to sing on the tour with him and now they are bringing up the other performers and the family. That was really touching. Definitely had goose bumps again. Aww they just brought a kids choir on and everyone onstage is singing, “Heal the World.”

It’s just the family onstage now. I like the unity that they are all showing. The brothers all match with black suits, white shirts, bright yellow ties, and one sequined white glove. Janet looks beautiful and very demure. His children are beautiful and I give them a lot of credit for standing up onstage with the family, but they have a large family to lean on. Oh wow. Paris, his daughter just spoke and said “ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best Father you could ever imagine and I just wanted to say I love him so much.” Then she broke down. I think that is was hurts the most about all this. Yes, I consider myself a fan and I’m sad for his loss, but knowing that he left such young children behind breaks my heart. You can just tell that he loved, really loved, his children and they aren’t very old and to lose your father would be devastating, no matter who you are.

They just took away his casket. All the lights are off except one lone spotlight shining on a microphone onstage with his picture on the screen. It’s a beautiful moment.

“There will never be another Michael Jackson.” Very true, very true. Opening to closing speech. “I’m Alive and I’m Here Forever.” Last thing shown on the screen at the memorial service along with a picture of Michael performing.

*~* Rest in Peace King of Pop *~*

I'm only happy when it rains...

2009-06-24T16:21:00.002-04:00

Perfect Chemistry on a Sleepless Flight

2009-06-24T13:02:00.002-04:00

Normally I crash, well that's probably the wrong word to use, but I'm
always sleeping on planes no matter what the time of day or night it
is. This plane ride, well rides, were different. I read an entire book
because I just could not put it down. I can honesty say that I picked
up Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles because the cover enticed me.
It has a girl and a guy in a steamy embrace but you can tell how much
they care about one another. The novel is written in the every other
chapter switches characters perspective and in this case it switches
between Brittany and Alex aka Alejandro. Brittany is the 'perfect'
rich blonde high school senior while Alex is the 'dangerous' poor bad
boy who get stuck together as chemistry lab partners. Yes it has the
whole good girl falls for bad boy concept, but Elkeles has a new twist
that completely captivated me and I was unable to set the book down. I
was anxious to get to the end of the 357 pages just so I could find out
what happened to these characters I became attached too. It wasn't
just Brittany and Alex that I cared about it was the secondary
characters such as Shelly, Isa, and Paco as well. The different
adaptation of a concept that has been used time and again makes this
books plot full of all types of emotions. I love the choices that the
author chose and the depth and complexion that every character had,
each one had many levels that were slowy recognized as the story
progressed. There were constant twists and turns that led to a very
powerful and complete ending. I know this will be a book that I read
again and again because I enjoyed it so much and I love to go into
more detail, but for the one or two of you that may stumble across my
blog and read it, I'd want you to be surprised with what happens as I
was. Just a forewarning though: you'll laugh, you'll gasp, and you'll
cry. And yes, I did cry as I was reading on the plane, but it is
alright because everyone around me is sleeping like I usually do. But
this time, I didn't mind missing out on my usual sleep for the
experience I had with Perfect Chemistry.

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Buffy Vs. Edward

2009-06-22T22:14:00.005-04:00

Normally I'm find people don't do a good job with these type of mashing-up of two topics, but this one was done well and I enjoyed it even though I'm a fan of both Buffy and Edward!

2009-05-15T17:08:00.000-04:00

As the breeze blows..

2009-05-10T13:26:00.005-04:00

I have to say that right now is a pretty peaceful moment in my life. I'm sitting in my swing on the front porch with my puppy, Coney. The grass is green, the flowers are blooming and the trees are still colorful. The breeze is blowing and the birds are singing, gosh this sounds like it's too good to be true, but it's not, it's real. And beautifully peaceful.

It's Mother's Day. I love my Mum. My Mum loves me. I love teasing her, it's fun. And as we all know, Marcus is her favorite child. (Here is where Markie would chime in and say, "No, you're her favorite child." Then Mum would say, "Stop it!" It's annoys her and we love it haha). I decided to call my Mum instead of Mom. Haven't told her that yet, we'll see how it goes. I just think it sounds sweet. If only I had a British accent to go with it...

Summer classes start tomorrow. May to June. ICK. Not looking forward to it. I just want to be done. Marcus is done, technically. I've been in school so long, just give me the stupid paper and say I graduated. It's not like I will actually need this in the real world.

I drive fast, I admit it. I like going fast and I've gotten better. I'm more careful now, but I've never driven fast in a subdivision or near lots of houses. Honestly it scares me. I would be devastated if I hit a dog, kid, or other animal. It's one thing I hate about where my house is. We are on the corner of a long strip of a side street and everyone speeds, I mean I even see people blow the stop signs and have to screech on their breaks. It is also ridiculous the amount of revving of the engines I hear because people want to take off. I just with people would be careful because sometimes animals and children don't know any better.

It's really cute watching Coney right now. He's so intrigued by everything. He's such a curious puppy.

Alright, I'm going to wake the brother from his nap and see if he wants to go for a rollerblade, it's too pretty of a day to waste...

I swore it said lingerie...

2009-05-08T14:44:00.001-04:00

My house is pretty in the spring...

2009-05-07T16:23:00.003-04:00

2009-05-07T01:35:00.002-04:00

I love word games. I especially love games where you are given six or
seven letters and to make up words from them. I also adore the People
Magazine Crossword Puzzle. I'm addicted. Even if the actual content
doesn't make me buy the magazine right away, I'll buy it for the
crossword. I suppose spending four bucks for a puzzle is not smart in
a college students budget, but it makes me happy. I feel smart when
I'm done because it is the only crossword puzzle I can usually finish.
When I do the newspaper ones I'm lucky if I get them halfway.
On one of my trips to Borders, I purchased People Puzzler Book. It has
a hundred People crosswords in it!! Yay! So that has been very
entertaining for me. My only complaint is they need a little more
creativity with some questions. Grant it I know they usually plan for
people to work on one and not a bunch, but if I do two in day to have
some if the same questions gets annoying. Yes I understand that Vin
Diesil was in The Pacifier, but he's been in other films as well. Come
on People! Broaden your horizons!
But none the less, I'm content with it. It relaxes me to do them and I
can sit on the porch swing and enjoy the weather while I feel smart as
I complete the puzzle.
Sent from my iPhone

My little brother all grown up...

2009-05-03T11:38:00.001-04:00

Here's to the Dreamers

2009-04-29T00:21:00.002-04:00

Ever wonder if you are heading down the right path in life? I feel
like I have to answer this question every day and honestly, sometimes
I'm not sure the answer is yes. Is it wrong to have so many dreams?
Especially ones that are so big? I don't think so, then again I'm a
dreamer. I just want to experience life and I'm not ready to settle.
I'm ready to break free and really find out who I am. I've done so
much soul searching in the past two years that I finally feel like I
know myself, but I feel being cooped up here in Michigan holds me
back. That's a big reason why I want to go/move/live in New York City.
I know that my life is there, I can feel it when I visit, I can feel
it when I think about it. I just need to get there. Another semester
passed and hopefully, knock on wood I stay healthy, only like three
more to go then I can be on my way, packed up, and living in my home,
NYC, by next May. Here's to dreaming large and accomplishing the even
larger.

Sent from my iPhone

Springtime in Adrian!

2009-04-25T14:43:00.001-04:00

Song of the moment:

2009-04-21T17:42:00.002-04:00

"My Life Would Suck Without You"
-Kelly Clarkson
"Guess this means your sorry...
But here you are again
Because we belong together...
You've got a piece of me
And honestly my life would suck without you..."
Sometimes the strings of friendship stretch almost to a breaking
point, but it's nice to know that some can stretch far and still come
back home. My life really would suck without YOU - my friends complete
me and understand the real me.
Sent from my iPhone

Late night poetry...

2009-04-21T00:52:00.001-04:00

P.S.
Watched a paperweight turn into a phone.
Who says magic doesn't exist?
My life follows you as I long to take part.
My heart beats for you, but not for your presence, for your art.
Open your mouth, consume me whole.
Flatter my mind.
Touch my soul.
As you expell I tingle with fury, sing your voice, your song, your
energy.
Fill my body with every note.
Tantalize me with every smoke.
I am one and you are two.
Together we are the moon.
Let every note provoke.

Sent from my iPhone

2009-04-20T15:30:00.003-04:00

I worked last night at the funeral home and as I was closing up shop
upstairs in the casket showroom I snapped this picture. I looked up and the way the emptiness where a casket used to be with the shadows, painting, and dim lighting gave off an eerie sense of calmness with an underlying tone of creep emptiness.

Sent from my iPhone.

Tooth-Brushing Observations

2009-04-15T01:57:00.002-04:00

I always think of things that I need to do while I brush my teeth. If
I can do that something while I brush my teeth I think I would save
time. So I brush my teeth and go do the task I thought of only to
realize that during the entire time I am doing that task my toothbrush
hangs lifelessly in my mouth. Therefore I still have to stand and brush
my teeth anyway alas using the same amount of time it would have taken
me to brush my teeth then do said task. I'm a quick one, but then
again every time I brush my teeth and think of things to do after, I
forget what I thought of by the time I'm done brushing. Maybe I just
have a better memory when my mouth is absorbing the minty flavor of
the toothpaste while my toothbrush is hanging from it?

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Furiously Fast and I'm Floating Forward..

2009-04-04T03:39:00.001-04:00

Lousy day, lousy life, and just wanted to curl up in a hole. That's what I felt like today. Then I got the rush I needed:

Fast & Furious

I have a history with this movie. A silly, little one - I love it. The The Fast & The Furious came out in 2001, the fall of the year I graduated high school. It was an addiction for my friends and I at the time. I mean how could it not be? Fast cars. Hot guys. Gorgeous girls. Loud, incredible music. Plus all the little lines that were fun to repeat:

"You can have any brew you want, as long as it's a Corona."

"You break her heart, I'll break your neck."

"It's not how you stand by a car, it's how you race a car."

"My brother likes you. Usually he doesn't like anybody."

After having one of the worst days ever, seeing this movie totally helped. The previous 'sequels' if you want to call them that, did not interest me at all. The original had a cast that worked amazingly together and to see a "fast and furious" movie without their chemistry, I had no interest in. Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewester are Fast & Furious, together, not apart.

From the first second of the film to the end, it was the adrenaline rush that I needed. Cars zooming by at ridiculous miles per hour. Girls in questionable outfits at times, but gorgeous to look at. And the guys, oh the guys, muscles galore - Vin Diesel, what more do I say? Although he has aged, as one could see from the close ups of the film, he still is hot in that muscly, bad boy sort of way. Plus the music, these films always have loud, energetic music with beats that increases the intensity of the car sequences so much more. I would go into specifics, but if anyone who actually reads this wants to see it, I don't want to give anything away.

Needless to say seeing this film made me happy. It also made me feel better and not that my life was falling apart.

A funny, little coincidence though - I saw The Fast & The Furious in the theater at the time that I was totally crushing on one of my ex-boyfriends. Sat next to him and was completely epic to me at the time because "omg I was in high school and sitting next to the guy I liked at the movies" haha. It came full circle tonight that I actually saw Fast & Furious with that ex-boyfriend who is now a good friend. I just think it's funny how life works out.

One thing that perturbed me at the movie was that as we were leaving I saw a kid, I would say maybe two years old, sleeping on his mother. Why the heck would you bring a two year old to the movies? Ok, maybe it's ok to bring one to a kiddie film, but not a PG-13 movie that is at 11:20pm at night at gets over at around 1:30am in the morning. Learn some parenting! Or get a babysitter. Gah, stupid people annoy me.

Thank you Fast & Furious for making me feel better. :) Sometimes it's the little things in life that just make you smile. :)

"Just like old times."

song of the day....

2009-04-03T18:55:00.003-04:00

I've been down

I've been down before

I've been down

But never this low

I've been down

I've been down before

I've been down

But never this low

You know even a strong man falls

And even a wise man has to learn

Ooh ooh ooh

Yes it true

Some men have it all

While me and the rest just crash and burn

Ooh ooh ooh

Yeah

You keep telling me someday

But I heard it once or twice

You've been taking every turn thats wrong

And I've been taking your advice

I've been down

I've been down before

I've been down

But never this low

I've been down

I've been down before

I've been down

I've been down before

I know the day will come

When all my worries now are dead and gone

Ooh ooh ooh

Yeah

Well soon

Tomorrow we'll find what's gone

But I'll be right here holding on

Ooh ooh ooh

You been telling me someday

But I've heard it once or twice

You been taking every road that's wrong

And I've been taking your advice

I've been down

I've been down before

I've been down

But never this low

I've been down

I've been down before

I've been down

But never this low

Never this low...

"I've Been Down" - Hanson

Ha, I love life!

2009-03-28T19:11:00.002-04:00

Today at the DIA

2009-03-28T17:06:00.002-04:00

Went to the DIA with by dad for awhile today. I love museums. I'm not really sure if this makes sense to anyone else, but they sooth me, make me at peace. I can just get lost for hours in them and be perfectly happy.
The DIA had a really different, but interesting, exhibit of chess sets. This one couple had collected over 1000 antique chess sets from over 100 countries which they have traveled to get them. I wish I could have taken pictures, but, like most special exhibits, photography was not allowed. There were sets out of pure ivory that were beautifully carved with exquisite details that I loved, but at the same time made me sad to think of all the elephants that were hunted
and killed just for their tusks. :( Another gorgeous set had pieces with diamonds and rubies in them. There also was set that was made for playing in the sand. The pieces were at the end of long, tapered sticks that allowed them to be stuck and stay upright in the sand. All and all, it was an interesting exhibit, but where would one keep over 1000 antique chess sets?
And as always, I visited the two Andy Warhol screen-printed self-portraits that the DIA has in its collection. Warhol makes me happy. :) I heard a rumor that there is either a soon-to-be or there is a total Warhol exhibit at the MET. I HAVE to see that, it's a need, not a want. And someday I have to make it to the Warhol museum as well...
From my visit today the art work of the moment is the painting 'At The Foot Of The Cross' by Robert Scott Duncanson, an American artist who lived from 1821 to 1872. I found I was drawn to it because of the intense shadow surrounding the women who kneels at the bottom of the cross and how the crown of thorns and nails were at the base as well. So here is my DIA artwork of moment from today's trip:

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Late Night Poetry

2009-03-25T02:17:00.002-04:00

Dreams afloat
Severed tears
Crying out
For wasted years
Was I right
Or did I stall
Wake me
Feverently
If at all
A heroes kiss
The long goodnight
Dropping lashes
Scared to fight

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Cleveland....

2009-03-19T23:30:00.005-04:00

Rocks? Let's find out:

Took a day trip to Cleveland last week. For what you ask? Do you even need to? Spring Awakening of course! The tour is over by me and it's wonderful having it so close. I'm getting a much needed fix.

There was two main reasons I was going to Cleveland: One, Spring Awakening music director Jared Stein was hosting a master class. Two, to see the show that night (again!) because Lucas Wells was going on for Hanschen.

I've never gone to a master class and I was super excited and super nervous about attending one, especially a Spring Awakening one! Arrived in Cleveland and went right to the Imagination Center (this name makes me think of Disney World). Like I said before, I was really nervous about taking this master class, but I did it, and I'm really glad I did! At the beginning of the course we were introduced to Jared and four cast members of the touring cast of Spring Awakening: Krystina Alabado, Gabby Garza, Ben Moss, and Matt Shingledecker. They talked a little then we got right into it. The first thing we learned was "Belly Mamba," a warm-up that Jared as taught this cast it and the cast of the Rent tour that he was musical director for. Here's the cast of Spring Awakening warming-up with it:

It's a sweet warm-up. I like singing it. It got stuck in my head when I saw this video way back when, but now that I actually know it, I sing it a lot. After that we learned the end of the final song "Purple Summer." That song is one of my favorites in the show, so I was thrilled to find out we were learning it. We were taught the a capella part to the end of the song. It's such a beautiful song and I have a greater appreciation for it (and the performers who sing it!) after learning it. It has such complex parts that come together to make it sound as amazing as it does. It was fun!

After the class, I met with some friends and we walked around Cleveland. It's actually a more interesting city then I thought it would be, but it was weird, very empty, almost ghost-towny for a Wednesday at 5pm. It did have some cool metal tree art though:

Odd happenings on the trip back from Cleveland:
1- Fangboner Road: Do I even have to explain? I just would not want to live on that road...
2- After 10pm on the Ohio Turnpike there are no Starbuck's open. NOT COOL. Wouldn't you think a coffee place, especially on the Turnpike which gets a lot of traffic would be open 24 hours? Nope. I was not happy. I really wanted an Ice Green Tea Lemonade!
3- As I drove home, I could see the stars. So pretty! (Starts to sing, "Stars, in their multitude.."). I had to remind myself to pay attention to the road a few times because I was attracted to the shiny things.. :)
4- I love, let me restate that, LOVE the Maps application on my iPhone. It's fantabulous! I will never be lost again. Another great aspect of the iPhone that makes me very happy with purchasing it.
5-So on the way to Cleveland, I could use my debit card to pay for the fare on the Turnpike, therefore I assumed I could do that on the way back to Detroit. WRONG! Turns out it is cash only on the way back. I literally had to scrounge around my car and purse, but I still was 8 cents short. Luckily, the lady was nice and let me pass. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't been able to find any cash?

So a day of Singing with Spring Awakening + Good Friends + Tree Art = A Rocking Day in Cleveland! Yay! And the odd little happenings just make it that much more of an experience!

So does Cleveland Rock? Hmm, I would have to say it could, but the only thing rocking in the ghost town that I experienced was tree art and the cast of Spring Awakening. ;)

Best Oscars I've seen in my life...

2009-02-23T00:00:00.003-05:00

by far.

I loved it.

Hugh Jackman please host and SING every year!

The Broadway Musical IS back!

Yay for Kate Winslet!! Elegant and beautiful as always with a very much deserved win!

Anne Hathaway for just being fabulous, beautifully dressed, and who knew she could sing like that?!?!

Finally -

"Your grandkids will be ashamed. Change your ways! Equal rights for everyone!" -AMEN SEAN PENN!

I gave in...

2009-02-19T03:04:00.002-05:00

I've given in finally. I got a twitter.

I also gave in and bought a sweatshirt dress.

So far, I'm happy with both.

Pharyngitis Strikes Again!

2009-01-09T23:33:00.002-05:00

Seriously I hate my immune system.
Did you know every time you get sick you are suppose to get a new
toothbrush? Well you are according to the information I just got from my
doctor. I guess bacteria can still be living on your brush.
The toothbrush manufacturer would make a killing off me - I'd have a
new one everyday!
Sent from my iPhone

Unexpected twist of a night...

2009-01-07T23:45:00.002-05:00

For the first time in a long time I was home at night by myself. With
school starting in less than a week there are a million tasks I should
be doing, but I chose the very productive one of sitting down and just
allowing myself to be swept away completely by a novel.

I cozied up in our big armchair with a glass of water and a blanket to
finish a book I was only about a third of the way through.

One of my best friends who is also one of my reading buddies suggested I
read "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult. I've been noticing
Picoult's name more and more so after I finished my previous book, I started to read this one.

I was drawn in right away and really enjoyed Picoult's way of writing. Each chapter was the point of view of a character and kept changing to twist in the past, present and future. She's a fantastic storyteller with a creative mind. She tells the story of a 13 year old girl who wants the right to choose to be a donor for her ailing 16 year old sister who has Leukemia and with each chapter, I was drawn more and more in.

I really don't want to write anymore about the novel because I don't want to slip and give anything away. Just trust me, read it. Anna's heart-wrenching plea for medical emancipation enraptured me the moment I started reading and I enjoyed until the end.

Plus having this cute little puppy asleep in my lap made it an even more relaxing night.

Katie's Ode to Her iphone

2009-01-07T07:46:00.002-05:00

Im addicted to my iPhone. I have to say it is the best investment,
besides my macbookpro, I have ever made. I love that everything is at
my fingertips as cheesy or cliché as that may sound. I can check my
email, go online, take pictures, and text.
I'm an avid texter. While I think there is a time and place for it, I
have to say, I'm very addicted to texting. I think it's a fascinating
invention. Hmm, I wonder who invented it....
Off to google 'inventor of texting'...
According to an article on irishtimes.com, the father of text
messaging, as he prefers to be called, is Matti Makkonen a 56 year old
Finnish man. Interesting. Google it yourself if you want to read more,
there are plenty of articles.
Another addiction of mine is actually on the iPhone - the
applications!! It has a lot to choose from that you either pay for or
get for free. I actually find that the free ones I have are the best
ones, especially the games.
Game addiction #1: Word Warp. Honestly, I have no idea where time goes
as I play this. This game can entertain me for hours as I try to
create words out of a jumbled six letters in hopes to get to the next
level.
Game addiction #2: Word Freak. Yes another jumbled letter game but
this one you are given the first letter out of a five letter word and
have to guess the word. Each guess lowers the points you receive.
Totally addicting for the fact it keeps asking you play again after
figuring out each word and it is so easy to say yes!
Sidenote: A goal I have is to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. I
feel these games help train me to be a player to fear when I attain
this goal. Now back to the games!
Game addiction #3: Sudoku. Enough said.
Game addiction #4: Sol Free. This game is a hidden gem for the pure
fact that it is five games: Demon, Spiderette, Baker's Game, Klondike
Deal 1, and Klondike Deal 3. It is also educational because I learned
that Klondike is another name for just regular ol' solataire.
Spiderette is my favorite at the at the moment, but it rotates with
the days.
Game addiction #5: Bubblewrap. Yes it is virtual bubblewrap. It brings
me great joy. The perfect stress reliever too! Pop! Pop Pop! Try to
pop the most bubbles and get a high score before the time runs out,
but there's a twist! The bubbles reinflate!! Mwa ha ha ha ha! Yeah
I'll stop now before I get really excited and show my true dorkiness.
One last thing I love about my iPhone that feeds my addiction to it,
the fact I can lie here in bed, google the inventor of texts, and post
to my blog. Ok yeah I'm just a really big geek, but I adore my phone
and its pretty pink case!
Sent from my iPhone

More Odd Little Things...

2008-12-31T06:52:00.001-05:00

I've noticed some more quirks to my lifestyle:

-When at a book store (or supermarket or wherever books/magazines are sold), I'm fine looking at the first copy of a book or magazine, but I cannot purchase the first copy on the rack. I always have to purchase the book/magazine that is behind the first. I guess I just feel that everyone, myself included has rummaged through them, touched them, bent them, left finger prints, and I just cannot bring myself to buy them. I adore books and adore reading. I take really good care of my books. I do not bend the pages to mark my page or use the flaps on a book cover either, I use a real bookmark, piece of paper, or ticket stub. I just get the feeling that the first one has been manhandled and not in the greatest condition because of that, so I pick up one behind it so it is less used. But what happens when there is only one book? That is where I have to make a decision - either I buy the book or I wait. And that all depends on how much I really want/need the book. If it is high on the list, I'll get it, otherwise I just wait. And that is the oddness of Katie and woes of not buying the first book.

-Next quirk: fruit bowls. I love fruit. LOVE LOVE LOVE fruit. I eat fruit more than I eat anything else in my life. But alas I have a odd little thing I do with them. If I buy a fruit salad from somewhere before I eat it, I have to pick out the fruit I don't like. While on vacation recently I had a friend ask me, "why don't you just eat around those fruits?" It took me a second to answer, then I realized I just can't. While different fruits can touch, say cantaloupe and watermelon, I just can't eat the watermelon out of the container if it is touching the cantaloupe because I don't like cantaloupe. I'm not exactly sure why I can't. It just grosses me out to eat them if they are touching, but if they are touching before I eat them and I separate them, that is all right. Weird, I know.

Two more odd little things to add into what is the life of Katie.

Images from the past..

2008-12-12T16:23:00.005-05:00

I work part time at a funeral home as a receptionist/secretary. I really enjoy my job because I get to people watch a lot. One of my favorite parts of the job is when the funeral is over I take apart the picture boards that family's make with our felt boards and push pins so that they can pick it up when they come back to get their register book, extra memorial folders, flowers, and such. I enjoy this part of the job because I get to look at pictures.

I'm a picture person. I like to take pictures, be in pictures, and look at pictures. I think pictures are a fascinating invention because it documents a time and lets us remember the past or a special memory.

I enjoy looking at other people's pictures at the funeral home because I get a glimpse into their lives. My favorite are the old time pictures that are black and white and when pictures just started to use color. I find the photographs so intriguing. A glimpse into the past.

Sometimes I see that people get rid of old photographs and I just don't understand. Even if you don't know the person, that picture has something to do with your history.

I just randomly Googled 'old vintage pictures' and 'old vintage photographs' and came across the ones throughout this post. I love looking at them, wondering what their story is. And in my opinion, in vintage pictures, everyone looks so glamorous, so beautiful.

Another aspect I love about vintage pictures is that people look so in love. When a picture is taken of a couple, however the camera captured it, they just look so amorous, so content and happy. When I find someone, I want to take pictures that look like that. Maybe back then people were more in love then they are now?

Maybe now we just don't know how to take an amazing picture.

I hope that's not true. I feel like I've captured some really good pictures. Actuallly I think that people knew how to relax more and have fun. We live in a such a high paced world that even taking a picture, which takes a few seconds, feels like hours. So settle down, enjoy life. Take some memorable pictures because when I'm gone, I hope that I have some great pictures for people to look at on my memorial board.

I'm going to leave you with my favorite picture I found today when I searched. I hope it makes you smile like it did for me:

I want to find my music soulmate...

2008-12-04T01:26:00.005-05:00

Just finished reading Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist and pretty much have fallen in love with the writing style of the two authors. Nick and Norah's is the first novel written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan which they wrote in a very creative way. The chapters alternate between Nick and Norah's points of view starting the first chapter with Nick and ending with Norah. Cohn wrote Norah's point of view chapters while Levitian wrote Nick's. I found the book to be a very easy and smooth read because the chapters flow together well and the storyline never missed of beat while switching between the points of view.

It was a fun journey to take with Nick and Norah through NYC because it was easy to relate to the characters. Both of them being awkward and unsure what to do, but when they finally let themselves go, they free fall into a whirlwind experience that helps them not only grow as individuals, but grow close to one another. As Nick says in the book "maybe it isn't that we're supposed to find the pieces and put then back together. Maybe were the pieces. Maybe were supposed to come together. That's how we stop breaking. "

Nick and Norah have had bad luck in love and life and it is not until they find one another that their lives turn around. The whole novel follows a music theme with Nick being in a queer-core band that is ever constantly changing its name and Norah being a record execs daughter. The authors relate certain moments to songs and it is almost as if you can hear the songs while you read. The songs are always the right songs and always fit perfectly to the storyline.

The book makes me want to see the movie even more then before. I had thought the trailer looked good. And with Micheal Cera being Nick and Kat Dennings playing Norah, they seem like a perfect fit for the characters I imagined in my head. (plus with Jonathan B. Wright (from Spring Awakening!) making an appearance you can't go wrong).

I really enjoyed reading this book and I know it will be a book that I go back to and read again and again. I look forward to seeing the movie and I'm excited to check out what type of interesting easy to relate to characters Cohn and Levithan will image next in their next works together.

When searching for the cover of the book to put in this blog entry, I found three covers. I chose to post them all because each one fascinated me. My book looks like the movie poster to the left. But the original cover (the black and white one) I found very visually appealing. The purple cover I found to encompass the idea of the book: love in the city with music guiding the way.

Music of the moment....

2008-12-01T20:57:00.001-05:00

Music defines my life. I'm a music person. I love hearing new artists and reconnecting with old ones. I like widely popular musicians that play on radio, but I also like finding new obscure artists. One of my favorite ways to find music is to randomly search through myspace for music because some of the best bands are up and coming bands. I thought I would share the music that is the soundtrack to my life at the moment. The following five albums I have found myself listening to all way through on repeat for many hours:

The Weepies

I just recently became a fan of The Weepies and I have to say I wish I would have found out about them sooner. After hearing their name thrown around for awhile, on a random trip to Best Buy, I picked up The Weepies album 'Hideaway.' I found this album to be a goldmine for relaxing music. When I listen to it just makes me smile and feel content. It's perfect music just to put on and chill out too. My favorite song on the album is the first track 'Can't Go Back Now.' The reason I like the song so much is it has really sweet, meaningful lyrics:

"Yesterday when you were young
Everything you needed done was done for you
Now you do it on your own
But you find you're all alone, what can you do?

You and me walk on, walk on, walk on
'Cause you can't go back now

You know there will be days
When you're so tired
That you can't take another step
The night will have no stars
And you'll think you've gone as far
As you will ever get

You and me walk on, walk on, walk on
'Cause you can't go back now

And yeah, yeah, you go where you want to go
Yeah, yeah, be what you want to be
If you ever turn around, you'll see me

I can't really say
Why everybody wishes they were somewhere else
But in the end, the only steps that matter
Are the ones you take all by yourself

You and me walk on, walk on, walk on
Yeah, you and me walk on, walk on, walk on
'Cause you can't go back now
Walk on, walk on, walk on
You can't go back now"

See what I mean? Great lyrics. With mellow guitar songs and lyrics like the ones above, make The Weepies a band I can listen to whenever I need to kick back and relax. 'Hideaway' is their current album but they have released previous ones which I will definitely be checking out. Oh! Another great song by the them is 'The World Spins Madly On." It's not on 'Hideaway', but you can pick it up on iTunes.

The Ting Tings

Being a fan of Gossip Girl, I adored the commercials for it. The Ting Tings have not only been used in commercials for GG, but in the show and other TV shows as well. I found the music fun whenever I heard it and it made just want to get up and dance, which is exactly what their album does. The Ting Tings music is fun and so is their name!

According to their website, www.thetingtings.com, "Katie White and Jules De Martino needed a name for their 'unintentional band' they created in 2007. At the time, Katie was working in a boutique with a Chinese girl called 'Ting Ting,' which is also Mandarin for a 'band stand.' 'I thought it was lovely,' Katie remembers. 'It can also refer to the sound of innovation or an open mind. Like the 'ting' you hear when you get and idea.' Jules also loved the idea of becoming The Ting Tings. The name had two Tings 'and there were two of us.' And, like the sonorous peal of a bell, the new moniker held the rhythmic perfection of onomatopoeia."

I just thought it was interesting how them came up with such a unique name. They have a different sound being a British band. I found that a lot of the British bands I enjoy have different sounds, I think we just have have two different cultures and I like that because different music can come out of them.

'We Started Nothing' is an album I can put on anytime of day and it gets me energized. I just want to get up and dance around. It makes me feel happy and I feel the music infuses wherever I am with bright colors. I really can't pick a favorite song as they all excite me. I just recommend the CD to anyone who want to just have a good, happy, and fun time!

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival, or CCR, is a classic band popular from the late 1960s is a band I grew up hearing from my parents. Their music just makes me happy. They have had so many classic songs that are played everywhere and even if their name isn't known, people know the songs. 'Chronicle Volume 1' has twenty songs, all great ones by CCR, including a lot of my favorite songs by them such as 'Down on the Corner,' 'Lodi,' 'and 'Bad Moon Rising.' The album also has my favorite song by them 'Proud Mary.' I absolutely adore their version of it!

Katy Perry

If you haven't heard Katy Perry's 'I Kissed a Girl' this summer, you've been under a rock. The moment I heard the song, I 'hearted' it, as I like to term things I really enjoy. 'One of the Boys' is an album that since I bought it, I have listened almost non-stop. Not only does Ms. Perry have amazing style, her music and lyrics are just as amazing. The song 'One of the Boys' describes my life - always being looked at as a friend. 'Waking Up in Vegas' is probably one of my favorite tracks on the album along with 'Thinking of You.'

Katy Perry's debut album is definitely a girl empowering album. Not only that, I feel that the album is the soundtrack to my life. I feel as though she wrote the album by picking my brain and taking inspiration from my life experiences. It is just an amazing album, one that is needed by I all, in my opinion.

Kate Voegele

I found out about Kate Voegele through myspace a long time before became well known from One Tree Hill. On one of my random searches for new music, I found her myspace page and quickly became a fan. She's an intelligent music-writing, guitar-playing girl who has a unique voice with a great look. Her album 'Don't Look Away' which has just been re-released as a deluxe album with new live acoustic tracks which I really enjoy as much as her studio tracks. I've seen her live and she is just as talented and sounds as great live as she does on the album, which is starting to become a rare talent now-a-days with all the technical enhancing that can be done in the studio.

'Kindly Unspoken' is one of the songs she is known for and one of my favorite songs by her. I really enjoy the lyrics it, especially the chorus:

"Kindly unspoken
You show your emotion
And silence speaks louder than words
It’s lucky I’m clever
If I didn’t know better
I’d believe only that which I’d heard"

I like the way she writes her lyrics, they have a poetry to them. I'm not sure how to describe exactly why her lyrics appeal to me, I just enjoy how they flow and go with the music. They just connect to me. Like the chorus and this verse from 'One Way or Another':

"You say that love is blind, well I say open up your eyes
She’s a mastermind, she'd cheat and lie to get you to love her
Who’s the victim if it doesn't make a difference now?
I’ll be gone one way or another

You’re going under
And baby its no wonder
She’s stepping up her game
Making you a prisoner of her hall of fame
Looking for a winner for her trophy case
You need to consider what you think you deserve
Is that all that you’re worth? No, no, no, no, no"

She also does a powerful cover of Rufus Wainwright's 'Hallelujah.' It may not actually be his song originally, but even if it isn't, I adore his version. Being one of my favorite songs, I was not sure if I would enjoy the cover. I did and quite a lot. And that is what I'll leave you with, here is Kate Voegele singing 'Hallelujah' live:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT_1Xzr0d7Q

Check it out, you'll enjoy it. :)

My political voice for change...

2008-11-06T01:41:00.005-05:00

As everyone knows, the November 4, 2008 elections were yesterday between McCain/Palin and Obama/Biden. It was a pivotal election year and an interesting election to follow as well. I tend to keep most of my political views to myself because I find that the majority of people who want to discuss politics are too thick-headed and don't listen to other views or they just plain don't know what they are talking about. I enjoy having political talks, especially over different views, if the person is intelligent enough to hold that conversation and realize that everyone has their own opinion.

On to own opinions...

I did not vote for Obama. I voted for McCain. Why? Because after weighing all the issues that were important to me and looking over all the facts, I felt that McCain and Palin would be a better match in the White House for me than Obama and Biden.

I'll be the first to say that if I wanted to label myself a political title, I'd be a Democrat. But I don't like labels like that because I feel when you say you are something (i.e. "I'm a Democrat.") that if you like something other than what you are suppose to (for example a Democrat for McCain) you are chastised for not having the correct opinion, and I find that wrong, so that's why I don't label myself.

This was a big political year and I'm really proud of the amount of people my age who voted for the first time and/or actually took a strong interest in the campaigns. We are the future and within the next ten to twenty years, we will be running this country. And if my peers, and other citizens of the USA, felt that Obama is the best for the White House, I'll support their decision. It may not be what I wanted, but I understand that if we don't support the outcome of the election, we won't ever achieve the change we all want. So cheers to you Obama and Biden! Best of luck in the White House and I hope that this really can be a time for change!

The aspect of this election that I'm most upset about today is some of the feelings I've heard and read of others. "Yay finally a Black president." "We have a Black man in the office." "The Black guy beat the White guy." THIS ANGERS ME TO NO END. You would think that people who voted and listened to the campaign and even live the country we live in, would stop and think, but no, they run around yelling about a black man finally getting into office. Don't get me wrong, I understand that this is first (just like it would have been a first if Hilary Clinton ran and won the presidency or if Sarah Palin became Vice-President) and I think it's great that a different race got into office, but does it really matter? I mean honestly? And it makes me laugh too because if people actually knew their facts or what they were talking about they would know that he's half black and half white. I really don't care though and it shouldn't be that huge of factor to other people. I could careless if our president is black, white, purple, pink, orange, has horns, seventeen eyes, or four arms, they just better be able to run this country and run it properly because if they don't run it properly, it's nothing to cheer about. I just wish that people would stop and think before they speak sometimes and realize that yes, this is a step forward, but just because he's black doesn't make him better. He didn't win because he was black, he won because he led a good campaign and has a hope for change in our country, I just hope that people don't just see his color and look over his hope for change, because one person can have the idea for change for our country, but we have to help. So I hope that everyone who voted doesn't disappear from the political spectrum, but stays around, pays attention, and helps be the change that our nation needs.

Learning to Fly....

2008-10-30T01:10:00.001-04:00

I just finished Victoria Beckham's autobiography, Learning to Fly, and it was absolutely fabulous. I really wanted to read the book because Mrs. Beckham is one of my favorite celebrities, especially with her amazing style! (There will be an ode to her other book, That Extra Half Inch, later on this post). I enjoy autobiographies, I find it interesting to look into the world through the eyes of someone else, especially since everyone grows up differently. Starting the book I found that it was really easy to read, she wrote it in a very conversational way, so it made reading it fun and understandable. Victoria Beckham did not have fame handed to her on a silver platter, she worked hard for everything she has, and that makes me respect her even more. She has a drive in a life and shows it through this book. She speaks freely about the ups and downs in her life, but at the same time she did seem a little guarded, but after reading the book I can understand why and I can completely understand when she says 'I only trust my family.'

She also talked about her health problems and showed that she is human just like everyone else. While she may be married to one of the world's best looking men, have a great life, and beautiful kids, she can still get sick and deals with life's little problems just like the rest of us. I was surprised how much she was self conscious with her appearance and you can see she grows from that throughout the book, she still deals with. She worries about her spots, as she calls them, we know them as zits, and if she if she looks all right. I was completely shocked to find out that she suffered from a case of meningitis as well. It is not a fun illness, and I would not wish it on anyone, but in a way it was almost comforting to read about someone else's experience and know that the thoughts I have/had about it are similar to what other people think.

If you are interested in a glimpse of seeing what made Victoria Adams the famous Posh Spice and Victoria Beckham, I would definitely pick up this book. I really enjoyed reading it because it showed me the human, the woman, behind the celebrity. The book ends before her other children are born and I hope that someday she picks up the pen again and writes what else has happened in her life because although she thinks of herself as not interesting, I found this whole book to be extremely interesting!

The other book I have read by Victoria Beckham is That Extra Half of Inch. I completely adore it!!!! Yes, I know I am a geek when it comes to fashion and love everything and anything to do with it, but I really enjoyed this book. She gives truthful tips and not just the run of mill ones. Not only is she stunning on the cover (but truthfully, when is she not stunning?), she really does cover 'hair, heels, and everything in between.' Need any idea? Suggestion? She more than likely has the answer for you, whether it is one you like or not. The best part of the book is that she really instills to the reader that the most important part of feeling fabulous and being happy with what you wear is to be yourself and listen to your inner voice, because no one knows you better than yourself. I just love that she reminds people that if a fashion does not look good on you, do not wear it, because it is really funny how many people wear a fashion when it does not look good at all on them. This is a really fun book and it shows off her keen fashion sense and gives tips that anyone can apply to the way the dress and their fashion ideals!

Just for fun and for the record, I want to state that I think Victoria Beckham is one of the world's most beautiful women. I mean look at these pictures:

She's just fabulous! I really look up to hear as a fashion icon. And now, I'll leave you with one of my favorite pictures of her to date...

"It's true what he said - without a little lift, the ballerina falls..."

2008-09-30T04:17:00.001-04:00

There's a musical, Next to Normal, that I adore, only to have come to this adoration for it long after it is no longer in a theatre. I was intentionally drawn to it because of the cast, the phenomenal cast of Alice Ripley, Jennifer Damiano, Aaron Tveit, Brian d'Arcy James, Adam Chandler-Berat, and Asa Somers. Then I became hooked on the score. Each song was just something new I never heard and I just wanted to hear more. Falling asleep to it last night, then finishing it up today I discovered a new reason why I like it so much - it says things that I wonder out loud.

"I've had this lovely and fascinating relationship with you doctors and your treatments for 16 years but now I think I'm done."

I've been on medicine since I can remember. Will I ever be done? I feel like my life has been a sickness train, chugging along the path picking up every passenger and even the ones without tickets. I just want a break! I'm sick of being sick. I'm sick of waking up thinking that I need to take medicine. I'm sick of thinking before I eat that I need to take medicine. I'm sick of thinking that while I eat, I need to take medicine. I'm sick of thinking that after I eat, I need to take medicine. I'm sick of going to bed thinking that I need to take medicine. MEDICINE OCCUPIES MY LIFE! Why? Why can't my body function properly? Why can't I just be 'normal'?
Sometimes I think how easy it would be just to stop. Stop taking everything. Stop following rules. Just stop. Then I'm even more afraid that after I stop, my body will reject me even more. Do you think it's possible that my body is used to all these medicines and therapy and special diets? What if it can't be 'normal'? What if this is 'normal'? At least for me...
I refuse. It can't. There is just something that is missing and once that's figured out, once I'm figured out, I'll be fine. I really can't wait for that day. I've had tastes of health, and it's fabulous. I just don't want tastes anymore. I want it. I want to be healthy. I want to be healthy and live whatever it is this 'normal' life is I'm meant to live.

"I'm not asking for a normal life. A next to normal life would be fine."

Seriously.

"Perfect for you
I will be perfect for you
So you could go crazy
Or I could go crazy, it's true
Sometimes life isn't sane
But crazy I know I can do
Cause crazy is perfect
And fucked up is perfect
So I will be perfect
Perfect for you"

My parents have an amazing relationship. Rare to most. I envy it. I hope I have it some day because I don't want to settle for anything less.
So many of my friends are in serious committed relationships, engaged, or married. It scares me almost because I wonder with the world today if things will changed. I'm sure some will and I honestly hope to all that is willingly that it won't, but it will.
I just want a happy ending. For myself. For everyone. I want the fairytale just as the next girl, but not right now. And honestly I just want to find someone who will say "I'll be here for you."

"Am I Crazy?"

Probably.
Or just scared.
Or both.
Which is more than likely the case. I think I'm just thinking so much again because I'm going for another long day of tests at the hospital tomorrow. Just another day and I'll be fine and to the powers that be, please let them help me, let them figure out what is wrong. I'm tired of waiting...

Political Debate

2008-09-27T00:25:00.001-04:00

I don't like, nor do I watch, the presidential debate. I boycott it because watching it, in my opinion, is dull. It is on every channel which pretty much forces anyone who doesn't have cable to watch it and if you do have cable, the shows on cable are not anything you want to watch during that time. (Even Law & Order, which is always on, wasn't on for it's normal Friday night marathon or on any other channel for that matter). Not everyone wants to partake in politics. Everyone should be able to choose how they want to learn about politics. I like to read about politics, not watch it. I find watching political shows rather unentertaining. Albeit I enjoy Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, but their shows aren't deemed political, although I do learn quite a lot about the world and politics from them, but that's another story.

I learn about politics my way and you should learn about politics your way, but we should not be forced to watch people bicker and banter back and forth for two hours if we do not want to. It's America, what happened to our freedom? Ok, yeah I agree, that last sentence stretched it a little to far, but my point is that politics should not be forced on the people. I'll be the first one to say that having knowledge about our government and politics is important, but you aren't going to make some care if they don't want to and you especially aren't going to make someone care by overtaking all the TV channels and forcing them to watch politics for two hours. You will just end up making people angry and they will be even more upset when the debate that they didn't want to watch is talked about, dissected, and replayed for the next two months over and over again. Great idea - let's anger someone who is already apathetic to politics until they are so sick of it that they want nothing to do with it. Therefore they don't educate themselves and they don't vote. Smart plan, worked out really well.

Let the people learn politics if they want to. If they don't care, you probably aren't going to make them care by making them mad. I didn't watch the debate. Don't plan on ever watching a debate. I enjoy politics, but I enjoy them my way, through reading, and that is the way I'll keep up with my politics. That is my rant and I am finished.

Babysitting blocks..

2008-09-24T22:03:00.001-04:00

I babysat for a few hours tonight, for two super adorable cute little boys I might add, and during that time I came up with a thought:

I hate the sounds of Legos, Duplos, any type of plastic building boxes mixing together. It is one of the worst sounds ever! The clickity-clack noises clanging together hitting the sides of a plastic box does not make me happy. While it is a noise from my childhood, it's a noise I don't appreciate it. I LOVE to build with Lincoln Logs, Legos, etc, but I always went through the boxes softly to find the pieces and create my latest idea.

Playing with the boys and building a spaceship out of Duplos was an awesome time that brought back memories of my childhood, but the noise was something I did not miss and don't want to hear again.

Although, I wouldn't mind building with blocks again, quietly.

Goodbye, Love

2008-09-08T02:11:00.001-04:00

Tonight was the final performance of Rent on Broadway. How I wish I could have been there so very much. Instead I commemorated the night by wearing my Rent shirt and watching a video of the Original Broadway Cast from Opening Night. I think it's acceptable to celebrate an ending by watching how it all begin.

Rent has been such a big part of my life. I heard it for the first time my freshman year of high school at drama club, not only introducing me to one of the most important people in my life (my bestie Stefny), but solidifying my love for theatre, especially musical theatre.

I'm really sad to see it go. Every time I've gone to New York I've walked by the Nederlander Theatre and it makes me happy.

So there is back of theatre and the all the casts, crews, special people, and celebrities have signed it. I wonder what they are going to. I think they should auction it off or donate it to a museum so people could see.

Twelve years on Broadway. That's a long time. I'm so proud of show. It makes me said that Jonathan Larson didn't see on Broadway, but I know that he was watching to the every night from up above.

Rent will always be part me and I won't forget it and don't think others will. It interested so many people into theatre.

My favorite quote from Rent is 'No Day But Today'. I truly believe that. I try to follow because you never know what could the next day, especially my life haha.

So I'm going to sappy and Thank You Rent and Jonathan Larson!

Goodbye, Love...
April 29, 1996 - September 7, 2008

2008-09-05T00:21:00.002-04:00

First week of classes. It feels good to be back. I have a feeling this will be an amazing semester.

2008-08-25T23:56:00.001-04:00

My mom bought me a ring. I attempted multiple times to take a picture of it, but it didn't come out. It's pretty and sparkles = perfect for me.

In exactly one week and one day the Fall 2008 school semester starts for me. I just hope I make it through. I'm sick of being the 'sick' kid. I just want to finish college. My goal is to stay healthy this semester and I will do all in my will power achieve that.

I also need a job. I don't have one, but at the same time, I don't want one. See I have this problem, when I work, I throw my entire being into the job, sometimes letting overtake other parts of my life that it shouldn't, like school. Because of that I don't really want the responsibility of a job because I don't want to start to have it be my all and then school be put on the back burner. I need to get done with school. I want to get done with school. I have to get done with school!

My brother graduates this coming spring. (Go him! Woo!) I'm so envious, so very envious. And I know that everyone will say 'Katie you have had special circumstances' well, screw special circumstances because it sucks when your friends graduate and move on with their lives, but it really sucks when your younger brother, of three years I might add, is going to graduate before you and move on with his life.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not mad at him, in fact I'm his biggest fan. I think the kid is talented way beyond his years. I'm just jealous that he can move on while I'm still stuck in the same old schedule. I'm 24. I'm ready to be in the real world.

I'm ready to have a real life. Have a real job. Meet the person I'm suppose to be with for the rest of my life. Make money that I can spend how I want. Live in New York City. I'm ready to be happy.

But I will 'be happy' until I can really be happy. The smile will go on my face. I will push through each day because I know more I push forward and get through school, the closer I will be to living my dream.

So here is to the last week of Summer 2008 where I straighten out my life before hitting the books. And all I have to do is keep thinking that when December comes and I finish Fall 2008, I'll be one more step closer to the life I'm meant to lead.

Odd little things...

2008-08-22T00:35:00.001-04:00

I'm quirky. I've realized that. I have odd habits that some people may think are a little weird, but you know I like them:

My two favorite snacks are either dipping carrots in peanut butter or bread & butter pickles with cheese. Yeah, I know, odd, but don't knock it until you try it.

Sometimes I just like to listen one song over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again... Seriously I'll get in a mood and just listen to one song because it fits.

I have odd obsessions. Like I like something, I'll grow to like it even more, and it consumes me. Case in point: Hanson, Spring Awakening, Giraffes, CDs. Those are just a few of things that I really like. Do I mind it? No. But I may get on your nerves because I do enjoy talking about them at times. :)

I feel like this post should be eons longer, but everything I was planning on writing completely has slipped my mind....

Oh there's another thing: I have so much randomness that goes on in my head that I think things and if I don't write them down, they are gone. Kind of like this post...

"Saying somebody can't do something, makes me want to go and do it more."

2008-08-17T00:01:00.001-04:00

Michael Phelps is a Beast.

He amazes me.

16 medals total. 14 medals gold. 8 gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Fierce.

He's completely fierce.

Not to mention his quirkiness and complete happiness at these games after each race make me want to give him a hug.

Go him.

Anyone who works that hard and is still grounded deserves all that he gets and more.

2008-08-16T16:26:00.001-04:00

Today I sat on the porch swing and just read a book for two hours. Outside in the fresh air. Once I got comfortable on the swing, I had a little trouble with this whole gall bladder missing, it makes sitting and moving a little uncomfortable, stupid gall bladder. Can you tell how much I hate it? It really screwed up my life at the moment. But enough about that, back to my reading on the swing. I forgot how much I like read. Well I didn't really forget, I just wish I did it more. Reading takes me away. I fall into a stupor and I just love to enter the world of the book and have it surround me. Two hours of entering the an imaginative world makes me happy. I have to do it more. But school is starting soon, and I'm really excited for it, excited for it to be over so I can graduate and move to New York, but I have a feeling that I'll be reading text books. Blah. Oh well I try to commit to reading a chapter a night just to relax of a fun book and hopefully I can do that.

I got the new Elle magazine in the mail yesterday and I have to say I was immediately drawn to the cover.

Jessica Simpson looks fabulous. She maybe ditzy, but she is gorgeous. The fashion director on the shoot did an amazing job. I would have never thought to pair that outfit with those bangles and a turquoise necklace. I think the necklace is a standout piece. I just really like this cover.
Plus the pictures of this photo shoot are great!

These are two of my favorites. It actually makes me like country girl plaid. Plus the draping on the pieces are done very precisely which makes me the pictures turn out even better!

So I'm totally watching a lifetime movie right now. I have to say that they are a guilty pleasure. This is one is Poison Ivy: The Secret Society. It has Miriam McDonald in it. She is from Degrassi: The Next Generation, another guilty pleasure of mine. But I have to say that she inspires me. She's a gorgeous in her own way. And she just seems to be happy as herself, curves and all.

She's beautiful and confident, something I hope that people see in me. Confidence is something I want to give off. Beauty wouldn't hurt either. So I guess I'll just have to wait and see...

....for people to see me, the real me

"You are the real-life version of Bella Swan.."

2008-08-16T00:10:00.001-04:00

That's what my friend said to me tonight and followed it up with "...I truly believe that." Comparing me to the main character in the Twilight series? Yeah right.

But the more I think about it, I do see the coincidences between her and me. First, we both are abnormally pale.

I love to tan, but I never seem to get one unless I'm in the sun, baking for many hours. But the true similarity between Bella and I is that we are completely the most klutziest people to exist. Bella gets in life or death situations where she is drastically hurt, you know what's weird, I do too! :)

I've had horrible asthma since I was three which affected my ability to ever be a professional soccer player or gymnast at a young age. I got pneumonia many times throughout my young age which led to many hospital stays. Freshman year of high school started my battle with eating disorders. Yes, those are self-inflicted, but Bella had some choices too (remember the motorbikes? cliff diving?). Sophomore year I came down with chronic appendicitis, no I couldn't get regular appendicitis, I had to get chronic. What is chronic appendicitis you ask? Chronic appendicitis is where the underside of the your appendix inflames and rubs against your lymph nodes of your intestine and inflame them so therefore the regular push-and-release appendix test doesn't work. So the doctors were stumped and I was in the hospital for a week complaining of pain that they said didn't exist until they did the exploratory surgery and saw that I wasn't making up the horrible pain in my side. Fun times huh?

Besides the normal colds, lets jump ahead to swim season junior year. It's the end, I'm actually doing well and finally loving my sport (and slowly learning to love my body) and then BAM! the last race of my junior season I create nerve damage along my right should blade. No problem, get it fixed and be swimming for my last season. Nope, only I would get such bad nerve damage that it would require a surgery that if done had over a 50% chance of puncturing my lungs. Being that I like to breath I opted out that one and my life as a swimmer was over. Senior year I graduated. Yay go me! Start college at good Wayne State University. Woo! This was before it was required to have all incoming freshman (and all other college students) get the meningitis vaccine. So I get through my first semester, rough, but not too bad. Then my second semester is almost complete, but everyone gets sick before finals because of the late nights of studying and stressing. Well the last day of classes before the study day I left early. My mom took me to the hospital that night. 'Go home, it's just a bad case of the flu.' I don't get any better over the weekend, so not only am I even more sick, but I'm worried about finals. Go back to the hospital. 'Go home, it's just the flu.' My mom is frustrated and and I was in pain. We go to another hospital. They admitted me immediately. I stay there two weeks and twice during that time they told my parents to set up final arrangements and to be prepared that if I did come out of the medicine coma (it was the only way to keep me out of pain) that I would probably not be myself and could revert back to the mentality of a 5 year old. I was diagnosed with encephalitis and spinal meningitis and by some will, I pulled out with very little side effects. It was then that following fall that the meningitis vaccine became mandatory for all college students.

Side effects from my meningitis were lovely migraines and wonderful head pains that felt like I had lightening shooting up my head. These were all going on, but didn't come into full effect later.

I like to think I'm invincible, as does Bella. I also love to try new things. I love snowboarding. So after I was well enough, I went snowboarding. First couple of times were fine. Then I thought it would be fun to nosedive into a tumble down a hill and land on my elbow. Luckily it didn't shatter, but it was severely sprained and I was in a sling for awhile. Then I went to Acapulco and had a fantastic time, but while playing in the ocean, I tumbled over my friend and landed on my shoulder. I didn't think anything of it at the time. It was my right shoulder so I figured the pain was just because I jarred it. After a nine hour plane ride home, turns out that I broke my right collarbone, or technical term, my right clavicle almost completely, it was hanging on my a fringe. So it needed to be set and I was in a sling again.

Now here come the migraines and head pains. The head pains start in the fall after Acapulco. They were so bad I would pass out every minute because my body couldn't handle the pain and would shut down. Finally after a week in the hospital again, I was diagnosed with occipital neuritis and given a nerve block on the right side of my brain. Who would have thought it, but six months later, the left side acted up and because my neurologist was on vacation, I was stuck in the hospital for a week until he was back and could give me a nerve block on the left side.

But I was still getting headaches and migraines galore. So started the journey of many doctors and therapies. You name it, I tried it. Acupuncture. Yoga. Cranial-Sacriotherapy. Pain Psychologists. Chiropractic care. A million neurologist. Eastern medicine. Western medicine. It was crazy and no one could figure out why they were so bad. Finally one doctor found out about food allergies and after alleviating everything good in my diet (eggs, dairy, brewers yeast, bakers yeast, peanuts, soy, and gluten (wheat)) they became somewhat better, but not a 100% yet and we are still working on that.

Most recently I just went to my favorite place on Earth, New York City. I come back and think I'm just tired from my crazy flights. Then the next day, I think I may coming down with a cold. The following day, I'm full out throwing up, shaking, chills, sweating, and I have pain in my stomach. Well we all know it's not my appendix because that has been long gone for almost nine years now (wow, time has flown). My mother goes, 'it sounds like when my gall bladder acted up and I needed it up.' She tells my father and he agrees because he has had his out too. The pain worsens and we go to the hospital. I'm admitted Sunday, they dope me up Monday, surgery Tuesday (bye, bye gall bladder, thanks for nothing in these 24 years), Wednesday (my birthday) they let go and today (Friday) I'm still super sore. So now I have four lovely incisions which means no more pool time for Katie which brings us full circle back to being the incredibly white and not able to tan.

Oh and to top it all off I get weird bruises all the time, like this one, and have no idea where they came from or why they exist. Fun huh?

So yeah, Bella and I have a the whole life and death thing going on. I'd also like to think that I'm pretty like her (you really can't disagree since this my blog). See? Just agree.

But the only thing I'm missing that Bella has is in her life is love.

So when is my Edward going to come around? I guess I will just be waiting until he appears in the twilight... ;)

2008-08-15T06:48:00.001-04:00

I got my gallbladder out recently. Actually the two days before my birthday. Oh what a fun way to spend my birthday. I came home from New York City on Friday, August 8th. Didn't feel so hot, so I laid down. Saturday, August 9th, I thought I had a the flu and by Sunday, August 10th my parents were taking to me to the hospital. Gallbladders are useless (in my opinion, like the appendix, which I also had out in high school), and it hurts like a bitch! Monday I had surgery and Tuesday I doped up to not remember that day. Wednesday was my 24th birthday and I was out of it, but released from the hospital. I now have four pretty incisions, one below my belly button and three near it that I hope won't scar. There goes laying in the pool and tanning for the rest of summer.

Why do we have gallbladders and appendixes? I don't get understand. Just like I don't understand mosquitos. They are the most useless things that ever existed. If I knew a purpose for these things, a legitimate purpose that they existed, I would be content. But the gallbladder and appendix seem to have little to do with human life. And mosquitos, well they suck, literally.

2008-08-02T16:30:00.001-04:00

Being a fashion student I understand that fashion is a (sometimes viscous) cycle and that ideas are constantly being updated, reused, and recycled.

I'm the first to say I love Chanel. I adore Karl Lagerfield and having the brief unexpected chance to meet him in the middle of Times Square was amazing.

But sometimes I wonder about fashion and fashion choices.

As I open up Harper's Bazaar Runway Report (I look forward to this magazine every season!) there is a Ralph Lauren add, Armani add, Calvin Klein add, and then a Chanel add.

And the first thing I think of is Madonna circa the 80s after seeing this add.

While this add is nowhere are gaudy, brightly colored, or filled with self-inflicted rips as my beloved Material Girl, it just goes to show how the fashion cycle comes back around and can be better than before.

Just a side note, the BjornBorg add makes me totally want to party in my underwear:

It's Nice to Be Nice...

2008-07-18T03:45:00.003-04:00

My mom always says it’s nice to be nice. I take that to heart. I try my best to be a nice person because in all honesty, for the most pare, it is who you know.

I am a music and theatre geek.

I love the arts.

I think it is only fair to to tell someone when they are doing amazing or they touch you in a a certain way. John Gallgher Jr. is one of those people I have always wanted to tell. I think he is a fascinating actor and musician. Being an alum of Spring Awakening, he was there to support his fellow cast members in their final endeavor. I’ve been wanting to to meet him for a long time and tell him that. Well after the matinee of Spring Awakening on Saturday, he came out to the stage door for a few minutes. Unfortunately I only saw him go inside. So being me and realizing this may be my only chance, I knocked on the stage door and the guy in charge of backstage answered. I told him how I was have been wanting to meet John Gallagher Jr. for so long and he went in and went to ask him to come out....

He did! :) :) :)

He was one of the most sincere and genuine guy I have met. I know he has tons of fans, but he made me feel special and only focused on me. So needless to say it was an incredible experience!

Which now I get back to my stating of ‘it’s nice to be nice.’

Another way I feel is that when someone does something that you truly appreciate, you should let them know.

So after the evening show of Spring Awakening, I went back to thank the backstage guy who helped me meet John Gallagher Jr.. He was surprised that I even thanked him once, let alone twice, because most people have a hard time thanking a person even once. Which that surprised me because given the position he is in, you would think that people are extremely nice to him.

After thanking him, we ended up talking about random things such as the city and the night ended with him inviting my friend and I backstage for a quick tour. I was able to stand on the Spring Awakening stage and look out into the empty theatre! It was an awesome experience!

I guess the moral of this entry is it’s nice to be nice to everyone you meet and appreciate what is given to you because you never know when someone appreciates you because you appreciated them!

Home..

2008-07-17T04:45:00.001-04:00

People ask me why I go to New York so much, they only answer I can give is that it calls to me. New York City is my absolute favorite place in the world. It’s my home, yet I don’t live there. I board the plane so excited in Detroit and landing in New York is the best feeling, the feeling of satisfaction that all is well. I love watching tv shows and movies based in New York Cit. I also love reading books based there as well. And that all started at a young age. I didn’t even get to go to my home until I was 20 years old. From then on it was an addiction. I needed my fix and as the years passed I went more and more.

Now I’m 23, on my third time this year with another trip already planned for next month.

Will I stop? No.

Am I crazy? Probably.

Do I care? No.

Everybody has a home, I just don’t live in mine. I would move in a second, but transferring would make me graduate even later than I already am and I just want to be done with college. Now. So I can move home, but I guess I’ll just have to have my little fixes. As I state here and look up at the tall buildings, hear the noises of the city, and see all the people, I am content, comforted, and happy because I know I’ve found a place where I belong. And someday, I’ll actually be able to say I live in my home, New York City.