Two Thousand and Ten, Let's Go!

Welp, I survived yet another year! And I'm looking forward to what 2010 has to offer. My mission is to make this one more memorable. Don't get me wrong, some pretty great things happened in 2009, but I think I can do better.

I know New Years resolutions have kind of become something to scoff at, but I've made some resolutions for this year that I think I' might be able to stick to:

1) Take my vitamins!- lets be honest, I've never been a treadmill walking, spandex wearing, gym goer, but improving my health is something I do want to focus on. Vitamins are a more realistic goal for me.

2) Cook more- I'm staring off the new year fairly low on funds, so you are looking at Richmond's newest lunchbox toter! Tomorrow I will be digging out the crock-pot that has been submerged in my trunk for the past 2ish years and put it to use. Home made meals that last a few days? Oh my!

3) Productive days off- I've been working full time for about 3 months now, and since I no longer have classes taking up my days off, I can do whatever I want! The past few days off have been more like "Catie veg days" which have been vital in catching up on rest that i've been missing from the past 22 years of non-stop action and ambition. Some of the things I plan on working on: working on my book, sewing more and putting them on my Etsy shop, reading a lot more, creating new baked good recipes.

Pretty good list, huh? I'll let you know how it goes.

Here's hoping everyone had a wonderful New Years celebration!

Love.

Merry Merry

Hope that everyone is having/had a wonderful holiday! Mine has been swell so far. Right after work on Wednesday, I rushed home shoved laundry, random clothes, and the cat in the Volvo and hit the road. That night the family and I had chinese food, opened gifts, and laughed a lot. Good times. The next morning we woke up and had breakfast, said goodbye to my Dad (a little peeved that he didn't actually stay to see me for more than a night), and then my Aunt and I started baking!

Jerrie and I made kiss cookies and Amish-style sugar cookies. The latter was the most tedious cookies we've made yet. Last year, we made lemon cookies dipped in dark chocolate, these required fridge time, double-boiler, and fishing line. This year, the sugar cookies required me to sculpt them on the cookie sheet since the dough was more of a biscuit consistency. We followed the directions and 20 minutes later we had the largest cookies you've ever seen. Seriously, the size of my face. Needless to say, it took three people to 'test' just one of the cookies, so the recipe was cut in half.

I love family, even if i'm the butt of their jokes. The feeling of home is what is really making me consider moving back.

Cookie disasters, routines, and predictability.

Season's Greetings

Christmas is in 2 days, who would have thunk that this year would fly by as fast as it did?
Around this time of year I always evaluate where I was the year before. Last year, I was working for Nordstroms, taking some of my degree's core classes, I was single, and had some great friends.

This year, definitely had it's ups and downs, but there is no doubt that I came out on top. I landed myself a great job that I love, met some great people, became closer to my friends, got promoted AND graduated from college.

I have some high hopes for 2010. I am pretty much free to do whatever I want! Whether that means move to a bigger city, go back to school, start up my own company, fall in love, travel- who knows? I'm hoping all of the above, honestly (told you they were high).

Each year I find out more about myself, I'm excited to see what I learn next year.

White Out

If I had to choose my favorite precipitation it would have to be snow. The city goes clean and quiet, and you are left with heavy tree limbs and a new source of light. I love the cold, I enjoy bundling up and breathing air that makes my lungs hurt, and one of the best feelings in the world is coming home and cuddling up with hot chocolate.

I never thought that I would ever be frustrated with snow though. This morning I was scheduled to open my store at 8am. I woke up at 5, anticipating a hard commute, and found despite all my snow moving efforts, my car was stuck. Actually stuck. Inconsolably stuck. Mall? Opening on time. Taxis? Not running. State? State of freakin' emergency.

I am officially in between a rock and a cold place.

Graduatation

Yesterday officially marked the end of my time at VCU. For me, the graduation experience was better then I had expected. Being in a room where families, friends, loved ones came out to show their pride and support for all of the graduates, it hit me kind of hard. Maybe this whole thing really was a big deal? This idea was reinforced to me when I saw my family jumping around and waving like crazy, and again when I hugged my Dad and there were tears in his eyes.

Waking up today I feel like the world is moving forward and I'm taking a breather. I've decided that tomorrow is the 'first day of the rest of my life' and today shall be the no responsibility, sleep until noon, eat pizza kind of day. I feel like I deserve an actual day off, haha.

Tomorrow begins my opportunity to see how far I can go. Now that my time is not divided, I plan on being an unstoppable force, not that I'm not one already.

So you'll go your way, and I'll go mine...

Yes, sad song, but there is something about this band I really love.

Truths XXIV

The colder it gets, the more you wish for someone to keep you warm.

Truths from an Almost Graduate

In about a week, I will be graduating from college. I'm thankful for having the opportunity to extend my education, and I have been told that it is a great achievement- but I'm feeling somewhat unfulfilled. Looking back, I really wish that I had been challenged more, gotten more life experience, and tested my abilities to the max.

Maybe thats what a graduate degree is for?
Maybe that is what life is for?

I plan on exploring both, in due time. All in all, I am truly sad to see this chapter of my life close- it's been a fun ride.

Crud Vol II

A few months ago I wrote about a sadly forgotten word, Crud (original found here: http://yesterdayssweethearts.blogspot.com/2009/01/vocab.html). After rediscovering this post while on the phone with Rob, we decided to bring some new acronyms to the table.

Here is our progress:

Catie Rejects Unanimous Decisions -R
Catie Reaches Under Dresses -R
Catie Runs Under Dinosaurs -C
Catie Rescues Unknown Disco-stars -C
Catie Resides Under Dickheads/Dipshits -R (It's true! I had to call the police!)
Catie Regurgitates Undercooked Duck -R
Catie Reaches Unknown Destinations -C
Catie Resembles Unused Diapers -R (Thanks Rob!)
Catie Regretfully Underestimates Dynamite- C
Catie Remembers Using Diapers -R (Still on this diapers thing, eh?)

..to be continued.

What Lips My Lips Have Kissed

What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why,
I have forgotten, and what arms have lain
Under my head till morning; but the rain
Is full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sigh
Upon the glass and listen for reply;
And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain
For unremembered lads that not again
Will turn to me at midnight with a cry.
Thus in the winter stands a lonely tree,
Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one,
Yet know its boughs more silent than before:
I cannot say what loves have come and gone;
I only know that summer sang in me
A little while, that in me sings no more.

-Edna St. Vincent Millay

I found this poem in some of my old papers, I forgot how much I loved some poets.

Taking Risks

Full Disclosure

My close observations of love letters in the few months have made me realize that every letter I've written has lacked something. Then, I had written as a naive girl trying to convey surface feelings for a loved one. And honestly, if I could go back and read things I wrote for those people, I would cringe. Those letters weren't about love. And for the sake of it, i'm not sure that I can actually say I've written a love letter now.

Recently, I remembered how therapeutic it was to write out everything that has been bouncing around in my head. When I am writing for myself, I jot down every doubt, worry, fear, smile, dream that I have. No reservations. Re-reading while I fixed some typos, i had a realization about the whole concept. Preface: 1) I was writing about a particular someone when said realization took place 2) I care more about them then I admit (no, not love).

If it really is love, why would you hold things back about something you obviously share. If there are doubts or fears, wouldn't it be far more human to include the bad with the good? Love is knowing that those fears tell you you are afraid of losing something you feel strongly about, why be ashamed of that? It's not doubt so much as protecting it from weakness.

I read over my full disclosure rant and could very well mail it tomorrow. Looking at it from this angle, I really want to get back on track with my Mom's love letters. Maybe I should turn it into a view of love letters across the generations?

Wishful Thinking

Yes, I should have been planning this out a little better, but I would want to get married on 11/11/11.
Call me superstitious, but how could you fail getting married on that day? Your relationship would be destined for greatness.

C'est la vie, next life!

Truths XXIII

I'm tired of being held at arms length.

Lost and Found

:Niche
Pronunciation: \ˈnich also ˈnēsh or ˈnish\
Function: noun
1 a : a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted (finally found her niche) b : a habitat supplying the factors necessary for the existence of an organism or species

New Tattoo

I need a vote because I am the most indecisive person around.

1) Get just a simple large antique key on my inner arm


2) Get this:

With the key pointing towards my hand. My only worry is that it will look like a hand coming out of my arm pit.

Am I just paranoid? Or should I go with option 1 and have just a simple tattoo?

Votes please!

Sign of the Times

My eyes are turning grey, there is a devilish smile on my face, and scarves hang around my neck- it must be Fall.

Falling Hard

Thank lord it's the first day of Fall. I need a new season and a change of scenery fast.

Nostalgia

Well, my love for costuming in 1950s musicals has revived itself rather strongly after watching only 20 minutes of The Pajama Game. Cutest costuming I've ever seen, and has now got me drawing new designs to start sewing up.



If you watch this, you will understand me that much more.

Observations

Today I had a few hours to indulge in people watching- a pastime that has been lost in the past few months of my life. Something i've always appreciated are peoples quirks. Whether you deny them or not, there are common threads that surface giving you 10 times more depth then the next person.

Today, my observation was of a cashier at Crossroads. Every customer who paid with a card, he openly guessed what name they went by. If the card read "Catherine" he would ask, "Do you go by Cathy? I have a friend named Cathy." or "Alexander, I bet you go by Alex, huh?" While his job must seem super mundane at times, it makes me happy that he has created a simple game that he obviously enjoys.

Simple pleasures people, it's where it's at.

Truths XXI

Tonight I realized just how emotionally attached I am to hardcore music/ music in general.

Ehf.

Roads to Freedom

3am, strap the kid in the car, and go.
It used to be the only thing that could put me to sleep, and right now it’s the only thing keeping me... something.

Back then, I think it was the lulling of rubber gripping the road, and the eerie glow the trees caught from our ’92 Ford station wagon. My parents exhausted in the front seat, comforted with the idea that three miles down the road my eyes would start to close.

My steering wheel seems to be attached to my 2 ton safety blanket.

Truths XX

I fall in love through my rear view mirror on the daily.
I'm bound and determined to live like I'm in a movie.

Things that inspire me to be productive:

-Hearing a song that unexpectedly fits my mood/day perfectly
-Being told a comforting story
-Being told "No"
-Being told "You can't do it"
-Having a really good day dream
-Being able to dream in general.

This past week has been so relaxing, but in usual Ehrler fashion, I'm getting antsy. Last night, I started laying out a timeline with defining memories about my Mom's character. It felt good, and definitely solidified how special I think my Mom is.

Best Day Ever 2009

Best Day Ever 09 really lived up to it's name!
Nailed final presentation, love my tattoo, went driving, bought The Office season 4, dressed up and went to dinner to celebrate friendship, went to a show, and stayed up late.




Such a great day, I am all smiles.
Now, lets start planning for Best Day Ever 2010! :)

Truths XIX

Real life and fear have pushed me disturbingly out of the loop.

Count Down

The Best Day Ever Summer 2009 edition is right around the corner!

This day will consist of:

-Summer class ending, thus beginning my actual Summer break
-Getting my much anticipated tattoo
-Celebrating a year of a great friendship
-and going to a really good hardcore show

Now tell me that doesn't sound like a perfect day.
Is it Thursday yet?!

Life of a Chair

This is what boredom and impulse purchases look like.

Creatures of Habit

Today was a good day!
Class went by quick, came home, and started scrubbing my apartment clean! I have become a hermit, so I figured I might as well clean my shell, haha. After about 2 hours, and mopping myself into a corner, I relaxed read a bit and then went out!

I had an urge to spend money (nothing new), but since my new fascination with saving dollars and dreaming of trips, I have been trying to be good. TRYING. So, off to the thrift store. For me, the thrift store mainly serves the purpose of looking at useless crap to reinforce the fact that I don't actually need anything. It works along these lines about 65% of the time. So, when I actually find something, it comes as a shock. Today I found this:




Granted, furniture is the last thing I need, but look at it! It fits so well! (It also works very nicely as a place to write my thrilling blog entries). After dropping it off, I went over to my favorite bride-to-be's home. Carley has a knack for creating cute, creative, and unique ideas and implementing them exactly the way they should! Her wedding is going to have so much personality and character, which is exactly like them. Perfect! So, the ladies and I crafted the night away creating everything from favors, to flowers, and messes. I'm looking forward to the next craft night.

Fun, fun, fun.

P.S. Thanks to my muscles, AKA Bernadette, for wrestling with the chair!

Feng Shui

With the addition of one digital converter box to my family of technology, the need to move my television closer to a window spurred a living room wide shift. I feel accomplished and more at home. I needed to mix things up.

The shift may have adjusted the luck drifting through my house, because my district manager got in touch with me. We will be discussing my career opportunities tomorrow. Yay!

Happy day.

Coping Strategies

A full tank of gas.

Love Letters

I've gotten through about 5 or 6 of my Mom's love letters. Most of it is the loving, random ramblings of a man longing for his firecracker in the States. Each of these letters hint a little bit about who my Mom was, and how she loved. Through the hopeful images of a life together, this man speaks of my Mother in a very different light then i've ever known...
She longed for this man, she felt lonely, she was timid in love, and she was scared. Of course, all of these are hidden amongst the purely positive characteristics of my Mom. But one thing I rarely, and almost never, saw in my Mom was a hint of any weakness.

My Mom usually didn't offer support or advice for me in my ventures through boyfriends and loved ones. She made me figure it out the same way that she did, which wasn't such a bad thing- it definitely made me stronger. I am finding comfort that I am more like my Mom then I thought. She felt the same doubts, she dreamt the same, and she loves the same way I do.

Life is funny; while I'm extremely saddened in the idea that I don't have her here to guide me, I am comforted knowing that she is still teaching me, somehow.

Can't Slow Down

Life is seemingly working to my advantage.
My post-school plans are forcing themselves on me, I'm feeling motivated to seek out my wants/needs, and I am scared to death.

Lets hope this is a mixture for success and happiness.

Update: Summer Fun in List Form

River as often as possible
Truckers tan
Promotions for the above average
Nerdy business jargon
Buying myself flowers
Shorts
Being one with my cell phone/ unlimited texting
Hardcore music
Not hardcore music
Dancing
One-piece bathing suits
Driving with all the windows down
Receiving revealing, drunk phone calls
Past
Present
Future
Love letters
Memories
Reading at night, before bed
Tea: every morning, noon, and night
Tattoos
Camera documentation
Pending road trips
Watermelon
Disconnected TV
SPF 50+
Bruises
New friends
Old friends
Loved ones.


So far, it's showing to be a pretty fantastic Summer.

Truths XVIII

Opportunities for vulnerability are some of my biggest fears.

Good Start

This morning I dragged myself and Bernadette to the river at 8am. Since my Summer class conflicts with any good river time, the morning seemed like a pretty good idea. And it was! It wasn't too hot, wasn't crowded, and it was terribly relaxing.



I really want to make a habit of this, like once or twice a week. Let me know if you want to join in!

Oh, how it clings to me

I have been unable to stop listening to Passion Pit for the last few weeks.
After getting their new album, Manners, it has been in rotation an embarrassing large number of times.

Tonight they played at the National, a place i'd never been to, but was kinda impressed with. Slanted floors= shorties bein' able to see! Once Passion Pit was preparing for their set, a few of us went to the center of it all to claim a good dancing spot.

Passion Pit was able to translate their energy fairly well through their live performance, I mean, I never stopped dancing, which is a rare sight. I'd like to thank my dance partners: Deepa, Bernie, Annam, and Jon! :)

Such a great experience, I am ecstatic.




P.S. Happy Birthday to Rob! :)

Full Moon

For some reason (cough*fullmoon*cough), Bernie and I were a bundle of ridiculousness yesterday. Target, getting hit on by two old dudes in a charger (they took pictures! Creeps..), Priscillas, Ice Pirates, and Photobooth.




We rule.

Truths XVII

I am impressive.

Pretend to be Fearless

Being severely apart from the Richmond music scene, I'm not up to date on any new emerging bands. Feeling super bummed on all of my over played music, I've taken matters into my own hands...

...I'm starting a band!... JK!

I came across Bitter End a few days ago and they blew me away. They are so pulled together and to the point, it's sick! Climate of Fear came out in 2007, so I'm a little behind on their hype. Right now their song I can't get enough of is Terrified Eyes.

Minutes:
-First minute, so simple, but so brutal, I will never understand how bands can but that together. Makes it so much more intense when it shows back up at 3:20-end.

There are some other fantastic songs on the album, sometimes they throw in a guitar solo that I don't agree with, but all in all, GOOD!

Lightning

When I was home, my Dad gave me his old vacuum. So stoked, because that meant I could do all the cleaning that my house was in dire need of.



Feeling adventurous today, I decided to take it on a test run across the 3 inches of cat hair accumulated on my sofa. No sooner had I thought, "Man, this is awesome! Look how good this looks! " My power goes out.

Immediately, nightmares of last Summer come rushing back. Many weekends were spent in the dark due to a breaker box behind a locked basement door, and one too many lights on. I remembered me hunting around public places for an outlet to charge my phone, seeking late night plans to stay out of the house, and getting dressed and being scared of what I actually looked like once in day light. *Shudder*

Maybe I will set up a tent in my house...

Everything's easy when you never had to choose...

I dug out my old headphones/ earmuffs the other day, I love being able to hear every crack and downbeat that gets lost through my car's speakers.

Sunshine

After my second morning began, I immediately started anticipating my adventure to the river.

Around 2pm, Deepa, Kelly Jean, and I met up, grabbed our slurpee supply, and off we went to Texas Beach.

Contents of my backpack:
-1 towel
-1 bottle of water
-1 tube of SPF 50 sunblock (so high!)
-1 bottle of "mega bubbles"
-1 camera
-1 book: Naked by Sedaris

We walked along the river bank and passed by a few rock spots and found our happy place that was secluded and flooded with sunshine. Little did we know, it was a valuable walkway between the two banks, which made for some funny scenery.



The ladies and I spent some wonderful hours jumping between rocks, blowing bubbles, and frankly, being damn cute.

Currently my skin is tingling and looking a little less see through.
I have a feeling the river and I will be getting along swimmingly.

Truths XVI

Southern Drawl

"Blue eyes, kitty guts, eat all the world up..."

My Grandma's way of saying I'm pretty.
I will never understand the language of old southern ladies.

Home Again Home Again

Yesterday was fun. I woke up and made my Dad breakfast and then we went for a drive in the country side. We stopped at a farm and I was able to pet baby goats and see baby chickies. After that we were going to go to junk shops, but I fell asleep in the car. So we went home and vegged. We ended up going to dinner and then out to see Star Trek! Amazing! Soo good. I'm such a sci-fi nerd.

This morning I hit the road at 9am and went to my Grandmas for a bit. On my way to Grandma's I realized that the shop in Greensboro that I took my car to did a dumb job on my breaks, and they now scream every time I break. It kills my spirit, I LOVE driving, just not breaking, haha.

After G-ma, I went to get my hairs cut by my Nicky. And as always, she did an amazing job! She is so talented! :) I was sad that I didn't get to spend sooo much time with her, but girls weekends are coming up!

Then I drove home, and I'm now being the coolest boss ever and making cupcakes for my store meeting at 9:30pm. Ah...fun few days.

River Bound

I made it! I woke up at 6:30am and hit the road by 7. I ended up making good time and made it to Kent Narrows by 10:20, which means I sped- oops! My Dad met me at Harris's and we walked along the piers for a while and fed ducks, waiting for Harris's to open. we had a nice lunch and caught up.

It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, I don't know if it's my Dad's presence, his perspective, or the fact that i'm not in Richmond, but either way- I feel relaxed!

Right now my Dad is writing his lesson plan for his class tonight (of which i get to sit in on, this should be interesting). I just put in a load of laundry, cleaned out my car and attempted to Goo-Gone some of the sticker residue from the trunk of my car.

I will take some pictures of this place, because I always forget what it feels like once I leave. The houses haven't gotten a fresh coat of paint in over 50 years, each street ends in either water or corn fields, the town has only one traffic light, and there were easily 4 old dudes out in there straw hats mowing the lawn.

Pretty fantastic.

Travel

Off I go to Maryland and DC. I am satisfying my internal monologue which has been screaming "Get out of Richmond!"

I enjoy being able to disconnect myself for a while and reflect on the very good, the bad, and the ugly. I also enjoy seafood, haircuts, and seeing family.

This will be a nice trip, which will set me up nicely for what I hope to be an awesome Summer.

Chances are I will be blogging a lot (this typically happens when I'm home) so stay posted.

Truths XV

"As long as you're happy, everything else is crap." -My Dad

Truths XIV

An indicator that I'm getting burnt-out is this irritating feeling of being defeated.



I am trying my hardest, that's all I can do.

Haha

Bummer.

Craft Bug

I had a pretty awesome day.
Woke up early, picked up a Bernadette to have breakfast at Crossroads, and then went on a shopping adventure (I deserve to be a typical girl sometimes).

After that, I came home and caught the craft bug, not to be confused with swine flu.
I have had my sewing machine set up on my kitchen table for months, and it has been neglected, so has my sparkle vinyl for that matter.

So, I started making little accessories, in fairly sizable amounts, to be sold on Etsy.

I'm excited to be crafty again.
I feel accomplished.

Truths XII

I've fallen so far away from the place that I started from.

Times IX

I haven't posted a "Times" entry since early January, my bad-
but I finally have something worth mentioning.

IRON AGE



Iron Ages first album, Constant Struggle (2006), blew me away the first time I heard it. There is not much better than their song Evil Ways. Recently their newest album leaked and I cannot tell you how amazing it is. It is still old Iron Age, just with more metal influences as opposed to their previous punk ones. SO GOOD.

Since it's a pretty sketch sitch, I don't know track titles or anything, so my times to note is the whole album :)

But when it drops, keep an ear out for Sleeping Eye, due out sometime soon(?).

April Showers

Well, I'm scheduled for the last set of classes of my college career. Scary.

I will be taking 2 management courses over the summer, one marketing class in the fall along with 4 German classes (After a long discussion with my Dad, I decided that it would look pretty awesome to have minored in German- So, hopefully I'll be pretty much fluent by next December).

Work is going awesome, I love the people I work with and my schedule is very manageable.

I'm looking forward to warmer weather so I can go exploring- I'm starting to get antsy.



Porch parties '09!

Numb

I took the long way home from South side tonight. I wish I had a full gas tank and no work tomorrow.

I love driving.
I love driving at night.
I love driving at night, with Pelican on.



I'm still not as calm as I need to be.

Just like riding a bike, eh?

Work has been crazy this weekend, but I've got my sales groove back. Woo!


Any who.. I've got the "catie-sized" bike (yes, I finally found a mens frame that fits me!) looking better each day. I'm excited for tomorrow where I'll actually be able to take it downstairs and test it out (environment permitting).

Looking forward to tomorrows.

United Blood Day Two

It's safe to say that today was one of the best day of my life, so far. I got to see Pulling Teeth, Bad Seed, Naysayer, and Cro Mags all in one day.

First of all, I hadn't listened to Bad Seed before last night, but I was blown away. So crucial, those kids have their shit together!

Pulling Teeth was awesome, not what I expected live, but the intensity may have been watered down (PUN!) after a 1.5hour delay because a pipe started spewing water, and flooding the dance floor.

Cro-Mags, Cro-Mags... They have been my life since Sophomore year of high school. Due to the fact that I usually only wear one hoodie ever (adorned with a Cro-Mags patch on it), I've been dubbed "Catie CroMag" by more then a few. They, and their music, have pulled me out of some dark times, and I will forever love them for it. When it came time to see them I couldn't contain myself. As soon as the first bass riff hit, everyone went off the wall. What an amazing night, and I'm so glad that I was able to experience it.

Day One United Blood

It's pretty much a dream come true to have the vast majority of your favorite bands all under one roof. I'm so stoked my insides are smiling.
Today was: Heathens, Mothers of Mercy, Title Fight, War Hungry, Cruel Hand, Bracewar and Cold World (to name a few).

The bands did small sets, and the sound was very off due to shoddy set up, but the spirit of the place made it all not matter.

So excited for round two tomorrow.

Family Matters

My Dad is in town for the weekend, and I'm so glad!
We have both had such a hard year, it is really nice to be able to let your guard down and just bond with your parent. It's very comforting, and I needed it.

Tonight we are going to a Flamenco concert!

OLAY!

accomplished.

Today I helped out at U-Fab. It was hectic because I have little knowledge of my products, but I was very happy to be surrounded by fabric all morning. Here is a sample of what I did today (other then help customers):

Before


After



I love organization.

New Job Job!

After months of a love-hate relationship with Nordstrom, I finally took the initiative and got a new job. Today I was offered a position with Aldo Shoes!

Tomorrow I will be putting in my two weeks notice and filling out paperwork with my new store. I am full of optimism and I am excited to prove myself in a new environment.

Yay good change!

EDIT: I received another job offer to work super part time with Travis at U-Fab (a fabric and upholstery shop near Carytown). I start tomorrow.

Paint it Red

After 10 years of going to NYC, I finally went to my first show in the Big Apple. On Thursday, Propaghandi and Paint it Black played the Highline Ballroom. The New York crowd is definitely a little different than Richmond, but then again, it was a different crowd due to the lineup.

It has been a while since I had seen Paint it Black, and with Dan Yemin being one of my heroes, it is always exciting to see his bands. This time they played a lot off of Paradise and their new album, but I much prefer CVA. The did play Womb Envy, Cannibal, and Atticus Finch... Amazing! The last time I saw them they played The Fine Art of Falling Apart (my favorite), but alas, not this time. I love how every muscle in Dan's face and neck tense up, he spits, and perches on stage. It's brilliant, and intense.

Overall, it was a great show, and I'm super happy I got the opportunity to attend a show in NYC :)

Bigger is better

What a good trip!
Bernadette and I ventured to NYC and had a fun time exploring Brooklyn, Greenwich and Soho.

cupcakes + fun shops + people watching = the best

I always forget the feeling I get when I stay in New York. It's something that grabs me and opens my eyes, leaving me with an impression I never want to be without. I love the feeling of walking the streets and seeing all new people. I enjoy being another face in the crowd-- it allows me to indulge in as much observing as possible.

I am destined for bigger cities.

Which one will it be?

Truths XI

Perception is everything.

Spring Get Sprung

Tomorrow I will be embarking on my well awaited Spring Break Trip'09er.
I'm super excited to test out my travel skills. I've made an itinerary, list of places to hit, and have a plan for weathering the weather (AKA: rain). Should be a great time. I just hope I don't run out of monies!

I will also be continuing my travel journal, which makes me really happy.

In other news:
I am really happy.
(this is an understatement)

Truths X

Jealousy is one of my flaws.

Needle to the Metal

I started sewing again today.
Expect a triumphant return of Domestic Bliss Couture in about 2 months.

So far:

2 purse styles
1 apron style

Remnants of a good snow day:

-dirty mugs
-fresh baked goods
-empty pizza boxes
-puddles
-laptops open
-random craft supplies
-The Office Season 3 disc 3 in the player
-cameras out
-blankets
-laughter.

Truths IX

There is nothing more peaceful than taking a lonely night walk in the snow.

It's ART

I recently found a print online that made me so super happy:



I will own it as soon as I have disposable income...

Krank

I hate being sick, I miss being able to play :/

My Portrait...

..as captured by the wonderful, and talented, Samuel Ford.

Samuel Ford Photography

Sew Awesome

My abundance of random fabrics is now solved, thanks to some inspiration... a quilt!

Here is my inspiration:


http://www.ohfransson.com

So amazing. I think i'll start tonight :)

Truths VIII

I will always remember how the light hit your face this morning.

Friday the 13th Murder Mystery Dinner

On Friday, the lovely Carley hosted a murder myster dinner.
So much fun, plus it was an excuse to get all dressed up :)

We are Louisa De Montforte and Tarquin Uppity

Morning Lullabies

I'm looking forward to morning tea on the porch becoming routine.

Bling Bling!

I done got muh' face pierced.

Truths VII

"Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth."
-- Mark Twain

Uppers.

Truths VI

I wish I could make everyone happy, all the time.

A lot of heart...

Spring break might be a month off, but we're ready for it-
The ladies and I will be venturing up to New York for a few days.
As if we weren't excited enough, we will be going to a super awesome show:

Propagandhi and PAINT IT BLACK!


It has been 2 years since i've seen Paint It Black, and that is far too long.




I still know every lyric.

Ceremony

Note to self:
Listen to New Order more!

Future Weather

It's pretty neat to wake up smiling.

Ladies Night

Bernadette is taking me on a date tonight.
We got a movie, a pizza, and we're baking cookies.

We might be in love.

Secrets

My Mother kept a lot of her past secret from me. As I am embarking on my love letter project, I'm learning there was a ton that occurred.
It's helping me understand more about her, which is what I always had grasped for.
I spoke with my Aunt this afternoon and told her about my project ideas, she was impressed and offered to help me out in filling any blanks that may come about.
She revealed a little to me about my Mother's first husband, of which I knew little about.

This is helping me feel closer to her, it's a comforting feeling.

Truths V

When it rains, it pours.

Geburtstag

The best birthday I could have ever asked for.
I am so lucky to have such great people in my life, thank you.

Yay, 22!





P.S.
Yay hugs.

11 O'Clock News Quote

"One of the pleasures of living in a small town is having a Post Office cat..." (said in a southern Alabama accent)


I love America..

Times VIII

Passion Pit- "I've Got Your Number"

Minutes:
The WHOLE song (pretty much)
0:00- 0:39
2:02- 2:36 (chorus)

Thanks to the cutest boy, I've been introduced into a new genera of music- I love it! I'm wondering how I've gone so long without happy music filling every minute of the day.





Du hast mich lachend wieder.

Times VII

Kate Nash- "Mouthwash"

Minutes:
3:32-4:22



And this is my body
And no matter how you try and disable it
Yes I'll still be here

J'ai Deux Amours

Recently, I faced my fears and went to Maryland to visit my Dad.
Unfortunately, my Mom was only a faint feeling there...
...then we went through her memory box; I lost it.

One of the goals of my trip was to collect love letters sent to her when she was in her 20s. When she was in foreign missile sales, she was involved with a French Duke.
I found about 25 of his letters, and 5 various other ones.

These letters are going to be the basis for a book I'm writing.
I spent 20 years with my Mom, and I'm eager to find out more about her from these poems and hand written wishes.

Incredible.

FYI

Art by dazeychic on Etsy

Vocab

One of my customers used a word today that I totally forgot about, and needs to be used far more often:

-- Crud --

So old school...

Upon Googling it, I've found a few acronyms that should be noted:

-Create, Read, Update and Delete
-Chopper Riding Urban Dwellers
-Coloradans Running Ultra Distances (my favorite)
-It's also the name of an industrial rock band in Detroit.

Crud awareness, people.

Enter

Things that made today awesome:

-Waking up early
-Gorgeous weather
-Soy hot chocolate
-Semi Annual Sale
-Giddy giggling
-Bad movies
-Finishing my scarf
-Spending the whole day with Deepa Creepa :)

Fun, fun, fun.

Two Thousand and Nine.

I pretty much laughed in the new year thanks to some awesome friends.

This is going to be a good year.