The Wait Is Over

I finally got the book I ordered, but best of all I had the garage sale today.

I really didn't feel like waking up at five-thirty on a Saturday morning, so I snoozed a little while longer until I actually got up. When I finally got out of bed I made myself a cup of hot cocoa, got dressed, and waited in the garage for people to show up. Crazy enough a few people came around six and bought a handful of my  stuff. There was a bit of confusion at first because I didn't have enough change, so my mom owed me money, but then I owed her money. Once we were even we kept purchases strictly separate.

My mom and I spent most of our day yesterday preparing for the garage sale. We figured out a way to hang our clothes with some straps and wooden poles hanging from hooks on the ceiling. We filled two tables with all kinds of stuff. Kitchen stuff, purses, belts, toys, you name it. We were getting rid of a lot of stuff.

Between my mom, dad, and I we started arguing about prices. I was trying to sell a new pair of Converse that I wore twice, but were just too small. A few people had asked how much and when I said fifteen dollars, they put them back. My mom would tell me I was loosing customers because I was pricing too high. Of course this frustrated me because they normally sell for forty-five, so fifteen was already less than half. Finally after several customers I told some lady ten, then she asked for seven, so I just said yes. For starters, they were given to me, so I didn't even pay for them, so I tried to remember that I was trying to get rid of things. I tried to make it more about getting rid of it than how much money I was going to make.

It got really crazy around seven. Soon we had our garage packed with people while we were all trying to keep an eye on customers, add up costs, and keep our money separate. Things were going great. After the mob of customers we were noticing how much we had already sold. It still looked like I had a lot of clothes, but I knew how much I was selling too.

As it got closer to ten we saw how empty our garage was starting to look. And those who were still coming around, we began to "make deals" with people. I was selling tank tops for fifty cents each and there were three left and some lady asked about them so I told her all three for one dollar. I had two jackets priced at three bucks each and sold them for four.

Maybe I could have sold some stuff for more, but whatever profit I could make was money I didn't have before, so I knew I was going to be happy with whatever I made. In the end I made a little over one hundred dollars. Money that will go towards my Coachella weekend!

Now that its over I get my table back so I can start sewing and making outfits for Coachella! And I kept some of my dad's sweaters that had cool patterns on them.

What's New?

Nothing super exciting seems to be goin' on around here. Still waiting to have my garage sale (finally this saturday.) Waiting for my book that I ordered two weeks ago (should have arrived by now.) And since I decided to go to Coachella, it's been on my mind.

I just finished a book called The Road To Somewhere that I checked out from a nearby library. It had been so long since I'd been to the library and I decided to go last week to look for something interesting to read. When I read I let my imagination take control and escape to another place. Some people don't like reading, but I see it as a form of entertainment. Better than T.V. or movies, especially when a movie is based on a book and they ruin it by leaving so much out from the book (Less Than Zero.) I really hate that.

Anyway, I read this book in about a week, which was  cool since I haven't always been a fast reader. I did read six books in one summer though. But back to this book. It was about a girl from Texas who thought too much about life itself (like me!) It was basically about things that happen in life that you don't plan to happen. In this case it was her dad leaving her mom because he was gay, her moving in with her professor from college that she was dating and later dumped her. She randomly works for a carpenter and "learns the trade" and one day while on run she passes by her brother's old college roommate that she had a crush on when she was seventeen. They end up dating and move to New York so he could do his residency. She begins to wonder why they were together and realized how different they were from each other, so they break up. Not long after she discovers that she's pregnant and when she tells him, he wants to get married. In the end she declines and the book ends as she's making her way back to Texas noting that everything turned out OK. She'd married another man, her daughter's father married and was a good father. Everybody lived happily ever after.

That may have been the worst book "review" but it was interesting to read. At least it wasn't boring.

I just decided to blog about it cause nothin' else really is new. But I am going back to the library today to find something else that will entertain and pass the time.

Coachella- YES!!

I spent yesterday afternoon mostly contemplating whether I should spend most of my money and try to tag along with my friend and her group.

The selling argument went to what a couple I know told me about a month ago at a restaurant. They asked why I never took a study tour while attending FiDM and my response was I didn't think I (I mean, my parents) could afford it. They all told me it wasn't about the money, but about the experience of visiting and exploring a foreign country and how it could change you as a person. I shared my fascination with a man who recently walked across the U.S. from Rockaway Beach, NY to Rockaway Beach OR and posted pictures of the places he traveled and the people he met on his blog imjustwalkin.

So I thought, I've got a garage sale coming up, I can make some money; I've already started looking for a job, hopefully I can get one to help pay whatever else I'll need that weekend of Coachella. Isn't this the kind of thing I'm supposed to do at my age?

The other reason I decided to go was because I really want things to change this year. I want to be DOING things, GOING places. I want to be experiencing new things.

I was excited about my decision. So much so that I dreamed of going last night and I woke up a six this morning out of my dream's excitement. I couldn't fall back asleep because I was already awake, so I read in bed waiting for 9:55 to come around. Five minutes before tickets go on sale. I made sure I was prepared last night with setting up an account on Coachella's website. I stared at the time on my computer waiting for 9:59 to turn into 10:00. It took maybe three minutes before I could select my option to buy a ticket. I read everything carefully and twice to make sure it was 100% correct, printed my "receipt" and was filled with excitement! I called my friend up while she purchased hers and couldn't believe I am physically going.

I'm so excited and so looking forward to having a great time!!!

Coachella, or no Coachella?

That is the decision I have to make by tomorrow morning.

Months ago my brother and I were talking about saving up money to go this year. After I saw his post on Facebook, I realized it was coming up and tickets should go on sale soon. I also completely forgot I wanted to save money specifically for the festival. I've never been, but want to go very much.

So the fact that I saw his status: "Who else is going to Coachella?" I got a little bummed he didn't contact me and at least ask "hey, we're still going right?" I began to think, maybe I just won't go this year.

That was last night. I spoke briefly about it with my dad this morning and thought maybe I would ask my friend if she wanted to go, in case my brother couldn't. Let me just say he's got other responsibilities he should be taking care of, but he doesn't. Besides I had talked about wanting to go and there are going to be some good bands that I'd like to see.

I was gonna tell my friend today at school when I saw her. She met me in the library where I was doing some homework while I waited for her to get out of class. We whispered here and there as I was working Then she whispered in excitement "Dude, I'm going to Coachella!!" I was not too happy hear that, only because it made me feel left out. But at least I didn't complain about it out loud. So we talked about it for a while, but I continued to feel bummed.

I was trying to give it a good thought of how I could afford it. They do have a "layaway" option for purchasing tickets, which is definitely something to consider. They also have different layaway options, like pay half now and half later, or pay ten percent now and make equal payments every month. The latter seems to be the better option for me.

This is where money becomes an issue. I had a seasonal position, but that ended last week. I've gone shopping here and there because I desperately need clothes because I rarely shop. I did get a check from my grandpa because he wanted to help pay for school, even though I told him my parents were taking care of it. But I'm thinking half of  it should go to my mom because I owe her money.

I'm just trying to figure out where I can get extra money to be able to go to Coachella. Luckily I've got a garage sale coming up, so I'm hoping to get some extra cash to save towards the festival.

Now let's talk about the bands playing that I'd like/interested to see (if I decide/can go):

-Crystal Castles!!

-Klaxons

-The Black Keys!!

-Tame Impala

-Ozomatli

-Interpol

-Here We Go Magic (saw them at the Dr. Dog show)

-Best Coast!!

-Good Old War (also saw them at the Dr. Dog show)

And whatever anyone else would want to see. I'm always open to hearing new stuff.

But speaking of Best Coast, they've got a show coming up next month in L.A. and I was already thinking of going. Of course I'm not sure who I'd go with, but now I'm wondering, of Coachella and Best Coast's show, should I do one or the other, or should I do both???

Either choice I could see them, but I'd like the opportunity to see them at they're own show to be closer than I would probably get at the festival, and the chance to meet them as I did Dr. Dog.

If money wasn't an issue I would go to both, but it is. And it sucks. It does push me towards getting another job.

I'm hoping for working towards the best outcome.

This semester I missed registration and of course the class I needed to take was full. I came to school as prepared as I could to add the class.

I found the room and waited outside. Some girl decided to see if the room was open and everyone waiting followed her inside. She sat in the spot I had planned on sitting in, so I sat behind her. More and more people kept coming through the door and filled the seats. Once all the seats were taken people started standing along the walls.

The teacher finally came in and asked those of us trying to add the class and sitting in seats to give our seats to those were actually enrolled in class. There was maybe fifteen people standing along the walls trying to add the class. I started wondering how the teacher was going to decide who was going to add. I also started to doubt that I would even be able to add this class and thought I might have a better chance in another.

I listened to the teacher until he said something about the previous class, which wasn't the class I took. Was I in the wrong class? I kept going back and forth in my mind if I was in the right class and if I should walk out of the class. I finally walked out and headed for the student center to figure out where the hell I was supposed to be. I checked with a counselor and realized I was trying to get in the wrong class, so I had to try for the correct one.

I made my way to the class I was supposed to be in and tried to walk in quietly to avoid attention to myself. I was close to sitting down, then the teacher called me over. So I made my way to the front of the room and  the teacher made a comment about me being late. I told him I was in the wrong room and I was trying to add his class. Somehow he didn't hear a thing I said and told me that he makes people dance when they are late.

(Let me just say, for some strange reason I had a thought that morning wondering if I would get a teacher who would make me do something to embarrass myself.)

So I did his stupid hula dance he told me to do, but oddly I didn't feel embarrassed at all. It wasn't exactly the time of my life, but I really didn't care what people were thinking. I figured if I were to just get through this I can get to my seat quicker and the day would just carry on.

That was last week. I was able to add the class last thursday.

As I sat in class yesterday, I realized he reminded me very much of someone I knew. My "egg donor" was dating this loser, Joe. I'm not sure that they're still seeing each other, but it doesn't matter because I don't really care. I'm just trying to make a point that my teacher looks like him. They both have a big gut and similar facial features, except my teacher is this dark skinned japanese.

I was having difficulty when I realized this in class. I was remembering that I was rude to Joe, because I didn't respect him for being a drunk. And there was my teacher who is constantly saying "You see?" and "ok?" and "what?" It's very annoying.

I really don't want any trouble with this teacher or the class in general. I just want to get through it and get a good grade.

This Can't Be Good

I'm sick of your comments. The words you choose and tone you use. It just sounds like you're implying that I'm stupid and I really don't appreciate it. Stop treating me like I'm stupid. Don't act like you think you know what you're doing.

You could've just said "Excuse me," but of course you couldn't do that. You had to make some smart ass comment like I was totally invading your "space."

I'm sick of your constant habit of attacking me and putting me down when you're the one in a position of weakness. Treating me like shit when I'm the one helping you out and on your side.

Would you just stop treating me like I'm a stupid kid that doesn't know anything. And stop turning everything I say into something negative. Don't analyze something I say and say that I'm wrong for saying it.

I have never lived life before, so I may not always know what the hell I'm doing. Isn't that why they call it a mistake?  

(Just needed to blow off some steam)

Best Coast!

I just can't get enough of Best Coast!!!


I first found out about them through RCRD_LBL, which I found on accident. I get e-mails from them with free music downloads, but for the longest time I didn't know what the hell it was so I ignored the e-mails. I finally made the decision to see what it was all about and looove it! I love it for the simple fact that I like to get new music every once and a while. I've downloaded eighty or so songs already. All songs from RCRD_LBL are put on a playlist in my ipod when I'm in the mood to hear something new.


So far Best Coast has been the only band/artist that I've totally fell in love with. It first started with "Boyfriend"





I immediately fell in love with the lyrics.


I've now downloaded every possible song RCRD_LBL provided, which was really only like four songs. I have also bought some of their songs on itunes, but I spent most of my itunes money on The Black Keys, so I can't Best Coast's album! But I will one day.


I just can't get over them right now.


These next two songs are some of my favorites:





I've been playing this one over and over again all day:





Cool thing is they're playing in L.A. soon, I just need someone to go with!

Update!

Hooray! My Dr. Dog vinyl's came in the mail today!! I'm jealous of myself for having these:


Front cover



Inside



Vinyl's!



Contents



Back cover

I'm Crossing My Fingers

As of last night I have finished stitching the Dr. Dog sign on a t-shirt that I'm giving to my brother for his birthday.



And speaking of Dr. Dog, I gave in the other night and ordered double 7" vinyl's of some songs they recorded over the summer. I already have them on my ipod of course, but I just had to get it on vinyl! Apparently my order has already been shipped and its in town, so I'm hoping to get it today. I'm so excited and can't wait!!

I Should Start Doing The Things I Said I Would

I hate when I say I'm going to do something or tell someone I'll send them a funny/cool video and I never do it. It's very much a procrastinator situation. I'm always thinking "I'll get to it, I'll do it" and then I don't. And when I have free time and I just lay around listening to records I don't even think of those things I said I was gonna do when I had a chance. So, I'm really trying to stop doing that. I want to get things done dammit!


We're still in the first week of 2011 so I don't feel to guilty about not getting stuff done right away. So far I have gone through my closet and created a pile of clothes I'm getting rid of. For some reason I've always had a bit of difficulty getting rid of clothes, and I probably always will. I always tell myself "oh you can do something with that. Make it into this or that." Then whatever I clothes I decided to keep stay in my closet for months till the next time I decide to clean out my closet. That's where I realize "oh yeah, I said I was gonna do something with that."


This time around I really tried to get rid of things. I put my foot down to myself and talked myself into tossing things out rather than keeping them. It strangely has made me feel better. I'll sell what I can, then I'll donate what's left.


Out with the old and in with the new!

The Dr. Will See You Now

How I Went From Curiosity to Meeting My Favorite Band

Let's rewind to sometime last year and I will tell you how I discovered a band that is now taking the number one spot of my favorite band (sorry Pixies, I still love you!)

I had downloaded some music guide from Filter magazine because it had Beck on the cover. As I discussed last night with my friend, I am the type of fan that has to have everything if I'm really into a band or artist. As I looked through it, mainly for the pictures, a page caught my eye. It was a picture of five guys dressed in 30's era clothing with suspenders and hats standing next to a train and its tracks. My curiosity drove me to find out what they sounded like, so I did it the best way I knew how, Youtube!

I browsed a couple of Dr. Dog's songs. I really didn't know what to think. I read someone's comment on a song they covered called "Heart It Races"

Not bad, I thought. This then led me to download what I could of their music, which was almost everything. It took me a while to get around to giving them a good listen, but when I finally did I felt like I had discovered something so amazing. I had never heard anything like it before. I'm talking more like something that nobody else is doing and they're good at it. I was hooked. Next I did what I always do and introduced my brother to them and in time he became a fan like me.

I was hoping they would come out with another album, because with my luck I'm always finding out about a band or artist and its one of those "Why am I just now finding out about this?!" feelings. Then I found out they were coming out with a new album and got excited because I knew what it really meant: Touring! Shows!

I spent the summer in Seattle and bought their album We All Belong on vinyl, which plays an important role in this story. They are definitely a band that translates excellently on vinyl. I love playing their records and day dream that I'm hanging around in a huge field of grass on a hot summer day or watching the sunset while chillin' on a porch.

But back to reality. So I eventually I found a date that they would be "in town" and asked my brother if he was interested in going, and of course he was. We bought the tickets one week before the show because I wanted to make sure I didn't have to go to work that day. My excitement just grew with each day that passed and we  got closer to the date.

A few days before the band released a few songs that didn't make the album and of course I had to have them so I bought them right away on itunes. I began listening to them while I was sewing something to "warm me up" for the upcoming show. And this song came on that immediately caught my attention and soon blew my mind. It sounded like no other song they had done before. I was immediately addicted to "Black-Red" and had to listen to it a second time.

The Doctor Will See You Now:

November 5, 2010 I was so excited the day had finally arrived. I called my brother up and soon he was on his way to pick me up. When he finally arrived I had to show him "Black-Red."

Dr. Dog was playing at The Wiltern in Los Angeles and we figured we would go early in the day and hang out and explore the city. I gathered some things and pulled out a folded poster that came with the We All Belong vinyl and told my brother "I'm gonna bring this... just in case... You never know." I had been lucky once before with another artist, but I knew I couldn't expect anything this time.

So we took the long drive to L.A. and finally arrived. We drove past the front and saw the marquee with Dr. Dog on it. Thankfully there was a parking structure right next to the Wiltern. We wanted to get good pictures of the marquee so we began to make our way. 

We were walking on the sidewalk when I said to my brother "We should look for the tour bus after the show-" and just as I said those words I look past my brother down an ally and stopped in my tracks. "Dude, that's it! That's the bus!" I slowly recognized two guys standing by the bus. "Is that them? Dude, that's them! No way! Should we go over there and ask 'em to sign my poster?" Without even waiting for a response we walked over and they had a gate to keep people from "intruding" and one of the guys from the band came over. There was some other guy there that was getting something signed and I couldn't believe how ridiculously nervous I was. Frank introduced himself, we all shook hands and started chatting a little.

Frank said something about needing chap stick and before we knew it we walked to a CVS just around the corner. It was weird to be somewhere like CVS with someone from a band you love. We all made our way back to the venue and he then invited to sound check! It was indescribable. We were the only ones in the room, in front of the stage. They all came out played parts of songs to get speaker volumes and keys just right. It only got me more excited for the actual show to start.

So they finished and all the guys stepped out and we told Frank we'd get some food and see him later. We made our way back outside the same way we came in and lo and behold the rest of the guys were outside taking a cigarette break. I pulled out my poster and asked if they mind signing it. Toby reached out his hand and gave a really strong gripped shake and signed the poster while Scott and I introduced each other. The poster was all passed around and got some love.

Looong story short, the show was amazing, I sang at the top of my lungs, jumped and danced around, and screamed incredibly loud when they began playing "Black-Red." After the show I bought Fate on vinyl and a pair of sunglasses with Dr. Dog and their "symbol" which is two dots over one dot, as if they're a dog's eyes and nose. You can see Frank put those dots on the top of my poster.

So! Now that my brother's birthday is a week away, I've started stitching the Dr. Dog symbol in a cross-hatch of blue and red.

Here's a few pics I took from the show:

The Wiltern

Toby Leaman

Scott McMicken

Frank McElroy

Frank and Zach

Toby

Scott

Toby

I got Frank's set list! Encore was The Old Days, Heart It Races, and We All Belong.

Hello 2011

Another year has passed right before me, but I don't feel a significant change. When I was little, I used to think that the New Year would change me, that everything would be different and better.

So, I've decided to start blogging because I just wanted to try something new.

Let's just see how this goes and what the year will bring me...