Pretty Music, Deer and Shit

I wasn't sold on the Bon Iver- For Emma, Forever Ago album at first, but then I found this a cappella video they did spontaneously before a house show, and I fell in love (a cappella does that)

I've been thinking about it a lot and talking with my parents, and I've decided to apply to go to London in the fall next year. I had been considering Buenos Aires, but overall I do think London would be a much better decision. Now that I've got my sights set there, I am soooo excited for the possibilities! Living in London, TRAVELING, exploring, hopefully interning with a cool company, taking DP abroad, oh and learning stuff I guess... so exciting!

Bon Iver plays all around Europe. Maybe I'll be able to catch up with them somewhere...

For now though, I'm wintering in the woods. Pictures from our "family walk" in the fields:

Dad: Do you know what this is? A deer feeding station!

Dad: Do you know what that is? A deer snacking station!

Me: Hey Dad, do you know what that is? A deer pooping station!

Clearly they didn't care I was being attacked, but I know they care about the important stuff. I appreciate their help in making this London decision and in everything else... even when I do get a little sick of them.

The Music: Overall the For Emma, Forever Ago album is very pretty, but the songs are very similar. In some cases that isn't bad but these are slow, heartsick ballads. Sometimes I just want a confident, fuck-you-world, I'm gonna dance song, and there aren't really any on this (Skinny Love comes closest). Also the lyrics are on crack. I get that they are poetic and all, but you really have to pay attention to get any meaning - okay I guess paying attention isn't always bad, but you have to be in the right mood to really enjoy this. And if you're in such a mood, I would definitely recommend this.

A Tall Man Once Said

Some pretty confusing, but hilarious things...

1. Of course I like yogurt, I'm Irish and German!
2. Haha oh Cait, I can't wait for you to hulk out so I can call child services and have your children taken away
3. Julie I want you to go to France like today so you can talk and they'll throw tomatoes at you... What? It's the first produce that came to mind.
4. (my personal favorite) oh KrizzyDear Jimmy,
Sorry we give you a hard time about sleeping all the time and about being a little confusing haha. As such a good friend and blog enthusiast (haha I sound so old), I thought I'd dedicate this post to you. I'm sure you're creeped out by it... your face might even be starting to bruise because of it, but it's all yours anyway : )
Love,
Krizzy

This is also dedicated to you because you can single ladies like no other

"Those Girls" Take On NYC and 2082

Because it's almost Christmas and no one says Merry Christmas better than Hanson...


I was creepily in love with them. I am also a little bit in love with our trip to New York. It was so much fun but freezingggg. We saw and did so much (Macy's, Sak's, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, New York Public Library, MOMA, FAO Schwartz, Tick Tock Diner).
We also decided that gypsies, cream in tubes and people who buy things can't be trusted. We traveled with Manta Claus, went to the dollar store, asked a security guard where exactly Ghost Busters took place in the NYPL, made Keiran stand in a giant armpit and more.
It was so cold that we had to stop at H&M to buy hats, gloves and tights to put under our jeans. The turquoise tights I bought were perfect for the 2082 dance party we went to later that night. They said to think future but 80s so sweat bands and tin foil. Caitlin, Keiran, Beth, Lindsay and I got dressed up - but apparently in the 2082 people wear the same things they wear now because no one else dressed up haha. Here's to being "Those Girls" and loving every second of it.

Use Somebody

This is Ron's solo at his a cappella concert. He arranged the rest of the piece too. I'm basically in love with it.


This semester has been so weird. I've had fun but I guess it's just not what I expected or hoped for. Maybe it's sophomore slump, maybe it's my perspective, or maybe it just is. Maybe I put too much pressure on myself but not doing so is easier said than done. I wonder how things will be next semester. Whatever tomorrow we're going to New York and then I'm almost done with finals and junk.

Do you believe in something beautiful?

Okay blog, I've been neglecting you. I apologize and I promise to update you more.

Last week me, Caitlin, Keiran and Corrie went to see Ted Leo & the Pharmacists at the First Unitarian Church. It was an awesome show - especially because "we were those girls," and as Caitlin said by those girls we mean the girls that danced like crazy and had fun the entire time. It really was so much fun dancing and being carefree with good friends and DP. We even got a real car ride home- something that's rare but appreciated in the city.

I've had my ups and downs this semester, but the concert and the weekend that followed were positives. Saturday we went to a friends' house where we haven't been in a while. It was another fun, carefree night. I re-encountered the guy who doesn't deserve me and reaffirmed my belief that he doesn't deserve me - but we can still be friendly. Then I met weird, funny freshmen boys and had a random, hilarious time with all of them. Overall it was a good night with new friends and old.

Home, let me come home, home is wherever I'm with you

*I may have a new favorite song. Thank you Julie Carr*
Home - Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros

EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS | MySpace Video

At The First Unitarian Church
2125 Chestnut Street (22nd and Chestnut Sts)
Philadelphia, PA
$12 / All Ages
SOLD OUT - SOLD OUT - SOLD OUT

Young Forever

Favorite place to party: random frat fireplaces. Oh how I love Halloween and my fellow Hard Csss.

Babies! But Babies Grow. Here We Are - Till There We Go

I'm back to the blog, and I'm gonna keep it for myself and not worry about how 'professional' it looks.

This weekend we had a huge family reunion with my mom and her siblings, all of their kids and spouses, all of their kids and my mom's cousins and their kids. We've never had all of us together, and while it was a treat, it was bitter sweet because we were gathering to celebrate my Grandma's life.

I can't even explain what an amazing woman she was and how much of an influence she had on me. I can say without a trace of a doubt that I would not be at Temple without her, and I would not be anything like myself had she not been a part of my life.

A ton of my cousins have been married and had babies since the last time I saw them. There were so many babies at this reunion!
The weirdest part of the whole thing was that I went from Philly to NY by myself. My cousins picked me up and then we met my parents at the reunion. We stayed in the hotel together and Sunday they went home while I went back to Philly.

It was bizarre to like go somewhere to visit with my parents and then go our separate ways. It was kind of surreal to catch up with my parents just like I was catching up with family I haven't seen in years. It made me feel very grown up and independent, but I don't know how I feel about that... This weekend kind of made me miss my parents, sister, brother and Chloe more than I had.

I'm really starting to question what I want to do in the future, and this weekend reminded me of how important it is to consider my family (immediate and extended) when deciding on my next steps.


Fools by The Dodos
Playing Monday Oct. 12, 2009
$12-$14 First Unitarian Church 8pm

Frozen Veneer

This picture and song aren't exactly related. Last week we went to The Plough in Old City. It was gorgeous, but more importantly the food was absolutely delicious. I guess the company was pretty good too : )

Great Lake Swimmers are an Ontario band who have toured with Feist and Andrew Bird. Their current tour is bringing them to Philadelphia on Tues. Sept. 29. They'll play at Johnny Brenda's 9pm, $12, 21+

Too Little, Too Late

No one wants too little too late. Here's to doing anything and everything (to a degree).

Here's to...
1. Finding happiness in the little things... like kittens

2. Seeing new places

3. Finding love, or at least Love Park.

Ramona Falls is the independent project of Brent Knopf, member of Menomena. Knopf, like other members of Menomena, plays multiple instruments and was thus able to create the layered songs of Ramona Falls. His first solo album Intuit was released this past August.

Knopf will be playing as Ramona Falls at the Kung Fu Necktie Saturday Sept. 19 @ 7:30 pm. The show is $10 and 21+.

Not sold on Ramona Falls? You'll fall for him if you take a look at this
Adorable.

burning up when it hits the atmosphere

Fruit Bats - coming to Philly Saturday, September 12
@ Kung Fu Necktie, 7:30pm
$10, 21+

I'm back in Philly! This was my first weekend back, and as always I'm reminded of how much I love seeing my friends, being in the city, meeting new people and making new memories.

There was a little excitement in the streets when the sprinkler system in this church went off. People weren't sure if they church was on fire, and the wind was blowing the water like a rainstorm into the streets. The streets, which were already flooded with people attending First Friday, were then flooded with water pouring out of the church.


More about Fruit Bats:
Fruit Bats started in the 90s and has produced off and on. Their friendship with Modest Mouse, the Shins and Iron and Wine helped them get a record deal with Sub Pop records. They got back together in 2008, and have expanded to include members of the Shins. Now Philly is lucky enough to have them perform here.

So Many Miles and So Long Since I Left You

Going back to TU!!!!! I am seriously so happy. I'm sitting in the same hotel I sat in last year the night before I moved in, and it's amazing how different I feel. Last year I was terrified.

"But suddenly now, I know where I belong
It's many hundred miles and it won't be long"

I wonder what Sophomore year has in store for all of us...

Sorry Mom

Okay so my parents proved that they were right. It was better to be home for this whole ordeal. My mom took such good care of me it was ridiculous. She slept on a chair next to me while I was in the hospital. Then she slept in my bed with me when I came home, and every time I got up she was right there helping me. I can never be mean or crabby to her again.

Also her rib was hurting her and I'm all stitched together so it hurt both of us to laugh. You know how when you can't laugh it makes you laugh 10 times more? It was like that for both of us all week. We kept laughing at everything but it hurt so it was more like wheezing, which only made us laugh more. It was definitely mother - daughter bonding.

Here's a video she would like

Dear Parents: Today I'm Emo

(sorry this is anime haha)

I'm almost back at school like what 300? miles from my parents, and I think we're all a little stressed out. The other day I asked my dad where I could get pepper spray because I might be commuting to a job by myself and I think it would be smart to have a little back up. He basically- okay completely -flipped out. He started ranting about how if I thought having pepper spray would do me any good then I was dumb and I didn't have a clue about how to be safe in the city. I guess he would prefer I stay on Temple's campus (where the sun never sets) 24.7.

Then both my parents are mad at me because I have an attitude and I 'think everything in this house is so unbearable and annoying' (their words). Sorry but if you ask me 50 times if I'm working later and then still forget, it gets a little annoying and I might roll my eyes. Plus I have to have surgery and I would prefer to have it in Philly but they want me to fly home (which means missing a lot more class and being more of a hassle).

I think they're freaked out that I'm leaving to go to the big bad city. Plus they both know that if I can afford it, I'd rather not live at home anymore. And then they're stressed about the whole surgery thing. Oh and it's like 400 degrees and wicked humid so we're all cranky.

Anyway I just had to vent. Here are some good ole' I'm pissed songs - going out to good ole mom and dad.

Just Make Sure You're Life's Exciting

(Chloe is on the right. The other girl is her bffl Maggie)

My niece is stinking hilarious and completely weird but I love it and her.

This is an email she had my sister send to herself: Don't forget to brush your teeth, and get the toothbrush. And get the boogers out of your nose with the tweegers. Doggie haha made you look. Tonight daddy is going to scare you with his underwears and make a scary face. I love you. I love you so much, and horsey blanket. Spongy is chewing on his pillow. You can go to sleep in 10 minutes. And watch meemo. And you get a soft hug from me and a kiss for you mommy, and we'll go to Moran's and buy you and ice cream and me a snack. And don't forget to brush your teeth. I love you so much you silly mommy.

We were playing airplanes, and she built me and imaginary air plane. Then she told me completely seriously that my plane was named Old Taco.

She asked me what a spanking was. I told her it was when you got in trouble so your mom or dad hit your butt and that it wasn't very nice. She looked at me and said with a smile, "I'll hit your butt real nice CC."
(that sounds creepy but coming from a 4 year old it's hilarious)

Brushfire Fairytales

My vacation with my family was so nice. I can't really explain how much I love our little vacation spot. The time went by so fast though - it was unbelievable. I think part of the reason it did was that I was constantly splitting my time between the other people my age who go there every year too and my family. I loved spending time with both of them but it kept me super busy.

This reminded me of how fast this past year seemed to go. I love how fast everything happens, and I like doing lots of stuff, but I need to remember to slow down and realize how lucky I am. I don't want to take any of these busy years for granted.

Also my aunt was talking about how when you're stressed/in a high adrenaline scenario something in your brain can change so that you perceive time differently - like when you are in an accident or something and it all feels like slow motion. What if we all have our own perceptions of time? I guess we do, but it's hard to compare how time passes for you and what it feels like for someone else.

Whatever Will Be Will Be

1. Sorry I haven't posted in a while
2. I'm going back to Philly soon and I'm going to make a point of having bands who are going to or who have just played in the area.

Monsters of Folk [Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Yim Yames (aka Jim James from My Morning Jacket), M Ward (from ummm....M Ward) and Mike Mogis] are planning a big concert this November. It's going to be in the Academy of Music which was built in 1850 - basically R5 is doing a good job of making it sound awesome. Here's a Monsters of Folk song for you:




The picture at the top is one of my niece last August. We're going back to that lake in a week, and I cannot wait. I've gone there every summer since I was born and so have like 6 other generations of my family. It's literally my favorite place in the world. Last year I wrote in the little camp journal we keep that some famous guy once said - the best way to see how you've changed is to return to a place that remains the same.

Our vacation spot is the place I have counted on to be the same year after year. I'm excited to go there to relax and reflect and see if/how I have changed. (I think seeing my niece grow and change is even better.) I know though that whatever will be will be and after a vacation there I'm always content to 'lay my head against my elbow and the window / let my wheels go'

Into The Wind We're Tossin Armfuls of Caution

Scatter brain:
I went camping this weekend. It was raining and I thought it would suck, but it was so much fun. We were talking about how scary it is that we're almost 20 and how old that is.
I have today off and it's really nice out, but I just spent an hour looking for a song for this post and finally settled on this one.
My sister's brother-in-law sent her an email w/ the subject: intestines are home now - and it was as hilarious/bizarre as you would imagine.
My sister, brother-in-law and niece are coming for a visit.
Before they come I was going to run or shop or get my haircut but instead i might just hangout with Kate and Ben, but my dad's car broke so he asked if he could borrow mine. I was gonna have him drop me off but he's on a day date with a friend now so I feel like I'm wasting time waiting for him.
I feel like I'm wasting time a lot - slept till 12, not being creative this summer, blabbing now instead of doing anything, working for SIX YEARS at an ice cream stand
Fuck, I'm almost 20 and look at all the time I've wasted - but I guess that's not the attitude I should have

"But I wouldn't take a single second back/
So come on let's lose control, we'll sell our souls to Rock and Roll and hope
We'll die before we get old; into the wind we're tossin' armfuls of caution
Even when it all goes to Hell, our love for one night was pure as sunlight
Our great big happy ending is still a dream trapped in a Guillotine"

Song: Let's Get Ready to Crumble by The Russian Futurists
Picture: Ben, Me and Veronica while camping

When I Grow Up

Tattoos may not be for you. They may not even be for me, but it really irks me when people say they like tattoos but not on girls because they think it's trashy for girls to get tattoos. Sure some girls get trashy tattoos, but there is no reason it should be more acceptable for guys to get tattoos than for girls to get them.

Scary thought though: When my dad was in his twenties he lived in Korea for a little while. I guess they have these huge, really colorful butterflies there. Apparently it was a really cool thing to get one of these butterflies tattooed on you. My dad almost got one, but luckily he didn't. I can only imagine if he had - my tall, goofy, mustache rockin, motor and bicycle riding, mechanic dad with a huge, colorful butterfly tat, yikes.

I Talk Out Loud Like You're Still Around

Picture: Gramma Flo (left), her nephew and sister

Song: West Coast, Coconut Records - thank you Caitlin

My Gramma was the best. Seriously.

She just passed away in October, and I miss her so much.

She lived all the way on the West Coast but I still had such an amazing relationship with her.

She had a tremendous, positive influence on the person I am.

She was fun loving, energetic, spunky, glamorous, hard working, loving, caring <3

Even though it breaks my heart that she is gone, I am comforted and amazed by how confident I am in the fact that she will always be a huge part of my life.

Her story is pretty amazing:

• She was the second youngest of 6 (?) kids.
  
• She was born in Brooklyn, NY 
• When she was a toddler, her dad who was a copy in Harlem was shot by a man he was arresting. It was a pretty big deal at the time - the guy dressed as a woman and tried to flee to Philadelphia.
  
• Her mom was left as a single parent to care for all these kids right at the start of the 1920s in NYC
• The family banded together though and the kids still had a lot of opportunities
• At some point my Gramma moved to Long Island
• She worked hard her entire life and was always frugal, but she made it fun and even in her old age had stories to tell about her young, working life.
• She married and had 4 kids
• When she was in her 60s she decided to move to CA where she kept working and saving till she could buy a house with a small bay view
• As her family grew and expanded she provided her kids and grandkids with incredible support. Like I said - I would not be the person I am without her.

We will always love you Flossy.

Let's Have Some Fun This Beat Is Sick

As much as I hate to admit it, some of my favorite songs on the radio right now are:

and

I love singing to these while I drive. I also love tool booth workers. Here are pictures of both.

Happy Fathers' Day

Picture: My Family <3
Song: Akron/Family - Love, Love, Love

I couldn't find a video but the link above should work and the lyrics are:

Every precious human being's been a precious parent to you
Every precious human being's been a precious parent to you

What can be done
What can we do
What can be done
What can we do

Go out and love, love, love everyone
Go out and love, love, love everyone
Go out and love, love, love everyone
Go out and love, love, love everyone

I am so incredibly grateful for my brother-in-law. Alec has shown me what a truly good guy is. He has given all other guys in my life pretty high standards to live up to, and even though they may not like that, I know I'm much better off. He is an amazing dad and husband to Chloe and Britta, not to mention that he's the best brother and son.

Seabrook

It's been so cold and rainy here, but yesterday was actually nice so me, Veronica and Maria went to the beach for a couple hours. It was so relaxing.

I'm excited for this weekend - circus theme party in Boston and then a trip to PA for another themed gathering. Until then I'm being lazy, watching trashy TV and working.

Settling In

I don't know why but it took me a really long time to adjust to being at home... or something. Now though, I'm glad to be here.



My life is basically hanging out with Ben and Veronica - sometimes Maria or Kate (when they're home or not working), work and just relaxing. Today I went to Salvation Army with Ben, Veronica, and her baby bro to get costumes for Kate's next party (circus theme). I'm going as the human canon ball and I have my costume, but I found a killer jumpsuit - very mechanic-esque - so I bought that and a trucker hat to go with it. Then we went to Andyman. Ben and V had to work so I babysat my niece and then had dinner with my family. After dinner Ben, Maria and I went to the Hangover - it was so funny, but I think it might be a bad sign that it made me nostalgic for freshman year/ hard c badassery ; )

My Life in Lists

Picture: Norm's Restaurant (taken by my niece) in Portland, ME (hot waiters)
Song: My Year In Lists, Los Campesinos!

When I was in high school I made so many lists it was ridiculous. I have notebooks upon notebooks with lists of things like where to go to college, what to study, what color to paint my room, things to make, stories to write, lists of what kind of lists I write, etc.

Cleaning my room recently, I was thinking about how strange that habit was. Why did I make so many lists when often times I was listing things I'd listed before?

Then later, frustrated, I found myself plotting in an old notebook. This time I was listing restaurants that might let me bar tend, and I realized why I used to be obsessed with lists. Most of my lists are escape plans. When I can't make any immediate changes, I list the steps needed to make change and find comfort in knowing change is possible.

I know I give my town a lot of crap. It's a nice place to live for some people or at certain stages of life, but right now I feel the need to escape. My most recent lists of restaurants to work at is a part of my plan to live in Philly next summer and work as a bar tender. (I'm going to make this happen one way or another)

My four year old niece took this picture with my camera, and I love the way it came out. Not seeing my niece as much as I do now will be a major drawback to living in Philly next summer, but I will still be able to visit pretty frequently. Maybe I can make it work.

Peace, Love and (Don't Get) Crabs

This girl is insane and I love her. We've known each other forever and while we've been closer at some times than at others, I know that she will always be an important part of my life. I also know she'll always be insane which is why I posted both of these videos
PL&C