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

Clouds in June

Picture(s): Birch Point, Maine
Song: Everybody Here is a Cloud, Cloud Cult



It has been so cloudy and rainy here.

But Maybe...

Picture: Michaelangelo Pistoletto Exhibit by Art Observed
Song: Dying is Fine by RaRaRiot

Bad Assery

I do not regret anything from my past, but things would have been different if I had been more rebellious. Here's to being more of a bad ass. HUZZAH!



Check Out These Rebels:

A Kick In The Teeth Is Good For Some

Pictures: Friends Fighting on the Streets of Philadelphia

Song: Kiss With a Fist by Florence and the Machine


These pictures are from the fall, but I really like this song and they are fitting. Also - if it's not obnoxiously evident- I kind of miss all of this. It's a nostalgic missing though not a sad missing.