Category: Everyday Happenings

Posted in Everyday Happenings

Day 4: 10 things you would tell your 16-year-old self

Posted on by momentswithmisty

1. STOP STRAIGHTENING YOUR HAIR! It’s a losing battle.

2. Cherish your family and friends (and pets). People can and will be taken from you unexpectedly and you’ll have a hard time recovering. You’ll wish you spent more time with you Grandma and Granny, so don’t take them for granted. Take more pictures and talk with them more. And when Magic dies you will fall apart. Don’t take him for granted.

3. Don’t just dream about California, plan for it.

4. Keep stalking that boy. One day all those skills and tricks you figured out will come in handy when stalking celebrities. Also, you’re going to be realllllly good at this, so maybe consider majoring in something like criminal investigation. (P.s. you’re going to get to meet Joe Jonas.)

5. You know what you want right now, your standards are not too high. Don’t settle for someone just because he’s there. You’re going to regret it. Don’t get in a hurry, “ring by spring” does not apply to you. You’re going to have to be patient. Just be prepared to be patient while being a bridesmaid about 27 time.

6. Continue to hone that sarcasm skill. It will become your greatest defense against punching people in the face. You’ll become proficient in it and people will love you for it.

7. Tara Bartgis isn’t as scary as she looks, trust me.

8. You’re not fat, no matter what you think. Don’t look at sizes, just wear what’s fits.  Stop comparing yourself to other girls, it’s just going to frustrate you. You are not going to ever be able to wear a size 2. You. Have. Hips. Deal with it.

9. Go online and search for a kid from Canada named Justin Bieber. Discover him. Make him sign a contract that says you are his manager and are entitled to at least 35% of his profits. Just do it and thank me later.

10. Don’t bother with the people who don’t like you for you. The people that don’t appreciate your awkward, sarcastic, obsessive self, are not worth your time, so stop trying to impress them and start appreciating the people who love you for you. You don’t need to be popular, you’re going to have some of the greatest friends. Quality, not quantity.

I had some pretty unfortunate fashion choices when I was 16. And I had hair issues. And thank goodness my shoes can’t be seen in this.
Posted in Everyday Happenings

Day Two: Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.

Posted on by momentswithmisty

1. I’m afraid I’ll never get married. I have this fear that I am somehow defective and I am doomed to be alone my whole life. I’m concerned that I will never find that someone that I want to spend forever with. I guess I’m less concerned about not getting married and more concerned about never falling in love. I just want to want to be with someone forever. I want them to want me forever. I’m that girl that guys are good friends with, but don’t actually want to be with. What’s strange is that every guy that I’ve dated/sort of dated/had a thing with/whatever is now married. So apparently there is something about me that makes guys want to get married…just not to me.

2. I’m afraid of being a failure. I understand that we can’t be successful at everything we try, but I’m not talking like little failure, I’m talking like failing on a massive scale. Not being able to decide what I want to do with my life. Not getting a good job. Working mindless shift jobs the rest of my life. Not getting married. Not being talented enough. Not figuring out my calling. Not being kind enough. Saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Not saying the right thing at the right time. Being the cause of global warming and killing all the polar bears. Not being pretty enough. Not serving God in all aspects of my life. Not reading enough books. Not saving enough lives. Not being smart enough. Not doing things that are worth-while. Not creating something with meaning for someone. Failing at life is probably my greatest fear.

3. This may seem a bit childish, but I’m afraid of the dark. Mostly I’m afraid of what could possibly be in the dark. I’ve seen enough scary movies to know that the dark is not usually empty. It provides the perfect cloak for everything from masked murderers to spiders. And if you talked to a psychiatrist/psychologist they’d probably tell you that my fear of the dark is my fear of the unknown manifesting itself, and I’d believe that.

Honorable mentions: Sharks. Tonados. Melanoma.

Posted in Everyday Happenings

Day 1: A Silhouette of Me (20 Random Facts)

Posted on by momentswithmisty

1. I am undeserving of grace, but have a God who is merciful enough to extend it to me anyway.

2. I want to pack up and move to Iceland one day.

3. Boybands are my favorite genre of music.

4. I love my family more than anything. If you don’t have a close-knit family, you missed out.

5. As a general rule, I hate people. They are rude, self-centered and have a false sense of entitlement (not everyone, but as far as stereotyping a species goes…).

6. I’m a concert junkie. I will go see basically any band live just because I love the feel of live shows. I love feeling the baseline and drum beat in my ribcage. (There was a trending topic on twitter the other day, #PeopleIHaveSeenLive, and I tallied up mine, and I came to 50 different acts, and those were just the ones I could remember, and not counting artists I’ve seen multiple times).

7. I made it 22 years never having done a load of laundry. Up until I moved to California 6 months ago I had never touched a washer. I had to google how to do laundry.

8. I love television. Well, sort of. I love TV on DVD. I love movies, but I think I like TV better because I get to know the characters more and I get to become attached to them.

9. I love superheroes. Not the comic books (I’m not entirely sure I’ve ever even a comic book in real life), I’m not cool enough for that, but I do love superhero movies (and TV shows…or at least Smallville).

10. I like to consider myself a pretty decent photographer, but I hate to edit pictures. I’m a firm believer in just taking a good picture that needs little to no editing.

11. I would wear dresses everyday if I could.

12. Football is my favorite sport. No contest. In high school I wanted to play, but I wasn’t allowed, so I settled for taking pictures from the sidelines every Friday night. Every Sunday I will sit in front of my television for hours watching any game. I’m a hardcore Chiefs fan (and if you know anything at all about football, you know how rough that is). I hate the Broncos, Peyton Manning, Tony Romo and his Cowboys, and the Steelers, but I’m pretty easy going about everyone else. Some part of me wants to coach high school football at some point in my life, but I’m thinking that’s probably a long shot.

13. I love to bake.

14. I’m an introvert who sometimes masquerades as an extrovert (but only when I have to).

15. I can’t wait to get married. Not that I have any prospects at the moment (please, no one misinterpret that one), but I’m really looking forward to it. But I have a stipulation. Call me vain, but if I can’t get married while I’m young and pretty (and my bridal party is hott) then I don’t want to at all. Let’s get a move on, clocks ticking, boys.

16. Harry Potter will always be one of my best friends.

17. The Lion King is my comfort movie. I watch it when I’m sad, or when I’m scared. I watch it when I’m content with life, or when I can’t fall asleep at night. It basically has permanent residency in my Blu-Ray player.

18. My favorite number is three.

19. I am always hot. I’m pretty sure my body temperature runs at least 2 degrees hotter than what’s natural (ask anyone who has ever been in close quarters with me). I am basically a space heater. It’s miserable.

20. Polar bears are the best animal ever. And if science ever figures out a way to genetically alter them so that they only grow as big as a dog, I will have one. I may get one anyway.

Posted in Everyday Happenings

August: The month of self-disclosure

Posted on by momentswithmisty

A little while back I stumbled upon a blog that I’m going to shamelessly copy. I’ll be answering the following questions over the course of the month. I picked August because it’s the month I was born in, and because of that it seems like a good time to do some self-evaluation ( I think some of these questions may require that), and to do some self-disclosing. So, be prepared for daily updates!

Yea! I know you’re all so excited to read about me! I like to pretend that one day I’m going to be famous (or dating someone who’s famous) and people are going to be stalking me like I stalk (okay, the term ‘stalk’ is probably a bit exaggerated, it’s not like I’m in danger of getting a restraining order or anything, it’s just the quickest way to describe it, and it sounds better than saying that I “do research on people,” to me that sounds creepier) my favorite people (or those people that they’re dating…), so that’s how I’m going to treat this. I’m going to treat it like people actually care and are eagerly reading my every word like they just stumbled upon confidential information. 🙂

These are the questions:

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrasing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misundertand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

And, I might not name the post after the question. I may try to be a bit more creative. Or I may not. Who really knows at this point?

Posted in Everyday Happenings, Uncategorized

Pet names

Posted on by momentswithmisty

There are three reasons I will allow a male to call me by a pet name:

1. We are related. I figure if you share my blood and/or have had to tolerate me my whole life, you have earned the right to call me whatever you want. (“adopted” families included!)

2. We are dating. Like seriously dating, not just “hanging out.”

3. You are elderly.

(Also, I’d probably make an exception for those people I’m obsessed with. If Josh Hutcherson walked up and called me babe, I’d probably be okay with that.)

If you don’t fall under one of these categories, please do not refer to me as babe, honey, sweetheart, darlin’, baby or anything along those lines. I have a name. And if you can’t take time to learn my name, then you probably don’t deserve my time anyway. And if you do know my name and you just don’t care enough to call me by it, then I don’t really care enough to respond.

I don’t really consider myself a feminist, but I just feel like it’s so condescending when a guy calls me babe (just using that one as an example because to me it’s the most offensive one and it’s also the one I hear most often). It’s like he thinks it gives him some sort of power over me (which it doesn’t, all it manages to do is make me mad). I don’t know if that’s just me and I’m being overly defensive about it, but I just don’t appreciate it. I think part of what makes me feel that it’s condescending comes from that fact that they are called “pet names.” You are the master of your pet, so I feel like when you refer to someone with a pet name, then you are subconsciously (or for some it may be conscious decision) saying that you are their master. And for some reason our society has decided that it’s okay for men to refer to women with pet names, but then it would be weird if a woman did the same thing. I don’t like the double standard.  I don’t walk around calling you babe, what makes you think it’s okay for you to do that to me?

And some guys think it makes them charming to refer to girls as babe or baby. And maybe that works on some girls, but they are probably not the girls you’re going to want to take home to mom. And you, guy-who-does-this, are not the kind of guy I want to take home to my family. In fact, if you refer to me as babe (without meeting one of the above mentioned criteria) then I will probably file you under sleazy in my brain. And then you will have dug yourself a hole that you will spend forever trying to climb out of.

And I know I’m being general here and stereotyping, but I’ve just had some situations where this has occured recently and it’s been bugging me.

Pet names are only okay when they come out of a place of real affection, if used under any other circumstance they get tainted.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

Posted in Everyday Happenings, Playlists

Malibu Monday

Posted on by momentswithmisty

George and I declared this past Monday (President’s Day) Malibu Monday. We got up early-ish, packed a picnic, and then headed off. When I got up in the morning I was pretty cranky, partly because I had to wake up at 8:30am, but mostly because it was cold (well, that’s relative, it was like 60 degrees) and cloudy. Not exactly how I was picturing the day should be. I was thinking more along the lines of sunny with a high of 75. I even wore sweatpants on the drive. I was not happy.

But the closer we got to Malibu, the better the weather got. I guess since Malibu is so wealthy they can afford to pay for extra sunshine. The drive to Malibu was not a bad one to say the least. We drove up the PCH (that’s code for Pacific Coastal Highway), which runs, as you would imagine, right along the pacific coast. The scenery was fantastic. Rolling waves, rock bluff, plus some pretty spectacular houses; Malibu would not be a bad place to live. While I’m looking at these houses, I ‘m just wondering who all could possibly live in them. It could be anyone. Tons of celebrities live in Malibu mansions; I could have been looking at George Clooney’s house! I have decided that one day I’m going to buy a home in Malibu, and then invite all my friends to live there with me, unless I’m married, in which case, y’all are on your own. Two years. I will have my Malibu home in two years, that’s my goal. Wish me luck!

The beach we chose was completely empty (I’m not going to mention the name of the beach in hopes of keeping it empty). We were the only ones there, and it was awesome. When we got there the tide was still pretty high, meaning that there wasn’t much room on the actual shoreline beach, so we set up camp on a bluff overlooking the beach. Which, in my opinion, was way cooler anyway. After we set up camp, we went down to explore. I have never been to a beach where there was no one else. We had free reign to run and scream and frolic. There were rock formations and a cave (which of course made me think of The Hunger Games), and after the tide went down there were a few tide pools. It’s definitely not the best place to swim, you know since all the rocks could be potentially dangerous, not to mention the sea lion we saw swimming like 10 feet off shore, but it was still the best beach ever.

Below you will find my Malibu Monday playlist:

1. Banana Pancakes – Jack Johnson In Between Dreams

“When the whole world fits inside of your arms, don’t really need to pay attention to the alarm.”

2. I Want You– Savage Garden Savage Garden

“Oooh, I want you. I don’t know if I need you but, oooh, I’d die to find out.”

3. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen Call Me Maybe – Single

“Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but here’s my number, so call me maybe?”

4. The Yacht Club – Owl City All Things Bring and Beautiful

“I wish we could sail all our sad days away, forever, in deep blue seas of paper mache.”

5. Bottom of the Sea – Matt Nathanson Modern Love

“If the morning light ever calls you backward, just don’t be gone too long. And don’t leave me here alone.”

6. Impatient Girl – Kate Voegele Gravity Happens

“Oh, I ain’t built like this, the way you’re taking your time’s got me jumpin’ ship. And I won’t lie, let’s call this what it is, an impatient girl waiting on an empty wish.”

7. Fallin’ For You – Colbie Calliat 2010 Grammy Nominees

“I’ve been spending all my time just thinking ‘bout you. I don’t know what to do. I think I’m fallin’ for you.”

8. Apple – Joe Brooks Constellation Me

“Feel like a before and after photo. How I’ve lived without you I don’t know.”

9. Music Sounds Better With You – Big Time Rush Elevate

“It feels like the music sounds better with you.”

10. California Sunshine– Christa Black God Loves Ugly

“California sunshine’s callin’ my name. Lay me by the ocean, I won’t complain. Don’t call it a vacation, don’t think I ever want to leave.”

11.  Catch Your Wave – The Click Five Greetings from Imrie House

“Well, every princess has her knight, and I’m still in it for the fight.”

12.  Count on Me – Bruno Mars Doo-Whops and Hooligans

“If you find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea, I’ll sail the world to find. If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can’t see, I’ll be the light to guide you.

13. ***Safe & Sound– Taylor Swift The Hunger Games Soundtrack ***

“Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. You’ll be alright, no on can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I’ll be safe and sound.”

14. Favorite Girl – Katelyn Tarver A Little More Free

“I wanna be the one you think of when you’re driving all alone. And you would see you can call me on the phone just so you can say “Hey, you’re my favorite girl.”

15.  Ocean Avenue  – Yellowcard Ocean Avenue

“When I sleep, I dream and it gets me by. I can make believe that you’re here tonight.”

16.  Hmmm – Bryan Greenberg Hmmm-Single

‘The hardest part of parting, is never saying goodbye.”

17.  You’re Not Thinking – Drake Bell A Reminder

“So please, please, please. You gotta let me go. You, you, you, you don’t even know that you’re not thinking, you’re not thinking about me.”

18. Kokomo – The Beach Boys Sounds of Summer

“Aruba, Jamacia, oooh I wanna take you to Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama. Key Largo, Montego baby why don’t we go down to Kokomo.”

19. She Says – Howie Day Stop All the World

“And when she says she wants somebody else, I hope you know she doesn’t mean you.”

20.  Runaway Run – Hanson This Time Around

“Just a picture and a feeling and your face. How could I forget your touch, your warm embrace?”

21. Waterfalls – TLC CrazySexyCool

“Don’t go chasing waterfalls, please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to. ”

22. Country Girl (Shake It For Me) – Luke Bryan Tailgates & Tanlines

“Somebody’s sweet little farmer’s child, she’s got it in her blood to get a little wild. Ponytail and a pretty smile.”

Listen to the playlist here.

Posted in Everyday Happenings, Music, Playlists

Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs

Posted on by momentswithmisty

As a general rule, I hate Valentine’s Day. Not because I hate love, I actually love love (when it’s really love—but that’s a whole different story). What I don’t love is the fact that people seem to think that they must designate a specific day to show their loved ones that the love them. Why can’t we do that everyday? If you love your someone why not just do special things for them everyday? I think that would make it a lot more special than doing it on Valentine’s Day when it’s so cliché.

Another thing I don’t love about Valentine’s Day is that people seem to feel the need to always be talking about it. “Do you have a valentine?” “What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?” “My boyfriend and I are *insert cheesy plans*. “ And people are overly affectionate, and it makes me want to throw up. I mean, maybe someday when I’m in some kind of relationship I won’t be so bitter at these things, but right now, they annoy me to no end. Like really? If you’re date is sooooo special, why not keep it special between you and your boy/girlfriend? And I don’t really have anything against basic PDA; I think it can be fine. Hug, hold hands, whatever. But I do not need to see you guys all over each other. Keep that to yourselves.

But, you know what I love about Valentine’s Day? Love songs. There are so many great love songs out there. And the best thing about love songs is that they can be fast, or they can be slow; they can be serious, or the can be light-hearted; they can be passionate, or they can sweet. There is an endless pool of how a love song can unfold. Also, love songs are so subjective. You may be attracted to one particular song because of a memory that’s tied to it, or you may be attracted to a love song because of the emotional state you’re in. Or at least that’s how it is for me. My list of favorite love songs is always changing. And I love that. So, in honor of Valentine’s Day, here is my list of my favorite love songs (at this time, remember, subjective).

Happy (late) Valentine’s Day! I love you (you all know who you are).

1. Can’t Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley Elvis 30 #1 Hits

“Like a river flows so surely to the sea, Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be. So take my hand, take my whole life too. For I can’t help falling in love with you.”

2. If I Ain’t Got You — Alicia Keys The Diary of Alicia Keys

“Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything. But everything means nothing, if I ain’t got you.”

3. Cover Girl — Big Time Rush Elevate

“I don’t know why you always get so insecure. I wish you could see what I see when you’re looking in the mirror. And why won’t you believe me when I say, that to me you get more beautiful everyday.”

4. Deeper — Hanson Underneath

“Every simple notion is poetry in motion. Can’t you see it’s pushing me over the edge. This wrecking ball you’re holding, could crush the heart you’ve stolen. I give my devotion all over again.”

5. Just the Way You Are — Bruno Mars Doo-Wops and Hooligans

“You know, you know, you know I’d never ask you to change. If perfect’s what you’re searching for than just stay the same.”

6. When Did You Fall — Chris Rice Amusing

“You’re all smiles and silly conversations. As if this sunny day came just for you. You twist your hair, you smile and you turn your eyes away. Come on, tell me what’s right with you.”

7. Catch Me — Demi Lovato Here We Go Again

“But you’re so hypnotizing, you’ve got me laughing while I sing,
 you’ve got me smiling in my sleep. 
And I can see this unraveling, and your love is where I’m falling, 
but please don’t catch me.”

8. Makes Me Happy — Drake Bell It’s Only Time

“Hello, let’s go. Everybody must know love’s in my heart like a bomb. It’s blowing a song inside I’m singing. The sunshine that you’re bring now, and makes me happy.”

9. Wonderful Tonight — Eric Claption Cream of Clapton

“I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes. And the wonder of it all is that you just don’t realize how much I love you.”

10. I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing — Aerosmith Devil’s Got a New Disguise

“Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do. I’d still miss you babe, and I don’t want to miss a thing.”

11. God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You — *NSYNC *NSYNC

“Your love is like a river, peaceful and deep. Your soul is like a secret that I never could keep. When I look into your eyes, I know that it’s true, God must have spent a little more time on you.”

12. Faithfully — Journey Greatest Hits

“I’m yours forever, faithfully.”

13. Hello Beautiful — Jonas Brothers Jonas Brothers

“Cause I could go across the world, and see everything and never be satisfied. If I couldn’t see those eyes.”

14. Songbird (Originally Fleetwood Mac) – Naya Rivera Glee: The Music, Vol. 6

“And the songbirds are singing like they know the score. And I love you, I love you, I love you like never before.”

15. I’ll Be — Edwin McCain Misguided Roses

“Tell me that we belong together, dress it up with the trappings of love. I’ll be captivated, I’ll hang from your lips, instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above.”

16. Maybe I’m Amazed — Jem Music from The O.C. Mix, Vol. 2

“Maybe I’m amazed at the way you help me sing my song, and right me when I’m wrong. Maybe I’m amazed at the way I really need you.”

17. I Want to Hold Your Hand — The Beatles Number Ones

“Yeah you, got that something, I think you’ll understand. When I say that something, I wanna hold your hand.”

18. Kiss Me — Sixpence None The Richer Sixpence None the Richer

“Oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight. Lead me out on the moonlit floor. Lift your open hand, strike up the band, and make the fireflies dance. Silvermoon’s sparkling, so kiss me.”

19. She Will Be Loved — Maroon 5 Songs About Jane

“Tap on my window, knock on my door, I want to make you feel beautiful.”

20. The Way You Make Me Feel — Michael Jackson Number Ones

“Just kiss me baby and tell me twice that you’re the one for me.”

21. As Long As You Love Me—Backstreet Boys Backstreet Boys

“I don’t care who you are, where you’re from, what you did as long as you love me.”

22. Truly Madly Deeply — Savage Garden Savage Garden

“I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish, I’ll be your fantasy. I’ll be your, I’ll be your love, be everything that you need.”

23. A Whole New World — Aladdin

“I’ll chase them anywhere, there’s time to spare. Let me share this whole new world with you.”

Listen to the playlist here.

Posted in Everyday Happenings

I’m just a girl, trying to find a place in this world

Posted on by momentswithmisty

I’ve been slacking off on my blog responsibilities, but that’s only because I’ve been trying to be a responsible adult. And find a place to live. And find a job. One down, one to go.

As I get settled in (hopefully), I’ll try to be more frequent about posting. I won’t make any promises, because sometimes I just don’t feel like I have anything important or witty to say. But I will try. I’ll also try to make things less list-y.

Apartment Life

I did find a place to live! Praise Jesus! I wandered up and down streets for hours trying to find a place. I would literally just pick a place and park my car and then walk up and down roads. I started out in Burbank and then tried NoHo (that’s North Hollywood, for those of you not as cool as me), but I couldn’t find anywhere. They were all either too expensive (let’s be honest, when you have no job, everything is expensive, but some were a little outrageous), or they were ridiculously small (and expensive), or they wanted me to sign a year lease (and were expensive). So I had absolutely no luck for 2 days. I was beginning to get frustrated.

So I started looking on Craigslist (against the advice of my mother…and almost everyone I know). I found an ad where the person seemed pretty normal, and I replied. We talked a little, and then we set up a time to meet and for me to see the apartment. And everything went great. It is a two-bedroom apartment in Burbank. We share a bathroom (and all other living quarters). My roommate’s name is Jeni (there are also two kitties that live here, CJ and Pricilla) and she’s the nicest person. She’s older than me, but I feel like she and I are very much alike. She’s kind, generous, funny, and she works in the entertainment business. She’s been in the business for 10 years, and she has a ton of great contacts (there is more to all of this, but I’m not going to post it all here, text me). So we have a lot in common, which is cool.

It seems a little odd to say it out loud, but I almost feel like this was predestined.

When she makes dinner at night, she makes enough for me (Look Mom! I won’t starve), and we eat dinner together. It’s cool. However, she is a vegetarian, which is fine, I don’t have anything against that…except for that I hate mushrooms, onions and most other cooked vegetables. But, I eat whatever she makes (mostly because I think it would be rude to say no, and partly because what else would I have to eat?). In honor of the big move (and the fact that the opportunity presented itself to me), I think I’ll try the whole vegetarian thing. I mean, who knows how long it will last, but it doesn’t hurt to try, right?

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(I’m trying to use this collage app because I just really don’t want to go into Photoshop and make my own. So forgive me if it doesn’t work correctly.)

Traffic

Every time I get in my car I want to drive off a bridge. Traffic is ridiculous. There are five lanes going one direction, and not a single one of them is moving. How is this even possible? I just don’t understand. Surely one of the lanes could be moving.

Plus, everyone is always so angry. Horns honking, people yelling all the time. Nobody else seems to pay much attention to it, so I guess it’s a typical thing here, but to me, when I hear a car horn honk, my automatic reaction is to stop because obviously something is wrong. Yeah, they don’t like it when you stop (even if it’s at a stop sign).

And, there is no way I will ever be able to navigate this place without a GPS. They don’t build their roads is a normal grid-like pattern. No. They build them this way, and that way and diagonally. It’s like a freaking labyrinth just trying to get to Target. And usually my GPS wants to take me on a freeway, because it thinks it will be quicker to go that way…but I don’t always want to drive on the freeway. I would rather just drive on regular roads. But JackJack (my GPS) doesn’t understand that. So I try to find my own way. And I end up lost, and usually on a freeway (because I’m pretty sure every road eventually turns into a freeway).  Don’t even get me started on Downtown LA. It’s all a freaking nightmare.

Manners

I am fairly certain that they do not teach children manners here, and they haven’t been for over 30 years, because the adults do not have manners either. Coming from a small (southern-ish) town, where everyone tends to be very kind and polite, it’s kind of overwhelming. It’s not that everyone is rude (some people are); it’s just that people don’t go out of their way to help others. It makes me appreciate my upbringing so much more.

Job Hunt

All I want to do is go on tour. With anyone. I mean, sure I have my list of people that I want to go with, but in all reality, I’d be happy to go with anyone. But, I have no idea even where to start. It’s rough when you know what you want to do, but have no idea how to get there. I literally send out like 40 resumes a day. And I have been for the last week, and I hear nothing back. And it’s so frustrating and discouraging.

It’s frustrating because I don’t even know if people are reading my cover letter or looking at my resume because everything is done electronically. For all I know it’s being sent out into cyberspace and no one is even seeing it. I wish there was a way to physically put it in the right peoples’ hands. Like, walk up to record labels (or Ellen) and hand them my resume. It’s discouraging because I am an instant gratification type of person. And because I don’t immediately hear back from these people asking me to set up an interview, I automatically feel like a failure.

The truly terrible thing is that out here, in the field that I want to work in, it’s not even about your skills. It’s all about who you know. And I unfortunately know no one. And I have no idea how to meet the right people.

But, I will figure it out. Somehow. Even if I have to go sit outside labels for endless hours, that is what I will do.

P.s. I met two Warblers. Yeah, be jealous.