Mon dernier l'obsession

I can't get over how much I love this band called Plastiscines...annnd I can't decide if I like their songs in English more or in French. I might just side with the French on this one. It's half their charm.


Plastiscines - French Made

Food for thought

The most common given name in the world is Mohammad.

The word "nerd" was first coined by Dr. Seuss in "If I Ran the Zoo."

The roar that we hear when we place a seashell next to our ear is not the ocean, but rather the sound of blood surging through the veins in the ear. Any cup-shaped object placed over the ear produces the same effect.

The United States has never lost a war in which mules were used.

Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of unwanted people without killing them used to burn their houses down -- hence the expression "to get fired."

The elephant is the only animal with 4 knees.

The largest number of children born to one woman is recorded at 69. From 1725-1765, a Russian peasant woman gave birth to 16 sets of twins, 7 sets of triplets, and 4 sets of quadruplets. Ouch.

Song bird

My Mashi girl has been spending mad time in the studio and coming up with new beauties like this:



Be kind...show some love. Visit www.myspace.com/mashasofficialpage

Casey Calvert

My thoughts and prayers are with all that knew and loved Casey Calvert of Hawthorne Heights as he has passed away Friday night in his sleep. I can't say I knew him, nor did I know his music well besides the singles that played on FUSE and randomly on my iPod when I listened to my Rock/Emo playlist. However, it is always such a tragedy to lose someone, and the fact that he was so young breaks my heart. Especially when you know this is someone that has touched the lives of so many, you can't help but mourn the loss along with everyone that loved him. My heart goes out to all his friends, family, and fans.

RIP Casey Calvert.

Bed hog

One thing I love about coming home, I get to snuggle with my puppy. Well, she's not really a puppy anymore, but she still looks like one to me. I love how she keeps me warm at night, but let me tell you...she is one big BED HOG! Haha...she lays out across the bed and I'm stuffed in the corner. It's ok though, I let her get away with it. I mean, just one look at her cute lil face and I can't resist. I'm gonna hate leaving her in the morning...but I'll be back, again, in a month.

Where, oh where will this day go?

Givin' thanks

I really hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. It's one of those holidays that put some retrospective back in lives...makes you remember what's really important, hence THANKSgiving.

With that said, let me note what I am sooo thankful for. I am thankful for my seriously wonderful family. Really, they are the most important thing to me in the world. They give me endless love (even when I dye my hair purple...le topic of le weekend) I'm so thankful for those friends I have back in the city (yea, the ones we have priceless night after priceless nights with). Seriously no one can replace any of them. They are the reason I'm so happy where I'm at right now in my life. I'm so thankful for my health. I know I can be a bit of a hypocondriach but really, I'm a super lucky girl to be alive and well. I hope people learn not to take their health forgranted.

But Thanksgiving was a lovely day with the usu. tons o' food, family, and football (oof). I ate so much, but watched I didn't feel icky after inhaling all the goods. I took just a lil of everything instead of the usual heaps of food (my eyes are bigger than my belly). One thing I did switch up this year was that I went for the blueberry pie instead of the pumpkin. I hadn't had blueberry pie in a while, and since my aunt made it from fresh berries she picked herself up in Maine, I just had to try some. Wow, it was delicious. I could actually go for some now.

After all that food, all I really wanted to do was rest, and trust me I did. Sleep has been one thing I've been getting enough of at home. I don't have anywhere to go or be that I can just completely rest. It feels nice.

I got to meet up with my girl, Nicole (aka Niquealla). We go back all the way to the days of elementary school. If I come home and don't get to see her, it's just not the same. Her and Julie are my girls (my hometown Curbside Gang, if you will). Julie is, of course, still in LA. One of these days, she'll come home for the holidays. But since, to Nicole and I, once Thanksgiving is over, it's officially time for Christmas movies and singalongs. We went to see Fred Claus...not a five star, but it filled the Christmas requirements. I felt all merry inside when it was over.

I'm excited for this next month to be filled with lots of cheer. No scrooges allowed here!

I should live in Japan

Just so I could ride this to work everyday.

Chuga chuga choo choo

Train rides home aren't so bad when I has ma Macbook, got episodes of LA Ink to watch, and a new book to start reading.

So cute I could eat 'em for Thanksgivin'

This is for a friend's friend's friend (I know, but I like this kinda stuff).

Go to www.gap.com/castingcall and vote for my friend's student's brother in a GAP casting call. Four winners out of the 20 finalist will win a spot announcement on Rachel Ray's show, a spot in O magazine, $3000 gift card to the gap, a prize package from Kodak. Annnnnd best of all, if he wins, he gets to appear in windows all across America. It would be a dream come true for a little boy, so go vote for Jordan. They already flew him to LA for being a finalist, he only has one more step to go to win the big prize.

These kids are adorable, man. I hope my future babies pop out looking like these kids.

This is for my peeps with the Bentleys the Hummers the Benz

Escalade 23 inch rims
Jumpin out the Jaguar wit the Timbs
Keep it real
And each thug East coast West coast worldwide
All my playas in the hood stay fly
And if you ballin let me hear you say right {right}

LOVE is the movement

In honor of National Survivors of Suicide Day...rescue is possible.


To Write Love On Her Arms

Star studded Room

Last night, I came across some pictures of me on the internet.

About 3 summers ago, me and my girls, Jazmin and Hind, worked the 4th of July party annually hosted by Sean P. Diddy Combs. I had worked as a promotional model for Hypnotiq (that blue liquor) for a little more than 3 years. We did events like this all the time, but this one was one of my favorites. It wasn't the event that was my favorite, but the drive to the Hamptons that was. Driving was always the best part and working alongside my BFF, Jazmin. I miss having this girl in my everyday life.

Anyways, the party was held in the Hamptons at Star Room. It was your typical "Hamptons" crowd with a very "beachy" feeling. We chatted it up a lot with PR phenomenon, Lizzy Grubman, and even had a lengthy chat with Mrs. Hilton, mother to the paparrazi whore, Paris. I've had so many encounters with the Hilton family since I moved to NYC that had I not dyed my hair black, I'd expect, by now, they'd know me by name. And since we know that won't happen, I should have spent more of my time focusing on Mr. Adrien Grenier, whom I had no clue was there. Oh well, there's always next time, right?

Candy Apple smile

I has new shoes!

Narcoleptic

Today, Temis and I came to the conclusion that I have narcolepsy. I don't know what is wrong with me, but I start falling asleep in the middle of the day. Not that I fall to floor and cozy up to the curb, but my eyes really do shut, and I could fall asleep talking to someone if I'm beyond exhaustion. At this point, I can see you laughing, but it's really not funny to me anymore. I really do try to get enough sleep, but sometimes I just can't. My body doesn't let me.

I've always had issues with insomnia (srsly, I can lay in bed for hours and not fall asleep). My doctor has even prescribed me sleeping pills, but I never ended up taking them cause I feared I'd oversleep or become dependent on them. I'll even admit, part of my hiatus from dance is because of my sleeping habits. The doctor said all the exercise I do, which is mainly at night, keeps my blood flowing making it harder for my body to wind down at night. I decided to take a break and try to get myself into a better routine, and since then, my sleeping patterns have definitely gotten better...but not quite good enough.

I'll be drinking one or two cups of coffee a day, now, to stay awake (something I never did until this summer), but I haven't noticed it helping at all. I've tried Red Bull, candy...whatever I can do just to muster up enough energy to make it through the day. I'm obviously over dramatizing this (I'm not always as bad as I make it seem), but it is definitely a problem.

The dreams I've been having have gotten more vivid and realistic to the point where I have to convince myself that I am just dreaming.

This is when I decided to invest in a meditation cd. Yes, I know this sounds weird, but I believe a sound mind provides a restful soul, and more than anything...I think it's my brain that keeps me up at night. So far, so good. It's been relaxing me and putting me to sleep in minutes. My only problem is, I don't see improvement later on in my days. So, what next?

I guess I'll have to keep trying different remedies. Until then, this is what my brain looks like:

Shot caller

For as long as I could remember, I have been taking pictures of anything and everything that surrounds me. I believe my very first camera was given to me at the age of 8-years old. It was black and hot pink, and made of some pretty hefty plastic. I snapped away endlessly forcing my parents to spend hundreds of dollars developing my masterpieces (ie my friends and I on the playground at recess). My first photo that comes to mind is the one I took of me and my friend Ally Korzec. We were on the blacktop where the boys played dodgeball and it was the day after she had broke her arm during a game of Red Rover. She survived, and it was worth noting. From then on, I haven't stopped since.

I was always known as the picture-taker. I was the girl that always made doubles, sometimes triples, and even quadruples of copies to hand out to friends. I wonder how I got so obsessed with capturing memories and documenting life.

I have albums upon albums, boxes upon boxes, and CD after CD of thousands of photographs. They are my most prized possession. I used to look at them regularly, but unfortunately, I do not have my collection with me in the city. There is simply not enough room for them all in my apt. When I visit my parents, I get the chance to look through them again as I plan on doing next week when I am home for Thanksgiving.

Nowadays, I am lucky enough/doomed that everything has gone digital. I fear of losing it all, but all my photographs are so easily obtainable. Now, I just need a legit camera.

I'll admit, I'm not the best photographer. I took photography classes in high school...it was even one of my 3 possible majors for college, but I did not excel in it, so I thought it wasn't for me. I kept it a hobby instead of a profession, but now, I'm so eager to learn again. I just want to take better quality photos, and actually put more thought into what it is I'm capturing. I'm not asking to be some spectacular artistic photographer...I just want to better my craft.

I've made friends with many photographers and have picked their brain where I should start. I've bought some books, done some research online, and am planning to buy a digital slr camera. I can barely afford that, so I'm gonna try to start off small. Saving up the money for this is gonna take some time, but now that I have my MACbook, buying a camera is gonna be my next priority (other than paying off my debt, of course).

A friend of mine made a joke that I should ask for donations...and well, I'm kind of taking it serious. Well, not really, but if you wanna add a penny or two to my fund, I wouldn't mind. I really want a new camera by the time the new year rolls around. I don't know if it'll happen, but I'll be crossin my fingers.

Change

So, I'm sure you've noticed the change in layout. It's a perfect way to start this next post.

I'm the kind of person who, I admit, is initially scared of, but thrives on change. I like to dip my feet in first to test the water instead of just jumping right in. I don't think it is necessarily a good or a bad thing, it's just what works for me. Right now, I feel the need for change. The seasons are changing (though, I think it mighta skipped over fall), I've dyed my hair purple (well...at least, the roots), and I'm out there trying to find a new job. I think switching it up is a good and healthy thing.

My dad and I had a long conversation on "change" the other day. He had just got back from a retreat where that was the theme of the weekend. There's nothing I love more than the talks I have with my dad. Sometimes it's not easy for him and my mom to understand the things I like and do, but they always support me no matter what. My family is always first when I make decisions in my life and I try to consider how it would effect them, but sometimes I have to be true to myself, just experiment and do things that I enjoy.

What really touched me was the card my father sent me from the retreat. On it is a poem...a poem about a rose. With Rose being my middle name and the name my father calls me by, it meant a lot to me. Though I find it personal, I believe it can be applied to anyone, therefore I'd like to share it with you.

And now I think I'm ready to bust a move

Hardcore, serious love to last night's Motion City Soundtrack show at Roseland Ballroom.


Shamefully, I admitted to Jesse I've never seen any of his shows live before except at this year's Bamboozle. After going to this one, I don't know if I'll ever miss one again.

This is definitely another favorite to add to my list. I'll give it the award for the most dancable/best show to flip-out for. And though we had a table to sit at in the balcony...I could NOT sit still. As hard as I tried to record video/go all Jiscilla-Paparrazzi style on them, it was difficult to keep a steady hand while bopping around like a 15-year old girl.

And speaking of...pls note my teenage daughter will never go to concerts...not until she, at least, graduates from college. Srsly, little girls were on top of their friends' shoulders with their shirts off, whirling around their heads like lasso. I'm sorry, I just can't deal. Now, I understand why my parents deprived me of such things. Wait until their parents see the videos on youtube.

Anyways, disregarding the crude display of fandom, I'm glad everyone had so much fun. I felt really bad when I found out my friend, Christy, couldn't come. It was an last minute thing that superbly bummed her out, so I have video to make her feel as if she were there:

Another sidenote: I had a unicorn moment at the end of the evening when Jesse introduced me to some guy backstage. I turned to Jessica as she pondered who he reminded her of and unwittingly responded with, "He kinda reminds me of Steven from Steven's Untitled Rock Show." Parker could hardly contain herself when she broke the news to me that it WAS Steven from Steven's Untitled Rock Show. I know...I really was meant to be born blonde. Oh well...I like to think of my stupidity as "cute." Is it working?

mtvU give Woodies

Sometimes I like to think of myself as the modern-day Punky Brewster. Just put me in pigtails, gift me a golden retriever, find me Henry Warnimont, and I’ll be sayin’ “PUNKY POWER” in no time!



Last night was the mtvU Woodie Awards. I joined in the festivities at the afterparty held in Times Square. Le location: Spotlight Live. It reminded me very much of a new generation Hard Rock Café sans la paraphernalia. The crowd was hyped on free drinks, drugs, and hormonal-titled awards.

It was just as I suspected…a bunch of big names and unrecognizable faces. Big shots and literally…BIG SHOTS! Glasses full of Jägermeister on the rocks or, as I prefer, sips of SoCo and Lime. Someone I DID recognize, though, as I walked off the pink carpet and into the venue doors happened to be a girl named Sheila. Seven years ago, third floor, Leo Hall…we were floormates our freshman year of college, but I probably hadn’t seen her since. Small world. After two solid minutes of playing catch-up, I dashed off to the bathroom to relieve my Malibu Baybreeze-filled bladder. Free drinks travel fast.


Parker and I were of the first few to tear up the dance floor. We set the tone for the rest putting their dance skills to test…leaving us with the high scores for sure. The soundtrack de la nuit bounced from hit to miss, either feeding or misleading our stride. Cotton candy was served which will later become an accessory to my curves and stunted thighs. Opaque yellow tights, blue shoes, and beret meandered up for priceless pickup lines and more so, those with puzzled eyes. Disco balls and soundproof booths…getaways for those wanting to hide the truth of makeouts and coked up snouts.


…and sometimes I wonder how I ever got into this world. It’s like a carnival ferris wheel that goes round and round. A rise and fall that, at first, makes your tummy tingle, but shortly after you realize what you just consumed makes you want to puke your guts out. Yack.

Jayms Madison

...the next Rihanna? Who knows. Basically, I'm spreading the word cause she's rad, and because I have friends working with her (styling, choreographing, etc.) For those music industry peeps...she's unsigned, so jump on that before someone else does. And if you wanna see her perform, go to Carnvial tonight. (I can't make it cause my friends, Augustana are in town...but you're not at their show, you should at least be at Carnvial...then Trainwreck, of course.) Have a lovely Tuesday, kiddies.
www.myspace.com/jaymsmadison

Skye not so-Sweetnam

So I went a' lurkin today in hopes of findin me some new tunes. I've had my eye on this one poptart, Skye Sweetnam, since the beginning of her teen years...and mainly because she opened up for Britney Spears back in her semi-sane days. Well, oddly enough, I turned on my tv the other day only to recognize her voice on a commercial (don't ask me how, her voice doesn't really stand out all that much). But it was that ipod commerical...you know, the "Music is My Boyfriend" one. Anyways, here I am thinking..."Yessss...aother guilty pleasure pop song to jam out to!" Soooo I typed my fingers on over to her website and decided to listen to her jukebox. Big mistake. I was utterly disappointed! I wanted to hear more goodies, but the only goodies I got were good laughs. Uh! I expected that since she's like 5 years older now, she would at least have a few good songs dance around to. False. I can almost say her songs are more lame than Britney Spears' "Dear Diary." Wait, I still listen to that one (what? don't judge!)...ok, forget I ever mentioned that.

Then, I don't know what made me think this, but I went to her myspace hoping to find something that made me feel better about my curiousity. This video made me feel slightly better (only because she made it herself):



But this one did not:



Also, she's a dead ringer for Corey Kennedy...er, at least I seem to think so...the lesser cooler version of Corey Kennedy but shorter, with pink hair, and lots of makeup? Hey, give me somethin here! I'm begging you!