30 Days of Me: Day 14

Day 14- A picture of you and your family:

My "real" family-

My "adopted" family-

30 Days of Me: Day 13

Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently:

I have no one to write to. If someone has hurt me and I felt the need to write them I’ve written them already and it’s not something I’m willing to share publicly. Sharing something like that so openly doesn’t seem right.

Unless you’re going to write to someone anonymously and can’t send a letter for whatever reason this may be a good outlet for any pain you have but I still don’t think doing it so publicly would be of any greater value to making you feel any better than if you did so privately.  <---That is the biggest run on sentence ever but I’m too lazy to fix it.

30 Days of Me: Day 12

Day 12- How you found out about blogger and why you have one:

You know, I don’t remember how I found out about Blogger but I’ve had my account since 2007. The posts didn’t start until 2009, if I posted before that I’ve erased them & don’t remember any of it. The main reason for the break is because of certain circumstances and/or people I wasn’t able to have a public blog anymore. In 2009 I joined Gavin Degraw’s web team & wanted another place to post for the team.

Now I use it for posts I think are “public appropriate”. I’m tired of “hiding” because of certain reasons and/or people and I think it’s been long enough to start sharing some of my life publicly. Blogger is anonymous enough that it’s too hard to find a blog without the address. I’m not on the public search engines and I only have a link to it on my Facebook. I guess it could get out to certain people but I don’t see that happening and if it did that’s something I’ll deal with if and when it happens or becomes a problem again.

I still have my private LJ that I use for the more private in detail posts. It’s mostly just for me & a few close friends if they so chose to read. Any blog I post is for me but I do keep in mind that blogger is public content and censor myself accordingly.

30 Days of Me: Day 11

Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends:

I find it rather ridiculous that I have to do this again after only 8 days. Put it down towards the end of the list if you’re going to have us do it twice. 

I don’t go around with my camera attached to my hand taking photos so it’s been a bit hard to do these types of entries. So I need to start taking more photos. Not because of stupid blog things like this but because I would actually like to have more photos of the people I love.

Jessica, me & Karie

                                                             

Karie & I

Me & Jessica

Me, Crystal & Chelsey

Not the best photo but its the only one I got

Chelsey & I

None of our photos together ever turn out.  One of us is always blurry.

Me, Olivia & Crystal (and baby Claire)

me, Shane & Sommer

Family can be friends too...

(My sisters) Sherri, Georgie & Me

There's no recent photos of all 4 of us sisters

Me, Nick (newphew) & Beth (niece)

We all grew up together so we're more like siblings. 

Also, today is Veteran's Day.  Happy Veteran's Day to all those who have served our country! Thank you and God Bless! 

Here's a photo of my favorite veteran.  My nephew Nick served in the Army for 5 years.

30 Days of Me: Day 10

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad:

I don’t have songs so much as certain albums or artists but maybe I can think of a song or two as well…

Happy-
Artists:Jason Mraz; Tristan Prettyman;
Songs: The Authority Song, A Praise Chorus– Jimmy Eat World; Return to Pooh Corner – Kenny Loggins



Sad-
Artists: Death Cab for Cutie; Jack’s Mannequin; Toad the Wet Sprocket
Songs:





Bored-
Artists: Gavin Degraw; Matchbox Twenty
Songs: Mayhem is Beautiful – Bushwalla & Dawn Mitschele; Beautiful – G. Love & Tristan Prettyman




Hyped-
Artists: The Format; Fun.; Ringside
Songs: Did You Get My Message, Dynamo Of Volition, Mudhouse (Gypsy MC) – Jason Mraz



Mad-
Artists: Something Corporate; Puddle of Mudd
Songs: Robot Factory, Nothingwrong, Get It Faster – Jimmy Eat World; Rockin’ the Suburbs – Ben Fold’s (though this song could go for any category)

30 Days of Me: Day 9

Day 9- Something you’re proud of in the past few days:

Something I’m proud of in the past few days… um, I haven’t killed Remington. I’m half joking, which means I’m half not. He’s really, really been testing my patience… actually, everyone’s patience, for that matter. I swear the reason God made kitten’s sooo dang cute is to counterbalance their insane demon craziness.

Remington literally went on a 12 hour bender the other night and did not relent at all on giving anyone a break. After waking me up by trying to cave my head in with the alarm clock I gave up on sleep and took him out of the bedroom so he did not wake Will up as well. We spent the next 3 hours on the couch while he tried to eat any part of my body that was not covered. Nothing would deter him from his task. If he wasn’t chewing on me he was gnawing on Parker and/or Cyrus. When I couldn’t stay up any longer & I went back to bed he terrorized Parker & Cyrus some more. When that became too boring he’d decide to chase his tail (which he rarely catches) behind the bathroom door (in the tiny wedge the open door makes between the door & wall). I think he likes it because he cannot possibly make any more noise anywhere else in the apartment. How he doesn’t knock himself out by banging his head on the wall & door every turn is beyond me. After I woke up the next morning he was still going strong. I ended up locking him up in the bedroom for a while so I could get what I needed done without him terrorizing me & hindering what it was I was trying to do.

I love him to death and he’s the cutest thing ever but sometimes enough is enough. Luckily, after sleeping all day he was in a much better mood by the time I got back from the day. He was so tuckered out he slept the whole time I watched TV & didn’t really bother anyone the rest of the night.

30 Days of Me: Day 8

Day 8- Short term goals for this month and why:

I’m not really into goals…short term or long term. That sounds bad but it’s sort of true. If anything I have more ideas than goals, if that makes sense. It’s not that I don’t make plans or “goals” for myself but tacking on the term goal just doesn’t work for me. I don’t know how to explain why so much. I still accomplish things but without the term goal being attached to it there’s less pressure, I guess, and less disappointment should I not complete what I had in mind or complete it in time. It may be more of a head game I play with myself but it’s one that works for me.

If I had to have a goal or goals, it’s to finish this 30 Days of Me “challenge” this month and to get Christmas shopping started. The why of it all really is just because I want to.

I’ve wanted to start writing daily and this is a great challenge to get that accomplished. I found the idea at a perfect time since it was the end of a month. Writing, even if it’s nonsense about nothing, helps ungarble the chaos that’s in my brain. I think it helps quiet my mind so I can close my eyes and sleep at night.

As for Christmas shopping, who doesn’t want to start Christmas shopping early. Not that starting in November is early to some people but it’s early for me.

30 Days of Me: Day 7

Day 7- A picture of someone/something that has/had the biggest impact on you:

Again due to the missing photo thing I can’t retrieve the photo I need. If I could it’d be one of my grandparents, Nana & Pop. Obviously I can’t find a photo that almost looks like the one I have so this is a photo entry without the photo.

----------
ETA:
11-09-10

Ha! Found my converter drive so here's the photo I wanted...

Catherine, Pop, Nana & me

30 Days of Me: Day 6

Day 6- Favorite super hero and why-

I’ve always loved Wolverine.

I started reading X-Men comics back in high school & just instantly loved him. Wolverine was always so mysterious & grumpy.  What’s not to love about those two qualities?!  Plus, his character was both strong & vulnerable., it was sort of an odd mix but it totally worked. 

I was really scared when they did the movies but they picked a perfect Wolverine. You can’t really go wrong with Hugh Jackman.

30 Days of Me: Day 5

Day 5- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to:

I’ve currently misplaced my camera card reader thing so I don’t have the pictures I want. It’s really frustrating!

I took this great photo during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery back in October 1999. I spent an unbelievable amount of time trying to get a non-sucky photo of a photo. I actually pulled it off too and I can’t show the fruit of all that hard work. Did I mention it’s frustrating?

Anyway it looked something like this….

Only, in my opinion, mine is way better! Plus, I had a panoramic camera back then so it was longer. Bigger, longer & BETTER!

Just saying.

---------
ETA:
11-9-10

Okay, here are my photos...

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Prayer to St. Peter video Edwin McCain:




"Prayer To St. Peter"

Let them in, Peter

For they are very tired

Give them couches where the angels sleep

And light those fires

Let them wake whole again

To brand new dawns

Fired by the sun

Not war-times bloody guns

May their peace be deep

Remember where the broken bodies lie

God knows how young they were

To have to die

You know God knows how young they were

To have to die

Give them things they like

Let them make some noise

Give dance hall bands not golden harps

To these our boys

Let them love Peter

For they've had no time

They should have bird songs and trees

And hills to climb

The taste of summer

And a ripened pear

And girls as sweet as meadow wind

And flowing hair

And tell them how they are missed

But say not to fear

It's gonna be all right

With us down here

Let them in, Peter

For they are very tired

Give them couches where the angels sleep

And light those fires

Let them wake whole again

To brand new dawns

Fired by the sun

Not war-times bloody guns

May their peace be deep

Remember where the broken bodies lie

God knows how young they were

To have to die

You know God knows how young they were

To have to die

And tell them how they are missed

But say not to fear

It's gonna be all right

With us down here

It's gonna be all right

With us down here

Invented

First, this song is incredible! So listen & read the lyrics. Not a demand just a request because it's really good.

Second, I blather on about the JEW concert farther down. I'm getting giddy just thinking about that night!

Invented-Jimmy Eat World



When I first came to see you I called it Houston street

Could we meet? Show me all the things you see?

I'm one more here

Some old-timer pioneer

Who believes with shaken faith

I still have some cool

I could leave you here with your 'people'

If I'm a flag you'd not prefer to wave

You're always in my head

You're just what I wanted

I live in constant debt

To feel you, invented

When I first came to LA I met you the old fashioned way

Too drunk

Even worse, much too lonely

I'll leave it there

A busted homesteader

Who believes in virgin grace

Somehow I'll stay proud

Any dick can roll up in a suit

But only I would know what really moves you

You're always in my head

You're just what I wanted

I live in constant debt

To feel you, invented

There's a cinematic end

I picture it just right

Having trouble with the right words

But you tell me with your eyes:

There's something good I miss

Something I can’t find

Do you believe me now?

Can you see it in my eyes?

You're always in my head

You're just what I wanted

I live in constant debt

To feel you, invented

Just needed to note that that Jimmy Eat World concert was fantastic!! Totally worth the 10 year wait but at the same time I’m even more totally bummed I missed all the concerts I did. I know I saw them way back when they were still a garage band & then when they were just signed with Capitol Records but it’s just not the same. The experience they’ve built in the last 16 years or so is incredible. So is the music & song list they have now. Plus, the energy of a “small” show like that you get at the Marquee Theater is a bit different from what you get from a house “show” or watching a practice in a garage.

Will agreed to go with me this time since he could “stand” some Jimmy Eat World songs and I’m glad to say that JEW did exactly as I knew they would and blew Will’s mind. I think he’s a bit in love now too. Not in the same fanGIRL! way I am but he’s a fan non-the-less.

Since it was on Oct. 30th they asked people to come dressed in their best Halloween attire & they would hold a costume contest. I was amazed at the amount of people who actually dressed up. I couldn’t imagine standing for hours on end in a Halloween costume when you are literally sardined in with hundreds of other people, sweating & jumping around. Apparently, it works for some people though. The band came out decked out. Everyone had on masks but Tom, who had zombie face paint. Rick kept his awesome light up Grim Reaper mask/hood on the whole concert (safe for about a 5-10 minute break on their jam session during Goodbye Sky Harbor). How he kept it on the whole time is beyond me but it was pretty damn impressive.

During the encore Jim threw out some guitar picks & one landed by where we were standing. No one really noticed at the time, including me, but the girl in front of us & Will did. Once Will told me we were all looking around for it and luckily Will saw it before the girl did. I felt a bit bad for being the ones to get it because she was like 14 and was looking pretty hard for it. I figure if she was meant to have it though she would have found it. Anyway, it’s an actual Jimmy Eat World printed pick & Jim Adkins signed the back side. Will was so proud he found it for me. It was an awesome find & I’m happy to add it to my autograph collection.

Speaking of 14 year olds, I swear we were surrounded by them! There was three in front of us right off to the side & they were giants! I barely came up to their shoulders & they were barely teens. They couldn’t drive because their mom was their with them, though she stood a bit behind them to give them space. She was for sure a fan and I’m guessing introduced the boys to JEW. How we got caught in the 14 year old giant pocket is beyond me but there wasn’t one person around us who did not tower over us or was legal to drink…or even drive. Just beyond them were what I’d consider peers and most of the diehard fans (at least those crazy enough to get smashed against the stage/barrier gates) were older as well.

I think for 2 days after my ears were ringing because it was so loud. It didn’t seem so bad when we where there, except for the first encore song when the sound was jacked, but we were standing in the line of the speakers. That’s my usual spot though & I’ve been to concerts that seemed way louder so I’m not sure what happened. Maybe my ears aged some since the Something Corporate concert a few months ago. I don’t know but I’m glad it’s since stopped and my hearing has returned & is normal. I would have been extremely sad & upset if Jimmy broke my ears! I mean, how would I properly hear the next concert of theirs I go to?!

Charming Charlie

I found the ultimate jewelry Mecca…Charming Charlie! They call themselves a fashion accessory boutique and it’s safe to say that if you are looking for something they’ve got it. They’re so large it’s overwhelming! Even though they’re well organized, so much so they place jewelry in color sections. Looking for animal print, then go to the animal print section. Everything’s basically matched up for you on their large displays. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or you need help mixing & matching there’s always someone there to happily help.

Along with any kind of jewelry you can imagine they have clothing, shoes, rain boots, scarves, slippers, sun glasses, headbands, hats, purses, belts, wallets, wine glasses, gloves, money/piggy banks, tights, odds & ends trinkets…you name, it’s there. At least as long as you can wear it…or place it on the night stand or dresser next to your jewelry box. Well, you get the gist.

Jessica’s mentioned it a time or two but I just never had any clue the extent of what she was talking about. Monday while hanging out Karie & I wandered upon Charming Charlie’s and went in to check it out. Honestly, I can’t explain the impact when you first walk in. You sort of want to run away because of the enormity of what lays before you but you can’t because the need to explore is just as overwhelming.

Yesterday I took Chelsey & Crystal there while we were hanging out. That time I didn’t end up getting away with a clean break. I took home two rings, a necklace, and a pair of earrings. One ring & the earrings go together (they’re turquoise roses) and the other ring I paired with a bird necklace. Luckily I have a pair of pearl earring studs I can match to them.

I can think of a dozen items I want from there right now and those are only the ones I can remember. Maybe Charming Charlie’s isn’t the best place for someone whose current obsession is jewelry. Or maybe it is. They’re reasonably priced, for the most part. Their prices run anywhere from $5 to $50. The higher end being clothing & shoes. Really, you can’t beat that.

I’m totally asking Santa for some Charming Charlie gift cards! I, also, know some people who’d probably appreciate such a gift as well.

30 Days of Me: Day 4

Day 4- A habit that you wish you didn’t have:

A bad habit that I wish I didn’t have is... I eat when I got bored.  It gets especially bad when I’m at work.  I think it's because we’re usually stocked on snacks so it’s hard to not eat anything when it’s just sitting right there. Snackings not so bad when I’m at home but I think that’s mostly because we don’t have a lot of snack food lying around.  It's, also, a vicious cycle because if you eat something sweet you need something salty to counter balance it or vise versa. 

30 Days of Me: Day 3

Day 3- A picture of you and your friends:

Karie, Jessica & me. If you look closely you can see Nicole (the Bride) in the background. Apparently although we’re often in the same place we 4 are never photographed together, at least not unless it’s a big family photo. Seems it’s something we need to rectify!

These girls are my best friends, the ones I tell everything to & who are like my sisters.  I love them!!

Sommer & me.  We might not hang out all the time but she's someone I can turn to when I need a shoulder.

I’m, also, in need of a photo with me, Chelsey & Crystal. Hopefully that’s something we can take care of today as we’re supposed to hang out to finally have a girls day to celebrate Crystal’s wedding & now to sneek in a big girls day before the baby comes. It seems the 3 of us can rarely be together at the same time for more than a few short minutes.



30 Days of Me: Day 2

Day 2- The meaning behind you blog name

Hum, the meaning behind In The Pursuit of Truth, Justice, & The KERRI Way… You know, I wrote that 5 years ago when I started my LiveJournal. It’s hard to say what exactly I was thinking at the time except that I was trying to find my way and figure out who I was.  After everything I'd been through up to that point I really wanted truth to be a part of my life.