EASTER SUNDAY 2011 CHUCK STYLE

What did you do today?
Did you munch on some ham?
Go to church?
Hunt for Easter eggs?
Or was today just another Sunday-Funday for you?

Today was a little bit different for me.

This Easter Sunday 2011, I shoveled shit.

No, really.

I did.

And honestly it wasn't all that bad.

Because I spent the entire time laughing my ass off

And hanging out with the sister-cousin.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Try and top this next year...

;)

p.s. I move to the city in 7 days...

after posting this on twitter,

my friend D  had this to say:

I think he's right.

Get ready Brawl-timore, 

HERE I COME!!!

LAST NIGHT // TONIGHT

Last night I enjoyed hot tea...

tonight I enjoy my tea cold...

and a little bit hard.

Music Monday: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Name: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Style: Indie Folk
Similar To/Sounds Like: Hicks (no, that's not a band name)

I've been listening to quite a lot of what many people would consider to be hipster music lately, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is by far the most hipster of them all. If you hate all things hipster then you aren't going to like ES, but you should probably reconsider you stance and at the very least give their song "Home" a chance.

I first heard this group when their song "40 Day Dream" came up on my always-astounding Florence + the Machine Pandora station, the source of all good music in the universe, and jotted down their name to look up when I had the time. A few days later I did a quick Google search on them, and it was quite apparent that "Home" is their biggest hit so I listened to it on YouTube. And loved it. And then at the NYFA fashion show in Seattle last week, one of the designer's showed their collection with "Home" playing in the background and I loved it even more than the first time I head it. Almost as soon as I got home, I bought their CD on Amazon and it's been playing ever since.

The group is made up of Alex Ebert, the lead singer, Jade Castrinos, the back-up female singer, and about 50 other random musicians. OK, so not 50, but there's a bunch. They also have a superb trumpet player that is worthy of mention. I'm sure all of the other members are good musicians as well, but today I'm feeling particularly pro-trumpet... probably because my dad got his out the other night and was brushing up on his rendition of "Taps" for his second-career as a funeral trumpeter.

Like most of the bands and singers I listen to, I know this type of music isn't for everyone. Probably 85% of you that actually give the group a listen are going to think I'm insane, so sorry for that. But the other 15% is going to love me for sharing these guys with you, so you're welcome for that. Anyways, I'll shut up now and let you listen. (I'm only linking up my 3 favorites today, but I'm sure you can find all of them on YouTube.)

Up From Below

1. 40 Day Dream
2. Janglin
3. Up from Below
4. Carries On
5. Jade
6. Home
7. Desert Song
8. Black Water
9. Come in Please
10. Simplest Love
11. Kisses Over Babylon
12. Brother
13. Om Nashi Me

Download on Amazon (only $3.99!) or buy the CD.

This isn't a music video exactly, but I thought it was fun and a good way to listen to their best song:

PROTECTIVE HEAD GEAR FROM A 13YR OLD

My little sister-cousin is beyond ecstatic that I have moved back home.
I believe her excitement came out a little bit like this:

"Can you stay home forever?"

I had to gracefully let her down and inform her that I did not plan on living at home forever. That my stay is just temporary until my school/job situation gets, well, situated. Who knows how long that will be, but to lighten the mood we decided to photo shoot in the bano with her newly acquired Christmas/Birthday winter hats...

My sister-cousin, she's a special one.
I love her.

Most days.

;)

The other evening I loved her a lot.
Apparently I love her a lot tonight, just enough love to post these crazy ass, makeupless pictures, on my blog.
I'm such a good sister-cousin.

 She was particularily impressed with this here SKUNK! hat at Hot Topic...

She just "HAD TO HAVE IT!"

I was, and am still, just a little bit confused by it, hence the need to blog/photoshoot about it.

 And then the sister-cousin decided to join in on the photo fun...

Of course texting had to come first.

That's her other hat... 

I have no clue, nor do I understand the monster-thingy on her head.

Kids these days.

BTW, my little sister-cousin hearts my blog:

She told me I had to wait to get my Christmas present until she had more money saved up...
She said she planned on getting me my Ray-Ban Aviators that I've been lusting about on this here blog of mine, because she knew how much I wanted them.
Once again I had to gracefully, i.e. YELL at her, and say "Holy Shit, NO!, you cannot buy me those. Thank you, that's really sweet. I love you, but you are not allowed to spend that much of your money on me. End of Story."

Gah, these photos are pretty lol-ing bad... she's lucky that I like her.

We'll probably butt heads sometime this week, it's only a matter of days before the aggravation begins,

but when that day finally hits at least I'll be able to use her skunk hat as protective head gear.

WEDDING #1

This evening begins my Week of Wedding!

Tonight I drive to Camden, NJ [not the safest place on the east coast] to celebrate the union on my coach and one of my former rugby teammates.

I am SOOOO SOOO excited for this evening!

I finally decided on a dress:

Here's a better one--just not of the whole dress--I'm working with my camera phone because my digital camera has officially gone ka-put--and currently I am unable to get a replacement:

I added loopy earrings and a few rings to the final outfit...

Time to hit the road!


p.s. Did I mention that I forgot about sitting down and eating--a main part of the wedding--well I did, and I just realized this. My dress is a little snug. I might be abstaining from dinner this evening... ugh damn.

I'll be updating via the twitter account tonight... feel free to follow me! It could turn out to be an interesting night--I dont know who will be there! Hopefully some of the rugby ladies will be there so I can catch up with them!! I miss my rugby friends! :(

THIS IS MY NEW YEAR... on crack.

Does anyone else remember the "2000" glasses that were around for Y2K and 1999 NYE?? Because I sure do. My pair glowed in the dark and were passed out during a NYE party during my middle school days in Nevada.

Between 2000 and tonight, the night before 2010, my life has definitely had some changes.

2001: I decided to leave my mother and my home in order to have the opportunity for a better life.

2005: I improved my grades, (for the first time) made amazing life-long friends, successfully graduated high school and was accepted into college.

2005-2009: I attended college, began playing rugby, made even more 'keeper' friends, fell in love, found out who my true friends were, was accepted into a new family, welcomed a new set in in-laws, decided to postpone graduate school for a 'real' job, and had my heart broken.

2010: Will bring my graduation from college (Jan. 10) and will begin the start of a new chapter in my life. One that will hopefully lead to a new career and the completion of the goals that I set for myself so long ago.



This evening I will be spending the night alone.
No parties, no more boyfriend, and no friends tonight.
Kind of lame... no, really it is lame. But I'm okay it with it. I'm going to finally sit back and truly relax. I've spend the last 8 years (since moving to Maryland) working my ass off to get this far. Tonight will be my break. Tomorrow I will begin the next part of my life and I plan on enjoying it every step of the way.

This year:
January has me graduating. Going on a ski trip (for the first time) with friends from home. Possibly going on a 2 day trip to Vegas with my cop friends or just another over night-er to Atlantic City.
February I start a new job, not a 'real job just an in-between job, close to home. Then I'm going (possibly back) to Vegas for a 4 day weekend of out of control, craziness with my rugby team for the USA 7's tournament. I'm going to catch up with the only 2 friends I've kept from NV. And I plan on having the time of my life with a bunch of amazing ladies--an enjoying the eye-candy that are sexy rugby men (haha)!
I don't know what I have in store for March, April, May, or June, but July is my Birthday and August is bringing my brother and his wife baby #2 (child #4). (I'm planning on it being a girl. It better be a girl.)
I really just hope that this year, and the years following the end of my undergraduate/college career will be good. I just want to be happy. That's all I've ever really asked for, and that's what my resolution this year will be.

I just want to be happy.

If I were on stage in a Miss America Pageant I'd wish for World Peace too.

:)

Have a Happy New Year everyone.
Be safe.

Chuck.

GIFT GIVING RANT a la THE HOLIDAYS

I truly love the holidays.

Aside from the typical stress that surrounds my family during the holidays, I enjoy the season. I love the weather (even though I complain when I'm cold and complain about my car sucking), I love the down time of just relaxing by the tree just reading a book, I love the traditions that the holidays bring about, and the new ones that I like to try to create from the old. I love opening gifts, getting in touch with those whom I have lost (regular) touch with throughout the year, and I love giving gifts.

I believe that gift giving is the greatest part of the holiday season. Whether the gifts are homemade baked goods, clothing, electronics or a gag gift just to make someone laugh, giving a gift and seeing someone's reaction is the highlight of my holiday. I love seeing the reaction that a gift can bring someone; be it tears of joy, laughter, shock--you really got this for me, or the acknowledgment that they know you care. That is what I truly enjoy about the holidays... making someone happy.

I don't care how much a gift costs. If it is something that will bring the recipient joy then I am happy to be the gift giver. Granted I'm not going to get you a CAR, but damned if I won't get you a hot-wheels to show that I tried :)

I hate that people feel obligated to give gifts. I hate that people feel obligated to spend as much as someone else did. You DO NOT have to do this! Doing that is BS! Just getting someone a gift, or even just words of love and happiness (sorry, that sounds kind of corn-ball), is enough.


This is how I think:

If you are going to get me a gift. Thank you so much for thinking of me. If you cannot afford to get me one (or just didn't plan on doing that)... that's okay too you don't have to... it's not going to upset me. But dammit if you will make me feel guilty about getting you something (regardless of the price). I like giving gifts. I do it to make the recipient happy, and selfishly to make myself happy--because seeing whoever I am giving my gift to smile because of what I gave them makes me smile and happy to have made them happy.