Labor of Love

Labor of Love (Andrew Peterson cover)

This is my friend Melinda. 

This is her pretty self. 

Enjoy.

I sincerely hope all of your Christmas' were wonderful and blessed. I'm in Tennessee as I write this, visiting family. I get to sleep with a golden retriever tonight. If that's not exciting, I don't know what is. 

Okay, Melinda, I've seriously listened to this song about 6 times now. Goodness, you should just sing for the rest of your life. I'm sure no one would mind. 

Because of break, I have been watching manya episode online. Now, time and time again everyone and their mother has been all up in everyone's business about Doctor Who. Frankly, I'm terrified of the series. It's HUGE and a maassssive undertaking and largely fandomed. Do any of you watch it?

Because starting Doctor Who intimidates me to the point of curling up in a corner, I took on a newer series, Up All Night. An easy eleven episodes. And it's SO good. Will Arnett (Arrested Development) is awesome. You should watch it.

I've been doing some Parks and Rec, too. Such a good cast.

Also, Bachelor starts in a few days. Can I get a shameful, "Yeaahhh!?!" I have no Bachelor buddy this season. Please be there for me, guys. We can hate all the same people. :]

What shows are you watching right now? 

I need to get back into the swing of things. Time off makes me funky. And gives me headaches. Why is that even a thing?

My blogs are boring. :[

Blog redeeming pretty pictures!

xxx

All Mustaches Go to Heaven

(Edit: This post was written a week ago. I haven't posted it because I was too lazy to draw an angel with mustache wings. I have since finished school and turned 21. More about those two things in the next few days. Anyway, continue.)

I just finished my first class in Chicago. Luckily, the first one to finish was the one in which the teacher very much disliked me for reasons I am not aware of. I managed to get a 'B' which is fine by me. You see, he didn't give us a grade... not one single grade until the day of the final project, today. So, he tells you your grade and you can basically do nothing but smile and be content. So I was.

He really didn't like me. The really annoying thing was that I was literally going out of my way to be nice to him and a good student as soon as I was receiving bad vibes from him. My style is different from his, that's for sure... but I never did an assignment incorrectly or strayed from the guidelines. From what I can gather, I feel as though he took my lighthearted ideas as not taking the assignment seriously. He was literally skeptical about each and every one of my ideas. The class, however, always had my back. Although today, the last critique, he said, "You have good ideas. Your execution is just overly simplified." GOOD IDEAS?! Stop it. Stop that.

Can I tell you what it says under artists statement on my portfolio?
"I believe design should be classy, clean, and effective." 


Sure, it's my comfort zone. But I feel as though your comfort zone is also what brands you as an artist. I'm not anti-expanding your abilities and horizons as an artist, but blah. I'm starting to finally find my groove, and let me tell you... it has nothing to do with translating anything tangible into a sketch on paper.

He proceeded to ask me how graphic design was going for me, as if my lack of ability to achieve the kind of drawings he wanted had a direct correlation for my ability to render projects on the computer. I told him it was going fantastically, promised to always carry a sketchbook, took my 'B' and told him to have a lovely Christmas.

(Just between you and me, I think the man is a compulsive liar.)

But I'm over it. Because the CLASS is over. So it's done done done.

The difference between a science class and a class in the arts is that in science, you're graded for what you know. It art, your grade comes from another person's opinion of a bunch of little pieces of who are are.

With that being said, I did end up kind of taking the last project a little too lightly. I drew a bunch of angels, gave them mustache wings, and wrote a two page story titled "All Mustaches Go to Heaven." It's a quality piece of fiction dealing with a little girl and her daddy's mustache during no shave November.

Lexie wanted me to draw myself as a superhero. Here you go, Lex. HERE YOU GO. (Ps. This wasn't part of what I turned in. That was hand drawn over many hours. This was pieced together in two minutes. Guys, I took the project at least somewhat seriously, gosh!)


You must admit, it is kind of clever.

It's definitely December

I finally switched over to the new Blogger template. I still need a few days to adjust. Hmm. Anyway, this year has already been the most Christmas filled year I have had ever in my life. Largely in part due to two things: my roomie, and Chicago.

This weekend was amazing. With everyone around me on the quarter system and not in school right now, I have the disadvantage of managing a "not in school" social life and an "in school" schedule. Therefore, I haven't been home in days, my room is a mess, I have no groceries, and I should have done laundry a week ago. HOWEVER, this was one of my favorite weekends in Chicago thus far.

Reasons:

1. Chicago has this thing called the Holiday train, where they take a normal el train decorate it inside and out with as much Chrstmas as possible. The seats, the outside, the lights, the music, the ads... Christmas. Everything. It's the most magical commute you will ever experience. Santa is even on it.

The seats may have been my favorite part.

Polar Express? Perhaps.

Even the awful jokes were magically endearing.

2. Then we went to the Zoo because during Christmas they have it lit up like crazy and Christmified to the max. The picture up top is of that. Plus, I had never even been to this zoo yet, so it was especially exciting. We all literally felt five. Which brings me to...

3. My friends are just as nerdy as I am. It's not strange geeking out at the most randomly simple things, because chances are one of them is geeking out more than I. And they're Nerdfighters. And we talked about Maureen Johnson and John Green and took pictures by puppy sized elephants. And we all had fancy cameras and all stopped at random times to take pictures. So you weren't "that one person whose camera is better than everyone else's and takes random artsy pictures." 

ALSO, it was getting to the point where we were all figuring out how similar our introverted nerdy similarities were that I asked one simple question. "Okay, so how did you start on the internet. I mean, what brought you to it. What was your first obsession."

In unison everyone said, "Neopets."

Done.

Puppy-sized Elephants

4. We went to this HUGE HUGE craft fair. And it was packed. But it was packed with awesomeness. Oh, and Jeananne and I wore antlers the entire day. At one point a woman on the street called us Donner and Blitzen. We're Don and Blitz.

5. Our apartment is crazy full of DIY Christmas crafts.

6. Christmas Christmas Christmas.

Okay, Lex... I got your request loud and clear and it's coming soon. I need to write like six more blogs this year because I wanted to have more than last year.

Happy Christmas, Harry!

Happy Christmas, Ron!

Why I Didn't Go Into Advertising

I love marketing, advertising, public relations and the like. I can talk about this stuff for a long time and goodness knows I have opinions.

But today, this happened:

The ever obvious Black Friday/ Rebecca Black's "Friday" connection. It's awful, it's obnoxious, and it's just annoying at best. It's already causing a scene on the internet. People have opinions, more bad than good. More dislike's than like's. When I first realized what this video was, I cringed... probably like half of America.

But, guys... mission accomplished. Everyone will now know about Kohl's Black Friday sale. It doesn't matter how much you hate the ad. You now know all about it.

It's funny to me the entitlement people feel when they share their opinion of disgust, when Kohl's is loving every second of it. It's getting people to talk, it's getting views, etc. Kind of like Rebecca Black herself, she was famous for being awful, but she was still famous. And she's now producing on a major record label.

Advertising is about getting it out there, regardless of how awful it is... as bad as that sounds. It's a tricky business with a ton of underhanded methods and secrets. Kohl's isn't stupid, folks. They're kind of brilliant.

It's fascinating to me, but it's sneaky. And I don't want my career to involve selling people things my whole life.

& that's what I think. Sorry that I write about boring things sometimes.

Staring

So, I’m on my way to Minnesota riding the Megabus for the first time. I had low expectations, but so far I am surprisingly pleased.

I think I’ve mastered the window stare. You know, when you can see someone’s reflection in the window thereby giving you a prime people watching cover? And then if they see you, they won’t be able to tell if you’re watching them or just staring out the window in pensive thought.

Anyway, all the passengers are way more friendly and way less sketchy than I thought. We stopped on the UW campus and picked up like 15 students. I’ve exchanged a few words with a couple of passengers, but nothing close to sustained conversation.

However, a few rows in front of me is a boy who is a freshman in college and a sweet woman I’m guessing in her late sixties. They have been in conversation since the moment they sat down. This boy has this extraordinary ability to converse. To be able to converse with a total stranger from an entirely different generation for five straight hours is amazing. Not to mention being able to carry a conversation and ALSO not be crazy narcissistic.

About three hours into the trip they exchanged names.

And then phone numbers.

It’s funny how different observing this is than how it would be if this woman was around his age. But she’s not. She’s a sweet lady with all her kids grown up and moved away.  She’s not a 19 year old girl he wants to ask on a date.

I think the fact that they exchanged phone numbers is the cutest thing of all.

But I don’t think I could do this. I don’t think I could make connections with all these different people I meet on public transportation knowing that I’d never see them again. I can’t handle that. I hold on to too much. I let everyone I connect with take a little piece of me, and I don’t forget about them.

Do you ever think about that? How that certain people you see/talk to/observe you will never run into again? I think about this too often. It’s such a depressing thought. Luckily, as it is with much of the human memory, it’s usually fleeting.

I think he’s caught me watching them in the window.

Maybe I need to work on that, after all.




Does anyone watch PanAm? Let's talk about it. :]
Oh! Links - One for cheap clothes and one for cheap coffee. What's better?!

You Live and You Learn

I know you learn new things every day, but I feel like I've been learning at an exceptionally fast pace recently. Involuntarily and voluntarily. Academically and culturally. I've been pushing myself an insane amount, because being behind is one of my least favorite things in the world. I hate HATE missing things, opportunities, people, events. The right side of my brain has slowly been engulfing my life. Everything is design. The things I do to procrastinate have to do with design.

I'm officially "Linkedin." I have become a "prospect" in the Graphic Design playground, "Dribbble." And I've stuck my foot in a variety of things I am still completely unprepared and way too amateur for. #exhausting

The other things I learn and attempt to keep up on are all about culture. Last fall in Minnesota I was intoduced to Toms. I told my friend who lived in Chicago about them, and she said everyone in Chicago had them. They were old news. So now I'm in Chicago, and I think about this all the time. I wonder whether or not the popular Jeffery Campbell shoes that have five inch thick heels will be popular outside of the city.  I wonder if Hunter rainboots are common outside of the city, because by golly everyone has them here. I start to forget that in other cities, saying, "I'm vegan" will get you blank stares and questions and not a, "Yeah, me too."

But I miss cheap thrift stores.
I miss $.99 Arizona tea.
I miss no tax on clothing.
I miss fall in Wisconsin.

And I still think my favorite place to be in anywhere in the middle of nowhere.

Other than that, everything is still wonderful. I can just see flaws more clearly now and think more realistically about what it's like to live in the city.

Now, one final thing. One of, if not the best night thus far here was spent at a screening of Like Crazy at the Chicago International Film Festival. Not only had I been excited to see this movie ever since last winter when it won at Sundance, but I was able to see it with the actors and director. It was so surreal and wonderful. I got to ask the very last question, and Anton Yelchin (that funny Russian boy from Star Trek... :] ) looked me straight in the eyes as he answered. So lovely. I think these are the only pictures I've taken so far, since my phone camera died.

Not to mention the film is phenomenal.  Pheeenooomenal.

Men.

Dear Man Who Hates To Shop,

I love you. You're so willing to be helped. You take my opinion like it's fact. You talk to me like we're friends, and you take suggestions like candy and compliments like winning the lottery. You make me smile, you brighten my day, and I absolutely love picking out outfits for you. Thank you.

Come to my store, let me help you.



Dear Man Who Hates To Shop,

Don't come shopping with me. I will probably be in the store longer than you want me to, which is not at all. I know you're not happy waiting outside, but darling, sometimes a girl has got to shop. You're frustrating because I really want to please you, but your strut into a mall feels as though it should be accompanied by the Funeral March.

Stay at home, I cannot please you. 


--------------------


Yesterday, the first customer I said hi to looked at me with this huge sympathetic smile and said, "I hate shopping." This is something that happens a lot, and I absolutely love it. But this man just made me smile so much. He told me what he was looking for, so we talked about it for a little while. Within 60 seconds of knowing me, he looked at me and said, "I'm sorry, but are you a drawer or a painter?" Confused, I nodded and told him I was majoring in Graphic Design. He said, "Yeah. I got that vibe!"

I felt like he knew me, in a non-creepy way.

In the dressing room, I had him try a few things ("I hate trying on, so I'm only going in there once!") and we found an outfit that he fell in love with. Oh, the strange things that feel rewarding. I spent the whole night in the dressing room, and it's officially my favorite place to work. It's messy as crap, but if I give an opinion, they will take it. It's so cute.

When we were learning about selling to men, my supervisor said, "What if you were in the dressing room, came out in a pair of pants and a guy said "Oh those look fantastic on you!" One girl said, "I would buy them in every single color." So true.


It works like a charm. Like a charm!

Selling to men is not something I've ever had to think about. But it's really interesting how different it is than selling to women. If you say, "This is our most popular fit." to a man, he will say okay,buy it in three colors, and not come back for six months. If you say, "This is our most popular fit." A woman will probably say okay, stare at in for a few minutes, try it on for a few more minutes, not like the stitching on the back pocket, and go back to the floor for round two.



Today is beautiful.
I like the smell of dead leaves.

xx

Stitched

Today, I have a picture, quote & a song for you.

I listen to Oh Land on the train. OH my LANDta I'm obsessed with her.

  Perfection by OhLand

“I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions.”

-Augusten Burroughs

Alright, now that we've set the mood, here are some things.

Today I was eating lunch at Panera (some things never change...) and next to me was 5 or six businessmen eating lunch on their break. They were probably between the ages of 28-34. I could hear their conversation quite clearly, and when I realized it was about a love interest, the ears perked up. It was SO cute, I'm not going to lie. They were giving one of the guys advice on a woman he was interested in. From what I could gather, she was leaving soon or had a layover here for a short time or SOMETHING that had to do with an airport, because of the guys said, "Go to the airport and stop her from leaving!" Another said, "Yeah! It works in all the RomComs!"

Two friends from Minnesota came this past weekend. It was so much fun because I had an excuse to be a tourist and do touristy things. Except when one is a girl and one is a boy, you are guaranteed either said boy or said girl will be a puddle of boredom at some point of the day. Don't you hate this? When you're responsible for plans that keep everyone happy? It's a tough job. Goodness. Anyway, I think it turned out well. Minus the shoe shopping.

Today I had my African American history class. It's about a 25 person class, and I'd say 5 of us are  white. Anyway, it's always a very discussion oriented class with some very opinionated people. I'm usually more timid about my thoughts, because I know less about where they came from and what kind of environment they grew up in, ya know? Well today I was the one who knew what NAACP stood for. I think I got major props for this.

Anyway, I'm writing a 15 page cultural ethnography on Nerdfighters as a culture. We're supposed to do a culture we can physically go to a location and observe, but I made a case for the overwhelming online presence of Nerdfighters. So I might be observing ya'll. o_0

What I think:

Boots are way too expensive.

What I know:

I am starting to get nervous for my brewers.

There was so much more, I know it. I can't remember. I'll talk sooon then.

September

I have a lot of thoughts.

Thoughts like the possibility that Chicago is my soulmate.
Thoughts like the fact that I should use my laundry quarters for laundry and not coffee.
Thoughts like the fact that I am terrified of not squeezing and using my location and resources to every ounce of their full potential.
Thoughts like the fact that I don't like not being able to trust everyone you see and be friendly to them.
Thoughts like screenprinting ink onto burlap.
Thoughts like shoes.
Thoughts like art.
Thoughts like you.


I see something worth writing about every single day of my life. I thought about starting a Tumblr with a thought a day, but I think I'm going to do that here. A thought a day put into one post a week. I've already talked to you guys about my love of archiving my past into one nice location. Having all these sites in my past like Myspace, past blogs, Tumblr, Facebook... I really just want one. I want one place to look back at in 15 years and say, "Look. Look how naive I was. Except, I can easily see how naive I was because my past thoughts and interactions are organized into one handy place!"


Anyway, I observe a lot of things.

Things like a girl on the train reading "Bossy Pants." I watched her closely as she read, because I knew I could catch her smiling at least once.
Things like my Art History teacher who has an accent identical to that of Michele's on Gilmore Girls, and the fact that he uses the adjective "sexy" to describe stone age art more than any other art historian. I am sure.
Things like my Pottermore letter, finally. :]
Things like boys who stepped out of a JCrew magazine.
Things like the entire skyline from my roof.



I really really love my life. So much so, that almost every single day I am sure something huge is going to go wrong. Because it can't all be this good. Something bad is going to happen. But, for now, nothing is wrong. Well, I did have to get familiar with the doctor the third week of school. But, it's all fixed now.

I got a job at the Gap.
On a related note, I'm too tiny for their jeans.
This makes me feel bad about myself.
But then I went to a different store.
And couldn't zip a bigger size up than the size I "was" at Gap.
So, that made me feel human again.

The last two years I've posted FALL FALL FALL FALL blogs. Trust me, I still love fall. But I'll just leave it at that this year. Go drown yourself in everything pumpkin. :]

Hello!

There is not much else I'd like to do on a rainy Sunday afternoon than veg in sweatpants, a hot mug of tea, a little Greg Laswell and a blank canvas to type my thoughts.

(With that being said, I want to post this Coldplay song I've been listening to so so much, even though I just mentioned Greg Laswell._

  Coldplay - Paradise by dual_bign

So, friends, where are we?

I'm -

Loving school. Taking a little while to get used to four hour classes, but loving school. Some of my professors are so interesting. From having an urban gardening professor lead conversations with the class as though we're all just in a coffee shop discussing life, to having a man who has worked directly with Mark Ecko and McDonald's billboards teaching me about design... I couldn't be happier about where I am.

Trying not to take things for granted. Trying not to let things that amaze me about this city become routine.

Trying to find a job. I'll let you know when good things happen.

Trying to become better at taking sneaky pictures of my phone of all the boys in the city who have, I am sure, just come from a J Crew photoshoot. So far, I am not able to take a successful picture of anyone without them clearly being able to tell/ I'm way too nervous. Oops.

Trying to get to know friendly curly-haired-folk-music-writing train boy in my class. I hate letting friendships happen naturally. Gosh!

I had a couple group interviews this week (goodness knows I am not a fan!) I actually had one at Anthropologie. Fantastic, no? Well, kind of. Except for the fact that I prepared so much for it and felt more like just a number after it was done than I'd felt in a long time. So, I more than likely won't get the job, but I'm over it. However, the woman interviewing us was married with kids, and talked about something in a way I had never thought about it before. I love when this happens! Except, it's a very interesting idea... or opinion, I suppose.

First, a little personal backstory - Sometimes, especially since I've gotten to Chicago, I feel selfish. Like, I'm wonderfully motivated and on the right track for what I want to do with my life. But I'm so excited about it that I begin to feel selfish because it's all about me. I do all these things for me. And sometimes I worry this is how I'll always be.

My interview began talking about how this is the "perfect time in our lives to be selfish", and that we should be a little selfish right now. With our hobbies, with our activities, with... ourselves. She said that this is how she was when she was our age, and now she's over it. She'd done with that. She'd rather be selfless for her family now more than anything.

She even went as far to say that this is a huge contributing factor to the divorce rate. That when you marry so young, you get selfish later in life because you never took those years when you were younger to explore who you are, what you want, and what makes you happy alone. 

She said this is how she will raise her daughter. To encourage her to be a little selfish during these years. Because, it will end. We will want to settle. We will get sick of it. But we'll have lived this phase of our lives, and be a better individual because of it.

So, maybe it's okay that I feel a little selfish right now.

I think it is.

<3

Culture Shock

"I don't know if you drive
If you love the ground beneath you
I don't know if you write letters or you panic on the phone
I'd like to call you all the same,
If you want to
I am game

I don't know if you can swim
If the sea is any draw for you
If your better in the morning or when the sun goes down
I'd like to call you

I don't know if you can dance
If the thought ever occurred to you
If you eat what you've been given or you push it around your plate
I'd like to cook for you all the same
I would want to
I am game."

-Lisa Hannigan, I Don't Know

Can you experience culture shock from moving from a small to a big city? Because this is what I'm calling it.

The weirdest thing? KNOWING that if there's something you want, it's within walking distance.

My first full day in the city was full of welcome week stuff. A HUGE convocation bash in the park for new students. There were hipsters EVERYWHERE. If I was with one of my friends from home, we would have exchanged so so many side comments about all the hipster cliches. It really was humorous.
But the thing is, I loooove it. And literally NOTHING you can do/say/wear will stand out.

But I honestly felt bad for having a plastic water bottle. There was even a Washing/Rinsing/Filling station for metal water bottles.

Then I went to my department's connections program thing. I learned a lot about my program from three professors. (My favorite? A friendly looking man with a tactful mustache. He was adorable and passionate about dorky things.) One woman professor was a guest speaker at the BAUHAUS. This means nothing to most, but in the art world.... you know about the Bauhaus. It was architecturally and educationally revolutionary.

There I learned that we are pretty much friends with Threadless. FRIENDS! The AIGA (the professonal association for design) uses their warehouse from time to time. ^&WTRGBAFKEUY&W^A$&T
Anyway, then I hopped on the train to the Threadless store and bought a $10 Harry Potter tee. Free shipping. Ten dollars. Threadless doesn't get much cheaper than this!

(Ps. For 48 hours starting Labor Day ALL tees are $10. You are not going to want to miss this... Have fun. Splurge.)

OH, did I mention I got a pumpkin spice latte during that day because Chicago got the PSL a week before the rest of the country?! Oh. Yeah. That happened.

So. I ended that day completely and utterly elated.*

I feel like people in big cities are spoiled. Big time. I mean, everything is monies. But it's all here. And everyone looks cute. All the time.

Anyway. Our apartment is officially clean, organized and awesome. For the first time in 20 years I feel like my room is completely a current representation of my personality.

With all this being said, I still lack friends to do these cool things with... as much as I love exploring by myself. So, I am going to go continue chowing down on episodes of Arrested Development in the familiarity of my bed.

Pictures soon, once I get my camera.

Job soon.

School soon.

*Except for the fact that Burt wasn't eliminated from Project Runway yet. Who's with me?!

Errday I'm Shufflin'... to Mozart.

  Happy in Bb by Johnny Stimson


So many stories to share. So little time. Just kidding. I have time. Lucky for all!
These last couple of weeks have been amazing. Summer has certainly gone out with a bang, pop, kaBOOM.

Just good, solid, hilarious fun with friends. Mix that with shopping, coffee, possibly illegal stargazing*, and Indian accents and you've got a happy Allyson. Expectations finally became reality for summer.

I move to Chicago in 2 days. I'm pretty sure. Maybe three. We'll see.

I got this new beast of a smartphone... the HTC Evo. I like it, but I have probably utilized 5% of it's functions so far. So much technology. I just synced my iCal with my Google Calender which syncs with my phone calender. I can't even begin to comprehend... Anyway, it's weird having a nice phone. I mean, I can't drop it down three flights of stairs and know that it'll still be okay. #woes

Okay, a new work story. This one is a personal favorite.

It was a long long night, and my first time having the whole bar to myself the whole night. There were a few guys rather aggressive in trying to get me to dance, and I would politely respond with a "Sorry, I can't!" But this one guy, oh gosh. He would not leave his seat at the bar for hoours. Cooonstantly urging me to dance. I was polite for a long time, because he was a nice guy... he really was. But finally I had to start ignoring him completely, because, well... I was working, and frankly he was becoming a pain in the butt. Finally when he asked what I liked dancing to I said "Mozart." to shut him up.





FIVE MINUTES LATER THE DJ WAS PLAYING A MOZART SYMPHONY.

He got the dj to download freaking Mozart.
Face. Palm.
The dance floor was empty while this symphony was blasted in it's entirety. Just "for me."
The next song he grabbed a microphone and sang a love song to me.
Long. Long. Long. Night.

Okay. Must pack. Updates soon, hope all your moves/transitions are going smoothly. Thinking of you all. :]


Clever Lyrics of the Day: "All black kettles and black pots seem to fight an awful lot, and make the kitchen the most uncomfortable of rooms."


*All the parks were closed, but my friend took me to this isolated baseball field (because he's a pitcher and we both love love baseball) surrounded by woods. It was picture perfect and SO MUCH FUN, but I think I stopped breathing every time I hear a car passing in the distance.

DWBW

Want to know something fantastic?
Today, I bought an old polaroid at an estate sale that worked like new for $3.50 at an estate sale.

Want to know something less than fantastic?
Film packs of ten are all expired and over $50. They stopped making them.

Sometimes I wish I would get less excitable about things. It would make the crash and burn a lot less painful. Sigh. I guess this dream...

...will have to be put on hold and compartmentalized into the "less than realistic" dreaming area of my brain. Right next to marrying fictional characters and winning a lifetime supply of Nutella.

Last night was an exhausting blast. I got to bartend by myself for 8 hours and hang out with my friends at the same time. The whole, serving alcohol to my high school teachers was weird, but the whole "we know the bartender so we'll tip her more" thing was great. I even only accidentally flirted once. And I promise it was an accident. It was supposed to be a shoot down. Apparently my shoot downs aren't as harsh as they sound in my brain. Either that or they sound more like challenges.

But, it was my first night staying until the end of the wedding, so I got to experience the drunken wedding bar whining (DWBW) first hand.

After being a bit sassy to this one lad who was certainly keeping me entertained, but whom I was consciously not giving too much attention to, he sat there during a lull just whining my ear off with less than flattering intoxicated words.

"Allyson, why do you hate me?"
"Allyson, why do all the pretty bartenders hate me?"
"Allyson, why do all the pretty GIRLS hate me?!"
Act flattered and half ignore. Key strategy. Currently mastering.
Well, he tipped well. 

Then there was the guy who promised me he was a really good kisser and that I should let this be his form of payment. I told him it would not be worth four dollars. He took the hint.
Well, he tipped well.

Then I got spit in the face with Spotted Cow by a man named Mario.
Well, he tipped well.


Also, someone offered to buy me a drink. Does this happen? Do people really offer to buy bartenders drinks? Offer to bring me a piece of cake or some coffee, and we'll talk.

Updates:
Vegetarianism? Going well. Not too hard, but nothing life changing here.
Package? Not here. But, there's NO POST ON SUNDAYS!

I'm Needy

You know what I wish?

Let me tell you what I wish.

I wish that there was a way to track all the mail that was currently being sent to you. Kind of like when you track packages you order online...but this would be tracking stuff other people are sending you. Sure, it takes a bit of the surprise element away.... but I think I'm getting a package from someone right now, and I am scared to get too excited. Especially since it may be a few weeks.

And the hypothetical sender is being all ambiguous and such. But this is a Threadless shirt I've wanted for almost a year now. Patience. I have none. I have none of the patience.

Would this break all kinds of laws? I don't know. Frankly, I don't care. Dreams. I have them. I have all of the dreams.

"Then once you've got that dream in mind please dream a million more

And not a million quiet dreams... A million dreams that ROAR!

A million dreams so loud they scream, so loud they sing and shout!

So super huge they say 'Hey world! Guess what I'm dreamin' about!'

'I'm dreaming about everything that no one thought to wonder...

Dreams so big that they've got dreams and they've got dreams up under!' "

"An Awesome Book" by Dallas Clayton. 

No More Bacon

"Bacon, bacon. bacon, bacon, bacon."

- The Bacon Song

Vegetarianism.

Sure it has it's appeal, but let's be honest. I love brats. I love bacon. I love cheeseburgers.
I'm sure we all know a handful of vegetarians, and I'm sure you've all thought about it at one time or another, but personally, I've just never cared enough to try it.

Sure, I had my "go-to" reasons:
1) Don't want to inconvenience people.
2) Won't get enough protein.
3) Don't have time.

And I know, any vegetarian is more than prepared to spit back a counter argument for each of these points. But I always bring myself back to my love for brats.

Last night I was catching up with one of my high school friends and I learned that he had become a vegetarian a few months ago. He was going on and on about the benefits and how great he felt, and I was excited for him, too. Until he told me to try it. Again. And again. And again. He knows if you poke me enough, I can't say no to a personal challenge.

"Two weeks. Just two weeks, Allyson, and I promise you'll love it."

So, friends, today is day one. From now until August 23, I am a vegetarian.


I've already stocked up on beans, hummus, nuts, veggies, and fruit... so I should be good. For now. We'll see. This is what I get for making fun of all those PETA e-mails.

Call me naive, but I absolutely have no intentions of sticking with this after the two weeks are up. This is how I feel on day one.

Have you ever considered going vegetarian? Why?
Any vegetarians out there with meal suggestions?

Meow

Dear Future Husband,

If I come off a roller coaster crying, this does not mean that I hated it. Rides make my eyes water. Often, excessively. This is the only time I will not want you to hold me while I am crying. Got that?

Here are some things I should write.

On things:

Go see Crazy Stupid Love.
I got a copper tea kettle.
My shoulder is burnt to a crisp.
I break a lot of wine bottle corks.
I got a pickle hat at the state fair.
I cried for three straight days in July because of fear and disappointment.
My eyes got real puffy.
I'm excited for school.
I kind of want a dreadlock or two.
My best friend comes home from China in a week.
Another leaves for China in a week and a half.
He's the one that made me cry.
And he's reading this.
But it's okay.
Because it wasn't good.
So I'm fine!
Also, I was pms'ing.
Guys, a girl loudly chewing her gum made me cry while I was pms'ing once.
Sometimes I rap Super Bass.
I'm a bartender. Have I told you that?
Saying this makes me laugh.
Don't ask me to make you something.
I probably don't know what it is.

On my anxiety medication:

First dose and second dose I noticed nothing. I upped it yet again, and again. Some of my OCD tendencies, which were not even a large concern to me before, got so so much worse. To the point where I had to consciously refocus my thoughts from time to time and walk away from situations that I would still think about for at least part of the day. And my anxiety/agoraphobia tendencies were only better sometimes, which could mean nothing, because some days are better than others without meds, too. So, I went back down a dosage because 100 mg was freaking my brain out. I'm slowly getting off of them now, so... we'll see. Maybe I'll try another kind of med. Maybe I won't.

The only other side effect? CRAZY VIVID DREAMS. Some days I literally will have to stop and think about whether or not something occurred in my dream or real life. And yes, the week HP 7.2 came out I had about 3 consecutive nights of Hogwarts dreams. Meds make me a wizard. But, now we have Pottermore to do that! (MistThestral108) ;]

I want you guys to know that -

Paige, I drove through Georgia this summer and wished I knew how close I was to you!
Abbie, I often think about the fact that we live probably 2 hours away and could actually hang out some day.
Kaleena, I appreciate you. Thank you for being there! :]
Melinda, OH MY GOSH, would you just RESPOND to my e-mail already?! It's been FOREVER. ;]
Lex, You're a goof. I like you.
Jimmy, Congrats you two! :]
Andrew, Don't die please. You need to keep your blog.
Elizabeth, I hope home sweet home in Australia is all you've missed and more!
Katie, I look at your pictures all the time.
New Followers, HI LET'S BE FRIENDS.

In Tune to July

Currently Listening : "How Many Lovers" by Jhameel
QoTD : "Her soul is alive. And we are drawn to her." - Captivating
Fact: My stomach is loud today.

Thus begins my once a summer month blog post in which I am overwhelmed with things to talk about and end up saying hardly anything.

I will say this. I am just now catching up on a lot of your blogs, and I am realizing how much I miss them. However, I absolutely know once school starts again, so many of us will be so much more regular. So I am excited for this, and I really hope you're all having memorable summers.

You know that awkward stage between high school and college where you don't have any clue what your life will be like come fall and you are no longer part of your life last spring? Well, for the second time, this is where I'm at. Except with less friends. So, I'm ready to get going. I'm getting itchy. I want to learn things.

Funny how life works.

Sigh... must...be... better... at... contentment.

Plus, did anyone else follow all those tweets about Leakycon? GUYS, I totally regret not going. Even if I didn't have money for it. Even if I didn't have any friends going. Maaan. Anyway, Harry Potter later. It's a whole 'notha blog in the making.

Anyway, I have a question. Do any of you keep a journal/write letters to your future husbands? I have a few friends who have for a while. Guys and girls. One of my friends even writes one to her future daughter. I always thought it was a cool idea, but I never really had much to say... and I figured I'd be too embarrassed to give it to him, anyway. However, the past few days I have not been able to stop thinking about him. And how I am so excited to love him I just cannot contain myself. So I think I might write to him and tell him how I feel about him right now. Yes.

Whenever you read this, whether it be today or next month... Hi. I like you. Keep it classy, guys.

Persnickety!

I miss you guys.

Everyone is more beautiful in summer.
Summer makes everything more beautiful.
Summer is beautiful.

My obligatory summer checklist is going well.
Bonfires - check!
Beach - check!
Stargazing and deep conversation - check!
Blaring music on country roads with the windows down - check!
Finishing a book - check!
Creating art - check!
Getting sunburned - check!
Friends, friends, friends, and more friends - check!

I hope your summers are going well. Now, the book thing. I think we should do it the month of July. If you want to be a part of it, I think it's best if we discuss the book choice and organization over email. Email me at allysonkatew@gmail.com if you would like to be part of the discussion. You can be part of the book club if you don't e-mail me, but you won't have any say in the book, timeline or how the blog is set up or anything. So, e-mail me and we'll get a discussion with everyone going that way.

I read Anna and the French Kiss in one day. I looooved it. Loved it. It made me laugh out loud. And it's a realistic situation. Mostly. Anyway, good call John Green.

Today I finally watched Tangled. This, also, I loved loved!!

I pretty much am in love with everything right now. I'm so excited for my future. I'm focused and ready, life. Let's accomplish something grand.

In twelve days I'm leaving for Florida, aka THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER. 
I'll take pictures for you all.

You! Updates?!

Go dance to this!

When There's A Burning in Your Heart

Boy in library.

On phone.

Excessive hip poppin'.

Gettin' comfy with the bookshelf.

Hilarity ensued.

Awesome:

Today my brother and I bonded over type.

This morning I spent in the wilderness with coffee and my favorite Book and read about how He says, "I have made you, and I will carry you." 

Yesterday and Today I got to chill with my nephews.

Last night I actually legitimately gamed with minimal frustration.

Yesterday and Today I got to emphasize with a friend who knows my heart.

Tomorrow I am seeing Something Borrowed (with John Krasinski and Ginnifer Goodwin)!

This afternoon I had a lovely bonding/rant conversation with a friend with whom I am finding more in common with each and every conversation.

Tomorrow I think I'm buying new heels.

Today I wondered if I was the only person who doesn't watch Doctor Who.

Tonight I'm writing in my journal for the first time in a long time.

Tomorrow I get to people watch the elderly while I wait for my oil change.

Yesterday I heard the new Death Cab For Cutie single on the radio that I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HAS EXISTED FOR A MONTH. I blame finals.  

" 'Cause when you find yourself a villain, 

In the story you have written 
It's plain to see
That sometimes the best intentions 
Are in need of redemptions."

To be honest, I actually own three Sarah Dessen books, but I have only read one I don't own. I have Dreamland, The Truth About Forever, and This Summer. I've read This Lullaby. Everyone is absolutely raving about Stephanie Perkin's Anna and The French Kiss, so I have that on hold at the library, and Katie's recommendation of Jellicoe Road sounds really really fun. Looks like my list is piling up! PLUS whatever book we choose to read on here!

Home Sweet Home

This made me giggle.

Fantastic water pressure.
Free food.
My bed.
No homework.
My own room.
Time to read.
Starbucks.
The lake.
The beach.
Friends.
Sleeping in.
Baseball baseball.

It's summer, folks, and these things make me all fuzzy warm happy inside.
Except... I need a job.
Asap.

I HAVE SO MANY BOOKS I WANT TO READ. I am on a HUGE YA kick. I haven't read YA in so so long, and it's what got me hooked on reading... so this is absolutely fantastic. First on my list? Any Maureen Johnson. Suggestions?!

I need a job.
I suppose I need to fill out applications for this to happen.
Danggit.

I want my friends to be done with finals and come HOME for goodness sake.

I had an absolutely fantastic finals week, even though goodbyes were way harder than I thought they would be. And I got to watch Newsies on my last evening... and it ended up being one of my favorite evenings of the whole year. One of those moments (and places) you could just stay forever and be content. Sigh.

There is some quote out there about how you regret things you don't do more than things you do... or something like that. I regret something I didn't do that night. I never regret things I don't do! I'm usually so good at being okay with decisions I make. Bahh. Does this ever happen to you?

Anyway, I hope your finals are going well!

Ps: I hate the song Judas. Baaaah.

What I Think Today

I don't know if you've ever been quite able to tell this over my blog, but I get real defensive real easily. I stick up for things even sometimes when I don't even agree with them/it. I do this when I believe something is getting unfairly attacked... usually due to ignorance or pride. So this blog may sound very defensive, but this is only due to the fact that people were attacking it quite frequently yesterday by claiming those who enjoy it and are paying attention to it shouldn't be interested in such "unimportant" and "fickle" "rich people" matters.

Disclaimer: This post also highly displays the idealistic/romantic parts of me. Males, beware.

Guys, the Royal Family is a monarchy of great historical importance.
Not some random celebrity who is getting married for the second time and has way too much money to do so.

I didn't jump on the Royal Wedding bandwagon until only a few days ago. But oh, was this jump a violent one. I got excited, and I got excited quickly.


My roommate and I woke up for it.
I've watched the processional like 5 times.
Almost cried the first time.
We replayed the part where he says "William Arthur Phillip Louie" and swooned probably close to ten times.
We then watched Princess Diaries 2.
And the history of the Royal Weddings on the History Channel.
The whole time while taking breaks to replay the best Harry smirks.

Favorite part?

Harry's line while she's walking down the isle, as William faces the altar.

"Wait till you see her."

Then, when she finally arrives, William's smirk and whisper of,

"You look beautiful."

The same thing his dad said as Diana reached the altar.

Least favorite part?

The ugly stepsis -- I mean, cousins of the princes.

Honesty Eugiene and Beatrice, 2 BILLION people were watching this thing. Let's wear flattering dresses and try to stay away from hats that resemble octopuses. You're beautiful girls and have the money to buy whichever dress you please. Don't they seriously remind you of the ugly stepsisters, though?

But, I think what I like most about all of this... the wedding, the royal family, monarchies... is that amidst our corrupted society we have have these timeless traditions that remain just as in tact as they did 100 years ago. 

Everything.

The dresses, hats, suits, bows, chivalry, carriages... the list goes on.

They are, with slight variations, are just as proper as they were centuries ago.

Another reason I enjoy the system of the Royal Family representing the country and the Prime Minister ruling it, is because then it creates this King or Queen that everyone loves. To love the symobol of your country without having them tied to politics is a wonderful thing, in my opinion.

Half our country hates our president, the face of our nation.

Sigh.

Now, I'm not saying you have to be interested in these things. Not at all. I'm just saying, it's a part of history... so can I enjoy it? :]

I leave you with the processional. It's a fairy tale, folks. 

Oh, and the dress? Big fan. Spot on. But that didn't even need to be said. :]

BEDA, it's been nice. I mean stressful. I mean... thank goodness you are over.

One day in 7th or 8th grade, someone gave me this song.
It means a lot to me.
Sometimes I would listen to it to calm my nerves.
The Format was my favorite band back in the day.
I still love them.
It's beautiful.


Please pray for all those affected in the area of tornados. 
Paige's beautiful campus got hit pretty badly.
It's pretty scary.

Can I tell you a secret?
I have been stealing toilet paper from public restrooms.
We're out.
No one has bought more.
There's only one week left.
So, I gather up enough for the day,
stick it in my bag,
and bring it up to my room.
We have a nice little mountain of it.

:]

Tonight's been weird.
I was on a Red Bull energy high,
and then I came crashing
crashing
down.

I can't even tell you how much this song relaxes me.
I suddenly feel at ease.
Do you have a song like that?


I promise to catch up on blogs soon. I miss reading them.

Kilnify

"Oh, tie me to the end of a kite,

So I can go on, I can go on with my life.

Every marigold I pass below will be my guiding light,

I just want to go away from here,


Oh, tie me to the end of a kite,
So I can go on, I can go on with my life.
Every time the wind blows stronger, 
I will feel my spirit rise,
I just want to go away from here. 


Oh, tie me up tightly by your side,
So I may go with you where ever you reside.
And anytime the road looks dimmer,
I will be your guiding light.
I just want to go away with you.
I just want to go away with you."

- The Kite Song by Rosie Thomas

Things significant about today:

I learned that you do not touch large objects in the kiln room, because it's probably a kiln. #burntfinger
I ate the most foul tasting meat I can ever remember tasting.
I learned that to have something in a kiln is to "fire" it.

I am now contractually obligated to live in Chicago.

I drank a large mug of regular coffee. #badidea

I passed my BEDA count from last year.

I virtually hugged all of you.
I took a lot of deep breaths.

I drew six drawings.

I experienced.

I learned.

I grew.
<3

It's The Final Countdown

I'll still write my Easter blog later. That's what you get to do at the end of April - find loopholes.

I went back on Facebook yesterday, and what have I done? Deleted 108 of my "friends." It wasn't even hard, and it's kind of nice. It needed to be done. I don't need this site for any other reason than to keep in contact with people I personally care about. So having over 500 friends is just unnecessary for me.

Who am I listening to? Selena Gomez.

I have a girl crush on that girl. She's wonderful, beautiful, respectable, a good actress, and has proved to be a solid role model. And you can dance to her music. ANYWAY.

Countdowns:
9 days till home
7 classes
3 final projects
3 papers
2 sketchbooks
1 portfolio
1 exam

OY. The thing is, 90% is due by Thursday. So, that adds excitement to my life.

I've been having to turn down fun things left and right. This makes it no fun. I just turned down NEWSIES with a kiddo who loves it just as much as I.  Sigh.

I need a hug.

Easter

Happy Easter, guys. :]

I'll write this later.

Thoughts on Places: Minnesota

I have 12 days left.

Things I will miss:

Stacy.
Having a car.
Hockey games.
Living on campus.
Late night impromtu Bdubs trips.
Birthday parties.
The two boys who watch over me of me like a little sister, make me laugh every day, and treat me like a gem.
The most chivalrous boy I may ever meet, his kindness, and our frequent baseball banter.
(Stacy and I never were very good at making friends with girls here. Not really at all. Period. Ever. It's kind of the running joke.)
Kristi.
Being half an hour away from some of my best friends.
The Current radio station.
Being able to drive to church in less than 10 minutes.
Having a computer at every workout station, and having Hulu entice my workouts.
As superficial as this sounds, I really like the Mall of America.
My job.
The Noodles and Company two blocks from my dorm.

See, the thing is, I'm not leaving because I'm unhappy. I don't have a long list of "Things I Won't Miss" (although there are a few!)  I'm leaving because I want to take the bull by the horns and start dreaming out loud, and right now, Chicago is that tool. Sometimes you need to let go of good things and being comfortable to let the great life-changing things happen. Even if that means being uncomfortable for a little while in the process.

And while I'll miss these things,
I know that the impromptu Bdubs runs will be replaced by new late night traditions. I know the awesome people I will miss will still be in my life, and I'll be able to meet all kinds of new people who will be able to teach me so many new things and look at life from a different perspective. 
I know that having to commute to school will force me to regulate my routine better.
I know that taking public transportation will teach me patience, timeliness, and provide a daily dose of eclectic people watching.
And finally, I know that not having Hulu everytime I work out will give me motivation to find new ways to workou...... HA who am I kidding. That will make me lazier. I'm an idealist and a realist, not completely unrealistic!  :]

Hah, take that BEDA. A real post!

Chirp

Kevin will be pleased to hear your comments, I'll tell him soon. :]

Technically, guys, I haven't missed a day because I haven't slept a wink since Wednesday evening. So, huzzah. Last night was one of those "Oh look, the sun is coming up... let's go to Perkins" evenings. It is now 7:36 am, my body hates me, and I am off to work.

I think it was at around 4 am that I said, "Sleeping doesn't make memories." So, that was my decision.

Then I chirped a few times, because apparently imitating birds is hilarious at 4 in the morning.

Oh, and at 6 am I put contact disinfectant in my eye without the saline stuff on it (or whatever it is!) to clean it off, because I DIDN'T KNOW. My eye became INSTANTLY bloodshot, the guy who owned said contact stuff just kept on laughing and saying, "Oh no!" and "That's acid!"

ACID AND EYE DO NOT GO TOGETHER.

I flushed my eye and thought I was going to go blind.

Five minutes later he tells me he's done it before and it's not a big deal, your eye just stays red for a long time.

WELL DON'T FREAK OUT, THEN. You had what I like to call a BAD REACTION. Here I was thinking I'd have to go to the ER or something, for goodness sake. It still stings, though, and it's still red. Bah. Issues.

However, most importantly, it is Good Friday and I am ever so thankful for that.

Have a blessed day.



(ps i had coffee. kbye)

Guest Blogger - Your Love is My Drug

So, I have come to hate April. Therefore, I have a guest blogger today. His name is Kevin, and he would like to talk to you about his love for Ke$ha. Also, he likes advertising himself via the printed word. Sorry about that. APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE... he's a crazy kid. I was desperate for a blog!


-----


You know how there is that 'love at first sight' saying? Well, I had this experience, except, instead of seeing her, I heard her. When I first heard the song Right Round by Flo Rida in January 2009, I wondered who owned the annoying girl-toned voice in the background during every refrain. After doing some research, I found out Ke$ha Sebert owned that annoying voice. Little did I know this voice and foxy female would soon become my lover and future wife. 

About a year later in January 2009, a song by the name of Tik Tok started to make its rounds on the radio. This incredibly catchy song, caught my attention and I started listening to it. I'm one of those people who really enjoys discovering new music before it hits the airwaves of Milwaukee radio. However, Tik Tok was not one of those songs. Anyway, after listening to this song like a cult member, I finally figured out who sung this song. Low and behold, it was Ke$ha. After awhile, I realized this crazy kid named Ke$ha actually released her debut album in January. I slowly started listening to the rest of her cd and fell in love with songs such as Your Love Is My Drug, Blah Blah Blah, and Party At A Rich Dude's House. In early summer of the same year, my friends and I discovered Ke$ha was going to be stopping in Milwaukee for a late August concert. Of course, we had to go because she had good music.

At the concert there was hundreds of hotties and not a lot of guys. Before Ke$ha took the stage, I felt overwhelmed because I had never been around so many beautiful girls. But then, after the crappy DJ got off stage, the beautiful, ever-charming Ke$ha appeared. She belted out one of her smash hits, I think it was Blah Blah Blah. During the concert, as I dodged sweaty, nasty people, Ke$ha and I made eye contact. It was brief, but it was good. If you'd ask her, I'm pretty sure she would remember me. My love for Ke$ha inspired me  to design a tshirt specifically for the concert. I enjoyed it so much, I haven't washed it since! From this concert, i've made it my goal to marry this lovely individual.

Two months after the concert, Ke$ha released another CD called Cannibal. I liked this song less mainly because the songs were not as up beat as her original cd. I did enjoy a few songs like We R Who We R (I know every word), The Harold Song, and Blow. Then, in February 2011, my beloved future wife released ANOTHER cd entitled I Am The Dance Commander & I Command You To Dance. Basically, it was a remix of all Ke$ha tops songs. I enjoyed it because I love techno/club music. It makes me want to dance. 

As you can see, I love Ke$ha.

Love,

Kevin 

P.S. I am taking girlfriend applications. If you are interested, you need to have at least three references. Also, you need to indicate if we've ever dated before. (Actually, I've never had a girlfriend, so you can leave that part blank).  Next week, April 24th-30th, I am looking for a girl to have a practice relationship with. The other girl, no, not Ke$ha, she is wayyyy to reliable, decided to dump me. I am quiet sad. Let me know! May 1st-7th is already reserved for another girl. GOOD LUCK!

kgworm09@gmail.com