Thanksgiving 2011

I really like Thanksgiving. Not just because I'm a fat kid (well, mostly that) but I like that everyone takes the time to look back on the year and think about what they're most thankful for. So, to be cliche, here's what I'm thankful for this year!

My Mom and Sister-

Most of my life it has been just the three of us. For most of my childhood we lived apart from most of our family so we always did things just the three of us. After losing my grandma this year, we realized it's just the three of us again, and we don't rely on my aunts and uncles and cousins anymore. Just the three of us. Living 1600 miles apart, my sister and I are closer than we've ever been, and I love calling to chat her ear off about tv and whatever else. I love my mom more than anything, and my favorite days are the ones I spend just hanging out watching movies and eating junk with her.

Baby Audrey and Black Betty-

For the first part of this year I had my beloved Dodge Neon who got me through some serious mischief and was like a best friend to me. That car played a big part of changing my life when I made the decision to move to Florida and it was a sad farewell, but if it hadn't been for that car I can't say that I would've ended up here. And every day I am thankful for my new car, my Ford Focus. I love that car so much, and enjoy the time I spend just driving around listening to music. Every day I feel very lucky and blessed to have a new fantastic car. And it makes me proud of myself for my hard work in getting and keeping it.

My Friends-

Most days I wouldn't get through things if I didn't have the amazing friends that I do. They make me laugh and cheer me up. When I don't know if I can do something, they believe it for me and give me the confidence I need in myself. It's good to have friends to count on, whether it's just for a good music/movie suggestion, to go to a movie with, or to drive you to Taco Bell after the bar. I cherish all of my friends, some for very different reasons, and hope I'm half the friend to them that they are for me.

I'm thankful every day for the life I have in Florida. Maybe this isn't where I'll be forever, but I know right now I'm where I'm supposed to be.

Now I'm doing something I've never done. I'm cooking dinner. The full Thanksgiving, turkey, yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes, everything. And I don't cook. Ever. But, I figure someday I will have to know how to cook Thanksgiving. And maybe it's time I give my mom a break and do it for her. Although, she's working very hard supervising.

Happy Thanksgiving, I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!

A Month Of Awesome: An Ode to October Part 2

October was a month of music for me.

October 8, 2005 I had one of the best days of my life. I went to a movie (Waiting..) with a good friend. Afterwards we got McDonald's. And then we drove around downtown Denver listening to Rage Against The Machine, admiring the buildings and the scene kids. Then we went to a concert that changed me forever, Death Cab for Cutie (Youth Group opened). I can't explain how or why that particular concert changed me, but it did.

As it turns out, on their fall U.S. Tour of North America, Death Cab for Cutie had a show cancel, and they scheduled a date in Orlando, FL last minute. Six years to the day, I got to see Death Cab for Cutie for the second time. I didn't have a good friend to spend the day with, but I tried to make it as awesome as I could. I danced around in the rain, I went to a movie (Contagion) and sang at the top of my lungs. Twenty-six year old me is considerably different from the girl that saw Death Cab in 2005, but I felt the same way I did the first time I saw them. They put on an amazing show, and you can't help but have your heart stolen a little bit when you see them live.

A week later I got to see my favorite band play, for the second time with them as well. New Found Glory headlined the Pop Punk's Not Dead Tour, and it was amazing. There were a total of five bands playing (This Time Next Year, Man Overboard, The Wonder Years, Set Your Goals and New Found Glory. In that order.)

I stood in line almost three and a half hours before the doors opened. It was a lot of fun people-watching, and it was a really beautiful day to spend chillin' outside. I made friends with the people standing behind me and we hung out throughout the concert and afterwards. The show was amazing, I enjoyed most of the opening bands.

New Found Glory put on a kick ass show. My favorite thing about them is how they try to play as many songs as they can, talking as little as possible between songs. Watching New Found Glory play live fills my heart with joy. I've never been as happy at any moment in my life as I am when I listen to New Found Glory, and seeing them play live is heavenly. They played some new songs and some old but goodies. My favorite was their cover of Green Day's Basketcase, but I always love when they play anything from their Self Titled album.

After the show (Which ended with Confetti cannons..amazing) I hung around the merch booths with my new friends. I chatted up the bassist from The Wonder Years, and got him to call my friend that got me listening to them. I got to meet Chad Gilbert from New Found Glory for the second time, solidifying my opinion that he's the nicest guy on the planet.

October 22nd I had the pleasure of seeing another one of my favorite bands live. I discovered Gasoline Heart last year when I went to see The Ataris play in Orlando. Since then I've been pretty much addicted, I listen to at least three Gasoline Heart songs every day, and in June got a line from one of their songs tattooed on my chest. They are very easily my second favorite band after New Found Glory.

Kyle Cox opened, and I've seen him before. I really enjoy his music. His music is soft and mellow and is delightful. This time he played with a drummer and a lovely lady singing along, last time I saw him play he played alone with his guitar.

I've also seen Don't Panic before, and I love to watch them play. It's fun to watch a band that plays that makes it so obvious how much fun it is for them to be on stage. They're full of energy and make you want to get up and dance.

This was my third time seeing Gasoline Heart, but only my first time seeing the full band play. I honestly couldn't tell you if I prefer the full band or the lead singer Louis playing by himself. The fun part about both is you there's songs you don't hear without the band, and there's songs you only hear when its just Louis. Gasoline Heart songs make me want to jump in my car and drive until I find something important, or until I do something impressive with my life. They make me feel born again (see what I did there?)

I feel most like myself when I'm listening to music, especially so when I'm at a concert or a show. And seeing three of my favorite bands back to back was amazing. I go to most shows by myself, I don't really have (local) friends that have the same taste in music as I do. October has definitely been the month where I've been the happiest this year, spending it blessed by fantastic live music.

All of the bands I've mentioned are either on Spotify or Bandcamp or iTunes. Check them out, I hope you'll fall in love with them the way I have. Maybe you'll find a band that you'll love so much, you'll have to tattoo one of their lyrics on your body because you can't get it out of your head.

This month really has been amazing, for so many reasons. And honestly, I don't mind that I'm ending it with a killer sinus infection/allergy outbreak/generally yucky-feeling. Well, I mostly don't mind it.

A Month Of Awesome: An Ode to October Part 1

I am generally a fan of October. Mostly because most of my favorite people were born in our tenth month (including my mother, my sister, my best friend, my boy best friend as well as a handful of other lovely people) but also because good things happen in October.

October of 2011 has been especially delightful to me.

My lovely mother celebrates her birthday on October 3rd. I had no ideas of what to get her (she refused an upgrade to a Smart Phone and an E-Reader) and had a big sister who bought my mother a very fancy pendant that would outshine anything I could think of.

The company that I work for loves to spoil their employees thankfully. They give out pretty awesome prizes for sales incentives, if you sell certain things you're entered into a drawing for things like DVDs, digital cameras, gas cards, even iPads. On October the third I had the very good fortune of winning two tickets to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game against the Colts.

Now, I grew up in Upper Michigan. And because of my mother, I am a very big Green Bay Packers fan. I grew up loving football and love watching games with my mom at home on Sundays. For her birthday this year I had the pleasure of taking my mom to both her and I's first NFL football game, MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, to be exact.

It was everything you'd think it would be. We drank a lot of beer, heckled, cheered, and got the pleasure of hearing the Star Spangled Banner sung by the dudes from Sister Hazel. We even got free t-shirts! It wasn't a Green Bay Packer game, but it was amazing. It was something for the memory books.

There was some disappointment, I never got to see Peyton Manning who is sidelined for an injury this season. But we had really great seats in the Colt's end zone. And the Buccaneers won! I was very proud of my mother, who didn't refer to them as the "Fuckaneers" once as she normally does.

The funny thing about watching football on tv, you don't realize how small everything actually is. On tv everything looks so enormous, when really, it's not at all. These big, lumbering men are actually not so much. But the best part about being at the live game is the surroundings. People are cheering loudly around you, people dress up, there's drunk idiots yelling silly things.

Maybe it wasn't a smart phone or shiny diamonds, but it was a pretty fantastic birthday spent with my Mama. She enjoyed every minute as much as I did, and we're even kicking around the idea of getting tickets next season (hopefully against the Packers!).

If you get the chance, definitely go see a NFL game in person! Granted, I probably wouldn't have gone if I hadn't won tickets at work, but having gone to a game now, I will look into buying tickets in the future.

Mumbo-Jumbo

Now, I really have no better way to start this than by telling you, very simply, I believe in the dumbest shit ever.

Even though I know Santa is just a story for kids, I get pretty excited about Santa around Christmas. I love the magic that Santa portrays for a lot of boys and girls. I think as adults Santa is really just the magic of Christmas that we all feel, when we find the perfect gift for a friend or family member. Or the happiness you feel when you see a house decorated beautifully with twinkle lights. I believe in Santa Claus. Or, at least what he represents.

I am a ginormous scaredy cat. I will scream if I'm walking in a hallway and someone jumps out and I didn't see them. There's a list of movies that still give me nightmares. As a kid, my mom let me watch the Child's Play (let's be honest here, She let me watch Chucky) because I was such a ham and was always doing impressions and wanted to be an actress. This is her reasoning for letting her small child watch a horrifying movie about a doll that comes to life and murders people: I wanted to act, this was her showing me a movie where people were "acting" this scary shit. To this day I am still not allowed to go to Halloween events where "Chucky" is going to be.

More movies on my Guaranteed Nightmares/Not Gonna Sleep List: The Blair Witch Project, The Ring, Strangers, Paranormal Activity (1 and 2. The preview for 3 kept me awake, as well.)

I realize theres an easy way around this issue: Don't watch scary movies. But there are so few that legitimately make me scared, and I really enjoy scary movies. Just like roller coasters, they give me a little bit of a thrill.

A big one, of course, is I believe in romantic love. The stuff of movies where music plays and everything slows down. When you see someone and everyone else in the room disappears. I believe that love conquers all. I am one of those people that would quit my life to move to be with someone if I loved them and thought it was meant to be. I'm a cornball.

I believe in psychics and psychic ability. I know it can seem dumb and hokey (and usually it is) but I really do have faith in that stuff. I'm one of those people that if I dream about someone, I will get in touch with them the next day. Once I dreamt about a friend of mine, and when I called her and said "Oh haaaay, I had the craziest dream you were moving!" And true story, she was leaving that night to move to lower Michigan. If I hadn't called her I probably wouldn't have gotten the chance to speak with her before she left.

Yesterday for the very first time I got my fortune read. It was kind of a rip off. Twenty-five bucks for the lady to tell me that my money situation was going to sort itself out (which, is nice to know. But I kind of already knew that) and that I have someone in my life that's younger than me and supports me (uh huh) and that I have a really good, supportive family (Lady, my mom paid for my reading. No shit.) I know that they use very vague information so it could relate to anyone. Like telling me when I was young I had a lot of big dreams but growing up things were hard and I had given up on those dreams. I'm pretty sure that's everyone.

She did give me one of those "In the springtime, possibly March.." readings, and we'll see if that happens. But if I have to wait 6 months to make my mom's 25 bucks worth, that'll definitely keep my belief up in that kind of thing.

One disappointing thing, though, when you're shuffling the cards the psychic lady does the reading from, they tell you to think about the questions you have. Which, I will be honest, the biggest question I have is, When will I meet the person I'll end up with. And that definitely was not answered yesterday. It was all about finances and how I have big changes coming in regards to my hopes and aspirations. Blah blah.

I guess we'll see if this lady was right. And again, maybe it was a waste of 25 bucks. But it was something different. Every once in a while, it's good to take a chance and see what someone can see in you. After all, the card that came up that portrays me right now? The High Priestess. That's gotta be a good sign right?

Edit: I looked up what The High Priestess card means in Tarot. For a woman to get this card it basically represents being independent, possibly without a man. Maybe it's not a good sign, but it is definitely an accurate one. Sheesh.

November and National Novel Writing Month

A few months ago a friend of mine mentioned a writing project that definitely piqued my interest, and I've been doing some serious thinking about as well as researching.

As of this evening I have officially signed up and am getting geared up to start this project in November.

The exact website is Here with all of the 411 you actually need, as well as the links and good stuff to sign up and participate yourself!

Basically it works this way:

November is National Novel Writing Month.

Starting as of November 1st through 11:59:59 pm on November 30th your goal is to write 50,000 words (so basically the equivalent of 175 pages) of a novel.

If you reach the 50k word goal by November 30th you are considered a winner and get, well, Internet credit for being awesome and whatever. Of course you can exceed the 50k word goal, all as long as it is within the month of November.

Some rules include: It has to be more than one word (so you can't write the same word 50,000 times and call it good), only one person can contribute to your story, and it can't be anything you've written before. It has to be something brand new from you.

I think it'll be a really great challenge for me personally, especially since I tend to be lax with my writing and my time with writing. While you're in the process you are able to post your novel-in-process for others to read and critique. And of course there's a bonus of the possibility of being published after partaking in said challenge.

In the 10+ years this challenge has been happening there has been one New York Times #1 Best Seller, a little ditty you may have heard of, Water For Elephants.

Anyone that I've known long enough knows that my biggest dream in life is to be a published author. The dream right after that is to be a best selling author. But it'd be sort of neat to end 2011 knowing that I was a winner in a writing challenge where I wrote a 50,000 word novel in a month.

And hey. Dreams do come true.

As November gets closer I'll be thinking more on what I'll be writing and once November hits I'm going to be writing like crazy and will probably be quieter than what you all are used to. I'll do my best to try and keep you up to date on my progress, and at the very least give you links to my progress as it should be posted as time goes on.

As you can probably tell, this is something I'm very excited about. I hope some of you will participate as well, it'll be fun to read different stories from different people.

Blogging While I'm Sick

As previously mentioned, I went through surgery in March to have my tonsils removed to eliminate a lifetime of sore throat misery.

And things have been pretty fantastic since then. In August I was plagued by a stomach bug, probably my first legit stomach bug since I left Michigan, if not well before then. As I tend to brag while eating, or while at a Buffet-style restaurant, I have the stomach that's the equivalent of a garbage disposal.

My entire life when I get sick, it's usually all in my sinuses and throat.

Yesterday I woke up unable to swallow and with a dry, scratchy throat. Ugh. Nearly six months after having my tonsils removed to avoid these kinds of mornings, back to square one.

So I called in sick, because let's be honest, talking on the phone for a living and having a sore throat are not conducive whatsoever. Fully intending on going back to work today, I made sure to go to bed early and get a good night's sleep.

Seven o'clock this morning, still felt like I had been hit by a truck that took time to blast my throat with gravel before speeding off. Not wanting to mess around, I made a doctor's appointment and went to see my good doctor this afternoon.

So now I'm home sick till Monday, under direct orders of plenty of fluid and rest and armed with a prescription of antibiotics to ward off these germs hiding in the back of my throat.

I am not good at being sick. Being in bed and watching tv, I am GREAT at. But the stuff that comes along with it, body aches and having a wonky head are not my forte.

Prelude to an Adventure

So, I have lived in Florida just shy of three years. I have only had the chance to go to one amusement park till now because, well, they're really fucking expensive. The only reason I was able to go was because it was for my company picnic and they paid for everything.

The last two months or so I've been helping one of my co-workers learn their new Droid phone. Until now the only phone they've had has been one of those crappy pay-as-you-go phones. I was nominated for the job because mostly 1) I have a Droid 2) I'm nice enough to do it 3) Because I'm not married or have kids I really didn't have a choice.

(Side note: No seriously. My co-worker flat out told me because I'm not married or have kids she knows I "have no one to answer to" so it's no big deal to take up a few hours of one of my days off. Which, let's be honest. It's not a big deal. I have nothing going on. I like playing around with electronics. I like hanging out with people, even if they're 30+ years older than me. But, meh. I digress)

So I've been helping my co-worker out. My colleague has a 9 year old granddaughter that I've had the pleasure of spending time with as well during these "teaching lessons". This little girl is a real life honest to goodness living version of Ramona Quimby. She looks like her, she's over excited like Ramona, she IS Ramona. I bet she'd even wear fireman pj's under her clothes to school.

As my "payment" for these training lessons they've fed me every time I've gone over there and kept me in a supply of Pepsi (which, lets be honest. All I need. You keep me in Pepsi, perhaps give me a straw and I'm good to go.)

Until they surprised me by telling me they decided to buy me a year pass parking included ticket to Universal Studios in Orlando.

The 9 year old in me started screaming at full volume.

Now, I am not going to turn down a gift. However this particular give was very, very expensive. I won't even normally let my family spend that much money on me. But as I was helping my co-worker, her husband and her granddaughter with pretty much anything they asked, they insisted. I asked them several times to reconsider. But they wouldn't budge. Plus, I really wanted to go to Universal.

I went to Universal Studios for the first time Labor Day weekend. It was a very long day. We spent just about 9 hours walking around both parks within Universal Studios. And while I'm usually pretty much down for anything, I am not used to walking or being on my feet that long. But it was the most fun I've had in a long time.

The best part is? While I've been taking my day off, using my gas, to help my coworker with something most people would find ridiculously easy, a lot of my friends and even family have been telling me not to do it. That I was too nice to be doing this. And honestly, sometimes driving 45 minutes on my day off was the last thing I wanted to do. But I knew that it made my coworker and her family feel good. When I got my co-worker's husband loaded with music from his iTunes account he walked around smiling for three days, not talking to anyone. Just rocking out.

That makes me happy. I would've done this all just for them continuing to ask me to, supplying me with Pepsi while I visited.

So, I had naysayers. Trying to talk me out of it. Now these people are pouting that I not only got to go to Universal, but now I can go to Universal whenever I want.

Again- I want to make it abundantly clear- I would've done this for ABSOLUTELY FREE. Just because I like helping people.

Sometimes, being too nice to say no pays off.

July 6, 2011 the world lost one of the best people I have ever known, my grandmother, Helen Grace Gallion.

When I was a little girl, I was terrified of my grandma. To be quite honest, she was mean to me. She told me all the time that I was spoiled. She was right, I was spoiled. But she was the only person who ever told me so. So of course, being very young, I was terrified of her and thought she was mean.

There are three things that stand out to me about my grandma (aside from her complete disdain for anyone having anything remotely edible in her living room) from when I was growing up:

She always wore big decorative earrings. Not tacky decorative, just different from most people's earrings. She had earrings for every season and holiday.
Whenever Gram got ready to go out, whether it was to go to town to do shopping or to visit her friends, she'd put on red lipstick. And when she'd blot her lipstick? She'd kiss the roll of toilet paper hanging in the bathroom. There are countless times in my life where I have gone into the bathroom at my grandma's house, and there's been a big ol' lip print on the roll of toilet paper. Finally, my grandma made the best toast. I don't think she did anything special. There was no trick. But whenever you'd stay at Gram's and she'd make breakfast, there was always a big stack of toast. Gram's toast tasted like pure heaven.

Everyone who ever met my grandparents loved them. They were hilarious and could talk to you about anything, and boy did they love each other. My grandparents were married just shy of 40 years. I don't think it's necessary to tell you that my grandma was devastated when Grandpa died in March of 2003.

After Grandpa died, I knew Gram was depressed and lonely. I was just about to be 18, and I was no longer terrified of my grandma, so I made it my personal mission to look after her. I started calling regularly. I'd stay with her for the weekend and buy her dinner. And I kept this up for the next several years. When I was in my twenties I'd stop and visit after getting out of work. I would stop by to help her dye her hair. On more than one occasion I'd come over just to lay on her living room floor just because I had cramps or I had a horrible day.

In January of 2009, my mom and I were trying to decide what to do. We had gotten to the point where we were both miserable with our lives in Upper Michigan. We'd discussed going where my mom had friends that could help us find jobs. But, then Gram said she'd like someone to drive her to visit her sister in Sarasota, Florida. So we signed up.
We left the first week of February. It took five days to drive from Upper Michigan to Sarasota. The drive itself on map quest is 1 Day 3 hours. Yeah.
We had to stop every night so Gram could eat and we stayed overnight in a hotel. Gram has been diabetic my whole life, so it was just part of a routine for all of us in the family: We had to make sure Gram ate on time.

I'm not going to make it seem like the trip was fantastic. It wasn't. Gram and I annoyed the shit out of each other the whole way. She wanted quiet in the car, but as the only driver, I needed music to help keep me awake. This did lead to an adorable instance where my grandmother started mocking Katy Perry, singing "UR So Gay". It cracks me up just to think about it now.

But we fought in the hotel rooms, in the car Gram would pretend to be asleep just to "wake up" to point out how fast I was driving. On more than one occasion I'd leave the room just to get some personal space.
When we got to Sarasota? Gram bragged about me to her sisters. About what a good kid I am, and how great I did driving. Because that's how my grandma was. You could piss her off royally, but she also understood you were fighting with her because a Dodge Neon is not big enough for 3 people to coexist for 8 hours a day. Gram just got it. She always got me, anyway.

Gram was always the person I called with my news. Whether it was getting my first job in Florida, or when I left my first job in Florida for a better paying job close to home. She was the first person I called when I bought my new car. She loved my stories about work, about going to see bands play or when mom and I rode roller coasters at my company picnic. And she never hesitated to tell me how proud she was of me. Granted, she may add a little aside like, "Well now that you've got that car, Tag, you can't miss any work. Gotta make that payment."

The best thing my grandma always said was "I hope to tell ya." No matter what you'd say, if you called to say you were trying for a new position at work and how nice a raise would be, "I hope to tell ya". It always made me laugh, every time she said it.

My mom and grandma had this thing they'd do when they'd talk on the phone. Mom would ask, "Who loves you, Mama?" and my grandma would always say "You do." or "Sandi does". When Gram was in the hospital and couldn't talk, mom would make Gram's nurses go into her room and ask, "Who loves ya?".

The last time I talked to my grandmother was June 8th. I called to thank her for my birthday card and to tell her about work and goings-on. We talked for a few minutes, but I didn't want to keep her long because I could tell she was tired and wasn't breathing all that great. And mom asked me to ask her who loves her. So, I asked. "Gram, Ma wants to know who loves you?"


And Gram thought about it for about 30 seconds. Then, with all of the sass in the world, said, "A big ol MAN!".


My grandma had a great sense of humor.

Two weeks after that Gram went into the hospital, because she wasn't able to breathe. She never came out of the hospital, instead she passed away in her sleep.

The last time I saw my grandma was in 2009. I can't remember the date, but I know we were at the Tampa airport. I watched her go through her gate until I couldn't see her anymore.

The last time I talked to my grandma was June 8th. I know it was June 8th because it was three days before my birthday, and it was her and my grandpa's anniversary. When I hung up I was laughing, and so was she.

Everyone always says the same thing: They're in a better place. And for my grandma, I know it's true. She's with Grandpa. She's not in pain anymore. We should all be lucky to pass so peacefully, in our sleep.

A much needed update.

It's been far too long since I've blogged, and I apologize for that. There's been a lot going on, and now I feel like it's time to sit down and fill you in.

I'm sure if you follow me on Twitter or are my friend on Facebook, you have a pretty good idea of what I've been up to. But sometimes that's a compressed version, and I always love blogging so I can vent and get it out. That's the nice thing about blogging. Even if no one reads what you're writing, it's out of your system and on to help someone else.

In February I blogged about my car. I called it, fittingly, An Ode to my Car.

I've had the wonderful fortune of driving a great car for three years. The car that was with me in my great adventure of moving across the country and starting a new life in Florida. I've had fantastic times in that car, and it was like my best friend.

I was sad to see it go May 7th, when I bought a new car (!!!!).



As shown in the picture, I went from my 2001 Dodge Neon to a 2010 Ford Focus.

I was raised that Dodge is the way to go. So it hurt a little to change to the car that I've always referred to as a Fucked Over Rebuilt Dodge.
And I've had quite a battle in getting used to my new car, as strange as that seems. For the first month I felt as if I was still test driving it. This car is so.. well, fancy. I've never had electric locks and windows. I've never had a sunroof. I'm used to a car that had burnt out dashboard lights! And just electric windows and a sunroof is not the extent to the fanciness of my Focus. My car has "ambient lighting" on the floors and in the cup holders! I have the intensely amazing Ford Sync system where I have hands free ability with taking phone calls and even changing the music that's playing! My car READS MY TEXTS OUT LOUD TO ME!

It's amazing. I've finally made my car mine. It doesn't feel so much like I'm test driving anymore. It's in constant need of a bath, I have bumper stickers on the trunk, I smoke in it, the cup holders have had Pepsi spilled in them.
I'm so in love with my car. Which I have named Black Betty, or when she's sassy, Betty, Betty Nuggs.

I've worked really hard the last year to purchase a new car, and felt like it wasn't ever going to happen. But now I know the reason it hadn't happened before was because my Focus was waiting for me. It's a really great car. I can't say that I'm a Ford Convert just yet, but I am definitely a Focus Fan. It's sporty, and can kick ass driving down the road. It's comfortable enough to sit in all night at the drive in, and reliable almost to a fault. And plus it also gets 390 miles on a full gallon. In. Love.



As you can probably tell, I came through my tonsillectomy a-ok. Thankfully my best friend stayed with me the first night, and was a really great nurse. Nothing extraordinary happened, it hurt like hell, but I had a pretty fast recovery. I got to spend a lot of time watching Netflix and taking naps.

I turned 26 in my blogging absence. It was a lot of fun, and I was blessed to spend my birthday with my favorite people in the world. We went bowling and to the batting cages. Even got to play some Skeeball! Went out for drinks with my group of friends and got surprisingly drunk on a $30 budget. It was really everything a girl could hope for on her birthday!

Got a new tattoo already this summer. Across the front of my shoulders, just about on my collar bone. It reads "It's about life, and how I only feel when it hurts". The line itself comes from one of my favorite bands, Gasoline Heart, the song is called "It's About Time The Sun Left Me In The Dark" which should be on their upcoming album due out this fall.

Hope you've all been well!

The Dollyrots

Have I ever told you about how much I love The Dollyrots?

I'm pretty sure I have.

Anyway. Upon one concert going experience where I was introduced to them, I have become a full-fledged Dollyrots addict. I follow them all on Twitter (band as a whole and members), I keep up on their tours to go to any shows I can. For a long time my ringback tone was their version of "Brand New Key". Brand New Key was also the first song I learned to play on the ukulele (Which is not "their" song, but if you listen to it once you know that they play the song the best in the universe. I'm biased).

In December they did a contest for "A Pretty Messed Up X-Mas" which was a clever play on words, since their latest album was called "A Little Messed Up." In the contest they had fans submit ideas for what they'd like to get for Christmas. Of course, it had to be pretty messed up. I submitted "A bottle of whiskey and a boy to drink under the table".

I was selected! Of course, my bottle of whiskey was the only thing that made it in there. But still. I got a Christmas card from the 'Rots and a call from Kelly herself a few days after Christmas. Amazing. I never win anything, so I was stoked. And, getting to talk to the lead singer of your favorite band for twenty minutes or so? Awesome.

Well, the reason for their blog is to not only talk about how much I love this band. They're so much fun, and snarky. And Kelly is quite honestly what I'd like to be when I grow up (She makes scarves on the road and sells them on Etsy. How cool is she!). I think their music has a little something for everyone. Even my grandma made a point to call me more often when she realized Brand New Key was my ringback.

You need to check them out.

And also, they are running another contest that I'd like to win. But for real. I love them intensely, and I think if you gave them a listen, you would too.

Plus! They're going on tour with Bowling For Soup at the end of this week! Having seen BFS and The Dollyrots together, its definitely a show you want to check out. Buckets of fun, including drinking on stage and photo opportunities! Don't miss out!




My favorite Dollyrots songs to check out:
"Some Girls"
"My Best Friend's Hot"
"Pour Tous Jous" (sorry, French is hard)
"Because I'm Awesome"

Their official site: http://www.thedollyrots.com/

(Spring) Boob Tube Escapades

In September, I posted about the new tv shows that had come out and what I thought of them. I wrote a brief review for each of them.

Being that we're now in March (Sweeps!) I figured it was time for an update.

I'll start with the shows I had previously blogged about:

Mike And Molly:
It is a really cute show. However, they really lean on the overweight jokes. Which, being the premise of the show, I understand. Halfway through the season when they're still resting on these jokes as their guaranteed laugh factor, I got bored. I did enjoy the jokes regarding the stoner sister, and there were some great one liners. The show is doing well in ratings, and will probably be picked up for another season. However, sadly, Off My DVR.

Detroit 1-8-7:
I have continued to enjoy this show from the first episode. I've watched every episode, and still enjoy the format of the show. They continue to track cases as originally as they had in the beginning (which had impressed me right off), and the acting is strong. However, it is on the chopping block at the end of the season. It has not been picked up as of yet.

Blue Bloods:
At my last review I had only watched the pilot episode. I have since caught up with the show, and have kept up with the show. It's strong acting, keeps you on the edge of your seat. This show is doing reasonable in the ratings and will more than likely be picked up for another season. I hope it does. I think once it finds its audience (right now its back and forth between Wednesday and Friday night airings) it'll be a CBS staple. It is currently a staple in my house.

Hawaii Five-Oh:
This show is doing really well. To be honest, I don't watch it anymore. It's not that I got bored with it, but it seemed like every time I sat down to watch it I'd fall asleep. So.. I guess you can say I did get bored with it. Whatever.

Raising Hope:
Another show that's doing really well in ratings. It's already been picked up for a new season. I've stopped watching it. Again, I didn't get bored by it. It just wasn't my type of show. Off My DVR.

The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret:
The season ended. I don't really know if it's going to be picked up again. I don't see how it could be, how the plot line goes. But I am keeping an eye out for it!

More New Shows that weren't around when I originally blogged about "New Shows":

The Walking Dead:
Now, if you remember, last summer I had a blog about zombies and vampires where I mentioned I hoped they'd do a show about Zombies. Well, THEY DID! It was a short season, only like 8 episodes. It was really fantastic. Kept you on the edge of your seat, it was new and completely different from anything out there. It will be returning this October! Check out the first season if you missed it the first time around. You'll want to. I promise.

Traffic Light:
It's a show about dudes, mostly driving around in their cars, talking on their cars' blue tooth systems. It's really funny and quirky. It has something for everyone. There's the married with child guy, there's the guy that just moved in with his girlfriend and is working out being in a committed relationship, and then there's the perpetually single guy. It's really great, I think. And of course, it's not doing great in ratings. I love it, just the same.

Mad Love:
Mad Love is a very similar show to How I Met Your Mother. It's narrated, it's following a group of friends in New York. Where it's different from HIMYM, no one's married. It's following a relationship from the first meeting of the main couple of the show. It's funny, the entire cast is very snide and snarky. The cast is fantastic. It has Jason Biggs, Sarah Chalke and Judy Greer, all of whom I've followed in their careers. I love them all. Plus there's a fairly new (or at least to me) cast member, Tyler Labine, who is the narrator and probably the best part of the show. Mad Love is the kind of show that's perfect when you're a single twenty-something. Or even if you're just a sarcastic person. Again, I love it, so it's not doing well in ratings. Hopefully with everything going on with Two And A Half Men it'll continue on for another season to fill the "What the Fuck Is Charlie Sheen Doing" gap.

Being Human (US):
Being Human is a show I've watched the original UK version of on BBC America for the past three seasons. And honestly, I got very annoyed that SyFy made an American version. But the more that I watch the US version, the more I love it. It's very funny, and it stays true to the UK version. I've been continuing to watch the UK Being Human, which is currently airing its 3rd season on BBC America, and the one complaint I have is that the US version is doing story lines in the first season that the UK version didn't get to till the third season. What is that! I love them both, however.

Shameless (US):
Showtime started Shameless this winter, and I didn't realize it was a remake until I got halfway through the season. I was hooked from the very first episode. It's funny and shocking and sometimes sad. It's one of those shows that has something for everyone, as long as everyone is okay with swearing and sex. And drugs. The US version has its season's end this month. I know that it is on OnDemand, so if you have the chance get caught up! It's great. I have no idea if it will continue on and go into a second season as the original show only had 7 episodes. But I would definitely be a very, very happy girl if it continued.
(Side note: The original version is an UK production. It is available via Netflix in DVD form. And it is currently in my queue to check it out.)

Mr. Sunshine:
I will not lie to you. I started this show a few episodes into the season for one reason and one reason only. Jorge Garcia. Who doesn't even have a starring role, or even weekly role. I think he's been in like 2 episodes? Whatever. I started it for my tv boyfriend only, and have ended up really enjoying it. Matthew Perry is very funny, and the entire cast is eclectic and great. It reminds me of a show like Better Off Ted or vaguely 30 Rock. There's not an episode where I haven't laughed right out loud. They tend to have surprisingly delightful cameos (Whattup, that diabetic Jonas brother!) and the jokes are well written. Right now it is riding the line for renewal.

Off The Map:
This show is basically Grey's Anatomy if it took place on the island in Lost. So you'd think I'd love it. I do not. I liked the first two episodes. I feel like when a show is based off of two other really great semi-long running shows, it doesn't have a lot of room to grow. Because it basically is just that: A copy of other shows. It's not doing well in ratings. I think it had some really great potential, but, it shot itself in its own foot. How many landslides and emergency c-sections can you really give on a remote island?
(I realize that Lost is: How many things can happen on a remote island? And that Grey's Anatomy is: How many surgeries can you really do? But my point is, I'd rather watch Grey's Anatomy or Lost than this show.)


There are several new shows coming up this spring. So you'll probably get a Summer edition of what I think about these tv shows. And hopefully an update on these shows I've blogged about here. If you have any new shows to suggest, please do!

The website I use to check ratings/renewals: TV By The Numbers

Side note: I've been watching Ally McBeal on Netflix. I'm currently halfway through season one. To be honest, if this show came out today, it wouldn't even get a pilot episode on the air. In the 90's though, it definitely got away with a lot. I've really enjoyed watching it again. I also really love Netflix.

Impending Doom

You awesome readers (all, what, 2 of you?) are in for a treat. Because this is my third post in a month, UNHEARD OF!, and also I feel chatty.

There are a few points I'd like to touch on, and I may separate this into two different posts, just because I've been told before that my blogs tend to run on. I've been trying to be conscious of this, for you. However, I really like reading blogs/watching movies/anything that are slightly ADD and are all over the place. And this is my blog, so, if you don't like it!

(But lets be real. If you could tell your friends about my blog that'd be great. I could use some mild awesome followers of ze blog. End: Sad Self Plug)

I'm getting my tonsils out. On Tuesday, actually. March 22nd.

I'm really nervous about it. For more than one reason.

I've never had any sort of surgery. At 25, this is a pretty awesome feat, I think. No surgeries? What up! And I only had one broken bone, and that was at 18. And technically it wasn't a "broken" bone. I had just fractured my tenth (see: Last) rib on my left side.

My mom is currently out of town visiting family in Michigan. Meaning, I am all alone. Getting surgery without my mom. I'm really okay with admitting that I am a total Mama's girl. Cuz I am.

What if they mess up and I never talk again! Or, what if I wake up during my surgery and can't move or talk and FEEL EVERYTHING! What if I have an out of body experience and wake up being all about Jesus!

In reality, it'll be a really horrible week for me. But at the end of it, I'll be in a much better situation health wise, and wont be miserable like I've been. I'll pull right through it, and it'll be great. (Still, maybe send a prayer upwards for me for a safe surgery/easy recovery? kthx)

I am going to make a serious effort to quit smoking and kick soda while I'm recovering. I shouldn't smoke anyway, so that'll be easy. And I'll be in intense pain and won't notice the difference between caffeine headaches and post-surgery/intense pain headaches, so kicking soda will be easy.

I'm trying to be really optimistic here.

I don't think a tonsillectomy will be too terrible. If I can handle having a broken rib, I can handle a really sore throat, right?

I've been trying to make an effort not to talk about being sick/tonsils/ear aches or complain in any way. I don't want to be that person, that just talks about the same thing all the time. Plus, with the fact that I tend to be an anxious person, I'm trying to counteract that by not thinking about it. Especially with my mom gone, which is another thing making my anxiety skyrocket.

But, just to put it out there. I feel like I got hit by a truck. And my face feels puffy non stop and I just want to sleep for like 2 weeks. And this is all pre-surgery. Yikes.

I've been thinking about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lately. I don't really know why. And not really anything in particular. Just, you know. About them. How they only had three fingers. And I think Shredder and Splinter have really similar names that makes them confusing. And April had really bad hair, and dressed like a street thug, yet they let her on the nightly news? What?

I miss the 80's.

Further proof, my antibiotics are making me nuts. People think I'm being an asshole because I don't want to drive anywhere and think I'm being weird when I say "My head isn't right, I don't feel comfortable doing that". When really, my head isn't right. So why would you want me driving around? I'm just being safe ya'll.

Now my head is really heavy. Maybe I'll blog again tomorrow? We'll see.

The blog that ended up being about Star Wars, somehow.

For people who vaguely know me, I probably seem like I really love Star Wars.

And in a way, I really do love Star Wars. They're classic films, influential on a lot of my favorite things in the world, including my favorite director, Kevin Smith. I love the feeling I got in my chest when I saw Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith in theaters (The only Star Wars film I saw in theaters) and the opening music started and the words started to scroll the screen. I will never forget the way the hair on my arms stood up and tears hit my eyes the first time Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader on screen.

But for people who REALLY know me, I've seen each film once. Whoops. But one of my favorite things to bellow is "HAN SHOT FIRST!". I'm not really a Star Wars geek as I can sometimes portray. However, I do love anything if it merely makes a Star Wars reference (Fanboys, any Kevin Smith movie, How I Met Your Mother, etc.)

And honestly, I am very excited for 2012 for when they start to show the Star Wars films in order (1-6 rather than 4-6 then 1-3) in theaters in 3-D. It'll probably bring my Star Wars adoration up a big notch, along with my nerd points.

I really feel like one of the most American things you can do is go and see Star Wars in theaters. I can't explain why. I just feel like its such a big part of our generation, and our parent's generation, that how can you NOT go see just one of the films in theaters. And feel that magic you feel when you hear the opening music and see the words on the screen.

I try to support everyone's taste in music. I don't like to be pushy about making people watch certain television shows or movies. But sometimes there are shows and movies I'm passionate about (hello, LOST) that I may ever-not-so subtly will talk your ear off about it until you go to see it.

However, I really think you should take the time to go see a Star Wars movie in theaters given the chance. And if you are not a fan (or even a fake pop culture reference only fan like me) at least go see the fucking Return. Everyone likes Return of the Jedi.

The Star Wars movies are the reason they made huge screens, IMAX and 3-D. Because even before they had those big fantastically expensive impressive screens, Star Wars made you forget the cost of a movie ticket. It made you forget that you were dropping a week's worth of gas on popcorn. In a world where more often then not, you got something horribly life-sucking going on, we could all use something to save us for a little while.

Fuck drugs. Watch Star Wars.

Ode to My Car

I didn't get my license until I was 22 years old. It was actually 2 days after my 22nd birthday.

I didn't get my license for the simple fact of: I didn't need to. I always was able to work out a ride to work/places I wanted to go. Giving friends gas money was still considerably cheaper than what I'd have to pay to put gas in my own car, or for the maintenance on a car.

But I got sort of a swanky job at 22. I was working in an office for an engineering company and had the opportunity for lots of overtime. I needed a car.

So I took my driver's license test (twice) and passed. And for the next 8 months or so, bombed around in my family's 1987 Chevy Nova. Or, as I so sweetly dubbed her, The Nasty Nova. She lives up to the name, and is still running. No shit.

Well, after months of driving around a rusted car that couldn't go above 55 in her best day, I decided to get my own car. To get a car payment and all the hassle involved.

I went to a Buy-Here Pay-Here that I knew would approve my credit. First I got into a Ford Escort, which I promptly exited. The next car in the line was a 2001 Dodge Neon SE. I knew the instant I sat in it. It was mine.

I bought my first car March 7, 2008. I named her Baby Audrey.

Now, the first few months with Baby Audrey were rough. She didn't like to start all the time. I'd have to hang out in parking lots with my hood up waiting for her to cool down before I could start her and head off on my merry way. Obnoxious. I hated my car. I would tell everyone who listened (including the dealer) that if I won the lottery, I would pay the car off and go after it with a sledgehammer.

But eventually the starter was replaced, after some minor tweaking (brakes, coolant jug, etc.) she ran fine. And has continued to run fine.

Before Baby Audrey I had never driven farther than 2 hours from home. I had never been on the highway.

I drove my little Neon from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Polk County, Florida. Together we maneuvered heavy construction, snowy roads, mountains, asshole drivers, and my cranky back seat driver, my Grandmother. 5 days. 1600 miles. Me and my car. (And Grandma and my mom). We made it.

My car is fantastic. Everything I've asked her to do. The day I got to live my dream of seeing New Found Glory live, she got me there. For my first outing on I-4 by myself. And didn't decide to pop a power steering belt until I was 5 minutes from home.

The initial rules in my car are as follows: Take your Trash. If you put a cigarette burn in the upholstery, you lose your eyebrows.

Now the Trash rule has been slack here and there. There was a time when my backseat was so full of soda cans I could only have two passengers go with me to lunch at work, because there wasn't a fourth seat open. Being in Florida, I was unable to keep this up. And have kept my car considerably clean.

My car is my best friend.

February 4th, 2011 I paid my car off. I out-right own my car. The first thing in my life of importance that I own. And I worked my ass off for 32 months making payments and babying that car. I never missed a single payment, not even by one fucking day. And, as I am required to point out, I was unemployed for six months. I never missed one payment.

Since last May or so, I have been trying to find a new car. My credit is not great, so it's taken a while. Its a continuing battle. Most times I accept the resounding No's and figure my car will last me until someone finally says yes.

When I bought my car, she was rocking 125,000 miles. As of this evening she's at 174,400 and some. I didn't put the initial "Holy Shit that's a lot of miles" on my car. But I've put a substantial amount on my car in the last three years.

There have been a lot of really great moments in my car. Sing alongs, road trips, kisses, naps, memories.

I recently made a new cd to listen to in my car, and it features The Beach Boys "God Only Knows". And thinking about my car and listening, I got a little teary-eyed.

If I had never bought Baby Audrey, my life could be a completely different story. I may not have ever moved to Florida, because I wouldn't have had a dependable car to get me there. I may not have ever gone to the memorable shows I've been to. Memories could be completely erased without the appearance of Baby Audrey.

God only knows what I'd be without her.

Technically, my neon is not my first car. The Nasty Nova came first. But Baby Audrey was my first car that I paid for myself. That I not only paid 9 grand for, but I put close to 3 grand in repairs into. Baby Audrey is mine. That car has my blood, sweat and tears. I am thankful every day that I walked into a shitty Buy Here Pay Here that used improper punctuation in their business name and said "Hey, what about that blue Neon? Can I take that for a drive?"

And as if loving the Neon with my whole heart wasn't enough. Owning my Neon has turned me into a 100%, full-fledged Dodge girl.

God Bless My Car.

A Single Gal's Valentine's Post

Last post I promised ya'll two worthwhile posts. I've been a slacker-mc-slackerston. I'm sorry for that.

I will update you guys on my latest on-goings in another post. But for now, I wanted to post about Love. And Valentine's Day. And being Single.

This past year was a tricky one for me. I gave up on love. I thought I had known my whole life who I was going to end up being married to, raising my kids with, and having matching rocking chairs with in our "Twilight Years". And when you put your eggs in all one basket, and that basket turns out to belong to someone else... well. It's rough.

But as mentioned in a previous post, I had a first kiss that made all of that fade away and I was able to start over again. Not saying that Mr. Basket's marriage to someone else doesn't continue to feel like a stabbing in my ribs (because it does. Every day.) However when I wake up in the morning, that's not the first thing on my mind. There's usually a day or two in a week where I don't think of him now.

I digress.

I have had one Valentine in my dating career. It was when I was in high school, at the rockin' age of 16. So, as an adult I'm pretty much used to watching the people around me get flowers delivered for Valentine's Day, and flaunting their goodies from their beloved.

I'm sure you presume as a chronically single person that I hate Valentine's Day. I assure you I do not. I love seeing the stuff people get. I love smelling flowers, and getting to see someone's face when the receptionist walks up with a big ridiculous bouquet. Love it.

At work last night I was sitting with two guys, and I was asking them what they were doing for their girlfriends for Valentine's. They were both very thoughtful in their gifts, and you can tell they love their girlfriends. It's sweet to see.

Once they finished telling me what they were doing for the big day, they asked what I had planned for Valentine's Day.

As someone who is perpetually single, it always gets a little awkward having the "Why I'm Single" conversation. Honestly, there are a million different answers I could give.

Here's The Truth:

I have been in love with someone since I was 9 years old. And even though he's married to someone else, I know at the end of the day, he is still my person. The person I was made and designed for. I know this.

Knowing there is another person out in the world, that is your other half, how can you settle for someone else? How can you go through the motions with someone who won't measure up to the person you know is out there? It doesn't seem very fair to the other person.

I know there is a chance that Mr. Basket is not my person at all. That he's part of my path to the right person. I know this chance exists. One day I'll walk into some coffee shop, or record store, or walk into someone on the street because I'm walking and texting, and BAM! There he'll be. And that will be the end of it. I'll forget about the boys along the way that broke my heart or made me forget my broken hearts.

So until that happens, I'm waiting. I am well known for my ridiculous timing. I meet guys that I hit it off with instantly, but I meet them right after they've moved in with their girlfriend. I could've had a chance to meet them a year before but I passed because I was being a baby, then when I finally meet them they're with someone else. Or a guy I've liked forever that's always had a girlfriend becomes single after forever, I've moved away a month prior. I am flawlessly flawed in my timing when it comes to relationships.

I don't want to risk meeting the right person while I'm dating someone I'm only "Meh" about. I can't see hurting someone else because NOW I've met the right person. I try to avoid breaking hearts and having my heart broken.

The last time I had a boyfriend I was 19 years old. The last time I was seriously dating someone (the step before exclusivity) I was 22 years old. I'm pushing 26, ya'll. I fully agree with all sentiments of "Girlfriend, it's time to be a girlfriend". But I'm okay with waiting. I'm good at patience.

Being single so long, I'm set in my own ways. I like putting on my own concerts in my car, knowing there is a very good chance people in traffic can hear my off-tune renditions of Nora Jones songs. My days off are spent in bed catching up on my DVR. After being single so long, I have no idea how to be someone's girlfriend. So I'm afraid I'll meet someone I really like that wants to date me, and I'll just screw it up because I'm perpetually single.

So until that BAM! moment happens, I'm happy being happy for the people around me. I love seeing people in love.

And I know my time will come. After all, after 2 hours of bad timing, just barely missing each other, Jake Ryan found Sam Baker and was waiting to wisk her away for a perfect first kiss.

Happy Valentine's Day. ♥

It just takes some time..

It's been a while since I've written, and I felt like I should post an update.

The truth is I don't have anything to say. Next month will be a different story. I have concerts I'll be attending, including the one I mentioned back in November. Where hopefully I'll be reunited with a cute boy I met. After my tax return is filed I'll know where I stand on the new car situation.

January is pretty much a turd of a month in my book. Nothing great happens. I spend most of the month being pissed off for no particular reason. Its too cold. It's like a waiting room for awesomeness. Generally, February tends to be pretty freaking awesome. I guess January is the calm before the storm. Whatever.

Next month, I do promise you at least 2 worthwhile posts. Maybe even with pictures!

Also, revisit Jimmy Eat World. I downloaded their new album, getting ready to see them on the 4th, and man. Really fantastic. They're one of those bands that you can listen to for the first time in years and your heart still races with love for them.
"No Sensitivity" is still my favorite JEW song. But for real, give them a listen. Really great.

So this is the New Year

I had intended to make a post reflecting back on 2010. Talking about my favorite albums of the year, my favorite movies, my favorite memories.

But I didn't. I sat down a couple times to do it, and everything I was going to say everyone had already said before. So, let's make a different kind of New Year's post.

It is not a big secret that New Year's Eve is my favorite holiday. I have always believed that the way you spend New Year's Eve is a preview of how you will spend the upcoming year.

I went out alone on New Year's this year. I dressed super cute, and went out. I danced and drank and really enjoyed myself. I got hit on! And then I went to a party at my friend's house where the drinking, dancing and enjoyment continued. A pretty good night, a good idea of what 2011 holds for me, I think.

I'm not really a resolution person. Mostly because I'm honest and know I won't stick to any of them. Instead I prefer to think of things I want to bring into the new year with me to make it as much of a kick ass year as I can.

This year I've decided not to take any shit from anyone. No one will stand in my way from the things I want to do. I am going to make shit happen.

In 2011 I refuse to be sad over boys. I had spent 2010 (and a lot of the years before) sad over boys. This is a total waste of time. I am far too awesome to let something silly like a boy make me sad. I hope to do a lot of dating this year and maybe meet someone and get serious with them, but if it doesn't work out, I won't dwell in it.

I plan on continue to keep growing my hair out. I've been doing pretty well, but I had a fried hair incident in October which cost me three inches. Long hair or bust! Also I have a perm pact for this fall that I gotta stick with!


I guess that's really it. But I plan on making this year really awesome and memorable.

I've been waiting impatiently for February for over 3 months. There's 3 concerts I can't wait for (Hello Goodbye, Jimmy Eat World and The Get Up Kids), and in February I should finally be able to get a new car. If the first two months of 2011 are to be any indicator, this year is going to be one for the record books!

I hope you all have a kick ass 2011. Do something fun and adventurous! Laugh way too hard as often you can, and dance every chance you get!