It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

So, I did it. I braved Black Friday... I just waited until the evening to do it! Started with Target and Wal-Mart, then finished at Dick's Sporting Goods. I was determined to really make a dent in my list of Christmas gifts for the family. It was a very productive time. What did I get? Well, let me tell you...

1. Baby Mama on DVD for MYSELF (Target Bargin Bin)
2. Step Brothers on DVD for MYSELF (Target Bargain Bin)
3. A picture frame for MY new picture of Berkley
4. A Stocking for MY dog

Yep, at this rate, I'll be ready for Christmas in no time :)

Hey Now

There is a song by Augustana called "Hey Now." It's a catchy little song that I listen to quite often. This morning, I was listening to it as I headed to work at 4:30 am. Since there isn't much going on in my head that early in the morning, I was able to actually listen to the song and have the lyrics speak to me. If you aren't familiar, here are the lyrics:

sky black and blue,
blue turn to red,
it's quiet in the streets now,
but it's screaming in your head

i ain't a fool,
but i've got my doubts,
say it doesn't hurt,
it doesn't matter anyhow, anyhow...

hey we're just bleeding for nothing,
it's hard to breathe when
you're standing on your own,
we'll kill ourselves to find freedom,
you'll kill yourself
to find anything at all...

so lock all the doors,
and put your child to rest,
there's fire in the streets now,
but it's quiet in your head...

we're passing the time,
by breaking apart,
we're damned at the end,
and we're damned at the start,

blame it on the roses,
blame it on the red,
we're running out of time,
and i'm running out of breath,

hey now, we're bleeding for nothing,
it's hard to breathe when
you're standing on your own,
we'll kill ourselves to find freedom,
you'll kill yourself to find anything,

we say goodbye, everyday and nite,
we write it on the walls,
well everybody's gonna need somebody,
to take our troubles and our worries
and our problems all away,

hey now, hey now, hey now
right now.

Although the song may have been written to relate to a very different situation, it has still caused me to do a little self-reflection. Since graduating from college and moving back home, I have been incredibly restless and disheartened. I can relate to the "screaming in your head;" it's nearly impossible for me to clear my head anymore. I want to get out and stand on my own two feet...find a little purpose in my life! Sometimes it's all I can think about. "We'll kill ourselves to find freedom, you'll kill yourself to find anything at all..." sounds a bit extreme, but I can still relate on some scale. I feel like all of my problems will be solved, and I will find contentment if I could just achieve this "freedom." But is it really that easy? Why do I want to be on my own if "it's hard to breathe when you're standing on your own?" I'll just have other problems and worries waiting for me. Sounds like I just need to man-up and play with the cards I'm being dealt. Doesn't mean I can't be anticipating a good shuffle :)

What Does It Take to be Number 1...

Top 5 Bands...

Go!

#5- Before you judge, please know that I went through 3 copies of their first CD! "Swing, Swing" will always play over and over in my head. For this reason, and because of many other addicting songs, The All American Rejects take the #5 spot. If you need an upbeat, catchy tune to get you through the day, look no further!


#4- Yes, I know I wasn't around during their world domination, but I can still be a fan of the Beatles. There is no need to even argue why they should be on my Top 5 list... they're The Beatles! No time is ever a bad time for a little Paul :)

#3- With a little love and some tenderness, Hootie and the Blowfish earns the 3rd spot. Darius Rucker is taking over the Country scene, but he will forever live on as Hootie. Their music can most simply be summed up as "easy listening."

Cause I've got a hand for you
I've got a hand for you
Cause I wanna run with you
Ah, won't you let me run with you?

#2- Matchbox 20 never gets old. They can disappear for a few years, and return without missing a beat. Rob Thomas is a great solo artist, but he is truly at his best when his band is backing him.


DRUM ROLL PLEASE...


#1- Counting Crows

And it's been a long December and there's reason to believe
maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell myself
to hold onto these moments as they pass

Never gets old...

See, It's Just Puppy Love...

You know those people that are obsessed with their pets, or more specifically, their dog? They talk about their dog all day. They hurry home to take their dog to the park or for a walk. They only hang out with other people when it is in an environment in which their furry friend can come. Chances are, that dog can catch a frisbee in its mouth and knows commands like "paw" and "sing." And the worst part is that walking, smelly, disease-carrying creature sleeps in their bed... not a crate, on the floor, or outside... in their bed on nice, clean sheets! Gross! Well, I am becoming that person!!!! I'm ashamed... but it's true! My precious pup has taken over my ife, my room, my car, and most anything else. She is pure sweetness, though! Thank you, Jonny Heinkel, for the most amazing present ever! She sheds a lot, pees a lot, and licks her butt, but she also loves on me, cuddles, and wags her tail when I walk in the door... what more can a girl ask for?!?! Oh, Sweet Sasha:

Guess Who's Back... Back Again...

So, I've been a major slacker all summer! There just wasn't enough time for blog updates like I promised! I am SO sorry! The good news is that I am back! Camp is over and I have lots of stories to tell and lots of meaningless things to vent about! Get ready! Oh, and just in case you were wondering, Jacob is recovering well from the ole Swine Flu... we thought he was a gone-er... we were counting down the hours... but he pulled through.

Stay strong, Jake! Stay Strong!

So I'll Run to You; I Will Run, I Will Run...

So, before I headed down to ole Bama, I decided to venture to one last O's game. I'm one of those optimistic fans that, irregardless of how horribly the previous season went, always says, "This could be our year!" It's been a rough start, but we can pull it together! And if Baltimore has one thing, it's loyal fans! I was absolutely blown away by the crowd! We really know how to rally behind our team! See for yourself:

So, clearly, I am lying! Camden Yards was empty! I was very disappointed! The game was very slow too... pretty much nothing going on at all! Then, it happened! The most glorious thing I had ever seen! Not once. Not twice. Not even three times... more! I even missed it a few times because it happened so quickly! I had to prepare myself to finally be able to capture the event that made the crowd (or lack thereof) go nuts! While our O's may be struggling, rest assured that the Grounds Crew at Camden Yards is an elite group of individuals... the quickest in the business! Now, for your viewing pleasure:

I Like The Way You Move...

Well, the beast has been conquered! West Palm and St. Louis, I officially forgive you for that chaos called a storage unit...
We rented a 24' Budget truck and managed to load it entirely in 1 1/2 hours... and by "we," I mean myself, Paul, Beth, and 2 wonderful high school friends, Clay and Michael. Pretty impressive, if you ask me! Then, at Samford, we unloaded about 4,382 puppets (of all nationalities), 87 parachutes, 92 First Aid bags, 366 rolls of butcher paper, 92 coolers, and many, many other things. Also done in about 1 1/2 hours!
Moving camp from storage is quite a task, but I figure if anyone can handle it, why not us?! I can already tell that I have a fantastic team! You guys rock! Now the sorting begins...