Divined by the universe....

Last week marked the day ten years ago that I was a senior sitting in my High School journalism class. I had completed my assignments, was doodling on my notepad and the ADD was kicking in. Bored, I asked my brilliant journalism teacher, Mrs. Baxley, if I could go to the bathroom. In our High School, the closest bathrooms are next to the weight room. This seems like an insignificant detail, but it is crucial.

You see, Chris was in weights class that fateful day, and they were timing 20 yard sprints in the hallway- by the very bathroom I was wasting time in! Timing the sprints was a 2 man job, and a clipboard was shoved in my hand to write down the sprint times (actually I was standing there talking and was told to get back to class, or make myself useful).  Chris, being the stud he is, was on track to break the record (which he still holds- no big deal) and stayed after the bell rang to make the record  his own. I stayed to write down his time.

On my way to return the clipboard (and Chris' return to the locker room), an innocent conversation took place that would have lasting consequences, for both of us:

Me: So. Do you have a date for prom yet?
Chris: No, not yet. What about you?
Me: Nope.
Chris: Uh...Do....you...wanna....go....?
Me: Sure!

Ten years ago today, Chris and I went on our last first date, and have been partyin' ever since....

Isn't he handsome!?

God bless Senioritis...and ADD.....and sprints in the hallway...

and Mrs. Baxley for letting me go to the bathroom....

Are YOU scared?

Today is Friday the 13th. Did you realize this? I did not, until this morning when my hair dryer tried to electrocute me, Betty puked on the carpet, I stubbed my toe and almost backed into a trash can. 

I got to work and knew I had to shake off the bad vibes Friday the 13th was throwing my way, so I promptly ate two egg shaped butterfingers, and all was right in the world. 


I was starting to get nervous again this afternoon when I remembered the boys play yet ANOTHER baseball game. After all, baseball is a tough sport.

It requires intense focus....

Hi Roo! 

and precision pitching....

....not to mention the blink-or-you'll-miss-it catches...

....and strong across-the-field throwing....

However, these boys aren't scared of little 'ol Friday the 13th. 

Why not?

Why their fearless leader, of course!

Well, Chris and this guy....

Reggie, the good luck turtle.

**Once again, thank you Missy W. for your wonderful photography skills! :)

It's your lucky day!

 Remember in this post when I told you about my brother's superpower of music?

Staying true to his word and saving us all from un-coolness, here is

CHRISTIAN'S TUESDAY TOP TUNE PICKS:

1. YEASAYER- AMBLING ALP 

2. THE DISCIPLINES- YOURS FOR THE TAKING

3. MARS VOLTA- THE MALKIN JEWEL

4. HOWLER-BACK OF YOUR NECK

5. DELTA SPIRIT- CALIFORNIA

You're welcome.

**I should add that these are songs Christian is listening to right now. Keep in mind some are fresh and some you may have heard......either way, keep on rockin'!

You're never too old....

.....to get an Easter basket from your parents!

HOPPY EASTER!

Obviously you need one:

The baseball boys had a rough Saturday last weekend. They lost twice, the same day. It wasn't pretty and the cute coach, that I totally have a crush on, wasn't happy. Not at all.

Chris said sometimes when you aren't playing the game right, the baseball gods will make you pay. The boys said ENOUGH was ENOUGH, and decided they needed their very own good luck charm
(I think mine has just been to busy making my life awesome!).

The boys weren't sure what to do. They had meetings on the mound:

They asked Mr. Jackson, the bat boy (you read that right), for advice:

They even tried a special 'adjust your hat' and wave your arms around dance: 

but the answer to appease the baseball gods came to them during practice this week
in the form of a little box turtle they name Reggie.

Reggie was found at the baseball field during practice, and instantly buoyed the boy's spirit's. It was quickly decided he was the new team mascot. They even brought him to the game last night; and being the sweet, smart, thoughtful boys they are, they made Reggie a decorated leash:

Breckin was getting a pep talk from Reggie when he stopped to pose for a quick photo.

Here, someone is creating a nice path for Reggie to walk crawl back and forth.

Notice the leash? That's actually athletic tape they stuck on Reggie's back and attached it to the bench

Clever, really. 

Bringing their new mascot to the game must have been the right move because they won last night! This can only lead me to one conclusion:

You need a Reggie in your life.

**Thanks Missy W. for the great pictures!**

Make way! Make way! The talent is coming through!

Remember how I told you about my BUCKET LIST? I can honestly say I have NOT met J.K. Rowling or professed my undying devotion to her, yet. HOWEVER, I was slowly starting to realize one bucket list item was within my grasp: item number ten, Be in a play.

 I talked to my talented thespian friend, Beth, and she said: "There is an audition for a play this Tuesday. Why don't you come with me?" I mustered all my courage and went. Do you KNOW what happens in an audition? Especially for a show with singing? and dancing? AND acting? You have to show your singing and dancing and acting skills to the play director and they decide if you are even worth the hassle of keeping around.

I thought: "Well, it's now or never!" and gave it my all, like a boss:

I brought my own skull, but the director said it wasn't necessary.

 After a brilliant audition, the show director begged and begged me to play the lead role (lie); but I felt that my superb acting abilities would be better suited for a smaller role, after all I didn't want to over-shadow the rest of the cast! I am playing, Goat's Mother.

If you ask me that is an extremely significant role! Without Goat's mother there would be no Goat and without Goat ....well I don't exactly know because I haven't read the whole script yet (note to you because I was confused at first, it is not an actual goat but a man nick-named goat).
The play is called, 'The Robber Bridegroom' and is loosely based on a Grimm's fairy tale.

You may now start calling me: 'The talent'

Superpowers

We rented, watched and liked Captain America and Thor, this last Sunday. It made me realize that everyone has superpowers. Some, like me, have more than one (obviously)...

 My brother, Christian, has a very unique superpower. If you are what you eat, he's definitely bacon and cheese; but if you are what you listen to, he would be every song ever written. The guy loves music, and not just any music. REALLY good music. He is never without a pair headphones. For proof, see picture below:

He also can talk to Diner statues.

 Here is how conversations regarding music go with my brother, Christian:

Me: "You know what song I'm into right now? As My Guitar Gently Weeps by Eric Clapton, so pretty."
Christian: "Ya! That's a great song. It was actually written by George Harrison and recorded by the Beatles in 1968 for their White Album, but Clapton does plays lead guitar on it. If you like that song, you'd really like blah blah blah"

If you want to know what a song is called, just call Christian up to get a quick answer:
Me: Hey! Are you busy?
Christian: No, what's up?
Me: Which band sings that song (singing) DOOON'T STOP BELIEVIIINNNN! Somethin' Somethin' FEEEELINNN'!
Christian: Journey.
Me:  Nooooo... that can't be right.
Christian: Yes. Journey. Why?
Me: Darn it, I just lost a bet.

A few years ago, I decided to use his superpower to my advantage, and began demanding he make music playlists and C.D.s for me. He did, but only because he loves me:

I probably love him more though.

 Christian is a frequent concert attendee, and is usually forced to be the resident D.J. at every party (although I have a feeling he chooses this job because other's people choice in music is sub-par):

See the ipod in his hand? He's about to rock the party out with his musical selections.

He also knows how to look cool at an outdoor music festival:

Yup, that's JACK WHITE'S mobile recording bus he's standing in front of.

Now that Christian makes me cool, I say things like: "This song is JUST NOW on the radio? Pshhh I was listening to it MONTHS ago!" like a true hipster would. 

I know what you're thinking: It's just NOT fair that she has a brother with Superpowers like this!  I agree. So, I'm starting what I call: "CHRISTIAN'S TUESDAY TOP TUNE PICKS." 

Every Tuesday Christian will give me a list of the TOP FIVE  songs he's listening to that week. You can check them out, download them or completely ignore them (although I wouldn't they're usually pretty good). You guys are so lucky! So without further ado: 

CHRISTIAN'S TUESDAY TOP TUNE PICKS:

1. Hold On- Alabama Shakes

2. It's Time- Imagine Dragons

3. Beneath the piano- The Devil Makes Three

4. Disparate Youth- Santigold

5. Sleep Forever- Portugal the Man

You're welcome.