Welcome to the family McArthur, you've been much anticipated

"OK thanks, let me think about it for a minute" is what I said to the Apple store guy before leaving the store to go meet my dad, Mitch and Michelle down the hall in the mall. By the time I reached them at the other end of the hall the flood of questions filling my mind -is it worth it? - yes; do I really need it? - yes, for school; do I really want to spend that much money? - no; etc. ceased when I realized I was in love with this beautiful piece of machinery that now sits here upon my lap and has in turn become another part of me. So I told my family members, who were at this point probably a little annoyed with my indecisiveness by now (we had already gone to two other places and I still couldn't even decide if I wanted to buy a new laptop at all) that whatever eff it I have enough money, I'm just going to get it. I walked back into the Apple store found an employee, pointed at the one I wanted and said I'll take one. Elated, I walked out of that store ecstatic for the future ahead of me. Oh the nights McArthur and I will spend together. (Fitting name right, I know)

Most people know this about me, but I seriously have a huge money spending problem in that I don't spend it. It was really really hard for me to justify dropping $1200 of my savings on a new Macbook. (plane tickets are probably THE only thing I don't even think twice about spending huge amounts of money on) I had to keep reminding myself how much I have been wanting a Mac forever and my old laptop broke like a year ago so... Also I start school again in like 2 weeks, I think it's justified.

Winter is definitely not a friend of mine. We don't get along very well. Sometimes we hang out, but the whole time I'm like -I'm not having any fun. I would really appreciate if you weren't around me, you blow. (sometimes literally, it gets kind of windy) But she always hangs around for a couple months waiting to see if I will change my mind. Take a freakin hint. I don't like you. Some things are kind of fun about winter, I guess. OK I won't lie there are a few things I absolutely love about winter but the fact that I sleep with 3 fleece blankets and a comforter at night and still wake up after freezing myself to sleep because I'm so cold kind of cancels those things out. Those few things I love are...

1. COATS - I'm pretty much obsessed with coats. They are by far my favorite piece of clothing. Maybe it's weird/mean but I kind of define people by the kind of coats they wear. It really tells a lot about a person. I'm pretty proud of myself, I haven't bought myself a new coat this winter....yet. I bought like 3 last year. All on sale of course, I'm super cheap and always will be. ...your gross by the way. Hey Kelly H., does this make you angry...
2. Sitting by the fire and reading or watching TV. Who doesn't love that
3. hot cereal. It makes it less weird that I eat it for like every meal.
4. NBA!
5. Holidays are pretty rad.

Alright OK, she's kind of won me over. I secretly love winter. Please don't tell her. It would be weird if she found out. It's been so long.

In other news, apparently I'm pregnant. Before you freak out, I'm not for real. But some customer at work totally asked me that. I don't really get offended that easily so it didn't really bother me that much, but it was sooo amazing to see the look on her face when I was like - No, I'm actually not having a baby- and her apologize and get all awkward. Hahah classic. Of course, being a girl I was like aw crap am I getting fat? Then I remembered that I exercise for about 2 hours everyday, so if I look like I'm pregnant, well then that's how I look and I don't really care.

So, I'm almost positive no one reads my post at all anymore so I can write whatever I want and it doesn't matter. Maybe if I actively read other peoples blogs and commented on them or something then maybe they would read mine. Ya right. There are only maybe 2 blogs that I actually do check regularly and that's about all I can manage. Sorry other friends. You didn't make the cut.

I really wish they would play the Jazz games here more often. I'm sort of going through withdrawals. Just checking scores religiously on my blackberry or seeing a game here or there depending on who they are playing doesn't suffice. Why Sonics why, why did you die. I will always remember you and the glory days. Oh Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton how you fill my childhood memories.

So it's been a while since my last post. I'm terribly sorry. I know you check this every time you get online just waiting in sweet anticipation for the day I will add another ridiculous post of nothingness to my ever so intriguing blog. Well wait no more my dear, the day is here. (uh gross that totally rhymed)

Since my last post mostly this has happened:

• work
• Europe (kallory.blogspot.com - good times)
• Utah
• Janie, Quinston, Jack, and others visiting for
• Bumbershoot 09 in Seattle center : Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand and others
• Brand New in Puyallup
• hiking with Mirinda in Issaquah

Now to the main topic of my post. I know what you are wondering and don't worry I'm about to supply the answer. It's easy to see from knowing me or even just reading my blogs that mostly all I care to discuss is music, therefore you clearly are wondering what I am currently listening to. (shut up, that's totally all you're wondering) I feel like the last few months have been just filled with so many amazing new albums that I really can't focus in on one like I usually do. Seriously, by the end of September Mariah Carey, Third Eye Blind, Muse, Brand New, Colbie Caillat, Arctic Monkeys, Placebo, Incubus, Pheonix and Taking Back Sunday have all released new albums this summer. Plus the remastered version of every Beatles album. Just add Nirvana, Interpol, Kings of Leon and The Cure and that's basically a list of my favorite bands. OK my favorite bands list is pretty long and even all those bands doesn't really begin to cover it, but whatever it doesn't matter. Mariah and Brand New haven't been released yet and I cannot wait. Every time Mariah has a new CD coming out the anticipation and excitement that I feel is even more so than if I was counting down to my own wedding day. No offense future husband. You're no Mariah. Hey, in my defense, you knew what you were getting into. Anyway, I still haven't fully answered the question of what I am currently listening to. So, it is as follows:

• Third Eye Blind Ursa Major and Third Eye Blind
• Lovedrug Everything Starts Where It Ends
• Colbie Caillat Breakthrough
• Muse The Resistance
• Arctic Monkeys Humbug and Favourite Worst Nightmare
• Phoenix Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Basketball starts in 38 days. Add that excitement to the week and a half I have left til the new Mariah record and I'm pretty sure I should be passed out.

"I'll eat whatever I want, I'm running a freakin marathon tomorrow!!" That's what Alycia, Matt and I kept saying to each other as we stuffed ourselves with anything and everything at The Cheesecake Factory on Friday night. Saturday was the day we would all be running our first marathon - the Rock n Roll Seattle Inaugural Marathon.

After dinner we went home and all forced ourselves to go to bed so we could be up and out of the house by 5:30. Of course I couldn't fall asleep and when I did it was only to be woken up like an hour later. Some neighbors dog was barking non stop. It was pretty annoying, but then I laughed to myself because it reminded me of Brian Regan's comedy about dogs barking. "Hey, it's nice and quiet out here, why don't I bark it up for no reason". I might have slept a little bit more after that, but either way I got up at 5, put on my running clothes, made sure we all had everything we needed and the three of us got in Alycia's car to head to the starting point in Tukwila. I was still extremely full from the night before so I just ate a protein bar and a GU on the way there and called it good.

We got there and there were people everywhere stretching and jogging in place to warm up their muscles. 25 thousand people actually. The excitement started to build. Holy crap I'm running a marathon! We checked our gear, found the bathroom then looked for our corral. The race started at 7AM but we were all in the 24th corral so we didn't start running until 7:40. I only had two goals in mind for this marathon - finish in less than 5 hours and run the entire time without stopping at all. I was doing great on both goals until about mile 18 or 19. I could not wait any longer, I had to use the restroom. Those few seconds of rest gave me a new burst of energy and excitement that I was almost done and I shot out of that port-o-potty and basically sprinted to the end. I wanted to make up for lost time, plus I'm not going to lie, I wanted to beat my brother and step sister. I had passed them miles before, but I was only a few minutes ahead of them and they could have passed while I was in the bathroom. When I passed the 25 mile mark and only had 1.2 miles left to go I really couldn't believe it. I didn't even feel tired or short of breath or anything. I thought it must be a lie, there's got to be more than that left to go. Until I crossed the finish line right in front of Qwest feild in Seattle and they handed me my medal and took my photo, I was convinced that sign was misplaced. But it wasn't so. I really was done and I finished in 4 hours and 21 minutes stopping only once. And yes I beat Matt and Alycia. (only by like 2 and 10 min) They did amazing too though, they both ran the entire time with a bathroom break as well!

So it's done, I've run a marathon! I decided I want to run one every year. (Could that be a career, running marathons around the world? Oh rad, I'm looking into it.) Maybe next year I will wear sunscreen.

I also wanted to write about how I attended the Third Eye Blind concert last weekend, but words can't really describe that experience. Maybe it's because they are one of my all time favorite bands, but that was honestly the best concert ever. I should know, I've been to my share of concerts plus yours.

I've had a request to update this thing, so here you go.

I don't really have a lot to write about/ I really don't care to write much.

this is why WA in the summer is rad and you should live here:

• my step grandma has a house on the lake which is 15 min away which = canoeing, swimming, paddle boating, fires/bbq's at any and all times
• the weather is perfect - 80 mixed with some days of rain
• festivals at Seattle Center basically weekly
• canoeing at the arboretum
• Mariner's games - Griffey is back (My brother and I saw him driving the other day. Exciting)
• Seafair (of course this year I will be in Europe so I have to miss it. I seriously am pissed)
• endless opportunities to go swimming or boating etc. (I live within 30 min of at least 3 gorgeous lakes)
• tons of trails and places to hike
• I could have stopped after the 1st one. That's enough for me to be sold.
• a lot more

If you have ever been here, stop denying yourself and just move here already. You know you want to do it. There's nothing better. I should sell real estate for WA state. Nope, not happening.

The new Taking Back Sunday CD is pretty much amazing and if you haven't given yourself the pleasure of at least listening to "Sink Into Me", do so immediately. Actually watch the video. Somehow Adam has outdone his own gorgeousness yet again. Well done. If only Kelly and I could watch it together like we did with "Makedamnsure" and swoon over the way he holds that microphone.

Holy crap, I run a marathon in like 3 weeks. Oh just a tip for anyone that may be training for a marathon - don't go for a 20 mile run at 2PM when it's 85 out with no water. (I never run with water, it makes my stomach hurt) But do take GU packs, they taste so good and fit neatly in my sports bra next to my keys.

Wow, this place is pretty ugly. That's what I was thinking as I looked out the window on my plane ride to Utah. Why the eff am I here again? Oh yah to visit those three ladies I so happily abandoned 3 months ago and to surprise my mom. I got off the plane and got in the car with Kristina and Janie (thanks for coming too Kelly, oh wait that's right, you didn't. My mistake.) and headed back to Provo.

We stopped at Maverick and continued last summers tradition of getting as much frozen yogurt as you can in that small bowl without them getting mad and making us pay more. Then after walking through Nordstom to see who was working and say my hello's we went to Costco for sample time. (another tradition which I continue to practice here with Mitch almost weekly) I had every intention of buying one of the Beatles albums that I don't have since they sell them there for 11.99, but of course the one time they don't have any Beatles albums in stock was this time. None of the other Cd's were worth adding to my collection, and if they were I already had them. So we left empty handed, but really when don't I leave empty handed from Costco. I really only go for samples. Then we got Kelly and headed to the center of the Pleasantville bubble that is Provo. As we got to their apartment right by campus I immediately wanted to be back in the real world (Seattle, or really anywhere else) but I wanted to be with these three ladies more.

I had no intention of spending the next like 8 hours watching movies, but it happened. It began when Kristina and I went to the dollar movies to kill time til my sister was off work so we could go surprise my mom. Then after surprising her and getting Cafe Rio my mom wanted to rent a movie and watch it together. As Michelle and I headed back to Provo, Janie called me and said to meet everyone at the dollar movies, so of course I did. Then it was after midnight and time to practice another tradition- getting ready for bed while Janie and I have laugh attacks from making "the face" at each other and generally be retarded. (this always ends in one of the already sleeping roommates to poke their head out of there room and ask us to be quiet)

Thursday morning began with yet another tradition - me making oatmeal for breakfast for everyone. Delicious. Then Janie, Kristina and I went to hike the Y. The best part of that hike is a toss up. Either the 40 something year old man drenched in sweat running down as we were going up and stopping to jog in place as he told us he runs the Y 6 days a week and how it is such a beautiful day etc etc, or the adorable 3 or 4 year old boy with his dad that after we took a picture for them told us that we talk a lot. Maybe it could have been the part when we called Kelly and told her to look at the Y from the apartment because we were all flashing her, then we turned around and there was a family behind us. That one probably wins. The rest of the day was filled with swimming; cafe rio; Janie dying Kelly's, Kristina's and my hair; and meeting up with my other Kelly and attempting to go 80's dancing. We thought is was free for ladies if u get there before 11 but we got there and apparently it's til before 10. We said fine eff that, it's not worth $7 and left.

Friday began with another round of oatmeal. (it just comes with living with me, that or cream of wheat, oh joyous) Everyone had things to do so Janie and I were left to ourselves, giving us some good wife and wife time. We spent that time grocery shopping then listening to music as we sat in the circle chair and played sudoku. We're very in love. Then we went to meet Michelle and my mom for lunch at India Palace. Bombay House doesn't open til 4, I was pissed, but the buffet at India Palace was enough to remind me of my never forgotten desire to visit/live in India. I then said my goodbyes and got in the car with my mom to head to the airport. A few hours later I was happily home again and my quick 2 and a half day visit to UT was complete.

There could possible be more I was planning to write but someone has started my new favorite movie- Slumdog Millionaire - and I must abandon this to watch with my full attention.

June 2 - Taking Back Sunday New Again
June 9 - Placebo Battle for the Sun
June 16 - Incubus Monuments and Melodies
June 23 - Third Eye Blind Ursa Major

It looks like I will be spending a lot of money on Cd's this June, sweet. I'm most excited for 3eb. Though that release date isn't definite yet I'm still going to make one of those construction paper chains (like in elementary school at Christmas time) and rip one ring off each night until I'm holding that album in my hands. OK I probably won't, but I will in my mind. They are coming in concert on June 20th and if for any reason I end up not being able to go I will go on some sort of rampage.

How Do You Do It, Make Me Feel Like I Do

My jaw literally dropped and I froze as I let my ears focus into the familiar tones of the most beautiful male singing voice one could ever hear. I dropped the clothes I had been folding and went to my radio to turn it up. Could it be? I think I'm going to throw up, it is!!! That voice could only belong to one: Brandon Boyd, in the brand new Incubus song "Black Heart Inertia". I almost couldn't contain myself in the unfathomable joy I was not expecting to experience this morning as I was cleaning my room accompanied by the sounds of 107.7 The End. This (clearly) was the first time I had ever heard their brand new track off of their upcoming album, which unfortunately contains only two new tracks and the rest are greatest hits. Since I own all the Incubus albums and therefore have all those songs you would think I would opt not to buy this one when it comes out on June 16 (I'm already counting down). But remember who is typing this blog, the girl who hates burned CD's and downloading music and actually has the real albums to back up at least 75% of the music on her iPod. So for those two new songs, I need the album. Plus there could be pictures of Brandon inside. To me he is the quintessential "hot guy" and I personally think every guy should strive to look more like him.

How can you not be in love with that?

I solved my recent dilemma in purchasing two tickets to the Cold War Kids concert tonight. I decided to leave the decision up to fate as to whether I should go to The Killers or Cold War Kids and it answered with The Killers show selling out, which I figured it would. I'm perfectly fine with that, I'm a bigger Cold War Kids fan anyway. So in a matter of hours my brother and I will be at Showbox enjoying the sounds of one of the better bands that has emerged over the last few years.

All in all I'm in love with Incubus and generally obsessed with music.

Oh Those Days In The Sun, They Bring A Tear To My Eye

The follows is dedicated to Miss Opalgene

I was talking to OP on the phone yesterday, which hasn't happened in a while, but it was my birthday and she called me. I take all the blame, by the way, as to why we haven't talked a lot since you moved OP. We ALL know I'm not the girl to just call and chat for no reason no matter how good of friends we are. I've only talked to my wife (Janie) like 3 times since I moved to WA. ("what am I gonna say - Hey, I just want you to know that I'm still alive. Ok talk to you later. - I hate calling people" - inside joke with my sister) It doesn't mean I love you less OP, or anyone else for that matter, you know how I am and that is exactly how our love is. In fact quite possibly it means I love you so much that I can't even bare the pain of hearing your voice and not having you near me. Let's go with that and not that I'm horrible at keeping in touch. (I wonder how my sister's been since I left) Anyway, we decided I should write a blog about the way we are today compared to when we first started hanging out. Oh the laughter we shared in the hilarity of how much we have changed.

So I am now 22 and my step sister just turned 18, which caused me to look at my life since I turned 18. I realized, holy crap, I've actually grown up a lot and and am WAY different than when I was 18. When I was 18 is when I first met OP when we both worked at Jamba Juice in Orem. HAHA I just thought of so many funny things that happened there. (Just for you OP - Eric falling down while screamin SHIZAM!; throwing ice at the ceiling; her tattoo; kelly's napkin note; "we should sell kittens here") I know you are all wondering - yes it was I that said we should sell kittens there, and I still think they should. Aw man does anyone remember my kitten Marbles? I miss that annoying beast that peed in my car. Ok back to the subject, if I can ever keep on the subject. (My brothers friend literally said "I love going to dinner with you guys, it's like going to dinner with a bunch of drunks" cuz we are all like this, ok mostly me. shut up)
ANYWAY, we were just laughing about the things we used to do and what we do now. For example how we used to go to Mo's in SLC EVERY Sunday night and now every Sunday you will find us at church. Neither of us could really have cared less about going to church back then. I don't think I even started going back to church or even considering myself LDS until March 07. I never saw that coming when I was 18, 19. Oh man OP remember this time - Area 51, you and Kelly, me driving her Jetta home - I think you can see what I'm talking about, funny times. That's not all we reminisced about but no need to tell my life story on the Internet. We just looked back at our old selves and realized we were completely useless and going nowhere and it was hilarious and good to see that we are now currently "going somewhere" at least hopefully. Life is funny and looking back sometimes I wonder how it all worked out/is working out the way it has/is. Like holy crap did my best friend Chelsea really die in Nov 05 and I really actually survived through that. Granted yes it took me til about March 07 until I fully felt normal again (notice that coincides with something else, hmm funny) but I did. And a whole lot of other stuff but I think everyone knows what I mean when you look back at your life and realize all the things that have happened. Weird.

Well that's all. Funny OP isn't it. ah life.

Chicks Love My G'd up Swagger

Sweet, I finally found an appropriate situation to use my favorite rapper phrase "g'd up swagger".

I'm doing a new art project which is essentially kids of different ethnicity's faces, and I found this rad African kid. How does this picture not make you want to marry some hot NBA player (Chris Paul) or rapper just so you can get a son like this? It totally makes me want to. Definitely one of the cutest kids ever. It will be a joy to draw this one.

Someone Call The Ambulance, There's Gonna Be An Accident

The training has begun. I am sixteen weeks away and I cannot wait! On June 27 I am running in my first marathon. 26.2 miles of heaven. It's the Rock 'N Roll marathon in Seattle so there will be a different band playing every mile or so and then that night after everyone is done will be the headlining band (which hasn't been announced yet). So, basically this marathon was tailor made for me: Seattle, running, music - not much else needed to make me happy. If they were passing out Cafe Rio salads at the end then it would be perfection. But Cafe Rio is only in Utah and maybe Idaho I think, so that would never happen. I am in dire need of eating one. My little brother is in Utah right now and I told him to bring me one back in his luggage, I don't think he will. I don't think it would be the same either. While I'm on the subject of food, why do my hands still faintly smell like Ethiopian food when it's been like 2 days since I went to that most amazing Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle? I wash my hands a lot it should be gone, weird. Anyway, the training is pretty easy. It's basically the same amount I already run except one day a week I have a really long run. Like last week I ran 10 miles straight, next week 12, next week after that 14, and so on with some variation. There are tons of trails through the woods out here and I just run through them for hours, it's awesome. As long as I don't get attacked, by human or bear, I should be good. I guess we'll see.

It's seem I have been faced with quite the dilemma, The Killers and Cold War Kids have concerts on the same night and I don't know which one to go to! They are on April 22ND, a couple weeks after my birthday so I figure that's a pretty good present for myself but I just don't know which one! I guess it should be settled in the fact that I have never seen The Killers and I have seen Cold War Kids. But what if when I saw Cold War Kids I had a bad experience? Not because the show was bad, they did great, but my company was bad. (that guy- as Whitney would say. Hey, at least I didn't have to pay for my ticket right?) And I would love to see them again and see them perform their new stuff. I can only imagine how wonderful "Relief" is live and you know they would do "Hospital Beds". Oh good crap. But Brandon Flowers is so gorgeous and Day and Age needs to be seen live by me. Actually I really want to see them perform "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine". Well, looks like I will be losing sleep over this, great. (Really I probably won't at all)

I love being in my home state so much because when I get pulled over for speeding, which I totally didn't coming home late last night, I can be like - "Really? Do you know Trooper Zebley, yah I'm pretty sure he's a sergeant for Washington State Patrol, probably yours, oh yah and totally MY DAD. So why don't you go ahead and NOT write that ticket."- Yah that's not what I said at all, but it never fails to be funny when they see my last name and go "Oh are you related to Trooper Zebley?" No officer, I'm not. Zebley is an extremely common last name I'm surprised you've never heard it. Of course I'm related to him.

This Is The World That We Live In, I Feel Myself Get Tired

St. Patrick's Day is pretty much a pointless holiday, unless you drink, which I don't. But it's a good reason to have a huge race in Seattle right? Well my brother Matt and I think so and we participated in the St. Pat's Day Dash early this morning. It's just a quick 3 3/4 ish mile run around Seattle starting near the Key Arena (As I walked past the arena I felt a surge of anger at all the Sonics games I will never get to attend, then it passed and I wondered if they would let people play basketball in there since they are clearly not using it for NBA games. I'm sure they don't) and going around town a bit ending back near the E.M.P. (that odd shaped building in Seattle Center that is filled with music memorabilia that I love) There were over 8,000 people in the run, I think way more than that actually. It was ridiculous! Matt and I reached the enormous crowd with about one minute before start time to safety pin our numbers and tie our chips to our shoes, then we were off and lost in the mess of people. I couldn't have felt more cliche with rain pouring down on me as I hit the shuffle button on my iPod and Drain You-Nirvana was the first song that came up. I smiled, turned it up and started weaving my way through the other runners. The rain lasted the entire run and well into the rest of the day. Nothing is more invigorating than running in the rain, I highly suggest it to anyone. Less than a half hour later I crossed the finish line and found my brother who had finished a couple minutes before me. We wandered around the booths and grabbed as much free stuff as possible and people watched (we do that A LOT, try it it's awesome). Nothing like a bunch of people dressed as leprechauns and getting drunk on a Sunday morning. I laughed at the funny ones then left so I could go to church.

After church and some reading/napping I went downstairs to help with dinner. I was trying to open a can of pineapples to put on the pizza we were making and sliced my finger pretty insanely bad. I kind of just stood there staring at it in shock as the blood gushed all over the counter until my dad grabbed a paper towel and started putting pressure on it. My step mom was freaking out and saying I needed to get stitches, and my dad was messing with my finger trying to get it to stop bleeding and asking if I felt light headed because I was loosing a lot of blood, all the while I was just standing there silently like - wow this is pretty annoying and I'm pretty hungry. I didn't want stitches and it should heal fine, but I will probably have a nasty scar. Good thing though, you know it is pretty important to me that I always remember that time we made pizza for dinner. You just can't let the good memories slip away.

7 Minutes In Heaven

As I was running and listening to my iPod the other day, I realized something. Most of my favorite/the best songs out there are about 7 minutes long or a least very close to that. Yet I still find them to be not long enough, they should go on forever. It seems the longer a song is the better it is. Weird, here's some good ones -

Sick Sad Little World - Incubus 6:23
Aqueous Transmission - Incubus 7:46
Asleep - A Film in the Ballroom 7:14
Pictures of You - The Cure 7:28
Limousine - Brand New 7:42
You Won't Know - Brand New 5:42 (not quite as close to 7 min but so unbelievably worthy)
MFEO - Jack's Mannequin 8:01
Knocked Up - Kings of Leon 7:10
The Sun and the Moon - Mae 7:16
The Beautiful Ones - Mariah Carey 6:59
Space Dementia - Muse 6:20
Sunset on a Friday - Mitch Zebley ongoing

These are just a few 7 minute (ish) wonders that have crossed my path and will forever continue this journey of life with me. There are plenty more out there, but these are the ones that came to my mind first. So they win.

Not that I'm super proud of where I'm from or anything, except that I am, check out all the great bands that Washington state has given the world!

Nirvana (probably 100% of Washingtonians love Nirvana, even if they are hardcore hip hop fans like my little brother)
Modest Mouse
Pearl Jam
Alice in Chains
Death Cab for Cutie
Postal Service
Sound Garden
The Presidents of the United States of America
Jimi Hendrix


And if anyone cares at all, I pretty much can't stop listening to Interpol right now. Mainly Our Love to Admire, I have the other two also but that ones definitely getting a lot of play time in La Toya.

First off there is a new member to my family, La Toya. She is Afrian American. It's pretty awesome. I got her about two weeks ago in Issaquah. Her name comes from my brother. The night I purchased her I drove her over to Matt's house and walked in and told the guys I got a new car that is African American and asked what I should name her. Matt immediately yells - La Toya Jackson. So that is her name, but she is still a Zebley. The best part about her is that she is a stick. When looking for cars I found myself being somewhat of a snob in that I wouldn't even give the car a chance unless it was a stick. Kind of like how I won't give a guy a chance unless I like his hair. Harsh I know. (I'm not shallow I swear, I just like what I like) It's fine I found what I wanted, and she drives like a dream.



The other day I didn't have work and everyone was busy except for my sleeping brother on the couch. He had a pretty late night the night before so I chose not to wake him and set out on my own. Oh remember that song by the Used? That takes me back, what a good one. Anyway, so I got in La Toya, headed for Snoqualmie and about 15 minutes later I was there. (I wished the drive was longer so I could have had more quality music time. Oh well, I know my music will always be there waiting for my return. I can count on that if nothing else.) I was excited to once again make that quick hike down to Snoqualmie Falls. This time by myself with my only distractions being the other hikers I occasionally passed. I would post some pictures, but blogger is being dumb so I can't. The hike really is ridiculously short; the parking is even limited to 90 minutes, which is stupid.

And We'll Linger On. Time Can't Erase A Feeling This Strong

It was sometime in fall of 1995 when I found myself standing in front of the t.v. watching in awe as I took in the music video that was playing. "Who is that lady?" I asked my brother laying on the couch. "Duh, that's Mariah Carey" he replied like I should know. It was then that the obsession began.

I'm writing about this for a few reasons. 1. I unpacked all my C.D. cases this week (which have been at my mom's for the past few years so I forgot how many I even have - roughly 200) and got excited to see all my Mariah stuff. 2. I just watched Zohan with my brother Mitch and loved how he was wearing her shirt basically every scene. 3. I love her.

I don't usually bring up the fact that I'm pretty much obsessed with Mariah unless she somehow comes up in conversation, so a lot of my friends don't know or at least didn't find out for awhile. Considering the type of music I usually listen to (Brand New, Incubus, Muse, 3eb, Placebo etc etc) people usually think I'm joking when I say I'm in love with her. I think it's funny because I'm not joking at all. When I meet people that share the way I feel it usually goes like this -

Me: Are you serious? I effing love Mariah Carey

other fan: No way, I love her so much!

massive hug

It's happened more than once. I remember at my work every time a Mariah song would come on either I would call Ali over in the operators booth or she would call me at my department. She or I would answer and say "I know! I love her" then hang up and get back to work. I probably listen to Mariah every single day and will never get enough. I have to go to her concert in my lifetime or I have wasted my time on earth. I'm not going to lie, for years it's been my dream to go to her concert and be proposed to at it.....by her. Actually you know come to think of it maybe those two things shouldn't happen in the same day, I would probably have a heart attack and literally die. Well it would be a good end to life.

Now that you know this about me, feel free to discontinue friendship. I will understand. I can always go listen to Mariah's 1993 hit "Anytime You Need A Friend" and feel great. And little Miss Courtney Smith don't think I can't see you rolling your eyes at me in disgust back there in Provo! You love her and you know it! Oh just to clarify, if I ever met her I would definitely not be one of those crazy fans that freaks out, that's weird. I would probably stare from afar. I've loved her for the past 14 years, if that's not lasting love I just don't know what is.

Though it's impossible to choose, here are my favorites by her. Only for today though....

10.Melt Away

9. I Still Believe

8. Dreamlover

7. Sent From Up Above

6. Long Ago

5. For The Record

4. Always Be My Baby (Mr. Dupri remix)

3. We Belong Together

2. Don't Forget About Us

1. Slipping Away (Unreleased track from 95 that I don't have and need soooo bad!)

Some Of My Friends Sell Records, Some Of My Friends Sell Drugs

It wasn't until we were driving through Snoqualmie and I saw the broken down train that sits in the middle of that small town that I began to feel like I was coming back to my roots. Only about 30 more minutes and I would be back to living in the middle of the forest. In that moment I made a promise to myself that I will make that quick drive from Redmond to Snoqualmie to hike the falls this week. Then my dad told me that about a month and a half or so ago there was some major flooding out there which ruined some houses and parts of the road. Also that they most likely closed off the trail down to the falls and wasn't sure if it was open again yet. I had already heard the trail was closed but I didn't know it was from flooding. That ruins my life completely. I will have to figure out if it's still blocked off so I can see those beautiful falls up close and personal.

When I got to my house I saw my little brother's ghetto Metro in the driveway and got excited to see him and punch him in the back, which I did. He's a big 17 year old, he can handle my weak punch. I called my oldest brother Matt and he headed over. After getting all of my belongings upstairs into my room we headed over to Kirkland to walk around the waterfront and get some dinner. Have I mentioned yet how much I love this state? Well I do. The trees, the endless number of lakes and ponds, the people (which are mostly Asian - thanks to Microsoft and Boeing), the fact that I don't have to reapply chapstick every 2 hours, basically everything. After wandering around Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square then meeting up with my brother's friends to crash their Valentine's dinner, we headed back home. My insomnia was really catching up with me by this point, so I went to bed and actually slept almost all the way through the night!

Today was your typical Sunday- wake up, hang out til church, come home, eat, hang out. It's funny I wrongfully thought I had, at least for this week, escaped the talks on marriage in Sacrament seeing as how I was at a family ward. But nope, the subject was choosing the right companion and strengthening your marriage. I'm not even kidding, when the first woman started her talk and introduced the subject my dad and step-mom both turned and looked right at me. Please, I'm like 22 leave me alone.

Now that I am away from all my friends back in Utah I am going to try my hardest to update this thing more often. I can't promise anything, but I will do my best to post more than once a month.

I Love You So Much. Do Me A Favor Baby Don't Reply

Getting everything ready to move is probably the most annoying thing that can ever happen to a person. And if you're anything like me, you procrastinate and try to do it all in the last few days. Well that's what my last days in Utah were filled with, on top of figuring out things with my car insurance for my newly totalled car.

Besides the stressful parts of relocating my life, I enjoyed my final time in UT. I mean I didn't do anything super special besides spend time with the people I wanted to see most before I left, but it was good. If I didn't get to see you before I left, I'm sorry. You're just not as important to me as the people I did see. Oh you know I'm kidding, at least a little. I do miss everyone, some quite a lot, but that's life. I will see you when I see you and I'm glad I saw you when I saw you.

Oh It's Such A Shame For Us To Part

As I took the little silver key off of my keyring and handed it to the woman behind the desk, I realized in that moment my life would be forever changed. I would never see Henry again. Since March 2005 we have spent time with each other almost every single day. I thought our love was everlasting, but apparently I was wrong. Everything was going so perfectly. We had plans for the future; we were going to take a road trip together. Who would have thought it would all come to a screeching halt, quite literally. So farewell Henry Fonda my red Honda. I will always remember the way I had to guess how fast I was going because your speedometer didn't work or how you just hated defrosting the windshield. Lets not forget the time we were driving to Salt Lake so I could go to work that one winter and you decided you just didn't need the right front tire, so it flew off and we almost died. That was so darsh of you. Despite our differences we made such a wonderful team. Every time I see a red civic I will think of you and our time together. 13 is such a young age to die, you will be missed my little 5 speed wonder.

They want your money honey, give them it all

I'm not going to lie, I've already lost interest in writing this blog. I will go on only because I am very bored and don't want to continue to disappoint those that are waiting for a new post from me. So the three of you, here you go. 

I love Conan O'Brien. I think we can all agree that between 11:30-12:30 P.M. there is no better thing to do than have a few laughs with Conan. That's a lie, but he has brought me many laughs this evening. On the other hand, why is Rachel Ray on t.v.? I'm pretty sure my life would be the same if not better if I didn't have her and her 30-minute meals in it. 

So come middle of February I am out of this state. Oddly it is somewhat bittersweet. I can't wait though. It's coming up on 9 years that I have been here and that's much longer than I would like. I have such a huge crush on Washington, we've been apart too long. Just seeing her in pictures or once or twice a year will never suffice. I need her near me. 

On February 5th I won't be 15 anymore. It will be a day to remember.

My desire to travel is definitely peaking right now. I am in need of a long flight with free toblerone bars. I still really want to go to India. I most likely will want to until I actually do. I would love to go visit Michelli in Brazil or wander my way through Europe. Good thing I'm really rich so it's most likely I will be doing all of these things. 

The Killers Day and Age - amazing album 

I'm going to go read myself to sleep goodnight.