Measure your life in loooOOVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE :)

Laura and Chris got hitched!

Although it was alot of stress and money on top of the craziness that was happening in my life this week, it turned out to be a beautiful wedding, and honestly one of the craziest parties I'll probably ever remember.
All I have to say is that the wedding party did the Time Warp, ahaha!
Also, apparently Ray and I are celebrities when we sing.
Spending the day with Emily and Tim was a blasttttt. I'll never forget our antics at MeiMei!


Awww, first dance! So sweet.
They make me wish I had found my puzzle piece already.



Anyway, Here are some fun pics, and mazel tov to the happy couple. :)

Halloweekends, Oo Oo Ooo! :)

Cedar Point was a great lot of fun.
We got down there late enough in the day that we didn't feel completely worn out by the time we left, (well, I'm not so sure about THAT, see the last video) and although we didn't get to ride every single ride it was still alot of fun!

I'd have to say it was definitely one of my favorite CP trips ever!

Halloweekends is tons of fun, and I even went into a scare zone! That was like the only Haunted House I've ever been in, and let me tell you, one is enough for me. I honestly thought I was going to break Courtney's hand, because I was gripping it so tight! I'll never forget how brave that girl was in there! Well, brave until someone jumped in front of us without seeing them...all they said was BOO and we screamed like bloody idiots!



This is Nina and I talking about the day thusfar, and although Norman seems to be cool as a cat, he was pretty damn stoked about the mine ride. :)



This is my favorite one, waiting for the iron dragon. :) A favorite, always. We were waiting for the scary monster to come out!



You can't really see anything in this one, but you can listen to Norman scream at people on the sky ride, and Jacob laugh ALOT. :) Also we made fun of the guy who was like NEXTGROUPPPPPPP



This is the last one, and as you can see, we were cold, tired, and some of us were mucho freaked out by the "C's" that were hanging around. (Courtney is not okay with clowns and they kept walking around! I was gonna have to kick some Carnie ASS!)
You can pretty much tell how over CP we are at this point. :)
Also, the dumbass people who wouldn't put their arms down on this ride were KILLIN me!


It was a blast of a day, and even though I didn't get to steal a Murray sign on the way home, it was a great time. :)

This was really funny to me, see the italics.

Men charged with plotting to kill Obama

* Story Highlights
* Plot included killing 100 African-Americans, beheading 14, officials say
* Plot was to end with attempt to kill Obama while wearing white, police say
* Law enforcement sources sees no evidence men could pull off plot
* Federal prosecutors charge Daniel Cowart, 20, and Paul Schlesselman, 18

(CNN) -- Federal prosecutors charged two men with plotting a "killing spree" against African-Americans that would have been capped with an attempt to kill Sen. Barack Obama while they wore white tuxedos, federal officials said Monday.

The U.S. attorney's office in Jackson, Tennessee, said Daniel Cowart, 20, and Paul Schlesselman, 18, were self-described white supremacists who met online through a mutual friend.

Both men have been charged with illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun, conspiracy to rob a federally licensed gun dealer and making threats against a presidential candidate.

The men planned to kill more than 100 African-Americans, including 14 who would be beheaded, according to the affidavit. But federal law enforcement sources said there was no evidence Cowart, of Bells, Tennessee, and Schlesselman, of West Helena, Arkansas, had any details of Obama's schedule.

"We take this very, very seriously but we see no evidence these guys have the ability or the wherewithal to pull off what they say they wanted to do," one law enforcement source said.

According to an affidavit from the federal agent who questioned them, Cowart and Schlesselman planned to charge at Obama with a car, firing from the windows as they went. They would be dressed in white tuxedos and top hats during the attempt, the affidavit states.

Cowart and Schlesselman were arrested outside Jackson, about 75 miles east of Memphis, Tennessee, after an aborted robbery attempt last week, according to court records.

Though they told investigators they would be willing to die in their mission, the men backed out of their October 21 attempt to rob the gun dealer after spotting two cars and a dog at the home, the affidavit states. The men also shot out the window of a church on their way back to Cowart's grandfather's home, where they were arrested the next day.

Cowart and Schlesselman made their initial appearances before a federal judge Monday and are scheduled for a bond hearing Thursday in Memphis.

Obama, an Illinois Democrat, is the first African-American nominee to lead a major-party ticket and was placed under Secret Service protection in May 2007, far earlier than other candidates.

Eric Zahren, a spokesman for the Secret Service, said it was unclear whether the suspects would have had the capability or means to carry out any sort of plot. But he said the matter was being taken seriously, and a joint investigation was under way.

There was no indication either had attended any Obama event or had drawn Secret Service attention in the past, Zahren said.

Campaign spokeswoman Linda Douglass said, "We never comment on security matters."

Threats against Obama have led to arrests in two previous cases. In one, federal prosecutors concluded that the three people arrested with drugs and weapons in a suburban Denver motel posed a "true threat" to the candidate.

In the second, a Florida man was charged with threatening bodily harm against the candidate in August. He has pleaded not guilty.

CNN Chief National Correspondent John King contributed to this report.

Get Gone - Fiona Apple

How many times do I have to say
To get away-get gone
Flip your shit past another lass's
Humble dwelling
You got your game, made your shot, and you got away
With a lot, but I'm not turned-on
So put away that meat you're selling
Cuz I do know what's good for me-
And I've done what I could for you
But you're not benefiting, and yet I'm sitting
Singing again, sing, sing again
How can I deal with this, if he won't get with this
M'I gonna heal from this; he won't admit to it
Nothing to figure out; I gotta get him out
It's time the truth was out that he don't give a
Shit about me
How many times can it escalate
Till it elevates to a place I can't breathe?
And I must decide, if you must deride
That I'm much obliged to up and go
I'll idealize, then realize that it's no
Sacrifice, because the price is paid, and
There's nothing left to grieve
Fuckin go-
Cuz I've done what I could for you, and I do know what's
Good for me and I'm not benefiting, instead
I'm sitting singing again, singing again, singing again,
Sing, sing, sing again
How can I deal with this, if he won't get with this
M'I gonna heal from this; he won't admit to it
Nothing to figure out; I gotta get him out
It's time the truth was out that he don't give a
Shit about me


just because i need to remember these lyrics sometimes

I'm so glad you, came into my lifeeeeeeeee

This is why I love my girls.

Everything is crashing down around me this week, but we went out for Shannon's birthday, and it felt like I was flying. I love them with all of my heart, and I don't know how I could possibly be me without them.

This series of video blogs should explain everything.

Cheers to MATT MARRRTINEZZZZZZZZZZZZ and his amazing band!
Cheers to shots.
Cheers to our awesome dance moves.
Cheers to Mo for breakin' it down as always.

Shannon drunk is probably the funniest and cutest thing on the planet. During this video we decide to get more shots...the beginning of the end!


Emily's speech regarding our second round of shots, and Shannon still being alive. :)


This would be us trying to walk down the street and failing miserably.



Ramona's tearin' it up, and Nine is layin' it down!




My personal favorite...our signature dance moves. :)



I lost at love before
Got mad and closed the door
But your sun shined just once more

I chose you for the one
Now we're having so much fun
You treated me so kind
I'm about to lose my mind
You made me so very happy
I'm so glad you came into my life

The others were untrue
But when it came to loving you
I'd spend my whole life through

'Cause you came and you took control
You touch my very soul
You always showed me that
Loving you is where it's at
You made me so very happy
I'm so glad you came into my life

Thank you baby!

I love so much you see
You're even in my dreams
I can hear you, I can hear you callin' me
I'm so much in love with you
All I ever want to do is
Thank you baby, thank you baby

You make me so very happy
I'm so glad you came into my life
You made me so very happy
You made me so very happy, baby
I'm so glad you came
Into my life

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO NINA-BEANA! She's one of the loves and constant inspirations in my life. I just love her so much!




Also, just so I remember, I just want to document the phone call to Brad Miller while Shane and I were crying because we were laughing so hard about his mic during The Time Warp. Also...ITSJUSTAJUMPTOTHELEFTTTTTTTTTT!

This was needed.

On campus this week, some CRAZIES spent the whole week outside of Halle Library screaming at people and telling them why they were going to hell. Also, apparently the world is ending on Tuesday. Besides the craziness or trying to walk by, hateful, racist, and intolerant words were displayed and screamed. I am proud of my student body for handling this with grace and love. While they were screaming about homosexuality and abortion, my fellow students made and held up signs that said, "JUST KEEP WALKING" or "SPREAD LOVE"

Cheers to you, and cheers to the University for recognizing this outrage of a crime against their students and staff.




The administration understands and acknowledges the hurtful nature of the events and speeches that have occurred outside Halle Library this past week. Faculty and staff not fully aware of these occurrences should know that remarks many viewed as hate speech were directly and indirectly targeted towards persons known or perceived to be gay, lesbian, Jewish or Muslim, as well as others. This behavior is not what Eastern Michigan University professes in its institutional values, Campus Life Creed and Conduct policies.

The University will sponsor a tent outside Halle Library on Monday and Tuesday, October 20-21, 2008, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the same spot where the protesters convened. Our intent is both symbolic and educational in that the tent will include information and resources for faculty, staff and students about our commitment to diversity and the various programs through which we express it. Visitors also will have the opportunity to sign a banner about our University Creed (currently on display in the Student Center). Please stop by and encourage your students, colleagues and staff to do so, too. Refreshments will be available.

The Snow Counseling Center has agreed to fast-track any employee or student who could benefit from talking with a counselor about his/her personal experiences upon witnessing these events. Contact the Center at 487-1118.

Next, a variety of forums will allow for necessary conversations, now and in the future, about what happened. I will participate in a Town Hall forum on Wednesday, October 22 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium. The focus of this forum, "Beyond Tolerance," will allow us to engage in purposeful dialogue. Additional forums are in the planning stages and will include such topics as religious intolerance, freedom of speech and the role of the bystander. Provost Don Loppnow has convened a planning committee that will communicate with the campus community once these sessions are scheduled. Please encourage student participation.

Susan W. Martin
President

Fish gotta swim, and birds gotta fly....

The basics of the past couple of days/weeks:

-My car needs your karma. I recived bad gasoline at a gas station, and it's pretty much messed up something major in my car. We're taking it in Saturday morning, but I honestly don't know if I have the money to get it fixed. It is making a difference in my semester at school, in APO and in my life in general. I'm not happy about it. Pray for me, and throw up those karma caps, please.

-Laura's batchlorette party went swimmingly. I'm picking up the pottery after I leave here today, actually. The bar was alot of fun - my only qualm was being the only sober one. :( But, the happiness and SAFETY of my friends is way more important than going crazy for a little while. It needs to be my turn soon.



-Cedar Point is this weekend, and I'm super stoked about that. Halloweekendssss! I'm scared of haunted houses and scary monsters, so I'm sure I'll have lots of great videos and pictures to post. :)

-Broomball was EPIC this week. Aside from missing Courtney, I had a blast and the boys in blue brought it home again! This game was a little different though...a scrimmage with no time restraints vs. the GREEN MONKIES! All I can say is that the student has become the master. ;) Fish gotta swim!








Lastly, a dear friend of mine, Jason Motlagh, has been diagnosed with Lymphoma. Not only does Jason have a beautiful wife, but he has a daughter with special needs and another one on the way. Aside from my car, it would me a whole lot to me if you'd send some of your karma and prayers his way. He starts therapy next week, and I would appreciate it!

I am almost as alive and happy as this man...

ROOOOOOOGGGGGGGGGER! Gimmie a long island TEA!


I have a million things to write, but a very tired body. I need to get some sleep, but expect lots of blogs for tomorrow!

Talking and relaxing and homeworking tonight was just what I needed. Emily and Courtney make my life intensely worthwhile and fulfilled. :)

Also, these are videos I forgot to post!



From Broomball pre-opening night Rocky!





From Apple Charlies pre-midnight show Rocky!

Oh, if you become VP, Oh, it's Canada for me.

My personal favorite lyric:
I am so FUCKING scared of you
As number 2

My feelings exactly.

Pookie sent me this, and I have always loved Betty White. :)
Actually, after this, I'm pretty sure I will be just like her when I'm old, haha

Get 'em, Davey boy. :)

Foo Fighters Blast John McCain For Using Their Song
artist: foo fighters date: 10/09/2008 category: general music news
Foo Fighters Blast John McCain For Using Their Song

In a story that sounds all too familiar, John McCain has once again angered a group of musicians for his unauthorized use of their music. This time, it’s the Foo Fighters.

The band revealed in a statement how upset they are that John McCain has been using their 1997 hit "My Hero" as his current campaign theme song.

The band writes, "This isn't the first time the McCain campaign has used a song without making any attempt to get approval or permission from the artist. It's frustrating and infuriating that someone who claims to speak for the American people would repeatedly show such little respect for creativity and intellectual property."

They also add, "The saddest thing about this is that 'My Hero' was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential. To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song. We hope that the McCain campaign will do the right thing and stop using our song — and start asking artists' permission in general."

This isn’t the first time Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain has found himself in trouble for unauthorized use of music. McCain has also angered bands Van Halen and Heart for his use of their songs "Right Now" and "Barracuda", respectively.

The Foo Fighters made headlines in 2004 for their support of Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry. The title of their 2005 record, In Your Honor, was reportedly inspired by the experience. The band’s website currently features a note urging people to vote in the coming election in November.

The band is currently taking a "long break" from touring and recording music and hope to return eventually with a new sense of being.

Report by David Lowe-Bianco.

http://ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/foo_fighters_blast_john_mccain_for_using_their_song.html

Give yourself over to absolute pleasure...

Regarding Rocky...

I can't believe it's over. It was a blast and a half. I felt like a movie star, and I fell in love with a cast of amazing people. I felt sexy, I felt like me again, and I feel super proud of what we pulled together.
Our show grossed about 15,000 dollars. That's INSANE. It's a huge deal, and it's a huge point of pride in my life.



The best part is when Ben says "uh uh!"



The last Rocky commercial, just for laughs!

Also, I got the best compliment of my life, from Shannon. I'm putting it in here, just because I want to remember it forever.

I hope this doesn't come off as an insult or as uncomfortable to you but I had to tell you a very important insight I had watching Rocky the other night. I finally believed that being a certain size (as in tiny) doesn't make you sexy. It's how a person moves their body and how they hold themselves with confidence, that's what is sexy. I always try to believe this, but I really do now. When you were up there you were amazing, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one that couldn't keep their eyes off of you. There were girls up there smaller than you (this is where I feel like you may be insulted, but please understand I can't find the right words to say how I feel, so I'm trying) but some came off as awkward, or just OK (I'm sure these girls are your friends, sorry). In my head I was having a problem, half my brain was saying that girl is really thin, like TV/magazine thin, but she's not sexy. Bridgette isn't the average America's Next Top Model body type but she is the most attractive and alluring person up there. Your spirit and your confidence was undeniable and contagious. I don't know how to type what I'm feeling without it coming off rude or like I've turned lesbo. But you helped me. I guess that's what I wanted to say.

Lastly, here are my favorite pictures.












So, I guess I'm hanging up the apron, putting away the rainbow hair extensions, and I'm counting down the days until rehearsals start for next year. <3

A wonderful article written by a wonderful woman! Worth remembering!

http://www.easternecho.com/content/palins-tolerance-not-real-rights-same-sex-unions

Palin's "tolerance" not real rights for same-sex unions
Opinions
By Brienne Willcock / Staff Writer
Monday, October 6, 2008

Tolerance. This is a word I kept hearing come out of Sarah Palin’s mouth in the vice presidential debate, and it echoes in my head.

I need a vice president and president that do more than just “tolerate” the people they represent. What about the idea of acceptance? Support? Or even, heaven forbid, empathy? The people in this country should never feel like they’re being tolerated. That’s not what we need.

We need to feel like our needs, wants and ideas about what makes this country worth living in are not only being heard, but really listened to.

Last week during the vice presidential debate, the moderator, Gwen Ifill, asked about the candidates views on gay marriage.

Immediately, my ears perked up. This is one of my “deal breakers” in an election.

Ifill asked Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, “Do you support (as they do in Alaska) granting same-sex benefits to couples?”

Biden immediately responded with: “Absolutely. Do I support granting same-sex benefits? Absolutely, positively. Look, in an Obama-Biden administration, there will be absolutely no distinction from a constitutional standpoint or a legal standpoint between a same-sex and a heterosexual couple.”

Thank god. Now this is what I needed to hear. He went on to explain some specifics: “We do support making sure that committed couples in a same-sex marriage are guaranteed the same constitutional benefits as it relates to their property rights, their rights of visitation, their rights to insurance, their rights of ownership as heterosexual couples have.”

Here’s a candidate that not only supports gay rights, but actually empathizes with same-sex couples, believing they should benefit from the same rights and privileges that he has as a heterosexual male. Twice, he brought up heterosexual couples. That, to me, is a way of validating that he acknowledges same-sex couples as being equals.

When Palin was asked the same question, would she support same-sex benefits being granted to couples, she responded, “Well, not if it goes closer and closer towards redefining the traditional definition of marriage between one man and one woman.”

“But I also want to clarify,” Palin continued. “If there's any kind of suggestion at all from my answer that I would be anything but tolerant of adults in America choosing their partners, choosing relationships that they deem best for themselves, you know, I am tolerant…”

Thanks for clarifying that you’re tolerant, and that you obviously think being gay is a choice. Am I impressed? Hardly. As I mentioned before, where’s the acceptance here? Is it too much to ask to have a candidate that recognizes differences (respectfully, by not using words like “choice”) and embraces them, instead of tolerating them?

She repeatedly said during the debate that the American people need someone that can be “straight” with them and that can address the needs they have. Oh, I believe her. I do think she’s saying exactly what she means, and that aspect is refreshing. I just don’t like what she’s saying.

Gee, wish I could look at a camera and tell people I “tolerate” them, without feeling badly about it. She sure can. Oh, and that she really doesn’t acknowledge them as being worthy of the same rights she has. Does she know how many gay men and women were sitting there staring back at her?

She does go on to say that in a McCain-Palin administration she wouldn’t prohibit the rights of same-sex couples. Ok, so she’s not going to take any of their rights away, but how many do they really have now?

Neither candidate supports using the term “marriage,” though Biden obviously would not want to see any legal difference between a partnership that is heterosexual or homosexual. I disagree with him, and find it hypocritical that he won’t use the word marriage, but I understand that maybe the rights need to come first, the term can come later.

I need a candidate who is going to support, unconditionally, the civil rights of the people in this country. I don’t respect Palin’s approach to the subject at all. And the beautiful thing about her is that there’s no conflict. She isn’t being hypocritical at all. She’s not going to fight for the rights of same-sex couples (the rights that she benefits from as a heterosexual) or say she will, or redefine marriage – her stance, stays consistent.

Unfortunately, and much to my dismay, Biden’s isn’t as consistent or strong. However, he does more than “tolerate” the idea of same-sex couples receiving benefits, he actually supports it, and I respect that.

I will twine with my mangles of wavin' black hair...

I'm going to start this blog with something that my mother said to me tonight. "It's okay to just stay home and relax." The look on her face was dead serious, and I won't ever forget it. She's worried about me, and I can tell.

I do look really run-down...it's probably because I am. My therapist could tell yesterday, my mom can read me like a book, and when I was looking at myself in the mirror tonight I just thought, "ugh."

It's okay though. I am going to get the rest I need soon. The best part of this phase of exhaustion? I'm happy. I am feeling super happy about the things going on in my life. I might not be beaming at every single second, but things are certainly turning around.

I was definitely feeling pretty blue tonight. I left EMU after my last class and didn't even go to eboard because I was upset. I stopped at my parent's and that made me feel better. Driving with Normie and Bryan made me feel better. I came home, relaxed a bit then Pookie came over and I felt better. I'm sitting here, post shower, exhausted as can be, but I'm happy to say that it's great when you are able to get ahold of that bad mood and exhaustion and make a decision to change it.



I am way too excited for the show this weekend. Although it's taken a major toll on my body, (unfortunately, having a disease that slows you down a little can make it tough when you perform like an insane woman) and my time, and everything, it's exactly what I needed right now. I honestly cannot think of anything that makes me feel more self confident than singing on that stage. This experience has definitely made me feel a certain way about myself, my body, my abilities; it's strangely all positive. Even tonight, when I was feeling super lonely, it wasn't about the fact that I don't like how I look or that I'm unlovable. There's a bit of a change in me. It's because I missed my friends who love me and I love them. It's because we're all busy, and adults, but proud of each other. It's because the one is out there somewhere looking for me. Maybe he's not looking yet, but he will be soon, and it will be great.

Other things...

This weekend is going to be phenomenal. Courtney is coming home, thank goddess. Nina and Ellen are coming with us to broomball and Bdubs. APPLE CHARLIE'S IS FINALLY HAPPENING! Rocky is going to be off the charts of amazingness, and so are the after parties! It's pledge initiation for APO on Sunday! All good things.

I have been thinking of all of these things I needed to put in my journal, so I'm just gonna start a section called random.

RANDOM:
- I love when Matthew says the word Purple. It sounds like "purpur" and nothing makes me smile bigger.
- Chris Capaul said something amazing the other day, in regards to the article on the monroenews website (http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080925/ARTS/109259990) about Rocky. He said, "If god didn't want us to do things like this, he wouldn't have invented laughter. If God didn't want things like this to be funny, he wouldn't have given us a sense of humor. He wants us to laugh." That was one of the most beautiful and poignant things I've ever heard.
- I am absolutely one hundred percent boy crazy right now. Too bad every single boy has a girlfriend in the world.
- I am super psyched for Laura's wedding. It's gonna be amazing.
- One of my biggest pet peeves, and I don't know why, is when people call Mongolian BBQ "Mongo's." Wouldn't it be MONGO? It's not a person named Mongolian's BBQ. Mongolian is not a person. It's like saying it's Italian sausage, or French fries. (I know French fries aren't really named af...oh you get the idea.) I'm a word nerd, I can't help it!
- I really want to buy new clothes.

I think that's it for now. I've been feeling like I really needed to write in here, but I can't remember all of the things I needed to say.

More to come soon, I'm sure.