Taste in Music

I've always been a fan of music.  When I was a kid I remember listening to 80's music, even though I was only born in the last year of the 80's, and singing along to the songs with my older sister and mom.  I still love 80's music and need to listen to some now and again. Although, the first song I was obsessed with, that I can remember, was Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus. They would play music at nap time at daycare and when that song came on, I couldn't sleep because it was my jam.

My taste in music is much more varied today.  I don't like country music anymore.  Artists that I've liked enough to buy their CDs recently include Imagine Dragons, Justin Timberlake, Florence and the Machine and OneRepublic.  When I was a teenager I would sing along loudly to Eisley and Damien Rice and would listen to soundtracks, especially Disney, all the time.  I still listen to Eisley quite frequently. 

I guess I couldn't tell you just one genre of music I like.  I listen to anything if I like the sound of it.  One of my favorite songs and music videos right now is We Are Brothers by Baddy Paris and Rufus Starlight.  It is a hilarious video two brothers made for their other brother who was getting married.  It is really catchy and you'll find yourself singing it wherever you go.  Watch it if you haven't.

What kind of music do you listen to?  Any specific artist or genre you can't live without?

Seattle I love you, but you're bringing me down.

pic credit: (tripadvisor.com, 12bosox, Nov 2006)

I'm trying out this "Schedule" thing to post while I'm out of town for the weekend. I will not fail with the Ultimate Blog Challenge!  I was mulling over what would be best to write an entry about and since I will be in Seattle when this posts (hopefully), then why not write about Seattle?

I've lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life, just a short trip from Seattle.  I'd been to Seattle many times, but it wasn't until I attended the University of Washington that I actually got a chance to live there for a couple years.  I developed a unique relationship with the city of Seattle during that time.  City life had its ups and downs.

The positives.  Everything was within walking or busing distance.  I didn't need to drive, and since I have a fear of driving, that works out nicely.  When I lived in the U district I had four Starbucks within a 5 minute walk from me, takeout restaurants all around, a nice shopping center next door and I could walk to the grocery store easily.  It was nice.  If I was going somewhere new, just check the bus schedule, it was usually pretty easy to get there. I also enjoyed the sounds of the city.  Going to sleep with the sounds of cars, other people and the hustle and bustle of the city might bother some, but it was comforting to me. As long as the drunk kids kept their yelling to a minimum.

On the flip side there were a few sounds that drove me nuts - one in particular.  Cars honking.  Everyone honks constantly in Seattle (and probably every big city).  Hey get out of my way! HONK! The light's been green for a second! HONK! How dare you use the crosswalk when you have a walk sign! HONK!  It started to drive me nuts.  When you're walking and honks are coming from everywhere you start to get a little tense. Are the honking at me?  Why are they honking?  Stop honking!

One plus, but mostly a negative, of living in Seattle is I developed the skill set of being a defensive walker. I nearly got hit by cars and bicyclists frequently.  By the time I got back to my apartment I'd be muttering curses under my breath. Bicyclists really started to bug me.  DISCLAIMER: Not all bicyclists, some are very nice, others are horrible and bring the whole group down. There were the mean bicyclists who didn't follow the rules of the road and would yell at you if you got in the way of their reckless bicycling. Then there are the multitasking bicyclists who are a little amusing as long as they're not nearly taking you out.  A few examples - talking on your phone, carrying your takeout, or sporting an umbrella while biking (if you can master this, I can see the usefulness).  My favorite bicyclist was a guy who had a bike that looked like a banana.  As he zipped past me on the Burke-Gilman Trail I was inspired to find what this strange bike was. I found it here. And for a little under $8,000 you can have a banana bike too!

But even with its ups and downs I find that after living away from the beautiful Emerald City, I miss her, even if Seattle has left me with a permanent case of Bitchy Resting Face. After a year apart - Seattle and I really needed a break - I'm heading back to Seattle to hang out with a good college friend of mine and I'm happy to see the city again.

What have been your experiences with city life?

Born and Raised a Gamer

The Club Nintendo stuff I've received for buying far too many Nintendo games.  That Mario figurine in the back is awesome.  I was going to call it cheaply made, but then while setting it up for the picture I accidentally tossed it across the room and it didn't break, so I take it back.

I like to play video games. I've played games for as long as I can remember. My parents and older sister would play Atari and the original Nintendo while I looked on.  I couldn't have been more than 6, but I always wanted to play, usually I was told I was too young, and they were right.  Whenever I would get a chance to play I would fail miserably and get frustrated because it looked fun when they played, but when I did, it was just a mess.  But with time I've mastered the fine art of gaming. I dare say I'm the best of the family now. Take that!

So, what games do I play?  A large variety.  I've always been a fan of Zelda and Mario. Still debating whether I want to get the new Windwaker for Wii U.  Windwaker is my favorite Zelda game, but dishing out $50 for only revamped graphics is tough.  

I got into playing Grand Theft Auto a few months ago when I borrowed by dad's GTA IV and promptly became addicted.  I also had an old GTA game for the PS2 that I mostly liked to steal cars and then follow the rules of the road while I drove them around.  Yeah, that was what GTA was made for. I was eagerly awaiting GTA V, only to find out a few days before the release date that it was not yet releasing for PC.  My face was one of sad.  I'm still fuming over not being able to get my hands on it.  It looks amazing, but I'm trying to be patient.

I've been addicted to Skyrim for a while. Made the mistake of asking for it for my birthday while in college.
After the studying was done and I was avoiding sleep, Skyrim and Tropico 4 kept me up late being a badass, female Dovahkiin and building up my own personal paradise.

Skyrim being gorgeous!

I've also been known to play games like Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing.  Only Harvest Moon can make it interesting to run a farm in almost real time.

One of my long time favorites are the Nancy Drew games.  I received the first three PC games for Christmas one year when I was young, as a joint gift between my mom and grandma.  I have been addicted ever since. The 29th game in the series is coming out this month.  I've already pre-ordered it and am eagerly awaiting solving another mystery with Nancy.  I will play these games until they stop making them.

My Nancy Drew games!  Collecting and playing since 1991!

The Sims! How could I forget the Sims.  I got the original Sims game for my 11th birthday, and I've stuck with it through the years.  Now, with The Sims 3, I download masses of custom content so I can make pretty Sims and then after spending an hour putting a Sim together, found I've exhausted my want to play the sims and exit out.

Riding home from from your wedding, still in your dress, on an aquasled?  That's just the everyday life of being a Sim

I can't really be labeled as one type of gamer or another.  I play a variety of games, mostly for the PC or Nintendo consoles and like games where I have some sort of free will. I like sidequests.  Sometimes it's essential to take a break from the main game play and go on a side trek.  Oh, Skyrim's in the middle of a civil war, hold up, I need to go deliver a book to someone.  Ganondorf has kidnapped Zelda?  Let me go collect some bugs real quick. I was really proud of myself when I reached 100% on Assasin's Creed IV even though it involved crouching and staring at people on the homestead for extended periods of time "documenting" their everyday tasks. Why was that even part of the game? I don't know, but I needed that 100%!

So, do you play video games?  If so, which ones?  Do you share some of my favorite video games?  Tell me about it!

My Life as a Sample Hoarder

Who doesn't love free things? I've become a little obsessed with them.  A few months back I found a page on Facebook called Freefly's that links to different samples you can get online.  I thought it would be some kind of gimmick and you would have to buy something to get the sample, or it is only free if you sign up for e-mails.  Well, it turns out this stuff actually is free.  These companies want you to try their stuff and tell them how it is and share it with your friends.

The thing is, I have this weird habit now of getting whatever I can free, even if it doesn't apply to me.  Men's shampoo?  Yes, please.  Vitamins in all flavors? Definitely. It's always fun to get something in the mail that isn't junk mail, a bill, or a dental visit reminder.  Whenever I get a sample I get a little rush of excitement, even if it is toilet paper.  Yeah, seriously, look at the picture.  That is a box of toilet paper.

And what do I do with all these samples?  Well, it turns out I hoard them and stash them in that basket you see there.  Useful things like Excedrin, a razor, toothpaste, shampoo, random tests of perfume - all in the basket they go.  I guess I'm saving them for some special occasion.  What that occasion is, I don't know. Apocalypse? Maybe.  When I become poor and homeless? Perhaps. I can see that Excedrin being a real life saver when the zombies arrive. I've used a few things, tried a few of the perfumes, but for the most part I stash it in that little basket that is now overflowing onto the dresser around it - that same dresser that holds my giraffe collection and pirate ship from previous posts.  It's a busy little dresser.

Anyways, my advice is give free stuff a try.  It's free, why not?  Yeah you might have to sign up for e-mails, but just unsubscribe when you get your first e-mail.  But learn from me, use the stuff. Don't be a weird hoarder like me.  I'm probably getting put on the sample blacklist right now.  "She's not using the samples! No more for her!"

By the Seaside: Day 2

Seaside Trip continued...

Second day in Seaside we visited Camp 18, an old logging camp turned Restaurant.  They have cinnamon rolls the size of your head and pancakes, which they have named "Flat Cars", that are even bigger.

My breakfast of "flat cars", eggs, bacon, sausage and clogged arteries.

Next we went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, where workers make cheese while you stare at them from a platform behind glass like they're animals in a zoo. Then you visit the gift shop and buy a ridiculous amount of cheese and other cheese related souvenirs.

Cheeeeeeese!

I ended the day by visiting the Aquarium with my dad where we fed fish parts to adorable seals. There was one baby named Pinni that was too adorable; I tried to get a picture of her, but they were splashing too much and I was afraid my camera would fall victim to the seal waves.

At the Aquarium there was also a fish that had traveled for two years inside a Japanese fishing boat, eating off of the marine life that accumulated in the boat, after the 2011 tsunami.  I found it fascinating.  There is a little bit about it at the Seaside Aquarium site here if you're interested.  

They also had a whale skeleton.   I've always had a fascination/fear of whales.  (Used to think they were hiding in the deep end of swimming pools).

I also bought a souvenir pirate ship because why the hell not?

Here's the ship pillaging and plundering Dresser Giraffe Land.  Run giraffes, run!

We finished the day at the beach as the sun set.  I always aim to dip my toes into the ocean but usually end up submerged up to my rearend, thoroughly soaking my jeans.  I can't resist that freezing cold ocean water. 

Beautiful ocean, I wish I could live closer to you.

The next day as we headed out of rainy Seaside we got a flat tire so we visited a wonderful little shop called Les Schwab, where we ate popcorn for breakfast and watched a history channel show on how truly creepy Benjamin Franklin was, while our tire was fixed. Then followed up by a 4 hour drive home. Perfect end to a vacation.

By the Seaside: Day 1

October 1st, here we go.

I'm doing the Ultimate Blog Challenge, where you post each day in October and share with your fellow bloggers taking part in the challenge.  I was excited when I first heard about it.  I figured it would be a great way to get myself writing more and maybe attract a few more people to my blog.  So, if you stop by because of the Challenge: Hi! Good luck!

I recently went to Seaside, Oregon for a couple days.  I've been going there every summer since I can remember.  There are home videos of me at Seaside in a high chair.  It's always relaxing and a great break from the everyday, even if your everyday isn't all that thrilling like mine.

I went with my parents.  Yes, 24 and still going on vacations with my parents.  It's not that bad actually.

As we entered into Oregon from Washington across the bridge we saw a cruise ship docked.

Not to deter anyone that has been dying to go on an Astoria cruise, but we couldn't figure out what there really was to do in Astoria that warranted a cruise stop, but it seems they stop there frequently so they must have some fun excursions.  

After driving the four hours and finally arriving in Seaside, we settled in at our usual hotel The Tides and took in the beautiful ocean view, before going out to eat at Norma's.  It's a wonderful seafood restaurant in the main town of Seaside and no trip would be complete without a visit or two there.  Then we stopped and grabbed a large bag of saltwater taffy from the Candy Man store that boasts 170 flavors.  Most of them are delicious, there are a few iffy ones, like Butter and Black Licorice.  Usually the store is blasting The Candy Man song day in and day out until you hear it in your sleep, but they were playing circus music this time.  I felt disappointed and yet a little relieved.

This is what is left, but a few days ago when we purchased it, it was MUCH bigger.

Nothing like watching a beautiful sunset over the ocean.

Sorry it's through a window.

But after the sun sets, it's time for a couple fierce rounds of Hello Kitty Yahtzee.  Instead of numbers you have little cute Hello Kitty characters that go by names like Mimmy and Jodie, so you find yourself yelling "Come on Mimmy, I need a Yahtzee!" and when you don't get who you want you start to secretly resent that character.  "Shame on you Jodie for not playing nice!"

For some reason I cannot fathom, my dad refused to play Hello Kitty Yahtzee, but he liked to call it Catzee.

Turns out I got a little crazy with the pictures, so I'm splitting this up into two posts. Part 2 is tomorrow.  I know you are dying to read it... /sarcasm.

Welcome to the land of giraffes!

I like giraffes.  Read that last sentence like the kid that likes turtles.  I have liked giraffes for as long as I can remember.  I recall my friends in junior high even giving me presents that were giraffe themed.  I don't know why I started liking them and I'm not exactly sure why now.  I just know that giraffes and I go way back.  There's just something about them.  I think it's because they're so ridiculous looking with their long necks and creepy tongues.

I collect everything that is giraffe.  It started out with just a stuffed animal here or there, but now my collection is huge. One day when I own my own house, it will be giraffe themed.  I'm sure you can imagine how bad-ass that will be.  Yeah.

Let me introduce you to a few of my favorite things from my giraffe collection.

This one is a dog toy, with squeakers and everything.  I have a few dog toys that are giraffes.  I guess dogs really like giraffes too.  I always feel bad when I bring one home and squeak it and my two dogs come running, but not bad enough to give it to them.  

This one I got for my last birthday from my Grandma.  I love it.  It is one of my favorites.  It has sparkles on it and opens up and has enough room for all kinds of useful things, like a tic tac or perhaps a penny. As you can see in the background I have some other giraffe themed things on my dresser.  Tiny colorful ones, a round squishy one and even one that is a tiny garbage can.  Seriously.  It looks like an earthquake struck the land of giraffes on my dresser, guess I should reorganize them.

The picture doesn't do this sir justice.  He is really big.  I got him from Costco, and Costco only knows how to do things huge.  As he is standing like this, he makes a good steed or prop to scare your animals.   Unfurled and laying flat, he would make a good area rug or a dog bed for both a Mastiff and a Great Dane to share.  But right now, he is just sitting on the other bed in my room, chillin.

This is a painting my sister painted for me during her artistic phase.  I know you're thinking how adorable that is.  She is 27.  I have to think it was based off of this picture. It's actually pretty accurate in my opinion. I love her style, it's called 'using water colors without water because I didn't know I needed water'.  It hangs on my bedroom wall.

And this is a hat, obviously.

That is just the very tip of the iceberg that is my giraffe collection.  I've had calendars, stickers, valentine giraffe themed plates, a whole tub full of stuffed giraffe friends, a ring holder, picture frames, sheets, a rug, figurines, earrings and on and on.  Yeah, my collection isn't unique and amazing, but it is obnoxiously huge and I love it.  I've been trying to cut down on giraffes, but it's hard.  

So, if you're reading this and you have a fun, interesting, unique or even boring collection, share it with me!  I like to think I'm not alone in my need to collect.

Introduction Time

Hi, I’m Kristen.  I’m in my mid-twenties.  I have a BA in Anthropology.  I live in Washington - the state, not D.C. I'm in the process of writing my first novel. What else am I supposed to say?  I have three cats – Daisy, Monkey and Weasley.  I’m a self-proclaimed cat lady.  Well, maybe that’s too much sharing now.

This is my first adult blog.  I say 'adult blog' because I used to obsessively LiveJournal when I was younger.  I would post my teenage angst and go on about my then current obsessions ad nauseum.  I would also post my fan-fictions. I loved writing.  I’d write fan-fiction about Harry Potter, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Peter Pan, Lost, anything that I was interested in.  I rediscovered my writing LiveJournal recently and my early writing was very dark. Everyone died and the endings were always morbid.  It made me cringe seeing how original and edgy I thought it was.  Most of the stories didn't even have a proper ending because I thought it was cool to leave things extremely open-ended.  No, just no.

So, why did I start again now?  Well, I've been slogging through the process of writing my first novel.  I came up with the idea for it about three years ago, but then started a love/hate relationship with it.  During the summers I would get excited about it and develop characters or come up with ideas but when I would go back to college, I would try to avoid it at all costs.  I don’t know why, but I would put up this wall between me and writing and make lots of excuses not to write.  I used to love to write, and now I was telling myself I had other things to do instead, which wasn't completely true. 

I finally decided to just go for it. It has been a huge learning experience.  An experience that I have decided to document in this blog.  The writing process has been teaching me a lot and I hope will continue to teach me a great deal more. I am not someone to give solid advice to anyone on writing, because I’m only just figuring it out for myself.  But, by writing these lessons out, I'm hoping to document my process and if other amateur writers stumble upon my blog, feeling overwhelmed by the writing process as much as I have and still do, maybe they will learn something from my experiences too.

So, feel free to introduce yourself!  When did you first start writing?