Thursday, April 30, 2009

Birthday!

My birthday party is in just about two weeks now and I am super excited. My sister rented out a rollerskating rink for the occasion and we will be skating for three hours in the middle of the night, and have the rink all to ourselves. Hour of the Wolf is playing, and we're baking a million cupcakes. We're also making an awesome playlist of all the old school rollerskating tunes we used to skate to in the 80s and 90s. Yay! I invited some more friends today, some old friends and some new friends, some acquaintances. The more the merrier, really. I'm not one of those people who doesn't like getting older. In fact, I love it! I really cherish birthdays and I love celebrating, and I'm so glad another year has gone by successfully, as silly as it sounds. My real birthday is May 29th, but we'll be on the Jersey shore then, and the weekend before we will be in Vermont...so that's why we're celebrating a bit early. So many of my old friends will be making it out to rollerskate and it really warms my little heart they will be there.
Like I said, on my actual birthday, we will be out of town, and Hank's birthday is two days after, so we'll be having dinner at one of our favorite pizza places, Federici's, and then ice cream on the boardwalk, ride some of the rides, etc. I can't wait!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Shopping at my favorite cheap place!

This was from the other week, when I was dress shopping with Autumn via cell-phone photos. I ended up getting this cute little floral number, amongst too many other things as usual. Forever21 is a bit of a problem for me...they often have cute things (very hit or miss though in my opinion- when it's good it's good, but when it's bad...it's all beaded hippie shit), but they're cheap and don't last. I'd really rather invest in better quality clothing, but cute, cheap things are irresistible! I usually can't leave the store without a few things, and luckily they are mostly about $25.00 each! I am looking forward to when H&M opens, but I know the selection won't be great if they don't end up carrying the Ladies Trend line. And even so, I know the store here won't even compare to the larger city's stores. But we'll see.

And NOW, off to bed. ;)

PMA/jobs

Today was one of those days where I woke up on the right side of the bed, and everything was wonderful. My last post and all of the (wonderful) comments really had me thinking about positivity. I don't know if I made it clear, but my positive outlook is still here, just my outlook on people is a little more realistic. Upon examination, I think where I am is a good place to be. Realistically optimistic.

I haven't been taking very many photos this week, I'm not sure why, but I have a big event Saturday that Hank and I are dressing up for, so I'm sure I will update my Flickr then. About 5 months ago we also received an insanely amazing, brand new Nikon D-SLR, which I am focused on learning to use by our East Coast 3-week extravaganza. We will be in many, many beautiful places and I am looking forward to extensively documenting our trip, both through blog and photo.

And speaking of documenting, lately I have really, really been loving that I have so many photos from almost everyday of my life. Some people may find it odd that I take photographs of myself a lot, photographs of Madeline, photographs on our walks, love photos, sleeping photos...but I appreciate life so much, and I love that I have all these little snapshots of everything, everyday. I will never stop doing that. I just need to work on photography more, and taking different types of pictures. I am so excited for Hank to teach me to use the new one.

It's weird how time goes by. Because I am a teacher, time is set into neat little boxes for me, which makes it fly. It's put into quarters and semesters, days and periods. There is always something coming up- a holiday, a vacation, a progress report, a summer break, a bell. In a weird way I love this- I have always loved the structure of being in school, the idea of working hard for awhile, then getting rewarded with a huge break. And obviously it's no different as a teacher. I work for awhile, and get that same long break. After being a teacher, there is no way I could ever go back to a normal job- and really, I've only worked a few normal jobs in my life, for a couple years right after college.

I've become inspired to list all the jobs I've had, lucky you!

First of all, my parents never insisted I worked in high school, and in fact frowned upon it because I was so busy- they wanted me to have fun (and oh, did I). So I ended up taking weird jobs so I could work with my friends! Here's my timeline, the best I can remember. Due to many wild choices (including too many parties and too many raves in the mid to late nineties) I don't have the best memory of age 14-18. Oops.

I don't know the order of these jobs, but here are the places I worked in high school-

Subway- I don't remember much about this job except we used to steal the big bags of mayo and throw them out of our moving cars at people. Yes, I know that's horrible, but my guy friends were all crazy skateboard guys who liked to have "ruckus" night, which also included launching these bags, and balloons full of who knows what at cars from my backyard. Also, stealing golfcarts from the golf course I grew up on, one of my guy friends jumping into the lake during the old folks concert, and pretending to drown, and another golden time, going in to the JC Penney Home Store at the mall and hiding behind the shower curtains in the model bathrooms and jumping out at old, old people and screaming at the top of their lungs...all caught on video. We were 16 and stupid, what can I say?

And speaking of JC Penneys, I worked there for awhile with tons of friends. Shawna and Kara worked in the Home section, and I spent hours folding those shitty Arizona brand jeans and mens shirts upstairs. I don't remember much about this place either besides all of our friends that were there too.

Some weird telemarketing place- I worked here for about a month before I realized how fucked it was. They would put us in a back room, with no ventilation, and make us cold call people for hours without a break. Sweatshop anyone?

Home Plus- I worked here with my very best guy friend Ryan for awhile. I think we got fired? I don't remember.

And I think that's it for high school.

In college, I worked a few steady jobs throughout my four years at NAU.

Granny's Closet- My good friends Susan and Alyssa had gotten jobs here the summer before sophomore year and got me a job here serving. This was the weirdest place I have ever, ever worked and I can remember so much about it, so vividly. From the bulldog in the kitchen, to the huge vat of ranch, from the penny tips from the drunk Native Americans, to serving wings in the disco, setting up and taking down that godforsaken salad bar, it's so fresh in my mind. I dated some dude I met there for awhile. He turned out to be a total creepie, and I should have learned my lesson about dating restaurant guys. But nope. Stay tuned for that one.

Aveda O.P.O. Salon and Spa- I loved this job. I don't remember if Barb or Autumn (she was just graduating massage school) got me this job, but it quickly became a huge part of my life for all four years of college. It was a family owned salon/spa in downtown Flagstaff, and a wonderful woman Jennessa owned it. She treated her employees so well, and soon I was not only an assistant manager, but became the "Wedding Planner" extraordinaire and had so much responsibility. And I loved it. This is where I first fell in love with Aveda. We had so many good times there and it will always have a special, special place in my heart.

The Cracker Barrel- That's right, the mother-fucking Cracker Barrel kids! Shirley and I decided to apply here where a million of our friends got jobs here. They told us all about the big tips on Sunday mornings from the church-goers...and they were right! Cracker Barrel is a super weird place though, the training alone scared me so badly, but I stuck with it and somehow ended up loving it. We had to wear ridiculous aprons, and memorize all of these weird abbreviations and number codes for ordering. Example: a country-fried steak, white gravy with mashed potatos, brown gravy, and a side of carrots and fried apples looks like - CFSw 8b, 3, 9. Seriously weird, huh? And the longer you work there and take these little tests, you get a star (par level) on your apron. We would work a few nights during the week, and always Sunday morning. We would go to bed at 3 or 4 in the morning, and drag ourselves to work still drunk or hungover and serve all morning, until we go off around 2 or 3. Shirl and I would usually go to Cafe Express for lunch and then head to our house to nap all day, and usually find Autumn still in bed, sleeping away! I also met a guy who shall be called "T." at this fine establishment, and ended up dating him for a long time. He moved to Florida and we consequently parted ways. Somehow he lives in Prescott now. Odd.

So those are three places I have worked in college. After college, I kept just two jobs until I became a teacher.

Aveda- I was the assistant manager at the Aveda store at the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall for almost two year. After being around Aveda products for all of college, I couldn't be away from it and took this job. It was either that, or manager at Sephora, and I am so glad Aveda won out. Anyway, I met so many wonderful girls at this job, and had a blast. I was working here when I met Hank, and I can still remember telling Rosemary (the head manager) all about him. My main responsibilities were to open/close the store, stock inventory, sell, typical retail stuff. The employee discount though was 74%, which is unheard of, and I loved it. Overall this was probably one of my most favorite jobs- I was required to wear black all day, had to look good (makeup and hair since we were selling beauty), and could show my tattoos. Awesome.

Barnes and Noble- I worked at B&N for a short while up in Prescott to make ends meet while I was student teaching. I love books, and I should have probably just become a librarian. This job was heaven! Coming in an hour early to sort and put away books, talking about reading all day, and a great discount? If I would have gotten laid off, this would have been my back up plan. Barnes and Noble is the jam...besides it being in a mall and always full of my students. Hmmm.

So anyway, now you know my work history. Did anyone even read this far? I feel insane for typing it all out, but I also feel very accomplished. Go me.

And go me, to bed. Goodnight lovelies. xo

PS. Where are some of the weird places you've worked?

Monori Tattoo, Porto Alegre

Monori Tattoo
Endereço: Rua Dos Andradas, 1664, Sl 508, centro, Porto Alegre-RS.
Telefone: (051) 3225-3733, 9213-8432



















Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Oitava Expo Tattoo Niterói 2009

Dia 10 de maio comemora-se oito anos de história e reconhecimento dos tatuadores e público carioca da Expo Tattoo Niterói. A organização da convenção, cada vez mais experiente, proporciona o que há de melhor em tatuagem à cidade de Niterói. Confira as informações abaixo e fique por dentro da Expo Tattoo Niterói 2009. Três dias de muita tatuagem piercing, entretenimento, moda, gastronomia, cultura e lazer.

Data: 12,13 e 14 de Junho de 2009
Local: Canto do Rio, avenida Visconde do Rio Branco, 701 Niterói
Ingresso: R$ 10,00
E-mail: tattooexponiteroi@gmail.com
Telefone: 21 2710-0072 ou 21 7865-2042
Abertura e encerramento: 13:00hs às 22:00hs
Hotéis:Niterói Palace, Niterói Plaza

Categorias do Concurso de Melhores Tatuagens

1) Melhor Série de Desenho
2) Melhor Tatuagem Colorida
3) Melhor Tatuagem Feminina
4) Melhor Tatuagem nas Costas
5) Melhor Tatuagem New School
6) Melhor Tatuagem Custom
7) Melhor Tatuagem Oriental
8) Melhor Tatuagem Tribal Maori
9) Melhor Tatuagem Preto e Cinza
10) Melhor Tatuagem Realismo
11) Melhor Tatuagem Portrait
12) Melhor Tatuagem Braço (100% tatuado)
13) Melhor Tatuagem Cartoon
14) Melhor Tatuagem Caricatura
15) Melhor Tatuagem Free Hand
16) Melhor Tatuagem Feita no Evento

- Premiações para 1º e 2º lugar, tatuador e tatuado.
- Todos os tatuadores do stand podem competir na mesma categoria.
- Cada tatuagem só competirá em uma categoria.
- As séries de desenhos devem ser próprias e conter ao menos 8 folhas A3 originais, as criações podem ser de 2008 e 2009.

Stands

Stands para estúdios
Preço: R$ 900,00 (até 30 de abril R$800,00)
R$300 (abril) + R$250 (maio) + R$250 (até dia 1 de junho)

Stands para venda de materiais e equipamentos
Preço: R$ 1.100,00 (até 30 de ABRIL R$ 1.000,00)
R$400 + R$300 (maio) + R$300 (até dia 1 de junho)

- Alimentação e Stands de Moda 2x2m - R$500,00
- Piso Marcado 2x2 (ala 1) área de vendas e moda: R$ 300,00
- Pagamento 1 + 2 xs depósito bancário ou cartão de crédito
- Pavilhão 1: Praça de Alimentação, Vendas, Roupas e Moda
- Pavilhão 2: Tatuagens e Vendas de Equipamentos para Tatuagem

Planta da Convenção


Expo Tattoo Niterói 7, Expo Tattoo Niterói 6 (vídeo 1), Expo Tattoo Niterói 6 (vídeo 2)

Oficina de Desenhos André Rodrigues, Realismo e Cartoon

As oficinas de desenhos com o tatuador André Rodrigues recomeçam em 19 de maio, data de retorno do tatuador ao Brasil. Programe-se.



Dias 19,20 e 21 de maio: realismo e cartoon - etapa 1
Dias 25,26 e 27 de maio: realismo e cartoon - etapa 2

Contatos e reservas
Site: www.donrodriguestattoo.com.br
E-mail/msn: cursos_rodrigues@hotmail.com
Telefone: 11-3051-3806

sweet...

I am generally a really sweet girl. Sometimes too sweet, I guess, and I have been called fake numerous times, and disliked for being "too happy." Ha! Seriously though. But lately I sadly feel as if that sweet of my personality is slowly, slowly falling away. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is "growing up," and this is my heart turning a little colder and older, and losing a bit of my childish charm.

AND THIS TERRIFIES ME.

I guess I should feel lucky I am aware of this, but it's scary. I can't figure out if I was just naive before, and now perhaps I am in reality, but something is different. I want to tell all of the shitty people in the world that they're shitty. I want to stop being friends with people because they're shitty. I don't see the good in people anymore, I actually think that most people are shitty. And THAT'S shitty! When did this happen to me?

I have been thinking about this a lot. And also thinking about how I really don't care anymore about always being nice to people because most people aren't nice! I guess the sad part to me is that realization- people aren't nice. Have I changed, or just become more aware of people's true selves? Or have I simply gotten older and changed, and in turn, am surrounded with other older people who have also become a little less nice? I could turn this over in my head forever.

Hank says I think about things too much, not in a negative way, just in a observant way. I agree with him.

I'm definitely a positive person, but my rose-colored glasses are nowhere to be found. I need them back. I want them back! I want to still see people as good, I want my heart to feel light and happy. I never want to lose my child heart, the spark I have for life.

This entire entry makes perfect sense to me, but I wonder if you get it too. Sometimes my thoughts are a bit jumbled, making for a jumbled entry. But I tried...

In other news, today was a pretty okay day. It was the last day of the work week for me. Tomorrow is Rally Day and then two days at Northpoint. This weekend we'll be in Phoenix for a weekend full of friends and fun. I am currently trying to find motivation for a late night gym visit, but I am thinking it may be more beneficial to just head to sleep by 10 and do the gym in the morning.

Either way, I wish you all beautiful dreams!
xo

Monday, April 27, 2009

Segunda Pele Tattoo

Segunda Pele Tattoo


O Sleeve Tattoo já citado anteriormente no blog devido ao sucesso nos Estados Unidos e Europa chega ao Brasil. Conheça agora o Tattoo 2ª Pele nosso mais novo parceiro.

Tatuagem de vestir - Tattoo 2ª Pele - a solução para quem gostaria de ter uma tatuagem e por algum motivo sente-se privado deste gosto. Um novo produto que permite que você tenha sua tattoo em instantes, sem dor, confortáveis, com desenhos de tatuagens em diversos temas old school, new school, orientais, coloridos, caveiras, celtas, tribais, entre outros, você veste nos braços ou pernas, dando a impressão que está totalmente tatuado. Se você está em dúvida a cerca de tatuagem, essa é sua oportunidade de sentir-se um verdadeiro cultuador da BodyArt.




Como adquirir:

Distribuidor: Alexandre Hesse
E-mail: alehesse1@yahoo.com.br
Telefone: (13) 8135-2013
Site: www.lab-5.com/tattoo

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Naptime!

I somehow just woke up for a super long nap which felt so good, but I know I will regret tonight. I also just realized a few things - in less than three weeks I am having my wonderful rollerskating birthday party, and in less than four weeks Hank and I will be spending three weeks traveling around the East Coast. I can't believe how quickly summer has arrived. And I couldn't be happier!

I don't have very many responsibilities this week, but here is my to-do list:
1) check up on bank fraud/send in affidavit
2) fix bike once and for all! (I have been putting this off and I need it done, like yesterday)

That's really it. I have a two day work week (Wednesday is a big rally all day so I am not counting it as a teaching day) and Thursday and Friday I'll be away from school doing judging at another high school! I feel so comforted as this year winds down. It's been the first year I have actually liked teaching almost every single day, which is a great feeling.

So this morning we went to brunch at the Dinner Bell with friends, then walked a bit downtown, went to the market, then I came home and made some cupcakes for the guys as they watched basketball. Then...took a long, long nap! I am planning on not doing much else for the rest of the evening, probably going to watch "Yes Man" right here in our big, comfy bed!

Here are some photos from this morning-

Here's me on our back porch, and my new MJ in action. I am so happy with it. One of my friends Zoe has it and we talked about which size, whether or not I should do the tan or black, etc. She is also a collector and recommended the tan, and I am soo happy with it. It is my most favorite bag right now.
heading to brunch

Hank waiting for our table
hank

Outside, enjoying the beautiful weather
good morning sunday

Granite Creek Trail
granite creek trail

creek

Sunday morning

Right now I'm on hold with Bank of America, because I had 6 huge charges mysteriously show up on my inactive debit card, which is totally scary. Huge kudos to BofA though, they are so helpful and are taking care of it. They alerted me to it right away. Thank you Bank of America!

Last night we had some old friends in town, so we went to sushi, then to Hank's show, out with everyone, etc. It was a really fun night, and lots of friends were in town from Tuscon and Phoenix because it was Kyle's birthday and some other things were going on. I still have not drank any alcohol since New Year's Eve (outside of some tastes of wine at a wine bar with the Loops), and last night yet again reminded me of why I just don't have the urge to anymore. I have fun no matter what, I love hanging out with people and I don't need it to 'cut loose,' or to destress. There's actually no reason at all for me to drink, especially since I don't see the logic in being sick the next day! So anyway, I didn't drink again last night and I am so glad, I love love love waking up feeling fantastic the next day, plus all of those toxins are no good. I'm not saying I won't ever drink again, but for this period in my life I don't feel like it. Surprisingly Hank stayed out after his show (he always goes home and then we all go out) and he had a great time! If you don't know me personally, my hubby is straight edge and doesn't go out to bars and prefers to avoid drunk people. He never judges, but it's just his choice. I definitely don't mind that he doesn't go out on the rare occasion I do, but it was such a nice treat that he stayed out all night with everyone and had a great time! In my life I always go through drinking and non drinking phases, but I've never been one to drink a lot (besides parts of college, but that's a whole different story). Overall, the point I'm trying to make is that I feel so healthy and good without it, I'm not sure if I will choose to do it again for a long time. But, we will be on the Jersey shore for almost a month...haha...

Here are some photos from last night, they're just shitty bar photos, nothing too good. :)

Hank and Jordan
hank and jord

I ran into my friend Ashley who now lives in Tucson! She is the cutest thing.
ashley and me

Addison and Brett
addy and brett

Jordan filling in on bass for a song, he is too cute.
jordan!

Kyle the birthday boy and Brett!
birthday boy and brett

at sundances

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Happy 1st Birthday Madeline!

The picture in the middle makes me laugh because it really looks like she's saying "Hey guys! It's my birthday!"

Friday, April 24, 2009

new marc bag, i love you!

Rommenigge Tattoo, Maceió

Rommenigge tatua em Alagoas juntamente com Duda e Vitor (criação), e formam assim o Central Tattoo. Veja algumas tatuagens de Rommenigge Tattoo, entre elas: rosas, Jesus Cristo, frase, oriental, old School e estrela.

Central Tattoo
Telefones: 8825-5979 / 8886-0825
Endereço: Rua do Comércio, N° 679, Sala 11, Centro, Maceió. Em frente ao palácio dos Pães, galeria da loja Paranoid Metal Rock.