Life.

I was really in the mindset that all there is to life is to work your ass off because you're constantly in debt and then you die. Quite disheartening if I may say so myself. I see the constant worry and struggle my mother goes through to make ends meet and as a daughter who inherited much of her personality and traits I too find myself worrying month to month in this fragile economy. I can't say that I'm going to wake up tomorrow and completely turn my life around but I think it's high time I take a more positive approach on my outlook on life. Perhaps then if I change my attitude, positive occurrences may begin to fall my way. I can't see what's in my and my family's future but I know I can do something about it. Got to take it one day at a time, step by step. I mean, somewhere sometime, all this hard work has got to pay off....right?

Daddy, I Miss You.

I had intended to write an entry about my father to commemorate his eight year death anniversary last July 24^th so here it goes…

Every year it hurts a little less, but it does not completely take away the emptiness that now scars a place in my heart. The pain one can go through when losing a parent never really goes away. I do cherish all the memories I have of him for the seventeen years that I had with him growing under his wing. So by now I bet you’re saying I grew up a “daddy’s girl” and I am so proud of it. Dad was the go to person when mom wouldn’t let you have your way. He was always so neutral in a middle of a fight between my mother and me giving the best possible solution and not entirely giving way to one side. I grew up a very happy child and was completely oblivious to the struggles my parents endured at times but that’s because he always made sure my sister and I were happy. And of course like every other teenager out there we drift from our parents because to be seen with them is to be “un-cool” so I say in the year that I turned 17 back in 2002 the last two months everything just kind of fell together in a sense. The family started eating at the dinner table again and Dad would go off on his rants giving my sister and I every possible lecture out there and what to do when you’re in a rut kind of situation. It was weird. Most of my family said it was because he knew his time was coming to a close, but who knows for sure but him. So a word to all of my readers out there, enjoy the time with your parents that you have to the utmost possible. If you’re fighting with them try to reason and get along with them most likely they’re that way with you because everything they do is for your benefit. It may sound like a broken record but you don’t want to realize it when they’re gone and it’s too late.  

Miami Ink....is my new reality television series addiction and a very bad terrible influence on me because with each episode I watch of this six season series I am anticipating my next tattoo. Now I see where Kat Von D got her recognition. Her guest spots led to a series of her own show surprisingly called, L.A. Ink. These guys are a great bunch to watch, typical men nonetheless and brute testosterone at its max but very funny at times because that's just how men are when they're put together. I work with men most of the day so I can relate to the laid back bull sh*t kind of attitude men can have. Most of the show (when it's not about their daily antics) is about their clients and the artwork they get done. About 90% of people that get tattoos get pieces to memorialize the death of a loved one. Some are really touching at times. It makes me think why I haven't gotten a piece in memory of my father but as indecisive as I can be I haven't found the perfect piece yet. I hope it comes to me soon though because the older I get the more that needle stabbing is going to hurt. If you're looking to get something done, this show will definitely encourage and steer you towards finding the right piece. I wouldn't suggest getting one done by the guys at Miami Ink just because it's in Florida and I'm sure it's outrageously expensive, but check your local tattoo parlors. There's great talent everywhere and make sure you take the time to research because remember, it is permanent.

Paranormal State

A co-worker back in 2008 who shared an interest in the paranormal with me told me about this show “Paranormal State” which of course I knew nothing of since all satellite and cable was cut off and it’s on A&E. Anyway I went and bought the first season and went home to watch it that evening. It’s definitely a lot different from other ghost hunting television series. It was much eerier, scarier, and completely real. But the one thing I did notice that separates this ghost hunting show from others was that their main intent was to relieve these families of the haunting. Much of these people are at their wits end with no one to turn to for help so they sought Ryan Buell and his team of investigators known as the Paranormal Research Society – an organization based out of Penn State University. He has a Catholic background so in some severe cases he has called a priest in to help. You can see the total sincerity he and his team demonstrate towards their clients. It’s heart warming at times.

So after the first season I was hooked. Not only is Ryan Buell pleasant to look at the show is just overall great. Episodes cover spiritual, mythical, and demonic hauntings and I give the show on a scale of 1 to 10, a 10.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ryan Buell and his team back in March 2009 and everyone were so very nice. It was a 3 day excursion with a tour around Hollywood and its haunted history, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and an investigation in total darkness under “Suicide Bridge” in Pasadena with some dinner and drinks in between. I met a lot of great people that weekend. I look forward to attending more events in the future but unfortunately they’re all across country and the tickets to the events themselves are really expensive. Gotta save, but definitely worth the money.

The much anticipated (at least on my part) book written by Ryan Buell will be released September 2010. I can’t wait to read it. I hope he reveals what made him interested in the paranormal since he has time and time again refused to tell anyone about his initial personal experience.

Just when I thought it was all over with the fourth season, they’re in production of a fifth season of Paranormal State. Get ready.

Dirty Jobs

When you can stream through Netflix, you really never run out of things to watch. I find myself getting into television seasons mostly just because one downside to streaming through Netflix is that new releases aren't available. So now, onto DIRTY JOBS. So far there's 5 collections of this reality television series and it's really interesting. He covers about 3 to 4 different occupations in each episode with about 9 episodes in each collection so it never gets boring. If you think you hate your job, try shoveling cow poop all day or walk crouched for hours in rat infested sewer canals under maintenance. Now, that well conditioned office your 3x4 foot cubicle sits in isn't so bad isn't it? The host, Mike Rowe takes the show on a comedic route at times. He dives into the work with no hesitation. Props to him. The show really makes the audience appreciate the people who do these types of jobs day in and day out so the rest of the world can go on living their civilized lives.

Small houses

I saw this link through yahoo.com when reading about how to stay cool for the summer http://www.mnn.com/your-home/green-building-remodeling/photos/10-of-the-smallest-homes-in-the-world/a-truly-eco-abode I thought it was the neatest thing ever! "Living in a smaller house is one of the best ways to reduce your ecological footprint." Sure you sacrifice luxury but that never mattered to me much anyway. This picture came from Tumbleweedhouses.com and retails for less than $50,000 and even less when you build it yourself. It comes with all the necessities: kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom. Difficult to imagine? Take a look at the site. It's really amazing. Some models can even house up to a family of four. Astounding really. If I never marry in my life I would definitely invest in one of these homes with just my dog and I.

Dexter, Season 2...

...is my new obsession. I just finished watching all of season 2 and it falls nothing short of brilliant. It's another 12 episodes of a well thought out story line. Dexter's guard falls when he begins to "feel" (emotions) and is caught in a very twisted love triangle with a surprising ending. There's drama, suspense, and action. Love, love, LOVE it!

Lisa Freemont Street & Belle Blossoms

If you know me, then you know I LOVE everything vintage from the 40s and 50s era. From the clothes, to the make up, to the hair, the accessories, furniture, music – e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. People even tell me I was born in the wrong era. I cut my hair into an a-line bob about 2 years ago so I’ve had to wait a little while for it to grow out so I can play with it again. Though I did find out about clip in hair extensions from a co-worker which have been a dream yet it’s hard to do the vintage technique and hide your hair wefts at the same time so I’m limited on the types of hairstyles I can do. Usually when I wear my hair extensions I can do the victory roll on my hair. I recently had my bangs cut as well to shorten the styling time since I was always doing the forward roll to create the faux bang look. I recently started watching hair tutorials on vintage hairstyles and that’s when I found the Lisa Freemont Street videos on youTube. Her real name’s Ashley but let me tell you this gal is absolutely brilliant. I was doing hairstyles from a book or internet following directions and pictures yet it just wasn’t cutting it for me so when I came across Ashley’s tutorials it was a dream come true! They’re the absolute best! I watch other ones and the girls that usually do it always talk through their tutorials and either they’re not loud enough on the video and lack speaking skills and always have the ums and uhhs and it’s like dude spit it out already, or their videos are too long and drag drag draaaag. In Ashley’s videos she’s right to the point and is no longer than 10 minutes. She’s got great music that plays in the background while she’s showing you how to style your hair and if there’s emphasis on a particular part of the styling process she has it in text for you across the screen. She’s really got it down to a T and makes it really easy for anyone to do it as long as you practice your basic techniques you can do any vintage hairstyle. She’s definitely talented and knowledgeable in hair and make up. She also does reviews and it’s always good stuff to watch. I found belleblossoms.com through her as well. I’m a pretty crafty gal and have made a numerous amount of flower hair clips in my time but belleblossoms are master. Heather the owner and designer creates beautiful vintage hair pieces and I’m a blossom of the month subscriber since June 2010. I can’t wait for my second one! The link to her shop is provided under my favorite sites, and I also follow Ashley’s blog. Both Lisa Freemont Street and Belle Blossoms have a page on Facebook, so definitely check them out!

Man Vs. Wild

I'm not really one for reality television but this show definitely kicks ass. He's trained and served for the British Special Forces and he is one lean, mean surviving machine. He willingly puts himself in the most extreme environments all over the world and demonstrates his knowledge and skills to show the audience how to survive and find help. At times this show was a little bit difficult for me to stomach since he does show you how to hunt, so I did watch a pig and deer die.  For some reason, I can't stomach watching an animal being killed but I can stomach a human being killed. Well probably because in the shows and movies I watch it's not real. Aside from that he bites the heads off of frogs and eats them raw, bites into fish as soon as he catches them (extreme sushi), and eats scorpions, larvae, and other numerous edible insects. He's followed by his camera and sound crew so it's obvious they'll receive help and medical attention when necessary but sometimes this guy will be hanging off a cliff above an abyss but he does it on purpose to show you how to get out of a dilemma. This show is brilliant and definitely a must watch for informational purposes because you never know when you're going to get stranded in the middle of a desert or rainforest.

Dexter

Netflix will allow you to stream selected television shows and are always adding more. I saw "Dexter" on the list of new TV shows to stream and heard rave reviews about it. Plus, Netflix allows you to rate among five stars with five being the highest rating. So of course Dexter had all five stars filled. I watched all of season one in one weekend being in and out of the house (I hardly watch regular television nowadays. If I do I'm watching the news in the morning while I'm getting ready for work). Needless to say it's an amazing show if you can stomach blood and people being killed. It's definitely an interesting approach where a co-worker couldn't have said it better, "It's a show where the audience is rootin' for the bad guy." He's a forensic scientist that's also a serial killer. He's a psychopath that is under control. He doesn't kill for the joy of killing, but kills the people that "deserve" it. He's an empty person void of feelings and  his voice is in constant narration throughout each episode and the dark humor is evident when he's continually arguing between his dark side and the need for him to pretend to be a "normal" person.  Catch just one episode and you'll be hooked. The first season was 12 episodes of an amazing story line. The script was well thought out and every episode left you with wanting to see the next one.

Omar & The Stringpoppers and The Rhythm Shakers

Three years ago when I was actively using my myspace account I was in search of new bands. If you know me then you know I definitely enjoy rockabilly music. So back then I stumbled across a band's page called Omar & The Stringpoppers. I listened to their play list of a whole three songs at the time and loved the tracks. (They're signed by Wild Records, Hollywood) To my surprise I saw that his CDs were for sale and immediately snatched up Omar & The Stringpoppers "Take-off Rhythm" I fell in love with tracks and the band that definitely kept exact to the traditional rockabilly sound. After constant playing of "Take-off Rhythm" I went back to the myspace page and purchased Omar Romero's "Hog Wild"  this album is my favorite. So three years later I get a flyer from Characters Sports Bar in Pomona that Omar & The Stringpoppers are headlining a show June 26, last Saturday. There was without a doubt I would be there.
There were 3 bands on stage that night but was able to catch the second band play called The Rhythm Shakers (also signed by Wild Records). I absolutely loved the performance and fell in love with the band. The lead singer Marlene Perez was amazing on stage. She's got a great voice and loved how she really got into it even falling to her knees at one point downing a 42 ounce on stage while the guitarist had a solo in the middle of the song.

Omar & The Stringpoppers did play kind of late (didn't get on stage until about midnight) because they were headlining. By that time the small patio on the other side of the bar was completely packed to standing room only. Unfortunately some drunk guys got macho, caused a fight in the bar on the other side, and security had to interrupt Omar's set two songs in and closed down the bar. The DJ announced they would soon be leaving to tour all over Spain and Europe so that means I won't be able to catch them again anytime soon. I was able to take some pictures of the set and fortunate enough to snag a picture as well. I met a girl in the restroom (I made a lot of friends that night in the restroom, LOL. When you're a girl there's always a long line to use a one toilet restroom so you make small talk and I vaguely remember dancing with one too) that has a brother who's band is signed by the same label and performs often with Omar & The Stringpoppers. All I had to tell her was I wanted to get a picture with Omar and she was more than willing to make it happen.

A new me.

So I always thought writing is a great stress reliever. I used to have one of these blogs back in the day, but before it seemed so cliche writing about my boyfriend at the time or other silly things I did at the age of 16. So, nine years later I figure I give it another try since I've added years of wisdom and maturity since then.

Consider this entry a first post by the new Nicole. I've always been the type to be in a relationship ever since I was 14 (yes, one could always ask the question: how could a girl at that age possibly even comprehend a relationship? I just did I guess). Silly now that I look back at it. So it's been a while I've been single now after what, 10 years? Might I say it's so refreshing. Sure I'm living life as a 21 year old again staying out late, partying at every opportunity, and the greatest thing of all: meeting people. When you're in a relationship you live in this tiny little bubble that doesn't hardly expand at all. While most of my high school friends are married with children now I can't hardly fathom the idea of being one of them. God bless them and their beautiful families but I can't imagine settling down right now. There's just way too many things I still need to do!

Since being single though, I've had a few flings here and they always end up fading out, except for the last one I had that ended back in May. Sheesh I gotta tell ya, after this one it's a little hard for me to trust guys again. This guy seriously took advantage of me to the max and silly me let him. I should have known better than to get feelings involved. I held my feelings at bay as best I could. I was an awesome friend to him. I helped him move, I let him borrow money - twice. The second time he didn't return it and then I never heard from him again despite my effort in collecting it 2 weeks after. But a good friend once said to me, "We give people the benefit of the doubt and people, even men will sometimes disappoint. Don't worry lesson learned, but don't close the book, just turn the page." It's true. While it was one of the worst experiences I had to date if I can get through my father's death and get over a boy I invested over 4 years with I can certainly get through this. Those are chapters in my book and this is just a page. It's been a short while since it ended but, it's enough to keep me out of the dating scene for now. I'm not looking for anyone at this time and am completely content. Even dating can be dramatic and fortunately I haven't had to deal with any of that. I sleep soundly every night. I guess I'm at a point where I'm completely fed up. I'm tired of meeting these little boys. Now I know what I'm looking for so now I just don't let anyone waste my time.

As for the future I'm almost done with school! Just 3 more classes and that's it! I can taste the ending. It's going to be great. I decided I want to open my own store. So while I can dream about it now as well as research I'll definitely be taking action in the near future. I can't wait! Get ready world....