We both go together if one falls down

Todays my mothers birthday. She's helped me out a lot as has my father but ultimately and selfishly I need to still decide things on my own as people my own age do.  I've decided to get back on the track i've awkwardly fell off. I honestly feel invincible in an amazing way so now is as good of a time than ever to do so. I've been listening to ALOT of music old and new and making a lot of mix's for people. One in particular to which I've never been more excited to show new and different music to. His name is Ian and he's shown me a great bit of music too(amongst other things!) Please no one take offense to this but his soul purpose in life I think I have figured out is to make me happier than I have ever been. It sounds dramatic and awkward to some but I'm kind of over hiding this fact. Yes I'm spouting it all over the internet for a whole 5 people possible 10 if you stumble onto my blog to read but I will believe you me scream this from the rooftops for the whole world to hear(even the ones who aren't even listening). There just are some people who are in your life and make it great and help you through tough times growing up and dealing with a lot and there are some people who come into your life later on who you don't even realize that you need there until they are there. You can't imagine how you ever got along without them and try to do everything in your power to not scare them off(which clearly I'm doing a GREAT job of with this whole post). Anyways HE'S awesome and I'm very excited to get a hell of a lot more of him in my life no matter what it takes.

So I read this interview and article about Bon IVer. Hes pretty amazing and I read how at one point after what seemed to be hitting a low point in his life(breaking up with girlfriends, leaving his band and struggling with alcohol addiction) he managed to enjoy his time alone in the woods in Minnesota . It honestly sounded just like what he needed because his new album is AMAZING. You can read a review here.  Either way I'm going to post the song Skinny Love by Bon IVer because its one of my favorites and I happened to have this version downloaded by the lovely DAYTROTTER site. Its a great website its a great song.ALSO because we have been talking about the new album here is Calgary. This song SHOULD bring you to tears. Thank you Bon IVer for all that you do...

xo
gina.

Quit

Sometimes its better to quit while your ahead or while the getting is good. This works the same way with saying too many words. Sometimes they just come out with no way of stopping. Seriously... who lets me talk.

home is whenever I'm with you

So let me ask what constitutes a " right" direction in life? How are we supposed to know our specific path without some sort of arrows pointing us in the right direction? GPS and future phones don't seem to solve everyones problems which is why I stick to Maps personally but even they are hard to read sometimes. I guess when you really think about it covering your eyes and twirling around 10 times is the best way to figure things out because although we obviously know we will fall down after being dizzy, trip on misc things and walking into things/situations that we don't know how to handle eventually we all have enough sense to go in the right direction ( despite how long it may take some of us). And you have to figure if you get there and its a dead end or a wrong way although you may think its a waste of time maybe it just got you that much closer to your own " path".  Essentially what I'm saying is this... my eyes may be blind to what's about to happen but I'm fully prepared for any and all things it presents me. I'll trip I'll fall and I may even be scared but as long as I have someone here to catch me... and I think I'm OK with this for once in my life.  Strange right?

you go to bed early, i go to bed late.

So maybe its been a while and I understand my loyal(2) fans missed my slightly awkward nonsense rants about nothing + music BUT I can happily say Ive caught up to my own life. "I once was lost but now am found!" I think the ultimate terrible thing a friend could say to you is specifically " you weren't yourself when you were with someone." Its actually few words that will stick on me for a while through all of the self doubting and shame I put on myself you add in a few shakes of those words and BAM. Its the ultimate downer! There is a positive side to it all if you find someone who helps you bring out a better you essentially. Its the ultimate compliment to yourself and the other person(all things considered that they feel the same about you). Its a strange and amazing feeling despite miles between.

I recently took a few Vacations after moving into the new apartment in a new town with new people.  My first "vacation" consists of the Jersey shore. It was short and sweet and just happened to be on my birthday(which is the day after Earth day... figure it out/remember).  Despite a lot of people ditching for my 27th I had a blast with Jenny, Lisa, Tracy and Katie. We went to mad mex for vegan mexican and margaritas. After we proceeded to Woodys in the city. There is just something about dancing with gay guys that makes life feel so much better! After the bar closed and only two of us wanted to head to Voyuer (which happens to be open until 330) we decided we needed a late night birthday swim session by Lucy the elephant at the shore! So we did... and no trip is complete without a quick rando photosession... We got back at around 5:30. I slept alone for a few hours and then remembered it wasn't my birthday anymore.

My second vacation of 2011 involved my family and bestie Jenny. We went to Myrtle Beach which was amazing of course! That deserves its own single entry discussing all of the key points and things that I will never forget. Just know it was incredible and I am glad Jenny went with me and that it involved my family. I am not glad we lost a bottle of wine and lost a game of basketball to a 67 and a 5 year old. To be fair... They cheated...

We did NOT go to applebees...they have rats.  My mom was also dramatically in a wheelchair for a few weeks and as much as we fell bad for her we tried teaching her its not PC to grab onto misc chairs and desks and objects to move yourself in a chair. Shes stubborn sometimes and insisted she do it her way so in hopes of not getting kicked out of misc places or having lots of things knocked over we just pushed her mostly. My parents are adorable and love to travel. Maybe its where I get my love of traveling from but I'm glad they so graciously shared this with me. I have hopes of one day being their age happy and with someone else who loves to travel as much as I do.

My third trip was recently with my bestie Lisa and visiting all of my other besties in Columbus Ohio! I miss Ohio and everybody involved with it. Visiting there is a breath of fresh air I need more often than not. We left July 4th with more inside jokes and fun stories to talk about our 8 hour car ride home did not do us justice compared to what we all had to talk about. I went out there hoping to have fun and instead I honestly had one of the best times of my life. I have ALOT of people to thank for that and they know I love them all to death. Ill see them again... and again.. and again only this time lets hope more frequent. Not only did I see old friends(my family really..) but I made new ones. New ones to make me the happiest an hurt me the most. I don't remember anyone telling me it was OK to fall in any sort of direction... I only can be confident that they'll perhaps catch me(otherwise we are going to have a gross mess on our hands! Who wants to have to clean up a mess from someone not being caught... come on! You need scrappers an scrubbers for that!) Its logical. Obvi.
HUGE thanks to Tiner, Matt and JV for everything they put up with and coordinated for us that weekend. I cannot wait to see you all again and ASAP I hope. I could post a million pictures on here honestly so Ill post one more to prove a point...
THIS is how you jump off of a curb THUNDER.

I love this picture and this night. 

Welcome to my hopeful life right now. Thanks for rocking so far July... if only we could do something about your temperature.

No music suggestions tonight. Maybe tomorrow ill write out my sleep songs list. Goodluck getting through it without dozing off. Its anything but boring.

xo Gina