Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Holy crap. The new teaser trailer just came out, and I’m so FLIPPING EXCITED!

Why does November 21st have to be so far away???

❤ Abby

New video for “Impatience”

WAS + Werewolves = AWESOME. :] :] :]

❤ Abby

This week’s been a little better

To be honest, there isn’t that much to write about, but I didn’t want to leave you hanging for more than a week, just to make sure that I hadn’t forgotten about my blog.

That would be bad.

Oh, well…I did go see Laura on thursday at Mt. Rainier, which was fun. We drove for about 4 hours that day total, but I missed Laura. And I hadn’t been to Mt. Rainier in about 8 years.

Wow, I really don’t feel that inspired right now. I have homework to do, and I just got back from work, and it was a LONG DAY. Plus, I didn’t sleep very long last night. I kept waking up.

I promise I’ll write more. Some other time.

❤ Abby

It’s been a week.

And a difficult week at that.

You know what I said last week about the fucked up karma. It is fucked up. And it fucked up big time this week. It did exactly what I didn’t want it to do, and it’s the saddest thing that’s happened in a long time.

Even though I didn’t know you that well, I’ll still miss you. You were the only girl at the apartment when I visited. Now it’s going to be me and all the testosterone. I wished that we could have known each other better, because from what he told me, you were a pretty cool person.

❤

I’d like for him to talk to me about it, but I know he doesn’t want to talk about it at all.

I realize now more than ever that I’m so lucky to be where I am, and who I am. No matter my disease. No matter how many meds I have to take a day. No matter my trips to Seattle to see the doctor. I’m here.

I’m here.

❤ Abby

❤

Revelations

And no, this doesn’t have to do with the Bible. Come on, you know me.

But this does have to do with a higher power. A higher power that controls the universe, and everything in it.

Fate.

Fate has brought me to where I am today, and I’m not a religious person, but I believe in fate wholeheartedly. Why? I just realized something yesterday…well, actually today, since it was about 2 in the morning when i realized it. I was checking my mom’s email yesterday about my cousin’s itinerary for when she comes and visits in August, and I found an email that she got from Derek a few days ago. It was in response to an email that she sent him just over a year ago when I graduated. It basically told the story of when we moved into this house, and how we came to stay here, after moving in when Libby was ten days old. Mom and Dad didn’t expect to stay in this house for 16 or more years. And then Mom told Derek that she came to realize something–that fate brought us here. The reason, that mom said, that was stayed here was so that I could be apart of Outlook and meet Derek. She ended the email with “Thank you for being what she loved about high school.”

She’s right. I believe that we stayed in this house, in this annoying town of ours, so that we could meet all the wonderful people that we have, and so that I could be apart of the greatest thing I’ve ever accomplished in my short 19-year life so far. High school alone did not change my life. Outlook changed my life. Without it, I don’t know where I’d be right now. I don’t even know if I would have been motivated enough to go to college.

Derek emailed mom back the other day saying “Just so you know, I will keep this email forever.” And it almost brought years to my eyes thinking about how relevant that email is now, still, and how it will be forever.

Everything happens for a reason, I say, and today, especially, it dawned on me.

As Ryan and I were falling asleep at like…3 am, we stayed up late talking, I thought about my time at St. Martins, and how not fulfilling it was. When I had my meltdown in October, I told myself, “I don’t belong here. I don’t belong here.” I wanted to leave. I wanted to quit right then and there and start over, but I stuck it out through the whole year, with all the dorm drama, all the ridiculous teachers, and rapist on the loose, and the dozens of hypocritical Catholic drunk sluts.

Ryan helped me realize that I stayed there for the whole year so that we could be together. We didn’t happen until literally the last 2 weeks of school. If I would have left, I guarantee that I would still be single, stuck working at Petco, taking more than one class at TCC right now, and unhappy.

But I went through all the unhappiness this year so I could be happy now, which I am. Very happy.

I also believe in karma, and that when you do something good, something good will come back at you. But sometimes, karma is fucked up as well. I hope it isn’t so fucked up that it does something so terrible that I don’t even want to divulge into it, it just makes me too sad to think about it.

I should go. I think I’ve said enough for today. I’m incredibly tired right now, because, like I said, we didn’t go to sleep until 3 am.

❤ Abby

I really was just bitter

I don’t want to sound like I’m being a cop out, but I guess I should just say it now…

I didn’t mean everything I said 3 blogs ago, the one titled “Not to sound bitter or anything.” I was bitter and hostile and jealous. I was jealous that Nick gets to do everything I want to do. I kinda felt the exact same way that I did in high school, comparing the Apple Leaf to the Outlook, but I shouldn’t dwell on the past.

Nick, you’re lucky, and I wished that I had the opportunities that you have. I wish that I had the chance to get heard on a larger scale, but this is what I have, and I try to use it as strategically as I can.

But just to keep my own dignity, I still think that our journalistic abilities are equally strong. The only thing that I don’t have going for me is my location. Gig Harbor doesn’t really have a lot of opportunities.

Sorry for calling you a d-bag.

❤ Abby

A vid from wednesday’s show.

I didn’t shoot this vid, because I was stupid enough not to bring any camera but my phone. I’m a dumbass. But this is my favorite We Are Scientists song. And I was basically in the same line of sight as the guy who recorded this, but a little bit closer.

You can go to this person’s Youtube from the link at the end of the video and check out some of their other songs (i.e. Chick Lit, This Scene is Dead, Tonight, etc.)

❤ Abby

What’s The Word? Craig T. Nelson!

(This is my official review of the show last night. >.<)

I’m a Science nerd. I’m not extraordinary at physics and I’m not a biochemistry major.

No, I’m a diehard fan of We Are Scientists. And really, in the scheme of things, they are scientists. Science can be the answer to almost every question because the definition of science is as follows: an activity that appears to require study and method.

Yeah, so science has many different definitions, but it’s as open-ended of a work as art. And last night’s We Are Scientists show at Neumos can be defined as either, but however you define it, please don’t define it as a disappointment.

My sister and I drove all the way from Gig Harbor to Seattle, myself skipping class and my sister staying out late before volleyball practice the next morning, but when we arrived in Capital Hill, we knew we were in the right place.

Neumos is a small club, and it being my first show there, I was in a little bit of a culture shock, seeing that the smallest concert I’d ever been too was outside at Bumbershoot last year. There were a few girls waiting outside, who told us when we arrived, “are you in line? Because if you cut us, oh boy, because we’ve been in line all day.” We noticed that after awhile, they didn’t really need to get there that early to get a good spot. Once the place started filling up, anywhere you stood had a nice view. Neumos lacked air conditioning, but that’s really the only bad thing I can say about the venue.

Now onto the music. Time didn’t really seem to be on these people’s minds, seeing that The Morning Benders didn’t start until 9:30, and between each band, it took about a half an hour to set up. It was about 11:30 by the time We Are Scientists got to start, but the build-up to the headliners were actually very good. I was not disappointed in the least.

The Morning Benders, a foursome from San Francisco, started off their set with a very energetic sound, and even though they looked as old I was, they seemed incredibly at ease on stage with their matching Telecasters labeled “Britney Spears.” I never got what that meant, actually. They transitioned smoothly from song to song, getting the crowd ready for some dance numbers such as “Waiting for a War” and “Loose Change” where my favorite was “Wasted Time” a groovy song that almost sounded like an homage to The Doors, “Riders on the Storm” with its ominous hook. They were a gracious crew, repeatedly thanking Keith and Chris of W.A.S. for taking them on this rather short U.S. tour, all 4 gigs.

The second band up, New Zealand’s Cut off Your Hands, kept the energy going with their slightly more hyped up sound than The Morning Benders. The funny thing was that when they mentioned that they were from New Zealand, someone from the crowd shouted out “Flight of the Conchords!” And they replied “It’s weird, because they aren’t even that big in New Zealand.” Now I have a new Kiwi band to like. They reminded me a little bit of Does in Offend You, Yeah? only without the electro part. Frontman Nick Johnston embraced the tiny room and I’m pretty sure I caught a bit of his perspiration as he banged on his own timpany drum in front of the mic. Even though the room kept getting exponentially warmer, I still enjoyed both opening bands, but I wished that Cut off Your Hands hadn’t gotten cut off. No pun intended.

Needless to say, the wait for W.A.S. wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. My sister kept mentioning how cute the guys in the opening bands were anyway. A little eye candy is always good.

But once we thought that We Are Scientists were going to start, they didn’t. Their roadie came and checked the mics. And they didn’t start. The roadie got their water bottles out. And they didn’t start. The roadie pre-opened the water bottles. And they didn’t start. The roadie tucked some guitar picks into the mic stands and taped the playlists to the floor. And they still didn’t start.

It was about as annoying waiting for them as it was for you just reading that last paragraph.

It wasn’t until about 45 minutes after Cut off Your Hands left the stage that Keith, Chris, Max and Adam got on stage. But after they did, I forgot all about the fact that it was almost midnight and my sister had to wake up early in the morning, because I finally got to see that band I’d come to see.

The boys jumped right into their set with “Nobody Move, Nobody Gets Hurt,” and moved smoothly into “Chick Lit,” with a tiny “Thank you” in between songs. The one thing that We Are Scientists had above the other bands…well, two things–Keith and Chris. Keith kept the crowd dancing along with his writhing about the tiny stage with his Fender Telecaster, whereas Chris brought on the laughs. “Craig T. Nelson!” was the first thing that he shouted. “I was a little surprised when you guys didn’t get more excited when I yelled out Craig T. Nelson.” And then went into some witty banter about the show “Coach” and how it was apparently taped in Seattle. Chris was very intent on making us believe that “Coach” was taped in Seattle, as he was on making us believe that the Internet was originally created as a fan network for Webster fans in the military.

Of course Chris, of course it was.

No matter, that’s what makes W.A.S….W.A.S. They double as comedians as well as great musicians.

But the most memorable part of the night came towards the end, my legs were starting to get weak from dancing, and Keith decided during “Textbook” that he was going to jump right into the crowd and sing with them. And who was standing right where Keith jumped down? None other than muah. Yes, I was right there when Keith entered the crowd, and I danced and sang along and went crazy.

It was pretty much amazing. I’m not gonna lie. I have a ridiculous girl crush.

So Keith made his way through the crowd and the boys got onto the last few songs. They ended strongly with my favorite song, “It’s a Hit,” “Lethal Enforcer” and “The Great Escape,” another of their singles from “With Love and Squalor.” I did notice that they did play more songs from “Squalor” even though this tour’s promoting “Brain Thrust Mastery.” I didn’t mind, however, since I like “Squalor” better. Nothing against “Brain Thrust Mastery” though. I would have liked to hear “Be My Baby,” which W.A.S. mostly plays at larger shows in the UK, but that’s alright, because I feel like I got my money’s worth and more. I just wish that they would be more embraced in America, because then I wouldn’t have to wait another 3 years to see them again.

But even though their fanbase isn’t very large in the U.S., it’s a very devoted fanbase. A very devoted fanbase with a lot of patience and who don’t suffer from heat stroke very easily. That shows devotion.

As I was leaving the show, my new “I Are Scientists” shirt in hand, the endorphins still running rampant in my body, I was wondrously satisfied with my first show at Neumos. As long as it took them to start the show and as warm as it got inside the building, I wouldn’t have changed anything. It’s all apart of a “show.” You’re intimate with the band and they get to see how much fun you’re having. I’ll most definitely be coming back for other shows, and I’ll most definitely be anxiously waiting for the next time We Are Scientists come to Seattle.

It’s just too bad that I’m an english major and not a science major. Now I’ll have to explain the “I Are Scientists” shirt to both groups of people, because the verb tense is completely out of whack.

Oh well, it’s all science.

❤ Abby

Not to sound bitter or anything

But how the hell did Nick Feldman get this gig?

I know this kid, and how did Lil’ Apple Leaf get to be a “Freelance Journalist?” He has his own little blog himself, Nick C. Feldman: The Blog. Not that I’m trying to advertise his sad little blog or anything, but I want you all to see how fucked up this is. Not only is he kind of a d-bag, but his review of the show last night is so BORING to read. Bland-o-rama. Not that mine was so wonderful either, seeing that I was half asleep when I was writing it, but I’ll take a stab at it again later today. A full-fledged review of the show, and you can decide whose is better.

Not exactly saying that this a battle of the words, but it kind of is.

❤ Abby

I’m pretty sure that there’s only one thing that could have made this day better…

Well, possibly two.

One being if Laura were here with me.

Two being if Ryan were here with me.

But no matter, today was most definitely high up there in awesome days lately. The 4th and today are a pretty close tie I think.

But why is this day awesome, you may ask?

Madre and Padre FINALLY caved and let Libby and I go to the We Are Scientists show tonight, after weeks of begging and pleading. Mother finally realized that Capital Hill isn’t such a sleazy neighborhood and Dad let me drive, even though I’m 19 and they technically have no control over me.

But yes, WAS was AMAZING. It took quite awhile to get to them, but that part was good too. They had two opening bands, The Morning Benders and Cut off Your Hands. They were both quite good. The Morning Benders were from San Francisco and they reminded me of the Kooks a bit, and Cut off Your Hands were a little bit like a cross between Bloc Party and Taking Back Sunday, but from New Zealand. It was funny, when they mentioned that they were from New Zealand, someone yelled out “Flight of the Conchords!” And the band was all, “It’s funny, because they aren’t even big in New Zealand.” Anyways, finally at…about 11, they finally started to play. Each of the opening bands played about a half an hour, with quite a bit of dead time in between. But the most excruciating dead time was the time between Cut off Your Hands and WAS. This one roadie guy was up on stage doing all the sound check and stuff. It took so much longer then it had to, so that kinda pissed me off, and the fact that they didn’t have a lot of ventilation, so it got pretty hot in there.

Oh, and the weirdest thing–I swear I saw Nick Feldman, otherwise known as Lil’ Apple Leaf. Nick works for the Daily now I think, which is UW’s student newspaper, and he had a nice camera with him, so it’s possible that he was writing something about it. Damn him! I want that job, and he takes it, even with the Washington Journalist of the Year. Bleh, I never really liked him when Apple Leaf and the Outlook got together. So that was weird, seeing Lil’ Apple Leaf.

But the best part about the show–YES, there is a best part, even though the whole thing was awesome–during “Textbook” Keith decided to jump down OFF the stage and into the crowd, and I just happened to be standing right where he was jumping down, and I touched him. I didn’t cop a feel, but our gazes met and I touched him. I felt like Tracy Turnblad after Link Larkin bumped her in the hallway. So Keith danced around the club, singing to random people in the crowd. It was awesome, I’ll tell ya.

I love their witty banter though. It’s so funny and random. They get up on stage, and Chris starts talking about Craig T. Nelson, who played Coach in “Coach,” which was apparently shot in Seattle. I just thought that it was funny that it was the first thing that Chris could think of relating to Seattle.

I can’t really think of much left to say, because I’m ridiculously tired. It’s 2:45 am. My endorphins ran out. I forgot to bring my camera, so we only have a couple crappy cell phone pictures. Oh well. I knew it was awesome.

❤ Abby