I'm vintage

Or trying to be....Like the new pic? haha, I was bored, and it just so happened that I ended up looking like a 1940's actress. I like it--different.

Anyhow, after a summer of fixing my inner self and fixing life in general, here I am, ready to go, to Umass tomorrow. But in reality I'm the same fricken person, I still say the f bomb too much, and pack too late, I'm still packing, and I'm still not 100% sure of myself, but this summer was a learning experience, and maybe a bit too depressing and insightful at the same, but its okay, tomorrow is a new chapter of my life. I am so excited for school. Maybe this year I'll find love, because I have my friends haha. Im like turning this into a Sex and the City movie..wow. This is to a new and fabulous year. Cheers
Love,
Chach

The hillls are alive with the sound of moving

Well....I woke up with the worst fucking headache ever...but we know I can't take meds for it...ah the benefits of yoga.

But I have two days left until my life and all of its glory moves to Umass. I cannot wait you don't even understand. I get to see my friends, and live my life. And in realizing its already September, I honestly have no clue how I got through this summer. No clue whatsoever. I was supposed to change and figure some things out, and like myself a bit more, and maybe I do, but the work isn't done. I still need to figure out some things, and I'm regretful because I was supposed to go back to school refreshed and worry-free. Well I am sort of worry free but there is anxiety there. I guess that is normal. Any how I'm getting the hell out of my house and couldn't be more excited about it. I have so much to do.

How do you solve a problem like Maria?

Hellooo Vodka

Finally, I'm not going to lie. I haven't had one drink all summer--and its not like I didn't want to drink, its like I worked every night and interned and didn't have a life. Tonight will be fun. Ima get my drank on with India haha.

This is the end of the summer, and I'm sad to see it go, but I got through it, now fall my favorite chapter of the year.

Come Together Right Now

I have finally received my new laptop. As as a result I am dirt poor and will appear as a hobo for the first semester. Yeah.

Today is good, as I slept until 1. I had a severe allergy attack last night. I was at India's house when I said hmm my mouth is itchy, breathing is a little harder and my eyes are a bit itchy. Well who would know that about 20 minutes later my eyes would be completely swollen and my lips the size of fish. All because I had a horrible migraine and couldn't shake it so I took Advil. Now you have to understand that I have a severe allergy to n-seds, like Ibuprofen, except I didn't know that Advil was just a brand name for the drug Ibuprofen, well two benedryl later, I'm fine and will learn to not make that mistake again. Because I want to live a bit longer than 20. I should just know this--I never ever ever take medicine, and I never never get sick. As long as you stay off the meds, I believe things run as planned. So no advil haha.

But anyhow the summer is winding down...my room is packed a bit. A bit, is definitly the word. Sat I'm going to Boston for a few last minute things.

Okay lots going on I have to work now.

So here I am, the world spins another beautiful day.

I cried driving home today while driving Kristen to her first day of high school. We were listening to an instrumental Devotchka song haha. Its just so surreal that my littlest sister, is going to be a freshman. My little brother is in middle school. But hes the kind of kid that wont get teased, even though he is lanky and has red hair, and loves science, he is well aware and uses it to his advantadge, there fore being pretty damn coool. They're so cute and I just can't believe it. My family is so different now. Anddd it was Lindsey's first day of College today. Its a lot of first days. They were all so excited.

In related stories, I love my friends--they're great. They take away every doubt I have about myself because I know they are there for the right reasons. I'm glad I have these people in my life. I say that alot I know.

In other stories I had the most horrible dream last night, I spit in someones face, because they were searching all the cars in the neighborhood, and I like kicked someone, and like it was all too horrific. I woke up and couldn't separate fact from fiction, so strange, then I realized I actually didn't spit at someones face and the guilt trip was over. You know how there is an underlying meaning to most dreams, well I just don't even know.

Today I work, and then I'm going to my g-pa's party. I think he is going to be 67. And he still can ride his bike 55 miles. So happy birthday to my pretzel eating, bike riding, vegetarian eatin, story tellin, g-pa, hes hilarious.

Tomorrow is my last day of interning, I learned alot, I was pretty stupid to think that I knew half of everything I needed to. I knew nothing. I learned alot, and how much passion and drive you have to have in the field of journalism. They say you don't go into the field to make money, so thats why I'm combining my studies with Political Science and Environmental Science, because I do want to make a living, but I do want to take everything wrong with first our country and second this world, and shake it up a little, because people don't know how to look at anything except for themselves these days. Its clear I don't support the elephants haha.

And just right now my mom is making pesto in the kitchen and she looked out the window, and yelled to someone or something, "Are you peeing in my yard?" The golfer replies, "Oh ya, Sorry". My mom replies, "I would appreciate if you wouldn't do that". Laughter breaks out, the the poor young golfer trots away.
HAHAHAHA

Put one foot in front of the other.

My parents are so beyond annoying, you cannot even understand I'm sure of it.
Today I'm working, I already ran, without my knee hurting, so I feel motivated. Also I'm figuring out my kick ass schedule. I think at school I will have three jobs, but its alright whatever gives me money for next summer. I only have 1 class on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tues and Thurs are a little nuts but thats okay. I cannot wait to get back, I hope my jeans, flat iron, and laptop all arrive by mail before I leave. Hopefully.

Mula Mula Mula

In the past 2 days I have spent $700. Scary. On necessities, but still. Im feeling like I need to buy a scratch ticket.

Giraffes Giraffes Giraffes

If you haven't seen the SNL clip "Giraffes" its a must-see. Watch it on hulu. I just die laughing everytime.

So today was the idllyic rainy day, one that doesn't make you feel gross and muggy but rather comfy and like peaceful. I just hung out, went to lunch, and worked, but it was good.

Tomorrow Lindsey moves to Westfield. And I have a week to pack, buy a laptop, pay my $1800 bill, shop?...just get it all together so I can make this year as wonderful as I hope and pray it will be. And clean the shit out of my room, and kitchenette/bathroom. Otherwise I'm definintly not allowed home.

I'm going to a school which I love, my major which I'm obsessed with pretty much, and friends who are just the best. UMass offers so many oppurtunities I never would have had otherwise. One day I wanted to get involved with the Collegian, and I simply just sold my ideals for newspapers and media, and wound up getting a position as copy editor, and an offer to write for living and arts and news. Its amazing. I was brainstorming today, I would love to be the first to pitch the idea of U Magazine, like UMass' magazine, it would come out quarterly with mostly features, or UMass blog, where there is a range of editors, but people can post if they feel inclined, and editors choose which makes it on the site. I really would love to pilot something like this. Maybe I will. I want to take some acting classes. How sad is this? I miss clarinet. But I have no time for that, because I need to work, and Saturdays are dedicated to running the Norwottuck, because my get in shape plan this summer was partically neglected, and I'm regretting it. Sundays are dedicated to Mercy House, lunch with friends, and enjoying life. And this year is dedicated to continuing my search for what I want in this life, and what I want to get out of it, of course while enjoying it everyday.

On another note, how is everyone? I wish you could respond on this silly thing. I hope well. I hope you all had a good summer, maybe life altering, maybe boring, maybe good, maybe swell. But regardless, the fall (my favorite season) is approaching, which brings, sweaters (preferably black), boots, apple pies, beautiful crisp air, and blue skies. I could go on forever, but I love fall.

In other stories I really need to plan my next internship for next summer. Like get a great letter going to SNL. It probably is going to involve some story about how Will Ferrells skit Robert Goulet, became a keystone of my life haha and comedy, and it'll go from there. I'll talk about how I grew up and learned about comedy from short sketches like "Mango" with Chris Kattan, and "Cantene Boy" with Alec Baldwin and Sandlar. Comedy is such a big part of my life, so to get a step into the business next summer would be a dream come true. I also plan to apply to intern for Jimmy Fallon. Conan O'Brien sadly moved to LA, and I'm so not the LA type. But I wouldn't complain if I could intern for the Today Show, and catch Viera her latte every morning. Its a year away, again here I am dreaming, but another year is ahead of me. Last year was good, this year will be great.

Society your a crazy breed.

For some reason I couldn't sleep. So I picked up the good old guitar and starting singing. So now I will be working on a little set of Eddie Vedder inspired songs. It just sort of happened.

My family probably doesn't appreciate me playing at 12am haha.

rain rain go away

Im beyond exhausted. Its Friday night, and I fell asleep at 6 p.m. haha. Funny.
Not much to write, I went to Block Island it was fun.

So I figured why not post a pic of Bradley Cooper haha. Right why not, we all love him.

Why doesn't WCHC broadcast what music they are playing? gr. Because its so good.

I know you're all dying to know how my day was. Quite frankly I wasn't going to post because I was so blah after work. But after vegtable overload Im feeling back to normal. You know those days where your neglection of tea and vegatables catches up on you?..well maybe not, but it did it to me today. So I had steamed vegtables with long rice, and a bowl of vegetarian soup. So good.

But believe me my day was better than just a bowl of soup. I got to babysit the best kids ever for most of the day. I got to sing them silly songs on the guitar and just act like a nut. We video recorded me being a british Edward Cullen who fought off enemies with a sword with a cat's tail attatched to it in a vampire cape, I mean look at how fun being a child can be. So fun. They begged me to make my epic "bon-bons". I had to say no, because it was too nice to be inside cleaning up the pure sugar bon-bons for that long. Okay number 1. I have no freeking clue what a bon-bon is, one day we were bored so off the top of my head I started talking in a French accent and we made bon-bons, which morphed over time. And number 2. the only ingredients available were marshamellows, which we melt in the microwave, or blow up, then grahm crackers, chocolate, peanut butter, and sprinkles. The kids beg me to make them everytime, and the parents found out about my special bon-bons. Haha they don't seem to mind. I love babysitting beccause it brings out the inner kid. I act completely like me as a child and they seem to love it. Actually well me as a kid just more alert--I was such a space cadet.

Then I went to read Marcovaldo, and Einstein's Dreams and drink a chai and then I worked and here I am, all vegtabled up.

Tomorrow bright and early is the awaited day after much planning BLOCK ISLAND with the girls. We will rent mopeds and have tons of fun.

Report on that tomorrow haha.

In recent news, UMass I am ready, a whole new person, and so beyond excited to start my second half of my evolved college career. After I buy a new laptop that is. Accepting funds now.

In related stories I can't believe how many of you are reading this. Its nice, you should all start one. This blog isn't to grab attention, or anything, its for me to jot down notes, and record, because I explained how the whole paper writing journal doesn't work, but for some reason the online one does. So if you happen to pass by and read, enjoy, because this is the craziness that is my life.

I can feel the freedom, a little bit over a week and I'll be free to be. So exciting.

A boutique and a swinging hot spot.

Today was good suprisingly, after waking straight up out of bed at 5:30 a.m. after the most realistic paradoxal nightmare. It was very unsettling. I then went upstairs to sleep until 9 ish or so. Got up, played some Joni Mitchell, went back to school shopping for dorm stuff, and off to work, busy but good. Tomorrow is my second to last day interning, and then I will go to yoga I hope. This is short, Im hungry and busy.

I feel just like a child

Devendra Banhart. LOVE



Can't wait for the album release.
He is nuts and amazing.

The little thoughts that flutter away

I was thinking I'm twenty, but there are many many things I want to do, and mostly because I'll forget if I don't write them down, these are all actual considerations.

1. Win a pultizer prize, for photojournalism, or news.
2. Say hello to a lion. Also learn the latin names for all identified species. Starting with Leo Panthera. Also go on an African Safari.
3. Be able to smile for a whole day ear to ear, and not have my face hurt....or look creepy. Isn't it sad that these days when you meet someone genuinely happy and you think theres something a bit off with them?
4. Win the world record for having the longest legs. haha. I'm convinced.
5. Meet Jesus for tea and a chat on a cloud. Chai or Earl Grey Jesus?
6. Next is Conan O'Brien, and Christopher Walken.
7. Always keep my friends by my side.
8. Get married on a beach.
9. Take a cruise to a place where the water is aqua, and my skin doesn't burn.
10.Go to Spain, and learn to flamencan dance, while smashed.
11. Have my own Natgeo Show and be the host, where I will explore culture and nature, in every Central and South American country. Starting with Ecuador, and Brazil.
12. Start a non-profit for agricultural farmers.
13. Direct an art museum.
14. Own a horse.
15. Become the editor of National Geographic Magazine, or a lifestyle magazine.
16. Be an anchorwomen. Preferably Ron Burgundy's co-anchor. Brian Williams will do.
17. Take over established ways. CIA clandestine. Shit, wait I can't tell you that one.
18. Become the next Joni Mitchell.
19. Publish a book of poetry.
20. Not work at price chopper after next January.

Us Irish Know our potatoes, and those weren't freeking potatoes

Im Irish. Suprised? nah me either, I also like shortbread cookies, and consequently I'm Scottish, mix that with German, Basque and Swedish, and you've got a lethal combination. Just kidding. I wanted potatoes so bad but its late so I got the instant ones haha. so gross, inedible. Doesn't deserve much more attention than this. Betty Focker.

Anyhow today's weather was strange to say the least. I walked the blackstone with Kas, and it like rained, sunned? (verb?), and was extremely muggy. Just weird. We went to lunch at Moes with Mar for lunch so good. Then we went impuse shopping, well I went impulse shopping, and walked out of Charlotte Rousse with $80 worth of stuff and I got tons, two pairs of boots, a dress, a shirt, earrings, and a braclet. So thats exciting.

Then I went to work. And here I am. Tomorrow should be good. No tomorrow will be good.

Kas got me this little journal to write it, and it has quotes from Emerson, Thoreau, and Wilde, and its so cute. It will be fun to write in.
I'm only writing positive things in it. You know how people have those like famed quotes, like stances on life that turn into something everyone says, like "It was meant for a reason"? Well yes I want to come up with a new quote for people to say, but something funny...of course the quote coming from me. It can't be normal.

Also once I'm back to school in the boonies, I will start to write again, and just be myself. I put my life on hold this summer and I regret it. Next summer is going to be life-changing I know it. NYC baby.

Mi vida

Okay so today has been a turbulent one to say the least. I woke up and had to drive my family around all over creation only to find out my mom woke up an hour early to go to Natick with Kristen. I then had two seconds to find everything, and she left with out me, and I was pissed and annoyed. The mall was good, completely overwhelming but good, I met up with Meg, and I got my laptop back and it was nice to see her.
I got a bunch of stuff I wanted for school ,wanted not needed but, I went to India's for a bit which was nice, to dream of our next summer in NYC. So exciting.

I got home and eagerly turned on my bitch of a laptop only to find that my toting the laptop around all day wasn't nice because now the screen is messed up. Not going to lie, I kind of just want to pack my backpack with a jacket, some essentials, my guitar and say "fuck it" as I board the nearest flight to anywhere but here. Im serious. Im just so done. Life has to be more than Auburn, and shopping, and school, and government. I've got to find it.

My eleven year old brother told me the other day, "You should be a folk singer, You don't even know, your so different, so folky." That made my day, whether he said it so he could get mint chip ice cream or not.

He is the cutest thing ever, and really just has the greatest heart. He then after visiting me downstairs, went back up to play on his electric, with dollar store purple lensed, ozzy style glasses. cutest thing ever.

Little family moments like these make the summer worth it.

My mum the other day woke up and wanted to wear this weird sort of dress, she bought in Boston for like $80 bucks. Such a waste but we got a good laugh, because it was one of those dresses you could wrap around like a million ways, except she thought it looked sort of middle eastern inspired, so she wrapped it around her head, with her shoulders and nearly all of her leg showing. She said, "Oh look guys this is my style, 'the alternative muslim.'" I think I laughed for ten minutes. So funny.

We are nuts and have a kitchen that has been put off for far too long.
Im glad we are re-doing it. Last year when my sister was high off her ass she decided to draw on our banner around the top of the kitchen. We had a thin strip of decorative 'cows' (ask about my mothers obsesssion with country cows at some other point), but she decided to take a sharpie and draw in cow shit underneath the wall paper cows. Each party we had new cow shit would appear. My mother just laughed. I covered Lindseys ass for having parties, because I had cow shit blackmail, she therefore covered all of my drunken nights as well.

Scholar of the World (enter evil laugh here)

Ohh delectable. I couldn't start my day without another iced chai. So good.
Today entails interning and working. I have also realized that I need to start packing now, two weeks ahead of time, so that I will in fact be ready on the 7th. Because at the rate it takes me to do anything that involves cleaning and/or preparing it will take me two weeks.
Tomorrow involves shopping of some assortment, either Natick with my family, or Boston (if I hear from mi amiga), anyhow I want to shop...I barely shopped this summer which for me is leaps and bounds of will power. My friends are all hanging out tonight and I cannot because of Price Chopper. Oh well they just gave me a scholarship for $1,000, so I guess I'll settle.

In related stories I hope this year lives up to my expectations, I want to make junior year awesome. I think back to my junior year in high school, haha how far I've come. Junior year in high school was the most challenging year of my life, personally. Just four years later entering my junior year of college, I can't believe I've got here, the way I am. Its quite exciting that I am halfway done. Halfway to the real world that awaits. But for now I'm keeping my profession--student. Its just easier that way.

Its always sunny in Auburn?

Well today is good but strange, because out of the blue I woke up at 6 a.m. wide awake, and I said to myself that it was too good to be true so I walked around my house and went back to sleep...to wake up to a gorgeous day. Also everyone in my family seems to be in somewhat of a good mood. How did this happen? I like it.
I'm interning today...and I have another short story published for the Sturbridge Flash, and then am off to visit my 93 I think year old great grandmother from Washington D.C. She is staying with my grandparents (the hippie side), so I'll make an appearance.

I just realized out of all the daily commitments I made to myself to keep a routine of doing something, this blog is working quite well, nothing ever sticks for more than a week, but I do love blogging. I could never keep a journal everyday, but this works--an online journal. Funny thing is I never thought I would contribute to the whole online blog movement of media. O well, guess I've got to dive in at some point. And also thinking in the long run, I probably will end up blogging everyday even at school, so if blogger sticks around for a couple more years, I will have documented almost everyday of the rest of my college career, cough cough grad school? No, Grad school will be either running away with a backpack to Europe, and changing my name so I don't have to pay loans or South America, or Peace Corps, in which I will choose a South American country to focus on. The latter is looking a bit more prospective. I would like to do grad school...but I want to get a move on with my life. Once again, I'm planning my indeterminable future. Live for today.

I'll take ape tits for 200 Trebeck

Okay so today is annoying, because I always want to change, make everyday a bit different, a bit better, a bit healthier, but it is so mundane. I spent today bascially in my mind, every minute wasting precious time obsesssing over stuff I need to get for school, and obsessing over thinks I don't have or need.
I just need to keep remembering the line from Conor O'berst
So I'm drinkin', breathin', writin', singin'
Every day I'm on the clock
My mind races with all my longings
But can't keep up with what I got
Its like for one day I just can't be completey happy. Somethings missing. Somethings not right.
Maybe I just need a drink. Yes probably. Just a drink, or to hang with some friends...or both.

In my nature I'm being a bit dramatic, I mean you can still get a good laugh out of me like every three seconds, I just want to switch my brain off.
Recently I've gone through an obsession with Discovery channel, I've watched specials on people stranded at sea, the Columbia Nasa crash, the lion man...which reminds me, have any of you seen the DVD Grizzly Man? Tragic but hilarious at the same. This poor soul Timothy thoguht he could become one with bears, but instead ended up being mauled by one. Tragic.

I also took one of those silly personality tests out of boredom. It told me I was only about 2 percent of the populations personality, which if you know me shouldn't shock you. Im an ENFP. Extrovert blah blah, but as for famous ones Mark Twain was one and I love him, makes perfect sense. Also good careers for people like this are journalists, or media producers. Haha, I swear I didn't rig it.

One day my freckles will blend, into a beautiful tan...I'm sure of it.

I cannot believe how long my hair got! So exciting, as all summer I just let it be au natural, and it is thanking me for it. I straightened it today and yesterday. And yesterday at work, well last night I almost took someone out because this young guy (v. strange) who hangs out a price chopper at night, lurking around, came in, and I guess my hair was down? Later he comes back to the store and tells me and I quote, "Put your hair down."
Anyone who knows me knows that comment didn't go down okay with me. So I told him to go smoke another blunt, re-evaluate his life, then tell me that I need to wear my hair down. What an ass. I think he knows to never talk to me again. He then said that we are aquaintences and I cleared that shit right up, we are nothing but human beings living in the same city.

On a happier note I got a good dose of sun today and woke up at 9..naturally. How, I don't know. I took a run/walk, and just chilled, read some Wallace Stevens, and hung out with the family.

In related stories, bring me shopping, and get me back to UMass now. I'm a nerd that likes school and papers, and classes. Its better than working. Maybe I'll just never leave school..I'll get my PhD in like media studies or something and be an eccentric professor.

Which just reminded me, last year at Salve I'll never forget this professor I had for "What it means to be human". Yes that was the course's real legit name. Her name was Joan David, and right off from the start you knew she was exactly well...nuts, but in a good way. Often times she would come in with two different colored shoes, usually brown and navy. At least once a week she would wear a sort of loose knit sweater, and by loose knit I mean hole-ish, like small gaps. No problem right? Yes except she took "grandma trying to be sexy" to a whole new level when she wore these sweaters with out shirts under them. But Joan of course in some rediculous manner pulled it off. Another thing that she may or may not have pulled off--her British accent. Well case is, I did some background info on her haha, and found out she went to school I think in Prov and grew up in New England. I guess studying those old poets just reformed her a bit. But my point is most english professors are extremely quirky, its a requirement. I did have one very hot professor though for English...

Today is hot, and I'm definitly being a long-haired child. Wondering to be a long hair child. Sorry thats me channeling Devendra. This just means that I should shower, and hopefully will.

I'm sitting outside on the porch, and a golf ball literally came flying down the hill towards a pine tree and very violently took out a bird. I mean, say I had been on the trampoline, and I jumped at the very wrong time, that bird would have been my head. Damn golfers. Sometimes you hear "four", and five seconds later you have a ball next to you in the pool. Living on the edge haha.

Oh and speaking of the pool, its crystal clear. I bought tons of chemicals and poured all the shit in because turns out when my Dad was home he took a picture of the pool (that we were supposed to be taking care of..Lindsey and I) and showed my mom. I didn't even care about that the thing I cared about the most was how did my legally blind, technologically challenged father mangage to take a cell-phone pic of the pool? Props to him. My mom found out and sent this like press release type text to Lindsey and I saying to buy chemicals and shock the shit out of the pool...and so we did. Next morning the pool was clear. Miracle. Now onto other things such as cleaning the house. The two week hiatus from the parents was nice. But back to real life when I don't have to clean or buy food.

In related stories I've done lots of fun things this summer, and not as much running, hiking, and biking as I had planned on, but still a decent amount. Im going to Boston soon to meet Meg, and to Block Island with Mar, Kas, Jen, Jenna, and Hope. I cannot wait to moped around with the gals. Who ever gets onto my moped better hold on for dear life. haha. speeder.

In the past week I have been to the Cape and Newport, two of my favorite places other than VT. I have decided that after college I definitly need to live in a coastal area, even NY. Then later in life I will buy tons of horses up in the hills, and write novels. But I really need to live in the moment. I'm always dreaming.

Blah blah.
Get me back to UMass. I'm just wasting days at this point.

Swamps

So yesterday I did indeed take a little holiday if you will. haha. My Dad came home for his wednesday night golf leauge and needed a ride back to camping, but my family was in Newport for the day so I took the opportunity to drive him down, then say hello to my family, then run over to Salve to meet up with three awesome friends from freshman year, Meg, Dory, and Emily..shes going to Spain Im so jeal. It was so nice to hang out for a couple of hours! We are also pretending that my f'd up HP is Megs, because Salve will fix their computers for free. (we all had to get the same computer, that was so much I could have bought a horse or something)

Its a beaut today. I woke up at 12:(. Im going to blackstone trail it and tackle some to do things.

In related stories my pool is a swamp..and my parents are rip shit.

I need a holiday (insert British accent here)

I have an inevitably long to-do list. Its awful, it all involves finances, and technological advances in my simple life, haha. I'm sick of staring at computer screens,learning of things I don't really need. I might have mentioned this but last summer I was dreading going home, so it was my plan to take a tent and my now vanished sea foam green van and live in Vermont. The thing that scared me away from being all Henry David, was the black bears. They would kill me. So here I am a year later, and a year un-transcendentalized.

Column

By Chelsea Whitton
not done, quick write.
I am scanning items, furiously rushed as the customers are, through the register. All of my hard work and associates goes to the customers—which is what the food-market business is all about right? The process goes like this, you choose the food, I ring, you’re happy, you eat, I get paid. What isn’t part of this smiling circle is the fact that supermarket’s are now bringing in the big guns of sale tactics—the ability to reduce gas prices, for buying groceries. That’s right, food and gas, two large and sometimes annoying expenses are combing power to create a sort of mutual relationship. What is good for me is good for you…right? Not so.
The supermarket Price Chopper has teamed up with Sunoco to bring customers 10 cents off of every gallon of gas for every $50 dollars spent, including people using foodstamps and WIC. This is because the computer system at the moment has no way to regulate who and who does not receive the gas points. The Price Chopper Advantage card is used for two purposes, first and primarily to receive the weekly sales, such as oreo’s 2 for $5 for instance. Secondly and recently the card has been used for gas points, which accumulate over two month spans, and then they start back at $0. The computer has no way of regulating that the food stamps recipients do not receive gas points.
Think about this major fallout in the system that no one has really given much thought to. Who pays for food stamps? The government, who uses our taxes to pay for their food,. Who pays for the food stamps recepients gas? The supermarket, and the government. When did welfare turn into cash cow? A family that receives $800 in food stamps a month, theoretically if they spent all of the money, would receive $1.60 off of every gallon of gas for one fillup up to 20 gallons. That is a savings of $32.00 dollars. Say they receive $800 dollars a month for food all year every month that is $ 9600 a year, and in gas points, $384 of free gas. In tough economic times issues likes these should be speculated upon a bit more if you ask me, because we are overlooking the fundamental problems.
Formula sells for around $13 a bottle. The WIC program offers some families in a series of checks around ten cans of formula. That is $130 worth of formula—which they need. But tell me this—why do they deserve the 20 or 30 cents off a gallon for buying that formula? They are already using our tax dollars and now they are using free gas. Programs to help mothers, or people who need food are good, but need there be a gas incentive for people already receiving government assistance? I thought the incentive was cheap food.

Don't go in the Deep End...Oh I Will, and I Did

My laugh lines are ten times worse because of this trip. Which is a good thing.
Brewster was great, and I don't want to get back to real life. There was some bitch today totally Kate Gosselin that wouldn't let her daughter swim out of the bouyed off area in the pond in the Cape, where the water stayed the same depth till 100 feet out. Molly and I were flippin at this lady, we are like just let your kids have fun. We are going to be cool parents. We were laughing our asses off because this women brought like a three-ring circus tent to the pond.

Well anyhow I got back from the Cape with Lindsey today. I have laughed more in these two days than all summer. Lindsey and I managed to have fun. Even though Im pretty much sure if I got pulled over my ass would be in jail right now, because of the things she decideds to pack..not my problem.

Yesterday we went first to Brewster, and the bay side, where I managed to make a fool of myself. I walk by this women standing by herself and I was staring at some Blonde-haired tan hunk I said, "Damn" with a funny ghetto accent. Of course it had to be the wife and kids right there. After that we just sat on the beach and laughed at random nostalgia, and our alabaster skin. And with out fail someone had to compliment me on my blue dress that is thread thin, that I will never let go. Next year I know it will be too see-through to wear...how sad:( ...we all know the dress Im talking about I'm sure.

Then we met up with Ben as he is there all summer, and we went off roading..in my Camry and as the time went on it continually kept making this dragging metal sound, so we stopped and had me attempt to back up on the one-way path. After being called, "a fucking women driver" at least 10 times haha we parked and walked on the side of a lake cliff to come up to a rope swing area. About fifty or sixty feet above the lake. There was some kid playing flute there, and it was hilarious.
Anyhow I was going to jump off just for the glory of putting the video online, but I chickened out. We decided that after Ben jumped in we would all race, except the lake was full of weeds, and when we reached the like fifty foot deep area, and Ben said there was too many snapping turtles we quickly retreated. Then Ben found some shiny thing in the water, and surfaced and the first thing he said as he held the old braclet was, "Oh Chels its so Hobo!" Haha we all laughed because he always makes fun of my style yo and instead of calling it boho, he fakes a feminine lisp and says, "thats so hobo". So funny. We then decided if it had fallen off a hand that was cutt off of a body, and quickly threw it back. Then I realized that I should have kept it because it was pretty, and also the best part is if someone complimented me on the bracelet I could say something like "Thanx, I found it on the bottom of a lake". You know I would do and say something like that. Shoulda Coulda.

We swam in three different bodies of water yesterday, the ocean, a lake, and a pond. It was so much fun. We went to Chatham at night and saw a ton of seals...except nature me haha kept calling them sea otters or ocean otters. Lindsey and I kept naming off latin names for animals it was fun. We had a debate about the Latin name for Bear. She said Osso which is Spanish for bear and we all cracked up.
I think for bear its Ursus.

I slept in a camper. Worst sleep ever, but it was worth the awesome two days I had. I'm not a hotel-er, but I'm certainly not a camper, I'm more of a bungalow-er. I did enough camping in my years.

Also Lindsey and I made a cd to go to the cape. On it was the song Cat Scratch and the hole flipping time I couldn't stop singing it...how inappropriate. Also we cruised to I'm on a Boat. Legendary.

Jamaica is where the moose live

Tonight at work I contemplated stealing an entire roll of receipt tape so that I could have a journal of thoughts literally scrolled, messy and unorganized. But I didn't.

I want to start writing again, mostly because I always saw myself growing older as a self-indulgent literary type who drinks tea at noon, and then quickly moves onto scotch or gin, in some swanky apartment, while my gem covered fingers write about.
But for now I do drink tea at noon , but I don't write and I live in a small town. This is due to the mundane nature of the life I live. It doesn't really allow for this flow of creativity, really. Basically I just really miss writing . Sometimes when life doesn't come together before our eyes, it comes together through words on paper, or in my case a receipt tape exerpt.

I'm off to Brewster tomorrow to visit my cousin for his Birthday and visit his family who is visiting him. This is the hippie side of my family. The ones who bee keep, violin play, while baked beans simmer, and wear flannel shirts like they are a staple. I'm not kidding you. And of course on this side of the family there is Molly. Which also brings the three of us together, Lindsey, Molly, and I. And you have to understand this hasn't happened for a long long long time. We live .8 miles away from eachother but Lindsey and I are always separated when hanging out with our cousin/best friend, so its really nice to be able to hang out together like old times...which brings up the name Ben. Ben is Molly's brother (our cousin). The four of us grew up very close--camping trips, school, just everything. Ben was the oldest, the one who always led us up through 80 degree mountain sides in Vermont, almost getting us killed by various animals up there. All of us were always thinking of something to do. We would go down to the West River and jump in off of "pride rock" haha or something like that. Lions in rivers? I'm not sure about our rationalitiy. Also this sparks the memory of the time that Molly Lindsey and I, were going rafting down the West River with my Aunt Terry, Molly's mom, except the river was like a stream during the summer. And my mom was pissed because we came back with our Filenes bathing suits all scratched and ragged. hahaha. soo good.

This memory popped into my head earlier at work, becuase I was sick of focusing in on the reality that is my job. One day camping in Jamacia, Vermont, it was a cloudy day, Ben and Molly ,and Lindsey and I were riding on our bikes around the river side spots, where we noticed smoke flaming from some brush. Coincidentally that same day ranger dressed Smokey The Bear was making an appearance in the state park. Of course we ran into him and quickly alerted Smokey that there was a fire. Problem was--Smokey couldn't give a shit less, nor talk. Knowing VT Smokey was probably stoned out of his little bear mind. Anyhow the fire was put under control and that is when I started being a bit skeptical of mythical northern animals that claim to be able to put fires out.

Well we aren't camping in VT tomorrow we are gone to the Cape, which is a place I haven't been for a long long time, but camping always brings good times and good memories.

Later,
Chach

Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night

I haven't had a revelation over night or anything, but this summer was much needed. It was an internal awakening to all the underlying repressed things that I just pushed away, all my insecurities about myself and my life, all my doubts, all my anxieties, my problems years ago. They sort of just unravled in June. First semester at UMass I was good--lonely but persevering. Second semester I screwed up by pledging to a sorority I would eventually come to hate, but in doing so I lost what I was all about. I lost my time to take "me" time to walk on the Norwottuck trail, or explore through town, or pray, or care.

It was all so self revolving--I had to prove myself worthy to this new group. The problem was I wasn't even worthy to myself to begin with. June marked a turmultuous overturn in my life--I came home, something I said I wouldn't do. I realized there was major work to be done. Its coming to an end, and I'm excited, I'm the same Chelsea Whitton, but I realized my strengths and weaknesses, rather than allow myself to be blinded by them. I know that I don't want to write for newspapers as a result of this summer. I learned that I like to make people laugh, and I like to laugh therefore I will be pursing a career that requires me to either have a magazine column, travel and write, or be involved in broadcast media. I realized how important my family is, even though sometimes they drive me nuts. I also realized how short precious time is too because for all the years I despised my father he has also morphed into something better than I could have imagined, and its taken me a while to recognize the progress, and get rid of the hard feelings.

I also did some thinking after my sister told me casually one day that I don't let people get close to me, suprise--yes the relationship guru that I am, right. And that first of all struck me because of its boldness, and secondly because of its truth. I allow my lonliness to linger, while all my friends are around. I just always keep things on the surface, I wore my emotions on my sleeve so that people didn't actually see whats on the skin..you know. She also said that I dont have a boyfriend because of my laugh..but I'm still sticking to my orginial response of fuck you I like my laugh, because I do.

So I guess you can say I'm going back to UMass refreshed, emptied of old ghosts I've been keeping around, wearing a warmer smile,and open heart, and a new outlook on life and who and what I value.

Now I look at myself as some sort of morphed creature---I'd like to think I was metamorphosed from some sort of granite to amythst. Yes I'm a geo-sci nut.

I realized this when recently at work an old high school teacher of mine came up to me and said "Hi how are you Chels?" And with a smile on my face I replied, "Oh Hi! I'm good...I'm really good."
I was so good I had to repeat it. After that I found myself with the usual smirk on my face,that everyone makes fun of, but it wasn't as a result of an encounter with a former teacher, even thought that was nice, it was at the fact that I can now just say that I am good, and not just good, really good. Sincerely.
God has put some beautiful people in my life, and with out him I would just be the same zombie that our culture has produced. I want to live for so much more, so much more than this material world can provide for.

I don't know why I feel the need to declare this. I probably don't have to Mark Twain my life turnover, but I'm a writer. And thats what we do. We pour our hearts out on paper, or in our times, blank screens with lit up boxes.

Good Morning Sunshine

Today is sunny, and I woke up before noon. I am reporting today. I also have decided I want to be a famous folk singer and writer. Lets make it happen.
End of story.


I went reporting and all the biker guys were really nice. They of course kept asking me about my hair haha, and I totally didn't fit in. I wore a black dress and ballet flats. They had on jeans, bandannas, and leather vests on, so I got some looks haha. But it went well. I was supposed to report on Wells State Park but the guy there was a prick, so I was like okay no good press for you.

In a related story my family has been gone for over a week. I miss them. I also miss my friends scattered throughout the country.

If you didn't know trivial things about me I guess now you will

Thinking outrageously I write in cursive I hide in my bed with the lights on the floor.

1. What time did you get up this morning? Actually not till 2 pm

2. How do you like your steak? I prefer to not eat hunks of cows.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Ugly Truth

4. What is your favorite TV show(s)? SNL, Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Colbert Report, the Office and House.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Costa Rica, with a hammock, thousands of blank sheeted journals, and a horse…maybe a monkey.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Coffee

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Potatoes and brocolli.

8. What foods do you dislike? Ground beef.

9. Favorite Place to Eat? Anywhere with panini.

10. Favorite dressing? Rasberry Vinegrette.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? Toyota Camry

12. What are your favorite clothes? Anything black. Anything floral. Anything bohemian. You know.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Spain, Switzerland, France, and Ecuador.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? ¾ Full.

15. Where would you want to retire? I don’t want to retire. I want to write novels and drink Manhattans till my last word.

16. Favorite time of day? When I can look at the sun and tell what time it is.

17. Where were you born? Worcester, MA.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Golf—it’s a perfect excuse for a nap.

19. Who do you think will not tag you back? Im not tagging people haha.

20. Person you expect to tag you back first? “”””””””

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?

22. Bird watcher? Unless it’s a parot standing on my arm, or a falcon making a dive for my head…no not really

23. Are you a morning person or a night person? I pretty much just skip mornings all together…so no I gues you could say I’m not a morning person.

24. Do you have any pets? No I grew up with out pets my Dad is allergic to everything pretty much. I do want a quarter horse some day, and a chimp

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? I’m Chelsea Whitton. That’s news as it is.

26. What did you want to be when you were little? An interior designer.

27. What is your best childhood memory? All the friendships, and family times. I really did have a fantsastic childhood.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? Neither. Smelly hairy animals that drain you of money, and time. Ew.

29. Are you married? No

30. Always wear your seat belt? Yes

31. Been in a car accident? Nope. I’m an awesome speedingly great driver.

32. Any pet peeves? When people set you up for failure, just to make a point. Or people who ask me if I have a temper because of my red hair, or if I played basketball. Theres thousands of other things I could use my height for.

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings? Olives

34. Favorite Flower? Iris

35. Favorite ice cream? Purple Cow

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? Red Robin

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None

38. From whom did you get your last email? The telgram

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Sephora, Steve Madden, Victorias Secret, Nordstrom.

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? Just like went hiking, or driving around for fun. Nothing nuts.

41. Like your job? Fuck no. Yes Im talking about Pchops

42. Broccoli? O love it. Steamed!!

43. What was your favorite vacation? Dominical Costa Rica.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Molly.

45. What are you listening to right now? Conan O’Briens voice on TV.

46. What is your favorite color? Black, scarlet, green, and blue.

47. How many tattoos do you have? None. Ew.

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? IDK

49. What time did you finish this quiz? 12:16

50. Coffee Drinker? Um I think you know I’m an addict.

Electronics fly in my hands.

So I've been completely out of it and my head is just too unusually clear, I thought maybe I was hungry, so I took my totally stoned sister to MCdonalds to get some late night grub. It took us like 3 minutes to decide on a milk shake flavor, and she alerted me that there was something near the moon...oh she makes me laugh.
She also thinks that the clicker is broken because it is. I don't have the balls to tell her I was pissed the other night and chucked it at the floor and now it wont work. Charter...I think I might be calling you soon. I really need to work on that temper of mine. Its something about electronics. The other night I was mad because I left my keys in the house and like a smart person no one was home so my sister locked the house up. I had a hissy fit because I left the keys in the house and was mad that I couldn't get my guitar and try out my new capo, and because I was in a full length dress that was driving me nuts. As a result my cell phone went flying across the yard. I just don't know sometimes. These are all things that you my friends may or may not know about me. But we all have our moments. I have lots of moments. Not all so beautiful.

Tomorrow I have to run out a report in Sturbridge on a story that might or might not all ready be being covered. No idea, but I got the press pass...totally legit right? Then its off to work.

International Delight.

Why is switchfoot so impossible for me to learn? I don't know. I always remember the phase that I went through where I was going to 100% marry Jon Foreman...then I found out he is like in his 30's, but Switchfoot's music is wonderful.


Currently I am trying to learn how to play Bob Dylan's version of Mr. Bojangles, because next week I am visiting Ben and Molly at the Cape, where there father used to live, and he passed almost two years ago this August, and the other day Mr. Bojangles came on Mollys Ipod and she said, "I love this song it reminds me of my Dad. He would love this." Which sparked the idea, of attempting to play it around the fire. It would mean alot, for two people that have always been great cousins.

I am still laptopless...currently hacked into my sister's. I don't know what I should do. I think I might pretend I still go to Salve and bring it down with me and have them fix it...after all it is the piece of shit Salve ordered me to buy. But I still need to buy a battery for $150, but thats better than spending $500 on a laptop.

I slept until 1:30 p.m. today. Who does that? I am so lazy, but I think a second cycle of REM kicked in because I like couldn't face reality from dream. I woke up searching for this laptop that didn't exist because I had a dream my Mom gave me this uber-chic laptop in my dream and said to just take it because I deserved it. Right. Haha even I'm laughing at the prospects of that.

I cannot wait for UMass. Im so excited to be back doing mah thang, like UMass outing club...hiking! (which I didn't have time for this summer) and kayacking. I'm not canoeing though, last year I was tricked into sloshing through a dead current of the Connecticut River for 12 miles. I wanted to jump off and swim instead haha, so no canoeing, but I cannot wait. I wanted to tryout for symphony but the person never gave me the damn sheet music so I guess not. And most importantly is the Amherst Wire and the Collegian, which I plan to write for the living and arts section, while submitting featuers to the Wire. I am a very busy gal, but I like to keep it that way. And I secretly have this burning desire..kidding, but no really, to be either an actress on Saturday Night Live, or be an anchorwoman, so I'm going to try and take some acting classes, and or work for UVC 19. Oh yes and on top of this all I want to have some sort of social life, and I need to work. Why must I do this to myself.
Sorry for telling you my life story...no pun intended...but jotting things out like this help me think straight, because if I keep it in my mind, well you all know how my mind is, I can't function.

As the late Steve Irwin would say, "Sheila its a beaut."
Translation, I'm going outside.

This is my United States of Whatever.

To start off okay sorry about the last post. I'm so caught up in the moments of my fragile little life haha. But today is good I went to my internship, and was assigned a story for the Sturbridge Flash. I was to go to Wells State Park and find a story...but that place is in east bum chuck ville and no one wanted to seem to talk to me, except a former T & G photog. I quickly found out there is a lot of activity there this weekend so I'll trek back out there to find the story!! Conquering Central Mass. is what I do.

My story on the Auburn Elks Car show ran today front page. Woot... Cars. The funniest thing is that I know nothing about cars, and the first time didn't even write down the makes of the cars haha. And what do you know on Sat I'm reporting on some Harley Rally. Maybe I'm developing some sort of beat haha, a beat that involves old men and cars....I was thinking my beat would be either fashion, health, or environmental causes cough cough National Geographic. I know I will end up at NATGO at some point in my life. I'm exhausted because I stay up way too, and am way to stressed over this laptop ordeal. I'm off to buy a laptop. Wish me luck. I'd rather be spending hundreds on some new clothes but whatever.

Lee and Ling--welcome back.

This story is covering main stream U.S. news everywhere, especially today as the two released American journalists landed in Burbank California this morning. The heart-wrenching arrival of the two women was broadcast over U.S. networks. I watched it on CNN, and I couldn't believe that they were brave enough to walk out of the plane to say hello to their families once again with millions watching. These are two remarkably brave women. Lee said that just 30-hours ago at the time they were in prison, expecting to serve a 12-year sentence at a labor camp, which in some conditions, death is inevitable, all this for crossing a river from China to North Korea to tell a story of human rights violations. Of course North Korea being North Korea labeled them as "criminals", because how does that look if North Korea is ethically challenged? Like the rest of the world didn't know that already. I mean the leader claims to have some record number of "Hole-in ones" in golf. Right Kim Jon Ill. Keep telling yourself that.
If I could in real person I would sincerely thank the two journalists for risking their careers, reputations, and lives to tell a story they were passionate about. That takes more courage than most journalists have--to venture into a totalitarian state.
I have also done research on the North Korean news agency and how they portrayed the trial of Ling and Lee in their very restrictive media. They only described that the American journalists violated human rights, and were criminals because of illegal actions,with the intent of sharing their gained information. The two were filming a documentary. The Korean Central News Agency of DPRK is one of the most noteable cases of gate-keeping. The media is 100% controlled by the government, there is no objectivity, and the citizens of North Korea are being blinded to the truth. I believe that the recent clemency of the two journalists is a step in a progressive direction. But right now it is hard to say why they did this. Is North Korea trying to keep peace, or are they playing good and evil? The prevailing weeks will only tell. (Insert Kim Jon Ill's evil sneer here)

Fergalicious?...no Chelsalicious.

So last night I laughed harder than I have in a while...during a very sad and solemn movie with Molly, but we always do that. We watched the Curious Case of Benjamin Button, after a long debate of what to do, because I left my keys inside my house, and my sister was a half-hour away, and I didn't want to go to my Grandparents, because then my parents would find out obviously and then proceed to tell me how stupid I am. And I have to much pride to let that happen...so instead I attempted to break into the bathroom window--no luck. Then shortly after food became a priority on my mind. Friendly's quickly became a necessity, so Molly and I split dinner, and I got a smoothie (mine are better). We then watched Benjamin Button and everything Molly said made me cry laughing as usual. I know when my eyes are tearing up and closed from laughing that life is good. Still locked out of my house I decided sleeping on the hardwood floor would be the best bet. Not quite, but it was worth all the fun I had. This is such a sequential blog. Sorry, but I'm a matter-of-fact today I guess, as I'm at my internship...yes doing this.

I'd buy you an exotic animal. Like a llama or an emu

I now have a collection of mosquitio bites to put it bluntly all over everywhere. Quite comfortable...not, but all worth it for tonight.
Me and my friend India played guitar and chatted round a campfire and attempted to compile songs on guitar (which I then decided to not be competent enought to play).
I saw a shooting star tonight...which sparked an hour long much needed conversation about God, and his nostalgic prescence in my life, well our lives.
It started with me being all philisophical about stars, and how they aren't really there, because by the time it takes light to travel from the sky to earth the star has died, so the star really isn't there at the time we are viewing it. See how complicated that could get?
So India and I quickly decided that a bunch of white old men with ugly mustaches and bifocles that can see jupiter's uranus got together and decided to come up with the most outlandish lies and see who could get away with the biggest one. That makes it much simpler? Okay, I thought so. Discussing dreams of the sun going black, and glowing orange auras in cemeteries really got me thinking tonight, and yet again back on track of the whole discovering who I am this summer thing. I like it. Everyday is new, and I'm re-focussing on where my life is going, or trying to focus on where it was meant to go from the start. What did I think about before this whole "Who am I and what the hell am I doing" phase struck me in the face? I'm not sure, I was probably as blank as I was at work today.
Oh and we both decided that our biblical names are Chelsiah pronounced Chels-iah, and Indiiiia, with a long I. Very hot right now I hear for bible names ;)

Ayer y Hoy, Whimsical Gypsie Moments

Yo no se.
A more poetic way of saying yesterday and today. Yesterday I had a day where nothing feels right. I attempted to clean my pit of a room and got as far as shoving all the clothes and things off my bed onto the floor to make my bed. At school I am so clean and organized, this summer I'm just out of wack. I need my place at school. I am so independent and self-sufficient that being home makes me feel like I'm choking for air. I love my family and the house and the yard and my little bubble of a town but we all know how often I move around. I transfer from town to town, make friends here and there, and live my life as a whimisical gypsie. Which reminds me, last year my friend Dory and I at Salve pretty much killed quotes like this one from Borat, "Gypsie give me your tears". I would say it in my Borat voice, and laughter would follow.
I'm so much more career oriented and school oriented than I was last year at Salve. At Salve all I lived for was my five drinks on Friday nights, and my friends. But those five drinks on every Friday night got me through it, whether I fell off of Ripta buses or not. Yes I fell off of a bus haha. Then I went to UMass and got all serious. I still can be funny, but its not the same. But I guess I've still got it.
I haven't had a drink since May. I'm dying.
But today I feel good. I'm laptop shopping, and Ipod browsing. I've had 2 cups of coffee, a chai, and strawberries, and I feel so much better than yesterday.
My parents left for two weeks and left me a total of 8 dollars for food and a beer in the fridge. Guess it looks like I'm getting skinny. What is that like one slice of bread a day?
Hope everyone who reads this is well.
Peace and Love,
Chach.