#and we had a little donut party much nice 8’U

[chika-nyan]

They got me a card and flowers 🥹

[jasonblossomsghost]

1-100.

1. Spotify, SoundCloud, or Pandora? Spotify 100%2. Is your room messy or clean? I'm actually switching rooms rn so messy I guess3. What color are your eyes? Everyone says they're hazel but they're Brown4. Do you like your name? Why? Yeah I do I chose it lmao5. What is your relationship status? single af6. Describe your personality in 3 words or less. I'll describe it in one: Bad™7. What color hair do you have? Brown8. What kind of car do you drive? Color? I don't drive but when I start I'll be driving a white Chevy Impala9. Where do you shop? Charlotte Russe, Ross Dress for Less, Forever 21 occasionally, Goodwill with friends sometimes10. How would you describe your style? It's kinda all over the place but 80s-90s & gay11. Favorite social media account? Tumblr12. What size bed do you have? Used to have a twin but ya boi is getting a full 13. Any siblings? Yh I have 714. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Why? On my own island bc I can control who's there15. Favorite Snapchat ​filter? Dog bc I'm a basic ass bitch16. Favorite makeup brand(s)? I don't wear makeup on a regular basis so I don't have one17. How many times do you shower a week? 3-4 anymore and my hair dries out18. Favorite TV show? rn it's Shameless19. Shoe size? men's 5, women's 6-7.520. How tall are you? 5'321. Sandals or sneakers? sneakers I actually rly hate sandals22. Do you go to the gym? Nah but I work out at home23. Describe your dream date. I get to choose the music for the car ride, a museum or something cute like that, afterwards we get ice cream bc I fucking love ice cream24. How much ​money do you have in your wallet at the moment? $0.00 but my mom & sister owe me $250 lmao25. What color socks are you wearing? not wearing any atm26. How many pillows do you sleep with? Only one27. Do you have a job? What do you do? Nope but I've applied for jobs and I'm waiting to get calls back rip28. How many friends do you have? I'm really bad at telling the difference between friends & acquaintances but maybe like 10??29. What's the worst thing you have ever done? I was born lmao30. What's your favorite candle scent? Vanilla 100%31. 3 favorite "boy" names: Noah (ever Noah I've ever met is super nice), Kai (do y'all remember when every male OC was named Kai??), Andddd Colin (bc of Colin Morgan and also this really nice boy I knew named Colin when I was little)32. 3 favorite "girl" names: Janelle (y'all know why lmao), Nadia, and Gabby (these are all names of girls I've liked before/currently like whoops)33. Favorite actor? Noel Fisher probably34. Favorite actress? Hayley Kiyoko35. Who is your celebrity crush? I HAVE A LOT but probably Hayley Kiyoko loml36. Favorite movie? Scott Pilgrim vs The World or GBF37. Do you read a lot? What's your favorite book? I used to but then that mental illness hit me like a brick lmaoooooo and probably Remembering the Good Times - Richard Peck38. Money or brains? probably brains39. Do you have a nickname? What is it? Yeah I have a few which are Or, Orio, and Bear40. How many times have you been to the hospital? I went to the hospital a lot as a kid so I have no idea41. Top 10 favorite songs: atm it's Imaginary Parties - SUPERFRUIT, Praying - Kesha, There For You - Martin Garrix & Troyes Sivan, Ignition/Do You Like Drugs - Phoebe Ryan, Suit and Jacket - Judah & The Lion, K. - Cigarettes After Sex, Liability - Lorde, If i ever feel better - Phoenix, Humongous - Declan McKenna, and Get Bummed Out - Sports42. Do you take any medications daily? I'm supposed to take allergy pills + a preventative inhaler but I don't43. What is your skin type? p normal but occasionally dry/oily44. What is your biggest fear? ever seen Psycho? yeah that45. How many kids do you want? NONE I'D FUCK THEM UP46. What's your go to hair style? something I like to call "dude did u even brush it?" (the answer is no)47. What type of house do you live in? two story house with an apartment over the garage48. Who is your role model? Amelia Earhart, we were born in the same town + I too wanna fucking disappear49. What was the last compliment you received? @just-call-me-hot-topic called me hot which is Incorrect™50. What was the last text you sent? "No" to my sister51. How old were you when you found out santa wasn't real? 4 or 5. My mom told me he died in a blizzard but it's okay bc I fucking hated Santa52. What is your dream car? Tesla I love clean energy53. Opinion on smoking? kill urself if u want but keep it away from my asthmatic ass + literally everyone else who doesn't want to inhale poison54. Do you go to college? I'm technically enrolled in college and I take college classes so yes55. What is your dream job? Founder of a nonprofit for LGBT+ youth56. Would you rather live in rural areas or suburbs? I've lived in both so I can safely say suburbs57. Do you take shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels? Nah my hair is too picky58. Do you have freckles? Yep59. Do you smile for pictures? I don't know how to smile60. How many pictures do you have on your phone? 5561. Have you ever peed in the woods? I've never been in the woods for more than like an hour so nope62. Do you still watch cartoons? Hell yeah63. Do you prefer chicken nuggets from Wendy's or McDonald's? I can't have either anymore but it used to be Wendy's64. Favorite dipping sauce? I actually hate dipping sauce65. What do you wear to bed? either a sports bra + underwear + shorts or underwear + a t-shirt66. Have you ever won a spelling bee? yeah actually in the 5th grade, I won a dictionary67. What are your hobbies? being gay, listening to music68. Can you draw? Once a 12 year old laughed at me for 10 minutes bc of a tree I drew so no69. Do you play an instrument? No I wish70. What was the last concert you saw? I've never been to a concert rip71. Tea or coffee? Tea72. Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts? Starbucks73. Do you want to get married? maybe but that's contingent on finding someone who likes me which is Unlikely74. What is your crush's first and last initial? JG75. Are you going to change your last name when you get married? if they have a cool last name, sure76. What color looks best on you? my family says moss green77. Do you miss anyone right now? yh lmao78. Do you sleep with your door open or closed? Closed, open makes me paranoid af79. Do you believe in ghosts? I'm not sure but I believe in energy so I guess80. What is your biggest pet peeve? my sister likes to take all my stuff out of the shower when she takes a shower then doesn't put it back and it makes me homicidal81. Last person you called? My mom82. Favorite ice cream flavor? Birthday Cake (but only the halotop brand)83. Regular oreos or golden oreos? Regular84. Chocolate or rainbow sprinkles? I'm gay what do you think85. What shirt are you wearing? A gray v-neck t-shirt not that interesting lmao86. What is your phone background? Will Roland in a turtle shell87. Are you outgoing or shy? Somewhere in between I think. Like I'm outgoing if I know the other person is more nervous than me88. Do you like it when people play with your hair? fuck yes89. Do you like your neighbors? All I know about them is the cops are at their house a lot but sure90. Do you wash your face? At night? In the morning? In the morning when I'm in the shower91. Have you ever been high? Not like intentionally but there have been times where I've taken too many doses of my inhaler and cold medicines when I've had bronchitis that could probably classify as being high. If it does, I cry at children's movies a lot when I'm high92. Have you ever been drunk? Nope93. Last thing you ate? ice cronch cronch94. Favorite lyrics right now: "I get nervous when I'm happy because what comes up must come down" (aka my whole existence)95. Summer or winter? Summer bc less stress and my depression is more manageable96. Day or night? Night97. Dark, milk, or white chocolate? Milk 100000%98. Favorite month? November99. What is your zodiac sign? Scorpio100. Who was the last person you cried in front of? My mom when I was having a panic attack & she was yelling @ me

[paulsolorzano]

11.15.18

I’ve been sticking to the ketogenic diet nicely. I believe I’m down 19 lbs today after a month or so if doing it.

I’ll have to start integrating in some exercise.

I’ve even been able to combat the munchies by making adjustments to what I eat. Mostly pistachios. But I gotta cool it on them too because I think they’re screwing with my bowels when I eat too many and get up in the morning.

—-

I stare at the Dunkin’ Donuts coffee. I get this shit every day currently. No sugar, cream only. I swirl it like wine; watch the white cream mix itself with the brown. Ice cubes clanking against each other and the plastic cup.

I consider reducing my carbon footprint. How though? I imagine getting containers with the same dimensions as my favorite foods/drinks: the coffee stuff, chipotle bowls, metal straws.

I’ll add it to the list.  

—-

Drank an assload of wine with my boy Mac from work. We are going for our level one sommelier in December. Long story short we were supposed to work a party,  but we ended up getting cut and hanging at work and drinking wine instead.

Listening to:

Bomb the music industry! - Adults!!!

Bomb the music industry! - goodbye cool world

Jeff Rosenstock - worry.

Tofubeats - first album

Flamingosis - pleasure palette

Lifted bells - minor tantrums

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Apple cider vinegar shot

Wheat grass juice powder

Kale/spinach/radish/parsley/celery/lemon juice/stevia drink

Dunkin’ Donuts coffee

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

“I don’t wanna go outside because I might have a terrible day and get sent home” - Bomb the music industry!

“If I do nothing, will anything happen?” - lifted bells

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.14.18

I smoked so much out of the oil pen last night after getting out of work. From the parking garage all the way to the house. Tina was already smoking and drinking shit red wine from Walgreens. Yellowtail merlot. Tina is the lady I live with for the moment since getting back to Orlando.

—

I met with Frank yesterday. It was good. We hung at the house for a while; I spoke to his wife Jess for a while also. They have a dog named Microchip. Hes like 15 years old. Little scraggly looking thing. Hes on his way out: can’t see, can’t hear, shits himself, back legs barely work. Frank and his wife were debating on weather to put him down. He’s ok with it, Jess doesn’t want to. Time is probably going to take care of the decision for them.

So Frank and I left and went to our old Starbucks haunt up the road from him. The Starbucks right there boy the chipotle on Colonial. We chatted about music and listened to some old shit of mine: Brightline Spectrum (I was in this band with my boys Earl Hoback and Adam Heidrick. We ran through a string of bass players until we got Frank on board); also, a band called Gift to the Greedy, which we can appreciate now as older adults.

Frank and I don’t meet too often, but that is going to change. We are what I would call musical soulmates, in the sense of we probably are the most adaptable and accepting of new and different genres of any music. We’ve always been fans of the cream of the crop across all the genres.

The short stories here are:

I want to become Frank’s protege: I want to get caught up on his production techniques, and start making my own music again.

Frank wants me to become his manager of sorts. Just to facilitate shows etc; his sticking point is the marketing side of things so Im gonna come in and start attempting to handle some of that.

—

I still need to write about:

•           Time in Bradenton with Danielito and the rest of my family

•           Mother had a heart attack

•           Rachel getting a divorce

•           Back to Orlando

•           Back to STK

•           Living with Tina Watkins

•           Becoming awesome

•           Getting healthy after the summer of slop

•           Three weeks of weed and YouTube poops

Listening to:

Neon Indian - psychic chasms

Crystal Castles - III

Sir mix a lot - Swass

Sir mix a lot - Seminar

Serengeti - Kaleidoscope

Serengeti - Kenny Dennis ep

Tomggg - Art Nature

in the blue shirt - Sensation of Blueness

Lazycain - July to October

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Apple cider vinegar shot

Kale/spinach/radish/parsley/celery/lemon juice/stevia drink

Wheat grass juice powder

Dunkin’ Donuts coffee

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

“You once had a dream but your grandma stole it” Sir Mixalot

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.13.18

(I meant to write all this last night but smoked too much so here it is)

So we all aired our grievances ( mostly Tttt and Aaaaaaaaa) and had a drink. I had some johnnie walker black label, as I’ve been on a whiskey kick lately, mostly due to the keto diet.

So then we all leave the bar around 1:30 and head to the parking garage. Tttt has her husband on the phone who has been waiting for her, so she’s occupied, and goes her separate way as we walk to the Orange garage (Disney Springs has lots named after fruit haha orange, lime , strawberry)

Aaaaaaa and I go to her car on level one; she drives me over to where my car is on the other side of level one. We get to chatting in her car.

Mostly about her likely soon to be ex xcvbnm. I’m not saying I’m waiting to swoop in but I’m kind of waiting to swoop in.

For some reason about a week ago, I just felt compelled to walk up to her and start talking. It felt pretty natural. So I went with it and suggested we should do something in the future. And we got on the topic of her doing art etc. So she’s crafty like that also, which is a bonus because I had no idea.

Anyway, we chatted in her car for probably over an hour. Mostly her getting the bf troubles off her chest. I feel like she has no one to talk to on these matters so I just let her go off.

I know I’m treading the line of being the ‘gay friend’ shoulder to cry on. But I continue to make it know that my involvement is romantic in intention. And she’s down from what I can tell.

Her sticking point is that she has been drawn in to this narcissists web of gaslighting and the like. He breaks her down and then continually reels her back in. They’ve already broken up once and had mini break ups also.

—-

Met with Frank today.

Listening to:

Tokyo Elvis

Lifted bells

There / They’re / There

Owen

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Playing:

Purchases:

Went a little nuts o there polyvinyl site with some sale shit

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.12.18

Continuing wine studies for the level one class / exam coming up December 7-8. I gotta lock in my spot and pay the $600. Semi pricey but def worth the investment. It’ll look good at STK and also on the resume if and when the time comes.

—-

1:30 or so am. Aaaaaaaaa, the girl from work I’ve been chatting with, we finally made it out after work for a drink. We went to raglan road, which is right next to STK. Another girl Ttttttttttt (who I also work with and, is a rat in Chinese zodiac, same as my brother)  came along as well, as she had a bad night at work behind the bar.

—-

Listening to:

Foo Fighters - there is nothing left to lose

Bit Brigade - Castlebandia

Bit Brigade - Contra

Misfits - collection

Piebald - nobody’s robot

Van Cliburn - Beethoven pathetique  

Noname- telefone

Galant - ology

Watching:

Reading:

CMS introductory wine course book pdf. This is for the sommelier level one exam

Eating:

Apple cider vinegar shot

Wheat grass juice powder

Kale/spinach/radish/parsley/celery/lemon juice/stevia drink

DD coffee cream only

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

“Can’t you hear my motored heart? You’re the one who started it” - Foo Fighters

“What good is a sword, next to a shotgun?” - Galant

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.11.18

Sundays off at the abortion clinic. I drive by this thing every day; it’s right by the house. Always like one person out there with a sign.

Smoking in your vehicle

Listening to:

Jeff Rosenstock - worry

Jeff Rosenstock - we cool?

Sufjan Stevens - Planetarium

Tokyo Elvis - nice and pleasant

Bit brigade - Zelda

Bit brigade - Metroid

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Skipped the

Playing:

Purchases:

Basquiat art book

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.10.18

More wine studies. Gonna get Mac on board with a study session with Lionel.

Interested in a BMW 5 series on sale at a lot where Yaqeen’s boy works.  I need to get a car. This rental is costing me $800 a month.

Listening to:

Carl Cox - all roads lead to the dance floor

Nine inch nails - broken

Misfits - walk among us

Anal Trump - the first 100 songs

Anal Cunt - everyone should be killed

Grimes - art angels

Jeff Rosenstock - worry

Jeff Rosenstock - POST

Jeff Rosenstock - we cool?

Watching:

YouTube -

where are the best place to grow wine

Carbonic maceration

Wine on the lees

Reading:

Eating:

Kale/spinach/radish/parsley/celery/lemon juice/stevia drink

Apple cider vinegar shot

Wheat grass juice powder

Dunkin’ Donuts coffee

Chipotle bowl: no beans, no rice, double meat, sauteed onions/peppers, hot salsa, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Resin bootlegs

Lyric of the day:

“Kiss me hard like a garbage movie” - Jeff Rosenstock

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.09.18

About three days ago I started talking to this girl Aaaaaaaaa from work

She started there when I was In Alaska.

So we got to chatting at work and I learned a little about her: 36 and divorced finally, 17 year old daughter, and apparently she can’t hang on to a man (according to her), and self proclaimed low self esteem. But the last three days we’ve gotten a little close at work and want to make plans.  

Shes seems cool, she has some ‘on again off again’ guy in her life but she said she hasnt heard much from him the last few weeks. Although I just hit her up now after she got out of work, and she said he may come over or something to see her.

All that bullshit aside, I think she may not be too too emotionally invested at this point, but maybe hanging on for some last scrap of whatever, hopefully closure. I mean I don’t mind seeing her while shes still invovoled with someone,  but if he continues on his trend of not showing her off publicly etc (this is according to her, which was a point of contention for her of course), the situation is gonna sort itself out.

Im going to press on either way. Not wait in the wings, but try to get her out of course. And always escalate with male/female intent. She knows im interested that way so its all good.

Listening to:

Jeff Rosenstock - POST

Jeff Rosenstock - We cool?

NOFX - wolves in wolves clothing

NOFX - Ribbed, Live in a Dive

Ben Folds - So there

Me first and the gimme gimmes - are we not men? We are diva!

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Apple cider vinegar shot

Kale/spinach/radish/parsley/celery/lemon juice/stevia drink

Wheat grass juice powder drink

Dunkin’ Donuts coffee cream no sugar

Chipotle bowl: no beans, no rice, double meat, sauteed onions/peppers, hiot salsa, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce

Pollo tropical - these mofos had no fucking curry mustard and it chaps me

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

“You taught me nothing; I owe you nothing. How can I forget you when there’s nothing to forget?” - So there by Ben Folds

“You’re gonna die in someone else arms, and I have to live with that. I hope you have a good life” - Armor for Sleep

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.08.18

Listening to:

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Playing:

Purchases:

Sufjan Stevens - lonely man of winter 7 inch preorder

Rozwell Kid - Precious Art (Purple/Orange Vinyl)

Listening to:

Jeff Rosenstock - POST , worry , we cool?

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.07.18

Guy and his girlfriend came to their storage space, gave me a little acknowledgment. He had her pull him on the dolly thing, like he was surfing. I’ve done that a million times here.

Listening to:

Paul’s radio station on Apple Music

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Playing:

Purchases:

Jermaine Rodgers Choices preorder

Beatles white album reissue preorder

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

“Two become one; a cacophony of a car crash” - minus the bear

“I miss you less and less every day; it’s true the whisky helps to wash you away” - Margot and the nuclear so and so’s

“Nicotine Valium Vicodin marijuana ecstasy and alcohol... ccccccccocaine!” - queens of the Stone Age

By fishbone:

“Unyielding conditioning
Tune out from all that's happening
Nobody deserves empathy
Nobody feels for me

We've all been trained by our worlds

I cannot see no one but me
No one can feel my emptiness
Everybody must fend for themselves
There is no openness

We've all been claimed by our worlds [x2]

But I have heard of ways
That say there's light beyond the darkness
And everyone can keep their children warm
And togetherness will guide us safely
Through all storms

Unyielding conditioning
Remove all trace of memory
No one needs justice anymore
No voices raised in anger

We've all been tamed by our worlds [x2]

But I have heard of ways
Where people topple all injustice
No one lives their lives on bended knees
And all bigotry is like a disease
Drowned in the sea
And all can hold their head up high!”

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.06.18

Storage space days. Food and wine studies, trimming down the shit in the space and consolidating. Attempting to keep forward momentum and grind the business as I can.  

Listening to:

Millencolin - For Monkeys

Millencolin - Pennybridge Pioneers

Deadmau5 - For lack of a better title

S/s/s (Sisyphus) - beak and claw

Watching:

Reading:

Karen MacNeil’s Wine bible

Kevin Zraly’s windows on the world wine book

Eating:

Kale/spinach/radish/parsley/celery/lemon juice/stevia drink

Apple cider vinegar shot

Wheat grass juice powder

Dunkin’ Donuts coffee no sugar cream only

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

Quote of the day:

“Its not about the resources you have but how resourceful you are”

8 ball questions and answers

“Is Xxxxxx doing ok?”

“Outlook not so good”

Hashtags:

11.05.18

Ive been watching wine and champagne videos lately. Just been trying to step up my game at Stk. also considering going for my level 1 in sommelier. Its a huge undertaking but the benefits and the street cred would be worth it I believe.

I have to get better. At everything in life. The last couple weeks I have been stepping things up at work. Getting in that groove of talking about the gig every day.

I need to get a vehicle. Ive been renting a new car from Enterprise for $200 a week. Putting that shit on credit. Been putting a lot on credit since returning to FL. But no worries. The STK will provide. Just taking these baby steps.

—

Listening to:

Jeff Rosenstock - Worry

Jeff Rosenstock - We Cool?

Paul Solorzano radio station

Braid - movie music vol. 1

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Apple cider vinegar shot, Kale/spinach/lemon juice/stevia drink, wheat grass juice powder

Coffee from dunkin donuts

Bacon

Chipotle bowl: no beans, no rice, double meat, sauteed onions/peppers, hiot salsa, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce

Playing:

havent been on FFXIV  since I got back to Orlando

Purchases:

Mineral - 25 years of mineral book/10” record with new songs

Super 7 Misfits 3.75 figs

Goodwill finds:

Star Wars power of the force, Han Solo figure, carded and sealed, Slightly damaged card slightly damaged bubble package.

Random comic book assortment, Image comics with cool covers, vintage ‘death of Superman’ era comics:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

“What I don’t know Is how I could be so incredibly stupid” - Duncan Sheik

“I gotta let you know while you’re alive

Cause everybody loves you when you die”

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.03.18

I got YouTube premium there other day. Don’t know if I mentioned that.

Listening to:

Jeff Rosenstock - Worry

Smashing pumpkins - cherub rock

Watching:

Food / wine / champagne pairing YouTube vids

Reading:

Eating:

Apple cider vinegar shot , Kale/spinach/lemon juice/stevia drink , wheat grass juice powder

coffee from dunkin donuts

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.02.18

Working on soliciting places for the business. I think one of my niches will be wine companies because I’m on a wine kick now, and working with these places will help me on my wine studies.

Listening to:

Watching:

YouTube:

Veuve vids

champagne vids

food pairing vids

Reading:

Eating:

Apple cider vinegar shot

Kale/spinach/lemon juice/stevia drink

Wheat grass juice powder (day one with this)

Dunkin Donuts coffee, no sugar, cream only  

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

11.01.18

Ive been trying to wake up a little earlier lately.

Listening to:

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

10.31.18

My first business related phone call! My boy Darren from STK became the GM over at Tasting Room Orlando.

I sent him an audit a few days ago of where they were at with their social media and what we could do immediately to get things moving, along with a few ideas for down the road shit. He's gonna bring it to the investors and get back to me. Either way I'm stoked.

—

Look up year of the comet vintage 1811

Listening to:

Benton Falls

Watching:

Social media marketing program: outsourcing

YouTube: wine studies, Santa Barbara coast

Veuve Clicquot vids

Reading:

Eating:

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

“Nothing makes me happy; I’m like a shitty child” - Jeff Rosenstock

Quote of the day:

“I know our champagne will shine above heaven” - Nicole Clicquot

“We always have to prove we deserve our name and rank” - Nicole Clicquot

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

10.30.18

More storage space cleaning

Started an Instagram for my storage space to sell shit: Instagram.com/paulsstoragespace

Listening to:

Madvillian

Fourtet

I fight dragons

J Dilla

Brandtson

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

“Credit buys you everything except love” - Benton Falls

“Slip like Freudian; the first and last step to play yourself like accordion” - Madvillain

Quote of the day:

“If drunk you thinks sleeping with someone is a good idea, then sober you is just you lying to yourself” - me

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

10.29.18

Had a great work night at STK. I saw a little results from my Orin Swift wine studies. Sold a bottle of Abstract to my table, and also sold one to my boy Luis’ table; the was in my neighboring section.

It’s inspiring to see some result in sales. That’s my goal lately is to get good at sales because we sell ourselves every day. So I’ve been boning up a little. I’m also considering studying for my level one sommelier. My boy Mac I work with is interested in it also.

Listening to:

Tokyo Elvis

Watching:

Judge Judy ytp my brother just sent along haha

Mentorbox: five things to do to hook prospects

Reading:

Eating:

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

Healeymade quackulas

Larry David curb your enthusiasm bootleg fig from Killer Bootlegs

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

10.27.18

At chipotle. Modifying burrito bowls to conform to my ketogenic diet. I’m  down ten lbs thus far. It’s been a couple weeks soon.

Had sex with a girl last night. She likes me. I’m just emotionally not there.

Today is oct 27. A red letter day in my life. It’s chronicled right here:

http://thekittycatandtheconman.tumblr.com

My love letter of a novella written to and about Zzzzzz Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzz, also known as The First Zzzzzz.

Listening to:

Ozma

The rentals

Feadz

Mr. Oizo

Handbraekes

Roswell Kid

Antarctigo Vespucci

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Apple cider vinegar shot,

Kale/spinach/lemon juice/stevia drink

Chipotle bowl: double meat, sautéed onions/peppers, hot salsa, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, lettuce

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

“I breathe your name, and suddenly I feel happy again” - Ozma

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

“Is Xxxxxx ok?”

“Don’t count on it”

“Should I attempt to contact her?”

“My sources say no”

It ain’t time yet.

Hashtags:

#thekittycatandtheconman

10.26.18

I saw Piebald in Tampa last night with Danielito who came up from bradenton. They played all the hits. I got the two shirts they were selling. Ah, merch. Definitely falls under the umbrella of ‘stuff lust’

I still need to write about:

•           Time in Bradenton with Danielito and the rest of my family

•           Mother had a heart attack

•           Rachel getting a divorce

•           Back to Orlando

•           Back to STK

•           Living with Tina Watkins

•           Becoming awesome

•           Getting healthy after the summer of slop

•           Three weeks of weed and YouTube poops

Listening to:

Watching:

Orin Swift wine vids on YouTube

Will wink and the chalk factory ytp

Reading:

Eating:

apple cider vinegar shot, kale/spinach drink

Scrambled eggs w/ heavy cream , sliced turkey , creamy cheese spread with chive flavor,

Playing:

Purchases:

Dr bergs wheat grass juice powder (I used to use this stuff daily before Alaska, along with the kale drink and apple cider vinegar)

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

“Trying to not find your plans; like combing a beach with more sand” - Fat and Skinny Asses by Piebald  

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:

#Piebald #ytp #drberg #drericberg

10.25.18

I suppose I’ll get back into the journaling now. Much has happened even since Alaska:

•           Time in Bradenton with Danielito and the rest of my family

•           Mother had a heart attack

•           Rachel getting a divorce

•           Back to Orlando

•           Back to STK

•           Living with Tina Watkins

•           Becoming awesome

•           Getting healthy after the summer of slop

Listening to:

#Sufjan

#Serengeti

#Piebald

Watching:

Reading:

Eating:

Kale/spinach drink

Eggs with heavy cream

Playing:

Purchases:

Packages received:

eBay obsessions:

Lyric of the day:

“Oh life, with your colorful surprises” - Sufjan  

Quote of the day:

8 ball questions and answers

Hashtags:s

[blkwidowsweb]

Prepping For the Picnic Pt. 1: A Guide for the "First Responders" (Tent Hosts)

The Chosen Few Picnic and Festival is a day filled with music and good times.  Lovers of house music gather from all around to hear some of the best DJs and performers play.  For many, the Chosen Few Picnic is also a reunion; a family reunion, college/high school/fraternity or sorority reunion or just a reunion of friends.   Jackson Park is filled with tents for the day.  Beyond the VIP tents, resides “Tent City”.  These tents are spots for friends to gather to eat, catch up or even rest in between dancing, eating and socializing. 

While many are still sleeping or even getting home after Chosen Few Kick-off parties, first responders (tent hosts) are up preparing, packing trucks, cars and Uhauls and getting in line.  That’s right; we are up at 3am and in line by 5am.  My friend and I have played tent hosts for the past 10 years and have become part of a special family I like to call, “Chosen Few 1st Responders”.   We drive up to Jackson Park in the wee hours of the morning and start unloading our trucks, cars and U-Haul’s.  It’s a bustle of activity at dawn.  Grills, chairs, coolers filled with food, dolly’s carrying furniture and other tent essentials are unloaded and organized.  Most of us are regulars who have become friends over the years. We share coffee and donuts and check out each other’s equipment and take notes for next year.  Tent hosts are your die-hard Chosen Few Picnic fans.  We are there from beginning to end and make sure everyone who stops by our tent has an enjoyable experience but it’s not easy! Playing tent hosts requires lots of organization and planning.   I spoke to a few Chosen Few 1st responders and chatted with them about the picnic, why they host and the top essential things a tent host has to have!

CHOSEN FEW 1ST RESPONDERS!

How long have you been hosting a tent at the Chosen Few Picnic?

Joi Basely and her crew!!

Joi Basely:  We’ve been hosting for 9 years

William Myles II:  I’ve been hosting for 8 Years

Alraynita Coleman:  I’ve been hosting for 10 years but for the last three years I’ve hosted with one of my best sister friends.

How Many people do you host typically?

Joi:  We typically host 50-60 people in our tents every year

William: Eh, approximately 25 throughout the day but round 12 at one time

Alraynita Coleman: Usually 10-30 people

Black Widow:  We typically have 20-30 people in our tents.

What’s the earliest you’ve been in line at the picnic?

Joi:  5am!

William: 5am!

Alraynita: We have been the 1st in line. We are there anywhere from 3am to 5am.

Black Widow: I think I have a photo of myself first in line one year! LOL!  Oh yes, 3am! Lordy…that was a year! LOL!  

What’s usually on your menu?

Joi:  We have a theme every year and the menu matches our theme.  Last year our theme was candy land and we had snow cones and a candy bar.  We also had a tribute to Prince where all of our drinks were named after Prince songs. 

William: Ribs, chicken, burgers, brats, mac n cheese, potato salad, chips and dip, fruit.  Not to mention, vodka, tequila, rum, etc. (plastic containers obviously... ;-))

Alraynita:  For the past few years, our menu has been themed.  This year our theme is Welcome to Wakanda and we will be doing a play on words.

Black Widow: Yes we have done themed menus for the past few years.  We’ve done Mediterranean, Caribbean etc.… We like to carry the theme through the entire tent!

What are the top 3 essential items you have to have for a successful tent?

Joi: Fence, Refreshments (Food & Liquor), Operational tents. 

William: Ice, water, and 4 wheels to help get everything out to your tent location.  Trying to carry all of those necessities is outrageous. 

Alraynita:  Love for the culture, otherwise it won’t work, Have your setup comfortable for your guests and plenty of Libations to lighten everyone’s spirit! Get as much as you can on wheels! It’s just easier!

As much work and preparation involved in the picnic, why do you continue to do it each year?

Joi: We enjoy hanging out in a carefree environment with our family and friends.  The atmosphere is so loving and reminds us how Our Chicago used to be.  It’s a great day and worth the time and effort.  

William: Its tradition.  My best friends come in town every year from Cleveland as opposed to going to Essence fest or staying home.  We love the experience, meeting new people, and we see so many faces we haven't seen all year.  It's like a city-wide reunion where we realize the web of connections everyone has in the city. Also, this is where my wife and I first remember meeting (there's a funny story behind "remember meeting") so it's kind of special that we now host a tent together.

Alraynita:  It’s a chance to reconnect with family…OUR HOUSE FAMILY!  I look forward to seeing everyone, catching up on old times, meeting new people, taking pictures, getting down on the dance floor and just being embraced by FAMILY.  It’s so much love in the park that day!

Black Widow:  So many think we are crazy for getting up early and standing in line but I have to say we have formed quite a little community.  Every year, the vibe is chill and the energy is positive. The cool thing about being a 1st responder is we are usually setup and ready to enjoy the day as soon as the music starts playing.  Tent City is usually a buzz with activity from the moment the gate opens.  Everyone is bringing stuff in, setting up tents, getting grills going. We’ve all developed a system to make set up and clean up as easy as possible.  You’ll see people walking around checking out other people’s setups and taking pictures and asking questions about where they got some of their stuff.  It’s actually a great time!

Black Widow’s Tips & Essential Items for 1st responders

Prep & Pack

  The key is to pack as smart as you can.

Utility Tote:

These are another amazon find! I love these for carrying décor and tableware.  They are lightweight but hold a ton of stuff and have easy carrying handles. I usually carry them or put them in my utility cart to transport. They are washable and fold flat which make for easy storage.

Catering Bags

I bought this on amazon last year and they were a lifesaver!  If you are packing food these are the best. I was able to fit 4 large pans and 2 small pans in my bag last year in one and 10 chaffing dishes and sternos in the other.  For $13 it’s worth the price.  Meats and such are usually packed in ice in a cooler but everything else packed up in here just perfectly and they fold flat when not in use. 

Large Cooler

At minimum you need two large coolers. If it’s a group of you acting as tent hosts it shouldn’t be a problem.  We have two large coolers, one for beverages and one for food. All food is marinated and prepped beforehand and put in Ziploc bags in the cooler. I suggest ice packs instead of ice because they last longer but you should have ice for beverages as well.

Items that fold

Grills, Tables or any larger items can be bulky when packing the car. If you can find items that fold or collapse use those as they are easier to transport and take of less space!

Travel & Load

Packing and traveling with your festival equipment is priority #!  I have a few staples that keep me organized and that make for easy transport.

Utility Cart/Dolly’s or Push Carts

This is my #1 must-have for the picnic. These are sturdy and can hold quite a bit. I usually put our catering bags, décor and picnic tables & chairs in this cart. It makes for effortless travel.  Dolly’s and Push Carts are great for transporting larger items such as grills, large charcoal bags, and the folding tables.   These are also space savers. They fold up and usually fit under a table out of sight or you can use them as a marker to secure your space! (Especially since you can’t use tape anymore at the picnic!)

Bungee Cords

Each year as the gate opens; it never fails to see people’s stuff falling off of carts.  Bungee cords secure everything easy transport. Get a nice amount too!!! You can never have too many. Trust me…you don’t want to pack everything up and see it topple over while you are trying to secure a space at the park.

Set-Up

Instant Tents

You can’t host a tent without one but I highly suggest an instant tent. Too often I see people fiddling with poles and such trying to figure out how to put up their tents but with an instant tent, it’s takes literally minutes to pop it up.  They are perfectly packaged in bags that make for easy transport (some carrying bags are even on wheels, depending on how big your tent is)

Tent weights/Stakes

We are called the “Windy city for a reason”.  Even on a beautiful day, the picnic is still off of the lakefront and sometimes a good lakefront breeze will send your tent flying.  Secure your tent with weights or Stakes for added security!

Folding Tables

I love these tables for a number of reasons; they are easy to transport, easy to clean and are perfect for outdoor entertaining. We use our tables for food prep and food service.  Fold them up and transport them using a dolly or a push cart secured with bungee cords and it’s a breeze!

Black Widow’s Rules for being a guest at a Tent

There are definite rules when a guest at someone’s tent. 

Bring ICE and water!!! It’s a long day and ICE and water are the #1 thing tent hosts run out of early!

Ask your hosts if they need you to bring anything.  So many times we forget the smallest items trying to make sure we grab all of the big stuff. (Condiments, matches, lighters, paper towels etc.)

Bring a drink to share!  After all, your hosts have been cooking all day!!!

Come to the tent with a positive attitude and spirit.  Your hosts have literally been up since the break of dawn to make sure you are comfortable during the picnic.  Be pleasant!

Speak to everyone in the tent, even if you don’t know them.  This is the Chosen Few Picnic where everyone is family. We speak and acknowledge one another. It’s just basic manners!

Are you a "Chosen Few First Responder"?  If so, what tips and tricks do you have for fellow tent hosts?   I’m looking forward to this year’s Chosen Few Festival and cannot wait to host my friends at our tent. This year, I’ll be looking for fellow “first responders” and covering my early bird attendees!  If you see me out there say hello! Invite me to the tent and let’s have a drink. I’ll do the same!

Until next time,

See ya on a dance floor

Black Widow

  Coming up Next in our Festival Prep Series:  PLANNING THE PERFECT MENU!

  For Tickets and More Information on the Chosen Few Picnic, go to www.chosenfewdjs.com!!

[rokurookajima]

once again filling my evening answering questions nobody asked

cherry turnover:  who do you live with? 

i’ve lived by myself for three months now!! it’s cool and there are some things that are really nice about living totally alone like truly never bothering anyone with the shit you’re doing. but im tryna move in with evie soon and we’re hoping to have a place by mid june!!!! we just looked at some today and im jazzed  bananas foster:  do you believe in soul mates?

yes absolutely but like in a specific sense. i don’t believe everyone has like one singular soul mate, and i don’t believe soul mates are exclusively romantic. but i completely believe there are people you’re cosmically supposed to meet, and that sometimes the odds are all against you meeting but you still do, and when you finally meet there is some kind of feeling like you’ve either known each other way longer, or you instantly know they’re going to be so important to you. i think i’ve met more than one soul mate by that definition in my life. one was the guide of a travel group i went on a trip with when i was 16, and i only knew him for a week but we both connected so strong and instantly, and both were clearly affected by it i think we both walked away differently. i’ve never seen him since then and i cried a lot the last day of that trip. but like it definitely wasn’t romantic?? it was just some kind of deep soul connection. i also think you can have friendships that are gonna last forever and those are pretty close to soul mates too. basically i have a lot of very romanticized ideas about people you meet in your life  glazed donut:  would you rather visit a zoo or an aquarium?

prob an aquarium  pumpkin pie:  what were your interests as a child?

i really fuckin loved dinosaurs when i was rlly young, like preschool and kindergarten age. i liked cool rocks a lot too, i had a ton of geodes and crystals and those little stones you could buy at like museum giftshops that i kept in boxes and would just look at all the time. i was rlly obsessed with harry potter when i was like 8 i think that was when i first read the books and there were only five at the time. late childhood (like 4/5th grade) i loved cats on probably a weird level bc wow yeah i was a warrior cats kid, also loved pirates a lot  lemon tart:  how many languages can you speak?

just one unfortunately. i wish i knew a second language but alas  chocolate mousse:  how is your relationship with your parents?

it could probably be better, but i guess it is a lot better than a lot of people my age have. i love my parents but they’re rlly problematic people, and even tho they didn’t mean to, they are the biggest reason i have a lot of the issues i have, and they still do shit that perpetuates it. it’s better in some ways that i don’t live with them now, bc i think some parts of my mental health like my self image are better bc i’m around way more supportive people than them. but also i feel bad bc i don’t make as much of an effort to talk to them as i should since i don’t see them every day. me and my mom have always been pretty close, and i don’t want to lose that. they try sometimes  creme brûlée:  describe your style

american apparel lmao which i can only keep saying for like the next YEAR before that won’t define anything for people. but 4 real a good portion of my wardrobe is from american apparel, and when i shop else ware, it’s still pretty consistent with that style. like very basic cuts and colors of things, only pattern i ever wear is stripes, highwaisted everything, cropped everything. i only wear black white gray and green i am a stereotype  cheesecake:  have you ever visited a sex shop?

lmao yeah more than once. there’s a couple around where i live that i’ve been to a few times, and one in columbus. i’ve never bought anything at one, or gone there with like the intent to purchase stuff. they’re just honestly so funny to walk through and be horrified by the enormous dildos  raspberry sorbet:  favorite clothing stores?

wow i can’t say american apparel anymore im so sad. so uh. i honestly don’t know where im gonna get most of my clothes now. forever 21 and h&m are always good places to find some cheap stuff. i wanna thrift more, but i never seem to have very good luck at finding stuff  green tea ice cream:  who was your first crush?

lmao it was milo thatch from atlantis. but i assume we are talking about a real person that i actually y’know like. could speak to. which was my tumblr boyfriend that i met when i was 17. i met him in a fandom chatroom i ended up in through some other tumblr friends, then kinda started getting some feels when he posted a selfie after we’d already talked in the chat and i was like oh no he’s hot. so wowie a tragic tale of star-crossed lovers  chocolate chip cookie:  how has your life changed over the past year?

i can’t even start to say how much my life has changed over the last year. truly, i don’t think there’s ever been a year in my life that i’ve looked at and been so in awe of how many things happened. but yeah last spring-this spring i went through so many life experiences and firsts and personality changes and struggles and some of the happiest days of my life and by far the fucking worst days of my life. since april last year, i fell in love for the first time, had a real relationship for the first time, became a lot more social, got really close to some of the people i’m now closest to, got high for the first time, lost my virginity, went to big parties, got a lot more social, met a lot of people, saw a lot of new sides of life, questioned a lot of my own beliefs and came to new ones, left the country without my parents, traveled out of state completely by myself, got my heart completely destroyed for the first time, attempted suicide, thought my life would literally not make it to this point, moved out of my house, lived on my own, got stronger, figured some shit out, hooked up with someone at a party, had casual sex for the first time, now i’m hoping to move again in the next few months. i know some of that is like. not actually that exciting, and a lot of it was shit that most people do for the first time in high school, but it was a lot for me. i ended up in a world and lifestyle that i used to write fiction about and romanticize the hell out of, and never thought i’d actually live it first hand. so rlly this last year was fuckin wild for me and in a lot of ways i feel like i’ve aged 60 years, and i’m tired from that much all in one year, but i’m also still kinda naive and clueless so what can u do  berry trifle:  first & last concert you went to?

so wow i don’t go to real concerts. the first was probably some christian band with my family. the last. does the american murder song wake tour count? that was kind of a concert  tapioca pudding:  favorite animated characters?

WOW let me fuckin TELL u my favorite animated characters. number one will always always always be revy from black lagoon. i have never loved a character that much in my life, everything about her is so good. she’s such a goddamn disaster and so well written and complex and so much more than just a typical bad ass female archetype. i love that it’s not just headcanon to read deep into her personality, it’s a huge point of the series. i love that on the surface she is just like. a bad ass with no feeling. then u actually get to the end of the series and she is actually a CHILD inside who is so fuckin insecure and she LOVES ROCK SO MUCH i wanna die. also lust from fullmetal alchemist esp the 2003 anime fuck me ALL THE WAY UP. ed elric, and truly everyone in fullmetal alchemist what a series what a cast of characters.  fudge brownie:  do you like your name?

sometimes. i used to really hate it when i was younger, now it’s changed some. i like still don’t like it when i say it out loud probably bc people 100% of the time think i said cindy and i have to correct them every dang time. but like that i can shorten it to syd which i also used to hate bc toy story (i was a kid ok) but now i like it. there are also those times where people you like say your name and it makes u feel some type of way??? i like it then. so i guess i like it most when other people are saying it u feel me strawberry shortcake:  are you good at keeping secrets?

i mean if it’s my own, absolutely not what the fuck is a secret i am a tragic over sharer about my own shit. but other people’s, yes i’d say so. i feel like a lot of people feel comfortable enough to tell me things they might not tell other people, and i don’t ever feel like it’s a burden to keep a secret y’know?? so it doesn’t like eat at me and make me wanna tell people  tiramisu:  are you daring when it comes to makeup & clothing or do you like to play it safe?

uh i guess somewhere in the middle. like the way i dress isn’t rlly how everyone dresses and i guess in some crowds would be considered pretty different, but i don’t know if its daring bc its not like....that adventurous or out there. esp bc i only wear neutral colors lmao. same with makeup, for the most part, it’s pretty simple but every now and then i like to do something fancier. i feel like the most daring things about me appearance wise are like having a lot of piercings and tattoos??? so y’know make ur daring shit permanent i guess im not that edgy lmao oreo milkshake:  do you sleep a lot?

i feel like i sleep a pretty average amount. i wish i could sleep more bc i’m tired all the time, but way more i wish i could sleep less. i love the idea of being able to just naturally get up early and have so much time in the morning to do shit and enjoy the morning. and i like staying up late. but i’m always tired and even tho i have to get up early most mornings, it’s still a constant struggle and i wish it wasn’t. i’ll sleep pretty late when i get the chance tho

apple crisp:  how do you relax?

guess it depends on what i’m feeling. i like to take baths a lot, or just chill and watch movies and stuff. i love having relaxing hangouts with friends, like just chilling watching movies with people and not needing to do anything else. i wanna do more quote-unquote relaxing stuff, like read and write more, go to yoga classes, shit like that carrot cake:  who is your celeb look alike?

i’ve been told more than once i look like krysten ritter so i will go with her. it’s the bangs macaron:  what is your ethnicity?

white af cinnamon bun:  favorite salty snack?

wow salty snacks are my VICE i love salty shit way more than sweet things. fuck man i love chips of all kinds, i’ve been eating way too many hot cheetos lately, french fries, mcdonalds hash browns, i’m gonna have blood pressure issues from how much i love salt