Camp 2010 was a very interesting experience. I never could have imagined how weird it was to be gone a year. This whole group of new people came in, and made friends with my friends, but I didn’t know them! Luckily, just as the 2 previous years, that weirdness only lasted halfway through precamp. The whole summer went by very quickly. Which was a good thing because camp was VERY challenging. I wish I could pinpoint why it was so hard, but I’ve tried, and I can’t. I was going through a lot in my personal life and maybe that put an automatic damper on camp? No, I think it was bigger than that. Suffice it to say, that as much as I love camp and (mostly) everyone involved in it, I don’t think I will be too sad to miss the drama this summer

The best part of summer was for sure my days off. I knew going into the summer that my sister and I were making a lot of great plans for concerts that we wanted to go see, but nothing firmed up until the end of spring.

The first show we went to see was Meatloaf in Boston. I had seen him once before, at Turning Stone (the local casino that we frequent, remember this name, it will pop up again in this post). So I knew that he was not only a great performer, but also a nice dude who made me fix his sleeve and then KISSED ME! He put on a great show and played all of my favorite songs, and then some. It’s unbelievable how he still has it even though he is in his 60s. I hope I have that much energy when I’m that age. I hope that I get to see him perform again sometime before he retires, if he ever does. He seems to be the kind of celebrity that would rather die than retire.

The following night, Danielle and one of her friends met me and Kate (program director at camp, and an awesome friend) in Portland, ME to see one of my favorite musicians, Cary Brothers. I’ve been a fan of his since the movie Garden State came out, and with that came the AMAZING soundtrack that Zach Braff put together (which Cary is on). Once I found out that he was going to be so close to me, I knew that I would do anything to see him. Luckily I didn’t have to prod them too hard to see his show with me. I was blown away. He played on a bill with Harper Blynn and Greg Laswell, both of whom I knew of but didn’t know any songs by. I walked out of there a huge fan of both of them too. The best part of that night was meeting Cary Brothers. He was so kind, and even remembered me from Twitter! Not to mention he bashed Central NY, which I am always down for.

Then we had to wait almost an entire month before our next concert. Which I think Danielle would agree with me, was the best of the summer. We drove the over 3 hours from Lewiston, ME to Mansfield, MA to see Lilith Fair. Now as you know me, I have never quite been a fan of female singers. My iPod is full of either showtunes or male singer/songwriters. But I knew how much Danielle wanted to see Lilith Fair so I begrudgingly went along. It’s awesome when I can be proved totally wrong, because it was a mind-blowing experience. It was a lot smaller than I had imagined, but I think it was for the better. The main stage performances were the best, of course. Sara Barielles, Tegan and Sara, and of course, Sarah McLachlan. It was really awesome to see powerful women do their thing. And as an added bonus, at the end of the show they all came on stage and sang one of my all-time favorite songs, “Because the Night”.

Lastly, in the middle of August, we had our last show. This was my most anticipated, but ended up being my biggest letdown. We went back to Boston to see Ray Lamontagne and David Gray. I think I started really liking them around the same time in 2005 or so. Danielle and I had seen Ray before the previous summer when I flew up to Maine from Buffalo. He played with the Rustic Overtones then (another awesome band, definitely check them out!) and it was an awesome show. We were really close and he sang all my favorites. For the show in Boston, we were pretty far back, and he did his Pariah Dogs thing. While I do absolutely love his new album, the whole thing I’m not really into. Especially that RIDICULOUS hat that he has been wearing all the time. But he did sing most of the new album and some of my favorite old songs by him. David Gray’s set was awesome. He sang all but one of my favorite songs and he just put on an amazing show. He is quite a performer. I think it was the atmosphere that wasn’t doing it for me. People didn’t pay attention at all and the people in our general area basically talked throughout the whole show. It was very disappointing, but now I’m going to make it a point to see both of them again, so I can wipe that show from my memory.

As awesome as it was to see all those great concerts, the best part of those days were getting to spend time with my sister, who I feel like I never get to see anymore. Even on the days where we didn't have a concert to go to, she was gracious enough to let me stay at her apartment and take over the TV and just relax away from a crazy camp life.

After summer ended, I moved back home with my parents in Herkimer. This was definitely not a situation of us wanted/planned for. I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life, and they told me I could stay there for as long as I needed. So I started applying for jobs in the area not only because I wanted to work, but also I knew I’d go crazy just sitting at home all day. I love TV and the Internet, but there’s only so much of that you can take. Finally, in the middle of September, I interviewed for and got a job at Turning Stone. It was my very first retail job! I can’t believe I made it all the way to 23 years old before I ever had to work a cash register. The pay sucked and the hours were worse. BUT I learned a lot while I was there. Both about working and about how dumb people are. I made some great friends there, and as hard as it was, I’m really glad I was able to have that experience.

Check out this beautiful view!

So I’m just about caught up to where I am now. Back in July, while I was at camp, I was on this kick of randomly applying for anything that looked like I could do, anywhere in the country. I was in a big, oh crap, I don’t want to have to move home mode. I had applied for an internship (through Playbill.com) with one of the most prestigious regional theater centers in the country. One that had even won the 2010 Tony Award for Best Regional Theater. I never heard back from anyone there, so in a month or so, I just figured they didn’t like me, and I moved on. Until the end of September, when I got an email from them saying that they would like to interview me for the Development intern position. They had been without a Development Director and they didn’t want to hire an intern without one, so that was why I had never heard back. So over the next week or so, I had 2 very positive phone interviews with them. The first of which was definitely the best interview I’ve ever had. After about a week, I got a phone call saying that they wanted to offer me the position! I couldn’t believe it. I was so unbelievably excited. So I accepted the position and gave my 2 weeks notice at my job. They wanted me to be there as of the 18^th, but due to my needing to work out the 2 weeks at Turning Stone, they let me arrive yesterday, the 22^nd. After saying goodbye to my parents, I drove the 4.5 hours to Southeastern Connecticut and arrived at the campus. It is absolutely beautiful. The campus is like a ¼ mile from the ocean/Long Island Sound and beach. The area is just stunning. I can’t wait to see it in the spring and summer, because it’s getting colder out now. Everyone that I have met here so far (aka in about 30 hours) has been so nice and welcoming. I definitely think I’m going to walk away from this experience with some business contacts, some great friends, and a firmer idea of who I am and where I fit into this crazy world. I’m here until the middle of August, 10 months. I can’t believe it, but I’m definitely ready.

I get to live and work in the front part of this beautiful old mansion!

So somehow we managed to get through the first week in mostly a whole piece. Other than a rampant virus that ran through camp, a runaway horse, and a small termite infestation, things ran pretty smoothly. There were definitely issues though, as to be expected. I hope that everyone just had first week jitters and they just had to run its course. We're on day 2 of week 2, and so far so good this week.



Can we discuss for a second this ridiculous heat wave? I'm all for summer, in fact I LOVE summer. However, I am not all for the fact that we don't have any air conditioning, barely have enough fans, and that it is over 90 degrees under the pines. It's probably over 100 just in my office. We all have stopped using our overhead lights because it is too hot. We had to cancel regular afternoon activities today because it was going to get so bad out. So we're having a wet and wild afternoon of fun. Well, the campers and counselors are. I am not.

So as a way to get out of the heat last night, a couple friends and I went to the movies. Not too many good movies are out right now, but they really wanted to see Eclipse. So I went. That movie is seriously cinematic gold. I haven't laughed so hard at a movie since Twilight...oh wait. In all honestly, I never thought that Kristen Stewart's acting would improve, but I was proved wrong. It's still not good, but someone finally got the girl some lessons. I thank you, whoever you may be. The big fight scene could be one of the best parts of a film ever. People were losing hands, legs, skulls, etc. In fact they were getting shattered. Hysterical. To be honest, the thing that I hate most about Twilight (both the book series and the movies) is that it seriously gives young, impressionable girls the wrong idea about love, relationships, sex, everything. I'm all for having different beliefs (Stephanie Meyer - it's cool you're a Mormon!) but it's completely unnecessary to force it down the throats of the kids that are in essence paying your bills. That's why I really didn't have a problem with Harry Potter because even though they may not be quality reading material, it gets kids to read! And read things that are interesting and fun and don't touch on controlling, boyfriends who sparkle in the sunlight.

That said, I cannot wait to see what they do with the whole fetus thing at the end of the series. Just brilliant.

Lots to come in the next few weeks. My first proper day off is on Thursday! Even though it's a 24 hour period that is going to consist of almost 9 hours of driving and probably 7 of sleeping, I cannot wait for it. I'm going to be driving to my sister's house which is about 1.5 hours from camp, getting ready and then hopping back in the car with her to drive to Boston, MA (about 3 hours) to see Meatloaf in concert! Then driving back around 11 or 12am, and then get some sleep. I don't have to be back to camp until 1 pm on Friday which is awesome. Then on Friday night after work, I'm going to Portland, ME with a friend (or 2) from camp to meet my sister and her friend to see CARY BROTHERS in concert. I can't wait! I've been wanting to see him for years and it's finally happening. In a small venue too. Going to be amazing.

Back to blogging and Summer Camp

Much like everything else in my life, I have seriously ignored this blog. Since I will have a good amount of time on my hands I'm definitely going to try to keep this updated on a somewhat regular schedule. It's funny that during all the time that I was unemployed, I never could update, but now that I do have a job (temporary or not), I'm all for updating!




So I have once again, for the 3rd summer found myself in the pine groves of the White Mountains to work at a summer camp. I never in a million years thought I would end up here. Much less for 3 summers.

I guess for someone who never went to a proper summer camp as a kid, it's like a whole other world here. Considering, the only overnight camp I went to was one that was heavy on the academics and was held at a college in the Finger Lakes, this camp is just like the movies. Except it's completely real life.

I always roll my eyes when people talk about how this place is magical and there's something about the pine grove that just sucks you back in, but I guess I'm starting to realize that they may not be totally off. I'm the kind of person that thinks camping should be in a hotel with a jacuzzi tub, but for the next 9 weeks I find myself wearing only green and white, living in a cabin with people that I only met this week, eating my meals amongst 190+ girls singing at the top of their lungs, and loving just about every minute of it.

I'm so excited for the summer ahead, new friends, old friends, lots of time spent with my sister, and especially getting away from everything else going on in my life and getting a fresh take on what's next for me.

Oscars!

I love celebrities and awards shows as much as the next person, but holy man, about 3/4ths of the way through I always get so bored. Its almost a guarantee that I will change the channel somewhere around the 930/10pm mark. Unless it's the Tonys. When I can, I always watch those awards beginning to end. These Academy Awards are especially bad though. I switched almost as soon as my parents went to bed. I really only LOVED one movie that was nominated, (An Education), granted I haven't seen a lot of them, but if I didn't care enough to see them why would I want to watch those people getting awards. I have been surfing back and forth and was lucky enough to catch James Taylor singing my favorite Beatles song ever. As much as I've loved the rivalry between Avatar and The Hurt Locker, I ultimately do not care who wins best picture.



I changed the channel to Man V. Food. I feel like that says a lot about who I really am. Adam Richman has such a fun job! I don't know how he doesn't weigh about 600lbs though. I love food but the sheer amount of food he eats in one sitting is insane. I could sit and watch MvF for hours. It's sad.


I just flipped back to the Oscars and there are a bunch of people breakdancing? Um, ok.

Well I've been afraid of changing, cuz I built my life around you

So I recently changed the cd in my car. Like 3 days ago. This may seem like a mundane stupid statement, but for me it's huge. I keep the same cd in my car cd player for months and months. I changed it to Fleetwood Mac - The Dance. That album/concert dvd has been in constant rotation since I was 10 years old. However, it's taken me 13 years to really "get" it. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham are 2 of my absolute favorite musicians, and the songs that came from the end of their relationship are really speaking to me right now. A truer song has never been written other than "Go Your Own Way".


Look at those two, ugh. Perfection.

To say that I'm going through some life changes right now would be an understatement. As of Sunday (or Monday) I will no longer be a resident of WNY. I always knew this day would come. I've said for a long time that Buffalo is a pretty good place to raise a family, it's a not so great to be a twenty-something. I should have probably left after graduation. Between losing all my friends in a matter of days, and trying to stay afloat in ~this economy~ I've been mostly miserable for the better part of 8 months. I am losing some things by leaving. I'm losing some independence, especially for the week that I will be living at home again, I'm losing a love that I thought could withstand anything and would last a long time, and I'm losing my comfort zone. I'm going to miss it here. I'm going to miss the people that have shaped my life for almost 5 years. I don't remember what it's like to not have certain people in my life. I'm grateful to those people, who know who they are, for all that they've given and shown me.

However, I am more than ready to make this change. I need it. I feel like the luckiest person in the world to have such an awesome opportunity basically fall into my lap. In a couple weeks I will be headed to beautiful South Carolina to hang out/help out with some family. I'm ready for a change of scenery, and maybe some southern hospitality.

Goodbye Buffalo.

Hello again Herkimer.

and Get ready South Carolina, I'm coming.

VANCOUVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Can we just take a second and talk about how awesome the Winter Olympics are?! I'll be the first to admit that I am not a big sports fan. I love me some hockey, but please do not ever make me sit through a football, or basketball game. Or even worse, baseball. Bleghhhh. However, when the Olympics come around I am down to watch just about anything. I have found out that that is a complete hereditary disorder. My mom is more obsessed than I am, and her mom was more obsessed than she was. But really, what is there not to like about the olympics? There is something for everyone!


The Opening Ceremonies were last night and they did not disappoint. They were so longgggggggggggggg but totally worth it. My favorite part is always the parade of athletes. Its fun trying to pick out people you're rooting for or just recognize.

How fantasic was the Czech team's pants. OMG. Jagr looks hilarious. I've missed that crazy man since he left the NHL.



And of course Gretzky had to be one of the ones to light the cauldron. He looked so nervous the whole time. It was adorable. God he is awesome.



I'm very sad that I don't have cable anymore and will be missing most if not all of the hockey games. I'm so glad that 5 of the Sabres get to represent their teams and I hope one of them brings home the gold *coughRYANMILLERTEAMUSAcough*. Although even with my deep seated hatred of Sidney Crosby, Team Canada winning the gold in Vancouver would be so important for the country and would be awesome to watch.

I'm contemplating staying at my parents' longer just so I can have more access to the Olympics. Sad? Probably.


Any highlights you particularly enjoyed thus far? Any particular event/people you're looking forward to seeing?

Sad day! - UPDATED

So my sister just called me not to see how I was or anything but to tell me some devastating news! Christopher Meloni might be leaving Law and Order : SVU. Ughhhhhhh I've watched this show since the very beginning and I don't know what the show will be like without him. I'm thinking if for some reason they keep the show going they should bring in Jeremy Sisto from Law and Order to make sure the hottness of the cast remains the same.

This could be a good thing though because he supposedly wants to do some more theater and if he does that in New York then I could go see him!

I do hate change though.



According to Neal Baer - Executive Producer of SVU - Chris Meloni IS STAYING on SVU, at least for the time being. YAY! http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/law-and-order-exec-producer-christopher-meloni-not-leaving-svu_article_28711