Dinner with my family is like visiting the mental ward.

It's a short drive to crazy with my family. You couldn't even find a detour if there was construction, it's that short. It's arms reach. Crazy just is with my family.

The holidays are obviously the perfect magnifying glass to shine a little more clarity on the madness. Let me sum up some of my family to paint a nice family Christmas card for ya:

Granny-Italian/recovered breast cancer/thyroid problems/diseases that don't even have names/multiple ex-husbands/longtime dancer and amazing bartender. She chipped a tooth once- her solution? Why, a Lee Press-On of course, a nice french manicured fake nail is a good substitute for tooth enamel! Uncle #1-Gay Buddhist. Uncle #2- Cop/biker. Uncle #3- Writer of screenplays/Works for the government his drunk name is "Salty."....can't talk about his job, literally, it's all underground and lie detectors and spies and shit. Aunt #1- dance teacher/Irish/fiery as fuck. She'll kick a bitch. Aunt #2- Formerly single mom, slightly out of control, turned put together Martha Stewart type. Nana- Former court secretary, turned traveler; African safaris, Europe, the Amazon River and so on. She pulls pans out of the oven with her bare hands. BARE. HANDS. Bampa- bless is heart, passed away a few years ago, Gay, the father of my mother. It was the 50's. Granddad-There's a laundry list here of issues. Grandpa Jerry-Best story teller, chain smoker and cherry pie giver known to man.

....then there's a sprinkling of serious Italian Soprano types, crazy cousins, lesbian aunts, Christians, Rebublicans, Canadians, Democrats, and ex-wives, who are boxers. In rings, not the pants.

They're ALL characters. Brilliant, VIBRANT, CERTIFIED, characters. Then of course, there's the biggest characters of all; my Mother and my Father, who joined together in a rage of hormones and unprotected sex and created another burst of spirited existence. i.e. slightly insane little person named me!

My Father and I got into a massive blowout the other night over a birthday party (I cried if I wanted to, don't you worry) a few glasses of champagne, a gigantic restaurant tab and some low blows. Thrown, initially, by him and rebuffed by my quick tongue and shrill screaming. This was the kind of fight I thought we wouldn't recover from..... my Dad, is easily one of my best friends, I admire and look up to him....and I didn't want to look him in the eye ever again.

....after nearly 48 hours a part, some frantic/cry/scream calls to friends to come get me before I "drove my car through the living room!!! and CRUSHED EVERYTHING." My little sister reasoned with us, that we both had "crazy emotions" and needed to apologize. So we did. I told him he was a "out of line and had problems" and and he told me I was "ungrateful and naive" then we hugged it out and I pointed out his new gray hairs.

When you put together the family dynamics we have there's the opportunity for fatal blowouts, and the same opportunity to break seemingly impossible barriers and learn better compassion and understanding for your differences. When people are so vastly different, but their blood is the same, you have two choices; to embrace them, or create a greater wedge by denying them and allowing your differences to determine your relationship, instead of the opposite. Anger happens, it's how you deal with it that's the part that either breaks the family apart, or makes you closer.

Sentences like, "your ignorance astounds me!" have been thrown across our tables and so have, "I'll pray for you." That last one didn't come from my immediate family, oh hellll no and so on......but the truth is, at the end of the day, THESE PEOPLE ARE THE PEOPLE I LOVE. I love their off-color comments and tempers. I love their opinions, their cluelessness, their intelligence. I love that they're geniunly, above all people, the ones that I WANT to spend my time with.

My Dad is the best man in the World and also the person you don't want to fuck with, ever. He's hot headed. He screams from time to time, and thank God I was born with good lungs- cause I'm the only person brave enough to scream back. He's the only human being who I actually believe has the ability to STEAM. Like a cartoon bull, or an iron.....that burns.

But....we all can burn and too often we burn the people we love the most, cause they're the only ones willing to reach out and touch the fire. We're all steaming, flames of ridiculous bursts of light that are both blinding and beautiful in the same glance. The holidays are always such a reminder that we can learn to exist with each other, without judging each other's life choices, spouses, financial decisions, religions, sexual orientation, or career paths. Or heinous holiday earrings. Learning to LOVE it all, even if it's foreign to you is what makes you family, it isn't just the title of sister, or cousin, or the bloodline. We can scream and disagree, but we are family. And you know how Italians feel about family....

WHAT'S YOUR FAMILY LIKE????

What AREN'T you thankful for? Me: motherfuckers that don't return emails.

I've written four separate blogs and deleted all of them. I have a feeling that it's the shitty one that stuck.

Not inspired. Not inspired. BLAH BLAH BLAH.

Still feel like reading?!

It's almost Thanksgiving, it's also almost my birthday.... which just so happens to fall on Thanksgiving this year. Like, what the fuck is that? I'm not down with sharing the spotlight for thankfulness. I mean, gratitude and pilgrims definitely trump "Look at me it's my birthday!! Jazz hands!"

I have to bake two...three? (I should check up on that) pies tomorrow. I have 5 articles to finish. I'm waiting on four checks. I can barely fit yoga into my schedule, so my toxins are all fucking curled up into places they shouldnt be and they're derailing my CHI. Fuck.

I need a haircut. I need about 40 people to respond to my emails that aren't. I need 10 extra hours in my day. I need my scale to not tell me that it's physically possible to gain four pounds in a day when I've eaten virtually nothing but yogurt, powerbars and coffee. I need a new phone, a chill pill, a manicure and a pedicure, a new computer (did I ever mention that I have to use my sister's computer, since mine crashed on me a few months ago? AND I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY A NEW ONE??? Which in turn makes her feel like it's ok to go through my underwear drawer and borrow ones that apparently, "I don't ever wear", and undermine me by kindly giving me her old bras, since she's too busty to fit into them anymore. Holla tiny titties for me!)

OH, I know WAHHH me, there's people dying in Africa Chelsea stop crying. I get it. But let me stomp around a little bit before we get all McJudgey, I care about Africa too. Sometimes we're granted the right to throw a self-involved baby fit. Especially during my birthday week (boyfriend inserts, "AND DURING YOUR PMS....") k? k.

I went through old emails and deleted about 200 that I've sent out to potential freelancing opportunities, music opportunities, etc. in the last MONTH. 200 that haven't responded! grrrr. In my mind, I'm that person that gets whatever she wants, in reality, that's only true some of the time. But who I am in my head, is who I am. So fuck, Universe, work with me! Which is part of the problem....

There's days when I feel like throwing in the towel and then I get even more angry because I know I'll never do that.

I don't feel like opening another rejection letter. I don't feel like trying to find anymore openings through a tiny crack in some random window, hypothetically.

I can't focus today. I can't decide what I want. Other than a gigantic chocolate chip cookie, but lately, I've been losing weight. I mean rapidly and a lot of it. I'm a small person, in general, but when you start getting positive affirmation for "how thin" and "great" you look all of a sudden you start to think, well fuck, was I really Jabba the Hutt before or something? So then every fucking cookie you look at resembles old "fat you." Even though old you wasn't fat?

I'm thankful that tomorrow and Thanksgiving, I can just RE-FUCKING-LAX, because I won't have to refresh my inbox, or worry that I'm "missing something" because most everyone are sitting behind a big fat turkey, just like me.

I'm done throwing a fit now. Thanks.

What AREN'T you thankful for this THANKSGIVING?!

I've been having consistent sex for a year- Yay me.

It was a year ago last week, that My Love and I decided to "make it official" to stamp a label on it and stop drunkenly (er, desperately?) kissing strangers and flirting with fuglies for a little admiration.

...we met, I say, "accidentally." I had a little "Glee" in my step, had just returned aimlessly from Europe and thought next I'd be India bound, or sipping caipirinha's in Brazil, or living in Santa Barbara with "Luca" who I'd met on a train ride (he could've been a figment of my imagination, he looked like an Italian Jude Law, 6'4 and was a personal chef- why we didn't bone, I have no idea?)- that is, after the holidays. So, WTF would I do until my next "big adventure," i'd sing in a show!! Genius.

One evening, my Europe-inspired-cockiness and I went unprepared to an audition- that, if I booked, would keep me occupied for the winter and give me the chance to flex the golden pipes three times a week in public. No music, no appointment- I showed up, I booked the gig. I booked the lead character, get this; an impregnated, Catholic school girl- knocked up by a gay boy. Brilliance right? There was even a sex scene. Very Spring Awakening, just less awesome.

Turns out, my wayward Love needed something to do for the holidays too- he accepted the gig through a friend and played guitar in the show.....the rest, as they say- is history, i.e. an amazing year of unparalleled orgasms, life-changing conversation and someone to watch The Kardashians with.

I knew that first night, as he fumbled with my bracelets across the table, finding an excuse to touch my skin and mustered up the courage to ask if I'd want to go "grab a bite," which latter turned into "makeout like horny 16 year kids in my car" fest, that he'd be my boyfriend, that I could stare at those brilliant curls and sparkly eyes everyday. Fuck, going to India! I'm in LOOOOVE!

A little over a year ago- I was convincing myself I'd be "ok" semi-dating potential suitors, who would prove to be less than charming and fantastic, and that at the end of the night I wouldn't cry in bed, wishing there was a warm body next to me. I would be that Single Girl who wore lingerie just because and picked up men who wore nice suits, then leave their high-rise with heels dangling from my hand, before they woke up to take my-satisfied-self for french toast and a mimosa. I didn't need their company, I was confident- people wanted me. I had a bevy of admirers. I would talk about, how "I'd just adopt" if I never got married, or knocked up. I'd take long bubble baths alone and live in my bathrobe like it were a pair of his boxer shorts. I'd impress my relatives at the holidays when they asked why I didn't have a "man," with my audacious self assurance and wit, then like a snake charmer I'd weave stories they'd live vicariously through as they lapped up spinach dip and tall tales, only to go home wishing to be single for one. more. day. I would star as the Eva Mendas in my own life......

...this of course, was what I thought- I could be. But a year ago, I wasn't that. I wanted kisses and snuggles, someone to tell me they loved the baby hairs around my temples. Single Girl wasn't having fun cooking single-serve dinners (hi, I'm not good at math, try changing recipes) and Single Girl certainly didn't dig on the awkward front-door-kiss. What the hell Eva Mendes movie is this? One where she's fucking 16 and going to prom. FUCK. THAT. I'll be a spinster.

I'd given up. My white flag was raised. And I applied coats of Mac Lip Glass to make that plastered smile SHINE, betch. Then he was there.....

He listened. He wanted to be there for every moment, good and bad to toast a glass with me, or let me scream like a lunatic while he "shhhed" me quietly, like a baby, back to sanity. He watched me when I slept...and I didn't think that'd happen again unless someone was checking to see if I was dead. He calmed me, centered me- made me present. He made me feel weightless, talented, validated- dare I say, perfect even?

This year we've grown in love with each other and I knew from the first date where we downed truffle oil fries, that I could be happy with him. We've created music together, toured, recorded, sold out shows and bombed others. We've hiked mountains (literally), confessed the worst of secrets, panicked and overcome together. We've built on dreams and created new ones. We've jaunted all over New York, New Mexico, Washinton, Oregon, Vail, Breckenridge and Colorado. We've tried walking out, then walked back out of guilt and fortitude. We've consumed too much PBR and even more walnut pizza (if you haven't had it, do it- add walnuts.) We tried hot tub sex, not worth it, but we tried and I even have a sex scar. Call me, hardcore.

Daggers have been thrown, but never more than "I love you's." I know, you're gagging. What it all comes down to, is; I love his fucking face. I admire his spirit. I'm awed by his intelligence. I am lucky.....that he found me. And I like his penis. The end.

Stop throwing up on your keyboards now. Happy Anniversary Baby.

I'm gonna lose my shit for FIVE SECONDS

"TALKS SMACK" that is in my name- and since I rarely, GO THERE, I decided I should. Also, I'm writing for SmakNews.com, twice a day you can see smack talking of mine on all things pop culture, sex, relationships- all that good stuff. As well as articles like THESE. If you like TMZ, PerezHilton, Pinkisthenewblog.com- you'll love Smaknews. Without out further adieu.......

I’d like to take a few minutes to cry, out loud for Miss. Carrie Prejean, for the conservative party (since she’s making you all look even more terrible) and, for blonde people ( though I love you, she’s making all you hot blonde's look terrible too- by association). In fact, let’s all cry together, for humanity. There hasn’t been a single woman that I’ve despised more since Sarah Palin, so it’s no shocker that she would would “love” and I quote, Sarah Palin and her equally fucked political ideals.

After a week long PR campaign in accordance with her new book Still Standing, which, in my opinion would sell more copies had it been aptly titled Down on my Knees, Carrie has been making a mockery of herself on nearly every media outlet from Today, to Larry King Live where she stormed off the show for Larry asking “inappropriate” questions, i.e. INTERVIEWING her, like he’s supposed to do. Carrie said to Meredith Viera of the Today show, “The biggest thing and the reason I wrote this book is Americans believe their beliefs are under attack, and this is proof,” adding that the sex tape is another example of what her enemies will do to attack her. She goes on to say,”.... it’s unfortunate that conservative women are attacked for their beliefs. It’s unacceptable and it shouldn’t happen. So many Americans are frustrated.”

Their beliefs? Their beliefs that don’t support WOMEN, or love, or FAMILY, but rather the opposite. How about the gay couples who want to raise a child and have equal rights if one of them passes, to their posessions, family, etc- (when my Bampa who was gay passed away, he was left with NOTHING, even though him and his partner were together for 30+ YEARS and their home, belongings, etc. were rightfully HIS) if they aren’t given those rights, their family could be torn apart and that- is not what my God, or my country would want to do. For “those women” let’s make one thing clear, being AGAINST gay marriage, or the woman's right to chose, is only being against half of the world you’re living in- which in turn, creates more strife, more hatred, more discontent. THOSE WOMEN, are not the American women that our little sisters, daughters and youth should be looking up to.

But I digress....the hypocrisy that is Carrie Prejean ensues, she said, writing, “Our bodies are temples of the Lord. We should earn respect and admiration for our hearts, not for showing skin to look sexy.”

OH, the hilarity, gag me- or wait, gag you. So, I’m assuming Carrie was possessed by the Devil when she created her X-rated sex tape? That according to Nik Richie of TheDirty.com, was “very graphic” so much so, he didn’t even want it. Oh Carrie, the price you don’t get paid for being a raunchy, fame-mongering whore. So what does she do? She turns that sex tape into an “underage” sex tape, because nothing outrages conservatives, and people alike more than an “innocent 17 year old who was taken advantage of and didn’t know any better” right Carrie? Please, keep denying responsibility- it's proving your ignorance.

Wonder what she'll say to her ex-boyfriend—the one who dropped the bombshell sex tape—when she hears he told TMZ that she urged him to "lie" and say she was 17 in the raunchy video. He claims, however, to have received the tape in 2007, when she was 20-years-old. Aren’t there any quotes in the Bible about being HONEST? Truth? No? Did Jesus skip those details? Didn’t think so.

For REAL women of faith, or for real conservative women who actually have a functional brain inside their heads- no party would want to claim Carrie, because she defames even their beliefs. At least with the settlement she’s taken from pageant officials, (who would like their $5,200 dollars back for your breast implants, no I’m not kidding this is an actual lawsuit), she can buy a bottle of Prozac when the only people showing up at her book signings are men clutching their penis in one hand and Googling “Carrie Prejean Sextape, FREE” with the other. Even they wouldn’t pay to see you give a blow job. Go on with your conservative activism Carrie, the only people listening are picturing you naked.

SO- What do YOU think about Carrie Prejean?

Or, if you could give a flying EFF, which celebrity do you wish had a sex tape? :)

Well, I'm DRINKING THE KOOL-AID.

Denver, is officially my home.

The manager at Starbucks knows my name, he even makes nice comments on my hair when it's different (he's trying to pedal me pumpkin scones, but I forgive him), i.e. messy bun, unshowered. My yoga instructors know me, "NIIIIICE adjustments Chelsea" and the guy at Brakes Plus remembered my name when I went in for a routine oil change yesterday. I have "favorite" bars, breakfast joints and driving paths. It's creeped up on me like a stretch mark and sure enough, there it is- Denver is HOME.

Yesterday was brilliant. If you haven't read 4 Hr. Work Week, you absolutely should- and if you refuse to apply it, then you may as well cut off your feet, down a bottle of Advil, or sleep all day- or something equally debilitating.

After an incredible yoga practice, "dancer's pose" toes overhead and all, I read this book from front to back and did one exercise that changed my perspective on everything, called DREAMLINING , where you target your yearly, monthly, DAILY income for your DESIRED lifestyle. You want to install a stripper pole in your home? Google the cost, write it down. You want to own a fucking Wombat? Google the cost, write it down. You want a 4 million dollar home? Write it down. Or maybe, you'd just like to have a condo and a weekly manicure, whatever is IDEAL to you.

His philosophy is that "GOALS HAVE TO BE UNREALISTIC TO BE EFFECTIVE" if everyone is applying for option A. because it's closest to them and most "realistic" the competition is likely the fiercest, and the number of people shooting for option Z. at the very tip-top are a smaller percentage. "Ninety-nine percent of people in the world are convinced they are incapable of achieving great things, so they aim for the mediocre." thus, realistic goals are harder to achieve.

SO- obviously, being the fame hungry, wine-cellar-desiring, travel-eager, gypsy whore that I am, I found out, occurring to my "IDEAL LIFESTYLE" that I need to be making 2 GRAND, A DAY. I also took advantage, of the word "ideal" and took a faux shopping spree on Nordstrom's, to see how much money I'd actually drop there. Then, I took a faux trip to Turks and Caicos, but those are all just little details... I maybe bought a case of Cakebread wine too, maybe.

Go on, scoff, call me greedy, or ridiculous. I find ridiculous people fairly grand.

The point is this exercise taught me what my DAILY GOAL should be, to cut the FAT, to stop waisting time and being afraid of ASKING FOR WHAT I WANT. To the leave the bullshit for the bulls. Ya dig? AND, to just trust your unrealistic desires exist for a reason, they serve you.

Being reminded of all this ACTUALLY, calmed me- made me let go and enjoy the present of the process.....as in; the outcome is already decided according to your belief, so let it be.

This morning, after enjoying my existence yesterday-embracing my HOME, living in the small moments of banter with Starbucks employees about egg sandwiches and weather..... I woke up to two incredible emails, not only actualizing some of the monetary value that I need (not nearly 2 grand, but I'll pose for Playboy to get there, ahhhh... I KID, I KID) but actualizing more of what I BELIEVE IN, all that "UNREALISTIC" bullshit.

Even though I can't always see the "light," at the end of a seemingly endless tunnel, I DO appreciate where I AM.

I appreciate that the manager at Starbucks knows my name- after years of nameless existence in big cities, where I'd spend evenings having "incredible" conversation and laughter with "new friends" that would LITERALLY not know who I was a week later, chatting with mechanics makes MY DAY.

I spent days, years, of my life trying to feel important to people that didn't even SEE ME. And now, not only will I refuse to do that, I also refuse to try fitting into "realistic", because I'M NOT. I'm not realistic. I told my Momma I wanted to be a "fairy" when I grew up, I believed I was invincible to car accidents and would "flick away," and I am convinced that 2grand, a day, is not out of reach. In fact, maybe I'm shooting too low.

If one person has done it, so can I.

WHAT IS YOUR "UNREALISTIC" GOAL????

Thoughts are things and my THING is a massive panic attack.

Right now, this is the only thing keeping me going. And I'm hardly inspired to write.

I am in between jobs, in between shows, in between homes, in between being incredibly being busy and then having absolutely nothing but the promise of peppermint flavored coffee and a good Hot Topics on The View to wake up to. Papers are waiting to be signed, masters are waiting to be completed and then I'm here, just waiting. We're in the middle of mastering our new album, so it's a lot of sitting around and waiting until we can push it. There's not a l other than thinking about the FUTURE that's inspiring me, motivating me, pushing me- keeping me EXCITED. I'm living completely focused the future to ignore the fact that I'm unfulfilled by the present- when maybe I should be appreciating the present to feel it's fulfillment?

I feel......blah. When I'm at the point to admit BLAH, especially on a blog- I'm "going through it." and I remind myself of this " The words "I am ..." are potent words; be careful what you hitch them to. The thing you're claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you." BLAH, has claimed me.

When I was Little Chelsea I had a very clear vision of what I wanted, what I wanted to experience by now- where I wanted to go, and where I would've already been....there's moments when I feel content with planting the seeds to make that all happen and then there's the adverse affect of sheer disappointment in myself, terror and frustration. Which I realize, is likely canceling out the chance for anything to "bloom."

It's no secret that, I'm neurotic as fuck and this LIMBO is only making it worse. I HAVE A LOT OF IRRATIONAL FEARS. Plenty; I think bouncy balls are the worst "toy" ever invented and I'm surprised more children don't choke on them. When someone asks me if I'm allergic to something (I know I'm not), but I think- maybe, just maybe, there's some rare spice in this recipe that will kill me? I think the show Snapped is fucking terrifying and wonder if people really do just get possessed by some demon that makes them drive into oncoming traffic with a family in the car. AND, at any given time I'm terrified that I have an incurable disease, unto which I still have no recollection of. Running out of Parmesan cheese is as Earth shattering as the prospect of 2012 (no pun intended), I think people who ride horses and tame wild animals are deranged and sometimes I worry, that Madonna will die and we'll never have had the chance to be friends. Or makeout on the VMA's, since everyone digs a remake.

.....that's just a start. I'm so neurotic that I'm afraid of everything and NOTHING at all at once.

But the fear that's the WORST of all, the fear that can set off my Crazy Making unlike any tarantula, or mental person running at me with lye.....

....is the fear that somehow, I'll let my life slip through my fingers and all of my dreams will go unfulfilled.

That I'll let that Little Chelsea, sitting on a bar stool wearing a crown, a slip, and a muff singing Mr. Sandman (don't ask, just call me classy)- end up a bitter, disappointed, hopeless woman.

"Don't be a waste of talent." My favorite teacher said that to me once and I've been carrying around this fear that maybe, I will be. I can't look at my Little Chelsea self in the face and say, "Stop dreaming kid, it doesn't work out anyway." I can't say it and I'm trying to convince myself that, I won't. I won't stop. I won't stop calling, or emailing, or punching down your fucking door until I get what I want.....woa, yea- Big Chelsea turned out scary.

it's just, that sometimes... I'm afraid. Sometimes, I see Little Chelsea looking at me shaking her head with those big puppy eyes...Sometimes, I worry that no phone call will have a "yes" on the other end. Sometimes I think no one will respond. The opportunity won't arise.

Through all the positivity and mindfulness that THOUGHTS ARE INDEED THINGS, and that we are active creators in our reality- I have moments like this one, where I can't sleep, but I can't figure out what to do next- where I can't "see it happening" and yet, I can't see anything else. Sometimes, there are MOMENTS, where I'm just afraid.

Calling ALL bloggers- I'm a needy bitch with a cause.

I don't recoil easily. I've made people cry, then looked at them stone-faced. I've perfected the "eye roll" and the "I'm going to make you feel like a total dumb fuck if you cross me" look. I'm fiercely loyal, have the memory of a fucking tyrant and generally, "I'm always right." I've hurt people that I love by being too proud and mericless. I'm compassionate, but more often than not, the compassion is going to those/that which is less close to me and those that remain the closest endure my misdirected judgement and cavalier attitude.

.....I'm terrible at saying "I'm sorry" or "I was wrong." SO: Right, I'm not getting a fucking gold star on this assignment.

If there's one thing that's benefited me and harmed me equally- it's been my ruthless ability to make snap judgements and have an opinion before knowing the facts, or considering the back story. My ideology is admirable and contemptible at the same time. It makes me both gutsy and ignorant. Sometimes, when I just need to "put down my dukes," I can't swallow it. I fight harder and often, I lose. When it isn't a game, you risk losing more than just your pride. And in turn, realize how trivial having "too much" pride really is....

My best friend's boyfriend is serving as a Marine in Afghanistan.........

and I've never really liked him.

In my mind, "he wasn't good enough." He wasn't smart enough, or clever enough. He wasn't KIND enough, even though he was kind to her. To me, he wasn't HER COUNTERPART- she, being a beautiful, incredibly intelligent, talented, generous, KIND, fierce woman....he didn't match up. He didn't share her values, or belief system. HE'S A REPUBLICAN. And wanted guns in their home. And had meathead friends. He wasn't MY vision for a man for her....but he wasn't MINE to have a judgement about in the first place.

My pride over protecting her has, at times, almost cost us our friendship.

The other night at 2am- she called me; One of his closest friends was hit by a roadside bomb. He didn't make it. Another, lost his legs. The rest....all wounded. MY HEART instantly started aching.....if something were to happen to him; I could never forgive myself for not trying to MAKE IT RIGHT.

Him and I aren't the same. We'll never share coffee and wax poetic over life. We likely won't vote for them same presidential candidate or fucking American Idol contestant. We likely wont want to drink at the same bars, or share the same Facebook friends. He'll think I'm a weird liberal hippie freak who talks about "energy" too often, and I'll think he's not sensitive enough.

We won't be sharing a broken hearted BFF necklace, but there's one thing we will be sharing; The bottomless LOVE, respect and adoration for the same person. My best friend- his Love.

He (and thousands of others) won't be home for Christmas. Or his birthday. He doesn't get to eat sweet potatoes with perfectly-crispy marshmallow. There won't be that "too-full-to-move" feeling on Thanksgiving, or the sound of silverware clinking on plates and oversize sweaters hugging and feeling the winter-kissed faces of loved ones as they come through the door. He doesn't get to untangle Christmas lights, fill the empty spots on the tree with childhood Popsicle stick ornaments, or watch the clay animation Rudolph, and like it. He won't get to shovel the driveway, turn on the fireplace, or watch the last leaves fall before everything is desolate and bare. He won't get the perfect eggnog buzz (don't tell me you're not excited for that.) He isn't going to Google where he should toast to his 24th year on Earth, or get to open presents and BE SELFISH for one. full. day. for his Birthday. His birthday will just be SURVIVING.

So, yea- we're different. We're different, but that doesn't mean that I can't try to do SOMETHING to show that- in all of our differences, I respect what he's doing. And he needs a fucking GREAT birthday present, since I can't buy him a shot of Patron and apologize- drunk style.

SO HERE'S THE DEAL:

I'm putting together a book of quotes, stories, pictures, etc. to send to him for his birthday- BUT, I WANT YOUR OLD BLOG POSTS.

Comment with a link, or an email of something you've written- it can be funny, lewd, inspirational, TMI, Happy Birthday, ANYTHING- It doesn't have to pertain to the war, if you're a fashion blogger- send me your favorite quote, or picture, anything. IT'S UP TO YOU.

I want to remind him that there's people out there- people at home, living, working, laughing, etc. that are a reminder to come back, ALIVE and continue on with his life.....a book of LIFE. To entertain, or simply take up some time in his day when he's wishing he were here, safe- behind a computer, wearing tattered sweats and eating a turkey sandwich.

It's never too late to MAKE IT RIGHT. To say sorry. To swallow your pride.

What's holding on to it really doing for you anyway.....? Let it go.

Is there anyone you need to "make it right" with?

If I keep singing "Don't rain on my parade" I give you permission to PUNCH ME IN THE FACE.

Just on stage- doin' my thing ;)

So. I want nice things. There....I said it.

I want to be able to buy unnecessary items like Fig scented oils, and Gingerbread shaped baking tins. But more importantly, I want to be able to LIVE. Live my life, cross off lists, live bountifully not BLEAKLY. It also just so happens that my life plans involve more than one vacation to The Mediterranean and a full rhinestone bra.

So, shoot me, I didn't "live simply" was my middle name.

This past week, I was tested- hardcore. tested. Between jobs and people- yes and no. The Universe said, "Chelsea, how much do you want to be able to spend money at The Container Store....come on, how much? You want to buy a condo eventually- well, how bad do you want it?"

I've been given OPTIONS. But every option comes with a laundry list of pros and cons. Major con being, "give up your life- to potentially have a better one. Keyword- POTENTIALLY." Not, absolutely. Just, potentially.

...could be worse, I could have been given the Gout or a lifetime supply of Cheese Whiz, which would be terrible. After the first can was gone anyway. Cause really, who needs that?

Options; you can have everything or NOTHING- it just depends on what your personal, "everything" is. Someones 9-5, or family life- someones nomadic freedom, or DIY scheduling. Someones "place of their own", or Tuesday night book club. Someones one-day-at-a-time, or someones paycheck-to-paycheck. Someones brand new Honda Civic, or someones Employee of the month. All of these things, to SOMEONE, mean EVERYTHING and to someone else, mean nothing at all. It's defining your everything- without the influence of everyone around you, societal standards included- that's the hard part. And how long are you willing to search until you find it? Without deciding that someone's Everything, should be yours too....when it isn't.

It's easy to get gold dust in your eyes when you don't know all the components. With every "perfect" man, "perfect" job, there's a price. It's easy to think, everything would be better IF....

So, I've had to look at myself- at my life- What is my EVERYTHING? Is it really direct deposit to spend on baking tins?....

Freedom. Family. Love. Kicking my Dad's ass at Monopoly (which rarely happens.) Being creative. Not knowing, I actually LIKE not knowing what's going to happen next year, or next month- because for me, that means change. Change= growth, stories, opportunity to stretch and fall and try something new, possibly even check off some of that growing "life list." Everything to me is; having someone to call anytime of the night or day, being able to say NO, or YES- because I want to, not because I SHOULD. A life without guidelines. Using my VOICE- writing it, singing it, screaming with it. Being able to say FUCK really loud- without anyone around me giving a fuck. Navigating through Rachel Ray books and accomplishing a 30-minute meal in 40 minutes (what? I'm not a chef.) Everything to me is being able to say, with my entire soul- that I have EVERYTHING I want and all of the rest, is just a few steps away....

...so do I need to take this potentially glittery opportunity? I haven't decided yet. Maybe I'm much simpler than I thought- at least for now. All I know is that, no matter what- I have everything. I'm already creating my happiness- and "sticking to my fucking guns," doing what I love- in my time. Whether it's NOW, or tomorrow. What I NEED and desire- is already mine.

WHAT'S YOUR "EVERYTHING"???