My new job has been kicking my ass. I went from working about seven hours total a week at my old job, to working 10+ hour days at the new job. I can't keep up, and now I go to bed as early as my grandparents. I really hope my paychecks are worth it.

Jonathan and I went to see Paranormal Activity tonight. Although it was very creepy, it was kind of a let down. I also managed to spend $40 at Sephora on two items. Tomorrow I plan on going to the mall after class to buy a dress at H&M that I should had just bought yesterday when I was there.

I am also in need to write a paper that I have put off until last minute, once again. School sucks...I'm so over it!

Xo,
Bean.

Tour was absolutely amazing. I had such a great time, even though we had a few minor setbacks here and there. First, Atlantic City was a good time, even though I didn't really win anything. Last Monday I met up with the boys in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. The show ended up being shut down, so Joey, Tyler, Drew and I went to Taco Bell while the rest went to TGI Friday's for Jess' birthday. Fellow tour mates, Chelsea Grin happened to be at the same Taco Bell, so it was a blast to meet them. We stayed at Midge's in Delaware that night.

Tuesday was Mt. Airy, Maryland. 20 miles from the venue, the belt breaks on I-70. We pull over and call AAA and a mechanic. The mechanic is super stoked that we were a touring band and insists staying open later to help us, (turns out, he's also a musician and showed Rob and Drew his music). So, we detach the trailer and me, Pete, Bill, Lou, Joey, and Tyler wait while Rob and Drew go to the mechanic. We decide to call the other bands to see if they would be willing to detach their trailer and come get ours. American Me couldn't because it turns out that Aaron had the swine flu! So he was sleeping in the van, and that was understandable. We call Chelsea Grin but they weren't even at the venue yet. We then call Attila who manage to jerk us around for five hours. Finally, one of the guys in Chelsea get in touch with us to tell us that Attila's manager, Alex, told everyone that we had everything under control and not to come get us. His plan was to have us not show and Attila would end up getting more money for headlining. So, I quickly call Rob and tell him to grab a cab and head to the show, so that way their manager would feel threatened. He did, after Drew ripped him a new asshole. Finally, Chelsea Grin gets to the venue, plays their set and then willingly comes to save us. We made it to the show with minutes to spare and got the money we earned. After the show, we all gathered in Chelsea Grin's van (I managed to roll over a spilled bottle of soda, soaking my pants). We grabbed some dinner and got to a hotel close to the garage.

Wednesday we were thrown out of the hotel room because the manager thought we had all stayed in one room, which wasn't true. Chelsea slept in their van in the parking lot, but managed to get yelled at anyways. We quickly showered and head to the garage which was conveniently placed next to a shopping center with a grocery store and a Subway. We all ate lunch together and hung around until the van was done. Then we headed off to Fredricksburg, Virginia. The show went really well. However, it was in some sort of church community center so the local bands were praising God the entire time.

Thursday we played Nitro, West Virginia. It was a shitty venue in a shitty town. The crowd was great and I had a fun time hanging out with the Chelsea boys. After the show we drove over night to Virginia Beach. We woke up and were obviously super early to load in, so we explored the mall and had some drama due to record labels and pushing back CD releases, etc. So after all was said and done, the show went really well. We sold tons of merch and headed to a party close to the beach. AK and I drank some Jungle Juice and proceeded to get wasted. Him and I, plus Matt and Dan took a stroll down to the beach. Matt and Dan went in the water, but AK and I aren't too fond of the ocean, so we drew in the sand and then headed back to drink some more. In the process of walking back to the house, Joey was on the roof and saw AK and I walking together. From that moment he started a nice little rumor that AK and I had a hook up on the beach. This makes me laugh because he's only 18, so I come off as a cougar. The night continued with heavy drinking and me passing out on top of Tyler in the van and the Chelsea boys throwing up outside their van.

Friday we drove to Drew's Meema's house in Pittsboro, North Carolina. She made us breakfast and let us shower. We then drove, for what seemed like hours due to traffic, to Raleigh. Josh put me in a bad mood for a bit, so on top of the massive crowd and the bouncer pissing me off about where we set up the merch table, I through a fit. Eventually, some nice kid bought me a beer and that lead to many more and my rendition of Axl Rose's signature dance move and the rumor of AK and I to spread even further. This was my last day on tour, so I was on the verge of tears when I had to say goodbye to everyone. I miss everyone so much.

Yesterday Josh picked up from Meema's house. We got food, and then he dropped me off at Winnie's. Winnie, Chris, and I hung out all night.

Today I came home. I'm not looking forward to going back to school and work. I may or may not have some exciting news soon. I'm hoping my life becomes more exciting. My new job is nice, but I feel so out of place. This week put things in perspective for me. I realized what I love, and I'm wondering why I ever dropped out of music school...

Tuesday I started my new job as a receptionist at a salon (gotta get myself through college, somehow!) Today I worked a 10 hour shift. It was not as bad as I expected it to be, though. As soon as I got home I was invited to come out bowling. Pete came over and him and my parents ordered food. Then Pete and I played an intense game of Rock Band II (I got through 76% of Iron Maiden on expert bass). Then, with our forearms in pain, we met up with Lauren, Nick, Kev, Zizzo, Hodge, Chris, and Natalie at the Garden City bowling alley. We divided ourselves into two teams (Chris and Natalie played as one person): The Hot Dogs and the Gutter Rats. I was a Hot Dog, and we lost twice because Lauren is a really bad bowler. I didn't do so bad for once! We played two games and went out separate ways. Tomorrow Pete, Diana, Sean, and myself are going to see West Side Story on Broadway! I'm beyond excited. After that we will spend the night at Broadway Bar for some fun times. Sunday I am probably going to go to Atlantic City with the folks and meet up with Dr. Acula on Monday. Hopefully Josh comes through with the ride back to NY, otherwise I'm pretty much screwed. Oh well, I guess we'll see what happens.

Pretty gnarly quality, but basically proof that Lauren should never become a profession bowler.

Yes! My hair is finally getting longer! I mean, I did get a trim yesterday, but I think that helped a little! Now I just need a little black hair dye and I'm good to go. I wish I could be a blonde, but I don't think that will be happening anytime soon...

My sister bought me a new Polaroid camera for my birthday. It's a lovely limited edition one from Urban Outfitters. Too bad the film costs an arm and a leg and is scarce these days. I want to take as many as possible before the film disappears. I've contemplated taking it on the road with me, but it's a little too big to carry around with me. I think I'll just stick to my point & shoot digital camera.

I've been so broke. I really can't wait to start my new job so I can have some money! I've reduced my price for photography to $50 until I leave for the open road. So far Isaac responded for a photo shoot. Hopefully I can get at least one more before September 27th. I've been so broke that I can't even afford much food. I have been eating left over spaghetti that I polished off earlier tonight. It's rather sad.

So, my mom told me the other day that NCC offers jobs people with a BA in psychology (or any major, really) if they are continuing onto their Masters. This is insane! I'm hoping she heard right, because if so then I will apply and apply until I can be called Professor Bean!

I need to start cooking more often. I get really lazy and end up eating whatever is laying around the house. I wish I had a vegan or vegetarian roommate that would enjoy cooking and baking with me. I think this week I will try out this recipe:

Lemon pasta with pine nuts
About 6 to 8 servings

1 pound angel hair pasta, whole wheat or regular
1/3 cup plus 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 cup pine nuts (pignolis), lightly toasted
3 large cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 Tablespoons lemon zest (yellow part only), grated or minced
1 cup flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cook the pasta according to directions to al dente tenderness. Drain well, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water, and return to the pot you cooked it in; stir in the 1 Tablespoon oil and the cooking water, stir, cover and set aside. If the pine nuts are not toasted, spread them on a baking sheet in a preheated 350 deg F toaster oven or oven for about five minutes -- the aroma should tell you when they're done. Remove, crush lightly with a sturdy fork or the back of a wooden spoon, then place in a mixing bowl. (If the nuts are already toasted, just crush and place in the bowl.) Heat the 1/3 cup oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sauté, stirring constantly, for one or two minutes, just until softened and aromatic (do not allow it to burn). Mix in the lemon juice, zest, and parsley; season to taste. Let rest for about five or ten minutes to marry the flavours, then add the mixture to the pasta and toss lightly with wooden spoon and fork. Serve immediately in soup plates or pasta bowls.

I have always been fond of this photograph of Joanna and I. It was taken in August at Natasha and Punit's wedding. Whenever Joanna and I take a photograph together, one of us ends up shouting "DELETE THAT NOW!" But this photograph makes me want to print multiple copies and frame them throughout my house...As lame as that may sound.

Tonight my plans fell through, of course. After work I was supposed to go out to Ronkonkoma to meet up with Bill...But he went to Lou's. I was then invited to Lou's, but by the time I had gotten in touch with them it was already 11:30pm and they were heading back to Bill's. So my other option was to go to Broadway for some Karaoke and to see my friends. Instead, I opted for a night of boredom. I actually don't mind, since I'm low on cash and need to save for my trip. Plus I had a very hectic week and need a good nights rest.

Tomorrow (well, really today) it's back into the library to finish my research paper. My professor gave us an extension, which was a huge relief. After class, Pete and I are going to watch Ghost in honor of Patrick Swayze. RIP.

This is a photograph I took of Dr. Acula back in March. It's my favorite of the group shots. The individual shots, however, came out amazing, and I'll be sure to post them eventually.