Check That Off The Bucket List: Dane Cook

Do you have a bucket list? A bucket list that really means something to you? I do. And for some reason [okay, I know what the reason is] I've been checking more and more items off my list. It's one of the greatest feelings in the world.

When we're younger, we start our bucket list. And our bucket list items are most likely a bit cliche. Like, "Marry Nick Carter." But as we mature, we add items to our list that really mean something to us. Or they're something totally, completely out there that we just HAVE to do. Some are more serious and others are just off the wall. Either way, I love my bucket list and I am so absolutely pumped to see how so many of my items are coming into actual existence.

Since I've taken this blog of mine down the "here's what I'm learning about life as I go" path instead of the "here's what I'm doing every weekend" path, I've realized that I have been leaving some fun stuff out. Oh, like that time I went to Palm Springs for the first time? [Bucket list!] I should probably start with that bucket list item but since something so exciting just happened yesterday morning, I'm going to just let you in on another fun item I'll be checking off soon:

✔ See my favorite comedian live!

Bam. It's happening. In September, I'll be face to face with Dane Cook during his UnderOath Tour! Thanks to good ole Dane, I found out the password for the pre-sale tickets and scored some killer seats for the show two days before they officially went on sale! I am thrilled. If you know me, you know how much I have loved Dane for years. No matter how many times I watch his skits, it just seems to get even more hilarious. Not to mention, I quote him/reference his stand-up in everyday conversation. 

Here is the skit I've been referencing the most lately! Dane likes his swear words, so let this be your warning ;)

Is that not the truth? Man, he's good. Dane just gets me. He gets my sense of humor, that man. I love how physical and animated he gets on stage too. Marching around. Listen, some people like Will Ferrell one-liners. Me? I live for Dane Cook one-liners. Hang out with me for a while and you're bound to hear one. There may or may not even be titles of my Pinterest boards named after some of his lines...
Okay so, where are my fellow criers? I'm a crier. I cry during The Bachelorette. I cry during every single ASPCA commercial. I cry reading The Daily Love. If you're like me, you'll probably like this skit... on crying.
I'll just let you guess how many times I watched/listened to these skits yesterday. And, yes, I just wrote an entire blog post about Dane Cook. So if that doesn't tell you how much I look forward to checking this item off my bucket list, I don't know what will.
Who is your favorite comedian?
"You don't even know."

That Time I Embarrassed Myself in Front of Hundreds

I guess I've never had to tell many embarrassing stories because it sure took me a while to remember any that happened to me. I think my most embarrassing moment happened when I was a little too young to truly remember/recognize what was going on at the time. You know, kids can't be embarrassed by anything. They're magical at that age. Untouchable.

I was fourish years old and performing at my very first dance recital. We were dancing to "Under the Sea" and had the cutest darn "sea-inspired" costumes. I got to be the leader of the pack in my class. My dance teacher loved me and saw a dance career in my future - What can I say? She was right. But, you wouldn't know it or believe it if you saw my performance that evening.

The routine starts off with me and a dozen other little ballerina girls scurrying onto the stage as we pretend we are swimming. Dance Lesson #1: Put your hands palms together in front of you with your fingers pointing away from you. Bend your wrists to the right. Now to the left. And start scurrying around. See, you're swimming. Back to the recital. I was the first one on stage and the rest of the girls followed me as we swam scurried around the stage for about five 8-counts or so. At the end of those five 8-counts we were supposed to have safely arrived in our spot.

I, however, did not make it safely to my spot in those five 8-counts.

Nope. Chelsea was too busy having a blast "swimming" around the stage like a mermaid that she completely forgot to go to her spot. Yep. I was that girl. The one who was still running all over the stage in a panic when the dance had already started. Hard to believe, right? I mean, c'mon now. I totally look like I take my dance career seriously here:

It continues. I did finally find spot amongst all the other ballerina mermaids and rocked that dance. Seriously. Well, until this one part...

I, Chelsea, Leader of the Pack was given the responsibility of being the line leader again. We pranced around in that line to the back of the stage, laid down on our backs, and kicked our feet up in the air for three 8-counts. However, I just didn't like that choreography apparently [although I later used this exact same part in a recital dance I choreographed a couple years ago. Don't judge.]

I only wanted to kick my feet up in the air for one 8-count. So, as soon as I was done, I just sat up and looked at my dance teacher who was standing in the wings. I'm pretty sure she looked at me and waved for me to get back down. So, I did. For a second or two. But I just wanted to DANCE! Eventually the number was over and I probably didn't get embarrassed by it until I was 9 years old and on a national champion all-star team and looked back at that video. At that point, I'm sure I rolled my eyes, scoffed, and thought, "Ugh, what an embarrassment!

And then I went on to win a couple more championships, danced in high school, college, and taught dance around the country for five years ;) So, sometimes it's a good thing when you get so darn excited about something that you kind of actually forget what you're doing and just make it your own. Dance became that for me. It became my life and my greatest passion growing up.

But seriously, watching that video now, at this point in life... it's just embarrassing. Because you just can't miss it. I was totally that girl. So, if ever you're in the DC area and want to get a good laugh at little ballerina babe Chelsea, stop by my Dad's. I'm sure he'd get a good chuckle too :)

Things That Make Me Uncomfortable

I didn't want to think too much about today's Blog Every Day in May prompt, because, well... I don't want to feel too uncomfortable. So, here are the first 15 things I could think of that make me uncomfortable:

1. Most things that involve animals - Animals mounted on walls, Animal Planet shows about wild animals preying on other animals, movies about animals [Let's be honest. Something sad always happens. Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken will forever make me cry. And Marley and Me? Don't Get Me Started.]

2. Small spaces.

3. Not showering as soon as I wake up in the morning.

4. Talking about politics.

5. Killing bugs. Bugs in general. Anything bug-related.

6. Everything at the dentist

7. The meat section at the grocery store

8. Guns & Drugs

9. Elevators

10. When people say any of the following, "Supposably," "Alls I know is..." "Those ones" 

11. Cubicles

12. When my back is sweaty. Don't touch me.

13. Standing on escalators and/or moving walkways. [I owe this to DC Metro]

14. Chelsea Handler

15. The term, "Cali"

And there you have it, folks. I know that I can't be alone in some of these. What makes you uncomfortable?

Happies on a Bad Day

There are a lot of words I could use to describe my yesterday but I might as well just refer you back to my "I just glazed" and "Done" quotes yesterday from the RHOC. Those two phrases pretty much describe it perfectly. So, I decided since my entire brain capacity is consumed with my big work event this weekend, I am not going to think right now.

Here are some images that bring me butterflies and smiley faces and... unicorns:

1. Take me back to P.E. class

2. Good thing the place where I spend all my time is the closest

3. She's always buzzing just like... neon, neon.

4. A palm tree smile

5. You go, girl

6. Billabong killing it with neon advertising/graphics

7. This goes perfectly with my 80s/90s baking/dance parties

8. The sea is my peace

9. Does it even get better than coconut ice cream?

10. He leaves me speechless...

What images turn your frown upside down? Link to them below in the comments :)

As for now, off I go to the wonderful world of event planning the week of my event. Hopefully today I won't realize my sunglasses are still on after I've been inside for five minutes. Because that happened...

The Lighthearted Things Lately

I like to believe that life is what you make of it. I try so hard everyday to think that way. But I have to be honest - life has been a huge friggin' roller coaster. Life is so, so good and I have so much to be grateful for but there are still those hard moments to get through each day. I'm sure my hard moments are different from your hard moments but we all have them.

Sometimes, like in the idle moments I wrote about, life's rough points hit us a little bit harder. They dig a little bit deeper into our skin and leave a sharp sting. And sometimes that sting is more like a deep burn that feels like it will never stop. It's unbearable.

And it's because of those horrible, unbearable moments that I am so very grateful for the lighthearted things in life. You know - the things that just put a smile on your face.

+A text someone sends you out of the blue that lets you know they appreciate you.

+A quote that just speaks to your heart

[via]

+Talenti Gelato [insert your favorite flavor here]

+A picture that makes you laugh hysterically no matter how many times you see it.

Caption: Photo Bomb

[via]

You guys, the funny cat pictures get me every time. I promise I'm only a half cat-lady.

+Your favorite view. Mine just happens to be the ocean. Here it was yesterday :)

+When your cat or dog greets you at the door when you get home and gives you lovin'

+And then there are the 90s songs. You're welcome.

If those songs don't pump you up, then I don't know what to tell you. I randomly found Addams Family Groove the other day while doing my typical scan through 90s songs and I think I lost my mind. I mean, I had not heard that song since it aired on the radio in '92. They need to bring it back.
And "Beautiful Life" - well, let's just say there was a dance party in my kitchen last night. The best part starts at 2:52. Enjoy :)
It's the lighthearted things in life that get us through many of the heavier-hearted times. Sometimes all it takes is that snuggle from our furry friend or a dance party in the kitchen to make you sigh and say, "Ah... it's a beautiful life." ;)
What are the lighthearted things in your life?

Laughs Lately

I was babysitting my cute, little niece Aubrey the other night. I always enjoy our time together because, regardless of what kind of day I've had, she makes me laugh.

Aubrey's most recent favorite thing to do is to tuck you in to bed. I laid down on the floor, she came over and said, "night night," closed my eyes for me, rubbed my back, and covered me with a blanket. Except, the blanket has to be just right. How adorable. I asked Aubrey if she was going to go to Harvard and she said, "Yep."

In order to fix the vision in one of her eyes, she just started wearing glasses which she absolutely loves! She looked at me, with a very concerned expression on her face, held her arms out to the side while shrugging her shoulders and said, "Chelsea... where are your glasses?"

Now, I hardly ever wear my glasses. Only when I have horrible migraines from staring at the computer screen at work. Oops. So, Aubrey had never even seen me in glasses, just assumed that everyone had some. I remembered that I had my glasses in my purse so, without her looking, I snuck over and put them on. She was thrilled :)

She is also thrilled with the fact that we can see ourselves while taking pictures on my iPhone. Try taking pictures with the screen facing away, and she'll grab the phone and turn it back around. What a goober! She makes me laugh. Here are some other things that make me laugh:

1. TMNT Tee - I always wanted to be "Don"
2. Butta USB Hand Warmers - I know I'm not the only one whose hands turn blue when I get to work.
3. Sorry We're Closed Eye Mask - ...Get it?
4. Correcting Your Grammar Sign - Sad but true...

You're probably wondering where I find all this random craziness. Have you heard of Fab.com? If not, it's this awesome sale website I found full of eclectic furniture, clothes, tech accessories, etc. I signed up to get their emails everyday where they feature new products that are on sale and I always see something that makes me crack up. Even if you don't sign up for their emails, check out Fab.com from time to time. You just might find something you like :)

Lastly, this one isn't necessarily funny but it IS amazing! Pinterest just announced their SECRET BOARDS! Oh, yes... it's happening. Now, if you want to a create a holiday shopping board or a board for a new project you're keeping secret - bam! You're welcome ;)

What makes you laugh lately? Oh, and get ready... big things are happening on the blog tomorrow.

The First Time I Ever Fell in Love

I figured since today is Valentine's Day and all, I should share something from the heart with you. I don't often tell this story, but, today I've decided I'll tell you about the first time I ever fell in love and with whom. It's really quite personal.

You see, his name is Ryan.

I fell for him at a young age. I was seven, he was thirteen. So, I guess you could say it started off as puppy love.

He was funny, cute, AND he knew how to sing, dance, and act. What a steal!

Don’t believe me? Check this out:

My feelings quickly started to develop and as we grew older, our love grew stronger. We were so happy we could just dance...

We each went on to accomplish our own things. I found a guy and he found a girl and we thought perhaps our lives weren't meant to be spent together. Oh, were we wrong. That love that had been formed at a young age was still there.

Despite the distance, we still have found ways to communicate.

Perhaps the first time we ever fall in love, we never really fall out. That's how it's happened for me at least ;)

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!!

1 | 2 |

All in a Day’s Work

“Just another day at the office.” I’ve said that a lot. I’ve definitely had my fair share of fun, hectic, and interesting days at work throughout my career days. Last week was no exception.

We acquired a new mannequin at work. I had seen one of my co-workers carrying the pieces around and just didn’t think anything of it. So, later, I was going about my business and walked into the copier room only to be startled by two life-size legs just chilling on the ground. I totally jumped.

Little did I know, madness was about to commence. The guys start snickering about where they were going to “plant” this mannequin in order to scare people around the building. I chuckled because it was pretty funny that they were putting so much thought into it.

I continue getting some work done and go upstairs to meet with a co-worker about something. He was about to leave for lunch so I told him I’d be back later. Well, about an hour or so later, I decide to head back up there. I walk into his office and, much to my surprise, there is a life-size mannequin chilling at his desk. I jumped again.

Later, I find about five people hanging out, just awaiting the reaction of yet another co-worker whose office has been taken over by the mannequin. In this group of people is the initiator of it all. So, obviously, I have to tell him how I’ve accidentally “run into” this mannequin not once but twice already! The day continues on and I’m sure they did their best to scare a few more people before the end of the workday.

I show up the next morning and, you guessed it, they’re still snickering about their plans for that day. They were going to start off placing the mannequin in the office two doors down from mine. I laughed again, thinking how funny it was that these guys love their pranks so much. It’s cute, right? The day goes on and I get pulled upstairs to work on something for about twenty minutes. When I return to my office, look who I ran into… again:

They got me.

And, yes, I jumped. For a third time. The guys thought for sure that since I had been scared so many times by the mannequin already, that I surely wouldn’t fall for it this time. Wrong-o.

It was an awesome prank. Now, whenever I pass by Mr. Mannequin who is currently being used on display, I still chuckle :)

Have you had any pranks played on you while at work?

Some Friday Funnies

Between stretching my imagination to the limit at Cirque and hours of reading and writing and analyzing and digging deep into my heart all week, my mind and brain power are just spent. I still have countless thoughts swirling around, waiting to be categorized and filed away. For now, though, they must wait. Instead of trying to gather those thoughts, sort them out, and put them down here on my blog for you to read about, I figured I’d end this week with something light-hearted.

 

{via}

I figured this was fitting.

{via}

You guys, I definitely had to have this conversation with someone yesterday as well as telling them about “anyway” instead of “anyways.” I’ve become quite the stickler on grammar. I figured if you’re in your twenties and still not using the proper form of words like “they’re and “their” then someone needs to start calling you out on it since apparently no one did before! Just sayin’ :)

{via}

{via}

The fact that I saw this WHILE watching Inception, makes it feel like it’s a movie inside a movie inside a movie. Too much?

{via}

I don’t get it but it’s hilarious. Earrings. Totally.

{via}

Don’t think I didn’t tell that joke all day - because I did. Hint: it’s about a song.

Hopefully I brought a little smile to your face :) Sometimes when life gets too hectic, you just need a good laugh!

Have a lovely weekend!