Meeting Fozzy Part 2, and how Chris Jericho helped me

Sorry for a lack of blogs. Real College hit me, where homework, studying, and excessive work has taken control of my free time. Yikes...

I thought I'd take the time to talk a little about how I met Fozzy again last week...And how Chris Jericho (Or Chris Irvine in my case...) helped me with finding my true future or purpose in life.

Back on October 28, my friends, Alex and Lauren, and I went to Peabody’s for Fozzy’s first concert in Cleveland since a few years ago. Because the band is not too popular, the amount of people going was only about a hundred or so. There were two headliners, one being Candlelight Red, and the other a band that I've yet to recall. Prior to the shows, we waited in line with about seventeen other members of the VIP session to meet the band. I stood there, shivering from the cold temperatures and anxiety, with a wrapped up gift gripped in my hand.

Todd, the manager for the VIP, took us all upstairs to the second floor, where the band was waiting at tables to sign our stuff. We stayed in line and waited our turns. When it came to my turn, I went to each individual band member and asked them all how they have been. They all remembered who I was from Uproar, so they mainly asked how I have been since I had last seen them. Each of them seemed very happy to see me. What made me the most ecstatic is when Chris Irvine, the lead singer, recognized me and exclaimed, “You’re the girl that gave us the drawings!”  I caught up with him for a little bit, and then I handed him the gift. He opened it and revealed a framed drawing I did based off of their music video for Sandpaper. Chris had a big smile on his face and recognized each person I drew.

After talking to Chris and finding out the meaning behind the music video, I went back in line and waited to take a photo with a band. After a few minutes, it was finally my turn. As I walked over, Chris walked off and picked up the drawing to have that included in the photo. I posed with the band, holding the photo with Chris, and then thanked them all for coming back to Cleveland. 

As I walked away, Chris called out to me, “You should really be an animator.”

            The rest of the night was amazing!! I've, first of all, never been to a legit concert before with lights and all. I was about 2 people behind the stage, right where Rich and Chris were. Perfect area for photos, perfect area to get their attention. I was screaming like a fangirl singing along to every single song, which, by the way, was a great setlist. As I am writing this today, my throat is still sore. I am hoping the tall jerks in front of us didn't have colds...

 The day after the concert (So Monday), I went to my two classes... But something was different... I was walking through campus, doodling on notes, minding my own business...But all I could think of was Chris saying, "You should be an animator." Throughout my years, I was always told other suggestions such as cartoonist or illustrator. I never really thought about an animator before. 

With Hurricane Sandy cancelling classes Tuesday, I spent the entire day coughing up lungs, doing homework, and thinking of my future...Were I to drop Psychology and be an animator? Push aside Chris's idea and just go with Neuropsychology? Hours of random thoughts later, my mom suggested to include both in my future...The ability to animate psychological issues..Maybe even use animation to cure certain mentalities. Who knows! The ideas are endless.

Next time Chris comes back to Ohio, or next time I get an opportunity to even speak to him, besides all of the questions I've yet to send his way, I definitely want to [personally] thank him for helping me figure out my true future. Maybe I'll be able to animate something for Fozzy next time..That'd be cool.

Until next time, my lemondrops. I am off to cough up more lungs and get some papers done. Yawn...

Quarter way there + Why High School is Key

Week Four done.........Already?!

Sorry for a lack of postage. I figured the Fozzy blog was enough to last a week or so while I enjoyed my "Me time" after college days. Most of those days consisting of me hanging out with a dear friend of mine, studying like crazy, etc. etc. etc... That's pretty much all. Boring, eh? Nope!


Semi-Lesson of the Week

"I hate High school"
"College is way better"
"I bet College is easier."

Ya wanna know why it's easier?

Because the freakin High School prepared you.

Just today (Friday), I took my first exam in college. It was for BIO 106 - goodness, I love that class. I can assure you, 80% of the material on that quiz was review from Sophomore year. I kid you not.

It filled me with so much enthusiasm, I had to call up my Biology teacher just to thank her for giving me all of those hints. I also e-mailed my Physics teacher, because he helped me prepare for something I am doing in English... Summarizing and Responding to an Article..Just like he made us do every week.

When you get to college, you really start to realize how much high school and the teachers there have helped you. Whining and crying about how much you hate it really won't get you anywhere. From what I've seen so far, complaining about stuff in High School only makes you complain in College. (So, about 90% of each of my classes. Pauvre de moi.)

Long story short, please, thank your high school teachers for everything. They are still there to help you out.



Sorry this week's blog is short. I'm brain-cell'd out after staying up late two nights in a row for an easy exam. Woopsies.

Fairly relaxing weekend in store, then it's my daddy's birthday. Happy birthday, dad.
(Oh, right, he doesn't use a computer...)

Anyone who reads this, post me some questions on this blog. I'm getting kind of bored. I want to help people out!!!

The Day I Met Fozzy (And Didn't Pass Out)

Today was probably one of the most exciting days of my life... Well, it was, trust me. However, I was too tired to express my happiness. For the majority of the day, I avoided the intake of caffeine and sugar just so that I could relax my nerves for when I meet Fozzy. Orange Juice and Water never tasted better...

We showed up to Blossom just about an hour or so before it was Fozzy's turn, so we made our way to the half-crowd, patiently waited... I saw Billy and Paul setting things up, so of course my excitement boiled over by then. It wasn't until "Spider in My Mouth" began to play when the adrenaline kicked in. When Jericho jumped out, the devil horns were flailing in the air, I was yelling along to the songs (I am proud of myself for knowing them all), I was clapping... Oh, we also had to move aside cause of moshies. Dang you, moshies...

It felt like hours, but it was only about thirty minutes or so. Great songs, wonderful performance. With an hour to impatiently kill, I toasted to Fozzy with a Rockstar Energy Drink with a few friends, chugged another, sang random Fozzy songs (and one Nightmare Before Christmas jingle), and jumped around the empty parking lot to P.O.D until the time was near. All I could think of at this point was, "What the heck am I supposed to say?" After numerous experiences with being an absolute nervous wreck, I figured I was bound to be one again.

We strolled over to the Fozzy merch tent and met Todd there, who led us over to the Fozzy bus. My hands began to tremble ever so slightly, and the heart was racing... To settle some nerves, I talked with another girl who had purchased the Group Hug pass. We talked about WWE and Chris Jericho and other exciting wrestlers... "Oh, we're gonna get alo-"

I froze when I saw the bus door open and saw Chris stroll out. He looked at us with a friendly, half-tired smile. "Hey guys, how are you?"

"Good.." Suddenly, I wasn't nervous. It was as if this light surrounded his presence with angels singing in perfect pitch. Anyways, he shook all of our hands and we introduced ourselves to him. The other four (Rich, Billy, Frank, and Paul) came out and shook our hands, too. Very, VERY nice people.

Frank and Paul talked to the other girl, I believe Billy and/or Rich spoke to my bud Alex, and Chris just started to ask me questions. Stuff like, "Where are you from?" "Did you enjoy the gig?" "Do you have the new album?" "What are your favorite tracks?" etc etc.. It definitely helped me, cause I forgot everything I wanted to tell/ask him. Woopsies... The two of us talked for a couple of minutes, I talked about my brother Jacob to him, as well. Again, an amazing man to speak to... It's no wonder I've been a fan for five years.

Him and the others signed my Road Unit poster. Once the signage began to dim down, I opened my folder and handed them their fanart, explaining to them that I chose a song for each of them from "Sin and Bones," their newest album. They all LOVED the art. I loved how I did it, 'cause they all went around to each other asking what they all got. Afterward, they all thanked me, and I got a photo with the band:

Chris then said, "Now let's take a picture with the drawings."

Which, unfortunately, did not save properly on my phone, but it did on Rich's... So I have no proof (yet. Lemme get to Rich on that one..)

Once everyone took pictures, they all came up to me and hugged me, thanking me for the drawings and for meeting them, and then we had to depart.

Unfortunately, I must now focus on education (who am I kidding? I love learning). I'm definite that I will wake up with sore arms, a sore neck, and a sore throat. Totally worth it.

I'm off to sleep now and dream of my experience... I hope they return to Cleveland soon.

I also hope Chris read my letter and responds or something... I put a lot of thought into it, after all. 

Night night, mes amis. 

Week Two - Respect and Comfort

Week Deux

Hard to believe that four days just winged right by. I guess it's the benefit of having two to three classes a day with lengthy breaks and whatnot.

So far, I am very, very tired. My body, mind, and ears are still adapting to the whole "sitting through two hours of lectures" tidbit of college. Doing my internship at a hospital, where lectures are required every week, did prepare me for the worst. However, repetitive sit-downs is kind of tiring after the third day... yawn.

I'm glad to know that I have definitely befriended most of my professors very well. Sitting in the front of the class, paying attention, and taking notes like a good nerd is the best benefit you can ever receive. It has blanketed me with a feeling of happiness, security, and trust. It helps me know that I'll never be picked on or maybe even disrespected. Ahh, college...

With week two done, I am beginning to befriend a lot of students, as well. Some kids have finally gotten comfortable with where they stand and have begun chatting with others. I even met a man in my Psychology class whose brother has Autism. Talk about small world! All in all, college is going great thus far.

Accommodations = Your new BFF.

Period. Nothing more.

I can recall having to type an accommodations letter in Advisory class back in my Junior year... I was all for it, me being the delighted advocate I have grown up to be. For the most part, it was only me and two other friends of mine that actually took the assignment seriously. Everyone else...Oh, don't get me started...

"I won't need accommodations in college!"

"I've grown out of my disability!"

"Blahbity blah me no need this blah."

Luckily, I do not speak to these acquaintances anymore...Oi vey! One can never grow out of their learning difference...

Anywho, I had purchased a LiveScribe pen for college. You know, that pen that records lectures while you write? First week, I was doing stellar with it. However, I would become very paranoid when a professor would get near me. A college buddy of mine told me that I "could get in trouble if I don't ask." Knowing me, I hate talking to people... So, I went to the Disability Services area at Cleveland State...Best. Meeting. Ever. Now, I can shamelessly record with my pen without feeling terrified.

Long story short: Need accommodations? Go get them. GET. THEM.



Unfortunately, I don't have much of a lesson today. My four days of college consisted of me being mentally excited for Fozzy. Today, finalizing this blog, I actually forgot that Fozzy was this coming Sunday until I noticed it was the weekend. Woopsies..... So, excitement abounds yet again (And the amount of sleep I will receive is decreasing at a dramatic rate.)


Lessons of the week:

• Although it may be pointless, studying days before a pop-up quiz has many many benefits.
• Getting homework done early = More "You time."
• Little hints and tidbits you learn in High School will assist you in college (i.e Biology. Thanks, Freemanator)
• Find things that professors talked about during class to spark conversation with them.
• Did I mention how much I love accommodations yet? 

That's all for now. Tune in Sunday or so, where I will (happily) blog about my experience meeting one of my heroes in life..

My Experience with "College Anxiety" and Week One

College Anxiety at its Finest

There's points in my time where I strongly regret being overly excited for college.

"Aren't you nervous for college?"
"Me? Heck no! I'm so excited to get into the Neuropsychology field and learn new things and blah blah blah blah blah..."
"Oh....Okay..."

They look at me with a vibe of uneasiness.

"What?"
"You aren't nervous?"
"Me? Psh....There's nothing to be scared of. I'm ready."

If you were to try and ask me that maybe one or two weeks prior to my first day...

"Nope...Not ready..."

I could tell you, in all honesty, that for a good week or two, my appetite was nearly gone. It was just hitting me that I was transitioning to college. It was just hitting me that all of my friends for the most part are gone. Out of state. Somewhere else. When you put Reality aside like that for so long, it really ruins your positive attitude for college.

I was an absolute wreck during Orientation Day. The whole "I don't know anyone and I'll feel like an awkward mess" thing. You know, like the first day of High School... Luckily, I knew two people already..

(And, luckily, I only had to be there for two main things, and then I could get the heck outta there to recuperate.)

First day

The first day of college was something else. I slept very little on Saturday night and avoided naps all Sunday just so I could get a good night's rest... However, waking up at 8:30 was a dumb-dumb idea when my first class is 12:15. D'oh. Half-asleep, excited, and nervous like crazy, I took 3 hours taking my precious time getting ready for college.

 Of course, what's a first day of college without the lucky spider I had been given at my graduation party?

I packed Lucky in my backpack, bought a five-hour energy shot to make it through the day, and got my butt into Main Classroom with thirty minutes to spare. Biology was probably the only class I struggled finding...The paper said MC AUD...Main Classroom Auditorium....There's FOUR auditoriums in Main Classroom. So I, along with maybe thirty others, perched on the second floor and waited patiently for our class...It wasn't until 12:15 when we were redirected to the first floor, with one front row seat left to spare.

After that mishap, I ventured to my next classroom, and repeated the same process for the following days. So far, I've given myself a fair routine for the days. Sleep would be is what I should work on next. But first, it's relieving my Freshman Stress bit by bit...

Lessons of the Week?

• Reality seems to be a pain, but change is always a good thing.
• Never wake up too early if your first class is in the afternoon.
• Libraries are nice and quiet. Good drawing location?
• Having good friends that live a street away is a good benefit for transportation (and sanity).
• Friend-making is not a real necessity. Don't let that overwhelm you and ruin your college experience.
• Quizno's is pretty tasty.