Hello LJ world.

I am only doing this because I feel like this had to be said. As shitty as 2011 was for me, there were a lot of firsts.

First year without my dad being home every day. I also believe it was the first year I'd been to Massachusetts, although mom disagrees with that. (I will also never learn how to spell "Massachusettes" without spell check.)
I achieved my goal of getting my license.
Purchased my first car; I find it hilarious because my dad once owned a '95 Toyota that he crashed and I wanted that car so bad. The ladies down the street had sold it to him in the late 90's or early 00's. I was a far ways away from my license at that point, wasn't I? Haha.
I got my bedroom back at our old house, and while this wasn't exactly a first, to me it counts.
Did I see any concerts this year? For the life of me, I can't remember, although I probably had. I missed quite a few I had wanted to see. Fitz and the Tantrums. Oh... one.
I threw a Halloween party that everyone enjoyed. I was happy and it was fun. Completely worth the bitching from my mom the day after... and the snowstorm.
I drove in the snow for the first time in my life! And on bald tires nonetheless!
I ate a Pretzel Roll for the first time in April and it was not, and I will tell you NOT, the last time I ate one.
I now own a Smartphone, starting this past year. BOOYEAH, up on the technology now! All I am missing is a tablet... hmmm... (just kidding. And a Keurig. ALL RIGHT I'M STOPPING NOW.)
I bought my mom a laptop and she had no freaking idea that she was getting a laptop for Christmas. She still doesn't know how to use it.
I bought Korean Samsung devices, my phone and my TV. My first flat-screen TV. I adore it. My mom also adored it and went to buy herself a flat-screen TV. ...that Bry and I had to buy for her the day after Black Friday. What did they call that? Black Saturday?
I bought a Playstation 3 on Black Friday this year! I love it. I love it. Assassin's Creed is my favorite game ever now, aside from the original .hack, nothing will ever beat .hack oh.... what was I talking about? I wish piko had a PS3, too.
I GOT AN AMERICAN GIRL DOLL FOR CHRISTMAS FROM SARA!!! Her name is Rebecca and she's Jewish and I love her. I love her, love her, I can't believe I own an American Girl doll, it's what I've ALWAYS WANTED, you have NO IDEA! ♥ I began crying as soon as I saw the stars on her box. It was like love at first sight. I knew what it was and I couldn't believe it. The whole office cried. I still can't believe she did that. (Now I just have to see if someone she likes is playing at a concert somewhere close, get her tickets, and try to get that person to meet her. Somehow. I don't know how, but maybe I can do it.) Hopefully she doesn't read this. NTS: Should I even put that line on LJ?

I am glad to wish 2011 a quick goodbye but hope that it doesn't come back to bite me in the ass this year. I now have 25 days left until I turn 25. ...I can't begin to comprehend that sentence. Why am I not writing my best-selling novel by now?
I also wanted to say a giant THANK YOU! to my friends (who drive me crazy, no lie) for being here when I was feeling down, for my family for... somewhat sticking together, even though they drive me WAY more crazy than my friends will ever be able to do, and for Alex, who has done everything and the extra mile for the last year. ♥ He's even listened to me bitch every single day. I don't know how he puts up with me.
I'm hungry. I need to go make eggs, eat, and get ready to go find a store that's open... somewhere.

*ahem*
So much has gone on since the last post. Well, more like one thing went on just before I posted the last post, but I hadn't posted about it.

- I had gotten a car.
It's an adorable 2005 Toyota Corolla and it had just over 54,000 miles on it. I love her. Her name is Juliette, because she was bought at Romeo, and her nickname is Snow White, because she is white and because of Alicia from ARIA.

- I am so proud of my Mr. Piko! He passed a very important test ♥ Congratulations Piko! ♥

- AND TODAAAAAAAY...
I PASSED MY ROAD TEST! I am now legally licensed, fuck yeeeeeeeah~

I am so excited because autumn is right around the corner which means apple picking season and pumpkins and good god, the world is an amazing place. I CAN DRIIIIIIIVE!
I also can't wait until Thursday. Penguindrum Thursdays are the best fucking Thursdays. Plus, I get to watch them with Mr. Piko. ♥

HAPPY BIRTHDAY corvusaeterno, MY PRECIOUS PIKO LOVE! ♥ I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART!

I don't know how you put up with me. I am so happy that Mr. Piko loves me and that I can make you smile and laugh! ♥ Thank you for everything, EVERYTHING! ♥

FAI-TO MR. PIKO! WE CAN DO IT!

So. I may be getting a car. (Maybe.)
Like, next week.
I'm supposed to hear back from the dealer by tomorrow/Monday about the loan.
My second driving test is September 14th and if all goes well, I'll get to use my own car.
THE CAR HAS A SUNROOF AND A MOONROOF~!
I'm so tired.


edit: No car just yet. Still looking. Not like it wouldn't work out, just that I'm more concerned that the car had a supposed vibration that I didn't feel but mom and Bryant had, and I did have to stretch my leg just a little bit to press on the gas. And I may need that gas pedal some day.
I'm so depressed that I can't afford the 2008 VW Jetta. I want that car so bad.
Back to hunting on Sunday.

I would uproot my life and move to be with pico no matter where he lives, no matter where he resides. I love corvusaeterno with all of my heart. ♥

New York moves to become 6th state to legalize gay marriage

Albany, New York (CNN) -- New York legislators cleared the last major hurdle to legalize same-sex marriage on Friday with a 33-to-29 vote, sending the bill to the governor's desk for his expected approval.

A vote on the measure, which the state Assembly passed June 15, has been stalled in the Senate. But it turned a corner Friday, according to Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, after lawmakers agreed on an amendment to protect religious groups from litigation that had been pushed by Republicans.

Earlier in the day, the Assembly passed a new version of the bill that included the amendment about religious institutions. The Friday night vote in the Senate means that the legislation's fate is now in the hands of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who proposed it in the first place.

Cuomo, a Democrat, says it would grant same-sex couples equal rights to marry "as well as hundreds of rights, benefits and protections that are currently limited to married couples of the opposite sex."

Currently, five states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire -- and the District of Columbia grant same-sex marriage licenses.

Earlier this week, activists on both sides of the issue gathered in the state capitol, Albany. They chanted opposing slogans -- petitioning for either "marriage equality" or yelling "one man, one woman" in defense of the institution's traditional definition -- though they could also be seen occasionally mingling and even singing religious songs together.

Republicans, led by Skelos, had expressed concerns over the "unintended consequences" of a bill that redefines the legal parameters of marriage. The measure needed three Republicans' votes to pass the bill, which had the support of 31 Senators -- just one short of the number required for passage -- earlier this week.

Source.

Okay, so first hurdle cleared. I'm sure this isn't the end though. I'm going to the March on Sunday though, and the Pridefest, in NYC, so this ought to be interesting.

I had to look to see whether I had mentioned The Felice Brothers concert that I got to see the other night (Tuesday the 17th of May woo~) because it's so rare that I post in here anymore, right? What had happened was WDST had a contest on Facebook for a small audience to see The Felice Brothers at their studio. That in itself was pretty cool. I didn't own any albums by the band before that night, but I entered anyway. Bre entered everyone who was at the office at that point, and Kieran entered on her own. About a week or so later, Bre ended up with an e-mail inviting her to the concert. We all checked our e-mails and literally the whole office (except Tina, who hadn't been there the day we entered -but didn't want to go anyway; I still think she would have enjoyed that concert) was invited to the concert.
It was worth it.
I invited the douche of the house to come along because you were allowed to bring one guest. He ran into one of his friends there so we were hanging out by the dude and his girlfriend the whole night. (I think their names were Henry and Amy. She had the most adorable strawberry necklace, but she said it was heavy.) Our spot was pretty damn awesome because I could see the band from the side of the stage~ There were a few times when people decided to step in front of me but they moved really quickly. One of the most memorable lines during the concert was in regards to the DJ Jimmy Buff, who had MCed during their first visit to WDST. While they were waiting back stage, one of the interns entered their room and said, "Jimmy Buff says it's showtime." The guys apparently say that to one another before every show if they get nervous.
The show lasted for about an hour and they played a majority of songs off of their new record, Celebration Florida along with some older songs. I ended up buying the new CD and still can't pick a favorite song off of it. I've pretty much been listening non-stop ever since the concert. I love how the first song, "Fire at the Pageant" is about a zombie. One of the songs is about a Honda Civic (seriously,) another about a GYM in Catskill. Guitars, drums, keyboard, trumpets, accordion... just about the only thing missing was the cowbell. shot

If you're interesting in listening to the concert, WDST has it posted here on their webpage. It's about an hour long, but even if you just give a few songs a chance, it's worth it. Completely and absolutely worth it.

Sometimes I forget to mention things on my LJ anymore... But since this is pretty damned historic, I ought to do so.

April 29, 2011: Prince William marries Princess Kate.

April 30, 2011: I maneuvered Albany public transportation to visit my dad at the Veteran's Hospital.

May 1, 2011: I purchased my first cosplay outfit online, the school uniform for Puella Magi Madoka Magica to cosplay Homura Akemi. I go downstairs and as I'm walking up the stairs and round the corner my brother yells, "HOLY SHIT" and then that Osama bin Laden is dead. It is being confirmed by the White House in a few minutes.

Fuck Tokyopop, I'm ordering ARIA volume 6 now before I can never get it again.