Holy 2011.

2011 Highlights:
- Playing hide & seek and building a fort out of sheets with MB and BC.
- All the jamba juice I consumed.
- Buffy marathons.
- My birthday and meeting Jason Segel.
- X Factor (Matt fulfilling his dream of seeing Cheryl Cole and telling her he loved her and me getting dehydrated and having the world's worst tan line on my chest. Also: Surviving THE RAPTURE).
- Jason getting the Red Wings tattoo I drew for him.
- The little X and seeing Brother Chan graduate from high school.
- Getting my Harry Potter chapter stars tattoo.
- Working Cranbrook with my best friend and our cohorts: Jill and Proma; being bullies at the zoo on the bus.
- Seeing Sia/Ximena, Katy Perry, Britney Spears, and Nicki Minaj .
- Going to Harry Potter world for the first time, having butterbeer, AND seeing the theatrical conclusion to the world's greatest series while crying so much and so hard that my eyes were burning for hours afterwards.
- Going to New York City and surviving Hurricane Irene.
- Having a back to back Harry Potter marathon-turned-wrestling and seeing HP7 at the IMAX in 3D while enjoying treats from Harry Potter world that we snuck in.
- Seeing Real Steel in theatres...finally.
- Being invited for shenanigans at Betsy's cabin with a cameo by 2 Michael Myers and a near drowning incident.
- Haunted housing in A2 and Christmas music starting that night.
- Sib seshing with Shelby and the Riopelle brothers.
- Convincing Matt not to be a pirate & trick or treating with him and Betsy.
- Seeing Russell Brand do his stand up live and having my dreams come true when he kissed me on the lips (still the best moment of the year; hands down). Then I died.
- NYC with Betsy for Anderson Cooper, a run in with Hugh, asking Angelina Jolie a question, staying in a swanky apartment, going to the red carpet premiere, and being in NYC during Christmas time while having perfect weather.
- The Secret Santa party and my amazing gifts from my Secret Santa :)
- Jeremy and Rachel's constant support and their Christmas gift to me.
- All the pizza I ate.
- Playing games a lot lately despite the fact that I'm not doing well at them.
- Russell Brand's divorce.
So, as 2011 ends, 2012 will be spent pursuing him. I spent this year getting closer to the people that were already in my life and weeding out the ones that didn't belong. I read this quote that said: "It's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years" and my years are bursting. 2012 IS CARPE DIEM YEAR. It's also my golden birthday so there's no way this won't be a magical year. I'm happy with where I am and hopeful about where I'm going. Let's look back on the year, but look forward to what is coming. After all, we can't #blameiton2011 anymore.

The Best Day of 2011 OR How I Kissed Russell Brand.

Russell Brand, is (even more so now) my biggest celebrity crush. If you go to the search bar on my blog and type in RUSSELL BRAND, you will find I mention him quite a few times. I can't help it; that accent, face, charm, luscious locks, intelligence, confidence, and personality; it's all so attractive to me. So when I found out he was coming to the EMU convocation center to do stand up; HOW could I POSSIBLY pass up this chance to see my crush when he's practically in my backyard? How often does Russell Brand come to Michigan? The anticipation had been building up for days. I started posting statuses on facebook about it 48 hours in advance right down to 55 minutes before the show started. The one I posted 55 minutes pre-show said, and I quote, "‎55 MINUTES UNTIL RUSSELL BRAND! IF I MEET HIM, IM KISSING HIM ON THE LIPS." LITTLE DID I KNOW; THAT WOULD BE NO EXAGGERATION. You know how you say things, but you don't ACTUALLY expect them to happen? That's what I thought. The AMAZING Betsy Hensley agreed to join me and we went. Prior to, we went out to eat with our best friends. I was feeling good, I felt as though I looked nice, and my excitement was building. Betsy and I had never been to a stand up show so we didn't know what to expect (and to be honest; I didn't expect him to be funny). He had 2 warm up acts. First was alright; second was horrible, but then it was time for RUSSELL BRAND. We were 23 rows back. I wanted to be closer, but when he came out on stage, I couldn't breathe. I got dizzy. Then he spoke and I was dying. Thank you, Betsy, for putting up with my fanaticism before and OBVIOUSLY after the show. He was onstage for over an hour and, believe it or not, he was actually funny and insightful. People don't give him enough credit. He spoke in his accent, but there were several times when he spoke like us and it was the weirdest thing to hear. Why is it we all sound like idiots when we do british accents, but when they sound like us it's flawless? I digress; he had mentioned that he was going to try to meet us in the foyer. I told Betsy we were gonna book it out of there before he even got off the stage. We got into the foyer and there were so many people waiting around, you couldn't move. If I tried to reach into my purse, my hand wouldn't have been coming out. There had to be 3-400 people just waiting around trying to meet him. It was unorganized and I knew my chances were slim, but we HAD to try. At this point, I texted Matt Benyo and said, "We are trying to meet Russell Brand right now." To which he said, "Good luck with that." And I followed with, "We're gonna do it and I'm gonna kiss him." At this moment, Betsy spotted him as he came up a flight of stairs. People started pushing and shoving and it was CHAOS. Betsy and I got pushed apart. Russell Brand was slowly moving through the crowd with a security guard in front and behind him. He was making his way to do a meet and greet (THAT I DIDNT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT) so he wasn't stopping; people kept randomly jumping in his way, but security would push them out. I had at least 2 rows of people in front of me, but I knew if I didn't get close enough now; it wasn't gonna happen. I weaseled my way near him and he was right within my reach when a guy cut in front of me and Russell put his arm around him to pose for a quick picture; NO SIR, YOU WILL NOT RUIN THIS FOR ME. I was right behind the guy and started poking Russell's bare upper arm/shoulder and saying, "Russell... Russell..." and he turned and looked me RIGHT IN THE EYES. Then, I started telling him how I read his books and how much his writing has influenced me and changed my way of thinking and how great he is (but as I'm saying all of this, I'm starting to get tears in my eyes because I was OVERWHELMED) and he said something along the lines of "You're lovely or that's so lovely" and then reached his hands out, grabbed my face, pulled me towards him, and KISSED ME ON THE LIPS!!! and I put my hands on his cheeks too. [Kim asked me if I asked him for a kiss; I did NOT. It happened naturally]. LET ME TELL YOU, he has soft, beautiful lips. It WAS NOT one of those "oh I meant to go for the cheek, but somehow it ended up on the lips". NO. This was a full fledged aim for the lips and they LOCKED. That single moment felt like it was in slow motion. It wasn't some quick peck either; it lasted a moment. Probably because he thought I was sincere and adorable or probably because I was about to cry. He then looked at me for a second and was ushered along by security. I had SUCH butterflies. I then stumbled back and started freaking out. Meltdown. I couldn't even control myself. I started screaming and barely held the tears back. When I got outside, I was jumping at least 4 feet off the ground and I just kept saying it over and over again. I guess it's more Russell Brand kissed me than me kissing him. He's the one that went in for the kiss. Maybe he kissed 100 other girls, but I was most certainly the first of the evening. It was so surreal. No, there aren't photos, but if you don't believe me, you probably shouldn't even be reading this. BETSY HENSLEY is my witness. How does this stuff happen to me? I don't know. This was FATE. This was some sort of WEIRD luck. I left on cloud 9 and I'm still there. I wish I could extract this memory from my mind and watch it in a pensieve. Imagine if you got to kiss a guy (or girl) you've had the BIGGEST crush on (and throw in the fact that they're a huge celebrity). I said I was going to kiss him jokingly. Obviously I wanted to, but, SERIOUSLY? If someone had told me two days ago or even 6 hours ago that I'd be locking lips with Russell Brand, I'd have punched them. I'd never have believed it, but here I am, 3 hours later smiling the biggest smile in the world, feeling amazing and confident, and realizing how random and awesome life can be when you least expect it. However, this has done NOTHING for me in terms of making me like him less; now I am head over heels for Russell Brand.

Hands down, one of the best nights of my life.
Definitely the best night of this year.

And that, my friends, is how I kissed Katy Perry's husband.

This photo is why I couldn't get a picture of us kissing. This was after we left and after his meet and greet. Do you see how insane it was?

Brad Pitt.

Made a birthday card for my dear friend, Betsy Hensley. Making cards is a competition these days, but luckily, I can hold my own. PLUS, my sister knew who it was. That's my test; if I show a family member and they know who it is; I'm gold.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween was a success! Here are the pumpkins Matt Benyo and I carved. I did the first two (well, Jack was kind of a collaboration); he did the last two. My favorite was the Nosferatu I made. For Halloween, I painted my costume and went Trick Or Treating with a Panda and Bob Simms from Halloween. Bob got pudding; we did not. I got a lot of Whoppers (worst candy ever), but faired well overall. Who says you're too old to go Trick Or Treating? Naysayers; that's who. I hope everyone had a great Halloween; we did! Now to watch The Are You Afraid of the Dark movie: The Silver Sight! [Hipster Photo Cred: Matt Benyo]

Whip It.

I know I'm 2 years late, but I saw Whip It (thanks Shelb). It was decent. I haven't drawn in a long time. I've had no motivation or inspiration to do so. I must be having a dry spell, but I was excited after I finished this drawing. It gave me hope; I haven't completely lost my touch. Ellen Page: pencil & acrylic.

Tattoo #3!

WELL FRIENDS, I got my first HARRY POTTER TATTOO! I had planned on getting this on September 1st aka when Harry departs from Kings Cross, BUT at that time, Matt Benyo and I decided we would cover my arm with Henna and it turns out you can't tattoo over Henna so that was a sad day for me. I got the chapter stars from the book on my wrist. I love them! One of the stars hurt like whoa, but I got through it no prob. It was basically a tattoo party; Shelby got a fish and Sarah got a cat. I present my newest addition. This photo was taken by the lovely Shaya White.

Photo Party.

I went to Briarwood Mall with my friend Justin to turn his computer in at the Apple Store. Little sister, Shelby, accompanied us. Upon entering the mall, I went to Abercrombie and sprayed Fierce all over which was a mistake because eventually the smell made me nauseous and that wasn't too Fierce. Then we were stuck in the Apple Store for a good hour and a half. Here is a fun photo of us. I don't like how my hair is always a ball of light in photos. Shelby and I almost look related:I remembered that after Matt Benyo, Nathan Bou, and I pulled our Harry Potter marathon and went to see it at the IMAX, we took photos! I like that I remembered it a month and a half later. Nate sent them to me like an angel. Look at me in my Muggle shirt. My hair looks nice. I only just remembered that it was styled for me by Matt Benyo after he ruined it by pouring water on my head. GOOD TIMES. Not.

Michael Jackson.

I finally did some art after not doing any forever. I made this Michael Jackson card for my friend, Kim Raley. It was her birthday and this is a mixed media cut out.Then after the soiree at Kim Raley's, all of us cool kids went Halloween costume shopping and a lot of people have been telling me to dye my hair brown so I tried on a brown wig. I'm not sure if I should make the transition or not. Here is also a photo of me with an in-store hipster mannequin and me wearing a Teal Lady Gaga wig. Both photos taken with a hipster's HIPSTAMATIC app on their iphone.

Northern Nos.

Friday REAL STEEL came out. You saw my head 4 times! I went Up North over the weekend with my frands. I got to kick back and stargaze. We watched Scream 4 and had a scare fest. It was funny because I got the girls to scare Matt with a Jason mask and Matt got Nate to scare me with a Michael Myers mask. GREAT MINDS. I posted that blog entry about not being scared for this month and it took less than a week for that to go out the window. The following day Matt Benyo threw me in the river and I was in a right foul mood. Don't let these photos fool you; I was the opposite of what I look like. That last one is from today with Shelby.I went to Briarwood Mall today with my friend Justin to get his computer checked out and we ran into two Sarah's we knew. I also tried Pinkberry for the first time and it was like a party in my mouth. While Jamba Juice reigns supreme on the smoothie front, Pinkberry takes the cake for frozen yogurt; HANDS DOWN. Here is a picture I drew on the ipad2. It's NOSFERATU. Tis the season!

The 50's.

This drawing is based off of a photo of two teachers I found in my grandpa's high school yearbook from 1956. It's weird looking at the seniors in his yearbook. They don't look like seniors today; they look much older. I can only imagine what the 50's must've been like. I always say that if I could go back in time, that's where I'd go, but I have this idealized version of the 1950's and it's probably not what it was like at all. Chuck Palahniuk said, "What you don't understand you can make mean anything."

Downtown.

Last night, I went to Detroit to party. I hit up CIRCA for old times sake and got my usual half pitcher of coke. We then headed to the dorms and ended up in my friend Max's room and the room filled up quickly. I met some new faces; saw some old ones. It was a good time. Here's a self indulgent photo of myself while my friends smoked and look at this second one where I try to show off the purple in my bangs & look like a 5 year old. This is my new jacket from Target. It's not real leather, but it's the closest thing I could find to what I wanted because I've been on a hunt for ages. One by one, someone would leave to sleep and by 6 am, only 4 remained so I left. Next time I need a group shot. On the real, I need to do art instead of filler posts.

Hanging With Hugh.

So, Nate informed me that Hugh Jackman was on Regis & Kelly this morning, but I don't have a TV so we skyped, he put it on, and we watched it together. Total coincidence that Nate was wearing an Aussie shirt and that I just so happened to snap the group photo when Hugh was giving Nate that look! REAL STEEL. Friday!

Halloween!

TIS THE SEASON! I thought it would be a great idea to watch Halloween solo dolo in the middle of the night; it wasn't. After last year's traumatic events, I can't watch this movie without the ghost of my past haunting me. This year, however, I'm putting my foot down. No Michael Myers impostors will get me. As a matter of fact, I will be on my guard the whole month of October so friends, bring your worst. I'll be ready.

David Carradine.

I decided to draw a portrait. I haven't done one in awhile. I have a bunch of portraits that I've torn out of magazines that have intrigued me in one way or another and this particular portrait of David Carradine shortly after his death grabbed me. Are there things I could've done differently? Sure, but with a pen, you embrace each of those marks you make because once you put them down there's no going back.

Pottermore.

So, I got into Pottermore (along with Matt Benyo, Nathan Bou, and Brother Chan). We had been looking forward to our acceptance emails for some time now and they finally came Sunday. Of course I was at the DIA so I was clinging to my phone as Matt Benyo texted me about it. We were all being jerks to each other about the sorting and Matt kept saying I was going to get into Hufflepuff and I was all like NO WAY blah blah blah. Well, he got into Slytherin and I was really nervous about my sorting, but guess what, I GOT INTO SLYTHERIN TOO. Brother Chan got into Gryffindor and Nate got into Hufflepuff. I wanted either Slytherin or Gryffindor so that works for me. Monday and Tuesday I revolved my nights around the amount of time it took to brew potions because these potions work in real time. One of them took 95 minutes. 95 REAL LIFE MINUTES TO BREW. So, I'm sitting here like, alright I can go out, but I gotta be back in time to take care of this potion. It's ridiculous, but I have successfully brewed like 3 potions and earned house points. I want to duel Matt Benyo, but wizard duels are down. For those of you reading this that are feeling jealous; don't. That website sucks. It's broken almost all the time because so many people are trying to access it. Pretty much the only time it works is between 2 and 5 am (and it breaks then too). I think it's an interesting idea, but it needs to be fleshed out more. I was addicted it to it for the first couple days, but now I'm kinda meh about it. I think if everyone was into it, I'd be more into it. It's just not as fun after you get through all of the chapters and you're sitting there by yourself brewing potions.

DIA & JM!

I was at the DIA on sunday. I got to draw on a table cloth and talk to people about CCS. It was a fun day. I pulled an all nighter though so I was dead by the time I got home, but that was okay too. I was the most excited about finally meeting one of my favorite bloggers, Julia Maiuri, and becoming real life friends and not just internet friends. She's so great and her art is fantastic. Check it out. When she left, I finished my collage. I had everyone using GEL PENS. Gel pens are so great. Everyone that drew on the table LOVED IT because it's something you can't do at home ;)

Girls Aloud.

This evening was productive. I ate sno cones, rented Goosebumps from the library, read it to my pal Rhiannon, & made this vlog. It's for my little Cheryl Cole lover.

A Dash of Color.

Shelby read me my horoscope this evening. It was something along these lines: A dreamer set out with a map looking for buried treasure, but got bored with the route he was on so he took a different route. He didn't find the buried treasure, but he saw some great scenery and met some amazing people along the way. You can keep looking for the treasure, but don't lose sight of what you've already found along the way. It got me thinking; Here I am, wayward, on some weird, beaten path searching for who knows what and things haven't been going the way I thought or planned, but I value who and what I've got. I recently cut ties with a friend who stabbed me hard in the back (cut out the weeds; keep the roses is what someone told me) and it has made me appreciate the ones that I have even more. They are so invaluable. So, I may not be rich in funds, but I am in good company and I'll take that any day. I know I say cheesy things like this, but it's times like these that I just have so much appreciation for the things that we take for granted that I want to remind everyone to value those things too. If that wasn't a colorful enough speech, here is a dash of color from a scratch sheet I found with some colorful lyrics.

Ink.

Messed with the brush pen in a "not so loose, but more contrived" kind of way. I've been doing a lot of black and white stuff. I need some color in my diet; stat.

Fun Fact #20!

Raley Rendezvous!

I had an eventful weekend, but the only documentation of it happened at the Raley Residence. Kim came home from KZoo and a handful of us hung out, ate pizza, and acted like animals! I've also been wearing that Halloween sweater every other day and two people have said, "It's not even Halloween time yet!" I can assure everyone; it is. Houses are being prepared/decorated as we speak. It's getting time.

Fun Fact #19!

Here's another fun fact that has nothing to do w/this: Today Nick Jonas turns 19!

The Hep.

I'm still up and rolling with the punches. Sister Shelby bought me a Halloween sweater from the thrift store for 50 cents and THE LIFE AQUATIC for $3!!!! I AM SO EXCITED. We went to the Cider Mill (at 8) and we were the only ones there. We were also shivering. Here is a drawing I did awhile ago. Inspired by one of Audrey Hepburn's portraits; I chose it based on the flat-graphic quality.

Fun Fact #18!

I love David Bowie's version of "Life on Mars", but I'm currently listening to Michelle Branch's and it's pretty good! In unrelated news, tomorrow the episode of Nate Berkus I went to will air and you can look for me (and my hair) in the front row.

Alan Garner.

I woke up with a strange tattoo. Not sure how I got it; not a dollar in my pocket and it kinda looks just like you; mixed with Zach Galifianakis.

Apple Charlie's.

Saturday, I taught little kids how to draw. One such thing I taught them was how to draw some of the features of the face. While they drew, I drew with them.Then I went to Matt "I'm gonna update my blog" Benyo's to hang out with him, Nathan, and Betsy. Together, we ventured to Apple Charlie's because it was perfect apple orchard weather. Matt decided he was going to pick some apples and THAT was exciting because I have never picked an apple before; nor had Betsy or Nate. So, we all picked some apples. We also looked at the animals. I walked up to the Llama and it hated me from the get-go. It turned away from me and stared at me out of the corner of its eye. Then I started making hissing noises and it started kicking its feet back at me and its ears went straight back. Then it turned towards me and I was scared it was going to spit on me. THERE WAS NO GATE TO STOP IT. Well, from the waist down there was, but that thing had a clean shot if it wanted to spit on me. After the llama drama, we got cider and donuts and enjoyed them at a picnic table while bees flew around us. One such bee flew in Matt's face and he swatted it right into mine and we didn't get stung so it was a good day. I want to go back once it becomes actual fall. Sunday I went to sleep at 8 am and woke up at 11 pm. I'm still up from that Rip Van Winkle nap. Good times.

Real Steel.

Guess what comes out October 7th: "The biggest movie [Shawn Levy] has ever made" that's what. Do we see it in imax or regular theaters? DECISIONS. lolololol

Ipod.

It has become a routine for me to pick Shelby up from work. I'll sit at Leo's really late until she gets off. Tonight, I was so tired, but I put my ipod on and started writing out the lyrics from songs I was listening to. I also drew the type from the sugar packets:Today is the two year anniversary of meeting Nick and Kevin Jonas in Toronto. To think about it blows my mind. I was on my way to Toronto at this time. Actually, I think we might've been in Toronto and were looking for a hotel to stay at. JUST THINK; if we had found one cheap enough, we would never have met them. IT WAS MEANT TO BE. None of you will ever understand what this day was like for me. It was indescribable and it was magical so of course it should come as no surprise I had a meltdown after it happened! I also like how Nick and Kevin look like they wanna murder Rhiannon. Must be the side braid. [Side note: That green wrist band thing was from a previous Jonas show and I believe it was our good luck charm. I said I'd take it off if we met them. True to my word, I did] Never forget.

Art Battle.

I went out last night to a bar in Ann Arbor with a handful of my friends that I haven't seen in awhile. The bartender didn't charge me for my sodas! Here I am with JJ.I had an art battle with JJ. We always get into art battles when we see each other. JJ won this one because I refused to do any harm to Harry Potter. Who am I? Dobby?

Harry Potter Party.

Over the weekend, Matt Benyo, Nathan, and I had a Harry Potter marathon. Nate and I made an unbreakable vow that we would do this so it had to be done. We watched all of the movies and went to see the last one at the IMAX at the Henry Ford. We were beyond prepared for this party. We had Bertie Bott's, a GIANT chocolate frog, PUMPKIN JUICE (from HP world. It tasted like liquid apple butter), and we made Butterbeer which tasted IDENTICAL to HP world's. We got through the first 2 movies fine, but after that, this is what it looked like between Matt and I:We turned into animals. Nathan also joined in to tickle me until I cackled like a witch. He even slammed his knee into my head and I saw green lights. He basically Avada Kedava'd me. Around the 4th movie, we started "Nagini-ing" each other. That's where you pinch with 5 fingers and it's like Nagini the snake biting you. It got out of control quickly, but was still a good time. Seeing the movie in IMAX 3D was fantastic. I cried again and even though the epilogue is cheesy, the combination of the music and Harry saying, "Albus Severus" KILLS ME.

Did summer even happen? I swear it was May yesterday. Time is making fools of us again. But I am getting excited for fall. I love apple orchards and Halloween! I cannot wait. I want to watch scary movies. I need a great costume. I need to come up with ways to scare SOME people for payback from last year. I'd also really like to give pumpkin carving another go because last year I carved my first pumpkin and this year I will not let it be terrible. All the fall aside, I wish the radio was playing Christmas music because I'm ready for it. Best time of the year; hands down.

Sister Shelby and I hung out tonight and I attempted to make Butterbeer as good as Matt Benyo. I was surprised by how well I made it considering I messed the recipe up. Shelby, upon taking her first sip, said it was the best drink she has ever had. I told her we were going to drink 1,000 mugs, but after 2, I nearly puked.

Click this link and go down to recipe #1. It's a process, but it's worth it and it's delicious. I did just read the comments though and some guy offers a simple way of doing it. Oh and from personal experience (both times), do not use 6 tablespoons of butter. I used 3 when I made it and it was still too much. I'd say 1.5-2 would be better.

I'm going to focus on making some art. I have some stuff I've wanted to do, but have been putting off. It's gonna be a good time. Good luck to everyone starting school. Be good students, but make time for ME so I don't feel forgotten and for those of you not in school; why aren't we hanging out?