The Post.

I made this post card for my friend Max and I was really pleased with the way it turned out. This will be the last post you see from me for a few days. I'm stepping out of the office. A big HELLO to my 3 little jokesters: Alayna, Jordan, and Leah! I MISS YOU GUYS. Click to enlarge and tell me if you recognize anyone on there!

Harry Potter World!

Last Monday, I left for FLORIDA. I was thrilled because I was FINALLY going to go to Harry Potter World thanks to my dear friend, Matt Benyo! Click to enlarge pictures (which were taken courtesy of MB because Charles stole my camera). Our first stop was Universal Studios! It was Tie-Dye Tuesday for us, but his brother, Drew, kept it real with his hang-10 hand sigs. We rode all the rides and I was set on not getting wet, but that went out the door on the Twister ride. On one of the rides, it recorded a video of you and my arms were flailing like a trapped T-Rex. Unfortunately I can't show that to you, but the visuals in your mind are probably accurate.The next day, we went to the beach. I was pretty sure I covered all exposed skin with sunblock. Wrong. This is me; post-beach. You'll notice that big white spot on my back? That was where my hand reached to cover my back. For some reason, I thought my hand extended and covered all of my back, but no.That night, we went to Downtown Disney and walked around. Note Drew hangin' 10 and Matt is super tan. I'm just trying to keep it real. Later that night, I would be lathered in Aloe Vera and have trouble sleeping because of my burns.Finally, the day that I had been waiting for since its opening had come. Adorned with the Deathly Hallows symbol Matt made me and "Get Back to Hogwarts" playing repeatedly on my ipod, we set off. Upon walking into Hogsmeade, I literally stopped. It was like everything I'd seen in the movies had popped up in front of me and it was breathtaking. We hopped on the Dueling Dragons right away. In line, you pass several Tri-Wizard Tournament props. The rollercoaster was neat. I liked the red one best (the other is blue). After that, we headed for Hogwarts to ride The Forbidden Journey. The wait was 90 minutes, but once inside, it was cool. They had talking paintings and the rubies for the different house points and the RIDE? THE RIDE WAS INCREDIBLE; all biases aside. It combined a lot of different things, but I won't spoil it. After the ride, I bought a cold butterbeer. You have the choice between cold and frozen. It was almost exactly how I pictured it to taste in my mind. It's hard to put into words how great something is. You just have to experience it. So, I say go. I can't wait until I can go back sometime next year.My second favorite part about Islands of Adventure was the JURASSIC PARK area! We went on this Jurassic Park water ride and I was under the impression that it was a scenic ride down a river showing off dinosaurs. Wrong. Raptors got loose and we were up in this building on this raft and we come to the end where a giant T-Rex is growling and thrashing at you. I was staring up at the T-Rex both shocked and mesmerized when BAM! you drop and hit the water and you get soaked. They took a picture right before you drop and I didn't even notice the drop so the picture was ridiculous. My hair was sticking straight up like the Slim-Jim guy and I had a look pure terror on my face. GOOD TIMES. Afterwards, we took this fun photo.We left to go see the final Harry Potter movie. I had not seen the movie yet. Why? Because I wanted to re-read the books first. When the midnight showing happened, I was only on book 5 and at that point I was like, "Who cares how long it takes now. I'm not at the midnight showing." I finished the 7th book a week before I left for FL. I was really excited and had been anticipating seeing the final movie for awhile. I did enjoy it thoroughly, but I cried so much. The first time I cried, I stopped not long after, but near the end, I think I cried for an hour straight. Sometimes it was light and then it would get heavy. Matt kept looking over at me and Drew asked what was wrong with me lolol. It's just hard because there is a lot of death and being the last movie makes it even harder to watch, but it was lovely. My eyes were sore for the next 12 hours.We went back to Harry Potter World after the movie, but without Matt's parents and it started thunderstorming really badly, but we didn't care. When we were there earlier, we didn't go to any of the shops. Upon walking through the gate, I started singing "Get Back to Hogwarts" as loud as I could and hopped in puddles and ran with Matt and Drew to Hogsmeade. All of the shops were REALLY neat. They had Zonko's, Honeyduke's, the Hog's Head, Ollivander's, and more. We ended up getting butterbeer from the Hog's Head and when the girl said get some butterbeer mustaches, apparently I'm the only one that did. Matt said my mustache was like Uncle Vernon's. Also note how soaking wet I am from the rain. We waited in line to go into Ollivander's where a wand chooses a wizard and THAT was cool to watch. We were able to jump on the Hogwarts ride within 5 minutes of getting in line and it was even better a 2nd time. We also hopped a barricade and took a picture with a trolley. On the way out, I screamed "THIS IS THE MOST MAGICAL PLACE ON EARTH" as loud as I could. The workers just stared at me. Twas a good night & trip.

Potter Party!

Here's what didn't post Thursday! Come back Monday! I dabbled in colored pencil and watercolor to make a compilation of characters from the Harry Potter movies and books. I like the direction things are going lately. By the way, that's Lily Potter with the red hair and the robots are for good measure. The eye is watercolor!And finally, I wanted to post this touching, incredible video of the Harry Potter cast summing their experience working on all of the films up in one word. Click HERE.

Albus Dumbledore.

The Potter Party is ending so it seems only fitting that I close it with Dumbledore. This is a mixed media piece of the finest headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen.

Hogwarts!

I GOTTA GET BACK TO HOGWARTS! I GOTTA GET BACK TO SCHOOL! I GOTTA GET BACK TO HOGWARTS WHERE EVERYONE THINKS I'M COOL! I seriously wish I was attending Hogwarts. Life would be totally awesome. Where my Potter friends at?

2-For-Tuesday!

Two for the price of one? You know it. I didn't draw that robot. A 9 year old did. His robots inspire me. I busted out some Prisma Colored Pencils and drew some characters. Maybe you recognize them; maybe you don't. It's cool either way.

HELLO AGAIN!

SO, I'm back. I bet everyone thought I was gone for good; nope. I was just busy and you know, the usual excuses. This week is (mostly) Potter Portraits! LET'S KICK IT OFF RIGHT, SHALL WE?! Tune back in each day this week for another something or another (probably a portrait or a robot or something POTTER related)!

Fun Fact #17!

I'm going to get back to blogging more soon. Major shout out to my 3 little troublemakers: Alayna, Jordan, and Leah! I hope Hawaii is fun guys! I miss you! :) Here is another Fun Fact. Did you know that I'm obsessed with Egyptology?

Britney Spears/Nicki Minaj!

I went with Matt Benyo and Betsy to see Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj at the Palace and it was a good time. However, Nicki Minaj STOLE THE SHOW. She kicked it off with Roman's Revenge and it was game over after that. Our seats were awesome too. It was surreal seeing Britney Spears because I grew up listening to her and then bam; she's right in front of me. Britney had some rad fireworks, an Egyptian set at one point, confetti, and she had some wings at the end. It was a good show. I don't have a voice so that means it was clearly a good night.

The Zoo!

We took a field trip to the Detroit Zoo yesterday. I was excited to go to the Reptile House so that I could reenact the scene in the first Harry Potter where Harry sets that Boa Constrictor loose by speaking Parseltongue to it. Well, I joined with Proma and we achieved Snake-Speaking Status. Not even kidding, Proma spoke to a snake. She clearly belongs in Slytherin. Every parent in the Reptile House thought we were out of our minds and I think Matt did too (or maybe he was jealous). The snake that was spoken to was from Australia; not Burma (or Brazil).We were also looking forward to the Australian Outback Adventure where you get to walk amongst the Kangaroos. Too bad the Kangaroos want nothing to do with you so they just stay off in the distance. There was a baby Joey though and I wanted to kidnap it or get into its Mother's pouch and hang out. Everypicture that we took as a trio, yielded terrible results. That could be because we were having children take them; but we got photobombed EVERY TIME. I don't know what's better in this one; Claire to the right, that guy's arm, or Proma peeking out. This was in the Polar Bear ice cave and then we realized we were gonna be late for the bus and we had to go from the back of the park to the front and everyone hated us. We had fun on the way back. Matt + Chelsea = Sometimes a bad combo. We were being instigators and laughing a lot. All in all, a successful mission. We didn't lose anyone and it was a good time.

Fun Fact #16!

The Babysitter Test.

On Thursday, I was asked by Elliot's mom, Marla, if I'd be interested in babysitting while her and her husband went out. No problem! Matt Benyo drove me and waited while I waited for them to get home. After receiving the grand tour, Elliot informed me that I would have to pass "The Babysitter Test". I jokingly thought they'd tie me up; turns out they did. Matt helped them so the rope was extra tight. I blacked out during this entire initiation and was gagged at one point. In order to pass the test, you have to break free of the binds AND every time the cone falls off your head, you get an additional minute of binding. I turned into the hulk once they finished because they turned the lights off and ran up the stairs. Well, then I thought monsters were going to get me so I raged, broke free, and followed. The rest of the night was relatively normal, but this was wild. Elliot is way too happy in that second picture.

Glasses.

I painted these wine glasses during Bob's watercolor class. They're probably 2 inches tall apiece. I had fun painting with watercolors on cardboard. I've never done it before and I like how it serves as the midtone. The last glass (the taller one) was rushed, but I'm still pleased with my results.

Root Beer.

This is a Chelsea fact; I do enjoy me some Root Beer. I was so pumped when I got home yesterday because I told Alison to put a RB in the freezer so it was nice and cold when I came in. The best part about glass bottled RB is that I have to use the bottle opener on the wall to open it and that is one of my favorite things to do OF ALL TIME. I don't even understand why, but I love opening glass bottles with the bottle opener. Yesterday was spent with a cold one and reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (which I am nearly half way done with). Enjoy the little things.

Fun Fact #15!

Harry Potter.

Harry Potter came out last night. I didn't go. I started rereading the books because of the movie and I want to finish them before I see it. I have 100+ pages left in the 5th book and I plan on knocking the other two out this weekend. I cried for a few minutes last night at midnight. On Monday, I started this; unaware that it would become what it has. I drew Harry Potter and then Matt Benyo drew Mad-Eye Moody (who inexplicably became the focal point) and it grew from there. I finished it today. It's a giant HP collage on a giant classroom dry erase board made w/Expo Markers. Most of these were drawn from memory and if Voldemort looked like this, I'd have nightmares, but you get the idea. Potterheads, unite. This is the end of an era.

HBD, Chan!

I guess Blogger is just going to be a complete a hole. I tried to upload a video and it wouldn't let me. I tried to upload a fun fact and it wouldn't let me do that either. Whatever. I hope this issue is sorted out or else I'm gonna rage. I'm working on a big drawing that I'm hoping to post soon! In the mean time, it is BROTHER CHAN'S 18TH BIRTHDAY TODAY! He's growing up so fast! Happy Birthday, Brother Chan. I love you even if you are the world's biggest Kevin.

Fun Fact #14!

Venetian Masks.

I spent this week showing kids how to make Venetian style masks which is why I haven't updated since Wednesday. My apologies, but keep an eye on my blog. I have lots of fun facts and other neat things to post. Here are the masks:Here is a picture of me with my favorite, Elliot! He was joined by his sassy sister, Amelia. They're a great little family. I helped Elliot work on this neat little robot project on the side. He did such an amazing job. This is why I like kids; they inspire me.

Fun Fact #13!

MB's Card.

Matt Benyo's birthday was June 23rd, but I just finished his card yesterday. I decided I needed to go big and make something neat. I was originally going to do a surprise party card, but then Matt Benyo asked me if I was doing The Last Supper and I told him no, but after thinking about it, I thought that was a good idea. I originally had 13 people, but I had a hard time doing these 7. If I had done 13, it would've been a disaster. I like about half of the people I did, but the other half I had trouble doing because of how small their heads/features were. Sitting at the high table from left to right, we have Spike, Buffy, Gaga, Matt Benyo, Pink, Cheryl Cole, and Giles. Also included are things Matt Benyo enjoys (and I had to slip a portrait of Jonathan from Buffy in there). I hope he likes it because I worked hard on it! Click to enlarge!

Fireworks FTW!

I didn't have to go out of my backyard to get the 4th of July experience I was hoping for. My neighbor was a maniac and let off a ton of fireworks. Sure, I may have gotten eaten up by the mosquitos, but at least I got to watch a fun fireworks. Where's the BBQ tomorrow? I can't watch these videos without singing FIREWORK. #katyperry

Katy Perry!

Matt Benyo and I went to see Katy Perry Tuesday night because we got cheap tickets (floor row 9) and we got them the night before the show. Unplanned shows are the best because it's SPONTANEOUS. I haven't been to a concert since Lady Gaga at the Palace, so it was fun to be back there. There's such a good energy in the air and nothing beats seeing someone LIVE. Katy Perry was no exception.She sang PEACOCK and that song gets stuck in my head all the time.She did Firework and California Gurls as her encore. I was singing Firework so loudly that I think I had a brain aneurysm, but it was a good moment. Fireworks kept going off too and I was smiling like a 4 year old. THEN she sang California Gurls and you wanna talk about a party? This was THE BEST FINALE.There were characters on stage and she pulled out a foam gun and I grabbed Matt Benyo and RAN for the stage and we got foamed! It was so exciting! Then these giant machines went off and there was CONFETTI EVERYWHERE! We were singing and dancing in the aisle way! It was so much fun! Matt Benyo also got one of Katy Perry's guitar picks! Here's us foamed. He took this photo.Let's be honest though, at least 50% of why I wanted to go was because I thought MAYBE I might see my love, Russell Brand, but it didn't happen. At one point, she said, "They just told me my husband is backstage" and I couldn't breathe and almost started crying because if he would've come on stage, I would've vaulted over the barricade, but it didn't happen. After the show, we waited until 2 something to try and meet her, but we made 3 new friends in the process. What an awesome night.

Fun Fact #12!

Fun Fact #11!

Do you know why Ohio doesn't have a flag? Because Ohio sucks. Grow up, Ohio; put your big boy pants on. Ohio takes the cake for worst state (and I don't even care about that stupid football rivalry). It's long, boring, and you have to drive through it to explore the rest of America. Also, the speed limit is slow and the cops are jerks.

Code Red.

The thing I was preparing in the previous post happened to be the cupcakes in the photo. I like how they match his shirt. It took me 3 HOURS TO MAKE THEM. How is that possible? Maybe because I customized the frosting color & decorated them? I don't know. We had a drill where we have to hide in case a shooter is in a building and Matt Benyo and I decided to hide in the bathroom. We sat down on the bathroom floor in the dark and talked about how unenthused the person on the radio was and tried to laugh silently, but giggled a lot. Everyone else heard us through the vents and we got in trouble lolololol. Tonight was his birthday dinner at Olive Garden and it was nice. Afterwards, Matt, Nate, and I watched INSIDIOUS and Matt and I both jumped and that little animal had water in his hand when he jumped and THREW WATER EVERYWHERE. It was funny though. After, we were both slap happy/sleep deprived, that we were laughing so hard that at one point I was crying. Good times.

HBD, MB!

Today is my BFFL Matt Benyo's birthday! I have been up ALL NIGHT preparing something for him. I'll post a photo of it tomorrow. MB! I can't believe we've only been friends for ONE YEAR (almost exactly) because it feels like we've been lifelong friends. You've been such an influence on me, made me laugh a lot, introduced me to new things, and been all-around amazing. I am so happy I get to share your birthday with you and I hope it's one of the best yet. You deserve it, Boss! I swear I'll talk to Phil and get you that real estate as soon as I win the lottery and I'll also bring Lady Gaga over to write a song about you. Happy birthday, Matt Benyo! ily!

Fun Fact #10!

Was Dave Thomas a traitor or a spy? Probably both. He had a trusting face.

Fun Fact #9!

This guy, Dan, asked me what I like to eat and drink and asked me if I was straight edge because I don't drink. No, Dan, I'm not. I just keep it real. Dan thinks I am peculiar. He's probably right. Matt Benyo got a promotion today and I am proud of him! I have also been up for 30 hours and want to die. Here's the next fact:

Fun Fact #8.

I'm doing FUN FACTS again. Let's kick it off with some underwater creatures.