Hi. I'm Katie.

It was the summer of 2007 when I heard that Boys Like Girls would be headlining a tour in the fall with All Time Low, The Audition, and Valencia. I was thrilled. Boys Like Girls would be coming back within 3 months of their Warped Tour appearance. WOOHOO!! And since I like to rock out like a knock out, I had to learn the words to all the songs of the other bands that would be performing. I already knew the words to the songs off of Controversy Loves Company by The Audition... Danny Stevens attended my high school, so I was familiar with his band... which meant that I only had two bands to look into. All Time Low. Valencia*. Cool.

I looked up All Time Low first since they’d be on the Warped Tour and I would be able to see them twice, too! So I hit up their PureVolume site and took a listen to some of the available songs; namely Coffee Shop Soundtrack (which was also a FREE download), Jasey Rae, Break Out! Break Out!, and The Girl’s A Straight-Up Hustler.

Ladies and gentlemen, the music that greeted my ears can only be described by one word: LOVE.

Omaigoshhh. I fell head over heels at the first words out of the singer’s mouth. “Should I write myself out of the history books? And mark a place in time for every chance you took?” It was as though my earbuds were a slot machine and I just hit the jackpot. Sweet, sweet victory. I downloaded Coffee Shop Soundtrack and put it on every playlist and mix-CD I made over the next -->>long-span-of-time-here<<--. That was until I express-delivered Put Up Or Shut Up to my home as fast as mail-manly possible. I could not get enough! I made the All Time Low Fans Group sometime in the midst of my obsession and tried to find as many ATLovers as I could. Who else had been keeping this stellar quartet a secret?!

Alex Gaskarth – Vocals
Jack Barakat – Guitar
Zack Merrick – Bass
Rian Dawson – Drums

aWesoMe... names that I couldn’t forget even if I were concussed by a gorilla and got a terrible case of amnesia. They are engraved in my mind, not only for the talents they have shared with me, but also from the number of times I have tagged them in my pictures or videos here on Buzznet, the number of times I’ve had them sign my now-priceless CD-cases and posters, and, of course, from the number of times I’ve screamed “I LOVE YOU JACK!” at the top of my lungs at a concert like the little fangirl I am.

Oh All Time Low, I am such a fan. But notice that I am not an “original fan” like so many people claim to be. (I’m also not a stalker because I believe in loving the music rather than wanting to marry those who create it.) I didn’t hear The Three Things To Remember When Dealing In The End or The Party Scene until after I had memorized Put Up Or Shut Up and was eagerly awaiting the arrival of So Wrong, It’s Right. I did not see All Time Low in concert before Warped Tour ’07 nor am I their number one friend on Buzznet because I was the first to add them. Fortunately for me what matters is how I love All Time Low and not how long I’ve loved them.

Two years, though, is still a pretty good span of time for listening to this band, considering that is about one-tenth of my existence here on Eee-arth. For those of you who are wondering or who have ever asked, received an answer, and then forgotten, I have seen All Time Low on 5 or 6 different occasions during this wonderful time period... always on their amusingly (or absurdly or ridiculously... you can really pick any adjective) titled tours, such as The Man Whores and Open Sores Tour, The Shortest Tour EVER, The Compromising of Integrity, Morality, and Principles in Exchange For Money Tour, and the like. I have a nice little file on my computer entitled “With The Band” where I have my picture taken with each member on 2 or 3 occasions! I just haven’t uploaded those to Buzznet because I am selfish and keep those gems to myself.

Sigh. It’s a good life. One where I am comforted and kept awake by their up-beat, pop-punk, rock-and-roll music that isn’t overplayed eeeven when the iTunes play count far exceeds Z, where Z=5!*3*ln(7). And right now I am sitting here (yes, here) on my family room sofa soaking in the new tunes... don't worry, I am only streaming the record (Nothing Personal) one time around because I honestly cannot tame my curiosity. I AM UBER EXCITED!

So to you, my friends on Buzznet.com, I must admit that I have been anticipating this album like no other... getting more anxious with each passing day... and now that it is FiNaLlY HERE... I must profess myself one extremely satisfied fan.

There is no denying that it is a new sound for All Time Low. They are maturing as musicians, and with several different producers on this new album it’s hard to keep things the same as they “used” to be. There will always be people who mention that they wish Nothing Personal sounded more like Put Up Or Shut Up and that they love the original The Party Scene record the best of all (and will constantly badger the band for an original copy of the latter CD, when the members don’t even have any for themselves [or so I’ve heard]). But all of this wishing for a different sound and hoping for them to “go back to their roots” isn’t going to create a new record. So why not enjoy the one they’re putting out now?!

Nothing Personal is a solid album. The worry I had built up inside my mind about not-enjoying-their-new-record was put at ease after just one listen to the album on MTV’s The Leak. Weightless. Break Your Little Heart. Damned. Lost In Stereo. Stella (listen to this one with headphones; there are really neat effects between the ears). Sick Little Games. Hello, Brooklyn. Walls. Too Much. Keep The Change, You Filthy Animal. A Party Song. Therapy. HUZZAH!! A full twelve-song album made by All Time Low for All Time Low fans. The same four musicians we have grown so fond of worked their badonkadonks off to get to where they are today and have certainly delivered an album to be proud of with Nothing Personal. It’s a great CD. That’s all there is to it.

Come 07 JULY 2009, I’ll be more than ready to own each and every song. At midnight-oh-one I’ll be staring at my computer just WAITING for iTunes to start downloading Nothing Personal, which I preordered for the B-Side and remix (in addition to the preorders I have coming in the mail from SmartPunk, Glamour Kills, and The Hustler Club for a special edition Jac Vanek bracelet, t-shirt, and autographed copy, respectively).

I. am. psyched. Bring on the tunes.

*I am sorry to say that I have yet to really get into Valencia. I know the words to “Away We Go” and the first minute of “The Space Between”. I was a tad side-tracked. Ooops.

1. Oftentimes I find myself alive and thinking coherently. And then, I just come to realize certain things that make me feel smart... or stupidly sarcastic and witty in ways only I'll ever appreciate.

2. Whenever someone picks up a spherical piece of fruit, it is immediately thrown into the air, either from one hand to the other or in an up-down fashion. This is to prove hand-eye coordination to all of the people watching, where the audience size is usually upwards of zero.

3. People who are fascinated by how much water I drink in one day usually say “Oh that’s so good for you! I should start drinking more water like you.” They never do. People just like to talk because they are disconcerted by silence.

4. I have bought birthday gifts for my friends over the past few years... yet the friendship never seems to be going well when my birthday rolls around and I don’t receive anything in return. Ever. WTF? I blame part of my poorness on having to buy my own birthday presents. And no, I do not feel needy and greedy because I want to be showered with love on my birthday in the form of new material possessions. Every now and then I like a new t-shirt or an iTunes gift card or something made by my little sister. So sue me.

5. Students are more likely to fall asleep in class if the teacher is monotonous. It’s not always because they didn’t get a lot of sleep or have a hard time focusing. I develop my attention level based on (1) my interest in the class, (2) the teacher’s energy and frequency by which the tone of their voice changes, and (3) who I sit next to. And since first is the worst, second is the best, and third is the one with the hairy chest (*takes breath*) I have to (1) try to only pick interesting classes, (2) find the greatest teachers, and (3) sit next to dudes in order to do well in school.

6. Everyone keeps secrets. I don’t think there is a way to have someone who knows everything I’m thinking unless we share a brain... and that would just be weird.

7. If you tell someone their fly is down (i.e. the zipper on their pants is not zipped fully) they think you were staring at their crotch.

8. Air conditioning is the only way I stay alive during the summer.

9. The Friday Night Boys have a great EP, a stellar first record, and so much potential. I had been listening to their stuff for a little while before the concert, but ever since I saw them live I AM OBSESSED! iLike “Suicide Sunday”, “Stuttering”, “Permanent Heartbreak”, and “That’s What She Said” the most. And if I had to pick a ballad, I would choose “Can’t Take That Away”. zomg. It’s a fiery infatuation all around.

10. 95% of the male population will crumple up their paper and shoot (not throw or toss) it into the waste paper bin. 99% of those men will call “Kobe” in honor of the American basketball player Kobe Bryant, and the other 1% of men who call “Bobby” in honor of the American quidditch chaser Robert Green.

11. Most of the people I drive behind start breaking before they turn on their blinker to signal that they are turning and not just mentally deficient. One day I’ll end up giving one of those people a love-tap just because it frustrates the hell out of me.

12. Not enough people watch and appreciate Spongebob Squarepants.

13. I don’t have ADHD (I think). I have PROCRASTINATED (for those of you on the unawares, that stands for Probably Ruining Only Chance Remaining At Success, Thumbing Incessantly, Never Amounting To Enything Disorder... I am co-founder of the movement trying to legalize it as a real disease... we’ll be approved sometime after medical marijuana).

*13 is said to be an unlucky number. That just makes it my favorite.

This is a photo journal for all of my favvvorite pictures I took at last night's show (Let's Make A Mess Tour in Pontiac, MI). Click Here for the full album, with about 160 goodies (condensed down from over 400 I took at the show) :D After I post this, I'm going to bed (I'm dead tired, haven't slept much recently... too much awesomeness!!1!) and I'll do my best to respond to everyone sometime over the next few days. Thanks for all your lovely notes and comments :D ttfn PS. Please comment/buzz the pictures you like too! Thanks :)

Oh oh oh, I almost forgot... I also got some video of 6 Months by Hey Monday, Run Don't Walk by Hey Monday, and My Beautiful Rescue by This Providence. Be sure to checkkk those out in my video gallery :D

I think it's fair to say that the majority of you know that I reeeally really love All Time Low. But what you might not realize is how much I love Boys Like Girls.

So let's take a trip down memory lane and I'll show you the depths of my affection. It was spring of 2006... April the second, to be exact. I went to see a Motion City Soundtrack concert with The Matches, The Format, and Men Women and Children. It was a phenomenal show. And the first rock show I attended without my parents; it was just me, my twin sister Jill, and my older sister Anna. I was 16 (and a half!) years old. I will always remember 02 APRIL 2006 because it was the beginning of my concert obsession.

• waiting in line outside the venue for doors to open
• visiting the merch tables with tip jars saying that a unicorn will die if you don't tip
• squeezing in between complete strangers to get as close to the stage as possible
• holding up the camera and praying to get a good shot
• hanging out with the bands during set changes and after the show
• looking around and seeing everyone rockkk along to every song

I just love concerts. I love to live in the music as it is played before me. Nothing can replace concerts for me.

And so after that show we found a few others to see, but could hardly wait for Motion City Soundtrack or The Format to come back to town. We checked their web pages for any news of upcoming tours or concerts that we'd be able to go and see them at. And then a tour was announced... Tournado on 18 DECEMBER 2006. Lineup? Motion City Soundtrack (YES!). The Format (YES!). The All-American Rejects (WOOHOO!). and Boys Like Girls (who?). Our curiousity was sparked. We looked 'em up and liked the songs they had released so far... and a new album was coming out soon!! How exciting.

So we waited for 22 AUGUST 2006 to come around (3 days before my birthday :). Eventually it did, and we bought it, aaand I listened to that record a trillion times. I could not get enough of it. The Great Escape. Five Minutes to Midnight. Hero/Heroine. On Top of the World. Thunder. Me, You and My Medication. Up Against the Wall. Dance Hall Drug. Learning to Fall. Heels Over Head. Broken Man. Holiday. Songs that I know better than the United States Constitution. 

And so the day of the concert came. And I was one of maybe 10 people in the crowd who had heard of Boys Like Girls, but I sang along to their songs as loud as at least 5 people. I was floored. Their show was awesome. It made me appreciate them even more (bands should be evaluated on not only their studio abilities, but also their live performances... Boys Like Girls passed both with flying colors). Over the next year I saw them in concert:

1. 11 MARCH 2007 with Cartel and Cobra Starship
2. 12 MAY 2007 with Hellogoodbye and The Rocket Summer
3. 27 JULY 2007 on the Warped Tour
4. 09 NOVEMBER 2007 with All Time Low, The Audition, and Valencia

And then my streak ended when they decided to tour with Avril Lavigne.

My love for Boys Like Girls has never faltered. I am a loyal fan through and through. And if truth be told, they are the reason I joined Buzznet.com in the first place... I wanted to enter a contest... I got second place. WOOHOO! I also won an autographed drum-head through one of the Warped Tour contests. Needless to say, I am really happy with how the contests went and how my time on Buzznet has been spent.

So anyway, let's fast forward to today. I wake up and hop onto my computer and low-and-behold... THERE'S A NEW BOYS LIKE GIRLS SONG!! Love Drunk. I flipped not one, not two, not three, not any shits because I don't even know what that means. I screamed, turned the song on, and listened to it a dozen times before realizing I could buy it and turn it on single repeat, rather than replaying it on their myspace page. I have since listened to it at least 50 times (SINGLE REPEEEAT!) and keep finding myself hopping out of my chair to dance along. It's such a great song. Good beat. Entertaining lyrics with a supadupastella melody. And there's a swear word... Martin says "bullshit". Yes.

I have been anticipating a new album for years, and now that one is just around the corner, I hardly know what to do with myself!! I am so excited I don't even know how to contain my energy!!1! So I expel it through dance!! and sing along, of course ;) I highly recommend checking out their new single Love Drunk. I loveLoVeLOVE it! You might not like it, but you'll enjoy the thoughts of me dancing around my family room in my jammies when the chorus kicks in.

This is a featured journal.

I. am. a. cookieholic.

There is no way around the fact that I love cookies... possibly more than anyone in the entire world. I eat tons of fruits and vegetables, but at the end of the day those just don't leave me feeling satisfied. I need to fill my cookie quota. The smell, the texture, the delicious flavor! All such magnificent qualities of the food that I love (and need) the most.

I eat cookies like they're falling off the top of the food pyramid right into my mouth.
I eat cookies like there's a diamond at the bottom of the jar.
I eat cookies like my life depends on it.

OM NOM NOM COOKIES! omgomgomg. And the worst part is that I make some of the most delicious cookies. Whenever I so please, I'll pull out the flour, the sugars, the baking soda, salt, vanilla extract, eggs, butter, and (depending on my mood) chocolate chips or M&Ms. Then I mix it all togteher, eat half of the dough, and make the rest into the most scrumptious cookies my heart desires.

But do you know what really drove home my cookieholicism? I took a facebook quiz the other day to see which LOLcat I am aaand I ended up with this one:

HOW DID THEY KNOW? 
My problem must be really obvious.

So now that I've stated the problem, we'll see what I can do about it...

1. Drink a lot of water and see how long I can go without taking a trip to the toilet.

2. Turn down the brightness on my computer. It saves energy and is way easier on the eyes.

3. Wander around Costco on free sample Friday.

4. Put on a song. Listen to the whole thing. Then write down what song I want to hear next (it just comes to me... like, “Damn. I want to hear ____________________ next.”) and turn it into playlist.

5. Lie on the floor and wait for my puppies to sit on me.

6. Doodle. Or just make something. What? Anything. That’s what’s so great.

7. Find some glow sticks, turn on some Basshunter, and throw myself a European Dance Rave in the middle of my family room.

8. Invest more time in the All Time Low Fans Group. Because I love them.

9. Consider cleaning the basement. Go downstairs to clean the basement. Then decide it’s a lost cause, grab a fudgsicle out of the freezer, and go back upstairs.

10. Stalk my friends on facebook.

11. Get a sunburn and see how quickly I can get rid of it by means of supadupa moisturizing.

12. Work with the lights off and count how many times my Mom asks “Do you want me to turn on the light?”

13. Stare at myself in the mirror Pride and Prejudice style and just think about myself. Everyone deserves a few minutes of vanity here and there.

14. Go to a concert. It’s an indescribable feeling.

15. Poke my stomach fat.

16. Visit the zoo and ponder ways I can take home a red panda. So far, I think it would be easiest with mischievousness, a good distraction from nearby lions, and a backpack.

17. Look through family photos and use the good-old-fashioned VHS player to watch family videos. It’s safe to say that I was an amusing child.

18. Use my imagination to see shapes in the clouds. People who say “there’s nothing there” sound ridiculous... it’s like saying there’s no Santa Claus.

19. Reread the Harry Potter series to prepare myself for the letter that’ll one day come from Hogwarts. It’s never too late to lead a magical life.

20. Put on some spandex shorts and try to do the splits. If my little sister can do it, so can I. Afterall, “you can do anything if you put your mind to it.”

My Last Playlist still gets a regular play every now and then, but I make so many different playlists that it doesn't get the "repeat all" it used to. Here is the current list of songs I've had going recently. I lovelovelove music.

Dance Inside - The All-American Rejects
Come Back To Me - Plain White T's
Stay Over - The Rescues
No Such Thing - John Mayer
Your Guardian Angel - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Burn The Night Away - There For Tomorrow
Ms. Heather and Mr. Grey - Jason Mraz
Welcome To The Black Parade - My Chemical Romance
Mr. Brightside - The Killers
Bruised - Jack's Mannequin
About a Girl - The Academy Is...
Run, Don't Walk - Hey Monday
The Party Scene - All Time Low
Waiting - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Drella - Pierce The Veil
When I Grow Up - Mayday Parade
Dont Trust Me - 3OH!3
All I Ever Wanted - Basshunter
All the Above (feat. T-Pain) - Maino

Hey Buzzies :)

After all of the positive feedback I got from my All Time Low Toy Story Contest Entry (http://katiejrod.buzznet.com/user/video/3815341/all-time-low-lifeless-but/?p=4) and Skittles Contest Entry http://www.buzznet.com/groups/skittles/video/69618851/), I was persuaded to start a singing video blog! I was wondering if you could take a look at what I've done so far and let me know what you think.

Thanks so much!! Love, Katie

http://katiejrod.buzznet.com/user/video/4124091/should-tell-him/
Newest video here!

http://katiejrod.buzznet.com/user/video/4049441/shook-myself-broken/?p=2
First VLOG here

http://katiejrod.buzznet.com/user/video/4109311/jasey-rae-revised-katiejrod/
Here's my version of All Time Low's JASEY RAE

http://katiejrod.buzznet.com/user/video/4053321/untitled-1/?p=1
Untitled 1

http://katiejrod.buzznet.com/user/video/4063741/untitled-2/?p=1
Untitled 2

http://katiejrod.buzznet.com/user/video/4074521/untitled-3-version-2/?p=1
Untitled 3

http://katiejrod.buzznet.com/user/video/4120061/untitled-4/
Untitled 4

Currently listening to There for Tomorrow's new album A Little Faster. In stores nowww!

So for the past three days I've been in super-buzznet-mode. I've spent from 2pm-12am on this excellent website mon, tues, and weds. Why? You might be asking... the answer is simple! I haven't updated a whole lot over the past few months! I've been supa-dupa busy with school and rowing and relationships, but now that I am home I have more time for other things. 

On Monday I spent a lot of time editing photos for myself and for the fans. I made a brand new background and header for my favorite group on buzznet, that's right! The All Time Low Fans Group! It was well worth all the time I spent on it. Also on Monday, I played around with the brand new All Time Low photo that was posted to Buzznet that day. I had tonsatonsatonsa fun with that. And in addition to that, I also did more of my buzznet-music-guiding by filtering through some All Time Low tagged media. Woohoo!

On Tuesday I spent a lot of time on my profile picture and accompanying image. I had a really fun time with the mirror and trying out some editing techniques and such with it. I am so pleased with the final products. Also on Tuesday, I made a new video for my singing vlog called Untitled 4. I never can think of what to call them because they're really just thoughts for me.

On Wednesday I spent 3 hours pouring over All Time Low's Buzznet page to find users who have posted comments or dropped notes on some of their stuff over the past few months, copying their usernames into a file, and inviting over 600 people to my All Time Low Fans Group. It took a lot of time and patience, but I love spreading the word about the group. It's so great to have a common place to talk to other fans here on Buzznet. Once I was done with that, I cleaned up the Fans forum and deleted about 25 topics that were dead. Aaand after that I spent the remaining 5-6 hours on my own profile... changing the color scheme to promote the new ATL album, updating pictures for the Insult contest, responding to messages and notes and comments, cleaning up my galleries, etc. 

Now I'm into the wee hours of Thursday and I could not be happier with how things have turned out. It's been a really good couple of days on buzznet and I can now go to sleep feeling happy and fulfilled.

YAYAYAAA BUZZNET!

-katie

THIS IS MY CONTEST ENTRY FOR ALL TIME LOW'S TOY STORY CONTEST.
IT'S WRITTEN TO BE SUNG TO THE TUNE OF “SHAMELSS” BY ALL TIME LOW.

Lips drawn and eyes wide
Like statues these dolls don’t move
No hugs or high fives
But I'm still playing
Giant heads and some underwear
With the cankles and retired hair
They’re showing off
Without a flaw
It's ON!

Buy one, get one (Whoa oh! Whoa oh!)
The dresser of your own bedroom
Displayed within a small glass tomb, just
Placed there to see
Ignore the two inch vinyl
And remember who they are

Tiny figurines are here
To keep All Time Low so near
And obsession more obvious

Jack’s got a weiner
Tucked in his painted undies
Rian’s not smiling
And Zack’s hair looks teased
Like a jam without its jar
Alex lacks his pink guitar
No one has any ears

Buy one, get one (Whoa oh! Whoa oh!)
The dresser of your own bedroom
Displayed within a small glass tomb, just
Placed there to see
Ignore the two inch vinyl
And remember who they are

Tiny figurines are here
To keep All Time Low so near
And obsession more obvious, I confess
No longer pressed for their time
I’ve got them caught in their prime
All Time Low is timeless
But lifeless. (x3)

Currently on single repeat: “Winter Wonderland” by Jason Mraz

I used to be so excited to go to church on Christmas Eve – that nighttime celebration with the enthusiastic UCC congregation was one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. But now that I’m thinking about it, I haven’t been to Church in over a year-and-a-half and, oddly enough, I don’t miss it too much. I’ve come to find that Church is more of a book club for the Bible and I prefer Harry Potter **.

So the point of this background information is simple: today is Christmas and I am celebrating, more because of family tradition than my own personal (how’s that for redundancy?) preference***. But for the first time in 19 years, we celebrated without Santa Claus... we all know now. That’s right kiddies, my little sister who is only 10 years old knows the Santa secret... I held out until I was at least 12; I was a very imaginative child. But this was the first year we watched and all understood the sarcasm in Elf when Papa Elf suggests that the parents put gifts under the tree. This was the first year one of us didn’t get to enjoy midnight cookies that were left out for jolly old Saint Nicholas. This was the first year I didn’t get to question the uncanny likeness of Santa’s handwriting to my mother’s and receive a different response from the previous year. The worst part? I wasn’t prepared for this Santa spoiler because my little sister, we’ll call her Elle****, cornered my Mom while I was away at college. Bummer. I miss a lot while I’m away at school.

Regardless, I got some good presents this time around: Spongebob Squarepants Monopoly (favorite TV show + favorite board game = favorite gift), coloring books (I have crayons at college, so why not?), Sharpie markers (nothing jumpstarts creativity like the pungent aroma of your instrument), earrings (my favorite jewelry), a kickass desk organizer (from my Mommy <3), more t-shirts (one can never have enough), and miscellaneous stocking stuffers and whatnot. My “big gift” was a joint effort from extended relatives and close family to help cover some of my rowing expenses. I have been doing well enough on my own, but I am SO appreciative of their money, and love of course ^_*.

But the pride and joy of my day is this playlist that I made a couple weeks ago, but revamped today. Consider it a gift from me. Happy holidays!

Hold My Hand - A New Found Glory
Currents Convulsive - Pierce The Veil
Faces - Scary Kids, Scaring Kids
The Antidote - Story Of The Year
Island - The Starting Line
Love Like Rockets - Angels & Airwaves
Here (In Your Arms) - Hellogoodbye
I'm In Peace - Justin Nozuka
Iron In The Backseat - Daphne Loves Derby
Time To Dance - Panic! At The Disco
All Over You - The Spill Canvas
Disappear - Anberlin
Miracle - Paramore
Sincerely Me - A New Found Glory
Bittersweet Symphony - Ace Enders and a Million Different People
Radio Protector - 65daysofstatic
Do You Feel - The Rocket Summer
Chemical Kids And Mechanical Brides - Pierce The Veil
Headfirst Slide Into Cooperstown On A Bad Bet - Fall Out Boy
Space - Something Corporate

Oooh! Would you look at that, Simba has decided to join us. He’ll be one of the few in my life you meet for real... his name really is Simba and this is really him. I think he is pleased to meet you... he just licked the screen.




** It is important to note that I believe there is a God and that he and good old Mother Nature are running the show; I try to thank them every night for all I’ve got in my life. But that’s pretty much the extent of things and I ask you to please not hold it against me. I have a very open mind to religion and beliefs and won’t judge you for what you practice. I think the phrase “to each their own” applies well here. Any way you look at it, if I am going to judge you, it won’t be based on your religion... you’re just going to have to trust me on that one.

***Someday I might just celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. There is simply more meaning for me in a new year than in the birth of Jesus Christ, other peoples’ lord and savior.

****I love sharing random stories with you, but would still like to keep a certain amount of privacy. So I’ll be changing the names of some of the characters in my life’s story... just in case.

Currently on single repeat: “I’m in Peace” by Justin Nozuka

I am indecisive, to say the very least. I can make big decisions fairly well, but when it comes to the simple, daily ones I am a lost cause. Anywho, I have made a decision: I want to be a blogger.

There are many reasons for this decision, of course – the main one being that I think I have good stories at the beginning, middle, and end of my days. I don’t have the most exciting life, but I love the one I’ve got and I want to share it with you. Plus, I spend a lot of time on this-here Sony Vaio that is my laptop and I think this will be a good New Year's Buzz-olution.

Now I don’t want to bore you to tears, but I’d love for you to come along for the ride. So here’s the About Me I’ve rewritten a million times between my now-deleted myspace and my so-addicted-to facebook. If you like what you read, come back tomorrow and I’ll let you in on my life.

This is my ever-changing synopsis of an unwritten autobiography...

Music is it for me. Otherwise, I’m a tad confused. I spoon applesauce straight from the jar. I have too much fun with temporary tattoos. I enjoy washing the dishes, more so if Simba helps me out. I stay up late and wake up early - I prefer to be awake. I like bubble baths. I appreciate night skies and their stars. I wear concert teeeeshirts. I know how to use and eat Chinese food with chopsticks. I go to the zoo. I talk and I think. I consult my magic 8 ball for important decisions. I believe in a thing called love. My soul is probably shaped like an acoustic guitar. I write with Sharpies. I <3 fedoras and v-neck shirts. I have a very poor memory. Oftentimes, I am indifferent and simply don't care. I frequent the grocery store and the movie theatre. I bake chocolate chip cookies. I'm rather fond of walking. I rely on my family and my music. I have many, many flaws.

My myspace once asked me who I'd like to meet, but I answered with who I'd like to find: Someone who is fun to be around, lives by music, and makes me feel safe. Someone who will travel with me to China to see the Giant Pandas, to London to buy the Harry Potter books, and to Australia for the Soundwave Festival. Someone who would go on the Amazing Race with me. Someone who will never ever let me down, or who will know how to make up for it if they do. Someone who I can trust and love beyond death. Just someone who will amaze and inspire me... I am a romantic and will always hold out hope for someone.

I believe that happy endings exist, although I fear I will not have one. Not everyone can live happily ever after - no matter how many times they watch Pride & Prejudice.

I was lucky enough to attend the SHORTEST TOUR EVER on 16 JULY 2008... if you couldn't guess, it was aaaamazing!! So here'sthe set list (I think):

THERE FOR TOMORROW
No More Room to Breathe
Addiction and Her Name
Waiting
Icebox (cover)
Taking Chances
Pages

VALENCIA
?
Away We Go
3000 Miles
Will We Ever Knw How?
Better Be Prepared
The Space Between

HIT THE LIGHTS
Back Breaker
?
Speakers Blown
Save Your Breath
Stay Out
Tell Me Where You Are
?
3 Oh 9
Bodybag
Cry Your Eyes Out

ALL TIME LOW
Holly Would You (Turn Me On?)
The Beach
Shameless
Poppin' Champagne
Coffee Shop Soundtrack
Let It Roll
Umbrella (cover)
Break Out! Break Out!
Six Feet Under The Stars
Remembering Sunday
Jasey Rae
Dear Maria, Count Me In

 

Sorry for the question marks - I didn't know all of the song titles!!

There are two playlists that always seem to change my mood for the better. I <3 music...

 

VOLUME 34.7 (it took me 41 tries to get this playlist just right)

Truth Of My Youth - A New Found Glory
The Takedown - Yellowcard
Time Turned Fragile - Motion City Soundtrack
Dark Blue - Jack's Mannequin
Cross My Heart - The Rocket Summer
Straw Dog - Something Corporate
Everytime I Look For You - Blink-182
Write This Down - Cartel
21 - The Starting Line
Hometown Heroes, National Nobodies - All Time Low
I Want To Save You - Something Corporate
One Hundred Times - Hit The Lights
Around The Clock - The Rocket Summer
Song For A Friend - Jason Mraz
The Minstrel's Prayer - Cartel
7 Minutes In Heaven (Atavan Halen) - Fall Out Boy
Audrey, Start the Revolution! - Anberlin
Yeah Boy and Doll Face - Pierce the Veil
Pages - There For Tomorrow
Up Against The Wall - Boys Like Girls
Walk On Water Or Drown - Mayday Parade
Sore Thumb - The Format
These Backs Are Made For Stabbing - Hit The Lights
Jasey Rae - All Time Low

MELL-OH (for when you want to slow things down and smile :)

One Man Drinking Games - Mayday Parade
Childlike Wildlife - Jason Mraz
Say (All I Need) - OneRepublic
After Tonight - Justin Nozuka
Let Go (Live Cover) - Boys Like Girls
The Unwinding Cable Car - Anberlin
Song For A Friend - Jason Mraz
Bruised - Jack's Mannequin
Inevitable - Anberlin
My Beautiful Rescue - This Providence
After An Afternoon - Jason Mraz
Oh, It Is Love - Hellogoodbye
Let Me Take You There - Plain White T's
I'm Doing Everything (For You) - The Rocket Summer
Snails - The Format
Dismantle, Repair (Acoustic) - Anberlin
A Beautiful Mess - Jason Mraz

Last night was my AP Tour show and it was unbelievable :).

First up was Sonny.  I'm not sure on his set list because I've never really listened to his stuff before, but he gave a pretty good performance.  At one point in time he jumped off the stage and pushed his way through the crowd to jam with his #1 Fan.  It was really cool of him - I will forever respect him for this act of awesomeness.

Second to go was Forever The Sickest Kids.  They played: I Don't Know About You, But I Came To Dance, Hey Brittney, Whoa (NEW SONG!!), Believe Me, I'm Lying, Breakdown, and She's A Lady.  They were extremely energetic, but were kind of bummed because the stage was so tiny.  Oh well, they worked it.  I think that Jonathan was a rapper in another life... he is gangsta fab (fer shure).

Third was The Matches.  I deleted their set list by mistake, but know that they played Point Me Towards the Morning and Wake The Sun.  They were utterly fabulous - great vocals and great stage presence.

Fourth went All Time Low and they kicked some major hiney.  Before the boys came out on stage, there was a cautionary warning about their use of vulgar and profane language - it was HI-larious.  They were not to be blamed for using words such as "cock, balls, herpes, tits, ass, bitch" et cetera.  They started with Six Feet Under The Stars and The Beach, then moved on to Let It Roll, Coffee Shop Soundtrack, Umbrella (cover), Stay Awake, Shameless, Popping Champagne, and Jasey Rae, and closed with Dear Maria Count Me In.  Like usual, they were highly entertaining.  Well, that is an understatement - they are just the greatest.

Finally came The Rocket Summer, which means BRYCE AVARY!!  He plyed Break It Out, Cross My Heart, Brat Pack, Do You Feel, Save, A Song Is Not A Business Plan (with a little bit of "I've got a soul, but I'm not a soldier" by the Killers), So Much Love, and So In This Hour (with the lovely Tell Me To Live ending).  What was really cool was when he had a make-your-own-song session where he played/recorded drums, bass, piano, and guitar alone and then sang a new song called WAKE UP.  It was so terrific.  The main lyric was "Wake Up cuz I need a fire in my heart."  He is such a talented musician.  Definitely worthy of the headlining position.

I had been expecting a good show, but I got SOO much more.  Five out of Five stars... hands down.

I've been staring at this list for the past couple of days and it onlyjust occurred to me to post something about it. I hope that you all are just as excited as I am!!

2008 Vans Warped Tour Band Lineup...

3OH!3	whole tour
A Day to Remember	jun 20 - jul 20
Against Me!	whole tour
Aggrolites	whole tour
Alesana	whole tour
All That Remains	jul 22 - aug 17
All Time Low	jul 22 - aug 17
Anberlin	jun 20 - aug 17
Angels and Airwaves	whole tour
As I Lay Dying	jun 20 - jul 18
August Burns Red	jun 20 - july 6
Automatic Love Letter	jul 17 - july 27
Beat Union	whole tour
Bedouin Soundclash	jul 3 - jul 17
Between the Trees	whole tour
Bouncing Souls	jul 16 - jul 25
Bring Me the Horizon	jul 22 - aug 17
Broadway Calls	whole tour
Charlotte Sometimes	whole tour
Cinematic Sunrise	jul 10 - jul 16
Classic Crime	jul 27 - aug 17
Cobra Starship	whole tour
Confide	jul 22 - aug 17
Danger Radio	jul 19 - aug 8 / aug 9 - aug 18
Dr. Manhattan	jul 22 - aug 17
Evergreen Terrace	whole tour
Every Avenue	jul 9 - jul 26
Everytime I Die	whole tour
Family Force 5	whole tour except 6/19, 6/20, 6/26, 7/2, 7/12, 8/8
Forever the Sickest Kids	jun 20 - jul 6 / jul 7 - aug 17
Four Year Strong	jul 19 - aug 17
From First to Last	whole tour
GBH	aug 6 - aug 17
Greeley Estates	whole tour
Gym Class Heroes	whole tour
Horrorpops	whole tour
Jack's Mannequin	jul 1 - jul 20
Just Surrender	jul 9 - jul 26
Katy Perry	whole tour
Ludo	jul 22 - aug 17
Madina Lake	jul 9 - jul 25
Mayday Parade	whole tour
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster	jun 20 - jul 18
MC Chris	whole tour
MURS	whole tour
Norma Jean	whole tour
Oreska	whole tour
Paramore	jul 1 - jul 6
Pennywise	jul 15- jul 22, jul 24, jul 29 - aug 3
Pierce the Veil	whole tour
The Pinker Tones	whole tour
Protest the Hero	whole tour
Reel Big Fish	whole tour
Relient K	whole tour
Rise Against	aug 6 - aug 17
Say Anything	whole tour
Set Your Goals	whole tour
Shwayze	whole tour
Sick City	jul 19 - jul 20, aug 6
Sky Eats Airplane	jul 27 - aug 17
Stick to Your Guns	jun 20 - jul 6
Story of the Year	whole tour
Street Dogs	whole tour
The Academy Is...	whole tour
The All-American Rejects	jun 20 - jun 29
The Audition	jwhole tour
The Briggs	whole tour
The Bronx	whole tour
The Color Fred	whole tour
The Devil Wears Prada	whole tour
The Dillinger Escape Plan	jul 9 - jul 15
The Fabulous Rudies	whole tour
The Higher	jun 20 - jul 20
The Human Abstract	jul 22 - aug 17
The Lordz	whole tour
The Maine	jun 20 - jul 18 / aug 9 - aug 17
The Morning Light	jul 28 - aug 6
The Saint Alvia Cartel	jul 9 - aug 3, aug 13 on
The Secret Handshake	jun 30 - jul 9
The Vandals	aug 6 - aug 17
We the Kings	whole tour

For the dates that are kind of cut off, you can always go to http://www.warpedtour.com/warpedtour/news.asp?id=1437644 to read the list :)

The 2008 Tour Schedule is:
4/11 Vans Warped Tour Kick Off Party in Key Club, Hollywood, CA
6/20 Pomona, CA
6/21 San Francisco, CA
6/22 Ventura, CA
6/25 Phoenix, AZ
6/26 Las Cruces, NM
6/28 Salt Lake City, UT
6/29 Denver, CO
7/1 St. Louis, MO
7/2 Kansas City, KS
7/3 Dallas, TX
7/5 San Antonio, TX
7/6 Houston, TX
7/9 Atlanta, GA
7/10 Orlando, FL
7/11 Tampa, FL
7/12 Miami, FL
7/13 Jacksonville, FL
7/14 Charlotte, NC
7/15 Virginia Beach, VA
7/16 Washington DC
7/17 Cleveland, OH
7/18 Detroit, MI
7/19 Toronto, ON
7/20 Montreal, ON
7/22 Buffalo, NY
7/23 Boston, MA
7/24 Englishtown, NJ
7/25 Philadelphia, PA
7/26 New York, NY
7/27 Scranton, PA
7/29 Pittsburgh, PA
7/30 Cincinnati, OH
7/31 Indianapolis, IN
8/1 Milwaukee, WI
8/2 Chicago, IL
8/3 Minneapolis, MN
8/6 Calgary, AB
8/8 Boise, ID
8/9 Seattle, WA
8/10 Portland, OR
8/13 Fresno, CA
8/14 San Diego, CA
8/15 Mountain View, CA
8/16 Sacramento, CA
8/17 Los Angeles, CA

In the All Time Low Fans group (www.buzznet.com/groups/alltimelowfans), one of the forum topics asks what your favorite ATL album is.  I typed out a nice response and just wanted to expand on it in a journal entry.

The Three Words To Remember When Dealing In The End: An awesome EP with that old-school garage-band sound.  Granted, the album isn't perfect, but it has a lot of raw talent.  Matt Squire once said, "The crappier the recording the better, so I can just concentrate on the song."  I'm not saying that ATL stunk like a skunk, but the imperfections are what makes this such a memorable record.  You hear the band for they what they are and what they'll bring to the table - it's very rough, but you can hear their solid musicianship.  I don't listen to it now as often as I used to, but when I play the record, I can't help but enjoy comparing how far they've come.  Does anyone know why they didn't include WE ALL FALL DOWN on it?  That's a solid track, but I don't know how many people have ever heard it.

The Party Scene: Wow, what a great album.  I especially love the instrumentals - very classy.  My only complaint lies with THE GIRL'S A STRAIGHT UP HUSTLER.  It's a great song, don't get me wrong, but near the end when they sing "she gets what she wants and she breaks what she gets..." the other voice that comes in on the second time around just sounds kind of different.  I don't really like how that turned out.  I think it could have been recorded better.  But NOEL is definitely my jam.  I have listened to that song on an endless loop more times than once.  I have completely lost myself to the guitar part - it is just perfect.  STICKS, STONES, AND TECHNO does a nice job of showcasing their versatility as a band.  Plus, I CAN'T DO THE ONE TWO STEP has some really tremendous lyrics.  "Don't be afraid I've got your back when times get rough and bring you down."  To some they may be simple, but I love them.

Put Up Or Shut Up: There is no way that I can even count how many times I listened to this EP.  Every song was wonderfully created and recorded.  JASEY RAE! I am at a complete loss for deciding which words I can use to describe this track.  I'm not speechless, just speechfull.  I love that song.  Love, love, love, love, love.  Plus, COFFEE SHOP SOUNDTRACK is a phenomenal single.  They really outdid themselves with that one.  Alex perfected "I know she hopes I'll choke on this last drink..." in the PARTY SCENE.  Nailed it! It's fun, too, to hear RUNNING FROM LIONS electrically recorded and not acoustic like on TPS.  Very cool.

So Wrong, It's Right: Definitely epitomizes pop-punk rock.  SIX FEET UNDER THE STARS is another great single that really did a nice job of promoting the album.  With respect to the entire record, some of the lyrics are utterly insightful, others are fun and catchy, but all of them are unique and show just how much thought went into each verse.  The music behind each song, too, is one-of-a-kind.  Even if there were no lyrics, I wouldn't be able to turn the record off.  All Time Low has more than just handsome faces, their songs are just phenomenal.  I must say that STAY AWAKE and LET IT ROLL have really high play counts. Those songs were very nicely done and I really appreciate their subtle purity.  There's not a wasted second - I never feel a need to skip the end of the song in order to avoid repeated choruses or instrumental sections.  I marvel at the songs in their entirety and love them for it.  The boys did a marvelous job of creating the music and Matt Squire did an outstanding job of putting everything together.

All in all, I would put my vote toward a Greatest Hits album with the following songs on it (in this order or any order that one so chooses):

Coffee Shop Soundtrack
Hometown Heroes, National Nobodies
Let It Roll
Dear Maria, Count Me In
The Party Scene
We All Fall Down
The Girl's A Straight-Up Hustler
Remembering Sunday
Noel
Shameless
Last Flight Home
Jasey Rae
Stay Awake (Dreams Only Last for a Night)
I Can't Do The One Two Step
Break Out! Break Out!
Come One, Come All
Running From Lions
Lullabies
Vegas
Hit the Lights
Sticks, Stones, and Techno
Poppin' Champagne
Six Feet Under the Stars

I realize that it isn't the end of the world, but the news still stings like hand-sanitizer on a paper cut.  Don't know what I'm talking about?  Lucky you... this was posted last night and I have been struggling to cope with it all day:

Monday, February 04, 2008

IMPORTANT We have just put out word that we will not be making a new Format album. Please understand this was a tough decision and we're both upset about it. While we accept there will be false speculation as to why, understand that Sam and I remain extremely close and in fact are still passing the twin peaks box set back and forth in an attempt to figure out who REALLY killed laura palmer. We also want to thank everyone with and within the Format, particularly Mike, Don, and Marko, whom without, none of this would have ever even been fully realized. We both suggest you support their musical talents and whatever they decide to do. And lastly we want to thank the fans who made this the best 5 years of our lives. - nate

The Format was my sister's most favorite band and definitely one of my top ten favorites of all time.  Last year alone I saw them in concert three times (she saw them five times) and enjoyed every moment of their shows.  Plus, I was fortunate enough to meet Nate in August - he is such a darling.

Well, other than that I am at a complete loss for words.

- Katie

 

I respond to my messages and notes - sometimes, though, it is not instantaneously.  I do not have the luxury to check my buzznet page five times a day.  Let's face it, I am lucky if I can find the time to get on the computer for five minutes to check my e-mail or upload some pictures.

 

I just thought I'd post this for anyone who is keeping tabs and for anyone who is waiting for a response.

 

I AM SORRY TO KEEP YOU WAITING!!

 

-Katie

The complete set list for the MAN WHORES AND OPEN SORES concert on 17JANUARY08 is as follows:

 

In-Store Show at The Culture Clash in Toledo, OH

Mayday Parade's Derek Sanders performed Take This To Heart and Miserable at Best.

All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth and Zack Merrick performed Dear Maria, Six Feet Under The Stars, and Stay Awake.

All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth performed Remembering Sunday.

 

Concert at Headliners in Toledo, OH

Every Avenue performed Where Were You, A Story To Tell Your Friends, Chasing The Night, Empty Room, Trading Heartbeats, and Getting Out. (appx. stage time was 25 minutes)

Just Surrender performed The New Declaration, I Can Barely Breathe, Body Language and Bad Habits, Tell Me Everything, Your Life and Mine, Our Work of Art, and She Broke My Heart, So I Broke His Jaw.  (appx. stage time was 30 minutes)

Mayday Parade performed an intorduction, then Jersey, Black Cat, Walk On Water Or Drown, Take This To Heart, Three Cheers For Five Years, One Man Drinking Game, When I Get Home You're So Dead, and Jamie All Over.  (appx. stage time was 37 minutes)

All Time Low performed Dear Maria (Count Me In), Jasey Rae, Shameless, Poppin' Champagne, The Beach, Coffee Shop Soundtrack, Let It Roll, Break Out! Break Out!, Stay Awake, and Six Feet Under The Stars.  They had a three song encore of Remembering Sunday, The Girl's A Straight-Up Hustler, and Dammit (by Blink-182).  (appx. stage time was 71 minutes)

*** It should also be noted that in-between songs, the bands chatted with the audience :)  Plus, All Time Low's Rian Dawson often played drum-beats by Cartel, such as those found in Settle Down and The Minstrel's Prayer, during the down-time.***

MAKE SURE TO CLICK BACK FOR CONCERT PHOTOS THAT WILL BE POSTED LATER TODAY!!