Cat Charlie

This week, people from around the U.S. celebrated five years since the Iraqi war came into the picture. All week, I've been listening to Incubus on my iPod that I couldn't help but question the thoughts of the troops coming home where are no wars, no fights and absolutely no regrets. Seems pretty crazy to me, yet at the same time I don't want anything to do with my generation or the next being the target of destruction. I participated in the rally and march @ the Federal Plaza. Trust me...I wasn't surprised that thousands of people would come out to heed the call. This actually gave me another good look at myself that I lost the fighter in myself all these years...and I'm glad to have that fighter back.

Cat Charlie, 20 March 08, 9:43 a.m. (gmt)

...for the campers, that is. Anyway, spring break came pretty early this year. The campers at the center will only be here for a week, while out of school. I know they're excited.

Even the rest of my coworkers are excited...more likely about the surprises we've had since the past week. Today, The Hush Sound is performing @ Best Buy before their big performance @ the Beat Kitchen later. I've been dying to hear the entire album "Goodbye Blues" from the first track to the last. Other than that, I won't be writing much...again. I've put off writing in my blog about every three to four weeks. On End.

Until after spring break, I wish you all for the best spring break ever.

Cat Charlie, 18 March 08, 8:48 a.m. (gmt)

I'm freakin' glowing right because of one of the greatest bands is coming to Chicago on May 23rd @ Congress Theatre (as part of the Honda Civic Tour): Panic At The Disco w/ The Hush Sound, Phantom Planet and Motion City Soundtrack!

I'll brave the cold once again to be the first in line for a ticket; sales start @ 10 a.m.  Can't wait!

Buh-bye, fellow punksters of the music!

Cat Charlie

P.S., I'm gonna see if I can pre-order Panic's new album "Pretty. Odd." on iTunes before they hit the stores in March.

I'm still feeling all warm inside after the past two days (since I turned 22). Here's the birthday weekend recap:

Friday: After work, I went straight to Belmont and Sheffield for the Editors concert. I took some great pics. Get this: those guys rock! Literally! I believe they played the rest of the night. I left for home @ around 10:45 p.m. Hot Hot Heat rocked the crowd as well; Louis XIV, on the other hand, was kinda scaring me silly on the sexual innuendoes. Not happening here.

Saturday: I went over the Chicago Place for the weekly Chicago Fur Mart demo at 2:30 p.m., then spent the final hour over Elan Furs. By 6:30 in the evening, I was up north on Barry and Sheridan for a vegan potluck. I brought my famous quesadillas.

Sunday: I went to the Build-A-Bear Workshop for my beary little partner-in-crime, that is now known as Baby Charlie. She's a beauty! Later on, I went over Hyde Park for a screening of a documentary called Peaceable Kingdom. It was pretty moving.

So, other than that, I appreciate all the birthday wishes that you all sent me over the past two days. I am eternally grateful to receive them. Until next time, ciao to all!

Cat Charlie

The Editors concert @ the Vic!  Wow!  Seriously, I'm getting ahead of myself; I won't be online for the rest of the afternoon, if I forget to mention that.  Here's my birthday weekend:

Saturday: MFA vegan potluck, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday: Build-A-Bear workshop @ Navy Pier

Other than that, I'll be back tomorrow!  Hope your weekends shine!

Cat Charlie

...I've got two more days till the Editors concert (with Hot Hot Heat and Louis XIV as the opening acts)!  But my 22nd birthday isn't till Sunday, so I decided to go to Navy Pier on that day.  I mean...I don't know whether or not the Build-A-Bear Workshop is still there, but I'll google it out!  I'm getting a tatt on Saturday.  I'll get my protest name (Cat the Tigress) on the upper part of my back.

About Friday, I'll be at work for the entire eight hours, but I'm on payday, thank goodness!  I honestly don't know what I'm gonna wear!  I'm freakin' out!

But, I need to calm down and get it together...and at least remember to bring my ticket and camera to work on Friday.

Until then, bye for now!

Cat Charlie, 23 January 08, 11:44 a.m. (gmt)

If anyone has seen the movie The Client, then you may know Brad Renfro, who was only 12 at that time.

According to RedEye, the troubled actor has died at the age of 25.  Early Tuesday, his body was found in his LA home, according to his lawyer, Richard Kaplan.  In May 2006, Renfro spent only 10 days in jail.  He pleaded no contest to driving while intoxicated and pleaded guilty to attempted possession of heroin.

I'm telling you now, this could be the most terrifying death to me since River Phoenix's in 1993.

But, before I sign off, I speak for every fan out there when I say, "Brad, may you forever rest in peace."

Cat Charlie, 16 January 08

Chapter 5: Too Young, Too Soon
"And I forget just why I taste, oh yeah, I guess that makes me smile."
-Kurt Cobain

It seems to this day, Heaven would find the many Kurt Cobains across the universe who were as sensitive as the real thing. Cobain, alongsides his fellow members of '90s grunge band Nirvana, had perfected the art of songwriting. He grew up in Aberdeen, Washington an artistic young boy. Until up to the moment Nirvana formed, there was a new generation catching their ears to tunes such as "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Come As You Are," and "Polly." In April 1994, Kurt died by putting a gun in his mouth and shooting himself. He was 27. I was eight at the time and his untimely death still haunts me to this very day.

"Saying goodbye this time; the same old story. Seeing you cry makes me feel like saying sorry."
-Hawthorne Heights, "Saying Sorry"

The night of Saturday, November 3, 2007, I was at the Vic for the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus concert; Hawthorne Heights were one of the opening acts. When I finally heard the guys of HH, I was in heaven. About three weeks after the band's visit to Chicago, their guitarist, Casey Calvert, died of unknown causes. (The other day, it was from an accidental overdose.) He was 26. What is even more frightening is the fact that I've had visions in my sleep, seeing Kurt and Casey lying on the floor. Their bodies face up; slumbering peacefully to heaven. I feel very distant because of these untimely deaths. I should know; my father wasn't even 23 when he died. But to Kurt and Casey: may you both rest in peace in Rock and Roll Heaven. All rock fans, as well as I, are keeping you in our hearts forever.

Cat Charlie
14 January 08

Well, everyone...we're well in the very first week in January, and already Chicago's expecting unseasonably warm weather for the next two days (today and tomorrow). Things are really looking up lately...yet, I still have that stupid PostSecret lying on my dresser in my room for weeks, and haven't thought about sending it once.

Luckily, the Chicago ADL will be back in full swing as of this Saturday with more protest in front of the Chicago Place on Michigan Avenue. Sadly, I haven't written much in my memoir either. About time I make my mark today...possibly during lunch.

As for tomorrow, I don't know what it will bring. Only God knows. But, a certain TV fav of mine is back for the fifth season. The intials: One Tree Hill. Other than that, my time will come to finish school. IIT is my main goal for the moment. I need to search deeper into that school. Secretly, I've wanted to attend since...probably forever.

Until then, keep safe...

Cat Charlie, 07 January 08, 10:06 a.m. (gmt)

To all my fellow bloggers...I'm gonna make this short and sweet.

Today's the very last day of 2007...tomorrow's the very first day of 2008! Anyways, I have a long day ahead of me. I'm out shopping at this moment for New Year's. I decided to make far out vegan appetizer; trust me, it doesn't get any better than this.

My real plans: spending my New Year's with my family. So, I won't be on the computer on January 1. So, to one and all, Happy 2008!

Ciao until next year!

Cat Charlie

10. Feist, The Reminder (memorable tracks: 1,2,3,4, My Moon, My Man)

9. Lupe Fiasco, The Cool (memorable tracks: Superstar, Go Go Gadget Flow, Little Weapon)

8. The Academy Is..., Santi (memorable tracks: We've Got A Big Mess On Our Hands)

7. Timbaland, Shock Value (memorable tracks: Apologize feat. OneRepublic, The One and Only feat. Fall Out Boy

6. Kanye West, Graduation (memorable tracks: Stronger, The Good Life, Flashing Lights)

5. The Shins, Wincing The Night Away (memorable track: Phantom Limb)

4. Incubus, Light Grenades (memorable tracks: Dig, Anna Molly)

3. Cobra Starship, Viva la Cobra! (memorable track: Guilty Pleasure)

2. Paramore, Riot! (memorable tracks: For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic, Hallelujah, Let the Flames Begin, Miracle, Misery Business)

1. Fall Out Boy, Infinity On High
It's a wonder that these four hometown heroes just keep getting better with their music! They've prove themselves worthy of the pop-punk scene with the most diabolical lyrics and catchy hooks! It's no surprise that they're #1 wherever they go! Congrats, guys! I hope the next album gets more praise. We'll have to see how far they can take it this time!
(memorable tracks: Thriller, The Take Over, The Break's Over, Thnks Fr Th Mmrs, The Carpal Tunnel of Love, Bang The Doldrums, You're Crashing, But You're No Wave, Golden)

Barely below freezing weather. Bunch of screaming kids. Me and my coworkers are just surviving yet another (mid)week. Nothing too predictable, isn't it? Didn't think so.

I try to keep a bottle of fruit punch vitamin water at hand...at least every day. During my eight hours at the center, it's more like a ritual. America's Next Top Model has a finale tonight...and I don't intend to miss it! All week, I've been sleeping in the minute I step inside my apartment. I hope I can make it now. I've got to put in a quick appointment for my micro braids on Sunday. As of the next Sunday, my church is putting on another Christmas celebration. It's gonna be wonderful. Two greatest loves: 1) I got the Fall Out Boy Infinity On High Deluxe Edition album on my iPod and 2) I'm dying to hear Ashlee Simpson's new track as well.

Just hope my week doesn't turn drab on account of the winter advisories.

Until next time, ciao!

Cat Charlie, 12 December 07, 12:53 p.m. (gmt)

I'm about to get a tattoo before the end of 2007...on my lower back.  What will it be?  That's a decision that I'll keep to myself for the time being. *coughs* The Clandestine Bat Logo!  LOL

Fellow bloggers...as of Wednesday, December 5, 2007, I will officially open my Secret Agents of the World sites on Buzznet and MySpace!  I hope you will like this!  Ciao!

Cat Charlie

P.S., here are the sites:

Buzznet: http://secretagentsoftheworld.buzznet.com

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/secretagentsoftheworld

At this point, I just found out that one of the best bands in the U.S. just lost a very special bandmate.  I went to the Vic (in Chicago) to a Red Jumpsuit Apparatus concert, knowing Hawthorne Heights being one of the opening acts.  That was just barely three weeks ago when I heard them.  Right now, I'm this close to crying my eyes out about this unexpected loss.

Miss you already, Casey.

Black Friday is the, as the Comic Book Guy would recall, "worst...day...ever...for shopping."

Technically, I'm just searching for an acoustic guitar.  At least one that is under 100 dollars.  Who knows?  Maybe there'll be one for my best interests.

I only have to work till 11 a.m. today.  Once again my brother is in the hospital...this time, he's developed an allergic reaction to fur.  His coat is 100 percent live animal fur.  I don't like going near it myself.

That's my reason for going to Daley Plaza for this Fur Free Friday march and rally.  Boy, am I glad to be an animal rights advocate.

Ciao, everyone!

Cat Charlie, 23 November 07, 9:04 a.m. (gmt)