Bands I've seen in Concert

Bands I've seen in concert: ♫ Fall Out Boy * ♫ All American Rejects ♫ Hawthorne Heights ♫ Muse [x 2] * ♫ From First to Last ♫ October Falls ♫ We are the fury ♫ My Chemical Romance ♫ Gogol Bordello [x 2] * ♫ Lifehouse ♫ Colbie Caillait ♫ Goo Goo Dolls ♫ Los Amigos Invisibles * ♫ Cold War Kids ♫ Jimmy Eat World * ♫ Paramore ♫ Red Jumpsuit Apparatus ♫ Finger Eleven ♫ Angels & Airwaves ♫ Silverchair [x 2] * ♫ Shiny Toy Guns ♫ Starting Line ♫ Dear Dear [x 4] * ♫ The Bravery ♫ Dear Future ♫ The Spice Girls * ♫ Pattern is Movement ♫ Secret Ninja Death Squad ♫ Mirrorcage ♫ Peachcake * ♫ The Helio Sequence ♫ Karate High School ♫ Foxy Shazam ♫ Third Eye Blind * ♫ Days Difference ♫ Angelo Spencer ♫ Kimya Dawson * ♫ Spoonboy ♫ Prodigal Son * = my favvves!

Ex-Vegetarian

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT

CANDACE IS NO LONGER A VEGETARIAN

Yes, the headlines are correct. But before you start jumping to conclusions, let me give you the 411 on this decision, because it's quite loaded!

Myth: I went back because I really missed meat and I couldn't take it anymore.

Fact: My doctor basically told me that I couldn't do it anymore. I wasn't getting the right nutrients I needed because I just didn't have many options being in college and all. Plus, being vegetarian can be expensive if you really get all the right foods! I wish I could have stayed a vegetarian, but I hope to go back to it one day honestly.

Now, while I may have gone back for health reasons, don't think for one moment that I'm not still passionate about animal rights. It's something that's a part of me, and I will continue to advocate for humane rights in the meat industry. So I haven't just thrown away all my morals out the window is what I'm trying to say, so like I always say, "don't judge me" =)

That's pretty much the news in a nutshell. Any questions?

Peace & Love,

Candace

Crime and Punishment Museum Re-Cap

So today I went to the Crime and Punishment Museum today in Washington, D.C. and it was probably one of the best museums I've ever been to! I went with my mom and my brother Erick -- mom took the day off work to spend time with me since I'm leaving for school on Thursday. It was completely interactive and I have never learned so much about crime. There was so much that I just can't fit it all into one blog post, it would take up 3 pages worth! But I'll just give you a few highlights from my trip...

I really liked learning about the crime fighting animals like dogs and horses. There was a story of a man who was over in Iraq with a K9 (which apparently is a play on words, "canine"). They loved each other so much that when a bomb went off leaving the man dead and the dog seriously injured and wimpering in pain, the dog stuck to the man refusing to

leave his side when other officials tried to get him out of the action. Obviously touched by this, the family then tr

ied to adopt the dog in honor of their son. Get this -- the military wouldn't let the dog be adopted because they said "he still had 2 years of military service left" -- LOL can you believe that?! Nuts! Eventually they did let him go, making him the first dog to have early retirement from the military. It was nice that they had something commemorating these animals that while they can't speak are still brave advocates against crime -- don't you think they deserve to be recognized?

One of my other favorite displays was the whole America's Most Wanted section. I learned a lot more about it today and it was really cool. I didn't know a lot of John Walsh's stor

y, so it was interesting to learn about Adam Walsh and the "Adam Alert." Did you know that since the beginning of America's Most Wanted 20 years ago they've got over 1,000 criminals!

!! You've got to admit that's impressive! The whole exhibit about the AMW had pictures of the list of most wanted individuals, interactive displays, information and updates on crimes, etc. The best part was where you went into a roomwith a camera and a tv, you sat on a chair and next

to it was a red button. You click the red button and all of a sudden John Walsh comes on the screen and basically starts talking about a criminal that's on the loose with "25 tattoos that all say 'mom' on it" and how AMW isn't looking for them but someone is, and lo and behold, YOU show up on the screen lol! It was very clever, they talked about how you were the criminal! It was hilarious, I was giggling like crazy, and then John Walsh says "the criminal has a childish laugh" and I was like uhhh how'd they know haha! Was that programmed or did it just detect that I laugh like a little kid, OR am I paranoid about my laugh? But that's another story haha! Anyway, it was a blast and one of my favorite exhibits.

I could talk all day about all of the fun things I learned about like Bonnie and Clyde's story, Al Capone's fancy prison cell, the meaning behind gang tattoos, how some prisons help prisoners get a college degree, the evolution of guns, the dumbest criminals, everything you need to know about crime scenes, etc etc etc, but I just don't have all day to type these things out -- I do have a life believe it or not! So I'll leave you with this, GO VISIT THIS MUSEUM, if you don't you'll regret it. It's a little pricey, like $20 for adults, but it's worth it. We were there for like 5 hours and I could have stayed longer if I really wanted to but we were hungry so we went to Chinatown Garden to eat haha! Ultimate lesson: DON'T COMMIT CRIMES, Duh!

Peace & Love,

Candace

Money CAN Buy Love!

So I was thinking today about one of my recently favorite movies, "The Nanny Diaries" and how Grover (the kid) is talking to Annie (the nanny) about how when he grows up he wants to have a huge beach house. Mind you, this kid's parents are crazy rich, so living in the life of luxury is not uncommon for him. Then Annie responds, "Just remember Grove, Money Can't Buy Love" but then Grover responds "Yeah but mommy pays you money and I love you!"

At first glance you'd think, "haha, dumb kid, he doesn't know what he's talking about"

But think about it.

Let's break down this statement into an equation:

You use money for ____ and you LOVE _____ so Money does in fact buy Love

Let's take my situation. I use money to go to JMU, and I LOVE JMU, so Money buys love. Think about it! It's so true right? It's okay you can nod, I won't think you're vapid. Everyone says, "pfft, Money can't buy love" but look at that a little closely. You love your house, paid with money, you love your car, paid with money, you love ____, paid with money. Personally, if someone threw me a million dollars I'd take it an run! I could pay off my college loans and put a down payment on a home in a heart beat! Oooh how lovely life would be.

Sure, sure, you could twist it and say "well you can't buy the love of your life" as in a "partner" if you will , a husband or wife, but really that's the only exception. Family is an exception. Let's be real though, Friends aren't. If you have money you can "buy" lots of friends, figuratively speaking more than literally.

My point is, when in a lot of debt from college loans like I am, the love that my mom gives me telling me "it's gonna be okay" and consoling me is a temporary fix, but it just won't do. I need money, and lots of it. And if you try to tell me that "Money can't buy Happiness" too I'll laugh in your face because I'd be MUCH happier if I had it. Trust me. Look, what I'm getting at is stop lying to yourself! You don't have to be ashamed to admit that you'd be much happier if you didn't have negative numbers in your bank account, it's okay we won't judge you! I think it's human. What do you think?

Oh whatever Beatles, You think you know it all...

Peace & Love,

Candace