Just thought I'd catch everyone up on what I've been up to lately....

Though I spend (... waste) a lot of time on the computer, I haven't gotten around to blogging lately. Some theories why:

I'm too damned busy

With track just wrapping up last week (I made it to counties! :D), I find just enough time to check my Facebook, stumble around weheartit, read the blogs I follow here on Blogger, and check out my dashboard on tumblr.

I have nothing (or too much) to write about

I'm sorta at a loss for words when I sit down in front of a computer, and I'm trying to figure out if it's because I don't have anything to say, I keep forgetting everything I want to say, or the things I write about isn't what I really want to write about.

Like I said, track ended as of recent, and that's sort of been taking over my life! But summer's only weeks away so hopefully I'll have more spare time and be more inspired. :)

Fingers crossed.

Keep on keepin' on,

Madison

Back to Basics: A Flower List Update

Do you smoke cigarettes?

0% said Yes.

20% said No.

0% said Sometimes.

80% said Never have I or will I.

0% said I've tried them

0% said I've thought about it.

and...

I'm trying to quit.

We live in a world where the dangers of smoking are known- and they're loud and clear. There's surgeon general's warnings on all cigarette and tobacco products (just like the ones on alcoholic drinks), there's anti-smoking campaigns, and often - especially here in NY - you could be watching American Idol and while you're making yourself a sundae in between songs a commercial of a pair of pitch black lungs will pop on the screen and stare you down for a minute.

Me, I don't smoke. I don't see the appeal. I'm positive I've told you guys this before- I don't smoke or alcohol. It's just my belief. I don't freak when others smoke/drink in front of me. It's my body and I decide what goes in it.

And that's the thing. It's YOUR body. YOU decide. So is it right for me to criticize those who make a choice to do that onto themselves? My aunt's been a smoker forever, and it really gets to me. We're super close and I don't want to lose her. So every time she takes that pack of cancer sticks out of her purse, World War III may or may not ensue. But recently, I've been rethinking my standpoint.

A couple good friends of mine are close with this guy that started smoking weed recently. It wasn't a big deal to him, so he didn't really tell them explicitly that he had been doing it. He made a couple comments, but they thought he was joking. When they found out that he wasn't, my friends had mixed opinions. Most of them didn't really care too much. They didn't see him being effected by it (yet anyways, they said), and they said it was his choice- so why should they get crazy and intervene? A handful of them were pissed at first, but after a day or two didn't care too much either. But one of my friends, the one I'm closest with out of the bunch, was rabid. He was angry. I actually am not sure if I'm seen him angrier. For a good couple of weeks he completely dropped his best friend. Cold turkey, just like that.

When I heard about this half of me was like, "You go! You tell him! Stupid pothead, he's not worth your time" but then half of me was thinking, "What?! You're not friends? Just like that? A whole friendship done over a leaf? At least talk it out." And they did talk it out. There wasn't much to say, but now they're back on talking terms.

So it's been making me think... should I be able to tell people what to do? Not really. But then again, I've seen drugs destroy so many lives. Isn't it my responsibility to protect my friends, loved ones, and just anyone in general?! I just don't know.

Song stuck in my head today: "Sydney, I'll Come Running" by Brett Dennen

Keep on keepin' on,

Madison

HUGE GLEE REVIEW!!!

So how does one review FIVE Glee episodes in one blog post? Like this.

Episode: "Original Song"

Best song(s): "Misery", "Blackbird", "Hell to the No", "Raise Your Glass", "Get It Right" and "Loser Like Me". They were all SO good I couldn't pick one!

Favorite Quote: "You took away my Cheerios. Continue this the opening salvo of World War Sue." - Sue

Part that made me smile: When the glee club 'slushied' the audience at Regionals!

Part that made me frown: The outfits the girls were wearing at Regionals....?

Drama: Bottom line- Quinn sucks.

Episode: "A Night of Neglect"
Best Song(s): "Bubble Toes" - Jack Johnson + Mike Chang's dancing = heaven

Favorite Quote: “I’m sure you’re wondering why I called you all together here in the dead of night when I’m normally out bow-hunting for hobos.” - Sue
Part that made me smile: The return of once glee club director, Sandy Jenkins.

Part that made me frown: How Sunshine really didn't show up to the Night of Neglect.

Drama: Why is Terri back on the show? What does this mean?!

Episode: "Born This Way"

Best song(s): "I Feel Pretty / Unpretty", "I've Gotta Be Me", "Somewhere Only We Know", "As If We Never Said Goodbye", "Barbra Streisand"and "Born This Way". THEY WERE ALL SO GOOD! (:

Favorite Quote: "The only straight I am is straight up bitch." - Santana

Part that made me smile: Brittany's 'lebaneese' shirt.

Part that made me frown: How everyone hated something about themselves.

Drama: Quinn's past life was a little too much.

Episode: "Rumours"

Best song(s): "Don't Stop"

Favorite Quote: "My all white production of The Wiz was a disaster." - April

Part that made me smile: Kristen Chenoweth's return as April!

Part that made me frown: How upset Artie was over Brittany.

Drama: Hopefully Sam's family will rebound soon!

Episode: "Prom Queen"

Best song(s): "Rolling in the Deep", "Isn't She Lovely"and "Friday" - I gasped when I heard Jesse singing in "Rolling in the Deep", Artie was so lovely in his solo song, and "Friday" was AMAZING. I couldn't stop laughing!

Favorite Quote: "I understand that cupcakes are really trendy right now. And I know that the making of a foie gras might be a little morose, but I would at least like to graduate high school knowing how to make some kind of pate." - Kurt

Part that made me smile: Finn's fight with Jesse, I loved to see that he truly cares for her and is jealous of Jesse!

Part that made me frown: How Karofsky wouldn't dance with Kurt.

Drama: Quinn needs to leave. Must I say it again?

Song stuck in my head today: YouTube any of the above! I'm too tired!

Keep on keepin' on,

Madison

I'M BACK?!....

So, I'm back guys! I don't know if there's any of you readers left out there, but I'm coming back and I will be here for you again! :)

I guess I've done this before- left without notifying you -and for this time, it was for rather long! A little over a month... and boy do I feel shitty.

Why did I ever leave you guys? I just became sooo busy with stupid stuff and I'M SORRY. If anything it made me realize how much I need to write, because lately I've just being having too much thoughts going on emotionally and I have to update you guys on tons of stuff....

SO stay tuned while I get some things in order, draft up some posts, and check where I left off with things. I love you all and please stop by real soon!

Song stuck in my head today: "Holiday" by the cast of American Idiot


Keep on keepin' on,


Madison

Turn off your phone.

God, I need to get away. Spring break is here and I'm going out east (whoop!) for the weekend. Yeah, it's only been maybe two weeks since I've been to good ol' Jamesport but I need it, badly. It's like magic. Every time I go to Jamesport, my phone dies. It just always works out that way, and I couldn't be happier when it does. I don't bring my charger and I just let the little monster have a break for a while.

Even though I do use my phone a lot, I hate texting in the end. I really shouldn't use it as much as I do. Things get misconstrued, misread, misinterpreted. And I get hung up on little texts than I actually do when I'm having a conversation with that person in real life, because there's no time then to dwell over what you're going to say to them. No long periods of rest where you can think about what you're going to tell them, and do it perfectly. So I end up stressing over little things that don't even matter!

It's worse when you're texting someone you like. With someone you like you might tell them things over text that you might not tell them to their face because you're too nervous to talk to them and that makes me feel like a coward. I hate when I do that. I try not to, and I really try not to text you as much as I do. It's making me feel pathetic.

So, I'm happy to just get away this weekend from my town for a bit and I will be leaving my phone alone! If someone really needs to talk to me, they'll make the effort to reach me some other way, but for now I'm going to try and see if I can not text anyone this whole break just to purely chat.

Song stuck in my head today: :)

Keep on keepin' on,

Madison

These past few months.

These past few months have been the most hectic ever. Between failing every subject basically one week, and then becoming a genius in a matter of days, my production of Once Upon a Mattress ending while I tried to start getting ready for spring track: I was a mess.

My musical was a little less then a month ago. Oh gosh, what I learned from that experience. It made me realize plenty of things.

1.) DON'T TRY TO REPLICATE THINGS, IT WON'T WORK

It's like the sequel to the Sandlot, it just isn't as good. Last year, in 8th grade, I had a truly amazing experience in my school's drama club. Everything just added up to this formula for a great success. I was friends with everyone, the director had everything under control, the stage crew teacher was one of the coolest men on this planet, the play was a bit obscure and it was a learning process getting accustomed to it that made for great memories! So basically, I walked into this new experience, in a totally different school, with totally different people all in a completely different musical expecting it to be the same. And it wasn't. Which, is partially my fault. I can't just sit back and let whatever magic happened last time, just magically appear all over again. If you want something to be enjoyable, you make it enjoyable. And, for the most part I didn't. So I really didn't like some of the people, well that doesn't mean I sit and complain and talk about how I'd rather be at track. So I really hated staying at school until nine at night, well that doesn't mean I sit and complain and talk about how I'd rather be at track. So people were mean and my costume was horrendously funny, well that doesn't mean I sit and complain and talk about how I'd rather be at track.

Do you see a pattern?

2.) I LOVE TRACK.

When drama ended a lot of seniors (and even some lower classmen) made speeches about how drama is the best two/three months of their lives. How the relationships they've made will last for years after they graduate and how they just can't even describe the joy they get from coming here. And while the speeches moved me and on certain aspects I did agree with them, I kept on thinking of track while they rambled on and on about drama. And how every word they said was how I felt about track. I love going to practice, I love the people, I love the crazy situations we get into, I love running, I love the coaches, I love weight room conversations, I love playing potato chips in the lobby looking like an idiot, I love the stupid things we come up with, I love beating myself at meets, I love loving track. That's it. And I'm so happy I'm back. :)

Me today running my 100 :)

** Drama isn't all the hell-hole I portrayed it to be these past couple months, yes it made me threaten to kill myself multiple times a day I'd say but in the end, a show is a show. And if you get joy out of putting it on, it was worth it. And I did I love putting on the show and I definitely don't regret my decision on auditioning. Will I do it next year? Only time will tell, but as of now I don't hate drama, even though you might think I do. :) Song stuck in my head today: "Song of Love" from Once Upon a Mattress :P Keep on keepin' on, Madison

A day.

Every morning when we wake up is a miracle. You should get out of bed a scream, "hallelujah!" and go out and live your life to the fullest. But life isn't a hallmark card, and odds are you won't go out there and do that. Odds are you'll wake up too early, cursing your alarm clock and try the best to muster up the energy to get out of bed and open your eyes. And sometimes, when you do approach your day in the right way: with open arms, a positive energy and a plan (or no plan!) things don't always go your way.

But you can't get stupid things get in the way of achieving what you want. Think of what you can do in a day. In a day you can save someones life, write a song that will inspire someone, cook a meal for your family, have a photoshoot, tell that certain someone how you really feel, make memories, ace that chemistry test, PR in your race, audition for a movie. WHATEVER YOUR HEART DESIRES!

So wheter your day consists of a mechanical school day, that just seems like lather, rinse, repeat or your day is hectic and crazy and always challenging or maybe you're able to lay around in your room all day find some way to spice it up! Add your own touch, and make it so you can look back and say 'that made my day' or 'what a great day'! Make it so when someone asks you "how was your day?" you don't just smile and say, "good", you have a story to tell.

Song stuck in my head today: "Both Sides, Now" by Joni Mitchell

Keep on keepin' on,

Madison