Nitty Gritty.

I can't believe it, but 2012 is coming to a close. It seems like just yesterday I was writing about bringing in the new year with the Midnight Society. Now, that just seems so far away. So much has happened, and so so much has changed. I thought about doing a month by month break down, but instead have opted just to list a few of the things I've learned in the last 350-ish days.

1. Never, under any circumstances answer the phone before 9 am (or before coffee) on NYE. Also never allow your best friend to do that, because nothing stings more than her tears on your pillows.

2. It's okay to fall asleep first at your NYE party....it's not ok to be hear stories and not believe it was you they happened to on New Year's Day.

3. Always make sure you leave the hotel with everything you took....especially if the hotel is in the Texas Hill Country and what you forgot are your make-up essentials.

4. Always slow down for your best friends, and this includes during SXSW.

5. Say thank you always....especially when someone else brings you coffee, and they fix it exactly how it should be fixed. (slighty tan with half a pink)

6. Know that change is scary, but it's part of growing up.

7. Brunch is not to be taken advantage of. If it is, you WILL end on a sidewalk in Clarksville crying to PT, Josie, Elva, and anyone else who answers their phone/ passes by.

8. Travel and have fabulous dinners.

9. Call your friends in the cities you travel to.

10. Give them a chance. Even if it's the exact opposite of what you've ever had in mind.

11. Forgive.

12. Open your heart as much as you open your mind.

13. Have confidence in your abilities, and then smile as you conquer....in a I'm proud of myself way, not in the BOOYAH BIOTCH sort of way.

14. Your first instinct is 9 times out of 10 the way to go. If it feels right don't force it to feel wrong.

15. Trust yourself.

16. Stop. And smell the roses...and know that roses aren't always beautiful flowers that grows from the earth. Sometimes, they're growing in other places and it just takes a minute to realize it.

17. Let the list keep growing. 

Now, don't get it twisted. I'm not by any means neglecting the fact that I am a stubborn mule with the tendency to completely disregard everything I know to be true. I am though, acknowledging the fact that although this year took me for a spin I was somehow able to take a few notes along the way. 

Applaud.

It's officially "the most wonderful time of the year" and this might possibly be the most excited I've been for the holidays ever! Or at least since I was a little g. ;) Maybe because it means that 2012, the year that began so beautifully but quickly spun out of control, is coming to an end. Maybe because I've spent less time home this year than any other and home is the only place I want to be right now. Unsolved mystery. Either way, it's here and this is my pledge to maintain composure until January 1st. 

(scary I know)

Seeing as how today is the eve of Thanksgiving and how I woke up full of gratitude, I thought it would be appropriate to put that energy out into the world...even if it's only Jecca and Ang who will see this. (That's 1/2 of my universe anyway.) So here goes...

- I'm thankful for my family, they know I'm a nut and always make me feel like I belong at the top of a Christmas tree. My two moms, my two dads, my sisters and their beautiful families, my Natball and all her greenness, and all the rest who will fill my holidays with laughter and insane stories I can bring back to my Austin family. (I know yall remember Maclovio.)

- I'm thankful for my job and all the opportunities it has presented to my over the last 4 1/2 years. It's been the driving force behind me and I can only hope it appreciates me the way I do it. 

- I'm thankful for my city. Austin, if I ever leave you it will be the worst breakup of my life. If you live here you get it. If you don't, you'll never really understand - and that's the truth. 

- I'm thankful for my best friends. The one I've been through it all with, the ones I met in college, and the ones I fell in love with after opening my eyes in Austin. Through all the crystal clear and fuzzy memories, the tears, the clinks, the HHCC's, and new chapters in our lives that we're already beginning to experience together (I'm talking to you VICK!) I could not ask for a more golden group in my life. 

- I'm thankful that the group above knows me well enough to know when I need to be told and when few words are enough. "She's a wild one" and they get it. 

- I'm thankful for having the GSD gene and my drive. I've come to realize that there are few people who have it and even though I sometimes hate it, I'm so glad that I have it. 

- I'm thankful for my health. 

- I'm thankful for my boots.

- I'm thankful for my Brita.

- I'm thankful for Whole Foods and Snap Kitchen.

- I'm thankful that no matter where I go in the world, music is always in my head.

- I'm thankful for my car.

- I'm thankful for my past. 

- I'm thankful my mentors.

- I'm thankful for my sense of humor. 

- I'm thankful that I can still cry while watching movies.

- I'm thankful for the #2012midnightsociety . 

- I'm thankful for yoga. 

I'd like to go on, but I just realized I'm in bed and have to be in my office in 30 minutes! Any who, more to come! 

xo - ACG

Falling into it.

Fall in Texas isn't like fall in the other parts of the country. It can be hot and cold all in the same day, let alone the same week. There's a certain crispness in the air that you can smell, and it's hard to tell when you can start wearing boots and scarves, but when it's the right time you just know. At the risk of sounding cheesy, it's pretty magical. 

Right now in Austin the shift is beginning to happen. The air is changing, the mornings and nights are cooler, and summer scarves are being traded in for pashminas. My favorite is the luster, the golden hour. I believe in the film industry the "golden hour" is that small window of time when the light is just right. It could be captured as morning or night because in the grand scheme, it's morning turning into day and day turning into night on the planet. 

Golden hour is usually the same time I begin shutting down shop in the office, catching up with my sister or best friend on the way home, and then completely unplugging for the remaining 45 minutes. Sometimes I lay in silence, sometimes I let music play, but most importantly I'm still and so is the world around me. This isn't only a fall activity, but I guess the new shift in the seasons has made it seem just a little sweeter. 

It's impossible to recognize the new weather without a hint of nostalgia. I remember my first fall as an Austin resident - attacked by ragweed in the air, trying to figure out what I was doing post-undergrad, being a crazy 20-something with a new found freedom. My second fall in Austin, new friendships with musicians and bloggers, still trying to figure it out but being more comfortable with the idea of never figuring it out. My third fall, sneaking off and stealing kisses in the last city I ever expected and then realizing that it was all just a dream. My fourth fall....Well I guess we'll just have to wait and see. 

Haiku and Running Theft's met in the desert

Number Forty-One

In my life, I love you more.

Traveling soldier

"But of all these friends and lovers, there is no one compares with you. "

Home? Stay Gold. Damn you, Tejas.

As per usual I have a thousand things running through my mind. Good luck keeping track on this. 

I went home this weekend and for the first time in a really really long time I wasn't ready to leave. Not that I ever jump for joy at the sight of N-IH35, but I usually can tell when it's time for me to come back to my little corner of the world. This time there was a certain sense of sadness, if you will. I don't even know how to describe it. I wanted to stay with my family. I wanted to take my family with me. I knew I  was coming back to a city I love, but my mom's kitchen table (and awesome Keurig) wouldn't be there waiting for me to wake up on Sunday morning. It's been almost 10 years since I've lived in San Antonio and everything I've ever had a real connection with there is completely different. My high school, my parents homes, my sisters homes, the church I grew up in - everything. Even the streets we used to fly down when we were wreckless teens have been repaved and the undeveloped areas where we used to stargaze are now busy strip malls. It's amazing, and not in the feel-good kind of way. Every corner looks like every other corner, and I'm ashamed to say that I'd probably get terribly lost if I tried to drive to my Grand's house.  As I drove away from the city that raised me I felt an overwhelming sense of nostalia, and had I allowed myself to do so, I would have cried. 

~~~~

Stay Gold. 

I thought about getting a tattoo. After a couple of days I decided I should probably let that simmer. I told my sweet friend I'd probably just paint it instead. His advice, "Definitely start with paint and see where it takes you..." Not a bad idea. 

~~~~

As I left Hyatt Lost Pines today it was impossible not to stare at the sky on the way back to Austin. All I could think of was, "Damn you Tejas, how's a girl ever supposed to get out of here when you keep painting your sky so pretty?" Not that I'm planning on leaving, but I wouldn't say I'm necessarily planning on staying. 

Le sigh.

Sappy Sweets: Meet-a-versary

Short version: 

It's 1980something and a girl walks into her first college party after moving into her freshman dorm. She already knows that her life is going to change dramatically, but not sure in what ways exactly. She's kind of bored, and just when she's about to leave she meets eyes with a boy who is kinda off to the side observing the party - equally as bored. They chat and hang out the rest of the night. They become best friends, begin dating, share every single new college experience together, and oh yeah - fall madly in love. They graduate. They get married, and are currently living happily ever after.  Each year they celebrate their meet-a-versary and her gushing coworker gets glassy-eyed every time she hears the sweet story.

Around the time I turned 24 things around me really started to change. I landed an awesome gig with a few strings attached, and because of this I met an insane amount of new people. I had been out of college for about a year and a half, and did my best to avoid questions like "What are your goals," or "What do you see yourself doing in five years?"


It didn't take long for me to realize that I was often times the youngest person in the room and least accomplished. I can remember one day sitting and realizing almost all of my new friends were at least 4 years older than me. I was 24. They were 28 - and they just had it together. Friends - check. Career - check. Serious boyfriends or husbands - check. I wondered how did I ever get in with them? This is great!  And above all else, I couldn't wait to be 28! 


Some time has passed and although I can't remember everything I was thinking back then, I do remember thinking 28 was going to be my power year. I'd be super on track and all things love and life would align perfectly. I'd be healthy and happy, and nothing was going to hold me tighter than I wanted it to. Hmmmm.


I turned 25 and just the sound of it hurt. I turned 26, and tried to keep it as fuss-free as possible. I don't see my "28" year old friends as often as I used to, and it turns out they might not have it as together as I thought they did.... And to be honest, that's pretty comforting. 


I'll have a birthday soon, and I'm still amazed at how much can change in a year. There are some pretty big changes stirring in the pot and I don't think I'm willing to wait a whole other year for my power year. Call me impatient, but I think 27 just might be my power year after all. 


We'll see. 

~ACG

Decision made.

I broke my rule - instead of being upset for 3 days only I allowed myself to be upset for a weekend and some change. This morning, however I made a decision - it's time to step up and face the music. (Literally.) 


"If you run away from everything that scares you, you miss all the fun..." a wise woman once told me. Maybe that's just what I needed to hear. 

I say if you can't change it, you better own it. 

~ A Charlie Gal

2001

The problem with growing up has little to do with becoming a mature adult. The real problem has to do with leaving your "childish" dreams behind you. You know, the ones where you are 15 again - you're falling in love with the guy who works at your favorite store and he's actually falling in love with you too. The 15 year-old who has someone to walk her to class, waits for her after dance team practice, and writes notes about nothing at all....but folds them in a way that you pray you'll be able to replicate. The problem with growing up, and becoming the person you say you've "always wanted to be" is the fact that sometimes when you get there, you lose all the other stuff. The funny guitar riffs you tried so hard to learn, the roof tops you sat on, the sky you gazed upon - it's just not the same. Birthday presents...wait you're 17 now?  You try to listen to  the songs the wind sang, and they don't sound anything like the way you remembered. July is still the saddest month. 


You find a box full of love - letters, mixtapes, and ticket stubs - and push it further under your bed. It was a different life - before you grew up.... 


It's a different world now. A world with text messages, iPhones and Facebook - and although you try to join that world with this world you, you just can't. You remember a city with a beach, convertible cars, and parks with rain...and all you can do is cry, fold them up, and hope that when the time comes you won't have to throw the entire box in a recycle bin. You just want those years, and you want them forever. 


Try as you may, you change and you grow, then eventually you grow up. Some change their name and others just change locations - that's the problem with growing up. 

~ ACG

Sent. Delivered. Read.

Well hello! I know it's been a while, and I promise my absence has come with good reason and not a case of reckless abandonment. 


SXSW was definitely different than any other. We worked, we played, and then worked a lot more. My days began with tacos and ended with tacos, and if I wasn't working or sleeping I either had a vodka in my hand or was screaming at someone (possibly about getting sleep or vodka). Shameful, I know. 


Each year after SX I have about a week before the annual AGbod Shut Down. This year, I had approximately 36 hours. Before I knew it I was leaving work and calling Mama. This year's shut down was a lot like this year's festival. MEGA. Even now, about three weeks later I'm still not 100%. (Reaches for inhaler....yes.)


Anywho, another year and another SX. I came, I saw, I conquered. Ohhhh and I texted. (cringe, that word still bugs me.)


In the land of iEverything, there has been an interesting development. iMessage. From my understanding, this is similar Blackberry Messenger. I've never had a blackberry, so I  really don't know. Nutshell: gives the sender the ability to see whether or not there messages were seen...or shall we say acknowledged. When I first learned of this nifty little feature I immediately hoped it was optional. 


I admit I can be a jerk, especially when I'm stressed, sleepy and/or hungry, however when it comes to texting I practice good manners. If you text me, I'll text you back. I take a whole 7 seconds to reply to the sender after I see the message. For the most part my response is immediate, if not it's because for some reason my phone is not attached to my hand and I get to it within a few hours. I'm not saying my response is always pleasant, but the point is I respond.


So why didn't I want iMessage? Because, it's just too much! It's a good way to get your feelings hurt for no reason. I don't want my feelings hurt, and I don't want to hurt someone else's feelings. I'm not into it. I'm also not into disappointing or being disappointed. Which all have happened since I updated my software and had iMessage. 

"Where ignorance is bliss, tis folly to be wise." 

Knowledge is power, but we don't need to know everything. There is a ton more that can be said about this subject, but I'm pretty sure you see where I stand. 


Settings > Messages > Send Read Receipts > OFF! 


Thou shalt not disappoint in the form of iMessage. (Or hopefully in any other form.) I can't help but think this is Apple's way of making sure we all live in some kind of Bravo reality show. #manerve

~ ACG

The Great Abyss

I planned to write a whole survival guide on what to do and not to do during SXSW, however seeing as I'm incredibly exhausted and now cross-eyed this as good as it's gonna get. Oh and did I mention that I just told one of my favorite people I was going to "KICK HIS ASS!" Soooo yeah.....here you go. (I dare you to point out my grammatical errors. Double dog.)

1. Remember, it's a marathon not a sprint. People will practically be paying you to drink so chill out. Take the slow and steady route, not the sitting on 6th crying with a pizza route. 

2. Control yourself and your bladder. I mean it. 

3. Wear appropriate shoes. You will be judged and laughed at for trying to look cute in your stilettos. Don't be stupid. Trust me on this one! You deserve to have blisters and toe nails falling off if you don't. I have no sympathy. People will wear crazy things. Shocker. Isn't that why you came to Austin? (20 bucks says they'll be in comfortable shoes)

4. Carry hand sanitizer and TP. You'll thank me after your first bathroom experience. 

5. Eat. 

6. Drink water. Lots of it. 

7. Don't be greedy. You know you're not really ever going to wear that free t-shirt. Go for the functional swag....and I don't mean another koozy.

8. You know that little schedule you've been trying to color coordinate? Throw it away. Now. 

9. Stressed out about said schedule and overwhelming amount of RSVPs you haven't done? Kindly STFU.

10. NO does not mean GO. As in, "NO, YOU CANNOT COME IN" "NO, WE ARE AT CAPACITY" "NO, YOU CANNOT USE OUR RESTROOM" This is a good way to get security called on your belligerent ass, and then you'll get thrown in the drunk tank or the chokey. Not a good look. Ever heard of www.bustedinATX.com?

11. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. DON'T DO IT DURING SXSW, DON'T DO IT EVER. It's not worth it. $20 cab ride or $20,000 in legal fees.

12. Get out of downtown and away from SXSW stuff for a little while each day....not just when you go to bed. Believe me, the retreat is necessary. 

13. Say thank you and mean it. A lot of people work really hard for you to have the best time of your life. 

14.  Forgive your friends when they become overwhelmed and give you crazy looks or threaten to kick your ass. It's the most wonderful time of the year. 

AND ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE...

15. RESPECT THE ART!!!! The music, the film, the style, the energy, the magic you'll feel when you drive into town and the sadness you'll feel when it's all over. Practice live music etiquette and don't throw your trash in the street. 

Ok, there, have fun. A wise man once said, "Don't start nothing, it won't be nothing." 

clank clank. 

Sweet Dreams

Last night I had dream that I ran into an old heartbreak hotel and he asked me what I do now. Knowing that my current situation is likely much better than his (word on the street) I repositioned my shoulders, crossed my arms and replied, “Whatever I want.” Just then I heard sirens, which in reality was my alarm clock. I rolled over, hit snooze and continued to lay in bed. I replayed my dream in my head and literally LOL’d as I said out loud, “Whatever I want.” 

I know it was a dream, but I don’t think it was that far fetched. I mean….I really do do whatever I want. Dreams are funny. 

Go do something. Whatever you want. 

~ A Charlie Gal

Daily gratitude: Today I am so grateful for being able to live up to the freedom I have in my dreams. 

QLC, be gone!

I've never been one to plan out each and every step of my life, and considering how goal-oriented I tend to be this might come as a shocker. I've never said, "When you're 22 you will graduate from college, when you're 24 you will have a blah blah blah, when you're 30 you'll have additional blah blah blah." Maybe I never said it because I just assumed that all of the "blah blah blahs" would happen on their own. Well you know what happens when you assume. 


I still don't necessarily think I'm one of those people, but I have noticed a few things about my current life that make me say, "This should not be happening at this age." Like deciding to buy a purse that I already have in a different color and not buying groceries that week. Adults don't make poor decisions like that do they? Before I start going down the list of bad decisions let me move on. 


I mentioned last night about the QLC rearing it's ugly head recently, but when I took a minute to observe what was happening around me I noticed that a lot of the people closest to me were going through something similar. Then I read an article about people born after 1984 and our need for instant gratification because of the world we grew up in. Although the article had many valid points, I'd just like to say that yes, I do love instant gratification as much as the next millenial, BUT I also work hard. Very hard. Everyday. I worked two jobs while being a full-time undergrad. I had two internships and was practically on suicide watch for the entire two weeks I thought I might have to move home post graduation. Then I worked in different areas of my company to get to the position I'm in now, and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. That's my story, and it's a very similar story for many of my friends. Take that Huffington Post! 


In case you didn't notice, the article hit a nerve. I may not have all my ducks in a row, but I refuse to let that article convince me that I'm one of those kids who goes to job interviews holding their mommy's hand. Move around, fool. Instead of taking out my frustration on treadmill or the nearest punching bag (literal or metaphorical), I did what many 1985 babies do - I got on Pinterest. Hey, when all else fails PIN!  


These are for all my 20-somethings that are brilliant, hungry for more, and in their own minds "just can't seem to get it right." (Really anyone, but I'm partial towards the 26ers.) 

True dat.

Think about it...

Annoying, but true. #manerve

Patience, my pretties.

Nothing wrong with that! Hold on tight. 

Because in the end, "We just might be the luckiest people alive."

~A Charlie Gal

The Texas. The Gold. I want more.

"Charlie hasn't written a thing lately."

"Maybe because Charlie has writers block and has been mad as DUCK lately!!!....Charlie probably needs an attitude adjustment."

"Well that seems like a good place to start"

"Yeah, maybe you're right"

He was definitely right. Now that I've started, let me thank my highly medicated and dear, dear friend Tje, who has talent oozing out of his nose (among other things.) Sometimes I need a good kick in the ars. When Tje notices this necessity, he offers the gentlest nudge full of encouragement. Always. 


It's been an interesting couple of weeks. Valentimes, yes times, passed us by and I took a short tour of the North Texas. Ever go on a long drive and not realize how badly you needed to just drive? That was exactly what happened. I drove forever it seemed and was able to clear out some of my crazy thoughts. Or so I thought. I spent a long 3-day weekend with my best friend and her family, and Chocolate Charlie herself. It was a blast. It was the perfect escape, but not nearly as long as I would have liked. That's just the way it goes though, right?


I returned to my little town and was hit in the face with SXSW. You know, that little festival I mentioned before. All of Austin is buzzing right now, and the general consensus is that this year is going to be the biggest, the craziest, and the most something we can't quite name yet. It's exciting and scary all at the same time. I know I still have so much preparation to do, but for the most part I'm just dying for it to begin. (Which reminds me, I need to upload a photo for my badge tomorrow...which means I need to do my makeup flawlessly...good Lord I hope my hair doesn't look nutty!) Sorry, that was the ADHD kicking in again. 


Aside from driving all over the Texas, and over-indulging on just about everything I've started a couple new projects. I've taken on juicing, which surprisingly is not nearly as crazy as it sounds. In fact, I'd say it's quite delicious. It requires about five minutes of prep time, five minutes of actual juicing, and another five minutes for clean up. Not bad for a busy gal.  Oh, and by juicing I don't mean steroids! Maybe I should have explained that earlier. Whoopsy! 


I also splashed around with some water colors and canvas. Let's just say that when you're bored and quasi-upset on a Saturday night it's a good way to remove yourself without removing yourself. Upset? Oh about that...you know, a 20-something can only go so long without having another quarterlife-crisis. I guess the sand was running thin. 


2012 started with two things: glitter and gold. Somehow in the last month and a half it's lost a lot of that same luster. I'm ready to get back to it, and I have a feeling SXSW is going to get me there. In the words of the leprechaun guy, 

"WHERE DA GOLD AT?!! I WANT DA GOLD!"

See you @ SXSW! 

~A Charlie Gal

Saint Valentino

Today is February 14th and even though you are probably reading this on the 15th, just know the intent of you reading this on V-day was there.

I've had so many different ideas on where to take this post and here I am now...with a case of the block. Please excuse the hodge podge of a post you are about to read. Where do I begin? Well, I guess from the beginning of my Valentine's Day experiences. 

Charlie, my main man. Growing up my dear, sweet Daddy always did something sweet for his girls. By the time I was 9 years old I came to expect balloons in my bedroom when I opened my eyes and a heart shaped box full of chocolates by the time I made it down to the kitchen. It was simple. It was sweet. And the message was recieved. I'll never forget the morning I woke up when he was sneaking in to put the balloons in front of my bed. He tried making me think I was dreaming! hehe Oh Daddy, silly silly. 

From age nine until I was about 15, my dad was my main squeeze. Then came a young man and my first real "Valentine's Day". It was possibly the cutest one ever. Among the mini gifts I received was a sneaker box filled with Hershey's kisses and a ratty old pair of sneakers. Completely confused, I dumped the box to find a small note saying "I'd walk a million miles for one of your kisses" and 1/2 of a heart-shaped pendent that read "God be with us while we are together and apart." It made me gush and I was crazy-stupid in love. I still have the necklace and always say a little prayer for him. Who would have thought that after all this time, the decisions we've made, and the people we've transformed in and out of, that we would still be such good friends? 

Moving on, college was an interesting time....one that is not really worth getting into right now. However, there was this one St. Valentino day that I had the flu and woke up to meds with big pink bows, homemade soup, and hot tea. That was presh.

Fast forward to 2010, and you'd find me in a hospital crying with my best friend who had just given birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy. Later that night I listened to her mom tell me her love stories and fill my eyes with stars. You want love one Valentine's Day? Well you should have been there. Even though those loves had little to do with myself, I cannot think of any other time I saw more love on February 14th. Happy birthday baby boy, Auntie Mandy loves you so much.

Honestly though, most of my favorite lovey dovey moments have happened on just plain regular days. Like when a friend somehow snuck an arrangement of roses into my dorm room because everyone was moving home for the summer, or in little love notes with song lyrics with perfect timing. Even checking my inbox while in a foreign country and one-liners like "I just wanted to say I was thinking of you and I hope you are having a good time." Were those on Valentino day? No. Does it make them any less special? Absolutely not. Another favorite has to do with Sour Patch Kids and a porch swing. 

This time around has been quite interesting. I've gotten a few "Remember me?" messages (for the most part, I'd rather not), of course the mass "Happy Single's Awareness Day" messages, you know the drill. I've never been anti-valentine's day, but I get why some people have such strong feelings against it. But let's be honest, what's wrong with expressing a little love? Maybe today was created for the people who can't ever really express how they feel and really do need a reason to do show it. Or, maybe Hallmark is just greedy. Guess we'll never know. 

I couldn't let you go celebrate without some tunes though. I'm single and today my music choices reflect that. Whatever type of single you are today - pissed TFO, drunk & depressed, content or optimistic/giddy (Chronic Crushers like myself I'm looking at you) - I've got something for ya. Follow me on Spotify or click here. Special shout out and a hue thank you to Chocolate Charlie and Half-n-Half Charlie. Love yall Bouj's!

Speaking of chocolate, how's this for Valentino choco-la-ta-tay!

Happy Valentino Day!

~ A Charlie Gal

Whitney, I will always love you.

Last night the world received some of the saddest news in music. We've lost another incredible music icon. Whitney Houston. Although her cause of death is still unknown most people, including myself, are assuming it was drug-related. I am not a celebrity and cannot imagine the kind of pressure they are constantly under, however it just kills me to know that these people can be so reckless knowing the world is watching them. How many of us grew up wanting to be just like Whitney Houston? So many. 


I don't want this to sound like a bash, but I am so mad at her. We all have our demons, but it just kills me when someone's demons kill them. We don't know exactly what happened. We probably never will. I do know that Whitney Houston was a magnificent performer and the world has and will continue to miss her.  

Rest in peace, Whitney. 

~ A Charlie Gal

Every year at the same time, this fair city of Austin, TX turns into a magical and messy place. Musicians, film makers, and interweb genius' all flock to town and the city goes wild! What is it? SXSW....if you don't know what that is, then chances are you shouldn't. This two week span of parties, music, films, and everything in between is my favorite time of year. There is absolutely nothing like it, and just driving down IH-35 you can feel this magical and creative energy. It's like Christmas in the spring. 

So many of my most precious Austin moments happened during this window - like the first year I went to the Fader Fort. I sat in the grass with my friend Evan and we were both just enchanted by how awesome everything was - the music, the weather, our lives at that very moment. "I think this is what Heaven is like," were his exact words. I could not disagree. 

That said, the month before SX is quite different. The entire city is abuzz trying to prepare for the biggest time of year. When we welcome the world to our living room, knowing good and well that just because all these out-of-towners looooove Austin, they will completely use, abuse, and then spit it out while they are here. We're mentally prepping for our "Cheers" type bars to become full of people who don't know our names, and remembering times when seeing a familiar face was more than a relief...it was a saving grace. We're also living by the letters G.S.D.

Speaking of G.S.D. - my colleagues and I have been completely under the gun. I feel as though every single day I am saying to myself, "You did it last year, G. Do it again! Do it!" And then guess what? I'm one step closer. This is the time when everyone's first words to each other are, "How are you holding up? You ready for SX?!" and everyone's response is, "Man, we're soooo busy." There is little room to complain because everyone is going through the exact same thing you are. 

I've said it once, and I'll probably say it a million more times. I am my father's daughter. Among the things I've inherited from good ol' Charlie is this little tag line "No news is good news." Which I am realizing may not be entirely healthy...for people who care about me and this little world I'm living in. It's easy for me to get caught up in my long days and short nights without even taking a minute to send a "Hey what up dawg," text to my sweet uncle, or even reply to a note in my gmail....don't even get me started on facebook messages. So here I go. I promise to make more of an effort to reach out and keep open lines of communication with the people I care about. (bends pinky finger) I'd also like to apologize in advance for everything that is to come out of my mouth, finger tips, and facial expressions. I'll try my hardest to control myself, but somethings are just beyond me. 

For you out-of-towners coming into my dear, sweet city, please pick up your trash. Pizza plates do not belong on 6th Street, I don't care how dirty it is. AND DO NOT MOVE HERE! 

Now, scamper off and start exercising your liver and load up on vitamin C - you're going to need it!

Clankity Clank! 

~A Charlie Gal

Friendly reminder.

We are one month and some change into 2012 and I've recently found myself falling into some of my 2011 ways. It's this time of year when a lot of people start breaking their resolutions and it is really easy to get back into relax mode. 


Well ladies and gents, consider this a wake up call and a reset button. Let's try to think of what we said we were going to do for 2012 and consider January a warm-up lap. Pull out that outfit you swore you'd fit into by the time SX rolled around. Pick up your cell and remember why you changed peoples names from something pleasant and promising to literary "Proceed w/Caution" signs. (Or vice versa) Think about it. Yeah, you know exactly what I mean. Remember exactly why you made certain goals and repeat them to yourself. (Quietly or from the roof tops, the choice is yours.) 


My point is this: almost 35 days ago we made a deal with ourselves and we had good reasons behind them. Let those reasons float on up. Actions speak louder than words, right? Well let's see what happens when we start acting on our own words. How can we expect this from other people if we aren't willing to give it a shot ourselves?

REady, SET, go! 

~A Charlie Gal

Me & my (short) hair

There are certain things I can deny all day - sneaking a Girl Scout cookie and breaking my diet, eating the whole box of said cookies by myself in less than a week, and even the fact that I sometimes watch Love and Hip Hop. Stop right there, I know you are judging me and my half-confession. 


Other things I can't deny...at all. Example? I cannot deny the fact that I geek out over the Grammy's, I can't deny that I am slightly obsessed with Mob Wives, and I absolutely cannot deny the fact that I am a vain girly-girl. I just can't. 


That said, I've gone through a somewhat major appearance transformation in the past 6 months or so. When I began this writing project my hair was literally to my waist. About 24 hours later it was to my chin and I was suddenly aware of how full my cheeks were. And so, my everlong dieting life jumped into full force....or something like that. (I told yall I'm vain, jeez.)


Silly as this may sound, there was something incredibly liberating about chopping my hair off. My hair had been long for years and I had been growing my hair so that I could donate it to Locks of Love, but not everyone knew that. Several people approached me asking if something crazy was going on in my life. With looks of concern they asked, "Is everything ok?" I found it hilarious that all these people thought I had some kind of Angela Bassett, Waiting to Exhale, moment. Not the case at all. I did however get kind of addicted to my new no-fuss locks and didn't stop at a cute little bob. Nope, I pushed my limits and went shorter and shorter. Finally,  just before NYE I went full throttle pixie and when I got home wanted to hide under a rock. There was no hiding my new Bieber-looking do, and even if a hat could do the trick I couldn't wear it at work. A few days later,  all my "ohhh my hair" insecurities had subsided and I was loving me some pixie hair! 


Fast forward one month and one touch -up later, and here I am. Annoyed with having no choice but having short hair. Sure, it was liberating and has been pretty easy-breezy, but now what? I'm pretty much driving myself crazy with this hair debacle. I see pictures of my old hair and think, "Aw you're hair was pretty, and long, and shiny, and you could curl it or you could straighten it." And then I look again and think, "But you were sooooo dumb back then." (I'm sure that just comes from the memories associated with the photos, but still.) Then I go to the gym, (because I'm super vain and know if I don't my short hair will only enhance my super round cheeks) and have hair stuck to my face because I can't pull it back. I really miss having a ponytail. I also really miss being annoyed by not being able to find a hair tie....or finding hair ties everywhere. (Ohhh, the simple things you take for granted.) And then, just when I start re-accepting my short hair, I have a bad hair week. (Notice I said week not day....they linger now.)


Having a bad hair day with long hair is one thing. You can work with it. You can pull it back or throw it in a bun, maybe even a cute side braid. Having a bad hair week with short hair, and you're pretty much done. Not much stands between you and Danny Devito. Oh you think that's funny? It's awful! All the girly-girl femininity goes out the window when you have short-short hair and a bad hair week. Don't you dare forget to put on earrings. What you don't have an extra pair in your work desk, car, and purse? Oh you don't? What about an extra stash of lip gloss? I've found myself really striving to be extra girly lately. Lipstick, nail polish, heels, BRING IT ON! I have to make it clear that my short hair does not indicate me feeling masculine....I just have short hair! AHHHHH!!!!


.......Ok, I'm done. I just had to get that out. Yesterday I decided it was time to start growing my hair out. Last night I decided I'd keep it short. This morning I decided to give head-bands a try. What I've determined is this: I'm a HOT MESS! We'll see how this story ends. All I hope for is a smooth transition along the way. Fingers crossed! 

~ A Charlie Gal

p.s. Thanks for entertaining that. I'm sure my vanity annoys you as much as it does me.

FriDale FriDale!

Well folks,


It's officially 6:00 pm and I am officially off the day-job clock! This has been one of those weeks where I'm damn sure I earned my paycheck. It's FriDale, and now I get to have some clinky and carry on with Operation ZC World Domination. (Girls just want to have fun!)


I have no plans for this weekend other than going to brunch on Sunday immediately followed by Big Al's Superbowl party.....we'll see what Saturday has in store for me. 


Hope all you little Bouji's have a delightful weekend! I imagine you'll be hearing from me again soon!

Silver Fox and FriDale namesake...

Mr. Dale Watson

Clinky Clink,

~ A Charlie Gal

I was framed.

I cannot believe how fast 2012 is already flying by. It seems like just last night the gals and I were assigning times to our sparkly NYE dresses and dancing to the sounds of our laughter, clinking glasses, and of course...Blackstreet. It's hard to believe that tomorrow brings on a new month and a slew of new opportunities. Some of my favorite people were born this month, and how can we forget... it's Cupid's month. Don't act like you don't know what I mean. 


As I may have mentioned, I have an ever growing obsession with Pinterest. So much so, that I have decided I must only partake in pinning 2-3 days a week, for 30 minute increments (I use a timer), and even seriously considered deleting the app on my phone. Well thanks to this new kick, I've been on a DIY frenzy. Give me some spray paint, a hammer, some duct tape, and you've got yourself a masterpiece - a la ACG. Here is one of my favorite doings:

Created on 1/22/12

This past weekend I attended a seminar (to say the least) and when I walked in was immediately slapped in the face with all kinds of empty picture frame arrangements strikingly similar to the one I had created in my casita. It was kind of strange, but mostly amazing. The theme of said seminar was "Picture this" and we spent a lot of time focusing on our framework and various pieces of our lives. I pictured where I've been, where I am, and where I want to go. We spoke about creating our own pictures and my mouth literally fell to the floor when I found this picture and realized that I coincidentally left a few frames completely empty. Well maybe not coincidentally...


My entire life I have always believed that everything happens for a reason. Every behavior, action, and reaction is completely out of our control no matter how "in control" we feel we are. Walking into a room of frames after having created my own was proof of this.


I thought I was creating this frame arrangement because I was bored and simply wanted to recreate something I had seen online, but now I realize that I really did this so I could have a constant reminder of what I rediscovered on January 28th. As far out as it may sound there is not a bone in my body that does not truly believe that. 


When I was 23 I read something a friend posted online. She mentioned that she rarely speaks about her beliefs or practices because it is just so precious to her. At the time I just didn't fully understand what she meant. Now almost four years later I completely understand. It's not that she was ashamed or thought people wouldn't understand, it's simply that it was so precious she wanted to keep it safe and protect it. The same way you place your favorite ring in a cushioned jewelry box or maybe even how some people refuse to post (or let anyone else post)pictures of their new born baby. You can whole-heartedly believe in something without screaming it from the roof tops, and this is coming from someone who screams a lot of things from a lot of roof tops. Sometimes people would rather whisper, or even hold onto something so close that no one even knows they have it. It's as simple as that. Some things are just like the wind. 

~A Charlie Gal

A dot com, I am.

You may have noticed that I was experiencing some technical difficulties for about two weeks. Well, now that that is over it's time to celebrate my tiny accomplish that is a really BIG deal to me...

I'M A DOT COM!!!!

Yep, now you can find me and my sweet little writing thang at www.acharliegal.com! (And I figured it out on my own!) One small step for man, one giant step for MANDY! Or something like that. Let's just say that phase one of Operation ACG Facelift has been completed. More to come my pretties. I'm going to try as hard as I can to be completely involved in this process, but I'm not going to lie - I'm pretty terrified (and stupid) when it comes to technology stuff. I can tweet, I can pin, and that's about as good as it gets. Luckily, I have extremely talented friends who are patient and willing to help me learn the ways of the interwebs. Hang tight, we'll get there soon enough. 

Tonight I'm having dinner with a dear friend and mentor from my Texas State days at a small cafe on the East side. I'm sure it will be as lovely as it sounds. 

~ A Charlie Gal