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