Fred & Daphne Solve A Mystery

| Now Playing: Breathin by Ariana Grande |

Some days

Things just take

Way too much of my energy

I look up and the whole room spinning

You take

My cares away

I can so over complicate

People tell me to medicate

Feel my blood running

Swear the sky’s falling

How do I know if this shit’s fabricated?

Time goes by and I

Can’t control my mind

Don’t know what else to try

But you tell me every time

Just keep

Breathin and breathin and breathin and breathin

And oh I gotta keep

Keep on breathin

Just keep

Breathin and breathin and breathin and breathin

And oh I gotta keep

Keep on breathin

_________________________________________________

What a fairly eventful week it’s been since the last blog. I’m pleased to say that I’ve FINALLY listened to Ariana’s new album and while the song in the NP is the absolute clear stand out, the rest of the album, to me, is just kinda meh? I’m super bummed about it, but I sort of expected it. When Dangerous Woman came out, I was floored because it was the album I had been waiting for from here and it delivered so hard, and I was worried about the follow up not being as strong for me. And alas, here we are. But breathin is a damn gem, and I’ve been singing it a lot the past couple days. Along with The Greatest Show from Greatest Showman because we finally finished the movie all the way through this past week, and fuck, those last thirty seconds UGH. So damn good. 

My boyfriend and I have been on this kick lately where we just end up watching movies either we haven’t seen or one of us hasn’t seen and it’s been really relaxing. We both finally got to see A Wrinkle In Time and, despite the amazing cast, and our massive desire to adopt the little boy playing Charles Wallace, the movie was kind of a let down. Not because the subject matter or acting was bad, just I feel like everything wasn’t really explained well enough, so it kind of didn’t have any sort of pay off in the end because it’s like... okay sure, happy ending, but I’m still stuck on how all of this even happened. It’s just messy and I wanted so bad to love it but it’s a miss from me. Sorry Disney. We also watched Coraline, which I had never seen before, and that was actually really good. Again, sort of curious as to the whole explaining part of things, but it was at least better, in my opinion, than A Wrinkle In Time. 

And because earlier in the week I had agreed to stay after just a little bit in exchange for having my schedule changed, I got both days of the weekend off, which was such a wonderful blessing, especially considering the fact that I start at my new store this coming Saturday, so it was nice to have this one weekend free of work commitments. So after getting to sleep in Saturday morning, we got up, had some Chick Fil A (which I’ll admit is so damn good despite some of the company’s moral standings) and then we finished the final touches on the painting of our shoes that we had started Friday night. Our shoes actually ended up amazing, and it was super exciting to see the spray paint plan actually work in our favor.  Here’s a picture of us as Daphne and Fred!

Then we get to the party. Of course, we get their first like the punctual gays that we are, and Chelsea starts explaining a game that we’re all gonna participate in that will win a prize just like the best costume prize. She gave us, and the guests who came after us, two necklaces, and there were three words we couldn’t say throughout the night: costume, shots, and party. And if anyone catches anyone saying one of these three words, you can call them out on it and steal one of their necklaces. Person with the most necklaces at the end of the night wins a prize. It was actually a really fun game, and a lot harder than everyone thought it would be. But we started with some Jell-O shots that Chelsea had made and started drinking and catching up and everything. And then everyone started to arrive. We got to meet some of Chelsea’s other friends, and all of them were pretty chill and fun. 

One of them, Krista, had this game on her phone called Picolo which was basically like a phone based version of Kings, so we played that and it was actually a ton of fun, highly recommend. Anyway, everyone’s getting to know each other and we’re all having a good time. Then it comes to voting for best costume, and we lost by one point! And even though the person who won definitely had a great outfit, it was store bought, just saying, but I’m not bitter or anything...

People started to leave around 1 or so, and we were still playing Picolo because everyone was enjoying it so much, people are feeling lit. Then things took a turn for the worst when one of Chelsea’s friends got a little too drunk and insisted on driving himself home. Well no one there wanted him to hurt himself or anyone else so we told him to get an Uber and everything went downhill from there. To make a long story short, the cops were called and I think his parents came too and he ended up getting home alright. It was a really weird and hostile situation, just because he was so belligerent, but it was weirdly bonding I guess between the ones who stayed back to make sure everything worked out alright. The only downside to this was by the time we got home, it was 6am. As in the sun was on its way up. And we had to brush out the hair color from our hair, and take showers to get it all out, so we were up until almost 8am, and it was a lot. But we at least got a few hours of sleep, woke up around 2, and we both had headaches. Luckily the entire day was pretty much a recovery day. We had plans to go see A Star Is Born, but we were just too worse for the wear, and there wasn’t enough time in the day for us to really go. But hopefully we can see it soon because I really want to see it. 

Then work started back up and ugh. At least I did get confirmation officially that I’m starting at the other store Saturday no matter what, so I’ve been totally looking forward to that, but this work week has been so aggravating. I’m so tired of being tethered to the register, of being the person that does the most work (my department manager said this to me, so I’m not just hyping myself up, just saying) and I’m just sick of the people to be honest. There’s literally not a single person back there that doesn’t get in my nerves a little bit. Maybe that says more about me than them, but I digress. Why can’t they all be like the only pseudo friend I have here and be named Crystal? I haven’t seen much of her lately, but I did see her Monday I think and told her I was leaving. I need to try and track her down to exchange numbers or something because she’s good people. 

On to more happier things, my boyfriend is finally getting a new car officially, so bye bye rental car and honestly, I’m gonna miss that red Murango. But he’s getting a red version of his car that they totaled, so that’ll be great when he gets it Saturday. And speaking of happier things, Taylor Swift opened the AMAs last night and bitch. I am shook. It was so fucking good, I did a reaction to it, and bitch annihilated everyone. Not only did she speak out about voting, and how she voted (#MikeHuckabeeIsOverParty) but she transcended the Heavens with last nights performance. And she became the most awarded artist in AMA history after her four wins last night, so bye Kanye, you’re cancelled. 

I haven’t been sleeping that great, and he hasn’t been feeling that well, so the plan for the rest of the week is to just chill and wait until the weekend really. Riverdale comes back on tonight and I’m super excited. PLUS, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend comes back on Friday, so we’re booked this week for TV. Here’s to relaxing. Oh, I don’t know if I mentioned it or not, but the first place that I sent my book to passed on it. Whaaaps. 

Until next time,

— Justin

Go Ahead And Light. Me. Up...

| Now Playing: I Did Something Bad (Live) by Taylor Swift |

They’re burning all the witches

Even if you aren’t one

They got their pitchforks and proof

Don’t need their reasons

Because they’re burning all the witches

Even if you aren’t one

So light me up, light me up, light me up

Oh, oh, light me up

Oh, oh, light me up

Light me up, light me up, light me up

Go ahead and light...

Me...

Up...

Oh they said I did something bad

Then why’s it feel so good?

They said I did something bad

Then why’s it feels so good, good?

Most fun I ever had

And I’d do it over and over and over again if I could

It just felt so good

_________________________________________________

Surprise, bitch! I bet you didn’t think I’d post another blog so soon. (Insert the new Madison Montgomery gif)

So not a whole lot has changed since the last blog, but I’m trying to make Wednesday’s a regular post day again, like back in ye olde blogging days, so here goes? Since the last blog, I’ve started work with an actual schedule for the first time since I moved to Lawn & Garden. Only the schedule is actually crap, but whatever. I worked Saturday and I was scheduled Sunday but a bitch shouldn’t have to work both data of the weekend, not even counting the fact that I had them block me on Sundays so I couldn’t be scheduled, but ya know. So on Sunday, I was a little worried that I was going to be pointed as a no call no show, but, knock on wood, as of my time writing this on Wednesday, I still haven’t been pointed so I’m hoping I’m in the clear. But I’m going to keep an eye on it just in case.

Sunday my boyfriend and I had brunch with our friends Kelly and Andrew at this really interesting place called District 5. Mainly the reason we went there was because they had a brunch buffet and pitchers of mimosas, so basically the haven of brunches haha. Anyway, it was really good, aside from the weird mustache club bullshit that they seemed to be hosting on the same day, so that was just sort of jarring, but the food was really good. And they had a pumpkin cider from the same people that made the pineapple cider from the arcade bar we went to. It was legit fall in a glass, and we tried to hunt some down after brunch, but to no avail. And then we had a pretty laid back Sunday. 

I finally saw Logan on Monday night. We watched it after dinner and while I really liked it, it was a little meh in regards to the whole X-Men type of movie. I liked the storyline and everything, it just seemed really final. I know they’re going to continue to do those damn prequel movies until I end up hating X-Men (and I’m too much a sucker for Dark Phoenix to NOT see the Jean Grey soon-offs) but it was a good movie. Then we watched, or rather finally finished The Greatest Showman last night after having to leave the theater to make our dinner reservations way back on Valentine’s Day haha. And bitch the past thirty seconds of that movie fucking hit you and honestly how dare them but also great job haha. Another thing we’ve been watching is The Mind Of Jake Paul, Shane Dawson’s latest series and it’s pretty fascinating. I’ve always wanted to understand what makes someone like “evil” and intentionally dangerous so I totally connect with Shane on wanting to explore that further. Part 4 comes out today and since Shane’s been getting so much backlash, he announced he’s tired of it and spilling the real tea in today’s episode and a bitch is ready willing and able, Cain and Abel, bitch. So hype. 

Another episode of HTGAWM comes on this week and then new season of Will & Grace this week too. Oh, and I was off Monday so I started getting caught up on Grey’s Anatomy, and I’m hooked again. It’s amazing that a show like Grey’s, that’s had to change so much from shedding its cast so often, can keep me interested and still make me cry like nothing ever changed at all haha. And I got to do some writing Monday which was lovely, I needed it. Still waiting to hear back from any potential literary agencies, so it’s still the waiting game on that one for several more weeks. And you know we caught the first airing of Hocus Pocus on Monday night because we stan Thackery Binx. 

We’ve got some Halloween parties coming up, so we’ve been dealing with that. Chelsea’s is this weekend and we’re going as Fred and Daphne from Scooby-Doo, so finding those items has been fun, even if Kohl’s only had a 36 dollar bow tie that was orange. Thank God for Amazon for having an orange tie being delivered in time for the party. Kelly’s party is the 26th and we’re making a weekend of heading back up to Blacksburg so that should be fun.

OH AND THEN BITCH. You thought I forgot. So Tuesday morning, Taylor Alison Swift decided to fuck us all up and announce that she’s opening up for the AMA’s next Tuesday and she’s performing I DID SOMETHING BAD. Like she’s actually going to say the words “If a man talks shit then I owe him nothing” to a room full of her peers like wowwwwww. I’m so fucking excited for that because it’s possibly a hint that it’s going to be the next single and I’ve been very vocal about how bad I want / need that to happen. I mean, I know I’ve said it in about every video and multiple blogs but bitch I need a Salem Witch Trials video as much as I need functioning lungs. It would be so damn good and so damn perfect like please Taylor PLEASE. Ugh, such a good thing to bless this week. And that’s why I Did Something Bad is in the NP, but specifically the tour version because fucking imagine if she annihilates her peers and us with the rep tour version YAS I NEED IT. Also, I’m super stoked for October because we’re about to be blessed with so many good TV shows. Riverdale comes back this month, Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (aka CHAOS) premieres this month on Netflix, and doesn’t Stranger Things 3 happen this month too? Bitch I am ready as hell, let’s fucking goooo. So here’s a toast to more regular updates here every Wednesday Addams, because I just really need to check in with myself more often. 

Until next time,

— Justin

!OOD YBOOCS

| Now Playing: Getaway Car by Taylor Swift |

We were jet set Bonnie and Clyde

Until I switched to the other side

The other side

It’s no surprise I turned you in

‘Cause us traitors never win

I’m in a getaway car

I left you in the motel bar

Put the money in the bag

And I stole the keys

That was the last time you ever saw me

Driving the getaway car

We were flying but we never get far

Don’t pretend it’s such a mystery

Think about the place where you first met me

Riding in a getaway car

We were flying but we never get far

Should’ve known I’d be the first to leave

Think about the place where you first met me

I’m a getaway car 

No they never get far

No nothing good starts in a getaway car

I was riding in a getaway car

I was crying in a getaway car

I was dying in a getaway car

Said goodbye in a getaway car

_________________________________________________

What a week or so it’s been since my last blog.  You’d think things would sort of calm down after a tornado almost touched down in the area but no. That’s what happened the day after the last blog, and the day my boyfriend started his new teaching job. Luckily it sort of missed us Monday and we didn’t really have any sort of damage immediately close to us, but it was really scary. And because the universe is absolutely, let’s say incredible, when I was on lockdown at work during the whole tornado warning scare, I got a call from Petsmart for an interview, after only sending in the application like right after I posted the last blog, the night before the tornado lockdown. 

I had a short little phone interview with them and we set up an in person interview for Tuesday. We just so happened to have plans to hang out with Chelsea and Careese a little after work so that was going to be a time crunch supreme, but I was willing to make it work since there’s still no guarantee that my current position at work is going to keep me from losing full-time status. So I went on the interview, it went super well and I left that first interview thinking I’d be shocked if I didn’t get the job. Then Friday I had the second part of the interview, since they said they normally need two people to do the interview and they couldn’t do that just simply because of when I could interview aka after work, and that interview left a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. Firstly, the guy who interviewed me Friday was talking about a different job title than the girl who interviewed me Tuesday, so I was hella confused. But the hours he was telling me, even going against what she had told me, we’re just not going to work, so I felt a little bummed but honestly wrote it off as a loss. 

So then Pride happened, and let me tell you what I let down that was. I was getting even more excited about it because a drag queen I love, Biqtch Puddin, was there and I would have love to have met her and possibly gotten a picture, but that wasn’t in the cards. But it was just a giant clusterfuck in my opinion and it wasn’t really fun? I’m glad I went because I guess now I know, but at least I got a pride flag out of it? Maybe my boyfriend and I can try to go to DC Pride or something, just to see something a little more upscale that would be more fun or something. Who knows, it just sucks that Pride was meh. Then we went to this show called Outburst that was all like little gay SNL skits and it was hilarious. We had a really good time at that, so it sort of made up for just how lackluster Pride was. And we started Season 2 of Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated the weekend of Pride because we’ve both been missing it and it’s so damn good. I really wish each season wasn’t 50 bucks on iTunes because I really would like to buy them. They low-key trigger inspiration in me to write, I guess because of the mystery side of the show, and I really enjoy it. But alas, we have our ways of watching it. Plus, because we’ve been watching it in other ways, sometimes the video is mirrored so all of the text is backwards and it’s become a thing for us to say the opening credits where the name the characters backwards, which is where the title of the blog comes from haha. We’ve been randomly saying Ood Ybooocs (That’s pronounced ewd-ya-boo-ks in case you were wondering) which is Scooby Doo backwards haha, for the past week so that’s been a lot of fun.  

You know what wasn’t fun? The fact that he got into a car wreck on Thursday. I was already at work and he was on his way and I got a text from him saying that he t-boned a car and I started to freak out. I mean, clearly he was okay enough to text me, but I was still really worried about what was going on. I ended up leaving work because honestly I don’t think I would have been able to focus on work unless I saw for myself that he was okay. And poor Carlos, his car, were not sure if he’s going to make it or not. I’m just glad he and the other driver are okay. It really hit me that it could have been much much worse and thinking about that was fucking with me because I don’t know how I would respond or deal with that type of situation. I love him so much and the thought of not being able to really messed with me. But he is okay, and he’s got a rental car for the time being while they figure out whether or not his car is salvageable or not, so it’s all good but it was still really scary.

And then comes the biggest change, or about to be the biggest change. Remember how I was talking about interviewing with Petsmart? Well, after that second interview, I wasn’t really feeling the best about it, so I decided to look up open positions at other stores where I work and see if they had any department manager positions open. Two stores did, and I started calling and calling and calling and calling and finally, I got ahold of one that had a position open pretty close by. It happened really fast. I was talking to them about the open DM position on Tuesday, had an interview during lunch on Wednesday, and I left being told I got the position! So then Thursday I told my manager about it, and then I ended up leaving because of his car wreck, so it’s been sort of hectic and everything. But I even worked there yesterday, me and my DM now, went over to help them out, just running freight and I got to meet the store manager and she’s super nice, so it gives me hope. I have an official start date of October 13th at the new store and I can’t wait! I’m so glad to be back to department manager and more stable hours and NOT having people in my department complaining that I’m not closing like I had to deal with today...but whatever, I’m excited about being back to what I enjoy being. 

Last night, my boyfriend and I had dinner with his cousin and his cousin’s girlfriend, and that was fun. We went to Cooper’s Hawk, and this was the first time we went without doing the wine tasting with it, but at least we had time to eat. The only thing I don’t like about Cooper’s Hawk is just how loud it is. They’re always so packed because the food and wine is so damn good that literally everyone won’t shut the hell up. We had this gaggle of young girls begins us last night and I was over it. But meeting them was really nice, we had a good time. And then there’s today, which I’m already slightly irritable at the fact that I’m working on a Saturday when I don’t feel like there’s any need for me to be here because of how many people are on the schedule, but also everyone in my department is making me mad one way or another. I think it’s time for lunch haha. I’m just ready to be at the other store so I can start managing myself and not have to worry about coordinating lunches or worry about leaving the department unmanned. Literally let’s hurry up and get to October 13th. 

And I know that I’ve already had Getaway Car in the NP during reputation’s release, but it’s been flying in and out of my head ever since I changed my lock screen to a pretty landscape with some lyrics from the song on it. Oh, another thing that happened was I ordered a printed copy of my Grey’s Anatomy x Teen Wolf fanfiction tentatively titled Stiles’ Anatomy and I got it Monday haha. I’ve been going back and reading it because it’s basically like watching Grey’s Anatomy but with Stiles and Derek and a bitch is into that. 

Until next time,

— Justin

Everything You Want Is On The Other Side Of Fear

| Now Playing: Honestly (Encore) by Gabbie Hanna |

Cross my heart and hope to die

You never cross my fucking mind

Do you know what your little lies

Do you know what I had to fight through

Nothing that you say is mildly true

Spit deceit through shifty smiles

Two faces you’ve had for a while

You act like such a fucking child

Who are you now, you’re so hostile

To me I’m feeling homicidal

You better run and try to hide

Oh I was living in denial

Through all this time you had my riled up

All this shit has finally piled up

There’s no chance of reconciling us

With the falsehoods I’ve been filling away

For months you made these stories up

Sick from the untruths you’re throwing up

Had me thinking I was crazy but

Turns out I’m your favorite thing to discuss

You keep on talking, shut up

You keep rubbing salt into the cut

Broke the cycle, need to reconstruct 

You’re no good for me, I’m giving up

Baby you’re a loser and I’m 

Ashamed to say I ever knew ya

A user taking all of give ya

I swear to God I’ll never miss ya

Swear to God I haven’t missed ya

God I hope I never miss ya

______________________________________________________________

It’s been a little bit, clearly. But there’s just been a lot going on and I haven’t really felt like blogging or writing anything down and things of that nature, hence the reclusive approach to content. And honestly, the song in the NP, I can not. It’s so damn good, I’ve been listening to it pretty much non-stop since I found out that Gabbie released her two new songs. Her music is just hella fire, so just praise the Hanna brand. 

So work. Oh, has work been a crazy time. Remember how I mentioned that they basically just wanted me out of OGP? Well, that happened. Of course, this happened after I was trying to work things out scheduling wise with my assistant manager and my fellow DM. But after talking to the co-manager and hearing that “the store manager has the last day”, my fate was pretty much sealed. They didn’t, and don’t, care that I have a life outside of work, that work is not my entire life and that I can’t dedicate said life to serving said work like they so clearly want me to. So they gave me a choice: work in Hardware or work in Lawn & Garden...as a sales associate. What really pisses me off about that is the fact that I have busted my ass for the last 2+ years being a department head, working hard on being a better manager, learning all I can, and I’ve come so far in the past couple years being in a manager position. So having that taken away from me felt cheap and unsympathetic. They simply do not care about me at this store, and while that’s very disheartening, it hasn’t been ruining my efforts to better myself. In fact, I’d say it’s the main reason I’ve been on such a kick of trying to better myself. Working in Lawn & Garden hasn’t been bad. Frustrating, sure, but it’s good work and I’m basically making what I was as a department manager so the money isn’t the issue. Also, they haven’t given me a schedule, as in put me on the damn thing, so I’ve pretty much been making up my hours as I go. 

Speaking of bettering myself, I finally buckled down and asked myself, “What do I really want to do?” It’s a question I of course already know the answer to: write. But the bigger question was “how do I make that happen on a bigger scale than I’m currently residing?” So, after feeling out into the universe for guidance and talking things over with my boyfriend, I decided that it was time to start constructing a query letter to send to literary agents. My absolute main goal is to be writing full-time, and to make decent and honest money off of that. And the first step in a publishing house possibly printing my book is getting a literary agent. So, after literally about ten days of second guessing myself and trying to find my own voice for the query letter while still following the protocol, I finished it on the 13th and sent it to an agency that I really think would be a great fit. I’m not expecting to strike oil my first time digging for it, but I’m super proud of myself for letting go of the fear of getting what I want, and really pushing myself to know I’m worthy enough to have it. 

Other than that, it’s just been hanging out here at the house and enjoying my new favorite program, The Allen & Arline Show (If you’re reading this, Allen, I’m kidding and I love you haha). But seriously, things have been fairly relaxing here at home. We’ve hung out with friends here and there, from watching Chelsea play video games and trying fake meat for the first time to going and seeing a show of Dracula that Careese was a part of. We did that on our 8 monthaversary, and it was really good to enjoy amazing food and drinks and see a great show to celebrate us being together for 8 months. Being here with him, and spending the past 8 months together, has taught me so much and has brought me some of the best moments and biggest laughs of my life. Work might be slightly off kilter at the moment, but having this beautiful man to come home to, to ease my fears when I doubt myself, to wake up to in the morning, it’s truly the greatest gift I could have ever received, and I can’t wait to see where the next 8 months take us because there’s nothing more I want than to come back here 8, 16, 32 months from now and still be expressing how grateful I am to have met the person I truly feel like I’ve been waiting for all these years. (If you’re reading this still, Allen, just saying it would be great to get a kiss from you after you read this 💙)

We’ve also been watching some amazing content lately. He introduced me to This Might Get with Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart, and I’m hooked. We watched and finished the first season of Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated that actually had an incredible storyline and hands down the best adaptation of the original series. He’s gotten me to watch movies I’ve always wanted to see, among them being Tangled and Pretty Woman. We finally finished Crazy Ex-Girlfriend so now I’m caught up and literally shaking for Season 4 to arrive. And most recently, he started and then got me hooked on The Bold Type, we just finished the last episode of Season 2 tonight. It’s really good, but sometimes the characters and the writing frustrates me to NO END, but I guess at least it’s a show that starts a lot of conversation. It still pisses me off a lot though 😂. Big Brother is coming to a close, and I’m fucking pissed that Haleigh isn’t in the house anymore. She became my main houseguest to win, so now I’m really only watching to see how it plays out and who wins, but whatever. Fall TV is coming back, so American Horror Story and How To Get Away With Murder are gonna be on the agenda over the next few weeks. 

Yet another segue, speaking of agendas, Next on it over the course of the next week or so is I want to do some more writing, on a more consistent basis. I want to put out my query letter to a few more literary agencies, just to have my bases covered. And Richmond Pride is this weekend! So I’m sure we’ll have quite a time with that when it hits Saturday. Speaking of hits, I’m super surprised but grateful that Hurricane Florence didn’t impact us, even though it’s caused catastrophe in other areas. Hopefully the weather will calm down enough just in time for Pride. Also, just a general shout out to Atomic Blonde, literally of all movies, for the title of this blog. It really struck a cord with me and I’m adapting it as my new motto until further notice. Oh, and I bought a pair of Converse because I need nicer, more solid shoes, and their super fucking cute so #fashionicon.