THIS IS WHAT MOVING LOOKS LIKE...MAYHEM

I'm moving...if you didn't know that then welcome to my life. I know, I know...Tiger Woods' sluts and familial destruction has been fiercely more important than my move, and that's where you have been for the past 3 weeks. I get it, he's Tiger, I'm only me. Welcome back. So basically my room looks like a crime scene. It literally looks like my entire room/the basement was ransacked and destroyed. 11 days til the big drive cross country AKA the first step of this mountain climb of a situation. Don't get me wrong, I couldn't be more excited but it does contain an enormous amount of inner battling. Here's a typical conversation I have with myself on a daily basis:

Me: So "Anna Karenina?" Keep or toss?
Me: Let's keep it. It's supposed to be a classic.
Me: But, you've had it for 10 years and never read it. Why can't you just go to the library and take it out?
Me: I just want it.
Me: Okay, you win. Keep it.
Tough battle, "hardly" fought...easily won. Those three boxes in the photo below are only filled with books. Ha.

Or, this gem of a convo regarding clothes...

Me: You haven't warn this sweater ever.
Me: That's okay I'll wear it one day. It's really cute.
Me: When did you get it?
Me: Like 3 years ago at Macy's.
Me: Oh. But your going to be in Los Angeles where it's warm. You won't even wear wool sweaters in Chicago when it's below zero because of your hot bloodedness.
Me: Okay, but it's still cute.
Me: Okay, you win. Pack it up.

See, I have some mind boggling decisions to make. Okay, in reality, maybe I am being a little bit of a hoarder, but truly, my clothes mean a lot to me, my books mean a lot tot me - both make me who I am. Even if I don't utilize them. And don't plan to ;) I'm the queen of excuses and debating.

Um, yea....those are my wardrobes (after I cleaned everything out to give away). Tells ya a lot. Good thing my closet in the new apartment is a walk-in and big enough to accommodate everything you see here. I keep forgetting about my dresser, which is large and contains many more pieces of my apparel. Ooh, and my purses, coats and shoes. Riiiiiiiiiiight. Hmmm.




A few boxes. Not bad, not bad




















I don't know how to explain this. 11 days. 11 days. 11 days. 11 days.

That's me after taking these photos. ------->

Controversial Chelsea is at it again

Just like anything we humans believe, the root of the particular ideal started as a story told by someone to someone else which was told to that someone by another somebody else and so on and back and back until the story's creation. Even the tale of Jesus Christ was written down and described by multiple people to develop into the life of Christ that thousands of people around the world wordship and know to be the foundation of their lives today. "Jesus died for your sins" - so you keep on sinning. "Mary was a virgin" - so you have to be until marriage. "Jesus understands your pain" - okay he walked during a time we no longer exist in and which not one person from 2009 could function normally living in on a day to day basis (now we have deeper problems like poverty, pollution, addiction, the list goes on - and WWJD? He hadn't even scratched the surface during his time). On that same token, some theorists argue that the idea of religion is based upon fables meant to keep order in societies. Same with the idea of heaven and hell. If you do sin, you will burn in the fiery pits of hell. If you do good and don't lie, cheat, steal, adulterate, disrespect, and so on and so forth, you will go to heaven and live blissfully on a cloud for eternity.

As children we formulate what is right and wrong, true and false, here and there based upon the tellings of our parents, teachers and elders - but mainly our parents. From the get go we are lead to believe in one thing over another. Is that right? As humans, aren't we given the option of free will? The Bible says so. The Torah says so. The Koran says so. So then why are parents all over the world instilling ideas that are mere possibilities into the fresh minds of their children? Do we want our children to discover life and think for themselves or to be followers willing to believe anything they hear in order to be accepted into a group?

As an independent person, tride and true, I am reluctant to say that when I have children, they will be Jewish or Catholic even though I was raised in a Jewish household with touches of Catholicism. I'm in my mid 20's andI don't follow either religion. I haven't been to synagogue in like 3 years. The last time I was in Church was to honor my brother's life because a particular Mass was dedicated to him. That was last year. I'm not going to Church on Christmas. I didn't go on Thanksgiving. I'm not getting married in one. I don't know what I believe, but I was lucky enough to have two parents who didn't jam religion down my throat. There are many cultures that embody religion from birth til death and in which questioning faith is a sin and may result in damnation or even death. Who am I to judge those particular cultures? Unfortunately, we live in a world which thrives upon judgements which is ironic because isn't the only real judge God, as they say.

I'm being very skeptical and controversial because that's what happens to me during this time of year, every year. At Christmastime I always ponder its purpose. I always ask myself, "why am I celebrating a holiday that I don't believe in?" I may not believe in a parents right to mold a belief system. But I do know the answer to my own ponderings... I would rather spend a day giving from my heart, spending quality time, laughing, rejoicing, eating, drinking, talking, playing and BELIEVING in the one thing I know exists....my family.

Movie Review: 500 Days of Summer

I totally have a crush on Joseph Gordon-Levitt after checking this one out. He's a cutie, but in a more manly way than his teeny film era self i.e. 10 Things I Hate About You. Not to say he wasn't bodacious-ish then - just hadn't grown into his full hot self yet. But about the movie (haha)...I wasn't overwhelmingly into it but I'll keep it positive because I have a good feeling about it overall.

The story line worked for me for a few reasons. First of all, it was interesting to look at a dating stereotype flipped around. We have Summer, played by the fabulous Zooey Deschanel, as the heroine - and I literally mean that she was Tom's (played by J.G.L - I'm abbreviating, I don't want to type it out every time) heroin, as in the drug. She isn't into the relationship thing and Tom definitely is. He's the typical romantic guy, fighting for love and getting suckered into falling for the one girl he could never have. Summer was pretty out-and-out about her intentions for her relationship with Tom. She was upfront with him about her issues with titles and hangups about love, but she carried on intimacy, spent quality time with him and let down her walls with him. So she did lead him on and let the love grow one-sided (and she knew it too).

The acting was great from J.G.L. I wasn't entirely impressed with Zooey in this one but I still think she's incredibly talented and you can't help but appreciate the female lead choice. She's cute as a button. Ideally, the director could have sorted this one out chronologically, but he chose back tracks and flash forwards in a perfectly random order throughout...you guessed it...500 days. I think it made this simple romantic jaunt more intriguing to view. It kept me guessing. During the scene where she is "letting down her walls," I was for sure she was going to hang up her hangups the next day. But then there were simpler scenes like the "Ringo Starr" record moment. She basically rolls her eyes at him which made me think she thought he was a bit ridiculous. The marriage thing I never saw coming. I was surprised mainly because I felt bad for poor Tommy. I would feel sad for myself as well. Knowing that the person I loved couldn't be with me because he didn't want to be in a relationship with me but would with someone else that he met when he was romantically involved wtih me - yea, time to call my therapist.

The ending was nice and hopeful as Tom moved from Summer into "Autumn." I liked it. Overall, I'll give it 3.5 out of 5 Kraft Mac & Cheese boxes. I use the rating scale as such because Kraft Mac & Cheese is my favorite food and I may or may not be having a craving for it right now. I'll let you tell me which one it is ;) Also, the star is getting a bit boring. I'm over it.

These Coming Weeks

Apartment lease signed...check.
Mattress picked out/deposit put down...check.
Room packed up...okay, well that's still a work in progress.
From there it just gets a little hazy. With the holidays around the corner I've got to admit, I am feeling a bit somber at the thought of spending a lot of quality time with friends and family and then just days later having to leave them. This experience is much different than the other moves I've made because I always went away with the notion that I would be coming back. Whether that time lasted 3 weeks of 6 months, it wouldn't last much more than that. But now, I am actually packing up everything that belongs to me and trekking it across the nation to Los Angeles. Obviously I wouldn't pack up and leave everything I know and love if I wasn't sure that I could handle it and love it, even if I had to learn to. Believe me, I know what it means to learn to love a place you are living. For example, although London was amazing and the experience was unforgettable, it did take me about 2 months to settle in and finally feel comfortable and actually enjoy the aspects of the city. Everyone probably thought that I loved every minute of it, but it was difficult. It was hard to be on my own in a completely different culture let alone continent, knowing absolutely no one, all the while having to get my own job and house. I learned a lot - mostly about myself. For example, I learned that I rush into things. I get scared and I panic that I won't find what is best for me, and instead I just choose the first thing I come across because it is available. Maybe it's just my excitable nature, which is fine. But it almost makes me feel contradictory because I am a full believer in never settling and always going for what you want even if you don't get it, at least you tried.

So anyways, I am stoked! Christina and I are really excited to move into our new home...it's adorable, by the way. My mom's first choice! I'm so glad she came with us - she's a very smart person, especially when it comes to signing contracts and asking all of the necessary questions. So here's how I know that I'm doing the right thing by moving....I thought about every aspect of what this would entail not just a year ago but almost 2 years ago. While living in London I actually did think about where I would want to live when I got back. Knowing me, I would be vigorously searching for a new relocation destination. This is just who I am...a vagabond, someone who needs to feel the changes and go with the flow to feel normal. Even if I just had a feeling about something, and then actually go for it. Yes, even if thast means moving thousands of miles away, at least my free spirit would be honored and I could be me. But back to the topic at hand. I know I am making the right decision for the following reasons (in addition to having thought about this for 2 years). I know because I actually sat down and said, "this is where I want to go, I'll figure it out when I get there." Now, you are probably thinking, what no plan?! Well, every time I've made a plan I've wanted to back out. So if I learn from my mistakes and go somewhere allowing things to just happen to me, I can't set myself up for failure. So other than taking the time out to find an apartment, driving around the city just to see what I will be living in, and picking out a mattress, the rest is being left to the moving Gods.

When I get there, having no children, husband or other commitments back here to keep me, I can do whatever the fuck I want. Feels good! I don't have to worry about the Visa expiring or the job sucking or the bad roommate situation back in Chicago. By the way, another reason I am who I am today is because of my life-long anti-filtering campaign - boo fucking hoo. The moral of the story is, whether you think I'm completely out of control for constantly moving around or that I'm running away or that I'm wasting money...you don't walk in my shoes and you don't have any room to judge. One life, people. Live it.

P.S. While I'm looking out over the shores of the Pacific ocean you will be 4 feet deep in snow.

I adore the simpliticy of these lyrics

Twenty-two summers
And I hope You'll have a hundred more
Colors of this roof
Will always follow

I hope we meet in the end
With wrinkles like the divas
And we'll dance again and again
In the end
In the end
oh oh oh

Days and months and years
In cities people love and fear
Make out wherever she's out drinking
Always be ?

I hope we meet in the end
With wrinkles like the divas
And we'll dance again and again
In the end
In the end
oh oh oh

I hope we meet in the end
With wrinkles like the divas
And we'll dance again and again
In the end
In the end
oh oh oh

I hope we meet in the end
With wrinkles like the divas
And we'll dance again and again
In the end
In the end
oh oh oh

In The End by Ida Maria

Tiger: A Porno Waiting to Happen

If you haven't heard today's news then you must be a pipe-dwelling mouse with no access to news mediums and a very small brain (but don't worry, you have that tail). It appears as though Tiger is into hoes. Not very shocking. We've got models, club owners, wannabe starlets, and now "escorts." I love that word "escort." At one point in time that word meant companion or Friday night date and now it involves a bit more than playing a little game of "Just the Tip." Apparently, Tiger is into it. Now what really interests me is that, Michelle Braun, the owner of this escort service, claims that her business closed last year after running into personal legal troubles. Hmmm I wonder why! You own an escort service, chicky. Unbelievable.

Twits of Tinsel Town - First Edition

Oh media, how you amaze me! We all have those celebs we love to hate, but there comes a point when you really question the objective of their existence in the spotlight. I often ask myself, why have these morons been chosen out of 300+ million people to represent our country's standards of entertainment worth? It is disheartening that people with pointless and annoying positions make millions of dollars doing absolutely nothing! And shame on you, America, for buying into it!! I'm not a perfect person, but come on Hollywood...why??? The following people not only annoy the shite out of me, but make no qualms about their shameless existence either.

Paris Hilton
Need I say more?











Mary Murphy
Look at this picture! Does this not make your skin crawl? Now, I pray you have never actually listened to Mary Murphy speak before. But if you have, this picture says it all - annoying, loud and obnoxious. I've never actually seen Mary Murphy dance before, but she is a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, so I guess that makes her important, but literally everything she says involves a high pitched almost Southern mama cooking up bacon and grits in the kitchen type of roar. Mary, we can hear you. Tone it down a notch. I mean, I guess she could have worse attributes. I just can't help but feel like I'm being assaulted while watching a fun show! Not cool, Murphy. If you want to hear what I'm talking about, just click on Scary Mary.


Ann Coulter
This woman is proof that you can pretty much insult any culture, person, belief or any human right in general, and not only get famous for it, but have civilians site you as a credible and watch-worthy source. Sure, she's skinny and blond and seems wholesome. But the minute she opens her mouth you want to go out to the first PetSmart and buy her a muzzle. I don't hate her because she is the rebel of the Conservative persuasion. I just find her accusations of liberal and innovative ideals to be really harsh and poorly backed-up. I mean, this was the woman who said, "We just want Jews to be perfected, as they say," while arguing that it would be better if we were all Christians. First of all, Ann, Jews run much of your industry, and we're still putting you on the air - be grateful, not hateful. Bitch. Click on Ann to experience her idiotic verbal assault on humanity.


More to come manana!!

Dear Tiger

I have to do this:

Dear Tiger,
Thank you so very much for helping 7 billion people stupify themselves this week. While the marketplace is still a failure, the war in Afghanistan in full effect allowing for thousands of brave soldiers to lose their lives and while millions of poverty-stricken people all over the world are turning tricks just to feed their kids - you disrupt the flow of the world with the most idiotically planned infidelity scheme this year. The fact that you thought your illicit affairs would fly under the radar for years to come makes me realize that you are more dumb than John Edwards, Elliot Spitzer and Jude Law put together. You are the most famous athlete in the world, with a combined worth of over $500 mllion. What makes you think your scandal wouldn't get out? You have a beautiful and devoted wife, adorable children, an incomperable career and more money than God....and still that's not enough. It's just sad that you have officially fucked up your children for the rest of their lives, not to mention that your marriage will never be the same. Oh, and that voicemail message that slut #3 publicized, you really sounded like you felt bad - NOT. Cause you didn't, douchebag. Get over yourself. You should be thanking Jesus, Mary and Joseph that your endorsements are still in tact. Clearly, as an athlete you are a force to be reckoned with, but as a person, you blow ass. Thanks for ruining my favorite news programs for me. Merry effing Christmas.

Love,
Chelsea

Wow. That felt good.

Moving Realizations

One of my favorite pastimes is driving through the Illinois countryside on a fall day. The sun doesn’t have to be shining; it doesn’t even have to be mildly warm. As long as I have my tunes blaring and a wide open space to clear my mind, the day will be my idea of perfection. I’ll truly miss that feeling in LA. Not to say that LA doesn’t have its share of breathtaking scenery. I’m sure I will find enjoyment in taking long drives all over California, but I am a born and bred mid-Western girl with a deep appreciation for the country. I’m a blend of values and innocence from the land of vast corn fields and pastures and sassy smarts from city life. One day I could be perfectly fine with a book and a view to enjoy it by, and then a day later have the need for bustling, traffic filled streets, thousands of faces to pass and an evening of dancing and drinks to celebrate life in.

**Just some thoughts as the days grow closer to the biggest move of my life!