somedaysstaygoldforever

[somedaysstaygoldforever]

There's A Place Off Ocean Avenue

Rewind 20 years, Warped Tour is still playing annually, and the music scene is on fire.

Enter Yellowcard.

Ocean Avenue was being played on the radio everywhere. It was constantly hitting Top 10 charts on MTV and MuchMusic and became an earworm for so many.

THIS is when I first fell in love with Yellowcard (YC). I was a typical teenager who listened to a lot of pop music and harshly judged anything outside of the genre. I didn't have the appreciation for music the way I do now. Falling in love with a band that was often labelled as Pop-Punk or Pop-Rock or even Emo was not on my 2003 BINGO card.

BUT

It happened anyway.

Fast Forward to today. The band looks a lot different now and the music has grown and changed alongside the times. YC has disbanded twice, but then there were moments of harmony when they would reunite. The last break was a long one, but after the pandemic YC came back together and have been going strong ever since.

And when I say going strong, I mean selling out stadiums like never before and attracting a whole different audience than they previously experienced.

When I first heard that YC and Hammock were collaborating on an album together I was really unsure of how to feel. I had connected with so many of the songs YC released over the years in their original format.

Would I like this new slowed down version of songs?

The answer came in the phrase put so perfectly:

Yellowcard and Hammock. The collaboration I didn't know I needed, but can't live without.

Thank You YC for all the years of letting me love you.

Check out "A Hopeful Sign" on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you listen to music from.

Also - take some time to read this amazing article on Broadway World <3

Have you ever had your favourite band do a reimaging of older music? How did you feel? How did the new music make you feel?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

#yellowcard #hammock #ahopefulsign #oceanavenue #onlyone #Youtube

[somedaysstaygoldforever]

Can Social Media Actually Make You A Better Pet Parent?

When I was asked to start blogging, I panicked! Blogging is something I haven’t done in over twenty years, and I froze. What topic do I choose? How do I personally use social media? What am I passionate about? What social media platforms do I use most?

The ideas swirled in my head but I couldn’t get anything to stick. Then, as I was cleaning my hamster cage, it came to me! Where have I learned all my knowledge on taking care of my many pocket animals?! Social Media! I heavily rely on Facebook groups, X, and TIkTok videos to learn how to properly care for the animals that are so often neglected. 

If we rewind about nine months, I fell in love with the sweetest little hamster at PetSmart and I couldn’t leave without her. I brought her home with my freshly purchased Facebook Marketplace castle cage and I couldn’t wait to watch her explore…And then it was nighttime. I had totally forgotten about how hamsters had always kept me up at night, constantly gnawing on the bars and running on their squeaky wheels. My dogs looked up at me in dismay and I knew something needed to change. There I sat, in my dark bedroom, at 1:30 a.m. googling why my newest friend would be behaving this way.

My Google search led me to the one place I never expected, Facebook Groups. I had always been critical of Facebook groups and/or pages, as I thought many people would join and share opinions, not facts. Over the past couple of years, I really learned to dislike Facebook. I’m well aware that the platform is different for every individual, but I noticed the negativity was taking a toll on my mental health. X, where I had spent many years tweeting with my favourite Boy Bands, had changed and I felt no one was being held accountable for the opinions/information they put on either platform. 

So obviously I was ridiculously surprised – the more small animal groups I found and joined, the more I realized the information was pretty consistent throughout. My tiny friend, now named Daisy, wasn’t in her ideal environment at all! Here I was, thinking she was The Queen in her pink and purple castle, when in reality she was a prisoner trapped within the four barred walls. According to the Facebook Group Syrian Hamster Care, Daisy would require a minimum 40-gallon tank and a 12-inch wheel. Not only that, it was highly recommended that I enrich her space with many different boredom breakers.

How could I have so many misconceptions about owning a hamster?

As I mentioned earlier, I never considered that the majority of my education would come from these Facebook groups or X, but it has truly impacted Daisy’s quality of life…. And my ability to sleep. 

Keep your critical thinking caps on friends!

Have you ever searched the internet for better pocket pet care?

What types of misinformation have you received?

#pocketpet #hamster #hamstercare #pocketpetcare #smallanimalcare

[somedaysstaygoldforever]

Have you ever had a bucket list of places you would love to travel to, but never thought you'd have the chance? That was me right before my trip to Hawai'i. When I think about my last vacation I couldn't be more appreciative or thankful for the experience I had. Let's get into it!

November 5th my group of twelve all boarded into a few cabs and headed to Pearson Airport. We were flying from Toronto to Honolulu and heading to Disney's Aulani in Oahu. 

The first thing I did once we were settled in our room was head out to Costco (you thought I’d say the beach didn't you?). Nope. Costco. I had never been to an American Costco before but always heard about how great they were! Spoiler alert, when you go to Costco on an island, it’s really not cheaper than at home. (Except for the bottle of 600 tablet Benadryl for $6.99 and the vast alcohol selection).

BUT, I’m getting off-topic here. Once I got back from Costco I headed to my first booked activity - Family Fun Animation. We learned how to draw Pua from Moana (Did you know Moana is the first Disney movie to be dubbed in the Hawaiian language? Auli'i Cravalho who does the voice of Moana also voiced the Hawaiian dub!)

After being awake almost a full 24 hours I couldn’t wait for my head to hit the pillow.

Once the sun decided to rise the next day, I was on my way to the beach. Looking out to the line the sky meets the sea you could see some of the Naval ships patrolling the waters and a brief look into the sky would reveal Army jets flying overhead. It was only then that I remembered we were in a US State with a Naval Base nearby. As a bit of a history buff, I appreciated the chance to see the vessels in real life, even if my ears didn’t appreciate the sound of the jets. 

I treated myself to a Stitch Dole Whip and spent by day by the water while the rest of the group went out and explored the Island.

Day Three was a water/pool day and a few laps on the Lazy River. I enjoyed a Mickey Shaved Ice and even paid extra for the Mickey Ears. It was delicious.

This was also the day I discovered the delicious mozzarella sticks! I explored the resort and learned a lot about the history of the Island. We got to experience a real Ukulele lesson from an Island local and it was an experience I’ll never forget!

Did you know Maui is a huge part of Hawaiian Culture? His story is told everywhere throughout the Island. 

Thursday marked the halfway point through our week, but was the day I was looking forward to most. That evening we were going to a real Disney Hawaiian Luau!

The day was wonderful and I made it my mission to meet as many Disney characters as possible. Goofy, Minnie, Stitch, Mickey, Chip and Dale and Moana were on the list for the day. Moana asked if Toronto was like Elsa cold and I laughed at the comparison - yes Moana, yes it is. 

Yes, I am 38 years old. Yes, I met the characters alone. No, I did not regret it at all! What I did regret was my inability to not yell “ITS MICKEY” out loud. 

The Luau was incredible. We were able to get Hawaiian “tattoos”, try Tarro, and get lei’d before the show began. There was a full Hawaiian buffet dinner with Hawaiian drinks and a Luau. The food was delicious and I even ventured away from my normal picky eater menu items. We experienced an amazing performance and storytelling all in the styling of Disney. 

I legitimately sat at the table, felt the breeze, heard the sounds, tasted the food, and just took in the full Hawaiian experience.

On the list for the next day were, Daisy and Donald Duck, Angel, Pluto, and Max (and yes I asked him about the “Leaning Tower of cheeza”).

I also was so looking forward to seeing the sunset that evening… I don’t know about you, but there’s something about seeing the sunset over the horizon and all the colours dancing in the sky that makes me so happy. I took 100+ pictures of the view and helped myself to a pizza with Hawaiian Pineapple on it. This is the ONLY time pineapple is acceptable on pizza by the way.

My final full day on the island was filled with more sand, sun and water… plus a few more Dole Whips and Shaved Ice. It was also the day I realized my sunburn was way worse than I originally thought.

A beautiful sunset and poolside show tied the day, and the week together nicely. With that, I prepared myself for the long haul home.

I thought my fun vacation was over until we had our ten-hour layover in Vancouver. While the rest of the group rested, I explored the airport a little. I was looking for directions when I heard a familiar voice behind me - it was KallMeKris! (click her name if you're not sure who she is!) We had an awesome conversation and I was elated. I couldn’t believe my luck. 

Once we boarded our flight the reality set in that I was going home. But I was going home to my dog, my animals, and my bed and I was so grateful that. 

Have you ever gotten to travel somewhere you never thought you’d see? Where? Let me know in the comments!

#Youtube #hawaii #aulani #kallmekris #wanderlust #disney

[somedaysstaygoldforever]

Aimless Conversations About... Me

Some people do this for enjoyment. Some to spread their creativity wings. Some because it comes naturally to them. Not me.

Interested in what I’m talking about? Keep Scrolling!

Blogging. The big “B” word that when I see it, I think, how hard can it be? It's just like conversing with someone, except you’re just writing down the thoughts for people to read instead. 

The Answer? Hard! I have no problem talking or articulating the thoughts and feelings inside my head, but the second….. No, the millisecond someone asks me to put pen to paper I swear my brain simply yells “GOOD LUCK” and heads out the door. 

Somehow I manage to get my creative juices flowing. Oooh I can blog about nostalgic things! I can talk anyone’s ear off about Full House. I can tell them all about how I’m listening to a couple of podcasts created by the cast of the show and all the new stuff I've learned!

I sit down, open my laptop, and get all settled in - *inhales deeply* and go!

No? Nothing? Nothing!

Hmm what else could I talk about instead?

Hanson! Hanson’s always a safe bet with me! I started listening to them at the tender age of 12 and I’m currently the tender age of 38, Im sure there’s plenty I can discuss. Yeah, that one isn’t coming naturally either….

Pets? Mental Health? A new nightly routine? School? Travelling?

Nope.Nope.Nope.Nope.Nope.

Nothing. A red brick wall approximately 500 feet tall simply plants itself in between my body and my keyboard. 

Thanks, brain! When I need you the most!

Then as I sat relinquishing myself to the fact that my writing skills had run, I thought, I can blog about blogging.

I know I’m not alone and that others must feel the same way I do.

So together we’re going to struggle and figure things out. 

And that is what this blog is going to be about.

A little bit of everything.

It will ebb and flow with me.

One day you may stop by and see that I’m blogging about proper pet care, or Full House, or Hanson, or maybe even a discussion on silence within social media and worldly events. It’s going to be a smorgasbord (yup definitely had to google the spelling on that one) of things, but at the end of the day it’s going to be…..

Me.

So Welcome ❤️

I’m going to do my best to embrace this uncomfortable journey and I hope you’ll all tag along. 

..... now can someone tell me how to log out of here? *kidding* (kind of)

#COMM0012