Posts Tagged ‘adventure’

Another Year: A Short History Of Almost Something

Posted: November 18, 2014 by Angel Young in Life, Travel, Writing
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“I think I’ll wait another year,
It’ll be the best year ever.”

If you haven’t listened to Amanda Palmer’s “Another Year”, go do it immediately. This song is on to Top 5 list of the soundtrack of my life, I swear.

tolive

Now, I have done many, many things in my life. I’ve worked in a haunted house, and a Halloween costume/supply store. I’ve left the country. Twice. Swam with dolphins. Also twice. I attended a writing conference in New York with Best Selling authors and agents and other passionate writer people like myself, and even read part of a manuscript out loud to two agents (both of which were interested in reading more) – before I started my senior year of High School. I’ve been to Orlando four times. I’ve been to Boston and Salem. I’ve been to Chicago, New Orleans, and Nashville for cons. I’ve been to James Marsters birthday party. Sean Patrick Flanery has called my boyfriend and made me blush, and just been an all around awesome dude to me. David Della Rocco kissed my cheek. I’ve met amazing actors, artists, comedians, authors, etc. I’ve met Stan Lee. Multiple times. I met Robert Englund and cried. I’ve been to Batman Live!, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and a variety of other plays and shows. I’ve had VIP passes and been allowed into areas others have dreamed of. I’ve shot fashion shows, had photos and articles published, and occasionally feel like maybe I’m going in the right direction.

And so, so much more. So many people and places I can’t even list them all.

But, I somehow still want more. I have worked myself to death to feel like I’m somewhere, or doing something, and not wasting my life behind a desk at a day job.

It feels like I have been stuck in a state of Almost Something. I have almost been published. Almost graduated with my degree as an Art major. Almost stepped up to the next level in photography. Almost almost almost. But I don’t won’t to fall short anymore. I want to move from Almost Something into Definitely Something.

So, next year, I will try to do more. I will try to top everything I’ve already done, just because I have the drive to do it. I don’t want to live an average life. It will drive me insane. I want to feel like I’ve accomplished things and lived a life I was proud of by the time I’m dead.

I’m working on a list right now of things to do in 2015. Because while 2014 had some very good things, it also had some horrible things. And I want more good days than bad. I’ll post a finished list closer to New Years Eve, but there are some points I will definitely touch on:

I will do something writing related, whether it’s a published novel, or another article. Even a baby step forward is better than a stand still.

I will work on my photography more. Because I miss it. Because I need it. I will do shoots and get my work out there.

I will do something more with my art. It’s improving, though not quite where it was art. I would love to start selling prints and pieces to people.

Travel. Experiences. Health.

There is no point in wasting time, when there are adventures out there waiting for me. I just need to seize the chances I’m presented with.

~Angel

Saving For Travel

Posted: November 11, 2014 by Angel Young in Travel
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Inspired by posts from Sky at Sky vs World:

Saving for Travel – April Spending Freeze

Saving for Travel – September Edition

Saving For Travel – No Spend November

travel

 I get a lot of questions on how I manage all these trips I’ve been going on, and sometimes these are less intrigue than people trying to remind me I need to be saving for other things. But, more and more, I’m getting people genuinely interested in how I do it, because they want to embrace the idea of seeing more of the world. And when I was reading the new post on Sky vs World about saving, and it made me decide to post my own ways of saving for travel.

Now, the type of traveling that I am doing usually requires different types of saving methods.

When I’m preparing to travel for a Comic Con, I figure out the exact amount of money I need and keep that number in my head. Then, I will put away random amounts of money in a jar behind my computer that I regularly forget about, so unless some sort of emergency comes up – I don’t touch it. Then, the actual paycheck or two before I go, literally every cent aside from what’s needed for bills goes straight to that trip: Be it for the con itself, or for travel expenses, or whatever. Usually, I hit over my goal and have random spending money. Sometimes, I have a desperate scramble last minute because I’m a bit short. One time, I spent my taxes right after I got them back, and was both relieved and heartbroken that I did.
For other travels, I do a similar jar-behind-the-computer concept, and I have some sort of end goal amount in mind, and then write down every dollar I put in the jar and keep that log inside of it. Sometimes, I decide one month that every single $1 bill I have goes into that jar. I’ve had a lot of success with deciding to save every $5 bill that comes into my possession. I am a change hoarder, and separate dimes into one jar, quarters in one, and a huge jug for nickels and pennies (this particular jar I plan to leave alone until it’s absolutely full, then use it for whenever I move away from home for whatever expense I need.) And then, again, the paycheck or two before I leave becomes devoted to my trip aside from bills.
I also sell Scentsy products, which brings me a little extra cash I forget about every month and leave alone until I use it for trips. A few months ago, I started doing surveys on a site called InboxDollars, and was surprised it actually paid off when I made $30 from just doing surveys and random junk, and that went to my most recent Orlando trip. Plus, I’ll save any gift money, do some extra photo shoots, maybe sell some random junk I really don’t need, etc. I always find a way to make it work. Currently, I’m (attempting) to start saving for a road trip to New Orleans in January. It’s always rough around holidays though, and with all the medical nonsense being extra awful lately. But I’m working on it.

Plus, on top of that, I’ve decided today to start planning a BIG adventure. Quite possibly the biggest one I’ve been on, if it works. No details yet. But I’m ready to figure out the financials and a solid game plan so I can pick a date.

But, basically, that’s how I do it. Not a millionaire. I just work hard at it.

~Angel

Find Your Center.

Posted: March 14, 2014 by Angel Young in Life, Travel
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I’m a big fan of nurturing my inner child. It’s not a secret, because it’s so painfully evident that other people decide to play Captain Obvious and remind me that I’m child-like. Thanks, got it.

I can’t really help it – the little things in life still excite me. Imagination and creativity and wonder fuel my existence. I’d rather curl up and watch cartoons than go to a fancy restaurant date. I like collecting toys and plushies and things that just bring a smile to my face. I geek out over Batman, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, etc like you wouldn’t even believe, with a sort of nerdy joy that many instantly refer to as acting like a kid on Christmas morning.

And for a while, off and on in my life, this has made me feel terrible. Not because I don’t like it, but because other people make me feel like I shouldn’t. Adults don’t focus on those things. Adults don’t like those things. Adults blah blah blah. I hear it constantly about my travels and my dreams and everything people can find to criticize. For a while, I really didn’t understand why I just couldn’t be like everyone else and function like me. Then this thought occurred to me when I saw Rise of the Guardians:RotG

When North (the Santa character), is describing himself and what makes him a guardian, he explains his Center. For North, after you pass all the other layers, at his very core is Wonder. He is wide-eyed and child-like and sees all this magic and beauty and potential to the world. He then asks Jack, “What is yours?”

If I broke myself down, I think I could be – from outside inward:

1.) Weird

2.) Creative

3.) Strong

4.) Compassionate & loyal

5.) Courageous

and, at the very center, I am…

6.) Adventurous and full of Wonder

Not to copy North or anything on the Wonder part, but honestly at my center is my childlike wonder. The girl that used to adventure through the woods and take it all in, wide-eyed and fascinated. In a way, I’ve never come out of that. I still wander to unfamiliar places and take it all in with appreciation. I want to take off and explore and be the girl I’ve always been in my heart.

So on the outside, I may be a touch weird, and beyond that people realize I’m creative. Sometimes people get farther, to learn I’m strong, compassionate, and loyal. When they really start to see what I’m made of, they see my courage to continue on despite every obstacle. But what makes up everything is my center. The adventurous child.

That is my center; what is yours?

~Angel

All Work and No Play Makes Angel a Dull Girl.

Posted: July 27, 2013 by Angel Young in Uncategorized
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Granted, I would rather NOT talk about work. Because all I ever do is work. And get treated like shit. And have people come inspect whether or not I can do my job. And have the process repeated because apparently proving I can do it the first damn time isn’t enough, and let’s not even begin to mention the bright idea of “Hey I know we don’t want you having any overtime buuuuut we’re adding to your workload…” *sigh* ANYWAY.

Let’s talk about the positive things, shall we?

Over at A Thousand Lives Reviews:

+ I interviewed THE ANTHONY MISIANO! Aka, Harley’s Joker, costumer and all around creative mastermind. Read that here.

+ Alesha took the lead on another fabulous interview that I pitched in on a bit, with makeup artist MadeULook by Lex. Read that here.

Over at the Wandering Weirdo — OH WAIT. You guys haven’t met your baby sister blog yet, have you??

+ Check out the start of my new travel blog here.

 

Plus there are a few projects that aren’t ready or able to be revealed just yet. So, I’ve been a busy gal. Even though it doesn’t look like it here. And that isn’t even mentioning my mission to watch all Doctor Who lately. Because I have an addiction. *twitch*

Nor does is mention the awesome damn day I’m gonna have in EXACTLY two weeks. Which includes awesome people and quite possibly the coolest birthday party I’ll ever attend. BUT I SHALL SAVE THAT FOR PICTURES.

Speaking of…

I still owe YOU ALL some Sjogren’s postin’ and Orlando adventures! Eeeeek. Soon, my little Misfits. Soooooon.

 

Alright, I’m going to attempt to do something. Or something. I dunno. AWAY! *WHOOSH OF THE BAT-CAPE*

~Angel

Battle the Post-Vacation Slump.

Posted: June 30, 2013 by Angel Young in Uncategorized
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Pictures and details and all that wonderful jazz from my adventures in Orlando shall have to wait. This autoimmune mess is tired and lazy. Ha.

But I will throw this out there – with the series of horrible awful things that are going on around this time – Skylar leaving, my dog dying, Eric’s death anniversary, and soon Whitney’s birthday (on top of normal bullshit such as work and whatnot) – I had hoped getting away from it all would help. And, for the most part, it did. But coming home, tired and miserable, knowing I had to dive right back into the day job and start in for my new collaboration – A Thousand Lives Review – plus a trillion other things… it broke my heart. I think I was even more depressed than last time, and I cried when I was leaving Universal. Plus it was a rough trip home – lost my boarding pass during security stuff, almost lost my replacement, hateful people on the plane… blah. And I just did NOT want to come home. Wah wah wah. I know. I sound like a spoiled brat. But I had a break from being Angel Young, miserable office monkey and Sjogrens slave. I needed that break. Coming back to reality was a slap in the face and I haven’t taken it very well at all.

But then, I start to remember just who I am..

AdventureI remember I am this kickass individual that has come so close to greatness, so close to everything I’ve wanted from this life, that I could taste it. I’m a driven gal with an illogical amount of determination. I was being interviewed for my writing before I graduated high school and busting my ass to get somewhere. Why on EARTH would I want to hide away in a theme park every single day, when I have so many more other adventures to go on? (Don’t get me wrong… If you offered me a chance to go to Universal, I would IMMEDIATELY jump on it.)

The point of the matter is, kids, I got some interesting news. Stars aligning; fate staging a great moment in my life. I was down and out, then received just the news I needed to get me in gear. That on top of stumbling onto this wonderful interview Wyman did with me back in 2009, it all sorta reminded me just how incredible my life can be sometimes. The bad can cloud the good.

Anyway, check out that interview as well as A Thousand Lives Reviews, then stay tuned for a proper ‘I’m back’ post.

 

~Angel

Before the day is gone.

Posted: June 8, 2013 by Angel Young in Life
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“I’ll be dead before the day is gone.”

deadbeforethedayisgone

Taken in my field earlier.

Stress is a happy little erosion eating every single bit of happiness from my life. I lose sight of everything because I can’t get a grip on anything, and before I know it, life is spiraling out of my control. It’s crunch time. I don’t need this right now. And it never fails – one step forward, ten steps back. Get something handled or some good news, only to have it all followed up by a series of bad. No matter how hard I try to keep moving forward, I get kicked in the teeth and knocked on my ass.

I am tired.

After my surprise (and somewhat miserable failure) going away party for Skylar, when I was pulling into my driveway, I stopped in the field and got out of the car. Because I’m stressed, and sick, and exhausted, and honestly.. I’m just not sure what to do anymore.

And there it is. The forest. The field. The sunset. Calling me. Some desperate begging from the earth to just go. Leave. Forget everything and explore.

Obviously, I didn’t run off on some grand adventure. But I did walk around for a few minutes, taking in the quiet and letting myself calm down. I don’t feeling one-hundred percent better, but I’m not having a panic attack at least.

And it’s peaceful in the deep
Cathedral where you cannot breathe
No need to pray, no need to speak
Now I am under all

And it’s breaking over me
A thousand miles down to the sea bed
Found the place to rest my head
Never let me go

I really could use that vacation right now. Is it the 17th yet? Because I’d greatly like to not be Angel for a little while. Oh well. Until later,

~Angel