All I want to do is trade this life for something new
Holding on to what I haven’t got

R.I.P. Chester Bennington 💔

Sunday funday with Sabrina (@ Arroyo Seco Weekend)

Heart eyes since 2010 😍😍😍 (@ El Rey Theatre)

Tuxedo (@ Observatory)

When your friends give you free tickets to see Mayer Hawthorne, you repay them with booty shorts from the merch table, obvs. Thanks, Jessie and Abe! 😘

R.I.P. Chris Cornell 💔

I worked 16 hours straight yesterday and haven’t slept much these past few weeks 😩

I always need something good to look forward to during conference season, so I bought tickets to two LA shows (Sylvan Esso and Blind Pilot), an OC show (Young the Giant), and music festivals in LA (Arroyo Seco) and NYC (Panorama).

I may or may not have been delirious at one in the morning.

Bastille – Good Grief (@ The Novo DTLA)

Every minute of every hour
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more

Never Knock / You Send Me (@ Troubadour)

My favorite Kevin Garrett show yet. Alessia Cara came out to sing the song he wrote for Beyonce, and all was right with the world.

The way I keep myself together
Is by not keeping anything at all

Tomorrow ♥

Even faces change, my heart stays the same

Tame Impala in NYC??? Yes, please.

Bon Iver (@ Hollywood Bowl)

The rain may or may not have hid my tears! So apropos…

<3

Tame Impala was lit af (and so were we) 🔥🔥🔥 (@ FYF Fest 2016)

BRB crying (@ Staples Center)

I’ve wanted to see Radiohead live since I first heard Exit Music (For A Film) in the 9th grade. You guys, that was 20 years ago! Yikes.

I kind of expected them to stick it to LA and not sing Creep, but no Paranoid Android or Karma Police, either??? You’re killing me, Thom! OK Computer is my favorite album of theirs, so No Surprises was my favorite song of the night:

Twilight Concert Series (@ Santa Monica Pier)

Watching Mayer Hawthorne for free while eating a churro??? I could think of worse ways to spend my Thursday night.

I was standing next to the guy from Stepbrothers (the one who’s not Will Ferrell) while waiting to get in. I can count on one hand how many celebrities I’ve spotted since I moved to LA nearly 4 years ago. Most of the ones who live near me in Manhattan Beach are pro-athletes, so I probably just don’t recognize them (like that one time we ate at a communal table with Marshall Faulk). I’m pretty sure the tall drink of water who asked me where I got my torta bread from at Costco last week was an athlete. After directing him to the bread aisle, I asked him where the toilet paper was because I like to embarrass myself in front of hot guys, obvi. I crossed paths with him again while making my food sample rounds and died a little when he smiled at me and my bulk 30-pack of Charmin Ultra Soft Jumbo Rolls.

I’m pretty sure the victim in this episode stole my CD binder circa 2001.

Kevin Garrett (@ The Echo)

Remember that name. He’s gonna be big! Also, he liked my video, so I can die now, obvs. Please invite him to my funeral. And request that he sing this Sam Cooke cover ♥

I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly (@ Birch Aquarium at Scripps)

Claws + crop tops (@ Green Flash Concerts at Birch Aquarium at Scripps)

I saw BØRNS for the third time, and unlike the weather, he did not disappoint! It was my first Green Flash concert overlooking the pacific, and the only green flash I saw on this gloomy day was the overpriced beer all the UCSD kids were drinking. I love this venue, though. You get to explore the aquarium before the show, and on a clear day, you can watch the sunset while your favorite band plays.

This was like the time Paul Walker died, and everyone was texting me to make sure I wasn’t hanging from my shower rod (with the exception of Shi, of course, who was texting me corgi vids instead).

Rest in paradise, Prince! May you purify your soul in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.

ILYSM ♥

Leon Bridges took me and Anthony to church last night (@ The Observatory North Park)

Love, love, love ♥

My Austin City Limits trip was cut short due to my grandma’s passing, and Anthony had the time of his life those first few days without me. He hit up the Dirty Sixth with Austin locals he made friends with and ended up giving one of them my Friday wristband. They saw all the bands I wanted to see. I’m bummed I missed Tame Impala and Leon Bridges among others, but luckily I didn’t have to wake up at an ungodly hour on Saturday and wait with him in that 4-hour line for Franklin. Day-old brisket reheated in a hotel microwave and eaten in my chonies still tasted better than any BBQ I’ve ever had in California!

I flew in Saturday night and met up with Anthony at an Irish pub downtown. Fado is the official US soccer bar in Austin, and it’s surrounded by gay bars on 4th Street. My uber driver was convinced he was taking me to see my gay friend once I told him where I was headed LOL. I mean, it would explain so much… After US lost to Mexico, we hit up Firehouse (a cool little speakeasy inside a hostel) and Rainey Street. I loved, loved, loved it there. Rainey Street is a block of old houses converted into themed bars. We stayed till last call, and all I remember from that night is a lot of Ludacris and stanky legs. You don’t realize how drunk you are until you’re walking the hotel halls in nothing but your dress slip looking for a beverage machine so you could wash down some tylenol at three in the morning.

We didn’t wake up early enough to stand in line for BBQ before the festival on Sunday, but we stopped by Torchy’s Tacos before we made our trek to Zilker Park. There was a lot of walking. Like. A LOT. Before, during and after the festival. In nearly 100 degree heat. And in sandals that had 0% arch support (but were 100% cute, obvs). This was definitely not Portland where we had a local friend with a car, ample public transportation, and weather that was 50 degrees cooler. The highlight of my day happened just before BØRNS’ set when the sun disappeared behind the only cloud in the sky for half a minute and everyone cheered. BØRNS, Sylvan Esso and Hozier’s sets were very close seconds. So were those two snow cones we each had.

Before I knew it, it was Monday and time to check out. Anthony hit up the gym in the morning while I stayed my ass in bed. We ate lunch at Valentina’s Tex Mex where Anthony had brisket tacos and I had a beast of a beef rib with the most beautiful smoke ring. We strolled down South Congress afterwards and drank micheladas for three hours at a bar inside Hotel San Jose. We got to the airport early to watch the Chargers lose, and I asked the TSA guy if the Starbucks was before or after the security gate. He ruined my mom’s life and told me that there’s no Starbucks at all, because Austin is all about supporting local businesses. I get a Starbucks mug for my mom whenever I travel, and she’s just gonna have to be happy with the mug I got her during my layover in Phoenix!

All things considered, I’m glad I was able to take a break from life and escape for a couple of days. I’ll def be back to explore this little town again.

When I was reading The Diary of a Young Girl in high school, I mentioned to my grandma that I wanted to visit the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Years later, she traveled to the Netherlands while visiting my aunt in Denmark and brought me back a souvenir from the museum. I couldn’t believe she remembered after all that time. My grandma was the most considerate and sentimental person I’ve ever known, and I’m grateful that she instilled her thoughtfulness in me.

She is the reason I have random notes in my phone that say, “christine garlic delight dip at del mar fair” or “anthony swagu stamp.” She taught me that even if people have everything, you don’t have to give them the world to let them know you appreciate them. You just have to remember the little things.

She is also part of the reason I have over 20k miles on my new car. I’d put a million more miles on there if I could drive down to San Diego and spend just one more day with her.

Rest in paradise, Grandma Julie. I love you more than my seemingly apathetic demeanor suggests. You know I don’t like to let them see me cry.

Questlove x Michael Jackson (@ Grand Park)

If this event was any indication of what ACL will be like, I’m not ready for the heat (sunburn city!) or Anthony’s dance moves.

Tame Impala sounds like a psychedelic Beatles ♥

I half expect my dad to show up during their set at ACL and have seats behind me like he did at Sir Paul Mccarts! Can’t wait for this festival.

(via @acoustictrench)

Even dogs love the dulcet tones of Young the Giant.

#TBT to Kim Kardashian’s ugly cry face (@ FYF Fest 2014)

This is also the face I’ll be making when Morrissey headlines this year’s festival.

Cubanos on the curb (@ Animal)

Jon Favreau and Roy Choi hosted an El Jefe pop-up from one of my favorite movies tonight! Chef was everything, and so was this sandwich (and so was this soundtrack!).

(via @acoustictrench)

This isn’t the kind of bar I’m used to (@ Cardio Barre)

I almost cried at the end of class, partly because I was so exhausted, but mostly because they were playing Bon Iver during savasana.

Not pictured: Anthony on the air drums and me on vocals (@ Petco Park)

Paul McCartney – Hey Jude (Live)

The Strokes – You Only Live Once

Epic weekend. I saw The Strokes perform, and I forget the rest. x__x (@ FYF Festival)

…or what happens when a certain someone leaves my amazon prime account logged in on their dad’s computer.

The last time Paul McCartney played a show in San Diego, I wasn’t even born yet. But I grew up listening to the Beatles because my dad would blast their records and play along with his guitar when I was a kid. I always thought he was their biggest fan, but Anthony might be giving him a run for his money.

Since none of our friends are going to the show with us, I’ll probably have to be Anthony’s emergency contact for when he faints like a fangirl at a Michael Jackson concert! Ha. When I asked my dad if he wanted tickets for his birthday, he said that he already bought tickets for himself, my mom and their friends before I even got mine. My bad, presale! Maybe someone else can be Anthony’s emergency contact after all.

That one time Kimbra showed up at the Electric Wire Hustle show (@ Bootleg HiFi)

Banks – Waiting Game

What if the way we started
Made it something cursed from the start

Tove Lo – Habits (Hippie Sabotage Remix)

Can’t go home alone again
Need someone to numb the pain
You’re gone and I’ve got to stay high
All the time to keep you off my mind

Dance party (@ The Fonda)

Chromeo – Jealous (I Ain’t With It)

Only in LA (@ Fairfax & Rosewood)

LA rain + Local Natives.

Young the Giant – Paralysis

And lately I’ve been thinking
I’m not feeling anything at all
Will I survive in the dead of night?
And now the lights are fading faster
Save me from my disaster

Pain takes my heart’s place
The love we made remains

Say something, I’m giving up on you

When the beat of my drum meets the beat of your heart
You know I couldn’t love any other, any other

Exactly one month till the 2014 Young the Giant CD replaces the 2010 Young the Giant CD in my car and my heart explodes.

I kicked off my Thanksgiving vacay last week with the girls and JT in the OC!

It wouldn’t be a Justin Timberlake show without Christine almost getting into a fight! Ha. The image of Christine with half of her body hanging out the car window as we drove off will stay with me forever.

Thanks to Pammie for risking her life to take these awesome vids!

Queen Bey at Staples Center last night! She dedicated her final song to Paul Walker ♥
I may or may not be sobbing uncontrollably in the background. More videos here.

Monday mani + Elliott Smith.

Drink up with me now and forget all about
The pressure of days, do what I say
And I’ll make you okay

Beach House – Take Care

I’ll take care of you if you ask me to

City and Colour – The Golden State

Why’s everyone still singing about California?
Haven’t we heard enough about the Golden State?
I guess if you like sandy beaches and blue ocean water
There’s something about it, to which I cannot relate

City and Colour and vino.

Give me a reason to stay alive

Oh, my love, you don’t know what you do to me

Dallas Green’s voice still fixes things in the universe, FYI.
More videos from last night’s show here!

City and Colour – Un-Thinkable (Alicia Keys Cover)

This is exactly how it should feel when it’s meant to be
Time is only wasting so why wait for eventually

Dallas tonight ♥

Caroline Pennell – Anything Could Happen (Ellie Goulding cover)

I’ll give you everything you need
But I don’t think I need you

I just happened to be the 98th texter. No bigs!

Two Door Cinema Club – What You Know