As
self-proclaimed delegate of the group I started, MrazWomen, I requested
Jason Mraz to say hey on camera to the rest of my girls who couldn't
make it to the show, and he gladly said yes!
Pardon my loud woohoo. Obviously I was too excited to keep calm. :P
Showing posts with label be love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label be love. Show all posts
And Then There Was That Time We Met Mraz.
So, something fairly extraordinary happened yesterday.
First, a recap.
My friend Jen told me that Jason Mraz would be on the Today Show on February 16th. He would then be going to Z100 and the Late Show with David Letterman, and would I want to take off of work and go with her to try and find him? I told her that I wasn’t sure and that I’d let her know in a few days. I thought about it a long while and figured, if nothing else, I’d have a day off from work and I’d get to spend it with a newly formed friend. I told her that I’d go and that I’d put in for the day off. This was about a month ago.
We hammered out the details as the day drew closer. We’d go in the night before and stay with my dad. Then we’d get up before the sun the following morning and drag ourselves to Rockefeller Center and wait outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man. Then we’d casually follow him (read: stalk .. innocently) for the rest of the day, hopefully having a moment to speak with him.
Everything pretty much followed the plan Wednesday night. We each took our own train into the city and met up at Penn Station. I took her to my dad’s apartment and we went out to dinner in Brooklyn, his old stomping ground. We nestled under the covers at about 10:30, dreading the sound of the alarm in only a few hours’ time. Well, at least I was. Sleep is probably one of the most important aspects of my life, and it takes a lot for me to get up at such an early hour. I was skeptical about our plan the following day. Deep down, I was hopeful, but the pessimist in me kept whispering her ugly, down-trodded words, and it was hard for me not to doubt our excursion’s goals.
My dad drove us to Rockefeller Center as the city was waking up. Business men and women were scurrying to and from every sidewalk, cars and cabs were whizzing and darting in and out of lanes. I told my dad that I was thankful he knew how to drive there since there was no way in heck I’d be doing it. He dropped us off and wished us luck. We stepped out into the cold of the early morning and made our way to the Today Show window, barricaded off and manned by security guards.
We made a stop at Starbucks first, naturally. Warm drink in hand, we went through the barricade and stood with the handful of other people who were all hoping for a few seconds on camera. Sure, that was enticing, but it wasn’t our goal. We came there to see the one and only Jason Mraz, to hear him sing, and to maybe have a chance of meeting him (though the pessimist in me was still skeptical). We were waiting outside for about an hour – and managed to actually get on camera twice – without a word from the news anchors about his appearance. I started worrying that maybe he wasn’t even there, maybe he wasn’t even going to show up. Jen then saw that he’d be coming out at about 8:35, so about ten minutes earlier, shivering and cold, I told her we should run back in and get more Starbucks. So off we went back inside.
As we walked through the doors, I muttered, “I hope we get to meet him later,” as I checked my phone. Jen replied, “Or .. we could just meet him right now.” I lifted my eyes and – BAM. There he was. Strumming his guitar, an entourage behind him, looking peaceful and calm. Jen managed to say, “Hi Jason ..” and I think I may have squeaked a “hi,” as well. We said hello to Mona, his percussionist, who seemed surprised that we knew her name. He waved and walked off into the studio since he was about to perform.
I was stunned. Jen and I looked at each other with the same thought: “Did that really just happen?” We managed to get our legs to move again and went downstairs to get the Starbucks we originally went in for.
After his performance, we knew that he’d have to walk back down the stairs he had walked up when we had our chance encounter. So we bolted back inside and waited patiently, trying our hardest not to scream. I was trying my hardest not to wet my pants.
And then .. there he was. No longer holding his guitar and quietly singing, but looking just as peaceful as before. I had my phone out, Jen had her camera out. He approached us and said, “I see you have your cameras out .. You guys want a picture with Mona, right?” And then we started chatting. He went to each of us, shook our hands, and asked our names. He listened when we spoke. Jen asked about his trip to Antarctica and listened to them talk about penguins. We talked about global warming and saving the environment. A third girl, also a huge fan and wearing a Jason Mraz shirt, had found her way in and was staring at him, wide-eyed and bashful. He talked to her about what she was studying in school and took the time out to really listen to what she said.
We even got our sought-after picture.
We chatted with Mona and I relayed a quote that a social work professor had told me in college: “You may feel like what you’re doing is pointless, because how can one person change the world? But everyone has a light that shines, and it may seem dim on its own, but imagine how bright it would be if we all came together to do something good?” She gave me a high-five and thanked me for sharing.
If it wasn’t for the security guards who asked us to leave the lobby, I have absolutely no doubt that they would have kept talking with us.
After it was all over, it took everything in me not to start crying. But it hadn’t even really hit me at that point. I was still in shock, completely stunned by the fact that I had just met and spoke with the man who was the inspiration behind turning my life around. It’s very cliche, but honestly .. his music, his outlook, his message .. they all saved me from the destructive path I was on. He helped me find gratitude and happiness in every aspect of my life. I don’t think I can even adequately express how he changed me for the better, without ever knowing me.
On the way home, I started thinking about it more and started crying on the train. With the melody and words of “I Won’t Give Up” filling my body and my soul, I was suddenly overcome with this unbelievable humility and gratitude for everything. Everything. That day, every day, my life, every decision, everyone, the man sitting next to me, all of it.
Life is such an extraordinary creature. It truly, sincerely is. I refused to see it for most of my life. Or maybe I just wasn’t ready to. Maybe I couldn’t accept the beauty of life. And, sometimes, it’s easier to just look around and complain about the bad things. I had always found excuses as to why my life wasn’t good enough – or why I wasn’t good enough – but I get it now. We are beautiful, as we are. We have such power to make this world magnificent just by being in it. It all makes sense.
And it’s all thanks to a man in a hat (which, funnily enough, he no longer wears).
I know, for sure, that 2012 is going to be the best year ever. I’m going to make sure of that.
First, a recap.
My friend Jen told me that Jason Mraz would be on the Today Show on February 16th. He would then be going to Z100 and the Late Show with David Letterman, and would I want to take off of work and go with her to try and find him? I told her that I wasn’t sure and that I’d let her know in a few days. I thought about it a long while and figured, if nothing else, I’d have a day off from work and I’d get to spend it with a newly formed friend. I told her that I’d go and that I’d put in for the day off. This was about a month ago.
We hammered out the details as the day drew closer. We’d go in the night before and stay with my dad. Then we’d get up before the sun the following morning and drag ourselves to Rockefeller Center and wait outside, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man. Then we’d casually follow him (read: stalk .. innocently) for the rest of the day, hopefully having a moment to speak with him.
Everything pretty much followed the plan Wednesday night. We each took our own train into the city and met up at Penn Station. I took her to my dad’s apartment and we went out to dinner in Brooklyn, his old stomping ground. We nestled under the covers at about 10:30, dreading the sound of the alarm in only a few hours’ time. Well, at least I was. Sleep is probably one of the most important aspects of my life, and it takes a lot for me to get up at such an early hour. I was skeptical about our plan the following day. Deep down, I was hopeful, but the pessimist in me kept whispering her ugly, down-trodded words, and it was hard for me not to doubt our excursion’s goals.
My dad drove us to Rockefeller Center as the city was waking up. Business men and women were scurrying to and from every sidewalk, cars and cabs were whizzing and darting in and out of lanes. I told my dad that I was thankful he knew how to drive there since there was no way in heck I’d be doing it. He dropped us off and wished us luck. We stepped out into the cold of the early morning and made our way to the Today Show window, barricaded off and manned by security guards.
We made a stop at Starbucks first, naturally. Warm drink in hand, we went through the barricade and stood with the handful of other people who were all hoping for a few seconds on camera. Sure, that was enticing, but it wasn’t our goal. We came there to see the one and only Jason Mraz, to hear him sing, and to maybe have a chance of meeting him (though the pessimist in me was still skeptical). We were waiting outside for about an hour – and managed to actually get on camera twice – without a word from the news anchors about his appearance. I started worrying that maybe he wasn’t even there, maybe he wasn’t even going to show up. Jen then saw that he’d be coming out at about 8:35, so about ten minutes earlier, shivering and cold, I told her we should run back in and get more Starbucks. So off we went back inside.
As we walked through the doors, I muttered, “I hope we get to meet him later,” as I checked my phone. Jen replied, “Or .. we could just meet him right now.” I lifted my eyes and – BAM. There he was. Strumming his guitar, an entourage behind him, looking peaceful and calm. Jen managed to say, “Hi Jason ..” and I think I may have squeaked a “hi,” as well. We said hello to Mona, his percussionist, who seemed surprised that we knew her name. He waved and walked off into the studio since he was about to perform.
I was stunned. Jen and I looked at each other with the same thought: “Did that really just happen?” We managed to get our legs to move again and went downstairs to get the Starbucks we originally went in for.
After his performance, we knew that he’d have to walk back down the stairs he had walked up when we had our chance encounter. So we bolted back inside and waited patiently, trying our hardest not to scream. I was trying my hardest not to wet my pants.
And then .. there he was. No longer holding his guitar and quietly singing, but looking just as peaceful as before. I had my phone out, Jen had her camera out. He approached us and said, “I see you have your cameras out .. You guys want a picture with Mona, right?” And then we started chatting. He went to each of us, shook our hands, and asked our names. He listened when we spoke. Jen asked about his trip to Antarctica and listened to them talk about penguins. We talked about global warming and saving the environment. A third girl, also a huge fan and wearing a Jason Mraz shirt, had found her way in and was staring at him, wide-eyed and bashful. He talked to her about what she was studying in school and took the time out to really listen to what she said.
We even got our sought-after picture.
We chatted with Mona and I relayed a quote that a social work professor had told me in college: “You may feel like what you’re doing is pointless, because how can one person change the world? But everyone has a light that shines, and it may seem dim on its own, but imagine how bright it would be if we all came together to do something good?” She gave me a high-five and thanked me for sharing.
If it wasn’t for the security guards who asked us to leave the lobby, I have absolutely no doubt that they would have kept talking with us.
After it was all over, it took everything in me not to start crying. But it hadn’t even really hit me at that point. I was still in shock, completely stunned by the fact that I had just met and spoke with the man who was the inspiration behind turning my life around. It’s very cliche, but honestly .. his music, his outlook, his message .. they all saved me from the destructive path I was on. He helped me find gratitude and happiness in every aspect of my life. I don’t think I can even adequately express how he changed me for the better, without ever knowing me.
On the way home, I started thinking about it more and started crying on the train. With the melody and words of “I Won’t Give Up” filling my body and my soul, I was suddenly overcome with this unbelievable humility and gratitude for everything. Everything. That day, every day, my life, every decision, everyone, the man sitting next to me, all of it.
Life is such an extraordinary creature. It truly, sincerely is. I refused to see it for most of my life. Or maybe I just wasn’t ready to. Maybe I couldn’t accept the beauty of life. And, sometimes, it’s easier to just look around and complain about the bad things. I had always found excuses as to why my life wasn’t good enough – or why I wasn’t good enough – but I get it now. We are beautiful, as we are. We have such power to make this world magnificent just by being in it. It all makes sense.
And it’s all thanks to a man in a hat (which, funnily enough, he no longer wears).
I know, for sure, that 2012 is going to be the best year ever. I’m going to make sure of that.
L to R: Jen, Jason, Me, Mona!
Oh, did I also mention that Jen and I also won tickets to the taping of the Late Show with David Letterman where - surprise! – the musical guest was Jason Mraz?
Oh, did I also mention that Jen and I also won tickets to the taping of the Late Show with David Letterman where - surprise! – the musical guest was Jason Mraz?
My Mraz Adventure!
My first year of college, five years ago, my best friend Erin introduced me to the wonderful music of Jason Mraz. It did not take long before I became completely and utterly obsessed, not just with his music, but with Mr. AZ himself. Jason Mraz is an inspiration to me as a person. Everything he stands for is incredible and his music never ceases to put me in a good mood. Some artists fade in and out of peoples lives and others seem to really "stick". I have never gone through a period where Jason Mraz has faded. And at the rate I'm going, it probably never will.
In 2009, when I heard that tickets for Jason Mraz were going on sale for a show at Jones Beach, (THE place to see a concert on Long Island), I was thrilled. I got up early and landed Erin and I some awesome seats. Floor level, center stage. I gave Erin her ticket for her birthday and the Mraz countdown began. About a week after I purchased the tickets I realized that with all of my excitement, I didn't notice that August 7th, the date of the concert, was also the date of my boyfriend's, at the time, sister's wedding. Let me just say, I had to do the right thing. His sister was like a sister to me and even though missing the concert was going to be devastating, I handed over my ticket to Erin's little sister Kim. Well, obviously they enjoyed the concert. They got me a t-shirt and from then on I got to hear stories about how amazing it was. They tried not to rub it in but it was a bit of a sore subject. I was pretty jealous.
My Jason obsession never lessened. After that concert I was determined that the next time he came even somewhat close to New York I would be there.
In 2010 my boyfriend and I broke up. This hit me hard. We had been together for a while and I didn't see it coming. (I tried to refrain from telling him that I wish it had happened a year earlier so that I didn't miss that concert.) And, as cheesy as it sounds (well, maybe not to you gals) It seemed as though no matter what my mood was, whether I was at a high point or a low point, there was a Jason song to get me through that moment. His blog always provided inspiration to move forward and even though he will probably never know, Jason Mraz helped me more than he could have imagined.
Erin's sister Kim called me one day at the end of July 2011 when she saw that Jason and Toca would be doing 3 shows at Carnegie Hall. One show on November 23rd and two shows on November 25th, the day before and the day after Thanksgiving. Tickets for all three shows had sold out in less than a day but I was not going to let this concert pass me by. Erin wouldn't go. Kim didn't have the money. I tried and tried but I couldn't get Erin to come. So, I did what any other crazy Mraz Woman would have done. I bought two crazy expensive tickets off of stubhub for mediocre seats for the Wednesday night show and gave one to Kim for her birthday. She was happy. I was beyond happy. The countdown began. I bought the tickets on August 27th and the three month countdown seemed to take forever.
As the time grew near, I was becoming more and more excited. When we finally boarded the train for the city it felt surreal. And I was determined to think like Jason and find him in the city at some point. Kim was excited too, but she must have called me nuts twenty times throughout the day. I didn't argue though, she was right, and I was okay with that. We spent a good amount of time walking around near central park, we grabbed some lunch and walked around some more. By 6:00 we were exhausted and cold from walking in the rain since 11 am. We made our way over to Carnegie Hall and waited for the doors to open. We made our way to our seats which were in the second row on the left side of the balcony and when I saw the stage I didn't know what to do. I was finally here, soon to be in the same room as Jason Mraz. And Toca Rivera. This was going to be incredible.
The concert was beyond incredible. When Jason and Toca first came out, I nearly lost my mind. The fact that they played all types of songs, especially the Jason Mraz classics made the concert so special. I mean 0% Interest and RKOP!? That's unheard of! I sat on the edge of my seat the whole time and even though I didn't think it was possible, when I left my seat, I loved Jason Mraz even more than I had when I walked in. Before I left, I checked the ticket counter for tickets to the Friday show. It was sold out, but I was again determined.
We waited by the stage door for about 45 minutes for Jason to come out after the show. The whole time someone had a Ukelele and the whole crowd sang along to Jason's songs. It was a great way to end the night. Unfortunately, we had to catch a train home and left before Jason came out. When I got home, I texted Erin to see if she would come to the Friday show if I could get tickets because Kim had her fill of the city for a while. After some persuasion, Erin agreed to come to the Friday show IF I got tickets. I spent a good portion of the next day, Thanksgiving, searching high and low to tickets to either of the Friday shows. I found one pair of tickets and leaped on the opportunity immediately. It was for the 3:00 matinee show where The Fresh Beat Band would perform with him. Yes! I was making my way back to the city to see Jason Mraz again, this time with my best friend!
Only, at 10:00 Thanksgiving night, the night before the concert, Erin bailed. I was left with two tickets and I was NOT going to give up going again. I picked up the phone and called my aunt, who is a music lover but not particularly familiar with Jason Mraz. Because she's the best EVER, she agreed to come in and see the show with me. Little did she know what she was getting herself into.
We drove into the city this time, and I introduced her to Jason's music beyond "I'm Yours." She was excited, I was elated, it was going to be a great day. When we got to Carnegie Hall, it was flooded with small children. The woman next to me was complaining, "I don't know who this Jason Mraz is but my kids came here to see the Fresh Beat Band and he better not take up too much time or bore my kids. These tickets were expensive." I screamed a little inside. SERIOUSLY!? YOU SHOULD HAVE LET A REAL MRAZ FAN HAVE THAT TICKET!
Our seats for this show were awesome. Tier 1 in a box. AMAZING. Much to my surprise, the Fresh Beat Band didn't open for Mraz, they actually played most of the show with him. It was great, obviously because all of Jason's work is, but not exactly what I had hyped the show up to my Aunt as. He sang his usual hits, plus "Merry Holidays," "Outdoors (from sesame street)" and "Rainbow Connection." He also sang about the number five and the song he sang with Bushwalla a few times, "Spiders Doing Push-Ups On a Mirror." It was a great show, only an hour and fifteen minutes, but not at all like the night before, which lasted almost three hours.
Afterwards, I led my poor Aunt to the stage door with me. Hundreds of small screaming children were chanting "F-B-B" for the Fresh Beat Band to come out. About twenty minutes of "FBB" chanting in, Toca walked out the door and made his way through the crowd. Nobody acknowledged him so I yelled "Hey TOCA!" and he turned around and goes "Oh my goodness! A REAL fan who actually knows who I am!" When he came back, he took a picture with me and thanked me for coming to the show. Once all of the kids cleared he actually came out again and hung out with us for a little while. He was so awesome to talk to and was very down to earth. It was like he was happy to sign my ticket. By the time he went back in it was just me, my aunt and another Jason fan still waiting by the door. The head of security came down and told us that Jason was meditating and that he wouldn't be coming down before his next show. I was disappointed, but then he told us that after the Wednesday night show it was so packed by the stage door that they couldn't bring him out and had to sneak him out the front. He also said that he MIGHT have to do the same thing tonight, around11:45 ,"if you know what I mean." Too bad I didn't have tickets for that show.
Too bad I'm an obsessive nut who was NOT going to miss the last show. I turned to my Aunt and asked her if we could go check for tickets for the later show. Now, don't be fooled, I just graduated college and have a ton to pay for, including loans and a horse. The last thing I NEEDED was to spend more money on tickets to another Jason Mraz concert. Yet, I was in such a zone at this point, I would have probably dipped into my life savings if it meant spending another few hours being in the presence of Mr. AZ. And I was yet again determined, this time I was going to show my Aunt what Jason Mraz really is. We headed back into Carnegie Hall and checked for tickets, so far none had been returned but we started a cancellation line. As people came in with extra tickets, the usher would walk them to us to be sold at face value. It was packed though and there really were no tickets to be found. The show started at 8:00 and buy 7:30 all we had was one balcony seat. We were willing to split up, but not one of us goes to the show and the other doesn't. That wasn't going to fly. Just as we got ready to sell back the single ticket, three young guys walked in looking quite confused. The told the usher that they had an extra ticket and didn't know what to. The usher and I were buddies at this point and upon looking at the ticket walked quickly over to me. "Look at this ticket. Take it. Front row, seat 12." FACE VALUE! AHHHHHH!
So I did it! I accomplished all three Jason Mraz shows, the last one I sat in the front row. Talk about dreams coming true. My Aunt didn't mind sitting up in the balcony, she was happy I wound up in the front row. According to her, my feet didn't touch the ground all day. This was by far the BEST of the three concerts and I honestly could have died each time I made eye-contact with Jason. I met back up with my Aunt after the show and she already knew the next move. We would wait. By the front, because that's what we were advised to do earlier. We grabbed hot chocolate quick and then stood our post and waited. And waited. And waited. Toca came out and we thanked him for being awesome. He remembered us from before. Even more awesome. After Toca walked away, I told my Aunt that when Jason came out, I was going to ask him what it means to have a road unencumbered by cats. Because seriously, I know he's all about the wordplay, but that line has been making me nuts for five years now. And who better to explain it than Mraz himself.
At this point, it was me, my Aunt and the Ukelele kid from Wednesday night waiting by the front. And then, BAM! A secret door opened and out came the security guard, who winked at us upon seeing us, and then JASON MRAZ. I should his name and he came right over and greeted us. The kid with the Ukelele spoke to him first as I just stood there completely star-stuck. Then it was my turn. My heart pounded and I muttered "Hi Jason, Uh I'm a HUGE fan." Then he asked me my name and asked if I made it to any of the shows. I told him I made all three and he looked at me thanked me quite sincerely, pressed his hands together and bowed to me calling me a "most loyal fan." He took a picture with me and I could have died. At that very moment. He thanked me again and walked away. Best Day Ever. With the Best Aunt Ever. And the Greatest Man Ever. And The Coolest Toca Ever.
I was convinced that I was going to be hit by a bus or something while we walked to the car. There was just no way that my week could go that good without it being the end. (That sounds morbid but you know what I mean.) I couldn't even form complete thoughts. Jason Mraz is Love.
My mother called me a stalker, so did Erin. But when it comes down to it, I look at myself as someone with passion. Jason Mraz is an inspiration to put my heart into everything that I do. And seeing him in person and then actually meeting him proved everything that I thought about him as true. So, no, I'm not a stalker. I prefer the term Dedicated Super-Fan. And now, even better, a Mraz Woman. <3
And guys, if you are with me the next time I meet Mr. Mraz. Please remind me to ask him about the roads being unencumbered by cats. Please, I've gotta hear it from him. :)
You are Loved,
Jen
The Dedicated Super-Fan
As the time grew near, I was becoming more and more excited. When we finally boarded the train for the city it felt surreal. And I was determined to think like Jason and find him in the city at some point. Kim was excited too, but she must have called me nuts twenty times throughout the day. I didn't argue though, she was right, and I was okay with that. We spent a good amount of time walking around near central park, we grabbed some lunch and walked around some more. By 6:00 we were exhausted and cold from walking in the rain since 11 am. We made our way over to Carnegie Hall and waited for the doors to open. We made our way to our seats which were in the second row on the left side of the balcony and when I saw the stage I didn't know what to do. I was finally here, soon to be in the same room as Jason Mraz. And Toca Rivera. This was going to be incredible.
The concert was beyond incredible. When Jason and Toca first came out, I nearly lost my mind. The fact that they played all types of songs, especially the Jason Mraz classics made the concert so special. I mean 0% Interest and RKOP!? That's unheard of! I sat on the edge of my seat the whole time and even though I didn't think it was possible, when I left my seat, I loved Jason Mraz even more than I had when I walked in. Before I left, I checked the ticket counter for tickets to the Friday show. It was sold out, but I was again determined.
We waited by the stage door for about 45 minutes for Jason to come out after the show. The whole time someone had a Ukelele and the whole crowd sang along to Jason's songs. It was a great way to end the night. Unfortunately, we had to catch a train home and left before Jason came out. When I got home, I texted Erin to see if she would come to the Friday show if I could get tickets because Kim had her fill of the city for a while. After some persuasion, Erin agreed to come to the Friday show IF I got tickets. I spent a good portion of the next day, Thanksgiving, searching high and low to tickets to either of the Friday shows. I found one pair of tickets and leaped on the opportunity immediately. It was for the 3:00 matinee show where The Fresh Beat Band would perform with him. Yes! I was making my way back to the city to see Jason Mraz again, this time with my best friend!
Only, at 10:00 Thanksgiving night, the night before the concert, Erin bailed. I was left with two tickets and I was NOT going to give up going again. I picked up the phone and called my aunt, who is a music lover but not particularly familiar with Jason Mraz. Because she's the best EVER, she agreed to come in and see the show with me. Little did she know what she was getting herself into.
We drove into the city this time, and I introduced her to Jason's music beyond "I'm Yours." She was excited, I was elated, it was going to be a great day. When we got to Carnegie Hall, it was flooded with small children. The woman next to me was complaining, "I don't know who this Jason Mraz is but my kids came here to see the Fresh Beat Band and he better not take up too much time or bore my kids. These tickets were expensive." I screamed a little inside. SERIOUSLY!? YOU SHOULD HAVE LET A REAL MRAZ FAN HAVE THAT TICKET!
Our seats for this show were awesome. Tier 1 in a box. AMAZING. Much to my surprise, the Fresh Beat Band didn't open for Mraz, they actually played most of the show with him. It was great, obviously because all of Jason's work is, but not exactly what I had hyped the show up to my Aunt as. He sang his usual hits, plus "Merry Holidays," "Outdoors (from sesame street)" and "Rainbow Connection." He also sang about the number five and the song he sang with Bushwalla a few times, "Spiders Doing Push-Ups On a Mirror." It was a great show, only an hour and fifteen minutes, but not at all like the night before, which lasted almost three hours.
Afterwards, I led my poor Aunt to the stage door with me. Hundreds of small screaming children were chanting "F-B-B" for the Fresh Beat Band to come out. About twenty minutes of "FBB" chanting in, Toca walked out the door and made his way through the crowd. Nobody acknowledged him so I yelled "Hey TOCA!" and he turned around and goes "Oh my goodness! A REAL fan who actually knows who I am!" When he came back, he took a picture with me and thanked me for coming to the show. Once all of the kids cleared he actually came out again and hung out with us for a little while. He was so awesome to talk to and was very down to earth. It was like he was happy to sign my ticket. By the time he went back in it was just me, my aunt and another Jason fan still waiting by the door. The head of security came down and told us that Jason was meditating and that he wouldn't be coming down before his next show. I was disappointed, but then he told us that after the Wednesday night show it was so packed by the stage door that they couldn't bring him out and had to sneak him out the front. He also said that he MIGHT have to do the same thing tonight, around11:45 ,"if you know what I mean." Too bad I didn't have tickets for that show.
Too bad I'm an obsessive nut who was NOT going to miss the last show. I turned to my Aunt and asked her if we could go check for tickets for the later show. Now, don't be fooled, I just graduated college and have a ton to pay for, including loans and a horse. The last thing I NEEDED was to spend more money on tickets to another Jason Mraz concert. Yet, I was in such a zone at this point, I would have probably dipped into my life savings if it meant spending another few hours being in the presence of Mr. AZ. And I was yet again determined, this time I was going to show my Aunt what Jason Mraz really is. We headed back into Carnegie Hall and checked for tickets, so far none had been returned but we started a cancellation line. As people came in with extra tickets, the usher would walk them to us to be sold at face value. It was packed though and there really were no tickets to be found. The show started at 8:00 and buy 7:30 all we had was one balcony seat. We were willing to split up, but not one of us goes to the show and the other doesn't. That wasn't going to fly. Just as we got ready to sell back the single ticket, three young guys walked in looking quite confused. The told the usher that they had an extra ticket and didn't know what to. The usher and I were buddies at this point and upon looking at the ticket walked quickly over to me. "Look at this ticket. Take it. Front row, seat 12." FACE VALUE! AHHHHHH!
So I did it! I accomplished all three Jason Mraz shows, the last one I sat in the front row. Talk about dreams coming true. My Aunt didn't mind sitting up in the balcony, she was happy I wound up in the front row. According to her, my feet didn't touch the ground all day. This was by far the BEST of the three concerts and I honestly could have died each time I made eye-contact with Jason. I met back up with my Aunt after the show and she already knew the next move. We would wait. By the front, because that's what we were advised to do earlier. We grabbed hot chocolate quick and then stood our post and waited. And waited. And waited. Toca came out and we thanked him for being awesome. He remembered us from before. Even more awesome. After Toca walked away, I told my Aunt that when Jason came out, I was going to ask him what it means to have a road unencumbered by cats. Because seriously, I know he's all about the wordplay, but that line has been making me nuts for five years now. And who better to explain it than Mraz himself.
At this point, it was me, my Aunt and the Ukelele kid from Wednesday night waiting by the front. And then, BAM! A secret door opened and out came the security guard, who winked at us upon seeing us, and then JASON MRAZ. I should his name and he came right over and greeted us. The kid with the Ukelele spoke to him first as I just stood there completely star-stuck. Then it was my turn. My heart pounded and I muttered "Hi Jason, Uh I'm a HUGE fan." Then he asked me my name and asked if I made it to any of the shows. I told him I made all three and he looked at me thanked me quite sincerely, pressed his hands together and bowed to me calling me a "most loyal fan." He took a picture with me and I could have died. At that very moment. He thanked me again and walked away. Best Day Ever. With the Best Aunt Ever. And the Greatest Man Ever. And The Coolest Toca Ever.
I was convinced that I was going to be hit by a bus or something while we walked to the car. There was just no way that my week could go that good without it being the end. (That sounds morbid but you know what I mean.) I couldn't even form complete thoughts. Jason Mraz is Love.
My mother called me a stalker, so did Erin. But when it comes down to it, I look at myself as someone with passion. Jason Mraz is an inspiration to put my heart into everything that I do. And seeing him in person and then actually meeting him proved everything that I thought about him as true. So, no, I'm not a stalker. I prefer the term Dedicated Super-Fan. And now, even better, a Mraz Woman. <3
And guys, if you are with me the next time I meet Mr. Mraz. Please remind me to ask him about the roads being unencumbered by cats. Please, I've gotta hear it from him. :)
You are Loved,
Jen
The Dedicated Super-Fan
MrazWomen Update: This blog might not be as active as before, but our online friendship is as strong as ever!
I know, I know...some of you might not see the point of posting entries on this blog since we all already chat on Twitter and on Facebook (you have to message me to be added to the private group), but I can't help but feel a bit emotional (weepy even) when I realize that this is where it all started.
This blog brought us together in the first place.
For those of you active in the FB group and those of you who are not on FB but are on Twitter, I hope that you don't completely disregard the positive effects our blog posts have on MrazWomen such as ourselves, just because we have other portals in place. We have so many experiences to share--both good and bad--to other people and this is one of many ways to reach out to other like-minded folks. For some, this is a fantastic and truly inspiring thing...imagine having a collection of friends you can talk to about anything and not being afraid of being yourself! Only through the internet.
To encourage and inspire current members to post more and to encourage and inspire new gals to join our little online family of wonderful women, I shall post more on this blog.
I miss hearing from all of you!
Be love,
Jam
This blog brought us together in the first place.
For those of you active in the FB group and those of you who are not on FB but are on Twitter, I hope that you don't completely disregard the positive effects our blog posts have on MrazWomen such as ourselves, just because we have other portals in place. We have so many experiences to share--both good and bad--to other people and this is one of many ways to reach out to other like-minded folks. For some, this is a fantastic and truly inspiring thing...imagine having a collection of friends you can talk to about anything and not being afraid of being yourself! Only through the internet.
To encourage and inspire current members to post more and to encourage and inspire new gals to join our little online family of wonderful women, I shall post more on this blog.
I miss hearing from all of you!
Be love,
Jam
For You, From Me
Did this a few days ago, and I wanted to share it with you :) It's my new screensaver.
I took the photo in Brazil and then quoted Mr. A-Z. I cannot take out that song from my mind!!! ADDICTIVE!
Go make your next choice, Be your best choice.
And Be Love
holy toledo, batman. It's been forever!
I started a blogpost FOREVER ago, and was really depressed, but about halfway through, I realized, wow. i didn't want to keep any of it. ewh. it was annoying.
I am in San Antonio right now. In comparison to everywhere Patty goes, it seems like nowhere.
But it's really got me thinking.
Just me and my grandma took this roadtrip alone.
And I thought I would be bored out of my mind.
Last night, we went out to eat, then randomly, she decided, "we have no reason to stick around here (Houston), let's leave tonight!" And so we embarked on a four and a half hour roadtrip, to somewhere she refused to tell me until the end.
We've spent some good quality time together. Which has been good for both of us.
I've been waaay too caught up in my social life lately, and needed an excuse to get the hell away from my phone for awhile. :)
She told me all these stories I had never known about her before.
All these love stories.
I didn't even know my grandma was capable of romantic love (her being the "Player type". She was basically a one woman army her whole life. she's tough).
We talked. I told her about things I had never felt comfortable telling her before.
Like the affair I had with someone. She knew him, and his wife.
She didn't judge me, like I thought she would.
This weekend has been amazing. :) I saw the Alamo.
And the Riverwalk. I never imagined it'd be that beautiful.
Oh, and I think I'm beginning to remember myself.
The part of me I'd tucked away.
The part accepting of falling in like. Or even love. Who knows?
It could be Love.
I have a feeling, it's going to be amazing, either way.
I love you girls.
Thank you for putting up with me enough to finish reading.
A Year Full Of Love And More To Come.
My dear FRIENDS,
This year has been an important one for me. I had lots of New things and life changing desitions were made.
I started studying what I really love (visual arts) and had 2 jobs to save money for travelling and getting an amazing -very expensive- new camara to work with. I was mad busy and left behind any interaction with social networks cause really I wanted to work on the real ones. Thats why I wasn't as present as I've been before, believe me it was heart breaking. Any time I wanted to write something came up and couldnt.
Never the less I reached to my goal and bought my camera and enjoyed it for a little while and then it was stolen. I wanted to leave it all, my jobs, everything I worked SO hard for. I felt pretty bad. After a while I started again saving and maybe next year I'll buy a new one.
It was quite a year and I had some important lessons, but the most important one was ENJOY LIFE. Do what you love, say what you think and FEEL. Feeling is the proof of being alive, which is the greatest gift.
I know some of us dont know what our faces look like or even never heard each others voices.. But I feel you gals so close. Im so so happy to know we all share something and that we feel the same. I trully dream with the day we all meet and hug like we know since EVER. Cause thats how I feel.
Im grateful to have you all in my life and know Im down and come here and read your posts or watch ur youtube links and inmediately feel better.
Thats why my ladies I wish you all a FANTASTIC new year. Full of Love And Magic.
I'll toast tonight with you all in my mind.
Be Love.
Lucy
This year has been an important one for me. I had lots of New things and life changing desitions were made.
I started studying what I really love (visual arts) and had 2 jobs to save money for travelling and getting an amazing -very expensive- new camara to work with. I was mad busy and left behind any interaction with social networks cause really I wanted to work on the real ones. Thats why I wasn't as present as I've been before, believe me it was heart breaking. Any time I wanted to write something came up and couldnt.
Never the less I reached to my goal and bought my camera and enjoyed it for a little while and then it was stolen. I wanted to leave it all, my jobs, everything I worked SO hard for. I felt pretty bad. After a while I started again saving and maybe next year I'll buy a new one.
It was quite a year and I had some important lessons, but the most important one was ENJOY LIFE. Do what you love, say what you think and FEEL. Feeling is the proof of being alive, which is the greatest gift.
I know some of us dont know what our faces look like or even never heard each others voices.. But I feel you gals so close. Im so so happy to know we all share something and that we feel the same. I trully dream with the day we all meet and hug like we know since EVER. Cause thats how I feel.
Im grateful to have you all in my life and know Im down and come here and read your posts or watch ur youtube links and inmediately feel better.
Thats why my ladies I wish you all a FANTASTIC new year. Full of Love And Magic.
I'll toast tonight with you all in my mind.
Be Love.
Lucy
The Be Love Project.
The main idea of this is to take ‘Be Love’ and love itself around the globe.
We can start by taking a picture in a representative place of your city, and continue during any travel you do. Just shoot a pic and upload it. As easy and Fast as that :D
You can either take the pic with a sign that reads “Be Love” or (if applies) a tattoo, or the heart shaped hands sign. The main point is to Spreads this idea, in any creative way you like.
Let’s start it! :D
Do you join?
We can start by taking a picture in a representative place of your city, and continue during any travel you do. Just shoot a pic and upload it. As easy and Fast as that :D
You can either take the pic with a sign that reads “Be Love” or (if applies) a tattoo, or the heart shaped hands sign. The main point is to Spreads this idea, in any creative way you like.
Let’s start it! :D
Do you join?
Feliz Cumpleaños mamá! :D
Some years ago an Amazing woman was born, one that gave birth not only two Amazing kids, but also a whole World of inspiration.
Its been a while since I posted something, but today it is a big time of celebration,
My awesome mom’s birthday..
HappyBirthay mom, I love and admire you, more than any woman in the World.
And to you all, have an awesome day!
BeLove..
PattyZc
Its been a while since I posted something, but today it is a big time of celebration,
My awesome mom’s birthday..
HappyBirthay mom, I love and admire you, more than any woman in the World.
And to you all, have an awesome day!
BeLove..
PattyZc
We all knew it was coming...
As I am sure most of you ladies have read in a recent interview, our dream man plans to propose to Tristan Prettyman, WITHIN A YEAR!
“Recently I’ve found a woman I’m going to marry, and plan topropose to her within a year,” he said. “We’ve been dating a year and known each other for nine years.”
We have to try and be happy for him, girls!! He's happy, we should be happy for him! I told my mom about this and her reply was this: "He's not going to marry you, hun. I hate to tell you. I know you're bummed, but you should be happy! It's not Tawney! It's Tristan! You love her music! He is obviously happy with her."
She's right. Think about it, if yo had to pick someone (other than us Mraz Gals) who would you want him to be with? I pick Tristan. I do like her. Even though I never wanted him to marry ANYONE (except me), I always knew inside that it was bound to happen eventually. So when I read this I was of course SHOCKED and UPSET. I am over it now. Well, not OVER it, but ya know what I mean. Try to be happy for him gals! He truly loves her and is truly happy.
Be Love<3
Dahlia
“Recently I’ve found a woman I’m going to marry, and plan topropose to her within a year,” he said. “We’ve been dating a year and known each other for nine years.”
We have to try and be happy for him, girls!! He's happy, we should be happy for him! I told my mom about this and her reply was this: "He's not going to marry you, hun. I hate to tell you. I know you're bummed, but you should be happy! It's not Tawney! It's Tristan! You love her music! He is obviously happy with her."
She's right. Think about it, if yo had to pick someone (other than us Mraz Gals) who would you want him to be with? I pick Tristan. I do like her. Even though I never wanted him to marry ANYONE (except me), I always knew inside that it was bound to happen eventually. So when I read this I was of course SHOCKED and UPSET. I am over it now. Well, not OVER it, but ya know what I mean. Try to be happy for him gals! He truly loves her and is truly happy.
Be Love<3
Dahlia
I'm the queen of rock apparently.
Or so says my boyfriend.
I miss you lovely ladies. None of us have posted lately. We need to get back in the groove. I understand it is the end of summer/beginning of the school year for some, but we HAVE to remain in contact.
The ones i talk to most of the time are TJ, Jam, and Marissa, and I'm pretty sure y'all are three of my best friends. I love you.
So, yeah, my life is going amazing.
For once in a long time, I am truly happy.
I have an AMAZING boyfriend, no exaggeration.
He makes me feel like the most amazing girl in the world.
That's how every girl in here should feel. Because you are amazing.
I'm pretty sure...
EVERYTHING is AMAZING right now.
Just remember girls, YOU fucking did it.
And i love you.
On love,
ChristinaMarie(:
I miss you lovely ladies. None of us have posted lately. We need to get back in the groove. I understand it is the end of summer/beginning of the school year for some, but we HAVE to remain in contact.
The ones i talk to most of the time are TJ, Jam, and Marissa, and I'm pretty sure y'all are three of my best friends. I love you.
So, yeah, my life is going amazing.
For once in a long time, I am truly happy.
I have an AMAZING boyfriend, no exaggeration.
He makes me feel like the most amazing girl in the world.
That's how every girl in here should feel. Because you are amazing.
I'm pretty sure...
EVERYTHING is AMAZING right now.
Just remember girls, YOU fucking did it.
And i love you.
On love,
ChristinaMarie(:
Lady dreamer, you might be the soundest sleeper...
Tonight, sleep tight / Build your nest upon my shoulder...
Self portrait inspired by The Mraz Man, his tattoo, Clockwatching, and Love. :)
It's comforting..
It's comforting to know, that at heart, our very own Mr. A-Z is a crazy cat lady, just like me :)
My latest friend, fittingly named, Friend :)
Being love, ladies :)
TJ
I will be fine
I am healing girls.
And all of you are helping me with it.
I came to the realization the other day that everything will be fine.
And only I can control my destiny. I can't wait for anyone to do it for me.
I have to do it.
So today, I am taking a stand. And i want all of you to do it with me.
Take a stand to be love.
Preach it with all of your heart.
<3
Je t'aime.
Jason Mraz, thanks for the constant inspiration.
(:
love,
ChristinaMarie(:
And all of you are helping me with it.
I came to the realization the other day that everything will be fine.
And only I can control my destiny. I can't wait for anyone to do it for me.
I have to do it.
So today, I am taking a stand. And i want all of you to do it with me.
Take a stand to be love.
Preach it with all of your heart.
<3
Je t'aime.
Jason Mraz, thanks for the constant inspiration.
(:
love,
ChristinaMarie(:
it happens..
Since I met JM I changed, he truly changed me, and seeing him change over the years allows me to realize how big and important is our self development, and how amazing is to be able to change, to accept ourselves and enjoy the ride!
A while ago I gave up on love, even though my parents look like newly weds and they've been together since they were 13 yrs old... I just thought there must be some people that aren't meant for that kind of love story. Then Mr. AZ happened, and a whole new way of thinking and instead of giving up I gave in... I accepted myself and everyone around me, and I appreciated and enjoyed every little thing. And then it happened, when I least expected: I met HIM. I met a guy, no.. I met THE guy... I couldn't possibly ask for anything else in a guy, he's just so perfect, I can be myself truly and entirely I can feel myself, I don't have to pretend anything. I have the most fun I had in years, I smile all day long, I’m almost afraid of being pinched an woken up in any moment.
So I think that one of the most important things I have learned about life is to be myself in each and every way that I desire to be.
I would also like to thank Jam for this space, for letting me know such amazing girls, ‘cause at first we were united by Jason, and a passion, but now I think we’re united because we’re alike, we’re very similar to each other, and yet so different and so unique that its just wonderful. Thank you Jam, thank you girls.
I truly hope to meet you in person someday; I promise myself I’ll hug u all…
Be Love.
A while ago I gave up on love, even though my parents look like newly weds and they've been together since they were 13 yrs old... I just thought there must be some people that aren't meant for that kind of love story. Then Mr. AZ happened, and a whole new way of thinking and instead of giving up I gave in... I accepted myself and everyone around me, and I appreciated and enjoyed every little thing. And then it happened, when I least expected: I met HIM. I met a guy, no.. I met THE guy... I couldn't possibly ask for anything else in a guy, he's just so perfect, I can be myself truly and entirely I can feel myself, I don't have to pretend anything. I have the most fun I had in years, I smile all day long, I’m almost afraid of being pinched an woken up in any moment.
So I think that one of the most important things I have learned about life is to be myself in each and every way that I desire to be.
I would also like to thank Jam for this space, for letting me know such amazing girls, ‘cause at first we were united by Jason, and a passion, but now I think we’re united because we’re alike, we’re very similar to each other, and yet so different and so unique that its just wonderful. Thank you Jam, thank you girls.
I truly hope to meet you in person someday; I promise myself I’ll hug u all…
Be Love.
Ya know what I really, really love?
Hey ladies, I posted this up on tumblr last night, and I know some of you already read it, but since I made mention of a bunch of you and Mraz Women in general, along with the very inspirational Jason Mraz, I wanted to put it up on here, too...
Figuring things out about myself.
It sounds strange, but it really isn’t. I think right now, I’m at a really important phase of my life. That one where you figure so many things out, it can be either overwhelming or exciting. And I choose it to be exciting. When I was younger, I tended to follow the crowd. And I guess not really the crowd, more a certain group of girls who were the “popular ones.” I used to be a part of them, and regretfully this is so. I copied everything they did, from the clothes they wore to the music they listened to and I look back on it and think, “Wow, life must have really sucked then.” How could I have done that to myself is beyond me, but it is what it is, and now I can learn from it, so I’m grateful for that opportunity and I’m grateful to have found myself more and more over the years.
I started growing farther and farther apart from these girls and it was really because of so many reasons. While they wanted to be out in a party, I wanted to spend some time with my family (we’re really close). While they wanted to get the new Juicy Couture purse, I wanted to get a new Gameboy to play with my brothers. While they wanted to have a million play dates and sleepovers, I wanted to really concentrate on my schoolwork and study to impress all the teachers, proving to the world what I could do, all I could accomplish on my own. While they enjoyed bullying the people less social or less known than them, I wanted to stand up for those people. While they complained about their body image, wanting larger breasts and a smaller waist, I was perfectly content with my body and thought we were all beautiful. I tried to impose this onto them and perhaps convince them they were too, but they wouldn’t have any of it. While they were into Vogue, Seventeen, and Cosmo Girl, I wanted to be doing my homework assignments, putting in all my effort into that because that’s what mattered to me most at that moment. While they wanted to be at the mall buying out every single store, I wanted to be in the pool or beach. While they wanted to stand around in P.E. class and look at their nails and curl and flick their hair, I wanted to participate and GET ACTIVE AND PLAY WITH THE GUYS, hopefully show ‘em I was different.
It got worse. While they wanted to roll up their school shorts and skirts so high you could see the pockets, I kept mine at a normal length. While they wore bucket loads of makeup and splattered that goo all over their face at such a young age, I kept mine makeup free, all natural. While they constantly hounded me with questions, judging me for every single thing I said and did, I was struggling to lift my own spirits, afraid to go to anyone else. And that time in my life I really had no clue about who I was, where I was going, what I liked, what I disliked, and it makes you feel pretty helpless, much more easily influenced. I separated from them after I recognized these feelings.
Best move I ever made. Because when I see them now, all I see is a bunch of mindless girls who have so much potential. They could be so much better than what they are right now, and it makes me sad they didn’t take my path with me. It’s like they’re stuck in this imaginary vortex that doesn’t allow them to see the world as anything else except for behind the eyes of those mean little girls they were when they were younger.
Ya know, I have a story to tell you. To show you how mean they were…one day, two of them got together and decided to kick me out of “the group.” One of them invited me to her house and me, being the stupid, stupid kid I was, allowed her to influence me and convinced me to sing a bad song about the other girl. We both did it, but I sang the most. She was so into it and I felt so special because she was having fun with me and I feel “cool” for making her happy. I now know the real definition of “cool” is to be whoever the hell you wanna be. She secretly recorded the song and invited the other girl over to play it back. They confronted me at school on the playground and I was so, so crushed. I couldn’t believe it. We were friends for years, basically since birth. But I now know it was only really because the parents were friends. No worries, mom’s not friends with their parents anymore. Maybe that was supposed to happen? So I didn’t grow up to be like them.
Maybe that was a good thing to happen. To be separated from them the hard way, although I probably would’ve done it on my own, better sooner than later, I guess. I look at them now and while I see the pictures of them French kissing guys and posting them up on Facebook, holding up wine and beer bottles with a completely wasted look on their face, with that same dark makeup, with those heels higher, with those dresses shorter, pictures sleeping with guys, laughing at the straight F’s they get on their report cards while I get the straight A’s, cursing like maniacs, overusing the words “fuck” and “you” in a single sentence, I couldn’t be more happy with myself right now, this moment. And I think a really big factor that helped me figure out what this life is all about in the end is a few heroes of mine.
The first and biggest, being Jason Mraz, as many may already know. His music, his soothing words, his advice touched me so much and everything he said, I could relate with. And I mean, really, really relate with. I feel like I always had his incredible ideas constantly brewing up inside of me, but never really identified with them or knew how to fully and properly express them. I was also too afraid to take the chance. I was afraid of what people would think and how my “status” would change throughout the school. But Jason Mraz has made it cool to Be Love and Be Grateful. It’d be much too difficult to go through everything he’s taught me because we’d be here for awhile, but I think the biggest thing is just that, “There ain’t no rules to being cool” like he says in the WSWDWST DVD. It’s so simple, but I never really grasped it before hearing it from Jason. And that album, WSWDWST, it really talks about his self-discovery and how to live life to the fullest, not letting anything get in your way and bog you down, and I lived off that one CD for over a year. Nothing else. I learned all the songs. Broke down all the lyrics. Everything. And it’s helped like you couldn’t even imagine. I’m living so happy now and he’s made me feel like I really can do anything I want, like who I want, and figure out what I’m about. I’m such more of an aware person and the changes I’ve experienced over the last two years or so have been life changing, I know it.
The other hero is a teacher from last year who really, really helped me out, made me feel special. Both of them made me open my eyes to so many greater things to do with my life then sleep around and think your looks are everything. They’re really not.
I also need to thank Jam Regis for really opening her arms and allowing me into this amazing community of women over at MrazWomen.blogspot.com, and just allowing me to be her friend. My parents honestly never let me get a Facebook, but out of the blue one day, I decided to get a Twitter and I think Jam was one of the very first people who I could relate with, and made me feel really loved, especially with all that good advice she’s given me! I’m so grateful for you, and ever since I’ve been a part of Mraz Women, I felt like I was part of something really, really great. Not like that group of girls I associated with when I was blind to how to the world really worked. And I’m grateful for every single one them…Suzie, Christina D., Lisey E., Paula G., Dahlia L., Lucy F., Lesley M., Kayla K., Jessica R., Marissa M., May M., Stephanie D., Dana B. (whose tweets make me laugh like a crazy maniac), Nicole, and everyone else whose a part of it that I’m not mentioning. No hard feelings, it’s late, I’m tired. You guys have made me feel so special.
And now, I’m living really great because when someone asks me who my favorite artist is, for example, I can proudly say, “Jason Mraz.” When someone asks what my favorite clothing brand is, I can say, “Blend Apparel.” When someone asks who my favorite actor is, I can say, “Robert Downey Junior.” When someone asks me what my favorite show is, I say, “The Colbert Report.” And I know these are really silly things that everyone figures out as time goes by, but this is coming from the girl who answered every single fucking question with, “I dunno” because I was afraid of being judged for being myself. I hold my head up high and if you ask me anything, I’ll know the answer because I know who I am.
I’m Sasha. I’m not some mirror image of you, although I’m aspiring to have qualities like Jason Mraz because of how great a human being he is. I’m glad my role models aren’t slutty actresses, people who take drugs, and feel so “cool” for having sex with practically everything that moves. I’m glad they are you guys, everyone at Mraz Women and on Twitter who has constantly inspired me. I eternally thank you.
Figuring things out about myself.
It sounds strange, but it really isn’t. I think right now, I’m at a really important phase of my life. That one where you figure so many things out, it can be either overwhelming or exciting. And I choose it to be exciting. When I was younger, I tended to follow the crowd. And I guess not really the crowd, more a certain group of girls who were the “popular ones.” I used to be a part of them, and regretfully this is so. I copied everything they did, from the clothes they wore to the music they listened to and I look back on it and think, “Wow, life must have really sucked then.” How could I have done that to myself is beyond me, but it is what it is, and now I can learn from it, so I’m grateful for that opportunity and I’m grateful to have found myself more and more over the years.
I started growing farther and farther apart from these girls and it was really because of so many reasons. While they wanted to be out in a party, I wanted to spend some time with my family (we’re really close). While they wanted to get the new Juicy Couture purse, I wanted to get a new Gameboy to play with my brothers. While they wanted to have a million play dates and sleepovers, I wanted to really concentrate on my schoolwork and study to impress all the teachers, proving to the world what I could do, all I could accomplish on my own. While they enjoyed bullying the people less social or less known than them, I wanted to stand up for those people. While they complained about their body image, wanting larger breasts and a smaller waist, I was perfectly content with my body and thought we were all beautiful. I tried to impose this onto them and perhaps convince them they were too, but they wouldn’t have any of it. While they were into Vogue, Seventeen, and Cosmo Girl, I wanted to be doing my homework assignments, putting in all my effort into that because that’s what mattered to me most at that moment. While they wanted to be at the mall buying out every single store, I wanted to be in the pool or beach. While they wanted to stand around in P.E. class and look at their nails and curl and flick their hair, I wanted to participate and GET ACTIVE AND PLAY WITH THE GUYS, hopefully show ‘em I was different.
It got worse. While they wanted to roll up their school shorts and skirts so high you could see the pockets, I kept mine at a normal length. While they wore bucket loads of makeup and splattered that goo all over their face at such a young age, I kept mine makeup free, all natural. While they constantly hounded me with questions, judging me for every single thing I said and did, I was struggling to lift my own spirits, afraid to go to anyone else. And that time in my life I really had no clue about who I was, where I was going, what I liked, what I disliked, and it makes you feel pretty helpless, much more easily influenced. I separated from them after I recognized these feelings.
Best move I ever made. Because when I see them now, all I see is a bunch of mindless girls who have so much potential. They could be so much better than what they are right now, and it makes me sad they didn’t take my path with me. It’s like they’re stuck in this imaginary vortex that doesn’t allow them to see the world as anything else except for behind the eyes of those mean little girls they were when they were younger.
Ya know, I have a story to tell you. To show you how mean they were…one day, two of them got together and decided to kick me out of “the group.” One of them invited me to her house and me, being the stupid, stupid kid I was, allowed her to influence me and convinced me to sing a bad song about the other girl. We both did it, but I sang the most. She was so into it and I felt so special because she was having fun with me and I feel “cool” for making her happy. I now know the real definition of “cool” is to be whoever the hell you wanna be. She secretly recorded the song and invited the other girl over to play it back. They confronted me at school on the playground and I was so, so crushed. I couldn’t believe it. We were friends for years, basically since birth. But I now know it was only really because the parents were friends. No worries, mom’s not friends with their parents anymore. Maybe that was supposed to happen? So I didn’t grow up to be like them.
Maybe that was a good thing to happen. To be separated from them the hard way, although I probably would’ve done it on my own, better sooner than later, I guess. I look at them now and while I see the pictures of them French kissing guys and posting them up on Facebook, holding up wine and beer bottles with a completely wasted look on their face, with that same dark makeup, with those heels higher, with those dresses shorter, pictures sleeping with guys, laughing at the straight F’s they get on their report cards while I get the straight A’s, cursing like maniacs, overusing the words “fuck” and “you” in a single sentence, I couldn’t be more happy with myself right now, this moment. And I think a really big factor that helped me figure out what this life is all about in the end is a few heroes of mine.
The first and biggest, being Jason Mraz, as many may already know. His music, his soothing words, his advice touched me so much and everything he said, I could relate with. And I mean, really, really relate with. I feel like I always had his incredible ideas constantly brewing up inside of me, but never really identified with them or knew how to fully and properly express them. I was also too afraid to take the chance. I was afraid of what people would think and how my “status” would change throughout the school. But Jason Mraz has made it cool to Be Love and Be Grateful. It’d be much too difficult to go through everything he’s taught me because we’d be here for awhile, but I think the biggest thing is just that, “There ain’t no rules to being cool” like he says in the WSWDWST DVD. It’s so simple, but I never really grasped it before hearing it from Jason. And that album, WSWDWST, it really talks about his self-discovery and how to live life to the fullest, not letting anything get in your way and bog you down, and I lived off that one CD for over a year. Nothing else. I learned all the songs. Broke down all the lyrics. Everything. And it’s helped like you couldn’t even imagine. I’m living so happy now and he’s made me feel like I really can do anything I want, like who I want, and figure out what I’m about. I’m such more of an aware person and the changes I’ve experienced over the last two years or so have been life changing, I know it.
The other hero is a teacher from last year who really, really helped me out, made me feel special. Both of them made me open my eyes to so many greater things to do with my life then sleep around and think your looks are everything. They’re really not.
I also need to thank Jam Regis for really opening her arms and allowing me into this amazing community of women over at MrazWomen.blogspot.com, and just allowing me to be her friend. My parents honestly never let me get a Facebook, but out of the blue one day, I decided to get a Twitter and I think Jam was one of the very first people who I could relate with, and made me feel really loved, especially with all that good advice she’s given me! I’m so grateful for you, and ever since I’ve been a part of Mraz Women, I felt like I was part of something really, really great. Not like that group of girls I associated with when I was blind to how to the world really worked. And I’m grateful for every single one them…Suzie, Christina D., Lisey E., Paula G., Dahlia L., Lucy F., Lesley M., Kayla K., Jessica R., Marissa M., May M., Stephanie D., Dana B. (whose tweets make me laugh like a crazy maniac), Nicole, and everyone else whose a part of it that I’m not mentioning. No hard feelings, it’s late, I’m tired. You guys have made me feel so special.
And now, I’m living really great because when someone asks me who my favorite artist is, for example, I can proudly say, “Jason Mraz.” When someone asks what my favorite clothing brand is, I can say, “Blend Apparel.” When someone asks who my favorite actor is, I can say, “Robert Downey Junior.” When someone asks me what my favorite show is, I say, “The Colbert Report.” And I know these are really silly things that everyone figures out as time goes by, but this is coming from the girl who answered every single fucking question with, “I dunno” because I was afraid of being judged for being myself. I hold my head up high and if you ask me anything, I’ll know the answer because I know who I am.
I’m Sasha. I’m not some mirror image of you, although I’m aspiring to have qualities like Jason Mraz because of how great a human being he is. I’m glad my role models aren’t slutty actresses, people who take drugs, and feel so “cool” for having sex with practically everything that moves. I’m glad they are you guys, everyone at Mraz Women and on Twitter who has constantly inspired me. I eternally thank you.
Cause, i'm drinking all the tears that you cry..
There are several Mraz songs i listen to when I'm crying, but this one must be on the top four.
1. Details In The Fabric.
2. You Make Me High.
3. Sunshine Song.
4. Stranger in the Sky.
There are days where I feel like my complete world has been turned upside down.
I feel like nothing matters, and that is when I hit the rock bottom.
Then, when no one else is there for me,
he comes to my rescue.
These two songs (the first two) are the ones where i feel like Jason is speaking to me personally.
"Hang on, help is on the way. Stay strong, i'm doing everything."
So, in a way, he is my personal savior.
(:
And you girls are my angels.
I'm going to try and be happy.
Not for anyone else, not for any reason, but just for myself.
I'm so tired of being unhappy.
Screw needing a boy to make me happy, that's just false happiness.
I'm going to be happy for me.
And i encourage all of you to do the same.
And you know, that if any of you need me, i am here for you.
WE all are.
Be love girls,
and love will become you.
love,
ChristinaMarie(:
1. Details In The Fabric.
2. You Make Me High.
3. Sunshine Song.
4. Stranger in the Sky.
There are days where I feel like my complete world has been turned upside down.
I feel like nothing matters, and that is when I hit the rock bottom.
Then, when no one else is there for me,
he comes to my rescue.
These two songs (the first two) are the ones where i feel like Jason is speaking to me personally.
"Hang on, help is on the way. Stay strong, i'm doing everything."
So, in a way, he is my personal savior.
(:
And you girls are my angels.
I'm going to try and be happy.
Not for anyone else, not for any reason, but just for myself.
I'm so tired of being unhappy.
Screw needing a boy to make me happy, that's just false happiness.
I'm going to be happy for me.
And i encourage all of you to do the same.
And you know, that if any of you need me, i am here for you.
WE all are.
Be love girls,
and love will become you.
love,
ChristinaMarie(:
after some time away...
Its been a while since I've been trying to write an entry. Normally we tend to write extreme emotions, such as sad things or really happy events.. And its funny because a month ago was my birthay, so I guess Im supposed to have an extreme emotion that day.
What I'm trying to say is that every single day has been amazing, enjoying the ups and downs of life...
In a quick summary, i was able to see my brother (who I really missed) I went on vacations with my family, two lovely weeks: Four days of shopping spree, followed by one week of laying down next to the pool, playing in the beach, resulting with a terrible sunburn.. Coming back from vacations daddy went straight to the hospital, seems that something he ate caused him a weird 'bacteria cocktail' in his stomach leading to an all-inclusive one week stay at the hospital. He's finally home, and he seems better :) but he's gotten more paranoid than ever with stuff he eats!
I've been quite distant from my social life, but i think i needed it, a time for me.
During my shopping spree I bought JM Live at the Eagles Ballroom, & my bf gave me Curbside Prophet and Mr. AZ for my bday so now i finally own em all, im still missing a couple dvds and live records, but as for now ive got the three from studio and two live :D also i finally recieved my a thousand things photobook.. :D
Spending time with my family always gets me to think a lot, and also being on vacations with not much on my mind really gets my mind going, I guess I should read a little more, but I haven't been able to concentrate very good.
As always, and im sure most people do i love laying on my back on my wonderful bed and listening to really loud music, its amazing :D
So being able to think and to analyze what's being going on, added to some of the wonderful JM lyrics, I've been opening my mind into thinking different than how i normally do, its fun.. u girls should try it sometime! :D
But i guess that the highlight of my vacations is my new daughter, damn i love that girl! She's the sweetest! She'es got gorgeous eyes, and lovely black hair. I love the little cute sounds she makes, and I love how she moves, with no concern at all....
Here i leave a pic of me and my baby 'Mafalda'
Thanks for reading, THANK YOU for posting.
Keep it coming girls, u can always cheer me up!
Be Love!
Besos!
What I'm trying to say is that every single day has been amazing, enjoying the ups and downs of life...
In a quick summary, i was able to see my brother (who I really missed) I went on vacations with my family, two lovely weeks: Four days of shopping spree, followed by one week of laying down next to the pool, playing in the beach, resulting with a terrible sunburn.. Coming back from vacations daddy went straight to the hospital, seems that something he ate caused him a weird 'bacteria cocktail' in his stomach leading to an all-inclusive one week stay at the hospital. He's finally home, and he seems better :) but he's gotten more paranoid than ever with stuff he eats!
I've been quite distant from my social life, but i think i needed it, a time for me.
During my shopping spree I bought JM Live at the Eagles Ballroom, & my bf gave me Curbside Prophet and Mr. AZ for my bday so now i finally own em all, im still missing a couple dvds and live records, but as for now ive got the three from studio and two live :D also i finally recieved my a thousand things photobook.. :D
Spending time with my family always gets me to think a lot, and also being on vacations with not much on my mind really gets my mind going, I guess I should read a little more, but I haven't been able to concentrate very good.
As always, and im sure most people do i love laying on my back on my wonderful bed and listening to really loud music, its amazing :D
So being able to think and to analyze what's being going on, added to some of the wonderful JM lyrics, I've been opening my mind into thinking different than how i normally do, its fun.. u girls should try it sometime! :D
But i guess that the highlight of my vacations is my new daughter, damn i love that girl! She's the sweetest! She'es got gorgeous eyes, and lovely black hair. I love the little cute sounds she makes, and I love how she moves, with no concern at all....
Here i leave a pic of me and my baby 'Mafalda'
Thanks for reading, THANK YOU for posting.
Keep it coming girls, u can always cheer me up!
Be Love!
Besos!
Wow girls, i am so incredibly happy
Right now, blogging from my best friend's house,
i had suuuuucchhh an amazing night.
My best friend Emily and i hosted a movie night, and it was incredible.
We only invited two people (besides ourselves) because it was a more intimate occasion.(:
My best friend got this guy she used to like to come, and i invited my other best friend (who happens to be a guy, that also happens to be the guy i'm helplessly in love with).
We watched Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and the entire time, James and i cuddled, and we held hands.
And when we got a moment alone, he would sneak me a kiss.
It was sooooo amazing. <3
I hate that all we can do is be that way, and just be best friends.
One day, i promise girls,i will find a way to make him mine again.
He was mine, and i was lost him.
Ever since that day, i spend every moment regretting.
Maybe one day, we'll both be on the same maturity level, and
then
that one day
He'll be mine.
I love you girls.
And i am happy for each one of you who has found a missing part of your soul in someone else.
I have,
but he hasn't realized it yet.
On this note,
i leave you.
with a sigh.
<3
Regretfully,
ChristinaMarie(no smiley face)
i had suuuuucchhh an amazing night.
My best friend Emily and i hosted a movie night, and it was incredible.
We only invited two people (besides ourselves) because it was a more intimate occasion.(:
My best friend got this guy she used to like to come, and i invited my other best friend (who happens to be a guy, that also happens to be the guy i'm helplessly in love with).
We watched Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and the entire time, James and i cuddled, and we held hands.
And when we got a moment alone, he would sneak me a kiss.
It was sooooo amazing. <3
I hate that all we can do is be that way, and just be best friends.
One day, i promise girls,i will find a way to make him mine again.
He was mine, and i was lost him.
Ever since that day, i spend every moment regretting.
Maybe one day, we'll both be on the same maturity level, and
then
that one day
He'll be mine.
I love you girls.
And i am happy for each one of you who has found a missing part of your soul in someone else.
I have,
but he hasn't realized it yet.
On this note,
i leave you.
with a sigh.
<3
Regretfully,
ChristinaMarie(no smiley face)
all of you wonderful girls(:
Christina Dickerson taha.
him.
jason mraz.
and
lady gaga....
those are my heroes.
Jeff Baugh What I've heard of Mraz's stuff is great - old school pop with a little bit of a modern, street-laced edge. Have you heard the cover he did of that Steve Miller Band song, "The Joker" a couple of years back?
Ah, Lady Gaga. Poke her face, indeed.
Christina Dickerson yes, i've heard every song of his.
that was on happy feet. :D
honey, he's my religion.
Jeff Baugh Ah, Happy Feet - whadda great film. People should talk about it more often.
Your religion, y'say? First Church of The Jason?
Christina Dickerson XD
something like that.
(:
but im too cool for church.
Jeff Baugh I could see it - seem cooler than the other side of the pillow to me, lol.
Unless it was a church with 'soul' - those are cooool.
Christina Dickerson check this out.
in a way, we are the first church of jason.
http://mrazwomen.blogspot.com/
i'm the poster with the name ChristinaMarie(:
and the rest of them, well in a sense they are my family....
♥
Jeff Baugh I can dig it, for sho'. I like the look of the site a lot, too. Don't usually see sites that look that good on Blogspot, it's true.
So, do you guys qualify for tax exemption status yet, or what?
Christina Dickerson XD i wish.
we're pretty awesome.
i mean, when Jam (the owner) started it, it was really simple, and when i joined it, i felt the love.
like people say they feel at church.
(which i've never felt)....
it was just incredible how the love for mraz has brought us all together.
and we're all friends on here, and twitter, and a bunch of stuff.
i thought i would think "man, what a bunch of wannabe fans. i hate them. i hate this."
since i've been a hardcore fan since 2002, but nope.
nothing but love. ♥
i had this conversation with a friend of mine earlier, and it made me think, you guys really do inspire me.
I'm sure some of you are like "dude, chill. it's just a thing we do in our spare time".
but you girls are awesome.
you really are.
besides my best friend and i, i thought no one understood.
and every single one of you (or at least the ones i've encountered), you just understand.
and you take up some of my days, when i have nothing else to make me smile.
Thanks for opening my eyes to more love.
<3
Nothing but love.
So do it.
Just.
Be love.
ChristinaMarie(:
him.
jason mraz.
and
lady gaga....
those are my heroes.
Jeff Baugh What I've heard of Mraz's stuff is great - old school pop with a little bit of a modern, street-laced edge. Have you heard the cover he did of that Steve Miller Band song, "The Joker" a couple of years back?
Ah, Lady Gaga. Poke her face, indeed.
Christina Dickerson yes, i've heard every song of his.
that was on happy feet. :D
honey, he's my religion.
Jeff Baugh Ah, Happy Feet - whadda great film. People should talk about it more often.
Your religion, y'say? First Church of The Jason?
Christina Dickerson XD
something like that.
(:
but im too cool for church.
Jeff Baugh I could see it - seem cooler than the other side of the pillow to me, lol.
Unless it was a church with 'soul' - those are cooool.
Christina Dickerson check this out.
in a way, we are the first church of jason.
http://mrazwomen.blogspot.com/
i'm the poster with the name ChristinaMarie(:
and the rest of them, well in a sense they are my family....
♥
Jeff Baugh I can dig it, for sho'. I like the look of the site a lot, too. Don't usually see sites that look that good on Blogspot, it's true.
So, do you guys qualify for tax exemption status yet, or what?
Christina Dickerson XD i wish.
we're pretty awesome.
i mean, when Jam (the owner) started it, it was really simple, and when i joined it, i felt the love.
like people say they feel at church.
(which i've never felt)....
it was just incredible how the love for mraz has brought us all together.
and we're all friends on here, and twitter, and a bunch of stuff.
i thought i would think "man, what a bunch of wannabe fans. i hate them. i hate this."
since i've been a hardcore fan since 2002, but nope.
nothing but love. ♥
i had this conversation with a friend of mine earlier, and it made me think, you guys really do inspire me.
I'm sure some of you are like "dude, chill. it's just a thing we do in our spare time".
but you girls are awesome.
you really are.
besides my best friend and i, i thought no one understood.
and every single one of you (or at least the ones i've encountered), you just understand.
and you take up some of my days, when i have nothing else to make me smile.
Thanks for opening my eyes to more love.
<3
Nothing but love.
So do it.
Just.
Be love.
ChristinaMarie(:
