Lashaunda's Journals

Tonight!

I'm so excited for Eye Alaska!

Bamboozle Left

I wish I could have been there. It looks like it was an epic performance, but I will see them soon at Chain Reaction! And the new song is amazing. I cannot wait for the new album. ♥

Gym Class Heroes saves the day.

So, I was down in the dumps because I didn't have tickets to Bamboozle Left, and I had to read twitter after twitter about all the awesomeness happening in Irvine. I eventually fell asleep, accepting my fate, but was soon awaken by Nicole with an interesting Twitter.

"Are playing a secret set at CITYWALK in Universal City at 9:45pm!!!"

It was Gym Class Heroes. It was almost 9:00.

We don't live close, and on any normal day or night, it would take at least an hour to get all the way to that side of town from West L.A., park, and go through the motions of getting into Citywalk.

We waited. Debated. Contemplated. Ten minutes later, we decided to jump up and make a mad dash for Citywalk--after a short stop to pick up our friend Breana, who is probably Travis' #1 fan.

We made record timing, although we still ended up missing the majority of the set. We arrived just in time for the last verse of Cookie Jar. It was now 10:05.

We waited a little while to see if they would come back and do more performances later. Unfortunately, they did not. However, there was red carpet event and they stood and did interviews for quite some time. I got a ton of great photos while we watched.

Afterwards, we talked to Travis for a long time. He's pretty awesome, but that's expected. Eric was exceptionally gorgeous.

All in all, it ended up being a good night anyway. I had fun with my girls. It was good to see Gym Class Heroes again, if only for a moment. I am glad I wasn't at Bamboozle because I wiould have missed these moments. Everything does happen for a reason.

...2 is a not a winner, and 3 nobody remembers.

I'm really proud of Close But Not Quite, and oh so happy for them! If you didn't know, they were competing in The Break contest and won the grand prize--a slot on Bamboozle Left's main stage!!! The performance was great! They have grown so much in the past few months since Nicole and I first "discovered" them. I hate that I was gone for four of those months and didn't see the progression of their popularity. I was freaked out by how many people were there just for them when it was their turn to perform. I wish I had a video or a before/after picture of the pit. It was almost empty while the first three bands played, then, it just completely got packed and everyone started getting closer to the stage. I asked Nicole who was about to play and she said "CBNQ". I was like WTF? haha The last time I was at a show (The Wire in Upland to be exact), um, yeah... they didn't have any fans (outside of their school friends & family) besides us that actually came to shows, and there certainly wasn't anybody singing along. Now, girls are screaming and shouting their names. Freaky. It was crazy weird to see that, but it felt great too. I don't understand how fans can be upset when their favorite bands start getting popular. I am overly happy and excited for everything that is happening for them. I just don't want them to ever get too cocky...

The official announcement of Close But Not Quite as the grand prize winners was absolutely beautiful. I actually had tears in my eyes (very briefly though! lol) It was a like scene from a movie--that heartwarming moment when the underdogs win the big game by one point and everyone goes nuts (4th Place! haha Semi-Pro references come in handy). We were all screaming, crying, hugging, texting, and twittering. Someone (I think it was Tony) got lifted into the air. Epic, epic, epic! I'm so glad I was there for that, and it's a memory that will stick with me forever. <3

Walk Like A Gentleman

Have you guys heard Eye Alaska's new song, "Walk Like A Gentleman"? What do you think of it?

I think it's super delicious. Take a listen on their MySpace.

Another week in review...

I got back to Cali a couple of weeks ago. So far, it's been pretty fun and eventful.

As soon as I landed, Nicole, her mom, and I went to Vegas for the rest of the week (Tues.-Fri.), good times! I bought a new camera. It's not a DSLR, but it's pretty good quality.

That Saturday, we went to Lancaster to see our friends Nia and David’s new baby boy. He’s so adorable!!! Awww, motherhood. Sweet… but me not want. Afterwards, we went by Breana’s house and hung out for a while with her and her crazy mom. haha (Yes, we finally met!) Luda’s the cutest thing too. Oh, and @Breana, you and Travis are almost identical—like if he was 17 year old girl, he’d be your twin for sure. haha

Then Sunday was a chill day. All I did was go grocery shopping with Nicole’s mom, while Nicole sat in the car and was acting like a lame. Eh!

The best day was the video shoot! haha We were extras in 3OH!3’s new video for Star Strukk. The paid extras were annoying as f**k, being divas like they were somebody (hello, you’re extras and only getting paid $35 assholes). Aside from them, nearly everybody else was hella cool. Sean and Nat were amazing. They’re always so cool and down to earth.

I went to the AP Tour in Pomona. Details and pictures from there in a journal to come.

Since December...

...not that I have any friends on Buzznet (or any that care anyway).

I haven't been logging on here. I lost interest for a bit, especially with all the fighting and arguing that was going on when I left. I assume that has stopped now?

I have been home in Alabama since December. I go back to L.A. in about 3 weeks. I'm so excited for that! We're leaving for Vegas as soon as Nicole picks me up from the airport though. haha

Since I've been home, I started taking online classes at Arizona State working towards my master's degree. I will be moving to AZ in the summer months. We're tripping it down there a few times in April/May so I can look for places and scope it out... and hang out with Crash Coordinates!

I think being here was good for me the past three months, despite how bored I was the majority of the trip. I didn't have any distractions, so I've been doing exceptionally well in my classes. I also found the time and passion to put into my web site/music zine, POPTHRILLER.COM. Before I leave, I want to at least lay the foundation for a print edition that we can give away at Warped Tour and various places. I also want to put together a mixtape [digital] and organize a benefit concert for Invisible Children or some other charity this summer. Anyone know a venue in SoCal that will let us do it for free or really, really cheap?

My website is up!

...my music zine and promotions site that I have been talking about for yeaaars and finally found the focus to do.
So check it out and check out some new bands!

POPTHRILLER.COM | POPTHRILLER.COM | POPTHRILLER.COM

SoCal, free CBNQ show this Saturday in Long Beach.

Go show your support and have fun! They're quite awesome.
http://www.closebutnotquite.com

The Best of '08

(Courtesy of Garrett)

Best Records:
1) Fall Out Boy - Folie A Deux
2) Eye Alaska - Yellow & Elephant
3) Close But Not Quite - Questions That Need Answers
4) Jonas Brothers - A Little Bit Longer
5) Taylor Swift - Fearless

Best Songs:
1) Gym Class Heroes - Live A Little
2) Fall Out Boy - Headfirst Slide Into Coopestown On A Bad Bet
3) The Maine - We All Roll Along
4) Close But Not Quite - These Roads
5) Gym Class Heroes - No Place To Run

Best Movies:
Dark Knight

Best T.V. Shows:
1) Entourage
2) True Blood
3) Law & Order
4) One Tree Hill
5) The Hills

Best Video Games:

Best Thing's Found in 08:
1) Warped Tour '08
2) Close But Not Quite
3) Eye Alaska
4) Tumblr
5) Twilight

Biggest Accomplishment in 08:
Bachelor's Degree

08 is one word:

Obama!

Things need to work on for 09:
Eating healthy, studying, and developing better sleeping habits!