Just Sayin'...

Last year, I did this list on Valentine’s Day.  I’m not going to look at the 2012 version of this list until I finish this one, and then I’ll compare.  I already know it’ll be super different, though.

1. Demi Lovato who in fact is actually the only person I’d accept as my Valentine, but we’ll humor the others. I’d elaborate on why but if you know me even in the least bit, then you know the deal.

2. Jennifer Lawrence.  Gawjuss (that’s my vast misspelling of “gorgeous” to emphasize just how gorgeous she is, because goodness, she is gorgeous) and an insanely talented actress.  Can I at least direct her a movie? I’d be good with that.

3. Selena Gomez.  Lemme show Bieber how it’s done.  Though of course, I don’t have quite as pretty of features of he does, so Selena might not be into that.  But yeah, just another pretty, talented actress that I gotta get in a movie.

4. Zayn Malik.  My favorite member of my favorite boyband (jk - they’re not my favorite). And a fine looking man - even with whatever he does with his hair. I’d just have him re-enact the Kiss You music video over and over again.  He can bring three friends, too. (Sorry, Niall has to stay home).

5. Anna Kendrick.  With all the subtle hilarity that anyone could ever need in life, not to mention a great helping of cuteness.  Seriously, though, super talented actress as well.  So okay, maybe this list is more so people I’d like to direct in a movie someday.

6. Paul McCartney.  As always.  C’mon, he will never stop being my absolute favorite.  At any age (well, not infancy, but I’d court him as he’s gray).  

7. Nick Jonas.  Though admittedly more platonic than it has been in the past - I suspect we’d get along well in a weird way because we’re on opposite sides of the spectrum.  And everyone needs a good looking best friend, right?  It would be one of those Valentine’s Days where we’re both single so we decide to hang with each other and have a grand ol’ time.

8. Lucy Hale. Idk. I just really like Lucy Hale.  I met her once, and she was super cool and really sweet.  We had a connection.  No lie, she wanted to be my best friend ever.  Not to mention, she’s really pretty.  Never hurts.

9.  D. Devonne Lovato

10. Demetria Lovato

(Couldn’t think of any other person.  And like I said, there’s really only just one who I’d accept).

If one is interested in last year’s list (where apparently I also obviously started running out of candidates near the end), y’all can check that ish here: http://channyt.tumblr.com/post/17599303442/10-people-who-i-will-gladly-accept-as-my-valentine

But really, I’m just focusing on God’s love for me today (and always), and it’s like…I don’t need a Valentine.  I’m Jesus’s Valentine.  Like, just think about how much He loves us - it’s insanity!  He is lavishing us all the time, every day with it.  And it takes on a more meaningful manifestation than chocolates and candy hearts (which are like the greatest, by the way, BUT not as great as grace).

Written on February 2, 2010

Mandy to Rose Garden, it’s been a long ride, Nick J. Yes, I’m writing a blog entry about you, spurned by the fact that I can confidently know that no one but a future version of myself (and people I specifically want to) will see this. Twitter is too constricting, and I was to wallow in my Jonas-related memories without coming off as some rabid fan girl.

Because I’m not. But I do like to dabble in nostalgia, and as much as it does admittedly sometimes pain me, I can’t reminisce on the past three years without the Jonas Brothers coming up every so often.

In fact, it was three years and a day ago when I first let myself sink into them. I’d heard of them before - vaguely. Enough to make fun of them with my best friend for being little Hanson wanna-be’s.

But then Year 3000 happened, and that one middle Jonas in particular caught my eye. And alas, I was trapped - not as obsessive as I purposely played, but I’ve probably seen every Jonas Brothers video created at least before mid-2007.

I really didn’t consider myself a Jonas Brothers fan, beyond my rabid crush on Joe, of course, until I planned to go to the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds concert and found out that the Jonas Brothers were opening for her. I scoured Limewire for the songs of their sophomore album, but when the quality of them proved to be too weak for my tastings, I did the unthinkable - I purchased an album.

Thus ushering in the “concert prep” era - working out 3-4 times a week to Hannah Montana, Miley, and Jonas Brothers song so by November, I had their entire second album more or less entirely memorized. And I liked it.

Now I will just mention a few of my favorite Jonas Brothers songs in our of our 3rd year anniversary… which is a lot more than I would care to admit openly.

What I Go To School For

Time For Me to Fly

6 Minutes

Mandy

I Am What I Am

7:05

Please Be Mine

S.O.S.

Goodnight and Goodbye

Hello Beautiful

Games

Inseparable

Just Friends

Hollywood

Take a Breath

Fly With Me

Much Better

Pushin’ Me Away

Got Me Going Crazy

Poor Unfortunate Souls

Though some I like just for pure pop rock value, I will always be a sucker for their epic romance songs (Please Be Mine, Hello Beautiful, Fly With Me, and especially Inseparable). Some of their songs are just honestly a bit inspirational in that way only simple, feel good pop can capture (Time For Me to Fly, I am What I am, Take a Breath), and some just mean a lot to me on a deeper, more personal level (Hollywood, Just Friends).

One day I’ll take every song that means something special to me - just not theirs - and explain exactly just why.

Who I Am and A Little Bit Longer and Black Keys and While the World is Spinning and Inseparable and Olive & an Arrow and London Foolishly and Rose Garden and okay, I’ll marry you, Nick Jonas.

They’re like a throwback to my infamous myspace days:

Pick 5 artists that you love before reading the questions

1. Demetria Devonne Lovato
2. Sir James Paul McCartney
3. Jason Thomas Mraz
4. Nicholas Jerry Jonas
5. Brian Douglas Wilson

What was the first song you ever heard by 1?

Technically, I guess it was probably “This is Me” :| ha But the first time I heard her voice (and recognized it as one of the more wonderful things I’ve ever heard) was in “We Rock”…also a Camp Rock song.  I really didn’t fall in love with one of her songs until La La Land, though, and that started it all…

That was more information than the question called for, I realize.

Favorite Lyrics of 3?

“When you cry just a little, but you laugh in the middle, then you’ve made it.” From Tonight, Not Again.  That’s just the first of so many that popped up in my head.  I do adore that lyric though - it was great comfort to me during a rough time back in high school.

How many times have you seen 4 live?
A lot more than I realize, actually.  Five times, technically.  The last time being just last Wednesday when Demi brought Nick on stage to perform with her.  And then I’ve seen him in person another time in addition to that, but not performing.

What is your favorite song by 2?
Hey Jude, which I know is technically a Beatles song, but Paul wrote it, sooo. 

Is there any song by 5 that makes you sad?
I feel like “Caroline, No” (technically a Beach Boys song, but I mean, duh, Brian Wilson is the genius behind the Beach Boys) is pretty sad in a great way.

What is your favorite song by 1?
Don’t Forget.

When did you first get into 2?

I’m mad late on the Macca game - didn’t get into The Beatles until after college, though I went to a college where everyone was pretentiously obsessed with them.  So last March, I guess.  Butttt, something has always drawn me specifically to Paul McCartney, waaaay before then.  I’ve just always subconsciously loved that face.  Now I consciously love everything about that man.

How did you get into 3?
The summer before my junior year of high school, Wordplay came out as a single and one of my BFFs, Carmen, also got me hooked on Waiting for My Rocket to Come (the song), so though 2 songs were a big part of my summer listening.  And then that fall, another friend of mine burned me a copy of the Mr. A-Z album, and I fell in love with it.  Listened to it non-stop, and Jason has been one of my favorites ever since.  He used to be my absolute favorite…then Demi and Paul came along in my heart haha

What is your favorite song by 4?
His solo version of Inseparable.  Or While the World is Spinning.  Or Olive & an Arrow.

What is a good memory concerning 1?
How about the time I saw her in her 2nd concert ever after she got out of treatment, got to stand right in front of the stage and during Skyscraper, I reached out my hand towards her, she saw me, and she reached out her hand back and we had a moment for 2 seconds.  Also, the first time I saw her in concert - specifically when she performed Don’t Forget.  The most amazing live performance I’ve seen by her - it was amazing.  I’ll never forget it - no pun intended.

Is there a song by 2 that makes you sad?
Nah.  Paul’s music makes me so happy - you have no idea.

What is your favorite song of 5?
Good Vibrations, which is just one of the best songs ever written, period.

Two years ago, it was summertime and I was living in New York City.  Most of my friends had dispersed across the country for summer break or were back in my hometown.  I was unemployed and spent a lot of time in my apartment, escaping the heat until dusk, when I’d go for my run.  I’d write my screenplay, play guitar, get creative, watch TV.

That was also the summer that I fell in love with the idea of Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas as a couple.  It was the summer that Camp Rock 2 was to premiere, so there was propaganda for it up the wazoo, plus they were on tour together.  And before I knew it, I was a Nemi shipper.

Time went on.  Tour and that summer ended.  Demi went into treatment.  There was barely the slightest hint that the two of them even talked still.  And my dreams of Nemi faded.  They were almost forgotten.

Until Wednesday, when I went up to the Greek Theatre to see Demi Lovato in concert.  And two microphone stands were brought on unto stage.  And next thing I knew, Demi was bringing Nick out to join her in song.

First I freaked out because Nick Jonas is sexy.

But as they began to perform, it all came tumbling back to me - all the reasons why I had become such an adamant Nemi shipper two years before.

The way Nick looks at her - I truly believe that boy has always been at least a little bit in love with that girl.  From the get-go, back when they were practically children shooting the first Camp Rock - he has always looked at her the same.  Differently than he looks at anyone else.  And she always manages to elicit the brightest smiles out of him.

And they are just so freaking cute together.  Their interactions are always adorable - I’d get so caught up in their moments from the Camp Rock 2 tour, and it was just like that again on Wednesday night. 

Lastly, I care about Demi deeply.  She deserves a truly great guy.  I feel like Nick would definitely be that for her. 

I just spend fifteen minutes looking through the “Nemi” tag on tumblr, looking through Nemi moments of the past and from the other day and felt my heart flutter.  I am 100% back on the Nemi train.  I know that she dated his brother, but even that can’t stop true love.  ha Not to say that what they have is true or if they really have anything (other than the fact that I am so sure that part of Nick Jonas will at least always love Demi a little), but if it’s meant to be, it will happen.

And I sure hope it happens.  No one cares about Joe, anyway.  He’ll be fine - he’s off gallivanting somewhere with a model, anyway.  And everyone knows that “Jemi” was half-publicity motivated anyway.

But Nemi…well, Nemi is real.

And I ship that sucker so freakin’ hard.

July 18, 2012 - the revival of Nemi!

My crappy picture of Nemi, because my blackberry camera sucks and the Greek Theatre wouldn’t let me bring in my DSLR.

Hello, sir.  Put that purity ring back on, and we can get started on our relationship.  Thanks.

The title references this song right here - http://youtu.be/VTfCQTdExFg

The Avengers transformed me.  Mainly, transformed my perception of Chris Hemsworth.  So currently I am in a phase where my dream guy is, well, Thor.

Though I’m gaining an appreciation of him outside of Thor.  Pictures don’t do him justice - but when Chris is in motion…yes.  His wife is a very blessed woman.

Anyway, that got me thinking of my list.  You know, to simplify it and sound completely elementary - “my celebrity crush list.”  Chris Hemsworth is a new addition, but I keep on forgetting that Robert Downey, Jr has always been one of my favorite men.  Lately I haven’t been bringing him up when talking about guys.

So…my list.  Not really in order.  But maybe roughly.

1. Chris Hemsworth (he’s temporarily my #1)
2. Paul McCartney
3. Robert Downey, Jr
4. Justin Timberlake
5. Tim Tebow (he should be higher, but he’s a new addition so he has to earn his stripes)
6. Drake
7. Nick Jonas (yeah, he’s still lingering about)
8. Jake Gyllenhaal

Now there are plenty of other celebrity guys that I find quite attractive (Zac Efron for starters), but that list right there…those are the cream of the crop for me.  It’s more than just good looks with them (though trust me, good looks is a huge part haha).

That’s all.  Honestly, this is more so just for my own personal records.

So today at Venice Beach, my friends and I saw Vanessa Hudgens.  As in, we were walking right next to her for a good few minutes, muttering about it under our breaths haha And we sort of wanted to approach her, but we didn’t know what to say, not to mention it wasn’t like any of us are particularly huge fans of her.

She got out of our site before we could decide to say something, but it brought up the fact of people who we’d have to go up to, no matter what.  Just bite it back and go for it.

And I thought I had a decent list, but when it comes down to it - I really don’t.  I’ve been buying less and less into this celebrity culture as the years have gone along, and really, they’re just people.  In most cases, it isn’t a big deal at all - maybe cool to say “Hey, I saw someone”, but it didn’t make my day that I saw Vanessa Hudgens, nor would it have if I had spoken with her.

So my list just consists of artists whose work have significantly impacted my life or the person themselves has had a somewhat meaningful part in my life, whether it was a huge thing my closest friends and I enjoyed, or someone I used to love dearly and it would just be meaningful to talk to them, or if it’s almost like an inside joke.  Something like that.  Not because they’re “OOH FAMOUS!”, you know?  But because I really respect and have been influenced by them. 

So first, I’d absolutely have to approach Demi Lovato.  She’s way more than just a celebrity to me, though.  And I’d kick myself forever if I saw her in person and chickened out on speaking to her.

Martin Scorsese, definitely.  So I could practically grovel at his feet. haha

Paul McCartney.  Definitely.  As if I’d ever just happen to see him wandering about, but if I ever did, I am definitely speaking to him.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.  My favorite actors - I would just have to tell them how much I love their work and how I hope to direct them both one day.

Miley Cyrus.  Because even though I’m not big on her any longer, since I used to love her so dearly, I would just have to.  I feel like we go back - it would just mean something to talk to her.

Nick Jonas, for similar reasons as Miley.  Just because - he was my boo at one point.  I feel like I would have to say something to him.  Plus he wrote some of my favorite songs, so you know.

That’s probably about it.  I’ve already met Taylor Swift, but I probably would go up to her, but it wouldn’t be like I have to speak to her.

That’s also pretty much my list of people I want to meet (which is different than people I would have to talk to if I saw them), minus Miley and Nick (I mean if I meet them, then cool, but it’s not a must for me).  And actually, it’s more so people I want to work with, discuss their craft with, or tell them how much they’ve impacted me.