Life according to Chaq

No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind. -Taylor Swift

[chaq35]

We should not have to defend our blackness.

We should not have to defend why our lives matter.

I should not have to explain that not speaking with urban slang does not make me less black.

I should not have to explain using urban slang does not make me less intelligent.

We should not have to defend that our hairstyles do not detract from our ability to do our jobs...go to school… participate in social activities.

I should not be in line at a country concert and asked: “ if I’m sure I meant to be in this line.” I should not be browsing in a store and immediately asked: “ if I have money to buy things.” We should not have to defend jogging in a neighborhood...delivering packages, eating ice cream on our couch.

We should not have to sit down our kids, nieces, nephews, and have “the talk” that's not about the birds and bees.

I should not be approached at a bar by a stranger and told, “ Let me buy you a shot; you’re the token black guy.” We should not have to explain that not complying with laws such as selling cigarettes or not moving the exact movement we are instructed are not offenses punishable by death.

The same laws that allow prosecutorial immunity and police qualified immunity to harm us as long as it is in the “scope of doing their job”

We should not have to kneel to get people talking about the issues of the communities where 70% of the players are from.

We should not have to defend that “ Black Lives Matter” does not insinuate others do not.

We should not have to defend our blackness but in everyday situations, in the mundane, the trivial, and the significant times…... this is our reality.

We should not have to defend our blackness, but we have to…...so we will.

#blacklivesmatter

#georgefloyd

#speakup

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA3XkG9Bh5j/?igshid=1k1m4xk37prpx

[rainstormsswift]

Death By A Thousand Cuts is THATT SONG and when it comes on, you drop everything and go as hard as possible 😳😸❤️

ft. Vancity Swifties 🇨🇦@taylorswift @taylornation

[taylorswift]

THIS IS INCREDIBLE

[taylorswift]

Miss Americana 🎬 January 31 on Netflix

taylorswift.lnk.to/MissAmericana

[chaq35]

I think there is something special about artists putting out full albums!! My favorite is to listen to it in chronological order to hear the story being told. 2019 some of my favorite artists new and old released records , including my favorite songwriter. Here's my favorites LP released in 2019.

P.s Also shout-out to all the artists that released EPs.

[chaq35]

Thank you for teaching us to be #fearless , to stand up and #speaknow . The emotional rollercoaster of life can be #red sometimes but you can still party like it's #1989. Not to let anyone take credit for your success and take control of your own #reputation . Ladies and Gentlemen will you please stand to wish happy 30th birthday to our #Lover and literal artist of the decade, the incomparable @taylorswift #happybirthdaytaylorswift #taylorswift https://www.instagram.com/p/B6BIccpBuzB/?igshid=10brlmom9ki8n

[chaq35]

Fly on the wall, fly on the wall, why do you just go unseen Fly on the wall do you just look around, do you just hear everything Fly on the wall, how do you stick to your guns Do you ever feel alone perched on the outskirts of everyone  Oh, fly on the wall are you just too scared to swoop in Do you just feel like you have nothing to add to the conversation Fly on the wall do you ever look back on memory lost Do you ever wish you took control and paid whatever was the cost Fly on the wall, fly on the wall, I know you just want to let things be But fly on the wall you're just gonna miss out, trust me Fly on the wall, you live for a month, is your fears really worth missing out Fly on the wall , fly on the wall, why are you so filled with self-doubt Fly on the wall, you can't just listen and never do Fly on the wall, fly on the wall …...Shit I’m you.

Chaq35

[wonderstruck-swift13]

no one:

taylor:

[floorglitter]

it’s a loofah story baby just say yes

[pswift22-blog]

Dont say i didnt, say i didnt, shower

[wonderstruck-swift13]

I think I am finally clean

[vigilanteashit]

only got this skin so you can exfoliate it off

[inlovewithtay]

cause baby now we got bath bombs

[thisloveistaylorreputation]

soap it goes

[wouldutellmetogofuckmyself-deac]

I knew you were bubbles

[acanadianswifteh]

Phone lights up my nightstand in the black, “come here, you can meet me in the bath”

[stargirlswiftie]

Cause baby we’re the scrubber dubbers, the best people in life own a loofah.

[wonderstruck-swift13]

grab your rubber ducky and my hand, i can make the bad guys good for a weekend

[noitsholly]

third floor on the west side me and loofah

[meredithisoutofcontrol]

Long live the suds we soaked through, I had the time of my life bathing with you

[itsallgoodswift]

put the loofah in a bag and i stole the keys, that was the last time you ever saw me

[togrowupthatbeautifull]

This is why we can’t have washed things darling

[stadiumlightsswift]

they say i did something bath

[twostepsaheadtay]

this soap is treacherous, this path is slippery

[wonderstruck-swift13]

i’m sorry… the old taylor can’t come to the phone right now. why? OH cause she’s a LOOFAH!!

[taylorswholeroom]

put your duck close to mine… as long as they don’t quack

[taylorswift]

The sound I just made was not so much a laugh but a feral screech THIS CONTENT IS WHAT I LIVE FOR

[chaq35]

This past weekend @kelseaballerini opened up her area tour. I remember seeing her set off the fire alarm at Irvine plaza and now this superstar is selling out areas. The show waa everything! She played "fun & games", roses, we were like, a new verse on "this feeling", walked through the crowd and if all that wasnt enough she took pictures with fans outside her tour bus. Kels you're a legend and deserve all your wildest dream and beyond to come true. Everyone do yourself a favor and go see this magical tour. #missmemoretour #mmmtour #kelseaballerini (at Erie Insurance Arena) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwSTdOrB_VT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xhu6s4d7cc7z

[mustlikeme4me]

“All Too Well is one of those special songs that never leaves you,” Kelly tells Billboard. “It follows you and haunts you and sticks to you because it reminds you of what you thought you’d finally forgotten. It teleports you to old magic feelings, the little perfect moments in a relationship way ahead of its doom. It shows you how happiness with someone can feel so infinite and true. But it calls to the end of things and it shows the color of the flame. It fucks you up. A large testament to Taylor and Liz’s [Rose] craftsmanship no doubt.”

- Ruston Kelly on why he chose to cover All too well for Billboard (x)

[glittersonfloor]

this is the best thing ever lmao (x)

[taylornation]

Swifties!! We know ALL TO WELL that we’re the LUCKY ONE’S to get to hang with you everyday. Loving you is RED, burning RED.

Post about your favorite RED era memories using #6YearsOfRED!

[chaq35]

Working all day outside in the heat for summer camp, then coming home to a Yahoo live stream with @taylorswift and fans introducing us all to the RED era and the new magical sound. That August something day was the best day of the summer! #6YearsofRED!

[chaq35]

(the search)

I don't really use Tumblr that much, but I didn't know where else to put this. I was recently inspired to write a poem/song after hearing unloved by @lisacim @cimorelliband . Based on true stories, it’s kinda about the awkward dance we do to find love and questioning your self-worth when it doesn't work out. So, here goes nothing Tumblr

Say it’s not me, it’s you

Take some of the blame, for what we went through

Did my insecurities drive you away, was the distance too great in my emotional space

Was I not good enough to meet your parents

Did all your best friends hate my appearance

Do you see me as a brother or just as a friend

Was any of the feelings real or just pretend

When you looked me in the eyes on our first date

Was there heat between us, or was that just coming from your plate

Was our kiss passion for me, or were you just picturing him

What’s makes him better than me, does he treat you like I do

Why am I not good enough for you

I thought you were the hook to my favorite song

You were my the girl next door, but I was your boy u wanted long gone,

Tell me I wasn't just meaningless mistake

Did you just hang out with me, to get to my roommate?

We were hanging out, I thought it was great

Talked about the songs we loved, so I made you a mixtape

So you said you like my playlist, but you just didn't like me

But you called me to your room, and we cuddled in your sheet

Then a few days went by, we didn't really speak

I go on facebook to see you had a boyfriend the very next week

We met over a year ago, but it took months for us to get close

By that time, you got back with your bf, was I falling for you… yes

You said after graduation, you would move away

I didn't have the balls, to even see if there was any way you’d stay

I want to text you to see what we could have been about

But I hear from all your friends that you're happy now

We talked like hopeless romantics, all the things in common? We had it

Messaging every day, it was temporary bliss,

we talked bout music, and you even loved  Taylor swift

So I ask you out to see where things could go

You must have lost your phone but no damn I just got ghosted

Am I not strong enough, not fast enough, not tall enough, not real enough, do I feel too much, Not fast enough, not brash enough, do I care too much

If  you're looking for Abercrombie to walk your way

But I'm just old navy on my best day

I figure it will be okay….. because I'll end my search one day

[chaq35]

The #unapologeticallytour show tonight was everything! Kelsea you're an alien because youre out of this world awesome. These songs has been the soundtrack to my life since even before the album last November. You inspires so many by living out your dream, im #unapologetically the awkward black kid with a love for country music because of you. Thank you for sharing your gifts of storytelling, songwriting and performing with us. You are a true #legend and my favorite artist, love you like I mean it. @kelseaballerini @playstationtheater #kelseaballerini

[chaq35]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izne8XcaBBg

It’s woman crush Wednesday and today im crushing the beautiful ,quirky, zelda lover herself Christina Grimmie. Yes, her voice is beyond amazing  but what kept me visiting her youtube channel was her amazing personalty. With stuff like her “all above thing that are random ” and singing song to zedla music this girl is pretty amazing . So much so she even opened for selena gomez on her tour. Grimmie is not just a cover artist both her albums she put out was amazing both “find me” and “with love” has a jazzy pop soul thing that are just amazing to hear. Cant wait for her new single must be love to come out and any future music she is working. So yea Im crushing on Christina Grimmie because she rawkkk! 

[chaq35]

Missing this angel today. Happy Birthday Christina

[chaq35]

Happy 21st birthday to this awesome gem of a person and incredible talent @chrissycostanza

[kaththepoet]

Stand Up

Hey guys, This is something that has been on my heart for a little while and I need to say something. First of all, to so many of you- T H A N K Y O U. Thank you for being utterly supportive and downright loyal. To you, I say THANK YOU with all of my heart. You know who you are. To the ones who send tweets and DMs of positivity, encouragement and love. They ALWAYS lift me up, even if I don’t always get a chance to reply. Thank you for the sweet letters at concerts, the homemade gifts, the hours and dollars spent. Thank you for your hugs and smiles and for crying with and singing along with me and my sisters at shows. Thank you for the opportunity to share “You’re Worth It” and “Worth The Fight” with us. It means the world to me and my sisters. We love you like sisters and brothers. We make all of our big decisions with you in mind. We ask ourselves, “what would truly be best for them?” Because we care about the impact we are making and we try our best to make a good one. I cannot express enough how much I love and appreciate you guys. And most of you are so supportive and kind always, but there is a small percentage- probably about 5% or less- that completely baffles me. I truly do not understand it. These are the ones who are always watching and waiting for us to “mess up”, and then say something critical and condemning about it. “Spill the tea”, as they say lol Mainly it’s on Twitter- tweets behind our back. I see a small amount of people sometimes tearing us down on my timeline. The thing that truly blows my mind is that a lot of these people say they are FANS. ??? I do not understand this at all. In my mind, a fan is someone who is supportive and loyal to an artist. I’m not saying you have to agree with everything they say, but there’s a fine line between disagreeing and condemning them. If you get to the place where you are bashing an artist behind their back, in my opinion, you are no longer a fan. I would say at that point you are a hater. Like I said- I don’t mind disagreeing! I think it’s great and absolutely essential that we don’t all agree on everything. If you’ve ever read 1984 by George Orwell you will understand why it’s important to think for yourself. But I think there’s an eloquent and gracious way to express disagreements that does not involve bashing someone or judging them. Just my opinion, but I had to share it, because it’s something I think about a lot. So to you, lovely reader, I ask you to consider this. In our lives, how do we speak about the people we love? Is it with kindness and mercy? Or harsh condemnation? I think it all comes down to a simple thought- treat others as you would like to be treated. Speak about someone (or tweet about them lol) as if they are in the room with you. What would you say? Is it helpful or brave or loving? Or here’s another thought- if you don’t agree- TALK to them. Ask them directly why they feel that way. Their answer might surprise you. Some people have this misconception of me that I’m a fluffy puff of cotton candy with no opinions.. And while I do try my best to be a kind and respectful person, I also have very strong beliefs and ideals that I will defend until the day that I die. I have spoken strong words to my friend’s boyfriend when I didn’t think he was treating her with respect. I have talked back to a man at the gym who was talking about women in an insulting, degrading way. I have stayed up til 3am debating with a guy about faith and morals. This isn’t going to change. I will always stand up for what I believe in. And that’s okay if some people get offended by that. It’s not my job to please everyone. The people pleasing side of me hesitated from posting this- I just want to keep the peace. But the truth is- it’s better to be honest and brave than to not say anything at all. This is important to me. My faith is important to me. I’m proud of my faith and I’m going to stand up for it no matter what people say. And here’s another thing- I need to get better too. I need to get better about talking about people as if they are in the room, ALWAYS. Sometimes I get angry and weak and I say cowardly things behind a person’s back. I need to get better about this, too. So maybe we could be accountable to each other. If you have strong beliefs, I encourage you to voice them. To me, PASSION is one of the most attractive and beautiful qualities in a person. I actually am drawn more to people who passionately have completely opposite views than me, than to people who don’t have views at all. If you look at me and my closest friends, we are completely different across the board on so many viewpoints and beliefs. Yet we love each other anyway, and our disagreements are handled with kindness and respect. Because that’s what true friends do! Sorry that was a lot of different ideas.. I tend to do a lot of tangents haha but I hope there’s something there that helps. If you have spoken unkindly about another person (and I know I have), please forgive yourself and promise to do better. If you aren’t sure what to believe, please start reading and studying and searching and find out. It’s okay not to know, but I think it’s important to seek. There are so many beautiful things to stand for in this world. I encourage you to speak out even if not everyone agrees. It will only make you stronger in the end.

Lots of love, Katherine

[chaq35]

@kaththepoet so happy and proud to have read this. You're one awesome and strong fluffy puff of cotton candy.

[chaq35]

Wow, I remember when their very first single "thinking" came out on YouTube. Now they are signed by Fuel by Ramen and have a amazing album out. So glad I got to witness their first Warped Tour!! #vanswarpedtour #darienlake #summersixteen #ATC (at Darien Lake PAC)