Oktoberfest, Beerfest, Funfest!!!

October 12, 1810 The first Oktoberfest.

So what is Oktoberfest? Historically Oktoberfest was a festival/horse race in honor of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen marriage. All of the citizens of Munich were invited to join the festivities and celebrate the union. Although this was supposed to be a one day event King Ludwig I turned it into an annual event lasting 16 days with heavy drinking and merriment.
Today Oktoberfest is a huge beer festival which celebrates German culture through music, beer and the “Chicken Dance”. The festival has become so popular that people all over the world travel to Munich every year during Oktoberfest to experience the celebration in the land of its origin. But don’t worry; this does not mean you have to go over seas to experience Oktoberfest, because chances are there is one in your town, city, or state.



Here in California we have a few locations that hold an annual Oktoberfest but Alpine Village is home of the largest Oktoberfest celebration in Southern California. I have been going to Alpine Village for about six years now and although it has changed considerably in the last two, it still remains “The Event” I look forward to every September.
It runs from the second weekend in September until the weekend right before Halloween in October. I started going when I was 18 (using a fake Id or sob story of how I lost my Id) and I was hooked. The first year I went it was a small venue with maybe 200 people, mostly older and nerdy, but now it is huge boasting a 32,000 square foot tent with close to a thousand, young and trendy people in attendance a night.



What to expect:
Basically this is a German Beer festival; expect to drink a lot of German beer. They have a few to choose from but the most popular are the Weiss(light) and the Dunkel(dark) beer. Traditional Bavarian fun is brought to you by an Oom Pah Pah big band, flown in direct from Germany. The food used to be slightly more traditional when I first started going, you can still get Wurst’s and sauerkraut if you like, but the Giant pretzel reigns supreme amongst all the other German fare year after year. What I noticed this last time was that they have more carnival food to offer; popcorn, nachos etc., all food is reasonably priced.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The cost of tickets is $10.00 to get in to the tent. You can get them online at https://activ.admitoneproducts.com/reserve/advance.php?event_id=920610&instance=5 or buy them at the door! In previous years buying tickets online would have seemed ridiculous because not too many people went to Oktoberfest but today I would highly recommend going early and purchasing tickets online.
The dress code is casual but over the years wearing Lederhosen- German overalls for men and Dirndl’s- Beer maiden outfits for the women has become very popular.
This event starts at 6pm and goes until 1am Friday and Saturday. I recommend getting there at 7pm the latest, due to long lines and parking congestion. On Sundays it is more of a family event that goes from 1pm to 6pm. Parking is always a disaster, so I recommend getting dropped off and picked up. Also, Cops have become very interested in this event and pull people over left and right. Be careful.



All in all I highly recommend attending at least one Oktoberfest celebration in your life time just to experience a little bit of Bavaria and celebrate King Ludwig I and Therese.
Auf Weidersehen
Karina V.
(here is the link to my article on the website called Ellenwood)
http://www.ellenwood-ep.com/food/the-first-oktoberfest/

Viva las Vegas

Seems like these days the only thing that excites me is VEGAS!!!!
God I love that blistering city. Headed back this weekend and I am excited beyond words… I just want it to be Thursday already.

This trip is already amazing and it hasn’t even started… we have a 2 bedroom suite at a 5 star hotel, all sorts of perks and great Pool party weather! What more could I ask for….. Free bottle service please!!!

(thats me in the white posing)
This will be the first time I go with this particular group of girls. Fresh Meat ;p One of these girls is my Sister who will be flying in to Vegas from Washington. This whole trip was orchestrated on a whim by my sister and I. She needed a Vaca and I wanted to visit my beloved city. And then came Gabby, a friend who I lovingly refer to as Button, and soon after Karla (whom is Crazier than me … If that’s even possible), Tessa and friends.
And We became a posse!
All these girls have never experienced Sin city with me.
And when they do they will have seen it all!!!!!

The city that never sleeps is the only place where I can truly feel like myself and excuse all my crazy antics and barbaric behaviors. This is why it holds a special place in my heart.
I usually give a “Please understand…” speech in which I explain that all bets are off as soon as I cross state line. “I am not your best friend in Vegas; don’t expect me to wait around for you; don’t think I won’t leave you for a cute man; never assume I have had ‘too much’; Just know that I have no inhibitions, etc.” No charades, No shame, no apologies. When I go there I am there to relax (in my own way) and anyone holding me back is a nuisance. soooo when I go I select the right people for the trip (hot girls who like to party). Sometimes I refuse a trip just because of the people. I try to go as often as I can for as long as I can, because I’m myself in Las Vegas, but the wrong people can ruin any trip.


So Off I go to one of the biggest party cities in hopes of having an even greater adventure than my last (which was a blast); and to make more memories and continue my tour of debauchery.

Viva Las Vegas!!!!

“Vegas is everything that’s right with America. You can do whatever you want, 24 hours a day. They’ve effectively legalized everything there.”
- Drew Carey

Giving up, Moving on.

I have come to realize that I only write on my blog when things are not going so well. I guess this is how I express myself; but I hate it because people who don’t know me and read this blog will probably think I hate my life and everything about it. This is not true. It just so happens that I get into writing moods when I’m feeling down.
My blog is also very morbid. This is just a big part of me. I would never try to kill myself on purpose, but I do think about death a lot and relate it to other aspects of my life.
That said, I come to the reason why I’m writing right now...

I’m hung-over, tired, and I’m working on Memorial Day. I agreed to work so that was my fault. I wasn’t scheduled, I volunteered. BIG MISTAKE! So, I’m writing to make the time go by. I’m also very pensive, because of changes going on in my life. Changes that are pretty much out of my hands, and as frustrating as that may be I know they are changes for the better. I have become less and less tolerant of people and their bullshit and frankly I’m done with any relationship remotely difficult. If it’s too hard its not gonna happen! I have also learned that any commitment is too much commitment for me. The only thing I am committed to is my snake Willie, my job, and my Tattoos!

“I’m too young to love; I’m too old to cry!” –Crazy antics

Love and Death

Why do we all long, Long to be loved?
When love is not life
and life is not love.

It brings Death to freedom and decision
Death to happiness and forgiveness
Death to maturity and security
Death to humility and my tranquility

Looking in the eyes of fate.
A fate which lies and puts us at the mercy
of another being who now holds the key
to an exposed broken possession which used to be
we hold on to love like it's the only real thing
we do not see the reality of its fatality


Death to hope but you still have faith
Death to sex now its all a game
Death to friendship more deception
Death to beauty only questions
Death to sanity just dementia
Death to emotion
Now only depression

Love is a synonym to death.
Love is a mental train wreck
Love is a risk
Not many should take
Love ruins lives
You seek good advice
But you do not see, your eyes are blind
Love and death go hand in hand
go hand in hand hand in hand


Death to Passion just corruption
Death to thought now memory loss.
Death to truth only lies
Death to laughter that's my demise
Death to pleasure only pressure.
Death to dreams you get no prize
Say goodbye goodbye goodbye

Love is death, Love and death

-Karina V.

Blue

So today is my birthday. Cinco de Mayo. I was born at 10:30am on May 5th 23 years ago. And every year for the past 15 or so years I have the birthday blues on my birthday...
So im sitting here in front of my computer counting down the minutes until this wrethced day is over.

Cant wait for the weekend!!!

He was sprawled out like Jesus . . .

Turning up Stylo, one of the songs off the new Gorillaz CD, I slowly inched closer to the accident. I figured it was just another LA pile up. There was one police car a firetruck that had just arrived and a towtruck. As three lanes of cars and trucks tried to merge into My lane I glanced over toward the accident and saw an officer standing near his patrol car looking at the ground beneath him. As My eyes followed his line of sight I finally saw what he was looking at.
He was sprawled out like Jesus on the Eastbound 10 freeway. He looked about 30 and was wearing a blue plaid shirt jeans and boots. Blood pooling near the top of his still helmeted head like a halo. There was brain matter laying in his blood in plain sight. His bike was 25 feet away mangled and facing the opposite direction of traffic.
As I passed the last patrol car traffic cleared and everyone began to increase their speed. I sped off with thousands of thoughts going through My mind. What was going to happen when his family got the news? I wondered what his last thoughts were. Where had he come from and where was he going? He never expected THaT to be his last ride and that his life would end on the pavement of the 10 freeway.
The whole ride home I thought about him and life just became more pointless in My mind. All his plans and dreams and years he worked Pointless! Seeing death that close just reminded me about how we don't have any control over our lives! It made me want to die.
I wonder if ill dream about him tonight?!

R.I.P motorcycle man
????- April 2010
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Prisoner

Freedom: the absence of constraint in choice or action.

Freedom has been a recurring theme in my writing.
I have in numerous occasions described how I have so much freedom and do what I want without anyone else interfering.
In a sense this is true but in the bigger scheme of things I am a prisoner.

A prisoner of what you may ask. Simply put a prisoner of my own lies.

Recently I have been on a blog binge, reading and writing.
And I have come across a group of blogs, I call it a group because it seems that all the people writing these blogs are friends and they each include writings about the other.
Well these girls have unknowingly opened my eyes to what freedom is. They write these beautiful blogs about their personal lives and do not hesitate on any aspect of their daily lives. From relationships to sex, their parents, Alcohol, death, abandonment, drug abuse and fears they do not hold back.
It is an open and honest account of what they see and do on a, sometimes, daily basis.
It is truly inspiring.

I feel as if I could never be that free. I could never go into that much detail of my life.

The reason being, I have lied about so many aspects of my life to so many different people that to write or tell “One” truth would be chaos.
My parents know one reality, my family another, and my friends, different ones know different stories. To an outsider reading this now you may think why lie so much? Why hide?

I thought I knew the answer.
I would tell myself it was to protect those people who love me from knowing the painful truth.
God, I even lied to myself.
What a fool!
I now know it was, and is, to protect myself from disappointment, ridicule, sympathy or disgust.


Freedom: the ability to decide what you will and will not do, or say, without control, interference, or regulation.

I have allowed people to decide for me.
I have let them decide what is right and what I should and should not be admitting to, because I thought, or think, it is what they want to hear.
By lying to them they have control over me.
The webs of lies control my life.
Control My freedom.

I am bound to these lies now. And to say the truth would be the end of ME.
But I wish I could be like these girls telling all my horrific tales and all my experiences. I would then and only then be Free.

I guess the truth does set you free!

I’m not ready for my freedom!

“Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive”

-Sir Walter Scott

Indecisive

Death.
I think about it a lot.
I think about what it would be like to die. The ways I could go; and how the people around me would react. Many people are afraid to die. They fear the unknown. To me the unknown is a sanctuary.

Life.
Wretched, mystifying, and intoxicating all at the same time.
Wretched because of the pain and suffering. Mystifying because of the harmony between beauty and destruction. Intoxicating because once you experience it you are captivated.

Death.
I think about my heart stopping. Unconsciousness. Pain. Fear?
I imagine driving off a cliff at hundreds of miles per hour. Adrenaline pumping. Fear?
I see my Family troubled; my friends distraught. Confusion. Anger. Fear?

Life.
The beauty of friendship. The Warmth of love. The trials and Tribulation from up above.
Money and power. The truth about love. Men and women seeking acceptance. Violence and drugs.
The search for meaning. Religion and hate. Disease, redemption, Sex and jail bait.

Death.
Deliverance. The end. Relief. Sanctuary

Life, The Dark Comedy. Death, The Happy Ending" -Crazy Antics

Liars and Lovers by Karina Villalta

For men that walk amongst us
Who never show their face
Who think they are a victim
Of those who like to prey
For them the world moves at a slower rate.
She will never give them luck.
For they were dead before they bled
With their simple minds all fucked.

I am the liar and the lover
The mover and the shaker.
And all of those around me
The losers and the beggars
Can see that I am different
I move the world around me.
To make my dreams reality
Manipulating Anything and Everything
I lie to win and love to take
I make a move and then they shake

They look defeated and they are.
All they carry are their scars.
Of dreams all broken and
money now a figment of their imagination
becoming a symbol of ones intoxication.
They spend their nights wondering why
and all they seem to come up with is to deny
That they lost the battle and I won
but The war is not over its only just begun.

I move to achieve and shake to confuse. The Weak Little minds
of The boys who choose
the women like me
they loose and loose.
Some learn their lesson But some never do.

Torn

Music is a big part of my life.
When I was a kid my sister and I grew up with Latin rhythms and beats because it was what our parents listened to. As we got older and discovered the wonder that is a boom box we became intoxicated by the sounds the box spewed out at us. I remember listening to everything and anything. Missy Elliot, Rolling stones, Donna summers, Nirvana, Prince, Jazz, Madonna, Elvis, Country, Folk, Pop…
We heard it all. We wanted to know all the words and melodies. My sister and I used to tape the songs off the radio so we could dissect them one at a time and learn the words (this was before we had internet lyrics and before computers were in every household). I still remember some of those old songs from playing them over and over again. As we both grew up she moved away to Washington. We went our separate ways; musically as well. She stuck to hip hop and rap and I moved on to bigger and better things… the glory that is ROCK AND ROLL. Classic rock, alternative rock, Punk rock, Rockabilly …. I can go on and on. Not forgetting my roots in music I continued to enjoy some of the artist my sister and I listened to but mostly I wanted to hear New music. Music that was new to Me. I remember being in high school and seeing a bunch of my friends wearing Sex pistols t-shirts, Floggin Molly patches on their sweaters, and Nirvana buttons on their backpacks and envying them for their vast knowledge of music. Many of my classmates had a sibling who had introduced them to these musicians and that is how they knew about them, but I had no one teaching me the “ropes”. Little by little I would ask questions and do a bit of research about the latest band. Listening to new radio stations like KROQ and JACKFM helped introduce me to new and old artists as well. I began to follow bands like The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane’s Addiction. I had finally paved my musical road and began to know what I liked and what I didn’t. I realized early on that lyrics were important to me. I did not know why at the time but I knew that if I did not know what the band was saying I did not like it nor did I want to listen. As I grew older and discovered my passion for writing I realized why lyrics were so important. I love words. I love expression. I love music. I realized whoever wrote the song I am hearing on the radio at one point or another felt the need to express how they were feeling through writing. I was getting a glimpse inside the soul of another person.
Beautiful.
Music is Beautiful.
So I decided to take a shot at it and back in August of 2008 I began to write Lyrics (wish I could write music as well but the only instrument I know how to play are the drums). All of my music is so personal all derived from emotions and life situations. I have written over 15 songs in the past year and a half but I have always been timid about sharing my lyrics. I have always wanted someone to come in and make music to my beautiful lyrics, but the few I have worked with always want to go in another direction with them. So I have decided that If I cannot make music out of them then I can at least share them with you guys. I want you to realize this is really hard for me and I am torn about this but I feel it is time to set them free, so keep an eye out for future posts with my babies attached.

I hope this does not backfire.


“Music is a free ride into my soul” – Crazy antics

I Can Do It .... ; }

Hmmm it has been a while since I sat in front of a computer and wrote anything. Lately it has been all about going on Facebook or MySpace. Well I felt it was time …..

The last time I wrote you found me on the edge of a new year with another decade behind me. Today I come with a couple months having passed, and my life moving in the direction I want again. Finally.

Let me bring you up to date with what has been going on in my life. Towards the end of last year I went to Europe, became involved with someone, lost my job, went to Vegas a few times, and Partied a lot; all within a four month period. The new year began, I went to Mexico, went to Washington to visit my sister, I got a new tattoo, my boyfriend broke up with me, my snake Lola passed away, I partied a lot, started dating again, went to Vegas, and got a job working at a hospital; all within a four month period. It was an interesting eight months. Wouldn’t you say?

So details? Right!....

Before I left for Europe I was seeing a guy (let’s call him Eddy). While being with Eddy I started liking another guy (John), who had liked me for a while. I then left to Central Europe, had an amazing time, and came back to the states. Upon arrival and because of a strange chain of events I end up with Billy who is John’s friend. A few weeks after we start dating I lose my job, a job I hated but nonetheless a source of income. I then went to Vegas with some girlfriends, and had an amazing time. Thanksgiving rolls around I meet Billy’s family, he hangs out with mine. I then go to Vegas for a second time in December, sans Billy, and have an amazing time. All of this with a lot of partying, drinking, and a few tense encounters with John mixed in between. Are you keeping up? Good Haha. When the new year began I went to Mexico and shortly after to Washington to visit my sister and beautiful niece. While in Washington I got a new tattoo paid for by my sister as a Christmas present. Two days before my return to L.A. Billy calls me to tell me we are breaking up due to my excessive partying, drinking, racism and lack of taking any job and being too picky with my job selection. (*To which I say- he was right about the partying. COME ON!!!? To the racism, and thank God I was picky about jobs cause had I not held out for this job that I WANTED I would be working anywhere doing anything for minimum wage. It pays to hold out …you can quote me on that! Lol) I come home the day after and find my poor snake Lola passed away. I cry and bury her. I then start partying with my newly single status and freedom. I then went on a few dates one of which was a movie director who had been insistent on taking me out for over a year, he is hot but totally arrogant. I then go to Vegas for Rockabilly weekend, and have the best time of my life! Upon my return I get the good news that the job I had interviewed for a month and a half ago is mine!!!

Ahhh I love my Life It is far more detailed and interesting than this but you get the just of it.

At times my life may seem a little erratic but it is nothing I cannot handle. I love everything about my life. Yeah I have tough times, but who does not? Honestly though, I feel as if the good outnumber the bad 1000:1 and I am not really a “glass half full” kind of girl. I am always pessimistic about everything; that way I can never be disappointed. Somehow my life, so far, has been an amazing adventure of epic proportions. Call it chance or call it my choices, it does not matter, all I know is I can NOT say that I regret not doing something. I have done, seen, experienced, touched, smelled, and heard everything that I have wanted to at this point in my life.

Those who know me well know that I am the type of person who does not worry about regretting things that I have done; I am a person who worries about regretting the things I do not do. This is mainly why I live my life the way I do. This is why I party how I do. This is why I date the most random people. This is why I travel. This is why I have Tattoos. This is why I sell my high heels off my feet to an elderly man on the street. You get the picture?! Good! I mean don’t get me wrong there are soooo many things that I regret in my life and wish I could change, but the bigger picture still remains in my mind, what if I had not…...

My parents have a different view of my life. My mom wants me to give up my freedom, be miserable, and hate my life … yeah you guessed it she wants me to get married. My father wants me to give up my freedom, calm down, and graduate already. He makes it seem like I am wasting my life away, not doing anything productive. My mother sees my life in a lighter light. She says, “It is just a phase! Something every person has to go through”. Although she may be right I don’t see the End of this so called “phase” any time soon. I am just curious to know what being married or having a document saying I have a Bachelors in science can teach me about the world. The things that I have learned in my life can never be taught in a classroom.Either way how does being married and having a degree measure my success?

Hmm I didn’t know that getting to know who you are as a person and what you like and dislike is a waste of time. How about going to school full time while working full time? What about that? Guess I should sign up to be a missionary in India to make my life “meaningful”. Ugh!! Ok I’m ranting but it is so frustrating to hear that you are so limited by what a “successful” life is.

Let’s state the facts:

1. I am 22 (23 on May 5th)

2. I have no children (or major responsibilities)

3. I live on my own (and have since I was 18)

4. I am not a drug addict or an Alcoholic (although some would dispute the alcoholism lol)

5. I have never been arrested (nor had any trouble with the law. THANK GOD)

6. I am still attempting to finish school ( I have not given up)

7. I work and have been since I was 15 (Just got a job working at City of Hope cancer center. You can congratulate me later!! Lol)

8. I have traveled to various parts of the world (something many people my age don’t get to do)

So you tell me… for my age have I led a successful life?Compare it to your life. Now compare it to the majority of other Americans. I think I have done a damn good job!!!!!Get married!!! For WHAT?

About two months ago, back in February, I went to visit my sister in Washington State. She wanted me to go celebrate her daughters first birthday (my niece Aryleena, The cutest baby in the world. Seriously.) One of the days she took me to visit a friend of hers named Rita, (I changed her name for her protection lol) well Rita is married to this man whom she has children with, and during the visit she is trying to pawn him off on me! She can’t stand the man. Why the FUCK did you marry him then? Basically every other young person I have ever talked to about getting married tell me NOT to do it….Well no shit you are young you don’t even know who you are or what you like! I on the other hand have enjoyed my youth. I have lived my life to its fullest potential and I have no regrets of what I “could have” done. Even my sister who is 11 months older than me has told me she lives vicariously through me. She wishes she had done the things I have but she got married young and had a baby young.

With that said I would like to conclude with this…..I am NOT throwing my life away I am living my life the way I want to live; experiencing everything that it has to offer. I am continuing my education because I do believe in bettering my life and having a future but for God’s sake people I am only 23!!!!!! Give me a God damn break!

*I honestly don’t have anything against Billy he is actually a really nice guy and I believe he did what he needed to do out of his best interest but he was warned about me before asking me to be his girl and he still did, only to find out he couldn’t handle it.
Seriously the next time you are into a chick and Her friends are warning you… Run away baby….
Also, don’t break up with her when she is thousands of miles away in another state. Be a man. After all you are 30.

Decade of life lessons...Kari style....

"Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most peopleoverestimate what they can accomplish in a year - and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade!”

-Anthony Robbins

When this past decade began I was only 13 yrs old. I lived at home with my parents and was about to finish my last year of Junior high. I was Naive and quiet and extremely shy. How the years have gone by. I had different goals, friends, and a different attitude. Being young had its perks…. Ignorance is blisssss

These past Ten years have changed my goals from long-term to short-term; people have come and gone in my life; and my attitude now has a self-preservation overtone. Here is what I’ve captured from my decade of experiences.

DREAMS: I remember as a little girl my teachers always saying that life was not fair when someone would irately proclaim “That’s not Fair!” Well sad to say, this is the theme of our lives from that point on. I realized that at times your dreams have to be deferred for this, that , or the other. I made horrible decisions and I don’t stand by them. I should have finished what I started. It’s never too late to realize your mistakes and make improvements to better the future.

FRIENDS: There were people in these past years that came into my life at a time when I needed it and as quickly as they came they were gone; but I never got to thank them (Slightly evil Sarcastic undertone lol) . People will always think of themselves first; even those who claim they love you. Skanks. Some people, without motive, will murder you. A Liar is a Liar is a Liar. Don’t take advantage of your friends or take them for granted; I learned that the hard way. All is forgiven. You are forgotten.

ATTITUDE/ SELF: I learned a lot about people and human nature thus making me more cynical about what our humanity has become. I saw people and their intentions to be destructive to each other, myself included. I understood that sometimes your attitude is a badge you wear displaying all the pain you have endured. I learned that people will step all over you to get whatever it is they are after. Many hurt me, and I hurt many. They took advantage, I did too. I wish I would have never said NEVER!

Let’s just say it was a decade of learning. I will move forward to bigger and better things and leave behind all the trinkets I have collected this decade.

Cheers to new beginnings and adieu to old scars.
-Crazy Antics