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[BT] Ink.

[BT] Ink.


Yup! Thats Natacia and I after we got our tattoos! ^-^

[BT]: Best Weekend Ever.

As you all know, us [BT] winners are all home now, and as I sit here with my laptop once again, I’m going to write to you all about my [BT] experience.
February 20th to the 22nd was and will most likely be the best three days of my life. Being able to win such an amazing opportunity and spending it with the other winners, their guests, and AFI was just.. Amazing, Unreal, Nerve-racking, Exciting, and just the best thing that has ever happened to me. Prior to this contest, I never thought something like this could have happened, but it did, and I am oh so Thankful.

Lets start with
February 20th:
I woke up at about 5:30am, and headed off to the Phoenix airport at 10:00am. About one minute before my flight was going to leave, Courtney and Whitney ran up to the gate! That was my first time meeting them. We then traveled from AZ to CA. Once we arrived at LAX, we met up with Smith and the other [BT] winners. Then took the Smith van to the hotel, which was beautiful. Once we got to the hotel and checked in we received our weekend schedule, which was filled with tons of fun and excitement. That night we all went bowling and as you might have read on the boards, Nils kicked some major ass. haha. Around the end of game one, I was having a conversation with Courtney, and for some reason looked to my left, I thought I saw Adam, but I was like.. Noo, it cant be!.. Then I looked again and it was! I was so shocked. I’m pretty sure when I first noticed it was him I shouted, “HOLY SHIT!”
hahaa It was great. Adam hung out with all of us for a while, then we headed back to the hotel minus Adam. We got back to the hotel kind of late, so everyone then went to sleep. 

February 21st:
Alexis and I woke up around 6:00am and started getting ready for the big day. Courtney, Alexis and I decided to all wear dresses for the occasion, though mine hated me and decided to be a static mess the whole day. Natacia, Kylie, and Mark joined us all in my room for breakfast. Afterwards we all headed to the lobby, got in the Smith van and headed to Astro Burger, which was pretty tasty. We all hung out there anxiously until AFI arrived at the studio. From Astro Burger we drove to the studio where wed be singing with AFI. It was so beautiful there, Inside and Out. We all got out of the van after our arrival and stated walking towards the studio, I was really nervous, then I saw AFI and I was alright. I first noticed Hunter, Jade, Adam, then Davey. It was great being able to finally be there with them and the other winners. After our hugs and hand shakes we went into the studio and listened to the song wed be singing. It is FANTASTIC! I promise, You’re all going to Love it! We then relocated into the main recording room, which was quite spacious and comforting to be in. We all stood on the magic recording carpet in front of the mic. Davey and the guys sang our parts a few times so we knew what wed be singing. It seriously was the most beautiful thing ever. Standing in front of the four guys who have saved my life while they sang as if they were on stage was just so amazing. Then it was our turn, “FLASH FLASH..” is how our part starts off, Pretty neat, I know. ;) Once we got down all the parts they were mixed into the rest of the song. We listened to the final product again, but with our parts mixed in, and holy shit it was amazing! You’re all going to Love it!!! We also got to listen to another song, which You’re all going to Love! The new music has such a great feel to it, Its really intense ,like Hunter said in his Shorty Award interview, “This is definitely more of a rock album-more immediate and definitely more of a focused, direct approach musically. Compared to [2006’s] Decemberunderground, where some of the songs were more subtle, these are more in-your-face.” I have to agree with Hunter 100% on that one. When we were all done at the studio we took some pictures with everyone and said our goodbyes then went back to the hotel. That night Mark decided to take us to Real Food Daily (RFD). They have some pretty boss vegan food and the best nachos in the universe. Sometime that day tattoos were mentioned, so after dinner we walked back to the hotel where Mark got us directions to a tattoo shop. While we were walking there we passed by Prix tattoo so we decided to stop in there just to look, we all noticed a tattoo of Art from The Art of Drowning on the wall and decided we were going getting inked there. Zoey the artist was really sweet and tattooed Whitney, Natacia and I. All the [BT] winners decided to get ‘Begin Transmisson’ on our left ankle. Since Mark and Brock live in LA they decided to get theirs another day, Hopefully SOON! In a few years it’ll be Raine and Courtney’s turn.  This [BT] tattoo is my third (all AFI related) and being able to get it done with all the winners with me was really touching. Ive never experienced something so great, and I’m just really glad I to to spend it with them. As Natacia mentioned in her blog, Zoey from Prix tattoo is great, and if you’re in the LA area, definitely go see her, she’ll do an awesome job. I’ll post pics of mine as soon as it heals, Its already in its peeling stage, which is kind of gross. haha. So after our tattoo extravaganza, we walked back to the hotel and everyone went back to sleep besides me. I went to the business center and tweeted a bit.

February 22nd:
Another early morning for us all. We packed up our things, checked out of the hotel, and said our goodbyes once again. I cried like a baby every time someone left. :(
It was horrible. I already miss you all. <3
Courtney and Whitney flew to Phoenix with Alexia and I, so they were my last goodbye.
After leaving the airport Alexis and I went back to my house and rested for a bit. Alexis then left for SC at 6am the next morning. Once I got back from the airport I slept until 3:00pm. It was so nice. haha.
Now, I’m writing to you all, and this Blog has so far taken me about three+ hours.

[DF]ers, Myspacers, and Friends of mine that voted for me:
I really cant thank you all enough, I must sound like a broken record every time I say it, but its so true. Winning this contest and being able to experience something so great means the world to me. I love you all, and no matter how cliche people might think this is, You’re all family to me, and with out you I wouldn’t be writing all of this to you. Thank You!

[BT] Winners:
Meeting you all was truly amazing, and I hope we can all see each other sometime soon. There’s just such a strong connection when you’re with people that love AFI just as much as you do, and I felt that connection the whole weekend. I didn’t want it to be over. You’re all such wonderful people. I’m going to miss you all so so much. We’ve formed such a strong bond over the weekend, and have even made it permanent. You’re the kind of friends Ive always wanted, and I’m so thankful I was able to get to know you all. <3

AFI:
Adam, Davey, Hunter, + Jade,
Thank You so much for being true to your fans, and always caring about us. This contest has brought a lot of us DFers and fans closer together. You guys have been there for me for the last seven years, and without you all, I wouldn’t have made it through some of my hardest times. Being able to meet you all and sing on the next album has been a dream come true for me. I never would have thought this would happen. It’s something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life. When we were all standing around the mic for the first time with the other winners, I just felt so happy that we were all finally there together, about to experience something so touching to us all. I can not thank you guys enough for all that you’ve helped me with. For Now, Forever, and For Always, You, A Fire Inside will be my favorite band. I Love You All.
P.s. Adam, You need a Twitter. ^-^

With all that being said, I guess I’m done, and I hope who ever comes across this enjoys it very much. Thank You so much to all that have helped make this weekend possible.
(AFI, Smith, Matt, Kristen, Lee, Mike, Dasmarie, DFers, Myspacers, Friends and everyone else!) Thank You, Thank You, Thank You ! <3



Alexis, Me, and Courtney.


Alexis, Kylie, Natacia, Me, Whitney, and Courtney.


The [BT] Group with AFI and Guests.

Theres more pics on my myspace as well: www.myspace.com/evondahl


xoxox
ChristyVegas [Despair Faction]

and remember, Begin Transmission is Far from being Over. :D

Your Fire Makes It All Worth While.

Dear [DF] & Fans of AFI,

I’ve decided to write another blog on here before the big L.A. trip this Friday.
As of right now I’m watching I Heard a Voice and just feeling completely amazed.
Once again I still don’t believe this really happened!
There is no other band that means so much to me, or has made this much of an impact on my life. Just watching this DVD gives me the goosebumps. It truly is amazing to be able to watch it, and see a lot of familiar faces in the crowd singing along with Davey. This may sound lame, but I see so much passion and dedication in all of you, It’s just really great that I can be part of a group of people that feel the same way I do about this band. These lyrics that we know, have helped me, saved me, and have been there for me through out the last seven years, and I am so so thankful for that. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here writing this to you all today.
I’m really interested in knowing what AFI means to you all. If you’d like to share this with me, and the other [BT] winners, Leave your reply in a comment. (down below)

Also, Add me on Twitter if you haven’t yet. I’ll be tweeting about the [BT] trip over the weekend. www.twitter.com/christyvegas

Thank You again to all of you that voted for my video, It means soooo much to me!
I wish I could thank you all individually and give you all really big hugs. lol. XD

Alright, I’m off to colour my hair and finish packing! ^-^

I’ll be looking forward to all of your replies. <3

xoxox
-ChristyVegas [DF]

Smith Day Pt. II

Wes, Smith, Me, Alicia.





Me, Wes, Emily, Smith, Rochelle, Cav.

Smith taught me how to use Chopsticks. ^-^

This one has to be my favorite, It’s so funny. XD

and some more pictures: http://gallery.me.com/defmatnyc2#101535

Smith Day Pt. I

the day still isnt over. :D

Dear Adam,

Happy Birthday Adam! Heres some cute BDay cards for you. ^-^

-Kerra Diaz, OK

-Lucy, CA

-Hannah, NC

-Sydney, WA

-Mer, PA

-Jay, NY

-Kristi, MI

-Davey (Ro), UK

-Davey, formerly of Oregon, CA

-Ariana, MA

-Sandy, Canada

-Jackie, PA

-Crissy, IN

-Alicia & Crissy, IN



I hope you loved them! and I hope your Birthday is AMAZING!
-ChristyVegas [DF]

what new friends will the day bring?

Begin Transmission - SPACE CADETS!

Wake Up Call, Literally.

After a long night of posting about 1000 myspace comments, I was eventually banned from posting for 24 hours. I still can’t comment until tomorrow. These comments were sent out to myspace friends of mine all over the world, asking to rate my video. I never thought I’d win this, nor did I think that people would have responded so generously.
Seriously, I can’t believe that this actually happened, and without you all, It wouldn’t have.
I can say Thank You, but I don’t feel that would be enough.
I took the day off from school just to try and get some more votes in before the deadline, and damn, after 3:00PM my fingers were hurting!
At five I decided to take a nap, since I was awake all night. I passed out on the couch, with my phone alarm set for 6:30 so I wouldn’t miss the announcement of winner number six. About thirty minutes after that, my cell rang, I was like, “Who the F is calling me from Cali”, thinking it might have been Louie or something. I answered, to a quite familiar voice, My heart then stopped. “DAVEY!?”
Man, that phone call seriously has to be the best Wake Up Call, EVER!

-Thank You to all of you that rated my video, left comments, messages, texts, posted bulletins for me, and just supported me throughout the last 30 days. It really really means the world to me.
I still can’t believe this.

P.S. I just got off the phone with my brother, which thinks this is pretty cool, and someday hopes he can win a Carrie Underwood contest like this! XD

<333
ChristyVegas [DF]