Wednesday, December 18, 2002

First of all, I have to get something out of my system. Lord of the Rings!!!! Yes. I read somewhere once that multiple exclamation marks are the signs of a truly disturbed mind. But that's okay. I sadly cannot go see the movie until Sunday, but you better believe I'll be there. Wearing my cheap plastic version of the One Ring, of course. Ahem. *cough*

My mom and I shopped all day today. We had a great time. I found out what more of my Christmas and birthday presents are, because I picked them out today. Then I wrapped them. How sad is that? I put people's names on the tags. "To Margie From Marc." He doesn't even know what he got me. We spent 20 minutes trying to pick out a frame for a picture I drew of Dominique. It's for her mom, Nikki, for Christmas. We're exchanging presents with them tomorrow.

Oh, I have to tell this story. It was the...strangest...thing I have seen in a very long time. We were at Toys R Us, and we were looking at the collectors Barbie Dolls. I happened to turn around and I saw...a pregnant Barbie doll. So I stared for a few minutes, and a saleslady walked up. She then told us the entire story of how Barbie's friends Midge and Alan got married and now they're having a baby. You can take off Midge's stomach and get the baby out. There's a line of maternity clothes and everything. We were like "oh, okay." and the lady left. Then we looked at each other, put the doll down, and went to go look at Lord of the Rings action figures. I think it's a bad day in society and the children's toy industry when Barbie dolls start having babies.



Tuesday, December 17, 2002

My brother had a Christmas program thing at the middle school tonight. The drama club acted out the Night Before Christmas, and it was really bad ;) And then the choir sang. There was a mentally handicapped boy in the choir, which is something I've never personally seen. But it was so cute. He was standing with all the other boys, of course, but he wasn't singing, really. He was having a good time, though, and he'd occasionally wave at people. Oh, and he liked the song with the dancing. But the sweetest thing was the other boys. (I know some of them and they'd kill me if they knew I said that) They helped him up the stairs, and when he talked to them, they'd smile and try to get him to sing, and if he got lost in the dance, they'd help him find the right place. Their parents should be proud.

And then the band played. My brother plays the tuba. And I realize now, being able to look back somewhat objectively, how good my band class really was. Honestly, we were playing more complicated music than they did. We had lots of soloists, they only had one. And unlike theirs, our drummers never used music, they did whatever sounded right to them. And I knew this at the time, but our trumpet section really was amazing. I have to give credit to their lead trumpet player, though. The band's assistant director sat next to him and participated with his own trumpet, and the boy was keeping up, even on the tricky stuff. Anyway, finally, there was a sing-along with the band and the choir. There was much audience participation and enjoyment.

However, the most significant part of my day was when I got my grades for the semester. Yes, they're good. And for anyone who got to experience the whole photography issues I was having, it turned out just fine in the end. Now I can be all relieved and enjoy the rest of my Christmas break.



Sunday, December 15, 2002

Ack! It's blue. But don't worry! It's the first (small) step for the new layout! Yay for me!

Today, I did something exciting. I moved out of my car and back into my room. Yes, as a very busy college student I've been living out of my car since September. You wouldn't even imagine some of the stuff I had in there. Who keeps playdough in their car? You never know when you might need it, of course. Or three extra sets of clothes for work, or a dirty blanket (in case it gets cold enough that I'd freeze to death), or several rolls of paper (why did I need three of those?), or some used batteries (I forget why I had those.) Anyway, then I had to vacuum out all of the crumbs from the Poptarts I ate for breakfast every day. Yes, I ate in the car, saves an extra five minutes of sleeping time. And my Daddy washed my car for me. Then I had to clean my room because there was a pile of stuff in the middle of the floor. But it was a good day.



Thursday, December 12, 2002

I am so done with photography. I ended up disliking that class very much. And I'm done with art history, but it wasn't so bad. After today, I will be done with 2D and Crafts, and tomorrow is the last day of drawing! Woohoo! After class tomorrow, I'm going to Waldenbooks to use my gift card I got at the office Christmas party. Then I'm going to the hospital, where I volunteered to paint the windows on the Pediatrics floor for the kids for Christmas. It should be a wonderful day. I might even have money, because my Mommy said she'd pay me to watch my brother tonight while she works. So I won't be online.

I forgot to mention what I bought on my Disney trip. Despite the fact that I only have seven dollars in cash, it was a very successful shopping trip. Mommy bought me a charm with a Cinderella castle on it and she bought me a book with sheet music for the piano. I only bought one thing for myself. It was a very exciting find. We went to some discount shopping center in which there was a toy store. The store sold old toys for cheap prices. They happened to have a Lord of the Rings section for the toys from the first movie. Now, as a fan, I have all of the action figures except Legolas, and he is the most difficult to find. I sorted through every single one of theirs, and there, in the very back, was a Legolas. It's sort of like looking all day for the perfect pair of jeans, and then finding them in the last place you look. It's one of the greatest moments of a true shopper. It made my entire day wonderful. And now he's sitting very happily on my shelf with the others. The fellowship is reunited.



Sunday, December 8, 2002

I don't want to see people, talk to people, or be in the same room as people until at least Christmas. I just don't like people. That's not a new thing, but I dislike them even more after this weekend. Yes, I went to Disney World. If one more person runs into me, touches me in any way, or even looks at me, I'll have to hurt something. Maybe me. I like my family, really I do, but I can't go on vacation with them, they drive me crazy. It's one thing to live with them, I can go hide in my own room or something. But to be forced to spend three entire days with them....I always forget how much I dislike it.

Anyway, it was a good trip. The lines were very short, the temperature was very cold, and it was beautiful. They had snow machines turned on in the Magic Kingdom and lights and trees and decorations, and I enjoy that kind of thing. The rides were fun, and I did get to go on Peter Pan. And I did get to go to the Rainforest Cafe, and I did go shopping, and now I am home. Oh, and by the way, I've found out why Roseidous is acting so weird. If you've noticed and want to know why, ask me. And you get a one month reminder for my birthday a few days late. January sixth. No more reminders. If you forget, you'll just be in trouble. Speaking of birthdays, happy birthday Martin and happy birthday Zach! Love you guys!

Now I am going to list everything I have to do over the next week and then cry when I look at it. Photography presentation (with my pictures that turned out bad because the chemicals were bad, but there's nothing I can do about it except get a bad grade and look stupid.), drawing assignment due, finish wrapping things for Christmas party at work, go to work, go to Christmas party (hopefully I still have a date), email said person day before party, photography final, work, finish 12 self portraits for 2D, art history final, 2D final, Crafts final, work, drawing final assignment due, work, paint windows at hospital, finish Christmas presents for all of you, post office, send out Christmas cards, work, wrap presents for family.....okay. That's next week. Mostly in that order.

*dies*



Saturday, November 30, 2002

I have just returned from the 131st annual family reunion. And I still have a headache. Which is beside the point. The point is, it was definitely the tradtional gathering that I love. This is the story:

We arrived early, as usual. My grandmother went inside to be with the other, older women. My brother and stepbrother took off across the cow pasture. For fun. And my Daddy and I hung out with the menfolk near the deep fryers. Excuse me while I go into "southern" mode. The men stood around the fish fryers, actually measuring the temperature with a thermometer. Frying fish is an exact process with them. Oh, not to mention that they were either wearing overalls or camouflage, sometimes both. And they all had hats on. It's sort of like "You reckon this is hot enough yet?" "Naw, give it a little more propane."

They finally decide it's the right temperature and start frying the fish in one, for lack of a better word, vat of grease, the chicken in another, the sweet potatoes in another, and regular french fries in a final one. I only go for the sweet potato french fries, they're the best. So they stand around and talk, making the same annual jokes. "You mean Rodney's actually cooking? Where's the camera?" "Oh, there's Carl, he's only here as the official taste tester." I hang around with them because they're more fun than the women in the house.

Eventually, everthing gets cooked, they ring the dinner bell, we say a prayer, and we eat. And eat, and eat. "Hey, make sure you watch Leonard, he'll get all the catfish." "If you want to eat you better get in front of those people." And so it goes. Then we spend a long time getting everyone to stand still and behave long enough to take the family picture. We all visitate for a few minutes, then we go home. Yes, I said visitate. That's how it works. It's a wonderful time had by all. Unless you're sick and can't taste the food. I'm sure it was good.



Friday, November 29, 2002

Where were you people yesterday? I swear. I had to spend almost all day with only *Roseidous*, of all people. *waves to Rosey* Oh, it was Thanksgiving? Hmph. Well it wasn't at my house! So get yourselves back online! *shuts up, winks*

So I did get up this morning at...5 am..I think...and go to all the sales. With my Mommy, it's a tradition. And for Christmas, I will be getting a lot of Harry Potter legos, some Lord of the Rings stuff, and a DVD/VCR player. And the annual collector's edition Barbie doll. *looks at list* Yes, I'm almost 21 years old. So what?

The bad part of my day is that I'm sick. I think I caught Ann's illness or something. I had a sinus infection-thing. But I went by the hospital today and my doctor gave me a prescription. So my nose isn't running anymore. But my entire head just *hurts* And it won't stop. I've had this headache for three days. If it would go away, I'd be just fine. Typing this doesn't help, I know. And I even did the unthinkable and slept all afternoon. Didn't help. I would kick something or scream, but that wouldn't help, either.

Anyway, this was supposed to be my break from everything. I haven't been at home all day once this week. I was not happy. Tomorrow is the annual family reunion/fish fry. I want to go, really I do, but I'm not if this headache doesn't go away. Homework? Was I supposed to be doing some of that?



Tuesday, November 26, 2002

I like ftp, yes I do. Shame geocities won't let me use ftp for the musical. Oh, did I say musical? *mysterious look* It's now mostly illustrated. Well, the scenes that are written are illustrated, thanks to Ann. I even made the images transparent. *Is proud of self* Now, to get John to write the rest before Christmas.

I like it that I can call my best friend and just say "Hey!" and she's knows it's me. We are going out for lunch tomorrow and going to see Harry Potter. After I go see her new apartment. It will be fun, I haven't seen her in a while. Oh, and her boyfriend said he'd take me to the Christmas party at work. Considering that he doesn't have finals the next day like everyone else I've asked. That will also be fun. Not to mention that I have three finals the next day, myself. Anyway. I'm excited about seeing the movie again, but I'm more excited about Lord of the Rings. Three weeks!

I went to my Mommy's house today for her Thanksgiving dinner. We had ham, broccoli casserole, squash, turnip greens, biscuits (BIKKIT! *looks at Ann*), and pecan pie. It was yummy. Then we put up the tree. Usually it goes like this, a family tradition: I sit on the floor, untangling lights for a few hours, my brothers drag out the boxes of stuff, Matthew sits in the chair and complains, Marc complains that I'm not fast enough, and my mom cooks. Then we all have various arguments and get the tree decorated. I love it. My traditions were ruined tonight. It started out the same, I sat and untangled lights for a few hours. Matthew and Marc got out the boxes of stuff. My mom cooked. Matthew complained. Marc complained. Then...Patty, Nikki, and Dominique came over for supper. This was okay, because they weren't participating in the tree-decorating. Then Marc's friend showed up. He left with said friend after dinner. He was not there to participate. Matthew stopped complaining and helped me hang up lights. That is not right. Then *everyone* helped decorate. That is not right, either. It messed up my traditions, and I'm a very traditional person. I was unhappy. And the cat scratched me while I was hanging an ornament on the bottom. Hmph.

Speaking of tradition, my church had a big re-opening thing last night. I did not go, but it was standing-room only. The bishop of our region and all the priests (around 30) came for the party. We've been having Mass in the parish center for over a year, we are so glad to be back in the church. It's all very exciting. I'll go see it Sunday, probably. Oh, and what's wrong with tagboard? *kicks it* I'll just take it off of the new design. So there!



Sunday, November 24, 2002

I have spent the most part of this past weekend playing Mario Party 4 with my brother, only taking a slight break to go teach my Sunday school class. And it was a wonderful time. I almost even beat him, once. Almost. Oh, and I came up with a new design for this site. I know, I know, it hasn't been very long, but you forget that I stared at it for two months while I uploaded stuff. The new one is very pretty. And I'm offering free previews.

My Mommy brought me back a bracelet that lights up. It's bright, neon, blue. And we went out for dinner and shopping. It was fun. Except that Patty set off the alarms in K-mart because she touched the leather jacket display that said "do not touch." Sigh. Everyone stared at us. I had to walk away.



Friday, November 22, 2002

May I just say: Woohoo! Thanksgiving Break! Unlike other colleges I know of, mine does not get a fall break. We've had no vacations at all since um...Labor Day. Yes. But I get all next week off from school and I only have to work Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning! So be prepared to meet the non-stressed, much-more-fun-version of me on AIM. Didn't you miss her? I'm done with so many projects now, and we only have one more week of classes after Thanksgiving. Then I go to Disney World, then I take finals, and then I'm FREE until January 13th! Which, incidentally, means that I will NOT be going back to school on my birthday like I do every year. I think that calls for a celebration by itself. *dances*

Oh, I forgot to mention that in Harry Potter, I didn't like the way they made it seem as if Harry liked Hermione. I mean, yes, love interest, whatever, but I am definitely a Ron/Hermione shipper. They sort of did better when they only shook hands at the end, but I don't know where they're going with it. Hmph.

Tomorrow, I will be spending all day and all night at my Mommy's house because she's going out of town for the weekend. I'm planning to take my computer with me and work on the site. I've decided that it needs some help. And I have more stuff to add to it. Fun stuff. By the way, I searched for "Tri-Leaders" on Yahoo and in the top five results were my site, Holli's anti-trileader thing, and John's site. I was impressed. But this one isn't showing up anywhere yet. Oh well. Not that anyone would search for us anyway, right? ;)



Thursday, November 21, 2002

First things first. Zach! I have to talk to you and I have to talk to you NOW! Or...whenever you get online. ;) Ahem. Oh, and more importantly, Chris! Talk to me! I'll be here! Now, that business is taken care of.

So I have that big drawing assignment due tomorrow morning. Am I done yet? Nope! I'm avoiding it however possible because I don't like it. I had a big critique today for my 2D project and it went very well. We had a good time. And actually something significant happened. I can't tell the story here because the person it's about might read this. I don't think he/she does, but you never know. It's something amazing, I think, and personal, so if you want to know, ask me.

I did go see Harry Potter and.....well....it was...about the same as the first one. It had the same "feel" to it, and I felt sort of like I *was* watching the first one. Yay for Snape being nicer! Not that he's supposed to be, but that's okay. And I thought that Rupert Grint did a wonderful job. He was my favorite in this movie. Oh, and what was that thing with Hagrid at the end? That was um...no. Anyway. I made my Mommy stay through the credits to see the special surprise after them. Then she got mad because it wasn't much of anything. But I liked it. She was also mad because I didn't tell her there were snakes in the movie. And she talked to me the whole time. When Lucius walked into the bookstore, she hit me and said "Look, there's Snape!" No, mom. Just...no.



Friday, November 15, 2002

Mr. Edwards approved my idea! Finally! Now...to draw it. And then there's my other project. The one in which I tried to to an image transfer and completely ruined the whole thing. Therefore, I must do it over this weekend. Damn it. ;) However, I did have a new idea to make it better, so at least I get to do that.

Oh, and yay for Harry Potter! Sadly, I can't go see it until Wednesday, but hey, my Mommy is paying for it. I can wait. And my Daddy promised to help with my idea for this project I have to re-do tomorrow. Let's see if he remembers. Wait, that was kind of mean, wasn't it? Hmmm....



Wednesday, November 13, 2002

Okay, so I got home Monday night and tried to sign online to find the pictures I needed for my sketch. However, my computer would not connect. So, just to check, I hooked up my phone. I received a message that it was no longer in service. Said phone was a birthday present from my Daddy last year. Therefore, I called him to see why it wasn't working. Guess what! He hasn't paid the bill in a few months and he'll pay it "whenever he gets around to it." WHAT?!? Hey now, I need my phone line. Right now I'm having to use the other one, my grandma's, and what if she needs it? Sometimes he makes me angry.

Speaking of finding pictures for my project, I've finally decided on one. I am using a painting by Rembrant called um...something about a Draper's Guild. It's a bunch of guys sitting around in a room, and it looks like they're having a meeting. I left everything the same except the faces. They are now Martha Stewart, her stockbroker, his assistant, her spokeswoman, and the alleged "informer" for the insider trading thing. They're having a secret meeting. I looked for two days for a picture of her lawyer, but apparently the man does not exist. I was very annoyed. Ask Zach and Umar. ;)

Yesterday morning, the weather was very bad. There were tornadoes all over the region. I woke up and I swear, the sky was red. Yes, red. If I'd had color film in my camera, I would have taken a picture. Then it changed to that weird yellow-green-tornado color. And of course, I had to get up and go to work. But I did, and all is well. There was a picture in the paper of a chicken farm that got ruined by a tornado. The chickens are fine, they just don't have anywhere to live. The caption said something like, "A truck will arrive to collect the poultry." I was amused.

One final note, I am going to Disney World! Just kidding. I got the new extended-director's cut of Lord of the Rings. I loved it. The new arrival in Hobbiton I could do without, but the scene in Lothlorien is entirely different and it's so much better. And it's not like it's a bunch of big scenes like that, it's just little stuff here and there. People who are not obsessed and who have not memorized the movie won't even notice some of it. The best part was when Gimli said something in Dwarvish to Haldir in Lothlorien (I'm telling you, it's very, very different) and it was apparently something very bad, because Aragorn hit him. I laughed. *goes off to watch it again*



Friday, November 8, 2002

You know, I was greatly offended twice today. First, I got a B on my latest photography project. That's not the bad part. Mr. Park actually told me that my work was superficial! *kicks Mr. Park* Then, after I spent all night last night developing this new project thing for drawing, Mr. Edwards didn't even like it. It was funny! We had to take a famous work of art and alter it to make it humorous or to make a political statement. So I took the painting by Munch called "The Scream" and I put the killer guy from the movie Scream in place of the man. It was great, the class loved it. He did not. Hmph. But he told everyone that they did a bad job and they should do it again this weekend. Not like I have homework in every single class. Not to mention I have to take my brother to this leaf-raking thing for volunteer work. *scream*

I just need a vacation. By the way, did I tell you I was going to Disney World? I think I did. ;)



Sunday, November 3, 2002

Look, a new home! Welcome to the new site. I'm very proud of it. Mostly proud that it's finally done. Technically, not all of the books are in the library, but they will be very soon.

I tried to get my class to watch VeggieTales Ultimate Silly Song Countdown today, but they didn't want to. I almost had a fight with Noah to make him come inside the room. He was disturbing the class next door, so they got in trouble from their teacher. He needs to be kicked or something. ;) If he behaves, the rest of the class is just fine. Sigh.

Tomorrow is my Mommy's birthday. We're going to Red Lobster and it should be fun. Patty, her best friend is going. I grew up with Nikki, Patty's daughter, who is a year younger than me. She has a two year old named Dominique, who is also going. Domi loves her "bish" (fish). She got an Elmo dressed up like a chicken for Halloween. He sings and flaps his arms up and down. It goes like this: "Elmo wants to be a chicken, Elmo wants to be a duck, Quack quack quack quack quack. She dances with him, then orders everyone else to dance, too. It's cute.

In school news, Mr. Edwards, who does not give A's, has given me five in a row. And he even took slides of one of my drawings to show to future classes how the assignment should be done. I was impressed. But I need to go finish up my next assignment now, an absracted, series-type thing. I don't like it. ;)