Black and White and Red all Over

Across the Universe - Review

2011-01-26T20:07:00.004-05:00

Across the Universe
By Beth Revis

Across the Universe by Beth Revis has nothing to to do with The Beatles. There is no singing in it, well, I take that back, there are a few lines about singing; but, other than that, it really is a book of its own, and for a debut novel by Revis, it is pretty strong.

The premise of the novel is about a space mission called “Project Ark Ship,” this ship would be the carrier of necessary people to a new planet, that had been discovered by a probe and held an oxygen based atmosphere. Over a hundred people would be sent there, cryogenically frozen, all these people were found necessary to the mission as they were scientists and military officials and leaders. Only one person was an extra to the mission and that is Amy Martin (one of the voices in the novel). The journey is scheduled to take three-hundred years and then they will arrive at the new planet to learn and cultivate it.

It does not take long for the story to advance to the future, on the same ship that is taking everyone to this new planet, but things have changed. Elder is the future leader of the ship and he is young (the second voice of the book). Eldest, the current leader of the ship, does not seem to have faith in Elder and thus, has not taken to teaching him what he needs to learn for when he takes over and becomes the new Eldest. This causes Elder to become a bit rebellious, with the help of another on the ship, he starts to learn secrets, and digs deeper into them until he meets Amy.

A clash of past and present occurs and then the mysteries deepen. Murders and lies. Amy and Elder start to search deeper into the ship to find the murderer and truth that hides behind metal walls.

Across the Universe is a young-adult sci-fi novel, with a hint of romance and mystery. I enjoyed reading this light-hearted novel. It was a definite page turner, reading from two different perspectives and personalities never left the book to become dull. I felt for each character when it came to the situations and problems that they were facing. The characters were not dry and they both had a good history to them so that they did not feel fake.

The first half of the book was well-paced; but, the second half of the book felt like a snowball falling down a hill, gaining speed and not slowing. For the most part, I don’t mind that; but, the problem was that, with this speed, new ideas were brought into the book that left me wondering, and hoping would be answered in the end.

The book concluded and left these questions unanswered, and made me feel like a ship left to float in the middle of space with no navigation or thrusters to push me on. It leaves me to hope in a way there is another novel, at least to finish off “Godspeed”’s (the name of the ship in Across the Universe) journey.

*Addendum: According to Beth Revis' Twitter, this is actually the first in the trilogy. Well now I am excited.

Recommendation: Borrow or Buy

Start of a short story - Untitled pt 1

2011-01-22T11:19:00.005-05:00

So I'm going to try something new. This is a short story, or at least the beginning of one right now. I plan to add more to it every now and then. Here is part 1.

It got rather boring sitting in the forest eating bamboo. Bamboo, bamboo, bamboo. That was all that Panda-Deng spent her whole day doing. She would eat and collect bamboo. She was a solitary creature; but every now and then she longed to meet another one of her kind, or, if not that, some excitement in her life.

There were days that she had some sort of change to the monotony of her days, like the days the Tiger-Deng found her and chased her about the mountain until she found her den. But like herself, Tiger-Deng seemed to be alone.

It was a humid, gray day that Panda-Deng decided to do something she had contemplated over ever since she saw the strange creature that walked on two legs and had strange skin that never seemed to belong on them. These creatures were not like the primates she had seen in the mountains where she called home; though these creatures had two arms and two legs, they walked tall and straight.

She remembered the day when they had watched her, they attempted to come close to her as well; but she did not trust them. They smelled odd, different, and they had all those machines that made irritating noises. They spoke in quiet voices, as if they were trying to not be noticed, but she knew they were there. She did not like them; but, they seemed to be everywhere.

She saw them climbing through her land every few days, sometimes they would disappear for a month, but then they would be back, and normally there would be more of them than there were the previous time. It had been a few months since the pattern started, and her curiosity was eating at her, especially when she was bored like she was then.

Upon her decision, she was moving down the mountain slowly, following the few-day old scent of these odd creatures. She would stop every now and then to get her fill of food and water. It was not long till she started to notice the different surroundings, surroundings that were not home, even if she was still in the woods, she knew she was now some place different. Perhaps she could find another like her.

Zombies Vs. Unicorns - Review

2011-01-18T21:50:00.006-05:00

Zombies Vs. Unicorns
Edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier.

Zombies Vs. Unicorns is a collection of stories that supports either Unicorns or Zombies. The stories are in their own way, arguments for either side, and which of the given topics are better writing material. On the side of Team Unicorn, you have Holly Black, Meg Cabot, Kathleen Duey, Margo Lanagan, Garth Nix, Naomi Novik, and Diana Peterfreund; for Team Zombie, you have Justine Larbalestier, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Maureen Johnson, Carrie Ryan, and Scott Westerfeld. All of these authors are amazing in their own terms; but these short stories in the anthology that is Zombies Vs. Unicorns their imagination and tools that they use to prove the power of the subjects really show their talent in backing their side.

“I am Switzerland,” in the words of Stephenie Meyer’s Isabella Swan from the Twilight Series. These stories are truly works of art when they are put together into this volume. Standing alone, they might seem out of place; but, together they really feel like a complete book. Each of the short stories point out either the simplicity of what is a Zombie and what is a Unicorn; but then other stories dig deeper to point out the symbolism of both ideas. Between each story there is a an introduction to the short story and the author, as well as an explanation from either side of what their opinion of the story is.

For me, that is what really brought the book together, hearing the small playful banter between the two editors on why Zombies or Unicorns were better really made me feel a connection to the anthology. At times I was swayed to go to side with the Zombies, and then I would change and side with the Unicorns; but in the end, I stand in the middle and side with none, but enjoy the profits of each.

Zombies Vs. Unicorns is a Young-adult fiction book that sways from pure fantasy to sci-fi. The book can attract many different types of readers, but in the end it depends on what the reader is searching for. The book is a quick read and fast paced, if you only want to read about Zombies, you can only read about Zombies and the same goes for Unicorns as well.

Recommendation: Definite read.

Draft #2

2011-01-14T16:16:00.003-05:00

Rush rush rush! I feel like this whole week has been rush rush rush. No time to relax, no time to think. Also, discovery 1 of the year: Coffee is bad. It makes the Panda paranoid....but I love it so.

Here is a draft of Chapter of the story I worked on for 2009's Nanowrimo. If you do not know what nanowrimo is, check it out here.

1
The room is filled with hundreds of monitors. The monitors tell multiple types of information. The most important pieces of information that the monitors tell are health statuses of all those in the field and the radiation levels of the area.

The room is ten feet by ten feet. The only lights in the room, other than the computer monitors, are lights embedded in the room’s floor around the perimeter. In the middle of the poorly lit room stood a table with a height of four and a half feet, with no chairs around it. The table had a few boxes sitting on it, but otherwise it was clear.

Two occupants could always be found in this room at all times. Their job was simple, read the monitors, record the information, and inform the appropriate people in case of abnormal spikes in any of the data they read or any deaths that might be relayed via the information.

Currently in the room were a man and a woman. They wore similar attire, a dark grey militaristic uniform, which consisted of a three-button blazer, a black belt, slacks, and heavy-duty black boots. Over the uniform, they wore long white lab coats. The last thing that they shared in appearance was the tablet they both held and wrote in.

Their job was very monotone, this being because they worked with the Nationalist regime. It was almost a guarantee that they would not have to worry about any abnormalities within their data that they collected, at least this was one of the reasons how the Nationalists became so large in numbers. Still, it was a necessity that the data was read and recorded. For six hours, the pair walked about the perimeter of the room recording and reading the information that the monitors shared.

The pair’s shift was due for turnover in ten minutes, and the closeness of such was apparent in the female’s fidgety actions. Another sigh escaped her lips loudly as she looked up at a monitor and then down again to make some marks into the electronic tablet. The man on the other side of the room frowned; he was no more than nineteen years old, with the face of a boy still, but the growing fur of a five o’clock shadow starting about his chin to prove he was more than such. He tapped the edge of his tablet, hoping that he would make it through the last bits of their time in the room without saying anything to her as he normally ended up doing.

He took another step to the side and looked up at the monitor, “Sergeant Bryce McCormick, stationed in Fort Moss, Nationalist United Countries, Age: 19. Gender: Male. Appearance: Height: 6’1”/185 cm., Weight: 165 lbs./75 kg., Hair: Brown, Eyes: Green, Ethnicity: Caucasian. Status: Healthy – Normal Heart-rate – Slightly irritated – Needs proper sleep regiment.” Beside the information were a picture of the soldier and a map of his location. Of course, when the man saw this he could not help but smile. This Sergeant Bryce McCormick was he. Everything was in line, he loved how the status was always spot on. He was slight irritated, but only at the other person in the room with him and he did need sleep, he had not been able to sleep well for the past week. He made the appropriate marks into his table and the monitor changed to another man.

The female sighed once more and finally Bryce was unable to stop himself. He tapped the metallic edge of his table as he then turned to look at her. “Private,” he said keeping his voice steady, but with a tone of authority in it. “Do you have a problem with your job?” he questioned.

He could see the female tense as he spoke, considering it had been hours since either of them had said anything or heard anything excluding the beeps and the humming from the computers. She turned completely but it was a hesitant turn. She lowered her tablet and her other arms to her side, her posture straight as a board. “No, no sir,” she responded forcefully.

Holding his board before him, he looked her over and then lifted the stylus that he had been using to tap the side of it earlier. “Is that so Private Sims?” he said. “Should I pull up your file?” he said with a scowl.

The Private knew that the information on the file, if he were to pull it up extensively unlike the files they saw on the monitors would have a read out that would only get her in more trouble than she needed to be. “My apologies Sir,” she said quickly with her head bowed to him, “I am only hungry, I forgot to eat morning meal before our shift.” Her excuse was weak; she knew that, such could be read on her face; she only hoped that he would not inquire any further and allow her to wallow in her shame for her last few minutes in the ten-by-ten room in her own pity.

Sergeant Bryce McCormick placed his stylus pen in the slot in his tablet and nodded, “Then Private Sims, be sure to visit the Mess before you head back to your quarters,” he said. “Finish the wall,” he commanded as he moved to the table in the center of the room.

As Sims turned, he placed his tablet on the table and pulled one of the boxes over. As he opened the box, his other hand pressed a few numbers into the touch screen of the tablet. He then pulled out a locked case, and then placed the tablet within. He closed the case and then flipped it over. He waited a few moments and soon Sims was over to him and handing her tablet to him. He placed the tablet into the other side of the case and placed everything back into the box. He looked up at the younger soldier and nodded, “Have a good day Private.”

The Private said nothing more to him but nod and then move from the room. When he was alone, he packed the box and pulled it under his arm. He turned to leave the room as soon as the door opened and two more people, both dressed as he, entered. He nodded to both of them as they saluted him. “Enjoy the next six hours,” he said pleasantly and then exited the room.

From the room was a long white hallway. It looked more like a hospital rather than a military facility. The doors were all closed and keypads were built into the walls besides the doors so that codes needed to be put in to get within the rooms. The floors were made of cement tile, so no matter where one walked, there was a constant sound of “thud, thud, thud” with each step.

Bryce walked down the hall, “thud”-ing his way towards a room at the end of the hall. The door was closed, but there was a slot that he pulled open. He placed the box within and then pushed the slot closed. He waited a few moments before he heard the familiar buzzing, “Sergeant McCormick, thank you for your deposit. Reports will be filed and copies sent to your office and your superiors. If any anomalies are found, we shall send you immediate notice. Do take care and we shall see you again at 0800 tomorrow.” The voice was female and computerized. He wished he could walk away, but the sensor would have noticed he was gone, and he would have reported it. Micromanagement.

With the buzzing stopped, he turned and started towards the barracks; he could rest and also get some personal work done before his evening engagement with his superiors. The halls were quiet, so it allowed him to think, time to himself. He did not have to think about the monitors and what information he may find on them, he just had to think about himself and what was to come next.

As he passed a window, he stopped and looked outside. Fort Moss was located on a coastline, one of the reasons why Bryce requested this detail. When he first arrived, the oceans were alive and full of energy. The water may have been a darker green to a brown, not the blue like in the island lands, but that was because of the environment. Not two miles for the beach though was a thick forest, full of various trees such as pine trees and oak trees. He could easily remember a large oak tree on one of the street corners he used to walk at during his evening free time.

Now, when Bryce looked out the window, he could see nothing. The air was dusty from the dried ground outside. The trees were burnt, dead, and gone. The ocean was still there, but it was browner now, and no one dared to enter the waters for fear of their life. What was once a city was no more, people lived in underground fallout shelters or protected buildings in the middle of nowhere. The ground was red and dry, item bases could be seen, showing where once tall, strong, and busy buildings stood. Shadows that were casted by them were now burnt and sealed into the ground. The city, the old base, and not just Fort Moss, but the whole of the country can be found just like this.

This was all the result of the nuclear war. The war: Nationalist against People’s Republic. It all started because of the discovery of Planet Crl47-A. The planet in the Crl47 system, the first planet in its rings that was found, and the most miraculous detail about the planet was it had life. No, not microbiology like on Mars or even the water particles found on the moon, but full blown life, and the Nationalists claimed it as their discovery, whereas the People’s republic claimed it as theirs.

Their claims, however unsubstantial they may seem, held a great place in the eye of the public. A new planet discovered. A new planet with life, the ability to maintain and host life was discovered. Meanwhile, Earth was deteriorating quicker than one could think; soon we would have to wear oxygen tanks just to live. This new planet meant a new home, and whoever was the first to discover said planet would naturally be the first to rule it, as stated by the United Nations.

It was a stubborn argument, but it escalated to the United Nations. Then, there was a murder in the International Joint Use Building of Science. The murder was basically the shot heard around the world, because the man killed was the man who supposedly discovered the planet for the Nationalists, and the biggest advocate. From there, what was once a peaceful world was divided into two.

This war was leaving the world in shambles. There was not one country affected by its events. Even still, the war continued. Bryce worked to protect the soldiers that fought on their behalf; and, as a soldier himself, he needed to make sure the precautions they took were good enough to keep him safe when he had to return to the front-lines.

He had to turn himself away from the window, it only brought up a depression in him, and there was no need for the soldier's in the room to see what condition he was allowing himself to feel. He continued down the hall and stopped at a pair of metal doors. He then pulled a clear plastic card from his pocket, there was nothing decorative on it, and nothing seemed to be embedded into it, at least that is how it appeared. He lifted the card to the wall and a number of small blue lights flashed about the item. Soon, Bryce's face appeared on the card and a number, "S-27."

The doors clicked and Bryce pulled the card away and pushed the doors open. When he stepped into the new hall, the doors closed behind him and they clicked allowing him to know they locked. This hallway was different, voices echoed about it, and the walls were not white, but more of a homely tan color. There were halls that could be seen branching out from it, and multiple doors that were either closed or open. Then there was the smell of food that wafted through the halls.

His stomach grumbled, he needed to eat, but he was in no mood to deal with the lower ranks that were sure to be in the Mess, though it did give him the opportunity to check and see if Private Sims did as she was told. No, he would deviate from that thought and move down the hall, listening to the multiple conversations that were occurring and hum to the small bit of Rock and Roll he heard from one of the rooms he passed.

He passed the small lounge between the R and S halls and noted a few men sitting there playing cards. They all looked up as he passed and nodded to him. There were no salutes towards him because they were all equals and hardly anyone saluted while in the barracks unless they were a kiss ass, or there was an officer nearby; otherwise, everyone in these areas were equals, working hard to protect their families, friends and their country.

Bryce took a right at the "S" hall and walked down about twenty feet stopping at the room labeled with a large numeral "Twenty-Seven." Once again, using his card, he placed it on the wall and waited as he watched the small blue lights blink on and off, showed him his picture, name, and room number. The door clicked like the ones before and he opened the door revealing a small seven by fourteen room.

The room was just big enough to fit a small cot about six feet long and two and a half feet wide, a desk that seemed to be made from left over plywood and glass, a chair and a small bookcase for all of his manuals and journals. There was an exposed metal pipe that stretched across the ceiling that he used to hang his uniforms on.

He stepped in and removed his lab coat, hanging it on a vacant hanger on the pipe, he then started unbutton his blazer and allowed it to hang open over his white shirt he had on beneath it. He moved towards his desk, taking a seat in the rickety chair that went along with it.

Stretching his legs, he looked over at the wall; a flat liquid crystal display, or LCD, screen was built into it. He touched the corner of the desk and watched it light up. The screen flickered and a picture of a black cat appeared on the display on the wall, a neon keyboard appeared on the desk, along with labels for everything that was there such as his pens, his notebook, and his Radiation Reading and Actions Manual.

He smiled seeing his old cat on the monitor, one of the only reminders he had from before the bombs were dropped two years ago. He reached his right hand forward and touched the desk, moving his index finger over the glass, as he did an arrowed appeared on the monitor and moved along with his directions. He then tapped the glass, which opened up a piece of software on the monitor.

He dragged his finger and clicked on an option labeled, "New." When the blank window was open, he moved his hands over the illuminated keyboard and started to type out a letter, Mother, Father, I do hope you receive this in well health.

A Draft

2011-01-05T08:59:00.005-05:00

I love to write, I wish I could write more. As this is my first post for the new year, I thought I would post up something old, something older than dirt (metaphorically of course). This was published back in 2004 on my old Fictionpress account.

Please comment, tell me how disgustingly elementary this is. But do let me know if its something you think you would like to read more of. Its always been something I go every now and then and debate on revising and editing, the sad part is, all my notebooks that these outlines and drafts were written in have been either tossed or lost in the mess of moving rooms, moving places, or people not understanding what they were for. But I have what I retyped online.

Vampyre Chronicles Ch. 1

The words from the teacher's lecture were loud and clear, and yet, they were going in one ear and out the other. My left arm was propped up on the wooden surface of my desk, my head resting within the palm of my hand as I let out a silent sigh and continued to let my dead stare remain on the ancient teacher who sat at her desk, unmoving, but for her lips. It only took a few moments for my eyes to slip into the darkness even though I did try not to allow them.
Within the darkness, the vision began. I heard screams, blood-filled, violent screams. Screams of death and fear. With the continuous fear that was building within my mind, I began to see red skies and people fleeing from an unknown source. Eyes would turn to me as people rushed away, but then they averted as if I was not to be looked at and then they quickly rushed away, avoiding me entirely.
My body moved forward, my steps solid on the ground as I began to look on the ground for something as a scent became strong. A longing scent, rust filled and yet sweet. The desirable smell, my stomach churned for it. At last, my eyes found the source of the smell. A body laid on the ground, well from the waist down, its torso and head was being held by someone which held familiarance to myself. I caught eyes with him, recognizing him quickly, my dear brother. I could feel a smirk grow upon my face, my fangs began to protrude from lips as I began to bend down to join him.
I was awaken from this scene to someone pushing my shoulder, quite harshly to the point I was halfway from falling off my seat. I threw my head back and turned my head in the direction of my attacker, my right arm was thrown back as I was ready to throw a punch at this person, but I placed it down slowly as I realized it the teacher. I stared at her, dumbfounded, as she looked upon me with a harsh glare. I smiled slightly, "I apologize Ms. Putney, I must have dozed," I said apologetically.
The old woman crossed her arms over the other, and she nodded, "Yes you must have, you were started to scare some students around you Ms. McNealy, laughing like that," she stated. My green eyes drifted around my seat as I caught the staring eyes of the students as they watched me being lectured by the teacher. I turned back to the teacher as so that I would not be lectured for not paying attention to her as she spoke. As I did, a clammy hand went onto my forehead, I jumped and instinctively moved my head back at the sudden action of Ms. Putney, her hand followed, and I finally let her with grumble beneath my breath.
She pulled her hand back quickly, she beheld a shocked look upon her grandmotherly face. "Ms. McNealy, go down to the nurse quickly," she said, then turned and returned to her desk.
I nodded and began to gather my things but as I did, she interrupted my own actions by basically telling me to not worry about it, a peer of mine would pick it up. I rolled my eyes, got up, walked to the back of the room and exited the classroom into the empty hallway.
Raven, a whispy voice moved through the hall. I paid no heed to it, my mind still focusing on the vision that gifted to me. Ray-vin, the voice called more distinctly.
This time I turned my head, it had caught me, simply because the voice and the behavior of it mocking my death name, I knew who it was instinctively. I rolled my eyes, placed my hands within the pockets of my tight fitting black jeans and walked down the hallway, turning a corner and stepped outside into the blaring sunlight. I pulled a pair of dark sunglasses from my pocket and cooly slipped them over my against the wall outside the door, enough to let the sun cover my body, I turned my head and looked into the building where shadows protected the inside with a smile, "So you came to pay me a visit Onyx?" I asked, a smirk lined my lips.
Before my eyes, a small black ball, which was actually an orb of onyx floated before me, remaining in the shadows and protection of the building. It began to take shape, molding into the form of a lady that stood close to my height, her lanky form leaning against the wall in a similar fashion to how I was. She wore an elegant black blouse and skirt, her hands were adorned with black and silver jewelry, her eyes were a black pit of emotion. The only color to her body was the platinum blonde hair that spilled over her head, around her face, and over her glared at me, as if it would wound me in some way, I only returned her glare with a childish smile and a warm wave, "Oh come now, join me, its quite a pleasant day." I was teasing her of course, I could do something she could not, that was basking in the sunlight, not a normal trait for Vampyres.
Using her hands, she pushed herself from the wall of lockers and took a few steps forward, yet remained in the shadows, away from the light. "I hate you," she managed to say through gritted teeth. "I wouldn't be here if I wanted to," she said with a roll of her eyes, her arms lifted and crossed over her chest as she looked away from me.
I removed my sunglasses from over my eyes, pushing them to the top of my head, letting my hand drop to my side as I looked at her curiously, thinking about all the possibilities of why my rival would be here. It came to me almost immediately, my eyes widened and I clenched my fists. I turned away my head away from her, "He's still constantly watching," I commented as I brought my sunglasses back over my eyes. I forced a smile to my face and turned back to her, using my back I pushed myself off the bricked wall and turned to her. "Well then, tell the master that I will obey his wishes, I will be joining him for dinner tonight," I bowed in a mocking sort of manner, pivoted, stood up straight and walked away. As I did, I heard a whisper of a profanity, causing me to laugh beneath my breath.
I walked out towards the parking lot, a menagerie of cars laid in waiting for their owners, I simply walked around them, annoyed that I was going to have to see him tonight. I continued walking until I was out of the parking lot and off the school property. I stopped as I turned a corner and looked at the ground, I was grinding my teeth subconsciously, my hands balled into a fist, my nails digging into my skin. I threw my head back, "Fuuuuuuuuuuuuccckkk!" I yelled. The outburst caused me enough attention that a man mowing his lawn stopped the motor and shot a look of surprise in my direction. I laughed a bit under my breath and gave him a soft wave, "So sorry, hard day," I apologized for the disturbance.
I quickened my pace and continued down the road, turning another corner and then walking up a clean driveway. I bent down, grabbed the slightly rusted handle to the garage and lifted the door. The loud noise alarming everyone in the house that someone was home. I stepped in and closed the door behind me and then locked it. I let out another sigh, and walked into the house, taking off my converses and laying them beside the door.
As I stood, I saw my brother standing in the door way of the living room to the kitchen. He was a mirror likeness to me, but as he was my fraternal twin the reason was quite blatant. "Lizzy," he said with an innocent smile, "I...I...I...," the stuttering began, which broke my heart little by little each time I heard it, "s-saw b-b-bloood-d."
I walked over to him and touched his cheek softly, "So did I, everything will be fine, Lizzy will make sure of it, Isaac" I smiled.
"Yes she will," another voice rang out from behind my brother, "But now, she has to go visit an old friend," he continued as he appeared behind my brother, his hand on Isaac's shoulder. His blue eyes shined with a calmness I could never have and caused me to smile.
I nodded and let go of Isaac's cheek and took his hand guiding him to a couch and having him sit down. He looked at me with a smile and then to my boyfriend, Christopher. I looked to Christopher as well and gave him a soft kiss with a smile.
"I have to go see the Master...tonight, he demands it, even had a visit from my dear friend," I forced a smile. "I thought I would come home to let you both know, but I guess you were already made aware of the fact...well I best be off," I laughed. I gave him one last kiss, and hugged my brother. I stood up with a fearless smile and walked past them both, up the stairs and into my room.
Examining my room, nothing was moved. The boxspring and matress that rested on the floor were still the same from when I left them this, sheets and blankets in a sty. Clothes, dirty and clean, thrown about the room as if a tornado had grew and then died after its attack. I locked the door and opened the back window. The black sheer curtains blowing with the slight breeze that I allowed into my room. I took one last glance around my room, as if it was going to be the last time I saw it.
I gave a soft smile for myself as if I needed to give myself some sort of confidence. I pulled myself onto the window sill, my legs sticking out over the side of the house, my other half of my body still in my room. I closed my eyes as I held the window frame and slowly felt my body change. I could hear the my bones crack and I could feel my body grow smaller. My fingers melted into each other, my face became smaller and longer. My body grew colder as I was in the shade, but the wind that blew into my room grew stronger and my body seemed to be lifted off from the window.
I opened my eyes, and the world around me was huge. I looked to my left and to my right, two black wings were spread a good total five feet, a bit longer than the average raven. I brought them in close to my body as I hopped myself to the edge of the windowsill. I gave a large "caw!" as if claiming my territory and warning my prey. Spreading my wings once more, I hopped off the window sill and began to fall to the ground. My wings caught the air and I moved them up and down, pushing my body higher and higher into the clear sky.
The sky was mine! Nothing could stop me in my flight. I belted another call from my small black body as I pushed myself farther away from home with my black wings. It was time to see the Master.

My thoughts: I don't know why I chose to write in first person. First person is so difficult to write in for me; but, when it is done right it immerses the reader deeper into the writing, so perhaps I was challenging myself? But the story itself is week, I don't think it had enough of a hook to propel anyone to reading any further, and the imagery was not good enough for me. Granted I am reading this six years later. Hard on myself much?

Revamp!

2010-12-21T08:53:00.002-05:00

I attempted to start a project using this blog in April of this past year, but that did not go very well. I am going to be revamping this blog to use more practically. I believe I will turn this into a book review site and a place where I can post some rough drafts of some writing I want to start on again.

I will not remove any of the posts before this because they belong to the site, even though as I read them now, they are very angst and attention needing. More rant-y than I would prefer to sound nowadays.

Starting in 2011: New sight format and information.

December 24

2009-12-24T10:14:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas Eve! Wow, this year has been something else. I don't even know how much I can put into words of how good it has been. For the most of course. Not everything has been on a total high level of awesomeness, but things must be equal.

For first off, I got a full-time job. However, I miss working for the libraries, things are really working out. It's different and that is good. More things to add to my repetiore. My plan is still to go for my MLS, but I have to get a number of things paid off and prepared to take in more loans.

Also, I am finally looking to move out. I have two room-mates that are great and I am keeping my thoughts positive as to how everything is going to play out.

I graduated with my BS in Interdisciplinary Studies. Woot for me. And its the holidays. Everything is good.

Though, there has been a bit of a struggle in friendship, I am trying to work things out; but, I keep saying things in a sense to where he won't understand it, not that I mean to! It's just how I talk. I have set myself not to talk with him till after the holidays because I just need to focus on the here and now, and not place additional stresses on me.

Besides that, all is good. All my christmas shopping is mostly done. Still need to get one more gift.

Books finished and I recommend:
Th1rteen R3asons Why by Asher
Hold Still
Living Dead Girl
Great and Terrible Beauty
Rebel Angels
Identical
Glass
Speak

Kind of sad that thats all the books I have really read this year, there probably has been more but those are the only ones I have read in the last three months. Not including manga though.

Well that is it for now. Have a Merry Christmas!

November 3

2009-11-03T18:58:00.003-05:00

Good news! Good news!

I can't tell yet though....

Projects: Nanowrimo: Forsaken....its taking my life!
Roleplay....Ah Danika and Black, I could never let you just disappear.
Sleep! Because I need it.

Yeah thats about it. For now.

September 19

2009-09-19T14:14:00.003-04:00

Celebrate "International Talk Like a Pirate Day"!

Here is my pirate name :3

My pirate name is:

Bloody Ethel Kidd

Every pirate lives for something different. For some, it's the open sea. For others (the masochists), it's the food. For you, it's definitely the fighting. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

And here is what I am doing today....

Fuzzy pic....but yeah that's the gist.

July 24

2009-07-24T12:47:00.002-04:00

Wow. Well. Hmm. What to talk about? Say? First things first. Hellos internets. I say hello.

I’m feeling odd. It’s a Friday. I’m ready for the weekend. Not that I didn’t have a great weekend last weekend, cause well I did. It was flippin’ Otakon. Pictures will be posted later in this post, when I get around to finally uploading them. My lappy-top is being a biotch … so yeah. I met great people at Otakon as I did the year before. Some people from Gaiaonline. Some people just randomly. Ran into a friend, and even found out some people from my high-school were there afterwards. Who’s the Geek now? Hrm???? Also, met some great web-comic people like Rosscott. I demand you go look at his website nao!

Also, the trip itself was great. A lot of joking. The closet was found. And tons for crying in the bathroom. And where was the damn caravan? And flippin’ bajesus, what is up with the speeding? But honestly this Otakon was great. Lots of people (over 25,000), lots of great things to be found in the dealer’s room, and finally found the Artist’s alley. I gots myself a new bag, some shirts, and pins. Also, I picked up Princess Princess at a great price, still looking for Kamikaze Girls though… Panels were awesome sauce! I went to one called Anime and Manga Studies, it was about how Anime and Manga can and is being used in higher education, though cultural studies and literature, and then delved into the difficulties of people accepting it as such. Also the Bandai industrial panel was good, minus the fact that I found out Code Geass (pronounced like “geese” not “gee-ass”) was pushed back to August –mumble mumble mumble – Fangirls are funny. And people’s little twists on relationships are even funnier (Axel and Roxas, etc.)

Moving on. Guess what! Graduated. Guess I can take “College-going” off on my profile. Still part-time, but I am looking for a Full-time job. So if anyone has any suggestions or ideas give me a shout! Please? Well I don’t have much more to talk about, so I want to link up some of my favorite webcomic strips as of late:

Kinda how I feel at work sometimes.

2pStart! Check them out.

Kinda how I feel at work sometimes.

The System

I would definitely watch the game more if this was so.

Johnny Wander

Three is good for now. All three of these comics are great and entertaining. I recommend them.

Follow me at http://twitter.com/blcknwhtenred, be friend me at http://facebook.com/Crystal.Parker

By the way…I have not gotten too far with my list, but I did read Nightschool by Svetlana Chmakova (same author of Dramacon). Great book. Read it if you like graphic novels.

April 24 and My List

2009-04-24T09:44:00.004-04:00

Getting ready to graduate. I am exempt from one of my finals so that leaves me with only two to worry about. I walk on May 9th and then I am done. Done and done. Done and done and done and done.

I should elaborate on a bit more but I just want to use this space as a check list of things I want/need to read:

_ - Confessions of a Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella
_- Confessions of a Shopaholic
_- Shopaholic takes Manhattan
_- Shopaholic ties the knot
_- Shopaholic and sister
_- Shopaholic and baby
_- Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
_- Still Life by Joy Fielding
_- Wyrenhail by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
_- Persistence of Memory by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
_- House of Night Series by P.C. Cast
_- Marked
_- Betrayed
_- Chosen
_- Untamed
_- Hunted
_- Tempted
_- Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series by Laurell K. Hamilton
_- Laughing Corpse
_- Circus of the Damned
_- The Lunatic Cafe
_- Bloody Bones
_- The Killing Dance
_- Burnt Offerings
_- Blue Moon
_- Obsidian Butterfly
_- Narcissus in Chains
_- Accidental Friends Series by Dakota Cassidy
_- Accidental Werewolf
_- Accidentally Dead
_- The Accidental Human
_- P.S. I love you by Cecelia Ahern
_- Crank by Ellen Hopkins
_- Glass by Ellen Hopkins
_- Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
_- Identical by Ellen Hopkins
_- Uglies Series by Scott Westerfeld
_- Uglies
_- Pretties
_- Specials
_- Extras
_- Vampire Diaries: The Return by L.J. Smith
_- Nightfall
Rereading
_- Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
_- Twilight
_- New Moon
_- Eclipse
_- Breaking Dawn
_- The Host by Stephenie Meyer
_- The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith
_- The Awakening
_- The Struggle
_- The Fury
_- Dark Reunion

Eh....I think thats it for now. :3

February 16

2009-02-16T20:33:00.002-05:00

Valentine's Day passed. And again. I was alone, in relationship sense, but I wasn't alone because I worked that whole day, and I spent the night playing pool with friends.

Its getting so close. So close that its almost scary to think about. And what more, is that there is so much I need to do that I haven’t done yet. I still need to write this letter that gives me a mini panic attack when I think about it. I need to put in an application to participate in commencement, yes, there is an application. I need to do the exit exam, which, I should not be scared about; and yet, for some reason I am. I blame it on the fact that is a required test and those just scare me anyways. That’s that.

I am still looking for that job. Job searching is frickin’ hard in this environment. Though a friend of mine told me about this site, which has a lot of jobs that I am qualified for but they are all over the world. Here’s the kicker: do I really want to move, even though I have been dying to get out of this state for forever-and-a-day?

Other than school and work, I am still managing to keep my social life in check. Lots of going out with a few friends here and there, recently I saw Coraline, which was a really cool movie. Especially in 3D. Very much for kids, but damn creepy if I was a kid. I also saw Friday the 13th, which was crap. My friend put it correctly, Whore-ror. Lots of laughs, nudity, screaming, stupid decisions, and blood. Must have blood. Then I also so Confessions of a Shop-a-holic, and I do have to complain! Hollywood, stop butchering books. Please!

For the next few weeks, I will be concentrating on work and school. Spring Break starts on the 9th of March, and I took the whole week off. I said “No work.” And no work there shall be. I am going to D.C. with my friend for a few days, so I will be having fun there, doing a few things I haven’t been able to do in a long while, like the zoo, the white house, or even the Holocaust museum, which I have been wishing to do since I am in driving distance…if you consider three to four hours driving distance.

I am trying to get back to reading though. Going to continue with the Shopaholic series, I still need to read the two newest books by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. I also want to reread The Host by Meyer, and I need to read Crank, Glass, Identical, and the other book by Hopkins.

Oh, that stupid little “25 things” on facebook… I broke down and did it. Here it is:

Posted from my facebook:
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)

1. I am a well rounded geek.
2. My last novel I actually read was a near a year ago, and I miss sitting down with a great book; I have been reading graphic novels.
3. I loathed country music in high school; now, I can’t get enough of it.
4. My favorite stores: Barnes and Nobles and Best Buy.
5. Nothing is better than a night hanging with friends, venting and watching anime, movies or playing video games.
6. I am honestly afraid of getting into a relationship.
7. I will be graduating in May with my Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and hopefully have a Full time job by then.
8. I like to think that I am mature.
9. The best gifts are books, movies, games or new tech.
10. I wish I would get that push back into creative writing.
11. I love to travel and wish I could do more of it.
12. I have a fear of heights, doctors, and a slight fear of insects.
13. There are only a few people in this world that I have met that I do not get along with.
14. I learn most by doing, not by listening.
15. I have a lot planned for this year, and I’m hardly ready for any of it.
16. I am a dog lover, and wish to own a large dog when I get my own place.
17. I will not eat yams/sweet potatoes, coleslaw, or cranberry jam because they are nasty.
18. Musicals are the best.
19. My favorite video games are rpgs. I still need to finish Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of a New World….
20. My work is important to me, but when I put in a lot of effort into my work and it ends up being a waste, I feel a little bit of myself crack each time.
21. My favorite shows are: Ghost Hunters, Scrubs, and Psych. I will drop everything to watch these shows.
22. I am a role-player, and I get lost in the stories I write with others.
23. I miss being able to sit down and work on art.
24. My favorite citrus fruit is grapefruit.
25. I have friends around the world and I talk to them every day.

February 3

2009-02-03T22:21:00.000-05:00

Its been a weird few time for me. Mostly, today, while I was driving home from lunch, I realized something. I realized that presently, well for the past couple of months, I have been beyond happy. I finally feel like I fit in. Okay, sure, that sounds so high school-ish. Yet, I have felt out of place, even in high school, in the beginnings of college and what not. I like where I am at, I like the group I hang out with and I am enjoying my situation I am in right now (for the most part.)

Now, well it’s a new year (a month into the new year) and I know that this year will bring about a lot of changes. I am going to move out soon. I am going to be graduating. I am going to be getting a new job, or more so a full time job (HOPEFULLY). This year will be interesting, but in the end, I am looking forward to it and I just simply cannot wait!

That’s really all I have to say for right now. Hope everyone is having a great year!

December 02

2008-12-02T21:45:00.002-05:00

HOMG! Look. An update. I don’t know how many times I have opened this thing up to update and then I just say, “Frick it.” And then say close, ‘no I don’t want to save’ and then step away. Now, the question may be….why, why do such a thing? Well, I have to say, since August, it has just been utterly exhausting. School has been keeping me quite busy, and then work is doing the same, and then the whole real world is demanding that I actually do real world things…. Its quite depressing sometimes.

Well, to start off, I have to let out a little bit of steam about people. Now, not people in general, but about a month ago, I was still having a little trouble understanding why people must talk behind my back. It’s a matter of honesty and trust, and when people are two face to me it just irks me to hell off. (I really don’t care if that last phrase didn’t make a lick of sense to anyone, but it does to me.) Yet, as of late, it has cooled down a bit, for which I am thankful for. It really gives me one last thing that I need to worry about. Yet with that, my anger gets transferred to another individual. This one does not live anywhere near my location, thank god, but still, he finds a way to inch into my life and bug the crap out of me.

Anyways, out of his geniusity (one of my made up words) he decides to start to hack my e-mails. Why? Well supposedly I hacked something of his. Question: Out of the past two years of being broken up, and my consistent attempts to avoid this man, why in bob’s name would I like to hack something of his? I swear, this man is so effed up in his head that he seriously needs to see someone about it. Worst off, he did this while he was working, as he installs cable/internet/etc at his client’s houses. Yes. He’s a friggin’ genius.

Well, after a few days of dealing with that mess, which by the way, this was my birthday week. Not only was I dealing with midterms, and looking for a fulltime job, but I had that crap to deal with. Oh and election week. Anyways, I got that done with, then my birthday day, I’m all stoked, ready for the weekend, because it was Nekocon weekend. WHEEEEEE Nekocon! Yet…I am leaving my class and on my way home to get a call from my mom and she says, the place I interviewed for a few weeks ago called. I knew…I KNEW I should not have gotten my hopes up, but I did. Why? It was my birthday. I had the right. Well, yeah, I didn’t get the job. Had a total breakdown in the car in the middle of downtown. Was not a pretty sight.

But the weekend made it better. Was kind of sick for some of it, but I still had a flipping great time. And I won two of the art auctions. Wore my cosplay. And the group decided that we would all go to Otakon in July. We already have our hotel rooms. Yes. We are prepared this time because the hotels are walking distance. Yay us.

But let’s progress through what I have been doing. And that has been a lot of school and a lot of work. Still looking for a full time job, sadly the city department has placed a halt in hiring once more, which is quite frustrating. I applied (yes, you have to apply) for graduation in May. And almost decided to move out in the end of December/early January. That was put to a stop though because I still need to make sure I get health insurance. Yes, I got car insurance, and oh, I own my car. Yay me.

I only have a few more days of the actual semester, and then finals, which is basically two exams and two lesson plans that I need to complete. Then three more classes next semester and I will be done. God, so ready to be done with school.

Oh, and this morning my friends, Susan and Joy, called me up and told me of this fantastic book sale at the university down the road from me. Manga for seventy-five cents. Yes. 75 cents. So I have 25 books coming my way for a grand total of $18.75. So excited.

On my plate:
Books:

Watchmen by Alan Moore
Wyvrenhail by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Persistence of Memory by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Shopaholic takes on Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella
Identical by Ellen Hopkins

Games:

August 24: Been a long time...

2008-08-24T00:19:00.002-04:00

Dear god….can I be any more slack with this or not? I think I could be, but I’d rather not. This is like my new year’s (new school semester and all) and I am making a resolution right now. I will post in my blog at least once a month.

So, let’s see if I can keep this up. This might be a lengthy one as there is much that I need to get out there and let people know. So this is going to be broken down into sections: Rant, School, Games, Books, and whatever else I want to put out there. So without further ado, here we go.

I’m slightly irritated with home life. Though its mostly the angst of still feeling like I depend too much on my parents. Is it so wrong of me to want to spread my wings and pay for my own stuff? Isn’t that the responsible thing to do? Yet, when I do go out to research the possibilities and to look at what I am capable of, I am stopped. Yet, I do see that I should just take advantage of what I am given instead of complaining. So in the end I am, I just still feel the guilt because I know I can pay for it.

The second of rants may be a bit longer.

So I went to Otakon this year! Oh my goodness, it was great. I loved the panels, even got a free item from gaia. Got my OMG as well (I <3’s>

What I can complain about is how childish some people can be. Most of my roommates were great. One I knew I could room with because hell we’ve done it before, plenty of times. The rest were all new. From the ending of the trip I now know that I cannot room with two people, or maybe it is just the one person, but then again, they are not two separate entities, they are one person all together because …. One cannot speak for herself, and the other is just way too controlling. AGH! Anywhos, what I look for in roommates are people who are considerate, who know how to act with other people in the room with them. Not people who must blow dry their hair at 2 o’clock in the morning when the rest of the room is trying to sleep. And since we are incapable of sleeping, and we are all damn tired, we get slap happy and laugh at the simplest things…. Shoes. DENTAL PLAN! They think we are in a conspiracy against them…. Which is quite untrue no matter what they think! We were tired. We wanted sleep. We did not want to listen to spits and extremely loud hair dryers.

But honestly, I could have lived with that. I would complain about it, but its not that big of a deal. I would merely advise to them that some habits you just leave at home. What I can complain about, is people getting pissed at us for no reason. First off, I went to Otakon for Otakon. I have heard that Baltimore is a beautiful city, and has great sites. Yet, I paid a fair amount of money to go to this event so I was going to spend my time there. (I’m glad I did. Though…..I did not find the Artist Alley grrrr) So I started to get the feeling of frustration from them when most of the group had decided not to go and just stay at the convention that day. Then the next day with dinner when me and two others decided not to have sushi because I was not feeling it, and neither were they we split up then. In fact the entire weekend began to feel as if they wanted us all together no matter what.

In the end, since myself and three others seeming to form a group against them the two, or shall we say one entity, got mad, blew up at one of us, then that was the last we had seen of them that day basically. There was more to it, but I don’t want to go into too much detail. Besides, for the most part, the whole mess of the trip was due to lack of communication and since that weekend we have talked and seemed to have gotten through it.

Or so it would seem….

Yet, I am getting this nasty aching feeling that there are people talking behind my back. Something that I am not appreciative of, especially if it is at work. Do they not realize that we all work in the same system? That what is said comes around. That it can affect how people work with one another? Did they not realize this was why were trying not to bring it down with us?

Then again, I am starting to realize that they are not as mature as we assumed them to be. They want to act like children, then so be it; but I want them to know what comes around goes around.

*breathes*

Okay, school. I am taking four classes this year. Two teaching instructional courses, then Oceanography, and a Sociology course. Its probably going to be a heavy writing semester. Though I am looking forward to it, for only one reason….. one more semester closer to graduation. Yeah x3 great times.

As for games. Currently I am playing The World Ends With You and Final Fantasy III for the DS. That’s really all I’m playing……still playing Super Smash Brothers Brawl every now and then but that’s about it.

Books…..not really reading! I did finish Breaking Dawn….. T.T I will miss that series but I will not put spoilers in here. OMG Did you know that Edward…… hehehehe

Well that’s it. Busch Gardens tomorrow ! yayness.

May 20

2008-05-20T20:50:00.003-04:00

So here's the question....should I get Wii-fit? Granted I do have 52.some odd cents on it, but I'm so tight on money.

It's so irritating >.<

I don't know what to do....

May 19

2008-05-19T23:51:00.004-04:00

I really need to get on the ball with updating this thing, but what can I say, I have been really busy this past month or so. Work is definitely keeping me busy, even if I may be at a slightly slower branch with people traffic, that does not mean there is not work to be done. I love the area, I love the customers, and I love the people I work with. I even had my first meeting with the teens, since I am the teen coordinator now, and the teens seem to be quite enthusiastic about it all. Needless to say, I am quite happy with my work at this point.

As for school, well spring semester is over. I dropped teacher prep, thank god. Now I am merely and IDS student, and am taking two classes this summer semester. Language Arts methods and (ick) chemistry. Its all good, the more I get done, the faster I get a degree and a full-time job.

Car is paid for. YES!

Otherwise, there isn't much to report. My free time is spent reading and playing Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Brothers Brawl.

What is on my shelf:

Blue Bloods by De La Cruz
The Book of Lost Things by Connolly

Thats about it for now. Time to hit the sack. Toodles.

April 2

2008-04-02T19:57:00.003-04:00

Hello world! The sun/moon says hello. But lets get to the serious stuff. So I started my job yesterday. Its a bit overwhelming just to be honest; but, in the very end, I think I love it. And today was the very first time that I felt confident I could do storytimes for preschoolers. It was an odd feeling, but I felt like getting up and doing it right then, getting all enthusiastic about it. Ideas were popping in my head and I was all like, "Hell yeah!" in my mind. I wouldn't yell that out in the library. Heh but anyways. In end, I love the job thus far, the drive is nice, even though it can be a trek from home and school, especially school.

Last week I went to NYC. That was fun. Bus was cramped, but it was fun. I want to spend more time out there, but you know, that costs money, and its not something I have terribly much of. I do hope to make another trip out there sometime.

No time for book list this time. Too busy. But I am finally reading Wyrenhail by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes.

I am playing Super Smash Brothers Brawl, Guitar Hero III, Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, and also Mario Kart DS.

Well thats it for now. I suppose it would be best I pay attention to class now.

toodles.

March 15

2008-03-15T17:38:00.003-04:00

Aw, dear spring break, why must you go by so quickly. Thou days hast fluttered past my eyes as if you were but a second in my dreary life.....

This past week was spring break for many colleges. In fact, this is the time of the year were schools take their break from education and look at the finer times in life. This week has been beyond relaxing, well erm....Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and today. Wednesday I attended "All Staff Day" for work, which wasn't entirely unproductive. I enjoyed the trainings I got (even if they weren't what I signed up for). My favorite training had to be "Books to bring back again and again." It wasn't exactly talking about old books, but instead books that are preparing to come out or be released. It made me wish so much that I had more time to sit down and fall into a book. Here are some titles that I thought would be fun reads:

Lonely Werewolf Girl by Martin Miller
The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
The Host by Stephanie Meyer

Well, lets just add those to the list of books that I am wanting to read as well:

Which, we will just add the books that I am currently reading:

The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory
The Hork-Bajir Chronicles by K.A. Applegate

So much! So little time....

Well school has been school. It was just starting to pick up momentum as Spring Break started. Which is somewhat fearful, stressful, a bunch of -ful's because I really hate it when school picks up momentum. I have a math test next week. My observation for PE is also due, yet, none of the schools have gotten back to me so that I can just sit in one of their Physical Education classes, I have even gone in to speak to them about it.

Well other than school, work is well. I haven't gotten a call about the interview. The website still says "Interview Pending." It sucks, because the more time I think about it, the more I think that I could take it. Like at Central..... Too many possibilities. The money would be good...

Tonight, there is going to be a get together at my house with a few people from work, we are going to be watching some anime. Heh. *points to myself* nerd. Hush up! I need a new case for all my stuff.

Speaking of nerd stuff....Last Sunday, March 9th, my game finally came out. Super Smash Brothers Brawl. I hearts it so much. I finally unlocked all the characters. I know people did it within a day, but I have a life! I swear. I do.... *whines* i dooooooooooo.... The game is great. There are so many modes to work with. The adventure mode, "Subspace Emissary", even though its basically a hack and slash game, the storyline was very intuitive. Hell, its the only place you will ever see Link, Princess Zelda, and Ganondorf work together. And I love playing against people via the Wi-Fi.

Other games I am playing right now is Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass in the DS. I'm stuck right now, eh heh, but its a great portable game.

Last night I went to see the new Dr. Seuss movie, Horton Hears a Who. It was so cute! I absolutely loved it. Yoooop!

Well thats it. I am signing out.

P.S. I'm scared....Twilight Movie.

please hollywood...you always let me down...but.. but... this book..... don't ruin it!

March 5

2008-02-26T11:09:00.006-05:00

So week from Hell, over. Nice. Interview went alright. I hate the fact that I have the hugest tendency to forget all my knowledge when it comes down to the finish line, I suppose you could say. What can you do right? Well its fine. Whats not fine is that with all the damn stress I had over that week, I broke out all over my face. And I have gone so long with not having that badly of a break out.

Okay otherwise, what else what else.... went to Bardos last friday with Amy and Elizabeth. We had a great time. Great food. Thai rubbed beef fillet with wasabi mashed potatoes for the win.

Three take-home exams....easy enough. Not easy for a procrastinator. Finished one this morning at 745am. Its due tonight at 710. I have another midterm I have to work on this afternoon, its due tomorrow at 11am. Then after that class I have my last midterm due on saturday, but I am leaving town on friday, so it has to be done tomorrow. Then I have to clean, and pack.

Right now, my car is getting its inspection done.....well thats if my mom remembers to take it in....heres to hoping everything goes well. Damn Amy for putting thoughts in my head that it might fail. I baby that thing to all end. AND ITS ALMOST PAID FOR! *happy*

I need time to read. I need time to write

And suddenly, I feel really depressed about my stress.....

Well time to go.

SUPER SMASH BROS. BRAWL on SUNDAY!

February 11

2008-02-11T08:23:00.000-05:00

So I went and did it. I applied for another position at in my library system. Its kinda scary. Stupid eh? Course it as scary at the thought of leaving my comfy position as a Clerk/Aide/Page, what ever you want to call it, a year and a half ago, to go to this Information Specialist I position. But what is scary is that this is an Information Specialist II position, not that much different, or so it would seem, but it is. Programming! Now, I know I can do it, but its just thinking about it can be scary for me. But I have to give a big shout out to Amy for helping me complete my application, that was a huge help honestly. I hope I get called....good luck to me.

School is slowly picking up. I have managed to do well with keeping up with assignments. I do have two papers due this Friday, so I will be in a rush with some of that stuff, but my schedule allows me to do many things without too much stress.

Amazingly, I have started something that I am actually enjoying so far. And that is exercising. Wow right? I hated it in school (grade school). But now, I have started jogging/walking on the days I have time and then continuing to do so in the garage, along with curl-ups/crunches and other types of stretching exercises. I'm kind of weary to really be hardcore about it because right now, I know my body can't exactly handle it. Perhaps its a silly thought, and perhaps I should just push myself, but I don't want to kill myself just yet. Pushing myself is what turned me off the last time, so I would rather not do that just yet. It feels good to feel guilty on days that I don't have time, or have not done it. So its a good start.

Moving on. I need to figure out if I am doing something for Spring Break, and if so, what? [sarcasm]I must say a huge thanks to work, for placing All Staff Day in the middle of my damn Spring Break. Like. They. Always. Do.[/sarcasm] Perhaps a trip to western Virginia, do some hiking and visit the caverns. It has to be something cheap cause I want to pay off my car early. Thank you tax refund.

Oh! Last week I managed to watch my show. Well the spin-off from my show, Ghost Hunters International. My god, I was so pissed. Cat fights, people running, and assumptions. I have seen most of the team before the show was created, minus two of them, and I must say, for these huge cases, they automatically go in thinking the place is haunted when it is not. I really can't wait till the first week of March when my original series comes on. Ghost Hunters, with the TAPS team, Jason, Grant, and Steve, I miss them. [/rant]

Speaking of television shows, when are my Scrubs and Office going to come back on? Damn you Writers Guild. Scrubs was on its last season of the series, and The Office was just pure brilliance. Not to say that The Apprentice is bad, it HAS gone down hill since the first season, but Omarosa is entertaining in her own way, but come one. I can only live with so much Reality TV. Which is mostly just my Ghost Hunters, or if you bring back Treasure Hunters, I would be happy.

Well for now, I am signing off. Toodles.

January 24

2008-01-24T19:47:00.001-05:00

Well. It's been about two weeks into the semester and all seems well. As of right now. I must say, I have been able to be a bit more in control, which is a great feeling. I do have to be honest; I did miss one class already. Tuesday morning, on my way to school, I ran into a lot of traffic, but this was for good reason as to my lateness. Apparently, there was a sudden ice storm in the area the night prior, and someone, stupidly, screwed up and caused a major back up needless to say. Homework is being kept up, and I am actually enjoying the set-up of my online course. Except for the fact that the teacher believes Short Essays are five pages.

Work has been going well. And I actually managed to get a physical book done. The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot. Very entertaining in a light hearted feel. I am looking for the other Boy selection in this particular series. I have read Boy Meets Girl and The Boy Next Door. I have to say what catches my attention and fascination in these books is their layout. The story is told out in manners of notes, texts, emails, anything but actual story telling by the author.

Also, talking about books, I have been able to get into audiobooks. I finished Undead and Unwed and I am waiting for the next in the series. Yes, I have already read them, but I am trying to catch up on them, since I am behind three books already. I swear Davidson pushes them out like nothing. But while I am waiting I am listening/rereading Twilight by Meyer, and in my car, I have The Love Curse of the Rambaughs(sp?) which is definitely a strange book. Its about a girl and taxonomy. Then I have Patterson's The Angel Experiment, which I have heard good things about from others.

Other things…I suppose are well. I'm doing the best I can with what I am given. I have fallen to my solitude once more. I suppose that is good. I mean, I do miss the fact that I could call someone my own, but as my friend Eddie once told me, I don't need that to be happy, and he is damn right.

Well that's it for now.

Things to do:

PE 327 Short Essay Response
Send Goblet of Fire to Brandon

January 6

2008-01-06T11:18:00.000-05:00

Its been a weird couple of days. I honestly I have decided to start the new year right. Firstly, my room has took a turn for the better. Everyone who has been in my room has probably thought that was so disorganized, my desk is normally cluttered with papers, books, and other things. My bookcase has been used a paper-holder since I started college a few years ago. Well, Friday, after a day of work, I was working on some old writing when finally I got that urge to clean. And boy, clean I did. My bookcase looks like a bookcase. My desk is clear of unneeded papers and other junk. I shredded at least two trash bags of papers. It was really an eye opener.

Now the next change will be starting tomorrow when I start forcing myself to wake up at six am. *groan* I'll be honest, I will probably be the biggest bitch as I do. This will at least make sure I get up for my eight am class that starts next Monday. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. And tomorrow I start my new work schedule, Mondays 930-630 then Wednesdays 930-130/230. The only worry I have for that is that coming from ODU to the Great Neck area of Virginia Beach might really be pushing it for a 30 minute or less drive.

Moving onwards. I bought my books last Thursday. Total: 423.40 I swear this is the most I have had to spend on books in a long while. I normally have been able to scrape by with 200 at the most. Its scary though. This year, I know, I will be saving a lot. My car should be paid off for in July, if not earlier, then I need to start looking for Insurance companies, since I am determined to take that load. As well, I need to start looking for a place to stay. I know, I have a kick-ass job, one that is flexible with my school hours and pays well. Though I do not think it will be well enough to help me live on my own just yet.

Its like times as these that I look and see a lot of my high school mates are graduated by now, and living on their own, or married. Then I look at myself and I'm like...what the hell? Course I know I am quite lucky. This year though is the end of my pillowed life. My dad is planning his retirement for October (though with the way he was talking yesterday at his birthday dinner he seemed to be very...indecisive about it. Bringing up other jobs that he could possibly take and what not....) and I will be 23 in November, that is the time that I will lose all benefits and insurance. So its like I need to be ready for when this all goes down, as well I will need to start thinking about starting to pay back my school loans.

I'm telling you, growing up is really scary. ... that was a given.

Something else going on...well I did break up my recent relationship. It was a complicated mess and it just feels better this way. Right now, I'm looking in another direction. Its hard, but I hope I can get this sorted out soon.

In other news, I saw Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I thought it was great, of course, I love musicals. I also have bought Boogie and Super Mario Galaxy for the Wii (i had gift cards so I splurged).

What is on my shelf:

The World On Blood by Nasaw
Boy meets Girl by Cabot

Goin' vintage with my shelf:

The Andalite Chronicles by Applegate

No one can say anything bad about the Animorph series by K.A. Applegate. It was a great series when I was a child and it really pulled me into reading.

Things to do:

Collect books (1/9 in)
fix bulletin board/white board
create calender
work on editing fictionpress.com
Prep for CMRT meeting
Web 2.0 crap at ravensilverclaw blogspot

New Work Schedule starting Jan. 7

Monday: 930-630
Tuesday Off
Wednesday 930-130 (when working Saturday)/Wednesday 930-230 (when working Friday)
Thursday Off
Friday 930-500*
Saturday 800-500*

*rotates every other weekend Saturday weekend 1/12

School Schedule:

Hist 362 (MWF 8-850) ODU
Math 335 (TR 930-1045) ODU
Eci 433 (TR 11-1215) ODU
Esse 468 (W 710-950) VBHEC
Pe 327 ONLINE

January 2

2008-01-02T14:09:00.000-05:00

Well....its the new year. Happy New year to me. to you. to everyone. I spent New Years with a number of friends and had a great time. Even got a kiss for the first time on new years. In ending, I was very content. Let alone, this brought about a bit of confusion for me.

Not to get into it much. Christmas was good. I got clothes, a Magellan, a dock for my Zune, dvds, and money. The drive up to PA wasn't that bad as well.

There was something else I was going to say, but I totally forgot what it was. Oh well... perhaps later.

As for school, that starts in a week and a half. Books are over 400 dollars this semester...and the school isnt even open so that i can ask questions about tuition. Seriously...ODU pisses me to hell off.

Well that is it for now. Toodles.

December 21

2007-12-21T14:09:00.000-05:00

My goodness. I have felt great this past week. No stress. No worries. Holidays are coming up around the corner and even though I have yet to finish my shopping I'm still quite happy. Well minus the fact that it would seem people are drama queens. And honestly, in no mean, did I try to start anything. I spoke truthfully and honestly, and in the end I thought it was all hunky-dory. WRONG! Oh well, was it because I sound perky and happy? And sad and moopy? Do I even have time to be sad and moopy? I don't really think I do.

Anyways, Yes, deal with it people. My family is a big part of my life. I do a lot with my family, and I respect my family. If you don't respect my family, you don't respect me. And even though I love my family to death, they do not make decisions for me. They help me with my decisions and I respect their opinions on my life. What they think of me means a lot, just as my friends opinions of me do as well.

Well thats enough of that. School is finally done. I passed all my classes this semester. Next semester is a five course semester....oh gods help me. My work schedule should be keeping about the same I believe.

As for right now, I got my eye on things. I am also just trying to relax and enjoy the holidays and not let them control me. Family is driving up to Pennsylvania on Christmas day and driving back the same day, so heres for that. "Yay" for tons of sleep in the car that day.

Things to do:

Finish Shopping
Clean Room
Laundry
Work @ KV on Sunday

December 6

2007-12-06T10:19:00.000-05:00

I have six more days of school for the semester. Time is dwindling down to the last stressful moments. Granted this week hasn't been the best for optimal sleep, it has been a productive week as for getting papers done. Then again, every week I procrastinate always gets a good amount of papers done. Laughing.

In news other than school, work is progressing. Web 2.0 is crap. I use my other blog to merely rant and scratch the topics that are given to us. But, needlessly, I am doing it because my mom desperately wants that mp3 player even though she probably won't use it. Granted she is using the broken laptop A LOT lately.

Moving on. Whats this? Crystal in a relationship? This is unheard of. bwahahahahaha

Things to do:

Hist 346 exam: Saturday 345-645
KV X-Mas Party: Saturday 700-??
GN X-Mas Party: Sunday 500-???
LCDT: Tuesday(12/11) ???? May...may not go
GN Potluck: Tuesday (12/11) bring dumplings @ 1230ish
Hist 356 exam: Wednesday (12/12) 345-345
Geog 310 exam: Wednesday (12/12) 700-1000
Pols 331 exam: Thursday (12/13) 420-700

What is on my shelf?

I am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Priest by Min-Woo Hyung

November 23

2007-11-23T11:21:00.000-05:00

So much leftovers...so much. So we had a twenty pound turkey for five people. Twenty pounds. Then we had two types of stuffing (breaded and then oyster), broccoli, peas, mash potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, bread, two pumpkin pies, and two pumpkin rolls. All this...for five people. My family really does go a bit crazy with the cooking with Thanksgiving. Not that I am complaining though, I had a good time.

I was supposed to go with my dad this morning to the NEX around four AM, because he had to greet the people there, but I think I either hit my cellphone when it went off, or we all just kind of forgot. Even still, I don't know if I would really like to go to any store on Black Friday. I swear shoppers really scare me.

So right now, I am just relaxing at home watching my sister beast at Guitar Hero. Also, I am trying to think of something to do, rather than stay home today.

Also, I am planning to get my hair cut again soon.

Things to do:

Work on Papers

Hist 356
Hist 346
Pols 311

Clean my room

That is all. *sign off*

November 19

2007-11-19T18:33:00.001-05:00

Ow. Pain. I am in serious need of chocolate and a bed. Well one good thing is that I only have one other class this week then work and practically a vacation. Course Thursday will be tense, I mean, cooking and my mom has been going through menopause all week. It's been close to hell; but, there has been a hell of a lot of Korean food in my house, which, I shall not complain about.

Well, I have three more papers to do this semester. It's going to be hard to get through them, because it is so close to being done, but I will get through it right?

As for other things, weather is nuts. Its suppose to be up to 70 by wednesday, meanwhile its about 48 right now. Friggin' virginia.

Things to do:

Moving den and living room
paper
finish Ghost Hunting
clean desk
give Indy a bath
get brother on Wednesday
prep for CMRT on Wednesday

Back to business. "I'll be back."

Nomber 17

2007-11-17T13:46:00.000-05:00

Watch as my lips slide off the spoon, taking in the lucious white frosting from the piece of white cake. This is me, Dairy-likious.

Anywho, I am not the Dairy Whore, Cake Whore, etc etc to a coworker because she can't eat Dairy products. no more cheese, no more milk, ice cream,...... it sucks to be her! *munches on cake*

I need information on Antietum, or Bull Run. GO NORTH!

Work is friggin' cold today! I am still losing feeling in my fingers....yeah....thanks AC that shouldn't be on. Damnit.

November 15 - Resolution

2007-11-15T16:52:00.000-05:00

Well today was Judgment Day, persae. MP brought my money around 3pm this afternoon. And the money has been returned to my account. Sadly, my account is the only thing that has been repaired, the friendship is broken, and basically irreparable.

Well I now have three more papers due.

Hist 356: Nov 19 (5 pages)
Hist 346: Dec. 4 (5 pages)
Pols 331: Dec. 6 (10 pages)

I have registered for my next semester courses.

Hist 362 (MWF 8-850) ODU
Math 335 (TR 930-1045) ODU
Eci 433 (TR 11-1215) ODU
Esse 468 (W 710-950) VBHEC
Pe 327 ONLINE

This is the first semester of an online course, as well, I am loading up 5 courses. I think I am stressed now. hah hah hah

The only constant thing I can count on is work thankfully. Oh yes, speaking of work, we all are working on a program called "Web 2.0 Training." I did not use this blog because of certain reasons, but here is the link for it Raven Silverclaw: Learning Web 2.0

Now. Back to your regular programming. *click*

November 2 -- In Addtion...

2007-11-03T15:55:00.000-04:00

To include further bestow information why MP is being an arsehat, I convey emails sent to a friend and myself. Again, names have been changed or taken out.

Some stupid automatic payment thing went through the day after I wrote the check and sent my account five bucks under the check amount so I told her not to cash the check.. she said she was angry at me and disregarded my message.. and yeah.. bank charged us both 25 bucks for return check.. and ive agreed to pay her fee too.. oi. I TOLD you I couldn’t afford that ticket! Oi.. haha… anyway now shes angry at me because I wont give her a hundred bucks today.. and when I told her she needed to back off cause I was about to snap she told me she didn’t care.. man I don’t have ANY money right now.. not even enough to buy shaving cream! I think I told her that.. but she doesn’t quite understand..

and the retort --> You know what MP....you did not tell her to not cash the check, b/c you gave ME the check and said nothing about a waiting period on cashing the check for me to inform her. She has showed me your texts and all you did was ask her if she cashed it already, which she had been done. She cashed it the day she got it. She told you she was gonna cash it right away, so that was warning enough for you to make sure you had the money ready for deposit. And as you should with the fee thing! She should NOT be responsible for that b/c you can't keep track of what's going in and out of your bank account. MP....what is the freaking deal with you? Why can't you just write down your transactions or something? They make our lives easier by setting everything up online for us now, so there really is no logical excuse for your actions. And to make it worse....we ASKED YOU (not told you, but merely offered) if you wanted to join us on this trip. You could have easily said no. If you were gonna be lousy with money even tho we gave you a months notice, then you shouldn't have agreed to go and you should have NOT said that you could handle the money/trip (which we asked you several times if the money was gonna be an issue, you said no you would be fine...that was a lie). Obviously you could not no matter how much notice we gave you. And you sitting in the car for 10 hours or more is a stupid thing MP....I mean come on. We did the Epcot thing specially for YOU. Why the hell would we make you sit in the car? Come on...get real. She has every right to be upset with you b/c you've damaged her bank account for what you did. You may not care about your credit or bank status, but she does. Give her some respect in that matter. She has perfect credit and would like to keep it that way, not have it messed up by others who can't keep track of their own banking info. It's not that hard. Checks aren't free money. And that's your fault/problem for not keeping better track to make sure you had money this pay period. If you were responsible, this would have never happened. You totally ruined a couple of good friendships MP. I'm so disappointed in you, it's just too unreal.

Oi chica.. I’m not gonna read that kinda stuff you sent me. I wanted, and planned, to spend Sunday in the hotel room doing schoolwork and reading because I could not afford to go to ebcot. This situation is the result of forcing me to borrow money when I told you I couldn’t afford it. Im sorry this drama unfolded, but I warned both of yall ahead of time, and yall invited it upon yourselves. I’ll pay back crystal when I have the money, and that’s the end of it for me.

and finally.... an apology?

okay, to me, it seems that yall are quite adamantly decided that this is completely my wrongdoing, and that I am irresponsible, which is the cause of all these problems. Im sorry if I came off as lackadaisical, but I do have a very laid back view of life, and I don’t stress out much over any one thing. That is my way, and im sorry if it offended either of you. Honestly, I felt that yall found my lifestyle unacceptable and deemed it incorrect, which isn’t kind or polite in my eyes. Maybe this is untrue, but its how I interpreted your attitude. At times, I felt that you thought I was so wrong, that you deigned it appropriate to show me the “proper” way to to things, which is an attitude I feel is insulting. Towards to end of the trip I felt right out unwelcome. I had to hide my true self from you guys to save myself from condescension, and those attitudes carried over right into each and every one of your text messages, crystal, and your emails, A. If I have acted these ways towards either of you im sorry, because it is an insult I would never want to lay upon you. And look, this isn’t an attack or a defense, I wanted to tell you how I felt, so you could have some insight into the reasons why I acted the way I did. I truly am sorry that things turned out this way, and im sorry my behavior offended you, and I am sorry my way of life offended you. But really, being immature is letting this dispute go at “I hate you! Its going to be disgusting to see you from now on!” type of attitudes. I don’t want open wounds, and im sure that yall don’t either. If yuall don’t want to talk to me anymore, that’s fine. But I see no reason for me to harbor animosity towards either of you, and I want you to know that I don’t. You know, some people just don’t mix well in close quarters, and I suppose this is one of those situations. I look forward to an end to this drama, and I hope yall are willing to do so.

well there is more, but thats more than enough to either just show myself in future circumstances or just to prove my point.

November 1

2007-11-01T15:26:00.000-04:00

Time and time again, you learn greater and greater lessons. Hey, I'm a nice person. And I am learning more and more often that I am way too nice of a person. It's rare that I run into a bit of a problem with getting my money back, or am paid back in other ways that may not include I get physical money back. But what brings this up? What is it, that has caused me, to become an irritable, moody bitch this week starting on the 30th? Let's start at the beginning.

The names have been changed to protect Face. psssh, yeah right. But I will be polite and not give names.
The Players: Me vs. MP

The florida trip should have been refreshing. And honestly it would have been refreshing, as it was, lessons are constantly learned. Firstly, that morning upon leaving, all are picked up, and come to my house. Everything was fine, for all we knew, everything was beyond fine, all upon my part. So we get to driving. Drive drive drive. Into an hour and a half of driving, I say I need to sleep for a bit. Okay. MP drives. Hello, I could not relax for the life of me. If anything, it woke me up quickly.

Why so? MP scared the shit outta me with driving. Drifting to the center. Not paying attention. Trying to wear headphones and blasting his music while he did. Perhaps I'm a stiff. But I'm sorry. You are driving my car, wait, NOT my car MY PARENT'S car, WHICH they put in my responsibility. So when he finally drifted a bit too much, I told him to let me drive. Me being wide awake, I took the wheel when we switched and drove for a good hour or two before getting breakfast.

So while we are at breakfast we are all talking, he makes little comments how he doesnt have much money. Well I, for one, took it as money he seperated for the drive down. I'm oblivious I suppose. Well most of the drive down wasn't too bad, but MP never once drove again on the way down. Oh and by the way, he refused to where shoes. ANYWHERE! We had to force him to wear shoes. He even went barefoot into a rest area. I was disgusted to the very pits of my stomach.

We get to the hotel in Daytona. Then, all of sudden things start becoming aparant. This trip with MP was not going to work out too well. First off, he's brought shrimp, beef, pork, pots and pans. Ummm excuse me, was this a camping trip and I wasn't aware? We did let him cook once. But upon asking why, he tells us, he has no money. And we asked about the Epcot (which we were planning on going to on Sunday) MP replies with, "Oh I will stay in the hotel." Sorry can't do that, we will be checked out by eight AM on Sunday. "Oh I will just stay in the car." No. We were planning on being there all day. There was no way in HELL he was staying in the damn car. Since my friend had already bought him his Universal ticket (and lucky her, he paid her back before the trip), I took it upon myself to buy his Epcot ticket, with his awareness that he would pay me back by the next pay day. (Three of us work in the same industry, we all have the same payday, so i would know)

Well, after figuring that out. All of a sudden, we found him smoking. Smoking would have been okay, not the best. But no, MP brought fucking Pot along on the trip. Just what the hell was he thinking? He wasn't. I want to point out that not only would he have gotten in trouble, if by chance we were pulled over, we all would have got in trouble. Moving on, he didn't even understand. Even was all like, "My friend and I were talking the other day how we never understood why people went on trips like this to spend all this money. We take a few hits and we have a two hour vacation for free."

Moving onwards, Saturday wasn't too bad, we had more of the No wearing shoe situations. Sunday was a bit frustrating due to the fact that he was totally out of it. It would take us minutes to get his attention. Hell, he even laid down on the ground, causing people to walk over him and people were giving him the nastiest stares.

That night, we all went to Downtown Disney. Anyone that has been to Disney knows they have crazy security. Well, we are in the big merchandise store and its crowded. And we tend to lose each other, well by the time we go to check out, I step outside to get some air and rest my feet, and MP comes to sit down beside me. I look down and see something in his pocket. A pair of sunglasses. In. His. Pocket. No bag. In. His. Pocket. I merely looked at him, and said, "Did you take those?" He nodded and said, "I can't afford them." Well excuse me. I stood up, walked inside, informed my friend.

That next morning we are packing up. And I see not one. But two. I look over at him, "Did you take two sunglasses?" MP looks over, no regret on his face, "Yeah, I couldn't figure out which one I wanted." Do you know how much that burned me? I went to go check out, and decided I would not talk to him no longer on this trip. Found out my friend laid it in to him while I was gone, and he basically shrugged it off.

Drive home was fine. Now comes the time to get my 75 bucks back. Text him. He asks if check is fine. I said, "its fine, as long as it doesn't bounce."

MP replies, "thats insulting."
I say, "I'm only being honest."
I forwarned him I deposit checks as soon as i get them, I do not let them sit. I get the check on Wednesday. I deposited it on thursday/friday.

I get a text on Saturday while I am at work saying, "so crystal did my fucking check bounce?"

I'm sorry I don't respond to a text such as that. Especially since it wasn't making my day much better getting that out of the blue, on a stressful day as it was. Later on that day, while I was on the phone with my friend ranting about that aforementioned text, when I get, "if it did, i can pay you in cash."

So overall that means, he knew that there was no money in his damn account when he gave me the check. Oh, I'm sorry, did I not tell you that I desposit checks as soon as I get them? Well I went home, and check my account, well it seemed to go through.

Come Tuesday, October 30th. I get the inkling feeling I should check my bank account. I check, and see "Reverse Payment" with the same reference number as to when I deposit the check. Quickly call him up and ask him about it. He acknowledges the bouncing. I told him he needs to give me my money, including an extra 25 dollars for what my bank charged me, as soon as possible. Hang up.

Things escalate.
Examples of messages sent between MP and myself:
MP: look crystal. this isnt my problem. its ours. if you aren't goin to compromise with me we'll get nowhere. i asked you to let me pay you in cash, but i was disregarded. it hurt us both financially. now lets get over it, okay?
me: no MP, you were disregarded for your damn attitude and your actions AND when you messaged me the check was already deposited you knew and i told you i immediately deposit the check when i got it. MP this is your problem caused by your actions. you will pay me one hundred.

MP just throughout this entire thing, and even currently does not understand what was the problem.

Now we came to compromise on Tuesday that he would bring the money on wednesday, all of it, and that I was happy with. I could deal with that.

Well I know he is quite forgetful, and slow, and not totally there, so I remind him to bring the money that night before I go to work. Things escalate once more. Where he tells me to quit treating him like a child and he can only give me 50 dollars. Mind you, that day was payday. I KNOW he had money. I KNOW he is making more money than me. I KNOW I have more expenditures than him. I proceed to tell him in that he needs to grow up, etc etc and then tell him to give me my money, all of it that night. He then calls me, gives me the nastiest voice-mail, which then leaves me to have the worst day ever cause I am being the better person in not retorting.

Click Play to listen to the Voicemail.

In the end, he gave me 50 bucks last night. I am giving him till the 15th of November for the rest of the money.

Lesson learned: Don't loan out money. Especially to a Pot addict.

In other news, my birthday is next week. I'm actually looking forward to it. The semester is going quite well, though dragging. The weather is going great now, it actually feels like fall. Tonight I am going to see American Gangster.

What am I reading:

Papers due:

Hist 356 - Mon. Nov. 5
Pols 331 - Thurs. Nov. 8
Geog 310 - Wed. Nov. 15
Hist 356 - Mon. Nov. 19
Hist 346 - Tues. Dec. 4

October 15

2007-10-16T00:01:00.000-04:00

NO! I did not forget about this. YES! I have not been diligent in my duties of posting in here, but I have been busy. I swear! I mean. I went to Pennsylvania, came home, wrote two papers, went to D.C., came home, wrote another paper and prepared for a midterm, then! I went Florida, and came home and wrote another two papers. Those and work, I have been pretty damn busy wouldn't you say?

Well all is well right now, I have two midterms this week, fuuuuuuunnnnn, both on the same day too. Both right after the other. Oh well, the day after I'm off so God knows, I will be relaxing on that day.

Well thats all of an update right now. Tah-tah.

September 17

2007-09-17T17:49:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been so perturbed that your cheeks burn with great irritation? As if you all your emotion is locked in a forced smile, and you dare not show it to anyone? Have you ever wished you could just curl up in a dark closet and hide out for several hours to relieve some stress?

Meh, I guess there is something about being called a bitch by an already declared asshole that tears at me.

Well, with vacations coming up, of course it means that i get really busy in school. Why?????
Due:
- History 356 Paper 5 pgs.--September 20
- History 346 Test 2 essays/Paper 3 pgs./Common Denominators 50 ident. --September 26
- History 356 Paper 5 pgs.--October 4
- Pol Sci 331 Paper 12 pgs.--October 4

This of course does not include what tests that I cannot remember are approaching.

And when are my vacations?
Vacations:
- Pennsylvania - September 21-23
- Washington DC - September 29
- Florida - October 5-9

Well not much time to read, but I am relieving a lot of built stress by playing my games. And what am I playing?
Games:
- Guild Wars Prophecies, Factions, Nightfall
- Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
- Pokemon Diamond
- Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Metroid Prime Hunters
- Ragnarok Online (well not yet...but soon)

yeah....
thats all I got for now.
toodles.

September 10

2007-09-10T18:11:00.000-04:00

Funny how small a world is. When I went to the airshow yesterday I ran into an old highschool classmate of mine. It was nice to see him and say hi and what not. Otherwise, the show was fabulous, and the storm managed to stay away the entire time; of course, that means that once again I have an annoying sunburn that I will keep covered up. Yay for a conservative closet.

Blue Angel's Diamond Formation

18 inches apart O.o

Moving into Position

Fat Albert

Air Force Trainer

Lamb Chop

Skip and his Acrobatic Bi-Plane

One of them Crazy Army Machines

Two of the first Military Planes, an Evolution

F-22 Raptor

The Evolution?

An Evolution all the way to the F-22

I find that stress continues to build rapidly, and some people tend to talk to me at wrong times. But its all good right? I'm back on Guild Wars. Looking for me? Look for Bruised Rose or Bloodied Lilac.

Also reading more....new Vampire Kisses, new Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, new Mary Janice Davidson.

Oh yeash...and school papers....I should work on those....

Pennsylvania: 11 days
Book Festival: 18 days
Florida: 24 days....

thats my countdown.

Last week, prior to the Air Show, the normal problematic group once again placed a suite against the Naval Air Stations and satellite areas located in VA Beach and Cheasapeake. Now what I don't understand is, these people that are placing these suites are people that have lived in neighborhoods built after the establishment of the base back in the 1940s. Okay, so that would mean that these houses have been there with the base there. Surely when these people purchased or built the homes they would have realized what they were getting themselves into right? I mean it would only be common sense, Have Air Station, Have Jet noise. Oh, I'm sorry, technology has not enabled the jet noise to be silented yet.

But what this builds up to, is it really pisses me off how many people are unappreciative of the military, whether its air, sky, or sea. I know when I see or hear a jet flying above I can't help but smile. It makes me feel really giddy to hear one, now, perhaps this is because I am just intrigued by the technology or I was raised with them that its only natural that I am not bothered by them. I just don't get it....

Anyways, thats my rant.

September 5-6

2007-09-05T20:20:00.000-04:00

My stomach won't stop growling. I am so damn hungry. I really need to think about bringing a lunch bag with me on the days that I know I will be in class during dinner.

Yes, classes have begun. So far so good. The only class that I really am not enjoying is my Virginia History, and thats because the teacher is a bit of age. Its alright though, I'll bear through it. I always do. Though I must say one of the most annoying thing is that the history courses I am taking are subjects that have been stuffed, and jammed into my mind since I moved to Virginia a good twelve years ago. But there are some things that are new, more in Colonial history than anything.

Speaking of Colonial history! I want to take a trip to Williamsburg some time....after my trips. I can't emphasize enough, and I am sure people are getting really fed up with the fact that I keep talking about my trips, but its something that I am looking forward to, I have been looking forward since May, when I found out that the trip was goig to be mine. Bloomsburg, DC, then Florida. The trips will definitely help out with stress, at least thats what I am aiming for.

But back onto the topic of school...so many papers. but i can do it! at least I am going to definitely work on it.

Work is busy, we lost two clerks, so now we have to shelve....ALOT. Goodness people its no longer summer we are supposed to have less books coming in, not more. And I know this because I shelved for a good three years. perhaps smaller libraries are just the total opposite of the larger libraries...which I could view as being odd.

Well now...I needs to disappear and pay attention to a thing called class. laters!

August 19

2007-08-18T22:18:00.000-04:00

I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain. I will not complain.

Yeah you I could probably fill up a couple pages with that. I just hate it when my parents automatically think that I can do something and hate it when they don't put my plans into the picture. And honestly, I would put up more of a fight but since they insist on giving me things, or buying me things (the laptop, a necessity, I'll use an example)that they find ways to easily hang over my head as black mail, well shit, I won't complain worth fuck cause I feel like a freaking middle school/high schooler who will have their car taken away (which by the way, they feel they can hang over my head like a dog who wants their treat).

It just really blew me when I told my mom specifically that I was heading out to take care of the dogs that I told my co-worker I would take care of that she feels she needs me at that very moment to bring her her cards and everything. Well I'm sorry, I wasn't planning anything, I was just sitting here waiting for you to tell me you needed me to do something.

Anywho, enough of my ranting.

Work schedule....changed. Didn't change? Not exactly sure yet. I have one more week of freedom, and I have three more books that I need.

Sad week though. My oldest dog, age 17, Duke was put to sleep this week.

thats all the news i got.

August 14

2007-08-14T10:34:00.000-04:00

Fall Tuition: $2500+
Fall Text Books: $400+
Higher Education: way too damn expensive

Naw honestly, it probably isn't that bad considering I am paying instate. Plus the tuition was paid with loans and a grant, the text books were paid out of pocket, and I am also paying car payment which is $300+ a month. I guess I am too tired of being dependent upon the green stuff.

Moving on. August is winding down, and school is going to be beginning soon. September will appear to be an awfully busy month, and not only that I will have to be accustomed to a new work schedule. Its hard to change once you are in such a routine.

But yeah...thats all I got for now. Mind...drained.

August 7

2007-08-07T20:03:00.000-04:00

Woah, its August already! Amazing! Anyways, theres been a bit of stuff going on and things I want to rant about. First off, lets start off with the easy stuff:

What is on my Shelf:

Undead and Uneasy by Mary Janice Davidson
13 Bullets by David Wellington
Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer

There isn't much to talk about reading wise. The most recent book I have finished was Ironside by Holly Black. It was an absolutely amazing book. I was content with its conclusion and enjoyed the ride that she took me for. As well what gets me more excited is that Black will be an author at this years National Book Festival up in Washington D.C. Mark that on your calenders: September 29th.

Moving on. Earlier this week (Monday, July 30th, 2007) I came home from work to finish up my classwork for ESSE 413, considering it was my last week of classes and of course everything is due. Well, my screen was off. My first thought: odd. So I start my computer and it works fine for about ten minutes as soon as I start typing up my work when my screen goes black. BUT not completely black. No. Instead just really really really dim so that I can not see exactly what I am doing, but I can see that the computer is still on. So I reset my computer. Okay. It starts up fine again, but now, five minutes into using it.

Irritated, I figured I would call Geeksquad since they have me in the system already. Well they try to remote work it. Nothing. So I take it to GS desk in Bestbuy. It doesn't do it, because the laptop enjoys behaving around people, just not for me. So the GS Agent tells me that it is probably the backlight. How much to fix it? 200-250. Fuck that shit. Not saying that the computer isn't worth it, cause it is to a point, hence why I upgraded its RAM. But I have been contemplating on getting a new computer for a few months now. Was actually planning to wait till after I finish paying off the car, but...well things change.

So after sitting down and talking to my parents about the whole situation, and then finding out about Virginia's Sale Tax Free Weekend that occured this weekend (August 3-5) it was a win-win situation. We did our price checking on friday night, saturday morning went out to get a new computer.

Now before I get to the part where I say what type of computer I got I will say that I have been thinking about going for a Mac. But messing with them is one thing, I mean I can find the internet and the word processing functions. I know they have a program where you can flip the interface to work more like a PC, but come on people, I have been raised on PC's. The closest thing I would probably move to if I swtiched systems would have to be Linux, and that is IF I ever bothered to learn the system; but, I am honest to God, too lazy for that. Instead I am sticking with my good buddy Windows. Even if he does have his problems .... and more.

But! Besides all that, I honestly have not had any problems with Vista. The only two problems I have had are the following: inability to install my Nero software (that is because it is an older version and refuse to pay for it) and my Philips Stereo is not compatible with the computer.

So what are the specs? Here ya go: Vista Home Premium, AMD Turion64x2, Nvidia Graphics, 140 gig HD, 2 gb Ram. I'd say I made a pretty darn good choice overall.

Moving on....I went to see Henry Cho this weekend. Ended up being the blunt of his college jokes. Eh heh. Well I live with it.

And now thats it for now.

Funny Viral Vid for you:

Break Dancer Vs. Baby - SF2

Things to do:

Purchase Text Books
Get directions to supervisor's house

July 27

2007-07-27T09:21:00.000-04:00

I'm still alive, just being quite lazy in my postings. Here are a few updates:

I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was one of the better books in the series, and very sad overall.
School is almost done for the summer.
Currently, I am reading 13 Bullets as I wait for Eclipse.
Tonight is the Chicago concert on base.
In October I will be going to Florida.

And thats it for now.

Tootles!

July 6

2007-07-06T13:16:00.000-04:00

Currently on my break at the workplace, figured its a good enough time to update this thing. Well, not much has changed. I did though, start my summer course. ESSE 413. Human Growth and Development; basically its a pyschology class. And dear gawd, its boring as hell. I mean, I suppose it would be interesting, that is, if I did not learn it in Family Life in elementary, middle and high school. Granted, there are some things that are new. Like your given physical, cognitive, language and other sorts of domains that children learn through out their first years and so, and what sort of activities and objects adhere to those domains as well as how to enhance them in a nursery, or a classroom, but I have to say sadly I am not interested in it as much as the rest of the class. I don't have the spark any more to become a teacher. Really. I don't want to be a full-time babysitter. (I am aware that isn't always so; but, I have gotten the feel of that when I talk to a lot of teachers.)

Onto present times, other than having quite a busy day at work thus far, its enjoyable. A busy day means a fast day. The summer reading program is going well. I at least, have not gotten, no let me rephrase that, worsened my carpal tunnel as I input the stats.

Last night, the library had the Teen Video Game Tourney, and it went quite smoothly surprisingly. Last month when we had the practice for it....well let's just say some of those teens really have discipline problems. Last night though was quite fun, and the teens were really into it. I think the teen who won has a good potential to win overall; but, that really all depends. With nine other branches having it, well there is a good chance that better teens will be there. Oh well I'll root on GN!

For my rant...I really wish people would be more clear when they are on the phone and need something done. Especially for renewals. If you only want four items renewed say so, don't say you want to renew your items, that implies to the person on the phone that you want to renew all your items. >.<

My book list hasn't gone down much since I last posted it. It's actually built.

On my Shelf:

I really should get on reading, but there is one book that I want to talk about today. That is New Moon by Stephanie Meyer. The book was absolutely fantastic. I started it on the 23rd of June, and finished it that day. Now what was surprising was that I was on page fifty around eleven PM and couldn't close it to get some sleep and ended up finishing it around one-thirty AM.

Now I was perturbed that Edward decidingly disappeared through out most of the book, and I had to deal with Jacob. BUT, when it came all together I was just in shock. Bella is not my favorite character, she reminds me of my sister, who can get utterly annoying because like Bella, my sister becomes very whiny and bitchy when she does not get what she wants. Yet, on the other hand, Edward is annoying the hell out of me for only one reason. (I am a bit sadistic I suppose with this reason). [spoiler]Why the Hell won't he just friggin' change her?!?!?!?!?! gawd damnit[/spoiler]

With Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series, I am excited of the possibility of a future film of the story. What bothers me is the fact that Hollywood is most likely going to rip the story to shreads. Why? Because its Hollywood. Take for example the book Blood and Chocolate, wonderful book. The movie....I wanted to cry at how bad they wrote the book to film. The ending was the complete opposite of the book! Seriously, how bad can you get when you attempt at making a book -> film.

Onward. I saw Transformers on Monday. I was very skeptic about it. Now my thoughts are very pro about it. I thought it was a fantastic movie. Now I am a huge Pirates of the Caribbean fan. Straight up, I will say that Transformers was better than At World's End.

Things to do:

Clean
Laundry
read books
start on ESSE 413 projects
type up game rules
make questions for game
find physical domain nursery pictures
return movies and games

June 22

2007-06-22T10:48:00.000-04:00

Wow... ummm wow. Well just knocked one book off my reading shelf, well technically I finished it yesterday before I had to head out to do extra hours, but thats not important. What is important was that I have never really been that enthusiastic to read a book for quite sometime, and I mean an actual book, not verse like Burned, which I have not gotten back yet, so I definitely need to call my cousin up to see if she actually sent it, but anywho. Twilight was magnificent, I had my doubts, but it was absolutely breathtaking. Now I have started New Moon and... well let's just say I am ready to stake Edward.

I guess when I read a book I really put myself in the main character's place making it as if it is my story that I am reading. Probably bad, cause when I finish the story, I feel like my story ended. But moving on. Bella is such a complex character which makes her so real to me and I hope everyone else that reads these books.

Now when I am at work I get really anxious to go on my break, and when my break is over I get agitated cause I can't continue on.

Question: Why is it when I am Staff meetings there is always some sort of event that includes a creepy bug?

I friggin' hate bugs!

Ghost Hunters was an excellent episode. Faucet turning on...what the frig! (By the way I am stealing that phrase from them cause it works better than What the Fwah.)

I read an article about those drop rides at theme parks... the power drop or something like that had a severe malfunction severing a teenage girls feet off. She was quickly sent to the ER, park employees found her feet and immediately sent them to the ER as well. I literally got sick after reading that article.

Whats on my Shelf?

New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
Valiant by Holly Black
Ironside by Holly Black
Carpe Demon by Julie Kenner
California Demon by Julie Kenner
Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman
The Love Curse of the Rumbaughs by Jack Gantos

Things to do:

Read
Write
Get text book
clean
organize/get new CMRT notebook

June 19

2007-06-19T10:22:00.000-04:00

Oh another day, another adventure. Overall I have been having quite a time dealing with stress, oh believe it or not, summer is quite stressful. Work is great, I love work, and no that is not sarcasm in the least, even the Summer Reading Program is fun. Wow, my brain must be cracked.

I finally got to ride the Griffon over at Busch Gardens. Fantastic! Loved the ride! I really am looking forward to riding it again soon, hopefully soon.

Father's day went over well. Got my dad the First Season of Saturday Night Live. He really seems to like it. So far with me watching it, the skits are hilarious, but I guess sometimes the comedies go over my head.

Still relieving my stress over a few good episodes of Ghost Hunters and even a few good rounds on the Wii.

Good site if you want to read about events in libraries, The Society of Librarians that say Motherfucker.

Whats on my shelf?

Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
Valiant by Holly Black
Ironside by Holly Black
Carpe Demon by Julie Kenner
California Demon by Julie Kenner
Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman

Yeah I got plenty to read.

Things to do:

Read
Clean
Get text book for class that starts next week
Relax

June 11

2007-06-11T14:10:00.000-04:00

Well ain't I the genius? I hate it when I remind myself to do something, and then that thing is the only thing that I forget. Example being, I kept reminding myself to put a book into my bag before my sister and I left our cousin's house, and of course, I forgot about it till we got back to my grandparents' house. Oh well, what can you do about it.

The trip overall wasn't too terrible. The drive in the new car was good, though the Nitro wasn't too comfortable overall, but still there was a lot of room back there to move around, and the reclining seats did help. With the help of the laptop and a plug outlet, the trip went fairly quick. Watching movies and doing a bit of writing, though not much.

When we got there, my sister and I stayed at one of our Great Aunt's houses. It was cozy, still felt a little bit weird since we had never stayed there before. Sleeping was good. I even got to finish that book Burned by Ellen Hopkins.

On that topic:

Burned was an absolutely fabulous book. I felt connected with all of the characters: Pattyn, Aunt J, Ethan, and Jackie. I grew to hate Mr. Von Stratten and even Mrs. Von Stratten. The book really brought about the hypocrisy of the church, though in the book it was the Church of Latter Day Saints, but blinding the name of the religion it kind of fits for all religion. Moving on (I'm not going to start on my stance on religion right now). The book was filled with all sorts of emotions that sent my mind on the wave that it created for the reader, and then finally it brought the tears to my eyes at the very end. Though I hated the ending, I loved the book. I definitely recommend it.

The 50th anniversary ran very smoothly and quite enjoyable. I got to meet A LOT of family I haven't seen...well since I was born to when I was five and yeah, my memory isn't that great. But I have to admit the whole celebration was sweet and makes me think that I would be able to last that long. I do want a marriage that lasts that long, I don't want to be apart of the separation crowd.

Anyways, hung out and slept at my cousin's house that night. I got to learn a lot more about them too which was fun, I did enjoy that overall. Then we left on Sunday morning and took the scenic route home, even got to visit Valley Forge.

But thats about it for now.

June 7

2007-06-07T10:16:00.000-04:00

Well today is my sister's birthday. Happy birthday to her. Not like we are doing much to celebrate it though, seeing as they already had her birthday dinner a few days ago. What can I do.

I am still trying to decide if I will be going to GN to work tonight, well not really work, just to help out with the teen night. It would be fun but I have a sense that I am going to be lazy tonight.

What am I Reading?

I never really got into poetry, it was either too cryptic, too slow, or just not interesting. So when I first saw Crank by Ellen Hopkins, I shied away. I opened it to find it full of poetry, or verse, however you wish to refer to it. The 600+ page book was just shelved and never really thought of again. Then I was working in the tech office and checking in bookdrop when Burned came in. The cover seemed interesting (note: never judge a book by its cover, but sometimes its an eye catcher) and it seemed fairly new. I opened the book and low-and-behold it was poetry. I almost closed it, but then I decided to give it a try. Here's an excerpt of Burned:

Did You Ever

When you were little, endure
your parents; warnings, then wait
for them to leave the room,
pry loose protective covers
and consider inserting some metal
object into an electrical outlet?

Did you wonder if for once
you might light up the room?

When you were big enough
to cross the street on your own,
did you ever wait for a signal,
hear the frenzied approach
of a fire truck and feel like
stepping out in front of it?

Did you wonder just how far
that rocket ride might take you?

When you were almost grown,
did you ever sit in a bubble bath,
perspiration pooling,
notice a blow-dryer plugged
in within easy reach, and think
about dropping it into the water?

Did you wonder if the expected
rush might somehow fail you?

And now, do you ever dangle
your toes over the precipice,
dare the cliff to crumble,
defy the frozen deity to suffer
the sun, thaw feather and bone,
take wing to fly you home?

I, Pattyn Scarlet Von Stratten, do.

That is the first poem in Burned. For me that caught me, because of the angst. The angst that I had, and still had. I am about one hundred pages into the book, and Hopkins' ability to bring out the angst that actually exist in most, if not all, teens from high school and even into the college years, its an exhilarating read and I am looking forward to the next book I got out called Impulse.

Burned is simply about a girl in high school who has been raised as a Mormon and within a house where her father is a drunk and dealing with demons of his past, her mother is a submissive house wife who takes her husband's beatings yet still wishes to please him in every way. Pattyn, the main character, is the oldest within her siblings, who are all girls and living in her state, she begins to question her religion, her morals, and begins to discover the boys around her. The book is written fully in verse but the flow is quite smooth and creates a wonderful novel.

In other news....I leave tomorrow afternoon to go up to PA to visit my grandparents for the 50th anniversary. Not so looking forward to that, but I can take my laptop along and watch movies, so theres a plus there.

I really need to get working on Vampyre Chroncicles. Its really irritating because when I open up the files on my computer I just stare at it and I can't think of anything. It's not as if I do not know what to write, quite the contrary, I know exactly what to write, I just do not know how to write it, how to get the right words, or how to get the right word placement. Annoying, annoying, annoying.

Then I also have to deal with Arian and his want to come down. And! Why is it that now I am getting calls from everyone I haven't spoken to in months? I don't log into messengers sometimes for the reason that I don't want to talk to certain people. I don't want to blow off the people that I don't mind talking to, but its gotta be done because I log on and then I get annoyed.

Well enough of my complaining.

At least I always have a mood lifter when I read or watch....Ghost Hunters, since that tends to be the only show on television I will watch now since NBC doesn't really have anything new on that I will watch. (Office and Scrubs). Well its either Ghost Hunters or Top Chef really that I will bother watching. They are my summer television shows. (wednesday nights....they conflict...tear for me)

Things to do:
Pick up sister
Look at the Sugar Plum Bakery for cakes
Get cds from library
Email supervisor about working tonight
Laundry
clean room

June 4

2007-06-04T18:47:00.000-04:00

Well how nice it is to be able to post a little bit. I kind of just forgot about this blog and did my own thing. Moving on, lately it seems I've been a boat that is being tossed on an ocean of emotions. Sure, everyone is in the same situation, but its been more than usual. I feel like I have been sort of bipolar in a way. No offense to anyone that medically is. I am clearly happy, well I feel happy, but perhaps its just this moment that I am happy. Confusion. But what I mean is that I will be happy one moment, then all of sudden I am surrounded with either this dark cloud of anger, annoyance, irritation, depression. Meh, I'll deal with it.

Things in my life, when I think about them from my perspective are so complicated. Then again, when I see the problems that my friends are dealing with I feel like I live a pillowy life. I have two things that I worry about: Work and school. Money as well, but everyone deals with that. I don't have to worry about a boyfriend or a relationship, just work and school. Now I do have to deal with ex-boyfriends, but they aren't that hard to deal with, I either a) ignore them till they go away, or b) entertain their fancies ( nothing naughty just their ideas or actions ). Take for example, one wants to come visit, I have no place for him to stay, and he has no money. So I sort of am dealing with that to try to figure out what I am going to do but I think it won't be too difficult.

Last Thursday I went to a training for the libraries, it was called "Great YA books and how to use them." I thought it was absolutely fantastic. I got to learn about all these different titles of books that I want to read, I would list some but the list is on my desk...at work. Here's one title: Twilight by Meyers, and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. Though sadly I probably shouldn't even think about getting more books, I haven't exactly been having luck getting things read. Well I can try.

Things to do:

Return Library books
New music on to mp3 player
work on writing
clean
try to find something for Grandparents
try to find something for Father's Day
save money to get Brake kit for car

May 26

2007-05-26T10:45:00.000-04:00

I've decided that I am psychic. Well, that is at least what everyone thinks I am. At work, let me specify, at work the customers think I am psychic. Why do they think I am psychic? Hell if I know, but I guess I have the mystic ability to search into the very crevices of their minds to figure out what they checked out, checked in, need or want all by the very presence of them before me or their card in hand.

Well, last night was well spent. I mean I got out of the house and spent time with a close friend of mine and we just talked and talked. Three hours of a good conversation and never getting bored. I was completely happy with it. And this afternoon we get to go on a 'date'. Movie and dinner and maybe some video games tossed into the mix.

Actually glad that I get to work today, being in the house would be a bit too hectic. Sister is going to Prom, not her Prom, but the Prom with her 'friend.' Too much getting decked up and cleaning going on that I would rather not be apart of.

I know this is short, and not too detailed, but thats how I feel today.

Tah-tah

May 24

2007-05-24T09:28:00.000-04:00

Well back home now, the conference was fun. In particular the closing speaker, Dylan Pritchett. Pritchett is a story-teller that bases his stories on an African American background and uses a few major themes as he tells his stories: Moral teachings, Build self-esteem, and Teach respect toward family, friends, and authority (citation). He was motivating and humourous, especially since he was dealing with a room full of paraprofessionals.

The drive from Richmond wasn't terrible. We actually didn't hit any traffic amazingly, and we made it home in a matter of two hours. I was excited. When I got back to the city, I didn't actually go home, instead I went to work for another four hours. Long day? It gets longer...

I got home round nine thirty and talked with the parents for a little bit and then went upstairs, one would think I would go to bed, hell, I was thinking I would go to bed, but instead, I stayed up, did a little bit of roleplaying and watching anime. Newest episode of Bleach. Episode 126. Still haven't finished it. Around 1130, the house phone rings, a bit annoyed I picked up the phone and low-and-behold its my friend Christine. She had a surprise for me. The cafe was showing Pirates of the Carribean 3 within the next hour. I sat for about five minutes and debated whether or not I should go, since I was planning to go see it with Amy on thursday night....of course I chose the obvious choice.

I went. During that time I debated if I should call Amy to see if she wanted to go, but I didn't and now I know I should have. We all make dumb choices right? But anyways, the movie started around 130am and finished around 4am. I stayed with Christine while she closed and then went home. Getting there around 430ish. Finally sleeping at 5am.

I woke up around 1130am, thirty minutes before having to leave for work....I took a quick shower, went downstairs where I found that my mom made gimpa, not really sushi, but similar without the raw fish. I decided to call up Amy and offer her some as a "i'm sorry, i did something bad" gift. She took it, with the words that "I'm a dick," but with laughter. Good to have a forgiving friend.

Well I made it to work, tired as hell, but made it to work. Even made it home and bought tickets to see the movie again for tonight's showing at the cafe at 8. So yep, it's going to be a long day but good.

Things to do:

work on Vampyre Chronicles: Chapter 3
read Valiant
read Ironside
laundry
clean room/house

May 20

2007-05-20T22:19:00.000-04:00

Well today was nice, long, but nice. Long because of driving. To Richmond is only about a two hour drive, but hitting the traffic near Jefferson because VA is a genius in road development and takes basically a six lane road and makes it two lanes. Moving on....vrrrroooom

My car seems to be in dire need of brake rotors and pads. It's a little bit annoying but we do what we must, gotta make sure the car lasts as long as it can.

Pirates is comin' out this weekend. Goin to see it thursday night at eleven it seems, I'm looking forward to it.

Oh yeah, the highlight of my day, I got lectured for forgetting or actually mismarking something on my Conference application. I felt like I was in grade school again. Well thats about it.

May 19

2007-05-19T08:55:00.000-04:00

It has been a productive past couple of days....well in a way. I mean it has been my days off, which is just great. Well to start off, wednesday I had my CMRT meeting. I always enjoy myself when I go to them because I get to see how everyone else works, different branches and procedures, and I get to learn more about the libraries in general.

Thursday, I thought I had extra hours over at a neighboring branch, so I went in bright and early (in my opinion, cause I could have been still sleeping...) and found out that I wasn't on the schedule. Either way, I stayed and helped a friend out with her layout and then finally left after talking with them for bout an hour. Then for the remainder of the day I did nothing but watch Princess Tutu.

Princess Tutu as an anime was absolutely adorable and cute. I watched it subbed, but when I had to do something, like dishes or cleaning here and there (I wasn't that lazy on thursday) I watched it dubbed so I could still hear the story. The dubbing on this anime wasn't that bad at all, I have to say the English Voice Actors did well in putting the translation into the anime. I'm still a Subbed Girl though.

The story of Princess Tutu is based on a story book tale of "The Prince and the Raven." The author Drosselmeyer died as he was writing this story locking the Prince and the Raven in an unending battle. Tired of the battle, the Raven jumped from the story and into the physical world, the Prince following soon after; but in order for the Prince to do so, he shattered his heart into several pieces, becoming what would seem a puppet to be led in whatever direction. This is where Ahiro, or Duck as she is come to be known as in English, comes in. This small duck watches the Prince, his name is Mytho, longing to be with him and love him. Dosselmeyer, who is dead, and yet not dead, decides to continue writing his story by giving Ahiro the chance to do what she wishes by changing her human, and also, creating her as Princess Tutu.

Princess Tutu's mission is to collect the Prince's heart shards to return him to the way he used to be. Each of the shards is a different emotion for the Prince, and as some of them are good, some of them cause pain for Tutu, which in turn causes her to question her right to return to him the shards. In this time where she is returning the shards, other characters of the story come to life. The story of the Knight, his name is Fakir, and then of Princess Kraehae, the Crow Princess, but also the daughter of the Raven.

The story was, as I said, wonderful and moving. Spoiler! I am so glad that Princess Tutu, Ahiro, got together or ends up living with Fakir, it was great and I loved it! It made me all giddy when I saw it.

Friday, I went Strawberry Picking at seven in the AM. Phweee...it was early, but refreshing! In total my mom, sister and I picked thirty pounds of strawberries! THIRTY POUNDS! They were delicious....and still are considering how much we have of them heh. When we got home I did the laundry, and cooked Stawberry-banana muffins and oh my goodness was it good.

Well now I must digress and bring this to an end for the day.

Help!

2007-05-15T18:05:00.000-04:00

Soon...I will be getting a new computer, you know when everything is paid off and I have the capacity in funds to get myself a new laptop preferably. I am going back and forth between getting either a new PC or a new Mac....I don't know much about Macs so please if anyone comes across this and has an opinion let me know.

May 15

2007-05-15T11:56:00.000-04:00

So it looks like I won't have to get a second job. Woohoo for me. I am actually really happy about it. I didn't want to get a second job, but I had been looking at a few that actually weren't that bad. Take Movieland for example. She was going to offer me weekend nights, which would have been nice, free rentals and movies all night. God knows I love movies. But most likely I would have been paid minimum wage and I don't like goin' back down to that sort of pay again. Then Casual Male. I used to work there back before I started at my current job, which I have kept for a good 3 years, but it seems they were in need of extra people. But I woul rather not work again for retail. But I already get paid by them either way. My mom gives me money for driving her alterations everywhere, I range about a good 25-50 dollars a week.

I added some things to the layout, a random text thingy majiger from Cut and Paste that site is quite handy. I almost forgot about it too. odd....Oh and that picture is not of me of course, unless I really am pixelated and very...anime like. Its my avatar from Gaia. Cute ain't it?

So as for other news I think I am going to do a slight game review from my point of view. Spideman 3 for the Wii. The graphics are...not so good. A lot of melting graphics, well as I call it, say for example Spider man is crawling up the wall but then he seems to be melting into the building. The controls are very unique, flicking either wrist to throw the webbing and swing through the city, the funnest part of the game honestly, but again, I am having fun fighting the gangs that you are to fight to keep the Big Apple safe from harm. The character graphics within the cut scenes I think could have been much better all around, they are actually very scary. Overall I give it a 5 out of 10. I would still recomend to try it just for the unique controls, neither the Playstation or Xbox will have this sort of control over one of the favorites in Comic heroes.

For the first time in the ten years that I have lived in this area I am going strawberry picking. I am really excited, I love me some strawberries.

Things to do:

Play some more Spiderman 3
Finish X/1999
Get my calender straight
Prepare for VLA
Finish Valiant and start Ironside
work on fictionpress

May 11

2007-05-11T22:32:00.000-04:00

It is unbelievably uncomfortable in my house right now. No matter what I do, its hot and humid. Hot and humid. Hot and humid. That's why I hate Virginia so much. Its indecisive weather. Of course, most of the world is having this problem; but, I find that Virginia has had this problem since I have moved in this state in 1995. Really wanted to move in 1997; but, that is something else to complain about.

Moving on, driving home today from work in a completely random storm (which, I will include started this entire humidity problem this evening) my mind drifted (which, I tend to do a lot when I drive). First off, I remembered I left my flash drive in a computer at work, so I thus cursed at myself; then I wondered if I logged off the computer, if I didn't they will restart it and hopefully find my flash drive and not break it (cause that 2gb flash drive was a present which I hold dear to me).

Afterwards I started to think about maybe calling my co-worker about getting it for me, but I remembered that I don't have any work numbers since they are on my flash drive. Woot for me. But that thought sparked other thoughts, like: If I did call her, how would I reference that I would like to talk to her? Now, that might be an odd question but, I was raised to talk to my elders (adult elders) as Mr., Mrs. and Ms. but, working at the libraries and constantly surrounded by my elders I have always talked to them by using their first names. The only one I called Mrs. was one that I knew in high school, it was hard to break the habit. I guess for me its different when in person, but if I was to call...would it be rude to ask to speak with them using first person? Well there's some insight to my mind.

Right now I should be studying for the PRAXIS. I am taking the Arithmetic and Writing parts tomorrow. I got a 182 on the Reading, which is passing, thank gods. I've been practicing most of the evening on both parts. I find that I am quite confident in the Math part; but, the Writing is what I am scared of. We all have our different styles of writing and it is really hard for me, now-a-days, to pick out something wrong with other people's written work. I guess I wouldn't be too great as an editor. Who knew.

After this weekend, I am hoping to get extra hours at a different library, or else it might be second job time. Casual Male again? Well as long as it will be a different environment, Military circle area was fun, but not too enjoyable.

This summer all I got planned is work and relaxation before the summer semester starts up. I still have to decide if I want to take 15 credits next semester or stick with 12....hard decision for me.

Here's a video of the comedian I went out to see on Wednesday with Chris, Christine and her friend. It was a nice break during the mid-week.

Things to Do:

Study more
Finish X/1999
Laundry

May 10

2007-05-10T22:29:00.001-04:00

Well this video made me giggle.

There was a few things that I wanted to cover. I went to a high school soccer game a few weeks go and realized how over protective parents can me, and how controlling they are. I guess I was overly sympathizing with the referees seeing as at one time I was one. But its a hard job, and they probably know to block it out, but I was one of those who couldn't. Soccer is a simple, yet complicated game. An oxy-moron yes, but its true.

Moving on, school is finally over and I can relax till the end of the June. I still need to get books, but its all good you know?

Well thats it for me. I'm out. Enjoy the video by Famous Last Nerds. This was found on Jibjab.com

Shawshank in a Minute
|Funny Jokes at JibJab

May 3

2007-05-03T22:36:00.000-04:00

Owie. I has a headache. Its been a long day. Long week honestly. School is over for a month or so, then I head back to the classroom. I honestly suck at school, and I wish I could quit, but doing so would ruin my life right now, so I push on. Push on and tear my mind to shreads with the stress it brings. I wish I was in elementary school again, those were the days...cept I could do with out me being the black sheep and outcasted.

I realized something today. The bullying of grade school never ends. Even though it might not be so evident in universities/colleges and onto the 'real' world of jobs, businesses, and what not, people still stereotype others as "geeks" or "nerds" then "jocks" and so on, but those are the main categories. Now-a-days you can include "goth" and "emo". Its actually hurtful though, because you graduate from your grade school and you think that no one would really think and place you in a category of such but you are.

Now I know this may be irrelevant, especially if your job consists of what one is categorized as but it really hit me today as I was lazin' about watchin' some Youtube videos and realized how people really put down those who go to Con's. I've never been to one, so I probably shouldn't even talk; but I do know a few people that attend them and they are some of the coolest people I know. I hate it when celebrities speak of Con's in such a negative fashion, not so much that the Con is bad, but the attendees are horrible. It irritates me is what I am trying to get at.

Now onto another subject, I am not one to get into politics and how the government works, though I probably should more often, I just don't like confrontation or anything. But, as for some situations I can't help but dirty my hands over. Comic Three Panel Soul, created by Matt Boyd and Ian McConville, had a few controversial comics in the past two weeks. Now, I am not saying that comics were horrible, on the contrary, I thought they were brilliant, but it seems that the government did not. Matt Boyd worked for a company and because of a conversation he held with two other employees he was let go. Not one to be quiet on the matter the comics were created. It wasn't to retaiallate but instead to just get it out. This is all from my understanding. Well now the comics were taken in the wrong manner by the "man" and now he has to go through the legal processes and thus forth.

This action is actually quite harsh and taken way out of hand. Something that was to be foreseen as humorous to be a threat of somesort, especially after the companies and him spoke about giving him good recommendations and what not. I hate to see a good man be placed in harsh punishment for something as ridiculous as this. Good luck Mr. Boyd!

For more information about this click on the following links:
Diesel Sweeties
Fleen

Unfortunately he has had to take down his livejournal post and blog post on TPS.

Now in other news, I am going to start writing, hopefully....sometime...soon heh. I have stuff on fictionpress, which can be found HERE. If you read this, leave comments. But you know, with all the free time, and as long as I am not bothered by siblings, family, dogs, or anything of the like, I can probably get back into it.

Now a reminder to myself:

Spiderman 3 released tomorrow
Get Vinyls back from work
finish X/1999
put more music on MP3 player

April 18

2007-04-18T12:26:00.000-04:00

So this morning as I was eating my muffin I was watching The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, having a good 'ole time. The guest speaker was a co-author of a book about the Gospel of Judas. Well it was all good, I really don't give another thought about religion, other than the fact that as of this point in my life I'm not the biggest fan of it. I'm more on the morals of I live my life as I want, fully knowledgeable about the consequences of any of my actions. But there were points made in their argument about how contradicting the whole Bible is. It made me laugh about how true it was.

Anyways. I get to deal with procedures quite soon. Let me update later.

April 16

2007-04-16T13:07:00.000-04:00

Well taxes are due tomorrow by midnight....course I don't have to worry about that! Got mine done beginning for February. Slackers.

Terrible news out of Blacksburg, VA. 22 Killed, 28 Injured over at VA Tech. I know people that go there. My wishes go out to them.

Currently, I have a terrible headache, yet I push on. Working on procedures and prepping for a wednesday meeting, as well, trying to figure out how I am going to deal with summer courses, and fall courses. Life is stressful to say the least. It'll get better soon...right?

April 14

2007-04-14T17:53:00.000-04:00

Noreaster tonight and tomorrow! Noreaster tonight and tomorrow! Noreaster tonight and tomorrow! Noreaster tonight and tomorrow! Noreaster tonight and tomorrow! Noreaster tonight and tomorrow!

Yeah I'ma tinge filled with excitement. Amo el tiempo que malo.

April 13

2007-04-13T17:49:00.000-04:00

Ah, one of my favorite days of the year. Friday the 13th, and I'm decked out too, all in black, well shades of black. Its been a lovely day thus far, and the night leading into this day was quite well spent.

Yesterday the family got a new car, Dodge Nitro. Now it seems our driveway is once again filled with the cars built by Daimler-Chrysler. I don't give a shit what people think about them cars, but I find that they are well built and ride quite well.

Moving on.

After a bit of time standing on the side lines, watching my friends get married, go out, get engaged, hear unwantingly about their sex lives, I have begun to get quite discouraged about everything that has to do with relationships due to my history of relationships. Well last night I actually spoke to this guy I met a few semesters back by sharing a table because I needed a plug. Admittingly I probably wasn't quite too nice to him back in the day; I don't think I was very nice to anyone back then, but I really honestly want to get to know him better. See what happens with this. I really need a gentleman, and someone into similar things that I am into and most of all, someone that will take me for who I am and will respect me. Thats all I ask for, well, I lie, theres a little bit more but thats the core of what I want.

'nuff rant about guys.

New anime! Darker than Black is an anime that deals with mystery and psychics, or people with mystical abilities. I've watched the first episode and I am enthralled with the story line and art.

I really need to finish Nana and Code Geass but I do not see those two ending till May or June. Seeing as the Fansubbing for Nana hasn't been too up-to-date and Code Geass newest episodes are not being released till May sometime. Bleach I've concluded is going to be never ending, but what can I do about it.

New Manga that has come out this month is slow. I found The Gentleman Alliance, the artist and author is the same that did Full Moon wo Sagashite so I was definitely on board with that, and the story line is cute, I am looking forward to the next volume, undoubtedly that will not be released for a few more months though. *grumble grumble* American translating is so slow.

I must digress for now. Till the next time.

Things to do:

Spanish Routine Paper
Spanish Government Paper
Spanish Oral Report prep
Work prep
Re-install Guild Wars (?)
Clean.

April 4

2007-04-04T13:37:00.000-04:00

Hoh my god! Its a crazy ass day. I'm all driving in a misty type of rain, pissed that my windshield wipers aren't worth shit, so I go and buy some new ones, good ones of course. Cost me 35 bucks....as soon as I put them on....it stops raining and its sunny outside. Pissed me right off.

Crazy news day:

While the teacher is away the Students will play. <CNN Link>

Roadrunners safe for another day! <CNN Link>

Looks Jack Thompson is going to be Teaming up with NYC Officials soon? <FOXNews Link>.

More and more I feel distant from everyone. I am finding my moods going to and fro. From one polar to the next....I wonder what is up with me....

April 3

2007-04-03T10:24:00.000-04:00

Well the math test wasn't terribly hard, granted there were a few more conversions on there, but why do I need to know the metric system anyways? I plan to live in the United States for my entire life. I'll shrug it off. Now I have some time before my next class.

You know every now and then it is nice to have some sense knocked into you. Had a good talk with Jose, well it lasted a span of what 5 minutes, but it was enough for me to realize that I was an idiot for thinking things of Arian again. Hes a mere friend, and right now I can say he is like most friends I have at this point in time. Silent and unheard of.

Sure I talk to my friends, but thats when they have time for me. It irritates me. Why? Well we make plans, and I being the person I am will clear my schedule because I am doing something PLANNED with a friend of mine, and then get stood up by this 'friend.' But I don't get angry, there has to be some good reason why they stood me up...right? Most likely I am wrong, but I never ask. I don't call them...well, yes I do, but they don't answer.

I am the type of person that when I get a friend I like to hold on to them. When I was younger, being the navy brat I am, it was constant to move and get friends then lose friends then get friends, lose friends, a cycle. Well now that I am living in a permanant location its nice to be able to stay in touch and hang out with people that know me. And these problems of them brushing me aside did not begin until this semester. So then I begin to question myself. Is it me? What did I do? You know your normal self-esteem questions.

Yes I do have self-esteem issues.

But thats alright you know? I have two people right now that will make me laugh and feel better, even if it is only for a matter of five minutes then I just go back in my slump; but those five minutes are great. Feeling like I am perfect the way I am and I don't have to worry about my issues or stresses at the moment.

Moving on to other issues at hand. My family is going on their summer vacation near the end of June, early July. The only problem with the Family Vacation is that I apparantly am not apart of the family. Though I probably shouldn't complain, they are giving me the other part of the trip they won; but I like hanging out with my family. Maybe I am weird, and even those we have our qualms about each other we all like to do the same stuff and we all get along when we go out. So do I have a right to be irked by the fact that they are going on this Vacation to Disney World, Busch Gardens Africa, NASA, Universal Studios/Adventures and whatever else you can name in the vicinity of Orlando? Maybe the answer is "Nay." But I am. It simply means that I will not be going on a summer vacation, I will be stuck at home doing nothing. Hanging out with my friends? Yeah...We'll see.

Random News topic: <Fox News>
I bet you people were either like "wth?" or "nice, how do I get it?" with this April Fool's day joke by Google.

Active Hurricane Season? You be the judge. Honestly I have been waiting for another good hurricane to hit the Hampton Roads area since Isabel.

Things to do:

Read Stories for Engl 336
Stop by Barnes and Nobles
Call Jose/Eddie round noon
Pick up Alterations

March 19

2007-03-19T15:44:00.000-04:00

There has been times where I begin to question a lot about myself? This weekend proved to be no different from others of course. Whereas I began my weekend as usual, cleaning a disaster within my room, I was content because being a of the female gender, I find, we tend to get into these moods where cleaning is actually a craving. Perhaps that can be found sexists, but I would like to see anyone deny that. Moving on from that point...I cleaned my room, not spotless because that would cause Hell to freeze over, but enough so that I could see the wood paneling on my floor and the checkered carpet that protects my bed from scratching this wood paneling.

Afterwards it was a call to my buddy Chris to head to the mall for some grub and gameage. That was all good and fun. Head home, relax a bit, do some homework. Then that night, Chris, his friend Tuna and I head out to the pool hall to play some games (interjection: that phrase reminds me of the song "Trouble" from the musical/play The Music Man <3) Well I head to our destination and meet up with the boys. It started all fun till Chris began to tell me about the name that I have been called...it was well not nice to know. Really caused my Self-esteem, what I have of it to plummet. I then asked for my check and paid, ate my fries to sober up and left.

I like to think that I have friends that are honest with me, and the few I have I talked to them that night when I got home and they helped me become a slight bit undepressive; but I must point out that what Chris informed me means that for over eight years they have thought this of me (that I was unattractive and mindless). So yes, my self-esteem dropped drastically.

Sunday was a better day, woke up to phone calls from Eddie and Jose which was nice. That night went to the Commodore over in Portsmouth, which I must say is absolutely beautiful. Note to myself that I must visit it once more sometime.

On another subject: I can't wait till the summer rolls around. Not for the weather, I could do without the hot sun, I truly do appreciate the fall like weather we here in the beach area are recieving at this time, the summer weather is when I feel like dying. But what I do like about the summer is the fact that Busch Gardens opens, and other parks of the like. I am one for the adrenaline rushes that Roller Coasters give me. One goal I would love to be able to do someday again is find a way back to Cedar Point, especially since I know they have plenty of new coasters there.

But what brought about this topic? This article <Link> Its a coaster that can be found in one of Japan's Parks. Its a roller coaster, but peddle powered. I think its a great idea. I remember seeing them in the sim games, roller coaster tycoon for example (reminder to self: reinstall that game on my laptop).

Things to do:

Read for Engl 336: The short story
Study for Engl 370: Linguistics
Pick up Brandon's Birthday Gifts

March 15

2007-03-15T19:12:00.000-04:00

So I will begin with another article that I found today, I love RSS feeds and a slow work day.

This particular article I found to be disturbing and out-right sad. It was unbelieveable that someone would go to this caliber of hate. As a dog lover, owning two dogs, both of them are treated as family, I almost cried seeing what this girl had to go through. <CNN Link>

Moving onto other news, being a casual gamer (definition: not hardcore enough by playing whenever I can but enough to be playing and knowledgeable enough to know what I'm talking about when I get into the frequent conversation with my friends.), I have been playing a game that has been out for sometime, Need for Speed:Carbon by EA Games. Its actually the first Need for Speed title that I have played, and I love it. I have to say, for me, that it is actually one of the greatest racing games that is playable out there.
To add to that, I play it on the Nintendo Wii. Whoever says that the controls are a bit out of whack well to put it nicely, I do not agree with them. The controls, as for all of the Nintendo Wii games, are inventive and unique and once you get the feel for them, which shouldn't take too long, unless one has bad hand coordination, it is actually quite easy.

Things to do:

Play Need For Speed: Carbon
English 336: The Short Story Assigned Readings
Work on Math 335: Number Systems Advised Homework
Study for Engl 370: English Linguistics Quiz on Tuesday
Prep for St Patty's Day
Finish the Hand Made Dresser for closet
SPRING CLEANING....(bleh)
Play some more Need for Speed: Carbon
Get The Office Seasons 1&2 for Bro's Birthday

that it? I think thats it....

March 13

2007-03-13T17:16:00.000-04:00

Has anyone read/heard/seen this recent event that has taken place in NYC? <CNN link> A quick synopsis of the article:

A 101 year old lady was mugged while a gentlemen pretended to help her in the Queens area of NYC.

I can not think of a good reason to why this guy would do that to this old of a person. Where is the moral in the story? Well one moral is don't mess with an elderly citizen without the city looking for your head afterwards. Seriously, where are people's minds these days?

Moving on...

Hi. Call me Black. I will ramble about different things here and there. Anywho.

Things to do List:
Nada