Writing

Last night, I ended up talking with Miss Tanya, a good friendship that started all randomly when I needed to find a place to stay and her cousin offered her place, where they were roomies.

I think what I like best about Tanya, besides her sense of humor and her wonderfulness, is that we can talk forever. And we listen to each other. She talks like me, where we get off topic and we end up having conversations within conversations, and then we remember the original topic and get back on track, talking some more. I don't feel stupid around her in that sense. I've never really felt socially inept, but I usually feel that my mouth could be better if it were sewn shut, rather than allowed to open whenever I forget (it's not always when I please). I should talk to Thumper's parents to get better advice on the subject.

So, after randomly calling her and asking about whether I should order Domino's online (I was starving, having not eaten since morning, and it was 8pm), we ended up getting together with the pizza. It was easy to get on the subject of writing because we're currently having a writer's conference at our school. We talked about teachers, how we don't feel that we write how we used to and what the best ways to get back on track of writing were.

My latest writing teacher said that the best way to write when you have a busy schedule is to write when you least expect yourself to. When you think you shouldn't write, write anyway. Tanya and I both realized we felt the same way, where, once we start writing, it's hard to stop, thus we hesitate to start. Back in my days of two-in-the-morning-writing-until-parents-kicked-me-off, I didn't have to worry so much. I didn't have writing classes, school was kind of a boring thing I didn't fully feel the need to concentrate on, and gaining sleep was easy as. Now, in college, I feel that I do have to concentrate on school, losing sleep not by choice and never having much time to gain it back, and my two-in-the-morning would be pushed longer if I chose to write what I truly want to write.

I keep telling myself that the only way to really get it all out is that I just do it. Suck it up, as I usually do. Life sucks, you move on, and you enjoy what you can. And what I could enjoy is finally writing something like I used to.

It was either before college started or the summer just after my first year, everything I'd originally written on a computer got crapped out. For some unknown reason, beside the idea of age, the computer wouldn't turn on, and all of my young creative ideas haven't been touched since then. I've thought about maybe this being a reason why I don't write like I should anymore. Given, if I ever re-read what I wrote, I'm sure it'd be obvious I was some 13-year-old trying to write a story much like another story I liked, but I know I had some good original ideas I could pull out somewhere--or so I feel.

It's so easy to lose originality, anyway. Whether it be that I thought up a line and didn't write it down (multiple schemes have been lost to the wind because I thought the idea could wait until morning or that I was in a rush) or the fact that we're all just pulling off of Shakespeare's strings. I think of something and realize it's already been done. The hot air that rose the balloon is let out. There are many ways to tell a story; I just want to make sure I do it well.

So, in the mix of things, I already know the best way to get started. You read. I think that's one of the reasons why I started writing so much during that age, anyway. My parents can vouch for how often I read, even to the point of my teachers saying that I wasn't paying attention in class, but reading a book (to be honest, it was always much more interesting anyway... I don't seem myself putting my knowledge of what president got stuck in his bathtub to use, recently. Taft, by the way.)

Even playing certain video games make me want to write.

Music has been on the list since I was born (particularly, Pirates of the Caribbean makes me want to write, for some reason).

So, here's the real debate. Do I end up writing all over again, or does the cycle start again? I always promise myself something, and it never really turns out to be, especially with a schedule like mine. A day turns to a week, month... before I know it, the promise a few years back and I've got some other ones added to the list. I don't like picking and choosing what I'll get into and leave behind. I like it all and want it all (something my mother taught me ^_~).

The night ended with Tanya and I whining about jobs and how money sucks. Though her boss promised her hours, he ended up taking six hours a week from her because he hired someone new. We bitched about how anyone (mostly college students) were supposed to get money at a job where the pay is low and they keep taking hours away from us and ultimately won't be able to afford getting to the job in the first price thanks to the gas prices.

My view? The prices to everything is rising, thus they have to move minimum wage up, right? In all reality, we keep talking about ratios of the past. We're technically paying the same prices to things, they just want more green going around in the exchanges. Now, it's changed, because they rose the prices to where we're so poor, we're scraping every pot. Even if we do get a raise of money, we were already on the scale of just making ends meet. There's no way to come back.

It's official. There's the rich. There's the poor. And instead of trying to make the change ourselves, we're so worried about putting it into someone else's hands so we can go about our own lives, worrying about what color shirt will best bring out my eyes for a date. Even I, myself, get caught up in the game at times. But isn't it easier to just... I donno, think before we do things?

Since bike riding to work, it really takes about the same amount of time (with a car, there are multiple stop lights) and saves gas money... and overall helps the earth.

Buying locally not only helps the town, but is usually organic. So, I get myself healthy, no chemicals hitting earth and, since I rode my bike to get my meals, double whammy.

It all seems so small. But doesn't everything start out that way?

It all really even starts out with respect, even if it is an "inanimate" object. Place the pen in its place, rather than shoving it in. I find that when I feel in tune with what's around me, I'm kinder all around anyway.

But, that's the beauty of America and people in general, I guess. "Individuality." Having a mind of your own, even if it means not agreeing with someone. Oh, and having that Hummer. Tres importante.

I just fully believe that there's a way to have what you want and still make a difference for the better. Is it really a sacrifice to ride a bike if able? Live with only one high-def television (come on, does your 1st grader really need a small one for their room?)? Use public transportation or car pool? Eat well and think of others for once?

To me, it seems simple and easy. I can give up a little here and there. And if everyone did, it'd make all the difference. I mean, when did sacrificing become such a huge commodity? In the end, it really helps you.

My goal for the end of the summer: get at least one other person to suck it up and use their car only when really needful (hopefully, Russell.)

Random Fact: The USA uses 29% of the world's petrol and 33% of the world's electricity. The World's.

My Virtue Of Patience Wavers

Apparently, vampires wasn't only on my mind. Yesterday, Russell rented Interview with the Vampire, and Martha had never seen it. It'd been a small while since I'd seen it, though I knew that Tom Cruise did a little to well creeping the bah-geezes out of me as the little-too-enthusiastic-to-be-a-vampire vampire. So, while I wasn't trying to not fall asleep (it's a long movie and it was past midnight), I payed attention to Martha's reactions, which are always a movie in themselves. I ended up being giggly most of the night, a cuddly.

I blame the whole experiences on Tanya and Jessica, who decided it was time for me to read a favorite series of theirs about vampires, though, to tell the truth, it's young adult and very much so romance. Sickeningly so. Apparently, four books worth of sickeningly so.

And, now, going to be a movie. The trailer looks cheesy, the characters don't look anything like I read and it makes everything so much more creepy than the books actually seem... And, yet, here's me, the girl who read the book and feels slightly excited to see it in person. When will I ever learn?

Besides the point, since I've gotten back into my vampire fantasies, I've been struggling not to buy Charlaine Harris' newest part of her series as well, whist also freaking out because September is drawing near, with True Blood, something I wrote about before. It seems I'm not the only one who wants some vampires on screen more often. Though I'm still awaiting who they've chosen for Eric, I'm still excited to see my favorite series come to HBO. HBO. A series. I love when it's a series because they don't have to leave so much out. I hope that's hint enough.

As it is, reading Twilight was pretty fun, to say the least. Since reading All Together Dead, I've been on a fantasy hiatus, no books interesting me or just plain too lazy to trust a title. Since I'd forced my books on Jessica, I found it only fair to read something she recommended.

God, were they in love with each other! They were so in love that I began to actually start being optimistic about that true love gushy crap! And it ended on such a sour note, too! She wanted to become a vampire, but let's not get into that (as much as I love to read about them, I don't think I'd ever want to be one...). I actually enjoyed it, and finished the book in two days. Besides myself, and never wanting to admit to anyone that I was on a love-high, I started the second, amazed I was so entranced and that I wanted more.

Let me explain. A seventeen-year-old girl goes to school, meets a boy who frustrates her to no end and they end up getting together. Normal. Many love stories start out that way. But then said boy is a vampire, has girl find out, he stays in her room at night, throughout the entire night, and they have no troubles with her knowing anything until one random vampire decides that he wants to hunt her down and kill her? I have to keep reminding myself and Tanya and Jess told me: This was a love story, not just with it on the side. It just seemed wildly irrational for a 110-year-old vampire, though still the age of looking 17, wasn't to fall in love with an actual 17-year-old and... I donno, not control himself.

I think that's why I got the love-high. By the end of the book, I'd bought the fact that love has no boundaries. And it was blissful.

And then that damn second book. By the third chapter, they were broken up and I ended up being on an emotional roller coaster Stephenie Meyer left no detail out of how excruciating it was to not be around the one you love. And then, when she finally seemed over it, she wasn't and he came back and then there was another boy involved...

Ugh, the complications were endless, and I'm very sulky to start the third. True love or not, vampires and werewolves aside, I have to say, I hate that love complication crap. I didn't want to be caught up with it in the first place, and I realized that, while the story was interesting in all that, I'm adjusting to the form of writing. Everything is so normal, and I can guess most of everything before it happens, which gets boring. Jess told me that it was science fiction for people who didn't like science fiction. But the love thing still catches me off guard.

It's probably why I'll start my next novel when I finally get off my desk duty at five.

I just keep trying to think of what else life means, as these portray that it's love and nothing else. I mean, there's more. But what really keeps us all from going crazy? I mean, I am bored. Bored. And reading these books have made it perfectly clear how incredibly boring not only my love-life is, but just in general how quickly I made a nice little schedule for myself. How life purposefully makes that schedule with having to work two jobs, try not to use my car for gas purposes, keep up to date with friends and conserve money as best I can.

A few weeks ago, I found my glow-in-the-dark stars and quickly placed them above my head where I could star at them a few feet away from me before falling asleep. My father, when we decided to go from my frilly pink room to sky-blue with green grass and clouds, used glow-in-the-dark paint to put stars in my sky. Every night, I'd stare up at them, touch them. Last night, when looking at my own stars, I couldn't help but think how much closer they seemed when I was a child. Everything seemed so much closer, and now it's so far spread, like thinning butter. I keep wondering when it'll run out.

I look at my boring life and every day wonder how I can spice it up. And I begin to see that perhaps I'm the only one who has a problem with it, and if I want to add some spice, I'll be the only one wanting to do it. It's difficult to get my friends to go spend the day at the beach, or just bike past it in the least. I think that's why I've been so unwilling to really talk with Mandikat, as she's doing exactly what I want to do, and can, because she has no financial worries in the least, besides her loans. She has a new boy on the prowl with her, no worries of gas, car insurance (car maintenance or anything car related for that matter), food, living, jobs... It's embarrassing for me to explain to her how I can't do many things with her because I can't afford to do much after spending the gas to get to her. Even if I had a car with great gas mileage, I don't think it'd be much different.

I just don't like the idea of being stuck. It makes my insides squirm, especially when it's boring me. I sometimes love the tedious, the without-thought-work. But when that's how life begins to feel, I feel this itch to run. Start a water balloon fight or something. Something besides working and doing the mundane details of life.

Some people would say "Welcome to life. Better get used to it."

But I don't think I have to choose that. I don't think I have to "get used" to anything if I don't want to. I just need someone to agree and not hesitate so much. If we really want to do something, I've always believed that it will happen when the mind is set (mostly because I've done it every time).

I'm bored. Come play with me!

Random Fact: The first TV soap opera debuted in 1946. It's fascinated the rest of our population for ages thereafter. Whether you want to be or not.

Question!

Can vampires get HIV? Or even an STD? Given, you'd figure that them sucking blood, they'd get something. But, then again, you'd figure they could easily just get some sort of blood transfusion and it'd be gone. Like, drain their entire body and give them new blood.

It seems that they shouldn't be killed by such an event. They're already dead anyway, and, if you go by "code," it'd be silver or sunlight or some other thing that would actually kill them. Lack of blood would just make them more thirsty.

Just a thought. If I ever meet a vampire, I'll ask and let you guys know.

Then again, if I meet a vampire and am writing some sort of blog about it, I'm sure I should be counting my blessing that I'm still alive. Maybe they aren't all killers or something (yet again something I'd have to ask a vampire to know), but they are powerful creatures. And, considering the mouth I've got, it would be amazing that I'd still be alive.

Random Fact: I read too many novels that make me think of mythological creatures as if they're real.

Missing Me?

So, there has been a lot going on in the past week that has impaired me from really wanting to write. Mainly, it has to do with a paper, sleeping, rock climbing and then going to random movies.

The most recent movie watching has been Tales Of Earthsea, done by Miyazaki's son (which automatically makes it a good film). Given, it's not the best, but it still has those qualities that make me watch them over and over again ("them" being Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbor Totoro...). Plus, I've found that America won't be getting this film until 2009.

BOYAH!!!! Finally. Something New Zealand has that you don't. I'm loving it.

In other news, I bought a dress to go to a Hollywood Ball here, in which I'm then going to use the dress for being Princess Peach. I'm stoked. Especially since I'll just be wearing the dress to just be wearing it otherwise. It'll be interesting. And fun. I like fun.

I've also watched Surf's Up, which is actually really good. I liked the different angle, and I found Z to be positively hilarious. However, Evan Almighty was just a film to me. I liked Bruce Almighty better, in which case there seemed to be more to it. Though, I did like the whole Act Random Kindess deal. That was witty.

So, I have to re-read some books (involving The Earthcycle Series) and a ahold of some other ones that I hadn't been able to in the states. One nice thing about being here is that they have more diversity. Bad things is that things I'm used to having in the states means they're less likely to be here. As it is, I'm finding a nice balance between having a social life and getting other things done. Considering I had a little crash earlier on in the week (damn menstruation cycle), I've suddenly found myself being around positive energy through and through. It could be a sudden change of outlook, but I also like to believe that I've made some positive decisions as well.

I like being who I am. And letting others be who they are. If only the whole thing could continue on forever.

So, still up for many new events in the future. So far, I've managed to get away with two assignments based on video games (I love going for a major I adore), one of which is a speech. I mean, to be truthful, the best job in the world for me right now would definitely be a game reviewer. Given, I'd get some sucky ones ever-so-often. But, think about it. Now that video game ratings are going crazy (thanks for good ol' Grand Theft Auto), raters must now play a game all the way through before placing the nice little sticker of what the rating is. So, I'd be getting paid to play a video game all the way through. Then writing reviews for it.

Cha-ching!.

Random Fact: Snails breathe through their feet.

End Of An Era 2

Edit /

I forgot to place this on my previous blog when I wrote about Harry Potter.

This was basically me waiting for the bus to get my book:



Random Fact: The United States produces more tobacco than it does wheat.

Quiet Luxuries

Today was rather lazy, as, for the first time since I've arrived in New Zealand, I slept in until noon, maybe a bit past. I hadn't meant to, but my alarm didn't go off (I think I have to figure that damned thing out...) and I ended up missing breakfast. I ultimately got up, took a shower, was asked to go to the gym, went to the gym, went on elipse-like contraption that kicked my ass for fifteen minutes, did yoga for fifteen more minutes, took another quick shower, then primped my room.

I then started to read through some of the material my papers gave me, thinking it'd be useful.

Boring, boring, boring, boring, boring, boring... wait, what's this?

I looked and saw a "One more thing..." which is never good. It basically said that they have to have a certain amount of As, Bs and Cs. Which meant that people could be getting grades they don't deserve either way.

I freaking hate our school systems. They are making students get As or Cs because they decide to have some sort of "quota"???

Whatever happened to school in which working hard at what you did was the real value? I remember specifically in the eighth grade, working my ass off on projects for my art class, and around would come the time for school confrences. My teacher would then explain why I was receiving a B-, when I'd never gotten anything under an A+ in the course in my life.

Maybe that's what's wrong with our world. We're so stoked up on perfection and beauty that we can't just teach our kids that being a decent human being is a good thing as well.

In other words, I can't believe I'm paying shitloads of money for things I don't even like. It's "people pleasing" to be truthful. I'm more willing to learn if I could just learn, rather than taking certain classes that I can put on a diploma so some person in a high chair can say, "Yeah, she's good to work at minimum wage!"

In separate news, someone asked how many people died in Harry Potter, but I couldn't click into their page because I don't think it exists? Either way, let's just say a lot. Major people? A lot. Deaths in general? A lot.

Halocaust anyone? Yeah....

In short: the book was intense. It was also odd because Harry isn't in school like normal. Usually, the setting is Hogwarts, but every one knows that, since the end of the sixth novel, the decision Harry makes means skipping out on his last year.

Anyways, I have to look up two poems from 1970-onward because it has to be something I enjoy. I don't read poetry. I suck at writing it (unless it's prose). And I'm definitely not liking how many hours each class is demanding of me.

But it's nice to be in New Zealand while I take them.

Random Fact: About twenty-five percent of the population sneeze when they are exposed to light.

End Of An Era

I have just finished my Harry Potter novel I received at exactly 11:01 AM at the bookstore right next to the city library (which, I must say, has a good selection of thrillers and comedy).

It took me approximately thirteen hours, give or take, though I had the blessed book within my hands for about fifteen hours, but one must minus the simple things of eating and taking the quiet rest of making a decorative piece for a key chain.

As for the ending, I won't be the disgusting masses of puss as everyone else and tell the ending, but will only reveal the fact that I was half right. There was just a little more added to the matter.

As it was, allow me to show one my nice day:

Wake up at 7:30 AM. Think it too early to wake up, considering spent time laughing with neighbors until 1:00 AM that same morning as they continually knocked on door to keep me awake. Set alarm for 7:45 AM.

Wake up at 7:40 AM and think it is too early to wake up at 7:45 AM so set clock for 8:00 AM.

Wake up at 7:46 AM and decided that 8:30 wouldn't be so bad. Set alarm accordingly.

Wake up at 8:55 AM, wondering why the hell my alarm didn't go off and mutter increasingly darker curses under breath as I undress, wrap a towel around me and stagger towards showers with needed equipment for so.

After quickest shower of life, still muttering dark curses under breath as sees the time to be 9:11 AM, wish wistfully time to shave legs and gets over fact as shoves self into pants that don't fit, in which more curses are uttered for the damn drying machine that decided to shrink the pants that fit too loosely the day before.

Finally, 9:22 AM and am out the door with everything that is needed and walking briskly toward bus stop, even though bus isn't waiting. Nods in happiness until sees that, indeed, buses on weekends change time and won't be coming until 10:15. Proceed to eat breakfast muttering ways to slaughter a bus scheduler, as wanted to, originally, be there two hours ahead of time and wait in line like the nerd one is.

9:45 AM, am finished with breakfast and has decided to say goodbyes to everyone and wait by bus station, in hopes that it, in fact will come early. Say, 10:00 AM? Go to room quickly to retrieve MP3 player, then sit on bus stop, listening to music and drawing in sketch book, glancing up every two seconds in hopes for public transportation system.

Check MP3 player and it says 4:03 PM. Blink, then do math in head from what time would be here now. Is off by an hour. Do more math. Figure MP3 player was never told of daylights savings time, and assumes it is also off by ten minutes or so more. Begins to draw self with Harry Potter book, looking serene, but has bubble overhead that has self freaking out in happiness.

Check MP3 player again, and this time it says 4:23 PM, in which case check public transportation papers to find that had read the wrong time and bus would not arrive until 10:35 AM. Consider doing more than pouting and investing time in finding person with car. Decide that in the time that would take, bus would have arrived and would be on way.

MP3 player says 4:48 PM. Have already drawn picture of self near to tears with bubble over head that shows a bus with a lot of question marks around it, then a bubble coming from that to show cute boy from book shop holding my copy of Harry Potter and has a flame drawn with a question mark in his speech bubble. Wish self had just stayed overnight in front of store.

Bus arrives and, according to "bus time," is only a minute late, which either confirms great suspicion of MP3 player, or just means that public transportation has designed a way to screw with minds in more ways than one. Sit on bus and plan in head of how quickly with walk to bookstore by city library by means of football. Am grateful to know there are no other stops and leave bus in frantic hurry, knowing it was already close to time--there will be a large line and I'm at the end.

I coach myself through entire walk session; just because I'm not first does not mean that I will not get a copy. After all, have reserved copy. I repeat this over and over in hopes will believe, and as coming into store, see five different people walk into same store with same vigilance. Speed process up by sneaking by two people who stare at each other in the politeness of who would go in first (awfully nice of them).

Get inside and see long line and sigh. Inevitable, but will at least get copy, as I see many boxes built along side wall. Have come to terms with kids age of thirteen or so bouncing around like sugar on sugar high, repeating over and over to oneself that I, too, was once like these children, and probably still am. Woman kindly asks me if I reserved my copy, and I give last name. She sends me to another line with paper.

Am first in line and only eleven minutes to go. Cute Bookstore Boy has another Cute Bookstore Boy next to him as we laugh at children counting down minutes. Old man next to me is nerdier than expected and keeps making Harry Potter jokes.

Before know it, Cute Bookstore Boy 1 is opening the first box as countdown comes to an end and is quick to take out my copy and hand it to me. I give exact change while Cute Bookstore Boy 2 wraps book in elegant paper. Cute Bookstore Boy 1 gives me receipt. I give them heartfelt thanks and leave store with first copy of book sold, while the children get pictures taken for newspaper.

So, I had a streak of luck and got what I wanted even though it all was against me. It stunk a little for traveling time, because of a few errands to run, but then I was basically reading it from sitting on the bus until two in the AM.

It's odd to know that something I grew up with has officially ended. And I say ended because I don't enjoy the movies as much as the books (different species, really). I received the first Harry Potter novel on my Twelfth birthday from my Grandmother. My mother read it to me out loud, and though I always begged her to read more (for I tended to always read quickly and straight through), we managed to read only one chapter a night.

I can't remember how I knew for the second novel, but we were on a camping trip and I begged and pleaded with parentals that I had to pick it up, so we stopped at some sort of K-Mart facility. My mother tried to persuade me to wait until we were home to read the novel, but I refused, immediately reading it as we travelled in our RV towards Florida. When we stopped for the night, everyone forced me to turn my light out so they could sleep, but I was so close to the ending, I couldn't stop (those of you who read Chamber of Secrets can understand why one can't stop by that certain point of no return...). I kept them up, read with tension in my body, then finished with a sigh and said we could go to sleep.

The third novel was a nightmare. My brother was in baseball and in the middle of a tournament. As much as I begged and pleaded and begged and pleaded, they would have nothing of getting up early to the stores and lose sleep because we were already having to get up at indecent hours the next day to get to where his next game was at. I pouted, which was a big deal because I really liked to watch baseball at that age, for it was still my Kirby Puckett days. They surprised me that night, saying they got it through an Internet facility (Amazon, I believe), and that it'd be in the mail for me the next day, guaranteed. I didn't receive it until five that evening, two hours after that game had ended. To make up lost time, I didn't sleep until wee morning hours, then, when got up, spent rest of day reading.

The fourth, whole family agreed that we would never buy book from internet again and brother took interest in novels. Had to lend novels, reluctantly, and he ended up buying his own paperback versions as I was protecting the novels I read over eight times already with it's own bulletproof vest: me. Am now confused if made them take me to midnight opening or just early in morning. As it is, had novel and was made favorite of all, as was largest and contained much of wizarding world. Also, made a little more PG-13 than rest, more scary and exciting. The novels were growing with me.

The fifth novel, I was in California. I was in stage of staying late up on internet speaking with friends through Instant Messaging. I woke up around nine to Great Aunt prodding me and showing me blue cover. I sat up straight and was more than pleased, considering had thought would have to wait for novel. Am now feeling slightly guilty at fact of possibly not having quality time with Aunt and Uncle, though had done best to only read late into night and wee mornings.

Sixth book took much longer. Had first real job and was sort of living away from parents, as we were moving to new place. Had placed reserve on book in only book store in freaking town, but for a decent price. Immediate family went to see Harry Potter movie, then immediately went to wait at "Harry Potter Party," which, must say was bust. Brother bought copy as well, knowing I wasn't letting copy go until read, and we were living in separate areas at time. Not caring for job, read all night, but book was large, so had to read during breaks and finally finish that next night.

And, finally, our seventh. Am in New Zealand, twenty years old. Was debating on how to receive novel, considering differences in covers. Buy here, overly priced, or for cheaper, but wait at least up to ten days? When decision made, store on campus not taking reserves for that special night, decide to make town effort and reserve at bookstore glanced through before by city library. Cute Bookstore Boy exclaims excitement for book and we share a small moment, just like millions of other people as they reserve their books at the same time. Leave with smile on face, larger than a clothing hanger.

The book itself was amazingly different, and not because I'm in a different country (or, I should say, not limited to). I did end up crying multiple times, but at the end, just a huge smile. I intend to use book as Boots, my lovely stuffed kitten I left at home in fear of losing her in country. It's good to see my characters for a last time, and, hopefully, only time. It's good to put them to rest, because, in all reality, it was time. With the movies and all, it was time.

And it was glorious.

Random Fact: The average reading speed is 200 – 250 words a minute in non-technical material – roughly 2 minutes per page. In technical material, the average reading rate is approx 50 – 75 words a minute – roughly 5 – 6 minutes per page.

Not The Awesometastic Computer

HP. Why do you have to come out later than needed? Why do you have to be so... so... NOT HERE?!

If you can't tell, this means that Harry Potter with be coming out the same time as everyone else. So much for bragging rights. *grumble grumble*

As for anything else, I have the day off. I always have Fridays off.

Ha. It's Friday here.

Last night (Thursday), I had the sensation of being glad I wasn't in a casino. When I play solitaire, I like to play vegas style, on the computer. I play vegas style because then that means it's actually a challenge, and I play on the computer because that means I can't cheat.

And I found myself over a grand in debt by the time I forced myself to go to bed.

It started off really good, over three hundred bucks one. And then it went downhill from there, as I broke even again, then steadily spiraled down. Then, around five hundred, I thought, "Why not just see if I can save myself?"

I didn't.

I like to think that I can control that part of myself and would have taken it while luck was on my side, or when I broke completely even.

That's why I'm glad I was on a computer.

Random Fact: The word 'set' has more definitions than any other word in the English language. (I checked it... 42 results. But there's over 119 ways to use it in one and so forth... complicated english language!)

Holy Anti-Sleeping Pill Batman!

A lot of things have happened since I've last decided to update and actually go through with updating:

My neighbor's dog was hit by a car and killed, bringing back painful memories and a very deciding mind of what to do about them.

I've become increasingly cranky as I continue with graveshift job and other small job during day whilst slowly but surly gaining less and less sleep.

Entire family has played Mario Party 8 and we all very much so enjoy it (I like the haunted mansion best, personally... and that everything is insanely quicker than the last one I remembered, which is the 64 versions... wow, that game has come a long way!)

Have received passport (FINALLY) and am officially packing for the biggest event of my life---Will I become a Kiwi????

Have at least seen Mandikat twice (more than I ever thought this summer to see any of my friends, and I haven't even gone to see her yet, sadly enough).

Have been repeating three certain lines my father has proclaimed I say too much:

1) Boo-yah
2) Ridonculous
3) Hoy-oh

I know there are multiple, but let's just stick with these for now. #2 can be given credit to Shawn, a friend from an old job at Gamestop. #1 is Ali-G (I've shortened it), and #3 is definitely Mandikat's doing. I'm going to miss Balsam.

In recent news, I've come to the conclusion that I buy books to read two years later. I have read the same books over and over and over, multiple times for my favorite series. The newer books, or books that don't have a series, I usually, don't end up reading for some months, and they sit on my shelf until "I'm ready for something new."

I'm not quite sure what that means. I think I know that I'm going to the like the book eventually. It took me over a good year to get through Dhampir, if only because I couldn't seem, for the life of me, to get past some pages because I found them boring. I had the first three of the novels since 2005, and have finally started reading the second one again, but now I'm captured by the writings, finding myself very intrigued by the types of detail and how the authors manage to not only write it together, but have also managed to write a story about vampires/supernatural and not make it a complete love interest novel/saga. Given, I haven't read them all (I think there are three more novels out I don't have or something to that effect), but, the way things are going, I'll probably scream if Leesil doesn't freaking just tell Magiere that he loves her, because Magiere is obviously too strong-willed to do anything about it.

However, this means that it will occupy me enough until I can officially buy All Together Dead in paperback, though there are quite a few by Charlaine Harris I intend to get (her Grave Surprise series interest me, and there's a Sookie story or two I may be missing on the sidelines).

I'm debating whether or not to continue with my Dead Witch Walking series with For A Few Demons More. I started out with slowly but surely getting used to the writing, loving the humor (human's afraid of tomatoes!) and getting used to the different world, but then it got worse for me as I saw the books suddenly turn into a romance novel, and then started leaning towards more of a Lesbian thing. Now, don't get me wrong! I'm not against lesbians or anything, it's just that I suddenly found many things boring: the fact that Rachel just can't decide things about Ivy and a whole bloodlust feature I just don't think is my kind of thought on the whole "vampire deal." I suddenly stopped reading A Fistful of Charms because I could see where the whole sharing blood with Ivy thing was heading, and I couldn't get it why she just couldn't stay with Kisten, and then I realized the whole story was revolved around sex and maybe that's why I found it intellectually boring.

Then again, I'm not a lesbian. I've never gotten the whole thing with women, so suddenly sharing blood in that kind of way just had me blinking in what I call "why the hell would she suddenly do that?" kind of way. I'm sure I'll eventually crack open the book again to see what's happened, roll my eyes, then buy the next one in the series in hopes that Rachel has reached her sanity point again. I mean, who'd freaking give up Kisten? Honestly?

As it is, the new Harry Potter book is coming out and the bets are on for Harry dying. Not mine, but many others. I'm calling it a fifty-fifty, because it makes sense either way. If he dies, then there's no reason to continue the series, and it also means that Voldemort was killed, too (just like the prophecy says). If he lives, Voldemort still dies and it just means that Harry will live happily ever after with Ms. Ginny and, though the wizarding world is still up for grabs, at least everything else will still be answered. Either way, it's satisfying to me and it just means I can stop waiting in line for the book at 10PM to one in the morning because I want my book first. (What thing have I ever wanted the most have I not waited in line for?)

I hope I can stand in line in New Zealand. Hm.

Whelp, I'm going to try to catch some Z's before striding into my last day at work for both my jobs. Thank the lords it's my last day. I'm tired and would like to spend time with my family and friends before I embark on the greatest journey of my life.

My next entry could be from New Zealand. We'll see.

Random Fact: Dreams really can come true... My life is proof

Cre-e-e-py Crawlers!

Ah, those good ol' days. When one could not only make bugs, but eat them. And not get sick or get an angry parent in the process. Of course, with Creepy Crawlers, you don't eat the bug, but with other products, one could, indeed, make an edible creature to eat in front of the grandparentals, which, according to the commercials, would cause them to try not to vomit, etc., etc. I never did try to fake it, though. In fact, after making a batch of those crazy critters (if my brother ever allowed me to even touch the plastic oven), I didn't really do much with them anyways. Maybe I'd have them attack my Barbie dolls, in which the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles would come to the rescue. But, in all reality, I'm pretty sure my parental units found the multi-colored (for I never wanted a normal looking bug) being and threw them away when I wasn't looking.

However, I still own most of my older toys. Whenever my parents decided on a garage sale, I'd sneak in (sometimes with my brother) to check out the toys my parents assumed we still didn't play with and "steal" them back. Sometimes, they were right, we didn't play with them as often. But I couldn't bear to see my precious Barbie apartment, which turned into a suitcase for easy storage or bringing to a slumber party (which I never did) being sold to some other child who probably not only really wanted it more than me, but would "destroy it with it's playing methods" (I was a very cautious child for my toys, and was mortified to see that some of my Barbie's arm were savagely bitten off by my dogs, in which they were then considered to be in some soap opera where the arm would never again be the same and was handicapped... then I'd rarely play with it again because, well, she was handicapped). Or my TMNT gang (which my brother will repeatedly claim to be his own, though I've always considered things to be half mine because we're supposed to share). As it is, I think I must have won out in the end because we still have half of what I continually "stole" back, which is rightfully mine in the first place.

Unless, when we moved, my parental units decided they were worthless and got rid of them. I sure hope not.

*is now completely in the realm of forever wondering*

As for my New Zealand, things have gotten to a point of me just realizing that I need to take one step at a time. There are a lot of things that need to be done, and if I think about it all together, my head wants to explode in a fit of zones. I spoke with the main advisor of AustraLearn today, and she assured me that, not only would the website for Massey University be up within the next couple of days, but that the deadlines were just guidelines. One can't even imagine the amount of stress lifted off my shoulders.

In other news, I'd heard quite some time ago that one of my favorite authors is having my favorite vampire series into an HBO series. I think my heart had just about stopped when I heard the news, but nothing was really said of it for a while. The series is a series I'm always re-reading (more than even Harry Potter, which is saying something of me), and I've been going crazy because my local bookstore isn't keeping up to date. And she's already got another one coming out in May. Cue for me to start crying. As it is, I'm rather excited for the cast that will be doing the show: Anna Paquin for Sookie Stackhouse, Sam Trammell for Sam Merlotte (and it creepily looks like how I'd picture him, too) and Ryan Kwanten for Jason Stackhouse (Sookie's brother & womanizer). I'm super stoked for this to start, can't wait to see my favorite anything ever to be on television and pray to the gods above that I'll be able to receive it while in New Zealand (if it's playing while I'm there, that is... otherwise, I'm willing to pay the extra whatever to see it here.). Of course, they're calling it something different (True Blood. That's original *rolls eyes* Why do the vampire titles for movies have to be so... D-U-M-B? I mean, at least the novel names were witty and made for a laugh, not over dramatic and asking for lame audiences... I'm still going to watch it, but I'll sulk a while, the nerd I am). It makes me wonder how close they're going to stick to the novels, and I'm extremely interested in what's going to happen when it comes to who plays Vampire Bill or Eric. The more I read the series, the more I like Bill, but I've always been a fan of Eric from the beginning; must be the tall Viking thing.

I kind of think the guy picked to be Jason looks like Brian Krause, who played Leo in Charmed.

Don't look at me like that. Don't judge me.

Okay, so I read and watch a lot of sci-fi and fantasy. Sue me.

In fact, I don't really remember the first day I decided Vamps were for me. I mean, the whole idea of fairies, vampires, werewolves, shape shifters and mermaids have always been my kind of deal; the abnormal intrigued my small mind, and the idea of meeting some supernatural being has been at the top of my nerdy list since who knows when. There's this tiny part of me that refuses to believe that these aren't somehow real--things don't just *poof* out of thin air. Concepts and ideas were placed by things in the past. Though I need physical proof to really have a true statement, you'll never see me claiming there's no such things as fairies. Instead, I'll look skeptically at "people" and stare at the tall, dark and handsome I only see at night. Wishful fantasies, really.

I'm actually quite jealous of Anna Parquin, who got to play Rogue in X-Men with Hugh Jackman, worked with Kirby Morrow (who was in Stargate: Atlantis, and, for those nerds out there, was the voice for Hot Shot in Transformers: Cybertron, AND the voice for Miroku in Inuyasha, a show I'll ashamedly admit to watching!), and is also a quite attractive young woman. I'd be more than willing to take her place in such an acting career, especially if she's playing one of my favorite Heroine's in the novelistic sense.

Maybe I'll be somehow crazily discovered in Las Vegas at the NAB convention? I've been told David Letterman will be making an appearance, along with some other influential participants. Maybe some others will appear as well? *prod, prod*

Just look for this beautiful face:



I'll probably be in a tizzy, trying to decide which lecture I wish to go to as well as in awe since I've never been to Las Vegas before.

Word to the following men:
Dane Cook
Zach Braff
David Bowie
Hugh Jackman
John Krasinski

I know most of you have girlfriends/are married, but... if you ever happen to be just around those parts during that special week, and you see me... Let's do Hot Chocolate? After the Con, of course, but I'm more than willing to give time out of my life for any tips you've got for my Mass Communication future, along with a hug or two to satisfy my affectionate needs.

Speaking of my nerdy aspects, is it just me, or did anyone else notice that the main character from Firefly is also in Drive? I saw a random commercial while at home Easter Break and was extremely surprised (considering I don't have cable at my house anymore). Food for thought, really. Movie stars are everywhere these days.

On a tangent, I find it interesting to note that Ken, the boy Barbie doll, is just recently getting real hair. I had to deal with that plastic crap all my childhood, and now he's getting the real locks. No imagination for kids now-a-days, I tell ya.

Random Fact: There are no clocks in Las Vegas gambling casinos