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I should have written about this earlier, but oh, well! On Black Friday I got up very early and Papa drove me to Gamestop so I could buy a pink DS Lite on sale. It's an early birthday present from the rents. ^^ I've been able to borrow the first Professor Layton game, and Super Princess Peach from work, but I don't think I'll really get the full experience until I actually own a game, and don't have to rush through it. I also want to get Spanish Coach for it. I wish so badly there was a Russian Coach, but I guess it makes sense to work on my Spanish first.
And now a story that begins on my recent grand adventure. About half-way through the trip when we were staying at my Uncle's house, I found an odorable little figure of a fawn. It was one of the kind of fuzzy ones, and had little bead eyes and spots on its back. Who knew I had secretly been wanting a deer figurine? Someone apperantly. I bought it, and for some reason was completely in love with it. It was just so little and cute. I named it Daisy.
Then we got home and I unpacked, only to find there was no sign of it. I searched the three bags I had bought (clothes, purse, entertainment crap I kept in the car) from top to bottom with no luck. I was really sad. Somehow, despite taking care of it and keeping it wrapped in a cloth in my purse to keep it from getting dented or linty, it had disappeared. I kept looking around, but eventually I cursed fate and gave Daisy up as lost. Then, yesterday Mama was going through the bag where Lenore keeps her doll clothes, the bag that I used as a suit case during the trip. And she pulls the figurine out of the bag's pocket, still wrapped up, and goes "look what I found!" I kid you not, I looked this bag over from top to bottom (and it not's hard to do, there's only one pocket and it doesn't close) and yet I somehow didn't see that figurine. I AM NOT BUYING IT. I don't know how it got there, and I'm thrilled to see it again (I've been fiddling with it non-stop since it showed up) but I don't believe for one second it was there the whole time. Somebody put it there, whether it be fate or some more mundane hand. I'm pleased as punch that they did, though!
In other news I've been reading some mighty good books of late. I finished up The Book of Lost Things just yesterday (and am already well into sketching some fanart for it) and tonight I finally finished reading The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. It was fabulous, and I hope the enormous desire to draw fanart for it will lead to actual results, because it really deserves it. I actually teared up at the end, and I don't often do that, even at the best books! I wasn't crying from sadness though, but from that tired, comforting feeling the ends of really good stories give you, where you cry because of the journey and all the hardships the characters went through, and from joy at seeing them all together and OK at the end despite it all. It was a really intriguing, emotional, charming, involving gem of a story and I'm still trying to hold it inside me and absorb the feeling of it. It's supposed to be coming out in book form soon, and the moment it does I'm going snatch up a copy and give it to Lenore as a present. I won't tell her anything about it now, or even when I give it to her though, because I want her to come into it as unsure of what to expect or how it will end as I was. But I think it's a wonderful story, and I can't wait to see her make her own way through it. I know she'll love it as much as I did. Please go read it yourselves! It's brilliant. http://www.catherynnemvalente.com/fairy
I've also been dreaming a lot lately! (I've realized the last few months that I talk about my dreams a lot. For some reason, I find them important, especially the story-ones and the beautiful ones. I like writing them down so I can't forget them, and I like sharing them with people.) Anyway, these recent dreams have tended to be pretty wierd and random. I can't remember much about what I dreamed last night, but some guy was pretending to be Agent Smith from the Matrix and it was the most hilarious thing ever, even though I can't recall anything he did other than look very pinch-faced.
A few days before that I dreamed I was in a group of survivors of a zombie infestion (but like all my dream zombie infestions, it had no urgency or danger about it. It was just like "Oh, zombies! Maybe we should start running! Whee!") We were huddled up in some abandoned building and the zombies were congregating around it and trying to find a way in. So in our desperation my companions and I built a fire, chanted cryptic things at it and summoned Dante. Devil May Cry Dante. (Even asleep, in the back of my mind I was thinking "well that was totally random, but AWESOME") Just his entrance took out most the zombies and even a couple of my companions, but nobody seemed overly concerned about them. Then it turned out he'd actually busted them all up in his sleep, and after the action was over he woke up. So then we had just-woken-cranky, hungry, horny Dante sauntering around, irritated that we'd had the gall to summon HIM to deal with our problems, and trying to get his hands on some food (and hit on a couple girls). Then more zombies showed up and he started fighting them again and we ended running across the rooftops. And that's when it started to fizzle out and presumably I woke up.
Well, now that I've gotten all that off my chest, it hasn't gotten any earlier, and I think it's time for me to go to bed now. So toodle-doo!
- Music:"Who'd Have Known" - Lily Allen
I am so excited! I've wanted a good petti for awhile, and it's great to finally be making some progress towards getting a decent loli wardrobe put together.
- Mood:
excited - Music:"Alejandro" - Lady Gaga
At this point I have not been able to dig into Thanksgiving dinner. (However, I can smell it even up here, and Lenore assures me we'll be eating in a few minutes.) Usually we would have our friends over and have the dinner at about 2:30 or 3:00, but since they recently moved back to Washington state, the routine has been broken up a bit.
Anthony had to work this morning, and most of the rest of us slept in, so we had brunch (eggs and waffles) at about 11:00 to keep us going until this evening. I wasn't able to enjoy this as much as I would have liked, since IT started this morning and I was having very bad cramps. After brunch I went up to bed and cuddled with a heating pad for some relief, and next thing I know Mama was waking me up!
I've already sampled a little of the roast (beef, onions, potatoes and carrots) and a bread and butter pickle, and can't wait for dinner to start!
- Mood: happy
- Music:"So Happy I Could Die" - Lady Gaga
Yesterday I bought a white, miniature Christmas tree for my room. I've wanted one since last Christmas, but only just got the chance to purchase one. I'm already thinking about how to decorate it (strands of soft pink and iridescent white pearls, and lots of little pastel baubles for starters.) but I don't want to get too involved in it until Thanksgiving is well behind us. I'll try and take some pictures of it when I get it done and show it to you all!
My printer/scanner's on the fritz. It keeps deciding it won't respond when I tell it to print something. I was able to fix it earlier this week by disconnecting the USB cord for awhile and then plugging it in again, but I've tried it since with no luck. Hopefully this situation will clear up before I have to chuck it out a window. (I am sooo tired of buying expensive computer equiptment only to have it die on me two months later for no apperant reason. It if happens with my printer I'm going to pitch a fit.)
Today was August's second day working at the mall's Subway. Since M and P had to drop him off there anyway, Anthony and I decided to spend the evening there. We had Sbarro's pizza for dinner (I was leaning towards subs or Chinese myself, but Anthony was just so eager for pizza I had to give in.) Strolling around-- and attempting to avoid being accosted by random salespeople (I HATE THAT SO MUCH, I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHY, BUT I DO!)-- It soon became obvious that, unlike me, the shops here have absolutely no problem blasting Bing Crosby and hanging up tinsel in the middle of November. (Sorry Thanksgiving, the merchandising world has decided you don't exist.) However, while stores might seem to gearing up for holiday season right now, in reality, everyone's decorating for "Twilight season".
There is Twilight stuff EVERYWHERE. You can't go two feet without being attacked by posters, advertisements, clothes, and all sorts of merchandise. It's embarrassing to be seen in a Hot Topic store, there's so much New Moon stuff around. And the more I see, the more irritated I get. The funny thing is, I've never read Twilight. (I have read part of it, but I found I couldn't read it like a novel. I'd heard so much critique of it that I wound up reading it like a rough draft I had to edit-- not the way to understand, or enjoy, a book, so I put it away to try again later.) I have seen the movie, thought it was OK, though Anthony and I laughed regularly throughout, and he described it later as "angst, angst, angst". But for some reason, I utterly loathe the fandom. I find it incredibly predictable and rather infantile and completely embarrassing. Even if I were to read the book and really love it I would NEVER WEAR OR BUY ANYTHING RELATED TO IT BECAUSE BEING ASSOCIATED WITH THE FANDOM WOULD MAKE ME DIE OF SHAME. And today I finally realized why I hate it so much!
- Music:"Strawberry Chips" - Halcali (Yes, it's Xmas music, but I swear I didn't know!)
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- Mood:
creative - Music:"All Day and All of the Night" - The Kinks
Today was my first day at work. I only worked about three hours, but I got an idea of where everything is and how things are done. It was strange, the time passed so quickly, but without me being busy and harried the whole time. Everything was just really relaxed and casual, a wonderful change from my recent forays into employment. I hope it will continue this way! ^^
Lately I've been very happy and it's really taken me by surprise. I didn't realize how stressed I've been the past few months, how I've kind of stopped caring about things in my life. I often become really apathetic when I'm unhappy. It's like I'm just too tired to put in the energy to have an emotional reaction to things anymore.
Nothing amazing has happened, just a few little good things here and there. I've made some really great finds at the bookstore lately, and read some really lovely stories. People are talking to me on DA (I've been kind of a ghost there this year) and my blog is flourishing, and NaNoWriMo has actually forced me to start writing again. (I haven't produced anything ground breaking, but I am producing SOMETHING, which is more than I've done in quite a while.) I finally have a little money, and I've lost a little weight, and so far this new job is incredibly different (in a good way) from what I've come to expect.
It's strange to happy again. Lately find myself getting almost childishly excited over the littlest things. It's good to be excited about something again, to be happy, even if it's about something completely trivial. I hope I stay this way for a long time.
But it's getting very late, so I think I'll go curl up in bed with a book of Boucher's art I found today and drift off for the night. ^^
- Mood: content
- Music:"Morning Grace" - Princess Tutu OST
I called Gamestop today because the family is planning on going out for the evening and I didn't want to miss it. I asked if Jason had made a descision about the seasonal position and he goes "Yes, I have... would you like it?" And of course I said YES. I'm so excited!
In other news, I've actually started reading a fanfic. http://imw83.deviantart.com/art/Fortitud
I think I've read one in the last five years (and that was only because it was a Princess Tutu fanfic) but I've gotten started on this and I can't stop. It's really very good. So between it and The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, I have something to read online and keep myself from the hands of boredom.
Also, I dropped an application off at my local Gamestop before I left on vacation, and yesterday I got a call saying they'd like me to come in for an interview today. Usually I'm nervous about these things, but I'm really stoked about this. I'll be so happy to have a job, and especially one THAT DOESN'T INVOLVE FOOD! (For a moment I realized if I'm hired I'll be working there during Christmas and just about died, but then remembered that this Gamestop is not in a mall, so will not be as bad as I was imagining.) I'll try and write more after the interview, but until then wish me luck!
Edit: Oh my gosh. Just got back from my interview. No job offer, but it went splendidly. I've never had such a good interview in my life.
The most important thing was that I was comfortable with the situation. I felt confident in myself and felt that I had a decent idea of what I was talking about/getting into. I shop there all the time and although I don't really know them, the employee's are familiar faces. Plus, I felt my work experience really suited the job.
Then, the interviewer, Jason was really nice and normal. No wierd, "what kind of a tree are you" questions. No superior attitude. No "not having a driver's license makes you a lazy procrastinator!" (that was my last interview >.< In fact, Jason never even mentioned my driver's license.) We were both familiar with each other, and he even said he was pretty sure he knew who I was when he got my application. (He also made a couple comments like "Oh, your here early, perfect!" and "You've worked seasonal before, great then you know what to expect", "I like people who've worked in the food industry before," and "You brought letters of recommendation with you? Awesome! I'm going to write that down". Very cheering comments to hear.)
Thirdly I knew and enjoyed what I was getting into. I have years of experience with customer service, cashiering, organizing and filing and I'm a passionate gamer, and it was great to feel confident about both the "work" and video game aspects of his questions. I was asked about my previous work experience, why I was interested in working for them, what I thought was important about customer service, what kind of consoles I had, what kind of games I liked best. At times we ended up going off on a tangent for awhile on different things, like how good x game was, and why was I considering getting a DS. It was fun!
He told me he had one more interview to do, and then when that was done, he would have a descision of who he wanted by tomorrow. Then he'd check up on their references etc. and on Friday he would be calling people. I've never had such a nice, comfortable interview, it was such a nice change! I almost don't care if I get the job anymore (lol) I'm just so excited by how the interview went!
- Location:Room
- Mood: excited
- Music:"Manifesto"- Helium Vola
Bold - stuff I've searched for for eons and finally found and need to get around to watching
Italic - stuff everyone else I know has watched that I need to catch up on
Blue - stuff that hasn't come out yet
Normal - stuff I was watching but forgot about
Alice in Wonderland
Angel's Egg
Fairy Tale: A True Story
Fantaghiro p. 2
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Ponyo
Princess Tutu season 2
Terminator: Salvation
The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus
The Prince of Persia
The Princess and the Frog
The Young Victoria
This week I have been looking for work (I've writted a resume and cover letter and submitted resumes to a local law office and to VSP so far), doing some updating on my DA account, drawing a little and ACTUALLY WRITING POETRY OMIGOSH, and getting the laundry done so fast I still feel that nagging "i've forgotten something" feeling half the day. I've also been having the most gorgeous, vivid dreams, only to watch them dissolve as I wake until there's nothing left but fragments. With every dream that's lost, I wish more and more that I had that dream-recording device from Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, so I could still remember them.
Last week I dreamed I was a young girl living in a small mid-western town. It was summer, and the days were warm. The light was always a wheat-like shade of gold, with the wind dancing in the grass. I fell in love with a half-indian boy with brown hair and eyes like a fawn's who lived on the nearby reservation. He owned horses and road bare-back in the rodeo races, and I was constantly afraid he'd hurt himself. Sometimes I came and helped out on his farm, and he would take me riding. Then at night we would lie in the bed of his dad's pickup and watch the stars together.
A few days ago I read Ruby by Francesca Lia Block in one sitting. Then I went to bed and dreamed of finding a baby deer with only three legs. I took it in and cared for it, and soon it was strong again. Then the animal control people said I couldn't keep it anymore, and that they would take it away. I asked them what they would do with it, and they said they would euthenize it. Needless to say this was not a happy dream. Then I dreamed that I was eating a cheeseburger, and I was looking at the patty. It was all pink and raw inside, and I kept thinking how underdone it was, and how I would get ecoli, but still kept eating. o.0 Then I dreamed I saw a commercial on TV with two women, one blonde, the other black haired, who looked just like Zooey Deschanel. And then I realized it was Zooey Deschanel. I have no idea what this particular dream had to do with anything. And yesterday night I dreamed someone was chasing me. I can't remember much more, but I know it was frightening, and I know when I woke up at six to the sound of my dad shaving, and my allergies bothering me extremely, that the adrenaline from the dream was still pumping through me.
Had a busy weekend! We had my brother's birthday parties, went to multiple dinners out and trips to malls and bookstores, bought video games, and went to see Star Trek two more times (and finally got both parents to see it.) When we were at Barnes and Noble last night I bought Tin Man (yay!) the new Bat for Lashes CD, and finally, FINALLY bought Love, Sensuality, Devotion, my favorite Enigma album, which I have wanted for over five years, but somehow never purchased. And today, while we were at Best Buy, I picked up Imogen Heap's new album! It's a dream, and I can't wait to take off on the road with it playing in my headphones.
Also, this will probably be my last journal entry for awhile. As I've mentioned before, on September 1st my family is heading out a month-long road trip to visit relatives and see the sights while we're at it. I am so exctied-- I would be happy to be on the road right this minute. I am so heartened by the thought that this weekend is the last time I'll be going to work at Zoombezi Bay (I am so tired of working there.) that soon I'll be on the move again, seeing new things, taking lots of pictures, listening to music and reading all day. Well, see you in not too long everyone! I hope you all have lovely time while I'm away.
- Mood:
tired - Music:"Bad Body Double" - Imogen Heap
Just got back from work. *yawn* It was pretty busy today, but nowhere near as mad as last Sunday, thank goodness. I always seem to get headaches after working Sundays, it's always so hot and I can't take off my stupid hat. I get the ache right under where the band rests. Then I feel nauseated and have to take nap before I feel any better.
Tomorrow I go to practicum again. I think this will be my eleventh time going. Then we'll be going to dinner with some family friends who are moving away this week. They're moving back to Washington, where we actually met them. It's strange to think they'll soon be so far away.
Music wise this week, I keep going back and forth between Beyonce's "Sweet Dreams" (love this song! I wish the video wasn't so wack.) and "Willow's Song" from The Wicker Man. It is so gorgeous, and haunting. It annoys me that I can't find an MP3 of the original version of the song; I love the original instruments, and Annie Ross's (?) brogue, and although I've heard some other nice versions, I don't find any of them half as beautiful.
I've been trying so hard lately to write my stories. I have block so bad right now. Still, I've managed to write a little on my main project, and that's a good sign. I think about it all the time, and I hope that will help me get into flow of writing it again.
On September 1st my family will take off on a month-long trip across the country to visit relatives. We decided since we have to drive out so far to see them we might as well explore as many interesting places as we can along the way. I'm so excited, I wish we were already on the road! I've been working on my packing list and burning CD's to take with me.
Now I have to run off and do dishes.
- Mood:
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Who knew that in the middle of summer, when no one in your family is showing the slightest sign of peakiness, and while you're religiously snacking on every piece of fruit you can find, you could contract BRONCHITIS of all things? Ah, well, somebody had to do it someday and I guess I was as good a candidate as anyone else.
So almost two weeks ago I was suddenly assaulted by the following symptoms: Nausea, heartbearn, sinus pain, exhaustion, headaches, body aches, sore throat, chest pain/tightness, insomnia, my voice dwindling to something between Alvin and the Chipmunk's a and chain smoker and coughing like you wouldn't believe. Some the symptoms have dwindled to nothing (sinus pain, heartbearn) and others have rachetted up insanely (exhaustion, body aches, insomnia) and I've been coughing pretty much non-stop through the whole thing. Everyone assumed it was a cold, and saw no reason to really worry about it (although it has been a big pain) but after it'd been going for so long, with the intensity of my symptoms staying so strong (as well as the inconvience it's proven, leading me canceling several volunteering/practicums things I'm involved in) my mother decided I should see the doctor, and that's when we found out it was bronchitis. And I was like, what? I am I the only one who thought bronchitis was sort of a big-deal kind of illness? I mean not pneumonia or anything, but kind of a serious thing? Well anyway, I'm now on about half a dozen medications, symptoms have improved a little, and tomorrow I go to my practicum again (even though I will probably cough endlessly the whole time) because it may be the last time I get to go for awhile.
I've felt so uninspired lately. (Being sick and tired hasn't improved this situation much either.) I've tried to write, but although I have the images and the mood and the thoughts perfectly crystallized in my head I get two sentences out of it and then everything else is crap and I start to wonder why I even bother. And early last month I was on this whole creative, artsy kick and having a great time, and then the bottom dropped right out of it and I haven't even been able to THINK of a new project. Plus lately I've been so tired I don't have the energy to do make silly conversation and watch TV (and trust me there has been a lot of that going on. So far I've been watching Charlie Bartlett, Kiki's Delivery Service, Harry Potter, the first Fantaghiro movie and half of the second, as well as the new Alice in Wonderland trailer, if that counts.)
Life is not particularly worth mentioning at the moment. I'm having some problems with my little sister that I don't really know how to handle, I'm still relatively penniless, and most of the hopes and goals I had for the year have crashed and burned due to bad luck and lack of money. So, yeah, feeling a little depressed and under the weather of late. Hope it lightens up a little soon. Also, I am freakin' HUNGRY right now! Man!
Things I am Missing: Money, my inspiration, my talent, not sounding like a chain smoker, having long hair, money, knowing how the heck to interact with my little sister (and pretty much every other member of my family), money, confidence, the hopes I had at the beginning of the year, not coughing all the time, money and oh, did I mention MONEY?
And just on sort of random note, am I the only one who is sick of seeing Megan Fox (being hailed as the best thing since sliced bread)everywhere I look?
- Music:"Jenny from the Block" - JLO
I think this is the grayest, rainest July I've ever been through, at least since we moved to Ohio. Also, I can't help but think the weather's been kind of cool lately, but maybe work has just desensitized me? I hope you all had a good holiday! On the 3rd the weather was good and the family drove up to Port Clinton for the day. We played at the beach and I took lots of pictures. Then we had lunch at the a little tropical-themed restaurant called Kokomo, and looked through the shops, and I found a copy of the Princess and the Goblin with original illustrations for $2.
The 4rth was kind overcast all through the first half of the day. We just sort of hung around the house, then went grocery shopping. Then the boys picked up one of their friends, Paul who spent the night at our house. We had a great dinner (turkey sandwiches, strawberries, sun chips, and watermelon as well as cake for dessert) and played a few games of Scrabble before heading out to watch the fireworks.
On Thursday the family went to Zoombezi Bay and hung out. August and I got to show everyone all the best sights, and we got food for dirt cheap thanks to our employee discount. I also finally went on the big Funnel Ride. The line took forever, and it was rather terrifying, but enjoyable. (I just wish you didn't have to climb up so many stairs to get to the rides. I'm scared of heights, and being stuck four stories up for 20 minutes is not the greatest experience ever.) Unfortunately, all this fun in the sun led to my getting the worst sunburn of my entire life. My shoulders got the worst of it, and it's been so bad that I haven't been able to wear anything with sleeves for the last three days. (I also missed work because I couldn't wear my uniform shirt.) Today is the first day I've been able to wear sleeves, and my arms still hurt just from air touching them. (Getting dressed/undressed is seriously painful, too.) And in typical fashion, no one but my mother takes my injuries seriously. Everyone else scoffs and goes "I got sunburned too, and you don't see me moping about it", somehow completely missing the fact that a. I am not moping and b. my sunburn is 100 times worse than theirs.
On Friday a storm rolled in and it rained all night. There was thunder so loud it was like someone dropping things onto the roof, and it went on all night and half way through the next day. It was very gray and wet, and so the family stayed inside and hung out. We watched Hogan's Heroes and played Scrabble, and then Lenore and I had a slumber party in the living room.
Not a whole lot going on with me lately. I've been taking lots of macros, and have been sort of obsessed with Mixpod.com, burning CD's, glitter nail polish, and my pathetic lack of funds. The last few weeks I've been lucky to get one day of work; I haven't even been able to pay my parents back (I owe them money for my insurance and cable bills that I couldn't pay due to lack of work for the last three months. I realize now I might have been able to qualify for unemployment, but I never even thought about it at the time, and none of my older, more experienced companions ever mentioned it.) and I don't know what I'm going to do if my schedule doesn't pick up. I'm trying to sell some clothes, and I looked to see if I could get hawk some spare plasma, but the only place I could find is in the groddiest part of Columbus and not something I want to pursue.
Completely off topic, but have I ever talked to you about the ridiculously awesome Kate Beaton? I don't think I have. Well, she is a Canadian girl who writes the most epic comics, mostly about history. I discovered her stuff about four months ago, and her website has become a regular stopping place for me. Her latest one is about the Bronte sisters and should not be missed. Check it out! http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php
- Music:"Luna Piena" - Akiko Shikata
I mentioned months ago that I was working on a blog. Well, it's been languishing in the shadows for awhile (during which time I finalized the name, layout, look, direction etc. because I'd been obsessing over it forever) but it's finally developed enough that I'm ready to share it with you all. It's called Cair Paravel, and it's full of dreamy pictures, my little thoughts and whims, and anything I find inspiring at the time. Here's the link, I hope you like it! mykingdombythesea.blogspot.com/
I'm still going to keep this account here and continue posting as usual. This will serve as my regular diary, and I'll feel free to complain about work, go on about how exciting the newest video game is, and gush about the latest pretty junk I've bought. Now there will just be somewhere else online bearing my personal stamp
- Mood: creative
- Music:"Fire Treasure" - Castle of Cagliostro OST
