As the Year Goes . . . Went

It's almost 2013.  And a few things have happened this past year.  So, prepare yourself for a bit of an overview and a potential preview for the new year.


January-- 2012 began like all year's begin (in January) and I was looking hopeful for the future.  I was near the end of an endless typing campaign and it was all very exciting!  I began to learn how to jump on horseback and I also started improving as a rider overall.  It was great getting back into the saddle seriously and hopefully I can get that momentum going again when the weather changes for the better. 

February-- Finished typing that monster rounding out the word count at 71,978.  Pretty impressive, except that after a load of editing I wiped out some of that word count and added a bit.  Right now at this very moment that story is sitting pretty at 74,047.  So yeah, it got longer.  But, I'm still editing it so we'll see what happens.  I did a lot of editing in February.  Good deal!

March-- A lot happened in March.  What a good month.  We had beautiful weather and I did a lot of jumping and riding.  I spent a night out on St. Patrick's Day which was fun!  I took a little vacation to visit my Gram and I painted a LOT!  To everyone's surprise I painted the walls pink, but it wasn't my room now was it?  I went to visit my friends at Western and I had a good time.  March was fun. 

April-- This month was a bit interesting.  Coming off of vacation it was hard to transition back into work and all the stress that brings.  People don't realize that retail can, in fact, be very stressful, but it can.  April was when I really began to think that maybe I should apply for Grad School.  I've taken that to heart (even if I've sort of changed my mind already, I'm still applying.) 

May-- My birthday was good! Funny things happened and we all had a good time I think.  I got a new camera and I've been taking lots of pictures.  One thing that has happened this year is that I've become closer again with some friends that I've not hung out with as much for a while.  It's been really nice and fun and I'm extremely glad that we've gotten the opportunity to become as close as we used to be all over again! 

June-- I do have to say that not much of anything happened in June.

July-- In one word: Impulsive.  I had a very impulsive July.  But, it was probably one of the best things for me.  I've decided I need to be more impulsive because otherwise I just end up being a bum.  I sit around and do nothing, essentially.  I like being impulsive because I then do things that I would actually like to do.  I decided to go to LeakyCon in Chicago.  I went to the midnight premire of Dark Knight Rises.  Impulsive is good.  Also, Fireworks were fun with Mom and my brother and popcorn!  Then there was also the wedding I went to which was great!! I got to dress up and catch up with friends I hadn't seen in a while.

August -- This was probably one of the best August's I've had in . . . well, perhaps ever.  I went to LeakyCon in Chicago and had the time of my life.  It was busy, it was wonderful, it was incredibly surreal, and it was very liberating (oddly enough).  In a way, it allowed me to be more of me than usual.  In another way it was nice knowing that there are people out there who are a bit stranger than I am, if you know what I mean.  I decided I'm a nice little mellow mixture of epic fandom extrordinaire.  I also learned that I like being me.  Oh, and I got to meet Evanna Lynch and get some StarKid Autographs as well as watching AVPSY in 3D (aka real life)!!!!  Also in August was my best friend's bachelorette party.  We went bowling and had lots of fun.

Photo Courtesy of Bobbie M. Bell

September-- This September I watched my best friend get married.  It was a nice ceremony and a lot of emotions were everywhere (as you might expect at a wedding).  I had to wear pink and listen to everyone say how nice I looked in pink.  I was just happy that the dress fit because I had to go on a two week diet to fit into that dress!! I hopefully will never have to diet again becasue it was awful.  After the wedding was all over and the newlyweds off to their honeymoon, my Dad and I flew out to Arizona to visit my Aunt and to drive home one of the trucks.  What a fun roadtrip!!! My dad and I were able to do a lot of catching up that we'd missed out on for a while due to both of our busy schedules.  Beautiful country we live in, guys!!!


October-- In October I began my Picture Blog.  I have really enjoyed doing it even if I haven't been the most consistent with it.  A few really interesting stories have stemmed from the pictures I've chosen and I think that it is just a good way to stay creative.  Here's the link just in case you haven't been by to visit and puruse through it yet: http://stories-about-pictures.blogspot.com/  Also, I attended a Disney charater birthday Party! I met a lot of new people and had an absolute blast!! It was a throwback to the England fancy dress party days.  Oh man, what a brilliant party.

November-- This month was epic.  It was stressful, it was rewarding, it was a race, and it was hell in a day.  The stress came from Grad School applications and writing my brains out.  It was rewarding because I was enjoying my brains out.  It was a race because I had to write 50,000 words in 30 days for NaNoWriMo. And, it was hell in a day because I worked a 15 hour shift on Black Friday.  Enough said.  I am proud and happy to say that I managed 50,070 words in 30 days.  I am extremely proud that I managed to churn out 11,000 words in a 17 hour stretch right at the end and finished in time to upload it to the website to be counted and then got to chill out and refresh before going to work that afternoon.  Accomplishing that goal was truly wonderful.

December-- As this is my December blog, I guess this is where the updates will be.  I'm getting closer and closer to my first Grad School application deadline.  My final list of schools to apply to is as follows:
          --Murray St. University
          --University of Iowa
          --Antioch University
          --Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
          --University of East Anglia
          --University of Missouri
          --University of Glasgow
Wish me luck in this very competitive program!!!  Like I've said before, if I don't get in, I won't be truly heartbroken because I've got my backup plans! And, I think I'm leaning more towards Plan C now.  But, I'm going to try my best anyways.   Shifting gears, my dad and I went to the midnight premire of the Hobbit (which I loved) and I have now been to see it three times (don't judge).  I went with friends to see Skyfall (explosive!) and Life of Pi (which in my humble opinion is not really a children's movie).  My aunt (the one we visited in AZ) came to visit for Christmas and it was a nice addition to our family christmas.  Also, because of how it all played out, I got a nice little three day weekend for Christmas which seems a bit rare.  (Psst: Newsflash/Spoilers.  The world didn't end.  Sorry to disappoint).

Recap for the books I managed to read this year in the order I read them:
--The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
--Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
-- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
--The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
--The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson
--The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
--The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
--Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People who Cook by Anthony Bourdain
--My Life as a Russian Novel: A Memoir by Emmanuel Carrere
--Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
--The Fecund's Melancholy Daughter by Brent Hayward
--The Petting Zoo by Jim Carroll
--Harry, A History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon by Melissa Anelli
--I Love a Broad Margin to My Life by Maxine Hong Kingston
--All These Things I've Done by Garielle Zevin
--Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
--The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
--The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I've discovered so many great things this year.  I've learned that writing is more than just a hobby of mine, its a passion.  I've learned that some things in life will be tough and I've got to keep my head up and just roll with the punches.  I've learned that people change and they are quite right to.  I've learned that not all people change toward the better and that perhaps with time they might realize where they have gone and they may try to change that.  (But, I'm not holding my breath).  I've learned that things can make me miserable and that even though I don't like it I can still trudge through it and find light in the murk.  I've learned I can be boring and unhealthy and I don't like it.

So, I'm going to change some of that in 2013.  Some people find the new year and resolutions to be ridiculous prospects, but I'm not them, am I?  I feel like its a good springboard for new choices and freedoms that can be given.  Why not?  It's as good a place as any to begin from.  So, as this year advances, I would like to be healthy.  By this I mean, eat better, excersize a bit more frequently, write as much as possible for the good of my soul.  Overall, I want to be a healthier, happier, body, mind, and soul. 

In 2013 I want to make some progress in my life. Whether it is through Plan A, Plan Middle, or Plan C.  I don't care.  I want to do something with my life and all three options put that thought forward.  I cannot continue to work retail for more that one reason.  Hell, for more than two reasons. 

In 2013 I want to catch up on bills and spend less and save a whole lot more.  There are many things I wish to do with my life and I can't do them if I'm in debt and have no money saved.

I'm going to LeakyCon again! I am so excited.  It's the end of June and its in Portland, OR.  I've never been to Oregon and I'm excited.  Not to mention I'm not going all by myself this year which will make the financial aspect a bit better for me.  I'm taking my mum with me and I'm sure she'll spend her time floating in a pool and being all relaxed and stuff, adult drink in hand.  I'm really just looking forward to that a lot. 

I'm just looking forward to another year being me.  I'm unsure what 2013 will bring for me but it will be exciting to find out and, of course, I will be glad to share it with all of you!  Here's to 2013!!











Celebration

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This year I did it! I wrote 50070 words in 30 days.  I loved every second of it even though it was at times frustrating.  But, now that I've accomplished this goal, I'm going to go to bed! Happy December! :D

(P.S. The story isn't done yet, but the word count was accomplished.  Now to finish the story!)












Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Slumberous

Hello Again November

As you are all aware (at least by this point I hope you are aware) it is November.  A simple statement to be sure, but in some circles it packs quite the punch.  I happen to be in two of the circles it seems to matter to.

First off, yes.  It means Thanksgiving but it also means Black Friday. (Dun, dun, duuuuuuuuuuuuuun). So that means the midnight shift of DEATH and a celebratory party that we, in the retail world, have survived (even if that means we survived enough to soldier through the Saturday after the Day of Death). So, besides the Day of Death, other exciting things happen in November, believe it or not.

This year, I am participating in (drum roll please!) No Shave November. JUST KIDDING!!!!!

Okay, for real this time. (Clears throat.)

This year, I am participating yet again in NaNoWriMo.  For those of you wondering why I'm spending my time writing a novel that has the possibility of never seeing daylight, here is the link of where my time, energy, and money are going.  NANOWRIMO LINK!!!!!!! (FOLLOW MEEEEEEEE!!!!!) With it now being halfway through the month, I am at 22,704 words on a goal of 50,000.  That means only 27,296 words to go!! (YAY!!!!!! :D) So far so good.  I really like this novel and I am feeling good about getting to the word count.  I am starting to wonder, however, if this novel is going to be like the last one.  My last novel word count was a little about 74,000 words.  This one might end up being a bit more than 50,000 as well, but I'm not worried!  For all of you who care, here's the plot synopsis (Which may or may not actually be what the story ends up being about) and an excerpt from the tale I am currently jotting from brain to pen to paper to computer. (<-- Behold my writing process; isn't it glamorous?!)
Synopsis:
Webby Watson and Ben Stratly are college professors who are recruited for a mission to the Surface in hopes that their research team will discover a way to get the human race back out into the open after nearly a century below-ground. Along the way there is a lot of danger and adventure, and hopefully they can come up with a solution to their impending doom before all of the lights go out and the entire human race is destroyed.


Excerpt:
Webby Watson wasn’t the most normal of girls. She didn’t have any friends and she liked it that way. Friends were for insecure people who were uncomfortable being alone with themselves. The best person to talk to, in her opinion, was herself. Not that she ever talked back, but maybe that was the point.

Webby wasn’t really her name. It was Georgia Elizabeth Watson. She had never particularly liked her name, so she decided to change it. When she was eight, Webby’s mother made her join the swim team for the youths to try to force her daughter to socialize; Mrs. Watson was a very worrisome woman. It made her nervous that her only daughter didn’t want to spend time with other little girls her own age.

Georgia was very competitive as a child. She was also a very talented swimmer. She had been tall and thin for an eight year old and that made her very fast. It also helped that she could analyze which movements enhanced her speed and which movements she should minimize to increase her speed. Because of her almost inhuman swimming abilities, some of the children began calling her “Webby” behind her back pretending that she had webbed feet like a frog and that’s what made her so fast.

One day, when they called her “Webby” to her face to try to hurt her feelings, they were surprised. Her reaction had been the farthest from what they had been expecting. Instead of getting upset, Georgia smiled and said, “Webby? Hm. Webby. I like it.” Then she had turned and left with her mother to go home for the day. The other children didn’t know how to respond.

On the walk home, Webby, as she now referred to herself, told her mother her new name. Her mother was a bit taken aback, but pleased that the other children had liked her little Georgia well enough to give her a nickname. Maybe her plan was going to work after all.

(End of Excerpt)

It's a fun, new idea that I'm running with and I've been enjoying the time I get to write it (except for the day that I didn't feel well.  that wasn't fun at all).  I think I would like to novel for the rest of my life and pretend its noveling month forever.  That sounds ideal.

(P.S.  I've been having good fun with all these parenthesis for this blog.  I might use them more often in the future . . . if I remember).
















Rannygazoo

Film As Inspiration

I believe films can carry a message more than just entertainment or moral values.  Movies have the power to inspire, to spark an interest.  Movies can be a form of learning (and I'm not talking about the boring Biology films from 7th Grade).  What I'm talking about is how a movie can inspire a person to want to learn more about something or to go out and do something.

A good example could be Dan Brown's book DaVinci Code.  How many people wanted to know if any of it was true?  Or, if it was based in some tangible event?  That novel might have inspired someone to do more research and learn about conspiricy theories and such.

National Treasure with Nicholas Cage and Diane Kruger inspired me.  The DVD actually came with a little book on American history.  I loved that little book.  The movie itself sparks an interest in American history.  Other movies that have the potential to have the same effect could include: 
-Pearl Harbor
-Hidalgo
-We Were Soldiers
-The Patriot
-Elizabeth
Really, the list could go on and on. 

But what I'm really getting at is inspiration from these movies could come from unexpected places.  Most recently I watched the movie Julie&Julia starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams.  That movie hit me on two topics.  It makes me want to cook more and better and try new things.  It also makes me (miss) and want to go traveling again; to live in a place not quite my own but tlive there and make it my own.

Have you ever been inspired to do something or learn something?  New places of potential inspiration have spread wider than ever before.  DIY sites and articles and books, celebrity figures, Pintrest, artists, blogs, vlogs, and the internet in general generate many means to an end.  It is a host of information even if it is also a large waster of time more times than not.

What was the last movie or videa that inspired you??















Papilionaceous

An Early Blog

 

Don't die of shock, now.  I realize it's only been October for about a week, but here's a blog post! WOOOO! You're welcome!


So, a couple things (as usual).  We'll break it down into categories today.

TELEVISION
I'm not a huge tv person.  Well, I'm not very good at watching it on tv when it's being watched by everyone else on tv.  I watch a lot of Netflix and Hulu and stuff like that.  It's not that I don't like watching tv on tv, but I forget what day it is, or I have to work late or something.  Mainly I just forget.  But, I have been doing really well following two new shows on actual television. The first is Revolution.  Basically, since this show is on Mondays, if I miss it it's my own fault.  I have Mondays off and it would just be stupid to miss this show.  I really like the premis of the show and I'm interested to see what's going to happen.  I also like the characters and it's a nice mix of not knowing what the hell is going on and can't wait to find out.

The next show that I've been doing well with is Elementary.  I wasn't sure if I was going to like this show or not because as far as I know, this is the first female Watson I've seen.  However, I was pleasantly surprised.  The two main characters have a good chemistry (which is required for Holmes and Watson) and the story lines are pretty good.  I think the show has good potential to keep it up and running (fingers crossed). 

A show that I like but have never seen past the blind auditions is The Voice.  I like the concept and I like the talent and the judges, but twice now I've seen the blind auditions and then have no idea how the rest of the show goes.  Don't ask why but I just forget and then have no idea or reason to watch if I don't have connections with the contestants or anything.  Maybe one of these times I'll actually be able to remember to watch it and I'll love it.

GRAD SCHOOL
I'm applying to Grad Schools currently.  Quite widespread I might add.  I'm looking at a lot of places due to the very competitive nature of the degree I want to get in for: Creative Writing.  I'm applying to six schools in the U.S. and two in the UK.  I'm hoping against all hope that I can get in for next fall and see what happens from there.  I've also got a mysterious Plan B, but I'll not divulge that information until Plan A . . . well you know.

I'm very stressed out about Grad School as one ought to be, but at the same time I feel a little bit more stressed that perhaps is necessary.  I've had some set backs, emotionally I guess, and I just feel kind of defeated before the real battle has even begun.  But, now I'm feeling a tiny bit better because one of my Professors is awesome and willing to work with me a little on my applications and all that entails.  That is really helping and making me feel a little better.  Please keep your fingers and toes crossed, knock on a tree and send many many prayers that all my hard work can come together and send me in the direction of Grad School.

WRITING
I've started yet another blog (if you didn't know).  I don't think I've mentioned it on here yet.  So now I have for certain.  It's a weekly blog meant to keep my creative mind active . . . well more active.  Okay, active while the other creative part of my brain edits something else.  I can write short little stories, inspired by pictures, to keep my brain entertained while some of my longer writing projects are on hold for a while. (The pause button being due to mass effort on the Grad School front).  I'm creating a new story for every Monday (hopefully) and I've only missed one so far because I was kind of traveling and I was tired.  Oops.  I have three stories out right now and I'd love feedback on them.  So, head over and check it out and leave me a comment on what you think. Here's the link:  http://stories-about-pictures.blogspot.com/

THE WEDDING

Photo Courtesy of Bobbie Bell

I had a lot of fun at my best friend's wedding (I fit in my dress and could breathe!!!!) I did a lot of dancing at the reception and it was really just a fun time.  My biggest complaint was that I had to wear a pink dress, but I suppose I'll let it slide because the bride is basically my sister (in fact she is my Seester) and it was her day and not mine.
I ended my diet the morning of the wedding by celebrating with a Venti White Chocolate Mocha with Whip Cream on the way to pick up the Bride to go to the Church.  I actually spent the night at her house and then left and went back to get her.  Coffee was really important.  Though I was so excited I probably didn't really need the coffee anyways.






VACATION
The following morning after the wedding, my dad and I flew out to Arizona! It was a great trip!! We got to visit with my Aunt for a few days and then my dad and I had some proper catch up time that we probably haven't had in three years.  We've both been busy. 
We drove back a little truck he had out there and for the most part it was a smooth trip.  We stayed in Albuquerque, NM and then in Witchita, KS and then in Hannibal, MO because we wimped out and didn't want to pull another 9 hour plus day.  It's exhausting.  We only added about another half of a day to the trip by doing that and we got to stay in a great hotel.
We stopped at a few coffee shops that weren't Starbucks and I thoroughly enjoyed them as much as I like Starbucks.  One was in Albuquerque and one was in Hannibal.  We used my GPS on my phone to find these places.  That leads me to another point.  We named my GPS! It's a female voice and we just felt the need to have a name for her to refer to her as.  For some odd reason, we settled on Patty. It was really funny.
I love it out West.  All the deserts and mountains.  The drive back was beautiful and we had the good fortune to find good radio stations the whole way back.  Except for a stretch in Kansas where there were, I think, eight Christian radio stations most of which were talk radio and gospel.  Not very good roadtrip music.  Just going to throw that out there.  However, the best radio station we had lasted for ages and was out of Albuquerque.  So I'd just like to say thank you Albuquerque for having good morning show hosts and a far reaching station of awesome.

Well, I think that's it for this blog installment.  There's more to come, I'm sure.

















Vacancy

Some Nonsense For You

With a nearly unheard of effort, I'm going to post another September blog! I know right?! Be amazed. I've had some things on my mind, not too heavy but I feel like sharing.

For the first, I'd like to share a new artist that I've stumbled onto and has been playing non-stop via iTunes and CD in my car. Her name is Charlene Kaye and she is inspiring and brilliant. I love her sound and her emotion and her lyrics. You should go check her out!

For the second, I've been in a weird place in my reading mood. I'm having a bit of trouble finding a book that I fall into reading. Perhaps it's because I just want to write more (November will be good for that) but, I think its also a bit of mindset. Musically I'm in a different mood too and it might be a nod to my emotional mood. I'd hate to say I'm in a dark place right now, I'm not, but some of my creative/artsy/musical passions are seeming to flow that way. Which I suppose is good since the story I'm writing isn't a happy one. Actually, that could be the reason for the mood. Oh, well.

And for thirdly, at the beginning of the year I decided that I should go through my movies and watch them all in alphabetical order (which is how they are organized). I'm only in the "H's". Now, this isn't to say that I have sooooo many movies that I'm ONLY in the "H's", but it is more along the lines of: like with everything else I seem to be procrastinating. I think that probably follows the mood thing somehow. (Things to understand). I have been watching a lot of things via Netflix, however, but still not as much as I'd like because my list of things to watch continues to grow but never seems to shrink.


To continue with the fourth, I'd like to ramble on a bit now, just because I can, and I'd like to tell you how much dieting sucks. Counting calories is possibly the dumbest thing I can think of (at the moment) and it's a horrible way to diet. However, in order to fit into a bridesmaid dress this coming Saturday, it has been deemed a necessary thing. You had better believe that on Saturday morning I WILL be drinking my lovely fatty and delicious White Chocolate Mocha, because let's face it, by then it won't matter. And, to get facts straight, the dress fits and zips but a certain someone can't breathe. Two weeks of a pretty strict diet should help that. I've been eating salad and not a lot of calories, no coffee (lots of tea) and I've been exercising and stuff. It should be fine. Mainly, salad is good for the salad dressing, and maybe the tomatoes and cucumbers. Leafy greens are pointless. Yup. I can't wait until I can eat what ever the beep I want! It'll be grand!! I miss coffee!!!!!! One thing I have discovered that I like is yoga.  I think even after my "Diet" is over I will continue to do yoga.

Lastly or for the number fifth, I'm happy its becoming fall. The weather always helps with moods (Even if you have to look at the weather from inside work) and it brings around style changes and layers and lots of fun. I'm looking forward to fall and most of the things that come with it. Well, that's it from me.


















Floccinaucinihilipilification

Pretend This Is Still August, Thanks

One of these days I'm actually going to pay attention to the days of the month and I won't keep missing blog posts. But, to be fair, it isn't like a whole lot has been going on. So, just think of my lateness as me protecting you from boring. Yup, that's my excuse for August and I'm stickin' to it!

So, I'm gearing up to apply for Grad School. I'm hoping that I get in to Grad School. I'm only applying for two schools with the actual reality of knowing I could really only get into one of the two. But, might as well try; I could surprise myself. I'm sat today in Starbucks, motivating myself to work on my writing sample. It is possibly the MOST important part of my application. I really hope that my writing is up to scratch and that the people who are going to read it for my application like it. So far, with everyone who has read it (professors included) there has been a good response to the story. Whether or not it is my writing or the concept I don't care, people like it. So, naturally, that's why I thought I would try to use it for my application writing sample.

I've actually been working on this story all summer. My goal is to have it done or mostly so before I send it in for Grad School. Not that anyone is going to read the ending for a while, but it would be nice to have it done so I could reference the ending half when I edit the first bit. This particular story has actually already been through a great deal of editing and expanding from back when it was a 25 page short story. It ended up being too confusing with such a thick idea squeezed into 25 pages. Currently, it is now 73 pages and 22,427 words. I'm almost done writing it and I think I only have maybe 10 to 20 pages left of writing to do for it. It isn't a short story and it isn't a novel. It's been labelled a novella. THe idea is too complex for a short story, but I don't think its big enough to be a novel. It would make for a boring novel, actually. Just not enough would happen and it would be about as bad as Katherine Ann Porter's Ship of Fools (possibly the worst novel I've ever had the misfortune to read . . . well, sort of read). Anyways, the title of the story is "The Curse of Beauty." Maybe I'll let you all read an excerpt at some point! Just keep in mind when you read it (whenever that happens to be) that this isn't a happy story. It's a Post-Modern Distopian story. Very interesting but very dark. During edits I'll actually have to hype up the dark a bit, because it seems to be getting too light towards the end which won't make the ending as good. But, all in good time.

In other news, LeakyCon was fantastic. So much so, that I'm going next year. The registration process opens tomorrow for next year (which is in Portland, OR). I am definitely going. So, for those of you who don't know, LeakyCon is a Harry Potter Convention that is still growing and blossoming into a celebration of all fandoms.

Of course it focuses mainly on Harry Potter, but I went to a panel called "You're a Jedi, Harry Potter." It compared Star Wars and Harry Potter and it was really very interesting. Now, I'll give you the SparkNotes version of my LeakyCon experience, because like Paris a LOT happened in not a lot of time. Essentially I woke up at around 8 AM each morning and went to bed around 3AM each morning for the confrence. It spanned from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. THere were panels, performances, dances, concerts, and a LOT of coffee. One of the hilites (and the actual reason why I decided to go in the first place) was the StarKid performance of A Very Potter Senior Year. It was the third and final installment of StarKid's Harry Potter Parody Musicals. IT WAS AMAZING!!!!! That's all I can say because I don't want to spoil anything. It ended up being something like 4 and a half hours long. The first act was 3 hours and the second was one and a half. The funny thing is that no one complained except for that it ended. It could have been 6 hours long and we would have all sat there and loved every second of it. It should be hitting the internet via YouTube sometime later this year (just my personal guess). I went to the Joe Moses One Man Showses.

I met Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter Movies). I got signatures from most of the StarKids. I sat in on a Severus Snape panel where a confrence goer dressed and well-versed in ALL things Snape helped make that panel the BEST panel EVER!!!

I shopped in the merchandise area (I bought quite a few tshirts . . . not all for me might I add). I had a blast even though I waited in line for a lot of the confrence. I made some friends in the lines. I think it was incredible that no matter where I was in the confrence I could turn to the person next to me and just strike up a conversation without them thinking I was strange for talking to a stranger. We were all there celebrating something that we love and it was a very surreal experience. It was also kind of nice to see some people who are a bit more . . . enthusiastic than me. It kind of made me feel a bit normal (but in a good way). I just loved the experience completely. Portland here I come!!!!!

Later this month, my best friend is getting married. I'm in the bridal party and it should be fun (even though I have to wear a pink dress)! Then shortly thereafter, my dad and I are flying to Arizona and then driving a vehicle he owns out there back home. It's gonna be great!! I'm so excited! Annnnnd I get to have 11 straight days off from work! Hello vacation!!!! It will be nice to see my Aunt out in Arizona and it will also be nice to spend some quality time with my dad as we don't see a lot of each other due to us both working so much. Our work schedules don't always match up so well. Excited!! It will also be nice to have such a lengthy extent off from work. Maybe it will help me to get through the looming holiday season. Maybe.

Just a side note, as I'm sitting here in Starbuck there is a group of kids outside the window waving at us all sitting inside. Just thought I'd share.

Well, I think this blog more than makes up for my lack of Augusting. So there you go!!! And, if you don't know who Team StarKid is, I'm going to post you a link to their first Harry Potter Parody Musical: A Very Potter Musical. Enjoy!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmwM_AKeMCk&list=SPC76BE906C9D83A3A&index=1&feature=plpp_video














Ravenclaw

I Took A Break

As I'm sure you've noticed, I took a bit of blogger's break. I'll just blame it on summer, how's about that? Well, not a lot has changed during my "absence." I've been working and working and trying to squeeze in some writing and friend time.

I've had a lot of time to sit and write over this summer, yay carpooling. Schedules don't always match up. But, for me, I can sit and write. I've been working on the story I'm going to use for my writing sample for Grad School. I'm applying for Grad School this fall for next year's admission. I'm working really hard to get into the University of Iowa for Creative Writing. If I don't get in this year, I'll keep working at Bergner's until I get into Grad School. But if I do get in, it's sayonara Bergner's (finally).

Lately, within the last few weeks, well the past week actually, I've been being pretty impulsive and I kind of like it. A Lot. I decided within 24 hours that I was going to go to Chicago by myself for a Convention and I crunched numbers and said, What the hell, I'm only alive once, right? So, I'm going. It's actually a Harry Potter Convention with TeamStarKid and I'm so excited!

Then I also decided to go see The Dark Knight Rises about 5pm on the night it opened at midnight. So I bought the tickets on my way home from work and drug my brother along with me. I like being impulsive. Who knows what's next. Maybe somemore Fey's Day . . .

















Scintillate

Circles In My Mind

I'm not sure how to begin this blog, which is strange given how much I talk. But, there's been a lot on my mind lately and it's hard to put it all in order.

I suppose for starters a novel update. My novel is now in it's second edit and it has shrunk to 276 pages. Still about the same word count which is funny due to how much I've cut out (apparently to be replaced by new words). I think once I get done with this edit I'm going to have a few people read it. After those people read it I will be making a LOT of changes to it. I already have some of those changes planned. It's coming along pretty well, but there is a lot to do still.

Along the same lines of writing is Grad School. Which, due to what month in the year it is, will have to wait until Fall 2013 (if we're still around haha). On one hand this is good: I have more time to save money and get all my Grad School application stuff together and make it awesome. On the other hand, I have to wait practically another year. I'm going to go crazy in retail. Hopefully I will have some alternative to crazy pass happily by my way, but it's going to be an interesting year. This past year (May-ish through now) has been extrememly long. Hopefully I can figure out some way to make the next year or so a bit better.

I'm really only applying to a few schools and the one I would really want to go to is University of Iowa. Maybe this summer I will go do a Campus tour just so I can have a valid excuse to request some more time off from work!

Next in line of things that seems to be feeding off each other, I just got back from vacation. I went and spent a little over a week with my Gram and it was a blast. We painted and cleaned the barn and laughed a lot. I also watched a lot of TV (she has DISH) so I was able to catch up on some shows, discover some new ones, and watch a lot of movies including all of the Indiana Jones movies!!!! :D I was a happy camper let me tell you. What I didn't do is probably for the best. I had planned on doing a quick edit on my novel and reading a lot. But, instead, I actually took a vacation. From everything. I didn't think about my novel, I think I read about ten pages in my book, but other than that I pretty much ignored things that I do a lot at home. A proper vacation. And since being back, I worked a grand total of four days and then took an extended weekend to visit some friends at Western. I needed the whole package, exclusion and friend time. I think it'll help get me through this last stretch of HUGE BIG EVERY OTHER DAY SALE season. I might be exaggerating with the every-other-day-thing, but it's at least once a week, sometimes twice. It gets old real fast. Our last really big sale is coming up this weekend and if I can survive that the rest of the summer shouldn't be too bad.

Recently, I've had time to read a lot like I used to. (Finally a slightly more random follow-up topic.) In the past few months, I have gone through all three books in the Hunger Games series as well as the first two books in the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series. I'm currently on the third one. I love having time to read again. I have to be conscious of splitting my time between reading and editing, but I think I've got the balance now. I generally read on my lunch break and edit after work.

Hmm. I guess that's all I can think to write for now. I've still got some things running around in my brain but they're too fast for me to catch at the moment, so I'll leave them be. And I also apologize for the lack of any Fey updates recently. I will eventually get back to her and sooner than later. Hopefully. :)

Oh, and April is National Poetry Month. But, instead of picking an American Poet, I just picked an awesome one. Follow the link for the poem in it's entirety and/or to hear it read to you. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15377



Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.


--An excerpt from Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night
by Dylan Thomas





















Scintillate

It's still March (barely)

Summer weather already! Wow!! That's been nice! I've been riding a lot and the jumping is going very well, I think. I'm still dragging my feet at work, however, a week from tomorrow (Saturday) I will be going to visit my Gram! :D YAY VACATION!! (And a paid one at that! Gotta love that full time status.) Shortly following my little vacation, I will be working about a three and a half day work week followed by a three day weekend with all my friends at Western! (Again, insert excitement here!!)

My novel is coming along nicely and the first readable draft should be coming out for a select few within this next month. I think I'm procrastinating on finishing the first edit because 1) I don't want to be done with this novel as it's so much fun and I love the characters 2) I'm nervous to hear other people's reactions to my story and 3) because I don't really know what I'm going to do once it's done. It's a daunting prospect to shove your 'baby' out into the world to stand on it's own. But, there's a first time for everything, right? Might as well be the first time anyone has ever read the 'complete' version of my story. Actually, to be honest, no one has read any part of this novel because even after I turned in my "final draft" for my creative writing class, I completely re-re-worked the beginning! :D So no one, but me, has ever read any part of my novel. It should be exciting to hear how everyone likes it (or doesn't). Fingers crossed for positive reviews! ;)

Let the countdown till vacation commence! :D












Freedom!

2 blog posts for February!

More like just another update, but who's counting.

Anyways, I have now printed my entire novel to edit it and I am now "done" editing 150 pages. This means I have 150 pages left to edit. And then Edit I will be done. Depending on how I feel about the edit is going to determine whether or not I let my first readers read it or if I give it until the end of Edit II before I let anyone lay eyes on my story. We shall see, but so far I think it's looking promising!!


:D









Preamble

Oh. My. Gosh!

I jsut finished typing my first novel! OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The final total for draft one of the Map Reader is as follows:
300 pages
71,978 words.

NOW TO EDIT THE PANTS OFF THIS NOVEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then the next step is to hand it out to my list of first time readers! (excitement and extreme nerves for that moment)











Dreaming!

This is called a blog.

Here I am!!!! Barely making it to post a real blog in January! Where did it go????? Holy Cow!

So, I'm still typing the novel I finished writing in August. Currently, I'm at 226 pages (double spaced) which is 54,435 words with 69 pages left to type!!! I'm so excited! After I'm done typing I'll print out a copy and then edit the pants off my story (so to speak). Then, after I've got it in a place where I don't think people will run away from it, I'll print out a few more copies and give them to the list of people that I would like to read my novel for the first time EVER!!!! No one has read this story yet. Well, my creative writing class read the first draft of the first chapter, but I've completely re-written that chapter so, essentially, no one has read my novel, still. So, I'm going to be anxiously awaiting the reactions from my first readers.

Concerning my novel that I'm currently writing, I'm at 108 pages which is 28,487 words. I'd say I'm about halfway done with this story! It's a pretty exciting concept really and I hope I can keep my momentum going. I've been working on this novel (or the concept for this novel) since my freshman year of high school. So, it's been a really long time. I wrote myself into a corner and then I tried to go back and make it work, but I've now scrapped the first draft almost entirely and am now doing a lot better with the story. To be honest, I don't think this novel will need as serious of an edit before I let people read it.

In other news, I'm taking riding lessons to learn how to jump. And, once I've got the concept a little better, we are going to teach my horse how to jump (fingers crossed that she enjoys jumping). I'm really excited about learning how to jump because for one thing, it's on my Bucket List. For another thing, I've only wanted to learn how to jump for AGES!!!! So now that I'm learning about it and how to do it, I really like it. I believe I have my genes (*hint *hint: my mother) to thank for that. We took my horse over to the barn where I've been getting lessons yesterday so that we can start whipping her into shape (again . . . it's been a while). I'll be able to go after work and ride her whenever I want because the barn has an indoor arena which is brilliant!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, I'm going to be posting a special blog in February for an anti-bullying campaign that has to do with a good friend of mine. I hope you'll read it and pass on the message. :)




Writing-ness


“Have you thought of taking them up on the offer?” Mav said after a while.

Fey didn’t answer. She didn’t want to think about it. It was her mother’s fault

that she had lost every single job that she had managed to get the last eight

attempts. The look on her face must have given something away to Mav because she

couldn’t help smiling at her best friend.

“Fey, listen. I know you blame your mother. And you probably should, but at the

same time I don’t know why you’re running away from this. You’d be brilliant and

you know it. You just don’t want to take what has easily been put in front of

you. They’re practically beating down your door to have you on their team. And no

one’s saying you’d have to work with your mother.”

“You know her though,” interrupted Fey, “She’ll have requested it personally. I

hate how she does that.”

“Okay, think of it this way. Would you rather bounce from pointless, boring job to

even more pointless and more boring and probably as dead-ended as a bleach blonde’s

fried hair job, or,” she held up her hand as Fey tried to interrupt again, “Or,

would you rather be an exciting person again and do something you would enjoy?”

“I’ve thought about it alright? Are you happy? I think about it all the time! It

would be exciting and dangerous and an adventure. I’d be an exciting person again,

but I’d have to work with my mother! Don’t you think that’s a point against the

job? I mean, come on.”

Mav was smiling again as she added another calla lily to the vase. Fey couldn’t

help but smile, too.

“It would be fun,” she admitted.

“I’m just trying to make you see that you’d be happy,” said Mav sympathetically. “I

mean come on, Fey. You haven’t been a happy adventurous person since college.”

“We used to have so much fun,” said Fey sitting down. They spent the rest of the

night reminiscing about college and all the adventures they had, and all the

trouble they almost got into.

As Mav got up to leave, she turned and looked at Fey.

“Just call them tomorrow and see what they’re offering,” she said.

“Okay, okay. Now go home and get to bed so you can get up ridiculously early,”

laughed Fey.

“And don’t forget to call me as soon as you’re off the phone with them. I want to

know everything! Night, Fey!”

The door shut and Fey found herself daydreaming about what it would be like to go

to work to have adventures every day. Granted, she didn’t kid herself into

thinking that every day would be exciting but it would be better than typing

pointless emails to people she would never meet and never cared to meet about some

boring pointless issue that was coming up.

“I will call them,” she said to herself. The finality of her tone made her laugh.

She went about her nightly routine and when she closed her eyes to sleep she felt

excitement well up in her for the phone call tomorrow morning. She smiled, turned

over, and fell asleep.






Taciturn

2011 In Words I Chose (if not a bit randomly)

Happy 2011 Times -Perusing

Here Goes! -Flabbergasted

Dear February, You Crack Me Up! -Thunder

"March Maddness" Is About Right -Eschew

There Went April . . . Ooops! -Revolution

And Here's Mays -Zephyr

Mission Accomplished!! -Accomplishment!

"I need to live a little, have some fun" -Flippant

Wedding, Vacation, Writing ..... Education???? -Agathokakological

On To August -Pistachios

Stuff of September Month -Circumlocution

Oh, It's October, isn't it -Conterminous

Another For November . . . barely -Pettifogger













Inaniloquent