Update #3: One Hell of a Work Week

As y'all know, I work for a call center for a major healthcare company. To go into further detail, I specialize in the dental benefits. I thank this job for several things, like a further awareness for the health of my mouth and also the tragedy that is little kids getting root canals.  So obviously, I take calls. Quite a few in fact! I speak to a variety of people from rushed providers' offices to disgruntled members to chipper third-party agents. But lemme tell you about the week where I took maybe only twenty calls overall. Why? Read on below!

Update #1: Health Issues

Since mid-June, I documented on here my issues with heart palpitations. I didn't know what was going on or what was causing them, so I went to my general doctor around early July to have her check it out. From there, we go into a saga. Let's begin from there, shall we?

Discussions of a recent interest

A while back, I talked about becoming interested in the politics behind the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I wanted both sides, wanted to know how the thought process went for America when we decided to attack Japan; and then why Japan decided to attack Pearl Harbor (among committing other atrocities, like the Rape of Nanking). Most important, how these atrocities affected everyone, even to this day. For example, after Pearl Harbor, America imprisoned many Japanese-American citizens in internment camps.

Just from the few books I read so far, I have concluded that both countries were in the wrong. Also, that nuclear warfare is one of humankind's shining moments of how we are capable of creation and destruction.

Some thoughts and an old review...

First off, the review. When I was more active on Gamespot, I occasionally wrote reviews of video games I had either recently played (or in the case of the second Tomb Raider), games I really liked. The last review I posted was one on Silent Hill: 0rigins on the PSP. It's funny to read it now and see that I still hold the same opinions as before. In a rare moment of awesome, it was recommended by four out of four people. Not bad. I never received any feedback, but what can you do?

Here is the link. Just promise me you'll open it in a new tab or window, then return to read the rest of my entry. Thank you! :D

I'm fond of this review because it shows that while I still had to grow more as a critic, I was on the right track. Wish I added more detail though.

Y'all are more than welcome to check out my other reviews, but this one just stood out more to me.

This makes me want to work more on becoming a critic. It's fun and of course, gives you the chance to try out new things!

~

I've been thinking over my life and found that I am stuck in a rut. Glad to have figured this out now and not, let's see, later in my life! To alleviate this, I made a list of forty-three things (based on the website of the same name) to do before the end of 2011. I'm gonna share them with y'all:

1.    Move out
  This one is obvious. I'm still living with my folks and I love 'em to death, but I need to move on. Preferably to another city.

2.    Get a better job
  This one is probably the shocking one to most of y'all. I have talked about how much I love working as a bookseller. I do, that hasn't changed. But I need a consistent amount of hours and better pay in order to... you guessed it, move out! It may be possible that getting another job may not need to happen, but I can't place all my chips on that hope.

3.    Start dating
  I've confessed at least once that I've yet to date. I'm looking forward to the "meeting new people" part, not so much of the drama-llama stuff that could happen. Eh, it's a necessary evil. Just guys will learn quickly that I have zero tolerance for the drama llama.

4.    Become socially skilled, becoming a butterfly not necessary
  Thanks to that introvert book I've been reading, this may be an already accomplished goal. Yet, I need to test myself and be consistent. But I have faith it'll work.

5.    Go to San Francisco and stay a week
  Maybe not a week, but still. 

6.    Go to a writing conference
  I'm unsure if I want to go with someone I know or go by myself.

7.    Start attending church or do a charity thing
  By church, I mean a UU one.

8.    Unless ill, donate blood often
  I think I can donate every eight weeks, but I have to check on that.

9.    Get a tattoo
  This is another one that may surprise people. Yeah, been thinking about it for the better part of the year. Right now, I have a design idea but stuck between two places to put it: on my right foot or under my upper left arm.

10.    Read all my unread books and/or sell ones I no longer want
  Kinda explains itself, really.

11.    Get a recliner
  I'm happy to say that this will happen, likely in September, when my custom-order recliner arrives!

12.    Get published seven times
  I tell myself that if I do, it'll look sexy on my resume and my graduate school application. It'll give them the illusion that I'm not just a lazy dork who keeps a blog!

13.    Enter seven contests
  Gotta start getting competitive and all, right? This also has the same desired achievement as the publishing one above.

14.    Intern at [literary organization]
  Yeah, ain't telling ya which one. There's a local one that I've been meaning to intern with. Get the experience and see what it's like to be there.

15.    Take guitar lessons (alternative: learn “Heaven” by Talking Heads)
  I mean, I could take lessons. But, by and large, I taught myself to juggle and braid. I am also a mostly self-taught writer! So why not teach myself? That is why there is an alternative.

16.    Make four new friends
  Just more people to know, that's all.

17.    Register as a bone marrow donor
  This has been something I've pondered over for the better part of a year. An issue with insurance prevented me from doing this a long time ago, but now since insurance is not really a problem, I may register at the end of the year. I already have a semi-rare blood type, so my bone marrow type may be as equally semi-rare!

18.    Travel to New York City and stay a week
  There are tentative plans for my family and I to go, but we'll have to see if plans change. Either way, I'm going. Somehow...

19.    Stay in touch with my current friends
  As an introvert who is wary of Facebook, hates MySpace, and thinks Twitter is lulzy yet cute... I have trouble keeping up with friends on social networks. I'm more of an email, phone, and in-person kinda person (yeah, contrary to my nature). So I vow, friends that read this blog, you may be hearing from me soon and more often!

20.    Get a gun license
  This is kinda random, but I would like to know. For self-defense and of course, the hopefully-it-won't-happen zombie apocalypse. Seriously, I would like to know how.

21.    Have two awesome birthdays
  Makes total sense. I should have fun turning 24 (this year) and 25 (next year). 

22.    Take the GRE and other grad school tests and do awesome at them (not perfect, but awesome)
  Since graduate school is likely, I'm hoping 2012, I should prepare to take the dreaded tests. Hopefully I could get away with just the GRE.

23.    Get an iPhone or a better smartphone
  My current phone is a giant little pain in the ass. But AT&T's plans are kinda blah, or so I heard from other iPhone users. So I may convert to something good on my current plan with Verizon.

24.    Apply for grad school (after getting scores back)
  Besides the scores, I need to start writing letters, getting letters of recommendation from people, and of course... submit writing samples.

25.    Finish the first draft of Invisible
  At this rate, I may be into next year and wrapping this up. It's a slow process.

26.    Finish the first draft of Wind
  Same goes with this one, though I foresee its completion in late '11.

27.    Get to the second draft of Blues
  That's right. Two years after it's originally written, Blues will get its second draft. Silly, I know.

28.    Have a collection of at least twenty short stories
  What I mean is have at least twenty short stories that I could shoot into the world.

29.    Have a collection of at least thirty poems
  Same as above, only replace the obvious words.

30.    Drive to a place out of town
  This may occur sooner. But it is more getting confidence that I can handle out-of-town traveling.

31.    Get a new pair of glasses (alternative: try contacts, if my prescription doesn’t make them expensive)
  I have a feeling the alternative will be too expensive, but I will ask regardless. My glasses will be two years old in November, and I make it a thing to change them at least once every two years.

32.    Join a message board (alternative: rejoin a message board)
  The alternative will happen more likely than the former due to the fact that I already have one in mind that I would love to return to. I may also join a good writing one for the lulz.

33.    Try my hand at vlogging
  Not sure how I'll go about this, but it will involve buying a camcorder, which was something I always wanted. Of course, I will let y'all know when it happens.

34.    Freelance at least twice
  This may change to something else, but you never know...

35.    Go out to eat with co-workers at a bar/pub
  I mean, why not?

36.    Make a long, hard list on things about yourself including beliefs and so forth. Don’t be afraid to list all the good and the bad. It is best to know yourself.
  This does explain itself, but to further add on it... I feel like I don't truly know where I stand on a lot of things. I also want to show that, yes, I am actually not a bland and silly person. Proof to show myself on the hard days.

37.    Establish a habit to where I write at least 2,000 words a day; also edit at least seven pages of something else.
  Well, there ya go. The editing thing is new, I need to start doing that.

38.    Establish a much better budget
  I'm slowly figuring out how to work with my money, so this could be an upcoming victory. Until then, I'm having to save up for October. Guster's new album, Rock Band 3, and Fallout: New Vegas are all being released within weeks of each other. How exciting! :D

39.    Switch to [new bank] and get their [sweet credit card]
  I dunno if switching banks would be necessary, I have to check on that. Otherwise, I would love to get this bank's really awesome card. It sounds like something I could get behind.

40.    Say goodbye forever to [my current credit card]
  I haven't had too much trouble with my current credit card. Well, other than it not being accepted everywhere and it becoming a game of "Does This Store Accept [Credit Card]?" To avoid this, I'm switching. Not sure when, but it's happening.

41.    Take a yoga class
  Preferably with someone who really knows all the things needed to know about yoga (like the spiritual aspect and so forth).

42.    Establish a better sleeping habit (maybe all I need is five hours, who knows…)
  I'm stuck between sleeping for six to nine hours, depending on health factors. I find myself best at seven hours of sleep.

43.    Learn to cook my own damn food
  Explains itself. I keep seeing cookbooks and wanting to try them all out. Should do that, buy an interesting cookbook and then make an entire meal.

~

Haven't fallen asleep yet? Awesome! Well, I will update on the progress I make on the list, among other things. Do y'all have 43 (more or less) you would love to do/accomplish? Share them! I'm curious to see what others are striving to do.

I leave you with this quote that I found today. It was one of those that I needed to read.

Where to begin?

I regret that I can't offer an apology for not frequently updating the blog. Instead, I ask for a small portion of your time for me to explain myself and why things are beginning to change.

For the last few weeks or so, I've been languishing in the summer, doing whatever I felt like doing (well, other than going to work). I learned the hard way that I should've updated my parents about my job aspirations. For the sake of things, I cannot disclose these matters here. Yet, my parents told me that sitting around and waiting wasn't the solution. That meant getting out of my comfort zone. So here I am, putting together a resume and cover letter for a possible internship. Atop that, I'm assisting at my current job at planning an event. I have to do things that require me to take some serious risks.

But if things transpire differently, I may have to find another job. I hate to do that, but I desire to move out into the world on my own. This won't happen unless I do something, whether it is push for a promotion at my current job or seek employment elsewhere. To most, what I'm going through sounds like nothing. I always prided myself in being able to handle change. But I lied to myself, sort of. I could handle change, as long as it didn't push me past my comfort zone. I've played safe for far too long. I ain't living. No, don't expect me to go do daring things, like skydiving or herding hippos. I need to start moving forward, going out there to do what I need to do. I have few major lifelong goals, but one of them still holds true: become a writer and make enough to live off of it. While the goal is unlikely, I need to try.

~

Things are going to be different around here. I have decided to do something that I had never done for this poor blog: post on a regular schedule. Starting at the beginning of August, I will post something every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I don't know what, but it will be something. It won't be apologies for sporadic postings and lack of novel updates.

Oh, the novel... it seems that I've stopped. I may have to make a serious decision with Invisible. Maybe I was wrong in thinking it was this story's time to shine. It may need to "sleep" for a bit longer. That or I have to break for the rest of the month and re-gather my senses. There is a part deep in me that wants it tackled, most of it down on bytes and Word documents.

I'm gonna rely less on platitudes and more on kaboom. Kaboom is action; in a word that has the risk of drawing out the meaning in favor of a few giggles.

To those who ask, I am fine, thank you.

I think the alarm clock just went off and hit me hard on the head for good measure.

And now for something completely different...

I've planned this for a while and now the chance has finally come. For the last few months, I've been going through the Monty Python's Flying Circus box set I bought myself for Christmas last year (I have three more discs left). I've seen the familiar and famous sketches, but also found some fantastic hidden gems.

So, here it is everyone: my favorite Monty Python skits! (the last one being the top favorite)

"Silly Job Interview" - pretty much what did it for me was the end. Watch the whole thing instead of skipping to the punch line.

"Semaphore Version of Wuthering Heights" - literature meets flag signals...

"Confuse-A-Cat" - as a cat owner, this was lulzy.

"Ministry of Silly Walks" - kinda typical of a Python fan, but whatever. It's actually a good sketch.

"Self-Defense Against Fresh Fruit" - well, you never know...

"Secretary of State Striptease" - alas no clip. But let's say the title is what it is...

"Camp Square-Bashing" - after the ballerinas, it's not as funny. The part before the ballerinas caught my sister and I off-guard.

"The Lumberjack Song" -one day, I'll memorize the song and torture people with it.

"Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook" - my hovering blog is full of eels...

"Dead Parrot" - c'mon, a classic for a reason!

"Bicycle Repairman" - a brilliant superhero parody...


And my favorite Monty Python sketch of all time is... "The Bishop"


And as a bonus, here is my sister's favorite sketch.

Until next time, enjoy the laughs.

*Countdown to 200 entries: 11 left*

Blog post... on spaaaaccceee!

For the last week, my mind's been in space. No, really, it has been. All I've been thinking about is the skies and the mysterious beyond above us. It all started when my sister brought up watching the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey (she had seen it and loved it). I had wanted to see it for a long time, but didn't have the drive until she started talking about it. It also helps that she owns it on DVD.

The first thing I did was dig up the trailer and watch it. Looked interesting. And, if you've been aware of pop culture since, well 1968, you would be shocked to see all the references to this film in surprising places. So, it made more sense to see it and not just to "get" the references.

Before I watched the film, I found myself faffing about the Internet (wow, what a shock) and looked up photos on space, mainly on Jupiter (since 2001 has a subplot about an exploration trip to the planet). More faffing about led me to other pictures of space. Upon seeing this image, tears welled into my eyes. What beauty! These clouds of stars looked like solid rock formations! The colors looked like something from the more pleasant of acid dreams. And to think this all is somewhere beyond the familiar skies...

This photo nearly struck me dead. In all that alienating darkness, in the great distance, therein lies the home we all call Earth (the speck in the middle of the right beam). I felt small suddenly, but humbled. This world just seems so big, and here we all 6 billion are, all contained in that wee speck.

This looks like something out of a dream I could have. Imagine floating below all that. It would be tempting to touch. What would it feel like? Sea foam? What about watching it, all of it swirling and twinkling like living glitter paint?

Watching a sunset, especially in a nice town, is always a treat. One on Mars would be no different. Just gorgeous.

~

After all that, my sister and I sat down with refreshments and watched the movie. It was her second time seeing it. While the same amazement that struck me when viewing those photos did not happen, the movie affected me in its own way. Sure, the story is fairly straightforward, but again it does remind us that "damn, the universe is big".

Besides the philosophical business, it reminded me that films with special effects can have some substance (unlike certain films that are popular with the kids these days). For its time (remember, this film was done in 1968), the film managed to do some amazing things: portray how light and sound operate in space and show zero gravity pretty convincingly. The darkness of space has always been haunting, how the stars we know and love are insignificant specks of light in the vastness. This film didn't shy away from that, adding to the eeriness of isolation and hopelessness when the rising action takes place. Not much talking takes place and music is also a rare treat. With such minimalism, aside with the stunning visual effects and design, it may amaze some of this generation that such a film could still stand the test of time. The great thing is, even with over forty years under its belt, 2001's effects have aged spectacularly well. The acting was wonderful, even when faced with silence.

~

After a few days passed, I did some research to understand more about the movie and its development. I then came across two videos that made me appreciate the visual effects all over again.

Needless to say, I fell in love with the movie. Definitely on my top twenty for sure.

~

I don't know what this all is supposed to be for, or what my point is. I guess it's nice to be reminded once in a while of the amazement of the whole scheme of things. And how a good film can inspire the sense of wonder we should never lose.

And, just because y'all knew it was coming: the Discovery Channel song. You know you want to sing along to it.

~

The tl;dr version: sci-fi masterpiece inspires repeated views of space photos and realizations of humankind's place in big-ol' universe. Said person writes post to see if people would actually read it.

A "so far..." review of "Silent Hill: Shattered Memories"

*WARNING - HERE BE SOME SPOILERS*

Well, I knew I had to prepare myself for disappointment, given I already disagreed with it being a remake and the Otherworld turning into Icy Winter Wonderland. But, wow, y'all. So far, it's just bites.

The controls are wonky, especially the door opening buttons. Whose genius idea was it to have one press the X button repeatedly? I'm glad I could use the left control stick to push it open, otherwise I would have a sore right thumb! (Yes, the Silent Hill series, along with many survival horror titles, have a history of bad controls; but those are easier compared to the ones in this game, trust me...) But seriously, one button should do the trick.

The lack of combat is a joke. Oh, I apologize. Apparently throwing flares or pushing down random bookshelves is the best you can do. If I was put into a similar situation (what a world it would be if that were the case...) I would kick more ass than Harry did. And I'd do it with a 2x4 with a nail at the end of it.

Running around aimlessly (oh wait, your helpful GPS-capable iPhone rip-off leaves a blue trail just in case you get turned around) is your only option! Don't forget to zigzag. No need though, since when you explore the town, there are no monsters! And the monsters are ALL THE SAME when you get to the Otherworld in the Fridge.

Don't even get me started on the story. In all its madness, it is weird for the sake of weird. The scares are almost nonexistent, unless you're real jumpy by nature. Everybody is being thrown in there without explanation, connections made in seconds. I mean, most of the females end up calling Harry which leads me to ask "how in the world did they get his number?!" No scene establishes this.

The camera-detecting-random-spirits thing is a ripoff from Fatal Frame. Wow, y'all who made this game. Really? You had to plagiarize (no, they didn't borrow it) an awesome aspect of a lesser-known series in order to bring something new to the series? No other word for this than: FAIL.

~

Now, there are some good things. Calling the numbers and hearing the messages is the only good thing so far.

Making John Wyndham the founder of Midwich High was effing funny and appealed to the lit geek in me.

Yeah, pretty much it.

~

Y'all want to play the original Silent Hill? Just call me and borrow my copy. Or, if in the very likely chance that you don't know me and can't borrow it, ask your hardcore gamer friend or just buy it off of eBay. Do anything but buy this game. If you do, you're getting a neutered, borderline plagiarizing, sanitized, high-school-drama-havin', nonsensical, weird-for-the-sake-of-weird retelling of a classic horror video game.

*exhales* Now, if y'all excuse me... I have some things to do. Like schoolwork, internship stuff, and chilling the hell down.

Expect a final review soon...

Yeah, no.

More news about the second Silent Hill movie.

This just proves that this isn't going to work. Make it accessible? They already did that with the first film!

***SPOILER***

I mean, hello! That scene with Alessa explaining the whole damn thing. If that isn't accessible and being the total opposite to the games, I don't know what.

***END SPOILER***

*calms down* Look, I honestly believe that some Silent Hill fans (not all, but some) are in serious denial with the movie. I'll be the first (no the second, but anyway) person to say that visually... It. Was. Spot. Freakin'. On.

However, the story was about as convoluted as a labyrinth designed by a bunch of drunk monkeys. And the dialogue there makes my own look amazing (i.e. it's pretty bad).


All I wanted from the movie was an original story. All I got was a neutered take to the first game. And there's another one coming in game form, mind you.

I love all the Silent Hill games (even Homecoming), but it's getting real hard for me to remain calm about all this for much longer. Honestly, Shattered Memories (it is a remake, I don't care what the game developers claim) is not even necessary. Like another unnecessary remake of a classic first game. It's turning into Resident Evil (a series that was actually good... until the movies and the cash-in games came along).

I'm not asking for the series to go back to being a niche thing, something hipsters could latch themselves onto. I'm only asking for the initial spirit of the games to remain, something that seems to be missing since Homecoming. I ask for originality, necessary changes to gameplay that still retain the helplessness of being a "regular Joe" stuck in a haunted town. To quit explaining every damn thing, after all, the Golden Rule of horror is to "never explain or show everything". To quit using Pyramid Head and try out new villains, because creative thinkers don't rehash. To be subtle, make references to cool things (see Jacob's Ladder and Phantoms).

Is it too much to ask?

Maybe it is.

ETA: Oh, yeah. Which reminds me... there's a remake of Jacob's Ladder planned.

...

FFFUUUU... /rageguy

Allow me to contradict myself...

After recalling this entry, and of course future entries like this one and also this, and this one... and the post below this one, I must proclaim the actual truth:

I am an Anti-Twilighter. I am not ashamed of this anymore. I was before, hence the entry back in November '08.

~

Lemme refer back to the initial entry:

"I hate the Twilight series. I had read the first book and thought of it as boring, unimpressive, peopled with unrelatable and flat characters, and fraught with lost opportunities. I have zero interest in reading the other books for the same reasons. I think the series' success is unjustified. The vampires sparkle. I watched the film online... and it wasn't even funny, it was just awful."

I also made attempts to read the second one and well...

"I tried, but honestly, I have better things to do. I can't finish New Moon. If I wanted to hear someone bitch, I would record myself and loop it."

I also tried listening to the third and fourth on YouTube (audiobooks, JSYK) I got to the honeymoon part in the last book. My sister and I, our faces were like this O_O the whole way through.

(Cont.)

"I mentioned to my manager the other day that I saw the movie. She asked me an interesting question: "if you didn't like the book, why did you see the movie?" I told her because I wanted to laugh at it. Now, it makes me realize that I should've left well alone. Moved on after reading the first book, instead of jumping onto the hatred bandwagon."

Well, I have nothing to gain by jumping on the Anti-Twilight bandwagon. I'm not gonna get new friends or anything like that. Nor will I lose anything either.

I tried the hands-off approach, but let's face it. I work at a bookstore. I see the books all time. I can't stay silent forever. I even have recommended other books when people asked me if Twilight was good for their teens.

"Look, there are better things to read and see. But, it's not my place to be so damn judgmental on people's choice of entertainment. If Twilight and the rest of the series tickles them pink, let them have it. I have my things and I'm pretty damn happy."

This is where I'm going to be contradictory. I really cannot understand how people can read them even for fun. Even with fun reads, I like my work to look like some damn effort was put into them. Note that I'm not saying those who read the books are not intelligent. All I'm saying is that I honestly don't understand why some people read books like this.

Maybe I'm a snob. Well, there you go. I am a snob.

Overall, like I said before, I'm never going to recommend the series. If I did, it would go against my personal ethics. Speaking of ethics...

"If you read the post I linked, you'll read that there are whispers of Edward and Bella's relationship being... well, unhealthy. I don't know what to really say about that. I just hope when girls read the books, they don't take what's been said and done as dating advice."

As a fledgling feminist, I have huge issues with the series for that reason. There seems to be evidence that Edward is controlling and a stalker. The sad thing is, some think he is romantic and everything he does is for the good of Bella. *spazes out* Last I checked, taking someone's engine out so they can't go see friends wasn't for anyone's good.

I'm gonna confess something. I have wrote about a guy who was abusive and made it into something romantic. That was before I knew better. So, yeah, remembering I made the same mistake and seeing it again in a published novel hits home.

Of course, the last sentence of that quote I still stand behind wholeheartedly.

"If reading this book has taught me anything, it was to make my characters stronger. Aren't books (even bad ones) supposed to teach writers how to write?"

In fact, I credit Twilight for helping me make some big changes to some characters I was working on.

~

Of course, I could go to list how the writing is just plain horrible and that an editor needed a red pen and a pitbull to attack the manuscript... how Meyer actually thinks her romance story is better than other famous ones... how some (not all) fans need to STFD (STFD = sit the fuck down) and realize that yes, people won't like the books and need to stop convincing them otherwise... and how some fans have actually committed physical harm against those who don't agree with their opinions.

Wait, I just did.

Long post is long. Seriously, I've been meaning to write this for a long time. I just didn't think about it until today. Nothing other than previous thoughts motivated me to do so.

I am 110% aware that not all Twilight fans are rabid and/or crazy. I know three very awesome, intelligent, well-read Twilight fans. You know who y'all are. And I just wanted to say that this is the best way I can explain my feelings about the series. If I were to speak it, it wouldn't be as articulate.

My intention is NOT to hurt other people's feelings. I just wanted to speak my mind, both honestly and fairly.

~

That's about it for me here. So, good night...

*leaves room*

Where the hell have I been? Well, here's the answer (albeit long-winded...)

A few days ago, I somewhat cryptically stated that my week had exploded. I didn't list what made it do so. To be honest, now that I look back, maybe that was too strong of an analogy to use. A better one would be that it was... you know what, screw analogies. Last week was just one that went wrong.

In my Music class, I had to turn in a rhythm composition piece (eight measures, simple meter, etc.) and when the class performed it, someone said it sounded like "The Nutcracker". "Aah, f***!" I shouted in my mind. I had a fear that my work would accidentally lift a rhythm from somewhere else, and my fear came true! I remained embarrassed for the rest of the class. My professor didn't hold it against me, saying something about rhythms aren't copyrighted. He was nice about it, even felt bad for me (or so I assumed). So, I didn't get into trouble. I even got some extra time to work out some homework I couldn't finish.

All of last week, I had been playing a hyped-up version of "Catch-Up". I've been reading and editing, slamming my head against my desk when I work on Music homework, and fretting about my Victorian Lit paper. On top of that, I fell ill again. This time, it was a good ol' head cold, complete with lingering cough and schizophrenic nose.

I've gotten no writing done, but that will change today. I'll write a little before I head to work. But first, I have to finish some more homework.

Reading? Well, I've been trying to obtain everything Haruki Murakami has ever written and I'm about seven books short. I started Zombie by Joyce Carol Oates about two days ago. It's honestly one of the most boring books I've read this year. And Shakespeare's history plays were more engaging than this!

Music? No practicing on Zimbra, unfortunately. I'm going to do that over the summer instead. It'll keep me busy.

Listening to music? I've been doing some listening and buying. I bought the Modern Lovers' debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico, Fur and Gold, Prospekt's March, and Talking Heads' last album.

Finances? They could be better. I have plans to work a second job: be my parents' housekeeper. I'm saving up for a few things: a new laptop, a trip to Europe next year, and some random objects that I can't think of at the moment. I have plans to purchase two last things: the re-released LPs of Talking Heads' debut album and Remain in Light. Then, it's off to the saving party!

My job? It's going okay, but I need to work more. I'm starting to miss out on things. I'm going to talk to them about hours, make my case.

I also ordered my college ring, but my card hadn't been charged... how odd.

After that, things have been decent. The new week's shaping up to be something better than the last. I leave you, trying to figure out what to do next...

-Lindsey

New Year's Grand Schemes!

Well, you know... I might as well tell y'all. I'll even give explanations!

The List:

• Organize my time better. If I can conquer time management, happy fun times will be had. Oh, and I get tons more stuff done, both serious and fun things.
• Spend more time and effort on my schoolwork. No more B's for me! I want to graduate summa cum laude (cum laude would be nice too).
• Begin to do yoga. Recommended by my chiropractor due to my scoliosis/sciatica nerve issues. Plus, I love yoga.
• Attend church. Believe it or not, I never attended church. I would love to hear at least a few services from different places.
• Volunteer for a charity for two weeks. I'm donating to charity, why not physically do something for charity?
  
• Drink more water. Since I swore off caffeniated products, I'm relying on powdered tea. That's good, but not efficient.
  
• Save my money more efficiently. I'm trying to save up for an apartment, fun stuff, charity donations, and some random big-ticket item.
  
• Learn all about my insurances. Since I have been kicked off my folks' insurance at the end of last year, I might as well know how the one I get from my job works.
  
• Watch more movies. I have a Netflix backlog like you wouldn't believe.
  
• Practice guitar every day for an hour. I have a feeling guitar-playing will make things easier for me to deal with.
  
• Write every day. This is obvious, since I'm a writer.
  
• Do better on my car's upkeep. Since it's mine (not 100% though), I might as well know how it all works.
  
• Lessen my movie, book, CD, and video game backlogs. How can I justify buying more books if I haven't read the ones I already have? Same goes with the other categories.
  
• Learn many new skills. Many examples include: how to maintain a car, fix faucets, do math, shop for a car... etc.
  
• Go out with friends/co-workers/family more often. I'm a homebody, but I want to change that. I love staying at home, but I know I'm missing out on life.
• Be less scared of the online community. I get nervous on message boards and when I post on here (every so often though). I want to change that. No vlogs or anything like that from me, but just be more active on message boards.
  

Ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. I'll be (in Cartman's words) hella busy. But, I'll still post on here!

Until next time, I leave you, listening to Talking Heads' "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)"...

-Lindsey

A smattering of thoughts...

The first thing y'all might take notice of is that my icon had changed. My sister made it for me after I told her about my favorite line from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Ya gotta love British humor.

Life is going well. I finished up my counseling. I was surprised it ended in about two months. I was thinking it would take longer. I also registered for classes next semester. Two are serious lit classes. Here's to it working this time... well, it will work or I'll be damned.

After asking around, I found some places that might sell a vintage Fender Mustang. My heart's been set on one since I played Rock Band 2 (one of the guitars you can buy for your avatar is a 1965 Mustang). I colored it to look like the one David Byrne had (dark red with a pearl guard).
This guy at a guitar store near my house told me that Mustangs regained popularity because Kurt Cobain used one. I was somewhat aware that Cobain used one, but not of the popularity thing. Go fig, me still being unaware of trends. Plus, since it's a small guitar, it works out because of my current space issue.

Still reading La Reine Margot. About three days' worth of reading behind. It's a hard read, but I'm still enjoying it.

I bought Mirror's Edge recently. So far, it's a pretty good game, but there are timed parts. Dammit. I also canceled my preorder of Tomb Raider: Underworld due to monetary constraints and the fact that I have zero interest in it. I downloaded the demo. It sure looks nice and it's nice to see that Lara still controls badly. Ha!

A little-known fact about myself: I grew up on country music. I got into rock on my own (well, sort of). We're talking Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis and Nanci Griffith. My parents were into rock: my mom loved Fleetwood Mac and my dad loved Genesis, CCR, the Moody Blues, Phil Collins, Dan Fogelberg, and Fleetwood Mac.
Yet they never bothered to really expose me to all that. Sure, my mom had issues with Madonna (especially during the Like A Prayer era), but otherwise, there wasn't anything that would warp my little mind. Over the years, I still gravitate to some of the older country (especially Nanci Griffith). Yet, most country music now is just horrible. It's trying way too hard to be rock.

I got into rock music when I was about eleven. A friend of my mom's gave me an extra copy of Fleetwood Mac's The Dance. I listened to it while we were staying with her in L.A. Obviously, fond memories were had. Later, I started borrowing my dad's Genesis and Phil Collins CDs. At the same time, my dad went through a Celine Dion phase that lasted until mid-2004. Obviously, even if we tried, my sister and I couldn't escape repeated plays of Let's Talk About Love. While all my friends were swooning over Backstreet Boys and Ricky Martin, I was jamming through my pre-teens to CCR's "Bad Moon Rising" and Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way".
Throughout my teens, I was exposed to Steely Dan, Prince, the Eagles, Tom Petty, et all. By then, I was a fairly hardcore Fleetwood Mac. When I turned 19, I rediscovered Genesis. Hardcore with them until about nine months ago when I sort-of rediscovered Talking Heads. The abridged version is that I bought Speaking in Tongues at a mall while visiting a friend of my dad's (what's with me discovering potential musical loves while on vacation?) and only got into "Burning Down the House". Fast-track to five years later, I buy some of their songs on iTunes and got hooked, bought their Best of and... well, the rest is history.

Whoa, time to resurrect the tag "hey a long post", which I wanted to read like this: "Hey! A long post!" but the tag system isn't very kind to punctuation.

Nothing else for now. I leave you, listening to the Nostalgic Critic's review on Tom & Jerry: The Movie. Hilarious...

Regards,
Lindsey

Gaaah, the pain...

I swear, I've been popping pills ever since I got my wisdom teeth pulled. First, there were the two painkillers (one had codeine in it!) and the antibiotic. The painkiller with the codeine made me have some weird-ass dreams and I would pass out and take one-hour naps. I have since stopped taking them and gone back to the ibuprofen initially prescribed for my sciatic nerve pain, which works better IMHO. Several days after finishing my antibiotic, I got a head cold. So here I am, popping cold meds and nursing a nasty headache that came from the headbanging I would do when I cough, XD.

On the teeth front, they're healing beautifully. I got a syringe at my post-op visit and cleaning the holes got easier. I've gotten back to eating regular foods, but I've been avoiding sodas. I'm sticking to water, tea and anything else but soda. It's been two weeks since then. No more caffeine dependency for me!

~

I finished reading Richard Matheson's Somewhere In Time a while back. It was okay, started off good but slowed a bit in the middle and got better at the third-quarter. I would recommend it, but please... just read What Dreams May Come. It's infinitely better.

I recently went to the library near my house and borrowed a few books. One was Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus, which was the basis for the best Disney film ever: The Great Mouse Detective. I liked the book, it was really cute.

Another is Kenneth J. Harvey's The Town that Forgot How to Breathe. I haven't finished reading that, and I may not get to. I can't get into it. Gah, I hate it when that happens.

I'm having a similar issue with "Mrs. Dalloway". Man, I have so many books and only eighteen of them really appeal to me! No more buying books on a whim, that's for sure.

~

So, Silent Hill: Homecoming finally came out. I finished it in a week and here's my verdict: I liked it. I thought it was going to be the worst thing ever, but I was wrong... sort of. I think the crew that made this game can totally pull off another title, but they need to stop referencing the damn movie. Please guys, we Silent Hill fans only ask for originality! Heck, ask us for ideas. We're bursting with them!

~

I'm also happy to report that I finally figured out what I wanted to do with my life: stick with my current degree plan and keep soldiering on. Alas, regrets of dropping the Fiction class have risen. Oh well. At least I got in, :D.

~

Man, I don't think tarot card reading is going to be a new hobby. I like it, but it hasn't stuck with me. I should give it a few more weeks, and then decide whether or not to give up and move onto something else.

I got a tarot card reading from someone at this new-age store my sister likes. For twenty-five bucks, I got told this (all this is to the best of my memory):

-I'm afraid of myself (duh)
-I have five pieces ready to be published (wuh? Which five? This has perplexed me since that day)
-I'll dabble into every form of writing (you know, I have planned to)
-I'll be famous (o_O!)

And I thought my silly daydreams of being a famous writer were just... well, silly! I almost died of laughter in my chair.

~

Ah, grand schemes. One I have is to do NaNoWriMo. Make up a whole new idea and do that. Lord knows I have enough time...

Another is submit some poetry to my university's literary magazine. They're taking pieces for next semester. Maybe I could get in. Who knows? I have to try.

No more. But trust me, I'll think of some...

~

I just listened to Brian Eno and David Byrne's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Go get this album! It is amazing. So cool that I can't think of a rational, unbiased thing to say other than... damn!

Already, one song has inspired a poem.

~

I've been working on and off on my writing. But no quitting here. I'm back in the game, everyone. Let's celebrate by living. Oh, and voting in this year's fine election. So don't forget to vote!

Wow, I need to shut up now. Long post is getting longer. I leave you, nursing a headache yet smiling all the way through it... until a pang hits and I clench my teeth.

Regards,
Lindsey