You · live · only · once · ... · unless · you're · me...

But apparently, fantasy is just in my blood. Even in a futuristic, sci-fi piece, I still have castles and shape shifters showing up LOL Oh, and a little redhead girl with freakishly blue eyes called Pixie (but she's human).

Now if only I could get going on my other stories - all four of them (plus three more prologues) But at least I have titles for ... most of them... (names are the hardest thing in writing =/ )

Current Mood:	ecstatic
Current Music:	Enur - Calabria

----
Guy1: Oh, you gotta try this. (feeds a piece of food to Girl)
Girl: Wow. That's amazing!
Guy2: Dude, you are my god! How do you do it? You even have the ice queen literally eating out of your hand!
Girl: ... Okay I'm gonna go now. (leaves)
Guy1: (glares)
Guy2: Whaat?
Guy1: I fucking hate you, man.

----
Girl: What is this?
Guy2: We're trying to determine which one of us you'll fall for.
Girl: That's easy. None of you.
Guy2: Why not?
Girl: (looks up at out-of-season mistletoe) Many reasons. But mainly, because I'm spoken for.
Guy2: Oh yeah? By who?
Girl: My boyfriend S. We're very compatible.
Guy1: Really? In what way?
Girl: We're the same age, we're from the same home town, we went to school together, we share the same tastes, and views, We like the same food and music...
Guy1: (sarcasm) You might as well be related. (serious) You don't love him.
Girl: We are not and I do too. Where the hell do you get off?
Guy1: No, you wouldn't say it like that if you did.
Girl: Consider my audience and my goal in saying it. My tone was exactly right.
Guy2: I believe her...
Guy1: He still isn't your One True Love.
Girl: I never said he was. I said he was my boyfriend.
Guy2: Uh... guys?
Guy1: Exactly. You're not the boyfriend type. You're a hopeless romantic.
Girl: I'm a cynic, first and foremost. Ever hear the expression 'Aim high and then settle'?
Guy1: So you admit you're settling with S.
Girl: No. With him, I'm aiming high. If I was going to settle, it would be with someone like you.
Guy2: Ouch, man...

----
1: Did you see the "What do you smell like to Edward Cullen" quiz?
2: Yeah, the options are breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

( First five under cut. )

I am taking a minute from my busy day to tell you that your parcel service is shite. Despite your lauded service to community, it seems that most of the time, you only serve yourself. Apparently, actually doing what you're being paid to do is too much effort. I have wasted two entire days waiting for my package, and now writing this feels like still another waste of time, but it is worth it just to let you know what I think of your lazy, high priced "services".

Your redelivery webpage is useless. Having missed the mailman the first time, I went online to schedule a redelivery. The "Track & Confirm" page never changed, even though it said it was updated several times a day. What a crock of shite. It never even registered that the package was scheduled for redelivery.

Your 1-800 number is an insult. Just to get through the automated messages - which, by the way are no more help than your website in terms of info pertaining to a package - to an actual person is a pain in the ass, taking longer than it would have taken me to drive to the post office to pick the damn thing up myself. Sadly, as that was not an option for me at the time, I was stuck with this glorified answering machine that doesn't take messages.

Your staff, while polite, is totally incompetent, giving only a pretense of actually working. Having not received my package on the redelivery date, I spoke with a USPS representative who told me that "sometimes, when the package is big or heavy, the courier won't pick it up." Excuse me?! Isn't that his/her JOB?!! The helpful person who told me this also scheduled another redelivery, gave me a new confirmation number and told me I would be called with regard to this package. I was called two minutes after I hung up, by someone else, who told me they would look for my package and make sure it was picked up and delivered.

It wasn't. When I called the 1-800 number yet again, the new confirmation number I'd received the day before wasn't even in your systems. I even tracked down the mail man who distributes mail on my block and asked him directly. He neither had the package, nor did he remember it! I never got a second failed delivery slip. I found the location of my package at a post office in town. When I called the number listed, I got a busy signal - the kind you get when a number is disconnected. After four days of waiting, due to the weekend in between, I was forced to go to the post office and pick the package up myself. There was a line of six people, and one attendant, who took their sweet time getting things done.

So thank you, USPS, for stealing two days of my life. A note for the future: Get your shit together and do what you're supposed to. If you say you redeliver, you had better redeliver. Train your people. It's their job to deliver packages. If it's too heavy for them to lift, they shouldn't be couriers - by the bye, my package weighed 2kg total. Make sure the people on the phone know what the hell they're doing and update your website once in a while, for freak's sake. Or at least make sure it works.

Needless to say, I will not be using USPS for parcel service in the future. For the price I'm paying, I can get much better service and more reliable tracking elsewhere. It is not worth my time to deal with this sort of aggravation. Nothing throughout this situation has given me any hope that the people who work for USPS are anything more than lazy, and do anything much, aside from lip service, unless they're pressed. Your customer service is a joke, and in my opinion should not even be mentioned on any official USPS site.

Hoping to never have to deal with you again,

X

Current Mood:	pissed off
Current Music:	Omnia - Lughnasadh

But there was also other stuff in the newsletter - audio exerpts and "out takes" narrated by a guy who got an award for his rendition of the books. Now, I grew up listening to stories be narrated on radio as a kid, but that was like listening to a movie with narration; there were sound effects, and each character had his/her own voice actor. This is different. This is literally someone reading the book to you and "pretending" to be the people they're reading. I wasn't wild about the idea from the beginning, so I was hesitant to click on the spoof out take links.

But I did click. And I shouldn't have. It ruined the actor for me so much I didn't even want to click on the actual book exerpts. Fans keep raving about him, but I wince every time I hear him talking. The voices I hear in my head are so much better than he can do... and his female voices made me shudder. So congratulations on the award, I'm sure it was very much deserved and I aplaud his courage to take on a romance series, but I'm sorry, I will not be listening to him or anyone else read a book to me.

And of course, as soon as I thought this, Jon chimed in. I told him he could do the male voices, but not the female ones, and then, of course, he pointed out that if I got started, I wouldn't stop until I'd read the whole book out loud. So we agreed that we'd each read the book to ourselves and then come together to compare notes. Take that as you will.

Current Mood:

wincing

Woke up at 9:30. 1st meal of the day: breakfast of 1-egg omelet with cheese and ham and a glass of grape juice.
Got in car to go to Muir Woods. Got to Muir Woods around 11:30. Took Ocean View Trail to Lost Trail to Fern Creek Trail back.
Got back in the car to return around 2pm.
Stopped at Sports Basement.
Got to BJ's Restaurant around 4:30 pm. Ordered a tropical mojito and didn't wait for apetizers before drinking.
2nd meal of the day: 2 chicken potstickers and 1 ham and mushroom calzone.
Got tipsy from the mojito. Discovered I hate being tipsy. Thought of and discarded a long debate about why in the f*cking hell people would do this to themselves for fun.
Got home around 6pm and took a nap.
Woke up around 7:30 pm to watch A Bug's Life.
Now I'm sitting here typing this.
        Just to recap, my rations for today included 1 egg, a little ham and cheese, a glass of juice, 2 water bottles, a tropical mojito, 1 calzone and another glass of water. That just can't be healthy...
        And on top of that, I haven't been anywhere in so long my legs got shaky after our hike (which I suspect the alcohol did NOT help with...) And I'm back to being sneezy (what's that about?? No, really. I'd say allergies, but I don't have any.)

Current Mood:

somehow still awake

My neighbors came to invite us to a bonfire tonight. It's not like I imagine a bonfire to be. Probably just a barbecue in the middle of the street for a couple of hours after dark. Trouble is, it's windy as hell, so none of us are going.

We went shopping today and while mom browsed Marshall's my dad tried to get me to try on 4-inch heels. So wasn't going to happen... We went to Sizzler's for lunch (ew, that's all I'm gonna say) and then back at home, mom and I baked a new kind of cake and some pretzels while dad dealt with a major problem that happened at work. And somewhere in the middle of all that, bro came back home because he couldn't button his suit pants (he's gained some weight) and he was going to a wedding.

Not much to update on; writing and other stuff is pretty much addressed in previous entries and the Conversations. I'm restless because I want to go somewhere (preferably Seattle) and I can't.  There's a bunch I'd like to add to this, but I won't, because... well, I have my reasons. I guess I'm a little frustrated and stir-crazy.

My goal is to finish two stories by the end of summer. One is at 90 something pages and the other around 60, I think. I want to say it's going well, but I really can't say, because I only have a vague idea about where I want the first to go, and on the second I'm flying blind again. WHat I have so far, though, I really like. Of all my stories, these are turning out the most... something. So I don't want to rush it, but there's also this urgency at the back of my mind that I have to do something before the fall semester starts, because if I give up now, it might be forever. Good vibes would be appreciated.

Current Mood:

bored

            Tristan was going mindless, thought fading away beneath an onslaught of heat and lust. As it slowly took him over, a final thought crossed his mind that perhaps Amelia’s question might be valid. Just what was it about Dara that affected him this way?

            She grinned against his lips. I’m the woman you always dreamed about having.

            Is that so? he purred back. When he slipped his hands inside her jeans and discovered she wasn’t wearing underwear either, his hips bucked and his mind shouted triumphantly, Hell yeah!

Current Mood:

LOL

But I did find some great pictures, and updated my dream journal. With that respect, I've been dreaming about catastrophes a lot. Like death, or killings, or the on-coming death or killings and the odd thing is that there are dreams where I both cause and try to prevent them at the same time. I don't know what this means, except that it's an internal battle to choose sides, because I've apparently remained neutral long enough. The debate shall have to be continued at some future date, though.

My dad's childhood friend is in the US, visiting his son in NY. He's visited before, so he's getting bored in the Big Apple, and he and his son have already taken a road trip to Florida and back (20-hr drive one way). Now he is coming to the West coast. He called today that he got airplane tickets and will be arriving tomorrow morning. He'll stay through the weekend and leave for NY again on Monday. Which prompted my mom to force us all to go on a cleaning spree. I wouldn't have minded if I didn't hurt. Dad cleared the attic as much as possible to inflate a mattress for him on the ground. Alas, there is little enough room for this family - we have no guest rooms, so the poor guy will have to sleep up there. We also cleaned the rest of the house, living room, and bathroom. I even tidied up my room a bit, but only a bit. I refuse, absolutely will not make my living space a museum because of a house guest. I live here; it should show.

In other news, we went to BJ's on Sunday for a celebratory lunch. I had my new favorite drink: a tropical mojito. It was most excellent. Methinks I shall be having it again soon. (Here, I was tempted to type as the subject of this entry, "I love BJ's!!" but I have since realized how easily that could be misconstrued by some of my more dirty-minded friends) I got $200 for my b-day, and we went to see Up. It was... surprising, but good. Not buy-the-DVD good, but good enough. I want to see how Princess and the Frog will turn out. I've never seen a Disney Princess movie on the big screen. This might be my only chance and I will not be passing it up.

My efforts to consciously and forcefully affect change have come to naught. Despite the fact that it was the 3rd day of the 6th month of the 9th year of the 21st century. (3.6.09), AND the 3rd day of the week, AND I had to go to 3 places before I could finally play the lottery (3 sets of numbers for $3.00), I didn't win. Perversely, the only number I got was 3. The universe has a sick sense of humor... But I laugh about it now. That's what I get for having Loki as one of my guardians. Shoulda stuck with scratchers...

Current Mood:	calm
Current Music:	ABBA - Eagle

Dude! What a small world LOL 

I think someone forgot to put "Zone" at the end of that title. Vampires with shiny skin aside, there is no way in hell there is a town somewhere as friendly and nauseatingly nice as the one portrayed in this movie. Not even in Canada. There is no way one person can be so universally loved and adored, and there is no way a "family" who's kept secret for hundreds of years would suddenly and without qualm open their arms to this person when their lives were at stake. The blonde who didn't want to cooperate was the only believable character in the entire thing, and even she balked in the end. Why?! She was the only voice of reason!

The story was like something hormonal teenage high school girls would read and sigh over and if someone told me one had actually written it, I wouldn't really be surprised. The general plot was passable, but the nuances totally ruined it. Character development receives 0 points (ever seen Disturbing Behavior? The kids in Twilight reminded me of it very much) Dialogue left me rolling my eyes and my finger was perpetually on the fast forward button. I only pushed it once (when What's-his-face kissed Bella, because I just couldn't stand the drawn out bullshite anymore) because I had this unexplainable urge to give it a chance - a movie about vampires had theoretical potential. In practice, not so much. I found myself wanting to hear the wolf side of it, rather than focus on Bella and the leech. And as for the acting, I lost whatever respect I had for (I forget his name) after seeing him in Harry Potter.

But I can't really blame the actors. They had very little to work with. I haven't read the book, but I hear it's not much better than the movie, so I don't believe I'll bother with it. There are some books that should not be turned into movies because it tends to ruin the story. There are some books that shouldn't be turned into movies because they just aren't worth the effort. Actually, there are some stories that should not be published in books for the same reason. This definitely fell into the latter category.

Crucify me over this if you like, but you can generally get a feeling for what a movie will be like based on the previews that precede it. This DVD featured animated and 3D film previews. And one horror, I believe. Like the people who made the DVD couldn't quite make up their mind - and how could they? The movie itself has elements of both (very poorly done and integrated) and doesn't fit into either.

Current Mood:

annoyed

There is a problem with being invincible. You convince people that you are capable of anything and everything, because most of what you take on is easy for you, even when it might not be for someone else. People get impressed. People get used to that level of achievement from you. And when the time comes for you to face something you know in your heart you cannot handle, people just shrug and move along. Because they don't expect you to fail; don't realize that you might need help. And when you ask for it, they laugh as if you've just made a joke.

There are obstacles that can be overcome if you just try, give it your best. Attack from any and every direction you can, and eventually, you will fight your way through to the other side, stronger for the experience. But there are also those that will kill you in some small or large way in the process. You don't need to have faced that many of those to recognize them. You know to avoid them as long as you can, because, whether you make it through or not, you know it will leave you forever changed.

My entry into this country, and the four years of high school that followed, was such an obstacle for me. I knew, from the moment I set foot in that school, that it might just be the end of an era. Unfortunately, there'd been no way to avoid it. And even more unfortunately, I had been right. Less than two years it took to completely undo the previous thirteen years of my life and personal development. I came out of it, not just feeling different on the inside - smaller, timid, more frightened and shy - but acting different on the outside. I had people who'd known me my entire life telling me I'd used to be different; used to have a mind of my own and not be afraid to speak it and act it. I'd been intimidated into someone I didn't recognize and didn't like.

It's six years later and I am still reclaiming parts of myself I'd lost in the process. Some, I have to wonder if I'll ever get back.

The obstacle I am facing now - one of them, anyway - might seem small in comparison, but it is an obstacle to a part of me I don't think I could live without. Not without serious and major consequences. It is an obstacle I have to face on my own, because there is no one who can help me through it. And it is one I have to overcome in order to be what I long to be. It might break me if I don't make it through. It will slowly disintegrate me if I don't try.

And all I can think is, it shouldn't be this hard. The system is flawed, if unworthy individuals can get through, if only the put on a nice smile and sing a nice song; tell those in charge what they want to hear, rather than what is actually true. I may need to become someone I don't recognize or like again, just to claim who I want to be. And I have to ask myself: Will it be worth it in the end? Will I be able to keep myself from forgetting that this unpleasant, disingenuine person is only a temporary mask I have to wear?

Or will this whole thing turn into Jericho's relentless pursuit of the Book and once I attain what I seek, I'll no longer want what I'd wanted to use it for in the first place? He was willing to give up his pursuit once he'd realized the futility of it. Will I even be able to do that? Or will I give up completely, perceiving danger where there is none?

Current Mood:

worried

One week and finals left of school. I can't believe it's so close to being over! It went by way faster than I expected - and I did a lot of work! Of course, my professors are mixing things up and changing the schedule at the last minute, which I probably should be paying more attention to, but most of my work is finished anyway, so... really I have nothing to worry about, except cramming for the exams.

I've been having really long dreams that continue even when I wake in the middle and then fall back asleep, but due to my current muddle-headedness, I can't remember any of them. Did get one teeny tiny conversation snippet, which I will be posting presently, but that's about it. I'm hoping I'll get the chance to finish some stuff (a LOT of stuff) soon.

1: What would you say if I told you I was a god?
2: I'd say you're not the only guy who thinks so.
1: But what if I knew thing I couldn't possibly know? Like... (whispers)
2: (shrug) Give me an alternative.
1: We're in a bar. Alternatives abound.
2: I need a multi-purpose solution. If I'm gonna have a guy eating up all my food and free time, he'd better have more than just one use.

----
Girl: I'll go fix the circuit breakers.
Guy: No, I'll go fix the circuit breakers.
Girl: Okay, I'll get the bags, then.
Guy: (stops her) For once, can you just be a girl?
(spider falls on Girl)
Girl: (screams in a mad fit and swats at the spider)
Guy: Nice try. A little over the top, though.

----
1: Can we talk?
2: Sure, let's go to the living room.
1: Why not here?
2: Because you have the scent of another female on you and I'm very territorial.
1: Again, with the animal analogies. Okay, what if I had your scent on me, would that work?
2: You want to borrow my perfume and see? I never figured you for the Spring Blooms type.
1: ... I can't tell if you're trying to be funny, or just being a virgin.
2: I was being sarcastic.
1: If you say so...

 

Current Mood:

amused

I will post a recap of the trip somewhere, but right now I just do not feel like it. Been doing hw and project work all day so I can rest tomorrow and Wednesday and recouperate before my Thursday presentation. *sigh*

I didn't get my midterm back in my Networks class but I did find out that the link to an ideas page for our project that I thought was just meant as a helpful tool was actually mandatory. There was no due date, though, so I put some stuff on there as soon as I got home, but he could have let us know he wanted us to do that.

And Info Systems. We had a project, but this was almost all my fault. And the professor's. We chose our topic and then had to flip for them. My group lost our first choice, and someone else was writing things down, so he turned in our second choice. I looked at it a week later and it seemed off. I was sure we'd chosen something else, so I told my team, told that guy to resubmit the memo, and we got to work on the "actual" project. It was confusing as hell, and I couldn't reason it out from the material he gave us - the description of what the company did.

In class, it turned out that what we'd originally submitted was the part we were really assigned, so all the work we've done was wrong. I did my best to change it while another group presented, but I wanted to present, because I needed his feedback. And this was just a runthrough anyway. So we presented, he gave us feedback, only half of which I understood. I was so mad at myself because I'd thought I was done with this and now I have to redo it. After class, I went to talk to him and I FINALLY got answers to the big questions and now I get what we have to do - and it's actually a lot simpler than what we'd originally done. But this, of course, was liberally seasoned with pointless mumbles and off topic stories.

Add to that, my team members from another group can't do what they were assigned, so after I'd done my part, I now have to do theirs too to pick up the slack.

I am so done with this day...

Current Mood:

pissed off