This is the truth; my truth.

I'm Getting Married!

2006-08-17T11:54:00.000-04:00

So, I've given you the scoop on the engagement. I'm getting married!

We've set a date: October 13, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. We will be married (weather permitting, of course) on the lawn of Quidnessett Country club, with our guests facing the ocean.

And yes, this is a photo of the actual place. No clue who these people are, though. ^_^ If it rains, we will be married on the deck of the building. Hopefully it'll be nice out, but if not, we'll be ok. The room for our reception is also really nice. I'm so excited to be able to see all of my family and friends all in one place!

Absences continued....

2006-08-12T10:15:00.000-04:00

You all hate me now. You know that you can't count on me to post faithfully. Old Faithful I am not. Lo siento. Mea culpa... mea ultima culpa.

So since January... I'll give you the recap and you can see for yourselves how insane my life has been in the past eight months. (Why does it seem like my hiatuses... erm... hiatii??? Anyway... they always last about eight months or so. Odd.)

*February 11 --> Nik breaks up with me. Lovely. Four years of my life down the tube. I'm left confused and wondering what it is that I did wrong.

*February 18 --> Nik comes back and asks for me to let him move back in with me. He tells me he wants to come clean, and admits to having slept with a girl he worked with some time in the middle of January. Oh, and he also once made out with one of my best friends when they were drunk the previous year. Hmmmmm. So - to take him back or not to take him back. There IS NO QUESTION. Duh. I told him sorry.... but no. Nonetheless, a hard time to go through.

*February - April --> I write and present my senior thesis topic, which was THE BOMB, I will say. I wrote about Harry Potter as the modern version of the classic hero, managing to fulfill the hero archetypes with flair and originality. Good times. 30 pages of quality work, my friends. And an awesome presentation to boot. Or so I'm told.

*April 21 --> Scott, (you may remember him from now-archived posts), an awesome friend of mine, comes with me to an Audiocentrix show in Warwick. I had been discussing the idea of a relationship with him, since I had always been fond of him, and he had been stubbornly refusing the idea of a relationship. (Read his take on all of this HERE.) This night changes his mind.

*April 22 --> A Saturday. I present my Thesis before the Salve English department and my peers in the English Literature and Eng. Communications majors. Scott comes, since he had promised months before that he would come to listen to me speak on Harry Potter - he being a fellow fan and all. He joins my mother (who came from NH) in the audience, and we go to lunch afterwards. Mom heads home. Scott stays in Tina's apartment and tells me of his decision to give it a shot between us. We've been together since.

*April - July --> Things progress quickly due to a close friendship prior to dating.

*July 9 --> Scott brings me on a weekend trip to Block Island and surprises me with a five-course, gourmet, candlelit dinner for two on the beach. Just before the dessert course arrives, he gets on one knee and asks me to marry him. I accept. (In between sobs of joy. ^_^)

*August 5 --> Scott and I drive to NH to see a breeder who has Pug puppies. I purchase Isabel. We are now a family of three. ^_^

No Perfect Attendance For Me... Again

2006-01-07T08:21:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! My apologies about the delay... I've been back to working full time at the Credit Union while school is out for the winter break. Busy, busy me! Eventually I'll be back to posting... um.... sorta daily. Hee hee. Sometimes I miss those days when all I did was sit at home and blog. (But it's oh-so-much-better now that I'm making the dough... and not cookie dough like last year.)

So, I do still have much to talk about, but it's 8:20 and work starts at 8:30. Don't worry... the Credit Union is located right behind my backyard. ^_^ Have a lovely weekend!

Rest in Peace

2005-12-27T19:06:00.000-05:00

It's been another week since I've posted. You guys must be getting sick of me. I guess I should wish you all a very belated Merry Christmas. I wish that this year I could have filled this space with the happy greetings and delighted posts that I was able to last year around this time. This year, however, was much different...

Three days before Christmas I received a call from my mother at 8:00 in the morning before work. She was crying, but she managed to tell me that a close friend from back home had died suddenly. Mike Blanchette was a dear friend whom I have known since the fifth grade. He was close to many of us, and he will be missed more than words can say.

So needless to say, this Christmas was the worst in my life. I wish that I had better things to pass on to you all. Please keep Mike's family and girlfriend in your prayers. It will not be easy to move on without him.

Wendy's - My Love/Hate Relationship

2005-12-20T22:54:00.000-05:00

Turns out you all might get to hear about what I've been so secretive about much earlier than I originally thought. Big day is tomorow, the 21st. Let's leave it at that for now. Hopefully you'll have the news by the new year..... enough about that.

So we went to Wendy's tonight... yuuuummm-O. I love Wendy's burgers. I like fast food in general.... (sorry Bathroom Reading, who is a strictly kosher eater...) But as much as I love Wendy's, I hate eating inside. I feel like I'm back in kindergarten with those tiny-ass chairs and tables. Nik and I are both tall with very long legs, so when we sit at those things we feel like we're in each others' laps... (Which is nice if you're not busy trying to consume large amounts of fat and grease... but since we ARE trying to eat, it bugs me.)

Those trays are like the size of my little toe... I guess it makes it look like you've got more food, but our food hardly ever even fits on it.

Also, I noticed something in there that I knew, immediately, that I would have to let you all in on. (You know these moments in everyday life when you stop and say to yourself - I MUST BLOG ABOUT THIS LATER.) So I noticed that LITERALLY the last three times I've been to Wendy's (in different towns, mind you) one thing has occurred each time in all three places.

There are two ketchup dispensers. Two very large, ketchup-containing containers (heh).... and each time... I always try to get my ketchup out of the one to the right... and it's ALWAYS empty. When I go to the one on the left, it's always full and I am able to fill up at this station. Perhaps everyone attempts the right-hand side first. Strange..... also useless. But still interesting.

Congratulations... you've wasted another 45 seconds of your life reading meaningless crap..... my meaningless crap. :)

6 Days Till Christmas!?!?!?

2005-12-19T13:00:00.000-05:00

I can't even believe that Christmas is almost here. Before we know it, the whole holiday season will be over and gone. This is my favorite time of year, as evidenced by my December 2004 archives. This year I've had less time for anticipation - classes ended later, and I'm working full time over my Christmas Break. (40 hours a week = equals sweeeeeeeet $$$$)

There are lots of possible new changes that could occur over the next couple of weeks - I am not at liberty to discuss, but be rest assured that as soon as (or if) anything happens, you all will be informed. Let's just say that the future is starting to unfold before my eyes, and I am thrilled. (P.S. - Let's make things clear... this is not in reference to a ring, which many friends have been inquiring about for like two years now... this is about something much, much different. Oh... and not a baby either. Yet. Hopefully.)

So now that you know what it ISN'T.... Hee hee. On that note, I have to get back to work. Gosh, I even spend my lunch break with you fools. Much love! ^_^

Cookie Recipe

2005-12-14T20:57:00.000-05:00

I sooooo wish I could take credit for this..... but it's funny, and my brother emailed it to me. If I know you all AT ALL, I'm pretty sure you'll love this.

Christmas Cookies

Christmas Cookie Ingredients:
1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
lemon juice
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Directions:
*Sample the Cuervo to check quality.
*Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again. (To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.)
*Turn on the electric mixer...Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
*Add one teaspoon of sugar...Beat again.
*At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK. Try another cup ... just in case.
*Turn off the mixerer thingy.
*Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
*Pick the frigging fruit off floor...
*Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.
*Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.
*Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Check the Jose Cuervo.
*Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
*Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.
*Greash the oven.
*Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.
*Don't forget to beat off the turner.
*Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

CHERRY MISTMAS

Santa. Pleaaaaaase???

2005-12-12T18:43:00.000-05:00

Last year, around this time, I posted with a similar request regarding a puppy that I wanted for Christmas. This year is no different, however my demands are much more specific. A pug. I want one soooooo much!!! Okay. Now that that's out of my system, I can go Christmas shopping.

P.S. Of course, he/she will need one of these to wear. ^_^

P.P.S. Okay. I'm really done now.

HNT!!!

2005-12-08T12:15:00.000-05:00

HALF NEKKID THURSDAY ^_^

p.s. You can see the reflection of me in my eye. Weirdness. And you can also see that I have a spot of brown in those baby blues.

The View From Where I Sit

2005-12-07T23:22:00.000-05:00

Errr... this week has been the last week of classes. Next week is finals week. This means, of course, that everything is due this week as well as next week. This means that what you see in this photo is pretty much what I will be seeing in front of my face for the next week. Laptop, with essay up on the screen; open book for reference; and cup of warm beverage. Beverage usually consists of one of the following:

* hot apple cider

*hot chocolate (knowing what I still have due, I'm thinking the bottle of Bailey's is looking mighty good for this one)

*if I'm feeling really in need of a boost, I'll treat myself to a Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks

I'm very much looking forward to next Thursday. By then all assignments will be in, all essays written, all finals failed... (kidding). Someone save me.

Man of the House

2005-12-07T23:01:00.000-05:00

This, like the Capri Suns below, is not a staged photo. This all began when Lindsay announced that she needed to iron her dress clothes for her job fair in NYC. When Nik saw her confusion with the iron, he offered (jokingly.. sorta) that he could do it for her. Being that it was Lindsay, she of course zeroed into this comment and told him that he could iron them for her. And so, he began to iron her pants.

Lindsay, downstairs in the living room, messaged Colleen (pictured to the right, in pink), who was up on the third floor of the house, and told her that Nik was doing her ironing. No less than 45 seconds later, Colleen was downstairs with her pants she had been intending to iron for her presentation the next day. She hadn't gotten around to it, and Nik's ironing pile had grown by an extra pair of khakis. ^_^

*Ironing tally*

1 pair of black pants, 1 dress shirt
1 pair of khaki pants

This information may cause many questions to arise amongst you... first of all... why didn't I give him any of my clothes to iron while he was at it?? Good question. I have no idea. Another question: why is he ironing on the dining room table? If you ever tried to iron on our ironing board, you'd understand.

A "special" Capri Sun

2005-12-05T22:37:00.000-05:00

When Lindsay opened a box of those delicious Capri Sun juice drinks this evening, (you know the ones - a silvery, opaque pouch in order to save money on artificial coloring) she had no idea that she was about to encounter the most well-endowed juice drink EVER.

Take a look at this picture. Please be aware that this is exactly how the drink came out of the box. I wonder if we won a prize.... This is no ordinary juice drink. He's special, and we're not drinking him. We're gonna put him on display. We're fans of excess. :)

And..... more Toblerone

2005-12-04T19:40:00.000-05:00

That week was a busy one. Sorry about the lack of post-age (no stamps? hmmm) from this past week. Speaking of postage, I finally got my Toblerone in the mail from Bathroom Reading! Yay for that nougat-y goodness... *wink* Thanks so much!! You are too awesome.

The other day I was at BJ's Wholesale for some groceries and I just so happened to wander into the candy section. Oh. Wow. That's a LOT of candy, peeps. (Hee hee - get it? Candy? Peeps? Awww never mind... Moocow will understand.) So anyway, I was in candy heaven. And what to my wondring eyes did appear?? Toblerone... That's right. Who knew you could find that here?? Of course, you'd have to buy enough to stock up your own candy store in order to get any, but I may have to consider it.

Give Me the Booger. An ode to mommyhood.

2005-11-28T15:11:00.000-05:00

For one of the best. Sites. Evaaarrr, go to Give Me the Booger. She's a Mom, obviously, since her title is in reference to one of a mom's most glamorous jobs - preventing little ones from eating their own boogers, putting their boogers on items of furniture (or elsewhere around the house), or better yet --> putting their boogers on YOU when you aren't looking. Hence, Give Me the Booger. I love it.

In honor of SJMom's site, I googled "booger" on Google Images, and found this 'lil tike. *Giggle* Mommyhood... isn't it grand??

The funny thing about the GMtB situation is that while watching a child pick his/her nose, we don't want to stop them. We want to allow them to explore this to the best of their ability. However, once they find the buried treasure, and are successful at retrieving it (alas, sometimes the hardest part), we wait still longer to see what will happen. There are many things that could occur at this point.... Allow me to illustrate. (You know you all love this, and can't wait to hear what I have to say about boogies...)

Little one extracts boogie and examines it closely, noting how jauntily it sticks to the end of his/her little fingie (little fingers = fingies). From this point, one of many occurrences are likely to ensue:

(1) perhaps most likely - They will put it directly, without hesitation, into their mouth. (Mom/Dad attempts retrieval from mouth, and tells little one not to eat boogies. Ewww gross, hunnie!)

(2) They will examine it closely, with a tiny furrowed brow... you can see the wheels turning, too. After sufficient examination time has passed, "Give Me the Booger" is appropriate.

(3) They will give a surreptitious, sidelong glance in your (mommy/daddy) direction, and slowly inch the finger toward their mouth... this is most likely to occur after several instances of number (1).

(4) They will go back for more with another fingie, leaving previously found treasure chillin on the other fingie.

(5) Proud at their discovery, they will run right up to mommy/daddy with fingie outstreched, boogie perched at the very tip. "Give Me the Booger" is appropriate here, as well.

So go to GMtB and check out her site. She writes excellently and intuitively about life, love, and the pursuit of.... boogers. *wink*

Ahem.. don't mind that last post...

2005-11-28T13:59:00.000-05:00

Somehow... only lord knows why - (and perhaps a Blogger expert) that last post managed to screw with the programming of my entire Blogger dashboard... for a good 24 hours I could not even delete the post or edit it. If anyone saw it - my apologies. For those who didn't - thank god. :)

More later, but I just wanted to mention that. And now back to your regularly scheduled programming......

p.s. Serra - you are NOT a poor blogger. Your site kicks bum! :)

The Prodigal Daughter Returns

2005-11-27T15:44:00.000-05:00

I'd like to thank you all so much for the warm welcome back to the blogging world! Everyone has been so awesome, I feel like I've returned home after a long time away. I feel like the Prodigal Daughter... *wink* You guys, breaking out the fatted calf for little ole me?!?! You rock.

I'd like to point you all in the direction of someone whose comment I highly appreciated... moethatsme had perhaps one of the most sincerely kind (not that I didn't LOVE and LAUGH hysterically at Therese's comments) and thought-out comments I've received to this date.... Although, I did much appreciate Scott and Sarah's additions to my HB4 GoSPoC list. (Bathroom Reading very appropriately and expertly renamed the movie thus: Harry Potter IV, Goblet of Steaming Pile of Crap). As I was saying before I so rudely interrupted myself, Moe was awesome... And Harry Potter (book) fans worldwide will love her comment:

"I have not jumped on the Potter Bandwaggon to date, though I admit I've enjoyed the films for the 'entertainment' value. That being said, you've given me a very good reason to review my plan not to read the books. It was not that I didn't enjoy the concept... it was the HARRY HYPE that had me disinterested. Knowing that the richness of the first two films (the third one was a bit lackluster for me too) was only the tip of the iceberg didn't prompt me to track down the hard tomes, but your post here has changed my mind." (My italics.)

*Five-minute Happy Dance ensues in Tina's living room* Moe, I am SO holding you to that comment. You absolutely MUST read the books, themselves. You will come to understand what the Harry Hype is all about. It's not because we're a cult. (We're not, right?!? *Therese-like giggle*) It's because Rowling's works are a level of "amazing" that is unprecedented in the literary world. Honestly.

I am officially asking any loyal HP/Rowling fans (soooo shamelessly stealing BR's idea.... without the candy reward) to go to Moe's blog and beg her to read these books rather than relying on the movies for the storyline. You'll never be the same. I'm not even exaggerating. You all know I would, but I don't have to in this case.

Half-Nekkid Thursday!

2005-11-23T20:03:00.000-05:00

At first, I was slightly confused by Bathroom Reading's posts entitled HNT. I almost asked him, because I had no idea what the heck he was getting at. All I could see was that he was posting random pictures of random body parts (eyes, hands, feet... keep your minds out of the gutter).

So, I googled "Half-Nekkid Thursdays" when I read an old post of BR's in which he did not use an acronym but actually spelled it out. I found the person who is, I believe, the originator of HNT. Click on the box in the sidebar that says Half-Nekkid Thursdays, and it should redirect you to his website, in which he fully explains all aspects of this lovely game.

Can I just say that I love it when people substitute the word "nekkid" for "naked" or "nude"??? I don't know why. The word nekkid makes me think of various situations:

1.) Someone is nekkid when they have been stumbled upon in their nakedness. As in, "OMG you're.... you're.... nekkid!"

2.) A child is never naked when they're running around the house, still wet and soapy from their bath... they're "come back here you little goose!!! You're nekkid!"

3.) When someone streaks at a party, or someone takes off clothes randomly... they're nekkid, or in the process of getting nekkid.

4.) You're never nekkid when you're alone and no one knows of your nudity. Then, you're naked, but the second you tell someone of your lack of clothing, you become nekkid.

5.) When friends enter your room unannounced, to wake you up for something (not that this has happened to me in particular, right Lindsay??), and they realize you are uncovered and not wearing PJ's.... "Jesus, Tina, you're f*%king NEKKID!!!"

So yes. Half-Nekkid Thursdays, as explained by the dude who started it all, does not mean (necessarily) that you are nekkid. It's showing parts of you to your blogger world. Hopefully my attempts to participate don't get out of control. *wink* Hee hee.

Toblerone

2005-11-23T15:58:00.000-05:00

It seems that there is a contest in action in celebration of my return to the blogging world. Whodathunk??? Thanks to a faithful reader of the past (aka about seven months ago - sorry everyone), Bathroom Reading, a contest for the best welcome-back comment posted to my blog is afoot. (Actually the contest is a Toblerone. Never mind.)

So this will explain Therese's unadulterated praise of me in the HP post's comments. Not that I don't deserve it, *wink* but for Toblerone, people will do anything. Aaaanything, you ask??? Pervs.

Many thanks to BR for his incredibly kind post about my return. I am flattered. I am also convinced that life is better when blogging. It reinforces my faith in humanity, since there are surprisingly many, honest-to-goodness, nice people out there. Funny as hell, some of 'em. Moocow, Therese, Anonymous Coworker, Mr. K.... the list is quite extensive.

It feels great to be back. I may try to figure out a way to get a photoblog going, since I live in one of the most amazing cities in the U.S. - Newport, RI. There are definitely some amazing photo opportunities here. Especially once the holidays get going. You can all have a virtual tour of the Newport Mansions' Christmas decorations...

Anywho, since the reward is Toblerone, I strongly recommend you all get going on this contest here. ^_^

Top Reasons How Warner Brothers Destroyed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

2005-11-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

Um, yeah. The title pretty much explains my angst. When I saw this movie with my good friend, Scott, (and another co-worker, Deb) we almost cried. Upon arriving, we would have expected those tears to be tears of ecstatic joy at finally seeing this fourth movie.... we were sadly mistaken. As fierce Harry Potter fans, I am sure that we were difficult to please. However, the list of what we liked about the movie has only a few aspects to it. Our list of why it was an AWFUL travesty to the HP world - this list could go on for pages and pages....

First, let me say how much it truly does sadden me to even feel the need to compile a list of this kind in the first place. My deepest condolences to my amazing role model, Jo Rowling. I can only imagine the sadness you must have felt to see one of your life's works so very altered and ruined.

And so, the list begins. Please feel free to comment and add to this list... I will edit this post with your additions as long as they keep coming in. (And, truthfully, as long as I see fit.)

TOP REASONS WHY WARNER BROS SHOULD LOSE ALL RIGHTS TO FURTHER PRODUCTIONS OF J.K. ROWLING'S INCREDIBLE SERIES.....

1.) It became quite clear, not 10 minutes into this film, that this rendition of the novel was not to be what fans expected it to be. After a promising computer-animated shot of the stadium for the Quidditch World Cup, everything went downhill. While the cheap seats at normal sporting events are in the nosebleed section, a game in which ALL of the action is in the AIR require the excellent seats to be the highest up... yet the Malfoy family makes fun of the Weasley family's seats being so high that they must keep climbing. Also, the Weasleys and Harry were not sitting with the Malfoys as in the novel. It became clear at this point that Winky would not exist in this movie, since she would have been an important part of the Quidditch World Cup scene.

2.) What happened to the ENTIRE world cup game??? None of the action was shown... quite a disappointment.

3.) When Death Eaters show up at the after-game celebration (wearing garb mysteriously similar to the KKK robes and hoods, which is actually quite accurate), Harry is nowhere near a forest, and is knocked unconscious in the excitement. He awakens to actually SEE Barty Crouch Jr make the Dark Mark in the sky. For those of you who are not fans, this is NOT how the action of this book takes place.

4.) Ummmm..... Barty Jr. is portrayed as a snake-like, cocky, arrogant bastard in the pensieve memories of Dumbledore. Rowling purposefully described him as begging his father to believe that he was innocent of his charges. In this movie he is angry and spiteful toward his father who angrily, and apparently rightfully disowns an unworthy son. Rowling's entire storyline with Crouch having to make a difficult decision for the sake of his career was destroyed. Details of Crouch's wife and his son making a switch in Azkaban using Polyjuice potion for transformation - all deleted.... I'm shocked that Hollywood did not capitalize on such an amazing, dramatic storyline.

5.) In the very first scenes of this movie, Barty Crouch Jr is added to the scene in which Wormtail and Voldemort plot to find Harry and use him to their advantage. Crouch, Jr was NOT a part of this storyline.... and there was no need to make him a part of it. As Scott so thoughtfully pointed out, these directors feel the need to make all villains blatantly evil. Evil people wear black, and good people wear white. They don't understand the concept (nor do they trust the viewing audience to be intelligent enough to realize) that not all villains are clearly evil. Especially in Rowling, it is important (as a moral to her stories) that they do not be obvious. There was no need to make Barty Jr so clearly evil. A young boy caught up in the excitement of evil behavior is something that people understand. Warner Brothers apparently thinks we are all stupid.

6.) There were several words in this movie which were mispronounced. Rowling and her publicity people deliberately provided Scholastic (their American publishers) with pronunciation keys for their website.... one can click on various Harry Potter words to hear their correct pronunciations. Apparently the directors did not bother to do any research into this aspect of production. Accio is NOT pronounced Akkkkio. (Sorry for the stress on the Ks, but it was painful to hear it said this way on film....) It is pronounced AH-see-oh. Also, I'm fairly positive that a French school such as Beauxbatons would not pronounce it Bo-BAT-ons. How very American. BO-ba-tone. Or something like it. Jeez.

7.) As Scott and I also discussed, Minerva McGonagall is a VERY important character in this series. It was awful to see the director ADD a very rude gesture on part of Mad-eye Moody in the Malfoy-ferret scene (which we did enjoy, just for the sake of seeing Malfoy as a bouncy little ferret). What, I ask you, was the point of having Moody pull a face at McGonagall's back once she chastises him for using Transfiguration as punishment on students???? Something like this may seem harmless for the sake of a laugh, HOWEVER this should never have been done to the McGonagall character. It is of utmost importance for her to be treated with respect, since she is meant to be treated as a close confidante of Dumbledore. Seeing the director add this aspect to an already amusing scene was shameful... he might as well have had teachers make rude faces at Dumbledore......

8.) Ooooooh wait..... they DID DESTROY THE DUMBLEDORE CHARACTER AS WELL. I'm so mad about this one, I don't know if I should even discuss it. When, I ask you..... did Albus Dumbledore become an angry ("SILENCE!!!" was a line shouted by this character several times in this film) wizard???? Since when has Dumbledore ever needed to be angry in order to quiet his students? Why was he portrayed as royally pissed off and convinced that Harry had put his name in the Goblet of Fire???? In the film, he actually SHOOK Harry in anger. What happened to the fatherly, concerned figure of the novels? And WHAT WAS UP WITH THE PENSIEVE SCENE??? Am I the only one who noticed that he is portrayed as a bumbling idiot who "doesn't know how to handle" all the thoughts in his head? He sits down and pours his confused heart out to a fourteen year old boy. Ahem. NOT EVEN CLOSE to the novel. Of all characters.... they had to destroy Dumbledore??

9.) I can understand deleting scenes and characters for the sake of time constraints. I cannot understand ADDING a completely useless and contrived scene such as the Gryffindor dancing lessons with McGonagall. I do believe that her explanation for the lessons in the film was that she did not want her students shaming the name of Goddric Gryffindor with their lack of culture.... Um... As Scott pointed out, since when has dancing ability been added to the list of a Gryffindor's traits??? Perhaps the Sorting Hat omitted that part in its first song in the Philosopher's Stone.... the song actually went like this:

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
But if you cannot dance the dance
You'll seek another spot.
Those Gryffindors can cut a rug
Without a second thought.

Clearly the directors knew something about the requirements for this house that we didn't. Yikes. Dancing indeed.

10.) Um... Neville and his dancing around the dormitory?? Whatever man. At this point we are all so numb to the changes that have been made that we don't even care... Well, we do - but this is only minor compared to the damage they've done in various other areas.

11.) The Beauxbatons ladies doing the Macarena?!?!?!?? This is TOTALLY going too far. We went from a quite excellent Yule Ball dancing scene in which students open the night with a very Elizabethan dance in which the male partners lift up their female partners... to the Beauxbatons girls doing a Latin, Americanized Macarena party dance. At this point I wanted to be shot in the foot. I actually hid my face in poor Scott's shoulder. It was more than we could bear. I know that there are many more things which I will remember, and any further things I recall will be edited and added at the end of this post... along with reader comments and additions....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Edit Numero Uno:
After Bathroom Reading's comment, regarding pronunciation questions, I've decided to provide the link to the Scholastic website I was discussing earlier.... click on the link and at the bottom left of the page is a pronunciation key. If you click on it, there is a list of all of the words with questionable pronunciations.... this list includes both Accio and Beauxbatons. Accio is, as I thought, pronounced AH-see-oh. Not ACK-ee-oh as they made Daniel Radcliffe say it in HP4. Also, most laughably... Beauxbatons is pronounced the French way: BO-bat-ons. NOT AT ALL Bo-BAT-ons. Yikes.

Edit Numero Dos:
MORE REASONS, A LA SARAH (copied and pasted from her actual comment), WHY THIS MOVIE WAS A HORRIBLE RENDITION OF THE HP4 NOVEL:

1. No Dobby. What are they going to do about him in the next movie?

2. No Winky. No SPEW, therefore, there's no reason for Herminone to appreciate Kreacher in the fifth book. He's horrible!

3. Crappy Wannabe Dumbledore. He would not yell at the students.

4. No Ludo Bagman; everything Bagman did they made Crouch do. How silly. Next movie maybe they'll replace Dobby with Professor Flitwick, and he can collect Hermione's knitted hats and scarves!

5. Too much dancing, and too much of the Yule Ball in general, with no explanation as to WHY Ron "Ruined everything" for Hermione.

6. Not enough Hogwarts. THey were in one class for 5 minutes.

7. Useless shots of things like: the beaubatons girls' butts; a crow; the ceiling of the Great Hall; etcetera.

8. No storyline behind Hermione's hatred of Rita Skeeter.

9. No reason for Hermione to blackmail Rita in the next movie since... apparently she is NOT an unregistered animagus.

10. Dumbledore's touching speech at the end about the "really terrible loss" of Cedric. It's a tear-jerker.

11. Harry woke up at the burrow... not Number 4 Privet Drive. Was he there all summer? no! Apparently the Weasley family didn't emerge from uncle Vernon's fireplace.

12. Everyone hates Harry for... thirty seconds of the movie instead of half the book.

13. Cedric was a ponce in the movie! He was supposed to be noble, and fair. Instead he was the typical teenager.

14. Large screen cuts that left out important plot detail, and left the movie feeling unfinished and unexplained.

15. Moaning Myrtle is a perve. There was no need for her to stare at Harry's crotch and go under the bubbles while in the Prefect's bathroom.

16. People cared about Cedric's death for about, 5 minutes, if that, and then everyone was smiling and happy again. It's craziness, I tell you!

The ONE Campaign

2005-07-06T18:23:00.000-04:00

Please visit www.one.org and sign the declaration to join Americans and people worldwide in the fight against poverty. There is no expectation for donations, however I have purchased the ONE armbands if anyone would like to purchase one for $1. It is time for the United States and countries across the world to unite in the battle to fight AIDS and hunger. The cost of a single music album on CD - generally $16 - is enough money to put one child in Africa through school for an entire year... this is including books, uniforms, and tuition. For the price of one meal at McDonalds, one could pay for a child's tuberculosis medicine and treatment for 6 months. As Americans, we forget how much our money is worth worldwide. ONE dollar is more than some African families survive on for an entire year. It's time something is done.

Sign the petition to get your voice out there.
Wear an armband to increase awareness.
Host a banner on your blog or website.
Pray for our world's leaders as they meet today, July 6 2005, to discuss these matters.....

My Long Absence

2005-03-26T14:46:00.000-05:00

So last week I was in Florida, visiting my grandparents. And the week before that I was swamped with midterms and assignments. Craziness. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I had an excellent time in South Pasadena, FL. I left Friday, March 18, and I just got back last night. Good food, relaxation, good books, and a couple of Coronas with lime.... Spring Break from heaven; Tina style. My good books, of course, consisted of Mrs. Dalloway and The Hours. Since I've had so much work in my regular classes thus far, I hadn't had time to do the reading for our workshop. Needless to say, after hours of free time this week, my reading is completed. How excellent. I highly recommend both novels to anyone interested in the writing of Virginia Woolf.

Despite the warm weather down south, I was one of two people who would go in the unheated pool the entire week. Only a man who was originally from Cape Cod (and myself) would swim in it. The water was about 60 degrees, but it was excellent. Lay in the sun, get toasty, dive in the pool and cool off, and lay back down. That was the routine. Of course, I have terrible luck with weather, so there were only three nice days for swimming. Thursday, after I had had enough with waiting for the weather to improve, I spent the day at the beach and in the pool despite the intimidating cloud cover.

Interestingly, my friend Candice was also in the same area that I was this week. Her grandparents are a bit younger, and they live about 10 minutes from my grandparents! On one day (Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday.. I can't remember) my grandmother and I visited with Candice and her family. We spent the afternoon in the pool and in the sun. It felt so awesome to be meeting up with a friend while down there. Colleen and Kelly were also in Florida, but they were too far away, in Fort Lauderdale, to visit them. Hopefully everyone had an excellent time!

Our new kitty

2005-03-07T13:23:00.000-05:00

This is Merlin, our new kitten. Well, Lindsay and Oz's kitten, but I love him already!! He took a nap when I was petting his belly. We put Lindz's Nokia cell phone next to him so you all can see how little he is. :) So cute, I can't even handle it!

The 21st Birthday Celebration

2005-03-07T01:24:00.000-05:00

What a weekend. Such a great time. My Mom came Thursday, as promised, with my Aunt Sue (who lives in Woonsocket, RI). She brought a surprise with her... my little brother, Tim (not-so-little...six feet tall and 18 years old). I was so pumped! We went out to Applebees for dinner and drinks. Mom, Aunt Sue, me, Tim, Nik, and Colleen. Lindsay came after she got out of work at the Newport P.D. where she is an intern. Also, Nik's sister (Carolyn) came with her fiance, Lou. We had a great time. Those Applebees cocktails are huge! Daaaamn. ^_^

We came back here to the apartment and opened presents... Yay for presents! *wink* And Friday we went to Foxwoods for the day. I won some and lost some. Overall, came out ahead since my Mom made sure I didn't lose any money. Nik, on the other hand... Dammit, Nik! He won $200 on a 50 cent slot machine. We didn't know how much he had won at first, since the payoffs were unclear. Some guy walked over and heard us wondering if we would be needing more cups for the half dollars the machine was pouring out. He told Nik that if he was correct, Nik had just won 400 credits... aka 200 smackers. I thought Nik would cry. He was so excited. We went over and played the tables for awhile as well... Nik played "Acey Ducey" and turned $40 into $80 (with my help... I'm the one in charge of making sure he walks away before his luck turns bad...) Overall, we had a great time.

Last night Nik and I went out alone to a local bar here in Newport. It's called the Rhino Bar and Grille. We went in, sat down, and perused the menu. We noticed a drink called the 70 oz. Rum Punch. It said that it was fit for 7 people. $22. Sounded good to us. I watched the bartender pull out what looked like a giant margharita glass. She filled it with ice, and she then proceeded to pour an incredible amount of liquor into 2 shakers three times in a row (6 shakers altogether)before it was filled to the brim. We drank it with two straws in about 35 minutes. It was sweeeeet! We had intended to go bar-hopping, but after this concoction, we were only up for another small drink at Salas' along with a game of pool before heading home. I highly recommend this one, since if we had each been paying for ourselves, we would have only spent $12.50 apiece... and we were totally gone. What a crazy night! ^_^

Kitty Kitty!!

2005-03-07T01:02:00.000-05:00

I know you are all dying to know what happened on my birthday weekend. (Not too much occurred, other than what I already reported for plans.) However, before I can report on this, as promised, I must contain myself awhile in order to inform my public of the eminent arrival of a new edition. (No, not that kind, Mom.) An edition much like that which appears in the picture provided. That's right, a new kitty!!

Before you all send your letters of appreciation to Nik, this was not his doing. My roommate, Lindsay, is getting a kitten with her boyfriend, Oz. Since our apartment is the only place he's allowed as of now, we get to keep him here in Newport for the rest of the year! He's only just now big enough to be leaving his Momma, so he's still tiny. Lindsay called me tonight to let me know when she was coming home (tomorrow morning), and she had me listen to his little mews over the phone... oh... my... god. What cute little squeaks! *Turning into a pile of mush* He's apparently a light tan... of course you all can count on pictures very soon....

Alcohol On Campus... But Not For Students

2005-03-03T16:39:00.000-05:00

A random thought as I sit here contemplating my newfound alcoholic freedom......

Salve Regina University is a dry campus. No alcohol is allowed on campus at any time. Even if the residents of an on-campus apartment are all of age to drink, alcohol is not permitted. My question is this: When the campus priest goes out to buy the wine for Eucharist (since we are, indeed, a Catholic university), where does he store the wine? Does he store it on campus? If so, is he not in fact breaking one of Salve's favorite rules? Further... I am aware of the Catholic belief that the wine is not really wine... however, according to this tradition the wine only becomes the Holy blood of Christ when the priest blesses it during mass. Does he bless it in his car before driving down Narragansett Avenue? Does he bless it before coming onto campus at all? Hmmmm. Interesting, isn't it?

Don't get me wrong. I agree with having daily mass here. I agree with having the Eucharist with wine, and not fruit juice. I also agree that if this is to be the case, perhaps wine should be allowed in the dorms of those students who are of age. It simply seems hypocritical of our university to take a holier-than-thou stance on the alcohol issue by banning it completely for students (while serving it on campus to dignitaries in the Young Building for international dinner meetings). It's all or nothing. Don't be drinking expensive wine in the ground floor dining room of a student dormitory and turning around to write someone up for having alcohol in their apartments across the street. To quote Chaucer, "And it was from the Gospel he had caught/Those words, and he would add this figure too,/That if gold rust, what then will iron do?"

Food for thought....

I'll Cry If I Want To, But I Don't Wanna

2005-03-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

It's almost midnight and I'm excited about the Big Day. Nik is taking me out to a local Irish pub for some drinks at midnight. Therefore I will not be around at that time to post. So excited! And then I get to go to classes tomorrow as well as four hours of work in the Writing Center before I go out for more drinks with Mom and Aunt Sue.

My Mom called tonight and she has a bit of a head cold. I told her that by the time she leaves this weekend, we'll have killed all those nasty bacteria... She agreed. ^_^ Gonna be a great weekend. I'll post with any lovely pictures we take, as well as a summary of goings-on. Hopefully no stomach pyrotechnics. *wink*

Literature Game

2005-02-26T14:14:00.000-05:00

Ooooooh just read Christie's blog, and now I have to play the new, fun game going around. Christie got it from Texas Biscuit... (To give credit where credit is due.)

Here are the directions:
1. Get the closest book.
2. Turn to page 123.
3. Find the 5th sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences on your blog along with these instructions.
5. Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet!

I didn't even consider it, since this post (as well as the last) is being written in the middle of the mall, via wireless internet connection. Therefore, I couldn't go for any homework books or other intellectual bullcrap. And yes, I always carry my current book with me in my purse. Here she be.... Janet Evanovich's High Five. (Yo, my "Books I Am Currently Reading" column doesn't lie.)

"We better hurry," Grandma said. "I don't want to be late for the viewing. I want to get a good seat right up front, and there'll probably be a crowd, being that the deceased was shot. You know how some people are nosy about that sort of thing."

There was silence at the table, no one daring to make a
comment.

"Well, I guess I might be a little nosy," Grandma finally said.

Since Christie cheated and included more than 3 sentences, I assumed that I could too. Besides, it's funnier when you get the punchline.

The Awaited (and Apparently Alliterative) Anagram Answer!

2005-02-26T13:43:00.000-05:00

If my mother's anxiousness about the anagram is any indication of the impatience of my fellow bloggers, I extend my apologies at this time. Lo siento! So as you know, Amy Vitale of Imperfections had already gotten the answer. Unfortunately for you guys, she was the only one, so no one knew the answer this whole time. Tsk tsk to all you intelligent people out there who didn't take the time to figure it out. The answer is: I Love Acronyms. Not, as Moocow suggested, I Love My Acorns. Clever, though not the answer.

Why do I love acronyms? Oooooh c'mon! They're so much fun. S.N.A.F.U., for example. Situation Normal, All Fucked Up. How excellent. I decided that I love these word-playmates when we had a lecture in my History of the English Language class about them. Unfortunately, we were mistaken regarding the etymology of the F-word. It is a common myth (one that we fell victim to, perhaps out of desire for it to be true) that "fuck" is an acronym for "found under carnal knowledge" or "fornication under consent of the king". How fun it would be! Alas, this is not the case. Drat. This word (one of my favorites, I must shamefully admit) has a somewhat unknown origin. The earliest known use, according to American Heritage and Lighter, predates 1500 and is from a poem written in a mix of Latin and English and entitled Flen flyys.

The relevant line reads:
Non sunt in celi quia fuccant uuiuys of heli.

Translated:
They [the monks] are not in heaven because they fuck the wives of Ely [a town near Cambridge].

We learn something new every day, huh? So back to acronyms. They can be excellent games, as well. For example. Acrophobia. A game in which one plays online against other people. The computer provides random letters and players must come up with a clever acronym for it. Example: computer provides the letters BIC. Player responds: Blogging is cool. Player submits his acronym, and players vote (not on his own) on which is the best. Very fun. Very addictive. To play, go here. There is a list of word games which one can play, the first of which is Acrophobia. I believe you have to Log In with GameZone. It's fun. Try it sometime.

Perhaps my anagram game was simply annoying? No fun for the brain? Let's try this instead. A Blogger version of Acrophobia. I give you the letters, and you all comment with your witty (and oh-so-pure and non-dirty) answers. *wink* I will delete you if I find material inappropriate. It's tempting, though. I'm aware. Refrain thyself. 10-year-olds are Internet saavy these days, and I don't want to get any nasty comments from a concerned mother whose child learned unsavory information from my comment pages. :)

The "acro" for today is:

TINA

Sorry. I couldn't resist. Hey, my birthday is five days away. I take lots of liberties when my birthday is coming. Deal. Hee hee. Have fun with it, and like I said, stay clean. The winner will receive.... um. What? *Thinking....* I will post an entire blog about how awesome you are, therefore sending any visitors that I will get over to your blog... Hey, it's the best I can do. This will be fun. I swear. :)

Until next time, then.....

Fun With Anagrams

2005-02-21T23:35:00.000-05:00

Anagrams are fun. For example, is you rearrange the letters in "blogs rule", one would discover various interesting messages hidden within.

globe slur
sober gull
bluer logs
bulls ergo
slub ogler
rub sell go

And my personal favorite, slob gruel. :) I have waaaay too much time on my hands. (Or so it would seem. This is not actually true, but I got bored!) Now for the fun part: I give you an anagram, and you find the hidden message. Let's see how good you guys are with your letters. Work your brains, folks!

The anagram is: lay scorn movie.

What is the message? No cheating! Do it with your brain...

p.s. *whisper* Nine days left! *wink*

A Depressing Post...sorry.

2005-02-19T14:33:00.000-05:00

I was watching the news the other night and I saw a particularly upsetting scene on my television. (Big surprise, with the news these days.) This was a local story that took place right here in Newport. A three-year-old boy was hit by a car while he was playing outside the other day. Sounds like a typical news story, right? We hear these things all the time. I have many qualms about this, however. I should also say, first, that they were covering the story because he had almost died. He was quite a miracle, it turns out. Indeed, there he was, sitting on his grandmother's lap, with a large bandage on his head. Now for the really disturbing parts...

Okay. The kid is three years old. That's young. That's barely potty trained. Question: Why the hell was the kid playing in the street? I can see how sometimes kids run out into the road, and parents worriedly call them back to the yard. However, from the looks of the interview that the newscaster did with the family, I am highly doubting that an adult was even outside with the child when it happened. The child was sitting in his grandmother's lap, cuddling into her to hide his face shyly from the camera. Grandpa sat next to Grandma, holding one of her hands reassuringly. At first it seemed like this was a case of grandparents taking care of a child. I soon realized that Mom WAS in the room. She was sitting nearby.

What's wrong with this? Mom is still in said child's life... however she is not his mother figure. Clearly, since Grandma was the only one whom he would sit with, she is the one whom he is most comfortable with. Another thing...

When asked about how everything happened, Mom said, "I was in the house and I heard a loud cry. I came running out and I saw him lying on the ground. I could see his skull..." First thing: she was inside. Three-year-old son outside. Problem? Duh. Second thing: She had absolutely no qualms about saying that she could see his skull. No pauses, no voice cracking. No emotion. When they asked Grandpa, however, he responded thus: "I went right over to him and I could see... I could see his, uh... well, you know." An uneducated man? No. An emotional grandfather who couldn't bring himself to say what he had seen happen to his grandchild.

*sigh* Newport is full of these scenarios. Women get pregnant young, their parents take care of the child, and they go out every night, do drugs, and get pregnant again. It's disgusting. The number of grandparents caring for children is outrageously high here. I was blessed. I was also very disturbed by this peek into a local family's life.

Sorry for the depressing post. Lots of homework this weekend, so my mood has gone to poo. Better luck next time.

Birthday Excitement

2005-02-18T11:08:00.000-05:00

Our workshop blog is coming along nicely. I can't wait for the workshop itself! Guess what else I can't wait for? My birthday is in 13 days. Goodness, it's not coming fast enough! I know I shouldn't do that in life...count the days and wish time would move faster. Life comes at us fast enough. However, I'm so impatient about my Mom coming and us going out, that I can't help wishing that this weekend was the weekend we were going...

I talked to my Mom and now we're not only going out for cocktails on Thursday night, but we're also coming back here to the apartment to play cards and have more drinks. Hee hee! It's fun to play "asshole" (a drinking game with cards, for those of you who don't know) with my Mom. Then, Friday, we're going to Foxwoods since I'll finally be 21 and old enough to gamble. Then, as if that wasn't enough, we're going out to eat at my favorite restaurant in the whole, wide world. Ye Olde English, in Woonsocket, RI. This place has the most amazing fish and chips I have ever had. You cannot get fish and chips like this anywhere else in the world. Mmmmm. Nik and I have actually driven there from Newport just to have the fish. Woonsocket is the northernmost town in RI, and Newport is the southernmost. Of course, we're talking RI here so it's still only about a 45 minute drive. Still, it's kind of far for dinner, but it's always worth it!

Paula's Blog and Our Workshop Blog!

2005-02-15T19:44:00.000-05:00

Today I spent the afternoon helping my boss at the Writing Center (hereby rightfully called Paula, since, well...that's her name) update and spruce up her blog. I already linked to her once, and since we worked together to personalize her site, I am adding her to my list of Other Noteworthy Blogs. Therefore you, too, should frequent her site. Her site, although it had its beginning as a place to discuss the workshop she will be leading in April, will hereafter be dedicated to personal themes, ideas, and musings. The workshop discussions have been moved here.

The new blog with discussion about our literary material, has also been added to my list of blogs that I am contributing to. (Well, it's a list now that this one has been added.) That's right! Add this blog to your blogrolls, folks, and feel free to come by and comment. If you like our discussion enough, who knows? Maybe we'll send you an email invitation to join the list of contributors. We'd have to trust you an awful lot, though. You'd better prove yourselves to us! *Smile* So, check out both blogs now in order to hear more from your beloved Tina. *wink*

Valentine, it's love.

2005-02-13T20:06:00.000-05:00

Colleen, Kelly, and I went for a walk on Newport's famous Cliff Walk the other day. It was a bit chilly out (only 35), but it was a beautiful afternoon... None of us had been on the Cliff Walk for some time. It's funny how it's one of the most beautiful and popular sights in town, but Salve students tend to only frequent the walk during their freshman and possibly their sophomore years. When a student lives on campus it is easy to go for a walk there because it's so close. Once we get off campus it becomes a thing of the past. However, we decided to go on over and have another go at the old lowerclassmen standby for a boring afternoon. We really enjoyed ourselves. At least, I know that I did. I took lots of great pictures...

So tomorrow is the big day, huh? Everyone has their names for it. Valentine's Day. Halloween, as Liz Prouty calls it. V.D., for venereal disease (eewwww). I call it Monday. Why? Not only because it's on Monday, but because that is exactly all it will be for me. Nik will be heading out at 10:00 for a job interview, and working. I will be having classes from 2:00 to 7:15, and I will then be working from 7:30-9. So no Valentine's Day for me. Just Monday. My roommate Lindsay should have a good day, however. Her boyfriend, Oz, will be coming for the week. He is also a good friend of mine as well as Nik, so this should be a fun week. It will be their two year anniversary on Valentine's Day. Yay Lindz and Oz!

So, Happy Whatever-You-Call-It to everyone for tomorrow! Enjoy the Monday, and treat yourself to a heart-shaped box of chocolates...even if you don't have a Valentine, you always have love. And that's really what the day is about.

Kool Aid man

2005-02-11T17:36:00.000-05:00

I made some Kool Aid last night for when the girls came over to visit. It's always good to have some juice (or what tastes like juice but is actually sugar, flavor, water, and more sugar) available to entertain company. Stupid Dane Cook. Every time I drink Kool Aid I start thinking about the Dane Cook act where he keeps yelling "Oh yeah!!" Cook does a hilariously funny performance about the Kool Aid man in those old commericals. Perhaps you have seen them. They were mosly before my generation, but I've seen some replays on television. In the old commercials, the Kool Aid man comes busting through walls screaming "Oh yeah!" and the children get excited that Kool Aid man is there. However, he has meanwhile busted some majorly huge holes in some walls that used to be perfectly normal. As far as Dane Cook is concerned, he insists that he would not be thirsty for juice at this point because he would be so scared that his dad would come home and beat his ass for making a mess of the house. If you've never seen Dane Cook perform, I highly recommend it. He is the only comedian I have ever seen who can make me laugh until I have tears in my eyes. So, in order to hear some of Cook's funny stuff, go to the link I provided and audio will automatically come up through the site. You can skip forward or backward through the tracks on the site to hear different skits. If you go to clip 11, you will see that the Kool Aid skit is there. How convenient! Have a listen... it's funny stuff.

Presentations and Dreams

2005-02-10T13:43:00.000-05:00

I just got an email from my boss at the Writing Center (also an esteemed professor here at Salve Regina) and apparently she has started a blog! Yay! It has to do with the workshop she will be leading in early April, which I will be taking. The workshop is called Bridging the Gap: Mrs. Dalloway and the Hours. I can't wait to take this. I wish it was a class that spanned the entire semester. Alas, it will only be a few hours. Anyway, tune into her blog here, and hopefully she will continue to develop it into a full-fledged, many-posted blog before April, so that we can all discuss the materials before we even arrive in the workshop! I'm such a dork.

I want to give many thanks to Moocow, who is not afraid of my Doodle Board. I also want to thank Moocow's "acquaintance" whom he does not know, who was also not afraid of Doodling. As for everyone else, poo to you. ^_^ Kidding. I know, I know. All my fault for leaving you all in the dark for a week. Where's my Christie, and Harley Writer, and Kmart, and everyone else?? *sad face* I miss you guys!

Check this out. I have major class presentations due on:

February 16 (Women in the Christian Tradition. Topic: Flannery O'Connor.)
February 23 (Dream Symbolism. Topic: a dream that I had... this one is actually the most involved...more details later.)
February 24 (History of the English Language. Topic: Not sure yet. Too many other assignments muddying the creative brain-waters.)
March 3 (Tina's 21st birthday. Topic: Exotic cocktails at a local restaurant with Mom and friends. Okay, so it's not an assignment, but I wanted to slip that in there somewhere. It makes me feel like I have a life. If not now, then at least in the distant future.)

The Dream Symbolism presentation is going to be mentally and emotionally taxing. I have to create some sort of visual to represent a dream that I've had. Obviously, since I consider myself to be an artist, this will have to be a painting of some sort. The dream I want to do involves me wearing something on my eyelashes which gives me the appearance of having blood dripping from them. Therefore, I need to do a self-portrait with this imagery. Oh boy. I'm better at more abstract images, such as anger, happiness, contentment, etc. I'm more accustomed to painting feelings using color, shape, and flow. A self-portrait therefore might look more like a red blob. We shall see. Also, another aspect of the presentation involves me having to do active imagination in an attempt to go back to my dream. Go back to it, and examine it, and talk to the people in it. Honestly, I know I can do this. I have done it before. Well, go back to a certain dream the next night. However, I don't know how successful I will be at active imagination. I'm going to try my damnedest, but I have no idea how it will turn out. *sigh* I bet that stressing over it won't help at all, either. Poooooop..........

Harry Potter epiphany

2005-02-09T10:24:00.000-05:00

I had a Harry Potter epiphany last week. Oh yes, that's right. I don't know if you guys ever check out the books in my "Books I am currently reading" section, but for a while The Winter's Tale, by Shakespeare was on the list. We were reading it in my Advanced Shakespeare course. Despite the fact that this particular play is an easy romance and reads quite smoothly, I had never read it before. It's an excellent play about jealousy, and perhaps the most interesting thing that I carried away from having read it is that I now realize where J.K. Rowling most likely found the inspiration for the character of Hermione Granger.

The main characters of the play are involved in an interesting love triangle. The main man (and the jealous one) is Leontes. He is the king of a land called Sicilia. His lifelong friend's name is Polixenes, who is the king of Bohemia. Polixenes and Leontes have been friends since they were young. Because of their kingly duties, it had been some time since they had been able to see each other. So, Polixenes packed his bags and went to Sicilia for a long visit with his best friend. (Bear with me on the plot line, because it's worth it if you want to understand my epiphany.)

Leontes had a wife named Hermione, who, at the time of Polixenes's visit, was about nine months pregnant with their second child. They already had a young son, who was about five years old, named Mamillius. Over the course of the nine months that Leontes's friend was there, Hermione, wishing to please her husband, entertained and became close friends with Polixenes. When the time came for him to go back to Bohemia, he said he was leaving the next day. Leontes tried to persuade him to stay a bit longer, and he refused. Leontes asked Hermione to persuade him, and she was able to. Polixenes agreed to stay. Leontes saw that he only agreed once his wife asked, and immediately suspected that there was something suspicious happening between them.

The play continues with much more drama. Leontes, suspecting his friend and wife of adultery, planned to poison Polixenes, who escaped back to Bohemia. Hermione was placed in jail, and many other things happen. However, the most important idea is that of the love triangle between Hermione, her husband, and his best friend. Consider, Harry Potter fans, what would happen if Hermione became romantically involved with Ronald Weasley. Hasn't Ron a bit of a jealous streak as it is? Doesn't he have potential for misinterpreting the friendship of Harry and Hermione, becoming jealous of them? Imagine what terrible plot twists could occur if Ron realizes that he has a deep love for Hermione. It seems to me that Rowling has been hinting at such an encounter all throughout the first five novels.

Whether or not Ron and Hermione ever become involved, it would not require a relationship for Ron to become jealous of whatever Hermione and Harry have together...even an innocent friendship. Now that I've read The Winter's Tale it all seems so blatantly obvious. Hermione's name had puzzled me before reading the play. Was she to be modeled after the Hermione of Greek legend? Didn't seem so. Their stories were too dissimilar. However, Hermione clearly has two friends who both have potential for jealousy and jealous action. I can't wait to see what unfolds.

As for that little list on the side of the blog... you know, the one I mentioned, about the Books I am reading? You should check it out. For now, it'll include the books I am reading for class as well as the ONE book that I allow myself to read for pleasure. Currently it is Three For the Dough, by Janet Evanovich, along with Wuthering Heights for Dream Symbolism as well as The Canterbury Tales for my Chaucer class. Good times. This list is ever-changing because assignments come at me fast. Keep up! Until next time...(who knows when that might be?) *wink*

My "little" brother... playing bass

2005-02-01T17:46:00.000-05:00

I went home this past weekend so that I could show up at my brother's surprise birthday party. Turns out the surprise party wasn't such a surprise (too many teenage-gossip cooks in the pot), but my appearance at the party was. Of course everyone thought I was in Newport, five hours away, doing homework diligently, so when I showed up in New Hampshire at his party the only ones who knew of my arrival were my mom and dad. Yay for surprises!

Tim and his friends were supposed to go to Sunday River to go snow-tubing. He was turning 18 on January 30, and his friend was also turning 18 but on January 29. Turns out they are only 15 hours and one minute apart. Weird. So they all went, and my mom, dad, and the kid's parents all piled into a van and brought helium balloons and a cake to the lodge. Surprise! Heh. It was fun.

We had another party at my house the next night, but it was smaller. Just my family, and Danielle and Nik. (Yep, Nik came up to NH for the bro as well...he found out he didn't have to work for the entire weekend...) We sat around, had dinner, played poker, and had some homemade cake. Then Tim opened his present... an amp for his bass guitar. You can see it in the picture, next to his red, velvet-lined coffin guitar case. He has a much larger amp for performance, and he and his friends were getting tired of lugging the huge thing from our house to the garage where they jam all the time. This one is easy to carry and will suffice for practicing at home. In the picture, he was giving it a little test... just to make sure it still had all of the annoyance qualities he was shooting for.. *wink*

I feel repetitive with all this but I feel like I'm out of the loop with all of my blogging friends. I miss the days of sitting here, blogging and commenting to my little heart's desire. Those days are gone for now, but perhaps things will slow down enough for me to get back to a somewhat daily basis. I doubt it, however. Just the other day I got home from NH at about 4:30. I began my homework at 6:30. I did all of it. Straight through. I left no assignment unfinished, and I was sufficiently comfortable with the information for subsequent quizzes the following day. Guess when I finished? 2:00 in the morning. Almost a solid 8 hours of homework. This says one thing to me: Never wait until Sunday night ever again this semester. Sorry, folks. Can't happen.

Until next time, then.

Snow Days and Farts

2005-01-27T01:03:00.000-05:00

Yikes, this whole having classes ordeal is making my blogging suffer. Stay with me, folks. I swear it will get better. Eventually. We had tons of snow, and of course since classes were cancelled we all had to head to Colleen's with the booze and do a little bit of celebrating. Hence the pictures of the kitty getting drunk... it was a combination of boredom and drunkenness... Woopsie.

Yes, that's right. I said classes were cancelled. On Monday we had no class. On Monday night we checked the Salve Regina homepage and discovered that we would not be having class on Tuesday either. How excellent was that? We were only excited because this way we would not be missing out on one class more than the other. It was only fair. (*wink* Yeah that was definitely why we were excited. Ahem.) So no classes on Friday (I rule at schedule-making!!!), Saturday, Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. If I would have known that ahead of time, I would have gone home to Berlin to escape the snow. Ehhh... On second though, I would have missed out on snowed-in festivities. So it was worth it to stay. Hee hee!!

We did have class on Wednesday, however. Instead of moving my car from its spot in front of my apartment, I walked the mile and a half to class. Nik spent almost two hours digging out my car, after digging out his own for just as long, and I didn't want someone else to take the parking spot! (I'm such a parking-spot bitch...) So the snowbanks were up to my breas---.... armpits... and I was STILL walking in two inches of snow because on top of the three feet we got, last night it snowed AGAIN.... six more inches. Damn snow. Damn long walk. Damn parking spot envy.

So I just finished my homework...I'm reading the Canterbury Tales for my class. We were all assigned to a certain pilgrim, and we will each be studying our particular pilgrim in depth over the semester, until we know the character inside and out. Guess which one I got? The Summoner. Yep. Here is a description of the nasty dude:

"There was a Summoner with us at that Inn,
His face on fire, like a cherubin,
For he had carbuncles. His eyes were narrow,
He was as hot and lecherous as a sparrow.
Black scabby brows he had, and a thin beard.
Children were afraid when he appeared.
No quicksilver, lead ointment, tartar creams,
No brimstone, no boracic, so it seems,
Could make a salve that had the power to bite,
Clean up or cure his whelks of knobby white
Or purge the pimples sitting on his cheeks.
Garlic he loved, and onions too, and leeks,
And drinking strong red wine till all was hazy.
Then he would shout and jabber as if crazy."

Clearly I am a wise choice for accurate representation of such a person. Dressing up to play the part will require no costume whatsoever, and I can show up drunk. *wink*......*sigh* Oh and I forgot to mention... his tale (Canterbury Tales, duh)... he talks about farts. Quite extensively. Okay, so that part is accurate. We both like farts. Okay so we're long-lost twins... leave me alone, okay??!?!!?

2005-01-23T20:42:00.000-05:00

We got really bored while being snowed in, and we managed to get Mikey interested in Amaretto Sours. He's two-fisting... kitty style.

2005-01-23T20:41:00.000-05:00

Hey. Leave me alone. I still have our wreath on the door. And the snow decided that it was time to cover up the Christmas decorations.Crazy high winds.

2005-01-23T20:40:00.000-05:00

Ummmm. No? Dammit! I can't even see the neighbor's car. And that brick deck in the picture? The one to the left? It's about 5 1/2 feet. Sooo.... Yeah.

2005-01-23T20:37:00.000-05:00

My car is not loving this whole snow idea. We thought I wouldn't need snow tires in Newport. Turns out I might have to walk to class. Poop.

Blizzard of 2005

2005-01-23T17:43:00.000-05:00

Holy crap. I don't know how much you all know about this blizzard we've been having here in the northern part of the country, but I can tell you first-hand that it blows the big one. So far we have about two feet of snow.... on an island that gets, on average, about a foot of snow during the entire winter. Everything has been shut down. No classes tomorrow, on Monday. Nothing is open. My car is covered in snow. The whole thing. Like, two feet on top of car, two feet on sides of car, and snow drifts covering the remaining car that was not previously covered. ABC6 said that Rhode Island and Massachusetts are in a state of emergency. Residents are strongly encouraged to stay off the roads, since winds of 40-60 mph cause whiteout conditions with all of the snow being blown around. The snow that fell was light, fluffy, and not good for snowman-making. Therefore, any snow that has already fallen becomes a playtoy for the violent winds. When the snow is somewhat wet, it all stays on the ground and the wind blows over it.... Not with this snow, however. Greaaaaaat. So we have two feet of snow that we can't even make giant snowmen with. What bullshit. *wink* So I read all of my Shakespeare assignment ahead of time, on a Saturday evening..... for nothing. Now THAT is crap. More snow updates, including pics, later on.

2005-01-22T01:16:00.000-05:00

Me and Nik at Brick Alley Pub in Newport, RI.

2005-01-22T01:15:00.000-05:00

We have officially been Smirnoffed...

2005-01-22T01:14:00.000-05:00

L-R: Colleen, Kelly, Candice, Lindsay, Me.

Books to be read together...

2005-01-21T23:31:00.000-05:00

First, before I do the Harry Potter post I promised (sorry Christie), I want to discuss some awesome books that are best read in pairs. Some works are amazingly complimented by each other for various reasons. Also, some books are best when read along with a work which may not be a particular novel or book, for example an essay or a bible passage.

For example, my first literary pair is The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver along with the stories of Rachel and Leah from the Bible. In fact, this book is best read by someone who is familiar with religion and bible stories in general...particularly the idea of a Baptist-based religion, with its hellfire and brimstone sermons. I also highly recommend reading this post with enough time on your hands to check out all of the links I'm providing. For instance, the Poisonwood Bible link is a "Look Inside" link from Amazon.com which allows you, the reader, to take a peek into the first ten pages (approximately) of the novel. This gives you an excellent preview of the author's writing style as well as plot ideas.

The second pair of works that I LOVE is Moby Dick, by Herman Melville and Ahab's Wife, by Sena Jeter Naslund. (The Moby Dick link provides 30 pages of the novel, not including the text before the novel begins with "Call me Ishmael." You ought to get a good idea of how the novel runs by taking a peek at those pages. Ahab's wife has 6 pages of preview.) These books are both incredible, but in different ways. If I was a high school teacher or a college professor, I would teach these books together. I read Moby Dick in high school as a junior, and it took us 10 weeks to cover about half of the material. The book is a masterpiece. I highly recommend reading this first, and you should then proceed to pick up Naslund's novel, Ahab's Wife. Her work is the BEST book I have ever read. Everything about it, from the story, the characters, the idea itself, and ESPECIALLY the way in which it was published, makes it special to hold in one's hands. It is not a continuation of Moby Dick. It is the life of the wife of Ahab, and Naslund captures the woman with a detail unlike anything I've ever encountered. I say that the way it was published was amazing because the typeface, the illustration, the cover-design, the use of color red (as a third hue in the font aside from black and white) in the hardcover edition, and even the paper that the book is printed on.... all of these aspects which decide how the reader will be affected by the book.... everything was done to perfection. When I was 3/4 through the book, I began to read more slowly so that I could relish each last word. I didn't want it to end. An excellent pair of works for a summer break or vacation.

Another pair which I love is Lolita, by Vladimir Nabovok and Annabel Lee, by Edgar Allen Poe. I read Lolita in the summer of 2001 when I studied Forbidden Fictions in the Advanced Studies Program at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire (Kerry attended high school there). Lolita is an incredibly often-banned novel which focuses on the idea of a forty-ish man falling in love with a young girl about the age of 9 or 10. The novel is amazing, and if anyone wishes to buy and read this incredible book, I highly recommend the annotated version which I provided in my link, since Nabokov's writing is so full of allusion that no scholar could ever fully understand him without some form of notation available.

A pair of works which I actually had the opportunity to study here at Salve are The Odyssey, by Homer and Ulysses, by James Joyce. I took a class entitled Philosophy of Literature. When I saw it in the coursebook I almost messed my pants. Philosophy AND Literature?!?! In one course!?!? Golly day. Of course I took it. And how amazing that it was taught by Salve's most talented professor, Dr. James Hersh. We read bits of The Odyssey, and then we would switch over to the version written by Joyce. Of course, the story is quite different in Ulysses, but it follows the storyline of The Odyssey so closely that if one were to read Joyce's work without knowing Homer, one would never fully understand the importance of the novel.

Okay, one last one and then I'm off to bed. *wink* This is perhaps the best pair in the bunch. Moby and Ahab's wife are both excellent books, and the latter plays off of the former, but they tend to stand alone better than they stand together. (Some would say.) However, Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte and The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde are two books that absolutely MUST be read together. For example, Moby Dick could be read alone, and the reader would be absolutely fulfilled with Melville and nothing else. However, if one has read Bronte's work, one MUST go to the bookstore and pick up Fforde's work immediately! The Eyre Affair, as such, cannot be read without having a basis of understanding that could only be achieved by having read the original story at some point in one's life. I would attempt to summarize the idea of this novel, but I could never do justice to such a crazy plotline. Click the Eyre Affair link and read the back panel of the novel. (No, it won't give the book away. You'll never guess how this book turns out, so don't even try.) Go ahead. Read it. I'll wait..................

So yeah. Crazy huh? Yup. You want to buy it now, don't you? Hell, I should be requesting commission from Amazon by now. Jeez. For the latter pair, I would recommend reading (or re-reading) Jane Eyre and then going out and buying this new one. It's mind-boggling, and if you are a lover of literature as I am, you will totally appreciate all of Fforde's literary jokes. In the world he creates, literature is of utmost importance in society, such that jukeboxes are done away with, and they are replaced with machines which recite Shakespeare when a coin is dropped in. I Love It! Where does this world exist, again? Because I want to go there. Today. Oh, wait. I'm there. I have to read 100 pages of Shakespeare for Monday. My bad.

So, I'm sorry that my posting has been spotty and not up-to-par as of late. I have a terrible feeling that you will all get tired of me by the end of this semester, since I will not be able to post every day as I had in the past. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't want to. I've been spending tons of time doing homework ALREADY! Dammit! Of course, at night I would normally have tons of time to post once my homework is done, but we've all been heading to Colleen's every night to play UNO and sit around until bedtime. So no blogging for Tina. However, I do have some excellent pictures to post once I finish this up. Enjoy! (If we don't speak for a couple more days, I apologize ahead of time.)

He Likes It! Hey, Mikey!!

2005-01-18T13:53:00.000-05:00

Yes, the kitty was taken away. I figured I would update this, since it's been awhile. See? Look at 'im!! Awwww what a face. I'm becoming one of those pathetic, although internet-saavy, old women who blog only about their feline friends. (Or, as they call them, their "precious babies"!!) Call me cat-lady. This boy has me all in a dither. He even convinced me, under pain of cat-clawing to go to Petco and buy him treats... (Shrimp flavor, please.) Yup, I was wrapped around his whittle pinky claw. Too bad his big, bad real-evil-like-momma came and got him. He very clearly did not want to go with her when she came. He had seen us packing up his junk, and he had gone and hid under the Christmas tree. (I know, we're losers because we just this weekend took it down.)

When she approached him with her arms out, screeching "Baaaaaaaabbbbbyyyy!!!" he hunkered down, trying to hide himself as best he could, and he gave Nik and myself the most pitiful don't-let-er-take-me-pleeeeeeeeaaaase! look. Once they were gone Nik and I pouted for about ten minutes before attacking the black futons (black + white cat = messy) with masking tape rollers. Note to self: Acquire one of the following.... a black cat and dark furniture, or a white cat and light-colored furniture, oooooorrrrrrr a hairless cat. No other options. We sure miss him, though. It was a slight consolation to know that, according to Colleen, he wouldn't go see anyone or climb into any laps or even play with his toys for about 2-3 days. I don't want him to be sad, but I'm glad that he missed us.

I want to write a literary-ish post about novels that are excellent to read "together", i.e. one after another. I still owe you the "why Harry Potter is the best series ever, in terms of spell etymology, plot development, and character development, among other reasons" post. However, as I was lying awake last night (Nik worked again) until 4:30 this morning, I was thinking about what I can post... other than "oooh I love the kitty and he poops a lot" junk. I'll see what I can do. Classes began today... Spring Semester! Since I actually had to get off my ass this morning, obviously I'm VERRRY tired, and I must lay down and read Lemony Snicket until Nik wakes up. :) Until next time, then...

Important Literary Works

2005-01-14T15:03:00.000-05:00

I was on Catt's website and I saw a link for the Roundtable. Come to find out, it's an online book club! How freaking cool is that? Boy, was I excited. I read the archives, and noticed a list Literary Works. According to the Roundtable, "the list below contains the most 'famous' and most often studied literary works ever (according to data taken from college polls and literature examinations)."

Well, that sure got my attention. Unfortunately, the list is incomplete as of now. They have not posted the works after the letter G. I asked them to, however, and I can only hope that they will. We shall see. Also, their site's list was missing the names of the authors of many of the works. However, after a trip to Amazon.com, I was able to hunt down the authors' names. The list from A-G (the ones I've read are in blue) is as follows:

A Midsummer Night's Dream - William Shakespeare
The Age of Innocence - Edith Wharton
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain
All My Sons - Arthur Miller
All the Pretty Horses - Cormac McCarthy
America is in the Heart - Carlos Bulosan
An American Tragedy - Theodore Dreiser
Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
Another Country - James Baldwin
Antigone - Sophocles
Antony and Cleopatra - William Shakespeare
The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz - Mordecai Richler
As I Lay Dying - William Faulkner
As You Like It - William Shakespeare
The Awakening - Kate Chopin
The Bear - Raymond Briggs
Beloved - Toni Morrison
Benito Cereno - Herman Melville
Billy Budd - Herman Melville
The Birthday Party - Harold Pinter
Bleak House - Charles Dickens
Bless Me, Ultima - Rudolfo Anaya
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
The Bluest Eye - Toni Morrison
The Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Candide - Voltaire
The Caretaker - Thomas William Simpson
Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
Cat's Eye - Margaret Eleanor Atwood
Ceremony - Leslie Marmon Silko
The Centaur - John Updike
The Color Purple - Alice Walker
Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Crucible - Arthur Miller
Cry, the Beloved Country - Alan Paton
Daisy Miller - Henry James
David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
The Dead - James Joyce
Death of a Salesman - Arthur Miller
The Death of Ivan Ilyich - Leo Tolstoy
Delta Wedding - Eudora Welty
Desire Under the Elms - Eugene O'Neill
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant - Anne Tyler
Doctor Faustus - Christopher Marlowe
The Dollmaker - Harriette Arnow
A Doll's House - Ibsen
Don Quixote - Cervantes
Dubliners - James Joyce
Emma - Jane Austen
An Enemy of the People - Henrik Ibsen
Equus - Peter Shaffer
Ethan Frome - Edith Wharton
The Eumenides - Aeschlyus
The Fall - Simon Mawer
A Farewell to Arms - Earnest Hemingway
Fathers and Sons - Turgenev
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
Go Tell It On the Mountain - James Baldwin
The Glass Menagerie - Tennessee Williams
The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

Now I really hope that they post the rest. It is my goal to read all of them before my time on sweet earth is over. You never know! I could do it.

Insomniac

2005-01-13T04:19:00.000-05:00

I can't sleep. *Pout face* Nik has been working nights this week... BJ's shipped him over to North Dartmouth to work overnight shifts so that he can get full time hours as well as travel and mileage pay. How nice of them. It truly is, however I have been left here alone these past few nights. I know, I shouldn't be whining. I normally wouldn't be, since I know that this is an opportunity that Nik (and his savings account) is in need of.

Alas, there's the rub. I cannot sleep. I thought that something this pathetic only happened to people in movies. Or to newlywed couples or people with glamorous excuses. However, I can't sleep. I haven't gotten to sleep before 4:30 since Monday. And then guess what happens? Nik comes home at 8, I sleep next to him until 1:00 or 2:00. Not good at all.

It's not even so much that I can't stop thinking about him or anything like that. It's not that romantic or complicated. It's just that I've been able to cuddle up with him for so long that now I can't seem to get relaxed without him next to me. *Sigh* Okay, so it sounds a little romantic. But it sure doesn't feel like it. Maybe I should light some candles and set the mood for me, myself, and I. But that isn't a good idea either, since the goal is to fall asleep. When the means is a candle and the goal is sleep, nothing good can come of this. Fire would be bad.

So, the solution... the Tina original. Drumroll, please. I am staying up tonight. And today. And I will be exhausted. And I will not sleep until tomorrow.... at 10:00 p.m. Yes, I will be very tired. But, I will also be able to get the sleep cycle back to normal before classes begin. The difficult part will be staying awake all night and all day....although when I was lying down in my bed tonight I couldn't get myself to feel the least bit tired. If my body starts to crave sleep, I'm gonna kick my own ass with caffeine. Hee hee.

Good news, though. One of my noteworthy blogs posted one of the funniest posts I've seen in a while. (This is right up there with HarleyWriter's post about the Vile Beast.) Janet, of The Art of Getting By, posted a letter to water. Yup. To water... You know Water. He's the one dripping from your leaky faucets, the one who did all the damage to Asia and California... That one. Water. She wrote water a letter. And it's awesome. Who thinks of these things?? I'm just joshin' ya, Janet. I love it!

So now I'm off to surf the blogosphere all night. Hopefully I'll come out of this with some excellent blog finds. You never know.

I Have Hit the Motherlode

2005-01-13T02:24:00.000-05:00

It's official. Today (well, yesterday) I had almost 150 hits (so far). At first I was getting ready to post about having hit 100. I then realized that I had some time left before the end of the day. Goodness, gracious. I remember when I got 10 a day, and two of those were probably my Mom. It feels great to have had so many views in one day, and I wanted to thank you all very much for your interest in my little, ole blog. Love you guys!!

2005-01-13T00:52:00.000-05:00

Just a thought, but perhaps this can explain Kitty's breath. But seriously, this is Mickey. His owner named him Mikhael Gorbachev, but don't worry about her. She's nutso...and probably a Communist. But Mickey is not. I just wanted to be sure you all didn't think this was a googled picture. Unfortunately, it was not. He's the real deal. Good, ole, stinky boy.

Kitty: Update

2005-01-13T00:39:00.000-05:00

Yup, we still have the kitty. It's a kitty, not a cat. Not a pussy either. (I have to be so specific with some of you guys.) He's such a sweetie. I think I may cry if I have to give him back. I made a comment to Nik about telling the owner he snuck outside and got runnnnnned over.... and Nik didn't even object. He just nodded solemnly and said, "Yeah I don't want to give him back either."

Before anyone thinks we're mean people, lemme explain. The owner is not a friend of ours. She is not even a friend of our friend. I like her well enough, but she left this kitty alone for like 3 or 4 days before Colleen finally returned to Newport for New Year's. Who does that?!?! A cat is a responsibility. This is why Nik and I are *thiiiiiiis close* to telling her "NO, you can't have him back." Isn't there some way to protect poor kitty from evil-owner-lady?? *Pout*

I want to keep him even though he stinks up our bathroom more than Nik does....(cat box is in the bathroom where the rest of the bodily functions in this apartment occur)

I want him to stay with us even though when he cleans himself, like a good whittle bowy, it makes his fur stink a little because his breath is kinda stinky too.

I want to keep him even though he snores when he sleeps...louder than Nik. And he twitches when he sleeps, too. More than normal. He WOKE ME UP because he was all leaned up against me (as usual) and he was twitching so much that his whole body was shaking... but I didn't mind getting woken up because he was so funny. (And because I don't have classes yet.)

I want to keep him even though he's the clumsiest feline I've ever seen... And the stinkiest. And he looooves catnip. He licked his new catnip toy so much that it was discolored from the saliva... and now the toy stinks like wet catnip and stinky kitty breath.

I want him to stay because he lies on my chest in the morning and puts his paw over my mouth until I tell him what a good whittle bowy he is.

I want him to stay because if I'm in my bedroom getting dressed, he lies on my bed and curls up until it's time to move to another room. If I'm making dinner, he curls up on the rug by the door and waits until it's time to eat the dinner in the living room. When I'm eating dinner on the couch, he curls up in my lap and passes gas while I'm eating. This is followed by an innocent look that both he and I know is not so innocent.

I want him to stay because he makes me laugh even when I'm here all alone. I was in the bathroom the other day (I wouldn't normally tell you this, but it's important to the story...let's say I was brushing my hair) and I heard a loud noise in the kitchen. I was here alone. Pffffffft. Oh. My. God. The cat just farted louder than I knew cats could... And then he dashed into the bathroom to his litter box and pooped. Whew.... that was close. I laughed until tears were streaming down my face. Again with the innocent look.

Cats are great. This one is the best. MY best. I honestly think I'll cry if I have to give him up. We shall see. Unfortunately, I cannot hope to keep him. Alas, he is someone else's stinky cat.

I will miss him.

Template Changes are Gooooood

2005-01-12T01:15:00.000-05:00

See, I always get sick of the way things look, and then I want to change things around. For example, I used to rearrange the furniture in my bedroom back home at least once every two months. I'm going to be one of those housewives some day who changes the living room around three times a year, and I bet I'll always be redecorating...I have a feeling.

I hope you all can bear with me while I get sick of one template and change it to something else. Don't worry...I know you were all desperate to make sure that my teenage-Asian-girl Doodle Board was still there. It is. You can rest easy. I know that Moocow and Christie will be pumped. And look! The pink and glitter is there now too. You love it. Ha.

I actually have a picture set up with my blog title on it and everything. I simply have no idea how to get it all onto my own unique template. I can figure out html well enough, but I can't design my own site from scratch. *sigh*...someday. Until then, enjoy my new template.

And I'm sorry about all the amazing comments I continue to lose. I appreciate all of them, and I hope that you guys don't stop leaving them, since I can't seem to keep them for very long. For the record, I've decided to go back to using regular, old Blogger comments. I like to be notified via email when I get a new one. Enjoy, folks!

Look at how nerdy I am...

2005-01-10T17:57:00.000-05:00

Wow. And when I took this test, I thought that I would most definitely get around a 40...based on the nerdy scores of some girls whose blogs I read. I blame Cameron, my ex-boyfriend, who is responsible for some of my answers. He is an astronomical/aeronautical engineering major at M.I.T. Cool kid, but a nerd. I also blame Nik, who is also a huge computer nerd. Clearly none of this is my fault. *wink*

My Encounter With Violence

2005-01-10T15:52:00.000-05:00

I spoke with Christie on AOL Instant Messenger the other night, and I promised her that I would tell MY scary story, since she had divulged her gunshot story. While it certainly is not of the same caliber, it is my personal encounter with violence.

I should begin by saying that although I grew up in a small town, I am not the type of girl who allows herself to be walked on. I was made fun of quite a bit when I was younger, and there were even some instances in which girls threatened to "beat me up". Interestingly, upon calling them on it, beatings strangely never occurred. They were all talk. I was aware, however, that not everyone in this world threatens without following through. I would find out first-hand one night in Springfield, Massachusetts. Still, I will say again that I will NOT allow people to walk all over me. It happened too many times when I was younger. I will not deal with this kind of treatment as an adult.

So what the hell was a small-town chickie like me doing in Springfield, Mass? Nikolas acquired his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice at Western New England College. During his junior year there, I was a freshman at Salve. I had taken a bus from Providence to Springfield in order to visit him. We decided to go and see 8 Mile at a local theater because it had just come out that day. Bad idea. For those of you who were locked in your closet in 2002, plot summary includes a white rapper (Eminem) who is trying to make it in Detroit, a predominantly black city. Result??? Watching this movie in a predominantly black city such as Springfield = Horrible idea. We were two of four people in a 200+ seat cinema who were white.

Normally, Nik and I would not have even noticed. Seriously. No big deal. However, as soon as the movie began, we were MADE to notice. A raisinette (or other movie-going candy) fell abruptly on Nik's head and bounced off from being thrown so hard. He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye and muttered, "Ignore it." I turned back to the movie. One more candy whizzed by my ear, and another one landed in my lap. Nik was hit with another. And another. Curious (naturally... who wouldn't turn around and see who is throwing candy?) to see who was doing this, I turned around in my seat and glanced around at the people behind us and the people way up above us (stadium seating).

Immediately, as if she was waiting for me to turn around, a girl (I will allow you to form your own judgements as to "race", since it really could have been anyone) leans forward aggressively and says loudly, "What you lookin at, Bitch?" Huh. No way this chick just called me a bitch randomly out of the blue. (At least get to know me first, and then I'll be the 1st person to agree with you...) Assuming this is the lingo or something, I respond, "I wasn't even looking at you, Bitch, so calm yourself and watch the movie."

*Shakes head and laughs out loud* This girl was waiting for something like this to happen. She turns to her friends and says to them, "Ooooooooh no. This Bitch did NOT just say what I think she said." She leans to me again and practically yells in my ear, "You do NOT call me a Bitch." Wow. This chick has about a 64 IQ. I respond, "Um... hello?? You called ME a Bitch." She says, "Yeah. I can call YOU whatever I want, but you will not call me a bitch." I laughed. Hard. Nik looked at me like I had about five heads, but it was all too funny to me. She had to be the dumbest person I had ever met. Who does that?

I think the laughing pissed her off. For the next five minutes, all Nik and I could hear behind us was this chick mouthing off to her friends about how I was gonna get my ass kicked in the parking lot after the movie. Whatever. All talk. Besides, by the time the movie was over, the "argument" (I use the term loosely because I think of an argument as being a somewhat-educated banter of opposing opinions, and this was clearly not that) had occurred about 2 hours prior. Quite the calming-down period. Or so I thought.

Another interesting thing about this story is that the parking lot of this movie theater is HUGE. There are about 20 large cinemas inside the theater, all with stadium seating. Obviously, lots of people come to see movies there. Obviously, lots of cars. Big parking lot. What are the chances that this chick's car would be in the row across from us? Pretty slim. Guess I was just that lucky.

So we walked out of the theater at our normal pace. No way I was going to run to the car, just in case she still wanted to kick my ass. Nope. So we walked. And we got to the car. As usual, Nik walked over to my side of the car, and he opened it for me, waiting for his kiss just as he does every time I get into his car. I kissed him, and just as I pulled back to look at him, a girl (not the one with all the vulgarity spewing from her trap) walks up to us and starts bitching. "Why you call my friend a bitch? Why you gotta do dat?" I looked at her and spoke kindly.

I explained in normal-people words *wink* that it had been a misunderstanding. I told her that I KNEW (which I didn't) that they had not been the ones to throw candy at us, and I explained that I simply turned around to see who it had been. I was not even looking at her friend. The girl told me that I shouldn't have called her a bitch. I told her, "Well, if she prefers not to be called that, then she shouldn't start a conversation with someone by using that word." The girl nodded, and the next thing I knew, I saw the "bitch-girl" come running around the side of Nik's car at me. I felt a sharp, jabbing pain in the side of my head, directly on my right temple.

My brain was screaming. It was all as if everything was happening in slow-motion. Nik heard me scream, and he turned around. The girl wound up and punched me again, trying to hit the same spot but hitting me instead slightly higher on my head. By now Nik realized what had been happening right behind him, and he tried to shield me with his arms. However, the girl was able to hit me one more time right on top of my head.

I would love to say that I punched her right in the mouth. LOL. But I didn't. It's not even that I would have been incapable of doing so. I could have punched her back. But when I get into these situations, my body becomes very calm. I would not have hit her. In my mind, she had enough problems in her life if her form of entertainment was picking out random white chicks and deciding to beat on them. Instead of feeling intense hate, I started to feel intense pity. I felt sad. Mostly because something like this was happening to me. But also because I wondered what kind of life this girl had if she felt she needed to display her strength by running around behind someone while they are talking and then punching them in the head.

Right after the third hit, she literally turned around, and she ran back to her car. A HUGE black guy was driving, and he had been standing next to their car the whole time. Nik suspected that he had a gun ready in case Nik started to get violent with the girl, but we'll never know. Truthfully, Nik did not have time to react. The girl hit me in the head three times, and then she ran to the car and they drove away. Weird.

I find it odd that this happened to me. My other roommate, Lindsay, was raised in Springfield. She's lived there all her life. Has she ever been attacked? No. And if you knew Lindsay, you would know that she would have reacted in the same way that I did... The only difference being that she would have been possibly more vocal than me. My only guess is that this was supposed to happen. I was intended to see what kind of life some people have. I am very lucky. I was raised in a safe area, and I will never have to resort to violence to improve my ego and my reputation. Some people do.

For those of you who stuck with me and read the whole post, thank you. I know it was a long one, and I appreciate your interest. Leave comments. Until next time....

Talula and Jessie

2005-01-09T01:58:00.000-05:00

This seems like a funny time to bring this up, given the recent events with Bathroom Reading, but I would like to point out two blogs that I have come across tonight. I like them both, and they both have been added to my Noteworthy Blogs. Check out Talula_Belle here. And go to see Jessie's blog here.

Good night, all.

2005-01-09T00:11:00.000-05:00

Me and Nikolas... on New Year's Eve, 2004

Bloggers, Rich Cab Riders, and Tourists

2005-01-08T23:34:00.000-05:00

What developments! Check out how Bathroom Reading updated his post, after I whined. *wink* I simply don't like being crossed out like that! However, this immense apology is somehow satisfying. I tend to think it was done a bit tongue-in-cheek, but perhaps this was the point. Understandably so, as well. I AM quite the whiner, eh?? (Canadian accent intended.) Either way, the acknowledgement was much appreciated. Muchos gracias!

Also, if you are a comment reader (and leaver, as you all should be!) then you will notice that the esteemed Heroine Girl made a visit and even left me a comment. I'm not one to normally be star-struck, but I was thrilled! Why? When a site has about 57,000 hits, and at any given time has approximately 100 users online at one time, reading her posts, I get a bit impressed. I felt like a 12-year-old girl meeting Britney Spears or something. I take that back... no one would want to be compared to Britney... and I wouldn't do that to anyone. However, I was very pleased. This girl is amazing. Her story is inspiring. And she is a finalist in the Best of Blog (B.O.B.) Awards, in the Most Inspirational Blog category. You can go to vote for her (which you all should) here.

Last night Colleen called around dinner time. (Hi, Colleen! *grin*) She had a favor to ask. Her roommate, the actual owner of the kitty in the picture below, had still not arrived back in Newport, and Colleen could not get in touch with her. Since she wanted to go home today, she wondered if Nik and I would be willing to take the cat here, until sometime next week. YAY! We were more than willing...we want to steal him away forever. So, we have a feline companion for the weekend and perhaps longer. So excited...

So she bought the kitty over, along with poop box, food, and toys. Then, we all sat down in the kitchen to some Chicken and Dumplings that Nik made. Yum! Dessert: my Oreo pie. Double Yum... Aaaaaaand then we had drinks. Frozen Strawberry Daquiris. And then some Pina Coladas. In about two and a half hours, we were all buzzing and craving White Castle burgers... (Two guesses what movie we watched.)

Since the nearest White Castle is about 3 hours away, and since we were all too drunk to drive anywhere anyway, we walked around the block to Nikolas Pizza. (Yes, same spelling as Nik's, and yes great pizza and food. And no, we got no discount for having a Nikolas in the party.) After our bellies were full with cheese fries, pizza, and chicken fingers, we headed back. On the way, we saw something that we probably shouldn't have laughed at.... but we did. Who could resist this?

A couple, dressed to the nines for a night on the town (most likely on their way home, given the hour that we saw them), and VERY rich-looking, got out of a car that drove away. The man pulled his cell phone out and dialed. Angered and bewildered that this was happening to the likes of HIM, he said, "Yes, um, your driver just kicked us out of the cab." We all glanced at each other out of the corner of our eyes, and suppressed what would have been a loud and joyous, drunken laugh. Oh, Newporters are so great to laugh at. And if it wasn't a local.... even better. Tourists are even more fun. This may sound mean, but if you only knew what Newport tourists can be like.... Well, let me tell you a story...

I despise tourists. I grew up in an area of NH that tourists frequent. I worked for five summers at a tourist attraction, catering to their every needs, and being yelled at many times for crimes I did not commit. "What do you mean, my child is not tall enough to ride the roller coaster?? He's only one inch short! Look! His hair is touching!" Listen, SIR, I would love nothing more than to tell you to go right the f*^& ahead and put him on that ride. However, it's not YOU who is holding me back. It's not even my boss who is holding me back. Nope, not our insurance company, either. It's my conscience. This ride is NOT SAFE for Johnny. It was not designed for two year olds. He could be injured, and I would never forgive myself. Honest injun. Anyway, I digress. (Tourists are mean, cruel, rude, and care nothing for their own children. Kidding. But they CAN suck at times.) So, in case you didn't get the point, I don't like tourists.

I especially don't like them when they stop their car in the middle of Bellevue Avenue (one of the most popular streets to drive down in Newport, since this is where the famous Newport Mansions can be found) in order to take a picture. In the middle of the goddamn road! Car in park, door still open, and traffic backing up.... Oh. My. God. A middle-aged man, is taking a picture of a HOUSE.... Dude, it's not even a famous mansion! It's some person's house! How about I come to back to Jersey with you and take pictures of YOUR house, and park my car in the middle of the road on YOUR way to work. See how you like it then. Some people are so stupid. Unfortunately for me (and my fellow Salve students), Salve is located off of Bellevue Avenue. We're right in the midst of all of the mansions, which is nice in a way, but when the tourists are flocking, it sucks big ones...

Until next time, then.

Daaaaamn. That sucks.

2005-01-07T14:15:00.000-05:00

Whoa now. I can understand making a mistake. It happens. Sometimes I, too, forget where I had read something, when it's been a long night in the blogosphere. However, this is a little rough. Yikes.

And all I did was enjoy it and add it to my list of noteworthy blogs! I will be the first person to give Christie the credit for that amazing blog find. I loved it, and it was added. But I can't help be a little put off over the title of Bathroom Reading's post. What poo! :)

In all honesty, however, I can see how such a mistake could be made. I sometimes wonder if Christie and I are long-lost sisters or something. She makes comments that I make, myself, but have never used in a blog. She has similar interests... and a similar sense of humor. (She's funnier, though.) She's awesome. My favorite fellow blogger, actually.

So, my angst lies solely in the idea off the crossout. Tina... nope.... lets draw a big, fat, red line through HER name... CHRISTIE has Good Taste. Dammit that sucks! :)

2005-01-07T13:35:00.000-05:00

Kids! They're Che-a-a-a-p!

And yes, this is retro Tony.

The Art of Being a Lump

2005-01-07T13:32:00.000-05:00

Okay, I just read probably one of the most entertaining blog posts ever. You all must check it out. It even has pirates in it! Yay! Go to Waxing Pathetic and leave comments.

I've been highly successful as of late. Successful in what? you may ask. In the art of being the biggest lump on the face of the planet. I need an agenda or something. The Fed-Ex guy came to my door today so that I could sign for a package for the guy upstairs. It was 12:30. I had just rolled out of bed. And I KNOW that he could tell. Yup, that's me. Sexy as hell. (Not that my goal in life is to be sexy for the Fed-Ex guy, but it would be nice to look presentable for a stranger.)

At least we have food in the apartment now. Ramen, other soup, pasta, chicken, salad, sandwich meats, etc... ooooh yum. We even bought cereal. Finally. There's a weird story about my cereal habits. See, my habits and preferences for cereal have become totally ass-backwards over the course of my life. When I was little, yeah, I ate the Lucky Charms and Frosted Flakes. However, I also ate mostly granola and whole grain cereals when Mom bought them. Those were the ones I ate if they were in the cabinet. However, now that I'm finally an adult who would normally be eating the adult cereals, I only eat children's cereals like Honey Smacks and Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs. Why? Because when I was little, Mom bought the cereal. Mom would spend $4 on a box and never think twice. It was normal. Now, I buy my own cereal, and the granola and whole grain adult cereals are never on sale. Therefore, I never buy them. In the cupboard right now??? Frosted Flakes and Honey Smacks. 2 boxes for $4. Sale items. Great cereal, and I'm totally cool with eating the frosted cereals. However, I find it funny that the only times in my life I ever ate the adult cereal was when I was five. Go figure.

At some point in the future I'm going to have to write a post about the Intellectual Harry Potter. Seems some readers have considered Harry, but seen the movies and decided against it. No, no, no, people. Movie = Great to watch once completely enthralled with Harry BOOKS. Books = New vision of children's literature altogether. Latin-based spells, good vs. evil, a highly developed moral plot = the greatest series I have ever encountered. No lie. So sometime soon (hopefully) I will sit down and discuss, as I did for Lemony Snicket, the intellectual side of these not-such-children's-books. Until then.....

Ooooh, don't you love previews??? ^_^

2005-01-06T18:34:00.000-05:00

Best TV show ever. Many laughs.

King of Queens

2005-01-06T18:33:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite TV sitcoms is King of Queens. It's so down-to-earth, and it's absolutely hilarious. I was just watching it, and I had to give you all a quote. Carrie manages to get an appointment with the area's best gynocologist after being on the waiting list for a year. When Doug's cousin, Danny, overcharges him for some landscaping that he did, Carrie is worried that she will lose the doc as her gyno. So Doug and Deacon are talking at work about what is so great about this guy....

Doug: So what does this guy do that's so amazing?
Deacon: I dunno. He's calming and he puts them at ease.
Doug: I see.
Deacon: He's like the Vagina Whisperer or something.

Classic. Llol.

2005-01-06T02:33:00.000-05:00

I loved this movie. Who'd-a-thunk?

Harold and Kumar go to White Castle

2005-01-06T02:23:00.000-05:00

We just spent an hour and a half watching a movie that I at first suspected that I would absolutely hate. Turns out I laughed hysterically. Go figure. Of course, I had to sit through 3 tittie scenes, which contained four pairs of breasts altogether. Honestly, I really couldn't care less about how many breasts I see in a movie. I understand that in order to appeal to the young, male teenager crowd, directors would be stupid to not include those types of scenes. I can deal. I've seen boobs before, and I'll see them again. (It's kinda hard to avoid 'em when you're female.)

So, how did I find this movie worthwhile, you may ask? First of all, the movie was Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. You know, the movie where the two young guys decide to go out for some White Castle burgers and they spend all night getting there? It's one of those stoner, boobie, Dude Where's My Car flicks. However, somehow the humor in this movie really amused me. I laughed my butt off.

I can appreciate a movie that dispells American stereotypes. I think that more than it being a movie about burgers and marijuana, it's a movie about moving ourselves past the prejudices we, as a society, have formulated. No, seriously. I was impressed. I, myself, was guilty of automatically making assumptions about Asian and Indian men, for example. Not because I wanted to. Because pop culture is terrible for it. This movie portrays a young, Asian man (Harold) who is a bit of a perfectionist. His roommate and friend (Kumar) is messy and less reserved. However, by the end of the movie, I had been presented with two extremely cool, hip, young men.

I realize that this makes me sound like some kind of Aryan nation advocate. This is definitely not the case. (This reminds me of a Seinfeld episode involving O'Brien and Murphy.) I am far from it. I am simply a product of American culture. You know the type. The Most Extreme Elimination and Comedy Central watchers. Not that these shows and channels are bad. It is all quite funny. However, I find that they tend to simply further our stereotypes. I want to make sure that no one reads me the wrong way.

I was excited, to say the least, that we have finally been given a movie that young people will watch, enjoy, and (whether subconsciously or not) break down their mental barriers with. Besides, it really is hilarious. I think this will be a movie to watch during a beer night. Kinda like the Big Lebowski. Heh. We once played a drinking game in which we took a swig every time someone said the word "Dude". You have no idea how much beer that packs away. "Dude, the Dude is not in, Dude." Crazy.

So yeah. If you want a movie that cracks you up, watch Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. You will love. I think everyone was bored tonight. Bathroom Reading watched Wimbledon, and Chelse watched Wicker Park. It was a snowstorm, movie-watching night. And a good one, at that.

2005-01-04T21:58:00.000-05:00

Playing cards on New Years' Eve...

2005-01-04T21:57:00.000-05:00

Ooooh. It's Nik and Colleen's cat. Cutest ever.

Friends, Felines, Lend Me Your Ears

2005-01-04T21:45:00.000-05:00

I promised at least one picture of our New Year's night, so there ya go. That's me in the pink, with Stacie, Teresa, and Colleen. I love how I was too festive to drink out of a blue cup. I wanted wine glasses, dammit! Heh... it wasn't even wine. It was a strawberry Daquiri. Yummmm.

You will notice another picture of Nik and Colleen's cat. Think he likes cats? Think cats like him? As you can see, they are both the life of the party. Hee hee. I'm kidding. The cat-napping (har har) picture was taken the night of January 1. We had Jell-O shots still in the fridge, and there was still much, much booze left over, so we drank again. Two nights in a row! Nik got tired. The kitty did too. Awwww.

My posting of the kitty picture is not so much to show cutesie pictures of friends and cats as it to embarrass the crap out of Nik... *evil laugh* Online, sleeping, and curled up with a...... feline. (I was going to use another *cat* word here, but decided against it. *hee hee*) So enjoy, Blogger community. It is kinda cute, you must admit. Lame for a post, but cute. :-P

2005-01-04T03:10:00.000-05:00

Wow. I wonder if any of Bill's comic readers

ever understood this cartoon...
Click on the image to be able to read the text.

The Intellectual Lemony Snicket

2005-01-04T03:02:00.000-05:00

In an old post which I cannot provide a link for (because I cannot remember in what month it occurred), the Moocow discussed something in terms of being like a sword of Damocles. I was so impressed, I could hardly contain myself. Someone who knows of the myth and can use it in everyday conversation?!? My goodness.

At Salve Regina University, I am an English Literature major and a Philosophy minor. I love mythology (particularly Greek) and this Damocles story is a great one, with a great moral to it. However, many people have never heard of it. Thus, my surprise that the Moo had. *wink*

I've been discussing Lemony Snicket as of late. In The Wide Window, for example, Snicket tells the story of the Baudelaire orphans sitting on Damocles' Dock, waiting for something. The illustrator, Brett Helquist, drew an awesome picture of the children, portraying them sitting on the dock. There is a sign above their heads which says, fittingly, Damocles' Dock. However, the best part is that there is a large sword hanging from the sign, directly above Violet Baudelaire's head. This is the kind of humor that prevails throughout the Series of Unfortunate Events. These are clearly immense nods to parents over the heads of children. I love it!

Also, the children's surname is Baudelaire. This is also clearly a nod to Charles Baudelaire, the author of Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil), La Vita Nuova and other poetry. Lemony Snicket dedicates his novels to a woman, clearly dead, named Beatrice. Baudelaire wrote of Dante, in La Vita Nuova, whose life-long love was for a woman named Beatrice. Why is she clearly dead? Because the dedication reads that way in the beginning of each novel. For example, in The Vile Village, it reads, "For Beatrice --- When we were together I felt breathless. Now, you are." Great humor. Love it. Indeed, Dante's true love died at a young age as well, leaving him scarred.

I love educated humor. The Baudelaires' parents perish in a terrible fire (this occurs in the first 5 pages of the first novel, so I'm not ruining anything for you all). Their situation is left in the hands of a family friend whose name is Mr. Poe. Clearly Edgar Allen Poe. One of Mr. Poe's boys' names is Edgar. I love this stuff.

The Baudelaire orphans meet some friends in Book 5, The Austere Academy. Their names are Duncan and Isadora. Sound vaguely familiar? Isadora Duncan was a famous dancer, who also wrote poetry. Unfortunately, Duncan died a famous yet tragic death when her scarf became caught in the wheel of the car she was riding in, resulting in a broken neck and being dragged for several long seconds before anyone noticed. Hopefully the Baudelaire childrens' friends will not die similar deaths. Yikes.

There are many more allusions in these books, I am sure. However, these are the interesting ones I have noticed thus far. Hope you've enjoyed, or at least....learned something. *wink*

2005-01-03T01:57:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of my Pumpkin Coach, and my castle is in the background. As you can see, my dress is a lovely blue. As you can also see, this is not me in this picture, however it might have been me the day before. Heh...

Just Call Me Cinderella

2005-01-03T01:55:00.000-05:00

Since Christie has a friend who plays a professional princess at work, I figured that I would provide those of you who do not know me with a little background information. See, while I do not have a job right now, I did have one at one time. I worked at Story Land in New Hampshire for five summers...when I was 15 until I was 19.

You have to be a certain kind of person in order to succeed at SL. Outgoing, friendly, willing to help, outgoing, hard-working... did I mention outgoing? Why? For example... not many 15 year old girls (grown women, for that matter) appreciate having their picture taken. It's especially difficult to have it happen 500 times in one day. It's even worse when you're wearing a 20 lb dress, a tiara that leaves gouges in one's head (along with the world's worst migraine), hoop skirts (yes, hoops), and uncomfortable shoes. Despite the long dress, Cinderella cannot wear sneakers because, alas!, the little girls are simply DYING to see your glass slippers. White sandals are disappointing enough. Sneakers would be downright confusing.

I've endured many pictures in my life. It's not just the act of having the pics taken that is nerve-wracking... worse is the knowledge that these pictures with Cinderella go in scrap books, family albums, and even in cute picture frames to be placed at the bedside of little Madeline, age 4. I can even attest to this...I worked at Marshalls last year, and I worked with a girl whose mother said to me..."You look very familiar. Have we met before?" The way she looked at me, I had a suspicion.

Me: Do you have any small children?
Ashley's Mom: Yes... why do you ask?
Me: Just an idea... ever been to Story Land?
A.M.: YES! We go every year!
Me: Ever meet Cinderella?
A.M.: *gasps in delight* You're Cinderella! We have pictures of you with the girls!

Wow. What a total mindf&*k. It may not seem all too out of place, however Story Land is a good four hours from Newport, RI where they live. It was slightly skeevy knowing that I am in their family albums. Especially because in one day, with 500 pictures, I am bound to blink, sneeze, have mouth twitches, and there may even be pics out there in SL family album hell, where a booger is waving in the breeze. I wouldn't doubt it. Little kids are crawling with germs, and of course, while giving my many hugs, I've had everything from runny noses, tears, vomit, and even pee end up on the front of my dress. I hope SL power washes those gowns....and soaks them in some sort of anti-bacterial SOMETHING. *Shivers* Eck.

I jest. I am honored to be in so many albums. I truly am. I simply have little faith in my picture-taking capabilities. Cinderella was not the only job I had at the amusement park, but it was certainly the most interesting. While looking for the link to provide for you all, I realized that I am on the SL website. Woo hoo!! A couple of years ago, the park organized an alumni party, in which they invited EVERY Story Land employee they have ever had. Apparently they keep excellent records over in the office. It was done to celebrate the park being open for 50 years. Quite the accomplishment, especially since most of the clientele are not from around the NH area. They have regulars who come every summer from all over the country. Why? Awesome cast members, of course! *wink*

So, I found a picture of me. It is a group picture, in which I am standing amongst Story Land's finest Cinderellas. There were women there who had been Cinderella back when the Pumpkin Coach was powered by real horses! I was very impressed, and I felt that I was in good company. So here we are. We're the lovely ladies at the top of the page. I am at the bottom, in a green tank, all the way to the left. See? Not even looking at the camera. To give myself some credit, we were making SL history by simply BEING TOGETHER, and there were literally about 20 cameras flashing at top speed. Even for Cinderella, it's quite difficult to look at all of them at once. Trust us, we've tried.

Other jobs that I did included working in Rides, where I operated many fine machines. HA! Yep, Dr. Geyser's Remarkable Raft Ride, Bamboo Shutes, the Polar Coaster, the Story Land Queen (a large swan boat at the bottom on the hill where the castle is...it's NOT on tracks, and it takes a day to learn how to not crash it), the train, Safari, Dutch Shoes, and Alice's Teacups (I was Alice, too).

One particularly interesting day occurred when I was Alice. It was a Wednesday, and it was rainy. Tuesday had been my Cinderella day. Wednesday was my friend, Stacy's, Cinderella day. Luckily for little Emily, her magical wonder was not dashed to pieces upon walking into the castle expecting to see Tina-Cinderella (whom she had drawn a lovely picture for, on her restaurant placemat) and seeing Stacy-Cinderella instead. Stacy immediately recognized her confusion, and she raced bravely to the rescue. She asked the girl's name and how old she was. The girl replied politely (she was four) and whispered in her ear, "Where is the real Cinderella?" Without missing a beat, Stacy explained that the real Cinderella was in disguise as Alice that day, since the evil stepsisters were thought to be visiting.

Emily nodded solemnly, thanked the imposter, and led her parents out of the castle in search of Alice's teacups. Since it was raining, the teacups were non-functional, and I had to clean the area instead. Upon seeing Cinderella in disguise, in a raincoat, and cleaning, Emily was convinced that the imposter Cinderella had told the truth. (Stacy had called me and warned me that Emily would no doubt be there to see me as soon as her little legs could walk there.) She very bravely approached me, and I knelt down on the wet pavement to give her a big ole I'm-really-Cinderella-but-call-me-Alice-for-now hug. She had tears in her eyes (I swear to God) as she asked me if there was any sign of my stepsisters. It was all I could do to not cry myself.

Emily: *whispering very softly* Hi, Cinderella.
Me: Hello Emily.
Emily: *to Mom and Dad* She remembers my name.
Me: Of course. Prince Charming loved the picture you drew for us.
Emily: *proud smile....stares shyly at Hello Kitty sandals*
Me: Thank you so much for visiting me.
Emily: I'm sorry you have to clean, Cinderella.
Me: *choke* It's okay, sweetie.
Emily: *nods solemnly*
Me: I love your sandals. Perhaps I will ask my Fairy Godmother for some to wear to the ball tonight.
Emily: *delighted smile... small giggle...* There's a ball tonight?
Me: Of course. And Hello Kitty is my favorite.
Emily: *small giggle* Me too, Cinderella.
Me: You have fun today, okay? And no worrying about the evil stepsisters. They're afraid of the Mad Hatter.
Emily (and parents): *giggle* Bye Cinderella.

I loved that job. It was quite difficult most of the time. It's the hardest job in the whole park. I would know...I did many of them. However, it truly was the most rewarding. I hope Emily still remembers her Cinderella. I know I'll never forget her....

I'm on fire! ^_^

2005-01-02T21:09:00.000-05:00

Your Element Is Fire

Your passion and emotion are as obvious as the brightest flame.
You make sparks fly, and your passion always has the potential to burst out.

You are exciting and creative - and completely unpredictable.
You sometimes exercise control, and sometimes you let yourself go.

Friends describe you as sensitive, spirited, and compulsive.
Bright and blazing with intensity, you seem mysterious and moody to many.

What's Your Element?

2005-01-02T18:59:00.000-05:00

Maxine...ringing in the New Year

in style, as always.

Dratted day :-\

2005-01-02T15:58:00.000-05:00

Seems as if a job is not in the cards for me. This, honestly, pisses me off to no end...especially since I started applying a long time ago, and no one has been good enough to get back to me. Who does that? Two weeks without returning my phone calls only to find out that someone was supposed to tell me a long time ago that they were not hiring? Kiss it, peeps. I've had enough. I would have given up a long time ago, except that I really do need another job. Oh well.

I would write about more, but honestly there is nothing to discuss. Life is boring right now, and I am more than ready to resume classes. However that will not be happening for another 2-3 weeks. Eck. I'm still reading. A lot. Even this tends to get a little tiresome (reading for 4-5 hours at a time makes the eyes sleepy), and there is very little food in the apartment. With no money to spare in the savings account due to my unemployment, money needs to be saved for bills and rent. Great times... we don't even have Ramen anymore. We're getting down to the bare essentials.

For some strange reason I'm depressed today. Feeling fat, useless, and without a sense of humor. Maybe I should head to Moocow's blog for a good laugh. His blog always makes me laugh out loud. I even woke Nik up one night when I was reading at 3 o'clock in the morning. He was not impressed, but I couldn't stop giggling... I sure could use a giggle right about now. Poo.

Until later then...

New Year, 2005

2005-01-01T03:54:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!

The party at Colleen's was small, but intimate. (Not in that way, you guys!) Hee hee. There were only five of us, but we had a great time. Around 12:45, we decided to go for a walk to check out another party that was supposed to be happening at a local, Newport club. On the way, we passed by the Firehouse (a Salve Regina party hotspot) and we were invited up by some guys that were in the window on the third floor. We went up, met some cool people, and we had some free drinks, which is always a plus, no matter where you go. *wink*

We decided to continue on, and we eventually turned back. Around 2:30, we wandered back to Colleen's, all of us very much drunk. Nik and Stacy both fell asleep on Colleen's couches, and Teresa, Colleen, and I played some more card games before deciding, around 3:15, that it was time for bed.

And so, here I am, at almost four o'clock in the morning, still drunk, and blogging...Janet would be proud. *wink* At some point, when Nik downloads the pictures from tonight onto the computer, I will be able to post some pictures of tonight's rendevous. Until then, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2004-12-30T23:06:00.000-05:00

One of my many vices...

My list of vices and things that I dislike... and more.

2004-12-30T22:53:00.000-05:00

I recently read someone's blog in which they listed their personal vices. I tried to think of mine, and I was able to come up with quite the list. This includes weird little facts about me as well as the things that annoy me. It goes as follows:

I cannot sit on or get into an unmade bed. I rarely make my bed when I wake up in the morning, however when I get into it at night I have to make it first. If I don't, it feels like I'm lying in a pile of dirty clothes or something. It's worse if I have to pee a lot in the middle of the night, because every time I come back to bed from the bathroom I have to make the bed again. Sometimes this happens twice in one night.
I don't like croutons on my salad. I also hate salad served on hot plates. Cool the plate off first. If I wanted hot lettuce leaves, I would have ordered the spinach.
I hate the sound of scraping ice. For example, teeth scraping a popsicle or ice trays scraping the sides of the freezer. I seriously get chills just thinking about it in order to write it here. I can give myself goosebumps all up and down my arms by simply thinking about it. I can do it when it's 110 degrees outside... "Hey guys, wanna see my give myself goosebumps?" "No way you could do that when it's this hot out......oh my god you're f&*%ing weird!" *Giggle*
I despise it when people slurp their soup. I also hate it when people slurp soda or anything else that is in liquid (or semi-liquid) form. Gross.
I hate it when people don't use their turn signals while driving...also when they turn the signal on five feet before the turn, as if they believe that in order to enable the vehicle to turn at all they must pull the little directional lever. People: the directionals are for the people behind you...to be used so that they don't have to slam on their brakes to avoid eating your back bumper for dinner. Use them. Every time you turn your car or change lanes.
I get very annoyed when I see people (strangers, even) sitting idly with their mouths hanging wide open. It makes the stupidest look on one's face. Quit catching flies, and shut yer trap. ;)
I have a bad habit of scrounging sips from other people's drinks. I am aware of how unsanitary this is, but I can't help it! To give myself SOME credit, I only do this with close friends and family members. It must be very annoying for them, however. I'm so bad that my mom drinks root beer on a regular basis when I am home for vacation. This brings me to #8.
I hate root beer. As Lou would say (however, he said it about a particular brand of beer), "Ass in a can." Yep. Root beer tastes like ass. Root beer floats are worse. Ass with ice cream.
I also have a habit of finding grammar mistakes in almost everything that I read. This comes in handy while working at the Writing Center, but it can be quite annoying when I come across an error while reading Lemony Snicket. I am incapable of continuing on without fixing it in pencil. I'm a true perfectionist...
I cannot stand the taste of beans or peas. Who ate those things and said, "Mmmm, I like this! It tastes like I picked up a pad of mud and tossed it in my mouth!" Disgusting. Gritty. Ewwwww.
Speaking of dirt in food, I do not like it when I discover bits of sand in the clams when I am eating clam chowder (this is usually the only occasion in which I eat clams). It ruins the soup altogether. I understand that clams are bottom-feeding creatures and therefore it is natural for them to contain bits of...bottom. I do not, however, need to be reminded of it while I am enjoying some particularly good chowder.
I realize why this next one is a good idea and very practical, however I find rice in salt to be gross. Well, it doesn't TASTE gross or anything, but it looks like the salt has maggots in it. Yes, the rice is great for soaking up moisture that could get into the salt and avoid clumping, but it sure looks nasty.

There is, of course, probably more. Much more. However, I do not want to disillusion you all too much. Not yet, anyway. I prefer to keep some of you around a bit longer.

I bought the two most recent Lemony Snicket novels today while Nik and I were out shopping. Yep, I am now the proud owner of all of the books that have been published to date. All eleven of them. I'm on book #5, and I will most likely finish it tonight or tomorrow morning. I also bought the first book of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, called "One For the Money". Since Barnes & Noble did not have much more Evanovich in stock, I purchased the first two books of the Full House series. (We're not talking Olsen twins, either.) Perhaps all of this will keep me occupied since I don't seem to be having much luck with the whole job hunt thing.

So, I don't know if I will come up with any good ideas for New Years' Resolutions for me to break this coming year, but you never know. The night is still young. If I think of anything good, I'll be sure to let you all know.

P.S. Please everyone say a prayer or two (even if you don't think anyone is listening) for all of the people who are dead overseas due to the recent earthquake and tsunamis. I feel that to fail to mention these happenings is to deny their existence, which I cannot do. Over 100,000 dead. This is absolutely horrible. Say a prayer, even if it's a tiny one.

Email forwarding...

2004-12-29T23:41:00.000-05:00

Everyone who has an email account (i.e. EVERYONE) needs to read this person's post.

No, seriously. It's in regards to email forwards. Please read. For our good and for the good of all humanity. Thanks. And thanks Christie for pointing it out to me.

2004-12-29T17:24:00.000-05:00

No explanation necessary.

I'm useless today, but at least I'm wearing my thong.

2004-12-29T17:14:00.000-05:00

I wonder if any of you are having a similar problem: I have been unable to post new blogs with Microsoft Windows Explorer (I know, it's because Windows sucks). I've had to use Mozilla Firefox in order to be able to see the "Save as Draft" and "Publish Post" options AT ALL. Also, two sequential windows pop up and tell me that the "previewbody" is not available. Anyone else getting this? Or should I scan again for viruses? Dammit. How annoying.

I have been probably the most useless lifeform on the planet today. I have not showered (ewww, I know... gimmee a break, no one's seen me except Nik and he only showered because he had to go to work). I have not gotten dressed (no commentary from any perverted peanut gallery please), and I have not even eaten anything except the hash brown that I scrounged from Nik while still lying in bed. Oops, I lied. I got out of bed and went to get two chocolate-covered cherries. Yummm. However, they do not count as sustenance despite the fact that I would be willing to volunteer myself to perform the experiment in which someone attempts to live solely on chocolate-covered cherries for weeks on end. (Joke.)

So I've been a lump all day. I woke up at around 11:00 to Nik making breakfast for himself. To be fair to him, he offered me an egg sandwich which I turned down. He got called in to go to work two hours early (please remember my post about how BJ's Wholesale Club does not appreciate him), so he left at about 11:30 to be there for 12. I then proceeded to lay back down and read the remainder of Lemony Snicket's third novel, The Wide Window. Yay for me. This made me sleepy so I turned to my pillow and fell asleep again, waking up at about 2:45. (I shouldn't even be admitting this to the working world, but I don't care.)

Now I still haven't done anything with myself except blog. Hooray for you all, but boo to me. I need to get my ass in gear. It's just that it's so cold in here! I want to stay in bed all day, under the blankets. I won't though. Don't worry. I'm up, I'm up. And it's about time, too, since it's now almost five o'clock. Did I mention that I'm more of a night person? This isn't because I dislike mornings, because I have no problems waking up when I need to. I simply tend to sleep forever when there's no alarm to wake me up and no important errands or duties to force me out of my bed. This is, however, the only day that I have been this useless in about as long as I can remember. I still feel terrible about it, however.

Guess what's on the agenda for today? (And you'll soon see why I couldn't bring myself to get out of bed.)

Go to Wal-Mart with the $5 Nik gave me for toilet paper
Call Starbucks to see if anyone has seen my application (again)
Attempt to clean the apartment even though the things lying around are not MINE. (I've noticed lately how difficult it is to bring myself to bother picking up the shit that SOMEONE ELSE leaves lying around. Many apologies to Mom and Dad.)
Unpack all of my shit that I've accumulated from home
Find food to eat, and attempt to make it in our cluttered (Nik's fault, not mine) kitchen

Screw getting out of bed, man. *Giggle* Just kidding, but honestly! Who would bother? *Stay-at-home Moms everywhere raise their weary hands* That's a joke, too, but I really have no desire to pick up after my boyfriend. I even realize that he's been working too much to have the time to clean the apartment. However, one would think that after having time to MAKE THE MESS, one would have the five seconds to PICK IT UP. *sigh* I shouldn't be making him sound like he's a pig or something, which he isn't. It just sucks to be left here alone with a mess, when I'm the one who has to live in it all day.

Perhaps you are wondering why the "Mood of the Day" says Wedgie. The answer to that is simple: I'm trying to get used to wearing a thong, and the struggle is a losing battle thus far. Why do men find them so attractive and exciting? Even more curious to me is why women wear them. I'm doing my best, but I am constantly thinking in the back of my mind that "I have a wedgie, and I want to pick it. Oh, wait! It's not a wedgie. It's my underwear and they're supposed to be like that." Try living life with that thought process reoccurring in the brain every five minutes. Therefore, upon reading the list of possible "moods" that I could possibly be in, I came across "Wedgie" and knew that that was the one for today... and all days of my life until I decide to BURN ALL THONGS. Wedgie it is......

Off to Wal-Mart, then. Time to slap a hat on the bedhead, and venture out into the real world. Perhaps once the apartment is stocked with ass-paper my life will appear that much more worthwhile to me. Maybe not. I'll keep you posted. *wink*

2004-12-28T21:52:00.000-05:00

Party at Colleen's on Decmber 31st! ;)

Lacking in entertainment, but never in style.

2004-12-28T21:28:00.000-05:00

Perhaps you all may have noticed that I managed to improve the blog a bit. This is no thanks to my own intelligence (well, a bit I suppose) and almost entirely thanks to other people's blogs. Christie posted directions on how to include links in the sidebar, and Bathroom Reader included a link to a post that had a really cool-looking clock in it. ^_^ So thanks, guys! How silly.

I'm betting that all the people on Aquidneck Island (and New England in general) are really glad that I wished so hard for snow!! Especially since it happened just as I left for NH, where we got no more snow than is normal for this time of year. Haha! I sat up north this week, and I watched as the weather man pointed to Newport and Boston, talking about a foot or more of the white stuff. This truly is laughable. I think I was the only one here who wanted that much snow, and once it happened I wasn't even here anymore. Truly ironic. You're welcome, Newport. *wink*

Attention Everyone: New Years' Party at Colleen's apartment!! (Colleen will love me for this.) I want people from Berlin to know that if you're reading this and have no major plans for New Years', you are welcome to come to good old Newport, RI to celebrate. We have plenty of room, and we're gonna party-hardy. Come and join the fun.

The update on the Lemony Snicket books is thus: I have read books one and two, and am halfway through the third. It seriously takes about 2-3 hours to read one book. This series will so be done by the time classes start. And then where will I be? I'll be at Barnes & Noble buying more books. And then where will I be? I'll be stacking up the many novels I'll be owning, all next to the FULL bookcase next to our bed... Classic for an English major, isn't it?

Since my life is pretty boring right now, I'll have to get creative as far as my posts are concerned... in order to keep you somewhat entertained. Lord knows that area of my expertise has been severely lacking as of late. Sorry about that, guys. Seems that when life is sucking in the drama and entertainment department, so do my daily blogs. I'll have to work on that. Until tomorrow then....

2004-12-27T01:31:00.000-05:00

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events...

these books are quite good,

and they make for a short read

for us adults!

Fun in New Hampshire.. yes, it exists.

2004-12-27T00:29:00.000-05:00

I started reading the first Lemony Snicket novel tonight. It was called The Bad Beginning. It was quite good. 162 pages. I finished it in about 3 hours. The books are tiny, and the print is large. (Hey, it's for ten year olds, isn't it??) I must say I truly enjoyed it. Witty, humorous, slightly dark, and entertaining. I began the second novel, The Reptile Room. I've read the first chapter, and I'm already hooked. Hopefully I'll be sleepy before I finish this one as well!

I can hardly wait to get back to Newport and spend that $20 Barnes & Noble gift card. I'll bring my Lemony Snicket and buy some Janet Evanovich (if they have it). Maybe some Starbucks coffee to go with it all. An excellent way to spend an afternoon when you're still unemployed.

My cat (here at home in B-town) is in heat. She is only about 7-8 months old, but she sure does want a male kitty to play with. Ha! I wish my mom would agree to letting her mate and have kittens, but she insists that this is NOT going to happen. (Damn it!) I would love to have little kitties running around, but I can understand since I wouldn't even be here to enjoy them. However, Morgan (our cat) sure does seem to want them, or at least to give it a shot in making them. Poor girl. Goodness, is she loud with that yowling or what?? If only I could provide a recording. You would all loooooove to hear her. Anyone want a cat for a week?? Any takers??

My cat sure is fun though. She is currently bored, and is proceeding to bat her jingling ball around the kitchen. She plays her own soccer game, amusing herself, and then she kicks it over to the basement stairs and throws it down into the cellar. She then fetches it and brings it back up the stairs for herself. She bats it around the kitchen, running around after it, skidding on the polished floor with claws out, and she bats it back downstairs before she brings it back up in her mouth. When she wants to play, she carries it in her mouth to one of us, and drops it at our feet. She waits for someone to throw it down the stairs for her to fetch, and if (God forbid) someone ignores her, she climbs on top of the couch, and she bats the person promptly on the head with her paw. (She did this to my brother. We laughed at him. He threw the ball before she decided to get serious.) We think she is confused and thinks she's a dog. She even meows when she wants attention, and when we come home and she meows in greeting.

Today is Monday, Candice's 20th birthday. Happy Birthday, Candice!! I hope you enjoyed your birthday cake that we had for you at our Christmas party, even though you had to share it with the other girls whose birthday is around the same time as yours. At least you got one this year. We're better friends this time. *wink*

Can you believe that I will be 21 in a little over two months? I can't! I've been forgetting to keep a countdown, but now that I've realized I'm so close, I can begin to do so. I am officially 66 days away from the legal drinking age in the good 'ole United States of America...(for those of you reading from lands other than my own). I should cross the border more often, I know. I'm only about 45 minutes from Quebec, Canada, but it can be a bit of a hassle to cross the border. It is also slightly risky to bring my own booze back since I am not of age here. Why travel 45 minutes when one's boyfriend is 23? Ah ha! So, he buys booze for me. What can I say? Booze and pearls. Just some of the perks I enjoy...I'll spare you some of the others. *sly wink*

I've tried to convince my mom that for my 21st (which falls on Thirsty Thursday this year), she should take Friday off, and come down to Newport with some of the girls. By "the girls" I mean women whom I enjoy who are also of age to drink. My mom; Nik's mom; Nik's sister (already on the island...); my mom's friend, Candy; other friends and relatives of ours such as Susan, Aunt Sue, and Auntie Pat. Bring 'em all! What fun we could have in Newport for my birthday! Hittin up Newport bars, maybe going to Foxwoods, who knows?? One could only hope. Thursday night out. Then I can save Friday or Saturday for a night with my friends at school and Nikolas. *Smile* Dream on, I know.

We got our grades for the Fall semester back on Christmas Eve day. I got the following results, which I was pleased with. (Dean's List is always fine by me, since it's rather high at my university: 3.6 as opposed to other places where it is anywhere from 3.0 to 3.4)

Social Relations: B-
Myth & Symbol: A-
British Romantics: A
Anthropology: A
Foundations of Religious Thinking: A

Anyone figured out yet why I am not a Psychology major? Social Relations??? Bullshit. Thank God that's over with. I wish I had done better, but I really can't imagine how. I wouldn't take that class again if it was free and you paid me $500. Screw that. I wouldn't mind having the professor again (very nice, and quite handsome *wink*), but not in that class. I was very pleased with the Anthro and Religion grades, however. I had to work for those. The English classes tended to come a bit easier. Can't imagine why. Duh.

So, Nik's leaving later today (it's early morning now on Monday). He didn't have to work Sunday, so he stayed. I'll be heading out Tuesday or so, because New England got hit with a series of snowstorms which have left the roads quite trecherous. I'll pass on taking the little Kia out in that crap if I can avoid it. I will be back in the saddle again soon, however. Until then, it will be warm sweaters, hot chocolate, and Lemony Snicket for this college girl. We'll talk again soon. Doncha worry.

2004-12-25T18:02:00.000-05:00

Santa Claus came to my house...

Merry Christmas

2004-12-25T17:57:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas, everyone! ^_^

I've had quite a good day. My mother woke up around 6:00 in the morning (she's worse than us kids) and went downstairs to have coffee with my Uncle Jeff, who was already awake and making breakfast for everyone. I love my family! Tim woke me up around 6:15, and he proceeded to wake everyone else as well. Unfortunately for him, I think that despite the holiday excitement, I think that we would all manage to sleep until 8 or 9 (or 10). Luckily, Tim is around to awaken us all bright and early. Thanks, Tim... *Grumble, grumble, wink, wink.*

My mom outdid herself again this year. Sweaters, a bathrobe, flannel sheets for our bed, cooking utensils, etc. Love it! Nik got me mucho pearls... yes, pearls. Not even fake ones. (They'd better not be..) I got earrings, a necklace, and six different color pearl bracelets. He also got me 3 box sets of the Lemony Snicket novels. I have books 1-9 now. I'll get 10 and 11 at BJ's. I'll have plenty to read over the remainder of break, when I'm not working. I also got a $20 gift card to Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Gift card = Chick Lit. Nice.

I promised to reveal my gifts to everyone, once they all knew what they were getting. My mom received red silk pajamas, my father a framed picture of us together when I was little, my brother got a shower radio, Nik a wok and cookbooks, Danielle (Tim's girlfriend) a stationary set, my grandmother a shower gel set, and some other gifts I can't think of at the time. I did a good job this year... and I really didn't have much money this time. Funds are short.

I really am not spoiled. We had a great Christmas, and I'm grateful for all that we have. I wish that everyone had such a great family and that everyone was so lucky on Christmas. I'm so thankful for all that I have...

It's almost time to be getting back to Newport. Tomorrow is Sunday. I'll most likely head back Monday afternoon or so. Nik will probably leave tomorrow night in case he has to work Monday. Needless to say, until Starbucks gets in touch with me, I'll be spending all of my time reading and baking. Nik and Lindsay will be very excited. :)

I hope that everyone has had an excellent Holiday. And Merry Christmas once again!

2004-12-22T17:01:00.000-05:00

A view of the mountains on the way home

to northern New Hampshire.

Driving home from Newport

2004-12-22T16:33:00.000-05:00

I drove home to New Hampshire this afternoon. My trip did not begin on a positive note. I went to the bank first, because I realized I forgot to deposit Nik's check to pay bills. At least I remembered eventually. (Poo.) So, I waited in line there for 10 minutes. Then, with Garth Brooks' Christmas album blaring in my little, red (so festive) Kia, I headed toward Middletown. On my way out of town, I was planning to stop for gas at Cumberland Farms, because they have the cheapest gas: $1.89.

So I pulled into the parking lot, and there were about six cars vying for three pumps (one was out of order). As I sat there waiting for some rich, middle-aged guy wearing loafers to finish pumping gas into his sleek, black (I-have-a-small-penis-and-I'm-trying-to-compensate-for-it) sports car, about four more cars pulled into the lot. Now there was a huge traffic jam in a very tiny parking lot. As I watched small-penis man scrounge four more cents' worth of gas out of the pump, I realized I was almost completely surrounded by cars, and I knew that there was no way this was going to take less than a half hour. I threw it into reverse, bitching under my breath at black-sports-car-douchebag for using the cheap gas station when he could afford to pay $100 a gallon. (I am so bitter.)

With the car still on "E", I decided to head for greener pastures; preferably a pasture with less expensive cows... uh ...yeah. Unforunately, greener pastures cost me $1.99/gallon. Go figure. I then stopped at McDonald's to treat myself to a fancy lunch. *Snicker* I ordered, waited in the drive-thru for five minutes while some lady (yet another wealthy Newporter, this time in a blue Cadillac) bitched about having cheese on her hamburger. Some shit about being lactose intolerant. Stupid lady. (I'm joking this time, but I WAS annoyed at my luck, or lack of it.) So, I got to the window, and guess what? They don't take debit cards. *Clears throat "patiently"* "Excuse me?" Nope. Cash only. I felt like such a spoiled brat, trying to pay for $3 worth of greasy food with a credit card. But the thing is, I'm not spoiled. (A brat, yes. Spoiled, no.) The guy looked at me, glanced at my Salve Regina University sticker, and said in a mock-apologetic voice, "Sorry hunny. No credit cards here." Screw you, asshole! That's my money in my account! Not daddy's! Ugh. Now my other tank was on Empty. Damn.

I eventually got a bagel at Dunkin Donuts (at least coffee places have some sanity). It only took me about 4 hours and 20 minutes to get home. The traffic wasn't bad at all. (Thank God.) I made sure that my windshield washer fluid was full before I left, because I'm anal about having a clear windshield. Like, when the windshield wiper blade leaves a line of water behind, I fix it. Pathetic, I know. So when following people on the highway when the highway is wet with dirt, the water sprays mud all over everything. I was so glad I thought to check the fluids first.

Only 2 more days until Christmas!

2004-12-21T19:54:00.000-05:00

Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and

Hermione (Emma Watson)

Good News, Bad News

2004-12-21T19:47:00.000-05:00

Let's start with the bad news first, because I like to end things on a lighter note. The bad news is that Nik called me from work to tell me that he was highly upset. He (and his fellow BJ's Wholesale employees) were told today (four days until Christmas) that all seasonal employees will have their weekly hours cut to 20 per week. Perhaps this sounds fair to you readers, since he WAS hired merely as seasonal help. However, it would be valid for me to point out that Nik has been called in to work for almost 50% of his days off. He has responded each and every time, and has gone in when asked. Why? Because he pays for rent, his car, student loans, food, insurance, etc. He needs the money. Badly.

Not only is he their MOST reliable employee (literally), but he works 50-60 hours a week, lately. They have scheduled him for 50 hours a week for over a month now (does this sound seasonal to you?). Also, perhaps most interestingly, they told him upon hiring him that he was technically seasonal, but that every year they update all of their seasonal workers to full time. Um... they lied. What bullshit. Not only that, but they promised him that since he would be full time soon, he could begin to get insurance coverage, which he desperately needs and will no longer be eligible for. Great.

Oh my God! I can't stand this. Nik also threw out his back while on the job this week. He's been walking slow since it happened. I can tell that it's painful, but he doesn't say much. Thank God I made him file a report about having been injured while on the clock. He would be screwed. He may be screwed anyway, because he cannot survive and pay his bills on 20 hours per week. He will need to find another job, but he will not get reimbursed for his back while not on their payroll.... Will he??? I don't know much about all this. I only know that BJ's Sucks ASS. Pardon me, but who does this FOUR DAYS before Christmas? Couldn't it wait until the 26th?? Bullshit.

So.... how have all your days been going??? Good I hope. Mine has been a rollercoaster ride, for sure. There is good news as I promised, however... although I must admit that compared to the bad news, it's fairly meek. I didn't save money on car insurance. (So lame.) However, Christie informed me today that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter Numero 6) is complete and scheduled to be released on July 16, 2005!!! I can hardly wait. For more info head to www.mugglenet.com

I hope you all like my picture that I've chosen for this post. Yes, it's Harry Potter and Hermione Granger! Only, it's not. It's Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. But hey, it sure is fun to see pictures of "Harry and Hermione" on the red carpet! For pictures (and a list of cast) from the Fourth Harry Potter movie (out sometime in 2005) go to http://www.veritaserum.com/movies/actors/.

2004-12-21T13:24:00.000-05:00

This is a perfect cartoon to illustrate our morning

here in Newport. Cold weather = pipes bursting.

A Freezing Fiasco

2004-12-21T13:22:00.000-05:00

What a morning. Where to begin? Weather.com reported last night that the temperature in Newport, RI was a whopping 8 degrees Fahrenheit. Woopie. As I was reading this tidbit of information, I thought to myself, "Wow...Newport is rarely ever this cold." I then continued and thought, "That's nothing. I wonder how cold it is in Berlin?" So, I type in the zip code and read "-27 degrees." Excellent. So now I'm thinking that 8 degrees is pretty darn warm. I was wrong. 8 degrees is perfectly cold enough to freeze the pipes in a 200-year-old building.

So Nik and I woke up this morning around 8 a.m. because we were planning to go to North Dartmouth to visit another BJ's Wholesale Club, in order to pick up some missing parts for the entertainment system Nik got on sale. I only agreed to go because he promised shopping and a lunch of Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks at the Olive Garden on the way back. I was all set. However, we never got to North Dartmouth. We never even left Newport. We never even got to shower today, because our pipes froze last night. So, I called our landlady, who lives in Bridgeport, CT. She told me all about how I could use a hairdryer to dethaw the pipes down in the basement. What fun at 8 in the morning. So, Nik began to dethaw the cold water pipe, and I waited upstairs with the water turned all the way on. After about 15-20 minutes of Nik's excellent hairdryer useage, the water began to come out in drops. Soon it was completely on, but we still had no hot water. No hot water = no shower. I'll pass on a cold shower, thanks. So, he proceeded to dethaw the hot water pipe which comes out of the (duh) Hot Water Heater.

After about 10 minutes more, Nik came upstairs. I was surprised to hear him coming, since the water wasn't on yet. He said that the pipe downstairs in the basement was hot to the touch, and that it would simply build up pressure and make it up to the second floor, where we live. We sat there in the bathroom for a good 2 minutes, staring at the spout, hearing pumping and water noises nearby, but not understanding why the water hadn't reached the bathroom yet. Then, it finally dawned on us. The water WAS coming out.... just not in OUR apartment.

Nik ran from the bathroom, and flung open the door to the apartment, which leads down a flight of stairs and onto our street. (The bathroom wall is shared with the stairwell.) What did we see in the hallway? Nothing.... we couldn't see a damned thing because of the steam from the hot water. Nik screamed. LOL!! He did! And then he ran outside, and he saw that hot water was pouring (yes, pouring) out of the building and onto the sidewalk. He ran down into the basement, and more water was pouring through the floors and into the cellar. He shut off the water completely, but meantime, I was still standing in the stairwell, because water had begun to pour from the ceiling and onto the stairs. I wanted to see where it was coming from, for when the landlady inevitably would come and wish to know this information.

So now, Nik has gone to his sister's apartment in Middletown, so that he can take a shower before work at 1:30. I'm still waiting for the landlady to come over. Apparently she called some company, and they'll be here around 12-2. So much for plans today. What a bummer. Oh my. I'm heading home to New Hampshire tomorrow. Hopefully everything will be repaired and all set by the time I have to leave. That would suck to need to stay longer in Newport, when I want to be getting home for Christmastime... pooper.

It's gonna be a long day, and I'm sure that I may very well wish to continue my story...once more happens. Hopefully nothing too spectacular will happen for the rest of the day. I've had enough excitement for the rest of the week....until Christmas, that is. :)

2004-12-20T13:45:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas! In 5 days.... :)

Holiday Excitement

2004-12-20T13:41:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh. Snow. Now it's Christmas. Mind you, there's only about a half inch to an inch on the ground, but it's finally cold enough that it won't melt right away. Thank God. Only 5 days until Christmas, and now I can finally feel like it's that time of year. I've already bought all my gifts, and I've already wrapped them. I've just today sent out our Christmas cards, and it's funny how despite all of these Christmas-y activities, I have to have snow to feel the true spirit of the Holiday. I guess that's the New Hampshire girl in me.

So this morning, Nik and I got up (not early, but we got up... haha) and decided to walk to the post office in the newly fallen snow. We would then proceed to Starbucks for Christmas drinks and stop at the ATM to transfer funds in order to pay the cable bill. (You know you want all the details...*smile*) We got outside, the wind blew, our eyeballs began to water, and we decided to drive instead. What pansies we are...if we were home, we would be laughed at, because not only would our eyeballs start to water, but the tears would freeze immediately and we would all walk anyway. But, we're in Newport. And we can afford to be pansies...since everyone else is too. So we drove to the post office. We bought stamps, because I ran out. I walked over to the "Out of Town" slot, and I realized that I could not put my cards in because it's jammed full of mail. Seems everyone and their brother in Newport is sending out Christmas cards as well. So, I jam them in, and hope they don't get lost. (Especially since payment for the cable bill was in there.)

*Sigh* Next stop, Starbucks. I guess I could use this time to fill you all in on the Starbucks job hunt. Drumroll please..... It took them over two weeks to tell me.... "We're not hiring, but our store in Middletown is." Cool. I have no problems with this. I only wish they would have told me sooner, so that I may have been able to put my application in with the store that IS hiring. Silliness. Oh well. It's Christmas, and nothing can bother me. (If I keep telling myself this, it will work. I know it will. Yep.) So, I asked for my application back. Am I supposed to do that?!? Too bad. It was an awesome application. I did a kick-ass job, and I know it. It took me 45 minutes to fill that thing out. So, I will bring it to the other location and hope that my previous job experience with making coffee at another local coffee shop (last year around this time) will convince them to hire me. I need a job! So to continue my oh-so-exciting story, we got our coffee. Yum. And then we came back here. And now I'm blogging. Fun day so far, eh?

Last night, after dropping off our gifts to Nik's sister (Carolyn) and her fiance (Lou), we went to look at Christmas lights. It's amazing to go Light-hunting in an area as opulent as Newport, RI. Some of those houses were amazing. We saw one place that had set up about 20-30 Christmas trees in their yard. They were all decorated with lights, and they even had ornaments on them! They had Christmas music playing, and they were probably the coolest decorations I've ever seen. They even had little houses set up with figurines of Santa and his elves working in the workshop...they were all moving! It was so neat, that we took pictures. I have no clue who these people are, but Nik and I want to move in! :)

We then came back here around eleven o'clock, and decided to watch a movie. We watched "Collateral" with Tom Cruise. (Well, Tom Cruise was in the film. He didn't watch it with us. I thought I might need to clarify. *wink*) It was a great movie. Perhaps I thought it was great because I had made myself about 4 frozen drinks by the time the movie was over. Who does that? Moi. Yup. And I enjoyed myself. Isn't it great how Nik and I amuse ourselves, even though we have no life? I think so. We're awesome.

So now Nik's at work. As usual. And I'm here alone. As usual. I'm halfway through that V.C. Andrews series now. It took me two days to read the second book. It's the longest one, too. It feels great to have a real vacation, though. One in which I'm not running around like a chicken with my head cut off. It's relaxing. I love it. (But I still need a job.)

I'm going back to New Hampshire soon. I'll be leaving on Wednesday. Maybe I can convince Nik that I need to bring our laptop home with me so that I can blog. (*HA!*) I highly doubt he will relinquish the computer, since he will be staying in Newport until Christmas Eve day. One can only hope. I'll leave it with him, I guess. I can blog from the home computer, and he wouldn't have anything. I can't wait for Christmas! (That just spontaneously slipped out. Sorry.)

So yes, it will feel great to be home. Every year, my grandmother (Dad's mom) stays with us overnight to wake up with us on Christmas morning. I sleep in my brother's room on a roll-away cot. It's the only night that Tim and I sleep in the same room, and to tell the truth, I really look forward to it. Of course, I didn't when I was little. Now that we're older and we're closer, we always end up staying up late to whisper and talk about things. Now, if you read my blog about Little Brothers (archived...check it out), you'll know how hard it is to stay quiet when my little brother makes me laugh every two seconds. That old cot is squeaky, and I'm usually lying there trying to keep my entire body from shaking. Llol. (As Chelse says, "Literally Laugh Out Loud.") It's quite fun. Especially when my Mom has to yell to go to bed and keep quiet. "Okay guys, that's enough. Go to sleep!" We're sorry, Mom. Really we are. But he's so goddamned funny!!

This will be the twelfth Christmas that my grandmother spends with us. My grandfather passed away in March of '93, and she's spent Christmas with us ever since. We miss my Grampa, but I do like having her over for Christmas morning. It's become a tradition. This year, however, we have ANOTHER guest for a sleepover! ^_^ My Uncle Jeff will be staying with us as well. I can't wait! It's going to be so much fun this year. I love Christmas! (Did I say that already? Just checking. *giggle*)

2004-12-20T13:38:00.000-05:00

Imagine my surprise when I realized that today's

Maxine comic is very relevent to my post for today.

Serendipitous. ^_^

My Recipe For Mashed Potatoes

2004-12-19T15:14:00.000-05:00

Mmmmm. I just experimented and tried my hand at making mashed potatoes. I use red potatoes... the little ones. And I leave the skins on, because they taste good and add color. They're probably high in protein or something like that, but I do know they're good for you. Although, admittedly, these potatoes probably aren't as good for you once I'm done with them. *Smile* Here's the recipe that I just made up... hee hee.

Sour Cream and Chive Smashed Red Potatoes
3 red potatoes, quartered (leave peels on)
2 dollops of light sour cream
2 Tbsp milk
2 Tbsp chives (fresh or dried)
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Immerse potatoes in enough water to cover completely, plus about an inch or two more. Boil potatoes until soft, and then drain all the water from the pot. Using a hand masher (not an electric mixer), mash the potatoes together, leaving the peels on. Add sour cream and milk, and mix together using a wooden spoon. Add chives, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well blended and smooth. Serve immediately. Makes one serving.

Now, I say one serving guardedly. Most of the time people write that their recipe makes 4 servings, and Nik and I are still hungry after finishing the whole thing. Either way, my recipe makes about 1 and 1/2 cups of mashed potatoes. I would suggest serving it with some chicken or other meat...as a side dish. Unless, of course, you like potatoes very much and don't eat meat. Feel free. Go nuts. :) Whatever you do, enjoy my recipe. I'm so excited that it actually came out as I had planned. Yay me. *wink*

2004-12-17T16:36:00.000-05:00

This is Abigael and her new sister, Hannah Elizabeth.

^_^ Congratulations, Lucie and David!

2004-12-17T14:06:00.000-05:00

8 days until Christmas