Traveling

I love to travel. I love road trips, stopping along the way for snacks and drinks, laughing and joking and bonding in a tiny vehicle; I love seeing new places and people; learning of new cultures; trying new foods. The whole experience makes for a happy me. Recently, I've been reading Long Way Down, by Ewan McGregor (yes, Obi Wan Kenobi) and his friend, Charley Boorman. Basically, the two friends take off from the top of Sctoland on two BMW motorbikes and travel down, through Africa, until they hit the tip: Capetown. It speaks of culture and people at once different, terrifying, and beautiful. It has made me a bit nostalgic over a trip I took once.

I had the great opportunity to go to London and Paris while in high school, and although I found London to be a bit more aggressive than Paris, I adored Paris. We did all of the tourist-y things, visited castles and the Eiffel Tower, went down the Thames in a boat, walked around Stonehenge, and so on. But I remember one moment in time that has stuck with me through the blur of sleep deprivation, tight schedules, and time away.

The night was so dark it was hard to see, except for the brilliance of the Eiffel Tower, which lit up the square beneath with what seemed like thousands of tiny lights. Still, it was pretty dark. Venders were walking around, trying their best to get money off the tourists. One group in particular seemed to be working together. . .or maybe they were rivals. They were the darkest people I had ever seen, skin like ebony, like the night in which we wandered, taking in the sights. When the sellers were far away, they were nearly invisible, except for their jewelry. They had piercings: labraes, ears, noses; and in these piercings they wore big stones that flashed through a multi-hued light show. Sometimes, all you could see were these light shows flashing by, the people themselves blending with the dark of the night.

In that moment, I was enthralled. This was not the Paris you read about, this was something different. A subculture, a part of the night life, an actual piece of Paris, not a tourist attraction. Sure, they were there to bank on tourists, but they were not an attraction in and of themselves. Just like the street vender who painted beautiful artwork along an alleyway, or the couples holding onto each other and walking down cobbled streets. I wasn't so interested in what the tourists wanted to see; I wanted the real Paris. That day and the night to follow was the closest I got, bartering with the venders and smiling at a beautiful landscape paiting, a universal utterance of appreciation, which had the artist in smiles too. That's what I remember.

Also, trying to spit off the top of the Eiffel Tower, but that's another story involving wind velocity and laws of physics working aginst me. :P

Jazz Festival

I like to say that my taste in music is eclectic. Let's just put it this way: if I could choose one band to see right now, it would be Flogging Molly. A close second would be Clutch. If neither of those sound familiar, and you're too lazy to follow the links (you should totally follow the links; they will open your world of music), allow me to sum them up for you -

• Flogging Molly = Irish Punk Rock; Fave Songs: Pretty much all of them. . .
  
• Clutch = Heavy, Yelling Metal; Fave Songs: Space Grass, Big News From the Party Boat 1; 10001 (yes, that's the name of a song. My thoughts are that its binary code. . .)
  

Anywho, so jazz falls somewhere on my like-o-meter, and I managed to talk myself into going to the festival they were having in my hometown. I bought a four dollar funnel cake and a two dollar root beer; I hung around with friends, one of which is a musician and probably appreciated the music far more than I did; I tried not to get a contact high from whoever thought lighting a joint was a good idea in a place where they had real cops and not just security guards (Dudes, if I can smell it, so can the cops. . .); I checked out motorcycles. I got home a little after midnight.

I thought it would merely be a little jazz, but it was a full blown festival, with three different stages, many booths selling everything from turkey legs to jewelry to cowgirl hats. It was so crowded, I actually had no problem dancing with myself, hips moving to the rhythms the entire band was feeling. Because if there were so many people, no one would be watching, right? RIGHT?!

It was an all around, basically good time, and if there is one thing I've come to discover over these past few months, it's that music can turn a bad mood around; dancing soothes the soul; singing allows release for emotions that would otherwise be pushed away. Music, in all its many forms, can help one heal piece by little piece.

Best TV Line!

Castle's Mother: "They've re-made Fame and A Christmas Carol. Has Hollywood completely run out of ideas?"

Castle: "They're going to be making a movie based on Asteroid: The Game, so apparently yes. But, Ryan Phillips is going to be playing the wee triangle, and he's supposed to be really good!"

Ha! I remember that game and it's wee triangle! Ah, good times.

P.S. That's a line from the TV series, Castle, starring Nathan Fillion, who played Mal in both the awesome TV series Firefly, and the movie version-continuation-thingy, Serenity.

Dollars For Debbie

Not too long ago, I ran into an old friend of mine and his mom at a Time Out for Women event (Google that, if you're curious). It was cool to catch up with him about his wife and kids, and to see his mom again, who was taking video with her digital camera. He was giving information out about his website company, and it's definitely cool. An online journalling site, and when you're done, you can order your journal to be printed, bound in leather, with your name scrolled into the cover for a reasonable price. Very cool. They even include any pictures you might upload onto your journal.

Well, I found out recently that my friend's mom, Debbie, has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. So, my friend put together a site for her, for anyone to donate to help with any costs. They only ask for one dollar, although I'm positive they would not mind if you gave more. This is a chance to help someone and her family in their time of need, if only in the monetary sense. Trust me, they don't need that stress on top of that. So, go check out Dollars for Debbie. I promise, you won't regret the donation.

I'm Intelligent! Some Random Quiz Says So! :P

So, I found a comment from a fellow blogger, which I followed to her blog. Finding her "All About Me" description highly amusing, I continued on to read her blog, but since it is getting late, and I have class in the morning, I decided to take this quiz, and see how I do. I'm sad I'm not so great at the advanced or expert, but at least I'm above average. Then again, like I always say: the average person is an idiot. . .

Your result for The Commonly Confused Words Test...

English Genius

You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 87% Advanced, and 87% Expert!

You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!

Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it!

For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/.

Take The Commonly Confused Words Test at HelloQuizzy

Online Shopping

I love to shop online. It's convenient, fast, and you find things you might never find in stores. Today was my payday. W00t! And it was a good paycheck. I've worked hard this semester to make an A in my class, and I've worked hard at my job to make a good paycheck. So, I thought I'd peruse the great and unique online store, Etsy, for two things that I've been yearning for forever. A beanie and a necklace.

One thing about shopping and I, I must love what I am getting. It is much the same for online shopping, only more so, for some strange reason. I can't look at an item, think it's "kinda cute" and put it in my shopping cart. I must look at it, and think "OMG! MUST HAVE!"

That doesn't stop me from talking myself out of items once I've put them in my cart. That's where my big sister comes in. For one thing, she does not ever tell me to save my money, which is something that is always going on in the back of my head, "Save Your Money, Save Your Money, Save Your Money. . .". I also trust her sense of fashion. We may not always agree on what looks good, but if I'm not too sure about something, I ask her, and she'll give me an opinion, and I'll take it into account, but if my mind is still telling me that the purchase is too freaking cute, or "So Me" I'll buy it, or ask for it for a Birthday/Christmas. Such was the way with my beloved Uggs. I couldn't see myself spending that much money, but I adored them. My sister had not jumped on the cute boot train yet, so she would say they were ugly, but I listened, and then ignored her advice. Christmas rolled around, and I got a pair from my dear big sister, whom herself was sporting a sweet pair. I still wear those boots, even in these summer days when I know I'm going to spend time in a highly air conditioned building, despite the fact that the heat index at the moment here has gotten to at least 103.

So today I went shopping, and I got what I was looking for. One thing about me: I often know what I want when I go looking, to a T, and so often I don't buy because nothing fits all of my criteria.


Meet Exhibit A: a beanie in my favorite shade of gray, crocheted, with kitty ears. (the picture shows it as black, but the one I ordered was a soft gray).






And Exhibit B: A sterling silver skull and crossbones necklace with a few crystals (the picture shows one with more crystals than the one I got. I do not go overboard with my crystals, mmmkay?). I'm in love with pirate lore and all things piratey, so this seemed made for me. Piratey, yet feminine. Score for me!

Zombies

In all the horror movies I see, especially those pertaining to zombies, people never go for the head shot first. To me it's common sense. What puts something down quick? Head shot. Bullets to the chest won't kill? Try a head shot. Yet it takes at least one member of a tactical force to die and someone else to make a brilliant deduction, "Well, if you sever the spinal column, or otherwise incapacitate the brain, then they don't get up."

Maybe it's idiotic to argue a point when it comes to zombie movies. I mean, they're a dime a dozen, and most of them are thoughtless shoot 'em ups, but still you'd think it'd be a no-brainer (pun not intended! OK, maybe a little bit).

Moral of the story: When in doubt, go for the head shot.

My Rather Mundane Day

I had a bit more to do today than most days. Errands to run before work, frustrations before and during work - well, let me just give you the highlights.

• Run downstairs to tell my apartment manager that I cannot fix my clogged bathtub. Gratefully thank her for agreeing to send the handyman to take care of it.
• Take my dog outside. Wait while she sniffs grass and picks a spot exactly like every other spot.
  
• Meet with my adviser at the University. Learn that a class that I had taken and passed was not in my records. I must bring a transcript on Monday, and if it isn't on said transcript, I have to retake the class.
• Deposit check at bank. Wonder if the trip is worth going home, or if I should pass remaining time at McDonald's since I'm already halfway to work.
• Find it impossible to sit in McDonald's after I eat lunch. Head home.
• Tool around on my laptop until I have to leave for work.
• Spend hours in mind-numbing conditions, punctuated by stupid questions from co-workers.
• Finally head home. Think about watching a movie: The Shooter? Pirates of the Caribbean?

Seriously, if it could have been a little more boring, you might not have just wasted a few precious minutes reading about it.

Holding Doors

I am a petite girl. At 5' 2", with a very slight build, most people are taller and stronger than I. Being raised in the South, I put much stock into manners. One thing I've learned: hold the door for people who may be exiting behind you. I may be small and slight, but no matter how heavy the door, I will hold it for whoever may be behind me. Nothing is more annoying than getting the door slammed right in your face. I should know. It happens to me all the time.

Sure I grumble about it, and insult, soto voce, the person who didn't bother, but (and here's where my Southern upbringing really comes in) I get really ticked if it happens to be a guy who has decided not to be gentlemanly enough to bother waiting until I can exit. I don't care if he OPENS the door for me. I believe that it's whoever gets to the door first, unless I'm obviously struggling to open it. I think it's ridiculous to expect a guy to pick up his pace so that he reaches the door before me, all because it seems more polite, when I can open the door just fine (usually) on my own. But seriously, when a door practically smacks me in the face because someone doesn't want to hold the door, and when that someone happens to be taller and stronger than me, I hurl insults with the best of them.

I once called a guy on this very thing, because he'd done it to me twice in as many days. BLAM! Right in my face. So I called out to him the second time, once I'd shoved the door open again. What's the freaking deal?! Oh, he didn't see me. Understandable. My size makes me easily misplace-able. Seriously, I've walked around a store with my brother-in-law, who has stopped in the middle of his conversation because he'd lost track of me. I was right beside him, but he didn't see me because he wasn't looking down low enough. It happens.

But, really, if you're walking out of a building, have the courtesy to hold the door. And if you don't feel like holding the door, wait until I reach and I'll hold it open for you. And then let it slam in your face before you even take two steps.

Orson Scott Card

To put it mildly, I believe Orson Scott Card is a completely awesome, engaging, complex, and all around awesome author. I've been on a Card kick lately, so I've read several of his books. . .again. He brings to life the women of the Bible in his Women of Genesis series: Rachel and Leah; Rebekah; Sarah. All brought to brilliant light, inspiring me (at least) and showing that he can do what many authors struggle with - bridging that gender gap. He blows you away with the complex and enthralling Ender series. My favorite happens to be Enchanted, a re-telling of an old fairy tale in an old country. LOVE IT!

Another gem I happen to be re-reading at the moment is a book that is edited by Card. Future on Ice is an anthology of eighteen different science fiction stories. Not only are all of the stories interesting, deep, and full of win, but Card writes an introduction for each story and its author! Before the short story "Cabracon," he really gets on his soap box and opens up the world of science fiction as its viewed by publishers, and what it means to be a sci-fi writer, the good and the bad.

If you love sci-fi, or are just in the mood for some good reading, I encourage you to pick up one of Cards many novels. He never fails in his endeavors, and if you want to read an anthology, start it out with Future on Ice. Weird and gritty makes for good reading!

Hiatus

I know it has been awhile, but there has been just too much going on in my life, and blogging seemed so trite and pointless. But people keep saying I need to try to keep things normal; I need to keep up with my routine, etc. Whatever. Here's a meme to get things kicking again, which I stole from my sister at Stumbled Into Fate.

1. What is your current obsession?

Oh, there are so many. Going to the shooting range; reading the newest in fantasy and chick lit; Dr. Pepper.

2. What do you hate the most that everyone else seems to love?

I dislike reality TV. I'm not talking Dirty Jobs or Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, I mean like the VH1, MTV, Real Desperate Wives That Live Somewhere or Other. Gag.

3. What are you wearing today?

I have on a bit of a dressy light blue v-neck shirt, paired with my favorite jeans and probably my gray sneakers, although I'm sporting the barefoot look at the moment, since I'm sitting alone at home.

4. What's for dinner?

Spaghetti Marinara that I have frozen in my freezer (TV dinner), plus chips and dip, along with a heaping dose of whatever the Travel Channel wants to throw my way.

5. What would you eat for your last meal?

A cheeseburger, fries, hot apple pie, and a ginormous Dr. Pepper.

6. What is the last thing you bought?

Gas for my car. I avoid buying frivolously lately. I'm going to Wingstop, and this will be the first time I've spent money on something I don't really need for awhile.

7. What are you listening to right now?

My TV. Some weird show that will discuss Harry Potter, "the greatest children's classic of a generation."

8. What do you think of the person that tagged you?

I didn't actually get tagged. :/ But I love my sister. :)

9. If you could have a house--fully paid for and totally furnished--anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Texas. Or possibly somewhere pretty, with seasons, a small suburb community a la Gilmore Girls.

10. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would it be?

I haven't been to an arcade in forever. . .

11. What is one of your hobbies?

Reading. Lol. Was that hard to guess?

12. What is ONE of your favorite quotes?

"Your trials are but a small moment. . ." D&C 119.

13. What is your favorite color?

Gray. Dove gray.

14. What is your favorite piece of clothing in your wardrobe?

I love my Hydraulic jeans. A little distressed and a lot comfortable.

15. What is your dream job?

I would love to be the editor of PC Gamer magazine.

16. Describe your personal style.

One hundred percent casual. Jeans, t-shirts that are probably a little too short for most peoples' comfort, and flip-flops, or some Chucks.


17. What is your favorite tree?

I like Oak trees. They represent strength and wisdom, at least to me, and those are two things I need daily. Also, nothing is nicer than sitting, reading under one on a cool Fall day.

18. What are you going to do after this?

I'm going to Wingstop to meet a friend.

19. What is your favorite fruit?

I love Cantaloupe. Especially when it is soft and juicy.

20. What inspires you?

Music, scriptures, people, art. It depends on my mood and what touches me that day.

21. Who was the last person that you kissed?

;) My SO (that's code for significant other.)

22. What are you currently reading?

I'm re-reading Moon Called, by Patricia Briggs. I love her Mercedes Thompson series.

23. Go to your bookshelf, take down the first book that you see with a red binding, turn to page 26 and type out the first line.

Goosebumps: Piano Lessons Can Be Murder- "She always acts like that," I told them.

24. What delighted you the most today?

Coming home and seeing my dog after work.

25. By what criteria do you judge a person?

The way they speak to me or those that I care for. If they have an attitude, they better believe they'll get one right back.

26. What was your childhood nickname?

Schnookie. It's German.

27. What are you afraid of?

Losing those I love most. Facing those fears is the worst thing ever.

Whelp. Enjoy. Hopefully I'll have another blog to write out soon.

Dead Like Me

Despite the doom and gloom title, this is not an emo posting. Instead, it is one that I will use to first say that Burn Notice is up and running, and OMGsh, I LOVE Burn Notice. Is it bad that Fiona is my total hero? Nothing can't be solved with some C-4 or a shotgun and some bad awesomeness.


But, browsing through Hulu after watching the latest Burn Notice, I found an old show I never got into because when I started watching, I started watching late, and so had no idea what the frak was going on. Dead Like Me, in which there are some lines that make me laugh, the main character makes some observations that I can't help but agree with ("Bad people are punished by society; good people are punished by Murphy's Law."), and the career counselor? Dolores Herbig "As In Her Big Brown Eyes"? Totally reminds me of my boss. I am not lying. Oh, I mean my ex-boss, who moved. But seriously, imagine going to work to deal with THAT every day.

In Which I Give Another Unbiased Opinion

I know that this subject is probably old, considering I've had it on my iPhone almost as long as I've had my iPhone, but the Pandora Radio app is teh awesome. Not only was it free, but it seems to know what I want to hear next.

All you have to do is tap it up, and type in what you want to hear: Fall Out Boy, Jack Johnson, etc., or even a type of music: Indie, Alternative, Rock, Pop. Then the app takes what you gave it and gives you your favorite songs, and introduces you to new songs by similar artists, or artists whose sound fits what you want to hear.

A good example: I'm currently listening to the Jack Johnson radio station (yes, he has his own on Pandora radio), and suddenly a Bob Marley song came on. I am not a big Bob Marley fan. In fact, I'm not really a fan at all. But the song Is This Love segued from Jason Mraz and I told myself I should listen before judging, so I did. Does anyone else agree that that song is kind of, well . . . sexy? So, I gave it a thumbs up, another great aspect of the app.

You can give a song a thumbs up or a thumbs down, depending on how you're liking it. A thumbs down stops the song and moves you onto the next. Also, you can pause on any song, or skip any you're not in the mood for. I've been listening for over a half hour, and I must say that I've given a thumbs up to most of the songs.

Honestly, I don't see why you wouldn't have this app, even if you don't listen to music that often. I only listen to music when I'm in certain moods. I'm a moody listener. :P And yet, here I am, listening to Dispatch, a band I've never even heard of, and I'm thinking about giving it a thumbs up. It certainly makes the afternoon more palatable.

Pandora has opened the box to a whole new music world for me and it's all good from what I can hear.

This is How I Relax

So, I had a pretty stressful, annoying day, starting with a crappy class and ending with a student that didn't understand the words "we're closing." So, I came home hungry and cranky. The best thing for me when I'm cranky is just to crank up the tunes. Get lost in some really aggressive song like, "Stinkfist," by Tool, or "Scream," from Avenged Sevenfold.

Once my need to punch someone in the face abates, I like to wind down by listening to some smooth greats of my generation. Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Citizen Cope. Those are my favorites, and I haven't really found others that hit the spot quite like them, so if anyone has some suggestions, feel free to let me know! I am all for the easy-does-it croons that Jack Johnson and friends deliver, especially on days when I need to take Advil and remember to breathe deeply.

In conclusion, here's some great lyrics to get you in the easy-going mood:

"Better Together"

"Better Together"

There's no combination of words
I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing
But I can try for your heart
Our dreams, and they are made out of real things
Like a, shoebox of photographs
With sepiatone loving
Love is the answer,
At least for most of the questions in my heart
Like/ why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard?
It's not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing it's always better when we're together

[Chorus:]
MMM it's always better when we're together
Yeah, we'll look at the stars when we're together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together

And all of these moments
Just might find their way into my dreams tonight
But I know that they'll be gone
When the morning light sings
And brings new things
For tomorrow night you see
That they'll be gone too
Too many things I have to do
But if all of these dreams might find their way
Into my day to day scene
I'd be under the impression
I was somewhere in between
With only two
Just me and you
Not so many things we got to do
Or places we got to be
We'll Sit beneath the mango tree now

It's always better when we're together
Mmmm, we're somewhere in between together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together

MMmmmm MMMmmmm Mmmmmm
I believe in memories
They look so, so pretty when I sleep
Hey now, and when I wake up,
You look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time,
And there is no, no song I could sing
And there is no, combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing
We're better together.

- Jack Johnson

*Courtesy of A-Z Lyrics

Phobia!

As those who have read my past posts know, I am a huge fan of the Discovery Channel. It is always on in my apartment, so I hear all the new shows going on.

Now, before I detail the newest in Discovery Channel learning, let me explain a bit about myself. I have several phobias, one of which is the ocean. I do not like not being able to see what's under the water (and therefore probably headed right for me); I do not like crazy undertows and rip tides that wish to pull me under or out and drown me; I do not like the scary predators that lurk in the depths. Other bodies of water are fine. I'm perfectly fine in a swimming pool. I enjoy lakes and rivers. Until now.

River Monsters is a brand-spanking new show on the Discovery Channel, and it details the monsters that no one knew were lurking in the depths and along the banks of calm rivers and placid lakes. Giant Alligator Gars and humongous catfish and goodness knows what else. Bodies of water? Slowly becoming a bigger phobia for me. Thanks River Monsters!