Big Kitties

Hubs and I are going to visit his parents and my mother for Christmas. I thought I'd share some holiday cheer while I'm at it. Enjoy this adorable video as much as I did. If you don't watch this with a big, stupid grin on your face, or at least a warm in your heart, you have no soul.



Apparently, even wild kitties love teh boxes.

Eclectic = Me

A little after I earned my degree, I began to read as ravenously as I had before. In the time it took to get my degree, I was more or less relinquishing personal reading time for studying, labs, and group work, and right as I finished my degree, I was so burned out on words, I couldn't think of what I could possibly want to do with any sort of book. Thankfully, I'm back to my old self again, and reading like crazy.

One of two that I have finished today: Queen By Right, by Anne Easter Smith. The story of one King Edward, who had rights to King Henry's throne after his father was killed, because his father was heir apparent on the non-Lancastrian side. The story is told in his mother's words, revealing a strong, intelligent voice. Very good, but I cannot help but be a little curious: what of a book depicting an every day woman, perhaps intelligent, but having to pretend otherwise in such a time as those?

 Book Two: Belly Laughs, by Jenny McCarthy. A book written from the viewpoint of a mother who bares all when it comes to pregnancy, from weight gain to cravings, Psycho Chick to Blue Twinkies, all of it for our reading pleasure. Personally, I'm glad I read it, because when I finally do become a mother, there will be far less indignation. I mean, COME ON! EVERY PREGNANT WOMAN KNOWS THESE THINGS AND YET NO ONE WARNS THE NEWBIES!?!?!?!11!!

Last but not least, my newest acquisition: Just Friends, by Robyn Sisman. Good so far!

Hard Drive Be Gone (or a Hammer if you want to be literal!)

My husband and I recently got rid of a very old computer that had been collecting dust in the corner of our bedroom. However, since I am a paranoid person, I insisted he remove the hard drive first. And then the fun began!

With the hard drive and a hammer in hand, I headed out to our patio, where I proceeded to whack the ba-jeebers out of it. My husband had a few tries too, denting the hard disk, and I was happy to see I'd destroyed one of the chips sitting atop the device. It was all good and fun, and my identity is safe!

It's Raining Hedgehogs

*snort, sniff, snort, grump*

     My pet hedgehog, Siegfried, is probably one of the cutest hedgehogs that exists. You might be asking yourself, what does a hedgehog even do? Well, mine huffs and puffs and pokes with his little toothpick spines, and licks things and chews things and puts spit on himself in a process quaintly called, "self-anointing". The best times are when he comes out of his protective cocoon of spines and looks at you with his clear, bright eyes and snuffles and licks his snout.

He'll only eat cat food, which is what they are fed while in captivity, but promises of a happy hedgehog nomming on grapes or other delicious treats have never really come true in this household. Until they do, I'm going to hold him, and talk to him, and snort back at him because of his rotten little attitude.  

Beauty Queens

     Almost completed the book Beauty Queens, by Libba Bray, but I seriously need to get this off my chest. What started out as a goofy ridiculous read, with great comedic voice and a poke-fun-at-self attitude turned into a giant soap box for every issue ever whined about by anyone. At first, the Corporation seemed similarly ridiculous and hilarious, I'm surprised she didn't just come out and call it, "The Man." Of course it's an evil corporation, with lots of clandestine activity, none of it good. And then there's the contestants.
   
     Each contestant dealt with a different issue. One was "not a nymphomaniac" she simply felt sexy more often than others, and of course we have the Abstinence issue. Then there's a lesbian, and a bi-sexual deaf girl who hates "pretending to be happy" when she's not really that happy because she can't hear. (Seriously? I'm going to respectfully ask the author to leave that topic alone. Unless she's dealing with handicaps herself, which I doubt considering her "insights"). Then of course there's damaging the ecosystem of the lone island, which of course was once inhabited by a brave race of proud people who have been relocated by The Man - ahem, I mean The Corporation.

     There's also a transgender named Petra who used to be a singer for a well-known pop boy band until she quit and started the transition from adorable boy-bander to sexy female. And my favorite character, the crazy, off-the-wall Texan. She's strong, she's opinionated, and she holds a card to the club Femmes and Firearms. Of course, we're supposed to hate her. She's crazy and stupid, right?! If I knew I was buying a soapbox, I would have asked it to kindly plead the fifth. 

Bitter:Sweet

I've been listening to Pandora radio on my phone a lot lately, due to the quiet my job creates (seriously, it's almost zen-like). Of course, since Pandora can read minds, it has selected for my aural pleasure the awesome retro, bubbly sweet Bitter:Sweet. And I've enjoyed every song that has played for me. A quick selection, if I may - -

1. The Mating Game: This song plays in a champagne commercial, which I immediately recalled upon hearing it.
"Dance with me across the ocean floor/
Sail away to heaven's open door/
Step right up/ you're the next contestant
In this sweet charade/
Take a number/ wait while I twist your fate."

2. Dirty Laundry: Another pop-sizzle song. The lead singers voice is practically angelic in quality.

"I've got a bad boy/ and that's alright with me/
His dirty laundry/ is nothing that I can't keep clean/
And when he needs/ an alibi
He can use me all night."

3. The Bomb: The theme song for the show "Lipstick Jungle." J'adore! 

"Read my lips/

Be/ all that you can be/Make a difference/ give your dreams/ to me
Just/ like the television says/ join the army/ get ahead/ oh please."

Check out their official website and enjoy their list of songs to sample. :)

What's New

     Currently, I am sitting through a boring class that allows me to keep my job as a student worker. I'm keeping my job as a student worker for only a month and some change. In December, after my birthday and my sister's birthday, but before Christmas, Hubs and I plan on moving to a new city, where he will work at his new job, and I will stay home to work on a master's degree in Library Science. In the middle of all of this, I'm hoping we can start a little family. Faith isn't about believing your plans will go through, it's knowing that even if they don't, God will take care of you, and everything will turn out just fine.  

LAPTOP!!1!1

My laptop has been on the fritz now for, oh-2 years now, and we were finally fed up with its shenanigans. The battery held charge for 5 minutes, and I think I'm being a bit too generous with that guess-timation. The charging port was loose, causing the charger to pop loose at a wrong glance, and if I didn't scramble fast enough, my computer died. Restarting it took ages, but it was necessary if the charger fell from the port since for some reason that rendered my headphones useless.

My biggest concern was that, when I begin to work on getting my master's in library science, the computer would die unexpectedly, like oh-in the middle of an important 20 page paper!!1!1 Or perhaps in a video conference with a professor. So. Hubs and I went computer shopping and bought me a nice, little gold Asus: light-weight, compact, and best of all, a real battery that holds it's charge and a charging port that actually grips the charger. Aside from that, there are crazy good schematics that have been ok'ed by my husband, the computer science whiz. Yay laptops!

My Cup of Tea

I haven't officially announced on this blog yet, but I'll go ahead and do it now. I am a current holder of a crisp Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology. Although my real passion is books, I've always found the inner workings of the human mind entertaining, so I thought I'd go ahead and get a bachelor's in a field that I enjoyed until I could reach my master's in my true calling as a librarian.

Not too long ago, I was perusing the rows and rows of books and magazines of our wonderful Barnes and Noble, a past time which I find endlessly enjoyable and also a bit frustrating. If I could buy every book I saw and wanted on each visit, I would have a nice little collection! To assuage some of the disappointment of having to leave nearly empty-handed, I browsed through their magazine rack and randomly selected one that looked interesting and fun. I am now addicted!

The magazine is a UK based media called Psychologies. I bought it, very interested, but when I read it, I was enthralled. Here was a magazine that didn't mention flat bellies, yo-yo diets, or the newest celebrity trend. Instead, it had smart, simple articles on dealing with life in a way that makes anyone happy. From ways to keep that holiday happiness all year long to lightening your mind and body. And of course, one of the issues out there today that I feel is particularly relevant: The New Narcissism. Ironically, I may be engaging in this narcissism right now by blogging about me and my thoughts and feelings, but I digress.

Finally, a magazine with intelligence, with wit, with articles that I felt pertained to me and my life. Because Demi Moore's latest drama just doesn't do it for me (although I hope she smacked the hell out of Ashton). And just so I fully complete the circle of this post by coming back to the title, my favorite cup of tea is chamomile and honey.

Habitat for Humanity

Today, as a service project with my group 'o kids, we did a Habitat for Humanity Day. We showed up at the site at around 7 this morning. I was starting to feel awake after several donut holes and a jelly filled eclair, plus an ice cold Diet Dr. Pepper, so as the sun began to rise, I scampered up a ladder before hubby could see and watched the sun come up on the roof of the house.

At some point, I realized there wasn't much for me to do, so when my husband wielded a nail gun, I asked if I could give it a try. Apparently, I'm a natural, since I made few mistakes and hit the stud dead on. I also reinforced the bottom inch at the base. My thighs were on fire from crouching so long!

By noon, reinforcements came by way of pizza, and after a quick jaunt to a gas station for bathroom break and soda run, we were back to work. We finished reinforcing the walls, and papering the roof, not to mention beginning some siding work. The guys in charge were pretty impressed. We weren't as efficient as professionals, but we get a job done and we get it done right!

Very tiring, all in all, but satisfying. They ran out of things for us to do by 2, so we headed on home. Good day.

Ode to Libraries

I've always loved books, and with that came a true love for libraries as a safe haven. When I was young, I was very happy to get books for Christmas. I remember one year I got a Saddle Club Series book and just loved reading it and several installments thereafter.

I remember The American Girls.

I remember a series dedicated to the voices of young girls who would have been on the front lines of history - a girl during the civil war, the Boxer Rebellion, the Underground Railroad - all fictional, but nonetheless powerful.

And libraries were a big part of my love. Every Tuesday evening, my dad and I would go to the library. While I was too afraid of leaving my parents' sides in public places, I easily wandered off in the library and made myself at home in the stacks. Libraries are just so quiet, so peaceful and soothing, and very organized. I knew if I needed my dad, I would find him in the Sci-Fi section or reading a magazine while waiting for me to finish looking at books.

I stayed over in the children's section until I was about 10. My dad kept saying I should move to the adult section, there were tons of books I liked, but I didn't feel I could relate to the people in them. That didn't stop me from reading his books when he finished them.

And of course I had a favorite librarian. She was blond, with light blue eyes. I don't remember her name but she always talked and laughed with us at the check out desk. She always had a smile. She always exclaimed over my choices. When I think of a real librarian, she's the model I use: young, cool, sassy.

Libraries have always been important to me, now even more so, because I still feel safe, and I feel connected to my dad when I wander the stacks now.

THAT is why I want to be a librarian.

What's in a Name?

I was watching a movie recently, and was struck by the way names are used to really convey the idea of a character. For example, the name Kristy was used in conjunction with a tall, blonde, athletic, popular and attractive high school girl. I have to say, she did epitomize the name Kristy. Even the spelling singles it out as new and fresh. In a recent poll run by the Baby Name Wizard shows high agreement that "Kristy" is sexy, friendly and young.

Kristy is "A short form of Christine, which is derived from the Latin Christiāna, which is from christiānus, a derivative of the Greek christianos (a Christian, a follower of Christ)."

So, how did this name become linked with adjectives you may not link to Christianity? I believe the name has been used historically and most commonly by WASP families.

So, what about my real name? Well, I've concluded (on my own) that it's less "sexy" and more grounded because it is primarily used by White Anglo-Saxon Catholics. A follow-up on my own name shows in an identical poll that my name is associated with smarts, strength, and sophistication. Not exactly the bubbly popular teen. I have my own image of what my name corresponds with and I can say with confidence that smart, strong, and sophisticated work, but they left out "home-body" "staid" and "somewhat boring".

Banned Books Week

It's unfortunate that we even have need for such a week in this country, but since censorship is the watchword du jour - CELEBRATE THIS WEEK EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR BY READING WHATEVER THE HELL YOU WANT!

Ancient Rome

I was disappointed in the last novel I read: shallow storyline and one-dimensional characters. I couldn’t have chosen a better novel to shake off the ennui from the last one, than Daughters of Rome, by Kate Quinn. Having already read and fallen in love with, her novel “Mistress of Rome,” I settled happily into reading the prequel. This is the story of four sisters and how they shaped and had been shaped by the changing climate of four years and four different emperors.

The outrageous Lollia, who marries several times before she is even nineteen (divorce was allowed back in Progressive old Rome). Lollia, who wanted nothing to do with her daughter or her husbands, bedding other men without much concern for whom it affected. Lollia, through trials and tribulations, becomes a wise woman, a fantastic mother, a sympathetic true sister, and still maintains her outrageous popularity among the gossiping wives in Rome.

Then there is the cool and collected, soon to be Empress, Cornelia, the matron of the family. Until one night changes everything she ever planned for. Lost in grief, she goes through many changes psychologically, and winds up finding herself happy and in love and married to the man they saved them all.

Diana, the youngest cousin, is my hero in this novel, although I have a special place for them all in my heart. Diana, some whispered named after the Goddess of the Hunt. Diana is beautiful beyond compare and doesn’t care what people think of her actions. A little savage with a whole lot of heart, all directed to her beloved horses. Her tongue cannot be stayed, and let’s just say she was lucky the Emperors took a shining to her or it may have been “off with her head.”

Last and least is Marcella. Throughout the novel you gather a sense of unease about her, but you still feel for her as part of the family. Until her true colors show. I don’t know about anyone else, but once I’ve been betrayed, I rather lack the pity that others may have for what troubles come upon those who deserve it. And she gets everything she deserves.

In all, this novel was rich, a joy to read, to know the characters and watch them change before your very eyes and before the changes in their very lives. The connection you feel with the characters is exactly what was missing in my last novel. I want to feel a part of their lives. Of course, this novel based on historical Rome tells of exactly how the culture was; the society as a whole. You really get a feel for what life was like for patrician women. I would give this book and author a bag of Swedish Fish!

*a quick aside about the rating system I’ve decided to use. Stars are so last week, and my favorite candy happens to be Swedish Fish. Of course, it’s going to change for each novel I read, but just know when it’s bad, it’s BAD. For last posts novel, as an example, I would award it a bathtub of jellyfish.

Doggies Are a Geeks Best Friend

My lovely little dog Sophie adores me, and I have to say that I feel content when I look into her big brown eyes and see how truly happy she is (ew, I ended a sentence with a preposition). She lays languorously across my lap, her chin up for scratches, her eyes half closed with doggie bliss. Doggies are a geeks best friend!

I rescued Sophie a little before my 19th birthday. My favorite sister (love you!) knew I wanted a puppy and we'd looked in the classified ads to find puppies for sale. We made an appointment with a lady about a brand new dachshund, but halfway there my sister got a call saying the last puppy had been sold. Thank goodness for that! We went to PetSmart, where they host a few local adoption agencies every weekend. I walked in, smiling at all the chipper, yippie puppies waiting for some love, and then my smile turned into bemusement.

"What is THAT?" I asked, pointing to one lonely dog, laying quietly in her pen, looking docile and content. "That" was my soon to be rescued pooch. I couldn't resist going up for a closer look. A short, coarse tan and brown brindle coat covered what appeared to be a very small hyena. But the moment I pressed my hand to the bars of her cage, I was a goner. She didn't jump and run and dash about madly, like the other puppies; she simply began to lick my fingers. I immediately asked if I could interact with her outside of her pen.

The ladies of the rescue agency made it very clear that this pup had been looking for a home for quite a while. It's easy to overlook a strange looking hyena when there are floofy, yippie balls of excitement all around. However, Sophie was very calm, very sweet. She walked up to me and my big sis and sniffed us, cautiously giving us a few kisses as we cooed over her and pet her. When we stopped the petting, she sweetly jumped up and looked at us with those big brown eyes as she softly leaned into our legs. I didn't have the heart to put her back in that cage.

So it is; I now have a sweet, older, content chihuahua/min pin mix. She still looks at me with those big brown eyes. She cuddles with me when I watch TV, and gets super excited when the leash is anywhere near my hand. She has a sweet disposition, and quiet way of being. One of the best investments I've ever made. :)

The Heretic Queen

I finished yet another book and am finally ready to get back on the review wagon. For my first review after such a long sojourn in me-land, I chose to write about The Heretic Queen, by Michelle Moran. Although I have read many an historical fiction novel, this one led me down a different path. I usually stick with Elizabethan era fiction, mostly covering the lives of the royals themselves, or little known characters that may have had a huge impact on history, if you have a vivid imagination. Reading about Ancient Egyptian royalty, although something I studied at a young age with a precocious mind and an unexplainable interest in ancient religions, was new to me.

This novel covers the story of Nefertari, Nefertiti's niece, after Nefertiti and her heretic husband have died. Basically, due to her ahku, or ancestry and family, the niece is considered to be a heretic princess. When her best friend is crowned ruler of upper-Egypt, she finds herself in an awkward position. As a pawn in the hands of a priestess, who wants nothing more than to get Nefertari named Chief Wife of the pharaoh, she is forced to play Senet with another girl, who is being used by another high priestess, the sister of Nefertari's priestess. Power games ensue.

I have to say, I was disappointed. Although the book went into great detail about many things in the everyday life of a royal - the temples, the royal family tree, even what they wore and the make-up they used- it left me feeling as though I were merely glimpsing the surface of the characters, which were stagnant and shallow, two things you try to avoid in any situation. Since I couldn't really get a great connection with the characters, I didn't feel the joys and sorrows I would have felt had this novel been written with a much deeper story line. Thus I finished the novel without any feeling one way or another, whereas when a book is good you feel sad that the experience is over, and when a book is bad, slamming the cover down on all of those words is mighty satisfying.

Oh well, on to the next!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

Lately (and by lately I mean over the past month or so) my sleeping habits have changed. Completely. Before, I would stay up until the wee hours of the morning, then manage to somehow drag myself out of bed by late morning to early afternoon. It was SO HARD to even think about getting up, let alone making myself do so.

Over this past month, I've been waking up (without an alarm clock) at around 7:30 AM. I think maybe the amount of light has something to do with it? I mean, 7:30 AM looks a lot like 11 AM to my brain, I think. So, I get up at 7:30 because I am honestly invigorated. I want to do things and go places. This morning I woke up early, showered, dressed, and prepared my talk. . .four hours before church starts!

I am in no way upset about this new change, except that I pay the price when the evening rolls around. 9 o'clock PM and I'm getting quite sleepy. 10 PM and I need to go to bed or I'm going to get cranky. I've never, ever been accused of being a morning person; I've always been a night owl. But this new change in my life has brought some wonderful things with it. :)

Let Them Eat Figs!

I've been on quite an historical/historical fiction kick lately, and I have been reading several books that breathe fire into ancient lives. So when I saw that figs were being sold in the fruit section of our grocery store, I managed to convince my husband to buy us one little, fresh fig.

The outside was dark purple, plump and firm, but still delicate. A stem stuck out of the top, giving it a tear drop shape. We rinsed it off and sliced the stem off, revealing soft white sweet-smelling flesh. I took a cautious first bite. It was like eating a mildly sweet, earthy tasting peach. The flesh was soft, but firm, and the middle was full of small, crunchy edible seeds surrounding a hollow center. After Hubs took a bite, I asked for some honey, since that is the usual way of eating them in books and whatnot. It added a distinct, sweet taste without canceling out the earthy taste of the fig beneath.

As I like trying new and interesting things, and I am glad I can say I have tasted a real, fresh fig and I could describe it as well! Would I buy one again? Probably not; but it was a good experience to have had.

Nostalgia

Maybe I'm just on a nostalgic kick (I *did* buy little boxes of Hershey's chocolate milk, the kind that I used to drink in first grade alongside my peanut butter and jelly sandwich) but does anyone else remember those really cool science books they put out for kids? Or even just the ones for anyone who is interested: I used to go into the adult nonfiction just searching for one that struck my fancy. I checked one out on snakes, another on insects, and these were for adults! The kids stuff was way cooler. They read something like Discover: Ancient Egypt, and inside was a full color, fascinating format of a book stocked with awesome brainy information. Seriously, what were they called? I miss those, and I may buy some if I can find them. . .

P.S. Incidentally, I found what I was talking about while looking for a cool visual for this post. Cheers!

Big Purses v. Little Purses

Like a majority of females on this planet, I have owned and utilized both gigantic purses, and small purses. In fact, I just downgraded in size (not style) recently, and at first I was very skeptical about my new, smaller purse. First of all, the top of my Nook stuck out a little. I wasn't sure I was ok with that, but on the other hand, I keep my purse so close to my person, I doubt anyone will snatch it from my clutches, let alone reach for items already noticeable. Same with my day-planner (but, really, who's going to steal a day-planner?). And today, I realized just how much I appreciate my compact holdall.

With larger purses, sure I could carry everything I needed, but I couldn't necessarily get to everything I need. This resulted in me being surprised and delighted, when switching from the larger handbag, to the small hobo, to find all sorts of things I'd forgotten I owned: you know, lip gloss, perfume, gum, my social security card. . .

A smaller bag equals better access to these important little items, and the limited space makes you really think about what you need to carry versus what strikes your fancy at the moment (flip-flops?!). The main bullet point of this post, basically, is smaller is better. Believe me, I'm only 5'2". But remember, it has to be something you love: nothing better than wearing a cute outfit, adorbs shoes, and a perfect handbag to tie it all together.

Spoiled Rotten

Things have been pretty hectic lately, but I can now say that I am a graduate with my bachelor's in psychology! Currently, I am making myself enjoy the actual time I have on my hands for things that I haven't been able to do, like read for pleasure instead of for keeping up in class. Doing crossword puzzles in the morning because I don't have to rush anywhere. Writing a new post for my blog. Lol.

In other news, I have decided I must be spoiled rotten. My husband got me a hedgehog for our anniversary (and if you know me well, you know that this is a perfect gift! Also, that this was a big step for him, considering he's not much of an animal person). Of course, he loves Siggy now (that's Siegfried von Snufflekins, to commoners!). How can you not?! He's adorbs!

My husband snuggles with me during movies when I ask him to. He'll listen to me rant about a bad day. Once, he just kept saying "uh huh," and finally I asked, "Is that all you're going to say?" and he replied, "Well, you're venting, I'm letting you vent." He knows me so well. I just realize that people should never be taken for granted, and it is my goal to see him as a gift everyday and appreciate him, and tell him I appreciate him. I've come to realize how important that truly is for yourself and for those around you.

Geek Girl is Annoyed

Yes, work is still fantastic; I actually look forward to going to work, and I'm glad Friday is rolling around because I have a five hour shift. I'm still annoyed that my coworkers have seemed to decide they don't like me. I'm not part of their clique. I tried a bit more today to get them talking, but then I realized, they seriously could care less about me. I had last Friday off so I could enjoy my one year anniversary, and they have yet to ask me how it went. At first, I wanted them to talk to me because it's nice to have friends at work. It's nice to chat while you're doing things. Then, I wanted them to be friendly because I was feeling hurt and insecure.

Now I'm just pissed. Get ready for Geek Girl 2.0: the girl who doesn't actually give a damn, thank you very much, and could you please stop talking to me? I'm listening to music, obviously, and you're annoying me.

Geek Girl Has a New Job!

Ok, so the job isn't "new" new, doesn't mean I can't be happy about it. I quit my old job months ago and applied for a position at the university library. Halfway into the Spring semester, I got a call for an interview, and then a second call a few days later offering me the position. Yay!

I love my job: printing labels, organizing and covering books (you know that hard plastic cover on paperbacks? I do that!), I security strip them, I move them about, I input them into the system, I take them to the circulation desk to be distributed the huddled masses of students who won't ever appreciate half the books anyway.

Yes, I love my job. I love getting hands on with the newest books and and making notes of which ones I want to read. I love getting to see the back stacks of how the library runs. But. . .

I've tried to be friendly with the girls I work with. It's the first time I haven't been the baby in the group, but i'm not THAT much older than them. Being friendly makes no progress. Getting answers to a question that would hopefully spark a conversation is like pulling teeth. I have finally decided; screw it. I just need books anyway.

Learned Stupidity

For hundreds of years, thousands even, we have domesticated many, many animals to do work or provide things we ourselves cannot. If you've ever seen a herd of sheep, you'll realize that they're pretty dumb. Don't get me wrong, I thing sheep are cute, but they will herd where you herd them, they will stand while you shave them, and it doesn't take anything more than some wood and nails to keep them where you want them. In fact, there is one country where, in a small community, sheep had been herded through it for hundreds of years, before the little village was even built. Suddenly, up pops a village, and what do the sheep do? They continue to herd right through on their way to and from the fields. The pathway is so ingrained in them, that trying to break them of the habit would not be worth the work.

I'm starting to see poeople in this light, as well. When you go up to a door, do you expect it to open automatically? At my university, some buildings have automatic doors, and some don't. I was making my rounds through a couple of buildings that did open their doors automatically, until I reached "The Door." I stood at that door for a number of seconds before I realized it wasn't opening because it wasn't automatic.

When the apocolypse happens, we're doomed. . .

Currently

I'm sort of in a mad studying frenzy because I have a midterm soon, but this is a quick and easy little meme that I copied from my sis over at Stumbled Into Fate, so, here is my life right at this moment!

Currently reading:

Feed by Mira Grant; zombies and bloggings and presidential campaigns, oh my! It's actually quite astute, and the main characters are so much fun. Also, I thought it might be boring, but the many different mysteries that pop up as well as the full-on drama of a presidential campaign in the middle of a zombie world make it totally worth the read. I mean, zombies, right?!

Currently playing this list:

Well, rain. I know it sounds weird, but when I study, noise bothers me. Any noise, really. So, I figured out that when I play the natural sounds of a rainstorm on my iPod, with my new fantastic sounding retro headphones, I can actually get into a really good study zone. I've been making A's with this method, so I think I'll keep with it.

Currently loving this color:

Ok, so it's not a color, per se. But I'm sort of liking monochrome, soft, cool colors. Also, I love winter and it never gets cold enough to snow here.

Currently drinking:

Neuro Drinks. I took myself off of caffeine a little over a week ago, and found these little gems in my campus mart. I tried the sleep one first, and crashed for exactly 8 hours, but I was dead tired the entire next day. I tried the focus one next, while studying, and didn't really notice a difference except that I could stand to study longer instead of taking so many breaks, thus giving myself extra time later to veg out. The Bliss drink was yummy, but I'm not sure I noticed an effect. In their defense, I didn't drink it very quickly, I finished it over the course of the evening and night. If I did notice anything, I chalked it up to be placebo, because, well I just don't think a drink can make you happy unless it has mind-altering qualities, and as far as I could tell this one just had some herbs and vitamins.

Currently eating:

Last night, I had Whataburger. Heaven!

Currently watching:

Better Off Ted. It's just funny! I love Veronica; she's my hero! Lol.

Currently Wishing:

I could have a full day at the spa. I don't like being touched, but I would really like a massage, a facial, 15 minutes in a sauna, being wrapped in seaweed, whatever they do in spas that make people look and feel vibrant, fresh, and most of all - CHILL.

Currently need:

This semester to be over, with two A's as final grades. Barring that, caffeine. :P

Currently FTW:

"Libraries are the number one place where SHH happens"

I got a job at the university library! Yay me! It's so much fun!

Currently annoying:

Losing stuff. Also, trying to find a well-balanced meal for each mealtime when I really just want a freaking Snickers bar and some Twizzlers.

Currently crushing on this celebrity:

Jason Statham.

Currently blessed with:

Hubs! I love my hubs!

Currently indulging with:

Candy bars and Twizzlers. Lol.

Currently wearing:

The Night Owl Mystery Bookstore t-shirt in chocolate and beige sweatpants.

Currently excited about:

Meh. I usually save my excitement for the moment.

Currently feeling:

Hungry and high-strung. Blech.

Geek Out

Every once in awhile, I get this nostalgic urge to get all comfy and enjoy my favorite geeky things. Eating a bowl of Cheerios for dinner while I watch old episodes of the X-Files, then cuddling up in my favorite ankle slippers (like normal slippers, but they're like socks too in that they reach the my calves) and my favorite snuggie and just relaxing with a can of Ginger Ale after a long study session.

Oh, yeah. It's good to be a geek.

Desert Island

I know that people who play the little MMO games provided for free by Facebook are painted as loners, time wasters, and no-lives, but I currently have a few that probably take all of ten minutes to play at several points during the day, and I enjoy them. They're a fun distraction when I'm bored, or a good time-out when I'm studying.

In saying that, I'm not going to name game names here but I currently play one where you can enter costume contests and vote on who has the best look for that particular theme. The problem is, people don't stick to the theme. "OMG, her heels are gorgeous! VOTE!" The current theme is Desert Island. Now, if I had the chance to choose what I could wear before being marooned on a desert island, well, it would be much more practical than the game allows.

1. I would wear hiking boots. Wearing heels is just stupid, and going barefoot is worse in my opinion. When you're stuck on a desert island and you break an ankle or get bitten on the sole of your foot by some snake you stepped on, there will be no one there to save your butt. But of course, those heels ARE fab!

2. Sunglasses. These don't seem to be a problem on the game, considering they're so in right now.

3. Something to cover my head. None of this cute headband crap, I'm talking a thick bandanna. One that I could remove and soak in water before replacing it on my head. By doing so, I can avoid heat stroke and sunburned scalp in one go.

4. Would I go for full body covering? Probably not. Although I've heard it recommended, I would get too hot too fast. I'd probably wear shorts and a short top. While this exposes me to sun, insects, and bites of other kinds, I like to believe in my own little world that I am smart and capable, and therefore won't have these issues, especially since -

5. I will carry two or three accessories. A sharp pointy stick, and a giant bottle of sun screen, SPF 30. And as we all know, pets are accessories, too, but I wouldn't bring mine as so many from the make believe game have. I have a small dog. What would happen if I brought her? Well, since she's domesticated, she'd probably not make it, and if she did and I happened to be starving . . . I'd like to believe I'd eat other things or die trying, but there's really no telling. Also, none of this "I've got a cell phone/laptop" crap. How are you going to charge your battery? How are you going to find a signal or WiFi? That's right, your cellphone will turn into a disappointment and your laptop will be a big ol' heavy paperweight.

I know chances are slim of ever surviving when stuck on a desert island, but a few precautions, a lot of sense, and an acceptance that hard work will get you everything could go a long way. Hey, kind of like life, right?

Electric Toothbrush

I recently invested in an inexpensive electric toothbrush, and used it for the first time tonight. I know what some must be thinking: Why did you buy an electric toothbrush? And others: What took you so long?

I bought an ET because I wanted my teeth to feel really polished and clean. I waited so long because they are obnoxiously loud in a way that makes them, well, obnoxious. But after using it tonight, I suppose I could put up with the noise because my teeth feel squeaky!

Now I'm wondering, however. I have a thirst for knowledge, one that requires I ask weird questions and know the answer to even the lamest of questions. So, what is the proper way to use an ET? Do you just sort of move it lazily about? Is there a count for each section of teeth? What would get me the most benefit out of it?

I must know!

Batteries

I read somewhere that introverts and extroverts have batteries, but they charge them in different ways. An extrovert's battery is charged when they are the center of things, when they are in a crowd and loving it. An introvert, however, needs solitude in order to recharge their batteries.

It's a pretty good analogy, and I feel that it is definitely accurate. I am an introvert, and even when I'm around a small group of close friends, I get to a point where I would prefer to go home, cuddle up in bed and read a book or veg in front of the TV and watch something from my Netflix cue. Get me around a larger group of people, and I hit that threshold pretty soon - and it's no longer a preference, but a strong urge. I would go so far as to say that I'm quite miserable after an hour in a large group.

Most people don't get this need for solitude, this feeling of emotional exhaustion after having talked, smiled, and socialized for long periods of time. I even feel a bit abnormal, although I know people just like myself. It's just introversion, that's all. I am very blessed to have married a husband that a) is not a party animal, and b) understands me and my need for solitude, most of the time. I love being around him, and often miss him during the day, but sometimes if I've been home all day and still don't feel like doing much of anything, he wonders why I feel the need to stay cooped up.

Sometimes, my batteries need a longer charge, that's all.

What I Wouldn't Do . . .

Since we've been pet sitting - again- for the past two weeks, and I've been out of school, and hubs's car is on the fritz, he's been using my car, and I've been staying home, entertaining myself with computer games, Facebook, and Netflix. This morning I got up, started up my game, and checked my e-mail and Google Reader, as usual. I then picked out a movie I might enjoy, and started that up, as well. That's when my computer died.

You see, my computer is over two years old, so the battery is pretty much useless. If my laptop comes unplugged, the laptop dies. It's REALLY easy to unplug the laptop, especially since the charging port is malfunctioning so the cord has to be positioned *just* right. After a few minutes of muttering and waiting for my laptop to load up - I was happy to find I managed to get my headphones working - I realized that for some reason, my dear lappy wasn't connecting to the internet the way it should automatically. I figured I could go in and do it manually. But no. For some reason, the network was not being detected.

I fiddled with it for awhile, and then realizing this might be a Code Red, called hubby, who works IT. No answer. I tried locating the WiFi hub, to no avail. Another call to hubby, plus a text, and I was all but frantic. What was I going to do for six hours without the internet?!!!??

I consoled myself with the fact that my Nook was still working, and therefore I was not completely bereft of entertainment, but I really wanted my internet back. I remembered, then, that they have their DVD player hooked up to the internet to access Netflix (I know this will be hard to understand, but I prefer watching Netflix on my laptop). I dragged a TV dinner table over next to the TV, and plugged my laptop into the internet old-school style. It worked, of course. But what to use as a chair? I tried an actual computer chair, but I'm very short and it was way too high, and I am too light to push it down, so that idea was out. I then decided that I could drag an old 70's upholstered rocking chair over to my laptop (seriously, this thing could go for a pretty penny on Ebay). After much muscling of a chair that weighs about half of one of me, I settled in, happy as a clam.

I love you, Internet.

My Guide to Surviving in a Bad Horror Movie

Lately I've been into watching scary movies. I've always enjoyed zombie movies, but I've been getting a kick out of supernatural horror recently as well. I've noticed some tropes lately in all of my recent movies that really just grate on my nerves. If I were in such a situation, I would at least try to keep thinking logically. Heck, it'd be a good exercise in staying calm! So, here are the standard fall backs in many a horror film that really just grinds my gears -also, I tend to yell my advice at the characters, so I'll be giving you a taste of that, too.

1. The You're-Obviously Being Herded trope: Oh, what's that? Every door you've tried is locked but this one? Three men are closing in on you and the only direction you can see to go is toward that creepy house over there? You're being herded, like cattle or sheep or any other dumb animal that doesn't realize it's doomed. What I would do about it - take a quick inventory of my surroundings. Are there other options? Is there something I can use as a weapon? Am I faster than my pursuers? Am I smarter than my pursuers? All of these tidbits could keep someone from running into a house possessed by the Ghost of Hannibal Lecter.

2. The He-Seems-So-Nice trope: There is usually some guy that seems extra cool and nice; always there to comfort you when you run screaming from the image in the mirror that smiles when you don't. And then there's the creepy guy that gives you cryptic messages, seems like he hasn't had his meds in awhile, and randomly shows up when you least expect it. Inevitably, because it's human nature, the main character will gladly accept the help of Mr. Nice Guy and shun Creeper Dude. What I would do - trust neither of them. Listen to the "cryptic messages" because even if he IS the bad guy, he almost always gives you hints that come in handy later. But seriously, if Mr. Nice Guy "suggests" he stay over "just to make sure you're safe" tell him no thanks and kick him to the curb. Make sure you have a gun on you first, or a knife at the very least.

3. The I'm-Going-Crazy trope: All of this crazy weird stuff is happening, no one will believe you, you must be crazy, right? Well, probably, but just do what you need to do to survive for the moment and worry about your lithium dosage later. Most of the time the main character lets anyone talk them into the idea that they're crazy, and then it turns out they're totally right, there IS a vengeful demon that wants to kill you, and now you're unprepared. It's OK to be a little crazy and a lot prepared, that's my motto.

4. The I'm-a-Stupid-Bimbo trope: There's no hope for you. Scream, run around, lock yourself in a room without an escape plan. You're going to die anyway.

5. The Bathroom trope: It always happens in the bathroom. It's probably ghosts favorite place to hang out. The main character usually takes a steaming hot bath to "unwind" because everything that's happening is obviously due to stress, and she winds up almost drowned or killed in some weird, unexplainable way. What I would do - take fast showers with a baseball bat very close by. Same with bathroom duties. Do not look in a mirror, because that's where they shut themselves in. Pee like the wind, baseball bat handy. Oh, and keep your wardrobe comfy, season specific, and stretchy. You need to be able to run, and camp outside in case you get chased into some woods, and no one wants to be stuck in the woods in a skimpy tank top when it hits 30 degrees out there.

Zombie Apocalypse Playlist!

OK, so I took this from a site my sister shared called ondtcreepy.livejournal.com, and I thought it seemed fun.

The idea: shuffle your favorite playlist.

1st - the overall theme for the apocalypse.

2nd- What plays when you kill your first zombie.

3rd - plays when getting chased by a horde.

4th - plays when you have to kill your loved one (it happens to everyone when the Apocalypse comes).

5th- plays when you find a group of survivors.

6th - plays when you meet a new love interest.

7th - plays when you have to make your final stand.

8th - plays when you *think* you've survived it all.

9th - plays when you discover a bite mark upon your person.

And 10th - End credits! My playlist will never seem so epic! Here we go!!

1. Digging my Own Grave - Thrice (Nice beginning!)

2. Gunpowder and Lead - Miranda Lambert [Killing my first zombie!] (YES!)

3. Viva la Vida - Coldplay [running from a horde] (I can see that)

4. This Ain't a Scene - Fall Out Boy (Well, it makes killing my loved one seem less sad)

5. I hope This Gets to You - The Daylights [Found survivors] (How is this working so well? "I've been searchin'. . . I knew I found what I was looking for. . . etc.)

6. The Call - Regina Spektor [A sweet song, for when I meet my "new love interest"]

7. Crushcrushcrush - Paramore [FINAL STAND!]

8. Playing God - Paramore [I *think* I made it!] (Seriously, it's like I already made my playlist for the apocalypse)

9. Half-Truism - The Offspring [Found my bite mark] ("If we don't make it alright, then it's a helluva good day to die!)

10. Hope - Jack Johnson [And scene!] (My story ends on hope. There WILL be a cure and I will save the world!)

Wow. That's awesome. I'm going to listen to these songs, and imagine myself in the zombie apocalypse movie of my life, and it's going to be EPIC!

What a Character

Many times I find myself identifying with the quirkiest of characters: in TV shows and movies of course. Books present me with someone, but if I can't relate, then the book is not for me. But there was one series that i read as a teen where I related to the main character in ways that were astonishing. Reading her physical description was enough to make me think someone had spied on me; I could have been her twin. Add in the attitude, and we were literature sisters. The series went to TV, but I never got a chance to watch it, until I found it on Netflix. And now I am hooked!

At first, I didn't like it. It was nothing like I imagined. It took the main character, Jesse Mastriani, and placed her in a just-after-college setting. And she was nothing like I imagined, which can be quite annoying when a book goes TV or movie on you. But! I've grown to like the characters as themselves, and not just as I saw them once upon a time, and I'm now almost finished with the 2nd season.

Now comes the part about quirky characters. My favorite character happens to be their

supervisor, Assistant director John Pollock. At first, he came over as cocky and selfish. And he is that. His image in the force means a lot to him. He's stubborn and rude, intimidating and demanding. On top of that, he takes a lot of the credit for himself. But, he is amazingly smart: he has some tidbit to say on any and all subjects, and he finds ways to OK things he knows are right, without actually letting down his guard and seeming all warm and cuddly. I like that. He's really grown on me as a character. Witty, smart, tough. He's kind of a jerk, but that's part of his style.

If you want to check out the show, it's called Missing, based on the books by Meg Cabot writing as Jenny Carol - the 1-800-Where-R-You series.

Celebrating Being Over-Achievers

Why does the phrase "over-achiever" manage to convey such disdain, an image of someone with dark straight hair pulled back severely into a velvety headband, primly sitting (with perfect posture, of course) over a pile of books they are methodically going through as they do every evening, sans friends, in order to make the highest A's possible? That's not the image you get? Oh, well. . .

I still say the term "over-achiever" has ridiculously abysmal connotations. I am proud to say that I would put myself in that category. So when final grades were posted, I peered at them with trepidation. Not out of fear that I may not have passed a class: oh no. I knew I passed them all. But if I had made a B? I would have been furious! I know I sound like a person with a high perfection model here, but I will write down what I told my hubby: I did not work and study for a B in any of my classes, I worked for an A.

And I got all A's. And so did hubs! Because we are smart, really. I sometimes have a sneaking suspicion that the professors' vital life force has been stamped out due to the crushing nature of the average college student's desire for learning anything other than how to make the perfect Jagerbomb, and the professors now teach with such low expectations, even the kid who came to class once and failed that test will make at least a D. If the professor sees a particular sparkle in the eye of a young pupil, if he hears a particularly witty or insightful comment, or at least a student that uses the correct jargon, that is an automatic A. My suspicions don't stop me from working hard, anyway.

So, yesterday, Matt and I went to dinner and a movie for finally being able to breathe after the semester. Pasta at Johnny Carino's and (non-3D) Thor were good rewards. So was the cherry chocolate ice cream we bought afterward and ate while we watched anime together.

As for Thor, his character was great. The right amount of cockiness, the right amount of humility, the right amount of self-sacrifice. Loki. . . mmm, not so much. He was just sort of somber and emo, not the Loki I ever had prancing about in my head when I heard the name.

I Am a Chef!

My hubby worked all day today, and is now fulfilling his calling by going to a meeting at church that probably won't end until 9, so I thought of a bevy of things that I could do to contribute to the family life and well-being. I started by looking for temporary job opportunities. Not easy, considering it will have to work around my school schedule, and I can only be an employee for about 6 months since we'll be moving in January.

Then, I went online and did a bit of research, finding a website that allows me to brainstorm a shopping list before we go to the store. This is important, considering that a lot of times we forget we need something or we end up buying something we need, but didn't put on the list. (If it's not on the list, it annoys me when we have to buy it. It must be on the list!!!) Then I found that I can shop online for deals and steals, and print coupons for my local grocery store. I saved each of these sites in my bookmarks. Now I feel competent in being able to save us some money. Then, I cooked dinner!

This is not something to be read and overlooked. I do not cook. I hate cooking, and I often injure myself in the process. But again, I wanted to let Matt sit and enjoy his moments off. So, I threw together some healthy pasta (gross! No matter what people tell you, wheat pasta is never delicious). I browned some pork sausage and threw it in with some tomato sauce. All of this was random foodstuffs I found around the house we're once again pet sitting. At the last minute, I threw a couple of tiny cans of corn in the empty pasta pot and heated it up with some butter and salt. Served it up, and got a good review (from a scale of 1 to 5, one being inedible and 5 being delicious, I got a 4 - pretty good).

I also fed all of the animals and water every dead plant that is around, because they apparently need watering. All in all, I felt satisfied, knowing that I was doing what I could to contribute.

"I try to be my best." - Dollhouse

OMG, Pwnies!

A few weekends ago, Matt had a work thing. I'm not really sure what else to call it. Just a work sponsored get together for all employees. He was given free tickets, and we were on our way! Since I didn't know what to expect, I had no expectations one way or the other of the day would be. Until we pulled into the parking lot, and he said, "Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention. There's pony rides."

SQUEE!!!! I immediately became over-excited and planned out my day. "Ok, first we get some food, then I get to ride a pony!" I had a delicious chili cheese dog, and then I went back outside, where I let the tiny children go first on the pony rides while I amused myself with a tiny goat and a small pot bellied pig. After trying to convince hubs to let us get the pig (only $60!), we went back inside to do other things until the pony ride line went down.

Like a kid in a candy store, I went about looking at the different booths. Unfortunately, most of them were for children 10 and under (they had signs! :( ). I found one booth offering free caricature drawings, of which I made hubby sit through. Another one let me get my face painted with a large and awesome four leaf clover. Back outside, I got to ride Daphne, a beautiful blonde and tan pony. She was the smallest one, but they assured me I would not hurt her. Lol. It helps that I weigh about as much as a ten year old. We played Bingo last; we lost. I was frustrated, and Matt was amused at how competitive I was over the whole ordeal. I honestly would have stolen his board if he'd gotten Bingo. :P

It was a fantastic day. I told Matt that I felt bad for dragging him around to things I wanted to do and not really letting him do anything, but he said there was nothing he'd like to do, so he was just letting me have my fun day. :)

Pwnies!!!!