You have GOT to be kidding me. I wanted to blog yesterday, but I had nothing really to write about. Now I do, but I actually would rather not have this particular material to cover. *breathes*
So yesterday I checked the online catalog for our library and saw that the Graceling audio book I checked out had not, in fact, been checked in. I turned it in on Thursday. This happened late July with one of the Sarah Dessen books I checked out, so I wasn’t initially worried. It festered a little, but I set my alarm for 8:50 am to call the library promptly at 9. They didn’t answer until 9:03, by the way. How is THAT for service (I’m kidding here)? Anyhow, I called and was like “Uh, hey, Buddy. Listen, I turned this audio book in. I’m positive. FIND IT PLEASSEE!” And so on.
He didn’t. He checked and told me to get back on Wednesday and, if that doesn’t work, to call head of circulation. I’m leaving later that same week. If that “doesn’t work out” as he puts it, I’m going to have to hassle the library all the way from Redding! He was so blasé, even petulant, about the whole thing. Psh. He isn’t the one with a potential, unjustified $65.00 replacement fee hanging over his head. Yeah. That’s me. I wouldn't mind so incredibly much if this had been a regular book. Even if I didn’t misplace it, I could handle paying $15 for a book. But not $65!!!!! I’m so stressed about this. He said not to call back until Wednesday. I’m calling back in half and hour. Whatever it takes for them to find this book.
You know what’s the stupidest thing about this whole mess? I hated the audio book. It’s narrated by a man! The protagonist is a woman! A woman! Though, to be fair, all the dialogue is full-cast audio. It’s not first person POV, but the main character is still female, you know? It bothered me. I haven’t even listened to much of it because I was so weirded out. I’m soooo mad! I know I turned that audio book in! I know!
*angry noises*
Lesson for the day: Get things checked out by hand from now on or record you putting them in the return cubby. Trust no one.
Yey.
Toodle Pip.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Mockingjay
I’ll do my best to write this without spoilers, but it’s going to prove difficult. Any spoilers will be in red and any hints will be in blue.
I don’t think I’m ever going to pick this book up for a second read. Not because it was bad or terribly written, but because I don’t think I could handle reading it again. There will be a slight, non-descript spoiler in the end of this sentence, past the colon (in red), so if you really don’t want to know, avert the sentence: There is just no fixing some things that happen and I really thought, hey, this can’t happen… this person can’t die, and yet…
I can draw no real complaints about the book (though Collins is more of a character development author than a style author), save that everything established in the previous books was lost. The two first books both had the same ‘mood’, if you know what I mean. Nothing happened that had me dropping my jaw, nothing made me stop, set the book down and gather my thoughts before continuing. Certainly there were twists I didn’t expect, but nothing that I couldn’t connect the dots with. It’s like this is a third in a different series. Like, say you have a friend that moved away and you go and visit her. The first time you visit her, she’s the same as when she left. The second time you visit her, she’s changed a little, but is still very similar to how she was. But then you wait some time and visit her a third time and she’s hardly the same person. She looks the same, but everything else has changed. I felt that the world Mockingjay explored was strange and different altogether.
Mockingjay was nothing I expected. It was even a bit like a nightmare... except you don’t wake up and realize that every awful thing you dreamed did not happen. Because it did happen. And this may be construed as a spoiler, though no surprise to anyone… hardly any of my semi ‘predictions’ came to pass. But I don’t even really blame my blinders for that. I didn’t see most of what was coming. The first third of the book fell into step with the first two books mood-wise, but after that it became something new that, though not necessarily bad, was so much more complex than its predecessors. The most significant change to The Hunger Games Trilogy with Mockingjay that I find is that The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, though violent and interesting, they were not quite so multipart as the last installment. The violence was different, too. Though detailed in all books, it was less… devastating, I think, in the earlier books. It settled strangely with me, actually. It was so unlike I expected from Suzanne Collins.
Maybe I didn’t like it. I don’t know. Maybe it was that all the hopes I built up were shattered and I had to face that things I didn’t want to happen did. Maybe it was that I am strangely invested in the characters and I still am, long past the final page. I don’t think it was enough. I really don’t. I think what very much bothered me was that Katniss was victimized from all sides and never truly won. She wasn’t defeated… but not being defeated isn’t the same as winning. I read through both previous books hungrily, never doubting Katniss would triumph over everything and would always be the Victor. But, really, nobody won. Maybe it’s that Mockingjay made me feel that the war was real, because for the characters that Collins dreamed up it was. It was alsothat Katniss’ ever-changing opinion, circumstances and bad lot prompted thought-provoking moments that came from all sides, very much unlike The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.
I just didn’t expect it to be like this. Maybe it’s because it’s late. I don’t know. But I don’t think I will ever read Mockingjay again, because I don’t think my heart could take it. I'll see how I feel about it when I wake up, and add my more comprehensive thoughts once at least Anneke and Becca had read it.
Toodle Pip.
I don’t think I’m ever going to pick this book up for a second read. Not because it was bad or terribly written, but because I don’t think I could handle reading it again. There will be a slight, non-descript spoiler in the end of this sentence, past the colon (in red), so if you really don’t want to know, avert the sentence: There is just no fixing some things that happen and I really thought, hey, this can’t happen… this person can’t die, and yet…
I can draw no real complaints about the book (though Collins is more of a character development author than a style author), save that everything established in the previous books was lost. The two first books both had the same ‘mood’, if you know what I mean. Nothing happened that had me dropping my jaw, nothing made me stop, set the book down and gather my thoughts before continuing. Certainly there were twists I didn’t expect, but nothing that I couldn’t connect the dots with. It’s like this is a third in a different series. Like, say you have a friend that moved away and you go and visit her. The first time you visit her, she’s the same as when she left. The second time you visit her, she’s changed a little, but is still very similar to how she was. But then you wait some time and visit her a third time and she’s hardly the same person. She looks the same, but everything else has changed. I felt that the world Mockingjay explored was strange and different altogether.
Mockingjay was nothing I expected. It was even a bit like a nightmare... except you don’t wake up and realize that every awful thing you dreamed did not happen. Because it did happen. And this may be construed as a spoiler, though no surprise to anyone… hardly any of my semi ‘predictions’ came to pass. But I don’t even really blame my blinders for that. I didn’t see most of what was coming. The first third of the book fell into step with the first two books mood-wise, but after that it became something new that, though not necessarily bad, was so much more complex than its predecessors. The most significant change to The Hunger Games Trilogy with Mockingjay that I find is that The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, though violent and interesting, they were not quite so multipart as the last installment. The violence was different, too. Though detailed in all books, it was less… devastating, I think, in the earlier books. It settled strangely with me, actually. It was so unlike I expected from Suzanne Collins.
Maybe I didn’t like it. I don’t know. Maybe it was that all the hopes I built up were shattered and I had to face that things I didn’t want to happen did. Maybe it was that I am strangely invested in the characters and I still am, long past the final page. I don’t think it was enough. I really don’t. I think what very much bothered me was that Katniss was victimized from all sides and never truly won. She wasn’t defeated… but not being defeated isn’t the same as winning. I read through both previous books hungrily, never doubting Katniss would triumph over everything and would always be the Victor. But, really, nobody won. Maybe it’s that Mockingjay made me feel that the war was real, because for the characters that Collins dreamed up it was. It was alsothat Katniss’ ever-changing opinion, circumstances and bad lot prompted thought-provoking moments that came from all sides, very much unlike The Hunger Games and Catching Fire.
I just didn’t expect it to be like this. Maybe it’s because it’s late. I don’t know. But I don’t think I will ever read Mockingjay again, because I don’t think my heart could take it. I'll see how I feel about it when I wake up, and add my more comprehensive thoughts once at least Anneke and Becca had read it.
Toodle Pip.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Mockingjay!
I decided moments after buying Mockingjay that I would submit a blog before sitting down to read it. I must admit I cheated a bit and read the first seven pages in the car on the way home, but it didn’t reveal anything of substance. So, I don’t think it counts. Not really. Honestly, this is such a big moment right now. I’ve been waiting for this book since January, when I first bought Catching Fire just before coming back to school for Spring Term. The same Spring Term I met the infallible Becca Rose. I remember texting Anneke right after I bought that book at Sam’s Club, the same place I just purchased Mockingjay from. I’ve never been more excitied for a book since The Tenth Power by Kate Constable was released. The only book I am anticipating more is the release of Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, whenever the heck that comes out. As soon as Bitterblue is released, I have no books to wait for… it’s almost sad. Unless Kristin Cashore decided to write another book in the Graceling universe, which I seriously doubt. But you never know.
I don’t know what I’m expecting coming into Mockingjay. Will it be good? I believe it will be. Usually sequels disappoint, but I feel that Suzanne Collins actually improved upon points in The Hunger Games and certainly did not disappoint. I wonder about Peeta. I doubt he really is dead, like believed by Katniss and Co., but I wonder if he’ll be rescued or if he, Johanna and the others captured in the Quarter Quell will find a way out on their own. I don’t know. It seems it would be no small feat escaping from any holding spot in the Capitol, but they’re a resourceful group. You kind of have to be when you’ve been through two Hunger Games, you know? Or... Sort of two. I hope it doesn’t turn out to be some cheesy reunion between Peeta and Katniss, because with her attitude during Catching Fire’s epilogue, she seemed fairly catatonic. I hope the reason she does not rise out of said mood is not because of Peeta. I don’t think there is any way that could not be cliché. I hope that their reunion is not overrated. But Collins is fairly good about not being overwhelmingly sappy… at least not often, and seems very careful with how she treats Katniss and Peeta together. She doesn't change their personalities around to suit the romance. A lot of authors will have their characters be one way while alone and transform them into these completely different people when with their, err, special person.
Observe Maria V. Snyder, author of the Poison Study series… and, of course, Stephenie Meyer.
What I worry most about, however, is Gale. I don’t know about him. I like the guy, but he’s got some serious problems. I hope that if the closure does end in a Peeta/Katniss favor, that Gale is not tossed aside and not given the ending he deserves. I have a sneaking suspicion that if Madge survived the bombings of District 12, she’ll be put with Gale. Or there will be hints of a romantic relation there, anyhow. I also suspect there is something in the cards for Gale’s mother and Haymitch, but we’ll just have to see. That could simply be my imagination… it would be strange for Gale to have a Step-father in Haymith Abernathy. What a father he would be! I’m also anxious to find out what happens to Finnick and to have more of him in Mockingjay. He is actually one of my favorite characters. For all his bravado, he’s awfully unstable and reminds me a lot of Katniss. But smart.
As for other predictions... I don’t have much of an eye for predictions. To be honest, I’m a bit dull about foreshadowing and other hints that some people (namely Anneke and Becca) find extremely obvious. I have no such skill for seeing obvious plot twists. I’m a bit oblivious. Which, you know, I actually find good, because when something “so completely obvious” does happen, it comes as a surprise and I enjoy the book more for that. So perhaps being a writer is out for me, but who knows? I think Suzanne Collins did a fairly good job of concealing spoilers in Catching Fire. They were more exposed in The Hunger Games (even I noticed quite a few), but I think she was a more covert writer in Catching Fire. I caught that Plutarch Heavensbee was an ally, but I didn’t grasp the bigger picture of escaping the arena. The only obvious spoilers were Heavensbee (since Katniss didn't trust him, I thought that reason enough to believe he was on her 'side') and District 13 still existing. I totally missed the bread thing… (*face palm*) By ‘the bread thing’ I mean how the time and day of escape were indicated on the delivered loaves. I just thought Finnick was being selfish and wanted the bread…
Nevermind. Anyhow, I am eager to read Mockingjay, so I’m going to draw this blog to a close. I will make another entry when I am finished but omit any major spoilers, only blogging my feelings and what I thought. I is so excited!!!!!!!!
Official Who Gets to Read Mockingjay After Courtney (Nothing Personal It Is In Order of Who Asked Me to Read It First, Not Favoritism Or Anything Like That) List:
- Becca Rose
- Anneke
- Emily
- You Could Be Next
Toodle Pip.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Gee, Thanks
O: There is a church collective to get me on a Greyhound. I can’t believe this! I can’t be-lieve it! If you see my post from earlier today (see below), you’d know about how Stew called to get my parents to stick me on a bus up to Redding. Now, at 8:30 at night, another member of our church called… WHAT? WHAT? He started talking with my mom about their health issues and I hear my mom ticking off why, oh why, I can’t gather all of my belongings, board a Greyhound and head up to Redding by myself. I’m really starting to wonder if there is a church fund raiser for my bus ticket or something! I mean, two phone calls in one day!!!!!!
I can’t believe this.
On another note, the writers left the YA showdown at a "tie". So. Stupid. They didn't even declare a real winner, they were just like: "Oh, yeah... Howl got the first vote but Eugenides won by like six votes. Decide for yourself!" So. Stupid.
What. A. Day.
Toodle Pip.
I can’t believe this.
On another note, the writers left the YA showdown at a "tie". So. Stupid. They didn't even declare a real winner, they were just like: "Oh, yeah... Howl got the first vote but Eugenides won by like six votes. Decide for yourself!" So. Stupid.
What. A. Day.
Toodle Pip.
Guilt. Ur doin' it right
No way in the Ell-Hay. Who calls at eight in the morning? Family members and people with emergencies. I mean, it isn’t as if eight is an ungodly hour or something, but it’s common courtesy to at least wait until ten. Well, it is in our house. This morning I happened to be up with my parents who were both up and about, getting ready for my dad’s doctors appointment. The phone rang, and I was fairly sure it was my sister, Ashley, who started school today. She has a habit of calling the house a lot, no matter what hour it might be, like I said: family members and people with emergencies. But when I checked the caller ID, it didn‘t say Ashley. It was Stew Breadsticks, a member of our church. His name is not, in fact, Stew, but that’s what we’ll call him in my blog. He’s a fairly old guy, and I really like him because he always seems to remember everyone and always gives me these little bible cards with my name on it, the meaning and a bible verse. I have like five of them. He’s really sweet. But I could have used the Lord’s name in vain and other profanities at him this fair morning.
It started out like this:
Courtney: “Hello?”
Stew: “Good morning, who is this? Is this Courtney?”
Courtney: (in my ‘elderly people voice’) “It sure is!”
Stew: “I thought that sounded like you, Courtney! So, heading back up to school - to Simpson soon?”
Courtney: “Mhmm. In ten days, I think.”
Stew: “So… do you know how you’re getting back up to school?”
Courtney: “Um. My parents are taking me.”
Stew: “…”
Courtney: “…”
Stew: “Are you parents really up for that, Courtney?”
Courtney: “Um… I don’t know?”
Stew: “Courtney, have you ever taken a bus?”
Courtney: “Yes… it wasn’t a very… good experience…” (Really, it wasn’t)
Stew: “You know they can take all of your stuff and you up in a bus, don’t you?”
Courtney: “Yeah… but…”
Stew: “I don’t think your parents can handle that drive. Can they?”
Courtney: “I… don’t know…”
Stew: “I know a bus isn’t the best, but can you parents really - economy or health wise - take you back up to school? With the car accident and how things are, do you really think they’re able to take you back up to school?”
Courtney: *speechless*
Stew: “You should really think of your parents and what’s best for them. I know you love them, but they can’t take you back to school. You’ve taken a bus before, right? For Christmas? What did it cost you?”
Courtney: “Um… $100 and something round-trip…”
Stew: “You’d only need a one-way ticket!”
Courtney: “Yeah… I don’t really know the cost…”
All the while pantomiming at my mother to save me!
Stew: “How many stops are there? Would you leave out of Riverside?”
Courtney: “Uh… yeah… to Redding… like ten stops or something…”
Stew: “That’s understandable…”
It’s understandable.
Courtney: “Yeah…”
Searching the house for my father to save meh!
Stew: “I know you love them, Courtney, but you need to think of them. You could take a bus, there are other options. It’s a long drive to Redding, you know.”
And a longer bus ride.
Courtney: *speechless*
DAD! MOM! And, finally, my Dad. Oh, I love you, Dad. Thank you for accepting the phone!
Dad: “Hey, Stew.”
Stew: “Bob! How’ve you been!” etc. “So… I heard you’re taking Courtney up to school… are you really up for that?”
Dad: *speechless*
Stew: “…”
Dad: “Well, we’ve decided to take her.”
Stew: “Yes, but do you think you’ll be able to make that drive in your condition? And Carol?”
Dad: “Well, we’ve decided to take her.”
Stew: “Last time I spoke with you on the phone, you didn’t sound like you could make it up. Between you and Carol’s physical therapy, do you really think it’s a good idea?”
Dad: “…”
Stew: “I was telling Courtney that you should send her up on a bus.”
Courtney: *speechless*
Stew: “They can take up all of her things, you know.”
In the background, I wave towards my mom: “Tell him they offered me drugs and alcohol! TELL HIM! TELL HIM! HE WANTS TO SEND ME UP ON THAT BUS! ON THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL BUSSSS! TELL HIM!”
Dad: “Well… I think we’re going to take her.”
Stew: “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
In the background, my mom whispers: “The hotel is already booked~”
Dad: “Yeah… but… uh, I think we want to spend the time with Courtney. You know, to get away as a family and spend some time together.”
Stew: Without missing a beat, “When did she first come home?”
Dad: “Uh, May.”
Stew: “So, let’s see… that’s four whole months you’ve had with her, right?”
Dad: “Yeah.”
Stew: “So, you’ve already spent a lot of time with her already.”
Dad: *speechless*
What do you say to that?
Stew: “She can take all her things up in the bus.”
Dad: “Yeah, you know what. We’ll pray about it and take it to the Lord for prayer. Thanks, Stew. But you know, we have to head out actually. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment this morning.”
Stew: “No problem, Bob. Thanks and God Bless."
o_o Seriously?
I can’t believe that actually happened. A member from our church, who we love, actually tried to get my parents to send me on a bus with all of my things up to Redding. Alone. By. Myself. I mean, he must have called at EIGHT IN THE MORNING for that express purpose. So, he must have thought this out at least somewhat ahead. What did he think I was going to do? Hitch a ride from the Greyhound Bus Station with all my belongings to Simpson? Rent a bike? How did he think I was going to get groceries and other things? Get a piggy-back from Night Crawler to Winco? Hitch hike to World Market?*speechless* I was so angry, but now I’m just stunned. He actually tried to guilt me into going it alone with all my stuff in a Greyhound. Never mind that I swore never to board another Greyhound again if I could help it.
It was a low blow. My parents really aren’t in ideal health to take the drive up and down to Redding. I know that, but what other options do we have? Greyhound? Puh! I couldn’t bear to part from them at a smelly bus station. Clearly Stew is sure I’m being selfish (which I suppose is true), but I’m only 19! I don’t have the moxie to make it without my parents and he knows it. I’m stunned. He had valid points, but it was none of his darn business, you know? It’s hard enough to have my parents doing this without Stew telling me, indirectly, what an awful daughter I am for letting them do this. Honestly, I don’t think I could handle going up without my parents. And I don’t think my parents could handle not taking me up. We don’t really have a choice, attractive as Stew’s alternative is…
What a morning, folks, what a morning.
Toodle Pip.
It started out like this:
Courtney: “Hello?”
Stew: “Good morning, who is this? Is this Courtney?”
Courtney: (in my ‘elderly people voice’) “It sure is!”
Stew: “I thought that sounded like you, Courtney! So, heading back up to school - to Simpson soon?”
Courtney: “Mhmm. In ten days, I think.”
Stew: “So… do you know how you’re getting back up to school?”
Courtney: “Um. My parents are taking me.”
Stew: “…”
Courtney: “…”
Stew: “Are you parents really up for that, Courtney?”
Courtney: “Um… I don’t know?”
Stew: “Courtney, have you ever taken a bus?”
Courtney: “Yes… it wasn’t a very… good experience…” (Really, it wasn’t)
Stew: “You know they can take all of your stuff and you up in a bus, don’t you?”
Courtney: “Yeah… but…”
Stew: “I don’t think your parents can handle that drive. Can they?”
Courtney: “I… don’t know…”
Stew: “I know a bus isn’t the best, but can you parents really - economy or health wise - take you back up to school? With the car accident and how things are, do you really think they’re able to take you back up to school?”
Courtney: *speechless*
Stew: “You should really think of your parents and what’s best for them. I know you love them, but they can’t take you back to school. You’ve taken a bus before, right? For Christmas? What did it cost you?”
Courtney: “Um… $100 and something round-trip…”
Stew: “You’d only need a one-way ticket!”
Courtney: “Yeah… I don’t really know the cost…”
All the while pantomiming at my mother to save me!
Stew: “How many stops are there? Would you leave out of Riverside?”
Courtney: “Uh… yeah… to Redding… like ten stops or something…”
Stew: “That’s understandable…”
It’s understandable.
Courtney: “Yeah…”
Searching the house for my father to save meh!
Stew: “I know you love them, Courtney, but you need to think of them. You could take a bus, there are other options. It’s a long drive to Redding, you know.”
And a longer bus ride.
Courtney: *speechless*
DAD! MOM! And, finally, my Dad. Oh, I love you, Dad. Thank you for accepting the phone!
Dad: “Hey, Stew.”
Stew: “Bob! How’ve you been!” etc. “So… I heard you’re taking Courtney up to school… are you really up for that?”
Dad: *speechless*
Stew: “…”
Dad: “Well, we’ve decided to take her.”
Stew: “Yes, but do you think you’ll be able to make that drive in your condition? And Carol?”
Dad: “Well, we’ve decided to take her.”
Stew: “Last time I spoke with you on the phone, you didn’t sound like you could make it up. Between you and Carol’s physical therapy, do you really think it’s a good idea?”
Dad: “…”
Stew: “I was telling Courtney that you should send her up on a bus.”
Courtney: *speechless*
Stew: “They can take up all of her things, you know.”
In the background, I wave towards my mom: “Tell him they offered me drugs and alcohol! TELL HIM! TELL HIM! HE WANTS TO SEND ME UP ON THAT BUS! ON THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL BUSSSS! TELL HIM!”
Dad: “Well… I think we’re going to take her.”
Stew: “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
In the background, my mom whispers: “The hotel is already booked~”
Dad: “Yeah… but… uh, I think we want to spend the time with Courtney. You know, to get away as a family and spend some time together.”
Stew: Without missing a beat, “When did she first come home?”
Dad: “Uh, May.”
Stew: “So, let’s see… that’s four whole months you’ve had with her, right?”
Dad: “Yeah.”
Stew: “So, you’ve already spent a lot of time with her already.”
Dad: *speechless*
What do you say to that?
Stew: “She can take all her things up in the bus.”
Dad: “Yeah, you know what. We’ll pray about it and take it to the Lord for prayer. Thanks, Stew. But you know, we have to head out actually. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment this morning.”
Stew: “No problem, Bob. Thanks and God Bless."
o_o Seriously?
I can’t believe that actually happened. A member from our church, who we love, actually tried to get my parents to send me on a bus with all of my things up to Redding. Alone. By. Myself. I mean, he must have called at EIGHT IN THE MORNING for that express purpose. So, he must have thought this out at least somewhat ahead. What did he think I was going to do? Hitch a ride from the Greyhound Bus Station with all my belongings to Simpson? Rent a bike? How did he think I was going to get groceries and other things? Get a piggy-back from Night Crawler to Winco? Hitch hike to World Market?*speechless* I was so angry, but now I’m just stunned. He actually tried to guilt me into going it alone with all my stuff in a Greyhound. Never mind that I swore never to board another Greyhound again if I could help it.
It was a low blow. My parents really aren’t in ideal health to take the drive up and down to Redding. I know that, but what other options do we have? Greyhound? Puh! I couldn’t bear to part from them at a smelly bus station. Clearly Stew is sure I’m being selfish (which I suppose is true), but I’m only 19! I don’t have the moxie to make it without my parents and he knows it. I’m stunned. He had valid points, but it was none of his darn business, you know? It’s hard enough to have my parents doing this without Stew telling me, indirectly, what an awful daughter I am for letting them do this. Honestly, I don’t think I could handle going up without my parents. And I don’t think my parents could handle not taking me up. We don’t really have a choice, attractive as Stew’s alternative is…
What a morning, folks, what a morning.
Toodle Pip.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Queen of the Uglies
There is nothing quite so great as re-discovering what fun a friend can be. Now, I don’t normally blog at 4 in the morning… in fact, I’m not usually awake at this hour. But amazing, and I do mean amazing, things transpired tonight. I didn’t log onto FB after dinner thinking I would be up this late. I actually intended to be off by eleven so that my sleeping schedule could stabilize in time for school. Now, when I logged on I ended up chatting with my good, old friend Junelle - or, as you may (or may not) know her: J, Jelly, Wally, Jelly Bean, Junelley, Duck, etc. We started of talking about music and sharing links.
Then, after a while, we started a sort of bucket list of thing we’re going to do some day, in theory. You know, little goals and fun things you want to accomplish before you die. Or, in this case, get old. Some of the things we talked about were going to cranberry farms, a road trip, being Youtube stars by cosplaying as Sailor Scouts and doing a frame-by-frame transformation at places like Borders, Disneyland and Chipotle. You know, the like. Normal stuff. Junelle would, of course, be Sailor Moon with her cheerful and ditsy (but fun) disposition. And I would cosplay as Venus, who has awesome shoes.
Anyhow, it gets better. MUCH. Music > Sadness > Road trip > Sailor Scouts > Transormation > Looking for Sailor Venus transformation wand on eBay (which is, by the way, like $100)… sure does cost to be a scout. So, I ended up scouring eBay for other Venus paraphernalia and ended up looking at OTHER cosplay which then turned into a little practice Junelle and I have honed over the years. We love looking at cosplay, especially the Gothic Lolita stuff, because some of it is quite insanely cute. And quite insanely ugly, as well. After ‘bout twenty minutes of browsing the cute, we ended up wordlessly creating the “Our Daughters Misbehave So Badly We Force Them To Wear Hideous Cosplay” game. The premise begins like so:
Example -
Junelle: “She (her daughter) sold grandpa for a Gucci purse in the airport.” JUNELLE'S UGLY PUNISHMENT DRESS.
Courtney: “When she flunked Calculus.” MY UGLY PUNISHMENT DRESS.
If you don’t really, and understandably, get it… basically, our future daughters (respectively) are so disobedient and such miscreants that the only way we can punish them is by making them wear hideous clothing. The uglier the crime, the uglier the dress. You make think this absurd, but this kept us busy for a few hours and would have continued if the most amazing thing had not happened. I’ll tell you that later in this entry. Junelle is one of the only people who could have sustained this game with me for as long as we played it. We both get a kick out of ugly cosplay, I guess.
All I have to say about our future daughters is, God… please… no. If half of what was written tonight comes to pass, they’re going to have drawers and drawers filled with hideous apparel. On a brighter note, I’m actually considering this as a future form of punishment!
So, now, the moment you’ve been waiting for. The moment that may possibly make your life as it did mine…
While searching for more ugly dresses, in hopes of crowning my “Our Daughters Misbehave So Badly We Force Them To Wear Hideous Cosplay” glory, I ran across the most ugly dress in all creation. You might think this a gross understatement of a careless hyperbole… but I kid you not. I. Kid. You. Not. In fact, it’s so amazingly awful that I want it. Forever. I’m going to buy it and wear it every Sunday on afternoon strolls with my good friend, J. We’re going to be the envy of society women and bring an end to world hunger. We’ll be on the news and become Youtube stars. We’re going to change the world with the swish of our linens and the glimmer of hats. We’re going to dress the moon down from the sky and be thrown out of chuch. We’re going to be awesome.
And, for the rest of my close lady friends, you’re next. There are several other hideous dresses which may suit you quite wonderfully. They’re ‘everything’ dresses. I might even get married in mine… at least, my brides maids will wear them… (:
So, now. Do you think you are ready to view the ugliest dress in all creation? The dress what will change the world and bring me everyday happiness and save the whales? Wait no longer.
BAM!
For your perusal, Junelle’s ridiculously hideous dress...
POW!
The others could be yours, they‘re calling to you.
Becca-ness~ I saved a special one for you!
It’s a very fulfilling sensation to know you found, and will own someday own, the ugliest dress in all creation. I’m content. What else in my life could compare to this? Definitely worth staying up late for. Definitely.
By the way, I won the game.
Yey.
Toodle Pip.
Then, after a while, we started a sort of bucket list of thing we’re going to do some day, in theory. You know, little goals and fun things you want to accomplish before you die. Or, in this case, get old. Some of the things we talked about were going to cranberry farms, a road trip, being Youtube stars by cosplaying as Sailor Scouts and doing a frame-by-frame transformation at places like Borders, Disneyland and Chipotle. You know, the like. Normal stuff. Junelle would, of course, be Sailor Moon with her cheerful and ditsy (but fun) disposition. And I would cosplay as Venus, who has awesome shoes.
Anyhow, it gets better. MUCH. Music > Sadness > Road trip > Sailor Scouts > Transormation > Looking for Sailor Venus transformation wand on eBay (which is, by the way, like $100)… sure does cost to be a scout. So, I ended up scouring eBay for other Venus paraphernalia and ended up looking at OTHER cosplay which then turned into a little practice Junelle and I have honed over the years. We love looking at cosplay, especially the Gothic Lolita stuff, because some of it is quite insanely cute. And quite insanely ugly, as well. After ‘bout twenty minutes of browsing the cute, we ended up wordlessly creating the “Our Daughters Misbehave So Badly We Force Them To Wear Hideous Cosplay” game. The premise begins like so:
Example -
Junelle: “She (her daughter) sold grandpa for a Gucci purse in the airport.” JUNELLE'S UGLY PUNISHMENT DRESS.
Courtney: “When she flunked Calculus.” MY UGLY PUNISHMENT DRESS.
If you don’t really, and understandably, get it… basically, our future daughters (respectively) are so disobedient and such miscreants that the only way we can punish them is by making them wear hideous clothing. The uglier the crime, the uglier the dress. You make think this absurd, but this kept us busy for a few hours and would have continued if the most amazing thing had not happened. I’ll tell you that later in this entry. Junelle is one of the only people who could have sustained this game with me for as long as we played it. We both get a kick out of ugly cosplay, I guess.
All I have to say about our future daughters is, God… please… no. If half of what was written tonight comes to pass, they’re going to have drawers and drawers filled with hideous apparel. On a brighter note, I’m actually considering this as a future form of punishment!
So, now, the moment you’ve been waiting for. The moment that may possibly make your life as it did mine…
While searching for more ugly dresses, in hopes of crowning my “Our Daughters Misbehave So Badly We Force Them To Wear Hideous Cosplay” glory, I ran across the most ugly dress in all creation. You might think this a gross understatement of a careless hyperbole… but I kid you not. I. Kid. You. Not. In fact, it’s so amazingly awful that I want it. Forever. I’m going to buy it and wear it every Sunday on afternoon strolls with my good friend, J. We’re going to be the envy of society women and bring an end to world hunger. We’ll be on the news and become Youtube stars. We’re going to change the world with the swish of our linens and the glimmer of hats. We’re going to dress the moon down from the sky and be thrown out of chuch. We’re going to be awesome.
And, for the rest of my close lady friends, you’re next. There are several other hideous dresses which may suit you quite wonderfully. They’re ‘everything’ dresses. I might even get married in mine… at least, my brides maids will wear them… (:
So, now. Do you think you are ready to view the ugliest dress in all creation? The dress what will change the world and bring me everyday happiness and save the whales? Wait no longer.
BAM!
For your perusal, Junelle’s ridiculously hideous dress...
POW!
The others could be yours, they‘re calling to you.
Becca-ness~ I saved a special one for you!
It’s a very fulfilling sensation to know you found, and will own someday own, the ugliest dress in all creation. I’m content. What else in my life could compare to this? Definitely worth staying up late for. Definitely.
By the way, I won the game.
Yey.
Toodle Pip.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Universal Yuu Shirota Ramen
I like to think I’m a fairly good sport about it, but it’s wearing thin. I mean, I don’t owe anyone any explanations, but (none-the-less), I try and explain it to curious people. My perpetual ‘singleness’ is something that baffles my peers, and I don’t really get it. So, here I was in the backseat of the car with Ashley, Brad, Matthew and his girlfriend when suddenly, out of nowhere, I’m asked: “No offense Courtney, but have you ever had any sort of boyfriend?” Right, so I’m usually good about this. But usually I see it coming, because this usually comes up when discussing dating topics or whatever. I didn’t see this from a mile away. I had to stop and compose my answer instead of deadpanning, “Shut up, you jerk!” I think this was all brought on by my fancy of Colonel Sanders hours earlier.
You see, we left earlier in the evening for Hollywood to go to Universal Studios City Walk. In the food court there is a KFC and a life-sized Colonel Sanders sitting on a bench. We got to know each other and he became my ‘boyfriend’. Thus, somebody thought to ask me really. Yes. So, anyhow, I thought about my answer rather than being rude. As I wanted to be in a car full of couples. I explained to them that I, kind of like Paul, am momentarily blessed with singleness. And that when I date, it’s going to be for marriage. I’m not ready to be married, so I’m not ready to date. To which was replied: “Good point,” and “But not in this day and age.” Surprise, surprise, right?
I just feel so disconnected sometimes from some people. I mean, they sound like my singleness is wrong. It isn’t as though I don’t want to be married someday or love someone. It isn’t that at all. And excuse me for knowing what’s right for me. For some people ‘fun’ dating is what works for them. But I’ve been aware from early on that is not what's suitable for me. I dislike having to defend myself to others who find it odd, because then even I start to doubt myself. Like, is it strange? But it’s not. I know that when I’m ready, God has somebody just right for me and who will help me grow to know Him in ways I never have before. Before I'm ready to walk with someone else, I have to work on my relationship with God. Just, for me, I think dating = marriage, not dating = someone to hang out with, go to dinner with, etc. That’s what I have friends for. And I’m not ready to be married yet, so I, personally, have no business dating.
I suppose all I can do is kindly supply the condensed version of these values, because not a lot of people are ever going to see where I’m coming from. It’s just the way of things, sometimes, even if I don’t particularly care for such ways. *sigh*
On a brighter note, I got some yum-yum-yum ramen tonight from Orochan Ramen in Little Tokyo. My lips are still burning.
Yey.
Oh, and Dear God? Do you think it would be to much to ask for Yuu Shirota wrapped in a pretty, shinny bow once you think I'm ready?
Toodle Pip.
You see, we left earlier in the evening for Hollywood to go to Universal Studios City Walk. In the food court there is a KFC and a life-sized Colonel Sanders sitting on a bench. We got to know each other and he became my ‘boyfriend’. Thus, somebody thought to ask me really. Yes. So, anyhow, I thought about my answer rather than being rude. As I wanted to be in a car full of couples. I explained to them that I, kind of like Paul, am momentarily blessed with singleness. And that when I date, it’s going to be for marriage. I’m not ready to be married, so I’m not ready to date. To which was replied: “Good point,” and “But not in this day and age.” Surprise, surprise, right?
I just feel so disconnected sometimes from some people. I mean, they sound like my singleness is wrong. It isn’t as though I don’t want to be married someday or love someone. It isn’t that at all. And excuse me for knowing what’s right for me. For some people ‘fun’ dating is what works for them. But I’ve been aware from early on that is not what's suitable for me. I dislike having to defend myself to others who find it odd, because then even I start to doubt myself. Like, is it strange? But it’s not. I know that when I’m ready, God has somebody just right for me and who will help me grow to know Him in ways I never have before. Before I'm ready to walk with someone else, I have to work on my relationship with God. Just, for me, I think dating = marriage, not dating = someone to hang out with, go to dinner with, etc. That’s what I have friends for. And I’m not ready to be married yet, so I, personally, have no business dating.
I suppose all I can do is kindly supply the condensed version of these values, because not a lot of people are ever going to see where I’m coming from. It’s just the way of things, sometimes, even if I don’t particularly care for such ways. *sigh*
On a brighter note, I got some yum-yum-yum ramen tonight from Orochan Ramen in Little Tokyo. My lips are still burning.
Yey.
Oh, and Dear God? Do you think it would be to much to ask for Yuu Shirota wrapped in a pretty, shinny bow once you think I'm ready?
Toodle Pip.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Team Howl... Howell Jenkins... Pendragon...
It’s very disorienting to go back and see my posts early May when I abhorred the idea of summer, being forced out of Simpson and away from my friends. Now, I look at myself and think, What. The. Heck? I don’t want to go back. I want to stay home, spend days lazy and being around my family. Don’t get me wrong-I do miss my lovely friends… just now I’m going to miss my family as well. I find it curious what three months can do to an attitude, especially mine. I was sure my summer was going to be dull and pointless. And it was, but in a way I turned out liking. I forgot how much time I liked keeping to myself. It’s awfully funny how somebody can be an extraverted introvert. I think that’s what I am. I really enjoy spending time with others and keeping company, but I can have just as much fun with only myself, reading or writing or watching television. I’m good company; at least that’s what Courtney tells me.
So, like it or not (or not), I’m Simpson bound. But it’s still very strange to go back and see how I felt now and compare it to how I felt three months ago. Like a before and after picture… uh, for a blind person. Like feeling, and not seeing, the difference. On another note, though, I’m really excited about the YA fantasy showdowns going on here:
http://yafantasyshowdown.weebly.com/index.html
My only complaint besides that very… very bad picture of Valek, is that no way would Hermione from Harry Potter beat Katsa. Whattheheck? Katsa has a survival Grace. Survival! I mean, obviously she’s not impervious to magic, but her Grace could find some way to restrain Hermione and her magic. So stupid. I mean, Katsa can command herself to sleep and for how long and all that other survival sha-bang. I swear, Ruth can do the same thing. And Hermione’s know-it-all-ness would be a big liability, especially against somebody with a mystery Grace. But I did really like the Katsa and Edward fight. “Say it! Say it!” That was precious.
But anyhow, my favorites to win are as followed: Katsa (hello, survival Grace!), Aragorn (for obvious reasons) and Howl. Howl is beautiful. I love him. I don’t actually know if he as the ability or moxie to win (one of his flaws, as listed on the YA showdown page: lazy; thinks he is a coward), but I’m rooting for him just the same. I would have listed Katniss… but, I mean I know she’s pretty resourceful and a bad (Becca, say the second part here) in the Hunger Games, but she won with some help. And she was darn lucky. A lot of her success was due to third parties working outside of the arena. So, when it comes down to it, I think she’d put up a fight, but without the motivation of Prim or Peeta and without the help of others, I don’t think she’d make it far. Arrows can only take you so far. Plus, her people judgment is sorely lacking.
Boy. I talk more about fictional people than actual people. Really says something, doesn’t it? But, for the past few weeks, aside from getting everything done for school (Lord, thank you for bringing me through, even when I was extremely, extremely doubtful and at the end of my wits), books have been my constant companions. So of course I have a lot to say.
Er. Maybe I’ll have something more important to say tomorrow. Either way, I hope Katsa and Aragorn make it to the end and fight each other. That would be a well matched fight, methinks.
Don’t drink and drive, kiddos.
Toodle Pip.
So, like it or not (or not), I’m Simpson bound. But it’s still very strange to go back and see how I felt now and compare it to how I felt three months ago. Like a before and after picture… uh, for a blind person. Like feeling, and not seeing, the difference. On another note, though, I’m really excited about the YA fantasy showdowns going on here:
http://yafantasyshowdown.weebly.com/index.html
My only complaint besides that very… very bad picture of Valek, is that no way would Hermione from Harry Potter beat Katsa. Whattheheck? Katsa has a survival Grace. Survival! I mean, obviously she’s not impervious to magic, but her Grace could find some way to restrain Hermione and her magic. So stupid. I mean, Katsa can command herself to sleep and for how long and all that other survival sha-bang. I swear, Ruth can do the same thing. And Hermione’s know-it-all-ness would be a big liability, especially against somebody with a mystery Grace. But I did really like the Katsa and Edward fight. “Say it! Say it!” That was precious.
But anyhow, my favorites to win are as followed: Katsa (hello, survival Grace!), Aragorn (for obvious reasons) and Howl. Howl is beautiful. I love him. I don’t actually know if he as the ability or moxie to win (one of his flaws, as listed on the YA showdown page: lazy; thinks he is a coward), but I’m rooting for him just the same. I would have listed Katniss… but, I mean I know she’s pretty resourceful and a bad (Becca, say the second part here) in the Hunger Games, but she won with some help. And she was darn lucky. A lot of her success was due to third parties working outside of the arena. So, when it comes down to it, I think she’d put up a fight, but without the motivation of Prim or Peeta and without the help of others, I don’t think she’d make it far. Arrows can only take you so far. Plus, her people judgment is sorely lacking.
Boy. I talk more about fictional people than actual people. Really says something, doesn’t it? But, for the past few weeks, aside from getting everything done for school (Lord, thank you for bringing me through, even when I was extremely, extremely doubtful and at the end of my wits), books have been my constant companions. So of course I have a lot to say.
Er. Maybe I’ll have something more important to say tomorrow. Either way, I hope Katsa and Aragorn make it to the end and fight each other. That would be a well matched fight, methinks.
Don’t drink and drive, kiddos.
Toodle Pip.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
O Yey
I am super stressed. Super stressed. So stressed, in fact, that I can’t even begin to comprehend the things that have to/are happening in the next three weeks. I’m more-or-less idling by in my river of denial.
No, I don’t owe Simpson $600 in four days. Nope. I don’t have to get insurance in the next three days in order to fix that. I also have three roommates. Yep. We are not, in fact, rooming with a stranger unless we find some really awesome replacement for my daughter. I did not just find this out ten minutes ago. I am not woefully unprepared for organic chemistry next year. And it is most certainly not my fault for floundering my summer away on sleeping, eating and reading. I am not transferring after this year. Nope.
I do not need to get yet another new phone because the iPhone my brother gave me, as it turns out, is great for those bursts of boredom but can’t make a decent phone call. I do not have to worry about when, oh when, will I take calculus? I do not need to call UCR and ask if calculus is even a pre-req for Physics like it is at Simpson. I do not need to buy a million things for school in the three weeks. School does not start in three weeks. I don’t have to leave in three weeks. I’m not going to be repulsed at what the cafeteria passes off as food in three weeks. My foot is not asleep. I’m not in denial.
This just about sums up my August. Yey.
TP.
No, I don’t owe Simpson $600 in four days. Nope. I don’t have to get insurance in the next three days in order to fix that. I also have three roommates. Yep. We are not, in fact, rooming with a stranger unless we find some really awesome replacement for my daughter. I did not just find this out ten minutes ago. I am not woefully unprepared for organic chemistry next year. And it is most certainly not my fault for floundering my summer away on sleeping, eating and reading. I am not transferring after this year. Nope.
I do not need to get yet another new phone because the iPhone my brother gave me, as it turns out, is great for those bursts of boredom but can’t make a decent phone call. I do not have to worry about when, oh when, will I take calculus? I do not need to call UCR and ask if calculus is even a pre-req for Physics like it is at Simpson. I do not need to buy a million things for school in the three weeks. School does not start in three weeks. I don’t have to leave in three weeks. I’m not going to be repulsed at what the cafeteria passes off as food in three weeks. My foot is not asleep. I’m not in denial.
This just about sums up my August. Yey.
TP.
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