A Quiet Symphony

Call To Arms

2008-10-02T21:30:00.000-07:00

Kamikaze Girls

2008-09-26T22:21:00.000-07:00

cat

2008-09-10T22:53:00.001-07:00

More Live Action Goodness

2008-09-05T11:40:00.001-07:00

Straight from Japan:
Awesome (anime-free) female artists... broaden your horizons & enjoy!

Samurai Champloo Rocks My Socks

2008-08-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

The Danger of Raising Girls

2008-08-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

The obstacles we face in this misleading, messed up, media-fed world...

Support Dove in their daunting quest!

Welcome, Eva Rose!

2008-08-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

It's a girl! I got to meet my much-anticipated niece two days ago, and she's absolutely beautiful and perfect in every way. I am so proud of my best friends, Sarah and Caleb (mom and dad)--so proud that I have to boast about it on my blog! ;)

Here's Drew and I holding our little niece, Eva Rose.

And here's the happy mom and dad!

Princess Princess (Hime)

2008-07-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

Is it fair that boys can be prettier than girls?

Birthday Extravaganza

2008-07-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

Twenty-seven years down... who knows how many more to go.

This year I took evidence that I didn't spend the entire time sulking.

If you're ever in Napa, CA, go check out Don Giovanni's. Their grilled bifsteca with spinach and lemon (with a glass of Sonoma Reisling) is a beautiful thing.

OMG--Really?!?

2008-07-03T18:48:00.001-07:00

Or "Welcome to the Apocalypse..."
I just heard (I'm slow in the news) that there is a live-action movie in production of Neon Genesis Evangelion scheduled to be released possibly between '09-'12. REALLY???? It's called the "Untitled Evangelion Project" thus far and will be designed by WETA, same folks who blessed our eyes in LOTR. lol I'm so excited and am hoping that it will provide more answers than questions--or at least remain the same in the amount of ambiguity ("Ambiguity only brings me pain" in the words of Shinji).

For those of you familiar with this apocalyptic (and at times, creepily cryptic) anime, you're probably already familiar with the excessive violence in the movie End of Evangelion--I'm a light weight so I was pretty squeemish through the whole thing. I much preferred the series' "tameness." I'll take the "revenge" theory on that one by creator Hideaki Anno...

Anyway, any one who knows my anime-taste knows fully well that I'm not big into sci-fi or metal monster things like Gundam or Voltron (!); it's the psychological and mental realms this series takes that really solidifies its genius. It's truly like no other anime out there--at least that I've seen yet (maybe Space Runaway Ideon which I refuse to watch?). Besides, the Evas turn out to be bodiless souls, anyway, so they're not really machines to begin with. There's so much real, raw human pain and purpose, so much anguish and turmoil--and hope and "rebirth"! This is clearly evident in each and every character who stands completely apart from the next (unlike many anime characters who all meld together lazily). Anno's personal battles with depression are beautifully chronicled through the characters' journeys, as well as his eventual freedom--loving yourself and others despite the pain of your past and the rejection of those you love.

(PS: I'm giving my boy Shinji-kun a shout out because gets absolutely no love from the fans! Hey-hoo! =^.^= )

"Shine and hold up the sky... Young boy become a legend..."

The folks at WETA say...

Sacramento couple who let lawn die to save water face $746 fine

2008-07-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

by Matt Weiser-mweiser@sacbee.com

Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A1

While a neighbor waters a lawn in the background, Anne Hartridge surveys her own east Sacramento yard. She has been threatened with a city code enforcement fine for letting her lawn die to save water. She spread mulch last weekend, but the city says that may not suffice. Randall Benton / rbenton@sacbee.com

If Sacramento wanted a poster couple for its "green city" aspirations, it would be hard to do better than Anne Hartridge and Matt George. The husband and wife bought a home in east Sacramento for easy biking to work and shopping. They installed solar panels and efficient appliances. Their laundry dries on a clothesline. They didn't own a car until four years ago, when their eldest son, then 18 months old, was being treated frequently for food allergies. They bought a Prius.

So when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a statewide drought June 4, Hartridge decided it was only right to let her front lawn die to save water.

"The whole water conservation ethic is very important to me," said Hartridge, a state employee who bikes or rides the bus to work.

But that ethic didn't agree with her neighbors, or with the city. Before Hartridge could plan new landscaping, a neighbor complained to the city about her brown lawn, and the Code Enforcement Department slapped the family with a citation. Their small brick home was declared a "public nuisance" in violation of city code section 17.68.010, which states that front yards "shall be irrigated, landscaped and maintained."

A $746 fine will be next unless they correct the violation.

"In order to make the lawn go, I would have had to keep watering it intensely, and since the drought was declared, I decided that wasn't a good idea," said Hartridge. "Honestly, I think there's a disconnect within the city about priorities."

Two weeks ago, The Bee reported that Sacramento's per capita water use is among the greatest in the world. Later that week, the same day Hartridge got the citation, an audit revealed that the city has lost or misplaced nearly 5,000 water meters, out of more than 100,000 it must install citywide to comply with state law.

"On one hand they're mislaying their water meters, and on the other hand they going out and putting enforcement on people who don't have green lawns," Hartridge said. "And there's water running down the gutters of my neighborhood every day."

City laws forbid landscape irrigation on Mondays (code section 13.04.860), between noon and 6 p.m. (13.04.860), and to such an extent that water runs into gutters (13.04.850).

All these violations could be seen on Hartridge's street this week – one street among thousands in Sacramento.

Neighbor Lois Guy, a retiree, thinks the situation is "crazy." "It's private property, after all," she said Tuesday while trimming hedges at her home around the corner from Hartridge's. "They're in the process of doing something (with the lawn). So they should be left alone while they're trying to improve it."

Dennis Kubo, city code enforcement manager, said his department does not communicate with the Utilities Department about drought concerns or water efficiency. His department only enforces health and safety and "general welfare" codes.

"The zoning ordinance tells us that the property owner's got to have landscaping. So that's what we have to do," he said.

The city's landscaping rule is intended to maintain neighborhood visual standards to prevent one neighbor's tastes from harming another's property values. The rule was the subject of much conflict last year when amended to provide gardeners leeway to grow more than grass. Sacramentans can now grow large trees, shrubs and, yes, even food in their front yards without fear of reprisal. But the rules still require front landscaping to be irrigated, which means scores of homeowners could be penalized for growing cacti or other drought-tolerant vegetation.

"The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing when it comes to the city," said Karen Baumann, who triggered last year's controversy after she was cited in 2005 for inadequate lawn cover after she removed grass to plant vegetables and flowers in her front yard.

Hartridge was already having trouble keeping her lawn green when nature turned up the heat this spring. She watered every other day and even tried reseeding. But it didn't take. For her it was a natural decision to stop watering the grass after the governor's drought declaration. But she never got a chance to plan new landscaping before the lawn police arrived.

Last Thursday, the day after the citation came in the mail, she called Code Enforcement to find out how to correct the violation. She was told an e-mail with landscaping solutions would be forthcoming. It never arrived. She also called her city councilman, Steve Cohn, who did not respond. Cohn also didn't return a call from The Bee on Tuesday. Last weekend she decided to cover what's left of her small lawn with redwood mulch, which she spread around a few hydrangeas and azaleas that survive with occasional water.

Hartridge awaits reinspection by Code Enforcement. She does not know when that will happen or whether her yard will comply.

Probably not, Kubo said. Mulch is allowed only as one of the "design elements ... integrated as part of the landscape," according to code section 17.68.010(1)a(1)b.

"If it's just one tree out there, maybe a couple of plants and then the whole front yard is loaded with bark," he said, "then no, that's not going to meet the criteria."

Googley Eyed Botanist :)

2008-06-21T21:48:00.001-07:00

Super Legacy... or Not?

2008-06-06T14:23:00.000-07:00

Some guy I don't know says:
I'm sorry for those, like me, who felt that the Mario 3 video was one of the most amazing things they have ever seen. Truth be told, the video is fake.

There proof comes straight from the horses mouth. At the end of the video, there are url's to two different websites. The soramimi.egoism.jp one is the one with the proof. The site is in Japanese, but a translation done exposes the truth.

I QUOTE: ZURU is carried out. It is dropping and moving by the emulator till 1/30 second. Save and loading are repeated and recorded during movie record.
When a mistake is saved and made before a dangerous place, it is touch called loading. The translation is poor, but you get the point.

The video was done on an emulator FRAME by FRAME, with constant usage of save states to correct any errors. The only true feat in the whole video is that a person actually took the time to map out every level and know the patterns for all the enemies. Actually performing the task of playing took little skill, however.

The guy that did the video never actually meant for everyone to believe it was a person playing in real time. He also says: I think I am sorry very much so that the dream of the pure person who considered may be ruined.
It should have written beforehand. and I am very sorry to people considered to be a play by people's hand seriously

Also in the translation, it states that it took the guy 2 years to do it.

Reflections of Eternity

2008-06-05T00:10:00.000-07:00

In breezy thought I remember—  

Remember that you are gone

But will remain,

Though seasons call you hence,

Our spirits stay the same.

In love’s ardor glance,

A silent glimpse is seen—

A view from heaven,

Passions filled,

A glimpse of cries sustained.

Knowledge sweeps over me then—

That in the spring of heaven’s

Kiss comes ageless wonder—

The freedom of innocent days

Long since taken somehow

Regained.

No remorse then,

Or even pain.

In such loss comes heavenly gain—

And I know it will not be

Long standing—

No, eternity is at our feet

And reality in our hearts.

This time, this place,

This sight

Is nothing but seeking air,

For upon that day we shall rise

And greet the dawn.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey

2008-06-04T15:44:00.000-07:00


Name:	Melly
Birthday:	July 14
Birthplace:	Texas
Current Location:	Cally
Eye Color:	Hazel
Hair Color:	Who knows?
Height:	5'4
Right Handed or Left Handed:	Left-handed people rock!
Your Heritage:	All of the above
The Shoes You Wore Today:	Flip-flops, of course
Your Weakness:	Insecurity--and bread!
Your Fears:	Abandonment--and bears, oh my!
Your Perfect Pizza:	The speck pizzas in Italy!
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:	Finish my novel: B/M
Your Most Overused Phrase On an instant messenger:	OMG
Thoughts First Waking Up:	OMG
Your Best Physical Feature:	Eyes
Your Bedtime:	Whenever Drew tells me
Your Most Missed Memory:	Missed or lost?
Pepsi or Coke:	Pepsi
MacDonalds or Burger King:	Neither
Single or Group Dates:	I don't date
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea:	My own brew
Chocolate or Vanilla:	Swirl
Cappuccino or Coffee:	Both
Do you Smoke:	Used to
Do you Swear:	No, dat*
Do you Sing:	YES!
Do you Shower Daily:	Nope
Have you Been in Love:	I would hope so
Do you want to go to College:	Still there
Do you want to get Married:	Again?
Do you belive in yourself:	Sometimes
Do you get Motion Sickness:	Yup
Do you think you are Attractive:	Er... not really
Are you a Health Freak:	At times
Do you get along with your Parents:	Si
Do you like Thunderstorms:	Si tambien
Do you play an Instrument:	Si , si
In the past month have you Drank Alcohol:	Does Listerine count?
In the past month have you Smoked:	Salmon?
In the past month have you been on Drugs:	Not my scene
In the past month have you gone on a Date:	Don't tell my hubby
In the past month have you eaten a box of Oreos:	Snackwells Devil's Food Cake... yum
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:	Saturday! I love sushi
In the past month have you been on Stage:	Been awhile
In the past month have you been Dumped:	Let me ask Drew...
In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping:	Er... no
In the past month have you Stolen Anything:	Negative
Ever been Drunk:	I suppose
Ever been called a Tease:	Not to my face
Ever been Beaten up:	Not really
Ever Shoplifted:	Yes!
How do you want to Die:	In sleep
What do you want to be when you Grow Up:	The best ME I can be
What country would you most like to Visit:	Japan--Summer 09, baby!

Mother and Daughter Graduating From Vet School Together

2008-06-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

June 2, 2008

Mothers and daughters share a special bond, and veterinary students build strong connections during four years of intense study. But Sharon Hunt Gerardo and her daughter Angelina share both distinctions as they prepare to graduate together June 13 from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis.

Sharon, a UC Davis alumna who earned a bachelor's degree in 1980 and a master's degree in 1982, wanted to be a veterinarian most of her life, but when she did not get into veterinary school after college, she went on to earn a doctorate in immunology from UCLA and pursue a research career. She married Michael "Mike" Gerardo, who earned his doctor of veterinary medicine from UC Davis in 1982, and together they began a veterinary business and a family, settling in Simi Valley.

Daughter Angelina and her brother Jimmie grew up surrounded by animals.

"We had a ton of pets, spent summers in the clinic and went to work with Dad when he had emergencies," Angelina says. "I didn't consider any other occupation."

Mike's unexpected death in 2000 caused profound family changes. Through troubled times, Sharon remembered the joys of her husband's practice and revisited her own career, determining that she still carried her dream to work with people, their animals and the community as a veterinarian.

From then on, it was a matter of timing. In 2003, both women applied to veterinary school. They talked about their unusual situation and even interviewed the same day at one East Coast college, but they never expected to enroll at the same school.

Angelina selected UC Davis. Sharon was considering another veterinary school, but at the last moment, she chose to stay in California, too.

Angelina admits she "wasn't that thrilled" about sitting next to her mom in class for the next four years. However, with separate homes, lab sections and friends, the two got along fine.

"We started studying together," Angelina says, "We found that we study at the same pace."

With veterinary school completed, Angelina has joined the Army Veterinary Corps for three years and is considering a military career. Her first assignment, after basic training, is Camp LeJeune, N.C., where she will care for 50-60 military working dogs and the small animals of service personnel.

Now re-married, Sharon will remain in Davis a bit longer. She will combine her experience in immunology and an interest in infectious diseases by pursuing a Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine degree. Her ambition is to practice in a public research or diagnostic laboratory.

By choosing the same professional path, both women hope to carry on a double legacy from Mike Gerardo -- and an ever-stronger personal bond created by their veterinary school experience

Ode to Good Friends

2008-05-22T00:25:00.001-07:00

They're hard to find.

And though we lose some and gain some, our separate ventures never separate love,
though far, they're not forgotten.

Thank God for dear,
dear friends
whom we can call family...

For All The Special Ladies Out There...

2008-05-11T18:43:00.001-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

(Even those who feel a little out of place at times)

Spotlight:

2008-05-05T15:36:00.000-07:00

Cute (and sadly, endangered) Animal Babies

A Novel Idea

2008-04-02T12:32:00.000-07:00

My good friend Marjie has yet again tagged me with a great Meme. Here's the rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book of at least 123 pages.
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

Good thing I'm not reading any D.H. Lawrence right now or the sentence would take up the whole page! However, I did cheat somewhat as I included sentence 5 and 6... One sentence just seemed too puny.

1. Early Modern Japan, Conrad Totman.

"The intensity of feeling notwithstanding, it was in everyone's interest not to let rivalries get out of hand, lest, in the worse scenario, they provoke Edo to dissolve the domain and thus reduce an entire vassal force to ronin status. The combination of compelling reason to struggle for power and equally compelling reason to keep the struggle within bounds bred conflicts that sometimes simmered on and on, occasionally erupting in bursts of anger and even violence, but commonly persisting for years, controlled but unresolved."

2. EMMA, by Jane Austen.

"There was intimacy between them, and Mr. Cole has heard from Mr. Elton since his going away. Emma knew what was coming; they must have the letter over again, and settle how long he had been gone, and how much he was engaged in company, and what a favourite he was wherever he went, and how full the Master of the Ceremonies' ball had been; and she went through it very well, with all the interest and all the commendation that could be requisite, and always putting forward to prevent Harriet's being obliged to say a word."

3. The Lost Steps, by Alejo Carpenter.

"Now, hugging her knees, indifferent to what her tumbled skirt might reveal, she rocked herself gently on the cot, sipping brandy from a tin pitcher. She talked of pyramids of Mexico and the Incan fortress--which she knew only from photographs--of the stairways of Monte Alban and the adobe villages of the Hopis, lamenting the fact that in this country the Indians had erected no such wonders."

Tagees: Helen, Eugene, Rebecca, Danny, & Nina.

Tahoe '08

2008-03-31T12:21:00.001-07:00

Hello all. I'm back from the sublime nothingness of Spring Break, gearing up for the Spring Quarter (3 A's & a B last Q), hanging out with Greg, Shantel, and Isaiah in Japantown, and celebrating my two-year anniversary of my wonderful marriage to a wonderful man. As a child, Lake Tahoe was the center of good memories and innocent happiness for Andrew. His family and closest friends vacationed there quite frequently in a large house owned by his grandfather. Even though I've lived in California for over a decade, I've never actually been to Tahoe.

Thus, it was decided that we would venture on a road trip in the opposite direction of last year's coastal excursion: up to the Sierra Nevada's for a good time! It was great to see snow again, reminding me of my own childhood memories of both Alaska and Massachusetts where snow was second-nature. In the valley we don't see much of it! We pulled the car over and went on a mini-hike, falling through the snow here and there and taking time for an occasional snow-ball fight.

The air was refreshingly cold as the winds licked our faces and freshly delicate snowflakes fell diligently in the sky. It was so fun to play in the snow--which was so deep that, when I fell through, it came up to my knees. I was covetous after seeing sled-tracks on the ground, wanting to recall that portion of my childhood in tangible form. Yet, as the sun began to recede and more and more strange sounds were calling from the abyss of the forest, my bear-phobia kicked in (yes, I know they're hibernating right now but...stranger things have happened, right? Who's to say one of them hasn't woken up early...?)--found myself moving closer to the safety of my blue Corolla on the hillside.

As we drove away, I was sad to leave my Gandalf-stick behind. :(

After some scenic driving and chilly playfulness, as well as some alpaca-blanket shopping (I wish we could afford one!), we headed across the Nevada border to play some roulette at the locals' top gambling spot (in lieu of Harvey's). Okay, we really went for cheap-yet-tasty casino food, being that we're not really big gamblers, but it's always fun to try a little bit! The first time I had ever went into a casino was last Fall when we made our large trek across several states, stopping in New Mexico one night and taking in the local scene. I lost everything but he won a little that time. This time, he was sad to see that the roulette table had been removed, so we played computer Poker. After blowing like 2 whole dollars (!), we went to go eat, playing three games of Keno and losing each time (stupid 2, 5, 9, 23, 26, 40, and 69!).

I figured it was my heavy dose of bad luck bringing Drew's down. When he went with Jacob last year, he won. With me, he wins nothing. Yet, we tried again after dinner. My glass of Riesling had enhanced my happiness level, so I became less protective over my dollar bills. I sat down at a one cent machine (they really should have the cent sign on keyboards), and began pressing buttons--I had no idea how to play the Egyptian hieroglyphics game. Anyway, short story: I pressed about four buttons and then I head a bunch of "ca-ching" noises, and saw that I had 675 tokens in the game. I thought that this meant I had 675 cents; I was confused. I decided to print a ticket because I didn't know what I was doing. It printed out and I was overjoyed to see that my $1 gamble won me $6.75 in return! I'm easy to please. It's the first time I've ever won money in a casino. Drew played four hands of Blackjack and ended up walking away with $20. He would have kept going, but he had an excited wife over his shoulder who kept exclaiming, "Okay, quit now, we have $20!!!" I'm a big believer in "quit while you're ahead." Not casino-material, that's for sure. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and we ended up leaving there making all the money that we spent back. Not too shabby, I guess--especially for two starving college students!

Dos Anos

2008-03-19T21:44:00.000-07:00

Well, today marks our 2-year wedding anniversary. What we thought was going to be a relaxing, chilled out day of 1-1 time turned out to be a day full of panic and despair. The morning started wonderfully, but was soon usurped by the fact that our little one did not come home for breakfast. Niko usually comes in about 730, 9 being the latest he's ever wandered home. So, after 10 rolled by and then 11--then 1230--we got majorly freaked out. We scoured the neighborhood for five blocks in each direction by car and by foot, crying "Niko Berry!" though the streets like a feline-loving Paul Revere. We looked under the house, in the garage, through every slot of every fence to every backyard we could find. We looked for bodies, evidence of injury--anything. Two cats joined in the hunt as they assumed I was calling them, one of them, of course, being the orange tabby Niko who lives down the street.

1pm came and went--we had to get out and go lunch to get our minds off it, thinking perhaps he's be at the door upon our return. We were again, disappointed. I called Avid, Drew called the pound. Still nothing. 2 and 3 came and went. Our hopes began to wain. 4 and 5 we spent trying to keep our minds off his disappearances through the aid of term papers and computer games. About 530 the server to Shaiya was out for maintenance. I was forced either to study for finals or look again. I chose to look, of course. We made our rounds around the block once more. Still nothing. When we returned to our cottage, we sat on the stoop in teary defeat, wondering just what could have happened to our baby boy who had newly turned one years old. We figured he must be trapped somewhere and unable to come home--he always comes home and is most punctual. He has to be hungry, we thought. He has to be trapped somehow.

An opening and a closing of a gate, possibly ours. At least that's what I thought--I thought it was our neighbor in the master house coming through the side-yard. A quaint meow--followed by a desperate cry. Little orphan Niko came bumbling up the sidewalk with a terror in his eye and a rapid heartbeat. Shocked, I sat there thinking I had, as many times before in the day, imagined it. He called to us again and came to rub his cheek against Drew's knee. He saw me and immediately laid in my arms; I picked him up and held him like a toddler (he does so love that), talking quietly to me. Drew, stunned as well, went to go check out where he had come from while I brought him in the house to feed him. Turns out it was not our fence which had been opened (though it did appear at the time as if God had just "dropped him off" mysteriously), but our neighbor's adjacent from us. Apparently, from what we can surmise, Niko had been trapped in their garage for the duration of the day and had been trying to escape. This is all we can gather because they denied that he was in there. Very peculiar. Anyway, I am happy to report that he is doing well and our anniversary, which started off in tragedy, as ended beautifully with the whole family here to enjoy it with.

Happy two years, baby. I love you dearly.

Orange Thankfulness

2008-03-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

I thank God for our orange tree... gotta love free food in times of penny-pinching. Mighty tasty... probably the best oranges I've ever had. We had to take this one down through the aid of a step-stool on top of a bench. It was about as high as the roof, so I guess we kinda cheated...

And with this I take my bow... so much to do in order to get ready for my finals this weekend. I'm trench-deep in a 10-page term paper at the moment which carries little if no interest for me. Okay, I guess it's not so bad... but... just because I'm an English major doesn't mean I enjoy writing term papers all day. Okay? Besides, tomorrow is the mark of our 2-yr anniversary--and Drew has promised me a Japanese meal as well as a trip to Tahoe. Must get this stuff out of the way in order to celebrate!

Who's Bored?

2008-03-12T12:34:00.001-07:00

Funny Funny -- Mad TV

2008-03-10T00:10:00.003-07:00

Finally Beat It

2008-03-08T17:58:00.010-08:00

Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria

Sunshine Days

2008-02-28T14:18:00.015-08:00

Today was a beautiful day, among the rarest I have seen in awhile, and certainly the most magnificent since I moved here. The air was still, full of fond fragrances--cedar wood, daffodils, the sweet scent of newly-cut grasses. The sun, gleaming generously from its high perch after months of rain and cold.

The wonderful thing about having a little house on the corner of 8th and F is that it is a 20 minute walk from campus--thirty if I'm feeling extra pensive. The City of Davis is unlike any other city I have lived. It has an atmosphere of neighborly safety that perhaps is matched only by the protection I felt growing up on a military base; it is a social town, and artsy, at that. Of course, there are negatives, but perhaps I will save that for another article some day. Davis is, single-handedly, among the more beautiful places I have lived in my vast recollection of cities and states, towns and places (and yes, there's been a lot). But it's a different beauty than one might suspect; it's not the serendipitous antiquity that I felt in Tuscany, nor is it a breath-taking aroma of a silent landscape unmarred by man, such as the wildernesses of Alaska and even the mountain refuges of Arkansas. Indeed it is something more hushed and unnoticed. Beyond the sirens that resound periodically (as in any other place; I'm convinced there isn't a landscape now without them with the "progression of man"), there is a silent cry of nature wanting to be seen. And the people here are desperate for her, too. The beauty of nature, that is.

I love my walks to and from campus and home. I purposely try and take a different route each time, walking through the streets that seem unlike the cursed Vacaville-suburbia that I have come to despise in my absence of it. It moves like something other, it feels and has the appearance of something more rustic. The houses are all dislike from one another; there are no track houses. The houses here are old and tell silent stories while they shift in their foundation. Occasionally, if one looks for them, there are dirt-paved alleys that cut through the backyards below a canopy of draping elms, removing the need for rounding a full street-corner. These passages are like mini-journeys into the cradle of the day's beauty; for they are always silent and bedecked with floral jewels.

When I walk through these rustic alleyways I am reminded of my father who has been gone for quite some time, though it feels like so recent a loss. When I was a little girl I remember my father had an uncanny fondness for gardening. I say uncanny not because of skill but of heart. It wasn't something that he focalized in a small garden behind the house, for in those days, our house was but a revolving icon, not of a home. Instead my father found a seceret garden on base in which a handful of men would come and tend their own patch of earth, tucked away behind a flock of dense trees like a green cape, found only through the passage of a gravel road which hopped under the tires, popping the bottom of the car as we road over it. I remember the sound of the tiny rocks as they skipped below us in our old, rickety 70's van which smelled like mold on the hot days. But those things were trivial then, they didn't matter. That journey superseded all things superficial. It was like a sweeping, secret passage outside the population of people who swirled magnanimously at all times--it was our secret place where, at times, only my brother, father, and I would be.

My dad would pack some drinks and snacks on the fortunate days--or perhaps it was my mother working diligently and faithfully behind the scenes as always. My father, a true artist in his mind, would often grow unassuming and forget the plain things. In the vastness of his thoughts, the ordinary found no place. This mold I would come to understand only in my later years, most intimately after his death, for it is a legacy that he has gifted me. What would agitate me in those days about my father's character I look back and see were of characteristic gold--a man such as he is duplicated rarely, and is of great fortune in a literary sense, for he is so enigmatic that his pure creativity was often overshadowed by the confusion cast by others around him.

The heat in those days was, at times, unbearable, forcing even reptilian-me to seek shade in the moldy van's refuge. My father would take off his shirt and toil in the dirt bare-chested, the sun beginning to bring about the redness in his Italian skin. His black hairs became drenched in his own sweat, causing the surface of his skin to glisten like sculpture made of ice.

We had the last plot. The very end. It was the best in my opinion, but I think it allowed my father a vantage point which burdened him, for now he could look with one single glance down the plots adjacent, lined up in their magnitude, urging him to do the same if not better. We would have to drive past the tall vines of tomatoes each time we came. To what I felt maybe encouraged my father to keep going really, I think, saddened him. His quest was endless in life--that of finding significance and worth within himself. It plagued him.

On the radio were always the sounds of Dion and the Beach Boys. He would sing the songs he knew by heart with a gusto that outmatched the original artists themselves, his harmonies resounding through the garden's valley in a purely melodic ring. My father was a wonderful singer. I loved to hear him sing.

"What are you planting?" I would ask, offering little support (for I was a hibernating girl who did not like to be out in nature all the time; the bugs in the soil terrified me).
"Carrots," he would say with a beaming smile, gesturing in a way that showed his urging hunger. "And tomatoes."
"Gross," I would respond, to which he would either dismiss entirely or tease, depending on the joviality and determination in his mood. He knew all too well that his daughter had a dreadful disdain of vegetables of nearly every sort.
"They're good for ya," he would undoubtedly say, to which I would take my turn either dismissing or teasing depending on the shade of my mood.
But usually I just watched him, sorting the mounds of dirt and placing seeds so fragilely within. At times he would ask me to help, to which I would agree but feel overwhelmed by the rules of soil-to-seed ratio, fearing that in my hands lied the ability to abort growth and bring about a sort of impotence of new life. Yet he would encourage me and continue to teach with a gentle hand and a soft voice.

My father.

At times our little tucked away garden would bear us vegetables, but mostly, the southern July heat would be too much. Some times many days and even weeks would pass before going back to our garden... in our negligence, or perhaps defeat, it all eventually died. It's not that we wanted it to--even in my dislikes did I wish for that.

It makes me think, initially, of the things which we plant in life coming to an end, such as lives of loved ones--but then it also makes me think of the wonderful experience of the act of planting, for the memories in that hot musical garden come rushing over me like a sentimental flood, and it is not remorse of tragedy I feel, but of joy and rebirth. It is among the very favorite of my childhood memories. The seeds which were planted in those days of my youth have not all died. They have flourished in unique ways to become trees cemented firmly in the ground. What my father, the heart-full gardener, always ascribed to in effort, has not been in vain. Indeed it has all been of unmatched and highly-significant worth.

And hey, I even eat my vegetables now.

2008-02-25T13:00:00.002-08:00

Your Quirk Factor: 68%

You're so quirky, it's hard for you to tell the difference between quirky and normal.

No doubt about it, there's little about you that's "normal" or "average."

How Quirky Are You?

Day Off

2008-02-18T21:39:00.012-08:00

Well, for me having a day off isn't wholly unlike any other day during the week because I'm only at school for a few hours a day--it's not quite so dramatic as when I was working full-time. But the great thing is that Drew was off which means that we got to go on a date, taking advantage of the extra day of leisure. So, with his in-exhaustive craving for chicken katsu curry (above) and my overall eagerness to go anywhere outside of the house (quite stir-crazy), where else would we go than to the one of our favorite spots--Japantown, of course. The curry was fabulous, topped off with a wonderful crepe (sorry mom, no green tea ice cream, this time--next time I'm going to have one in a crepe though drizzled with chocolate sauce... yum); they finally had my chocolate filled green-tea rice cakes (Maccha no Choco Daifuku) at Nippon Ya (yay!). In fact, the whole day seemed oriented around food in some way--botan rice candy at Ichiban Kana, stocking up on some cheap groceries at the Asian market, even stopping by Muerillos on the way home so that Drew could complete his culinary desires by ordering a chimichanga (sp). All this today while in the midst of talking how we are going to start eating better--starting tomorrow, that is. For today--today was a holiday. A sweet (very sweet at times) holiday away from the cares of discernment--yes, bring on the fried food and chocolate and candy--it is a glorious thing.

Overall we just had a great time with each other no matter what store we went into. It was one of those wonderful re-connective times you have w/your significant other from time to time. I did get my desired toilet-seat warmer thing--you know, for the actual toilet seat, not the lid: it's cooolldd in our little house! My fanny gets chilly. I was able to find a nifty jade bracelet too, and some cool Hokusai wave toe-socks for Greg.

Yes, it was a wonderful day indeed. I couldn't ask for a better way to spend the holiday--even if it had nothing to do with an American president in any way, shape, or form. Call us unpatriotic, I suppose, but I'm lumping this holiday in with the 4th of July. Sounds good to me.

Black Orpheus

2008-02-18T20:34:00.002-08:00

2008-02-16T13:29:00.001-08:00

You Are Impressionism

You think the world is quite beautiful, especially if you look at it in new and interesting ways.

You tend to focus on color and movement in art.

For you, seeing the big picture is much more important than recording every little detail.

You can find inspiration anywhere... especially from nature.

What Art Movement Are You?

Bebop

2008-02-15T14:47:00.024-08:00

It's been awhile but when we first moved into our new pad, we were welcomed by a severe storm which caused our Eucalyptus tree to fall, missing our house by no more than two inches (our neighbors weren't as fortunate). The result was the collapsing of the fences on either side of us. Below are our views from our bedroom window on the left and right. It's since been fixed, to my delight, as I often take to watching the squirrels run by in lieu of writing essays while sitting at my computer desk.

Otherwise, our new place is small but cozy. It's great being so close to campus; I can walk at my leisure if I don't feel like hitching a ride on the bus around the corner. It's great having a Japanese restaurant, a Papa John's, a grocery store, and a book store two blocks around the corner.

Plus, the kitties like it here, and ironically Niko made friends with an orange tabby whose name is, ironically, Niko. So, needless to say they have some things in common. Thomas just lies around lethargically as usual. He can pretty much do that anywhere.

Here is where I spend the majority of my day!
It is so lovely and so messy.

My Simpson Self

2008-02-14T23:11:00.004-08:00

(now, if only I had a real picture of me posing with glasses in a barrel...)

2008-02-13T17:17:00.000-08:00

Click here to create your own painting.

Truly a Tragic Tale

2008-02-11T12:18:00.001-08:00

Bride Dies During Marriage's first dance

Sat Feb 9, 7:04 PM ET

DAVIE, Fla. - Kim Sjostrom wanted a real-life version of the film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," which played in the background as friends fixed her hair and makeup before her own marriage ceremony.

But less than an hour after she and Teddy Efkarpides were wed, Sjostrom crumpled in her husband's arms during a Greek song that means "Love Me."

At 36, Sjostrom was dead from heart disease.

The wedding had became a project at Davie Elementary School, where Sjostrom taught first grade. Fellow teachers provided the wedding gown, the flowers and decorations. One of them, an ordained minister, performed the ceremony.

"It was perfect for her," said Dominic Church, the minister friend.

Sjostrom carried blue and white flowers during the ceremony — the colors of the Greek flag — as she exchanged vows with Efkarpides, a 43-year-old carpenter and Navy veteran. They had met three years to the day before the Jan. 19 wedding.

During the couple's first dance, Sjostrom complained of being lightheaded. Efkarpides thought his wife, a diabetic, needed sugar, but she collapsed.

Wedding guests, paramedics and doctors at a nearby hospital were unable to revive her.

She had a previous cardiac episode in her 20s and was a poster child — literally — for juvenile diabetes, relatives and friends said. Efkarpides recalled seeing the poster featuring her on New York subways.

He consoles himself by reading a list of "101 Reasons Why I Love You" that Sjostrom gave him their first Christmas together. "Number 1. You make me smile."

No. 98 is especially difficult: "You're the one I want to grow old with."

2008-02-09T10:54:00.001-08:00

R.I.P.

2008-01-22T14:13:00.000-08:00

1971-2008

"Life's just a bus stop to somewhere infinitely better."
--Jim Varney

Intelligent Thought... Revised

2008-01-14T19:06:00.000-08:00

Once again, The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to its yearly neologisms, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.

The winners are:

1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.

3. Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.

6. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown.

7. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle (n.), olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.

11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.

12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

13. Pokemon (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.

14. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

15. Frisbeetarianism (n.), The belief that, when you die, your Soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

16. Circumvent (n.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

The Washington Post's Style Invitational also asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or chan ging one letter, and supply a new definition.

Here are this year's winners:

1.. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

2. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.

4. Giraffiti (n): Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

5. Sarchasm (n): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

6. Inoculatte (v): To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

7. Hipatitis (n): Terminal coolness.

8. Osteopornosis (n): A degenerate disease.

9. Karmageddon (n): Its like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.

10 Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

11. Glibido (v): All talk and no action.

12. Dopeler effect (n): The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

13. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

14. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

15. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding ha lf a grub in the fruit you're eating.

Back From The Abyss

2008-01-03T20:44:00.000-08:00

What's up, my homies. Just a simple shout-out to say that Drew and I are officially settling into the new pad. We just got the internet up tonight--thank God--it's been a rough past week without the wild wares of World of Warcraft and other such nonsensical cyber-pleasures.

The move offers rare rest, however, as the Winter quarter begins promptly this Monday.

Wish me luck.

In the midst of all turmoil and pain--viva la anime...

2007-12-21T12:06:00.001-08:00

...Nonsensical Ode to Full Metal Panic

$10K donation goes in Salvation Army pot

2007-12-21T10:04:00.000-08:00

Wed Dec 19, 7:00 PM ET

EXTON, Pa. - An Army veteran who remembered getting free coffee and doughnuts from the Salvation Army decades ago gave a $10,000 check to a dumbfounded bell-ringer.

"The $10,000 is to help pay for my coffee and donuts," he said in a handwritten note signed, "P.F.C." "Seems fair to me after 40+ years, with inflation and everything."

The man gave the check to a volunteer outside a department store at the Exton Mall on Friday, said Capt. Gerald Morgan, a spokesman for the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia.

The man remembered being given coffee and doughnuts while serving in World War II and wanted to return the kindness, Morgan said. His name was on the check and he has given large amounts in the past, but he asked the Salvation Army not to identify him.

Jackson and studios agree to make Hobbit films

2007-12-18T11:00:00.001-08:00

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - After months of bitter legal wrangling, Peter Jackson, New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc have agreed to make two movies based on the book "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien.
In a statement Tuesday, the companies said Jackson, the director of the smash hit "Lord of the Rings" movies, and producer Fran Walsh will executive produce both a "Hobbit" movie and a sequel, but Jackson was not named as the director.
"We don't have a director yet," said a New Line spokeswoman.
The movies will be made simultaneously starting in 2009, and a tentative release date has been set for 2010 for the first film and 2011 for the second.
MGM and New Line, a unit of Time Warner Inc, will co-finance the films, with New Line distributing them in the United States and MGM internationally.
MGM is a closely held company owned by several private equity firms and media divisions of Sony Corp and Comcast Corp.
Science fiction fantasy "The Hobbit" tells of a world inhabited by wizards, dwarfs, elves and little people called hobbits, who include the central character, Bilbo Baggins.
"The Hobbit" preceded Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" books, which were made into smash hit movies by New Line, starting with 2001's "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring."
Combined with two sequels -- "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" -- the three took in roughly $3 billion at global box offices.
The final movie, "Return of the King," won Oscars for best movie and best director for Jackson. But the director later sued New Line, claiming the studio had improperly accounted for the movie's profits and owed Jackson money.
That suit has now been settled, allowing movies based on "The Hobbit" to go into development, with Jackson attached and with MGM, which owned film rights to "The Hobbit," as part of the team.
"I'm very pleased that we've been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line," Jackson said in a statement.
(Reporting by Bob Tourtellotte; editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

Rurouni Kenshin--beat???

2007-12-17T12:48:00.000-08:00

Kenshin vs. Samurai Champloo

Christmas card arrives 93 years late

2007-12-16T13:44:00.000-08:00

Fri Dec 14, 4:13 PM ET

OBERLIN, Kan. - A postcard featuring a color drawing of Santa Claus and a young girl was mailed in 1914, but its journey was slower than Christmas. It just arrived in northwest Kansas.

The Christmas card was dated Dec. 23, 1914, and mailed to Ethel Martin of Oberlin, apparently from her cousins in Alma, Neb.

It's a mystery where it spent most of the last century, Oberlin Postmaster Steve Schultz said. "It's surprising that it never got thrown away," he said. "How someone found it, I don't know."

Ethel Martin is deceased, but Schultz said the post office wanted to get the card to a relative.

That's how the 93-year-old relic ended up with Bernice Martin, Ethel's sister-in-law. She said she believed the card had been found somewhere in Illinois.

"That's all we know," she said. "But it is kind of curious. We'd like to know how it got down there."

The card was placed inside another envelope with modern postage for the trip to Oberlin — the one-cent postage of the early 20th century wouldn't have covered it, Martin said.

"We don't know much about it," she said. "But wherever they kept it, it was in perfect shape."

This Ugly Yet Beautiful World

2007-12-14T21:21:00.002-08:00

12 Christmas Things About Me Hoopla

2007-12-14T16:52:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by Rebecca for this one--here are the rules:

1. List 12 random things about yourself that has to do with Christmas

2. Please refer to it as a 'hoopla' and not the dreaded 'm'-word

3. You have to specifically tag people when you're done. None of this "if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged" stuff is allowed...then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you -- but the more, the merrier to get this 'hoopla' circulating through the blogosphere.

4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I'd like to get as many people involved as possible.

5. If you want to -- please give me, Andrea, some link-love as the 'Hoopla-Creator'. I love new blog-traffic.

So, here are 12 Christmas things about me:

1. I don't really care for Christmas music. The only exception I will make is live performance by operatic choirs or professional bell-ringers (not the wussy kind, but the deep, rich brass kind) and the occasional crooning of Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas."

2. Much like Rebecca said, I love to give gifts but don't like the commercialism of Christmas. I hate the expectation of people receiving gifts, and the overall naivety of the season; it really has become a time for the commercial world to harvest plentifully on all the "common-folk" dependents.
3. I don't decorate for Christmas and don't understand people who do so excessively.

4. It's sad to me putting a real tree in someone's house--cutting it down and depriving the world its nutrients in the air, and then watching it slowly die. How sad. I promote fake, as we are fast approaching a shortage of the real McCoy.

5. I love pumpkin pie and eggnog, but associate these mostly with my favorite holiday of the year--Thanksgiving. But it excites me that all this stuff is still around during Christmas.

6. I had to tell Greg this year that Santa didn't exist. He asked me to tell him the truth and then sounded like the world was on some huge conspiracy theory for "lying" to him. Sometimes fantasies aren't pretty.

7. It irritates me that people don't realize that Jesus wasn't born on December 25th, and that he wasn't an infant when the wise men found him, he was a toddler. For some reason little technicalities bother me, however trivial. I guess if it made a difference in our culture to begin with that he was even born at all (being that saying "Merry Christmas" now is a social and political taboo), maybe I would feel differently. As of this point, it doesn't really seem to matter much to people; the birth of Jesus Christ has more a holiday cliche.

8. I don't feel like going to number 12 because, as you can see, I'm not the biggest fan of Christmas. Though I like what it represents ideally, it is so grossly misrepresented that it now, as an adult, leaves a sour taste in my mouth. But I'm not a Grinch or a Scrooge--I do love giving and think that should be an act of service year round, a characteristic that doesn't need it's own holiday to be promoted.

I challenge Marjie and Eugene next!

Oh My Gosh!

2007-12-14T16:40:00.001-08:00

I am, as of 40 minutes ago, officially unemployed. For the first time in seven years I am without a job... it's a little terrifying to say the least, and as hard as my job was at times, it was still an emotional experience to say goodbye. But I believe in the plans and purposes marked out for us, and I know that this season's close is a good thing--because it opens up the new season's opening!
So far sales with the new book have been excitingly good, which helps also in the finance department to some degree.
It won't be that long now until I'm sitting in my first classroom at UC Davis and living in our new little bitty house in Davis.
It is scary and exciting all the same!

I'm Having My Cake--and Eating it Too!

2007-12-10T17:44:00.000-08:00

Here's what my lovely friend Janet surprised me with today at work--
a homemade book-shaped cake of my book cover and carefully chosen poem from Echoes of a Distant Muse. Isn't that great? Janet is also the lovely artist responsible for making my delicious and very beautiful wedding cake that was quite the rage...
What's this girl doing working for the government anyway?
You need to open up a bakery! ^_^

My Latest Obsession

2007-12-10T17:06:00.001-08:00

Last Exile rocks!

I'll take two!

2007-12-10T17:02:00.001-08:00

Finals Time

2007-12-05T17:05:00.000-08:00

Me after my poetry final presentation,
doing my best Sylvia Plath impersonation...

(something tells me she wasn't as smiley)

Brava

2007-11-25T15:55:00.001-08:00

More fantastic Final Fantasy

Awesome tribute to Full Metal Alchemist.

Back from AR!

2007-11-25T13:40:00.000-08:00

Hey all you faithful readers (and some not-so-faithful, but meandering all the same); Drew and I just got back this morning from our crazy whirlwind road-trip to Arkansas and back. We must have been gone awhile because Niko has shed his little-kitty looks and appears before us full-grown. My, how long a week can seem. Anyway, it was great! Always blissful to see the familia.

In Arizona we took in the Grand Canyon sights, of course, as well as the great meteor crater that I had no idea existed but Andrew did. In New Mexico we stayed in Albuquerque for the night and went to one of the casinos where, out of $20 bet we walked out of there with $10! I'm not much into the gambling scene; I lost all my money on red number 5! We did eat at the restaurant on the third floor where I attempted to swallow bites of lamb chops in between my tearful thoughts of cute little sheep... The next day we went to old town Santa Fe and got a great deal on a onyx pendant (for me) at the Governor's mansion where Native Americans come and sell beautiful handmade jewelry. In Texas Drew tried fried okra and I tried diamond-back rattlesnake--and witnessed a man trying his darnedest to devour a 72-oz steak without suffering a heart-attack. It was purely a Simpson's moment. Our trek back on Highway 40 started off with snowstorms in Oklahoma and freezing 20-degree temps.

Anyway, who cares about all that? It was all about deer meat on Thanksgiving and getting to "chill with my peeps" at Berry's end. Between the blues tunes and the call of the owls (and an occasional thunderclap or two), my scene was complete. Up where the air is clearer, the people homelier, and the stressors few--this is my home and I love sharing it with Drew.
It was great and I'm sad to be back; miss my mom and family a ton. Back to the grind here--school on Tuesday; work on Wednesday. Then we're off and packing for the move.

It's About Dang Time!

2007-11-13T21:19:00.001-08:00

She is officially up and ready! Here's a screen shot from my publisher's home page for ordering information for my book, Echoes of a Distant Muse: A Collection of Poetry.
If you are interested in checking out my book, please feel free to do so!

I welcome any feedback, of course.

You can access the link HERE.
or at Amazon.com HERE

2007-11-12T09:46:00.001-08:00

A Message by George Carlin:

2007-11-10T18:16:00.000-08:00

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life . We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build mo re computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

New Yorkers rally to help online romeo

2007-11-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

By Belinda Goldsmith Fri Nov 9, 8:21 AM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A tale of online love inspired usually cynical New Yorkers this week to help a young man find the girl of his dreams after he spotted her on a crowded subway train.

For Web designer Patrick Moberg, 21, from Brooklyn, it was love at first sight when he locked eyes with a rosy-cheeked woman while riding in Manhattan on Sunday night. She was writing in her journal.

The train was so full that he lost her in the crowd when they both got off, so he set up a Web site dedicated to finding the mystery woman -- www.nygirlofmydreams.com.

He drew a picture of the girl, who was wearing blue shorts, blue tights, and a red flower in her hair, and posted his cell phone number, e-mail address and an appeal for help finding her. It worked.

Within hours Moberg's inbox was overflowing with e-mails and his phone ringing non-stop. He told the New York Post that he even received e-mails offering him love. "Some people said I'm not the girl but you're so adorable, pick me instead."

Tuesday night a friend of the woman contacted him and sent him a picture so he could confirm her identity. "Found Her! Seriously!" a notice on his Web site said. "We've been put in touch with one another and we'll see what happens."

The mysterious subway brunette was named Thursday as Camille Hayton, an intern at magazine BlackBook from Melbourne, Australia, who also lives in Brooklyn. "This is crazy. I can't believe it's happening," Hayton, 22, told the New York Post.

But Moberg said he is now pulling the shutters on his love life, scribbling out the cell phone number on his Web site and leaving a message on his phone saying he will do no more interviews. "In our best interest, there will be no more updates to this website," he wrote. "Unlike all the romantic comedies and bad pop songs, you'll have to make up your own ending for this."

Some New Yorkers may already, wondering if Moberg had made it sound too easy to find a needle in a haystack in this city of eight million people.

My Make-shift Halloween Attire

2007-11-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

No Words Needed

2007-10-31T12:32:00.000-07:00

Kitty Cuddle

2007-10-29T17:02:00.001-07:00

I know I look like I'm on drugs--but aren't the kitties cute?

They actually compete to see who can lay closer to my face.
Thomas still thinks he's a baby.
Weird.

Exercise in Existentialism

2007-10-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

To blog or not to blog--that is a very weird and wiry question with more answers than the freshly-budding white hairs on my head. To be honest, I've never really thought of it before in detailed terms--I blame SF Girl for always making me think! ^_^

**start copying here**

We have a voice;
We must be heard;
Therefore we blog;
Now spread the word!

This meme is based on a recent post that was conducted that asks the question “Why do you Blog?” and the rewrite “Why do you Blog? - Reworked.” The purpose of this meme is to tell our tales by spreading the reasons that we blog to as many sites as possible. We get to explain ourselves, direct traffic to our site and highlight our most important, most representative or most relevant post in an SEO favorable format. This will be a positive experience for everyone who wants to get involved. This will enable you to create a short advertisement for your site that will be spread across the blogesphere; a growing directory of blogs.

This is an open meme. You do not have to be tagged to join in. All you have to do is follow the rules.

Please let me know when you have added your site by leaving a comment on “Complete List” with a link to your post. This will insure an up-to-date list, giving you even greater distribution. You then have the option of copying the growing list back to your site.
Rules:

1. Create an inventive post title
2. Write a brief introduction to the meme.
3. Copy from “**Start Copying Here**” through “**End Copying Here**”
4. Paste into your post
5. At the end of the “*list*”, before “**End copy here**”, please add your name, site name (with link), a very brief description (2-3 sentences) of why you blog, and your most important, most representative, or most relevant post (with link.)
6. Tag at least 5 others to participate.
7. Leave a comment and a link to your post on “Complete List”

*List*
My name is Mel and I am the Author of Attitude, the Ultimate Power, aka Monday Morning Power. I blog because I am passionate about happiness and living in the moment. I want to spread the concept that we are in control of our own lives and can choose how we act and react. My site is focused on the Pursuit, Capture, Care and Feeding of a Positive Mental Attitude. One of my most representative posts is “Happiness Vs. Human Nature.”

I am Max and I offer weekly articles on MAX. Why do I blog? I do it because I want to share my thoughts with you guys. I present a new and interesting way of transmitting philosophical thoughts: funny, engaging and intriguing! My funniest, yet intriguing, post is “Don’t you just love People?”

I am the Great and Powerful Baba Doodlius. My 100% factual blog The Thoughts and Sayings Of Baba Doodlius is intended to educate all of you curious readers about the Truth behind the Great Secrets of the Universe. I have the Truth! Can you handle the Truth? For a sample of my powers of enlightenment, read my Revelation of the terrible secret of Bigfoot, aka Don’t get stepped on.

My name is Amelia and I am the Author of Amel’s Realm. I blog because I need to voice everything in my world so that I won’t explode. My site is all about thoughts, experiences, fears, problems, misadventures, hopes, and dreams of an introverted tropical girl in a foreign land (Finland). One of my most representative posts is On Trust and Relationship.

I am Geoff of Geoffandcarley.com and I blog for reasons as diverse and as fickle as my moods. Mostly I blog because I’m firmly convinced I’ve figured a few things out and that the world will benefit from my experience the same way I’ve benefited from others’ experiences. One post that I feel captures my emotional involvement and my ire (but not my humor as much) is Decision time.

My name is Judy and I am the Author of ~~Sugar Queen’s Dream~~. I blog because it’s cheap therapy and I have something to say. I feel my most powerful post is called “The Myths of Smoking……”

My name is Sindi and I have written a blog entitled Life is a roller coaster!. My blog is based on the ups and downs of everyday life. I started blogging because I was going through some hard times and I wanted to meet new people to talk to. I like to write and was hoping people might enjoy reading what I have to say. I think the most inspiring post I have written to date is We Effect So Many.

People call me the Midgetmanofsteel (although I’m neither a midget, nor made of steel). I am the sole author the blog Mental Poo: a mostly true and humorous account of things that have happened to me, are happening to me, or are just filling my head and taking up valuable space where images of women should be. You can get a sneak peek into my mess of a brain by reading “Raisins are People” – a true account of my son’s first field trip.

My name is Sandee and I have a blog called Comedy Plus. My blog is just for fun, and I started it to poke fun about everyday life. My reason for blogging is to have fun and meet new friends. I have done both beyond my wildest dreams. I have posted lots of jokes, but when ask what my favorite joke is, I always pick Anger Management

My name is Lynda. I blog to as a way to expose my writings and to spread my knowledge on the subject of love. My primary blog (I have 15) is lynda’s loft. My favorite piece would be I LOVE….. I have over 300 original poems and posts dealing with the wonderful and painful world of love. I love love!

My name Adrian, although most of you probably know me as the Mighty Genie King. I am the author First Time Dad. I started blogging as a way to document my growing up pains as my wife and I raise our daughter. I hope that one day my daughter will be able to look at this and get an idea what life was like “back then”. Now I blog about everything but the main focus is still the same! One of my favorite posts is Goodnight Sweetheart! Hello Basil! Eh…Who’s Basil…

Hello, my name is Ann and I’m the author of A Nice Place in the Sun. I blog because I care about people and want to make them happy. My site is focused on humorous, inspiring, and nostalgic posts about life, children, and memories. My most representative post, or the post where I’m most myself is “The Craziest Experience Of My Life.”

We are a team of writers, and everyone calls us NAFA, so that would be our name. We are the proud authors of NAFASG©™ - United And Dedicated Behind You™. Blogging, to us, is a form of spreading useful information and sharing our knowledge to every part of the world in order to contribute to the betterment of our global community. The post that we feel would be representative of our blog and the global community at large is The Sociological Interaction.

Hola! This is Mariuca and I blog because writing is what makes me whole. I write about anything under the sun from life, love, friends to cats and work. I tend to write best when under pressure and my personal favourite post from Mariuca is Love in Disarray.

My name is Susan and I am the Owner of ~~Wake up America ~~, which is a political, right leaning blog. I blog because I believe we need more voices out there to separate fact from fiction, to support our troops and to high light the lack of ethics from journalists today. I feel my most powerful post is called “Are You Proud to be an American……”

“Here I am My name is Mauro and I’m the author of 1 Million Love Messages … maybe the biggest love challenge in the blogosphere. Why I blog ??? Because I believe that bloggers can make a difference in the world. That’s my challenge! My favourite post it’s (for sure) Adam Donkus & Lizzie’s Love History.”

Hi there World I am Aussie, the author of Little Aussie Cynic and I want to Breathe among others. I was recently asked:”Why Do you Blog?” this takes me back to the beginning… I started blogging in an attempt to get people thinking, using my cynical humour as a tool to make people laugh, think and at times get the blood pumping…. Each of my Blogs takes in a little peice of my varied personality but the one which discribes me best would have to be There is Always a Natural Way the latest edition to the Aussie Cynic Family…

I am Zubli Zainordin, in Total Happiness, I organize the Book Project blog and co-author Santa’s Community Blog and Hall Of Fame Blog. I blog with the purpose of documenting about my self for my own reference, my future generations and friends who prefer to know me. I also share vital and valuable information entirely on total happiness. I believe in Santa Claus and I share the Spirit of Christmas within this Blog World. In addition I promote bloggers, their blogs, and invite them to share their blogging experiences, and together with Shinade, I review their blogs and award them with the Zubli and Shinade Recommended Read awards. Those who continuously show continuous blogging improvements shall be residence of the Hall Of Fame blog.

Hello my name is Deborah author of Climate of Our Future, I also co-author She Walks in Beauty. I blog with passion for our environment. I started this blog because I believe that we as bloggers have a very loud voice in this blogosphere. that By sharing what knowledge I find about our environment would not only benefit the blogger but also our environment. I also blog about Beauty, because no matter how harmed and polluted our world has become I can still see the beauty within. My favorite post would have to be the one about plastic in the Pacific twice the size of Texas.

I’m Nina Munteanu, ecologist, SF author, wife and mother and lover on a journey on this beloved planet Earth…your Alien Next Door. I blog for the same reason that I write my short stories and novels…because I have to. I blog to share my passion for the beauty and wonder of this planet Earth through science and art and to share the little wisdom and insight I’ve gained in my few years on the Earth...and certainly to gain some from you (I love your comments! Thank you!). My favorite post is about one of my heroes, Doctor Lynn Margulis, courageous scientist who would not be dissuaded from speaking the truth even when at the time it seemed like a lie: imagine saying we evolve through cooperation; not competition! What anti-Darwinian cheek!

Yo, wazzup. My name is Melanie and I enjoy talking in bizarre manners. I host two little blog-ditties: A Quiet Symphony & Amberwood Ambrosia. I'm a wannabe author, editor, dreamer, student, wife, mother--I say "wannabe" because I am still functioning under some strange esoteric idealism that one day I will "arrive" at perfection--or at least a successful shadow of it. Yes, I know; the only thing that I am completely is a dreamer. So, with all that randomness out of the way, the truth is I never even knew what a blog was before my gal-pal Rebecca over at A Not-So-Desperate Housewife. I don't remember how she tricked and ensnared me into this world of blogosphere--whether through candy or compliments, here I am. I don't think I really have some great life-altering thesis on why I blog, other than it convinces me that I exist. By plastering my thoughts and emotions on canvas (be it virtual), I am allowed a new outlet in which to breathe. I guess that's pretty existential in itself--and that's just fine by me. Most favored post? Hmmm... I guess I'd have to say The Importance of Promptness because it's all about my hubby.

**stop copying**

Next up:

Rice Ball

2007-10-22T17:17:00.000-07:00

Oh, oh, oh... Fruits Basket--how do I love thee? Let me count the ways... Funny, cute, romantic--funny some more... 'Tis another great anime to invest in--I recommend it with two energetic, upraised thumbs.I was born in the Year of the Rooster--the one character of the Zodiac who doesn't even bother to appear in the anime. No matter, with my temper, I think I'm more of a Cat like "orange-top" Kyo (even though the cat isn't a Zodiac animal by traditional standards); Drew was born in the Year of the Rat like "Prince" Yuki Sohma. Greg was born in the Year of the Tiger like Kisa Sohma. What about you? Everyone's got their own corresponding Fruits Basket anime character! --Well, except me that is... :( I haven't read far enough in the manga to figure out who the Rooster is. For now--I'm just like Tohrou... I'm the Riceball.

Years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Rooster personality traits

Loyal and trustworthy, people born in the Year of the Rooster are sociable, very accomplished and usually very well-dressed. Shrewd and daring, they are outspoken and even boastful by nature. Most annoyingly - Roosters always think they are right ... and very often they are! Sharp and analytical, Roosters are generally deep thinkers and it is a rare occasion when something gets by them. Though abundantly practical, Roosters are also big dreamers. They are courageous by nature and know how to get what they want. If thwarted in attaining a big ambition they can become moody and downcast. However, they usually recover from a loss quickly. Roosters are rarely still for any length of time and must always be busy doing something.Shy and conservative at heart, Roosters are can be overly concerned with their appearance and often buy the most stylish of clothes. They love to entertain, and a party hosted by them is almost sure to be the most memorable and extravagant of any.Roosters are noted for doing anything in heir power to keep friends and loved ones happy, and are disappointed if they fail. For their sincere and straight forward care and concern, Roosters are usually much loved and respected by all who know them. Successful in any field they may choose, Roosters usually do well as publicists, entertainers or restaurateurs.

Though I don't care for Justin Timberlake, or most of the words in the song--
well, okay, and the theme of the song altogether--but the "Fruits Basket" interpretation
of this song cracks me up.

Desktop Analysis Meme

2007-10-19T12:27:00.001-07:00

I've been tagged by miss Marjie for a new meme: What's the look of your computer personality? I have no idea what this means about me... but it's probably a lot of embarrassing, nerdy things. Oh, well!

Now Rebecca, Helen, Eugene, Drew, SF Girl, and Rachelle can take a stab at it! ^_^

Me: Oct 12 07

2007-10-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

The Story:

What it felt like:

The Audience:

The Outcome:

The moral:

Goin' Back to School...

2007-10-03T20:11:00.000-07:00

They want me after all--
UCD here I come.

Granted, I've taken the
long way 'round in life...

but, I'd be a fool to say
it wasn't worth the

challenges.

Summer Birthday Fun

2007-09-24T22:21:00.000-07:00

7 Things I Hate

2007-09-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm starting with #3 because this was adapted from another
list! And I don't really hate them... Only think they're funny! Just pretend it's like the 13th--and 14th floors of the post. ^_^

3 When people say "Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too". Heck ya! What good is cake if you can't eat it?

4 When people say "it's always the last place you look". Of course it is. Why the heck would you keep looking after you've found it? Do people do this? Who and where are they?

5.When people say while watching a film "did you see that?". No, I paid $12 to come to stare at the floor.

6 People who ask "Can I ask you a question?".... Didn't really give me a choice there, did ya?

7. When something is 'new and improved!'. Which is it? If it's new, then there has never been anything before it. If it's an improvement, then there must have been something before it, couldn't be new.

8 When people say "life is short". What the heck?? Life is the longest thing anyone ever does!! What can you do that's longer?

9 When you are waiting for the bus and someone asks "Has the bus come yet?". If the bus came would I be standing here?

Creedo

2007-09-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

Today on the way back through town (the once urban passage between two neighboring cities), my stomach begin to churn at the sight of it: several mini-Hearst sized houses stacked smugly beside one another, dominating the once beautiful pastures where legendary cows used to roam. Three stories and nearly zero-lot line. Sounds like a dream home to me! (gag). They're still in construction, and they're moving fast. It's good that they're moving fast--I mean, what with all the hundreds of vacant homes they built two years ago sitting so passively on the opposite side of the street. I mean, they're not as big and illustrious--and who wants to live in a home that doesn't have at least three extra rooms and a superfluous floor? And what a good time to build, too--I mean, being that the market is at a all-time low and nobody's buying homes because the people who have them are all going into default. Smart, smart!

This used to be the way I took to get to my middle school and high school. It used to be a wonderful scenic tour through the country, the only thing being out there was the old recycle plant where we could take our empty bottles and cans and turn them in for a nickel. Now houses litter the landscape like a suburban nightmare. Fact is: there is no escape anymore; everywhere you go nature's getting scarcer and the homes--bigger.

I live in California, a fact that I repent. It was never my choice--when we were given our options several years ago for where to be stationed, I was the only one who said, "Illinois!" Not that that would be my choice today--but I still stand by my belief that CA was not the place to venture to. Needless to say my brother Justin won out on the deal. Now, not all of it's bad so don't get me wrong there; the country is beautiful is you're privileged to see any of it while it still exists. The land is sparkling and mesmerizing; the ocean, humbling. It's a beautiful place. But incorporated in our fast, fast, fast culture (time is money! why cook?--we've got drive thru's everywhere) is this strange paradoxical quest to dominate more and more; we're still claiming after all these years--but the ironic thing is that you have a pretty large group of people running around trying to be humanitarians at the same time. Our California culture is a strange blend.

Perhaps it's because it's inescapable to have to conform in some ways to the "bigger, better" mindsets of this place. Sadly, I work for the government (ha!), as does my husband. We're constantly complaining about this world--but, we work for "The Man," so to speak. What's more, you become dependent on the very society that you loathe out of necessity. It's like a vice, a contextual vortex that sucks you in and refuses to release you. What does that say--other than we are anticipating and desiring great changes? To see a problem and do something about it... that's our mentality (no, we don't own a monstrous home or giant SUV). Problem with that is--most of the times in order to change you gotta conform and use the very devices that you're against. I mean, we all love food and shelter right? We all love being able to drive instead of walking miles and miles everywhere you gotta go. I'm not oblivious to the irony.

Something about traveling out of the United States humbles you to see all the ironies and hypocrisies of living here... something about experiencing life abroad squelches a thirst like a big gulp of water on a hot day. I'm not without patriotism where it is due--but that doesn't mean that I concede to how things are. And it's not wholly an American issue anyway; it's a human issue (and those people are everywhere). In the end, the Machine has no path but to conquer. There is no stopping it. Fatalistic and Nietzsche-esk as it may sound--tell me how to revert back to the simple without usurping the tsunami of power and "progress." One cannot stop time, only delay it. The truth is that, given time, we will consume and conquer everything and anything we can--deplete our resources, scourge our land. We will forsake the blessings that we initially given, throwing them aside like scraps.

And one day we'll realize--
Oh, too bad. It's too late.

Below is a clip from an awesome satirical movie called Idiocracy. If you don't know the true meaning of satire, here it is: "Satire (from Latin satura, not from the greek mythological figure satyr) is a literary genre, chiefly literary and dramatic, in which human or individual vices, follies, abuses, or shortcomings are held up to censure by means of ridicule, derision, burlesque, irony, or other methods, sometimes with an intent to bring about improvement."

I will warn you that there is a lot of language unsuitable for youngins. Usually I am against the use of such vernacular because I find it distasteful. But in this case it's different because it's to prove a point. If you think you'll be offended, don't watch it. Otherwise, turn off the background song below and press play. If it sparks a nerve in you, maybe you should rent it!

2007-09-13T17:00:00.000-07:00

You Are a Dragon

You are very charismatic and incredibly popular.
People are drawn to your energy, but you are a very difficult person to get to know.
You are very active - you are usually hard at work or play.
You enjoy drama, and you enjoy anything unusual or eccentric.
What Mythological Creature Are You?

The Part of You That No One Sees

You are balanced, peaceful, and sincere.
You're the type of person who goes along to get along.
And you're definitely afraid of rocking the boat.

Underneath it all, you fear your world falling apart.
You'll put up with a situation that you don't like in fear of changing it.
Disruptive and forceful people intimidate you - and sometimes exploit you.

What's the Part of You That No One Sees?

Hmmm... Gee, I Wonder Why...?

2007-09-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

Gorillas now 'critically endangered'

By ERICA BULMAN, Associated Press Writer Wed Sep 12, 4:10 PM ET

GENEVA - The most common type of gorilla is now "critically endangered," one step away from global extinction, according to the 2007 Red List of Threatened Species released Wednesday by the World Conservation Union.

The Ebola virus is depleting Western Gorilla populations to a point where it might become impossible for them to recover.

Commercial hunting, civil unrest and habitat loss due to logging and forest clearance for palm oil plantations are compounding the problem, said the Swiss-based group known by its acronym IUCN.

"Great apes are our closest living relatives and very special creatures," Russ Mittermeier, head of IUCN's Primate Specialist Group, told The Associated Press. "We could fit all the remaining great apes in the world into two or three large football stadiums. There just aren't very many left."

In all, 16,306 species are threatened with extinction, 188 more than last year, IUCN said. One in four mammals are in jeopardy, as are one in eight birds, a third of all amphibians and 70 percent of the plants that have been studied.

"Life on Earth is disappearing fast and will continue to do so unless urgent action is taken," the IUCN warned.

The Western Gorilla's main subspecies — the Western Lowland Gorilla — has been decimated by the Ebola virus, which has wiped out about a third of the gorillas found in protected areas over the last 15 years.

"In the last 10 years, Ebola is the single largest killer of apes. Poaching is a close second," said Peter Walsh, a member if IUCN's Primate Specialist Group, told the AP. "Ebola is knocking down populations to a level where they won't bounce back. The rate of decline is dizzying. If it continues, we'll lose them in 10-12 years."

Female gorillas only start reproducing at the age of 9 or 10 and only have one baby about every five years. Walsh said even in ideal conditions, it would take the gorillas decades to bounce back.

The World Conservation Union also said the Yangtze River dolphin is now "possibly extinct." There have been no documented sightings of the long-snouted cetacean since 2002. An intensive search of its habitat in November and December proved fruitless but more searches are needed as one was possibly spotted in late August.

The Redheaded Vulture soared from "near threatened" to "critically endangered." The birds' rapid decline over the last eight years is largely due to diclofenac, a painkiller given to ill or injured farm cattle so they can still work. But the substance poisons the vultures when they scavenge livestock carcasses.

Only 182 breeding adults of the Gharial crocodile remain, down almost 60 percent from a decade ago. India and Nepal's crocodile has become critically endangered because dams, irrigation projects and artificial embankments have reduced its habitat to just 2 percent of its former range.

The woolly-stalked begonia is the only species declared extinct this year. Extensive searches have failed to uncover any specimens of the Malaysian herb in the last century, IUCN said.

Only one species moved to a lesser category of threat. One of the world's rarest parrots 15 years ago, the Mauritius Echo parakeet, eased back from critically endangered to only endangered. That was a result of close monitoring of its nesting sites, and supplementary feeding combined with a captive breeding and release program.

IUCN says 785 species have disappeared over the last 500 years. A further 65 are found only in artificial settings such as zoos.

The Red List, produced by a worldwide network of thousands of experts, includes some 41,000 species and subspecies around the globe.

We're Killing Our World!

That Settles It!

2007-09-10T17:58:00.000-07:00

Apologies and admissions are in order:

my dear Sarah,

yes you were right all along--

I'm so sorry--

There was a "Nopey" in Gumby!!!

A dog in love with the word "nope"--
who'da thought???

Oh, I'm in Love, I'm in Love!

2007-09-06T22:28:00.001-07:00

All hail Norse Mythology--Japanese-style!!!

Story-time Meme

2007-09-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

SF Girl over at The Alien Next Door sent me this story meme challenge. Writing is always fun! (unless it's a dissertation on the joys of mathematics).

Here are the rules:

1. Copy and paste the story below, and the rules, on your blog.
2. Find out who you're going to tag.
3. Write one or two sentences to continue the story, and use the titles of the blogs you're tagging or any word(s) associated with them as keywords in the links you include in your part of the story.
4. Remember to tell your taggees that you've tagged them!
5. Feel free to use this and start your own viral link story. I'd very much appreciate a link back to Mother's Home ! if you do. (Or a tag, if you prefer!)

Here's we go:

Mother's Home! the cave troll yelled. I have been out all day strangling chickens like CRAZY! for the evil Empress. All i want now is a MOment to myself, but i keep getting Linda talking Drivel, but that is better than a certain someone Mooing. Then suddenly what should appear but the NOT evil Empress and all her strangled chickens and Mags cooked them all up and made us a lovely cake to eat. Gracie wanted all the cake for herself but the NOT evil Empress was able to hack off a good sized slab for herself!!! Ha ha ha, Gracie belched loudly after eating all the scrumptious cake that Mags had baked and watched Callie scrappin' with Sarge about who was gonna win Big Brother 8. Sarge started humming "Dixie," and almost choked on the bite of cake in his mouth! So he got some coffee to go to wash down the cake. The coffee helped a bit but he had to vocalize before he started singing again so he began, "Mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi mi..."

...who heard him all the way from Bloggingham Palace and said, "Where is that awful noise coming from? Is there a sick wailing Wacky Mom loose in the woods?" She said, "I'll bet Songbird can teach him to sing!" but she was busy BONDing in the desert with Kathleen who sat writing heresy in her diary. She was absolutely no help. So Mi-Mi asked Kat to put him on the PP&P list to save his sorry soul. Alas, Ralph the Airhead made a new batch but the Patti-cakes fell in Polliwog's Pond and nobody got to eat cake after all! It was all Bee's fault (somehow). Feeling sorry for herself, she pranced over to Odat's for a dance but she only heard strange mumbling...

That mumbling, however, resulted from The Alien Next Door trying to clone Justin Stanely’s Weblog. The meticulous and risky cloning occurred throughout several millennia, past, present, and future. Or so it seemed; no one could keep count. It was just too much. The mind-numbing years had finally sublimed the earth into a pristine Bobbarama. All well and good, said Bob, but whatever happened to the rules? Before anyone got hurt, however, enough stars fell and crashed to alert Sci-Fi Girl, who grabbed her laptop and returned to the woods, where Mimi's Dating Profile popped up, allowing a lion to lie happily next to a lamb…

Now, the insane writer burst into the forest, kissing the dogwood and sat on the lion, spinning tales about sci-fi girl's boyfriend, sci-fi guy, who had his eye on [her] DNA, which he was hoping to sell for anything goes. But just then the mad goat lady and the drowsey monkey pranced into the forest and sang a truly quiet symphony, which annoyed the insane writer.

"What's that funky sound?" screamed sci-fi guy.

"Well, it sure isn't a raspberry-latte!" grumbled the insane writer. "Get a grip, sci-fi guy! You're my main character! I expect you to know how to split an atom! Ignore that woman and her indolent pet! Now, go and do your dastardly thing!"

But the insane writer became further entranced by the absence of symphonic sound coming from their mouths that it compounded her fraught; so Marjienalized was she, delirious from dementia like a beheaded chicken. "Hikari, hikari!" she yelled in her best Japanese accent as the sunlight broke through the dogwood trees. She believed it to be the light of heaven, discordant from the sky. She promptly withdrew her Skywater Journal to record the unusual events...

Per Request...

2007-08-31T16:55:00.000-07:00

Drew's ALIVE!!!

He's actually updated his blog--

check it out before he goes away again!!

O, Remembrances...

2007-08-29T17:24:00.001-07:00

Nintendo-Power, how I mourn your passing.
Your rule in the age of children seems no more--
no more Duck-Tales or Lemmings, or the original Zelda...
Super Mario Brothers? Super, yes, super.
How cruel this world has shaped the 80's zombies;
a rude-awakening, a silent lament
We are a junkie generation, sworn to tech
and betrothed to bit.
How were we to know the seductive powers of your console?
But kids we were, but kids.
All hail Final Fantasy--
your worlds have shaped mine!

Copyright © 2007 by Melanie Faith

Valkyrie Profile: Melly

2007-08-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

11 Hurt During Filming of Tom Cruise Movie

Eleven extras were injured when they fell out of a truck during filming of a movie starring Tom Cruise, police said Monday. The 11 were taken to hospita l as filming stopped on the movie, provisionally titled "Valkyrie," which stars Cruise as Germany's most famous anti-Hitler plotter, Col. Claus Graf Schenk von Stauffenberg. All but one of the 11 were treated and released. The extent of the 11th man's injuries from Sunday's accident was not clear. Another person who fell out of the truck was unhurt.

And in other news regarding "Valkyrie": I beat the game last night! Yay! Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, that is. I'm only a nigh-decade behind, but that's okay. I finished it just in time for school to start tomorrow (groan and sigh). A-ending, too , which is apparently better than the B ending--but, surprisingly enough, I think it's harder to get the B ending than the A (even a monkey can get the C-ending... though I'm not sure why he'd want to). I'm gonna keep trying though..
Enjoy the little clip free-of-charge (on the house). Of course, these are not the graphics I enjoyed as my lovely hubby shelled out over $100 to get me the original PS1 version which is apparently better than the PSP version even with all the cool graphics. I say, why not enjoy both? Ah, the blessings of YouTube. You can even watch the ending of the game--why even play it? lol

So, I am, at this time, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the sequel: Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria (and an even better strategy guide, as the last one was not by Brady Games and therefore, sucketh royally). Not that it hasn't been released yet (it has)--more than I haven't bought it yet!! ^_^
.

The New 'Do

2007-08-17T18:20:00.001-07:00

T'was 9 years ago to this day when I gave birth to my not-so baby-boy.

Happy Birthday, Gregory Westley-James: we love you!!!

What's In A Name?

2007-08-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Continuing on with the name-craze, sparked by Rebecca, here is this little fun poll thing which wasted five minutes of my life:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
3
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

That is with my married name. Ironically, there is only four people in the US with my first and maiden names. lol Now, if only my mother got her druthers and named me what she wanted to: then there would only be zero people in the US w/my name.

In other news: A Chinese couple tried to name their baby "@," claiming the character used in e-mail addresses echoed their love for the child, an official trying to whip the national language into line said on Thursday. Just something to think about the next time you complain about your own name.

Cheers,

Meme... A History (sorta)

2007-08-14T18:01:00.001-07:00

So, with the world around me returning back to normal (both good and bad), I say it's time for a new meme. I still have another one from Wit's End that I haven't gotten to--but I plan on it!
My ever-prolific gal-pal Rebecca has sent me the challenge to search for images using my name. So, I'm a dork and didn't want to search by my first and last name so here what I could pull up with my first alone. Here are the rules:

1) Go to www.Google.com
2) Click on Google images
3) Type in your name and search
4) Repost (w/ a link) the picture of the oddest, craziest, strangest, coolest, oldest, etc. person that shares your name. Post multiples if you find a few you like.
5) Pass it on.

Let's get the obvious stuff out of the way:

Melanie Griffith. Need I continue?

Melanie Ra wn -- one of my favorite artists when I was going through my fantasy stage as a child. Oh, wait--that wasn't a stage, that was a key character change. I also found a digital artist by the name of M é lanie Delon whose got some interesting stuff (I think I should start using an accent mark in my name, what do you think?).

Melanie de Baussiere -- I know nothing about her because Wikipedia only hosts her picture. I'm curious if anyone out there does. She's very pretty whoever she is.
Melanie Wilkes -- from Gone With the Wind. Even though I don't much care for the movie, gotta admit Vivian Leigh is strikingly gorgeous. Since Melanie Wilkes is from the book and not the movie, I am putting a pleasant picture of Miss Scarlett for the masses to ogle.

Okay, that's what I got for now. Hope you enjoyed the not-so thrilling name-study. I was kinda bummed because I expected more influential people in history or at least some world-record breaking animals, but these chicks are all pretty cool in their own ways. :) Maybe my picture'll be Googled some day--wowwwww!! haha
I hereby tag the following fabulous people:

Drew
Marjie
SF Girl
Goldy
Helen
Loz
Eugene (who I know is busy right now doing some major editing for a very special project ^_^)

Peace out for now. I'm getting a new hair-do on Thursday night via my lovely sis-in-law. It's gonna be a bit eccentric--can't wait! That and I'll be getting something on my face pierced soon that does not involve either ear. Hazaa for feigned "originality."

Cheers,

Reunion Re-cap

2007-08-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

Okay, it's high time that I write something of some merit here--other people's articles and cap-sized photos just aren't what I'm about the majority of the time (in other words, my laziness compels me to cut-and-paste in lieu of genius). These past two weeks have been roller-coasterish (yes, that is a Mellyism) what with both my son and my mom here visiting--we've been on the roll physically (not literally) and emotionally, so I've been rather indisposed mentally. Besides all that I had to return to my crap-job on Tuesday where the usual garbage awaited. The good thing is that I have another interview on Monday for a new position. Maybe this one will actually get me somewhere this time, unlike all the times before it. I'm starting to get a complex over here! I've been on a different kind of "roll" with BotM. I've got an extra 2 chapters in, introduced some new storyline and characters, and have single-handily reignited my literary-fire once more. I guess you could say that the dam has been chiseled a little bit so that I have some artistic movement once more. School starts back up in about two weeks... I doubt I'll be able to see the finish-line anytime soon like I had initially anticipated. Oh, well. Time ages all great things, I suppose. Yeah, that's what I keep telling myself, anyway (on soooo many levels sadly...).

Drew left for Lake Tahoe today with his BFF Jacob. They are in for a weekend of gambling and guy-time. Well, that is what they say anyway. It was sad to be awakened at 530 this morning to say goodbye... I won't see him till Monday. We've only been separated a few times since we've been married and they always seem just as hard as the time before it. Yeah, all four times. lol. Hey, we're still "newlyweds," wadda you expect? I'm crazy about the man. He's my best bud and I like having him around to listen to my rants and laugh at my clumsiness. But, not all is lost, the weekend shall be redeemed because my mother is here and we have some bonding of our own to do. On top of that, I will be singing in Japanese to medium-sized audience for the first time tomorrow morning... Not bad for a white girl from Texas!

We had a lot of fun while Gregory was here: he went out on a boat and did the tube-thing for the first time. He had a blast, of course (he's a boy, after all). Japantown, Bodega Bay, Lake Berryessa, Wal-mart (for the ever-essential Bionicle toys), miniature golfing, movie theaters... we did a lot. But most importantly, we all got a little bit closer as a family; that's always the best. But... like always, I hate to see him go... Pretty soon the dust will clear and all will return to the way it was a few weeks ago. I'm not always sure that's the best thing but for whatever reason, it's the way life is right now. But as Solomon said, all things are seasonal.

Wouldn't Want Those Cookies...

2007-08-07T16:36:00.001-07:00

Woman's Ashes Back After Accidental Sale

ELMIRA, N.Y. - A large ceramic turtle containing a woman's ashes has been recovered after it was accidentally sold for 50 cents at a rummage sale.

When Anita Lewis of Elmira sold the turtle Saturday to a woman with plans to use it as a cookie jar, she didn't know it held the ashes of her husband's late wife.

Terrence Lewis' previous wife had collected turtles and the couple's home was full of them, Anita Lewis said.

She realized her mistake and began a frantic search that led to the Salvation Army Thrift Shop in Horseheads after an anonymous caller's tip to the Star-Gazette of Elmira.

Penitence

2007-08-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

Drew, I'm sorry

2007-07-31T20:00:00.001-07:00

Bridge to the Imagination

2007-07-27T21:48:00.000-07:00

I never read Katherine Paterson's 1977 Newberry Award-winning young adult novel, Bridge to Terabithia, but after watching the movie I wish I would have (and maybe I still will...?). I never watched the 1985 cinematic version either (in all fairness, I was only four at the time!). Truth is, I never even heard of it until...

Gregory wanted to see this movie like years ago--well, okay, it seems like years since it was out in theaters but I know it wasn't really. Anyway, we tried once or twice but it was always sold out or crowded; we never ended up seeing it. Trusty Netflix to save the day again! We watched it tonight and--even though I read quite a few reviews which all claimed in unison that there were more adult themes and that it wasn't a stereotypical kid's movie--well, I just had to see what they were talking about for myself. Equipped with our usual "movie night" trusty slice of pizza (or two--or three), Gregory, Drew, and I ventured into the world of Terabithia (via our DVD-player "bridge"). I quickly understood. I was very impressed by the content was expressed and "solved"--of how it the every day tragedies of growing up and just--well, existing... Truth is, there was no real solution for the circumstances; the solution is an inward one. Perspective; creativity... I loved the artists' reality of needing to paint or write a world in which you can understand and have meaning--for through the gift comes the need to express and verify our own existence and viewpoint... something rather hard to do when you are young (or even not so young).

Truth is, there are no "happily ever afters" or perfect endings. There's no sugar-coating or mystical retribution. Rather, reality is surprisingly given most ineptly through the instrument of the majestic and magical--but almost like a sweet illusion, an illusion or a personal secret that only select are privy to. A four-dimensional story that speaks more in its parallels and imageries than in its actual words. In brief: I love this snippet from Boston Globe: "Very Sad Things prompt Very Big Questions, and this movie is smart enough to avoid Very Easy Answers."

It's encouraging not only as a fellow author, dreamer, and illusionist, but also as a human being. If you haven't seen this one, I recommend it... Just remember to keep your mind wide open.

2007-07-25T22:51:00.000-07:00

Your Hair Should Be Orange

Expressive, deep, and one of a kind.
You pull off "weird" well - hardly anyone notices.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

She Is Finished!

2007-07-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

BoM? I wish. No, I did it though... After ten years of detours, confusions, and setbacks, I finally applied to the school of my choice. If my application is accepted, I will be entering UC Davis as a Junior transfer this January. If not, I will have to wait for Fall 2008 for a guaranteed transfer. But who wants to wait a year? Not I. Especially when this is the first time in years they've decided to open the winter quarter for new students--and the English department just happens to be open, while so many others remain closed. Yes, it may indeed be time. Well, that is if I can pass my Math Theory class starting next month. I really have no idea what to expect from the class; I guess it can go either way. I've wanted to go there for years--ever since I learned they had an Equestrian team and the best English department around. Very fitting for a horse-back riding writer and editorial-wannabe, right?

With all that said, Drew and I know we will have to move sometime this Fall--it's a little scary. We both love this house, it's been good to us and the boys. But... with me not working and being a full-time college student for the first time--we just can't afford this place. Plus, we want to move closer to the campus but not too far from the rest of our lives here. So, there's a lot up in the air right now that God's going to have to direct. Plus, I got this really big novel over here that still isn't finished! I am excited because I drafted a nifty outline of the story's sequences which really helped put stuff in order.

I held a mini book-reading night over here Monday. My best friend was there but her hubby was sick in bed so he missed out. They've been among my biggest book-supporters. So, even though they read the part themselves that I read, they still gave me all their support! Our other friend Nathan was there, listening for the first time. But the first chapter is always the most challenging and I'm not sure it was the most dynamic thing to listen to--despite their pleas to the contrary. There are several other friends who have wanted to listen but the day we set wasn't the best because most of them were out of town. Guess we'll have to try again. It keeps me movin', keeps me inspired. I have a lot in my head but sometimes I get dry and bored with it all, feeling like perhaps I am my only audience (besides Drew, of course).

So, other than that my days have been a collection of the mundane. The climax of my birthday festivities have subsided, giving way to lost job opportunities and hormonal tirades. This morning, in my haste to fly out the door to work, I was boiling my water for my loose-leaf popcorn green tea, when, to my great and utter dismay, I poured a good deal of the cursed water onto my hand in place of the kettle--but I was so late that I didn't have time to run my injured fingers under the faucet. No time for medical attention! Must be on time or else! They're doing okay now; no boiling blisters or scalded flesh. Just a little pink and irritated; I'll survive.

Gregory's coming Friday for the whole week and I'm so excited. I took the week of work and we have some plans like going to the beach, boat-rides, BBQ's, movies, camping... lots of fun stuff. Oh, that and my mom is flying in on Saturday! It hasn't been that long since her visit but I'm totally excited to see her again. She's staying for three weeks this time which will be amazing. I miss her so much.

Anyway, that is me for now. I'm cramping right now and I'm getting cranky so I'm going to head on out! Besides, the silence in the other room can only mean one thing: Niko's either on the kitchen counter or the kitchen table. Both will result in a major aqua whooping. But... he still won't learn anything by it. Oh, well!

2007-07-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind.
You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life.
Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling.
And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Oscar the cat predicts patients' deaths

2007-07-24T07:11:00.000-07:00

By RAY HENRY, Associated Press Writer Wed Jul 25, 7:25 PM ET

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Oscar the cat seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting when nursing home patients are going to die, by curling up next to them during their final hours. His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has led the staff to call family members once he has chosen someone. It usually means they have less than four hours to live.

"He doesn't make too many mistakes. He seems to understand when patients are about to die," said Dr. David Dosa in an interview. He describes the phenomenon in a poignant essay in Thursday's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

"Many family members take some solace from it. They appreciate the companionship that the cat provides for their dying loved one," said Dosa, a geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Brown University.

The 2-year-old feline was adopted as a kitten and grew up in a third-floor dementia unit at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The facility treats people with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and other illnesses.

After about six months, the staff noticed Oscar would make his own rounds, just like the doctors and nurses. He'd sniff and observe patients, then sit beside people who would wind up dying in a few hours.

Dosa said Oscar seems to take his work seriously and is generally aloof. "This is not a cat that's friendly to people," he said.

Oscar is better at predicting death than the people who work there, said Dr. Joan Teno of Brown University, who treats patients at the nursing home and is an expert on care for the terminally ill

She was convinced of Oscar's talent when he made his 13th correct call. While observing one patient, Teno said she noticed the woman wasn't eating, was breathing with difficulty and that her legs had a bluish tinge, signs that often mean death is near.

Oscar wouldn't stay inside the room though, so Teno thought his streak was broken. Instead, it turned out the doctor's prediction was roughly 10 hours too early. Sure enough, during the patient's final two hours, nurses told Teno that Oscar joined the woman at her bedside.

Doctors say most of the people who get a visit from the sweet-faced, gray-and-white cat are so ill they probably don't know he's there, so patients aren't aware he's a harbinger of death. Most families are grateful for the advanced warning, although one wanted Oscar out of the room while a family member died. When Oscar is put outside, he paces and meows his displeasure.

No one's certain if Oscar's behavior is scientifically significant or points to a cause. Teno wonders if the cat notices telltale scents or reads something into the behavior of the nurses who raised him.

Nicholas Dodman, who directs an animal behavioral clinic at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and has read Dosa's article, said the only way to know is to carefully document how Oscar divides his time between the living and dying.

If Oscar really is a furry grim reaper, it's also possible his behavior could be driven by self-centered pleasures like a heated blanket placed on a dying person, Dodman said.

Nursing home staffers aren't concerned with explaining Oscar, so long as he gives families a better chance at saying goodbye to the dying.

Oscar recently received a wall plaque publicly commending his "compassionate hospice care."

If She Ain't Got A Chance...

2007-07-19T16:24:00.000-07:00

Austen scam exposes publishers' pride and prejudice

Thu Jul 19, 7:59 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - A string of publishers failed to spot blatant plagiarism of one of English literature's most famous authors, in a cheeky test to see if she would have secured a book deal today, a report said Thursday.

David Lassman, head of the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, sent manuscripts to 18 editors seeking a publishing contract, using only slightly disguised versions of chapters from the iconic novelist's most famous works.

But only one publisher spotted the fakes, which included perhaps the most famous line in all English literature, the opening sentence of her 1813 work "Pride and Prejudice".

"I was staggered. Here is one of the greatest writers that has lived, with her oeuvre securely fixed in the canon and yet only one recipient recognised them as Austen's work," Lassman told The Guardian newspaper.

Making only minor changes, he sent off sample chapters from three of her best known books: "Northanger Abbey"; "Persuasion", and finally "Pride and Prejudice" which he renamed "First Impressions".

For the latter, he made no changes to the opening line: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

But all he got was a series of rejection slips, including from major publishing houses.

"Thank you for your recent letter and chapters from your book 'First Impressions'. It seems like a really original and interesting read," wrote Penguin. Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling's agents Christopher Little said they were "not confident" of being able to place the work.

The only editor to spot the ruse was apparently Alex Bowler of Jonathan Cape.

"Thank-you for sending us the first two chapters of 'First Impressions'; my first impression on reading these were ones of disbelief and mild annoyance, along, of course, with a moment's laughter," he wrote back.

"I suggest you reach for your copy of 'Pride and Prejudice', which I'd guess lives in close proximity to your typewriter, and make sure that your opening pages don't too closely mimic that book's opening."

The publishing houses scrambled to explain their failure to spot what are some of the well-known passages in the English literary canon.

"Our letter was a polite note declining representation and provided a standard response," said a spokesman for Christopher Little cited by The Guardian.

"Our internal notes did recognise similarities with existing published works and indeed there were even discussions about possible plagiarism."

A spokeswoman for Penguin noted that its rejection letter had said only that it "seemed" original and interesting. "It would not have been read," she insisted.

O, The Throes of the Aged!

2007-07-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I survived... 2-6...
I am now officially one more year away from "young."

Ce la vi.

Thanks to all who made the day ultra-special
(and giving me lots of neat gifts to keep my mind off
my rapidly encroaching antiquity... "Valkyrie Profile" & "Harry Potter" will keep me busy for awhile).

A Wellspring of Nothingness

2007-07-10T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hi! Hello! Konichiwa! Dang, it seems like it's been awhile again. I guess my blog-obsession has somehow taken a backseat to reality and all her time constraints.
So, anyway, I was going to write about my recent trip to Japantown last weekend because... I saw my first official cosplayer! We're still totally planning on going to the Cherry Blossom Festival next spring (where all the cosplayers unite for a day to play fantastical dress-up); I just had to take a picture--but was truly bummed to see that the dang girl (channeling her best Rikku impersonation) had thrown a jacket on due to the chilly San Francisco weather. Bummer!
Anyway, ironically, she's white. If you that was a random comment, you obviously didn't read my previous post, "My Alter-Ego is Multi-Faceted." So, I had seen her walking around while we were shopping for wind chimes and pickled radishes--but by the time I was equipped with my Kodak, she had thrown on the huge trench coat. She actually did a pretty good job; had everything down to the single braid in the hair and the feathers on the socks (she's the blond with the blue scarf hanging down over the steps. I'm guessing the dudes in uniforms standing next to her are either bonafide Bart drivers or they are recalling an anime character that I do not know). Too bad you can't really tell by these pix!

Look at this second picture--is she looking straight at me? Probably. Oops! Funny.

Drew tried to play it off by standing in front of her so it wouldn't look like I was taking a picture of her (but the Pagoda monument that she's sitting on).
Anyway, the funny (funnier) thing is that some three hours or so later, while I was waiting in the car for Drew to come back for paying for our parking, the dang girl walked right behind our car without the jacket on and everything. Clumsily I reached for the camera in the backseat--but only in my mind. Come on now... I'm not throwing myself in stalker-status. What if she would have turned around? How would I have explained my unrelenting photo-show of her?

While not among my fave of FF chicas, here's what she was going for:

So, beyond the anime realm. Why, yes, I did finish Pretear and moving very steadily as we're now on disc three of Full Metal Alchemist--thanks for asking! Thanks to the wonderful storyline, Sasame is still my favorite. We held a honorary "Pretear Party" last night at our house--Nathan, April, Sarah, Caleb, Drew, Jacob (and Niko)--you're all Leafe troopers--salud! ...oh, but enough of that! My dear blogger-friend Marjie has upped and moved, "marjienalizing" her "silence" in search for a new change. And what do you know--her first post in her new home was one of mimetic meme quality... and I was tagged. Thank you, girly! It's been awhile since I've done one of these--they can be so frustratingly fun. I don't think that I'm offering too much new knowledge, but here you go nevertheless:

The Rules: "Each person posts the rules before their list, then they list 8 things about themselves. At the end of the post, that person tags and links to 8 other people and then visits those peoples' sites and comments letting them know that they have been tagged, and to come read the post, so they know what they have to do."

Let the idiosyncrasies begin...

I hate when people whistle out loud. Well, I guess you can't really whistle inwardly, so it has to be out loud. Okay, so I hate whistling. Does that scare you? Does that make me a jerk? I don't know why I do. "Sugar & Spice" have never been among the ingredients of my make up. I'm not a girly girl--and I don't like whistling. I used to hate it when my brother whistled--which was all the time; I hate it even more when complete strangers feel compelled to release the song of their head that no one else can recognize by their lousy whistling abilities. It's just strange (especially on elevators). The lady who has the cubicle across from me loves to listen to Mexican party music on her headphones all day--and whistle along. It always sounds like a fiesta over there. Very annoying. Guess there goes my Disney career. Tons of whistling.
Speaking of Disney... yuk. I hate Disneyland. Yet, even though I hate Disneyland, I have always liked Disney shows. *shrug* For awhile I raised myself on the 90's version of The Mickey Mouse Club (mostly because I had a crush on J.C. and Matt Morris, and I wanted to be Keri Russell--the gal who later was the star of Felicity). Now, as you know, I have my Saturday morning routine consisting of Raven, Hannah Montana, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and--if they ever bring it back, Phil of the Future. As for Disneyland--the supposed "happiest place on earth" (even though every time I've been there I've met plenty of grumpy, pissy people), I must be counter-American. Maybe I just didn't go early enough in childhood. I went for the first time when I was thirteen, then yet again when I was fifteen because our band played there (which was kinda neat), and then lastly for a trip for Greg when he was five (my mom's idea, not mine). It must run in the family because he had the same amount of enthusiasm at five that I have at twenty-five. When asked if he wanted to go to Mickey's house, the replied, "Why? It's just a man in a costume."
My biggest pet-peeves are misspelling, slang, and improper grammar. It all drives me crazy! Spell-check, no matter how inaccurate at times, is a fabulous but under-appreciated invention. Well, unless it's intentional, like Faulkner, Dickinson, or James Joyce. If it's for some esoteric literary point, well, I guess it's okay then. I don't mind vernacular (the "rhetoric of the times") should it be used for the gain of a good novel... but random bits of cliche words thrown about are just plain boring. Which is really ironic because you could say I'm a recovering Southern Belle. Born in Texas; raised in Arkansas. Do I qualify? I lost my true Southern accent when I was thirteen... after I said the word "bowl" in my geography class and received a room full of thunderous laughter at my apparent ignorance. I soon dropped my customary words like "ya'll" and inherited the new verbiage consisting of words like "hella" and "hecka" (though I still have a strange and annoying inability to pronounce words like "library" and "museum"). Viva la California.
I used to collect bees and locusts, torture spiders, and farm toads, crawdads, and cicada shells as a child. Now I'm a recovering arachno- and bug-aphobe. This includes silly, non-terrifying things like butterflies and ladybugs. If I go into a "butterfly habitat," they flock to me and start perching on my shoulders like overgrown parrots. Nasty. Really freaks me out (this has happened to me several times). They just look at me with their grotesque worm-like faces and smile sardonically. Payback's a punk.
My mom asked me when I was nine if I wanted to play softball. I was so excited, I couldn't contain my joy through the weeks of waiting for the team to meet for the first time, and well into the first couple of practices. Finally, I got anxious over the fact that I still hadn't, two weeks into it, actually handled a softball. They kept having us practice with these tiny little balls that hurt when you got hit by them. What was deal with that? Pissed me off. First game: we're still using those little stinking balls! And now we're supposed to hit them with a bat? Isn't this called baseball? I had only conceded to leaving my comfy room full of books, writings, and drawings because I thought I was going to be hitting a ball over a net with my wrist! What the crap was this?! Totally confused, weeks went by until I realized that softball and volleyball were two totally different sports. When I finally figured it out, I beseeched my mother to let me quit (because, needless to say, I sucked at softball; the ironic thing is that later in life I would come to find that I suck at volleyball, too), but she made me stick it out. So, the whole season I got nothing but balls and never saw the glorious welcoming of home-plate. My final attempt I actually hit the ball--with my thumb. No matter how I pleaded to run the bases, they benched me for liability purposes. Sucky story, huh? With the exception of equestrian and archery, no wonder I hate sports.
My goal up to about two years ago was to watch every movie ever made. I had to soon clarify this goal by stating that porn does not count as eligible candidates for my cinematic escapade. I found the easiest way to achieve this goal (not that I have) was to start with one actor and begin to watch everything they ever did and move out from that point to watch everything their main leading actors/actresses did. My other grandiose life-goals which have long-past fizzled were: reach child-prodigy level status before the age of 20 (uh, yeah, I'm like six years too late now), tour the world (hey, three countries down--almost there, right?), get my Master's degree (wow, it only took me ten years to get to a University in pursuit of my Bachelor's; talk to me in two more years to see if I finally have it!); become either a zoologist or a paleontologist (and this was before all the Jurassic Park madness!); win an Oscar and the Pulitzer... wow, I had high standards any way. What, no "menial civil servant job" on the menu?
Cows are God's greatest invention. Think about it: milk, cheese, hamburger, steak, ice cream, leather... all from one creature. Cheesecake: Need I say more? Mushrooms, on the other hand...
My mom claims she will be Queen of the Rabbits in heaven (self-titled). I think I am turning into Queen of the Cats. Before I met Drew, I had destined myself to be the "old crazy cat lady" of whatever forsaken suburb I ended up in... having two hundred kitties roaming around sounds like a nightmare now, but I actually considered adopting all the cats I could find. For some reason I have this strange, uncanny ability to call
any stray or cat hanging out on the street and they will come to me. Do I smell like tuna or something? We even have a neighboring cat who seems to have been orphaned here some time ago--we named her Sanche; she thinks we are one of her many peoples. She is very docile with us--until she sees the massiveness that is Thomas. Then she runs away (too much man for her). Well, as long as I get my big fluffy Aslan-lion in heaven--I'm okay with accepting the monarchical office. But... dragons are still my favorite animal. ;)

PS: I will give you $5,000,000 (five million dollars) if you can guess what movie the quote in the cat picture is from. It will be in Monopoly though. Well, wait, I don't even have any of *that* kind of money. I will give you a big honkin' thumbs up. Isn't that reward enough?

Now to keep the tagging going (do I know eight people...?), let's get Christine, Rebecca, Drew, Eugene, Goldy, Bowrag, and Helen in on the action. Sorry, that's all I got. Go!

Hooray For Warm, Happy, Fuzzy Feelings!

2007-07-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hey, I rock!!! Well, at least that's what Christine says, anyway. Here's my fancy hot-pink kuddos to prove it. I'm not really a pink-gal, but it matches today's post so it's "aight." Much obliged! Glad to see I'm rockin' someone's world out there--in a completely non-sexual way. If my BFF had a blog, I would totally nominate her just because she rocks so much without even trying!
You know who you are. ^_^

I have now officially seen at least two animes with GOOD, HAPPY endings! Hooray for the unconventional happiness! It is so rare to end an anime without feeling slaughtered emotionally. My generated non-existent award goes to both Pretear and Fushigi Yugi for their agreeable and heart-warming endings. Thank you for restoring my sense of romantic redemption! Okay, there's been way too much coverage on Pretear, and I won't give away the ending for anyone interested in watching it. But I will say that Sasame ROCKS! ^_^ (can I give him the rockin' blogger girl award??? He kinda looks like a girl...).

Onward, ho: So, it took me nearly two and a half years to complete Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play--and I'm so glad I did. It's an older anime; around the early 90's, I think (think Outlaw Star). I bought if for my brother a few Christmases ago (our only real bond involves anime and RPG video games... sad, really) but then decided to check it out for myself via nifty Netflix. I had been waiting for the last disc initially and then just kinda never went back to it. But I have--I've conquered the 52-episode series and rekindled my love for the story. It's amazing. The idea of a living book--a living story in which the ones who read it are absorbed into the world and war in which they are destined to change. Okay, peoples, were not talking The Neverending Story, here. Think a little above the 80's prepubescent box. Not that I'm anti-The Neverending Story (oh, how I love to sing the theme song!)--it's just, well, we all understand the target audience and how they differ dramatically between the two.

Now, no matter how annoying the English dub for Miaka's voice is (yet still not as annoying as the English voice actor who did Nakago's voice!)--there is no anime couple like her and her beloved. Miaka, legendary Priestess of Suzaku and the most precious of her seven celestial knights, Tamahome... so sweet. Here's an anime where the two main love interests actually get married somewhere in the middle of the series--and the romance and love never fizzles into the ordinary at all. They do not lose their passion for one another. How refreshing to see. A true love story that doesn't end with the wedding! (uh, reality here). They wear their rings as a sign of their ceaseless devotion, even though they are separated by worlds, and eventually life (but it's alright!!! If you want to know why, you're just going to have to watch it yourself!).

Want a good epic love story that's non-cheesy? Check out Fushigi Yugi; it will not disappoint. I'm not even into romance or "chick-flicks"--but this one anime really caught me off guard and struck a chord with me (even got me a little girly--yes, I cried!).

Check out this kick-butt award-winning FY video by Dark Moon studios.
Watch it NOW!!! Hooray for 'true love'!

Mucho Mas Memoirs

2007-07-05T16:20:00.000-07:00

Before you're distracted by yet another anime entry--let me elaborate before you turn away. Sure, this is going to discuss anime but in a different way: a historical & cultural topic. I am always interested in public opinion. So, come on in and stay awhile. Maybe you'll even learn something new. ^_^

Upon finishing Samurai Deeper: Kyo last night in celebrations of the fabulousness that is Independence Day, Drew and I were initially quite confused with the ending, being that the majority of characters and storyline were actual in fact and history. [side note: wow, what a long and syntax-confusing sentence!]. Yet after doing some research--that is, reading through some true Japanese history--things became much clearer. Enter the world in time: The Battle of Sekigahra.

Though I had heard some of these names before, I had no idea while watching the 30-episode anime who these people really were (with the exception of Sasuke and Saizo; there have been debates on their legitimate existence. Still, their legends are over one hundred years old). One thing incredibly cool about Sanada Yukimora--the "Crimson Demon of War," as he was said to be called--who was my favorite in the show, along with Sasuke, is that they gave him a quote towards the end of the show which resonated very similar to what he is believed to have truly said moments before his death.

And could the true existence of the "Five Elders" be the basis of the Mibu clan and their "Red King"? Of course, no there is no mention of a real-life Kyo (Kyoshiro Mibu)--but we have wondered if the red-haired legendary warrior was based on a real man who likewise inspired Nobuhiro Watsuki, the creator of Rurouni Kenshin who gave his main character, Himura Kenshin, quite similar appearance and characteristics. The real-life Uesugi Kenshin was known as "the god of war" as well as "The Dragon of Echigo." Could he be an inspiration to the creators of Kyoshiro/Kyo and Kenshin alike? Just a thought... I am no expert.

What's really my point in all this? Well, my hubby and I had been talking even before we finished this series (and even more so afterward) about how cool it is that animes like SD:K and RK, as well as many others, actually are rooted in so much history, using real places, people, events, and places to make an otherwise long-past and dormant world come to life. Not only that, but the characters and the time-period seem showcased in a way that makes ordinary men and women appear to be heroes. Superheroes, even. They don't need Superman and Batman to save the day, they have the wandering Samurai Battosai. Integrity is the key--one's own self worth is often translated through an inward moral compass of compassion, love, honor, and dignity. How neat for the kids of the country to learn about their culture and ancestry in such a fun, creative way. So, the real question is: why don't we have anything like that here? Is it because Paul Revere and Daniel Boone don't translate well as animated superheros? Or is it that our stories and our history are so much an assimilation of countless others that our identity is opaquely absorbed by the very freedoms which were fought for? Truthfully, we just don't have, as Americans, the rich culture and history to lay claim to. Our nation is but a baby compared to so many civilizations in the world. I really felt the humble evidence of that when I went to Italy last year. We are the metaphorical melting-pot, after all. And maybe melting-pots just don't equate as cartoon-material.

For those of you who don't understand or recognize the difference between anime and western animation, the specific distinction lies not only in the amazing graphics, music, and story-lines but there is a feeling of pride and rich ancestral understanding. From a people who knew where they came from--who they are because of where they were as a culture: they make superheroes of their ancestors and immortalize the ages within in lyrical and poetic understanding. Of course, not each series falls under this category. There are always exceptions either way. I'm not talking about the floofy, goofy shows which have no real evident point other than to amuse or arouse the mind. Yet even nearing the end of Pretear, an anime which starts out in complete and utter silliness, something childish in the story subsided and entered into a new realm altogether. The dramatic realm; the realm where certain eternal elements are spoken silently to hit the human core. Perhaps one has to tune their ears to hear such silent voices all the more, but they are there just the same.

All this to say, it would be refreshing to see a reflection of these elements--this civil pride, of sorts, in American entertainment. Something more than cars blowing up and G-stringed ladies. Can we discover our past and our ancestral beginnings in a new way that has meaning and influence to the younger generations?

Well, thanks for listening. I hoped you learned a thing or two. If nothing more, I had a good time writing it. On the dawn of a new show's end, we move hastily to embrace something new.
Onward we march to the first disc of Full Metal Alchemist!

Memoirs of a Media-Junkie

2007-07-02T16:49:00.000-07:00

Oh, my--July is here. Julio! Crazy and amazing. Depressing and disturbing. All at once these things flooded over me today. I would say that they flooded over me yesterday (as it was the 1st of the month), but I am rarely disturbed by such trivialities on the weekend. On the weekend I am immortal. Though my immortality did falter a bit--being that I had a migraine all day yesterday.

Anyhoo... In between six-mile bike rides, Final Fantasy obsessions, two crazy kitties, and BoM writings, I've been engrossing myself in anime, of course! Drew and I are tossing back and forth between Pretear and Samurai Deeper: Kyo, two massively different animes of different tastes. While Samurai Deeper Kyo is more Drew's brand of tea (though he doesn't really like tea... hmm...), I like the cutesy semi-above PG, quirky animes. I get that in Pretear. Allow me to elaborate:

Pretear reminds me of Chobits just a little--maybe a very, very watered down and storyline-packed Excel Saga. Maybe Sailor Moon meets Love Hina. Yeah, we'll go with that... since you all have no idea what I'm talking about anyway. Well, tough. You're still reading. So, it's supposed to be like an off version of Snow White, or something. I haven't even gotten to the second disc yet so I can't fill you in much on the story. But, well, it's interesting... especially the concept of "preeting." Interesting... yeah. I like the characters. Himeno Awayuki is funny and not overly-annoying like "Excel, Excel." Sasame reminds me of someone... but I haven't figured out who yet. I think he's my favorite Knight. Well, but I like Hayate, too; he reminds me of Inuyasha a little because he's such a jerk. haha. I love anime jerks. That always means they're in love with the main female character! Every anime's got a juicy love-story. They're like little animated soaps. I get all caught up in it and before I know it, I'm jealous that I don't live in the world I'm so engrossed in. I guess that's why I write. ^_^

As for Samurai Deeper: Kyo, this one's like a cross between Inuyasha, Rurouni Kenshin, and Samurai X. It's good--other than slight annoyances like the repetitive use of the word affiliated with a beaver's past-time, and that the bad guy of every episode has the same voice as the one before (are we to believe that it's just the same dude over and over again?). And so Kyo, this man with "demon-eyes" (they're red), who killed 1,000 men in the Battle of Sekigahara, was killed but came back in the body of the man who killed him, Mibu Kyoshiro. Hey, they got the same name! Kyo and Kyoshiro... hmm... think that's important? Nah... ;) Anyway, my favorite character in this one so far is Sanada Yukimura and his little-person henchman whose name escapes me at the moment. He's a muramasa-wielding cutie! ^_^ Shiina Yuya would get her but kicked by Kaoru, but she's still less annoying to listen to (and really, what could possibly beat Kenshin in terms of quality?).

Alright, that's enough for now. I have a night left of writing and biking left. Oh, and a little Hell's Kitchen for desert. Alas, I feel like such a media-junkie today. But, well I'll leave you with a movie-goodie. It's the intro to Pretear. Enjoy and sorry about the lousy quality. It's the best that I could find.

Okay, now that I'm nearing the end (this is an update, duh) of Pretear, let me say that my feelings for Sasame have gone through a radical change... though I still like him. I now know who he reminds me of--Kuzuki Kakyou from X, which is ironic because I found the same music theme "Angels" by Within Temptation to an X interpretation (which, in my mind was better; if you're interested, check it out here). One can only hope that he will find redemption and return to the "good side." But knowing anime endings... Poor Sasame... I miss him. :(

this & that

2007-06-27T16:42:00.001-07:00

Yes, it has been awhile since I have actually stopped to write something (pictures and movies with captions just aren't the same). You should feel honored: I am missing a very entreating episode of Judge Judy in order to write this. With all that said, I am pleased to excuse my absence by saying that I have been semi-hard at work on BoM. I say "semi" because the fire hasn't totally caught yet but at least it's evident after an entire month of sloth. School will be starting again in a month and a half so I want to make sure I get a good portion done while I still have my freedom.

Other than that the crack-kitty keeps me busy. Niko is very amusing in that when he is confined to his room (the bathroom) he will meow very sweetly as you stand nearby--but howl with all intensity and anger the farther you are from the door. It's quite amusing to go back and forth to hear the crescendo in his voice. He's confused very easily; it's great. Other times his meows sound like questions--"Meow...?" I can't help but laugh. Thomas is still coming around slowly... mostly with me. He's pretty much fine with Drew and Niko--it's Mommy Dearest whom he is holding his not-so-secret angst and hostility.

As promised, Drew and I took Gregory to Old Sacramento this past weekend to take "old time portraits." We had a lot of fun getting dressed up and making faces at each other. On our second pose, the store people actually asked if they could hang a copy in the store window because they loved it so much. Flattered--and in between bouts of laughter--we consented. Since Greg wants to come back and do a whole family portrait, we're hoping to see our picture there the next time we visit.

I thought it would be fun to include the two other western pix I've taken in my life: the first one with my good gal-pal Sarah about two years ago; the second with my folks when I turned sixteen (this one truly looks the most antiquated... not because of historical realism, but because of my suspicious youthfulness).

Looking at all the pix in comparison it's funny to see how... Wow, that cowgirl has really changed over the years... from the Jack-drinking Girl-4-Sale, to Blushing Belle, to Gun-Wielding, Bank-Robbing Debutante. Who will she be next?

So... speaking of changes (no, this is not a puberty lecture). My birthday is fast approaching and with much dread I must admit that a subsequent year is about to pass me by without much accomplishment (besides the cool western pix). I hope that if nothing more I can escape my nightmare job and enjoy a special piece of life I have not tasted yet... that is--the absence of a menial "civil servant" job (lol... Excel Saga rules!).

Or maybe, if nothing else (since becoming the "Great American Novelist" will not happen overnight), I will spend countless wasted hours trying to brush-up on my retro-Playstation games--that is, the goodness that is a box of Kleenex and Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth. If only I can muster up the courage to spend $99 on the original (no, I don't have a PSP)... then I'd like to progress to Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria--though even with several years of technology advancement, I still hear the original cannot be beaten (in terms of excellence, that is).

For those of you are shaking your head and do not know what (or rather, who) a valkyrie is, here is the def:

"In Norse mythology valkyries are minor female deities who served Odin. The valkyries' purpose was to choose the most heroic of those who had died in battle and to carry them off to Valhalla where they became einherjar where the warriors were destined to fight by Odin's side at the preordained battle at the end of the world: Ragnarok."

Now... what's not incredibly cool about that?

...9...

2007-06-24T19:18:00.000-07:00

View my self-portrait Haiku @ http://incinq.blogspot.com/
(under Friday, June 15).
&
Get In Cinq

The Titleless Post

2007-06-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

This video was sent compliments of my Grandma Tita (not the granny in the movie).
Now I know where I get my twisted sense of humor from.