Weird Dreams!

Hey guys! Sorry for the late post again! This week's topic should be perfect for me, since I have a lot of weird dreams. Unfortunately, I can't remember a lot of them right now (stupid brain), but here's one that I had sometime in high school that I thought was really weird and kind of creepy. 

So in my dream, I was at my old house that I had just moved out of, and I had just gotten off the bus after school (this was before I had a car and could drive myself). Anyway, I walked into my house and there was no furniture and there were these spiders EVERYWHERE. Like, they were just sitting on the wall in clumps, which was weird, and they were of every size. 

Anyway, for some reason I was only slightly creeped out, and I decided to walk further into the house where I saw my best friend holding one of the larger spiders (about the side of my cat) and I just remember her telling me it was a cat. 

And then I woke up. 

This doesn't really count as a dream, but I thought I might share it. Whenever I'm really stressed about something that I have the next day sometimes I just wake up randomly in the middle of the night thinking that it's time to go. This happened a lot my junior year in high school because it was really stressful -- once I woke up at 3am and I got dressed and everything before I realized that I had a few hours before it was even time to wake up. xD 

Anyway, it hasn't happened to me in college yet, but I've been doing it a little bit lately (like waking up an hour early and thinking I'm late) so we'll see what my roommate says about it.....

That being said, welcome back Nicky! I'm so happy you can participate with us again! :D That was a weird dream! 

I can't wait to see what everyone else has posted, and I really REALLY loved your last post Holly! 

DFTBA!

Sarah

Weird dreams...

So this is the weirdest, yet most vivid dream I've ever had that I still remember.

So I was at my friend Matt's house, in his kitchen that links to his conservatory. In there, his dad and a couple of his dad's friends were at the table and for some reason, I was naked.

Matt's little brother James saw me, laughed his ass off and handed me a tea towel to cover myself up with. When I pointed out that I would need something to secure it, it being a small tea towel, he gave me a tent peg, which somehow worked.

So I walked into the conservatory and Matt, Will, and a couple of others were playing CoD. I look back at the table, and my friend Grace is there, doing a line of coke. When I ask her, really surprised and confused, what the hell she's doing, she smiles and shrugs. Turn around, turn back, and Grace is now my friend Mia, still doing coke. Then suddenly, my field of vision is occupied by the old MSN IM screen, and I'm talking to Mia about it.

So there it is, my weirdest dream that I remember. Also, hi guys :D

Big Goals Ahead

 So I was watching John Green's latest video about What to do With Your Life and he mentioned how narrowing your choices, or picking certain paths scares us because that means we have much less options. Which got me thinking about all the paths that I've [assed up, and how they've got me to where I am today.

There is one path though, that I have never wanted to let go of, and that is to redefine how people look at a story.
History is a story that isn't just told through a narrative, but through memories, newspapers, paintings, photographs, old houses, and trash you find in a dump. So why, when people think of telling a story, do they automatically think of writing a narrative?

one of my goals coming out of high school was to create a website to support a storyline that is told through every medium. For example: The introduction could be a police file on each character, and the next part of the story could be a characters home video blog, and the next a newspaper article of a major event, and the next an old photograph or a faded advertisement, and the next the beginning of a soundtrack. It could include recipe's, and costume/make-up design's, and concept art. (AND a top notch project like this might be good to reference for future jobs in such career paths....just something to think about ;).
as I thought more about it, I realized how much I really, really want to make this a reality.  I know it will take an amazing crew of authors, photographers, actors, directors, costume designers, web designers etc, to make this happen, but I think it can be done`, and I want to make it, if possible, a Nerdfighter exclusive project, something that Nerdfighters can definitely claim as their own.

Thus I have decided TO MAKE THIS MY GOAL FOR 2013.

What's that saying again? Go big or go home.

 HOW TO BEGIN

First on the list would be to decide on a storyline that would best fit such a concept. What do you guys think would be best?

ARCADIA (SciFi)
A galactic enemy has been systematically wiping out all Civilizations, starting with the most advanced, to the military strong, etc. They have just defeated Sabre, and are now coming for Arcadia, the last planet able to travel in space (barely). They are Scavengers, all of their technology comes from the pieces of junk other races have left behind, and now they are the last defense against this enemy.

Lullaby Moon (Fantasy-ish)
When you go to sleep you enter the dream world, a place where years can pass in mere minutes, but most don't understand it is a "real" place. Some people have the ability to control this world and step into other peoples dreams. These people guard us from the dangers of sleeping called Couldhavebeens/Nightmares (because if any one were to die in their dreams then they die in real life), these are creatures who work for an enemy who seeks to destroy the Lullaby moon (which is what keeps the dream world alive in a sense?).
Main character would be a "He is Our Best" good guy who is ordered try and recruit/train a new person who has recently been discovered at being really good at controlling dreams/jumping into others.

This one isn't a very hashed out plot, I haven't really ever attempted a fantasy like plot before that can still be semi realistic (in other words it would require a lot of help from other fantasy writers to get it up and going as a plot). The plus of this one is that anything goes because it's all based in people's dreams. I was thinking the main character could be a coma patient who appears differently to different people.

Stronger Than Red (post-apocalyptic)
After a nuclear war/EMP/something dramatic the world has returned to a mostly tribal state that rejects any form of technology. If some one declares themselves an "Inventor" they would be burned at the stake (like the Salem witch trials). It would follow the path of an undercover Inventor who is trying to recreate something simple like a watch.


These are my top three. they're pro and con's to each, which do you guys think? Or do you have a better one?

After a plot is decided upon I would like to present it to the nerdfighter community to start looking for web designers to help figure out technicalities and creative writers to iron out main details.



This project is definitely nothing like the path I picked for my life, but who says you can't walk two paths at once? ;)


 thanks for Listening to my Ramblings Again,
Avent-Garde


P.S. When John Green mentioned an electrician volunteering on archeological digs I legitimately yelled 'Mom, I think he's met dad', because that is my father, an electrician who volunteers constantly on Archeological digs. No joke.

Pick a Topic!

Hello everyone! It is currently Friday (barely) and I have to apologize again for posting out of order (sorry guys). 

Anyway, this week's topic is anything you want to write about! Which is way more difficult than I thought, because I'm not sure what to write about. 

I guess I'll start with this weekend when I went to the Austin Teen Book Festival last weekend. :) It was for a very brief time (like an hour) but I got Libba Bray's new book and I even got to meet her! She drew me a unicorn you guys.... it was awesome! 

I've always wanted to meet Libba Bray ever since I read her blog the summer before my senior year in high school, because she's so amazing. I'm pretty sure that a lot of her insights on life helped me think differently (in a good way) and also helped me decide things like what college I wanted to go to. If you want, you should definitely read her blog. :) 

Another thing that I feel like writing about right now is Doctor Who. I've heard that the new episodes are really good, but I'm still catching up on the Matt Smith episodes! I'm almost there though, and I'm so excited to watch the new ones. :) I heard that the newest one was extremely sad though, so I'm worried I might start crying or something when I watch it.... oh well! (Note: Another thing that was awesome about Libba Bray is that she was wearing a Doctor Who shirt and red sparkly converse to her book signing! That's so awesome!)

Oh gosh, this post is really sporadic. :P Sorry about that guys! I should probably go to sleep now, but I'll leave you with this video that I think is funny right now, probably because of sleep deprivation (I thought I would get more sleep in college! How wrong I was!). 

Hahaha!

Goodnight, Happy Friday, and DFTBA. :) 

Sarah

Free for all!

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Hey everyone! I happen to be in a fantastic mood despite being tired as hell :) This week we have decided on a free for all topic week. Each of us can post about whatever in the world we like :) I am excited let's get to it!

-reading email-

Ok little less of a good mood. That is frustrating.I was hoping to get some help distributing a survey that I am doing because of my psychology class and now I am back at square one.

You know when we picked this topic. I thought it would be easy but i have been sitting here for twenty minutes trying to type something that is not a hash out of my life and thus far.. not doing so well. 

(26 hours later)

PURGING!
That is what I want to talk about PURGING!

Yes I know that word has very negative connotation with it but I mean it the good way. I just got back from a run, and it purged all of the bad that I have stressed over for about the past month. Now everyone has a different way of healthy purging i.e. eating healthy, dancing, swimming, etc. I do not recommend the bad sort of purging (bulimia). But running has always been my thing. Even today, I just ran thirty minutes (no more than to miles) because I haven't run in like 3 forevers, but I still feel like 2571087548 times better.

I recommend every one getting rid of stress and negative thoughts by healthy purging. Go out and give it ago!

DFTBA!

Erin

De-Stressing Tips

Hello everyone! I hope you're having an amazing Wednesday so far, although (depending on what time I post this) you could have just started it or it's already come to an end. :) Either way, I hope today is/was awesome! 

Before I begin, I'd like to say hi to Nicky (hi Nicky!). We'll miss you! 

Whenever I get stressed out from school or too much stuff to do (like when I start neglecting things like cleaning or eating for practicing -- not that I'm doing that now or anything....), there are a few things I do: 

1. Bite my nails -- This is a terrible habit, and I'm trying to break it! A few days ago I bought some nail polish that's supposed to help you stop biting by making your nails taste HORRIBLE. It's like nail polish remover (x10)! It really works, but sometimes I forget and put my finger to my mouth. Anyway, when I get really stressed I usually bite my nails a lot, so I'm trying to stop. 
2. Knit -- I think I've said this a few times, but knitting really calms me down and allows me to focus on something else (and it makes pretty things, if done right!). I've been doing TONS of knitting since I started college, because I'm still getting used to everything new. :) It really helps! 
3. Make Tea -- I like to make tea every once in a while if I'm stressing about something the next day (like a test I need to study for or something). It's something I did a lot last year that really calmed me down and helped me focus.
4. Listen to Music -- Listening to music is something I do often, and I find that it usually helps me focus and calm down if I'm really stressed. :) For those of you who play musical instruments, I've also found that playing can really help de-stress, as long as your doing it for fun! 

Something like this!


One of the things I've learned this year that has really helped me is that every night I've been writing down everything I need to do the next day, and then fitting it in to a schedule. It may sound a little obsessive (it probably is), but writing it down helps me stop thinking about it when I'm trying to do other things (like sleep). Also, if I have it scheduled in I'm more likely to practice or study or eat at the right time instead of blowing it off for something else. :) That, in turn, makes me less stressed because I'm better at getting things done! 

I'm going to post this because I need to go to work in 15 minutes, but I've had a lot of fun reading your post Erin, and I can't wait to read everyone else's soon!

Sarah :) 

De-stress... To do or not to do.

Hey y'all!

So as Nicky posted he will be out for a little bit. We will all MISS him dearly!

However, this week our topic will be ways to de-stress. Not the best way to introduce this... but I will do better next time.

So going with the title I was thinking I would tell you ways to de-stress  and what I do (more times than not) to de-stress. Actually lets to the unhealthy things first.

When I am tired stressed and way way way overloaded and I need to unwind and relax (face it I don't know how to relax) I:

Eat MASSIVE quantities of sugar, chocolate, candy and other assortments of junk food.
Drink MASSIVE quantities of CAFFEINE.. I mean seriously you have no idea
When I have time:
I read (granted mind you I have little time to do so, so I often read instead of doing what I need to do, which is moot point)
I dance around my apartment
I bake (wish I had more time to bake)

and essentially I fall behind on cleaning laundry cooking and maintaining a normal life style (something I do not share to the out side world).

The things that ACTUALLY help!!!

Eating- a HEALTHY balance diet. It will give you energy that is good for you. It just takes time.
Sleeping... cures miracles
Yoga- which I used to do. I essentially quit because of time. I am trying to get it back in.
Being organized.

This has taken forever to write so I will end it now! Can't wait for the rest of y'alls posts!!

DFTBA

Family Advice, why you should all love Winter, and a bit of a surprise.

I'll address my lateness later, but first some advice. People suck. All of us. A lot of us make up for that suck by being awesome a lot of the time, but there's still that little bit that pops its head up every now and then that makes us suck. Unfortunately, family members have it too.

So how do we deal with it? My tip is relatively simple. Unless it's an extreme case, it's realising they're your family, and you love them.

Case in point. My brother, for all intents and purposes, is a complete asshole. I don't help matters a lot of the time, but it's not just me he's an asshole to; it's all of us. So why hasn't he been punched after refusing to co-operate on a simple task and slamming the door in a piss fit, or not contributing money to the family because he's saving it for food for himself? Because ultimately, we love him, and that's not going to change no matter what he does.

That doesn't mean there's no boundaries. By all means, if someone oversteps their mark, you stand up to them and say so. But ultimately, it's about realising that you still love them, despite their suckiness.

And now Winter. Why Winter? Well:

• Snow is awesome.
• Cold is a lot easier to deal with than warmth-for one thing, wearing more clothes isn't illegal; walking around in public naked is.
• This

Win.

And now the last bit. To cut a long story short, me and my family are going through some rough times at the minute financially and emotionally, and as silly as it seems being late for this narks on me. So I'm gonna be absent for a couple of weeks while I try and get my stuff together. But you guys are awesome bloggers anyways, so it won't make much of a difference content wise ;)

DFTBA, be back soon.

x

Fall!

Hey guys! Today I'm writing a ~*~*SUPER SATURDAY BLOG POST*~*~ which I totally planned and isn't because I forgot on Wednesday (I've had a busy week, sorry). :(

On to our topics!

Fall: I love fall, because the weather changes and it stops being so extremely hot (Texas weather sucks in August, usually). Fall, for me, was also the start of football season in high school (and college, I guess, but it's not the same.... in a good way!) and marching band season, so I would always be busy with that and it was a lot of fun. The leaves don't necessarily change colors that vibrantly where I am, but it's okay because the weather feels so awesome! :) Fall is also around the time that I can start wearing long sleeves and fun knitted things. This is great, because I like to knit!

This fall, I'm busy with other things, but I'm still enjoying the change of weather. :) 

Family: As for family, I've realized that the best way to handle most things (like Erin said) is communication. My parents have been divorced since I was really young, so it's just been my mom and me most of the time. Communicating is really important, I think, when there are only two people in a house and there's no one else to diffuse the tension when we get into an argument or something. This isn't exactly family-related, but I've also noticed that communication works amazingly in a relationship with a roommate too (something I've learned from college). 

Anyway, I'm pretty busy today so I thought I'd get this post off before I forget again! I had a lot of fun reading your posts this week guys! :) 

DFTBA!

Fall, Family, and Tolkien

I LOVE FALL! It is the perfect temperature outside, it involves hot chocolate and jumping in leaves! And is is the best season to prove that Colorado is the most beautiful place in the world!





 Family.....ugh family.

FIRST, THERE IS A STORY

So last Friday a friend and I from work went to a book signing in Denver for one of my favorite authors. (I HATE DRIVING IN DENVER)  After we got our books signed, took pictures with a disposable camera that apparently no one uses any more, and accidentally insult him, we proceeded to Ihop for coffee with two other friends that we met up with at the signing.
from Ihop we were suppose to follow them onto I-25 to get home. Well, we ended up on E-470, instead and didn't realize it until we were WAY past the airport. (which is an accomplishment in itself because if your familiar with DIA, you know its in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE). I don't have a GPS, and by this point no phone service either. Eventually we come to an abandoned intersection, and my friend gets a few bars.
I proceed to call my mother (it's about one o'clock at this point). It takes TEN TIMES for some one to pick up and when they do I'm greeted by my sister in law. We hate each other, and that would take a while to explain why so just accept this as a fact for now. And it is important to note, that for no apparent reason she had been staying at my house for three days already (and will continue to stay for a week). The conversation went something like this:

"Hello?"
"WHY DID IT TAKE YOU SO LONG TO ANSWER THE DAMN PHONE!" (I get really stressed when I'm lost, so sue me)
"I didn't recognize the number."
"OF COURSE YOU DIDN'T IT ISN'T YOUR PHONE! Look, I am lost in the middle of nowhere, I need you to get on google and tell me where this intersection is."
"But every one's asleep."
"NO ONE IS GOING TO BE STARTLED AWAKE BY THE CLICKING OF YOUR KEYS ON THE COMPUTER!"
".....well.....I just don't want to disturb any one."
(long threatening pause) "Put my mother on the phone."
"Oh, but she's sleeping I don't think I should wake her up for this."
"PUT MY MOTHER ON THE PHONE."
"But she's-"
"THIS IS NOT A REQUEST! PUT HER ON THE PHONE!"
"I know your stressed but-"
"THIS IS NOT A HEART TO HEART CONVERSATION! PUT MY MOTHER ON THE PHONE OR I SWEAR WHEN I DO GET HOME, IF YOU ARE STILL THERE, I WILL TOSS YOU OUT THE FRONT DOOR MYSELF!"

Needless to say she went to go get my mother. Who took fifteen minutes just to figure out how to use google maps. Eventually I did get home.

My siser in law, has always tried to get me in trouble.
For example: I'm sitting in the front room while she is watching T.V., but I am reading my book instead. She starts to cry and tells my mother I am ignoring her. mother yells at me (ARGH!).
Example 2: I am doing my homework in my room because if I do it in the living room while she is there I will get in trouble for ignoring her. My mother comes into my room and yells at me for ignoring her (ARGH!).
Example 3: For some reason my mother took her shopping with us, argh, and she is manipulating her into buying her and my big brother all sorts of things. My mother's response: I know, but their family.

That is my mother's excuse for anything my siblings or their partners do!

Mom, sis promised she'd go see this movie with me but ditched at the last minute to see her friends. Mother: Well, you shouldn't be angry at her, she's family.

Big Bro just took little Bro's car because his is in the shop. Big Bro total's little bro's car.
Mother: He doesn't have to pay for it, it was an accident, he's family.

Annoying brother in law just ran the car over the weedwacker.
Mother: Don't yell at him, he's family.

While I love my mother, I disagree. Their is a fine line separating what you can get away with as family,  and when the family needs to beat the crud out of you. Recking your siblings car and not even offering to pay = crud beaten out of you. borrowing a book and accidentally dropping it in the sink, ruining it = you're family.

"Will you bail me out of jail?"
"No."
"But we're family."
"Yeah, but you were the idiot who went streaking downtown. There's a lesson to be learned here and I'm not going to interrupt it."


I obey this line to a fault and will tell family when they are taking advantage of each other. "But we're family," is not a liable excuse for a lot of situations. Of course this makes me very unpopular but I am sick and tired of people constantly taking advantage of each other because they are family! IT IS WRONG. What kind of moral upbringing did you have anyway? Oh, that's right, the same as me. yet we are still completely different people in these regards aren't we?

Family Advise: SET BOUNDRIES, even if it makes you unpopular.


That felt good to rant about. The only people I really don't get along with in my family are the in-laws, and for good reasons. My siblings and I get along very well.

On a Much Lighter Note

This week was the 75th anniversary of THE HOBBIT!

If you hadn't noticed yet, I am a huge Tolkien fan. Love him to bits. An incredible author. not a lot of people these days appreciate Tolkien for the brilliant man that he was, I mean, he created languages! CREATED LANGUAGES! If you think about how long it takes a language to evolve from it's root language to become a second entity (which is hundreds of years, hundreds) then you can appreciate how incredible making a language, let alone multiple, in one lifetime is; it would take a brilliant, educated, gifted man to do such a thing.

This weekend, be sure to take sometime to honor Tolkien in some way. You can post your favorite quote on facebook/twitter, make a video blog depicting a favorite scene! Recite your favorite poem of Bilb's (DB if it's done in another language ;) ). Or for those literature fanatics, write an Essay on how Tolkien's writings were impacted by WWII. Who wouldn't want to read about that!?!?! Book Lovers: I would highly suggest reading: The letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, it will give you a whole new insight and respect for the man.

Or for those who never read the books but appreciate the movies: all day marathon, extended editions.

Below is an independent movie that is a prequel to the Lord of the Rings, which I think is done very well. It's called Born of Hope and is you haven't seen it yet, watch it now.

 Long Live Tolkien and Have a Great Weekend!
Avent-Garde

Autumn and family advice

I agree with Erin, Autumn isn't my favorite season either. But I actually like most things about it. It tends to rain here a lot in the fall, and I really like rain. I also love autumn for all its colors, and how fresh and crisp the air feels when it starts to get colder. :) The colder weather is also a perfect excuse to cuddle up and home with some blankets and a cup of hot chocolate. :) Autumn hasn't gotten very far here yet, but I can't wait until the leaves start to change colors! It's so beautiful! Here's a picture I took last year here in Stockholm:

My family is a bit complicated too. Mom and dad got divorced a few years ago, and since then my mom has remarried and my dad has moved in with his girlfriend. That means that all of a sudden my sister and I had step-parents and five new step-siblings to deal with. All of this happened really really quickly after the divorce. I don't know if it'd have been better or worse if we'd been younger when it happened, all I know is that it was really hard when you're in your late teens to suddenly start to view a bunch of people you hardly know as your family. But now a few years later we all get along fine (at least most of the time), and sometimes having stepsiblings has actually been really nice, which is something I never imagined right after the divorce :) So I guess my family advice is that, if your family is facing a major change (like a divorce) and it feels like things will never be okay again, they really will be :) I know how incredibly scary it is when you realize things will never be the same again, but if I could go back in time and give myself some advice, it'd be to give whatever change you're facing a chance to be a good thing. :) At the time of my parents' divorce I just panicked and thought I'd never feel like I had a family again. But that's not what happened at all, and I really wish I'd known that back then.

I hope you all have an amazing weekend :)

Two in One

Whhhhhhhhaaaa? Two in one? Crazy right?? No! Crazy is my current sate of mind. I won't get into it, but a hug would be helpful. Ok so two in one. I will give you the important songs in my life (that I can think of right now, sorry no hyper links or videos. I just finished homework and I still need to eat dinner and I would like to be asleep in the next hour). And then the correct topic for this week is Fall and Family advise. Nicky I hope I am not stepping on your toes by posting this topic first. Trust me I understand being busy and you post when you get a chance!!!

Ok so let's get the ball rolling:

Songs that mark mile stones in my life-

Tequila-not sure by who. Me and my mom would jam to this all the time in the car when I was little
Really any Elvis Presley Song (also jam tunes for me and my mother)
Savior- Rise Against. Umm it is kind of my ex's (after break up song) we had a really bad break up and the song is very fitting
Fifteen- Taylor Swift. This is my bestie back home (we will get to her in the second part) but we agreed a couple of years ago that was our song
Face Down- Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. A song for my ex I don't really enjoy speaking of... 
Nerdfighterlike- Hank Green. It is not my current boyfriend and I's song (sorry that grammar is terrible I am sure) but we are in nerd love and let me just take a moment and go HOLY CREAM PUFF something like this really happened to me! I mean really!
Champagne- Cavo. I don't know why but I really love this song and I have for years and it has never gone away.
All at Once- Pete Yorn. This is currently my go to "cry song" thanks to my boyfriend (who introduced me to it). It is actually quite a tragic musical piece, but a fantastic song.
ANY LION KING SONG (I have the entire movie memorizing ans SING EVERYTHING< and I have no singing ability)
June- Pete Yorn. Also... I have no idea what in the world draws me to this song but it is one that I listen to over and over.

Well that was more than I thought I could come up with so .. :) Holly I hope you like my list. (I am sure when i wake up in a few hours i will go "SHOOOOOOT I should have put _____ song on the list")

NEXT! The Fall and Family advice.

Fall,  or Autumn is not my favorite season. That, would belong so Spring. However, I love to watch the leaves change and I do admit I like it when the weather cools off (though I thrive in HOT weather). When I was younger I loved the fall (not as much a spring) because I got to go back to school, and I still love to learn. I absolutely LOVE back to school shopping. I get this high from buying school supplies (weird yes... sorry but I already know I am weird). However now, I work 40 + hours a week and go to school for 23.5 credit hours. It is a lot and very very little sleep. But, I still love to learn and push though (with a large amount of caffeine).

Family advise. I have a very "interesting" and complicated family. My sister had a kid out of wedlock, and is jealous of me for not having a kid (she is older than I am) , going of to school, and getting to have a life I wanted. However (and you might thing I am crazy as she did) she doesn't understand, for the same reason you will not either (though Savior might shed some light for you) why I am jealous of her for having a baby. Something that can love you unconditionally versus having to fight every step of the way against everything, to be loved in working relation ship. Ok I feel like I got a little of track, sorry. My family advise is COMMUNICATION (and that is spoken with a girl jumping around waving her arms). My relationship has gotten better with my sister because she and I talk, and share how we feel. Trust me it is far better than it used to be. We used to fight constantly.
Now for a little friend advise(as a bonus- but she is so close she is like a sister to me) and a heads up to best friends out there. Yes you might have moved away and grown apart some, but when your best friend like a sister comes to you with BIG BIG news about her new relationship and needs true blue support Do Not, and I repeat DO NOT SHOVE HER AT AN OLD HIGH SCHOOL FLAME! I am sorry You DON'T DO THAT! (breathe... sorry I am better). See I need to talk to her and I know I do but it has been a month since this occurrence and I still want to throttle her. Communication is still key, if this happens USE YOUR WORDS (after you have the ability to not yell scream cry or throttle the person).

So I blogged very very early Tuesday morning because other wise it would not have happened. I cannot wait to read every one's posts! Have a great week!

Erin

I'm only Off Topic by this Much....

 Soundtrack of my life, hmm, I admit, in the end I didn't think I'd end up with these songs. None of them are my top favorites, but they are all songs I will listen to until I'm old and grey.

The First one is by Sawyer Brown and is called The Walk. It's all about change, and how sometimes you have to do things you don't want too. Every one has these moments, and we've all tried to delay the inevitable change, but it has to happen.

                                    

This one I absolutely love because it's about bringing the different people in America together through common hardship. I love how it combines the Country and Inner city, and suddenly you realize the two aren't as different as people like to think. (It's a common fault of humanity, thinking too much.) sure it's not about my life personally, but it's about everyone's life in a way. (Am I getting too out of the box for you? Just tell me and I'll return to my circle.)

Love this song by Needtobreathe. I interpret it as being about stepping out of your safety zone and daring to live. I have a hard problem stepping out of my safety zone, I like it their, it has padded walls. But in order to live you have to fling yourself out on a whimp sometimes and hope you don't land on concrete.

                                        

This is a song I love so very much by Casting crowns, it's called Jesus Friend of Sinners. It is so blatantly true about today's Christians, no sugar coating here. we like our loud opinions (opinions are fine, but too LOUD and they just becoming deafening blobs of sound), and we like to blame other people.

WARNING

You are about to enter a religiously opinionated paragraph (s).

Please no torches allowed past this point, and above all WEAR

YOUR FLAME RETARDANT SUITES!

The worst cliques, and gossip I have ever encountered was inside a church *GASP* (it's okay, I can admit this, I am a Christian) *whispers by a church official* But your not supposed to, we're supposed to be perfect! 

RULE NUMBER THREE: Everybody has flaws, and that's okay. 

the church does get too caught up in appearance and "standing up for god's truth" that they begin to care more about how they would look if a gay couple walked into their church than giving them a friendly welcome.  

RULE NUMBER FOUR: I said once in a past post about how first impressions are extremely important. Well it's even more so for churches.

 If no one makes an attempt to great me, or notices that I'm new when I walk in the door for the first time, it's not going to work out. Um, but that's what the visitor center is for, isn't it? Are you kidding me? Can you imagine how unnerving it would be for a Non-Believer to walk in the door and have to go to A FLIPPIN DESK IN THE FOYER TO EVEN BE NOTICED!!!!

Un- Believer: *shuffles up to desk after standing alone for an awkward half hour* Hey, uh, how are you doing to day?

Desk Lady With Fake Cheerful Smile: I'm doing well, how may I help you?

Un-B: Well uh, I'm new here and-

Desk Lady: Oh! (hands over Info card) Just fill this out and we'll have the pastor come visit you sometime this week! And I almost forgot! All our guests get a free Jesus Mug! (hands over mug with some sort of cross and church address on it)

Un-B: Uh, thanks......... (walks away and throws card in the trash but keeps mug because, well, it's a REALLY nice mug) 

Jesus Mug

 Christian slang for the mugs given as gifts to church visitors.

I know what your thinking, I'm getting really off topic, but I'm about to get to the point, just hang on a bit longer.

Some of the most aweful things have happened to me in a church or by the hands of other christians, I love how this song just lays it out as it is. It's almost like Jesus standing right in front of us saying, "Did you forget that ya'll are SINNERS to? Your focus' have become misdirected. FIX IT. Don't make me snap my fingers in a cross formation."

 

ONE LAST SIDE NOTE BEFORE MOVING ON

If you ever listen to "christian music" you'll notice most of it is cheery.

On days when I'm extra pissed off I just want to through a brick at the stereo

and yell "WHY CAN'T YOU JUST BE ANGRY FOR ONCE!!?!?!?!!!!!!!

EVEN JESUS WAS ANGRY!!!! BE LIKE JESUS!!!!!!!

Pfhh, that was a rant that's been in my head for a long time. It feels good to release it on complete strangers.


Okay, so this last one is not a song, but several clips that have impacted EVERY American. It's a tribute to 9/11. Already I think people are becoming....Immune? ...... to the clips and yearly tributes. I woke up on Tuesday not even knowing it was 9/11, and I didn't do anything in "remembrance" and I kinda felt like a crappy person. It was one of the most terrifying days of my life and I wasn't even in New York at the time!

I'm beginning to see what it must have felt for those who lived through Pearl Harbor, having to slowly watch as each new year, each new generation, the pain and the grief was slowly forgotten, until it was just another day. One day people will forget the terror of 9/11, they won't feel like crying when the planes hit the tower and they probably won't ever broadcast a Memorial Service. It's a sad thing to come to terms with, but one day it will just be, another day. another bonus point history question.

for now though, I like to keep the memory close at hand, because even amid so much tragedy, America had come together like never before, and maybe never will again. Freedom will always have an enemy, but if we stand together, they will quiver with fear.

Long live America. 

Long Live Freedom.
And a prayer for the victims and their family's.

 

sorry for the really long and mostly off topic post today guys. I loved everybody's so far and Erin you have to get yours up soon so I can listen to it too! :)

Have a Great Weekend guys,

Avent-Garde

The Life of Nicky Johnson So Far OST

Disc 1-Memorable tunes

Birth-Sealed With A Kiss by Jason Donovan (UK number 1 at the time)

Infancy-Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

Infancy-We Will Rock You by Queen

Infancy-Bad by Michael Jackson

Infant School-1 2 3 4 5 by Sesame Street

Infant School-Kiss From A Rose by Seal

Junior School-Stop Right Now by Spice Girls (I'm so, so, sorry)

Junior School-Never Had A Dream Come True by S Club 7 (So not sorry)

Secondary School-Can't Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Secondary School-I Believe I can Fly by pre-paedophilic R Kelly

Secondary School-Chop Suey by System of a Down

Secondary School-Every Blink 182 song

Pre-depression-Lead Sails (and a Paper Anchor) by Atreyu

Pre-depression-The Past Recedes by John Frusciante

Now-Walk by Foo Fighters

Now-Sir Psycho Sexy by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Now-Good Morning Sunshine by Alex Day

Disc 2-Defining tunes

COMING SOON!

So Many Options!

Hello everyone and Happy Wednesday! I will be starting the blog out this week because Nicky and Erin are busy, but don't worry they will have posts up soon! 

I hope I can do this week justice!

Our topic this week is the topic that I gave to Philippa -- make a soundtrack to your life! I have to say that I'm really excited, because I sort of gave her the question that I would have wanted. :) 

The only problem I found with this question was that I had so many songs to choose from! Also, there are songs I really like, but I'm not sure if they would describe my life, so it took me awhile to decide.

Another thing is that I couldn't just choose one. So here are the songs that I would want to be the soundtrack to my life: 

• "Postcards From Italy" by Beirut -- I just think this song is so beautiful, and it would be an awesome soundtrack to my life. :) Also, the trumpet and accordion in this song are amazing. Basically anything by Beirut I would be fine with, but this is my favorite!  

• "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros -- I'm not sure if this really applies to my life in any way, but I listen to this song all the time, so it's going on here. :) 

• "Sympathique" by Pink Martini -- Okay, so I heard this song when I was in France and super loved it! I would love this to be part of the soundtrack of my life. :) And I think the video for the song is really cute! 

Anyway those were my songs for the week! I can't wait to see what everyone else has picked! 

DFTBA

Sarah

Hidden in Plain Sight

if you could have one superpower, what would it be and why? How would you use it? :)



Best. Question. EVER!

I've given this some thought in the past and my top powers have always been force field, perception manipulation, time travel, or the ability to see an objects history by touching it.

After deep thought I have eliminated Time Travel, because it's just too complicated and no one ever believes what you tell them about the future anyway. I'll leave it to the Time Lords. Also, not the ability to see an objects history, while cool, it won't bounce bullets off of you in an epic gang war. Nor do I want to know it a lego had previously been up a childs nose or if the cook spit into my food.

Force field would be awesome! Except when you run out of energy, and the bullets finally get through, or you can't contain a bomb.

Final answer would be PERCEPTION MANIPULATION. It's like shapeshifting only you don't have to go through all the pain of stretching your bones and such, so you change everybody else's perception of, well, anything. You could even make the enemy percieve that you have a power like a Force Field and they wouldn't even know.

How would I use this power? Against my Ultimate Enemy of course (every superhero needs a super villian), in this day and age it would be the government (or Sylar, whenever I see a Supervillian now I'm just like, Meh, he's blood hungry, but he's no Sylar). They wouldn't even know I existed. First rule of being a Superhero: Don't let anyone know your a superhero. I would probably find them experimenting on Superman or Wonderwoman, or trying to duplicate Tony Starks brain. Then I would use it to free them all by making people percieve I was a government worker who let them all out. Then the government and the Superhero's will be trying to find some one who doesn't even exist!

Then if the enemy did ever find me, I could just shift the perception and hide somewhere else. I could also hide other people with me, just in case the Secret Lair is found.

 

 

Great questions and awesome answers this week everybody!
May the Force Be With You,
Avent-Garde

Soundtrack of my life

Hey guys!

I'm so sorry this post is so late! Thanks so much for giving me such an awesome topic, Sarah :) I spent all of yesterday thinking about what song to pick, but I just couldn't make up my mind. Eventually I curled up in bed last night with my laptop to write my blog post there, but I was so tired and must have fallen asleep because I just woke up on top of my laptop. Haha ow, my back hurts so much. Anyway, now I'm hurrying to get this posted so Holly can have her topic as soon as possible. I'm really sorry, Holly!

If I had to pick one song to be the theme song of my life right now, I'd pick... Hmmm.... Maybe "Cassette Tape" by Katie Costello. :) It was really hard to pick a song, but this is one I really like and feel like I can relate to. If you haven't heard it, it's right here:

Another song that feels like the soundtrack of my life just at the moment is "Don't worry, be happy", haha :) The last couple of weeks have been a bit tough for me, and listening to that song actually makes me feel better. So, if you're feeling a little bit down, I suggest listening to this:

I actually really really liked this topic, and I'm really curious about which songs you guys would have picked, so I have a topic suggestion for another week! Maybe we could all make a playlist of songs, either describing our day as Sarah suggested, or describing different phases of our lives so far? I think that'd be really interesting :)

Holly, your topic is going to be: if you could have one superpower, what would it be and why? How would you use it? :)

- Philippa

Food Choices!

It's Wednesday everyone! And this week I'm writing about what food I'd be and why. :) 

Before I start I just want to say that all of the posts this week have been really fun to read, and you guys are really creative! 

As for the type of food I'd want to be, I have two answers:

The first one is chai tea. I'm not sure if this can be considered a food (since it's tea), but I love it so much. Chai tea is very spicy/flavorful/yummy and also has a small about of caffeine, which is awesome. It's also very versatile, because you can drink it hot or cold, so it's perfect for anytime! In my opinion, though, the best time to drink it would be around Christmas, just because it tastes like it would be rather Christmas-y (for those of you reading this that don't celebrate Christmas, I think it also works well as a very wintery drink :) This is perfect for me, because I love winter. 

The second thing that I would like to be that actually counts as a food would have to be ice cream, because it comes in a variety of flavors. My favorite is mint chocolate chip, which is the flavor I would classify myself as, I think. :) It's a different flavor, but very delicious! 

And now for Philippa's topic (drumroll please):

If you could pick any song (any song at all!) that you would describe as the soundtrack to you life, what would it be and why? Feel free to use multiple songs if one isn't enough. :) *BONUS POINTS* if you make a playlist describing your day. ;) 

Anyway, I hope that made sense! And now I'm going to post this less than twenty minutes before it's midnight here. Goodnight everyone, I hope you have an awesome day tomorrow! 

DFTBA!

Very Short

I am sorry this is late but there is the DNC in Charlotte this week and I am working 12 hours plus a day so I haven't really had time but Sarah needs her topic. But for my point, I am about to take a shower and go back into work.

Nicky, I would donate the money to help everyone in the broad scheme, because I would like to help the most people I could. I feel like that would help more than the ten people I would die for. It doesn't really have to do with me dying but I would just rather help the most amount of people.

Sarah- Your topic (which I am sorry is late) is if you were a food, what would you be and why? People think of color and flavor in your decision :)

Peace!

Erin

Epic team of Win

So as Avent said last week, we're picking topics for the blogger after us. Mine is:

 You are sitting at a table that exists outside of time and space; it only contains three seats (not including yours). an evil army is coming to kill you . You must pick three people that are dead or living (one of which can be fictional) to advise you on what to do. Who would those three people be? BONUS POINTS: If you tell us what they would advise.

Oh boy.

Andrew "Ender" Wiggin

Orson Scott Card may be a bigoted, racist, homophobic douchebag, but Christ he created one hell of a character with Ender.

To sum him up, by the age of 11 Ender had unwittingly committed Xenocide. Because that's what child prodigies do. He's also intelligent enough to readily absorb knowledge, greatest tactician in fictional history IMO, and is malleable for your own gain.

Can you see why he was immediately my number one choice?

What would he advise: Remember, the enemies gate is down.

Bruce Lee

Ok, so any army needs a coach, philosopher, and all round bad ass. So why not Bruce Lee?

Also, I'm a little out of shape. I could do with him as a personal trainer.

What would he advise:Do not be tense, just be ready, not thinking but not dreaming, not being set but being flexible. It is being "wholly" and quietly alive, aware and alert, ready for whatever may come.

Will Smith

This took some thought. Was it his high IQ? His incredible physique? Rapping skills?

No.

It's because in epically bad situation, he'll say 'Aww Hell No!' and if I'm going down, I want to be going down with a smile on my face.

What would he advise:Wear black hi-top Converse. At all times.

So that's my answer. I can has cookie now?

Also, Discussion point-has anyone else noticed the parallel between the sign of the Deathly Hallows in Harry Potter and the Nazi's use of the Swatika?

Ok, so Erin:
You have the choice between donating $1 trillion directly to the prevention and cure of AIDs and Cancer each, or sacrificing yourself to rid a tenth of all people with either AIDs or cancer completely. Which do you choose?

Have fun :D

Nicky x

Robin Williams and The Green Hornet!

As I previously stated in my last post, one of my favorite movies of all time is The Dead Poets Society, and it is the only movie that has ever made me cry. Ever. I didn't cry during Bambi, I didn't cry when Boromir died, but I cried at this movie.

Many people believe my favorite movie is the Lord of the Rings, because of my love for Tolkien, (mini rant: Nor are they my favorite books of his, I like The Book of Lost Tales 2 so much better) but in truth my favorite movie is...... the Green Hornet. This, is my sense of humor in a movie. Now, I understand how fans of the radio show were upset about it, but it was so hilarious to me I almost stopped breathing.

I hate Star Wars. I love science fiction and space travel but sitting in front of those movies makes me want to rip my hair out!

Finally, I LOVED the latest Superman movie Superman Returns. Long live the Man of Steel. (Though I'm extremely worried about how the new movie next year, Man of Steel, plays out. I hope it isn't anything as dark as the new Batman Trilogy, but the preview makes it seem that way :(.)

I don't know about you guys, but I don't like when my Comic Book movies reflect real life too closely. I like superhero's because they are a break from real life. which is why I do not, in any form, like the new Batman Trilogy.

OFF TOPIC (Sort of)

NEXT WEEK our topics will be picked by the blogger who comes before us, which means I get to pick for Nicky! YAY! And his topic will be *drum roll* 

 You are sitting at a table that exists outside of time and space; it only contains three seats (not including yours). an evil army is coming to kill you . You must pick three people that are dead or living (one of which can be fictional) to advise you on what to do. Who would those three people be? BONUS POINTS: If you tell us what they would advise.

I know this sounds kind of like a school essay, but I am really am interested in who these people will be, because Nicky is an intriguing person. no pressure.

I loved everybody's posts this week and look forward to using it as future black mail. I am so excited to see what the topics for next week will be and even more excited to read the posts!

DFTBA and TING,
Avent-Garde

Movie Confessions

Hey everyone! This is being posted late, which I'm really sorry about. I was really busy yesterday and it just slipped my mind. :(

Anyway, this weeks theme is about movies....

For the most part I really like going to the movies, and watching them with friends. That being said, I have some confessions:

1. I'm not sure if this counts since I think Brave was a really great movie, but I cried twice when I saw it in theaters. This is strange, because I don't usually get that emotional about movies, and you would think that I had prepared myself emotionally for it the second time.... but no. I still cried. :P (Note: I feel like I should mention that I cried in Toy Story 3, like Erin, as well. I'm not sure what it is about Disney movies, but apparently I can't watch them without tearing up.)
2. Like Nicky, I've never seen the Die Hard movies. I have also never seen the Godfather (am I doing this italicizing right?) and many movies that I heard were really good. 
3. I'm not a big fan of chick flicks, but if it has someone like David Tennant in it (there's a movie I found on netflix) I will watch it and probably enjoy it. 
4. I watch horror movies a lot, despite the fact that I'm easily scared by everything. 
5. Also, sometimes I will not enjoy a movie but still like the soundtrack. I also really like listening to movie scores. :)

Sorry again for the late post! I hope you guys had an awesome Wednesday. Great posts so far guys! I'm really excited to read everyone else's. :)

Shame- be glad you don't know me in person

Howdy everyone!

It is 11 minutes into Tuesday so I figure this is well in my realm of posting... plus it will take a little bit to put this together, so... MOVING FORWARD!

Lets start with I am not an avid movie go-er. I really love to go to the movies but I usually tend to read a book more than go to the movie theaters.

Next I love romance movies, usually known as chick flicks, but I love em to pieces. Also I love to watch Disney (Pixar/ animated) movies. My favorite movie just so happens to be the Lion King  :) However I do enjoy science fiction movies and actions movies as well. I don't watch horror or thriller movies unless I have a companion which gets nicknamed "the pin cushion" because I cling and claw them.

But the last movie confession I will say today is (the reason I named this post the way I did) I cry ... during most movies... if any one in the movie is crying - I cry. If there is a moment that resonates strongly with me- I cry [Toy Story 3- after he packed up his room I had a deja vu moment and tears were flowing]. If the movie scares the hell out of my- Well I tend to want to vomit [The Day the earth stood still].

You see I am a very emotional person and I am a crier... so it kind of makes since that I cry during movies which is why I am very conscious of the movies I go see people with and what type of movie it is.

I have one friend back home i wont go see movies with because he makes fun of me.. ALL the time for crying...

Any way Ta ta for now and DFTBA!

Erin

Please don't shoot me...

This week it's all about embarrassing movie confessions, and this week I'm keeping it short and sweet from the safety of my flame shield. Excuse me.

There we go, safe and sound.

So, let's begin.

I've never seen Die Hard. Any of them. It's not like I don't want to see it, it's just I've never actively sought it out. I'm sure it's great. I'm sure Bruce Willis is like he is in every other film where he wears a vest.

Also...I actually liked the last Matrix film. Even the really obviously CGI fight between Smith and Neo. All of it.

And finally I didn't cry at Bambi. Ever. In fact, I barely remember it.

And now I hide in safety.

DFTBA!

X

It Was the First Day.....

So I had hoped to start this post with a picture of my first day of kindergarten but I couldn't find it. In my desperate search I asked my mother about it and she replied with "Oh, I have them somewhere around here,"......no way, and here I thought they were in the storage facility on Mars. Moms, gotta love 'em.
BUT, let not your hearts be troubled because I did find this picture of me in the Fifth Grade!

I forgot to tell my mother it was picture day.......






Flash Back


It was the first day of Kindergarten, I loved it, until my father forgot to pick me up afterwards.

It was the first day of Middle School, I had one class with my best friend. SCORE!

It was the first day of High School. I shared a Locker with my best friend, and my older sister (senior) super glued it shut. Cute boy with dreadlocks.

It was the first day of College. Thank Heavens.

It was the first day of my Screenwriting degree........wow, college is fun.

It was the first day of my Business degree..... what do you mean it involves math!?!?!?!!!!!!

It was the first day of my Linguistics degree. وأخيرا، أنا أفهم شيئا. 




I always love the first day of school because you meet all sorts of people who end up becoming your life long friends. Like my Bestie Hannah, we met on the first day of Speech Class, she was reading Percy Jackson and I had just finished City of Bones. It was a perfect match.

I don't start college again until Monday, but I'm super excited!!! I love getting to class early on the first day just to meet people, and then seeing my favorite teachers. (Secretly I also love the hour long drive to school and singing to my favorite songs on the radio :) )

 Afterwards, I reward myself with a coffee. (Okay, so I reward myself with a coffee everyday, but this is a special back to school coffee.)

Then the first week of school passes and ........you come to realize how difficult it's going to be juggling a full time job with three Advanced Language Classes, plus History. That's when you buy a big jar of Green Olives and cry while watching The Dead Poets Society.

 

I hope you all have a great weekend! It was fun reading all your posts this week!
DFTBA,
Avent-Garde

First day of high school and forgotten letters

I haven't had my first day of uni/college yet, so I'm going to talk about my first day of high school. I'd been told so many conflicting stories about it. Some people seemed to think it was a complete nightmare, while others seemed to be having the time of their life. (With hindsight I'd say it was neither) 

Our first day started with the principal holding a speech in the assembly hall. I wasn't really paying attention, I was too busy nervously scanning the room in search of familiar faces, but I couldn't find anyone, and since I'm really shy I found that extremely daunting.  The only person who really caught my attention was a girl with this huge 80s hair-do that looked like a lion mane, which was even more daunting. One of the teachers then had us write letters to ourselves, which she actually saved and handed back to us on the day of our graduation. We had so much fun reading those letters, because by that time we'd forgotten all about ever writing them, and everything in our lives had changed so much. The girl next to me at that first assembly and the 80s lion mane girl were now two of my best friends. It was almost like reading a letter from a different person, even though it was just a younger version of myself. Have any of you ever done anything similar? I'd really love to do something like that again some day, it was so cool :) 

Sorry if this post was a bit all over the place, I'm really tired. I hope you all have a really nice weekend! 

- Philippa

First Days of School

Hello everyone! I'm posting earlier than I usually do, so I hope you guys have a great Wednesday! :) 

My first day of high school was okay. I had already been at the school for band camp and gotten my schedule, so I already knew a little of what to expect. What I didn't expect is how far I would have to walk to each class (looking back, it wasn't that far....), and being as directionally challenged as I am, I got lost a lot. 

Despite that, it was an alright day. :P Nothing major happened, and that's probably why I don't remember it very well, which is weird. 

My first day of college was two days ago, and I really liked it! Mostly because I'm a music major and I only had three music classes, so that was really cool.

Like high school, I was here early for band camp so I had time to get used to my surroundings, which was nice. I wasn't as nervous on my first day. :) And my classes are spaced far enough apart at times that I can sleep in between them! (I probably sound like a stilly freshman right now.... oh well)

The freedom is also something I'm still getting used to, and managing my time. It's both strange and fun! 

Another thing I've noticed is how nice the people are here. As opposed to high school where freshmen were treated kind of bad (at least, at my school) all of the upperclassmen are nice and really friendly. 

Sorry this was such a short post. Nicky and Erin, I enjoyed reading your stories. :) I can't wait to read everyone else's later on this week!