"I like Democracy...when it's on my side"- one of my 9 year old students. Sorry, he was jaded prior to entering my classroom. However we are working on the sarcasm!

I feel like such a lazy bum, and not in a good way. It's 3am, and I need to be up in oh...3 hours. Yeah...tomorrow's...today's...gonna be fuuuun. Good thing I'm a somewhat smart cookie and planned fun events that require me to do little but supervise.

Ok, random question time. Why is it that no one believes I'm perfectly content to be single? Part of me wants to respond back with a "have you seen the unwashed miscreants that live around here?", but that would honestly apply to my hickville hometown. Here....eh prospects are few and far between. Honestly, I don't want a guy, not really. Being "one of the guys" is so much more relaxing. I get to banter freely without worry of anyone developing a crush on me or vise versa.

Oh! So how proud of me are you that I got a library card? I haven't had one since high school, well not counting my student ID in college. So technically haven't had a library card for 4 years. In an act of desperation I went to the local, and apparently newest and brightest library, got my card and checked out a dvd on volcanoes. Which my lazy butt should have done last week. Eh...in the end I have one and I've watched it twice. I really think that will be my new place to grade/plan. Barnes N' Noble is nice and all for the people watching, but this feeling of something happy-ish came over me in the library. I think it was the amount of books, which are in a sense free, that were around me.

My brain is shot, need sleep. I leave you with another quote by another boy from my class...ah how innocent they are, but what whoppers they say without realization.

"Yeah, I slept with a 16 year old girl before. I didn't really know her."....and this is a child I teach. *snort* (story at a later date when I'm more coherent and forget how to use impressive vocab. :-p )

Start..stop...start...stop...

This year really hasn't felt like it's taken off yet. I suppose due to the random holidays/days off and now the conference this weekend. We leave tomorrow and I'm actually looking forward to it. Shh! Don't tell! :-p

3 hours of planning...eep. My kitty sat on my art table staring at me as I typed away. She kept chirping at me looking all sorts of curious with her big eyes. I looked at a recent picture of us and our eyes were almost the same shade of hazel. It was interesting.

Now I'm packing and both girls are going crazy. They do this whenever someone bring out a suitcase or does laundry or cleans...or pretty much does anything that doesn't involve sitting. Silly kitties.

Seriously considering bringing my gerbils to work for classroom pets. I'm not so sure though...they do have a rather large cage. It's a question of where to put them where they won't be the immediate focal point....probably not going to happen. Although I might bring them in for a visit or two.

I'm rewatching my favorite serious for the millionth time. Firefly is one of those things I turn on for background noise, but laugh at all the funny parts just like the first time.

*sigh* Enough procrastination...must pack.

Fun awaits at the end of tomorrow's work day. :D

Hey hey it's only life....

Sat down and created a financial plan to help me be mostly debt free by April 2010. Why is it satisfying to see how soon I'll be able to actually start putting money into a saving's account? I'm actually not that much in debt, in comparison to most people my age. I have a car loan(not after this month baby!), student loans and some taxes to pay off(one of those expensive learning situations). Honestly, not that bad. Plus, my credit is good and I don't own any "real" credit cards. (Don't plan on owning any either.)

I have a debit card that acts like a credit card, but I do my best not to use it. I make sure I pay things on time and pay more then the minimum. So pardon me whilst I act somewhat like a dork and rejoice in my having a plan all worked out.

Now, I get to work on being more organized with filing paperwork. Most of the time I just jot down the date my bill was paid, stick it back in the envelope then pile it on my desk or in one of my drawers. Which reminds me, must purchase a paper shredder sometime soon. I haven't felt like a true responsible adult (despite what I'm told) in a long time. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel really is making me feel deliriously happy.

Which brings about another decision...conclusion...or something regarding my status as a single mid-twentier (yes, it's a word in my vocabulary). I'm 99% happy to be on my own. Sure I'd love that husband-kids-pet dream, but it's not the foremost in my mind. I guess I've finally cemented that 1)being single ain't so bad 2)I have absolutely no interest in anyone and 3)it would be horrible timing right now. Not to say I wouldn't welcome someone right now, but really...26 years of waiting? I'm back to being comfortable in my own skin to the fullest extent.

.....completely blanked on what I was going to say next. Insomnia is not my friend. We've been arguing since 1am...it's now 6am...I think I'm about to win. lol

I leave you with a picture from my trip to Charleston last year...it made me giggle.

Quentin Tarantino & Jane Austen...not often found together

Quick synopses; In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. They cross paths with a Jewish refugee who coincidentally is planning on taking out a sizable chunk of the Nazi regime as well.

"Inglourious Basterds" was rather enjoyable. Granted there was a bit more blood involved then is my usual taste, but still I liked it. Brad Pitt's character had me in stitches when he "spoke" eye-tal-yon with an obvious super gravely deep American accent. Despite noticeable changes to history Tarantino did a pretty good job keeping the feel of the time right. The way each group, the Basterds and the Jewish refugee, plan to take out the 3rd Reich goes both smoothly and not so smoothly. It felt like watching a movie, but I liked that I was caught up enough in the storyline it didn't feel too much like "just" watching a movie. Two thumbs up Mr. Tarantino.

Recent developments in my family dynamics has led to some interesting stories. Not really I would go into in detail anywhere in the virtual world. What I will say is that it has provided me with enough ironic humor to last a lifetime. I'm beginning to rather enjoy the hysterically tragic and tragically hysteric tales that are repeated to me on an almost weekly basis.

Basically it has become the type of situation that I just have to shake my head at and laugh or I'll break down, curl up in a ball on the corner of my bed against the wall and bawl my eyes out. So, I choose to find the humor...not too bad of a coping mechanism. Could be worse, I could have an addiction(no chocolate doesn't count) or be codependent and clingy. *cringe* Besides laughing helps. It brings a smile to my face, lightens my mood and doesn't go against my happy personality. :)

So I leave you with a quote from Jane Austen, one of my favorite authors;

"For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?"- Mr. Bennet, Pride and Prejucide

I have GOT to try this!

One of the blogs I follow is "Cake Wrecks". An awesome site dedicated to showing off the disatrious, albeit hilarious, attempts at cake decorating. Every now and then there is a post displaying the incredibly creative side of cake decor. For all you Joss Whedon fans, this will make you smile.

(Dr.) Horrible Sunday Sweets

I love baking and have always wanted to try my hand at making a "fancy" cake. So in the future, hopefully the near one...not the later kind because I tend to forget to do things if it's not the near one...I will be making one or all of these yummy treats. I'm thinking the Captain Hammer cake first, it's the easiest. Honestly I'm scared to death to try the "Ph.D. in Horribleness" cake.

The lady who made these cakes adds her own little humorous touch to the recipe instructions. I especially love the name for the Captain Hammer cake " Cheesy on the Outside". No, actual cheese is not involved. It's a 3 layer cake; yellow, chocolate, yellow...inspired by the quote "And sometimes there's a third even deeper level and that one's the same as the top surface level" Like pie...hee hee.

Aboslutely!

We're No Angels (1955)

Three convicts Joseph (Bogart), Albert (Ray) and Jules(Ustinov) all escape from Devil's Island prison to a local French colonial town on Christmas Eve. They end up in a store that is owned by a poor, but nice family (Felix, the timid shopkeeper, Amelie, his down-to-earth wife and their naive 18 year old daughter Isabella). The convicts plan on "cleaning" the poor shopkeeper out of money, merchandise and pretty much anything not nailed down. Under the guise of parolees they offer to fix the roof and work around the shop. Soon, the men find themselves caring for the family and righting several wrongs. Humorous and fun, this movie is definitely a personal favorite.

Bogart, Ray and Ustinov are phenomenal together. They play off each other so well I find myself forgetting they really aren't a conartist and two murderers. Bogart brings the swagger and brains, Ray the brawn and amorous persona, whilst Jules offers his wit and perfect timing.

I laugh every time I watch "We're No Angels". My absolute favorite scene is when the men are helping to prepare for Christmas Eve dinner. Joseph is preparing the food wearing Isabella's frilly pink apron. She enters complimenting him on how the pink brings out the color in his eyes. Right as she's saying this Jules walks in and starts smirking. As Isabella exits Joseph holds up a rather scary looking cross between a butcher's knife and a machete, threatening Jules to say something. Which of course he does much to my amusement, this brings about some of the best quotes in the film;

(Joseph walks up to Jules, who is putting flowers in vase, still wearing the frilly pink apron holding knife/machete looking annoyed)

Joseph:Say something. Go ahead. Say anything at all.

Jules: I've got nothing to say, nothing at all. (pause) Except.

Joseph: Except what?

(Jules turns holding a flower)

Jules: Joseph, it's true. It does bring out the color in your beautiful, big, brown eyes.

(Jules plants flower in Joseph's shirt pocket then clasps hands together. Joseph starts to bring the knife/machete up as Jules backs away.)

Jules: Oh, to be a painter.

(Jules leaves the room smirking and holding back laughter.)

Addicted...

I'm addicted to downloading sheet music. Rather proud of myself for finding pieces that are challenging. I really need to work on relearning music theory, at least for piano/vocals. Remembering to count has always been difficult for me, but I'm working on that. My keyboard doesn't do justice to more then half of the pieces, but it will do until I get a concert grand...or a baby concert grand...lol At this point I'd settle for the 20something year old piano with a cracked sound board and keys that stick back at my parent's place. It was the piano I used growing up, learning how to play.

How I miss being able to sit down and touch those ivory keys. Yes, real ivory keys. There is a difference between the plastic they use now and true ivory. No, I'm not supporting killing elephants for their ivory. I'm just saying, there is a distinct difference in how the keys feel. Or, it could just be me. Either way....

So far "Falling Slowly" is coming along. The printer is so low on ink that when I printed the pages the left side was so faded. I spent about 40 minutes at the computer with the pages making sure I could read the notes. In the end so worth it. Still searching for more pieces, like I said I'm addicted.

I'm hoping that when I go back to work I can sneak into the music room and play for a few hours here and there. Crossing my fingers on that one. There is a piano in the assembly hall, but I don't want to be heard. I play for my own enjoyment mostly, that and I get incredibly shy when others hear me. I suppose the shyness stems from my need to not be in the spotlight. Mostly though it's for me.

Playing is a way to release. Just simply release. There is that thrill that runs through me when I sit down. The feeling of "it's time to get down to business" and then getting lost in whatever piece it is. I really, really, really want to own my own piano...I'd make space in my apartment for it.

A quick one

Recently acquired The Frames album "The Cost" solely for the purpose of having the song "Falling Slowly". I completely and utterly "fell" for the song, if you'll pardon the unintended pun. It's such a beautiful, achingly haunting song. This song evokes emotions I try to suppress, for example sadness, because I don't like them. "The Cost" will definitely be one of my listen to when I need to release albums.

The whole album is turning out to be one giant lyrical heaven for me. Some lyrics I disagree with; for example how we have all the time to do things...which I don't think we do. However, that's beside the point.

The Frames are a band you either really like or really don't get. In a way I'm reminded of U2, but seeing as how I can listen to all of The Frames and find U2 tediously repetitive...yeah inconsistent me.

Anyways, I'm adding "Falling Slowly" to my playlist. Listen, enjoy, and agree with me. :-p

Feels like work...

I've been back home, my home, for a few days now. Just been too lazy to get on here and actually post anything. I'm funny like that...fickle probably would be more fitting. I'm fickle when it comes to things like writing in a journal or posting on a blog. It's more of a mood sort of thing. So anyways, a highlight of how things went, events, etc.

- Visit home was awkward due to tension between parental units
-Trip up to NC with mom and sis was a blast, love that relationship with mum is growing tighter
-Need to have a stern talking to with expedia...they are not my favorite people right now...nor is the hotel we almost stayed at (if you advertise smoke free....then please BE SMOKE FREE!!)
-Will rant about hotel some other time when I feel like venting
-Camp was up and down; still working on getting over favoritism/idiosyncrasies of people in charge
-Still, I loved my time there; so much love and acceptance for those who the world views as lesser, insignificant and unlovable just because they are disabled
-Shared a wheelchair camper with a new counselor who was much younger, but wow she was awesome!
-This year's 2nd session was HUGE; 64 counselors(30 were brand new) and 60 campers, not including kitchen, rec, etc staff
-Found out some guy hit my car, that my baby bro was driving, so there is $4000 in damage done to the car
-Upswing I have a sweet sports car to drive around courtesy of the guy's insurance company
-Trip back was very nice, finally got a couple pictures of the waterfall I've been wanting to take for years
-Another few awkward days at parent's house
-Scoot(my sis) is visiting till sunday, we're going to see Cirque Du Soleil tomorrow, Woot!
-Pool party/celebrating Scoot's b-day Sunday which will be a blast(have goggles so I can stay underwater longer...its one of my quirks can't be underwater for long unless I can see)
-oh! saw fireworks whilst at camp, a few burning embers lodged in my left eye prompting a next day visit to an urgent care place...looked like a pirate for 2 days. (Aaarrg!)
-Yes I will be posting pictures. :-p


I have a thing for architecture...not the best shot but this is a beautiful building

Me as a pirate, 1st day with the patch and it's the night of the dance...LOL It would be me.

This is Jocques; he was the monkey I found at Cracker Barrel. We found a few things in common.

The view behind the cabin mum stayed at on the "camp grounds"

On my way to meet up with some friends

I love when sunlight filters through trees, very beautiful

Part of what I was blessed to see daily

Yes, the waterfall I'd been wanting a picture of for years...finally!

Would have had more of the house, but people were outside

The reflection is beautiful, it's all so green

Vacation

I'm off to my hometown for a few days before heading up to NC with my mum and sis. I cannot wait for Camp Joy. Honestly it is the highlight of my year. This being my 10th year and the 30th year of Camp Joy just makes it even more exciting. I'll be back within a week or two and post a couple pictures.

You have no idea how super excited I am for this!

(insert happy dance)