Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Doggies
A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of babysitting Bubba's sister, Hope. She is a little bigger than Bubba since he is the runt and she has very unusual face markings. She was pretty cute so I had to take some pictures with Daddy's camera (since I sold mine on eBay). Here they are!
More Stories...
I've read a few more stories from "The Vintage Bradbury" and am still in awe.
First I read "The Illustrated Man" which was nothing like what I expected it to be. I found myself shaking the book in some parts because it was not telling me what was going on and I wanted to know dang it! When I did finish it I was again sitting there with a rather quizzical look on my face until I decided I didn't need to know, set the book back on the stack of books on my dresser, turned out the light and went to sleep.
Next it was "There Will Come Soft Rains". Reminded me of Fahrenheit 451. Except it was an Armageddon, end of the world type thing. Definitely makes you think.
Then it was "Fever Dream". This one was definitely strange. Left me even more confused but after I read the ending a few more times it made sense and was just eerie then.
I still am amazed at how well Bradbury writes. I was a little inspired myself and wrote a little last night. I don't know if/think its any good but I was still inspired.
First I read "The Illustrated Man" which was nothing like what I expected it to be. I found myself shaking the book in some parts because it was not telling me what was going on and I wanted to know dang it! When I did finish it I was again sitting there with a rather quizzical look on my face until I decided I didn't need to know, set the book back on the stack of books on my dresser, turned out the light and went to sleep.
Next it was "There Will Come Soft Rains". Reminded me of Fahrenheit 451. Except it was an Armageddon, end of the world type thing. Definitely makes you think.
Then it was "Fever Dream". This one was definitely strange. Left me even more confused but after I read the ending a few more times it made sense and was just eerie then.
I still am amazed at how well Bradbury writes. I was a little inspired myself and wrote a little last night. I don't know if/think its any good but I was still inspired.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeppppppppp..........
I am really tired right now. And it feels good. But my hunger overrides the tiredness so I'm going to go eat a hot pocket and then go get some sleep. Ah, sleep...
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
I went to the library with my Mommy on Tuesday and while we were walking through she saw that there was a new book out by Ray Bradbury that was a sequel to "Dandelion Wine". The only Bradbury book I had ever read was "Fahrenheit 451" and I loved it so she recommended I read "Dandelion Wine". We found a collection of his stories and after I finished "Dandelion Wine" I was very... confuddled. I know thats not a "real" word but its the best I can come up with to describe what I was thinking when I was done.
Bradbury is an exceptional author as anyone who had read anything by him knows. The incite he has into his characters no matter what age or gender or background they are is amazing and his use of language makes me wonder how anyone can come up with this stuff.
Here are a few passages from "Dandelion Wine" that made me stop and marvel at all that is Ray Bradbury:
"Douglas shut his eyes and saw two idiot suns dancing on the reverse side of the pinkly translucent lids." (pg 218).
"Doug did not ask the others. Already the trains were chanting and he saw their faces drifting off on back observation platforms, or pressed to windows. One by one they slid away. And then the empty track and the summer sky and himself on another train run in another direction." (pg 213).
To convey emotions and tiny occurrences like that is astounding. There aren't any words to describe the way Ray Bradbury uses his.
Turning Angel by Greg Iles
Another great writer that can keep the suspense going in a 500 page book. I had no idea "who done it?" until about 1:00am when I finished the book. This story has everything a good murder mystery needs: a few dead people, drugs, scandal, small towns and a wealthy, handsome hero thats not so much a hero as you think he is...
I give it an A.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Ouchies...
Today I went to the doctors office and got my Meningococcal Meningitis and my first of three Gadasil (to prevent cervical cancer) vaccines. Wednesday I went in for a physical for UR and found that I needed some shots. I was a little apprehensive about them because I haven't had a shot in a long time but they weren't too bad. There was some definite stinging and my arms felt really heavy for a little while but I'm all better now. You can't even see where they pricked me.
I didn't get a lollipop though which makes me a little miffed...
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Kids Say the Darndest Things
Flip Flops by Antique MommyThis story first of all, made me laugh. Which then made my mom come in the room wondering what I was laughing about while she was slaving away with the vacuum cleaner. As I relayed the reason for my laughter my mom told me a story about my uncle, her younger brother, who had a few words of his own. Just to name a few: whatsupdoc for carrots thanks to Bugs, gasfew for the tricycle that didn't actually use any gas and helliwopper for helicopter. We had another good laugh at that one.
I had some good ones when I was little as well. My Daddy's favorite is mazageen for magazine. And of course there was yeyo for yellow and pasketi for spaghetti.
Ha! Crazy little kids.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Registration Blues
Today was the first day I was suppose to be able to register for my classes at the University of Richmond for Fall 2007 starting at 9am. I woke up around 10am and realized that so I started on my computer. I entered in the correct numbers I had prepared almost two weeks ago to make sure I wouldn't waste any time and clicked "SUBMIT". Only to find out that four out of the six classes were full or needed a prerequisite.
Needless to say I was pretty bummed and almost slightly freaking out. So I tried to register for other courses that were alternatives and most of those were also closed. That was about the time I realized that when they said 9am they meant 9am Virginia time which is 3 hours ahead of California meaning everyone else had had almost four hours to register by the time I was on the computer.
There wasn't much else I could do but write an e-mail to the Academic Advising Center saying that I had no idea what to do next. A little while later, after I had eaten about two big cookies and paced my room a few times, a very nice and totally awesome lady from Academic Advising called me to see what we could do to get me registered. I was so great full and she was very helpful. I eventually registered for a few classes and ended up speaking with a gentleman who is helping me to figure out the rest.
Right now I am registered for:
Greek 101
Journalism 200
Classics 302- Roman Art and Archeology
History 100- Technology in American History
English 103 (soon to be 297 if everything works out tomorrow)
And that is that. I want to take a different history class but I an still waiting to hear back from the history department because the class is full and I want to try to get in anyway. The English class will work out as far as I know but not until tomorrow. So not exactly my original plan but working out well anyway.
Hey, I still get to take Greek!
Needless to say I was pretty bummed and almost slightly freaking out. So I tried to register for other courses that were alternatives and most of those were also closed. That was about the time I realized that when they said 9am they meant 9am Virginia time which is 3 hours ahead of California meaning everyone else had had almost four hours to register by the time I was on the computer.
There wasn't much else I could do but write an e-mail to the Academic Advising Center saying that I had no idea what to do next. A little while later, after I had eaten about two big cookies and paced my room a few times, a very nice and totally awesome lady from Academic Advising called me to see what we could do to get me registered. I was so great full and she was very helpful. I eventually registered for a few classes and ended up speaking with a gentleman who is helping me to figure out the rest.
Right now I am registered for:
Greek 101
Journalism 200
Classics 302- Roman Art and Archeology
History 100- Technology in American History
English 103 (soon to be 297 if everything works out tomorrow)
And that is that. I want to take a different history class but I an still waiting to hear back from the history department because the class is full and I want to try to get in anyway. The English class will work out as far as I know but not until tomorrow. So not exactly my original plan but working out well anyway.
Hey, I still get to take Greek!
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Just finished it last night, staying up until 11:30pm to finish it only to be slightly disappointed. Rarely do I think a movie is better than the book but I guess that's because I always read the book first and that was not the case in this instance.
Don't get me wrong, it was a well written, witty and engrossing story that was actually very similar to the book. I simply prefer the more innocent and better behaved characters portrayed in the movie as opposed to the novel.
I would still recommend it. A girly novel with a good moral was a nice break from all the blood and killing of historical fiction.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Ishbosheth
Steve (teaching on Sunday): And Saul had a son named Ishbosheth.
Me (to Alicia): Who the heck names their kid Ishbosheth?
Alicia: He must not have been the favorite.
Me (to Alicia): Who the heck names their kid Ishbosheth?
Alicia: He must not have been the favorite.
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Speaking about Robert E. Lee:
"When Virginia left the Union she bore his home away as surely as if she were a ship setting out to sea, and what was left behind on the shore was not his any more. So it was no cause and no country he fought for, no ideal and no justice. He fought for his people, for the children and the kin, and not even the land, because not even the land was worth the war, but the people were, as wrong as they were, insane even as many of them were, they were his own, he belonged with his own. And so he took up arms wilfully, knowingly, in perhaps the wrong cause against his own sacred oath and stood now upon alien ground he had once sworn to defend, sworn in honor, and he had arrived there really in the hands of God, without any choice at all; there had never been an alternative except to run away, and he could not do that. But Longstreet was right, of course: he had broken the vow. And he would pay. He knew that and accepted it. He had already paid. He closed his eyes. Dear God, let it end soon."
I thought I'd let the book speak for itself.
"When Virginia left the Union she bore his home away as surely as if she were a ship setting out to sea, and what was left behind on the shore was not his any more. So it was no cause and no country he fought for, no ideal and no justice. He fought for his people, for the children and the kin, and not even the land, because not even the land was worth the war, but the people were, as wrong as they were, insane even as many of them were, they were his own, he belonged with his own. And so he took up arms wilfully, knowingly, in perhaps the wrong cause against his own sacred oath and stood now upon alien ground he had once sworn to defend, sworn in honor, and he had arrived there really in the hands of God, without any choice at all; there had never been an alternative except to run away, and he could not do that. But Longstreet was right, of course: he had broken the vow. And he would pay. He knew that and accepted it. He had already paid. He closed his eyes. Dear God, let it end soon."
I thought I'd let the book speak for itself.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Disneyland Day 2
Finally! Day 2 of Disneyland is here!
So...
Step 1: California Adventure
Seeing that we spent most of Day 1 at Disneyland we decided to do all the cool stuff at CA Adventure.
Step 2: Flick's Fair
They made a cool "little" place that is literally little, or rather everything else is bigger. It is from A Bug's Life so everything is made bigger to make you feel smaller. It was pretty cool seeing giant four leaf clovers and life size lightning bugs.
Step 3: It's Tough to Be A Bug
A 3D movie about how tough it is to be a bug because apparently we humans don't understand what its like to be a bug. It was a lot of fun and kind of scary at times. BUt yet still fun. I love 3D.
Step 4: Signature from Stitch
The second Meagan saw Stitch she freaked out and we got in line. This little booger tried to steal my pen and then attempted to stick it up my nose. Ya, that was weird...
Step 5: Monster's Inc. Ride
This was a cool ride. A little mix of Toon Town and Winnie the Pooh.
Step 6: Screamin' on the Tower of Terror
The only Tower of Terror I had ever been on was the one at Tokyo Disney so this was both Meagan's and my first time. It was awesome. The Twilight Zone theme wasn't that scary but the ride was totally awesome. One of those stomach in your throat things. Awesomeness!
Step 7: Soarin' Over California
This is a cool ride. It's like watching a movie on California with Smell-O vision. Made me remember how beautiful California is.
Step 8: Back to Disneyland!
By this time it was very, very hot. Probably about 90 degrees or hotter. So we walked around and found some shade.
Step 9: Winnie the Pooh
So we went on the Winnie the Pooh ride where the line was shaded and the ride was air conditioned. And I just love those little hephalumps and woozels.
Step 10: California Screamin'
Back to California Adventure. The craziest part of the trip because this was the first roller coaster Meagan had ever been on. I know! I was just as shocked so we had to go on it. And of course she loved it and wanted to go on it again.
Step 11: Muppet's 3D
If you think that the Muppet's are cool regularly then you will love them in 3D! This movie was really well done and very entertaining.
Step 12: Golden Vine Winery
Lunch! I'm not exactly sure when we had lunch but this was where the picture was in the set so this is where its going. This restaurant was amazing! It was about $50 all together for the two of us and we each had a salad, lasagna, dessert and coffee. The food was great and the atmosphere was relaxing. A good break from the heat and very vacation-ish and gourmet. Who doesn't love a cheap gourmet meal at the happiest place on earth?
Step 13: The Bee's
What I call the Yo-Yo. Another good chance to relax because we were extremely tired and still had about 5 hours to go.
Step 14: Lights Show and Fireworks
Very, very well done. I loved the show. They went through every ride at the park using lights and music and all timed with fireworks. Leave it up to Disney to make such a spectacular display.
Step 15: Find an open ride thats working
After fighting the insane crowds and finding out that Big Thunder Mountain that we had Fast Passes for was closed we went to Pirates. We waited less than fifteen minutes and the ride was enjoyable. A good last ride.
Step 16: Goodbye Disneyland
Now that we've done and seen everything its time to finish up our shopping and go home.
Goodbye Disneyland!
So...
Step 1: California Adventure
Seeing that we spent most of Day 1 at Disneyland we decided to do all the cool stuff at CA Adventure.
Step 2: Flick's Fair
They made a cool "little" place that is literally little, or rather everything else is bigger. It is from A Bug's Life so everything is made bigger to make you feel smaller. It was pretty cool seeing giant four leaf clovers and life size lightning bugs.
Step 3: It's Tough to Be A Bug
A 3D movie about how tough it is to be a bug because apparently we humans don't understand what its like to be a bug. It was a lot of fun and kind of scary at times. BUt yet still fun. I love 3D.
Step 4: Signature from Stitch
The second Meagan saw Stitch she freaked out and we got in line. This little booger tried to steal my pen and then attempted to stick it up my nose. Ya, that was weird...
Step 5: Monster's Inc. Ride
This was a cool ride. A little mix of Toon Town and Winnie the Pooh.
Step 6: Screamin' on the Tower of Terror
The only Tower of Terror I had ever been on was the one at Tokyo Disney so this was both Meagan's and my first time. It was awesome. The Twilight Zone theme wasn't that scary but the ride was totally awesome. One of those stomach in your throat things. Awesomeness!
Step 7: Soarin' Over California
This is a cool ride. It's like watching a movie on California with Smell-O vision. Made me remember how beautiful California is.
Step 8: Back to Disneyland!
By this time it was very, very hot. Probably about 90 degrees or hotter. So we walked around and found some shade.
Step 9: Winnie the Pooh
So we went on the Winnie the Pooh ride where the line was shaded and the ride was air conditioned. And I just love those little hephalumps and woozels.
Step 10: California Screamin'
Back to California Adventure. The craziest part of the trip because this was the first roller coaster Meagan had ever been on. I know! I was just as shocked so we had to go on it. And of course she loved it and wanted to go on it again.
Step 11: Muppet's 3D
If you think that the Muppet's are cool regularly then you will love them in 3D! This movie was really well done and very entertaining.
Step 12: Golden Vine Winery
Lunch! I'm not exactly sure when we had lunch but this was where the picture was in the set so this is where its going. This restaurant was amazing! It was about $50 all together for the two of us and we each had a salad, lasagna, dessert and coffee. The food was great and the atmosphere was relaxing. A good break from the heat and very vacation-ish and gourmet. Who doesn't love a cheap gourmet meal at the happiest place on earth?
Step 13: The Bee's
What I call the Yo-Yo. Another good chance to relax because we were extremely tired and still had about 5 hours to go.
Step 14: Lights Show and Fireworks
Very, very well done. I loved the show. They went through every ride at the park using lights and music and all timed with fireworks. Leave it up to Disney to make such a spectacular display.
Step 15: Find an open ride thats working
After fighting the insane crowds and finding out that Big Thunder Mountain that we had Fast Passes for was closed we went to Pirates. We waited less than fifteen minutes and the ride was enjoyable. A good last ride.
Step 16: Goodbye Disneyland
Now that we've done and seen everything its time to finish up our shopping and go home.
Goodbye Disneyland!
I Hate Money
Today I had the pleasure of stressing out over how I'm going to pay the $18,505 it is going to cost me to go to school next semester. Doesn't that sound like fun?
Not.
But it wasn't too hard to do and I'm getting started on time so I'm okay. I filled out my FAFSA and looked up loans and scholarships and all that jazz. I also was approved for a Student Visa card. Heck yes. My first real credit card. Too bad I can't spend any money because I owe the University of Richmond $18,505!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What about all those cute tops and that totally awesome belt we just got in at Hollister or the new shoes I want or all of my free time?!!!!! *crawls into the corner and cries*
Okay I'm done now. I much prefer being able to have the excellent education and options I will receive from UR than all that material stuff. I mean come on, I get to take freakin' Greek! Who would want to miss out on that? I am not being sarcastic I am really excited about taking Greek. Yes I am a nerd/geek whatever you chose to call me.
I'm done with my little rant now. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and beg the government for money.
Not.
But it wasn't too hard to do and I'm getting started on time so I'm okay. I filled out my FAFSA and looked up loans and scholarships and all that jazz. I also was approved for a Student Visa card. Heck yes. My first real credit card. Too bad I can't spend any money because I owe the University of Richmond $18,505!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What about all those cute tops and that totally awesome belt we just got in at Hollister or the new shoes I want or all of my free time?!!!!! *crawls into the corner and cries*
Okay I'm done now. I much prefer being able to have the excellent education and options I will receive from UR than all that material stuff. I mean come on, I get to take freakin' Greek! Who would want to miss out on that? I am not being sarcastic I am really excited about taking Greek. Yes I am a nerd/geek whatever you chose to call me.
I'm done with my little rant now. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and beg the government for money.
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