DAY 29 - HOPES, DREAMS AND PLANS FOR THE NEXT 365 DAYS
All of my goals for this year are practical. Not much fun. I need to tackle these important things before even thinking about out-of-country travel, starting my own business or much else. :\ Although it feels like I have had these same goals for a billion years, I have to keep reminding myself it has only been three. I have to start working harder to achieve them.
-Obtain a decent job.
-Move to a new apartment.
-Keep to a weekly work-out routine with Wii Fit.
-Enroll in Technical Writing certificate program.
-Enroll in Make-Up Artistry certificate program.
-Continue contributing to Move Out Fund.
-Continue paying off student debt.
-Contribute consistently to a savings account.
-Some semblance of a 2010 summer vacation if I can pull it off financially.
-Adam Lambert concert! ♥
DAY 28 - SOMETHING RANDOM
Just finishing up my 30 Days of Tumblr/LJ here. I know I am late with the next three entries but things have been a bit busy this week. I am determined to finish this 30-day challenge.
And now...
Skyler's Favourite Internet Cat (a hard title to earn)! It's Maru!
If you have not heard about this cat by now, shame on you. ;) Maru is a beautiful, chubby-but-active Scottish fold kitty with a loving and dedicated owner, made famous on YouTube for obvious reasons. Maru is playful, very unique and endlessly entertaining. Gentle, curious and understandably lovable. I got very attached to Maru after just the first video I saw. Every video will make you smile and laugh; Maru is absolutely priceless! There is just a fascination that comes along with Maru, always engaged in some activity or challenge. There are many, many videos so feel free to check the others out by user "mugumogu." There are endless Maru antics to explore!
DAY 27 - SOMETHING RANDOM
Ten random facts you may not know about me...
01. I have mild OCD. Two examples: I need to feel that both hands are equally wet/clean when I wash them, otherwise I have to go back and wash them again. I also need to have all limbs covered by a blanket in bed at all times. Arms and legs/feet need to be covered, otherwise I cannot go to sleep.
02. I probably have the largest tea collection you have ever seen.
03. I am obsessed with horror films. I enjoy both old school and newer, but old school horror tends to be better than most current-day trash.
04. I have been cyber-married. Twice. *hangs head in shame*
05. I have watched every DVD I own at least twice, most more than that.
06. I think the way sea creatures are killed and/or cooked is unbelievably cruel (especially lobsters); I would not eat seafood even if I liked it.
07. I do not own a single pair of shorts or a dress.
08. I am absolutely terrified of growing old and death/dying.
09. The only songs I ever thought were in my 'range' were by No Doubt and Oasis.
10. Even though I absolutely love all bright colours now, I despised them less than a few years ago and used to wear nothing but black.
DAY 26 — MY WEEK IN GREAT DETAIL SOMETHING RANDOM
So I am going to be editing the next few Tumblr days to "Something Random." Heh. I refuse to go into great detail about my day, week, month and year (which is only three months in).
Okay, so... today I discovered (actually, rediscovered) the tea site ADAGIO.COM. Most tea freaks have probably heard of this site, but if you love tea and have not, visit! They have the most extraordinary collection of loose leaf teas and sell samples (10 cups worth) for $2. This is such a great way to test several teas before investing in a larger quantity. Teas vary so widely, and some just taste like water. I find this option of sampling so handy.
They offer the following types of teas: black, chai, oolong, white, green, herbal, rooibos, decaf, blooms, iced and--my favourite--blends. Their "Signature Blends" section is amazing: create your own tea from hundreds of flavours/types! You pick three flavours, adjust the percentage of each flavour in the tea, design your own label and either keep it private or allow others to buy it (earning you "cup points"). There are so many great concoctions people have created, everything from a whole Zodiac Series to a "Twilight Fan" tea (dewy cherry, wild strawberry, blood orange). I just really love the fact that you can create your own freaking teas for $10. Shipping is very reasonable too. So far I have created Tropical Cherry Orange and Raspberry Lime Passionfruit. YUM.
I also discovered Stash Tea's Coconut Mango Oolong Tea today. It is absolute heaven. A sweet, smooth tea with a refreshing, fruity taste. I got that island vibe. Certainly a unique flavour. Love it. I also discovered I am a fan of Oolong tea. How could I have called myself a tea enthusiast without tying Oolong before?! It is amazing.
P.S. Adam Lambert is officially coming to Toronto! Woo! The tour date for Toronto was finally announced a few days ago: June 19th! I have been obsessively refreshing my Ticketmaster tab because they have not announced when the tickets are going on sale, so I have to keep a close eye on it. So annoying.
DAY 24 - SOMETHING RANDOM
Something random that has been a serious problem lately: my Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. For those who do not know, my apartment was robbed (while I was in it, sleeping) in December 2006, three and a half years ago. We assumed it was either one of my father's friends since they robbed us between the time he left for work and came home for lunch. The criminal seemed to know his schedule or was watching us for a period of time to figure it out (what they did not know is that I was on winter break from school). Or it could have been one of the hired workers for the apartment balconies (who could have entered from the balcony with the hanging platform they were using). We had about $10,000 worth of equipment stolen. I did not wake up and I assume they would have stolen more had they not come down the hall and realized I was there. I know they must have seen me, laid eyes on me. It is so terrifying to know a robber was in this apartment, looking at me without my knowledge. It was easily one of the most traumatic experiences in my life, and it left me with a severe case of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that still persists today. I do not think anyone in my offline life actually knows the severeity of this PTSD, but there is no fooling myself. "Robbed" certainly has a double meaning here. We installed a security alarm after that and changed the second lock, but none of this has helped me feel safe.
Throughout 2007, I had a series of nightmares where I would imagine various people breaking into the apartment. It quickly spun into sleepless nights, month after month. I am alone every weekend, and those nights are even worse. Even now, I frequently think I hear noises in the living room and have to get up out of bed to go and check. I sometimes just sit straight up in bed, in the dark, my eyes wide open, just listening with my heart pounding so hard that I strain to hear anything else in my ears. I will do this four hours, unable to fall asleep because I am so scared. I will watch Salem, who usually sleeps with me. The slightest perk of his head toward the living room and I will get up and go check again, fearing someone is out there. One time I even called the police because I thought someone was on my balcony. I do this getting-up-checking-getting-back-into-bed for hours. I have been doing this again lately, on a weekly basis.
I have fooled myself into thinking sunlight is safer. I will just sit up in bed, waiting for it. I will have all the lights in the apartment on until the sun rises. Even dawn is not good enough; the sun has to be up and out for me to sleep. This is, of course, ridiculous: I was robbed in daylight. It was between 9a.m. and 11a.m. This bahavior has been consistent since 2006, but some months are worse than others. It took about four months after the robbery to get a full night's sleep, and sometimes it is still impossible. I get these panic attacks at least a few times a month, sometimes more. Lately, it is every single week.
I am pondering going to my doctor about this. There is no way I can continue living this way. And to be honest, I do not think going back to counseling will help. Talking about this will not help. That will not make my feelings go away. Talking will not normalize things because I am acting completely rational. Well, other than hearing noises that may or may not be there... I suppose that is not entirely rational. But the fear is rational after what happened to me. Anyone who has been robbed is never the same. I suppose some people may deal with it better than I am, but there is always a fear of being robbed again and a sense of feeling unsafe in your own home that never fully goes away. The last thing I want is medication, but maybe that is the only way. The anxiety is uncontrollable. It does not matter what I do to relax. No amount of deep breathing or distracting myself will help; I am still always listening for noises. This does just not seem like it can be dealt with in a cognitive way. No amount of reasoning will stop me from feeling this way, or at least that is how it feels.
This is all just incredibly repetitive and stressful. Almost every night, the same thing. Awake in my bed, my room dark but the rest of the apartment lights on, my heart pounding, listening for noises. Investigating every small noise I do hear, which is more often than not my blinds hitting the window sill due to the wind. And what am I going to do if it actually does happen again? I fear it happening again so much that if it did happen, I would be so ill-prepared and unable to cope.
DAY 25 - MY DAY, IN DETAIL
I really hate the next few questions and I may substitute. My days are quite boring lately, and I really have nothing to write about in terms of daily activities. This year, so far, has sucked, and I have already written about the main events thus far. My days consist of sitting here, churning out job applications, cleaning, working out, cooking and baking. I go out on and off through the week, usually to run errands, to do laundry, to go to dinner or a movie or to visit family. In other words, giving anyone details of my days right now--being unemployed and having little money to do anything--is rather pointless.
DAY 21 - A PAIR OF SHOES
By far, the sexiest pairs of shoes I own:
What, were you expecting heels? :P I have the white pair in black as well. Are they Adam-concert-worthy enough? Bwaha. I adore Converse shoes, even if they do make my feet look huge. I like the fact that they have stayed true to their brand name by keeping the base product but changing up the styles to keep them fresh... and even offering customers a way to design their own. Also, their prices are still reasonable. I appreciate that they have not hiked up costs to insane amounts due to popularity. Two thumbs up for Converse! (The only thing I hate is that converse.com does not ship to Canada. Bastards.)
DAY 22 - A WEB SITE
I do not think I have even pimped my own icon community here! So... ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif){kind=small}
deathofanicon. I do not post in it super often but every now and then I go through an icon-making phase and churn out quite a few. My 'specialties' include textless and stock. I like to keep images fairly organic (I do not like to add a ton of elements) but end up with a billion layers playing around with everything else.
DAY 23 - A YOUTUBE VIDEO
Because this man stole my heart with his "Man in the Mirror" cover. (This was actually the other song I pondered posting with the "song that makes you cry" entry.) Not only does Drew have a beautiful voice, but he sang this song with a passion Michael Jackson would have been flattered to see. He touched me to such a degree that I felt compelled to write to him, and when he responded he was so sweet and so humble. I was just blown away. It is the best "Man in the Mirror" cover I have come across on YouTube.
DAY 19 - A TALENT OF MINE
Oh, boy. I really do not like questions of this sort. I do not like the term "talented" because that implies expertise, and I am not an expert in anything. So instead of listing a "talent," I will list some of the things I have received compliments on or simply acquired skills for over time:
-Writing/editing.
-Computers/Internet.
-Learning new software or technologies.
-Web design, to an extent.
-Make-up artistry.
-Caring and having compassion for all animals.
-Listening and giving advice.
-Critiquing various art forms.
-Creative ideas (sometimes).
-Accepting opportunities that come my way.
-Unique style.
-Cooking and baking.
-Being open and honest.
-Collecting.
-Making people laugh (sometimes).
-Organizing, leading, executing a plan.
Things I wish I were not so talented at:
-Emotional masochism.
-Stubbornness.
-Wordiness.
-Swearing.
-Putting myself down.
-Worrying what others think of my appearance.
-Purchasing make-up and bath/body products.
-Writing excessively long e-mails.
-Semi-fangirl-like worship.
-Feeling hopeless/angry about animal abuse.
-Editing my writing a million times, even months later.
-Obsessing over certain things until I cave and buy them.
DAY 17 - AN ART PIECE
I met a wonderful artist on Facebook a few weeks ago and was completely blown away by her talent. Her name is Holly Phuong Le and I am actually commissioning her to do two drawings for me sometime in the future, one of Adam Lambert and one of Michael Jackson. I am a big fan of portrait artists (not just celebrity portraits but any human portraits), and Holly is one talented artist when it comes to these. Below I have included some of her Adam Lambert portraits and also a couple of Tommy Ratliff (Adam's bass guitarist). The last portrait is her uncle's family. You can find Holly's web site here. Click the images below to enlarge:
DAY 18 - SOMETHING RANDOM
For those who know me even a small amount, you know that I am thrilled by the idea of doing nice things for strangers, making strangers smile or starting up conversations with strangers. I just love the dynamic of that stranger-stranger relationship and sparking something from scratch with someone you have never even spoken to. Many of you may have heard of one of the latest YouTube phenomenons "PianoChatImprov." His original video had over 4 million views, so I guess he has over 7 million views total now and was, at one point, the Top-Rated YouTube Video of All Time. His second video has close to 2.5 million views. This guy is amazing. Chat Roulette is a web cam chat site that allows you to leaf through cammers currently online and start up conversations. You are given the option to keep chatting or rotate to the next online user. Merton does piano/singing improv and pokes fun at what cammers are doing or saying on screen, or he sometimes even takes requests. I love that almost everyone responds to Merton with a smile or laugh. That is so awesome to me, and watching these makes my heart beat a bit faster and have a little faith in the world again. I have included both of his Chat Roulette videos below (the headbanger with the popsicle [or whatever it is] cracks me up! He is so into it!). Take a look:
DAY 16 - A SONG THAT MAKES ME CRY
With Mother's Day around the corner, I already feel the same feelings I do ever year: anger, sadness, resentment, longing. "Mother's Day is coming up!" all of my magazine subscriptions and TV commercials scream at me. "Get Mom the perfect gift!" I shake my head. I wish I could pick out the perfect gift for my mother... not because I support commercialism but because I wish I had her here and knew her so well that I could choose the perfect gift and watch the smile on her face as she opened it. This time of year is especially hard for me, and I try to keep it contained because I do not want to rain on anyone else's parade, as jealous as I am that they have mothers and I do not. Mothers should be celebrated.
I think school was the worst... who was I cutting and pasting these cards for? My father. "Happy Mother's Day, Dad." And try getting the other moms to say okay to having their daughters come to a birthday party or sleepover that is chaperoned by a man. Most of the moms were not comfortable with and so my friends could not attend. And even, "So what did your mom pack you for lunch?" How do you even respond to that without crying? My mom never even had the chance to pack me a lunch; she died before I even started school. There were an awful lot of things I needed to conquer on my own, partially because she is not here but partially because my relationship with my father is so non-existent. Sometimes I just get so angry about it: why do all the other girls get help and I am forced to do it alone? I know it made me strong and independent, but I still get upset. But I feel equally as bad for her as I do for myself. She was only twenty-eight and from what I am told, she loved me very much and I feel terrible she will never get to experience the motherhood she wanted.
This song by Jann Arden, called "Good Mother," always makes me cry and sparks the above feelings within me. It is always the last song she plays at her shows. I remember the first time I went to a Jann concert, I was ill prepared for the emotional pull it would have over me. I was coincidentally sitting alone because my legs were hurting and I went to sit on the step in the walkway, and I remember not being able to contain myself. I had no idea what was happening to me. I just started crying. My eyes glaze over at the very least even if I hear it on the radio, but hearing it live is what really gets to me. I know Jann has an intimate relationship with her mother, and she sometimes dedicates the song to her. The song is not even prominantly about her mother or mothers in general, but the message is there. It leaves me longing and lonely. It has a very powerful effect over me. This song just reminds me of what I am missing, and it is just really beautiful in general.
Eek! I have been naughty. I have gotten on the computer so late the past couple of days that by the time I go to do entries, I am too braindead.
Yesterday felt good because I actually went out and did stuff. I had been putting off errands for weeks. I have been putting them off so long that I do recall planning them while I was still working. Unfortunately, I had to go to a mall to do them but I made it out alive. I almost had a panic attack in one of the stores and my face was beet red the entire time, but hey. When I looked in the mirror, I decided to just walk around the mall with my sunglasses on (which lots of people do, oddly) because it was just too embarrassing to give anyone a full view of my face. I really, really hate what happens to me in crowded places. Even though my social anxiety has improved greatly in most other areas, malls have always been the same for me since I developed this 'illness.' The symptoms are very physical so it is not like I can pretend I am not suffering--it is written all over my face. Several people looked at me like I was some kind of freak. I got really self-conscious, hence the sunglasses.
On the upside, it was nice to go shopping without spending any money. I had a myriad of gift cards to spend:
With my Chapters/Indigo gift card I picked up Disney's Alice in Wonderland. I hate that Disney vaults all of their DVDs. It is so stupid waiting months or years for certain DVDs to be (re-)released. But hey, since Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland is out and also owned by Disney, they decided it would be cool to double their merchandise franchise and rake in the cash by re-promoting the animated version. *shakes head* I also picked up a book called Vampires: From Dracula to Twilight: The Complete Guide to Vampire Mythology by Charlotte Montague. I cannot wait to read this. The bookmark is so beautiful. It says "Live, Love, Laugh." It may be cliché but I still need reminders.
The glittery scarf, feather earrings and heart necklace are from Claire's and specifically for the Adam Lambert concert (even though tour dates have not even been announced, haha)! I thought they would be just so perfect to wear for the show. The rainbow make-up bag is also from Claire's. I feel like I am still 13 when I go into that store; everything appeals to me despite my age. It is so fun and colourful, just a visual overload.
The neon socks are from Champs. I had to pick up some t-shirts but also needed socks. Can you tell I am obsessed with bright colours? I have rediscovered a passion for neon. I would not wear neon clothing but I love neon accessories like nail polish or the Converse line of neon shoes. It is just fun and takes me back.
The body creams are from Bath & Body Works. I got Black Raspberry Vanilla, Irresistible Apple and Coconut Lime Verbena. That store smells so good. LUSH makes me kind of sick; it is just too strong and my allergies act up. The Body Shop usually does not smell much. But B&BW is just right. Each place in the store smells different and I almost wish they would come up with a scent that mixed all of their signature scents together. Yum.
On to 30 Days of Tumblr...
DAY 13 - A FICTIONAL BOOK
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I am not sure why I am so attracted to these coming-of-age novels about boys, but this is yet another one I read and loved. Chbosky is a fantastic, elegant writer. He captures exquisite, important moments in this novel that I have no doubt stemmed from personal experiences. This book is funny and touching in a very real, very memorable way. Charlie, the fifteen-year-old protagonist, still stands out in my mind as one of the most well-written characters in any novel I have read. He is sweet, endearing, curious and intelligent. He is a little awkward and still learning, and the way he goes about it is perfectly human and perfectly relatable. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a touching story about a good kid we could all learn a thing or two from.
DAY 14 - A NON-FICTIONAL BOOK
Kurt Cobain: Journals. I loved reading these. Most people honestly had no idea who Kurt Cobain was or that he was such a kind, caring person with a lot of interesting things to say. He was not just some junkie with a good voice, and I hate that the media portrays him as such. Yes, he had problems; that does not mean he was a bad person. Reading these journals was so eye-opening. I remember skipping school one day and hanging out in my apartment's stairwell (so I was not caught) just to read this book. I know there is controversy about releasing someone's journals, but I think Courtney made the right decision (for once). These journals show you who the true Cobain was and just how much he cared about his music, the music industry and his friends. They also help us understand his complexity, to an extent, and reveal just how intelligent and deep he was. I found myself nodding along so many of his observations.
DAY 15 - SOMETHING CURRENTLY OVERRATED
Oh, boy. One thing?! Britney Spears, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Twilight. I will talk about Twilight though. I really do not understand how these books were turned into a film series. The books are terrible! I know they are made for teens but even still, the dialogue is horrid and Stephanie Meyer is a bad writer for more than that reason. What irks me is that any good writer would be willing to change the story from what it was in their head originally if the writing was guiding itself in a different direction. Meyer refused to acknowledge this and kept writing even though the story did not make sense anymore. It became a mess of people doing things very out of character and readers, even fans, being completely confused with how she arrived at the ending she did. That is not a true writer. A true writer will embrace risk and follow the path it pulls you toward. Not 'this is my book, I want it my way, I want my happy fairytale ending and readers will have to suck it up and like it.' Dumb.
That being said, although I hated the books and Twilight (the first movie), I thoroughly enjoyed the second movie--New Moon--despite the terrible dialogue and weak ending (which was, of course, based off of poorly written dialogue). Once Jacob and the werewolves were a prominent part of the storyline, my interest was peaked. Jacob only makes Bella slightly more tolerable, but Jacob himself is a very interesting character. Who can resist a cliché love triangle? You do not want to like it but you do. I really have no idea why everyone is so head over heels for Edward. He is so overrated. Team Jacob all the way. :P
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif){kind=small}
flourishing, this YouTuber I will link to has the whole set list if you have not seen them yet! I looked at the other ones but she has the best quality.) I am going to include two videos from the show (taken at the River Rock Resort & Casino in Richmond, BC) and a song recently released with his Remixes album called "Voodoo." I cannot get enough of this song. It is just so hypnotizing. I cannot wait until he finally performs this song live. 
The focus of this image is not completely acceptable, but this is one of my favourites I have taken thus far. For those who do not know, I have a group of pigeons that (I keep typing "who" because I honestly view animals as "people") visit every day and I feed them. I love pigeons. Such fascinating and intelligent creatures. You learn this quickly if you watch them for any amount of time. Luckily, these guys allow me to take photos and get pretty close up. Some of them even hand-feed, which is amazing for 'wild' pigeons that are not being hand-fed frequently in a park and around humans all the time. This one pictured above is Spike (because he looks like he has a mohawk, so cute). I had just started taking pictures with my new Canon, and I was so amazed at the detail the camera can pick up like those raindrops on Spike's breast. It was just beautiful. Spike looks so badass here, staring you down, and also all Exorcist-like with his head turned toward his back. I just love it. I cannot post this full-size photo because the file is enormous, sorry!
"Smile though your heart is breaking." Nothing makes me melt faster than this man's smile. I absolutely adore this photo of him. It reminds me of everything I love about him: his passion for life, his sensitivity toward animals, his concern for children, his dedication to environmental issues, his belief in humanity despite the way he was treated by so many. How he was able to maintain such innocence in the face of adversity is something I will never understand. He never stopped caring. This man stood for everything I want to stand for in life. His smile easily brings back all of the memories I have of him and everything he has done for this planet. If people choose to overlook that, I feel sorry for them. He did so many great things while he was here, and there are so many people carrying on his tradition and spreading the love he had only just begun to spread. Michael's smile will forever remind me of everything he did and everyone we can continue to do for this planet, for humanity and for animals. ♥
The Canadian and worldwide seal hunt is, by far, one of the most disturbing examples of brutality in the history of mankind. Despite my efforts to combat this disgusting animal abuse and murder, I feel so helpless. That feeling of helplessness when it comes to animal rights is the worst feeling I experience on a regular basis. First and foremost, the killings are senseless. It is not something we need, it is wasteful and there are alternatives. To murder an animal for the sake of fashion or for any unnecessary reason is the deepest kind of heartlessness there is, and this is why I refuse to buy anything made from any sort of animal skin or fur. My concern is two-fold though. On the one hand, I am so hurt that these animals have to suffer needlessly, including all of the babies who have barely had a chance at life. Almost all that are slaughtered are under three months old. That is the most heartbreaking factor in this hunt, that hundreds of thousands of these poor animals have lost or are losing their lives. Seal pup mortality rates are increasing thanks to global warming and record-low ice; the mothers have no place to birth and the pups have no way to survive. They are already struggling; they do not need at additional hurdle to survival.
In addition, the fact that humans who can do this murdering and sleep at night is almost more disturbing than the murdering itself. I could not even stand to be in the same room as one of these hunters. I think all of my belief in pacifism would go right out the window if I ever came face to face with someone who was part of the seal hunt. I really do. I get a lump in my throat just thinking about it. I almost made myself sick looking for this photo, and I actually went out of my way to choose one that was toned down... and it was hard to find.
I am comforted by the recent European Union ban on seal product trade and also by Russian's ban on their commercial seal slaughter. The USA and Mexico have also banned the sale of seal products. These are just small steps in bringing this cruelty to an end, but at least some places are moving in the right direction. There is nothing I would love to see more, in my lifetime, than for this terrible seal hunt to end. It really is "Canada's shame." I will never be fully at peace in life until there is peace and harmony between humans and animals.
DAY 06 - SOMETHING RANDOM
Guitar Hero (Wii).
Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to my new best friends...
Ah, yes. Guitar Hero. Never in my life did I think I would get into this game; I thought people looked ridiculous playing it. Once I got my Wii, I noticed I got bored quickly. I loved the console and I loved what it could do, but I got bored with just Super Mario Bros. Eventually, you stem out into other games and then other technologies you can use with it (I acquired the Wii Fit first). Well, I decided to invest in Guitar Hero even though I had never played it a day in my life. Smart, I know. I was terrible at first, truly terrible. I thought I was going to have to take it back. I have virtually no sense of rhythm and despite my good reflexes, I am terribly uncoordinated sometimes. Although it is not like playing a real guitar, it does require that same coordination and fast thinking. It is not exactly a 'mindless' game! Anyway, after a couple of weeks I really started to improve and I really fell in love with Guitar Hero. I am still on Medium and while I struggle with some songs, I am slowly getting the hang of others. I like that I can at least see my progress and see myself getting better.
I gave the singing a try today and wow... talk about a dream come true! I really, really wanted to be a singer when I was younger. I had a nice voice but that disappeared in my late teens. I still have that desire in the back of my mind. I would never dream of doing karaoke. I do not sing in front of other people (may have posed a problem if I actually did try and pursue a career in music). So this gives me the perfect opportunity to sing while no one is listening and have a good time doing it. I have not tried the drums yet. I fear my poor coordination will not serve me there at all and will be even harder to tackle than the guitar. I really do not see myself being able play. Though I was in the steel band for a while...
I just wanted to use my "random" Tumblr day to rave about this game--and the Wii itself, for that matter. I have just been having a blast with this console, and it is so good to be playing games and still getting exercise. More so than Super Mario Bros. or any of the other sit-down games, I find myself reaching for the ones that require physical interaction like Wii Sports, Sports Resort, Just Dance, Wii Fit. Even with Guitar Hero, at least you are standing and moving around a bit (or at least I do). That is really key for me, to stop sitting so much. I have a system that now has me interested in working out and given me a way to have fun all by myself or with others. It really is my new way to wind down and de-stress.
I would highly recommend this console to anyone looking to put a little fun back into their lives, wanting a new and fun way to get some physical activity into your routine or just a really cool way to relax and have a good time alone or with friends/family. Even if you are not a video game person, this console is so much different and offers so much more than a regular console would. It is just just for "gamers," and it definitely appeals to all ages and genders. It really is revolutionary, in my opinion. I am so glad I did not get any of the other systems. Once I saw what the Wii could do, I heard my heart set on it and I am very glad I did not look back. What a fantastic investment (or in my case, Christmas present)!
With all I am going through right now, I am glad I have my Wii for my downtime. It is better than sitting on the couch in front of the TV. Or worse, sitting and thinking too much and allowing myself time to get depressed.
DAY 05 - QUOTE OF THE DAY
I have a few quotes I want to post. Some of the most inspiring things I have heard have been from writers and poets. That is not to say there are not others, and I have thrown some others in for good measure.
"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." - e.e. cummings
"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." - e.e. cummings
"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence." - Robert Frost
"How poor are they who have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees." - William Shakespeare
"Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will." - George Bernard Shaw
"If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you." - Oscar Wilde
"Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live." - Oscar Wilde
"The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for." - Oscar Wilde
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." - Jimi Hendrix
"'Don't do as I do-do as YOU do.' I hope young folk feel empowered to freely be whoever the fuck they want to be!" - Adam Lambert (via Twitter)
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain
"I just want to say, get out there and plunge into your own little life. Do something you think you cannot do or think you do not like. There." - Jann Arden
"You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist." - Friedrich Nietzsche
"Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius-and a lot of courage-to move in the opposite direction." - Albert Einstein
"Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." - Albert Einstein
"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats." - Albert Schweitzer
"Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway." - Mary Kay Ash
"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." - George Eliot
DAY 04 - A GOOD BOOK
Now, I could choose a number of books for this entry but I have chosen what I consider to be my 'favourite book of all time': The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. This is not my favourite book because I think it is the most well-written book in the history of literature (though it is fantastically written). This is my favourite novel because of the way it made me feel the first time I read it, over ten years ago. It is very important to me, both as a reader and a writer, because it inspired me so much in so many ways. I read this novel in middle school when we were assigned a book report. I cannot recall why or how I chose this book, but it was the best decision I ever made. With a passion for books herself, Hinton was inspired to start writing because of all the reading she did. We share this in common. I did not know I wanted to be a writer until I started reading book after book in elementary school. This book, however, greatly propelled my career decision. I kid you not.
It is not surprising that the book I chose is a coming-of-age novel. I read so many of these growing up, including the legendary Catcher in the Rye which I treasure dearly. The Outsiders provides boys with friendships they can relate to, and it provides girls with insight into the bonds of brotherhood. I feel it appeals to both genders equally, and I always found it so fascinating that it was written by a woman. Hinton wrote this story between the ages of 15 and 19, and once I found that out I had a bit more faith in my own writing. Here I was, almost the same age, hoping to write my own novel someday. Hinton is also the inspiration for my own pen name, A.E. Cox. She was told by her publisher to use her initials (instead of Susan Eloise) to deter any sexism or dismissal from male book reviewers. While the extent of sexism in the publishing world has improved greatly from the past, I feel this is an unspoken tribute to someone who inspired me as a writer and I will continue to use this pen name for the rest of my life.
After their parents die in a car crash, Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darry have to stick together and look after each other. They are part of a "gang" called the Greasers, made up of other poor, lower-class boys who have endured a rough life. Darry, the eldest, drops out of school and gets a job to support his brothers. The other Greasers include Dally, Two-Bit, Steve and Johnny. The rival gang in the novel, the Socs (Socials), are rich, snotty, upper-class boys who pick fights with the Greasers. The novel eventually leads up to a big turf war brawl. The Greasers are pushed into a lifestyle of robbery and fighting in order to survive. Despite the harsh themes of the novel, death included, it explores some really beautiful friendships. The Greasers risk their lives for each other and do not think twice about it. When I read this as a kid, I always used to wonder what it would be like to have people who would risk their lives for me and vice versa. I wondered if I would ever find a friendship that went that deep. Although I do not feel I have found that, this novel keeps the hope alive that I might someday.
Ponyboy, for me, is one of the most treasured characters ever written. I will never forget Ponyboy, and I will never stop wishing I could have known him if he existed. The extraordinary and somewhat famous line from this book, "stay gold," is said to Ponyboy as Johnny is close to his death. Ponyboy reads Johnny Gone with the Wind and Robert Frost's eight-line poem Nothing Can Stay Gold while they hide out in an abandoned church after a fight with the Socs. Although the poem suggests that everything in nature must come to an end (with references to Adam and Eve), Johnny tells Ponyboy to "stay gold" and never change.
The 1983 film adaptation is beautiful and I feel it honors the story, themes and characters of the novel well. I have not read anything about Hinton's thoughts on the film, but I am sure she would be pleased. The film is comprised of actors such as Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise and Diane Lane. I highly recommend both the novel and the film to anyone looking for a coming-of-age story that will surely tug at some heartstrings and teach you about true friendship.
To encourage myself to post here every day, no matter how short the entry, I am going to be participating in the "30 Days of Tumblr." It started last month, I believe, but I am going to do it for the month of April. April 1st-April 3rd entries are below.
If you are interested in viewing all of the items on the list, you can view it after Day 03. And please, if you are participating too, let me know! :)
DAY 01 - NEWLY DISCOVERED SONG
"Cousins" - Vampire Weekend. Love this song. I recently discovered this band via Guitar Hero (I had heard of them but had not listened to them), and I am loving them. Their songs are catchy, unique and everything I love about indie. ♥
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