Kitty!

I miss my black, furry, mischevious, devious pussy cat. I miss taking naps at noon, chasing each other in the morning, or hearing her little bell tinkle outside my door, drawing me out of my bed so that I can let her come into my room.
I miss tearing around the house until she is cornered and then scooping her up in my arms and seeing that "Yes, you caught me. Good job. Now put me down so you can catch me again" look. I miss sneaking up behind her and trying to scare her, and then laughing till I burst when she jumps two feet into the air. I miss watching her hunt for flies, and hearing the strange chirping she makes as she's creeping up to them. . .as if she's calling them to her, soothing them, or casting a kitty spell to make that buzzing insect stay on the lower window pane so she can get it. Not to mention trying to protect my cup of milk or water from her, which did not always work as can be seen below.*sigh* I can't wait to see her again . . . .

Special thanks to Manda Panda for the adorable pictures!

About nothing

Here's a nothing post just because I feel like doing one. Thanks Mastah and Fiend for your comforting words, they made me feel better, and I wish you luck for when you start.

So, about nothing. It's such a very common word used when a person is being modest, I've realized. I went into work and asked one of my work buddies (who I haven't seen all summer) if she had a good vacation.

"It was nice. I just worked all the time," she answered.
To which I replied, "What did you do?"
"Oh nothing."

Well, I poked and prodded and discovered that she had gone to over seven concerts during the summer! That is not nothing! That is something! But she was being modest. After all, I had told her that I went to Rush and Dream Theater, just to see what would happen and that was when she told me. So, if someone says "nothing" then that means something. You just probably have to take down your own modesty curtain before they'll take down yours, which is hard. I like listening to people talk, and I always feel like I'm bragging or something when I open my mouth. I think that's becuase of last year. . . one of my roommates was the "Me monster" (see Brian Regen's me monster skit on youtube), and that was the one time when I said to myself, "Self, I don't ever want to bore people by talking about my insignificant problems or that my marching band experience was the hardest experience in the history of marching band." Sheesh! I almost wish she had nothing to say! Okay, that was rude. . .heh heh.

Other than that, I like sitting around and doing nothing. Although, nothing also constitutes as daydreaming, brainstorming, counting bricks, going for walks, and I suppose reading. Though I could never really classify that as nothing. I always go places when I read . . . .

*picks up book*

Complaint Department

Here I go, feel free to stop reading anytime:

So, it is (or soon will be) common knowledge that I am absolutely scared of Organic Chemistry, but I am determined to do my best and not fail. This basically means that I'll be reading the textbook, which I have found from last year in chemistry that I just get confused with all the sp orbitals, valence bonds, H-C-Q structures and hybridizations, and 758375 Kj/mol. My teacher, however, seems really down to earth, and as he was talking to us I just kept thinking, "Man, if he could do it, I can do it too." I just need to work harder and actually do what he advises. Which is:

Step 1: read the textbook like it's a novel. Just read it and try not to study it.
Step 2: pay attention in lectures and ask the "why?" question
Step 3: could also be considered part of step 2, but basically re-read the book and work on the problems, and study and try to understand the parts that are confusing
Step 4: after doing the problems (and not just doing them but thinking them through) then check yourself in the student manual that you coughed up $100 just to help you with this sort of thing
Step 5: any problems go see the professor for help

I think I'll add- Step 6: If your insanity is threatened, take a nap, read a book, surf on the web, or write.

I know if I work for it I can do it, but it still doesn't change the fact that I'm nervous.

Evolution doesn't seem so bad, except I'm not sure I'll need the textbook, and if I don't then I'll try to get by without buying it. The teacher said "I test on the things covered in the powerpoint but there are some things in the book you should know."

So is that buy the book or not? I probably will, but I'll wait until he pops a chapter assignment or something on us and I'll need it then, or when I have more money. I'm still trying to get over the cost of books! And I didn't buy my criminal justice book becuase I wasn't sure if I'll need it or not, but now I know I do. I returned my evolution book, and tomorrow I'll get my criminal justice book, and then keep an eye out on the internet for a cheap evolution book. the thing is that if I buy it online, it'll be harder to get rid of it. Also, I need to buy one of three popular science books to read for this class, so I'll have try to find a book (I still need to pick what one to read) around town or online. Though, I'm thinking of getting "Evolution and Mormonism" becuase it may be a book that I'll have no qualms about keeping.

On the plus side, I'm back at Hollywood Video but I'm not going to be working so much (15 hours a week at the most), I won't be closing or opening, and my manager is going to give me a raise. So, thankfully, I'm going to have an income and will have lots of time to focus on my classes and sneak in some writing.

Maybe an adventure will find me . . . .

Thank you for listening to my complaints. I normally don't do this, but getting it out means that I won't bore people's ears off with my constant mention of it.
Beginning to stress, Goaty-floo.

Money suckers

So, I'm back here in good ol' SUU and Mandi and I went to the bookstore to take a look at the books we need to get.
So, I look at my biology book and the used copies are $84, which is normal for those books. I look at my book for criminal justice 1010 and it's also $84, which surprises me a little but, hey, I'll still buy it. I then look at english, and one of my books is just $15 and the other is brand new and $32. I look at the second one and say to myself, "Self, I can get that cheaper off amazon" (which it is. $26 and I can get it on the free shipping special).

Then I decide to go over to where the chemistry books are located and see the damage that those would cost. I was expecting a lot to go towards those, but not as much as the price was. One of my books is brand new and so the used copies are around $150. And instead of having a lab booklet that I fill out, I have to buy a whopping book for lab! Not to mention a study guide for the lecture book, and another booklet. Later, I calculated it all out and if I were to buy them all (including the cheaper one off amazon) it would be almost $600. I definitly need a job, but I was planning on applying for a bunch here in Cedar anyways. Mandi, Chris, and I are going to go off and get a bunch of job applications as we roam around cedar and then have a job application filling party. If worse comes to worse, I can always go back to Hollywood Video, but request no closing shifts. :P I don't know if I want to take the other Organic chemistry class next semester, even though it'd be better for me. I could get it all over and done, but I don't want to go through it. I'm nervous enough about it this semester. *sigh*

It really sucks that college textbooks have to be so expensive, but that's what happens and it's most unfortunate. Not to mention, that when you sell them back to the school, they buy it from you at half the price. I've thought about selling it online, but at the end of the semester it's just so much easier standing in the buyback line and getting rid of them. At least I'll get a bunch of money back . . . . hopefully.

Well, I guess I'll order the thesaurus online, take a deep breath, close my eyes, and then buy the other books. And then hope that I'll get a job other than Hollywood. Until then, I'll just go and write.

Signing off sadly, Jessika

The Goose Girl

I finished The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale. It was wonderful, lovely, touching, happy, and all around amazing. I've never read a book that made me actually want to cry. For those of you who've read it, I think you know what part I'm referring to . . . Falada . . . . And if only I could understand the wind! How cool is that?!

*sigh* I love magic!

And one day as I was writing, I realized that in a story a writer introduces characters up until a certain point and then he/she doesn't introduce anymore, but uses those that already exist to finish the story. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the last major character important to the story who is introduced is Xenophilius Lovegood, and a minor character is Yaxley, one of the death eaters. After that, everything happens with the characters you already love, hate, and fear. If another character is introduced after the unknown certain point (like I tried to do) there isn't enough time to really get to know and develop that character, and they sort of become a person you don't care about. I would have never thought that that could have happened, and was pleasantly surprised by it. Now I know. And a good thing about this realization is that it has given me better ideas for my story, like how to go about killing off a few people. A sad business, but funny how it seems to be needed. . . .that's a morbid thought! Pardon me!

Just another example that writing is NOT words magically appearing in the notebook or on the computer screen.

Power of Three

I just finished reading this newer book by Diana Wynne Jones, and it is amazing. It's the first book I've read by her that did not involve Howl or Chrestomanci and so I was greatly pleased. It is more serious than the other books involving our favorite wizard and enchanter, but just as enjoyable and gripping. What amazed me most of all was that the two peoples who hated and feared each other (Dorig and "Lymen"), and the giants (so to speak, humans) were very similar despite their many outward differences. As you follow the three main characters, Gair, Anya, and Ceri throughout the adventure of trying to bring peace to the Moor and lift a curse, the recurrance of the fact that though customs and looks may be different, but we/they are all the same, made it so enjoyable and thrilling to me. Not to mention the climax of the whole thing, holy cow! It was amazing. Loved it!

Well, felt like sharing that before I go sane again. Nasty thing, saneness. I don't like it. . . .

Wondering what to read now, Acissej Senoj

I didn't do it!

I swear! It wasn't me! I was framed! Okay. . .so maybe I did it. . .but it wasn't by my own choice!!! Mastah made me do it! She said, "Minion, I want you to do THIS!!" she said! I tried to reason with her, but Mastah's recently gone insane and is now an Insane Mastah Genius!! I tried to resist, but her genius will was too insane and diabolical for a little minion like myself! . . . .No, that message wasn't from her. . . .No, I don't know who sent it, they said to burn it as soon as I read it so I did (with much burning and flaming! muahahahahaa!). . . .It had to be from Mastah! I know it was from Mastah! Who else would come up with a devious scheme and inform me with a hand-written message on a piece of parchment with a wax seal bearing the Jolly Roger?! . . . .You baboon! The Dread Pirate Julianna wouldn't have sent that to me! She wouldn't be able to! She's currently sacking villages and ports in the Caribbean sea! . . . .What's this? The Elvish Pirate Gypsy may have slunked into her house, written a message, sealed it with the Dread Pirate's seal, and then sent it to me knowing I would never suspect her? You normal person lacking imagination! The Elvish Pirate Gyspy wouldn't do that! She's currently on the trail of the Bamboozling Harmdinger! . . . .What do you mean she's sitting comfortably at home? She is not! She's in the deepest mountain peak in the highest jungles looking for the harmdinger! . . .You beg to differ do you! I know! She sent me this cursed voodoo doll from a tribal chief she befriended! Besides, her elvish third wouldn't allow such a thing! . . . .what do you mean her elvish third could be distracted, she's one-third elvish!! Elves are not easily distracted! . . . . You and your "I beg to differ"s! I'll show you differs! Take THAT! And THAT!!

*scuffles with invisible opponent for a couple of hours*

Say Uncle! Say Uncle! . . . .Not Aunty, you twit!!

*more fighting. Knocks over a plant*

Oh, now you've done it! That was Mastah's favorite plant!

*punching, kicking, biting, twisting, wrestling, and another two hours later. . . .*

Yeah! That's right! Leave! Leave and go tattle tell to the police! They can't catch me! I'm a nomad and I serve no one but the Insane Mastah Genius!

Where's a cookie. I need a cookie. . . .I like the cookie. . . .

*munches*

Rambling again.

So, it's 10 pm and I'm just bored, so I felt like sharing this lovely picture with my wonderful friends who spy on me. It's called Leap of Faith, painted by the amazing Micheal Whelan (if I spelled his name right. . .which I probably didn't). It is one of my favorites, but especially my favorite of all of his pictures that feature the common theme of a person, dressed in white, stuck or standing in what looks like an old, crumbling building, and have no visible way of getting out of their current predicament; let alone how they even got to where they were in the first place. This picture has always sent chills up my spine (which it is doing right now) each time I look at it: a person, who looks like a young man to me, throwing himself into the space as if hoping that his leap will take him towards the light. Why does he even want to go towards the light? Why does he even leap? The lighting itself is eerie with everything a dark gray to black and only one little part illuminated. It's like life. You can be going along, fine as can be, and then you reach the end of the road--or slab--that your walking on. You can't go back, because going back means dwelling in the past, and those who dwell in the past only destroy themselves. The only way to live is to move foward, but how can you move forward when your road has ended? I feel like that sometimes . . . like I've hit a dead end and nothing in front of me but a infinite drop. Not in the sense of depression or anything like that, but just that I don't know what to do with myself, or my life, but I know I have to keep moving forward. When you keep going forward then everything turns out right. However, sometimes you can't just keep walking, but you have to take that leap of faith, close your eyes and throw yourself into the abyss, try something new, move away from home, or get a new job. Something that puts yourself at risk but not in a self-destructive way like drugs or alcohol. You know . . . that's always a scary thing to do, to close your eyes and jump, but at least I know this: the light will catch you.

Okay, that kinda hurt, so on to a more enjoyable subject that doesn't require attempting to use the other 90% of the brain . . . . Wouldn't it be awesome if we had magic? Not the silly trick cards and coins, or "Watch me saw my beautiful assitant in half and hope I don't really do it" tricks, but REAL magic? Like *coughs* Chrestomanci kind of magic, where you don't need a wand to channel your power, but it is all in your mind and will. The kind where its just waiting for you to push it one way or another. Man, if I had magical powers, I would just enjoy the feel of it rather than actually use it for anything or against anyone. Magic is just so cool.

Dreamily yours, Nomadic Defective Minion Jekka

Snakes and Arrows

I'm a little late on posting but I was sleepy all day yesterday due to RUSH: SNAKES AND ARROWS!!! Oh yeah!

This has been such a wonderful summer! First Pirates: At World's End, then Harry Potter, then Dream Theater, and now Rush. Oh, what joy and excitement! They were spetacular! They were my first concert, and now my fifth (which, by the way, is my favorite number). Like their Vapor Trails tour, they were amazing with awesome light effects, laser effects, and pyrotechnics on the stage. They let off fireworks when they played Far Cry from the newest album, and that was cool. Then, they played another song called One Little Victory which has bursts of flames leaping up off the stage as they play; concluding the whole song with all of the flame contraptions going off at once. My family and I were sitting quite a ways from the stage, but we felt the heat from the flames, it was awesome!!!

During the second half of the show, Geddy Lee (vocals, base guitar, and synthesizer) and Alex Lifeson (back-up vocals and guitars) left the stage so that Neil Pert could do his traditional drum solo. Mandi, I wish you could have been there to see him. He was amazing. He played for what easily could have been twenty minutes (not entirely sure, but it wasn't ten minutes) on his drums. It was really awesome! Then Alex came back on stage and played a solo on the acoustic guitar, which was also spetacular, and then Geddy came back out and they did their next song. *sigh* I love this band!

I got my shirt! yay!

Happily signing off: A pleased fan

Just a poem

I wrote this poem, intending to stick it in my story to replace a different one, and I just want some opinions on it. It's basically the rough draft, and I've never been good at writing poems so any bit of advice helps:

"I wish," said the wind, blowing strong
"That I were like the tree
And stood unmoving for all time."

"I wish," said the tree, standing tall
"That I were like the wind
And beheld the wonders of the world."

"I wish," said the river, flowing deep
"That I were like the mountain
So tall and proud, strong and wild."

"I wish," said the mountain, rearing high
"That I were like the river
So graceful and calm, wise and patient."

"I wish," said the desert, sitting bare
"That I were like the ocean
Filled with life and always wet."

"I wish," said the ocean, crashing loud
"That I were like the desert
Filled with secrets and always dry."

"I wish," said the world, revolving slow
"That all things would be grateful to God
Who made them with purpose, and gave them life."

Ponderously yours, Goat