Stuff Nobody Cares About

Writer's Block: Sharing Haikus

2008-09-05T10:44:37Z

The Japanese haiku poet Basho once wrote, "Old pond / a frog jumps / the sound of water." Try writing some of your own haikus about the little things in your life. A haiku generally consists of a five-syllable line, a seven-syllable line and a second five-syllable line. You can also use any combination of ten-to-fourteen syllables.

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(Written in 5-7-5 format)

I despise haikus
There is never quite the time
To finish sen-

Writer's Block: Checklist for Eternity

2008-08-31T11:53:32Z

If you could live forever how would you spend your time?

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I wouldn't want to. Ugh. In fact, that would be absolutely horrible.

You'd never be able to attach yourself to anyone: unless, of course, you're the type who would enjoy watching loved ones die on a regular 60-or-so year basis.

If you needed to keep your immortality a secret, you'd never be able to live in one place for more than ten years anyway, and that's pushing it. More than likely you'd be stuck in your own, isolated immortal world with, what, books for company? (The prospect of endless learning was a popular answer)

Look, I love reading, but I've always thought that a novel's true power was in it's ability to show us something new about the world we live in and the life in which we experience it. Without real life, as in a life that includes birth and age and death, it's really hard to enjoy anything.

And after a certain amount of time, you might start to look down on everything around you as petty and insignificant. How can something that lasts only a few seconds (in relation to the eons you have to exist) have any importance in the grand scheme of things, after all?

Plus, from a spiritual perspective, you are eternally cut off from the potential of true immortality (of the soul) and happiness.

More specifically, from a Christian perspective (which I bring up because I'm Christian, not to exclude other religions) you've completely invalidated the meaning of the Cross: Christ's sacrafice was so that men's souls would be saved. If you dodge that bullet forever, then what was the point?

No thanks, I'll pass. Come, south wind.

Blah blah philosophical idiocy blah.

Birthday Stuff and College

2008-08-15T13:22:24Z

Well, my birthday was August 14th. I can now vote, sign official documents and enlist in the armed forces. ISN'T THIS A GREAT COUNTRY? 8D
It was a good day, although I was only able to do 7.5 miles out of my 9 mile hill run: it began raining too hard. Not that I care about getting wet, but cars can't see you and branches start whacking me in the head.

I went out to dinner with my family and best friend to celebrate. Got some wonderful gifts. Mom gave me a little tape recorder for college lectures that doubles as an MP3 player, Dad gave me a pair of really comfortable flip flops from the running store I go to. (Which reminds me that I still have to go there and use that $35 gift certificate I won in a race. Yay.) My little brother made me a card about how he likes watching Avatar with me. ^_____^

So yeah, none of this is really interesting, is it?

Um...

I've gotten my rooming assignment: a quad. Wasn't expecting that, but at least you get to meet more people that way. And I was able to get a floor in the substance-free housing, which is what I applied for, and it's a descision I'm very glad I made. Plus, the house in is central campus... which makes it a short jaunt from basically everything. I start on the 23rd.

Still not interesting.

Oh, and Breaking Dawn was an utter disaster, MAN, but now I have boarded the S.S Blackwater. Loved Leah in this book. And Jacob, before he was lobotomized by the Creature From the Deep.

User Name Change?

2008-06-18T18:33:16Z

I was thinking about changing my username. I originally picked it because it was easy to remember and whatnot, but I'm rather tired of it. Changing it wouldn't screw anything up, would it?

(Suggestions, anybody?)

xcgirl08 @ 2008-06-17T21:29:00

2008-06-18T01:32:29Z

So after reading this amazing fic ( http://ophelietta.livejournal.com/8356.html) by the even more amazing ophelietta, my mind has been opened up to the fabulousness that is Leah Clearwater. :D

I was wondering: are there any Sam/Leah fics out there? That would be niiiiice.

She is also really fun to draw.

Sweet, Sweet Reading. And Art.

2008-06-11T03:39:08Z

A few days ago, I was motivated to draw up a piece as a tribute to one of my favorite poems: 'Still I Rise', by Maya Angelou. I can just hear it being spoken in that low, patient, strong voice of hers and it hurts my heart because it's just so beautiful. Augh.

It also made me wonder: what's your favorite poem/author/genre? Or is poetry just not your thing, and you're more of the literature type?

In other words, REC ME STUFF. :D

Still I Rise
-Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

Long Time No Write, Homiez

2008-06-09T18:12:59Z

Wow, I haven't updated this thing in a loooooooong time. Inactive journals actually bother people, I've discovered. Who knew?

Anyway, my high school graduation was yesterday. We didn't get caps and gowns, seeing as how we're a preparatory boarding/day school and have to ostracize ourselves from society by avoiding common/enjoyable practices, so no hats to chuck into the air.

It was also 95 degrees out in the direct sunlight which we were sitting in, and now I have a deliciously scarlet sunburn on my chest: which is unusual, because I'm fairly dark skinned (hahaha) and rarely get singed. Luckily my family was able to sit in the shade.

Those complaints aside, it was very nice. One of my friends recieved an award granted to those who've exhibited exceptional persistence and commitment to their education and extracurriculars: she definitely deserved it.

She went deaf when she was younger, but still plays the clarinet. Beautifully, actually, and I'm not just saying that: she knew the music so well before she lost her hearing that she knows how it should feel playing it now, and has some excellent instructors to walk her through rough spots.

She also runs cross country with me, works in community service and is just an overall sweet and kick-ass person who never lets things get her down. :) I really admire her. She reads lips during conversations, but we're going to the same college and I wanted to study sign language over the summer. You know, to surprise her.

Now that high school is over, I feel rather displaced. Not to mention ANCIENT OH GOOD GRAVY.

I swung by the art center and picked up a digital piece that I had been asked to put up there before leaving campus. My Computer Color and Design prof liked my stuff, so I wanted to see if I could utilize what minimal skills I have in my job hunt. Wah. D: Need to do moar Jacob/Bella.

I'm starting at Connecticut College in the fall. Am also following the training schedule the cross country coach mailed me, one of the harder plans. I'm set up for a long run today, but it's still so friggin' hot that I'll have to wait until 6:00 or so to avoid heatstroke. I think I saw Satan buying a slurpee. *melts*

Oh, and remember that James/Victoria query I made? I started writing something, but it's mushrooming into an epically tl;dr one shot about their history together that I don't think anyone will bother to read. Suggestions?

Hmm

2008-05-08T16:44:42Z

GUISE, GUISE, I need to know:

has Victoria/James ever been written before? I would like to try, and thought that I could use some inspiration.

I mean, super ebil couples are always win.

THAT IS ALL.

TL; DR Survey

2008-04-15T01:36:40Z

SOOOOOO I found this random survey lurking in a corner of my crazy fandom, and decided to fill it out. Without realizing how long it is, and how quickly this stuff gets old. Ah well, proceed to fail.

Which book in the series is your favorite?

New Moon, most definitely. For the Jacob/Bella, of course.

How long did it take you to read the books?

All three of them? A couple of days, allowing for my regular schedule and shiz. I probably wouldn't have read past Twilight if I hadn't been given enough spoilers to be curious about future events.

Who introduced you to the books?

My little sister read them first.

She HATES reading, so I looked at the 400+ page count and figured that they must be pretty enthralling to push her through them in under a week. My real motivation for reading them, to be honest and corny, was so that I could maybe flail with her over whoevertheHell this 'Edward Cullen' kid was. She and I usually enjoy sharing similar intrests in fandoms.

Haha, that didn't work out so well.....

Did you buy them, borrow them, or have them given to you as a gift?

Borrow.

Are you most looking forward to: Breaking Dawn, Midnight Sun, or the movie?

Breaking Dawn, although it's more with fearful anticipation and a want to move on with my fandom life...my poor doomed ship. The fans of J/B make it worth the ride, though.

What's your dream ending to the series?

HAHAHAHAHAHA. Steph Meyer goes back, actually re-reads her work and realizes that everything in the series points to Jacob/Bella and that everything and everyone on the planet ships Jacob/Bella.

Jacob imprints, but his free will and human love for Bella winz all. He gets over it and goes running back to Forks.

Bella realizes that immortality is made of epic fail and that the sun > drugs. Epic altar epiphany.

J/B ensues, along with little werewolf babies.

Favorites:

Who is your favorite character?

Jacob Black

Who's your favorite vampire?

Rosalie. Who in my wildest dreams is Steph Meyer's mouthpiece of the series saying "DON'T BE AN IDIOT."

Who is your favorite werewolf?

Jacob! You will see this answer lot.

What's one of your favorite quotes from the stories?

The one with Jacob saying to Bella that he would have been the air and the sun. It kills me lyke woah every time and I still can't read that chapter in a public place.

What was your favorite Bella and Edward moment?

"C U L8R BB!!!"

Seriously, though, leaving was the most loving and unselfish thing he's ever done for her.

What was your favorite Bella and Jacob moment?

THE KISS IN ECLIPSE. WHERE BELLA SEES HER FUTURE WITH CHANGE AND PURPOSE AND LIFE AND WHY THE &*%#^%^ IS SHE NOT ENDING UP WITH JACOB?

How about your favorite Bella and Alice moment?

Blah. I don't really have one.

What was your favorite adventure/battle?

The fight scene in Eclipse was actually pretty good, save for the stupid rock thing. I may or may not have cracked up at that.

Which book cover was your favorite?

I like the colors of the 'New Moon' cover, the red veins on the white flower. I believe that it's a tulip.

In that case, tulips symbolize declarations of love. Red tulips specifically signify undying love, and white tulips symbolize modesty and simplicity: the way that J/B is so strong and beautiful yet subtle and human. Yay.

Are these books among your favorite books of all?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA

no.

This or That?

Twilight or New Moon?

New Moon

New Moon or Eclipse?

New Moon

Eclipse or Twilight?

Eclipse.

Are you more excited about Breaking Dawn or Midnight Sun?

Didn't I already answer this? BD. Sort of.

Midnight Sun or the Twilight Movie?

Twilight Movie. Midnight Sun just doesn't interest me, and the title further supports the idea that Edward is the moon, thus dead and cold. :/

The Twilight Movie or Breaking Dawn?

Twilight Movie, only because RPattz is lovely.

Who do you want to see Bella with most: Edward or Jacob?

LOL. Have you seen my dev page, exactly?

Who do you like more:

Bella or Edward?

Uh....Bella when she's with Jacob and not acting like a milquetoast.

Bella or Jacob?

Jacob.

Bella or Alice?

Bella.

Alice or Edward?

Edward

Alice or Jacob?

Jacob.

Rosalie or Alice?

Rosalie.

Jasper or Alice?

Jasper

Jasper or Edward?

Jasper. When he's all "Let's just put her in the field because I'm a kick arse military guy who at one point and time was actually worthy of being associated with the word 'vampire'."

Carlisle or Esme?

Bleh.

Emmett or Jasper?

Emmett. I wish we knew more about him, plz.

Emmett or Jacob?

JACOB. HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TYPE THIS?

Bella or Rosalie?

Rosalie

Esme or Charlie?

Charlie

Charlie or Carlisle?

Charlie.

I want to have him turn out to be a warlock and turn Edward into a toad. THAT is a plot twist.

Charlie or Billy?

Charlie

Jacob or Sam?

Jacob.

Sam or Quil?

Sam. I sort of want him to get back together with Leah, just to prove that imprinting is stuupppiiiid.

Quil or Embry?

Quil.

Who's the better villain: James or Victoria?

Victoria.

And now I want to write James/Victoria, because Bella never quite tried to wrap her head around the idea of what she would do if someone killed off ~~Jacob~~ HER true love and it was within her ability to exact revenge.

Werewolves or Vampires?

Werewolves.

And Joss Whedon vampires. (Oh, Angel.)

Movie Stuff:

How did you first find out about the movie?

Internet.

Are you excited?

No, not really. It will be interesting.

What do you think of the casting so far?

Rob Pattz is win. I'm still pissed that we won't get a re-cast for New Moon Jacob, though.

I just hope that, when the movieverse!Twilight fans flood the internet, they won't barge into the J/B comm and go "EW HOW CAN YOU SHIP THEM TOGETHER????? HE'S NOT HOTT AT ALLLLLL". I think my brain would throw a piston.

Are you going to go see it?

Matinee, maybe. I'm not spending any more money on this than I have to, and I will have to leave the theater for the meadow scene because seeing a grown man *sparkling* on screen will make me laugh so damn hard that I'll be kicked out anyway.

(Seriously, if my boyfriend glittered he would never hear the end of it. If I ended up marrying him, I'd call him Disco Balls.)

Planning on going with anyone in particular?

Sis.

Do you think it will stay true to the book?

I guess so. It seems like they've taken a few artistic liscenses.

Breaking Dawn Speculation:

Are you planning on buying this book as soon as it's out?

Depends. I will wait and check what people online say. If it ends they way I think it will, then no. If I discover that my ship has somehow overcome all odds I will run to the nearest bookstore and do a dance on the counters.

Do you think Bella will be turned into a vampire finally?

Yes. Sadly.

Do you think she and Edward will get married?

"

Do you think Jacob might imprint in this book?

"

Who do you think Bella will end up with : Edward or Jacob?

Edward

Do you think it will be a happy, sad, or shocking ending?

Why is 'hair-rippingly infuriating' not an option?

Who do you think will be the villain(s) of the book this time?

The Volturi, I suppose....

How would you feel about a possible vampire / werewolf cross?

What, like in 'Underworld'? Hahaha, no thanks.

Will Charlie find out Edward is a vampire?

I can't imagine that going well.

Will the vampires and werewolves continue the truce they had in Eclipse?

No.

I want this vampire/werewolf war to EXPLODE. PLURAL BATTLES. I want to meet the Denali family and other wolf packs.....possibly European werewolves who have been duking it out with the Volturi for centuries.

(Think about it. Vampires live all over the world, and werewoves exist to kill vampires. They've gotta be scattered everywhere, too. Except for Africa. I'm thinking wereleopards there. LOLOLOL)

If anyone, who do you think will die in this book?

Besides Bella? All the Cullens are already dead, too, so...maybe one of the wolves. T_T

For a twist: what would you think if Edward was somehow turned human?

*HACK*

If that happens, that will be the biggest cop-out in the history of literature.

If that is the case: penetration test. I swear.

(To those not in the know, a penetration test is an experiment of how well a bullet pierces various material. Such as a thick book.)

Do you think Jacob will be over Bella by the end of the book?

Not by a long shot, no matter what she tries to tell herself.

What do you most want to happen in Breaking Dawn?

War, epiphany, Jacob/Bella.

Tanya finally tracks Edward down. Because seriously, that boy needs a woman who won't put up with his BS.

HAHAHAHA

2008-03-25T14:00:04Z

http://community.livejournal.com/edwardsangst/

THIS IS SERIOUSLY THE MOST AMAZING THING I HAVE EVER SEEN: I WAS ALMOST CRYING FROM LAUGHING SO HARD. CRYING.

EPIC WIN IS EPIC.

The journal of one "Edward Cullen", in which he angsts about being a vampire and realizes that he needs to update his underwear collection.

(Among other things.) lololol.

"Tracktice"

2008-03-23T19:54:44Z

I wonder if I can get that little phrase to catch on with the rest of the team. (Track+ Practice.) Probably not.

Either way, it's the beginning of another spring term. ( My last one as a high schooler.... Man, I am such a geezer.) I'm especially happy with my Field Ecology class, as we are required to keep field notebooks of observational sketches; I think I physically lit up when it was mentioned that there are copious amounts of drawing involved in the curriculum. XD

But , more importantly, track and field has started again. Yaaaaay.

Although I'm going to be honest and say that cross country will always be infintely superior, to me. Track has too many restrictions, lines, stopwatches and endless laps around that stupid 400 meter oval; especially because I run, specifically, long distance track (800 meters, 1500 meters, and most often the 3000 meter), so the repetition is a given. Cross country has so much more fredom to it (even though the races are longer) hills, mud, fields and all.

Oh well. Once track is over I can start summer training, which is always the best. I love the super-long distance runs; I'm going to try and bump my longest runs up to 15 miles this year (as compared to 12.5 last year.) Blah blah blah obsession blah blah blah.

And my feet weep.

Now that I've sufficiently bored you, here's a Twilight Art Meme (nothing special, really) http://xcgirl08.deviantart.com/art/Twilight-Art-Meme-80212596?offset=25#comments

Oh, and HAPPY EASTER!!!

Fandom List

2008-02-22T16:20:02Z

Wow, I'm actually using this journal for something, as trivial as it may be. Nontheless, I decided to slap together a list of all the 'fandoms' that I have either discovered or have been drafted into. Anybody else out there with similar interests?

Twilight

Yeah, the YA books by Stephanie Meyer, which I blame my sister for getting me hooked on: the books are frighteningly similar to crack cocaine. To be honest, the writing and plot can be a bit sub-standard at times.....

What has pulled me this far is the character of Jacob Black and the deep, marvelously flawed, warm and human relationship that he has with Bella. It is painfully beautiful, especially considering that the girl has already given herself over to a vampire, and no amount of persuasion from her best friend can sway her. Fudge.

Avatar: the Last Airbender

Okay, shut up. My little brother got me going on this one. Despite it's reputation as a totaly weeabo (assuming my definition of that word it correct, I think I just used that properly. Anyone care to help me out?) show, and despite the fact that it airs on Nickelodeon, it is very well done. The characters are given wonderful depth, the plot is just sophisticated enough that a more mature viewer won't be bored whilst the younguns are being entertained, and the animation?

*dies in a state of pure bliss*

The artist in me spazzes over it constantly, especially after the dragons in Episode 313. The fight scenes in particular are fluid, well-planned and downright epic.

And I ship Zutara. I know this pairing's support is full of whackjobs, but it's the Zutarians who make the ship so fun. Plus, we have, hands down, some of the best artists and authors in the fandom.

Bleach

ICHIRUKI, BABY.

Haha, I'm not as diligent about this one,: but I am following the current manga arc, and I try to watch the anime when I can. It's a great show. The fights are quite good, and it sets itself apart from many other shonen series in that it features plenty of strong female leads alongside the male characters.

That is hard to find: usually, the male characters overshadow the female ones, or the author allows them to become diminished through 'neglect'.

I love Rukia, especially after the latest battle in episode 160.

Kay Scarpetta

This is an awesome series of crime novels, if you ignore the past three books or so. (I honestly believe that the author is facing some kind of emotional struggle, because it is reflected so clearly in her writing. EVERYONE is so sullen and depressed...)

They are a series of crime novels focusing around the sharp, no-nonsense medical examiner Kay Scarpetta, and the rough, keen yet blunt detective Pete Marino. The pacing in the novels, along with the mystery they offer, is thrilling.

Not to mention the fact that I love the dysfunctional relationship that those two have: they are constantly at odds with each other, yet somehow manage to work in perfect harmony. They are each other's confidants, shooting partners and friends. It really is a shame that they don't end up together....

In case you haven't noticed, I tend to ship. It just adds more human interest to a story, for me. :D

The Standard Welcome Blather

2007-10-28T01:42:19Z

Well, since EVERYBODY seems to have one of these, I figured that I may as well jump onto that oh-so-familiar bandwagon. A couple of people may recognize my username as the Avatard who frequents fanfiction.net and deviantART. Yeeahhhh, same person.

Not much else to say. I basically joined as to to participate in the online communities of the ships I support. Thanks for stopping by.