Well hello there! Where has the time gone? Christmas has already come and gone, and soon it will be New Years! Even though it is supposed to be a vacation, I am going to be really busy with all of the things I'd like to get done before I resume school on the fifth.
But first, let's talk about Christmas!
Despite the fact that my mother and I had to drive through the horrible weather to meet up with our family, that my dad couldn't make it down until late Christmas Day, and that there was a little family drama to be had, it was probably one of the best Christmas celebrations to date. I got to see my darling two-year-old cousin for the first time, and he's such a cutie! Also, I got some pretty great gifts: new gloves, new boots, a car-emergency kit, a new DS game (Kirby), some lovely fabric that I am in the middle of sewing into a skirt, The Dark Knight, a new sweater, and some cash that I've used to buy a plethera of things, mostly accessories from claire's! It was a good balance of things I needed and things I wanted! The family time was awesome too, but I'm a little sick of ham and cheesey potato caserole! XD
Now, what do I want to get done this vacation?
Well, my little excursion down to Sussex for Christmas cost me quite a few days to work on my NaNo editing, which was going swimmingly until about a week ago. I need to really get working on that again, and have it all finished by February. I also want to get going on some crafts and drawings that I had set aside. Hopefully I'll at least finish the illustrations that I planned to accompany my NaNo story! I'd also like to clean my room and get rid of a few old things that I don't need anymore, but I'm not sure if I'll find time!
Was this a completely pointless post? Eh, probably, but whatever, it's my blog!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Life After NaNoWriMo
As Catey has been saying lately, Oy!
NaNo is over. I won, in case you did not see the widget on the right, and it feels like I have more free time on my hands. I know it only seems this way because I have stopped devoting several (more) hours a day to sitting at my computer, typing furiously, ignoring my friends when I see that they sign on to MSN, and ignoring my family. Despite all the antisocial-ness, the whole experience was rewarding; sort of.
I made the 50,000 word quota plus a bit of extra. This is the rewarding part. I won! I even beat my friends Alyssa and Carrie who were competing in it with me. This is huge for me because I have failed in my attempts to reach 50,000 words in the two years I have previously done NaNo. I feel like I have written so much! It feels great!
But...
My story is nowhere near completed, storyarch-wise, and nowhere near any level of professionalism in terms of syntax and what-have-you. I had to cut out scenes to allow myself to reach the ending of the story before I hit 50,000 words (which I didn't actually do, but I did get close to the ending so it sort of worked.) These scenes that I cut weren't just unneccessary scenes though, they were entire sequences during which major character and plot developments took place that were just skipped over in my frantic race against the calender.
Why did I do it?
I knew that if I didn't reach the ending of my story (which I still haven't completely, but whatever) that it stood a great chance of never getting finished. It still stands this chance, especially since I've started to read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, a novel that began as a NaNoWriMo novel. I realize that there would have been a lot of time and editing between the original NaNo draft and the published draft, but it still depresses me how inferior my writing skills seem to me now.
What can I do about it?
I have implemented a nearly fool-proof way of making sure I will at least finish writing in all that I skipped during NaNo; making a certain friend swear that she will pester me and, if needed, harm me bodily if I do not finish it all up. Thanks, Alyssa, let's just hope I don't retaliate :P.
On another note, I feel extremely odd tonight. I don't know what it is . . . I feel like I'm in some sort of lull. Maybe it's just post-NaNo blues. Or maybe it's because I finished watching the last hour of Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King right after I came home from school. . . It's kind of epic first thing coming home.
Toodles.
NaNo is over. I won, in case you did not see the widget on the right, and it feels like I have more free time on my hands. I know it only seems this way because I have stopped devoting several (more) hours a day to sitting at my computer, typing furiously, ignoring my friends when I see that they sign on to MSN, and ignoring my family. Despite all the antisocial-ness, the whole experience was rewarding; sort of.
I made the 50,000 word quota plus a bit of extra. This is the rewarding part. I won! I even beat my friends Alyssa and Carrie who were competing in it with me. This is huge for me because I have failed in my attempts to reach 50,000 words in the two years I have previously done NaNo. I feel like I have written so much! It feels great!
But...
My story is nowhere near completed, storyarch-wise, and nowhere near any level of professionalism in terms of syntax and what-have-you. I had to cut out scenes to allow myself to reach the ending of the story before I hit 50,000 words (which I didn't actually do, but I did get close to the ending so it sort of worked.) These scenes that I cut weren't just unneccessary scenes though, they were entire sequences during which major character and plot developments took place that were just skipped over in my frantic race against the calender.
Why did I do it?
I knew that if I didn't reach the ending of my story (which I still haven't completely, but whatever) that it stood a great chance of never getting finished. It still stands this chance, especially since I've started to read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, a novel that began as a NaNoWriMo novel. I realize that there would have been a lot of time and editing between the original NaNo draft and the published draft, but it still depresses me how inferior my writing skills seem to me now.
What can I do about it?
I have implemented a nearly fool-proof way of making sure I will at least finish writing in all that I skipped during NaNo; making a certain friend swear that she will pester me and, if needed, harm me bodily if I do not finish it all up. Thanks, Alyssa, let's just hope I don't retaliate :P.
On another note, I feel extremely odd tonight. I don't know what it is . . . I feel like I'm in some sort of lull. Maybe it's just post-NaNo blues. Or maybe it's because I finished watching the last hour of Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King right after I came home from school. . . It's kind of epic first thing coming home.
Toodles.
Friday, November 7, 2008
The Busiest Month of them All
It's November!
Gosh, a lot of things have happened since I posted last....JCS was good and fun! I love musicals! Last week we saw Alyssa in the Rocky Horror Show! Also fun! Scuba looks pretty good with platinum blond hair, surprisingly. On Sunday, we're going to Chicago to see Wicked! Holy musicals! (As Catey said.)
The biggest development for November, though, is NaNoWriMo! I'm almost right on track with my word count, and I really hope I actually finish this year!
Sorry this is a short, pointless post. I need to get back to my novel.
Excited for going Mexico this spring! It will be great!
Gosh, a lot of things have happened since I posted last....JCS was good and fun! I love musicals! Last week we saw Alyssa in the Rocky Horror Show! Also fun! Scuba looks pretty good with platinum blond hair, surprisingly. On Sunday, we're going to Chicago to see Wicked! Holy musicals! (As Catey said.)
The biggest development for November, though, is NaNoWriMo! I'm almost right on track with my word count, and I really hope I actually finish this year!
Sorry this is a short, pointless post. I need to get back to my novel.
Excited for going Mexico this spring! It will be great!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
An Interesting Weekend
So this weekend was interesting, as if you couldn't tell by the title.
It started with Friday night. I had work, as I have lately, and shortly after working the usual suspects gathered at Catey's house to lay on her bed, eat ice cream and popcorn, and watch Matilda. Alyssa O. and I stayed over because we would be visiting Steven's Point the next day and had to get up at 5:30 in the morning.
On the way there, my CD player ran out of batteries about five minutes into the journy, so I decided to just sleep the whole way down. Speaking of sleep, Alyssa looks hilarious when she falls asleep because her mouth hangs wide open, lol. Anyway, we went through the whole "View Point" at UWSP (except for the student part at the end, we had had enough by then) and it was pretty good. I liked the size of the campus and the city too. The dorms could have been better, though. Then again, I shouldn't have a problem with small rooms as mine is so tiny. It was also homecoming day, so there was a parade. One guy said he loved me when I waved back at him. Awesome. I can't wait for college.
We ran into Bethany while we were walking around. She was surprised to see us. . . a little too surprised if you ask me, lol. Oh! It was also National Coming Out Day! We know because there were a thousand chalk drawings all over the campus with funny little slogans. It was very cool. And colorful.
Oh! I got a pink UWSP shirt, too I win.
Then when we got back I changed and took Carrie to Samantha's house for Phil's birthday party, where we played volleyball and soccer. Then Catey finally woke up from her nap (of five minutes apparently) and she and Kory arrived in time for pizza, chips, and a game of HORSE. (We used the letters GAY in honor of National Coming Out Day.) Then the party migrated to Phil's house where many games of WiiSport were played. I played a few holes of WiiGolf as Mr. Olson....that was kind of weird. It was hilarious though watching Karl and Phil play WiiBoxing. Oh yeah, I won a red lightsaber (well, Carrie and I won) for playing well in vollyball, soccer, and HORSE.
Then we had cake and sang a few rounds of Guantanamera and La Bamba (of which I think Austin got on video...yikes!) Then some of the guys went to Dewey Park and the rest of us played Apples to Apples. It was so fun! When everyone came back, we had one uber huge game of Apples to Apples, then it was time to go home.
On Sunday I slept in before going to play practice and then leaving early to go to work. Yeah, this was the boring part of my weekend. But alas, as I've said before, Sunday isn't really part of the weekend. It's just a poser.
It started with Friday night. I had work, as I have lately, and shortly after working the usual suspects gathered at Catey's house to lay on her bed, eat ice cream and popcorn, and watch Matilda. Alyssa O. and I stayed over because we would be visiting Steven's Point the next day and had to get up at 5:30 in the morning.
On the way there, my CD player ran out of batteries about five minutes into the journy, so I decided to just sleep the whole way down. Speaking of sleep, Alyssa looks hilarious when she falls asleep because her mouth hangs wide open, lol. Anyway, we went through the whole "View Point" at UWSP (except for the student part at the end, we had had enough by then) and it was pretty good. I liked the size of the campus and the city too. The dorms could have been better, though. Then again, I shouldn't have a problem with small rooms as mine is so tiny. It was also homecoming day, so there was a parade. One guy said he loved me when I waved back at him. Awesome. I can't wait for college.
We ran into Bethany while we were walking around. She was surprised to see us. . . a little too surprised if you ask me, lol. Oh! It was also National Coming Out Day! We know because there were a thousand chalk drawings all over the campus with funny little slogans. It was very cool. And colorful.
Oh! I got a pink UWSP shirt, too I win.
Then when we got back I changed and took Carrie to Samantha's house for Phil's birthday party, where we played volleyball and soccer. Then Catey finally woke up from her nap (of five minutes apparently) and she and Kory arrived in time for pizza, chips, and a game of HORSE. (We used the letters GAY in honor of National Coming Out Day.) Then the party migrated to Phil's house where many games of WiiSport were played. I played a few holes of WiiGolf as Mr. Olson....that was kind of weird. It was hilarious though watching Karl and Phil play WiiBoxing. Oh yeah, I won a red lightsaber (well, Carrie and I won) for playing well in vollyball, soccer, and HORSE.
Then we had cake and sang a few rounds of Guantanamera and La Bamba (of which I think Austin got on video...yikes!) Then some of the guys went to Dewey Park and the rest of us played Apples to Apples. It was so fun! When everyone came back, we had one uber huge game of Apples to Apples, then it was time to go home.
On Sunday I slept in before going to play practice and then leaving early to go to work. Yeah, this was the boring part of my weekend. But alas, as I've said before, Sunday isn't really part of the weekend. It's just a poser.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
I Hate Sundays
Sundays pretend to be part of the weekend, but really, they're not. You see, on the weekends, you go out with friends or lovers or with complete strangers (you know, whatever :P) and have a blast, cause a roucus, create drama, scare people passing by with uproarous laughter, etc. Does anyone do this on Sunday? Nope. (Unless you have a really, really awesome church parish or something.) Sunday is also the day those of us who attend classes generally do homework, hardly fun. The worst part about Sundays, though, is that one must go to bed at a reasonable time because the day following Sunday is, of course, Monday.
So, essentially, Sunday is a poser, nothing more.
Moving on.
Last night was very...random and silly. Mostly silly. I have the photos and videos to prove it. (Whether Catey likes it or not!) I'm really excited about our notebook! It should be fun! Speaking of notebooks, I got my NaNoWriMo notebook while we were at Wal*Mart getting our notebook. It's Disny Princess, yo. That's right. I love that kind of thing, obviously. I've already had a few more ideas about NaNo, too! This makes Dani very happy.
On another note, I discovered an awesome band through a post on daily_lolita today. They are Ira Deorum. ( http://iradeorum.com/ ) They're awesome and right up my musical alley! What's coolest though is that the lead singer is a Lolita! This is pure win, ladies and gentlemen. Here's the post on daily_lolita I was refering to http://community.livejournal.com/daily_lolita/1006115.html#cutid1
I'm not one to use livejournal, but I love lurking...it's a very useful thing. N00bs should lurk more often. I'm getting off-topic but whatever, it's my blog.
Here's to hoping Sunday will eventually get its act together and realize that it's not part of the weekend, so it should stop trying.
So, essentially, Sunday is a poser, nothing more.
Moving on.
Last night was very...random and silly. Mostly silly. I have the photos and videos to prove it. (Whether Catey likes it or not!) I'm really excited about our notebook! It should be fun! Speaking of notebooks, I got my NaNoWriMo notebook while we were at Wal*Mart getting our notebook. It's Disny Princess, yo. That's right. I love that kind of thing, obviously. I've already had a few more ideas about NaNo, too! This makes Dani very happy.
On another note, I discovered an awesome band through a post on daily_lolita today. They are Ira Deorum. ( http://iradeorum.com/ ) They're awesome and right up my musical alley! What's coolest though is that the lead singer is a Lolita! This is pure win, ladies and gentlemen. Here's the post on daily_lolita I was refering to http://community.livejournal.com/daily_lolita/1006115.html#cutid1
I'm not one to use livejournal, but I love lurking...it's a very useful thing. N00bs should lurk more often. I'm getting off-topic but whatever, it's my blog.
Here's to hoping Sunday will eventually get its act together and realize that it's not part of the weekend, so it should stop trying.
Friday, September 26, 2008
I Need Ideas!
Well right now I'm sitting in AP English class, just having finished my short essay on Miss Brill (which is crap but whatever,) and now I'm pondering what I should do for my Lord of the Flies project. I'm thinking of writing an alternate ending where Ralph kills Jack. As a result, Roger takes power and then eventually the tribe keeps splitting (which is hard to explain here, but Mr. Olsen explained it well in class so I think I've got the jist of it....)
I also need ideas for NaNoWriMo this year. I've started an outline about a possible Drarry to do...but I'm not entirely sure I'll follow through with it. Also, I've been trying to help Alyssa with ideas for her NaNo, and between all these three projects my idea pool is running dry!
I think I need a nap.
I also need ideas for NaNoWriMo this year. I've started an outline about a possible Drarry to do...but I'm not entirely sure I'll follow through with it. Also, I've been trying to help Alyssa with ideas for her NaNo, and between all these three projects my idea pool is running dry!
I think I need a nap.
Miss Brill
What is the theme or main idea the author is saying about life, people, society, etc. How does your character help the author to develop the theme.
The theme of the short story “Miss Brill,” is that loneliness is often self-inflicted, rather than the result of society, and that it is possible to believe oneself to be active and participatory in society when, in reality, one is merely living vicariously through the experiences of others. In addition, one can see oneself differently than other people do. Miss Brill demonstrates this theme through her thoughts as well as her epiphany at the words of the young lovers.
As Miss Brill sits in the park, we are listening to her inner thoughts. As we listen, we can pick up on her loneliness, which she is not really aware of at this point. Everyone she observes is part of some group, “Only two people shared her ‘special’ seat: a fine old man […] and a big old woman […]Two you girls in red came by and two young soldiers in blue met them, and they laughed and paired and went off arm-in-arm. Two peasant women with funny straw hats passed.” (pgs 252-253.) This subconscious observation leads Miss Brill into thinking of the whole park as a stage show, in which everyone has a valuable part. It is during this “realization,” that one aspect of the theme becomes apparent. However, it is not until Miss Brill hears the words of the young lovers that the theme will become totally apparent.
Miss Brill’s perception of herself and her place in the world is shattered when she hears a young man remark, “…that stupid old thing at the end there? Why does she come here at all –who wants her? Why doesn’t she keep her silly old mug at home?” (pg 254.) To add salt to her wounds the young girl replies, “It’s her fu-fur which is so funny. It’s exactly like a fried whiting,” (pg 254.) These words would be meaningless if Miss Brill did not take them to heart. Not only does she come to understand that she is not nearly as important to the others in the park as she believe, but she realizes that her prized neck-fur is not as glamorous as she thought. This is apparent as she decides to put the fur back in its box when she returns home. Since the fur is widely symbolic of Miss Brill herself, it is safe to assume that Miss Brill has also been put into a box, in other words, she will most likely stay at home, never returning to the park.
hmmm....
The theme of the short story “Miss Brill,” is that loneliness is often self-inflicted, rather than the result of society, and that it is possible to believe oneself to be active and participatory in society when, in reality, one is merely living vicariously through the experiences of others. In addition, one can see oneself differently than other people do. Miss Brill demonstrates this theme through her thoughts as well as her epiphany at the words of the young lovers.
As Miss Brill sits in the park, we are listening to her inner thoughts. As we listen, we can pick up on her loneliness, which she is not really aware of at this point. Everyone she observes is part of some group, “Only two people shared her ‘special’ seat: a fine old man […] and a big old woman […]Two you girls in red came by and two young soldiers in blue met them, and they laughed and paired and went off arm-in-arm. Two peasant women with funny straw hats passed.” (pgs 252-253.) This subconscious observation leads Miss Brill into thinking of the whole park as a stage show, in which everyone has a valuable part. It is during this “realization,” that one aspect of the theme becomes apparent. However, it is not until Miss Brill hears the words of the young lovers that the theme will become totally apparent.
Miss Brill’s perception of herself and her place in the world is shattered when she hears a young man remark, “…that stupid old thing at the end there? Why does she come here at all –who wants her? Why doesn’t she keep her silly old mug at home?” (pg 254.) To add salt to her wounds the young girl replies, “It’s her fu-fur which is so funny. It’s exactly like a fried whiting,” (pg 254.) These words would be meaningless if Miss Brill did not take them to heart. Not only does she come to understand that she is not nearly as important to the others in the park as she believe, but she realizes that her prized neck-fur is not as glamorous as she thought. This is apparent as she decides to put the fur back in its box when she returns home. Since the fur is widely symbolic of Miss Brill herself, it is safe to assume that Miss Brill has also been put into a box, in other words, she will most likely stay at home, never returning to the park.
hmmm....
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