somewhatlost

Liturgy on a plate... or a spoon even...

2008-01-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to be patient. Those of you who know me know that this can be a very long process.
It happened again. Someone else said "Sorry, I don't understand Latin."
I'd better start from the beginning. No, I did not randomly go up to this person and start spouting Latin at them. They were standing in the vestibule of St. J the Anonymous looking bored. I had a good idea and offered to loan them my missal. That's when This Guy says "Sorry, I don't understand Latin."
I'm pretty sure the surprise on my face didn't show but for a half second there I struggled to comprehend. Did This Guy (and his family) really think that I and everyone else there was some kind of scholastic gnome who spoke Latin fluently enough to just read it out of a book during the Mass? Did he _really_ credit us all with that much dedication and hard studying? For a moment I was torn between the apparent praise directed at my intelligence and confusion regarding This Guy.
"No, it's not all in Latin," I explained quickly. "See, this part's in English and the part next to it is in Latin. This is the reading, this is the Gospel, and then you turn to the green marker and that's where the sermon's marked down, then you just keep going."
Maybe that explanation wasn't very clear, but I thought it sufficed and would give This Guy and his family something better to do than stand there looking bored. So This Guy and his family apparently peruse it until just after the sermon when This Guy hands it back to me with a 'Thanks' and retreats to his part of the vestibule (before anyone asks why I was in the vestibule I would like to present State's Exhibits A- a pocket full of tissues, and B- a pocket full of cough drops, not to be used until after Mass).
So I sat/stood/knelt and as I did so I tried to concentrate on the liturgy, but a lot of my mind was preoccupied. Had I been unclear when I handed them the missal? Had I not said "You turn to the green marker and just keep going?" Had they thought I only meant to lend it for the parts that would eventually be spoken in English anyway? I was confused and honestly a little disappointed. I'm speaking only for myself of course, but when someone hands me a book at an unfamiliar liturgy, I assume that I'm meant to follow along the best I can. I (stupidly perhaps) take some pride in for the most part being able to not make a fool out of myself. And the Trid is a pretty easy liturgy as liturgies go, for the purposes of following along, once you have a missal. If you want truly confusing liturgy, go to a Melkite church, it takes some serious getting used to!
So I guess the point of this whole post is that I'm just disappointed that even when someone is handed the metaphorical plateful of liturgy and a fork, they still can't seem to manage...
Maybe I'm overreacting. I know I'm a grinning pessimist...

This is probably the umpteenth time someone has apparently outright assumed that I speak another language fluently, but this is the first time that said assumed language was Latin!:) I feel like I look clever!

New character- Rialta

2007-12-28T16:02:00.001-05:00

Departure

2007-08-13T11:01:00.000-04:00

So, I'm leaving today. Let the ranting/arguing about directions/driving begin. But not on my blog. Suffice it to say that I hate the way my brother drives. He isn't terribly enthused about how I drive. Neither of us can drive the whole distance. And we're taking an entire day off in the middle, to spend in Ohio. Joyous.
I just want to get to school ASAP and in one piece. I'd also like to get to a good liturgy on Wednesday. We'll see how that goes....
Safe travels to all my fellow students!

Das Boot- a superficial review.

2007-08-10T02:39:00.000-04:00

Yeah... I'm really selling my review here by the title. It's one of those movies that you almost have to watch in multiple sittings and my brain is telling me that I haven't really finished cogitating where it's concerned, but oh well. If I don't write this now, I'm not sure when I will, so here goes:

It's a wonderful/awful movie. It's hard to explain. It's like watching someone you don't particularly like go out for a walk on what looks like a moderate, sunny day. Only you have this vague presentiment that they're going to get hit by a car or something. But because you don't particularly care for them, you're... not exactly concerned. More like curious to see whether or not your dire prediction comes true. And then bad things start to happen to them. Not the car hitting them yet, but other bad things- a dog chases them, their wallet gets stolen, it starts to rain and they lose their railcard. And then you start finding out that you really do care a bit about them- even if they've got some dumb/bad habits or even serious character flaws. Because you start thinking that they aren't so very different from you. And now you don't want them to get hit by that car after all, and you get more and more sure that they are going to get hit by that car... and you'd really rather they didn't. Yet, it's sort of like historical imperative, they're going to... Argh. This is a really bad analogy. Please forgive it.
Anyway, the movie is great. I'd say it's a must see, but I recommend seeing it all in one go. It's one of those weird movies where watching it is almost though not quite like penance. Weird imagery, right?
It's really weird to be rooting for the Germans. Especially if you've actually lived in England and heard stories about the war from people who survived it. You know you really should be cheering for whoever ends up sinking them, NOT for the wolves who are attacking supply convoys. But that little bit of text at the beginning is kind of haunting- out of the 40,000 German naval personnel who served on U-boats, only 10,000 saw the end of the war. That means that approximately 3 out of 4 people died. I started thinking about that in terms of the size of my class and it was rather sobering.
It kept you on the edge of your seat to the end. And the director was right for a change- it was not a movie about Nazis, or Germans, it was a movie about people.

SPOILERS BELOW!!
******************

I mean it!

You have been warned!

You still want to read on?

Okay

As you may have guessed, this is not a happy movie. Everyone we care about except for one person dies. It seems horribly unfair, yet oddly enough you sort of know it's going to happen. I guess it's a typical tragedy. Hm. I think at a later date in time I may go around seeing how exactly that sets up from a literary point of view. I mean, some people you know are going to die because of the movie conventions- never show anyone pictures of your family or tell them about your girlfriend, etc. But the manner of their death. Well, everything ends where it starts... Very symmetrical. I would really love to make a music video to this, although I don't know what music I would use... I succumbed to buying not only the Prague orchestra's rendition of the main them, but also U-97's techno/elektronica mix. Perhaps the Last War of the Wolves? Now all I need to do is buy it, rip it and get to work... But I'm OT. The music is good if a bit 80s in places. The accuracy as far as I can tell is very good. There are a few very unnecessary points from my (prudish) POV- the whole bar scene in the beginning and the rear nudity throughout are quite unnecessary. I long to make myself a properly edited copy of the whole movie. Or perhaps find the original release version, so I can compare it to this director's cut one.
Familiar faces include the first officer (who I swear has played a Nazi in every movie that requires a vaguely handsome, arrogant young Nazi officer), Martin May as Ullman (see how my brain remembers some things really well and not others? I mean, how random is that? He's a fairly minor character), and of course the war correspondent is familiar to us though I forget his name too. Likewise the Captain who played Leto Atradies (sp?) in the old version of Dune.
Technical notes- All I can think of is that the subtitles needed help. There were too many times where there was just random shouting in German. A simple translation of "What's happening?", "We're all going to die!", and/or "Quick- pass the wire." would have satisfied me. It's just irritating to have nothing to read as there are various things being said.
Well, that is all I have for now. If I think of more, after my brain chews on it for a bit, I shall amend this post.

My New Job (kinda) and Its Dangers

2007-08-03T12:36:00.001-04:00

Well, with a grand total of four days left to work at MFWIW (Motorized Factory Where I Work), the Grand High Supervisor Dude (emphasis on the 'Dude' part here, he has loong hair which he usually wears in a braid) decided I ought to broaden my horizons. So, fearful that I had done _something_ bad, I followed him to my new job, in the dipping section.
Pros
-It's so much cooler! You can actually feel the AC
-It's not too hard, once you know how to hang the parts
- No more tiny flakes of hardened primer getting into my eyes!

Cons
-For one part, I can't reach all the way around and fasten it on the hanger, so I have to straddle the conveyer thingy. If I don't get out of the way in time, I could end up with serious bruises/a crushed leg. It's very motivating.
-Even when the part you're fastening is relatively easy to fasten, you have to sand in a very awkward way that makes even a simple task difficult. This is because there is a knee cord that runs the length of the conveyor for the purpose of stopping it if you get your leg stuck in it- see above con. Regrettably, it's really easy to hit it by accident, and if you do, the whole line stops and everyone glares at you.
-Snapping on parts is tricky sometimes and you can gouge your fingers. I've done that a lot...
-Since the parts don't really want to go on the way they're supposed to, it helps if you have good upper body strength. I don't...

And now for the stats
Number (#) of times I have hit myself in the safety glasses with a part- 7
# of times a coworker has hit me with a part- 1
# of times I have hit myself with a part in a region other than the safety glasses-8
# of times I have narrowly avoided dropping a part- 20
# of times my safety glasses have almost fallen off because I was trying hang a part properly- 4
# of scars/scratches I have that makes it look like I'm attempting self-destruction-9
# of coworkers who don't speak English as their first language- 3
# of dollars stolen by the crummy vending machine- 1
# of times I have jammed/stopped the line in my new section- 0!!:D

And that, for now, is all. Especially because I'm working OT tomorrow instead of going to the Czech festival.

How often have I said this?

2007-08-02T02:57:00.001-04:00

Those of you who really know me will not be at all surprised that while I hoped to update sooner than August, I am infact updating in August. I meant to update a lot sooner. I mean, it's not like anything particularly interesting/earthshattering has happened recently in my life. Then I'd have an excuse for not posting. But I don't. So, if I have any readers out there (which I doubt). I am very sorry for my absence. That being said...
I did say I'd talk about music, ages ago. And since it's 2.00AM CT (Guess what second shift does to your bodyclock? It resets it!), I shall keep my thoughts on music brief.
One- If you cannot sing to save your life, I'm sure God would understand if you went through Mass without singing along.
Two-If you _can_ sing, make sure your brain is plugged in before you attend Mass. If you hear only male voices and you are female, this is your cue to _NOT_ sing. Wait until you hear other girls singing. Please?
Three- On a non-liturgical note, the "Vitamin String Quartet" rocks my socks. Check them out. Their music makes me very happy!
Four- I have a CD that has scratches. Since I paid lots of money about four years ago to get it imported from Japan, this makes me very unhappy with a certain younger sib. I mean, it just _had_ to be _that_ CD, didn't it? Not my crummy random mix of songs, but that nice, cool (expensive) CD of mine that you dropped out of the car and onto a gravel road. Luckily my favourite track appears to be undamaged.
Five- I still remember almost all the lyrics to the entire album of Nightfall in Middle Earth.
Six- My alarmclock/CD player is at least temporarily dead!:( Woe is me!
Seven- There _will_ be music in Heaven. And no, it won't be all harps or all acapella.
Eight- (appropriately enough) I want to hear the Great Music of the Greatest Artist for all eternity. It will be beyond 'classical'.

The eventual update

2007-05-27T00:57:00.000-04:00

I'm such a loser. I need to update more. And I say this every time I update. However, maybe this summer I'll actually make good. I doubt it, but it's possible. Erm. Noteworthy things to blog about....
1. Summer job
2. Cool music
3. Recent interesting movies
4. The realm of fanfic/original writing
5. Anime
This is of course not a promise that I will actually write about all of this, these are just some hints to myself, to remind me what I'm going to write about in the future. Well, since it's first on the list and occupying a lot of my time (even getting into my dreams- argh!) I may as well talk about my job. I acquired a summer job a lot quicker than I really dared hope, working at the Kawasaki plant about a half hour from my house. The pay beats the heck out of waiting tables and cashiering! That being said, I know I shouldn't complain (or if I should, I shouldn't do so loudly) but I really wish I knew what I was doing more. Sounds dumb, right? I'm working with machinery and hand-working some pieces, how hard can it get? Well, for starters there's the scary electric sander thingy. I don't like to use it, but it's necessary sometimes to make the reworks re-workable. So I try to do without as often as I can and when I can't, I get someone to double check my work, just to make sure I'm doing it right. Everything else is fairly straightforward though I still don't know where some things go once they're done, or why I'm doing what I'm doing, or when my breaks are, or...
Okay, never mind what I said about straightforward... A fifteen minute explanation of our department/section, what the machinery does and where things go given by my supervisor in a place where I can actually _hear_ him would make me a lot less anxious about getting things wrong. Arggh. Still, I've asked for help and I must seem incurably dense because they've explained things to me, only half the time it's not what I was asking about. Arrgh. When they said 'assembly jobs' I thought they meant a very limited set of tasks that I could get good/fast at and pass the summer in a very mundane but profitable way. Turns out, that's the sort of job my brother has- only he's on third shift and I'm on second. I put in a transfer request, but who knows when that will come through? And I'm not particularly looking forward to working the 11.55-7.00 shift. Oh well. I guess I will be a morning person of sorts if I ever get that transfer. I half hope I do and half hope I don't- I like the hours I currently have because that means I see my parents on the weekends.
On a totally unrelated note-
Tomorrow is the feast of Pentecost. We were going to have a cake. Now we're going to have seven different fruits, symbolising the fruits of the Holy Spirit. .... ... ...??!? I though the cake was a good idea.
That being said, I am now signing off for a few hours of sleep before Mass. Next post I will probably be writing about music. Probably...

Quizzes and a Short Eulogy

2006-12-19T22:11:00.000-05:00

Eulogy first...
As some of you may or may not know, at one point in time I attended a really, really lousy school. I attended it for a few months before deciding that it wasn't worth my sanity to continue there and quit. The only reason I even bring up that hateful place is because I have several mementoes of JROTC-ish variety from that school. Most of these I'm attempting to sell on Ebay or Half.com. Except for one- my woolly-pully. I realise that one should endevour to detach from worldly goods and get rid of things you don't need or want, but black goes with everything and I really did want it. All else I would happily have thrown to a bonfire of vanity, or at least donated to Catholic Charities, but my woolly-pully was my one constant companion through those awful months in that drafty building with those wretched fellow students (Mrs. Panos is not a student and if she's reading this, I'm sorry for not giving you more of a headsup that I was leaving because really you were the only person in the whole place who I felt I could talk to freely and happily).
Back to the eulogy. The woolly-pully was not perfect- it had a hole in it, right beneath the cuff of the right sleeve. It was a small hole when I first got it- I didn't even notice it. It got fractionally bigger when I caught it on the lock-thingy of my locker. It was black, as previously mentioned, with cool patches on the elbows and shoulders. I thought it was A Very Cool Thing, and I had been wanting one since I was 12 and saw a similarly styled sweater on an English cop show. When I finally got it, it was, as I have previously mentioned, a constant companion. Even after they made the stupid rule about wearing one's (mentally-challenged looking) nametape on the patch provided for it. It was still the Very Cool Thing. And I put it in the cedar closet.
You may ask, if I liked it so much, why did I leave it? I'll tell you. I was trying very hard to put drill-team/JROTC/CAP geekiness behind me as I was entering university my freshman year. First semester I didn't quite succeed, I brought all of my CAP gear and was going to join the local squadron until Latin ate my life. Second semester I had to bring everything back as I was transferring. Both of my roommates from sophomore year can attest to the fact that though I left almost all of my gear (bar really useful stuff like my flashlight and poncho) at home, you can take the geek out of drill-team/JROTC/CAP, but it takes a long time for things like drill-withdrawl to wear off.
Junior year thus far, I think was doing quite well until I had to start writing this post (Jen and Laura correct me, if I was rambling on about CAP etc to all hours and just don't remember it).
So I got home, and in the privacy of my house decided to retrieve my woolly-pully from the cedar closet for the purpose of wearing around the house. I walked down stairs and searched the closet. No woolly-pully. I searched the cedar-chest. No woolly-pully.
My mother disavowed any knowledge of its whereabouts, but after my dad _gleefully_ announced that he had given it to the newly promoted CPO W____, she remembered that she had indeed condoned this act of charity. It's not like we didn't have _two_ woolly-pullies, both mine and my brother's but Dad gave away _both_. I can only picture the expression on CPO W____'s face at this. "Err.. Thanks?" Mine was a medium and my brother's was a large I think. So, one to grow into? One to give to a bigger friend? So it could be worse, it could have been burned. My woolly-pully was given away. A nice act of charity. I think it would be much nicer had I known and approved of it. Also, because my woolly-pully has a hole it it, I'm inclined to think that CPO W___ will fob it off on the nearest unobservant person as quickly as possible. But really, that woolly-pully was my only worthwhile and happy memento of a miserable few months, and now it's gone. This is probably a little overdramatic/overwrought for the tastes of most of my readers, but it needed to be posted. Farewell where you fare, my woolly-pully.
An Aside- I really wish they'd given away my coverlet and/or curtain-thingy in my room. Despite all my attempts to the contrary, I still regard them with abject loathing, much as would a Jain presented with a T-bone steak.
~~**~~
As promised earlier, the quizzes follow- mostly ones that I saw on Jenne's blog and decided to try out.

You Passed 8th Grade Spanish

Congratulations, you got 7/8 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Spanish?

Your 2005 Song Is

Since You've Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson

"But since you've been gone
I can breathe for the first time
I'm so moving on"

In 2005, you moved on.

What Hit Song of 2005 Are You?

You Are Likely a Second Born

At your darkest moments, you feel inadequate.
At work and school. you do best when you're evaluating.
When you love someone, you offer them constructive criticism.

In friendship, you tend to give a lot of feedback - positive and negative.
Your ideal careers are: accounting, banking, art, carpentry, decorating, teaching, and writing novels.
You will leave your mark on the world with art and creative projects.

The Birth Order Predictor

The very eerie thing about that answer is that super-technically it's right...

You Are 36% Politically Radical

You've got a few unusual political ideas, but overall you're a pretty mainstream person. Chances are that you're turned off by both the radical right and looney left.

Are You a Political Radical?

You Date Like a Woman

According to studies on dating, you date like a woman.
You tend to take romance seriously, and you're not really out for a fling.

A mental and emotional connection always comes first for you.
And rushing the physical stuff is likely to turn you off.

You're highly selective when it comes to dating, and some may say you're too picky.
You know what you want, and when you find it, you're ready to commit.

Do You Date Like a Man or a Woman?

I should hope so!

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are quite expressive and thoughtful. You see the world in a way that others are blind to.

You are a very grounded, responsible, and realistic person. People may not want to hear the truth from you, but they're going to get it.

You see yourself with pretty objective eyes. How you view yourself is almost exactly how other people view you.

Your near future is still unknown, and a little scary. You'll get through wild times - and you'll textually enjoy it.

For you, falling in love is all about the adventure and uncertainty. You can only fall in love with someone who keeps you guessing.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

Err.. I'm almost afraid to ask, but how does one textually enjoy something? Does it involve textiles, or actual texts? Or what?

Your Theme Song is Back in Black by AC/DC

"Back in black, I hit the sack,
I've been too long, I'm glad to be back"

Things sometimes get really crazy for you, and sometimes you have to get away from all the chaos.
But each time you stage your comeback, it's even better than the last!

What's Your Theme Song?

Who Should Paint You: Andy Warhol

You've got an interested edge that would be reflected in any portrait
You don't need any fancy paint techniques to stand out from the crowd!

What Artist Should Paint Your Portrait?

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind.
You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life.
Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling.
And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

You Are 77% Indie

You're a very indie person, and admit it, you look down a little on people who strive to be normal.
You'll indulge in a little mainstream pop culture every now and then. But for you, anything not indie is a guilty pleasure!

How Indie Are You?

You are a
Social Conservative
(31% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(31% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Totalitarian

Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid
Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Nanny State. Literally.

2006-12-11T01:10:00.000-05:00

Article can be found here:
http://www.slate.com/id/2155101/?GT1=8900

Wow. I can't say I'm too terribly surprised, but I am a little disappointed...
"dedicated parenting experts" ? One wonders what exactly this means. I mean, the article elaborates on it, but I'm wondering if said parenting experts are parents themselves or do they just have degrees in teaching people how to raise their children?

First I have to make it clear that I think that there is nothing wrong, indeed there is something commendable about new parents going and signing up for classes on how to look after their children. Fine, good, etc. But as for the parenting experts... I _think_ people have done fairly well with them before now...

"He promised not to interfere with "normal family life."" My, what a relief. Because we all know that politicians keep their promises and that social workers are really interested in the health and wellbeing of the family. Yay.

"(this idea) prompted libertarian grumbling about government incursion into the family sphere. This seemed like a fair criticism in light of Home Secretary John Reid's statement that parents who shut the door on the supernannies might find themselves facing a court order to open it."
Err?! I don't think it takes a libertarian to grumble about that... I mean, I'm an independent (insert obligatory comment about how I'm throwing my vote away here) and I'd grumble about that too. I mean, isn't it the parents' business how they go about raising their children? Can't they tell the state politely: "Thanks, but no thanks," without getting into trouble? All right, they're disadvantaged, but should the state be going about helping them- with court orders no less? Admittedly the article doesn't seem too sure about whether or not said orders would be issued, but the possibility is there. Where is a non-governmental (ie religious) outreach program to these people? Do they _want_ such a program? And if they don't, should it be forced on them? Should home-life be mandated by the government? Because it starts here and ends up with the government telling you who you can marry, when and how many children you can have... All right, that may take a while but I'm sure there's a plan somewhere for it...

I'm all for two of David Olds' goals- "To improve prenatal health and outcomes at birth; to improve child health and development by reducing bad or abusive parenting." The last one "and to help mothers space out future pregnancies, go to school, and find jobs." I'm not so sure about. So, the problem is mainly the mothers who are _obviously_ having children irresponsibly (because it's not like they actually _think_ about these things, they just breed like animals >mind the sarcasm<), _obviously_ would love to go to school except for these pesky new lives they've brought into the world, and _obviously_ take jobs because that would be much more fulfilling than being a stay-at-home mum. Nobody does that anymore!
Arrgh.. It's frustrating. Maybe these women would like to be in school and getting jobs. Maybe they'd prefer to be _able_ to stay home, to not have to work insane hours to keep their family fed. Has anyone asked them? I think that some of their own lack of shall we say... talent? in parenting, is due to the fact that their _own_ parents didn't teach them how. Somewhere along the line, other things were just too important, and given how the modern family seems to be unravelling it's a bit of a wonder that _anyone_ still raises their own children!

I just wish that people (not necessarily in this order) had more common sense, spoke to their neighbours more often, joined a church with a good outreach program (preferably a Catholic church), and tried to connect to their family a little more. Yes, the modern family needs help, but I don't think it needs state-funded and legislated help to raise the children. I think that the only way they'll really get it right is to go inward as it were. But no one does that anymore. Religion is _so_ passe! Unless it's Wicca, 'cause then you can curse people or bless them with stones. Isn't it kewl?!
>Sigh<

And now for something completely different- courtesy of the Rinkworks crazy libs.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created blue, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable hopes, that among these are Joy, Anonymity, and the pursuit of Endurance.--That to secure these hopes, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,--That whenever any Form of Government becomes battered of these ends, it is the Right of the People to ignore or to irritate it, and to embellish new Government, laying its foundation on such thoughts and confusing its memories in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Studiousness and Endurance. Intelligence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long plinked should not be changed for light and rubbishy causes; and perfunctorily all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to yawn, while realities are sufferable, than to whack themselves by prophesising the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and bookshelves, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to clean them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their religiousity, to fork such Government, and to lift new fools for christ for their future security.--Such has been the messy sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which maligns them to drop their former Systems of Government. The history of the present Plumber of Shopworn Britain is a history of repeated injuries and memoires, all having in direct object the establishment of a well-read Tyranny over these States.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America do solemnly publish and blink, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Red and Modern States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Chair, and that all political connection between them and the State of Shopworn Britain, is and ought to be totally spoke; and that as Red and Modern States, they have full Power to upend War, skewer Peace, ninjafy Cupidities, defeat Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Modern States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually rule to each other our socks, our hangars and our sacred stupidity.

-- Corrupted excerpt from "The Declaration of Independence

How. Very. Nice.

2006-12-01T14:53:00.000-05:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061130/ap_on_re_mi_ea/pope_turkey

If I could add ice to my words, I would. I know I'm going to get flack for this and I don't care. The Pope, God bless him, is a wonderful man. I know he's far holier than I'll ever be, and I know that he's God's Vicar. All right. Fine. Good. Wonderful. I know, he's seeing the big picture. I know. And for all I know, he could have been saying the words of unmaking for that mosque he was praying in. I just feel... disappointed. No, I didn't expect him to go to Constantinople and preach a crusade. No, I don't want him killed by an angry fanatic while he's over there. No. I just... It's just...
Constantinople was a city. Cities have good things and bad, good people and bad. I'm under no delusions as far as that's concerned, having just spent the past 3 months in Rome. But I'll think of it this way. How would I feel if Rome, modern Rome, today's Rome was sacked? Most people killed, churches destroyed, the whole place in ruins. And I imagine that St. Peter's is taken. The Swiss Guard dead in the Pope's defence, the Pope dead or an exile. And St. Peter's is whitewashed and looted. I would be devastated and I don't think I'd be the only one. I know, Constantinople fell a long time ago. There's no one to avenge, there's nothing to take back, the city is almost thoroughly Moslem. Still. To have the Pope pray in a mosque. Talk about scandal. I mean, I'm not allowed to go to a Lutheran friend's Sunday service so no one thinks I'm an indiferentist, but the Pope is allowed to go pray in a mosque?
A quote from that nice little news article-
"Haghia Sophia, once a spiritual center of Christianity, was converted to a mosque in the 15th century. The site became a museum following the secular reforms that formed modern Turkey in the 1920s."

My revision of the same
Hagia Sophia, once the largest church in the world was desecrated and turned into a mosque in 1453 after the conquest of Constantinople by an invading Moslem army.

I'm glad I don't believe that the ghosts of the faithful departed hang around too much in this world (outside of those who come back from Purgatory to ask for prayers, more on this later), because I would think they'd be very unhappy with the Pope. I dunno. Maybe he's doing the right thing. I don't think so. Opinions anyone?

Hehe.. updating...

2006-11-30T10:22:00.000-05:00

Yes, well... I hadn't anticipated the workload in Rome being as insane as it was. And yes, I know, other people still managed to update. They're cool like that. I'm... obviously not. Oh well. So Rome was amazing. I will post back-entries from my journal here, I do promise that. Back entries. Plural. Eventually. For now I will simply post some random things.
Random things Meme
1. Give us a random stat
I have 5 bookcases in my room for a total of 16 shelves full of books
2. What's new this month?
My Nanonovel is descending into chaos. This is at least mildly discouraging but to be expected since this is the last day of the Nano..
3. Tell us something random
I got in at 4.30 AM Tues.
4. Make a resolution
Somehow I resolve that I will get this blog back to a more regular updating schedule thing.
5. Ask a question
Does anyone want to try a round-robin over the break? Does anyone read this blog? Oh, wait, that's two questions...

Watch This Space!

2006-08-30T11:20:00.000-04:00

Because soon, I will be somewhatlost in Rome and other interesting places! And hopefully, I'll find some time to blog about it >sleep isn't _really_ necessary for survival, is it?< I'm catching a plane in short order, ie, this afternoon and I am almost bouncing off the walls! W00t! Still, I won't believe it until I'm actually in Rome. Wish me luck everyone! And pray for me, that's even more important!:D

If I Were an Anime Character (Fighting Series)...

2006-07-23T15:35:00.000-04:00

Wow, a post that's about the same thing as the previous post! Rarity, that... Got this from Myth's cool blog and just had to write it out!:D

1. Appearance: 5'9 (>grins<) Straight black hair in a low ponytail, maybe with a little loose from the ponytail to frame the face. Definitely athletic- like me at age 13 but taller and stronger proportionate to the age difference.

2. Fight Ability - on a combat scale of 1-10 (1 being an attack of a wet noodle, and 10 being destroying a city block.): 6 or so generally speaking, but like most anime characters can be counted on for one last desperate all-or-nothing attack.

3. Weapon of choice: Primary weapon: a naginata, possibly a weird sort of futuristic one with an energy blade (much handwavium!:)) instead of the traditional metal one. Possibly one with collapsible metal pole for easy transport and hiding? Hm... can I still call it a naginata if I do all this? Well, I'm going to. Secondary weapons: kunai and a nin-to, plus a handful of smoke bombs.

4. Clothing: Usually wears black trousers, grey gi and a green Naruto-verse armoured vest with all those lovely useful pockets! The sleeves of the gi are twisted and fastened at the wrists with buckles but these can be undone so you can tie the sleeves out of the way at need.

5. Weakness: Well, a naginata is pretty hard to be inconspicuous with, plus the point that once you get the blade out of the way it's just a pole. Hence the secondary weapons, but still... Also has low initiative for starting a fight and has a distinct disadvantage when not starting the fight- ie, if the other person ambushes/otherwise gets the drop on said character. Will hesitate to attack if it will place friends/innocent bystanders in danger. Has a 'Real Life' and thus doesn't always get enough sleep to deal with both fighting the bad guys and 'Real Life'. After an intense, pitched battle, is prone to be unable to get off the adrenaline high and realise that there _aren't_ any more enemies to fight. Occasionally injures teammates/allies and is remorse-stricken to the point of near paralysis for the next three episodes. Has yet to kill any teammates/allies, but due to this doesn't have many teammates/allies.

Tagging:
1. MEREDITH! Because you need a break from Greek!
2. Coriel
3. Charlemagne
4. RT if he's interested
5. Anyone else
Please link your post if you're going to do it!

My Thoughts on Anime

2006-07-21T15:20:00.000-04:00

Due to a lack of urgent things to do right now- and a comment from one 'JD' who found my humble blog how? Through Basiame?- and my resolve earlier to update this blog, here are my thoughts on anime. Be warned, these aren't very organised, kind of as they come to me, rather in order of importance and whatnot.

I chose to see anime as a valid art/entertainment form, like any other. That is in the short, my philosophy of anime. Just like watercolours, sculpturing, black-and-white photography and dance. Of course in my opinion it's a little more interesting than all of those. :)

So, having decided that anime is valid art/entertainment, it's quite easy to see that there is both good and bad anime, appropriate and inappropriate anime.

Despite the fact that it is, as JD put it 'a product of distinctly Buddhist civilization', natural law is in everyone whether they know what it's called or not. Things like 'murder is a sin', 'do unto others...', 'there's Someone/thing bigger than us', 'there is such a thing as good and evil' etc. If I'm being overly simplistic/omitting important points, I blame my as yet unfinished education in philosophy- thus far about all I know is that I don't know much and that wonder is very important (two semesters of philosophy in one sentence).

Oh- and despite many recommendations and several people shouting at me, I still haven't seen Akira... but I heard it was _really_ weird.

Two series right off that I think of as being very recommendable are Rurouni Kenshin and Full Metal Alchemist. It will be difficult for me to avoid spoilers so I'll try to keep my descriptions short...:D

Rurouni Kenshin

Rurouni Kenshin is set in the tenth year of the Meji era, ten years after the Bakmatsu and the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The main character is Himura Kenshin, a hitokiri or assassin during the Bakmatsu. After the revolution, he swore that he would never kill again and would live out his days protecting the weak and wandering Japan (hence 'Rurouni'). The anime follows his journey as he finds a place to stay and friends who become his family. There is a very positive message of redeeming one's self (and if you aren't Christian to begin with, that can't be Pelagianism!;)) through good works. Also, and perhaps more importantly, the idea that one must not simply be willing to die for a cause, but to live for it too is shown dramatically to say the least. Though unfortunately, my father who has only seen bits and pieces of the series chalked up the little he saw to Buddist nihilism... he didn't even listen to the dialog- I attempted to explain what had happened and he totally brushed me off... I'd attempt to explain again on here except it has massive spoilers. So I'll just say if you've watched Eps 41-44 you'll know what I'm talking about.

Unfortunately, the Kenshin series has something like four arcs, or so I am told. I watched the first two, the 'Tokyo' and 'Kyoto' arcs with great enjoyment, but then I found out about the so-called 'Christian' arc where apparently some nutcase thinks he's the next incarnation of Jesus and should lead the Japanese Christians to rebel against the government... or something... I haven't watched it, so I don't know. I'm just going to pretend it never happened....

Hm... I'm almost tempted to leave it to Coriel to write a review for Full Metal but since I started this I ought to finish it. It'll just be shorter. First of all, Full Metal Alchemist gets an 'F' for theology, yet still manages to impart some very good messages, such as the value of friendship, appreciation for the fragile and precious gift that is life, acknowledgement that there is no equivalent for an immortal soul, and that suicide is a bad idea. Sorry, this is very simplistic... I challenge Coriel to do a better job!:D

I'm certain I'll return to My Thoughts on Anime for a Part II or even Part III at some point in time, but now my creative juices are crying out for me to get finished with this one AMV so I can start another one... thank goodness it's summer!

Oh...
How about an anime version of The Man Who Was Thursday? That. Would. Be. So. COOL!!! :D I like it!! About the only thing better might be an anime version of 'The Ball and the Cross'!!

Ja ne!

My blog is risen from its coma-like state...

2006-06-03T14:23:00.000-04:00

I'd been meaning to do this since before Easter. But Easter was very busy, so I told myself after Easter, between Easter and Ascension Thursday... And that didn't happen either. Oops... It got somewhatlost in the shuffle. I've decided some important things for the future of this blog- namely that it's going to be a little less personal (now I have an lj to rant in) and more useful to all/sundry. I'm still not sure what all I'm going to blog about but if you're interested in...

Traditional/Byzantine Catholicism/Tradangst/CrazyYoungTradCaths
Christendom College
Rome/Travel
GKChesterton
JRR Tolkien
A slew of authors who are not quite as great but fill my bookshelves nonetheless
Anime of many different varieties
Assorted movie-reviews
My views on politics
My views on history
My quiz results
Random humourous things

this _may_ be a blog you'll enjoy. I _hope_ to update weekly, but that might be a little too ambitious!:)

High time for an update...

2006-02-18T13:25:00.000-05:00

And rethinking the theme of my blog. Now that I have a top-secret LJ for all my personal life details that no one except me wants to read, this blog should be put to some slightly more public-spirited use. I can't wait for St. G's Night!! It's going to be sooo cool!! The skit that I'm co-directing is second in the lineup and it should be good, provided that everyone shows up, awake, alive etc. More on that later.

In other thoughts, even a small campus such as this has its fair share of oddities. RT and your CC correspondant, LN (ie me!) went adventuring and made some interesting discoveries. Heheheh.... Senior prank material is at hand... Also possibly an exorcism, or at least snooping around in the dark in a supposedly (probably) haunted area. Well, so much for a profound thought/topic for this post. Perhaps next time?

Meme from Angry Twins!

2006-01-01T19:41:00.000-05:00

What were you doing 10 years ago?
Starting to adjust badly to life overseas.

What were you doing 5 years ago?
Still adjusting badly to coming back.

What were you doing 1 year ago?
Enjoying my break and happily thinking of how I had my life planned out for the next semester.

What were you doing yesterday?
Went out to dinner with friends
Slept
Stayed up 'til midnight
Downloaded some FMA

Five snacks you enjoy:
Carrots and peanut butter
Pinapples
Doritos- hardly ever have them
Popcorn
Chocolate

Five songs I know all the words to:
Adeste Fidelis
My Sar'nt Major Jumped from 2,000 ft (To the tune "Battle Hymn of the Republic, with the memorable lines 'He hit the ground, the sound was 'splat' the blood went spurting high)
Some Evanesence songs
Lights of Aberdeen.

Five things you would do if you had a million dollars:
Pay for the rest of my education
Set aside enough for my brother's
Pay my parents back for my year and 1/2 thus far, plus other raising expenses
Buy a second hand but reliable car
Give the rest to charity

Five things you like doing:
Writing
Reading
Sleeping
Watching anime
DDRing.... though I haven't for a while...

Five bad habits:
Cleaning my nails excessively
Oversleeping
Running off to read something when I should be working
Putting off papers until the last minute
Still saying "Yknowhadyamean" at the end of too many sentences.

Five things I would never wear again:
"H" shirt garters, the kind that attach to your shirt and your sock, slip off of your sock and snap you behind the knee. Though I do like having my socks stay up, that's usually less of a problem and it _hurts_ when you get snapped!
A hideous yellow sequened shirt and trousers I was required to buy for a school performance.
A bodice
That stupid school-issue beret
My 'immitation obi'... I will buy a real one eventually.

Five favorite toys:
Laptop MacAlister
CD player
My rare books
My beloved stuffed otter
Scrabble

I am now passing the MEME baton to:
Any/All

Almost 2006!

2005-12-31T15:45:00.000-05:00

Heh... I really haven't updated this in a while. I know, it's baadd.. My excuse is that I have a lj to worry about too, and _no_, you are not getting the link, dear reader. I've decided that this blog shall be for things I can comment on to all and sundry and my lj for more subjective, insane, rant-like things. Although rants may find themselves here too. In fact, I may close this if I can't figure out some way of stopping the *&£468@ spammers!! In other news, I'm _still_ waiting for my modified pic, Meredi! I shall have to pester you about this. Let's see what I can talk about besides transfer-angst here... Hehe... Um...
Well, I suppose I could post my New Years resolutions? Yeah, that'll do...

I HEREBY RESOLVE TO-

1. SAY THE ROSARY DAILY... I was doing it this year for a bit, then fell off...
2. WORK OUT AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK. I _need_ to do this...
3. DO MORE ASSIGNED READING! And stop slacking off...
4. FINISH AT LEAST ONE FANFIC AND ONE AMV
5. GET TO DL OR TLM _EVERY SUNDAY_ It is okay to carjack if it's for a worthy cause, right? >.<
6. UPDATE MY BLOG MORE OFTEN Let's see if that happens...
7. GET TO KATSUCON, OTAKON, OR BOTH!!
I think that pretty much covers everything...

I _hate_ spammers

2005-10-27T17:02:00.000-04:00

They are manifestations of the Antichrist. I'm sure they are... Grrrrrr. If I find them, they'll wish they'd never turned on a computer in their life... Grrr... Oh, and another quiz result. Because I can.

Hagaren Love Compatibility Test (for those who like guys)
brought to you by Quizilla

Just too fluffy!!! :D

~*~Result nr 6~*~

src="http://live.quizilla.com/user_images/P/PainfulBliss/1117236077_Power_Transformation.JPG">
Your power is: Transformation

Explanation: Unlike everyone else you
can change your body materia and transform into
anything (e.g. an animal). This can be used in
good purposes for infiltrating evil
headcuarters or adjust your physical abilities
by transforming and therefor do better in
battle. If turned to the evil side, a
transfomer could manipulate the "good
guys" by looking like their loved ones and
break them down.
As a person you are dissapointed with life. You
have not so many interests anymore and has
become depressed. Of course you can be happy,
but your happiness subsides quickly and don't
last very long. You isloate yourself from
people since you think they would only hurt
you, but some part just wants someone equal who
understands the pain. When you transform it
gives you freedom and you can be anything but
yourself. You often pity yourself but don't let
people come near and know what's going on with
you. But the thought of opening up and risking
being betrayed is too strong and intimidating
to even try.
Negative aspects: You carry much hate to
the world and yourself and in the long run this
could lead to dangerous thoughts
(suicide/cutting/killing) though the last one
is least likeable since you would probably just
have too much guilt.

What Power is Compatible With You? [beautiful anime pictures + 12 detailed results]
brought to you by Quizilla

Less fluffy. Meh.:)

Yes, I'm still alive somehow...

2005-10-27T16:54:00.000-04:00

You are 'Latin'. Even among obsolete skills, the
tongue of the ancient Romans is a real
anachronism. With its profusion of different
cases and conjugations, Latin is more than a
language; it is a whole different way of
thinking about things.

You are very classy, meaning that you value the
classics. You value old things, good things
which have stood the test of time. You value
things which have been proven worthy and
valuable, even if no one else these days sees
them that way. Your life is touched by a
certain 'pietas', or piety; perhaps you are
even a Stoic. Nonetheless, you have a certain
fascination with the grotesque and the profane.
Also, the modern world rejects you like a bad
transplant. Your problem is that Latin has
been obsolete for a long time.

What obsolete skill are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I didn't even _like_ Latin when I was taking it. Oh well... What esle... Updates... Hm... Went to confession today so I'm feeling very, very good- kinda bouncy. Read my other friend's lj and deflated a little, then looked for more interesting quizzes.

You're one of the Noldor! You love your arts and
crafts- be it sculpting, painting, singing,
writing- its all good! However you tend to be
vain and hyper active when provoked. My advice
to you is slowly count to one million before
taking action and try to be a bit kinder to
those around you. If you are kind to those
around you and you count to one million
regularly- skip the counting and dont let your
cousins boss you around!

Silmarillion Tolkien Elven Quiz-Vanyar, Noldor, Teler, Sindar-Finished!
brought to you by Quizilla

Change of pace/place

2005-09-10T14:44:00.000-04:00

Meh, so I've taken forever to update my blog. I didn't sign any binding contract in blood that I'd update every other week- it was just a New Year's Resolution, which as we know, are made to be summarily dropped like hot potatoes. Actually, if I had a hot potato, I don't think I'd drop it. I still think that hot potatoes make the best pocket warmers ever- and after you hands are warm/ the potatoe is no longer warm, you can always eat it! That was random...

Anyway. Not that I think anyone reads this blog, but if they do, please note, I am no longer at A, I am now at C, having bypasssed B all together. I can't really think of what B... oh, yes I can. Disregard that. So, what else... My clotheslinable quote for this post is: "Smell your book!" courtesy of Prof. B. (Philosophy)

What else? After I figure out this new RPG I'm joining... my previous experiences while fun, were not this complicated... I miss Alanya, the cashiered, alcoholic, former-military hired gun. She was a bit of a complicated character- personality-wise as opposed to stats wise. Tragic backstory etc, etc. Daniel's character Diego, the thinking man of the team was a nice contrast to her and they interacted surprisingly well for all of...three? sessions. Then things just sort of fell apart. I think part of it had to do with spending what felt like half a session between D and S trying to shoot at each other around/behind a door. The combat sort of dragged...

Other new news... Meredith is hopefully going to be making me a banner for this site! With any luck I'll figure out how it's done and make a couple more along the lines of "Lost and _______" or "_________ and Lost"... we'll see.

"Paper or Plastic?" The Trials of My New Job

2005-06-24T18:00:00.000-04:00

I'm slowly forming an opinon of my job of bagging/cashiering. I hate it.(If I sound a bit like Kakashi, it wasn't deliberate- but I do find it amusing) Bagging is worse than cashiering, the eternal question becomes "Paper or plastic"? If you have any friends who are baggers that you wish to torment, tell them "Paper. Double bagged. And make sure you put everything that has an 'e' in it in one bag. But don't make it too heavy." GAH! Eeevil... However, if you wish to make friends amongst the lowly baggers, tell them (with a smile) "Plastic please!" And to heck with the environment! I don't think that using paper helps. I think reusing cloth bags is a very good idea that I've seen all of twice, probably used by liberal, Kerry-voting vegetarians.

I resolved to read some good books this summer. So far, I've been devouring the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, finished Gaudy Night most recently. After that I read Ice Station Zebra, which was shockingly even better than I remembered it. But I haven't really been reading any great literature. I think I shall try to though. I promised someone I'd read "The Ball and the Cross" again in preparation for a discussion not this coming Sunday but next. I intend to read other good books too- and to clean my room, be nicer to the brother and the dog and to socialize more often. And update on this more often...Hehehe....

I still need a job but...

2005-05-26T16:45:00.000-04:00

I'm slacking off online! ph34 m1 m4d l33t ski11z! (My l33t has an odd accent...)
So I'm quizzing!!

Illusionary Master
You scored 30% TaiJutsu Style, 30% NinJutsu Style, and 94% GenJutsu Style!

Your skill in Genjitsu is quite extrodinary, you have a fine tuned skill in creating illusions to confuse, or stall your foes. You are most like the feared Ninja, Uchiha Itachi, who can break the minds of almost any nin by making eye contact. You also match up with Haku, who used Demonic ice to create a powerfull mirror dome in which he could move freely within. Good Job! Even Oboro the rain nin used Genjitsu for mass clone illusions to combat Naruto.

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 0% on TaiJutsu

You scored higher than 0% on NinJutsu

You scored higher than 99% on GenJutsu

Link: The Short Naruto Ninja Jutsu Test written by Thor-Stryker on OkCupid Free Online Dating

Not that I'm very surprised with my result. Most of my Naruto RP characters are heavily into genjutsu, probably because I find it more appealing to mess with your enemy's head than simply kill them. They're easy to interrogate after you mess with their heads too. And intel frequently beats brawn!

MOU (Much Overdue Update- not Memorandum of Understanding)

2005-05-22T15:47:00.000-04:00

Well, unless you've been hiding under a rock for a while, you will know that "Habemus Papam". Yay! Let's see what happens next... In other news, God willing, I am going to Christendom next semester and playing catch up on classes... grrr. I thought I was doing very well until I found out that I've missed about four classes that I absolutely must take. I really want to double major and I really need to talk to a guidance counsellor to keep me from killing myself with my class schedule for next semester. On the upside, I passed Latin with a B-!! Huzzah! Scripture B+, no surprise there. And of course, history and lit with As. Recently I've been sleeping a lot, writing an application, frantically searching for essays I need to edit before they can be published, and contemplating life, the universe and everything. I have divined the answer to be 24... I think...:) Err- oh yeah, Meredith had something cool on her blog, and being currently without anything _really_ urgent to do, I shall do the same thing for my blog.

Total Number of Books I’ve Owned:
261 on shelves, closer to 300 when I've unpacked all of them. Maybe a little more than that...

Last Book I Bought:
Watership Down- I finally read it! That was a while ago, I don't get to buy as many books as I'd like to...

Last Book I Read:
The Five Red Herrings- DL Sayers. I'm still finishing it and I have no clue whodunit....

Five Books that Mean a Lot to Me:

1. The Silmarillion- I read it about the same time I began to realize the amazingness of the Tridentine Mass. It is still a book that I have to take breaks from so I can actually finish... if that makes sense. It makes sense to me anyway.

2. The Ball and the Cross- an awesome piece by GKC which has deep personal meaning to me. We need more Catholics like MacIan!

3. The Picture of Dorian Grey- because it really _is_ too moral, rather than amoral, when explained properly.

4. Biggles in Spain- because it got me through a very difficult point in my life and made me recognize who heros are.

5. Guns of Navarone- Because it's a darn good action-filled, well written read!

And so it begins

2005-04-18T10:59:00.000-04:00

The first day of the conclave to elect a new Pope, and as usual the bloody liberal media gets it soo horribly wrong. I wonder sometimes why I ever even bother to read the news. I mean really, a Pope Pius XIII would be a sign that the new Pope wanted to 'move backward'? Excuse me for not thinking V2 was the epitome of brilliant progress and the be all end all of the Catholic church! We have 2000 yrs of tradition and some people can see no further back than 30! It's freaking pathetic. Grrr... I'm not in the best of moods today and I should be working on a paper due tomorrow, but here I am ranting! Here's another thing the liberal media is getting wrong- 'drastic decline of female religious orders...resigned to dying out...' etc. Two things on this- Many are called but few accept God's will. St. John Bosco said that 90% of those called say 'no' to God! And another thing, and on this thought I shall leave:
If Vatican Two was so wonderful, then why a decline in Mass attendance, religious vocations, and belief in the True Presence?
Some days it hurts to think about this all. I just have to remember that I'm a bug on the tapestry of Time, which is woven by the greatest Artist.

Ioannes Paulus: Requiesat in Pace

2005-04-02T16:26:00.000-05:00

And please forgive my Latin if I've erred... I'm not a good Latin scholar. I have no words for a life of such accomplishments, only profound admiration and respect, coupled with a deep sense of loss. One did not think of the Pope as being simply 'a' Pope, though perhaps one should have. Instead he was 'the' Pope, the Servant of the Servants of God. And as with any other human on the face of the earth, the Pope is lent to us. One day, God will take him back and he must give an account of himself before the fearesome judgement seat of God, who is perfection of justice and mercy. I pray he accounts himself well for the leading of the Church on Earth. I am certain he will. He will be missed.
Kyrie Eleison
Christe Eleison
Kyrie Eleison
Gloria Patri et Filli et Spiritui Sancti, sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in sacula saculorum, Amen.

Christ Is Risen! Glorify Him!

2005-03-29T16:41:00.000-05:00

No, one of my lenten resolutions was _not_ 'Do not post on my blog'.... it was just an unfortuante side-effect of RL... It's hard for me to be joyful right now, even though we're still within the Octave of Easter, because of what's happening with Terri Shaivo. I think it's appalling. What's more appalling is how people are calmly accepting this and not seeing the paralells with Hitler's Germany. We have a holocaust in the States, it is a quiet holocaust and one day we will pay for it. I wonder sometimes how God has spared the world this far- because He does not change and He is a just God... I don't know what else to say on the matter really, except I don't believe the polls that say that most Americans think she should die. I think that the sane are still in the majority- however slim that may be... In other news...

**NEWSFLASH**
I'm not going to Austria. There was a 'buerocratic SNAFU of epic proportions' and all the students from Nicaragua who were going to go to Austria lost their places. The school has asked that the juniormost students and those with the most flexible majors to give up their places in favour of the Nicaraguan students. I did not surrender without my terms however and I hope that all shall somehow be well. After all, I can't outgive God, can I?

In still other news, Easter went well, I'm behind on writing thank-you notes and have Latin to translate so I shall finish my update at a later date in time.

About those New Years Resolutions...

2005-02-24T20:22:00.000-05:00

Well, here I am again, posting when I should be doing other things, especially considering what's coming up. But I think now is as good a time as any to update and show my progress with my resolutions...

1. Study Latin every day.
Hah. I'm working on my vocab more frequently, but NOT every day...

2. Pray a rosary every day.
Oops...

3.Finish the fanfics I've started before moving on to more!
Not a chance.

4. Get in a serious workout at least once a week.
Actually I haven't done too bad with this, haven't been recording it, but I get in a very decent amount of walking.

5. Go to JACON.
No car, and it's the weekend of a formal so no one's going to give me a lift.

6. Read all my assigned reading.
I actually could recover that, possibly. But other things require my attention

7.Be nice to my roommates.
Done that. Not too hard to do.

8. Make at least one convert to anime.
Kinda, Kat doesn't mind watching it though, so I'm not sure if she counts as a convert...

Anyway, in other news, provided no further major SNAFUs come my way, I'm going to Austria in the fall!! God is good! I'll try to update again sooner. I knew I didn't make that a resolution for a reason!

Happy New Year!

2005-01-01T14:51:00.000-05:00

2005! Hm, this gives me an interesting thought. Why do we say 'Two thousand five' usually. We said "Ninteen-ninety nine" the next logical step is "Twenty oh five." But no one says that it seems. It's stupid. I refuse to abide by saying two thousand when it should be twenty. Perhaps the 'twenty' usage will gain popularity in later years, for example 2025, 2010 etc, but I refuse to wait that long and let CNN and popular opinion dictate how I pronounce the date. I already write day/month/year, because it makes sense, therefore in keeping with that, this year is officially (in _my_ book) "Twenty oh five". Now on to the far more conventional "New Year's Resolutions!"

Be It Hearby Resolved by me that in this year 2005 I will...
1. Study Latin every day.
2. Pray a rosary every day.
3.Finish the fanfics I've started before moving on to more!
4. Get in a serious workout at least once a week.
5. Go to JACON.
6. Read all my assigned reading.
7. Be nice to my roommates.
8. Make at least one convert to anime.

I wish I had more things to add. It would have been nice to have had ten resolutions, that looks very neat, but oh well. I refuse to add "Finish War and Peace" because I plan to do that over the summer anyway and I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Well, good luck with your New Year's resolutions, and may this New Year be a blessed one!

Christ is Born! Glory to Him Forever!

2004-12-29T14:42:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'm a little late, but I'm sure that news in the ancient world did not travel fast. Despite the fact that I am not in the ancient world, I am claiming this as my reason for not posting sooner. Let's see, what has happened in the mean time? I've been a refugee! I now have experienced that incredible feeling where you're not sure where you're going next! Where you have all your belongings all packed up and you have to move, only you're not sure where you're going and >gah!!< you have a load of laundry in the wash and when it's done you're not sure where you're putting it! Well, somehow things worked out all right, though I did end up staying up for 29 hours continuously, setting myself a new record! And I paid the price, I caught a cold. Oh well.

Christmas was great, didn't decorate until the last minute, but it was still great, got some good things, and lots of spending money! W00t! JACON h3r3 I c0m3! With any luck, anyway. I want to cosplay as Iruka-sensei from Naruto. See a picture of another Iruka cosplayer here...http://www.narutomania.net/gallery/index.php?cat=Cosplays&gal=Unsorted%203&pic=P10100401.jpg

Failing that, if I can convince a friend of mine, I'd like to go as http://www.narutomania.net/gallery/index.php?cat=Cosplays&gal=Unsorted%202&pic=0427-26.jpg

One of the guys not wearing those funny white aprons, Kotetsu, I think. I think he's the guy with the bandages. Just have to convince my friend to buy the same kinda gear as me. Maybe I'll break down and buy a 45$ hitae-ate (sp??) if I see one I like. Some of them look kinda dumb. I like the one I have now. Anyway, enough speculation as to cosplay.

This is probably going to be my last post for the year, so if it is, I hope your 2004 has been as up-and-down and as interesting as mine! (Evil!Edrahil_muse- "If I must suffer, all must suffer! Bwahahahahah- >cough, cough< ergh. You get the idea..")

Anyway, happy feast of St. Thomas Becket or Holy Innocents or Abbot Marcellus depending on your calendar and rite!

To Catch a Thief...

2004-11-18T10:56:00.000-05:00

"Set a spring loaded trap, a hallway full of sharp, swiftly moving blades, a widdowmaker and a scorpion pit" Okay, that's not an exact Terry Pratchett quote, but it's close. I like that. I saw the Hitchcock movie by that name. It was okay. I guessed who was the thief straight off. And I really disliked that movie for whatever reason. I was reminded of the Bourne Identity, again for whatever reason and I really liked that. Except for that whole stupid bit at the hotel, but Hollywood showed some surprising restraint with that. I was pleased. Even though I fastforwarded. I don't think that characters in action movies should ever go further than a kiss. Yes, I know, I'm weird. Meh, deal with it or get lost. Gah, I need my fanfic fix (sounds redundant when read aloud), but I have to finish my reading. Happy feast of... >checking calander< the Dedication of Sts Peter and Paul for you in the Roman rite and the feast day of Sts Plato and Roman in the Eastern rite. Until my next post.
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

Breaking the Habit

2004-11-16T10:01:00.000-05:00

Ye-es, I like that song. But anyway, I'm breaking the habit in two ways, one, I missed my daily rosary last night! >cries<>sighs< So that's a good habit I unfortunately broke. Here' s the bad one I'm trying to break- consistant use of those dratted blue pens! Gah, what I wouldn't give for a Parker pen... Can't think of any thing else to say, except my stomach is crawling up my backbone in an attempt to tell me it's lunch time. We have really crummy food here, but at least it's three squares. Kinda. Actually I'm going for salad for quite some time now. Wish me luck! Oh. There was something I was forgetting. I was going to post my PPC mission here, but I left it on my disk in my room. I'll sort that out later, possibly even later tonight. Oh, right... Hockey sticks Week. Maybe not.... And I still have two classes to get to.

Pens

2004-11-09T21:51:00.000-05:00

I know, this is a very random post... but I need it. I have 6 sentences of Latin still to translate, and I should write something incredibly indepth and thoughtful, but my brain feels oddly fried and I'm not sure when it's going to get better. Anyway, I have blue ink stains all over my hands. Why? Because my pens are evil. I have this stupid 'Pilot precision rolling ball ink pens' and I have three more blue ones, one black and one green to go through before I run out. And yes, I intend to use them all up completely. Even though, for no apparent reason, about the second or third time I use them, they start dripping ink all over my hands. I suppose my reason for continuing to use such odd, annoying pens is partially psychological. During middle school, I only used fountain pens and they were no where near as annoying, but occasionally I would get ink stains on my hands. Unlike the ink stains I'm currently getting, they would wipe off fairly easily with a little bit of water. On the rare occasions that ink pens suddenly decided to explode, one could easily get out of class for five minutes or so to clean up. I liked getting ink on my hands then, not to get out of class, but in a way I suppose, to prove that I was working... I don't need that any more, but for whatever reason I can't stop using these annoying pens. But after I've used them all up, I am never buying them again. I really miss my cheapy fountain pens, and I'd do serious injury to obtain a beautiful Parker pen. I have cartridges, black _and_ blue ones... >sigh<. I really do miss my Parker... now all they have are these dumb roller balls..... Gah.. I'll post something again soonish.. Happy day after the Octave of All Saints...

Errare humanum est...

2004-11-02T15:35:00.000-05:00

Well, as my fall break draws to a close far too soon, I find myself with nothing to do and no one to talk to, so here I am. Technically I suppose I could find someone to talk to, but I don't feel like being social right now. I also could be writing a Lit paper that's kind of due Thursday (the 'kind of' bit being a penalty free extension to next Tuesday). But I'm not. Instead I am considering ranting and raving on a number of topics, or perhaps giving a movie review of the incredible movie I Confess. If you're Catholic and haven't seen it, see it ASAP. I could also rant about the tiny library here or certain people here, but that might be destructive and pointless. Perhaps I could vent my thoughts on switching rites? I _do_ have reasons, I'm just not sure if I have enough.
Maybe I ought to share my thoughts on the choas of the knowledge of the fact that I'm pretty certain I didn't end up where God wanted me to be, but I' m not sure and I don't think I ever will be because I'm not a saint no matter how hard I try, and I'm certainly not as good as everyone thinks I am and I wish to the stars I had kept a journal up until this point in time. What's the point of journals though? A catalog of mistakes? A way to open up old wounds and feel the pain just as badly as when it first started? Why am I getting on an angst kick? Better still, why am I publishing my angst kick?
Okay, switching topics violently and in such a manner that those who have not fastened their safety belts will be bruised if nothing else, I shall all interested parties know what's happened at this school and give you some idea of _some_ but not all of the people here. Pretty much everyone here is a scholarship recipient. Okay, no problem with that. With an SAT score of 1350 and some mega-haggling on the part of certain members of my family, I recieved a 1/3 scholarship. Some of my roommates got a full ride. I thought 'Good for them, that's terrific'. They also recieved a stipend (we're freshmensch, not grad students, in case anyone's wondering) and though it wasn't much of one, it was some. Still, not much of a problem. Okay, I was a _trifle_ jealous, but not much- until I learned that _they have no minimum GPA_. NONE! I have a minimum of 2.9, I think, and with my math class and my Latin class this semester, I may be pushing that...So I should shut up, get off the keyboard and start studying, right? Well, I should, and I will at some point today, but not right now. Maybe I wouldn't mind it so much if I thought they deserved it (God forbid we should get what we deserve, if God gave us what we deserved we couldn't stand it, if He is merciful to us, we are ungrateful, we are unworthy blockheads 99.999999 percent of the time, I think...) but I've proof read their papers prior to them seeing the writing center about them, and they aren't A students in my opinion. I realize English is their second language, but to recieve such scholarships, I really think they ought to be more proficient. >sighs<
Oh, in other news! I now have my own room! More on why in the next post which will hopefully be published no later than a week from today.

The Epic Saga Begins!

2004-09-01T12:05:00.000-04:00

AKA
Now I need a title for my Epic Saga
"Are you all right?" Val_Kyrie asked cautiously.
"All right? Why shouldn't I be all right? What makes you think I'm not all right?" I asked, shredding the paper I was holding. "I mean, everything's fine! Why should I worry? The very idea! Ahaha... Val?"
"Yes, oh Amazing One?"
"Be quiet."
"Me thinks milady doth protest too much," Edrahil muttered and went off to write on his own.

I am beginning to suspect that he is keeping his own journal, probably on livejournal... anyway. I have arrived at my college and hope to post regularly as soon as I have an idea of what regularly looks like. I'm currently reading the Iliad and doing the little head tilting thing. (Tilt, tilt, tilt- 'Err, it still isn't making sense, I like it because it's so strange but I really didn't think it would be this strange.' >begins tilting left< 'Nope, I still don't understand why they go on and on about Alexandros' clothing and choice of weapons, nor why the Achians are constantly described as 'flowing haired' I should think it would get in the way...)

Ahem... I have deviated from the point of this post. I was going to post this separately, but no, it shall go here.... it is fitting. Behold!

Third World/Class?
Take One
"Papers!" the guard snapped.
Nervously the peasant held them out.
The guard scanned them. "I need all your papers, comrade," he growled.
The peasant looked confused, the pulled out every paper he had on him, including a copy of the Pravda.
After five minutes, the guard returned them. "Over there," he said, pointing to a door.
In the room behind the door, a man sat behind a desk. "Comrade..."
"Alexe Sergevitch Smirnov," the peasant supplied quickly.
"Comrade Sminrov," the official began. "What takes you from our glorious worker's paradise?"
"My uncle lives in France and he is very ill."
"What with?"
"Consumption."
"Why did you pay for your fare in ruble coins?"
"Because I don't have any paper money."
The official seemed slightly disappointed, then directed him to a man standing beside a pile of suitcases. Alexe Sergevitch was thoroughly searched, down to the boots, and then his small suitcase was also searched. When the inspection was finished, Alexe Sergevitch was minus all the food he carried, a small eating knife, his father's watch and all but five ruble coins. The rest had paid the fee for the inspection.
"I should have stayed in my dacha and played Durak!"
Take Two
"Papers!" the guard snapped.
Nervously the passenger held them out.
The guard scanned them. "I need all your papers, sir," he growled.
The passenger looked confused, the pulled out every paper he had on him, including a copy of the Times.
After five minutes, the guard returned them. "Over there," he said, pointing to a door. In the room behind the door, a man sat behind a desk. "Mr...."
"Alex Smith," the passenger supplied quickly.
"Mr. Smit," the official began. "What takes you from our glorious country?"
"My uncle lives in Canada and he is very ill."
"What with?"
"TB."
"Why did you pay for your fare with cash?"
"Because I don't approve of credit cards."
The official seemed slightly disappointed, then directed him to a man standing beside a pile of suitcases. Alex Smith was thoroughly searched, down to the boots, and then his small suitcase was also searched. When the inspection was finished, Alex Smith was minus all the food he carried, a plastic fork he picked up at the airport deli, his father's watch and all but five dollars. The rest had paid the fee for the inspection.
"I should have stayed in my house and played Go Fish!"

Suspicion and Moving

2004-08-22T00:25:00.000-04:00

I just saw the Alfred Hitchcock movie by that name. I highly recommend it for the thrill value, it is certainly suspenseful. The premise is this- a 'well brought up' young lady falls in love (in an extremely short period of time) and marries her Mr. Wonderful. He turns out to be not so wonderful and has a nasty habit of gambling away large sums of money. A sequence of events makes his wife suspect he is planning to do away with her in the permanent sense. No one seems to understand and there are several interesting, thouroughly classic Hitchcock twists in the story. I was a trifle disappointed that... oh never mind, I shan't spoil the ending though I will say this- The wife is NOT killed by rampaging sheep. This idea was actually suggested while watching the movie- along with several other strange ideas, none of which turned out to be correct. Personally, I think that the plotline you begin to outline in your head is probably more interesting (in a slightly morbid way) than the actual one. I shall say no more, least I spoil things.

In other news! I am moving to a glorious sunny place- even though I really don't like hot weather. You may ask-why am I moving to such a place if I don't like it? I'll tell you- because it's cheap! I really would rather move to Prague. Seriously, Prague. I've heard it's gorgeous and has lots and lots of beautiful churches. I shall go someday and see them. And bring lots of film. And attempt in vain to NOT look like a tourist. I hate looking like a tourist. Tourists don't really have fun. They think they do, but they don't. It's so much more fun to live in a country! Heh, maybe I should go to Ukraine with the PeaceCorps? Nah, boring. I don't think I agree with PeaceCorps ideology and they seem to do more harm than good. Like the UN? And possibly some US actions? >shrugs< Well, I think I must wrap up this post, 'The wolf is hungry, the hour is nigh, no more need-' wait a minute, that's not a really appropriate quote.

Kudos to any who get my obsrefs. And know what obsrefs are!

Origins of the Title

2004-08-19T22:07:00.000-04:00

"'Somewhatlost'? What kind of a name for a blog is that?" my critical muse Edrahil asks.
"You should know," I answer. "Your creator thought it up after all."

The inspiration for somewhatlost came to me as I pondered random parts of LotR, searching for something LotR or SILM related that would make a pleasing title. In hindsight 'HouseofFeanor' might have been interesting. 'Nargothrond' was taken >curses, foiled again.<, and so I continued randomly pondering. Until it hit me. "Not all those who wander are lost. The old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not touched by the frost." "So you're going to call it 'deeproots', right?" ValKyriene guesses.
Edrahil glares at her and returns to his work.
"No," I smile. "It shall be- 'Somewhatlost'!"

It was inspired. I do wander, but I know where I want to go in the long run. However, sometimes I forget, or lose my way slightly. Hence 'somewhatlost' not 'wanderingbutnotlost' nor 'neverlost', just 'somewhatlost'.

That actually fits me quite well, I tend to look 'somewhatlost' at times, and feel it more often than I look it as I observe the crazy world around me and the crazier people that inhabit it. Not that I make a particular claim to being normal (Who wants to be a setting on a dishwasher/street in Nebraska/town in Illinois?), I'm just differently crazy. >grins< ValKyriene grins at this, Edrahil sighs and looks skyward. "Why me?"

And Now For Something Completely Random!

2004-08-17T20:54:00.000-04:00

AKA
SW Kick for No Apparent Reason!

But this being me, it is no ordinary SW kick, so if you are expecting to find ranting/raving about any of the recent movies or books- you're looking in the wrong place. I'm a classic Rogue Squadron nerd and fairly proud of it. For whatever reason my muses have suddenly decided to drag me forcefully into finishing one adventure of my favourite four (Wedge, Tycho, Wes and Hobbie), and starting another...>groans<. Hence the following. I re-read this http://www.wam.umd.edu/~dilli/writings/orac.html

I took the "Which New Republic pilot do you belong with" quiz on Quizilla and a few other quizzes too, but unfortunately lost the results. Darn. Socks.

And I looked over this again.

Five Pilots and A Baby

Pilots are always in demand, in almost any military, it seemed, and the Alliance was no exception, thus, the events that occurred were singular and the odds of them happening were a million to one. So of course, they happened.

Wedge was hovering in that odd, even dreaded, state between wakefulness and sleep, where some things were exceptionally clear, and others foggy and dreamlike. An example he would have offered, had he been awake enough to care, was that his eyes were firmly shut and he wished for them to remain so. It was a small way in which sleep had a hold on him. His hearing, however, was, fortunately or not, exceptionally sharp. He heard his wingman snoring the sleep of those lucky few who had been injured and given painkillers with a sedative - before the order came down from High Command that only basic treatment was to be given to prevent impairment. He sighed and tried to adjust himself in his uncomfortable bunk. Then he heard it. It was a thin, reedy cry, high pitched and erratic.

A baby? Wedge groaned. He and the other members of his squadron were stuck in off-base housing, which meant such things as loud music and, yes, squalling babies, were not unusual. Wedge pulled his pillow out from under his head and stuck it over his head, attempting to muffle the noise. The attempt failed. After twenty minutes of sporadic howling, Wedge decided he would get no more sleep that night and that he might as well take in the sunrise- so what if it was two hours away? There was a balcony at the end of the hall, there might be a view, even in a city… Stopping only to belt on his blaster, the pyjama-clad squadron leader opened the door- and nearly tripped over the baby.

"What the-?!"

It was a baby, no mistaking it, a human baby, a small, pink thing wrapped in a green woollen jersey that stopped in mid-howl to stare at him. Well, the floor was no place for anyone to leave a baby, Wedge thought, dazed. He picked it up carefully. It gave an experimental howl that trailed off sloppily. Holding the baby as best he guessed was correctly, Wedge tried hard to think, not the easiest thing to do at three in the morning with a small child with a prodigious lung-capacity. Maybe the baby had been left outside the wrong doorstep- that had to be it! There were four apartments on the floor his squadron occupied, Tycho and he shared one, Hobbie and Wes had another, Plourr had the third, and the fourth…was unoccupied, he remembered belatedly as he walked over to it and stopped in front of the door with the ‘do not enter’ tape liberally plastered across it. The baby, which had been silent for a little while, started to howl again as he stood there. Wedge sighed and walked over to the balcony. The baby stopped. Slowly, Wedge added two and two and made four. The baby did not howl as he walked. It made strange noises and it seemed to dribble a lot, but it did not howl… Thus it was that Wes, the only early riser of the lot, found him pacing the hall.

"Wedge are you- what is that?" he gaped.

"It’s a baby, Wes, shut your mouth, your jaw is dragging on the floor," Wedge said with a yawn. The baby gave a single, drawn out howl. Wedge looked haggard. "It was asleep too, for maybe twenty minutes until you spoke up." Wes continued to gape as Wedge explained, over the howling, the events that had led to his pacing the corridor. "-and as soon as it’s a reasonable hour, someone has to take it to Social Services."

Wes had a strange smile on his face as he delivered the deathblow to that idea. "Wedge, this world’s in such turmoil, they’re not even sure who’s in charge. Social Services hasn’t been working for a few years here."

"But…"

"Besides, on this world it’s hardly necessary, people look out for their families. No one would just leave their child on a stranger’s door…"

"Except someone did," Wedge said.

Wes sighed. "It’s too early…"

"’Morning, sir," Plourr Illo said, closing her apartment door behind her. "’Morning, Wes. Sir, is that yours?" she asked with a grin.

Wedge had a bad feeling that the day was not going to go well at all.

When everyone was awake and mostly coherent, with the possible exception of Tycho, a decision was in the process of being made. Wedge was all in favour of taking the child to the nearest planetary authorities, but Wes reminded him and everyone that such authorities had not been in operation for a while. Plourr had no objection to the baby staying on, but she insisted that if it did, everyone would have to help raise it. Hobbie predicted disasters as usual and Tycho fell asleep halfway through the discussion.

Finally, Wedge surrendered to the inevitable. "All right, we’ll keep the baby," he said, "but only until the Alliance can place it, the Force alone knows how they will."

"Um…" Plourr, who had been holding the baby, now held it at arm’s length. "I think it needs to be changed."

"Wes, go buy things for it," Wedge said. "Plourr when he gets back, catch up with us at the base. Tycho, you and Wes are babysitting."

"Uh? Sure," Tycho said and went back to sleeping.

"Why does he have to stay?" Hobbie asked. "Why can’t Plourr stay?"

"What, just because I’m a woman?"

"No, because you’re not as crazy as he is, and I want an apartment to come back to," Hobbie said.

"Nevermind, we might have fun," Wes said, taking the baby from Plourr. "Yes," he announced to it. "You’re gonna have lots of fun with Uncle Wes, aren’t you?"

(Possibly to be continued)

Silmarillion Parody!

2004-08-15T18:00:00.000-04:00

Here for your delight or horror, follows...

Parody of the Silmarillion
OR
The Confused Memories of a Teen Reader

(Scene: a dark foggy place. A girl walks on stage with a microphone)

Girl(Tapping mic): Um..testing 1,2,3 is this on? Think so, anyway err...(looks up)Eru? Sir? Are you sure this is a fitting punishment? I mean there-
(There is a loud thump, like someone dropped a piano.)
Girl: Uh...I guess that's a yes! Well, um... (Now in bright chirpy voice)Hi Everyone and welcome to the Confused Memories of a Teen Reader, me. Tonightwe focuse on The Slama- The Semil- er...(Chews nail and looks at script that'appeared' in hand)
FANS: THE SILMARILLION!!!
Girl(Brightens): Yeah! The Samil-
FANS: SILMARILLION!
Girl(Sigh): What they said! Where was I? Oh yes. In the beginning there was the Music and the Music was with Eru and Eru was-
(Loud groans from the fans)
Scary sounding Fan: Skip it!
Girl: Who said that? (Looks around)
Scary sounding fan who is Melkor stands up out of the fog: I did.
Girl(Trembling): M-m-e (Seems to be stuck in a stutter)
Impressive sounding voice: Leave off!
(Manwe steps out of the fog, followed byVarda)
Manwe: Now look Melkor, I want to hear the rest of the story and if you don't, you can go back to the Void. (Frowns) How did you get in here anyway?
Melkor: The door. (A door lights up)
Varda: Well if you're not going to leave, then please sit down and don't interrupt again, you're scaring our guest. (Turns to the girl) Please continue!
(Melkor goes back to his seat)
Girl: And the Music was of Eru and the voices of the Valar joined with his and all was peaceful until they noticed someone singing off-key.
Melkor: DID NOT!
FANS: DID TOO!
Melkor: DID NOT!
Varda(putting a hand to her head): Children! Please!
(Silence, for now!)
Girl: The off-key singer whose evil melody tried to take over the world was-
Varda: Dear, perhaps for the sake of peace, we should skip this?
Girl: Ok. Then after the song sang the world into being the elves came and theworld was beautiful and M-m-e- HE got chained up
(Growl from Melkor) And anyway, I didn't think that was too much to do with the Sumaril-FANS: SILMARILLION!
Fan that sounds suspiciously like Feanor: IF YOU MISPRONOUNCE MY BEAUTIFULJEWELS JUST ONCE MORE-
(Fans that look supiciously like his sons sit on him)
Redheaded son of Feanor who is missing a hand (Smiles at the narrator): Continue please!
Girl: Okaaay! Then Thingol built his Halls of Stone-
Dwarven sounding fan: The DWARVES built the Halls of Stone.
Girl: The Dwarves built Thingol's Halls of Stone and Thingol married Melian a Maia that kept butterflies-
Melian: Nightingales!
Girl: Nightingales. Umm...then Feanor created the Silmo- Silmi-
FANS: SILMARILLS!!
(The complaining begins again)
Feanor: Shut up! This is the best part of the story!
(Booing and fighting break out in the audience)
Girl (Continuing quickly): Feanor created the precious jems-
FAN with strange voice: Precioussss? Iss it oursss? Our preciousss?
Feanor: Wrong story Smeagol, go catch some fishess.
Smeagol: Ssssmeagol isss going!
Girl: And at least he said they were the most beautiful things in the world but no one could really know because-
Feanor: THEY WERE!(Feanor is sat upon by his father, mother, stepmother, wife, sons, and Huan the Talking Dog)
Girl: Because he kept them locked up and only wore them for fiestas.
FAN1: What's a fiesta?
FAN2: Is that some kind of chariot?
FAN3: Isn't that Rohirric?
FAN4: No you dumb Noldo, a fiesta's a ship!
FAN1: Well that makes sense! He only wore them for ships? Come on!
FAN3: Who are you callin' a dumb Noldo, ya sissy Teler!
FAN4: Sissy is it? I'll show you!
FAN3: Yeah?
FANS1&4: Yeah!
(Fighting errupts yet again. Manwe claps his hands to call for attention, but no one's listening. Melkor taps him on the back and whispers something. Manwe shrugs. Melkor lets out a demonic scream- nothing happens. Varda sighs and clears her throat. All fighting ceases instantly.)
Girl: Umm... And the Jewels were stolen by M- HIM and HE killed Feanor's dad and Feanor swore an oath-
Other son of Feanor with nice voice: Don't remind him- or us!
Girl: And so it was that they came to Middle Earth
FAN2: Middle _Where_? Y' mean Arda?
FAN4: Ahem, you seem to have completely forgotten THE KINSLAYING.
(Collective groan from the audience.)
FAN1: Not AGAIN!
FAN5: The HORROR!
FAN4: I see...dead people...
FAN1: I might be able to explain that, you see, we are dead.
FAN2: NOO!!!!
FAN3: You HAD to remind us, didn't you!
FAN4: Listen, the Teleri have many grievances, this is only the worst one. Why is it we are almost always forgotten? Why do people think of us as strange if we like to sing? WHY WERE WE SO DARN EASY TO KILL?? I'LL TELL YOUWHY, 'CAUSE NO ONE CARES!! (Starts sobbing)FAN1: There there, I care!
FAN4: I know...(sniffs)
Girl: Can I continue? Please?
FAN4: WE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN!!
FAN1: Of course not!
Girl: Then the Noldor came to Arda and there were many battles and Men appeared.
FAN holding a comb: Them! Great!
FAN holding a harp: Oh stop being such a snob Saeros! You deserved what you got for teasing Turin!
Saeros: Huh! So the 'Friend of Men' is going to give me a lecture?
Finrod: Not that it would do much good, you won't listen.
Saeros: I just don't get you! I mean, letting yourself get killed for oneof them!
Finrod: There are a lot of things you don't get Saeros, this isn't the first, nor will it be the last!Saeros: Oh really!
Finrod: Yes, really.
Varda: Finrod, Saeros, break it up!
(Silence)
Girl: And umm...then lots of people started building hidden cities. Gomd-
FAN7: GONDOLIN!
Girl: Nagarath-
Finrod: Nargothrond.
Girl: And Thingol's halls. And the men moved west and Fingolfin dueled the Dark Lord and died.
Fingolfin: Am I left handed?
Girl: Huh?
Fingolfin: Am I left handed?
Girl: I...I don't know...
Fingolfin (holds up a book with the cover showing his fight against the Dark Lord): I could have sworn I was right handed. And my hair's the wrong color! Who makes these books anyway?
Girl(shrugs and continues): Beren and Luthien met and fell in love and Luthien was the fairest being ever to walk the ea-
Angry voice: WAS NOT!
Luthien: Was too!
Arwen stands up: WAS NOT!
Luthien: Ahem, Arwen. I was half elven, half Maia. You were half elven.
Arwen: Huh!
Luthien: Petty jealously doesn't become you dear.
(Arwen sticks her tongue out at Luthien and sits down again.)
Girl: But Luthien's bride price was a Silar- S-i-l-m-eril!
FANS: SILMARIL!!!
Girl: So Beren and Luthien stole a jem from Me- HIS crown-
Finrod: And I died.
Huan barks.
Luthien (looks at him): And Huan died too, but that was later.
Girl: And Maedhros and Maglor tried to-
Curufin and Caranthir interrupt: Not them! Us!
Girl: Tried to steal the jem from Beren and almost got killed and almost killed Beren and Dior got killed after Thingol got killed and Turumbar killed Beleg-
Turin: It was an accident!
Beleg: You had to remind me!
Girl(rapidly speeding up): And Gwindor's girlfriend fell in love with Turin and Gwindor died and she died and he married his sister and they both died, then their parents died and the dragon was already dead but not before he incited the sister-
Nienor: I have a name!
Girl: To kill herself and Doriath and Gobdel-
FAN1: Gondolin!
Girl: all fell and Nargothrond had fallen before that and Maedhros fell off a cliff with a Samer
FANS: SILMARIL!
Girl: And Maglor threw the other one into the sea and Earendil made the first spaceship so the elves won the spacerace because Earendil's Surmar
FANS: SILMARIL!!
Girl: became a star and Numenor was created but it sank and everyone who was still alive lived bitterly and sadly to the end of their days though occasional adventures and battles livened things up.
(Total silence, broken by the occasional sob. Everyone seems slightly shocked that that's it.)
Girl (Nervous chuckle): With no further ado, I will now introduce Peter Jackson, a man with a plan. His act is entitled: Lord of the Rings OR Confused Dreams of a Man Who Once Read this Book in 10th Grade and thought: THAT WOULD BE A BRILLIANT MOVIE. Goodbye and goodnight!
(Exits quickly.)
Peter Jackson: Umm...hey! Big turnout tonight!
FAN7: Hey, if he cut some characters from LOTR, don't you think we could cut one act Varda?Varda (considers): All right, but wait until all the Valar have left, we didn't see anything until it was too late.
(EVIL LAUGHTER FROM THE AUDIENCE)
THE END!

First Post!

2004-08-13T17:36:00.000-04:00

At long, long, last, the story begins. Actually, it's not just one story, but many, almost a tapestry of stories, you might say. And they all wait to be written, and thus woven into existence.
>ahem<
Okay, I'm done being poetic. Now I'm going to be about as straightforward as I get. Here, I hope to record my thoughts, rants, opinions, short stories, reviews, and lots of other random things that I will think of as I write. Should you wish to tag along/ read, do not expect regular updates, I am a college student. Please give constructive criticism whenever possible and be aware that my mini-balrog (I am adopting one soon!) will enjoy all flames directed at me and attack on command.
That's about the long and short of it, and thus my introduction is completed! Let the celebration begin!