HAPPY BIRTHDAY, cole_chan! I love you, and I hope the kids are good to you and you also get to do many fun things. Have a great day ♥!

Hi everybody ♥!

I should probably have done an "I arrived safely" post, but...I did not. And it is now rather late for that, but here's a post anyway? I have spent the last day and a half hanging out with the lovely vampydirector, playing games and watching shows and having RP funtimes and joining in a family get-together. Just when I thought I'd escaped from the necessity for one of those this year!

Anyway, I arrived a bit late yesterday, but I was honestly lucky that it worked out as well as it did as the snow back home was apparently rather nasty. The roads out by us hadn't been plowed at all when we left for the airport, and within 15 minutes of leaving, Dad was telling me that I was going to miss my flight. Thanks, Dad. But then we suddenly crossed an invisible line and everything was plowed. Go figure.

This did, admittedly, turn out to be one of my less-pleasant flying experiences. I mean, having the flight board 15 minutes late and then having to sit on the plane for an hour so that we took off (only about 20 minutes before our scheduled arrival time) was annoying but certainly nothing new. The problem was, just before we started to descend for our landing, my left ear decided to spontaneously lose the ability to pop, and that wound up being very uncomfortable and actually rather painful. About four hours later, my ear finally cleared, but it's been acting up since then. About an hour ago it spontaneously half-clogged again, and currently my own breathing is disturbingly loud. STOP DOING THAT, EAR. But! I made it, and my luggage made it, and I'm with Jchan, so it's all okay ♥.

Tomorrow, we're going to head out to hang out with Squeak and then Star. I haven't seen them yet, so I'm reeeeally looking forward to that!

Otherwise, Jchan and I just watched Part 1 of End of Time, and I've been debating whether to post anything about it. It partially broke my brain and made me "Whut?" at it, but it also had a fair amount of awesome hidden in there. But I sort of want to wait and see what they do with Part 2 before I really decide what I thought of it. Hard to make an overall judgment about the lead-in when you don't know what it's leading to, you know? But, as far as a couple brief, spoilery thoughts... ( About EoT )

And I think that's about it for now. Love you guys ♥!

I was catching up on Twitter last night, and someone posted a link to this article, "Great Storytelling 101 (or: We've Forgotten How to Tell Stories)" from Writer's Digest.

The article linked a video review of Star Wars: Episode One that, if you can get past the annoying narration and a few inappropriate references, picks apart the movie in astounding clarity. I'd remembered Episode One rather fondly (it was quite pretty, and so was Ewan McGregor), but that review made me realize that I'd never actually thought about the movie critically before. Amazing! (Granted, I haven't seen it in probably ten years..) Anyway, the whole review is about 70 minutes long, but it's worth a watch.

I have not updated all week because I've been too busy doing things, all of them spectacular, most of them involving rolling around on the floor with my two little nieces, ages 2 and 4. Let me tell you, small feet pattering around in your bedroom and small faces peering inquisitively into yours are the best way to wake up in a good mood. (I am absolutely serious about this. My nieces are ADORABLE. And thanks to my judicious applications of bribes--in the forms of candy, Fruit Roll-ups, Youtube movies about princesses and unicorns, and colored pencil drawings of same--they love me best. Or at least, they always remember my name...)

Christmas was excellent. Mom loved the Tastebook Ruth and I made her, and Dad seemed pretty pleased with his Luke Short novels and Diplomacy board game. (Although our family is remarkably good at feigning, so I'm not certain about the board game. But I know he likes the books.) I was assigned Ruth in our sister present rotation; hopefully she enjoys her presents as well. I certainly like mine. Among the highlights are a gorgeous red-and-white gratin baking dish, a beautiful apron, silver earrings, The Art and Science of Trial Advocacy, Law and the Long War, an 8 gig memory card for my mp3 player, a beechwood spoon, Wintersilk thermal underwear, and, of course, my new phone. :) Last week I cancelled my service through T-Mobile and signed up instead for Straight Talk's prepaid plan. I get 1000 minutes and 1000 texts for $23 less than what I was paying with T-Mobile. And the phone is an LG290C slider phone, running on Verizon's network and employing some really neat features. My parents gave me the phone and the initial month's service, and I am very very happy with it. :D

There is far more to talk about from this week than I could ever summarize here (and the only people who would likely interested were already main players), so suffice it to say that I am well and happy and really, really enjoying this time spent relaxing with my family. Next week will be harder, with some of my sisters and their families leaving and with me buckling down to work on preparation for the trial next month. I need to have my opening statement prepared by January 4, and we don't even have all the information on the case yet! But I'm still more excited than scared. In 30 days I'll be coming off a national criminal trial advocacy competition!

Merry Christmas, everyone ♥!

I should probably do an LJ post now, as the day is quickly getting away from me. Mom wants to watch shows this evening, and I catch a plane in the morning. My gosh!

My Christmas has been very Doctor Who-themed--or at least most of my gifts were XD. My parents know me so well. I now have all four seasons of the new series on DVD, as well as The Next Doctor! (Sooooo glad I tipped Dad off about that...like...66% off sale on Amazon. Thank you again, Jchan, for letting me know!) He also got me the The Beginning DVD set with the first three serials ever. He is such a nut.

I also have my last four missing Short Trips books on the way. I will have the whole series, YAY! Well, except for Re:Collections, but why get the collection when you have all the books? And! I now own three more albums by La Oreja de Van Gogh, which I have only partially listened to so far (nevermind I got one of them a couple weeks ago due to Dad freaking out at Amazon MP3), but they are AWESOME. Rawr!

So after our gifts and family breakfast, I spent most of the morning packing and getting organized for tomorrow. We eventually had our family lunch and a long phone call with my grandparents, and then we watched Utopia, The Sound of Drums, and Last of the Time Lords, both in honor of my new DVDs and to get my parents ready (and refresh my memory) for End of Time. I can't believe it airs in the US tomorrow!

And yeah, Mom just told me she wants to finish season 3 of the Sarah Jane Adventures tonight, so I really might not be around again before I leave--or at least not much. I'm going to have to make an executive decision concerning sleep and Latin worksheets, I think.

But I'm rambling. Basically, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Regardless of what you believe or celebrate, I hope today is an awesome day for you ♥. For me, it is most definitely a day of celebration. I feel so blessed right now, both for the Heavenly things and events and reasons for joy and for the Earthly ones. Like all of you! Sammy, I have been reading that book, and I love how he describes that Christianity isn't about a formula--it's all about relationships. And I am very blessed with lots and lots of wonderful relationships in my life ♥. Keep being amazing, you guys! I won't be around much for the next week, but I'll be thinking of you. Love you all ♥!

And to vampydirector, squeakchan, and taelow, I WILL SEE YOU SOON ♥!

I was playing Rock Band with some of my sibs this morning, and somehow New Moon came up. My brother, who's a senior, said, "It's still so weird that Kiowa was in my German class sophomore year, cuz he never talks in a normal voice, ever." (I found out a couple weeks ago that Kiowa Gordon, who plays Embry (one of the werewolves), went to my high school, and my brother knew him. Crazy!!) Then my sister said, "I know, none of their family does."

Suddenly I put some pieces together. Kiowa Gordon, part of the Gordon family, who would also have gone to my high school. Part Native American.. I remembered someone else with those high cheekbones, wide face, and olive skin, and it occurred to me - I knew his brother Aaron. Aaron was on the football team and was in my AP Art class our senior year. Also, his family was in my ward for a while. WEIRD!!!

Who knew?! I wonder if Aaron's still around? I should look him up.

Happy Late Birthday, chibidrunksanzo!!!!

Sorry!! I was totally ready for it, but when Saturday rolled around, I ended up driving for 10 hours, and then when I got home I forgot to post. ^^; I hope it was a fun one!

When was the last time I did a happy fandom post? IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG. And! IT IS BREAK!!! I think it's finally sinking in...sort of. Mostly in terms of OH MY GOSH I LEAVE AT THE END OF THE WEEK AND THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO!

Thankfully, lots of the chores and such that I've been up to are audio-friendly, so I have been indulging myself and finally catching up. You win, Jchan. I want to hear more Five and Nyssa now and maybe even watch them. Mostly I want to hear Plague of the Daleks, which HURTS me to say, I assure you. DARN YOU, TRILOGY, FOR DRAWING ME IN! I'm not over Enemy of the Daleks yet ._. Freaking Daleks.

Anyway! So I went over to Matt's yesterday, which was the first time we saw each other in more than two weeks. Odd for us, who usually see each other 1-2 times a week. I fail. But, after much debating about what to do, we decided that, rather than him getting me into a new RP on my limited schedule, I would watch as he began one. He said he'd been planning to play Tales of the Abyss, so I was like YES, START THAT ONE. Because...I am curious. So most of my time at Matt's was spent watching him play through the beginning of the game. The two of us are perhaps too sarcastic for that game's good, but it was fun. Luke is such a brat, his interactions with Tear are amusing, and Jade is way too hilarious. I want to see more now. Apparently my plan not to get sucked into something failed after all...

Audio-wise, I went through Castle of Fear on Saturday night. I was dying of laughter within the first few minutes, that audio had way too much fun with accents, and generally it was completely awesome and fun...UNTIL THE LAST THIRTY SECONDS. Instead of screaming at the audio (as I often do), I actually burst out laughing when the ending theme started up. It was just that unbelievable. This laughter may also have been aided by the "long sentences" line, which was hilarious even in the middle of the ultimate OH CRAP moment.

I just now finished The Eternal Summer. I love how this trilogy is a trilogy, yet the audios are so completely different plot-wise. It actually rather reminds me of a Short Trips book. Anyway, this one was also really good, if emotional, and I looooved Max and Lizzie, gosh! And ew, squicky noises in the fourth part. AND THEN THE LAST THIRTY SECONDS AGAIN WHYYYYYYY???? I burst out laughing again, but I screamed while I was at it. WHY, BIG FINISH, WHY!?!?! Which is why I need to hear Plague of the Daleks guuuh so unfair. I'm going to hold off on that one until tomorrow...or try to, anyway.

As good as those two audios were, I am also greatly enjoying the continuation of The Three Companions. The latest bit (after Eternal Summer) was especially enjoyable, mostly for this exchange that made me crack up to no end:

P: It's getting late. Where's the Doctor? Do you think he's like buses?
B: You mean you don't see him for ages, and then three of him roll up together?

The best part is, I can SO picture that happening! XD

Okay, time to do some prep work now. So much to do this week, but I'll get there in the end!

Dad and Phyfell are watching "Patton", and Kalhoun's playing Guild Wars. There's just too much testosterone in that room for me right now. ;)

Exams are over; thanks be to St. Thomas More, patron saint of lawyers. (Is there a patron saint for law students? Is it blasphemous for a Mormon to mention a Catholic saint?) Overall I feel pretty decent about the experience. Last night I had a good school dream, for once, in which I not only finished the 1st Amendment test first but also climbed up the rocky crag of the Supreme Court bench to be first in my class. My professor, a bizarre mix of Professor Anderson-Jones, Robin McKinley, and my favorite elementary school teacher (Ms. Mell), was very congratulatory. I have the weirdest hunger for praise.

So after I finished my paper last night my roommates and I all celebrated the end of exams with a nice quiet little party. :) We had frozen pizza for dinner, and then we went to the grocery store for Redbox and junk food. Ice cream, clementines, chips and bean dip, and Chex Mix make a very satisfactory accompaniment to Casino Royale, and we all had fun oogling Daniel Craig and having absolutely no idea how poker is played.

And now I've just finished packing for Michigan! My cousin's driving Ruth, Jordan, Elise and me to the airport; we leave at 2 p.m. and arrive in Chicago at 6:05, which means we've got a good chance of getting home sometime around midnight. So excited for family and Christmas!

See you all on the other side. ;)

What are people's thoughts about "Avatar?"

I've been on the fence about it, honestly. Several people have said they thought I'd be way excited about it, given my tastes, but it hasn't had much of a draw. (The biggest one for me is Sam Worthington, who was really hot in "Terminator: Salvation.") I haven't been interested enough to go out of my way to find out about it.

I heard a review on the radio this morning that was bittersweet. The reviewer said that, on one hand, the technology is so amazing that it's the best movie of its kind, Ever. (I'm assuming he's talking about the 3-D part, which I almost didn't remember hearing about.) He said that it's an incredible experience to sit in the middle of the theater with your 3-D glasses and feel completely immersed in the world.

On the other hand, he said, the plot of the movie is quite weak. Like "Fern Gully" or "Dances with Wolves," it's about a guy from the invading team who gets into the enemy culture and develops such affinity with them that he then defends them against his own people. (He said there's a little of the environmental soapbox, but that's not what the movie's about.) The previews I've seen did look pretty weak, as far as story, but I actually quite enjoy "Fern Gully"-type stories (probably because I have elfish tendencies), so maybe I'll like it anyway.

I think I probably will end up going to see it, and probably liking it. I'll probably wait until the hype has died down (the reviewer said that "Sherlock Holmes" will probably kick "Avatar" out of the box office when it comes out), but it sounds like it would be worth it for the 3-D. I mean, how many 3-D movies have we seen that weren't full of 3-D gimmicks for kids? It'd be interesting to see what can be done with the technology applied for a more sophisticated audience.

If I see anything this weekend, I'd probably go with "Did You Hear About the Morgans?," "Young Victoria" (if I can find a theater), or "Invictus."


EDIT: Here's your quote for the day.

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
- Douglas Adams

You win, sir. XD

Woo hoo!! Marvel has just released the first trailer for Iron Man 2! Looks like more of the same AWESOME as the first movie!! Good ol' Tony Stark. XD

Click here to watch it as many times as you like



I figured my Xavier Institute icon would be more fitting than my Batman icon.

Books to the ceiling,/ Books to the sky,/ My pile of books is a mile high./ How I love them! How I need them!/ I'll have a long beard by the time I read them.
- Arnold Lobel


It's funny how I feel the need to post something - anything - so that I can put up a fun quote. ^^; I guess it's been a while since I've given you an update, though, so I might as well.

My trip was lovely. The weather was beautiful, I played with my niece (who's still afraid of me at first, every time), and it was fun to just chill and hang out with my mom/dad/brothers. I loved being home more than usual, even, because the emphasis was on "B's home!" instead of "Everyone's home!" It was nice to feel loved and appreciated. I'm back to work for a week, and heading home again probably Saturday for Christmas break.

I even got some creative work done, about 2000 words over the weekend - inspired by The War of Art, which I'll talk about more when my hard copy arrives and I can make references - but not on Muse. I worked on the story that this is from, starting at the beginning. I've been needing a high-fantasy outlet, and it's feeling good.

Also, since this post starts out about books, I might as well mention that I've listened to 3 (and a half) Miles Vorkosigan books, and loved them. (The half is Cetaganda, which I'm only partway through, but which so far I don't particularly care for. I just don't like the planet, like, at all. My brother assures me that it picks up, though.) And I've also listened to the first book (and a half) of the Mediator series by Meg Cabot, and I'm enjoying them, too. I'm on the second book.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY squeakchan and taelow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will have gifts for you when I see you ♥. HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!! *sends lots of love to you both♥♥♥♥♥!!!*

So, my weekend was awesome! My friends are amazing~ *loves you all so much ♥!* Work is not awesome, although my co-workers are, even when dealing with my spontaneously bursting into tears. Which I need to stop doing (although it's only happened once at work). And I'm mad at Toyota for misrepresenting things. I want my car. You said I'd have it today >|

But! I did want to say that Big Finish announced last week that they won't be selling Short Trips anymore after the year ends. Nuuuuuuuuuuu! Books are already disappearing from the list ;_; Really good ones!

And this means that Oliver's only canon will very soon be even more impossible to get a hold of. *wibbles*

So if you're interested in Short Trips at all, get them before they're gone! Less than $10 apiece for nice hardcover books, which includes overseas shipping!


Also, three more days. Then maybe I'll have a life again, if not a car.