So Many Books...

I am currently reading two books at once. I hate doing this, not because I get confused, but because I don't know what book to pick up on my way to the bus stop. Anyway, here they are.
The first book is The Talisman by Sir Walter Scott. I picked it up because I caught the name of Richard I of England, who is actually on my family tree and therefore super-interesting to me. It is the story (thus far) of Scottish knight Kenneth (played in my head by Ewan McGregor) who is in the Middle East during the crusades. He's on some sort of special mission, but I'm not totally sure what it is yet. None the less, it's had some cool little elements of middle age knight tales and early Catholicism. Kenneth stays with a possibly mad prophet, stumbles into a hidden chapel, and falls in love with/gets the hots for a nun-in-training who I think may be his ex-girlfriend (if I am understanding this correctly). There's also been some thought provoking social elements. Kenneth and a Middle Eastern soldier have a conversation where the soldier cannot understand why Kenneth is deprived of sex until marriage, and Kenneth doesn't understand why the soldier won't drink alcohol. It asks questions like what is the link between mental instability and the supernatural, do sexless societies create confusion between romantic love and worship, is courage synonymous with violence, etc.
The other book I'm reading is at my math professor's suggestion. It is entitled Geometry and the Visual Arts by Dan Pedoe. It has been a little out of my league mathematically-I understand it, but only very slowly-but wicked interesting. (Hmm I sound like a British schoolgirl.) I recently read the chapter on Albrecht Durer. I liked Durer's work anyway, particularly Melancholy, but this book has given me a new appreciation for it. I recommend it if you are into math or art.
I will probably give the priority to Pedoe, even if Scott is due back first at the library. Either way I'll have something to do at the train station!

Independence Day

This is one of my favorite holidays-I believe in civil liberties and freedom. I love what the US potentially could be, what it should be. The whole family is coming over for a barbecue. I love that too. I love the contrast of red white and blue and sparkly lights and the BIGness of fireworks and the lighting that makes everyone look good and kind of ethereal, like fairies or nymphs. I love that everyone uses the exact same word (like "ahhh") at the exact same time in the exact same intonation when they're impressed by the lights. I love that everyone sort of believes in magic for a minute. I love how we all openly admit we can be fascinated by shiny things. I love how we all are celebrating passion. I love that we all light firecrackers and teach our four-year-olds that it is okay to play with fire, sometimes, maybe, that sure we need to be careful, but not if it means never seeing sparks at all.
Today I did something really summery-I washed my hair with the hose. It worked very well actually, except that I got some water in my ear and will be shouting all day. Oh well. After fireworks, so will everyone else.
July proves to be a busy month. I have had two friends with birthdays this month and there are 3 more to go. I love getting presents for people. I love having an excuse to shamelessly heap praise upon them and be as mushy as I want and they can't be embarrassed, they just get to sit there and blush.
Todays mini-play-list includes
-The Star-Spangled Banner by Jimi Hendrix
Because it's patriotic in a way that shows how desperately one should fight for the oppressed and dying.
-American Music by Violent Femmes
Because it celebrates the good old American party-makes me think of tailgating, barbeques, summer concerts, arcades, drive-in movies and cruising down the coastline blasting the radio.
-Pink Houses by John Cougar Mellencamp
I love the image of "an interstate runnin through his front yard", something that seems purely US. Also, I grew up on a street coming right off an overpass and have craved living on busy streets ever since.
-America by Simon and Garfunkel
Perfect road trip song for obvious reasons, but also gives a slightly melancholy tone of trying to define who we are and where we're going. It is something universal, yet seems to show up more in American (and not just US) art, music, film and literature.
-In A Big Country by Big Country
Okay so they're Scottish but this song seems to fit the US better in my opinion-Scotland doesn't have deserts one would not expect to grow flowers in for example. Besides the US is a big country that has largely been built on other nations' influences and people and I like it for it's hopeful pioneer spirit. And this is my blog. So there.

School

I am currently in class and I think it is kind of pointless. I swear we had the same lecture last time and now I can't do the assignment we are supposed to be doing as a class because I forgot my flash drive. I would totally just leave but there's only 5 people exactly in this class so it would be obvious. One guy left during the break, which I also thought about doing, but the professor sounded like she had something else to say that I would need to be here for. Guess not.
I think I am the only one not doing anything. I hate wasting time like this. I need to go to the library and pay bills and do this thing for Susan...Oh thank heaven. The professor said we get to leave on time because she has a meeting or something.
Sorry for complaining. I'm actually really happy, lately. I'm just tired right now. I had a great weekend full of films Jeffrey so generously lent me. My favorite was The Man In The Iron Mask. I love the ultra-heroic idealism in that movie, and John Malkovitch is really a good actor. (I know this is probably duh, but I'm just discovering this.) He should do books on tape in his spare time. I also went to the comedy club where Tony does stand-up. Sergio and I sat right in the front row, which was kind of fun, but I felt bad on the rare occasion things weren't funny. O well.
Holy crap I can leave. Farewell!

Insomnia

I should have been in bed 2 hours ago. I can't sleep. It's too hot to sleep with the window closed, and the neighbors TV is too loud with it open. Not to mention I keep coughing. Attendance at Math Class isn't mandatory, but I don't want to miss. So I guess I'll go try it again.

Music: "Young Folks"-Peter Bjorn and John

Today I Feel Parenthetical.

So now that I have effectively destroyed any chance of anyone I know actually reading this, I can publish the more scandalous bits of my life without fear. But before my imaginary readers get too excited, when scandalous things happen to me I usually blitz on hours of TV trying to forget them. Nonetheless, here is what's been happening:
-My older brother and his 15-year-old son, along with their Boston terrier and pug have taken up residence in my little château.
-My friend Kandis got married. Congratulations!!
-Karen, Brandy, and Aurora have all given me incredibly generous late Birthday presents. Thank you!
-I saw something that really is scandalous (and quite disturbing).
-School has started once again for the summer. I'm excited for my math class, I'll post on computers next week.
-Aurora and I once again are going to go for walks with her dog Nina.
-Michael Cera of Arrested Development has a web-show. Watch it! It's pretty funny and I would probably find it twice as if the video didn't have to keep buffering-pretty sure that's my internet connection, though, not the site. (To those of you with would-be virgin ears, they try to censor "swears" but they really suck at it.) Regardless, you have to support alumni from the greatest sitcom of all time. (Yes I did just put it above Seinfeld. You will just have to deal with it.)
-Hard Candy makes excellent makeup, particularly bronzer, nail polish and mascara. Thanks Natalie for stocking me up!
Todays music: Blue Man Group.
Hot guys of the week: Steven Strait; Jensen Ackles; and of course Clark Duke and Michael Cera of Clark and Michael whose comedy has rocked my world.

Today I finally read the minutes for the book festival meeting. They want me to be chairwoman for the Define-a-thon. Chairwoman! How exciting, and sort of scary.

It occurs to me no one knows what I'm talking about. Maybe I don't say much as nothing is sure yet.

In that vein, (vain? vane? huh.) I have decided to apply for a cashiers job at Rite Aid. I would like a little 10 hour a week job, and I'd only have to ride one bus to get to this one which gives me more confidence about working later in the day. The only thing I'm nervous about is that most people don't want to have to deal with my changing in two months school schedule. But I'm definitely putting school first.

I have been so physically exhausted the last two days. I'm missing my family, though I've been seeing them more lately than at other times. So I'm slightly out of sorts-forgive me.

Rocky

Here's to Rocky. He truly was the sweetest, most compassionate dog I ever met. That may sound silly to some, but it's true.

Widgets, Part 2

I have a widget from library thing! I know how! I am happy!



It doesn't seem to change though...

Widgets

I want to set up a widget from library thing. I don't know how. I am sad.

Sunday 18 February 2007

School starts again on March 1st-and I'm pretty excited. But I really want to decorate my room (again) before they start. So that's the big question of the week-Can Dani makeover her room in the next 9 days? (Sundays don't count.) You would think so, wouldn't you? I will keep you posted on the ever exciting developments.
This week I also start my work for the Humanities Council. I am very excited, but I do feel slight apprehension. I do not know what exactly they will be depending on me to do, or how often they will want me to commit to doing it. I have come to what I believe is a rather practical decision regarding my time which is that no one activity such as school, volunteering, or work will take more than 25 hours per week. Now this can be adjusted a little such as more school, less volunteering etc, but that way I can keep my priorities straight and my mind off the proverbial fritz.
Also this week, at school they are doing The Vagina Monologues. As a humanities major and a used to wannabe actress, I am curious about this. However I have a bit of a fear of the V word. This is not a fear of feminism or of my own sexuality, but rather of biology and pseudo-intellectualism. Also I have no idea what this play is about, and three hours contemplating vijayjays is time that could surely be spent on better things, no? (Any of you freaks out there, that is a rhetorical question.) Anyway, I will let you know if it was worth the time-anyone want to go with me?

I'm So Excited

Some exciting news is on the horizon. First of all, My friend Natalie and I have created a web zine documenting our interests and our fabulous lives. Because Natalie is much more savvy than I am it will probably be much better maintained than if I were doing it alone. Anyway check it out.
I am volunteering for the Utah Humanities Council which is pretty cool too. I am way excited.
Also starting in March I am required to write in a journal-this means more blogs!
Lucky you!

I love seeing things go against stereotype. The following quizzle thing trys to pin you down. It's sorta fun-for example did you know flip-flops are a sign of rich kids? For all gothic obsession with the supernatural, they don't believe in deity? That I am A skater chick?
Yeah right-I should be kept away from anything with wheels-up to and including shopping carts.


RICH KID]
[] You go to a tanning salon.
[] You watch The OC and/or Laguna Beach/ The Hills.
[x] You own a cell phone
[] You own something designer.
[x] You love going to the mall.
[x] You take your cellphone everywhere.
[] You own an iPod and/or an MP3 player.
[ x] You love Starbucks.
[x] You love flip flops.
Total x's : 5/9= 56%

[GOTH]
[ x] Red or black is one of your favorite colors.
[x] You have thought about death.
[ ] You wear chains.
[ ] You like heavy metal.
[x] You love/ like Hot Topic.
[] You have worn black lipstick
[x] Your hair is dark.
[ x] You dislike preppiness.
[ ] You're an atheist.
[ ] You have/want piercings in unusual places
Total x's :: 5/10= 50%

[SKATERBOARDER]
[] You can skateboard.
[x] You wear plaid.
[x] You love/like Converse.
[x] You think you're different.
[] You hate BET.
[x]You have moshed.
[x] You have/had/want blue, pink,red,purple, or green hair or highlights.
[ x] You love skater girls/boys.
[] You hate pink.
[] You hate rich kids sometimes
Total x's :: 6/10= 60%

[NERD]
[x] You love computers.
[ ] You like Star Trek.
[] You wear glasses/supposed to
[ ] You get straight A's.
[x] You love reading.
[ ] You are in band.
[ ] You don't care what you look like.
[] You have a curfew.
[ x] You always do your homework.
[ ] You never cut school.
Total x's :: 3/10= 30%

[EMO]
[ ]You have black-rimmed glasses.
[ ] You like Thursday.
[ x] You comb your hair in front of your face.
[x] You cry easily.
[x] You like emo music
[] you hate being called emo
[x ] You keep a journal/diary.
[ x] You have written a sad poem.
[] You have had a sad MySpace layout.
Total x's :: 5/9 = 56%

[GHETTO/GANGSTA]
[] You like rap.
[ ] You are in a gang
[ ] You wear Tag.
[ ] You wear rubberbands in your pants.
[] you swear a lot
[ ] you have had a freestyling contest.
[x] You have said "fo shizzle".
[]You have been called a "playa".
[x] You have worn Converse with the tongue flipped out.
Total x's :: 2/9 =22%

[SCENE/HARDCORE]
[] You wear a bandana.
[] You love Pokemon, the Ninja Turtles, etc.
[] You never walk anywhere.
[ ] You wear slip-on Vans.
[ ] You love/like Norma Jean
[x] You wear band tees.
[ ]People have called you a freak and meant it
[]You love to "hardcore" dance.
[] Your hair has been dyed in more than one color.
Total x's :: 1/9 = 11%

You are a Lavender Rose

You represent love at first sight and enchantment. Your vibe: intense and intriguing Falling in love with you is: deep and meaningful

What Color Rose Are You?

Me, All Colourful and What Not.

Hover over the colors to see facets of my personality. ( I'm a benevelent creator.) Then tell me if you agree and I'll try to explain myself.

If you feel like sharing, go here and take the test (but be warned, it's long).

What's Love? by Daniel Handler

		What's love, again? No, seriously: what is it? Why are you quoting song lyrics? Do the lyrics of love songs actually cut to the heart of the matter, or are they simply so vague that it feels like they do? Why does one's own love feel as if it cuts to the heart of things, but other people's loves feel like vague amusements? Why are love songs we don't like so noxious? How can we love a song so dearly for a number of years and then suddenly find it embarrassing? Also, a person? Why is it that love feels so individual, and yet nearly every individual falls in and out of love in basically the same way? Why are stories of other people meeting and falling in love invariably tedious? Why are stories of other people breaking up so riveting? If love can happen in an instant how come it actually takes forever to get it together? Is love like taking a taxi, in which the route is important but the passengers could be anybody? Or is it more like driving a taxi, in which you end up in neighborhoods you'd never visit under ordinary circumstances, just because someone came into your life and bossed you around? Or it is more like trying to find a taxi in the rain, when everyone else is safe and dry and you're stuck on the corner wondering when in the world someone will come along and pick you up? Why is love undimmed by the knowledge that there's absolutely no chance the person loves you back? How is it possible you can fall in love with three separate people who all go to your high school, but then not find anyone in the entire world later on? How could that boy or girl way back when have absolutely no clue you loved them? Also, how could they date that other, completely unsuitable person, when you were standing right there? In fact, why do so many supposedly sensible people fall in love with the ones who are so clearly going to make them miserable, and why, when these people try to answer this question, do they invariably use the phrase "my mother"? Why is it so easy to imagine how a love might work out, but so difficult to actually put this into practice? Why is love in the movies so completely unbelievable and yet tear-jerking, as opposed to, say, martial arts in the movies, or space travel? If love has nothing to do with money, then why do lovers bicker about money so much? Why would it be so wonderful if one's lover gave one a million dollars, but so wretched if someone offered us a million dollars to be our lover? Or, maybe, not so wretched? Or, maybe if it were two million? Why does failure in other aspects of life actually make love more difficult, rather than easier? If honesty has everything to do with love, then why do we lie to the people we love more than anyone else? Why do we live with people we love, when sometimes we'd rather have absolutely anyone sitting at the opposite end of the couch except the person who is? How can we love someone and simultaneously despise every single thing they do for more than a month straight? Like, every six months? Can you really love someone you met once a bunch of years ago who it's safe to say has never thought of you ever again? Why are some people breathtaking in their underwear and others mortifying, and how come we can't come anywhere close to agreeing on which people are which? Why are our friends considered an entirely different kind of love than our lovers, and why is it a miracle if these people get along? Why do we behave very much like crazy people wandering the streets when we're in love, and yet we never fall in love with crazy people wandering the streets? Why is it so miraculous to be loved by one person, but if we were simultaneously loved by several people it would be creepy? Why can't we have sex with anyone we want? Why isn't love worth it, usually, when you tally it up? Can you really love somebody forever? If we're supposed to spend the afterlife with the ones we love, what happens if your loved one is some girl you haven't seen since high school? And, what if she loves somebody else? Is love like a volcano lurking beneath the city, simmering for years and then suddenly erupting when the time has come? Or is it more like a terrorist attack, containing an agenda so irrational that it cannot possibly excuse the damage it does? Or is it more like an Englishwoman in America, constantly misunderstood when the circumstances are not actually all that foreign? If cheese means different things in different countries, shouldn't love? Or, not cheese, but, know what I mean? Say there's this guy Joe. Can he help it that he falls in love with people who don't make him happy? Or, that when they do make him happy he falls in love with someone else? And what about Helena — she's in love, but somehow this isn't enough. Shouldn't it be? And if it isn't enough, does this mean she's not really in love? It certainly seems to be spoiling the love she's in. And let's say there's a volcano underneath the city — doesn't that make things more urgent? Does urgency mean that you should keep the person you're with, or hold out for the best possible person? And what if the best possible person loves somebody else? For instance, what if Helena loves David, but David loves Peter, and used to love Andrea, who loves Tony, who thinks he loves Helena, who used to love Sam, who loves Andrea who now loves Steve, who might be the sort of person to murder somebody in the park — Eddie, for instance, who loves Hank, who ends up in a diner where two detectives are looking for the Snow Queen who loves Mike? Do you see what I'm getting at here?

Hmm...Maybe this is why *my* plants die.

"My fake plants died because I didn't pretend to water them." - Mitch Hedberg

Found on the Blog for Radio from Hell.

Do you know your ABCs?

Post your answers as a comment!

A - AVAILABLE: Hm..for what?
B - BEST FRIENDS: I have a lot of people I feel to be very close friends. That might surprise some of them though.
C - CRUSH: Johnny Depp?
D- DAD'S NAME: Daddy. Duh.
E - EASY PERSON OF OPPOSITE SEX TO TALK TO: Besides my brothers, probably Alex and Sergio.
F - FAVORITE BAND: Too many.
G - GUMMY BEARS OR WORM: Gummy’s creepy. But I would rather eat bears than worms.
H - HOMETOWN: Salt Lake City, Utah.
I - INSTRUMENT: I want to play bass.
K - KIDS: In the very very distant future.
L - LONGEST CAR RIDE: I don't know. Maybe as much as 12, but probably around 9. Daddy would know this.
M - MILK FLAVOR: Just regular. Though, as previously established, I do love chocolate.
N - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: 4.
O - ONE WISH: I can’t tell it won’t come true.
P - PHOBIAS: Driving.
Q - FAVORITE QUOTE: Too many.
R - REASON TO SMILE: Spumoni.
S - SONG YOU LAST HEARD: Bother by Corey Taylor.
T - TIME YOU WOKE UP TODAY: I have no idea. I have been avoiding the clock.
U - UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT ME: I like Russian literature.
V - VEGETABLE YOU HATE: celery.
W- WORST HABITS: Rather not say.
X - X-RAYS YOU'VE HAD: 2
Y - YUMMY FOOD: mizithra.
Z - ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus.

More Quizzy Crap!

1. What time did you get up this morning? 12:30 this afternoon.

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw? I forgot

4.What is your favorite T.V. show (s)? Law & Order, Smallville, Scrubs

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Mountain Dew

6. What is your middle name? Danielle

8. What foods do you dislike? Most, unfortunately.

9. What is your favorite chip flavor? Sun chips-original

10. What is your favorite CD? At the moment it is Stunt by Barenaked Ladies.

11. What kind of car do you drive? I do not.

12. Favorite sandwich? Turkey + lotsa mayo from Grinders 13.

13. What characteristics do you despise? Pseudo intellectualism.

14. Favorite Item of clothing? Shirts and skirts.

15. If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go? California. I just want to lay on the beach for a couple of days.

16. Who sent this to you? Karen

17. Favorite brand of clothing? Bebe.

18. Where would you retire to? I don’t know.

19. What was your most memorable birthday? Last year. Hardrock Café and the so cute, flirtatious yet gay waiter. Having my family over for cake.

20. Favorite sport to watch? Hockey, hands down. I would say I have no barbaric desire to watch people fight, but then I realize Hockey is a blood sport. Baseball is a close second.

21. Furthest place you are sending this? Well I’m posting it, so theoretically anywhere.

22. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? Well no one responds if it’s a post, but they can!

23. Person you expect to send it back first? Well no one responds if it’s a post, but they can!


24. Goal you have for yourself? To survive until new years.

25. Living or dead, who would you choose to have lunch with? Any/all family and like 7 of my closest friends.

26. When is your birthday? May 12th, 1988

27. Morning person or a night person? Night. We all feel better in the dark. (Pet Shop boys, yo.)

28. What is your shoe size? 8

29. Pets? Nope. I want a Pomeranian named Sinatra and a cat named Zhivago.

30. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I have been posting on my blog!

31. What did you want to be when you were little? A princess.

32. What are you today? Hungover.

33. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate.

34. What is your favorite flower? Roses and lilacs.

35. Would you reply with a letter if I write to you? If who wrote to me?

36. What is your favorite dessert? Chocolate. My brother, we’ll call him Gustave, says that the surest way to find the dessert I’m going to order is by finding the one with the most kinds of chocolate.

37. What is your favorite Restaurant? That’s way too hard.

38. What do you do in your spare time? Fill out stuff like this apparently

Quizzle

1) When was the last time you went to the bathroom outside?
Never. I mean I guess when I was a baby. But ew.

2) Last time you saw your parents?
Mother is in the next room. I haven’t seen Daddy since February.

3) Which family member do you most resemble?
Mother.

4) Do you own your own Bible?
Yes.

5) Do you wear deodorant?
Yes.

6) Do you clean up nice?
Yes.

7) When was the last time you tripped and fell?
I don’t remember.

8) Where was the last place you slept besides your home?
The Best Western in Baker City.

9) What are you listening to right now?
Bottle of Blues by Beck from the album Mutations.

10) Have you ever started an uncontrollable fire?
Not that I know of.

11) Ever run out of gas on the road?
No.

12) Would you rather cut the grass or rake the leaves?
Rake the leaves.

13) Your middle name spelled backwards?
Elleinad. It sounds like an epic poem.

14) What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer?
Me personally? Sim stuff.

15) Last time you swam in a pool?
I do not really enjoy being submerged.

16) Have you ever been in a school play?
Yes

17) How many kids do you want?
Like 4

18) Type of music you dislike most?
Country.

19) You registered to vote?
No. I don’t know where I will be living or what.

20) You have cable?
No.

21) Ever prank call anybody?
Yes.

23) Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?
No.

24) Do you have a garden?
No

25) What's your favorite comic?
Um. Garfield or The Far Side.

26) Bath or Shower, morning or night?
Night Shower. I do not really enjoy being submerged.

27) Best movie you've seen in the past two weeks?
Um. I don’t know.

28) Best Pizza Topping?
Cheese.

29) peanuts or popcorn?
Popcorn.

30) Have you ever smoked?
No

31) Orange Juice or apple?
Apple.

32) Chocolate Bar?
Yes, please.

33) When was the last time you voted at the polls?
Never.

34) When was the last time you ate a home grown tomato?
Never.

35) What do you like to do on rainy days?
Dance barefoot.

36) Ever order anything from an infomercial?
Yes. CDs.

37) Sprite or 7-Up?
Sprite tastes better, but 7-Up has infinitely more cool appeal.

38) Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work/school?
No. Ha.

39) Ever thrown up in public?
No

40) Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love?
True love.

41) Do you believe in love at first sight?
Yes. .

42) Who was the last person you visited in a hospital?
My nephew.

43) Did you have a lot of hair as a baby?
I was bald.

44) What do you think about most?
Music, clothes, and God.

45) Favorite form of travel?
Walking. I trust it. It comes from God.

46) If you could have one magical power what would it be?
To have the one magical power that allows you to do anything you want.

Stupid

Wednesday I went to a poetry reading. It counts as extra credit for English, so a bunch of people who don't give a crap showed up. They were being really rude, and then as my friends and I were leaving, they followed us to our cars and started harassing us. They were threatening to beat up the guys, not to mention saying all sorts of crap to us. I seriously thought the guys were gonna have to fight, but we just left. It was like 2:1 them against us too. I was pretty shaken up.