.:reflections of twilight:.

Well, here I am, back to the grind. The four day weekend was nice, but it had to end eventually.

So, here's the scoop on my mini vacay:

( cut.it.out... )

Needless to say, I wasn't able to watch my Princess Tutu set while I was there. Mostly because we weren't there long enough for me too and when we were, we were either too exhausted or I was trying to catch up with my FL.

In fandom news, I decided to order volume seven of Kaze Hikaru from Amazon as well as the missing volumes of Emma I need. I also lucked out and found copies of Fury and The Essential Guide to the Force. Needless to say my icon-fu will be twitching...

I went to the GI today and he wants me to have my colonoscopy after the first of the year... say January. The only bad thing about it would be the prep for it. I have to take this nasty ass liquid to clean me out. Blargh.

Word of the Day: verdigris
Pronunciation: /VUR-dih-grees/
n : a coating of green copper chloride and copper sulfate.

Well, I did filing today. I had a brief moment where my frustration was beginning to get to me, but it didn't last very long fortunately. I'll have more to do tomorrow I know. Oh, well. One day at a time is my new motto.

Mom and I visited the traveling Vietnam Memorial at the park this weekend. I did see the real one in D.C, but this one was just as moving. Mom left something in remembrance for a guy she knew at school who was killed over there. There was a memorial for the War Dogs that had gone over. I almost became emotional at that point, actually. I guess different things affect different people differently.

Saturday wasn't too bad either. Mostly what I did (as well as everyone else there) was pull out the documents generated by the computer charts so that the remainder of the charts can be scanned into the computer charts later on. It actually does make sense in a way.

When I'm out Wednesday to get my oil changed (and to do a few other things), I might look into getting a longer Ethernet cord. Right now, I'm sitting at the end of my bed since that's as far as the cord will reach for my laptop. Therefore, I have no back support and it can get a bit uncomfortable after too long. I'd like to be able to lay back like I could when my AirPort was working...

I was able to find volume 5 of Kaze Hikaru Saturday after work. I was so excited. Not as much Okita/Sei squish, but still a good read. I still haven't received my volumes of Furuba I ordered form YesAsia even though they were supposed to have been shipped Wednesday. IIRC, it took a while from my last order from them to get to me. However, I did get my recent issue of Runaways today, so that'll sooth my annoyance to a degree...

And I think The Red Tide is about to rear it's ugly head. I'm more hormonal than usual, as my subject line will attest to.

Word of the Day: fealty
Pronunciation: /FEE-al-tee/
n : faithfulness

Well, today was decidedly better than yesterday, I must say. I think I went in with a different attitude. I was basically not gonna let the overload get me down. I'm gonna do what I can at my own pace and hopefully let the other things sort themselves out.

I had to leave early today because I had to pick up mom in order for her to sign some stuff she needed to, so that was nice.


Wow, it seems surreal that Christmas is only four days away. Before, I always had this time off, but now I'm working and it seems strange. But, I guess I'll get used to it.

My printer was hating me last night. For some reason, it doesn't like to print any of my projects from PrintMaster. This is my new printer, too. It's supposed to work better, dammit! I have book marks to finish!

I wrote more on ATACT tonight. It was pretty good I thought. I hope my muse decides to stick with me for awhile. I have other story stuff to get through...

Well, it seems there's more development in Kaze Hikaru. I don't know how many of you follow this series (or if anyone does), but I'm gonna blather on about it anyway. Feel free to skip.

It seems that Saito (who we think finally discovers Sei's secret) has told Okita if he plans on "making any moves." Then he says that he plans on telling the Vice-Captain (Hijikata, I think) and that he wants to marry Sei! Dun dun dunnnnnn... Not that I have anything against Saito, but I'm sticking by my Sei/Okita ship baby!

Trivia of the day: In the Thomas Nast cartoon that first depicted Santa Claus with a sleigh and reindeer, he was delivering Christmas gifts to soldiers fighting in the Civil War. The cartoon, entitled "Santa Claus in Camp" appeared in Harper's Weekly on January 3, 1863.

Well, I had orientation today. It wasn't too bad. Typical stuff. Going over policies. Boring vids. That kinda stuff. Still, I got paid for it, so that was good. I have to call my supervisor tomorrow since my time card got screwed up.

I was actually able to get somewhat caught up from what I missed this morning. I still have some indexing to do tomorrow morning, but I got all the charts scanned. I have some loose sheets I need to scan yet from last week. I dunno when I'll get to those...

Mom is in a better mood today. She still wants to switch doctors though.

I got me some new books. They're Star Wars books, but they're set during the Clone Wars and it focuses on a Med Unit. Sorta like M*A*S*H in space. And I was successful in getting my hands on a copy of Legacy 5. Good stuff.

I downloaded the latest Kaze Hikaru chapter. Okita is so cute when he's blushing. And Saito makes the funniest faces when he's flustered. Hee!

I think I'm gonna try to post my Christmas Card post tomorrow. If not, then sometime later in the week.

Trivia of the day: Mussels can thrive in polluted water because of an inborn ability to purify bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Well, I've survived my first full week of work. And I'm not as cranky this time around. I think it was due to the fact I was wearing more comfortable shoes.

I was able to visit with my dad this weekend. It was very nice. We went to the bookstore. I was actually able to contain myself and only get 4 books. Three were CSI novels and the fourth one was a mini-book in the Princess Diaries series. I didn't get any manga this time, though (I got Victorian Romance Emma the day before however). I still couldn't find issue 4 of the Legacy comics. I'm getting a bit perturbed.

Afterwards, we had lunch at the Chinese buffet I like. Dad was able to get some of his raw oysters that he likes. I was successful in the fact that I didn't lose what I had just eaten while he sucked them down. Blech!

When we got home, dad showed us his pictures Germany. It's a beautiful country. I hope to go someday.

In regards to Victorian Romance Emma, it a very well done lovely series so far. The cover isn't the shiny smooth paper that is generally used. It feels rough and antiquey. The art is very very nicely done and meticulous. I think I shall definitely be keeping up with it, despite the fact that CMX is the one doing it.

And I just downloaded and "read" the latest chapter of Kaze Hikaru. *squish* Very cute. A few adorable Sei/Okita moments. Plus, I'm coasting on the high of some Vash/Meryl squish in the most recent chapter of TriMax. *dies of glee*

Trivia of the day: Cut-outs of a moon and a star were used in colonial times on outhouse doors to designate the gender of the intended user. Originally, the moon cut-out was for women and the star was for the men. But men's outhouses were usually such a mess that men preferred using the women's outhouses. So, eventually the use of stars were phased out.<--I've kinda wondered about that

I think I'm becoming obsessed with this song. I've listened to it like 11 times in a row already...

Well, I went to the bookstore again yesterday, but I really lucked out, so all is golden. So I don't have to go back again until it's time for me to get the newest Legacy comics...

Mom saw the OKGo video with the treadmills on YouTube last night and she thought it was pretty neat. I saw it before, but it wasn't a very good quality version of it, so I was actually able to see the entire thing. The friend that sent it to her said that they performed it live (complete with treadmills) on the VMA's.

My allergies are bugging me a lot lately. I had a hard time going to sleep last night because of them...


OK, onto more important things...

I was able to finally get my hands on a copy of TriMax 9. And I must say this, I agree with lizardali when she said "Poor Livio." Poor Livio indeed. But he's a real bad ass though! He caught a rocket fired from Wolfwood's rocket launcher with his bare hand! Dayum! And I never knew Livio and Razlo the TriP of Death were the same person, albeit separate personalities. From reading summaries and translations I always thought they were two different people.

The shock of Mustang's actions in FMA 9 was lessened since reading it the second time around, but it still stings a bit.

And I got the final volume of Hot Gimmick as well. It was wrapped in plastic and had a disclaimer on the cover. Can't have innocent eyes flipping though it and see the boobies! I saw raw scans and read translations before, so I wasn't overly surprised at the outcome. It was nice, however, to see clearer images than the somewhat fuzzy ones from the raw scans.

I also gazed at more raw volume scans of Kaze Hikaru. I say "gazed" since I can't very well read them. Oh, for some translations! Anyway, this time was volume 8 and it had a lot of Okita's past in it. And Okita as a little kid? Abso-freakin-lutely adorable! And we see that he runs into Sei when both were little kids! How cute! Sei is lost and looking for her brother Yuma and Okita is also lost. He helps her find her brother and he gets found as well. We also see what Kondo and Hijikata were like when they were younger. Pretty much the same, really. Hijikata was still an oni and Kondo was very much a kindly older brother.

I know I should be working on my story for ATACT, but I haven't felt very motivated lately. Maybe I've reached a sort of ennui in regards to story writing. I mean, I still have some ideas buzzing around, but I haven't felt the urge to write them down. I dunno why, really. Maybe it's something that happens to everyone once in a while...

Trivia of the day: The biggest fear of chefs who cook for world leaders is food poisoning. Many cook for as many as 5,500 guests at a time. Sudhir Sibal, a devoted world-class chef who serves India's prime minister, says he personally samples all food first before it is served.

One more day until my birthday!!! Even though I'm not going to be doing anything for it, I still kinda get excited when it comes around, you know? Kinda like, "Yay! I've been hanging around for another year! Go me!"

I had this strange dream this morning. I was in a house with mom, and the lady we used to live with was there along with her granddaughter. I don't think we were living with her again because the house was different. Anyway, I was sitting in front of the TV and I was picking up chocolate covered pretzels from the floor and putting them back into the bag, only the bag was starting to get full, and there were still more pretzels left. I was watching 'Everwood' on the TV, only all the characters were a lot younger. Ephram was about eight and he had a beard. I don't think it was real though, but for a play of some sort.

I told you it was strange...

And I just found out that 'Kaze Hikaru' is being pulled from Shojo Beat after the September issue. How lame! That was one of the few series I like in there. I mean, I do read NANA and Absolute Boyfriend, but since I've read all of AB already and I can get scanlations of NANA, there will really be no reason for me to continue to keep getting it. I do like the newest series, Vampire Knight, but I can get scanlations of that too. I'll still buy the graphic novels when they come out, though. So after the September issue, no more Shojo Beat for me!

And where was FMA on Monday night?! It's getting toward the end and I'd been watching it, but they had something else on instead! I was pissed! I hope it's gonna be on again next Monday!

There's going to be a game night at church tonight, and from the looks of it, mom wants to go, so we'll be doing that tonight.

In the meantime, I'm doing laundry 'cause mom needs some clothes for work. I also need to put the clean dishes away from the dishwasher.

À bientot!

Trivia of the day: Reportedly, Louisa May Alcott didn't want to write her classic novel, Little Women. She despised young girls and wrote the bestseller for the money.

I think it originally said "smiles" but I like "smites" better.

Well, I have a bit of a task before me. I need to unload the boxes with bathroom stuff and kitchen stuff from the POD and try and find a place for it. Yeah, right. Space is limited as it is. I also want to try and find some more of my books and put them away so I can get my bookshelf finished and can eventually move onto something else. *sigh* I just want this to be over with so I can get back to my life. Argh!!

I was able to pick up the latest issue of Shojo Beat yesterday. the chapters of 'Kaze Hikaru,' 'Absolute Boyfriend' and 'NANA' were all good, but I don't feel like summarizing them at the moment.

I watched the newest episode of 'Everwood' last night. Poor Bright. He's really missing Hannah, but he has no one but himself to blame. I mean, I think she was the very first person he really truly loved and cared about, but he had to go and blow it. *shakes head*

I also taped 'Grey's Anatomy' last night, but I haven't had a chance to watch it yet. I hope to sometime today.

I downlodead the finale of Veronica Mars from BitTorrent and then did the client. Yeah, I know I saw it already, but sometime in multiple viewings you can catch things you miss.

Well, I gotta go! I need to take my allergy medicine since I know I'll be kicking up a lot of dust.

Trivia of the day: Phobos, one of the moons of Mars, is so close to its parent planet that it could not be seen by an observer standing at either of Mars poles. Phobos make three complete orbits around Mars every day.

*looks at the time* Nope. you're not seeing things. I'm posting later than usual. The power went out sometime during the night. I don't really know why. I think something happened with one of the utility poles down the street. That's where all the power trucks were congregated. Anyway, it was back on why I got back from dropping off mom at work. Went by my usual routine in the morning. I checked some of my e-mail, went on my forum, then the browser went all wonky. I looked at my modem, and sure enough, the green "cable" light was out. I unhooked it, waited and then hooked it back up again thinking it was something with the modem itself. It worked for a little while, but then it went blotto again. So I turned the TV on to check and, sure enough, the cable was out. Even though we had power again, we still didn't have cable. So, since I couldn't really do anything online, I burned a few CD's and packed up a few things from the bedroom. Then I had to leave and go to the orientation. Everything is fine now, obviously.

Speaking of which, the orientation itself went fine. I sat, filled out a shitload of paperwork and watch some "videos." I almost fell asleep during one of them. And I filled out enough paperwork with enough personal information that I felt as though I was signing away my firstborn child. I took two tests. One was a typing test (35 wpm in case you were curious) and another a data entry test. I scored good on the typing test (surprisingly considering the amount of typos I make) and fair on the data entry test. I attributed it to it being timed and stuff. If it wasn't being timed, I think I would've done better. I have to return tomorrow to give them another form of ID since I apparently need two and I didn't have another one with me. It's not like I carry my Social Security card around with me all the time. Since I don't remember where I put it, I'll have to use my birth certificate to prove that, yes I was actually born. I think next they'll ask me for a vial of my blood.

I was able to get some help in regards to BitTorrent (thank you thesnipe). I haven't been able to fully test it yet since I wasn't able to get online for much of the day and was gone for the rest of it. The torrent I had originally downloaded was corrupted, which explain why I could hear it, but not see it.

We got a call back from the lady about the duplex. She seemed interested in my mom's proposal about the pets, and she wanted to know when we could move in. My mom said at the first of the month. The realtor said that she'd told the owner that they need to shampoo the carpet and paint first. Mom said she wanted to have a look at it before we commit. I don't blame her. I'd want to as well.

After I finished my orientation, I stopped by BAM and was able to pick up the May issue of 'Shojo Beat.' I haven't read very far in it yet, but I do agree that the chapter of 'Kaze Hikaru' is undeniably cute. I may do a write up either tomorrow or Friday depending.

And out of the Tori songs I've collected thus far, I think this one is my favorite. "Spark" is my second favorite...

Trivia of the day: Scientists have determined that most rocks on the surface of the Moon are between 3 and 4.6 billion years old.