.:reflections of twilight:.

OK, so I saw Star Wars The Force Awakens today and I have thoughts. I shall put them under a cut as to spare everyone from spoilers.

( Read more... )

So, those are my thoughts. I think I was more coherent than I thought I would be. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what next on the horizon.

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas, those of you who celebrate that is.

Ours was very low key, but still pretty special.

Mom and I slept out in the living room Christmas Eve since we keep the lights on all night. I like doing it because it's kinda neat in a way. Sleeping under the Christmas tree with all the lights on. It's kinda magical.

I was the only one who got gifts since mom and I will be having our own Christmas celebration in late January due to having more of an income flow by then. Mine were from my dad, and I was very pleased.

I got the 25th Anniversary set of Mystery Science Theater 3000, the Hyperbole and a Half book by Allie Brosh (huge fan of her blog), the How To Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting To Kill You book by The Oatmeal and a Cat Lady 'action' figure, which is a testament to my dad's weird sense of humor.

We didn't go to church services this year. It was a little strange not going, but I think we're still on the search for a full time church home. The one we've been going to a few times before was pretty nice, but I don't really know the reasoning for us not going back. Who can say...

We had a meal of ham, mashed potatoes and corn. It was minimalist, but since it was just the two of us, it served our purposes just fine. I'd have liked some rolls or pie for after, but our money is very tight right now and we couldn't afford it. We do have plenty of ham left over though.

Our microwave quit on us again. And it's the same problem as our last one had, strangely enough. The power works and everything, it just won't heat anything. We let the landlord know about it, but he hasn't contacted us about it yet. Hopefully it can get replaced soon since even though we can reheat things on the stove top, microwaving is so much easier.

This time of year is also a difficult one for mom especially. My older sister died the day after Christmas in 1979 and even though it's been 34 years, it's still rather melancholy. I try to cheer mom up a little, but I don't know if I help or not. I know that there are things that can't be helped, but I still like to try anyway.

I have no plans for New Year's other than what I usually do, which is stay home and watch the ball drop on TV and maybe have some sparkling cider. Mom and I did make plans to go to the movies on New Year's Day, so hopefully that's still on the agenda. I'd like to go and see Frozen and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug if possible. I'm not looking forward to the party our neighbors are more than likely gonna throw on New Year's Eve which will undoubtedly be loud and obnoxious. -_-

My classes start in another couple of weeks or so, and I'm hoping I'll be able to get the things I need before then. I don't know when the GA position starts officially and I'm assuming I'll be contacted with more information once everyone at the school returns from Winter break. I did find out what books I'll be needing, and one of them costs almost $200.00!! Yikes! I think I can find a used on for cheaper, and if not, there is the option of renting if need be. My GA job will pay for my tuition, but not my books or any other expenses.

Mom seems to be settling into her new job fairly well. She still has more training to do, and she needs to be trained on the company wide computer system, but that won't be until January 8th since they only do them on Wednesdays and they have two Wednesdays off in a row. I hope she'll take a picture or two of her work area since I don't think I'll be able to see it in person.

That's all for now. I still plan on sending out letters, but it may not be until after the New Year since I have to get ink for my printer as well as stamps. So rather than a Christmas letter, it'll be more like a New Year's letter.

Take care, and stay warm all of you in the colder climates!!

There are times where I love technology and other times, not so much. This is one of those times.

My laptop decided to take a dump on me for some reason unknown to me. It was doing perfectly fine all of yesterday morning, when it shut itself off. I tried turning it back on only for the exact same thing happen. So I decided to let it sit for a bit to see if that would do anything.

Nope!!

I’d like to do a recovery or a diagnostic or something, but since it can’t stay on long enough for me to do it, I can’t figure out the problem. It’s only three years old and should not be doing this. It’s incredibly frustrating.

To make matters worse, since mom’s laptop upchucked on her, she’d been using mine in order for her to check her emails and stuff for when she applied for jobs. Now, she can’t do that either! My desktop is working fine for the time being, so hopefully that can hold out. I’d like to be able to figure out what the issue is and get it fixed since a lot of my stuff is on there and I’d still like to be able to use it. I have recovery disks somewhere, I just gotta find ‘em.

Right now I’m typing on my Surface that I got with some money I got from the State of Florida (which I’m not gonna mention to anyone on Facebook since I did whinge a bit about lack of funds, which is still true). I got it mostly to use for school so I could have something small and lightweight for when or if I needed to go onto campus for anything. But, it’s very limiting with what it can do as a regular laptop.

I also got a few items from Amazon that I had my eye on, like some rings and a new optical wireless mouse since my other one was being spastic. I also got some winter stuff, like a scarf, hat and gloves as well as a pair of boots and a coat.

I’d like to go and see Catching Fire if possible and I’ve been hearing lots of good things about it. I still have some money left over, so we’ll see. Movies here are so expensive for some reason. Much more so than in Florida, oddly enough.

Mom hasn’t heard anything back from the place she had the interview with. She talked to a friend of ours who works for the same company and she told mom that it sometimes takes a little bit of time. I do hope she gets this job, not only for the money but for mom’s self-confidence. She feels very discouraged about it.

Our washing machine broke down, so we had to go to the Laundromat and do laundry. We dried them at home though since the dryer works fine. We think it may be a thrown belt, since the agitator won’t work, but then it stopped draining water, so we have no idea what it might be. If it’s not one thing, it’s something else…

Here’s hoping things can get on the right track fairly soon.

As those of you who follow me on Facebook may have guessed by now, mom and I are in Tennessee looking for housing. It took as almost the entire day yesterday (Friday) to find something, but I think we may have struck pay dirt.

It's nothing fancy, but it's very charming and has a spectacular view of the mountains from the living room window. That in and of itself may just be worth it. It has smaller bedrooms that what we have now and MUCH smaller closets as well as one full bathroom (which means I have to share. After having my own bathroom for four years, I got a little spoiled), but it has a very large basement which looks like it can hold quite a bit of stuff, especially if we condense it.

Besides, if we find another place we like better after a year, we can move again, but I honestly don't see that happening. For one thing, I don't think I'd want to move again for a very long time. Nothing is official as of yet, but we filled out applications (we both had to) and hopefully it'll get processed and approved so that we can move out by the time we need to be out of our Florida place. There are a few minor things we need to do as of yet, like finish up the packing, find someone to drive the truck for us while we drive the car and tow the other car (which in actuality will be behind the moving truck) and finish up some things before we make the move.

Monday I have a meeting with a financial adviser about rolling over my 401(k) to an IRA and then we have to take our older cat to the vet to get her shots updated and then receive copies of her records for a vet up here. Then the rest of the week will probably be more packing...

We did go to the movies today. We went to see Now You See Me which is about a group of magicians who rob banks and give the cash to the less fortunate. It's a lot more complex than that, but I can't really describe it any better. The theater we went to is very nice. Nice large curved screen. I told mom that when the second Hobbit movie comes out as well as Catching Fire we need to see it in that theater. It's a bit out of the way though, but most everything is here. I have to get used to finding my way around once we move up. I'm used to things being more close together where we are now.

We went to this quaint little bakery in downtown Bristol, VA (which is a hop, skip and a jump from here). It had very good pastries for reasonable prices. I debated on getting an elephant ear, but I stuck to a couple of donuts instead.

Later today we went to other friends of ours in Piney Flats to have a nice little cookout and swim in the lake nearby. It was a lot of fun, but I almost had a panic attack getting into the lake since the access point we have is very steep and a bit slippery. I eventually made it in though and had some fun.

I think I'll turn in now since it's been a long day and we need to head out in the morning. Hopefully I'll have more to report later on.

This past week was my first full week unemployed. It was kinda weird, but also kinda nice in certain ways.

I didn't have to get up as early. I still set my alarm so I wouldn't over sleep and waste the day away, but it wasn't as early as it used to be.

I could wear what I wanted. Basically, it means wearing grungy clothes while packing so I wouldn't be lazy and in my pajamas all day... like I am today apparently.

If I wanted to eat my lunch while watching TV or surfing the internet, I could do so without being disciplined. Not that I did that a lot while I was working, but now I can if I want to.

If I need to run an errand or something, I can do it anytime during the day I wanted to and not after work when I was dog tired and wanted nothing more than to go home and crash.

However, I do miss having a steady paycheck, but that's only a relatively minor inconvenience that I can deal with. It does mean I get to eat home more often, which is probably healthier for me in the long run, but it can be a little boring. I get my final paycheck in the mail next Friday, which will be half of what I usually got, but it was to be expected since I only worked half a pay period.

The vast majority of my week was taken up by packing. I'm focusing mostly on my room and then eventually my bathroom. You wouldn't think it'd be as long to do, but I guess I have more stuff squirreled away than I realized. I did toss quite a bit of stuff, like old mail items and shredded old receipts I kept for some reason or another.

The major project was/is my closet. I have pack rat tendencies and it shows when concerning my closet. I did make quite a bit of progress over the past week when it came to packing things away, sorting and organizing the bulk of my closet items. I found more clothes to give to Goodwill and put the clothes I had in there that I currently wear away in some drawers I have that I can now access. And I can see the majority of my floor now when before I couldn't. I should've taken before and after pictures of the progress.

I took all the pictures and other items off of my walls except for my calendar I got from Shutterfly and the wall mural appliqué I have that I'll probably remove sometime soon. I like looking at it which is probably why it's still up.

My next major project is to clean off my bookshelves of the random items I have on there aside from books (which I was able to FINALLY pack ALL of them away. I wasn't aware I had as many loose ones as I did. The curse of the book addict). I have a number of miscellaneous knick-knacks I need to pack away, including fragile items, so that will take some time. I'm not gonna start of any of that until Monday since I declared the weekend free of packing. Maybe if I take a full two days, I can be more invigorated to do more packing.

What I'm really not looking forward to is going through our storage unit and reorganizing things and repacking and all of that stuff so that when we do get the moving truck, we can just chuck everything on there.

We have a bit of a setback right now. Mom called the 401(k) people in order to find out when we'll be getting the money and they told her that she wasn't declared 'terminated' yet and would probably have to wait until our final paychecks are processed, which isn't until the middle of next week. Then, even after that happens, there's a mandatory 15 day hold in order to receive the money we need in order to even begin to start the process of the actual move itself. Mom said she'll call the lady from our old company that she's spoken to before about it and see if there is anything to be done to expedite the process. Hopefully it can be so we can get the ball rolling. We need the money in order to fly up, look for housing, sign a lease once we find one, pay the down payment, fly back down, rent the truck and get it loaded. We had hoped to be out by the first of June so we wouldn't need to pay for another full month of storage as well as the pro-rated rent on the apartment. I hate the bureaucratic processes.

We did have a nice brunch and tea with a few of the ladies from our church. We sat and chatted for a few hours as well as enjoy some nice hot tea and something called a Dutch Baby. It had baked apples along with it and was very tasty, even though mom couldn't have any of the pastry, she was able to eat the baked apples and our hostess scrambled up some eggs for her.

We also went to the Home Depot a few days ago and got a long length of 4" PVC pipe to put fishing rods and some hiking sticks in for easier transport. We had to be pretty creative when it came to transporting it, but we managed to get it home. However, one end of it managed to fall and land on the big toe of my right foot where there is now a nice bruise on the edge of the nail bed. I dunno if the impact was enough for the nail to fall off however. I guess we'll have to see.

Yesterday mom, Laura cosmic_reverie and I went to see Star Trek Into Darkness. I really liked it! It had a lot of good action scenes and humor in it. Go see it!

I hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving (those of you who celebrate with the rest of America. You Canadians had yours already).

I did. It was smaller than usual since a few family members were missing. One due to having to work and others due to illness. I think Christmas will have most of everyone back.

We went to my aunt's like we usually do and the food was good as always. Whenever we move to Tennessee (which, like I mentioned before, I hope to be next year at the least), I shall definitely miss the food and company, but maybe we can have our own traditions.

I was planning on putting up my small purple fiber optic tree in my bedroom this weekend, but I never got around to it. Mostly I was distracted by our new kitty! She's mostly for mom since our established cat, Moon, is glued to me most of the time. She said she wanted an older cat (not a kitten), female and that would get along well with other cats.

She called a lady who does cat rescues and fostering and she had the perfect cat! She's a three year old tortie and she's very quiet and gentle. She does have her front claws and so we have to make sure she uses her scratching post and not the couch. But she's spayed and had all of her shots and flea treatments.

Her name was originally Angel, but mom didn't like that name so she's renamed her Tor-T. My mom has a thing for unusual names. I myself was leaning more toward Tortle, but it is what it is.



So far, her and Moon have been guarded toward each other, but Tor-T seems to be making herself at home, so that's good. I told Moon that she can't keep hiding out in my room, so when we leave for work tomorrow, mom and I are cutting off all hiding places so that they'll be pretty much forced to be in the same room together. It may take time, but I think eventually they'll mellow toward each other.

Yesterday, mom and I went to the beach to take some pictures since the waves were numerous over the weekend. We got a couple of good shots of the waves rolling in, as well as a few of some surfers taking advantage of the opportunity.



I will say, that when we do move away from here, I will probably miss a few things about Florida, like the sound of the ocean and walking along the shore, but I think the mountains of Tennessee would more than make up for it!

In fandom related news, we went to the bookstore yesterday, and naturally I had to buy stuff. I bought the December issue of Vogue since it had an interview with Anne Hathaway and some pictures from Les Miz that I wanted. I also got a collectors issue of Star Wars Insider as well as a film magazine about The Hobbit. I got two volumes of manga Sailor Moon Volume 8 and Bakuman. Volume 16. I was also able to find the first two volumes of the color version of Scott Pilgrim, so that was a nice find to say the least. Thank God for Membership cards!

I saw Rise of the Guardians earlier today and I must say, it was well worth the hype. I have a feeling it's going on my 'Must Have' DVD list. And I will say I think Jack Frost is a cutie, but even though Chris Pine is pretty awesome, he doesn't sound like an 18 year old...

I've been rereading the High School Debut series and I almost forgot what a cute series it is. I think, even though I just finished rereading it, I may read it again I love it that much. I might read a few other things in between, like the stuff I just bought as well as another series I've been wanting to reread called Beauty Is The Beast.

And another reminder that I need your address for Christmas Cards. I'll be ordering them soon, so I want to get a count of how many I'll need, so be sure to reply to this post so that I can have your info. Even if you don't plan on sending out any cards yourself this year, I'd still like to send you one so I'd like your addresses. :D

Well, the wonderous adventure of my health issues continues it seems.

Remember how I said I had a fungal infection and was being treated for it? I went to see my PCP on Wednesday and explained the situation to him. He decided to up the dosage of my anti-fungal medication that I'd been taking. So I started that on Thursday. Yesterday, when I was getting ready to take my shower I had noticed a nasty rash all over my abdomen, back, neck, upper arms and upper thighs. I showed my mom and she thought it was a reaction to my meds. So today we decided to go to the non emergency urgent care clinic to have it looked at.

So they looked me over and decided that I was definitely having a reaction to the medication, so I was given some steroids to take to treat for the rash, which doesn't thrill me since I dislike having to take them, but it's only for a little over a week, so that's not too bad. I was also given new medicated cream for my initial fungal infection that started this whole mess in the first place.

So, God willing, this course of treatment will actually do the trick, and I can start to feel better for my birthday on Friday.

I was able to fit in a viewing of The Dark Knight Rises Saturday morning. Bottom line: AWESOME!!! I'd try to write a more elaborate post about it, but there was so much going on that I know I'd be lost. I did wear my brand new Batman T-Shirt as well as the Batman pendant I got from savvyliterate and secondlina. It was tres cute, ladies. I especially love the wee lil Robin atop of Batman's head.



Mom and I also went to dinner with a mutual friend of ours and her teenage nephews. Being around teenage boys is very... interesting to say the least. Still a good time was had by all.

So far, the steroid shot I was given in the clinic has started to diminish the rash, so it's not as bad as it was before. I mean, I looked all red and scaly and freaky. Not my best look, I gotta say. I'm keeping my fingers and various other appendages crossed.

As for right now, I need to decide what to have for a snack...

So. Went and saw The Hunger Games today. Went with mom, my co-worker, her two twin daughters and one of their boyfriends. I knew I was seeing this as soon as I saw the very first trailer. Even before that even.

So, onto the review.

( May the Odds be Ever in your Favor )

I probably left some stuff out, but I took a nap when I got home and my thoughts aren't all organized much anymore. But, I'd see this again (as would my mom, and she knew NOTHING about the story going in).

Wow, I totally meant to do this earlier in the week, but I wussed out and didn't do it. So, this will be the final post for 2011!

Now, my thoughts may be a bit scattered since I saw these last week, so I shall do my best.



( I want you to help me catch a killer of women. )

I think I'll go and see this this again on my day off on Wednesday.



( What is it that makes the women in my life destroy themselves? )

Well, Happy New Year to everyone!! Expect another post tomorrow of the usual One Sentence meme that I do every year. Enjoy! Stay safe!

*kermit flail*