Hear Ye, Hear Ye
The honorable DreamingOfNothing presiding, speak and be heard!
I’ve got some new books in today. For the trip. Even though I had to return Havemercy to the library half-read, *Sob* I’ve got it on hold and will check out again when I get home. I am, however, bringing:
- Airman, by Eoin Colfer (who is the master of all things literary related)
- The True Story of Hansel and Gretel, by someone (which just looks really cool)
- The Battle of the Labyrinth, by Rick Riordan (the fourth of the Olympians series, which isn’t incredibly brilliant writing, but entertains me with its heavy Greek mythological content. Plus, Thalia ruins the Jesse McCartney CD for the Green Day one. How can I not respect that?)
So… Yeah. I would be packing every single book I own, but there’s a space issue. There’s always a space issue whilst flying. Especially with all the new restrictions placed on luggage. It’s insane. I mean, I get that we don’t want freakos blasting us out of the sky, and I’m glad that something’s happening to make sure that that doesn’t happen, but that doesn’t make it any more fun to deal with.
I’m being called. We’re trying to get everything packed up tonight so that we can do something fun tomorrow, but it’s getting close. Toodles.
BTW, quickly: Did you know there’s someone running for a Washington office named Goodspaceguy? My gosh – they have the craziest people there. Not to offend any Washingtonians or whatever you call yourselves. If you’re reading this and your name isn’t Goodspaceguy Nelson, than please try not to be insulted.
If you are Goodspaceguy – please get a normal name.
~DreamingOfNothing
I find that I do some of my best work under intense terror
That day worked like a dream. Ish.
Well, after a slight altercation at the DMV (DOL. Sorry, sorry) I progressed to the last day of Driver’s Ed, which wasn’t actually that bad except for the doughnuts that I couldn’t eat that were leering at me from the front desk. *Drool* They looked so good, too. It was pretty horrible.
But other that that, it was great. I really liked my instructor (who replaced the original one [thank the lord]) who ended my last drive session by saying, “I’d let you take out the Porsche until nine-thirty, but after that you can only use the Kia.” But that was my last drive and so I am done until next year, when I get to take my driving test so I can get my license. *Yay* I’m already excited, and there’s eleven months to go.
Oh, and did I add that my fake tan stuff turned me orange with brown streaks? I’d told my mother that that was going to happen, but in true fictional-mom status, she completely ignored me and forced me into it anyway. Apparently, next time I need to be more careful and less messy with my slathering. There isn’t going to be a next time – that’s what hasn’t seemed to register with her.
Since we’re basically done with packing, I watched what I think was one of the best episodes of Criminal Minds I’ve yet seen. It may have been because I was happy already, or it may have been because they referenced Mice and Men (which was a great book) or it may have been because Prentiss, JJ, Garcia, Hotch, and Reid were so darn awesome, but… Yeah. I’m sure that no one but me cares how incredible Damaged was (Yes, it was about a double homicide, and Reid and Hotch were sort of trapped in a bulletproof room with a psychopath serial killer on death row already [see title], but it was still hilarious. Don’t ask. I’m still working out the details myself) so I’ll shut up now.
*Cease CM raving and commence Mythbusters raving*
The season premiere, the Shark Week Special, was absolutely incredible. Unbelievable. These guys actually built a full-sized great white shark, equipped it with thrashing gear, true-to-shark bite and teeth, and attached stop switches for eyes so that if you stabbed the eyes, it would quit shaking you about. It was quite possibly one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen them build, and that’s coming in a close first to beat the miniature Hindenburg and the Lead Balloon.
Anyway. Enough. I’m going to talk about something that has nothing whatsoever to do with me and is of general importance.
*Fizzing Static*
Em.. Well… I seem to be a bit short on that at the moment, but I will think of something. Another day, perhaps.
Did you know that 44% of car accidents involve alcohol?
Did you know that 44% of child abductions end in a fatality within the first hour?
Did you know that 10% of Americans think that Elvis is still alive?
~DreamingOfNothing
Como Esta, My Lovely. Es Bueno, No?
Whoa. It’s been a while. A long while. I’m actually astonished that I was able to go so long without writing a post. I’ve been mentally writing on this blog all week, but it’s only now that I’m finding a spare second to actually do so.
So, what’s new in my life?
I finished Artemis Fowl the Sixth (awesome book) as well as The Sweet Far Thing (at 819 pages, I didn’t think I’d ever finish. Don’t get your heart too set on various characters/pairings, though. You have been warned) and I’ve started The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks (which looks a lot dumber than it is. E. Lockhart has a very clever and humorous narrative voice, at any rate) which is actually due back to the library on Thursday, so I’ve got to get cracking.
I’ve been packing for my vacation to Grand Canyon/Las Vegas/Mexico in less than a week, (for which I am incredibly excited) which is part of the reason why I’ve had less than no time. That, on top of Driver’s Ed (which ends tomorrow) and tutoring (which ends on Thursday) has been taking up essentially all of my time. Reading has been done in the car or waiting outside of stores for the past few weeks. *Sob* It’s a hard life.
But it’s okay, because on Sunday I’ll be out of here and into the desert. I’ve always had a thing for the desert, because I grew up in one. Love ‘em. Plus, I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon before, Las Vegas is one of those things you must see once (plus it’s got a Reid factor now) and Mexico… Well… Need I truly explain my pull? I want to see the world. I want to see everywhere eventually, at least Europe and parts of Asia. I’ve been to Mexico before, but I was six months old at the time, and as such it hardly counts.
The title of this post, coincidentally (actually, it isn’t a coincidence. I did it on purpose) is from CM ep ‘Machismo’ 1-19, (which was the last one I’ve watched, about a week ago. *Sob* I have no time even for such most basic functions) in which I discovered that I know more Spanish than Korean. Basically, the story is that there’s a lot of Spanish being spoken at the beginning (being set in Mexico and all) but the English subtitles set into the American show are overlaid by the Korean subtitles (being pirated in Korea and all). So I sort of had to guess at the Spanish while attempting a glimpse at the English before it was covered in scattered lines. But I didn’t do too badly. Not like there’s many vocab words in a conversation consistent mainly of, “Is it a boy or girl skeleton?” (it was during Dio De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead) or “This is my mother’s house!” or “No!” (which is exactly the same as English) so it wasn’t exactly Shakespeare. But still. I’m proud of myself.
I’m also slowly turning darker as I type, due to the tanning lotion my mother coerced me into slathering upon myself. Basically, she thinks that my corpse-like skin tone is too corpse-like, and that I need to look like I am alive and have blood running through my veins. She’s actually being very concerned about my appearance lately, which puzzles me because she’s never really cared before as long as I wasn’t a complete mess. But now, I need to loose weight and exercise and style my hair and artificially tan because my skin is incapable of tanning itself. Like I’ve been living my life looking like a complete moron and she’s suddenly noticing and realizing that I need to look human.
I don’t know. I’ve caught ya’ll up pretty much here, I think (though there was other stuff I was going to talk about… *wistful glance at the clock* But I only have three minutes before I have to go back to packing. You’d be shocked by how much a family has to pack – it’s insane.
So I’m off… See you, all. I might be able to blog a bit more before I go, but don’t count on it. Maybe you’ll hear from me on the road, though. The Travel Diary of DreamingOfNothing. Huh. I like the sound of that.
~DreamingOfSolitudeAtLast
Sneezes Look Like Slugs
So here I am. Late again, but with nothing better to do as I await both The Fox and Natural Born Killer (because some things just can’t change) because my best friend’s stolen my copy of Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox. She’s actually sitting next to me right now, reading and laughing, and has no idea I’m writing this.
Hee, hee. Yes, that’s about as evil as I can get.
***SPOILERS FOR ARTEMIS FOWL: THE TIME PARADOX***
As far as I’ve gotten in The Time Paradox, it’s brilliant. I love Artemis’s twin brothers, and I’ve figured out why the two-year-olds had to be twins.
Basically: Myles is exactly like his older brother. He’s a little science genius, and adorable, and I adore him. Beckett, on the other hand, is normal. An incredibly cute kid, but in a completely different way. Plus, I recognize that most people would probably not find Myles cute (but I do, because I appreciate genius. Take that, morons of the world) but they definitely will Beckett.
I haven’t really gotten far enough to have any other reflections, but as soon as I can tug it away from my friend’s clutching hands I will. Trust me.
***END SPOILERS***
You unworthy who hath not read Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox can once again revel in my awesomeness.
Whoa. Firefox spell check didn’t flip over that word. That’s a first.
I had something to say. Distinctly. I know it – I just can’t remember what on earth it was.
Alert Pirates: SurfTheChannel loads a lot faster than Tudou does. Even when STC is streaming from Tudou. It’s a strange world.
My ribs are stabbing me in this position. I’ve talked long enough. Do something! Be active! Donkey said so!
My song rec would be Here Without You, by 3 Doors Down, because it was on aforementioned friend’s iPod and I stole all of the music off of it. And since I loved the song already… Well. It’s just all good.
And apparently I’m fluent in Manual. Who knew.
Good night, fairy folk. Go in peace.
~DreamingOfNothing
Living Life Like An Ocean
I have Havemercy! Well, not technically, because I’ve got it on loan from the library.
Close enough. I am holding it (or would be, were I not writing) and I plan to devour it as soon as humanly possible.
Reason: it’s by the authors of Shoebox, and they’re incredible.
Guess what it says in the dedication:
(publishers_editors_friends_parents_etc)Finally, thanks to the boxers: You know who you are, and where would we be without you?
My day has completely been made. Plus, turns out 3 Doors Down have a new song which I really like (It’s Not My Time) and my magazine copies came in today. As in, that contest that I was in hysterics about? Where I won first place?
It is a work of magic. Not the writing (though it is incredibly well done, of course. What wouldn’t be, if I wrote it?) but the layout. My friends’ll see it, because I’ll be shoving it in everyone’s face, but the rest of ya’ll will have to buy your own copy.
Oh, wait. I didn’t say which magazine it was. Too bad. You’ll all live. Trust me, though, it’s beautiful. Simply beautiful.
So, all in all, today has been one of my better days. I don’t even have any tutoring grievances over having been a second thumb of a substitute today because my mother and I forgot whilst I practiced driving in empty streets (or not so empty streets… At least there were no heart attacks in the whole hour I was driving, which is a record, I think).
Enough about my euphoria. I’m seriously neglecting most of my underground life (Numb3rs, Criminal Minds, fanfiction) because I’m so busy. It’s a messed up world when it’s busier out of school than in it. It’s almost relaxing, though, not to be hiding so much. Though of course, Numb3rs had to be set free right about when I fell out of love with it.
About Numb3rs: I’m certain it’s temporary. I can’t be obsessed with more than one thing at a time, so I’m sure when I get over Criminal Minds and Numb3rs restarts I’ll like it more. Now, I’m just watching reruns with my brother and pretending that I’m surprised when they find the bad guy. Plus, now that I have a different cop show to compare it to, I’m painfully aware of how much they tangent off of the case and into the lives of the various characters. I love ‘em all, but pretending that Larry rocketing into space is a new and amazing development is killing me slowly. Criminal Minds is a bit more focused and darker, which is engaging me for now.
Plus, anything’s better if it’s a forbidden fruit. It’s the nature of humanity. And trust me – everything’s more dramatic when the gunshots are echoing through your headphones and the scene unfolding on the screen is the only light in the room and it’s right in front of you. And you’re alone.
Or at least I find. The beauty is lost on my large TV screen, tugging blankets over my toes so that they’re not freezing against the leather of a new sofa. And my brother’s right next to me, expecting me to be as shocked or interested or amused as he, who is watching it for the first time and doesn’t know that I’m not. I’m just waiting for Season Five.
I had a list of things that I wanted to talk about in an earlier post, didn’t I? Well, it’s time for dinner now and I’ve been babbling for far too long, so I bid you adieu. I must now attack Havemercy.
Listen to It’s Not My Time, by 3 Doors Down. I like it a great deal.
~DreamingOfNothing
dawntime
There’s something about the tiny hours of the morning, when there is no time other than the slight clicking of the clock on the wall and you’re a little circle of light in the middle of the deep deep dark, and the entire world draws into black and whites: You and the darkness of eternity. And eventually you see that quiet blue light is snaking under the blinds, and you’d better go to bed if you want to get some sleep before the day actually starts, but it’s too late. You can’t possibly sleep now. You’re too alive – quietly alive, not like when adrenaline fire runs along your arteries, burning you with its life – and you’re too comfortable with your own consciousness to even think of letting go.
In a separate world, ‘White Houses’ tinkers in my ears and keys chatter under my fingers and ice licks along my toes, but it’s a separate world.
Right now, there’s me, my computer, and the darkness. And words. That’s enough.
And that is all.
My name is Death! Have you not heard of me?
And once again I push the limit for Longest Post Title Ever, with not one but two sentences. The loquacious quotation is from The Great Messenger of Mortality or A Dialogue Betwixt Death and a Lady, in the time-honored tradition of sixteenth century bards giving their ballads titles about as long as their poems. It also has to rank among the more morbid of the bunch (which is saying something, if you’ve ever tried reading through medieval poetry), basically being about a woman who pleads with Death not to take her, but Death is adamant. The only two lines that seemed to be very popular and are a bit less than depressing are:
If life were merchandise that gold could buy,
The rich would live, the poor alone would die.
I’m sure people are queuing up to have that engraved on their tombstones. But a lot of medieval people did, which slightly defies logic, especially since it was usually only rich people who could afford tombstones. All of the Dark Ages sort of defied logic, so I’ll contemplate no further here on that matter.
I put the whole thing here. Feel free to torment thyself as thou chooses.
Right now it’s actually about 3 in the morning, but I’ll mess with the posting times on WordPress so that it says that it was posted yesterday, because I feel really guilty for not posting. Especially when all recent posts have been so depressing.
(Um, the pot called for this post. He says that you and the kettle are both black)
But I will admit that I am in a bit of a historical mood, having finished both A Great and Terrible Beauty and Rebel Angels today. And I’ve had the same line of Paradise Lost quoted at me by two authors who are good friends in their sequels.
Here at least
We shall be free; the Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
to reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.
I like poetry in Latin, to be truly honest. But I think I’ve already quoted it, a while back. Here. It’s just about as depressing, though. I’m afraid that poets don’t have very happy existences.
Anyway: Reading List update.
- A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray (Okay. Not half as bad as the cover makes it seem. And Libba Bray’s got wit)
- Rebel Angels by Libba Bray (With a slightly more innocent cover, but a much more wicked plot twist. I’ve discovered an author whom is much harder to outthink)
- Pay It Forward, by Catherine Ryan Hyde (which is okay. I’m not done yet, but for now it’s okay)
- Skin Deep, by someone incredible (Really, really quite good. I like it immensely)
And I’m sure that’s not it, because it seems like I’ve done nothing but read all weekend, but that’s all I can recall at the moment. I want to read Dracula again.
I have much else I could talk about, to be sure. If I wasn’t so tired of typing and unable to formulate conscious thought, I’d tell you about my tutoring exploits or my new alliance with SuperGeniusKid against the Doubting Thomases of the world (starting with my father) or my progress on my revelation.
Actually, that sounds like the back of a crazy book. Forgive me. It’s an odd hour.
Since it’s one of those hours where I can be insane but not able to sleep, I’m going off to try and let Reid bore me into a stupor. But I don’t think it will work.
~DreamingOfNothing
Princesses and Paupers
G.K. Chesterton wrote: “Fairy tales do not tell children that dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children that dragons can be killed.”
And that is really all I have to say. Forgive me for my current morbidity.
~DreamingOfNothing
