How to YAWP

I'm going to be Petra Andalee for Halloween. Or my version of it, I guess (of both Petra and Halloween). I usually spend Halloween nights watching a movie (that has almost nothing to do with the holiday), but this year, I'll have to amend that plan. Darn holiday on a sunday! They should fix the date of Halloween on, like, the last Friday or Saturday of October. I think I'd prefer Saturday, because Saturdays are just good days to celebrate things. And because the letter S makes me think of Spooky, Scary, and Sinister things (alliteration FTW!).

Speaking of rules of poetry: my English teacher is a HUGE fan of Walt Whitman, and is a great supporter of the thought that people should yawp barbarically now and then. If you don't know what or how to produce your "barbaric yawp" (a term Whitman actually came up with, in his "Song of Myself", Leaves of Grass, #52), then please refer to the following guide:

1. Make yourself stand out, either by standing on a chair, waving your arms around, or just staring creepily at someone.
2. Take a deep breath (recommended, but not required).
3. Yell/proclaim/sound out the word "YYYYAAAAWWWWWWWWWP!", with emphasis on making a gutteral sort of sound and the "AW" syllable of the word.
4. Yes, you have to say "YAWP".
5. Well, technically there's another way to yawp barbarically--you can just express yourself creatively, either through a painting, a story, a song, or anything else that is a representation of a part of yourself.

And there you go! This could work for a "trick" on Halloween if the people don't give you candy. Much more environmentally friendly than TPing or forking or egging someone's house. My English teacher actually had us line up around the windows of the classroom next to us and YAWP into the room. The kids in the room stared at us like we'd grown two heads each. We exited quickly.

Speaking of Hallo-school things: My chemistry teacher decided to introduce us to a bunch of really awful chemistry puns, such as:

"What do you call a prisoner in a funny clown costume?" A SILICON (silly con, get it?)
"Everything but the kitchen...." ZINC (you should know this one)
"What do they do with dead people?" They BARIUM (ahahahaha)
etc.

Back to Petra Andalee! All I really need is her checkered coat, for which I'm using a long checkered zip-up collared shirt-jacket-thing. And then her high-waisted pants, a black belt, black fake leather shoes, and a white button-down collared shirt. Voila! What are you dressing up as?

I need more sleep

Hello again, after a month-long hiatus! It felt terrible to just leave the last post as a tagging one, and so here comes this post, after 30+ days!

School has been very...school-y. Homecoming week's come and gone (what kind of a theme is "Defying Gravity"?), with no particular regrets or disappointments, mainly because I did not participate in the crowded, bad-music filled gym that constituted the HC dance (although I did miss a live concert with Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, :-( but at least I have it on CD). An advanced class that I heard horror stories about in previous grades actually isn't so bad, and I really need to get working on my time management skills!

The afternoon bus that I ride has become completely populated by middle schoolers. They all either sit in a big cluster (ahahaah Statistics vocab ahahahaha okay school is getting to me) in the middle or back of the bus and spend the entire ride TALKING about things that they don't really understand, like why violins are so expensive. (MS-ers: "It's just a stick of wood and some hair!" Me, in my head: "NO IT'S NOT IT IS A VERY SOPHISTICATED BOWING INSTRUMENT AND I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU MAKE AN ENTIRE VIOLIN BY HAND!!!") But that's what everyone does--they talk about things they don't really understand, just so that they can maybe understand it a little better, or to find someone else who shares their opinion.

I have discovered that I love physics! As much as I can love something that I don't really understand. Yet. Even thought I'm not taking it as a class, I've checked out a book entitled "Basic Physics" (boy, you don't get any more obvious than that, eh?) from the library and am going to use it as the aloe to satisfy my burning need to understand HOW THE WORLD OPERATES. Can't wait for physics! And chemistry (the class I'm actually taking) is a blast, even though we aren't really told why anything happens. Yet. I hope.

TAG! YOU'RE IT!

Thanks to Elizabeth from A Collection of Reflections! But no, I don't get to run around, chasing people across the blacktop. Instead, I'll do the Internet version of that! Even better, no? No? Okay, well, um, on with the taggin'!

CRAZY 8s

8 books you've read recently:

Desecration (Left Behind series--wonderful end-of-the-world stuff)

Enola Holmes: The Case of the Gypsy Goodbye (so sad! and the end of the series, too...)

A Wizard of Mars (Young Wizard series--awesome fantasy/sciencey fiction series. perfect for wannabe-geeks like me :-D)

The book of Genesis (from the Bible, where else? Trying to read the entire Bible in a year! Yeah!)

Lord Brocktree (Redwaaaallll!)
The Inside Story (Sisters Grimm series. Man, I read a lot of series, don't I?)
A True and Faithful Narrative (about a bookseller's daughter in the 1600s! OMGosh! They had books back then? ahahahahahahjkjkjkjk AHEM.)
The Wizard of Oz (Like, the original version. I can tell how it was totally written for small CHILDREN.)


8 Songs or Albums I listen to All the Time:


"Big Yellow Taxi", by Joni Mitchell (I love her sound, her self as a person, everything!)
Mozart, Sonata in A Minor, K.310 (hurrah for classical music geeks! I'm also learning this song on the pianah.)
Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker Suite. (Gosh I love that ballet. It is my favorite...favorite.)
"Cross the Line," Superchick (love the music video. Makes me want to go bash some cultural barriers.)
Barlow Girl--their album, Another Journal Entry. I think they're my favorite Christian band, tied with Superchick and Casting Crowns, of course. Which leads us to...
"What if His People Prayed," Casting Crowns (Didn't see that one coming, did ya? ahahaha. But, in all seriousness, this song has such an important message.)
"Valentino," Diane Birch. Once again, awesome music video. It's got this dancey-yet-not-too-much-like-pop-music sound that I extremely enjoy. 


8 Things I Love:


God (well, He's not a thing, obviously, but I still love Him!)
The truth (and I know that sounds cheesy, but really--lying is way uncool)
BOOOOOOOOOOOOKSSSSSSSSSS (and, I guess, the public library. Does this count as two things?)
Being different from the "mainstream". If not in appearance, then in mind and character.
Rainy, gloomy, cloudy days. These days are perfect for reading A Series of Unfortunate Events. And just for pondering Deep Things in general. And for writing.
My parents (how many teenagers would say that, eh? But really--I'd be nowhere without them. Literally.)
Patterns and coincidences. In life, in nature, in most art. They're a sign of the Creator's masterpiece (which is you, me, and the natural world!)
Typewriters, and typing on them (except when the ribbon wears out...bleh. Heading for Amazon!)


8 Things I've Learned This Year:


Practice slowly (for any musical instrument).

Sleep away camp isn't all that bad. Especially if it's at a university (ahahahaha).
Second-hand clothing stores are wonderful places to go find clothes, unless you go with someone who doesn't think that highly of second-hand clothes (unless they are from friends).
God is amazing.
Driving/car control is much harder than it looks.
English teachers are really cool (okay, I've known that since 6th grade, but still...)
Shakespeare (when actually acted out) isn't all that bad. It's quite good, really. Which is why he's considered a classic author, I suppose (duh!).
There are no such things as concidences.


And one extra one (although this is entirely of my own doing and thus completely optional): 
People can surprise you. Especially by their kindness.


8 New Recipes I Want to Try and Make by the End of the Year:


[Hmm....I don't really cook, but if I did, then here's the list:]
1. Soup (seriously--a good soup is difficult! Although it seems so simple...)
2. Turkey Avocado sandwich (I just had one at a restaurant the other day and it was DELICIOUS. The best turkey sandwich EVER.)
3. Fudgecake (this is something I say a lot, usually in place of swear words. It'd be interesting to actually make the stuff!)
4. Cookies. (the Internet kind, ahahhaha not really)
5. Scrambled eggs with bell peppers and ham (yum! and fairly simple--throw those three things into a pan, and stir-fry away!)
6. Ratatouille, as seen in the movie of the same name. It looks absolutely delectable.
7. Elvish bread from Lord of the Rings. Not possible, but there's no harm in trying, right? (Plus I love the scene where Legolas is describing the bread, saying one small bite will fill up a grown man for hours [or something]. And then Merry says to Pippin: "How many'd you have?" Pippin: "Four." xD okay, that was from the movie, but whatevz. Hilarious! Ahem...that leads us to...)
8. This Asian noodle soup that my mom made on Labor Day, with small scallops and this awesome flavoring stuff and ramen noodles. The best way to make noodles, ever.


8 Favorite Online Hangouts:


Ah, this one is making me excited (hurray for the Internet generation?)
1. Blogger (obvs)
2. Young Wizards Discussion Forum (yay for nerdiness...)
3. NaNoWriMo YWP (in November, and thereabouts)

4. YouTube (a necessity for someone without an MP3 player)
5. Runescape (yeah...any time I spend on there is too much time. unless I'm hunting hill giants.)
6. Google (does this count? It's my homepage.)
7. Gmail
8. Apple site (ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaZOMG IS THAT A NEW IPOD NANO)

8 projects I need to work on:


1. AmStuds homework. If you're taking the class, you'll know what I'm talking about.
2. My "short story" which is quickly becoming a "not-so-short-story/novella"
3. My novel, which is actually supposed to be a novel.
4. Writing. In general.
5. Assembling a gift-email for my friend. (With pictures!)
6. HTML. Learning, using, and understanding.
7. Reading all of the Redwall Books.
8. Reading through the entire Bible in one year. (Best for last, :-D)

8 other people I think should do this:


Hmmm...does this go for anyone? Then anyone it is....
1. Wendelin Van Draanen (the awesome author behind Sammy Keyes)
2. R. L. LaFevers (another awesome author--go check out Theodosia Throckmorton!)
3. Tru (who doesn't love pretty little things? especially cupcakes.)
4. Quintessajazz (another about-school-and-other-things blogger, only much cooler than me. And a WVD fan!)
5. JD (and no, I'm not initials-biased. She's actually written a book! And published it! Under the age of eighteen!)
6. CasadillaAndPeetaBread (Sammy fan with awesome drawing skills! aka xxCammyLoverxx. I can't link to her because apparently her blog "cannot be found by blogger".)
7. Mila (a fashion blogger who's not afraid to tell the world about her style!)
8. Gilda Joyce (okay, she's a fictional character, but that doesn't mean she can't come up with at least 56 things about herself!)

Okay, simple rules--If you're tagged, do the above categories (with your own answers, of course) and then tell 8 other people to fill this thing out! But, since some of the people mentioned above probably don't have that much time to do this, I shall say that this is optional.

Gosh this is a long post.

Foursquare--the internet version

So apparently a new Internet thing is up. It's called foursquare, and it has NO resemblance at all to the beloved childhood blacktop game (unfortunately). Basically, the main idea is to broadcast where you are to the internet (or Facebook and twitter, at least) on your phone (with either texts or Internet, if your phone has it). You can find out more on their website (just Google it! Or, fine, the link is here).

I just wanted to talk about it a little (seeing as I am a citizen of the Internet, what with this blog and everything), especially after I read an article about it in my dad's Time magazine (I don't usually read it much, except for when there's something in it about new internet/techy stuffs [yeah geek wannabes FTW]). I guess I've been expecting something like this to happen, eventually? Like the idea of combining "real life", so to speak, with the Internet. So, voila! Foursquare is invented! The more you go to certain places (in real life, please, not just sitting on your couch and pretending to be at the local grocery store, or something), the more "badges" and potentially cool/free stuff you'll get! (Assuming the places you go to know about foursquare, of course.)

Now, to be even more review-like, a list of pros and cons! (as I see them):

PROS:

• It encourages people to actually get out more, and physically go to places they won't usually go to (such as the gym, quirky little cafes, etc.). Motivation: special foursquare "badges" and (if the places you go to know about foursquare) free/discounted stuff/special offers to foursquare users.
• Another social networking site! Wait, or should that be a con?
• You can get insider information on places near you/your city via other foursquare patrons. Akin to the idea of asking your friend about that new store/deli/yoga place before actually going there. And you can offer your own tips too!

CONS:

• It lets other people know THINGS about you (people that you might not want to disclose every detail of your life with). Especially if you do lots of checking in from your house. And are paranoid.
• Another social networking site! Still not sure about this one.
• Not for spies. Unless they're trying to throw someone OFF of a trail (that would be interesting). But I suppose real spies and secret agents wouldn't have an online profile anyway!

It's also one of those techy things that boldly proclaim: THE FUTURE IS HERE AND YOU BETTER BE PREPARED, BUCKO. Mainly with the fact that it's a mix of "real life" and "virtual life" on the internet. And yes, they do have cool features that allow you to satisfy your need for privacy while also enjoying foursquare, but something about the reward system makes my brain go on HIGH ALERT.

What makes me stop and think about this new phenom is the very fact that it is trying to make real life a game, but one without punishments. I suppose the "no bad side" is because it's more of a social networking site, but it's much too close to the idea of being a game in real life to be comfortable. And this might just be my over-voracious science fiction reading habit talking, but something ominous always lurks behind the sunny, paradise-like forefront of new technology.

But hey--people have been wrong about doomsdays before. 

More listage!

School is commencing in a matter of days. Single digit days, to be exact (bleh). And so I've been reminded (by the dear old companion known commonly as the "calendar") that I haven't exactly done anything to get ready for school, except for get a new backpack and get my schedule. Which leads us to...

THINGS I MUST DO BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS

1. Get all school supplies ready (i.e., notebooks, writing utensils, writing utensil holders, calculator, file folder thingy, etc.).

2. Go "back to school" shopping. If there's time.

3. Finish reading The Fellowship of the Ring. By Friday, preferably.

4. Finish reading Out of the Silent Planet, by C.S. Lewis. I'm so close! I can taste it! (erm...)

5. Finish reading Twelfth Night, by our favourite Bard, William Shakespeare (no idea why I decided to go all British there).

6. Finish reading The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Or at least get halfway through.

7. Read an Anton Chekhov short story. Or five.

Yeah...so half of it is the remainder of my summer reading list (assigned by me), and the first two are really the only ones that are consequential to the purpose of that list. Hmmm.. (NTS: stop making lists of things that have nothing to do with the list title!)

Relaaaaaax

Schedule change pending. Sometimes I wish that I didn't go to such a big school. Well, relatively big. And that our school had enough money to continue everything, every year, and budget cuts were a thing of the past. But no. It's the present and near future. I just hope that the new school board has some sensible people on it.

But God has everything under His control! Who am I to worry about things that are way beyond my control? I've been trying to let Him handle everything, but I still worry and fret about useless things sometimes. For "faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it". And I want to be more faithful to God this year, and forever.

Oh, and in response to my template background: why yes, 1+1 does INDEED equal pencil. Why didn't I see it before?!?!

Rite(s) of Passage, Spring, etc. etc.

Got my permit today!! Aaaahhh!!!!! Watch out roads, here I come! Sort of. Not sure yet if I'm completely ready to drive yet. But it's a skill that's practically necessary for everyday life here, and I don't want to burden my parents by having them drag me everywhere. But I'm in no hurry to be "independent". I guess I already am, in a way. I haven't got any brothers or sisters, and I usually am home alone right after school in the school year. But I still get into disputes with my mom about what I want to wear, which is SO STUPID. Almost makes me wish I don't really care about clothes, like when I was little. But, unfortunately, I do, a little. I'm interested in clothes as an art form (this is a great example--don't judge it, just watch), not those garments displayed in those "junior's" sections of department stores.

But that is another post for another blog, another time. Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" is a lot weirder than I thought it would be, but I suppose that depends on what the definition of weird is. And I am rambling because I had a late lunch and need to go knit.

Farewell until later,
The Blogger