Saturday morning my girls soccer team had it's fundraiser event.  We stood outside a local grocery store and sold raffle tickets for a cash drawing to occur on Dec 19.  Devin is a natural born salesperson, she totally kicked ass and really encouraged the other girls to not be so shy.  She bartered with people, offering to hold their dog while they went inside or unload/load thier cars in return for purchasing a ticket.  She did really well.

Then there was this kid.  Late teens, early 20's.  Shaggy bed-head hair, faded skinny-jeans, worn out chucks, skin-tight T-shirt with skin-tight zip-up hoodie over it.  You know the stereo-typical indieboy meets emo look that's so popular right now.  Anyhow, this kid had his skinny jeans half-way down his ass despite the fact that he had on a 3 inch wide belt with them.

So, after Devin approaches him and gets him to by $5 worth of tickets, as he's ready to walk off, she offered up this bit of advice to him:  "Oh, and that belt you're wearing? It's to hold your pants up because nobody cares what color underwear you're wearing."

Yup. That's my daughter. LOL

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Yup, the moon was in Cancer last night. Some of you more scientific-minded (what? Aren't you a scientist, Nikki? I am, and I happen to enjoy astrology. Bugger off.) people will laugh at that, but I can feel the subtle differences in where the moon happens to be. The full moon never feels the same to me from month to month. The full moon in December will be different from this month's full moon. It just IS.

Yesterday was...wonderful. *contented sigh* I got basically everything I could've wanted out of a single day of my life, a cold slightly-snowy windy day in November in a beautiful city. My parents were here, so despite the fact that they fought in front of me (which I HATE), I got to spend time with them. The concert was amazing. Truly beautiful. It was an incredibly sweet, moving pleasure to sing the requiem. Months of hard work, of loving and struggling, of forgetting, for an hour or so twice a week, what else was going on in my life--all that mattered was the feeling, and the striving to see that satisfied look on Mel's face.

( On working with musicians... )

It's funny. I feel a sense of withdrawal now that the concert's over. I want to listen to the requiem still. I want to revisit, like pictures from a vacation, the sections that I particularly loved--like the quam olim Abrahai fugue, and the Kyrie eleison/cum sanctis fugues from the beginning and end. I want to all but weep when I listen to the Lacrimosa. Same thing with Carmina--when it was over, I mourned its parting.

It's just not quite enough. I want more.
...Maybe I should take an applied hour next semester. It's like voice lessons, but it's a class. You have to do a recital at some point.

The problem with that is that I have gotten to a point where I suck as a soloist. Where the hell does that powerful voice go when I'm by myself? I mean, I'm easily one of the strongest singers in the section in choir! But take everyone else away, and suddenly I'm weak. I'm breathy and wispy. I have no idea where to come in. I forget how to breathe. I studied voice for nearly six years. What happened?

I can still hit the high notes when I'm singing solo, at least. And I mean high. I'm very nearly a coloratura in terms of my range, though as of yet I lack the ability to handle the coloratura technique (insanely fast runs and trills).

I love music a little too much sometimes.

Still. It was a lovely day overall. My parents took me out to dinner, which was pretty happy as everyone was in a good mood post-concert. I then came back to school and got to work. My stupid lab report still isn't done because I'm dragging my feet on the calculations. Plus I don't know what, exactly, he wants in terms of tables and charts for the data. Oh well. I'll get it done tonight, and, if need be, take a few points off for lateness and have it in by the morning.

I also had a really, really good, articulate conversation with Brian last night. Sometimes we just connect so completely and exquisitely it's utter bliss to be together. God, I love that man. Really, really love him. Just because of who he is.

I meet with Ahamad tonight; hopefully, I will pass my upcoming chemistry exam. And by "pass" I mean "do well enough on to not fail the class."

*Smiles and hugs* I got your "not the birthday present" package and letter in the mail today! Thank you so much for sending it!

And Reneé, I got your letter, too. *Smiles* Thank you, sweetie! The short answer is, I'll be here for Christmas, but if you want to send a card or present, send it our address back in the United States, because anything I get by Christmas I'll just end up shipping back.

shirt.woot has an interesting design today. I'm seriously considering getting it.

http://shirt.woot.com/

$15 including shipping. Hmmmm....

This weekend has been CRAZY!  We have sold 38 items and made over $260...and that's just from Friday-Sunday.  In the last 8 days, we've sold $413.75 in products.  And we have more orders to fill.

To say I have been busy is an understatement!  I have been in the kitchen, making soap, holding photo shoots for our star items, making sugar scrub, sending pictures to A, making whipped body frosting, networking on Etsy, packaging orders, doing inventory, more creating -- *deep breath* -- it's amazing and I'm tired.  And apprehensive...we are still a month out before Christmas...I think it's going to get busier!  I hope so!

My randomness for the day:
 
My dad is a dick.
Only 9 days until I get to see my baby boy!  I miss him so much!
I can't remember jack.  I keep forgetting stuff and it's driving me insane.

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Sometimes I'm in a tug-of-war with the universe, it seems. Give me, pull me.

I want my computer fixed so I can work in peace in my own damn space.

I want to get my work done, to be ABLE to work, without struggling to concentrate for five minutes.

I want a day or two, every now and then, when I don't feel that constant fluttering sense of a weak frightened bird in my heart, constantly seared by anxiety.

I want to not jump and twitch and shiver with every little cough and sniffle I hear. You have no idea what those sounds do to me. I can't even explain it. I'm a neurotic little freak, but they distress me somehow.

I want to clean out the superfluous crap clogging up my life.

I want a semester where I can breathe easily and just do my work rather than drown in fear and panic.

I want to not fight for my goddamn classes, but to just register, and walk into a semester feeling confident.

I want to sleep at night.

I want to not quietly wonder if I'll be loved for me, without reservations. I want to feel like I don't have to change for anyone.

I want to walk for miles on the beach.

No, really. Miles. To just walk and walk and walk until I can't see where I started.

Where do I start? Where do I go from here?

It never fails to amaze me the stuff that accumulates in one's house* and how you can go for years while stuff just kind of creeps away from you.

( Random rambling about the crap in my house. )

On another note:

Run, Fat Boy, Run is one of those awkward, sad social movies that makes me cringe. It's like watching a train wreck. *makes face*
*laughs* Though the slap fight between Simon Pegg and Dylan Moran was awesome. And okay the ending was totally sob-worthy.
________
* or apartment, or condo, or whathaveyou
** which means *snickers* that I have these random bouts of non-attachment where I feel the need to get rid of stuff.
*** not three months before I need them

I'm sure this won't be a complete list, but I'm sure as hell going to try. One of my goals for next year it to make sure I document every book I read. Just to see how much of a life I don't have that I read so much!! Of course, these won't be in order!!

1. Anne Rice Reader :: Katherine Ramsland
2. Dance with the Devil (Dark-Hunter, Bk 4) :: Sherrilyn Kenyon
3. Fantasy Lover (Dark-Hunter, Bk 1) :: Sherrilyn Kenyon
4. Ghosts of Gettysburg, III: Spirits, Apparitions and Haunted Places of tBattlefield, Vol.3 :: Mark Nesbitt
5. Haunted Bayou (American Storytelling) :: J.J. Reneaux
6. Journey Into Darkness...Ghosts Vampires of New Orleans :: Katherine Smith
7. Kiss of the Night (Dark-Hunter, Bk 5) :: Sherrilyn Kenyon
8. The Monk :: Matthew Lewis
9. Night Embrace (Dark-Hunter, Bk 3) :: Sherrilyn Kenyon
10. Night Play (Dark-Hunter, Bk 6) :: Sherrilyn Kenyon
11. Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter, Bk 2) :: Sherrilyn Kenyon
12. The Roquelaure Reader : A Companion to Anne Rice's Erotica :: Katherine Ramsland, Anne Rice
13. Seize the Night (Dark-Hunter, Bk 7) :: Sherrilyn Kenyon
14. The Unauthorized Anne Rice Companion
15. The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead :: J. Gordon Melton
16. Vampires, Burial, and Death : Folklore and Reality :: Paul Barber
17. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
18. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
19. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
20. April Witch A Novel by Majgull Axelsson
21. Cerulean Sins by Laurell K. Hamilton
22. Micah by Laurell K. Hamilton
23. Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton
24. Seduced by Moonlight by Laurell K. Hamilton
25. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
26. A Quick Bite (Argeneau Vampires, Book 1) by Lynsay Sands
27. Love Bites (Argeneau Vampires, Book 2) by Lynsay Sands
28. Single White Vampire (Argeneau Vampires, Book 3) by Lynsay Sands
29. The Accidental Vampire (Argeneau Vampires, Book 7) by Lynsay Sands
30. Morrigan's Cross (The Circle Trilogy, Book 1) by Nora Roberts
31. Dance of the Gods (The Circle Trilogy, Book 2) by Nora Roberts
32. Valley of Silence (The Circle Trilogy, Book 3) by Nora Roberts
33. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
34. The Iliad by Homer
35. Vampire Junction by SP Somtow
36. The House of Thunder by Dean Koontz
37. Prodigal Son (Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Book 1) by Dean Koontz and Kevin J. Anderson
38. City of Night (Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, Book 2) by Dean Koontz and Ed Gorman
39. Voice of the Blood by Jemiah Jefferson
40. Thirst by Pyotyr Kurtinski
41.The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
42. The Forest House (Avalon, Book 2) by Marion Zimmer Bradley
43. Priestess Of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana L. Paxson
44. Lady of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
45. The Forest House (The Mists of Avalon: Prequel) by Marion Zimmer Bradley
46. Marion Zimmer Bradley's Ancestors of Avalon by Diana L. Paxson
47. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
48. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
49. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire by J. K. Rowling
50. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling
51. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling
52. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling
53. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
54. A Kitchen Witch's Cookbook :: Patricia Telesco
55. Darkover Landfall (Darkover, Bk 1) :: Marion Zimmer Bradley
56. All That Remains (Kay Scarpetta) :: Patricia Cornwell
57. The Angel Chronicles, Volume 2 :: Richie Tankersley
58. The Angel Chronicles, Volume 1 :: Nancy Holder
59. The Angel Chronicles, Volume 3 :: Nancy Holder
60. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland :: Lewis Carroll
61. Realm Of Shadows :: Shannon Drake
62. Skinny Bitch :: Kim Barnouin, Rory Freedman
63. The Dark Lord (Forbidden Tarot) :: Patricia Simpson
64. Great Tales of Terror :: Edgar Allan Poe
65. Ariadne's Thread: A Workbook of Goddess Magic :: Shekhinah Mountainwater
66. The Mummy or Ramses the Damned :: Anne Rice
67. Serpent and the Rainbow :: Wade Davis
68. Jambalaya: The Natural Woman's Book of Personal Charms and Practical Rituals :: Luisah Teish
69. New Orleans Ghosts :: Victor C. Klein
70. Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West :: Gregory Maguire
71. The Book of Vodou: Charms and Rituals to Empower Your Life :: Leah Gordon
72. Living in the Light : A Guide To Personal And Planetary Transformation :: Shakti Gawain
73. I am Dracula by C. Dean Anderson
74. Necroscope by Brian Lumley
75. Necroscope II: Vamphyri! by Brian Lumley
76. Necroscope III: The Source by Brian Lumley
77. Necroscope IV: Deadspeak by Brian Lumley
78. Necroscope V: Deadspawn by Brian Lumley
79. Hotel Transylvania by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
80. A Flame in Byzantium by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
81. The Funhouse by Dean Koontz
82. The exorcist by William Peter Blatty
83. The Omen by David Seltzer
84. V Is for Vampire: The A-Z Guide to Everything Undead by David J. Skal

After going back, I realized I never updated with my new tattoos!!

I got these in March. They were a late burfday gift!! It took an hour and 1/2 for each with a 30 minute break in between.





And I got this one in July! This one took 3 hours with a few 10-15 minute breaks here and there.

In my inbox...

( o noes! Teh ebil Muslims can has their own stamp!!1! MUSTBOYCOTTNOW!!!1!one )

Because, you know, it's not like we have several million AMERICAN MUSLIMS who are our law-abiding, respectful neighbors and friends or anything. And it's not like Christians have ever killed anyone... And before you bring up your pesky "facts", I'll just head you off because either those weren't real Christians or it was God's will and doesn't really count as "murder". You know, the real God. Jesus and Jehovah and the Holy Ghost. Not some weird Allah false god who's really SATAN convincing people to KILL CHRISTIANS!!1!one!

*sigh*

Katy and I agree that quality of life is much more important than quantity of life. The topic came up during the saga surrounding Terry Schaivo's final days -- and the intervention that Republicans attempted in the name of scoring political points with "right to life" conservatives. Because what purpose does it serve to have a right to life without a right to liberty and a right to pursue happiness? And how does one pursue happiness when one is legally brain-dead or in constant pain from a terminal disease?

This morning, I came across a story on Time Magazine's Web site about a 13-year-old in England who has chosen not to receive a heart transplant that could save her life. There is more wisdom in this girl's decision than in thousands of so-called "adults" in the United States.

Hannah Jones suffered leukemia when she was 4 and later developed heart disease. Time's Nancy Gibbs writes, "No one was promising a cure. Without a transplant, her heart was sure to give out, but the operation could kill her, as could the complications that might follow. Anti-rejection drugs could reignite the leukemia; another transplant might be necessary in just a few years."

Social workers tried to intervene, but English law allows a 13-year-old to make informed decisions about life or death. Ultimately, Gibbs writes, it's not about a right to die -- it's about a right to decide how we want to live. "This is ultimately what respect for life looks like," Gibbs writes. "It means respecting an individual's right to decide how she wants to live, even if that involves knowing she will die."

Take the time this month to make a living will. Decide how you want to live, and get it written into a legal document. Make sure those closest to you, the ones who love you and respect you, know where you stand -- because sometimes, as Terry Schaivo's case demonstrates, even loving parents can get it wrong.

I signed up for NaNoWriMo 2008 and am currently at 539 words, after starting to write half an hour ago.

Don't watch if you're not up to date on the Doctor.



Can I get a big WTF? An interesting start, at least. ^_^

If you're mailing a letter out of the country, do you have to go to the posty, or can you just figure out how much it costs stamp-wise, slap on the right number of stamps, and toss it in the mailbox?

Also: how much does it cost to send letters to the UK?

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We're pulling the plug! And putting it back in a different location! Ok, that was bad.

Seriously though, our data center move -- from San Francisco to Montana -- is scheduled for THIS TUESDAY, November 18, 2008 at 16:00 UTC (this equates to 8AM Pacific timezone) and will last for 4 hours. Unfortunately it'll be total downtime for all our sites and services -- no posting, no reading, no email.

Another news announcement will be posted on Monday November 17, including links to updated FAQs that you'll want to check out before the move.

As always, status.livejournal.org will have any updates during the move so bookmark it and check it out for the latest news.

All of us at LiveJournal have been eagerly looking forward to this move and I want to thank you for your patience and understanding as we put the finishing touches on something that will allow us to bring you an even better product in the future.
Though for us in the Ops and Engineering teams, we'll be REALLY happy if, on Tuesday, everything just works the same way it did on Monday.  Heh.

bt