Wotcher, Bean

I honestly don't know when the last time I wrote here was. I guess all I have to do is look at my last post and see what it says. Journal writing has always been really hard for me. I found my old journal from junior high through mid-high school. Gaps galore. I think it was at least two months in between entries. It was never consistent. My journal now is even worse. Entries are at least six to ten months apart. It's weird reading it because I'm doing such different things on each page. From, I graduated high school! To, I moved out! To, I'm engaged! To, He's a bastard!

Which is why I have boycotted writing in journals. Writing about day to day events is too boring for me. Too commonplace. So I have a journal of random thoughts. All of the thoughts I have in my head need to be written down. It's much more creative than "Well today I went to the store and bought some peas. Even though I really don't like peas. Unless they have mayonnaise on them. But then my mom puts mayo on them and then adds tomatoes and onions and I really don't like that....etc.. etc..."

You see my point.

I'd rather talk about how I think Yoko Ono was before her time. Or why I'd rather name my dog Gary than Spot. Or about why my favorite restaurant is my favorite restaurant.

I think things like that are much more interesting to read later on as well. It shows what kind of person you were and how interesting your thoughts were. Rather than who you were dating at the time and why you don't like peas.

You see my point...

It's true. Sometimes I see people dancing on tv or in movies and I wish I could dance like them. That's one thing I'd definitely like to go out and do more often. And that doesn't mean I want to go to church dances more often. Far from it. I'm really starting to despise church dances. I don't even know why I go to them sometimes. This also doesn't mean that I want to go to a nightclub and dance around, when the main reason people are there is to find someone to go home with at the end of the night. It means that I want to go somewhere where people are there to dance. Where everyone there is there to dance. Not to attract people, not to get drunk but to dance because they enjoy dancing. First things, first I have to learn how. More like practice more. I already know, I'm just not very good at it. Sometimes Geoff grabs me and starts dancing with me and I feel like my feet don't work. But it could also be because everytime he does that we're either in his tiny kitchen or in my tiny living room and I don't want to knock over something and bash the hell out of either of us. I guess I've got a lot of work to do.

Dear Laura,

I just wanted to let you know that I really miss you. I miss talking to you on the phone and laughing nonstop about the smallest things. I guess I'm still confused about why you ran away. I know you didn't like your parent's rules but they have them for a reason. I know that's what everyone says but it's true. I want you to know that you really hurt me. I can't believe that when your dad went to get you, you called the police on him. I just can't believe it. What really got me was that when he started crying because you called the police on him, you and Madison laughed at him. He's your father. Your father. He did everything you ever wanted. The two of you were so close. His face always lit up when he was with you. I hear he's lost his smile. He just walks around the house like a zombie. You really broke his heart.

When I heard you left the church and started drinking it broke my heart. It might be exciting and new and a big relief for a while, but that's not going to last. Neither is your friendship with Madison. You're in high school and you think that your friends now are going to be your friends forever. But she's not going to be in your life forever. She's going to college soon. Before you even graduate. What are you going to do when she's gone? Yeah, you can go to the same college but what about after that? Are you going to live with her for the rest of your life? She won't be there for the rest of your life. You grow out of your high school friends. Yeah I'm still friends with some of my friends from high school but how many times have I hung out with them? I haven't seen them in years. You cut off all ties with your family and they were the only ones that were going to be there in the end.

I don't think you thought about this before you did it. You looked at the immediate result. You didn't see what would happen later. If you continue this can you see yourself getting married without your family there? Can you see your kids without a set of grandparents?

I hear you avoid Michael in the hallways now. He told my mom that if we wanted to talk to you we have to call the high school and leave a message for you telling you to call us back. Your mom doesn't want us to talk to you but I want to talk to you. I called your school today and left you a message. You didn't call me back. I don't know if you ever will. As long as you know I want to talk to you. I miss laughing with you. I always loved hearing you laugh. It just made me laugh harder. Remember when we went to Schlitterbahn? Remember our whole joke about that? Remember when you were here for grandpa? Remember sitting around the house waiting? Do you remember singing to him? Do you remember our 'shh' joke? I miss talking like homestar runner. I miss hanging out with you. I miss how our families kept saying that we look alike. I miss speaking in a british accent with you.

I don't know if you miss any of that as well. I hope you do. I'd like you to come here to Texas. You want to live on your own? Come down here! We'll get an apartment together! I'm all for independence. You should know that. But do it the right way. Don't cut all ties with your family and say you never want to see them again. Don't avoid them in the hallways. Don't tell your sister to have her mormon husband leave you alone. Don't call the police on your father just because he'd like you to come home again! I hope you'll come around some day. Let me know when you do so we can hang out. I'll be here. I'll always be here.

Your cousin,

Natalie

fire

What is it about a campfire that makes people either stare at it blankly or stick things in it and catch them on fire? There's just a mesmerizing thing about it. Maybe it's the glow of the embers as the fire dies down. Maybe it's the desire to see things burn. Because let's admit it, there's a little pyro in all of us.

One thing I keep forgetting is how incredibly hot it can get while sitting next to one. And then how incredibly cold it can get when they start to die down. Or when someone passes in front of you and blocks the heat for a few seconds. One thing a campfire does is make people gather. Either to roast marshmallows, tell jokes or stories, or what they're meant for, to keep warm. I'm making it a point to have more campfires. People usually forget how much fun they really are.

Instead of saying the typical "I'm thankful for my friends and family and the opportunity we get to sit down and eat a huge dinner with each other.. etc etc..." (which I am!) I'm going to say...

...I'm thankful for heaters

I'm thankful for air conditioning

I'm thankful for candy

I'm thankful for cars

I'm thankful for the internet

I'm thankful for electricity

I'm thankful for democrats

I'm thankful for my bed

I'm thankful for puppies but not for kittens

I'm thankful for television

I'm thankful for stickers

I'm thankful for jellybeans

I'm thankful for slumber parties

I'm thankful for fountain pens

I'm thankful for books

I'm thankful for remote controls

I'm thankful for texas

I'm thankful for belt buckles

I'm thankful for cookies

I'm thankful for cd players

I'm thankful for forks

I'm thankful for paper

I'm thankful for pencil sharpeners

I'm thankful for video games

I'm thankful for best buys

I'm thankful for Lost and Project Runway

I'm thankful for live music

I'm thankful for Ender

I'm thankful for Mr. Gaiman

I'm thankful for relationships

I'm thankful for heartbreak

I'm thankful for mousepads

I'm thankful for chairs

I'm thankful for trashcans

I'm thankful for washing machines

I'm thankful for home builders

I'm thankful for printed socks

I'm not thankful for this question which has made the word 'thankful' lose all meaning after reading this.

As excitement built for the Nintendo Wii, Juan prepared for his long wait in line. He packed up his computers, his DS, books, even some white fudge covered Oreos (SO good by the way). He arrived at the Best Buy at 11 am, Saturday morning. I, on the other hand, was running around with Geoff running his errands. Actually it was only one errand. He returned some clothes to Ross and then we went and ate sub sandwiches. There, a lady who could have been described at rotund, yelled at the unsuspecting sandwich man about how her sub didn't have enough meat on it. As the large vain in her forehead popped out I wanted to run up to her, grab her by the arms and say "Lady, it's just a sandwich." 

After the sub shop, we stopped by CVS so Geoff could get a few things and from there, I dropped him off at work. Once driving again, I called Juan and told him I was on my way but first, I had to prepare myself. I went home, packed up my computer, DS, books, scarf, hat, mittens and an extra pair of socks. It was supposed to be very cold and I was going to be prepared. I arrived at the Best Buy around six o'clock where I met Juan, who was second in line, and I sat down with my fold-a-chair. The wait had begun.

There were about twenty to thirty people in line at that time and the numbers grew as the night went on. We chatted and became friends with the people around us, Juan and I battled Elite Beat Agent style against each other with our DS's, and one of the best parts, the good people of Best Buy bought us all pizza for dinner! Everyone in line was awesome. Everyone also had a DS and it was hilarious to see them all playing theirs at the same time.

DS

 As the night went on it got colder and colder. Juan took his night-time medication which put him to sleep for a couple hours. I tried sleeping in my chair but the group pictured was playing a Magicesque card game and kept me from sleeping. I did fall asleep for about twenty minutes and when I woke up my toes were numb. That was when I decided to go fall asleep in my car. It was about two-thirty and I woke up at four thirty. At this point, it was absolutely freezing. I went back to my chair wrapped up in my blanket and I had also found another pair of socks in my back seat, so I was now wearing three pairs of socks. And they didn't help at all. I looked around and everyone around us was lying on the ground asleep. They all looked comfortable and warm and I was jealous.

After a couple more hours of the awful cold, it was almost time to go in. The manager came out and gave everyone in line a ticket so they could get their Wii. Juan's was number 002. Then at nine o'clock, they opened the doors and let us in fifteen at a time. We went around to the customer service area, where they had everything laid out on tables and you just picked what you wanted. It was very efficient and organized and we were out in five minutes. Straightaway, Juan and I went back to his house, set it up and began playing the Wii. SO much fun! We played bowling, baseball, boxing, tennis, shot plungers at bunnies, and Zelda. I fell asleep for about fifteen minutes as Juan played Zelda and when I woke up he handed the controller to me and I had to take a stupid cat back to it's owner but the damn thing wouldn't come to me and after about twenty minutes, Juan and I grew frustrated and gave up. We calmed down by going to IHOP for breakfast. After that I drove home and collapsed on the couch. One more line wait I can add to my list.

Nat-intense-DS-play

Back long, long.... long ago, I was a member of a Lord of the Rings messageboard called Tolkien Online. TORC to all of us. We laughed, cried and wrote our own creative little things. This was written by one of the funniest of all the members, in my opinion, Whistler. I found it hilarious at the time and still do. Whoever is into this sort of thing can't help but.

THE FILMARILLION
Regarding the Making of the Megabucks

by Whistler

Great were the wonders of the Golden Age!

For the people, in those days, purchased for themselves Seeing-Boxes, filled with light; and from within that light the Wise Ones spake unto them, and gave them counsel. And Uncle Miltie spake; and Lucy, who is called the Red-Haired, and also Amos and Andy, who are called the Politically Incorrect and are named now only in the whispers of the Ancient Ones…

And that age passed; and the people settled for a while in the Land of Mayberry, and they said unto themselves, 'Shall not another Wise One come? For wherewith now shall we be entertained?' And some of them departed unto Beverly Hills, and joined themselves to the tribe that is called the Hillbillies; and some came unto the House of Samantha, who is called the Nose-Twitcher, and there waited.

And in that time, as if in answer to the cry of the people, came Roddenberry, son of Roddenberry. And from the mind and will of Roddenberry sprang forth the Federation, and the Federation of Roddenberry begat the Trekkies, who are called among themselves the Trekkers, and among others the Geeks. And the people were glad of the Federation, and of its heroes. And among these were Spock, the Almost-Elven, and Kirk the Overdone, from who sprang Picard of the Shining Head, and likewise the valiant ones of sundry spin-offs.

Yet in time the Federation spake no more from the Seeing-Boxes, for the people grew restless and looked instead to the greater lights that shone within the multi-plexes. And the Federation was made manifest, after a time, in the multi-plexes; and the people were glad.

After a time Roddenberry traveled, as is the fate of Men, the Road of No Returning, but, lo! The Federation died not, but continued for a time beyond his passing, though many of its sons grew vast in girth and purchased, in the time of their fading, toupees of great worth.

And in these days came Lucas, who is called the Almost-Spielberg. And Lucas said unto himself, 'Truly hath Roddenberry gone where no man hath gone before; yet a greater thing shall I bring forth than that which was wrought by Roddenberry; and with it shall I make the Megabucks; and all shall tremble when the Megabucks are made.'

And Lucas brought forth the Force, and truly made the Megabucks; and Lucas brought the Megabucks unto the Film Executives, and they worshipped them and said, 'Truly art thou king, for the Megabucks art brought forth by thee.' And Lucas brought forth Happy Meals, and plastic action figures, and other wondrous treasures, and offered them unto the Children of the Force, and all were content, and the Megabucks grew greater.

Then did the Trekkies make war upon the Children of the Force; but after a time they said among themselves, 'Why war we thus? Truly, some are of the Federation, and others of the Force; yet are we not all Geeks?' And so they ceased to war, and the numbers of the Geeks were doubled, and they filled all the land.

Others then said unto themselves, 'Are the Megabucks for Lucas alone?' and they sought for themselves the Megabucks. Among these was Lynch, who is called Creepy, Even By Hollywood Standards. And Lynch brought forth Dune, and perished in the making of it; and the Megabucks came not unto him, and Dune was left to wither and decay upon the shelves of the Temple of Blockbuster. Likewise fell many other heroes.

And Lucas brought forth the Force again, and yet again, and yet again; and still the Megabucks came unto him. And Lucas said, "Forever shall the Megabucks be mine; and if the people like not Jar Jar Binks, then shall I weep all the way to the bank."

But some of the people said, 'Is there not a greater than the Force?' and in answer came Jackson, who is called the Townsend-Sacker Jackson said:

'A greater song have I than that of Roddenberry, or of Lucas. And if the Megabucks are brought unto me, then shall I bring forth that song from which the Force was partly sprung, and all shall marvel. And Lucas shall bow before me, and likewise Spielberg, who is called The One.'

Then were the Megabucks brought unto Jackson, and Jackson called unto himself many of renown to serve him. Among these were Liv of the Pouty Lips, and Viggo, who is called Should Have Been a Marx Brother; and also came Ian Of the Alternative Lifestyle, and John, who is called the Big Fat Guy.

And the people said, 'Truly Jackson maketh a good thing, or so it seemeth. And if he doeth well, then shall the Megabucks come unto him, and all shall praise him. But if he doeth ill, or bringeth forth the like of Dune, then shall we rend him asunder, and his house shall fall, and great will be the stench of its burning.'

So began the tale of which the ending is not known to the Sons of Men.

I'm preparing to sit in line for who knows how long. My friend Juan is hurting for a Nintendo Wii and I told him that I would sit in line with him, possibly overnight, Saturday to keep him company. Why would I do this if I'm not getting a Wii myself? Only a couple reasons. First off, I have no other plans on Saturday and I haven't hung out with Juan for a while. Second, it'll give me a chance to play my DS for longer than twenty minutes. Third, I'm a pro at waiting in line. Here is a list of all the lines I've waited in and how long I was there:

• The Get Up Kids, last show ever: 6 hours
• Star Wars, Revenge of the Sith: 8 hours
• Lord of the Rings, Trilogy Tuesday: 14 hours

I'm pretty sure there are more than those three but those are the most memorable. Go ahead and call me a dork. Especially for Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, but those were some of the most fun times in my life. I think everyone needs to wait in line overnight for some reason at least once in their life. It's more fun than you would think.