:: Womit ::

:: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 ::

Congratulations! You're Merry!


Which Lord of the Rings character and personality problem are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

:: 10:20 AM [+] ::
...

Choose a band/or artist and answer only in song TITLES by that band::	Tori Amos
Are you female or male::	Cornflake Girl
Describe yourself::	The River Runs Deep
How do some people feel about you::	Icicle
How do you feel about yourself::	Strange Little Girl
Describe your ex girlfriend/boyfriend::	Assholes are Cheap Today
Describe your current girlfriend/boyfriend::	Bachelorette
Describe where you want to be::	Cool on Your Island
Describe what you want to be::	Pirates
Describe how you live::	Attila the Honey
Describe how you love::	She's Your Cocaine
Share a few words of wisdom::	Learn to Fly

Bands // Song Titles brought to you by BZOINK!
:: 11:27 AM [+] ::
...

So in case you didn't know I was accepted to Georgetown. Long story short, accepted I may be, but that has nothing to do with funding. No money = no going. I would get into the why, but there isn't much to say except that you would think that by showing up physically in person at the university and speaking to honest to god people, that what they told you would possibly be hmmm THETRUTH?! But I was misinformed and I was not informed that I was misinformed until the middle of November which does not leave a person much time to seek out loans and things.

What? You really thought this was all angsty because of a case of mistaken age? Uh-uh.

So instead I have gone to Plan B. Plan B, upon further reflection, should have been Plan A. Perhaps if it had been I wouldn't have been jerked around as much. Anywho Plan B consists of taking the LSAT this coming weekend and going to UT Law School then entering JAG, and blahblahblah. You know the rest - daily doorkicking, perps fleeing my wrath, etc.

:: 4:37 PM [+] ::
...

This is for Bialy who knows what I am talking about.

I am related to this fellow. But being as my family members like to do things that the Mormon church would never approve of in a million years (re: own bars, pan for gold, get divorced, etc.), we are considered the black sheep of the Mormon branch of the family.

That doesn't stop us from using Secret Move: Spencer Kimball when the missionaries drop by. Just saying his name has special powers, and sends Mormon missionaries away. It's amazing. You may use it if you wish.
:: 3:15 PM [+] ::
...

If you have been keeping yourself posted about my spastic story of pain and heartbreak, then you know about the Great Letter Wait.

Taking the bull by the horns, I called Admissions this week and they said that the letters weren't going to go out until December. I wept, but at least I knew when they were coming out.

I had other vital questions to ask though, so I talked to the head of the study program today. I was going to ask her something and mentioned that the acceptance letter wouldn't be out until December. She said, "They went out this week. Didn't you get yours?"

Well, of course I hadn't or I wouldn't have written violent blogger posts.

"What's your address?" she asked.

And I gasped and laughed because I KNEW where the letter was.
Shimohuno, Funo-son, Futami-gun, Hiroshima-fackin'-ken BAYBEE. I had two addresses for mail at Georgetown and guess which one is at the top?

So I'm getting a new letter (it should come out next week) but I also got an email with the subject reading - Newly Admitted SSP Students. 'Nuff said.

Of course, until I get that letter in my hot little hand, I'm not holding my breath, but I don't think anyone's cruel enough to play a joke like that.

So all I gotta say is: OUTLAWS! WE OWN YOU! HOOAH!

:: 4:57 PM [+] ::
...

What is it all for anyway? I am so angry - nuclear force spilling out and contaminating the surrounding countryside.

Do you know every day I feel like my future is being ruined in such a way that I will never get it back - or if I do, it will be in a million worthless pieces?

I need a few good reasons why I can't strike pre-emptively because to me, I see the enemy, I see what they're doing, and I can see no other way out. I feel justified in taking extreme measures in any part of my life.

I love the law so much but I know it is not just. It is words twisted around so that the person with the best word-twister wins. I want a law degree so I can be armed, so I can save myself.

Some days I want to wash my hands of it all. But I refuse to. I can't because I look around and there is so much I can try to do. If I don't try, I'm as bad as everyone else.

Oh, am I too passionate? Is it making you uncomfortable? Or perhaps you smile smugly instead? Piss off. Cynicism is a cold carapace to hide behind; you may survive the nuclear blast, but so will cockroaches.
:: 5:26 PM [+] ::
...

A friend of mine is in prison.

Why is there mandatory sentencing for HIS crime when men and women can steal billions and billions of dollars, ruins thousands of lives of people who trusted them, and go to a country club for six months? But my friend killed his best friend in a car accident and now is serving a minimum of two years - because that's mandatory in vehicular homicide if the person's been drinking.

This is not right. Some days I just want to burn the whole world down to the ground because it seems like it's so screwed up that we will never untangle it.
:: 3:27 PM [+] ::
...

Sunday means that there is no mail, but that's okay because I saw Over the Rhine last night. It was fun. My date was my mom but that's kind of OtR's age crowd. Well, knock off about fifteen years and that's their crowd, but Mom has 81% of Camoflague so she's okay. It was funny though because I told her I would get my own drinks and she said, "No, no. You bought the tickets so I'll buy the drinks." She regretted that later, because I had a shot + beer every time the waitress came by. This morning she was going through her purse and had to borrow money off of me for lunch because "I didn't know I was drinking with a complete lush." Hehehe. What can I say? My level of tolerance is kind of like a deep sea trench in its capacity to hold liquid.

But enough about my ability to imbibe. OtR was at Canal Street Tavern and THE best venue I have ever seen a concert at. It's a converted church or pretends to be with it's stained glass windows and pew benches as seats. It holds 100 at the most and the staff is not so overly hip that they make you feel like a slug when you order. Everyone is awesome and just wants to have a good time.

The first singer was Griffin House. Why is it that guys with guitars are so very attractive? I dunno. But I talked to him after the concert and he's really cool. Mostly though his music is awesome. It's mostly acoustic guitars, but the songs and lyrics are stunning. I especially loved his song "The Way I Was Made" which was an oral history of his family. Could have been my family song too. His grandparents were in the audience that night too, so it was especially awesome when he sang that one.

The second singer was Jen Einan (I probably spelled that wrong.) She was good too, probably a better singer talent wise than Griffin, but I didn't like her stuff as much. Didn't resonate so much with the soul but there was one song that had the words, "Bring out the joy, bring out the song, you've been deep in my soul for too long" that was about longing for home and that struck a nerve.

But then came OtR. Oh yeah. I have had this concert built up in my mind since Anne got me stuck on them and it was awesome. It amazes me how Karen can belt it out with no effort. I wish I could play the piano like Lin. He was walking outside while we waited too showing that he is a "man of the people." ^_^ They did almost exclusive stuff from their Ohio album which I don't have because for some reason they don't sell CDs in Japan. But it hardly matters, does it? I am going to have awesome memories of all these new songs from the concert when I do get the CD. But they did sing "All I Need" which was w00000000000t! I lurv that song. I think I need to be a groupie or something. That would be fun. And on top of it, they're entire concert was a promotion of the BEST STATE IN THE UNION! O-HAI-YO YO YO!

On a bad note, Mickey D's was closed and I could not get my traditional after concert carton of lard and potato. Damn you Mickey D's!


:: 8:54 AM [+] ::
...

Day 24 of the waiting for the letter: No letter.

Robert Smith is not helping either.
:: 3:37 PM [+] ::
...

They just had a thing about a) Remington Steele and b) Inspector Gadget on the I love the 80s series on VH1.

Skippy IS Dr. Claw. BUT HE WON'T DO THE VOICE IN FRONT OF OTHER PEOPLE.

And he makes me look stupid:
Skippy: I'll get your Gadget!
Me: OMGLOL!! Mom, come hear this. Do the voice, Skippy.
Skippy: Um. No.
Me: Do it!
Skippy: No. Nope.

DAMN YOU SKIPPY!
:: 8:22 PM [+] ::
...

Another day. Another day where there is no letter in the mailbox.

:: 5:47 PM [+] ::
...

I took the Myers-Brigg test but it messed up and said I was INTP and not INTJ which I've tested as for the past twelve years. However the ratio between P and J was 51%/49% so it's almost too close to call. Still, I'm not an INTP. If you've ever read the description for INTJ you'd know it was me, especially the parts of the description that would be considered less than flattering. ^_^ Especially this bit because it was weirdly accurate. When under a great deal of stress, the INTJ may become obsessed with mindless repetitive, Sensate activities, such as over-drinking. I was at a party and was totally nervous and I had a glass of water and I think I got every molecule out of it, until this guy came up and was like, "There's no more water in there, why do you keep trying to drink out of an empty glass?"
Me: No, there's a drop of moisture on the lip right here! I can get it!
So odd.

Or this one. While their self-confidence and esteem is attractive, their lack of sensitivity to others can be a problem if it causes them to inadvertantly hurt their partner's feelings. If this is a problem for an INTJ, they should remember to sometimes let their mate be the one who is right, and to try to be aware of the emotional effect that your words have upon them. At which point I thought to myself, "Let them be right? Right and wrong are facts, not feelings. I will not ignore reality to let another person feel good about themselves, the hippies!"

INTJs can be insensitive and ignore feelings in case you didn't know that. ^_^ Here are some other faults of mine (isn't it wonderful to be so self-aware?)
May be intolerant of weaknesses in others. (Shishio is my hero. Er. Was.)
May believe that they're always right. (Believe? WTF.)
May be cuttingly derisive and sarcastic towards others. (Sarcastic? Never.)
May have an intense and quick temper. (Zero to psycho in three point one seconds.)

So scarily accurate. But it's not all biting sarcasm and flaring temper - INTJs are good. It's just that the good isn't quite as interesting. Sma sma sma!

:: 10:06 AM [+] ::
...

I got my credit card bill yesterday. Well, we'll say "Yesterday + ten minutes" because it took that long to sort through the auto insurance offers, the new spiffy check designs, the application for a completely different cred it card, an ad for one of those dolls that is somehow supposed to represent liberty, and a collector plate featuring a majestic soaring eagle.

After I wrote my check for my bill, I put it and ALL THOSE PIECES OF JUNK MAIL back into the envelope and closed it. Kiss my ass credit card company. It's not enough that I am paying my bill in a timely manner - you also have to make me waste time hunting for the bill and then try and tempt me with your crassness. How about YOU buy the collector plate, 'kay?

I am writing between forty and fifty passages for the practice reading and comprehension tests that they give English students in Japan. They can run up to 700 words, but they follow strict rules for grammar and words that can be used, so it's not a matter of jotting off any old thing.

But I have a platform now - a platform to control the minds of more Japanese students. I started by writing a passage about obscure women in history. It's been fun. I think I'm going to do one on Bob Sapp and Omar Vizquel of the Cleveland Indians. Why? Because I can. Forty pieces of propaganda. Muwahaha.
:: 6:20 PM [+] ::
...

Observation: You can open a Hell Dimension if you watch "House of 1000 Corpses" then follow it immediately with "Kangaroo Jack."

1) Starting time: 3:54
2) Full Name: Stacey Empress of the Known Universe
3) Nicknames: Boo, Stace
4) School: N/A
5) Zodiac Sign: Scorpio. Duh.
6) Eyes: Blue
7) Hair: Medium length brown
8) Height: 5'6"
9) Tatz: One. The rest is confidential
10) Ever been cheated on: Once. It. Never. Happened. Again.
11) Ever missed school because it was raining: No. What kinda wussy reason is that?
12) Set any body part on fire for amusement: Not mine.
13) Kept a secret from everyone: Sheesh. All the time.
14) Had an imaginary friend: Indeed.
15) Ever wanted to hook up with a friend? Yup.
16) Cried during a movie: Yeah. Bambi and Steel Magnolias gets me everytime.
17) Had a crush on a teacher: Not a serious one.
18) Ever thought of an animated character as hot? Insert laughter here.
19) Ever at anytime owned a 'New Kids On The Block' album: It was a gift. He gave me Milli Vanilli too.
20) Ever prank called someone: No.
21) Been on stage: I trod the boards in my day.

FAVORITES
22) Shampoo: None.
23) Color: Black.
24) Summer/Winter: Fall
25) Online Sites: www.scarygoround.com
26) Lace, silk, or satin: Hello? Leather?
27) Like Anyone? Not at the moment.
28) Who have you known the longest of your friends: Josh. Met in Mr. Ruland's Geometry Class.
29) Who's the loudest friend you have: Kate? Probably Hugh has gotten the most flack though.
30) Who's the shyest friend you have: That would be ME.
31) Who do you go to for advice: Nyarlahotep.
32) Who do you get along with: Most everyone so long as they don't actively suck.

IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS HAVE YOU

33) Cried: Yes. I took off a piece of my car and cried at the potential money spending.
34) Been mean: That's my nature.
35) Been generous: That's my nature too.
36) Been sarcastic: No. Never.
37) Met someone new: Uh. Yes?
38)Talked to someone you have a crush on: No.
39) Missed someone: Oh yes.
40) Hugged someone: All the time.
41) Fought with your parents: All the time again.
42) Wished upon a star: No.
43) Gotten your wish: N/a
44) Played Truth or Dare: No.
45) Watched a sunrise/sunset: No.
46) Went to the beah at night: Middle of Ohio. No beaches.
47) Read a book for fun: All the time.
48) WHERE ARE YOU?
49) Are you lonely: Yes.
50) Are you happy: It spikes. I'm very manic/depressive. ^_^
51) Are you talking to someone online: No.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN

52) God/Devil: Not in the terms most people imagine but yes.
53) Love: How does one believe in FACTS?
54) The closet monster: No.
55) The Big Bang Theory: It's hard to believe in science.
56) Heaven/Hell: In weird terms, but yes.
57) Superstitutions: No.
58) The Tooth Fairy: Yes.
59) Who named you: Both.
60) Backstreet Boys or N'Sync: 98 Degrees baybee.
61) When was the last time you showered: Three hours ago.
62) What was the last thing you said when you were online: You can't "talk" online.
63) What was the last song you listed to: Song 6 of Sohne Mannheim
64) What is your computer desk made of: Cherry
65) What was the last thing you did today? The day isn't done.
66) Where would you want to go on your honeymoon: Eh. Dunno.
67) Where do you want to go that you've never visited before? The moon.
68) Who do you want to spend the rest of your life with? I don't KNOW. Sheesh. My family then. And my friends.
69) Weather: Indian summery.
70) What did you do yesterday/today? Went to Dayton to get tickets to over the rhine. paid bills. Exciting things.
71) Things that you find attractive about the opposite sex: What vagueness. I dunno. Red hair.
72) How do YOU eat an Oreo: Yank, scrape with my lower teeth, dunk crusty bits in milk, feed to dog.
73) All time favorite TV show: Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
74) Dream car: Studebaker? One of those ones like in LXG complete with matching chrome. Oh yeah.
75) What do you want to be when you grow up: All powerful and omnipotent.
76 and 77 WHERE ARE YOU?
78) Number: 13
79) Favorite food: okonomiyaki
80) Favorite day of the week: Tuesday
81-83 WHERE ARE YOU?
84) Do you sleep with stuffed animals? If Luffy is considered an animal, then yes. *Skuld and I are twins!*
85)The most stupid thing you have ever done: walked into a pool with all my clothes on.
86) First son's name: Dante.
87) Wife/hustband: OH! Can I have both?!
88) First daughter: Charlene Cristabelle. Just kidding. Um. Shiva.
89) Favorite drink: amaretto sour
90) You like scary or funny movies better? Funny.
91) One the phone or in person: In person. I need to read the body language.
92) Lust or love? CHEEZ WHIZ
93) If you could change something about yourself what would it be: Grant myself the power to set things on fire with my mind.
94) Do you consider cheerleading a sport? Is it gay high school cheerleading or the competitive gymanastics of college?
95) Do you have pets? two dogs, one cat from HFIL.
96) Who sent this survey to you: stolen from Skuld
97) What do you think of this person: She's much better at DDR than I could ever be.
98) What are a few of your favorite songs: "All I Need" by OtR, "Stinkfist" by Tool, "Geh Davon Aus" by Sohne Mannheims
99)Do you want your friends to do this survey? Only if they are as bored as me.
100) End time: 4:18

:: 4:18 PM [+] ::
...

I fill this blog with dumbness because I am waiting. And wait I will until I receive the acceptance or rejection letter. And then my life can begin anew.

LAYER ONE:
-- Name: The Big Teasy
-- Birthdate: October - some year
-- Birthplace: I be a Hoosier.
-- Current Location: Troy, OH
-- Eye Color: blue
---Hair Color: brown
-- Height: 5'6"
-- Righty or Lefty: Right.


LAYER TWO:
-- Your heritage: Mostly German, Scottish, and Cherokee
-- Your weakness: Big handsome guys with lots of money
-- Your fears: Failing those that depend on me.
-- Your perfect pizza: cheese, portabella mushrooms
-- Goal you'd like to achieve: badge and gun. A horse would be nice too.


LAYER THREE:
-- Your most overused phrase(s) on AIM: "bike chain"
-- Your thoughts first waking up: Grr. Argh.
-- Your best physical feature: Crinkles in my forehead. Heh.
-- Your bedtime: When I fall asleep.
-- Your most missed memory: Living with the gang in college. Socializing required much less effort.

LAYER FOUR:
-- Pepsi or Coke: Never.
-- McDonald's or Burger King: Kiss and Make up.
-- Single or group dates: Group first.
-- Adidas or Nike: barefoot over hot coals
-- Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Decaf Chai
-- Chocolate or vanilla: strawberry
-- Cappuccino or coffee: Kohi

LAYER FIVE:
-- Smoke: Quit.
-- Cuss: It's the varied spice of life and a sign of poor social skills. So yes.
-- Sing: Badly, loudly.
-- Take a shower every day: Yes indeed.
-- Have a crush(es): None at the moment.
-- Do you think you've been in love: No.
-- Want to go to college: Got the lambskin. Now onto the MASTERS! *whines and cries for the mail*
-- Like high school: It was a special kind of Parris Island for me.
-- Want to get married: Yes.
-- Believe in yourself: Yes.
-- Get motion sickness: No.
-- Think you're attractive: I'm attractive to me.
-- Think you're a health freak: I know I am.
-- Get along with your parents: The loud verbal arguments are a type of love.
-- Like thunderstorms: Love them.
-- Play an instrument: piano, trumpet, nose flute

LAYER SIX:
In the past month . . .
-- Drank alcohol: last night.
-- Smoked: no way.
-- Had sex: No.
-- Made out: No.
-- Gone on a date: No.
-- Gone to the mall: Yes. It's evil though.
-- Eaten an entire box of Oreos: Yuck.
-- Eaten sushi: No.
-- Been on stage: No.
-- Been dumped: No. Consider me Hildegaard von Bingen and you will understand my social life.
-- Gone skating: No.
-- Shoplifted: I EAT shoplifters.
-- Changed who you were to fit in: I can't shapeshift. I tried.

LAYER EIGHT:
-- Age you hope to be married: Eh? Before I get iced in a shootout with a serial killer.
-- Numbers and Names of Children: 5 - so i can have a gang or a basketball team or a wildly successfully motown group. Names? I like names that will scar young minds for their differentness.
-- Describe your Dream Wedding: No.
-- How do you want to die: Violently. Sprays of blood. Young. For a reason.
-- Where you want to go to college: I did.
-- What do you want to be when you grow up: I'll never grow up. So there.
-- What country would you most like to re/visit: Mongolia, Malaysia, Morocco, Australia.

LAYER NINE:
In a guy/girl . . .
-- Best eye color: So long as they have two. Or a cool eyepatch.
-- Best hair color: I say dark. But I end up with blondes?
-- Short or long hair: Short. Crew type.
-- Height: Taller than me.
-- Best weight: I don't really care.
-- Best articles of clothing: No.
-- Best first date location: An arcade. So I can whup his ass at Lethal Enforcer.
-- Best first kiss location: Rollercoaster. Upside down.

LAYER TEN:
-- Number of drugs taken illegally: None.
-- Number of people I could trust with my life: Quite a few.
-- Number of CDs that I own: 80 or so.
-- Number of piercings: Zero. Allergic to metal.
-- Number of tattoos: One.
-- Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: Lots I don't know how many.
-- Number of scars on my body: Phew. Um. Five.
-- Number of things in my past that I regret: None.

:: 12:05 AM [+] ::
...

1.WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? Stacey that's all you need to know

2. WHAT COLOUR TROUSERS ARE YOU WEARING? Oh do you mean PANTS you obviously Empire vassal written questionnaire? See, in America, we were too POOR to use extraneous vowels because George III taxed the HELL out of us. So there.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Screaming.

4. WHAT ARE THE LAST 2 DIGITS OF YOUR PHONE NUMBER? not telling, nosy

5. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? pesto on pita bread

6. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? burnt siena

7. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? a gorgeous Indian summer - whitey!

8. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Dad. We had a fight.

9. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT THE OPPOSITE SEX? "Wow. Variety. " Look I lived in Asia for two years.

10. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT YOU THIS? no Roz suxxors. JUST KIDDING! She sends me Tim Tams to make me fat.

11. HOW ARE YOU TODAY? Pissed. Wanna hurt stuff.

12. FAVOURITE DRINK? amaretto sours - really piss poor amaretto sours with the cheapest ingredients imaginable - like making the sour mix out of the cheap-o lemon juice in green bottles and sugar I spilled on the counter.

13. FAVOURITE ALCOHOLIC DRINK? see above

14. FAVOURITE SPORTS? tae kwon do, target shooting

15. HAIR COLOUR? brown or if I were a vassal - brouwn

16. EYE COLOUR? blue - like the middle of a flame. they BURN baby.

17. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? yuppers

18. SIBLINGS AND THEIR AGES? one, 21

19.FAVOURITE MONTH? Oktober

20. FAVOURITE FOOD? food is my favorite

21. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Head of State at home and LXG at movies. Contrary to EVERYONE - LXG roxxor my soxxor.

24. ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT? yes.

26. SUMMER OR WINTER? fall - oh the ambiguity.

27. HUGS OR KISSES? owow!

28. RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE NIGHT STANDS? relationships of course.

29. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? monkey

30. DO YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO WRITE BACK? no, i hate correspondence WHAT A DUMB QUESTION!

31. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? no one

32. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? don't you mean, respound?

33. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: living at home

34. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? nothing.

35. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? nothing.

36. FAVOURITE BOARD GAME? Sweet Valley High (Dad: It's like chess.) and Fire Ball Island

37. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? watched adult swim - the only bright light in my life is Fry Guy and his T-bones (tofu steaks)

38. FAVOURITE SMELLS? freshly mouwn grass

39. CAN YOU TOUCH YOUR NOSE WITH YOUR TONGUE? no.

40. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? travel

41. BUTTERED, PLAIN, OR SALTED POPCORN? salted butter popcorn

42. FAVOURITE CAR? my Love Macheen

43. FAVOURITE FLOWER? confederate jasmine. Too bad it won't grow up here in Yankee Land.

45. CAN YOU JUGGLE? no but i can do stick taiko which is harder

46. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED: when I snapped the passenger side rear view mirror on my car off.

47. RED OR WHITE WINE? red - heat it up and it's just like blood

48. WHAT DID YOU DO FOR YOUR LAST BIRTHDAY? was sick.

49. DO YOU CARRY A DONOR CARD? my driver's license

50. LIFETIME GOALS? go to Mongolia, have a gun and a badge (in a legal kind of sense), publish a book

51. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING? Oh *#^$&*^%&^#*&

52. DO YOU EAT BREAKFAST? No.

53. HAS A GUY EVER MADE YOU CRY? No. But ask me if I've ever made a guy cry.

54. WHAT HEADLINE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE PAPERS?
WORLD TAKEOVER BY ALIENS AVERTED BY STACEY
subheading: Stacey made Empress of the Universe

Urgh. I've been out of sorts. Most of the problem is that I live with another Type A personality - my dad. Mix two Type As and you get, "Two pit vipers with PMS" as my mom likes to put it. She said sometimes she wants to put us in a sack and shake it up real hard and then take bets on who comes out alive.

So the fight was about waxing my car which he's been on my case about for twenty four hours. "I'm sorry if I'm not as excited as I should be about waxing my car." So he got mad because I wasn't all waxing gung ho and then I got mad at him for treating me like an idiot (yes I can open the wax by myself thanks a BUNCH.)

But he came home, I waxed the car, he said I should have been born a boy (because I take such good care of my car - oh and I can beat his ass at Lethal Enforcers), and we all lived happily ever after.

I do love my car and I do take better care of the Love Macheen than my brother does of his auto vehicle. I love to Armorall it inside and out (even though my Dad totally did that for me while I was waxing - teh bastard.) I take especial pleasure in its clean interior and its full washer fluid holder and its dipstick oil level and the clean-ness both inside and out. I <3 my car.

And Skippy, I do take better care of my car than you. <3
:: 5:31 PM [+] ::
...

You know how sometimes when you don't like someone people will say it's because that person reminds you too much of yourself and your own faults? I think that was the reason I didn't initially like The Truth. But on the second reading I really really liked it because I realized that -

sometimes I am singing with a desperate kind of cheerfulness while gripping my cocoa mug for dear life because if I don't have that to hold on to I will let go.

And after accepting that, I felt better. Still holding onto the mug of course. And keeping an apple in the top drawer.

I know that some people go through life without that flaw, without walking around assuming the worst and knowing your 99.9% right about people without knowing why. Because it's obvious that lots of people will sink to the common denominator of hate, pain, and murder, but no one has found a satisfactory reason why.

It is assumed that even if you don't know why, you can overcome that common denominator and in fact, must do so in order to function as a person in society (unless you never get caught or have lots of resources to take the edges off the consequences.)

It's a matter of 'something dark and bloody.' Some leave it in the jungles of Vietnam, others make it through life without ever letting it out. Some even deny that they contain it. I wonder. I've thought that I've found a few people who were, in a word, incapable, but then I was proven right yet again.

They say cynics are miserable people. Are we? I find that if I keep my expectations low I'm rarely disappointed and very often pleasantly surprised.

There's a reason some parts of society exist - the military, law enforcement, a thriving hunting industry etc. Because if they didn't exist, people like me would have no where to go except underground.

Postulate: Sherlock Holmes was James Moriarty.

Or could have been.
:: 1:39 PM [+] ::
...

I went to the Tim O'Brien book signing last night. I read "The Things They Carried" the last semester of college. The class I read it in plus the ROTC Leadership class I took that semester put me on the odd path that I am today so it is a very important book to me and being able to meet Mr. O'Brien was awesome.

You know how you have an idea about someone and then it's absolutely wrong? That was this. I should have figured it out from the last book signing I went to because neither Mr. Anderson nor Mr. Herbert looked like their picture , or they did but they were both about twenty pounds lighter. The same went for Mr. O'Brien. He was shorter than I thought too. (Yes, old cliche, I know. :) )

He read a chapter of his new book, "July, July" and then took questions all of which were really intelligent and none of which were asked by me. Mr. O'Brien doesn't outline, which is funny because last week the two authors said that they submitted a 182 page summary the first time they worked together. The Dune series is more plot intensive and the story needs a tight leash. Mr. O'Brien's works are thought intensive and he said he likes them to go where they want. It was funny when he said even he didn't know what happened in "In the Lake of the Woods."

And yes, I didn't puke on my shoes or do anything ridiculous like that this time. I shook his hand and told him that I was getting a book signed for a prof and then he asked from what university, so I told him. Then I said (in a breathless kind of fangirly way) that I went to Vietnam after I read the book and we had point two seconds to discuss that. He finished by saying, "Vietnam. It was haunting."

I assumed he meant his second trip, but I imagine it could apply to the first one too.
:: 11:10 PM [+] ::
...

Name Four Bad/Weird Habits You Have:
1. When I cross my legs, my knees cross in front of me - you have to see it. Grosses people out but very comfortable for me.
2. I HATE when people come into my space when I'm absentee. To a point of irrationality.
3. randomness
4. hitting hard and not meaning too

Name Four Things That You Wish You Had:
1. hot curlers
2. the ability to set things on fire with my mind.
3. okonomiyaki
4. a flail

Name Four Scents You Love:
1. heat off of rice paddies
2. amaretto
3. new computer
4. ethiopian food

Name Four People That Know You the Best:
1. Booger
2. April
3. Anne
4. K8-o

Name Four Things You'd Never Wear:
1. a muumuu
2. a beanie (unless it had a propeller)
3. four inch heels
4. men's underwear

Name Four Things You Are Thinking About Now:
1. typing
2. my neighbor playing basketball next door (he's six, perverts)
3. all those eps of Buffy and Angel I didn't get to watch with April
4. that i ONCE AGAIN FORGOT TO CALL EMILY! DOH!

Name Four Things That You Have Done Today [in no particular order]:
1. took dog to vet
2. moved furniture
3. did laundry
4. took pictures for website

Name The Last Four Things You have Bought:
1. gasoline
2. medicine for dog
3. pumpkin cappuccinio from gas station
4. seitan

Name Four Drinks You Regularly Drink:
1. coffee
2. victory tea
3. water
4. water

First Grade Teacher's Name? Mrs. Campbell
Last Words You Said: Sure.
Last Song You Sang? Spirit Dreams Inside - L'Arc En Ciel
Last Person You Hugged? Dadoo
Last Thing You Laughed At? TV
Last Time You Cried? when i snapped the passenger side mirror off my car
What's In Your CD Player? Poe
What Color Socks Are You Wearing? gray
What's Under Your Bed? underwear, winter clothes, picture boxes, boots o' doom
What Time Did you Wake Up Today? 8
Current Taste? undercover goth
Current Hair? pulled back
Current Clothes? jeans, tae kwon do shirt, long cardigan
Current Annoyance? chair
Current Longing? bubble tea
Current Desktop Picture? autumnal foliage
Current Worry? the dark abyss of worry known as acceptance letter
Current Hate? too much effort
Favorite Physical Feature Of the Opposite Sex? upper back including pythons.
Favorite Place To Be? in the state of ecstasy
Least Favorite Place? under sedation


:: 10:12 PM [+] ::
...

I'm at the Geography Computer Lab in the basement of one of the many brick buildings on the OSU Main Campus. Your question should be Why? Because April gave me the choice of sitting on a Grad Student Association meeting or using T1 connections.

What have I done? Had bubble tea, eaten Ethiopian food (teh guut, I highly recommend it to all and sundry unless you suck and don't like interesting food), have watched hours and hours and hours of last season's Buffy and Angel, and had long long conversations on all and sundry. Oh, and looked at her wedding pictorials.

Remember - grad school is so much work that you have to tape all your favorite shows and then you can't even watch them all in time to see the season premiere of Angel. Yeah. So think about that before you get your higher education.

We are overlords and luckily the universe hasn't imploded yet. You see, April and I have so much fun when we're together that the atmospheric Fun readings reach critical levels and sometimes dimensions are ripped apart. (We have a theory that if the two of us are at Tokyo Tower at the same time, X/1999 will look like an Amish cakewalk.) That is why when I was in Toledo, she was in Athens, when I was in Japan, she was in Ohio and when I am home, she is in Columbus. It's for the safety of the planet and all.

I have to go and graze. I hope that this Sunday I can go to the Renaissance Faire. I've never been to one.

Nik, you and I are connected by the fangirl hivemind. :)
:: 1:42 PM [+] ::
...

I went to Kevin J. Anderson's and Brian Herbert's book discussion and signing tonight. I would like to say that I went to get my brother's copy of House Atreides signed for his birthday but that would be a lie. I am a fan, not as much as my brother, but a fan nonetheless.

I was interesting to listen to the collaboration process, which idea was who's, and hear the anecdotes about the movies and mini-series. The seventh book that follows Frank Herbert's detailed outline will be out in 2005 if all goes well. In the meantime there is the rest of the Jihad trilogy to get out.

But I think it would be safest if I don't actually talk to people I admire. For example:
Kevin: You don't look like a Craig.
Me: This is for my brother.
(he signs, I feel the need to say more stuff)
Me: He likes Dune.
(Kevin gives a weak smile and wonders, "Did Riverside Mental Institution have a field trip today?" He passes the book to Brian.)
Brian: So what's your name then?
Me: I'm Stacey.
(silence as he signs. I feel like a dweezil. I grab book and scurry away to hide in the animal section of the bookstore.)

It wasn't that bad, but it was close. My inability to communicate is directly related to how much I admire an author. Gawd forbid I ever meet Pratchett - I'll go catatonic.

This makes me wary of going to the Tim O'Brien signing next month. I have three authors who defined the way I look at the world: Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, and Tim O'Brien. If I meet Mr. O'Brien, I am sure I will drool and make grunting noises as my brain will be overwhelmed with one thought: OH MY GAWD IT IS HIM IT IS REALLY HIM!!!!!

I am such a tool.

:: 10:59 PM [+] ::
...

On the State of the Union:

Samurai Jack - I have been missing this show for two years, missing like an old wino misses how his liver used to function. I thought I was doing okay, but then I got here and watched it and I wept for the hours and hours that will never come back to me (unless they put it out on DVD WHICH THEY SHOULD.)

It is visual art. It is genius. It is samurai. And I love it so.

My Comic Books - were in a state of ... all I can say is that I am embarrassed to have left them how they were. It involved two 200 count boxes, 100 bags, and 150 backboards to put all those sins right again. I am ashamed of myself for having ever thought that I was a true fan. A true fan would not have done that to her innocent collection. I need to go beat myself about the back with a leather strap some more. 'Cuse me.

My TV - more TV shows. Though I lament the loss of OP every Sunday evening not to mention the joys of Japanese commericals, I feel heartened that the A-Team is shown at 11 every morning on Spike TV and that I can watch two whole hours of Buffy on FX. Mom loves Spike. Not the channel. The vampire.

My life - exist to serve. Serve to exist. I am a house elf with clothes. Very good clothes.

Halloween - the final decision was made. I played with ideas including K.I.T.T.E.N from Sluggy, Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, and a pirate wench among others. But the Halloween superstore had an awesome purple crushed velvet hat and a large selection of swagger sticks - some with disco balls on them! The stick on gold tooth did it for me; I will be teh pimp for Halloween. Mom said the kids wouldn't get it but I'm not dressing up for the kids! I love Halloween soooooooooooo much.
:: 2:46 PM [+] ::
...

So what have I been up to? Lots and lots.

Last week I was on a business trip with my dad acting as his chauffeur, gofer, and general secretary to the Daddio. We spent many days in Wisconsin and I spent many days in a hotel room doing nothing but answering phones and answering more phones. And ordering room service. There was much room service.

Then we took the ferry from Wisconsin to Michigan. That was awesome. I love boats. And in a weird twist, my dad's business partner suggested that I join the Navy. The idea has its merits but I feel I would be betraying my fellow ROTC cadets if I bailed and joined the Navy ... but it appeals to my ... ahem ... other interests. And kaigun is Navy in Japanese no matter how Oda translates it.

Speaking of kaigun and stuff, I want a personalized license plate and if I do get it, it will bear only the letter K. Because all good things start with that letter - kaizoku, kaigun, kuro, kohza, kaur, kuhnspeerucy, Agent K from MIB, Kula, Krishna, Kennedy, and kemistry. There are many other cool words that I can't think of but really, kuhnspeerucy needs to be honored for all the crap it got me into in school.

This weekend I'm visiting Skippy and meeting the infamous Beth. We will sit in judgement upon her and deem if she is worthy of spending time with my brother. Okay, mom said I actually can't do that, but I would like to. I do not share well with others, especially when that person is my blood-brother and partner in crime. We're not twins but we do have our own language and Beth doesn't get to learn it, dammit!

But he says she likes Harry Potter so she can't be too bad.

What else has been going on? Nothing too exciting. I am still working as general oddjob girl to my parents which is fine with me as it means much business travel and general easy chores. I had to clean the gutters and trim the bushes but I can handle that. I also seem to be making a lot of Dairy Queen runs. For Dad. Not for me.

I got pissed the other day for in my hunt for good videos to watch I Found Nothing. I couldn't find Hellsing or Brotherhood of the Wolf or Yamakazi or Spirited Away or Cowboy Bebop. I concluded that my town sucks. I HATE NOT BEING ABLE TO RENT ANIME. (warning: Japan Whining Ahead) In Japan, I could rent five videos for a week for seven bucks and that meant about 9 hours of anime. Any anime you can think of including all the naughty ones. But what can you get in Podunk Ohio? Nothing.

On the other hand, I can watch the A-Team and Cops whenever I want. So it makes up for it but only a little.
:: 8:22 PM [+] ::
...

The Saga of Bleedy McNugget

Lo, it was a sunny balmy day. Skippy and Stacey were taking their chariot, the Love Macheen, out to the local used bookstore where they would trade old words for.... probably just as old words but they would seem new to the Siblings.

Hark! There on the pavement layest a lowly bun whose fine fur so matched the grey of the road that only the eagle sharp eyesight of Stacey did see it.

The Love Macheen protested as Stacey brought it into a squealing U-turn. Whilst Skippy shielded the bun with his body, Stacey wheedled a box and some paper towels from a crone.

So armed, the two dideth coax thone bun into the cardboard box. But gasp! The bun was bleeding. As the Love Macheen was bid to reach levels of speed hitherto yet unhearkened by any man or beast, Skippy solemnly pronounced the bun's Name - for by Naming the injured creature of the forest the Siblings knew that they would impart power to it.

Skippy raised the lid of the box with port and dread and gravely pronounced, "You will be Known as Bleedy McNugget."

And so the Siblings and the Bun raced the Healer's cottage in the Wood. The Healer therein was not hopeful. "The Bun hath sustained dread injuries. He may not last the night."

The Siblings left the bun in capable hands knowing they could do no more. Skippy remarked, "If he lives, he will be Bleedy McHeadTrauma."

Days passed. Battles were lost and won. Skippy completed his Rite of Botany-Slaying and Stacey did vanquish the dread Beast, Gwarage-Sali! Later Stacey remembered the injured bun and did summon the Healer.

"How wentest it, Healer?"

"The Bun was released into the Wood mere hours ago."

And there was great rejoicing and there was a feast. Hassenpfeffer was a main dish.

The End.
:: 8:47 PM [+] ::
...

Wow. Probably my last entry in Japan, unless I break down and run into the first internet cafe I see in Kyoto. Which is highly likely.

Mom is here and my stress level has plummeted to almost zero. Packing will be complete tonight, the takkyuubin man will come tomorrow to take the bags (its the Kuro Neko Man, which is perhaps more amusing than it should be for many many wrong reasons including knees), and I will leave Funo.

For EV-AH.

It is not a sad time as I have been way too busy making sure my predecessor is all set. We bonded the other night over a lot of Asahi and our shared love of the Cure and other random British bands, including but not limited to Supergrass, Super Furry Animals, and Manic Street Preachers. We also battled the dreaded centipedes for the first time, so that was helpful for her, as one should not have to engage their creepiness alone.

It is also not a sad time because I am just sitting here going, "Mom." That`s all I can say when she walks out into the hall with the bathroom slippers still on. Or into the tatami rooms with her slippers on. Or into the house with her shoes on. Or says stuff about fish eyes and how she doesn`t want them looking at her. I`m not embarrassed, just amused and wondering if I was the same two years ago when I first arrived.

Mizuho came and cried this morning on my porch. I cannot handle the crying. My idea of comfort is "Uh. There, there. It will be okay." and an additional ginger pat on the shoulder. Having fifteen year old girls break down at seven in the morning is not good for me. Emotion is scary.

Be happy. All of you. Here, have some soma. Tastes like candy.

This Zen-like acceptance of the Big Move will last as long as my kome keeps coming. As soon as I have to eat Minute Rice, I will turn green and homicidal.
:: 12:32 AM [+] ::
...

Why for the love of all things holy on this earth did I ever think that having ANYONE visit me the last days I was in Japan would be a good idea?

And why the hell do people think this is a good time to visit? Why does it seem that every time I live in a foreign country for an extended period of time everyone decides to visit me the month I am leaving instead of, say, during the previous 23 months when I might have NOT BEEN GOING INSANE?

Skippy, keep your mouth shut.
:: 8:13 PM [+] ::
...

The principal came into the office and informed everyone (in front of me, like I can`t understand Japanese) that I`m not acting sad enough considering I am leaving my home of two years.

Wow. Excuse me, sir, but I am not a performing dog here to emote for you. If you want waterworks, watch a frickin` soap opera. I thought being all stoic and stuff was a sign of emotional maturity to the Japanese and overt displays of feelings were considered the mark of a child. So guess what? There aren`t going to be tears or a wailing and gnashing of teeth. There will be smiley smiles and happiness all around because that`s my schtick. Other than happy, I do rage. That`s it. Emotions should be conserved for important things, like the end of the world or the last stand against evil or the death of One`s True Love or all at the same time. Anything else is called whining.

On a happier note, my hands are covered in blisters because of the two days of near continuous taiko playing. Saturday was the Kinsai Matsuri and we had a taiko float so we had to play for almost one hour straight and do one of our hardest sets. It was great. We all looked like glitter queens with our outrageous make-up and colored hairspray and general stick on jewels. It was fun and I saw many of my friends in the crowds lining the streets. Then yesterday was the Sakugi Matsuri which I have always liked playing at because they give us free beer.

But I have so many blisters that I think my hands are two big water filled skin sacks. Yum.

:: 8:25 PM [+] ::
...

I get all tingly when I contemplate the future.

I`ve been tying up loose ends and getting crackin` on grad school stuff. Sure, I don`t actually have an acceptance letter, but I don`t see how they can`t accept me. I guess it`s within the realm of possiblity, but my GRE scores were painfully good and my recommendation letters were awesome (I think, I didn`t actually read them) and my research was positively delicious. How could the SSP not accept me? It`d be silly of them. So I merrily live my life making a huge assumption about my future which is not set in stone but since that`s how I`ve always lived and since I have a firm belief that is always works out for the best, I`m not worried.

So. Back to the tingling. The SSP highly recommends an internship and through the WIIS (Women in International Security) webpage, I`ve been searching their intern archive. There are so many internship opportunities in the DC area but I found one that made me drool. It`s with the National Security Archive.

Billions and billions of previously top secret and now unclassified documents from the Freedom of Information Act waiting to be catalogued and archived and organized and put into chronological order and researched. This is heaven I tell you. HEAVEN! The only other internship that gave me similar goosebumps was the Interpol one, but that is only for undergraduates.

I`ve also been working on getting a scholarship for my grad school since the federal government doesn`t think I deserve a Pell Grant. I would have died laughing if I`d actually gotten one and then probably told nik about it but anyway. Working on scholarships. I might be too late for the regular two year ROTC scholarship that is offered so that means my other option is SMP (Simultaneous Membership Program) with either the Reserve or the National Guard. This is okay since you can fulfill your service requirements by doing active duty which has been the whole point after all. With a bit of luck and lots of hard work, I can get international experience from active duty (gunning for a few SE Asia posts if possible, though Turkey would be nice.) I would prefer an ROTC scholarship since I wouldn`t have to work, but then again I would get weekends of valuable experience through SMP and could brush up on my M16 cleaning skills which are lacking for some odd reason - maybe it`s the two years in a country with no gun culture. Katana culture on the other hand...
:: 9:23 PM [+] ::
...

Mt. Fuji - a breakdown.

It all started Saturday evening when my partner in crime, Ben, picked me up. I stayed at his house overnight because we were meeting the bus at the ungawdly hour of 7:00 in the morning. Now normally this isn`t a problem for me, but it was that day because a) it was a Sunday and b) when I get up at seven I don`t have to think in the presence of twenty odd sixth graders and an equal number of adults.

We met the bus and had our opening ceremony, conducted by the superintendent. Then we loaded up our gear and began the looooooooong bus ride to Fuji from Hiroshima. It took about ten hours. Ben and I amused ourselves by sleeping and sleeping more. I translated the dubbed Harry Potter movie for him and amazed him with my mad skillz until he realized that I had read the book AND already seen the movie.

We finally made it to the youth camp, where we had dinner and were situated in our sleeping quarters. That night I had a nightmare about my time in ROTC - I believe this was brought about by the severely military like atmosphere of the camp, the layout of the buildings, the rigid scheduling, and the camping gear surrounding me, not to mention the 5:30 bugle call that woke me up. Yes, so we started our activities at 5:30 Monday morning by waking up, cleaning the barracks, er the cabin, having morning drills, I mean doing radio taisou to warm up, eating chow - breakfast! securing our gear, and getting on the bus which took us to station five.

Ben and I were surprised to meet fellow Hiroshima JETs who had just come off the mountain. They immediately said it was the most hellacious experience in their lives and proceeded to tell us about the cold, the wind, the rain, the lines, the dark, the ash, and basically everything they could think of. Ben and I were surprised at their vehement condemnation of the experience. After they left, I called them all wusses because they ARE. And I have always thought so. I also think that if an experience is hellacious you should darn well keep it to yourself for the sake of saving face and to never admit your weakness in the face of Mother Nature. That`s me though and I tend to judge everyone I meet by how tough they are. And they usually fall very short of the mark.

So we waited a bit and then began our trek up the mountain. The pace was slow. Like REALLY slow. This is because the Kimita shogakko has done this trip a billion times and has lost sixth graders to altitude sickness and they make darn sure that the pace is slow enough for their little bodies to adjust to the lack of oxygen. We also brought a billion and one bottles of 02 which Ben and I almost jerry-rigged into jet packs to take us to the top. But we didn`t because we are responsible adults. So we would hike about thirty minutes, then rest and start again. Definitely not a difficult pace. Ben and I were mildly disappointed at the lack of workout we were getting but we are capable of amusing ourselves, so we did - mostly by starting a bet on how many times the group would say sugee, kirei, and kawaii within the next twenty four hour period. We estimated way too low because we forgot to take into account the amount of sixth grade girls in the group. These girls called their curry kawaii. Oh yeah. It made me ill.

So up we went, stopping at various stations along the way, resting and generally preparing ourselves for the cold snap that would hit us like a sledgehammer around station 7. I would describe the views but they are indeed indescribable. Some of the most beautiful scenes in the world and it most certainly felt like I was walking and living in the clouds.

We reached station 8 at around 4 and stopped for the night. We wanted to make it to the top for sunrise, which meant a one o clock rising time. We played UNO with the boys (and I lost all credibility as an educator when I hissed at Ben for beating me) and then it was early to bed for us! Early to coffin that is. We were smooshed into these tiny rooms and slept on the floor. I had one mother snoring loudly on my right and one sixth grader desperately trying to suck out my body heat and murmuring, samee, samee, samee right in my ear.

We got up and I was ready to move out! It was cold but not so bad when you were climbing. We trekked and trekked and reached the 8.5 station where we lost five girls and one boy either to altitude sickness or being weenies. I`m not sure of which and neither was the school nurse. But the rest of us intrepid explorers went on! We reached the top at about 4, just before sunrise. Ben and I dashed into the jinga where we got our calligraphy for our calligraphy books (go us!) and then we lined up outside to enjoy the view, which was once again indescribable. But I think I know what Sky Island feels like. ^_^ The top of Fuji has vending machines which sell you coffee for four bucks and is covered in ramen shops. I shelled out the yen so I wouldn`t freeze to death and when the banzai-ing of the sunrise was over (it felt like a cool pagan cult for a moment), we took the group banner shot and began our descent down. The top of Fuji wasn`t amazing in and of itself because I`ve seen volcanic craters before and when you see one, you`ve seen them all. It was very moon-scapey and I felt like quite the astronaut in my track suit.

The descent was actually the most difficult for me because I had to keep emptying my boots of volcanic ash and also had to make sure I didn`t tumble face over heels on the way down. But the sliding through the ash was kinda fun and Ben and I were down in the first group, giving us plenty of time to drink beer while waiting for the others. Which we did, in copious amounts, because gosh darn it! We had scaled Fuji! What`s not to celebrate there?

Then it was back to the youth camp for lunch and a happy shower to remove most of the grit. Off we went and at ten thirty that night (Tuesday), we were back in Kimita.

Fuji was fun. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes hiking and challenges and gorgeous sunrises.
:: 12:25 AM [+] ::
...

Got bored and stole quizzes from Jen again.

A - Act your age? Never. NEVER I SAY!
B - Born on what day of the week? Tuesday
C - Chore you hate? Cleaning the bathroom
D - Dad's name? Chris
E - Essential makeup item? sunscreen; it's just essential, period.
F - Favorite actor? Humphrey Bogart
G - Gold or silver? Silver
H - Hometown? Lafayette, IN
I - Instruments you play? trumpet, piano, taiko
J - Job title? Assistant English Teacher
K - Kids? Not now.
L - Living arrangements? Subsidized teacher housing
M - Mom's name? Sherry
N - Number of people you hate? 0
O - Overnight hospital stays? 0
P - Phobia? nope.
Q - Quote? Today's quote is - "As if you can kill time without injuring eternity."
R - Religious affiliation? I'm Presbyterian when I live with my parents.
S - Siblings? One
T - Time you wake up? 7 am
U - Unique habit? When I sit cross-legged I do it oddly and usually cause people to cringe. Eh, i'm flexible, can't help it.
V - Vegetable you refuse to eat? None that I think I'd actually refuse, but I don't care for daikon so much.
W - Worst habit? lickin' things I'm not supposed to.
X - X-rays you've had? leg, arm, foot, jaw
Y - Yummy food you make? pierogies that will make you cry and beg for another.
Z - Zodiac Sign? Scorpio, believe it or not.


:: 3:51 AM [+] ::
...

The Movie Meme proves my old Kevin Spacey movie fetish

1. Godfather, The (1972)
2. Shawshank Redemption, The (1994)
3. Godfather: Part II, The (1974)
4. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001)
5. Schindler's List (1993)
6. Citizen Kane (1941)
7. Casablanca (1942)
8. Seven Samurai (1954
9. Star Wars (1977)
10. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
11. Memento (2000)
12. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
13. Rear Window (1954)
14. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (2002)
15. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
16. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
17. Usual Suspects, The (1995)
18. Amelie (2001)
19. Pulp Fiction (1994)
20. North by Northwest (1959)
21. Psycho (1960
22. Silence of the Lambs, The (1991)
23. 12 Angry Men (1957)
24. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
25. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
26. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
27. Goodfellas (1990)
28. American Beauty (1999)
29. Vertigo (1958)
30. Pianist, The (2002)
31. Sunset Blvd. (1950)
32. Apocalypse Now (1979)
33. Some Like It Hot (1959)
34. Matrix, The (1999)
35. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
36. Taxi Driver (1976)
37. Third Man, The (1949)
38. Paths of Glory (1957)
39. Fight Club (1999)
40. Boot, Das (1981)
41. L.A. Confidential (1997) - Thanks to Kim, I have the movie practically memorized and tend to put it in when I need to clean. It's just that good.
42. Double Indemnity (1944)
43. Chinatown (1974)
44. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
45. Maltese Falcon, The (1941) - read the book though!
46. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
47. Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957)
48. Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001)
49. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
50. All About Eve (1950)
51. M (1931)
52. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
53. Raging Bull (1980)
54. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
55. Se7en (1995)
56. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)
57. Wizard of Oz, The (1939)
58. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
59. Life is Beautiful (1997)
60. American History X (1998)
61. Sting, The (1973)
62. Touch of Evil (1958)
63. Manchurian Candidate, The (1962)
64. Alien (1979)
65. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
66. Rashemon (1950)
67. Leon (1994) aka the Professional
68. Annie Hall (1977)
69. Great Escape, The (1963) - I love Steve McQueen.
70. Clockwork Orange, A (1971)
71. Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The (1948)
72. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
73. Sixth Sense, The (1999)
74. Jaws (1975)
75. Amadeus (1984)
76. On the Waterfront (1954)
77. Ran (1985)
78. Braveheart (1995)
79. High Noon (1952)
80. Fargo (1996)
81. Blade Runner (1982)
82. Apartment, The (1960)
83. Aliens (1986)
84. Toy Story 2 (1999) - Why is this on this list? Maybe I'm jaded from the babysitting gig.
85. Strangers on a Train (1951)
86. Modern Times (1936)
87. Shining, The (1980)
88. Donnie Darko (2001)
89. Duck Soup (1933)
90. Princess Bride, The (1987)
91. Run Lola Run (1998) - I adore this movie.
92. City Lights (1931)
93 General, The (1927)
94. Metropolis (1927)
95. Searchers, The (1956) - Courtesy of my father who is a JW fanatic.
96. Full Metal Jacket
97. Notorious (1946)
98. Manhattan (1979)
99. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
100. Graduate, The (1967)


:: 3:27 AM [+] ::
...

Need job. But the job search continues to be a big BEEYATCH. Almost every job I`ve looked for in the science circles requires 1-2 years of experience. How does one get those one to two years? Hmm? That`s what I want to know! And the ones that don`t require experience refuse to hire BS degreed people. Jerks.

I`m also qualified in childcare/teaching. But the only nanny position that offers enough hours is for a six month old. Uh-uh. I don`t do babies. There are also some jobs at a YMCA but that`s quite a distance to drive to watch kids for minimum wage.

Next fun job would be insurance investigator. Spy-work is fun! And once again, 1-2 years of experience is required. HOW DO YOU GET THE EXPERIENCE? Who needs a Padawan? Ha. Too bad no one is hiring nerds.

Firefighter/Police Officer. Not possible since they probably want to hire someone who will last longer than three months.

As I scan the want ads, I see needs for RN/LPNs or truck drivers. If only I had my Class B license! Big rig, CBing everyone on the interstate. My handle would be highway hazard. Oh yeah. Vroom.

Back to reality. There are plenty of non-skilled factory temp jobs but I get flashbacks of my high school days when I worked christmas break at the Meijer Distribution Warehouse. I tend to scream loudly at the sight of fruit baskets now. What`s this? METER READERS!? Farking A! I could be a meter maid. I wonder if I could drive that nifty little K-car... dear lawd what am I thinking? I have a BS in chemistry and I aspire to be a meter maid?

grumblegrumblegrumble

:: 12:44 AM [+] ::
...

So today I walk into the BOE office and find a taiko drum on my desk.

Taiko. Drum. ONMYDESK.

And here was the message.

Please keep this model drum of poems in remembrance of us.
From the entire Board of Education

Why am I leaving these wonderful people again? For silly grad school? Dear lord I am an idiot.

Moving on. Here is my speech for my last day in Funo. If there are any fluent Japanese speakers out there - well, you`ll see!

Sessha wa, Funo ni kite, tanoshikatta de gozaru. Jyake`e uchi wa, antara no koto wasurenke`e hyoja antara mo, uchi no koto wasuresan na yo.

I find Funo-speak and samurai movies too much fun. I tried that out on the third years yesterday and got them roaring with laughter. Go me.
:: 8:34 PM [+] ::
...

Things I will not miss from Japan: Going outside and being stared at. You would assume that after two years I could go to the mall and not have to worry about getting stared at. But no. Staring, staring, staring. It's not like people have never seen a foreigner before. They have TV. If they don't have TV, they have seen movies. And if they say that they haven't seen TV or movies then they are big fat liars. In the meantime, I am getting stared at. Blah, blah, blah, other culture, blah blah blah. Sorry. Not gonna buy it. Maybe if the people staring at me were tiny old geezers who spent their youth during the Edo period, I would be a bit more sympathetic. No. These are people my age, people my parents age. You would think Commodore Perry just frickin' landed from the looks I'm getting. And the mall is in a decent sized town with a decent foreign population. But still - with the staring.

Things I will: The way the mountains look right after the rain stops. The air begs to be run in. I am going to miss my cross country runs believe it or not. I used to hate running. Now it is a bad habit and I tend to get pissy if I don't get a few miles in everyday. I think I will be real pissy back stateside when I have to compare the my neighborhood to what I could have been running through if I had decided to recontract one more year.
:: 6:34 AM [+] ::
...

Last day of elementary school. I could post a mess of sadness or I could flee from my feelings and do a bunch of stupid surveys. Surveys it is!
:: 3:52 AM [+] ::
...

001) name: Stacey
002) location: Funo
003) occupation: Corruptor of Impressionable Youth

APPEARANCE
001) hair: brown
002) eyes: Blue
003) height: 5`6"

STYLE
001) clothing: business casual for work, whatever`s comfy for whatever else - lots of black and red
002) music: whatever
003) body art: one tattoo, numerous growing together piercings

RIGHT NOW
001) wearing: clothes
002) listening to: the other teachers
003) thinking of: the answer

LAST THING YOU...
001) bought: mushrooms, lettuce, cherries, a magazine
002) drank: green tea
003) read: The Maltese Falcon
004) watched on TV: some random special

EITHER / OR
001) club or house party: house
002) tea or coffee: depends
003) achiever or slacker: achiever
004) beer or cider: beer
005) drinks or shots: Shots
006) cats or dogs: fish
007) single or taken: single
008) pen or pencil: Pencil
009) gloves or mittens: mittens, kittens
010) food or candy: food
011) cassette or cd: CD
012) coke or pepsi: poison much?
013) hard or mild alcohol: Hard (hypocrite much?)
014) matches or a lighter: Lighter

WHO DO YOU WANT TO...
001) kill: whoever gets in my way
002) hear from: Kate
003) get really wasted with: Matt and Jen
004) look like: Me
005) be like: Me
006) avoid: oh the list is too long to even begin typing...

LAST PERSON YOU...
001) touched: Hiroshi-kun. He glomped me in the teacher`s lounge
002) talked to: Nishioka-sensee. She wanted to know what I wanted in my coffee
003) hugged: Hiroshi-kun.
004) instant messaged: FB - like a month ago.
005) kissed: Hiroshi-kun!
006) who broke your heart: Russell Crowe. :)

WHERE DO YOU...
001) eat: school, BOE, or house
002) dance: my house
003) cry: Inside
004) wish you were: here? But I am here so I don`t wish for that.

HAVE YOU EVER...
001) dated your bestfriend?: No
002) loved somebody so much it makes you cry?: No
003) drank alcohol?: Yes
004) done drugs: Yes
005) broken the law: Yes
006) ran away from home: Yes
007) broken a bone: Yes
008) cheated on a test: No
009) skinny dipped: Yes
010) played truth or dare: Yes
011) flashed someone: Yes
012) mooned someone: Yes
013) kissed someone you didn't know: Yes
014) been on a talk/game show: No
021) eaten a worm/mud pie?: No
023) had a nightmare/dream that made you wake up: Yes

WHAT IS...
001) The most embarrassing CD in your collection?: I forget. It seems to change.
002) Your bedroom like?: a mess
003) Your favorite thing for breakfast?: Grits, grits, grits, grits and cheese.
004) Your favorite thing for lunch?: dunno
005) Your favorite thing for dinner?: dunna!
006) Your favorite Restaurant?: Taggarts

ARE YOU...
001) A Vegetarian?: Yes
002) A Good Student?: Yes
003) Good At Sports?: Depends on the sport
004) A Good Singer?: Goodness no
005) A good Actor/Actress?: Not on stage.
006) A deep sleeper?: Sometimes
007) A Good Dancer?: Definitely not
008) Shy?: I find I rarely have anything to say to people
009) Outgoing?: No
010) A good storyteller?: No
:: 3:46 AM [+] ::
...

1. Your name spelled backwards: Yecats Snerk (oh yeah!)
2. Where were your parents born? Appalachia and Grosse Pointe
3. What is the last thing you downloaded onto your computer? NIN - Deeper
4. What's your favorite restaurant? Taggarts
5. Last time you swam in a pool? January
6. Have you ever been in a school play? been in, backstaged, costumed...drama girl twas I
7. How many kids do you want? 5. So I can have a small gang or my own professional basketball team
8. Type of music you dislike most? whatever my father is listening to
9. Are you registered to vote? certainly
10. Do you have cable? nope
11. Have you ever ridden on a moped? yes. and crashed it. into a rice paddy.
12. Ever prank call anybody? when i was eight
13. Ever get a parking ticket? No.
14. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving? If you dared me to.
15. Furthest place you ever traveled? Vietnam
16. Do you have a garden? my landlord has a garden
17. What's your favorite comic strip? Calvin and Hobbes
18. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem? To the first verse
19. Bath or Shower, morning or night? shower, night
20. Best movie you've seen in the past month? Yamakasi!
21. Favorite pizza topping? mushroom
22. Chips or popcorn? popcorn
23. What color lipstick do you usually wear? coral
24. Have you ever smoked peanut shells? what the hell.
25. Have you ever been in a beauty pageant? No. But my dad and brother have.
26. Orange Juice or apple? apple
27. Who was the last person you went out to dinner with and where did you dine? In a group, last Saturday to "Kate`s Favorite Restaurant". Singly, with Kate, a week ago to a ramen-ya
28. Favorite type chocolate bar? butterfinger
29. When was the last time you voted at the polls? I have never voted at the polls. I`ve never been in my county to vote at the polls. I have always voted via mail.
30. Last time you ate a homegrown tomato? yesterday
31. Have you ever won a trophy? all for nerdy academic teams.
32. Are you a good cook? Yes
33. Do you know how to pump your own gas? There are people who don`t know how to pump gas? Oh I guess if you don`t have a car. But it seems like an easy skill to learn. I think this is a stupid question because if people who have never pumped glass had to pump gas, then it wouldn`t take more then thirty seconds to figure it out. In my opinion everyone in the universe is a gas pumper in potentia.
34. Ever order an article from an infomercial? no.
35. Sprite or 7-up? i don`t drink poison sugar water
36. Have you ever had to wear a uniform to work? It was blazer.
37. Last thing you bought at a pharmacy? drugs
38. Ever throw up in public? no. Hospitals are kind of public. I threw up lots there.
39. Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love? True love
40. Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes
41. Ever call a 1-900 number?
42. Can ex's be friends? Not with me. But that is definitely my fault.
43. Who was the last person you visited in a Hospital? my brother
44. Did you have a lot of hair when you were a baby? gobs
45. What message is on your answering machine? I have no idea. It`s in Japanese.
46. What was the name of your first pet? Guido
47. What is in your purse? Junk
48. Favorite thing to do before bedtime? read
49. What is one thing you are grateful for today? my health
50. What is the first concert you ever went to? Sheryl Crow
:: 3:32 AM [+] ::
...

Went on an online job search today. All the chem jobs require at least a minimum year of experience. Where are the jobs that you get this so-called experience at? Hmm? All I want is something with a lab coat far far away from the front office so I can dye my hair unnatural colors and not be taken to task for it. Something with organo-metallics would be nice. Or wet chem techniques. I could handle all-day titrations. Just no roto-vap. Roto-vap = my own personal hell.

The paternal `rent is lending his assistance but his expertise lies in manufacturing - an area of business which makes me want to drive hot pokers under my fingernails. Of course, having someone to bounce the resume revisions off of is very nice. Nepotism has it`s good points.

I could substitute teach, I suppose. Or go back to working at a coffee shop. Or ... sell my body. Or somebody else`s body. Body parts.... Hmm.

Thank goodness it`s Wednesday. I love kendo. There`s something about a sport where you get to scream "MEN!" at the top of your lungs and beat the snot out of someone. There really is.

*holds onto Kurae-kun for dear life* No taiko, no kendo ... I`m going to have to find something that involves sticks and beating when I get home or beg Master Chung for a job - or I am going to be very cranky. Running only goes so far, eventually I have to hit something other than pavement.

Why do the Kimita kids refer to me as "Ben no..." Ben`s what? Ben`s girlfriend? Ben`s kinky American sex bunny? Ben`s friend who kicks his ass at kendo every week in front of his students - destroying any credibility he has an educator and authority figure? I should at least know "what" of Ben`s I happen to be so I can play the part right. It`s even more important now that I am climbing Fuji-san with the Kimita kids. I need to know what assumptions they`re laboring under so I can screw with their heads in the appropriate gaijin fashion.

In less than a month, I leave Ben, my sparring partner. In less than a month, I leave Kate, fellow JET-in-crime. In less than a month, I leave Jicho-san, Japanese father and general "get me anything I want" man. In less than a month, I leave Fujikawa-sensee, fellow teacher/skinhead/corruptor of Japan`s youth. In less than a month, I leave A-ko and Nami - my two officially "we be crazy" girls. In less than a month, I leave Kenta-kun, adorable fun monkey with ADD. In less than a month, I leave the Tajimas, who gave me rice for strength. In less than a month I leave my house with all its centipedes and tatami mats. In less than a month, I leave Funo, my home, my life for the past two years.

Hmm. If I weren`t so tired I would be hyper-ventilating. As it is I`ll just hunt for a place for me and my mother to crash in Kyoto.
:: 8:25 AM [+] ::
...

More random moments. Mr. Walrus, stuffed prop extraordinaire, was molested by the eighth grade boys. His fluffy whiskers were deformed so that they flew straight up. After much debate, Mr. Walrus (a name pronounced much too difficult by the assembled gang) was rechristened Trunks. Because his whisker hair was going Super Saiyan but it was much too short for him to be Goku or Vejita. I LOVE MY STUDENTS SO MUCH!

They are a thing I will miss about Japan.

I will not miss ... squid. Nope. You will not catch me missing squid.
:: 8:47 PM [+] ::
...

My life is full of random moments. Today I was told I would be receiving a kimono as a going away omiyage gift and my boss also informed me that it would be a shame if I left Funo without a taiko drum. Everyone is TOO kind.
:: 8:17 AM [+] ::
...

YOUR:
name: Stacey
age: 23
birthdate: so not your business
birthplace: Indiana (Ever see the film Hoosiers? I grew up ten minutes from there.)
sex: am I paying? Or are you?
location: right here
blood type: O positive
zodiac: Scorpio, Ram/Sheep/GMG mascot
height: 5'6"
weight: hahaha
hair color: brown
hair style: long with fringe - like Elvira
eye color: blue
nationality: Amerikan
languages: english, spanish, japanese, secret sibling language only me and my brother understand
email: *points up*
website: where are you reading this?
school: graduated. soon to re-enter
disposition: happily, deliriously psychotic. think harley quinn but without the loser boyfriend fetish.
hobbies: taiko, writing, breaking stuff (laws, boundaries, expectations etc.)
phobias: nothing that extreme
fetishes: leather substitutes, weapons,
bad habits: chew fingernails, too deferential
sleep patterns: 12am - 6am
work habits: 8-5 M-F
pet peeves: wishy washy-ness, the tendency for others to blame personality flaws on anything but themselves
prize possession: my hardcover collection of Terry Pratchett novels including a signed UK edition of the Fifth Elephant
personal quote: "Frat boys fuckin'." I didn't say it first, but I bet I say it most.

FAVORITES:
food: okonomiyaki
drink: kohi
ice cream: cappucino
candy: ramune
color: black
sport: tae kwon do or kendo but I love watching baseball. I love Omar Vizquel.
music: most everything
tv show: One Piece - but it will be Aqua Teen Hunger Force when I go home. Fry Guy is gawd.
movie: Gladiator. Men in leather skirts need I ask for more.
game: I will purposely misread this question and say Sweet Valley High.
pastime: writing
hangout: the levee
place in the house: in front of the computer, in reach of the stereo
place in someone else's house: Kate's couch
season: fall
fish: Bun Bun and Kiki
brand names: unbrand america!
people names: Dante, Elise, Josh, Anne

FAMILY LIFE:
who do you live with?: me, myself and I. Ask me again in a month and I'll say the Osbournes.
how old?: 23
what do you like about them?: I like me. I always laugh at my jokes.
what pisses you off about them?: I always leave the dishes in the sink as if *I'm* going to do them!
do you get along?: most of the time unless I'm being a big old bitch
pets?: Kiki and Bun Bun the wonder goldfish
what do you feed it?: babies
any family trips?: All the time. I LIKE travelling with the 'rents. They pay for shit.
dinner at the table or separate?: I'm always with me.
share your room?: with mountain monkeys and poisonous centipedes.
share the bathroom?: with spiders and more centipedes. And mold.
which sink?: i don't get it.
who spends the most time in the bathroom?: the mold.
who cooks?: me
who eats it?: me

SOCIAL LIFE:
how did you meet your best friend?: I don't have just one. Moving on.
what do you and your friends do as a group?: watch movies, make fun of other people, debate the merits of a democracy, break stuff.
do you get together often?: I'm usually out of the country. So no.
how did you meet your friends?: assorted ways: major work, being assigned dormmates, smart person's summer camp, a meeting of the minds involving making fun of something
how many date back to childhood?: none
do you chat online a lot?: not really
talk on the phone?: sometimes
for how long?: 1-2 hours
do you have webcam conferences, too?: no, weirdo
boy/girlfriend?: no
do your parents know?: my parents know nothing. we all like it that way.
how did you get together?: -
have you had sex?: -
are you always together?: -
is there drama?: -

DO YOU:
smoke?: quit a few years ago
drink?: yuppers
eat your vegetables?: well if I didn't I wouldn't be able to eat anything
exercise regularly?: all the time
get buried when you go to the beach?: hell yeah.
like to dance?: when I'm alone
play pool?: badly
go hiking?: love it
sing in the shower?: it's the only place out of the karaoke box that I will sing.
like being in pictures?: depends
snorkel in the pool?: what?
make whirpools in the jacuzzi?: I hate jacuzzi. Hot boiling water people sit in and then sit in more. Can we say 'disease'?
harass animals?: The gods will make you pay for that. Just look at Nanami.
like kids?: Love them when I know I can give them back.
like adults?: Depends. Are these adults "Republicans?"
actually laugh when you type "lol"?: No. But I rarely type lol either.
get hit on by people you just met 2 minutes ago?: yeah. usually on trains.
stalk people?: only if they're 2-d

THIS OR THAT:
sprite or 7up?: i don't drink caffeinated sugar poison
dark or light?: dark as sin
sleep or food?: sleep is for the week
music or tv?: tv rots your brain
rose or dandelion?: snapdragon.
stuff. one or two?: two
the glass. half empty or half full?: was I not supposed to drink that?
you. realistic or idealistic?: very idealistic but completely practical
people. big group or small group?: small
surroundings. loud or quiet?: whatever. i can tune out most annoyances.
snack. sweet or salty?: crunchy
music. classical or rock?: i hate limitations.
chocolate. with or without nuts?: with coconut
cars. rice or no rice?: cars are evil. ride a bike.
rice. white or brown?: yum. rice.

CURRENT:
3 obsessions: One Piece, leather substitutes, musicals
2 cravings: justice, peace (damn, am I deep or what?)
3 thoughts: Blergh. Dave Barry is funny. I want to sew my own clothes because nothing in the stores makes me excited enough to be their walking advertising billboard.
3 things on wish list: new computer, idea for cosplay for SugoiCon, that acceptance letter in my hot little hand
2 big events: Ex-expatriation, the day I get my rejection/acceptance letter to grad school
3 good things: the muse came back, mumsy will be here in a month, i didn't screw up my taiko solo this morning.
doing: typing
wearing: t-shirt, underwear
listening to: rain
mood: serene
any last comments?: Centipedes will attack if you don't kill them with the first spray of chemicals. Consequently, be on your toes when trying to kill them.


:: 3:18 AM [+] ::
...

Stacey`s Highly Recommended Fun of the Day (copped off a website I cannot find, gomen!):
Make a cache of gif and jpegs. No need for the fancy - just make text gifs if you want. Write a message. Any message. Subversive is good.
Name files in such a way as to mislead people about their contents. For example - picture of fluffy baby chicken is renamed "hotblondechicknaked" or text gif saying, "Does your mother know you`re doing this?" is named "14yearoldwithtwocollegeguys."
Put in shareware program.
Watch as idiots download pictures.
Wait for the threatening pissed off email.
Mock flamers mercilessly (and point out that underage pr0n is called Pedophilia, ya sicko.)

Oh life is so good.
:: 8:49 PM [+] ::
...

I will miss riding my bike to school and passing all the elementary school children wearing their uniforms, navy blue pants or skirts, white button downs, red book bags, and yellow sun hats. I will miss them all yelling out loud, "SUTESHI-SAN DESU! HORA! MINNA! SUTESHI! OHAYOOOO!!!"

I will not miss the stupid post office people in Hiroshima one single bit.
:: 8:26 PM [+] ::
...

Be afraid. Homophobes are in power.

"I have this fear that this zone of privacy that we all want protected in our own homes is gradually ... or I'm concerned about the potential for it gradually being encroached upon, where criminal activity within the home would in some way be condoned," Frist told ABC's "This Week." (quoted from the yahoo! news story above)

Mr. Frist is saying that homosexuality is criminal. Yes he is. Follow the logic. First, Frist is concerned about the potential for privacy to go to far and somehow, in the nebulous and always frightening future, legitimize criminal activity. He then says he backs an amendment to ban marriage between anyone that is not a man and a woman.

Logically I feel I can conclude that this man believes homosexuality is a criminal act. I believe I can also logically conclude this man is a homophobe and should not have as much power as he obviously has because anyone who is so blatantly prejudiced should not be allowed to be a spokesperson for the dominant party in the country.

But guess what? He doesn`t stop talking.

"And I'm thinking of ... whether it's prostitution or illegal commercial drug activity in the home ?? ... to have the courts come in, in this zone of privacy, and begin to define it gives me some concern."

He is comparing prostitution, illegal commercial drug activity, and homosexual activity. It is a fact, irrefutably, that this man is homophobic.

I also am a bit worried about the other extrapolations I can make from his statement. Is his fear of privacy and criminal activity in the home a manifestation of the "fear talk" that the government is so keen on using? Why is Mr. Frist so worried about us having "a zone of privacy" when the Patriot Act took most of those silly old rights away? But who wants privacy anyway? Didn`t reality TV show that we all want to be voyeurs and exhibitionists? So I`m sure Mr. Frist is certain that no one will mind if our privacy rights are eroded away, one by one.

Here`s another observation. When has anyone in power ever referred to the future as bright and shiny in since 9/11? I would say about 2 out of 10 times and only when referring to the economy. But when it comes to our neighbors lawd knows what those heathens may be up to in their house in the future! Could be planning terrorist attacks, could be engaging in sodomy! So let`s legislate the hell out of everything so we can make everything illegal. Because the future is a dark and scary place full of WMDs, terrorists, and gay people. But don`t worry! The economy will be alright and the environment is AOK. Consume, be afraid, consume to ease your fear.

Sorry. I got a little side-tracked. Back to the main observation: Mr. Frist and the representative who sponsored the proposal, Marilyn Musgrave, are the very definition of homophobes. Yet homophobia is the rallying phobia of the party now that racism is so very dame. Question: Would we allow someone so blatantly racist to be power? Oh yes we would and did. And while Trent Lott was kicked out of his party for making very stupid remarks that reason was pure lip-service. He was kicked out for poor leadership and his party decided that blaming his booting on things said at a birthday party would soothe the raging masses.

For a party that believes in less goverment interference, the Republicans sure like to butt into my and everyone else`s private life. Well, I got a place they can stick that amendment. And guess what? It`s legal now.

I would like to end on a side note. The definition of sodomy is:
1 : copulation with a member of the same sex or with an animal
2 : noncoital and especially anal or oral copulation with a member of the opposite sex

so by definition there were alot of heterosexual couples breaking the law as well before the Supreme Court decided to overturn what I will refer to as "Homophobic Law Part 1." For you see, you KNOW a homosexual couple has to engage in sodomy. They don`t have a choice, so it is pretty easy to prosecute them. But there could be plenty of heterosexual couples engaging in the same activity but unless you were watching them (aka spying on them aka `Patriot Acting` them), they could deny everything.

So let`s overturn the Supreme Court ruling that Mr. Frist insinuates is wrong. And we`ll put it in the power of the goverment to enforce that law. But the law must be impartial and fair and should be applied to all people regardless of circumstances so we`ll have to place cameras in every room in the country to make sure NO ONE is engaging in sodomy. Who wants the cameras in their house first? Do I have a volunteer? Mr. Frist? Ms. Musgrave?

Yeah. I thought not.
:: 8:08 PM [+] ::
...

"BEHOLD! I have in my hands the head of the beast named FAFSA!" cried the hero. And the villagers broke out in a tremulous, jubilant cry and there was feasting and merry-making for days afterwards.

Yesterday I realized that the FAFSA (aka the damn form that says whether the government will consider paying me any money to attend university and which all other scholarships, grants and loans are based off of) was due Monday. No rolling deadline for those of us starting in the second semester - why would it be EASY after all? That meant that I had two days to get all my tax information together and fill out a form and send it into the government. It meant that I had to wake up my father at one in the morning his time and tell him to leave a note for mom to check the email which would have a list of every form and figure I would need to fill the FAFSA out. It meant biting my nails for a day. It meant me staying up until midnight so that it would be a decent time to call my mom. It meant getting a bunch of answers that made no sense and having to repeat things like, "Okay, I need line 55b from IRS Form 1040A." and "Was that the 2555EZ form or just the 2555? Because if its the 2555EZ I need the number on line 6a. If it's the other one, I need the number on line 89." Yeah, my taxes are all screwed up because I live overseas and then have exemptions and then have this and that and the other.

Moving on. Then it meant me getting up early to go into work because I don't have a printer at home and filling in the form off the internet and checking and double checking and printing and signing and RUNNING to the post office because it is only open until twelve on a day that is pouring rain and then sending it off by registered super fast roadrunner mail.

And after all that, the expected contribution I am supposed to make to my future education is approximately HALF of my total UNTAXED income. That's right. I was supposed to be saving HALF of everything I earn and putting it away. What the hell happened to the biblical ten percent tithe? I have no choice but to laugh and laugh and laugh because my only other option is to cry. *shakes fist at the injustice* I am an independent!!!! I am not hanging on mom and dad's purse strings anymore! I HAVE NO MONEY! *ignores the piles of manga and DVDs* None, do you hear me?!

But it's over. And Georgetown said that my application is all together and ready to be reviewed. *chorus of angels sing* One step closer!
:: 10:26 PM [+] ::
...

I will miss taiko. I will miss the women I play with. I will miss how we begin "Haruka" - with Keiko striking the O-daiko (as big as a horse) and us in the front row, lifting our eyes to confront the world (we challenge you, the people watching us, we challenge you, gods and goddesses, we challenge you, the very thunder and lightning itself ...) I will miss the reverberation of the one two CRACK that comes in the finale. I will miss yelling "SORE!" in the middle of Yuka. I will miss sensee reminding me that the O-daiko is the battle-axe, the Chuu-daiko are the katanas and the ko-daiko are the knives in our fight to summon the gods out of their apathy and listen to us! I will miss my drumsticks, the sticks that are definitely mine from the day we practiced so much that I rubbed my hands raw and bled all over them and stained the wood.

I will not miss the gold foil outfits. Never. Why can't we wear the happi coats all the time?
:: 10:10 PM [+] ::
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I will try to write one thing I will miss about Japan and one thing I won't.

I will miss hearing the three old ladies who make what I call the "Shrine Rounds" every night. They walk a circuit around the village and clap three times in front of every torii gate. I hear them every night and it's a ritual I've incorporated into my own schedule. I will definitely miss that.

I will not miss the the ichi nensee teacher not coming to class and expecting me to teach English alone.
:: 8:01 AM [+] ::
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I am 90% Evil Genius

I am pure evil. I lie awake at night devising schemes of world domination, and I will not rest until all living souls bend to my will.

Take the Evil Genius Test at fuali.com

Well no freakin` duh.
:: 3:31 PM [+] ::
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Feel all depressed - kinda par for the course, but especially today since it was my last Sports Day at the junior high and also because I finished HP5. Not that the book itself depressed me - I always get depressed after finishing a book. Books are almost as bad as chocolate covered coffee beans for me. Reading gives me a high, finishing gives me a low. It always happens. I wish I didn't read so fast. *shakes fist at cursed reading ability*
:: 5:17 AM [+] ::
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Random happenings and volcanic anger.

I`ve been running again every day. I loathe running. The only satisifaction I receive from it is the fact that I have finished it for the day and it will be another twenty four hours until I must don the shoes and run again. I only do it because of ROTC.

Yesterday some japanese perv prank called me. I hung up on his ass. I hope he calls again so I can swear at him in Japanese. Why are people stupid?

Then I got all paranoid because we`re always taught in JET that since we`re foreign we`re the most visible community members and we need to take precautions - more precautions than regular Japanese people at least. I actually went around the house last night checking to make sure all the windows were locked. That makes me angry - that some random jerk-off can influence my behavior.

They`re making a big deal on yahoo! about the Marine accused of raping an Okinawan woman. (woman/girl - she`s 19.) I am really really jaded with Japan right now and knew this when I just shrugged and thought to myself, "How`s that different from going to Thailand to use sex slaves?" I ranted here a few months ago about the nasty gross-ness of the Southeast Asian sex trade and how Japanese men are the main "consumers" aka violators/criminals/complete bastards. So really how is it different? Going to a foreign country and then taking advantage of some woman? Does it matter if you`re in a uniform or on a business trip? Or that one`s an adult and the other is a child prostitute held against her will? Not in my eyes. Big lot of hypocrites.

Of course I`m not defending the Marine. I don`t know how you can say you`re serving your country when you`re engaging in questionable behavior of any kind - drinking and driving, being a public nuisance, harassing the locals, etc. Just because you`re a soldier doesn`t give you a right to go out and do whatever the hell you like. Excuse me as I get all greek tragical - but does anyone have honor these days? I would never sully my uniform like that.

Maybe I just take honor too seriously. Sometimes I wonder what`s wrong with me. Most of the time I wonder what the hell is wrong with everyone else.

Speaking of the warrior ethic and how my personal views are gonna screw me over in the future (eh, hope is when army officers are democrats), I am going demi-vegetarian. I really don`t think there`s a word for the type of vegetarian I am. Perhaps the wussy kind. Anyway after seriously examining the health data, I have decided that no meat is good meat and that I am significantly evolved enough to cut it mostly out of my diet. I say mostly because right now i am in Japan and it will be too difficult to try to explain to my co-workers about this. Yes. Weenie. I know. But I want my last two months to be as stress free as possible. And when I get home and visit my grandparents I am going to eat whatever they put on the table because they are in their 80s and I am not going to hassle them. However everywhere else - home, work, restaurants - vegetarian is how it will be. Behold the power of tofu.

It took me a long time to come to this decision and trust me, it isn`t because I don`t believe in harming animals. I mean, my future job is about killing. I`m hardly squeamish about it. What I don`t like is big companies screwing up my food with injected hormones and genetic tinkering that will definitely affect me in the future. Chemicals are NOT good - I know. I have a degree in it. They should not be used to "enhance" my food.

Plus there`s the environment. It`s sucking fumes and it`s only a matter of time before it sputters. If I eat no meat, that`s one less animal killed in my name - one less animal raised on what was once virgin rainforest but which was cut down so that ranchers could have more room to graze cattle for the ever burgeoning meat eating surplus.

I do not look down on meat-eaters. Hell, whatever works for you. But I like knowing where my food comes from. If I could put chickens in my backyard I would. I would eat them and kill them and I would know exactly how they were raised, that they were treated humanely and that they weren`t so pumped full of steriods that I would get secondary sexual characteristics from eating them.

This is all part of my "think global, act local" way of thinking. I missed A LOT of pop culture and advertising and constant pressure from the media and society while living here. Any media that got filtered into my head wasn`t directed at me - I`m an anomaly, not a market. Society didn`t have an assigned role for me - the message I received was that as a foreigner I was capable of any "radical behavior" and people accepted whatever strange thing I said as "foreign" as opposed to say "being a hippie" or "being a radical" or "being brainwashed by the Left." Rather it is more of a crystallization of views that I`ve always had. The idea that I might "cease to resist" is an anathema to me.

Eh, what am I saying? I`m such an agitator. I seriously doubt I`ll ever roll over and accept everything the world throws at me. Righteous indignation is a drug, I`m addicted, and I`m never going to give it up.
:: 9:09 PM [+] ::
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