Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!


***This post is full of my opinions and semi-ranty thoughts.***
You’ve been warned……now on to the post.
I hate Halloween.  A few weeks back's trip to the party store sealed that deal.  It is the dumbest holiday ever.


Seriously!!!  Why does anyone want to celebrate a holiday dedicated to scaring people????  I don’t care as much about the old traditions as much as I do the current ones.  >.>


Listen, I know it’s fake, I know it’s made up, I know it’s just lame costumes and latex masks and cheesy scary movies and such, but that doesn't change how much the images stick in my head.  I have memories from when I was very young and getting extremely terrified over a movie I saw once called “The Boogie Man”.  It had an incredibly (non-existent) plot, and thinking back on it, the costumes and acting were both horrible, but when you are seven, and terrified of everything and anything that is considered ‘scary’, it was terrifying!!!  I can’t watch that movie to this day, and I’m a teenager, the said scariest thing on the planet.  :P  *sarcastic facial expression here*


When I was ten years old, I rode ‘The Haunted Mansion’ ride in Walt Disney World.  Once again, scarred for life.  I will not ride it again.  I haven’t ridden it since that day, and I’m a huge pain in the neck to my family who wants to ride it, but I refuse to even go NEAR it.  I clung to my dad so tightly when I rode it 5 years ago that he had bruises on his arms.  >.<  I’m not kidding.


For me, Halloween is a stupid holiday where once a year, people dress up in freaky, overly fake and disgusting costumes and watch horror movies for FUN.  IN WHAT SANE AND GOOD WORLD IS THAT FUN????


I can’t do it.


My birthday is in October.  The party stores start putting Halloween stuff out in the second week of September.  >.>  Several weeks ago I went shopping for birthday supplies.  Can I just say, “I HATE THE PARTY STORE!!!!”?  XD  I do.  I had to shield my eyes as we walked in.  I hate those creepy mass murderer things that are motion activated, so they start talking and make you jump as you walk past, unsuspecting.  My lovely cousin (who I love to death) is the bane of my life during Halloween time.  She LIKES all things creepy.  She enjoys the horror movies.  She loves “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (which I have not watched since I was 10) and she loves to prank me (and scare me) out of my mind each year.


I expect it.  I know it’s coming.  But I still fall for it.
In the party store, she did her annual ‘put a fake hand on Fallon’s shoulder and make her shriek like a little girl’ gig.  I should know by now that she is going to do it.  SIX YEARS PEOPLE.  I HAVE GOTTEN A FAKE, BLOODY HAND ON MY SHOULDER FOR SIX YEARS UNSUSPECTING BY MY COUSIN.  SIX YEARS.
And I still fall for it.  I screamed like a little girl (well, kinda, I had bronchitis at the time), so it came out more like a shriek/gag with coughing and choking mixed in with a few Star Wars curse words.  :P  *sarcastic facial expression here too*
I also hate the craft store at Halloween time, and sometimes even Wal-Mart.  >.>
I’m always on my guard more during Halloween.  I scare easily, so I’m an easy target for my parents, sister and cousin to prank.  :P  I am used to being jumped out at from under beds, behind doors, around corners, and under tables and such, followed by a ‘Boo’ or ‘HAHA YOU SHOULDA SEEN YOUR FACE’.  *rolls eyes*
I do participate in Halloween.  I dress up, I get free candy, and I eat my free candy thinking “What suckers, they think I enjoy this time of year.  They are wrong.  I hate it, but I will do anything for my free candy.”
Because, Halloween is the one day a year where you can dress up and take free candy from strangers at my age without being looked at like you belong in a mental hospital.  *eye roll AND sarcastic facial expression here*
We go Trick-Or-Treating in my grandma’s neighborhood each year, and there are two houses that I LOVE.  One is my grandma’s neighbor, and she buys special things JUST FOR US.  (Me, my sister and my cousin). :D :D  Sometimes it’s a big candy bar, sometimes it’s a cracker jack, sometimes it’s a box of candy, and sometimes it’s a little game or something!!!  I love Mrs. Ida’s house.  ;)
The other house is on our ‘route’ around the neighborhood, and its’ towards the back, when we’re on the way home.  THEY GIVE OUT SODA!!!!!!!  Man, I love those people.  They sit in their driveways with sodas and waters in a cooler filled with ice.
People, I live in Florida.  It is hot, it is ALWAYS humid, and it wouldn’t be Halloween around here if it wasn’t rainy.  So I am sweating like a banshee (along with the rest of my family) and that ice cold soda is the best thing we received all night.
Two houses I hate with all that I have in me (don’t quote me now Master Yoda, I’m on a roll!).  XD  One is the home of these super nice people with three dogs who I like every other day of the year, except on Halloween.  The guy always dresses up in some weird costume and sits in the driveway holding a bowl of candy, sitting totally still until you come over to get the candy, then he either lurches at you, or growls or SOMETHING.  They have smoke machines there, and have decorations and lights and the whole she-bang.  I like their house MUCH BETTER at Christmas time.  xD
The other house is the most popular one in the whole neighborhood.  The Haunted House.  They decorate to the nines there, with smoke machines, lights, music, coffins and EVERYTHING that the party store sells to scare people.  I won’t go in there.  I haven’t, I never will.  The only reward is for braving the haunted house, they give out big candy bars.  I remember last year, there was a guy laying on the lawn, in a coffin, and as I walked by, he moaned in a dead-sounding voice, “GO AWAYYYY” and I said, “I AM!!!” and I ran the other way, up two houses, waiting for my family, who were laughing hysterically at the teenager who was afraid of some guy dressed up.  >.> *angry eyes*
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AFRAID AND NOT EXPECTING SOMEONE TO TALK TO YOU AS YOU WALK PAST THE FRONT LAWN OF A HAUNTED HOUSE. >.>
Whatever.
Anyway, I do Halloween for the candy.  That’s it.  Because Candy is goodness, truth, and beauty.  As I told my sister, “Is Halloween Good, True, and Beautiful?  I DON’T THINK SO!!!  Scaring people for FUN?  Dressing up like horrible monsters and scary things?  NOO!!!!  But candy?  Candy is GOOD.  It is TRUE and MAN is it BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!”  ;)  Exact quote.
My sister loves Halloween.  She thinks it’s fun to get scared once a year.  She likes it.  So does my cousin.  My parents don’t care, they just let us have our fun.  And then they make fun of me, which I guess brings them pleasure…but my parents are weird.  *eye roll*
Now you all are going to think I am a wimp.  A bigger wimp than I already am.  ;(  *sigh*  I am not really, Star Wars has hardened me up, as has Indiana Jones and Lord of the Rings.  But I am just very sensitive about Halloween, because of the things mentioned above.  I apologize for this ranty post……it’s probably slightly offensive to some, so don’t be mean in comments, I don’t have the energy to care about haters.  xD  
Anyway, Happy Halloween everyone, if you aren't like me and actually enjoy the holiday, have a blessed evening and enjoy your candy!  :)  I'll talk to you Wrimos tomorrow for our Word Sprint fest on TLF.  ;)
(Btw, I’m totally all for Autumn, just not the Halloween-y aspect.  Talk to me at Thanksgiving, that is my FAVORITE time of year. ;) Seriously!  Expect a very happy post on that when it gets closer to the time.  xD)

Saturday, October 29, 2011

November: A Month of Literary Abandon

NaNoWriMo.

Only 2 days, 8 hours, and 36 minutes until the start of National Novel Writing Month.

My email to my family and friends has been sent.

My profile has been set up click here.

My plots are outlined.

My characters have sketches.

My binder is ready to go portable.

My laptop will be ready by this afternoon.

And I am totally ready for NaNo.

I am a WriMo.  And I am going to write a novel in 30 days.

~~~~~~

That kinda sounded poetic.  :)  I like that.  XD
I have a to-do list.  It MUST be finished today.  The first half is school-related, but the other half is NaNo realted.  Here is that half.

NaNo Half Of To-Do List:

  1. eat
  2. wrap up fanfics to get ready for nano
  3. prep binder (again)
  4. buy a memory stick (again)
  5. fix printer
  6. go over outlines and add to them
  7. pick a tense to write in (no i haven't done this yet!) 
  8. eat
What do you think?  I've got procrastination down really well on that list.  XDDD  My first thing is to finish up school, so I'm going to do that now.  ;)  

I know many of my TLF sisters and Blogger friends are doing NaNoWriMo this year.  :)  Feel free to add me as a writing buddy!!! :D

I'll do the NaNo edition of Beautiful People, to get even more in the mood.  ;) 

Sum up your novel in 5 words or less:  Homeschooler changes the world

Novel Title?  Project:  Public School

Sum up your main characters in 1 word each: Evelynn: ....special.  Luke (yes, he's got a very original name for me, xD):  Sweet.

Advice for newbies in 3 words?  Stay On Target

Tell us about your secondary characters, how do they affect the story?  The secondary characters will help the main characters develop, as well as cause conflicts and create progression throughout the story.  ;)

Do you plan to stay up until Midnight on the 31st?  Heck Yes.  XD  I will start writing at 12:01, and probably won't crash and burn until about 3, after all the candy I'll be eating.  XD

How many years have you done NaNo?  One.  :)  This will be my second year! 

What came first, characters or plot idea?  Actually, this is rare for me, the plot came first.  I came up with it in the shower and wrote it down for future reference.  Little did I know that I'd actually turn it into my NaNo Novel!  :D

How much prep do you do before November?  As much as I can, this year, last year I had NOTHING.  Barely a plot.  XD  This year I've got lots of stuff lined up and ready to go for writing.  :D

Now be honest, how do you really feel about NaNo?  I love it.  I get so excited for it.  :)  I've been anticipating November for the LONGEST TIME.  ;) 

So ends my NaNoWriMo post....I will be writing a few short posts throughout the month, as well as some epic guest posts I have planned!!!!  :D  

Write on, Wrimos!  ;)  


Monday, October 24, 2011

Is it really the Last Week of October?

Seriously?  Part of me is eager for November, and the other part of me is dreading it.  XDDD

Huh.  Well, I'm gonna give you all a quick update before I get to the 'point' of this post.

First thing:  I will be disappearing for the month of November.  It is fact (~Tenel Ka).  But do not fret!!!  I have a few good ideas that will get through the month and still have a few posts out there.  ;)

Second thing:  I am happy.  We are playing Christmas (and Hanukkah) music in orchestra.  I had a bizarre smile on my face during "The First Noel".  XDDDDD  All I could think about was the holiday season.  ;)

Third thing:  I went treasure hunting on Saturday, and got 64 action figures and action hero toys for only $15!!!  :)

There are two layers of action figures, so there are more than there appear to be. ;)

Love this shot!  (XD literally) 
CUTEST. ACTION FIGURE. EVER.

YODA.  Y-O-D-A.  YODA!

Now....

I have a new 'obsession'.  XD  Yes.  Yes I do.  Wanna know what it is?

Rogue.  Squadron.

Oh my word, I am in LOVE with the Rogues!!!!!  :D

Hobbie, Tycho, Wedge, Corran, and Wes especially.  ;)  Hobbie is MINEEEEE.  <333

Art from here: source

Also.....CORRAN HORN.  I have just discovered the AMAZING that is Corran.  ;)  And MIRAX!  OH MY WORD, MIRAX TERRIK HORN IS SO COOL!!!!!!  I love her!!!!  Maybe not as much as I love Mara....but she's coming to be a close second!  :D

Mirax Terrik-Horn
Corran Horn.  source

Who doesn't love X-Wings????  They're iconic and just AWESOME!!!!  :)  I am soooo addicted to this series.  I read the first X-Wing: Rogue Squadron book on Audio Book, and am now starting the second in paperback.  ;)  I'm also reading I, Jedi (which stars Corran Horn and Mirax Terrik-Horn) and it is FANTASTIC.  :)


Humnahumnahumnah.....Hobbie......Corran.....**dies**  <3333

Okay, okay.  That's enough fangirling for now...I'm going to read some stuff for school, and then maybe work on a fanfic, time permitting.  ;)  

Goodnight my lovlies,

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Vote for Action Figures!

Hasbro toy company is doing a poll for their next action figure!!!!

Go and vote for your favorite character!!  (preferably Mara Jade...)  There are a few weirder characters though...so choose with discretion.  ;)

http://titanmagazines.com/t/star-wars-insider/competitions/hasbro-poll/?locale=us

Thanks!!!  Read a better review of this here at Savanna/Cad Bane's Chick's blog...http://pandasabercamera.blogspot.com/2011/10/hasbro-star-wars-action-figure.html

Adios amigos!  ;)  I'm working on a blog post from this past weekend!  :D  It'll hopefully be done tonight!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

My Weekend/Meeting Timothy Zahn (Picture Post)

I am exhausted.  My hair is /really/ messy (from having open car windows most of the day), and it's pretty late.  (9:30 pm on Sunday when I'm typing this).

**sigh**  And this was the best day ever.  :)

I decided to post about all my adventures from the past two days, since I only gave what happened in the car last post.  ;)

Well, you read about getting to Cracker Barrel.  ;)

Here are a few pictures from that experience (and before hand).  XDD

My view...for about one and a half hours worth of driving.

Nutmeg, with her pillow...>.<

My Baby, who I wrote on for hours, until she took a /nap/.

CRACKER BARREL!!!  We spent a long time looking at the candy.

And the canned goodies...

And more candy!!!!!!!!!!  :D 
Famous Peg Game....

The view from my seat...a GUN!  XD

The root beer I told y'all about.  ;)

Nutmeg with her menu.

Captain Rex Pose!!  XD

And then we drove some more, until we FINALLY got to the hotel, where I posted that last blog post.  ;)

My view from out the car window...

Turning onto the street to go to the hotel!

The hotel!!!!  :DDD

From the Car Window....

Then we decided to go to the Beach!!!  :D  Siesta Beach was AWESOME!  :D  I loved the sand, I could just sit in that stuff all day.  ;)

The sign for Siesta Beach!!! 
The sand looks like snow.  ;)

Nutmeg walking in the snow-sand.  xD

See all those seagulls??  There were swarms of them.  XD

Seagull footprints...

The Ocean!!!  :)

Birdie......XDDD

Cute little lifeguard house thing...it had murals of sharks on it, much to Nutmeg's displeasure.  XD

The rolling surf..

Ripples in the Sand

MORE ripples in the sand...

Another pretty shot of the beach...

I love the sand ripples!!!!  XDD

I found a Sand-Dollar!!!!!  :D

Pieces of Sand dollars....

SPONGE  xD

The grasses by the beach were really cool, they were super soft.  ;) 

One of my favorite shots of the beach.  I love the sky in this picture.

The Lakehouse Forums was too long to spell in the sand.  ;)  This will just have to work.  XD

Cute-ish picture of me on the beach....my layers fell out of the hair-tie. xD

We found this rubber shark on the beach!!!!!!!  Isn't he awesome?!!

TEENY-TINY seashells!!!

It's true...I do love TLF.  ;)

I love this picture.  The sunset is sooo pretty! ; )

Look at the clouds!!!  XD

After a wonderful time at Siesta Beach, we decided to go get dinner.  We went to the most AMAZING restuarant.  It was the Dutch Heritage House, in the Amish part of Sarasota.  ;)  SO COOL!!!!!

**Angelic Choir here** 

Me being silly in the car. XDD

BEST. PICTURE. EVER.

BEST. SUNSET. EVER.  ;)

Homemade rocking chairs!!!!!  :D  They were so cool!

Inside the lobby

Part of the downstairs gift shop.  ;)

Our table.

The awesome chandelier.  Pic dedicated to Chibi*Chick.  ;)

Menu

Upstairs in this resturant was a HUGE gift shop!!!!  :D  They sold all kinds of cute crafts, bags, and LOTS of Christmas decorations!!!  :)  My favorite part of the Heritage House was that it was SO CHRISTIAN!  :D  They played Christian music, they sold Christian books and movies,, all the gifts upstairs were either Christmas or Christian related in one way or another, and it was really welcoming and sweet.  ;)





**facepalm**

We wanted to buy this for my mom.  ;)

I literally LOLed at that sign.  XDD

**sighs**  So true.  ;)

ESPECIALLY my Family.  XD

My Future Lamp.  Someday I WILL find one like this.  XD
One that isn't $70.  XD
Cute magnet with the legend of the Sand Dollar on it!  ;)

For all my Wolf loving TLF sistahs. ;)

The Nativity Scene.  ;) 

After having a HUGE filling dinner, we went back to our hotel, for some much needed rest and relaxation.  ;)

Another shot of the hotel.  ;)

Or, rather, my sister decided to sit on my while I was trying to get some rest and relaxation.  xD  ;)

Then we all (eventually) went to sleep, and it was Sunday!  :D  The day I got to meet Timothy Zahn!!!!  But we did lots of things before we even went to the bookstore.  ;)

This was just epic.  The car near where we were parked at the hotel had this Mandolorian Sticker on it, and I showed my mom in excitement.  She groaned and the following conversation occurred.
Me:  Mom!!  Look!  It's the Mando symbol!

Mom:  Oh no!  HAN!!!  FETT IS CHASING YOU AGAIN!
Dad:  DARN IT!!!  KIDS, GET IN THE FALCON!!
Me:  **facepalm**  XDD

Cute house.

Pretty beach en route to Anna Maria Island.

Grass.

My dad and sister on Anna Maria pier.  ;)

The following pictures are all from Anna Maria Pier, which was REALLY windy and fun!!  :)



One of the best shots all weekend.  ;)










And that picture would've been so perfect, had my thumb not been covering part of the lens...>.>

After that we headed to the Barnes and Noble, where I would spend the next four hours.  XDDD


One of my favorite shots of the books.  ;)

My view for the next four hours.

Me...taking pictures with my mom while waiting for four hours.  ;)

MINE!  :D  MY copy of the 20th Anniversary HttE book!!!!  :DDD
They had the 501st of the Tampa Bay Legion out!!!!  :D  Vader, Royal Guard and a Mando (as well as an Imperial Officer) joined us for Timothy Zahn's book signing!!!!  :DDDD


"Hello Citizens..."  XDD

There was a girl under that helmet!  XDDD

EEEE  MR. ZAHN!  :D



ME!  I got to meet him!!!!  :DDDDDD

Look at how happy I am....**sigh**

He signed my Choices of One book, and two copies of my Heir To The Empire 20th Anniversary Edition!  :D
Closeup!  :D  I was SOOO HAPPY I couldn't even breathe. XDDD

By the time I was done, my mom and I just waited around, watching other people talking with Tim, and we chatted with a few others.  I got interviewed for the local Sarasota newspaper, and my picture was taken several times!!  :D  All the "book ladies" knew our story of traveling 3 1/2 hours without a/c in our car so I could meet Timothy Zahn, and they all gave me hugs before we left. ;)  So sweet!!!!


Sorry it's so fuzzy....that's Sandi, one of the "book ladies".  :)  She gave me a hug and wished us a safe trip home, along with a "I'm so happy you got to meet him!!!!!"  ;)

It was honestly the best day ever. ;)  I was soooo happy.  Just thinking about it makes me soooo happy!!!!  :D  Goodness.....I had so much fun.  ;)

Okay y'all, well I hope you liked that post!!!!  :D

Sorry for the wait, it took a while to load all my pictures and then find time to write the actual thing!  ;)  Going to do school now.....at 10 o'clock at night.....>.>

Oh well.  ;)  May the Force be with you all!!!