EmpressFunk's Journal-Thingy

Two weeks ago I was desperately flitting from one job fair to the next, ringing up temp agencies and sending dozens of resumes to Craigslist Ads. Two weeks ago, I finished my outline of the first book of Anomalies, but somehow still hadn't written a new page, wondering just how the hell I was going to write anything if I still hadn't figured out the ending of the whole series.

Now, I'm stressing out about having less than 15 hours to memorize the rest of my "wrap" for my training tomorrow as a campaign worker. I wish I paid more attention to the actors I spent nearly four years with to learn how they did this stuff. Somehow, it's not even the going up to stranger's doors and asking for contributions I know they don't have in this backwards-ass economy that worries me--it's the training (reciting?) in front of my unironically-hipster soon-to-be co-workers. If I can raise $125 dollars in a day and pass training, that is.

And to top it off, my brain seems to refuse to retain any more memorization. Instead it's urging me to brainstorm and plot out the sudden lightning bolt of inspiration I got for the end of Anomalies, thanks to workshopping with Rekha today. I feel like I've finally put all the pieces in place for the story, know what the big climaxes are, and how to wrap up the whole thing neatly (well, maybe not-so-neatly). But alas. I must continue to try my best to memorize these last few paragraphs.

To make matters worse my computer--you know, the one that blue screened on me so that I had to reformat it (and also decided it didn't want to recognize my tablet anymore)?--felt like it would be great idea if it just didn't turn on anymore. So, I'm hoping it's just the power cord that blew out, because it's only $15 to replace. Thing is, I'm staring at -$30 in my hole of a bank account, and my making any money is depending on how well I can goad people into donating funds they don't have so I can start/keep my job. Jesus, take the wheel.

That shows like "Dating in the Dark" and "More to Love" are 1) made in the first place and 2) are doing inconceivably doing well, yet "Kings" was canceled, unceremoniously shuffled off to the Saturday night time-slot-of-hell and left to die fills me with bitter rage. But, I also watched Flavor of Love and I Love New York back in the day, so maybe I can't talk. But the thing about those shows, I feel like they were self-aware of the ridiculousness of it all, and very tongue-in-cheek about it. How can you take a dating ceremony with a giant clock seriously? But that there's a dating show specially for fat people is just exploitive and...icky. And I miss Kings.

Back in Anomalies news, I actually attempted to write out a full outline of the first book, so I can stop floundering around. Right now, I'm in the process of doing a chapter-by-chapter outline as well, much more detailed and thought-out than I'm used to. I usually just...start writing, jotting down notes of plot points, character quirks, and quotes as they come to me. But if I wanna buckle down and make something of this damn story, I suppose I should start treating it like my job. Especially as I still don't have one. :( It also probably means I should stop writing on the lj post now. Bye.

So, my computer decided to blue screen on me yesterday. Luckily, I was able to save most of the important files by transferring them while my computer was in Safe Mode to my flash drive, rescuing stories and jpeg images like I was throwing people onto lifeboats from a sinking ship. It was intense. Then, after much cursing and frustration, I rebooted my computer and uploaded my salvaged files. While doing so I realized that apparently my D drive was completely untouched by the reboot--Michael Jackson's complete discography, the Charlene Harris books, and Sims 3 were the only things I put on there though. If I had known, I would've tried to save my Sims 2 (all of my Alliance Sims are gone! D:) and my music (goodbye Kumi and Star Trek XI soundtracks). :(

But whatever! The important stuff is still okay, and I've actually been writing on my story, so that's a plus. I revisited my old Animorphs books again--I really can never give them away. I love them too much, and they apparently still hold up to the test of time nearly a decade later.

I finally reached page 50 of Anomalies, and I really want to celebrate by drawing a picture or something, but I've got a lot of promised artwork piling up on my imaginary to-do list. Memes and birthday gifts, mostly.

While installing the life back into my computer (why won't you work, iTunes?), I discovered that my parents Microsoft Office 2007 has apparently been already used one too many times, and I have another 23 times to use it before it stops working.  I guess Anomalies has a deadline...of sorts...now.

Today, I hesitated and an innocent animal died.

It happened as I was driving to rehearsal today. I was going through the intersection and noticed that a bird had swooped down into the middle of the street and was fluttering wildly, like it was diving but not quite. I realized after a moment that another bird was in the middle of the street, unable to fly, but still alive. I don't know what happened, but something seized me to turn around to help. Since I couldn't make a U-turn because of the divider, I drove all the way around, sped through the mostly-empty parking lot to get as close as possible, parked, and then jumped out of the car.

When I ran to the street, I saw that the bird was struggling to fly. At least, it was flitting around and looking panicked. I reached down to scoop it up and it screamed at me. You know how birds do--opened-mouthed and chirpy. It was more cute than scary, but I started to pull down my sleeves anyway to make sure if it bit me, I didn't end up contracting the last strain of Bird Flu or something. But in that moment, the light must've turned green, because three cars started barreling toward me. So what did I do? I fucking backed away, like a dummy.

Car one goes by in the right lane. The bird's fine. Car two zooms past, also in the right lane. The bird is still okay.

Car three begins to barrel forward. It's in the left lane. So is the bird.

I thought, stupidly, desperately, Maybe it'll drive past the bird. I can't see the farthest tire, so I can't be sure--

SPLAT.


I felt like shit for the rest of the night. I still feel bad now. If I had just scooped that damn bird up, it'd probably still be alive. Or gotten eaten by a raccoon. I dunno.

For a girl who's supposed to be a "writer," I never seem to write anything here. And I feel like I should type up a coherent review of Star Trek, but I'll just leave you with this gif instead:


Get it, Spock.

So, I drew that for Valentine's Day...and became the very thing that I mocked after seeing the movie.

RORSCACH, WHY WON'T YOU LOVE ME THE WAY I LOVE YOU?

OMG IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT I TALK ABOUT BATTLESTAR GALATICA WITH SOMEONE OMG. OMG. OMG.

I mean, it was a pretty all right episode, I guess.

January, if all goes according to plan, will be a great month. Battlestar Galactica will start up again, Obama will be officially sworn into office, and I'll be getting my braces off (I sure hope).

Speaking of Battlestar, I watched the little webisode online not too long ago, and I felt like I was back in 9th grade when I was at the height of my "omg, guys kissing, teehee!" phase. I mean, I watched Milk a few days ago (holy shit, it was so good--go see it), but finding out that Gaeta in Battlestar likes the menfolk (Hoshi in particular), made me feel like a 15-year-old 'shipper all over again. Suddenly, after watching the entire three and a half seasons of the show without once venturing into the fandom, I found myself compelled to find BSG forums. I needed to share my fangirlish joy. And then I dialed it back; I think I was just excited Gaeta finally got some love, period. However, I feel the need to ask: who the fuck is Hoshi? I don't think I was paying attention. Clearly I need to go back and take notes.

Nostalgic fangirling aside, right now, I was supposed to be writing on the Anomalies, but the internet keeps distracting me. How many times can I click on ONTD or deviantART in an hour? Actually, if I made an effort to count, I'm sure I'd be depressed by the answer. The writing's coming along okay, though I'm doing my usual Second-Guess Dance where I type a few sentences, think to myself "Could you have any more adverbs? Also, make sure your boys sound like teenaged boys," feel discouraged, remind myself Twilight got published, feel encouraged again, write a little more, and then the cycle starts over again. I think I make the "augh, my writing sucks, what am I doing?!" post every few months, so no worries. Also, I have the benefit of having the old story in front of me, which is nice because it reminds me that I am getting better. Little by little.


...Man, I'm hungry.

OMG.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard is out today!

I might have to wait until after Christmas to get it, though; rent just went through and I'm sure I still need to buy things like gas and food. Oh, life...

How can we come as so far to elect the first Black president on the same day that states all over the country are denying basic human rights to Gay and Lesbian citizens? 

 

This election is making me mood swing. I'm so happy about Barack Obama, but I'm so fucking pissed about Prop 8 passing.

'Cause that worked so well before.

One of my bosses is going to San Francisco this weekend with her wife (maybe for Prop 8? Maybe not?). As she was leaving, another boss was saying to her "Don't worry; everything will work out. Try not to think about it too much."

I seriously cannot imagine having to worry about whether or not a fucking proposition would suddenly invalidate my marriage because a bunch of strangers want to tell me how to live my life.

If you're in California and of voting age, please vote No on Prop 8 on Tuesday. If it passes, it would be the first time California has amended its Constitution to actually discriminate against a certain group, rather than protect them.

I just lost The Game. I think I was going on a few months, now. And if you know what I'm talking about, you just lost too. HA.

Both Halloween and the Presidential Election are almost here, and I think I've finally figured out a way to combine them both: I might just go as Michelle Obama this Halloween. She's is Fierce, with a capital "F".



Now, this won't be a "walking around in my college town" costume, but rather a "surrounded by a group of peers who will get it" costume. Also, I think my friend Jacquie is going as Sarah Palin, so this'll be right within the theme. I'll be a shorter, slightly frumpier version, but I shall take the sage advice of Tim Gunn and "make it work" somehow.

My broke ass also donated $15 to Obama, which is like next to nothing, but at least I did a little bit. I also got my sample ballot in the mail a few days ago, so now I know for sure I'm officially registered, which is a big relief. They'd have to drag me kicking and screaming away from the polling places come November 4th.  

Could someone please explain to me why there's a middle-aged white woman dropping it like it's hot in a pair of khaki capris over a background of exploding fireworks, telling me that "Bush Approves Housing Bills" and that I can lower my mortage? I'm...really confused what this ad it trying to convey to me.

Every four years, I find myself obsessed with two things: The Olympics, and the Presidential Election. Well, the Olympics are over, and my sights are set for November.

I've pretty much been living over on ontd_political lately, and my parents have even gotten into the spirit, volunteering for Moveon.org this past labor day. I really think I should try to do something as well. I heard Obama speak months ago in person when he came to Santa Barbara city college, but I don't think I've ever actively done anything too political since then. I've still got a few months to try.

Also, after watching the RNC, I dislike don't care for Palin even more. Community organizers don't have any responsibility? Way to insult the people you're supposed to be helping, Gov. Palin. And don't even get me started on Giuliani's "Obama has no executive experience" mess.  Neither does McCain, and if his experience as a Prisoner of War is apparently enough for him to be president (as I kept hearing all night), then Obama should be just as qualified as well.

Must get back on track. Must get back on track. Must get back on track.

Ughhh, being a procrastinator sucks sometimes. I have literally nothing to do besides work, and I only have one chapter written of Anomalies. I've got to start making deadlines for myself. I think I just need to take the time to sit down and read the first draft of the Alliance, then the second, take notes, and then apply those notes and sit down and write the new story. But something about living in a house with seven (eight?) other people makes it very hard to sit in my room for long periods of time without feeling guilty about being ~anti-social~. That, and I'm easily distracted by the internet (which I need for research, I swear!).

That's it. I've gotta start setting realistic goals. Like, I want to get this first book done within a year, so I can work on getting it published while focusing on writing the next two (and possibly Kumi). Maybe if I make my goal a chapter a week, or maybe X-amount of pages a day...

OKAY.

ANOMALIES TO-DO LIST:

• I've got all of tomorrow off. I'm going to reread the first draft and take notes.
• Tonight, I'm going to work on polishing up the first chapter and finishing up the second. And figure out what's going on in the second.

This picture is just too cute not to post. Shawn Johnson and Michael Phelps, who is now the greatest Olympian in history with 8 gold medals in a single Olympic game. YOU GO, MICHAEL.

Ian Thorpe is still my favorite swimmer though. I saw you in the stands, Ian.

So, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince has been moved from November 21st, 2008 to July 2009. Guess what movie's now moved up to take up the empty spot?

FUCKING TWILIGHT.

As I said before in the ONTD post, this is like having your ice cream sundae taken away from you and given a shit sandwich in its place.

Also: Hah, I knew Michael Phelps listened to hip-hop on his iPod. Called it.

Lotus boob is going to haunt my nightmares. I'm itching just thinking about it.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, DON'T LOOK IT UP. DDDDD:






OH, FUCK YOU, NBC. HOW DARE YOU CUT OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF SWIMMING. WHAT THE SHIT IS THIS????! WHERE IS MICHAEL PHELPS??

Colonel Gentlemen's List of Women Who Need  a Good Kick in the Mouth:
Things I'm Currently In Love With:

1. Rorschach, of Watchmen. He's like the Question, only more badass and crazy.

• "I'm not locked in here with you; you're locked in here with me."

2. James Franco. Pineapple Express made me wish he was my drug dealer. Or that I smoked pot in the first place so he would be my drug dealer.

• "You know how they say don't dip your pin in the company's ink? I'm really glad I dipped my pen in your ink."

3. The Twatlypmics over on ontd_twatlight. I'm rooting for the underdog team, "Y So Love Triangle," which consists of Robert Pattinson, Voldemort, and The Joker, and the sordid affairs between them. "

• "It's very common; you can google it."

4. The real Olympics, though that's probably just because I'm having some nostalgia over Men's Olympic Swimming back in 2004. Oh, Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband HoogieBear. I miss them.

• OH SHIT. Apparently Jason Lezak, the anchor who helped USA win the 4 x 100m freestyle relay (and apparently has now swam the greatest anchor leg in relay history), is a UCSB Alum. SWEET. YOU GO, JASON LEZAK. WORK IT.
  

5. The Dark Knight. I've still only seen it once, but I'm still obsessed with it.

• "You wanna see a magic trick? I can make this pencil disappear..."