Magic Mountain, the Getty, and cleaning the garage
by V.E. on December 30th, 2006
filed under ladyamedeus, personal
I am really tired. I know I always say that, but I really am this time. My whole body aches like I have the flu, but I don’t; I just USED it more than normal and now it’s complaining.
Went to Magic Mountain on Thursday with my dad and had an excellent time. Coasters ridden as follows in order: Goliath, Colossus, Scream, Batman, [lunch at Eduardo's Act I Scene II], Riddler’s Revenge, Goldrusher, Superman, Tatsu, Revolution, Viper, Psyclone, Deja Vu. Flashback, X, and Ninja were closed. Didn’t bother with Swashbuckler, Buccaneer, Spin Out, Dive Devil, or Circus Wheel (originally known to me as Jolly Roger) since we didn’t have time.
To see pictures of many of the rides and for a park map, go here. There has been a fuss going around about the park being closed permanently, but there is at least one year left so far as I can discern, although the rumor that “Everything with ‘Six Flags Magic Mountain’ on it is being cold at half price, while everything with simply ‘Six Flags’ on it is still full price” is true; I saw it with my own eyes. Here’s a pretty cool site that includes the park’s history and rides.
Yesterday, the whole family went to the Getty Center since Dad had never been. It was lovely; the tours really are the way to go since you learn so much more than you would if you just walked around by yourself, but it’s one of those places that you just can’t do everything in one day. To really immerse yourself, you need to take at least one tour for each public building and a couple each for the architecture and garden with different docents each time. It’s free, but parking is $8. The sunset there is amazing. Pictures for those who have never been.
Today? Not so much fun. Cleaning out the garage and I’m hiding in my room to avoid it as much as possible. I understand the need, and thankfully the upstairs bathroom was finished before I got home so I didn’t have to help with that, but I don’t even want know what’s down in the garage, much less decide what’s trash and what should be reorganized. I did take all of the used cans and bottles to the recycling place, though, and earned $33 and change for doing that. ^_^
Merry Christmas!
by V.E. on December 25th, 2006
filed under fyi, ladyamedeus
Since it IS that day, after all. I received lots of cool swag, including the following:
stamps! many stamps!
PotC: Dead Man’s Chest
awesome warm, slipper shoes
Ghirardelli chocolates
a photo frame clock thingy
jewelry of all kinds
matching hat and scarf
nice professional work clothes
City Chic, for my city girl’s heart
black/white plaid flannel pajama pants
a shirt reading “Jesus was a Liberal”
CDs of Dad playing the piano! YAYAY.
electronic hand-held Sudoku game
a(nother) bookcase!
money from Dad! he roxors.
… and some littler stuff I can’t remember and don’t want to scrounge around for right now. In any case, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
whee
by V.E. on December 18th, 2006
filed under ladyamedeus, personal
Yes, so… I’m home now. Mom has already roped me into helping her clean out the garage… not to mention my list (see here). Fnargle. Ah, home. We have a love-hate relationship.
Awesome Wishes from <lj comm=”holiday_wishes”>
by V.E. on December 16th, 2006
filed under favorite, ladyamedeus
I started at the beginning of this wishing season and got through December 3 before I decided I had given enough (or will have, once I actually give it all away). These are my favorite wishes from the million I looked through. I didn’t change anything about the wording of each wish, but I forgot to mark down who asked for what, so just know that each one was wished for by a different person.
——————
01. Culture box (basically a box stuffed with anything that will help me learn more about your culture, whether it be food, books, tapes, CDs, photos, stories, etc). I’m from the US so I prefer boxes from other countries.
02. Please, please. Hold somebody’s hand this week. Some people crave physical affection and never receive it. It’s a bad place to be.
03. A plane ticket anywhere. I’ve always has this dream that I’d randomly go to the airport and just buy a ticket for the next available flight. I’d land somewhere completely new, and spend a few weeks experiencing.
04. A Happy Box…a Happy Box is a decorated box with cards, letters, and cute little things to help you feel better when you are sad.
05. Sea Glass (or other small treasures) — I love collecting sea glass; it is just one of those things that bring joy to my life that really can’t be explained…
07. Those flattened pennies. You put two quarters in a machine along with a penny, and you turn the handle and it gives you a flattened penny with something on it. You know?
08. Pay the toll for the car behind you on the expressway.
09. This may sound a little strange, but I would really like some relaxation techniques, whether it be advice or pointing me to another resource.
This isn’t really a traditional relaxation technique, but it always helps me when I start to completely freak out: Take a deep breath. Think about the biggest/worst thing bothering you. If there is NOTHING you can do about it at that time, don’t worry about it. Go to the next thing bothering you, and repeat the process. If there is something you can change, change it. If not, try not to think about it. Repeat until you’re a bit calmer.
10. Take flowers or a small gift to an old people’s home, ask a staff member to give it to someone who gets no visitors on Christmas Day, and label it “Because you’ve done so much for others.”
11. Gift cards with less than a dollar left on them.
12. Kind vandalism. Someone will be where you are right now; leave them a happy message. A lot of bus stops and bathroom walls are decorated with “FUCK” and “WHORE,” but my best friend once saw “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL” scrawled in a Turnpike rest stop and it made her day. So when we spotted a heart etched into the back of a dump truck, we decided to start a kind vandalism movement. Of course, vandalism in and of itself is not too kind (or legal), but you can always leave a nice note on a sticker or a Post-It. Leave kind messages behind you any way you can.
13. A love letter. – Because I am romantic. I want to read love letters and feel the love. So send me a (fictional) love letter. You don’t have to write it to me, you can write it to anyone (maybe to your true love) but send it to me. Love & love & love.
14. A random gift of words—“paper care packageâ€. Whether your own writing, short stories, a letter, pictures, postcards, etc. Anything to let me share your world.
15. Do Something Stupid at least once a day. Say something stupid or do something. It’ll make you feel better – actually, it makes anyone and everyone feel better. 
16. I’d like have a character in a well known novelist’s book to be named after me. A lofty goal, but I always thought it would be cool.
17. To know the truth behind conspiracy theories. Because the truth is out there, and it irritates me it’s not in here *points to head*.
18. old pictures or pictures of old people ( some people like babies i like the oldies lol)
19. A “flea market in a box”: We started this little game where you find someone and send them little things from around your house. Old earrings, old stuffed animals, floss, old pictures, notes, coupons. Just silly things you would normally not use- maybe someone else will?
20. when i was having a difficult time last year,i found an origami bird with the message,”I ? you” written on the wing,sitting on a bus stop bench. If you can make origami birds,please make one and write that on it and leave it somewhere for a stranger to find! It will really cheer someone up,who may be going through their own difficult time!
21. A Star Trek communicator pin/badge – I saw one on a random person once and fell in love. I’ve looked for one ever since. I’d like it to be a good quality, but if it’s plastic, I’ll settle. I just want one.
22. prayer cards. Theme should be hope and/or action about issues like caring for nature, justice, challenging oneself and so on. Just find a relevant-looking card, write a prayer or wish for a better world behind it, and send it.
A letter sent to Kappa Beta Gamma this evening
by V.E. on December 16th, 2006
filed under ladyamedeus, school, thoughts
To my dearest sisters in Kappa:
After serious deliberation, I have decided to become inactive next semester
First, I lack the time and funds I need to commit to the sorority, and which you all deserve from me as a good sister. Next semester I will be taking three classes, an independent study, working both on and off campus, and will be training to become an EMT (emergency medical technician) in the evenings on weekdays. I have always had trouble with finances, and I know next semester will be even tighter than before. I will be paying for my EMT class, rent and utilities for my apartment, and have to cover groceries (so I can eat!) as well.
Second, I love you all, but I hate the tension I felt when I walked into most chapter meetings this semester. I suppose I may’ve been projecting somewhat, but I was really uncomfortable with the animosity between many of the sisters. It wasn’t very giving, loving, or sister-like, and that really bothered me. Since I joined the sorority, there has been negativity and drama every semester, even when the leadership tries to diffuse it or work through it. I don’t want to have to deal with something like that again during my last semester here at F&M. I want my memories of Kappa to be pleasant ones.
Third, and this may be counter to tradition but… I don’t really want a little sister. I already have a little sister in my younger sibling, Katy. I know taking a little is both a monetary and time commitment, and, as I mentioned already, I really don’t have those resources to spare. My big sister, Shahed H———-, was a founder—but not particularly enthused to have me as her little sister when I pledged. We were friends and sisters, but there was no special bond that I feel big and little sisters should share. I fear that if I take a little, I will act the same towards her as Shahed did with me. I have not discussed this with Shahed, and she may be angry or hurt that I don’t want to continue our family line. But, she had a twin sister in Stephanie W—– (also a founder), and her half of the line is truly thriving (as it should!), so I don’t feel it as necessary for me to “do my family line duty†and take a little as I would otherwise.
Kappa has truly blessed my college years, but I need to move on, and I think this is a good time for me to do so. I’m at a crossroads (an early mid-life crisis, maybe? I don’t know) and I need to step back and figure out what I want to do with my life. Thank you for all that you have done for me. You are, and always will be, my sisters. Have a great spring semester, and I look forward to hearing about the incoming Theta class!
Sincerely,
Viannah E. Duncan ‘07
Gamma class
A poem
by V.E. on December 15th, 2006
filed under favorite, ladyamedeus, writing
Goodbye by Bill Knott (St. Geraud)
If you are still alive when you read this,
close your eyes. I am
under their lids, growing black.
My Xmas Stocking
by V.E. on December 14th, 2006
filed under ladyamedeus, quizzes/surveys
| Xmas Stocking | |||||||||
|
