tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-245581132024-03-07T17:00:54.295-08:00Gyda's SongA wonderful lapse in reason and logic, headed by a girl who could probably tell the difference between quantum physics and a bowl of peanut butter, but would much rather watch flight paths of a dragonfly and hum showtunes.Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-22682106684251117072011-10-31T19:52:00.000-07:002011-10-31T20:10:41.606-07:00Blast from the PastLong time no writey! I apologize for that, I've been off having adventures and shenanigans and no, I never ended up in prison and haven't had to make a bid for my life or anything exciting like that.<br /><br />I have moved a couple times, although I'm still working in the same shop as a Dog Groomer where I try my best to avoid gnashing teeth and dogs matted in horse manure (true story. please don't ask).<br /><br />SO, there is actually something very exciting about to happen on this blog.<br /><br />After taking a year's break, I'm back to NaNoing (for those unfamiliar, that's the personal challenge of writing a 50,000 novel within the month of November), and I've decided to up-load as I go.<br /><br />The story this year is a sci-fi tale about a young girl who's very content in her humble little life. However, she's dragged unwillingly into a secret society and must forge her own little niche. <br /><br />It'll be raw, dirty, unedited, and probably make very little sense at the best of times. However, with any hope it will later be cleaned up and adapted to form a webcomic using screencaps from Halo: Reach gameplay. <br /><br />I've got about fifty minutes to go before NaNoWriMo, so I'm going to go prep myself for the Big Moment :DGyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-57513123436275682912009-03-08T06:48:00.001-07:002009-03-08T06:53:40.277-07:00Inspired by brother to postAck! He linked me! *dusts cobwebs, does quick cleaning*<br /><br />Just a quick note before I head to work. I will be moving!!! Yay!!! I'm renting a two-bedroom two-story townhouse with two awesome coworkers/friends (will be sharing a room with one ... yay, college times!). It's got a lime tree in the backyard and a working toilet!!!<br /><br />If you wonder what's so special about a working toilet, try to imagine not being able to flush toilet paper for a year. X(<br /><br />Also, the water gets hot! :) Plumbing where I'm at now; not so great. :p<br /><br />Anyway, this townhouse is also right behind the mall, including a Hot Topic and Barnes & Noble, and is about 5 minutes from the Gaming Shop.<br /><br />I'm all excited!! :D<br /><br />Anyway, work calls!!!Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-25034321233201140402009-01-26T06:25:00.000-08:002009-01-26T06:30:54.383-08:00Dream time!I had one of the oddest dreams last night.<br /><br />There ended up being three guys fighting for me. One was an angel with black wings, one was a server at a local diner, and the other was Native American with long, luxuious black hair.<br /><br />I went to the diner with Angel-Guy and Server-Guy got jealous, and later captured and chained up Angel-guy! O.O While the two of them were battling it out, I met the Native American, who was interested in me but not in fighting; more of a peaceful 'let her make her choice' kind of a guy. <br /><br />So, obviously, I chose him. Both Angel-Guy and Server-Guy were not amused, and attacked the Native American! I intervened with some awesome Northern Shaolin Gung Fuery, and swiftly had Angel-Guy and Server-Guy rethinking their sentiments towards me.<br /><br />Then I had to carry the Native American home, since he had been wounded. He was very grateful, and I remember distinctly how his hair felt on my skin as I carried him piggy-back through a nice suburban area. For some reason I was naked, but I didn't care. <br /><br />Later on there was a deer carcass at the side of the road, and as I was walking a Maltese at the time, I decided to take a different route home so he wouldn't roll in it.Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-54392375641741957772008-11-05T12:01:00.000-08:002008-11-05T12:02:27.580-08:00X-posted from FacebookNote: I felt this was best spread around. So, feel free to spread around! :-) Just please give credit where credit is due, and leave comments! :-D<br /><br />First off, I would like to thank and congratulate everyone who helped make this possible, everyone who voted (however you voted) and everyone who volunteered (whoever you volunteered for). One of the saddest things to me about the previous elections (not just 2000 and 2004, but previous elections as well) was the low percentage of voter turnout. Just the fact that this election was so important to so many people that, not only did it move them to get out and vote, but it made people act in a way to want to move others as well. We've done so much for this ability, for this honor, from the American Revolution, the Civil War, to Women's Sufferage. To everyone who voted, who voted for Obama, who voted for McCain, who voted third party or write in or however, I commend you.<br /><br />Secondly, I would like to state my personal reasons for voting for Obama. I have been impressed with the man since he became Senator of Illinois, and remember reading an article about his charisma and infectious enthusiasm that, even then, struck me as what I would like to see in a president; someone who was able to move those around him to act. As the presidential campaign battled on, between the Democrate candidates, and later against McCain, I was continuously amazed by the fact that Obama did not stoop to attacks on his opponent. I was impressed by his intelligent asnwers. I truly commend him for choosing a runningmate who has the experience he lacks, and someone who is not afraid to voice his opinion, especially if it is contrary to the President, and I'm confident that, in such a case, Obama will listen. He is a man that is competant and confident without being cocky, intelligent without being condescending, and compassionate without being weak. I have great confidence that he will be able to help this country rise from her fallen depths, that he will be able to help bridge the gaps between income and political affiliation, and bring us our friends and allies from beyound our shores that the past eight years had alienated so painfully. <br /><br />He can't do it alone, however; we are all Americans here, and he needs us to work together if anything he does is to help. Please, hold my hand as we raise America back up, whether you are Republican or Democrat, Conservative or Liberal, whatever your persuasion, this is your country too. <br /><br />I would like to add that I feel Senator John McCain is a good man, and a good candidate, and while I do not agree with his stance on many issues, I think he would have done an admirable job as president. I admit that I do not have the same feelings for Palin as runningmate, and because of her I would have had trouble accepting his administration, had he won, but I want you to know that, had he any other vice-presedential candidate, I would not have been bitter had the election gone differently.<br /><br />Please, comment to this to let me know you're with me in helping to make this country great again.Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-50270787721423782022008-11-04T16:43:00.000-08:002008-11-04T16:51:26.724-08:00Politics, and underhanded scumbags.So it has come to my attention that google ads have been overtaken by the hideous prop. 8 supporter freaks. :-( I saw this on another forum, but it took me a couple days to remember I had google ads on my blog here, and now I feel sick that they have been showing up when people come to check up on me. I wish I would have thought of this sooner, as I would have had more time to do some major ass-kicking, but instead I give you this;<br /><br />Whatever the pro-8 ad says, know that it is paid for by bigots, by homophobes, and by people who want to shove our great country back into the dark ages of segregation and white-male-hetero power. I do not accept, and you shouldn't either. The ads above promote hate and discrimination. They promote backwards thinking. They do NOT - I repeat; <b><i><u>DO NOT</i></u></b> support the American Way, the American Dream, nor the American Life.<br /><br /><br />I voted NO on Prop. 8 (as a registered Californian) because of Women's Sufferage, Integration, and the Civil War. Have so many people forgotten all we've been through already? It is no longer a time for ignorance and bigotry.<br /><br />"Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it." ~ SantayanaGyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-15341253038487506392008-05-19T14:14:00.001-07:002008-05-19T14:33:32.552-07:00Congratulations! It's an UPDATE!It's probably nearing 85 or so outside ... cooler than last week, though they don't consider 'summer' to be here until the triple digits of September-November. No more Halloweens in snowsuits!<br /><br />No more snowsuits!<br /><br />Not that I've had a snowsuit since I was 10, but I had asome crazy layering going on in those midwest winters!<br /><br />So, I've been here about three months. I've become enamored of the Santa Cruz mountains (okay, mountains in particular, I just happen to be closest to the Santa Cruz ones), and the wiggly winding roads that trespass through mini-redwood forests and hug the mountainsides. On the west the view looks out into green (and sometimes urban-littered) valleys, and more mountain chains in the distance, and to the east there's that big huge expanse of blue known as the Pacific Ocean. <br /><br />I can afford to take such leisurly trips because, despite gas being anywhere from $3.93-$4.15, my milage and my tips are such that my bank account doesn't feel the 'gas pains'. Besides, how could I possible live so close to such natural beauty and NOT take advantage of it at least once a week? <br /><br />I'm also getting a chance to take part in some interesting cultural happenings in the area. Yesterday, while stuck in traffic on my way to work, I saw the aftermath of the 'Bay To Breakers' which is somewhat like a marathon where you run from the bay through The City to the ocean in as odd a getup as you can muster. Some of the tame outfits I saw was a girl wearing a TuTu, later a guy in some really tight really short shorts, and then a woman dressed up as a lobster; brigth red with tail and all!<br /><br />I couldn't participate myself because there were doggies and kitties that needed grooming, but maybe next year ... *plots*<br /><br />This week I'll be attending a limited viewing of the Japanese live-action movie 'Death Note' based on the Anime of the same name. I've seen a few episodes of the Anime, and admit that it's one of my favorites that I want to continue watching. I've become really interested in animes dealing with Shinigami, or 'Death Gods'. Death Note is one. Another, Bleach, takes a completely different approach of the term Shinigami.<br /><br />June will see my celebrating my birthday with my friend Thomas, who shares the same birthday (we shall finally be able to celebrate our birthdays together, which is exciting), and then in July is Comic-Con!!! My very first convention! :-) I was hoping to get a cosplay outfit together, but since I can't sew (not to mention lack of a sewing machine, fabrics, and other such sewing necessities) that probably won't come to pass. There's always next year, though. :-)<br /><br />No earthquakes here yet, but Thomas did feel one while we were on the phone. He dismissed it as nothing greater than a 2, and the conversation went on to other things. <br /><br />So that's it for now. Kire's enjoying herself, and is proably busying herself with her 'Every Lasting Treat Ball' which should prove difficult for even her to break into! :-DGyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-76863036213196338132008-02-14T09:16:00.001-08:002008-02-14T09:21:40.461-08:00Hullo! Quick note!Writing from California!<br /><br />Weather: 60 degrees warmer than your -2! :-D<br /><br />Driving: Nothing different than you'd see in Chicago, Detroit, or Cleveland, excpet for the fact that cuttoffs and 4-lane-traffic dodging and the like occur 10 times more often. Still, the drivers are a strange Nice kind of crazy; there's not the general feel of road rage that I've felt in other cities.<br /><br />Of course, that was just four days. If I move out here, my opinoin might change! :-)<br /><br />And my golly, it's probably impossible to be out of state in this city! The steep steep hills are EVERYWHERE it seems! :-p Driving up and down them on the fringes of the city is fun; evern at 25 mph it's like a roller coaster ride! :-) But withing the city ... yikes! Can't see nothin'! :-p<br /><br />Took a trip to Stintson beach the other day. Crossed the Golden Gate to get there and took a ridiculously fun curvy ribbon road that hugged the mountain and boardered the ocean. Miss a turn and you're going for a high dive! :-p :-)<br /><br />Ocean was cold.<br /><br />Still better than -2! :-)<br /><br />Those are my thoughts for now! I'm just waiting for my check-in time here at the Hostel (it didn't take me nearly as long as I had thought it would to get here, and I didn't get lost once)!<br /><br />Bai!Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-40291602531744853072008-01-31T09:54:00.000-08:002008-01-31T09:59:49.033-08:00Poor poor Schubert!They say that your sense of smell is strongly linked to memory.<br /><br />That made itself blatantly clear when Franz Schubert's String Quintet in C Major started playing and I immediately remembered the smell of burnt marshmallows, because that's what the musty old library smelled like that my quintet rehearsed that piece in at ENCORE a few years ago. Wonderful wonderful piece, icky smell. That and there were personality clashes between ... well ... just about everyone and our coach. I think I was one of two people that didn't argue with her in any way. If I'm remembering correctly (god, that musty burnt marshmallow smell really gave me headaches, it was hard to concentrate on anything besides trying to breathe!), the other cellist really got into a spat with the Coach!<br /><br />Go figure.Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-10037962939633998622008-01-24T13:37:00.000-08:002008-01-24T13:50:48.725-08:00This is today.Which started out very badly. As in up at 6am with a small stomach bug badly. Could be worse, could be one of those 24 hour stomach bugs, at which point I wouldn't be here typing but would be back praying to the porcelain god.<br /><br />Just a small bug, so I'm starting to feel mostly better. I did some laundry. I sent out a resume with a really kick-ass job (no, I'm not telling you; I don't want to jinx it!).<br /><br />Kire stole my pillow and is hanging out in the big leather chair watching 40 Greatest Internet Superstars on VH1. I just took some headache medicine and a Vitamin C tablet.<br /><br />Oh, and you see those boxy pictures at the top? That's my store! All proceeds feed my want-to-pay-my-bills addiction. :-)<br /><br />On The Golden Compass; New Line's ideas to cover up the 'anti-religion' part and (from what I've read) cut the film to 2 hours really killed it. Rumors say the second and third installments will be made, and will follow the book more closely. I should hope so; the story is why we read.Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-83197899165739614732007-12-10T09:53:00.000-08:002007-12-10T10:25:25.107-08:00The Golden Compass, IMHO**this review is spoiler free**<br /><br />So I saw the movie Saturday night with a friend. I think I need to see it at least a couple more time for formulate a more objective opinion (too many OMG SQUEEEE IT'S JUST HOW I IMAGINED IT OR MORESO!!!! moments), so this review will be short and sweet. :-)<br /><br />Okay, so I went ballistic over the effects. Pullman's writing is very visual, and leant itself extremely well for the Big Screen. :-) The novel had a very Steam-Punk feel to it, and the movie took this aspect and ran with it, creating some of the most fabulous and intriguing forms of transportation. This made my friend, a writer of Steam-Punk, very very giddily happy.<br /><br />One scene I have to talk about in particular was the Bear Fight. In the book, it was one of my most favorite scenes. I will not go into detail for spoiler reasons, so if you're curious why I liked this scene in particular, ask. :-) Anyway, in the movie, I didn't think this was possible ... I'm sitting there anticipating the dramatic end to the fight and it was 10X MORE exciting and surprising! There was arm-pumping involved. Completely unexpected. :-)<br /><br />Now, the anti-religion part. I knew they had taken out the 'Church' antagonist, but it was fairly obvious (to me, at least) what they were talking about. The biggest let down was the big explanation near the end where they completely glossed over it and it didn't really work, instead of original 'Anti-church' ending from the book. At this point, I don't know how else they could have written it, but it'll be on my mind for a while now.<br /><br />So, that's my opinion for now. :-) More details later!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />... or not!Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-20478840473476063142007-11-08T11:33:00.000-08:002007-11-08T11:48:26.960-08:00caffiene.Life: Applying for stable jobs, including but not limited to PetSmart, Barnes and Noble, and Borders. Living with parents. Emptying boxes and revisiting my past all at the same time while formulating my future. Oh, and trying not to die in the present. :-)<br /><br />Knitting: I organized my yarns! So they won't tangle! All it took was zip lock bags, nylons, and rubber bands! Yay! I have successfully completed two projects for myself (a chunky warm scarf and hand warmers) and two for others (hand warmers for mom and a blanket for some lucky puppy/kitty at the Humane Society). I need to finish my sweater (three years and counting).<br /><br />Writing: NaNoWriMo 2007 is well underway. I'm chugging along, though behind by the previous years' standards. Things took a very favorable turn last night, when it turns out that Breckin is famous (or infamous?), enough so that Miquelon has heard of him. I'll be very interested to see how that turns out ...<br /><br />Grooming: Saturday I had a mess of a 'Maltese' that was dirty and matted. The owner gave me free range, although preferred him longer. I brushed him out before the bath and felt that it wasn't so bad that it had to be shaved. I bathed him, and figured the mats might come out in fluff drying with a stiff brush, but they came out very easily with the high velocity dryer, I was pretty surprised! His ears and tail were very matted as well, but I was able to save them with patience. I didn't feel I had enough time to nitpick as I would have liked, but I was very happy with the fact that I was able to save him from a shavedown in this weather and an upcoming winter. :-)<br /><br />Kire: Sassy as usual. Taken to standing/laying/sitting on the heat vents (much like I do. In face, when I do that, she usually joins me as well). She's currently curled up asleep on my blanket on the couch. <br /><br />Other: Snow sucks. At least today it didn't stick.Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-77782065667165278212007-10-27T15:13:00.000-07:002007-10-27T15:30:12.634-07:00Oh look, I have a blog!I forgot about this. :-p Then I remembered!<br /><br />I have to say that I am very much amused byt eh "LOL Cats" pictures. And, for some reason, I get the urge to type in "LOL Cat Speak. This includes phrases like "I can has" or "I eated" or "I am in ur Blank Blanking ur Blank." I am both amused and annoyed by my constant desire to SPEAK IN ALL CAPS in ridiculous broken English.<br /><br />I shall spare you the pain, however. <br /><br />In other news, I will be attempting NaNoWriMo for the third year in a row this November. Here are the stats:<br /><br />Title: The White Serval<br />Genre: Fantasy<br />Sequel to: Alchemist's Child (to be retitled, as I discovered there's already a novel out there called "Alchemist's Child")<br />Main Story:<br />1. Teegra getting abducted for her musical prowess and learning about her captors, Miquelon, Yann, and Seed in particular.<br /><br />2. Breckin, Essyrian, and Martin in pursuit. Martin and Essyrian involved in numerous sibling spats. Breckin soon to follow when his ship is intercepted by his older brother.<br /><br />3. Harkson searching for Zanadie, obsessing over Essyrian and Martin. Yjasson in a dillema about loyalty.<br /><br />4. Zanadie attempting to rescue Klimeft, Andrie and Sirift trying to stop her for fear of her saftey.<br /><br />Not to say that this is *exactly* how things are going to go; these characters may possibly have their own ideas on how to go about things. :-p <br /><br />I shall try to keep you informed as the challenge begins and the month progresses.Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-85409993535453870682007-07-31T15:12:00.000-07:002007-07-31T15:26:25.518-07:00and here I amI moved again.<br /><br />Since High School I moved from Flint to Chicago to Flint to Chicago to Flint to Cleveland to Flint to Cleveland to Brook Park to Grand Rapids to Allendale.<br /><br />aaaand, I'll be moving again in the fall. I am trying to pare down my things, get rid of what isn't absolutely necessary. This is proving difficult, although I did donate/throw away a lot of stuff during the last move. <br /><br />But being in a new place is always exciting. I'm in a more rural area, and thought I'm about the same distance from work, it's taking back roads past farms and pastures. I pass about three sweet-corn stands, one of which offers tomatoes and onions and the like and a little nursery/farm that sells fruits and flowers along with the veggies. There's horses and cows and tractors and sch :-) It's much more enjoyable and far less stressful than taking the highway! :-D<br /><br />Kire's doing great in the new place, and with new people :-) Except instead of begging she tries to stick her nose in people's food.Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-27037869435426117612007-05-25T17:57:00.000-07:002007-05-25T19:02:13.870-07:00Furball and the PirateTwo things!<br /><br />1) I took Kire for a nice long walk today. Oddly, at the end of some of our walks, she's in the habit of putting on the brakes as I go to enter the building and instead looking towards the parking lot. Today I decided to see where she wanted me to take her, and let her take the lead (so to speak). She took me out into the parking lot and between two cars that looked nothing like mine, looking up at me. Then, she ventured further into the lot and started looking around like a mall patron that has misplaced their vehicle. After that, she conceded to being lead inside. I was laughing at her nearly the whole time.<br /><br />2) I saw Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End last night and was absolutely amazed! It was unlike any other major blockbuster I've ever seen; it was deep and meaningful, and surprising! The end is not something I would have expected, and yet it was the only ending that was fitting, really!<br /><br />Curious to hear what other people think ...Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-42794718405378772772007-04-24T18:48:00.000-07:002007-04-24T18:52:38.235-07:00This is so cool!<a href="http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pri&dt=070424&cat=news&st=newsd8on9puo0&src=ap">!!!!!</a><br /><br />This is so cool! It's like I'm living in a science fiction novel or movie or something :-D Of course, lets hope it's not one of those uber-catastrophic stories where Earth dies and we must all venture forth to make our lives somewhere else, like a parasite sucking total life and moving on, leaving a trail of shells in our wake. <br /><br />We should fix this planet before we think about inhabiting others.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />but it's still cool that we found one! I wonder if there's life, and what it would be like?Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-15262623984396981292007-04-21T09:18:00.000-07:002007-04-21T09:20:34.648-07:00Everyone needs to see this ...If they ever offer synchronized treadmill dancing as a class, I am *so* taking it!<br /><br />Apparently these guys ("The Fray") choreographed this all themselves. They can sing *and* dance ... on treadmills! :-D It's quite an amusing and impressive video!<br /><br />Without further ado ...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI">OK Go</a>Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-55996530534427269402007-04-13T19:03:00.000-07:002007-04-13T19:46:43.845-07:00Slipping back in the oceanI am single. Again. After a long hiatus.<br /><br />It was a fun hiatus. There were movies, and popcorn, and trips, and roller coasters (both of the physical and emotional kind). As the hiatus edged on, however, there was stagnancy, and fights, and bitter words. I realized the hiatus had to come to an end.<br /><br />So, now I will slowly and carefully step back into the freezing waters of the ocean where the fish of life await. I'm not worried about finding someone, whether it takes two years or twenty. Right now, I'm about meeting people, making friends, and just seeing where life takes me.<br /><br />Oh man, and Kire just farted and it stinks! I'm going to go put some incense on! >_<<br /><br />~GydaGyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-29965702729702890352007-03-21T11:37:00.000-07:002007-03-21T11:44:34.485-07:00Ta Da!As you can see, I have seen the Pirates III trailer, and now you can too! :-) That, and I'm not totally an idiot when it comes to computers. Almost, but not quite!<br /><br />My first day as a Profressional Dog GRoomer went well; it started out with a slow morning; they scheduled me two dogs and one cancelled, and then got a little busier with three dogs in the afternoon. Only one of them was a bath and brush, and the others were wiggly! <br /><br />After that, I had orchestra rehearsal, and didn't get home until after 10 at night. 'Tired' doesn't even begin to explain it. :-/ I slept hard, though, so today I'm ... sort of rested (maybe too rested?) and cleaning and practicing before work at the OG. <br /><br />I'm trying to decide if I should fix my lunch now or after I get home from work ... tomorrow is right out because I'm up so early to get to work that the prospect of sleeping in vs. making lunch is already a lost battle. <br /><br />Not much else to report. I'm convinced that Rimsky-Korsokov likes to torture cellists, as Scheherezade is one of the most annoying orchestral pieces I've played in a long time. It's not hard like 'Ooo, that's fast! better practice my fingerings!' but more like 'whoa, that's a lot of string/position changes in a very short time .... and it's fast!'<br /><br />It'll come, it'll come ... just not easily and not pleasantly! o.O<br /><br />Stay Frosty!<br />CaitlinGyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-53308861335777105292007-03-17T04:19:00.000-07:002007-03-17T04:35:48.510-07:00It's too early.So I've checked IMDB, and the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency has been unlocked. It is not a movie, as I had previously though, but a television series listed as 'Comedy/Drama/Mystery' by the same guy that did 'The Talented Mr. Ripley'. I have a good feeling about this (even though Mr. Ripley didn't exactly leave me with warm fuzzies, if you know what I mean).<br /><br />I have an early morning rehearsal for our concert on Sunday, which is why I'm up so early. >_< Never did like mornings. Going to have to get used to them, though, with my new job (eeee, start Tuesday!!). Thankfully though we're getting into spring so 1. It'll be brighter earlier and 2. It'll be warm!!! :-D Nothing like getting up early early in the morning to be dealt an icy slap in the face. gr, me no likey winter!<br /><br />The writing endeavors have slowed up a bit, with the sudden appearance of hte dreaded Writer's Block. I *know* what I want to write, how I want to edit, where I want things to go, but for some reason all that comes out is crap crap crap. I'm going to try a few things to throw this block out of the way (would normally set the writing aside for a few months or however long it took, but I'm determined here!). I'll be submersing myself in other creative endeavors to jumpstart the juices (knitting, drawing ... I'm currently trying to devise a pattern for knitted Dice Bags, and already have some potential customers) as well as trying to continue to write. I started a bit about some RP characters of mine, little stories to try and budge the block, so we'll see how that goes *grrrr, block!*<br /><br />Oooo, the sky is already getting lighter! :-) It's matching the flames under my kettle as my hot-cocoa awaits! Talk later!<br /><br />~GydaGyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-6803307678841935712007-03-11T18:28:00.000-07:002007-03-11T18:42:26.762-07:00Yay Movie Goodness To Come!!!So I am highly anticipating the release of two movies that ... won't happen for a while.<br /><br />First is The #1 Ladies' Detective Agency, based on the series of the same name by Alexander McCall Smith. I *love* this series! His style of writing is so fresh and descriptive, it's almost like I'm there in Botswana (and in this cold weather that's a double blessing!). The characters are deep and intruiging, especially Mma. Ramotswe. I cannot wait for this movie to be released! For some reason, though, its page on IMDB is locked ... :-(<br /><br />The second I just found out about today ... apparently Steven Spielberg has been chasing the rights for this and finally got them, and will be releasing the first of hopefully a series in 2009. What is it, you say? Why, The Adventures Of Tin Tin! :-D It's actually a French cartoon, and is very big in Europe, but I remember watching the English-dubbed version when they played it on Nikelodeon. My, how I loved it! It's also a detective story about a young guy -- Tin Tin -- and his dog Snowy (a pure-white Wire-Haired Fox Terrier, by my guess) and the cases they solve as a reporter and trusty canine sidekick. It's on YouTube, if you're curious. :-)<br /><br />The good news is that by the time they're released, I should be in a stable financial situation enough to see them opening night. *knocks on wood* :-DGyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-54183433982341363812007-03-04T20:44:00.000-08:002007-03-04T21:14:35.554-08:00world, here I come *gulp*So I have a little more than a week until I graduate. I have a job all lined up, I'll be calling tomorrow to find out when exactly they want me there. I'm getting really really excited and at the same time really really nervous.<br /><br />Why does it seem that midnight is the best time dwell on one's insecurities and the greater obstacles of life? Huh.<br /><br />One of my biggest hangups still is details. I have been trying very very *very* hard to get over this, but it seems to be a deeply rooted part of me that just can't get it. Whether it's just inexperience that I'll overcome with time, or something that will forever hinder me, I don't know at this point, but I'll groom and snip and brush and snip some more FAR longer than I would like until I cannot see or find anything, call the instructor over, and invaribly have something I need to fix. The instructors assure me that I'm fine, I'm being too hard on myself, that experience will change this, but knowing me and my past, I guess I'm not ready to tell myself to 'let it go' quite yet. Tomorrow I'll go in with the singular goal of getting my dogs groomed on time and checked ONCE before they go. <br /><br />I find I've been gravitating towards my more spiritual side. I've been so lax these past few months, trying just to make it from one day to the next, and now I find myself saying little prayers to the gods and trying to imbue the calmness of Buddhist teachings in my everyday life to help me transition from part time student to full time adult. I have yet to break out my Yoga DVD or do some serious meditation, but it will come. I feel like I'm such a disctractable, flighty person at times and need something to really ground me.<br /><br />Due to a blast of insight from a weapon known to some as a 'clue gun' I have decided to go back and polish up "Zanadie" for publication before "Alchemist's Child", as it was pointed out that an unknown author would have better luck with a standalone novel than a trilogy. Yeah, I'm a novice, could you tell? ;-) Still going to edit Alechemist, as well as work on the sequal, but for this month (National Novel Editing Month) I'll be putting my focus back on Zanadie.<br /><br />It's so interesting visiting this work after having set it down for nearly a year, especially when the main character ends up with a rather sizable role in Alchemist. It's wonderful to see how her character changed and matured in the two books, and going back I'm seeing how I can better accentuate this. I've realized that I never gave her an age, so now I have the joy of figuring out timelines (numbers! math! evil!!!). <br /><br />Kire's zonked out behind me on the chair. She's gotten in the habit of standing ON TOP of the BACK of the chair and putting her feet on my shoulders, and then just standing there, as if reading the laptop computer screen from her perch. Such a cat, except that she's not. :-p My friend described her as a "cat, mixed with a deer, that is somehow a dog". I can't really disagree. I took her to PetSmart today to get food, and she was really well behaved. :-)<br /><br />Anyway, I think I'm through divulging my demons and angels for the night. Take care, everyone!<br /><br />~Gyda (and the comatose catdogdeer)Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-83935901177645358282007-02-27T16:57:00.000-08:002007-02-27T17:10:47.477-08:00meh.I feel like I'm getting sick again. Sore throat, fatigue, stuffy head, blahdablahdablahda. Yay for tea and cough drops!<br /><br />So I gave the first two [polished] chapters of my NaNoNovel (Hereby called by its working title: Alchemist's Child) to a friend to critique. Said friend is also a fantasy writer and has ready many books on the subject (and even has a signed letter from Terry Brooks, author of the Shannara series (which I have not gotten around to reading, yet).<br /><br />Friend apologized for taking so long, and admitted that he'd sit down to critique and get so involved in the story he'd forget! He finally gave up all hopes of redpenning until he'd read them, and then would go back and write. Yay for me, I can be engaging! :-D<br /><br />So I've been participating (loosely) in the National Novel Publishing Year. February was for researching agents and publishing houses. I've found two good legit sites (Preditors and Editors and AgentQuery). On AQ I even found an agent who specializes in the sort of novel I wrote! :-D <br /><br />March is National Novel Editing Month, where the goal is to put in 50 hours of editing. We'll see how it goes, as it's been a busy time for me IRL and I only really get pockets of time to do stuff. I've been steadily (if not slowly) editing the whole thing since January, however, and it's shaping up into a nice little story. My only fear is that it's too little. I think I know where I can expand on, and hopefully I can do that in March, and certainly Friend's critiques will aid in that. On a whole, I'm feeling very happy and confident about my little adventure. <br /><br />On other creative fronts, I've been toiling away periodically on my FreeForm knitting project. It's turned out to be dense and slow going, but a little bit here and a little bit there and I'll have a little poncho :-) I might get one more skein of the Noro, but I want to see how long my first lasts me. I *may* not need another, and don't want to jump the gun. It's a varigated, and it's broken up by other yarns, so it's not exceedingly important that it be from the same dye lot, fortunately. <br /><br />I don't think my cello wanted to be practiced today. I started out and everything was in tune except the C string, which had fallen, so I had to tune that, then tune the others that had gotten out of whack, and then halfway through my practice session the other three strings decided to whack out too and fall down the depths of hte known scale. Aragorn; 2, Caitlin: 2. We are tied.<br /><br />I haven't done much drawing outside of my D&D gaming group, although I am trying to get a better feel for people, starting with my Gnome Druid 'Zikky', which is truly a challenge as Zikky is a transvestite and right now none of the other characters (or players, for that matter) know that "She" is really a "He". Thank the gods for non-gender specific Gnomish names! :-D <br /><br />Well, my tea is at its end, and I must refill it before my throat erupts in an explosion liken to that of Mount Toba. <br /><br />~GydaGyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-64917668815093000412007-01-02T04:25:00.000-08:002007-01-02T04:35:54.541-08:00*yawn* The time is seven hours and twenty-five minutes and one day into the new year. I'm waking up for school. I'm drinking soup and theraflu for breakfast (mmm, yummy!).<br/><br/>Last night I worked on a sweater that's been in progress for well over a year. It's the most ambitious knitting project I've undertaken since a Saxon-Braid cabled scarf I made for my mom (that pattern took 45 minutes to complete three inches. I am not longer a fan of cable knitting. Pretty, but far too much work!). I've got to finish the sleeves, attach them to the body, sew that all up, and add the collar and buttons. Yay, excitement! It's turning out really nice, too, if I don't say so myself! :-) I couldn't afford the yarns used in the actual pattern (Alchemy yarns, very very pretty) so I went with Bernat Soft and Chunky, and I have to say I am pleasantly surprised! It's a nice, smooth yarn to work with and it knits out soft! I can't wait to be able to wear it!<br/> <br/>Besides that, Month 3 has started for National Novel Publishing Year, which means the first revision. I'll be going over Alchemist's (or Osprey's) Child to smooth out inconsistancies and flesh out parts and whatnot. The site says that this revision is more about content than grammer/spelling, but there are sections that I know I'll be tweaking the G&S (especially where I was transcribing from my notebook, and not looking at the screen). <br/><br/>Anyway, I'ma going to be off and getting ready now. Need to finish my medicine and breakfast and stash away some cough drops for today. Take care!<br/><style>i{content: normal !important}</style><style>i{content: normal !important}</style>Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-40211308687211702692007-01-01T06:22:00.000-08:002007-01-01T06:36:02.792-08:00Happy Beginning of 2007!Yay, confettii! #$%$%*#(*#*#&^##)$*(<br/><br/>Anyway, Craig and I have a New Year's tradition. It's not one<br/>we intended, but it happened all the same. Ever since we <br/>started dating, one or both of us have been sick come <br/>New Year's. <br/><br/>2005 it was Craig. I was at home at the time and remember <br/>calling him up to hear hacking and stories about sitting near<br/>the stage for the Don Faranacci concert at Nighttown, inundating<br/>himself with tea, water, and loads of lemons.<br/><br/>2006 it was me. We were together this time, at the Don Faranacci <br/> show in Nighttown, and I was trying to hack up both lunges. <br/><br/>2007 it was me again, although Craig is just getting over being<br/>sick. We spent New Years here, at my apartment, watching the <br/>Prairie Home Companion show. I ate an entire pan of soup. <br/><br/>Now, I'm making tea and preparing to wake up before work <br/>(that's what I get for saying I have open availability in order to get<br/>Christmas Eve off; I close New Year's Eve and work New Year's Day).<br/>then, Craig and I will go see a movie (hopefully. As it turns out, the <br/>cinemas that he has gift certificates for doesn't exist in this state).<br/><br/>New Year's Resolutions? Survive. Be tidier. Be creative. Finish things. <br/>Be social. Be strong. Be frugle. Be musical. Be good. Be bop.<br/><style>i{content: normal !important}</style>Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24558113.post-62936530459236165132006-12-27T10:34:00.000-08:002006-12-27T10:38:52.403-08:00Ham and Rice Soup<div align="left">I just made this, and I really like it, so I'm writing it here <br/>so I don't forget (and you can experiment if you'd like, too!) <br/>It is as follows:<br/>*note: I experiment alot, so escuse the vague insrtuctions<br/><br/>1. Boil water. I think I was using about four cups.<br/>2. Add salt. I think I used 1/4 teaspoon (I measure in my hand)<br/>3. Add Liquid Smoke Hickory Seasoning, 1/8 tsp (this I did measure)<br/>4. Cut up and add cheese (I used Garlic Herb)<br/>5. Cut up and add ham (precooked, but I guess since you're cooking here than that wouldn't matter)<br/>6. Add prepared rice (I cooked it earlier). <br/> 7. Let cook at medium head until cheese is fully melted. I did add a little more salt after the fact, but I like my things salty. :-)<br/><br/><br/></div>Gyda Songhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06419989340788586642noreply@blogger.com0