Well, it's summer now*!
Since I've never gone to school, summer means something different than "OMG NO MORE SCHOOL THROW A FREAKING PARTY".
To me, summer is a wonderful time (sometimes FAR too hot), where I can get to talk to all my schooled friends late at night, and they don't have to vanish so they can get up early.
Also, a big part of summer is/are my summer project(s). Now, when I say summer project(s), I don't mean schoolwork, or really, work of any kind. Summer projects are all to do with fun, in my opinion.
In previous years, I've decided to read an entire book series, or find out all I can about Shakespeare, make my own wooden sword with a hacksaw and some paint, start planning a novel, or prepare for the theatre season that begins in the fall.
This year, I have accidentally ended up with far, far too many summer projects, and it's just halfway through July. O__O These projects take on minds of their own, and as the summer rolls along, I will undoubtedly find another two, three or four MORE projects to add to my ever-growing list. Oh woe.
Current possible summer projects include:
Reading up on Anne Bonny and Mary Read.
For some reason, this set of famous female pirates seem like a on-again-off-again good idea to do my NaNoWriMo novel about. I think I need a BIT more information about exactly what they did and who they were before I can properly put pen to paper and draw up an outline for anything. I'd like to fill in some of the fuzzy details. The past two years, I've done realistic YA and a fantasy epic for NaNo, so maybe this year I'll do something totally different!
Watching all the the X-Men movies:
Yes, I know. It's a mildly silly goal, but I really liked X-Men: First Class. I've never gotten into superheroes, but there's something about that crazy misfit band of mutants that I really liked. This project is rather similar to my TOS Star Trek watching attempt. I saw Star Trek 2009, and I wanted to see what else Trek-related I would enjoy. Let's just say that old Trek was a bit difficult to get into, so that's on the side right now. HOWEVER, Netflix has Star Trek Voyager, and that one's a bit newer, with a female captain. We shall have to see...
Plotting this November's NaNoWriMo:
This one is kind of hinging on doing research about Anne and Mary, but I like to get my ducks in a row for NaNo far, far before I actually NEED to. If I'm going to do a full-scale fantasy novel again, I'll need all the prep time I can get. I've also got some other plans bopping about in my head, but nothing concrete enough to put on paper. I WILL PREVAIL, THO'!
Vlogging:
I've said that I'm camera-shy on NUMEROUS occasions, but after doing a video with Nick for his collab channel, I think I'll throw myself whole-heartedly into yet ANOTHER crazy plan. Good ideas are good.
Buffy:
A good portion of my friends have watched and subsequently LOVED Buffy. I've seen the pilot episode, and it was pretty...okay, but I'm not giving up yet. So many people adore that show, and they can't ALL be wrong. (Or maybe they can. There are an AWFUL lot of Twilight fans out there.) I'll give it another few episodes to prove itself.
I haven't quite picked out what projects I'd like to see to completion, but I have high hopes.
There's an awful lot of summer left, and an AWFUL lot of awesome things to do. I'll see you later, friends!
~Whimsy
*For this unschooler, summer starts in June, and goes all the way through September 1st, the day that Hogwarts term starts.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Week Twenty-Six: Social Experiment
I've learned something, and I would like to share this story with you all.
I'm a naturally quiet person. My first instinct is to not engage in a conversation with someone, and just let my distractions take over, so I just pay attention to whatever the most shiny thing in the room is. Remaining quiet means I don't have to worry about all the funny little social things that we humans feel the need to do, and it has the added advantage of freeing up my brain-space for even more thought about whatever is buzzing around in my head.
There are, however, some distinct disadvantages to this strategy. The first, and most blatant problem is that after this, I sometimes end up wishing that I had the nerve to just insert myself in the conversation.
Recently, I've been attempting to put myself out there more, and (I know that half/most of you are reading this just KNOWING what I'm going to say, and are ready with a "No, REALLY, Whimsy?", but I need to say this anyway) people are really receptive, if you're put yourself out there and be friendly first.
And when I do, it's nice to make connections with people. I've been to a few wizard/nerd rock shows this summer, and am lucky enough to be going to another at the end of the month, where I shall continue to employ my new tactic. It's working so far.
~Whimsy
Addendum part A: I still consider myself an introvert, and happily so. I do enjoy hanging around with people, as well as hanging around myself and my books.
Addendum part B: Perhaps this will be one of those "Why did I blog at 2am?" type of posts, but even if it is, that's fine with me. As of right now, I genuinely like what I've written, and that's good enough for me.
I'm a naturally quiet person. My first instinct is to not engage in a conversation with someone, and just let my distractions take over, so I just pay attention to whatever the most shiny thing in the room is. Remaining quiet means I don't have to worry about all the funny little social things that we humans feel the need to do, and it has the added advantage of freeing up my brain-space for even more thought about whatever is buzzing around in my head.
There are, however, some distinct disadvantages to this strategy. The first, and most blatant problem is that after this, I sometimes end up wishing that I had the nerve to just insert myself in the conversation.
Recently, I've been attempting to put myself out there more, and (I know that half/most of you are reading this just KNOWING what I'm going to say, and are ready with a "No, REALLY, Whimsy?", but I need to say this anyway) people are really receptive, if you're put yourself out there and be friendly first.
And when I do, it's nice to make connections with people. I've been to a few wizard/nerd rock shows this summer, and am lucky enough to be going to another at the end of the month, where I shall continue to employ my new tactic. It's working so far.
~Whimsy
Addendum part A: I still consider myself an introvert, and happily so. I do enjoy hanging around with people, as well as hanging around myself and my books.
Addendum part B: Perhaps this will be one of those "Why did I blog at 2am?" type of posts, but even if it is, that's fine with me. As of right now, I genuinely like what I've written, and that's good enough for me.
Week Twenty-Five: A Discussion Of Summer And Why This Blog Post Is So Late
Why hello!
I realize it's been a rather long while, and that, as of now, I am a month behind ohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifn my project. My plans are to fix this by creating a series of blogs. I will firstly, catch up, and secondly, I will attempt to actually finish this year-long project in a blaze of glory, not a puddle of failure. xD
Currently, this project is in the puddle of failure phase. But never fear, dear readers, THIS BLOG WILL SURVIVE.
So, I've been doing pretty much everything, which is why I haven't had any time to properly blog. Between having the ever-charming Nick over to my house for a whole week, continuing rather large home-improvement projects, having parties and things, going on vacation, and still keeping up with the classes/workshops I participate in, getting ready for HP7 part 2 and writing some new music, I haven't even had any time to sit and READ, which has been a travesty all unto itself.
Just a few days ago, I managed to get to a library, and I subsequently curled up with my books, and haven't let go since. I still have my summer re-read of Taggerung and Pearls of Lutra, which are my two favorite Redwall books. Yes, I know. I'm nineteen, and I read Redwall. I own almost every one of those books, and despite the fact that they're certainly follow a formula, I've read each one numerous times.
I can probably tell you the full history of the vermin hordes in Mossflower, and the chronicles of the Badger Lords in order (not the order the books were released in, the order that the story follows), and more than likely, I could draw up a half-way decent map of the Abbey.
There are some books that I read as comfort food, when life is getting too crazy, when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, when I have no time to breathe, I can set aside a few minites to scan a page or two of a book that I've read over and over again. And every time I read that book, I return to an old friend. I might remember the dialouge, and I might hum the songs when they appear in the text, and I might know who dies in the end, what the end result of a prophecy or a riddle is, but that doesn't matter. In between the pages of that book, I've found a small piece of sanity where I had none before.
Thankfully, there's no disaster in my life that calls for pulling out the Redwall books, but I still like to read them when it's summer.
I can lay back on the grass, begin the story, and just think about living in a tiny stone abbey, eating food made by ottercooks and dreaming of a sword that belonged to a small warrior with a big heart.
~Whimsy
I realize it's been a rather long while, and that, as of now, I am a month behind ohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifn my project. My plans are to fix this by creating a series of blogs. I will firstly, catch up, and secondly, I will attempt to actually finish this year-long project in a blaze of glory, not a puddle of failure. xD
Currently, this project is in the puddle of failure phase. But never fear, dear readers, THIS BLOG WILL SURVIVE.
So, I've been doing pretty much everything, which is why I haven't had any time to properly blog. Between having the ever-charming Nick over to my house for a whole week, continuing rather large home-improvement projects, having parties and things, going on vacation, and still keeping up with the classes/workshops I participate in, getting ready for HP7 part 2 and writing some new music, I haven't even had any time to sit and READ, which has been a travesty all unto itself.
Just a few days ago, I managed to get to a library, and I subsequently curled up with my books, and haven't let go since. I still have my summer re-read of Taggerung and Pearls of Lutra, which are my two favorite Redwall books. Yes, I know. I'm nineteen, and I read Redwall. I own almost every one of those books, and despite the fact that they're certainly follow a formula, I've read each one numerous times.
I can probably tell you the full history of the vermin hordes in Mossflower, and the chronicles of the Badger Lords in order (not the order the books were released in, the order that the story follows), and more than likely, I could draw up a half-way decent map of the Abbey.
There are some books that I read as comfort food, when life is getting too crazy, when my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, when I have no time to breathe, I can set aside a few minites to scan a page or two of a book that I've read over and over again. And every time I read that book, I return to an old friend. I might remember the dialouge, and I might hum the songs when they appear in the text, and I might know who dies in the end, what the end result of a prophecy or a riddle is, but that doesn't matter. In between the pages of that book, I've found a small piece of sanity where I had none before.
Thankfully, there's no disaster in my life that calls for pulling out the Redwall books, but I still like to read them when it's summer.
I can lay back on the grass, begin the story, and just think about living in a tiny stone abbey, eating food made by ottercooks and dreaming of a sword that belonged to a small warrior with a big heart.
~Whimsy
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Week Twenty-Four: Excuses and Things
I realize that I am almost a week late in my blog project, but here's a really quick hello before I have to fly.
I didn't think that this summer was going to be as crazy or awesome as it's turning out to be, and frankly, I'm really excited. Yes, there's a LOT going on, but it's all good stuff. Between getting ready for two family birthdays, fathers day*, out of town company, a family vacation, a huge party at our house, doing home improvements, and keeping my sanity, there's all this NORMAL BUSY that's still happening.
Anyhwo, must fly, I have many things to do and not much time to do them in.
~Whimsy
*Celebrated with my grandpa, not my dad
I didn't think that this summer was going to be as crazy or awesome as it's turning out to be, and frankly, I'm really excited. Yes, there's a LOT going on, but it's all good stuff. Between getting ready for two family birthdays, fathers day*, out of town company, a family vacation, a huge party at our house, doing home improvements, and keeping my sanity, there's all this NORMAL BUSY that's still happening.
Anyhwo, must fly, I have many things to do and not much time to do them in.
~Whimsy
*Celebrated with my grandpa, not my dad
Monday, June 6, 2011
Week Twenty-Three: Working!
Goooood morning!
So, yesterday we got the call that once again, we are working on the a national touring production, and this time, it's Beauty and the Beast. Now, I do believe I've used this blog to rant about my dislike of all things Disney, but today, I'm not going to do that, choosing instead to yammer on for a bit about working a show.
More than anything else, I love theatre. I love performing, making props, backstage work, set up, clean up....anything to do with a production. At the same time, I'd be lying if I told you that it's not hard work.
Since I belong to that brave company of people known as wardrobe, it's a very long day. We're there from set up (8am) through the show call (6pm) to cleaning up after the show and finally collapsing with exhaustion (11pm). It literally does NOT stop.
Wardrobe is responsible for:
Cleaning dressing rooms.
Setting up dressing rooms.
Setting out food for the crew.
Transporting/loading costumes in and out.
Sorting costumes.
Making sure the actors are in the right clothing.
Doing the laundry after every show.
Ironing costumes.
Setting costumes out for quick changes.
Assisting in quick changes.
Keeping the costume area(s) neat during the show.
Not being in the way when people need to move quickly.
Re-setting costumes for the next show. (If it's a more than one show stop at the theater, that is.)
Packing all costume pieces back up, ready for transport.
Cleaning up dressing rooms.
Each wardrobe crew member is assigned a track. It's a sheet of paper, detailing all the tasks you're expected to do right before the show, during the show and after the show. Each track is responsible for certain actors, quick changes, and pre-sets, and there's just one person working each track. So you need to learn FAST. xD
So that's MY weekend!
If you work, what is your job?
~Whimsy
P.S. This summer, I am kidnapping the illustrious Nick for a little over a week! I have much excitement about this.
So, yesterday we got the call that once again, we are working on the a national touring production, and this time, it's Beauty and the Beast. Now, I do believe I've used this blog to rant about my dislike of all things Disney, but today, I'm not going to do that, choosing instead to yammer on for a bit about working a show.
More than anything else, I love theatre. I love performing, making props, backstage work, set up, clean up....anything to do with a production. At the same time, I'd be lying if I told you that it's not hard work.
Since I belong to that brave company of people known as wardrobe, it's a very long day. We're there from set up (8am) through the show call (6pm) to cleaning up after the show and finally collapsing with exhaustion (11pm). It literally does NOT stop.
Wardrobe is responsible for:
Cleaning dressing rooms.
Setting up dressing rooms.
Setting out food for the crew.
Transporting/loading costumes in and out.
Sorting costumes.
Making sure the actors are in the right clothing.
Doing the laundry after every show.
Ironing costumes.
Setting costumes out for quick changes.
Assisting in quick changes.
Keeping the costume area(s) neat during the show.
Not being in the way when people need to move quickly.
Re-setting costumes for the next show. (If it's a more than one show stop at the theater, that is.)
Packing all costume pieces back up, ready for transport.
Cleaning up dressing rooms.
Each wardrobe crew member is assigned a track. It's a sheet of paper, detailing all the tasks you're expected to do right before the show, during the show and after the show. Each track is responsible for certain actors, quick changes, and pre-sets, and there's just one person working each track. So you need to learn FAST. xD
So that's MY weekend!
If you work, what is your job?
~Whimsy
P.S. This summer, I am kidnapping the illustrious Nick for a little over a week! I have much excitement about this.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Week Twenty-Two: Catch-up.
So, once again, we come to that time of the week where I have a blog to write and put up, and I don't have any idea of what to say.
This happens to me quite a lot, once per week, even. Instead of pretending that I have a proper topic to write about, I'm just going to start typing and hope for the best.
The funny thing is, I have so much that's going on, it's absurd that I don't have a blog topic or any sort since there's just so much going on in my life.
Next weekend, I'll be going to Pride, and I'm actually really excited, because not only will this be my first Pride, it'll also be the first time I'll be seeing my ASL tutor face to face since August of last year. Practicing ASL in person will be so much simpler than doing it via skype call. Not that I don't love skype, (and I DO, trust me), but 3d will be nice. xD
In addition to that, I've been playing around with ideas for this coming November's NaNoWriMo (I know, I know...I'm a little early. Hush.), and that's been fun.
Internet Prom was fantastic, Emily was a charming date and we danced in our respective homes with representations of our dates (I picked a unicorn for my dance partner), and it was wonderful. We got all dressed up and everything. Here's our prom photo, I'm in the dress. She's the unicorn.
The same day as Internet Prom was Relay For Life, which was both emotional and a lot of fun. I love Relay, and I even got a new haircut, pictured in my Internet Prom photo.
All of a sudden, there are a bunch of really exciting things that are happening.
What's going on in YOUR lives?
This happens to me quite a lot, once per week, even. Instead of pretending that I have a proper topic to write about, I'm just going to start typing and hope for the best.
The funny thing is, I have so much that's going on, it's absurd that I don't have a blog topic or any sort since there's just so much going on in my life.
Next weekend, I'll be going to Pride, and I'm actually really excited, because not only will this be my first Pride, it'll also be the first time I'll be seeing my ASL tutor face to face since August of last year. Practicing ASL in person will be so much simpler than doing it via skype call. Not that I don't love skype, (and I DO, trust me), but 3d will be nice. xD
In addition to that, I've been playing around with ideas for this coming November's NaNoWriMo (I know, I know...I'm a little early. Hush.), and that's been fun.
Internet Prom was fantastic, Emily was a charming date and we danced in our respective homes with representations of our dates (I picked a unicorn for my dance partner), and it was wonderful. We got all dressed up and everything. Here's our prom photo, I'm in the dress. She's the unicorn.
The same day as Internet Prom was Relay For Life, which was both emotional and a lot of fun. I love Relay, and I even got a new haircut, pictured in my Internet Prom photo.
All of a sudden, there are a bunch of really exciting things that are happening.
What's going on in YOUR lives?
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Week Twenty-One: Spy Mission
I thought that I'd share something that I've written in the writing workshops I attend every Wednesday night.
It's a mostly-true account of myself at age...oh, goodness. Nine? Eight?
I do hope you enjoy. ^__^
_________________
We were young, playing spies and chasing after imaginary villains. Hidden behind ferns in a headquarters made of a sheet and some sticks, the largest danger was mosquitos. That didn’t stop us from sneaking about, buzzing in with walkie-talkies every few moments to check on each other.
I was off on an important mission, a completely arbitrary surveillance case against our neighbor. Armed only with some camouflaging scraps of fabric, one half of the walkie talkie set and a staff to lean on…or beat off wild dogs, should the need arise.
Taking care not to step on a single twig, lest I alert our prey to my presence, I wove my way through the branches. A horrific sight froze me in my tracks. Some sort of bug with far too many legs had decided to take a stroll up my leg. Stoically, while suffering from some sort of internal panic and subsequent potential stroke, I grabbed a nice long stick and flicked it off my leg, only taking a new breath when I saw the poor insect hurled through the air and strike the dirt with a pathetically small thud.
No time for grief over this fallen soldier from the enemy, I still had my mission to carry out. Moving closer, I pulled out one of our more brilliant scientific creations, a high-tech recording device, and set it down, tucked behind the tree and set it’s metal spring in rotation to capture any enemy activity, stacking the wooden discs underneath it for power sources, and securing the whole conglomeration with a few brightly colored ribbons to pick up our signal back at basecamp.
Slinking up to the dense thicket around our neighbor’s pond, I chance a look behind me, and see that I have been followed. In fact, I’m being watched at this very moment. His arms are widespread, and there’s blood on his hands. Unseeing eyes gaze directly at me, and the expression on his face suggests extreme displeasure.
That Jesus statue is one of the more terrifying lawn ornaments I’ve seen. I’ve met this adversary before, and while his appearance is fearsome, he’s nothing to worry about.
I pull out my binoculars, and scan the house for any danger. A thought strikes me, fear coursing down my spine. What if neighbor Bob has a gun? What if he doesn’t recognize me? WHAT IF HE SHOOTS ME? A dilemma has now presented itself. Do I dare show myself and risk getting shot, or do I creep back, and risk being thought of as a thief and shot anyway?
I could radio back to basecamp, but what would they do, other than potentially get caught and gunned down as well? No. It was better to finish this mission alone.
From far away, a voice in anguish called out. My every muscle tense, I wait for the message to finish.
“GIRLS, LUNCH!”
My highly trained senses are detecting that sustenance may be ready. Picking myself and my gadgets from the leafy ground, I begin to sprint back to the house. I will finish my mission another day.
It's a mostly-true account of myself at age...oh, goodness. Nine? Eight?
I do hope you enjoy. ^__^
_________________
We were young, playing spies and chasing after imaginary villains. Hidden behind ferns in a headquarters made of a sheet and some sticks, the largest danger was mosquitos. That didn’t stop us from sneaking about, buzzing in with walkie-talkies every few moments to check on each other.
I was off on an important mission, a completely arbitrary surveillance case against our neighbor. Armed only with some camouflaging scraps of fabric, one half of the walkie talkie set and a staff to lean on…or beat off wild dogs, should the need arise.
Taking care not to step on a single twig, lest I alert our prey to my presence, I wove my way through the branches. A horrific sight froze me in my tracks. Some sort of bug with far too many legs had decided to take a stroll up my leg. Stoically, while suffering from some sort of internal panic and subsequent potential stroke, I grabbed a nice long stick and flicked it off my leg, only taking a new breath when I saw the poor insect hurled through the air and strike the dirt with a pathetically small thud.
No time for grief over this fallen soldier from the enemy, I still had my mission to carry out. Moving closer, I pulled out one of our more brilliant scientific creations, a high-tech recording device, and set it down, tucked behind the tree and set it’s metal spring in rotation to capture any enemy activity, stacking the wooden discs underneath it for power sources, and securing the whole conglomeration with a few brightly colored ribbons to pick up our signal back at basecamp.
Slinking up to the dense thicket around our neighbor’s pond, I chance a look behind me, and see that I have been followed. In fact, I’m being watched at this very moment. His arms are widespread, and there’s blood on his hands. Unseeing eyes gaze directly at me, and the expression on his face suggests extreme displeasure.
That Jesus statue is one of the more terrifying lawn ornaments I’ve seen. I’ve met this adversary before, and while his appearance is fearsome, he’s nothing to worry about.
I pull out my binoculars, and scan the house for any danger. A thought strikes me, fear coursing down my spine. What if neighbor Bob has a gun? What if he doesn’t recognize me? WHAT IF HE SHOOTS ME? A dilemma has now presented itself. Do I dare show myself and risk getting shot, or do I creep back, and risk being thought of as a thief and shot anyway?
I could radio back to basecamp, but what would they do, other than potentially get caught and gunned down as well? No. It was better to finish this mission alone.
From far away, a voice in anguish called out. My every muscle tense, I wait for the message to finish.
“GIRLS, LUNCH!”
My highly trained senses are detecting that sustenance may be ready. Picking myself and my gadgets from the leafy ground, I begin to sprint back to the house. I will finish my mission another day.
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