So... I really don't have much of anything to say today.

I had another one of those dreams from which I didn't want to awaken last night. It was me and some other kids, random people except this one girl who was a supervisor-person at 4-H Camp. We were at this hotel place, and there was a ghost or zombie or SOMETHING gonig around killing people. So me and my friends ended uo investigating, and I discovered the secret to why it was doing it, through observing the groundhogs there (weird, I know). There was this priest there and he helped us... so, we were rushing to save the supervisor-girl (who left before I figured everything out) when I woke up. Weird. But, unlike the last one, that one lends itself to a story. Although, technically the Janeway one could be fanfic fodder... meh.

We were off of school (thanks to the Snowpocalypse), and they've announced that schools here are closed until Wednesday. And, if the Tuesday-Wednesday storm gives us 20 inches like is forecasted, that's at LEAST Thursday as well. And if we get Friday, then it's 10 straight days off! I can dream, right?

Except, I seem to be running out of things to do. I have to stay current with Psych reading (so, I have to do today's, tommorrow's and Wednesday's homework assignment) and do some problems for Econ, and look at a Powerpoint. And there's my English paper to edit. But those won't take nearly enough time.

Luckily I have fanfic ^_^ Looking back at some of my drabbles, my dialogue hasn't always been bad! Some of it is pretty good, if I do say so myself. So I think I'm just going to end up writing it out and letting it flow, see where that gets me.

I sat around my house and watched TV and Twittered all day. SOOO productive. LMAO. I did get out to go to the store with Mom and get food for the coming break.

As per usual, I got anonyed with Mike. I was talking about clearing the snow from M&T Bank Stadium and how it's done, and he didn't believe me. He wanted me to spell out each minute detail, and then when I couldn't started ranting about how "that's the problem with liberals." Like, they don't give actual ideas or strategies or anything. Which is ironically what I've noticed of Republicans in my experience... but still, no reason to turn it into a political thing. I'd rather trust what people tell me and go on faith then go into EVERYTHING thinking I'm going to get gypped or something and end up being abrasive and such.

He just went and registered as a Democrat just so he can vote against Obama in the primaries... such a ridiculous thing to do. Very petty, and the thing is ANY DEMOCRATIC VOTE WILL BE SEEN AS APPROVAL FOR OBAMA. So he accomplishes the opposite of what he wanted. LOL.

Yeah. House episode tonight: it started kinda all over the place, but I ended up liking it. The overall impression was really good. Cuddy has a hard job!! But I loved getting more insight into her character (it's always about character for me...), and she was pretty darn kicka** with how she handled the thing with the pharmacy girl and the contract. So, yeah.

Final note: HOLY CRAP I'M 18!! If you go by the calendar date. If you go by the time I was born, I still have 2 hours and 46 minutes. Doesn't really feel too different; I've felt like an adult since I turned 17. Meh.

Hi there, everybody!!

I had one of those crazy awesome dreams where I really didn't wanna wake up. It started off being at the State Fair, but then it became this dance/acting thing at school that the members wanted me to join. But I didn't. So, then I ended up going to this like maze-like building and it was an epic like race contest thing, where we were like hummingbird-type things. This guy from my school (who hates liberals, which was probably why he was in there) was my main competitor, and then I also had a bunch of uppity students trying to best me, the teacher. Well, I ended up winning handily.

THEN after that we all had to go to this huge event thing, with this major Galaxtic Empress who was like a bee or something. At this point I realized that I was like Captain Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager!! I love her; that's why it was so cool. So I was a captain of a starship, and it was sorta Harry Potter-esque too since I was teaching people... at any rate, someone tried to assassinate the empress so I had to do my awesome hummingbrid-flying thing and save her, with some crew members. Afterwards I took my senior staff to this meeting, including the guy from school because I knew he resented my authority and I wanted to make him more reasonable. So I was conducting a meeting about how to capture those responsible, and then I woke up. But MAN did I want to stay asleep. :(

So, the snow stopped unexpectedly early yesterday. We have, according to the meteorologists around here, 30" on the ground. I believe it; it's certainly a lot! Today was the kind of day that reminds me WHY I love snow so much: the sky was a clear, beautiful blue, the sun was out so it wasn't too cold, and it was just a gorgeous day.

But, I was not out enjoying it. I was cramming all of my homework into one day, because the snow stopped earlier so the plows got through earlier, so I thought it likely we'd have school tomorrow. I read a chapter of Econ, did a Stat packet, and read for Psych, all in one day when it's usually spread out over 3. After all that, school is cancelled tommorrow anyway :( But, it's still a day off.

I also wrote an essay for a scholarship. I really like it, so of course Mom doesn't... she doesn't get what I was going for. And then she was pestering me about filling out the boring-as-crap paperwork too. I didn't want to do it right then; that's why it took so long. UGH.

Good things about today: I got to watch House <3 We watched the epic prank war of Season 2. And, last night on Bravo they had a Season 2 marathon as well. I LOVE Season 2!! It's hard to pick between that and Season 6 for my favorite season... but, I got to see House's "Wilson smile" a lot; he has this real, tender smile he only uses when Wilson is involved. It's so cute. Hilson=OTP (LOL thanks colbertobsessed for your tweet about that term ^_^). Even if it's not canon, it's totally OTP. Just saying.

Um... I ate well. Chicken and dumplings and tacos, for lunch and dinner respectively. YAY for that.

I Twittered a lot today. It's mildly addicting... Especially when I have conversations with people through Tweets.

And... yeah. That's about what I did today. Watch, write, eat, do homework, and shovel. And more of the same tomorrow.

I'm off to watch that show Undercover Boss that's on after the Super Bowl. YEAH for the SAINTS!!!!

Hi friends! I honestly don't have too much to say. Well, I sorta did, but then I wrote this poem which sorta drained me of all talent for the night. Plus, I am randomly exhausted...

Luckily, I finished my eulogy beforehand. I won't post it until tommorrow; my family should be the first to hear it.

I just wanted to let you all know that I'm fine. Actually, I'm doing really well. I ate a LOT better today. My stomach feels weird now, but that's alright. I had a dream last night that sorta freaked me out. It was just me on a scale, showed 108 pounds then immediately dropped to 101. Which is, of course, what I'm afraid of: losing too much weight. It was just residual guilt probably, and fears manifesting themselves. Never, ever again. *shakes head fiercely*

It is snowing!!! I love snow (as you know...); it's the wet, thick snow, too, that sticks real easily. So, I'm actually hoping that school is cancelled. It would save me the trouble of making up a bunch of work. Not to mention I could finish my research paper and NOT have to go to a ridiculously long orchestra rehearsal. Pastor already called; the funeral is on no matter what happens with the snow, so I say bring on the flakes!!

And... yeah. That's about it. I love you guys, so much.

Woah? Where did this come from?? Seriously. I was just doing laundry, minding my own business, when what should appear but a phrase. The opening three phrases of this poem, actually.

And then it just sorta...happened. Ended up making it my linebyline piece. What a way to get back into it! Let me tell you. It's... well, judge for yourself: ( Always the Music )

Hi everyone!

Remember how I was doubting my ability to write House and Wilson dialogue? Well, I had the idea to just write some random drabbles until I get it right (or at least satisfactory). So, this is my first attempt at that.

Specific, constructive criticism on the dialogue is enormously helpful.

Title: Desk Drawers
Pairing: Could be HouseXWilson pre-slash if you squint.
Rating: G
Word Count: 254
Summary: Dialogue-only conversation between Wilson and House. Invasion of privacy, anyone?
Spoliers: None
Disclaimer: If I owned them, this wouldn't be fanfiction, it'd be canon, wouldn't it? So, yeah, don't own.

( Read more... )

I think that he's doing admirably well. He inherited a whole boatload of problems, and it's unrealistic to think he can fix everything in only a year. We elected him for 4, people.

The speech, to me, showed that he really is trying to get things done and listen to other ideas. Like the nuclear power thing and offshore drilling. He's making an effort. Granted, I know that it's a speech and he can say anything, but I'd rather think he's going to continue trying than that it's all Washington B.S. Politics shouldn't destroy our young idealists!!

So, all in all, I'd say that at this point I would vote for him again. My opinion will stay positive contigent on 1)getting health care passed 2)he actually implements some of the economic measures and 3)gets troops out of Iraq, or at least reduced.

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( MORE SotU Comments! Click if interested... )

Hi all!! How have you guys been?

I have been obsessively reading fanfic these last few days. HouseXWilson of course LOL. I have been enjoying it immensely, obviously, but it has led to unforeseen consequences. For example, I re-read the first chapter that I wrote of my own Hilson fic, and I no longer like it. I love the idea, so much, and I am still excited for it, but I am severely doubting my ability to write it in a way that does it justice. There are some amazing authors out there; I don't know if I can compete! I think that I may be focusing my detailed writing (the kind I do the best) on the wrong details of the fic. Can't even pinpoint what, exactly, isn't going well, it's just... I don't know, I just feel like I can and should do much better.
Also, I am running into a stumbling block when it comes to dialogue. I don't think I've ever been particularly good at dialogue; most of my fics have been comprised primarily of narration and/or characters' thought. So, this fic is going to have to be more dialogue intensive than any I've written so far. Which makes me nervous and contributes to my feelins of inadequacy.

This is why I need a beta!! To tell me if all of this *points at above paragraph* is in my head, and to help me with the dialogue bits of it. I suppose that I could always just write a BUNCH of dialogue-only things, to give me practice with it... but still, the feedback from another actual human would be worth so much more to me. If any of you would like to comment on any of my concerns I would welcome and embrace it. (If some AMAZING soul wanted to offer to beta for me, I would be so so so so so so thankful. You don't even know. Kay. Begging done.)

So... let's try a more positive writing thing, shall we? English midterm was today. I had been worried about it, since the practice tests have been difficult and I haven't scored as high as I wanted to. I decided to just trust my gut instinct, even when I couldn't pinpoint WHY I thought what I did. So, the multiple choice part seemed a lot easier than I was expecting. The essay portion: 5.5% of my grade. I loved the topic. It was about a scene of violence in a literary work and its purpose. So I wrote about Their Eyes Were Watching God and the hurricane scene therein. I thought it was good at the time, but as usual I am second-guessing myself. But, I think that I will do okay on it; my last TEWWG essay was a 9. African-American literature is really great for talking abotu overcoming adversity because they have that whole indomitable spirit thing deeply engrained.

Yeah... so... sorta happy... Orchestra midterm was today as well; I did very well on the peice, but not so much on the scale. I always fail at scales when I play them by myself. It really sucks.

I had a free period in Psych where I did my French work due Thursday. I have 2 exercises left, which I am doing tommorrow. I also have to do vocab for English, due Thursday. Because of midterms I haven't done homework for... maybe a week? I don't know, but long enough that it's gonna really suck getting back into the routine. Wednesday is as good a day as any to try; it's my most productive day. And, after this workload is finished, there's an English research paper to write! But I have a week and a half before the rough draft is due, so it's all cool.

Yeah... well, I know I haven't mentioned my grandmother for a while, because she was on the mend, out of hospital and into rehab care. Well, Sunday night she had major trouble breathing, so they took BACK to the hospital. She is on BI PAP, which pretty much forces air into her lungs because they aren't doing a good enough job themselves. It's a step up from oxygen. So, I am back to being worried. Her O2 sats drop to like high 80s when she's off the machine for more than a few minutes, so she hasn't been eating well. This on top of the weight she's already lost. And I can't get in to see her because they haven't found out if an infection or something else caused it, and Mom is being cautious because I am doing so well.

So, yeah. Keep her in your prayers. Hopefully whatever antibiotics they're giving her will work... bleh. Stressful. That's not even counting the conversation I overheard between my mom and my uncle. Serves me right for eavesdropping, really, but I'm glad I know! I need to be "braced" for these things.

And... yeah. Nothing else to report, really. It's been a LOT of fanfic-reading and midterm-taking. Normal school schedule tommorrow. AND a free period in Econ to start on this weekend's reading. So, homework situation may not be as bad as I thought. Only French, psych, English, and possibly Stat.

Pray for my grandmother, if you do that sort of thing.

Hi people! I know I haven't been on in FOREVER, but I promise I have a good reason! It's a happy reason, too: I was writing! Yes, I now have 1 and a half chapters of my multi-chapter Hosue fic done. I am quite stoked. But, the reason I stopped where I did was because I got to the dialogue sections. I don't know why, but I have a hrd time writing dialogue. It always seems so forced to me. So... anyone wanna be my beta? I know I asked before, but this time it's like actualy beta duties, and not plot help. Like, help me do dialogue correctly. Please? It would be amazing! <3

Alright. So, I had very busy weekend. Yesterday, I was at a 4-H "winter workshop". Teen Council was teaching a class, so I helped with that. We pretty much led games with the kids, icebreaker-type games for the beginning of club meetings. It was very fun. They liked building the baloon towers, and they really enjoyed playing I Spy. I also led an impromptu game at lunch because we were finished early, and that went surprisingly well, which made me happy. I got to make a candle holder by modge podge-ing tissue paper to a glass candle holder. That was fun. I used powber blue, pink, and dark violet for contrast and drama. I like it.

I was also asked by my youth leader to teach her Sunday School class today. It was the kids that I watched at Quake, so I figured it wouldn't be bad. Plus she got an adult to help me. The kids were watching a movie, but they were very rowdy. I had to quiet them down several times, which was annoying; the leader led me to believe they'd be enthralled by the movie and thus demure. Meh. We got through okay, and then I did a little summary thing.

Afterwards, I went home for about an hour to study for my Econ midterm. THEN it was back to church for the congregational meeting, which I figured as a council member I should attend. It dragged on and on! Seriously, people kept bringing up the same things. I started at noon, and Mom and I evenutally left at 3 when the meeting was still going on; I couldn't take it anymore. I was so frustrated because people are like "Let's add a line item on this budget for deficit reduction." WITH WHAT MONEY??? Huh? The only reason the budget is even balanced is because someone died. It's a Band-Aid. We need to increase membership as the top goal, because that will increase giving and the NEW contributions can reduce the deficit. ALSO we also have specific envelopes where you can give money directly to deficit reduction. UGH.

So Mom and I came home, and I don't know if the budget was approved or not. It's really fristrating because I love this church so much and I don't want to see it fail. So, I ended up taking a nap, which made me feel better. Then, I watched figure skating. I haven't seen it in a while, but I really enjoy it. It's relaxing but exciting at the same time. I loved the couples ice dancing routine that won; it was so awesome!! Phantom of the Opera-themed. <3

I also watched a Dateline special about health insurance and its shortcomings. It profiled several families who HAD insurance, but the insurance wouldn't cover what they needed. Two of the people they talked about DIED because of all the red tape and arguing their loved ones had to do to get coverage. The companies don't cover "experimental" treatments, even if a doctor recommends it. FAILURE. And even if they don't want to change that guideline, at least make the appeal process easier and less time-consuming, because people don't have too much time.

Someone on the show said that we should have a consumer protection agency that spells out in plain terms what is or isn't covered on each specific plan, like we do with cars. I think that's a great idea! Prevent abuses. Along with a public option and an insurance exchange, and a concrete plan to reduce the costs of healthcare. /soapbox

And, yeah. That's my day. Very church-filled. And I did, must have been like 2 hours of writing. YAY. And I can do even more tomorrow, since I won't have homework due to midterms.

So, I happened to look at my statistics page today, and by far the entry that got me the most views was a random entry about various things, like fanfic and House and just my life. So, I take it that's what people like?? Meh.

So, today there was an intense theological debate going on in Econ, where we were supposed to be studying for out midterm. It was my friend who's Catholic, a friend who's Hindu and a classmate that's Muslim. They were all talking to this agnostic kid, who was later joined by another agnostic kid. It was pretty interesting to hear, and it got so so heated! No lie. They weren't able to convince the agnostics of anything, so it ended in a stalemate. But it was still very interesting.

We tested our mousetrap cars in Engineering today. My car ended up not needed an "arm extender" because the wheels are so big. The car went a little over 20 feet; the goal was 18 so I'm not complaining in the least. Except I misplaced my engineer's notebook... I had better find that. I actually updated it each day, so it's perfect and is an easy 50 points, and I am going to be unreasonably upset if it's lost.

In English, we checked our practice AP test that we did as midterm review. I was, on the whole, very disappointed in my performance. I got 35 of 55 right, but 15 wrong... I felt really good about it, too. And, looking back, SEVERAL of my wrong answers were ones where I thought that the actual correct answer was right but managed to talk myself out of it. So I was very depressed. Like, the girl next to me (who is always asking me for help because she "doesn't get it") did better than me on EVERY PASSAGE.

I just feel this pressure to be the best at it, you know? Because it's my passion; I love it, I (think I'm) good at it, it's my career goal. Mom said "welcome to college" because I'll be with a whole bunch of others who feel the same way. I guess I've gotten used to shining, excelling. Which isn't to sound conceited, but I've started to like being on the pinnacle, the top of the class, being looked up to and asked for help and such. And I don't know if I want that to change. I'm so ordinary in every other way, I just need something.

At any rate, I scored myself high on the essays (at the time I thought too high but I was still depressed from the mulitple choice score) and it broguht the final up to a 5. So I feel even MORE pressure for my essays now... and LESS confidence on my English midterm on Tuesday. *le sigh*

I got home and ended up having another intense debate, this time a political one with Mike. About health care reform because some guy on TV was talking about it. He refused to consider anything I was saying, and used logical fallacies in his own arguments, which kept driving me to MORE frustration until I eventually started crying. Not sad crying but angry crying. You're-being-a-biggot crying. I felt even worse for crying, actually... like it somehow invalidated any point I wanted to make, since he sees crying as the ultimate weakness.

It did, however, give me more impetus than ever to write my letter to Congress. Which I did. I pretty much kinda spewed stuff out, and will edit it for maximum impact and clarity later. But I felt very good after that, you know? Like maybe it did mean something even if Mike is going to be close minded about it.

House fic news: My multi-chapter fic is fully planned out!! I am so so excited! The outline is 4 pages of notebook paper (a front and back is 2 pages...) so the full fic would be... I can't even estimate, LOL. Maybe somewhere around 8 or up to 12 chapters. Depends on how I write it out. And I want it to be really, really awesome, even if I have to spend a lot of time on it.

And, yeah. That's about it. There's a winter storm forcasted, like sleet and freezing rain and that mess, so I don't know what's going to happen with school tommorrow. I don't know what I hope will happen with school, honestly. LOL. If we're off I have a whole day to just chill and work on fic, but if we only have a delay I have an extra 5 days to study for Psych, as opposed to just and extra weekend. But, we'll see. Thinking a day off might be relaxing...

...a long letter. I hope you read it. Really. You being 1)congresspeople, not just from my own state but all over the US 2)pundits 3)the public at large. Anyone who'll listen. And really listen, not just read it, dismiss it as 1)some niave teenager's ramblings 2)weird Internet stuff 3)any combination thereof.

I am going to talk about health care reform. From the heart. Because it's vitally important, for me and my friends, and even for people who I don't know. Our modern medical system is wonderful, and everybody should be able to access it without being thrown into massive debt.

Major points:
-Why we need reform: Here's an anecdote: I was prescribed Colistin because my lung functions weren't rebounding. We HAVE insurance through Mom's work, but it wouldn't cover it. So, we are faced with having to buy it from the manufacturer, at like close to $1600 a month for 6 months a year, which is a HUGE strain on my mom's modest salary. We relied on the generosity of different organizations, getting donations and whatnot. Meanwhile, Mom was trying every avenue she could thing of to appeal the decision. Social workers, legislators, even the attorney general of the state. Eventually, after much fighting, they agreed to cover it, but first we had to pay it out-of-pocket and they'd reinburse us. You see the potential for disaster there. Stuff like that shouldn't happen. What if I had been on my own, desperately sick and unable to exert the tremendous effort on my own to get the decision overturned?

-From what I've heard of this bill on the table, I don't like it at all. They took out all of the stuff that could actually help people. Look at it this way: you've told the American people that you will give them certain things in a bill. So why aren't you? You're furthering the stereotype of the dishonest politician. Don't be a stereotype.
-Apparently, this bill will REQUIRE people to have insurance. That's great. BUT, a lot of the reason why people don't have it know is because they can't afford it. Well, there's apparently going to be a fine for not having insurance now. So, people have to spend money they DON'T HAVE on insurance or paying the fine because they can't afford insurance. Seems unfair.
-MY SOLUTION: We really need a public option. It would be affordable for people, which is great. OR, if people are going to complain, use the money to sunsidize private insurance companies. Basic economics, as I'm studying in school: it will decrease cost to sellers, which translates to lower market cost. (SPEAKING of market cost, where's that exchange we've been promised? I liked that idea. It's a capitalist spin on stuff, you know? Bidding, competing for business...) I also think that coverage should be focused on preventative care as well as treating, because if you stop an illness early (or stop it from occuring in the first place) it's a lot less expensive to treat, not to mention the saved time and energy on the patient's part.

-Compromise is WONDERFUL, but I think they're going about it the wrong way. Instead of taking stuff out because the Republicans don't like it (sure, you're trying to get votes, but it doesn't seem to be working), why not add in stuff that they DO like? Tort reform doesn't sound that bad to me...

-And, just a comment: People are assuming that since a Republican got Massachusetts, all work on this is going to stop. WHEN did party affiliation blindly decide how votes would be apportioned? At some point someone should say "You know what? This is good for America so I will vote for it even if the other party suggested it." The "opposition" can have good ideas too.
-ALSO Brown winning is going to be interpreted as Americans not wanting healthcare reform. This is not necessarily true. It could be that his opponent rubbed people the wrong way, or otherwise sucked LOL. OR that they just don't like this version of health care reform. Or something else on his platform entirely.
-FINALLY: just because the dissenters are the loudest, doesn't mean they are the majority. Like, with the hippies and such. They were the most organized and focused group, but by no means the majority of the population. The same principle applies.

-So, finally I'd say to them: Don't give up on trying. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. Healthier people=more productive people=long-term economic growth. And, should you really put a price on human lives? Just saying.


(This isn't related to my health reform letter, but it's still relevant in terms of political commentary. Haiti. It was pretty bad off even before the earthquake; I'd heard it was a 4^th world country. This earthquake is a crisis made so much worse by poverty. And, while we go to rebuild, I see it as an oppotrunity to make it better than it was. Give them mortar for their houses next time. Set up stable businesses so people can have income. Do these things; you're building up from scratch anyway. God has a way of taking horrible things and making good come out of them. This is a wat to do that. Just my 2 cents on that.)