GSR Video

This video is so pretty, and perfect for the song.



Enjoy, I sure did!

New Song of the Week

In honor of the wonderful Ms. Hannah and her Top-Purple-winning dance solo at Club Days, the song of the week is "Feelin' Good" by Michael Buble.

Don't get me wrong, I love this song and think it's amazing in it's own right.

Lyrics:

Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by
You know how I feel

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me

And I'm feeling good,
I'm feeling good

Fish in the sea
You know how I feel
River running free
You know how I feel
Blossom on the tree
You know how I feel

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me

And I'm feeling good
Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when the day is done
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me, for me

Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me

And I'm feeling good

I'm feeling good
I feel so good

Taylor Swift CSI Episode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a very short preview for the episode that Taylor Swift is going to be in, but they usually don't come out this early. All the different girls are actually the one character who goes through life changes and is played by Taylor Swift. I think it's awesome we're going to get to see her alive, not just laying on the ground and in flashbacks. And it's so sweet that Nick's going to get close to her!!!!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxG7bzfliU0

P.S. Episode airs March 5 at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Here's the link for Thursday's new CSI episode:

http://sspeedlecsi.blogspot.com/2009/02/csi-deep-fried-and-minty-fresh-preview.html

I usually don't post them here, but this one made me laugh (about/during the show) for the first time since Grissom left. I'll be watching Thursday.

New Song of the Week . . .

is "Running Up That Hill" by Placebo. I first heard it on a CSI episode, then I looked it up, downloaded it, and have since become obsessed with it. It's an amazing song, and you can see the clip where it was featured in CSI here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKWfu_YuNc8

I recommend watching it, if only for the reason that it's one of my fav scenes ever. : )

This song certainly ranks in my top 25 favorites of all time.

Lyrics:

It doesn't hurt me.
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know, know that it doesn't hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?
You,
It's you and me.

And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
Say, If I only could, oh...

You don't want to hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware, I'm tearing you asunder.
Ooh, There is thunder in our hearts.
Is there so much hate for the ones who love?
Tell me we both matter don't we?
You,
It's you and me,
It's you and me who won't be unhappy.

And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
Say, If I only could, oh...
You, It's you and me,
It's you and me who won't be unhappy.

Come on baby, come on darling
Let me steal this moment from you now
Oh come on angel, come on come on darlin'
Let's exchange the experience oh...

And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems...

Say if I only could, I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems...

Say if I only could,
I'd make a deal with God,
And I'd get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill, With no problems...

Say, If I only could...
Oh...Be running up that hill,
With no problems...

If only I could,
Be running up that hill...

My online Chemistry class takes place in a kind of ‘meeting room’, which is only open during a certain time, i.e. class time. Thus, from 1:10 to 2:50 every Thursday the room is open. The teacher only logs in about 1: 15 and class usually ends around 2: 40. The teacher can log out when class is over, but the room is still open until the time block is over. Occasionally, students will stay late (after the teacher) to chat and everything while the meeting room is still open. Last week, there were only three people who stayed late: myself, Candice, and Josh. This past Thursday, the three of us were the ones who stayed late again. Our conversation went roughly like this:

Me = M
Candice = C
Josh = J

J: It’s us three again!

C: We should start a club or something.

M: Yeah, we should! What would we call ourselves?

J: The Last Three

M (at the same time): The Stay-Laters

C: The Gangsta Krill *(this is me. The gangsta krill thing is a Chemistry class inside joke which I will explain later)* Stay Laters Last Three!!!

M: Wow. That sounds intimidating. We could just say our name and all would fall at our feet! We could take over the world!

J: Not really.

C: We totally could!

/A little later/ *(Me again. When the teacher isn’t logged in, generic classical music plays in the background. There are never any vocals.)*

C: There’s a guy singing. That’s weird. There’s never any singing.

J: Yeah

M: That’s really weird.

C: It sounds like Josh Groban.

M: Yeah. This should be our theme song!

C: We just say our name, sing our Josh Groban song, and all fall at our feet!

M: Yo! It’s the Gangsta-Krill-Last-Three-Stay-Laters! Be afraid! Be very afraid!

J: Wow.

Hope you enjoyed this little clip of the hilarity of my Chemistry class and fellow students. Join me again next week for my new episode: “The Gangsta Krill”. This is Kristen, signing off. *ggrssscrklgrs*

A Letter from God to Women

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone, I shaped you.... I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.

You are my perfect angel.....You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence and my eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart.

Your eyes......don't change them.

Your lips - how lovely when they part in prayer.

Your nose, so perfect in form.

Your hands so gentle to touch.

I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep.I've held your heart close to mine.

Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me. Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support. You are special because you are an extension of me.

Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.

So man......treat women well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile but yet strong at the same time.

~Author unknown

Thanks to Megan for this - I think I'm going to cry. :')

Read this:

http://sspeedlecsi.blogspot.com/2009/02/billy-with-his-star-photos.html

I just want to say a huge 'Congratulations' to Billy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He really deserves this and I'm happy for him.

New Song of the Week

Ta-da! I have a new song of week for you guys!!! It is: “Watch the Wind Blow By” by Tim McGraw. The lyrics are good, but the song/tune itself is even better. I have loved this song for a long, long time.


Creek goes rippling by
I’ve been barefooting all day with my baby
Brown leaves have started falling
Leading the way

I like it best just like this
Doing nothing all the way
So let’s lay down in the tall grass
Dreaming away

And all I wanna do is let it be and be with you
And watch the wind blow by
All I wanna see is you and me go on forever
Like the clear blue sky
Slowly
There’s only
You and I
And all I wanna do is watch the wind blow by

Girl, you know you told me not so long ago
To let it go, then let it pass
And all your troubles and your sorrows
They won’t last

So let me kiss ya now, little darlin’
Beneath this autumn moon
Cold winds and other seasons
Will be here soon

And all I wanna do is let it be and be with you
And watch the wind blow by
All I wanna see is you and me go on forever
Like the clear blue sky
Slowly
There’s only
You and I
And all I wanna do is watch the wind blow by

All I wanna do is watch the wind blow by
All I wanna do is watch the wind blow by

~Kristen

Livejournal

Well, I've stuck my neck out there and made my first real LiveJournal post with an LJ cut and everything.

Basically, what I'm going to do is take all the icons, banners, headers, wallpapers, etc. that I have saved on my computer and put them on there so that you guys can look at them and pick out which ones you like. The post has more info.

This batch includes Taylor Swift icons and a banner.

The link for the post is here:

http://butterfli4life.livejournal.com/1190.html#cutid1

Or the link for my journal:

http://butterfli4life.livejournal.com/

Drop a note and let me know what you think!!!! Pretty please?

Kristen : ) <3

New Song of the Week

The new song of the week is "Leave Out All the Rest" by Linkin Park. I really couldn't help myself. It is SO amazing, and it's a Twilight song AS WELL AS a CSI song (it's on the Twilight soundtrack, and it was featured in a CSI episode), so that just seals the deal. I really hope that if you haven't listened to it, you'll check it out and love it too!

Lyrics:

I dreamed I was missing
You were so scared
But no one would listen
'Cause no one else cared
After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I'm done here?
So, if you're asking me, I want you to know . . .

When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest

Don't be afraid
Of taking my beating
I've shared what I made
I'm strong on the surface
Not all the way through
I've never been perfect
But neither have you
So, if you're asking me, I want you to know . . .

When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest

Forgetting
All the hurt inside you've learned to hide so well
Pretending
Some one else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are

When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
Don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest

Forgetting
All the hurt inside you've learned to hid so well
Pretending
Someone else can come and save from myself
I can't be who you are
I can't be who you are

CSI - Grissom's Departure - A Happy GSR End - My Take

Okay, so if you aren't a CSI addict (like me) and didn't watch "One to Go" Thursday (like I did), then I just have to fill you in.


And don't run because you don't watch CSI or don't know what it's about, because I'm going to tell you all you need to know. This is just me ranting. So please, stay?


First of all, it had been advertised that it was Grissom's last episode. Everyone (well, the avid CSI fans) had known this was coming since last summer, and maybe even before that. We just weren't sure when. It was set to premiere last May, but got pushed back because of the writer's strike and the short season, etc. So, no, it didn't blindside me.


However, being able to look forward to something doesn't make the pain less. In fact, it can make it worse.


So, a couple of weeks ago, the episode BEFORE this one aired, and I/we got treated to all the team's WTF?! faces when Grissom announced he was leaving. Catherine claimed she knew has was leaving before he knew it, and I can believe that she did. Greg gave this heart-wrenching speech about how he (Grissom) had changed his life, and Nick got one of the most heartfelt one-liners Grissom has ever said: "You were the best student I ever had".



So yeah, that was emotional.



Add into the mix that in November 2007, Grissom's one true love, Sara, left Las Vegas because she couldn't emotionally deal with the death/stress anymore. (By the way, we had been waiting for the Grissom Sara relationship, henceforth known as 'GSR', which translates as 'Grissom Sara Romance' since Season 1, Episode 2. It took them until Season 6, Episode 26, to get together. That is 6 freaking seasons of flirting and sexual tension and heartache and meltdowns . . . need I go on? Then we FINALLY get some very romantic, sweet moments that proved to us that GSR really was the only true OTP the universe has ever seen). Anyways, the love of his life walks out the door after a VERY nice kiss (the first we'd seen) and leaves him with a 'Dear John' letter. On a side note, at this point they were engaged.



So she's gone.



The world has ended.



And what does Grissom, the emotionally stunted (I love this man, but truly, when it comes to people, he is the BIGGEST idiot) entomologist, do? Go and get her, I hear you say? No.



He.



Doesn't.



Go.



So, it's a year later, one of their bestest friends ever dies in a gang-related shooting, and Sara comes back for the investigation and the funeral. And we have this very romantic scene of them on the bed and her head on his shoulder and their hands clasped, etc. etc. See here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cInYeNEKE0

(cue squees)



She's back. But she doesn't stay, because she gets involved in a case that was important to her years ago, and she gets hurt. So she goes. But not before Grissom the Emotional Idiot gives her this little talk about how sometimes the girl needs to leave the guy. And when she asks whether they're talking about the case or themselves, he doesn't say anything.



Nothing.



Just leaves her to make her own conclusions. So she leaves again, and this time she doesn't tell him where she's going.



A couple of months later, he gets this video over e-mail:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfjesrld3dc&feature=related

HEART-WRENCHING, I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Sara didn't fool me with her little "I'm happy" for a dadburned minute. She had been infatuated with Grissom for YEARS. There was NO WAY she was over him, just like that. It was sort of a last chance for Grissom to clean his act up.



Well, we don't find out his decision until 1 minute left in the episode where he's leaving.



But before that, and to get back to "One to Go", Grissom's walking down the hall, seeing everyone going about their own respective jobs - seeing them for the last time. I'm bawling by this time (the gorgeous piano/violin ensemble isn't helping). On top of this, for reasons I won't get into, I don't really trust the CSI writers. They've screwed with me/us too many times. So I sincerely believed there was a chance Grissom was just going to walk out of the lab and that would be the end of it. Here's the clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgttpl_OzRU

(Just LISTEN to that music. It is seriously the most beautiful music I've ever heard.)



But then, joy of joys, we see him in the jungle is his stupid Panama hat (that hat has a long history) with his GPS and his backpack. He sees a bug (remember, this is Grissom-the-bug-obsessed) and he GLANCES at it. I'm not kidding! HE JUST WALKS RIGHT BY A BUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was a clue, then, that something pretty freaking important was going on.



And then he stops.



The camera pans around.



And Sara's there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)



GSR fans erupt cheering from their couches everywhere!!!!!!



No words are needed.



She can't believe he's there.



He can't believe it either.



He reaches for her.



They're in each other's arms.



They're kissing.


And the credits roll.



I die happy.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thj_-ZH30Rk&feature=related


P.S. If you watch the videos it helps. A lot.

P.P.S. I watched that last scene about 7 times in a row the first time I found it on YouTube, then I downloaded it and continue to watch it at least once a day. I still just can't believe it actually happened.

~Kristen

New Song of the Week

The new song-of-the-week is "Lion" by Rebecca St. James. This is THE Twilight song. Period. Every line, every phrase, every word has EDWARD written all over it. I can't believe that this song was written without him in mind. And the line "But the lion is an angel" could come straight out of the book. I'm dumbfounded that this song exists. Treat yourself to the lyrics:

Lion by Rebecca St. James

Mysterious, that’s what I call you
I’m curious about you
I’m scared and not sure that you are safe
But your eyes seem to say that you are good

This is not a dream that I’m living
This is just a world of your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope

With you with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I’m living in a lion’s mouth
But the lion is an angel

Wise eyes, you see the core of me
Your gentleness melts me
And now I know that words cannot describe
The power that I feel when I’m with you

This is not a dream that I’m living
This is just a world of your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope

With you with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I’m living in a lion’s mouth
But the lion is

Peace and power, love forever
Who am I to stand before you?
I am speechless, but in my weakness
You are here and all is well

You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope

With you with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I’m living in a lion’s mouth
But the lion is an angel

This is not a dream that I’m living
This is just a world of your own
You took me from all that I knew
Shown me how it feels to hope

With you with me, facing tomorrow together
I can learn to fly
Feels like I’m living in a lion’s mouth
But the lion is an angel
Is an angel

Taylor Swift on CSI

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My life is complete (except for the whole cross-between-Edward-and-Zac thing)!!!

Taylor Swift -- 'CSI' Star?! - http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2009/01/taylor_swift_--_csi_star.php
Posted by ExtraTV Staff on January 13, 2009 5:42 AM
County cutie Taylor Swift has conquered the music charts -- now she's trying out the TV world.
The 19-year-old will appear in an upcoming episode of the CBS hit "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
In a press release, CBS stated, "Swift will play Haley Jones, a teenage girl whose family runs a seedy Vegas motel. Over the course of a year, Haley goes through a series of changes that have tragic consequences."
"CSI" executive producer Carol Mendelsohn tells Us Weekly, "Before Christmas, we reached out to Taylor Swift because one of the CBS executives had told me, 'Taylor loves your show.' So Taylor came in to meet with me right before the holidays and we talked about the character."
Taylor's role is not the sweet teen America has become accustomed to. Mendelsohn told the star, "I said, 'it's a very edgy part, this may not be what you want. But she said, 'I love it, and I want to do it.'"
Don't expect Swift to be flaunting her long blonde culrs. "This young girl will change physically, will change her hair," Mendelsohn said. "I mean, clearly, your outward manifestation reflects the turmoil that's inside of you, and so it's really a very challenging role."
The episode is slated to air in late February or early March.

New Quote of the Week

The new quote of the week is from "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian".


Peter: "That's the problem with girls; they can't carry a map in their heads."

Lucy: "That's because our heads have something in them."

Song of the Week

The new song of the week is: I'M JEALOUS by Shania Twain

If I were the moon
I could catch your eye-
I'm jealous of the moon
If I were the wind
I would make you fly-
I'm jealous of the wind

I wish I were the sun
Shining on your face-
Caressing like a lover
I would wrap you up in a warm embrace
We'd be holdin' one another
I'm jealous of the sun
Oh, I'm jealous of the sun

Oh, I don't wanna share you with nothing else
I gotta have you to myself
Oh, I can't help it-I'm so in love
I just can't get you close enough, no

When the sun's on your skin
I can't hold it in
And I know it's a sin-
but I'm jealous of the sun

I wish I were the rain
Runnin' down your neck
And drippin from your fingers
Then I could be the drops rollin' off your back
I'd love to let it linger
Oh, I'm jealous of the rain

Oh, I don't wanna share you with no one else
I gotta have you to myself
Oh, I can't help it, I'm so in love
I just can't get you close enough, no

When it rains on your face
I can almost taste your beauty, your grace
I'm jealous of the rain

When the wind's in your hair
The way it blows through the air
Oh, it seems so unfair, yeah

When the moon's in your eyes
You seem to light up the skies, yeah
And I realize-
I'm even jealous of the moon

Going, Going, Not Sold

"The auctioning process is the means of achieving true price discovery."

For starters, that is a load of absolute crap.

To illustrate my point, I will begin by saying that the quote above is the slogan of an online auctioning website (not eBay). So, first of all, its main purpose it to convince people to participate in online auctioning, specifically at their website. It's no more than something used to attract business, which immediately sets off an alarm in my brain and makes me suspicious of the company. Part of this suspicion arises from the fact that I hate when slogans are designed to sound intelligent to the average customer so that said customer automatically thinks "They sound like they know what they're talking about, so I'll try it." It is a direct manipulation of unsuspecting customers.

Second of all, auctions do not as much encourage 'true price discovery' as they do competition. Notice that live auctioneers say things like 'Are you going to let him have it?' and 'He's a little above you, how much more can you give?', etc. They are trying to encourage the person to win the bid in order to 'beat' the opponent, not to pay what they truly want to. Of course, they can't force people to pay more than they like, but as I have noticed with myself, when it becomes a competition you begin to test the boundaries you have set upon yourself, and even those boundaries that have been set upon you by others. Once the bidding for the item has become a competition, the focus is no longer on the price, but on the achievement of you getting the item instead of 'that other guy'.

Haggling is truer means of 'achieving true price discovery'. In haggling, there is no competition, unless you're trying to compete with the seller. The seller has his set price, and the potential buyer either accepts that set price as lower than his own set price, or negotiates until it is lower than his own set price. The buyer knows what he wants to pay and either pays it or doesn't buy the item at all. The buyer may be tempted to spend a little more than he wants, but unless he is desperate he is NOT going to spend much more than that.

So there, that's my rant for the day.

Leave a comment and let me know if it was interesting or stupid or what. It was the first time I have tried something like that, so I'm interested to see what ya'll think.

Quote of the Week

Hey guys!

I've also decided to do a Quote of the Week. Pretty much the same rules from the Song of the Week apply. Book titles will be in italics, song and movie titles in quotes.


This week's Quote of the Week:


“From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.”

-Elizabeth Bennet, "Pride and Prejudice"


Yes, I am a hopeless romantic and proud of it.

New Song of the Week

The new song of the week is . . . (drumroll please) . . . "Crack the Shutters" by Snow Patrol.

Crack the Shutters by Snow Patrol

You cool your bed
Warm hands down
On the broken radiator
And when you lay them freezing on me
I mumble 'Can you wake me later?'

But I don't really want to stop
And you know it so it doesn't stop there
You run your hands from my neck to my chest

Crack the shutters open wide
I want to bathe you in the light of day
And just watch you as the rays
Tangle up around your face and body

I could sit for hours
Finding ways to be awed each minute
'Cause the daylight seems to want you
Just as much as I want you

It's been minutes, it's been days
It's been all I will remember
Happy lost in your hair
In the cold side of the pillow

Your hills and your valleys
And marked by my intrepid fingers
And in a naked slumber
I dream all this again

Crack the shutters open wide
I want to bathe you in the light of day
And just watch you as the rays
Tangle up around your face and body

I could sit for hours
Finding ways to be awed each minute
'Cause the daylight seems to want you
Just as much as I want you

Song of the Week

Looking at Megan's blog, I decided I really liked the 'Song of the Week' idea, especially since I have rapidly changing song obsessions. So, I stole her idea and have added this myself. The song will change every Sunday and remain until the next Saturday. I will also post the song lyrics when I change the song.



"Thinking of You" by Katy Perry

Comparisons are easily done
Once you've had a taste of perfection
Like an apple hanging from a tree
I picked the ripest one, I still got the seed

You said 'Move on'
Where do I go?
I guess second best
Is all I will know

'Cause when I'm with him
I am thinking of you, thinking of you
What you would do if you were the one
Who was spending the night
Oh, I wish that I was looking into your eyes

You're like an Indian summer
In the middle of winter
Like a hard candy
With a surprise center

How do I get better
Once I've had the best?
You said there's tons of fish in the water
So the waters I will test

He kissed my lips
I taste your mouth
He pulled me in
I was disgusted with myself

'Cause when I'm with him
I am thinking of you, thinking of you
What you would do if you were the one
Who was spending the night
Oh, I wish that I was looking into your eyes

You're the best and yes I do regret
How I could let myself let you go
Now, now the lesson's learned
I touched it, I was burned
Oh, I think you should know

'Cause when I'm with him
I am thinking of you, thinking of you
What you would do if you were the one
Who was spending the night
Oh, I wish that I was looking into your eyes

Oh, won't you walk through
The door and take me away?
No more mistakes
'Cause in your eyes I'd like to stay, stay

The Lowdown

So, basically, here's what's been going in my life.


1. I haven't had my iPod for a few weeks, so I'm basically dying without my music.

2. I have family Christmas tomorrow night, then a sleepover the day after that, with a birthday part the day after that. (The parties aren't bad, just the high of being with 4 best friends for 24 hours and then all of a sudden not.)

3. School starts Monday.

4. I've gotten out of the habit of getting up at 5, so I'll have to start all over again.

5. I haven't seen my best friend in 2 weeks, or my other friends in over a month and a half.

6. My butt hurts from sitting in this position for too long.

7. I have to go shopping tomorow with my mom instead of my aunt or cousin.

8. I haven't read a new book in a long, long time, and it sucks.

9. I need to see Get Smart.

10. The scars from the flea bites on my legs just won't go away.

So yeah, my life sucks. (No pun intended, Hannah and Megan)


Pretty much like HB's.

Or at least it sounds like that.

Somebody save me!

Jo's Valentine

This is a fanfiction story I wrote for a literature class last year after reading Little Women. It had certain guidelines, such as length and content. It's kind of sloppy, but it was one of my first attempts at writing a story for others to read.

Jo’s Valentine

“Oh, Teddy.” The sing-song voice comes from the apple tree above him, and it’s all Laurie can do not to jump in surprise. He looks up, straight into the face of Jo, who’s lying on her stomach on a branch above him.

“You have to stop scaring me like that. It isn’t funny, and one time I might throw a punch before I realize it’s you. The fellows do the same thing, and I have to thrash ‘em for it.”

Jo snorts. “You, thrash them, right. I think I’ll come watch when you do that, as well as when you ‘thrash them’ for calling you Dora. It might be amusing.” She grins boyishly for a moment, then turns serious, “I need your help with something.”

“Your wish, m’lady, is my command.” Laurie flourishes an over-elegant bow.

“If I wasn’t in a tree you’d regret that. I’m no one’s lady, and never will be. In fact, that’s what I need your help with. I am going to become a boy.”

It’s Laurie’s turn to snort. “Jo, I thought you understood. It is a fact of science that you cannot just up and change your gender. Do we have to go through this argument again?”

“I don’t mean it that way. You are going to help me with a disguise so that I can spend the day as a boy. Just to see what it’s like. First, I need to borrow some of your clothes. We’re about the same size, so that shouldn’t be a problem. Then, you are going to take me to spend a day doing boy things.”

Laurie stares at Jo as if she has suddenly left leave of her sense, which she obviously has. “B-but—You. In disguise. As a boy. What?”

“Yep. It can’t be that hard to imagine. Come now, go get me some clothes. We can go this afternoon. Meg is at work, Amy’s at school, Beth’s learning to cook, and Aunt March is having Captain Ricter over for dinner (at this time Marmee and Mr. Brooke are in Washington with Mr. March). Everyone’s busy, no one needs me, so it’s perfect! Now run along.”

Laurie stares at her for a moment. “Absolutely not. Do you know what will happen to me if anyone finds out? Grandfather will lock me in a dungeon, after your Mother vows never to let you girls speak to me again.”

“Consider it a Valentine’s present.”

“I thought you said Valentine’s Day was a ridiculous holiday for swooning maidens and impossibly-handsome gentlemen in France.”

“It is. And, if you don’t help me, I am going to tell the fellows that you were making a valentine for a girl.” Jo had been in the big house one day to visit Laurie, and had caught a glimpse of red paper, pink ribbon, and lace under some Grammar exercises in Laurie’s ‘school room’. “And believe me, I know who they are. You will be teased ‘til world’s end.”

Laurie considers this a moment, then, with a suitable glare at Jo, turns to go and get the clothes. Behind him, Jo swings her leg over the branch and hops to the ground, whistling a jaunty tune.

Ten minutes later, Laurie reappears with an armful of old clothes. Jo lifts them up, examining each piece. She obviously approves because she soon disappears into the March house. While she’s gone, Laurie tosses a ball into the air, trying to figure out a way to persuade Jo to forget this latest scheme. Not that he’d ever been able to do that before, but that was beside the point.

Soon Jo remerges from the house, swaggering jauntily in her new attire. She has donned a cute page-boy cap, and now wears a white shirt, brown trousers, and heavy boots.

Laurie nearly drops the ball when he sees her. I am going back to boarding school if anyone finds out about this. I will have no reputation to speak of. He decides to at least give persuasion a shot, “Jo, um, not that I don’t like it, or anything, but, um, well,” his words rush out, “you’re much too pretty to pass as a boy.”

Jo looks behind her, as if expecting to see someone else there. “You aren’t seriously speaking to me, are you? Because if you are that is the most preposterous thing and pathetic attempt at flattery I have ever heard. Nice try. Now come on.” She grabs the ball from his hands and heads toward the street.

Laurie watches her for a short while, then takes off too. He catches up with her, and after observing her a few minutes, begins to chuckle in amusement. Her swagger is so severe she looks like she’s trying to put her hips out of place. When she hears his chuckling, her step hitches as she twists to look at him.

“What’s so funny?”

“You. Boys don’t walk like that. You’re walking like Roderigo or something. The last time I checked, the average American boy isn’t a hero.”

She doesn’t respond, but does start walking a little more normally.

“There you go. Just walk like you usually do, except with longer strides. Perfect!”
Seeing as how Laurie probably knows better than her what a boy walks like, Jo accepts his verdict. However, she can’t help but be disappointed at the lack of theatrics required.

“So what do you want to do for the first time as a boy? We could get the rest of the boys together for a game of baseball, or go boating.”

“Could we go riding?”

“Sure thing.’ Laurie makes a sharp right, jerking Jo along with him since he grabs her elbow. “The stables are this way, um, whatever-your-boy-name-is. What is your name, by the way? If

I called you Jo everyone would know it was you in an instant.”

“Uh, how about Sam. I’ve always liked the name Sam. Nice and patriotic.” Her voice takes a shade darker tone, “Hello, I’m Sam Browning. My family is visiting Concord.” She sticks out her right hand.

“Hi, I’m Laurie. Nice to meet you, Sam. Good handshake. Oh, hold up, here’s the stables.”
The pair enter the expansive stable and speak to the groom, who has no idea of the other ‘boy’s’ true identity, even though he’d seen Jo hanging around the horses several times.

“I am going to ride Bucephalus. He has been positively dying for a good ride. You can ride any of the other horses. They’re Grandfather’s, so no one will bother you about it.”
Jo is thrilled the prospect of choosing any horse she wishes. It has been a very long time since she has ridden, let alone a quality horse. After pacing the stall aisles a couple times, she picks a spirited palomino named Willy.

Laurie already has Bu, as he calls him, tacked up when he goes to find Jo. She, to his surprise, is almost ready to go. She leads Willy into the aisle, but when she hikes up her leg to put it in the stirrup, she looks around as if missing something.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, nothing. It’s just so strange not to have to pick up an armful of skirt and at the same time try to keep your leg covered while also putting your foot in the stirrup. Believe me, it’s a nice change.”

Laurie shakes his head and grins. Jo never fails to surprise him with her quirky statements. “We can go to Hyde Park. It has nice, wide trails, and isn’t frequented by the richer families, so there’s not much chance of someone recognizing you.”

They arrive at the park, and immediately head for one of the paths that circles the inside.
Jo, constantly ready for a challenge, extends one to Laurie. “Race you. From here to that big oak tree. On your mark, get set, go!” She clamps here legs together and the surprised horse springs forward, happy to be allowed to run.

Laurie has been the recipient of Jo’s impromptu races before, and is therefore ready when she says ‘go’. It doesn’t take long for him to catch up, and after racing beside her for a short while, he leans over to make a fake pass at her reins, not really affecting the horse, but enough to worry her. In reaction, Jo pulls the horse to a sudden stop, and promptly finds herself on the ground. Laurie’s stop is almost as immediate, but without the fall. He runs over to wear she is sitting, trying to figure out why she is laughing hysterically.

“Ha, gasp, Teddy, gasp, that was, gasp, the most, gasp, fun, gasp, thing I’ve ever done,” she finishes in a rush.

“So you aren’t hurt?”

‘Of course not. That is, if you don’t count a bruised ego.”

They ride around for about an hour more without mishaps. After agreeing that they’ve ridden enough for one day, the pair discusses their next plan of action.

“So what do you want to do now?”

“Let’s go walking.”

“Walking?”

“Yeah, just around the shops. We don’t have to go in any of them, and there’s usually enough people to hide in if we see someone familiar coming.”

“Alright.” They both lead their horses back the stables, and after then start towards the business part of Concord. After a short time, a group of boys catches sight of Laurie and runs across the street to where he and Jo are admiring fliers for the U.S. Army.

“Hey Dora! You didn’t tell us you were going shopping today! We could have come and helped pick out a new dress!” This comment is made by the smirking boy who appears to be the leader. “Who’s your friend?”

“It’s Laurie, and I’m not shopping. Pete, this is Sam. Sam, Pete.” Laurie aims a playful punch to Pete’s arm, ensuring that Jo is aware that this group is ‘the fellows’, not just a bunch of bullies.

“Hi Sam. You new here?”

“Sort of: I’ve never been to Concord. My family’s just visiting my aunt for a week or so.”

“That’s too bad. You don’t look like a bad fellow. Boys, say hi to Sam.”

“Hello, Sam,” come the obliging replies.

“Dora, what are you going to do today?” Sam wants to know.

“I was just going to show Sam around, take a little tour.” The boys decide they want to go to, and join Laurie and Jo as they walk past the stores, making comments on each and every display.

“Look at that hat. Can’t you just see Sally Gardiner wearing it?” Said hat is a preposterous mountain of feathers, complete with a small bird on top.

“Sure, if she was going to an aviary.” This latest comment is met with a hoot of laughter.
Jo finds herself somewhat surprised at how much boys make fun of what girls wear and do. She knew that it happened to some extent, even joined in with some of it with various boys, but had no idea females were such pictures of absurdity to males. It is quite a revelation, and only strengthens her resolve never to act like Sally. It also confuses her that boys make such fun of young ladies while by themselves, but when in actually in the presence of young ladies, they are flattering, to the point of proclaiming the headpiece in the window, should a pretty girl wear it, ‘beautiful.’ She is disturbed from her reveries, after carefully filing the information away for use in stories, at a blonde boy named Tommy Chamberlain’s latest comment.

“Laurie, look. What a pretty box of chocolates! Maybe you should give it to Jo for St. Valentine’s Day. You’re always talking about her: you’d think she was the best thing since ice cream. ‘Jo’s so pretty. Jo’s so smart. Jo this, Jo that, you would love to meet Jo. She’s a capital girl…’” He completes the damage with a suggestive wink.

Laurie’s face is a picture to behold. It has turned bright red, and he is trying desperately to think of something clever to retort. He fails. “Umm, well, we’re just really good friends. I would never get her chocolate. She doesn’t like Valentine’s anyways.” He wisely leaves out the part about her valentine. He bravely risks a look at the girl whom it was suggested he admit his feelings to.
While Laurie is embarrassed, Jo is completely and utterly shocked. She always knew that Laurie enjoyed her company, but that he talked of her constantly? Not in a million years. How could he do this to me? It’s never going to be the same now. Why do boys have to go and ruin completely good friendships because they’re ‘in love’? At least he could have said something to me if that’s what he felt, not just talked about it with his friends. The humiliation! Love is supposed to be sweet and warm and fuzzy, not embarrassing. I am never, NEVER, writing a romantic story again. Only a small portion, however, of her inner turmoil is displayed on her face, but her clenched jaw and hard eyes successfully transmit her displeasure to Laurie, who practically visibly cringes.

The rest of ‘tour’ around Concord is strained. Somehow the boys realize that they made a mistake in mentioning Jo and Valentine’s in the same sentence to Laurie. After another half-hour, they disperse to their respective homes for supper, pronouncing Sam a ‘capital boy’ and saying ‘good-bye and good-luck with your aunt.’ Laurie and Jo are left a short distance from their houses. The tension, to borrow to the cliché, is so thick it could be cut with a knife. To Jo’s infinite relief, Laurie breaks the silence.

“Jo, I don’t want you to think that I want to woo you or anything silly like that. I guess I spend so much time with you, that’s all I talk about when I’m with the boys. I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. Please don’t be mad.”

“As long as you promise never to let that kind of thing to happen. Agreed?”

“As long as you are only my friend, I won’t let that happen.” Jo apparently doesn’t notice the way Laurie skirted around the promise, because they shake hands on the deal. She stops in front of her home, looking at Laurie and smiling.

“I had a really good time. Thanks, Teddy. I’ll bring the clothes back over tomorrow. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Jo.” His voice is soft as he watches her enter the house, and no one will ever find the poor valentine, the herald of love to come, crumpled and left in the trash bin.

Twilight Pictures

Since I'm obsessed with Twilight now, here are some of the pictures from the movie:

I do have to say though, Edward/Rob's hair is a little crazy.

And I do think Kristen (my name!!!!!!) Stewart is perfect for Bella. She's pretty, but not drop down gorgeous.

And I FINALLY found out why Robert looks familiar. He was Cedric Diggory from Harry Potter.

Eeeeeeeeeek!!!!!!!!!!!!

New GSR Video

This is the link to the new GSR video CBS sent out:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=PUt0WY1LTaY

It's retrospective, like the one from last season, but it includes TWO WHOLE SCENES from Season 9.

I'm so addicted.

New Pictures

These are all pictures from the last day of Apologetics/Lit class and our Little Women play. They're not really in order, but oh well.

Enjoy!