I'd like to apologize to my friends for not keeping you posted on what's been going on in my life. I'll try to remedy that in the next few days.

I don't have the drive to do much these days...

Just 'cuz it's being passed around and it looked interesting:

Your dating personality profile: Religious - Faith matters to you. It is the foundation that you build your life upon. You trust that God has a plan for you. Stylish - You do not lack for fashion sense. Style matters. You wouldn't want to be seen with someone who doesn't care about his appearance. Adventurous - Just sitting around the house is not something that appeals to you. You love to be out trying new things and really experiencing life.

Your Top Ten Traits 1. Religious 2. Stylish 3. Adventurous 4. Traditional 5. Conservative 6. Intellectual 7. Big-Hearted 8. Shy 9. Wealthy/Ambitious 10. Romantic

Your date match profile: Religious - You seek someone who is grounded in faith and who possesses religious values. You believe that a religious person can enhance your life. Big-Hearted - You want someone compassionate, someone gentle and kind. A loving, nurturing person will fill that hole in your life. Adventurous - You are looking for someone who is willing to try new things and experience life to its fullest. You need a companion who encourages you to take risks and do exciting things.

Your Top Ten Match Traits 1. Religious 2. Big-Hearted 3. Adventurous 4. Practical 5. Shy 6. Stylish 7. Traditional 8. Conservative 9. Intellectual 10. Sensual

Take the Dating Profile Quiz at Would I Date You

Oh, FYI - I'm a college graduate now! ^_^ Party at my house! Bring booze!!

Hey guys and gals,

I figured you were all due for a drama-less update on my life. So, for once, here's some good news:

* Remember that car accident I got into a while ago? Well, here's two updates regarding how that went down - first, I got a "new" car. It's the exact same make and model as my previous car, so it's not fresh off the assembly line BUT it's in good shape. Plus, I know the controls, so I don't have to get used to that. And ya know what? The guy selling it lived like 10 minutes from my house! Man, talk about God's providence, eh?

Second, the court date went pretty well. Unbelieveably, the guy I hit in the accident SHOWED UP. O_O *gulp* Thankfully, this was his first time in court and he had no intention of pressing charges (he was fine and his car was fixed). Plus, he was a pretty nice guy anyway. =) So the judge just dropped the charges. Yay! =D No fines to pay, and this won't ever show up on my record!

* Recently I met up with semjay and some other local furs at a Gameworks. We had so much fun! I've never been to Gameworks before, and now I love the place! Afterwards we went to Chipolte (?) and just hung out. I got pretty close with this one guy, Steel, and we exchanged contact info. He and I met up later that week to see a movie, Fired Up (meh, it was okay - not spectacular, but good if you're looking to kill an hour and a half) and play Megaman back at his place. Sweet!

* Sunday I went to see Blue Man Group with a college group. Dang, it was AWESOME!! I can't recommend it highly enough! If you ever get the chance, go and see it for yourself! (be warned, though, the tickets are expensive as hell...)

* And tomorrow, I'm off to Utah - YET AGAIN! I just can't stay away! lol I love the ministry up there. Plus, I need a third Service Learning Credit to graduate, and this one's just the ticket (literally, it seems).

So, later, peeps! =D

I hate Valentines Day.

It's like being specifically left off the guest list of a fantastic party. It looks like so much fun, and I'd love to actually participate... but it's the sort of thing that requires two people.

I've made a tradition of sending out Valentines cards to friends, and I love doing it just to show that I remembered those people. But it's depressing not getting any in return, or getting one card from a person I can't even remember.

It doesn't help that I've kinda let myself go too. I just got back to Weight Watchers, after a two and a half month hiatus (only reason being, I'd rather not have the humiliation of not fitting into my nice tops and it's better to get these things under control sooner rather than later). Emotionally I'm restless... I think THIS is a fairly good illustration... sometimes THIS, although I'd sooner bury my frustrations then scream them... but I feel like screaming. *sigh* I'll admit, they're not entirely accurate (given the plotline), but the idea is pretty relevent...

Maybe that's part of the reason I've been feeling the need to write so much. In the realm of fiction, I can craft an ideal relationship that life just won't hand me on a silver platter. He feels significant. She feels secure. They both feel loved. Magnifique! *air kisses*

Maybe I'd like to meet the male love interest of my story. I can't say if it's romantic or not, probably not, but at this stage of depression who knows? But he has a great personality, and he's been similarly hit by lack of romantic success. Two lonely hearts on Valentines Day... it sounds morbid at first, but I like the idea.

It'd be worth investigating, if I knew anyone in my immediate circle who was single and similarly afflicted. Sadly, I have to work Saturday. Oh mother-fricking joy. -_-

Someday, I'll have the honor of telling my grandkids, "No, I didn't watch the inauguration of President Obama... but I did get to see that scumbag Blagojevich get booted out of office a week later!" ^_^

Welcome to the Presidency, Mr. Barack Obama. Good luck on your next four years, and I pray God gives you clarity and reasoning in your decision-making processes. I still have my reservations, but I hope you prove them wrong in the coming years.

As for the massive crowd of Obama-maniacs... now that the inauguration is over, I hope you all go home and take long, cold showers (here in Chicago, the President's old stomping grounds, an ice cold shower should NOT prove that difficult a task, not in the middle of January). I take comfort in knowing that Presidential approval ratings are generally at their highest within the first few weeks... I hope Obama fans will cool their heels a little once it's revealed that our new President is a human being, no more divine than any of us are. That being said, I don't think PARs are indicative of good leadership - all it indicates is how much people like him, which makes me wonder why we even need to hear about it at all. I don't care how much people love Obama... what I care about are his leadership skills, which everyone is bound to disagree with at some point. Case in point - Obama has previously stated that he wants to keep certain members of George W. Bush's staff around... I'm digressing...

Well, that's about it. Have fun at your party, but don't stay up too late - you've got a long four years ahead of you, so you might wanna get to bed early tonight. Good luck.

[No, I didn't watch the inauguration, and I have no regrets. The local news will wrap up the relevant points in less than 5 minutes, so why watch the whole 3 hours anyway?]

It's been a while since I posted, and I haven't been online in some time either...

- My computer crashed about a week ago. =( A worm got into the system and destroyed everything. Thankfully my dad knows how to fix it and it's almost restored, but the internet connection isn't working. In the meantime, I'm using an iMac my dad bought some time ago (one of the older versions, the one that came in a rainbow of colors... this one's blue). It's fun exploring, but I can't download anything - none of my games, no chat browsers, no SL... darnit!

- My dad and I found a new car, exact same make and model (even color!) as my car for a good price. Needs a little maintenance, but nothing major. Found it on Ebay... get this, the seller lived in the same town as I do, just a few blocks away! Talk about God's providence! There's just one thing - I'm scared to drive it. After the last accident, I really don't want to get into another one. My parents informed me that if I get into another accident, no insurance company will take me... which means I wouldn't be driving, because you're not supposed to drive without insurance. It doesn't help that Chicago is going through a cold, snowy week right now... I'm back to the paralyzing fear I had before I started driving, much as I want the idependence I previously enjoyed. *sigh*

- Playing my favorite video game during the break, Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy, has recently rekindled my interest in Egyptian mythology and a series based upon it. Heck, I might sneak my GameCube back on campus next week... hehe

It's late, I'm tired, and I have class in the morning. Hm... the first day of class for my last semester... a historic moment...

Before we get to the fun - quick update on the car / accident crap.

So, I had a sore neck after the accident but it's gone now, and no major health concerns from me or the other driver. I sent in the forms and I plan to go to traffic court in mid January. This puts a dent in my Christmas shopping and my general freedom, but again - it could be worse.

No estimates on the car yet. At this point I'm really, REALLY hoping it won't be scraped. Otherwise, we're out of a car. Not only that, but my dad's truck (which he uses to get to and from work now) is on it's last legs, so we'd be losing two vehicles. =( We can still get around, but it's a bit of a hassle with the vehicles we have left. We have a van, but I don't feel comfortable driving it - depth perception is NOT my friend! The only reason I could manage to get around in my car was that I practiced in that car and got used to it... I can't exactly "practice" in a van. Although, the way things are going, I may have no choice.

As for my depression, it's gone down considerably in the last two days. Now the accident seems like a distant memory... I've certainly learned from it, but it's not so clear that it's painful to recollect. So thanks to everyone for your prayers! =) *hugs*

Now, for something cheerful - Redneck Christmas Carols! =D I came up with these after watching the Jeff Dunham Christmas special (to be honest, I borrowed part of "O Holy Crap," including the title, from that special... the rest are mine, though, as far as I know). I didn't complete any of the parodies, just small bits, but they're funny bits! ^_^ Enjoy!

WARNINGS: Mild Language, Mild Violence, References to Drunkeness

( Charlie Heston's Coming to Town )

( O Holy Crap! )

( Silencer Night )

( Trailer Wonderland )

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you very much!

... Git-R-Done! ~_^ lol

*sigh* I got into an accident.

Don't worry, nobody got hurt. The accident was completely my fault, though, and the front of my car is totaled. I have to send in the forms to cover for the repairs, and I've got traffic court next month.

I'm just emotionally shaken right now. My perfect driving record is shattered, I'm responsible for my now considerably reduced freedoms... The driver of the other car was surprisingly cool about everything, "accidents happen" and whatnot, and the police officers were good and helpful, but knowing that I was completely responsible...

Well, at least this gives me an excuse to ask for an extension on my papers. At what cost, though?

I guess I need someone to talk to. I'm not asking for "encouragement," per se (I'll say it again, it was all my fault), but all this anxiety can't be good for me and I need to let it out... Prayers are appreciated.

Steve Irwin. -_- I miss our Crocodile Hunter.

I think he's the only celebrity I've ever bawled over. The man is definately worth remembering, for all he's done for wildlife conservation.

The Movie Meme

1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times:
The Hunchback of Notre Dame

2. Name a movie that you've seen multiple times in a theatre:
WALL-E

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie:
Robin Williams, Will Ferrell, Will Smith, or Jackie Chan... what? I love them all!

4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie:
Jack Black -_-

5. Name a movie that you can quote from:
I, Robot - "Don't you ever have a normal day?" "Yeah, once... it was a Thursday..."

6. Name a movie musical that you know all the lyrics to all the songs:
The Producers

7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with:
Hairspray

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see:
The Lion King

9. Name a movie that you own:
Mrs. Doubtfire

10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops:
Rain (Korean pop artist - played Taeko in the recent Speed Racer film)

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in?:
No, but I want to someday!

12. Ever made out in a movie?:
No... I've never made out, period

13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven't gotten around to it:
The Spiderman trilogy

14. Ever walked out of a movie?:
Never - that's just poor etiquette, as far as I'm concerned. Every movie deserves a fair chance. Unless the film becomes personally offensive (which has yet to happen with me), I won't walk out of a theater.

15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theatre:
I know there have been occasions when a character's death or sacrifice moved me to tears, but much as I'd like to recall one specific example, I can't. =( I will say that movies about animals, like Milo and Otis or Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, usually do that to me. There are reasons why I will never watch Old Yeller ever again.

16. Popcorn?:
I prefer nachos, with extra cheese

17. How often do you go to the movies?:
Typically once a month; preferably once a week, but I'm almost never that lucky

18. What's the last movie you saw in the theater?:
Madagascar 2

19. What is your favorite/preferred genre of movie?:
Animation - PIXAR does great work! Dreamworks also produces the occasional gem.

20. What was the first movie you remember seeing in the theater?:
Probably Aladdin, though I also remember going to see a theatrical screening of Snow White with my grandmother

21. What movie(s) has/have changed your life?:
I don't know about changing my life, per se, but I can recall certain films that helped me progress as a writer...
** The Lion King - recognition of characters as unique individuals
** Hunchback of Notre Dame - recognition of plot devices and character weaknesses
** Star Wars Episode One - first intense interest with one specific character - ie, the beginning of character study and analysis (Pokemon: The First Movie also happens to coincide with this particular development)
** Osmosis Jones - first intense interest with platonic (non-romantic) relationships - the beginning of my analytical studies involving romantic and platonic relationships; also engages further interest in plot construction

For once, I have a serious response: smoking.

No, really, I'm serious. I won't be surprised if smoking is completely banned in some areas, or even whole countries. Here in Chicago, it's already banned in all public places. Taxes on cigarettes have only skyrocketed in the last few decades...

For the record, I do NOT support smoking - it's a disgraceful habit. BUT, I do support personal choice, and if someone chooses to slowly decay their lungs with nicotine, that's their decision. Most smokers already know the dangers of smoking; they just don't give a darn.

Anyway... those are my thoughts. *shrug*

The first five people to comment in this post get to request a sketch of a subject/character of their choosing from me. In return, they have to post this in their journal.

... You get this great idea for a story that arrests all of your time and attention... and it takes away the focus you SHOULD have on your work. -_-

Crap.

Just watch. You'll laugh. ^_^