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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Shoot :(

Has it really been that long since I blogged? *frownyface* I guess BEDA can only be counted as a semi-success this year. Maybe I'll do better in BEDAugust. (I think I'm gonna do BEDA and BEDAugust from now on. It's nice doing it twice a year.)

Now, for the excuses! So here's the dealio. Last weekend I went home for Easter. Normally this wouldn't put a such a big dent in my blogging because Easter is only ONE DAY, right? WRONG. My Easter lasted ALL WEEKEND.

Friday- Drove home in the afternoon. Ate Sonic in the car. Arrived home, changed, headed right back out to the Mesa Easter Pageant (the largest outdoor Easter Pageant in the world, incidentally). It was totally awesome and I LOVED it, but I was understandably exhausted after all the travel and then the pageant and then eating a bunch of half-off appetizers at Applebee's with my dad, my brother, and my brother's friend. Got home at like midnight.

Saturday- Babysat kiddos* from 9:00 to 1:00. Went back to Mom's for Easter stuff. Little 4-year-old cousin hunted for Easter eggs. So did brother (17). So did I (21). It was fun (mostly because the eggs had money in them). Then had emotional meltdown #1 of Easter weekend. That was fun (or not). Then went to see Into the Woods at ASU, which was super-duper awesome. It was a LONG show, though. Got home around midnight.

Sunday- Went to church w/ Dad and kiddos at 8. Only stayed for Sacrament Meeting**. Got back to Mom's around 9:30, had leftover pasties for brunch. Cue emotional meltdown #2. Went with Dad and kiddos out to North Phoenix for Easter with extended family. Lots of fun, also exhausting. Headed home around 3.

[Hilarious story from the car: Little sister is playing with her seatbelt. I tell her to stop. She keeps pulling it out farther and farther. Again, I tell her to stop. She lets it go and then tries to pull it again but, lo and behold, the safetylock is activated.
Sister: It's STUCK!
Me: I know.
Sister: It's STUCK!!!!
Me: That's how it's supposed to be.
She pulls it harder, still expecting it to come out. It remains stuck.
Me: Honey, you can't keep pulling on it. I know it's counterintuitive, but the harder you pull the more stuck it gets.
Silence.
Dad: You know you just said "counterintuitive" to a three year old? A six syllable word.
Me: Huh. *is proud*]

Sunday cont- Got back to Dad's house, dropped off Dad and kiddos, went to pick up brother from Mom's house. Went back to Dad's house, played Settlers of Zarahemla***. Nona brought Mom to Dad's house, Mom drove with me up to Flagstaff. Nona took brother back to Mom's house. Mom and I got to Flagstaff around 9, COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED.


So, you see, I've been busy. Sorry, BEDA. Guess it just wasn't meant to be.

-Allison

P.S. Stay tuned! I am going to blog about the AWESOME that is THE GODDESS TEST. I finished it yesterday and I FREAKING LOVED IT. My blog will be unspoilery for the first half, and then after the clearly marked break it will be SPOILERS GONE WILD. Just so you know.



*My darling (read: HANDFUL) siblings. Verity is 3, Ammon is 2. I adore them, but they are TIRING.
**Sacrament Meeting = like Mass or the thing in other churches where the pastor preaches a sermon (does that have a name?)
***Different version of Settlers of Catan

Thursday, April 21, 2011

I'm a READING MACHINE!

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday, folks! I actually had a hard time figuring out if I DID, because the last several posts have been done after midnight, so the blog says it's April 18th when I'm really counting it for April 17th. Maybe next year I do what MJ did and write my posts the night BEFORE so that I don't have to stay up late each night blogging. Or maybe I won't. Who am I kidding? Procrastination is my THING. Lol :)

Anyway, I have been reading a LOT lately. I've read a book a day for the last two days. It's mega-awesome-book-timez up in here! I read Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature yesterday and I LOVED it! It's a great book about bullying and romance and the ability to believe in God and Science at the same time. Highly recommended.

I don't think I'm going to keep my book-per-day streak going (mostly because I want to actually get some sleep tonight), but I AM heading over to Barnes and Noble after work to buy The Goddess Test by Aimée Carter*. I'm totally excited because it's about mythology, which I 1) love and 2) do not know nearly enough about.

Aimée said (in an interview, I think) that one of her reasons for writing TGT was the negative light that is often cast upon Hades. People think of him as the Devil (and also remember the whole thing with tricking Persephone), and so he's seen as this evil guy when really he's just another god. And I think that is really interesting, so I'm super excited to read it.

And to explore another facet of my nerdiness, I've decided to try out Portal. We'll see how it goes. I'm not a huge fan of first-person-shooter-y games because I can't navigate them very well, but my friend assures me that they are meant for computer play and they are much easier with a mouse than a controller. So, like I said, we'll see. I have a feeling I'm gonna like it, though. Everyone I've ever talked to (or watched on YouTube) says it's awesome.

So, yeah, that's what's going on today. Hope you all have a lovely Thursday. Until tomorrow, best wishes!

-Allison


*Synopsis:
It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.
Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9681214-the-goddess-test

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Breathing Underwater



Just finished a book called Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn. It was a tough book to read, but dang was it good. It was from the point of view of a teenage boy who abused his girlfriend. It was hard to read these scenes of him telling her not to hang out with her friend or not to wear that necklace or not to sing at the school talent show. It was horrifying to hear it from him like it was obvious that he should tell what to do. And it was even more horrifying to see him lose control and hit her.

But you know what? By the end of the book I forgave him. He did horrible things, and he could not make excuses for his actions, but he learned and grew and by the end I had to forgive him. I think we as humans have an infinite capacity to forgive if we let ourselves. Each and every one of us is a child of God. We all make mistakes. Some make choices that are a lot more damaging than others, but that doesn't mean that they are unforgivable. If only we could love each other as brothers and sisters. That doesn't mean we have to trust everyone or even like them, but if we loved them we would be able to feel compassion for them, and if the world ran on love and compassion, it would be a heck of a lot a better place.

So, that's my two cents for the day. If you can handle reading a heartwrenching, horrifying, intense book, then I would highly recommend this one.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

I Miss Speech and Debate

I know, I know, you can say it: I'm a nerd*.

I was just going through some old pictures and my NaNoWriMo story from two years ago, and I realized that I freakin' miss Speech and Debate. Those were some awesome times. On the one hand I'm glad I chose to focus on Theatre my junior and senior year, but on the other hand I'm kinda sad I didn't stay more involved in S&D.

So maybe when I student teach I'll help with the Speech and Debate team. I could volunteer as a judge for tournaments and/or be a chaperone. That would be awesome.

Anyway, short blog tonight. But never fear, I have some fun stuff coming up!**

Until tomorrow, best wishes!

<3 Allison


*If this is news to you, you don't know me very well.
**Think VLOG :)

Monday, April 18, 2011

Fourth Grade Flashback

Okay, so my friend and I were talking about those chants and hand-clapping games from elementary school (Miss Mary Mack, etc.), and I was trying to remember one of the big ones that we would ALWAYS sing in a big circle before school. All I could remember was something about Charlie Brown, a nickel, a grandma, and a fair or something. I was going CRAZY trying to remember it, but it just wouldn't come. Finally we decided to look it online when we got home. And then like a minute later we pulled into the parking lot AND I REMEMBERED IT!

Went downtown to see Charlie Brown,
He gave me a nickel so I bought me a pickle,
The pickle was sour so I bought me a flower,
The flower was dead so this is what he said:
Downtown, baby, down by the rollercoaster,
Sweet, sweet baby, Mama never let you go.
Grandma, grandma sick in bed
Called the doctor and the doctor said:
Let's get the rhythm of the head, ding dong!
Let's get the rhythm of the head, ding dong!
Let's get the rhythm of the hands, clap clap!
Let's get the rhythm of the hands, clap clap!
Let's get the rhythm of the feet, stomp stomp!
Let's get the rhythm of the feet, stomp stomp!
Let's get the rhythm of the hooootdog!
Let's get the rhythm of the hooootdog!
Put 'em all together and what do you get?
Ding dong, clap clap, stomp stomp, hooootdog!
Put 'em all backwards and what do you get?
Hooootdog, stomp stomp, clap clap, ding dong!




It was SO AMAZING. I couldn't believe I actually remembered it! Seriously, that was like . . . twelve years ago. DANG.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Deathly Hallows: Part I

I did this during the ORIGINAL BEDA when Twilight came out on DVD. Since then I always update my facebook status with commentary and quotes about Twilight or Harry Potter when I'm watching them at home.  Today I decided to spare my facebook friends and make it into a blog post instead :)


DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART I
Live blogged by Allison

Bellatrix: I wanna kill the boy! *wags tail*
Voldemort: No! Bad Bella!
Bellatrix: *pouts*

Hedwig: *defends Harry*
Audience: NOOOOOOOO! :(

Announcer: And here comes Lord Voldemort, wearing a Smoke Monster original.
Voldemort: *struts* *flies*
(I wanted to insert a picture of smokey!Voldemort flying, but my computer won't let me do a screencap while playing a DVD. Stupid copyright crap.)

George: *lays on couch*
Fred: How you feeling, Georgie?
Audience: FREEEEEEEEED :'-(

Harry: *leaves Burrow in the middle of the night*
Ron: *follows after in pajamas* Going somewhere?
Audience: Ron! *drools*

Ginny: Zip me up, will you?
Harry: Um, heck yes I will.
Both: *snogs*

Minister: Oh yeah, Dumbledore gave you the Sword of Gryffindor, too, but you can't have it! Na na na na boo boo! *sticks out tongue*
Hermione: But it belongs to Harry! It came to him!
Minister: Too bad. Also, we can't find it. So, yeah.

Luna: *is adorable*
Xenophilius: *is weird*
Harry: *stares at symbol on X's chest*

Auntie Muriel: Bathilda Bagshot!
Harry: Who?
Auntie Muriel: What, don't you pay attention in History?
Harry and all students everywhere: *snorts* Right.

Death Eaters and Trio: *destroy coffee shop*
Waitress: Uhhhh?

Door: Regulus Arcturus Black
Trio: Huh. That door has the same initials as R.A.B. . . . THE DOOR IS RAB???

Death Eaters: *search train*
Neville: Hey, losers! He isn't here.
Audience: Yeeeah, Neville! *pumps fist*

Ron: *plays piano*
Hermione: *giggles* *corrects*
Harry: *rolls eyes*

Dobby: *wrestles with Mundungus Fletcher* Oh, hi, Harry!

Kreacher: *tries to get a word in edgewise*
Dobby: *shoves out of way*
Audience: Dobbbbbyyyyyyyy :-(

Mundungus: Look, that's her!
Trio: *stares at picture in revulsion*
Pic of Umbridge: *giggles* *waves*

Toilet: FEEEEED MEEEE.
Harry and Ron: *step into toilets, flush*

Harry-as-Runcorn: *walks with a funny little hop in his step*
Everyone else: *doesn't notice*

Mary: *kisses Ron-as-Reginald*
Ron: Uhhhh...
Real Reginald: O.o

Hermione: You can get going on the tent.
Harry: Where are we supposed to find a tent?
Hermione's bag: *sit there, looks innocent*

Roommate who hasn't read the books: Wait, so what's the deal with Sirius's brother and that locket?
Allison: *explains*
Roommate: Man, you really HAVE to read these books, don't you?
Allison: DUH. :)

Harry: *hangs locket around neck* *touches locket* *sees creepy vision*
Frodo: Hey, that's MY line!

Harry: *is cranky*
Hermione: Take it off!
Audience: Whaaaat?

Hermione: *stares in horror*
Snatcher: *sniffs*
Hermione: Do I smell THAT bad?

Harry and Hermione: *walk down hill*
Ron: Angst!
Harry and Hermione: *share water bottle*
Ron: ANGST!
Harry and Hermione: *walk together*
Ron: AAANNGGGGGGGSTTTTTTT!!!!!

Hermione: The Sword of Gryffindor! It's goblin-made!
Harry and audience: Okaaaay...

Harry and Ron: *fight*
Hermione: Ugh! Boys.

Ron: *blows things out of proportion*
Audience: *sighs*

Harry: *dances with Hermione*
Harry/Hermione shippers: YESSSSSS!
Ron/Hermione shippers: It's a BROTHERLY dance!

Harry: *kisses Snitch*
Audience: Uhhhh...?

Hermione: *brushes snow off random gravestone only to reveal the weird symbol* Oh! Look! What a coinky-dink!

Creepy old woman: *walks up creepily*
Harry: I have a brilliant idea! Let's go WITH her!

Creepy old woman: *acts creepy*
Harry: So, what's up? Nice photo album. Who's this guy?

Creepy old woman: *speaks creepily* *turns into snake*
Harry: Aw, crap.

Snake: *flies through wall into perfectly clean and neat room child's bedroom*
Audience: Uhhh...?

Tiny ball of light: *appears in distance*
Harry: Oooh, shiny! *follows*

Harry: *takes clothes off*
Audience: *drools*

Harry: Dude, the Horcrux is lying! There's nothing between me and Hermione.

Ron: Oh. Good.
Harry/Hermione shippers: NOOOOOOOOO!
Ron/Hermione shippers: Hahaha! Take THAT, suckahs!

Ron: *comes back after weeks* *grins sheepishly* Hey.
Hermione: WHERE'S MY WAND, HARRY?

Ron: . . . then the little ball of light went into my chest, right here *indicated heart* and it brought me to you, Hermione.
Audience: AWWWWWW <3

Ron: Oh, hey, you need a wand, don't you?
Harry: Yeah...
Ron: *pulls out extra wand* Here you go!

Hermione: *says stuff*
Ron: Yeah! Hermione's right! Let's vote on it. *raises hand*

Harry: What's that symbol thingy?
Xenophilius: Well it's the sign of the Deathly Hallows, of course.
Harry: Hey, isn't that the title of this movie?

Hermione: So these brothers were traveling along a road at twilight.
Ron: Midnight. Mum always said midnight.
Hermione: *raises eyebrow*
Ron: Twilight's fine. Better, actually!
Audience: *laughs*

Ron: Death's got an invisibility cloak?
Director: Eh, we don't need that line. *cuts*
Audience: Noooooooooo :(

Xenophilius: So, yeah, those are the Deathly Hallows.
Harry: Uhh....?

Harry: *falls*
Hermione: *points wand, casts spell*
Audience: Uhhh...?

Draco: *stares at Harry*
Harry: *stares at Draco*
Draco/Harry shippers: YESSSSSSSS.
Everyone else: *groans*

Bellatrix: Put the boys in the cellar! I want to have a little chat with this one, GIRL TO GIRL!
Boys: *are thrown into cellar*
Bellatrix: So, like, what's going on with you and Ron.
Hermione: *sigh* Who KNOWS? Boys. Ugh.
Bellatrix: Tell me about it.

Dobby: *appears in cellar*
Harry: Dobby! You can Apparate in here?
Audience: DOBBYYYYYYYYY <3 :'-(

Random piece of hair: *falls onto Hermione's jacket*
Really smart audience members: FORESHADOWING!
The rest of us: Okay, that was random.

Bellatrix: WTF, Elf???
Dobby: DOBBY IS A FREE ELF!
Audience: DOBBBBYYYYYY :(

Trio, Dobby, Goblin: *Disapparate*
Bellatrix's knife: *follows*
Audience: DDDOOOOBBBBBBBBBBYYYYY :( :( :(

Voldemort: It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on-- *sees audience* Oh. Er. . .  *looks for something evil to do* *desecrated Dumbledore's grave* Oh, hey! The Elder Wand! Sweet! *takes*

Voldemort: *hovers over Dumbledore*
Voldemort/Dumbledore shippers: YESSSSS!
Everyone else: *groans*

Voldemort: *shoots lightning*
Emperor Palpatine: Hey, that's my line!

Movie: *ends*
Audience: Nooooooo :(




Until tomorrow, best wishes!
<3 Allison

Friday, April 15, 2011

Harry Potterrrrrrr

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I came out on DVD today! Yaaaaay!

But you know what's crazy? I haven't bought it yet :-/

This is very unlike me.

Maybe I'll buy it tomorrow. Probably.