tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53759717729086688892024-03-18T21:47:53.739-07:00Flying Logic MonkeysMonkeys? Absolutely! Logic...not so much...Flying? Remains to be seen.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-13004869946276075352011-06-04T00:45:00.000-07:002011-06-04T01:14:52.836-07:00Social Media Killed My BlogHear that sound? You can hear it if you really listen. That's the sound of my poor little blog reminding me that it's dead. If by dead, I mean, hasn't had a post in months. The last time I posted was...*checks blog* June 18. Almost exactly a year ago. Poor dead blog.
It may sound cliche, but a ton can happen in a year, and a ton has happened. <div>
</div><div><ul><li>For starters, I went to Kenya. Me, the shy kid. I got on a plane with eighty other people and flew halfway around the world. I walked through the slums of the Mathare Valley, just outside Nairobi, Kenya. I held hands and danced with children, talked with people who had lost family to AIDS and other diseases, drank tea and talked about God, "died" in a drama presentation and saw God. I had fun. I felt left out. I cried. I spilled my guts. It was amazing. My only regret is that it took so long for me to get outside of her comfort zone. I'm hoping to go again next summer (2012). Talk about an amazing senior trip!</li></ul><ul><li>I dropped the insane class I'd been taking. There are three classes. Last year, I took the first. This year I skipped the next one. Next year, I'm going back to the program, and doing a Shakespeare class with the same people. No more procrastinating, no more all-nighters to finish papers. I'm excited. </li></ul><ul><li>I wrote a novel for NaNoWriMo. 50,000 words. It's by no means my best work, but I did it. The words are on the page. I also wrote a script for ScriptFrenzy and decided I like novels much, much more.</li></ul><ul><li>I turned 17. It's not a huge thing to me, but it is to everyone else.</li></ul><ul><li>Possibly the most important, I got involved in social media. (No, I'm not telling you which sites. Stalker.) It took up a ton of time, and killed my already-dead blog. <p>See, social media is awesome. I want to share a video? I put it on my Facebook page or post it anywhere else. Copy-paste the link, share it with one click. I know the hundred plus people I'm friends with will see it. But my blog? Not so much. Part of that is my fault; I tend to keep my internet life and real life separate. If you're one of the what, four? people who actually read this...hi. :) I promise to try to not have my blog die again. </p></li></ul></div>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-77192952934688777762010-06-18T02:32:00.000-07:002010-06-18T02:47:16.166-07:00Wait, it's June? Already? Time for dancing animals...<p>So, class has been over for a few weeks (thank you, God!) and exactly a month from today, I'll be leaving to go on a trip with my church. I'll most likely post all my deep, reflective, smart-sounding posts over <a href="http://thebranchandtheclay.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here </a>. But where's the fun in that? Presenting, for your enjoyment, this. (You'll want your sound on, promise).</p>
<p><object width="400" height="345"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FbYtASAakAI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FbYtASAakAI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="345"></embed></object></p>
<p>Now, you'll go around singing "Where can you see lions? Only in Kenya!" as my family does. And, come to think of it, some friends, too. But seriously, thirty days from now, I'm going to Kenya! Wow!</p>
<p>For bonus fun, another Kenya song! In Swahili! (That uses the phrase "Hakuna Matata"!) <object width="400" height="345"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uRRyAEddO6E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uRRyAEddO6E&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="345"></embed></object></p>
<p>Now, my evil plot to get these songs stuck in your head is complete. *insert evil laughter here*</p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-11920830865155794912010-04-14T02:37:00.001-07:002010-04-14T02:49:04.617-07:00Life strikes again...<p>They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. With that in mind, here are two thousand words to tide you over until I am sane again. Or have more free time. Or better time management skills. My to do list is a million miles long at this point. Poor, neglected blog. Life just gets in the way sometimes, ya know?</p>
<p>This is me. Staring at the computer, as I have been doing every week. Not the best picture of me, but one that summarizes the past few months well.</p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBouIQ8i_DODFjdRwotiTPX6pEepcYOF76OYKqhERVMTusHuspSJ1rXNr-gIaUaoPvCB43Elou4MyTtAbMpBT8yL5hBf5sSjNBtYEC11whAe7RcH1xNQzkbk5hBa9zpmXrkzIK8c1cao/s1600/Photo+on+2009-11-09+at+17.03+%232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBouIQ8i_DODFjdRwotiTPX6pEepcYOF76OYKqhERVMTusHuspSJ1rXNr-gIaUaoPvCB43Elou4MyTtAbMpBT8yL5hBf5sSjNBtYEC11whAe7RcH1xNQzkbk5hBa9zpmXrkzIK8c1cao/s400/Photo+on+2009-11-09+at+17.03+%232.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459925357365556642" /></a>
And while attempting to organize my notebook...with all the papers on the couch, Perry...fuzzy little monster...decided to get in on the fun. Which of course means sleeping. Something I haven't done much of in these past few months. Drama queen that she is, she opened one eye long enough to be photographed. Then went back to sleep.
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh0WX11blPNd-Sw9FNX3tvY_EYHLVbqnKcKyy9cqmJ9diEOcgKS6VwJfq5Pw84yun3gKcIBJyOTslrL-ZhQNI_QB_QWE2WMJEuYXfXVv7RPIDnEWFTk-e7MqDuoGP4YeuqaoA7LhZ3_U/s1600/Photo+on+2010-04-14+at+02.33+%232.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjh0WX11blPNd-Sw9FNX3tvY_EYHLVbqnKcKyy9cqmJ9diEOcgKS6VwJfq5Pw84yun3gKcIBJyOTslrL-ZhQNI_QB_QWE2WMJEuYXfXVv7RPIDnEWFTk-e7MqDuoGP4YeuqaoA7LhZ3_U/s400/Photo+on+2010-04-14+at+02.33+%232.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459926204888398386" /></a>
So, there you go. Two thousand plus words. Going to bed now...up for class in a matter of hours.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-17173766854975195532010-01-27T02:01:00.000-08:002010-01-29T12:46:19.488-08:00No, I haven't vanished from the face of the earth…yet.Has it really been six months since I posted? I've been so busy that it went by quickly, I suppose. For your enjoyment, here is a list of reasons that I've neglected my poor blog. (For snark, please press 1. For academic-sounding-gibberish, please go elsewhere.)
<ul><li>School. Well, I am homeschooled, but I'm taking a class that requires a lot of work. If there's one thing I learn this year, it will be to stop procrastinating. I've been up all night to finish an assignment a few times. It's horrible for me, I know.</li>
<li>Band. After three years in band, I made it to the advanced band. I was really nervous at first, but I love it. Although, having rehearsal once a week and a commitment to practice for two hours every week suck up my time.</li>
<li>In December, I auditioned for, and was in a Christmas production. That was another huge time chunk.</li>
<li>I honestly haven't known what to write. I don't want this just to become a diary of sorts, where I vent and complain about boys and drama. What do I want? I don't know. Hence, the blog hiatus.</li></ul>Hopefully, I'll resume blogging soon.
(In the meantime, you can check out my new <a href="http://readandwriteandlive.blogspot.com/">book blog</a>)Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-37045522652901862982009-07-26T22:09:00.000-07:002009-08-26T18:54:14.746-07:00Bits of Randomness-45 Things About Me<p><span style="font-size:85%;">And now, 45 things about me, that you don't care about. (found the original list on a friend's blog) I haven't posted in a long time, due to summer camp, being sick and a million other things. So, enjoy the randomness and the intelligence will be back soon.</span><b>
</b></p> <ul><li><b>1. Do you like blue cheese salad dressing?</b> NO. That stuff is disgusting. My brother calls it toe jam. Ten-year-old humor. <b>
</b></li><li><b>2. Favorite late night snack?</b> Practically anything chocolate.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Do you own a gun?</span> Um...no. Why would I?<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. What’s your favorite drink at Starbucks or other specialty coffee shop? </span>Anything non-coffee, and chocolatey.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?</span> Extremely. I have a phobia of needles. I also don't like dentist or orthodontic appointments. Orthodontists are evil. So says me. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. What do you think of hot dogs?</span> The food? Depends on the brand, and how they're cooked, but they're not my favorite.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Favorite Christmas song? </span>Hrm... I'm not sure. Ask me again in December. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?</span> Water. Anything with too much sugar makes me feel horrible.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Can you do push-ups?</span> Can I? Sort of...Will I? No.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">The necklace that I got for my birthday. It has a starfish (from </span><a style="font-weight: normal;" href="http://www.starrbrite.com/starfish.html" target="blank">this</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> story) on it and a puzzle piece (for autism research)</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">11. Favorite hobby? </span>Reading. Or maybe writing. Or maybe playing piano.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">12. Do you have A.D.D.?</span> No, whatever makes you think that...ooh, look, a squirrel doing pull ups!</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">13. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself? </span>My introverted self. You can't change the world when you're standing in a corner.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">14. The last disease you contracted?</span> Some kind of weird cold/flu thing at summer camp, nicknamed 'hecka epic disease'. It's a long story.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. </span>These are really random questions. I should probably be doing something more productive. I have a million other things to do right now.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?</span> Water, water, lemonade (or some other kind of fruitish juice)</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">17. Current worry right now? </span>That I'll crash and burn in my class, which starts the third week of September. The class is actually three classes: English, History, and Bible. There are a lot of huge writing assignments, and it will actually be a challenge for me. And, that I won't finish my other schoolwork, because I'm too busy with my class. I worry a lot. Can you tell?</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">18. Current hate right now?</span> The show my siblings are watching <a href="http://www.wubbzy.com/" target="blank">Wow, Wow, Wubzy</a>. I want it to go away. Now. I can feel my brain cells dying.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">19. Favorite place to be?</span> Library, curled up with a book. It's quiet, small and peaceful. Or somewhere nature-y.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">20. How did you ring in the New Year?</span> Um...I think I went to bed.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">21. Like to travel?</span> Not really, but I haven't been on a plane since before first grade, so all I know are church trips with a million of us piled into a van. Fun, fun.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">22. Name three people who will complete this:</span> I don't know. Me, <a href="http://animeonnanoko.blogspot.com/2009/03/tag-time.html" target="blank">the friend who posted this originally</a>, and someone else?<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">23. Do you own slippers?</span> Nope. At least, not during the summer.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">24. What color shirt are you wearing? </span>Deep purple. Polo. It's comfy.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?</span> I'm actually not sure about this one, having never slept on satin sheets before. I like cotton, though...<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">26. Can you whistle? </span>No. I used to be able to, but now, with braces, I can't.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">27. Favorite singer/band?</span> I love<a href="http://www.tenthavenuenorth.com/" target="blank"> Tenth Avenue North</a>, and have been listening to a lot of <a href="http://www.remedydrive.com/" target="blank">Remedy Drive</a> lately. (both amazing Christian bands)<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">28. Could you ever make it 39 days on the show Survivor? </span>No. Probably not even 39 seconds.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">29. What songs do you sing in the shower? </span>Hey! That's a loaded question. For your information, I don't sing in the shower...honest! I hum. And maybe sing. A little.
</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">30. Favorite girl’s names? </span>I don't know.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">31. Favorite boy’s name?</span> Repeat: I don't know. Why the single name in this question? Are you trying to get me to disclose a crush?<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">32. What’s in your pocket right now? </span>Don't have pockets in the skirt I'm wearing.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">33. Last thing that made you laugh? </span>The cartoon on Disney Channel, <a href="http://tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/phineasandferb/" target="blank">Phineas and Ferb</a>. We watch it as a family. Anything with a secret agent platypus is worth watching.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">34. Like your job?</span> It's definitely a challenge. Student, daughter, older sister, friend, Rebelutionary, the list goes on. But yeah, I do.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">36. Do you love where you live? </span>Yes. Except the sharing a room with my seven-year-old sister. I could do without that.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">37. How many TVs do you have in your house?</span> Two.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">38. Who is your loudest friend?</span> That's a tough one, I really don't know.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">39. Do you drive the speed limit or speed?</span> I don't drive. Yet. But I would definitely drive the speed limit.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">40. Does someone have a crush on you? </span>Why on earth would I tell you that? </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">41. What is your favorite book? </span>That's a tough one. Favorite fiction book is probably <a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061131899/The_Princess_and_the_Hound/index.aspx" target="blank">The Princess and the Hound.</a></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">42. What is your favorite candy?</span> Almond Joy. Yum. And, it's not manufactured by Mars Candy Co, who I'm boycotting, so double yum. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">43. Favorite Sports Team?</span> Really don't care about sports. I've gone to see the U.S Womans Soccer Team with my grandparents...<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">44. What were you doing 12 AM last night?</span> Sleeping! Whoever wrote this is a creepy stalker. And better not be Edward Cullen. Who is just weird.<span style="font-weight: bold;">
</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">45. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up today?</span> "I wanna go back to sleep."</li></ul> Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-76884933598662959502009-07-15T16:54:00.000-07:002009-07-22T21:32:30.961-07:00The Verdict is In...And I'm a Loon!<p>Take a theater full of excited people, a highly anticipated fantasy movie, add in some "magic" and what is the result? The Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince midnight premiere. Scheduled to start Wednesday morning at 12:01, there were already over thirty people in line when we (<a href="http://codewideopen.blogspot.com/" target="blank">this loon</a>, who happens to be the one who gave me my geeky DNA, and I) arrived at 6:30. Once settled in line, the only thing to do was wait.</p>
<p>And wait we did. We waited while people walked in, wearing full Hogwarts robes. Others took the "cool teen look" wearing distressed t-shirts proclaiming <a href="http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/WhatsNew/Apparel/Harry-Potter-Slytherin-Baseball-Tee-293396.jsp" target="blank">Slytherin</a> and <a href="http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/WhatsNew/Apparel/Harry-Potter-Gryffindor-Raglan-Tee-221280.jsp" target="blank">Gryffindor</a>. Still others came dressed as Muggles, the non-magic population, us included. As we waited through the same five songs, (some Miley Cyrus song, some other Miley Cyrus song, something inaudible and a push for the Harry Potter soundtrack, complete with one song), we buried ourselves in books. Me: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1.Harry_Potter_and_the_Half_Blood_Prince" target="blank">Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince</a>( not quite sure why I brought the book to the movie, but it was nice and thick, and took me a while to read), <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11312.Over_Sea_Under_Stone" target="blank">Over Sea, Under Stone</a> and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14935.Sense_and_Sensibility" target="blank">Sense and Sensibility</a>. Him: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14201.Jonathan_Strange_Mr_Norrell" target="blank">Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell</a>.</p>
<p>Around 9:15, we were ushered into the theater, where the captive audience was shown the same seven trivia slides over and over and over again, and some advertisements. But, of course, that was much too boring. So, some extremely devoted fans decided to provide entertainment. Pulling out their wands, they proceeded to duel, even using the words from the books. When one of the duelers "died", the whole theater burst into applause. Ahh, opening night.</p>
<p>As the minutes ticked by, the excitement was rising. When the previews came on, the sound of ecstatic screams and applause were deafening. As the captive audience watched the Twilight: New Moon preview, showing Robert Pattinson (Edward) more screaming filled the theater (along with a hearty "boooo" from the male portion of the audience). When a shirtless Taylor Lautner (Jacob, the other heartthrob) came onscreen, the goofy person next to me (yes, <a href="http://codewideopen.blogspot.com/" target="blank">Him</a>) yelled "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2015862016/tt0424774" target="blank">Sharkboy</a>!". Next time I see that preview, I'm going to get everyone around me to yell "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1547606016/ch0001018" target="blank">Cedric</a>! You're alive!" when Pattinson comes onscreen.</p>
<p style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Warning, potential spoilers ahead...</span></p>
<p>As the color palette seen in the previews for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince warns, this is a dark movie. The series has gone from cute supposed-to-be-eleven-year-olds-but-actually-nine-year-olds being cute, to a tense, who's-going-to-die-can't-trust-anyone-nowhere-is-safe atmosphere. Still, mixed in with that is some very sweet, humorous scenes. One of my favorites was the "Chosen One" scene with Harry and Hermione:</p>
<p>
</p><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">Hermione(seeing Romilda Vane looking at Harry):</span><p></p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hey! She's only looking at you because she thinks you're the "Chosen One"</span></p><p></p>
<p><span style="font-style: italic;">Harry:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> But I am the chosen one.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-style: italic;">Hermione whacks Harry in the head with a rolled up parchment(or something similar)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-style: italic;">Harry</span>: <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sorry...kidding.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
<p>The scene between Lavender Brown and Hermione, after Ron's been poisoned is really good too, summing up that triangle well.</p>
<p></p><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">Lavender, seeing Hermione by Ron's bed in the hospital:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> What is she doing here!?</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-style: italic;">Hermione:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">I might ask you the same question.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-style: italic;">Lavender, indignantly:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">I happen to be his girlfriend!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-style: italic;">Hermione:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">I happen to be his...friend.</span></p></blockquote><p></p>
<p>The filmmakers did an excellent job adapting the book. They made changes, but mostly they were done well. But the great big battle at the end was cut, and I hated the part with the Muggle waitress. The opening scene is unnerving, showing the bad bad bad guys collapsing a bridge which kills Muggles (non-magic people), but again, it contributes to the tense, who's-going-to-die-can't-trust-anyone-nowhere-is-safe atmosphere.</p>
<p>All in all, it was a magical couple of hours, setting the scene for the last two movies (they're doing two, 'cause the book is too long). Now I have to go and see it in IMAX3D.</p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-62241250460688469692009-07-12T19:26:00.000-07:002009-07-12T20:50:04.601-07:00Attention Germs/Viruses/Other Obnoxious Organisms: I Hate You. That is All.<p>Yes, that's right. The flu has invaded our house. Fun. First, it was my mom, then dad, then both siblings. I refuse to get sick, until Wednesday, late afternoon. Then I don't care. Why Tuesday?</p>
<p>Despite my <a href="http://flyinglogicmonkeys.blogspot.com/2009/06/really-warner-brothers.html" target="blank">initial annoyance</a>, I will be going to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at midnight on Tuesday,</p>
<span style="font-size:85%;"><i>(*begin note that nobody will read* Technically, my annoyance was at the fact that WB made a non-kids movie a PG rating. Being fifteen, I would've gone to see it even if it had been PG-13. In fact, I've been longing to see it (read: obsessing over it) since last July, thinking that November couldn't come soon enough. I was really mad at WB for a while, after they pushed it till July 2009. *end note*)</i></span><p></p>
<p> with <a href="http://codewideopen.blogspot.com/" target="blank">this guy</a>. (Yes, he's my father. I won't deny it, my geekiness has got to come from somewhere. Right? Of course right).</p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7R8Xnhll7P40_oonU8Tw8uTLSiDj3bNyX-aFTnsLdR-Ec8r0p5GMtb576K29l0uuHn-WomYKldXAZG4JZWRgFHRoDnwcPu35zQ_Wa6EBx3YpYfzxiWiEJ5ukARQfGeSkVQSCtgh74lo/s1600-h/awesomepetri.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7R8Xnhll7P40_oonU8Tw8uTLSiDj3bNyX-aFTnsLdR-Ec8r0p5GMtb576K29l0uuHn-WomYKldXAZG4JZWRgFHRoDnwcPu35zQ_Wa6EBx3YpYfzxiWiEJ5ukARQfGeSkVQSCtgh74lo/s320/awesomepetri.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357786951309262594" /></a>
<p>(You can click to enlarge the picture to read the text, and if you're too non-geeky, the quote is from <a href="http://www.boneville.com/bone/" target="blank">Bone</a>. The protagonist (Bone) jumps on a little branch, commenting "Those rat creatures would have to be really stupid to jump on this little branch." The next panel shows the creatures jumping, and the protagonist yells "Stupid, stupid rat creatures!" as they fall. These are the same rat creatures who proclaim that quiche is an old-lady food, not monster food. It's a really cute graphic novel, and worth a read.
<a href="http://www.boneville.com/gallery/?file=ComicCovers%2FCover+Poster.02.jpg" target="blank">Aren't they adorable?</a> And don't get me started on Bartleby, the baby rat creature. Say it with me...<a href="http://www.boneville.com/gallery/?file=ComicCovers/Cover+Poster.32.jpg" target="blank">Squee</a>!)
</p><p><span style="font-size:78%;">amazing picture of petri dish, creative commons, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pnnl/"target="blank">Pacific Northwest National Laboratory</a>, via flickr</span></p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-35358748014985754632009-07-05T18:05:00.000-07:002009-07-05T18:08:52.196-07:00Happy...Fifth... of July?All right, all right, I know it's a day late but you have to watch this. Now. Many times. Until it is stuck in your head. Then follow the advice at the end, maybe.
Stop reading this and watch it. Now.
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Did you watch it? Good. Now you may leave. Nothing more to see here.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-19956966336154830522009-06-24T11:57:00.000-07:002009-07-20T13:35:06.896-07:00Then Buffy Staked Edward.The End.Hooray.<p>I must admit, for a while, I was caught up in the "Twilight fever". I liked Edward because, unlike most stupid teen heartthrobs, he wasn't shallow. So I wasn't happy when the movie came out, and Twilight became "Forks Washington, 98331" and Edward became a stupid, shallow heartthrob. In addition, the acting was wooden, the makeup horrible, and the stunts/special effects laughable.
So for all of us that hated the movie, Edward finally gets his comeuppance.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RZwM3GvaTRM&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RZwM3GvaTRM&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x402061&color2=0x9461ca" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="295" width="460"></embed></object>
<p>The one thing that I want to know though, is when does Bella get her turn? Her acting was horrible, worse than Edward's.</p>
<p>And to all the Twilight fans who proclaim "OMG! He is sooooooooo hot!"
I now reply "OMG, are you twelve?"</p>
<p>Edit 1: And you thought Robert Pattinson was shallow? He got hit by a cab, while he was running from fans. (He's not seriously hurt.) <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/06/18/2009-06-18_robert_pattinson_hit_by_a_taxi_while_running_away_from_fans.html">See</a>?</p>
<p>Edit 2: And apparently Google is obsessed too, because this is what came up after the blog post published successfully. Blech!
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyz_WXkyKsLXg8QFFjFYNk1pFGH5lEwg8gi6lDdv3Z2XKZcJL1OPXyTHQbRpB1_qFlvZCqWAiYQO6p1rN8Njg16vO-AZEsdnFqMl2SUOgavESQLNkF_nHXR_1QIMa8cOkXOn3fEICYTU/s1600-h/stupidtwilightad.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyz_WXkyKsLXg8QFFjFYNk1pFGH5lEwg8gi6lDdv3Z2XKZcJL1OPXyTHQbRpB1_qFlvZCqWAiYQO6p1rN8Njg16vO-AZEsdnFqMl2SUOgavESQLNkF_nHXR_1QIMa8cOkXOn3fEICYTU/s200/stupidtwilightad.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350980790274808258" border="0" /></a>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-58461558144058231142009-06-19T19:51:00.000-07:002009-06-19T19:59:45.145-07:00The Branch and the Clay<span style="font-size:78%;">(Begin shameless mention of new blog)</span>
I recently started another blog, with a more serious focus. <a href="http://www.thebranchandtheclay.blogspot.com/">The Branch and The Clay</a>, a chronicle of my life as a follower of Jesus Christ, named after the comparisons that are made, between us and God.
There's no monkeys, there might be some logic, but I'm not sure if flying will come into it.
<span style="font-size:78%;">(We now return to the regularly scheduled blogging)</span>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-37283571932154536072009-06-15T19:09:00.001-07:002009-07-12T19:31:45.969-07:00Really, Warner Brothers?!?<span style="font-size:78%;">My rant in the style of "Really?!? with Seth and Amy" from Saturday Night Live. Be warned that it contains spoilers from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. This is what I've determined from the book and the previews.</span>
<p>Today I found out that the upcoming Warner Brothers film <a href="http://www.harrypotter.com"target="blank" >Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince</a> will be rated PG. The last few films have been PG-13. I don't agree. Why, you ask...</p>
<p>Really, Warner Brothers?!?
You think that a bridge being destroyed in the first few minutes of a film is family-friendly?</p>
<p>Really?!?</p>
<p>And you know, sending the really-bad-murderous-bad guys to a main character's house to destroy it (which isn't even in the book) is appropriate for children.</p>
<p>Really?!?</p>
<p>You think that a character touching a cursed necklace, flying up in the air, screaming, almost dying, and being in the hospital for weeks is PG?</p>
<p>Really?!?</p>
<p>You think that a lake full of dead bodies, which then become reanimated and try to stop the main characters from proceeding is PG? (not cute zombies either, the Inferi freaked me, a fifteen year old, out when I read the book, it will be scarier visually)</p>
<p>Really?!?</p>
<p>You think that a character consuming poisoned drink and almost dying is PG?</p>
<p>Really?!? Huh.</p>
<p>And a very important character being murdered by a supposed good guy and falling off of a tower is PG?</p>
<p>Really?!?</p>
<p>Plus there's the new angst/romance stuff, and the fact that two characters are practically glued together by the lips. Huh.</p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdxKHxUYesGR6r6NV4Kbp3zqDwmXItXvvupAsFT3XWFwvgS4ICrznSgfC8jAGfDE_9knOuGIEnEg2MVgdpjZOYW87GR2w5_jeCHKRD8r28khjE2cdiBIHJKCKl5iJifXRtHU54Y3rhw4/s1600-h/really_danradcliffe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdxKHxUYesGR6r6NV4Kbp3zqDwmXItXvvupAsFT3XWFwvgS4ICrznSgfC8jAGfDE_9knOuGIEnEg2MVgdpjZOYW87GR2w5_jeCHKRD8r28khjE2cdiBIHJKCKl5iJifXRtHU54Y3rhw4/s400/really_danradcliffe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347755800045517874" border="0" /></a>
<p>So...</p>
<p>Really, Warner Brothers? Really?!?</p>
<p>(Add to that the fact that Warner Brothers won't share their stuff online, they don't have a way to embed video. They don't understand that the internet is probably the fastest and most efficient way to spread media. Grrr. Really, Warner Brothers? You can't play nice with everyone? Really?!?)</p>
<p><span style="font-size:85%;">Plus, now when I go see it (at midnight, the first showing!), it will be interrupted by little kids crying 'cause they're scared. Grrr.</span></p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-30453960816511448632009-05-29T11:25:00.000-07:002009-08-26T18:30:33.483-07:00Pretty Angsty Classic Vampires? or Whatever Happened to Good Books?<p>A couple of years ago, you could go into a bookstore or a library and find good teen books, books that were past the kid stage and not quite to the adult stage. Not anymore. There some good books, but two kinds of books make up the majority of teen books: the clique novels and the vampire spinoffs.</p>
<p>Clique novels: books about cliques (Never ever would have guessed!), normally revolves around high schoolers at a private school, angst, romance, drama, revenge, fashion, girl hates guy, then falls in love (you get the idea)</p>
<p>Vampire Spinoffs: follow a basic plot, vampire falls in love with human, fueled heavily by the success of <a href="http://stepheniemeyer.com/twilightseries.html" target="blank"">Twilight</a> (if you've never heard of Twilight, you were probably living under a rock for the past year) waaaay too many, again, angst and drama.</p>
<p>Though the teen section has been taken over by angsty (yes, I know that's not a word) books, there are still good books to be found. Here are some of my favorites:</p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayz7Mer4mx5yo2-1uHX-dQuSNRNZItikRmzOq0JM9IMV8Jqc2H-SFdzRWpKU-3T6rsc6RHkbdoCN9cpYYL0Sg_gSpN9M5ftcciwbXPdcQbA4sCM7CfDGdk3NF9MS0oXf7_1iTnDN3q44/s1600-h/oldbook_withframe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayz7Mer4mx5yo2-1uHX-dQuSNRNZItikRmzOq0JM9IMV8Jqc2H-SFdzRWpKU-3T6rsc6RHkbdoCN9cpYYL0Sg_gSpN9M5ftcciwbXPdcQbA4sCM7CfDGdk3NF9MS0oXf7_1iTnDN3q44/s400/oldbook_withframe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348097806749825858" border="0" /></a>
<p>Fantasy:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061131899/The_Princess_and_the_Hound/index.aspx" target="blank">The Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison:</a> mixes fantasy with magic, with a tiny bit of romance, mystery, and adventure. (The sequel, The Princess and the Bear came out very recently)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.squeetus.com/stage/books_goose.html" target="blank"">Goose Girl</a> by Shannon Hale: one of my absolute favorites, Princess Academy and Enna Burning are good too.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.leemac.freeserve.co.uk/chresto1.htm" target="blank"">The Chrestomanci Chronicles</a> by Diana Wynn Jones: written very well, shows the hidden 'magic' side of Europe(like Harry Potter in that respect, but much better)</p>
<p>Science Fiction:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.annemccaffrey.net/books/series/pern/chronology.html" target="blank"">The Dragonriders of Pern</a> by Anne McCaffrey: a very long series, like Eragon, but first and better.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hatrack.com/osc/books/endersgame/endersgame.shtml" targer="blank"">Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card:</a> though it has some language and 'battle simulation' it presents some interesting points to ponder.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.scottwesterfeld.com/books/uglies.htm" target="blank"">The Uglies, The Pretties, The Specials, and The Extras</a> by Scott Westerfield: a post-apocalyptic series, can be a little preachy about what the Rusties (us) did wrong, but pretty good.</p>
<p>Classics:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Bantam-Classics-Austen/dp/0553213105" target="blank"">Pride and Prejudice</a> by Jane Austen: Read it. There's not much else to say.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sense-Sensibility-Jane-Austen/dp/1440469563/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243622165&sr=1-2" target="blank"">Sense and Sensibility</a> by Jane Austen: Same here.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/David-Copperfield-Modern-Library-Classics/dp/0679783415/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243622322&sr=1-3" target="blank"">
David Copperfield</a> by Charles Dickens: And here.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alices-Adventures-Wonderland-Through-Looking/dp/0785824464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243622264&sr=1-1" target="blank"">Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass</a> by Lewis Carroll: though they seem like 'kid' books, Lewis infuses them with logic and puzzles, which I didn't notice until I took logic this year.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.steinbeck.org/MainFrame.html" target="blank"">The Grapes of Wrath</a> by John Steinbeck: yes, it was long, and the authority figures infuriated me in their treatment of the main characters, but it is superbly written.</p>
<p>So, what about you? Do you agree with the way that 'teen' books are changing?
Any great books I forgot?</p>
<p><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" >photo of old book, flickr, cc <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/98469445@N00/">v.max1978</a></span></p>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-398669059637224032009-05-20T11:51:00.000-07:002009-06-16T18:13:35.181-07:00Canada...Caanan...Egypt...Same Difference?<p>As JBean (my 7 year old sister) and I were listening to the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat(after watching <a href="http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/351/index.jsp"target="blank">this</a>, I must add.) the narrator mentioned that Joseph was sent as a slave to Egypt.</p>
<blockquote>JBean:"I thought Joseph already lived in Egypt?"</blockquote>
<blockquote>Me:"No, he lived in Caanan."</blockquote>
<blockquote>JBean:"Canada?" </blockquote>
<blockquote>Me:"No...Caanan...Nevermind."</blockquote>
<p>So...yeah. That's what happens when I get her into Broadway.</p>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicy2Un6CLQEkBo_5AG3L7-4BRDGnqHaA3ioD6USy8SPgTpAs39LM__4jnSUy__TqNNVMA3YQHlfMjUJm5byP0NQshfWSfO5uASohEa_tGC91KWIyLBrtzDDuNL-25VTzHPuUXvsFqvhlg/s1600-h/josephcanada_withframe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicy2Un6CLQEkBo_5AG3L7-4BRDGnqHaA3ioD6USy8SPgTpAs39LM__4jnSUy__TqNNVMA3YQHlfMjUJm5byP0NQshfWSfO5uASohEa_tGC91KWIyLBrtzDDuNL-25VTzHPuUXvsFqvhlg/s400/josephcanada_withframe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348098429377584130" /></a>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-28297928398204337442009-05-18T13:31:00.000-07:002009-07-22T21:36:09.353-07:00I'm bored or The Undead BookwormToday, I'm bored. I've read all my library books and practically every other book in the house (except <a href="http://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/images/goldencompass.jpg"/target="blank">this one</a>, <a href="http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/bestselling-sci-fi-fantasy-2006/739-1.jpg"/target="blank">this one</a> and <a href="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/n3/n15537.jpg"/target="blank">this one</a> cause they're horrible, or so I've heard). So, in between asking to go to the library (which we will later, yay!) and complaining that I'm bored, I've found a new activity, which really bothers my siblings (muahahahahahahaha!)
Using my best zombie imitation, I walk around and mutter "Booooooooks" in the same way that a zombie mutters "Braaaaaaaains".
It's actually quite entertaining.
So...I leave you with that.
"Booooooooooooks"
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I2Nm5Naho8dEsZplW1Jk5O_LqPMg7RitztUGlrEk2gHcAgQ7a_UI_I94FngsE_XBVFg9Vz6tzSWvx4uKCjPfZJC5O59dcU4AK4CEE1Fw1G4SWYlvumyEyzZDInkaxVK6L7LVCzHKECo/s1600-h/bookwormonbook_withframe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I2Nm5Naho8dEsZplW1Jk5O_LqPMg7RitztUGlrEk2gHcAgQ7a_UI_I94FngsE_XBVFg9Vz6tzSWvx4uKCjPfZJC5O59dcU4AK4CEE1Fw1G4SWYlvumyEyzZDInkaxVK6L7LVCzHKECo/s400/bookwormonbook_withframe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348098603817554530" /></a>Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-32840650358637540282009-05-07T22:45:00.000-07:002009-05-07T22:59:45.304-07:00And the urgh moment of the day is....While doing my homework (which is due tomorrow, ok, I procrastinate) my file was deleted. <span style="font-style:italic;">::insert ominous music here::</span> It got replaced with a blank document by accident (part user error, part MacFail).
So...now I feel like doing this*:
<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WHdTJlk0S90&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WHdTJlk0S90&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>
Don't you feel sorry for me?
*I must admit, <a href="http://flyinglogicmonkeys.blogspot.com/2009/05/im-hereand-so-are-you-apparently.html">an Eeyorish character</a> smashing a computer would be so funny that I wouldn't be mad anymore.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5375971772908668889.post-35157044150513497232009-05-06T19:20:00.000-07:002009-06-16T18:16:34.912-07:00I'm here...and so are you apparentlyAfter much pestering by certain people (you know who you are!) I finally have a blog and email. Unknown to many that is a "requirement of being fifteen". Yeah, sure. Fine. I'm keeping this private for a while, maybe forever, I don't know yet. Anyway, I'm here. Yippee.
By the way, talking like Eeyore is another requirement of being fifteen...
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61o-lpeKQuT2goKS3VUvcgudABXAAdicpHvaMRwYcrbX0xdGzCOqU_M1K6d6xR9kK_de9t1IkkkXqa0hASwS5MAKIPcEBTNQJ_2WHlTXXeibE76jslpNWu93nvp00axLliFNyjn1JIOQ/s1600-h/eeyore+with+thistle_withframe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61o-lpeKQuT2goKS3VUvcgudABXAAdicpHvaMRwYcrbX0xdGzCOqU_M1K6d6xR9kK_de9t1IkkkXqa0hASwS5MAKIPcEBTNQJ_2WHlTXXeibE76jslpNWu93nvp00axLliFNyjn1JIOQ/s200/eeyore+with+thistle_withframe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348099123860666290" /></a>
So, thanks for noticing.Jordanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04491132206170746472noreply@blogger.com1