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Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Various Things

Do you ever get in that mood where you want to do about five different things, yet your mood is also telling you to sit there and stare at a wall and day dream? That's my current mood right now, and it's infuriating. On one hand, I should totally be writing. On the other hand, I wanna continue my writing research / reading Harry Potter. Then again I should continue the multiple diaries and sources for research of the Romanov history. Yet all I feel like doing is sitting here and playing weird scenarios in my head.

Okay, so I've been sitting here at my computer, doing various things. It's nearing closing week, and we have so many deals lined up for this month! Once I get payed I'm gonna be rich! Haha, I'm kidding, broke. Since I've saving up for so much stuff I'll really get very little money to do as I wish with. But whatever, I'm getting closer to buying that camera and fabulous keyboard I want. But something I keep thinking about is fanart. While listening to a new, and oddly addictive, Imagine Dragons song, I discovered Percy Jackson fanart, done by Viria. I really love their style. Then it made me start to think about the one piece of fanart that was done for my story True Hero. Which, is serious one of my all time favorite pieces of art in the history of ever. It really makes me wish someone could draw concept art for all my stories. I would draw it myself, but I'm not really that interested in drawing, and I'm not very good at it either.

Speaking of keyboards, as I was a moment ago, I've been contemplating a keyboard to buy. 'Course, I can't buy it for some time. But I'm so torn. Thing is, I found this beautiful keyboard, 88 keys, velocity sensitive, semi weighted keys (fully would be ideal, but that's in the thousands range), and apparently they're beautiful imitation ivory keys too. I've heard the sound system is kinda bad (though in comparison with my current keyboard, it's probably fine) and even that can be remedied with a good sound system (I've been wanting good speakers and a subwoofer for a while anyways). It doesn't come with a stand, but I could figure something out until I could buy one. I already have in the lineup a better sustain pedal since the one the piano comes with is like a sewing pedal. I mean, it all seems perfect. Except one tiny, little, very important thing. There's no MIDI connector. Without a MIDI connector, I cannot hook up Magix which would partially defeat the purpose of this piano. I've considered keeping both, as my current Yamaha has worked well thus far for Magix. But we all know I don't have infinity space here. So that is my current dilema. Gah...

Today I went to a gym for the first time. My workout was really light, cause we didn't have a whole bunch of time and it was more for the sake of showing me the machines. So I'm not very sore. My evaluation is Saturday. It'll be interesting to see how fit they deem me to be, since I'm about as strong as a potato.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Wicked Adventures

My day going to see Wicked went something like this people:

Waking up the morning of:


Getting in the car to leave:


On the way there (an unbearably long car ride if I do say so):


Arriving at the Paramount:


Oh no... a firetruck, two ambulances... all directly outside the Paramount. We never got hardly any details. A man came up to the line to get inside, said a few things which I only heard a word or two. It was a girl, and he said she was still breathing. Obviously this was a rather serious situation. After some time they rolled someone out. All I could see was them wrapped in white until they were rolled inside of the ambulance and taken away. Well, that's one way to start off the evening.

Finally we got inside, with only a half an hour before the performance. So much for our attempt to arrive early. We got inside and went straight to purchase our merchandise. Both Tiana and I got the same things, a Program and a shirt. Shortly after making our purchases we made our way to our seating. It was perfection. Our seats were almost the last row on the main floor, but they were elevated well above the rows in front of us, so we could see everything perfectly. It was like a dream!

The show was just... just...






Ahhhh, amazing. Everything was pitch perfect. I had chills when it started, all through the first act, right down to the end of Defying Gravity. Then of course act two started, and... gahh, the feeeels... It was heartbreaking right down to the bitter end.

Galinda was about the most hilarious thing ever. Seriously, I was dying of laughter whenever I wasn't dying of feels. Which is about a fifty, fifty ratio in this production.

Then after the show, Tiana and I headed right outside to wait to meet the cast. We got to meet the actors who played Elphaba, Galinda, Fiyero, Boq, and Nessa Rose. It was seriously the most incredible thing ever, and I still can't believe I actually saw it. Next time it's in town, I'm planning on seeing it at least twice. I really want to get front row seating, though the Lodge would be preferred.

Now it all comes to the big question. Which Broadway show, out of the three I saw this year, was the best? Don't ask I say. On one hand, I say Wicked because it's what made me fall in love with Broadway. Then again, Cinderella was the first Broadway show I ever saw. But then there's Ramin, Hadley and Sierra... er, I mean, Phantom of the Opera. Haha, I seriously can't decide. Each show is so drastically different, that I never could decided.

But I have to know, what is your favorite Broadway show? If you don't have one, then favorite musical? If not that, then favorite... movie?

Thursday, July 16, 2015

So... Sore...

Oh man. I am so sore and stiff right now. My back is all sorts of sore n' stiff. But the good kind I suppose...ish. Sorta. Maybe not-ish. Today, as you probably already know since I talk about it all the time was a stable day. It was glorious in the weirdest way possible. I rode Lacey, as usual. The new instructor, Christina, was my instructor while Rochelle was out feeding the cows. She taught me new stuff, like reminding me to keep my hands together (they tend to spread when I'm trotting) and keeping my inside shoulder just a little farther back than my outside shoulder. Stuff like that. Then I got to do some cantering. I'm getting better, but I've got a ways to go. Though while cantering, I lost a stirrup and just rolled with it, and I cantered stirrupless! That's exciting, but not the big news. While riding stirrupless my saddle slipped, and I fell off.


This was my first time falling off while riding ever. It was glorious. My instincts kicked in, and apparently I fell quite spectacularly. My tailbone hurts, and my head ever so slightly (I didn't hit it though, so I'm not entirely sure why) and overall my body aches. Both from riding and falling, cause before I was posting better by keeping my legs farther underneath me and using my upper legs more. Which hurts so much, but it's so much better! So that's my big news! Oh, and I almost fell off again when trying to ride Lacey's trot stirrupless. I wanted to try for balance purposes, but her trot proved to big. Christina said any rider would have trouble with her trot, and that it was pretty impressive that I stayed on as long as I did. After that I stuck to stirrups, did some more cantering, then cooled her down. Rochelle's reaction my me falling off after she got back was awesome. She was like, " You fell off? Awesome!"

So I'm listening to a few of the Long Never Dies songs, cause the music is amazing, and I can't stop laughing at Erik's sarcasm in Devil Take the Hindmost. Raoul is at the bar, kind of drunk, just after talking about how he isn't afraid of Erik, and he's bested him before so why should he be afraid of him. Then it goes like this as Erik enters the room.

*dramatic music*
Raoul: "No, no it can't be."
Erik: "Not afraid of me you say."
Raoul: "Stay back! Or I'll kill you, I promise you!"
Erik: "Of course."

You kind of have to hear it to really get it, but I just find the way Erik says that last bit really funny. Like, "oh Raoul, you fluffy little prairie dog. I find your show of... courage... so amusing."

Out of town family has arrived today, and will be staying with us for a few days for Tiana's graduation. It's always good to have family around for a while.

I've totally been rocking out to Kelly Clarkson's song Stronger. I got it on Freegal, and I just really like the upbeatness of the song. I don't generally go for break up songs, but this and a few others just have a fun beat and I can't help but like them. Plus this one is like, "I'm stronger now" instead of "oh my gosh dating is a trap" or "what do I do with life now." I do like the Taylor Swift song Blank Space though. I haven't generally listened to Taylor Swift, and I don't remember why I decided to try listening to that one. But it's just kind of a fun song.

Haha, now I just went from listening to Stronger to Celtic Love Song by Brunuh Ville. It's so calming and nice. I imagine sitting in a forest and it's very relaxing. You know what I'd love? To set up a nice spot next to a pretty creek in a forest clearing, away from all noise other than nature. Then I'd want a hammock, and a music rock softly playing all of Brunuh Ville and Adrian von Ziegler's calming music so I could just lay there, staring into the tree branches and bits of sky showing. That would be paradise to me.

I kind of want to redo my blog again, but I know I couldn't get the effect I'm currently imagining. I imagine basically the glorious place I just described, but as my blog. It's been awhile since I had music on my blog, and it'd be cool to just create that calming atmosphere in my little corner of the internet. I dunno if I could pull it off, but I may started experimenting with it sometime. Who knows.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

I Should Post Again, Shouldn't I?

I've sort of realized that I hardly ever make posts other than my very journal like posts. I should try and post other stuff. But I just haven't. Maybe because it takes more concentration that just splattering whatever comes to mind on the page, since generally my other posts are about history. Then again, as of late, my life has been busier than usual. Not to say I don't have loads of time on my hands. Though I gotta say, going to the stable twice a week does sap my energy. I'm weak.

Actually, speaking of my weakness, I'm going to start going to the gym. Yup, me of all people. Well, it's not that surprising. I've wanted to start exercising for a while. Now my mom and dad got a gym membership, and said they'd pay for me until I turn eighteen (I gotta use up my time while I still can). I haven't gone yet, but I'm excited to start. I'm hoping to go at least once a week, preferable twice or three times. That along with the stable work twice a week will help me get stronger. That'd be nice, cause I feel like my arm muscles are terrible. I dunno how I push those wheelbarrows...

Okay, I've recently started a new writing project. It's not this blog. It's not script writing or novel writing. I'm starting to write a journal-ish styled informational book about all my research and stuff I'm learning about horses. It's current working title is Musings of an Equestrian of Sixteen (the title based off Catherine the Great's burned and never published book she was writing, Portrait of a Philosopher of Sixteen. Ironic that I happen to be the same age as I start this endeavor). Because it's an informational book, I've been able to plan all the chapters ahead of time. I'm up to twenty three. A large portion of those will cover all the different types of eventing. I've also start the appendix so I can know where specific information is. I'm planning on covering stuff about tack, barn chores, feeding, blanketing. Just everything and anything. All the other informational books on horses that I've found talk only about stuff like breed origins and stuff like that. Not show to determine how much hay to feed your horse. Or what supplements are good for your horses. Or how to properly fit tack to you and your horse. This is stuff I've learned through working at All Starr Stables. Gosh, I love that place.

Speaking of All Starr, some exciting stuff happened there during my first day back after vacation. First off, Mary cantered Halli bareback for the first time. I'm so excited for her! Halli's canter is so smooth though. I can't wait till I'm better at cantering. I'm close, but not quite that good. And also, Lacey spooked while in the cross ties as I was tacking up. She pulled one of the chains free, and the carabiner that held the chain on was flattened! It was a thick one too. I was a little shaken up after that, and all during my ride Lacey kept tripping over herself. I decided to not ask to canter that day. Hopefully next time I can though.

Okay, I just watched the Comic-Con Batman vs. Superman trailer. When I first heard about it and saw the teaser I was skeptical. Oh my gooossshhhh whyyyy?! But then. A real trailer came out. Then this latest trailer came out. Oh. My. Gosh. This movie has such promise! It looks so amazing! The only strange part is Luther's extreme lack of lack of hair. Though I did find it amusing when he was saying, "the red capes are coming, the red capes are coming." I can't believe I'm actually saying that I'm excited for this movie. But I am!

***

I started writing this post a few days ago, forgot to edit and post it, and instead of just starting fresh I decided to just continue on. Since it's kind of specific to the day, I can't pass it off as today.

Anyhoo. I've been looking into some equestrian apparel. Ouch. I forgot how expensive this sport is. Honestly, it's so darn expensive. Breeches, $30 - $150 dollars. It can go higher. Seriously, everything is expensive. If I want any of that stuff, I'm gonna have to save up. Haha, and they say other sports are expensive.

Something terrible has happened guys. From my job, I'm now making enough money to where I have to pay taxes. It's a quick reminder of how much tax there is in the world. Though there is one tiny bonus. Since with every check I'll be setting aside money for end of year taxes, I do have less money to spend. But once I pay taxes, which will probably be less than what I save up for, then I can use the rest of the money however I want. No sorting it through the system and losing half of it to long term savings and stuff. You know what that means! Shopping spree! Haha. I dunno how much money I'll actually get, but any little bit of free spending cash will be great. I'll probably stock up on the Trader Joe's Fireworks bars. If you haven't had them, get them! It's chocolate, with pop rocks, and hot peppers. It's the most amazing chocolate bar you'll ever eat. I'm obsessed with them.

So I've officially cut down my school workload. I just realized it was too much to try and sit down and do journal writing, story writing, Gaelic, French, math, piano, and recorder. This may sound, in a sense, pathetic, but two to three hours of school is just too much. I don't need that much. So I dropped trying to officially write my stories (though I do want to write regularly) and also I'm not actively learning French, rather than familiarizing myself with the language by singing songs in French. I'm doing the same with Norwegian, since I want to learn that someday too. I may even do that to an extent with Russian and Arabic, since I kind of want to learn those languages one day too. So that's what's going down on the academic side of life.

My back hurts. And my legs. I was working on posting only with the upper leg so my lower leg wouldn't move (as it's supposed to be) and I could barely do it. Also, I cantered Lacey a lot. Almost the entire time I kept my hands off the saddle. But I'm still grasping for it anytime she changes speed or anything unusual happens. That's about where I was with trotting when I left Dezeray's stable five years ago. That's why my back hurts. I haven't quite got cantering down, and it hurts my back afterwards. Someday soon I'll get it right (I hope).

Tiana and I are going to see Wicked this Sunday! I'm so excited. Wicked it what got me into Broadway, and now I love Phantom of the Opera, Rodger and Hammerstein's Cinderella, and Love Never Dies. Well, as much as you can love Love Never Dies. Plot wise, it's terrible. Music wise, it's amazing. A few of the songs and their concept are really cool. It makes me want to write a more realistic sequel fanfic of Phantom. But I kind of feel like fanfic is a waste of my time, because it's not something I could publish and it's not exactly my work.

This may sound a little lame to some people, but I'm a fan of Ninjago. Yeah, animated Lego's. My brother and I love the show, and I gotta say, this latest season has been sooo good. I seriously want a serious live action show about the Ninja's. The new theme song is totally rad, and Nya's been getting some epic screen time.

Oh, and tonight our family may start watching Downtonabbey. We've had it on loan from someone for like two years now. Yeah, that's not good. Also, we'll be starting season two of Heros soon. Also, there's making a new Heros (Heroes Reborn)! I dunno how to feel about that, but it looks promising. They're bringing back old characters, so it's not a reboot. Thank goodness. Also, one of the actors is one of my visual references for my character Artair in Heart of Fire. He also plays Peter Pan in Once Upon a Time. We need to continue watching that show. We haven't continued for quite some time. Just haven't found the time.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Happy Late Independence Day

I'm am officially terrible at posting on holidays. In any case, Independance Day came and went while I was on vacation in Oregon! Woo! And no, I unfortunately did not happen to stumble on my favorite singer, Peter Hollens, while down there (he lives an hour away from my aunts house, so I was hoping really hard!). That would have been awesome though.

During the car ride home I actually got started on the prologue, chapter one, and chapter two for Rocha Island. That's right people, I started three different chapters, but only got a few paragraphs into each. There is a reason for this! This story is going to have three different viewpoints, and I needed to figure out the date for the prologue, as well as each chapter. Out of all my current stories, this one is going to need a very detailed chart for dates. It's set in the future (the prologue starting in 3093) and there are important events that need specific dates. While this is going to be such a fun story to write, I need to make sure I keep writing Heart of Fire. Gahhhh... My brain doesn't like sticking to one story. I will make it though. Also, I've narrowed down any writing changes to three different stories, so I'm not changing between all ten of them.

Guess what I got from the library?! Alexandra's diary! As in, Alexandra Romanov the last Tsaritsa of Russia! It's her last diary (which is similar yet very different from her childrens diaries) and so far it's amazing. The introduction by Robert K. Massie is very informative, and now I'm really excited to one day read his book on the Romanovs. I've been meaning to read it for quite some time now, but haven't gotten to it. The problem is this: when it comes to informational books, I simply cannot read more than two or three pages in a sitting. It's kind of weird. I mean, I love the Romanov history. It's incredible! But I sit down with the diaries and can't read very much before my brain says "No." It's like my brain gets tired, except totally not. Anyone else feel this way? Anyone? Just me? Thought so.

Right now I'm in the living room, and Studio C is on the telly. I am so in love with these people. Their skits are the greatest thing on earth, and quite honestly, if you don't already watch them, watch them now. It will change your life, and make you laugh a lot more. Seriously, go watch it.