Bridges, Stairs, and Gateways

(3 passages | Passing Through?)

Subject:	Ready, Set, Blog
Time:	12:01 am.
Mood:	accomplished.

OK, been meaning to do this for about a week. So here we go...
Things in Athens have been progressing very nicely. It's been random and fun, especially considering at least twice a week I run into someone I haven't talked to in years. For example, tonite I ran into Robby at Hot Corner. It's unfortuneate that he's leaving shortly, but I'm glad I got to see him before he moved away again. Last Thursday we ran into Kenyon, the old RA of the French Dorm. I think we're going out to dinner early next week...

In the last few weeks I've done the following (in no particular order):
I went to DragonCon with Justin, Andrea, the Martins, CJ, etc. I had a really great time, and I already look forward to next year. We stayed on the 37th floor of the Westin, which was quite nice. I didn't dress up this year, but I'm kinda considering it for next year. The crew is thinking about going as various X-men. But I'm not sure who I should go as... It would have to be someone that people would recognize, but not be lame. I mean, I have plenty of time to ponder on it, and to be honest I shouldn't get too attached until maybe next July as everyone else might change their minds by the time next D*C rolls around lol I was on camera duty, but it wasn't my camera. So I really don't have any pictures to contribute, but there aren't any good pictures of me anyway. The official word of D*C this year was "FEMME-NOMEN-NON" (from the tag line of the black lesbian convention that is held in the Westin every year the same time as D*C) and the official song was "Kyle Wants it in the Ass."

Josh and I went to go see Beauty and the Beast at the Fox. I was woefully underwhelmed. See, I didn't think it was a good adaptation of the story, mostly because they tried to make it exactly like the movie. That's a sweet idea and all, but it just doesn't work. The majesty of the animation just can't be captured on stage. And the songs that are unique to the stage version aren't nearly as good as the original songs. It was pretty easy to tell which were which, even if you didn't know better. I think I was mostly disappointed because I actually liked the stage adaptation of Lion King, but I think that's because they went in a different direction and didn't try to emulate the film. Anyways *shrug*

I had a "skill assessment" this week for Wachovia. Then today I had an interview for a teller position. Granted, it's not my ideal job, but I need something and it pays pretty well. I think the interview went well, and I know there are several openings in the metro-Athens area. So I'm cautiously optimistic. I hope it works out, if only because I need actual income rather than just spending everything. Who knows, maybe I'll even like it...

Oh, today while I was on my way to the interview I witnessed a wonderful bit of what makes Athens so... special. There was a guy standing on a street corner playing guitar. Nothing special, right? Well, except that this guy was wearing a Darth Vader helmet and a purple cape. If that wasn't weird enough, he was singing the theme song from that old Disney cartoon the Gummi Bears. (You know, bears that live in a tree and drink potions to make them bounce around and shit...) It was definitely special and it amused me enough that I had to call people to share. I wish I'd had a camera.

Weird dreams I've had: Josh and I both had superhero dreams on the same night, and we hadn't even been talking about it before bed or anything. I dreamt that I learned to be telekinetic. I taught myself how to do it the same way I taught myself how to control my eyebrows independently or to flare my nostrils. Once I did it once, I concentrated very hard on what was happening in my brain when I did it. And apparently the central part of the left hemisphere is the key to being telekinetic... So yeah, that was fun spending a dream mastering it, and when I woke up I could still feel that part of my brain being kinda tingly, and I almost felt like I could still be telekinetic, but I didn't have anything handy to try it on...
I also had a dream that I was put under some kind of weird curse and turned into a girl. It sucked ass. Within two days of the curse, of course, I started my period. I kept subtly trying to get someone to bring me my backpack, because for some reason I knew that I had been carrying Andrea's pack of tampons for her. I said to Justin, "Could you bring me my bag? I need to look at the book in there." So of course he comes back from the other room and says "Here's the book - your bag was too heavy to bring the whole thing." *Sigh* It was apparently a very heavy flow day, because by this time I had left a big bloody mess on the chair I was sitting on as well as a big bloody spot on my white skirt... It was possibly the most twisted dream I've had in a long time.

Possibly the strangest and most important thing that happened though, was on Tuesday night. Most of you that know me also know about the strained familial relationship of Josh's parents with us. Well, Josh's mom has been making lots of progress in that arena over the last month or so. Apparently she's even been able to mention me in small talk with Josh on the phone. Nothing major, but the fact that she's been able to even say my name is a huge step. It's been things like, "How's Athens? How's work? How's Karl?" But anyways, on Tuesday she was passing nearby and she came and had dinner with us. Just the 3 of us. At the same table having dinner and conversation. This is the first time it's ever happened in 6.5 years. I think it's pretty amazing, personally. We were all a bit nervous, but overall things were very pleasant. I was on very good, charming behavior, and I didn't even let any f-bombs slip! Then she actually came back to the apartment and stayed the night before driving home in the morning! I'm so super glad that this first major hurdle has been cleared. With any luck this will open the door for a better relationship for all involved in the future.

I feel like there's still more that I had meant to blog about, but now I don't remember what else there was. So I guess I'll end it here - it's already enough of a novel lol If I remember anything else, I'll just make another post...

(5 passages | Passing Through?)

Time:	1:59 pm.
Mood:	calm.

So, in my usual style i've been procrastinating making an LJ post. It's one of those things I know that I should do every so often. Normally my excuse is that there's not much excitement going on, but this time I really don't have the luxury of that one... To tell you the truth, these last several weeks have been full of excitement!
Josh and I finally moved into a place, just us. We're now back in Athens, where we were both happy happy undergrads. It's nice for us to finally have our own place, as now I actually get to see him daily rather than weekly as it was before. The apartment has pretty much come together, which is good. Internet is up and running, living room is put together and decorated. That's not to say it's completely done, but at least it looks inhabited and reflects us well, I think. That's not to say there aren't down sides to being back here - chief among them is that I desperately miss my friends back in Marrietta/Atlanta - but it's not like I'll never see you guys ^_^ I also need to find work out here - I've put in alot of applications, but nothing has really happened with those. In the mean time, it's not like I'm destitute. I just need to work so that I don't deplete my savings any more than I already have, so I can afford to go to grad school starting in January (or possibly next August, depending).
Last week Josh's friend John came down to visit us. We had an extra awesome time - I mean, I knew we'd get along, but I'm infinitely happier that we've managed to become friends even aside from him being Josh's best friend. It makes me glad, and I can't wait to see him again. I never would've pegged him as an X-men fanatic, but he is - and that is quarter-past awesome in my book. One night John and I spent several hours just talking about the X-men movies, X-men games, and the next day were talking about how there should be an X4, and that we should write it. (btw, I still think Joey is cheating by wanting to have Scarlet Witch's powers...)
We also went to the GA Aquarium. It was pretty nice - my only complaint is that it seemed to be geared much more for elementary schoolers than adults. I mean, I still enjoyed it, but I don't feel the need to go back for a good long time. However, I do want an asian small-clawed otter for a pet. They're just so cute, and unlike other otters, it's only the size of a small cat.
Now things appear to be settling down a bit. Once I find a job here I'll really be at peace with the move. And this weekend is Dragon*Con, which I'm very much looking forward to. I have to really limit my budget for this weekend, but that shouldn't be a huge deal. I don't expect to spend terribly much money. Either way, it should be lots of fun! Wee!

(14 passages | Passing Through?)

Subject:	Vaginas are funny!
Time:	11:31 pm.
Mood:	amused.

Ok, I shamelessly stole this meme from myspace, and I thought it was funny. So I thought I'd post here and see if anyone else could come up with some good ones. Without further ado:

What else can you guys come up with? Post in a comment here! Weeeee!

(3 passages | Passing Through?)

Subject:	Lady in the Whatthefuckever
Time:	12:53 am.
Mood:	underwhelmed.

Ok, Sixth Sense was a great movie. I wasn't a great fan of Unbreakable or Signs, but I've heard lots of good things about The Village. So I had hope. Hope for a movie that would at the very least entertain me and that I could truly enjoy.

Boy, was I ever disappointed.

Lady in the Water sucked so unbelievably bad that I can only think he made it as some kind of belated April Fools joke. The guy has shown in the past that he can be a brilliant screenwriter, which is why I can't fathom how this movie so quickly degenerated into something so truly abysmal. I'm kind of also hoping that in two weeks or so, Shymalan hosts a press conference. In that press conference he will stand up and give everyone the finger and say "GOTCHA MUTHAFUCKAHS!" and laugh maniacally and wipe his ass with the fat wad of cash he'll have made from this stinking pile of cinematic diarrhea. If he does that, he'll be my unequivocal hero - though I'm not holding my breath.
Not to give any real spoilers, since I know some of you will not heed my warning and go see it anyways, but I knew the movie suddenly took a turn for the shitty about 15 minutes in when he asks: "Who are you?" and she replies, "Narf."
What.
The.
Fuck.
/sigh
On the bright side, the previews that came with the movie were excellent. And I'm convinced that Hugh Jackman must be one of the hardest working men in Hollywood right now - and I'm totally cool with that. Right now he has three movies coming out that I want to see: Scoop (with the lovely Scarlett Johanssen), The Fountain, and The Prestige (also with Scarlett Johanssen, with bonus Christian Bale action!). There's also a new Hilaryswank movie coming out called The Reaping which looks like The Omen meets Silent Hill. Now, that doesn't seem like a very amazing comparison, all things considered. But at least it looks like it could be entertaining, which really, is all I ask of a movie.

(5 passages | Passing Through?)

Time:

8:34 pm.

blatantly stolen from Theresa for sheer awesometasticitude:
Full-length Cartoons on YouTube

(6 passages | Passing Through?)

Time:	11:42 am.
Mood:	cheerful.

All things considered, another very fun couple of weeks.
Been doing more and more socializing outside of the house, and it has been incredibly good for me. I guess over the last 9 or 10 months since I got back from Japan, I'd kinda gotten used to the relative isolation and minimized socialization. But I look back and think that was also part of why I was sad my second year - I quite literally just wasn't getting out enough. I'd let WoW take the place of face-to-face human interaction. That's not to say there aren't good things and good people on WoW, because there are. But I guess I'd forgotten how much of a social person I am.

The last two weeks when I normally would've sat home all day and played WoW I've been going over to the nerd store instead. Mostly it's been a question of: Do I want to be bored at home or bored somewhere else? At least at the nerd store there are other people to hang out with and talk to. So yeah, on top of just plain old going out more often I've just let myself be more social in general and I think I'm a happier and better adjusted person for it. Also, breaking my addiction to WoW can only be a good thing. Unlike before, nowadays I have the ability to play when I'm in the mood to play, but not feel obligated to play every night of the week.

So, that was my week. It has been very good to me. And this upcoming week should be good as well. Tuesday I think we're having a cookout for the 4th. Wednesday will be Woofs Trivia goodness. And I think on Friday we're going to see Confessions of a Mormon Boy, possibly followed by a weekend at Lake Blueridge(?) at the Keller-Williams Lakehouse of Awesomeness (though I don't know if those plans are official yet...)

I leave you now with a quick blurb about the CDs I bought. I got Guster's new album, Ganging Up on the Sun. It's very excellent and very Guster-tastic. It's been sharing airtime with the new Nelly Furtado album Loose. Holy bajeezus. Such a good album. It's as different as Folklore was from Whoa Nelly. A different direction, but still very Nelly Furtado and the whole thing is produced by Timbaland. So far my favorite tracks are Afraid and Maneater. The first single is Promiscuous, which is also a fun song. If you liked anything from her previous two albums, I highly recommend this one too.

(7 passages | Passing Through?)

Time:	2:05 am.
Mood:	curious.

So, tonite I went out with Libby, Andrea, and Justin to dinner, the mall, and the movies. While we were at the mall we went to Pac Sun to kill some time before our movie. It's a shame they're so expensive, because some of their stuff is actually very nice. I would've bought this one blue button-up shirt, but it was $35 and I just didn't feel like spending that much. I also nearly bought some aviator style sunglasses, since Andrea told me that they actually looked good on me. I'm still skeptical though... I do want some sunglasses... I like Pac Sun's cologne, Vurt. I think I may buy some. I also think I'm inspired to experiment and delve into the world of hats.
Crazy talk, I know.
Historically, I've never really cared for hats. I always felt they looked kinda goofy on me. But I think I'm ready to branch out a little and try on some new styles. I may have to go on several reconaissance shopping trips before I actually commit to buying anything. I don't know that I trust myself enough to pick stuff that won't look retarded. So I'll need multiple opinions. A very small part of me is even contemplating... >.> a cowboy hat. But we shall see!
Oh, and we saw The Omen.
It was pretty much what I expected. And just as a side note, I find it odd that the least gory and gruesome death in the movie was the only one that actually made me a tad queasy... Weird.

(3 passages | Passing Through?)

Time:	2:21 am.
Mood:	cheerful.

I always put off blogging until I feel like I have something to blog about. Something worth mentioning, and worth sharing. And right now I just want to say that this has been one of the best weeks I've had in recent memory. And to be honest, I can't think it's coincidental that this has also been a very casual Warcraft week. I've played alts and generally mucked about, but I haven't been hardcore and have hardly raided. And I've been busy in real life, for once.

The optmistic week started last Wednesday at trivia. I just had a really good time. We joked around, played some trivia, and just plain out had fun. We play-flirted with our waiter (he works every Wednesday and knows us by now) who was wearing a shirt that said "I have the biggest dick in the room." What an attention whore! But it worked I guess lol The basic culmination of all that was pretty much a proposal of "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." Sadly, no one took Zeke up on that offer. Where was

neuroxin when we needed him most!? I'm still a little intrigued by the idea tho... And after that I got to hang out with David and Joey and watch Top Chef. And you know, I think that could've been fun to watch the whole series... Oh well, maybe next season.

Thursday I had an emergency hang out session with Justin and Andrea. We watched Eddie Izzard and just acted silly and stuff. Friday, I went downtown to meet Josh for X-men 3. It was so awesome. I mean, sure, they took liberties and changed some stuff for the purpose of the movie, but whatever. It was very entertaining, and it was definitely worth what I paid for. Afterwards, I came home just in time to kill Ragnaros. (Of course, he didn't drop Bloodfang Pants because that would've been way too perfect an ending to the day, but whatever.

Saturday I went out with Josh, Justin, Libby, Andrea, and Ash to this fancy schmancy Greek restaurant in Buckhead called Kyma. It was very tasty and very snooty. And despite the fact that we were all well dressed, since we were all young, our waiter obviously knew that we weren't his usual clientele. But the food was good, and we had a good time. We discussed the finer points of Free Range coffee, which is the best because they get 2 hours of sunlight a day, and they are only turned into coffee voluntarily. *nod* Then, just to spite our waiter at the end we paid for 2/3 of our bill in gift cards =P After dinner we all had tickets for Wicked at the Fox. We barely made it in time for the start of the show, because there was alot of traffic on Peachtree due to construction. But the show was fantabulous - it's the best show I've seen at the Fox I think. It's certainly right up there with Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. It was that good.

Sunday was also a good Warcraft day, because with the help of a guildie and some other people I finished the tough part of the priest epic class quest. So that's exciting! That evening I went with Libby, Andrea, Justin, and Libby's friend Amanda to see Jewel at Chastain. Thanks to the help of Joey, we were actually able to arrive at the venue. Libby didn't remember to tell us that we were supposed to get directions until we were all in her car and about to get on the interstate. Oops. I think the most amusing part was when we went to Publix to get food and snacks to bring to the concert. I swear, that crew literally thrives off of strife, conflict, and making things more difficult than is necessary. They even all take turns! It cracks me up to watch it. It also greatly amuses me that I get to be the laid-back and non-picky person in a group for once.

So yeah, the concert was fun and good. The opener was Toby Lightman (sp?) who was really good, and i'm interested to hear her studio album. At one point in the concert Jewel was taking requests from the audience, but I don't think she heard me when I shouted "BABY'S GOT BACK!!!" She was good, but a tad annoying because she's so obviously full of herself. She reminded the audience no less thatn 4 times during her set that she was living in her car when she was discovered. Her encores were so contrived too - they were hardly real encores, because they were practically part of the set list. I found out from Libby today that when she dropped off Amanda at her house, Amanda was like "Justin is the cutest little nerd boy, and Karl is probably the most profane person I've ever met. And I TOTALLY love them! We should all hang out more." I take that as a great compliment, personally. I mean, all night we were pretty no-holds-barred with our conversation, even though we'd only met Amanda like an hour before the show lol. After the show we drove over to Justin's and stayed up way later than we'd planned just talking and hanging out until about 3am.

Today I went with everyone to see Xmen 3 again, and then out to dinner after. I enjoyed Xmen possibly more the 2nd time than the first. Before we headed to Ash's house to watch Stargate and eat ice cream, I made us go to Toys R Us since it was just across the street. I went because I had to buy the coolest toy ever invented. I know lots of you have seen this cuz it's totally old meme, but many of you probably have not witnessed the beauty yet of:
The Oozinator
Awesome!

I think part of what made this week so good was that the majority of this week was spent with both old and new friends. Seeing wonderful familiar faces makes me very happy, and getting to know a new circle of friends better and getting closer with new people is one of the truest joys in my life. There are few things I love more. So yeah, it's been a good week. And I hope that it continues for the forseeable future. That would please me greatly.