Buddy Foote's Blog v.2

Broken Typos

2009-08-19T18:01:00.006-04:00

Stay tuned for this very special announcement:

Buddy Foote has shed his pen name and has ventured on to a brand new website!

Broken Typos

If you wish to continue to read Buddy Foote's work (now writing with another name, Fronchak), then please click the above link today!

Oh, and corny ads like this one will not be present. . . much!

Nostalgia

2009-05-25T01:18:00.004-04:00

I don’t know where to begin. I know what and how I feel, but releasing my feelings in a Microsoft Template is extremely difficult. Maybe in four years this will seem like a piece of Oreo pie to me, as I plan on being in the SJLA Honors Program at Scranton, which is supposed to enhance one’s ability to communicate clearly through written and spoken word, or as I like to say it, Eloquentia Perfecta. But as of the years of the ’00 decade, no such pot of gold. I guess I’ll just ramble off a few things that I miss, since that’s what is mainly bothering me.

I miss writing like this, in this ‘MatOMatic’ style of writing. I miss playing soccer. I miss the Late, Great, Mr. David Doud. I miss the richness of our famous quotes (They just don’t feel the same anymore). I miss genuinely talking to you, and our genuine conversations/moments (They are but a few in a New, Infinitesimal World). I miss having a male figure to talk to about anything. I miss being the male figure for another male figure to talk to about anything ~?~… I miss my childhood dream of being smarter than anyone in the field of Mathematics. I miss foolishly believing I was the smartest in my grade at Mathematics [Mathematics award does NOT equal mine; my main dream I've strived for throughout schooling flushed down the toilet in one heartbeat. ='((( ]. I miss not having a job. I miss arguing over irrelevant topics, such as “Who started Renaissance Literature?” or “Why is Nitrogen Gas Blue?” I miss my old cell phone. I miss when Truth came out of Those lips. I miss the old You. I miss having a best friend. I miss intellectual conversations. I miss being able to rely on You. I miss having tissues, or something similar to, along the lines of, pertinent to, tissues, in my room, as I feel I need them now. I mis… Oh, sorry, this just in… nitrogen gas is NOT blue. I miss looking at you and thinking “I am lucky to have you in my life”, rather than “I was lucky to have you in my life.” I miss listening to the classic song from Toy Story, “You’ve got a friend in me,” and feeling happy…

I’d like to reflect on a quote by a very young, but brilliant student, who recently displayed his feelings through a philosophical rant. “I encourage change—change for the better.” This quote has galled me since the moment I’ve read it—not for the meaning of it, because I agree to a certain level of it, but because the young man behind those words completely contradicts his words with his own actions. This young man preaches that it’s OK to change, if the change is for the better. I see this as a terrible effort to protect the way he himself is living. The poor, innocent young man was once a crowd pleaser to several individuals, including myself. I will not bring others into this matter, so I will just use myself in future references. Now I do not see how he can look in the mirror and say truthfully he has changed for the better, compared to a…let’s just say… year ago. Sure, I understand some exceptions he may throw out there. For example, he used to be what some may say ‘cruel’ and attack poor foreign girls, through secret identities, and now he doesn’t do that anymore. To me, that’s not changing for the better, that’s just maturing from “pre-teen” to “”more-mature teen.” Just because one jumped in a bathroom and screamed jungle noises in his earlier life, but now doesn’t anymore, doesn’t constitute that he Changed. Jeeze, if it did, then the phrase “You changed”—the dreaded phrase you do not want to be the recipient of – would have no purpose of being said, since everyone would fall under the category. Change, the change I mean when I say “You changed,” is a change in your soul. The only change for the better is when you add a trait to yourself, not completely kill off a trait. His soul is what I became friends with, the humor, the reliability, the honesty, the…everything about him. He has killed off too many traits that I liked him for, whether big or small, to make me even look at him the same way anymore. It’s crazy that it happened the same exact time a significant other entered his life…Coincidence? ...I believe that when a significant other entered my life, I did not kill off any traits of myself, and if I did I would like to know, but I honestly believe I became a better young man because of it. I can proudly say that I ‘changed’ for the better, if I changed at all. When she’s around him, he completely disowns me. It kills me inside. Why must I be ignored when she comes around? Do I disown him when my significant other is around? NO!, NEVER! Why would I disown my (best-friend), or anyone for that matter? When I and she are next to each other in Englo class, I welcome his attendance if an assignment is given, and talk to him. On the contrary, when me and him are walking in the halls, and his ‘other’ comes by, I become that little unnoticed 7^th grader, with no purpose to any senior but a roadblock to class. I wonder if he recalls this, actually, I wonder if he’ll even read this, I don’t expect him to, I don’t expect anyone to, but I wonder if he recalls the day of prom, in school. Study-hall for McArdle, 1^st period. I sit in front of the 2...I expected a ‘hello’ at the very least, but I didn’t even get that, from any of them. The whole 40 some minutes I sat there, not one word being said to me by my (best-friend), my (class inseperablabla). Did I do something to him? I think not, as he acted fine towards me when she wasn’t around later that day. Can a girl really change you that much? I know for a fact I NEVER did that to anyone. There is several more examples, but it’s getting pretty late around here, so I’m done for now…

I’m here releasing all of my feelings tonight because I can no longer hold them in—they are bursting out of me, along with two brown-eyed fountains. I’d like to leave with a lyric of my favorite female artist, Hannah Montana. In conclusion, I yearn for the good ole days—I miss you.

“I probably shouldn’t say this, but at times I get so scared. When I think about the previous, relationship we shared. It was awesome, but we lost it, it’s impossible for me not to care. And now we’re standing in the rain, but nothings ever gonna change…” …7 things : Hanna Montana http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr0Wv5DJhuk&feature=related … <- video for it.

And my little twist…

The (twenty)seven things I liked about you—your laugh, your trust, your funny jokes, your unforgettable quotes, you made me laugh, you made me cry, but I guess that’s both I had to buy, your mind, and mine, when we combined, I felt alive…

…and I’m not listing 27, although I probably could list 270 if I wanted to…

Goodnight, and Good luck… =(

Catapulting My Troubles Away

2009-03-22T09:41:00.007-04:00

Children enjoy to think of things that they want to be or want to do someday when they become adults. Back in the day it was being a firefighter, carpenter, dentist, astronaut, etc. and nowadays we see children talking about being video game makers or runners of accountant firms (they're getting too smart . . .). As a child, I was uncertain with where I wanted to go in life. In my kindergarten play that had the theme of what we wanted to be when we were grown-up, I was a carpenter. Did I want to be a carpenter at the time? Maybe. My father is one and most children seek their parents as role models. I then converted over to wanting to be a teacher in my early elementary school years. I think the majority of children at that age have dreams of teaching because they want to someday reign over children like they are currently being reigned over. I used to play school by myself with stuffed animals or action figures as my students (I know -- pathetic). I remember a specific account where I had a single pupil, which was a Digimon action figure known as Wormmon, and I taught him math and even made up lesson plans, workbook sheets, etc. Eventually I aged, learnt more about the real world, and figured that teachers, for the amount of work they must do and how they must practically babysit a large room of kids, earn enough money that some must work a second job just to survive. Maybe the reality of it hit me when I realized that I had a hard time maintaining control of my nephew and nieces when trying to get them to behave. Just imagine them multiplied by ten! That's an average classroom. After that, I had fantasies of making video games, then I learnt that the video game industry was stressful and your pay was determined on how well the game sold and et cetera, et cetera. Somehow I got to my current status (and finalized the decision) of wanting to become a computer software engineer. That path will begin in the matter of a few months when I head off to the University of Scranton to major in computer science. I hope my senioritis goes away by the start of the semester.

I spent all day yesterday building a catapult with Matt. Before the government arrests me for making weapons, I'd like to do the pleasure of assuring them that we were forced to construct it as it's a physics project that's due Tuesday. The catapult came out pretty well. We had two problems with it though. The one time when we were testing it, the force from the lever arm was so powerful (due to the spring that we used) that it destroyed the stopper. The stopper was a block of wood held on by two triangular pieces of plywood. The plywood, which I originally had doubts about because it's thin and looks weak, broke. We fixed that problem by taking the stopper apart, doubling the plywood on the sides, and reassembling it. After testing it by flinging an actual projectile, a pine-cone, down my alleyway, a new problem arose -- the bottom of the lever arm where the fulcrum is located cracked down the middle. My father helped by nailing the lever arm where the crack was to hopefully prevent it from splitting more and adding some soft material to the stopper so that this material absorbs some of the force of impact and therefore causing less tension in the lever arm. This absorbent material, however, caused the angle of the lever arm to be less than forty-five degrees when the egg is to be launched from the catapult. Once we got this all straightened out, Matt and I ran over to the Archbald Pothole State Park (and not the infamous section of it but rather the sports complex) and tested the catapult one final time by launching an actual egg into the woods. The egg launched about thirty-seven feet from the catapult, but it veered to the right from the intended trajectory due to the lever arm being at a slight angle. The lever arm didn't crack anymore, thankfully. We're not playing with it anymore to be safe. Before Matt's mother picked him up, we quickly spray-painted the catapult orange and pink. It's safe to say that we may have the sexiest catapult in our class.

Our physics teacher is such a tyrant. Not only is this catapult due Tuesday, but we have a few hundred worksheets due tomorrow, we're supposed to have a one-page paper, about a class lab that we had twenty-five minutes to complete without any steps to follow because we had to make the procedure up on our own about how much potential energy of a metal ball rolling down a rollercoaster apparatus is converted to thermal energy, done for tomorrow even though the class didn't get to complete the lab, and we have another lab due tomorrow that makes very little sense. On top of this I have a calculus test tomorrow on material that I do not understand. I didn't exactly do the homework in there for this chapter either . . . so I'm a worrywart today. I'm also a worrywart in regards to more personal issues that I'm disputing with myself over and that I cannot disclose to the public. I don't even know where to begin with all this work that I have to do. My father expects me to have some scholarships done for tomorrow, I have an English quiz and statistics quiz tomorrow and Tuesday, respectively, I have to start working on my senior project paper that's due April 1st, I'm trying to decide if I want to go on a senior class field trip or not . . . it's terrible . . .

I'm going to go run off and read for a bit before I begin my workload. Have a good one!

[EDIT] -- The intended purpose of the first paragraph was to go on about childhood expectations and then to say, at the end, that "I never expected to one day build a catapult", but that goal got lost in my rambling. If you were wondering why I brought up my childhood goals, now you know why.

My "Bookshelf"

2009-03-14T01:07:00.010-04:00

I always like to keep a record of the books I have read in the past as well as books I am currently reading. I have kept lists on many different sites, such as MySpace and my server at brokentypos.com, but they became a bit wearisome to maintain (having to log into my server, accessing the correct port, etc.). Therefore, I'm just going to place the list here which I will update frequently. This is more of a personal thing that you undoubtedly have no interest in. Run away then if you fall into the category of not giving a damn. If you're a curious individual though, feel free to glance at my not the best reading collection. Have a good one!

My "Bookshelf":

Currently Reading:

The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Writings

Lady Windermere's Fan

Salome

An Ideal Husband

The Importance of Being Earnest

The Ballad of Reading Gaol

Read "Hard Copy" Books:

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Stephen King Goes to the Movies (featuring 1408, The Mangler, Hearts in Atlantis ["Low Men in Yellow Coats"], The Shawshank Redemption ["Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption"], and Children of the Corn) by Stephen King

Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally

The Hummingbird Wizard

How to Write & Sell Your First Novel

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide

Gulliver’s Travels And “A Modest Proposal“

Maniac Magee

The Great Gatsby

The Scarlet Letter

Brave New World

Oscar Wilde and a Death of No Importance

The Exorcist

The Warcraft Archive

Day of the Dragon

Lord of the Clans

The Last Guardian

Of Blood and Honor

Eldest (Inheritance, Book 2)

Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1)

Harry Potter

The Good Earth

Lord of the Flies

The Grapes of Wrath

The Catcher in the Rye

Read Electronic Books/Short Stories:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

2BR02B

Magician's Merger

(*) Required reading
(**) Borrowed from library

Epic Win

2009-03-13T13:27:00.002-04:00

After a rather stressful and discombobulating week in which my only topic of reflection was getting my drivers' license, I may finally take a breath, lift the burden off my shoulders, and glance at my glossy temporary drivers' license that now rests smugly in my wallet. God does it feel good.

My only mishap was parallel parking, in which I was nowhere near the curb and got stuck in a dip and had to apply the gas (which is terrifying when you're so close to the barrels) when trying to get closer, but my "guy" (I can't think of a more suitable title at this time) was alright with it and told me to proceed. After the parallel parking, I was calm. I did everything right from that moment on. However, two mishaps could've happened if I wasn't alert and attentive to the road and my surroundings. While practicing with Driver Dan on the course that the test would take me on (God bless him -- he's a great teacher even though I never got used to his car) I never had to once stop at this one stop-walk because nobody ever crossed it while I was driving through with him. So what happens when I'm taking my road test? An elderly woman taking her good ol' time crossing the walk. I'm a patient person having grew up as a hunter and I could've waited there all day if I had to, but when I'm taking a test that determines if I'm going to leave the Dunmore DMV empty-handed or not, I'm going to be a bit impatient to get it over with. My second possible incident could've happened right at the driveway leading into the DMV where I had to turn. Two individuals were walking from the DMV and were about to walk out in front of me without looking but thankfully they looked and stopped themselves. If I wasn't taking the test, I would've checked my rear view mirror and if no cars were coming I would've stopped to let them go, but dammit, I'm coming through because I'm seconds away from passing my test! Oh, and I left my blinker on after making a turn and realized five seconds later that it was still clicking away and turned it off. "Guy" said nothing about it. "Guy" didn't even come out directly and tell me what the result of my test was. He just said, "Go in and get your picture taken."

When I was leaving the DMV with Driver Dan, I witnessed a poor woman fail her test. I was coming around behind the DMV where the test begins and a large SUV-like vehicle was doing the parallel parking portion of the test. I stopped and waited for her to pull into the parking space before I proceeded. I didn't have to wait long. This was what I saw: pull up, reverse to the right, two barrels knocked over, abruptly stopped, pulled up quick, stopped. Failed. If I witnessed that before my test, I would've wet myself. Thankfully my proof of passing the test was in my pocket at the time and I was leaving the DMV (hopefully) for the last time.

I still can't drive. I have no insurance and my father can't set any up until Monday, which is a shame because I have to get to Borders to do research for a paper due Monday that I didn't start yet, and I will need a ride to go to Lauren's softball game on Monday. However, I'm halfway there. I got my license. The hard part is however. Praise the Lord! I wonder what it'll be like driving on my own, nobody in the car to talk to or distract me. I can plug in my iPod and listen to music while cruising down Route 6. I can drive to work now and won't have to depend on my father to take me. Life is great.

I'm going to read my Stephen King book now in peace. I got to a good part before I had to go take my test and I couldn't read with a concentrated mind at the time. Now I have nothing to worry about.

Have a good one!

Another One?

2009-03-11T19:16:00.004-04:00

I feel like writing another entry. When you have the urge to write, the urge to express yourself through the art of words, then by golly you should do it. I have no need to be formal. I can go as e e cummings as I want to in my blog entries. If somebody wants to criticize me, then so be it. I'll be sure to let it go into one ear and out the other. However, I do sometimes write so much that either my typing finger will begin to ache or I'll get a headache. That recent entry I wrote about my school's curriculum which was supposed to act as an informal guide really did a dandy on my head. I walked away from the writing of that post feel quite feverous. I was also sick at the time, home from school with a viral sinus infection, so maybe that explains the feverous headache a bit.

Did you ever play the computer game called Doom? I never did until recently, when Chris and Ryan suggested that I download the game in order to play at LAN Party Saturdays that Ryan has at his house. The only attendees of the party are Ryan, Chris, and me, but three is enough to have a blast over a game where you, well, blast the hell out of demons with an array of firearms, rockets, laser guns, etc. It's also the only time where I get stressed out enough to curse over the game. That's why I don't play video games anymore that require skill to play -- I don't have the skill and as a result I get high blood pressure. Television and video games, two entertainment elements that I grew up on as a child, I no longer incorporate into my life. Sometimes I'll get trapped in to watching television when I walk by, see something interesting that my mother and/or grandmother is watching, and I sit down to watch it with them, but this rarely occurs. Video games, besides the occasional playing of Runescape, Trickster Online, or Doom, don't exist to me anymore. I seem like I have more free time when my mind is not distracted by these entertainment means. I already don't trust television -- I see it as a way for the government to distract us and to brainwash us with falsities. I also hate our society sometimes and by watching TV, which depicts our society, it's like standing by the doors leading into Wal-Mart for a day and witnessing a few fender-benders, a few couples fighting, some road rage, a few shoplifters -- y'know, the usual. I don't believe video games are used to distract though. Video games were invented for the pure joy of interacting with a virtual environment, and they still present that joy today.

I best stop writing before I get another feverous headache. Yet again, have a good one.

Homework Break

2009-03-11T18:02:00.002-04:00

Big day in two days. Why? Friday is the date of my road test. Yes, I am eighteen years of age, a senior in high school, and I still do not possess my drivers' license. I actually got my permit only recently too around the middle of November. I'm slow at developing these practical skills, I guess. I learned how to tie my shoes at the age of twelve and learned how to ride a bike only a year later. Other life skills, such as cooking, doing laundry, mowing the grass, etc. I still do not know. I ought to learn them soon. I'll be sent off into the ugly world in a matter of three months after graduation. Well, actually that's a lie. I still have four years of staying at home during college to learn those skills. I'm only going to school about fifteen miles away at the University of Scranton.

My mother is downstairs calling everybody, receiving calls, and gossiping away. There was a crash on Route 107 (initially she was told that it was on the Casey Highway [or maybe it was business Route 6] which is on the opposite side of the valley) -- a "bad accident" as she phrased it. It was so bad that a helicopter had to land at a church hall in East Jermyn in order to get the injured person(s) to the hospital as soon as possible. I think she lives for these events sometimes. These horrific events, reality television, and yelling at me -- that's her livelihood in a nutshell. There's nothing better than going downstairs to brush my teeth or to grab a bowl of chips and see my mother and grandmother watching television and having debates about what color the girl's dress is on Dancing with the Stars. However, accidents, like these, do highly concern me. I believe I adopted this trait from my mother, which is that whenever I hear about a crash or some other type of accident, I immediately start to fear and have anxiety about if one of the people in the crashes is somebody that I love and care for or is a good friend of mine. Even if I'm not friends with somebody but I still know them, I don't want to wish that anybody gets hurt in such a terrifying way as an accident. Actually, upon hearing of the wreck, my first instinct would normally be to call Lauren to check up on her (unless I was originally talking to her -- then I would know that she was safe at home or wherever), but I know that she's at softball practice at the school and not out on the road. This wreck also instills fear in me because the place of the accident, Route 107 near the gas station, is a spot where I drove by with my father on my way to visit Lauren for a quick minute only two hours ago. What happens if I went two hours later?

My mind is nuts like that. I scare and worry myself all the time. For example, I have been stressing so much about my road test on Friday that I'm about to flip. I should have no reason to be concerned. I drove fine today for almost two hours. However, whenever I go out driving with my driving instructor who goes by the name of Driver Dan, I get nervous and make a few mistakes. I was a mess on Monday. I screwed up parallel parking a few times, forgot to turn off my blinker a few times, ran over an ocean of potholes, had two different mishaps at this one stop sign (I swear that his brakes need to be readjusted), forgot to turn on my blinkers before regular parking (I always remember to do so for parallel parking), and . . . ugh. Not a good day at all. I'm going out again tomorrow so hopefully I can make up for Monday. I'm not fond of his car and I have to use the same one for Friday. I like my PT Cruiser . . . not that blue thing with bad brakes that he owns.

I best be gone. I have supper ready for me on the table. It'll get cold soon. Have a good one!

Academic Failures at Lakeland

2009-02-25T10:56:00.002-05:00

Notice: This entry is aimed at the students of Lakeland Jr/Sr High School in Jermyn, Pennsylvania. Most of the advice issued in this entry may not apply to other schools that have different curricula. However, it may still help, so please do not be turned off from reading this just because you do not fit into the main audience aim.

Many students take education for granted. These students survive in school by taking steps to undermine any advances in their learning, such as copying homework, getting questions/answers from a test in advance, etc. However, there are the students who do want to succeed by putting in their best personal effort needed in order to get the most of their learned education. I wish to write up an informal guide to lead these specific students into the right direction and I hope to intervene early enough in their educational career to be of vital influence before it's too late. If you barely pass in ninth and tenth grade and hope to improve your overall GPA so that colleges will come begging you to go to their universities, then think again. You're doomed. I'm not going to be a lying optimistic and say otherwise. You need to start strong from the start and even surprise yourself. A lot of what I hope to tell you (unless that headache that has been sickening me for the last few days hinders this writing process) has probably already been issued forth from teachers, guidance counselors, and possibly even the administration, but I believe that hearing this from a fellow student, a high school senior that is in the top 1% of his graduating class in rank, would mean a lot more to you. Those guys may like to shoot the bull with you, but I'm going to be as frank as possible.

Lakeland does not have a middle school. Sixth graders stay at their respective local elementary schools (as Lakeland has two) while the seventh and eighth graders enter the facility that also houses ninth to twelfth grade students and moldy ceiling tiles. Before I continue, I would like to disclose that anything I say past this point may no longer apply as I am recalling all of this from memory and not from today's actual classes since a lot has changed over the years that I had attended Lakeland, such as teachers coming and going. Also, I'm going to assume that you're a student that is in all of the advanced classes (besides AP English and AP biology -- as the former is a joke in terms of the teaching and the latter is a very rigorous class that ones with weak hearts should not take . . . and well, you won't have to take these until senior year so this really won't apply to anything I have to say anyway).

Seventh grade is a very important, but overlooked, year of schooling. Seventh grade offers classes that will build the foundations for the rest of your high school and even college learning, such as pre-algebra and . . . well, that's pretty much it. However, this does not mean that geography is not important! What I meant by building the foundations is that you're going to learn more on the subject matter and build onto it. Pre-algebra is just the beginning in your math career. Solving for the variable 'x' may seem difficult at first and the concept of negative numbers may blow you out of the water, but you can do it! Once you're in AP calculus, algebra will be as simple as basic arithmetic. However, yet again, I must exclaim that geography is a very crucial class to pay attention in and to learn the material! I am ashamed that I took this class for granted at the time. It's embarrassing when you don't know the capitals to the states of the US, or where Portugal is in respect to Germany. It's embarrassing to some who study a foreign language and cannot identify the mother nation of their second language on an unlabeled map. It's embarrassing studying world cultures or American history and not having a clue what's going on in the context of some war because you cannot visualize the distance one army traveled to fight another. Even though none of this happened to me as I developed a keen interest in maps over the years, I cannot stress enough that you should freaking pay attention in geography! Most seventh graders are too young and naive to understand that things they are learning now are important for their future education and understanding of concepts!

Continuing in my ranting about seventh grade, you may ask me, "Well, what about the other classes like reading, English, science, art, music, etc.?" While you have to take English every year of your life in high school, seventh grade English, from what I remember, may be the most important of them all. Actually, any English class that is more based on grammar rather than literature is very important in my book. While it is vital to read and learn about the various types of literature and literary topics, I can't stress enough that you'll be writing for the rest of your life, and knowing how to write will make writing that much more easier. I probably have more than a handful of grammar errors in this entry and every entry I ever wrote because I took these grammar lessons, yet again, for granted. Over the years I have purchased an array of grammar books to reteach myself the fine points of English grammar, yet I never finished one so . . . anyway, what I'm trying to say is: pay attention and learn grammar when you're forced to in class! Even if the teacher tries to poke in literature, such as the overrated and I'm-sick-of-seeing-this-year-after-year story of the Odyssey, you shouldn't turn off your pay-attention button as whatever you learn this early on in the game will surely shape your future educational career.

What about seventh grade science? Well, we had earth science (or something like that) at the time. The teacher was a babbling buffoon that would rather give lectures to us on the late Pope and varieties of pickles than to teach us about earth science. This class is sort of a prelude to biology, which is taken in tenth grade, but since the gap from seventh to tenth is so large, don't stress about retaining the material. Science at Lakeland is hard to build upon, because once you build a foundation, there's no more raw materials being supplied for the rest of the building until a much later year. Even the gap from pre-chemistry in ninth grade and AP chemistry in eleventh grade hurts. So in terms of science, just do it. Learn it if you have an interest in it or you plan on majoring in it, but otherwise, do it, get A's, and run.

Reading class? This class stressed on reading books and learning vocabulary. Maybe this class exists so that English can focus more on grammar than on literature? Who knows? What I do know, however, is that this class is another joke. I do agree on two things that this class does preach -- read a lot and learn vocabulary. If you're not a reader, then become a reader. The SAT has a reading, writing, and math section, with the writing section barely considered at most colleges nowadays (yet this may change by the time you're applying for schools). The reading section tests you mostly on reading passages and answering analytical questions based on them, and answering questions that could only be answered by understanding the words that they ask you to place in the blank or do something else with. Therefore, by reading and exposing yourself to words and how they fit in with the context of one another, you are actually studying for the SAT. Now . . . the school will stress at first that you should read to do well on the PSSA. The PSSA is a joke, in a sense, as the school wants you to do well on it because it makes the school look good and they receive some sums of money based on your test scores. Do well on the PSSA in eleventh grade, however, as getting 'advanced' scores on the respective test sections can get you exempt from taking any English, math, and/or science midterms and finals -- Lakeland's treat to you for doing well for their prestige. However, the SAT is for your own personal benefit. When it comes down to getting $2,000 more dollars in scholarship money at a university by getting ten more points on the SAT than what your current score is, then you'll understand why you should've put more time in preparing for these tests. Preparing for the tests the same year that you take them is, considered to me, cramming, and you probably won't do as well as you could've if you started off on the right foot all the way back to seventh grade or even elementary school. Yet again, I'm ashamed at myself for not doing this. However, I'm grateful that I was able to get a 1200 on the SAT which led me to be eligible for more scholarship money at the University of Scranton.

Art and music? Never took them again after seventh grade, unless you count the course 'Music Appreciation' that I undertook in ninth grade which, may I add, was an easy 100 for the year and looked nice on my report card with my other 100's. I understand that there's more courses now such as a computer class and a library class for seventh graders, but those classes came along after I moved on from seventh grade and therefore I have no comment on them.

Eighth grade? I don't recall much. There was American history. Pay attention in there -- knowing about your nation's history is a very important part to being an American citizen. There are aliens who want to become legal US citizens and must past questions on tests that question them on our nation's history. Another thing students, including myself, took for granted! Yet again you had your English and algebra. Um . . . that's all I want to stress for eighth grade.

Ninth grade is where your record begins. The grades you got in all the previous years of your schooling no longer apply. It's like a fresh start, but don't screw it up! Many students think they tried hard and did great the last two years so they're going to slack a bit. Ninth grade is where you want to actually start playing the game. When you're a senior sending out your transcript to colleges during the applying process, your ninth grade grades will be on that transcript and looked at by the admissions personnel. Actually, surprise yourself. Try hard and do well and then waltz down to the guidance office two weeks after the second marking period starts and see what your class rank is. I remember going down to see what my ranking was with a group of other people without knowing what this ranking really was -- I was just following my friends for a walk. Upon requesting what rank I was, and to find to my surprise that I was ranked first in my class, a ranking that I still hold to this day, I was shocked. I didn't try that hard in school and to me I felt like I was barely getting by, but here I had this lady at the desk in the guidance office telling me that I was numero uno. So . . . the moral of the story is: strive for excellence and beat everybody else in ranking as it opens up the door for scholarship money and college acceptances.

I'm done here. If I were to cover the latter years I'd just be repeating myself. However, I do want to stress one final thing: pay attention in geometry! Geometry was my most hated class and I struggled in it to understand the concepts; concepts that I soon forgot the summer following ninth grade. Geometry will come back to haunt you for the rest of your life. When you're doing a derivative problem in AP calculus and it assumes you should know the equation for the area of a circle, you better darn well know the equation for the area of a circle. Geometry will also haunt you in physics. Also, pay attention to trigonometry. Yet again, this will nibble at your behind a lot in calculus and physics.

Now I'm done here. I hope this column helped you in some way. Have a good day and enjoy learning!

O'RLY?

2009-02-22T11:57:00.002-05:00

What do you say in a blog entry that introduces you back to the site after a four-month unannounced hiatus? Well, after much thought and strained neurons, I have this thing to say: holy crap, these BBQ flavored corn chips are good! And they're freaking amazing even more because they only cost ninety-nine cents and the bag is pretty much filled to the top! Most of the time when you behold some type of junk food that costs ninety-nine cents, the bag looks relatively big but it's mostly just a lot of empty room at the top with about five pieces of popcorn or two pretzels lying at the bottom. But these corn chips -- these corn chips are not deceptive at all! I would take a picture to promote these godly chips, but unfortunately I have been lacking a functional digital camera for almost over a year due to my very intelligent -insert relative here- standing in front of a water ride at an amusement park taking a picture of us on the ride and very well knowing that -insert pronoun gender here- was standing in front of the splash area. But who's to complain, eh? My camcorder can take pictures, but they're not the best quality.

I'm sick with a very clogged head so I'm going to go blueskadoo now. Have a good one!

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I'm back on this site. I'll have a future entry very soon telling you about my current life status. Oh, and buddyfoote.com is almost out of service so please return your bookmarks (if anybody out there actually bookmarked this site) back to buddyfoote.blogspot.com.

Harvest Apple

2008-11-06T19:09:00.001-05:00

I cannot just sit back and watch my whole world disappear.

"I will miss you," the card read. Even though it was first thing in the morning, it made me so sad today. There does not have to be a goodbye. That is what I don't understand. If you make the effort, I make the effort. Graduation is in seven months. I don't want to hear goodbye's all throughout the eighth. I will miss you, too. But please, don't give me a need to miss!

After all we've been through? Not a thought? Never again? What about chances?

I've applied to four colleges, and all are roughly 2-3 hours away from my current place of residence. For some reason, I have zero interest in furthering my education where I am. I feel like I want to branch out, but not so far that I am unreachable. I would never do that. So why is it being done to me?

I had hopes for clarity and closeness, not doubt and distance.

I am here for you all. I wish you all could be there for me. Don't you want to share the experiences with me? I only look forward to sharing them with you! The aspect that makes me sad is that I feel I am already cut from the invite.

No matter what I do, is it never going to help?

Some of my dreams are gone, but my hope is not. The hope that new dreams will take their place.

The twist is, that I barely do anything. I mean, how can I expect something from nothing? I am just worried that if I show action, it will be disregarded.

I guess I just don't want to lose touch with home base.

I am not going anywhere! I want to be right where you all are. Truly and completely. I can be so much better if given the chance. I am hiding most of the time though, but I do want to be seen. Please don't forget.

Well, I know that my blogs have been REALLY confusing lately. In general, I've been fine for the most part. School has been nice, and life has been fun. There are just some issues that I couldn't possibly communicate that bug me a tiny bit. Okay, maybe more than a tiny bit, but enough of a bit. :P I feel like too many aspects of my life have changed already! I wasn't prepared for as many changes so early. I was trying to prepare myself for the changes post- graduation, which honestly, are hard enough. But that is just one of the things though, right there. Give me one solid reason why the changes cannot be GOOD changes. Why do there have to be some bad ones? Will the bad ones ever become good? It is hard to tell.

I feel so much older these days, too. Everyday I look at all the younger students at school, and I just think "wow." I think of when I was that age or in that grade. I think to myself, "Most of the things they are worried about are empty." I am content with the age I am at now. I miss being younger sometimes, but after so long I started to feel very happy with the nice memories from being so young and relieved that chapter of my life is completed. I don't quite know if that makes sense. I guess I just wouldn't want to relive those years but am still happy with what they held.

At the same, I notice that much of what "appears" to happen in adulthood is still so similar to what is happening for us now. I listen to an adult complain and realize the idea is the same as something now, just on a higher level. It is interesting. Lately, more than ever, I find myself questioning and thinking about a lot of psychological stuff.

About two years ago, my friend's mother strongly told me she could see me studying psychology or something in college. My mother used to tell me the same. A few weeks ago, a close teacher told me the same. I was beginning to notice a pattern. It surprised me. I decided to take a look. However, it was a few months ago that I really considered the idea of majoring in Psych in college. The idea has certaintly caught my attention and peaked my interest. I have also always wanted to teach in some way too though. The good thing is that Psych and Education go hand in hand. I guess the point of this whole paragraph is to just say how I feel a bit more solid in what I'd like to study once I reach college. I've been told I could double major in both of those. The job options would increase immensely, and I can choose to get higher degrees and work on a higher level in something. It seems pretty intriguing. I wanted to share this because I like the idea and feel you should know. It is easy for me to eliminate majors I would not want to study, particularly subjects I feel I am weak in. Of course, I can/may always change my mind, but I have a direction. From here I can take any path I want, I guess. xD

This blog is a lot longer than I anticipated. I wish someone else would write something. Practically the whole page is filled with my scrambled mind. :P I hope that is okay. Maybe someone has remembered that I said this phrase once before, but velcro is such a strong substance! I like this blog. I like the fact that I like it. I like that it is still standing. I like that you can read this if you want.

Ohhhh, and I reallyyy like music and friends! (;
I do, ha, good music is playing. It completes the equation of life! Friends make up the first half.
Tootlesssssss.

"Did you even have a clue that it was pretty on the gritty bottom of a van?"

Time to Time

2008-11-02T00:31:00.001-04:00

Just sit back and hold on, but hold on tight.
Prepare for the best and the fastest ride! ♥

You use thought to not participate in life. I use thought to not participate in life. Charlie was right. Why do we do that? Why, why, why? Hmm...don't just think, do. Interesting...

Memories are for the making. That is for sure. Although responsibility has to be the main concern. That is important. Then you can board the fun train. It is exhilarating. It defines our youth. :)

I love it. I want it to last. I want it to be just right. I want everyone to be happy. I want to speak up. I want to be heard and hear you.

Listen, just go for it. Go for it so far you can't find your way back right away.

Man, it's so loud in here. Busy, too. It makes everyone excited and feeling loose!

There is someone around you right now that feels exactly how you do. Someone, somewhere, is listening to your heartbeat. They are in the same style of shoes you have on but in a different size.

Dearest,
For some unknown reason, I cannot drop down. The next moment is blurry and only present eyes can see. Don't worry though. If you're good to me, I'll be good to you. That is all we can ever promise to do.

Happy Daylight Savings Time! It is time for sleep, see you next time.

So hear this please,
And watch as your hearts speeds up endlessly,
And look for the stars as the sun goes down.
Each breath that you take has a thunderous sound.
Everything, everything's magic. *

Falling Up

2008-10-14T15:18:00.006-04:00

"I'm keeping quiet 'till there is no more sirens.
Lately, it's been hard to keep the hinges on with all the noise.
I'll find my words when there is no one talking.
The room is spinning, I have got no choice.
Be patience, I am getting to the point."

As I sit outside on this more than gorgeous fall day, I can hear the leaves crunch upon the ground around me. The sky is blue with streaks of white cloud. My orange kitten sits on the open window ledge and breathes in the clean air. It is a really nice scene.

I have decided that it is very comforting to feel the support of great people. It makes me feel uncertain as to why someone would ever try to gain the support of one individual if they had a slew of support before the race even began. I want certain people to know that I appreciate their kindness. Certain people I never would have considered during a race have shown huge amounts of admiration. I never really went in search of acknowledgment, it nearly came and found me. I want to take a moment to just thank those certain people I have in mind. I may blush in modesty, because really, they are all too kind. :)

I have seen firsthand the effect of people making decisions and having to live with the consequence of their action. It is saddening to me how minor a choice may be to some, but how large a consequence it can bring. We all have to make choices, and even when some choices don't make sense to us quite yet, I think someday they will. Regret is a difficult concept to live with. I want to wish anyone who has to the best of luck. At the same time, I am a moderately simple person. I would never want to intentionally make a situation harder for anyone, but I would not want to make it too easy either. My advice to everyone out there coping with difficult choices is to really be cautious yet positive about them. Think before you act, but make the most of it. Be caring. People will care right back. I promise. And if they don't, there are enough who do that will make it count.

"It's just that sometimes, people use thought to not participate in life."

Actions speak louder than words. I have grown to love that cliche lately. It rings truth in my ears. I observe around me the actions of those I care about. Some actions I find surprising, others I find beautifully refreshing. Simple human gestures mean a world of difference when you have nothing but void boxes to compare them with. It can be so refreshing to realize the warmth that surrounds you instead of the frigid air you breathe in. Let's act! Even in the theatrical sense [Drama Senior Year is on the way!] Carpe diem, anyone? Friends are best friends. I know I said that before. Grab on to something to look forward to. There is plenty of room, so make a move. Shine like you mean it, don't just smile. But smiling helps. Maybe it is for the better that only the future is within our grasp. However, be careful. Velcro is such a strong substance. I said that before, also. It is just so true though. That is the hardest part. Change is an even stronger force. There is good change and bad change. I was never a fan of either, necessarily, but man, change is tough. I don't know how these trees handle it every year. I need to be stronger. I know that I am not a part of the big picture. I could tell I never was.

"But I miss you like hell."
*

One more thing I want to say is that yes, I will always be here, but I may not always be there. Just keep that in mind. There are better things to do, to think, to feel, and to see. There is no need to meander off the path unless there is a tree down, but you know what, even if there is one, I am going to jump right over it. :)

"I can't remember when the earth turned slowly,
So I just waited with the lights turned out again.
I lost my place, but I can't stop this story.
I'll find my way, but until then I'm only spinning "

For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic

2008-10-12T22:28:00.003-04:00

I have to say that I probably broke a record this weekend in the writing of four essays, five if you count a two paragraph mini-statement. I also read six short stories, enjoyed the fall foliage, ran into a counter, ate a juicy apple, and overslept to the point where I woke up with a headache.

I also have to say that all of the blogs I have ever written here are invaluable to me. This weekend particularly, I find myself searching for past entries in order to take bits and pieces for use in my current essays. I love reading my old entries. They portray so much detail in a life so vague. Reflecting upon my entries at times when I was feeling happiest bring a shy smile to my face because some times were just so good. I think I will miss those memories very much, but at the same time I want to build new ones. I want to be able to share those new ones, too.

I have written a few entries here lately because this blog is the only piece still connecting me with the other side. I am not sure if this bridge I am crossing can ever be fully rebuilt, but I might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

One more thing. In noticing my older entries, I was taken aback by how full of color they were. I had quotes; I had pictures. It was really nice to look at. I think that when I have the time again I will try to increase the appeal of my entries once more. I don't see why not, as it serves as a nice contrast to the bland text we all know and love.

I am going to go and have myself a cookie right now. Then I am going to resume my essays and maybe let myself be taken away through the verses of music. I hope you have a really good one, because let's face it, nobody deserves to have anything less.

Epic Failure

2008-10-10T22:33:00.002-04:00

I just want the world to know that I am sorry. So, very, sorry. Growing up is a challenge at times. There is such a large amount of opportunity to learn from mistakes. Sometimes, I feel more sad than others. Sometimes, I just feel confused. At other times, I feel "infinite", just like Charlie did.

I feel as though I wish I wouldn't make so many mistakes along the way. I suppose I just have a lot to study and learn then. One time, a person told me "Wow Caitlin, you have a lot going for you, huh?" I had no response. For some reason, that phrase has been floating in my mind consistently ever since. I have a million things I am so grateful for, and I make myself angry that I act out in ignorance and immaturity as I take those things for granted. It hurts to know how my mistakes affect others. I cannot stand how irresponsible I am sometimes, even with the smallest of errands. I over analyze situations sometimes, in the hopes of finding a way that I could have treated the situation better. Reflecting upon this now, I do it very often. My mind becomes jumbled with situations I have zero control of changing, as they are in the past now.

Over the years, I also noticed how upset I make myself feel about not taking certain chances or going that extra mile with something. I sometimes constrain myself to set standards and have not always been loosely bound. I have missed out on potentially great opportunities this way. It makes me so sad inside when I know others are ceasing the moment and making it count, as I fade behind the curtains living in monotonous routine. It is like I feel the need to punish myself, or I find myself undeserving of what others regularly enjoy. I guess it is just a complicated situation, and nobody will care to understand it. I have to be alright with that though. And trust me, maybe over time, I can be...

I am utterly blind as to what the future has in store. Maybe the store will be filled with empty shelves, maybe it will be filled to the edge and items will be tumbling into the aisles, or maybe, maybe it will just be sparsely filled with torn reduced articles that many people overlook. It can be frightening, I guess, or outright exciting.

I just again, want you, the world, to know that I am sincerely sorry. I messed up. Unfortunately, I only seem to be continuing to mess up. If one already spills the sauce on the floor, dribbling bread crumbs on top of it only leaves more to pick up. I can only hope that I am fortunate enough to learn how to clean up my messes like a "big girl." Maybe I will have another chance at making the right decisions and thinking clearer. I am willing to try my hardest. I don't ever want to give up. The mess just gets sticky sometimes. If I learn from my faults, strive for the gold, smile meaningfully, and put others first, maybe that "infinite" feeling will visit me more often.

2008-10-05T21:53:00.001-04:00

Peeka Boo

We Live

2008-10-05T18:39:00.002-04:00

Everybody just wants to make it count.

I was a little girl who got lost in the waves,
but I am a swimmer. I don't want to drown.

I took a fall.

Embrace yourself.

Save me? No. You deserve to be saved more.

I'd be there holding on for life.

Bring me back to life, oh, the colors that my eyes have never seen.

Don't cry, please.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry that you are sad.

All I ever wanted was for you to be happy.

I would never do anything to influence. Please believe me.

It just got complicated so fast.

If anything is my fault, I will take any blame, but I never meant to harm. Never, ever.

Headstrong.

Life is such a gift.

How will the story end?

Please don't hate me. Please, please.

I'm so scared.

What if I will forever be stuck in this hole?

I got tangled up in myself.

Happy Birthday.

It is so confusing, I know. I understand. I relate. I care.

I am crawling on the ground, and I found I could fly.

Think I sound crazy? Maybe. Whatever. What's it all about?

I miss this.

Stand up and shout.

The truth is, we're winning but we're losing.

I've felt that way. It's terrible. I understand. I would do the same thing. But I swear, I swear.

Give me a reason that we can believe in.

Selfish and disgusting, unfair and untruthful.

Beautiful and intelligent, caring and honest.

Memories.

Tomorrow is just another day.

Forever will I keep that.

We're young. Don't ever forget that.

Friends talk. Harmlessly, I mean it.

Pick up the phone. Nobody's home.

I want to scream aloud that I'll be okay.

Makeup and take-out food. Count those reasons why.

My mind is spinning around.

I need to breathe.

Don't leave. Please, don't leave. Please.

Yesterday is gone. I saw it on the calendar.

Humans make mistakes. My goal is to learn from each and every one.

Maybe I just need to wake up.

Rocky emotions.

It's okay, it's alright.

No matter what, I am always here. Hate me or not, I would never leave you hanging.

And I'm begging you, I'm begging you, I'm begging you to be my escape.

I let the quiet get the best of me.

Doubts and insecurities.

Please unlock the door. Only the special ones are allowed in.

I hope you don't blame me. Please.

I failed, and I'm ready to be shown how.

I fear you hate me.

Forgiveness.

Hate is such a strong word, kids. Use it sparingly.

Obstacles. Not one did I set up intentionally. Never would I hurt so much.

Forced to live in this mess I made.

I can't ask you to give what you already gave.

Friends are best friends.

I'm sorry. Maybe you can find your smile again. That is all I would ask for.

I knew you were something special in the third seat.

Words are flying out like
endless rain into a paper cup.
They slither while they pass,
They slip away across the universe.
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy,
are drifting thorough my open mind.

Rumbles of thunder are inevitable. Only the strongest survive.

Hope.

We live, We love,
We forgive, and never give up.

School and Other Rambles

2008-09-05T23:38:00.003-04:00

Poor bloggie. It is so quiet in these here parts. :P I hope that changes soon! I feel the need for some action-packed entries, how 'bout it kids? -nobody answers- Ah man. :P I'm here though, but it has been a long time since I even wrote which I am shameful of so who am I to speak? :P Last time I wrote about my beautiful vacation, and boy, I have to admit that it sure is nice to have those memories to reflect upon if I am having a rough moment one day or need a boost of hope and happiness. After I settled back into rural life, the end of my summer was pretty good! I went to a really fun camping party with my close friends, and it served as a wonderful end of summer closing event. =) I also did numerous other things that I really can't recall. xD Mostly with my friends, and anything we do is fantastic and extremely fun just because we are with each other. I think every relationship, no matter what kind, should be that way now that I think about it. The type of situation where even if you are in an empty field of grass or a gigantic stadium, you are ecstatic and happy because of the person(s) you are with. =)

I guess the main topic of this blog should focus on the fact that school began 11 days ago. After getting my schedule fixed, I have to say that so far all of my classes seem very promising. =) The first few days went real smoothly, and I enjoy having more Study Halls. I waited three years for some helpful extra time like that. xD I'm glad to be back in school though, aside from the difficult struggle of waking up pretty early. Ahhck, that is tough for me. :P I'll give a brief rundown of my classes and the first opinion that comes to my mind for them.

Study Hall/Gym: Uhm, gym might be different with a different teacher, but I like this period. :P Gym with the CANs together senior year, is the best!

Spanish 4: Despite being mixed with juniors, this class is small which I like. It is pretty upbeat in there, too. Sounds good!

AP Calc: Teacher is great, small class is great, and I love how I feel so comfortable raising my hand a lot. :P

Music Appreciation: I like it, because I love music/musicals and that sort of stuff. I just feel weird going down that hallway for a class. It is sort of awkward, and I probably won't get used to it until May.

American History 3: Big class, packed. Makes me miss my last year history teacher a lot. Oh, and I had a blast learning the capitals/states again. :P This is the period when I eat my snack to prevent starvation from waiting for lunch. xD

AP English: Real fun! I like sitting in a horseshoe and discussing as well as digressing about topics. Very laid back atmosphere.

Lunch: is yummy.

Physics: May be one of the toughest or contain more work than the others. Science always seems to be for me anyway. Grrrreat teacher, mhm, that's right. ;]

Study Hall: Sweat box, hotttt, crowded, but good pals there. :P

Anyway, I've finally grasped a copy of the novel "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and it is such an adorable story. I feel the narrator sounds much younger than he actually is, but I really like the statements he makes and I have already quoted him in some places. My next assignment is to also start reading "Brave New World" which I have heard mixed reviews over. I picture it as a colony settler book from like the 1500s, but it obviously is not that, haha. In other news, I have been steadily trying to practice driving on the actual roads. I have divided the roads in levels depending on traffic and speed, so it can be related to a video game where I have to gain enough "XP" to move up to the next level. That way I have some sort of plan and goal, because I am not ready yet to jump on the highway until I am comfortable on other roads and so forth.

I feel like I want to write another entry sometime soon about deeper topics. This one is not going in that direction at all, which I find slightly depressing. :P I always feel more proud of my deeper entries that aren't just "Hey, went to the mall today, yay that was fun, and well, time for homework bye." :P Haha re-reading that is amusing. A posted one sentence blog entry. Probably not even a grammatically correct sentence either. Especially considering the fact my grammar is on a hill and falling down the side at a life-threatening speed. (That is a whole other issue I am working on. :P) I actually did go to the mall tonight though with my friends. It was fun because it was so spur of the moment and it took a long time to even decide we wanted to go there. I am glad we did though! ;D -yawn- Wow, I feel tired now. :P This blog has a lot of emoticon faces, it is buggin' me. I think I am going to conclude here before I really begin to ramble. Hopefully I will write again soon, as in tomorrow? Ooh..that would be nice, and perfect too as I have just the topic due to my plan of research for rainy tomorrow. ;] G'night!

Real World Traders- I applaud you...

2008-08-24T05:59:00.002-04:00

Hi guys its me, back with another exciting post. To begin, do not let my title fool you. Real world trading is bad and illegal and I do not support it in anyway. But, ever since RuneScape began making changes to the game to prevent it, I have benefitied from it. See, I am a pure freeplayer, and before November 2007, the free game was never updated. Infact, until that time the only f2p update besides holiday events was the stronghold of security. Well, it all began in Nov. 2007, with the grand exchange. Reading bts september, a place like this was mentioned. At the time i never expected it to be like it is, but it sounded cool. The ge is pretty much wal mart in the game. Although it compltely took trading out of the game, it made things a bit more efficient. I can now buy 25k big bones in a matter of minutes for the same price instead of saying buying b bones 450 ea 1million times. A hoo ra to jagex. Next game dec 10, with the most controversial update in rs history. Pvp and wilderness changes -shivers-, along with rev's and gravestones. To futher prevent rwt, jagex got rid of tradional wilderness playerkilling and replaced it with bounty hunter and clan wars. They also got rid of the bone yard -cries- and shrunk the wilderness. Now these updaes where negative, but needed for the game. F2p also got team capes and the much needed duel arena. At this point rs was indifferent with me, Then came a new year, and on the second day, I witnesed the macros leave. Yes, they removed balanced trade. A needed update, and I like that it is in place, although it hinders some previous in game fun. At this point f2p was a little worse then before, but not by much since we gained some features. Next came Feb. and the state of play was released, giving hope where it was needed. Some time passed, and FOG came out, along with new lvl up messages, new interface, and little hp status buttons. Finally, in July rs hd was released to f2p, which one day i hope to enjoy, but here in August is hwrre it gets good. Promised to be added to the game are 4 new pvp features, yes 4. Clan wars changes, army game 0.0, skiller game, and pvp worlds. This gave me a reason to play, so all in all, I benefited. Btw, i porbably missed some updates... Like the rc guild duh', another great update, which came witht he best rs f2p mage gear.....

In other news, rs has been a bit stagnant for me lately since I am mostly waiting for pvp to come out. I kinda have a goal of mining only rune ores to lvl 86, and I have around 300 atm 0.0....

In other news yet again, my school opens up on Tues, and i got my schedule yesterday. Turns out in my school math and english mean nothing, since I do not have them, I have study hall in place. Not really surprising coming from my school though. I also got home ec 2, when I nvr took home ec 1. But all in all, RWT collapsing caused upset, but brought some joy, and soon to be terror from people in pvp combat 0.0

P.S. Bts September, we ned you!

Bummin' & Jammin'

2008-08-22T17:00:00.002-04:00

I am sitting at home being bummed out due to the fact that we were supposed to go to the Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd concert tonight in Camden and the people that we were supposed to go with backed out at the last minute. Now Jimmy and I are sitting around jammin' out to the Kid Rock and Skynyrd cd's that he has. I guess that it's kinda cute when he said that we could have our own concert :) very sweet......but do you know what else would be really sweet? Actually listening to them both play live. I guess the saying you can't always get what you want is a true one. I've been absent from the blog lately due to the fact that I was internetless. Yesterday the comcast cable guy came and hooked up the modem to my laptop and I think that I have been on this dam computer since, well minus a few hours due to sleep. I am going to try to post as often as I can. Well I guess that I will end this and get back to my concert (haha) .....hope that you are all well and wish you best of luck in your upcoming school years, the last for some of you :(

The Big One...

2008-08-20T06:57:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone its me (rs name Trans Power). I'd like to begin my post by discussing my latest Runescape goal, 85 mining. This morning at 6:01 a.m. I got to 85 mining. A very nice acheivement, for less then 25,000 people have 85+ mining. I am now officially a rune miner. I started mining at lvl 73 (see below) and I mined over 96,000 iron ores tog et the over 2mil xp needed for 85. How I did it you might ask.... well, as you know I am a pure f2p, i was never a member. I chose to powrmine iron from lvl 73 to 85. To be honest I hated it, so many people come to powermine, its a snarf or be snarfed world. You get skillers, high lvls, idiots, children, everyone. I first chose to mine in world 1 rimmington, thinking it would be all nice and serene. But i was mistaken. Huge crowds, lots of rulebreakers, and some idiot power miner from Runescape name Coolillboi. Ha i beat him to 85 ;). Then at lvl 81, I got so sick of Rimmi, seeing the same people daily, so I decided to go to Al Karid, thinking scorps would take care of skillers. I was wrong, and it was the same mess there. But i stuck with it and got to 85. I started out getting 30k xp a day, and by the last ay I had gotten 150k a day. I also want to mention that mining in rs is messed up. Levels do not mean a thing, I was beaten so many times by people lower them me with fast computers, and yes that got annoying. But i stuck with it and I am happy its over. I persoannly do not reccomend powermining. Your hand will hurt and it kills you slowly, but if you want to try Rimmington or Al Karid. I would reccomend mining coal from the guild, or mining coal and mithril and making bars, since iron kills you and you get some sweet profit. All in all, mining is a very difficult skill, much harder then fishing, cooking, or woodcutting. It requires constant attention, and constant clicking. Not very fun, but 85 is worth the profits....

Well, after 85 and my mini alone party and screenies, I went to mine runite. I wear green d hide legs and top, and do not weild my pick, for I think it makes you mine a bit faster. I hopped to world 127, and went north, to find one rock empty. I mined my first runite, getting it in one hit! Then i hopped around discovering many rocks empty, rune miners must mine a lot. Then i settled in world 149, forund two ores, and started to mine. I was then attacked by a rev ork, but what pker's lacked next to rev's in power, they made up in brains. I tricked the rev and got him stuck behind a tree, and mined my runite. My goal is to mine 1k ores, and make 12mil. I will in time. Word of advice though, rune mining is not as perilous as one might think.

Besides mining in runescape, most playuers have heard the new updates. Not the awesome new guild, but the prmose for more pvp! I am going to prepare for these, all 4 of them (clwars, skiller game, moblising armies, and pvp worlds) I just hope they are for f2p, but I honestly cannot see them not being for all recent replacements for wildy have been. I also think for pvp worlds there will be one safespot, a sorta "wildy centre" where there is a bank etc, and it will bring old fashioned traing back into the game, since there is no GE. These updates are prmised before 2009, making this a great RS year. From Nov 2007 till now has been the best time ever for a pure f2p, not couting the removal of the wilderness. We got more updates then ever! Every month it seemed, GE, clwars/bh, fog, player safety, rc guild, diary, hd, new skill screen, run button, and more. And with these 4 new updates promised and hopefully for f2p, this would cap off a great year!

Now to real life, my school starts in less then a week. I will be in 10th grade, and to be honest I don't really care. I always just kinda float my way through school, and I hope the same can be said for this year. I have a small worry, but I hope it will be nothing to really worry about. Well that was my post, and before i forget, enjoy these timeless images!

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh57/transpower/85Mining.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh57/transpower/85Mining2.jpg

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh57/transpower/Transminingrunite.jpg

^.^

Oh Sea!

2008-08-19T13:33:00.004-04:00

Seventeen summers ago I was seven months old. It was my first summer, and it was the first time I ever saw the ocean. I was quite the little tot, with my rolling red curls and big brown eyes. There was this instant affection between me and the foamy waves of that huge body of water. As other children next to me screamed and hollered in fear as the waves came gushing towards their little feet, I giggled playfully and wanted more and more of it. I didn't seem scared. I seemed fascinated. Every summer since then [give or take a few where life dealt no opportunity], I have been really fortunate to visit the ocean, stick my feet in the sand, and smell the salty air. In my mind, nothing beats that feeling when I first see the ocean again. I have so many memories of being at the shore every summer. From the afternoon a seagull stole my sandwich right from my hands, to the evenings where I walked the entire boardwalk to the inlet ledge, my mind holds on to these wonderful moments. This past weekend I returned from being on vacation there for two whole weeks. :) It was particularly different than past times for numerous reasons, but the feeling was still the same. I had a time I will always remember as it sure was the best two weeks of my whole summer. :) I was occupied with various activities at all hours of the day and night, so even though I brought my journal along in case I wanted to write, I never did so this time around. Most of what I wrote about in the last blog I published when I went remains the same with this trip so I wouldn't want to utterly repeat myself. I did do a lot of swimming though, and this time I brought two big inner tubes which I took in the ocean. They turned out to be pretty fun, as long as I didn't get stuck in the tube when a wave was about to turn on my head. Otherwise I may not be here right now to write this. xD I went on many walks as well. This time the place we were staying was in front of a large park, filled with trails, fields, and the bay. There was a gorgeous dock that went out quite a ways into the bay and walking down it was amazing, especially when the sun was setting. :) I also took the bus numerous times, which I honestly feel is an attraction ride in itself. Simply meeting all the different, and I mean different, from interests to culture to nationality, people that ride the bus is really interesting and lots of fun. I went to the boardwalk many nights and did a lot of shopping this time, too. I bought two pairs of shoes and after a lot of looking around for the one I liked the most, I bought a really nice tye-dye hooded sweatshirt with any decal I wanted to be printed on it. :D

There were also some other things. :) I went to an Elvis concert, met Spongebob and Patrick while I was away, attended an ice skating show, saw some dolphins and three giant blobby schools of fish, woke up in the night to go midnight madness shopping, admired the Amish, watched the Olympics, joked about this guy on the beach named Erv, had some possible senior pictures, lay in the sun, listened to some Spanish, went walking on the beach in the middle of the night in total darkness with two chocolate cakes, skinned my knee, climbed in the lifeguard stand, learned how to say "hi" using flags, rubbed like a total of 40 pounds of suntan lotion in my skin, wore big sunglasses and pretty outfits, sat in traffic, and then was involved in my first car accident. As you can maybe guess, I had an exciting time. ;] The car accident is true [as is everything else I just named], but thankfully it was not a serious crash of any sort. On our way down to the beach area, once on a certain stretch of highway, people from all states around meet and it just gets very crowded and very slow. Having multiple traffic lights to sit at makes it more congested, too. Well, everyone was sitting in bumper to bumper barely moving traffic when the small sized car behind us rolled into the back of our Jeep Liberty [if you don't know, Liberty's have the big tire on the back of the vehicle]. Suddenly there was a big thump, and I felt as though someone just pushed my back forward. The tire on the back of the Jeep is what took the entire impact, without it the back would have been crunched in! The smaller vehicle that hit the tire, well, the front hood and headlight area was very crunched in, paint was scratched off, the hood was open, and liquid was leaking out. Their vehicle would no longer move and had to be towed away. =O I was shocked and scared at first this whole event even happened. It was a pretty shaky way to start off a vacation, but I was just glad we had that tire in the back and of course, that nobody got hurt or anything.

Thankfully the weather was warm and sunny for the majority of the time I was down at the beach though. There was a thunderstorm or two, one time when everyone had to scramble from the beach. That was pretty exciting. :P I really did enjoy my time there and miss it a whole lot though. :) Now that I am back home, I've been trying to busy myself incredibly. Some stuff in my life back here still seems to be shaky. When I was away, it was like my mind physically could not let me think of anything but the ocean and the sun. I did worry, sometimes when I would try to go asleep, about this or that back at home. I didn't want to let it get to me though. I guess I just want everything to be a certain way, and being the doubtful person I can be, I fear the worst in all my situations. It is terrible though, how I can think up the worst case scenario so much that I begin telling myself it must be happening that way, when really maybe it's not at all. In the least, I can still have hope...

Now with school lingering so close you can feel it, I am beginning to be ready to officially enjoy and gain as much as I can from my final year in high school. I feel slightly more confident about handling all of these upcoming college- related decisions, and really, I just want everything to fall into place this year. I look at the senior year as one of those "we're all in this together" moments. We are a graduating class that grew up together, literally, and now that we are to appear as the most mature students, I have hope we can pull through together by putting any ugly immature aspects behind us and making the best memories we can one last time. :) I know that I wish to look back upon such days with a smile and a laugh, not a sigh of regret for not taking the chances that could have been worth everything. ;]

I am going to conclude my entry here. I have not lost any anticipation for Broken Typos, just like a baby in the womb I am sure it will be born and presented to the public when it is fully ready. ;P I will attach a few pictures below from my vacation as well. Adios!

The Great Adjustment....

2008-08-14T06:13:00.002-04:00

Hi guys its me, been awhile since my last post, but here i go again. My title is where i will begin. Lately I have been going to bed later and laer and waking up later and later. But to adjust for school, I am going to put an end to this. Today I am going to stay up from the time i go to sleep to around 10 or 11 at night, then go to sleep. Hopefull I can adjust myself back to school time, and keep it that way. I wouldn't mind waking up at 4 and going to bed at 8. This is going to be tougher then I thought, but I have Buddy's support. In other news I just ripped most of the sleeves off my t-shirts, they get annoying...

RuneScape has been good to me lately. With the release of the runecrafting guild for f2p I had fun playing the mini game and I got myself full robes, which are the best in f2p. Also i got tokens for tele tabs since you cannot but the staff in f2p. a great update and good since few low lvls can enter, so its nice in there. You can also watch the game from the many altars in RuneScape, which is actually kinda cool. Also, since every f2p that neglected to train runecraft in the past wants in the guild, there is no rune or pure ess for sale there, and people have resorted back to standing in east varrock bank yelling buying ess full price. Lucky i bought 3mil in ess beforehand. In other news mining is going great, I am lvl 83 and about 585k till 85, 278k till 84, so thats all good. I also did a test on time it takes to mine runite ore and how it sells and they both did well.RuneScape is going good, but what I really want is the new clan wars updates, guess I will have to keep waiting....

School..ew. I do not want it to come but its inevtiable. I want it to be good, but for some reason I am worried. I am going into 10th grade its not like I am going to a new school or anything, but its hard to describe. I feel weird about it. -sigh- I also want to get myself a laptop computer, top of the line 4 gb of ram, but that seems doubtful at best. This old peice of junk will have to do. Well, for a final note to all you runecrafter wanna be's out there the guild rocks and its not to high so stop complaining, you cannot enter for a reason. Rc mage robes and tele tabs's ftw!

Trust

2008-08-02T03:01:00.003-04:00

I would like to base this paragraph off of the idea of trust. Trust is a crucial part of society in human life. Without it, we couldn't do anything really. We need to trust one another to build things, trust one another in business deals, etc. Also, trust is what defines a friendship. If youc annot trust someone they cannot be your friend. In people, trust can be a fragile concept. One slip up and your pegged untrustworthy for life. So I ask everyone to ensure that others can trust you, and to keep it in the vault...

In other news, I have been playing RuneScape a bit more. I got to level 78 mining, and I am halfway to 85 xp wise. Also, I think after mining I may consider training combat a bit, since the upcoming clan wars and pvp updates I want to be ready. I will probably only train defense, magic , and prayer, the surivival skills. Most of those games are about survival, so I need to be able to take hits, bind enemies, and use prayer effectivly. Also, any player moderaters from runescape that may read this, I urge you to refer Buddy Foote. He deserves it from what i've seen, and he will be a great help to your cause.

Finally, I got Steve into some music I like. he was listening to some interesting tunes, but I set him on the right path, and reccomended him some Van Halen tunes, most of which from their album 5150. I like these songs very much and would reccomend them to most people. I also enjoy Cracked rear view from Hootie and the Blowfish, so thats worth a listen. Well, thats all i wanted to say, and please leave any comments about my post.

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh57/transpower/78Mining.jpg

Beachy Hearts

2008-08-01T13:23:00.001-04:00

Imagine it being the middle of the night and there is complete silence. Maybe you are lying in bed even, but you are wide awake. Have you ever started to hear a noise and worry it was someone breaking in or something? Then, as you get worked up, it seems as though the noise is only getting louder. Suddenly, you pause, and realize that what you are hearing is only the most precious and amazing part of your body. Your very own beating heart. ♥

I watch hospital shows on television sometimes, last night in particular, and it is during times like that when I really appreciate and grow fascinated with the human body. Watching an organ transplant is really unimaginable. My favorite part is when the patient is given a heart, let's say, from another body, and once the heart is in place, there is that moment, that first moment, when you get to witness the heart fill up completely red and thump. It is really amazing, if you ask me. I guess the point I am trying to make is that when it is silent during the night, and you are awake, and you hear your heart beat, if you put your palm there for a moment, just a moment, and feel the knowledge of your very being alive, it helps you value what should be most important. Not everything always works out the way our naive minds sometimes hope and pray that it will. Every single person encounters some sort of mishap, minor and major, throughout their life. It is those minor mishaps that can really cause pain to the inexperienced. The kind of pain that simply consumes them entirely. They need to be told that even though their first bike broke, their pet turtle died, the girl they have a crush on doesn't like them back, Grandma is entering the hospital, or they have to move to a new school, everything will be alright. Everything will work itself out. Those that care won't ever leave your side, and those that do never belonged in the first place. You are a breathing individual with a beating heart, you are alive, you need to live, you need to cherish what you have, and focus on what makes you happiest. :) You may disagree, but in the least, thinking like that can bring hope to a dreary day.

Now that I released that from the depths of my unusual mind, I am here writing another blog so soon, as promised, because I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning. I will be on my way to enter the busy lands of sandy beaches, choppy waves, rugged boardwalk, crowded restaurants, and hotels with no vacancy signs. :D I'll be laying in the warm sand, thinking of nothing that bothers me, hearing the buzz of family chatter, and wondering when the cute little ice cream truck siren will return. It will hopefully be a nice escape for me, just some time to be away and feel excited over the different sights, sounds, and of course, the amazing smells down there. ;] I'm going to miss all of my friends a lot though. I am really excited to go, I can't believe it is tomorrow already, and that I will be there longer than I have ever gone for before. I plan to take plenty of pictures and will have a journal nearby for any possible blog excerpts. ;] I hope the best to come of Broken Typos, too! I guess this will be the end here. ^^ Wouldn't want to drag this out and bore any potential reader. So until next time, have a really good two weeks! :) ♥

Why Talk When No One's Listening...

2008-07-30T15:48:00.002-04:00

My title may come off as being a bit gloomy, but its suitable for how I've felt on RuneScape the past few days. See, in the game there are players known and admired by all. Zezima, N0valyfe, Uloveme, Yogoson. These are all great players from the game. But there are a few players that are "pure f2p". These people are Mendark 9, and Syszgy for example. All i would like to say is that Mendark 9 and Syzygy were once members during their careers, so tehm falunting about as pure f2p bothers me. Perhaps they did get all their skills to 99s, but they were once members and to caravant around claiming the oppisite is an outrage i feel. But some may ask, how do you know they were members... Well here is how i know. If you go to account management on the rs homepage, then to recover a password, you get a screen to type a name in. Type Sysyzgy's for example. According to yourtube and the rs wiki he was nvr a member. On the contrary, you can cleary see underneath his recovery questions that he was once a member since it has his subcristion information. Now do the same process for my name (Trans Power) and there will be no subscribtion info. The same applies for Mendark 9 and some others. So why should these players get the respect and love they do when what they are really doing is lieing. Now do not get me wrong its possible for them to have only trained in f2p, but once a member always one i feel. They are great players, but i feel justice needs to be served, but as my title says no one wants to hear the truth. I am flustered by this fact but life goes on....

In other news I have been playing RuneScape some more. I got to 76 mining and I am close to 77. I thought of a good long term rs goals to keep the game fun. Note: This only applies if I never are to become a member, that is a possibilty but certain conditions apply. My goals after 84 mining are 1mil xp in every skill, and to get a 99 in something. I was thinking defense since its simple and benficial. Perhaps one day I will be the first pure f2p to get 1494. (Note I do not count Syzygy getting 99 prayer and 1494 since i check backed in november to see if he was a mem and it said it there, and he got the 99 prayer this january). Also i think there might be 1 or 2 pure f2p's with totals in the 1490s, but i need names to check it out.

In a happier mood i watched the movie Bruce Almighty today. It was a funny and i reccomend it, I also found out that Steve Carell was in it as the character he would go on to play in Evan Almighty. I also would like to bring up a subject thats been bothring me. I guess its partially rs related, but it has to do with being the best. The first player ever to play rs (during the beta) was Rab. He is the oldest but does that make him the best? The first player ever to reach 99 firemaking was cowchicken, is he the best? How can the term "best" be defined, not only in RuneScape but in real life as well. i was surfing the web and the idea crossed my mind about whats the point of doing something unless your the best. For example ( i use rs to analyze things a lot) prior to summoning everyone new who the best player was, Zezima, but who could even spell the 2nd best, Uloveme? Miles14 has the most xp in all his combats but he is not considered the best. Do not get me wrong its just a game, but I would like to define who the best is. In my eyes, I very well think its Rab. The first president is considered the best (George Washington for anyone who doesn't know) so i claim Rab to be the best ever. And for the notice the first person to ever be baned was named boot. Well, I guess thats all I had to say, i really just wanted to point out who was once a member etc. Until next time i suppose.

Walking on Air

2008-07-29T22:27:00.002-04:00

I really enjoy tasting a spoonful of history from time to time. Just enough to get my tongue wet, maybe bring a warm smile to my face. :) Stumbling upon past blog entries has done just that for me. I've only been writing here since 2006, yet I cannot decide whether it feels longer or shorter than that actual space of time. Last evening I was scanning through some of my very first entries, and they were really quite cute. With the idea of moving to a new blog home in the future arising regularly, I can really only feel much excitement and anticipation for new thoughts to be exposed on untouched pages. ;)

I am leaving early this weekend for a two week vacation. Not a family vacation, specifically, but a warm and hopefully relaxing vacation nonetheless. I remember, during the Spring when I was at the high point of being pummeled with everything a teenager can possibly face, and imagining myself in a few months lying on the beach with absolutely no due dates or social headaches to worry about. The thought relaxed me and helped make everything at the time more worthwhile. It is pretty neat to think of how immensely busy a person can be during one month, but within a matter of weeks they can be free, accomplished, and rewarded for all their hard work. :) If there is one stressful concept weighing me down continuously still, it is that of "college." I still personally feel distaste towards the entire concept of figuring out and making decisions so very important. I have never, ever, been a fantastic decision maker. Even the slightest of situations, like deciding whether I want a ham or turkey sandwich for lunch, can cause me to bite my lip and stare blankly at the person asking me until they say "How about turkey?" and I readily nod without a problem. I am eager to further my education, don't get me wrong, I love learning, but knowing I have to decide on certain things is absolutely not my cup of tea. Sometimes I wish the perfect school would land at my feet. That is highly improbable though, and I probably would not even like it anymore once it fell. I've been changing my mind a lot too which makes everything more difficult. Last week I could have wanted to be a surgeon in Florida, and this week maybe I am craving the idea of majoring in bugs in a rural university in Wyoming. Really now, not a word in that last sentence has ever stood true, but at least you can see how wide of changes my mind can make. Oh and by the way, bugs, as well as dirt, are two very new exciting majors in some colleges across the country. Check your local listings. xD

Sunday I went to Warped Tour, which proved to be another exhilarating event. I went last year for the first time and it was so thrilling and amazing I fell in quintuple love with my favorite band and had a stranger's saliva hit my ankle. Even though I'd have to say last year's was a bit more fun, I still had a good time going again. :) I got to see Family Force 5 play, who are my favorite. Just watching their more than adorable sweaty faces play, dance, and sing right in front of you is priceless!! ;D It was also really cool to retrieve a beach ball which they later signed for me. =)) Another neat group worth mentioning that we saw was Shwayze, which were actually pretty cool, and more popular than I had thought. [I honestly didn't know who they were until that day..hush. :P] My friends and I would have loved to see more bands, but we were forced to leave a little earlier than expected due to a severe thunderstorm that poured on top of our very heads. xD I have never been as soaking wet as I was that afternoon. Boy oh boy, I was squeezing gallons of water out of my clothes. haha :P I think being heavily rained on was really fun though. I mean, I was with my great friends, and we are running across a parking lot that, note: is muddy and flooded, and hail is falling in your face so you are forced to close your eyes and hope that the gravel smacking your bare legs won't hurt too bad. xD Haha oh my gosh, it was something else. :P We even took pictures of us as soon as we reached this little off-limits shed we found, as shelter was a necessity once we left the compounds of the pavilion. ;P Anyways, I really like Warped Tour because of the close interaction with the bands and the immense crowd of people. This one guy in a band questioned me repeatedly as to why I had the word "Florida" on my tank top. It turned out he was from Florida, and if I didn't agree I was from there too and that was why I had the shirt on, then he was going to take my paper from me. xD Haha see..you never know what to expect! :P

As soon as I have pictures developed from the concert, I'll be sure to pop a few on here. :) Another item you may be curious to see pictures of is my first car! =) I am incredibly ecstatic [and tremendously grateful] to reveal that there is a smaller sized vehicle [Chevy Malibu] now residing at my home in which I have begun learning to drive in. It is a pretty cute car, and I really adore it! I drove it on the road twice thus far, which was quite an experience that took sooo much focus and energy from my mind. I felt really drained and weak afterwards, is that normal? Haha. ;P

Anywho, I am happy to say I have logged onto Runescape a time or two this week. My brother enjoys playing it a little here and there, and even if it may be infested by younger humans by the mass load, it is still fun to cut trees and make fires and get lost when you are a clueless wonder without good virtual game direction! ;)

I feel like there is a lot more on my mind I could share in this blog entry. Sometimes though, maybe it is "just enough" to focus on the more positive aspects. At the current time I think it is sometimes more relieving to stay clear of the road construction and take an alternate route because maybe that other way will be decorated with blooming flowers and fresh trees, filling your heart with hope and your mind with wisdom. So many people get injected with doses of burden and it will really weigh you down if you aren't strong enough to break the needle. Not everybody is strong like Superman though, but at least you can try. ;)

What's Happening

2008-07-29T00:19:00.009-04:00

Hi guys, its been a while since I've posted buy only because my last few posts back in april were completely ignored, and the recent inter blog drama. I will start though with a report on my current working out. I started weight training/lifting and running 1 mile a day back in March, and i have seen some marvelous results. My bench press max is about 165, which is 2olbs more then i weigh and I am only 15 >.> My mile time is within 6 mins, decent, and I can do 60 lb machine flyes with ease, back in march i had trouble with 10. Overall I have basically gotten sexified. In other news...

I have been playing runescape a bit on and off. I was never a member so there is not much fun to have but i play a bit. Currently i am training my mining to lvl 84. Its hard since i have no pals, and sicne free world training is real hard, but i make do. Only 2mil xp to 84 yay. Also i recently found out that my total lvl rank of 1069 is in the 100 best of that lvl, i big accomplishment i would say, and since i was never a member to add those other skills. My name is Trans Power is you are curious of my skills.

Summer has been ok i guess, it just goes by quick and your left wondering what you could of done with the time. Its almost August -blah- and my 2 week solo vacation is coming up so yay me. I spend my days sporaticly at best i would say, waking up around noonish to 2 (yea 2 thats right) but i go to bed around 3 or 4 but whatev' :P I have been following my favorite celebrity a lot lately though, and I usually will watch anything said person is in. All in all i guess nothing much has changed. Go Oscar Wilde and go Caydalyn go 50 wc!

Wow under 2mil xp to go =).

Happy New Blog Year! (3rd Anniversary)

2008-07-24T20:11:00.002-04:00

As the character representative of Oscar Wilde states in "Oscar Wilde and a Death of No Importance" in regards to his birthday – "This happens to be my birthday, Robert, and on each of my anniversaries I mourn the flight of one year of my youth into nothingness, . . .". Oscar's wise words, most likely fictionally created by the author, Gyles Brandreth, only applies to living material. In the case of celebrating the creation of an inanimate object (with a great model being this very blog), one cannot be sorrowful about the anniversary of such. The age of this blog brings with it an uprising of content, friendship, and intelligence. Look not to the past with teary eyes, but rather to the future with high hopes of optimism. With the new site of Broken Typos hopefully being released in the coming month, there is without a doubt that the blog will be heading into a prosperous state. However, we cannot disregard the steps it took to get this far. Sure, the blog may not be roaring with activity and page views, but it sure as hell feels good to look back at it at the end of the day and see everything you have created over the years.

Here's to the third year of Buddy Foote's Blog v.2, and disregarding the name change to Broken Typos, may we witness and experience many more years of this blog to come! Now drink your ale before a nun cracks your knuckles with a ruler!

The Real Value

2008-07-22T23:31:00.002-04:00

Look around you at your current location. What do you see? In front of you is a computer, most likely, unless you are reading this article on a PDA, cell phone, or those new nifty iPhones. Are you at a desk? What material is it made of – oak, willow, maple? Look around the room. All that stuff that makes the room what it is. A bed makes a bedroom, a toilet makes a bathroom, a dining table makes a dining room, etc. All that materialistic junk that means so much to you. Do you really care for it? Of course you do. Everything around you came into your household via money. Sure, it may have been a gift or even a free handout, but throughout the lifetime of the object in question, money was involved somewhere. To even gather the material to manufacture the object required money. Money – greenbacks and coins. It means so much to society. Whatever we do as a society depends on the value of the nation's currency. Technically, unless you're a nudist, going outside in public without the motive of buying anything still involves money because, honestly, you have to have bought the clothes you're wearing.

Sure, we should appreciate people for who they are, what they do, etc. and not on what they have. Will we remember 'Person A' because he owned a mansion up on the hill or 'Person B' who died saving three children from a house fire? The sad and pathetic truth is that most people may very well remember the mansion more and therefore 'Person A'. The other guy just gets a mention in the newspaper and make the news for every local station for the day, but that's all they'll get. Why should we care what we'll be remembered for? It seems troubling to live one's life and then leave it behind without making some sort of scar. 'Person B' scarred many people by being a true hero, but 'Person A' will always have that material constructed of wood, brick, mortar, and glass up on that hill for many people to see until the mansion falls. Will somebody remember Bill Gates because of his role in the foundation of Microsoft or because he was one of the richest guys in the world?

We can always go around preaching about how society should be less materialistic, but is that really practical? If we choose to give up the materialistic aspects of society, then we hurt ourselves. How can we prove a point that life will be better without materialistic goods when we're defying the norms of society, and therefore we're suddenly in poverty. If I said, "Yea, life is good without money, cars, and everything," and the person looks at me and sees me dirty, starving, and 'not good' in their own self-image, then I'll be nothing but a contradiction to them. The point being: you can't prove that a materialistic life will be better when society doesn't allow you to prove that point. Everything must have value, or we have nothing to live for. What's your goal in life? Get a good-paying job, get a nice house, have a loving and caring family to give birth to and raise – besides the love and family part, the rest screams "Money!" And without the motive of earning money because we won't have anything to buy, what will we do with our time? Not even time, but our lives? What really is there to live for? Can love even exist without materials? Even though we say that society would be better without the need for money, the point is that we won't have a society without the need of money. The structure that controls our life, no matter how restraining it may seem, helps us. It makes us live. It guides us into a meaningful life. If you're willing to give up all your materialistic goods, you're only harming yourself and benefitting nothing. And good luck trying to find supporters. You might as well head over to an emo nightclub, but even then, they still want materialistic goods like razors and Snoopy bandages.

In the current American recession and with the skyrocketing gas prices, the one object on everybody's mind is money. You can never have enough of it. There's always something to spend it on. However, should we look to more in life than money? Of course, but even then, to get to that spot in life, money is needed.

And with that, I leave you for the night. Have a good one.

Facepalming Over Layouts

2008-07-21T15:38:00.004-04:00

This fellow to the left here has the right idea in mind when it comes to a novice tackling the overwhelming challenge of creating a layout on an alien blogging platform. First of all, I would like to apologize for the unannounced hiatus I took from writing on the blog before I continue this entry any further. I have been having the biggest lack of motivation and creativity in my history and it’s been creating a huge impact on the list of goals I wanted to achieve this summer. More than three-fourths of that list will not be complete. Hopefully the challenge of creating a new website can be achieved, and therefore here we are on the topic that I initially wanted to discuss.

I’m ‘facepalming’ myself right now, actually, as I have an extremely bad case of writer’s block. I’m not sure how to cure it either. I need to stimulate myself more when it comes to writing. I find that it’s easy to write when faced with a conversational situation, but when I open up a blank Word document and try to write a mere sentence, I freeze up, close the document, and become depressed due to the fact that I failed yet again. I don’t even know why I’m typing this now. It’s just a factor that has been bothering me personally. Even though we migrated away from the main subject, maybe this random mumbling can help in the stimulation of my writing abilities and recalling skills. Okay, let’s try this again . . .

In June, I made the purchase of brokentypos.com, which is hosted on Host Monster. I installed the new blogging platform that I wish to transfer Buddy Foote’s Blog v.2 to and really – that’s all I did. The new platform is Wordpress. I came into this project with optimistic dreams and a head filled with innovative ideas, until I saw what I was faced with. Creating a Wordpress layout is not as easy as making a Blogger layout. In Blogger, you only have one file to edit to change the layout of your blog. On the other hand, in Wordpress, you have a multiplicity of .php files (and .css file) to torment you. I read a variety of topics about creating layouts, including scanning sections of the book, Wordpress for Dummies, at Borders, but yet I still feel overwhelmed by the project. I could always cheat by importing a premade theme into my Wordpress files, using that temporarily, and then create a homemade theme whenever I feel prepared enough to take up that challenge so that I don’t waste a few months of paying for my web host, but I sort of want my own touch to the site before it’s opened to the public.

I am faced with a few problems that I’m debating over before I start production on the new site.

One sidebar or two sidebars? I currently enjoy having two sidebars, but with the addition of pages that will be implemented into the blog thanks to that function with Wordpress, will needing all that space to organize oneself be necessary? We might be able to do away with the author profiles that are currently on the left sidebar altogether by substituting them with an ‘About Me’ page for each author – maybe even adding a separate navigation bar for the authors. Will a lot of the features of the sidebars even be needed? Statistics? No – Wordpress has a widget that can handle that. Shoutbox? No – getting rid of that in the future site (to promote commenting). ‘Ask The Author’? No – this feature will either get a total overhaul or be completely removed. Blog Spotlight? Yes – even though it was only changed twice since the summer of 2007, I’m hoping that a simple PHP or Javascript script can add new content each time the page is refreshed, making this feature fresh and useful. ‘Author of the Month’? Maybe – however this feature may not be implemented into Broken Typos at first; even if it was, it would probably get a small spot on the sidebar with a page mostly devoted to the feature. Affiliate section? No – this section will be totally extinct on the new website; even if it exists, a page will be enough to get the job done. So in conclusion, we need a sidebar for: an ad or two (money is needed to pay for the host), recent comments, calendar, recent entries, archives, possibly collapsible author profiles, ‘Blog Spotlight’, etc. The question remains: one sidebar or two?

Wordpress is overwhelming in the fact that I’m used to dealing with only HTML and CSS, but Wordpress forces one to work with XHTML, CSS, and PHP. Actually, the majority of the template is coded with PHP. Therefore, one must understand how the code functions, what its uses are, its limits, and how it’ll alter your site. I particularly dislike the ‘if’ statements. Like – if no posts are found, then it’ll display this message. Sure, it’s handy, but I’m just intimidated by the complexity of what I’m facing. Therefore, if I create a homemade theme, do not expect it to be the best you’ll ever see. It’ll be two or three boxes with a logo, background filled with ‘broken’ typos, and bam, I’m done. Yes, it will be more complex than that, but that’s just the general picture. It will be more stylish than Buddy Foote’s Blog v.2, though. Also, we will be abandoning the white-text-on-black-background color scheme that has been plaguing Buddy Foote’s Blog v.2 ever since its creation on July 24, 2005 (yes, the blog’s birthday is in three days). Instead, the blog will have black-text-on-white-background.

To the right here is a little preview of the background that will be used on the new site. Do not fear – a solid white background will be used on the sidebars and main content area to make it easier to read. Also, I’m hoping to achieve a modern design by the use of borders alone surrounding the content areas. Another problem is that I don’t know what to do in terms of a banner for the site.

That’s all I’ll discuss for now. Yet again, please answer the question: one or two sidebars?

Smores Anyone?

2008-07-11T21:09:00.003-04:00

So...here I am. It's sad how quiet the blog seems to be. I still care about it though. I care about so many things. I may even care way too much. That can be a problem, unfortunately. Attachment is not always the best, especially when you don't have a single smidge of a clue what is coming next. But will I stop caring? Do I even want to? Can you imagine how hard it is if you had to though?

I started writing a blog twice in the past, er, I don't know, week and a half? Each time I stopped after barely a few lines. I'd start writing in a moment when I felt a certain way, so looking at those 'rough drafts' now is interesting. A lot has happened since I last wrote, fun things. I'm enjoying my summer very much. However, I feel a piece is missing. A piece I am not even sure whether or not I want to add to the puzzle. That is what can be so frustrating. When you have this puzzle piece, sitting there, all odd and pokey-shaped, and you are just looking at it, pondering whether it is the right time to add it to your puzzle. You have to wait until the right moment, naturally. You can't go adding that puzzle piece before it has the other perfect piece to fit with.

I love summer, I absolutely do. It is so refreshing and the weather is more than gorgeous. I had a really nice 4th of July with people I feel I can rely on during any time. We spent the day at a nearby lake, complete with a boat ride, smores, and fireworks; your traditional fourth. Then we made sure it became very nontraditional from the norm and very "us" with staying up late in our "second home", going on the paper route, and out to eat. =) A few days later I stayed over with my close friend in her lake cottage. I had been there only one time before. It is incredibly adorable; the perfect getaway. We had a great time! Paddle boating around the entire lake, swimming, bike riding, basketball, late night walks, music, board games, and smores made the list of some top activities. =) She, and another friend there, also got me interested in a new TV show called "The Secret Life of the American Teenager." We watched the second episode while I was there, and I admit it caught my interest. It's pretty good, and today I watched the first episode, the one I missed, online. It's about a teenage girl and some other characters from her high school. The central idea focuses on this teenage girl, Amy, who is portrayed as a really "good girl", in the band, good friends etc, yet she finds out she is pregnant after a first-time accident. I think the story and the characters are pretty relevant to your "american teens." I'd say it's worth a watch. :)

I've mentioned smores about twice in that last paragraph. Therefore I'm mentioning them again because they are really great! :P I used to not like smores very much, in fact I probably avoided eating them altogether when at a campfire or some sort of event. I think I mainly just ate the marshmallows. This summer is very different though. I believe I've eaten smores at just about every outing/event I've been to this summer. xD And each time I enjoy them all the more. Haha, I know this paragraph is random at best, but I thought I'd share why this entry's title will be dedicated to such a tasty summer treat. =)

One last important thing I think is worth mentioning is that I finally felt ready to take my driving permit test. I went today and passed it. =) I've been more than sixteen, (seventeen..nearing eighteen), for months now but I honestly had no care previously to learn to drive. It was sort of a dilemma. I'm sure some past blog posts will demonstrate such. I've driven before, two very different vehicles in size, each making me feel wary of driving altogether at the time. I am extremely pleased I waited the length of time I did though. There was certainly no rush in my book. I was initially planning to go right after school ended last month, but I delayed reading the book which when I did start took me some time to feel prepared with. :P However, I feel quite accomplished with having finally taken and passed the test. I'm looking forward to "officially" beginning the process of learning how to drive. I'm sure it will come with a series of interesting stories to tell that I hope this blog will welcome with open arms. ;]

Until next time, syanara. ♥

Discotech

2008-07-01T14:47:00.004-04:00

I was reminded that I haven't written a blog in a little while, and I certainly agree so I really feel like writing one right now. :) I'm having a nice summer, not anything extraordinary going on currently. It seems I've fallen into a pattern though. I'll be home for a few lazy days where I spend a lot of time outside, and then I'll go away for a few days to friends' houses or somewhere random. =P I have been playing a whole lot of volleyball it seems. I liked the game before, but now I enjoy it even more. I am really looking forward to going on vacation in August though. I don't want to rush through July or anything, but I absolutely cannot wait to go to the beach. It was all I was thinking about today. Just the whole atmosphere is exhilarating down there, and I am a huge swim and surf fan so I can't wait to do those things every day. :) The 4th of July is coming up and that may actually be one of my favorite holidays lately. xD This weekend will fit right in with my "pattern" of going away for a few days. ;]

I was watching television last night and started to feel pretty angry about the gas prices. I know, pretty random, but it was absolutely frustrating me. xD I was sitting there trying to make sense of the situation of our country. Maybe most people don't spend time dwelling on the subject, and I rarely do either but sometimes it catches my attention for awhile and instills some worry in me. The news reporter was explaining how cheap gas is in other countries, even Mexico, which charges like two dollars or less. Some countries charge twelve cents. Can you imagine? =P I understand those countries can supply themselves, but then I get frustrated over why the US ever decided to rely so much on other people. -sigh- The news story continued with showing how American people who live near the Mexican border drive into Mexico to purchase their gas, and sometimes have so much change left over they can go and eat a taco while they are down there. Hey, who can blame them. Too bad we live so far, hah.

Anyway, I've finally found some new music to listen to! I was growing incredibly bored of my 2000+ songs on iTunes [don't roll your eyes] so I proceeded to do a playlist search on the web. xD I went to projectplaylist.com originally, but imeem.com proved to be a better source. -bobs head- Yeaaaah it was great!;] The title of this blog in fact is the name of one fun song I found to enjoy.

I'm going to be on my way now, have a sunny day!

What to do…

2008-06-29T23:38:00.001-04:00

Hmm…I don't know where this is going to go, I don't even know if this will be published. I'm just going to ramble on and see if I like it…So I've been contemplating on whether or not I want to continue with this blog, reasons that I don't even know. And the reasons I am aware of I am not going to say, as I will most likely get ridiculed anyway. So for those of you that never liked me in the first place, then YAY you can throw one hell of a party, bust open a piñata of me while you are at it. For those of you who did like me, well sorry I guess? IM me and I'll type you your own personalized Matomatic IM entry. WOOT wont you be showing that off to the kids in school? Once school starts -.-…It is not positive yet so do NOT get up and bar the door...

VA Beach. It was an OK vacation, probably the worst vacation to VA Beach though =/. Not that it was bad, just the other ones were better. I missed, um, "people"…Um the weather was perfect, it did not rain on us while we were at the beach so that is good =)…All I have to say is FUCK North Carolina! Their fucking mountains were on fire and of course the wind had to blow directly at VA Beach, meaning the old ladies were wearing smoky perfume, and if that were the case there were giant bingo tournaments going on every single block…Ok yeah if you understood a damn word I just said in that last sentence then HIGHFIVE.

Everything down there was expensive, EXCEPT GAS. Gasoline was $3.83 at one station! But the necklaces I shop for were approximately $6.00 each! Let us just say it is pretty easy to steal things if you wanted…WHO SAID IT!? You better not be assuming anything, because when you assume…yeah you know how it goes.

Oh, something else I want to fuck…NOT like that…FUCK the air force. Of course there has to be a freaking naval base, air force base, and all that good stuff right next to VA Beach. I don't have a problem with the navy, since they don't bother me. But the damn air force bothers me. The jet planes constantly fly over your head from about 5 PM to 10 PM. And trust me, it is extremely loud, so loud your ears start to bleed o.o…

I am done typing for now, who knows for how long. It has been a fun journey on Foote's Funky Boat Ride if I decide to disembark on this island. Farewell mine companions, and good luck!

Colleges Look Here!

2008-06-28T23:21:00.004-04:00

I've been practicing my admission essay for college. I'm not much of an essayist, but I'm quite pleased with the outcome of this scraped piece of work.

" You should accept me to your educational facility because I'm not racist, I'm not a Nazi, I'm not homophobic, I'm not a Republican, I'm not a communist, I'm not an evil dictator, I'm not a druggie, I'm not emo, I'm not drunk, I'm not a diabetic, I'm not lame, I'm not a transsexual cross dresser, I'm not a knot, I'm not a deviant, I'm not a pedophile, I'm not allergic to bee stings, I'm not pregnant, I'm not a jock, I'm not a hypocrite, I'm not Casper the Friendly Ghost, I'm not a motorcyclist, I'm not a blogger, I'm not a politician, I'm not dirty, I'm not cooperative in the classroom, I'm not passing elementary school, I'm not a gamer (as we all know that leads to violence), I'm not here right now so leave a message after the beep, I'm not attuned for Karazhan, I'm not a drinker of grapefruit beverages, I'm not the exorcist, I'm not an illegal alien, I'm not listening to Numa Numa, I'm not a sexist, I'm not tying knots in my shoelaces, I'm not repetitive, I'm not William Shakespeare, I'm not a writer, I'm not human, I'm not a woman, I'm not a troublemaker, I'm not talkative, I'm not contagious, I'm not a movie star, I'm not a band member of Weezer, and I'm definitely not doubting that you actually wasted all of your free time reading this pointless nonexistent college admission essay. Okay so accept me, fool. "

Thank you. If you actually read that, then you better seek medical assistance. Fast!

Have a good one.

Tramp

2008-06-27T14:53:00.002-04:00

See that little guy to the left? Well, this guy is the reason why my brother and sister-in-law are disallowing my nephew from playing Runescape anymore. Even though one shouldn't play Runescape until at least the age of twelve, the actual material in the game is geared toward a young audience. Harmless, fun, and addicting. A good way to pass the time as well as learn the mechanics of an online gaming world. There must always be a game to introduce a genre, and this is my nephew's introduction to the MMORPG world. My nephew is six, almost seven, and he's about level 47 on the game with a pretty good total level – but he can't play because there's a tramp in the game (that guy to the left). My "smart" sibling and spouse immediately think, "Oh no! Our son is picking up prostitutes on the streets of Varrock! Whatever shall we do?" and with that thought they lay down the law. You can't play this game anymore. That's the worst thing you can ever say to a young kid.

Thanks to an invention known as the dictionary (thank you Samuel Johnson), we can be provided with the following definition of what a tramp is:

One who travels aimlessly about on foot, doing odd jobs or begging for a living; a vagrant.
A prostitute.

Wow! Did you know a single word could have more than one definition? That's critical news to me! And heck, there's even more definitions to the word tramp but we won't include those as it would this entry too excessive.

Jagex, the makers of Runescape, would never dare to put anything sexual into the game. They're too clean and squeaky to even consider that dirty option. Therefore, I'm 99.53% sure we can exclude the latter definition of 'A prostitute'. Let's look at the first definition. I don't see anything faulty with this one. Clearly one can see that the tramp in Runescape is poor due to the clothing he's wearing. Plus one can even smell his odor through the computer if one doesn't have seasonal allergies. He's not only poor (as that's too much of a general word), but one can see that he's probably homeless. And what do most homeless people do: live underneath exit ramps in cardboard boxes and wander around aimlessly on foot looking for food or begging for money. Woah! What just happened? Look at the first definition again:

One who travels aimlessly about on foot, doing odd jobs or begging for a living; a vagrant.

Also, if you don't know what a vagrant is:

A wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support.

That's another term for a homeless person. By golly! We're getting somewhere here!

The life lesson we learned here today: don't assume things based on your limited knowledge! If I called your female dog a bitch, would you be offended? There's a ton of free dictionaries online as well as software such as WordWeb. Get it, fast, before all your brain cells die and you're crying on Johnson's grave wondering what a dictionary is.

Therefore, we can no longer assume that this NPC on Runescape is a prostitute, but rather just some homeless guy trying to make a living by begging for a few coins. My nephew plays other games, such as Guitar Hero III which is a T-rated game, but he can't play innocent lil' Runescape? 'Look at what ya did, ya bloody tramp! Ya ruined me nephew's gaming experience with the MMORPG genre. Ya should be ashamed of yeself!'

Have a good one.

Teh Foote’s Thoughts #1

2008-06-26T16:19:00.002-04:00

I walked out into my yard today to retrieve the recycling bin and found that a new forest of giant blades of some foreign plant has sprouted up around the area of my yard. I named it the Forest of Rye and moved on with my day.

Having a phone on vibrate serves no purpose if you cannot feel it or hear it dance along some surface – including any soft material, like a couch. Make sure you put your phone in a pocket that has contact with your body. People get angry when you don't answer their calls, and angrier when you use the lame "excuse" that your phone was on vibrate and you didn't know the person on the other line was calling. You should know this as you have "ESP . . . N . . . 2" – quote used by my late English teacher. He's not dead; he's just late to class.

One day I walked downstairs and saw some DVD college course catalog lying on the kitchen table. Sadly, there were no computer-related classes. On the other hand, I was intrigued by a class titled The Joy of Mathematics. I believe it guarantees that I can do mental math as extreme as logarithms. I'm pretty excited about this, especially due to the fact that I can't do '6 + 9' in my head.

Garbage cans stink. Literally.

I was checking my voicemail today and my thought train went like this: no new messages.

I just went to Endless Mountain Movie Theatre, the only privately-owned theatre left in the area, to see the movie Get Smart. Not only was it highly humorous to the point where I wet myself from laughter, but I got a degree in engineering and a minor in business. I'm now a CEO of all things big and beautiful.

I hate broken errata. I do, however, like the synonym. It should be a band name or something. Maybe a blog title?

I'm single. If there was a double of me, I would have a twin.

Is there a way to export iPod libraries from the iPod to the computer? This has been bothering me lately. The computer that hosted all of my music was wiped a while ago, and since then, my iPod is filled with outdated songs that I would like to add more tunes to. As it's 80 GB, there's no point to wiping the disk space on the iPod itself. Damn Apple – tricky bastards.

I'm out!

Moving to Wordpress

2008-06-25T12:41:00.002-04:00

There are big plans going on for the future of Buddy Foote's Blog v.2. What big plans, you ask? I can't give away a lot of details in order to maintain the security of such a big move, but I can guarantee you a little morsel of a fact: the blog is moving from Blogger to Wordpress. I guess I can also give away another fact. The blog's name is changing. The URL, http://buddyfoote.com, will only be around for another year whereas the new name of the blog will also have its own domain name. The former domain name will just redirect to the new site. On the other hand, this Blogger page will just feature a big redirect to the new site.

Why are we moving? Wordpress offers a lot of features that I'm highly excited over. Oh, man! I should have mentioned that we're not moving to the . . . how can I word this – 'free' Wordpress but rather we're getting the script and installing it on a web host! Yes, this blog will no longer be hosted on a free service! However, I wish we had enough income coming in from ads to supply the demand from the host, but I'm very happy with the new Project Wonderful ads and the great advertisers who are being hosted on this blog. It's better getting at least a penny a day than three cents a month (sorry Adbrite; either I wasn't using you right or you were abusing me). My concerns, at the moment, are: A) finding a very reliable, dependent, friendly, yet not very expensive web host [I'm thinking along the lines of about seven dollars a month] and B) getting the money in the first place. Coughing to the blog authors – donations will be accepted with glee. I can't begin the tedious process of creating a new layout without having the website host to work on. I am, however, studying a book I got from Borders one night when I went out with my cousin, his girlfriend, and a friend. The book, which cost $37 and put a large gap in my pocket, is The Essential Guide to CSS and HTML Web Design. I would recommend this book for any web designer out there, no matter how novice or experienced you are. Better yet; find it at your local book store and make sure you have a pen and notepad in your pocket to take notes. Would a store mind you doing that? By using this book, I shall create a professional layout that will send even the nuns to hell. I don't know why I said that. Let's pretend I didn't.

My biggest fear in concern to being hosted on a web host is their whole shared server ordeal. Most web hosts guarantee so many resources for such a low price, but God forbid if you come within a few miles from the limits that they guaranteed you, they can simply terminate your account and go on with their day. I'm sorry but I don't want to lose a very good and long-running website because some company went against their guarantees. I may actually have to read the 'ToS' for each host before I pick the one I want. Also, I want any downtimes to be a minimum. I honestly don't understand how Blogger, for example, can host so many free blogs, get no revenue from it, and yet be a very, very good host. Did I mention free? Whereas you have hosts out there eating seven dollars from your pocket or paycheck monthly and they offer worst services. 110MB.com offers amazing service for their free customers! Yet I hear horror stories about BlueHost! Why, dear Lord, why?

I am nervous about the move. However, I want to major in computer science and I believe such an experience would grant me skills I need to succeed in my major. If anybody is out there actually taking the time to read this, I have a few questions that I would like you to please answer via comment:

What webhost do you recommend for a hosted Wordpress blog? Please take into consideration the monthly payments, disk space, bandwidth, free script installations, etc. (Personally, I have been eyeing up Host Monster)
Do you recommend the move from Blogger to Wordpress? I'm going to no matter what you say, but I'd like to hear some experienced or biased opinions.
Should I stick with a dark layout since this blog had since July 2005 or move to a more 'pure' white-based layout (I'm preferring the white layout, at the moment).

Also, I would like to mention (as I got off-subject when I wanted to bring this up before) that I'm doing the move not because I have anything against Blogger, but rather because I want the freedom of using external style sheets, PHP, integrated forums and IRC chat, etc. I want to grant the blog authors such things as their own 'About Me' page fully customized by them that will act as their 'MySpace'. Okay, I'm giving out too much information. Photo gallery? Who said it!? A PHP script that will display different elements of the abused and never-used 'Blog Spotlight' section? Who said it!? Some form of currency that the authors gain based on the content of their blog posts? Yet again, who the hell said it!? Not only will the new blog offer interactive content for the user, but will also give something back to the blog authors who endured the hard times throughout the lifespan of this blog. I say 'thank you' to them. You will be rewarded.

I'm going to go off on an adventure to Candy Mountain now. Please consider those questions I asked, and if you're feeling very enthused, maybe add some more personal input about the topic. Also, I'll let you speculate on what the new blog title could be. We do have it picked, but I don't want to give it away just yet. I am very 'stoked', however, about the new renaissance of the blog. We'll soon say goodbye to Buddy Foote's Blog v.2, and hello to ______ _____. Who said it!? Have a good one.

The Moose

2008-06-23T09:06:00.003-04:00

right now i am listening via the internet to the morning show on the radio in west virginia that my cousin djs. mondays from 6 - 10 in the morning. heres the link http://u92.wvu.edu/. he plays some crazy stuff. good ol cousin ryan

i find myself slightly confused by all the matt hating going on in the blog. like what did he do? everyones treating him like he ate a bald eagle or something. its probably just the same person insulting him each time. lol grow up. im wondering what to have for breakfast right now. ill probably pick pop tarts or rice crispies. im going to help my girlfriend at 11 (shes moving, but the place shes moving is actually closer sooo... yay!) and i have work tonight from 6 -10 stocking shelves wich MODERATLY SUCKS

lol my cousin just put on some oasis... NICE!!!!

in regards to the new Cute Is What We Aim For album, they released a new video! want it? i got it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF3MYxSo-es
i just really wish i knew how to embed these videos.

since no one told me which compilation disk to review, im picking Punk Goes Crunk.
punk bands covering rap songs
heres the track listing, i will work on the review the rest of the day

Set Your Goals - "Put Yo Hood Up" (Lil Jon) (4:59)
Say Anything - "Got Your Money" (Ol' Dirty Bastard) (4:15)
The Secret Handshake - "I Wish" (Skee-Lo) (2:52)
Forever the Sickest Kids - "Men in Black" (Will Smith) (3:05)
My American Heart - "California Love" (2Pac) (4:16)
The Maine - "I Wanna Love You" (Akon) (3:03)
Emanuel - "Kryptonite (I'm on It)" (Purple Ribbon All-Stars) (4:30)
Person L - "The Seed" (The Roots) (4:22)
The Devil Wears Prada - "Still Fly" (Big Tymers) (4:55)
All Time Low - "Umbrella" (Rihanna) (3:49)
Scary Kids Scaring Kids - "Notorious Thugs" (Bone Thugs and Harmony) (7:23)
The Escape Frame - "Nuthin' but a "G" Thang" (Dr. Dre) (3:30)
Hot Rod Circuit - "Gin and Juice" (Snoop Dogg) (3:44)
Lorene Drive - "Hey Ya!" (OutKast) (4:24)
New Found Glory - "Tennessee" (Arrested Development) (4:05)
Just Surrender - "Sexy Back" (Justin Timberlake)

and please lay off blog bashing.

STOP

2008-06-21T23:13:00.001-04:00

I really don't have a lot of time but I want to post this one thing for everyone to see…Leave me alone! I did shit and Whorry Torry Lorrie has a problem with me, and everyone else wants to comment fight on MY entry, when I'm just an innocent victim myself. So please, find somewhere else if you can, if not- whatever. Thank you =).

P.S…Whoever the fuck you are, as I have a strong feeling there is no ryan and your just someone I know, don't you ever talk shit about mine sweet innocent Barbra Allen…o.o…or w/e…Talk all you want about me, but don't fucking step there.

RIP house, well, just 10 days

2008-06-19T22:39:00.001-04:00

Well I was sitting here trying to think of something to do when all of a sudden Cupid struck me in the ass with an arr…wait, never mind. Forget I said that. Wrong diction in this case. The point I was trying to make was I wanted to find a way to pass the time until I can talk to mine Coy Mistress, as she is 'occupied' atm, and out of nowhere the idea to write an entry came to me. I'm listening to a personalized compact disc she made for me, of all the songs that remind her of me. It helps ease the pain when I miss her the most.

I was looking into the near future of my life and it's pretty busy and fun. This will probably be the last time you hear my key strokes for about 2 weeks. The past few days have been too cold to do shit, glad I'm not swimming or anything of that nature. Maybe it will warm up a bit for tomorrow, I haven't checked the weather yet. But even if it doesn't warm up I'll still be having fun. Tomorrow night I am going to mine Faerie Queene's dance recital, and afterwards I will be celebrating KKK day with BuddyFoote. (NOT the Klan of whom you are thinking.) I'll be at his house all day Saturday as well, doing whatever the fuck we want. Sunday I am celebrating the national holiday of Burgers with my sweet 'Juliet'. I'll be at her house all day as well. Jeeze, I might as well move to Jermyn for this upcoming weekend. Monday I will be on a quest to obtain all the necessities I need in order to live in Virginia Beach for a week. Yes, it is Vacation Time in the Matomatic household. Almost every year we go to VA Beach for vacation, except a few exceptions, which honestly, weren't as good. As much as I love nature, a beautiful view of the Smokey Mountains can't beat the infinite view of the great, vast ocean. That's my view probably since I fucking live in mountains =P. So si, mine body is leaving thy state late Monday night, and will not returnth till the following Sunday. So I will basically not even be home for 10 days, hence the title. I will make sure I write an entry when I get back, filling everyone in on life in other parts of the country…

Shrunken Length

2008-06-18T17:23:00.001-04:00

It is 4:32pm and I am in the "moodood" to write a blog. Surprisingly it is technically only the second day of summer vacation, but that sounds wild. It feels more like the second week, and I do not know why. I've been spending a lot of time doing random activities that range from playing volleyball to watching TV to trying to understand the teenage population. xD Hmm..I guess I can start by welcoming some new friends to the blog. Hi Matt and Brittany! :)

It has been pretty rainy the past two days, on and off showers, some rumbles of thunder, and now the sun is peaking out but the temperature is cool. However, I am not here to report the weather...I guess it just is a boring way to begin a paragraph. :P Actually, here's some more on the weather. It is now thundering AND being brilliantly sunny. What a neat combo, eh? I agree.

I've seen quite a few movies lately, and I usually get the feeling of this general theme being present in all of them. "We're all in this together." Well, alright, so what does that mean? "Yeah yeah let's be mushy love each other and united we'll hold hands?" No. Not even the "I've been in your shoes, you'll get over moving to a new school don'tchu worry honey!" I think I tend to observe a lot, or so it feels that way. Every person is so different, yet so very alike. It seems that noticing the differences is much easier than taking the time to realize the similarities that exist. Take two fruits, for example. An apple and an orange, two very basic fruits, perfect for a compare/contrast paper, sound familiar? Oh yeah. Well if you were to ask a three old to describe the two fruits, I bet the first thing he/she would say would be "the apple is red and the orange is orange." Alright, why wouldn't he/she be more likely to say "both have seeds" or "both are healthy"? Maybe because it requires more thought, maybe because he/she is not even at the level to even know those facts exist. Contrasting them just seems so much easier in every way. Now don't you think that's just silly or do you think it is amazing?

Some of us might take that extra step to examine the similarities between an orange and an apple so much more than any three year old would ever be capable of. There might be a person out there who when walking down the street, doesn't think "wow that guy has grey hair, he must be old and, hmm, wrinkly." Instead they think "wow that guy is probably full of knowledge and wisdom for all his years are worth." There might even, -gasp-, be some person out there who actually realizes regularly that people are all in this together. Hmm..that sounds familiar. I wonder why? Maybe it's true, maybe it's false. That is for you to decide. But think about it, if we are all in "this" together, why would you want to hinder your teams progress in any way, shape, or form? Why would you want to judge differences? Is being nice better than being mean? Is that bully going to make it any farther than the the person they bullied? Hm. If you're labeled pretty, and you're labeled not, why does anyone care? That is SO hilarious. Refer back to the fruits. If Mrs. Apple is deemed no longer drop dead gorgeous because, -gasp-, her stem is tilted at the wrong angle, will dorky Mr. Orange worry his bruise is too noticeable? Wow, did you hear that? I think it is a crowd of loud people screaming "LAME!!" :P On another occasion, if a group of apples are name calling the oranges "bright blobs of citrus!", would it make literal sense for the oranges to counterattack with some fruity remark or be the better fruit and, -gasp-, accept the fact that everyone there is a fruit, all together they are, in one big category with the label that they are healthy and to be eaten seriously? :P Tough decision? Maybe. Sort of like war a little. More fuel for the fire, you kill my guy I'm gonna kill yours. You'd think that sort of mindset would come to an end by the later young adult years. And for some fruits, people, animals, or all of the above, it does come to an end.

Back to "we're all in this together", my opinion is that we really are. Rain or shine, happy or sad, rich or poor, we're all still human. We all need that lovely element called oxygen to fill our lungs with, and oh yeah, all of our feet get cold in the winter when we've lost that blue pair of socks. Oh, and most importantly, we all have emotions. Let's treat each other the way we want to be treated. :) Why kick your neighbor in the head just because they ran over your mailbox? If a big tornado comes and your basement is flooded, don't you want to feel better knowing you can count on your neighbor's for comfort and security? Think of the children! :P And really, doesn't it sound so much better to be on good terms with every one and every thing that you can? Nobody is saying everyone needs to be "BFFz" with that obnoxious boss you have at work, but is giving him a sincere "Hi, how are you today?" sound like too much to ask?

I'm Gunna Put This Place On The Map

2008-06-17T09:00:00.001-04:00

Hello Blog!!! how have you been? umm blogg? im talking to you! you never answer me! BLOG! MY FACE IS UP HERE PERVERT!

anyway its been wayyy too long since i posted. so im gunna now. lets see what is new with me. i have a job at mr. zs.

i went to knoebles yesterday and my girlfriend wanted me to go on the twister with her, now there are like only 2 roller coasters at knoebles, the phoenix which i loved, and the twister that scares me. anyone know if its faster or slower than the phoenix?

also another question, i have AP english next year, and i have to read 3 books, iv narrowed a list down to 6 so i want some opinions

Catch-22
Alice in Wonderland
The Catcher in the Rye
The Stranger
A Clockwork Orange
The Perks Of Being a Wallflower

3 important things are happening on june 24th
1. me and my girlfriend are celebrating a year and 7 months together
2. the new Cute Is What We Aim For cd comes out! the first single is a catchy number called Practice Makes Perfect, the album sounds more complex than the simple first one, it also has better writing and the vocals do a lot more. sooo hopefully ill be able to review it and put it up here
3. one of my favorite bands, forever the sickest kids have a video debuting on trl. heres the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGYtBOPQhMI

anyways i think the next thing i post up here will be another album review. the next one will be. umm how about i let you pick
heres your choices. there all compilation disks

Punk Goes Crunk
Warped Tour 2007 Disk 1
Punkorama 8

Freedom

2008-06-16T21:54:00.004-04:00

Do you hear that sound? Listen closely. Ignore the screeching crickets and cicadas. Hear it yet? Ah, what a brilliant and comforting sound – that is, if it were to even produce such a sound. The sound of freedom. Some may witness it. Some may long for it. All I know is that right now, I'm basking in its glory.

Borat over to the left has the right idea in mind. He's also celebrating some freedom-related event. Why am I free? Junior year, the hardest year of schooling that I ever went through, is over. Today was the last day of school (a relatively long year due to the large amount of snow days). With all of the tests and homework we had day-to-day with hardly any breaks or free time, it's good to finally be released to the feral wilderness to enjoy life. I felt like I was tamed by some horrible human being who made me do things against my will. No longer will I have to worry about finishing a chemistry lab. No longer will I have to hear how to do a unit cir . . . never mind, math just builds up upon past knowledge so that will most likely be recycled. The point being – for the next three months, I'm going to be the happiest kangaroo in Australia. I'm going to be the happiest eagle soaring in the Washington skies. I'm going to be the happiest golf ball in . . . screw it.

What will I do with myself this summer? After having nine consecutive months of constant work, how will I be able to downgrade to a level of lethargy? I better lay the asphalt, for that matter (inside joke). I have to get to work soon on moving this very blog to Wordpress on a hosted server. With a new layout, new blog name, and the new blog authors that have recently joined the blog (hello Matomatic and Chris and soon-to-be-joining, Brittany), the blog is entering a period of – I guess you can say – a Renaissance. Also, I plan to work rigorously on my future novel, brainstorming it like a chimpanzee that just left a zoo and found his first banana. And even more, I plan on studying vocabulary, programming, and math this summer, as well as reading a lot. And there's more social plans and stuff, but are they really that important? Well, of course, but they're too spontaneous and random to think of in-advance. All in all, it looks like a very successful and educational summer. Ain't that lovely now?

Freedom is calling me away now. I must follow the call of the wild. I must see my sweet Barbra Allen. My Faire Queene. I better shut up – I have to save this stuff for Matomatic. Have a good one!

Sluts In The Workplace

2008-06-16T17:31:00.003-04:00

Ok yall, this is going to be my first installment on the blog, and im going to write about something very important to remember; dealing with dirty jesabelles in the workplace. In order to teach you about this very important subject I am going to tell you a little story about a slut and her systematic destruction of her workplace.
Now this all started around October when a kid met up with his friend of a few years back when they realized they work at the same place. So they said their “omgs” and “how are you doins”, and all the feelings he had felt for her back then came rushing back to him, and like a prostitute sniffing out a new hundred dollar bill she sensed what he felt, and planned his destruction right there. However, forgetting that for a while, they became quick friends again, and everyone thought they would become just a bit more by how they acted around each other. One, they were always seen together, always requested to work together, whenever one was on break the other would come over to where they worked, and whenever they looked in each others eyes they were never able to stop smiling….get the seemingly lovely picture. The putrid harlot was plotting the whole time for his downfall, and over the next few months this beautiful picture continued to be so, until the day he could no longer keep his feelings shut inside. So he told her how he felt, and was crushed by the look he got, but that was not the worst part for after crushing him with her look she gave him that same sympathy hug he had been receiving his entire life, but that slut was not done yet. That night she contacted him on aim wanting to talk, and they ended up making plans for a date the next Sunday. During the week he happened to notice that she had an away message stating “justin is amazing” so he wondered what it meant. So casually he brought it up in conversation and her response was that he was her best friend. Ok, he thought, no big deal they were just friends. Now it’s the next weekend at work and he hears some shit from a good friend of his, he hears that the slut and “justin” are boyfriend/girlfriend, so he asks her, and she says yes….completely crushed he thought things couldn’t get worse, until he asked the slut’s friend when this happened and she said that it happened Sunday, just a day after they made plans to go out. So for two weeks he wouldn’t even acknowledge her, until one night she came into work to visit him, weird he thought, but her reason for coming would shock and delight him.
She told him that her and her boyfriend were over and in fact her exact words while leaving were this…”I thought you might want to know that (smile)….call me.” Now this poor victim of this treacherous harlot thought he was in. So he gave it a week, and he asked her out…her initial response was “with you?”, then she went on to tell him that it was too soon after her recent dumping, even though she came to him that night, and she left him with the line every guy hates to hear “its not you its me..”---BULLSHIT!!! So lower than ever but unable to hate her still he sulks for a while, and in the mean time there is a back story to all of this that will explain how she is a slut.
There was this couple at the place where they worked, and they were great with each other and really fun to hang out with, until the that dirty corner stomper caught the eye of the boyfriend. What followed was screaming and fighting between the couple and an inevitable break-up, the harlot had another target. So they started spending time together, but he came to his senses and made up with the girlfriend and they were back together. In fact, the next day at work he wouldn’t even look at that horrendous skank, so that night she called him, and she told him that she had feelings for him…and he wondered why she is doing this now that he is back with his gf, and not when she had the chance when they were broken up. Suddenly it hit him, she is a slut, this is the only way she can operate…he and his girlfriend broke-up again anyway, but he and her first victim; both having being deceived; decided to make a pact to not let each other fall for her again. They then found out some information on her. 1.) She is the biggest slut in her school and will sleep with any guy that wants to, 2.) She calls all of the guys she is interested in her “best friend”, 3.) Her best best friend is a guy that has already graduated, wonder what they do together *cough cough* 4.) she recently called up the guy with the previous gf and told him she was having a party and it is just her and 10 guys…..slut slut slut slut slut slut slut. This is the kicker though, that after all of that she had the nerve to ask the guy she dumped on twice if he wanted to “hang out” with her sometime. She is the one that didn’t get an answer that time. Moral of the story: NEVER TRUST A SLUT!!!

I’ll bring you more later peeps, I’m out.

MG squared

2008-06-16T00:22:00.001-04:00

Before I go and start writing blog entries, I would like to tell all of you as much as I can about myself, or however much I want. My name is Matt. I am a senior at Camp Lakeland. A nickname that was given to me way back in fourth grade is "Ugly," and many people still call me by that name. I do NOT take any offense to the name, as it is NOT true in any sense of the word ;-). –Off topic- I like to stress the word "not", as you can tell, along with other words, so more than 97.83% of the time you will see that word under Caps. Anyway, I play soccer in the fall, dome soccer in the winter and spring, and stay conditioned in the summer by running and riding my bike until the season starts again. I consider myself very athletic; I can play any sport, except for water polo, though I never tried. I also think of myself as pretty smart. I am in the top 10 of our grade. Most people consider me as a math genius, and since the day I proved I am smarter than a TI-83 plus I agree with that statement. (Honestly, long story but I once proved my calculator wrong, or Mr. CalCal as I like to call it.) I have a strange sense of humor, one that only Steve knows just as well as me, since he shares it exactly. That's probably why he is considered my best friend. Robert Knox in my opinion is one of the funniest guys to ever walk this planet, and depending on your sense of humor you will either highly agree with me or yell in rage and throw me in a basement. I am in a more than serious relationship, one that I never thought I'd be in at least till the days of college. I have found my soul mate in eleventh grade. Some may say that 17 is too early to know if you'll be spending the rest of your life with someone else, but there is always those slight exceptions, and I am happy to belong to that select few.

I have never been apart of a blog before, I don't even enjoy writing all that much, which is a main reason I am not partaking in AP English for this upcoming year. So why am I doing this? Hmm…let me rephrase my last statement…I don't enjoy writing when I am told what to write, for a grade, under a certain time frame. Here I can write whenever I want and about anything. If you read my entries, you might see sarcasm. You might see bitching. You might see vocabulary from the 17^th century. Whatever strikes me at that moment is what you will get. But for now that is all, it is almost 12:30 am and I have to wake up at 6:30 am for that last time tomorrow until next school year for report cards tomorrow morning =/. See you soon...

The Meaning of Life

2008-06-15T09:06:00.002-04:00

As I'm getting older and getting closer to my ultimate goals in life (college and then my career), I have realized a troubling point. What is there to life? Our whole life educates us to become a useful member of society. And then, once we get "released to the dogs", we do our assigned duty in society until we're physically too weak and worn out to. Once we reach this point, you're sitting around wondering how much longer you have to live. When will I suddenly have a heart attack or stroke? Will I wake up in the morning to see tomorrow? The point being is that our life is used for the betterment of a bigger system. Once we're gone from this planet, however, we will not be remembered. Okay – we left a few loved ones behind possibly, but what about when they die? Once you go past great-grandmother or great-grandfather in your family, you're forgotten. People think: I'll try to get to the celebrity status. Hmm . . . will we know Brittney Spears in two hundred years? Doubt it. Unless you discovered something big in the science, math, etc. fields or donate tons of money to some organization to have your name assigned to a facility or a campus, you're gone. You left behind a tombstone and a box with your bones in it – if you're even that fortunate. Plus, what about the afterlife? Can we really be that certain that one even exists or is it some false hope that will encourage us not to panic when we're about to die? Yes, there are ghosts and other paranormal happenings that shout to us that some form of an afterlife exists, but if I'm going to be stuck wandering inside of a house for the rest of eternity: no thank you.

I also dislike how the main goal in life is similar to some sort of board game: make as much money as you possibly can by whatever means. The purpose of our life is to be trained to be an effective citizen with a well-rounded education, and then to advance our education in a career choice that we're stuck pursuing until we retire. By doing our career, we're a little ant in the colony bringing some food to the queen. It may be a few molecules of food, but it's something. Honestly – society is the demanding queen ant and we're just the little workers feeding it with whatever we specialize in. But back to the money. I honestly hate money, but I'm forced to look at ways to make money because money is an mandatory necessity to have in our society. I need money to do anything. I need money to go to the store and get a gallon of milk. I need money to buy a web host for the new blog. I need money to pay for an insurance on my life. Dandy, isn't it? Money may be the runner of our society, but it's the evil backbone of it too. Why are there bank robberies? Money. Why are there grand theft autos? Money. Why are innocent 70-year old women having their purses taken from them? Money. Add drugs to the money phrase where applicable. Refer back to what I said in the first sentence of this paragraph – to make money by whatever means. If your source of money comes from some deviant act, then so be it. If it weren't for you deviants out there, there would be a lot of lost jobs, such as police, emergency services, etc. Plus the news would be boring.

That's as much thought that I can muster into word form at the moment. Therefore, I may resume this topic at a later time as it leads to a lot of controversy within myself. Have a good one.

Prac ti cal

2008-06-11T14:10:00.001-04:00

Hello. I just got home from school. The year's really winding down and there is little going on aside from a final here and there. I really have not written in awhile. In a way I was avoiding writing for a few weeks in order to collect my thoughts. I usually just write about what's been new in my life; however, lately there has been too much and too little that I would not know where to begin. I can't believe it's June now though, wow. Sometimes I'll reflect upon the month of May and be really surprised I was capable of managing all that I had to carry during that time. xD

The weather has been unbelievably warm recently. It's very summery and makes me feel more excited for summer to officially arrive. One of the things I like about summer is not knowing what to expect. Ever year I may make numerous plans, but by the time school rolls around again, it's always interesting to see what I actually did end up doing. :P Therefore it's probably best to just be spontaneous all summer long. I think I'll make that be my goal, if I were to set one for this summer. I'll try to be more "in the moment" and just one of those "let's get up and go, do it and have fun" type of people. I rarely am like that, and it serves as a characteristic I was never very fond of. Sounds like a plan then. ;)

It is weird how "shy" I am being in this blog entry, hah. If that is even possible to show. :P I feel like there is soo much I can be saying, but something is holding me back. Maybe it is my craving for watermelon. :P Yep, that's gotta be it. I think I am going to take a survey or something and share it. I really feel like answering one, and maybe it will help me summarize some events of the past month. Hopefully I'll write again soon, too! :)

1) Do you think you're mature?
not completely.
2) Have you kissed somebody in the last 2 weeks?
not necessarily.
3) Who was the last person's house you went to besides your own?
laurens.
4) Miss someone?
sure, if you'd like me tooo.
5) What are you listening to?
the tv, and some band i never heard of.
6) Do you clean when you’re upset?
hah yes, actually!
7) Do you like someone right now?
ask around, the answer can be anywhere, even in your sock! ;) ♥
9) What are you doing tomorrow?
taking my health final, eating, sleeping, studying, packing!
10) What is your favorite flavor ice cream?
strawberry, banana, and chocolate mixed.
11) Whats the most important thing in a relationship in your opinion?
hmm..well trust, honesty, and a sincere interest in being with the other person is always good. both parties wanting the same thing, like being on the same level is important, too. :)
12) Favorite color?
pink/blue/purple.
14) Who did you ride in a car with last besides your family?
coreysteveandashley.
15) Where is your cell phone?
on the table.
16) What's the color of your shirt you are wearing?
light brown.
17) What did you do Sunday?
i think that was the day i went to laurens, right? :P
18) Do you have any bruises?
on my knee, actually.
19) What were you doing at noon yesterday?
watching a movie/yawning/tearing of boredom.
20) How long does it take you to get ready?
an hour.
21) Have you been outside today?
yes and will be going out again.
22) The last text you received on your cell was from?
nehpets!
23) Are you tired right now?
i am, yes.
24) Last movie you watched? and when ?
i forget the name, some dance movie, and uh, yesterday.
25) What do you miss?
i miss things sure, but i am looking forward to other things too so.. i'm good. :)
26) Are you wearing any jewelry?
no i took it off.
27) Last person you hugged?
corey, and not the foote. xD
28) The last place you went to?
school.
29) How's your heart lately?
hopeful.
30) Do you sing in the shower?
not really, a song might play through my head but i don't actually sing, psshaw. :P
31) Has anyone ever sang or played music for you personally?
maybe, yes.
35) If you could fix things with anyone who would it be and why?
i'd have to give that some thought.
36) Do you think people should throw the word "love" around like they do?
no. that really bothers me. it'd probably take me a long time to admit i "loved" anyone, i think of it more seriously and as something special. :)
38) What should you be doing right now?
reading, eating, and laying outside.
39) Do you get along with your parents?
pretty much mhmm.
40) Whats the car of your dreams?
no preference currently.
41) Ever wanted to be a teacher?
yep oh yep.
42) Ever been stuck in an elevator?
no, thank goodness. :P
43) What do your friends call you?
caaat.
44) First thing you notice in the opposite gender?
umm...i think i notice their voice, hair, and face first.
45) Favorite physical feature on yourself?
pshhh okay. let's go with my -thinks of something random- ..shoulder! :)
46) Have you done anything embarrassing lately?
everyday. :P
47) What did you last eat?
a sandwich.
48) What are you looking forward to?
friday.
49) Have any tattoos?
nope.
50) Do you hate when people smoke around you?
mostly.

Well that was fun. Adios!(:

Go Somewhere Else!

2008-06-06T22:19:00.005-04:00

There is a conspiracy theory, I tell you! Outside of my lovely house in Jermyn is a common meeting place for the freaks and strange teenagers of Jermyn. I can't go a single day without hearing about twenty vulgar words shouted out down Main Street in less than five seconds. Mostly these little street gangs consist of a few guys and a girl or two. They'll just stand outside of my house, meet outside of my house for about a minute then continue walking, or choose to dribble a basketball outside of my house while talking loudly. There is nothing more annoying in the world to me than trying to study or do my homework and hear a basketball bounce for about twenty minutes outside of my window. Why don't I close my window? I shouldn't have to! This is my property and I don't want that scum on it! However, there's really no actions I can take against these deviant individuals. I can go outside, bitch at them, and get my ass kicked, but I don't find that to be a very logical situation. Ironic that I'm the junior council member of Jermyn. But even on that note, I doubt even the council can do anything about it. One can't set curfew as this mostly happens throughout the course of the day. Plus, I'm against curfew in the first place myself. Why? If we can drive until eleven o' clock, why can't I walk around Jermyn quietly minding my own business past nine o' clock? That just makes zero sense to me. If I were step out of a car and walk a block at 10:15 PM, I'm breaking the law. Oh no! I never got around to asking council about Jermyn's curfew. I just remember that a cop yelled at me once when I was walking home from Craig's house about two years ago.

I fell asleep at 6 PM today as I was exhausted from barely sleeping all week. However, I was awoken only three-in-a-half hours later by a rude interruption from the outside world of those teenager scumbags. I entered the world of reality from my dream-like state when I heard the infamous and overused phrase, "Fuck you!" In my head, I registered that another street gang was positioned outside of my house. No surprise there! However, there were only two people -- and they were a couple. They were a fighting couple tonight. All I heard was, "Blah, blah, you barely treat me like your girlfriend!" and...stuff. And then she stole the guy's cell phone and ran off to resume fighting about two houses away. If I wasn't so drowsy, I would've yelled at them out of my window. I honestly can't stand it anymore. Sure, sometimes it's entertaining, but they talk so damn loud. These people think that their conversations are private, but in fact the whole street knows that Susan had sexual intercourse with Jeff now. Brilliant! I was wondering about those two! And I would like to add that most of these kids go to Valley View. I reclaim my statement from before: scumbags.

Have a good one.

WordWeb: #1 Tool for Vocabulary Nerds

2008-06-06T17:57:00.002-04:00

While searching the collection of freeware that a variety of blogs have collected over the past month, a program jumped out and tackled me. In this case, I enjoyed the pain that resulted from the aftermath of the spontaneous tackle. This program, known as WordWeb, is a dictionary/thesaurus which activates upon holding in the control key and right-clicking on a word in any program. Yes, any program. You no longer have to have internet access to look up a word, or copy and paste a word into some internet dictionary because you're curious on what it means. And if you have internet access? WordWeb uses both their dictionary collection as well as 'tabs' to other online dictionaries – in case WordWeb's definition wasn't good enough. Also, there is a tab to Wikipedia. I find this program to be very helpful for my goal of learning a plethora of vocabulary terms throughout the course of this coming summer. Not only do I hope to achieve a better SAT score in the fall from my personal studying, but I also wish to better myself as a writer and be able to harvest from my 'pool of words' at any time without any complications. I highly recommend this program for everybody – it's free, reliable, fast, easy-to-use, and educational. Also, it can save a lot of time that it would take to open a browser and then a dictionary website.

It's amazing how computers almost completely replaced the printed dictionaries. I must say that I highly prefer electronic dictionaries. I find it to be a very tiresome task having to flip through pages upon pages of tiny text to look for a specific word, when all one must do on the computer is type in a word, hit 'search', and there you are. Plus, I find the electronic dictionaries to be easier on the eyes. Yet another task that technology has made easier to do.

I just wanted to throw this post up to notify any pedestrians walking by the blog of this great program. If you already have some offline or online source that you prefer over the others, then please share them. I used to use Microsoft Work's dictionary myself before I got this program, but the pain of having to open Work and then access the dictionary to look up a word was unnecessary. Also, WordWeb runs in your system tray. So, if you were to close it outside of the system tray (on accident, for example), you don't have to worry about searching through your 'program files' to access the program again.

That's all I have for you today. Have a good one.

Process of Writing a Novel #1

2008-06-03T21:56:00.002-04:00

If you're expecting some professional advice on the dedicated process of writing a novel, then hit the 'back' button and run away. If you're looking for a personal outline of the process of a young individual planning out and thinking about the creation of a fantasy novel, then you have stepped into the proper domain. Welcome to the beginning of my long journey from the beginning to end of writing a novel, and the plan I have in using this very blog as a big aid in its formation.

Before I begin spilling out my inner feelings and thoughts regarding this topic, I wish to apologize for the lack of proper wording, sentence construction, etc. of this post. I'm in a writing mood, yet I'm not in a fit mental state to write too well. Finals are killing me and I'm still trying to catch up with the work I missed over the last week of school that I missed. However, there's always time to write a few things and get them out there.

First, my goal: I plan to write a fantasy novel series consisting of four books. The novel is based on a 48-page story that I wrote in seventh grade. Since I created that work, I have created more in-depth information regarding the story in my head. The story that I created back then was rushed as it was a school assignment. I helped in creating a more complex story by imagining my fictional world in different media formats: such as games, movies, MMORPGs, etc. I would sometimes sit down for long periods of time, meditating upon the concepts that were brewing up in my noggin. However, I eventually realized that I needed to start transferring this information from my head to text. It was too valuable to lose in my very fragile brain – God forbid if something were to happen to me (I'd probably have more to worry about then than writing a book). I started creating concept maps using the free program known as 'FreeMind'. I was also able to create new plots, characters, locations etc. using this program that I didn't already think up before, as it was forcing me to seriously begin to think about this long project I had at hand. However, due to the large amount of work that I had to complete at school this year, I wasn't able to do much (even though I created a large amount of information in my head).

This summer I plan on starting the pre-writing process. Not only does this involve character creation, outlines, etc. but also enhancing my writing abilities, studying vocabulary, etc. Too write effectively, I must know all of the suitable abilities. I can't run into this project with blind ambition. Through research, reading, etc. I wish to open up my knowledge to a wide range of subjects so that when I must draw upon this information in the writing process, I can do so without majorly delaying of the book.

I'm sorry – I can't write more now. I'm just – lethargic at the moment. Hopefully I can continue this (with more enthusiasm) once the finals are over. Until then, have a good one.

It’s Final…Time!

2008-06-02T16:29:00.002-04:00

I liked how my previous blog entry allowed an open-discussion to occur based on a general question presented in the context, so I have another little question to throw out there that's picking at my curiosity. Whether you're in high school or college, you most likely had/have to take finals this year. However, I'm wondering, based on your education facility, how important the finals are. Like…hmm, I'm trying to choose proper wording here. Does your school prepare you for the finals in advance? Do the teachers/professors give you the information beforehand? Do you spend countless hours studying for a single subject or is it a cram-it-in-one-night ordeal?

The finals at my good ol' school of Lakeland High start this week. Particularly, only the elective courses are holding the final exams. Our last day of school is June 16^th. The late dismissal is due to the large amount of snow days that we had this year. They built my school on top of a hill on the top of a mountain – it has been ravaged by wind, snow, and other elements of nature that normally have a fiercer force at higher altitudes. Off-topic: I love how the layout of the school was designed by a Florida company as they created three light courts scattered throughout the school so that we may enjoy the outdoors in three feet of snow. Bravo, old chums! In reality, the light courts are needed to – well – provide light to the classrooms. Wow I got really off-topic. The finals at Lakeland are enforced like they should mean the world to us, but the teachers barely prepare us to take their final test of the school year. Hell, we're lucky if a teacher actually prepares us. In classes such as anatomy, AP chemistry, etc. they expect us to know everything we ever learned and to apply it to the questions on the test. Other 'nicer' classes, such as Spanish III, sociology, pre-calculus, etc. actually give us a few worksheets and allow us to practice for the final. And then you have classes such as health and American History II when you don't know what the hell is going on (meaning they give you the info, but expect somewhat specific things when asking for it on the test). The path to prepare definitely depends on the teacher, as one can see here. I honestly wish the school board somewhat limited the teachers with their actions regarding the finals. For example, our "lovely" AP chemistry teacher is making us hand in homework on electrochemistry before we're able to even touch the final. I don't even know what the hell electrochemistry is as I was sick all last week and missed all of the notes and presentations regarding it.

I don't believe our teachers really give us enough of a heads-up when it comes to final time. We can't blame them, however. The school board doesn't know what the final schedule is until about four weeks before we take them, and the teachers are in a hectic rush trying to cram in as many lessons as they can before the year ends. That should be another handy rule enforced by the school board: "All teachers must stop teaching on May X and begin proper preparations for the final exams, if applicable." Honestly, stop teaching us already! If we wanted to give two shits about World War II, electrochemistry, or Susana y Javier, I'll freaking Wikipedia it over the summer (which I probably will). There's just too much going on right now for the teachers to cram all of this knowledge and information into us. What's even worse is that it's wasted effort. The teachers are trying to teach, but the students are too worn out to learn the information, thus the whole teaching of that lesson was pretty damn ineffective. Wasn't it? Go shove your oxidation states up your ass! Another lab to do? I don't expect an easy time in college – don't get me wrong – but how many classes do you have in college at once? That question always boggled me. I have seven classes, with others having about eight as I have a regular study hall. That's seven to eight exams we must take in a week. That's seven to eight teachers trying to throw information at us in a week. It's crazy! Just stop! Teachers don't understand that the world doesn't revolve around their class. They throw fifty assignments at us expecting that we'll go home and work only on that assignment. Well sorry – I might have two tests to study for, a Spanish skit to work on, three English poems to read, etc. And then one must create their priorities. What class is more important to me? Which one should I focus on more? And to be highly honest right now: even though it's aimed to be the most important class of our junior years, chemistry is at the bottom of my priorities list. I can clearly live without knowing the charge of a calcium ion or how many moles there are in a hot air balloon at an elevation of 2,043 feet. I don't care! In the life that I have planned out for myself, that knowledge will go in the recycling bin of my head, and stay there forever. You know what finals mean to me? The last time I have to give a shit about a class. And the day that I hand in my AP chemistry final will be the happiest day of my life – whether I did well on it or not. Hell, handing it in blank may produce a better grade than if I tried. And like I said before – I've been sick for over a week and missed six days of school. Therefore, on top of preparing for the finals, I have a shitload of work to make up. Good riddance!

Well, I have to go study, and read things, and learn how to do the trigonometry of a right triangle, and write with a pencil, so…have a good one.

P.S. Just to notify you, I got rid of the Adbrite ads on the blog. The blog should load quicker now. Still waiting for a reply from Google Adsense after about two weeks of sending the form in.

Ad Cents

2008-05-18T15:26:00.002-04:00

How are some blogs so popular when all the author does is post an article referring to another site, a single picture with a witty caption, etc. when some blogs out there (not pointing at any in particular –cough-) have so much heart put into them, filled with emotion and hope, and…stuff. Honestly, when I look at a blog that has a few short entries, I walk the other way. Maybe it's because I'm more of a reader/writer than "Hey, this site has no pictures! Me no gusto!" Well…I don't mind if the short entries are highly logical and present a question that makes you think about things very deeply. But honestly, posting some piece of media and that's it? It feels like just stealing somebody else's work to fill up your site with and that's that. There is nothing original about these sites, yet they have such an appeal that many users love. I guess that if you own a website, you just have to wait for the right audience to come around, and then hopefully some members will come back to see the same play over and over again. I also dislike how these blogs (and not only blogs, but other sites) just clog their page with ads. They're generating money for posting content that doesn't belong to them. What the hell? On the other hand, the unpopular blogs are lucky to generate a few cents in a month. However, a major factor is the ad service itself. I've been trying to get back into the Google Adsense program for a week now. My account was terminated back in the day when a 'friend' of mine thought he would be nice and click on my ads a couple hundred times without me knowing and therefore I couldn't warn him in time that it would hurt me in the end. Adbrite is a great service, but they rely on traffic too much in order to generate a profit. I remember when I made eight dollars using Adsense on a more unpopular site than this one. So who's better? Adsense, indeed. I really hope I can hook back up with them. I don't want to be punished for a deed that I had no relations with.

I just felt like typing that up while it was on my mind. I'm in the middle of completing a rather frustrating lab report for my AP chemistry class and figured that I can get my brain triggered by typing a lil' something up. It didn't work out like I hoped it would.

Have a good one.

Let It Happen

2008-05-17T21:36:00.000-04:00

For some reason, I am going to write a blog. If some twists and turns didn't approach me yet, maybe this blog would have been just totally filled with my normal numerous happy faces and "omggg the play was soo fun and like I took the AP test and it went okay and yay yay things are good blah blah :D:D:D." That isn't the case, however, because life comes at you when you least expect it, and what it brings with it could be reality checks that change one's point of view.

I have been busy. Verrrry busy. Thank goodness for it, though. :P I am going to be lost when life calms down. At least I have new stuff to look forward to though. I took that large scary AP Chemistry exam on Tuesday. Oh yep, I did it. It feels great to have accomplished something like that, something I stuck with, didn't quit on, studied for and worked for. It was tough, it was long, it almost made my eyes water. My teacher did a fantastic job preparing us for it though, 99% of the information I had heard of before. I tried my best and that is all I could have done. I really have no idea if I gained enough points for a 3, I'd feel extremely proud if I did, but I guess I won't know for awhile.

The play my school's curtain club struggled through multiple problems and worked incredibly hard on for the last 4 months occured this weekend. It was more fun than you could ever relate to, unless of course you are on Broadway or in high school productions yourself. :) I loved every single moment of being there for 4 months, no matter how tired I grew. Being involved in something so versatile is very rewarding. I learned so much and gained so much confidence. =) I'm glad I was able to be a big part of the show.

My time on the computer is hopefully going to continue to dwindle for awhile, like I may have said last time. The weather is improving and unless I have a school project, being online for more than an hour is unnecessary, give or take a rainy day or two. I am going to spend my time with the people who make me happy, not any hunk of people who make fools of me. :P Plus, I've got lots of new things I need to start looking into. :)

I am really thirsty so I think I am going to get a drink and end here. There is still that something I really love about this blog, it's weird, I don't even quite know what it is, but I could never write little blogs anywhere else. I'd feel so lost and probably stop after a month. Velcro is such a strong substance. I hope you all have a nice day.

A Few Ramblings and Pieces of Poetry

2008-05-11T13:24:00.002-04:00

I love when I go to health class and hear my teacher preach to us about how we're going to die younger than the generation before us. In other words, our parents should live longer than we will. He's always blaming technology and obesity as being the factors behind our expected short life spans. However, even though I believe that obesity may be a very large factor only depending on the individual, I more or less blame stress. Technology may sometimes add to the stress as we're presented with such an overwhelming amount of data at once to deal with, but I believe that technology is a great advancement in reducing stress. That's just my opinion without conducting any research on the matter. If you're stressed out, you can easily talk to somebody online about it, jump onto a video game and get your mind distracted by that, etc. But back on-topic: stress will cause our generation to die earlier than the previous generation. The world is just heading in a direction where conflict is plentiful and abundant and . . . I started this off going somewhere, but my mind is now being distracted by the three tests that I have to take tomorrow, plus trying to catch up on my AP chemistry work that I have yet to start. Drat. See: stress! It's amazing how American students are so worked up about school, yet America has some of the lowest scores in the world when it comes to education. That's telling me something. What about you?

I composed a few poems during the past week. I'm trying to get into a poetic mood. I'm not in the mood at the moment with the large amount of school work I have to compose short stories or anything, so I resorted to poetry. They're all little short untitled things that have absolutely no meaning (at least they might not to you). But honestly, they have no moral or theme. I'm experimenting with end rhymes currently, and they mess up the message I'm trying to convey because I have to then choose phrases that best match the rhyme. Honestly, it should be the rhyme that matches the phrase. I plan to write a pretty epic work soon called "Ode to the SAT" – so expect that in the near future. And yes, it'll be highly satirical. Speaking of SAT, I'll be getting my scores soon. I'll only post mine if they're worthy enough; and that would be a 1000+.

And now for the poems:

A Collection of Random Poems

By Buddy Foote

My eyes close – behold your face

Beautiful with indescribable grace

The lunging arm cannot hold

A value greater than gold

Laconic speech fills not mine ears

Silent reflecting expresses mine fears

Losing thou is to lose the world

Mine thoughts are left to be swirled

My eyes lay to rest at night

A scene written not by a playwright

Your image appears 'cross mine scope

My dreams creating the only hope

Words lay trapped by tongue

The love of one too young

To acknowledge the statement overdue

To which is said "I love you"

The textbook is too void

To speak of the property of love

The authors try to avoid

The angelic charm of above

The text forms columns and rows

Pigmented by the sweet perfume

The transition of your radiance glows

The torn pages fly away to doom

Covers hide the soul away

The inside is the only matter

The elements that hold the only display

To form the vivid points of chatter

Cosine or sine?

Why do you exist?

I would be fine

But now I am pissed

The unit circle speaks

Says not a lie

Of unforgivable weeks

That you made me cry

When can one not harvest the fine summer grapes?

The morning dew clings to the stems of thy fruit

The rising sun creates halos of the plump shapes

Of the many blooming flowers that one may pursuit

But be it only a single crop out of the produce

That catches mine eye compared to the rest

The oval mass filled with good-nature and juice

When looked upon creates a stinging pain in thine chest

What is to change than a quarter and a nickel?

The cashier hesitates when the drawer doesn't close

Who can turn to one so bipolar and fickle?

Who counts the change twice and then chooses to oppose

The customer thinks not too well of the man

Wandering eyes stare off into infinity

Thinking too much for a notion or a plan

Too desperate and young to lose one's virginity

But sex is not of the agenda!

Look not away, my dear Brenda!

Relationship flourishes through small talk

And one must not take the method to stalk

Alas I dream away to doom in the moonless night

Mine dreams creating the only hope

The vision of thou creates such a delight

My imagination the only way I can'st cope

Adieu! Adieu! I say to you

As thou fading images die with the moon

The rush and excitement allowed me to pursue

However my chance will die come the month of June

Have a good one!

More Confused Feelings

2008-05-03T22:50:00.004-04:00

I think writing a blog at this time will be the only way I can slightly calm myself down. I was going to continue taking a break from blogging because I have been so busy, enjoying the new life I have created for myself. However, getting things off my chest is the only way I can handle some situations right now. I'll start on a lighter note, saying that my busy-ness is due to being heavily involved in the school play, learning chemistry, and loving my three best friends with every ounce of energy I can muster. Today I had a great day. I came up the school around noon to paint sets, then my best friend joined me, then later we went to a new person's house from drama and enjoyed hanging out there with some other drama people. It sure feels refreshing to mesh with a new crowd with your long time pal(s) by your side.

It's really strange how human we all are. When the lights go off at night, and we lay our head down on the pillow, our heart is beating throughout the night because we are vibrantly alive with feelings and emotions, thoughts and fears, dreams and wishes. We are scared to be alone. Humans seem to be deathly afraid of being alone, growing up, and being alone...their entire life. Every book, movie, TV show, song, they all revolve around some sort of message. Someone looking for love, losing love, needing love, fearing love. It is as though our main purpose is to meet and keep enough close relationships in our life that we never have to worry about being alone. As I am growing up and experiencing different things, I feel more mature each time. It's like that scene in a movie you see over and over of some couple getting married. Before it actually happens to you, you can sit there and say you know what they feel like all you want, but truly, you have NO idea until it happens to you. That goes the same with everything else. You can pretend you know what it "must" feel like to be starving to death, but unless you have no food in your hands for weeks, you have no voice.

I am not even sure where I am going to continue to take this blog entry, but I just need to release this energy somewhere. I would like to say that I consider myself a decent person. I try to be very accepting of everyone and most of all, a good friend. I am not out to hurt anyone, and I believe in treating people the way you want to be treated. But if I went and treated people the way some treat me, the response I am sure would be devastating. I've been warned quite often though that some day someone may take advantage of that kindness and naivety. I still worry that may be the case because once I get to know a person, I automatically assume they are good and do good things, yet a few times my view has been shattered. I have a large class of students at school, and my whole life I thought highly of each and every one. Therefore I would act surprised when I heard they did this or that because I felt they were better than that. It wouldn't upset me too much, but it would enough because I guess I am just a caring person sometimes. It only gets very sad if some people decide to throw stuff in your face and change their entire personality in a negative way. That sure is the saddest. When the nice little girl you knew from the playground has shifted her whole personality in a matter of three high school years. Now growing up and shifting in a good way is wonderful, but other than that it can be extremely hurtful to watch.

I have been feeling very sick this week. It is a true shame too. I am trying my hardest to feel better, but every time I get a little closer, I am hit with a wave of pain. I feel like going on the computer is no fun anymore and I dislike spending time on it unless necessary. I miss my little website so I plan to fix it up soon, to hopefully revive my enjoyment of a hobby I enjoyed way way ago. Otherwise I feel like speaking to people in person and spending time with my friends, who honestly mean the world to me, is a much better way to be spending my time. Sure, chatting and texting whatever is cute at first, but nothing beats face to face conversation. Not only does it show the person cares enough to listen to your voice, but that they are confident in themselves and what they have to say.

Speaking of my friends, I don't care how many issues come and go in our lives, if you have an unbreakable friendship, you should do everything to never ever ever lose that. I don't think I could get through certain things if I didn't have such great girl friends. And even people who you may not be fond of enough to be good friends with, you should be kind towards them. Saying mean things behind their back will get you nowhere but 100% friendless and depressed in the end. It can turn into an evil cycle, just you wait and see.

I think that it is very important to not a judge a book by it's cover. What you see on the outside may look great, but what if it doesn't look great? What if the outside is torn and bruised, fuzzy or imperfect? Are you going to just cast it aside in an incredibly shallow and careless way just because the outside wasn't good enough of a "grabber?" If that is so, nobody should give you the time of day until you appreciate things in life for more than their appearance. What may be hidden underneath that ragged cover could be a story that relates to you more than you could ever imagine.

On that thought, I try as a teenager to avoid certain situations, but I suppose that being a teenager comes with certain excitements as well as tragedies, and in order to continue trudging forward we all have to have our turn at every aspect.

I guess life is one big lesson with many tests. I think we have to be careful with the chances we take because some may be worth the fall, but others may have you lose it all. However, when our chance is gone, it could be for the best or the biggest regret of our life. I am mostly a believer in things happening for a reason. Things break so others could be built. I hope this is so.

I'm looking forward to keeping my head up high and making the most of every step I take, no matter how many tears I shed or smiles I share. It is just a choice you make. Thank you and goodbye.

Confused Feelings

2008-04-29T19:40:00.003-04:00

I recently received Microsoft Office 2007 (and may I add not by legal means) and I thought that in my confused daze that I would compose a blog entry using the nifty feature provided by Word 2007 that allows me to do so. I thought I would share that bit quickly: in case anything goes wrong when this post is published. I had to obtain Office 2007 for the Excel program. We recently received laptops in school and unfortunately for my AP chemistry class; we had to make some graph expressing the relationship between absorbance and concentration for some equilibrium constant lab. Yes, fun. Not! Anyway, the laptops (even though they're totally outdated and run a cheap version of XP) contain the Office 2007 programs. I never even had any Office program that wasn't a free trial that already expired. Therefore, by looking around Youtube a bit for videos that would show me the serial number for the full product, I received my baby. I never really liked the Office 2007 programs too much initially as they seemed too unfamiliar, compared with the norm, but once you get used to the software, you will find out how user-friendly it is. For example, to make a table, you literally select from a menu the dimensions from a nice little visual, and BAM! your table is there. My only complaint was when I was making a graph in-class and then I accidentally deleted it and couldn't find the 'undo' button on Excel 2007. Right now, it's up there by the save option, laughing at me. Damn you!

I have been having very weird mixed-up feelings lately. Mostly, it's been a slight wave of depression. It's annoying too. It's an indescribable feeling where the origin of it is even a mystery to me. I hate when people are asking me "Why are you sad?" and "What's the matter?" and I don't have an answer to respond with – mainly because I don't know what's going on myself. I do have a tangible reason, however, but it's confidential information. But the sadness spells started out-of-nowhere for some other reason that I'm not even unaware of. It's like when somebody pickpockets you, gets away with it without you noticing, and you're left standing there wondering, "What happened to my wallet?" I tried talking to a few friends about it, but my thoughts have been too unorganized for me to know what I was trying to discuss. I think it's affecting my school abilities too – I recently got my lowest grade on a test since elementary school – an 82. And I recently screwed up on a chemistry quiz when I forgot to take the square root in the quadratic formula – and keep in mind it was a three-question quiz. I don't know anymore. I don't have a chance. I don't talk. It's just – it'll hurt people. I'm just confused and lost in my realm of thought at the moment.

I'm going to go then. Thought I would throw an update up. Have a good one.

Trailer

2008-04-22T17:42:00.001-04:00

Ok, remember my post about my first day of fishing. Well, April 12 is long past us, but my video of the events is not. I made a movie chronicalling the events from April 12 ( where it all began) to April 20 (one day after I caught a second native brook trout!!! remember my first was a year ago). The real movie comes out April 26, but clickthe link to watch the trailer. Alos, watch in full screen for better quality. http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/hh57/transpower/?action=view&current=Trailer.flv

Long live the native brook trout, and please comment.

An "Immature" Rant

2008-04-22T16:45:00.003-04:00

It wouldn't be appropriate to have an organized rant start at any place, so I'm just going to search my mind and vent while I progress through this entry. The point of this entry is rather personal. I don't intend for the opposite faction to whom this is directed to to read it, however I need to get some hair off of my chest and what better place to do that than my good ol' blog. Some topics covered here may explain for my absence from the blog (which will hopefully change come summer). And here we go...

I'm being labeled as a very untrustworthy person lately. In all regard, I would like to reflect back that this is an untrue statement. I did an action in the past that caused some havoc, but doesn't the million honest things I ever did dominate that puny little one. I think so. However, it seems that I have a history of running my mouth off, breaking trusts, etc. First of all, normally whatever goes in one of my ears stays within my memory, never to be released by means of vocals or through my fingers dancing across the keyboard. For years I have been known as a lock box -- in which people would deposit their secrets within me and I would live with them. Why? Because I know when to talk about what when. If Person A says they like Person B and I see Person A talking to Person B while I'm talking to Person C, I sometimes get the urge to tell person C what's on my mind relating to A and B: but I stop myself. I keep my word. I keep the secret safe. However, when I have secrets with others that possess and mess with my feelings, then I have a tendency to take action toward these secrets. Thus, I burst. And that's exactly what happened to me in this one event. One faction versus another faction was the problem: and I was the middle man. I was not being forced literally to pick a side, but I felt that cold heartless air pulling at me from all directions. One side telling me bad things about a friend; the other side that if I were to reveal personal information would ruin a friendship. It was only a matter of time before my balance became off-centered and one faction would get to me first. More or less, this didn't exactly happened. Nobody won me. My emotions, on the other hand, destroyed me. These secrets seemed too severe and they needed to be known. Action had to take place. People could've got hurt. Innocent people. And then everything afterwards flowed from this. Like building blocks, my feelings toward the enemy faction began to stack up.

It all started when love came into play. However, at this point, I was the middle man, minding my own business. Guy liked girl, enemy of guy dated girl. Bad picture. Then more conflicts. Couples versus non-couples, within our intimate group. Then bad feelings. Misguided feelings. Wrong information was leaking out. Busy schedule crushed girl. Crushed girl crushed guy. Crushed guy hated enemy guy for crushing girl. It happens. Finally, guy's feelings fell apart, apparently hurting girl more, thus hurting other guy, causing hatred for guy's enemy to increase. It built up, and up, and up. Finally, guy was pissed. Girl's guy wanted done. Guy dumped girl. Guy who likes girl was pissed that guy hurt her. And then it was just out-of-hand. Recall now that I'm in the middle of this: best friends with both guys. I didn't know what to do. I talked to each guy differently. One guy started to turn the other guy into a devil. I was confused. I was beaten up by the storm and left to die on a deserted desert island. My feelings and my thoughts were trying to escape like enraged dogs, but I kept them tame and in-line.

To get a bit off-topic, I had a conflict with girl way before the holocaust of all of this. It all began, more or less, over a video game. A bit of programmed text with a bunch of pixels to sooth the eyes. To be more specific: the game was World of Warcraft. This girl got me into the game, thank goodness for that. However, I hated the server that I was on at the time: a PVP server known as Azgalor. I wanted to go to a PVE server. Plus, I didn't like the Alliance too much and wanted to try a character on the Horde. Well, God forbid, I changed my server, deleted my old toon, and as proof created a video showing the deletion of my old toon. The proof was there in case anybody doubted my claims. I showed the video to two people, and I guess it somehow got to this girl. Well, she was pissed. She thought I dumped her and everybody else that I knew on the server and was forever no longer friends with her. Even though I could've talked to her easily at school, on AIM, etc. Sorry if I wanted to do what I want for once. The world doesn't revolve around you. These thoughts flourished in my mind for a while, and it sparked my anger a bit. However, did I ever reveal it: no.

Then one day, five of us (girl, guy-dating-girl, guy-who-hates-guy-dating-girl, girl's brother, and me) went to the iCafe in Olyphant. It is an internet cafe. They wanted to go there to . . . play WoW. Wow! I took my laptop. Well, I ended up sitting at a small circular table in the cold, dark corner of the computer room while they were all together in a group playing together. That pissed me off a bit, considering that I felt like I received frostbite on my toes. The point being: the whole time I was there, this girl didn't say one word to me. Even in the car there and on the way home, there was barely a word spoken. I tried talking to the guys, but she would butt in and ruin the conversation, considering I had no room to talk. Yet again, I kept these feelings intact. And also keep in mind, the two enemy guys were too getting to my head as well as my opposition toward this girl.

Girl and I barely ever spoke since then. I kept my mouth closed. However, it's amazing that nowadays, whatever she says in opposition against me concerning this holocaust that occurred, she seems to know so much about me. Oh, he used to hurt guy all the time through his actions. Oh, he has a history of running his mouth off. Oh, he used to think he was trustworthy and that I could value his friendship: blah, blah, blah. What friendship? It was hell since that day that I mentioned. I even told guy-who-likes-girl-and-hates-girl's-ex-boyfriend that I hated her in some regards, and he stated that he respected my honesty toward him in that respect.

However, my relationship with that guy too also went away, fast. I never wanted to hurt guy. We were best friends forever, and I still want to be best friends, but guy likes girl so much that whatever I do against girl, he feels like he has to be her guardian (even though it's confirmed that girl doesn't like him more than a friend). Really, I respect him for defending her, but in some case scenarios, it was rather nosy. Who am I to talk really? I seemed to butt into the affair of other guy and girl's post-break-up. But, guess what? My original hatred toward girl allowed me to easily light my fires off against her. Oh, excuse me, my 'stubborn fires'. It allowed me to butt in, at least in my book. And as guy must be a guardian for girl, I was being a guardian for other guy. Fortunately, he has about four other guardians now too. I'm not mad at guy, but he's mad at me. I'm always available if you wish to speak to me once again, but I'm not going to surrender and apologize. Apologize? For what? I played the role my heart told me to. I do, however, apologize for revealing your personal information, but more than half of it was already common sense to these peers. They knew. They knew without being told. They knew through their hearts. I could've never spoke a single word and this situation would probably still be going on. And regardless, this was the first time I ever spoke against you, contrary to what girl said: "It happened all the time." However, you made me think differently about other guy through your words, to the point to where I would've said something to him and then my ass would've been grass. The things you said, however, were not true. I lost respect to you for a bit because of it. And during that time was when I burst forth some info to other guy. It was only right to do, especially since I was concerned about other guy's safety toward some things you were saying. For example, "I may honestly hurt him." That's not something to fool around about.

As of now, this is my shortened side of the story. I have other things to do pertaining to the psychology fair. Therefore, I leave you with my words. Consider them. Mock them. Rip them up. I don't care. The only point of the matter is that I have spoken. Excuse my impertinence in any regards.

Have a good one.

What to do...

2008-04-11T17:19:00.009-04:00

Hey everyone, its me. I have had the urge to post for some time, so here goes... Well, today is April 11th, which means tomorrow is a big day for me and all anglers in NEPA. The 12th day of April is the first day of trout season. Well, this year I have no one to take me, but that;s not gonna stop me. I have been planning for weeks to go to a spot to fish. In this spot (which will remain secret) I have caught chubs, and one native brook trout. As an experienced angler I can tell if they are native (wild) trout or stocked. But challenge me as you must, I will provide pictures and some information. Wild brookies have disticnt orange bellies, white tipped fins, and olive green speckles. Stocked ones have no distinct belly color, usually dark blue though, with darker green-blue dots. Here is the type I caught and am going for http://flyfisher.com/DSCN0567f.jpg and here is a stocked one http://www.classiccastoutfitters.com/images/13_inch_male_brookie11.jpg. Apprecoate for your own sake. I will be making a video of my adventure, and witht he help of my lovely sister I will post it here at the blog for all to see. Hopefully I will get my native brookie, but I can guarentee catching a chub (huge minnow). I have been training physically and mentally for this day. I have spent time in the woods researching organisms etc. I have done everything I can to increase my chances of catching a native. Most peopkle wouldn't know or care to know but catching a wild trout that lays eggs and makes babies for thousands of years is way different than catching trout made in hatcheries. Well, my video will be awesome. Meanwhile, as excruitiating as the wait has been, some interesting events happened, most notably today in civics class. Rosencrans was talking to another teacher outside when one kid named Dan (who by the way is easily in the 200lb range, but not fat muscle) screamed into Raymond's ear (the raymond I speak of is the one and only). In retaliation Ray attempted to dropkick Dan, but dan grapped his ankle and literally threw him up in the air and he landed on his back. Near tears Ray got into his face, but then sat down. Rosencrans returned, but after being called a retard by "Ray" Dan threw Ray out of his desk, desk and all came with him. Then the two went down to the office. Then, during his lecture, he suddenly said ooo (he is Rosencrans). The ooo was for the rodent that ran under his desk, under my desk, then around the room. The girls screemed and ran out, and that class was over. Disgusting, our school has rodents. After looking for it a bit, I found some rat feces in the corner. I find that simply atrocious, vile, and plain uggg. But I guess that is just Lakeland. Spirit week was lame this time around. The dress up days where way to simple, as if a group of people got together and just said "yea, ok hawaii cowboy decade color, were done". No thought or care was put into it. But yet again, thats Lakeland. On a happier note, the Flyers clinched the 6th seed in the NHL playoffs. They play tonight at 7 against the capitals. The Caps got Alexander Ovechkin, the new record holder for m,ost goals in a season with 65, but I feel the Flyers can prevail. I don't play Runescape much anymore, I only go to check any updates. But I must say, the new mini game Fist of Guthix is really bad. I don't even want to say why, its just really bad. School has reached the 4th and final quarter, so all working is done. I'm just gonna keep it cool, and wait for next year I guess. Also, in the music note of things (wow, lame pun, music note) I have been trying to find more songs for my project playlist, but to no avail. I want to find heavy rock, rock, etc, but its hard. Remember about me filming my fish. Well I have definatly become attached to my camcorder, a hobby of mine I like to do. To bad everyday when I see that ufo I never have it on me. Its almost the week after Mother;s Day, so that means my trout derby at the pine creek is coming up. That should be fun. Hmmm, my life seems to be at a standstill latley. All I do is wait for things to happen, like the school day ending etc. I don't know what it is, but then again what am I to do. I really only have a few goals at the moment, catch my native brookie and go to the dentist. Hmm, after some google reasarch on the palomino (golden trout). It said that the first happened naturally, and was found in a stream. weird thought eh? Well, tomorrow I got a big day, so cya later.

Haphazard

2008-04-05T19:09:00.002-04:00

Hello friends. :) I haven't wrote up a blog in a little while so I figured I would since I have some great free time this weekend. I just signed off World of Warcraft since I figured I played it for a little while and after this blog am going to go do something else. Like dig up worms, seriously. I was asked to go do that today..so.. xD Kay, anyway. I've been sick this past week with a bugger of a cold. It was the worst the three days of school testing, and improved dramatically like the day they were over. Which was sort of unfortunate, but what can ya do. I've been going to Drama a lot to work on the play. I really love every aspect of being in the Drama Club [go us!]. Despite the really emotional days there tends to be at Drama, that unpredictable aspect of it all makes it even more exciting. Since the play got changed from what it was originally going to be, I've been able to be in more and more scenes. It makes me feel so excited because I know otherwise I would have only been in the opening and ending scenes. Now I am in it much more and that's great because everyone is pretty much, except for the solo's, and with high school kids it is fantastic for everyone to have a chance like that. This week I was asked about having a lead role in one scene we are doing from the musical "Chicago". I was pretty much ecstatic and it's incredibly the fun to practice, especially because the character I have to try to be could not be more opposite than the woman I'd be as an adult. xD

Aside from Drama, chemistry is always occupying my other time. Like I mentioned previously, I am going down in my school's history as attempting the AP Exam. I don't think I'd be terribly bothered if I can't pass it because I know my life doesn't depend on it. To me, taking that test is more of an "interesting challenge to curiously discover how I'd score." I stayed after school the other day to practice a problem and if that had been on the test, I would have accumulated 6 points just from that, which is considered above average. I felt pretty confident after that, that maybe I stand a minuscule chance. :P I like the fact how you can get points just by balancing an equation or just by picking out the right formula to use. It was pretty fun staying after school and I was unsure how that sort of situation would turn out. We got to go up to the chalkboard and teach amongst ourselves and whatnot.

I was having a stressful time last weekend determining what classes I wanted to take in my senior year. I've figured it out now though. Boy, I'm thirsty. This paragraph has died so I'm going to move on. :P

Hah, I like how I have to go to the next line. I can't wait for summer. I am really wanting to wear skirts and shorts and bathing suits really badly. :P I also would love to feel some sun, and go swimming! For some reason I always end up dreaming of summer when I sit down to write a blog. It's rather strange.

I wish I had some funny story to tell. I can't think of much right now though. xD - scratches head- I should probably go feed my cat. I feel like traveling. My blogs are incredibly random. They are full of my thoughts. :P No, but really, I do feel like traveling out of state. I want to go to NYC and Philadelphia just for fun and to see something historic. I'm not even sure whyyyy, I am just in such a mood to visit some large city. :P I feel like watching a movie right now too. I wouldn't know what one though. Hmm..have a good day lovebugs! ;P

/Life.Of.Foote\ -- Guitar Hero Day

2008-04-03T19:36:00.002-04:00

/Life.of.Foote\

Click to Play

What is there to say? A pretty long movie of Roman, Matt, and me at Roman's house to play a bit of Guitar Hero. A bit more stuff happens, but why should I explain it when the movie is right in front of you.

Brain Mush

2008-04-03T15:14:00.003-04:00

I realized one thing this past week. There's nothing better in the world than a few standardized tests now and then. Let me please add first that they're only good if they really don't matter to my future whatsoever. I mean, it's a little challenge you get to make sure you're on your toes (and may I add it's amazing how sometimes things you thought you forgot come back to you) and you don't have a lot of classes during the course of your day which means very little homework or studying. Plus, there's a good probability that the margin of the classes you will have won't do much or anything at all. Well, that's how it rolls at Lakeland at least.

This week we were hit with the mathematics and reading part of the PSSA test that every teenager in the state of Pennsylvania dreads. I, however, like the PSSA for two reasons. In terms of the actual test, it provides a difficulty level of testing that's in between some random easy standardized test like the Terra Nova and some insanely difficult test like the SAT. The second reason why I like it is that you have those periods in between sections of the test where you're allowed to communicate with friends freely. Plus, when I finished a testing section while others were still brainstorming over what to put down, I just pulled out my Warcraft Archive book that I have been reading for a few months now and try to wrap up my adventure through Azeroth. I hate it, however, because you never know what to expect. One day your self-esteem might be high because you had little difficulty progressing through the storm of questions, but the next you'll feel somewhat angry at yourself because you didn't even know where to start answering an open-ended question. We already took the writing part and now the last newly added part, the science section, will be coming up in May. Isn't that great, though, that I'll be taking the SAT and PSSA around the same time? I think not.

Now that I think about it thanks to this blog post -- crap! The SAT is coming up in approximately exactly a month. Really, I feel a bit worried this early on in the game. I really have no experience for it. Our school, of course, makes us take courses on the SAT way before we even take the actual test so that we can get rusty and forgot every test-taking strategy. Most take the SAT their junior year. When did we have the prep classes? Sophomore year, of course. Kudos to the education board. You failed again. However, I can understand why they would place the class early for one reason -- if you were to take the SAT early in your junior year if we had the prep classes our junior year, then you wouldn't have covered all of the material to prepare you. In my eyes, however, there's more cons than pros.

I have been in a mood lately that has been eating at me. As in a creative mood. I have had a need lately to write. However, as soon as I start writing, I come up with some sort of excuse like: "Gah, my vocabulary isn't good enough for me to do this", or: "I don't know where this is going. I can't form my ideas clearly enough. I'm pretty sure my grammar is off. I'm done." And honestly, grammar does scare me, as well as vocabulary. I have a 400-word vocabulary book sitting next to me that whenever I'm bored I pick up and study a few words. To anybody who knows me in real life, I have been hammering out words like 'laconic' and 'impertinent' like crazy. The sad part is that the section of the book that I'm getting these words from are meant to be known by all ninth graders. And grammar -- I have a huge book on that too, but I'm too afraid to dive deep into it. I wanted to read it from start to finish, but I got bored after I read about the different types of verbs. I think whenever I write that I'm going to do so with a 'type-and-thesaurus-it' method. If I'm trying to look for a word, I'll pick a synonym that I now related to that word, find it, dictionary it to learn it, and then use it. Honestly, never thesaurus a word and just leave it. Learn it. Even though I'm writing for my own personal benefit, if you use the thesaurus a lot on a research paper, a teacher may ask, "So . . . what does 'nihilism' mean?" Yes, three-fourths of us would be screwed if we were in a case scenario like that.

I started a little writing project the other day. My motivation was to write a fictional account of my chemistry teacher's life. You know --mock him innocently. I'm willing to share the first chapter to the world. It's not perfect and I don't want it to be. It's just for me to ease up on my writing skills for the moment. Whether you know it or not, I'm working on a four-book fantasy series that I start planning out way back in elementary school -- indirectly. I can save that discussion, however, for another day. For now, I present to you:

The Life of Britchell Solvens
By Buddy Foote

Chapter I

"Who told you that you could play with chemistry equipment without the permission of an adult?"

"I believe nobody, madam. However, I believe that it is within your best interest to allow me to continue this experiment. If I do not add the sodium chloride in approximately a minute, I reassure you that you won’t have a school to teach in."

"Oh dear!" the husky teacher looked about the room and spotted a graduated cylinder filled with a purple concoction. "And what, may I ask, is that?"

"Your worst nightmare," Solvens assisted. Ignoring the teacher’s authoritarian commands, Solvens marched across the laboratory, swerving in and out of oddly placed lab tables, until he reached the site of his soon-to-be disaster area. He obtained a scoopula from a nearby drawer and began to add a set amount of sodium chloride from a jar to a beaker. The chubby teacher starred at him, admiring his craftsmanship at his natural art. Yet, she also hated him for how talented he was.

"You are aware that a suspension could result as a consequence of all of this!" the teacher yelled across the room. She was too fearful to approach the setting of Solvens. She valued her life too much to lose it from a child's fallacy. "I hate to tell you, Britchell, but you're no chemist! You're just a lousy brat of a--"

Solvens dropped the scoopula as he was pouring it into the beaker. He glared at the teacher, flames rolling across his pupils. His raven black, unkempt hair seemed to stick up higher on his head than usual. The teacher was stunned.

"May I counterattack?" Solvens began. "I believe that you're no teacher. I know individuals in high school who can do math better than you. My father, who is a plumber, can analyze pieces of literature better than you. And you're no scientist either! But why, Mrs. Dobbins, do you teach it? Why? Because you're forced to and you're envious of me."

"Envious of a fourth grader?" Mrs. Dobbins crackled. "Don't be so silly, child. You're just too smart for your own good."

"Excuse me for a moment," Solvens said. The former purple concoction that he had began to turn into a dark orange shade, and green fumes began to vaporize above the graduated cylinder. Solvens quickly poured in the sodium chloride from the beaker. A violent sound amplified the room, like giant pop rocks being added to a lake. Dobbins covered her ears while Solvens stood still, seeming almost unaffected by the explosive sound. Besides the audio, however, no other effect occurred -- or at least it seemed that way to Mrs. Dobbins initially. She looked across the room to note that Solvens expressed a puzzled face.

"Mr. Solvens!" Mrs. Dobbins started, "What did you do? I am sure that you interfered with the regular progression of the entire school through your ... your ... whatever that was!"

"I can't believe that the solution didn't produce a metal," Solvens sighed under his breath. He looked over at the furious Mrs. Dobbins. "I reassure you, Mrs. Dobbins, that kids will be ecstatic thinking that a thunderstorm may be brewing up over the horizon."

"To the office!" Mrs. Dobbins fused, "Now!"

Solvens, disappointed not at his troublemaking performance but rather at the failure of his experiment, put his head down and marched behind Mrs. Dobbins out of the room. 'The office' was never a good place, and from the rumors passed down by the students of yesteryear, it was stated that students who entered never returned. However, due to Solvens' genius mindset, he knew better than to trust a rumor. However, he didn't even know what to expect from his visit at the infamous office that day. One thing is certain though. Approximately twenty minutes later, the county was in a severe thunderstorm warning.

Have a good one!

I'm Sick,oh and i'm not feeling well either

2008-03-28T14:19:00.003-04:00

okay well wednesday around noon i had a really bad headache, when i woke up thursday it felt like i was hit by a trolly. my body was sore, i blacked out, couldnt really swallow and had just no will power to do anything or eat anything. 20 hours of hibernation later its friday and my headaches gone, i have a small apetite, but my throat really hurts. i went to the doctor's and she told me to open my mouth to see my throat. as soon as i did shes like Yikes! this is a woman who deals with sick people all the time and im a yikes, so then i had to get blood work done. it was my first time and it was sooo scary. i get to find out whats wrong with me at 3 30 though! soo yeah to my fellow buddyfoote writers, thats why i havent been in school and probably wont be on monday

Album Reviews.

2008-03-25T18:57:00.003-04:00

I was browsing through my computer today when I decided I want to bring back my song review section, but for the moment I have a better idea. I’m going to make an album review section. With that being said I am going to give the first of what I hope is a long segment. Let me know of any albums you want reviewed!

Artist: My Chemical Romance

Album: The Black Parade

I first heard of this band when I was in 8th grade, which was like 4 years ago. I liked them at the time but then I have this bad habit of not liking a band the more successful they get. So I started to get kind of tired of there dark punk sound. Then "The Black Parade" came out and I bought it. I so badly wanted to hate it I really did. Instead I found one of the best albums I ever heard. It is an album following the death of a man.

The album opens with a decent track entitled "The End". By the end of the song you notice this is a different band from the past 3 albums. Ray Toro and Frank Iero’s guitars are spot on. However, it doesn’t take a genius to realize Gerard Way does not have the best voice in the world. They cover it up well on this album. The album blends nicely with the next track, which is one of my favorites.

Dead! That is the name of the next song, and it sounds punky off the bat and then it hits you with a wicked intro-guitar-solo by Ray Toro. The bands new drummer is a pretty good addition as you will notice in this song. The verses are pretty good as is the chorus. After awhile it gets a little repetitive. The trumpets mid-song kind of annoy me but the following solo is great. The outro is one of my favorite parts, closing the song with a powerful line (If life aint just a joke then why am I dead?).

The next song is This Is How I Disappear. The guitars save this from being one of the worst tracks on the album. The verses and chorus are both kind of dull. The bridge is amazing. From the vocal part to the raw guitar that can be heard after. After another chorus you go to the next song.

The Sharpest Lives is one of my favorite songs on the album. It echoes "To the End" off of the previous album. The verses of this song are really good. The pre-verse makes me laugh with what sounds like a deliberate "Blow Me". The second verse is my favorite part, lyrically and musically.

Next comes Welcome to the Black Parade. It starts off with piano and vocals, its okay, just a little boring. Then it kicks up and reprises the lyrics but heavier, the great thing about this song and album is just how grandiose it is at times. This song has heavy Queen influences. The guitars and drums in this song are spot on. When the song kicks up into the second part it has that familiar pop-punk sound, but with good guitar carrying it there. Lyrically this is a strong song, and Gerard Way’s vocals come off rather wall. The first chorus is alright. Then it goes to the second verse, which is a great verse. (So paint it black and take it back) I personally like the second chorus more than the first because of the change in a line. That line being "And though your broken and defeated, your weary widow marches on." Then it gets to a great part of the song. The bridge with great guitar and vocals. Then the anthematic yell of "I Don’t Care!" After that is the chorus again and it closes out with the bridge lyrics. It makes up for the god awful follow up track.

I Don’t Love You is the name of it, more like I don’t love this song. Its bad. This is why Gerard Way needs to be paired with heavy instruments. His annunciation is very annoying in this song. The only good part is the last line of the chorus. "I don’t love you, like I did yesterday."

The next song is great, House of Wolves. It’s a rock song that sounds like a swing song. The intro is great and so is the singing. The chorus is a little dull. The bridge of this song is amazing. It has a powerful fast song that gets your heart racing. However, like Welcome to the Black Parade, it has a weak follow up song.

Cancer is a mediocre slow song that I believe was included for 2 reasons, it is important to the story line and it is a break between the intense songs surrounding it. That’s all I have to say about that.

The best track on this album is next. It proves that this band takes risks. Mama is an amazing song. It makes me think of Fiddler on the Roof. It starts off with despair (Mama, we all go to hell). The second part of the verse picks it up a bit. The chorus is a little weak but its perfectly fine. The second part of the second verse is AWESOME. You just have to hear it for yourself. After the chorus is a great revision of the first verse. After that is a big powerful breakdown. It is similar to This Is How I Disappear. After that is Liza Minnelli lending her vocal talents followed by a great closer to a great song. (Raise your glass high / For Tomorrow we die)

A good track is next. Sleep. It starts off with a cool recording accompanied with piano which picks up nicely. This is one of Way’s best songs vocally. My favorite part of this song is the ending how it picks up yet puts you at ease.

Next is the arena rock song "Teenagers." It’s a pretty good track. It’s catchy and repetitive with some decent lyrics. Vocals on this are great as are instruments. Kinda reminds me of an Oasis song called Cigarettes & Alchohol. I love when he yells "All Together Now!"

I pretty okay track is next. Disenchanted. It starts off with acoustic guitar and vocals and its best part is when it picks up and the first couple lyrics. (It was the roar of the crowd that gave me heartache to sing / it was a lie when they smiled and said you won’t feel a thing.) I do like this song but not a lot happens in it.

Famous Last Words is a powerful song. Its gets you angry and hopeful. The guitar is amazing in this song. The chorus of this song is defiantly the main focus point.

The album closer is a hidden track entitled Blood. Its funny and entertaining.

There you have it. Despite very very very minor flaws, it is one of the best albums I have ever heard and is defiantly a must own. I listen to this album a lot and it is just amazing. This band is gonna be around for awhile

Album Highs :
Dead!
The Sharpest Lives
Welcome To The Black Parade
House of Wolves
Mama
Famous Last Words

Album Lows:
I Don’t Love You
Cancer

Parade Politics

2008-03-21T20:38:00.002-04:00

Hey hey, hey there. :) I guess it is about time I type up an entry. For the most part, school, chemistry, and being a part of the play occupy most of my time which leaves me with little "blog-time." However I'm on my little Spring/Easter Break now so I have no legal excuse. I like being busy like I've been, because I know if I wasn't I'd have TOO much time on my hands, but I don't know. xD Well I mainly want to focus this entry around my time at the St. Patrick's Day parade last weekend, which was a blaast!

It was last Saturday, and pretty much was all day. There was an extra big hype because Democratic Presidential Candidate, Hilary Clinton, was scheduled to attend. I think her being there was a big deal in the area. I was extra excited because I figured even more people would be there, and I may have said this before, but I extremely love big crowds at big fun events, like the parade. I think it adds more excitement to my experience, haha. :D I got up early and went to the mall for awhile beforehand as the streets grew more and more crowded. Everybody was dressed in green and political signs were being given out for either Hilary or Obama. I was never offered an Obama one..so I'm not sure where people got those but it was exciting. Not to totally support any particular person/side, but I like Hilary and I think just her running in general is history in the making so I really wanted to get a nice picture of her that day. :) I think the parade this year was one of my best times going, if not thee. :P I saw a lot of friends I knew, was not totally freezing out on the street, had a good spot, and yessss eventually did snap some good photos. :D

For some reason this blog is ending up rather short. Most of my blogs have decreased in size lately. :P Anyway, I'd like to share some of the photos I took of the parade, but forgive me because I am not much of a photographer but I think some are decent, hehe. :)

Here are some cute irish dancing girls:

Horses!

My best picture of Hilary, herself! :D :D I even got the sign, without realizing it!

It was so tough to get close up and grab a shot. I was literally in mob after mob. :P I say that because I chased her three times down the street until I got my perfect picture. :) It was nuts, people all over, secret service staring you down with guns in their trenchcoat pockets, police rope holding crowds back, and everything. :P

Example mob: [if you look hard enough you can see Hilary squished in there somewhere. :P]

What a fun day. :)

I have a large chem assignment to finish up over my break. AP Chem is quite a challenging and time-consumingclass. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go for it, take the AP Exam in May for that class. I'm 99.9% sure I would not be interested in pursuing a chemistry/science related major/job in the future, but the fact I worked so hard in chem this year and dedicated so much time, if I did not step up to the challenge and attempt that major exam, I'd feel the purpose of me in that class would be defeated. Totally and utterly defeated. I have nothing to lose, except maybe some dignity if I fail, but I like challenges, especially scholastic-related ones, and I'll admit I am curious myself how I'd score. Good or bad, I don't have extremely high hopes, my life doesn't depend on it, but I guess we'll see how it goes. :)

Aside from that, I have to choose classes for my senior year really soon. I've been thinking about it over the last week, and I feel like I am getting fed up with a lot of stuff. Some days are worse than others, but I don't know, stuff is really bothering me. And no, not the stuff you may be thinking of it, even more stuff than that stuff. :P I am stopping.

I just remembered something and it made me really happy, actually, haha. So off that topic. I bought a fancy brand bikini yesterday. It was such a good sale, such a bargain, and I loved it. See it was interesting yesterday because I had a dentist appointment and was shopping beforehand when I found the suit and I didn't have time to try it on so I was stuck. We had to leave but they said it could be returned if it didn't fit me so it was bought and in my hands it went! :P It is so cute, it is black with white polka dots and red along the side. It is just the kind I wanted too. :D It fits me as well. (: When I was at the mall before the parade last week, I drooled at all the cute new styles in the fancy stores, now I have one myselfffff! =) Cannot. Wait. For. Summer.

Have a Happy Easter. :)

The Encore

2008-03-17T16:57:00.002-04:00

if my day is a concert, this is the encore. when i thought it couldnt be worse, i took my dog out for it to do its buisness and those 2 dogs FUCKING MAULED IT! i had to chase them off screaming my brains out. i brought the dog in and now shes bleeding, shes an 18 pound terrier, those were 200 pound dogs. we called the police but NO ONE WAS THERE! if i wrote a poem or song about this day it would be called "A Slander, a Mauling, and a Bottle of Jones" im drinking some jones soda to calm me down. fufu berry flavored... mmmm.... happy ending Kyle XY season finale tonight. i need some opinions, should i miss school tomorrow on the basis that today was so bad?

someone call the ambulence

2008-03-17T15:08:00.002-04:00

Come one Come all, i just had the worst day of my life. it is hard to explain without first exlaining the parties involved. there is me, i am running for class vice president but am not taking it too seriously. there is Kid-S, he isnt taking it seriously even tho he is running, but his friends are. there is Kid-M, Kid-L, and Kid-J. Kid-J basically says what happens and M and L just follow along mindlessly really.the really sad thing is that in elementry school i was M's friends and i stuck up for him when kids made fun of his stutter, sure i could have called him a retard and a hillbilly because he kinda kissed his cousin, but i never did. L has never liked me, it doesnt hurt that me and L liked a girl at the same time and she picked me and is still with me. J i kind of feel bad for, because i know a little bit about his family, he lived with his gramma, got kicked out, lived with his mom, got kicked out, i think now he lives with his dad until he gets kicked out and most of the time hes with L, they could be gay for eachother but that is neither here nor there. J L and M all started making anti-me posters, saying stuff like im lame, i hit girls, im gay, and the best was that im an attention hog. now this J kid has done this most of my life and how can he call me an attention hog when he yells out in the middle of class more than me, and is even making posters and putting them up everywhere. i started getting these violent urges all day. like should i punch him, i didnt. the worst is even some of my friends laughed at the posters. i felt kind of betrayed. when i was on the bus with this kid, he rested his head against the window and all i could think of is that i could kick him in the head and he would be seriously hurt, and im a peaceful guy. so i get off the bus and expect an easy walk home. yes? no! FUCK NO! i had 2 dumbass piece of shit dogs following me barking the whole time, i kept thinking "holy Shit it better not bite me" so i finally made it home amidst the fear and anger. i get home and i just yell. at the top of my lungs yell. then i throw my backpack and shoes, take off my shirt, throw that, throw 3 chairs across the dining room, go upstairs, punch an old decoration toy chest, tackle a fake tree, then i go into my room. i walk in and slam the door. then i push my matress against the wall and through my computer chair at it. yelled some more. and almost threw my guitar. but i didnt. now i feel a little better in the wake of my rage and devulging information. if you want to know what this feels like, take permanent marker and draw an x on your face. so that even when it washes away you still have the red from where you scrubed and scrubed until you could clean your face. i dont like it, but thats what its like to be me. heres to hoping this never happens to you. cheers!

/Life.Of.Foote\ -- Saturday Adventures

2008-03-15T21:17:00.003-04:00

/Life.of.Foote\

Click To Play

For the past few Saturdays, my friends Darrin and Craig as well as myself went out to a variety of places to spend our morning hours. However, this Saturday I decided to take my camera along for the ride to record some invaluable moments. However, Craig did most of the recording as he's the most interesting and random cameraman that I know of personally. This Saturday, we decided to return to one of our previously visited locales -- a well-known restaurant in Wilkes-Barre known as 'The Crackerbarrel'. This selected video only highlights our drive to and from the restaurant, with some interesting conversations and sights. With the exception of shaky camera syndrome, curses, and filming others without legal consent, as well as possible 'boring' moments to you individuals out there who only watch things that are worth their time, this video was a very good production of what it's like to live our lives. And honestly, isn't that what a blog is for? When I'm in my mid twenties and I return to this blog entry (if the site still exists, hopefully) to view this video (if 'Blip.tv' still exists, hopefully), I'll be quickly reminded of our crazy antics and adventures we had together. Like it or not, it's here. It's tangible. It's reality.

Enjoy, and have a good one.

Poem: "The Mountainside Grave"

2008-03-11T17:59:00.003-04:00

About two weeks ago, the student teacher for our Advanced English III class asked us to write a poem that somewhat mimicked the dialect of the poems of 17th century England and would include literary devices such as apostrophe, simile, metaphor, paradox, symbol, etc. My production, with the aid of my friend Matt (this was a group poem project), was the poem titled "The Mountainside Grave". The poem was successful. Not only did it earn us 100's, but she entered it into a small contest in which one of her AP English classes voted for the best poem. Two poems tied -- ours and one other; however we won with the best effort made toward our project. The reward: five bonus points on our recent test. On the side, I created a self-analysis of the poem (which wasn't required), which I will include below with the poem itself. I hope you enjoy the poem and understand its meaning. Enjoy!

“The Mountainside Grave”

Alas hear my final dying words
Frozen in time amongst mine rocky grave
Cavern trekked not two-thirds
To obtain the bloody gem thou crave

Three suns rose, have I set here
Warming my freezing passionate heart
Visions form of thou upon the pier
Farewells said before mine ship did part

Mine soul troubled by the dull fire
Precious pearl not yet born of womb
Father abandoned thou, do not admire
The traitor dreaming away to doom

One night prior a knapsack was found
Food n’ drink extinct to the bud
The rocks laughed from the ground
Their energies supplying mine blood

The blood gem flutters cross mine scope
Yet the diamonds reveal thee rounded form
Protruding abdomen like a mountainside slope
Hiding mine child, from winter storm

Oblivion reaches toward mine decaying living shell
Take me now to glorious heaven, or away to blood-shed hell!

Self-Analysis

Brief overview: The speaker ventured off on an expedition to the Alps in search of a prized gem. The speaker left behind his pregnant wife. The speaker only entered a cavern to begin a search when a rockslide trapped him. With the few materials he has, the speaker manages to survive for three days. During this time, the speaker reflects on the individuals that mean the most to him -- his wife and unborn child. The speaker feels guilty and believes he is betraying them to Death, as at this time, he knows that death is inevitable. The speaker addresses his wife and unborn child in the poem, which he wrote on a scrap material he had around the fire he created. In the last couplet, the speaker is so pained by the agonies of starvation, dehydration, and frostbite that he actually wants to die.

Stanza 1: The speaker creates the setting in this stanza. He lets the reader know that he is not in a good situation by the lines “final dying words” and “rocky grave”. In the last two lines, he is telling the reader that he barely trekked the cavern when the rockslide occurred, and then informs the reader of his objective: to obtain the prized gem.

Stanza 2: The speaker states that he has been set in his ‘grave’ for three days now. Even though his heart may be freezing from the elements, he is warming it up by thoughts of his beloved wife. He can mentally picture her the best from their last confrontation -- when he was leaving on the ship from England and she was on the pier waving farewell to him.

Stanza 3: Even though the visions may be welcomed by his heart, they trouble his soul. By the fireside, the speaker reflects on his unborn baby. At this point, the speaker is overwhelmed emotionally, knowing that death is inevitable. The speaker is so troubled that he comes to believe that he is a traitor to his child. The child will grow up fatherless while the speaker is ‘enjoying’ his time with Death.

Stanza 4: The speaker then mentions a side story on how he found a knapsack on the second day. The speaker hoped that the knapsack contained food and drink, but instead nothing appealing to the bud (taste buds) existed within. At this point, the speaker is somewhat hallucinating, and believes that the most ample object in the dwelling, rocks, are mocking him for his folly. The speaker ignores them, and instead believes that they are supplying his blood with nutrients that food or water would do. In this, the speaker is at a desperate point of survival.

Stanza 5: Continuing in his hallucinations, the speaker sees the prized gem float by in his sight. However, the many sides of the gem outline the figure of his pregnant wife. He emphasizes on the only detail the outline depicts to him -- the protruding abdomen that houses his child. In the last line, the speaker states that the womb acts as a shelter for his child from the elements -- which is a direct reflection on the wishes the speaker hopes for; to be in a warm and safe place.

Stanza 6: The speaker writes down his final words before death. At this point, the speaker feels that he is soon to die. He feels the force of oblivion tugging at his soul. Due to his pains from starvation, dehydration, and frostbite, the speaker wishes to die in the last line, and states that he doesn’t care where is final destination is -- he just wants the struggle to be over with.

Eragoin's Journal #1: Whelpling, GSI Meeting, and Raiding 101.14

2008-03-08T21:53:00.007-05:00

'ello mon! It be Eragoin here, reportin' to ya from ma headquarters in Da Broken Isles. Honestly, the whole troll accent thing doesn't cut the cheese for me. Sure, we may talk that way, but us trolls need to push past that barrier and write like some noble human living in the rich quarters of Stormwind -- wherever that may be. I hate getting mail from my buddy trolls and I can't understand a thing they say because it's written with the worst grammar. C'mon guys! Didn't you learn anything in the Orgrimmar Academy? I guess Mrs. Blackeye didn't cast hellfire on you enough.

I'm here today to tell of an epic tale that involves yours truly. Okay, maybe it wasn't epic, but it sure was to me anyway. I guess that's all that matters. Ah, don't bite my stylus! Oops, I have a tendency to write down whatever I say aloud, so please don't mind that remark. I don't have an eraser on me. My new pet is sort of irritating me. All I hear are flapping wings reverberating throughout my ears and I can barely concentrate -- hence my poorer than usual grammar usage. Ah, yes. I received a new pet today. Even though it looks fearsome (yet cute), it can't aid me in battle. I'll have to keep my rare saber cat, Rhornin, for that task of combat. Before I reveal what my pet is, let me tell you of my legacy of trying to obtain this . . . thing.

I was walking through Orgrimmar for exercise (I've been gaining weight from eating too much grilled squid) when I passed by the bank and noticed that I had mail. I reached my hand into the mailbox and felt a large bulky object. It was composed of a large bundle of papers, bound together with mageweave string. The weekly newspaper, Warchief's Digest, arrived. I eagerly pulled out the bundle and scanned the front page. Nothing interesting. Alliance raid killed twenty peons at Razor Hill, Cairne Bloodhoof had a child, and the Health Department for the Horde! issued a warning that the sludge in Undercity was building up in the canals. What else was new? The most interesting article was that Durotan's ghost was sighted in a bikini off the coast of Westfall, splashing in the water among the murlocs. The following article then stated how the journalist who published the above article was beheaded on the account that his false claims offended Thrall. However, in the economy section of the newspaper, a notice was printed on how a rare item was said to be held by the blue dragonflight members at Lake Mennar in Azshara. The item was in fact believed to be a caged whelpling that the dragonflight were experimenting on with artifacts that were found in the old Highborne ruins. The article went on to say that adventurers should seek out this pet before Azuregos finds out what his kin are up to, and would possibly kill the young whelpling to put an end to their experiments. Also, it stated how the Horde should obtain this pet before the Alliance finds out about it and retrieves it first. I threw the newspaper aside, ran into the bank to retrieve my armor and weapons, called my combat pet Rhornin to my side, and ventured off to the forgotten lands of Azshara.

Once I arrived in Valormok, I realized how stupid I was not to find out directions to this lake that the article mentioned. I asked the locals, but they were too arrogant and asked for gold in return for an answer. I wasn't going to be weak and ask for directions by paying up (a tip that every man should apply), so I called my black war raptor, mounted up, and went off to . . . somewhere. I never felt so lost in my life. I was ganged up on by nagas, pinched by crabs, clawed by giant flying two-headed things, and pounded by some large rocky mountain giants. It wasn't fun. Night was falling. I was tired, exhausted, and beaten up. I nodded off to sleep while my mount did the venturing for me. I started to dream of my love, when all of a sudden . . . 'Splash!' I woke up in a large puddle of water. My raptor fled, due to its extreme fear of water, and my pet Rhornin rushed to my side. I didn't care, really. I could've fell fast asleep floating in that lake . . . lake!? I looked around at my surroundings with newly awakened eyes and realized that the crater I was in was indeed Lake Mennar. I could tell based on the description that the article had: Old ruins litter the environment of the lake . . . and indeed they did. All of a sudden, I heard a grunting sound. My pet sprang into action. I turned around and saw a large blue reptilian-like creature marching toward my party in the lake. It had a large spear and wielded strips of plate armor. With the light of the two moons, I could see the multitude of razor-sharp teeth that lined its mouth. Rhornin bit and clawed at the strange creature. With instinct, I pulled out an arrow from my quiver, grabbed my crossbow, and fired away. Then repeated the process over and over. The blue scalebane was doing its toll on my pet, so I channeled the energy to heal my pet. Then, I sent an arcane shot directly toward the chest of the fiend. This didn't do any fatal damage, but it only made the dragon aware of my presence. However, my dual steady shots did the trick, and the dragonspawn marched toward me, spear pointing directly toward my heart. I had to act quick! I slapped myself in the face, and fell down into the lake, feigning my death. The gullible dragon believed that I killed myself. Therefore, it turned around and resumed its attack on my pet. I sprang up from the lake, charged toward the fiend, and struck it in the back with my axe with the power of the raptors. The scalebane fell. The victory wasn't easy, and I was able to conclude that these dragons were elite beasts. Thankfully it didn't spray me with the fire that burns within it, like the fantasy books used to say. Wait, weren't there different types of dragons? Ah, I forget. I examined the corpse for any possessions, but only found a handful of silver and copper and some freshly cooked meat that it must've been saving for later. This dragon wasn't the one holding the whelpling, but there were probably many more left to kill until I found my prize. I took a quick nap, awoke at dawn, and charged at a mageweaver. Only I wish I knew that I would be fighting here for days.

How you doin'? Looks like ya got some blood on yer face there. Lemme get it for ye, with ma axe!

Four different types of dragons dominated the surroundings around the lake. Mageweavers, Scalebanes, Magelords, and Dragonspawns housed themselves in this secluded area of Azshara. Day after day, I repeated a usual routine. Wake up at dawn, kill until dusk, and then go to bed. Occassinaly I broke up the mundane ritual by taking any worthwhile items that I found from the dragon's corpses to the auction house in Orgrimmar. Let me tell you, the only thing that kept me going were the pretty pennies that I was making from successful sales. I feared that I would put the blue dragonflight of the region into extinction, but after days of killing them, they just seemed to be coming back from the grave to avenge their death. Honestly, I swear I counted over two thousand kills once. Two weeks passed until today. Today was the day that would make my life happier.

I was starting to get bored with this constant fighting of the same enemy. I was starting to doubt the claim of the newspaper. I mean, this was the same paper that said that Thrall's father was catching some rays and eating some murloc fin soup in Alliance territory. C'mon! Sometimes a blood elf paladin or a orc hunter would stop by to kill some, but they soon left after a few kills. I began to get really nervous of retrieving my prized treasure when a human mage came onto the scene. The Alliance knew about the whelpling! If the Alliance flocked here like they do when somebody informs them that the Horde is raiding somewhere, then I knew that I would have a crowd here soon. I slew the dragons faster, looted their corpse, skinned them for their leather, hide, and scales, and went onto the next one in record timing. I became so used to looting them that I was surprised when I saw a rather bulky container held by one of them. A new item. It happened a lot, especially when a rare weapon or piece of armor was found. But this wasn't anything that could be wielded. It was a cage! And inside the cage was an azure whelpling, begging to be let free. I rejoiced at the sight that filled up my scope! I quickly opened the cage, and to my joy and surprise, the azure whelpling did not flee from me, but rather stayed by my side as if I tamed it. I had a new companion!

Picture of my new band. From left to right: Eragoin, Blu Glu, and Rhornin.

I had the azure whelpling. Finally. And it was mine. Temptation to sell the lil' cutie for hundreds of bags of gold at the auction house soared out of my mind. I couldn't break the bond that the two of us had. Our souls were bound as one now. Let me tell you, I couldn't have been happier leaving Lake Mennar for the last time, riding on the back of my raptor while my azure whelpling fluttered closely behind me, avoiding the whipping tail of my mount. I'm not going back to Azshara for a very, very long time.

Quite frankly, I obtained Blu Glu, which I named my whelpling based off the ice cream brand created by those goblins at Mirage Raceway that they discontinued, right before my guild, Gnome Squishing Inc., had a scheduled meeting. I couldn't bask with Blu Glu in the rays of the sun for long, as I had to stop off at the auction house, repair my armor and weapons at the local gunsmith, and fly to the inn at Ratchet for the meeting. I was the first there, of course. I had nothing better to do with my spare time now that I had the only thing that was my goal. I got drunk off of some ales at the inn, took a nap on a straw bed laid out on the floor, and started to dream of my love, when . . . "Eragoin is a jerk." I jumped up, wondering who said my name and described me in such a rude manner. There in front of me was an orc hunter. His tusks shined in the firelight of a nearby torch, and I realized that I forgot to receive my monthly waxing.

The crew discussing politics over a few tubs of mead. New candidate for warchief? I don't think so!

This orc was one of my fellow guild members, Urcuzyoda. Behind him in the background, I noticed a female blood elf who was another guild member, Esotericsyn. May I add that the guild meeting was only for the ranks of high warlord and up, and there was only a handful of us at the meeting. Others that came included Tyregen, the guild leader, Hoogie, the co-guild leader, and Tatankh. Sorry if I forgot somebody. My mind isn't the best. In this meeting, we discussed possible guild events, such as a triathlon, scavenger hunt, lottery, instance runs, and raids, bank access, in which we voted to give the peons of the guild access to the first tab of the guild bank, and discussed recent guild conflicts that have been happening. All in all, it was a very successful meeting, until . . .

The sirens rang in Ratchet. Or at least, the siren mute to the ears of the Alliance. To the Horde, it stated that our people were being attacked in the town. Tyregen quickly rushed out of the inn. I followed him, including the other members of the party. A night elf hunter was causing trouble in the streets below the cliff that housed the inn. Tyregen, Urcuzyoda, and I were powerful enough to take down this opponent in only a few hits. Yet, the night elf's spirit kept on combining with its body, even after death, and he prolonged his rage to attack a few more of our people. The meeting was disrupted a lot because of this foe, and others came to help him, including a very strong hunter. However, Gnome Squishing Inc. saved Ratchet from these fiends. The bruisers of the town, however, kicked us out for fighting, so the meeting was forced to end.

The raid group on the ship heading to Rut'theran Village. For the Horde!

Sadly, the most epic portion of my tale of today must fall short. My hand is numb from holding this writing stylus, and let me tell you, three fingers isn't easy to write with. Tyregen, Hoogie, Urcuzyoda, Raizar, another hunter from the guild whose name begins with an 'H' (blast my poor memory!), and several other recruits we picked up on the road went on a raiding spree! We gathered at Splintertree Post in Ashenvale and marched to Astranaar, the local night elf community, to raid the town. We pretty much burned the town to the ground, killing every night elf that came into our path. All of the guards of the town couldn't bring us down in wave after wave of attack. Once we were successful at this destination, we continued down the road into Darkshore where we planned to raid Auberdine, and then take a ship to Rut'theran Village outside of Darnassus, which resided in the great tree of Teldrassil. Well, that sort of worked out. In Auberdine, we were ambushed by two strong hunters and a rogue. We weren't wiped out by them , however, and instead killed them whenever they came into reach of our position on the docks, where we waited patiently for the boat. Once the boat came, we flocked on it to venture off to Rut'theran Village. It was strange, however, how the boat had no crew or captain. Once we arrived at the village, we fought some guards and pushed our way toward the portal that would teleport us to Darnassus. However, between the guards and the citizens of Darnassus, we were overwhelmed, and butchered by their blades. All in all, it was an amazing time, even though we died.

Blu Glu: I shall call them, Mini-Mis!
Eragoin: How original...

I shall conclude this journal entry with a picture. The picture on the left shows an army of Blu Glu's in Shattrath City. Don't ask how it happened, because I won't give you time to. Let's just say that when a goblin asks to you a cloning device on you, don't do it. Instead, offer to use another living thing. If I thought one whelpling was annoying enough, then I must be going mad. Thankfully, the others are off sleeping in a cage at an auction house display near you.

As they say in Silithus, "I'll buzz ya later, mon."

Suddenly I'm Not So Young

2008-03-07T21:57:00.001-05:00

Wow I want to write really bad suddenly. :P Um, I have a lot on my mind but I probably won't let myself share it all here. Thankfully I am in a little better mood than I was earlier today. -sigh- Anyway, I have been very busy. Busy is good, I guess. I realized again this evening how much I like organization and having a set plan of things to do and stuff to accomplish, on a list sort of, and it feels good to work towards crossing things off that "list." School and activities outside of it have really be occupying my time. I am shocked I have come to some sort of stage now where I am more so one of those people that have a list of "stuff" going on. :P For one, I am now a member on the school committee for an AFG program. They meet once a month. They as in other teachers, the principal, and a few other important people like a lawyer and a college professor. [That's all I can really remember.] I had fun my first time and was warmly welcomed. The meeting sort of focused on school issues, beliefs, mission statements, and what a graduate should "truly be." The student half was encouraged to get involved and share some of our opinions, especially when we were split into groups. It was pretty great. :) And to think this invitation for me only came about from a simple article I wrote for my Journalism class. :)

Aside from that, Drama is baaaack! I am pretty excited. Sure, the first two meetings/practices we had this week involved mostly arguing and disorganized conversation, but I think there is still hope and nobody should give up on us. :P To set the record straight, we are not doing Cats, but a night of broadway related idea. I cannot elaborate much at the moment, and I'd rather not anyway because that would give away many good ideas that were brought to the table. That way the show can be a surprise. I am a pretty optimistic person, however, and think that if we can pull this off, it will be one of the most creative and entertaining shows in the area. Truly. :) I'm so glad to be an actual member in the show this time though. It is incredibly flattering to receive compliments from the director that I am doing a wonderful job with the dancing, per say. I mean, [this is where I get pessimistic], I think I probably look like a thin flapping stick, so nobody better expect me to have some hidden talent out there, but it is just so fun and well, I get caught up in the moment, ya know? :)

Hmm...I feel like I have so much I want to say but not the energy to type it into words. For example, life. My future life. Within the past month, there has barely been one day that has passed where I haven't thought of, or spoken about college plans, career interests, adult life. Pretty much makes me sick, really. :P -pause- Yep, still feeling sick about it, lol. Scared is probably what, but I just feel so jeegjgfgkdskigkdfnfklndsfm about everything like that. I do enjoy talking about it though, it helps a bit. It just really has been a huge topic of conversation a lot lately though. Last night, I described the road of my life as being extremely foggy. If only I can clear through that fog, maybe I'd feel better, knowing what is actually right in front of me. Then I could figure out whether I needed to turn left or right to reach the dream deep within me. =/

WoW Ramblings: Big Weapons n' Dragon Farming

2008-03-02T00:32:00.004-05:00

Right before I logged off of World of Warcraft tonight, a thought came to my mind. On my way to Valormok in Azshara and while still in Orgrimmar, I saw somebody put up an epic item in the trade channel and said after it, "pre-TBC ftw!" I figured that the item was most likely a level 60 epic then with that concluding statement, and confirmed my hypothesis upon examining the item stats. The epic was [Anathema], the shadow staff rewarded from the priest epic quest widely sought after pre-TBC. However, not until I tried the staff on me did I finally realize something. Why were all the main epic weapons before The Burning Crusades monstrously huge? Not that I ever owned an epic weapon from The Burning Crusade expansion, but just from walking around and spotting a large variety of 70's in major cities, I never exactly saw a gigantic weapon. Just a week or two ago, I remember looking at pictures of warrior/paladin two-handed swords that were probably the length of their body. And of course, they were level 60. Maybe such as how Blizzard got rid of the 50-man raids in the expansion, they also got rid of the 50-man length swords, staffs, etc. However, these large weapons must be an Azeroth thing. With the introduction of Wrath of the Lich King, we should expect weapons such as the Ashbringer and Frostmourne to appear, which are large weapons.

So why not create other products mimicking them in size? If anything, why doesn't Blizzard try to revise the weapons of yesteryear? Make a serious update to blacksmithing by introducing ways to improve older weapons (and same may even go in terms of armor for their relative skill in the production of that type). Make the engine so that the materials would be challenging to gather, and would require high-level content to do so, yet the outcome will be rewarding. That way, it may scare some away so that everybody isn't lazy and they acquire the easy-to-get weapons to improve them to 'pwn' in battlegrounds, arena, and world PvP at level 80 without ever doing an 80 raid/instance. I don't know, it's a risky sketch of an idea. Just a thought there rotting away in my mind.

For the past week or two, I have been farming like crazy for a noncombat pet in Azshara. The pet is the extremely rare [Azure Whelpling], obtainable from the blue dragonflight members around the ruins of Lake Mennar. Yesterday I calculated (from taking a total of eight different pieces of data provided by MobInfo2 [four different types of dragonflight times two different levels each]) that I have killed 1850+ mobs already. Yes, my luck is bad. Very bad. So far I got a ton of green items, two blues, a million stacks of rugged leather, thick leather, worn dragonscales, and blue dragonscales, and a variety of other white items: all destined to be sold for a good sum at the auction house. Being a skinner and a herbalist, I benefit greatly from farming in this area. Sungrass, dreamfoil, purple lotus, etc. all inhabit the path I take to go in and out of my farming area, and skinning the dragons is great money. Rugged leather goes for a pretty high price on my server -- approximately four to six gold per stack. I normally come out of the place with five to six stacks too. Sadly, I never leave with the pet I'm seeking. I shall continue the farming effort, however. Maybe I'll have enough for my epic flying mount by the time it drops.

That's all I'll leave you with for today. Even though I have much more to say, I'll save it for another post at a later time. Until then, have a good one.

Snowflake Drama

2008-02-22T19:03:00.003-05:00

I think I stole Steve's blog motivation today because I suddenly have a burst of blog writing energy! :P As I look over my shoulder, out into the large field all I see is white. [Haha..I lie. It is night now so I just see black. Wow..major opposite.] But when it was daytime, all I saw was a fuzzy white blanket, honestly. That is because we got this delicious snow storm today. As of ten minutes ago, we have eight inches in my backyard. Before we measured it I took a guess of eight inches and booyah I was so right! :D Nice guess huh? School was cancelled so I spent my day doing random activities.

I am going out to rent Hairspray tomorrow. Being the devoted Zac Efron fan I now am, I am really anxious to see him in that film. When it came out in theatres around the time of HSM 2 I was not interested in it at all, but because I am now what better weekend to check it out? You can probably expect my next blog entry to be a mini-review of it. :) Ever since I've become a Drama Thespian I really find myself being fond of musicals and movies, and of course, plays. I always enjoyed them here and there in the past but recently I find myself very very interested. :P Hairspray, for example. I was rattling off the names of the actors and actresses that are in it like the back of my hand and I never even saw the movie yet. Either I am paying better attention or my interest is causing me to store that kind of information now. I mean, two plus years ago I watched very little movies because they all bored me and I never had a favorite actor. Look at me now. Zefron's my boy and I can't wait to take someone to see his upcoming movie 17 Again in theatres in a few months, and then I'm sure I'll eventually see his other three films in progress which include "Me and Orson Welles", "High School Musical 3", and "Footoose" is a possibility too. =P Woah. Why do I know all this? xD I feel in-tune with Hollywood. :P

Alright back on topic. Speaking of what my friends and I call d-ma [aka drama], this week that was supposed to include practice almost every day including tomorrow all came to a sudden halt when literal drama pursued. My school's drama club was originally practicing to perform the play "A Chorus Line" in a few months. We had already been working on it for a good two weeks without script copies. Here's what I got out of what happened. We had practice on like..Tuesday night I think it was? After our half hour to change, eat, and stretch, the drama director called us over and we sat in a circle around her as she began telling us some news. It was bad off the bat. :P She said that we can't do A Chorus Line any longer. If you don't know, that play is highly inappropiate in its original form and we had planned just to change the necessary words/lines, which would have been fine. I think the director was waiting on the scripts to come or something and they weren't so her and the principal called the company. See, I guess when a school does a play they have to buy certain rights for the scripts and agree to some copyright stuff and this can all be done through the company that owns the play and its scripts. While on the phone with the company, the person on the phone made it perfectly clear that with their script there is to be absolutly NO editing of any sort and it would have to be performed in its originality. Obviously the school board and parents wouldn't allow such. You may be thinking, "well how would this company even know if we changed the lines?" They probably wouldn't, but it would be too much of a risk and one the school does not want to take because what if someone sued or something..y'know? There was also no other school version of A Chorus Line, so the only option was to really choose another play. The rest of that night was spent with everybody yelling random musicals out and just everyone discussing possible options. It was exciting actually. xD Sadly, when someone mentioned HSM the idea was literally murdered. -sniff sniff- :P I knew that'd happen anyway so I kept my hopes low on that one. ;P Nothing was decided that night but the most popular musicals the majority really liked including ones like Aladin, The Lion King, Footloose, and Cats. I thought the Lion King would be pretty awesome, especially considering it was my first and favorite movie ever. I liked Aladin for a split second because I love the songs, then I realized how little parts there sort of are, so I revoked my vote. :P Footloose would rock my socks too. Cats was a crazy out there idea that someone mentioned as a joke but when it came up half the crowd roared and started screaming "OMG YEAAAH!" Especially my friend so I sort of am at blame as being one of those that freaked out too. xD

There are so many factors that had to be taken into consideration though in order to even think about a play. Props, costumes, cost, cast, and audience appeal are just to name a few. Rumors said that when the director had her meeting, Cats was agreed upon. However, I have not received any official email confirming this so it really could be anything. I have to say that if we did Cats, it'd be very time consuming and difficult but probably one of the greatest times of my life and if I thought drama was fun now it'd be even more so just getting to be there and learn the songs and dance. My naaaaaame is Cat, I am born kittttty. xD -meow-. I love Mr. Mistoffolees, Macavity, Jellicle Catssss....ah! :) Anything would be cool though. Fun fun! :) I'll write again soon. And boyyy, it is still snowing so steady! I lovvee it.

Lunar Eclipse 2008

2008-02-20T22:42:00.002-05:00

Click to Play

My little video on the lunar eclipse that took place on February 20, 2008 between 9-10+ PM. It was a chilly night outside, so please don't mind my shaky hand. I don't really have much of a steady hand in the first place. Also, I say 'solar eclipse' at the start of the video. Don't kill me for that either. I'm very well aware that no sun is involved -- I'm just used to saying and thinking about solar eclipses more than lunar ones.

Enjoy and have a good one.

Chem Weekend

2008-02-18T18:33:00.002-05:00

Moles. Ions. Gases. Volume. The joys of AP chemistry. :) I think I've spent so much time on chemistry assignments since my 11th grade year of school started that I am more than just friends with chemistry, it is like family. And then, once I complete the current assignments, wherever I go, whoever I talk to... I am asked questions about the chem on how to do this and if this sounds right and man oh man. I really doubt if I've gone a whole day without talking about chemistry since September...hmm...maybe Christmas break? =P The reason this blog is going to end up so chemistry-focused is because this four-day President's holiday weekend from school pretty much centered around the two big chemistry assignments we were given that are due tomorrow, the day we return to class. One involved a take home test covering material from the last three chapters we did. The other task was to type up my formal lab report on a lab we did to find the molar volume of hydrogen gas. With an introduction, conclusion, and explanations, mine was seven pages long! :P

Thankfully I finished up yesterday, leaving me with my last day off to do what I'd like. I'm proud of myself for not being such a procrastinator. Despite being busy with chemistry, my weekend wasn't half bad. I had play practice on Saturday which is always fun and throws that twist of musical songs and dance into my usual routine. xD I did stay up really late every night this weekend letting out all sorts of crazy pent up energy I had from focusing on so many serious assignments during the daytime. Long, late night conversations, even about chemistry, makes my life go 'round. =P

In the midst of my chemistry work-attack, I took quite a picture portraying my organized, yet cluttered desk. [oh yeah! I just used an oxymoron...my English teacher would be proud. :P] It really adds a visual with all those papers, notebooks, textbooks, worksheets, and pencils even.

Now just for a quick WoW update from myself, I have been having a blast on that game. Truly! :) Sure, I am doomed to lose my bet to a boy named Craig, but I got to level 15 [16 is probably within my grasp tonight] and that is an accomplishment for me anyhow. :P I have been in new lands and it is exciting. I think I understand the game better too. It's so silly to think how gullible I was to fall into liking this game when I remember being reluctant to even show interest when my friends first started playing it. =P I have to end here now, it is time to compare chemistry answers. See! I am always surrounded by chemmmyy. :P Have a fantastic week and study your chemistry boys and girls!

Friendships Always End

2008-02-15T17:39:00.003-05:00

There is a phrase out there somewhere in the universe that goes along the lines of the following: "Good friendships never end". If you were to ask me my opinion on that quote a few months ago, I would respond that it was somewhat true, and that good bonds with others can only be broken by death (however, in spiritual terms, the bond would still exist in the afterlife). Nowadays, I look at that quote and laugh in some mad, manic way. Of course good friendships can end. It happens everyday in the world that we live in. Wouldn't divorce be a good example? What friendship is greater than the love between two individuals? Isn't it strange then how it can so easily be broken? If I were to speak in chemistry terms here for a second, most friendships are dipole-dipole forces -- strong but weak. They're fragile. Add enough energy and they can be broken and change over to some other phase. However, some friendships are hydrogen bonding. They're a special type of dipole-dipole force that exhibits stronger bonds. They can also be broken and mingled with, but the energy required to do so has to be of a greater magnitude. Think of the energy to not be measured in Joules, but to be the x amount of conflicts that exist that can threaten the strength of a friendship. Therefore, when I say that more energy (conflicts) is required to break the bonds between molecules (friends) exhibiting hydrogen bonding, you may be able to understand the whole theme that I'm trying to explain to you then.

We're all going to have to be shipped somewhere else in the world, especially if you're a teenager nearing the end of their days in high school. You may go off to college, a technical school, or not attend any post-high school education altogether, and in those years of your life be without the friends you had in high school. That's common. People move on and create lives of their own, void of more than three-fourths of the people they grew up with. Sure, you may be best friends with somebody now, but will you even know them personally twenty years down the road? It may be considered a broken friendship, or a forgotten friendship, but nevertheless, that friendship didn't exactly last forever. Did it? No, it ended. When we're shipped out into the world, the U.S. Postal Service might as well take us through a system of conveyor belts and stamp 'Fragile' on our foreheads. We are extremely fragile at this point in our lives. The friendships of our past will not be sustained, and will change no matter what happens. You may still be 'best buds' with a friend of yours years after graduating high school, but when a husband or wife enter your life, and then children, and the same may go for your friend, I doubt you two will be hanging out a lot. Right now, being a high school student, the only thing that keeps best friends from being together seems to be jobs. Well, add spouse, kids, kids' kids, and more to the list that already has jobs, and you're going to see how much time you'll spend with a friend of yours in ten to twenty years from now.

This has been my honest opinion on matters that have been bothering me lately, and the chem twist was added as I have three AP chemistry assignments due for Tuesday and my head is filled with ions gone wild.

Have a good one.

#500

2008-02-13T10:20:00.002-05:00

With today being a snow day, I figured that I would post a blog as I have been inactive for a pretty lengthy time. However, upon logging into Blogger, I noticed that this post would be post number five-hundred. The big 5-0-0. It gives me the goosebumps in a way just thinking that BFBv.2 already has 500 posts! It could've had a lot more if, for example, every blog author posted once or twice a week, but sadly that does not happen. Actually, I think Chase disappeared from the face of the planet. He better bring me back some artifacts from Mars then, whenever he comes comes back to Earth. But I understand that motivation is a hard thing to come by, especially when it comes to writing. And blogging is mostly pure black-and-white text unless one has pictures or multimedia to throw into the mix. I would love to make a few posts that are just videos, but I'm really not an interesting guy to just sit in the camera and talk. Mostly because I get distracted or I forgot where I was going with a point. No, I don't have ADD (I hope). I'm just not good at impromptu.

Right now I'm starting to feel sick. My nephew stayed over last night as he couldn't go to school as he had an ear infection and possibly no school altogether. I didn't feel like doing much online yesterday, so I spent the majority of the day with him. He found an interest in the site ChallengeYou.com, in which you can make and play mazes. Anyway, the bottom line is that he's sick, my father is now sick, my mother is starting to feel sick, and I believe that I'll be the next victim. Which is bad. Very, very bad. Why? I have three AP chemistry assignments to do for next Tuesday: big homework assignment, a lab paper on molar volume, and a take-home test. And let me tell you this right now if you're in a grade lower than 11th and never had a take-home test: they're much harder than any test that you'll ever take in-class.

I'm sorry for the short and low quality entry, especially with it being the 500th, but I can barely type, my head feels foggy, and my ears are actually starting to hurt. Have a good one, as I sure as hell won't.

Here's to Life

2008-02-09T16:56:00.000-05:00

I've been so busy lately, so I feel tired today. I've been listening to the band, "The Refreshments" lately though. Apparently they are an older band whom I knew of but have now been reacquainted with. :P I think you should listen to them if you haven't, they are soothing. :) In fact, the title of this blog has lyrics dedicated to my favorite song by them. Let's see, it's been about two weeks since my last entry and I am sure I have numerous things to speak of.

I got a part in the school play! A small part, a speakless part, but a part nonetheless! xD The day we found out who got what parts was very exciting. My best friend got the lead role, believe it or not. :) I am so incredibly excited for her. It's so amazing but she deserved it, she is the best dancer in the school and since the musical we are doing is mostly dance well, what could be better?! She always is full of spunk too and will do a wonderful acting job. ;) We've had two rehearsals so far and more coming. It is like taking a dance class for two hours after school. We've mainly danced so far, almost learned the first song through. The music is fun and I love being apart of it as well as having the chance to learn the dance. I'm really trying my best and was really surprised when given a compliment from our drama director that she remembered when she was in bed the night before that she meant to tell me that I am doing a really good job. =D It made me feel really good. It's so fun spending time with my friends there too. The play starts out with everyone dancing together because it is auditions. Then the main characters in the play get chosen out front and the rest of us [me included] get cut. =P It's different knowing that the night of the performances I am going to be on stage for a little bit instead of crawling out inbetween scenes when the lights are out grabbing props and doing technical stuff. =P It will be fun to wear a costume and have to pretend I am a serious dancer yearning to make broadway auditions but then act upset when I don't get picked. xD I'll probably mention something about how Drama goes in every entry I post from now until May. (;

Last Friday we didn't have school because of ice or something. I went to my friend's house for a while and we watched the video that was taped of my friends and I ice skating on my birthday. It was really great to see again because that was an awesome day. :) We played Grand Theft Auto and danced awhile when I was there too. I went shopping last weekend and realized how much I'd like to buy a new bathing suit. A real pretty one, but without strings. Plaid would be terrific, of course! ;P hehe.

Last night I went to the Penguin's ice hockey game with my friend Nicole. :) It was so much fun! I love the arena and there was a lot of people there. I always thought watching ice hockey was fun and last night's game was exciting. I liked sitting up high and watching the puck fly across the ice and see the players slam one another into the plexiglass. My favorite part was when the Penguins scored [they won by the way, 3-0]. When they scored, the goal would light up and the whole arena would be a huge roar, then music would play and everyone would pump their arms, clap, and cheer. It was so exciting hahaha. =) Afterwards I sleptover Nicole's house where we ended the evening playing karaoke and guitar hero again then watching The Office until we fell asleep. It was great! (:

I'm looking forward to the 4-day weekend we have coming up. I want to go somewhere or do something although I'm not sure what yet. I can always play WoW, hah. ;) I'm going to play some soon actually. Last time I played was probably one of the most fun times I've had playing the game. I love how I got to fly around and explore new areas I had not seen before. That, along with the swimming, is probably my favorite aspect of the game. Well I guess this concludes my entry for now, I have some stuff to do. :)

WoW Stories Around the Blogfire: Part 1

2008-01-28T20:23:00.000-05:00

World of Warcraft is similar to real life in a few ways. Some can point fingers at the economy, the community, the wars, etc. but the one essential element that every player of World of Warcraft shares are the memories of their many adventures. Nobody goes through the epic quest from level one to seventy too totally brainwashed to remember any monumental events that have taken place, no matter how minor or major they were. However, to keep an account of one's journeys throughout the endless realms of Azeroth enables the individual to easily recall what happenings had taken place without doubt. Thanks to Blizzard, the players are allowed to take in-game screenshots with the press of a button, which then automatically saves in an automatically destined folder. With the power of a picture being worth a thousand words (however I dislike that thought as I'm a man of captions), players can recount their playing time by viewing their photo album of their toon's life. That may be very nice, but to share these pictures and adventures with other players and even non-players, maybe as a method to lure them into the game, would be much nicer. I haven't looked throughout the internet yet for any such accounts, but why do such when I can present my tales for other's reading pleasure. Therefore I present to you a new lil' thing I'll be doing on the blog every now and then:

WoW Stories Around the Blogfire

In the two pictures shown above was a raid that took place at Undercity just yesterday. There was a bug/glitch last night and the servers were down for battlegrounds, Outland instances, and arenas. Therefore, the high level players didn't know what the hell to do to suit their taste for some PVP action. Why not raid a major city then? I was sitting around in Undercity while doing my AP chemistry homework when I noticed the large amount of complaints in the trade chat channel about the servers going down. I also noticed that some people were trying to put a raid together to attack the Alliance city of Exodar, however it's uncertain as to how the outcome of that raid was, or even if a group was put together. After awhile, I went outside of Undercity to escape the mass of chatter in trade chat as I was trying to talk in my guild and to Caitlin, who was on at the time. I know a simple '/leave trade' would have solved the same problem, but I wanted to be a loiter outside, especially in the fresh, or shall I say, rotten air of Trisfal Glades. I was chatting, while editing my homework, when I noticed in both world and local defense that Undercity was under attack. At this point, I was rushing inside of the city when I heard shouts that the raid group were in the sewers. I then dashed back outside, trying to find the entrance to the sewers, but I failed miserably in doing so. Knowing that I was wasting time away from experiencing my first raid on the Horde, I ran back into the city to go to the sewers the long way. However, at this point, trade chant roared with shouts that the raid was already in the royal chambers, trying to kill Lady Sylvanas Windrunner. I quickly ran to the chamber to find the Alliance raid group preparing for the battle with the queen and her servants, including her demonic guard. The Horde of Undercity didn't take much part in fighting the Alliance as we would rather watch the onslaught that our Lady would lay upon the group. The Alliance soon struck, and the guards of Undercity, as well as our Lady, went after the group. The part that I found amusing, as you can see in the second picture above, is that only one person was attacking the queen. The other twenty-nine or so Alliance were focused on fighting the guards. The final outcome of the raid was that the whole raid wiped, getting Lady Windrunner down to only 99% health, and they didn't come back. I was a bit dissatisfied, however. I was hoping for a more epic battle with the Horde players actually grouping together to participate, but we just sat around as spectators with a select few trying to fight, but really -- one or two Horde against thirty Alliance; there's not a chance of survival there. I would've tried to fight, even though I was only level 52, but I'm not a good 1 vs 1 player, nevertheless 1 vs 30. And, well, the fact that they were mostly all question marks to me. I'll get my revenge at 70.

After the raid took place, I went back to the bank in Undercity to stand around while talking about this and that in guild chat, reporting to them the events that took place. After a little while, the general chat chimed with the text 'Undercity is under attack' again. Without thought I headed to the sewers, as that seems to be the only way that the Alliance seem to enter Undercity. I was correct in my decision. With my humanoid tracking on, I was able to scout out a single red dot located at the end of a pipe in the sewers. As I walked toward the level ?? human warlock, I noticed that a level 55 night elf druid was too present, however he was in his cat form and in stealth. If it wasn't for me accidentally walking on top of him, I wouldn't even had known he was there. I stood around, we waved to each other, then I left. However, I spotted a level 70 undead warlock too in the sewers, and I led him to where the other two Alliance were. I followed him back to the spot where they were standing, and we stood there for a very long time, with the 70 and I talking a bit. Then, out of nowhere, my undead warlock comrade attacked the other warlock. Without thinking, I did the same thing, using my bestial wrath spell to actually do some damage. Oh shit! I forgot about the druid! While attacking the warlock, I notice the druid, still in cat form, rushing at me. I lay down a trap to freeze him, however he evaded it, and began attacking me. I don't know how, but I was getting good distances from the druid to do some range damage without him being right next to me throughout the whole battle -- the biggest weakness for hunters. We were both losing health at the same rate, and I knew that I would probably go down before him. However, lucky for me, the two level 65 guards spawned back at this time, aiding in my task to wipe out the druid, while the undead warlock killed the human. It was a good battle, and a good time. The warlock and I talked for about five minutes while we stood over our victim's dead bodies, and then we went our separate ways.

That's all the stories I have to recount for today, however I have many more to tell, but time doesn't allow me to fit them all into one entry. Therefore, I hope you anticipate the other parts to this series and enjoyed the one I presented to you today.

Have a good one.

WoW Update

2008-01-27T21:53:00.000-05:00

Right now there is a server shutdown on World of Warcraft for most realms, so I figured I would come on to type up an entry about the game itself. My inactivity at the blog is due to my heightened addiction toward WoW. I'm at the point in the game where I'm experiencing new things that I never encountered before, as the highest level I ever was prior to my current toon was 47. I'm entering zones I never set foot in before, fighting monsters that I never fought before, and doing quests that I never did before. I can't say much for instances, however. The first instance I did since Wailing Caverns (and not counting the time I soloed Shadowfang Keep when I was farming light leather from the worgens and beasts there) was the Sunken Temple, and that was just a run with the purpose of completing my level 50 hunter quest for my new beloved weapon -- the hunter spear. I'm not much of an instance kind-of-guy. I really don't like to group up, as I feel like I'm obligated to have to do whatever the group wants to do. In terms of instances, I feel like I can't leave the party and do something in real life as they'll be angry at me. But really, why should I care? They're strangers sitting at a computer in some section of the world that I never met before. Why should I care about their feelings and motives? Well, that's the problem with the world today. People don't care about that other human being present at a computer somewhere, and they bash each other verbally without fear of actual harm. Try saying half the things said in WoW or any other online game or community to somebody in real life and see how long it takes before getting punched in the face. Wow, I'm getting a little off-topic here.

My troll hunter, Eragoin, on the PvE server of Whisperwind is currently level 52. This is the only toon I'm working on because I'm eager to finally reach the current maximum level of 70. I want to actually experience the raids at 70 as well as instances before the game expands with "The Wrath of the Lich King". I should definitely reach 70 at the start of the summer, if not sooner. I'm giving myself a lot of time, however, because I'm unaware if school will keep me busy anytime soon. If I play the way I am nowadays, I may turn 70 in March. I really don't have an desire to start another toon. I love hunters, and I love trolls. I tried other classes in the past, such as mages, rogues, warriors, etc. and I just didn't like them. I would like to try a tauren druid, but that's only if I'm extremely bored on Eragoin.

I recently deleted my other toon, a level 47 dwarf hunter on Azgalor (Buddyfoote), because I decided that I wanted to be Horde-only. I do have a level 13 gnome mage on my home server of Whisperwind, but I'll only use him as a spy in terms to scout out cities to raid. I had too many flaws with my dwarf hunter, and I decided that he had to go. He was the wrong spec, had the wrong pet, had the wrong armor, etc. and I just became detached from him. The leading cause was because of the server type -- PVP, which I dreaded dearly. The fear of being attacked wherever I was caused way too much anxiety for me to handle. I could have whipped out twenty-five dollars and transferred Buddyfoote to Whisperwind, but like I said, I began to disdain the toon. Plus, I really like the community on the Horde. It's almost the same as the Alliance -- you have the dicks and you have the nicest people in the world, but I tend to run into the nice people more than the dicks on the Horde. The guild that I belong to, Gnome Squishing Inc., illustrates how nice my faction is on my server. It's a great mature family of friends. I love my guild as we have very intelligent conversations about this, that, and whatever. Kudos to you guys.

I would like to write more, especially since I'm in the mood, as well as post some WoW pictures that I took, however I'm being called upon by my mother. And you have to add the fact that I have school tomorrow and I need to get some sleep.

Have a good one.

Drama-ette

2008-01-26T19:43:00.000-05:00

Hey kids. =P Life has been good, very busy, and quite exciting this week. :) Well I got my braces off Tuesday morning! Yep, all done. The appointment lasted a good hour and wasn't painful or scary or any of that. I love my teeth toooo. They seem a lot bigger though and I still have to go get a good cleaning and will recieve my pink glow in the dark retainer Thursday. ;D

Thursday of this week Drama began again at the school after not having a fall play because of the absence of finding a new director and such. If I liked Drama a lot before, I am pretty sure I love it now. :) It's so fun. Everything about it. I like that there are people in Drama with me that I may not have become friends with or got to known well otherwise. It's a little family, hehe. Aside from that, Drama allows me to gain more confidence and show another side of myself that people wouldn't expect of me. The Spring Musical we are doing is called "A Chorus Line" and the show probably won't be until early May. The new producer is terrific. She has much experience and even is a choreographer. Auditions were right after school Thursday and that "side of myself that people wouldn't expect of me" came out. =) My friend Abby and I decided months ago we wanted to become even more involved in the Drama Club this year now that we had an idea of how things were run behind the scenes and what went into the plays from our tech- experience. We were not looking for any star roles in the play, but we figured if we could get casted as an extra with a few lines or be a member of the chorus with everyone when they get to do the first and final songs/dances of the play that would be fun and more than enough. The only thing that sort of worried us was the singing part because we aren't singers but we figured if we wanted to be extras nobody would make us sing anything solo. It was funny because in the days leading up to Thursday Abby continually reminded me that if when we went to Drama Thursday and someone told us we had to sing we were "walking out, right then." xD

So Thursday afternoon came and Abby and I went to the auditorium auditions. Just staying after school like that brought back last year Drama memories, haha. :) We filled out the forms and went along with the audition. The point issss...Abby and I actually tried out for the play! I am still shocked. I don't know, but we became different people. It started when the music teacher walked in and gathered everyone around the piano to do vocal warm-ups. Abby and I stayed seated though, thinking y'know, we weren't singing because we hadn't come to sing. We didn't even bother getting a music sheet with the lyrics for the song try out people had to sing. After a few minutes of "lalalalaas" Abby turned to me and whispered "uhm..do you think, maybe, we should go over there, with them?" And I just looked at her so stunned because all week she was the anti-singer and now she was considering! Haha. Of course I agreed and so we snuck behind the other people around the piano and looked over shoulders at the words and followed the warm-up that I love because it sort of goes like this "zig zig zig zig zig zaah zah zah zah zah zaaaaaah." And it is is very fun to do! I even did it when I got home and the next day again, haha. Abby was even getting into it. Then everyone was told in groups of two, randomly picked, we have to sing part of the song "One" which we had just learned. I pretty much froze when my name was called to sing with someone who had tons of drama experience and so I sat there shaking my head and then someone else said that I would only sing with Abby. =P But Abby, was like, not saying anything. Haha then they called us to go next. We didn't want to sing in front of the group, only the teacher, so we sort of made a scene and I was already embarrassed. xD Abby and I decided we'd just go for it, get it over with. Neither of us had ever sang in front of anyone before [aside from big groups in elem. school] so we were nervous and afterwards we were so stunned we actually did it. xD It went pretty bad for me. I tried to sing along with Abby, but I guess I felt nervous and then words stopped coming out of my mouth so I sorta stopped in the middle then picked up stronger at the end when I felt more comfortable. But by then it was over, lol. :P That was quite an experience though! We did feel really proud of ourselves, I mean, that was huge! We knew by that point we were truly auditioning for this play 100%. After everyone else finished singing [many people, maybe more than half, you couldn't even hear them so all was good. :P], the new drama lady I'll call her, came over after reading how Abby had the most dance experience in the room [6yrs]. She explained to Abby that she'll definitaly be needed for all of the dancing this play consists of, particularly the ballet scene where she'd love to place Abby center stage. I was so happy for her! :) [P.S.- The icon for this paragraph is so from HSM! :)]

As the hour passed an acting tryout was next. After actually singing like I had just done for a little bit, when they called my name to come and read a paragraph in front of everyone it was truly a breeze. I simply ran right over. I love to read and if I try I can read very clearly and because it was Drama I added some emotion. This part was probably my favorite and went a lot better. xD It was so fun and so totally new. Afterwards Abby and I couldn't stop saying how unbelievable it was that we actually really tried out, haha. =)

So that was probably the most exciting day this week. :) Tuesday it will be posted who got the main parts and such, although I believe everyone who joined will be in the play and get to learn the rigorous dance and chorus songs for the performance. =D I am really excited and looking forward to everything. I'd absolutly love to learn a dance from a real choreographer and wear a costume on stage. :) It seems as though I am repeating what I did in elementary school. All those years back then I was known as being shy and quiet. Then in 6th grade I showed all my teachers and peers a more outgoing side when I, and yes, Abby, were the evil stepsisters in Cinderalla in a big play we had where I acted all goofyy on stage in front of the whole school and danced and even wore a wig. xD Stuff you wouldn't really see me doing. :P Now I can sort of repeat that. I've been pretty shy and quiet yet again 7th-11th grade, yet now that I am nearing my last year I'm coming out again, growing more comfortable, and willing/wanting to be on stage in front of people. xD It probably sounds so weird but it is so fun. Fun to enjoy all aspects of my personality and be able to feel carefree and have fun and sing and dance and just let go. :) It's nice, really nice. I like that I am a shy person too though, but once in awhile a person just has to break away from being quiet and watching from the side and actually get up there and join them. =P Now that I've tried out for the play I already feel more confident. Drama gives me more confidence. I sang that fun vocal warm up with Carol and Jon in my history class the other day. Like, oh em gee? :P Anywho I don't know for sure how things will progress with the play but I will be very happy simply to be a part of it, even if I just helped again. :)

I really have to clean my kitty's litter box now, I have sorta put it off an extra hour because I wanted to write this blog. Last night I spent over my friend's house where we really did have a lot of fun doing arts and crafts, watching a movie, and making up our first dance together! Yeaahyay. Fun fun. :) I volunteered my afternoon today at the library where I worked very hard nonstop! It was such a busy day there. xD Tonight I hope to play some WoW after I post this up and finish my novel. Have a great week everyone and don't be so shyyyyyyy. :)<3

Seventeenth Birthday and More

2008-01-20T17:44:00.000-05:00

A bit overdue I know, yet I started typing this birthday entry the day after my birthday it has still taken more than a week to actually post it. =P I turned officially 17 years old as of Friday, January 11th, 11:20am. :) Weird, Friday is also the exact day of the week I was born. I am not even sure if I'd be able to sum up my birthday in one word, but I guess I can try. Oh! Got it. =) It was fabulous! The day was fabulous, my friends were fabulous, the song "Fabulous" from HSM even played on the radio and I sang along making things more fabulous. =) I had one of the best, if not thee best, birthday ever. =D I say that truthfully with a smile on my face just thinking about it.

First of all, seventeen seems a lot older than sixteen for some reason. I don't necessarily "feel" older, but I was thinking the other night how I really have changed towards "acting" older, without even noticing it. This has occurred quickly too, like two years ago I was a lot different. I did half of the things I do today, and I don't know, there's more. I really have made some amazing memories being sixteen that I'll never forget, but I'm definately anxious for the ones I hope seventeen brings. =) ♥

I actually took the initiative and made some amazingly sweet plans with my friends to celebrate my turning 17.Friday night I picked up two of my bestest friends, Abby and Nicole, where we went out to eat, went to the mall, then went ice skating all in one unforgettable evening. =) I'll start first by mentioning my fun day at school!

I love going to school on my birthday. A friend asked me why I came since it was my birthday, but my other friend simply answered for me in a few words; "there's no place else she'd rather be!" =) So true, haha. I appreciate all the happy birthday wishes, it puts such a smile on my face. My Spanish teacher even privately sang happy birthday to me in Spanish. =) So sweet.

Right after school I excitedly got dressed and ready to go pick up my friends for our night out. Wow, it was seriously such a fun time. They even told me in breathless syllables how amazing of a time they had. That makes me feel unbelieveably good inside, knowing that they had fun with me and with what we did. =D We ate a good meal and the waitress knew it was my birthday [how, I still don't know, someone filled her in..but who? :P] and she brought me this fancy italian desert I cannot spell the name of nor remember exactly. It was alright tasting, had a distinct cream inside and chocolate chips that were good but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to eat it again. xD Then we took the car ride to the mall and even everytime we were in the car we had a lot of fun. The car has XM radio so I put on the "dance" channel, and they played hilarious beaty- dance songs Abby pretended she knew all her life. It was so fun. :) At one point I put the "kids" channel on, and I heard a familiar voice and I started freaking out I mean like, bobbing in my seat and waving my hands and saying "OH. MY. GOSH." and going "shhhhhhh!", as I started to sing along to yes, Zac Efron singing "Bet On It" from HSM. It was so great because Abby even sang with me and freaked out just as much [turns out she likes his fierce moves in the video for it]. It was terrific and I freaked out because not only was Zac singing on my birthday but I never ever heard HSM songs on the radio hahaha. :P Once we got to the mall our fun really picked up. Ice skating didn't start until 7:30-10, so we had a good hour and half or so to kill. We went wandering around aimlessly and went into random stores, like the dollar store, and took really funny pictures of each other. Abby even bought some bibs for her and a friend and we bought some super tasty milkshakes. :P I will tack a few silly pictures of my friends and I at the mall at the end of this blog entry. =) Haha, I actually, just remembered this really funny experience. After posing like mannequins and sitting in chairs, Abby left her bag of bibs somewhere and we were leaving, walking past store managers, when Abby suddenly screamed "Oh my gosh where are my bibs!!!!!" I pretty much died laughing while running back after her around the store to find them. Oh my gosh, my stomach hurt. I mean really, what must those poor store managers have thought of us? xD We are the goofiest and most unique threesome you'll ever meet.

We made perfect timing for everything throughout the evening, so once we were done at the mall, boom, ice skating time. =) Nicole and I hadn't gone ice skating in over 5 years, and Abby goes regularly with relatives so she most definitately did the best of everyone. I really loved the idea of going skating because it was something I hadn't done in a long time, making it new and exciting. =) I was really wobbly at first on the ice, a true wall-hugger. I was impressed at Nicole staying towards the middle. After a good hour I'd say, I got more of the hang of it and my friends and I, we all held onto each other until we were more comfortable and then started to go good for awhile. It was so so much fun. Nobody fell at all for a very long time. I was enjoying myself, my father was taping it all too! I love the footage. =) Ice skating is really hard though, I think. It really takes some practice and it's scary sometimes too but it sure is fun. =) Probably wasn't until around the last hour and a half that my friends and I started falling. Abby would come up, push my back to make me go faster causing me to fall, latch onto Nicole, and pull her down with me then we spun. :P A second time we three fell because we were all holding on and going fast I think, and it was like a chain of falls. Around then this boy kept coming by asking us girls if we were okay. It was nice, I'll admit, yet I assumed he worked there but turned out he didn't. :P Towards the last half hour my friends and I were standing on the ice and just talking when that guy came and just started talking to Abby. It was funny because Abby always attracts these, certain types, of guys. I was listening and waiting for the moment when he'd ask for her number [which his friend had to do because he was "too afraid"] because I knew that was coming next but she wasn't interested at all like that. :P Pretty funny, haha. It was around these last 15 minutes when this one kid, going really fast and using what Abby calls a "steel banana" and he bumped into me, making me knees buckle, and splat, I hit the ice extremely hard on my butt. xD I had made through the whole night without any accidents, and then one happens not of my own doing even. =P He never even said anything to me either, just kept going, as I sat there, waiting to regain strength to try standing. :P I mean I'm fine, but am just sore because I slammed down so suddenly. :P I was sad when the night was over because it was so fun. =) Made a good chunk of memories with some great girls. :)

Saturday I had my friend Heather over for the entire day in hopes of us "partying". xD We tried too, and it was still fun. I like having her over, it seems she comes over a lot more often these days. =) We played music and danced, actually, I danced and then my brother got real into doing the slide with me and we did it together and that was a lot of fun to do. xD Heather and I did learn Soulja Boy's Crank That dance steps though, which was just well, plain hilarious. =P

If you're wondering what I got for my birthday in the present area, I received a good amount of clothes, accessories, a purse, a poster, a frog that lights up (thank you Jen=), a CD, a DVD, a nice amount of money, and World of Warcraft! =D Everything was great. WoW is really fun and I plan to play it as often as possible, and maybe write blogs on some of my adventures too. :) I never thought I'd be a true player of WoW but things happen! =P

Life has just been busy and this blog entry is only getting longer because I keep adding to it everyday. School has been busy with homework and midterms. I've been tutoring and volunteering in my spare time as well. My dog's health had been deterioating rapidly yet these past few days she has seemed extremely well. I'm also getting my braces off Tuesday morning, and I changed my current song under my profile. =) This sums up a few things. I'll try to write again sooner without these long breaks resulting in looong entries. =P Adios!

Here are just a few of my favorite pics from my birthday weekend! :)

♥

may your organs fail before your dreams

2008-01-20T10:35:00.000-05:00

well its that day that football games are happening, i never really much understood watching over paid steroid junkies wearing pads pushing eachother and handeling balls and what not. call me disenchanted but it never appealed to me (tho my mom says i should like it, its part of being a man) my little brothers are starting to get into star wars, thats a good thing.

i'd like to throw a question out there, what the hell does the thing in cloverfield look like, i dont want to waste 9 bucks and find out myself

at the moment im watching live videos from a very good very original band called The Matches
its kind of cool to see how much there look changed since they started. one of there earlier songs, "chain me free" can be seen here http://youtube.com/watch?v=rf4uN1h7mow
but then in my opinion the better stuff is the newer stuff, and i like it live best, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnNBvI-dhkU, this is there song papercut skin

im in a very artistic mood tonight, i wrote a song last night of utter boredom and am just waiting now for my soccer game at 2. wish me luck, thanks for reading if you did

- joey

Late Night Breakfast & Proud BIG Sister!

2008-01-15T23:40:00.000-05:00

I noticed that many of you don't post much during the week, and that is obviously because you are all busy with the hectic days of your high school careers. I decided to try to type up at least one entry a day during the week so you all have something to read if you come onto the blog. It's almost midnight and I am eating a bowl of cereal (Count Chocula) as I type up this entry. It's really strange that if I eat cereal or any kind of breakfast first thing in the morning or anytime before noon I get very sick to my stomach, so I usually eat my breakfast at night. I don't really like to eat anything right before I go to bed at night because then I have really really bad nightmares. Tomorrow is Bobby's interview for his new job...*finger's crossed*...I am really hoping that he gets this job, then I won't have to worry about anything. He will have health benefits from the day that he starts, 401k plan, vaca and sick time etc. I am still going to work at the same place that we both work at. I really enjoy working there and I <3 all the people. They are all so cool and we all became very close friends, we are like a small family (well 2nd family). I don't really have much to write about, so therefore you may find that I am going to ramble and ramble on about nothing at all.

I would like to say a few words about my little brother (even though he's taller than me) Stephen a.k.a.-Buddy Foote. I am really proud of him and I don't think that myself or anyone else in our family tells him that enough. It seems like only yesterday when he was beginning to crawl, and starting to talk (baby talk that is). I hope that I don't embarrass him by writing any of this, but I just can't believe how quickly he grew up and what a smart, handsome adult he's grown to be. I can still remember the 1st time he escaped from his playpen....for some reason that one event stuck my mind. I know that he is really going to make something of himself, and in ending this entry I would like to say something to him.....

Stephen,
You are a wonderful person and I hope you know that. We are all proud of you and don't ever forget it. You are the best little brother that a BIG sister could ask for. I hope that you know I love you and I always will, so don't ever forget that either.....oh yeah and 1 more thing, when you are successful and rich there is one more thing that you shouldn't forget.....YOUR SISTER :-)

AP Chemistry Homework...With A Twist

2008-01-12T23:58:00.001-05:00

Click to Play

Nothing like doing some good ol' AP chemistry at night. And shall I add: literally, at night. You will see soon enough when you hit the 'play' button -- if you dare to. However, enough with explaining. There is nothing to explain! This video is meant to make your mind suffer and for your brain to lose many neurons. I'm sorry -- it just has to be this way.

I Hate The Phone!

2008-01-09T20:25:00.001-05:00

Click to Play

I'm not much of a phone user. In fact, I hate phones! I would rather talk over a microphone, even if the quality was bad, than to use a phone with crystal clear audio. It may be the reason why I didn't use my cell phone in over a year. I really hate phones when people call me for homework help. This is one of the reasons why Lakeland Study Buddy (http://buddyfoote.110mb.com/lakeland) was created. I'm not much of a listener. I have to see to either explain something or say anything logical. When people talk to me about homework over the phone, I'm like catching a deer in headlights -- blind and dumbfounded. When people call me, I literally hear "blah blah blah". Yes, I would rather type than talk -- unless, like I stated early, I'm using a mic. And being that my new laptop has a built-in microphone, it's even better for me to talk on it. C'mon people, good mics only cost from five to fifteen dollars.

And above is a video of myself, expressing my "joy" of being on a phone.

And by the way, I invented a new smiley. The Pac-Man: (:V) It looks better in AIM.

Back To Work!

2008-01-09T14:53:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone, just a quick entry to let you all know that I won't be posting much due to the fact that I am returning to work tomorrow.....OH JOY!!!! Actually I am rather excited about returning to work, my husband and I have been laid off since Octoberish and I am going out of my mind being in the house all the time. It will be good for me to interact with other people , other than Bob. I love Bob to death but it's good to be around other people and to be able to conversate with others. Due to the fact that I have to return to work I have to change the schedule of my eldeset cat's medication. He takes phenobarbital because he takes seizures. I have been giving it to him at 9a.m. and 9p.m. because it is to be given to him every 12 hours. I am going to have to go give it to him around 6:30 in both the a.m. and p.m. now. I was giving it to him at 9 so I could still sleep in a bit in the morning. I think that it's going to be rough to get back in the groove of things with going back to work, but I am actually excited. Normally I sit behind a desk all day and pass out orders and do the paperwork and stuff. I was informed today when I spoke to my boss on the computer that we were suppose to be at work today, but due to not having a phone at my apartment I didn't get his message til I logged onto the computer and got his message on myspace. He told me that we are going to be stacking these grills that are in our inventory, that should be fun. We have til Friday to complete the job, then on Monday the pick for the Easter product begins and then my job which involves sitting on my ass begins :-) , well just wanted to let you all know what's going on in my life. In case I don't get on here to post a blog before Friday I would like to put something at the bottom of this entry for Caitlin.....take care everyone and enjoy the rest of your week......

xoxo.....
Jenifer

The New Runescape Age

2008-01-06T13:41:00.000-05:00

I haven't played the popular MMORPG game known as Runescape since June 2007, when I logged out for the last time in my kyatt clothing, dragon woodcutting axe, and my woodcutting skill cape. Well, that's sort of a lie. I did log in a few times afterwards whenever I needed a break from the PVP action on the new MMORPG that I fled to, World of Warcraft. However, ever since I left the PVP server of Azgalor and created a new toon, a troll hunter, on the PVE server of Whisperwind, I didn't have to flee from any PVPing as I was able to choose when I could PVP or not. Therefore, I barely logged onto Runescape at all. Even though I left Runescape almost half a year ago after playing it continuously for two years, I still read the news every once in a while whenever I remembered to. The news was good at first after I left the game, with promising updates (however bizarre to me at first) and new additions that would please many players, either new or old.

Once November and December came around, however, the updates changed; and may I add that they were updates that did not please about three-fourths of the Runescape population. Updates, such as eliminating the PVP elements of the wilderness that I was familiar to in my two years of playing, making the duel arena free-to-play, and now the newest update -- unbalanced trade removal, seem to be bringing about the downfall of Runescape.

People once enjoyed the careless element of the game. This being doing whatever you want, whenever you want, however you wanted to do it; as long as you followed the rules. Jagex combated every known issue, with an update people either agreed or disagreed with. When people were being lured into the wilderness constantly, Jagex created the infamous wilderness ditch. When people were being scammed in player-owned houses, Jagex made a fix on that. Jagex fixed many issues in their time, however there was one issue that they never seemed to be fixing to the public -- macroing and real world trading.

This very tree symbolized heaven for many autoers. However, with the new Runescape updates combating real world item trading, this tree should no longer be infested by the scum.

When I was a regular player of Runescape, I spent many hours standing around yew and willow tress or on at piers at that one island (Karamaja?) reporting any autoer/macroer that I saw. I even created a guide here on how to confirm that an individual may be an autoer and methods on reporting them. You may say that I did this only to attempt to become a player moderator, but I also did this to try and eliminate many of the autoers. I persuaded people to do the same as me, and even for only five to ten minutes out of their time, to go to either a free-to-play world or members world (some have been known for having autoers) and report a few of them. I could've spent my time doing more beneficial things on the game, such as skilling or raising combat, but I chose to stand around yew trees in Lumbridge forest with a stopwatch and notebook reporting autoers. I am sure that I'll remember that age of my life for many years to come; when I realize that I could've read the English dictionary in the time I spent doing nothing at all on a game.

My autoer reporting sprees was not enough, however, to keep the autoers at bay. A three-year old could easily inform you about that. You could report one autoer and three more could spawn once that one was banned. The whole population of the game excluding the autoers could report them, as I'm sure many free-to-play players did whenever they were skilling and saw one, and there would still be too many to handle. Jagex had to take drastic measures to destroy autoing, and in the long run, real world trading. And believe me, and may I speak for the majority of the Runescape community, they did take the most drastic steps that a gaming company could take; without, of course, closing down the game.

Even though this is a fake image, trades like this could've once happened -- either to loan to a friend or real world trading. After the unbalanced trade removal update, however, this can no longer happen.

The update that seems to be destroying real world trading the most seems to be the most recent update -- unbalanced trade removal. With this update, it depends on how many quest points you have to give out a specified amount of money set by Jagex. Right now, if you have maximum quest points, you could only make an unbalanced trade that's 30k higher or lower than the set price of the item; or to give 30k away in cash. And that's with maximum quest points! To be honest with you, 30k gold is not a lot of gold. If magic log prices are still 1k or more, you only have to sell approximately 30 logs in order to obtain 30k. That's not a lot of logs, and it's not a lot of money. This update, however, should bring down real world trading and macroing! The only downside is that people thought that the end of macroing would be a happy end for them, and they would be able to experience the same old Runescape gameplay as they previously had, but void of corrupt autoers. Well, they were wrong. This process altered the wilderness, totally changing the PVP aspects of the game that many enjoyed for years since the wilderness was first established, and changed the trade system, so that you could no longer loan out money to a friend in need.

How would this update help in bringing about the end to autoing? Autoers are computer programs that do actions in-game without an actual person having to control them. They are coded to do whatever they were designed for, whether it be to fish, woodcut, or mine; as well as many more. And keep in mind, not only were autoers a problem, but many Asian players were being forced to make money in-game at sweatshops so that their 'boss' was able to make real-world profit off of the fake currency. Anyhow, the autoer or the sweatshop worker did something over and over again in the game to make as much money as possible. Most of the autoers were in free-to-play worlds, obtaining ores, lobster, or yew logs, and the sweatshop workers were in member worlds, obtaining dragon bones/hide and other items of wealth. Once the autoer or worker sold the items for gold, they then transferred the gold over to a master account. This account kept all the gold and did the dealing to players who purchased the gold for real-world cash. However, there may have been many master accounts to spread out the money, in case one was caught and banned; therefore all the money wouldn't be lost. And of course, whenever a purchase on a set amount of gold was made, the gold was traded over to the customer. Not anymore, however, as large amounts of gold can no longer be traded to another player for nothing.

This method is like the following scenario: A single student in a classroom is loud and obnoxious. The teacher keeps on informing the student to be quiet, however the student ignores the teacher's commands and continues to break the rules. Therefore, the teacher, based on that one kid's actions, makes the whole class do a big assignment. Even though the majority of the class was good, they were all punished because of a single person's behavior.

Just one of your everyday Runescape riots. Will more break out over the past few bad updates?

Sure, Jagex may be doing the ultimate punishment to real world trading, but the rest of the honest and good players must be affected by it. This update would've helped me in one major way, however -- no more begging for money or items. I bet many in-game riots will be breaking out over this, as the majority of Runesape doesn't agree with Jagex's decision, but I do look at this update with a positive note.

An example of a level one toon on WoW who may dress to subdue men into buying gold off of their website. Sorry, but you fail.

My positive note: Jagex is doing something to combat real world item trading whereas other gaming companies just ignore the issue. I can't go a day in World of Warcraft in a major city without hearing level ones yelling out websites to purchase WoW gold outside of banks and auction houses. And the thing that gets really annoying is when people invite you to join a group in level 1-20 areas, say a message in party regarding buying WoW money or gear, and then they leave the group. And ever since I was on WoW, I never once heard a mention of this major problem once from Blizzard. I like the fact that Jagex is trying to do something about real world trading, but I also believe that they didn't pick the right choices. However, what other choices are there? And with that question, I'll leave you pondering it.

Have a good one.

Growing Up Is Hard To Do!

2008-01-06T06:25:00.000-05:00

I was just looking through some of the things that other's have posted on the blog and instead of commenting on every one individually I thought that I would just dedicate this entry to just that. First I would like to give Buddy Foote and Caitlin and big thumbs up on the excellent work that they did on putting this blog together.....Great Job Guys!! It really does look amazing, the layout is wonderful and there are so many fun things on it. I know that I posted a blog already about Lakeland and how you will feel once you leave there and yada yada, but I noticed that Caitlin mentioned some things in her last entry about having a talk with a few of her friends about what they plan to do following graduation and what not. I am not going to lecture (advise) you all that I have previously done, I just would like to make some comments and tell you all that growing up is hard to do. I am not trying to scare you or anything like that, maybe this is just a warning about "The Real World", and I am not talking about the MTV reality show, I am talking about the world that we live in, the world that we all must wake up to face each day. You may say things about Lakeland now, and what a bunch of jerks (I am not going to use the word that Stephen used when commenting my previous entry on this) the teachers are or whatever, but trust me on this one, graduation will be sad, you will cry, laugh and have all sorts of emotions running through you like a childhood sugar high. I know that you have all said things to your parent's time and time again like "I can't wait til I can move out of this house, so I could make my own rules, and won't have to listen to yours". Trust me on this one, listen to your parent's rules as long as you could. You may think that being on your own is all fun and games, but in reality, it's not all that it's cracked up to be. Sure you are still going to be unsure about where you want to go in life and what you want to achieve, but sooner or later you will figure it all out, and you will know when the right path has come, you will feel it. Maybe you are stuck between a rock and a hard plate trying to decide between colleges, maybe you don't even know if you want to attend college immediatley after graduation. It's your life, you have to live it the way that you feel is suitable. No one is going to live your life for you, no one is going to pay your bills, cook your meals, or put a roof over your head, so enjoy every minute or the remainder of your high school days, they pass quick.....way tooo quick.....It's like the song by Kenney Chesney called Don't Blink..... "Don't Blink, cuz just like that , you're 6 years old and you take a nap, then you wake up and you're 25 and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife".......that is the truth.....enjoy life, you only get one!

Live~Love~Laugh~

xoxo...
Jenifer