Heh I'm on facebook more now than I am on here. But I'm still keeping up with people and communities here.

On Friday, my parents and I are leaving for Washington D.C.! I'm excited, I've never been before. Plus we're going to head down mid-next week to my favorite aunt and uncle in Virginia Beach. So I get a nice long vacation.

Which I need. Between my aunt that's in town here, and the patients at work...my patience is running on low. I need to recharge my batteries pronto.

Hope all is well with everyone! If you want to friend me on facebook, just message me here and I'll respond with my full name so you can look me up. Or give me yours and I'll look you up. ^__^

http://www.bodybyvictoria.com/#/Gallery/880

This is a friend of a friend thing, but she's a real person (this is NOT a hoax I swear!) and a cancer victim attempting to win the Body By Victoria contest. Read her entry and if you think it's as BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL as I do, please vote for her! She deserves to win!!

Wow, so few said this but it came to mind immediately - the first, the original: Dracula.

If we're speaking of a specific Dracula, then it'd be either the original played by Bela Lugosi (those eyes are magnificent!), or the '79 version played by Frank Langella. Such passion, such sensuality! A third choice would be the 2000 version played by Gerard Butler.

But no matter what version, it'd have to be the original Count Dracula.

It's 1 a.m., my stomachs fussy and I've been sleeping almost the entire day. So what better time to update my LJ?

Not that there's much to update. Work is work. There've been a couple of people let go, and rumors. My company was bought by a hospital/corporation, and it took a hit last year. This year there'll be no raises for us, and when its slow people are having to take days off without pay (or with pay if we have the time). I don't know what would've happened if we hadn't sold our company to this hospital/corporation, but I do know that the doctors do have their regrets about selling. I was against it but hey, what do I know.

I've been pushing back against one of the Doctors I work for who is very verbally abusive at times. I'm tired of being a passive receptical, and when he started getting loud I looked at him, put my hand out towards his face and lowered it saying "Lower your voice." He looked at me in disbelief and sighed in fustration. I told him he was fussing at the wrong person. It was about the stupidest thing too. I wish he'd retire. Today he's 78 I believe, or 77. Either way, he probably won't. His father started the company I work for and died while actually in his office, seeing patients. His son'll probably wind up the same way.

A month ago, my mother and I signed up for a gym down the street where I work. It has tons of classes that are good for both of us, and I've started the "Intro to Yoga" and "Intro to Pilates". I like the Yoga better, but both will be good for my spine and getting into shape. They offer a Tai Chi and Dance Rhythms exercise classes I haven't started yet but I'm going to.

This past week, I re-read the Sandman series. Mike introduced me to these comics, produced by Vertigo/DC Comics, and although I still love the X-Men and Batman, the Sandman series and it's various spin offs are my all time favorite. And it's interesting, I picked up a lot of things that I missed the first few times I read these comics...they're like that, you'll always find new things in them each time you read them. The desire to find more was so big that yesterday I stopped in one of our best comic stores and wound up spending a hundred and four dollars. Granted, half was on the Spiderman comic that had President Obama in it, the next Essential X-Men, and X-Infernus (big fan of Illyana/Magik), but I found a TPB that involved Destiny (one of the 7 Endless featured in the Sandman comics - the other 6 being Dream {Sandman/Morpheus}, Death (my favorite), Despair, Delirium, Desire and Destruction), and one that featured stories from the Dreaming & characters in the Dreaming. I also saw a TPB featuring the Thesslian witch but didn't get it...wish I had now.

These are a lot more adult than X-comics and even Batman comics. They're also deeper and have meaning in them. I'm awfully glad Mike introduced me to them. I just wish there was more, and comics based on all the Endless, including the new Dream, Daniel. Maybe there is, I'll have to look.

Stomach is still all jumbly. Bleh.

We're going to the Zoo tomorrow, weather permitting. Yay!

A lot of death lately. Michael Jackson. Ed McMahon. Farrah Fawcett. In the midst of Michael's, someone passed that had just the briefest mention in the malestrom.

Robert McNamara, President Kennedy's Secretary of Defense as well as President Johnson's, passed on July 6th. He was hated under President Johnson for the Vietnam war (commonly called "McNamara's War"), but this was unjust. The war was begun under Truman and each President escalated it further until it came to it's ultimate evolution under Johnson. McNamara was another one of it's victims in my opinion. He was a good man, and a key supporter of the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missle Crisis. Perhaps I'm biased by his portrayal in the movie "Thirteen Days", or perhaps because he was a part of President Kennedy's cabinet. That war ruined a lot of people - most prominently President Johnson. But I digress.

Then yesterday we learned late that Walter Cronkite died at age 92. Not unexpected given his age, but still...him and Edward R. Murrow are journalists that with their passing, an age has gone as well. Now it's all 24 hour news and sensational headlines and truth is mixed with opinion. Cronkite never gave his own opinion about the news he reported, except on a few rare occassions - but even then he made sure to stress that it was his own opinion and not news. He strove to find the truth in the news he reported, and when it was mistaken he owned up to it and made no excuses or blamed anyone else. He was what more so-called 'journalists' nowadays should strive to be. But aren't.

Truly he'll be missed.

A local radio station, 105.1 LRS has been changed from alternative/hard rock to talk radio. This really pisses me off. The lineup is all conservative garbage, except for two that lean more middle of the road. But really, Glen Beck? Michael Savage? This stuff is already on the AM stations, now it has to be on FM too? Living in Kentucky pisses me off when it comes to politics. We're so conservative when you get outside of Louisville, it's scary.

I went back to Wisconsin in June to visit Becky and Aldous, and one of the things I liked was how Progressive Madison seems to be. Plenty of progressive radio stations to listen to, which faded the farther south I got. Sigh. We get no progressive stations here, you'd think it would kill someone to put a progressive program on 105.1.

I briefly put it on yesterday after leaving the comic shop only to hear Michael Savage say that Obamaites are cold, heartless people.

...Wtf? Last time I looked, I had a heart and was a pretty warm person. !@(#$&!@*#$&!@*($#&!@*(#&!#@$*&

It's fustrating to NO end.

But my trip north was wonderful. I love visiting Becky and Aldous, they're such warm and friendly people. Becky's one of the few folks from '97 that turned into a great friend, and Aldous has too despite only being around him twice. They're a lovely couple, I'm glad she found him.

Speaking of friends from '97, I found Stacy on facebook. She had sent me a letter a couple of months ago, having found out about Andrew, and sent me her condolences. I was so touched and sent a reply that she didn't respond to. I actually googled her name and once I found out what she does for a living, it wasn't a surprise that she didn't respond. She's a very popular and well known wedding photographer, having her own website and apparently having done wedding shots in various states. Her shots are awesome, and weird as it sounds, I'm so proud of her. She's done well for herself, and being so young. Then again I knew, out of our group, she was one who'd not settle for anything less than making the most of her potential. Which she had gobs of. I told her that if I ever get married, she's doing my photos.

Wow, this entry is longer than I expected, It's 15 'til 2 a.m. but I'm not tired.

I facebook a lot lately. I'm there under my full name so feel free to send me a friend request. It's amazing how many wrestlers are on there. I think I even have the real Melina friended, although she's nothing like I thought she'd be. Cheerleader Melissa is on there, she's awesome.

Speaking of wrestling, TNA's Knockout division is quickly becoming the best thing TNA has got going for it. There is so much talent, it's overflowing. WWE could/should take notes - but it won't. They're going back to more PG-13 content, as evidenced by the bikini wrestling match. The poor women wrestlers, for every step they take (i.e., the awesome fatal 4 way match for #1 contenders status on RAW a couple of weeks ago), management/Vince has them take 5 steps back. There's so much established talent there (Beth, Mickie, Melina, Natalya, Gail Kim, Jillian, Katie) that most they don't do anything with, plus the potential/getting better talent (Michelle McCool, Alicia Fox {VERY impressive}, Eve, the Bellas {that hurt to write but it is true}), and the developmental talent (Serena Deeb {from OVW and SHIMMER who shouldn't even BE in developmental}, Angela Fong}...yet Vince refuses to take women's wrestling completely seriously.

WWE's loss is TNA's gain however. especially with the addition of Sarita, a Japanese talent that I can't remember her name at the moment, and the unleashing of Cheerleader Melissa (under the silly name of Alyssa Flash - what is WITH TNA and their names? Thats my only complaint.) from her Raisha Saeed gimmick - plus Victoria/Tara as champ allowing her to show her full range of talent again, and established talent like Sojo Bolt, Sharmell (who really does have wrestling ability, just was never given the chance to show it), Kong, Angel Williams, Madison Rayne, Taylor Wilde and DAFFNEY. OMG I love Daffney, she's so damn hardcore going into the tacks! LOVE IT. Thats the kind of matches I want the women in the WWE doing, ladder matches, submission matches, first blood, no DQ...and the Melina that friended me on facebook wants the same, she's apparently thinking of leaving the WWE because she's fed up with women's wrestling being looked down on. Again I'm not 100% sure it's the real Melina, but it seems to be. If so, she's pissed and wants to be in the kind of matches I've listed above, to show that the women are as good as the men.

So if Melina does end up jumping ship, I'll know it's the real one, and I've given a heads up. To anyone who likes wrestling that is, and has read this far heh.

Now I'm a bit tired and maybe my stomach'll quit. So I'll stop now. I hope all is well with everyone! :D Goodnight!

I leave tomorrow to spend the weekend with Becky and Aldous! I have the best friends, I can't wait to get there! XD

Up for sale at 20.00 so far is the Sailor Moon Memorial Song Box. It is a bootleg, but it has the song packet and sounds just like an original. As a bonus in each CD case I've put a listing of all the songs on that CD. There's no marks or skips on the CDs and the box itself as very minimal wear on the edges. It's almost in perfect condition. I know times are hard but if you or someone you know would like this for their Sailor Moon collection, it'd be an excellent addition!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250438174893&_trkparms=tab%3DSelling

If this doesn't work, try searching "Sailor Moon music". It'll have 1 - 2 days left on it, and have a picture with all the CDs open plus the box on a leopard patterned carpet. The title is "Sailor Moon Series Memorial Box Music CDs". I'm ladyphoenix2 on there.

My apologies but this is cross-posted a lot of places!

-- I can't confirm the validity of the following piece, but it was apparently written from the perspective of an anonymous former WWE Diva giving her tongue-in-cheek take on the afterlife of a WWE Diva, largely taking aim at her peers and the numerous fans that attend wrestling conventions (which almost always have a slew of former WWE Divas on hand).

The piece has been forwarded around to numerous wrestling sites, including this one. An interesting read to say the least:

20 Official Rules For WWE Diva Afterlife

Written by a former WWE Diva

1. Don't worry, it will grow back fine... just cut it down and stop bleaching it dummy. Now your natural color will be seen as a "new look" and you will experience refreshed marketability. Take some brand new all natural 8x10's at Wal-Mart and work it girl!

2. Remember you can always bleach your hair again back to the "classic look" to boost your self esteem for a week. If you ever get cancer from the dye, just ask Dawn Marie to sell her unwashed panties through Wrestlers Rescue to help pay for the medical bills.

3. If your just coming off TV, then your used to the schedule. Always starve yourself before every appearance and pig out at your favorite fast food restaurant afterwards. Nothing new. Eating disorders and binging cycles are totally normal and healthy. It's a Diva's way of life, 4-life.

4. If you haven't done so already, you need to go **** either Scott Levy, Batista or Ric Flair before he dies. Do a few lines of coke with them too. It makes for a great tell all shoot and high self worth.

5. The wrestling convention circuit is 10x200. The same 10 money marks will book you and the same 200 losers will show up each time. Milk 'em for all they are worth cause it's all you got left. Virgil will be at every show so you might as well get to know him too. And yes, he is a real creep.

6. Appearing at 3 Flea Markets per week is officially known as "doing a tour". Congrats on the success!

7. Letting men touch your breasts for an extra $5 during photo-ops is an excellent business strategy.

8. If the photo-op printer ever stalls and delays, just give them an index card with your own lip prints on it. It will make their day that you were soooo selfless, giving and thoughtful of their patience.

9. It's perfectly normal to refer to other human beings as "fans", "clients" and "followers" but to their face- always call them "friend".

10. Always smile and play nice with the co-workers you haven't seen in 5 years. These are your "best friends in the whole world"....somehow? That's how the wrestling family illusion rolls on.

11. Treat the disabled extra nice. Them pockets are deep with Social Security money and they spend like mad at the gimmick table.

12. You will never draw like Trish Stratus, you will never look like Trish Stratus and you will flat out never be Trish Stratus... but don't ever stop trying hun'.

13. But yes, I know you are still a big star... right in your head.

14. Even if you got fired, always say that you left "on your own terms" or because of an "undisclosed dispute". This will always make you appear above the business.

15. Always say that a WWE return is "right around the corner" and "never say never" when you know damn well they wouldn't take you back if you begged.

16. When the going get's tough, selling your used tampons on eBay is a great way to make some additional cash.

17. I know the crows feet and wrinkles are building up. It's ok, no one is going to seriously book your used up, worn out ass after age 45 anyway. It's now time to assume the Moolah role.

18. There's nothing wrong with forever living in the past. Tammy Sytch still lives in 1996, and look there's nothing wrong with her.

19. Why have any normal relationships? You can have every lonely pervert from Philadelphia to Oakland lusting after you. Being emotionally unstable is F U N!

20. Remember that Jesus forgives you for all of your sins, so everything listed above is A-OK. Just rinse and repeat.

In closing: Yes this is one sad life but hey it's all you know.... so do it like a professional!

The 135th Derby was just ran. I picked "Mine that Bird" to win, putting 50 bucks on it mainly because the jockey, Calvin Borrell is most excellent.

The horse was dead last at the middle of the race.

AND HE WOUND UP WINNING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WON A THOUSAND DOLLARS ON THIS BEAUTIFUL HORSE WHO'S ODDS WERE 50 - 1.

Pay THIS lady booyah!!!!!!

And I've never picked a Derby winner. Ever.

DERBY ON!

http://markprobst.livejournal.com/15293.html

Long story short - Amazon.com seems to be stripping the sales figures and accompanying rankings from GLBTQ books, erotica, and romance novels, particularly those with what they term “adult content.” Making it almost impossible to find said items in the searches. This includes the classic "Lady Chatterly's Lover".

Yet you can still find obviously pornographic items like Playboy (including a collection of Playboy covergirl covers)...

WTF? In addition to censorship, it's also discrimination. If you're going to do this for the above items, then do it for everything with "adult content". It's also interesting they did it over a holiday weekend when it'd be less likely to be discovered. Although it's now spread like wildfire. Google "amazon rank", it's been made into a Googlebomb already.

Me, I'm spreading the word because I despise censorship in any way, shape or form. And I hate hypocrisy, which is exactly what Amazon is engaging in. Until it changes, I seriously doubt I'll be buying from them any time soon. =/

*Edit*

http://jezebel.com/5209088/why-is-amazon-censoring-gay--lesbian-books

She has a list of titles that have been stripped of their rankings.

And apparently an amazon spokesperson has been quoted as saying this was a "glitch" and they're working on it.

...Glitch. Uh huh.

I'm finally back to some semblance of normalacy (to steal a phrase from Warren G. Harding) after some kind of sickness kicked my ass from last Monday through yesterday. Still kinda weak with a half empty stomach. NOT thrilled about the work I had to miss considering it's always bad after I've missed some days..

Apparently at some point I croaked for mom to come in and make sure I still had a heartbeat because I couldn't feel mine. And I also asked her if she heard birds outside my window. At like 3 a.m. in the middle of the night. O.o;;

So something kicked my ass hard. I haven't had a normal sleeping pattern in like 7 days though, and I haven't showered since last Tues. So I'm changing my sheets, cleaning my room and getting a shower afterwards. I'm so ready to have a nice big juicy sirloin steak from Logan's....

Bottom line: being sick SUCKS.

"Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look." -President Ronald Reagan, 1981 Inaugural Address

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." -Eleanor Roosevelt

"Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do practice?" -The late, great George Carlin

"I collect vampire books. When other little girls wanted to be ballerinas, I kind of wanted to be a vampire." -Angelina Jolie

"If what Proust says is true, that happiness is the absence of fever, then I will never know happiness. For I am possessed by a fever for knowledge, experience and creation." -Anais Nin

"It's not denial, I'm just very selective about the reality I accept." -Calvin, "Calvin and Hobbs"

"Don't compromise yourself. You're all you got." -Janis Joplin

One of my absolute favorites: "And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." -Friedrich Nietzsche

"Man or woman - it doesn't matter! One of strength and nobility is always a Prince!" -Utena Tenjou

"The more a daughter knows the details of her mother's life - without flinching or whining - the stronger the daughter." -From Anita Diamant's "The Red Tent"

Absolutely. I enjoy a particular restaurant (Logan's Steakhouse) immensely and lack of company isn't about to stop me. I take the book I'm working on at the time and when I've had a stressful day at work I go and partake. Plus the waiters/waitresses seem to take better care of me when I'm on my own. It's relaxing and I get a great meal.

Over a quarter of a million people in my state are out of power. Schools are canceled from yesterday through the rest of this week. Me, my work was canceled yesterday and today (*jigs*). Folks from down south that weren't hit by this ice/snow/ice storm are coming up to help us, and the Governor has requested help from President Obama. 26 KY cities are in state of emergency. There were several explosions from falling powerlines.

Temps aren't expected to get above freezing until Sat at the earliest.

Me, I think it's beautiful. The tree outside my room is weighed down by ice/snow, every branch is covered in ice crystals. Gorgeous, just stunningly beautiful. I believe we had Monday night/Tues morning ice, then snow then ice/sleet, then last night 4 - 6 inches of snow dumped over the ice. Power could be out for 7 - 10 days.

Love it. Even if I have to go to work tomorrow, I doubt very much we'll have patients who're able to get in, much less call in. Hell our work places could be out of power for all I know. LOVE IT. The only complaint I have is there's a few groceries/munchie items we didn't get before this hit, but hell. Minor issue.

I'm lovin' it. XD

Pick your birth month (see the list at the end of post).
* Strike out anything that doesn't apply to you.
* Bold (or italicize) the ones that best apply to you.
* Copy to your own journal, with all twelve months under a lj-cut.

- MAY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves travelling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

( Read more... )

This one was pretty accurate.

I sense this is another weekend I'm going to waste. Was woken at 3 out of a dream I wanted to keep going (I was with Andrew's family, although I wasn't where I should've been.), snacked, read, lazed around, re-read diaries from 10 years ago up 'til 2004 (skipping parts that didn't involve Andrew), cried, ate dinner and now I'm just surfing the web.

I'm so damn listless, but I'm restless. I have plenty I want to accomlish but no drive and no clue about where to start (re: college). Not that I have the money yet, I've got to get rid of my credit card debt first.

/whining

Poor Victoria. She totally was wasted and now she's retired. Of course, she lives in my city and runs a car custom shop so hopefully I'll see her around, but meh...she deserved better. Lita did too.

The Carl Casper Custom Auto Show is next month and they have yet to announce who'll be there from the WWE. Since I've been into wrestling they've had at least one male and one female there. Foley and Undertaker I regret missing, I went for MJ which was fantastic, and last year was Skanky McCool and Matt Hardy. Obviously I didn't go. The only guys I'd go for are Triple H, HBK, UT. Possibly John Morrison. Females I'd go for Melina, Beth, Jillian and Nattie - so the chances are better I won't be going again this year.

Sad. Thats the only thing I have to look foward to right now. =/
Bleh.

*Edit* Day's not a total loss. I've moved my pictures/graphics/etc over to flickr and re-did/updated my profile page. It's one thirty am and my eyes are blurry. I think I should go to bed.

Thank you for making this chicachellers, I appreciate it so much..

It's been a year. I did very well today - compare that to the fact I've been depressed out of my mind since August except for a few instances. I've cried more this whole year than my other 26. It's still a raw wound..

I miss you Andrew. More than words can say. I know you've forgiven me, but I'll live with regrets for the rest of my life.


Maybe in another life I could find you there. Gone away before your time, I can't deal its so unfair, and it feels like heaven's so far away. Yeah it feels like the world has grown cold now that you've gone away. We lay flowers on your grave to show that I still care. Black roses and hail mary's can't bring back what's taken from me...I reach to the sky and call out your name. If I could trade I would..And it feels like Heaven's so far away. Yeah it stings now the world is so cold now that you've gone away. Gone away..
-Offspring

The bed I'm lying in is getting colder, wish I never would've said it's over and I can't pretend I won't think about you when I'm older. 'Cause we never really had our closure...this can't be the end..
-Hinder

Those two songs come the closest, with the first nailing how I feel exactly. I can't hear them now without thinking of him. Mom says this will get easier, and I know it will - but I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I will never get to speak to him again. Even now, after 12 months, after seeing him in the casket.

It hurts like nothing else. I miss him.

( Read more... )

Beneath the cut is my book log for 2008. 67 books in total, which puts me under last year's total of 89, but it's because I had more long books to read. Comments, questions and opinions are welcome. ^_^

I had a nice Christmas. Me, my folks, my sister, her son, my cousin, his wife and their sons came over for dinner and presents. Not that it matters but I received:

3 Nutcrackers (one a prince on a rocking horse, one of the Rat King from the Nutcracker, and a Chicago Cubs one - not any particular cubbie, just one with the uniform, bat, mitt, etc.)
The Triple H DVD, and 2008 Night of Champions DVD (which I hadn't asked for, but it does have Katie Lea vs MJ on it so its good)
A couple of books..one on the Hapsburgs, a historical novel "The Tsarina's Daughter" by Carolly Erickson, and one about Empress Charlotte of Mexico (also a Hapsburg by marriage).
WWE Raw vs Smackdown 08 for Nintendo DS
Three tops, one featuring a very nicely done picture of Triple H in grey on black material.

And...

A Nintendo Wii!

Plus the games Wii Sports (came with it), the Godfather Blackhand Edition, Super Smash Brothers Brawl, Super Paper Mario and SD! vs Raw 09.

This is the first time I've ever thought a machine was smarter than me, but by golly this thing is. I've got it connected to the internet, managed to connect it to my TV (not all that hard actually), already made my Mii, DLed the Nintendo Station and played some rounds of Tennis & Bowling.

So! Anyone else who has a Wii and wants to Wii with me, I'd love to Wii with you. :D (Providing we have the same games...I'm still so clueless about some of these things, I just know there's a way to play with people who're some distance away from me. Whoo hoo!)

Plus this thing plays Gamecube games. I think the only one I'd be interested in though is the Godzilla game me and Aldous played so I'll have to look for that one.

I'm still not sure how to get Wii points so I can buy some of the older games they offer on the Wii Channel.

But honestly I've been down, mostly because I miss Andrew..it'll be a year this Thursday. I'm lonely and prone to crying this last month. Plus there's been so much death these last few months. Mostly a few of our established patients (a lot of them Dr Weiss' patients - which he noticed), but Jan's mom died last week (a coworker I'm particularly fond of) to top it off.

I'm so sick of death. I'm glad 2008 is over. Except for two bright spots (Becky and Aldous' wedding, and Obama's win), this year has sucked big time. I'm glad to see it end. I really hope 2009 is better.

Whenever my mom closes her door, I want to creep up to it and yell in the loudest voice I can "CEILING CAT IS WATCHING YOU MASTURBATE!!!"

..Which being as she's not into LOLCats she'd be clueless. But then she'd do it to me, just for spite. And being my bad luck, I'd actually be in the very process only to have her yell that at me through MY door.

So I'm keeping my mouth shut. But just barely. =X

Having worked in healthcare around patients for the last 3 years I can say that YES it definately DOES affect our behavior. The week of the full moon we have more crazy people call, more bad situations, more of the general insanity than any other time in the month. I never believed it about the moon affecting people until working as a receptionist - now I fully believe it. I've seen too much not to.