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December 20th, 2009

sadsiren

08:19 pm - Progress Well, Fall semester just ended. I believe that I did well enough in History of Opera and Japanese 2. I'm unsure if I'll get a passing grade in US History, but I'm hoping so. If not, then I'll just retake it, and as a normal class this time. x.x For the winter interim, I registered for an English class and a Developmental Psychology class on children. Even though I took and passed English when I took it at CSUN years ago, I feel I should retake it (especially if I'm not wanting the burden of CSUN's other grades along with it >.> ). The psychology class should be similar to the one Jon took at RIT. I'm hoping it will give me some insight to myself and others. Hopefully it won't be too tough to handle both so compacted. As for Spring, I signed up for Intermediate Algebra, a Contemporary Health class, a Techniques of Musical Theater class, and some Music classes: Theory, Keyboard Skills, Concert Music, and Concert Choir. I'd debated signing up for the Vocal Performance Techniques class, but it would have to be taken with Individual Instruction, which requires an audition. I don't feel quite prepared enough for that yet. But hopefully next fall I'll feel ready. I've been able to do several performances in Second Life now. I've had 5 performances, and feel like the more I perform, the better I get. I still feel nervous at first, but once I'm into it, it's like taking flight. I feel such a rush, putting my heart into it and expressing the songs, and feeling like I can honestly believe I nailed it! I really want to expand my repertoire though. Which means I need more karaoke, and to practice, practice, practice. I'm barely able to do an hour set before my voice gets a bit rough. So I also need to build up my endurance. I sometimes wish I had a faucet near my desk. >.> There's been bits of dramarama going on. I may or may not have a visit from a friend in January. I don't know how it's going to go. I just want to have some enjoyment. I hope you all are enjoying the holiday season though. Take care. =) Current Mood: hopeful

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matt_cruea

03:21 pm - Guilt:Christmas :: Peas:Carrots So a few days ago I was asked by my mother if I wanted to go to a family get-together for Christmas. Normally my family (mom's side) has Christmas dinner or something a week before, just to get together and whatnot. I often opt not to go, just because it's really boring. I mean, it's not like I dislike my mom's side of the family. They're good folks. Really, though, I have absolutely nothing in common with them. If I hung out with the older men we'd be watching a football game I care nothing about. If I hung out with the older women I'd be just sitting there, listening to their awful gossip. The ones my age, my cousins and whatnot, are all bringing their wives and their own kids, which is not a scene I'm a part of, I guess. The younger kids are cool, but they're now fewer than ever before. Really, the main attraction of such a gathering is normally the home-cooked meal. However, this has fallen by the wayside in recent years. Last year they just went to a Mexican restaurant. This year they're apparently just ordering a Subway party tray. How festive! So I could spend 5-7 hours sitting in a small house silently being bored or I could stay at home and find something to do (was probably gonna hang out with Adam tonight). I decided upon the latter choice... and then my mom gets pissed off. Like my presence there is going to have any effect on her time spent with her sisters. I so rarely go anyway, I'm not sure why this year matters so much. In an effort to make her happy, I'd even decided to go, but then she got upset and stormed out the door. I don't mean to make myself a black sheep or anything, and I know how my mom is. She'll immediately go and talk about me behind my back there. If I was there she'd say unkind things too, but now it'll be all about how I don't want to be with the family, etc. etc. etc. It's ridiculous. I don't think Christmas is an event where I need to put on a show or make a cameo appearance. It's about having a good time, and I don't think I would've had a very good time there. I dunno, it's lame, I guess. Also: January will be the best month ever.

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omahdon

03:43 am - Oh goddammit I forgot to change the episode number and had to render the whole thing all over The VG Cats Adaptation With No Name - Christmas Special Nine strips in a single video: that's a new record for me. Admittedly they also happen to be, for the most part, extremely SHORT strips - but hey! I was looking for VG Cats strips with a Christmas-y sort of theme to adapt! Gotta work with what I gots and there weren't too many strips with that sort of theme. In fact, this Christmas Special has about all of them Christmas-y themed VG Cats strips, barring the unfinished series starring Jack Thompson as Scrooge (why I didn't throw it in this special, see "unfinished") and any that Scott may choose to write for Christmas 2009 onwards. Heck, I even threw in a re-make of "#133 - Presents" which I had already done previously. It's like.... all George-Lucas-ified. For your pleasure. Apart from that, mixing for this special was mostly straightforward. I'm quite happy with the way "#83 - Road Rage" turned out; using the original Unsolved Mysteries theme was D-Mac's suggestion and it turned out really well. The mood and shifts of the music really meshes well the flow of the narration. Of course, D-Mac did the narration as well, so maybe that was all part of his CUNNING PLAN. Who knows? "#182 - It's The Thought That Counts" had me trying to imitate the way Megaman 3 "power up get!" screen used to shift things around and reveal its text and what not - that probably took more time to set up than everything else in the strip. Oh, and for those of you wondering: Kirbopher was doing the classic Captain N version of Megaman's voice at my request. You know, the midget chain smoker version? That made absolutely no sense for the character, even back then? Good times, good times. "#264 - Trigger Happy" was also quite interesting to do as it originally had no lines whatsover apart from "BOOMER!" and "Merry Christmas!" so it became adlib city for all the actors/actresses involved. We can get pretty silly. Especially that Edward Bosco fellow. Oh, what merriment we did make! But the strip I'm most happy about in this special is "#265 - A Magical Wonderland". This was all thanks to the combined efforts of Cody Coleman, Druoxtheshredder and Peter Gresser: Cody for the wonderful Frank Sinatra-styled crooning, Druox for the "Death Metal" Frosty music and voice and Peter Gresser for basically composing a whole new truncated version of "Frosty the Snowman" out of cloth - trying to match the version that Scott used in his strip. The audio mixed together beautifully with hardly any effort at all, and the translation to video was pretty much equally seamless. I love it when everything comes together so. Anyway, many, many, MANY (many) thanks to all my actors and actresses involved in bringing this special to life. Wow, there sure are a lot of you for this 'ere thang. Sixteen in total and that's not including the joke credits! Thank god I'm not making any more of these! Errrr.... I mean. APART from episode 12. Yes. That is exactly what I mean. Oh and of course, a whole lot of thanks to Scott Ramsoomair for creating VG Cats! Please don't sue me. Adaptations of the following strips in order of appearance: #48 - Soylent Green #83 - Road Rage #133 - Presents #134 - The Crying Game #135 - Ode To A Python #182 - It's The Thought That Counts #230 - Judgmental #264 - Trigger Happy #265 - A Magical Wonderland Cast: Edward "Darkwolf" Bosco as Santa Claus Calculon000 as RED Spartan John Cleese as Leo (partial) Cody "YdocNameloc" Coleman as Pantsman, Dad and Frosty the Snowman "Jazz Crooner" Singer Druoxtheshredder as Frosty the Snowman "Death Metal" Singer GForce as G-Man Jeremy "Jembo985" Harrington as King of All Cosmos Lamar the Christmas Headcrab as himself "D-Mac" Deven Mack as the Announcer and Narrator Erica "Rikachuu" Mendez as Crying Elf #1 and Crying Elf #2 Chris "Kirbopher15" Niosi as Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 and Megaman Psyguy as BLU Spartan Rina-chan as Samus Aran Sabien as Stan McNormalGuy Autumn "autumnarr" Stroble as The Prince and Aeris Edwyn "Omahdon" Tiong as Krug, Gordon Freeman, Zombie, Major Payne, Little Girl, Nemesis and Leo (partial) Treg as Hermey the Elf VidGameDude as Unhappy Fanboy VG Cats created by Scott Ramsoomair Mixed by: Edwyn Tiong Soundtrack: (in order) Team Fortress 2 - Rocket Jump Waltz Tomoyasu Hotei - Battle Without Honor or Humanity Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Karaoke Version) Unsolved Mysterious - Main Theme (Original) Frank Sinatra - Santa Claus is Coming to Town Metroid Prime - Samus Aran Appears Metroid Prime - Record of Samus Halo 2 - Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix Metroid Fusion - Title Ren and Stimpy - Saw Theme Peter Gresser - Frosty the Snowman (Jazz Crooner version) Valve Logo Megaman 3 - Boss Introduction Megaman 3 - Powerup Acquired Trocadero - Intro Katamari Damacy - Katamari March Damacy Resident Evil 4 - Save Theme Death Note - Death Note Theme Left 4 Dead - Blood Harvest Left 4 Dead - Boomer Bacteria Left 4 Dead - Pukricide Left 4 Dead - Death Left 4 Dead - The Monsters Within Druoxtheshredder - Frosty the Snowman (Death Metal version) Sound Effects: Druoxtheshredder Final Fantasy 8 Half-Life 2 Halo 2 Left 4 Dead Max Payne 2 Megaman 3 Psychonauts Rayman Raving Rabbids Sony Pictures Sound Effects Series Soundsnap.com Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Team Fortress 2 Valentino Productions SFX Library Miscellaneous stuff from online Thanks for the listen! And watchin'! Current Mood: sleepy

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December 16th, 2009

matt_cruea

04:09 pm - Two Front Teeth That last story is a bit big that I should have cut it, but I feel like nobody reads it when I cut them, and I really like it. I've had that idea in my head for about three years now, and could probably find the radio play script I wrote for it on my old PC. Anyway, I told Erin I would make a Christmas list, which is a bit tough because there's not a lot I need/want that I haven't just bought for myself. So lemme think: - iPod accessories. My iPod is a used one, a 30 Gig Classic Video. So I could use a case/protective screen. I could also use a wall charger if you're into that kinda thing, though the case is more of a necessity. ifrogz.com has a pretty cool custom feature for cheap that can make a swell Captain America-esque design. - Movies are always fun. I wouldn't mind a copy of Dark Knight, Iron Man, Wolverine, or Inglorious Basterds (2-disc please). I'm still trying to get Justice League/Justice League Unlimited on DVD, too, but those are hard to find. I am such a dork. - I could use another Wii controller, I guess. Do they sell them with the Motion+? That would be neat. Another Xbox 360 Rock Band guitar or mic would be cool, too - as it stands, I can still only make a three-piece. Or perhaps a Play-And-Charge Kit? - Make something original! Paint me! Sculpt me! Paper mache me! Something ridiculous! - Honestly, though, gift cards are fine. It's all gravy.

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matt_cruea

03:49 pm - The Silk Hat Joyce and I arrived at 8:00 sharp. As we knocked on the door, Mark and Grant let us in with a warm smile and a handshake. The cottage was decorated for the holiday and warmed up via freshly cut firewood. The crackling embers brightened the room, and illuminated the eight chairs that were set up in a circle in the den. There were normally six of us, as there had been since we found Grant in 2002. We gathered here each year, in this cabin in Colorado, to share our lives and experiences: Joyce, Mark, Grant, Nicole, Yuri, and I, George. Karen was a new addition, and this would be her first year with our group. Nicole had found her in some chat room online and found she was like us. The six, now seven, of us were... are, I guess... different from most people. "Where's Yuri?" I asked. "His flight is running late," Grant replied, "I think he'll be here within the hour. He was coming in from Moscow." I nodded and happily accepted a glass of cider from Nicole. Mark motioned for us to take our seats in the circle, and we did so without hesitation. "So, well," Mark stuttered, "since we have a new addition this year, I thought it might be best to... share? We haven't really done that since we found Grant. Anyone object?" There was a silence. We loved to tell our stories, how varied and different they were. However, it was also one of the hardest parts of our lives. It was hard to live with what we'd experienced and lost. "I guess I could start," Joyce replied, raising her hand sheepishly. Joyce and I had met at the very first meet-up here, and over the years we'd found our attraction growing. When you have something so strong and intense in common with someone, like I do with Joyce, and everyone else here... it's hard not want to spend the rest of your life with them, you know? "I was eight years old," she began, "wearing a green knit cap kinda like this one. I grew up in New Hampshire, so, I mean, it's not like snowy days like this one were out of the ordinary. I loved playing in the snow. Making snow angels, igloos, all that stuff. That was me. "But I guess the problem was it was just me. I didn't really... have a lot of friends, I guess. So then, one day... there he was. Out of the snow he showed up, smiling and happy like we've all seen, you know? He touched my shoulder and I looked up and smiled right back at him. It was so cold, but I'd never felt so warm. "Just one day was all I had, just like all of us. We had snowball fights, and man was he good at those. Heh. Then, the next day he was just... gone. He taught me how to have fun and be happy, and I'm so thankful for that." I grabbed Joyce's trembling hand as she shot me a teary-eyed smile. Grant raised his own. "I'd like to go," he said, "I grew up in Savannah, Georgia, so we didn't really get as much snow as Joyce. It was pretty hot, even in the dead of winter. I was maybe six years old, and I just remember dreaming and wishing for snow. Just one day for that magical white sheet that would blanket the land. "Then I woke up, Christmas Day no less. There it was. The proverbial winter wonderland; a White Christmas. I walked out the door, my unused winter clothes firmly contouring to my movements, and there he was. Watching and waiting, he leaned against the side of my house. He motioned towards the snowy expanse before me, as if to say, 'you're welcome.' I played all day in the snow. It never snowed again in Savannah." We nodded and smiled and even laughed. All our stories were similar. The magic of the season and the man who arrived and showed us all what happiness lay inside us. It was what brought us together, our encounters with that man. Karen, the new girl, shyly raised her hand. I noticed finally that she wasn't smiling, and perhaps, hadn't smiled at all the entire time. She'd been quiet and shy. She was a mousy, bookish girl and kept her arms held firmly across her chest. "I want to talk a bit," Karen said, "and... I don't understand how you can all still love him." There was a pause. You could hear our hearts beating. He'd taught us love. How dare she! "I met him when I was nine," she continued, "my friends and I, we found him... made him, really, you know? He appeared in front of us and, my God, I've never had a better day. He marched around and sang and danced and never had I experienced such joy. He could laugh and play just like the rest of us. "We marched all around the town, and I didn't want it to end. Lots of stuff happened that day, good and bad, but then, the sun came up, and he said he had to go. He told me he didn't want me to worry, and the one day, he'd be back again." I didn't know how to respond, and apparently neither did anyone else. Karen's voice sounded so bitter and spiteful, like she was mad at him, or even at us. "He said he'd be back on Christmas Day," she sighed, scowling, "he said he'd be back, but he never was. I never saw him again. He promised me, though. He promised and he lied. How can you all love this man if he lied to you!?" Karen stood up, addressing us all with anger. "How can you revere him so? He gave you happiness, showed you what you could be, and then he left you, just like he did me! He left you empty, he took away what you had! Imagine falling in and out of love once and never being able to again. That's what it's like! He lied! He lied!" Karen sat back down, burying her hands in her gloves. Her blond hair hung down around her head, but couldn't mask the sobs that came from her muzzled face. We sat in uncomfortable silence, thanking our lucky stars when the knock came from the door. Mark got up to grab it. "Hello, friends," came Yuri's voice from the door, his accent still as heavy as the last time I'd heard it, "it is good to see you all well, though... I must admit, I'd imagined more reverie coming from here! That is no bother, though. No bother! I bring great gift for you all!" I turned to the door and saw him standing with a large, black object in his hand. I recognized it immediately. "Where-?" I gasped. "A man in Volgograd," Yuri answered, smiling behind his bushy brown beard, "he'd found his child with it five years ago. It was why we'd not heard of more sightings, you see! He'd kept it away from the children. Come, I have already made him outside! Come!" I rushed to the door, grabbing Joyce's scarf for her as she ran before me. We stood outside in the Colorado snow, beholding the reason we met each year on Christmas. "Oh boy!" he said, smiling at us, as we stood, frozen as he should be, "all of you... here together? Why, 'cause of me? Gosh, that's swell. What a neat thing to happen to a nice guy like me." He sauntered, tipping his hat to each of us as we watched him, most of for the first time in decades. Karen stood, shivering. She sneezed into her tear-filled gloves and wiped her nose. "Karen, are you cold?" he asked her, "Now that's a silly question. You wouldn't be sneezing if you weren't cold, would you?" "You-" she stuttered, shivering, "you remember my name?" "Well, of course I do!" he laughed, "I remember all of you! Markie and Georgie and Joyce and Nicole and Karen and Yuri - gosh I had to travel far for you, Yuri - and little Grant. Little Grant, wishing for snow. How could I forget you guys? You obviously didn't forget me!" "But..." Karen spoke up once more, "where... where did you go? You promised to come back. You p-promised..." "Well, gosh, Karen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I guess, see, what I do is I go around and I make children like you and everyone here... I like to make the kids happy, right? But I'm back today! I'm back, and it's even Christmas Day!" "It is..." Karen choked out, "God, it really is." He hugged her tightly and we all joined in, holding each other tightly. We knew this would be the last time we'd see him. He was right. He was meant to do what he did for us, but with a new generation. With our own kids. He needed to help them laugh and play and learn what happiness is. We were just afraid of letting go. "Oh gee," he smiled, breaking the hug, "you all are so warm and so kind, I'm liable to melt! And when I start to melt, I get all wishy-washy." We laughed and watched him step back a bit. "You kids know," he smiled, though we could see the sadness in his big round face, "you kids know I love you, right? I'm so happy for what you guys have given me." "Ditto," Joyce laughed through tears. He turned back to us and waved as he stepped back into the snowstorm. We waved back as he vanished, saying the only words the needed to be said. "Goodbye, Frosty." "So..." I asked, "what now?" "Well," Yuri replied, "now I am wanting to partake of the warm fireplace you have all made! Come! There are still stories to tell, I think. I am loving a good story!" We followed Yuri back inside, and I held tightly to my wife. Our group would meet again for years and years afterward. We didn't just have that magic man from our past in common. We weren't just brought together by that old silk hat we'd found. We were friends. We were family. I suppose it all started with the snow. You see, it was a very special kind of snow. A snow that made the happy happier, and the giddy even giddier. A snow that'd make a homecoming homier, and natural enemies, friends, natural. For it was the first snow of the season. And as any child can tell you, there's a certain magic that comes with the very first snow, especially when it falls on the day before Christmas. For when the first snow is also a Christmas snow... Well, something wonderful is bound to happen.

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December 15th, 2009

matt_cruea

05:07 pm - Wasteland "Roy, grab my hand," Eric said, pulling his friend up from the crumbling abyss below, "you okay?" "Fine, I guess," Roy replied, dusting off his green Starter jacket, "man, I figured we were safe. Keep walking." The two men, grizzled and dirty, made their way through downtown Los Angeles as the sootstorm showered them with ash. Eric had been a television reporter prior to the Cataclysm, and his sense of adventure and curiosity had not been stifled by the destruction of civilization. Roy had been his best friend since grade school, but the time for spitballs and flag football had long since passed them by. Roy was afraid of the great unknown they were entering head on, but hesitated to tell the last friend he had on Earth anything of the sort. "So what's the plan today, Eric?" Roy asked. "Staples Center," Eric replied, "it's probably the biggest quake-proof building in the city. The outside was mostly glass, so getting in is probably no problem, and the inside... well, we'll see what we find, eh?" Eric pulled down his hood and pulled the binoculars from his beard. Standing on the wreckage of a nearby office building, he looked into the distance. "What do you see?" Roy asked, "people, maybe?" "Not people," Eric sighed, stepping back from his easily visible perch, "not people at all." Roy knew what that meant. Morlocks. They'd taken their name from H.G. Wells, and like the fictional future species, were once human themselves. The Cataclysm did something to them, however. Whether it was radiation, cosmic activity, plague, or just mass insanity, no one knew the true cause of the Morlocks' existence. They just were - feral people who feasted on the bone marrow of still-living humans. Bloody, feudal, and skilled in the bestial arts civilized man had long since put behind him. In their first encounter with Morlocks, Roy had seen them eat a baby raw. "Did they see you?" Roy asked, "you think... from that far away? You think they saw you?" "Can't tell," Eric responded, "if we wait to find out, it'll be too late. We gotta get out of here. But..." Roy knew what "but..." meant. He didn't like what it meant, but he knew it. "You can't be serious," Roy urged, "you were right the first time! We need to move!" "Saw more Morlocks than I'd ever seen over near Staples," Eric muttered, seemingly to himself, "seen more and more of 'em on the trip from Marin. Seemed to increase as we headed South. This might be the epicenter of everything, Roy. We might be on the verge of answering a question that has plagued humanity since its downfall." "It could be our downfall, Eric. Those things will kills us, rape us, and eat us, and not necessarily in that order!" There was a bit of silence between the two, followed promptly by Eric pulling his red hood back over his head. "Take the binoculars. Watch me. I'm going for the Staples Center. If you see anything get me... run. Run away. If not, I'll be back in an hour." Roy nodded his head and grabbed the binoculars with shaking hands. Eric, meanwhile, stayed low and made his way around the rubble of former buildings where people made their livings and their homes. He was still in awe of the destruction of life on Earth - that the world had ended, and he was around to see it and experience it. It was a terrible time, and a terribly intriguing time. It was also a terrible time to be alone. The blow from behind came swiftly, and Eric's world went black. When he awoke, he saw a room of flesh and metal. Hooks and chains hung from the ceiling, covered in all manner of viscera. Eric found himself pinned to a wall, hanging by his wrists. However, he was whole. He was alive. Roy's body, next to him, was not in the same shape. His abdomen had been ripped open and his entrails had fallen to the floor in front of him. His green Starter jacket had turned red. Eric fought back the urge to vomit. "Man," came a low, gruff voice from the other side of the room, "the dead thing called you Eric. Are you an Eric?" Eric couldn't stop crying. Why couldn't he stop crying? "Y-yes..." he growled, "I'm Eric. You?" "I am Morlock," the man, short and muscular with armor of human bones, laughed heartily, "all of us here, we are all Morlock. You are trespassing on the home of the Cataclysm." "The home...?" Eric wondered, "what happened? Do you know the cause? What do you know?!" The short Morlock laughed and snorted. He pulled a bloody, comically large butcher knife from behind his fur pelt. He brushed it against his dirt and gore-covered tongue. "Do you really want to know?" he asked, "do you really want to know what happened to your people? Your friend, here? Do you really want to know?" "Yes," Eric replied, shaking, "yes..." The brute moved in closer, literally breathing into Eric's ear, his sweat dripping onto his face. "Eric..." he whispered, "are you scared?" "Y-yes..." Eric whispered back. There was a tense silence as the Morlock moved back and tipped the knife against Eric's jaw. He smiled, threatening to push it into his skull without even a word. Then, he said the words he never thought he'd hear. "Scared?" the Morlock laughed, "well, Eric... you shouldn't be." "You're on Scare Tactics." The lawsuits about the SyFy Channel show's wanton destruction and murder for the sake of just one segment of Scare Tactics was debated in the courts for decades, and went undecided up until a true cataclysm erupted and mankind was truly erased from the Earth. The few surviving humans lived on in solidarity, fruitlessly trying to rebuild a species despite their ruined reproductive systems. These people, true survivors, had seen the world destroyed and everyone they knew had died. Their remaining lives were filled with sadness, depression, and eventually they ran out of things to smile about. But SyFy Channel having someone eat a live baby just to scare someone on a hidden camera show? They thought that was hilarious!

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matt_cruea

04:21 pm - Break Ya Neck, Come On! I felt kinda bad making the post that I made last night. Admittedly, I had a horrible night, but, Marc, it was your night, and I hate to take anything away from that. Let's get together soon and discuss how life is different now that you have a degree! You're like a whole new person, man. Transformer sounds happened and now you're a car. Now back to my life, and speaking of cars, my car was merely scratched in the accident last night. My neck hurts pretty badly, though. I'm sure it'll go away in a few days. It's been a few weeks since Thanksgiving, and it's really kinda just hitting me how bummed I am about failing to get that trip together. I feel like it was mostly my fault, but what can ya do? I'm tired of the same day-in-day-out I've got going on. I want to go to Alaska. Or Chicago. Or New York. Or anywhere, really. Who's in? Yes, I'm serious. My grades came in and I did a lot better than expected, especially in my rather devious science class. Two A's and two B's for the semester, bringing my GPA back into range to regain my scholarship. However, I still have to complete 30 credit hours before they'll review my status again, so... lame. Next semester I'm going to start working my way into the English Education program by taking the first two EDUC classes. One of them requires a background check, which comes out of my pocket. I guess I understand it, but jeez, it's not like I pay ENOUGH fees for this school! I miss a lot of you guys. I've never been the initiator of a conversation, and apparently neither is anyone else, and I never IM anyone with an away message up, so I just don't even sign onto AIM anymore unless I need to. I want to rectify that. Let's talk. Let's iParty. Let's do jumping jacks and strap rockets to our backs. Let's dance the night away. Marc, Joe/Erin: What do you guys want for Christmas? I still don't know. I buy most stuff online so last-minute stuff like this isn't helping. :( Those of you who are online, I love you dearly, but your gift is already here! It's two posts down and it's called "The Last Christmas!" Okay, now to pretend to work! Goodbye!

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December 14th, 2009

matt_cruea

10:48 pm - There Are A Lot Of Ways I Could Title This So what sucked tonight? - Driving to Georgia Dome. Rainy, foggy... REALLY foggy. Like, Silent Hill foggy. - As I sat in a turn lane, this lady rammed into the back of my car. As I was running late for Marc's graduation, I tried to get us pulled out of the street ASAP so we could exchange info and I could be on my way. - The first place I pulled over, I was immediately accosted by a bum. He proceeded to half-heartedly wash my windshield and ask for money. When I told him I didn't carry cash, he called me an asshole. NO, fuck you! You're an asshole! - Parking was hellish. Not unexpected, however. - As I've been without my phone for almost three weeks now, I had no way of finding Marc or his family. So I just found an empty-ish place in the bleachers in front of a big white sign in the hope that I would stand out. I did not. - I sat through the ceremony and walked from one end of the Dome to the other three times, through MASSIVE crowds of people, hoping to find someone I recognized. I did not. - I sat in the parking lot for literally an hour as people couldn't figure out how parking lots fucking worked. So I dunno. Shitty night and I might as well have not gone. Nonetheless, congrats, Marc. Today's the first day of the rest of your life, buddy.

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matt_cruea

04:39 pm - Punched In The Femur Last night I attended a rather enjoyable piano concert. There were sixteen pianists on six pianos, two keyboards, and an organ. They played a lot of Christmas arrangements and did some pretty impressive musical chairs between pieces. Afterward, I ate dinner with some of Adam's friends from his church and chillaxed at some girl's house playing games. I'm a bit awkward at religious places and when interacting with religious proceedings. It's not that I'm anti-religion or anything. I love religion! It's awesome! I just don't really consider myself very religious in the same way they are (I think my beliefs are very personal and ill-defined, which is how I like them). I'm instantly reminded of saying grace at the Jolly Roger during AX 2005. It's not part of my culture or upbringing, though I certainly respect the rights of others to practice, but I always have this slight, awkward pause where I'm grabbing my fork and others are bowing to say grace. Still, they're cool people. I just wonder what they'd think if I didn't just silently go along with everything. I also went to a birthday party a few days ago. Most of the people were drinking. I had a bar of soap (long story). I can blend well with most people, but I think it's a matter of fitting in. It sucks when you think you've found a place to fit and then that place seems to pass you by. I am also going to attend Marc's graduation today. He was the first and the best of us. Godspeed, Marcus Testman. And finally, it's crunch time. Two weeks before the end of the month, and I don't think anyone's gonna want to live in my house. Blarrggghhh.

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December 13th, 2009

velvy

07:17 pm - Japan - Part Three Before I go to Japan on Wednesday here are some photos from my last trip!! ( Sweets Factory, HOST CLUB, izakaya, Yoyogi Park, and more!! ) Surreal to think I'm gonna be back there on Thursday but I'm getting kinda used to the idea. Plus my friend is ALREADY there... and I've reasoned it's a fair time to travel. Nothing to do here since my classes officially end tomorrow (2 more finals to go!). My boyfriend's leaving to New York and I don't start classes again til January 4th~! The only thing is that I wish I had more time to spend in San Diego but I WILL have a couple of days in SD when I get back. I DO feel kinda lame for jumping off and leaving my parents behind. -_- Then again, it's just two weeks! Anyways, its been a hectic month (hence why there's been no update from me in days). I gotta study now. Update again before I leave!! ♥Peace~♥ Current Mood: anxious Current Music: Lady Gaga - Speechless Tags: japan

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matt_cruea

01:57 am - A Conundrum So when my Xbox red-ringed a few weeks ago, I bought a new one and decided to sell the broken one online. Well, I sent it out a little over two weeks ago, and apparently the thing hasn't arrived yet. I was given a P.O. Box to send it to, and thus had to send it via USPS, and thus I didn't get a tracking number or insurance. So yeah, it hasn't arrived yet. I'm not sure what I can do if this has been lost in the mail. Is there something I can do? Should I refund the guy, ensuring that essentially I'm just out on both the Xbox and the money I spent on shipping? What do I do? Also, why haven't you guys listened to/commented on my Christmas album, dammit?

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December 11th, 2009

matt_cruea

07:45 pm - Christmas Music Time FOREVER Adam and I made some music once. Now we've made some more, though this time it's a lot more... Christmasy. Please reply at the VAA Topic or here after you listen to: ( Cut For BEST LINK EVER )

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