A Fantastic Little Corner

I have this thing about not posting more than twice a day, so I didn't put it up yesterday. Jacked from spockside and other LJ buddies. (You know what's creepy? I just remembered my dream. While I completely forgot about the Florida primary, my subconscious did not. I dreamt that Newt won against all odds. O_o I was watching CNN and Wolf Blitzer of all places for coverage. So. WEIRD!)


I'm running a test to see who's reading my posts. So, if you read this, leave me a one-word comment about your day that starts with the third letter of your LJ USERNAME. Only one word please. Then repost so I can leave a word for you. Don't just post a word and not copy - that's not as much fun!

The Halloween party went well. I totally owned that mystery; figured out what happened and everything. It wasn't easy, but I doubt the claims of only a 22% success rate. I could be wrong, tho. Only 2 out of 9 of us got it, which does match the stats.

Day 7 - What fictional character are you (secretly) in love with?

Leander Hastings.

Oh dear fuzzy. Tall, dark, mysterious, and exceedingly handsome and powerful with a dark, tragic past that shapes him into an unstoppable force willing to sacrifice anything. And none of you know him!! WHY?!?!?

Ahh, yet again, a character from the Heir Chronicles. ;)

Let's pretend that I didn't have to stay 45 minutes after work yesterday and get home close to 1 am. Let's pretend half this post took place on Tuesday.

Day 3 - Your favourite book aged 9 ½, or 13 ¾, whichever you remember best.
9 ½ was my summer of 100 books - or that was my goal, but I didn't quite hit it. I became obsessed with Sherlock Holmes, Encyclopedia Brown, and Black Beauty. - That is until I found the Circle of Magic series by Tamora Pierce. They were my favorite books until Harry Potter; without ever writing or reading a word, it was my first experience with fanfiction. I don't know how many times I read those books.

By 13½, I'd become obsessed with music, and wasn't reading anything aside from assignments. I remained that way until 17 or so.

Day 4 - The book that’s been on your shelves the longest.
Uh... Probably the Three Musketeers or the Count of Monte Cristo, though I currently don't own a copy of either at the moment. The old ones got ruined a year or two back.

I wanted to find a book meme, and I found something even better: a 30-day book meme! Anyone up for doing this one with me?

( 30 Day Book Meme )

Day 1 - A fictional character you identify with and why.
This answer changes with every other book you read, so I'd say that right now, the answer is Linda Downey from The Heir Chronicles by Cinda Williams Chima. It's kind of a strange answer for me to give, because the initial reason I identified with her occurred at the very beginning of the first book when she was being extremely protective of a baby of all things.

As it turns out, she's extremely protective of her family and beliefs throughout the books, to a literal fault, and I think that's what I picked up on. There's also her secretive attitude and independence, for the safety of and to the exclusion of all others - again, to a fault. The parallel: I have a tendency to protect my family, friends, and beliefs, even sometimes to my own detriment. I mostly don't mention things that really bother me, even when people ask, because I believe I should deal with them on my own, it's easier to be silent, and I don't want to burden others.

Also, Linda Downey is just super hardcore awesome. I wish I was that awesome!

Day 16 - Whatever tickles your fancy
Uh... How about some discussion on the Republican's Weekly Online YouCut Program in their newly released Pledge to America?

To cut spending, Republicans say they are committed to canceling remaining expenditures from the 2009 stimulus law, return domestic appropriations to 2008 levels, impose "hard" budget caps on discretionary spending accounts, reduce spending for congressional operations, have weekly floor votes on winners of the "YouCut" program that allows citizens to vote online for programs that should be slashed, end the Troubled Asset Relief Program, end government control of the secondary home-mortgage lending giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, freeze federal hiring for non-security jobs, sunset programs after a certain number of years, and use more straightforward budgeting for entitlement programs.

LINK to Politico

Yeah, yeah, yeah. More politicians making promises, blah blah blah. I don't mind discussing the other pieces in here, but this whole YouCut Program is intriging. Am I the only person thinking... I dunno? American Idol for government?

We're not a democracy; we're a republic.

Yes, the representatives would vote on it, but vote on what exactly? An online poll that can easily be skewed? How much detail could a weekly online poll get into for actual cuts? It's just a cop out, in my opinion. We're looking for more accountability, not a way for the reps to come back and tell us, "Well, we asked you guys for the cuts, but they just wouldn't pass either of the houses. You guys need to be more specific."

Am I maybe just too cynical? I sincerely doubt it. I don't trust politicians one bit.

Day 17 - A talent of yours
I am the Speller 'round these parts. If you're around me at home, work, or anywhere in between, you'll hear someone call out, "Hey, Jackie! How do you spell __________?" Spell checker and dictionary not required.

Day 18 - A hobby of yours
I do some music stuff from time to time. I like to play things by ear, contemplate some musical theory elements behind pieces I listen to, or I'll just play old songs I know. I really need to get my saxophone fixed... It's got some loose pads that need to be reattached.

What a loooong day! Gone before 9:30 this morning and only back just now. But I did make it to the doctor, and I'm on steroids again for the asthma plus antibiotics for the sinus infection. \o/ Clear breathing, here I come!!!

Day 11 - A fictional book



Honest review: I was really surprised. I knew it wouldn't be terrible, but I had wondered at its ability to be really good: Glenn Beck is a polarizing political figure, and the book is written with his political bias. Despite that though, he did create a haunting fictional world though the lens of his worst nightmare. He surpassed my expectations; say what you will about Glenn Beck, but he has been blessed with many talents.

If you like a book that will stick with you after you read it, this one's a good choice. I could totally fic for this one. He says he wrote it to push those on the edge of waking up into wakefulness; I say it could do that, but it's also a good way to express to leftward folks one of many scenarios that conservatives fear most. It's pretty creepy what ends up happening, and the end... well. :) I won't spoil anything.

Day 12 - A non-fictional book



...Yeah, I really didn't mean for this to be a Glenn Beck fan post, but this really is my favorite non-fictional book that I've read thus far. And I've read a lot of them.

The appeal of this book lies in its well-reasoned and extremely well-documented arguments for conservatism, not to mention the incredible (and often hilarious) pictures, graphs, spoofs, etc found throughout the colorful pages. It's a really, really excellent case for conservatism and small government. There's so much information contained within it!

Day 08 - A photo that makes you angry/sad

 
This would have been my answer even if it wasn't 9/11 today.

Am I the only person who can't hear references to the year 2001 without thinking of 9/11? Even if anyone mentions a year prior to 2001, my immediate thought is, "That was pre-9/11." It was a different world back then... I knew the world would change in the days following as I stayed glued to the news, but I couldn't have imagined what we would become accustomed to.

I was in Band that morning, a sophomore in high school.

By the end of the day, about half the school population had left. Classes "continued," but really, we all just discussed what was happening. My Pre-AP World History teacher told us that living through history was just as important as remembering it, and encouraged us to discuss, write, and remember the day in detail.

Where were you on 9/11/2001?