All that and a side of squee

[azurite]

-Dad had hair (almost Picard-style, but a bit more, and super-shiny for some reason, very straight... fyi, my dad's hair is naturally curly. Like, Afro-style.)

-Seymour from FFX was chasing me everywhere (including into a dressing room at some department store where everyone spoke Spanish); I think he wanted to kill me, but when he finally caught up with me (and the guy I was with-- don't know who, but a good friend was the feeling I got from him), there was something about the number of memories he had vs. the other guy. I started crying and Seymour let me go-- "for now."

-At some point during the chase, though, I remember being able to fly, and while going up, I saw a squirrel attempting to jump a large distance between trees. At first, I thought it was a flying squirrel, but about two feet from the tree it was trying to reach, it stopped in mid-air and just plummeted, cartoon-style. But I think it made it, as I remember laughing despite the danger I was in, and flying onward.

-I went exploring into some house (with Dad?) in what felt like a wholly alternate universe, and it seemed to be ruled by cats, even though there were some distinctly human elements, like big beds, photos of me and my dad... I had a room, but it didn't FEEL like my room, because it was PINK (I mean, my current room is pink too, but not my any choice of mine. This other house felt like "ours," like we'd bought it and decorated it as we please, and I *DO NOT* like pink in excess... or in hot fuschia shades or whatnot).

-I had also been at some sort of conference-- sort of like the DLP, but I felt extremely out of place because it seemed to have strong religious vibes. I remember the higher-ups wanting to talk to me, and I kept finding ways to duck out of it, and I remember being fed up with all the "ducking and covering" and eventually I told the other people in my group/at the conference that they must have chosen me for a reason in the first place, and the fact is, they had to have known I was a loudmouthed, outspoken girl, and reprimanding or scaring me wouldn't change that...

That said...
(1) I finally got Auron's Mars Sigil in FFX! :D :D I still want to get the rest of the monsters from throughout Spira, just to see what that gets me... and it might be nice to SOMEDAY be able to beat one of the original creations that the crazy Monster Arena guy puts together. Plus when you do get a complete set, you get some awesome prizes, so I'd do it for that.

So far, the only two Sigils left to get are the Saturn (Kimahri, which means beating two of those horrid butterfly games) and Jupiter (Wakka, which means playing more blitzball). Should I bother...?

(2) This week I finished reading both Sophie Kinsella's "Shopaholic and Baby" and Diana Peterfreund's "Under the Rose," both sequels. The former is what I assume to be the last (fifth) book in the Shopaholic series, and the latter is the second of four books in the "Rose and Grave" or "Secret Society Girl/Ivy League" series. Both books kicked butt, especially near the end, but if I had to pick one to recommend with glowing reviews, it would definitely be the two "Secret Society Girl" books. The second one had a review on it from Publisher's Weekly that said "impossible to put down" and it was SO true! I really couldn't put it down, it was SUCH a damn good read! (I can give a more detailed review later)

To make things even better, I wrote to the author (I found her website and blog) and surprisingly got a reply WITHIN A FEW HOURS! SQUEE! I have yet to write BACK to her reply (she wants to know how the writing program is at CSUN), but the fact that I got a reply from an author I admire and aspire to write like one day just makes me SO happy!

And now I'm wondering if maybe I can review books or something for the Sundial this semester, assuming the editors don't send me off doing the lousy beats, like the police beat...

(3) Did I mention I may have found my dream internship? I really want to get it, and I'm thinking to myself I need to be more flexible with my wants if it means a better career after college (whether that includes grad school, I'm not sure yet). Basically, I should look into accepting internships in New York or wherever even if they're not in the summer or winter breaks... I can always take classes online, and maybe even through local universities! For an internship that actually APPLIES to my major, is PAID, and will really help me get the experience I need, I shouldn't be stingy about the when and where.

Anyway, I need to hear a bit more about what said dream internship entails, who the representative is (so I know who to address with my cover letter), and then put together a shining, perfect cover letter... which I have never done before, but I hope I can do with this new book I picked up at Borders, "Winning Cover Letters," by Robin Ryan. So far I like it, and it's got a lot of good advice and techniques-- I just need the knowledge to apply it all!

(4) Lastly, I finally have my booklist for Fall '07, and it looks like this semester's required Journalism book isn't QUITE as boring as last year... but who knows? In any case, Half.com has got all my textbooks for MUCH cheaper than the bookstore (take that, eFollett!), so I'll probably take that route once I get my paycheck and/or fin aid checks, which should come around the 13th. Hip hip hurrah! And then... my new laptop! SQUEEBALLS x2!

Speaking of balls (fuzzballs, in this case), Mokie got another haircut...! She looks so poodlesque, it's hilarious. I should take a picture of her with her bow and bandana before she manages to get it off.

Aaand... that's it. For now. Shawn is supposed to pick me up so we can see the Bourne Supremacy from Blockbuster, and then later tonight we're going to one of his friend's houses for some drinks and a movie. Sounds like a good weekend to me already!

Comments

[lazzchan.livejournal.com]

Mergh

Again, really REALLY sorry about the book, I could have sworn I did mail out all twelve and now I'm missing volume 6 of xxxHolic. >_> So yeah. I did refund the money, hope you got it. =P

[azurite]

It's no big deal, really! :) I did get the refund, thank you for that. I can just swing by Borders and get Volume 6 when I get to that point in my reading. Thanks again!

Under the Rose

[omyhinkle.livejournal.com]

Hi. I just read Secret Society girl last night. I could not put it down. I was wonder if you could tell me if the characters I've grown to like are going to be back for the sequel. I plan to go buy it today after work and want to be prepared if some people aren't back.

I assume the "taps" from the first novel are back since they are the senior members of Rose & Grave now. Does George Harrison Prescott have a more substantial role in this novel. Is Malcolm back at all. I know he graduates but I really want to know what happens to him after he confesses his secret to his father and I loved his friendship with Amy. Is Brandon back? Poe?

I'd love any information you can give me.

Re: Under the Rose

[azurite]

I'll try and not spoil you too much, but yes, the taps are most definitely back. Malcolm does graduate, but he stays in contact with Boo, and GHP plays a slightly larger role in this one. Brandon is back with a bit part, and Poe is 100% back (I've become a Poe fan because of UtR).

I emailed Diana Peterfreund, and she revealed there'll be two more books in the series. I know the first one covers Spring Break, and I assume the last one will cover Amy's final semester at Eli.

Re: Under the Rose

[omyhinkle.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad about Poe. His character was screaming for a redemption arc in the first book and I'm glad the author is exploring that. I also love GHP and Malcolm (sweet sweet Lancelot.)

I'm going to go buy it tonight after work and I'll probably be finished with it before I go to bed.

I kind of want to know who her romantic interest in this book is and I kind of don't. Can you just tell me if it is someone we met in the first book or a completely new character?

Re: Under the Rose

[azurite]

I can safely say it probably won't be a surprise.

Re: Under the Rose

[omyhinkle.livejournal.com]

So I finished it last night/early this morning.

Spoilers for those who have not read the book below. You have been warned :)





So wow. Malcolm was just around via email. That was sad for me but I loved the tone f their emails to each other. I really hope he is back in one of the next two books in the series. I really love their rapport.

GHP. I did not see him as being a part of Elysian. I guess I'm disappointed in him because I figured, like Amy, that even if their sexual relationship did not entitle her to know his secrets then the fact that they were R&G brothers and friends on top of that in their club meant that she did. I would have taken that betrayal very personally. Also he didn't want to be a part of R&G and had to basically be forced. So for him to volunteer for this group seem a little out of character. Even him saying it was because he had been spending a lot of time with Nikolas did not satisfy me enough as a reason. He'd been spending a lot of time with Amy too. where's the loyalty GHP? I guess I just hate that she has another "black mark" on her hit list. Can't the girl catch a break and get a normal relationship?

Poe. Oh my sweet messed up Poe. I can't bring myself to call him Jamie either. I definitely feel for him and understand his motivation for joining Elysian. He seems so weird when it comes to Amy. Sometimes I think he likes her and is going to grab her and kiss her or ask her out or something and then sometimes he truly comes off like he cannot stand her whatsoever. Does he like her as a person/girlfriend material or is it just a grudging respect for their shared love of R&G? When she caught him in the Elysian meeting it seemed like he had a personal motivation for wanting to explain to her. He seemed so desperate to explain to her. And then at the end with her forgiving him and extending the olive branch. Am grew a lot in that moment and I think they will get along better in the next book and, dare I guess, hook up at some point. He may even be her "the one" as Angel would say. I say this mainly because he started off as the bad guy and they hated each other and now there is a respect and quasi friendship and trust there. Also we are peeling back the layers on him and getting his back story.

Also how cute is it that he named his snake Lord Voldemort? Of course he reads Harry Potter. And in a way reminds me of a young Tom Riddle.

It can't be said enough. *sigh* GHP *sigh* I really am sad that it is most likely over between those two. I figure that by the end of the series that Amy will finally be in a committed relationship and be happy and comfortable about it. Who will it be (because I think it will be someone we know by now in the story and not someone new) ... Brandon, GHP or Poe?

I'd love to read some of your thoughts now that I've finished. I know I may sound like I'm complaining or questioning the characters motivation and whether they were acting out of character but I enjoyed it very much.

Also where did you come up with your name...Azurite. I work in the mineral field so it was just interesting to see a mineral as a user name.

Re: Under the Rose

[azurite]

I agree with you 110%! GHP really disappointed me, but I could see it coming-- I understood Amy's attitude toward relationships, her hurt at seeing Brandon having moved on, and so forth. That's not to say the book was predictable (not in the least), but it wasn't shocking to the point of me going "WTF, mate?"

I *LOVED* Poe. I was probably more disappointed when I found out he was in Elysian than even Amy was, because in her mind, he'd made leaps and bounds with her in terms of trust. I especially loved how Malcolm kept pushing her toward him, and though Amy tried to act on her own, she DID end up turning to Poe. It was almost heartbreaking when she had to tell him off in NYC, and I almost hated Jenny (more) for it-- not so much by the end of the book, but I'm still not a big Jenny fan.

On the other hand, I'm so totally contemplating my own fic for Poe x Amy, because I think it has to happen. I'm halfway bent on the idea that Amy's nameless guy on her hitlist was Poe before R&G got to him and he did good things with his life (so to speak), and if Poe ever DID find out about Amy's CB, he'd put two and two together and learn the truth. I think it could make for fun reading either way- I love Poe now, and can forgive him the easiest for having a hand with Elysian.

That and I can so see him getting flustered amidst his law books during Spring Break, when Amy's prancing around in a bikini. :D

And as for the username, I've always loved the stone for some reason-- I felt drawn to it. I loved learning about rocks and gemstones, and when I saw Azurite in a book, I felt a connection-- so here I am! :)

Re: Under the Rose

[omyhinkle.livejournal.com]

Oh. My. Goodness. I saw that you wrote fic and I was going to try and work in a request for you to pen a little Poe X Amy. Or a lot. I really hate that the next book will not be out until next summer and need fic to tide me over but I cannot find any community online for this series.

I actually had the same thought as you. That Poe was her one night stand. I still think there must be more to that since it keeps coming up in the book. I think it needs to be written. In my mind it WAS Poe until I hear otherwise in the books. I forgive him completely for Elysian. He missed R&G and was looking for a substitute.

I also would love to read a story about their spring break adventure and imagine Poe all flustered by Bikini!Amy! as well.

I like that Malcolm kept pushing them together. Do you think (if Poe is indeed the nameless one night stand) that Poe remembers it? Just because she was trashed does not mean he was. If he did know it was her it may have something to do with his hostility toward her from the beginning. She would have come up in his C.B. Malcolm would know and that is why he keeps pushing her toward Poe. Playing matchmaker perhaps? Or just messing with Poe in a brotherly way?

As mush as I felt bad for Amy kicking Poe out of her C.B. and I felt bad for him. You could tell he was very hurt. I understood her point of view. She didn't get to hear his C.B. and something like that should be for each club to share together without patriarchs listening in. Though I guess she could have gone to the Black Books if she really wanted to know what his C.B. report was like.

Maybe I can bribe you to write some stories with a little Azurite?

Re: Under the Rose

[azurite]

I think if Poe is the nameless one night stand (and I'm a firm believer in not mentioning something in a story if it won't serve a purpose SOMEHOW, no matter how small), then it could go either way with him remembering. If it happened before he became a member of R&G, it's entirely possible he could have been drunk-- but not as much as Amy, I'd think. Or maybe he hadn't drunk at all, in which case I bet he remembers but he's just not sure. It's not like Poe's the type to walk up to Amy and ask her "So, do you remember this one summer..." He would be just as embarrassed if it were true, I think.

But yeah, if you want to bribe me with some Azurite, I'm all for it! :D