Poetics by Aristotle. How could any man make the art of tragedy so boring? For what purpose did he spend three chapters discussing grammar which his audience would obviously know. (Of course, ninety percent of our Literature class does not know it, but it is a Literature class, not a class on Greek, so why read it?)
The last ten minutes of any class, especially one right before lunch, when you are starving and no longer interested in Odysseus’ motivations or what happens to omicron-contract verbs.
Washing dishes. Especially when there isn’t a window by the sink. Worst is washing dishes in a dorm bathroom where you must stare at your own reflection as you scrub.
Sitting at home with only the dog, when all your friends are at camp. Especially despicable when you have writer’s block and are incapable of defeating your current nemesis on Jedi Knight.
Having only half an hour to get between classes. It takes ten minutes to reach the dorm room, ten minutes to get to your next class, and not enough time to do anything in between.
Sitting alone at lunch or dinner when your forgot to bring a book.
Airplane flights with too much turbulance to read, when your stomach is upset.
Anything written by William Faulkner. It is annoying to have five pages of dialogue converted into one paragraph. It is also boring to read about Southern families who hate each other for no apparent reason.
Plain oatmeal without milk and honey.
Waiting for a computer to finish scanning its disk or waiting for a page to load when you have an extremely slow connection.
Waiting for the phone to ring when your best friend whom you haven’t seen in months promised to call.
2. Things That Hurt in a Good Way
Being homesick in a wonderful place that you love, but that still isn’t home.
Reaching for something that is just barely in reach, but causes you to strain your muscles to reach it.
Being dizzy from spinning around and around and around in a circle.
A bruise earned in a swordlesson from my best friend.
Hot candle wax. It is so fun to dip your fingers into it and watch it cool.
Cramps when your period starts, bringing an end to PMS.
Running so hard on a cold day that your lungs burn.
A cold wind blowing against your chest so hard that your nimples squeeze up.
Tears.
Hair getting pulled a bit too hard when it is being hennaed.
Getting rid of a hangnail.
When I was small(er), losing a tooth. When it got to be so loose that I could turn it all the way around, so that the back of the tooth faced the front of my mouth. I would keep turning it until the small cord of flesh snapped and bled a bit and the tooth came out.
Saying goodbye for a very long time, but not forever.
3. Pleasant Smells
I love the way that lavendar smells. It is so clean and fresh, but also mysterious and sad.
The smell of cider is warming and pleasant.
Thunder and Lightning. This smell gives a feeling of excitement and newness.
Roses. I have always felt that the scent and thorns of a rose are more important than the symmetry of its petals or the shape of the flower head. A proper rose must have sharp thorns and should smell sweet and bright.
Mint.
Fresh-baked bread, especially when it was baked by my mother.
The sea. Nothing else smells quite like the sea, because the mixture of salt, sand, wind, and kelp. It fits perfectly with the way your lips tase salty after playing in the surf and the way the sand sticks to the soles of your feet.
Clean hair that has just been washed with an appropriate shampoo.
Meat cooking, whether a pot roast simmering or a steak or burgers barbecuing.
Moonflowers or datura are the most pleasant smelling flowers of all, because they are never touched by the sun and so do not lose their smell to the heat.
Real lemon that you yourself have squeezed.
Coriander, basil, thyme, rosemary, lemon blam, hyssop, sage, tarragon.
A tiny bit of vinegar can smell pleasant and astringent.
Fairs. All that fried food and ice cream and cotton candy and cooking sausage smell wonderful, even though most of it is greasy enough to make one sick.
Pine trees, especially in the winter when their sap’s aroma carries great distance in the cold winter air.
Vanilla.
4. I Love the Morning
Everything is very quiet early in the morning when everyone else is still asleep. Before the sun comes up, the stars can be very clear, and when it is warm the datura and moon flowers are still blooming. It is very nice to go out early in the morning in early autumn and see Orion before you can see him in the evening.
It is also very easy to get homework done early in the morning. I remember doing Latin translations early in the morning while drinking hot chocolate, also physics homework. Though, I didn’t enjoy the homework, they are pleasant memories.
The morning is also best because you have just awakened and the day is new. you are full of energy and ready to face reality.
I also receive my e-mail digests in the morning.
When the sun is half risen, just enough to see color, the flowers in the grass are very prettty in the spring.
When you walk outside bare foot on cool mornings the gravel burns into your feet as you go to fetch the paper. It is nice to step on the rug inside after this.
6. Greek Is a Simply Hideous Language
In what other language do you have articles AND declensions? Add in conjugations, a bizarre (to me!) alphabet, and an irritating obsession with accent marks. I have no use for accent marks. I also dislike any language that considers it worthwhile to have differences of declension WITHIN the declensions. honestly!
I thought English was a language with problems, but Greek is seriously disturbed. Latin is clearly the only sensible language in history.
7. Things That Are Cute Without Being Cloying
Kittens and puppies too, provided they do not drool too much. Small children while they sleep. Babies that are squalling are *not* cute. Babies that are sleeping are. I love the way their faces look when their eyes are closed and they are dreaming peacefully.
Fruit baskets. I adore fruit baskets, especially ones that also include chocolates and other goodies. The only baskets I get are Easter ones, but I find all baskets of gifts charming.
Children dressed up in costumes, whether for Halloween or the Medieval Faire or just for the fun of it.
Cabbits, slimes, and chibi dragons in animes. Chibi people, however, are cloying, though funny.
Parn and Deedlit, Lina and Gourry, Shiris and Orson, Filia and Xellos, Ranma and Akane, Inu-yasha and Kagome, and Ashram and Pirotess.
The old fashioned variety of birthday cake, that is round and iced with a pretty pattern around the edges and perhaps lettering, but without ridiculous pictures on it. This is especially pleasing in a cake with cherry flavored icing.
My mother and her signifigant other.
My room-mates and their friends. When they aren't being annoying.
8. The Week Classes Began
In the same week that classes began, my room-mates decided to rearrange our furniture. I was content with the current arrangement and did not like the idea of the work involved in rearranging it. Still, I offered to assist in moving the furniture. I listened to their ideas and made a few suggestions of my own. We moved the bunk bed where Maggie and I sleep up against the wall, which was good, for now I have less chance of falling out of it down seven feet onto a hard floor.
We also rearranged the desks, and I know have a corner all to myself. In the end, my room-mates were right, and the new arrangment is much superior.
9. Yesterday Was Wonderful
Yesterday was wonderful! In the morning it was cold and wet and damp and dreary, which in its own way is beautiful I suppose, though I appreciate it best when I am inside writing or reading and the rain is outside making pleasant sounds on the roof.
But then, shortly after noon the sun came out and the sky turned a shade of blue that is indescribable. It was still cool and the wind was incredible! The leaves have begun to turn, and between all of it: the freshness of the air, the chillness of the wind, the silver brightness of the sun, the splendor of the sky, the flame-color of the leaves, the clean smell of it all . . . it was as if the entire world had been reborn. It was so pure, so incandescent. I felt so very alive.
I took a long walk in the evening on my way back from dinner. I watched as the clouds took on a rose tint and the sky turned dull blue, then soft grey. The breeze became colder and the leaves began to fall all around. I didn't get back to my dorm until after I had seen the evening's first star, faintly shining in the western sky.
10. Too Much Work
I have always wondered how teachers always manage to coordinate so well without talking to each other. There is an old expression that "It never rains but it pours." This is extremely true. If one teacher is giving a test, three of them are, all on the same day. Then you'll go for a couple weeks without a test. The same goes for papers. For instance I remember a time when I was still in high school when I had five tests on the same day and a couple papers due as well.
This past week was like that, though I suppose they had an excuse. "Mid-terms." The second most hideous word to any college student. The first is "Finals." I had two tests to study for last week, and now I have two papers to write over my fall break. What fun!
11. Things That Make Me Homesick
Virgin Margaritas. Altoids. Noticing the scar on my hand from where Brendan hit it in a swordlesson a year ago -- it's almost entirely faded, but it shows up when I'm too warm, too cold, or under stress.
When I get sick of cafeteria food and start to remember my mother's cooking.
Ramen noodles. I ate them nearly all summer.
The Yappa-appa song from Ranma 1/2.
Smithfield Fair's "Home to Islay." "Cause, sooner or later, your thoughts turn and tempt you, and over the water you'll gaze. And before very long, comes the bonniest song, and you'll follow it home to Islay."
Talking to my mom or dad on the phone.
Whenever I remember how long it's been since I had a real bath, rather than a shower or foot bath.
Climbing up into my bunk-bed.
My silver friendship ring.
Working on the Celyddann Project or writing Rothwyn and Brin rpg-stories.
Days when I don't get any e-mail from my friends in
Norman.
My lucky long-sleeved dragon t-shirt.
Care packages from Mom.
Everything!
12. Things Worth Living For
Chocolate. (Especially Godiva chocolate or a mug of good hot cocoa.)
Laughter.
Tears.
Best friends.
My mother's cooking. (In case you're wondering, my mother herself falls under the category of "best friends" as does my father.)
Loreena McKennit music.
BOOKS!!!
The thrilling feeling of a sword in your hand.
Responsibilities. Duty. Loyalty. These perhaps most of all, unlike many of these other things, I suppose they are also worth dying for.
Sunrise.
Dreams.
One sentence perfectly worded that conveys such truth that it is beautiful.
Stupid jokes.
Writing.
Life, in and of itself.
13. Reasons I Am Looking Forward to Christmas Break
Real baths.
Real food.
Seeing my family and friends.
Teasing my little brother.
Showing Brendan how much my swordfighting has improved.
Role-playing face to face!
Watching anime.
Baking.
Sleeping in my own room in my own bed at a normal distance from the ceiling in a full-sized bed.
Seeing my big fat lazy felines Watson and Chester.
The yearly New Year's Party.
Playing Jedi Knight on my Dad's computer. (Shh, I didn't say that.)
The smell of Christmas trees.
Presents! (Who doesn't like presents? Liar!)
Maybe snow in Norman.
Seeing the Lord of the Rings movie!
Working on a novel with my best friend.
My best friend. Both of them.
Christmas brunch or some such.
Styaing up all night (well almost) with my best friend talking about pointless things.
Maybe snow or ice and walking through it.
My little brother's dog Camry.
Being home.
14. Things That Stand Out
The bright red leaves of the tree outside my window. A few weeks ago it was really impressive. Now it is less so. It's the only tree out there that still has leaves and for a few days its leaves were crimson.
A meteor. I watched the Leonid shower a week ago and it was incredible to watch all those bright shooting stars across the dark sky.
Camellias when they are the only flowers blooming.
The first ornament on the christmas tree.
15. People Ought
People ought to try to have some backbone. I speak of myself of course, for sometimes I have a dreadful tendency to allow people to walk all over me. This is not particularly healthy.
Often I find myself agreeing to things my room-mates ask when I--in all fairness--should not. Likewise, I allow myself to be treated and ignored like furniture. I am not a hat rack, so I probably shouldn't go out of my way to be overlooked.
Of course, my room-mates can take a fair bit of the creidt for this, as they are the ones who gang up on me making any resistance futile. Hmm. This makes my room-mates sound like the Borg. More on this later.
16. Last Summer
Last summer, my father, my little brother, my best friends, and I went on a trip to Arkansas. I kept a journal, so I'm going to spend the next few entries on an only slightly edited transcription of that journal. The journal had the following titles:
The Picarresque: A Journal
or
The Adventures of Mabry Inverse
or
The Memoir of a Shining Girl
or
There and Back Again: A Harpy's Holiday
or
Why You Can Never Have Too Many Towels
or
De Itinere Arcansa (About the Arkansas Journey)
or
The Book of Many Titles
or . . . .
17. June 30, 2001
I hadn't really expected to be able to make this trip. (Author's Note: This trip was the result of my desire to just get in a car and go with no specific palns. I mentioned it to my father and convinced him that it was the perfect thing to do this summer.) It had been sort of idle speculation. Then it was something I hoped we would do, but didn't really believe we would. But we did!
When I first told Robin and Aurora about this trip, Aurora said I must be Lina Inverse reborn. I made a quip comparing Brendan to Gourry. But Actually Lina Inverse has everything to do with this trip.
I wanna be Lina Inverse.
I wanna be Xena.
I wanna be Tarma shena Talesedrin.
I wanna be Romilly MacAran.
I wanna be Romilly dal Ceinwein.
I wanna be Belegwen Lightningblade!
There's an appeal to that life-style, you know?
But Lina also has a certain attitudem a certain luck, that none of the others have. It's what Zel was talking about in Slayers: Reflect by Stephen Gagne. Lina is completely immature, she never prepares, she's erratice and chaotic and random, but she always comes through. She really lives. I want to love to live like that. I want to be like Lina for just a while, and maybe "find that future me and give her a reason for life."
The first place we went was Fort Smith. We toured the Old Fort Museum, which was pretty interesting. (Author's Note: This means that the displays included "pointy thingies" such as swords and daggers. I'm easy to please.) Then we visited the Fort Smith National Historical site where we got fed propaganda about how necessary the death penalty was in early Arkansas and about what a great man Judge Parker was. Good Grief.
Then there was Eureka Springs . . . .
Merely driving through Eureka Springs was an education. Their sole industry is tourism.
The city was picturesque. Many of the buildings were pink or other pastel colors. The best word to describe it would be "cute." Amelia and Filia would love it; Lina and Gourry would eat piles of funnel cakes; Zelgadis would sit in the coffee shop and sulk; Xellos would revel in the sheer bizarreness of it.
Some shop names: The Two Dumb Dames Fudge Factory, Frog Fantasies, Big Daddy's Bar-be-cue, The Fun Spot, Crazy Bone, Tummy Ticklers, Fleece 'n Flax, Scarlett;s Lingerie and Curiosities, and so on. There were lots of joiny wedding and photography studios, Two very memorable hotels: The Sleepy Hollow (with kissing swans on the sign) and the Joy Mountain Lodge (I kid you not.)
Then there was the giant statue of Jesus and Dinosaur World. About Dinosaur World: let's not go there. One thing though, just four words: four story King Kong.
I love Eureka Springs. All these ridiculous little shops in cute Victorian-style downtown buildings. I haven't laughed so much in days.
Eureka Springs is one of those "great to visit, wouldn't want to live there" places. It is "Eureka Springs where all things cute are loved and cherished."
But the "haunted" Crescent Hotel was a disappointment. Magenta Chimneys. Honestly. (Author's Note: I had been interested in seeing the Crescent Hotel which is supposedly one of the most haunted spots in Arkansas.)
The view and scenerey were beautiful. We took some pictures. Hope they turn out well.
Our Adventure came between Harrison and Mountain View along highway 74 (I think) which we were taking due to my navigation. It had three small town: Landis, Alco, and Timbo. (I'm not making this up.) We were running low on gas.
This was really the middle of Nowhere
So we drive into Landis, hoping that there is a gas station. Our gas meter is on empty. No gas stations.
Brendan and I start praying to Anirenil, Qwill, Alran, and Daine. (Author's Note: Check out the Chapel to find out about Qwill. Daine is one of Qwill's relatives. Anirenil and Alran are deities out of the novel Brendan and I are writing.) We beg to make it to a gas station. I apologize frantically to the guys for choosing such a deserted road.
We reach Alco. No gas station.
Our prayers become frantic. Our four favored eities are promised all sorts of wonderful things.
We reach Timbo. Texaco. We were saved. I am now indebted to three gods and one goddess.
We also saw a very pretty rainbow during this portion of the drive. And it was a very scenic highway. If not for our panicky search for fuel, it would have been perfect.
Now we are settled in at a falsely named Econo-Lodge. Brendan is working on Chapter 28, and Michael and I are working on our journal. Peace and Quiet reign.
Slayers Quote of the Day: "I'm just afraid of regret without doing my best!" Slayers song "Don't be Discouraged."
18. July 1, 2001
We had another fun, tiring day. First, we visited the Ozark Folk Center. We watched a soap-maker and learned how lye soap is made. We watched a performance of Irish and Ozark music. They were very good and also funny.
Then we watched a blacksmith who had made some really neat dragons and an Excaliber candleholder.
We went to a candle shop and dipped coloring onto candles.
The best part was the herb garden where I was given some valerian seeds.
We watched a bunch of other craftspeople: printers, a spinner, a weaver, a quilter, an instrument-maker, a basket-weaver, a broom-maker . . . . It was all very interesting.
Then we went to Blanchard Springs Caverns where we took the Discovery Tour. 700 and something steps! But it was beautiful. I'd say more about it, but there isn't much more I can say without going into descriptions of the geology which I don't want to do.
Howeverm we all agreed to come back in a few years for the Wild Cave tour.
Afterwards we hiked to see where the springs rise to the ground. We had fun jumping from rock to rock. Michael got soaked.
Then we drove to Morrison. It was a long, quiet, uneventful drive. I am exhausted. I can't wait to plant my valerian seeds!
Slayers Quote of the Day: "Propheices aren't weather forecasts, you know! They don't give exact details of where and when!" Filia, Slayers Try.
19. July 2, 2001
And today was the loooongest most tiring day. After breakfast at the Waffle house (yum!) we went hiking at Petit Jean. Long, grueling climb down with lots of switchbacks, cross narrow bridge, bandage Michael, short hike, beautiful waterfall, short hike, bandage Michael, cross narrow bridge, long more grueling climb up the hill with lots of switchbacks. Complete exhaustion. Brendan and I collapsed in the Lodge.
Before that we had seen the grave of Petit Jean. Terribly, sweet, sad, romantic story that. (Author's Note: The story of Petit Jean is as follows. A woman's fianceé was going to the America's and she was to be left behind in France. She disguised herself as a man to follow him, but once there she sickened and died, which led to the truth being revealed. Her love had her buried on the hill which is now called Petit Jean for the name by which she was called on the ship.)
After hiking we went crystal mining. I cut my finger, but I found some nice crystals.
We reached Hot Springs. I am exhausted.
My journal wasn't supposed to be like this. It was supposed to just be my thoughts. Day-to-day account, yes, but also my thoughts.
Slayers Quote of the Day: "I'm tired! I'm hungry! I'm weak with fatigue! When will this nightmare end? When?!?!?!" Lina, Gagne's Slayers Trilogy, which you really ought to read.
20. July 4, 2001
Yesterday was a wonderful last day. We swam and canoed in the clear ice-cold waters of Beaver Bend. Then we drove back.
This morning Brendan made us pancakes and bacon, before returning home. Our adventures are over.
Only a few questions remain: Will Brendan ever want to see us again? Where should we go nesxt year?
21. Spring-time for Harpies in Connecticut!
Being a Louisiana girl by birth, I'm not completely familiar with the concept of Spring. We don't really have spring in Louisiana. We have pre-summer. It gets hot and humid, just not in the triple digits. There's flowers and thunderstorms and you start turning the air conditioner on again.
But here in Connecticut it's beautiful! Flowers all over the place, cool breezes, gentle rains, leaves just beginning to appear, pale blue skies, birds singing . . . .
And the cherry trees! They're all over the place! There's even one as big as the elm tree in my backyard in Oklahoma! One of my friends assures me that the petals really do fall like in anime. I will have to get a picture of that!
I could really get to like this "spring" idea.
22. Birthdays
Yesterday was my 19th birthday. It was my first birhtday away from home and it was simply miserable. I've been depressed about it for nearly a week. A person shouldn't spend her birthday alone, should she? I just did. Most of the day was spent by myself, except for a bit of time on the phone and at a discussion group for on of my classes.
It makes me very homesick, even though I know that I am not forgotten even here. It's just not the same as having a birthday party at home with all my friends. But I'm not going to get upset about it again.
*****
This is, of course, an ongoing project. More entries *will* appear!
