10 Things for 10 People

I'm blogging at 11:30 from my house im my holey pjs. Lovin' it. I took this from a friend of mine in Snellville that uses Xanga mostly, but I liked her post and I wanted to do it too. I hope she doesn't mind if I copy her.

- List ten things you want to say to ten people but know you never will.
- Don't say who each is.
- Feel free to comment

1. Even if you don't believe me, I know it's the way I feel: I'm finally over you. There were countless times where I thought that I would have to give you up completely and that made me so sad to even dwell on the possibility. What makes me so happy that I've finally reached this point is because I want to be friends with you for the rest of my life. Most of the time, I'm irritated with you, but you personally, have never made me unhappy, and I think that's why I like you. More often than not, I have fun when I'm with you. I probably still did even when you threw cars at me and put grandaddy long legs on the slide so I couldn't go down. Even though I'm over you, the sad part about it is that if you ever changed your mind about me, I'd be right there quicker than you could say my name. Sure, we're a lot alike and we're basically brother and sister, but I trust you more than any other friend of mine. I know I can tell you anything and you will keep it in confidence; if I stop mid-sentence because I'm having a hard time getting something out, all I have to say is "ya know?" - and you know, even if I don't. Since that won't happen, I'm on a quest to find another you.
2. I wish I knew you better. You are one of the main reasons why I want to move back to Atlanta. I like hanging out with you and I feel like I know you REALLY well, but that's only from second hand information. I'd like to find out all of that first hand. We obviously have a lot in common, just not a lot of time to spend together. And just so you'll never know, your clothes are always really cute. (lol.)
3. Of all the people I left in Snellville at SHS, you are the one I miss seeing the most. You were always there for me and the parts of me that I wished were stronger, were what you possessed the most of, and I think that's why you helped me so much and why I went to you. I'm sure you are still more mature than me and I'm secretly wishing that you would go to UGA so we could have coffee every once in a while. Still bummed you couldn't come to the Memorial that year because I think the truth woud've helped your cynicism, which has become only stronger over the years. If you do go to the University of Chicago, I'd make a trip to visit you, and bring a butter book to share.
4. You are never what I thought I would like, but I don't think people have types and compared to most of the guys I've liked, I've never liked one quite like you. If you would pay $150 for a nosebleed ticket to see Tori Amos and desprately wanted to move [back] to Atlanta like I do, I'd go against everything I know is right and stand for and marry you next year. My mom would have a fit for more than the obvious reason that I would only be 19, but you treat me the way I want to be treated in a relationship. Best of all, we both want to serve Jehovah to our fullest potential. Eventually, I would be insanely unhappy with my domestic life if I did marry you just as you are, but you are such the gentleman that I'm not sure I'd mind it too much.
5. When you took on the motherly role that you did, I welcomed it. Now, I resent what happened, but I learned from it. Looking back, you came in at the wrong time and did the wrong thing because all you did was aid my downward spiral. Still, I hold you in high esteem and hope that you take the magazines regularly like you used to. I always thought you were so close, yet so far away.
6. Sometimes, I wish I had never taken you on to, in a sense, mentor you. That's right, although you call me a best friend and I'll always be there for you, I'll probably never put you on the level you put me on. I'm proud of you though. You're getting baptised soon and I'm insanely happy for you. I know how much you want it and sometimes, I wish I could just sock your father for how protective he is of you, but I do my best to show you what it's like to have some freedoms when you are with me. I see so much of myself in you, and that scares me sometimes, but looking at myself now, I know you'll get on the right track and that you're on it right now. It does make it easy to help you fix things. In the year I've known you, you've come so far and most of that isn't me at all. You're doing it by yourself and that's what makes me happy to be able to be your "big sister," and not so much your best friend. I WILL always be therefor you though. NEVER forget that.
7. I feel special when you call me your best friend. Nine years is a long time, but we don't get to see each other much, partly because a looming cloud of drama follows you where ever you go. Your latest drama includes your "boyfriend." That situation upsets me. He isn't the one for you. It makes me mad to see you treat him the way you do. You have a wall up that isn't founded. All he wants to do is be close to you and you won't let him. He's too good for you. The only other thing that I don't like about you is that you care far too much about what people think of you. I don't have much room to talk, but this is a far bigger beal with you because it affects you in ALL parts of your life, so much so that you don't live for yourself at all. You would be angry with me for saying this, but you are so much like your mother. Otherwise, I do like to be your friend and I wish you would accept my help.
8. Although you are on a slightly lower level than my best friend, you will always be my best friend. Yeah, I have to admit that's confusing, but you don't have to worry because it doens't mean much. You always think of me and though you don't share the same wave length with me like he does, you give and give and give to me and I wish I gave more to you. There's not enough time to thank you so much for what you have done for me. Recently, physically and sticking with me to the end. You helped me so much so in the in the past that I owe you my whole social life. You are the only reason why I don't have a chip on my shoulder and wear chunky black eye liner. Of course, I get upset with you because we don't have much in common at all except girl stuff, but you have all the qualities I need in a best friend and I hope I never lose you. Thanks. Many zillions of thanks.
9. I've never met you. I think we'd get along too well, but you seem to be making a stupid decision. I don't like what you've done to my best friend, but you don't know you've done it, so I can't really hold you accountable. It's your current stupid decision that is saving him from doing what his heart keeps urging him to do, thus enabling him to keep his goal in tact.
10. Rehashing the past mistakes, no doubt is hard for you, but I do appreciate it. I do appreciate your advice so much. It has helped. Many zillions of thanks to you too. Love you so much.

Thank you and good night!

DSL finally

Just letting everyone know, we've got it. It's been five incredibly long months. I'm not doing this in my holey pjs, but I am doing this in the home office. It's amazing. This is all I have time for. Literally. I have a REV book to study, but here's what I almost yelled out at the meeting last Sunday when the Bellsouth Brother came up to us and said to call and order it:
YYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
YY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of recent importance

I've got four little indians at the house right now. Contessa, Ethan Toad-head (another young boy in our congregation that is in the same grade with Contessa), plus two neighborhood kids. I'm thinking I might go all Agatha Christie on 'em and take them out one by one. I feel like mother hubbard or something. How appropriate that there's nothing in the cubbards at Mountain Man's house... ever.

I haven't locked my keys in the car since Sunday, but I did dream about it last night. Mountain Man locked his keys in the car Thursday for the second time this week. It's downright contagious. Oh, speaking of Mountain Man, his fiancee (Like Totally Nineties Woman) has moved to our congregation. She offered me a job with her current employer if I was interested. I told her not currently, and it would probably be a little while after she married him before I'd be willing to look into it. She is totally trying to be my friend. Honestly, I may be 18, but I'm not that naieve.

Wednesday was exciting as all get out. I got my own credit card in the mail. It's so beautimous... sparkley and all capitol one-ish. Deborah Clasky went all crusader voice and did the commercial... word for word.

TOMORROW IS DSL DAY! The brother is hooking us up today and by Monday, I can be blogging from the own comforts of my home in my holey pjs. Plus, I can do school too... maybe.

If I Only Had a Brain...

I'm completely exhausted right now. Today ended leaving me satisfied and happified, only after quite an ordeal. I just finished watching Pride and Prejudice (2005). I haven't read the book or completely seen any of the other adaptations, but I love love love this one.

On to the stupidest part of my day. Right now, I'm staying with my greenparents- after concert etiquette- and Papa was too ill to go to the meeting, and so I decided that I wanted to go to Easel's meeting. I got out of bed at 10 AM and proceeded to take my time going about Sunday morning rituals. I left Eas a voice message and a txt telling her to call me back. At almost 12 PM, she called me and said she would love for me to come to her meeting, especially since her parents had gone to East Griffin to give a talk and her brother would not have been able to sit with her. Quickly and excitedly, I got dressed and was ready to go. I should've noticed that I was more absent-minded than usual when I had made about 30 mental notes to get something to eat before I left and then proceeded to leave without getting even a nutri-grain bar. Directions from the Northridge exit in hand, I left the house and drove for my first time on 285. (Sunday morning was probably the best time for a first.) I made it there in a timely fashion and was 5 minutes early for her 1 PM meeting. Eas wasn't there when I got there and made it just in time for the song. We picked seats and enjoyed ourselves throughout the talk,(which DOES NOT mean that we chatted through the whole thing). Eas has problems with her blood sugar and she mentioned that she felt it was getting low and she had to go out to her car and get some crackers. This was about 30 minutes before the meeting ended. My tummy was rumbling too, so I picked up my purse to get some mints. In the process, I noticed that the pocket on my purse for my keys was very empty. They weren't in the big part either. All I could hope was that they were in the parking lot somewhere. I hurriedly went to go see and Eas joined me as I met her in the lobby on my way out. I got to jeepie to find all the doors and trunk locked, but I didn't see the keys. So I wandered around to the passenger seat and saw the keys... in the ignition. "Shart" was the only word that came to mind. I went back in feeling very distracted, but it didn't much matter because the brother went through probably 15 paragraphs in 30 minutes and I wouldn't have gotten much out of it anyway. At the immediate end of the meeting, I called my parents. The first phone call contained a VERY upset mom and dad, not only because I had locked the keys in the car, but because I had gone to Sandy Springs by myself. Once again, I lag in communication... or selective hearing. I'm gonna call it plain ol' absent-mindedness on my part- seriously. Dad decided that he would drive to come unlock the door. I didn't want him to have to drive 3 hours round trip just to unlock a car because I knew I would get hell once he got there, but to a less severe degree because he would have had lots of time to cool off. When they got to the house (dad was away giving a talk as well and they were at hospitality), dad called me and I told him to wait and see what a locksmith costs and that there was a brother in the congregation that thought he could do it. He was much cooler by that time and said calmly, to give him a call later. The young brother tried, and if I had automatic locks, I think it would have made it so much easier for every one that tried. He suggested to go to Pepboys and see if someone had a slim jim and could get into the car, since it was going to cost $55, plus labor for a locksmith. That didn't fly, so Eas, who stayed with me the whole time, in the cold, without a coat (I knew I picked a good friend 12 years ago), took me to Pepboys. OK, I think this was the most uncomfortable part of the ordeal. Two young girls in a Pepboys, in their skirts, looking quite lost in the first place. After standing around for about 15 minutes waiting for the head mechanic, the young lady at the desk said she'd get someone for us. Promptly, she did- thank goodness. We discussed it with the fellow and he said that it would be $40. I had that in my wallet and was throughly willing to pay it since he was very confident and had the tools in his hand to do the job. He followed us back to the Kingdom Hall and for about 30 minutes, tried the manual lock with a long metal stick. First, he tried the driver's side. Then we got out a mirror to help him see and not just have the two of us trying to help him out. From there, he switched to the passenger side with the long metal stick. He quickly abandoned that tool for the slim jim and within about 10 minutes, he had the door wide open. I was so happy I could've hugged him, but instead, I paid him extra, which he was probably much happier with. It's so frustrating to be so close and not to be able to get in! He was getting flustered too and seemed to be just as happy as Eas and I were to see the car open. The most embarassing part of it is... I just locked myself out of the car on Wednesday. The good thing about Wednesday was that the trunk was open and I just crawled in and unlocked the doors from that point. For about a month now, I've been very airy inbetween the ears. I've even restricted my tv watching to basically CNN and Discovery channel (and I've found I really like them both), but I'm not sure whats wrong. It was SO good to see that door open wide. The paint was coming off my nails and my hands were so chapped they were purple and my nose was a hot pink, but it still doesn't matter. I hopped in and blasted the stereo and the heat. Elated, I called my mom and dad, who were happy to hear that I was safe and had gotten into the car. Dad said he was sorry it cost me so much, and offered to reimberse me. I told him that there was no reason for him too because I was the one that locked the keys in the car and it was not as hefty a fee as him driving there or calling a locksmith. From that point, Eas and I hurried off since Poly had been waiting for us at the Starbucks down the road for about half and hour and both of them had plans for the Superbowl. Coffee never tasted so delicious. I couldn't have been happier- and probably haven't been that (this) happy in a long time. Contentment abounded. I was so exhausted- to the point where I completely relaxed and could've sat there and chatted the night away, and the obviously gay baristas were happy to have us gabbing gals to keep them company (Poly had left).

I learned that I should look into getting one of those retractable name badge holders for my keys and keep it attached to me at all times. See, the Jeep even beeps when you leave your keys in the ignition, so I'm at a complete loss so as to how I left them there so I must need something else to help me keep track of them. Also, it's pretty hard to break into a Jeep Wrangler, as simple and manually as they are built. Finally, echoing my "pretty good year" post- I picked a great friend, who stood in the cold for nearly two hours, drove me to Pepboys and stood with me, though she was very uncomfortable, and dealt with her friend who is evidently losing it mentally and still, she went and got coffee with me after the whole ordeal. Though we've been through trials before, there's nothing else that proves to me that we're stuck with "with super glue around the world and the alfalfa sprout" than this past week. One thing that's stable and there are so many more reasons than the few she manifested today that make her terrific, despite the fact that I get annoyed with her a little more than with my other friends. End of story, it means so much to me.

Aroma of a Concert

I no longer reek of the urine, pot, and beer smell, but did up until all of an hour ago. Just got home from seeing a band that I would love to go see again. Yo La Tengo. I have to admit, I went knowing very little and having heard very little of theirs, but it was just time for a concert. My last one was November. The opener went on for an hour from 8:30 to 9:30. The opener was Tennament Halls. Yo La Tengo went on at 10:00 and played to 12:15. Quite long enough for me to develop a taste for them and I started enjoying myself after the first song and was hollerin' for them to come back when they went off after their first encore. To someone that doesn't delve into the "cult following/non-mainstream" type music like what they would fall under, Yo La Tengo might sound like your typical rock band, but really, the trio knows how to put on a show. I don't know what their studio stuff is like, but I would pay $20 any day to see them play again. Jolly good show. This being my first show of 2007, I was moved to think about all the bands I've seen over the past two years. My list is as follows:

2005:
-June: Music Midtown (first official concert- I was 16). The White Stripes, The Features, Louis XIV, Bloc Party, Interpol, Devo, Lemonheads... and that's all I can remember. (GREAT pick for my first.)

-October: Weezer/Foo Fighters show. Mae opened. (Missed the opener due to traffic on 85. Weezer rocked as expected. Foo went poo and we left before their set was over. Heard the songs I wanted though.)

2006:
-March: Charlotte Martin. David Berkeley opened. (Loved [love] him and hope that he'll play a show in Atlanta I can attend soon. Disappointed in her and that stupid Korg.)

-September: The Raconteurs. Dr. Dog opened. (Forget the opener, this was the second time I'd seen Jack White in person! Man that was a great show! Plus, it was at my new favorite venue, the Tabernacle.)

-November: Mat Kearney. Griffin House opened. (Once again, I knew very little about both but was over all pleased with the show, especially for $18. Got nice and close to the boys at the Roxy.)

2007:
-February: Yo La Tengo. Tenement Halls opened. (Very pleased. Yo La Tengo has a new fan... at least for their shows. Where else can you get an over 2 hour preformance where the band members play themselves ragged?)

Next month, I've been invited to accompany a new sister in my hall to see Snow Patrol. I'm looking forward to spending time with this sister, as well as getting to see this band that I had no interest in until their most recent album. Plus, OK Go is opening and I really like them, though I group them with the Killers, etc. because they came out all around the same time, and that's a bad thing when I "group" an artist. What I'm really waiting for (literally I get excited at the mention of a tour) is when this artist comes back to town. I'm giddy with the thought right now... but of course, that could be lack of sleep. Nah!

Pretty Good Year

I'm going to quit posting if you guys don't at least tell me how stupid a post I've put up, but of course, I haven't given you any opportunites this month yet... barely. Maybe one.

So, not much of a public nature has been going on that's of any sharing importance. The only thing I can think of is the fact that this month marks a year since we've moved out here. In just this year, the county has grown so much. I can drive around and be like Deborah Clasky who has lived here twenty years now, and say, "I remember when that wasn't here," or "There used to be a gorgeous old house right where that building was." I do it all the time when I drive thru Snellville and Loganville now. I lived in that area for thirteen years and it's changed so much that you wouldn't recognize it if someone had moved away around the time I moved there. It's not that way here yet, but someone that visited us when we first moved out here would see changes now, especially where we live now.

We moved twice this year. Twice. I had only lived in two houses my whole life and then we live in two in one year. That's quite a shocker. I'm used to having new cars around every few years, but a new house every few months... I can't imagine living like that, but I know some people do. It was hectic enough. The second time, we did most of the moving ourselves, but it worked out well. We had a lot of help from our congregation. Everyone was willing and offered to help. Plus, the house was twice the size of the rental we moved into, so there was plenty of space to put boxes. The rental house. Was that an experince. Roaches are not the bugs to mess with. I'm sure everyone has heard my mom's story about the roach being on her at night... yeah, we had some unwanted guests. The house was cute and adequate, but thank goodness we snagged our house. I'm still quite in love with my room AND bathroom. My bathroom was recently painted a sea foamy green. Very spa-ish and all the fixtures are up and in place. Towels aren't for the floor anymore. My room will soon be a soothing grey with my old favorite, navy blue, and what I always wanted, lime green, accents. I can't wait. Overall housing worked out great in the end. We're going to be able to have a bookstudy in our basement once it's finished and there's plenty of room for grandparents as well. Plus, there's very little yard to take care of and the neighborhood is great, but moving back to Atlanta is still my ultimate goal.

As far as I go in this pretty good year, a lot changed too. I wouldn't have ever dreamed I'd move into this congregation and fall in love with it. I was immediately welcomed by three wonderful sisters who haven't stopped caring for me since. In the course of starting to pioneer, one has become my partner and always supports me. She makes it even easier to attain my goal of regular pioneer service by this September. Though her sons have thrown me for a loop this past year, they've come to be just like my brothers. I got my driver's license in April of this past pretty good year and I've used it and abused it. Hopped a few curbs. Almost been tagged with a few tickets. Used it to go to Atlanta and back two dozen times. It's the ultimate freedom. I started babysitting, which I will be free from on March 31, 2007 when her father gets married (the wedding of the year: Mountain Man to Totally Like Nineties Woman). I've come to adore the little brat I babysit and give her the hardest time about the stuff she does. At least I can keep her mouth and hands clean. New glasses, a recent addition in this past pretty good year, but they're still included. Then there's the friends. Within one year, only two of my "best friend" slots remain occupied by the same people. Some left the truth. Some I left. Some I gained. Either way, my current circle of friends from all ages is probably the best group I've had in 10 years. (I really appreciate all of y'all- including my family!) That's the thing that makes this past year pretty good. I've got a life! Once in a while, I'll get it together enough to have one, so I enjoy it while it lasts.

So I leave you with a picture of my new glasses. (Click Me!...except mine are the blue ones)

Half-way thru my vacation

Nothing much has been going on lately, I guess, that's really been of importance for the blog, or it's been stuff I've wanted to keep from the blog since most of it has been related to my personal life. Plus, I've been on kinda a "vacation." I got my time in for December like a week before, on December 22 I think. As a result, I have not gotten my usual dish of pioneer gossip, which we aren't supposed to do and I've gotten much better at it, but still can't seem to keep my mouth shut about somethings. I only share most of the time because I'm defending someone. Today, it was gossip about every family you know and tell their business. I successfully kept my mouth shut as far as spilling beans on a few situations that came up that I knew stuff about. If I were out in service back in the O.C., other things might be happening, especially since Bubbles broke up with Andy (drama I'm not going to discuss), but I'm not. I've been in the ATL since Saturday. Visited "Drama-ville" on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. Population: 2- Hickler-Stickler (aka- Barbie) and Froggie. I'm not even thinking about starting with THAT melted marshmellow mess. I switched over to the new blogger a few minutes ago. Yeah... see how boring things are right now? I was thinking about starting instead of "Affie Recommends" when we get DSL this month (YAY) an "Albums of the Week" thing. I've finally got all my music on my zen (2,995 songs- so close) and I'm in certain moods that influence what I pick for the week or what I buy for $7 at Wuxtry's, and although most of it is stuff y'all have heard of, I think I'd rather do that, though it would tie me to the computer once a week instead of once a month, but with there only being three of us blogging (besides P. June, but she's on a different site), that's not such a bad thing.