So I've taken up the habit of reading at Starbucks when I'm not working. Yes, it's not fanfiction. :)

Yesterday I opened, working 5:30am to 10:45am. I went back later around 4pm to buy a French Press and a Tumbler as well as get my mark out for the week. I ended up staying till after 8pm. I finished rereading Written on the Body by Jeanette Winterson. I've read it so many times, it's still my favorite book.

Lisa, the Shift Leader last night, asked me if I was getting enough hours and if I was interested in becoming a SL! I was really surprised... To already have someone looking out for me and supporting that much. To personally think that I should go for it and back me up. I told her I didn't even feel comfortable as a Barista. But she countered saying how she's seen my confidence grow as we work together and how I'm a strong worker and just continued to praise me. I told her it wouldn't even seem fair at this point since I have no idea how my schedule will look in January with the Vocational Training at Woodrow. Lisa relented and said that if I ever needed anything that I could talk to her. I felt like my cheeks were on fire! A combination of giddiness and embarrassment. I wanted to hide, but in a good way.

Her roommate showed up and we ended up talking about Toys R Us.. It just ended up being a really cool night, that got even a bit better.

I went back to reading in the corner. Our sound system is still messed up so we are still listening to CDs too.. Sigh. Anyways Lisa went on break and came back with food from 5 Guys. She asked to sit down with me by saying "Can I invade your personal space?" Like I would ever really object?! She asked me what I was reading, and I showed her the cover. I was shocked enough to find out she recognized it, even though she never read it.. We ended up talking about Northern Virginia (She's from there too!!!) and Staunton and other random things until her break was over and she went back to actually working..

I finished the book and before I left I asked her if she wanted to borrow it. She took it. This made me so happy. I've been bouncing off the walls, I love sharing that book with people, and the fact that she wants to read it... :D

Gabriel García Márquez's Love in the Time of Cholera is going to be a movie, directed by Mike Newel. Granted I haven't read the book... But it looks like a good cast considering what I've heard about the plot. I honestly hope the movie will be in Spanish and not English, but I think that's doubtful. We all know how the general public feels about subtitles. I can't even count how many times I heard people say "I don't want to read a movie!" That was just some of the fun things I heard working at Blockbuster..

Speaking of books I went to the library today and got a new card. I couldn't find some of the books I wanted. I figure it's because I live in Augusta County or they're just banned or something to that effect. For example, Venus in Furs by Leopold Ritter von Sacher-Masoch. It's not at Books-A-Million either, but they did have Marquis de Sade's Justine, Philosophy in the Bedroom and Other Writing. Not that I bought it or anything. >_>;; (And yes these are the names that S&M were derived from).. After some digging around I did find Venus and Furs online at Project Gutenberg.. Awesome site.

I did pick up An Unquiet Mind. Gene (one of the counselors for my group outpatient program) is always raving about Kay Redfield Jamison (I think of Claire Redfield, heehee), and John Nash too actually. Figured I'd see what the big deal is. I want to be in the know.

Re-read Written on the Body today as well. I still love that book as much as when I first read it. I think everyone should read it, at least for the structure and not the content.

( List of books )

Saturday I got to watch most of Big Girls Don't Cry...They Get Even. Hurrah for Jenny Lewis acting like a total bitch (she just plays one on TV, because how CUTE IS THIS?!). Don't forget Foxfire! I could go on and on but seriously she's cool cuz she was born on January 8th. =)

My other reason to watch the movie is Patricia Kalember, who I used to watch on Sisters as Georgie. I loved that show. All the sisters had their own autonomies, were beautiful, and something wonderful about them. For example young Teddy always stuck out in my mind because she was such a rebel and that bad girl image is so attractive. She was always so cool to me, I think I wanted to be her. I had a major crush on Frankie, I just didn't know it then. I really hated her Boxer boyfriend/husband. Lucky? Yeah he was lucky alright, lucky to have Frankie... I also loved the fact that they never used their full first names, that they used nicknames that sounded more like a man's name. Ambiguous names have always been appealing to me. hmm I really should watch them again to see what went over my head as a nine year old.

Now that I've fully gotten off track... We didn't even finish the movie because Mark wanted to get going. We went to Nordstrom's at Pentagon City Mall and ate at their cafe. (I didn't even know they had one). I had the chicken ceaser salad and sprite, it was just okay. I got sprite because I have decided to quit/cut back on caffeine. I wanted to see if that was part of the reason for my hand tremors. Only it's harder then it sounds, giving up cigs and alcohol are easy, caffeine isn't.

My cousin Chris (the one living in NYC) is getting married on September 30th, so we were at the mall looking for an outfit. I seriously wanted a suit, so that's what we got. Ended up being a size 6 from the Limited. Granted it's their new Cassie style which is more curvy... But I'm still confused. Now, I don't think I'm fat, but I don't ever remember being a size 6 in anything else.. Now just as long as I don't retain too much water between now and then it will still fit. I am so stoked about having a suit you have no idea. My biggest problem now is shoes, but that's an issue for another day.

Later that evening Dave, Liz, Maram and I went to the Cheesecake Factory in Arlington. I thought I would be safe by ordering what I thought was chicken tenders (actually called CAJUN CHICKEN "LITTLES"), which they were, and I thought they were going to be 'spicy' only they were just spiced and it sucked. That’s ok I didn't go there for the main food. I go for the cheese, and the cake, and the WHIPPED CREAM, yum. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake FTW!

Once our bellies were full Maram drove us and while we listened to music and talked. It was really nostalgic for me. :) Liz and Maram talked about the Enneagram test, which is kind of like Myers Briggs (ISFJ) only not. I still haven't figured out which I am because each test I've taken is different and I've ended up with different results. It could be my mood effecting it as well, but 4, 9 and 1 show up the most so far. What do you guys think?

A movie is being made out of Thomas Rockwell's How to Eat Fried Worms. I'm excited about it because I remember reading it in elementary school. The trailer looks cute and the bonus is that Hallie Kate Eisenberg is Erika. You all should remember her from those Pepsi commercials.

Last night we as a family went to eat at Outback Steakhouse in Alexandria, at Mark and Cathy's suggestion. *Pang* I just stared into space waiting for our table as Dad talked with Mark, and Mom with Cathy. Once we were seated it panged me again to hear Mark at the table trying to remember when the last time we were there was. I knew. I knew the moment the word Outback was uttered... Celebrating my father's birthday, and I was not the odd man out then as I felt like last night. Just shy of a year ago, the six of us happy. I think. It.Felt.So. And yet again it didn't help when Mark was struggling to try and remember Dena...

A good chunk of the dinner conversation revolved around my ticket.. Which I will address later. Back at Cathy's I forced Mom, Dad, and Cathy to watch my videos. They seemed to like them, although I think Mom was a little uneasy with Staring You in the Face. She was talking like she wasn't sure if she preferred the violence or not... I can't really blame her, it's not like it's her "cup of tea" or something.

Back at the hotel I watched The Wandering Soul Murders. Wendy Crewson is just wow. I can't wait till An Unexpected Love airs on Lifetime March 24th at 9:00pm. Although of course I have to wait... Took a bath, and barely slept before it was morning and we had to leave for the courthouse.......

The rundown, sort of: I was doing 86 on Rt 66 when the speed limit was 65... Caught on radar. I pleaded "No contest." After looking at my record the Judge sentenced me six months probation, which she then suspended because this was my first offense. She said that she will review my record in a year. She added that if she finds any sort of violation, moving, or what-not that she will restrict my license for six months. She asked me why I was going so fast... I was a deer caught in headlights. I barely stuttered out that I was going to visiting a friend and was excited. She just looked at me... And all I could do was look at her sheepishly and try not to stutter. She admonished me for driving at such a deadly speed and reminded me that I was 4 miles shy of being in jail. I could only nod that I was aware of this fact. I'm not sure how I was breathing or standing, or actually verbally responding. The fine was $100 plus $47 in court/processing fees. I still feel uneasy.

We stopped at Barnes & Nobles before heading home. I bought all three of Sarah Water's books. I am already on the 4th chapter of Tipping the Velvet and all I can think is why didn't I read this earlier!!!!?

You know what I really miss about high school? AJ reading "Tuesdays with Morrie" to us every Tuesday in Network Admin...

I went with my dad today to the DMV, to get a change of address, they'll mail the card to me and I'll get it in about a week. After that we went to MBC to buy my books.. I got all of the necessary books, and it totalled out around $285...

3am I just got home from NYC. I did get to see Chris, but I felt kinda sorry for him, he looked so bored. LoL. Everyone had so much fun though and it was sooooooooo windy. We went to Kinokuniya, Book Off, and around Greenwich and East Village. Abdul M. took a ton of pictures of everyone, and we were singing all the time like usual, it was so fun. ^^ Maram bought me all the KOR manga we could find at Book Off which was like the original stuff.... because its like book 2, 5-14, 16-17. Which means if I can find the others I need 1, 3-4, 15 & 18.... Which probably means I will need to try to just still get all of the Hardback wideband books. which is only volumes 1-10 total.. >,<;;;;;;;;;; grrr. She really surprised me with that. LOL She did it behind my back! I should of seen that coming. lol. oh well.... I really need to stop looking at KOR and get to bed...... >,< I really need to take a nice warm bath then call Kami later today..

Today would have been a lot more fun if Dena and Abdul S. could of been there. ^_^

For me I would have to say that this con was the best con I've been to so far, because for me cons are all about people. Strangely enough I was pretty popular at this con compared to the other ones, and this katsu I didn't even cosplay. I think it had to be my short hair, choker and chain. I attached my badge to my choker and fixed my wallet chain like a leash on Saturday. So lots of people had fun leading me around.. I think out of everyone Kami had the most fun with that. ;) Actually Amed comes to a close second with that... hehehe. Just about everyone I know played with my hair and rubbed my head every time I saw them... Esp. Kim. (gah she looked really good this year. btw) But it was great seeing Pam, Kim and Matt, we've all been friends since waiting in line to see Escaflowne the movie, plus Pam and I are Seiyuu Freaks. :)

The one "goal" I set was easily accomplished this weekend... In other words I found my Kero-chan that I talked about before. It was just like the reverse of Sunday at Otakon 2k1. I found her in the dealers room on Friday, tapped her on the shoulder and asked her "Can I glomp you this time?" and so I glomped her. heheh. Her name is Sarah, and she's chihayaplushie. And I had been reading all her stuff on IKG.. bah, go fig..that just goes to show that I really suck at trying to find people on LJ.. hahah.

The Yuri/Yaoi panel was a total riot... I had to 'drag' Eddie to it, Jenna and Maram were with us there. It was soooooooo packed.. Sarah was sitting there on the floor with her friends. Matt was there too, I didn't see him, he saw me there. Everyone involved with Yuricon is so uh GENKI, it's great.

COSPLAY was so much fun to watch, I absolutely loved "Don't sleep with your Sister!" and FFVII in 4 minutes was great. YAY Missy! I bailed early on that to go to the Yuricon Party. I walk up to the room to find Kami and some others sitting on the floor outside of them room so I joined them for a bit. That was uh. interesting, but fun. And the party was lots of fun. Karaoke, AMVs and a movie.. Kami is right, Jance and Gideon really can sing. It was so much fun with Otaku no Video's theme. =3 Kun's AMVs were great too, CCS and Rose of Versailles (mou... I still need to see that series badly). We bailed on the movie because we were too far back to read the subtitles, and Kami owed me a dance ;). Dance hadn't started yet because of the concert so we went to my room, where I forgot to introduce the ever elusive Eddie until like 5-10 minutes into the conversation. Then we went back down to the dance and that was sooooo much fun. Dancing with Random people and having this guy ask us to dance.. This one guy asked me to dance and wouldn't let go of me til the song was over.. it was so cute. Kami left the dance early so I thought I had pissed her off, (but I read that totally wrong...) So all is well.

I actually didn't really go to anything Voice Actors related, but Sunday I ran into Lisa Ortiz and Sean Schemmel in the Dealer's room. I knew I wouldn't be able to go her panel because of Skating with Global at 4.... so I tapped her on the shoulder because I just wanted to tell her how great I thought and how bad I felt about not being able to go to her panel (I couldn't get in for Saturday's, that was crazy!) She loved my red boa! I gave her a thing of Strawberry Yan Yan, which Jay said she mentioned at the beginning of her panel. yesh! I told her to look out for you Jay. yep, I did! Introduced myself to Jessica Calvello outside of the dealers room and told her she rocked, and that I loved her as Mink and Cutey Honey, (I CANT BELIEVE I FORGOT ABOUT HIKARU, doh~) We shook hands and stuff it was so cute.

I left the con with Maram and her brother so I could go ice skating in DC with GLOBAL. that was so much fun even though I can't really skate well..

I didn't work the dealer's room again. I'm so goooooood at getting out of it. Working a con ALWAYS sucks. So I rule. Eddie's Sharon Apple was a big success!! Way to go Applesauce we knew it would rock! Speaking of the dealer's room, Mark not recognizing me when I was standing right next to Eddie was classic, sorry, but I just loved the look on your face (if you decide to break your rule and read this lol.) I made Fan's View, WITHOUT cosplaying.. Because I bought a cute little kobun, he took my picture with my Kobun. wai!! The one amazing thing I got from the dealer's room was the Madoka art book for 75! Starland sells it for 90!.. and this one had a really nice plastic cover on it, the one at Starland doesn't. I was sooooooo happy. I never expected to see it, so I grabbed it as soon as I saw it.. I LOVE KOR! I never expected to find Xenogears Perfect Works at Otakon 2k1 either.. but YAY!


Oh yeah my shades rocked too... See the chain and stuff. heheheh! Isn't my kobun so cute?!

Watashi no tomodachi-tachi!
Sheldon's Movie Touga
Eddie's Sharon Apple
Jackie's Lei Fang from Dead or Alive 3. Muwaahahah some people thought she was Minmay because we were walking with Sharon Apple. hahahhaha.
Wai. Lady Oscar!!
Above Said Kero-chan
Wai, Kara!

I think I will end it here for now, because I can't think any more... >,

grrr I just realized, whilst finishing my room.. (I'm almost done. YAY) That Mark still has my Japanese Mythology book... GRRRR! I guess I'm gonna have to break my lil rule and IM him.. I'm pretty sure he has it.. cuz he only returned games.. And I returned his game... sort of... well he wanted me to give it to Eddie so I did. nyah. wah. I can't believe I forgot about my book... lol.