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Elsceetaria
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Name: Amanda
Interests: Umm, let's see. Reading, listening to music, talking with my friends, God, church, painting and other artsy stuff, sleeping, pi, entropy,
Occupation: Student
Message: message me
Member Since:
5/24/2003
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So, I am going to take a short departure from the usual entries of my journal to discuss a new book. mindyklasky has a new book out, technically today. It is titled Sorcery and the Single Girl;
I found this book in the store last week and already read it. It is
awesome and was the first book in a long time that I have read without
putting it down. It will certainly make you wish that you lived the
fabulas magical life of the heroine, now on to the main part of the
entry. Starting with her last book, Girl's Guide to Witchcraft, the author has hosted a virtual tour. Here is my minor contribution to this tour.
1. The levels of detail you put into both Girl's Guide and Sorcery.
The part of me that painted my nails galactic grape wants to know if
code red nail polish is a real color? If so, how much research do you
put into these books and how does this compare to the research process
for the Glasswright's Series and Season of Sacrifice? Code
Red is, in fact, a real color; I browsed online for quite some time to
find a name that matched the warning signal that Jane seemed to be
sending  I do a lot of spot research as I'm writing the Glasswright
books, seeking out specific names of products, or recipes, or menus.
For the Glasswrights series, on the other hand, I did a lot of up-front
research, learning about medieval stained glass technique. I could
have written the Glasswrights series on a stand-alone computer, but I
need Internet connectivity to write the Witchcraft books (or else, I
leave a lot of blanks along the way!)
2.
(Alright, I had some issues wording this one to prevent spoilers for
others, as I have no fear of them - Due to finals, I wikipediaed the
plot to Deathly Hallows-
Opps? I THINK THAT YOU AVOID SPOILAGE HERE - I'LL GO AHEAD AND
ANSWER! ) So, there is a reoccuring image of the male peafowl in
the novel. While many may have overlooked some of the earlier
occurances of this bird, I tend to key in on its presence as they have
been my favorites for as long as I can remember. While some people buy
wolves or dragons, I collect peafowl; this laptop I am typing on is
peacock-blue (and I didn't know that when I bought it). Okay, long life
story latter, why the male peafowl? The
peacock imagery grew as I wrote the novel - originally, I had a single
reference to peacock blue ink (a color used by my fourth-grade piano
teacher!) Later, I found myself folding in other references to the
tone of the bird's cry, and then to a specific painting that actually
hangs in the National Gallery of Art.
I realized that there were thematic links to be drawn. When I started
researching the meaning of peafowl in other cultures, I knew that my
image was going to stay - and then I went back and strengthened a
couple of the earlier references, eith more details.
3. Every time I have read either Girl's Guide or Sorcery
it makes me want to pack up my bags and visit DC (or go to grad school
there). If I were to make a visit there, what are things that I must
do, and what is overrated? I am a huge fan of the National Gallery of Art
- especially the permanent collections in the West Wing. I also love
the entire walk along the National Mall - all of those monumental
buildings, cheek by jowl. The one museum, though, that I really don't
appreciate (and I know I'm in the minority!) is the Air and Space
Museum. It's the most visited museum in America, but I send my
visitors on their own, these days....
4. I tried to avoid
asking about caffienated beverages, but they play such an integral role
in the novels. That is definiently not a bad thing. I have snuck a 10
cup coffee pot into the library, so I could have good coffee during the
middle of the night. What I would like to see however, is more about
Jane's tea habits.The term tea can stand for so many different yummy
drinks. Last year, you told me that your mundane caffiene consumption
came from tea. Did this characteristic of Jane's personality loosely
come from your own habits? And what are you currently drinking (I am
allways collecting teas to choose from)? Jane drinks many flavors that I enjoy - her apricot oolong is a favorite that I once got to enjoy at the Four Seasons
(as I was sampling their afternoon tea, to write a scene in GIRL'S
GUIDE.) These days, I'm drinking a lot of Republic of Tea teas. I'm
partial to their Blackberry Sage and Ginger Peach. (I also love a good
lemon-flavored black tea, but they're surprisingly rare among the
upscale teas out there.) The one tea that I dislike strongly is almond
- either an herbal or a black tea blend. The flavor is just too strong
for me!
5. (Because I always love these) What question that hasn't been asked do you feel like answering and what is the answer? I
like to round out interviews with "what's next?" I have already
drafted the third Witchcraft book (MAGIC AND THE MODERN GIRL - in
stores October 2008!) Next month, I'll start writing an entirely new
series about a stage manager who discovers a magic lantern when she's
cleaning out the prop closet. She has no way of predicting the strange
show in her future, when a genie grants her wishes! | | |
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So, I am randomly feeling the need to write. I'm two weeks into my
summer classes, and life is proving to be insane. I have gone home both
weeksends so far, but hopefully that will stop soon. I can't keep
breaking my life up like that. It throws me off, which is unbelievable
obnoxious. My classes are insane. There is nothing quite as fun as
trying to read your 100 required pages of Uncle Tom's Cabin
while your head is spining. Whatever, I'll make it through. Last night,
I went to Mrs. Fuller's surprise party. It was the reason I had come
home this weekend, and it was great to see people I hadn't seen in
years. A large part of it (at least before I left) was people standing
up discusing memories they had from theatre. I choose not to comment
last night, but here we go...
When I first went to South Cobb, I
knew one person, and we were as far from friends as I go. I was for
some reason attracted to the drama club table and decided to join. The
first event I did was to help build the Black Box in the drama room. I
felt in place, and
had no qualms taking Intro to Drama the next
semester. I had danced from the time I was 3 until the end of 8th
grade, and I guess I was just drawn to performing. I ended up
auditioning for Man of La Mancha, which became Into the Woods, which
yet again became Man of La Mancha. When it was all said and done, we
had two weeks to throw the whole thing together. I remeber the crazy
rehersals and painting the bricks purple (I'm pretty sure it was Gwen's
design) to have them repainted brown latter. I played so many parts and
even had to change in the wings, but it was all completely worth it
when everything finally came together on opening night. We did Moon
Over Buffalo the next fall and it was much the same. I was Danielle's
understudy, but she was always there. I worked on crew and was minor
crew. This was the show where I would meet most of the people who would
come to be my closest friends over the next few years. I ate luch
everyday with a number of the people a year ahad of me, and we devised
"Moon Over Buffalo in a Nutshell." I really wish I could remember how
it went. We were going to perform Death of a Salesman that Winter, but
when Mrs. Fuller broke her wrist the play was cancelled. We did Fiddler
on the Roof that spring, and I played Sprintze. It was an interesting
experience trying to convience anyone that I was around 10-12. We shall
just say, that that was the first show when I came to realize the many
different uses of duct tape. For those who cannot remember these uses
also were related to the fact that my cleavage was being devied up
among the less well endouned of the theatre. Back on topic, Audrey and
I were the "Skipping Girls." The next fall we performed Rumors. I was
not originally cast, but was dragooned from the crew when someone
dropped out. I initally was just playing Myra, yet eventually played
one of the police officers. I would write these insane amounts of notes
in this little notebook, and I evenutally ended up having to write over
my notes with new notes. It was crazy. That spring we performed Les
Miserables, which was already and is still my favorite musical. I
played a million different male and female little characters and often
had very little time to change. I swear there was one time I had a
verse and a half to go from being a guy to being a girl. If someone
moved a costume piece one me, it would have been bad. I made every cue,
and I had a awesome time doing it. It was during this production, that
I was accused of theft. I understand the why and the how, but it really
sucked. Mrs. Fuller however got me a teddy bear, which since my friends
wouldn't let me go that far unaccompianed Katie H brought to me. Fall
of my senior year, we performed A Midsummer Night's Dream. I choose not
to audition, and in terms of crew, I did a ton of work. I did some of
the props, costumes, sets, etc. I finally ended up running the lights.
I took a ton of pictures of the show, but my camera died eating them
all. It was during this time that I came to spend lunch n Mrs. Fullers
room when I was on campus, which is something I continued to do in the
spring. After Midsummers, we performed 100. Yet again I ran lights, but
I also coordinated the sounds, which Audrey actually ran. The show was
very minimalistic, and I had to stretch the lights to their max
capacity. I loved the show and it was great. Finally, spring musical
that year was Big. I returned to my roots on the stage. It was a
roller-coaster ride of ups and downs in terms of comming together. I
had to drop out less than a week before the show opened. I felt bad,
but it was such a minor thing on my mind at the time. I went with
Angela and Mitch to closing night, and the show had settled into a nice
groove. As I was arriving, however, Mel saw me and ran up to tell me
that the show was being dedicated to me. It was a really wierd feeling,
but it is something that I hope I never forget. All of this is
something I never forget. | | |
| So, I feel this thing is in need of an update. I hope it will actually sound coherant(Vicodin is wonderful stuff). I finished finals last Thursday and then took the 135 shoes that had been collected to the NikeTown at Phipps Plaza. Grades came out earlier this week. I didn't do great, but I didn't case too much damage. I made A's in Introduction to Biomedicine and Culture and Computer Science and C's in Introduction to Evolution, Anatomy and Physiology, and Behavioral Pharmacology. I wish a couple of those were higher, but this was one of those times where you are thankful to just make it through. I've been home the past week mainly sleeping, reading, taking care of Max, and trying to relax. It helps that Amethst has been on a school trip to Florida since Wednesday. I love her, but the peace and quiet has been nice (plus I know she is having fun). Thursday night I went out with Angela. We went to Sonic and then to Jacob Robinson's baseball game, where I got to see other people as well. It was fun. I feel like I rarely get to see people who I have known forever, and it can be nice to simpley catch up.
This morning was torture exercise for Amanda. My dad insisted tht I get up at 5:30 to gaurentee we made it to Peidmont before I needed to be there at 7:30. So, I get there at roughly 6:50, which was insane. They admited me and all that jazz around 7:45, so I got to have the extreme pleasure of sitting in a hospitl bed reading Alice in Wonderland and watching Charmed for an hour and a half trying to ignore the very unhappy preschooler over a cuple of curtains. While I was doing this, I got to change into a very lovely green partient gown, and they gave me an IV, which was really only annoying because I kept wanting to mess with it, while knowing that was a very bad idea. Eventually, the anestiology person came in sedated me. They took me to OR #2 and moved me to the surgical table. I got oxygen and was given the actual anesthesia. Next thing I know, I rebember waking up from a very good dream and wanting to fall back asleep eventhough some part of me was telling me to stay awake. They moved my bed to another part of recovery, and the nurse went to find my parents. Apparently, I had been in surgery for roughly two hours eventhough they had initally proposed it would take only an hour or so. Whatever, I was given plently of yummy cranberry juice since it had been determined I was dehydrated. Eventually, I was given my post op orders of sorts. Dr, Hoffmann had told part of them to my parents. They were going to give me the thirteen year old tube-of-doom, but the surgical Tech dropped it. Finally after all this fun, I was able to be dismissed and change back into my actual clothes. As soon as I got into the car, I drugged myself with my antibiotic and Vicodin(cutting up the ear and intubation are not painless). We ran by campus, so I could water my plants and decided to pick up textbooks. I met my new roommate, whose name I have forgotten- opps. Afterwards, I curled up in the car and slept most of the way to West Cobb. We grabbed luch at Atlanta Bread Company, and then I came home and slept. Upon waking, I sort of ignored my post-op orders and went with my dad to walk Max. Upon returning, I redugged myself. Yeah, this will be a fun couple of weeks. Having a hole in the eardrum, which had diminished hearing is not cool, but neither is having tympanoplaty(the surgical reapir of said hole).
Anyways, unless something crazy happens before tomorow evening (which could happen seeing as how I just has a graft put in my ear), I will be going to Gwen's graduation part tomorow. Its wierd to think that she graduated, but it is awesome in the same sense. I haven't seen her in forever, so yeah.
I think I shall end it here and hope my tale makes some level of sense. | | |
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Ugh! I'm still unrationally stressed. It really sucks. I need to write,
but I just can't focus. I can't work. It makes me want to scream. It
makes me want to cry. I don't know. Its been a crazy roller coaster of
a week. Earth Day was totally awesome! I felt like I had actually done
something. Four boxes of shoes to be recycled into athletic shoes is
amazing. I felt like someone who could actually make a difference. On
the other hand, almost flucking my Behav Pharm presentation sucked.
Thankfully, we didn't have to present, buceasue otherwise I was
screwed. I want to get a B (preferabley) or C in that class and I can't
mess anything up to do that. I don't know. There are so many times I
felt in over my head in that class, but I should get at least a C, if I
can't pull my paper together. Yesterday and Today have been bad. I went
out with the Rents to Lettuce Souprise You on Ponce last night, and I
kept freaking in the car, even worse than usual. I can't understand why
this is still with me. I don't understand why I can't get over this.
Today has been bad. I'm in this horrible internal state. I'm only
slightly outwardly frazzled, but inside I'm on total edge. Idk.
Everytime I've turned around I find a new trigger. I keep wondering who
my friends would be and where my GPA would stand if I was the person I
was a little over two years ago. I know this won't help me, but that
is where I keep going, to an Amanda who doesn't randomly crash. This
Amanda might drive; she might have a Prius. Who knows? I should be
writting. All I have done is my CS extra credit. I need to write a
paper on the Patient Narrative and take a take home exam for Behav
Pharm, but that probably won't happen. Whatever.
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| I'm trying this out. It says you can get an engraved item for free.
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