Post 41: FML and Marriage Proposals

I recently got a new app called FML. For those who don't know what it is, it is basically an app form of the social website where people post something bad that happened to them that day. Usually they are short, Tweet-size, so like 50 words. People then vote on whether or not the person who posted really does have some bad luck going their way, or if it was their fault.

For example, a highly rated, "I agree, your life sucks" post was:

"Today, it's my 18th birthday. My parents got me a $5 gift certificate to iTunes. It came for free with the iPhone they just bought my sister for her middle school graduation." 

An example of a highly rated, "You deserved it" post was:

"Today, I was at the mall shoplifting when a girl who looked my age pointed to a shirt I had in my bag. "Stole that, huh?" she asked smiling. She looked pretty cool, so I nodded and asked if she stole the jeans she was wearing, which were from the store. Turns out she didn't, she's the store manager."

So, you can kind of get the idea of which ends up where. Self-pity, karma and people having to deal with the consequences of the stupid things they've done end up in the YDI (you deserved it) side. While, things that involve people being screwed over by fate or someone else end up in the YLS (your life sucks) side. 

Sometimes, they are pretty funny. Sometimes, they are sad. And more often than you might suspect, I question whether they aren't made up. Like ones dealing with partners having an affair. 

I don't know about you, but that is not something I am going to share on a site like this. I mean, one of the highest rated YLS posts is about a woman who was dropped off at work and received a text five minutes later saying, "I just dropped the b**** off at work, I'll be there in a few minutes baby, miss you." And later in the text conversation indicated he thought that he was texting someone else. So, after being insulted and finding out her husband had an affair, would she on that same day sign into a website to post about it?

Anyway, one of the posts I cam across recently was a guy that was upset. He asked his girlfriend's father to marry him and his potential, future father-in-law told him no. And called him a sexist idiot for asking. This is one that I like, not because of the post but because the conversation in the comments is usually interesting. 

Which it was. 

Some people agreed, they said that asking the father dates back to when daughters were seen as property and they needed their father's permission. Some even said it amounted to little more than a business transaction. Which I can see merit for. 

On the other hand, some people (mostly girls) argued that it was the most romantic thing a guy could do. And claimed it was a great way to include the family and show them respect. I can see this side as well. 

But these points got me thinking, is it really either?

Permission, in most cultures, is no longer needed. So it isn't sexist, he didn't mean it that way. He was just doing something that is still seen by some as tradition. But the tradition itself seems kind of hollow and pointless. 

If he says no, then what? Does the guy no longer ask his girlfriend to marry him? What if the daughter finds out? Won't that cause a lot of tension and ill-feelings between the father and daughter? What if he asks anyway, and they get married? Won't that pretty much ensure that the he and his father-in-law never have a good relationship?

It puts the father in an awkward position. He has all these things to think about if he says no. Plus, he is thinking about his daughter's happiness as well. 

So, what if he doesn't like the guy but with all these things in mind, says yes anyway? And then the boyfriend chickens out and doesn't ask? Or the daughter says no? 

And if he only approved to avoid potentially negative consequences not because he actually wanted them to get married, doesn't it seem like it was pointless to ask? And what if the boyfriend was going to ask anyway, doesn't that make it even more pointless?

Also, for the FML, after asking permission and the father saying no, if he doesn't ask does that mean that he is listening to the father and, therefore, further establishing that he needs permission because the father does control who the daughter marries?

Anyway, that is just what I thought. I don't think that it is sexist unless it was meant to be. Like if the boyfriend really thought that it was within the father's power to give his daughter to him. But, my guess is, he was just trying to be polite. I don't really think it is all that romantic, either. So, I remain on the fence about it. 

What do you think?

Post 40: Friendzone and Movies

There are a lot of jokes and complaints about people who are stuck in the 'friendzone'. For those who don't know what the friendzone is, I'd say you are lucky. Except that, just because you don't know it doesn't mean you haven't had dealings with it.

The friendzone is the metaphorical place you are put when you are in love with someone, but they just see you as a friend. That is basically what it is, but when people reference it is usually more related to times where they've tried to get out and were pushed back in, or find themselves doing something they normally wouldn't because they love that person.

For example, a guy painting a girl's nails, a girl going to a sports game, or someone letting themselves be used as furniture for the other person if they are only willing to do it because they like the person as more than friend and are hoping this will somehow sway the person into thinking otherwise.

While it is more common to see and hear about guy's being put in the friendzone, anyone can end up in the friendzone.

When girls end up in the friendzone, they often hear that it is good to have a female friend who can be "one of the guys". They tend to hear about how good it is to have someone to talk to about their relationships with other girls or someone to talk about things their other guy friends don't want to talk about.

Guys tend to hear more of the "its so good having a guy to talk to". Guys in the friendzone often hear how nice it is to have a male friend they can relax with and be themselves without having to worry about acting the way they would in front of guy they were romantically interested in. (For some that means,2. wearing PJs, unbrushed hair and eating large amounts of unhealthy food in a manner that would frighten some.)

What I have seen of the friendzone, people put themselves in it and they keep themselves in it, most of the time. I am sure that it is not always the case, but it does seem that way most of the time. People don't say anything, they just assume that the other person will figure it out. People are thick, people are naive, and people are blind about these things.

Also, I find that when a person likes someone they often second guess these things. They may see the signs and ignore them because they don't want to jump to the conclusion and be wrong. So it ends up with two people with mutual feelings not saying anything. Until someone moves on.

The 'friendzone' is often explored in movies and TV shows. Though, they are even more extreme.

However, in media I find that the the people not only put themselves in the friendzone. They seem to enjoy staying there, they keep themselves in this "it is better than nothing" mentality and so they don't try anything or say anything until the person they liked has moved on. Then, they suddenly through a fit and act like they have been betrayed.

In Made of Honour and My Best Friend's Wedding, which are basically the same, are just like that. They are friends, distant friends, but then suddenly the person likes someone else and instead of letting them be happy they try to ruin their wedding. It isn't even like they pulled them aside and said how they felt. They actually tried to sabotage the wedding. As if, the wedding falling apart is all it will really take for them to end up together.

It happens in Beauty and the Beast (2012). Evan is content with being a flirtacious friend and co-worker, until it seems like some else is interested in her. Then suddenly he is getting drunk and kissing her, and he can no longer contain his feelings.

It happens in Mortal Instruments, as well. Simon has been friends with Clary for years, but has always liked her. But doesn't say anything, then she kisses Jace and suddenly he shows up in her bedroom in like the middle of the night. And he is upset with her for being interested in Jace. Seriously, he has this whole 'how dare you like someone other than me, even though we have been friends for years and you didn't know that I liked you as more than a friend!" attitude.

It happens in You're Beautiful. The guy literally likes her from the first episode on and never tells her. He hints at it constantly. He even does the, 'there is this girl I like but she doesn't seem to notice me' bit when talking to her ABOUT her. And then he finds out she likes someone else, and he gets frustrated with her and feels hurt and betrayed. You have been right next to her for SO long. If you had said something earlier, maybe it would have made a difference.

Anyway, for all those in the friendzone, stop and think. How did you end up in the friendzone? Did you tell the person how you feel? If not, can you really complain about being only a friend to someone?

And if you did and they still sent you to the friendzone, might I recommend not going out of your way for them. I don't mean don't be a friend. But, your going out of your way for them is not likely to change their mind.

Also, I just want to briefly mention the 'friendzone' thing in Harry Potter. Ron was technically never in the friendzone. Hermione and Ron liked each other. They just didn't say anything to each other about it. So, she dated Krum. He dated the annoying girl, whose name I don't remember. But, they still liked each other as more than friends.

Post 39: Feminism and Equality

I'd like to start off by saying that I don't think people should be treated differently because of their gender, race, sexuality, religion, age, or income.

I do think that not everyone should be treated equally. I think they should be treated based on their actions, behaviour, and personality. If someone is rude and always treating people like dirt, I don't think they deserve to be treated with the same compassion as someone who is always kind and thinking of others first.

I don't mean to say that these rude people should be treated badly, what I am saying is that I will be less inclined to go out of my way to help them and it is understandable, to me, if others would be too.

This post I want to talk a little bit about the feminism that can be seen online. A lot of times, people who claim that they are looking for equality, aren't. Or, perhaps, they don't even realize that they aren't treating people equally.

Recently, on Facebook one of the people on my friends' list was complaining about how she dropped out of University and how her room mate was threatening to kick her out. He had told her that he would do it if she wasn't enrolled in University. So, it isn't like it came out of no where.

Anyway, the discussion in the comments was all about he was a horrible person for doing that and how dare he kick a girl out on the streets like that? There was a lot of emphasis on the "to a girl". She is over 20. She isn't a child. Someone younger than her not only was kicked out of her house, but moved across the country by herself.

She is perfectly capable of getting a job, or enrolling in classes at a different school. But everyone is acting like because she is a girl, she should be treated like she is incapable. And it was girls who were talking about this!

It comes up in times when women insist men open doors for them, women go first, and things like that. It is like they are saying yes, we want equality. But we also want all the perks that come with you thinking that we are weaker or more fragile, but without you actually thinking of us that way.

Equality isn't like that. It is entirely possible for a woman to open the door for a man. Why can't we just open the door when there are other people coming? Why does there gender matter?

Post 38: Extremes and Passing Fads

I find it interesting that it seems that people no longer dwell in the grey-zone when it comes to celebrities. What I mean by this is, that a lot of people these seem to love or hate a celebrity, but rarely fall in the area in between. I understand that it is the extreme-fanatics and haters are most likely to share their opinion and are most vocal about it.

However, it seems pretty common that people love or hate a celebrity. Justin Bieber has fans that would go to the extreme of causing themselves harm to get him to stop him from smoking marijuana. While on the other hand, there are many people who constantly insult and slander him by insinuating he is gay, a girl, or deserves to die because they dislike his music. Miley Cyrus has loyal fans who aspire to be like her, saying her 'not exactly model behavior' is just her defining herself. Others say she should disappear because of her behavior.

It isn't just celebrities that seem to be stuck in the either love-or-hate view. Movies and T.V. shows are being put their as well. 

Twilight is something people seem to either love or hate. Some people even go so far as to make jokes about killing or wishing for the death of the writer. No one seems to simply say, "I didn't like it, I wouldn't read it. So, that is that. But that doesn't mean that the writer should suffer for it."

Same with Justin and Miley, no one seems to say, "I don't like their music, so I won't listen to it. But that doesn't mean  that I hate the artist." You may disagree with their choices, but unless you have met them you don't really know them. Most of the information about them is based on rumors and gossip made up by the media for entertainment. You can pick up two magazines and find completely opposite things. 

It was funny, when I was at the newsstand in the airport recently I saw two magazines right next to each other. One reporting a potential proposal between a couple, the other reporting a potential break up of that same couple. 

Anyway, before I get two side-tracked I want to go back to Twilight. No, I don't want to actually talk about the book or movie, I want to talk about what people say about Twilight. 

When Twilight first came out, I will admit I was really excited. I like vampires, and am a massive Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan. I started reading it, and it wasn't the best book ever. It was drama, it was romance, but it wasn't anything new. Vampire/Human love relationships are not a new thing. And I have, and had, read quite a few really good stories with that plot online by unpublished authors. 

Which leads me to the first thing that annoyed me about the book. Not that it was bad, but that there are better authors out there who still haven't received the recognition for their skill that they deserve, more that Meyer. I also was bugged by the sparkly thing. 

Anyway, at the time I had quite a few friends who were also reading Twilight. Some, really liked it. At least, they said they did. A few even had posters on their walls. Some pre-ordered all the sequels. When Twilight was 'in' and everyone was talking about how great it was, they were all for it. 

A couple years later, and now Twilight isn't as popular. There are many more Twilight-haters and suddenly, they hate Twilight. I would understand if their opinion of the book changed later on, but they act like they never liked it. I know they liked. I find it frustrating. If they like it, why not say so. If they don't, why ever say that they did.

I'm not embarrassed to admit that I like Justin Bieber's song, "As Long As You Love Me". I still sometimes watch Sponge Bob and as of late, I am a little bit obsessed with the Muppets. 

Why hide what you like because someone else may not also like it? I mean, I do understand why they would do it. They're scared of what people will think, but it just seems like they would be happier if they didn't worry about it. And why hate? I mean, what is wrong with good, old-fashioned indifference?

Have you ever changed your view when popular opinion changed?

Did you ever like Twilight? 

Post 37: Procrastination and Reality TV - Love

I want to say that this post was inspired by something I was doing productively, but it wasn't. I was procrastinating. I am a master procrastinator. I can write a B+/A 5-page paper in 4 hours if I have to. I did once, (which is how I know). I still write them in 4-hours, but I do it days before it is due so I can come back after awhile and check it to make sure it makes sense and is well-written.

Today, I found myself bored with my essay topic (Philosophy- Metaphysics) and found my mind wandering. I would like to clarify that I don't actually find the essay-writing as boring and tedious as I think it will be. It is like...eating an apple, I generally accept that I like apples but I don't realize how much I like them until I take that first bite. These essays are like that, after the first page and a half. The first page and a half is a lot of talking about an argument and summarizing, the last part though is when I get to argue my opinion and then provide counter-arguments and then responses to those. And I actually quite enjoy that.

But, I hadn't gotten to that part of the essay yet. So, I was kind of unfocused and talked myself into browsing YouTube a bit before I continued. Which in theory doesn't sound like a bad idea at the time, it sounds like a 'I will just clear my mind' thing, but ends up being a 'oh, look it has been two hours' thing.

So, while I was browsing YouTube I saw part of the Step-ford Wives movie, the newer one and it talks about a reality TV show called, "I Can Do Better" about how they take a married couple, separate them and pair them up with prostitutes/really attractive people and then at the end they can stay with the people or they can go back with their spouse. It called them prostitutes, but I don't know if that is actually what they were. I mean, they looked more like models. And from the prostitutes I have seen while driving through down town, they don't look like that. If they did, they probably wouldn't be prostitutes.

Anyway, I am genuinely surprised that it isn't a real show. Or rather, that there isn't something similar.

The closest I know of is "Parental Control" where parents who don't approve of who their kids are dating pick a new potential partner and then the person has to watch their girlfriend/boyfriend date them while they watch with the parents that hate them. It is pretty bad, but like a train wreck some part of me wants to watch the chaos unfold. (Though, I never understood that expression. As it is I try and avoid looking at car accidents, no matter how big because the potential gore factor alone freaks me out.)

But both this fictional show and this reality TV show bring up an interesting point for me. A point that comes up in TV shows all the time.

What does it mean to love someone?

In Grey's Anatomy, a show my mother loves a lot, there is a character who goes to her ex-boyfriend and says she loves him. He says she is engaged. And she basically responds that if he loves her, she will dump her fiance.

If she truly loved him, what would it matter if he loved her or not in whether she would call off the wedding or not? She clearly doesn't love her fiance or she wouldn't be so willing to call off the wedding. But she doesn't love her ex-boyfriend enough to call off the wedding before he says he loves her too. So, it is like she is taking that metaphor about only leaving one boat when one foot is securely on another boat seriously.

In "Parental Control" whoever it is almost always says they are in love with the person their parents hate, and yet all it takes is one date with someone else and they are willing to end that relationship?

Why? Because they feel like they can do better.

I don't know how others feel, but I don't think I would want to be with someone who seems kind of wishy-washy about the way they feel. If they were willing to dump someone they had dated for years after one date before, isn't it likely they might do the same thing again to me?

Post 36: The Secret to Using Netflix

It must seem like all I do is watch TV shows. But, I don't. I do lots of things; like reading, writing/blogging, going to class, studying, class at the Rec center, staring off into space, hanging with friends, etc.

But, I have a skill that can be unique at times. I can multitask. 

Sometimes I watch while working on stories, blogging, or when hanging out with friends. I have watched certain shows while studying, but it tends to depend on the class. Definitely not Latin. 

Anyway, this blog post will be about the key to using Netflix with as little frustration as possible. 

The key point is: Do not have a movie picked out already. 

TV shows tend to be more flexible and most of the people I know who use Netflix saw the show and then went to watch it. But you should not go on Netflix expecting a movie will be there. 

Why? There is a video someone made as a "relate-able vlog" where they were looking through Netflix and he phrases it well-enough that I will quote him now: "Netflix has like every movie...except the one I am looking for."

And that is often how it feels. They even take movies down on Netflix (at least the Canadian one) to replace them with new movies. So, even going back expecting a movie that was there to still be there isn't a guarantee. And it is particularly frustrating when you really want to watch a particular movie. 

Anyway, the best strategy for using Netlix is to decide on a genre and then see what movies are available. 

Though, I would avoid the comedy genre. Not because the movies in that section are bad, but because 'Comedy' tends to be really loose in definition. It is the same on iTunes, Netlfix and the Pay-Per-View section on cable. Comedy tends to be any and all movies that have any jokes in them, funny or not. 

Horror tends to be the same. Movies with blood, gore, violence, or any form of supernatural creature tends to end up in that section. For example: Vampires Suck. A comedic parody of a drama about a vampires and werewolves. It is pretty far from actually being horror. 

You can also find a movie that you like (even when not available), and see what movies are related to it. Which can be a good way to find new movies you hadn't heard of before.

A Life Less Ordinary with Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz was a recommended one from Down with Love. Which was good, but also really weird. For a number of reasons. But it had some good actors and actresses in it. Like Holly Hunter and Christopher Gorham (Ah! Auggie from Covert Affairs.)

Post 35: iTunes and Free Stuff

I know that I have talked about iTunes before on here, but Apple and iTunes are kind of a big part of my life. I have an iPhone, so it is kind of unavoidable.

But this post will be talking only about one wonderful section of iTunes, the Free Episodes section. Sometimes when new TV shows start up, or even are returning for another season, iTunes will make the Pilot episode free. Which is a great service.

I don't have a TV in my dorm room, and when I am home I have a TiVo so I don't see a lot of the trailers for new shows. This is even better. Below I will list the full-length TV episodes that iTunes had available for free.

It is nice because I can get an idea of whether or not I like the show. And if I like it, I can ascertain whether it is worth buying the season or recording, or just something to watch if nothing appears to be on. Sometimes the season goes on sale as well. I got the first season of Beauty and the Beast for $8. Which is like the cost of 3 episodes now.

Haven't Watched Yet

• Pretty Little Liars (No interest in.)
• Merlin 
• The Blacklist
• The Killing (Not Pilot, 2 episodes)
• Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (Watching as I type this actually, so far I like it. Alice has pretty awesome fighting skills. Cheshire is pretty scary. The Knave is cute. I am kind of hoping she will get pants at some point. I mean, the Knave has a leather jacket, so why can't she ditch the corset and wear pants? Also, I think he kind of fancies her. Spoiler Alert: It is like a cross between Alice in Wonderland and Aladdin. The genie, the magic carpet and Jafar all got pulled out of Agrabah.)
• The Michael J. Fox Show
• Reign
• Supernatural
• Welcome to the Family
• Masterpiece
• Do No Harm
• Ravenswood
• Orphan Black

Watched and Didn't Really Like

• The Mentalist
• Tron (Animated series, first episode was free for a long while.)
• Beauty and the Beast 
• Sanctuary (Not Pilot, I don't know what happened to this episode. Some of the episodes that I got when they were free seem to have disappeared. So, maybe iTunes rescinded them when I didn't buy any more from the season. 
• Saving Hope (Also missing, not upset about either though. I didn't like them. But suddenly wondering what else went missing.)

Watched and Liked

• White Collar
• Grimm
• Witches of East End (Probationary period, hasn't sold me on series yet.)
• Sleepy Hollow (Probationary period, hasn't sold me on series yet. Suspect it will turn out like Beauty and the Beast and I will not like main female character long. )
• Elementary
• Covert Affairs
• Suits
• Beauty and the Beast  (This is on two lists because it had promise, a strong female character and good supporting characters but ruined it when they made the female character act like a mindless, pathetic human being with little to no concept of what it means to be a good friend or person.)

Watched and Liked But Wouldn't Pay For

• The Client List
• Hot in Cleveland (Not Pilot)
• Rizzoli & Isles
• Go On
• Warehouse 13
• Wolf Blood ( I would consider paying for it, if it was cheaper, it is only slightly above what people can and have done on Youtube and other sites for free so I am not too keen on paying for it. And by slightly above I mean, the only thing making it better is that they have enough CG to have wolves - werewolf/wolf blood equivalent. (Fake looking ones, at that.)

UPDATE: Oct. 23rd, 2013

I have gone back and added some. But I also wanted to point out that you should not go on iTunes and expect to find lots of free episodes. There are times of year that have more. But, also, at most I have only found 4 in a week - at least, actual full-length episodes of the none-reality TV show variety.

Also, it is worth noting that I have gone back four or five weeks later and it is still the same episodes. BUT! I have also gone back later that day and found the episode gone. So, if you see one you like buy it! It is free and will sit in purchased, even if you don't download it. So, don't expect a show you like to still be there when you come back but don't expect the show to change every week either.

Also, depending on what country you are in there may be less. I have found my American iTunes account often has more than my Canadian.

Also, it is kind of like a treasure hunt. There are a lot of "full-length episodes" in the section that are not actually full-length episodes.

Revenge and Once Upon a Time have episodes in that section, but what they actually are is an hour long video that summarizes everything that has happened in the series.

There also tends to be a lot of behind-the-scenes, Sneak Peeks, Meet the Cast, bloopers and things like that in the section.

Post 34: Trolls and Online Arguments

Anyone who has used a social networking site has most likely come across a troll at one time or another. I don't mean a cave-dwelling or big, ugly green guy from Harry Potter. I mean, someone who deliberately posts something dumb, offensive or argumentative in hopes of starting an argument.

I use quite a few social networking sites, but I think trolls are most easily found on Youtube. Go to any song's music video and scroll down to the comments. There is a 90% chance that someone has posted a comment about how much they hate the song or the artist.

Why? Because they want people to respond. They usually do, with "Well then you don't have to watch the video", "No, you suck", or what used to come up a lot was "you have no life if, if all you do is post on videos you don't like". Then the troll responds with some negative comment and an argument ensues. Usually, other people who look to the comments join in as well in defense of the fellow supporter.

However, they can be found on any site.

A lot of the ones that come up on Facebook, or sites that post "funny" (using the term loosely) pictures and videos. People make comments that are not always...respectable.

Two things that come up the most often are the "women belong in the kitchen where they make sandwiches for men" and "that is bad, feminine, sensitive, emotional, or dumb so therefore anyone in it and whoever made it is gay'. Another common one is the, "all men are horrible, they are selfish and they are jerks'. Of course, they aren't phrased like that. Except the last one, sometimes is.

I find it silly. And dumb.

The first one, about women belonging in the kitchen, these girls throw huge hissy fits about it, but you know what? If you find it so upsetting, here is what you should do. GET OFF FACEBOOK AND STUDY. Then go to school, excel and work hard. Become their boss or the doctor that one day will save their life. Arguing online will do nothing but waste your time.

Not to mention, most of the guys saying that don't actually believe that. They're only saying it to get a reaction.

To the second, well...I don't want to be the P.C. police (politically correct). It is derogatory to use gay as synonymous with bad, dumb, or effeminate. And I don't get how a man deciding he wants to wear pink makes him gay. I also think that comparing what counts as being attractive from two different cultures as if they were the same as being foolish. However, a lot of people have very strong views on the matter and will really fight back.

But, it is so frustrating for me. Because so many of the people who get upset have used 'gay' the same way. It is like Twilight, four years ago everyone was saying it was cool. I have two friends who had Twilight posters and wanted to marry the characters, but now they are all "Twilight is so lame. It is so bad. Twilight sucks."

So, it is like they aren't criticizing them for using gay too mean lame because it is offensive, they are criticizing them for using now that it is no longer acceptable.

The third just comes across as girls who were jaded by one guy and have decided that all men are exactly the same. The arguments in the comments is usually two-sided. Girls and guys on one sided, jaded girls on the other. It is just silly. And pointless.

Post 33: Cafeteria Food Pt. 1

So, this post was just supposed to be about school cafeteria food in general. But this will just be a rant about my cafeteria experience today. Will rant about cafeteria food in general some other time.

So, it started off fine (as far as I knew). The cafeteria has a pizza section, specials section and a grill. (Plus a kitchen, where you can make food but it seems more practical for multiple people not just one.) Anyway, the pizza choices are pretty limited, and aren't great. And the specials are usually bland. So, I go to the grill.

Or just get soup and salad.

The grill has quite a few options, but since there is rarely anyone manning the grill the only options are what have been sitting on the heater. Usually the cheeseburger and chicken burger. I avoid the cheeseburger, always. I tried it a couple times and both times ended up with a big piece of cartilage or bone. It was so gross. If there is someone there, I can get a grilled cheese or grilled chicken sandwich.

Today was a hectic day and I felt more like a chicken burger than anything else.

It worked out well, there wasn't any on the heater but there was actually someone at the grill! (At least physically.)

She was busy having a conversation with her friend, and it took awhile for her to acknowledge I was there. Then, when I ordered a "chicken burger", she got out a piece of grilled chicken and threw it in the corner of the grill. I was going to say something, but figured it was probably healthier anyway.

Then she went back to talking to her friend, and making her friend a cheeseburger. This wouldn't bug me so much if it wasn't for the fact that there were six cheeseburgers sitting on the heater. In fact, the only thing there was, was cheeseburgers. The last time I actually saw someone at the grill they were arguing with someone because they wanted something that was already under the heater.

But, anyway, that wasn't even the most annoying part. About three minutes later, two guys came over and ordered chicken as well. She put their's on, poured water over them (which seemed weird, but that isn't the point) and like a minute later she starts taking them all off the grill. It wasn't like they actually had to be cooked they were all precooked, they just needed to be heated up (which it actually wasn't, it was just barely warm so their food was probably cold still).

I was kind of annoyed, because it seemed pretty clear that the only reason she made me wait was she was busy talking to her friend. And the only reason I got it as soon as I did was that someone else asked for the same thing (if I had actually ordered it).

And then when she gave it to me, she just gave me the chicken. No bun or bread. I had to ask for a bun. It seems like it should have been kind of obvious that a chicken burger, would come with a bread of some kind.

Anyway, that isn't even the worse part. The worst part is that after I get my sandwich, and some steamed veggies (which were overcooked) I went to get a drink. It is always a nightmare finding a cup, because they aren't restocked often. Anyway, I set the plate down to get one. When I picked up again, I grabbed it by the other side and discovered that there was a gross brown substance smeared along the bottom of the other side of the plate. It looked and felt kind of like hummus, except that there was like no hummus around. So, I don't know if they didn't wash it, or if someone got it dirty then put it back or maybe someone go it dirty and left it somewhere and someone put it back thinking it was clean.

Whatever it was, it was so gross. I got as much of as I could with napkins, and ate all my food with a fork. When I was done, I practically ran to the nearest bathroom to wash my hands.

I seriously considered just dumping all the food on my plate and getting a salad, but when I got salad for lunch today some of the lettuce looked kind of rotten.

All in all, I think the university needs to work on its food quality AND its customer service quality.

Post 32: NaNoWriMo and NaPoWriMo

Next month is NaNoWriMo! Which stands for, National Novel Writing Month.

(April is NaPoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month.)

The idea behind NaNoWriMo is to have a novel written by the end of the month. But it isn't just a month. It is a site with lots and an activity with lots of participants. The site provides the lots of support, in forums, as well as in pep talks from real writers and meeting places where you can get together with other participants.

It keeps track of how many words you've written AND there is a recently added feature that helps you find a sponsor. Someone to send money for ramen, candy or whatever else you may need to complete your goal.

The catch is that it isn't just write a novel. It is more specifically asking for participants to write 50,000 words. So, if you have a 49,999 word novel you better add 'The End" if you want credit for finishing. But, it also means as soon as you reach 50,000 words you have technically one. Even if you are only half way through the plot.

Anyway! It is a pretty cool thing. I have tried participating two years in a row- but only used the site in 2011. But have not made it past the 5,000 word mark. It gets hard. The estimate of the site is that you should try and write between 1,600 and 1,700 words a day. Which doesn't seem like much at first, but it starts to get harder. And if you miss a day, suddenly you're needing to write like 4,000 words. If you miss two days, that is over 5,000 words in a day!

It adds up, and if you have classes or tests or a social life it can start to be intimidating.

But it is a lot of fun. And this year, I will be participating again.

This time, I hope to get much further than last year. And the plan, though it may not go as such, is to finish this year.

What has been hard for me as well in the past is one of the main ideas behind it, which is to just knock it out. I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my stories so before I move on I want to go back over what I've done. I don't want to leave giant plot holes in the idea I will come back later to fix. I don't want to go back to add more character development or back story once it is done. I want it to be good before I move on.

But this time, I am going to try my best to accept it won't be perfect, and it is better to finish and go back then go back and obsess and end up drowning in work and giving up.

NaPoWriMo is much easier. At least, for me Basically, in April, you set up a blog or website and everyday for thirty days you write a poem and post it. I find poem writing pretty easy, so it shouldn't be so hard.

The hardest thing about both for me will probably be the EVERY DAY. You can't miss a day in April, and NaNoWriMo if you miss a day it can be really stressful.

Anywho, that's all for today. I will include the links for NaNo and NaPo WriMo below.

NaPoWriMo.net

My name NaPoWriMo for next April: SamsNaPoWriMo.blogspot.com
(It is private at the moment, because there won't be anything on it for awhile anyway.)

NaNoWriMo.org

My NaNoWriMo is NaNoWriMo.org/participants/SamanthieR
(I don't think you can actually read it. But I think once I update it, it starts showing a word count.)

Post 31: Update and Purse Size

I tried, for a brief while, trying to post daily. Then, when I lost wi-fi, I tried to write daily. It isn't easy. With no wi-fi last month, mid-terms this month and NaNoWriMo next month, I think it will be near impossible to get the blog fully up-to-date. And some of the ones I did, in an attempt to keep it daily were pretty bad. Some were only five or six sentences and made very little sense.

So, for the sake of the blog and my sanity, no longer will I do daily blogging. 

But, I will continue blogging when ever I get the opportunity and inspiration hits me. 

Today, I want to talk about purse size a little bit. It sounds kind of silly, but I find it interesting. 

My purse is kind of black-hole like, in my opinion. I can fit textbooks, notebooks and so much in my purse at the same time it amazes me. I have not used a back pack in years. I think I stopped in junior year of high school. I carry pens in my purse, a notebook and if need be I carry anything that doesn't fit. I like that I only carry my purse. If I had the choice, I wouldn't even bring my purse. I carry my phone in my pocket, wallet in my pocket and anything else that will fit there as well. 

But, that isn't what I wanted to talk about. I wanted to talk about the general idea I, and others, seem to have about purse size. Meaning, the bigger the purse the more ends up in it. I had a small purse for a while, it had my phone and wallet. I got a bigger purse, I put in a notebook. 

My purse now has a mini duck tape, a notebook, a journal, my wallet, my cell phone, two lockets, a small pair of scissors, a wireless mouse, a cord for my iPad, a pair of headphones, a little thing of lip gloss, a little thing of body butter (mango scented), four pens, three pencils and a bottle of water. 

But I don't actually need any of it. I mean, I go places all the time with just a waded up thing of cash in one pocket and my phone in the other. 

But, I have the space in my purse, so I feel like I should fill it or it will be a waste. 

Or maybe, sub-consciously I fear that it will float a way and I will never see it again unless I weigh it down. 

Anyway, I just find it weird. The bigger the purse, the more stuff in it. 

Tomorrow, or even later today, I want to try to get another post done about NaNoWriMo and NaPoWriMo, since there are people who have never heard of either of these and I think more people should know.