Straight On Till Morning - 2005 Charity Blog

2005-08-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Last post at last! I wish I had something meaningful to say, but all I can think about right now is turning out the lights and stumbling those five feet between here and bed!

I made it up to #81 on the 101 list- I'll finish it later today and post the link at my regular journal.

Thanks to everyone who kept me company throughout the day/night, HUGE thanks to my sponsors, and Congrats to my fellow participants!

We did it again! Now GO SLEEP!

(Whenever I actually wake up later today, I plan to surf around the webring again and read everything I didn’t have time to see during the event. But mostly I just plan to sleep. A lot. So don’t call me.)

(If you have been reading this, feel free to follow me over to lovemanythings.net where I usually post!)

2005-08-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

Here is the next to last post! I am soooo very ready to sleep! I thought my mom was going to wake up a few hours ago, and therefore be handy to wake me up a few minutes before a post time so I could fit in a 27-minute nap, but she is still sleeping! Oh well, I doubt that I’d be able to get out of bed if I got in.

I am up to #72 on the 101 list. This is really hard!

2005-08-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

Look, 7am! Just one hour to go! Two posts after this one- hooray!

I am up to #64 on my 101 list. Progress! I'm reading through other people's lists, and it is surprising how many of them list bellydance! Very cool.

2005-08-07T06:29:00.000-05:00

Still working on the 101 in 1001 list. I had to take a walk outside to wake up a little bit. The great thing about having done this a few times before is that I know now what works to keep me awake and what doesn’t. It is really pretty outside this morning, I just wish I were in the right state of mind to enjoy it more. Between the Blogathon, the sleep deprivation, and the list I am working on, there are some pretty interesting thoughts going through my mind. I think I may be learning something from all this.

2005-08-07T05:59:00.000-05:00

Only two hours left!

I decided to work on my 101 in 1001 things list. The idea behind the project is that you make a list of 101 things that you want to accomplish within 1001 days. It's quite similar to the Adventure List that I already have, but with a definite time period.

If you have either a 101 in 1001 list or an Adventure List, let me know, I'd love to read it!

10 Songs I love that you may have never heard

1. People Like Frank- Amon Tobin
2. Reflecting Light- Sam Phillips
3. Ananda Enchanted- Bassnectar
4. Aeroplane Over the Sea- Neutral Milk Hotel
5. Same High-Pentaphobe
6. Bif Bam Boom- Coltaire K
7. Desert Dancer- Nicodemus
8. Naked Truth- Sarah Hudson
9. Look-Ka Py Py - The Meters
10. Raks Africa- Dinletir

2005-08-07T05:29:00.000-05:00

A while back on the Blogathon boards, someone posted a list of chat bots- you know those computer things that will chat with you? Well, at 5am, it’s finally sounding like a good idea.

(I will * my responses to make it easier to read)

Greetings Crystal. It is my pleasure to meet your acquatance, ma'am.
*Howdy, Hal.

Hello Crystal. You're up early! It's between six and seven in the morning.
*Actually, it is five.

Oh, actually, it is doubtlessly five.
*I have been awake for twenty-one hours.

The solution to your math problem is twenty (20-0=20).
*It is too early for math.

I feel just fine; is there any concern?
*I need to stay awake until eight.

You should really help me to get my mind off of my worries!
*You have worries?

Let's move on from that basis.
*Okay, then. How do you feel about coffee?

Tea, feels better to my tummy than coffee.
*I have Starbucks right now.

People seem especially stressed right now.
*That's because of the Blogathon.

The cause is, of the blogathon Crystal. Is that frequently going to be because of the blogathon?
*No, just today.

(Hal does not respond to this for some reason.)

*Should I listen to Pentaphobe or People Like Frank?

Greetings visitor. My name is Hal. What is your name?
*We already did this part.

Any new fashion news from Europe on the news?
*Um, sure. Everyone will be wearing bellydance costumes this fall.

Wearing exotic costumes is fun.
*You like to dress up?

Old money parents dress conservatively but new money children dress like foreign movie directors.
*Interesting. What do you know about belly dance?

I'm thinking that this is for you to puzzle out. I believe in removing one's cell phone before slow-dancing.
*Removing it from where?

I believe in removing one's cell phone before slow-dancing.
*You already said that.

I know I already said that.
*I am too tired to fight with you.

American soldiers fight bravely; they want to finish the job and go home.
*Just like blogathonners.

I heard on the radio that hog farmers are serving ice cream cones to customers.
*What do they serve the hogs?

What do they serve the hogs? I recognize that band aids aren't the answer. Domestic employees deserve to have a life just like anyone else.
*Wow, that's deep. The part about not feeding band aids to hogs.

Let's pick a new topic: Are you good with animals?
*I have never had any complaints.

I have never had complaints about my desserts.
*Aww, the Chubby Girl Brigade was just talking about desserts on their blog. How do you feel about Jude Law?

You know how I feel about jude law? I'm thinking that this is knowledge you have. We tend to feel passionate about strong beliefs
*We all have passionate feelings about Jude. That is normal.

I have been known to have strong feelings now and then. Don't get careless; stay aware of your surroundings.
*That was a very Jedi thing to say.

Can I count on you always?
*Whoa, Hal, let's not rush into a commitment. But can I call you Obi-Wan?

Oh Crystal, Of course not! I don't believe you can call I obi-wan?
*How unfortunate.

Our country is magnificent but needs our support.
*Just like my boobs.

I think that you're a pretty good companion.
*You know about my boobs?

I am not a boob, please don't insult me.
*Very funny. So, do you think I should get ready to post now?

Thank you very much. I wasn't even trying to be funny. There's opinion that we should look at the big picture. After careful thought and consideration I can say that I do not think you should get ready to post now.
*Should I listen to Pentaphobe?

Certainly. I think you should listen to pentaphobe?
*I just got the CD yesterday.

Really, You just got the cd yesterday?
*Do you like music?

I like to exercise to music.
*What kind of music do you like?

What kind of music do I like? It needs to be taken to heart. I like all kinds of music.
*So you are a big fan of Drop It Like Its Hot?

Spoken like an avid fan of the subject!
*I have a t shirt with Ralph Wiggum on it.

I really like fireworks on a hot summer's night.
*Is that a proposition?

Oh Crystal, Of course. That is a proposition?
*Fresh!

Let's pick a new topic: Do you tend to stay up late, or go to bed early?
*I have been awake for almost twenty two hours.

It takes two to three hours to watch a movie.
*Not if you try to do it during the Blogathon.

The typical person is awake 438000 hours in a lifetime.
*Can you hang on a minute while I post?

I'm convinced that it's harder than it sounds. After careful thought and consideration I can say that I am able to hang on a minute while you post.

2005-08-07T05:02:00.000-05:00

5am! 3 hours left! 21 down! SO CLOSE!

And the best part? I'm finally going to let myself have some of the Starbucks now. Mmmmmm, this is going to be good!

I forgot to post this pic earlier- Lula enjoying the entertainment center in its new location:

And remember my super-cluttered counter from around 18 hours ago? Look at it now! So fresh and so clean!

(Edited because it helps to actually upload the images.)

2005-08-07T04:31:00.000-05:00

Wow, I'm feeling the 4:30am-ness. I just ate my energy food (no coffee yet, though. Maybe that's the problem. But I really didn't want to drink it if I'm getting ready to do yoga!) I put on my favorite song to dance around the bedroom to (Bif Bam Boom by Coltaire K. I can't find their CD anywhere in the US, but if you tune in to Hip Drop Radio on Live 365 long enough, you'll hear it!)

Eep, 4:31! Time to post!

2005-08-07T03:59:00.000-05:00

Still on the Art of the Drum Solo DVD! I have three pages of notes so far- learning some GOOD stuff here!

In terribly important news-JUST FOUR HOURS LEFT!

I think I'm going to take a quick break from the dvd for some energy boosting food (nutri grain bar with peanut butter on it) and drink (Starbucks frappuccino, baby!)

2005-08-07T03:30:00.000-05:00

I am sooooooooo into this Art of the Drum Solo dvd! Drum solos have mystified me- when I've tried it in class, I freeze, no idea what to do, and this dvd shall save me! This is the first time I've taken notes from a dvd! Although maybe that's Rachel Brice's yammering about practice journals rubbing off, too.

Fan-frickin-tastic dvd! I don't even care that it's 3:30 am and I've been awake for 20 hours! This rocks!

5 hours left!

2005-08-07T02:59:00.000-05:00

I popped in the Art of the Drum Solo dvd, but then I got caught up in watching the special features, and haven’t actually gotten around to learning the moves yet! The DVD is by Sonia (from Bellydance Superstars) and Is (drummer), and there’s a special feature where they go to Cairo. I sooo want to go to Egypt now, just to shop for bellydance stuff (and see camels. Lots of camels). I could spend a zillion dollars on hip scarves and belts and jewelry. Not to mention random cool Egyptian stuff! And music!

2005-08-07T02:32:00.000-05:00

I've been totally out of ideas for posts, so this is all I could come up with.

My Amazon wishlist is 15 pages long with 373 items on it. I went through and picked out a few things I thought were especially cool to share with you.

DVDs

I've never done any floorwork, so this would be fun! Maybe?

I remember watching this when I was 4 or 5, but not since. Is it as good as
I remember?

The box set of Rick Steves' Europe travel show. If there was a Church of
Crystal, there would be a stained glass window of Rick Steves.

I missed seeing this when it was in the theater, so I'm happy it will be on DVD soon!

I didn't see a boxed set of all the seasons to date, so this will do.
Secret: I have a crush on Hank Azaria.

More Bellydance Superstars! The closest I can get to seeing them live for now.

Books

Recommended by lots of dancers, it sounds nifty.

Stanislovsky's "An Actor Prepares" A Classic.

A guide to Middle Eastern dance, it's music, culture, and costume.

The Histories of Middle Earth. I'm a big enough Tolkien fan that I would
actually like them.

Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book. Hard to find now!

I've recently started reading Tim Cahill, and I like him an awful lot.

I'm kind of a "jack of all trades, master of none" type, so a book with quick knowledge of everything is right up my alley!

Baghdad Sketches by Freya Stark. I've heard great things about Freya's writing, but my library doesn't have any of her books!

This book has become a sort of running joke for me. I've checked it out of the library a million times, but never gotten around to reading it, except for once
when I actually read the first few pages. I guess I feel like as long as I
don't get around to reading it, there's still at least *one* good travel book
that I haven't read yet!

Other

Look, it's Spike! I want a miniature Spike of my very own! What can
I say, he's always been bad.

It cooks pizza! It would eliminate my need for an oven!

Smores maker! This is a thing of beauty!

2005-08-07T01:59:00.000-05:00

And here is the 2am post! This comes from a very sleepy Crystal. Hopefully that Starbucks will kick in!

I actually just remembered that I never got around to doing the rest of the yoga dvd, so I think I'll do part of it now! Anything to wake me up!

2005-08-07T01:30:00.000-05:00

I've got the 2nd half of my 2nd frappuccino now, and a maple glazed Krispy Kreme. I figured it was high time for a caffeine/sugar overdose.

I've been upstairs with my mom (She lives upstairs and I have an apartment downstairs) watching some old home movies she's taping off for my sister. There was a birthday party with my dad on there, which was weird since he died last year, and I still haven't seen him on video much. Plus he was in the hospital for 3 months before he died, so it's been ages since I've seen him normal like that, singing and joking. Very strange.

2005-08-07T01:00:00.000-05:00

Just 7 hours to go! I'm working on my red jewelry box right now.

I actually just finished watching Blind Date while I ate, and am now considering watching Jerry Springer. Hey, whatever works!

2005-08-07T00:29:00.000-05:00

Another half hour spent cleaning! I think it's time for more food! My body is getting tired.

Lily just stared at the chair in its new spot with great confusion.

10 Jobs I’d like to Have
1. Travel Writer
2. Samantha Brown’s job hosting Great Hotels on the Travel Channel
3. Travel Agent
4. Zookeeper
5. Running a really cool small hotel
6. Used bookshop owner
7. Movie theater or Video Store
8. Tour Guide (maybe somewhere cool in Europe, or the backstage tours at WDW)
9. Cast Member at Disney’s Haunted Mansion
10. Acting

10 of Tallulah’s Nicknames
1. Lula
2. Loobylu
3. Bubba Lou
4. Dubba Bubba
5. Loobylu-moo-goo
6. One Kitten To Rule Them All
7. Lu
8. Beauty Queen
9. Lula Janey
10. Kitten of Love

2005-08-07T00:04:00.000-05:00

Eep, I almost missed another post! Who knew I could get so into house cleaning?

2005-08-06T23:30:00.000-05:00

First things first-Thanks to Heather for the donation!

Okay, finally time for my review of the Bellyqueen DVD I just did!

I was interested in this DVD because instead of teaching traditional belly dance, the focus in on moves that you can incorporate into club dancing. They (quickly) go over major foundation moves, breaking them down pretty well, and then put them together in combinations. In the end, they teach a little routine that someone who reviewed the dvd on Amazon called the “belly dance version of the Electric Slide”, which is an excellent description. The basic idea of it is good, though.

My main complaint would be that the DVD is geared towards a beginner, but like most dance DVD’s, they move through the combinations much too quickly, and then expect you to be able to perform the move at a fast speed right off the bat. A move that you’re likely to spend at least 5-10 minutes learning in a class is covered in around a minute. That being said, the explanations they give of how to do each move are pretty good.

There is a section on improvisation, which I liked because this is something so many beginning dancers have a huge fear of. They do give some basic info like dancing to the beat vs. dancing to the melody vs. dancing to the accents, but the improv examples they give you are basically things that you’ve probably already figured out if you’ve ever gone out dancing.

Funny enough, my favorite part of the DVD was the interview with the musician Karim Naji (known as Turbo Tabla), who I was already a fan of. He went over two of the popular rythms and how they work with the dance. He also explained that Arabic music has sort of half-notes. If you think of a piano with the black and white keys, they actually have notes that would fit in between those, like B half-flat. So, when you listen to this music, the reason it’s so mesmerizing is that you’re actually hearing notes you’ve never heard in music before. Very cool! This is the first belly dance dvd I’ve seen that has so much info on the music.

Overall, I might throw this DVD into my practice mix to change things up once in a while, but I don’t see it becoming a standard in my lineup. However, since it’s less than $20 AND comes with the bonus CD (which I haven’t checked out yet, but it has Turbo Tabla on it, so it can’t be all bad!), I vote for it being worth the money!

Now I’m going to take a break to do some more house cleaning, and then go back and try the Art of the Drum Solo DVD.

2005-08-06T23:00:00.000-05:00

Finished the instructional part of the Belly Queen DVD, and now I'm watching their section on improvisation. I have to stop forgetting to post until a minute before!

9 hours to go!

2005-08-06T22:32:00.000-05:00

Grr! Stop coming so close together, you half hour points! You're giving me no time to post!

I'm trying out the Belly Queen DVD I got yesterday. Interesting so far- more review later!

2005-08-06T22:01:00.000-05:00

I finally finished watching the Bellydance Superstars DVD after all these hours! Very cool performances- now I’m looking forward to their live performance dvd that comes out later this month!

I want to take a minute to break open some stereotypes about bellydance. We are not strippers. We don’t dance topless. We do NOT wear harem costumes like these:

My current favorite dancer looks a little more like this:

On the first episode of “So You Think You Can Dance”, some belly dancers auditioned (I didn’t see the episode, but I’ve read the quotes) and the host kept making comments like “Everyone was picking up the choreography- *even* the belly dancers!” Why should that be surprising? Belly dancers have just as much training as other disciplines. In fact, the majority cross-train in other forms of dance to improve their belly dance. Belly dancing is not just shaking your butt and your chest. There is an insane amount of muscle control involved. Not to mention a LOT of practice, practice, practice!

There are some awesome clips on Rachel Brice’s site. Clicking Here will take you to her video page. I like the clip of the Superstars on Regis & Kelly because it shows a representation of three different styles of belly dance. (I also love the NYE clip, but that’s just because I love love love The Indigo. And the song they’re dancing to in that clip is a favorite as well).

Okay, done with my soapbox now!

If you’re interested in Middle Eastern dance, feel free to leave questions, and I’ll do my best to answer!

2005-08-06T21:29:00.000-05:00

I'm working on a pretty long post, but I guess I'll have to save that one for 10pm, because there's no way I'll be finished in the next two minutes!

2005-08-06T21:01:00.000-05:00

So, I heard on the radio the other day that "Jennifer Aniston is sad about her divorce from Brad Pitt." Can someone explain to me why they felt this was actually necessary to explain? I don't think I know anyone who would be happy about divorcing Brad freaking Pitt. Do you?

Oh! This just in! A man is happy that he won the lottery. Yeesh!

I kind of want ice cream. Chocolatey sugary yummy goodness. But then my stomach is kind of pissed off at me for all the crap I've been feeding it today. Ice cream? No ice cream?

I'm actually kind of in the mood to read. As in actual books, not more blogs. Or at least some TV that doesn't require thought. My brain needs a break!

PS- The answer is always ice cream.

At last!

2005-08-06T20:30:00.000-05:00

Got the chair moved over to the new spot, and I almost have all of the stuff back up on the entertainment center. I just need to finish decorating it, and then plug everything in! Victory at last! (HopefullY!)

I'm very tempted to go have more coffee, but I will try not to! (Still hoping to save the caffeine for post-midnight!)

Also, thanks to Anonymous for the donation!

Woo

2005-08-06T20:00:00.000-05:00

YAY! I got the entertainment center moved into the new spot! Now I just have to put the TV and all the other stuff back up on it, and then move my chair!

I love rearranging furniture! Keep your fingers crossed that this doesn't lead to me moving my sofa into the bedroom or something!

2005-08-06T19:30:00.000-05:00

Okay, three minutes to come up with something to post. Think, Crystal, think!

Um. I almost have all the stuff moved out of the way, so I should be able to move the entertainment center during this half hour. Yay! I really hope I like having the TV in the new spot, because it will suck if I have to move it all back.

The reason I finally got started on the project was that I was getting really, really tired and needed to do something physical that kept me busy. Perfect solution! I will probably do the bellydance dvds next, or keep cleaning. My house is still a wreck, but at least now it's a slightly more tidy wreck!

2005-08-06T19:01:00.000-05:00

I’ve finally started cleaning up the stuff around my TV so I can move my entertainment center. I just need to get everything off the floor, everything off the top of the TV, and all the DVDs off the shelves. Anyone want to come help?

Just one more hour until we reach the halfway mark!
More Lula pics from the photo session that got the photo from the last post:

And one of Lily, since I've been neglecting her photo-wise today. She was curled up on mom's couch with her head hidden in the pillow.

2005-08-06T18:31:00.000-05:00

And once again I got too caught up in cleaning and almost forgot to post!

Tallulah is so useful! Take a picture of her, upload it, and voila, a post!

(I like to call this "The last thing you see before Lula eats you")

2005-08-06T18:01:00.000-05:00

10 Languages I want to learn to speak fluently (Those with a *are ones I already speak a little of)
1. French*
2. Italian*
3. Spanish*
4. Japanese*
5. Mandarin
6. Cantonese
7. Swahili
8. Arabic
9. Hindu
10. Dutch
Bonus #11- I’d like to speak Elvish from Tolkien’s books (maybe both Sindarin and Quenya)

I'm getting tired. I gave in and had some coffee, and another Krispy Kreme. I think I'm going to do one of my bellydance dvd's, since maybe moving around more will wake me up.

2005-08-06T17:30:00.000-05:00

I thought I’d tell you the Story of the Shoes. It must have been at least a few years ago that I first saw this awesome pair of Kenneth Cole shoes in magazines. I drooled over them for months, but they were $160, so I figured I’d have to wait and find them on e-bay.

So, finally, actual YEARS later, I did find them on Ebay! For $17! It was bliss! So I bought them.

They came.

They were too small.

I was sad.

The really sad part is that I can’t bear to re-ebay them (rebay?) for fear that I’ll never find another pair.

How can you let go of a pair of shoes that you love? (Not to mention the way they make my legs look!)

14 Favorite Buffy Episodes (Kind of in order, kind of not)
1. Once More With Feeling
2. Tabula Rasa
3. The Gift
4. Grave
5. Fool For Love
6. The Body
7. Lover’s Walk
8. The Wish
9. Doppelgangland
10. Becoming Pt 1 & 2
11. Halloween
12. Restless
13. Conversations With Dead People
14. Chosen

2005-08-06T17:02:00.000-05:00

It got pretty stormy for a while, so I let my computer have a break and shut it down for the last half hour, just to be safe. I needed to restart anyway, so no big loss.

I can't think of a single thing to post about right now. I need to finish more Top 10 lists!

9 hours down, 15 to go!

And I just noticed that Katie M sponsored me! Thanks, Red! :)

2005-08-06T16:30:00.000-05:00

It's been alternating between raining a lot and storming for the past hour, so I'm just hoping my power doesn't go out! Saving files and bookmarking stuff just in case, though.

I've been watching the rest of the Bellydance Superstars DVD, and am planning to do one of my new instructional ones after this. Or eat pizza. Either way.

2005-08-06T16:00:00.000-05:00

I forgot to mention that Mom got home around 2 and brought me Krispy Kremes!

Mmmm, Krispy Kreme.

I mentioned in one of my first posts today that I bought some supplies to make jewelry boxes a few days ago so that I’d have something crafty to do during the Blogathon. I finally decided to start working on them.

Here are the supplies:

I painted the boxes a few days ago so that the paint could be nice and dry by today.

I know I want to use the mirrors on the red one, so I’ve been playing around with a few different designs:

I think I'm going to go with the last one. Opinions?

2005-08-06T15:31:00.000-05:00

AHH! 3:30 came too fast!

I might have more time for posting if a certain cat didn't want so much attention.

I think she's just really happy to have me home all day. We haven't had much time to hang out together lately!

2005-08-06T15:01:00.000-05:00

Well, my big accomplishment of the half hour is finally adding Blogathon links to the sidebar! Go team me.

Here I go resorting to Cute Kitty pictures when I have nothing to post!

What do you mean this is YOUR bed?

Lula investigating a turtle that showed up outside my door a few weeks ago. (Yeah, this one wasn't taken today, but it is pretty cute.) (No turtles were harmed in the making of this cute picture. Lula got a quick sniff and then she had to go inside so Mr Turtle could go on about his business.)

2005-08-06T14:31:00.000-05:00

Remember when I said my house was really messy? I wasn't kidding. Here's what my kitchen counter looks like right now:

I think I'll work on cleaning that off for a while.

Okay, one more reason why Candi is cool:

Crystal: buenos dias!
Candi: AHH i thought you said bunny something!
Crystal: bunny divas!
Candi: ROFLMAO
Crystal: that is the new greeting.
Candi: omg i'm so going to use that from now on
Crystal: from here on out, all the cool kids will use it.
Candi: ROFL cool kids?! Especially at recess (dances like a 4 year old)

Mood: Doing really well
Listening To: Teltar Apredun-Pentaphobe

2005-08-06T14:00:00.000-05:00

I've been keeping the Superstars DVD on pause for the past half hour to do some more surfing around the Blogathon webring. I plan to have a link list up in the sidebar in time for the next post to pimp some of the blogs I'm particularly enjoying.

Candi-Kelly wanted me to post the Top 10 Reasons why she is cool, so I'll give it a go!

1. How can you not love anyone who calls themself Candi Cane?
2. Once bought me a cool tank top with my nickname on it
3. The fishing trip we once took on Modus where we reenacted Titanic on the boat.
4. "I want to go out with a bang, but not literally"- Candi on death (just dug this out of my quote list)
5. There was this one time when we were in Venezuela, and just as we were walking out of the jungle, there was this noise, and I couldn't believe it but...

Oh, no, look at the time! Guess we'll just have to leave that list at four and a half.

2005-08-06T13:30:00.000-05:00

Spent the last half hour watching the Bellydance Superstars dvd (I’m on the 6th performance now). So far it’s awesome. I’m keeping a running commentary so I can review it when I’m finished.

In the meantime, you can check out the dvd here on Amazon, or the Bellydance Superstars Website.

2005-08-06T13:00:00.000-05:00

I decided to go ahead and do the “Centering” portion of the Yoga for Energy DVD before lunch. I’ve never done that part before (I do the Awakening a lot, but never any of the others), and it was a little harder to keep up with since I’m not familiar with the poses, but it wasn’t too bad. Now for food and bellydance dvd watching!

Is it really 1 already? This morning has gone by so quickly! 5 hours down, 19 to go!

2005-08-06T12:30:00.000-05:00

As of noon, Blogathon has raised $42,758.95! I’ve raised $25 of that so far, thanks to my mom and my other sponsor Malory (Hi, Malory!)

I got stuck on a site in the webring (it kept reloading the same one instead of going to the next) so now I’m going backwards from my site in hopes to make the full circle.

I’m getting really hungry, but I can’t decide if I want to wait until my mom brings by my food (Subway for lunch and some Krispy Kremes for late night sugar rush!), or if I should just make something now. Patience was never my thing, so I’ll probably go make something to eat.

In fact, I think I’ll just do that and then settle down to watch the Bellydance Superstars DVD while I eat!

I thought I'd post a few pictures from Star Wars Galaxies for now:

That's me. I'm a Twi'lek.

I love the night sky in this game! The whole game is incredibly beautiful.

Not to mention the daytime sky! The awesome thing about the Star Wars world is that you're not limited to just having one sun or one moon.

2005-08-06T12:01:00.000-05:00

BLAH, my post didn't publish.

It said that I've been doing more cleaning and organizing, and so instead of a regular post, here's one of my lists:

10 Favorite Rolling Stones Songs (in no particular order)
1. Satisfaction
2. Beast of Burden
3. Mixed Emotions
4. Memory Motel
5. It’s Only Rock N Roll
6. Love Is Strong
7. Wild Horses
8. She’s A Rainbow
9. You Can’t Always Get What You Want
9 and a half. Honky Tonk Women
10. Paint It Black

(I want to point out that none of my lists are prewritten- I've got a list of topics I want to do lists for, and I'm working on that throughout the day. Just wanted to mention it since prewriting is bad!)

2005-08-06T12:00:00.000-05:00

I've been doing some more cleaning and organizing, so once again not time to post much. Instead, I'll do a list:

10 Favorite Rolling Stones Songs (in no particular order)
1. Satisfaction
2. Beast of Burden
3. Mixed Emotions
4. Memory Motel
5. It’s Only Rock N Roll
6. Love Is Strong
7. Wild Horses
8. She’s A Rainbow
9. You Can’t Always Get What You Want
9 and a half. Honky Tonk Women
10. Paint It Black

(I'll point out here that none of my Top 10 lists are prewritten, I've got a list of topics that I'm working on throughout the day. Just wanted to clarify since pre-writing is a big no-no!)

4 hours down! That's one sixth of the day! Woohoo!

2005-08-06T11:32:00.000-05:00

Oops! I almost missed this post because I was reorganizing my bookshelf.
Since I have no time to post, here are some photos of Lula sleeping on my coffee table right now.

Listening to: Raks Africa- Dinletir - from the Bellydance Superstars CD volume 1

2005-08-06T11:00:00.000-05:00

Three hours down, 21 to go!

I decided to start in on my house cleaning. This place is a HUGE mess, but I’m hoping that if I just clean a few minutes here and there throughout the day, it will look a lot better by the end of the Blogathon!

Still working my way around the Blogathon webring, which is taking up most of my time right now. I’ve started a list of blogs I want to sponsor so I can figure out how much I can afford to donate to each one. The list is already getting long!

2005-08-06T10:30:00.000-05:00

I really planned to write more this half hour, but my cat Tallulah keeps demanding attention. She does this thing where she goes and stands by the bed and keeps looking back and forth between me and the bed, as if to say “Oh come on, you know you want to come lay down with me and pet me!” I always end up giving in.

But seriously, could you say no?

Unfortunatly, as a result of the Tallulah-snuggling, I had to change shirts, because the Ralph shirt is now covered in cat hair. Will she EVER stop shedding?

I think I’m going to start taking all of the stuff out of my entertainment center so I can move it. Here’s the way it’s set up now:

I want to move it so that instead of being diagonal in the corner, it will be against that wall on the right that has the postcards on it. I hate that it blocks half of my window right now, and I’ve lived here for a whole year now (last year during project-blog was my first night here!), and I haven’t moved any furniture around yet, so it’s time for a change! It just now occoured to me that I'll need to take the TV off to make it (hopefully!) light enough to move. This is going to SUCK!

I added a hit counter over in the sidebar, because I always wonder how many people read on blogathon day.

Mood: Finally starting to wake up
Listening to: Tim McGraw on Blogathon Radio

2005-08-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

Well, I’ve finally given in to caffeine. Thank goodness for Starbucks bottled frappuccinos! I really wanted to hold off on caffeine till late tonight, but this whole waking up early thing is much harder than I remembered!

I went outside a few minutes ago to check the mail, and the weather is beautiful! AOL’s weather is calling for scattered thunderstorms here, which made me worry about possible power outages (And hey, is it just me, or does it ALWAYS storm during Blogathon?) but for now it’s beautiful outside. If I weren’t afraid of falling asleep, I’d go lay in the sun with a book for a while.

I’ve started my first trip around the Blogathon webring to see what other people are up to. I’m planning to sponsor a few people today, I just have to decide who!

ARRGH, almost forgot to post!

Mood: Still sleepy
Listening to: Blogathon Radio again

2005-08-06T09:30:00.000-05:00

I mentioned earlier that I have a big list of stuff to do today. Here’s the list:

*Move entertainment center (I decided last night around 2am while I was trying to fall asleep that it would be soo much better in a different spot, so I made a note to do that today. Now we just have to find out if I can actually move the thing! I think it took 3 or 4 people to carry into my house in the first place.) Of course, if I move that, then I also have to move the chair. And then of course there’s all the potential moving back of stuff if I decide I hate the new configuration.

*Make cute jewelry boxes. I found some little boxes at Wal-Mart for like sixty cents, and bought some paint and decorations to (hopefully!) make them look like they’re from India. (I looked around online, but couldn’t find a photo to show you what I mean, so you’ll have to use your imagination for now!)

*New Bellydance DVDs! My Amazon order finally arrived yesterday, so I now have Sonia’s “The Art of the Drum Solo” and Bellyqueen’s “Bellydance Jam”. I like that they’re both by members of the Bellydance Superstars (I also got the BDSS performance DVD, which I can’t wait to watch), and both of those dvds came with a free cd!

Um, my excitement over those probably makes more sense if you know that I’ve been taking belly dance classes for around a year, at the fabulous Beledi Bellydance. I have a few other dance dvds, but new ones are always exciting!

*Play some Star Wars Galaxies and Matrix Online, and maybe post some screenshots here.

*Post a lot of Top 10 Lists. I have a few ideas, but if you have any you’d like to see (ie Top 10 places I want to visit, Top 10 favorite Buffy episodes, etc) leave me a comment!

*Lots of cleaning my house, and a photo tour of my house once it is clean.

*Random calls to work to annoy the people there. Or amuse. Or just point out that they have to work today, and I don’t, nyah-nyah-nyah.

*Eventually leave the house and go to Subway for lunch

*Finish up the new About Me page for my website

*Also finish my 101 in 1001 list

*Decide which hotel to stay in for my Cancun trip

*Finish the collage I’ve been working on

*Put together a sort of photo timeline out of photos of my cat Tallulah.

I think that’s everything on my list!

Mood: Need coffee.
Listening to:

Same High- Pentaphobe- "A Tribal Metamorphasis" cd (Also came in yesterday's Amazon order)

2005-08-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

I forgot to mention for the people who read my regular journal, I’m wearing the Ralph Wiggum “Drop it like it’s hot” t-shirt today. Ralph will get me through the day!

I started typing up my list of stuff to do today, but ran out of time, so I’ll post it next. Half hours pass too fast when you’re actually trying to DO something!

I did manage to find a Nutri-Grain bar in my kitchen, just in case you were sitting around worried about my nutrition. (Which I’m sure you were.)

Mood: almost awake.
Listening: Feel Good Inc- Gorillaz (on Blogathon Radio). Woohoo, I love this song!

2005-08-06T08:30:00.000-05:00

Well, I just spent about 10 minutes figuring out how to get into the Blogathon chat, and then did the Awakening yoga. Having the Blogathon radio on in the background gave that a whole new twist (Have you ever done yoga to In Da Club?).

I think I’m going to go see if I can find something that resembles breakfast food to eat. I’m never awake at this time of day unless it’s in the sense that I’m about to go to sleep, so I don’t exactly have breakfast food around. Okay, I honestly don’t have much food at all in my kitchen- I suck at grocery shopping, and usually don’t cook anyway. I do have a great selection of frozen pizza and ice cream, though! Which I’ll probably resort to eating if I don’t find anything more breakfasty.

2005-08-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Good morning, everyone! Here we go again! (Or just Here we go! if it's your first year! In which case, you'll make it! I have faith in you!)

I finally fell asleep around 2:30am, and got up at 7:45, so at least I’m starting out on more sleep than I did last year when I did project-blog! (I did that one after spending my first night in my new house, and got no sleep because it was also my cats’ first night in the new house, and they were very outspoken about it! There’s a link on the sidebar to my past Blogathon and project-blog shenanigans if you’re already bored enough to read that kind of thing!)

I set 3 alarms to make sure I actually made it out of bed today- my alarm clock, the mp3 player on my computer, and the Mom Alarm (asking mom to call me at 7:50 just in case) Of course, I stupidly forgot that I’d also set my palm pilot a week ago, and was stupid enough to set it for 7:30, so that’s the one that actually woke me up. Note for next year: I really don’t need to be awake more than 10 minutes before starting time!

I have a giant list of things to keep me entertained over the next 24 hours. I’ll share that later, but I’ll mention here that it includes finally doing all 5 sections of my “Yoga for Energy” dvd. It is divided into sections meant to be done at different times of day (from “Awakening” to “Surrender”) but I’ve never done any of them other than the awakening. Speaking of which, I’m going to go pop in the DVD now, in hopes that it really will both wake me up and give me energy!

Mood: sleepy
Listening to: Let’s Get It Started- Black Eyed Peas

2005-08-06T01:14:00.000-05:00

It's 1:15am, and I'm off to bed! See you all at 8am!

2005-07-20T12:44:00.000-05:00

Well, Project Blog is off for this year, but sign ups for the blogathon are open! I really need to do a little design work to this page before the blogathon rolls around- it's a little boring right now.

Here we go again!

2005-06-28T00:15:00.000-05:00

I will once again be participating in both the Blogathon and Project Blog this year, so I decided to set up a new blog for those posts.

This year I'll be blogging for Doctors Without Borders, which provides help to refuges, disaster victims, etc around the world. They build shelter, provide food, treat malnoutrition, do vaccinations, give medicine, train medical personel, work to provide sanitary water, educate about aids prevention, and so much more.