Potter party WARNING: may not make too much sense.

I had the privilege of attending the mad Potter party at Borders the other day. It was some great fun. The only time I have ever hung out with friends who were wearing costumes outside of halloween. Well the place was doggone packed when we got there. I practically had to carry a tank of air around with me. Kids in and out of costumes crowded the walk ways and seemed to cling to the stacks for their dear lives! Not being a Potter fan myself, I have to say it was a strange experience. Anyway, our group just stood around the whole time and watched Kevin and whoever else ventured to join in the festivities. It was pretty funny watching Kevin and Dan try the Snape debate or the costume contest but it's all good. I was there to support my buddies, which I am glad paid off. Kevin won the costume contest (surprise surprise) and was treated like a celebrity all night.

Kids and adults wanted their pictures taken with Kev, who they falsely named "cedric". The only paws I had about the whole thing was that it was in the Borders in pico. I have never bought anything from that darn store, but I'm glad that changed the other night. I picked out a sweet journal and was paying for it when the cashier spied my Italian world cup victory T shirt. It sparked a great conversation that I'm glad I didn't miss, even if I was keeping a little girl from paying for her stuff for a while. It was well worth it because Amy was able to spot me as she came in to the store so that I could show here where everybody else was.

It was good times indeed. Watching Kevin's face light up as he got to the register to pay for his book. At that same time I was talking to Jillian about yelling out random stuff like "Snape dies!". I didn't yell it, but I said it loud enough for two people in the stacks to turn and scrunch their faces at me. I tried to convince them that I was kidding, but I don't think they believed me. (If that does happen in the book then I guess I really spoiled it for them.) After that, we headed to pick up Dan and Sarah who had trudged all the way over to Walmart to get their hands on their own copies, which presented me with the opportunity for some drive-by curse casting. The kill count is Dan and Sarah so far, with a tortured leaf-blower guy on the side.
It was a ton of fun and I am glad I didn't miss it. The blog doesn't seem all too coherent, but I just wanted to get it done. Oh ya, CIY!!! more fun!

PS.
I know I have promised you guys about that Canada post. I'm sorry but the pictures are still not developed. The good news is though that it will be huge because I can put it together with the Big Bear trip! Sorry to keep you guys waiting longer.

Blowing the dust off my blog with an update.

So I've been back from my fishing trip to Canada for like a week or two now. Some of you remember I was gone and greeted me accordingly, some of you didn't and called and texted my phone while I was gone, and some of you didn't care. In any case, I will be chronicling my whole trip for all of you. Right now I am waiting on getting some pictures developed from the disposable camera I took up with me on my hike to the other lake which I will be telling you about. I took my digital camera too but I don't want to post without those pictures. So just giving you guys the heads up that my blog is back up again and that there is my trip summary on the horizon.

Fantastic

I've got a messed up nose and a cold but I won't let that damper my spirits! I just got some news from some of my favorite people in the world. You guessed it! Sanctus Real! Their fan letter has just filled me in on the status of their next album, which has got me quite pumped! " So far we've tracked about seven songs and we're still working on the rest. I think the mood of these songs are very lively and energetic. The best answer I've been able to give friends as to how it sounds is usually something like, "Hmm, I think it's the best of our last 3 records wrapped into one, but add some banjo and... well, I don't know but I think you'll like it!" " Banjo! I'm looking forward to it. Well Saturday I made a fool of myself many times at Mike and Danielle's wedding and reception. It was fun though. I'll make a fool of myself on the dance floor with good friends any day. Shiloh's party was cool too, even though I got owned at mario party by Kevin. I've got two exams, which is a downer. After that though is graduation and then I'm off to parts unknown. Good news is I'll have plenty of time to take my new desk for a test drive this summer! woohoo!

oh man

oh man is right. Sanctus Real's new album is slated for around February 15th 2008. I'm psyched. Also, one of the bands I've been keeping an eye on called Wavorly has an album coming out june 12th and they just put out all the songs on their purevolume so that I'll be able to check them out better. You guys should do the same. I visited this art supply place in westminster that was freaking sweet. Just bought me a drafting desk, a lamp, and a tray so that I will officially have a place set aside for my arts purposes. I bought some pirate stuff there too. the rug was tiny, but I pulled the flag out and it's huge! You guys will be seeing me displaying my colors very soon. KAZAAAR!

Dynamics

I've just been really down lately. Let me be honest: I'm feeling neglected. I'm talking emotionally here people. You could say "But I invited you to such and such on such and such day." Ya, that's fine, I'm not talking about that. Get-togethers are just get-togethers. You see, I have this crazy idea that friendship is something beautiful and so much more then hanging out. I have this crazy Idea that friendship is sitting on the back wall kicking back a couple of rootbeers and talking about life. I have this crazy idea that friendship is so much more then parties and hang-outs and what not, but more of something personal. I've always thought it was going out of your way and giving someone that "how're you doing?" talk. I've always seen friendship as dynamic. It grows, it changes, that isn't too much of a leap is it? I guess you could say it fits right, well may be most of the time.

Growing and changing, that's what it's about. Dynamics of friendship. I haven't felt really dynamic myself, but it could be just me. I may need a refresher course in dynamics. A good part of my life has been spent hiding within myself. I had hidden my thoughts and problems from people for a long time. I guess blogger helps, but I'm not talking about blogger right now. I thought I had something good at one point. Fellowship, friendship, whatever it was. I admit, for the most part it has left me. I also have to admit that I am not comfortable with that. I've had the weird idea that I need people to lean on to get around. That I need other people who will be able to walk with me, maybe at least for a little while. A shoulder to cry on maybe. I just think people have taken friendship in the wrong direction, but who am I to say that? I feel like my acquaintances are many, but my friends are few. May be you guys could say other wise, but I hardly think some one who you chat with who couldn't care less about how you are doing would fall under the friendship category. But this is just me throwing myself some kind of pity party. Maybe I should have named this post "mindless ranting", because it seems like that's what I have been doing for the past hour.

The Great Nerf Adventure

I began a regular day with no intention of going on some extraordinary journey of some kind. Strutting through the perilous halls at Valley, I had no idea that one would find me. Sitting in our protective circles to ward off predators and basically any unsavory characters, our small band began the usual ritual of initiating volleys of senseless banter. We had all gone around the circle with nothing of too much worth to say before we made it to our resident Eagle, Padfoot (Kevin) Wilkinson.

Padfoot explained to us his intentions of militarizing and enhancing what firepower he had in his possession, without disclosing too many reasons for his actions of course. Knowing he is an eagle and we had no business sticking our noses into eagle business, we continued the conversation. The eagle wasn't finished. He continued to explain how we was embarking on a small expedition to request reimbursement from a vendor of the gaming sort in the halls of vanity that we call the Cerritos mall and then to begin a side quest in search of a belt clip "mini nerf gun" that retails for around 3 bucks. Knowing the mall is a treacherous place, I immediately volunteered to accompany him on his journey. He later filled me in on the second stop of our journey so that I could make the necessary arrangements. And so we set off from Valley with 3 in our party total. The addition of his "sickly" sister was a bit of a bother, but we made it to our first destination without fail. After a bit of haggling and threatening on our parts, reimbursement was achieved and we headed out of the purveyor of eye cancer and Japanese kid seizures and on to parts unknown.

After heading out, we discussed the possibility of said "nerf gun" being right under our noses and decided to search the local toy store for it. No success; we skirted over to the dog in a box store next door and tapped on the glass boxes for awhile and then headed out once again. No matter, the decision was made that we would search the Target greatlands for it and succeed. And so we searched. I some how got separated from the Eagle and was left to care for his "sick" sister who was antagonizing me and basically making fun of me the whole time. Being distracted, I was unaware of finding some one I knew stalking the toy aisles of Target. Feeling rather foolish of being caught off guard, I gave them a friendly smile and "hey guys, what's up?" and waited till they went their own way before continuing my search for the Eagle. The Eagle was found, but the gun was not. On wards and forwards.

Not being the kind to easily admit defeat, Padfoot took some expert advice from me and decided to venture down to TOYSRUS and continue the search there. I was a little hesitant however. After being caught on camera in a friendly duel of gentle men with foam swords and batons, I had been quickly asked to stop by their friendly yet weakly looking personnel who shooed us off with a swift "throat slitting" motion. I was a little nervous of getting into a confrontation with the security man because I did not want to embarrass him in front of Jeffrey the giraffe, so I used my expert stealth and craftily located the nerf gun rack. No dice. Onwards again.

Being clearly frustrated, the Eagle tore off his set course and into the parking lot, swerving past pedestrians and yelling at his annoying sister in the back as he secured a suitable parking spot. We dashed headlong into the Target of downey (right across from golf and stuff) and searched for the gun. No luck. We were all in dire need of sustenance by then so we decided to rest for awhile at the Eagle's nest. After consuming some food and getting our energy back up, Padfoot and I went on alone and decided to hit two more destinations before ending the journey.
We checked the Walmart that is a walk away from my house and found the gun surprisingly missing. What was a bigger surprise for us was that the Target that was close by was an almost exact replica of the one in downey, down to the same placement of certain merchandise. To our dismay the gun was not found there either. We cut the journey and headed home, with only sore feet and damaged egos.

Some time in the future I will be posting about my adventures at Project Nehemiah with Padfoot and Sarah S. ( as soon as I get some pics from Padfoot, who is getting them from Nehemiah boss man dude.)

Follow up of a follow up (if there is such a thing)

If you guys didn't know (those of you who don't go to valley) I spoke in front of the student body today. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I am just petrified about speaking in front of people, and that is just a single class room. So you can Imagine that this was a big shock to the system for me. I just want to thank all of you guys who have been there for me these past few days. Thanks for the encouragement and the prayer, I really did need it so badly. It was comforting to know God was with me there and I didn't mess up as big as I thought I would, So I'm glad that I could put a little more trust then I usually do into God and just take that big step and do that. It really was worth it, and I am so glad that God nudged me in that direction and allowed me to take advantage of that opportunity. It was cool and I just want to thank you all again for all of the support man. You guys are the best!