Slightly Mad

Most of you know that I like to try new candy. Most candy is new to me anyway, but still, the more unique it is the better!

This leads Yazuu to buy me some of those new Twizzlers Sweet and Sour Filled Twists.

Um...now I like sweet and sour candies (I have a soft spot for sour gummy candies) but whoever thought these demonic Twizzlers up should probably be shot.

And yet...

something about them...each one tastes better than the next and I can't stop eating them and DAMMIT, I don't even like lemon!

*goes back to chewing candy playdoh smelling satanic sour strings*

He's so cute! ^___^

Finally starting to keep track. Makes us feel accomplished and that in turn keeps us motivated.

Goal: Read as many books as we can (hoping for at least 35) from September '09 -- September '10. Since we have to share time this is an acceptable goal. Hopefully we will shatter this.
Definition of "book": any book/any length, whether fiction or not; does not include textbooks that we have to use (unless that text is read purely for pleasure), but will include books used for book reviews and critiques; re-reads are okay
Books read so far: 11


What We're Currently Reading:

Some Trouble With Cows: Making Sense of Conflict by Beth Roy
Across The Pacific by Akira Iriye
Bound by Donna Jo Napoli

Recommendations always accepted.

besides the brief posts lately.

- As I was walking through the park on my way into school today, something hard dropped on my head. I look up and a squirrel was in the tree. I am surmising that it was a nut shell. I also saw quite a few of those red capped brown finches eating berries off of the bushes. Now that the leaves are falling away they can really get at them.

- Study study study. As always. We are getting toward the end of the term here - have about a month and a half to go and wow, are a lot of things coming due. We have several book critiques to do, so we spend a vast amount of time reading the textbooks (or rather, books that the instructor picks out to read for the critiques. So, long story short - we are spending a lot of time on school.

- Just finished a wonderful text (that was used for one of the above critiques) called War Without Mercy by John Dower. It essentially poses the thesis that the Pacific theater of World War II was a race war. He provides several compelling examples, such as propaganda that depicts the Japanese (from the Western world) as monkeys or subhuman individuals whereas the Anglo-Americans and Europeans (from the Japanese) were depicted as demons or devils. He also makes the case that while the Western world could separate Germans into "good Germans" and "Nazis" there was no differentiating between a "good Jap" and a "bad Jap". This would suggest that whereas Westerners could separate the German culture and people from behavior, they could not do so with the Japanese. Also, while the Nazis committed horrendous atrocities against a select populace, they were never incarcerated in camps in the U.S. even though there were Germans that agitated for the Nazi party present. The Japanese however, were incarcerated even up to the third and fourth generation born in the States even though they were never agitated for either side of the war and many military experts considered the second-born Japanese-Americans more dangerous. This was primarily because in the Western world, a common enemy was the Jews, in fact, the U.S. had many immigration restriction on the Jews as immigrants to the country.

If you are interested in this sort of thing, I suggest you read the book. It was eye-opening and very interesting. I find it fascinating with how many peoples have been depicted as monkeys or gorillas over time - from the Irish, to the Blacks, to the Japanese, all the way up to President Bush - and how that has been deemed as a fine way to portray someone.

- Next reading will be: Some Trouble With Cows - an ethnography of a village riot in Bangladesh (or the former Pakistan colony). I'll let you know how it turns out.

- Still have not heard from financial aid, but hoping to this week. Then decisions will be made.

- Finding some time to watch some movies with the Wers. Finally saw Wolverine and Hellboy. Hellboy was just fun crack, but Wolverine was a little disappointing for those that read the comic. Talk about ret-con! But aside from those changes, the special effects were outstanding and the story good for the changes that they made, but I probably wouldn't watch it again.

- Probably going to be helping our mom and dad move back into their old house over the weekend. The place where they were living has been sold. So that will be fun - haven't seen the parents in a while.

- Reno threw out upper back out a couple days ago. It was incredibly painful - who throws out their upper back at the shoulder-blade level? Anyway, Zack fixed it yesterday. He just snapped whatever it was back in place with a crunch. Go Zack!

- I suppose that I should probably pay attention in class...

Ended up being late for my history class today.

Decided to go to the restroom before sitting in class for 45 minutes, did my business and was washing my hands when I took note of a girl that was in the restroom when I arrived and was sort of huddled near a sink in the corner (when I came in, I assumed that she was fixing her make-up).

Between classes the restroom is usually bustling - women coming and going at lightning pace. And yet out of the ten or so women that were in the restroom at the time, I was the only one who looked at this poor girl and noted how unusual her behavior was. I asked her if she was alright to which she shook her head no.

Even after that exchange, the women cleared out of the restroom in quick order leaving only the young lady and myself.

Turns out that she went to blow her nose and acquired a nosebleed, but not just any nosebleed. This one was really gushing and wouldn't stop. She was crying and scared and bleeding all over the restroom. The paper towels that she was using were filling up very quickly, and I was concerned for her.

I got some basic information and told her that I would be right back that I would go get some help. I rushed to the Political Science department which is right across from the restroom and had them call public safety. Then I went back to her side to wait with her so that she wouldn't be afraid. It was all I could do, not having much medical knowledge but I felt good for doing it. Within about 5 minutes, they were there and able to attend to her.

I don't know what happened to this young lady after I left her, but I hope that she is alright. While waiting for public safety I told her that I wouldn't leave her until they got there and she made the mention that I was the only one who stopped to ask if she was okay and that she was very grateful. We chatted about how she had been sick with the swine flu and was just now getting back to classes and she was terrified to miss any more school. And most importantly, she was very scared about the fact that she couldn't get the nosebleed to stop and "what if it won't stop" and the prospect of having to go to the hospital. I admit that I was afraid for her too. I have never seen a nosebleed that bad.

But one thing that she said just caught me (in her words): "people were just walking around me. They wouldn't help me and I didn't know what to do." People could see the blood everywhere and they did nothing and I am ashamed for them.

Yes, I was late to class, but sometimes there are just more important things to attend to - like your fellow human beings. When I apologized to my professor after class, even he said that what I did was the right thing and in no way did I owe him an apology.

I feel a little sick that no one else wanted to take notice, but I am on top of the world for that little difference that I made to someone today.

I found this link tonight for a site: Library Cats

It has a listing of all known library cats in the world! Some of them even have pictures. Go there!

We clicked on our state and some of them are so adorable reading their books and stuff. It's awesome!

This creeps me out...and it is just so wrong that I just stare and sometimes...sometimes, I giggle nervously. I mean, I don't think the guy or the rooster should be around children...um, right?

Psych test has been taken and I think we did well. I sent Kadaj in to take it. He is "Mr. Memory" on fact type things. He doesn't like going in to school, but if I ask sweetly (or as sweet as I can) I can usually persuade him to help.

Have to sign the lease today for another year on the apartment. It's needed for the evaluation of our food benefit, blah.

I forgot to bring my cough drops to school, but remembered Zack's nuclear gum so that will work, I suppose.

Need to get started on that reading tonight: so much is coming due far too soon for my tastes. I think the reading is my biggest obstacle right now. There is so much of it and it isn't all fun and adventure! In fact, yesterday one of our texts was discussing the history of African Americans from slavery up to about the year 2000. I like history, I do, but this book (which couple of us have bitched about before), is not only one of the driest books I have ever read (tried to read a few passages aloud to the Wers and they tuned me out) but the information is so condensed to the point of being insulting. The general information is so general that I know most of the material already. I would have enjoyed the chapters more had they gone into slavery not just from the standpoint of the whites, but if they had included information about the black society at that time. Excepts from slave diaries would have been nice, not just a minor reference to them. Also, go into detail about the interesting leaders in black history - I think Malcolm X got only a passing mention in a paragraph and MLK Jr. received less. Tell me about W.E.B. DuBois besides his involvement in the NAACP. These are intriguing individuals that did more than just what was passingly mentioned. I am appalled that this book is even referenced as a history book and that the authors show so little enthusiasm for the subjects (Ethnic and racial Minorities in the U.S.) that they are writing about. Not that I need any more to read, but dammit! Grrr.

Phone call, gotta go.

Dealing with death:

I am not going to say that dealing with death is harder on plurals than it is on singlets, because that isn't the case. But the toll that we all take on one body as several people have to go through the grieving process when they front is difficult. Things are better, but not great. School helps to keep us busy, along with taking care of the Wers and their sick crud. The activity certain does help me come to terms.

The other kitties help. They have settled into a very nice hierarchy and seem to be dealing just fine.

School:

School is annoying, busy and exhilarating all at the same time. I enjoy the things that I am reading, but there is just so much of it. Being halfway through the term is a little frightening and hectic because things that we haven't even looked at yet are going to come due soon. Our weekends are spent divided between homework and spending a small amount of time with The Wers. So, we are busy. Also, registration for next term is in about two weeks, so I am salivating over all the classes I want to take and hoping that I get them. Then there is the worry over the money to continue after winter term. I am sure we will think of something, but I can't say that it is easy on the nerves.

Birthdays:

Having some celebration has been helping with the grieving process as well, as strange as that may sound. The Wers and Loz received several books that they had been wanting, a new Cruxshadows CD single, and a white noise machine to help with sleeping. They have already eaten at least one of their books and have been using the noise machine.

Kadaj and Sephiroth spent a nice evening Wednesday as a sort of combine birthday complete with pizza (lately Kadaj's favorite food), Ghost Hunters, Mythbusters and Destination Truth. Kadaj received 6 manga (Wild Adapter and Petshop of Horrors: Tokyo) and has eaten them all already. Kadaj has decided that he is going to dress up as Count D for Halloween and drag his dog, Tazo, out with him. I supposed that for Christmas, we may have to get him some more of the sets. He also got some kanji flashcards and the official (as opposed to Reno's pirated download) DVD set of The Middleman. So, K-chan, when you come out for your next visit, you know what you will be subjected to - just a warning. ^_^

Today is my birthday and I plan to spend it relaxing. I don't know what I am going to do, but I am trying to avoid doing homework. I know, shame on me. ^_~ Maybe I will put in that spinach mushroom pizza and have a nice cup of tea.

By the way, chibirisuchan, that tea is going over very well and Kadaj has already demolished the banana pocky. But that coconut pocky...that's all mine. I will fight for it and, of course, I will win.

dragovianknight will be excited to learn that I received The Stepsister Scheme for my birthday. I probably won't get to it until the winter break, but I will certainly tell you what I think. I may end up a fan. ^_~

ETA: I was just surprised with a gift of more books! I now have Bound, Zel, and Beast by Donna Jo Napoli, Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey, and Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. Hurray for reading this winter break and any small chance I get before then! ^_^

This is a place to catalog new teas we have tried.

This has been ganked and modified from venturous to fit The Team.

The problem with LJ/IJ/DW: we all think we are so close, but really, we know nothing about each other. So ask any one of us something you want to know about us. If you don't ask for a person directly, you will get an answer from whomever may be fronting at the time, or whomever feels like answering it. Ask away. Then post this in your journal and find out what people don't know about you.

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Also, if you are waiting to hear from any of The Wers, it seems that they have caught a bit of the stomach flu (their not oinking). Rest and broth has been prescribed.

Now, lunch and back to the books.

chibirisuchan! *hug* Thank you for the tea. I am having the Mate Chocolatte right now and it is so weird. Weird, but good! ^_^

I can't wait to try the rest. Thank you very much. ^_^

chibirisuchan, we received a box filled to the brim (or crammed, if your prefer) full of wonderful goodness today.

It was a welcome distraction and a pleasant surprise. So many teas to try and candy...!

Thank you for thinking of us and for thoughtfully choosing teas that you think that we would like. The little bags full of teas and surprises with our respective names on them was just a beautiful touch. You must have had a lot of fun picking and choosing and packaging - I have in my mind an image of you, the mad chibi, hair mussed and frazzled, lopsided grin, mad eyes and with maniacal cackles as you pack and stuff, stuff and pack.

Anyway, thank you! The monthly tea came at the right time too. Cause in all this stress, yes, guess what...:/ I will be trying some of those teas today.

Thank you for thinking so kindly of us. *hugs*

I know that it puts me behind, but right now, we just can't deal with school. The tears have stopped, but every now and again it feels like the floodgates will just open. I did email my instructors to let them know what is going on. I figure that that will be good enough.

The apartment is a little emptier; a little quieter. The four other cats are doing well. Herme and Sami have been plying fairly normally, Beanie has been attentive and Wiley is a tad mopey. The kitty hierarchical structure has started to change as Sami has been claiming territory that was once only Syrius' domain.

Landmines are everywhere right now. His cat dish, the places he would sleep, the random whisker dropped on the bathroom floor. Sleep was spent fitfully. Both the Wers and we had a hard time going to sleep and both of the fronters would get up at random times to check on the other cats.

We are coping as well as possible, but it is very hard to do the whole grieving process thing. The Wers are physically sick from grief and I feel like I should be doing something, anything, but what I am doing now. We've gone through all the what if's and done a little rationalizing. But in the end the fact is that he is not here and we miss him terribly.

Have to get Kadaj to front tonight so that he can process. He was a mix of angry that developed into sad flailing. Everyone else is just sad at this point - that is the only way that I can describe it...overwhelming sadness.

Thank you to everyone who expressed their condolences. Those words really meant a lot, and I apologize that we can't get back to you right now - I just have no words other than thank you.

I know this will get easier with time, but right now, we are still ripped open and raw. Someday I will talk about his death and my experience with it, but not yet...not yet.

Apparently it isn't easy. Today we said goodbye to one of our beloved cats.

The high for today will be 48-9 degrees.

I could see my breath this morning on the walk into school.

So here we are trying not to get really sick. We have been fighting it for about a week now and we think we are winning.

Anyway, during this, we receive two facebook messages. Keep in mind, we don't frequent facebook very often partly because we have too many other things we are doing.

These two facebook messages are from our cousin and our brother - both of which have access to the telephone number that we have had for the last 6 years - telling us that our grandmother is in the hospital again (which tends to be a frequent occurrence for her, partly because she likes the attention, so we never know whether to take it seriously or not).

The one from our cousin basically read:

"Grandma is not doing well.. She cannot walk on her own anymore and she's very foggy.. If you want to see her, you may want to go to hospital pretty soon...

Our brother was a little more helpful - providing a room number and assurances that he was probably going to go up and see her.

But hey, isn't this method of contact a little like breaking up with someone via voicemail? Seriously, couldn't they have called us?

THIS is awesome!

And....

Have you EVER seen anyone play classical music on an ACCORDION like THIS?? Holy....WOW!

When I grow up, I wanna be Josh Gates.

Yeah...that would be cool. ^_^

First test for Pacific World history and I have to admit, it was really easy. This could mean two things:

1. I did very very well
2. I did poorly

I am betting on the "did well" since I knew most of the answers. and I was finished with the exam in about 15 minutes.

So now, I have a whole lot of time to kill! Let's see, I could either play online for two and a half hours or I could get some classwork done. Hmmm...tough choice. ^_^