Judgments and People

So I'm going to split this blog into two sections. First, my analysis of my most recent Lost viewings (my apologies to non Lost fans), which will lead directly into some observations I have about judgments I tend to make.

As far as Lost is concerned, there's some interesting stuff going on. Staying on the same theme I've been on in relation to this show, I want to talk about characters. Two characters specifically. The first is Sawyer. He's rude, haughty, self-serving, callous, and really fit. He's a fascinating character, and his back story includes a lot of stuff that would be a total plot give away if you haven't seen the show. He's not a likable character, but I like him. I can't stand him, but I like him. I know that doesn't make any sense, but it has to do with his character. A few episodes ago he won major points when he told another character something about his estranged father that meant a lot to the other guy. He didn't have to do that, and it didn't benefit him in any way, so that was out of character for him. He also got shot trying to protect someone else. So, I like him. As a character. He's very interesting to me. Now, there's a new character that's been introduced named Anna Lucia. I can't stand her. She seems to have a permanent look of scorn fixed to her face, and she acts like she's been appointed dictator for life. I really detest her. Plus she just murdered a character that was slowly growing on me. But for all I know, I might be making a pre-judgment of someone I'll grow to like. For instance, Locke is growing on me quite a bit, even though from the beginning he's given me the creeps. Its making judgments of people.

Which leads me to my second thought for tonight. I tend to judge people. I've gotten better about not blurting out my judgments, but I still think it. I heard a woman use a double negative several times when speaking to her children the other day, and I made a judgment about her skills in the English language. I could have been spot on there, I don't know, but the point is that I formed an opinion about this woman with no other knowledge about her. Which is wrong. Usually my problem has more to do with people's media decisions. There's a girl I know in my youth group who I alternate between wanted to throw something at her to feeling really sad for her. I get increasingly frustrated whenever I get into a conversation with her, and I have trouble suppressing that. Lately I've been checking that a lot better, but it's really hard. She and I used to be friends, but one of her very poor decisions led to us being very estranged, and it's something she never realized. Which is a big part of why she irritates me. She has no standards regarding what she reads, watches, or listens to, and she doesn't realize that there's anything wrong with that. Now this is what I've been working on. It's not my job to give her my standards. I'm not perfect, I watch movies with bad content sometimes (Inception was brilliant by the way, but the language was bad. Same thing with 2012.). So why do I am I so judgmental of her? Once I catch myself, I can reevaluate where my heart is and accordingly fix my attitude towards her. I still think she's making horrible decisions, and I feel really sad for her, but I'm learning that it is not my job to tell her what she should be doing, it's God's job. So I need to step back and let him fix both of us.

Happy Christmas

 So I've just got back from spending Christmas in Williamsburg, Virginia. Until yesterday there wasn't any snow, but the decorations were lovely. These are some of the decorations that we saw. They decorate with fruit and veg and greenery, even though that's not historically accurate. Apparently Williamsburg got serious criticism back in the 30's because they switched from decorations like these ^^^ to basic greenery, which is historically accurate. So, in order to maintain their good customer relations, Williamsburg sold out and put the prettier decorations back. Even if it isn't historically accurate, it looks good, so I don't mind.

In addition to Williamsburg, we also went to Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, which despite a depressing lack of open roller coasters was still fun, if cold. Yesterday we opened what little presents we had brought with us (for those interested, I got an Aeropostale gift card, an Amazon gift card, some note cards, and a movie), went to brunch at a local hotel, and then decorated gingerbread men. The remainder of the day we watched Lost (would someone please explain to me what on earth is up with those magic numbers?) and Mythbusters, which was a lot of fun. Today we successfully drove home, despite all the hype about a snowstorm. When we got home, I received an awesome TARDIS mug from one of my best friends. And hopefully tonight I can watch the Doctor Who Christmas special!

Geeky Day

The Science Of Deduction
The Blog of Dr. John Watson
So above, you'll see links to two websites. I know I just blogged early today, give me a break! This is me having a full out geek moment. These websites were put out by the BBC while Sherlock was airing early this year. So, obviously, they haven't been updated since then. However, I was just looking at Sherlock's website and Watson's blog!!!!! <- That's me having my geeky moment. How cool is that? So I've provided the links on the off chance that someone is interested. By the way, if you haven't watched Sherlock, go get the DVDs. They're brilliant!

Getting Lost

Sorry, I'm not getting deep here. I mean the TV show. I'm almost finished with season 1, and I have to say, it's interesting. Some TV shows, like Doctor Who, grabbed me right away and didn't let go. I'm a fan through and through and wait for every episode eagerly. This show, Lost, this bizarre and brilliant show, didn't do that. Instead of grabbing me right away, it slowly wrapped around me, and is only now beginning to cinch down. Before I get too caught up in that metaphor, I'll switch into normal terms. Lost is a show I'm not obsessive about. It's interesting, but not as phenomenal (to me) as some other shows. However, the writing and character development is amazing, and that's what I'm fascinated by. Over the course of the first season, my opinions of characters have flip flopped so much, and some characters I have five or six differing opinions on all at the same time. Some characters I flat out just like. I like Jack, Kate, Sun, Hurley, and I really like Charlie and Claire. Some characters I don't like at all. I don't like Jin. Some characters I go back and forth on, like Michael and Sayid. Some characters I like, or hate, and don't understand. That would include Locke (who gives me the creeps, even though I like him) and Sawyer (don't get me started on that guy). The fact that this show is able to stir up such fascination into the lives of seemingly ordinary people is very interesting to me, and that's why I'm enjoying Lost.

Pret A Manger

I can't remember if I've ever bothered to mention on this blog that I lived in England for three years. Most people who know me are probably tired of my stories by now. The reason I bring it up is because I was in Washington D.C. yesterday to see the Air Force Band and the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the Smithsonian. We (my mother, brother, and I) took the Metro into town. As we are riding the escalator to the street level, our heads emerge from the dark underground station and a heavenly light glowed upon us. Well, not really, but it was pretty close. Right in front of us at the very top of the escalator was a Pret A Manger. For the poor, sad, uninitiated, Pret is a pre-prepared sandwich place. They make everything that day, and whatever isn't sold is given to the homeless. It's also a place we frequented all the time in England. I looked it up when I got home and discovered that while officially 85% of Pret shops are in the UK, they have 2 stores in Washington D.C., 24 stores in New York, and 10 in Hong Kong. For those who've never been to Pret, I would heartily recommend it. It's delicious, and all natural. Not to sound like a commercial. Still, I was absolutely psyched to be able to have lunch at a Pret yesterday!

What I do when I'm bored in class

Theoretically, just there <<< you should see an animation I made in photoshop class today, since I'd already finished my project and had little better to do. If it isn't working, then you'll see a black and white image of a hand heart sign that's colored in the middle. Not quite as interesting, but still rather nice. I have finals next week, and I was rather cross to discover that they are not on the same day, as I'd thought. In actuality I have to come in at random times on two different days, which means I have a normal school week next week, as opposed to one that ended on Tuesday. Oh well, I'll survive. I'm also still studying for Western Civ I, the CLEP I shall hopefully be taking next week, probably on Wednesday. Oh, Thanksgiving was rather lovely, we ate at a friend's house, played Apples to Apples, then watched Finding Nemo. Tomorrow I'm babysitting. I bought a Skillet album the other day because it was on sale. It's Awake if you're interested. Monster is my favorite. I'm only one person away from being done with Christmas. That whole last ramble there? That's me getting you caught up because I'm a miserable blogger. Though better than when I journaled. Oh, and I'm on that Twitter thing, although I mostly read, not post. If anybody wants to stalk...I mean follow me I'm GingerTimeLord. Although, if I don't actually know you I'm probably not going to say yes to your follow request. Just so you know. I call it safety when I'm being a responsible adult and paranoia the rest of the time. Either way, that's how it is. Ta ta for now. More updates after the school work descends on me, as long as I'm still here.

Nail Pen

Last night, I was with Mum at the Mall That Time Forgot, which is what I call the mall closest to us, and I bought a nail art pen thing at Claire's. Today, I was figuring out how to use it while painting my nails for the first time in months. Last  time I went on a nail painting spree I turned my nails yellow for a week or two, so I was trying to avoid doing that. Anyway, I just had to tell someone that I did this to my fingers:

If you can't read them, it says Don't Blink. I'm psyched to have that on my fingers. If you have to ask why, you're not a Whovian. Although a lot of my friends aren't, so only a small percentage of people will think this is cool. Anyway, I like it!

Web Design

In photoshop class, my current project is to create four web pages for a website. In the interest of practicality, I've decided to design my own website that I might actually use if and/or when I ever start selling my amigurumis, which I've been encouraged to do for quite some time now. That got be to thinking, can I legally sell something that I've knit or crocheted if I didn't design the pattern myself? That's what I'm worried about. I mean, I'm visualizing having a section on this website dedicated to the creators of the patterns I use. "Thanks to so and so for this doll pattern, thanks to so and so for this bear pattern..." etc. I don't want to get myself in legal trouble, so I'm doing research to figure out how this will work.

Merry Christmas!

This morning was Christmas, and the family has successfully exchanged presents. I bought David Mario Kart for the Wii with an extra wheel, and a book on nuclear warfare that I thought sounded good. I bought Mum a worship CD and Lost: The Complete Collection. I bought Dad a Bill Jack DVD (because Bill Jack is awesome) and knit him a penguin. That was an interesting story, because I knit him a penguin with the same pattern years ago, and it turned out hideously. This new one actually looks like a penguin. :) I received a laptop lap desk, a camera, two scarves, gloves, two jackets, pjs, fuzzy socks, crochet hooks, eyes for my amigurumis, a pencil case and notebook, the re-launched version of the Nancy Drew game Secrets Can Kill, and the brand new Trauma Center game for the Wii, Trauma Team. :D Now I have to start planning presents for all my friends!

First Flight, Family, Road Trips, Passed Tests, Friends Visiting, and Christmas

Well, that's a long title, isn't it? I'm awfully bad at this blogging thing, so I need to get you up to speed in a flash. First off, last Friday at 7:45 in the morning I took off in a plane for Providence, Rhode Island on my own. It was my first flight without at least one parent, but oddly enough it turned out to not be that big of a deal. I didn't have any problems, and no paranoid delusions. Anyway, the reason I was in Rhode Island was to visit my Uncle, Aunt, and their three children, the youngest of which I hadn't met yet. We drove back on Sunday, which is where the road trip part of the title comes in to play. Road trips are probably fun in some sense, but I don't think I'm a road trip person. Although thankfully I did get to sleep most of the 8+ hour drive back home. Thankfully, today I passed my American Literature CLEP. For inquiring minds, that puts me at 36 college credits. No, I'm not bragging. Well, maybe a little bit. In upcoming news, our pastor and his wife from England (who happen to be American, pastoring a British church) are coming to visit us for about a day. It's always fun to see people from your past, even if it's only been a year and a bit. Also upcoming, this Friday we're having Christmas. Why? Well, since we'll be minus one member of the family on the actual day, we're having it early before said member leaves. Thankfully I was already set for the family. David ended up ordering his present for me yesterday, since he'd forgotten up until this point. Silly boy! Anyway, now I think you're caught up!

Still On The Drugs

Since my surgery I've been taking three different drugs, but mostly Motrin and Vicodin. Upon telling two of my friends that I was on Vicodin, the first thing they wanted to know was if I was hallucinating yet. They had to explain that to me, since I've only seen like four episodes of House. It's been five days since the surgery, but I'm still not eating solid food, and I'm still swollen. This was my first major surgery, and I can't help but think that I'm going to do everything in my power to avoid ever needing any major medical anything ever again. Maybe I'll have to suffer a broken bone though. After all, Dad broke his leg skiing, Mum broke her collarbone falling out of bed, and my brother broke his arm falling off the couch. If I have to have something major and medical again, I hope I'll have a good story. Like, "I broke four ribs when my para glider shredded in mid-air", or "I damaged my internal organs when my bungee cord snapped". I changed my mind. Forget a good story, I just don't want anything major and medical happening!

A Word To The Wise...

Yesterday morning, I got up at 7am, got dressed, didn't eat anything, per instruction, then went to the dentist and got my wisdom teeth removed. According to my watch the procedure took a little less than an hour, but I don't remember a thing. All I knew when I woke up was that my cheeks were stuffed with gauze, and Mum had to pick me up three different prescriptions. Since then, I've been drinking liquids, watching tv, and lurking facebook. With any luck. I'll be better in time for school on Tuesday.

Close Game

A while back, Mum took me to see this movie called The Blind Side. I'm not a sports fan, but this movie centers around the life of a Baltimore Ravens football player named Michael Oher. After I saw the movie, I began attending weekly game watching parties that my youth group holds so that I could watch the Ravens games. I still don't really know what's going on, but I rather enjoy watching them. Today, the Ravens played the Patriots. They finished out the 4th quarter 20 to 20. It was my first time ever watching a game in overtime, and it was pretty tense in the room. Finally, the Patriots won with a field goal. I think. Still working on my terms. Anyway, it was a really close game. I think being so close to winning and having it barely snatched from you is devastating. Perhaps even more so than losing miserably. Either way, hopefully you tried your best. That's my attempt at football theology. Now I'm off to youth group. Tomorrow I have a lot of studying to do.

Photoshop Class

So this semester I've been taking a Photoshop class at the local community college. The picture you see is what I consider my best work to date. It consists of four pictures. The background is a picture of the inside of the TARDIS, which I gave a filter to dampen the bright colors a bit. On top of that is a picture of the TARDIS, which has a filter giving it slight texture, and a picture of a piece of the TARDIS from Cold Blood in series 5. On top of that is the cracked display from the TARDIS screen, which I put a layer mask over. The layer mask allowed me to make the entire display image transparent, except for the crack. Doesn't it look cool?! Since this I've mostly been working on black and white pictures with small amounts of color. They've turned out quite well. Anyway, that's a bit about my work in Photoshop class!

More History Of My Crafts

So earlier this summer, a friend of mine had a birthday. At my birthday party, I had introduced her to Doctor Who, and she had since become quite a fan. She really wanted the 11th Doctor's sonic screwdriver for her birthday, so I told her I would get her one. However, since she now knew what I was going to get her, I decided to make her an 11th Doctor doll to go with the screwdriver. What you see here is the result. I was quite pleased with the outcome, although I found the hair quite vexing. Regardless, she and I both loved it. If anyone is interested in making one, all I did was alter a pattern by Snuffykin on Ravelry for a 10th Doctor doll. It was rather simple to modify, but I would warn you that the hair is really obnoxious to work with.

A Beautiful Clutch That Happens To Be Possessed

This is the clutch purse I made for my Alaska cruise. Isn't it lovely? I used some black mohair yarn with sequins that I bought at a charity shop in Brandon, England. The edging is doing with Vanna's Choice Glamour silver, and the button was lying in my desk. The flower was on sale at Sears, and had the right colors so I added it. It turned out quite lovely, I rather love it, and I swear I shall never make another ever again. Why? Well, the pattern called for a 3.5mm crochet hook, which is a tad small. I tend to try and crochet with a bigger hook, because it's easier on my fingers. Let me connect the dots here. Small hook, plus yarn with sequins, plus time limit to finish, equals the project I have hated working on the most. I invested hours into this clutch. It's gorgeous! But I hated working on it. Anyway, it's quite lovely and I'm pleased with my result.

It's Been Awhile...

I shouldn't be surprised. I've never consistently journaled for more than a few weeks. Still though, I haven't blogged since I was in Alaska! So, in a nutshell, my summer was:

1. History camp at Patrick Henry College.

2. Adventure camp with my youth group.

3. WorldView Academy at Liberty University.

I did a few other things, but that was the majority of my summer. I'm taking two classes this semester in college. I'm taking first aid, and intro to Photoshop. I'm enjoying both, but the Photoshop class if probably my favorite.

I promise to blog more often! Heh, although it would be nice if what I wrote got read. *cough* :D

And the depression settles down...but first a recap.

So before I launch into my story about today, let me recap what I've been doing. Having left on May 15, and arrived in Vancouver on the 16th, we boarded the m.s. Statendam and set sail on a week long cruise. The morning we docked in Ketchikan, I threw up twice and was confined to quarters, unable to go see Ketchikan. I did however see Juneau and Skagway, the following two towns. When we left the boat in Seward, we took a shuttle up to Ted Stevens International Airport, rented a dark red Altima, drove up to Denali, spent the night, spent the whole day, spent the next night, and drove back to Anchorage the next morning. We've been staying with friends on the hillside and have managed to see a vast majority of our friends so far.

Which brings me to today. Today we went to the Saturday Market, various errands, and piano recital for some old friends. I've had various minor arguments with my mother all day, which haven't really caused a tension, but have been wearing me down more and more. I hate having that sort of interaction. It was all sort of building up around me. When we arrived at the recital, we started talking to our old friends, and one by one the kids started coming up. Three of the daughters are in my age range, and the younger and older I'd already seen and had fun talking to a few days prior. When the middle daughter came out, who I was always great friends with, she didn't even greet me, except for maybe a vague hello. To be fair, she had students in the recital and probably was busy...except that she bother to talk to our moms, and didn't appear to be busy. Normally stuff like that doesn't bother me, but altogether...I'm just not feeling particularly jolly today.

And I declare this product to be...finished!

With a day to spare, I finished my bag! It turned out fabulously, and I intend to post a picture as soon as I have taken one. Which will probably be while I'm on the cruise, seeing as how I'll be using it there. Anyway...

So I leave tomorrow, and I've packed everything, with some room left over for the shopping I'll be doing at the best used book store in the world! Plus I may kidnap a friend or two to bring back with me.

Crafts are made of time

So as I stated in my last blog, I'm leaving this Saturday for a cruise to Alaska. Yay! There are two formal dinners that require *very* fancy dress, for which I bought a beautiful black dress, bolero, and heels. Still yay-ish, after all, I do have to wear a dress! To accessorize that dress (and silver bracelets) I am making a clutch bag out of slightly mohair-ish yarn with sequins, with an accenting row of silver, finished with a black and silver faux flower. It will look stunning, however I have less than two days to finish it, and have three more inches to go. It's a very difficult pattern, and the crochet is so tiny it makes my fingers hurt. I started this pattern nearly four months ago now. Granted, I have been busy, but it's still taking too long. *sigh* I shall work on it as hard as possible in an attempt to finish it for the cruise!

T-minus three days and counting...

When you have something exciting on your horizon, it always seems to take forever to arrive, doesn't it? My summer is going to be composed of three, possible four exciting things, plus some CLEP tests. The first of my exciting things has two parts. First, I'm going on my first cruise! We launch from Vancouver, and end in Alaska. The second part is my week in Anchorage. I haven't been back to Anchorage in two years! It's high time to visit my favorite state again. Only three more days until I leave, and I cannot wait.

My other exciting things this summer aren't vacations so much. First I'm attending a history camp at Patrick Henry College (which was not my idea, but I'm anticipating anyway), and second I'm attending WorldView Academy at Liberty University (which was totally my idea). I might attend an adventure camp with my youth group in July, but the jury's still out on that one.

Anyway, my excitement of the day is about Alaska!

*sings* Three more days till Alaska, three more days till Alaska...

A beginning and an ending

My beginning today is of a blog! I think I'm a little late to jump on the band wagon, but I'm giving it a go. With any luck I'll post on here more often than I wrote in my phases of journaling. We can hope, anyway!

Today I ended my semester of Spanish 112 at community college. No word yet on my grade, I'll expect to know that in a few weeks. My teacher has told me that I passed the semester. I'd be excited by that, except "passed" could mean just about anything. Hopefully, passed means a B or better!

-Bri