Sleepy

I have got to stop staying up late.  Seriously, this is getting out of hand.  But... I just really wanted to write!  I think I'm going to need to start setting time apart to actually get writing done, otherwise I'm going to drive myself insane.  It just feels like some days I have so many things going on that writing just gets shoved to the side.  And then I get cranky because I love writing, and I don't want to give it up because everyone else wants me to do something else.  Which means I end up staying up too late to do it.
Which makes me sleepy.

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Back From Vacation

Hello all, sorry I went AWOL there for a few days, but it was a bit difficult to blog while flying/recovering from vacation.  I have to say, it's really nice to be home.  I mean, I love traveling, but I could have died from happiness when I was back in my own bed.  :) 
So, I'm back, and hopefully things will be a bit easier now.  Thanks for being patient with me!  You have no idea how happy it made me to see that people were still interested in this even after I stopped posting for a bit!

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Winding Down

Well, didn't do much today.  Just winding down before we head back home tomorrow.  And unfortunately, I discovered that after three days of hard walking/traveling, an easy day can make me a little cranky.  I hope I just didn't upset people too much.  Sorry to everybody.  But hopefully tomorrow will be easier.  And I'll be heading home!  As much as I love vacations, I really do love being at home.

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Epcot!

Whew, I thought I was tired yesterday.  On the one hand, I think  walked off all the carbs from the French restaurant we ate at.  On the other, my bum ankle is complaining bitterly.  Ah well.  Speaking of the French restaurant, funniest moment of the day was when a group of local college girls walked into the restaurant, and the trio of waiters at the entrance all turned their heads when they walked in and watched them while they got seated.  They looked like a bunch of dogs.
Honestly, I think the funnest part of the parks is talking with the workers.  They're so friendly and talkative, and it's fun to learn where the all come from, especially in Epcot's World Showcase.  Apparently everyone who works in the different countries come from the actual countries themselves.  All in all it was a pretty fun day.
Even if I am exhausted and my feet are aching. ;)

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Wizarding World!

It.  Was.  Awesome!
I've been once before, and it was better than I remembered.  Though the line to the ride in the castle was a lot longer than last time...
Well, CrimsonRuin wants details... what should I say?  The Dragon Challenge is my favorite ride, and with the rain threatening today, there was only a fifteen minute wait!  Ended up going twice the first time (we got through really first because it was just me and Dad and they were asking for parties of two), and then right before we left Mom and I went again.  Lots of fun.  I highly suggest it.  I also had a lot of fun talking to the worker stamping the "owl post."  She was really nice, played along really well, and I had a good time. 
Ooh, then I discovered just how long my hair is.  It's the one feature I have that I'm really happy with, which means I'm way too vain to cut it.  We were in the Jurassic Park area, and there was this booth offering hair wraps for $1.75 per inch of hair.  My hair was up in a braid, and when the lady asked to measure my hair and I pulled it out in front, her eyes got wide and she went, "Wow!"  Then she actually measured my hair, and it was going to cost me $45.  FORTY-FIVE DOLLARS!!!  To wrap my hair!  That means my hair it just shorter than twenty inches!
Needless to say, I didn't get it done.  I'd rather spend my money at Honeydukes. ;)
And now, I'm exhausted.  Gonna go to sleep, and then tomorrow, I'm going to Epcot!

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Florida

He-hey, I'm actually on!  I decided last minute to take my computer, and I actually have internet access! 
Whew, what a day!  Flying forever, then having a marvelous ravioli for dinner in Downtown Disney, and then we (meaning me, Mom, Dad, and Jake) wandered around for a little before heading to Disney Quest (an interactive game center) and played the Pirates Game, and then I made a pretty picture that I was going to have to pay $5 for them to print out, except the cashier was having trouble with the printer, so when we got it he gave it to me for free, and then we tried to blast each other to pieces playing this Buzz Lightyear Bumper Cart game, and then we played Pirates one more time, and then we went on a dinosaur cruise and were actually able to control the boat (most of the time the current just takes people wherever it wants to go), and I got new charms for my Princess Charm Bracelet... and that was only half a day.  Tomorrow the real fun starts. ;)  Wizarding World, here I come!

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Lindsay Sterling

I am so SO sorry I haven't posted the last two days!  I promise I'm not doing this on purpose!  Life just seems to run away with my time sometimes.  I think they're planning on eloping any day now.  And, heh, you guys are going to love me, I'm going to be in Orlando Wednesday through Sunday, and I'm not planning on bringing my computer, so... I probably won't be blogging.  Many great and sincere apologies.
On a happier topic, though, I got to see Lindsay Sterling!  Live!  Performing with MoTab!
Who are Lindsay Sterling and MoTab, you ask?  Lindsay Sterling is a hip-hop violinist; she dances while she plays violin.  Not impressed?  Check this out:

You try playing the violin and bending over backwards at the same time.  For those who can't see it, again, I apologize profusely, and can only say, look up "Elements" by Lindsay Sterling.  Most intense music video ever.
As for MoTab, it's short for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  They're enormous, they're talented, and somehow they always manage to be in perfect harmony with each other.  Observe:

For those who cannot observe here, look up the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing "Come, Come Ye Saints"
As I was saying, I got to see them perform together live!  It was amazing (even if traffic was a nightmare because they're doing construction on the freeway AGAIN!)!  Hence the reason I didn't post Saturday.  Too busy getting ready for that.  And, you know, the day kinda gets away from you when you sleep in too late. ;)
So, hopefully I'll post again tomorrow, but don't count on too many this week.  Hopefully when next week starts I'll be able to post with a bit more regularity again. :)

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Adding to the List

I'm beginning to think I should just create another page with a list of things you shouldn't do at night, for I have another to add to the list:  You really shouldn't write creepy book scenes late at night.  I ended up shivering with fright/excitement.  And then I didn't want to go to bed.  On the plus side, I'm really happy with how the scene ended up!

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Heather Dale

So, I've kinda been geeking out over this musician I recently discovered (YouTube is marvelous for that): Heather Dale.  Why do I love her music so much?  There are several reasons: 1) her music always tells a story. 2) She has a lot of songs that, while actually based off of certain stories (particularly Arthurian legends), most of them don't name names, which means they are applicable to just about anybody.  Except for "Mordred's Lullaby."  I'm pretty sure Morgan Le Fey is the only person I can think of with those kinds of problems. ;)  3) They're generally based in Arthurian Legends.  How can I not love them?

So, here are some of my favorites, I hope you enjoy them (for those of you who can't see them because you're looking at this on your phone, I deeply apologize, I can't figure out how to fix this thing so it's easier on mobile devices).  Number 1 is Mordred's Lullaby.  I love this one because it's haunting, but strangely beautiful. 

Next is Hero.  This one makes me think of Robin Hood, for obvious reasons.  I love the sense of defiance and hope it gives.

I'm having issues loading the videos, so I'll just tell you which you should look up. ;) Lily Maid; War Between Brothers; Storybook; Sedna; and Choose.  Enjoy!  If you like them, tell me why in the comments, I would love to hear from you!

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

I'm Back!

Hey guys, my internet is back!  And so is Kay (she was gone on a trip to Alaska for ten days, and I was SO.  BORED.  Being the only one in your apartment is lonely).  So, again, sorry I wasn't able to post for a little while there, and I'll be back to posting regularly from now on (until the next mini-crisis, at least ;)).

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Many Many Apologies!

I apologize for not posting all week, my apartment complex is switching internet providers, and I haven't been able to get online much.  I can't tell when I'll be able to post again until the internet is back up, so until then, I apologize for the wait.

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Family Pictures With "Adults"

... turns out to be just as difficult as family pictures with little kids, though perhaps a bit less distressing.  Unless you're the photographer.  But I guess that's what happens when you get four brothers, all very different from one another, together to try to get pictures.  They don't really stand still.  Mostly they just try to prank each other.  My poor mother (our photographer) was begging them to do just one serious picture, but of course one of them had to do something goofy just as she was taking the shot.  Still not sure if she ever got that serious picture.  I was laughing harder than I have in ages. 
There's just something fascinating about the relationship between brothers.  In some ways I'm very jealous of my brothers.  They seem to share such a unique bond.
Of course, bonds between sisters are pretty awesome too. ;)

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Family Pictures With Little Kids

Is a terribly frightening thing.
Actually, it wasn't really all that bad, it was just very tiring.  I don't like getting my picture taken, and neither do most of the children in my family (by which I mean nieces and nephews).  There was much crying and pouting and going where you're not supposed to go, and in the end, we only got half done.  The second half begins tomorrow.  :P
Oh well.  Hopefully it'll be after everybody's naptime, right?  Right?

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Day Off

Well, with the Fourth of July being yesterday, I was able to take today off work.
It.  Was.  Awesome! 
My sister, Brit, had a friend that does henna art, so all the girls in the family went to get henna done.  I have an owl!  Then I dropped by the library, and grabbed Panda Express for lunch at the park, and I finally got signed up for classes (I'm taking WELSH!!) and I saw Despicable Me 2 (adorable), and... and...
Yep.  I am content.  Especially since we also had a thunderstorm that finally cleaned my car off. ;)

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July!  Ah, I love this holiday so much!  I think it's only trumped by Christmas.  Just for once, Americans, in spite of all our bickering and political differences, are united in love for country and heritage.  No matter how much we may dislike each other, Independence Day helps us put that aside to focus on what we have in common.
Again, Happy Fourth!

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Something New

Today I began something I never thought I would ever try: composing.
See, I love music, but my knowledge is a little lacking when it comes to theory.  I never thought I would actually try to compose something.  But then I got this new book idea involving a character who sings all the time, and I thought it would be fun to have snippets of her songs at the beginning of the chapters, and then I wanted to play my pennywhistle... things kind of escalated.
Isn't it funny the things we'll do for our books?

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Jacobus Wilhelmus

Well, I would complain about allergies again, but I get the feeling that would be a bit boring, so instead I'll tell you about my office's newest member!
See, my friend Sarnic works at the local pet store, and as she and Kay are going to be leaving this week for a cruise (so jealous), I wanted to go visit during my lunch hour.  Mia works in my department as well, and we usually head out for lunch together.  When I told her I was heading to visit Sarnic, she made a somewhat random decision: "I want a fish for the office!"
She ran it by the manager and the others in our office, and everyone was excited, so during lunch hour while I wandered around trying to find Sarnic, Mia was picking out a fish.  I would post a picture, but I actually don't have one yet.  Not much of a shutterbug.  He's cool, though, a beta with an ice blue body and a red head and fins.  Neat.
Mia wanted to call him Sparta at first, but then Ky, our manager, wanted to throw other names around, and the one he suggested, the crazy long one that none of us would be able to remember, was Jacobus Wilhelmus.  Of course that's the one we picked. ;)
He is now swimming happily on Mia's filing cabinet, probably wondering just what the heck he's gotten into.

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira

Hang Up

Wow, um, sorry for not posting yesterday, I completely spaced.  I suppose that's what happens when you're too sleepy to concentrate on much.
So, I had an interesting phone call today.  I was in the middle of work when my cell phone started ringing (these people had actually called before, so I knew who it was).  Apparently some home insurance company got ahold of my number.  I pick up, and the person on the other end goes, "Hi, I'm so-and-so from such-and-such a home insurance company, how are you?"
Me: "... I don't own a home."
Them: "Oh, well, thank you for your..." Hang up.
Yep.  They hung up on me.  I was scaring my co-workers with how hard I was laughing about it. :)

Fare thee well, friend!
Mira